South Africa: Minister Zulu congratulates social grant beneficiaries on passing Matric

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has congratulated social grant beneficiaries who wrote their final Grade 12 examinations, amid difficult circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement on Monday, the department said the results on the performance of the 2022 Social Grant Beneficiaries (SGB) who wrote the 2022 NSC examination show an impressive increase in performance between the years, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, in all provinces.

The overall increase now sits at 8.7 percentage points from 0.2 % in 2020/2021.

Minister Zulu has further extended a word of appreciation to parents, caregivers, social service practitioners, teachers, school governing bodies, and community structures who played an important role in guiding the class of 2022 to realise and achieve their dreams.

Minister Zulu called for caregivers and parents to equally support those matriculants who may not have done well or did not make it by providing them with a second chance.



We want to take this opportunity to encourage the learners who did not pass to remain hopeful and not panic or give up on their dreams. It is during this period that families and friends should show support.

For those whose results were not as good as expected, not to give up as many opportunities are still available for them to succeed. Information, advice, and guidance on what to do next is available and I would urge the learners to use these opportunities fully to improve their results.

I also want to encourage the parents to be supportive to their children as parental involvement has long been identified as having a clear and positive relationship to the success of young people regarding educational performance as well as protection from alcohol and drug abuse, Minister Zulu said.

Performance by Province

The ranking of the social grant beneficiaries performance by province sees Gauteng Province as the best performing province at 81.59%, followed by the Free State (76.19%), KwaZulu-Natal (75.73%), North West (74.19%), and Northern Cape (71.23%).

The three provinces with similar levels of performance are the Eastern Cape (68.66%), Mpumalanga (68.49%) and Western Cape (68.49%). Limpopo is the province with performance below the 60% threshold at 59.65%.



The department said that the previous year saw more female social grant beneficiary learners sitting for their NSC examination at 256 902, as compared to 191 490 males. A trend that has been observed in previous years.

The overall male pass rate was reportedly higher at 72.5% compared to the female, which is at 70.39%. This is observed in all provinces except in Gauteng, where 81.86% of females performed slightly better than their male counterparts who obtained 81.21%.



These results prove that programmes that promote gender parity in performance, such as the Sanitary Dignity Programme, are interventions which encourage the retention of girls in school as well as their attendance and performance, the minister said.

Minister Zulu has called on all Provinces to strengthen these interventions especially in rural and township areas.

She said that the academic performance highlights the critical role that social protection and pro-poor interventions play in addressing intergenerational poverty and child wellbeing.

When comparing learners who were still receiving their grant (active recipients) in their matric year and those who whose grant had stopped (inactive recipients) due to their age, active social grant beneficiaries were found to have a substantially higher pass rate as compared to inactive social grant beneficiaries, with an overall pass rate of 87.20% and 75.22%, respectively, the department highlighted.



This is observed in all provinces and is a trend that has been consistent in previous years, showing some evidence of the effects of social grants on childrens educational outcomes.

The findings may be demonstrating that the impact of social grants is likely to be greater the longer the transfer duration, especially, if child-specific grants are kept active until the learner completes their Grade 12 education. Nonetheless, while the inactive pass rates are lower, it is essential to note that just about 75% of inactive social grant beneficiaries managed to pass their NSC examinations, the department said.



The Minister also reminds the grant beneficiaries who applied and were accepted at tertiary institutions that they will not be means tested when applying for financial assistance with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Nepal is ready to welcome Chinese tourists back as a popular destination, a Nepali official said.

Nepal "is all prepared with added facilities, amenities, properties and products to welcome valued tourists from China in the days and years to come," Suresh Adhikari, secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, wrote in a recent message to the Chinese embassy.

The secretary referred to the "age-long" cultural and economic relations between Nepal and China and described his country as a "popular destination" for tourists.

He extended "hearty greetings and best wishes" to the Chinese government and people on the auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year, which fell on Sunday.

The Nepali government has reportedly prepared a Strategic Action Plan for Visit Nepal Decade (2023-2032) with a view to bringing in 3.5 million tourists and creating one million additional jobs in the tourism sector battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.




ubitricity

Ubitricity plans to add 300 charging points to Liverpool, UK, lampposts, with each 5-kW charging point requiring under two hours to install.

This type of curbside charger is aimed at apartment dwellers in cities who do not have overnight charging opportunities close to their buildings.

The company, now owned by Shell, has installed over 6000 chargers in London alone.

Despite several states' ambitious plans to phase out the sale of gas- and diesel-engined cars and light trucks by 2035 or earlierincluding New York and Californiarelatively little attention is given in US cities to apartment dwellers who have streetside parking or other limited options for charging at home. Curbside chargers are rare in the US, with progress being made at a glacial pace in the few cities that are actually addressing the problem.

Could existing city infrastructure provide a solution to boost curbside charging?

A company called Ubitricity certainly thinks so, with plans to install 300 charge points into city lampposts in Liverpool, UK. Among other things, this will give Liverpool the status of third largest public charging network in the country, behind only London and Coventry.

The company says that the charge points take less than two hours to install, and feature 5-kW charging speeds, with the locations chosen by residents and businesses in the city. The project will add to 150 existing public charge points in Liverpool, which is far behind the south of the UK when it comes to charging. Ubitricity notes that a study by the Department of Transport determined that by mid-summer 2022, the country's northwest region had 76% fewer public chargers per 100,000 residents than London.

"This program puts down a real mark of intent to provide the necessary infrastructure to help the move away from petrol and diesel powered cars," said Liverpool city councilor Dan Barrington. "The fact that the roll-out is being led by community requests means the points are going where the demand is needed most which means they'll be getting maximum usage."

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ubitricity

Of course, 300 additional chargers with 5-kW speeds won't address every EV owner's needs in Liverpool alone, as the city has almost 500,000 residents. But as a demonstration of accessible charging infrastructure, turning existing street lights into charge points, is one of the best examples of cost effective and accessible EV charging infrastructure that could be replicated in the US.

The company is making progress in other parts of the UK, with an additional 500 Ubitricity chargers slated to be added to Westminster's lampposts by Siemens. The London borough is far ahead of other parts of the sprawling capital when it comes to this type of curbside charger, with the company having installed over 6000 charging points across London since 2018.

"Westminster has built an impressive on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging network, making the transition to EV much more accessible to their residents," said Michael Sharkey, senior technical sales manager at Siemens eMobility. "These latest installs will bring the number of on-street chargers in Westminster to over 2000 the highest number of any London borough."

By comparison, charging infrastructure building efforts in US cities are now increasingly focused on larger hubs with DC fast-chargers that will attempt to offer some of the amenities offered by gas stations, especially in states that have adopted California's 2035 goal for phasing out sales of gas and diesel-engined cars and light trucks. Both types of charging infrastructure are badly needed in the US, though public charging points for city dwellers are mostly available in locations like apartment complex garagesnot curbside spots that can be used by everyone.

Perhaps what's needed in the US to kickstart this effort is an example city where a couple thousand lamppost chargers can be installed, to demonstrate the benefits of this type of overnight curbside charger. It's the kind of push that could make the 2035 target seem achievable.

Will lamppost chargers make a difference in cities, or will EV owners want the faster speeds of dedicated charging stations? Let us know your thoughts.
LANSING  A demonstration resulting in six arrests near Frandor on Saturday night apparently was connected to other protests over a police shooting and the building of a controversial police training center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The six people arrested Saturday night were among about 30 people demonstrating in the Frandor area when officers responded to 911 calls around 9:50 p.m., Lansing police said in a Monday afternoon news release.

The group began throwing glass candles at the windows of the Bank of America building on Frandor Avenue, smashing them, police said. Graffiti also was written on the building, including a spray-painted message saying, "stop cop city."

The Bank of America branch at the Frandor Shopping Center in Lansing shows damage from broken windows and graffiti Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.

Similar messages were sprayed on the exterior of a Bank of America branch office in Cobb County, Georgia, on the same night, according to media reports. "Stop Cop City" is a name for a movement that opposes a planned police training center on the site of former prison farm in Atlanta.

Bank of America officials did not immediately respond to messages left for them by the State Journal on Monday.

A 26-year-old man associated with the movement was shot and killed last week during a conflict with police in Atlanta, according to media reports.

Lansing police said they were aware of national protests stemming from the Atlanta shooting but did not expect local demonstrations. The six people arrested Saturday night all live in the Lansing area, the agency said.

Five of them are charged with hindering police, a high-court misdemeanor, and two of them also are charged with a city ordinance violation, police said. One person was charged with resisting an officer. It was unclear if that charge is the same as resisting and obstructing police, a felony under state law.

The State Journal is not naming the suspects because their names had apparently not been entered into the 54A District Court system as of Monday evening.

No one went inside the Lansing bank office, and the damage didn't indicate anyone was trying to make entry, Lansing Police Sgt. Kevin Schlagel told the State Journal. No other buildings or properties in the area were damaged, he said.

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Michigan State Police also responded to the demonstration, Lansing police said.

Bank of America has been targeted in the "Stop Cop City" movement because it donated money to Atlanta nonprofits, including the Atlanta Police Foundation, according to media reports.

Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Protest near Frandor, 6 arrests tied to Georgia police controversies
In season 4 of Netflix's hit true-crime series "I am a Killer," one episode focuses on a 1998 murder in Joplin.

Episode 5 of this latest season, which hit the streaming platform in December, is entitled "The Bogeyman" and includes a prison interview with Gary Black.

Black is serving a life sentence for fatally stabbing 28-year-old Jason Oscar Johnson following an altercation at a convenience store near downtown Joplin.

The episode opens with Black explaining his background, which includes being orphaned at 5 when his parents were killed in a car crash, dealing with an alcoholic adopted mother and then becoming a pimp at the age of 17.

Black, seated in a wheelchair in handcuffs throughout his interview, then detailed the crime  saying on the day of the killing he had been accompanying a prospective prostitute and that Johnson groped the woman and was trying to steal her away from Black. Black said he stabbed Johnson in the ensuing confrontation only after Johnson hit him with a bottle.

The remainder of the episode was essentially spent disproving Black's account of what happened.

Retired Joplin detective Darren Gallup said it was a case of "good versus evil," with Johnson being a respected member of the community and Black being a racist, violent criminal.

More:Two Springfield residents appear on new Netflix series, 'I Am A Stalker'

Gallup showed crime scene photos from the case, saying the physical evidence made it clear Johnson was stabbed while he was sitting inside his vehicle, not outside fighting with Black. Gallup also played surveillance footage from the convenience store which showed that Johnson only interacted with Black's companion for less than two seconds.

The episode also featured interviews with Johnson's parents, with his mother describing him as "a vibrant, intelligent, loving and caring individual.

A jury found Black guilty of first-degree murder in Johnson's death. He initially was sentenced to the death penalty, with prosecutors pointing out that Black had already spent more than a decade in prison for a previous robbery and shooting in which the victim survived.

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During the appeal process, Black's sentence was reduced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

At the conclusion of the episode, Black, 72, made it clear what his intentions are for the remainder of his life.

"I sit right here and cost the whole state of Missouri every penny I can get for the rest of my life," Black said.

A prison official confirmed this week Black is being held at the Potosi Correctional Center in Washington County.

"I am a Killer" is made by the same production company responsible for the series "I am a Stalker" on Netflix, which featured two Springfield cases in its first season last year. The Missouri Department of Corrections allowed crews to film and interview prisoners for both series.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Joplin murder case, Gary Black featured on Netlfix's 'I am a Killer'
A bill that would create a Center for American Exceptionalism at Black Hills State University moved forward Monday morning in the House Education committee on a 9-6 vote.

House Bill 1070 would establish the center at BHSU for $150,000, and the center would make all six public universities partners in creating a new K-12 curriculum on American history and exceptionalism available to all public schools, according to the bill.

The curriculum the center creates should explain why America rose to greatness and how to keep it that way, and (teach) students to balance critical thinking with love of country, and include South Dakota history with an American Indian tribes component focusing on the proud history of the Indigenous peoples of South Dakota.

More:SD lawmakers, lobbyists seem to agree 5% funding to education is helpful, but not enough

This center would also do the following, according to the bill:

Provide multimedia content on state social studies standards;

Work with K-12 teachers and provide professional development for them to educate on history and civics topics;

Oversee the We the People program, and its promotion and implementation throughout public schools; and,

Develop, implement and annually update a curriculum to be taught in two courses at the states public colleges and universities; one comparing communist and socialist countries to Western-style democratic countries, and one comparing command-style socialist economies to free-market capitalist economies.

Rep. Scott Odenbach, a Spearfish Republican, sponsored the bill and said he had consulted with the governors office and BHSU President Laurie Nichols about the bill. However, noone from the governors office, nor the South Dakota Department of Education, the Board of Regents, or even Nichols herself were present to testify in support of the legislation Monday morning.

S.D. Representative Scott Odenbach speaks during the first day of legislative session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Two other proponents included Nicholas Drummond, an assistant professor of political science at BHSU, and Wesley Brown, a Rapid City resident, BHSU alumnus and former director of special projects for the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota.

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Odenbach, Drummond and Brown spoke broadly about the need for free-flowing discussion, the importance of the We the People program and civics curriculum, and the benefits of teaching about the love of ones country.

Opponents of the bill included four education lobbyists, whose arguments Odenbach disparaged in his rebuttal as a parade of horribles."

He told new legislators on the committee that "you'll be subjected to what I call the parade of horribles, from all the folks that like public school just the way it is, who never want to change one thing."

Opponents also included a representative from the Bureau of Finance and Management, who said the bill doesnt account for ongoing funding needs.

More:South Dakota's new Education Secretary Joe Graves gives his take on social studies, teacher pay and more

The education lobbyists all largely argued the bill was unnecessary, in one way or another, including Rob Monson, with School Administrators of South Dakota; Dianna Miller, with the large school group; Mitch Richter, with the South Dakota United School Association; and Wade Pogany, with Associated School Boards of South Dakota

Monson said the bill neither makes current law better, nor solves a need of the state. He and Pogany said theres already a mechanism in place to introduce curriculum, and to let local schools and districts choose their own curriculum. The Board of Regents could do this now without a bill if they chose, Monsoon added.

Miller said Odenbach should work with the Board of Education Standards or local school districts on this topic before bringing it in the form of a bill. Richter questioned why the BOR and DOE didnt testify in support of this bill if they like it, and that introducing an individual organization like We the People into code isnt generally done in this state.

Ultimately, nine members of the committee voted to move the bill to the House Appropriations committee with a recommendation that it pass, and six voted against the bill.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Black Hills State could create 'American exceptionalism' curriculum
An attorney for another defendant standing trial in the gang indictment against Atlanta rapper Young Thug and several others is accusing a deputy of assaulting her client.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2s Michael Seiden was at the Fulton County courthouse Monday, where he talked with Sheriff Pat Labat, who said the defendant has been an ongoing problem and has refused to listen to deputies.

Labat said that this morning while he was waiting to be transported from the jail to the courthouse, he started spitting on the floor of the van and then eventually in the deputys face.

Defense attorney Angela DWilliams says her client, Rodalius Ryan, was punched in the head by a Fulton County sheriffs deputy, leaving him with cuts and bruises.

I will be filing a formal complaint with the sheriffs department and I hope they do a thorough investigation, DWilliams said.

She says they claimed Ryan spit on them first.

My clients said he went shh because he was upset about something, and they took that as him spitting, DWilliams explained. When they told him to get out of the van, they just grabbed him before he had a chance by his legs, dragged him out. His head hit the van on the floor, and they dragged him out some more. He actually hit the sidewalk.

According to the incident report filed Monday afternoon, Ryan was waiting to be transported from the jail to the courthouse when investigators say he started spitting on the floor of the transport van.

When told he would have to clean it up, the deputy says he began spitting in his direction and hit him in the side of the face.

Deputies say he stiffened his body and laid on the backseat when they tried getting him out of the van. The deputy said he was forced to get physical and remove him from the van and place him on the ground.

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This is the second lawyer defending alleged members of the criminal street gang Young Thug to claim deputies assaulted defendants. Last week, a lawyer representing Kahlieff Adams said a deputy tased him to the point he had to go to the hospital after Adams allegedly passed Young Thug a Percocet in the courtroom during jury selection.








Lawyers for Genesis Global told a federal bankruptcy court in New York City on Monday that theyve been working with creditors representatives and the U.S. Trustees Office around the clock for the past two months in order to reach a consensual resolution with the embattled companys creditors.

Genesis lending arm halted withdrawals on Nov. 18, 2022, after what its lawyers described as a run on the bank in the wake of FTXs collapse earlier that month. Two months later, on Jan. 19, Genesis Global Holdco  the holding company of Genesis Global Capital  and two of its subsidiaries, Genesis Asia Pacific (GAP) and Genesis Global Capital (GGC), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York.

Genesis lawyers  from the New York-based law firm Cleary Gottleib  told bankruptcy court Judge Sean H. Lane at a hearing on Monday they expect to reach an agreement with the creditors by the end of the week.

We have a timeline and an approach to get through this case as quickly as possible, Genesis attorney Sean ONeal told the judge. We really want to avoid getting involved in a prolonged case with litigation that effectively destroys value that would otherwise be available for the creditors.

Another lawyer for Genesis, Jane VanLare, told the court that one thing the crypto lender is considering is a sale of itself to generate funds to pay back creditors.

We do intend to conduct a marketing and sale process and/or raise additional capital, VanLare said. If the process does not result in the sale of a business, the equity interest in GGH, which is the Holdco entity, will be distributed to the debtors creditors.

According to a declaration filed by Genesis interim CEO Derar Islim, the company has more than $5 billion in liabilities  a sum considerably larger than its assets which, according to a presentation to the court on Monday, include approximately $150 million in unencumbered cash, $500 million in digital assets, $385 million in brokerage accounts and $505 million in outstanding loans to third parties. Also among the assets are large sums owed by its parent company, Digital Currency Group (DCG)  a $575 million loan maturing in May and a $1.1 billion promissory note due in 2032.

DCG is also the parent company of CoinDesk.

The next hearing will be held in mid-February.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Bidens decision allowing the FBI to search his home in Delaware last week is laying him open to fresh negative attention and embarrassment following the earlier discoveries of classified documents at that home and a former office. But its a legal and political calculation that aides hope will pay off in the long run as he prepares to seek reelection.

The remarkable, nearly 13-hour search by FBI agents of the sitting president's Wilmington home is the latest political black eye for Biden, who promised to restore propriety to the office after the tumultuous tenure of his predecessor, Donald Trump.

But with his actions, Biden is doing more than simply complying with federal investigators assigned to look into the discovery of the records. The president is aiming to show that, unlike Trump, he never intended to retain classified materials  a key distinction that experts say diminishes the risks of criminal liability.

White House spokesman Ian Sams said Monday that Bidens own attorneys invited the FBI to conduct the search. This was a voluntary proactive offer by the presidents personal lawyers to DOJ to have access to the home, he said, adding that it reflected how seriously Biden is taking the issue.

Mary McCord, a former senior Justice Department national security official, said, If I was a lawyer and I represented the president of the United States and I wanted to show, I am being fully cooperative, and I do care to be projecting transparency to the American public, and I do take this seriously,' I think this is the advice I would give as well.

That's not to say she approves of his handling of the documents.

I think its wrong that he had those documents there," she said. "It shows lapses at the end of the administration, when Biden was completing his time as vice president under Barack Obama.

Biden's personal attorneys first discovered classified materials on Nov. 2, a week before the midterm elections, as they were clearing out an office Biden had used at the Penn Biden Center in Washington. Since that initial discovery, Biden's team has adopted an accommodating approach to the investigation, even if they haven't been completely transparent in public.

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The White House has cited the  risk of sharing information thats not complete potentially interfering with the probe to justify not revealing more information to the public.

They didn't acknowledge the first discovery before the elections, though they swiftly notified the National Archives, returned the documents the day after they were found and coordinated subsequent searches and discoveries with the Department of Justice.

They also are not standing in the way of interviews of staff, including Kathy Chung, Biden's executive assistant when he was vice president, who helped oversee the packing of boxes that were taken to the Penn Biden Center.

She feels some responsibility but had absolutely no knowledge of classified documents being packed, according to a person familiar with her thinking. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Biden himself has said he was surprised the documents were in his possession. Last Thursday, frustrated at all the focus, he told reporters: There's no there there.

It all fits a theme: Biden and his aides maintain the document mishandling was not intentional. As far as Biden's possible legal exposure goes, the question of intention is critical: Federal law does not allow anyone to store classified documents in an unauthorized location, but it's only a prosecutable crime when someone is found to have knowingly" removed the documents from a proper place.

Still, welcoming the FBI search could backfire depending on what else might be found. Agents last week took possession of an additional round of items with classified markings, and some of Biden's handwritten notes and materials from his tenure as vice president and senator.

That's in addition to the documents already turned in by Biden's lawyers. Agents could also choose to search the Penn Biden Center and Biden's other home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, as the probe continues. Sams declined to say whether Biden would sign off on additional searches, referring the matter to the DOJ  which has asked the White House not to publicize searches in advance.

Criticism of Biden's handling of the matter has come from Democrats as well as Republicans. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the president should be embarrassed by the situation.

I think he should have a lot of regrets, added Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Even Bidens own attorneys have called it a mistake.

Republicans, meanwhile, have sought to use their new-found powers in the House, where they regained the majority this month, to investigate Bidens handling of the documents and hope to capitalize on the investigation, even as they have said investigating the documents retained by Trump is not a priority.

It is troubling that classified documents have been improperly stored at the home of President Biden for at least six years, raising questions about who may have reviewed or had access to classified information, House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., wrote in asking for visitor logs to Biden's residence.

Responding to Comer's requests for copies of the documents taken from Biden's home, the White House counsel's office on Monday said it no longer had possession of them. It said the White House would accommodate legitimate oversight interests, while also respecting the separation of powers and the constitutional and statutory obligations of the executive branch generally and the White House in particular.

This is not legitimate transparency from President Biden who once claimed hed have the most transparent administration in history, said Oversight Committee spokesperson Jessica Collins, who added that the panels Republicans would use all possible tools to get answers.

Trump and some of his supporters have been outspoken, claiming Biden is guilty of worse mishandling of classified documents than the Democrats sanctimoniously accuse Trump of being. The former president is sure to press that accusation vigorously as he campaigns to regain the White House.

The investigation of Trump also centers on classified documents that ended up at a home. In that case, though, the Justice Department issued a subpoena for the return of documents that Trump had refused to give back, then obtained a warrant and seized more than 100 documents during a dramatic August search of his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. Federal agents are investigating potential violations of three federal laws, including one that governs gathering, transmitting or losing defense information under the Espionage Act.

In 2016, when the FBI recommended against criminal charges for Hillary Clinton over classified emails she sent and received via a private server when she was secretary of state, then-FBI Director James Comey said the Justice Department in choosing which cases to bring over the past century  has looked for evidence of criminal intent, indications of disloyalty to the U.S., retention of vast quantities of classified documents or any effort to obstruct justice.

It's not clear whether agents in the Biden investigation have progressed beyond the question of intent. The White House has not answered key questions, including how classified information from his time as vice president could have ended up inside his Delaware home. But Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to head the probe given the sensitive politics around it.

Garland declared on Monday, in answer to a question: We do not have different rules for Democrats or Republicans. ... We apply the facts under the law in each case in a neutral and nonpartisan manner. That is what we always do and that is what we are doing in the matters you are referring to."

One key test of the limits of Bidens strategy revolves around the question of whether the president will agree to an interview with federal investigators if he is asked. White House officials thus far have refused to say whether or under what terms he would do so.
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The suspect of the California mass shooting on Saturday night was found dead in another city of what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Five women and five men were killed while another 10 people were injured in a mass shooting in the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown, the authorities said Sunday.

The fatal incident occurred at 10:22 p.m. (06:22 GMT) Saturday local time in Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular ballroom dance facility operated for about 30 years, when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday evening that the suspect was identified as Huu Can Tran, who entered the party and opened fire before fleeing the scene in a white van.

The vehicle was pulled over in a parking lot Sunday morning and surrounded by policemen from Torrance, located roughly 50 km southwest of Monterey Park after they heard a gunshot from inside the vehicle.

The man inside the van, who was found dead following a three-hour standoff with the Special Weapons and Tactics team, was confirmed as the suspect later, according to Luna.

No motive was disclosed at a Sunday evening news conference.

Monterey Park, a city of 61,000 residents located on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, has a majority Asian American population. Starting Saturday, the city hosted an annual two-day Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, one of the largest events in the region.

Thousands of shoppers took part in Saturday's celebrations which was concluded about one hour before the fatal shooting. The festivities scheduled for Sunday have been canceled.
Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A Washington, D.C., appeals court on Thursday declined to shield Donald Trump from the first of two civil defamation lawsuits by E. Jean Carroll, a writer who said the former U.S. president raped her nearly three decades ago. The district's highest local court, the Court of Appeals, said it did not have enough facts to decide whether Trump deserved immunity, after he accused the former Elle magazine columnist in June 2019 of lying about the alleged encounter. A ruling that Trump was acting as president, and not in his personal capacity, would have immunized him and doomed Carroll's first lawsuit because the government could substitute itself as the defendant, and the government cannot be sued for defamation.
A Leopard 2 A7V battle tank prior an event to mark the reception of the first units of the new tank on September 15, 2021 in Bad Frankenhausen, Germany. Photo by Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

Germany has finally approved sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

One military expert told Insider that these German-made weapons are the "right tank" to send.

But their battlefield utility will ultimately depend on how many Leopards Ukraine gets, he said.

Germany has finally approved the transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine after NATO members and other European partners spent weeks pushing the country to do so, and experts say it's what Kyiv needs right now.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday that Berlin plans to send a company of 14 Leopard tanks to Ukraine with more to come later. Other countries have signaled that they will do the same.

Germany has until now been reluctant to send its Leopards or permit other countries that operate the German-made armor to send tanks to Ukraine, even as a slew of senior European officials called upon Berlin to show a sense of urgency and give the go-ahead on these tanks.

These modern tanks are equipped with better armor, sensor suites, and weaponry than some of the older Soviet-era tanks that have largely dominated the battlefield in Ukraine. One military expert said the much-sought-after tanks are the "right" tanks to send to Ukraine at this moment and would be "militarily useful," but don't expect them to be a "silver bullet."

Leopards are the 'right tank to send'

The Leopard 2 main battle tank was developed in the 1970s and has had operational experience in Afghanistan, Syria, and Kosovo. It weighs about 70 tons but can travel up to 44 mph, has composite armor with ballistic and mine protections, and is armed with a 120 mm cannon, machine gun, and automatic grenade launchers.

Leopards are highly mobile and are a "little bit easier to maintain" than the American M1 Abrams, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters at a briefing last week, adding that "they can maneuver across large portions of territory before they need to refuel."

Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and a senior advisor with the Center for Strategic International Studies security program, told Insider that the Leopard "is the right tank to send," as opposed to the British Challenger 2 or the M1 Abrams. Around 2,000 Leopards have been produced, and they could be sent to Ukraine in mass quantities at a quicker speed than other Western tanks.

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Two Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks of the German armed forces participate in NATO military exercises in Pabrade, Lithuania, on October 27, 2022. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Once Leopard tanks do eventually make their way to Ukraine, it doesn't necessarily mean that they'll break open the front lines, Cancian said. But they will help during a Ukrainian offensive  a maneuver during which tanks can provide their most utility because they give a boost in firepower, protection, and mobility.

Indeed, Leopard tanks "would be militarily useful depending on how many were sent," he said. European countries would need to send a "fairly large number" of these weapons  like 100 or 200  to Ukraine. "Sending 15 [tanks] from Poland has an important psychological and political effect, and that should not be ignored, but it won't have a significant battlefield effect," he added.

There's no 'silver bullet' to win the war

Ukraine, which has mainly relied on Soviet-era tanks, has for months been squaring off against Russian T-72, T-64, T-80, and T-90 tanks, according to Oryx, an open-source intelligence site that tracks war losses on both sides.

Leopards  like other NATO tanks  have the potential to bring a "fire control" advantage to the battlefield, Cancian said. These weapons can spot and hit targets at longer ranges than Moscow's forces can because they have more sophisticated sighting and aiming mechanisms.

That said, there's "no silver bullet out there," Cancian explained. There is no weapon that can be sent to Ukraine or training program that will guarantee a win in the war. Rather, it's the accumulation of all the military aid  like tanks, air defense systems, and artillery  that would give Kyiv an upper hand to expel the Russians from its territory.

And security assistance continues to pile up. Western countries have rushed to commit to providing Ukraine with lots of armor vehicles in the first few weeks of this year, with five countries announcing recently their intention to send armored combat vehicles to Kyiv.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged countries to provide it with tanks that could help Kyiv make progress in what has turned into a grinding and slow-moving 11-month-long war. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that the war is currently a "very, very difficult fight," with a relatively "static" front line.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Officials at the scene where a gunman opened fire at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Just before 10:30 p.m., the 911 call came in.

It would be the beginning of a devastating night, as Californians learned the gruesome details of a mass shooting in Monterey Park that killed 10 people  one of the deadliest acts of violence in the nation in recent years.

Police said Sunday afternoon that a suspect was dead after authorities surrounded and breached a white van in Torrance that they said was linked to the shooting. They said the man, 72-year-old Hemet resident Huu Can Tran, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators said they are still piecing together details of the evening, including a potential motive for the shooting, which took place shortly after Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park.

The Times reviewed emergency dispatch recordings, which give key details on how police, fire and rescue workers responded Saturday evening and what they found.

The audio files are from Broadcastify.com, a popular website that displays and logs public radio chatter that's used by emergency officials across the country. The time stamps used are estimates.

10:29 p.m.: "Gunshot victims... Stage at Newmark and Ramona"

A dispatcher calls out that there has been a shooting near W. Newmark and S. Ramona Ave in Monterey Park and tells first responders to set up there.

That's two blocks south of the Star Dance Studio, which is at 122 W. Garvey Ave.

10:33 p.m.: "Stage at Ramona and Garvey. Enter from the west ... All units ... clear to enter"

The staging area is shifted closer to the studio as more details become clear. Police and rescue units continue to arrive.

10:38 p.m.: Details emerge on the human toll

A man on the scene describes victims who are in the parking lot and says the scene inside the studio has been "cleared." He says people going inside the studio will relay back more information on the victims.

The update they soon pass along is bleak.

A different man says there are "10 unresponsive inside and you have 2 that are still in critical condition  breathing. Total of 12."

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10:39 p.m.: The victim count quickly grows

"At this time, our number is 16. Four in the lot. Twelve inside the occupancy."

10:40 p.m.: A "mass casualty incident"

An "MCI," or "mass casualty incident" is declared as it becomes apparent that there was a mass shooting.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna answers questions about the mass shooting in Monterey Park. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

10:41 p.m.: "Litter team"

There's a call for transport to take away the dead and living. There at at least two fire engines and four ambulances on the scene before more are ordered.

10:45 p.m.: "Additional units requested. Multiple victims. Gunshot wounds."

The extent of the deaths and injuries is coming into view.

"We're at 17 right now," a man says of the victims. "I think you got the (number of) deceased."

There are five victims outside and 10 who are dead inside the studio. At least two people inside are in critical condition.

11:02 p.m.: "Basic life support" is requested

Response units from several municipalities, including Monterey Park and the city of Los Angeles, are hurrying to the shooting.

"BLS," shorthand for "basic life support" units, are requested because of the critical condition of several victims.

Victims are transported to several hospitals, including Huntington Hospital in Pasadena and Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park.

In addition to those who died, officials said at least 10 additional people were injured at the dance studio. At a Sunday evening news conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Capt. Robert Luna said seven victims remain in hospitals.

Times staff writer Paige St. John and audio producer David Toledo contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Melissa Ortega migrated with her mother from Zacatecas, Mexico, to the United States in July 2021.

A year and a half later, on a snowy and cold Sunday afternoon, Little Village residents and community activists gathered on the corner of West 26th Street and South Pulaski Road. The gloomy weather only accentuated the cruel reality that had brought them together: the shooting death of Melissa, 8, in that same spot in January 2022.

She is remembered as a happy, bright, charming, sociable little girl with a wonderful imagination, according to artist Milton Coronado.

One year ago, we met here due to a tragedy, a tragedy that has traumatized our community again, and again, and again, said Baltazar Enriquez of the Little Village Community Council. So we have all come together to see: What is the solution? What is it that we can do to stop this violence?

On Jan. 22, 2022, Melissa and her mother were crossing South Pulaski Road holding hands when a 16-year-old on juvenile probation opened fire in broad daylight after seeing a rival flash gang signs, according to prosecutors. He hit his target, but he also shot Melissa  who was wearing a pink hat  in the head. She fell to the ground.

Emilio Corripio, a teen prosecutors said was a self-admitted member of the Latin Kings, then got back into a car driven by 27-year-old Xavier Guzman, and the two then drove to buy sandwiches and drinks. Four days after Melissas killing, her mother, Aracelia Leanos, released a statement forgiving the shooter.

To the aggressor. I forgive you. You were a victim too. As a 16-year-old, the community failed you, just like it failed my precious baby, Leanos said. Words cannot describe the pain I am feeling. On January 22 I lost my greatest treasure in life. I lost my princess. She was the reason why I got up every morning.

Community activists on Sunday spoke about a culture of violence that needs to be dealt with so young people stop turning to crime and guns.

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Here we have an 8-year-old victim, and the aggressor is 16 years old  just eight years apart. So we definitely have a problem here that we need to get to the core (of), Enriquez said.

He said the Little Village Community Council will be opening a mental health clinic to address the psychological effects of violence and trauma in the neighborhood, which he called a resilient community. Additionally, he said, the council will establish a committee called Mothers and Families for Justice to help reform the police departments homicide division.

I wish we didnt have to remember her in this way, but we remember her anyway. And we didnt want this date to pass without remembering her and raising awareness of the importance of stopping violence and investing in our children, said Selene Partida, who helped organize the march, in Spanish. Were here to remind the community, Little Village, all the Mexicans who live here, everyone who has cried over Melissas death, and everyone who has lost a loved one to violent crime, that were not going to let it pass, that we remember them and that their lives were not in vain.

Kristian Armendariz, community organizer with Little Village Community Council, said the council will also be launching the Peace Project, which has been in the works for the last three months and which will offer job readiness, mental health and financial literacy services to young people ages 18 to 25.

Its about time somebody implements this type of initiative in our community, he said. All these nonprofit organizations that receive violence prevention money, funding, they should be out here, fighting for Melissa; they should be out here providing more services for our youth, because our youth is our future  and if we dont invest in our youth, what are we doing?

In 2020 and 2021, there was an increase in shootings, both fatal and nonfatal, of youths 17 and younger in the city of Chicago.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, also spoke Sunday. These are not statistics; they are not numbers, he said. These are young people  these are our young people. Our families are being torn apart by senseless violence.

He mentioned a national mental health crisis among youth that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Chicago, he said, 3,000 to 5,000 children in Chicago Public Schools are considered at risk of being victims of violence.

What are doing to prevent this? What are we doing to keep our families, our kids safe? he asked. Mental health services are vital and we must invest in them, he said. We need to reopen public health mental clinics, and thats what were demanding of all of those politicians that want to represent the city of Chicago.

Sigcho-Lopez referenced the Dec. 16 shooting at Benito Juarez Community Academy, which left two students dead and injured two others. He also mentioned Little Village vendors being brutalized and robbed  after tamaleros experienced a string of armed robberies in December  and the need to ensure they have safe spaces to work.

After these speeches at the corner of 26th and Pulaski, the group of approximately 30 people walked three blocks west toward South Keeler Avenue. There, the group stopped next to a vibrant mural celebrating Melissas life  her smiling face surrounded by a rainbow, flowers, balloons and clouds.

Though she struggled with speaking English, she was easily making friends and discovering her passion for writing and teaching, said Coronado, who painted the mural alongside another artist known as The Kid from Pilsen. Melissa would gather water, soda and shampoo bottles, place them in a circle and pretend they were students so she could teach them.

Community members and activists released white balloons, set down candles and roses, and shared a moment of prayer. In front of the mural, a small tree grows. It was planted there in memory of Melissa as part of the Peace Tree Project, which seeks to promote peace in Chicago neighborhoods affected by gun violence.

Let these (candles) that we hold in our hands soften the reminder of these lives and what it is we aim for together, to struggle together, to live together, to love each other together, to embrace each other together, to work toward a better city together, Coronado said. I invite you today to love, because in love we will find peace, truth and, most definitely, justice.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
Jan. 22EAU CLAIRE  A two-story wing of seldom-used classrooms attached to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave., may become housing for local veterans.

Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity lined up to receive a $1.14 million grant through the city that would allow the charitable organization to buy the church wing and start its conversion into affordable housing.

"It is going to be exciting. It is going to be exciting for Eau Claire, it's going to be exciting for the veterans," said John Dawson, executive director of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

The grant money is coming to the city through part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal COVID-19 pandemic recovery package that was created by Congress in early 2021. The $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package included $5 billion specifically to help communities provide housing, services and shelter to homeless people and other vulnerable populations. (Eau Claire did also already get $13.5 million from another ARPA program and has allocated that money toward other uses.)

With the $1.14 million, the city specifically sought to help out veterans that are homeless or are at risk of becoming so. And instead of using the money for rental assistance or other temporary aid, the city sought a way of permanently boosting the local affordable housing stock.

"Rather than take $1 million and allocate it toward something nontangible, we wanted to create something specifically for that population for housing development," said Keith Johnathan, manager of the city's Housing Division.

A public hearing on the funding proposal will be part of tonight's(Monday) Eau Claire City Council meeting, but a vote on the grant isn't scheduled until Feb. 14. That decision is being made before a March deadline to inform the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of how it will use the funds.

The local Habitat for Humanity's proposal to revamp the church classroom wing was the lone proposal the city received.

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In addition to buying the building wing, the grant money would also be used for asbestos abatement, installing an elevator and upgrading utility lines so new bathrooms and kitchens could be created.

Following that, the local Habitat for Humanity would do what it's best known for  rallying volunteer labor and getting materials that are donated or discounted  to complete the conversion of old classrooms into new housing units.

When each unit is completed will depend on the availability of labor as well as securing candidates to live their and financing to fit them.

In the charity's initial application, it anticipated completing a few units each year with the whole conversion finishing in about three years.

Plans are still in the works, but Dawson said it appears the building wing could be turned into 10 to 14 units. There is a basement in the building, which would be used as a community room for residents living there.

How the individual units would be owned or rented is among details to be worked out. As the future residents are veterans, they would be eligible to a variety of government assistance programs available to former military.

The idea of turning the church wing into veteran housing began about a year ago when a member of the charity's board of directors mentioned how Grace Lutheran was mulling what to do with excess building space, Dawson said.

Pastor Phillip Ruge-Jones of Grace Lutheran Church said the congregation there is smaller than what it once was, leaving a good portion of its building complex seldom used.

Like other churches in a similar situation, Ruge-Jones said Grace Lutheran has been considering ways to turn excess building space into something that would serve the community.

"We've been looking for ways to repurpose that space," he said.

Added onto the church in 1961, the classroom wing had been used for Sunday school and other gatherings in the past. Now the rooms are occasionally used by local religious groups and local boy scouts use the basement for meetings.

However, Ruge-Jones said that there are still other rooms in Grace Lutheran's building he hopes can accommodate those users when the church would part with the classroom wing.

"We're still keeping two-thirds of the building," the pastor said.

No Mow May

Allowing lawns in Eau Claire to grow shaggier during spring as a way to help out pollinating insects will be addressed at this week's council meetings.

Part of a campaign called "No Mow May," the city will consider delaying enforcement of an ordinance that requires residents to keep lawns no taller than seven inches.

Currently that ordinance is enforced between April 1 and Oct. 31, but a proposal would delay the start date to June 1.

A public hearing will be held during tonight's(Monday) meeting prior to the council taking a vote on Tuesday afternoon to change the ordinance.

Other business

Also during this week's meetings:

Several street projects planned this year will be subject to public hearings tonight(Monday) before the council votes on them during Tuesday's meeting. Portions of Fairfax Street, North Hastings Place, the South Hastings Way Frontage Road and several alleyways will be addressed at these meetings.

Seeking a state grant to help improve electrical infrastructure in Phoenix Park will be discussed by the council on Tuesday. The city is mulling an application for up to $50,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.'s Vibrant Spaces program to pay for installing new conduit, wires and electrical access at the park. Business groups active in the downtown area have expressed their support to provide matching funds for the state grant.
Longtime friends Jameel Saleem and Lenard Grier exist in separate industries but found commonality through the world of fashion.

The Inception: The pair lead the clothing brand No One, inspired by the idea of stripping away the ego from fashion  here, everyone is someone.

The idea for the brand first came into being when Saleem, who is an animation writer and executive producer, was looking to challenge himself in a new arena.

The Philadelphia native felt as if he had already checked off all the benchmarks in his career.

Therefore, he wanted to nurture an idea that had taken a backseat. It led him to team up with Grier  who works in the fintech space as a director of product  to birth a modern clothing line that elevates traditional work wear.

For me, progressing was to start expanding and getting into other industries and investing, Saleem said in an exclusive interview with AfroTech. So, I mean, who better to invest in than one of my best friends? Ive always been into fashion, and I had a little pipe dream when I was younger to start a fashion line, but Lenard is the fashion guy. Hes always been even in high school, he was the stylish dude. So, when I approached him about the clothing line, its because I know how talented he is and I wanted to invest in him and I wanted us to do this thing together.

No One Clothing Line

No One is a collective vision between the longtime friends turned founders that they hope encourages customers to embrace self-expression through their high-quality gender-neutral offerings.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@nooneclothiers)

We want to keep that same construction and durability that they [Carhartt, Dickies, raw Japanese denim] have, but make the wearability a little bit more upfront instead of having to fully break it in. Youll also look at our color palettes. They just happened to be part of the story and the narratives that we want to tell, but they kind of lean gender-neutral, Grier told AfroTech.

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Challenges

While the founders share that the brand is being received well so far, it doesnt mean it hasnt come without challenges.

One of the challenges has been  how do we adapt and grow? How do we actually attract the right audience and how do we get that right feedback and how we push through knowing that were getting this positive feedback but may not be seeing the actual monetary income that we need to continue to progress, Grier explained.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@nooneclothiers)

What's Ahead

The founders are sounding an alarm that accessibility is a focal point as they work to expand their retail footprint over the next few years. They hope No One will become a household name and they will be working organically to meet their goal.

Whats more, the founders also hinted at another brand in the future.

I want to be something like a Ralph Lauren, something that can set the base for what our aesthetic is when we grow from there and people know the brand for years to come. It doesnt have to be that large, but something of that scale, Grier said.

Id love to grow this upscale luxury brand that we have, but I would also in the future like to create another brand thats more accessible, thats not as expensive. You know, stuff that anyone could wear, anyone can purchase, but still has the quality to it, Saleem concluded.
Jan. 22Jan. 22, 1948, in The Star: President Houston Cole of Jacksonville State Teachers College has made a request to the State Building Commission for an expenditure of $950,000, for the following projects: a new science department, a wing to the men's dormitory, heating and water improvements and a new auditorium. College enrollment is now around 1,300, and there's no gathering space anywhere on campus that can even hold commencement exercises. Those events take place in a rented building in Jacksonville. Also this date: A juvenile delinquency problem definitely exists in the rural areas of Calhoun County, says F. J. Little, county school attendance officer. He reports that every day between 50 and 100 boys and girls are not only staying away from school but engaging in dangerous and undesirable activity. Some hitchhike, others frequent filling stations, stores and movie theaters where they pick up chance acquaintances. Additionally: The first twins of 1948 arrived this morning at 8:34 and 8:40 a.m. at Anniston Memorial Hospital. The identical boys are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Gannon of South Hunter Street.

Jan. 22, 1998, in The Star: In late June, Jan Hurd, at that time an assistant Anniston school superintendent in charge of curriculum, with no prior experience running a school system, became superintendent at a time of crisis  the previous superintendent had just been fired. For her rapid success in improving morale and getting the school system back on track, Hurd, 46, was named Citizen of the Year by The Anniston Star yesterday. Also this date: Randolph County and neighboring communities are in mourning for John Baxter Stevenson II, who died early yesterday morning from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. A Roanoke resident, J.B. was a 17-year-old student at LaGrange Academy. He was an athletic, competitive youth who was also seen to have the skills to be a journalist  his late grandfather, John Bluford Stevenson, had been editor and publisher of The Randolph Leader for six decades.
GENEVA (AP)  Following intense pressure from its allies, Germany appears to be inching toward approving deliveries of high-tech Leopard 2 main battle tanks that Ukraine and its biggest Western backers hope will boost Kyivs fight against Russian invaders.

Over the weekend, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin would not get in the way if Poland  arguably Ukraine's most vocal supporter among European Union neighbors  wants to ship Leopard 2 tanks from its arsenal across the border into Ukraine. And Germany is not ruling out supplying such tanks to Ukraine itself, cautioning however that the implications of such a step need to be carefully weighed.

Here's a look at what those tanks might mean for Ukraine's defense against Russian forces  and hopes for driving them out.

WHAT IS THE LEOPARD 2?

Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the manufacturer of the Leopard 2, touts it as the world's leading battle tank" that for nearly a half-century has combined aspects of firepower, protection, speed and maneuverability, making it adaptable to many types of combat situations.

The 55-ton tank has a crew of four and a range of about 500 kilometers (310 miles), and top speeds of about 68 kilometers per hour (about 42 mph). Now with four main variants, its earliest version first came into service in 1979. Its main weapon is a 120mm smooth bore gun, and it has a fully-digital fire-control system.

HOW MANY COULD BE SENT TO UKRAINE?

One big appeal of the German-made tanks are their sheer number: More than 2,000 have been deployed in over a dozen European countries and Canada. Overall, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann says over 3,500 units have been supplied to 19 countries.

Rheinmetall AG, a German defense contractor that makes the 120mm smoothbore gun on the Leopard 2, says the tank has been deployed by more nations than any other."

According to a recent analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based global think tank, some 350 Leopard 2s  in different versions  have been sent to Greece, and Poland has about 250 of varying types. Finland has 200 in operation or in storage.

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For Ukraine's war against Russia, it is believed that for the Leopard 2 tanks to have any significant effect on the fighting, around 100 tanks would be required, the International Institute for Strategic Studies analysts wrote.

Ukraine's defense minister wants 300 tanks, and some European Union leaders support him on that.

We need a fleet of 300 tanks, Luxembourgs Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said Monday in Brussels, alluding to the wide deployment of Leopards across Europe and the need for synchronous weaponry  that can operate smoothly together.

Getting Leopards into Ukrainian hands isn't as easy as rolling them across the border from friends farther West in Europe. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that three to six weeks of training would be needed for operating crews and support staff to reach basic proficiency.

Ralf Raths, director of the Panzer Museum in Munster, Germany, said experienced Ukrainian tank crews would likely be able to learn to use the Leopard 2 fairly quickly, and training could be shortened to focus on essential knowledge.

Do you really have to exploit 100% of the potential or is it enough to utilize 80% in half the time? Ukrainians will certainly vote for option B, he said.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD IT MAKE TO THE WAR?

Yohann Michel, a research analyst for defense and military affairs at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said such tanks could allow Ukraine to go onto the offensive in the 11-month-old conflict that has been stalemated for months following two key Ukrainian counteroffensives that recaptured areas occupied by Russian forces for months in the northeast and south.

In this type of conflict, it's just not possible to carry out large-scale offensives without the full variety of armored combat equipment and armored vehicles, and tanks are a part of that," he said. In addition to Main Battle Tanks, or MBTs, like the Leopard 2, others include infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers.

Western deliveries of Leopard 2s could help equip Ukraine with needed high-caliber munitions to replace its own dwindling Soviet-era stockpiles, opening a new avenue for supplies of Western firepower to get to Ukraine, he said.

Raths noted that the Leopard 2 and similar Western tanks are more agile than T-models used by Russia, which can't reverse at speed, for example.

Imagine a boxer who cannot move freely in the ring, but only in one direction, he said. The other boxer, who can move in all directions, has a big advantage and that it is the case with the Leopards.

Still, even Western MBTs are vulnerable to aerial attacks, or anti-tank infantry while in forests and urban areas, highlighting the importance of anti-aircraft and reconnaissance support, said Raths.

With similar numbers of tanks on both sides, Leopards 2 and similar tanks could give Ukraine the upper hand, especially given the poor tactical performance of Russian troops during the war, he said.

The Ukrainians shine through creative, dynamic and often very clean warfare, Raths said. So it could well be that if Ukraines operational offensive were to begin, the Russians would have real problems countering it.

Niklas Masuhr, a researcher at the Center for Security Studies at Switzerlands federal polytechnic university ETHZ, based in Zurich, cautioned that the addition of Leopards to the battlefield alone wouldnt be a game changer or a war-winning technology, anything like that.

You cant just deploy a bunch of main battle tanks and assume they will win, he said. Theyre very valuable, but you still need to use them in the correct way and integrate them with all the other military tools that you have at your disposal, such as infantry, artillery, air defense, combat engineers and helicopters.

WHY DOESN'T UKRAINE HAVE LEOPARDS ALREADY?

Germany has final say about whether Leopard 2s can be delivered  even from other countries' arsenals  and has been reticent about anyone shipping them to Ukraine.

More-hawkish Western allies have been stepping up the pressure on Germany, but the United States has also refused to send its powerful M1 Abrams tanks.

The United States announced an upcoming new package of military aid that is expected to include nearly 100 Stryker combat vehicles and at least 50 Bradley armored vehicles  but not the Abrams, which U.S. officials say has complex maintenance needs and may not be the best fit.

Allies and military analysts say the Leopard 2 is diesel-powered  not driven by jet fuel that powers the M1 Abrams  and is easier to operate than the big U.S. tanks, and thus has shorter training times.

Britain this month announced it will send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, and the Czech Republic and Poland have provided Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukrainian forces. French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that he had asked his defense minister to work on the idea of sending some of Frances Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine.

Even if modern western MBTs are superior to their Russian counterparts, donor countries supplying them need to prepare for losses, Raths said.

The Leopard 2 is an offensive weapon that will be thrown into high-intensity battles," he said. "Vehicles will be destroyed, and people will die in these tanks.

___

Jordans reported from Berlin.
NEW YORK (AP)  This year's PEN America Literary Gala will be notable for the presence of Saturday Night Live.

PEN, the literary and free expression organization, is giving SNL creator-executive Lorne Michaels its PEN/Audible Literary Service Award, which in previous years has gone to Toni Morrison, Stephen Sondheim and Patti Smith among others. The May 18 event will be hosted by Colin Jost, the longtime SNL writer and Weekend Update co-anchor.

In a statement given to The Associated Press, PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said Michaels unique brand of uproarious and fearless political and social sketches forever changed television and comedy.

The political landscape wouldnt be the same without SNL to offer up a weekly skewering of a hapless cast of characters from the halls of power in Washington  a merry time capsule of what gave us joy and jitters in moments of national exhilaration and peril, she said.

The PEN gala will be held at its longtime venue, the American Museum of Natural History, in New York.

PEN announced Monday it also will honor Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer and co-chief executive officer, who will receive the Business Visionary Award because of the transformative impact of Netflix on storytelling, society at large, and on book adaptations as a critical source of content.

Sarandos already is well known in the Saturday Night Live community: Netflix landed the 2015 coming-of-age comedy Staten Island Summer, produced by Michaels and written by Jost.

Michaels, 78, has been overseeing SNL since it first aired in 1975, aside from a few seasons in the 1980s. The show helped launched the careers of Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy and many others stars, and has included Jost, Tina Fey and Seth Meyers among its head writers. Michaels has previously received a Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Lorne Michaels has mentored and nurtured three generations of this countrys most talented and innovative writers, shaping the voice of American comedy as it resonates the world over," Nossel's statement said. "His ability to keep his finger on our national zeitgeist for 47 years and counting makes him an unparalleled cultural icon.

Sarandos joined Netflix in 2000, and has worked on projects ranging from House of Cards to Martin Scorsese's epic The Irishman," which the director has said would not have been possible without the backing of Netflix.

Sarandos' ties to Saturday Night Live also include a multi-picture Netflix deal with Sandler in 2015. Two years earlier, Sarandos and his wife, Nicole Avant, even purchased the Malibu home of former SNL performer David Spade.
(Reuters) -The Los Angeles county coroner's office on Monday began identifying the 11 people killed in the Lunar New Year massacre inside a popular dance parlor in Monterey Park, California.

Ten victims died at the scene of the Saturday shooting. Authorities on Monday said an 11th person, a woman in her 70s, died while being treated at a local hospital.

The coroner's office confirmed the names of four victims. Three women - My Nhan, 65, Lilan Li, 63, and Xiujuan Yu, 57 - were among the patrons who died in Saturday's shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. The fourth named victim was Valentino Alvero, 68.

While not releasing the other victims' names, the coroner's office said the six women and five men who were killed were all in their 50, 60s and 70s.

Nhan's family said in a written statement released on Twitter that "we are starting the Lunar New Year broken." They said Nhan, whom they remembered for her warm smile and kindness, had visited the dance studio on weekends for many years.

"It's what she loved to do," they said. "But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance."

Friends and frequenters of the ballroom identified another victim as Ming Wei Ma, believed to be in his 60s. He was a frequent presence at the dance studio, and friends told a CBS affiliate that he was among the first to rush the shooter.

"He was just caring, an 'others first, people first' kind of person," Ma's friend Eric Chen told local media.

Lauren Woods, a tango dance instructor at the ballroom, said Ma was "the heart" of the studio.

Woods wrote on her Facebook profile that Ma would greet her with a kiss on the cheek and say "My teacher! My teacher!" and "Love you! Love you!"

Dariusz Michalski, another dance instructor at the ballroom, took to social media to express sympathy for all the victims and their families.

He had especially kind words for Ma, whose "love, joy for people will never be forgotten."

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Over a photo of Michalski and Ma embracing as the pair celebrated the dance instructor's 50th birthday at a party inside the studio last June, Michalski wrote of Ma: "Your dance and singing passion will never disappear. You will be greatly missed. I love you my friend."

Other victims' identifications were withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The coroner's office said one woman who died was in her 50s and two other women, in addition to the ones identified, were in their 60s. Three men killed were in their 70s and two were in their 60s.

The Chinese consulate in Los Angeles said in a statement that Chinese citizens were among those killed but did not offer further details about the victims. Acting Chinese Counsul General Shi Yuanqiang met with Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna and expressed his wish to work closely together, according to a tweet from the sheriff's department.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks, Sharon Bernstein, Kanishka Singh, Brendan O'Brien and Engen Tham; Editing by David Gregorio and Edwina Gibbs)
After police tape was taken down, bystanders view the crime scene inside the Star Dance Studio Ballroom. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

The burst of pops sounded, at first, like the firecrackers expected to cap a day of celebration.

It was late Saturday night in Monterey Park, and the city's Lunar New Year festival had ended an hour earlier. People were still strolling through downtown when the noise echoed from a ballroom dance studio tucked into a strip mall.

Three people sprinted across Garvey Avenue and into the Clam House, a seafood restaurant, where they begged owner Seung Won Choi to barricade the door. They said they just escaped from a class at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, where a gunman had opened fire.

Their faces were pale with terror  hot white, Choi recalled.

The mass shooting  one of the worst in the modern history of Los Angeles County  left 10 people dead and at least 10 more wounded in a storied hub of Southern California's Chinese community during a weekend of celebration, now truncated by terror and grief. Monterey Park canceled the second day of its festival and, instead, on Sunday morning police officers with long guns stood guard beneath a string of red lanterns and a big banner.

Happy Year of the Rabbit! it proclaimed  a year of peace shattered before it even began.

It was late Saturday when Monterey Park police officers  including some rookies who had been on patrol for only a couple of months  rushed to the bloody scene, but the suspect was gone. About 20 minutes later, the gunman barged into another dance studio, the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in nearby Alhambra, but two people managed to wrestle the gun away from the suspect, who fled in a white cargo van, according to witnesses.

Alerts went out and authorities across the region searched for the vehicle. Sheriffs officials put out a bulletin identifying the suspect as an adult Asian man and asking anyone who recognized the man pictured wearing a black leather jacket, beanie and glasses to contact investigators.

Sunday midmorning law enforcement vehicles surrounded a white 1999 Chevy Express in a Torrance parking lot, where officials said the gunman fatally shot himself as officers approached the vehicle.

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Authorities later identified the shooter as Huu Can Tran, 72, who, according to public records and law enforcement sources, had been living at a trailer park in Hemet, described by its sign as an A 55+ active living community.

Images and aerial footage of the Torrance parking lot showed what appeared to be two bullet holes in the driver's-side window of the van. A SWAT team swarmed the vehicle around 1 p.m.

I can confirm that there are no outstanding suspects, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news briefing Sunday evening, adding that seven victims remained hospitalized with injuries.

The shooter's motive, Luna said, remained under investigation.

We want to know how something this awful can happen," he said.

Using evidence found inside the van, investigators tied the suspect to both the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and the Lai Lai, where patrons stopped him.

He was disarmed by two community members who I consider to be heroes," Luna said, adding that authorities later recovered a semiautomatic assault pistol with an extended magazine, which is illegal to possess in California.

By Sunday morning, a sign scrawled in red marker had been affixed to the front door of the Alhambra studio.

Closed, in observance to Star Dance tragedy, it read.

On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) reflected on the particular pain of when and where the massacre had occurred.

These dance clubs are such establishments of joy for people, Chu said.

She described the Lunar New Year as a cherished time to celebrate with family, saying, This tore a hole through all of our hearts."

In a statement, President Biden called the massacre a senseless attack and noted that it had happened during Lunar New Year.

Even as we continue searching for answers about this attack, we know how deeply this attack has impacted the AAPI community, Biden said.

The president issued a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings until sunset Thursday. He said that he had also directed his Homeland Security advisor to mobilize full federal support to help with the investigation.

Although the gunmans motive remained unclear, the shooting in Monterey Park  a hub of Chinese tourism and culture in suburban Los Angeles  stoked fears about a disturbing trend of racially targeted violence, particularly before the suspect was identified Sunday evening.

Hate crimes against Asian Americans in California increased by 177.5% from 2020 to 2021, according to a state report, and a recent poll showed that two-thirds of Asian Americans in L.A. County worry about being a victim of a racial attack.

That fear gnawed at Winn Liaw after she learned of the shooting.

The 57-year-old, who lives two blocks from the studio, heard the gunshots Saturday night but assumed they were part of the celebration until she noticed the steady hum of helicopters hovering overhead.

On Sunday morning, after she learned the first scant details, Liaw immediately thought of the pervasive anti-Chinese rhetoric during the pandemic and worried that the shooting had been motivated by hate. In the San Gabriel Valley, she said, she had sometimes felt insulated from violence.

This kind of thing doesnt happen in my neighborhood, she said.

Eric Ching felt equally stunned.

The Monterey Park resident said that, before this weekend, he felt free to go outside at any hour of the day or night without thinking twice about his safety.

Now thats just kind of been shattered, Ching said, his voice quivering as he described the shooting.

"I've never seen a freaking gun in Monterey Park," Ching said. "But it was here, and it took the lives of 10 people, and another 10 are in the hospital right now fighting for their lives."

Eager to help in some way, Ching spent some time Sunday at the Langley Senior Center, which was converted into an assistance center for loved ones of the victims.

On Sunday afternoon, a woman marched quickly toward the building. Her fiance was injured in the shooting, she said, and she didnt know which hospital hed been taken to.

We lost contact," she said as she crossed the yellow police tape around the entrance.

A sign outside the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, which shares a plaza with a Chinese herbal store and a Bank of America, advertises tango, waltz, cha-cha and salsa lessons.

The studio, which opened 30 years ago, listed the Saturday event as "Star Night"  the fee would be $10, and, according to an invitation shared on WeChat, the Chinese New Year Coundown Dance Party would include a photo booth and games. The message was peppered with emojis a firework, champagne, confetti.

One of the studio's instructors, David DuVal, who teaches samba and tango, said that the Saturday night parties are popular with older clients.

Sixties would be young," he said. Theres definitely going to be people in their 70s, 80s, people in their 90s."

DuVal said he learned what happened Saturday night over WeChat and reached out to a student who told him she was there and had hid under a table. His student said she saw a man with a long firearm.

After the gunman opened fire, people fled from the studio, seeking shelter in nearby businesses and hitching rides from passersby.

A man who wished to be identified only as Bill said he was at the Bank of America ATM when about half a dozen people hopped into the bed of his Toyota truck.

Many didnt speak fluent English, but they sounded panicked. One person, Bill said, repeated a single word.

Drive. Drive. Drive.

As he drove, Bill said he heard gunshots. He dropped the people  all Asian and ranging in age from 20s to 60s  at a nearby CVS. No one appeared to be injured, and he said one of the men thanked him and told him there had been a shooting.

Bill, who lives in Arizona and was visiting his girlfriend, said he started carrying a gun with him after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, last year  but he didnt use it Saturday night.

David Zhang, who lives a few blocks from the dance studio, learned about the shooting by scrolling on Instagram on Sunday morning.

The 22-year-old UCLA student moved to the United States from northeast China more than seven years ago, saying he chose to live in Monterey Park after learning about the "gem of a city" known for its safety and good food. Living in a close-knit Chinese community, he said, helped him feel connected to home.

Elizabeth Wang, a pastor who was staying in the San Gabriel Valley for the weekend, said she had noticed a lot of anticipatory excitement leading up to the Lunar New Year.

This year has been the first year people felt like, Oh, yay, now we're more out of the pandemic, Wang said. But many of these families who had been eagerly awaiting the return of bustling festivals awoke instead to news of horrific violence.

Its like if a mass shooting happens on Christmas Eve, she said.

Sun Luu, a 26-year-old performing arts teacher who lives down the street from the dance studio, said he looked forward to the local Lunar New Year festival every year.

He had planned to spend Sunday strolling the festival with his younger brother but woke up to a deluge of calls and texts asking if he was safe.

It had perverted what was meant to be a sacred, holiday gathering, he said, adding that it was painful to learn that the suspect was Asian. Thats just something I havent quite grappled with yet.

Times staff writers Debbie Truong, Rebecca Ellis, Nathan Solis, Matthew Ormseth, Ruben Vives, Brittny Mejia and Erin B. Logan contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
null TikTok; @mikaylanogueira

TikToker Mikayla Nogueira said she's been avoiding wedding dress shopping.

In a TikTok series, Nogueira, who struggles with body dysmorphia, opened up about her anxiety about the event.

Viewers responded with encouragement, advice, and their own stories of dysmorphia.

Less than six months before her wedding, 24-year-old makeup influencer and social media superstar Mikayla Nogueira went to try on wedding dresses for the first time, she said. In a series of videos Nogueira shared with her 14.4 million followers over the weekend, she opened up about putting off dress shopping "as long as she could," and discussed her struggle with body dysmorphia.

Responding to a comment from a viewer concerned that she still didn't have a dress, Nogueira appeared to be crying.

"Today I'm going to be picking out my wedding dress," the Massachusetts native began, in a January 21 video. "And these are not happy days."

"There is absolutely a reason why I have put this off," she added. "I'm not looking forward to this day. I haven't been, and that's a weird thing to say. I feel like, growing up, little girls  they look forward to a day like this, right?" Nogueira continued. "But I feel like it's different when you have body dysmorphia and an eating disorder, and you're really insecure." The video has since been viewed more than 12.4 million times.

Body dysmorphia is a mental health disorder that affects how a person views their physical self, with symptoms including comparisons to others and fixating on perceived flaws. It personally affects an estimated five to ten million people in the United States, Insider's Sarah Fielding previously reported.

In a four-part series of videos posted on January 21 and 22, Nogueira created a bridal makeup look while discussing her anxiety over the event.

Nogueira told viewers she'd avoided even looking through wedding dresses online. Her appointment, she said, was at the wedding dress shop that happened to rank first on a Google search, adding "hopefully it's good, because I have no idea."

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"I really struggle with body dysmorphia," she said, "and just knowing that I'm going to have to be looking at myself in a mirror today quite a lot is not going to be easy for me. I try really hard not to look in the mirror because I just pick myself apart, but today I kind of have to."

@mikaylanogueira Picking out my wedding dress and making myself look like a bride!  original sound - Mikayla Nogueira

In between applying powder and bronzer and offering commentary on her makeup products, Noguiera shared that she'd felt "something was wrong" while growing up when she had to change in a "private, separate room" for gym class as her peers changed together in another. (According to the Cleveland Clinic, body dysmorphic disorder is most likely to start in a person's teens or early adult years).

In another TikTok posted on January 21, Nogueira told viewers doing her makeup put her in a state of calm, adding in a video posted the next day that she'd be "dead without makeup."

"There were many times in my life when makeup was the only thing that kept me going," she explained, "and that is still true to this day."

@mikaylanogueira This eyeshadow palette is my fav purchase of 2023 so far   original sound - Mikayla Nogueira

"Still to this day," Nogueira said, "I don't feel like I fit in as an influencer in general because I am not like the fucking beauty standard in any way. I hate taking selfies for Instagram because I can't even stand to look at myself."

"I'm going to be really anxious today," Nogueira said at the end of the series, having changed into a white sweatshirt with the word "Mrs." on it. "It's going to be really difficult. But, after doing my makeup, I feel better. So, here we go. Let's go get a fucking wedding dress."

In response, viewers chimed in with words of encouragement, many sharing their own bittersweet experiences trying on wedding dresses while battling the disorder.

"I also struggle with body dysmorphia," one commenter wrote. "When I went wedding dress shopping, I was genuinely surprised by how pretty I looked in the mirror." Another, who mentioned experiencing the disorder, assured Nogueira "there is something magical about wedding gowns, you will feel like a princess."

"Project Runway" contestant Gunnar Deatherage responded to Nogueira on January 22 and offered to create a custom dress if she didn't find the right one that day. "As someone who has struggled their entire life with body dysmorphia," Deatherage said, "I get it."

In a follow-up video on January 23, Nogueira told viewers she'd found her wedding dress, and shared in the caption that it had "turned out to be a magical day." (She also shared footage of all the dresses she tried and didn't pick).

"I did feel like a princess, I won't lie," Nogueira told viewers. "I felt pretty good."

Nogueira did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
A man has been charged with murder after someone was killed over the weekend, the Chester Police Department said.

Police said they were called on Sunday just after 8:30 a.m. to Steinkuehler Street in Chester after someone reported a body lying in the road. The victim was later identified as Corey Marcelle Bennett, and police said his death was the result of a homicide.

Investigators did not share information about what led up to his death.

ALSO READ: Fatal shooting under investigation in Kannapolis, police say

Chester police, with help from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Chester County Sherriffs Office, investigated and charged Willie Caldwell III with murder.

He was taken into custody Sunday and is at the Chester County jail.

No further information was released.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story said the victim died in a shooting. Police did not share information about how the victim died, so the story has been updated to reflect that. We apologize for the error.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 hurt after shooting at south Charlotte apartment complex, MEDIC says)




Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP

A California dance hall worker who disarmed a shooter who had killed at least 10 people at another nearby ballroom just minutes before has described the encounter as harrowing.

Brandon Tsay was working in the lobby of the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra when Huu Can Tran, named by police as the gunman in Saturday nights massacre at a dance hall in Monterey Park, entered and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at him.

Related: Monterey Park shooting suspect, 72, found dead of self-inflicted gunshot

He was looking at me and looking around, not hiding that he was trying to do harm, Tsay, 26, told the New York Times. His eyes were menacing.

How [the weapon] was built and customized, I knew it wasnt for robbing money. From his body language, his facial expression, his eyes, he was looking for people.

Tsay was unaware that the man had arrived straight from the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, another majority Asian community of southern California, where he opened fire on patrons at an event celebrating lunar new year. Five men and five women were killed there, and at least 10 others were wounded, authorities said.

Authorities on Monday morning had released the names of two women killed at the Star studio: My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63.

Officials had not publicly identified the eight other victims pending notification to their relatives, but authorities advised they were two women in the 60s, one woman in her 50s, two men in their 60s, and three men in their 70s.

Credible news and social media reports identified a third victim of the killings at the studio as manager Ming Wei Ma, known to instructors as Mr Ma.

Police later found the 72-year-old killer dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van in Torrance, about 30 miles away.

Tsay said he was in a lobby office of his familys studio, watching the ballroom, which only had three people still dancing as the studios own New Year event wound down, when he heard the entrance door swinging behind him.

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He said he heard a clang that sounded like two metallic objects hitting each other, turned to see the man with his gun raised, and knew he had to act.

My heart sank, he told the Times. I knew I was going to die.

In an interview with ABCs Good Morning America on Monday, Tsay, a coder, described how the pair fought for about a minute and a half before he was able to wrest away the gun.

I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon, and had a struggle, he said.

He continued: We struggled into the lobby, trying to get the gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face, bashing me in the back of my head, I was trying to use my elbows to get the gun away from him.

Finally, at one point I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside, create some distance, point the gun at him, intimidate him, shouting, Get the hell out here. Ill shoot. Get away. Go.

Tsay said the man lingered for a moment or two, then turned and left. At that point, Tsay said, he called the police while still holding the gun.

I was shaking all night  I couldnt believe what happened, he said, adding that he has bruising on his body, his face and the back of his head.

At a press conference late Sunday, with information still scant, Los Angeles county sheriff Robert Luna said he believed there had been two citizens who confronted the shooter at Lai Lai. But Tsays account and security footage appeared to show it was only him.

It was just my son. He could have died, Brandons father, Tom Tsay, told the New York Times. Hes lucky  someone was watching over him.

Luna had no doubt the confrontation prevented greater bloodshed at the hands of an attacker whose motivation remained under investigation late Sunday.

They saved lives, the sheriff said. This couldve 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.

The mayor of Monterey Park, Henry Lo, publicly speculated Monday that the killings possibly may have resulted from a domestic dispute involving the shooter. Lo said that man was a frequent attendee of the dance hall.

The mayor also told CNN: My understanding is that he had met his ex-wife at the location many years ago, but we dont know why he did what he did. Was it an issue of [being] disgruntled, or the issue of domestic violence? We dont know, unfortunately.

Tsay told the Times he was heartbroken for the community in which his family had opened the studio, named Lai Lai by his grandmother, or come, come in Chinese, three decades earlier.

We have such a tight-knit community of dancers, he said. It feels so terrible something like this happened, to have one of our individuals try to harm others.

Others who attended lessons at the Star studio painted a picture of a friendly, community-based facility that acted as a de facto social club for locals and dance enthusiasts. The shooting took place during what should have been a joyous event celebrating lunar new year, according to Elizabeth Yang, a Monterey Park lawyer who took classes there.

The whole city of Monterey Park went from celebrating to everyone being fearful and scared, Yang told the South California Press-Enterprise. We are devastated.

Yang said the elegant dance halls owners and instructors engaged well with students, who kept in touch with each other outside classes through online messaging applications and social gatherings such as Saturdays celebration.

Sundays killings in Monterey Park came during the 36th mass shooting in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive considers shootings in which at least four people are wounded or killed  not counting any attackers  to be mass shootings.
A Middletown man has been sentenced to nearly 60 years in prison after being charged with three counts of felonious assault with firearm specifications, according to a Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man indicted for shooting of Middletown police officer

Christopher Hubbard, 63, was found guilty of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer with a firearm specification, having weapons while under disability, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and assaulting a police dog.

The incident occurred in August 2020 while Hubbard was wanted for a parole violation, which led to a police chase from Butler County to Warren County that ended when law enforcement used stop sticks to shred the tires on Hubbards car.

Hubbard was indicted on 11 counts, including three counts of attempted aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, the Warren County Prosecutors Office said.

Hubbard refused to exit his vehicle, which resulted in the shootout between him and police, police dog, deputies and state troopers.

Hubbard was accused of shooting at Officer Denny Jordan of the Middletown Division of Police, Deputy Mike Barger of the Butler County Sheriffs Office, and Trooper Brett Lee of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, striking Officer Jordan in his left shoulder, tricep, right hand and right thigh.

Jordan was the only officer injured.

He was treated for his injuries and off work for approximately four months, according to the Warren County Prosecutors Office.








After suffering hair loss, Nathan (a client of Callum Morris) had a new hair system fitted, making him look a decade younger. (Caters)

A man who suffered from hair loss is seeking to give confidence to others in the same situation after finding a cure for baldness.

Callum Morris, 29, had a hair system fitted in 2015 after he noticed his hair was thinning, and now provides the service to customers at his clinic, King Of Kwiffs.

A hair system is the name for a hairpiece that is created by using human or synthetic hair, which is then glued to the scalp to stay in place, making it a non-surgical option for those suffering from male pattern baldness or hair loss.

Read more: Louis Theroux reveals he probably has alopecia after suffering hair loss in his beard

Around 6.5 million men have male pattern baldness in the UK, and the NHS says that hair loss can have an effect on your mental health.

Our clients will come in feeling anxious  despite already having their consultation  but they leave feeling like a different man, with a massive injection of new confidence, Morris explains.

One of Morris clients, 38-year-old Nathan said the hair system was life changing after spending two decades suffering from hair loss.

Another client, Toby, showing the difference before and after. (Caters)

Id been suffering with hair loss since I was 18, he explains. Precious strands of hair were falling from my head over the years. With the few strands I had left, I used whats called hair fibres which make your hair look thicker and hide the bald patch.

However, this was not sustainable, it didnt solve my hairline problem, I couldnt get my hair wet and if I touched my head on something it would leave a mark where the fibres had fallen off.

He said after seeing a video online he decided to go for a hair system instead, and that he felt like a new man when it was fitted.

Read more: Love Island star Connor Durman gets hair transplant

I looked younger and my confidence rocketed. Friends and family were blown away with the result and compliments were endless, he said.

My wife noticed a huge difference in my own confidence and soon became used to me having a full head of hair, so much so that we both forget that its a hair system.

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Morris said he has seen several emotional reactions to clients who see the results. This gentleman had struggled with hair loss since his late teenage years and used all kinds of solutions to disguise his hair loss including hair fibres, fake synthetic wigs or just wearing a cap most of the time.

Hair systems are glued to the scalp. (Caters)

Sadly, for this client, hed also been battling anxiety and depression for quite some time, and losing his hair added extra pressure, especially from a young age.

Morris says when he revealed his clients new hair, floods of tears came down his face.

He was overjoyed with the results, an experience I will never forget! It even brought a tear to my own eye! he adds.

Read more: Hair loss stigma leaves many young men resorting to transplants, piercings and tattoos

King of Kwiffs has clinics in Manchester and Essex, and a hair system can cost anywhere from 175 to 500.

Peoples outside perception on hair systems are mainly focused on vanity, but for me it goes massively above and beyond this point, hair systems can be for many reasons, Morris says.

"We try to cater to every individual no matter what their circumstance. People lose their hair for different reasons and people may tend to forget this, I am immensely proud that I can offer a service so rewarding and life changing.

Additional reporting by Caters.

Watch: Prince Harry alarmed by Williams hair loss
Manchester United Women will play at Old Trafford in March against West Ham in a Womens Super League game (Ian Hodgson/PA) (PA Wire)

Manchester United will return to Old Trafford in March when they face West Ham in the Barclays Womens Super League.

The fixture on Saturday, March 25 will be Uniteds first womens match of the year at Old Trafford, where Marc Skinners side have a 100 per cent record.

Skinner told the clubs official website: Our entire group of players and staff are extremely excited to perform in front of our incredible fans at Old Trafford, for the second time this season.

See you again soon, Old Trafford #MUWomen || #WSL  Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) January 23, 2023

As the womens game continues to grow, we are delighted that this great football club remains at the heart of it and offer another wonderful opportunity for fans  both old and new  to experience a Manchester United Womens game on the biggest stage.

United beat Everton 3-1 in March and Aston Villa 5-0 last month in their two previous WSL games at Old Trafford, while their recent 6-0 home win against Liverpool was watched by a record crowd of 7,666 at Leigh Sports Village.

Skinners side are currently top of the WSL table, above Chelsea on goal difference, after Sundays 1-0 win at Reading.
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday he has proposed to China that the two countries hold talks between their foreign ministers to quickly resolve any new conflicts in the disputed South China Sea, and blamed Chinese actions for the disagreements.

Marcos told Philippine TV networks in an interview that Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to his proposal in their talks in Beijing early this month and the two sides are ironing out the details of such an arrangement.

There was no immediate reaction from Chinese officials.

China and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, have been locked in an increasingly tense standoff over their overlapping claims in the busy and resource-rich waterway, which is regarded as a potential Asian flashpoint.

In 2017, the Asian neighbors launched regular diplomatic talks called the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism to discuss incidents in the disputed waters and prevent any escalation while discussing other aspects of their relations.

Despite the talks, conflicts have persisted, including a recent incident reported by Filipino fishermen who accused the Chinese coast guard of driving them away from Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, which Beijing also claims, and then shadowing their vessel as it left the disputed area on Jan. 9. The incident occurred a few days after Marcos made a visit to China and met Xi.

The Philippine coast guard said it deployed more patrol ships to protect the Filipino fishermen after the incident.

Marcos said he proposed to Xi in their meeting in Beijing that their top diplomats lead the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, which is currently handled by mid-level diplomats, to allow a more rapid response to future conflicts in the disputed sea.

My proposal is that we bring that bilateral group to a higher level, Marcos said, adding that he would also ask the Philippine ambassador to China to be part of the higher-level talks. I guarantee you that if there is any decision that needs to be made, either of those gentlemen can pick up the telephone and talk to me and within five minutes we will have a decision.

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Marcos said Xi agreed to his proposal and asked the Chinese foreign minister to discuss the new arrangement with Philippine officials.

I think that if the president, President Xi, puts out an order that we will not do that anymore, we will do something else, then I think it will be. I think the chain of command is fairly solid, Marcos said. We will be able to report any violation of whatever agreement we come to.

It remains to be seen whether China will ease its increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters and back off in any fresh conflict. Beijing has dismissed and continues to defy a 2016 ruling by a U.N.-backed arbitration tribunal that invalidated its vast territorial claims on historical grounds in the South China Sea.

Marcos suggested that China needs to change its actions to prevent future conflicts. I think the actions that are needed are really from the Chinese side because we do not send coast guard boats into what we consider their waters or international waters. They stay within Philippine waters.

What they do is they shadow our fishing boats, he said. The Philippines, he added, will continue to exercise its right to file diplomatic protests against China despite his proposal for higher-level talks that aim to rapidly address future conflicts at sea.
Matthew Fisher has bulked up using Australian rivals as inspiration (Zac Goodwin/PA) (PA Archive)

England seamer Matthew Fisher has revealed how he looked to Australia for inspiration as he rebuilt a more muscular body during his latest rehabilitation.

The Yorkshireman made his Test debut in Barbados last March, taking a wicket with his second delivery in international cricket, only to suffer a stress fracture of the lower back in his first county game of the summer.

That led to yet another injury lay-off for a 25-year-old who has seen more than his share of treatment tables over the years, but he worked his way back to make his comeback in the final game of the season.

Fisher is heading to Sri Lanka 



Congratulations to Matt Fisher who has been called up to The England Lions squad for their upcoming tour in February 



Good Luck @9M_Fisher #YorkshireFamily  Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) January 3, 2023

He will step things up when he heads to Sri Lanka with England Lions later this week, where he will debut a newly bulked up physique  a change he sought in partial response to his fitness issues.

Looking in a mirror I just thought I dont look as robust as some players Ive seen this winter and maybe thats something to look at, he said.

Its not about just putting on weight, I wanted to put on muscle thats going to help me be strongerto be able to withstand the bowling action. Ive gone from 86 kilos to 91 but my skin folds are very similar, so its muscle. I feel a lot stronger now. I think I look more like a man rather than a boy.

And Fisher is not afraid to admit that he set his sights on Englands biggest rivals for his new template.

I basically said to our strength and conditioning coach I want you to make me look like an Australian fast bowler. Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc...they all look pretty strong. I was like: 'try and make me look like them'

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Matthew Fisher

After that first game when I got injured, I basically said to our strength and conditioning coach I want you to make me look like an Australian fast bowler, he recalled.

They all seem to look solid. (Pat) Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Mitch) Starcthey all look pretty strong. So I was like: try and make me look like them. I ate loads that first three months. Its good for your back to eat loads because its good for healing.

Sometimes in our sport we think too much about skin folds, a lot of lads get anxiety about being slim enough, but it was a point where my goal was to put muscle on. All throughout the summer, the coaches at Yorkshire and some of the players were like bloody hell, you look massive.

Fishers promotion to the Test team alongside Lancashires Saqib Mahmood  who has also had a stress fracture to contend with  came after James Anderson and Stuart Broad were surprisingly axed in the Caribbean.

The decorated duo returned in the summer, playing their part as the new leadership team of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum revitalised a struggling side to the tune of nine wins in 10 matches.

Breaking back in to a winning unit during an Ashes year is no easy feat, but it is one Fisher allows himself to aim for.

That is my biggest driving force because you never want to have just one cap, he said.

In the back of my mind, I have got the confidence that I know I can get back there. Ive got time. Im only just 25. If I stay fit, I know what I can do and I know Ill achieve what I want if I do stay fit.

Theres been indoor sessions where I am visualising bowling at (Australia opener) David Warner, so its definitely in my mind. But in terms of it being a goal of mine this summer, its not like on my wall or anything. If that happens, it happens.
Reps. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) and Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) said in separate letters this month that it's not for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) to decide to remove members from committees based on "smears and falsehoods" or "fabricated stories or political revenge." (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries renominated two California Democrats to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, setting up a clash with Speaker Kevin McCarthy over committee assignments he has vowed to block.

In the last Congress, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) chaired the committee, and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) led its Intelligence Modernization and Readiness Subcommittee, but McCarthy has long signaled that Schiff, Swalwell and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) would lose their committee assignments if he became speaker.

His threat followed moves by his predecessor Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Democrats and a few Republicans to strip Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) of their committee assignments when Democrats were in control.

"It is my understanding that you intend to break with the longstanding House tradition of deference to the minority party Intelligence Committee recommendations and deny seats to Ranking Member Schiff and Representative Swalwell," Jeffries wrote in a letter to McCarthy over the weekend. "The denial of seats to duly elected Members of the House Democratic Caucus runs counter to the serious and sober mission of the Intelligence Committee."

Jeffries noted Greene and Gosar were removed from their committee assignments in the last Congress "after a bipartisan vote of the House found them unfit to serve on standing committees for directly inciting violence against their colleagues."

Greene was removed from her committee assignments in February 2021 over racist rhetoric and supporting violence against Democrats. Gosar faced a similar punishment in November 2021 after posting, and later deleting, a cartoon video with his face superimposed on a character who kills someone with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) face and wields swords against President Biden.

"It does not serve as precedent or justification for the removal of Representatives Schiff and Swalwell, given that they have never exhibited violent thoughts or behavior," Jeffries said.

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McCarthy has accused Schiff, the lead manager during the first impeachment of President Trump, of "lying" to the public about certain details related to a whistleblower report that triggered the investigation, and of dismissing emails found on a laptop allegedly owned by Hunter Biden as a Russian ploy.

McCarthy has argued that Swalwell couldn't get a security clearance in the private sector following a report that he was targeted by a suspected Chinese spy, with whom he later cut ties.

In a letter earlier this month to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, Schiff wrote that "it is not for Kevin McCarthy to decide to remove Members from Committees based on smears and falsehoods. Whether that means Ilhan Omar or Eric Swalwell or myself, there is no basis for his threatened retaliation other than placating the most extreme members of his party."

In a separate letter, Swalwell similarly said it "is not for the Speaker to decide to remove Members from committees based on fabricated stories or political revenge."

McCarthy's office declined to comment Monday.

On Monday evening, McCarthy announced the GOP members who will serve on the Intelligence Committee, including the newly added Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita.) The speaker gave no indication about when he would announce his decision on the panel's Democratic members.

McCarthy has the authority to unilaterally reject Democrats nominated to serve on the Intelligence panel because the speaker has the final say over membership of select committees.

Removing Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee would require a full floor vote. Threats to remove Omar from the panel followed antisemitic comments she made and later apologized for.

Greene will serve on the Homeland Security Committee, Gosar will serve on the Natural Resources Committee and both will have a seat on the Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Greene became a top ally of McCarthy and pushed her conservative colleagues in the House Freedom Caucus to support his bid for speaker, which ultimately required 15 votes over four days. Gosar began voting for McCarthy on the 12th ballot.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PROVIDENCE  The fundraising calendar at the Rhode Island State House has a pecking order, and it begins this week with back-to-back money-raising events by the governor, the House speaker and the Senate president.

By tradition, the governor  Democrat Dan McKee  hosts the kickoff event with a fundraiser at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Warwick from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.

On Tuesday, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is hosting his first fundraiser of the year at the same venue, followed on Thursday by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio's fundraising event, same place. Tickets to both go for $200.

House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, left, and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio listen to speeches on inauguration day.

The McKee tickets go for anywhere from $1,000 for those categorized as "friend(s)," $500 "supporter(s)" and $250 as "guest."

More on legislative priorities:Abortion, housing, school funding and more thorny issues face RI lawmakers in 2023

There is also a category for "sponsors," who are giving five and ten times more than the state's contribution limit of $1,000 per person, per year would seem to allow.

To be counted as a "Silver Sponsor," a donor would have to contribute $5,000, and as a "Gold Sponsor," $10,000.

Gov. Dan McKee leaves the RI House chamber after delivering his State of the State address last Tuesday.

Governor's camp says donations don't buy special access

In the mid-1980s, then-Gov. Edward DiPrete created the equivalent of a donors' club. In that case, a "member" was promised an opportunity to meet with him quarterly.

Asked if there is an implicit or implied incentive for McKee backers to raise money from others for the governor, also known as bundling, his political spokesman, Mike Trainor, told The Journal: "There is no reward for voluntarily raising money for the governor."

But the creation of a donor category for "sponsors" left John Marion, executive director of the citizens' advocacy group Common Cause RI, perplexed.

Breaking down the budget:McKee releases his proposed $13.8b budget  here's how it affects Rhode Islanders

"I have never heard of such a thing. I know there are people who bundle contributions but Ive never heard of a campaign calling them sponsors for a fundraiser," he said. "It would be illegal for any individual or PAC to give more than $1,000 to the campaign in a calendar year."

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McKee won his first full four-year term in November after ascending from lieutenant governor to the top spot in March 2021 when Gov. Gina Raimondo quit mid-term to become U.S. commerce secretary.

Year-end reports for 2022 are due Jan. 31. As of his last report, McKee had $18,392 in his campaign account after spending $3.4 million in 2022 to defeat self-financed Republican challenger Ashley Kalus, who spent more than $4.9 million to lose by 19 points.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Political fundraisers for McKee, others start, McKee rolls out 'sponsors'
An MRI scan of the brain of a patient affected by Alzheimers disease. (Getty Images)

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a drug that may help patients in the early stages of Alzheimers by slowing down the progression of the disease. In clinical trials, the drug, called lecanemab, reduced the rate of cognitive decline among participants.

But doctors and health experts are divided on whether it warranted an accelerated FDA approval. While some of them have praised the agencys decision, describing the drug as groundbreaking, others are skeptical about whether it provides a substantial benefit.

In the U.S., over 6 million people are living with Alzheimers, an incurable and fatal disease that affects the brain and causes loss of cognitive function over time. While there are available medications that can treat Alzheimers symptoms, there have been no treatments that address the underlying cause of the disease. This is why some doctors have welcomed the accelerated approval of lecanemab. The FDA is likely to consider a full approval later this year.

Were pretty excited that we finally have something, Dr. Reisa Sperling, who directs the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, recently told NPR.

Heather Snyder, vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimers Association, told Yahoo News that the organization celebrates the Jan. 6 approval of the drug. This is now the second approved treatment that evidence suggests changes the course of Alzheimers disease in a meaningful way, she said.

Lecanemab, which will be marketed as Leqembi, is the second Alzheimers drug to receive a fast-track approval by the FDA. This accelerated authorization is usually given to promising treatments targeting diseases for which there are no other effective options available. In the summer of 2021, the agency gave a similar drug  aducanumab, sold under the brand name Aduhelm  accelerated approval as well. But the move was controversial because the FDA approved the drug despite conflicting evidence about whether it provided a benefit to patients, and against the recommendation of one of its committees of outside experts.

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Aduhelms accelerated approval prompted a congressional investigation. Since then, the federal Medicare program has decided not to cover Aduhelm treatment for the general population, but only for patients who were enrolled in the clinical trial. Some hospital systems across the country have also declined to offer the drug to Alzheimers patients. Due to the controversy surrounding the drugs efficacy and its high price, as well as the negative publicity it has received, few patients have received it. As a result, many doctors who treat the disease have been left, once again, with limited options.

Snyder said that even though Leqembi is not a cure, the fact that it may slow the progression of the disease would give patients more time to enjoy aspects of daily life.

That could be things like participating in a birthday party, or going to a wedding, recognizing their spouse, their children, their grandchildren, their neighbors, and really that time is enabling an individual to also make decisions about their care as they go forward as well, she said.

Lecanemab, which will be marketed as Leqembi, received accelerated approval by the FDA on Jan. 6. (Eisai via Reuters)

Like Aduhelm, lecanemab was developed by Eisai in partnership with fellow drugmaker Biogen. These treatments are monoclonal antibody therapies that are designed to remove a substance called beta-amyloid from the brain. Beta-amyloid is a naturally occurring protein that becomes toxic when it clumps together and forms the sticky plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimers disease.

The theory behind the development of monoclonal antibody treatments like lecanemab is that amyloid plaques cause the loss of brain cells that leads to cognitive decline in people who suffer from Alzheimers. By reducing the amount of amyloid plaques in the brain, these treatments are believed to help slow the process of memory loss and cognitive decline.

In a clinical study of nearly 1,800 people in the early stages of Alzheimers, those who were given lecanemab for 18 months experienced 27% less decline in memory and thinking compared with those who received a placebo. Although the trial results were positive and unprecedented, some experts believe the excitement for the drug is not proportional to its apparent benefit.

The clinical trial data shows a statistically significant but clinically undetectable difference in the outcome measure between active treatment and placebo over 18 months, Dr. Michael Greicius, a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University, told Yahoo News.

He said the accelerated FDA approval of lecanemab made sense because in clinical trials the drug showed that it can affect a biomarker associated with a disease. In this case, that biomarker is the reduction of beta-amyloid in the brain. Lecanemab definitely removes amyloid plaques, Greicius said.

But some experts fear that the approval of lecanemab will incentivize drug companies to focus on therapies targeting amyloid plaques while neglecting other treatment approaches that may be more fruitful.

I do consider it a game changer, but in a negative sense, for how it will change the clinical and research landscape around Alzheimers disease, Greicius said.

The new drug, which is administered through intravenous infusions every two weeks, is costly. The companies that develop it have said it will be priced at $26,500 per year. So far, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has said it will not cover the drug, and unless lecanemab receives full FDA approval, that isnt likely to change.

What CMS is doing by restricting coverage for approved treatments is unprecedented, Snyder said. Its not something weve seen before, and its wrong.

If CMS ultimately decides not to cover lecanemab, Greicius said, the drug will likely be used, but not very widely, as it would have to be paid for out of pocket.

He noted that there are some safety concerns about lecanemab that need to be considered, particularly a condition that can occur with most other drugs that remove amyloid plaques from the brain, known as ARIA, or amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. Two forms of ARIA involve brain swelling and bleeding.

In the lecanemab study, more than 12% of people who received the drug experienced swelling of the brain, and more than 17% had bleeding. While few participants experienced complications, there have been at least three deaths linked to the drug, though those patients appear to have had additional risk factors.

But Snyder said these side effects should not be a reason for doctors and patients in the early stages of the disease not to consider the medication.

Its really important to remember this, Alzheimers is fatal  and all treatments have side effects, she said. So its important that we manage those and we understand them, and an individual should weigh any treatment decision  not just with this medication or this disease, but across the board  be able to weigh the potential benefits and risks [in] conversation with their clinician.
NEW YORK  The Metropolitan Opera in New York is marking the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a concert celebrating the countrys resilience and hope.

On Feb. 24, Met Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin will lead the companys orchestra, chorus and soloists in a program of Mozarts Requiem and Beethovens Fifth Symphony.

Soloists include soprano Golda Schultz, mezzo-soprano Emily DAngelo, as well as the Ukranian-born tenor Dmytro Popov and bass-baritone Vladyslav Buialskyi, also from Ukraine.

I am proud to lead the great Met Orchestra and Chorus as we continue to use music, an instrument of peace and healing, to show support for the people of Ukraine as they continue their quest for peace and an end to this war, said Nezet-Seguin.

Early last year, shortly after Russia invaded its neighbor, the Canadian-born conductor led the Met orchestra in a performance of the Ukrainian National Anthem prior to the opening performance of Don Carlos.

He also conducted the benefit A Concert for Ukraine on March 14  when a massive Ukrainian flag was draped outside the Metropolitan Operas majestic building on Manhattans Upper West Side.

Speaking about the evenings program, the Mets general manager, Peter Gelb, noted that Mozarts choral masterpiece will be performed as a way to remember the innocent victims of war, while Beethovens best-known compositions will be played in anticipation of the victory to come.

The Metropolitan Opera has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its struggle for survival, the world-renowned opera company said in a statement.

Next months event  For Ukraine: A Concert of Remembrance and Hope  will open with the Ukrainian National Anthem. Prayer for Ukraine, by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, will close the evening.

The performance, which will be broadcast on radio, is being presented in association with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations.

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This is a concert in celebration of Ukrainian resilience and hope, said Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraines ambassador to the UN.

The Metropolitan Opera was among the first to show solidarity with Ukraine, its people, culture, and artists, and it has continued to do so throughout the past year of this tragic war, he added, All wars come to an end, but we will always remember who was with us from the first, most difficult, moments.

All tickets cost $50 and go on sale Feb. 1. Ticket buyers are encouraged to make donations to Ukraine relief efforts.


Antarctica may not be the first choice for many scientists to conduct their field research. But for a group of scientists who study meteorites, the Antarctic ice sheet is a hot bed of fallen fireballs from the sky.

Finding meteorites in the frozen desert isnt uncommon. In fact, around 45,000 have been found over the past 100 years, according to an estimate from Maria Valdes, a research scientist at the Field Museum and University of Chicago.

Valdes, part of an international team of researchers, confirmed Antarctica as a meteorite hot spot after finding 5 new meteorites on a December expedition.

One of the meteorites weigh 16.7 pounds, which is special in its size. Valdes said only 100 or so meteorites have been found that are this size or larger.

The team announced the discovery in a Field Museum release.

Size doesnt necessarily matter when it comes to meteorites, and even tiny micrometeorites can be incredibly scientifically valuable, Valdes said, but of course, finding a big meteorite like this one is rare, and really exciting.

Part of what makes Antarctica the perfect place to find meteorites is its dry climate and ever-changing landscape. The snow-covered horizon means the black meteorites stand out, and the constant churning and moving of glaciers helps to expose meteorites near the surface that may have been buried. The ice also preserves meteorites particularly well, decreasing the amount of wear and tear that might erase cosmic clues hidden in the rocks.

All five meteorites found by the team will be analyzed at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, and Valdes is hopeful the findings will reveal some secrets of the solar system.

Another meteorite, which fell from Mars and landed in the Moroccan desert in 2011, was recently analyzed to see what secrets it could tell.

The meteorite contained organomagnesium, which suggests there might have once been a carbon cycle on Mars, a necessary building block for life, as reported by McClatchy News.

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Valdes said studying meteorites helps us better understand our place in the universe. The bigger a sample size we have of meteorites, the better we can understand our Solar System, and the better we can understand ourselves.

Was there life on Mars? A meteorite found in the Moroccan desert could provide clues

Watch astronauts embark on first spacewalk of 2023 as sun rises below space station

Rare ocean creature caught on video swimming sluggishly off Japan. See the encounter

Is it a cloud  or a UFO? Photo of surreal sight in Turkey baffles skygazers
Microsoft is investing billions of dollars into OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT language generation tool, as part of a third phase of a partnership between the two tech companies, Microsoft announced Monday.

Microsoft did not detail the exact amount it is investing in OpenAI with the latest phase, describing it as a multiyear, multibillion dollar investment. Semafor previously reported the company was in talks to invest $10 billion into the artificial intelligence company.

The investment adds to the ones Microsoft made in OpenAI in 2019 and 2021 and extends the partnership between the companies as ChatGPT becomes increasingly popular.

The free tool, which launched in November, automatically generates detailed text results based on queries in a way that is more advanced than previous technology. While the tool has quickly become an internet sensation and gained popularity, it has also raised questions over how it is used. For example, schools are grappling with challenges it introduces in the classroom, including cheating on assignments, and some schools are banning it.

Microsoft said it will be increasing investments in the development and deployment of specialized supercomputing systems to accelerate OpenAIs groundbreaking independent AI research. Microsoft will also deploy OpenAIs models across its consumer and enterprise products.

Wedbush analysts Dan Ives and John Katsingris said ChatGPT is a potential game changer for Microsoft, calling the investment a strategic step for the company to double down on its artificial intelligence strategy.

In the AI Race today, Microsoft is positioning itself ahead of the rest of Big Tech and this investment is a major notch on the AI belt, the analysts said in a company report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DENVER --News Direct-- Minuteman Press International Inc

Abel Corral, owner of Minuteman Press in Denver located at 4725 Paris Street, Suite 200, has acquired independent printing business A Great American Print Shop from retiring owner Frank Hibberd.

Pictured left to right: Frank Hibberd, retiring owner, A Great American Print Shop; and Abel Corral, owner, Minuteman Press, Denver.

A Great American Print Shop operated in Denver for 31 years. When Frank received a mailer from Minuteman Press, he reached out to Regional VP Jack Panzer. Jack says, Frank wanted to retire and I told him about our unique ability to help independent print shops sell their business. I connected him with Abel, who had expressed interest growing and expanding his business through an acquisition. I am glad they were able to work out a deal, and I wish Frank all the best in retirement.

On the acquisition, Abel Corral says, The acquisition came about on the heels of our three year anniversary; this is also our second acquisition in two years. I was looking for a way to grow my business and so I let it be known to Jack Panzer that Id be interested in acquiring another print shop.

Abel continues, A Great American Print Shop was strategically located within an area that I already reach and market to and so this acquisition just seemed like a good fit. I really liked that this was an established business with growth potential that I feel my team could capitalize on. The potential upside, close proximity, and perfect timing all came into play.

He adds, The acquisition included an established client base, paper inventory, some equipment including cutters, and access to Frank during the transition. I expect this acquisition to help increase revenue by 20-25%. Also, this acquisition benefits AGAPs customers in three key ways:

First, we have received all of the previous artwork for AGAP clients to ensure a seamless transition as we serve their print, design, and mailing needs.

Second, we will be able to offer promotional products and apparel to AGAP clients, which were not previously available.

Third, we will be providing value-added local customer service and client support. Our Minuteman Press location is near Peoria & Interstate 70: 4725 Paris St. #200, Denver, CO 80239, inside the Pinecreek Office Center. We are also offering free delivery to AGAP customers.

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Abel concludes, Im very grateful that my Regional VP Jack Panzer helped me by presenting this opportunity and helping me through the process. I expect this could be a game-changer for our business.

Abel Corrals Minuteman Press franchise in Denver is located at 4725 Paris Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80239. For more information, call or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/co/denver20/

Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and see Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com.

Contact Details

Minuteman Press International

Chris Biscuiti

+1 631-249-1370

cbiscuiti@mpihq.com

Company Website

https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/minuteman-press-franchise-in-denver-acquires-31-year-business-a-great-american-print-shop-465377481
A Mississippi Coast man was sentenced to more than six years in prison for assaulting law enforcement during the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, according to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C.

James McGrew, of Biloxi, took part in the breach of the Capitol and engaged in a series of confrontations with law enforcement officers, court documents say.

The 40-year-old was part of a crowd that overwhelmed law enforcement officers attempting to prevent rioters from advancing further on the restricted grounds, according to the press release. He proceeded to an area outside the Upper West Terrace doors to the Capitol Building. He shot video of the scene, shouting lets go approximately 14 times, and we took this thing.

Once inside at 2:45 p.m., McGrew  who also briefly lived in California  moved to the Rotunda where he pushed one officer and struck another as law enforcement tried to clear rioters out of Capitol building, court documents say.

Two minutes after that, the press release says, McGrew struck another officer and lunged for his baton.

McGrew and others were forced out of the building at 3:22 p.m., but he then joined others in an attack as officers attempted to clear the Lower West Terrance tunnel entrance to the Capitol.

Less than hour later, McGrew threw a wooden handrail with metal brackets attached down the tunnel, striking an officer. McGrew and the other rioters gained access to the tunnel after pushing through more officers, but they were pushed out by 4:20 p.m., according to the release.

McGrew was arrested in Arizona on May 21, 2021, and he pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or impending officers on May 13, 2022.

In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell ordered 36 months of supervised release, a $5,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution.

McGrew was arrested on May 28, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section, with assistance by the U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Southern District of California and the District of Arizona.

The case was investigated by the FBIs San Diego and Phoenix Field Offices., with assistance from the FBIs Washington field office, Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.

More than 950 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states since the attack on the Capitol two years ago.
Officers on the scene of the mass shooting in Monterey Park (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Its only 25 days into 2023 and the US has already been rocked by at least 39 mass shootings.

Thats more shootings where at least four victims were injured or killed than there has been days since the start of the new year.

In total, 2,667 Americans have died as a result of gun violence including 21 children and 95 teenagers, according to data collected by the Gun Violence Archive.

Now, among the latest communities to be torn apart by gun violence is Monterey Park  a largely Asian-American community where thousands of residents had gathered this weekend to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Celebrations quickly turned to tragedy when a 72-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire at a ballroom dance studio in the California community on Saturday night (21 January).

Eleven victims were killed while another nine were wounded in the attack.

Suspected gunman Huu Can Tran is believed to have planned to continue his shooting rampage after he travelled from the site of the massacre to a second dance club  where he was thankfully disarmed by a brave worker.

Hours later, Tran was found dead inside his white van in Torrance following a brief standoff with police. Officials said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, new details continue to emerge about the suspect and his connection to the club.

Heres everything we know about the shooting so far:

The shooting

On Saturday night, approximately seven miles east of downtown Los Angeles, visitors gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The two-day festival draws tens of thousands, making it one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the region, according to the paper.

Around 10.22pm, a man entered the dance club and began shooting. Police do not know if he was targeting individuals, firing indiscriminately, or both.

Seung Won Choi, the owner of a seafood restaurant across the street from the ballroom, told the LA Times that party attendees fled the building and ran into his business, warning him to close and lock his doors.

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Map showing locations of Star Dance Studio, where gunman Huu Can Tran shot dead 10 people; the Lai Lai Ballroom, where he was disarmed by members of the public; and Torrance, where his van was stopped by police (Datawrapper)

Police arrived at the scene and found that the partygoers were already fighting to escape the building.

"When officers arrived on scene, they observed numerous individuals, patrons  pouring out of the location, screaming," Monterey Park police chief Scott Wiese told reporters Sunday. "The officers made entry to the location and located additional victims."

Ten victims were pronounced dead at the scene and another 10 were taken to hospitals, where an additional victim died to bring the death toll to 11.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna initially said witnesses described the suspect as a male of Asian descent, between the ages of 30 and 50, though he noted during a Sunday press conference that descriptions were not consistent between all witnesses.

The second scene

Around 20 minutes after the first shooting, investigators believe Tran then travelled to a second dance studio in the neighbouring city of Alhambra.

There, a heroic worker managed to wrestle the semiautomatic assault pistol from the suspect as he attempted to carry out a second attack.

Surveillance footage captured the terrifying moment 26-year-old Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old coder whose family runs the Lai Lai club, bravely wrestled the gun away from Tran.

Mr Tsay told the New York Times that he was in the office off the lobby watching the ballroom when he heard the front doors swing close and a noise that sounded like metal hitting metal.

Surveillance footage captures a brave patron stopping the gunman at Lai Lai Ballroom (Lai Lai Ballroom)

At that moment, he said he turned around to see the suspect pointing a gun at him.

Mr Tsay described the suspect as menacing saying: He was looking at me and looking around, not hiding that he was trying to do harm. The two men got into a struggle before the 26-year-old managed to disarm the gunman.

Tran fled the scene  with no one at that second studio injured.

The standoff

After moving onto the Lai Lai club, Tran went on the run and a huge manhunt was launched to track him down.

It culminated around 12 hours later with a police standoff in Torrance, about 30 miles from Monterey Park.

Witnesses at the Alhambra incident had reported seeing a white van at the scene and officers spotted Tran driving the van around Torrance on Sunday morning.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press conference on Sunday that, as police closed in, Tran drove into a parking lot and shot himself dead.

When officers exited their patrol vehicle to contact the occupant, they heard one gunshot coming from within the van, the sheriff said.

SWAT teams surrounded the vehicle before approaching the van.

Police surround the white van in Torrance (EPA)

The armored vehicles were positioned directly behind and infront of the van to prevent the suspect from driving away from the scene. Later, a third BearCat was moved to block the drivers side door of the van, where the window had been smashed out.

SWAT members then opened the passenger and side doors of the vans and found Tran dead inside from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Evidence found inside the vehicle  including a handgun  allegedly ties the 72-year-old to the shooting.

The suspect

Authorities believe Tran acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection to the mass shooting. At 72 years old, Tran is the oldest mass shooter in more than five decades.

The motive for the massacre remains unclear.

However, acquaintances have revealed that Tran used to be a regular at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and once complained that the instructors were saying evil things about him.

He also met his former wife at the studio, it has been revealed.

One friend, who knew Tran in the late 2000s and early 2010s when they both attended the studio, said that Tran was hostile to a lot of people at the club.

The friend, who did not want to be named, told CNN that the suspect often complained to him that he thought the dance instructors didnt like him and said evil things about him.

At the time, Tran lived around a five-minute drive from the club and would visit it almost every night, he said.

The two friends hadnt seen each other in years before Saturdays shooting, he said.

Now, he said he is totally shocked to learn that he was allegedly responsible for the mass shooting as he voiced fears that some of his friends may be among the victims.

I know lots of people, and if they go to Star studio, they frequent there, he said.

Trans former wife, who also did not want to be named, told CNN that they first met at the Star Ballroom around two decades ago.

Authorities believe Huu Can Tran, 72, acted alone (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

At the time, Tran was running informal dance lessons at the club and offered to give her free lessons, she said.

The pair wed soon after. Trans former wife said that the accused mass shooter was never physically violent with her but that he did have a short temper, especially if she missed a step while dancing with him.

She told the network that she felt that Tran then lost interest in her and he filed for divorce in 2005.

It is not clear if Tran was still attending the dance studio in the run-up to the mass shooting.

Investigators are now looking into Trans criminal and mental health history for clues as to what led to Saturdays massacre.

In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement said that it was too early to determine if it was racially motivated, but told reporters we will look at every angle as far as whether its a hate crime or not.

Everythings on the table, Mr Luna said of the ongoing investigation during a press conference prior to tracking down the suspect on Sunday.

But, who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people?

Authorities later revealed that Tran visited the Hemet Police Department lobby twice this month  on 7 January and then again on 9 January.

During those visits, Tran claimed that his family in the Los Angeles area had tried to poison him some 10-20 years ago, and also made allegations of fraud and theft.

City supervisor Hilda Solis suggested that the shooting may have been the result of a hate crime as the victims were all of AAPI descent.

Were waiting to see what our law enforcement and FBI have to say, she told ABC 7.

The victims

The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals in conditions ranging from stable to critical, according to the LA Times.

Five men and five women were among the victims found dead at the scene. They were all aged in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. The 11th victim who died at the hospital was also a woman.

On Monday (23 January), four of the victims were identified by the Los Angeles County Coroners office, while three others of those slain were named by people that knew them.

Mymy Nhan, a 65-year-old woman, Valentino Alvero, a 68-year-old man, Lilian Li, a 63-year-old woman, and Xiujuan Yu, a 57-year-old woman, were confirmed by authorities among the deceased.

Ming Wei Ma, 72, the male owner of the dance studio, was confirmed as dead by friends and relatives and later confirmed by the coroner.

Diana Tom, 70, was wounded during the shooting and later died from her injuries at an area hospital.

The remaining victims were named the next day, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Hong Jian, a 62-year-old woman; Muoi Ung, a 68-year-old woman; Yu Kao, a 72-year-old man; Wen Yu, 64; and Chia Yau, a 77-year-old man, all died at the scene.

CBS News reports that the family of Nancy Liu, 62, said she had been killed  it is unclear if she is known by another name.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles confirmed two of the victims were Taiwanese Americans, and the Chinese Consulate in the city said one of its citizens was among the dead. Mr Alvero was Filipino-American, according to the Philippine Consulate.

Many heartbroken friends and family members have since shared stories about their slain loved ones.

Ming Wei Ma was identified as one of the victims (KCAL News)

The reaction

The second day of the Lunar New Year festivities was cancelled on Sunday, according to Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Weise.

The festival that occurred Saturday also extended to Sunday. Out of an abundance of caution and reverence for the victims, we are canceling the event thats going to happen later today, he told reporters.

Los Angeles city controller Kenneth Mejia, the first Asian American to hold citywide office in LA, issued a statement in response to the shooting.

Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones tonight in our neighbouring city, Monterey Park, where a mass shooting just occurred, he said.

Monterey Parks demographic data shows that just over 65 per cent of its population identifies as Asian, with Hispanic identifying people making up the next largest group at 28 per cent.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Sunday morning that Joe Biden had been briefed on the shooting and noted that FBI agents had been dispatched to investigate the attack.

Governor Gavin Newsom called the attack a heartless act of gun violence.

"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, he said.

On Sunday, he visited Monterey Park and issued a proclamation declaring Lunar New Year and ordering flags across all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims.
The gunman behind the deadly dance hall shooting in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park may have been targeting his ex-wife on the Lunar New Year, the California city's mayor said Monday.

That revelation came as investigators are focused on a personal motive and have discounted hate crime or terrorism as a possible inspiration for the attack, multiple law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation said.

The officials emphasized that it's still early in the probe, but said evidence gathered at the suspect's home and in the van where he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday afternoon so far suggests the bloodshed was somehow personal.

The death toll from Saturday's shooting climbed to 11 Monday, with at least nine others still being treated for their wounds, officials said.

Huu Can Tran, the 72-year-old suspected shooter, apparently thought his former wife was at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio when he burst inside and opened fire on a festive crowd, police said.

My understanding is that he may have come because his ex-wife was reveling, celebrating the Lunar New Year, and it sounded like there was a history of domestic violence, which is unfortunate, Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo told NBC News Kate Snow.

Tran filed for divorce in 2005 in Los Angeles County, records show. NBC News has reached out to the person believed to be his ex-wife for comment.

Follow along here for live coverage

Police on Monday continued searching the suspect's home in Hemet, a small city about 85 miles east of Los Angeles, and did not divulge a motive.

Alan Reyes, the public information officer for the Hemet Police Department, said their records show that Tran contacted them a decade ago and alleged his family was trying to poison him. The allegation was never investigated because Tran never presented any proof to back up his claims, he said.

Tran died some 12 hours after the massacre of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a white van as a SWAT team closed in on him, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday.

Story continues

The unimaginable happened in our community last evening," Lo said in a statement Sunday, calling the deadly shooting a "horrible tragedy."

California police hunting the gunman who killed 10 people at a dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations broke into a van after a lengthy standoff Sunday, where images showed a body slumped in the driver's seat. The hunt began 12 hours earlier after a man -- described by police as Asian -- began firing at a club in Monterey Park, a city in Los Angeles County with a large Asian community. (Robyn Beck / AFP - Getty Images)

As the mostly Asian community braced for a wave of funerals, the Los Angeles Coroners Office released the names of two of the victims: My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63. It was not immediately clear if they knew the gunman.

My Nhan. (via Twitter)

A vigil will be held Tuesday in Monterey Park in memory of the dead.

We believe that it is important for our community to come together to remember and heal, Lo said in a statement.

A short time afterward, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services announced that one of the four patients being treated at the LAC+USC Medical Center had "succumbed to their extensive injuries."

The DHS did not identify the victim.

At 72, Tran did not fit the age profile of a mass shooter. The median age over the past six decades is 32, according to data compiled by The Violence Project, a nonprofit research center funded by the National Institute of Justice.

Some 30 minutes after Tran opened fire in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, he turned up at another dance studio in the nearby town of Alhambra, police said. There, Tran was stripped of what police described as a semi-automatic assault pistol by a member of the family that operates the venue before he could harm anybody.

"When he came in, he said nothing, Brandon Tsay, 26, told NBC News' Lester Holt on Monday. "His face was very stoic. His expressions were mostly in his eyes ... looking around trying to find people, trying to scout the area for other people."

Tsay said at first he "froze up" and was convinced he was going to die.

"But something amazing happened, a miracle actually," Tsay said. "He started to try to prep his weapon so he could shoot everybody, but then it dawned on me that this was the moment to disarm him, I could do something here that could protect everybody and potentially save myself."

So Tsay pounced and was able to wrestle the pistol out of Trans hands.

"That young man is a hero," Rep. Judy Chu, a Democrat who represents the district, said earlier Monday. "He saved so many lives."

Tran was able to get away, police said. And about a dozen hours after the bloodshed in Monterey Park, police tracked his white van to a car park 30 miles away in the suburb of Torrance where the suspect killed himself.

Follow along here for live updates

Several pieces of evidence linking Tran to the carnage were found inside the van, Luna said. A handgun was also found in the van, he added.

Early on, police raised the possibility that the massacre may have been a hate crime.

We dont know if this is specifically a hate crime defined by law, but who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people? Luna said earlier Sunday. The description we have now is of a male Asian. Does that matter? I dont know. I can tell you that everythings on the table

Image: Ten Killed In Mass Shooting At Lunar New Year Festival In California (Eric Thayer / Getty Images)

A resource center was established at Monterey Parks Langley Senior Center, he said, adding that mental health resources were available for "anyone who needs support."

Families and friends gathered at the center through much of Sunday, waiting to hear news of loved ones who they feared might have been among the people killed or injured.

I tried to reach her, but I didnt get any response, Monterey Park resident Vivian King said of a friend she last heard from earlier in the weekend.

Its difficult not knowing whats going on, said Juan Pablo Pinzon, a tourist from Colombia, who said his cousin had been out with friends in the area Saturday night and had not responded to texts and calls. Hopefully, well hear something soon.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The gunman behind the deadly dance hall shooting in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park may have been targeting his ex-wife on the Lunar New Year, the city's mayor said Monday.

That revelation came as investigators are focused on a personal motive and have discounted hate crime or terrorism as a possible inspiration for the attack, multiple law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation said.

The officials emphasized that it's early in the investigation but said evidence gathered at the suspect's home and in the van where he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday afternoon so far suggests the bloodshed was somehow personal.

The death toll from Saturday's shooting climbed to 11 Monday, with at least nine other people being treated for their wounds, officials said. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday afternoon the suspect fired 42 rounds at the Monterey Park venue.

The sheriff said the gunman used a MAC-10, a compact semiautomatic and sometimes automatic firearm. The weapon was wrested at a second dance hall by a man being hailed as a hero.

Luna has called the firearm an "assault weapon."

On Sunday, the sheriff said he believed such a gun may be illegal to possess in California, but the legality of the weapon was unclear Monday.

Luna said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI were helping to investigate.

Follow along here for live coverage

Huu Can Tran, the 72-year-old suspected shooter, apparently thought his former wife was at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio when he burst inside and opened fire on a festive crowd, police said.

My understanding is that he may have come because his ex-wife was reveling, celebrating the Lunar New Year, and it sounded like there was a history of domestic violence, which is unfortunate, Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo told NBC News Kate Snow.

Tran filed for divorce in 2005 in Los Angeles County, records show. NBC News has reached out to the person believed to be his ex-wife for comment.

Story continues

What police found at suspect's home

Police on Monday continued searching the suspect's home in Hemet, a small city about 85 miles east of Los Angeles, and did not divulge a motive.

Luna said at an afternoon news conference that hundreds of rounds of loose .9 mm and .308 cal. ammunition was found at the residence, along with a .308 caliber rifle and evidence the suspect may have been making homemade firearms suppressors, which are illegal in California.

Alan Reyes, the public information officer for the Hemet Police Department, said their records show that Tran contacted them a decade ago and alleged his family was trying to poison him. The allegation was never investigated because Tran never presented any proof to back up his claims, he said.

California police hunting the gunman who killed 10 people at a dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations broke into a van after a lengthy standoff Sunday, where images showed a body slumped in the driver's seat. The hunt began 12 hours earlier after a man -- described by police as Asian -- began firing at a club in Monterey Park, a city in Los Angeles County with a large Asian community. (Robyn Beck / AFP - Getty Images)

Law enforcement officials said Tran lived at The Lakes at Hemet West, a gated active living community for people 55 and older more than an hour and a half south of Los Angeles.

The community sits on 150 acres in the San Jacinto Valley and includes a golf course, dog park, swimming pool, tennis court and other amenities.

Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Trans mobile home Sunday night, and multiple Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office vehicles were seen exiting the property Monday afternoon.

Multiple attempts to enter The Lakes were denied by a security guard. A spokesperson for The Lakes declined to comment.

Tran died some 12 hours after the massacre of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a white van as a SWAT team closed in on him, Luna said Sunday.

A Norinco 9 mm handgun was found inside that vehicle, Luna said Monday.

Community mourns the victims

As the mostly Asian community braced for a wave of funerals, the Los Angeles Coroners Office released the names of some of the victims: My Nhan, 65, Lilan Li, 63, and Valentino Alvero, 68. It was not immediately clear if they knew the gunman.

My Nhan. (Courtesy Nhan and Quan family)

A vigil is planned for Tuesday in Monterey Park.

We believe that it is important for our community to come together to remember and heal, Lo said in a statement.

At 72, Tran did not fit the age profile of a mass shooter. The median age over the past six decades is 32, according to data compiled by The Violence Project, a nonprofit research center funded by the National Institute of Justice.

Sheriff Luna said Monday afternoon that one of the dead was found in a vehicle just outside the Monterey Park venue, likely the first victim of the rampage. The others were killed inside, he said.

Threat at second dance hall

Some 30 minutes after Tran opened fire in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, he turned up at another dance studio in the nearby town of Alhambra, police said. There, Tran was stripped of what police described as a semi-automatic assault pistol by a member of the family that operates the venue before he could harm anybody.

"When he came in, he said nothing, Brandon Tsay, 26, told NBC News' Lester Holt on Monday. "His face was very stoic. His expressions were mostly in his eyes ... looking around trying to find people, trying to scout the area for other people."

Tsay said at first he "froze up" and was convinced he was going to die.

"But something amazing happened, a miracle actually," Tsay said. "He started to try to prep his weapon so he could shoot everybody, but then it dawned on me that this was the moment to disarm him, I could do something here that could protect everybody and potentially save myself."

So Tsay pounced and was able to wrestle the pistol out of Trans hands.

"That young man is a hero," Rep. Judy Chu, a Democrat who represents the district, said earlier Monday. "He saved so many lives."

Luna later agreed, saying, "What a brave man he is."

Tran was able to get away, police said. And about a dozen hours after the bloodshed in Monterey Park, police tracked his white van to a car park 30 miles away in the suburb of Torrance where the suspect killed himself.

Follow along here for live updates

Several pieces of evidence linking Tran to the carnage were found inside the van, Luna said. A handgun was also found in the van, he added.

A resource center was established at Monterey Parks Langley Senior Center, he said, adding that mental health resources were available for "anyone who needs support."

Families and friends gathered at the center through much of Sunday, waiting to hear news of loved ones who they feared might have been among the people killed or injured.

I tried to reach her, but I didnt get any response, Monterey Park resident Vivian King said of a friend she last heard from earlier in the weekend.

Its difficult not knowing whats going on, said Juan Pablo Pinzon, a tourist from Colombia, who said his cousin had been out with friends in the area Saturday night and had not responded to texts and calls. Hopefully, well hear something soon.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

At least 10 people have been killed in a shooting at a dance hall on Saturday night in a city close to Los Angeles, on the eve of the lunar new year.

Heres what we know, and what we still dont know, about the deadliest US mass shooting in recent months.

The shooting

A gunman opened fire around 10.20pm on Saturday night at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park, California. Ten people  five men and five women  died at the scene, and at least 10 more were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries, officials said.

Related: Monterey Park shooting: police breach van that may be linked to suspect who killed 10  latest updates

Twenty to 30 minutes later, a man with a gun entered another dance venue in nearby Alhambra, California, authorities said. People at the second ballroom wrestled the gun away from him, and the suspect fled. Authorities said they believed the two incidents were connected.

The suspect

Law enforcement officials have identified the suspect as Huu Can Tran, a 72-year-old Asian man. Tran was found dead on Sunday morning in a white van that police had identified as a suspicious vehicle. They said he had died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Earlier in the day, they had released photos of a man initially described as being in his 30s to 50s, and described him as armed, dangerous, and at large.

On Saturday January 21, 2023 at 10:22 PM the suspect male/adult/Asian pictured above was involved in a shooting. Investigators have identified him as a Homicide suspect and he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Contact LASD Homicide with any information at 323-890-5000. pic.twitter.com/2gPUBBybvv  Robert Luna (@LACoSheriff) January 22, 2023

The context

Monterey Park and Alhambra are majority-Asian American towns outside Los Angeles. In 2017, Monterey Park was named as one of the best places to live in America. The city was the first on mainland US to have a majority of residents with Asian ancestry, as migrants from Taiwan, China, Japan and Vietnam settled in the community.

Story continues

The victims

The coroners office is still in the process of identifying the victims who were killed, the Los Angeles county sheriff, Robert Luna, said on Sunday. The ages of the victims appear to be in their 50s, 60s and maybe even some beyond there, Luna said.

Dance instructors who taught classes at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park told news outlets that the ballroom studio served a predominantly older, Asian American clientele.

The motive

Officials said they were still investigating the motive behind the shooting, including whether it was a hate crime or a deadly incident of domestic violence. The shooting happened not far from a popular lunar new year celebration in downtown Monterey Park. Further celebrations were cancelled there on Sunday, and lunar new year celebrations elsewhere in the US continued with heightened security.

The weapon

Two weapons have been identified so far, including a handgun with a high capacity magazine.

The weapon recovered from the Alhambra location where the shooter was disarmed was described as magazine-fed semiautomatic assault pistol with a high-capacity magazine attached, Luna said. He said it initially appeared that weapon would be illegal under California law.

Another firearm, found in the white van where the suspect was discovered this morning, was a handgun, he said.

Manhunt that led to the suspect

Police say Tran was found dead in a white van following an hours-long manhunt.

The van was stopped by law enforcement in Torrance, California, around 10.30am, on Sunday morning. Law enforcement officials heard one gunshot from within the van, Luna said.

Swat vehicles and other law enforcement cars surrounded the van for several hours on Sunday afternoon before officers entered the van, an operation that local TV news cameras broadcast live.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

The death toll in a mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio in California has risen to 11 people, after health officials said that one of the people wounded in the shooting had died.

Authorities said the motive for what one lawmaker called the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles county history remains unknown. The 72-year-old shooter died by suicide the morning after the attack, authorities said, after being stopped by police in a nearby town. Law enforcement officials searched his home in Hemet, and found a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and evidence that he was manufacturing homemade gun silencers.

The gunman had a limited criminal history but had been arrested in 1990 for illegal gun possession, the Los Angeles county sheriff, Robert Luna, said on Monday.

Did he plan this? Was it the day of? Was it a week before? What drove a madman to do this? We dont know, Luna said, saying that detectives were continuing to examine the case.

Related: Man who disarmed Monterey Park shooter tells of violent struggle for gun

Whether the gunman was related to any of his victims, or motivated by jealously or relationship problems, remains under investigation, Luna said.

People who knew the shooter told news outlets that he did have a personal connection to Star Ballroom, the first dance studio he attacked, and that he had met his ex-wife there while dancing two decades ago. Evidence showed the gunman had used a large capacity magazine to fire at least 42 times during his attack on a ballroom dance studio, Luna said. Officials said 10 people died and 10 people were injured at the scene, one of whom later died.

As of late Monday, the identities of only five of the 11 victims had been made public. Authorities named three women who had died: My Nhan, 65, Lilan Li, 63, and Xiujuan Yu, 57, and one man, Valentino Alvero, 68. The names of other victims have not yet been released, as family members are still being notified, Luna said.

Story continues

According to friends and colleagues, the beloved manager of the dance hall was also among the 11 victims of Saturdays gun massacre, which took place during a lunar new year celebration in Monterey Park, a majority Asian American community in the Los Angeles area.

Ming Wei Ma, known to instructors as Mr Ma, died when a 72-year-old gunman entered the Star Ballroom and opened fire. A friend told CBS News that Ma was the first to rush to try to stop the shooter.

The report of Mas death was corroborated by Dariusz Michalski, a professional ballroom dancing instructor at the Star Ballroom, who posted to Facebook a photograph of the two together with a heartfelt tribute to a man he called his friend.

Mr Ma, your love, joy for people will never be forgotten, he wrote. Your dance and signing passion will never disappear. We will never forget your shout in the studio: I love you. You will be greatly missed. I love you my friend.

The Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, where 11 people were killed as they celebrated lunar new year. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

One of the survivors, a 73-year-old woman, was released from the hospital on Monday, LAC+USC medical center said in a statement late in the afternoon.

Monterey Park police chief Scott Wiese, who faced questions about why it had taken his department so long to release information about the shooting in the hours after the Saturday night attack, said the carnage had left their small department shaken.

Wiese said he and other members of the department were now focusing on officer wellness and making sure the first responders, who had run into a dance hall filled with people who had been injured or shot to death, were getting support.

New details about the gunman

Authorities identified the gunman as an Asian man named as Huu Can Tran. He had lived in the Los Angeles area since at least the early 1990s, and had operated a trucking business, according to public records.

Authorities said that minutes after opening fire at the Star Ballroom, the shooter appeared at a second dance studio in nearby Alhambra, where he was disarmed by a single worker now hailed for saving lives.

The weapon confiscated was a a 9mm caliber semi automatic Mac 10 assault weapon, with unspecified modifications, Luna said. The sheriff previously said the weapon was likely illegal under California law, but noted on Monday that the legality of specific weapons, weapon modifications and ammunition types has changed over time.

More details about Tran have begun to emerge. Henry Lo, the mayor of Monterey Park, once described as the first suburban Chinatown, told CNN on Monday that the shooter was a frequent attendee of the dance hall.

Several people who knew the shooter, including his ex-wife, told media outlets that he had a hot temper, and was sensitive about how he was perceived. The police department in the California town where he lived said he had repeatedly visited a police station in early January to complain that his family had tried to poison him.

Trans ex-wife said she had met him while dancing at the Star Ballroom two decades ago, and that he had offered her dance lessons, CNN reported. The news outlet said it was not naming his ex-wife because of the sensitivity of the incident, and that the couple had divorced in 2005.

His ex-wife said he was never violent towards her, but that he would get upset if she missed a step dancing because he felt it made him look bad, CNN reported.

A longtime tenant of Trans in Los Angeles described him as an aggressive and suspicious person who had few friends, and said that ballroom dancing was his only social activity. The tenant told Reuters that Tran complained that people at the Star Ballroom studio were talking behind his back.

He was a good dancer in my opinion, the tenant said. But he was distrustful of the people at the studio, angry and distrustful. I think he just had enough.

Related: Monterey Park shooting rocks most peaceful town amid lunar new year

Authorities were still investigating how the shooter obtained the weapons he used, as well as investigating any warning signs or changes in his behavior in the weeks prior to the shooting.

In early January this year, the shooter made two visits to the lobby of the police department in Hemet, California, where he lived, alleging past fraud, theft, and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago, the department said in a statement.

Tran stated he would return to the station with documentation regarding his allegations but never returned, the department said.

The California governor, Gavin Newsom, stands near the scene of the shooting in Monterey Park. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Los Angeles county sheriffs department had searched the shooters Hemet residence, local police said.

Public and business records showed that the 72-year-old had run a trucking company with an address in Monterey Park, and that he had lived in the Los Angeles area since at least the 1990s.

Attack at vibrant community centers

The ballroom dance studios that were targeted, one in Monterey Park and a second in nearly Alhambra, were praised as vibrant social centers, whose patrons included many middle-aged and elderly couples who loved to dance.

Relatives of My Nhan, one of the women killed at Star Ballroom, said on social media that they were broken by her death.

Its still sinking in what happened to Mymy, the family said in a statement posted to Twitter by Dallas-based WFAA reporter Tiffany Liou, who said the tragedy had struck close to home and that her husbands family was hurting beyond measure. Liou said Nhan was the first of the victims shot and killed.

The statement continued: She spent so many years going to the studio in Monterey Park on weekends. Its what she loved to do. But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance.

If you knew her, you knew her warm smile and kindness was contagious. She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. Mymy was our biggest cheerleader.

The statement, signed by the Nhan and Quan family, concludes with an expression of gratitude for peoples thoughts and prayers, and the support of neighbors and community.

A makeshift memorial outside of the ballroom studio in Monterey Park, California. Photograph: Caroline Brehman/EPA

The department said that three additional victims from the shooting were still being treated at the LAC+USC medical center. One remains in serious condition. The other two are recovering, the department said.

Others who attended lessons at the Star Ballroom painted a picture of a friendly, community-based facility that acted as a de facto social club for locals and dance enthusiasts. The shooting took place during what should have been a joyous event celebrating lunar new year, according to Elizabeth Yang, a Monterey Park lawyer who took classes there.

The whole city of Monterey Park went from celebrating to everyone being fearful and scared, Yang told the South California Press-Enterprise. We are devastated.

Yang said the elegant dance halls owners and instructors engaged well with students, who kept in touch with each other outside classes through online messaging applications and social gatherings such as Saturdays celebration.

The Monterey Park killings were among 36 mass shooting in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive classifies shooting in which at least four people are wounded or killed  not counting any attackers  as mass shootings. There were three other mass shootings that injured at least four people during a single twelve-hour period this past weekend, according to the Gun Violence Archive: two in Louisiana, and one in Mississippi.

At 72, Tran was the second-oldest mass killer in the US over the last nearly 20 years, According to a database compiled by the Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. In 2011, a 73-year-old murdered five people in Yuma county, Arizona, before killing himself.

The Violence Project, which tracks a subset of public mass-casualty shootings in the United States, identified another shooter in his 70s, a retired miner who killed five people in a store in Kentucky in 1981, in an incident motivated by a personal dispute.

The median age of mass shooters in the Violence Projects database is 32. Almost all of them were men.

Ramon Antonio Vargas, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed reporting
The gunman behind the deadly dance hall shooting in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park may have been targeting his ex-wife on the Lunar New Year, the California citys mayor said on Monday, Jan. 23.

That revelation came as the death toll from the shooting on Jan. 21 climbed to 11, with at least nine wounded people still being treated for their injuries, officials said.

Huu Can Tran, the 72-year-old suspected shooter, apparently thought his ex-wife was at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio when he burst inside and opened fire on a festive crowd, police said.

My understanding is that he may have come because his ex-wife was reveling, celebrating the Lunar New Year, and it sounded like there was a history of domestic violence, which is unfortunate, Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo told NBC News Kate Snow.

Tran filed for divorce in 2005 in Los Angeles County, records show. NBC News has reached out to the person believed to be the shooters ex-wife for comment.

Follow along here for live coverage

Police on Jan. 23 continued searching the suspects home in Hemet, a small city about 85 miles east of Los Angeles, and did not divulge a motive.

Alan Reyes, the public information officer for the Hemet Police Department, said their records show that Tran contacted them a decade ago and alleged his family was trying to poison him. The allegation was never investigated because Tran never presented any proof to back up his claims, Reyes said.

Tran died some 12 hours after the massacre of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a white van as a SWAT team closed in on him, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Jan. 22.

The unimaginable happened in our community last evening, Lo said in a statement on Jan. 22, calling the deadly shooting a horrible tragedy.

Officers peer into the window of a van believed to have a body in the driver's seat in Torrance (Robyn Beck / AFP - Getty Images)

Meanwhile, as the mostly Asian community braced for a wave of funerals, the Los Angeles Coroners Office released the names of two of the victims: My Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63. It was not immediately clear if they knew the gunman.

Story continues

A vigil will be held on Jan. 24 in Monterey Park in memory of the dead.

We believe that it is important for our community to come together to remember and heal, Lo said in an official statement.

A short time afterward, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services announced that one of the four patients being treated at the LAC+USC Medical Center has succumbed to their extensive injuries.

The DHS did not identify the victim.

At 72, Tran did not fit the age profile of a mass shooter. The median age over the past six decades is 32, according to data compiled by The Violence Project, which is a nonprofit research center funded by the National Institute of Justice.

Some 30 minutes after Tran opened fire in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, he turned up at another dance studio in the nearby town of Alhambra, police said. There, Tran was stripped of what police described as a semi-automatic assault pistol, before he could harm anybody, by a member of the family that operates the venue.

When he was looking around the room, it seemed like he was looking for targets, people to harm, Brandon Tsay, 26, said of the shooter in an interview on Jan. 23 with ABC News.

Tran was able to get away, police said. And about a dozen hours after the bloodshed in Monterey Park, police tracked Trans white van to a car park 30 miles away in the suburb of Torrance where the suspect killed himself.

Follow along here for live updates

Several pieces of evidence linking Tran to the carnage were found inside the van, Luna said. A handgun was also found in the van, he added.

Early on, police raised the possibility that the massacre may have been a hate crime.

We dont know if this is specifically a hate crime defined by law, but who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people? Luna said on Jan. 22 The description we have now is of a male Asian. Does that matter? I dont know. I can tell you that everythings on the table."

Image: Ten Killed In Mass Shooting At Lunar New Year Festival In California (Eric Thayer / Getty Images)

A resource center was established at Monterey Parks Langley Senior Center, he said, adding that mental health resources were available for anyone who needs support.

Families and friends gathered at the center a day after the tragedy, waiting to hear news of loved ones who they feared might have been among the people killed or injured.

I tried to reach her, but I didnt get any response, Monterey Park resident Vivian King said of a friend she last heard from earlier in the weekend.

Its difficult not knowing whats going on, said Juan Pablo Pinzon, a tourist from Colombia, who said his cousin had been out with friends in the area the night of the shooting and had not responded to texts and calls. Hopefully, well hear something soon.

This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
RABAT, Morocco (AP)  The Moroccan Parliament decided Monday to reconsider its ties with the European Parliament and subject them to a comprehensive evaluation after the EU legislature criticized the state of press freedoms in Morocco.

The decision followed an extraordinary joint plenary session of Morocco's two houses of Parliament in Rabat on Monday that was convened to address the European Parliament's resolution from last week.

The Moroccan legislators called the resolution an unacceptable attack on the kingdoms sovereignty and the independence and sanctity of its judicial institutions, according to a joint parliamentary statement read out by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami.

Last week, EU legislators approved a non-binding resolution calling on Moroccan authorities to improve their respect of freedom of expression and media freedom.

The resolution said press freedom in the North African kingdom has been continuously deteriorating, and called for a fair trial with all due process guarantees for imprisoned journalists, including Omar Radi, Soulaimane Raissouni and Taoufik Bouachrine.

Such resolutions do not force EU member states to act, but are a broad indication of how the bloc of 450 million people feels about certain issues. The vote was 356-32 with 42 abstentions.

The Moroccan Parliament said the resolution broke trust and hurt progress that had been made over many years. It described Morocco as a long-standing and trustworthy partner that plays a major role in protecting rights and freedoms and defending regional and international peace and security, according to the statement.

It added that the kingdom will never accept guardianship or lessons from anyone.

The Parliament defended judges decisions in the cases mentioned by the European resolution, saying they had nothing to do with journalism or freedom of speech but were about crimes such as sexual assault and taking advantage of peoples weaknesses.

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Radi, a prominent investigative journalist and activist, was convicted in 2021 on charges of espionage and sexual assault and sentenced to six years in prison. Radi denies wrongdoing, and rights groups say the charges were politically motivated.

Radi was the subject of an Amnesty International report in June 2020 that said Moroccan authorities had unlawfully spied on the journalist through his phone by using sophisticated surveillance software. The Moroccan government disputed the claim.

Raissouni, also mentioned in the European resolution, was sentenced to five years in prison for sexual assault, and Bouachrine has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual offenses, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders.

The EU resolution condemns what it calls Moroccos misuse of allegations of sexual assault to deter journalists from performing their duties, warning that such misuse endangers womens rights.

It also raised concerns about allegations that Moroccan authorities sought to bribe European Parliament members as part of a broad influence-buying scandal also involving allegations against Qatar. Belgian prosecutors are investigating the allegations, part of a sweeping corruption scandal that has deeply shaken the EU.

The United States, a Moroccan ally, has in the past also voiced concerns about Moroccos treatment of journalists.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/Handout

As the long-awaited double homicide trial against former South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh began on Monday, his defense lawyers were making one final plea to the judge: Dont let the prosecution talk about blood spatter in this case.

The defense motion, filed just before the 54-year-old disgraced attorney entered the Colleton County courthouse for the first day of jury selection, seeks to bar Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Kenneth Lee Kinsey from discussing blood spatter on a white T-shirt Murdaugh wore the night his wife and son were murdered in June 2021.

Murdaughs team argues that Kinsey should not be allowed to testify because he admitted in his report that he could not render an opinion on whether there was blood spatter on the shirt after the garment was allegedly ruined by forensic tests. Hours later, the defense filed another motion reiterating their previous request to prohibit testimony from Tom Bevel, a former Oklahoma police officer who operates a self-described forensic education company who concluded that 100+ stains are consistent with spatter on the front of the T-shirt.

The motion added that if their request to exclude Bevel's testimony was denied, they would like an evidentiary hearing on the blood spatter evidence before trial. Murdaughs team was scathing in its criticism, previously arguing that Bevels opinion of Murdaughs shirt is based on an at-home science fair experiment conducted in his garage or kitchen or wherever.

Alex Murdaughs Lawyers Allege Critical Evidence Was Destroyed

That Murdaughs lawyers are seeking to exclude testimony from two experts slated to speak about what seems to be one of the prosecutions most important pieces of physical evidence is not surprisingespecially since several legal experts told The Daily Beast that blood spatter analysis is seen by many as a subjective science.

I think when it comes to this type of evidence it's more opinion than science but it uses scientific principles, and it has precedence, therefore, it will be admitted, Jose Baez, a defense attorney who has represented Harvey Weinstein and Casey Anthony, said. If the prosecution is entering in faulty opinions, it's more a matter of junk opinion than junk science.

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Prosecutors allege that Murdaugh murdered his wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul, in June 2021 in a deliberate attempt to turn the spotlight away from a years-long scheme to swindle millions from his clients and law firm to keep his fantasy persona of wealth, respectability, and prominence alive. In addition to the murder case, Murdaugh separately faces dozens of financial charges and allegations that he tried to stage his own murder in a twisted insurance scam.

Alex Murdaugh, left, sits in the Colleton County Courthouse with lawyers Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin in a December hearing. Tracy Glantz/The State via Getty

The Monday motion also included several attachments that provided detailed information about how Maggie and Paul Murdaugh died. Reports by the states crime scene expert concluded that 22-year-old Paul was standing in the feed room of the dog kennels when he was shot in the chest and head, stumbling forward before he was shot a second time in the head. His 52-year-old mother, however, suffered five bullet gunshot wounds, including a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

Based on bullet casing patterns and other analyses, the crime scene expert concluded that Maggie and the shooter were moving when the shots were fired. The expert added that Maggie was shot six times.

In a third filing on Monday, Murdaugh's defense team asked the judge to suppress firearms identification evidence and testimony from expert Paul Greer. After testing several guns that were seized from Murdaugh's property after the murder, Greer indicated that Maggie may have been killed with a .300 Blackout rifle, the motion states.

The defense, however, argued that his analysis should not be presented to the jury because his assertions that tool marks from the cartridges matched the suspected rifle are not scientifically valid. If their request to exclude Greer is denied, the motion asked for an evidentiary hearinglater arguing that firearms identification analysis is also a subjective science.

Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the double homicide. His trial kicked off on Monday, where dozens of reporters descended on South Carolina for a trial that is expected to last several weeks.

The defense has long maintained his innocence, claiming prosecutors do not have the evidence to prove Murdaughwho claims he was with his ailing father at the timekilled his wife and son.

These Murdaugh Family Members May Testify at His Murder Trial

In an attempt to poke holes in the prosecutions case, defense attorneys have been pleading with Judge Clifton Newman for months to eliminate blood spatter analysis from the trial, accusing the prosecution of destroying evidence in bad faith, leaking information to the press to change public perception of the case, and collecting conflicting results in the T-shirt analysis.

The latest motion states that Kinsey concluded that he could not render an opinion on whether the bloodstains were consistent with back spatter from a gunshot after reviewing Bevels report and analysis. The South Carolina Enforcement Divisions HemaTrace testing results, the motion added, confirmed the stains are not human blood.

SLED retained Mr. Bevel to opine that the T-shirt is stained with high-velocity blood spatter that could only come from being in proximity with them at the time of their murders, the motion reads. It did so even though the State knew on August 10, 2021almost six weeks before first reaching out to Mr. Bevel on September 21stthat confirmatory blood test results were definitively negative for human blood in all areas of the shirt where purported spatter is present.

The defense added that the shirt was allegedly destroyed in July 2021 after an unnecessary application of an oxidizing chemical stain used to detect bloodstains. The process turned the shirt a purplish blue, therefore making it impossible for the defense to have their own experts examine the evidence.

Defense attorneys argue that blood was transferred to Murdaughs hands and clothing that night as he frantically checked [his family] for signs of life after finding them at the crime scene. In a previous filing, the defense even noted that Kinsey was unwilling to say that the T-shirt has any blood spatter.

Without an opinion on whether the stains are blood stains or whether the stains are consistent with back spatter from a gunshot, any expert opinion testimony he would offer regarding the stains would not assist the trier of fact; and therefore, such expert opinion should be excluded because it will unfairly confuse and mislead the jury, the motion states.

Motive Revealed in Alex Murdaughs Alleged Murder of Wife and Son

Michel Huff, a California criminal defense attorney and former police officer who is not involved in the Murdaugh case, said that over his career he has found that blood spatter evidences efficacy is debatable.

Because blood behaves according to certain scientific principles, trained bloodstain pattern analysts can examine the blood evidence left behind and draw conclusions as to how the blood may have been shed, Huff told The Daily Beast. From what may appear to be a random distribution of bloodstains at a crime scene, analysts can categorize the stains by gathering information from spatter patterns, transfers, voids, and other marks that assist investigators in recreating the sequence of events that occurred after bloodshed.

This form of physical evidence requires the analyst to recognize and interpret patterns to determine how those patterns were created, he added. Importantly, blood pattern analysis does have limitations including the misinterpretation or over the interpretation of blood patterns.

That said, Huff added that the defenses argument that Kinsley should not testify because he could not render an opinion on whether the bloodstains were consistent with back spatter from a gunshot does not mean that Murdaugh is innocent.

This is far from conclusive or direct evidence of Alex Murdaughs guilt, he added.

Baez said it is not a surprise the prosecution wants to use blood pattern analysis since the practice has been around for years and used in some of the most high-profile trials of our time.

It will be an uphill battle for the defense as to admissibility, but like all forensic science, it will depend on the quality of the expert, he said. All experts are not created equal. Some miss things, some stretch the truth, but when applied correctly, blood pattern evidence utilizes established mathematics and physics.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) stated on Jan. 23 that it had begun to investigate possible corruption in the Defense Ministry's food procurement before ZN.ua, a news site, published an investigation on the issue on Jan. 21.

The ZN.ua report has triggered a major scandal, with critics accusing the Defense Ministry of profiteering from procurement contracts while Ukrainian soldiers are being killed on the front line. The ministry has denied the accusations.

According to the report, the ministry sought to buy food at prices two to three times higher than it costs in Kyiv grocery stores, possibly indicating a corruption scheme.

The ministry has allegedly signed a Hr 13.16 billion ($360 million) contract for military food procurement in 2023.

Ukraine's parliamentary committee on national security, defense and intelligence has summoned top ministry officials to address the allegations.












(AFP via Getty Images)

Netflixs long-trailed crackdown on shared accounts is coming  and it predicts that people might stop watching.

The company made the announcement in its latest results, which showed that it had managed to grow again after a difficult period. Part of that growth may have been the result of efforts such as its new, cheaper ad-free tier, as well as the threat of a ban on password sharing.

Now that password sharing crackdown will roll out more broadly, it said, following a limited test in Latin America.

It says that more than 100 million households are sharing their Netflix accounts, and that it undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.

Netflix has always banned account sharing in its rules, which requires that an account is only used by one household. But it has never enforced that rule.

Now it will add new features that ban people from sharing accounts, and look to find people who are doing so. If it detects an account is being shared, it will stop people from logging in and encourage them to pay for their own account instead.

It will do so with special features aimed at people with shared accounts, such as the option to migrate a profile into its own account.

In some countries, Netflix will allow people to pay extra to share an account with people they dont live with.

It assured users that the new changes will not stop them from watching while travelling.

Netflix suggested that the change could initially mean that people stop watching, as they are kicked out of shared accounts. That will probably register in the number of people watching its shows, it suggested.

However, over time, it believes that some of those accounts will come back and contribute to engagement. That has already happening during testing in Latin America, it said.
Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, has stated that the next ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as a Ramstein-format meeting, will be held in February.

Source: Reznikov on Twitter

Quote: "Ramstein 9 will be held in February."

Details: Reznikov has pointed out that he sees how partners trust Ukraine more and more with each such meeting.

"This is all due to the hard work of our soldiers and representatives. More trust means more weapons. To protect our land, sea... and sky!" the Defence Minister summed up.

Back home after #Ramstein 8.

With each meeting, I see how our partners' trust in Ukraine grows. This is all due to the hard work of our soldiers & representatives.

More trust means more weapons.

To protect our land, sea... & sky!#Ramstein 9 will be held in February.

Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/dzrUvQL2UR  Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) January 23, 2023

Background:

On 20 January, the eighth Ramstein meeting took place. Defence ministers from more than 50 countries participated in it.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the participants of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group to consider providing Ukraine with F-16 interceptor jets at the next meeting.

The Office of the President of Ukraine hopes that the Ramstein-9 will bring aircraft to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
New Hampshire Retirement System Executive Director Jan Goodwin (left) and Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs Marty Karlon address members of the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Jan. 9, 2023.

When New Hampshire lawmakers consolidated the states public retirement systems in 1967, they offered cities and towns a deal: Add municipal employees to the system, and the state would pick up 35 percent of the cost.

At the time, the offer was deemed necessary. The state had four separate pension fund systems, one each for teachers, firefighters, police, and state employees. Bringing them together would help the state better centralize and grow investments  and sweetening the pot for municipalities would spread costs and ensure a smooth transition.

Forty-three years later, amid the Great Recession, the state backtracked. The Legislature lowered the states share to 30 percent in 2010, then to 25 percent in 2011, then to zero in 2013. Until last year  when legislators passed a one-time, one-year 7.5 percent state contribution rate  the state has not contributed at all.

This year, lawmakers in both parties are attempting to make that one-time payment permanent.

House Bill 50 would require the state to continue contributing 7.5 percent for teachers and Group II public employees  those not already working for the state  into perpetuity. Sponsored by Rep. Michael Edgar, a Hampton Democrat, the bill itself is styled as a return to the states commitments.

This act renews a promise made by (the) state to municipalities and restores the states contribution of a portion of the retirement costs of teachers, firefighters, and local police, the bills preamble reads.

The bills title  the Property Tax Relief Act of 2023  reflects a key aim of its supporters: to reduce the financial burden on towns and cities and possibly allow for lower local taxes.

The effort had bipartisan support and passed the Republican-led House last year before being reduced to a one-time payment in the Senate. But not all lawmakers are on board.

I dont think that we should burden the state by subsidizing local payrolls, said Rep. Carol McGuire, an Epsom Republican and the chairwoman of the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee.

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To McGuire, the phaseout in 2011 should be permanent.

Rep. OBrien keeps talking about promises made 50 years ago which are not being met, she added, referring to Rep. Michael OBrien, a Nashua Democrat. Well, fine, that was 50 years ago.

Rep. Dianne Schuett, a Pembroke Democrat, disagrees.

That was the promise that the state made to the municipalities when they said Yall come and get into our system, Schuett said in an interview. Then they gradually took it back and just eliminated it all together. Thats the main significance.

Public employers are spending much more per $100 of compensation on retirement system contributions than they did 20 years ago.

The debate comes as New Hampshire cities and towns have found themselves contributing more and more to the states retirement system. In 2002, municipalities paid about $5 into the retirement system for every $100 they paid police officers, according to numbers from the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Today, they pay about $30 for every $100 in compensation. The rate for firefighters has increased by a similar amount.

New Hampshires retirement system is funded by three sources: employee contributions, employer contributions, and the investment returns from the funds managed by the state. Until 2010, the state picked up 35 percent of the employers contributions.

Now, the Municipal Association argues that the increase in the required contribution rates for towns and cities has forced hard choices in the past decades.

Theres going to only be two possible scenarios: cut the budget (and) cut spending, or increase taxes, or a combination of both, said Katherine Heck, the government finance adviser for the association. Theres really not any wiggle room when youre relying on the revenue.

Many communities had to take both approaches, Heck said.

The importance of this is the impact on taxpayers, Shuett agreed. We hear constantly in this committee from municipalities: The amount that they have to pay since the state took back their contribution is killing them.

While public employee retirement system contributions have stayed in recent years due to statutory caps, public employer contributions have risen steadily.

The temporary 7.5 percent contribution that passed last year  which is set to expire in July  delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars in relief to certain cities, advocates note.

Portsmouth, for instance, received about a $265,000 boost from the state, Claremont received around $60,000, and Laconia $154,000. In total, the state distributed $21.6 million this fiscal year to cities and towns to pay for that 7.5 percent contribution rate.

Still, the package is a fraction of the states previous contribution rate. And some lawmakers, like McGuire, are opposed on principle to any state contribution.

The municipalities have full authority on how many people to hire and what to pay, McGuire said. So why the state should be obliged to contribute a percentage of that payroll makes me uncomfortable. I dont know why we should.

Heck says the association is hopeful that the Senate will be receptive to a longer-term replacement.

Our cities and towns were very excited to receive that one-time payment toward the retirement system, she said. And if its reinstated, thats direct tax savings to both the taxpayer as well as the municipal budget.

The push this year comes after a slew of legislation and budget items in the past two years intended to reduce property taxes.

In 2021, lawmakers changed the meals and rooms tax distribution formula to guarantee that the state gives cities a bigger percentage of the revenues from the tax, a change that resulted in a 45 percent increase to cities and towns in fiscal year 2022, or $101 million overall, according to the Municipal Association. This fiscal year, cities and towns are getting even more  $121 million overall  a 19 percent increase from last years jump.

Lawmakers are also wrestling this year with whether to speed up the payment of New Hampshires $5.7 billion in pension liability. That budgetary hole came as a result of accounting decisions made by the Legislature in the 1990s that were exacerbated by the 2009 recession.

Retirement system rates were skyrocketing after the 1991 recession, and state lawmakers decided to alleviate the burden on cities by creating a mechanism to lower employer contributions, explained Marty Karlon, communications director for the New Hampshire Retirement System, during a presentation to House lawmakers this month. Lawmakers also set an overly ambitious 9.75 percent assumed rate of return for the investments  a move that also lowered employer contribution rates, Karlon added. But while the moves were intended to be temporary, the Legislature did not reverse the changes for almost two decades. Without sufficient funding coming in, the budget hole continued to grow until 2009, when the state took measures to pay off the growing debt.

New Hampshire now has a plan to steadily pay down the states liability by 2039. But in the meantime, towns and cities are affected by it. About 70 percent of the current payments from municipalities are going to pay off the unfunded liability, according to the Municipal Association.

Liberals and conservatives have found rare common ground on the topic. Last May, the fiscally conservative Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy published a post advocating for the amortization of the states liability as a way to clean the slate economically and reduce property taxes. And Democrats have increasingly agreed.

One bill this year, a bipartisan push to legalize and tax cannabis, would devote nearly three quarters of the revenue from the taxation to paying off the unfunded liability every year. That bill has the support of House Republican Majority Leader Jason Osborne of Auburn and House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm of Manchester.

Another, House Bill 555, would require the state to commit surplus money in its general fund toward the payment of that liability.

Paying that down faster, its like paying down the mortgage of your house faster, Heck said. So were very excited that the Legislature is talking about long-term strategies to pay down the unfunded accrued actuarial liability, because that will save (public) employers significant dollars in the future.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Cities, towns hope NH will make retirement contributions permanent
Jim Rutherford, right, has some regrets about how the Canucks handled the Bruce Boudreau situation. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Following the Vancouver Canucks disastrous handling of Bruce Boudreaus firing and Rick Tocchets hiring, team president Jim Rutherford now realizes something: He should probably stop talking.

Rutherford apologized to Boudreau for at least that part of a spectacularly mishandled process, realizing he shouldnt have bashed the Canucks lack of structure under Boudreau. Rutherford asserted his new plan is to take a back seat and let GM Patrik Allvin and Tocchet do the talking.

"Part of this process, and I will apologize to Bruce for this, is probably in my interviews over the course of the season, when people ask me a question, I'm probably too direct and too honest," Rutherford said on Sunday. "So that goes back to my comment about the team playing with more structure and things like that.

"I've done that my whole career. I've tried to be honest, I've tried to answer the best I can. And sometimes that affects certain people and in this case, it probably did affect him. And I'm sorry I did that. And I've learned from it, so I've decided that I need to zip it. I'm not going to talk about the team. I'm going to let Patrik and Rick talk about the team and just stay away from those things."

Ive decided that I need to zip it.



Canucks president Jim Rutherford apologizes for how the Bruce Boudreau situation was handled pic.twitter.com/16xifNkCHi  Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) January 22, 2023

Canucks may want to articulate a coherent plan, if they find one

Considering how often Rutherfords held press conferences, one could be forgiven for forgetting that Allvin is the Canucks GM, not Rutherford.

Canucks fans can tie themselves in knots trying to get to the roots of the problems with their team. Whats the balance of power between Rutherford and Allvin? Going up higher, are the Canucks doomed to be in denial about rebuilding (or retooling) simply because ownership wont allow it?

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Outsiders can only really speculate. However, you amplify rumblings to an angry roar when you fail to communicate a clear message.

So, if Rutherford ditches his habit of putting his foot in his mouth, maybe the Canucks can regain some benefit of the doubt. Its like a quote thats been misattributed to Abraham Lincoln: Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

The drawn-out, cruel firing of Bruce Boudreau is mind-boggling. Especially since Jim Rutherford is supposed to be running things for the Canucks. Really makes you wonder about the owner Aquilini's role. His reputation for relationships is hardly pristine.  David Shoalts (@dshoalts) January 22, 2023

Actions speak louder than words, including at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline

Looking at the near future alone, the Canucks have opportunities to show they actually know what theyre doing.

Recently, Rutherford made comments about how the team couldnt afford to sign captain and high-scoring centre Bo Horvat to a new contract. Like many other recent Rutherford quips, his framing failed to inspire much confidence in the competence of management. Ultimately, though, the Canucks can start to change the narrative simply by getting a great trade return for Horvat.

Granted, the Canucks face a real challenge in gaining promising returns if they roll with Rutherfords recently-stated plan to essentially seek reclamation projects instead of picks and younger prospects.

The trades that we make are trying to get players 25-26 years or younger and bringing this team together within the next year or two. This was never going to be a quick fix. Theres a long game here, Rutherford said, per Canucks Army. But I dont want to sit here and preach patience, because I know the frustration of the fans and the media and everybody wants it done sooner than later just like I do. But in a cap world its not that easy to do 

If youre not winning games, youre wise to sell hope. Landing first-round picks and prospects can be a way of selling fans on the idea of potential and growth.

At the moment, the Canucks instead project mixed messages about what their planned major surgery will look like. Is it really just a matter of moving some players in and some players out, while hoping Tocchet is worth all of the headaches? Is this truly a team that can get things together within the next year or two?

Vancouver fans desperately searching for hope havent stumbled upon many reasons for optimism after hearing front office members speak lately. Perhaps the Canucks really just need to stop talking and start doing what must be done to turn this mess around.

More from Yahoo Sports
Gov. Gavin Newsom and his family marched across the Tower Bridge in Sacramento as part of his inauguration for a second term earlier this month. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

Wanna be in politics? Wanna be president? If so, you need an origin story.

Every politician needs one. And not just any old story, but preferably a rousing narrative that shows youve faced adversity and overcome hurdles. If you can say youre an immigrant or a child of immigrants, thats a start. If you grew up in poverty or suffered discrimination, maybe thats your narrative.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, looking to the future, understands this.

But whats his story? He didnt come up from deep poverty. His father was a judge and then a lawyer for the ultra-wealthy Getty family (though his divorced mother at times struggled to make ends meet). Gavin got rich in business when he was relatively young, partly thanks to family connections.

Hes been tagged as a guy who has had it easy. People think he was born into affluence, and that hes grown into a slick, perfectly coiffed pol. Hes been defined, in many peoples minds, by his maskless, mid-pandemic visit to the mega-pricey French Laundry in Napa. And by his hair.

For obvious reasons, Newsoms not happy with this particular version of his life, especially as he seeks to raise his national profile and contemplates his future, which could include an eventual run for the presidency. The story hes been stuck with is neither uplifting nor, to use the popular phrase, relatable.

So hes out to fix it. Which is probably why hes getting more personal, telling more anecdotes and trying to recast himself as someone who faced and overcame obstacles in his day.

A child of divorce and dyslexia, trying to find my bearings is how he described himself at age 10 or 11 in his unusually personal inaugural address earlier this month. He described his mom, juggling three jobs. The difficulties he faced in school.

I couldnt read, and I was looking for any way to ditch classes, Newsom said. Id fake stomach aches and dizziness. Id bite down on the thermometer in the nurses office trying to make the temperature rise past 100.

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The emphasis on family history and personal challenges was a departure from past speeches, reported The Times.

Newsom described how his great-great-grandparents came from County Cork during the first years of Californias statehood. The first William Newsom, he said, was a working-class Irish immigrant who became a San Francisco beat cop.

I'm not saying it's not all true. No doubt it is. But it certainly appears to be part of a search for a compelling, curated back story that suggests not everything came so easily  one that humanizes him and normalizes him for voters. If he does eventually decide to run for president, expect his stump-speech bio to be rehashed in a campaign autobiography that lays it all out on the printed page.

Whats the first thing you need to do when youre running for president or thinking about it? You tell your story, Katie Merrill, a Democratic political strategist, told The Times.

(Expect to read less in that book about the affair he had with his campaign managers wife when he was mayor of San Francisco and how he sought treatment for alcohol abuse. Thats not the kind of overcoming-adversity story voters are looking for.)

By the way, Im not blaming Newsom for any of this. Personal narratives are an age-old part of politics.

Why do voters crave them? Partly because overcoming obstacles in life is honestly admirable. But also because humans respond to stories more than they do to policies, statistics, polemics, resumes or canned rhetoric. And because we all love a Horatio Alger, up-from-humble-beginnings tale.

Bits of personal bio are what voters remember  sometimes the only thing they remember. Jerry Brown slept on a mattress on the floor and drove a Plymouth. Dianne Feinstein found the body of San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk after hed been assassinated. Richard Nixon was born in a house his father built. Abraham Lincoln was raised in a log cabin the size of a postage stamp and walked a thousand miles to school every day in bare feet. (Yes, sometimes the stories get better over time.)

These narratives aim to tell voters not only who the candidate is and why theyre running, but also that they can be trusted, that they're not out of touch with ordinary people and that they share our values. When Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says in his campaign bio that his father fled Cuba where he was tortured and imprisoned and came to Texas with just $100 sewn into his underwear, its part of his broader point that the family personified the American dream  the idea that anyone, through hard work and determination, can achieve anything.

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) used his familys story this way in 2008: Im running for president because for 54 years of my life I have believed to my soul that the men and women who worked in that mill with my father were worth every bit as much as the man that owned that mill.

But be warned: These stories dont always mean what they seem to mean. Indeed, one academic study concluded that candidates narratives about their families' working-class origins appear to be a misleading shortcut, a cue that leads voters to make faulty inferences about candidates political priorities.

In any case, the stories keep on coming.

A few years ago, Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri concluded that privilege has become a anti-credential in politics. Listen to any presidential debate, she wrote, and youll hear a long litany of stories about overcoming extraordinary obstacles. It turns out your average presidential candidate was found in a basket on the steps of a church by struggling immigrants who came here with nothing but shoeshine, a smile, and the power of a dream, worked six jobs and then died heroically, but not before they managed to impart the virtues of hard work, persistence and patriotism.

Match that, Gov. Newsom.

@Nick_Goldberg

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WATERTOWN, Mass.  House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark is condemning violence against police after her daughter was arraigned Monday on charges that included striking an officer who was trying to arrest her over the weekend.

I condemn violence against everyone, whether that is against police or against community members as a result of any person or government entity, Clark, the second-ranking House Democrat, told reporters at an unrelated event in a Boston suburb on Monday afternoon.

Clarks daughter, Riley Dowell, 23, was arraigned earlier in the day in Boston Municipal Court on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, vandalizing a historic marker or monument and tagging property. Assault and battery on a police officer can carry a sentence of up to two and a half years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000.

Dowell allegedly flailed her arms and struck an officer who was trying to arrest her after she was caught spray-painting a bandstand on the Boston Common on Saturday with anti-police slogans NO COP CITY and ACAB  all cops are bastards  according to a prosecutor and a Boston police news release. Dowell is nonbinary and was identified in a police news release on Sunday by her birth name.

Not-guilty pleas were entered on Dowells behalf. She was released on $500 bail that she posted at the police station on Saturday after her arrest. She is due back in court on April 19 for a pretrial hearing.

Swarmed by local journalists at a climate-related event with officials in Watertown, Clark largely responded to questions about her daughters arrest by referring to the statement she issued on Sunday.

I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting, Clark had tweeted. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

But, Clark added on Monday, if we are talking about the importance of police in our communities, it has been my work and my vision and priority that every single person in every single ZIP code has  an assumption of safety in their communities. And that is the work that Ive done. And police are critical partners in that work going forward.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Andrei Medvedev

At the same time, Medvedevs Norwegian lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, put the risk of his being deported at zero.

Medvedev fled by crossing the Russian-Norwegian border and has said he is in fear for his life after witnessing the killing and mistreatment of Russian prisoners brought to the front lines in Ukraine to fight for Wagner.

He said he had been detained and handcuffed on Jan. 22 at a hotel where he was staying and taken to a detention centre.

A Russian prisoners rights group, Gulagu.net, published a recording of a phone interview on Jan. 23 with Medvedev in which he urged Norway to let him stay and testify against the private military group, which has been fighting Ukrainian forces in some of the most brutal battles of the war.

Read also: Wagner mercenary company regularly executes its own troops, reports The Insider

My goal in coming here was firstly of course to save my life and secondly to tell the truth to the people and the world, he said in the phone interview with Gulagu.net.

He said he also wanted to punish Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, for the deaths of people who died on his orders in Ukraine.

According to Reuters, Medvedev is an orphan who joined the Russian army and served time in prison before joining Wagner last July on a four-month contract that he said the group had then repeatedly extended without his consent.

He has said he crossed the snowy Arctic Circle border into Norway, a NATO member, from Russia after climbing through barbed-wire fences and evading a border patrol with dogs.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a controversial law that requires driver's licenses and state identification to indicate whether an individual is a "noncitizen."

Advocacy groups have condemned the move, arguing that the particular provision in House Bill 458 will make it harder for documented immigrants to obtain the IDs they need.

According to immigrant advocates, the inclusion of such information on identification cards could lead to discrimination and targeting of immigrant communities.

Our biggest concerns about the noncitizen notation are that it will disincentivize noncitizens from getting a state ID and could make the process even more challenging for noncitizens at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Corrylee Drozda, who works with immigrants for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, told the Ohio Capital Journal. Our clients often tell us that the BMV wrongly turned them away because the BMV was not familiar with the type of document showing their eligible immigration status.

More from NextShark: Gemma Chan, Henry Golding and More Raising $70K for UK Campaign to Stop Asian Hate

Drozda also argued that it is "unnecessary and harmful" to call out people as noncitizens on their IDs, saying, "Our noncitizen clients already must overcome many barriers to secure a drivers license or state ID card."

"Due to language, cultural differences, unfamiliarity with the U.S. legal system, and fear of immigration enforcement, many noncitizen Ohioans are hesitant to share their information with government offices and report criminal activity in their communities," she continued.

The provision has also been heavily criticized for reportedly making it more difficult for many communities to vote.

More from NextShark: Teens Charged Over Rape and Murder of Milwaukee Woman

Among the requirements of the bill is limiting counties to only one ballot drop box, regardless of the county's population. The bill also eliminates a day of in-person early voting, which voting-rights advocates fear will effectively disqualify many poor voters of color, particularly the significant number of residents whose licenses are suspended due to debt.

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Organizations in Ohio, including the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans and Union Veterans Council, have filed a lawsuit against Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and the states 88 county boards of elections to stop such provisions in the law.

Meanwhile, DeWine Press Secretary Dan Tierney has defended the measure, saying that it can protect immigrants from unwittingly casting illegal ballots. He noted that "while voter fraud cases are indeed rare, the overwhelming majority of such cases involve non-citizen voting."

More from NextShark: Dartmouth Students Code Entire Site in 36 Hours to Help Over 6,000 Essential Workers

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Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Chilling Facebook Live video shows final moments inside Nepal plane before deadly crash
Applying to college is a high-stakes process for students, a crucible of stress and expectations. Many young people feel their fates ride on finding just the right college to reach their dreams. As professionals who have supported high school students through thousands of college admission journeys, we believe the process is ripe for the use of ChatGPT, a powerful new artificial intelligence writing tool.

The entry point is likely to be the college essay, a task many young people find immobilizing. Anyone who works in college admissions must familiarize themselves with ChatGPT and begin to grapple with how the tool might enter into student work in the very near future.

If you havent given ChatGPT a try, you should. When asked to write a 500-word essay suitable for college admission, the computer produced a piece in seconds about a students interest in science and technology, work on the high school robotics team and desire to be part of a college community. It was a decent response to a basic prompt.

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A more complex prompt left no question about the programs strength: Write a 500-word college admission essay that tells a dramatic story of a high schooler overcoming something significant in their life. Include references to places in their hometown of Philadelphia and a quote from a famous Philly artist. The response was well-rounded and intriguing. It described the student coming out from behind an older brothers shadow through community service using a quote from Will Smith and talked about learning and growing. Any counselor would have believed this was a well-written, human-authored essay.

Related: From COVID Recovery to the Rise of AI Chatbots, We Must Move More Quickly to Reinvent Education in 2023

This nuance is unprecedented, and already, schools in New York are banning access. However, the use of this technology is unavoidable. ChatGPT is on a path to shake up college admissions, and whether schools like it or not, students, admissions professionals and high school counselors must prepare.

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While the college application is full of basic demographic and academic questions, the essay is one of the few areas where students are expected to express aspects of themself they feel are important and let their voices be heard. The stress of conveying the right set of values, or telling a good story, or sharing something deep and heartfelt in 650 words can be paralyzing. Students can spend months on just this one task.

ChatGPT can help. The program can write an outline to remove writers block and offer suggestions for building on students existing work. Used responsibly, it functions as a powerful writing companion.

But plagiarism is a serious risk, and educators must send a loud and clear message that it is wrong. ChatGPT adds a new variable to the equation because stealing from a computer may seem less harmful than stealing from a human. However, the program is built using input from countless writing samples from real humans. Passing off the work of ChatGPT as ones own is plagiarism, plain and simple. This is where the conversation among students, teachers, counselors and parents needs to start.

High school educators should engage students in discussions about the ethics of using artificial intelligence and what constitutes plagiarism. AI has implications in a wide variety of subject areas, so counselors could partner with teachers to discuss its potential use in careers students may pursue. Counselors should also reiterate the importance of students telling their own, original story in their essay and should introduce ChatGPT to students family members so they can discuss it at home as well.

Related: Schools Must Embrace the Looming Disruption of ChatGPT

Admission offices that rely on the essay might expand their use of interviews, video submissions and/or writing samples that show a students response to teacher feedback. While these practices are time-intensive for application readers who are already stretched thin, they get to the heart of who a student is. At the same time, each colleges website should mention ChatGPT with a blurb from the admissions team about how they believe it should be used.

None of these are perfect solutions. But banning ChatGPT or trying to avoid the topic by downplaying AIs impact will not change the reality of the new college admissions or technology landscape. High school and college stakeholders must work together to build on existing admissions practices and address the inevitability of ChatGPT directly.

This is an opportunity for college admissions stakeholders to collectively brainstorm novel approaches to this novel issue.
Orlando city leaders are scheduled to vote Monday on two proposals meant to keep visitors safer when they are in downtown Orlando.

One of the votes would put a moratorium into place that would stop new nightclubs from opening for at least six months.

City officials are also considering requiring a permit to serve alcohol after midnight.

Watch: Downtown Orlando business owner says proposed safety measures are redundant, costly

It would require businesses that hold more than 50 people to hire off-duty officers.

That permit would also require walk-through metal detectors, ID scanners, and licensed security personnel at each entry point.

Read: Suspect identified in connection to Orlando apartment complex shooting, police say

The city does have funds available to help cover some of the costs of additional security equipment.

However, some bar owners say the cost of hiring extra employees could put them out of business.

Read: Orlando police search for suspect who shot man after a crash, robbery

If the proposals move forward, a second vote by city leaders later would put them into action.

Channel 9 has a crew monitoring Mondays vote and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Every investor in Boston Omaha Corporation (NYSE:BOC) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 40% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Boston Omaha.

Check out our latest analysis for Boston Omaha

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Boston Omaha?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Boston Omaha. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Boston Omaha, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

It looks like hedge funds own 21% of Boston Omaha shares. That worth noting, since hedge funds are often quite active investors, who may try to influence management. Many want to see value creation (and a higher share price) in the short term or medium term. The company's largest shareholder is The Magnolia Group, LLC, with ownership of 21%. With 9.3% and 9.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Investment Management Company are the second and third largest shareholders. In addition, we found that Alexander Rozek, the CEO has 0.9% of the shares allocated to their name.

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We did some more digging and found that 6 of the top shareholders account for roughly 51% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track.

Insider Ownership Of Boston Omaha

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in Boston Omaha Corporation. It has a market capitalization of just US$826m, and insiders have US$28m worth of shares, in their own names. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 27% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Boston Omaha. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Private Equity Ownership

Private equity firms hold a 9.1% stake in Boston Omaha. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Sometimes we see private equity stick around for the long term, but generally speaking they have a shorter investment horizon and -- as the name suggests -- don't invest in public companies much. After some time they may look to sell and redeploy capital elsewhere.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important.

I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can access this interactive graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow, for free.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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KARACHI (AP)  A Pakistani court on Monday acquitted a retired senior police officer and 17 others, mostly policemen still serving on the force, in the 2018 killing of a 27-year-old aspiring model.

The young man, Naqeeb Ullah, was killed under suspicious circumstances, in what police at the time said was a raid on a militant hideout in the port city of Karachi. His killing drew nationwide condemnation from human rights activists and thousands from his Mehsud tribe rallied in Islamabad and elsewhere in Pakistan.

Rao Anwar, who at the time was Karachi's police chief, and the others were arrested soon after the raid and went on trial in 2019. A subsequent government probe concluded that Ullah, who hailed from the South Waziristan region, once a Taliban stronghold, had no ties to militants.

Jabran Nasir, an attorney for Ullah's family, said the court in Karachi acquitted Anwar and the others due to lack of evidence after the prosecution failed to prove the charges raised against them. The lawyer said he would consult the family and may file an appeal.

Ullah's family has claimed that he was arrested weeks prior to his killing and that alleged the raid was staged as a fake shootout.

Anwar, credited with arresting scores of militants while he was police chief, was suspended following the raid and barred from leaving Pakistan. Later on, during the trial, he retired from service.

After Monday's ruling, Anwar said justice has been done" and announced he would demand he be reinstated because of a wrongful suspension.
Pamela Anderson, who starred as Lisa on the 90s show Home Improvement, has alleged that the shows lead Tim Allen flashed her on the set, according to Variety.

Anderson, in a portion of her memoir detailed in Variety, claimed the encounter happened on the first day of filming.

I walked out of my dressing room, and Tim was in the hallway in his robe, said Anderson, then 23.

He opened his robe and flashed me quickly  completely naked underneath. He said it was only fair, because he had seen me naked. Now were even. I laughed uncomfortably.

Allen, in a statement to Varietyand USA Today, denied the allegation.

No, it never happened. I would never do such a thing, he said.

FILE  Pamela Anderson poses at a photo call for her Broadway debut as

FILE  Pamela Anderson poses at a photo call for her Broadway debut as "Roxie Hart" in the hit musical "Chicago." Anderson, who starred as Lisa on the 90s show Home Improvement, has alleged that the shows lead Tim Allen flashed her while on set.

Andersons memoir Pamela, a love story is set for release on Jan. 31, along with a Netflix documentary focused on her career.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
Pamela Anderson has said that she doesnt blame Lily James for portraying her in the series Pam and Tommy.

Last year, James and Sebastian Stan starred in Hulus miniseries about the leaking of Anderson and her husband, Motley Crue musician Tommy Lees, sex tape.

The show was made without collaboration with Anderson, leading to public criticism of the series.

While she never commented publicly on the show, Courtney Love took aim at the project, calling it a disgusting show she said was causing her friend Anderson complex trauma.

In a new interview ahead of the release of her Netflix documentary Pamela, A Love Story, Anderson offered up her opinion on Jamess performance.

I heard shed been nominated for an Emmy, but maybe that was a joke, Anderson told The Guardian.

Backtracking, she reasoned: Its not her fault; its a job. But whoever created it  well, it just feels like something else stolen.

Anderson added that she had felt violated by the show, asking: How are they allowed to do that?

James as Anderson in Pam and Tommy (PA Media)

The Independent has contacted Jamess representatives and Hulu for comment.

When Pam and Tommy was released, James revealed that she had personally reached out to Anderson in hope of speaking to her before filming began.

I was really hopeful that she would be involved, she said. I wish it had been different. My sole intention was to take care of the story and to play Pamela authentically.

Anderson is now telling her story in a Netflix documentary (Netflix)

Of contacting Anderson, she added: I was very hopeful that we would be in touch right up until we started filming.

In Andersons new Netflix documentary, the Baywatch star will explore her past, as well as the release of Pam and Tommy and her recent appearance in Chicago on Broadway.

The trailer, released earlier this month, opens with Anderson seemingly referencing the show reigniting public interest in the sex tape.

I didnt sleep last night at all, she says. I blocked that stolen tape out of my life in order to survive. And now that its all coming up again, I feel sick.

Pamela, A Love Story arrives on Netflix on 31 January.
It is doubtless a positive to see that the ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE (ETR:PSM) share price has gained some 31% in the last three months. But that doesn't change the fact that the returns over the last half decade have been disappointing. In fact, the share price has declined rather badly, down some 68% in that time. So is the recent increase sufficient to restore confidence in the stock? Not yet. Of course, this could be the start of a turnaround.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for ProSiebenSat.1 Media

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Looking back five years, both ProSiebenSat.1 Media's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 40% per year. This fall in the EPS is worse than the 20% compound annual share price fall. The relatively muted share price reaction might be because the market expects the business to turn around. With a P/E ratio of 58.30, it's fair to say the market sees a brighter future for the business.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

This free interactive report on ProSiebenSat.1 Media's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, ProSiebenSat.1 Media's TSR for the last 5 years was -59%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

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A Different Perspective

We regret to report that ProSiebenSat.1 Media shareholders are down 22% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 9.4%. Having said that, it's inevitable that some stocks will be oversold in a falling market. The key is to keep your eyes on the fundamental developments. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 10% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks, for example - ProSiebenSat.1 Media has 4 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

We will like ProSiebenSat.1 Media better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on DE exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Penn Badgley has opened up about the many health scares he experienced as a premature baby.

The You star recently appeared on an episode of the HypocondriActor podcast with Will and Grace actor Sean Hayes and Dr Priyanka Wali. Badgley, 36, revealed that he was born two months premature and, as a result, his mother needed to resuscitate him multiple times a day during the first year of his life.

The first couple of weeks I was in a NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] because my heart and lungs would stop repeatedly throughout the day, he explained on the podcast.

The Gossip Girl alum said that doctors had to regularly revive him just weeks after his birth. His mother had to also learn how to resuscitate the newborn once he left the hospital.

[She had to do it] multiple times a day because my heart and lungs would stop, and I was on a monitor that would just beep very loudly, Badgley shared. The first time she had to do it was on the way home from the hospital when I was released from the NICU.

Badgley added that his cousins would tell him stories about how they would revive him during this time by simply touching him.

I would be in the back seat, you know, in a car seat hooked up to the monitor, and it would go off, and all anybody had to do is just touch me, he said. Just human touch would wake me up.

Badgley, whose wife Domino Kirke is a doula, added that hes learned a lot about prenatal and postpartum conditions because of his wifes career. While the father of one said his health condition faded away, he still believes that his childhood health scares have impacted his perspective on death.

The effect that its had on me at least in a sort of emotional way is that Im extremely sensitive to touch, Ive just noticed that in my life, Badgley said. Anytime anybody touches me, Im just very aware of it.

Death doesnt scare me, I feel like that sounds weird to say, he continued. Theres some aspect to that where I feel like theres a gravity to the earliest experiences I had...like, I can have a mode that is very solitary and meditative.

Looking at his two-year-old son James, Badgley said that his childhood health scares may have had a bigger impact on him than he previously thought. If my son, who I now know so well, was the first year of his life flatlining multiple times a day, the idea that that wouldnt influence him is ridiculous, he shared. Thinking of my toddler now, Im realising it actually did affect me. It affected my sense of what life is like, what life is not like.

Penn Badgley and his wife Domino Kirke have been together since 2014, and were married at a New York City courthouse three years later. In 2020, the couple welcomed their first child together after Kirke had suffered from two miscarriages. The doula also shares 13-year-old son Cassius Riley with former partner and musician Morgan OKane.
Police are investigating after a juvenile arrived at a Springfield hospital Sunday evening with a gunshot wound.

The juvenile, only described as a male, showed up at Springfield Regional Medical Center around 7 p.m., according to Springfield Police Division dispatch records.

>> Man hit, killed by truck in Harrison Twp.; Deputies investigating

The juveniles injury was described as non-life threatening.

Police have not been able to locate a scene where the shooting happened and have not identified any suspects, a dispatcher said.

The incident remains under investigation.

Well update this story as we learn more.




Prince Harry in an Apache helicopter in Camp Bastion during his time in Afghanistan in October 2012. (Reuters)

Prince Harry's army instructor has hit out at a report that claimed the Duke of Sussex's memoir contained inaccuracies about a training flight.

Former Sergeant Major Michael Booley said he felt "betrayed" by an article in the Sunday Mirror that claimed comments by Harry about a flight training exercise in his new book were inaccurate.

Quoting Mr Dooley, the headline of the article claimed Harry's account of a training flight in his autobiography was a "complete fantasy".

But Mr Dooley later said he felt "let down" by the article, and insisted that Harry was an "exceptional student".

Watch: Prince Harry's military service on the frontline

In Spare, Harry recalls a training exercise on board a Slingsby T67 Firefly propeller plane with Mr Dooley.

He writes in the book: "On one of our first flights together, with no warning, Booley threw the aircraft into a stall.

"I felt the left wing dip, a sickening feeling of disorder, of entropy, and then, after several seconds that felt like decades, he recovered the aircraft and levelled the wings.

I stared at him. What in the absolute? Was this an aborted suicide attempt? No, he said gently. This was the next stage in my training.

Read more: The non-royals Harry takes a swipe at in his book

Prince Harry's memoir Spare has become a bestseller. (AP Photo)

Mr Dooley told the Sunday Mirror that he was "staggered" by Harry's recollection, saying that all aspects of training flights are discussed beforehand.

However, Mr Dooley wrote on Facebook on Sunday that he was unhappy with how his comments had been reported.

In his Facebook post, he said: "Not once did I say anything derogatory about Prince Harry and I certainly never said it was 'complete fantasy' as the article headlines would have you believe.

"I feel let down and betrayed."

In his post, he wrote: "Out of the blue, I was contacted by the press to be made aware they were writing articles and as I was named in Harry's book Spare I was offered an opportunity to comment on it.

Prince Harry in his Apache helicopter in Camp Bastion, southern Afghanistan. (Reuters)

"As I had not seen it, I was then provided with an inaccurate version of the book (translated) and in response I expressed my concerns about any possible detrimental narratives from the outset. I later saw the English version and highlighted the differences to the press.

"I made it absolutely clear that Harry was an exceptional student and I had nothing but the utmost respect for him.

"I highlighted some inaccuracies in the book, in particular reference to the flying sorties, but felt that they were probably not Harry's words and highly likely to be dramatised due to the fact that the book was ghostwritten."

Mr Dooley does not detail other inaccuracies beyond the headline, though he does say he claimed he said he "would not approve of anything derogatory" being said about Harry.

The online version of the Sunday Mirror article removed the phrase "complete fantasy" from its headline on Monday.

The Sunday Mirror declined to comment when approached by Yahoo News UK.

Watch: Harry's memoir becomes fastest selling non-fiction book
As the 118th U.S. Congress begins, the stakes surrounding our privacy rights have never been higher. For decades, lawmakers have utterly failed to defend everyday people  much less those who are most vulnerable online  from dangerous encroachments into our digital privacy. Just last week, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealed a massive surveillance dragnet of people who use services like Western Union to send remittances.

Now, both sides of the aisle begin 2023 having painted a target on the backs of privacy-preserving software projects and those who build them. This attitude poses a real danger not only in the U.S., but for people across the globe. Its time for software projects that value privacy to get organized.

Lia Holland is the campaigns and communications director, and and Eseohe Ojo is a campaigner, at Fight for the Future. This article is part of CoinDesks Policy Week.

This is why our organization, Fight for the Future, has released a letter signed by 40+ open-source, decentralized and/or privacy-preserving projects that asks lawmakers to protect a pro-privacy future. Signatories on this letter include Tor, The Blockchain Association, Nym, Protocol Labs, Proton, Zcash, Tutanota and Mysterium.

We have four simple asks:

Constitutional and human rights protections, both on- and offline

The first ask to Congress is straightforward: Do more to protect our constitutional and human right to privacy. The right to privacy has always been a foundational principle of the U.S. There are express or implied rights to privacy in the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth and Fourteenth amendments to the Constitution. Even the legal victory that established a constitutionally protected right to code was about encryption, meaning it was about privacy. Unfortunately, that decision did not settle the law.

Threats to the right to code and the right to privacy are inextricably entwined, especially as more of our lives move into digital spaces where our rights are ignored and invasive surveillance is the default.

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See also: Elizabeth Warren's New Financial Surveillance Bill Is a Disaster for Privacy and Civil Liberties / Opinion

To seriously and vigorously defend these rights, many in Congress would need to shift their thinking on the simple act of writing code  to recognize that this freedom is core to the technologies that empower democracy and must be defended. That also means our representatives must analyze the potential impacts of new laws and regulatory action on First Amendment protections when drafting new legislation. This should be the rule, not the exception.

Champions of the right to privacy and the First Amendment must stridently oppose any actions that criminalize building and using privacy tools or the simple act of writing or running code. Proactively, lawmakers should consult those most impacted and consider new legislative shields to defend our rights against the corrosive powers of short-termism, political theater and poorly drafted bills, as well as from Big Tech and Finances lobbying pressure.

Support the decentralization of power

Secondly, Congress should be unwavering in its efforts to address power imbalances and support decentralization of power. The argument of the surveillance state is simple: safety demands sacrifice. If you arent doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. This thinking is deeply flawed because surveillance concentrates power  and surveillance states and human rights abuses go hand in hand.

From East Germany pre-reunification to current-day Russia or Saudi Arabia, to communities across the U.S. and U.K., the dangers of surveillance are clear. Weve seen the results in the news, in history books and in dystopian fiction like 1984. The more you are surveilled, the more power state and corporate actors have over your life.

This issue compounds as decisions about our basic digital infrastructure and online safety are made unilaterally by out-of-touch billionaires. Surveillance capitalism pervades our digital economy, causing market forces to constantly erode user privacy by design.

See also: Chelsea Manning: Cryptos Privacy Problem Depends on Improving Its Technology

Its beyond time for Congress to invest in creating more resilient digital infrastructure, where power is decentralized and decisions are made by users, not the market or Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. There are a host of strong legislative actions that would break Big Techs monopolistic and oppressive stranglehold on the internet.

Lawmakers should also be analyzing regulations for their potential to unintentionally entrench Big Tech by, for example, making compliance so expensive or business so risky that only the largest players can afford to exist.

Solutions and paradigm shifts often come from the margins, and the open source software communitys experimentation in community-owned and governed alternatives to Big Tech should be encouraged and embraced for the liberatory activity it is.

Champion privacy technologies

Another obvious action Congress should take is championing privacy technologies, such as end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Although our situation is dire, all is not lost when it comes to our digital privacy. Open-source developers and activists have done wonders for the human right to privacy by creating and promoting access to tools like end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge proofs.

Privacy innovations can restore trust in our communications and financial activity. Yet, many prominent lawmakers are reacting to these tools with condemnation. They find surveillance appealing as it proposes a convenient, if facile, way to combat real problems such as illegal activity, tax avoidance and sanctions dodging: surveil everyone at all times.

See also: Zero-Knowledge Cryptography in 2023: The Year Privacy Becomes Practical / Opinion

Its not worth it. This backsliding on our constitutional rights puts open source development of privacy tools in danger. Proposed legislation has effectively required that software developers put surveillance tools in their projects if they could ever possibly be used to host or transact in cryptocurrencies.

These moves from Washington, D.C., have shocked the open-source software community, and chilled the creation and use of human rights preserving tech. Instead, lawmakers must reverse course on pressuring companies not to implement or to break end-to-end encryption and other privacy-preserving technologies, and speak out when the FBI and Attorney General try to paint privacy as nothing more than a shield for criminality.

Pass data privacy laws

The final demand is the passage of long-overdue data privacy legislation. Even as Congress undermines privacy in practice, a nonpartisan majority of lawmakers understand that privacy is important to their constituents. Many conservatives, especially libertarians, want to protect private spaces from government intrusion and censorious corporate spying. Meanwhile, marginalized communities, which often lean left in their politics, need private spaces to protect themselves from authority figures who would harm or deplatform them to score cheap political victories.

Various forms of digital privacy legislation, including some that are well-intended but deeply flawed, have swirled around the U.S. Capitol for years. There has been no groundswell of support for these bills, and none have come close to passing. Its time to change that and show Congress commitment to protecting constituents from surveillance, identity theft, discrimination and harassment.

Lawmakers need to work with key stakeholders including marginalized communities, anti-surveillance civil society organizations and open-source developers of privacy tools to craft a new privacy standard for everyone that includes severe crackdowns on the titanic government and commercial surveillance operations that have infected our internet.

See also: Why Crypto Should Support the American Data Privacy and Protection Act / Opinion

As these demands make abundantly clear, the value of privacy and privacy tools is not abstract. The essential nature of protecting our data is easily illustrated by any basic analysis of real-world threats to activists, journalists, abuse survivors and everyday people around the world. At home, the penumbra rights to privacy based on landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases are now being rolled back. Roe was overturned, and the threat to same-sex marriage established in Obergefell was severe enough that Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act. Today, more  not less  marginalized people are at risk of being criminalized by surveillance-enhanced state laws and state police action.

The U.S. role in protecting and preserving human rights around the world should rank among the greatest prides of democracy. Traditionally, the U.S. has used diplomatic pressure to promote freedom of association, organization and access to information. All of these freedoms rely on privacy as a backstop against arrests and violent crackdowns.

Its not just diplomatic pressure that allows the advancement of human rights, its privacy tools that are often created and run in the U.S. In October, for example, over 18,000 people in the U.S. ran Tor Snowflake to help internet users facing censorship in countries such as Russia and Iran privately circumvent it. Tor was created by MIT graduates and U.S. Naval Research Lab personnel to prevent tracking, surveillance and censorship worldwide.

Failure to protect the right to privacy will hurt democracy and, particularly, marginalized communities both in the U.S. and abroad. A growing number of technology and thought leaders are urgently calling on the U.S. Congress to return to the principles of the Constitution, as well as their own innate understanding of the harm surveillance has wrought among their core constituencies.

Everyday people should never be treated as criminals, guilty until government and corporate invasions into their privacy prove them innocent  and the time for our legislators to take action is now.




By Andrius Sytas

(Reuters) - A new investigation into the sinking of ferry Estonia that claimed 852 lives in 1994 revealed flaws in its bow visor construction missed during its certification, officials said on Monday.

If necessary examination was carried out, the Estonia-registered ship would not be approved as seaworthy to serve the Tallin-Stockholm route it operated, investigators from Estonia, Finland and Sweden told a news conference in Tallinn.

In 1997, an official investigation into Europe's worst peacetime maritime disaster since World War Two concluded that the roll-on, roll-off ferry sank on a stormy Baltic Sea after a bow shield failed, damaging a bow ramp and causing the car deck to flood.

However a Discovery Network documentary aired in 2020 showed underwater images of holes in the Estonia's hull, prompting Sweden, Estonia and Finland to launch a new survey of the wreck lying in shallow Finnish territorial waters.

"If the inspection, following regulations, had been carried out, the flaws of the visor construction could have been discovered and the accident would probably not have occurred", the presentation of the new probe's findings said.

The holes discovered in the hull were likely caused by the impact on the vessel on the sea bottom, said Rene Arikas, Estonian Safety Investigation Bureau director, rather than have caused the sinking.

"We do know that when she sank, she didn't have bow visor, she didn't have the ramp. But so far we have not found any damages (to the hull before sinking) other than that in the bow area", said Risto Haimila, chief marine safety investigator at the Finnish Safety Investigation Authority.

Before the final results of the probe are announced, the investigators will raise Estonia's bow ramp to examine the damage, take samples from the hull area, survey the inside of the ship, and conduct interviews with the survivors, he added.

The ferry was sailing from Estonias capital Tallinn to Stockholm, with 803 passengers and 186 crew on board, when it sank in stormy weather shortly after midnight on Sept. 28, 1994.

Speculation about the causes of the sinking has included a collision with a submarine and an explosion inside the ship, but the new probe so far has not found any evidence of an explosion in the bow area or a collision with another vessel or a floating object.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
The daughter of Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark faced a judge Monday after being arrested over the weekend for allegedly assaulting a Boston police officer and defacing a monument during a protest on Boston Common.

Riley Dowell, of Melrose, was arraigned in the Central Division of Boston Municipal Court on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, vandalizing property, tagging property, vandalizing a historic monument, and resisting arrest, according to the Suffolk District Attorneys Office.

Police attempted to arrest Riley, who was seen defacing the Parkman Bandstand with spray paint and anti-police phrases, but the 23-year-old resisted arrest by flailing her arms, striking one of the arresting officers, Assistant District Attorney Daniel Nucci told the court.

Officers found a paint can in Rileys backpack and observed paint on her hands and jacket, according to Nucci. The tagging is said to have read NO COP CITY and ACAB.

During the arrest, A group of about 20 protesters began to surround officers while screaming profanities though megaphones on the public street causing traffic to come to a standstill, Boston police said.

Police noted that the officer who Dowell allegedly struck could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Some spray painting was done on the great grandstand inside the Boston Common, said the Assistant District Attorney. When the police approached, the defendant flailed striking one of the officers in the face.

When Riley left court with her father and attorney, they would not answer questions.

On Monday in Watertown, Boston 25 asked Clark, the House Democratic whip, about her daughters arrest.

I love all of my children and Riley dearly. But this is a difficult time. In that cycle of joy and pain of being a parent, said Clark, who was visiting Watertown to talk about climate resiliency and funding she secured.

Police say they found several items in Rileys backpack when she was arrested including black spray paint, Sabre Red pepper gel as well as a medical trauma pack and a first-aid kit.

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Clark, who represents the states 5th Congressional District, was asked why she did not reference her concern for the police officer who was hurt.

It has been my work and my position and priority that every single person in every single zip code has the same assumption as an assumption of safety in their communities and police are critical partners in that work going forward, said Clark.

On Sunday, Clark acknowledged her daughters arrest in a tweet. Clark represents the states 5th Congressional District.

Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting, Clark wrote. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

During the arraignment, defense attorney Chris Dearborn asked Nucci to consider impounding Dowells address and redacting her address from any copy of police reports.

Theres been some extremist commentary online, that I would suggest has started to creep into veiled threats, Dearborn said.

Nucci did not object with Dearborn.

Dowell was ordered held on $500 bail and to stay away from Boston Common.

Also on Saturday, officers arrested Andrea Colletti, 27, of Brighton after police were called back to the Parkman Bandstand Monument. Colletti was charged with damage of property by graffiti/tagging, destruction or injury of personal property and resisting arrest.

Boston 25 asked Colletti if she saw any police getting hurt. I did not resist arrest, Colletti said.

Both Dowell and Colletti are scheduled to be back in court in April.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Russias shelling of Ukraines regions on Jan. 21 wounded a seven-year-old girl in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast, and a 17-year-old boy in the village of Studenok in Sumy Oblast, bringing the total number of children casualties to 459 killed and 914 injured, the Prosecutor Generals Office reported on Jan. 22.

According to Sumy Oblast Governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, the teenager barely escaped death as the shelling completely destroyed his house.

The Prosecutor Generals Office also said that of 13,961 children who have been illegally deported, only 126 have been returned to Ukraine.

The figures are not final as they dont include data from the Russian-occupied territories and areas where hostilities are ongoing.

Since the beginning of Russias all-out war against Ukraine, Russian forces have damaged 3,126 educational facilities in Ukraine, completely destroying 337 of them.
Proud Boys leader Dominic Pezzola, whose seized initiation manual is being fought over at his DC sedition trial. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

A Proud Boys 'initiation ceremony manual' was fought over in the sedition trial of five members.

It's too 'politically incorrect' for the jury, says a lawyer for defendant Dominic Pezzola.

The manual sets masturbation limits and includes lyrics to a Broadway-inspired sing-along anthem.

A heated battle broke out at the Proud Boys sedition trial on Monday over an internal "initiation ceremony manual" that the federal government wants to show to jurors, but which a defense lawyer says is too "politically incorrect" to be in evidence.

Read the "how to run a Proud Boys meeting" manual here.

The manual was seized by the government via search warrant two years ago, but was only just made public, according new court papers filed in the US District Court trial in Washington, DC.

Prosecutors in the case allege that five men who were Proud Boys leaders conspired to violently storm the Capitol on January 6, 2021 to block Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 Presidential election.

The recently revealed manual details how a Proud Boys chapter leader must run the group's meetings, or "meet ups." It includes the language for calling meetings to order and a required reading from Pat Buchanan's "The Death of the West," which calls on "Western Man" to stop apologizing to "race racketeers" about slavery and colonization.

The Anti-Defamation League considers the Proud Boys a violent, right-wing extremist group whose members commonly engage in misogynistic, Islamaphobic, transphobic, and anti-immigration rhetoric.

The manual instructs Proud Boys on the wording of such drinking toasts as, "To guns," "To housewives," and, "to the greatest civilization on earth and the men who built it."

It describes the extremist group's politics, including a commitment to "rebuilding the patriarchy" and a belief that, "All other cultures are not merely different than us. They are worse."

Oddly, the guide also includes the lyrics to "Proud of Your Boy," a heartfelt solo by the title character from the Broadway musical "Aladdin." In the ballad, Aladdin seeks his mother's approval.

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Apparently, the Proud Boys consider the ballad "our anthem."

"It is healthy to sing our anthem at least once a night but this isn't always possible," the manual tells novice Proud Boys leaders before helpfully supplying the words for a rousing sing-along.

"Ideally, we seek out venues that have a jukebox with this song available," the manual advises.

But as proud as the defendants may be of their rituals, a defense motion seeking to bar the manual from being shown to jurors acknowledges that many would find it repulsive.

"The document is riddled with politically incorrect remarks and assertions which would cause most or many Americans to recoil in anger, hatred and disgust," wrote Roger I. Roots, attorney for defendant Dominic Pezzola.

An excerpt from a Proud Boys defense motion filed January 23, 2023 in US District Court in Washington, DC. Insider

"The document is bizarre and humorous in some places, and intensely politically incorrect in others," wrote the lawyer for Pezzola, who is accused of using a forcibly-stolen Capitol Police riot shield to break the first window into the Capitol.

Pezzola's motion complains that the manual is unsigned, unauthenticated, undated, and, ultimately, irrelevant. Lawyers for the Department of Justice have countered that the its 11 pages demonstrate Pezzola's knowledge and state of mind while at the Capitol.

Details of the Proud Boys' beliefs and membership requirements  including their so-called "fraternity creed"  have been made public before, including on their websites and during political campaigns.

But the "initiation ceremony manual" released Monday appears to be the first airing of an an internal, "How to" for running a Proud Boys meeting.

The manual veers wildly among topics, at one point giving meticulous dress advice  "a recommended shoe is the black Red Wing classic moccasin toe boot"  in the same paragraph as it vows "This is about taking our civilization back. This is about rebuilding patriarchy."

But the first four pages stick to how to run a meeting, including this requirement: "Before the meeting begins, clear the area of all women" and of all non-Proud Boys.

Two guards are to monitor "the perimeter," the manual instructs, as the "brother in charge" leads the meeting with a series of recitations and "toasts," including, "to the housewives that create human life, shape it, and build the communities in which we live."

The final toast is more of a threat.

"To the parasites both on the streets and in the White House who want to attack us and take what we earn," it begins. "To the trespassers who want to attack us and take what we earn. To the trespassers who want to sabotage our culture our family and our way of life.

"You want a war?" it continues. "Well, you've got one. To all of our enemies both high and low."

At that point the Proud Boys members are to shout, "Bring it on!"

Read the original article on Business Insider
[Source]

The Grant Avenue Follies, a dance troupe of seniors from San Francisco's Chinatown, kicked off the Lunar New Year with a rap song and music video.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), a nonprofit interest group for those over the age of 50, released the music video they funded titled That Lunar Cheer, featuring the Grant Avenue Follies and Los Angeles-based rapper Jason Chu, on Saturday.

The video features four members of the Follies, aged between 61 and 87, as they rap about the celebrations traditions, including playing mahjong, eating dim sum, giving away red envelopes and wearing red clothing and gold jewelry.

We teamed up with The Follies and Chinese American rapper and activist Jason Chu to celebrate Lunar New Year in unforgettable fashion, the AARP captioned its post.

More from NextShark: Woman's post asking if she is wrong for serving her Asian mother-in-law a mac and cheese dinner goes viral

With firm roots in Black American culture, AARP acknowledges its founders and innovatorsespecially as hip hop celebrates its 50th yearwho have blazed a path for all cultures and generations to appreciate and participate in the rap art form.

The Follies started with four professional dancers from San Francisco Chinatowns nightclub culture of the 1950s and 60s before it became a full-fledged dancing troupe.

The group has been forming in the decades since, playing a major role in entertaining and raising funds for senior citizen groups.

More from NextShark: Simu Liu reveals he lost his grandparents to COVID after fellow Marvel star voices anti-vaccine stance

The grandmothers previously made headlines with a series of rap music videos that tackled social justice issues, including the spike in attacks on Asian Americans amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weve been through a couple challenging years and we want to wish everybody a happy new year as well as making sure that it will be a peaceful and healthy new year. That is very important to us, Follies co-founder Cynthia Yee told NPR. We have customs that have to be followed, such as cleaning the house before New Years Day to sweep away all the bad luck and welcome the new.

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Rep. Judy Chu, who represents Monterey Park, California, said she couldn't believe the extent of the violence when she heard of Saturday's massacre at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio  "one of the worst mass shootings in L.A. County."

Chu, who is a former mayor of the California city and as a longtime resident, also said she was outraged "because there are far too many of these mass shootings going on."

"We have to take actions to make sure that people are safe in America," she said.

Chu, who represents California's 28th congressional district, is part of the gun safety caucus in Congress. She said the group has worked on gun control legislation including on universal background checks that would "take guns out of dangerous people's hands." She said it should have passed "a long time ago."

"I want to say to those who are resistant to these gun safety laws: Protect America. Protect your fellow neighbors. You don't know if the next person could be your loved one," she said.

The massacre, which left 10 people dead, was the fifth mass killing in the United States this month. It occurred during a Lunar New Year celebration.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said five men and five women were killed at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. After the shooting, the suspect, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra, but some individuals wrestled the firearm away from him and he took off.

After an hours-long manhunt, the suspect was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, investigators said.

Police found a magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol with an extended large-capacity magazine while searching the Lai Lai Ballroom. Luna said he believes that type of weapon might not be legal in California, which has some of the country's strictest gun laws.

Chu said more action and policy changes are needed to help prevent such tragedies from happening again.

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"We know there are concrete, common sense steps that we can take to stop all this terrible and senseless violence," she said.

"Why do we have so many guns in this country and even more on the horizon? It's not right," she said. "Other countries don't operate this way, and we should not either."

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Jan 22, 2023; Monterey Park, CA, USA; Congresswomen Judy Chu speaks in front of the Monterey Park Civic center during a press

Congresswomen Judy Chu speaks in front of the Monterey Park Civic center during a press conference on Jan. 22, 2022. Credit - Yannick PeterhansUSA Today/Reuters

Saturdays mass shooting at a Lunar New Year dance in Monterey Park, Calif., struck close to home for Representative Judy Chu.

The Democrat has lived in the city for 37 years, serving on the city council there followed by a three-term stint as mayor in the early 2000s. She currently serves Californias 28th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the city and much of northeast Los Angeles County.

To Chu, the city of 60,000 people is both diverse and welcoming. Two in three residents of Monterey Park are Asian American, with about half being of Chinese descent. When speaking of the city, she immediately mentions the food and high quality of life that residents enjoy.

But now, her hometown is making headlines after the devastating Lunar New Year mass shooting that killed 10 people and injured another 10 at a ballroom.

Read More: The Lunar New Year Shooting in Monterey Park is the 33rd Mass Shooting of 2023

The incident took place just a block from the citys famous Lunar New Year celebration, which Chu attended. Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the communitys first celebration since the pandemic.

Chu spoke to TIME Sunday evening, before police revealed that the gunman had died after being cornered by officers.

What does a tragedy like this mean to you and your community?

It was shocking and stunning to learn that ten people were killed and ten injured, especially when only hours earlier we had the opening ceremony of the Lunar New Year festival only one block away. There were thousands of people walking around that were so enthusiastic and energetic.

It is a very significant time period and it seemed to be a signal that we could return to normal, especially after three years of being cooped up due to COVID-19.

Should the community feel safe to continue to celebrate Lunar New Year? What does Lunar New Year mean to you and the community?

What I want to say to the people is that they should continue to send their kids to the schools, go to the businesses and go to the celebrations of Lunar New Year. I know that local law enforcement is even more on guard and dedicated to ensuring everybodys safety. Its really important for us to come together as a community and to continue life. I believe that Monterey Park is resilient. After 37 years of living here and being its mayor and city council member, I believe that we can get through this together.

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Lunar New Year has such meaning for me because it was the focal point for my family. My mother especially would take this time to make these special meals that would occur especially on the eve of Lunar New Year like her Chinese tamales.

This was a time when there would be so many events in the community that everybody looked forward to.

More from TIME

Youve been very public about your stance against gun violence. What actions do you think need to be taken to prevent tragedies like this from happening again?

I have been very active in fighting for gun safety since the early days when there were the terrible, unimaginable massacres we saw at Sandy Hook and at the Pulse nightclub. I have been pushing for common sense legislation that would stop the proliferation of guns in the wrong hands. The most common sense one has to do with stopping the loopholes in the universal background checks. Universal background checks are very effective in making sure that guns dont get into the wrong hands. But there are loopholes, gigantic loopholes, where they can buy them without those background checks if they do it online, or in a personal sale or at a gun show.

Another loophole called the Charleston loopholethe young man that was able to get a gun and shoot nine people while they were praying in the church in Charleston, S.C. He was able to get the gun despite having mental problems because the rules are that once three days pass, if they dont hear anything, then purchasers automatically get it. So it would extend the time for the background interview.

There are also other proposals to limit the amount of ammunition that you can get. And, of course, I think that we should ban assault weapons, or at the very least, raise the minimum age for a person to be able to buy an assault weapon.

Tell me about Monterey Park. What do you want this city to be known for?

Monterey Park is a city that is tight knit, where people know each other very well. I want Monterey Park to be remembered for its incredible diversity. It is a city that is majority Asian and we have made sure that everybody feels welcome in the city.

We have great schools. We have businesses that are thriving, and especially our Chinese restaurants.
From the cost of tuition to the course requirements, incoming students consider a lot of different factors when picking a college that is right for them.

But that information isnt always clear or even accurate in some cases.

Now, a new watchdog report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is calling on the U.S. Department of Education to improve how it investigates and penalizes misleading colleges and universities.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Education has not completed written procedures for investigating colleges and has not updated its written procedures for imposing penalties for substantial misrepresentation, the report said. Having complete and updated written procedures will help Education investigate the highest-risk colleges and impose appropriate penalties on those the agency finds to have engaged in substantial misrepresentation.

Students we spoke with said information on cost, especially, can determine how a student prepares financially, and getting wrong information can have long-lasting consequences.

I feel like they can be more transparent, said Howard University student Sydney Kates. What youre thinking youre going to pay is right here and then you realize oh wait thats a lot more money than I thought. I dont have that kind of money. I didnt apply for this scholarship because I didnt think I needed to.

Melissa Emrey-Arras, a director in the Education, Workforce and Income Security Team for GAO, said students deserve the truth.

Students and parents deserve to be told the truth about college programs and the Department of Education needs to be held accountable for telling that truth to students, said Emrey-Arras.

The report points to concerns about colleges being misleading about things like the nature of their educational programs and the employability of their graduates.

It said the Department of Education imposed penalties on 13 colleges for substantial misrepresentation in FY 2016-2021.

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If students are lied to, they may not be able to graduate from their programs, said Emrey-Arras. They may have trouble getting a job and they may have trouble paying back their student loans.

In response to the report, the Department of Education agreed with the recommended changes and said it is working on updating and revising its policies for investigating and penalizing misleading colleges.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Michigan is a potential front-runner for a massive new economic development deal, thanks, in part, to the Virginia governor suggesting Ford Motor Co. and a partner company are conduits for communism and the Chinese government.

The ripple effects of this business and political decision from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, will have a real impact on the Dearborn automaker and the people of Michigan, economic and political analysts tell the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The first wave of more than 1,000 Ford Mustang cars leaves the Ford Motor Co. World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., for downtown Detroit ahead of the 2024 Mustang reveal on Sept. 14, 2022.

In the short term, it may give Michigan the leg up to land another huge deal: Reports indicate the Virginia plan Youngkin turned down was a $3.5 billion battery plant with the possibility of 2,500 jobs. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other state leaders aren't talking about this project at the moment, but according to other news reports and a source close to the negotiations who was not authorized to speak publicly, the state is in the running for the site and state leaders have championed others that involved Chinese-owned companies.

The dynamic situation also foreshadows a political climate that may drastically change how Ford and other electric vehicle manufacturers, at times reliant on Chinese companies, operate in the U.S. And it sets the stage for China-bashing by politicians jockeying for the next election cycle.

That's a twist unlikely to benefit Michigan businesses or workers, argued former Gov. Rick Snyder, who called Youngkin's battery plant decision "overreaching."

"I recognize that there are serious national and strategic issues that we have with China. We have some fundamental differences. But as a governor, I viewed my role as 'What can I do to help with economic diplomacy? What can I do to increase the well-being of the citizens of my state?' " Snyder told the Free Press on Thursday.

"And that wasn't by being a basher," the Republican said. "That was by using relentless positive action to say you know, let's work hard to build bridges with people to show them why we're a great place to work and live."

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More:Ford could cut 8,000 salaried jobs  and still get $100M incentive from Michigan

Will Michigan land the plant?

The source close to negotiations tells the Free Press that Michigan remains in the running for the estimated $3.5 billion project that Youngkin ditched and Ford never discussed publicly.

Ford declined to discuss details with the Free Press of the project, saying negotiations with various parties are sensitive and evolving.

Youngkin did not respond to a Free Press request for comment. But he told other media outlets he didn't want the battery plant to receive renewable energy tax credits because of the project's association with Ford's partner on the plant, a company called Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd..

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks at a rally in support of Gov. Kristi Noem on Nov. 2, 2022, at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls.

"While Ford is an iconic American company, it became clear that this proposal would serve as a front for the Chinese Communist party, which could compromise our economic security and Virginians personal privacy," Macaulay Porter, Youngkin's spokesman, told multiple media outlets. "Virginians can be confident that companies with known ties to the Chinese Communist Party wont receive a leg up from the Commonwealths economic incentive packages."

The Chinese company, which counts among its customers Tesla and Honda, is a primary supplier of lithium-ion batteries, a key component needed for the fast-growing electric vehicle industry in Michigan and elsewhere.

One-third of the world's EV batteries come from the Chinese company. It increased its share of the market from 32% in 2021 to 34% in 2022, according to visualcapitalist.com, a business trends and investment site.

The company has a location in Auburn Hills, Mich., and large subsidiaries elsewhere in the U.S., Canada, France and Japan, according to its website. In August, it announced a $7.6 billion battery factory in Hungary to build battery cells and modules for automakers including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Stellantis and Volkswagen, Reuters reported.

Various media outlets have said Ford would own all physical structures and the Chinese company would run factory operations and technology.

Contemporary Amperex Technology did not respond to a request for comment.

Ford spokeswoman Melissa Miller told the Free Press, "I cant comment on confidential site selection processes, but I can confirm that our talks with CATL, the worlds leading battery producer, continue."

She added, "Last year, Ford announced an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with CATL to explore their supplying batteries for Ford vehicles and said that we plan to localize LFP (lithium-ion phosphate) battery production in North America."

More:Ford partners with Tesla co-founder on battery recycling, better supply chain

More:Ford CEO Farley says electric vehicles will be sold 100% online, have nonnegotiable price

Chinese investment in Michigan

Whitmer declined to comment on any specific deal, as did leaders of the state House and Senate.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her second inaugural speech at the Michigan Capitol on Jan. 1.

Last year, Whitmer and Michigan politicians of both parties championed a deal that included hundreds of millions in incentives to bring a Chinese-owned company to Big Rapids. Generally, the governor and state lawmakers herald economic development deals, especially when they involve U.S. carmakers.

Whitmer and other leaders sustained criticism after they saw an $11 billion investment by Ford in electric vehicles and nearly 11,000 jobs go to Kentucky and Tennessee in 2021.

In the past, a bipartisan majority in the Michigan Legislature agree to support these projects.

There's every indication that will continue to happen. Speaking this week in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum, Whitmer talked about the state's efforts to grow its advanced manufacturing sector. During her first trade mission to Europe, her office said the governor also stopped in Oslo, Norway, and Zurich for meetings with business and government leaders to discuss clean energy technology and future investment opportunities as Michigan seeks an edge in the growing electric vehicle industry.

However, Whitmer did not answer Free Press questions about whether it was appropriate to offer tax incentives to Chinese-owned companies. Neither did GOP or Democratic leaders in the Michigan House and Senate.

House Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Adams Township, says Youngkin's concerns about Chinese influence are valid.

"I just don't think that any company in China is truly private, given the power that the (Chinese Communist Party) has  essentially complete control of the government, and, obviously, much more restrictive control over speech and private organizations and everything that Americans consider acceptable," he told the Free Press.

"When it's a country that has a communist regime at the top of that power structure, I just don't see why an American government would be comfortable partnering with a company that is in that position," Fink said.

Other GOP lawmakers echoed those concerns, included state Rep. Andrew Beeler; the Port Huron Republican sent a news release referring to the "tyrannical authority" of the Chinese government and challenging the idea of Whitmer trying "to welcome this company to our state."

More:GM keeps plants running in China by asking workers to live in factory, sleep on floors

More:China threatens to sideline U.S. automakers in booming EV tech

Strategic ways to recruit jobs

The push to drastically alter business relations in Michigan and nationally with the globe's largest importer of U.S. goods is not new. But any substantial shift that blocks job creation in the state harms Michigan, Snyder argued.

The federal government is responsible for national security policies, he said. States obviously have a role in their own security, but he questioned whether isolation was the best strategy for improving relations with China.

"The role of state and local government isn't to be involved in strategic issues, making decisions on areas of disagreement between nations. ... Is it better to just push people away and say you have disagreements with them, not talk to them and be in conflict with them, or is it better to find ways to work together on things where we do have common ground," Snyder said.

"If you can find common ground with someone, usually that can be a starting point to resolving much more difficult issues, in addition to the fact it brings economic good to our state and to our nation," he said.

Snyder, who served from 2011 through 2018, aggressively reached out to China and Chinese companies to bring jobs to the state. By 2018, he had traveled to China eight times to tout Michigan's manufacturing, mobility, agriculture and tourism sectors.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ahead of a meeting at the Zhongnanhai Leadership Compound on Aug. 1, 2017, in Beijing.

More:GM invests in nickel and cobalt operation in Australia

'Ask yourself'

Snyder generally opposes publicly funded tax incentives  he campaigned against them and helped nix the state's film incentive program  and said he has no direct financial ties to any Chinese company. He still argues incentives are short-term fixes that can't account for long-term improvements to a state's business climate but said there's a time and a place for encouraging developments with Chinese-owned companies that can dovetail into bringing many more related manufacturers to the state to address the supply chain challenge.

"Ask yourself the question in this particular case with a battery plant: are we better off having batteries made in China or batteries made in Michigan, or Virginia?" Snyder said.

Tudor Dixon, the Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2022, raised the issue of recruiting Chinese battery companies during the campaign after Michigan offered $715 million in incentives to Gotion Inc. to build a $2.4 billion plant near Big Rapids.

"She can tell you all she wants that she is improving economic development and keeping automotive jobs here," Dixon said during a debate in October. "But we're hearing that battery plants are going outside of Michigan unless they're owned by the Chinese."

That line of attack failed to resonate with Michigan voters: Whitmer won reelection by double digits, and Democrats swept state government. But it may appeal more broadly to Republican activists choosing the party's next presidential nominee.

The politics of China

Automakers are watching closely as the anti-China rhetoric heats up in state and national politics.

Youngkin has positioned himself as tough on China while dominating headlines for days. It comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely presidential candidate, continues to take actions targeting China and Chinese business; last fall he announced a plan to "counteract (the) malign influence of China," as indicated in a September news release. Former President Donald Trump, who has already announced he's running again in 2024, on Wednesday called for "new restrictions on Chinese ownership of any vital infrastructure in the United States" among other actions aimed at reducing Chinese investment in the U.S.

But this isn't just confined to GOP presidential hopefuls.

Last year, the Biden administration took actions aimed at limiting China's ability to buy or produce certain computer chips. President Joe Biden also plans to issue executive orders that will greatly expand regulatory powers over U.S. investments in China and limit the data Chinese apps like TikTok can collect in the U.S., according to Politico.

Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University, said the GOP political landscape is going to have a dramatic effect on economic development projects in the near term and later.

"They will try to roll back China's imprint in the United States in a variety of ways," said Masters, who has also worked as an adjunct professor of political science.

"They believe the existential threat to the United States is China through the Chinese Communist Party and that we really need to roll back the involvement of the Chinese in our universities and various businesses, which have implications for national security and manufacturing and industrial policy. ... A lot of people may dismiss it and say it's not serious. But this group is in control of the (U.S.) House."

On the economic development front, policy declarations like the one from Youngkin likely portend well for Michigan and other states that appear open to Chinese-owned companies.

Bruce McDonald III, an associate professor of public administration at North Carolina State University, told the Free Press that the China debate is likely to reduce state competition as GOP leaders take their states out of contention for projects.

"And that's probably a good thing for states overall," he said. "The level states compete (at) is way too high compared to what they bring back to the states. Some states have given up trying to compete because they just can't afford to."

The drama in Virginia is foreshadowing what the future holds for corporate America, said Melissa Bradley, a business professor at Georgetown University.

"Ford is going to get some invites from governors in states that recognize this level of cooperation is required to create economic influence," she said.

"The irony is that the places where jobs are needed the most are led by people who want to lock every economic driver out. These folks are stuck on stupid. Theyre standing up for political ideology that undermines the economic stability of their own state. It makes no sense whatsoever."

Reporter Clara Hendrickson contributed to this report.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. She covers the Ford Motor Company beat as part of The Detroit Free Press autos team. Subscribe for exclusive stories about the Dearborn carmaker.

Contact Dave Boucher: dboucher@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ford and China: Snyder, others on what Virginia move means for Michigan
HEFEI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- After a 10-day business trip to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, Tang Wensheng, general manager of the Wuhu branch of the Muchen International Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd., is busy organizing factories to produce products to fulfill new orders.

"We sell smart home appliances, including floor-sweeping robots and vacuum cleaners, to many countries. During this trip, we visited new and old clients and obtained orders worth 60 million U.S. dollars," said Tang.

Tang is among the business delegation in east China's Anhui Province that took a chartered plane to the ROK and Japan to expand business opportunities and seek new cooperation in late December 2022.

The trip turned out to be fruitful. The total value of the orders reached 2.24 billion yuan (about 330.86 million U.S. dollars), and 22 foreign investment projects were concluded in new energy vehicles, overseas warehouses, and cultural exchanges.

"With face-to-face meetings and deep negotiation, we got business orders more quickly and can also master the new trend of the overseas market better," said Tang.

Since China announced a new set of measures to optimize its COVID-19 response, commerce departments in Anhui have sent over 210 people from more than 110 enterprises to attend trade activities in over 20 countries and regions.

By going global, these enterprises have embraced new clients, new orders, and new chances with clearer plans and objectives for the new year.

In the production workshop of Maanshan Jinzi Textile Ornament Co., Ltd., employees work around the clock to produce tablecloths, which will be sent to Japan by sea.

"During the business trip to Japan, we reached a tentative deal worth over 4 million U.S. dollars with a Japanese enterprise, almost twice our trade volume in 2022," said Tao Jiamu, a company staff member.

The orders from Japan accounted for about 70 percent of the company's export volume. Influenced by the pandemic, the company could only communicate through emails and phone with their Japanese clients over the previous years.

"It was the first time we went to Japan to meet our clients after the pandemic. It deepened cooperation between the two sides and allowed us to have a clear production target in 2023," said Tao, adding that they plan to purchase new equipment and employ more workers in advance to meet the orders.

According to Tao, Japanese clients will visit their company this year to enhance cooperation.

"We also plan to attend more international exhibitions in the new year to tap the European and American markets," said Tao.

Anhui will organize multiple trade activities, including online and offline exhibitions, and hold over 100 overseas special investment activities to promote key foreign-funded projects in 2023, said the provincial department of commerce. 
What underlying fundamental trends can indicate that a company might be in decline? More often than not, we'll see a declining return on capital employed (ROCE) and a declining amount of capital employed. Basically the company is earning less on its investments and it is also reducing its total assets. So after we looked into Estia Health (ASX:EHE), the trends above didn't look too great.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Estia Health:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.00036 = AU$286k  (AU$1.8b - AU$1.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2022).

Therefore, Estia Health has an ROCE of 0.04%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Healthcare industry average of 8.4%.

See our latest analysis for Estia Health

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Estia Health compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Estia Health here for free.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Estia Health Tell Us?

The trend of ROCE at Estia Health is showing some signs of weakness. Unfortunately, returns have declined substantially over the last five years to the 0.04% we see today. In addition to that, Estia Health is now employing 20% less capital than it was five years ago. The combination of lower ROCE and less capital employed can indicate that a business is likely to be facing some competitive headwinds or seeing an erosion to its moat. If these underlying trends continue, we wouldn't be too optimistic going forward.

On a side note, Estia Health's current liabilities have increased over the last five years to 56% of total assets, effectively distorting the ROCE to some degree. Without this increase, it's likely that ROCE would be even lower than 0.04%. What this means is that in reality, a rather large portion of the business is being funded by the likes of the company's suppliers or short-term creditors, which can bring some risks of its own.

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The Bottom Line

To see Estia Health reducing the capital employed in the business in tandem with diminishing returns, is concerning. It should come as no surprise then that the stock has fallen 30% over the last five years, so it looks like investors are recognizing these changes. That being the case, unless the underlying trends revert to a more positive trajectory, we'd consider looking elsewhere.

While Estia Health doesn't shine too bright in this respect, it's still worth seeing if the company is trading at attractive prices. You can find that out with our FREE intrinsic value estimation on our platform.

While Estia Health isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The European Union on Jan. 23 approved another 500 million euro military aid package to Ukraine, along with an additional 45 million euros earmarked for non-lethal equipment for the EU's training mission in the country, Reuters reported, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.

This is the EU's seventh tranche of military assistance to Ukraine.

Western countries have pledged billions in support but Berlin has yet to approve the transfer of German-made Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine, facing increasing pressure to do so.
Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest in the unsolved homicide of a man found shot outside a bar on the city's Far East Side.

Allen Wright II, 25, of Reynoldsburg, was found around 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 8 in the parking lot outside Donericks Pub House, located at 6935 E. Broad St. Wright had been shot multiple times.

He was rushed to Mount Carmel East hospital, where he died from his injuries.

No witnesses were on the scene when police arrived, and no suspect has been identified.

Wright had turned 25 the day before he was shot and killed. He graduated from Reynoldsburg High School and was working at PepsiCo at the time of his death.

Wright's family described him in his obituary as having a kind heart and loving to cook, including preparing a signature dish at each holiday for his family to enjoy.

Wright is survived by a son, as well as his parents and extended family.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS, use the free P3 Tips mobile application or provide information online at www.stopcrime.org. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and a special coding system is used to provide the reward.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Reward offered in death of Allen Wright II, shot day after birthday
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German defence group Rheinmetall could deliver 139 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine if required, a spokesperson for the company told media group RND.

Germany is coming under intense pressure from Ukraine and some NATO allies, such as Poland, to allow Kyiv to be supplied with German-made Leopard 2 tanks for its defence against Russia's invasion.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far held back from supplying the tanks or allowing other NATO countries to do so.

Manufacturer Rheinmetall could deliver 29 Leopard 2A4 tanks by April/May and a further 22 of the same model around the end of 2023 or early 2024, the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

It could also supply 88 older Leopard 1 tanks, the person said, without giving a timeframe for their potential delivery.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Mark Potter)
(Bloomberg) -- Rishi Sunak ordered a probe into Conservative Party Chairman Nadhim Zahawis tax affairs, as a fresh spate of allegations about financial impropriety in the ruling party undermined the UK prime ministers pledge to run an administration thats beyond reproach.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Clearly in this case there are questions that need answering, Sunak told reporters on a visit to central England on Monday. He said hed asked Laurie Magnus, the governments independent adviser on ministerial interests, to get to the bottom of everything, to investigate the matter fully and establish all the facts.

Zahawi said Saturday hed been careless with his tax affairs, following a report that hed paid a 4.8 million ($6 million) bill to His Majestys Revenue & Customs, including a 30% penalty for not settling the correct amount at the time.

The flap over Zahawis tax affairs weakens Sunaks promise when he took power in October to run an administration with integrity and accountability at every level. While Sunak repeated those words on Monday, hes facing mounting calls to fire Zahawi from opposition parties, with some Tories also beginning to voice criticisms.

Zahawis position is totally untenable and it shouldnt be a case that we are sitting around waiting for him to resign, the prime minister should be sacking him, Labour Party shadow cabinet member Lucy Powell told BBC radio on Monday.

Bullying Complaints

The Scottish National Party, the third biggest in the House of Commons, also called on Sunak to fire Zahawi and urged him to conduct a deep clean of the Tories. Meanwhile, backbench Tory Peter Aldous on Sunday called on Zahawi to further clarify his tax history and suggested he shouldnt have been appointed chancellor  a post given to him by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

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The matter surfaced when Zahawi was being appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer  a post which oversees HMRC  last July, and was settled by the time he was moved to a different cabinet position in September, he said.

Sunak batted the issue away in the House of Commons last week but his spokesman, Max Blain, told reporters on Monday that hed decided to open the ethics probe after additional facts emerged. Zahawi retains the premiers confidence, he said.

I am confident I acted properly throughout and look forward to answering any and all specific questions in a formal setting, Zahawi said on Monday in a statement. Given the probe, it would be inappropriate to discuss this issue any further.

Since coming to office, Sunak has faced questions over his re-appointment of Home Secretary Suella Braverman less than a week after she resigned over a security breach. Gavin Williamson quit the premiers top team in November over bullying allegations, while Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also faces multiple complaints of bullying.

On Friday Sunak received a fixed penalty notice from police in Lancashire, in the north of England, for failing to wear a seat belt in a moving car. That was his second fine in less than a year following one during the so-called Partygate scandal for breaking Covid-19 rules.

Johnson Questions

To compound matters, Sunaks predecessor-but-one, Boris Johnson is also facing questions over the appointment of BBC Chairman Richard Sharp, amid allegations he helped Johnson secure a loan just weeks before the then-prime minister recommended him for the role.

This is rubbish. Richard Sharp has never given any financial advice to Boris Johnson, nor has Mr. Johnson sought any financial advice from him, Johnsons spokesman said in a statement.

The BBC ran a statement from Sharp in which he denied there had been a conflict of interest, saying he had put Cabinet Secretary Simon Case in touch with Sam Blyth, the Canadian businessman who the Sunday Times reported earlier this month had provided Johnson with a loan guarantee. Sharp had then had no further involvement whatsoever, according to the statement.

Not Deliberate

But Zahawis tax affairs will be more of a cause for concern for Sunak, because he remains in a top party role and attends cabinet.

Zahawi, 55, came to the UK as a child refugee from Iraq, and in 2010 co-founded the global polling company YouGov Plc. Questions over his tax affairs first surfaced in July, though at the time he sought to shut down questions on the matter as a personal smear.

Dan Neidle, a former head of tax at City of London law firm Clifford Chance LLP, has continued to press Zahawi and probe his accounts on his blog and on Twitter. He told Sky News on Monday that he estimated Zahawi would have received about 27 million and not paid tax on it.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Zahawi said tax authorities 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.

(Updates with Zahawi comment in ninth paragraph)

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Rita Ora has addressed the rumours that she was once in a throuple with husband and film director Taika Waititi and American actor Tessa Thompson.

In a new interview, the You For Me singer said she decided not to acknowledge speculation surrounding the rumoured three-way relationship because the claims were ridiculous and absurd.

A photograph surfaced in May 2021 showing Ora, Waititi and Thompson appearing to kiss, which then sparked rumours of a polyamorous relationship between the trio.

When asked about the media coverage of the rumours, Ora told GQ: I just chose to not acknowledge that because its ridiculous.

Explaining her tactic for coping with the widespread speculation around her personal life, she said: I think when some things are so absurd, and its hard to fathom any sense of it, you just have to ignore it.

The musician added: Ive taken that approach for a lot of things, because you dont want to put energy towards something thats nonexistent. Its like trying to explain something that didnt happen means youre feeding into nothing.

Explaining the photograph that surfaced showing her with Waititi and Thompson, the singer said: Have you ever been in a situation where youve had a lot of drinks and everyones your best friend? And then the next day youre like, I was talking to this person in the smoking area for four hours and Ive got no idea who they are?

She continued: Literally  that [photo] was just a bunch of friends having a good time. They [Taika and Tessa] had a crazy schedule and everyone was letting loose. I love that. Each to their own.

Rita Ora and Taika Waititi became friends (Getty Images for MTV)

Ora went on to praise her incredible LGBTQIA+ fanbases when the photograph surfaced on social media, who sent out messages of support to the musician, despite not knowing whether the rumours carried any weight.

The good news though, is that when I was on Twitter talking to my fans, all of my incredible LGBTQIA+ fanbases were like, actually  whether this is true or not  Im so inspired that this is being normalised publicly, she explained. That made me really happy. You dont know who its touching.

Story continues

Ora met New Zealand filmmaker Waititi in 2018. The couple became really good friends after they spent time together while she was working in Australia.

The pair reportedly began dating in 2021 and were rumoured to have married at an intimate wedding ceremony in London in August 2022.

Appearing on Jaime Winstones Greatest Night Ever podcast in September, Ora gushed over Waititi and described him as so funny and lovely.

I am, I am in love. Very much in love, Ora said, before proceeding to sing: Im in love, Im in love, Im in love.
Jan. 23RED WING  A 23-year-old Rochester woman is facing multiple felonies related to a July 2022 drunk driving crash near Pine Island that injured two of her passengers, according to new charges filed in Goodhue County District Court.

Nyarehr James Malith is charged with three felony counts of criminal vehicle operation resulting in substantial bodily harm related to driving under the influence, three gross misdemeanor counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm related to driving under the influence and two gross misdemeanor driving under the influence charges.

No court date has been set.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Minnesota State Trooper arrived at the single-vehicle crash scene around 6:17 a.m. July 6, 2022, on U.S. Highway 52 just south of County Road 11 in Pine Island to find three woman being treated by first responders.

The vehicle in the crash was found in a ditch west of the entrance ramp onto U.S. Highway 52 and sustained severe front-end damage. A cable barrier on the ramp was damaged and a light pole was lying on the ground near the vehicle, a white Nissan Altima.

The two female passengers were semi-conscious and at least one suffered a broken arm. Both were transported to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys for treatment.

Malith was found in a semi-seated position behind the right front seat on the floor of the car. She had to be extracted from the vehicle.

Traffic camera footage of the crash showed the vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 52 at a high rate of speed. It drove into a grassy median before turning back out and losing control and rotating clockwise before skidding across the highway, hitting a cable barrier, going airborne and striking a light pole before finally coming to a rest.

Both passengers told law enforcement that Malith was driving the vehicle and had come to Minneapolis to pick them up and drive them back to Rochester.

Malith would not tell law enforcement who was the driver.

A preliminary breath test showed Malith had a .201 blood alcohol concentration.

One witness later told law enforcement that Malith was not driving and that police may have her confused with the other passenger. When she was reminded she told law enforcement that Malith was driving, the passenger said she was confused and not sure who was driving.
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, both of Arizona. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images and Elizabeth Frantz/Washington Post via Getty Images

Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego officially launched his Senate campaign in Arizona on Monday.

He said Kyrsten Sinema "abandoned Arizona" and branded her as an advocate for the rich and powerful.

His launch tees up a likely 3-way race between him, the newly-independent Sinema, and a Republican.

Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego officially launched a campaign for US Senate in Arizona on Monday, ending what had been over a year of speculation about his plans.

And right out of the gate, he's hitting Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who currently holds the seat and recently left the Democratic Party.

"Today I am answering the call to serve," Gallego said in a statement. "The problem isn't that Senator Sinema abandoned the Democratic Party  it's that she's abandoned Arizona."

In his announcement video, Gallego spoke of his upbringing as the son of a single mother as well as his experiences during the Iraq War. In declaring his bid against Sinema  who has yet to officially state her own plans but is expected to seek re-election  he branded her as an advocate for the rich.

"If you're more likely to be meeting with the powerful than the powerless, you're doing this job incorrectly," he said.

Gallego is well-positioned to win the Democratic primary after fellow Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton opted not to run for Senate. If Sinema runs as an independent, Arizona is likely to see a three-way race in the general election  a relatively rare occurrence.

On the Republican side, former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and former Senate candidate Blake Masters are both reportedly interested in running for the seat.

The clash between Gallego and Sinema puts Democrats in an uncomfortable position; while only Gallego is a registered Democrat, Sinema still works with the Democratic majority in the Senate and is crucial for maintaining the party's new 51-seat majority.

When Sinema first made her announcement in December, Senate Democrats weren't yet ready to consider how the national party should approach the race.

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Gallego, for his part, has argued that he would be a strong candidate in a three-way race, but that Sinema could play spoiler. In December, he released a poll of a hypothetical race between him, Sinema, and Lake that showed him just one point behind Lake, while Sinema polled at 13%.

A campaign spokeswoman declined to comment.

Asked on Friday about Gallego's impending announcement during an interview on KTAR News radio in Arizona, Sinema said she's "not really thinking or talking about the election right now" but said she was "incredibly proud" of her record, citing recent bipartisan Senate bills including the bipartisan infrastructure law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and a recent effort to codify new same-sex marriage protections into law.

"There's a lot of really important work left on the table to get done for Arizona," she said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Press Release

January 23, 2023 Legarda joins environment advocates in lobbying against single-use plastics, leads the #PlasticFreePilipinasSaSenate in observance of Zero Waste Month As the country observes National Zero Waste Month and the 22nd anniversary of the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act this January, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda joined the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and environmental groups in lobbying for the urgent passage of a national regulation towards a phase out and eventual ban of single-use plastics, during the ribbon-cutting of the #PlasticFreePilipinasSaSenate photo exhibit. Legarda filed a bill called the "Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2022" which will regulate the manufacturing, importation and use of single-use products by providing penalties, levies and incentives for industries and consumers. At present, the country has an extended producer responsibility law that mandates plastics producers and manufacturers in the country to recover plastic packaging, while 488 local government units (LGUs) have issued ordinances on plastics regulation. "This measure will provide an 'ambitious yet comprehensive' approach to solving the problem of single-use plastics and supporting the development and use of more eco-friendly products and packaging. We will continue to lobby against single-use plastics and foster discussions on initiatives that advance real, demonstrable and lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis in the country," Legarda said. The photo exhibit features a documentary screening of "The Story of Plastic" and "Ang Huling Plastic", which take a look at the single-use plastics problem that has worsened going into the 21st century. This will run from 23 January to 22 February 2023, while the documentaries will be screened on 02 and 09 February 2023. A Zero Waste Bazaar will also run from 13 to 22 February 2023 to showcase viable alternatives to single-use plastics from eco-friendly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) such as Candles by Ilka, The Bamboo Company, Armari Organics, and Sabon Express. To cap off the month-long celebration, a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Legislative Forum will be held to dig deeper on the WTE issue. The #PlasticFreePilipinasSaSenate event is organized by the Plastic Free Pilipinas Project collaborators, namely, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Mother Earth Foundation, Greenpeace Philippines, and Ocean Conservancy, together with the Climate Change Commission, Oceana Philippines and the Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.
TEHRAN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Sunday urged South Korea to release its frozen assets and slammed the Asian country for its "unsatisfactory" cooperation in repaying debts.

The government of South Korea has the duty to uphold Iran's legal rights and pay its debts without any precondition, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani was quoted by Iran's official news agency IRNA as saying during a weekly press conference.

It is estimated that Iran has funds worth more than 7 billion dollars in two South Korean banks that it is unable to access, because banks and authorities in South Korea refuse to process them for fear of possible U.S. penalties.

South Korea was one of the largest customers of Iran's crude oil prior to 2018, when Washington's pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran.

South Korean government has so far refused to release most of Iranian assets that are frozen in its banks, even including those are not subject to the U.S. sanctions, Kanaani said.

Kanaani said Iran has conducted negotiations with South Korea on this matter, noting that Iran would take necessary and proportional actions with regard to South Korea's cooperation. 
By Andrius Sytas

(Reuters) -NATO and EU members Estonia and Latvia told their Russian ambassadors to leave after Moscow said it was downgrading diplomatic relations with Estonia, accusing it of "total Russophobia."

Estonia, Latvia and their Baltic neighbour Lithuania have been among a group of NATO allies arguing strongly for Germany to provide its Leopard battle tanks to boost Ukraine in fighting off Russia's invasion.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had told the Estonian envoy he must leave next month, and both countries would be represented in each other's capitals by an interim charge d'affaires instead of an ambassador.

Estonia responded in kind, telling the Russian envoy to leave by Feb. 7, Foreign Affairs Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.

"We will continue to support Ukraine as Russia is planning large-scale attacks, and we call on other like-minded countries to increase their assistance to Ukraine," Reinsalu said in a statement.

Latvia, in solidarity with Estonia, told its Moscow envoy to leave by Feb. 27, according to a tweet by Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics. Both countries said they are downgrading their diplomatic ties with Russia to charge d'affairs level.

Lithuania threw out its Russian envoy in April and downgraded diplomatic representation, after Ukraine accused Russian forces of killing civilians in the town of Bucha.

Moscow said Monday's move was in response to an Estonian decision to reduce the size of the Russian embassy in Tallinn.

"In recent years, the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia. Total Russophobia, the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy," it said.

Commenting on the downgrading of ties, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "The Estonian regime has got what it deserved."

Estonia told Russia on Jan. 11 to reduce the number of diplomats at its embassy in Tallinn to eight, equivalent to the number of Estonian diplomats in Moscow.

All three Baltic countries joined some other Western allies last week in sending more weapons of its own to Ukraine.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas; Editing by Gareth Jones and Mark Porter)
Russians have already started installing air defence systems in Novgorod Oblast, Russia. The air defence systems that will protect Russian President Vladimir Putin and his close circle have been spotted near his residence in Yashcherovo village in the Valday district.

Source: Agentstvo. Novosti, an independent Russian media outlet

Quote: "These air defence systems protect Vladimir Putin and his close circle from a possible Ukrainian attack. Such a conclusion can be made after the air defence system has appeared near the presidents residence in Valday. There are no other facilities to protect here, apart from the residence."

Details: In particular, a resident of Valday city in Novgorod Oblast has sent to the media outlet a photo taken in Yashcherovo village last week. The photo shows an air defence system that was located in the village "a few weeks ago", according to the photos author. It is presumably a Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft gun missile system in the photo. The same systems were spotted in the central areas of Moscow and its suburbs.

Journalists have come to the conclusion that the air defence system appeared in Yashcherovo shortly after Ukrainian drones attacked Russian military airfields deep into Russia: the first attack on airfields near Ryazan (Ryazan Oblast) and Engels (Saratov Oblast) took place on 5 December.

Residents of Yascherovo and neighbouring villages that journalists have reached out to have confirmed that the air defence system is installed in the Valday district. One of them has said that it is not just standing there; it is on combat duty, with at least three soldiers constantly stationed near it. The radar antenna is always rotating as well.

It is noted that Yashcherovo is one of the two closest villages to the Russian Presidents residence, which is situated on the bank of one of the local lakes named Uzhyn. It is a little more than six kilometres from Yashcherovo to the presidential residence.

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"Putins Valday residence does not perform any representative function, even though it is called an official one. It is known more as a place for the personal leisure of Putin, his close circle and friends. Pop stars went to Putins private parties there, according to numerous sources. This is also the place where Putin often meets VIP guests behind closed doors," the journalists said.

The outlet cites a source and reports that Putin visits Valday very often; "he loves" this place.

People close to Putin, such as officers of the Federal Guard Service (FSO) of the Russian Federation and heads of departments in the Presidents Administration.

There is no critical infrastructure, strategic facilities, large industrial companies or clusters of military equipment and manpower in this area.

However, back in Soviet times, stationary air defence means were located here: the 42nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, stationed in the village of Valday-4.

The regiments unit was in disarray for some time in the 1990s, but the regiment was armed with new weapons and had its territory cleaned up sometime at the end of the 2010s.

Background:

On 19 January, Russian media outlets and social media began posting photos and videos of what appeared to be Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft gun missile systems installed on the roofs of several buildings in Moscow, in particular on top of the Ministry of Defence. It is not yet known whether the Russians have actually installed the rooftop weapons.

It was reported on 20 January that an air defence system had been installed 10 kilometres from the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
According to the US, Russian troops are

Russia is sending in tens of thousands of mobilized replacement troops to strengthen positions the Ukraine weakened by fighting in Bakhmut, Detsch wrote.

Read also: How residents of frontline Bakhmut live amid constant shelling  NV report

He added that, according to U.S. assessments, these troops are ill-equipped, ill-trained, and rushed to the battlefield.

Bakhmut remains on the major flashpoints across the entire front line in Ukraine, with Russian forces seemingly determined to capture the city. Bakhmuts pre-war population was 73,000 people.

Read also: 120,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine thus far, says General Staff

Ukraines General Staff reports the Russian invasion force has suffered 121,480 in casualties, since Feb. 24, 2022.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Spanish police near the Embassy of Ukraine

Spanish and foreign investigators recently zeroed-in on the extreme-right Russian Imperial Movement group, which has members across Europe and a military-style training base in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Read also: Police determine origin of letter bomb sent to Ukraine Embassy in Spain

The group very likely cooperates with Russian military intelligence and special services, U.S. intelligence officials told the newspaper. Police have found some top members of the extremist organisation in Spain and tracked their ties with far-right Spanish movements.

U.S. official sources told the New York Times that Russian intelligence officers might have directed the campaign of bomb letters as they wanted to catch European officials off guard. The United States believes the campaign was aimed at signaling there was a terror threat for the whole of Europe, including the capitals of NATO members.

Spainish investigators have identified persons who may have been involved in committing the terror attacks.

The New York Times said that currently there are no signs Russia is ready to broaden its threat in Europe, as it doesn't want NATO to directly enter the war in Ukraine. But it could carry out more sabotage or terrorist actions across Europe if military support for Ukraine continues growing and Russia suffers major setbacks in the war.

Read also: Ukraines anti-graft agencies charge MP Herasymov with failure to declare real estate in Spain

The Russian Imperial Movement or RIM promotes ethnic Russian nationalism and advocates the restoration of Russias tsarist regime, and also maintains contacts with neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements across Europe and the United States. The movement was designated a global terrorist organisation by the U.S. State Department in April, 2020.

The RIM supports the Kremlin only partly, as its members are displeased with the incompetence of Russian military commanders and widespread corruption in Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's regime. But they do have the shared goal with the Kremlin of destabilizing Europe, which Russian intelligence could use in its favor while leading a letter-bomb operation.

Story continues

Read also: Two scenarios for the Kremlin on the diplomatic front

Where explosive were found in Spain:

A series of bomb attacks occurred in Spain at the end of November and the beginning of December. The first letter bomb explolded in the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid.

Military company Instalaza located in the north of Spain also received a bomb letter. Some of its products are being supplied to Ukraine. An explosive letter was found at Torrejon Air Base as well.

Read also: Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid receives blood-colored parcel, says MFA

It was reported later that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez' security service found a bomb in a letter addressed to him even before the explosion in the Ukrainian embassy. Similar parcels addressed to Spain's defense minister and the U.S. embassy in Spain were also discovered.

A few days later the Spanish police intercepted in the post three parcels believed to contain animal eyes. They were addressed to Ukrainian diplomats.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The enemy Russian sabotage tried to land on Dnipro island

According to him, the boat was hit during an attempt by an enemy sabotage group to land on one of the Potemkin islands on the Dnipro River, near the city of Kherson. On the morning of Jan. 23, the General Staff reported that one enemy boat had been destroyed in the past day.

Read also: Russia shells Kherson Oblast over 100 times in the past 24 hours, killing and injuring civilians

The occupiers will not be able to understand that whatever they arrange for a Russian warship Ukrainian fighters will send it only one way, (which is) known to all, Nazarov added, referring to a colorful phrase first used by Ukrainians in relation to the now-sunken Russian Black Sea flagship, the Moskva.

Read also: Russians shell hospital in Kherson, governor says

The phrase was made famous during the initial Russian assault on Ukraines Snake Island in the western Black Sea in the first hours of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when a defending Ukrainian soldier, told to surrender by the Moskva, answered Russian warship, go f*ck yourself.

The Moskva was later sunk on April 14 in a Ukrainian attack using Neptune anti-ship missiles.

In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost 18 warships and military vessels, according to the count kept by the Ukrainian militarys General Staff.

Read also: Death toll from Russian missile strike on high-rise building in Dnipro rises to 46

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Russian army attacked Vovchansk, (Chuhuiv district, Kharkiv Oblast), injuring three people on 23 January.

Source: Tamaz Hambarashvili, Head of the Vovchansk Military Administration, in a comment to Suspilne Kharkiv, local branch of public broadcaster

Quote from Hambarashvili: "Three people sought medical help. Today, there were attacks all day, we are shelled every day. Today they hit the city centre, [specifically] residential buildings."

Details: Hambarashvili states that the scale of destruction and damage caused by the attack on 23 January is being ascertained.

He said that there are problems with electricity supply in the city as a result of the attack.

"Our electricity is being switched off every day: the power supply is interrupted, the guys [power engineers  ed.] repair the line, [and] in an hour or two, they [Russians] hit again," Hambarashvili said.

Background:

Russian troops entered the border town of Vovchansk on 24 February.

On 22 March, it became known that the Russian military removed Ukrainian flags from the administrative buildings of Vovchansk and replaced them with their tricolours.

Ukrainian flags were raised over Vovchansk again on 12 September.

After the city was liberated, the Russian military has been shelling Vovchansk and the surrounding villages ever since.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russian reservists attending a ceremony before departing to the zone of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in the Rostov region, Russia October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov

Russia's new Ukraine general is fixated on soldiers' shaving habits, the UK defense ministry said.

Valery Gerasimov's focus is drawing the ire of other military factions, it added.

He's also clamping down on haircuts, non-regulation uniform and the use of cell phones.

Russia's recently appointed top general in charge of the conflict in Ukraine has started his new role by focusing on soldiers' discipline, including by getting them to shave more often, according to UK intelligence.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Monday that General Valery Gerasimov, who was given the role earlier this month, has been "attempting to clamp down on non-regulation uniform, travel in civilian vehicles, the use of mobile phones, and non-standard haircuts."

But shaving has been his particular focus, the ministry said.

While seemingly aimed at improving day-to-day discipline, the measures have been met with notable derision and skepticism.

The UK defense ministry said that Gerasimov's focus on grooming is drawing the ire of officials in Russia-occupied areas, who see it as a pointless distraction.

"Officials in the Donetsk People's Republic, described the prioritization as a 'farce' that would 'hamper the process of destroying the enemy,'" the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the chief of the Wagner mercenary army, Yevgeny Prigozhin, criticised Russian military leadership, saying that "war is the time of the active and courageous, and not of the clean-shaven," according to the report.

Gerasimov served as the longtime chief of the general staff of Russia's armed forces before taking this new role, making him the most senior officer to be put in charge of the conflict to date.

Experts told Insider that Gerasimov has a lot to prove  particularly since he was reportedly one of the military leaders who came up with Russia's invasion plan in the first place. As such, he has been criticized by Russian nationalists as well as military bloggers for the lack of progress in the war.

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The UK defense ministry said that Gerasimov's focus on aspects like shaving means he's yet to prove his critics wrong where it counts: on the battlefield.

"The Russian force continues to endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties; Gerasimov's prioritization of largely minor regulations is likely to confirm the fears of his many skeptics in Russia," it said.

Washington-based think-tank the Institute for the Study of War, meanwhile, said this month that the new Russian focus on personal habits may have a purpose, Insider's Jake Epstein reported.

That's because judging whether soldiers can commit to following these smaller orders acts as a test for whether they will follow bigger orders that come with more risk, it said.

Russia's army been accused of not being disciplined enough since the launch of its invasion in February 2022. This has resulted in unexpected losses, with, among other things, Ukraine and its allies intercepting soldiers' calls on civilians phones and using those to pinpoint targets for air strikes.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) - Poland will seek Germany's permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine and will provide them whether or not Berlin agrees, its prime minister said on Monday.

WEAPONS AND DIPLOMACY

* Germany's approval for the re-export of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is of secondary importance as Poland could send those tanks as part of a coalition of countries even without its permission, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Monday.

* European foreign ministers, meeting on Monday to discuss aid to Ukraine, pressed Berlin to let countries send German-made Leopard tanks, after Germany appeared to open the door to such shipments by allies.

* Russia and Estonia downgraded their diplomatic relations and expelled each other's ambassadors after Moscow accused Tallinn of anti-Russian policies. Latvia also expelled Russia's ambassador in solidarity with Estonia.

FIGHTING

* Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that its forces were improving their positions in Zaporizhzhia region, a southern part of Ukraine.

* The top Russian-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine said he had visited the town of Soledar that Russia claimed to had captured earlier this month.

* Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

UKRAINE ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES

* The head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's party said on Monday corrupt Ukrainian officials would be jailed, after a deputy infrastructure minister was held on suspicion of graft and a newspaper accused the military of overpaying suppliers.

(Compiled by William Maclean, Frances Kerry, Peter Graff; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Police

SALT LAKE CITY  Salt Lake City police officers witnessed a drive-by shooting Saturday before pursuing the involved vehicle and arresting three teenagers, according to law enforcement officials.

Nobody was hurt in the shooting or consequent arrests, police said in a press release.

One of the vehicle's passengers, a 14-year-old girl who was not arrested, was sent to the hospital after telling law enforcement she was pregnant, according to police. The teenager's potential involvement is being investigated.

The department said the shooting occurred Saturday night, when officers of Salt Lake City Police Department's Gang Unit saw a Nissan Maxima drive into a neighborhood northwest of the city and witnessed multiple rounds fired" from the vehicle.

The Maxima's driver then fled the scene and started a car chase with officers before crashing into another car, according to police.

Two 16-year-old male teenagers were arrested and sent to Salt Lake Valley Juvenile Detention Center, police reported. The two face charges including possession of a stolen firearm, fleeing, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Police said a stolen handgun was found on one of the teenagers, and a second handgun was found inside the car.

A 15-year-old male teenager was arrested and then released to his guardians, but could face similar charges, police said.

The police department said no further information is being released at this time.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Utah police witnessed drive-by shooting, arrested teenagers
MOCACHE, Ecuador, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A day before the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, a school in Ecuador held its first offline Chinese Spring Festival celebrations in three years, integrating both Chinese and Ecuadorian cultures.

A symbol of prosperity, fortune and good luck for Chinese, the red color predominated, with red Chinese lanterns hung, red Spring Festival couplets put up on both sides of classroom doors and red paper cuttings pasted on windows on Friday at the Si Miao Wei Hua International School in the Mocache canton, in Ecuador's coastal Los Rios province.

Dressed in Chinese-style uniforms with red tops and black bottoms, local students performed traditional Ecuadorian songs and dances, and Chinese art such as the lion and dragon dance and a music choir for their parents and other guests from near and far.

The attendees also toured a Chinese cultural fair featuring traditional paintings, paper cuttings, tea art, clay sculptures and dried Chinese medicinal plants.

"Today is a very special day because we have jointly celebrated the arrival of the most important festival for all the Chinese people. We have experienced a moment of cooperation and of closeness between the two countries," said Chinese Ambassador to Ecuador Chen Guoyou.

The celebrations represent a benchmark for educational cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Ecuador, Chen said, anticipating closer cultural ties in the new year.

Ecuadoran Education Minister Maria Brown Perez said that the event symbolizes the friendship between the two countries.

The performances by the students showed that local young people are eager to "learn a language from a country that is far from ours, but that closeness is felt here," she said.

"A happy new Year of the Rabbit! It is also a reason for us to wish you health, prosperity and longevity. May the family be united and we continue working hand in hand for the common good and for peace," said the minister. 
A robot waiter goes past a customer inside Bunny's Onion Burger in south Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Walking into Bunny's Onion Burgers at 1023 S Meridian Ave, the checkered tablecloths and tile floor paired with the electric blue and yellow booth benches harken to an earlier time in history. The last thing you might expect is to see a sleek kitty-cat robot carrying trays of food to the tables around you.

Hervin Casimiro Puac, owner of the S Meridian Avenue location, is one of the city's first known operators to bring a robot waiter on board. Casimiro Puac, who is Guatemalan, spoke to The Oklahoman with Cesar Reyes, Mr. Guatemala Oklahoma 2022-2023, providing some help with translating for clarity.

How and why is Bunny's Onion Burgers using a robot waiter?

At a time when staffing issues are being seen in industries across the globe, one might think that motivated Casimiro Puac's robot waiter purchase, but he said something else entirely actually led him to make the buy.

"The reason I decided to get the robot is because I started to notice that some waiters were having a hard time picking up the trays of food and I also thought about pregnant women that were working for me," he said. "It was complicated and not humane for them to carry heavy trays all day."

Hervin Casimiro, Bunny's Onion Burger owner, stands beside the restaurant's robot waiter in south Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Casimiro Puac said his intention in purchasing a robot is not to replace any human staff. He said that while the practical thinking says that a robot can complete many tasks, he feels he will always need humans.

"Basically, we're using the robot waiter as a tool for the waiters themselves, because I as an owner am aware that we'll always need human help not only to take the orders but also to interact with the customers," Casimiro Puac said.

The robot serves as a delivery tool and the waiters still build relationships with customers to keep them coming back to Bunny's. However, the robot may also encourage some of the customers to return. The robot is somewhat interactive, responding if its head or ears are touched, and can be programmed for celebrations such as birthdays.

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"Our regular customers are really pleased to see an interaction like this and also the young people and the kids really love it," he said.

A robot waiter goes past a table inside Bunny's Onion Burger in south Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

Casimiro Puac said that other restaurant owners should consider investing in their own robot waiters for the same reasons he did. He said as an employer, it is important to safeguard employee wellbeing however possible.

"I strongly believe that my team and my workers are the number one priority and why my business is successful, so I want to look out for them," he said.

Could robot waiters replace human waiters?

In 2021, Oklahoma had about 26,570 people employed as waiters and waitresses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another 30,830 were listed as fast-food or counter workers. Mean annual wages for these workers was between $20,000 to $24,000.

A robot waiter like the model used at Bunny's runs between $10,000 and $15,000. However, despite wage issues, cost savings and worker shortages, the overall ability for a robot to completely replace a human in a restaurant is unlikely.

A robot waiter goes past a customer inside Bunny's Onion Burger in south Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

The current functionality of robot waiters is limited. First, most function simply as couriers or expediters of food. When they arrive at a table a staff member or the customer still has to unload the plates from the trays to the table.

Second, robot waiters cannot take orders, though there are restaurants with kiosk options for ordering. A future combination of a robot waiter with a touch screen version of a restaurant menu or table-side ordering could advance the technology, but some people will still prefer human waitstaff.

For now, Casimiro Puac said he will continue to embrace any technology that improves things at his restaurant and for his employees.

"It's not the purpose of getting rid of waiters. It's the purpose to find tools so that they can have an easier atmosphere and a better job performance with the help that I'm giving them," he said. "Being open minded to have the tools that will facilitate your tasks every day, either in front of the counter or in the kitchen, they're always welcome."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bunny's Onion Burgers brings on feline robot waiter to help OKC staff
While crypto fans holding staked Ethereum eagerly await the networks next update, crypto exchange Coinbase could also have a lot to look forward to, according to analysts at JP Morgan.

The next upgrade to Ethereums network, dubbed the Shanghai Fork, is slated for March and will let people access funds previously devoted to Ethereums Beacon Chain, which allows depositors to participate in validating transactions and earn rewards in the form of newly-created Ethereum.

Staking Ethereum could become a significant windfall for Coinbase if its users are automatically enrolled like they are with tokens such as Cardano and Solana, JP Morgan analysts wrote in a recent research report.

Staking in Ethereum forced holders to lock up their Ether indefinitely, which we have viewed as a big dis-incentive to stake ETH historically, it stated. We think the Shanghai Fork could usher in a new era of staking for Coinbase.

Ethereum Developers Say Shanghai Upgrade Remains on Track for March

The investment bank estimates that 95% of retail investors on Coinbase could participate in staking Ethereum after the Shanghai Fork, which could yield the exchange between $225 million and $545 million in revenue per year.

Currently, Coinbase users are required to opt-in to staking their Ethereum because theres no way for them to access the deposits or ETH with which theyve been rewardedsomething the Shanghai Fork will address. JP Morgan estimates that the exchange already earns around $50 million annually through Ethereum staking.

The additional revenue could bring Coinbase some warmth amid the present crypto winter. The exchange announced its Japan operations would soon come to a close last Wednesday. The exchange has also cut its headcount twice in the past year, letting go of around 1,100 employees in June of last year and laying off approximately 950 employees earlier this month.

Trouble in Ethereum? Devs Divided Over Staking Withdrawals in Shanghai Upgrade

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Coinbases stock price has plummeted alongside a steep decline in the price of digital assets, falling over 70% to $55.16 per share from $191.48 a year ago. However, a recent rally in crypto prices has lifted shares of Coinbase by 64% since the beginning of January.

Staking has become an area of growth for Coinbase. Around 11% of the exchanges revenue in its third fiscal quarter of last year came from staking, compared to 6.2% during the same period a year prior. Aside from Ethereum, Coinbase offers staking for Cardano, Solana, Cosmos, Algorand, and Tezos.

JP Morgan analysts noted the potential upside of the Shanghai Fork for Coinbase is partially based on the exchanges unusually large exposure to Ethereum, which comprises around 25% of the assets on the exchanges platform.

Coinbase Betting Big On Staking Ahead of Ethereum Merge

The investment bank warned that its thesis of Coinbase Ethereum holders being automatically enrolled in the coins staking program has not yet been verified by Coinbase management but that its assessment is based on previous moves made by the company. Coinbase did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

And while users of the exchange could disable their Ethereum from being staked if the feature is introduced, JP Morgan analysts said it would be an unlikely decision among investors. While investors could opt out of the program, we see few wanting to forego the potential investment income generated from staking, it stated.

As of this writing, $26 billion worth of ETH has been pledged to the network through its staking program since the Beacon Chain launched in December 2020.

Ethereums Shanghai upgrade follows the networks successful transition to a proof-of-stake system in September of last year. A Crypto Carbon Ratings Institute report found the networks energy use and carbon footprint fell over 99.99%.
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Get better rest thanks to this easy hack.

Get better rest thanks to this easy hack.

Sharing a bed with your partner can be sweet and cozy. But if youre not compatible bedmates, its more frustrating than anything else. Your sleep suffers and resentment toward your partner can build.

A simple change to the way we make our beds  inspired by a common Scandinavian practice  could be the key to a better nights sleep. Many folks in countries like Sweden, Denmark and Norway and in other parts of Europe use a two-duvet system. So instead of sharing one big duvet, each partner has their own separate, smaller comforter.

This is also known as The Scandinavian method as it is standard procedure in the Scandinavian countries, Li Aslund, a Swedish clinical psychologist and sleep expert at Sleep Cycle, told HuffPost. In fact, it is much harder to find duvet covers for double-size duvets in this part of the world.

A large majority of households has never even reflected on the fact that people in other countries might find this practice surprising or even weird, she added.

The Scandinavian method got some buzz recently when photographer and content creator Cecilia Blomdahl, who is originally from Sweden but lives on the Arctic island of Svalbard, posted about it on her TikTok. The video has since amassed more than 1.1 million views and almost 700 comments.

Yes, we have two duvets here and I could never live with one, Blomdahl says in the video as she makes her bed.

One of the main benefits of using two duvets? Temperature regulation. Each partner can adjust their side to suit their individual preferences, Aslund said. So if you run hot but your partner runs cold, you can choose a lightweight comforter and your partner can use a heavier one.

Another plus of the Scandinavian method: fewer sleep disturbances. Thats good news if you share a bed with someone who steals the covers.

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Each partners movements will be less disruptive to the others, reducing the number of unnecessary awakenings, including the ones people dont remember but may nevertheless decrease sleep quality, Jade Wu  a behavioral sleep medicine specialist and sleep researcher at Duke University School of Medicine  told HuffPost.

Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, says he recommends doubling up on duvets for just that reason.

I would recommend it to anyone who shares a bed with someone and who lives in a cooler climate, he told HuffPost. If the duvet slips off or one person hogs it by accident, this can cause disturbance to your sleep and you may find you are waking up more often due to becoming cold in the night.

Adopting the Scandinavian method might mean better sleep for you and your partner.

Adopting the Scandinavian method might mean better sleep for you and your partner.

Getting quality sleep is associated with a number of health benefits: improved immune system and cognitive function, better mood, and decreased stress and risk for chronic disease. It can also be a boon to your relationship.

When were sleeping better, we are better at regulating emotions and making sound decisions  both very important for having a good relationship, Wu said. When we feel and function better, we have more emotional resources to devote to our partners. But when we are exhausted, foggy, or irritable, its easy to butt heads over little things or miscommunicate; its also harder for us to be attentive and supportive.

There are a couple of potential drawbacks to the Scandinavian method. One concern is that two duvets dont always have the cohesive, aesthetically pleasing look of one. With this approach, each duvet is typically folded in half length-wise, then you lay them next to each other (though you can also try laying them flat and overlapping them a bit).

To unify the look, you can put a bedspread over top of both (like Blomdahl did) or lay a throw across the bottom of the bed. Adding a long bolster pillow along with your other decorative pillows can also help bring it all together.

The individuality of the Scandinavian method could be a downside for some couples, Aslund said. They might find it less romantic or feel less connected not being under the same blanket at night.

The Scandinavian countries are known for their pragmatic view on family life and their individuality, and the separate duvets can be considered a manifestation of these values, she said. For people in other countries, choosing personal comfort over physical closeness can feel uncomfortable and bringing up the subject in a relationship could be a potential source of conflict.

At the end of the day, its up to you and your partner to find a system that works for you.

Even though the practice entails many individual benefits when it comes to sleep quality, its worth noting that separate duvets might not be for all couples and its a matter of personal preference, Aslund said.

If youre interested in trying the method and are in the market for an additional cover, try one of these highly reviewed options below. The Scandinavian way is two twin-size comforters, but you can do two full-size ones if you prefer. Sleep tight.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

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A circular-patterned full-size comforter set

This set comes with a 100% cotton comforter and two shams.



Promising review: "Marimekko patterns and textiles have been my favorite for many years, so I was very excited to this item (I had my eye on it for awhile). The pattern is eye-catching and looks great in my bedroom. It fit my bed perfectly, and it's nice and warm. I am VERY pleased with my purchase."  Anonymous

$149.99+ at Nordstrom

A jungle full-size comforter set plant lovers will appreciate

Urban Outfitters

A jungle full-size comforter set plant lovers will appreciate

The set includes a comforter and two pillowcases made from a mix of cotton and polyester material.



Promising review: "To all my plant lovers, this bed set is for you! Urban always has high quality comforters (breathable yet warm), and this one is no different! Can be a great accent piece for any room and it's big! Im a bit mad it went on sale right after I bought it at full price, but that said, get it while you can."  lberk

$99+ at Urban Outfitters

A boho full-size comforter set giving off all those soothing vibes

Amazon

A boho full-size comforter set giving off all those soothing vibes

Comes with one comforter and two pillowcases made from a microfiber material.



Promising review: "I can't say enough about this comforter! It truly is the softest material and best weight I've ever experienced. Totally contours your shape, unlike other comforters that just lay on top of you. The pattern is perfect for my style and washes wonderfully. I have a double bed, but ordered a king size so I don't need a bedskirt. Love, love, love this comforter!"  Amy

$40.99 at Amazon

A velvet full-size comforter set made with silky soft material

Target

A velvet full-size comforter set made with silky soft material

Uses a hypoallergenic polyester filling and includes a comforter, two pillow shams, and a decorative pillow.



Promising review: "Ive had this bedding set for years and it is still in great condition. Velvet is soft and I constantly get compliments on it. Also, its fantastic if you have pets; it doesnt show pet hair at all."  Arei

$74.99+ at Target

A geometric full-size comforter set

Amazon

A geometric full-size comforter set

Made from 100% microfiber material and includes a comforter, two pillow shams, and a decorative pillow.



Promising review: "It's super comfy! The comforter is fluffy but light, and it still seems comfortable transitioning into spring. The gold is a little bolder than I expected, it almost looks like foil. Still very pretty."  lizmatt

$46.56 at Amazon

A microfiber full-size comforter set reviewers say is super cozy

Amazon

A microfiber full-size comforter set reviewers say is super cozy

Includes a comforter and two pillow shams.



Promising review: "The fabric is so soft and feels amazing! It did have a bit of a smell when opening it, but I threw it straight into the washer. When I took it out of the dryer, it was perfectly fine! Soft as ever, smelled good, and fit the bed perfectly! It is on the lighter side for a comforter, but it's exactly what I wanted and hoped for. Excellent price for the product."  Alison Emerick

$44.99 at Amazon

A tufted full-size comforter set made with 100% polyester fill

Bloomingdale's

A tufted full-size comforter set made with 100% polyester fill

Each set comes with a comforter and two pillow shams.



Promising review: "This is hands down my favorite comforter Ive ever owned. Such a neutral yet stunning fixture of my room and style  and its so fluffy. It makes getting out of bed even harder! Absolutely recommend!"  mbetz

$215 at Bloomingdale's

An artsy 8-piece full-size comforter set

Amazon

An artsy 8-piece full-size comforter set

The set is made with 100% microfiber material that includes a comforter, two pillow shams, a decorative pillow, a flat/fitted sheet, and two standard pillowcases.



Promising review: "I honestly love this bedding set! it is definitely worth the price. The little throw pillow was really what sold me, it makes my bed look so neat when its made. Definitely recommend!"  Reagan Schmidt

$65.59 at Amazon

A marble full-size comforter set for anyone looking to make a statement

Amazon

A marble full-size comforter set for anyone looking to make a statement

The set uses a polyester material that's breathable and includes a comforter and two pillow shams.

$36.99 at Amazon

A hotel-worthy reversible full-size comforter set

Amazon

A hotel-worthy reversible full-size comforter set

The 100% microfiber material comes with a comforter and two shams.



Promising review: "This comforter was bought for my preteen son who loves a soft and comfy blanket, but needed a good comforter. This comforter does not disappoint! It is super soft, fluffy yet lightweight for our warm summer evenings here in Florida. He loves this comforter just as much as I do! I purchased two and gave one to my parents for their guest room at their home! Nothing but positive remarks from everyone! Will buy another very soon."  Amazon customer

$35.48 at Amazon

A floral full-size comforter set

Target

A floral full-size comforter set

It's made from breathable cotton material and comes with a comforter and two pillow shams.



Promising review: "This comforter set is so pretty! I used it for our guest bedroom which is a natural garden theme. The colors really brighten the room without being loud and the ladybugs are so sweet! Its definitely not just for kids, its very versatile. Such a lovely set!"  Missbernadette

$40+ at Target

A monochromatic 7-piece full-size comforter set

Amazon

A monochromatic 7-piece full-size comforter set

This set includes a comforter, a fitted and flat sheet, and four pillowcases.



Promising review: "I was expecting some kind of crappy made set that would get me through this year of college, but the comforter is SO comfortable and the sheets were softer than the sheets I got from Target last year. For the friendly price of $50, this comfortable set is great. Not to mention the FOUR pillow covers included. Love the colors as well!"  Jasmine

$46.74 at Amazon

A five-piece woven stripe full-size comforter set

Target

A five-piece woven stripe full-size comforter set

Comes with two decorative pillow, two pillow shams, and a comforter.



Promising review: "This is one of the most comfortable AND stylish bedding sets Ive ever purchased. WASHES WELL. The stitching has come apart slightly because of dogs nail, but any bedding set would if it had actual stitching detail, which this set does."  amongelli

$79+ at Target

A dinosaur full-size comforter set for kids

Target

A dinosaur full-size comforter set for kids

Made from a microfiber material that includes a comforter, a throw blanket, and two pillow shams.



Promising review: "This is my second time purchasing a Pillowfort bed set. I absolutely love them! They wash well, stay fluffy, and the material is soft and breathable. My toddler drags her set around the house and cuddles up on the couch with it every morning!"  Chelsea

$55 at Target

A pinch-pleated full-size comforter set oozing elegance and simplicity

www.amazon.com

A pinch-pleated full-size comforter set oozing elegance and simplicity

The set is made with 100% polyester material and includes a comforter and two shams.



Promising review: "This comforter is so amazingly lightweight and gives you just the right amount of warmth. It stays a comfortable temperature throughout the night too, and let's talk about the SOFTNESS! This isn't your run of the mill/inexpensive comforter that has to sacrifice material quality for price  there is almost like a satin-ish feel to it, but without the slip and slide feel of satin. I am very very impressed with this comforter, and the two pillowcases  also super soft."  Benji in AL

$52.68 at Amazon

A color block full-size comforter set made from 100% cotton

Nordstrom

A color block full-size comforter set made from 100% cotton

It comes with a comforter and two matching standard pillow shams.

$149.99 at Nordstrom

Related...
[Source]

Before you read:

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include a GoFundMe page organized for the benefit of the victims.

Multiple Asian American figures have spoken out to condemn the recent Monterey Park mass shooting that sent shockwaves across the nation on the eve of Lunar New Year.

The incident, which left 10 people dead and at least 10 others wounded on Saturday, has been regarded as the countrys deadliest mass shooting since last years Uvalde, Texas, elementary school massacre. The suspect, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, died of a self-inflicted gunshot following an hours-long standoff with the police, according to reports.

More from NextShark: UPDATE: GoFundMe Created For 53-Year-Old SF Asian Man Stabbed in Robbery

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu was among the first Asian American actors to denounce the incident, describing it as a terrible act. He urged the public to share more information once available, including details about verified fundraisers for the victims.

For those who are unfamiliar, Monterey Park is a city in LA County that is majority AAPI. It's home of Asian American families, parents, grandparents, siblings, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles. All of whom were looking forward to celebrating the New Year this weekend, Liu tweeted.

I am shocked, saddened, angered, and heartbroken for the families who have been affected tonight," he wrote in another tweet.

More from NextShark: 12 charged for burglaries worth $2.1 million on Asian American victims in Georgia

For those who are unfamiliar, Monterey Park is a city in LA County that is majority AAPI. It's home of Asian American families, parents, grandparents, siblings, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles. All of whom were looking forward to celebrating the New Year this weekend.  Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) January 22, 2023

More from NextShark: 'Burn in hell, by the way': Asian American psychologist told to 'get the f*ck out' of the country

Star Trek actor George Takei called for an end to gun violence.

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Just heard the horrifying news out of Monterey Park, CA. A whole community wracked by gun violence and death, on what should have been a joyous Lunar New Year celebration, Takei tweeted. No motive is yet known. But we must act to end the ability of murderers to take so many lives so brutally."

Just heard the horrifying news out of Monterey Park, CA. A whole community wracked by gun violence and death, on what should have been a joyous Lunar New Year celebration. More from NextShark: Filipino American Nurse Known as 'Disneyland Panda' Dies of COVID-19 No motive is yet known. But we must act to end the ability of murderers to take so many lives so brutally.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 22, 2023

Writer Celeste Ng said the news left her in shock and also wrote that a motive has yet to be determined.

I want to wish you a happy year of the rabbit. I want to show you the dumplings I made yesterday from scratch. Instead Im just in shock. Processing, Ng tweeted. We dont know if its a hate crime. But: At an Asian-owned club, at a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, in a heavily Asian area, on Lunar New Years Eve. Im bracing myself, as others have said.

We dont know if its a hate crime. But: At an Asian-owned club, at a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, in a heavily Asian area, on Lunar New Years Eve. Im bracing myself, as others have said.  Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) January 22, 2023

Bad Axe executive producer Daniel Dae Kim urged community members to come together in such a time of loss. He also shared an image of a black rabbit to mark the tragedy.

On a traditional day of celebration, today it is also marked by tragedy. We often speak of the term community. As important as it is for ours to come together in times of celebration, perhaps its even more important to be there for each other in times of loss, Kim tweeted. Today, as it is all too often, my heart is with all the victims of gun violence in America, and especially the victims of #MontereyPark.

Today, as it is all too often, my heart is with all the victims of gun violence in America, and especially the victims of #MontereyPark. #lunarnewyear #YearOfTheRabbit pic.twitter.com/2BKjrpAEik  Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) January 22, 2023

Others who spoke out to condemn the incident include actor Ken Jeong, journalist Lisa Ling and actor Olivia Munn.

In a thread, comedian Jenny Yang slammed the fetishization of gun access and expressed outrage at the subsequent standoff that took place in her hometown of Torrance.

An attack in #MontereyPark is like attacking the HQ of my community. It's been the hub of culture and life for so many Taiwanese/Chinese immigrants like me. I am sick to my stomach, Yang tweeted.

Was it an Asian man? Was it partner violence? [The] fact is 10 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN AN INSTANT, Yang continued. Gone w the snap of a finger like a Marvel plot point but no this is not a fantasy movie. This is a real life NIGHTMARE cuz we refuse to limit semi-automatic guns.

was it an Asian man? was it partner violence? fact is 10 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN AN INSTANT. gone w the snap of a finger like a Marvel plot point but no this is not a fantasy movie. this is a real life NIGHTMARE cuz we refuse to limit semi-automatic guns #MontereyPark https://t.co/4Dzv0i3McE  Jenny Yang in SF 1/28 SF Sketchfest (@jennyyangtv) January 22, 2023

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), in partnership with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), Stop AAPI Hate, Gold House, Stand with Asian Americans and Chinatown Service Center, has organized a GoFundMe page for the benefit of the victims. As of this writing, the campaign has raised $7,948.

Related stories:
On a cold but sunny Monday morning, family members of Tyre Nichols were ushered inside Memphis City Hall to view footage of the traffic stop and ensuing actions of five Memphis officers that resulted in Nichols' death.

Outside, at least a dozen skateboarders gathered with supporters of the family and cycled through familiar tricks  ollies, tic tacs, and kickflips among others. The skaters were there at the request of Nichols' family. Nichols himself was an avid skateboarder and his friends described skating culture as one of the most important aspects of Nichols' life, aside from his young son.

Since Nichols died from his injuries on Jan. 10, a call to release any footage of the fatal encounter has only increased. But officials have declined to do so, citing multiple ongoing investigations that could be compromised should the footage be released too early.

A skateboarder named Rico, who declined to give his last name, said he "automatically wanted to come out," when he heard about the call for skateboarders. That Nichols is another Black man killed by police, and a skateboarder, brought a host of emotions out for Rico.

Aside from honoring Nichols on the board, Rico hopes Memphis will honor Nichols and others killed in police confrontation by going after the legal mechanism that sometimes protects officers from seeing charges from circumstances that would normally bring charges for any civilian  qualified immunity.

"I would love for Memphis to become one of the first cities in the nation to combat qualified immunity. Because essentially, that's why we're here. We're here because these cops just lose their jobs. Very rarely do you see true justice," Rico said.

Kameron Blakely performs a trick in front of Memphis City Hall while Tyre Nichols family reviews footage of his death inside in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, January 23, 2023. Nichols was a skater and because of this members of the Memphis skateboarding community came out to support his family. Just solidarity and showing love and support for Tyre, Blakely said to why he came to city hall today. Tyre was a light that got turned off way too soon. Especially in the skateboarding community, everybody knows everybody.

Not long after the small crowd in front of city hall dispersed, the City of Memphis and the Shelby County District Attorney's office released statements referencing ongoing investigations and promising the eventual release of the footage from the encounters.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said his office is working with Memphis Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on releasing the video of the incident. Mulroy said the video could be released "this week or next."

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But for the family of Nichols, Monday marked the day where they gained a fuller understanding of Nichols' last moments. And after the meeting with city and police officials, they headed to Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church, where they addressed Memphians and media alike.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn (CJ) Davis, Crump said, expressed dismay over the footage the Nichols family saw. And Crump had his own words for the video as well.

"It is appalling, it is deplorable, it is heinous, it is violent, and it's very troublesome on every level. Because you have to ask yourself, yet again, we're seeing evidence of what happens to Black and brown people from simple traffic stops," Crump said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the FBI are investigating the circumstances of the stop and Nichols' death.

Family attorney Antonio Romanucci said the five officers fired on Friday were part of the department's Organized Crime Unit.

"This has to stop," Romanucci said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering issues tied to access and equity. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: skateboarders protest for Tyre Nichols outside Memphis city hall
Ready for an island escape unlike any other? Gozo is waiting.

Davide Seddio/Getty Images

Looking for an island getaway where the waters are electric blue, the history is deep, and the crowds are thin? Then its time to head to Gozo.



Located in the Mediterranean, Gozo is just one of the breathtaking islands part of the archipelago of Malta. Its a place thats been inhabited for thousands of years and has remained a quiet and stunning destination all that time. Its a place where outdoor enthusiasts and laid-back vacationers can both find a little bliss, if theyre willing to make the trek. Heres what you need to know about planning the perfect getaway to Gozo.

Related: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023

What to Know About Gozo

Gozo is a small island, covering just 26 square miles. Its a spot tailor-made for rest and relaxation, so those looking for a party atmosphere or a rowdy experience should steer clear. Though its quiet, theres still plenty to see and do here, especially for those looking for an active vacation. And, before you go, make sure to exchange dollars for euros, as thats the currency across Malta.

Davide Seddio/Getty Images

The Best Time to Visit Gozo

The good news is, there really isnt a bad time to go to Gozo. According to WeatherSpark, throughout the year, the temperature averages range from 50F to 87F and rarely ever fall below 44F. That said, if youre looking for warm weather worthy of a dip in the ocean, its best to visit during the summer season between June and September, when the average high is 86F. Also check out the shoulder seasons in the spring (April and May) and fall (mid-September to November) when temperatures remain comfortable in the 70s.

Andrey Danilovich/Getty Images

Things to Do in Gozo

Visit the one-time site of the Azure Window.

The Azure Window was one of the great natural phenomena of Gozo, and it was even featured in television shows like Game of Thrones. Sadly, it collapsed in 2017, but that doesnt make the site any less worthy of a visit. Hike along the Dwejra Bay for as long as youd like, taking in the views of the craggy coastline and seeing other special sites like The Fungus Rock, the Blue Hole, and the Inland Sea lagoon.

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See the Citadel.

Learn more about the islands history by visiting the Citadel in Rabat (also referred to as Victoria). The walled city was built in the 15th century and still contains many historically significant sites and several of the islands museums, including the Museum of Archeology. The Citadel also offers one of the best views in town thanks to its location on top of the hill, so make sure to take a 360-degree look while youre there.

Take a boat to the Blue Lagoon.

Though all of Gozo is gorgeous, its a good idea to get on a boat and get off the island to visit one of the most popular attractions  the Blue Lagoon. Located on the nearby island of Comino, the lagoon is the stuff of Instagram dreams, with water that looks almost too blue to be real, surrounded by coves and caves worth exploring. Charter a sailboat for a day for a private adventure, or hop on a public cruise for a quick visit.

Lounge at Ramla Beach.

If youre here in the warmer months, stop by Ramla Beach, known for having the softest sand on the island. Its a large beach, so you wont have trouble finding a spot to lay out for the day, but do note its a popular destination, so odds are youll be next to another tourist or two.

See the salt pans.

The Xwejni Salt Pans are one more glorious site to visit on Gozo. The salt pans, located on the north end of the island, have been used for hundreds of years to harvest salt for locals, and they remain an important part of Gozo life. They also happen to be a rather photogenic place thanks to their unique patterns.

Stefan Cioata/Getty Images

Gozo Hotels

Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz

For a touch of luxury on your Gozo getaway, book a stay at the Kempinski Hotel. Here, guests will find spacious suites, including several with massive patios for enjoying the outdoors, and residential-style apartments, as well as several restaurants and a full-service spa to help you further unwind.

Grand Hotel Gozo

Located at the gateway to the island, the Grand Hotel Gozo is both a convenient and comfortable place to call home during your stay. Take in the ocean views from every window, book family suites for group getaways, take a dip in its indoor and outdoor pools, and book a treatment in its Elemis Spa.

Dar tal-Kaptan Boutique Maison

Find yourself surrounded by more of Gozos history at the Dar tal-Kaptan Boutique Maison, a 400-year-old farmhouse in Ghasri. Here, guests will find a home-style stay that still includes all the bells and whistles you want on vacation, including a sauna, hammam, steam room, and several outdoor spaces to soak in the sun.

How to Get to Gozo

Getting to Gozo requires flying to the main island of Malta, then heading to Cirkewwa to catch a ferry. The ferry is super convenient and takes just 25 minutes, with departures every 45 minutes. Once youre on Gozo, getting around is easy. Visitors can rent a car or four-wheeler for their stay, or rely on local taxis and the public bus.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Bella McKenzie, 19, takes in the winter weather during a visit with a friend to Hampton Beach Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. She is from Texas originally and said she had never previously seen snow on the beach.

After the winter seasons heaviest snowfall to date late last week in the Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Maine area, another impactful winter storm has hit the region, leading to power outages, school closures, flooding, road closures and parking bans Monday.

Towns and cities throughout the region on Sunday night began seeing snow and rain, a wintry mix forecast to continue until late Monday, according to Jon Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.

At this point, most of the Seacoast is seeing sleet, freezing rain or rain, other than maybe areas like Rochester, Palmer said late Monday morning. It is expected to transition back over to snow in the next few hours and will likely stay snow for the rest of the event.

Flooding closes roads

Flooding is seen at high tide at Hampton Beach Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Flooding at high tide near mid-day led to some road closures. In Hampton, citing high waters, the following roads were temporarily closed for safety, according to police: Route 1 (Lafayette Road) from the Hampton interchange to the Hampton Falls town line, Brown Avenue between Highland Avenue and Ashworth Avenue, Highland Avenue and Ashworth Avenue from G Street to K Street.

Police urged drivers to avoid driving into high waters.

Emergency dispatcher shortage: 'Crisis' for Portsmouth police and fire departments

Storm starts and ends with snow with a mix in between

In Portsmouth, the storm began Sunday around 7 p.m. with light snow.

As the night progressed, overnight Portsmouth changed from snow to freezing rain and its gone in and out between rain and freezing rain, Palmer said.

Snowfall was heaviest inland in areas like Rochester in Strafford County while areas closest to the coast saw more rain.

By the end of the storm, Palmer said, coastal communities in the Seacoast and southern Maine could see upwards of 3-4 inches of snow, while municipalities further inland receive more.

As the cold air works its way back into the Seacoast, were going to see some more snowfall, he said.

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Snow squalls later Monday could lead to difficult road conditions for evening commuters, Palmer added.

Power outages in NH and Maine

A lineman works on Route 9 in Wells, Maine, as many homes lost power during a winter storm Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

Strong wind gusts from throughout Maine and New Hampshire on Monday have been reported to the National Weather Service. The highest among the bunch has been at the Isles of Shoals, which Palmer stated topped out at 46 mph. Gusts of 25 miles per hour were reported in Rochester.

Fallen trees, branches coming down on wires and car accidents have caused widespread power outages throughout Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

New Hampshire outage map:View power outages near you

Maine outage map:View power outages near you

In New Hampshire, the states Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said Monday morning tens of thousands of customers throughout the state had lost power as of 8:30 a.m. By noon, Eversource, which has over 545,000 customers in the state, noted it was working to return service to about 33,000 customers, including a few thousand in Dover and more customers in communities like Durham, Madbury, Newmarket, Rochester and Somersworth.

On top of the snow buildup and weakened trees from other recent storms, the winter storm hitting New England is bringing trees and limbs down onto the electric system and causing significant damage in nearly every region of the state, said Doug Foley, Eversource's president of electric operations in New Hampshire. With more heavy, wet snow in the forecast and breezy conditions picking up through the day, further damage and outages are likely, and we thank our customers for their patience as driving conditions remain challenging for our crews.

More local news:What should Somersworth do with these 4 properties? Goals to be set in public meeting

Alec OMeara, spokesperson for Hampton-based Unitil Corporation, reported as of late Monday a few hundred customers in its New Hampshire area were without power.

Unitil called in crews from Canada to assist with the power restoration efforts due to more heavy snow in the forecast later this week.

The staggered nature of these storms has created a situation where we restore power in one area only to see fresh snow creating new issues elsewhere, OMeara said. We expect to be working throughout the week as new issues continue to be created by these frequent storm events.

Central Maine Power spokesperson Jon Breed said the company was responding to outages due to downed trees and snow-covered limbs in York and Cumberland counties.

Need an affordable home?What to know about cottages in Dover under construction now

Our crews are working with Maine Emergency Management Agencies now to clear blocked roads and to restore power to our customers, he said. We urge Mainers to exercise caution if leaving the house as driving conditions are hazardous. If you see our crews working, please give them plenty of space on the roadways and remember to steer clear of downed wires.

Parking bans on Seacoast

Dover announced a citywide parking ban Monday, Jan. 23, beginning at 10 p.m. and concluding Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 a.m., except for the downtown, which is in effect Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. only. While in effect, parking is prohibited on: city streets, sidewalks or adjacent public parking areas, Third Street and Belknap parking lots, and the Orchard Street lot's public spaces. While in effect, limited parking is allowed on the Fourth Street lots outside spaces only, the two outermost rows of the library lot, facing either the Greek Orthodox Church or Atkinson Street and the first two floors of the Orchard Street Parking Garage, which requires paid parking 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at $1 per hour. Use Flowbird pay-by-phone app to extend parking time remotely. If the parking garage is at capacity, the Transportation Center lot is the best option for off-street parking. Dover has more information available at bit.ly/doverban.

Rochester announced a citywide parking ban from 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23 through Tuesday, Jan. 24. For information, call 603-332-4096. For additional information regarding parking exemption qualifications and permits, call the Rochester Police Department at 603-330-7128. Rochester trash pickup has been delayed one day citywide this week, according to Waste Management.

Another storm this week?

The National Weather Service is forecasting more snow for the region beginning on Wednesday that could result in a few inches of snow, though precipitation will turn to rain overnight. By Thursday, the Seacoast is projected to have temperatures in the mid-40s, Palmer said.

A considerable amount of it should actually be rain for the Seacoast, he said. This next storm is going to be a lot warmer than the current one.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seacoast NH, southern Maine winter storm: Latest impact
A look at the shareholders of Solid State plc (LON:SOLI) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 50% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Solid State.

See our latest analysis for Solid State

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Solid State?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Solid State already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Solid State's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Solid State. The company's largest shareholder is Charles Stanley & Co. Ltd, Asset Management Arm, with ownership of 12%. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 10% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 7.4% by the third-largest shareholder. In addition, we found that Gary Marsh, the CEO has 2.5% of the shares allocated to their name.

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We did some more digging and found that 7 of the top shareholders account for roughly 50% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Solid State

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

It seems insiders own a significant proportion of Solid State plc. Insiders own UK23m worth of shares in the UK144m company. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 17% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Equity Ownership

Private equity firms hold a 10% stake in Solid State. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Some might like this, because private equity are sometimes activists who hold management accountable. But other times, private equity is selling out, having taking the company public.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 6.1%, of the shares on issue. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Solid State .

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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TEHRAN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian parliament speaker on Monday called for expanding cooperation with Russia, as both countries face "cruel" U.S. sanctions, Iranian Students' News Agency reported.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf made the remarks during a joint press conference in Tehran with visiting Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin.

The "cruel" U.S. sanctions are the biggest threats to Iran, Russia, and some other countries, Qalibaf told the press conference, which was held after the third meeting of the Supreme Joint Parliamentary Commission of Iran and Russia.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the expansion of cooperation, investments in the oil and gas sector, and gas swap.

They also talked about cooperation in the fields of agriculture, cereals trade, the application of modern technologies, and transport, as well as in the banking and monetary sector.

Qalibaf called on Iranian and Russian banks to open branches in both countries, so as to enable the use of their respective national currencies in bilateral trade and business transactions.

For his part, Volodin said relations between Russia and Iran have reached an "excellent level" and have expanded at different levels.

A comprehensive contract is being prepared to be signed between the two countries, which will greatly improve their relations, he added.

Commenting on the U.S. sanctions imposed on both Russia and Iran, Volodin said they only lead to greater solidarity between the two countries.

Volodin arrived in the Iranian capital on Sunday night, leading a number of Russian officials. 
Splash Mountain has made its last splash with fans.

The popular Walt Disney World attraction officially closed over the weekend, with its last ride taking place inside the Florida theme park's Magic Kingdom on Sunday, Jan. 22.

The ride is going to be reimagined as Tianas Bayou Adventure, which takes its inspiration from the 2009 Disney movie The Princess and the Frog," is set to take its place in 2024.

Splash Mountain's closing hardly comes as a surprise. Disney announced in June 2020 that it planned to reimagine the ride's interiors, veering away from its original theme. The ride is based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South, which has been criticized for its idyllic depiction of Black Americans in the post-Civil War era and plantation life.

The news of the ride's relaunch came two weeks after a group of Disney employees and fans began an online petition complaining that the ride is steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes.

Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering who now is an Imagineering global ambassador, told the Disney fan site D23 in 2020 that the reimagining of the ride had been in the planning stages for at least a year.

Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman who pursues her dreams while never losing sight of whats really important, said Weis.

The Splash Mountain ride first opened in 1989 at Disneyland in California, with Florida's theme park ride opening in 1992 and Tokyo Disneyland's Splash Mountain opening later that same year. Disney has also announced plans to close the ride at the California park.

Fans of Splash Mountain didn't let the ride slip away without a buzz. Many park-goers waited on line for hours to enjoy one last trip down the river on the its log-shaped floats.

"Last Day of Splash Mountain! Crazy Crowds & Long Lines," one fan captioned a TikTok video showing a throng of park-goers waiting to join the fun, revealing in the video, "5 hour wait for Splash Mountain last day."

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Another TikTok user bid the attraction a fond farewell alongside footage of their ride. "EPIC POV final ride aboard Splash Mountain at Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom before closing for good January 23, 2023.

"Lots of great memories riding this with loved ones over the past 30 years. Looking forward to making new memories on Tianas Bayou Adventure starting in 2024."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A Macedonia police officer shot a person accused of theft at the Burlington store on Sunday evening, according to a news release from the Macedonia Police Department.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting, which happened at the department store, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, at 500 E. Aurora Road (state Route 82) in a shopping plaza between state Route 8 and Interstate 271.

According to a news release from the Macedonia Police Department on Monday, the city's dispatch center received a report of a theft from Burlington. When officers got there, they found the person accused of theft, according to the release.

"A struggle then ensued, resulting in one of the officers discharging their firearm, and one individual transported to a local hospital for treatment," the release states.

Hudson man killed:Akron teen pleads guilty to murder for Hudson man's shooting in 2021

BCI spokesperson Steve Irwin said Sunday that no officers were injured but could not speak to the condition of the suspect.

The officer was placed on paid administrative leave, per city policy, according to the release.

The police department said that following standard protocol, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Ohio Attorney General's Office were contacted, with BCI responding to the scene. The department said that the city is also reviewing the incident.

Beacon Journal news partner News 5 Cleveland spoke with Dawn Blackman of Walton Hills, who was shopping in the Burlington store with her two teenage daughters Sunday and heard a gunshot.

Blackman told News 5 that police were called to the store for an apparent shoplifting incident after a suspect was allegedly caught stealing items from the store, with some sort of altercation after police approached the person.

Blackman said shoppers heard a single gunshot, and she and her children were rushed into a back room with several other customers and employees. Once they were told they could leave, Blackman said she saw blood near the entrance of Burlington and a knife nearby.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Macedonia police officer shot Burlington theft suspect
By John Kruzel

(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away appeals by two former Deutsche Bank AG commodities traders convicted of manipulating precious metals prices by placing "spoof" orders.

The court denied petitions by James Vorley and Cedric Chanu, who were each sentenced to just over a year in prison after being found guilty of wire fraud for spoofing, or placing orders with the intent to cancel them before trades are executed.

The pair were convicted in 2020 for carrying out what prosecutors said was a yearslong spoofing scheme between 2008 and 2013. Their trades created a false sense of supply and demand, and induced other traders to make trades they would otherwise not have made, prosecutors said.

On appeal, Vorley and Chanu argued they had not made the kind of explicit false statements targeted by wire-fraud law.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago upheld the convictions last July, saying that "spoofing of this kind falls under the wire fraud prohibition."

The Biden administration had asked the justices to reject the appeals.

Lawyers for Vorley and Chanu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
The Supreme Court handed down its first opinion of the term on Monday, ruling that a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not eligible for retroactive disability benefits after he missed a statutory window.

The ruling in some ways marked a return to normal, with the justices resuming the pre-pandemic tradition of announcing opinions live from the bench.

But it also came unusually late. The decision marks the slowest-ever release of a terms first opinion, according to Empirical SCOTUS author Adam Feldman.

Legal observers suggest that new policies following last years leak of a draft opinion may have contributed to the delay, while some attribute it to the makeup of this terms calendar.

Mondays unanimous ruling followed a tradition of beginning the terms opinions with a relatively noncontroversial case, a distinction from the courts recent contention.

Since the last time justices convened in-person to announce an opinion in early 2020, the Supreme Court has shifted rightward and faced an extraordinary leak of its draft majority opinion overturning federal abortion protections.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who authored Mondays opinion, participated in a live decision announcement for the first time on Monday.

The nine justices sided with the governments position that veterans cant receive retroactive disability benefits if they miss a one-year application window.

The case involved Adolfo Arellano, a U.S. Navy veteran who suffers from PTSD linked to trauma from his deployment to the Persian Gulf during the Iranian hostage crisis.

Although he missed the window to receive disability benefits retroactive to his discharge date, Arellano argued that the law is subject to equitable tolling, a doctrine that allows for extensions in extraordinary circumstances. Arellanos attorneys argued he couldnt meet the deadline because of his mental condition.

The justices ruled that Congress specifically provided that courts should not grant those types of extensions for the provision.

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It would be inconsistent with this comprehensive scheme for an adjudicator to extend effective dates still further through the doctrine of equitable tolling, Coney Barrett wrote for the unanimous majority.

The court also on Monday dismissed a case about attorney-client privilege as improvidently granted. The justices heard arguments in the case earlier this month, which involved when communications intertwined with both legal and non-legal advice should be privileged.

Monday marked the first time the court has convened for an opinion without the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was famous for wearing her bejeweled collar when delivering commanding dissents.

Monday also marks the courts first decision on its merits docket since Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who replaced Justice Stephen Breyer, joined the bench.

The court is likely to leave its more controversial rulings  including those involving affirmative action, the environment and election law  until later this year.

The nine-justice panel is progressing through its term in the wake of last years leak of the draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which upheld Mississippis 15-week abortion ban and overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

An investigation did not conclusively identify the leaker after sweeping efforts, and the justices are now weighing a number of recommendations to better control the circulation of draft opinions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP)  A wanted man was killed and three deputies were wounded Monday morning in an exchange of gunfire in western Kansas, authorities say.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that it started around 9 a.m. when the sheriff's office in Clark County attempted to stop the suspect. Clark County sits along the state's border with Oklahoma.

The release said the suspect fled and that deputies pursued him one county to the north. The Ford County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.

The KBI said that gunfire erupted once the vehicle came to a stop in an area of Dodge City that includes a John Deere dealership and a gas station.

In video posted by Wichita television station KAKE, a man can be heard yelling Get your hands up." As the shooting begins, an officer dodges behind a truck.

The release said the suspect was fatally shot and that a women in the vehicle was critically wounded. Neither of their names was released.

Two deputies from Ford County and one from Clark County also were wounded. Two of them were rushed to a Wichita hospital with injuries described as serious, while the condition of the third deputy was described as good. A highway patrol trooper was bit by a police dog during the melee but wasn't hurt badly.

Ford County posted on its website that there was no additional danger to the community. And Clark County Sheriff John Ketron described what happened in an email only as an active investigation," directing additional questions to the KBI.

The Dodge City Police Department put out a notice urging people to avoid the area. It said surrounding roads would be closed for several hours.

A man who answered the phone at the John Deere dealership and a woman who answered the phone at the gas station near the scene declined to comment.
WINDHOEK, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 is blamed as one of the causes of the poor results of the 2022 senior secondary certificate ordinary level and senior secondary certificate advanced subsidiary in Namibia due to the loss of face-to-face teaching and learning time at the pandemic's peak.

Out of more than 38,000 students who sat for the 2022 high school examinations, just about 5,000 passed.

President Hage Geingob summoned the Education, Arts and Culture Minister Anna Nghipondoka on Jan. 13 to brief him about the poor performance.

The Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary level is a two-year course taken by students after the junior secondary phase is completed, and the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary is a one-year course a student takes after completing the senior secondary advanced certificate ordinary level.

A report from the State House dated Jan. 19 said COVID-19 was another significant challenge to the country in general and the education sector in particular. It noted that although Namibia did not close schools altogether, compared to other jurisdictions, the poor 2022 results are partly attributed to the significant loss of face-to-face teaching and learning time at the pandemic's peak.

According to the report, out of 198 school days planned for face-to-face tuition, the number of days the learners attended school did not present adequate time to master all academic competencies required to enable them to progress successfully to the next grades.

Other notable challenges are the poor state of education infrastructure, the shortage of classrooms and teaching and learning resources, as well as the absence of systematic support at the school level for both teachers and learners. Also noted is the declining discipline among learners and teachers alike and weak monitoring and evaluation at all levels of basic education.

The presidency called for the construction of additional classrooms and the rehabilitation of dilapidated education infrastructure. It also called for targeted funding for the procurement of temporary structures to ensure every learner and teacher has a classroom for teaching and learning.

"Teachers must be offered adequate support through continuous professional development and other means," the report further said. 
When you buy shares in a company, it's worth keeping in mind the possibility that it could fail, and you could lose your money. But on the bright side, if you buy shares in a high quality company at the right price, you can gain well over 100%. Long term Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) shareholders would be well aware of this, since the stock is up 123% in five years. On top of that, the share price is up 21% in about a quarter.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

View our latest analysis for Mastercard

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

Over half a decade, Mastercard managed to grow its earnings per share at 19% a year. So the EPS growth rate is rather close to the annualized share price gain of 17% per year. Therefore one could conclude that sentiment towards the shares hasn't morphed very much. Indeed, it would appear the share price is reacting to the EPS.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Mastercard has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? If you're interested, you could check this free report showing consensus revenue forecasts.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Mastercard, it has a TSR of 129% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

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A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Mastercard shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 8.4% over the last year. That's including the dividend. However, the TSR over five years, coming in at 18% per year, is even more impressive. The pessimistic view would be that be that the stock has its best days behind it, but on the other hand the price might simply be moderating while the business itself continues to execute. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Mastercard that you should be aware of before investing here.

Of course Mastercard may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Since times of enslavement, its been up to Black women to piece together homes for their children homes often made out of nothing but full of love. A.V. Rockwells profound debut feature, A Thousand and One, centers on 22-year-old Inez (an outstanding Teyana Taylor). Set in the early 90s, Inez has been recently released from prison and thrust back onto the streets of Brooklyn. Determined to stop the scheming that got her incarcerated, she tries to restore her relationship with her timid 6-year-old son Terry (Aaron Kingsley Adetola). After being abandoned on the street corner and pushed into the foster care system, Terry is initially distrustful of his mother. However, after he has an accident in his group home and lands in the hospital, the aspiring hairstylist decides to kidnap her son out of the foster care system, determined to give him the home she never had growing up.

With a vicious attitude and a fierce determination, Inez smuggles Terry uptown to her native Harlem, where she begins to piece together a life for them a life formulated on a false birth certificate and social security card for Terry. The young boy is also introduced to Inezs recently released on-again, off-again boyfriend Lucky (Will Catlett), who becomes the only father Terry will ever know. Told over 15 years from 1994 to 2005 in a rapidly gentrifying New York City, A Thousand and One is one of the most breathtakingly honest films presented in a long while.

Over the decade and a half, Rockwell welcomes viewers into the home that Inez, Terry, and sometimes Lucky have built. In 2001, 15-year-old Terry (Aven Courtney) is reluctant to test for the specialized prep school that Inez and his guidance counselor desperately want him to attend. A handful of years later, nearly 18-year-old Terry (Josiah Cross) finally gets the courage to approach the young woman hes had a crush on for years. All the while, the mother/son banter that he and Inez formulate serves as a foundation for the film. Moreover, Luckys soft stoic energy and life lessons lead Terry into manhood even when hes not physically present in the home.

Money is never plentiful, Inezs relationship with Lucky is increasingly tumultuous, and the fear of losing her Black son often suffocates Inez. However, she holds together the family shes built with sheer will and determination, even when she feels it costs her sanity. A Harlemite herself, Taylor is exceptional as the unapologetic mother determined to give her son a different path even if she can only give him the sharp edges of herself. As Inez tells Lucky in one scene, Damaged people dont know how to love each other.

Terry grows up to be a quiet but brilliant kid. However, with college applications and new job opportunities requiring official paperwork and gentrification quickly displacing everyone around them, Inezs long-held secret about getting Terry back into her custody threatens to shatter everything they built. A Thousand and One is a character study of one womans choices, her love for her son, and the countless obstacles she encounters just getting through the minutia of her life. It is vivid and gutting.

With the whole truth about her choices laid bare, Inez makes no apologies, and quite frankly, why should she? She encounters impossible odds to give Terry a fighting chance at a decent life, and no one has made it easier for her. As she tells her nearly grown son toward the films end, The only people who care about Black women is other Black women, and even that shit gets murky.

A Thousand and One premiered Jan. 22 at Sundance Film Festival. It will be released later this year via Focus Features.

The post A Thousand And One Review: Teyana Taylor In A.V. Rockwells Stunningly Honest Portrait Of One Womans Fight To Give Her Son A Better Life (Sundance) appeared first on Shadow And Act.
(Bloomberg) -- Attorney General Merrick Garland dismissed criticism that the Justice Department is treating Donald Trump and Joe Biden differently when it comes to investigating their handling of classified documents.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Garland was asked by reporters Monday about allegations the department has treated former President Trump harsher than President Biden in the probe of classified materials found at their homes, and if he has any regrets about appointing special counsels to over see each investigation.

The department has a set of norms and practices, Garland said. We do not have different rules for Democrats or Republicans, different rules for the powerful or the powerless, different rules for the rich or the poor.

We apply the facts and the law in each case in a neutral, nonpartisan manner, he added.

The Justice Department found six items containing classified information during a Friday search of Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, that was conducted in coordination with the presidents attorneys. The search was done by FBI agents, according to people familiar with it. The agencys involvement was not disclosed by the White House or Bidens personal legal team in their statements.

FBI agents searched Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August after getting a search warrant from a federal judge. Trump and his supporters have questioned the treatment Biden received in the probe but the White House has maintained the cases are very different and they have cooperated with authorities.

Last week, Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of the classified documents at a think tank office Biden used after serving as vice president, as well as in two areas of his house in Wilmington, Delaware.

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Garland had previously appointed a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents at Trumps home, and questions about whether he or his associates deliberately misled government officials seeking their return.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Those who caused such a disgrace in front of our embassy should not expect any benevolence from us regarding their NATO membership applications, Erdogan said.

Read also: Turkey starts partially paying for Russian gas in rubles

If you do not show respect to the religious beliefs of the Republic of Turkey or Muslims, you will not receive any support for NATO from us.

The president added that the protesters in Sweden have insulted everyone who respects human rights and liberties, including those of Muslims.

Read also: Sweden to provide Ukraine with Archer self-propelled guns and 50 IFVs

On Jan. 21, anti-Turkish protests took place in Stockholm, with some participants publicly burning a copy of Quran. Along with Hungary, Turkey has been holding up Sweden and Finlands NATO accession for over six months, citing Stockholms support of Kurdish civic organizations.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP)  Turkeys president said Monday Sweden shouldnt expect support for NATO membership following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Rasmus Paludans Quran-burning protest on Saturday, saying it was an insult to everyone, especially to Muslims. He also criticized Swedish authorities for allowing the demonstration to take place outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

Erdogan also criticized Sweden for pro-Kurdish protests where demonstrators waved flags of various Kurdish groups, including the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. The PKK is considered a terrorist group in Turkey, the European Union and the United States, but its symbols arent banned in Sweden.

So you will let terror organizations run wild and then expect our support for getting into NATO. Thats not happening, Erdogan said, referring to Sweden and Finlands accession bids for the military alliance. He said if Sweden wont show respect to Turkey or Muslims, then they wont see any support from us on the NATO issue.

Turkey has been holding up the Nordic nations historic NATO bids.
(Local 5 ABC)

A shooting at a Des Moines, Iowa, school has left two students dead and a teacher injured, according to police.

The shooting took place at a programme called Starts Right Here, which is affiliated with the Des Moines school district, the Associated Press reported. The programme is held at a charter school in a business park in the city.

Police said multiple suspects were taken into custody, according to the AP.

The deadly violence follows a mass shooting in California over the weekend, where nearly a dozen peopel were killed at a dance club.

More follows ...
Minnesota's two best high school Nordic skiers  Hopkins sophomore girl Sydney Drevlow and St. Paul Highland Park senior boy Davis Isom  have reached new heights.

They have been selected for the United States' under-18 team that will compete Feb. 17-19 in the Nordic Nations Cup in Jyvaskyla, Finland.

"I am really excited for this cool opportunity," Drevlow said. "I have never been out of the country."

Drevlow and Isom qualified for the team at the U.S. Cross Country National Championships earlier this month in Houghton, Mich. Six girls and six boys make up the U.S. under-18 contingent.

The timing means neither will participate in the high school state championships Feb. 16 at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.

"I have two more years to go to the state meet," Drevlow said. "Not too many skiers get the opportunity to go to Finland."

Drevlow qualified with strong performances in the 10K freestyle and classic races over the week of national championships. Results in three junior races served as selection criteria and also were for national championships.

"I wasn't expecting this being that I only had been skiing about a month [after cross-country running season]," Drevlow said. "I was surprised by my results."

Hopkins coach Brett Schulze knew she had the necessary attributes.

"Sydney is a great skier and competitor," he said. "She loves to ski, works hard, enjoys going fast and can make herself hurt, all of which makes her a great competitor.

"She is part of a strong community of skiers who are dedicated to one another and the sport. Her entire family loves to ski and has been an integral part of her progress and success."

Drevlow is the defending girls individual state champion in Nordic pursuit, having finished 20 seconds ahead of the runner-up with a combined time of 33 minutes, 40.7 seconds.

"Our team was very proud of her successes last year," Schulze said. "The team will miss her for the rest of the season, but everyone is excited by her results and her invite to ski in Finland. It is a great opportunity, and we look forward to great skiing from her in the future."

Isom qualified for the trip with a third-place finish in the 10K freestyle race and two other top-10 finishes at the national championships. He was the boys runner-up to Minneapolis Southwest's Cooper Camp in last year's state meet. He posted a combined time of 28:49.9.

"Davis looks different than a regular high school skier," St. Paul Highland Park coach Brad Moening said. "He has very good technique and is very fluid. Davis is very focused on improving his craft."
Italy Culture Ministry handout

ROMEAncient statues, Etruscan bowls and fresco ripped from a wall in ancient Herculaneum are among the treasures worth $20 million returned to Italy on Monday. Many belonged to the scorned American billionaire Michael Steinhardt, who was banned for life from acquiring antiquities by the Manhattan District Attorney on Dec. 21.

The banthe first of its kindwas handed down after 180 stolen objects worth $70 million were seized from his private collection in December 2021. For decades, Michael Steinhardt displayed a rapacious appetite for plundered artifacts without concern for the legality of his actions, the legitimacy of the pieces he bought and sold, or the grievous cultural damage he wrought across the globe, District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr., wrote in a statement.

Italy Culture Ministry handout

Others in the cache, displayed in a palatial hall inside the Italian Cultural Ministry headquarters in Rome, came from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They were handed to New York Citys Antiquities Trafficking Unit, which is led by Col. Matthew Bogdonas, who attended Mondays reveal.

The most valuable of the pieces is the $3 million Marble Head of Athena and a fresco from Herculaneum, which, like Pompei, was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius volcano when it erupted in 79 A.D.

The head of Italys patrimony police, General Vincenzo Molinese, said that the objects real value is priceless as part of Italys historic, artistic and cultural identity.

The objects return to Rome is the fruit of an extensive criminal investigation that included scouring social media and black market auctions to identify the missing pieces. They left Italy after being looted by tomb raiders, sold by illicit art dealers and purchased by curators who were either unknowing, or who chose not to look for falsified documents.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Italy Cultural Ministry Handout

Bogdonas said Monday that while celebrating this success is important, the hunt is not over. As we celebrate, in Italy, right now, something else is being stolen, he told those attending the unveiling.

Story continues

Many of the items that arent returned to the Italian regions where they came from will be on display in Italys new Museum of Rescued Art, which has no shortage of new exhibits.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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MANILA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Teenage pregnancy among girls aged 15 to 19 in the Philippines declined to 5.4 percent in 2022 from 8.6 percent in 2017, according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data released at the weekend.

The data showed that teenage pregnancy was lower in urban areas at 4.8 percent than in rural areas at 6.1 percent. The 19-year-olds had the highest pregnancy percentage.

In terms of educational attainment, teenage pregnancy was most common among those with primary education, standing at 19.1 percent. The percentage of teenage pregnancy decreases as educational attainment increases.

The Philippines has been grappling with teenage pregnancy over the past decade, which is a "national social emergency". Some officials had warned that adolescent birth rates had hovered at a level that merited "national concern".

According to official data, teenage pregnancy has a mortality rate two to five times higher than adults. The neonatal death rate of babies born to young mothers are three times higher than that of babies born to mothers aged 25 to 29.

Meanwhile, this social problem could also trap a large cross-section of families in perpetual cycle of intergenerational poverty, officials warned. 
The United States and Israel began a massive joint military exercise in Israel on Monday to show adversaries like Iran that Washington is not too distracted by the war in Ukraine and the threat from China to mobilize a large military force, a senior defense official said.

Juniper Oak 23 is the most significant exercise between the United States and Israel to date, the official said, citing the enormous number of aircraft, extensive coordination with the Israel Defense Forces, and the complicated live-fire component.

About 6,400 U.S. personnel have joined 1,100 Israeli personnel for the exercise, which will employ 142 total aircraft. Of them, 100 aircraft are from the U.S. military, including four B-52 bombers, four F-35 fighter jets, 45 F/A-18 Hornet fighters and two MQ-9 Reaper drones. Six U.S. ships, including a carrier strike group, and six Israeli ships will also participate.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, said, Juniper Oak is a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves our interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with our partners, enhances our ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores our commitment to the Middle East.

What we think this exercise demonstrates is we can walk and chew gum at the same time, the senior defense official who spoke to NBC News said, citing the focus on China and the roughly 100,000 forces in Europe to support NATO and Ukraine.

We still have the excess capacity to be able to flex to another high priority area of responsibility and conduct an exercise on this scale.

The official said that the exercise is not oriented around a particular nation, but that regional adversaries like Iran will take notice.

The scale of the exercise is relevant to a whole range of scenarios, and Iran may draw certain inferences from that, the official said. Its really meant mostly to kick the tires on our ability to do things at this scale with the Israelis against a whole range of different threats. But, you know, it would not surprise me if Iran sees the scale and the nature of these activities and understands what the two of us are capable of doing.

Story continues

Unlike many military drills, this one is all-domain, meaning it includes naval, land, air, space and electronic warfare exercises. It culminates with a live-fire exercise that will expend 180,000 pounds of live munitions while simulating suppression of enemy air defenses, strategic air interdiction and electronic attack. The U.S. will use four U.S. Army HIMARs rocket launchers, laser-guided bombs and stealthy low-observable cruise missiles minus payloads.

An exercise of this size would normally take a year or more to plan, but this came together in a matter of months, the official said, not because of an imminent threat but a window of availability.

This is a sign that we continue to have Israels back at a time where theres a lot of turbulence and instability across the region, the official said, and this is a chance to show that the U.S. and Israel can work together on a large scale in a short period of time.

The exercise will run from Monday through Friday. The official could not say how Iran may react to the drills.

My guess is the next time they do a military exercise, theyll say, even if it was planned for months, theyll say it was reaction to this. I mean, theyll do something probably in the information space.

The exercise comes as the U.S. military footprint in the Central Command region is smaller than it has been in decades, in part after the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021 and fewer American service members left in Iraq. While the Pentagon and Central Command downplay the decrease, allies in the region worry the U.S. is less committed to the area.

The senior defense official said this drill is a signal to other nations that argument is not true.

If theres a sense that the Americans are distracted, or the Americans are going away from the Middle East, and therefore they have free rein for their malign activities. I think this will disabuse them, the official said.

I suspect Iran will take note of that, but not only Iran, China will take note of that, Russia will take note of that, other folks will take note of it.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Andrew Chung

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked President Joe Biden's administration to weigh in on whether it should review Republican-backed laws in Texas and Florida that would undercut efforts by major social media companies to curb content deemed objectionable on their platforms, actions the states call impermissible censorship.

The justices are considering taking up two cases involving challenges to the state laws - both currently blocked - brought by technology industry groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association that count Twitter, Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook and Alphabet Inc's YouTube as members.

Supporters of the laws have argued that social media platforms have silenced conservative voices while advocates for the judicious use of curbing content have argued for the need to stop misinformation and advocacy for extremist causes.

Florida is seeking to revive its law after a lower court ruled largely against it, while the industry groups are appealing a separate lower court decision upholding the Texas law, which the Supreme Court had blocked at an earlier stage of the case.

The cases would test the argument made by the industry groups that the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment guarantee of free speech protects the right of social media platforms to editorial discretion and prohibits the government from forcing them to publish and disseminate content against their will, or disclose internal content moderation processes.

The companies have said that without editorial discretion their websites would be overrun with spam, bullying, extremism and hate speech.

The Republican states passed their laws in 2021 in response to a view articulated by many U.S. conservatives and right-wing commentators that large technology companies - sometimes called Big Tech - regularly suppress their views.

These people cite as an example Twitter's move to permanently suspend of Republican then-President Donald Trump from the platform in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his supporters, with the company citing "the risk of further incitement of violence."

Story continues

Florida's law requires platforms with at least 100 million users to "host some speech that they might otherwise prefer not to host" by disclosing censorship rules and applying them "in a consistent manner among its users." It also prohibits the banning of any political candidates.

The Texas law forbids social media companies with at least 50 million monthly active users from acting to "censor" users based on "viewpoint."

The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 upheld the Texas law, concluding that it "chills no speech whatsoever. To the extent it chills anything, it chills censorship."

The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 rejected most of Florida's law but upheld the legality of the provisions requiring websites to make certain disclosures, including content moderation standards and rule changes.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham and Jonathan Oatis)
The University of Central Florida is asking students to be mindful of recent vehicle burglaries.

UCF Police are investigating crimes reported from the Pointe at Central apartments on Wednesday.

Read: January is Move Over Month, FHP reminds motorists to follow the law

According to a release, residents found their cars unlocked and missing items.

Read: Orlando police search for suspect who shot man after a crash, robbery

UCFPD said they will continue to look into these crimes and advise students to stay aware, lock their vehicles and avoid leaving valuable items in their cars.

Read: Suspect identified in connection to Orlando apartment complex shooting, police say

Watch this video below:

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin has claimed that Washington and Brussels are leading the world to a terrible war with plans to send more weapons to Ukraine.

Adding to this weeks nuclear threats from ex-president Dmitry Medvedev, Duma speaker Viacheslav Volodin warned that Western plans to arm Kyiv with more powerful weapons will lead to a global catastrophe  describing arguments against using nuclear weapons in local conflicts as untenable.

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, claimed the ex-deputy PM.

Leaders in Washington, France, Berlin and other European parliaments must realise their responsibility to humanity, Mr Volodin claimed.

Following recent announcements on Patriot missile defence systems, Kyiv has urged its allies to think faster, as pressure piles on Germany to decide on whether to allow Nato partners to arm Kyiv with its main battle tank, the Leopard 2.

Key Points

Putin ally claims US and Brussels leading world to a terrible war

Kyiv and Moscow massing significant forces in Zaporizhzhia, says MoD

Russia vows noticeable retaliatory measure after RT France shuts down

Putins diabolical atrocities must be punished, UK says

Western tanks wont change conflict  Kremlin

Ukraine practically stabilised front around Bakhmut

Western arms deliveries to Ukraine will lead to global catastrophe, says Putin ally

Sunday 22 January 2023 09:52 , Andy Gregory

A close ally of Vladimir Putin has threatened that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine will lead to a global catastrophe, claiming that arguments against using weapons of mass destruction in local conflicts are untenable.

Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, formerly a deputy prime minister and head of Mr Putins presidential administration, warned that US and Nato support of Ukraine was leading the world to a terrible war.

Story continues

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, Mr Volodin said on Telegram.

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.

Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe, he added, claiming that politicians in the US, France, Germany and elsewhere in Europe must realise their responsibility to humanity.

Western allies pledged billions of pounds worth of weapons for Ukraine last week, although they failed to persuade Germany to lift a veto on providing Leopard 2 battle tanks, which are held by an array of Nato nations but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlins approval.

Kremlin denies dropping mobilisation rule for fathers of three

Sunday 22 January 2023 08:30 , Andy Gregory

The Kremlin has denied dropping a rule permitting fathers of three to defer mobilisation in Russias war in Ukraine.

Citing the deputy chair of Russias Human Rights Council, state Duma deputy Nina Ostanina claimed that the loophole in Vladimir Putins mobilisation drive last autumn had been closed, in comments echoed by the military commissar of Russias Zabaikalsky region, Yuri Shuvalov.

But a senior politician in Mr Putins ruling United Russia party, Andrei Turchak, denied that the rule had been scrapped, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it was not aware of the rules cancellation.

Kyiv has repeatedly warned that Moscow plans to mobilise half a million more troops.

Boris Johnsons bond with Ukraine is greater than you think, says Bel Trew

03:00 , Lucy Skoulding

In an unannounced visit, Boris Johnson toured Bucha and Borodyanka, towns located in the Kyiv region ok Ukraine.

There Mr Johnson took selfies with residents, laid flowers, and told the mayor of Bucha: I can tell you that the UK will be sticking by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

We will also want to be helping you to reconstruct, he added, despite, presumably, having no real power to guarantee that.

Read more from The Independents international reporter Bel Trew.

Boris Johnson visits outskirts of Kyiv (REUTERS)

Baltic states want Germany to send main tanks to Ukraine

02:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have said they want Germany to send its main battle tanks over to Ukraine.

Estonias foreign minister tweeted: We, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Foreign Ministers, call on Germany to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now.

This is needed to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and restore peace in Europe quickly. Germany as the leading European power has special responsibility in this regard.

We,    Foreign Ministers, call on Germany to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now. This is needed to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and restore peace in Europe quickly. Germany as the leading European power has special responsibility in this regard.  Urmas Reinsalu (@UrmasReinsalu) January 21, 2023

Russian Wagner mercenary force designated crime organisation, says US

01:30 , Lucy Skoulding

The United States is designating Russian paramilitary organisation, the Wagner Group, as an international crime organisation.

It means the US will be able to apply wider sanctions to the Wagner Group.

Zelensky says if unity is not attained independence will be lost'

00:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Ukrainian president Zelensky spoke in a video address on the Day of Unity.

He said: If the struggle is not stopped, sooner or later a unified and independent state will be restored.

If true unity is not attained, independence will be lost. We have always known about the first piece of wisdom. And on February 24, we proved that we had mastered the second.

Every region is protecting each other. All of us no longer have strange cities, villages, or streets. Every city is a native city. Every village is a native village. Every street is a native street. Even if we have never been there in our life.

Boris Johnson appears in Ukraine amid further questions over finances

Sunday 22 January 2023 23:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Ukraine as he comes under pressure over claims that he involved the BBC chair Richard Sharp in talks that led to his securing an 800,000 line of credit while at No 10.

The former prime minister was seen walking in the surburbs of Kyiv on Sunday, despite warnings from senior military figures that he should stay away and stop looking for publicity.

Read the full story.

Biden should be embarrassed by classified documents, top democrats say

Sunday 22 January 2023 22:30 , Lucy Skoulding

Senior Democrats, dismayed by a steady stream of startling disclosures, expressed criticism on Sunday of how President Joe Biden handled classified material after leaving office as vice president and disappointment that the White House has not been more forthcoming with the public.

Lawmakers who might have anticipated questions focusing on the debt limit or Ukraine aid when they were booked last week for the Sunday news shows found themselves quizzed about the latest development over the weekend in the document drama that has put Bidens presidency on the defensive.

During a search Friday of Mr Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, the FBI found additional documents with classified markings and took possession of some of his handwritten notes, the presidents lawyer said Saturday.

Read more from reporters Ellen Knickmeyer and Seung Min Kim.

Sunday 22 January 2023 21:30 , Lucy Skoulding

German chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that future decisions on weapons deliveries will be made alongside allies, including the US.

He spoke on Sunday, under pressure to allow the shipment to Ukraine of tanks made in Germany.

Speaking at a conference, Scholz said weapons deliveries to Ukraine have so far been in coordination with western partners.

We will do that in the future, he said.

Ukraines government praises Boris Johnson for visiting

Sunday 22 January 2023 20:06 , Lucy Skoulding

The Ukrainian government has shared a statement after former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited.

They tweeted: Friends like these are worth more than a squadron of tanks.

We are glad to welcome Boris Johnson to Ukraine. A person who has been with the Ukrainian people since day one.

Friends like these are worth more than a squadron of tanks. We are glad to welcome Boris Johnson to Ukraine. A person who has been with the Ukrainian people since day one. pic.twitter.com/RQjawNJj7l  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) January 22, 2023

Macron doesnt rule out sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine

Sunday 22 January 2023 18:30 , Lucy Skoulding

French president, Emmanual Macron, said on Sunday that he wont rule out sending Leclerc tanks over to Ukraine.

He said its a possibility as Russias invasion of Ukraine continues.

The French president was speaking at a summit with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz.

French president Emmanuel Macron (right) and German chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) spoke at a summit on Sunday (AP)

Conquering Kyiv remains main dream in Putins fantasies, says top Kyiv official

Sunday 22 January 2023 17:01 , Andy Gregory

Conquering Kyiv remains the main dream in Vladimir Putins fantasies, the secretary of Ukraines Security and Defense Council has said.

Oleksii Danilov warned that Russia may try to intensify its attacks in the south and in the east and to cut supply channels of Western weapons. He described the Kremlins 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, Danilov wrote in a column published by Ukrainska Pravda.

What did Medvedev say about nuclear war this week?

Sunday 22 January 2023 16:35 , Andy Gregory

Hawkish ex-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said earlier this week that Western discussions about arming Ukraine left no doubt that our enemies will try to exhaust or better destroy us, adding that they have enough weapons to achieve that purpose.

Mr Medvedev warned that Russia could seek to form a military alliance with foes of the United States. Russia has defence cooperation with Iran and Venezuela, an existing military alliance with Belarus and strong ties with North Korea. 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, said Mr Medvedev, who was president between 2008 and 2012.

A day earlier, he had written: The defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war ... Nuclear powers have never lost major conflicts on which their fate depends.

Russia claims more progress for its troops in Zaporizhzhia

Sunday 22 January 2023 15:12 , Andy Gregory

Russias defence ministry has claimed for a second straight day that its troops are improving their positions in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region.

During offensive operations in the direction of Zaporizhzhia, units of the Eastern Military District took up more advantageous ground and positions, the defence ministry said.

It claimed to have inflicted casualties and destroyed equipment including Ukrainian fighting vehicles, howitzers and two US-made HIMARS rockets.

Ukraine said yesterday that Russias claims of progress in Zaporizhzhia are exaggerated. Neither side has claimed major movements on the southern front since November, when Russia pulled out of the city of Kherson.

I was invited to Ukraine by Zelensky, says Johnson

Sunday 22 January 2023 14:44 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson, who is on a visit to Ukraine, has 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.

Sunak supportive of Johnsons visit to Ukraine

Sunday 22 January 2023 14:13 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak is supportive of his predecessors visit to Ukraine, Downing Street has indicated  despite Boris Johnsons trip undoubtedly being viewed by some as a move to undermine the PMs authority and bolster his own legacy.

Mr Sunaks press secretary said he is always supportive of all colleagues showing that the UK is behind Ukraine and will continue to support them.

Boris Johnson makes shock visit to Ukraine  despite military figures urging him to stay away

Sunday 22 January 2023 13:39 , Andy Gregory

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Boris Johnson has once again visited Ukraine despite warnings from senior military figures that he should stay away and stop looking for publicity.

The former PM was seen on the outskirts of Kyiv on Sunday, as he comes under pressure over claims that the BBC chairman helped arrange talks which led to his 800,000 line of credit while at No 10.

Former Army chief Lord Dannett had previously told The Independent that Mr Johnson was a loose cannon whose plan could upstage Rishi Sunak, while ex-First Sea Lord warned the former PM against looking for publicity.

But Mr Johnson said he was invited by president Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the country once again  as he urged western leaders to give Ukraine all the tools they need.

Boris Johnson visits Ukraine  despite military figures urging him not to

Ukraines defence of Bakhmut strategically sound, suggest analysts

Sunday 22 January 2023 12:49 , Andy Gregory

The Ukrainian defence of Bakhmut is likely a strategically sound effort even in spite of its costs, analysts have suggested.

In its latest daily update on Russias offensive, the US-based Institute for the Study of War said: While the costs associated with Ukraines continued defense of Bakhmut are significant and likely include opportunity costs related to potential Ukrainian counter-offensive operations elsewhere, Ukraine would also have paid a significant price for allowing Russian troops to take Bakhmut easily.

Bakhmut itself is not operationally or strategically significant but had Russian troops taken it relatively rapidly and cheaply they could have hoped to expand operations in ways that could have forced Ukraine to construct hasty defensive positions in less favorable terrain.

One must also not dismiss the seemingly political calculus of committing to the defence of Bakhmut lightly  Russian forces occupy more than 100,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory including multiple Ukrainian cities and are inflicting atrocities on Ukrainian civilians in occupied areas.

It is not unreasonable for political and military leaders to weigh these factors in determining whether to hold or cede particular population concentrations.

Zelensky aide hits back at Putin ally over nuclear threats

Sunday 22 January 2023 12:13 , Andy Gregory

An aide to Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at threats by a key ally of Vladimir Putin, Vyacheslav Volodin, that by providing Kyiv with more powerful weaponry Western powers are risking global catastrophe (see post at 9:52am).

Mykhailo Podolyak hit out at the suggestion that, while Russia has been bombing Ukraine for 11 months, killing civilians en masse, the world must not resist and silently put up with it.

Why is RFs policy inadequate?

Via Volodin it threatens again that providing weapons to  is a threat to RFs mythical cities & an escalation.

That is, RF has been bombing  for 11 months, killing civilians en masse, but  & the world must not resist & silently put up with it.    (@Podolyak_M) January 22, 2023

Russians launch offensive in Zaporizhzhia

Sunday 22 January 2023 11:37 , Daniel Reast

Russian forces have launched an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region in southeast Ukraine as Kyiv condemns the failure of its allies to supply main battle tanks.

Moscow said it had launched offensive operations in the region on Saturday and claimed to control more advantageous lines and positions.

The UKs Ministry of Defence also confirmed that both Ukraine and Russia had massed significant forces in the area and exchanged artillery fire and skirmishes.

Shelling attacks overnight in the Zaporizhzhia oblast targeted 21 cities and towns across the region. Governor Oleksandr Starukh reported that one woman was killed in the attacks and two other civilians injured.

Russians launch offensive in Zaporizhzhia as indecision continues over Leopard tanks

Britain still wants Ukraine to receive Leopard 2 tanks, says Cleverly

Sunday 22 January 2023 11:01 , Andy Gregory

Britain still wants to see Ukraine equipped with Leopard 2 tanks, the foreign secretary has said  as Germany faces pressure to allow the vehicles to be sent to Kyiv.

Of course, I would like to see the Ukrainians equipped with things like the Leopard 2 as well as the artillery systems that have been provided by us and by others, James Cleverly told Sky News.

I will keep having those conversations with our Nato allies and friends, to facilitate the donation of the best military equipment to Ukraine to help them defend themselves against this brutal invasion.

Asked whether Germany was doing enough to help Ukraine, Mr Cleverly said he wanted to see everybody going as far as they can, but each country will support Ukraine in a way that is most appropriate to them.

Russias regional military chiefs told to draw up lists of fighting age men

Sunday 22 January 2023 10:22 , Andy Gregory

Amid fears of a further mobilisation, regional reports from Russia have claimed that military commissars have been ordered to draw up lists of men of fighting age, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Factory managers have also been asked which workers they can spare for the army, the paper reports.

Ukraine has repeatedly warned that the Kremlin could soon seek to mobilise another 500,000 troops, but Moscow has denied such plans.

Macron and Scholz host talks aimed at shoring up Franco-German alliance

Sunday 22 January 2023 09:13 , AP

France and Germany are seeking to overcome differences laid bare by Russia's war in Ukraine and shore up their alliance with a day of ceremonies and talks on Europe's security, energy and other challenges.

Germany's entire cabinet is in Paris on Sunday for joint meetings, and 300 politicians from both countries are coming together at the Sorbonne University to mark 60 years since a landmark treaty sealed a bond between the long-time enemies that underpins today's European Union.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will oversee two rounds of talks at the Elysee Palace, focusing first on energy and economic policy, and then on defence.

Germanys allies urge it to make decision on Leopard 2 tanks

Sunday 22 January 2023 07:48 , Andy Gregory

The Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have jointly urged Germany to step up its leadership and send its main battle tanks to Ukraine, as an aide to Voldoymr Zelensky hit out at indecision over whether to arm Kyiv with the vehicles (see post at 6:03am).

We, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania foreign ministers, call on Germany to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now, Estonias Foreign Minister said on Twitter.

This is needed to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and restore peace in Europe quickly. Germany as the leading European power has special responsibility in this regard.

The statement came a day after Germany and Western allies reached no decision on whether Berlin would agree to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or permit other countries that have them to do so.

Russia announces major restructuring of armed forces, British MoD says

Sunday 22 January 2023 07:05 , Shweta Sharma

Russias defence minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans for major changes to the structure of the armed forces on 17 January which will be implemented between 2023 and 2026, as highlighted in the UK MoDs latest intelligence update.

This included an increase to 1.5 million personnel  an 11 per cent increase on top of the previously announced expansion to 1.35 million.

Shoigu also announced the re-establishment of Moscow and Leningrad military districts, a partial return to the Soviet era organisation of forces in Western Russia. A new army corps is to be established in Karelia, near the Finnish border, it added.

The MoD said it signals that Russias leadership highly likely assesses that an enhanced conventional military threat will endure for many years beyond the current Ukraine war. However, Russia will highly likely struggle to staff and equip the planned expansion.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 22 January 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/OJRHXxIf1u



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/afUUNcFnAv  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) January 22, 2023

Yellen says price caps could be expanded on Russian oil but complicated task

Sunday 22 January 2023 06:43 , Shweta Sharma

US treasury secretary Janet Yellen says the price cap on Russian sales of crude oil could be expanded to include refined petroleum products in February, but that the task will be more complicated.

Its more complicated, but weve been working hard to figure out how to achieve the same objectives, as with the broader cap on Russian crude, she said.

Weve studied these markets very carefully and believe were going to come out with a set of caps that will achieve the same things that weve achieved with crude so far, Ms Yellen told reporters Saturday during a visit to Dakar, Senegal.

Latest visuals from Russias war in Ukraine

Sunday 22 January 2023 06:22 , Shweta Sharma

Russia has intensified shelling Ukraines eastern regions outside the main front line in the Donbas industrial area, officials from the Zaporizhzhia and Sumy regions said.

Ukrainian serviceman fires with a 2A65 Msta-B howitzer towards Russian troops in a frontline in Zaporizhzhia region (REUTERS)

Aftermath of shelling, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Zaporizhzhia (Oleksandr Starukh via REUTERS)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky attended a memorial service on Saturday to commemorate seven senior officials killed in a helicopter crash and broke down as he met family members of the victims.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena offer relatives their condolences during the funeral ceremony of Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky (AFP via Getty Images)

Fourteen people were killed, other ministry officials and a child (AFP via Getty Images)

Rescue workers clear rubble from an apartment building which was destroyed by a Russian rocket attack on a residential neighbourhood in the southeastern city of Dnipro (AP)

A woman walks by the scene where a helicopter crashed into civil infrastructure on Wednesday (AP)

Zelenskys adviser says global indecision over arms supply killing people

Sunday 22 January 2023 06:03 , Shweta Sharma

Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, criticised the West and Germany for slow decision-making on sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

In a tweet, he expressed his frustration at global indecision over arms supply to Ukraine.

Todays indecision is killing more of our people. Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster.

Afterword to global indecision

You'll help Ukraine with the necessary weapons anyway and realize that there is no other option to end the war except the defeat of

But today's indecision is killing more of our people. Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster    (@Podolyak_M) January 21, 2023

US officials advice Ukraine to not launch major offensive

Sunday 22 January 2023 05:52 , Shweta Sharma

Senior US officials are advising Ukraine to hold off on launching a major offensive against Russian forces as Volodymyr Zelenskys adviser said the Wests indecision is killing Ukrainians.

A senior Biden administration official said on Friday the United States was holding fast to its decision not to provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine at this time, amid a controversy with Germany over tanks.

The official who spoke on condition of anonymity said US talks with Ukraine on any counter-offensive have been in the context of ensuring the Ukrainians devote enough time first to training on the latest weaponry provided by the United States.

The US on Thursday announced it will send hundreds of armoured vehicles to Ukraine for use in the fight.

Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania urge Germany to send tanks to Ukraine

Sunday 22 January 2023 05:32 , Shweta Sharma

The Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania made a joint call to Germany to step up its leadership and send its main battle tanks to Ukraine, mounting further pressure on Berlin to move faster on aiding Kyiv in its war against Russia.

We, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Foreign Ministers, call on Germany to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now, Estonias Foreign Minister said on Twitter.

This is needed to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and restore peace in Europe quickly. Germany as the leading European power has special responsibility in this regard.

The statement came a day after Germany and Western allies reached no decision on whether Berlin would agree to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or permit other countries that have them to do so.

Russias invasion of Ukraine in February last year raised concerns in the small Baltic states - all NATO members that restored their independence after decades of Soviet rule in 1991 - that they could also come under an attack from Moscow.

Zelensky says he is indescribable sadness as he pays tearful tribute to officials killed in crash

Sunday 22 January 2023 05:15 , Shweta Sharma

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky attended a memorial service on Saturday to commemorate seven senior officials killed in a helicopter crash and broke down as he met family members of the victims.

In his daily video address, Mr Zelensky spoke about the crash.

My condolences to all relatives and friends. It hurts to think about it, it hurts to talk about it, he said.

We are losing people every day, whom we will always remember and regret we cant bring back, he added, talking of how many bright people are taken by wartime.

Interior minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy and five other high-ranking ministry officials were killed on Wednesday when their French-made Super Puma helicopter plummeted amid fog into a nursery near Kyiv.

Another seven people were killed, including one child, in the crash. Officials are still investigating the cause.

The helicopter went down just days after at least 45 people were killed in a Russian missile attack that partially levelled a block of flats in the southeastern city of Dnipro.

(AFP via Getty Images)

US to sanction Russias Wagner military group

Sunday 22 January 2023 05:08 , Shweta Sharma

The US will impose additional sanctions on the Russian private military company the Wagner Group that has been helping the Russian military in Ukraine, the White House said.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Wagner is a criminal organisation that is committing widespread atrocities and human rights abuses.

We will work relentlessly to identify, disrupt, expose and target those who are assisting Wagner, he said.

Responding to the White Houses announcement, the head of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, published a short letter to the White House asking what crime his company was accused of.

It comes as Wagner said it would send the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in fighting in the captured town of Soledar to territory held by Ukraine, a website linked to founder Prigozhin reported.

Germanys defence minister to visit Ukraine as no decision on tanks

Sunday 22 January 2023 04:45 , Shweta Sharma

Germanys defence minister Boris Pistorius is planning to visit Ukraine, he told a German newspaper, as Berlin is under mounting pressure to allow the shipment of German-made tanks to Ukraine.

What is certain is that I will travel to Ukraine quickly. Probably even within the next four weeks, Mr Pistorius told Bild am Sonntag in an interview published on Sunday.

On Friday, Germany and Western allies reached a deadlock on the decision that whether Berlin would agree to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, or permit other countries that have them to do so, despite Ukraines pleas for modern tanks to boost its defence efforts.

Regarding the decision, the minister said: We are in very close dialogue with our international partners, first and foremost with the US, on this issue.

Russia vows noticeable retaliatory measure after RT France shuts down

Sunday 22 January 2023 04:26 , Shweta Sharma

Russias foreign ministry said the European Unions sanction of RT France would lead to retaliatory measures against French media in Russia.

Blocking RT France account will lead to retaliatory measures against French media in Russia. They will be very noticeable, if the French authorities do not stop intimidating Russian journalists, the ministry said.

The bank account of the pro-Kremlin TV channel was blocked by France at the request of the General Directorate of the Treasury under the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, Le Monde reported on Thursday.

The decision was part of the ninth package of EU sanctions.

RT France shuts down after EU sanctions

Sunday 22 January 2023 04:00 , Shweta Sharma

The French arm of the Russian state-owned RT television network said on Saturday it was shutting down its operations after authorities used European Union sanctions to freeze its bank accounts.

Late last February, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union said it would ban Russia Today on the grounds it had been spreading disinformation about the war. RT (Russia Today) France appealed the ban but lost.

Xenia Fedorova, the head of RT France, tweeted that French authorities had cited a ninth EU package of sanctions agreed last December.

The funds of RT France are frozen at the request of the general directorate of the Treasury ... our channel can no longer continue its activity, she said.

In a separate statement, RT France said 133 employees jobs were at risk and called itself a breath of fresh air that had covered the war in a balanced way.

It accused the French authorities of censorship and said RT France had never been condemned or sanctioned for any reason.

Russia intensifies shelling outside Donbas, officials say

Sunday 22 January 2023 03:46 , Shweta Sharma

Russia has intensified shelling Ukraines eastern regions outside the main front line in the Donbas industrial area, officials from the Zaporizhzhia and Sumy regions said.

The Ukrainian militarys General Staff said Russia continues its offensive in Zaporizhzhia, increasingly using aerial attacks.

At least 25 settlements in the region were affected by Russian artillery fire on Saturday.

Russian forces launched 115 strikes in the Sumy region that borders Russia in Ukraines northeast, regional Governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky said on Telegram.

Russias attacks seek to overload Ukraines defences and deter Kyiv from retaking territory, officials and analysts say.

Attempting to study our defence, the enemy has activated artillery fire, Oleksandr Starukh, governor of the Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Russia fired on the region 166 times through the day, he said, with 113 attacks aimed at populated areas, killing one civilian. Russia says it does not target civilians.

First UK-donated Sea King helicopters arrives in Ukraine

Sunday 22 January 2023 03:00 , Daniel Reast

The first Sea King helicopters donated to Ukrainian forces by the UK have arrived in the country, according to the Ukrainian defence minister.

Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced the helicopters arrival in a tweet, thanking his British counterpart and displaying a video of Ukrainian troops using the helicopter winch system.

The UKs defence minister Ben Wallace said in November that the UK would supply three Sea King helicopters, as well as assist in training 10 crews in their use.

Sea King from the UK has arrived in its new kingdom near the Black Sea in Ukraine!

It is a strong reinforcement for the Ukrainian Navy. Our cooperation will continue to increase.

Thank you to @BWallaceMP

Together, we will secure the seas and lands across all of Europe! pic.twitter.com/Qf4mF2vp8L  Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) January 21, 2023

Ukraine forces halt Russian sabotage attempt in northeastern Sumy Oblast

Sunday 22 January 2023 02:00 , Daniel Reast

Ukrainian troops foiled a suspected sabotage attempt on Friday night in the northeastern Sumy Oblast, says spokesperson for the border guard service.

Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said border troops detected an attempt to infiltrate from [a] sabotage and reconnaissance group from Russia.

Speaking at a Ukrainian telethon on Saturday, Demchenko said Russias troops retreated behind the state border after Ukrainian border troops discovered and fired upon the group.

Sumy Oblast lies just under 200 miles to the north east of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Demchenko also reported on the border with Belarus, saying: So far, intelligence units and other components that monitor the situation in this area have not noticed the formation of a strike group on the territory of Belarus that could carry out an invasion.

But the enemy should never be underestimated.

Read more on Belarus here:

Lukashenko jokes he and Putin are the two meanest, most toxic people on the planet

Its time for NATO membership for Finland and Sweden, says US secretary of state

Sunday 22 January 2023 01:00 , Daniel Reast

The Biden administration has reiterated its support for Finnish and Swedish membership of NATO, following calls with foreign ministers.

Both countries applied to join the alliance following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Only two countries in the group, Hungary and Turkey, have yet to approve the membership application.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Finland and Sweden, stating that the US places great importance on remaining allies quickly ratifying their accession.

Hungary is expected to ratify the decision in the coming days, with Turkey said to be holding out on the decision after raising significant objections to the Nordic countrys support for Kurdish groups.

Read more here:

US says it's time for Finland, Sweden to join NATO

Setting price caps on Russian oil products complicated says US treasury secretary

Sunday 22 January 2023 00:00 , Daniel Reast

Western countries price caps on Russian refined oil products are complicated, says US treasury secretary.

Speaking with reporters on a visit to Senegal, secretary Janet Yellen said markets are volatile and there is a chance the upcoming price caps do not go to plan.

The G7 group of nations will be imposing a price cap on Russian oil products in February to reduce its ability to finance its war in Ukraine.

A broader price cap on Russian crude oil has been in place since December.

However, secretary Yellen remained optimistic, saying: Weve studied these markets very carefully and we believe that were going to come out with a set of caps that will achieve the same things that weve achieved with crude so far.

She continued saying the crude oil cap had proven successful thus far with a drop in the price that Russia was earning.

Why is Germany reluctant to send tanks to Ukraine?

Saturday 21 January 2023 23:30 , Daniel Reast

Pressure on Germany to provide Leopard 2 battle tanks has intensified in recent days.

Despite the announcement of a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks sent from the UK, Germanys chancellor Olaf Schultz has yet to approve the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks, which Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly requested.

The Leopard 2 tank is used by other European armies such as Poland, Finland, the Netherlands and Spain.

Polands prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki has also indicated he would be willing to send Leopard 2s without Germanys consent.

Former British army commander and logistics specialist, Major General Tim Cross, has suggested: One can to an extent understand German reservations about the Leopards. The sight of German tanks rolling east across Ukraine would bring back some bad historic memories.

But the Ukrainians will be getting tanks and tanks will play an important part in this conflict.

Read more here:

Germany drags feet on decision to send tanks Ukraine desperately craves

Pro-Kremlin channel Russia Today says France operation closing

Saturday 21 January 2023 22:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The French arm of the Russian state-owned RT television network said on Saturday it was shutting down after authorities used European Union sanctions to freeze its bank accounts.

Late last February, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union said it would ban Russia Today on the grounds it had been spreading disinformation about the war. RT (Russia Today) France appealed the ban but lost.

Xenia Fedorova, the head of RT France, tweeted that French authorities had cited a ninth EU package of sanctions agreed last December.

The funds of RT France are frozen at the request of the general directorate of the Treasury ... our channel can no longer continue its activity, she said.

In March, the European Unions Court of Justice on Wednesday rejected a RT France bid for a temporary reprieve.

In a separate statement, RT France said 133 employees jobs were at risk and called itself a breath of fresh air that had covered the war in a balanced way.

It accused the French authorities of censorship and said RT France had never been condemned or sanctioned for any reason.

What tanks and military aid has the UK sent to Ukraine?

Saturday 21 January 2023 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The pressure is on Western leaders to boost their military support for Ukraine  with Britain having stepped up its pledges of equipment in recent weeks.

The dispatch of 14 British Army Challenger 2s answered persistent calls from president Volodymyr Zelensky for Western ground vehicles. Britain has also announced almost 600 more Brimstone missiles will be donated to Ukraine, to boost its offensive capability, as well as air defence missiles.

Attention has now turned to Germany, with Kyiv requesting on countless occasions that Berlin allow its Leopard 2 tanks  used by armies such as Poland, Finland, the Netherlands and Spain  to be re-exported to Ukraine.

Emily Atkinson reports:

What tanks and military aid has the UK sent to Ukraine?

Ukraine honours interior minister, other senior officials, killed in helicopter crash

Saturday 21 January 2023 21:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A tearful Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky attended a memorial service on Saturday to commemorate seven senior Interior Ministry officials killed in a helicopter crash this week, a fresh blow to a nation already grieving its many war dead.

Interior minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy and five other high-ranking ministry officials were killed when their French-made Super Puma helicopter plummeted amid fog into a nursery on the eastern outskirts of Kyiv on Wednesday.

Another seven people were killed, including one child, in the crash. Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash.

The helicopter went down just days after at least 45 people were killed in a Russian missile attack that partially levelled a block of flats in the southeastern city of Dnipro.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are fending off an unrelenting Russian onslaught in the east, where Moscow has expended massive resources for incremental advances 11 months into its full-scale invasion.

The indescribable sadness is covering the soul, Zelensky wrote in a Telegram post on Saturday. Ukraine is losing its best sons and daughters every day.

Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, paid their respects to the victims relatives inside the hulking Ukrainian House cultural centre in central Kyiv. A crowd of mourners snaked outside toward Independence Square.

Kyrylo Budanov, the military intelligence chief, described Monastyrskyis death as a huge loss.

If not for (Monastyrskyi), everything could have been completely different, he told Ukrainian media, referring to the resistance Ukraine mounted after Moscows Feb. 24 assault.

He is a true hero of this country.

Monastyrskyi had been flying to a location near the frontline, a police spokesperson said on Thursday.

Boris Johnson compares Putin to the fat boy in Dickens

Saturday 21 January 2023 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Boris Johnson has compared Vladimir Putin to the fat boy in Dickens who wants to make our flesh creep with threats of using nuclear weapons.

Speaking about Ukraine at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the former prime minister insisted that the Russian president would not resort to using nuclear weapons, dismissing the idea as nonsense.

He said: Putin wants to present it as a nuclear stand-off between Nato and Russia. Nonsense. Hes not going to use nuclear weapons, okay. Hes like the fat boy in Dickens, he wants to make our flesh creep. He wants us to think about it. Hes never going to do it.

Hes not going to do it. Dont go down that rabbit hole, stop it, Mr Johnson added.

Boris Johnson compares Putin to the fat boy in Dickens

Met Opera concert to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Saturday 21 January 2023 20:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Metropolitan Opera will mark the first anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine with a concert to remember victims of the war.

Met music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin will conduct Mozarts Requiem and Beethovens Fifth Symphony. Soprano Golda Schultz, mezzo-soprano Emily DAngelo, tenor Dmytro Popov, and Ukrainian bass-baritone Vladyslav Buialskyi will be the soloists at the Feb. 24 performance.

Mozarts Requiem is to remember the innocent victims of the war, and Beethovens Fifth is in anticipation of the victory to come, Met general manager Peter Gelb said in a statement Friday.

Met Opera concert to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Met Opera concert to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Saturday 21 January 2023 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Metropolitan Opera will mark the first anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine with a concert to remember victims of the war.

Met music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin will conduct Mozarts Requiem and Beethovens Fifth Symphony. Soprano Golda Schultz, mezzo-soprano Emily DAngelo, tenor Dmytro Popov, and Ukrainian bass-baritone Vladyslav Buialskyi will be the soloists at the Feb. 24 performance.

Mozarts Requiem is to remember the innocent victims of the war, and Beethovens Fifth is in anticipation of the victory to come, Met general manager Peter Gelb said in a statement Friday.

Met Opera concert to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

What are Leopard 2 tanks and why would they help Ukraine?

Saturday 21 January 2023 19:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, has urged allies to dig deeper to support Ukraine at a meeting of Nato and defense leaders in Germany, as pressure grows on Berlin to authorise its German-made Leopard 2 tanks to be sent from nations across Europe to Ukraine. However, so far Berlin has refused to budge.

Ukraine believes the tanks are vital to its ability to hold off Russias invasion, and Western nations believe that  given their use by armies across Europe  they would provide the swiftest way to give Kyiv what it is crying out for. Once Berlin signs off on them being re-exported from other nations. So why does Kyiv rate them so?

The Leopard 2 tank is regarded as one of the Wests best. German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has built more than 3,500 such tanks since beginning production in 1978.

Chris Stevenson reports:

What are Leopard 2 tanks and why would they help Ukraine?

Germany must face up to the threat from the East

Saturday 21 January 2023 19:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

It is a cliche, but an unavoidable one when faced with the tragedy of Ukraine: the West is about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

By failing to supply all of the military equipment Volodymyr Zelensky has begged his Nato friends for, it makes it all the more possible  if not likely  that the war in Ukraine which has cost so much in lives and human suffering, will, in the end, be lost. With the fall of Ukraine, the security of Europe and the world will also be ceded.

Without the right quantity and quality of equipment  especially the main battle tanks essential to restoring Ukrainian territorial integrity  the sheer weight of Russian numbers, poorly equipped and trained as they are, could eventually overwhelm Ukraine and its battered economy.

Read more here:

Editorial: Germany must face up to the threat from the East

Joe Biden tells reporter Ukraine will get all the help they need

Saturday 21 January 2023 18:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Joe Biden told a Polish reporter that Ukraine will get all the help they need after he was asked about sending more tanks.

The US president was asked by Marek WaAkuski if he supported Polands call for Germany and other countries to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

He simply answered that the war-torn country will be given all of the resources and aid they need to fight Russia.

This video shows the exchange at the White House event.

Joe Biden tells reporter Ukraine will get all the help they need

Russias Wagner to send Kyiv bodies of soldiers killed in Soledar

Saturday 21 January 2023 18:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The private Russian military group Wagner plans to send the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in fighting in the captured town of Soledar to territory held by Ukraine, a website linked to the groups founder Yevgeny Prigozhin reported on Saturday.

Wagner said on Jan. 11 it had captured Soledar, and Russian-installed authorities in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region said earlier this week they were in control of the salt-mining town, where intense fighting has taken place.

The RIA FAN website - part of Prigozhins media holdings - quoted a Wagner commander as saying the mercenary company would send the bodies from Soledar to Ukrainian-held territory in four or five convoys totalling about 20 trucks.

Saturdays report did not say how many bodies would be returned to Ukrainian authorities, but said Ukraines forces had suffered heavy losses in Soledar.

It said Prigozhin had made clear that soldiers bodies should be returned to Ukraine in a dignified way, but gave no further details about the planned operation.

Ukrainian authorities said during the fight for Soledar that Russian forces sustained heavy losses.

Prigozhin, who previously shunned the public spotlight and denied connections to Wagner, admitted in September that he founded the mercenary army, which has played a major role in the conflict. He has described Wagner as a fully independent force with its own aircraft, tanks, rockets and artillery.

Zelenskys adviser urges West to think faster about increasing military support

Saturday 21 January 2023 17:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Kyivs allies to think faster about stepping up their military support, a day after they failed to agree on sending battle tanks coveted by Kyiv.

Here is the latest on weaponry in the war:

Western allies on Friday dampened Ukraines hopes for a rapid shipment of battle tanks to boost its firepower for a spring offensive against Russian forces.

Senior US officials are advising Ukraine to hold off on launching a major offensive against Russian forces until the latest supply of US weaponry is in place and training has been provided, a senior Biden administration official said on Friday.

Although NATO defence leaders and allies reached no decision on authorising export of Leopard-2 tanks at a meeting at the Ramstein military base, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday Berlin was ready to move quickly if there was an agreement.

Ukraine will still have to fight to ensure a supply of modern heavy armor, Zelenskiy said in his evening video address on Friday.

Germany drags feet on decision to send tanks Ukraine desperately craves

Saturday 21 January 2023 17:00 , Emily Atkinson

The pressure on Germany from Western allies to authorise the sending of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine had been intense in the lead up to the summit at the Ramstein Air Base. But in the end Olaf Schulzs government refused to take that crucial step.

Ukraine has repeatedly stressed that modern battlefield tanks are crucial for fighting off Russias invasion, with a major offensive by the enemy expected as winter ends. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the war started by Russia does not allow delays... terror does not allow for discussion.

The announcement by the German defence minister, Boris Pistorius, that no decision will be made  for up to at least a month according to some reports  is prevarication with significant repercussions which could prove to be costly for Ukraine.

Our world affairs editor Kim Sengupta reports:

Germany drags feet on decision to send tanks Ukraine desperately craves

Zaporizhzhia region 'hit by 160 overnight shelling attacks

Saturday 21 January 2023 16:30 , Emily Atkinson

One woman was also killed in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian forces launched more than 160 shelling attacks overnight, governor Oleksandr Starukh said.

He added that 21 cities and towns were targeted, and two other civilians were injured.

Civilian deaths toll continues to rise in Ukraines south and east

Saturday 21 January 2023 16:00 , Emily Atkinson

Five civilians have been killed and 13 wounded by Russian shelling over the past 24 hours in Ukraines east and south, the deputy head of Ukraines presidential office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said on Saturday.

Ukrainian forces overnight repelled Russian attacks in Bakhmut and other parts of the countrys embattled east, the military added.

A 60-year-old woman died after Russian shells hit her home in the north-eastern Kharkiv region, local governor Oleh Syniehubov said. He added that four other people were wounded in the province.

Interior minister killed in crash dubbed true hero of Ukraine

Saturday 21 January 2023 15:30 , Emily Atkinson

Kyivs military intelligence chief has described the death of Ukraines interior minister as a huge loss.

Denys Monastyrsky died in a helicopter crash in Brovary on 18 January. His funeral was held today at the Ukrainian House in Kyiv.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking at the ceremony, Kyrylo Budanov said: If not for (Monastyrskyi), everything could have been completely different, he told Ukrainian media, referring to the resistance Ukraine mounted against the Russian invasion.

He is a true hero of this country.

(AFP via Getty Images)

What are Leopard 2 tanks and why would they help Ukraine?

Saturday 21 January 2023 14:50 , Emily Atkinson

The US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, has urged allies to dig deeper to support Ukraine at the start of a meeting of Nato and defense leaders in Germany, as pressure grows on Berlin to authorise its German-made Leopard 2 tanks to be sent from nations across Europe to Ukraine.

Ukraine believes the tanks are vital to its ability to hold off Russias invasion, and Western nations believe that  given their use by armies across Europe  they would provide the swiftest way to give Kyiv what it is crying out for. Once Berlin signs off on them being re-exported from other nations. So why does Kyiv rate them so?

The Leopard 2 tank is regarded as one of the Wests best. German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has built more than 3,500 such tanks since beginning production in 1978.

Chris Steveson has more:

What are Leopard 2 tanks and why would they help Ukraine?

Watch: Top US general says it will be 'very difficult to remove Russian forces from Ukraine in 2023

Saturday 21 January 2023 14:20 , Emily Atkinson

Voices: Germany must face up to the threat from the East'

Saturday 21 January 2023 13:20 , Emily Atkinson

Germany has made many painful sacrifices in order to help defend Ukraine and, thus, Europe and democracy. This is why it needs to take this decisive step with the tanks, to ensure that the effort to protect its allies does not end up wasted.

Read our latest editorial:

Editorial: Germany must face up to the threat from the East

In pictures: Zelensky attends funeral of Ukrainian minister killed in helicopter crash

Saturday 21 January 2023 12:50 , Emily Atkinson

President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena offered relatives their condolences during the funeral ceremony of interior minister Denys Monastyrsky and other employees of his department at the Ukrainian House in Kyiv today.

Mr Monastyrsky died in a helicopter crash in Brovary on 18 January. Fourteen people were killed, other ministry officials and a child.

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AP)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Watch: Ukraine must have 'road map' for future, Vitali Klitschko says

Saturday 21 January 2023 12:20 , Emily Atkinson

Wagner head writes letter to White House over sanctions

Saturday 21 January 2023 11:50 , Emily Atkinson

The head of Russias Wagner group has written a short letter to the White House asking what crime his company was accused of, after Washington announced new sanctions on the group.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday that the private military contractor, which has been supporting Russian forces in their invasion of Ukraine and claiming credit for battlefield advances, would be designated a significant Transnational Criminal Organisation.

A letter in English addressed to Kirby and posted on the Telegram channel of Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhins 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, which Pyongyang and Prigozhin dismissed as gossip and speculation.

Ukraine adviser tells allies 'think faster' on military support

Saturday 21 January 2023 11:20 , Emily Atkinson

A senior adviser to president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Ukraines allies to think faster about stepping up their military support, a day after they failed to agree on sending battle tanks coveted by Kyiv.

Youll help Ukraine with the necessary weapons anyway and realize that there is no other option to end the war except the defeat of Russia, Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter.

But todays indecision is killing more of our people. Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster.

Afterword to global indecision

You'll help Ukraine with the necessary weapons anyway and realize that there is no other option to end the war except the defeat of

But today's indecision is killing more of our people. Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster    (@Podolyak_M) January 21, 2023

Three civilians killed in Russian attacks on Donetsk

Saturday 21 January 2023 10:50 , Emily Atkinson

Three civilians have been killed and another four injured during Russian attacks in the Donetsk region, the regions governor says.

Posting to Telegram, Pavlo Kyrylenko said that two were killed in Bakhmut and another in the small town of Zhelanne.

What tanks and military aid has the UK sent to Ukraine?

Saturday 21 January 2023 10:20 , Emily Atkinson

The pressure is on Western leaders to boost their military support for Ukraine  with Britain having stepped up its pledges of equipment in recent weeks.

The UK government prides itself on having been involved in leading Western efforts in supplying Ukraine with aid to fight Russias invasion. Click the link below to see a rundown of all the military aid Britain has provided to Kyiv:

What tanks and military aid has the UK sent to Ukraine?

Saturday 21 January 2023 09:50 , Emily Atkinson

Images capture the residents of Toretsk and Druzhkovka living among the paraphenilia of war as Russia continues to ramp up its offensive in the Donetsk region.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Just miles from the front line in eastern Ukraine, locals are seen filling up water bottles from tanks and taking wood from buildings destoryed by Russian missiles to sell.

The region's Kyiv-appointed governor has accused Russia of using scorched-earth tactics.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Kyiv and Moscow massing significant forces in Zaporizhzhia, says MoD

Saturday 21 January 2023 09:22 , Emily Atkinson

Both Kyiv and Moscow have massed significant forces in the Zaporizhzhia region, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

According to its daily intelligence update, the two sides have conducted artillery exchanges and skirmishes, but have avoided any large-scale offensive effort in the region so far.

Overall, though the conflict is in a state of deadlock, the MoD adds.

In a Twitter statement, the MoD said: In recent days, the heaviest fighting has focused in three sectors. In the northeast, near Kremina, Ukraine has likely made small gains and successfully defended against a Russian counter-attack.

Around the Donetsk Oblast, in Bakhmut sector, Russian and Wagner proxy forces have likely been reconstituting in the town of Soledar, after capturing it earlier in the week.

UK defence officials also warned of a realistic possibility of local Russian advances around Bakhmut.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 January 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/4UqLNksneU



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/fUXFhi6VBW  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) January 21, 2023

US advises Ukraine 'to wait on offensive

Saturday 21 January 2023 08:50 , Emily Atkinson

The US is advising Ukraine to hold off on launching a major offensive against Russian forces until the latest supply of American weaponry is in place and training has been provided, reports say.

A senior Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US believed an offensive would stand to be more successful should the Ukrainians take advantage of the training and the significant infusion of new weaponry.

Sixth known American 'killed in Ukraine war

Saturday 21 January 2023 08:20 , Emily Atkinson

A former US Navy SEAL who went AWOL in 2019 has been killed in Ukraine, American officials have said. Daniel W. Swift, who was not fighting in an official capacity, was injured in Dnipro and died of his wounds, said one of the officials, who all spoke on condition of anonymity.No other details were available, including whether Swifts body has been taken out of Ukraine.The Navy said he deserted his post in San Diego, California, in March 2019.

We cannot speculate as to why the former Sailor was in Ukraine, the Navy said.At least five other Americans are known to have died fighting in Ukraine, according to state department statements and reports from individual families.

Ankaras visit to Sweden cancelled after permission granted for protests, Turkish official says

Saturday 21 January 2023 07:56 , Emily Atkinson

Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar says that a planned visit by his Swedish counterpart to Ankara has been cancelled after Swedish authorities granted permission for protests in Stockholm.

At this point, the visit of Swedish defence minister Pal Jonson to Turkey on 27 January has become meaningless. So we cancelled the visit, Akar said.

Swedish defence Mmnister Jonson had planned to travel next week to Ankara at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart as the Nordic country hopes to nudge Turkey to ratify its bid to join Nato.

Akar said he discussed the lack of measures for protests in Sweden against Turkey with President Tayyip Erdogan and conveyed his reaction to his Swedish counterpart on the sidelines of a meeting of Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

Ukrainian forces to train on tanks in Poland, says Warsaw official

Saturday 21 January 2023 07:30 , Emily Atkinson

Ukrainian forces will train on Leopard-2 battle tanks in Poland, defence minister Oleksii Reznikov was quoted as saying yesterday.

Reznikov spoke to Ukrainian-language Voice of America after attending a meeting at Ramtsein Air Base, Germany, where Ukraines partners did not take a decision on handing over the tanks. Germany, which makes the Leopard tanks, would have to approve any transfer.

Reznikov described the training development as a breakthrough, attributing the success to efforts by Poland.

We will start with this and then we will move further, Voice of America quoted him as saying.

US ex-naval Seal killed in Ukraine

Saturday 21 January 2023 07:00 , Jane Dalton

A former member of the US special forces, who was not fighting in an official capacity, been killed in Ukraine, American officials say.

Daniel W Swift, a former member of the Navy SEALs, is listed in official records as having deserted.

The Navy did not provide further information about his US military record.

At least five other Americans are known to have died fighting in Ukraine. The US government has discouraged Americans from going to fight there.

Ukrainian minister has frank talks with German counterpart

Saturday 21 January 2023 06:00 , Jane Dalton

Ukraines defence minister has said he had a frank discussion with Germanys defence minister about the supply of Leopard tanks.

Oleskii Reznikov added that the talks would continue after Western allies in Germany did not reach agreement to supply tanks to Kyiv.

Germany, which makes the Leopard tanks, would have to approve any transfer.

Congratulated  DefMin Boris Pistorius @BMVg_Bundeswehr on the appointment to his new position.

We had a frank discussion on Leopards 2. To be continued.

I also thanked the  Government and the  people for their military assistance to  and hospitality at #Ramstein 8 pic.twitter.com/pOnWhHuGos  Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) January 20, 2023

Russians lay flowers in memory of Dnipro victims

Saturday 21 January 2023 05:00 , Jane Dalton

Russians in St Petersburg and Moscow have been laying flowers at improvised memorials to the victims of a Russian missile attack on a nine-storey apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

Ukraines State Emergency Service said on Tuesday, after calling off search operations, that 44 people were confirmed dead from Saturdays attack, including five children, and that 20 people were still unaccounted for.

On Friday evening, dozens of bunches of flowers and several cuddly toys were arranged around the base of a monument to Ukrainian national poet Taras Shevchenko in central St Petersburg. One ribbon read Forgive.

Flowers in St Petersburg (REUTERS)

Wagner group denies recruiting Serbs

Saturday 21 January 2023 04:00 , Jane Dalton

Russias Wagner paramilitary group has denied it is recruiting Serbs to fight in Ukraine, a day after activists filed criminal complaints against the organisation in Belgrade.

Among those identified in the complaints were Russias ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, and Aleksandar Vulin, head of Serbias state Security and Information Agency.

I do not recruit Serbs, Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a statement, saying he had never head of Botsan-Kharchenko or Vulin.

Earlier this week Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic said Russia should halt its efforts to recruit Serbs to fight alongside Wagner forces. He said Russian websites and social media groups were publishing advertisements in the Serbian language in which the Wagner group called for volunteers.

Taiwan has learnt important lesson from Ukraine to deter China, envoy says

Saturday 21 January 2023 03:27 , Shweta Sharma

Taiwan has learned important lessons from Russias war in Ukraine that would help it deter any attack by China or defend itself if invaded, the self-ruled islands top envoy to the US.

Among the lessons: Do more to prepare military reservists and also civilians for the kind of all-of-society fight that Ukrainians are waging against Russia.

Everything were doing now is to prevent the pain and suffering of the tragedy of Ukraine from being repeated in our scenario in Taiwan, said Bi-khim Hsiao, Taiwans representative in Washington, on Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.

So ultimately, we seek to deter the use of military force. But in a worst-case scenario, we understand that we have to be better prepared, Ms Hsiao said.

Ms Hsiao spoke at the quiet, more than 130-year-old hilltop mansion that Taiwan uses for official functions in Washington.

What Leopard 2 tanks are and why they would help Ukraine

Saturday 21 January 2023 03:00 , Jane Dalton

The Leopard 2 tank is regarded as one of the Wests best. Given that Ukraine has been using Soviet-era tanks up until now, it would be a big step-up in capability, particularly in terms of range of firepower and manoeuvrability:

What are Leopard 2 tanks and why would they help Ukraine?

US to impose more sanctions on Wagner Group

Saturday 21 January 2023 02:00 , Jane Dalton

The United States will impose additional sanctions next week on Russian private military company the Wagner Group, which officials say has been helping Russias military, the White House says.

National security spokesperson John Kirby, who said the US Treasury Department would designate Wagner as a significant transnational criminal organisation, added: In coordination with this designation, we will also impose additional sanctions next week against Wagner and its support network across multiple continents.

These actions recognise the transcontinental threat that Wagner poses, including through its ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity.

Tanks and military aid has the UK sent

Saturday 21 January 2023 01:00 , Jane Dalton

The UK government prides itself on having been led Western efforts in supplying Ukraine with aid to fight Russias invasion. Emily Atkinson reports on the military aid Britain has provided:

What tanks and military aid has the UK sent to Ukraine?

US senators slate German tanks delay

Friday 20 January 2023 23:59 , Jane Dalton

A bipartisan delegation of three US senators visiting Kyiv blasted the delays to Western tank supplies to Ukraine, one of them warning of an impending major counter-offensive by Russia.

The delegation, comprising Republican Lindsey Graham as well as Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse, met Volodymyr Zelensky, who asked for investment, not charity, according to Mr Graham.

The Republican singled out Germany as he expressed his frustration over a lack of tanks sent to Kyiv by Western allies, including the United States.

I am tired of the s***show of who is going to send tanks and when they are going to send them, he said. To the Germans: send tanks to Ukraine, because they need the tanks. It is in your interest that Putin loses in Ukraine.

Protesters call on Berlin to send Leopards

Friday 20 January 2023 22:56 , Jane Dalton

Protesters have demonstrated outside the German Chancellery in Berlin demanding the country send Ukraine Leopard battle tanks.

The crowds, many of them expatriate Ukrainians living in Germany, chanted Free the Leopards.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(REUTERS)

Wagner Group has 50,000 fighters in Ukraine, says US

Friday 20 January 2023 22:00 , Jane Dalton

The US believes Russian private military company the Wagner Group has 50,000 personnel fighting in Ukraine, including 10,000 contractors and 40,000 convicts that the company has recruited from prisons, Americas security chief says.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the the US believes Wagner, owned by Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, is spending about $100 million a month in the war.

We are seeing indications, including in intelligence, that tensions between Wagner and the Russian Defence Ministry are increasing, Mr Kirby said.

Wagner is becoming a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries. Publicly, Prigozhin and his fighters have criticised Russian generals and defence officials for their performance in Ukraine.

Wagner Group mercenaries have been accused by Western countries and UN experts of numerous human rights abuses throughout Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya and Mali.

Allies very late in the day, says defence group MP

Friday 20 January 2023 21:45 , Jane Dalton

The chairman of the Commons defence select committee has criticised the western allies for being slow to provide battle tanks to Ukraine while Vladimir Putin is threatening to renew attacks.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood told The Independent: The UK has done well to push the envelope of military assistance, but this is all very late in the day.

Russia is in this for the long haul. Its retooling its industries, it is preparing for a spring offensive. And here we are arguing over the types of tanks that we may or may not give to Ukraine.

Western envoys visit Kosovo, Serbia to defuse tensions

Friday 20 January 2023 21:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Western envoys on Friday visited Kosovo and Serbia as part of their ongoing efforts to defuse tensions and help secure a reconciliation agreement between the two former war foes.

Envoys from the United States, the European Union, France, Germany and Italy first met with Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Kosovo. They later met in Belgrade with President Aleksandar Vucic to discuss possible next steps toward normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia, with support from allies Russia and China, has refused to recognize Kosovos statehood, which is accepted by the U.S. and much of the West. The dispute remains a source of instability in the Balkans amid Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Sylejman Kllokoqi and Llazar Semini report:

Western envoys visit Kosovo, Serbia to defuse tensions

Social media report anti-aircraft systems placed in Moscow

Friday 20 January 2023 21:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Social media posts on Friday said air-defense systems have been installed in several spots in Moscow, including atop the Russian Defense Ministry headquarters.

Russian officials have not commented on the reports of weaponry resembling a Pantsir-S1 mobile anti-aircraft system spotted on the roofs of a building in central Moscow about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) east of the Kremlin and of the Defense Ministry, which looms along the Moscow River across from Gorky Park.

Reports earlier in the week said S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile units were seen near the sprawling Losiny Ostrov forest park on Moscows northern border and at an agricultural institute in the capital.

Read more:

Social media report anti-aircraft systems placed in Moscow

No decision on more tanks for Ukraine, despite pleas from Zelensky

Friday 20 January 2023 20:30 , Eleanor Noyce

A pledging conference in Germany 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 countrys 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 Leopard 2 battle tanks, which are potentially available in far greater numbers.

Sophie Wingate reports:

No decision on more tanks for Ukraine, despite pleas from Zelensky

We can all do more, US defence secretary remarks as Berlin fails to reach decision on sending tanks to Ukraine

Friday 20 January 2023 20:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Germany is doing enough to show real leadership in Europe, but we can all do more, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has remarked following Fridays failure to make a decision on sending tanks to Ukraine.

Yes. But we can all do more and the United States and every other member of the UDC (Ukraine Defence Contact group) can do more, Mr Austin told the press conference when pushed on this question mark.

Germany has contributed a lot to this to this campaign...

They are a reliable ally, theyve been that way for a very, very long time and I truly believe that theyll continue to be a reliable ally going forward.

Russia claims progress in eastern Ukraine; Kyiv craves tanks

Friday 20 January 2023 19:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia claimed Friday to have captured a village in its intense, monthslong push toward the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut, as military analysts cautioned that tanks that may be sent by Kyivs Western allies wouldnt be a magic wand in the almost 11-month war.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told a regular media briefing that the village of Klishchiivka, nine kilometers (five miles) south of Bakhmut, had been liberated.

The claim couldnt be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment on the claim.

Read more:

Russia claims progress in eastern Ukraine; Kyiv craves tanks

Ukraine, climate, economy: Takeaways from glitzy Davos event

Friday 20 January 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Elites from politics, business, academia and the arts on Friday wrapped up the World Economic Forums annual conclave in the Swiss town of Davos  where worries about the war in Ukraine, a warming planet and a cooling global economy dominated discussions about the worlds ills.

The 53rd edition of the weeklong gathering in the Alps drew notables like Ukraines first lady, climate activist Greta Thunberg, and actor Idris Elba, plus hundreds of presidents, prime ministers, CEOs and other decision-makers who hashed out deals and voiced demands on everything from trade to tanks for Ukraine.

Jamey Keaten and Courtney Bonnell report:

Ukraine, climate, economy: Takeaways from glitzy Davos event

US designates Russias Wagner Group as transnational criminal organisation

Friday 20 January 2023 18:35 , Eleanor Noyce

The US government has designated the Russian private military contractor known as the Wagner Group as a transnational criminal organization, giving the notorious mercenary outfit the same status as international drug cartels and human trafficking organisations under US law.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on Friday said the move is the result of Wagners ongoing operations in Ukraine, which he described as committing atrocities and human rights abuses.

Mr Kirby also said American intelligence has assessed that Russian President Vladimir Putins war effort is increasingly relying on Wagner, leading to tensions between Russian defence officials and the owner of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

US designates Russias Wagner Group as transnational criminal organisation

Russia warns delusional West will regret sending military aid to Ukraine

Friday 20 January 2023 18:25 , Eleanor Noyce

Moscow has warned the West it will regret sending military aid to Ukraine.

The comments come as western defence ministers gathered at the Ramstein airbase in Germany to discuss sending further support to Ukraine.

European leaders urged Berlin to give the green light for the delivery of German-produced Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in an attempt to drive back Moscows forces. However, no decision was reached.

Before the meeting, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged the West not to supply additional tanks to Kyiv.

The Independent reports:

Russia warns delusional West will regret sending military aid to Ukraine

Ukraine confident allies will provide tanks

Friday 20 January 2023 18:02 , Jane Dalton

Ukraine is confident western allies will eventually provide the battle tanks Kyiv needs, the countrys defence minister has said, after a pledging conference ended without a consensus on the matter.

Yuriy Sak told BBC Radio 4s PM: Of course we were expecting a different outcome.

But let me put it this way, we are confident that this is a temporary decision and we are confident that our allies understand very well that for Ukraine to win this war for all of us, for Ukraine to be able to liberate our territory, for Ukraine to be able to de-occupy our cities, we need those tanks.

Ukraine needs only 300 to make a difference, Mr Sak said.

If no more tanks are released, the risks for all of us are that this war can become a protracted war, Mr Sak added.

Met Opera concert to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Friday 20 January 2023 17:54 , Eleanor Noyce

The Metropolitan Opera will mark the first anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine with a concert to remember victims of the war.

Met music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin will conduct Mozarts Requiem and Beethovens Fifth Symphony. Soprano Golda Schultz, mezzo-soprano Emily DAngelo, tenor Dmytro Popov, and Ukrainian bass-baritone Vladyslav Buialskyi will be the soloists at the Feb. 24 performance.

Mozarts Requiem is to remember the innocent victims of the war, and Beethovens Fifth is in anticipation of the victory to come, Met general manager Peter Gelb said in a statement Friday.

Read more:

Met Opera concert to mark anniversary of Ukraine invasion

What has France pledged to send?

Friday 20 January 2023 17:20 , Jane Dalton

AMX 10-RC: an armoured combat vehicle with a similar profile to a tank but with wheels rather than tracks and often described as a tank destroyer. Paris said in January would send an unspecified number in two months.

Caesar self-propelled howitzer: a wheeled vehicle with a 155 mm gun. Paris has sent 18 and said last year it could send more.

This undated photo provided Thursday Jan.5, 2023 by the French Army shows AMX-10 RC tanks

What has Poland pledged to send to Ukraine?

Friday 20 January 2023 17:00 , Matt Mathers

Leopard 2 battle tank: a German-built battle tank that is one of the most widely used in the West. Warsaw has said it is ready to send 14 tanks and said it could send them even without Berlins re-export approval.

T-72 battle tank: a Soviet-era battle tank that is still in use by armies in Eastern Europe that were in the Soviet sphere of influence and other countries around the world. Polish media has reported that Warsaw has sent more than 200 to Ukraine.

In addition, Poland has also sent 42 infantry fighting vehicles.

Countries promise Ukraine air defence systems

Friday 20 January 2023 16:21 , Jane Dalton

Several countries have pledged to send air defence systems to Ukraine, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has announced.

Speaking at a press conference during a pledging conference at the US airbase in Ramstein, Germany, he said: France, Germany and the UK have all donated air defence systems to Ukraine, and that includes a Patriot battery from Germany, and thats especially important coming alongside our own contribution of a Patriot system.

And the Netherlands is also donating Patriot missiles and launchers and training.

Meanwhile, Canada has procured a NASAM system and associated munitions for Ukraine.

So these air defence systems will help save countless innocent lives.

He said he believed the combined arms effort would help Ukraine win the war.

US defence chiefs commend UK for sending tanks

Friday 20 January 2023 16:19 , Jane Dalton

US defence chiefs have commended the UK for its plan to send Challenger 2 battle tanks, as Germany came under pressure to send more heavy weaponry to Kyiv.

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the war was about global security, and the contact group that met today was standing up for a world where rules mattered and where people could grow up without tyranny.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said this was the most united he had ever seen Nato.

The new US package signified US resolve to protect and liberate Russian-occupied Ukraine, he said.

Eventually President Putin, Russia would realise their strategic miscalculation, he predicted.

What has UK pledged to send?

Friday 20 January 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

Challenger 2 battle tank: a tracked tank with a 120 mm rifled gun. London said it would send a squadron, or 14 tanks.

AS90 self-propelled 155mm gun: a tracked artillery weapon. London has said it will supply a battery of eight guns initially.

Bulldog FV432 armoured personnel carrier: a tracked vehicle which can be configured to carry infantry, act an ambulance or a range of other uses. Britain has not specified a number.

In addition, the defence minister said in January that Britains latest package would include "hundreds more armoured and protected vehicles will also be sent including Bulldog."

British Army servicemen with their main battle tank Challenger 2 during Ukraine Military Aid Meeting (EPA)

What has Germany pledged to send to Ukraine?

Friday 20 January 2023 15:36 , Matt Mathers

Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer: a tracked armoured vehicle with 155 mm gun. Berlin committed to send 14 in a joint project with the Netherlands.

Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzer: a wheeled vehicle with a 155 mm gun. Berlin committed to send 16 in a joint project with Denmark and Norway.

RCH 155 self-propelled howitzer: a wheeled vehicle with a 155 mm gun. Berlin committed to send 18.

Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicle: a tracked armoured personnel carrier with a 20 mm autocannon and MILAN anti-tank missile launchers. Berlin said in January it wanted to send 40 by the end of March.

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Dingo: a heavily armoured wheeled infantry vehicle. Berlin committed to send 50.

M113 armoured personnel carrier: Berlin is sending 54.

In addition, Germany has committed to send a range of transporter trucks, armoured recovery and medical vehicles and other infantry support vehicles.

File photo: Tanks of the German armed forces Bundeswehr are prepared in the Hindenburg barracks in Munster, Germany, 14 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

What has the US pledged to send to Ukraine?

Friday 20 January 2023 15:11 , Matt Mathers

The United States and its allies have been ramping up supplies of armoured vehicles being sent to Ukraine amid their concerns about a Russian spring offensive.

Below is a list of some of the vehicles governments have sent or have committed to send to Ukraine, based on sources such as Reuters reports and government websites. The amount of detail published by countries about their support varies.

Bradley Fighting Vehicle: a tracked, armoured vehicle with a turret-mounted 25-mm gun that can carry up to seven soldiers in addition to three crew. The United States said in January it would send 109.

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS): a wheeled vehicle that can launch multiple rockets. Washington committed to sending 38.

M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer: a tracked, armoured vehicle with a 155 mm gun. Washington committed to send 18.

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle: a wheeled troop carrying vehicle with a V-shaped hull to disperse the impact of bomb blasts. Washington committed to send 200.

American soldiers drive a Bradley fighting vehicle during a joint exercise with Syrian Democratic Forces (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Stryker armoured personnel carrier: a wheeled armoured vehicle that can be configured to handle anything from carrying infantry to medical evacuations. Washington committed to send 90.

M113 armoured personnel carrier: a tracked vehicle that can be fitted with a range of weapons, often a heavy machine gun. Washington committed to send 300.

M1117 armoured security vehicle: a wheeled vehicle with a mine-resistant hull. Washington committed to send 250.

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV): Better known as the Humvee), it is a lightweight, four-wheel drive vehicle that is a staple of the U.S. Army. Washington committed to send more than 1,300.

In addition, the United States has committed to send a large range of other vehicles used to tow weapons, deliver ammunition supplies and act in command and support roles.

The US. package of support so far has also included delivering 45 refurbished T-72Bs, a Soviet-era tank.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
Vladimir Putin is turning away from his reliance on Wagner mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, according to military observers.

The Russian president likely intends to rely on conventional Russian forces after recently appointing a new overall commander in General Valeriy Gerasimov, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its latest update on the Ukraine conflict.

Mr Putin may have felt threatened by Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhins ambition in Moscow politics and his claims of his mercenaries importance to the Russian campaign, the ISW said.

Mr Prigozhin put the Kremlin in an uncomfortable position earlier this month when he claimed Wagner fighters had taken the Ukrainian town of Soledar several days before Russia officially made the same claim.

Earlier, Germanys foreign minister says Berlin would not stand in the way of Poland sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, on the same day as Boris Johnson made another surprise visit to Kyiv.

Key Points

Putin turning away' from Wagner group

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant of increasing concern'

Russia claims Ukraine using nuclear plants as weapons dumps

Germany would not stand in way of Poland sending tanks to Ukraine

Boris Johnson makes shock visit to Ukraine

Putin turning away' from Wagner group

Monday 23 January 2023 14:49 , Liam James

Vladimir Putin is turning away from his reliance on the Wagner group of mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, according to military observers.

In its latest update on the Ukraine conflict, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the Russian president likely intends to rely on conventional Russian forces after recently appointing a new overall commander in General Valeriy Gerasimov.

Mr Putin may have felt threatened by Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhins ambition in Moscow politics and his claims of his mercenaries importance to the Russian campaign, the ISW said.

The Kremlin was put in an uncomfortable position earlier this month when Mr Prigozhin claimed his fighters taken the Ukrainian town of Soledar several days before Russia officially made the same claim.

Story continues

Ukraine pledges sweeping personnel changes amid corruption allegations

03:50 , Stuti Mishra

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has announced personnel changes are being carried out at senior and lower levels, following the most high-profile graft allegations since Russias invasion that threaten to dampen Western enthusiasm for the Kyiv government.

Reports of a fresh scandal in Ukraine, which has a long history of shaky governance, come as European countries bicker over giving Kyiv German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

There are already personnel decisions - some today, some tomorrow - regarding officials at various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in law enforcement, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Monday.

Mr Zelensky, who did not identify the officials to be replaced, said his plans included toughening oversight on travelling abroad for official assignments.

Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently.

This comes after anti-corruption police on Sunday said they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister on suspicion of receiving a $400,000 kickback over the import of generators last September, an allegation the minister denies.

A newspaper investigation accused the defence ministry of overpaying suppliers for soldiers food. The supplier has said it made a technical mistake and no money had changed hands.

Turkey's president says no support for Sweden's NATO bid

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Turkeys president cast serious doubt on NATOs expansion Monday after warning Sweden not to expect support for its bid for membership into the military alliance following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Rasmus Paludans Quran-burning protest on Saturday, saying it was an insult to everyone, especially to Muslims. He was particularly incensed at Swedish authorities for allowing the demonstration to take place outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm under the protection of security forces.

It is clear that those who allowed such vileness to take place in front of our embassy can no longer expect any charity from us regarding their NATO membership application, Erdogan said in his first comments regarding the weekend protests, saying Sweden must have calculated the consequences of permitting Paludans demonstration.

The burning of Islams holy book angered people across the political spectrum in Turkey, just as Sweden and Finland appeared on the cusp of NATO membership after dropping their longstanding policies of military nonalignment following Russias war on Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin now stands to benefit as the potential enlargement of the worlds most powerful military alliance appears to be stymied.

Read more:

Turkey's president says no support for Sweden's NATO bid

US: Ex-FBI counterintelligence agent aided Russian oligarch

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official who investigated Russian oligarchs has been indicted on charges he secretly worked for one, in violation of U.S. sanctions. The official was also charged, in a separate indictment, with taking cash from a former foreign security officer.

Charles McGonigal, the special agent in charge of the FBIs counterintelligence division in New York from 2016 to 2018, is accused in an indictment unsealed Monday of working with a former Soviet diplomat-turned-Russian interpreter on behalf of Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire they purportedly referred to in code as the big guy and the client.

McGonigal, who had supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska, worked to have Deripaskas sanctions lifted in 2019 and took money from him in 2021 to investigate a rival oligarch, the Justice Department said.

Read more:

US: Ex-FBI counterintelligence agent aided Russian oligarch

Germany not blocking export of Leopard 2 tanks, says top EU diplomat

01:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell has stated that Germany is not blocking the export of the German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

Berlin is facing increasing pressure to supply these tanks to Ukraine.

It seems Germanys not going to ban the exporting of these weapons, if some EU member states who have them want to send them, Borrell told a news conference on Monday.

The EU has approved a 500 million support package for Ukraine, bringing the total amount of military support to $3.9 billion according to Borrell.

He also remarked that the blocs support to Ukraine now rests at $53 billion, including military, financial, economic and humanitarian aid.

We have to help Ukraine stop Russia, urges Latvian Prime Minister

00:40 , Eleanor Noyce

The Latvian Prime Minister has reiterated his support for Ukraine, urging that Russia can only be stopped if the West supplies weapons.

On Monday, the EU approved 500 million of military aid for Ukraine. However, the pressure is still on for Berlin to supply German-made Leopard tanks.

If Ukraine does not win then everyone has a huge problem because there is no indication that Russia will stop or would be interested in stopping, Krisjanis Karins told Sky News.

We have to help Ukraine stop Russia and that can only be done with the supplying of weapons.

It was quite important that Germany was fully on board with other EU countries on supplying the German-made Leopard tanks, Karins added.

EU launches civilian mission to monitor Armenia-Azerbaijan border

00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

The EU has launched a civilian mission to monitor the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a region viewed by the Kremlin as Russias backyard.

The initiative was requested by Armenia, extending a 40-strong mission that was deployed for two months in 2022.

The new mission has a two-year mandate and is set to conduct routine patrolling and report on the situation, an EU statement confirmed.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought over control of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s, a victory which Armenia won. 30,000 people were killed.

Armenia has accused Russian soldiers of failing to prevent fighting and stopping Azerbaijanis blockading the only route to Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region in 2021 after a conflict which killed 6500 people.

Poland adds pressure on Germany with threat to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 23:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Poland has stepped up pressure on Berlin over arms to Ukraine, saying it would send German-made Leopard tanks to Kyiv if other countries did the same.

President Volodymyr Zelenskys government wants the widely-used tanks to help it break through Russian lines and recapture territory.

But Germany, which must approve re-exports of the Leopard, has held back, wary of moves that could cause Moscow to escalate, and says other Nato nations have yet to formally seek permission to supply Kyiv.

It came as EU foreign ministers agreed to allocate another 440m worth of military aid for Ukraine, along with a further 30m for non-lethal equipment for military training of Ukraine, Swedish and Czech officials.

Alastair Jamieson reports:

Pressure grows on Berlin as Poland signals sending tanks to Ukraine

Protocol row isnt rocket science, says ex-taoiseach in call for solution

Monday 23 January 2023 23:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Dealing with concerns around the Northern Ireland Protocol isnt rocket science, and a solution must be found, a former Irish premier has said.

Bertie Ahern said the current stalemate which has plunged the Stormont Assembly into flux is beyond comprehension.

He emphasised that with a bit of flexibility it can be resolved.

I really, really believe that this isnt rocket science, he said.

When you think of the things that we resolved, we got the IRA to decommit their arms, we released prisoners  we reformed the old RUC to now a very competent international PSNI.

Closing the session, Mr Hoare said the horrors of the war in Ukraine has contextualised the size of the problem.

If the sophisticated, mature statecraft of Brussels, Westminster and Dublin cant solve this, then I think we all have to begin to wonder what the hell are we all doing, he said.

Rebecca Black has more:

Protocol row isnt rocket science, says ex-taoiseach in call for solution

Role who work for our economy from abroadshould not be punished, says billionaire metals executive Vladimir Potanin

Monday 23 January 2023 22:40 , Eleanor Noyce

One of Russias richest tycoons, billionaire metals executive Vladimir Potanin, has called on the authorities to tolerate Russian workers who have fled following the Ukraine war.

People who work for our economy from abroad - remotely or otherwise - should not be punished, Potanin told the online RBC news portal.

He also called for an end to punitive measures against workers who had fled, many of whom did so to avoid being drafted into the army or because they morally disagreed with the war.

It is estimated that Potanin is Russias richest or second-richest person, with his wealth derived from his stake in metals giant Nornickel.

Boris Johnson makes shock visit to Ukraine amid further questions over his finances

Monday 23 January 2023 22:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Ukraine as he comes under pressure over claims that he involved the BBC chair Richard Sharp in talks that led to his securing an 800,000 line of credit while at No 10.

Former civil service chief Sir Bob Kerslake said there was no question that there appeared to be a conflict of interest  describing the reported involvement of Mr Sharp in the talks as an important departure from what should really happen.

The former prime minister was seen walking in the suburbs of Kyiv on Sunday, despite warnings from senior military figures that he should stay away and stop looking for publicity.

Adam Forrest reports:

Boris Johnson makes shock visit to Ukraine amid new questions over his finances

Russia now controls around 18% of Ukraine, Ministry of Defence states in update

Monday 23 January 2023 21:40 , Eleanor Noyce

The Ministry of Defence has issued an intelligence update on Ukraine.

Notably, it reports that the Russian force continues to endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties. Alongside Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, General Valery Gerasimov is seen as out of touch and focused on presentation over substance.

Gerasimov, Russias Chief of the General Staff and newly appointed commander in Ukraine, has started his tour with a drive to improve deployed troops day-to-day discipline, the update furthers.

Since the beginning of his command, officers have been clamping down on non-regulation uniform, travel in civilian vehicles, the use of mobile phones and non-standard haircuts. These measures have been met with sceptical feedback.

The MoD also remarks that 54% of the maximum amount of territory Russia sized since February 24 2022 has now been liberated.

It also revealed that 18% of the internationally recognised areas of Ukraine are still controlled by Russia.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 23 January 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/CSN2KpKIMu



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/6ubHQ5sXPr  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) January 23, 2023

Kremlin official claims West prevented negotiations that would have ended war in Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 21:10 , Eleanor Noyce

In a meeting with his South African counterpart, Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war, but the US and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it.

It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation, and by the end of March the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict, Mr Lavrov stated.

It is well known and was published openly that our American, British and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.

In 2022, Putin claimed that Russia was ready for talks but that Ukraines Western allies prevented those from happening.

Lavrov was in Pretoria for talks with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.

Russia is looking to strengthen its relationship with its historical ally, which is taking a neutral stance on the war in refusing to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Update on German supply of tanks to Ukraine imminent, says US spokesperson

Monday 23 January 2023 20:42 , Eleanor Noyce

Spokesperson for the US Department of State Ned Price has stated that an update on Germanys supply of tanks to Ukraine is imminent, The Independent has learned.

You can expect news in the coming days from Germany about the supply of tanks to Ukraine, Price remarked in todays briefing.

So you know, we have the United States has concerns about any country, as weve said before, country exercising with Russia, while Russia wages a brutal war against Ukraine, he added.

Weve said this before weve been consistent on this of course every participating country will make their own decision.

Sean Penn's Ukraine documentary to premiere in Berlin

Monday 23 January 2023 20:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Sean Penns film about the war in Ukraine, Superpower, will have its world premiere at this years Berlin film festival, organizers said Monday.

The documentary will run outside the main competition, which features 18 movies this year including John Trengroves Manodrome with Jesse Eisenberg and Adrien Brody.

Organizers said the Berlinale will pay special tribute this year to Ukraine and the protests in Iran.

The annual event takes place from Feb. 16-26.

Sean Penn's Ukraine documentary to premiere in Berlin

Wagner chief gloats about comparisons to Rasputin

Monday 23 January 2023 20:10 , Eleanor Noyce

The chief of Russian paramilitary organisation Wagner has responded to comparisons made between him and Rasputin.

Referencing an article in the Financial Times which likened him to the historic Russian mystic, Yevgeny Prigozhin  the founder of Wagner  appeared to gloat about his intentions.

I am not very familiar with the history of Rasputin, but as far as I know, an important quality of Rasputin is that he staunched the blood flow of the young prince with incantations, Prigozhins press service quoted as his response.

Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and religious figure who befriended the royal family of Tsar Nicholas II, Russias final emperor before the dynasty was overthrown during the Russian Revolution.

He gained notable influence over the Royal Family, acting as a faith healer for Nicholas and wife Alexandras son, Alexei  the young prince referenced by Prigozhin - who suffered from haemophilia, a bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly.

Unfortunately, I do not staunch blood flow. I bleed the enemies of our motherland. And not by incantations, but by direct contact with them, Prigozhin furthered.

More here:

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin gloats about comparisons to Russian mystic Rasputin

Lavrov says West prevented negotiations to end Ukraine war

Monday 23 January 2023 19:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war but the U.S. and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.

Lavrovs remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was for talks but Ukraines Western allies prevented that from happening.

The U.S. and other Western nations have said that Russia is not serious about negotiations to end the war, set to mark its one-year anniversary next month.

It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict, Lavrov said.

It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.

Mogomotsi Magome reports:

Lavrov says West prevented negotiations to end Ukraine war

Boris Johnson trip to Ukraine paid for by taxpayers, say No 10

Monday 23 January 2023 19:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Security for Boris Johnsons surprise visit to Ukraine at the weekend was funded by taxpayers, Downing Street has said.

The former prime minister, facing fresh questions over his personal finances, said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had invited him to travel to Kyiv once again.

No 10 said Rishi Sunak was supportive of Mr Johnsons trip, after warnings from military figures that the former PM should not be looking for publicity and could undermine the PMs authority.

Mr Sunaks official spokesman confirmed the government paid for Mr Johnsons security as he visited some of the warn-torn suburbs around capital Kyiv on Sunday.

The costs of providing necessary protection for former prime ministers are paid for by the government. Beyond that I would not get into it, said the No 10 spokesman.

Mr Johnsons spokesperson said on Sunday that could not get into specifics for security reasons when asked who was stumping up for his trip.

Adam Forrest has more:

Boris Johnson trip to Ukraine paid for by taxpayers, say No 10

Hungary won't veto EU arms funding to Ukraine, official says

Monday 23 January 2023 18:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Hungarys foreign minister said Monday that while his government isnt in favor of the European Union sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it wont block a planned tranche of 500 million euros ($543 million) in assistance to Kyiv to use in the war with Russia.

Speaking at a news briefing on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Peter Szijjarto dismissed as lies media reports that emerged last week that Hungary planned to veto the funds earmarked for Ukraine under the blocs European Peace Facility.

Hungary opposes the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine  something Szijjarto said could lead to the prolongation or potential escalation of the war  but the government wont veto the aid package, he said.

We dont consider weapons shipments, nor the hundreds of millions of euros Europe has spent to finance them, a good idea. But we wont block the decision, he said.

While Hungarys government hasnt blocked previous payouts under the facility, which has to date delivered 3.1 billion euros in arms funding to Ukraine, it did veto an 18-billion euro aid package in December, leaving the EUs other 26 nations scrambling to keep the money supply going.

Justin Spike reports:

Hungary won't veto EU arms funding to Ukraine, official says

Latvia expels Russian ambassador in solidarity with Estonia

Monday 23 January 2023 18:10 , Eleanor Noyce

In light of escalating Baltic tensions with Russia, Latvia has expelled its Russian ambassador.

Latvias Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars RinkAviAs tweeted in solidarity with Estonia as he made the announcement.

The Russian foreign ministry remarked that it had told the Estonian envoy he must leave next month. Both countries will be represented by a charge daffaires.

Estonia has responded by requesting that the Russian envoy depart by February 7, as confirmed by Estonias Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu.

Lithuania expelled its Russian envoy in April.

Read more:

Russia, Estonia expel ambassadors amid 'destroyed' relations

Zelensky aide denies claims Ukraine storing weapons at nuclear plants

Monday 23 January 2023 17:40 , Eleanor Noyce

A Ukrainian presidential aide has dismissed a Russian claim that Ukrainian armed forces are storing weapons at nuclear power stations.

Mykhailo Podolyak branded the allegations lies, remarking that Ukraine has never stored any weapons on nuclear power plant territory.

Ukraine is always open to inspecting bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, the advisor tweeted.

Russians lies are aimed to justify their provocations.

Russias foreign intelligence service reported that US-supplied rocket launchers, air defence systems and artillery ammunition had been delivered to the Rivne nuclear power station in the northwest.

Russia did not substantiate these claims with evidence.

EU grants 500m in military aid for Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 17:10 , Eleanor Noyce

The EU has approved 500m military aid package for Ukraine, Sky News reports.

Hungary approved the decision, having previously blocked the package. However, it also signalled its opposition towards more sanctions, notably any that would constrict its deal with Moscow on nuclear energy.

Another 45m allocated towards non-lethal equipment is set to be part of the EUs military training mission for Ukraine, as per one of its diplomats.

Hungary won't veto EU arms funding to Ukraine, official says

Monday 23 January 2023 16:40 , Associated Press

Hungarys foreign minister said that while his government is not in favour of the European Union sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it will not block a planned tranche of 500m (438m) in assistance to Kyiv to use in the war with Russia.

Speaking at a news briefing on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Peter Szijjarto dismissed as lies media reports that emerged last week that Hungary planned to veto the funds earmarked for Ukraine under the blocs European Peace Facility.

Hungary opposes the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine  something Mr Szijjarto said could lead to the prolongation or potential escalation of the war  but the government wont veto the aid package, he said.

We dont consider weapons shipments, nor the hundreds of millions of euros Europe has spent to finance them, a good idea. But we wont block the decision, he said.

Russia may have orchestrated letter bomb to Spanish prime minister

Monday 23 January 2023 16:23 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian military intelligence officers may be behind the letter bomb sent to the Spanish prime minister, the New York Times reports.

The event was part of a wider letter bomb campaign in Spain.

US officials believe that Russian officers directed individuals from a white supremacist militant group to carry out the attacks, of which there were six in total. One person was injured.

The Russian Imperial Movement has been designated a terrorist organisation by the US, and has members across Europe. Investigators are now looking into this movement.

US officials also believe that Russia could be testing out its proxy organisations.

Germany sends Patriots on way to Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 16:03 , Liam James

Germany has dispatched the first two out of three Patriot air defence units that will be sent to the Polish town of Zamosc close to the Ukrainian border where they will be deployed to prevent stray missile strikes.

Two men were killed by a stray Ukrainian missile that struck the Polish village of Przewodow in the region last November, in an incident that raised fears of the war in Ukraine spilling over the border.

As a result, Berlin offered to deploy three of its Patriot units to Poland to help secure its air space. Ground-based air defence systems such as Raytheons Patriot are built to intercept incoming missiles.

Convoy of German Patriots on the way to Poland (Reuters)

Norway denies planning to deport Wagner asylum seeker

Monday 23 January 2023 15:26 , Liam James

Norwegian authorities have denied planning to deport an asylum seeker who entered the country to flee the Wagner group of mercenaries.

Russian Andrey Medvedev, formerly a fighter with Wagner, has been arrested under the Immigration Act and it is being assessed whether he should be produced for detention, Jon Andreas Johansen of Norwegian immigration police told The Associated Press. Norways VG newspaper said detaining him is not a punishment, but a security measure.

Norways National Criminal Investigation Service, which takes part in the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine said it was questioning Mr Medvedev who has the status of a witness.

Mr Medvedev, who has been on the run since he defected from the Wagner Group, has reportedly told Gulagu.net that he is ready to tell everything he knows about the shady paramilitary group and its owner Yevgeny Prigozhin, a millionaire with ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Andrei Medvedev after arriving in Norway (Gulagu)

Zelensky ally says Ukrainian officials to be jailed in anti-corruption drive

Monday 23 January 2023 14:00 , Liam James

A top ally of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said corrupt officials would be rounded up and jailed as part of a zero tolerance policy, after the most high-profile graft allegations since Russia invaded burst into public view.

On Sunday, anti-corruption police said they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister on suspicion of receiving a $400,000 (324,000) kickback to facilitate the import of generators into wartime Ukraine last September.

Separately, a newspaper investigation published on Saturday accused the Defence Ministry of overpaying suppliers for food for its soldiers. The ministry said the report contained signs of deliberate manipulation and was misleading.

David Arakhamia, head of Mr Zelenskys Servant of the People party, said: Were definitely going to be jailing actively this spring. If the humane approach doesnt work, well do it in line with martial law.

Fighting corruption was Mr Zelenskys trademark policy ahead of the invasion, having won a landslide victory in 2019 on a promise to clean up Ukraines crooked institutions.

Russia expels ambassador from Nato member Estonia after it calls for Ukraine to get German tanks

Monday 23 January 2023 13:30 , Liam James

Russia has announced that it is downgrading its relationship with Nato member Estonia by asking the countrys envoy to leave by next month (Sravasti Dasgupta writes).

In a statement on Monday, Russias foreign ministry said both countries would be represented in each others capitals by an interim charge daffaires instead of ambassadors.

It added that the move was in response to an Estonian bid to reduce the size of the Russian embassy in capital Tallinn.

In recent years, the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia. Total Russophobia, the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy, the Russian foreign ministry statement said.

Russia expels ambassador from Nato member Estonia after calls to get German tanks

South Africa defends military drills with Russia

Monday 23 January 2023 13:00 , Liam James

South Africas foreign minister deflected criticism of joint military drills planned with Russia and China, saying that hosting such exercises with friends was the natural course of relations.

Naledi Pandor made her comments during a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who was visiting South Africa 11 months after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Some opposition parties and South Africas small Ukrainian community have said that hosting Mr Lavrov is insensitive. South Africa is one of Russias most important allies on a continent divided over the invasion and Western attempts to isolate Moscow because of its military actions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country is impartial on the Ukraine conflict  though he has accused Nato of causing the Russian invasion  and has abstained from voting on UN resolutions on the war.

Ukrainians in South Africa protest Lavrovs visit (EPA)

Ex-Wagner asylum seeker told he will be deported' from Norway

Monday 23 January 2023 12:30 , Liam James

A former commander of Russias Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway has been told he will be deported, a Russian rights group said.

Andrei Medvedev, who fled by crossing the Russian-Norwegian frontier in the Arctic, was apprehended by police in Norway, an official said on Monday.

He is apprehended ... and we are considering whether to seek a courts decision for internment, police lawyer Line Isaksen told Reuters, declining to give further details.

Mr Medvedev has said he was in fear for his life after witnessing the killing and mistreatment of Russian prisoners brought to the front lines in Ukraine.

Gulagu, a Russian rights group in contact with Mr Medvedev, said: The transfer of a person who fled from the Russian Federation to Europe and began to give statements to the media and officially to the Norwegian criminal police would be a big mistake and would grossly violate his right to life.

Medvedev after arriving in Norway last week (Gulagu)

Kremlin says Ukrainians will suffer if Europe send tanks

Monday 23 January 2023 12:00 , Liam James

The Kremlin said Ukrainian people would suffer if the West sends tanks to support Kyiv.

The United States and its allies failed during talks last week in Germany to convince Berlin to provide its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, a key demand from Kyiv as it tries to breath new momentum into its fight against Russian forces.

Britain remains the only country to have pledged tanks  14 Challenger 2s  though Poland and Lithuania are keen to send German-made Leopard IIs and Warsaw has signalled it may find a way around the requirement to seek Berlins approval before sending them to Ukraine.

Asked about the issue at a daily news briefing today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the splits in Europe over whether to provide tanks to Kyiv showed there was increasing "nervousness" within the Nato military alliance.

"But of course all countries which take part, directly or indirectly, in pumping weapons into Ukraine and in raising its technological level bear responsibility [for continuing the conflict]," he added.

"The main thing is that it is the Ukrainian people who will pay the price for all this pseudo-support," he said.

Peskov attends a news conference at the Kremlin (Reuters)

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant of increasing concern'

Monday 23 January 2023 11:18 , Liam James

Operations at Ukraines Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are of increasing concern, a nuclear watchdog said today.

Olivier Gupta, head of the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA), said regulators were troubled by the management and organisational problems at the Russian-occupied plant.

Earlier this month, Rafael Grossi, the head of a UN body brokering a deal on a safe zone around the nuclear power plant, said negotiations were getting harder because of the involvement of the military.

Zaporizhzhia, Europes largest nuclear plant, was captured by Russian forces in March, soon after their invasion of Ukraine. It has repeatedly come under fire in recent months, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.

Zaporizhzhia plant in November (Reuters)

Kremlin shrugs off Wagner sanctions

Monday 23 January 2023 10:53 , Liam James

The Kremlin on Monday dismissed the significance of US sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner, saying they would have no practical effect.

The White House said on Friday that Wagner, which has been supporting Russian forces in Ukraine and claiming credit for battlefield advances, would be designated a significant Transnational Criminal Organisation and that new sanctions against it would be announced this week.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters there would be no practical impact for Russia or Wagner.

Poland could send tanks without German approval, says prime minister

Monday 23 January 2023 10:30 , Liam James

Poland could send Leopard II tanks as part of a coalition of countries even without Germanys permission, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said this morning.

We will ask for such permission, but this is an issue of secondary importance. Even if we did not get this approval ... we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine, Mr Morawiecki told reporters.

The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries.

Germany yesterday signalled a shift in its opposition to sending the German-made tanks, as foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin would not stand in Polands way.

New Russian war chief clamps down on discipline, says MoD

Monday 23 January 2023 10:00 , Liam James

General Valery Gerasimov, Russias newly appointed commander in Ukraine, seems to have been pushing for better discipline among Moscows troops, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an intelligence update.

Since Mr Gerasimov took command on 11 January officers have been attempting to clamp down on non-regulation uniform, travel in civilian vehicles, the use of mobile phones, and non-standard haircuts, the MoD said.

The generals appointment was seen as an attempt to iron out the difficulties Russia has faced in Ukraine in recent months.

Russian president Vladimir Putin, centre, with General Valery Gerasimov, left, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (Sputnik)

British MPs join in plea to Germany over tanks

Monday 23 January 2023 09:30 , Liam James

The leaders of dozens of major Commons committees have asked Germanys defence minister to allow Ukraine to defend itself against Russias invasion using German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

The MPs intervened 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.

The group, which includes the chairs of 24 major Commons committees and dozens of senior backbenchers, was coordinated by Labours Chris Bryant to contact Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius at this moment of extreme urgency to ask him to reconsider your position and allow Leopard 2 battle tanks  both German-owned and German-built  to be provided to Ukraine in the next few days.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock yesterday suggested Germanys position had changed, saying it would not stand in the way of Poland and Lithuania sending the tanks  a move which requires German approval.

File: German Leopard ii tanks in a demonstration (Bundeswehr-Fotos)

Russias Lavrov in South Africa for talks

Monday 23 January 2023 09:00 , Liam James

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is in South Africa for talks with one of its most important allies on a continent that is divided over Russias invasion of Ukraine and related Western attempts to isolate it.

He was to meet Soth Africas foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, in a trip some opposition parties and the small Ukrainian community have condemned as insensitive.

A ministry spokesman said Lavrov had arrived in South Africa on Monday morning. He and Ms Pandor are expected to hold a joint news conference around 10am.

President Cyril Ramaphosas government regards South Africa as neutral in the conflict and has expressed a desire to mediate.

Lavrov and Pandor meet in Pretoria (Reuters)

Russia says no date set for US nuclear treaty talks

Monday 23 January 2023 08:30 , Liam James

Russia said no new date has been set for talks with the United States on the New START nuclear arms treaty, accusing the US of ramping up tensions between the two sides.

Talks between Moscow and Washington on resuming inspections under the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty were due to take place in November in Egypt, but Russia postponed them and neither side has set a new date for a meeting.

Sergei Ryabkov, the deputy foreign minister, said the conditions were not right for new talks on the treaty, which caps the number of each sides strategic nuclear warheads.

The situation does not, frankly speaking, allow for setting a new date ... taking into account this escalation trend in both rhetoric and actions by the United States, Ryabkov was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Moscow said in November that it had to cancel talks with the United States over inspections of nuclear facilities under the New START treaty, which is set to expire in February 2026, citing political reasons and Washingtons supply of weapons to Ukraine.

Russia claims Ukraine using nuclear plants as weapons dumps

Monday 23 January 2023 07:58 , Liam James

Russias foreign intelligence service (SVR) has accused Ukraine of storing Western-supplied arms at nuclear power stations across the country.

It provided no evidence and The Independent was unable to verify the claims.

In a statement, the SVR said US-supplied Himars rocket launchers, air defence systems and artillery ammunition had been delivered to the Rivne nuclear power station in the northwest of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian armed forces are storing weapons and ammunition provided by the West on the territory of nuclear power plants, it said, further claiming that an arms shipment to the Rivne power station had taken place in the last week of December.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of shelling the Zaporizhzhia power plant and Ukraine says Russia is using the site as a de facto weapons depot.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since last March (Reuters)

Russia official warns West of destruction for arming Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 06:30 , Shweta Sharma

The speaker of Russias parliament warned on Sunday that countries supplying Ukraine with more powerful weapons risked their own destruction, a message that followed new pledges of armoured vehicles, air defence systems and other equipment.

Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe, State Duma chair Vyacheslav Volodin said.

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.

Russia official warns West of destruction for arming Ukraine

EU chief push to use confiscated Russian assets for reconstruction of Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 06:03 , Shweta Sharma

European Council president Charles Michel has urged the blocks national leaders to push forward with talks on using 260bn worth of confiscated Russian central bank assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

Mr Michel said he is ready to explore the idea of managing the Russian central banks frozen assets to generate profits, which could then be earmarked for reconstruction efforts, the newspaper reported.

It is a question of justice and fairness and it must be done in line with legal principles, the FT quoted Michael as saying in an interview.

In November, the EU had blocked 300bn (263bn) of the Russian central banks reserves to punish Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia prepares warship armed with hypersonic cruise weapons for drills with China

Monday 23 January 2023 05:48 , Shweta Sharma

In the first official mention of a warship armed with new-generation hypersonic cruise weapons, a Russian state-owned news agency said Soviet Union Gorshkov will participate in joint drills with China and South Africa in February.

Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, which is armed with Zircon missiles, will go to the logistic support point in Syrias Tartus, and then take part in joint naval exercises with the Chinese and South African navies, Tass news agency said, citing an unidentified defence source.

The missiles fly at nine times the speed of sound, with a range of more than 1,000 km (620 miles), Russia says. They form the centrepiece of its hypersonic arsenal, along with the Avangard glide vehicle that entered combat duty in 2019.

On Thursday, the South African National Defense Force said the drills, to run from 17 - 27 February near the port city of Durban and Richards Bay, aim to strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia and China.

Donetsk official says he visited Russia's captured' Soledar town

Monday 23 January 2023 05:31 , Shweta Sharma

The top Moscow-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine said late on Sunday that he had visited the town of Soledar that Russia claimed to have captured earlier this month.

Denis Pushilin, the administrator, released a short video on Telegram, showing himself driving and walking amidst uninhabited areas and destroyed buildings.

I visited Soledar today, Mr Pushilin said in an accompanying statement.

On 11 January, the Russian mercenary group Wagner said it captured Soledar, a salt mining town which has been the focus of intense fighting for months.

Ukraine has not confirmed if the town was captured by Russian forces.

British MPs urge Germany to allow German-made tanks at this moment of extreme urgency'

Monday 23 January 2023 05:00 , Shweta Sharma

Writing a joint letter to the German defence minister, dozens of British MPs have urged him to allow Ukraine to defend itself against Russias invasion using German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

The group, which includes the chairs of 24 major Commons committees and dozens of senior backbenchers, was coordinated by Labours Chris Bryant to contact Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius at this moment of extreme urgency.

We are conscious of the very significant efforts Germany has made to support Ukraine, especially over the last twelve months We understand the historic reasons for reluctance to provide German and German-made tanks, they wrote, in a copy of the letter obtained by The Sun.

However, we would urge you at this moment of extreme urgency, to reconsider your position and allow Leopard 2 battle tanks  both German-owned and German-built  to be provided to Ukraine in the next few days.

Boris Johnson makes shock visit to Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 04:23 , Shweta Sharma

Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday, despite warnings from senior military figures that he should stay away and stop looking for publicity.

Mr Johnson said he had been invited by Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the country for a fourth time, as he urged Western leaders to give Ukraine all the tools they need.

He 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.

His visit comes as he faces pressure over claims that he involved the BBC chair Richard Sharp in talks that led to his securing an 800,000 line of credit while at No 10.

Former civil service chief Sir Bob Kerslake said there was no question that there appeared to be a conflict of interest  describing the reported involvement of Mr Sharp in the talks as an important departure from what should really happen.

(Ukrainian Presidential Press Ser)

Germany would not stand in way of Poland sending tanks to Ukraine, says minister

Monday 23 January 2023 04:12 , Shweta Sharma

Germany would not stand in the way of Poland sending tanks to Ukraine, the countrys foreign minister has said.

Speaking to a French television station on Sunday, Annalena Baerbock gave the clearest signal yet that Berlins European allies could deliver German-made equipment to the Ukrainian front lines.

When Ms Baerbock was asked about whether Germany would allow Poland to export the tanks to Ukraine, she replied: For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way.

Germany would not stand in way of Poland sending tanks to Ukraine

Monday 23 January 2023 03:47 , Shweta Sharma

Welcome to The Independents live coverage of Russias war in Ukraine.
By Andreas Rinke and Tom Balmforth

BERLIN/KYIV (Reuters) -The United States and Germany were poised on Wednesday to announce plans to deliver heavy tanks to Ukraine, sources said, a decisive boost in support hailed in Kyiv as a potential breakthrough and condemned by Moscow as a reckless provocation.

Kyiv has been calling for months for Western main battle tanks that would give its forces the firepower, protection and mobility to break through Russian defensive lines and swoop through territory occupied by the invaders.

"A few hundred tanks for our tank crews .... This is what is going to become a real punching fist of democracy," Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration, wrote on Telegram as reports of the plans emerged.

While there was no official confirmation, the expected delivery of dozens of U.S. M1 Abrams tanks and at least one company of 14 German Leopards would mark a watershed in Western support for Ukraine. Germany's decision would open the door for other European allies that also field Leopards to send them too. Kyiv wants hundreds.

Just last week, allies pledged billions of dollars' worth of fresh military aid but stopped short of sending the tanks, with some politicians in Germany wary of provoking Moscow to escalate.

Zelenskiy, who turned 45 on Wednesday, again pressed Western allies to provide their most modern battle tanks, saying "the need is larger" in his nightly video address on Tuesday.

Moscow says supplies of modern offensive weaponry to Ukraine only postpone what it sees as an inevitable Russian victory. Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador in Washington, said deliveries of U.S. battle tanks would be a "another blatant provocation".

"It is obvious that Washington is purposefully trying to inflict a strategic defeat on us," Antonov said on the embassy's Telegram messaging channel. "American tanks will be destroyed by our military in the same way all other samples of NATO equipment are being destroyed."

Story continues

Western officials who support sending the tanks have dismissed Moscow's threats as bluster, arguing that Russia is already waging war at full tilt and has been deterred from attacking NATO.

DOZENS OF TANKS

In the 11 months since it invaded, Russia has killed thousands of civilians, forced millions from their homes and reduced entire cities to rubble.

It says its "special military operation" was necessary to halt a security threat arising from Ukraine's ties to the West, which it now portrays as seeking to destroy it. Kyiv and its Western allies say Ukraine never threatened Russia, and the invasion is a war of aggression to subdue its neighbour and seize land.

Ukraine defeated Russia's troops on the outskirts of Kyiv last year and later drove them out of swathes of occupied land. But Moscow still occupies around a sixth of Ukraine, which it has declared part of Russia.

The front line has been largely frozen in place for two months despite heavy losses on both sides, while both are believed to be planning new offensives for the spring.

Zelenskiy said that Russia was intensifying its push toward Bakhmut, an industrial town in eastern Ukraine where thousands of troops have been killed in months of trench battles that both sides refer to as a "meat grinder".

The Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's Donetsk region said on Wednesday that units of Russia's Wagner contract militia were now moving forward inside Bakhmut.

"Units, in particular Wagner, are advancing in Artyomovsk itself," TASS news agency quoted Denis Pushilin as saying, using the Russian name for Bakhmut. "Fighting is already taking place in the outskirts and in neighbourhoods that until very recently were held by the enemy."

Reuters could not verify the situation there.

Western military experts say Russia's focus on Bakhmut has made its forces vulnerable by squandering manpower on a costly battle for a target with limited strategic significance. But some argue that the slow pace of Western military aid so far has held Ukraine back from counterattacking.

Analysts at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said the West's slowness to provide more weaponry had "contributed to Ukraine's inability to take advantage of having pinned Russian forces in Bakhmut".

The question of whether to send heavy tanks has dominated debate among allies over how best to support Ukraine.

Germany has been pivotal because its Leopards, fielded by some 20 armies around the world, are available in much larger numbers than other European heavy tanks, and easier to deploy and maintain than the fuel-hungry turbine-powered U.S. Abrams.

But Berlin had been reluctant to send them unless Washington also sent its tanks to demonstrate a united Western front.

Two U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday that Washington was ready to start a process that would eventually send dozens of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. In Germany, two sources said Chancellor Olaf Scholz had decided to send the Leopards and allow other countries such as Poland to do so as well.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Cynthia Osterman and Stephen Coates; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Kevin Liffey)
Key developments on Jan. 23:

Russian forces will likely intensify their offensive in eastern Ukraine in the coming months, Deputy Military Intelligence Chief Vadym Skibitsky said on Jan. 23.

Skibitsky added that Russian troops are facing pressure from the Kremlin to capture the entire Donetsk Oblast by March.

The anticipated offensive would also likely include Russia's attempt to regain control of territories in the easternmost Luhansk Oblast that Ukraine had liberated thus far, according to the official.

Nearly 11 months into its full-scale invasion, Russia has begun changing tactics  relying on assault groups of 140 to 160 people  rather than making advances with battalions, much larger in size, Skibitsky said.

Russian forces are launching "powerful artillery strikes" to "completely destroy" Ukrainian defenses, "wave after wave," according to Skibitsky.

The same tactic is used by the Kremlin-controlled infamous Wagner Group in the embattled city of Bakhmut and its surroundings, according to Skibitsky.

Bakhmut has withstood relentless Russian attacks to encircle the city for months, but Soledar had recently fallen to Moscow  even though the Ukrainian leadership is yet to acknowledge it.

While Russian forces only occupy roughly half of Donetsk Oblast, the Kremlin has vowed to capture it  a region it claims to have illegally annexed in the fall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the newly-appointed commander overseeing the war in Ukraine, Valeriy Gerasimov, to seize the Donbas by March, Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate spokesperson Andriy Yusov said on Jan. 16.

Story continues

Ukraine's anticipation of a further Russian offensive comes amid Moscow's desperate efforts to achieve any victory in Ukraine after facing a string of humiliating defeats in late 2022.

Russia's recent victory in Soledar, a salt-mining town 10 kilometers north of Bakhmut, was its first noticeable success since early July.

The spring and early summer are likely to be the "decisive" moment of the war, Skibitsky said in an interview last week.

European allies push Germany to send Leopard tanks

No end in sight to the ongoing political scandal concerning German Leopard 2 tanks.

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Jan. 23 that his country would seek approval from Berlin to transfer the Leopards to Ukraine, but it was ready to send them anyways, regardless of the license holder's will.

"Even if we didn't get such an approval in the end, we will give our tanks to Ukraine anyway  within a small coalition of countries, even if Germany isn't in that coalition," Morawiecki said at a news conference.

Morawiecki's comments come a day after German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Berlin wouldn't "stand in the way" if Warsaw decides to send tanks to Ukraine.

Last week, Morawiecki said that Poland was ready to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Germany has not decided whether it would transfer its Leopards to Ukraine, or clear ways for allies to export Kyiv's much-needed heavy tanks to Ukraine.

As of Jan. 23, a German government spokesman said that Berlin hadn't received a formal request from Poland, BBC reported.

At the latest meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Jan. 20, defense leaders from some 50 countries failed to reach a consensus on transferring Leopards to Ukraine.

Germany has repeatedly said that it feared such a move would escalate the conflict into NATO's direct confrontation with Russia.

Deteriorating Baltic-Russia relations

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Jan. 23 that it was downgrading its diplomatic relations with Estonia, expelling the Estonian ambassador from the country.

Estonia has been one of the EU and NATO countries strongly advocating for Germany to send its Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Last week, Estonia announced its biggest military aid package for Ukraine worth 113 million euros ($123 million)  just more than one percent of the country's GDP.

In response to Moscow's action on Jan. 23, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said that his country would also order the Russian ambassador to leave by Feb. 7 as "principle of parity."

"Russia's steps do not prevent us from continuing to provide all possible support to Ukraine, which has been fighting for its sovereignty and the security of all of us for almost a year now," Reinsalu said in a statement.

Earlier on Jan. 11, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said the Russian embassy should shrink its employment size to "reach parity" with the number of Tallinn's envoys in Russia.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics also said that his country would expel the Russian ambassador and downgrade its diplomatic relations with Moscow "in solidarity with Estonia."

Moscow has not reacted to Latvia's decision yet.
Vsevolod Chentsov, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU, believes that Hungary will not be able to blackmail the entire European Union with its right of veto in joint decisions, in particular those concerning Ukraine.

Source: Chentsov in an interview to European Pravda

The diplomat believes that in the end Hungary will not block the allocation of additional military aid to Ukraine, which it currently plans to block, and the EU will find ways to approve this decision because Budapest's ability to use its veto right is not entirely unlimited.

"Like all EU member states, Hungary is trying to protect its interests. But quite often, it tries to do this at the expense of others, including Ukraine, and Ukraine becomes a hostage to these difficult situations within the EU. So they can try to block anything. Do they have the ability to do this? This is always a balancing act. If you cross certain red lines, you are no longer perceived and you find yourself in isolation," Vsevolod Chentsov noted.

He recalled that when Hungary blocked the approval of 18 billion in macro-financial aid for Ukraine, the member states were, perhaps not for the first time, able to develop a preventive instrument that would allow Ukraine to be given aid anyway, if Hungary had gone to the end and promised a solution by the most convenient mechanism.

In his opinion, Budapest cannot block further European sanctions against Russia without rational arguments.

"There have already been attempts by Hungary to put a question mark on the extension of sanctions against a group of individuals and Russian oligarchs. This attempt failed. Of course, there is still a decision to be made, but it shows that Hungary has no real arguments for why they are opposed to the extension of such sanctions. The I don't want argument is not how it works in the EU. The state must prove why such a decision is important not only for it but also for the entire EU, justify it and win a majority. I think it is doomed to failure," noted Vsevolod Chentsov.

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Ukraine's Defence Forces repelled Russian attacks in the vicinity of 11 settlements over the course of 22 January.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 23 January 2023

Details: Over the course of the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out four missile strikes and five airstrikes. They deployed multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] to carry out more than 40 further attacks.

Russian occupation forces carried out unsuccessful offensive operations on the Avdiivka, Lyman and Zaporizhzhia fronts. They are continuing their attempts to carry out offensive actions on the Bakhmut front. The Russians are defending their positions on other fronts.

Over the course of the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Defence Forces repelled the invaders attacks in the vicinity of Stelmakhivka and Novoselivske in Luhansk Oblast; and Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Bilohorivka, Paraskoviivka, Bakhmut, Stupochky, Novobakhmutivka, Pervomaiske and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast.

No Russian offensive groups have been reported on the Volyn, Polissia, Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts. Areas in and around Sopych, Kharkivka and Popivka (Sumy Oblast), and Veterynarne, Strilecha, Zelene, Pylna, Vovchansk, Novomlynsk, Starytsia and Dvorichna (Kharkiv Oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russians attacked the areas near Petropavlivka, Tabaivka, Synkivka, Krokhmalne and Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, as well as Novoselivske and Stelmakhivka in Luhansk Oblast.

On the Lyman front, Russian forces fired on Makiivka, Ploshchanka, Chervonopopivka and the Serebrianka forest (Luhansk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, areas of 21 settlements came under Russian fire. This refers to Verkhniokamianske, Krasnopolivka, Zalizne, Bilohorivka, Krasna Hora, Bakhmut, Kurdiumivka and Maiorsk in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka front, the invaders struck Avdiivka, Nevelske, Pervomaiske, Kranohorivka, Heorhiivka and Marinka.

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On the Novopavlivka front, the invaders shelled Bohoiavlenka and Mykilske in Donetsk with artillery and mortars.

Russian artillery inflicted damage on over 20 settlements on the Zaporizhzhia front, including Vilne Pole, Vremivka and Novopil in Donetsk Oblast, and Huliaipole, Pavlivka, Novodanylivka, Stepove, Orikhiv, Shcherbaky and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On the Kherson front, the Russians deployed MLRS to attack the settlements of Dudchany, Inhulets, Havrylivka, Burhunka, Monastyrske, Antonivka and Kherson.

From 18 to 21 January 2023, replenishment of the invaders manpower arrived in the settlements of Vynohradove and Brylivka in Kherson Oblast. The manpower was armed with small arms only. They did not bring any military equipment, and only a few of them had personal protective equipment, such as body armour.

The Russians keep suffering losses. Thus, the local hospital in Dniprorudne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast is overcrowded with the injured. Only recently, about 150 invaders had been taken there. At the same time, most of the hospitals staff has refused to work with the invaders; therefore, doctors come from the Russian Federation.

Ukrainian aircraft conducted three airstrikes on clusters of Russian occupation forces. They also shot down a Russian Orlan-10 UAV. Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery units struck four clusters of Russian military personnel and equipment, as well as three ammunition storage points.

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The University of Minnesota paid $162,500 last year to resolve its part of a lawsuit brought by a patient who reported being groped by her doctor at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

The patient, a married 58-year-old woman from Little Canada, was admitted in October 2019 for a foot infection and was scheduled for kidney dialysis the next day.

Emad Arzrumly, then a 36-year-old medical doctor and fellow studying in the Us nephrology department, met the patient for the first time that day while she was feeling loopy from a prescription painkiller.

During their initial 40-minute encounter, the doctor and patient hugged, flirted and kissed, according to the transcript from Arzrumlys criminal trial.

A police officer who interviewed the patient told the jury that the woman said she knew what the doctor was doing was not right and that she wanted to know how far this was going to go.

She reportedly wanted to nail the doctor, which the officer understood to mean get him in trouble with law enforcement or the state medical board.

Arzrumly gave the patient his cellphone number before leaving her room, and she sent him a text message with several heart and kiss emojis. He returned later that night for 46 minutes, during which he examined her stomach and then fondled, kissed and took photos of her breasts; he also tried to put his hand down the womans pants but she stopped him, according to the trial testimony.

The next morning, the woman called a friend, who encouraged her to report the doctors behavior. She told a nurse, who reported it to a supervisor and security guard, who then called police.

Officers took swabs of the womans breasts, which later were confirmed to have had the doctors DNA on them. Police also recovered deleted photos of the patients breasts from the doctors phone.

Criminal trial

At his criminal trial for sexual misconduct in November 2021, Arzrumlys attorney argued that the patient consented to the sexual contact.

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Hennepin County District Judge Paul Scoggin agreed, taking the rare step of dismissing one of the counts  a gross misdemeanor charge of nonconsensual sexual contact  after the trial and before the case went to the jury.

Scoggin said that what Arzrumly did was abhorrent behavior, but that the patient knew and understood what she was doing when she did it.

Jurors then found Arzrumly not guilty of felony fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which relates to sexual contact accomplished through false representation that the contact was for a legitimate medical purpose.

There simply has not been one credible piece of evidence that a false representation or deception was employed by Mr. Arzrumly to facilitate his ability to gain access or to touch the intimate body parts of the patient, his attorney, Patrick Cotter told the jury.

In fact, she implicitly stated in her own testimony  and it has come out through several witnesses  she knew what was going on. She knew it was wrong. She knew there was never a reason for him to fondle her breasts, to suck on her breasts, to take photographs of her breast.

Prosecutors saw it differently.

The defendant gained access to (the patients) body by saying he needed to palpitate her stomach to check out the liters that needed to be taken off. That was a false representation that that contact was for a medical purpose. And from there his hands and his mouth wandered, assistant county attorney Erin Goltz told the jury.

Arzrumly did not testify in his own defense.

Multiple settlements

The University of Minnesota dismissed Arzrumly as an employee in May 2020, U spokesman Jake Ricker said. Public records indicate he no longer is licensed to practice medicine.

The patient and her husband in May 2021 sued Arzrumly, as well as the university and Fairview Health Services, which owns and operates the hospital.

The U agreed to the $162,500 settlement in August 2022 while admitting no wrongdoing, according to a copy the Pioneer Press obtained through a public records request.

The patients attorney, Mike Docherty, said he couldnt talk about the case because of a confidentiality clause in a separate agreement not involving the U.

Reached by phone, Arzrumly referred questions to his attorney, Cotter, who did not respond to requests for comment.

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LANZHOU, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Having been living in China for over 10 years, Muhammad Faisal, a Pakistani, experienced the Spring Festival travel rush in quite a special way.

Wearing a railway uniform and holding a detector, Faisal conducted safety checks for travelers entering Tianshui South Railway Station. Some travelers looked at him in surprise when realizing that he was a foreigner, and he responded with a warm greeting in fluent Chinese.

"I feel lucky to participate in China's 'chunyun' in this way," he said. He works as a railway staff member -- doing safety checks, answering inquiries and organizing boarding and disembarking.

The 29-year-old comes from Islamabad, Pakistan. In 2012, he came to China to go to university. After graduation, he found a job in Tianshui City in northwest China's Gansu Province and decided to live there. He likes shooting short videos about his daily life in China and has gained many fans on his social media account.

As a fan of China's high-speed railway, he has traveled to many Chinese cities by high-speed railway. "I've been to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and some other cities. High-speed railway trains are fast and steady. The railway stations are very modern," he said.

Although he has spent a long time in China, Faisal previously barely had the chance to fully experience "chunyun." He described chunyun as "vigorous" and "well-organized."

The Spring Festival travel rush, also known as "chunyun," began on Jan. 7 and will last until Feb. 15 this year, during which many Chinese people will travel to reunite with their families for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 22, 2023.

According to an official media conference, the number of passenger trips during this year's Spring Festival travel rush is expected to surge by 99.5 percent compared with the same period last year -- to reach nearly 2.1 billion.

Wang Qiang, deputy director with the passenger transport department of the China Railway Lanzhou Group Co., Ltd., said that a total of 11 measures aimed at ensuring efficient services were implemented during this year's Spring Festival travel rush, including environmental adaptation for the elderly, online catering booking, and a code scanning service providing more transport information.

Seeing people carrying bags and traveling to their homes, Faisal could not help thinking of his family. "I also miss my parents. Whenever I feel homesick, I treat myself with decent Pakistani food," he said, adding that he always purchases rice, spices and teas imported from his hometown.

The Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor have brought benefits to people like Faisal. Now, it is easy for him to buy products from all over the world.

In 2018, a rail and road cargo service opened between Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, and Islamabad in Pakistan, which was the second freight train service launched by Gansu to South Asia.

At the Tianshui South Railway Station, a convenience store displays various imported goods from countries such as Russia, Vietnam, Belgium, and Pakistan. "Many travelers buy imported products here and take them home as gifts for their families," said Zhang Ying, a salesperson. 
The San Joaquin River along Brannan Island Road on Nov. 29 in Isleton. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

A gazillion gallons of stormwater have been rampaging down rivers into the sea. But that uncaptured bounty hasnt been wasted.

Wasted water being dumped in the ocean is an old cliche that resurfaces whenever theres a big storm in this weather-eccentric state  or during the inevitable dry periods when crops are thirsty and homeowners are told to shut off their lawn sprinklers.

But wasted water is a myth.

Uncaptured runoff flowing to the sea flushes pollutants out of rivers and bays, helping to cleanse water for local domestic use. It also saves many kinds of fish, including salmon, not only for recreationists but for the coastal fishing industry. And it deposits sand on beaches.

In the vital Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, runoff pushes back saltwater from San Francisco Bay, making the relatively small amount of water that is captured potentially drinkable.

Thats the view of water scholars Ive talked to recently. And it makes sense, particularly concerning flows through real rivers. That doesnt necessarily include concrete-lined flood channels, such as the so-called Los Angeles River.

Every drop of water flowing out of the Central Valley into San Francisco Bay creates benefits, asserts Jeffrey Mount, a water expert at the Public Policy Institute of California. Hes a former UC Davis science professor and founding director of the universitys Center for Watershed Sciences.

But he continues: I want to be perfectly clear. That doesnt mean we couldnt harvest more.

He also adds this caveat: There are some places where water is just wasted to sea. Im thinking where I grew up  in Santa Monica. Street runoff there has no demonstrable value. That is, unless its captured and recycled or stored underground, he notes.

But even uncaptured water headed to sea through the L.A. River is beneficial, he contends.

It cleans out the channel. The L.A. River is watered by urban slobber, an unpleasant mix of oils and other nasty stuff.

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Unfortunately, it winds up in places where surfers are, he says. The ocean is full of viruses by the time they paddle out.

Mounts PPIC colleague, Greg Gartrell, says the L.A. and lower San Gabriel rivers were turned into flood control channels to get the water off the land as fast as possible so they could build houses in floodplains.

The channels almost immediately filled up with sediment, he continues.

They put in sediment basins to catch the sediment so it wouldnt go into the channels. Then we started losing sand on the beaches.

The sand flows down from mountains as well as ocean cliffs.

If we didnt build in flood plains, Gartrell adds, we wouldnt have to do many of these projects.

The issue of whether to capture and store more runoff or allow it to flow freely into the ocean is more controversial in Northern California, where there are bona fide rivers.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin delta, fed by several rivers originating in the snow-covered mountains and flowing through the agriculture-rich Central Valley, is the source of drinking water for 27 million Californians and irrigation for 3 million acres of crops. The uncaptured water flows into San Francisco Bay and out through the Golden Gate into the Pacific.

Most of this water is not just uncaptured  its uncapturable, says Gartrell, a delta expert, independent consulting engineer and former assistant general manager of the Contra Costa Water District.

And its not actually wasted. Its freshening San Francisco Bay.

Its uncapturable because of pumping capacity and aqueduct sizes, and often in wet years because reservoirs are practically full  particularly San Luis Reservoir in Merced County, the big holding pond for both the federal and state water projects. Last week, it was only half full, but is expected to fill by spring.

The future of storage is underground in aquifers, now dangerously depleted by over-pumping.

We have a 150-million-acre-foot capacity underground  more storage than well ever be able to use, says Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the state Natural Resources Agency.

But Mount says, Were currently not set up for pumping underground in large quantities. We havent gotten our act together.

State and federal delta pumps now are operating at near capacity, sending nearly 14,000 cubic feet per second through aqueducts into the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. But thats tiny compared to delta outflows, which last week were roughly 150,000 CFS. None of it wasted.

The wasted water issue is more relevant when runoff is normal or very low.

I called Mount after reading a UC Davis blog post he co-wrote six years ago, titled Water wasted to the Sea?

The seaward flow of freshwater is essential to [delta] farmers, fishers, conservations, seashore lovers and government agencies that manage drinking water supplies, restore wetlands, protect coastlines and clean up sewage and storm pollution, he concluded then.

Wasted water to some is essential water to others.

I feel even stronger about it today, Mount told me. Its a mistake to refer to any water that goes to the ocean as wasted.

Im not saying all the water should go to the ocean. We could do a better job of storing some of it without impacting benefits.

So, uncaptured water isnt wasted. But when large amounts are suddenly gifted by nature, more could be stored for a non-rainy day.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In this June 24, 2014 file photo, a gate is closed at an ICBM launch control facility in the countryside outside Minot, N.D., on the Minot Air Force Base. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File

US military officers who worked at a nuclear missile base have developed cancer in recent years.

The military is investigating if the cancers are linked to their service, the AP reported on Monday.

An Air Force spokesperson told Insider that leadership is "aware of the concerns."

The US military is looking into unusual blood cancer cases among officers who previously manned nuclear missile silos at a base in Montana, an Air Force official said following the release of a new report.

Nine military officers who worked at Malmstrom Air Force Base as missileers, troops tasked with standing by in underground bunkers to fire nuclear missiles, have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at ages noticeably younger than the median age for this disease, and the military is investigating if there is a connection between their respective services at the facility  some of which stretch back decades  and the disease, the Associated Press reported Monday.

The report cited a briefing presented by US Space Force Lt. Col. Daniel Sebeck earlier this month to his unit and obtained by the AP.

"There are indications of a possible association between cancer and missile combat crew service at Malmstrom AFB," Sebeck said in his presentation, adding that there was concern over the "disproportionate number of missileers presenting with cancer, specifically lymphoma."

An Air Force spokesperson declined to provide Insider with information that was included in the briefing because it is considered "pre-decisional" but added that the service is looking into the situation in order to learn more.

"Senior leaders are aware of the concerns raised about the possible association of cancer related to missile combat crew members at Malmstrom AFB," Rose Riley, an Air Force spokesperson, told Insider. "The information in the briefing has been shared with the Department of the Air Force Surgeon General and our medical professionals are working to gather data and understand more."

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A spokesperson at Malmstrom Air Force Base confirmed to Insider that the base is aware of the situation but had no further information on the matter.

Malmstrom is located in central Montana and is home to the 341st Missile Wing, which is one of three Air Force bases maintaining and operating the country's silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 341st is made up of over 3,300 active-duty service members and 600 civilians.

According to the AP report, one of the nine missileers who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has died. Sebeck said in his Space Force briefing that the diagnoses, which occurred between 1997 and 2007, were notable because hundreds of missileers  including at least four of the officers from Malmstrom  now serve as members of Space Force.

"Missileers have always been concerned about known hazards, such as exposure to chemicals, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead and other hazardous material in the work environment," Sebeck said in his presentation, the AP reported. "All missileers should be screened and tracked for the rest of their lives."

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in an individual's lymph nodes or lymphatic tissue found in various organs, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"We are heartbroken for all who have lost loved ones or are currently facing cancer of any kind and know that we have the responsibility to investigate any potential service-related risks to Airmen, Guardians or their dependents' health," Riley, the Air Force spokesperson, told Insider.

If the cancers are related to their service, it will not be the first time. American service members have been exposed cancer-causing agents in the past, such as those who were sent to the Pacific to help clean up the fallout from extensive nuclear weapons testing. One veteran who supported these efforts previously told Insider he was diagnosed with stage-four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which he believes is tied to his service in the Marshall Islands.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Biden administration on Monday announced new sanctions against Iran related to serious human rights abuses against Iranian protesters who have been demonstrating against the Islamic regime since September.

The sanctions target Tehrans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization, and an IRGC financial cooperative.

It is the ninth round of sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Iranian officials related to the violent crackdown on widespread protests sparked by the death of a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman in police custody. Mahsa Amini was allegedly detained for violating a law that requires women to wear headscarves in public.

The protests have grown into demonstrations calling for regime change.

The United States remains committed to supporting the Iranian people in their demands for human rights and other fundamental freedoms, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

Individuals sanctioned by the U.S. include the commander of the IRGC forces responsible for at least three western Iranian provinces, Mohammad Nazar Azimi, and his deputy Kourosh Asiabani, who is responsible for the western Iranian province of Kermanshah.

The U.S. said some of the worst acts of violence by Iranian security forces have taken place in this region.

In Javanrud, a town in Kermanshah province, IRGC troops used live ammunition, including from semi-heavy machine guns, to quell protests, killing and wounding dozens, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. The IRGC has shelled vehicles attempting to deliver blood bags to those wounded in local hospitals, preventing their delivery.

The U.S. also announced it blacklisted the IRGC Cooperative Foundation and five members of its board of directors. The U.S. describes the foundation as an economic conglomerate that manages IRGC investments and presence in numerous sectors of the Iranian economy, including manufacturing and construction.

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The U.S. sanctions were announced in coordination with similar moves by the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The U.K. on Monday announced sanctions against five Iranian individuals and two entities. The European Union imposed sanctions on 18 individuals and 19 entities.

Along with our partners, we will continue to hold the Iranian regime accountable so long as it relies upon violence, sham trials, the execution of protestors, and other means of suppressing its people, Nelson said.

The Iranian government has responded to the four-month-long protests with live fire that has reportedly killed hundreds of people. It is also accused of torturing protestors who have been detained and beating people being arrested. In recent weeks, Irans government also has carried out executions of people involved in the unrest.

At least four individuals are reported to have been executed for participating in the protests. Their trials, sentencing and executions have all been criticized internationally.

The European Union commissioner for justice, Didier Reynders, said in a speech last week that Irans mass arrests and executions of protesters has likely caused the protests to decrease.

The crackdown has now moved to the courtrooms, where harsh sentences, including death sentences, are used as a tool of repression, Reynders said, adding that nongovernmental organizations estimate that at least 500 people have died and 18,000 have been arrested.

Reports of abuse and mistreatment perpetrated against protesters while in custody are also a matter of serious concern, Reynders continued. The people of Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peaceful protest. Fundamental rights must be respected in all circumstances.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce plans to take the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to court over its proposed rule to ban noncompete agreements that restrict employees from switching jobs.

Chamber CEO Suzanne Clark said that the corporate lobbying group will oppose the proposed regulation with all the tools at our disposal, including litigation in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

If the FTC can regulate noncompete agreements without authorization from Congress, there is no aspect of employment or commercial arrangements that it doesnt have the authority to regulate or ban arbitrarily, Clark wrote.

The FTC, led by Chairwoman Lina Khan, an outspoken opponent of corporate power, rolled out the proposed noncompete ban earlier this month.

The commission said that the rule could provide workers with $300 billion in wages that were lost because noncompetes blocked them from finding a new job or starting their own company.

Every worker stuck in a job represents a position that isnt opening up for someone else. And if employers know their workers cant leave, they have less incentive to offer competitive pay and benefits, which puts downward pressure on wages for everyone, Khan wrote in a recent New York Times column.

Around 1 in 5 workers are subject to noncompete clauses, according to federal government estimates. While these agreements are common in high-paying law and tech jobs, theyre also used in industries like retail and construction, according to the White House.

The proposal went further than legal experts expected. Many predicted that the FTC would attempt to place restrictions on noncompetes rather than ban them entirely.

The FTC said that it has the authority to regulate noncompetes under a law directing the agency to combat unfair methods of competition.

Clark wrote that the Chamber must fight the proposed rule to prevent a precedent that would empower the FTC to expand its regulation into other areas, such as blocking companies of a certain size from making acquisitions.

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This fight is about much more than the fate of noncompete agreements, Clark wrote.

Several legal experts and the FTCs lone GOP commissioner predict that the FTC rule wont survive legal challenges, particularly if it comes before the Republican-dominated Supreme Court.

Todays proposed rule will lead to protracted litigation in which the Commission is unlikely to prevail, Republican FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson said in a statement earlier this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MIAMI (AP)  A federal judge in Miami has awarded $153 million in damages to the family of an exiled Venezuelan lawyer lured back home by his fathers kidnapping only to end up imprisoned for two years on trumped up charges of working as a financial terrorist undermining President Nicolas Maduro's rule.

Carlos Marron brought the lawsuit after fleeing Venezuela and describing to The Associated Press the beatings, asphyxiation and other abuse he claims to have suffered while detained.

His ordeal drew harsh rebuke from the United Nations' Human Rights Council, which determined he had been arbitrarily detained for allegedly operating a website that published the black-market exchange rate of Venezuelas erratic bolivar for U.S. dollars, something the socialist government considered a crime.

The ruling issued Monday is the second of its kind in recent months targeting Maduro's government over its alleged ties to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia under a little used federal law that allows American victims of foreign terror groups to seize the assets of their victimizers. In September, another federal judge awarded $73 million to the family of a prominent opponent of Maduro who died after falling from the 10th floor of a building belonging to Venezuela's intelligence services in what the U.S. court likened to a murder for hire."

As in the earlier case, Marron in his lawsuit accused Maduro of heading the Cartel of the Suns, a purported drug-smuggling ring involving top Venezuelan officials and guerrillas from the FARC  a designated terrorist group under U.S. law  that allegedly sends 200 metric tons of cocaine from Venezuela into the U.S. each year.

Judge Federico Moreno issued a default judgment against Maduro and five other insiders  including his Attorney General Tarek William Saab and former Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno  for failing to respond to the lawsuit. In it, Moreno wrote that the officials were liable for Marron's unlawful imprisonment because they were trying to shut down his Florida business, viewing it as a threat to a criminal organization based on narcotics trafficking, acts of terror and human rights violations.

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Defendants exchange drugs for hard currency. The hard currency allows the Defendants to stay in power in Venezuela. Defendants leverage that power to kidnap and torture dissidents like Marron, Moreno wrote in a 13-page ruling benefitting Marron and his family.

Marron, 45, was arrested by the Venezuelan military counterintelligence unit in April 2018 without a warrant upon his arrival to Caracas' international airport. He had been forced to travel to Venezuela from Miami  his home for the previous decade  upon learning that his father had been detained by state officials.

It was an elaborate trap seeking to punish Marron for a website domain, dolarpro.com, hed bought years earlier as a business prospect but says he never developed. Under a friend's stewardship, the website began publishing news and information on the nation's black-market exchange rate, which varied vastly from official figures.

Attorney General Saab likened Marron's actions to mass murder.

Perhaps hes out to destroy more than 30 million Venezuelans, Saab said in a nationally televised address announcing his arrest.

A 2010 presidential decree made it illegal to publish anything but the official exchange rate, and authorities regularly accused speculators

But critics say the huge disparity between the two rates is a vehicle for graft by government insiders.

Marron declined to comment on the judgment and there was no immediate response from Maduro's government.



Follow Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman
Va Lecia Adams Kellum, left, president and chief executive of St. Joseph Center, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at a news conference in December. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's new chief executive is no stranger to the often contentious and closely watched efforts to remove tents from public spaces and get homeless people indoors.

She's managed and run many of them.

Va Lecia Adams Kellum will now take on a bigger challenge: Attempting to chart a path for the much maligned joint-powers authority, whose mission and management has been under the microscope in recent years. Adams Kellum's appointment was approved by the agency's board of commissioners, which is made up of people appointed by elected officials from the city and county.

"Together we will transform LAHSA into an instrument of systemic change and a model for addressing homelessness on our streets. Each of us knows the time is now for action," Adams Kellum said at a news conference Monday, flanked by Mayor Karen Bass, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, county Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn and a host of other officials.

"As we all see the extraordinary amount of human suffering in our communities, we must not delay in doing the work," she added.

In discussing Adams Kellum's appointment, each elected official touted the theme of closer collaboration and a more convivial relationship between the city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. Each plays a role in the complex funding and coordination of resources and services devoted to combat homelessness.

LAHSA  which was born out of a lawsuit between the city and county  is funded by both and beholden in different ways to elected officials from each entity. The lack of clarity about LAHSA's role has been a source of much consternation in recent years even as its annual budget has grown to close to $730 million.

It is anything but settled what the direction of the agency will be, but elected officials said it must move with much more urgency in addressing the crisis.

"LAHSA coordinates homelessness and the resources and all that, but we want to have it be a much more decisive role," Bass said. "One of the problems has been [articulating] who is the actual leader? Who is the actual decision maker? So given this new spirit of cooperation that we have, I think you will see LAHSA 's role be much more clearly defined in the next few months."

Story continues

Adams Kellum is close to Bass and has been working closely in the first weeks of her administration to help coordinate the clearing of encampments in Venice and Hollywood. St. Joseph Center, the Venice nonprofit she has run since 2008, did much of the outreach and work to find hotel rooms for people staying in these encampments for the intermediate period.

In the summer of 2021, St. Joseph Center received $5 million from the city to help move people living in a large encampment along Ocean Front Walk in Venice. Angry residents and business owners felt the city had been slow to react to the proliferation of tents there.

About half of the funds went to renting motel rooms for more than 200 people. Much of the rest went toward staff to supervise the outreach and operations of the motels. Of the 213 people moved off Ocean Front Walk, 109 have found permanent housing. She has said that its much easier to get people paired with a housing subsidy and into permanent housing if theyre indoors already.

That effort has served as a model for what Bass is trying to do now  and Adams Kellum will initially be an advisor to Bass working in City Hall. She will take on her new role at some point in the spring at an annual salary of $430,000, according to LAHSA documents. She replaces Stephen Simon, who directs the city's Department of Disability and had been serving in an interim capacity since Heidi Marston resigned over a conflict with the board last spring.

The appointment was announced the day before the launch of LAHSA's 2023 point in time count during which thousands of volunteers will fan out across the county over three days counting people on the street, tents, shelters and vehicles. The count will cover the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys Tuesday, the Westside and Eastside Wednesday and South Los Angeles, the Metro area and the Antelope Valley Thursday. Results are expected in late spring or early summer.

During the press conference, officials encouraged Angelenos to volunteer in their community.

Much of Adams Kellum's early work will be about mollifying frustrations over the impact  or lack thereof  that the agency has had in stemming the growth of homelessness. Much of that anger has been expressed by members of the Board of Supervisors including Hahn, the chair, who said she'd be rooting for Adams Kellum but expecting changes and results.

"I've had my doubts about LAHSA," Hahn said. "What LAHSA has done, and, frankly, what our county and our city has done so far to address this crisis, I believe, hasn't worked."

After speaking about her hopes for the role and the work ahead of her, Adams Kellum turned to the elected officials standing behind her and found Hahn.

"Business as usual, is unacceptable," she said. "Thank you again, Mayor Bass, and Chairwoman Hahn, we're going to change your mind."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Vince McMahon. Illustrated | Getty Images

The fourth season of Succession came early for fans of WWE. The wrestling company has been engulfed in drama after its CEO retired in disgrace amid a sexual misconduct scandal, only to abruptly return months later against the board's wishes  leading to his own daughter's exit and rumors that the company could be sold to Saudi Arabia. Here's a complete timeline of the ongoing chaos:

June 2022: WWE board probing Vince McMahon's alleged affair settlement

On June 15, 2022, The Wall Street Journal breaks the news that the WWE board is investigating a "secret $3 million settlement" CEO Vince McMahon paid to a "departing employee with whom he allegedly had an affair." The probe reportedly began in April 2022.

According to the report, board members learned of this agreement after receiving anonymous emails from a friend of the woman beginning March 30. The emails claim the woman was hired as a paralegal in 2019 and that McMahon doubled her salary, from $100,000 to $200,000, after they began a sexual relationship. She allegedly signed a separation agreement in January 2022 preventing her from discussing the relationship. A WWE spokesperson tells the Journal that the relationship was consensual.

But the Journal says the board's investigation "unearthed other, older nondisclosure agreements involving claims by former female WWE employees" against McMahon and head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. One of the anonymous emails reportedly claimed McMahon "gave" the former paralegal "like a toy" to Laurinaitis; she reportedly became an assistant for Laurinaitis in 2021. McMahon is also accused of using personal funds to pay these former employees.

June 2022: McMahon steps back as WWE CEO

Just two days after the Journal's report, WWE announces on June 17 that McMahon has "voluntarily stepped back" from his responsibilities as CEO and chairman of the board "until the conclusion" of an investigation into "alleged misconduct" by him and Laurinaitis. However, WWE says McMahon will retain his role as head of creative content.

Story continues

But McMahon's daughter, Stephanie McMahon, is named interim CEO and interim chairwoman. She was formerly the company's chief brand officer, but she announced she would be taking a leave of absence just weeks earlier, on May 19, "to focus on my family."

Hours after McMahon's step back is announced, though, he surprisingly makes an appearance on WWE SmackDown, opening the show as the crowd cheers for him. McMahon doesn't directly address the situation but says he wants to "remind" viewers of WWE's slogan "then, now, forever, and the most important word is together"  possibly signaling he doesn't intend to resign.

July 2022: More sexual misconduct allegations emerge

A few weeks later, on July 8, The Wall Street Journal reveals more misconduct allegations against McMahon.

A new report says McMahon allegedly agreed to pay over $12 million to four women to "suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity" over the past 16 years. This includes an alleged $7.5 million agreement with a former wrestler who reportedly alleged McMahon coerced her into performing oral sex on him, "then demoted her and, ultimately, declined to renew her contract in 2005 after she resisted further sexual encounters."

Another settlement was reportedly with a WWE contractor who alleged McMahon sexually harassed her; she allegedly claimed she received unsolicited nude photos of McMahon and presented them to the company, ultimately receiving a $1 million settlement in 2008. Additionally, in 2006, a former manager was paid $1 million to "keep quiet" about a sexual relationship with McMahon, the Journal says. These agreements are in addition to the previously reported $3 million settlement with the former paralegal.

This same report reveals another new detail: that head of talent relations John Laurinaitis allegedly had a sexual relationship "with the same former paralegal" who received the $3 million settlement. The board is also reportedly investigating a $1.5 million nondisclosure agreement reached with an employee in 2012, who alleged she had an affair with Laurinaitis and was demoted after breaking it off. Laurinaitis has been placed on administrative leave, the report adds.

Later in the month, the Journal says the Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors are investigating the payments, and WWE confirms it received "regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands."

July 2022: McMahon retires, daughter becomes co-CEO

On July 22, McMahon abruptly announces in a terse tweet (sent at the end of the day on a Friday) that it's "time for me to retire." The company soon confirms the news in a statement, which does not acknowledge the sexual misconduct allegations as the reason. "I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand," McMahon says.

WWE subsequently confirms that McMahon's daughter, Stephanie McMahon, has been named permanent co-CEO along with Nick Khan, as well as Chairwoman of the Board. However, Vince McMahon makes a point to note he is still the company's majority shareholder and will, therefore, "continue to support WWE in any way I can."

Stephanie McMahon's husband Paul Levesque (a.k.a. Triple H) also becomes head of creative, and he's later promoted to chief content officer.

August 2022: WWE says investigation is 'substantially complete,' John Laurinaitis reportedly fired

The following month, WWE says its board investigation into McMahon's alleged misconduct is "substantially complete." According to the Journal, it found that there were about $20 million in expenses that should have been recorded in WWE's financial statements, including $14.6 million to settle sexual misconduct allegations from 2006 through 2022. The investigation also reportedly finds McMahon paid $5 million in unrecorded expenses as contributions to former President Donald Trump's charity.

This same month, PWInsider reports John Laurinaitis has been "quietly" fired by WWE.

November 2022: WWE's investigation officially closed

In November 2022, WWE says a special committee's investigation into McMahon's alleged misconduct "is now complete and the special committee has been disbanded," adding that management is now "working with the board of directors to implement the recommendations of the special committee related to the investigation."

December 2022: McMahon reportedly regrets retiring, faces legal demands from accusers

Just five months after his retirement, The Wall Street Journal reveals in December 2022 that McMahon has "told people that he intends to make a comeback," believing he "received bad advice from people close to him to step down and that he now believes the allegations and investigations would have blown over had he stayed."

This detail is included in a larger report about how McMahon is now facing legal demands from two women who accused him of sexual assault. Former wrestling referee Rita Chatterton reportedly demanded $11.75 million in damages after accusing McMahon of raping her in a limousine, and a "lawyer for a former spa manager said that Mr. McMahon assaulted his client in 2011," the Journal writes.

January 2023: Vince McMahon makes a surprise return

Weeks later, McMahon releases a shocking statement on Jan. 5 announcing he is electing himself to WWE's board, in addition to former WWE co-presidents Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, and removing three board directors. He's able to do so because he is still the company's majority shareholder. "Mr. McMahon expects to assume the role of executive chairman of the board," his statement says. Two other board directors also resign.

The board "previously rebuffed an attempt from McMahon to return to the company," according to ESPN. In a December letter, the board said his return would be a mistake, a conclusion "based on a variety of factors, including non-public information the board has become aware of and the risks to the company and its shareholders of placing a greater spotlight on these issues," per The Hollywood Reporter.

But McMahon is reportedly exploring a possible sale of WWE, and this comes as WWE's media rights deals are set to be renegotiated in 2023. He says in his statement that his "return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder." Translation? "He is essentially tying his return to the ability to get a deal done" and suggesting that if WWE were to "do a deal without him involved in the company, that he could potentially veto it at any time," Matthew Belloni explains on The Town podcast. "So he kind of forced their hand."

Indeed, according to the Journal, McMahon "communicated to the board that unless he has direct involvement as executive chairman from the outset of a strategic review, he won't support or approve any media-rights deal or sale." WWE has hired JPMorgan to advise on a potential sale, according to CNBC.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson reports news of McMahon's return "shocked everyone we have spoken with" inside WWE. "The company morale has gone up exponentially since Vince 'retired' so a lot of people are wondering what things will look like in the days ahead," Johnson writes, explaining the WWE board can't stop him. "Vince has the majority shareholder," he says, "and he's always had the right to do this  he still owns the company!"

In fact, the company noted in a November filing, "Mr. McMahon can effectively exercise control over our affairs."

January 2023: Stephanie McMahon abruptly resigns

Less than a week after her father's return, Stephanie McMahon resigns as co-CEO and chair of the board on Jan. 10. "WWE is in such a strong position that I have decided to return to my leave and take it one step further with my official resignation," she says. This is despite the fact that Vince McMahon previously said he didn't "intend for my return to have any impact on" WWE's "exceptional management." This same day, WWE confirms Vince McMahon has been "unanimously elected" as executive chairman of the board.

According to Axios, McMahon and her husband, Triple H, "opposed a sale" of WWE. Her resignation leaves Nick Khan as WWE's sole CEO, but Triple H remains chief creative officer. Sportscaster Jon Alba reports several wrestlers quickly reached out about Stephanie McMahon's resignation, and the "general consensus from them is it's bad news for the workers."

January 2023: WWE shareholder sues over McMahon's return

According to Bloomberg, a WWE shareholder sues McMahon in Delaware, claiming he broke the law with his move to "take complete personal control over any major corporate decision" by "adding his cronies to the board."

January 2023: Is WWE being sold to Saudi Arabia?

Amid talk of a sale, unconfirmed rumors pop up online claiming WWE will be sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, though TMZ reports no such deal has been reached.

Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer addresses the rumor that "Vince is selling to the Saudis and he's going to go private," noting he also heard these rumblings. "This is not some crazy, made-up story that someone pulled out of thin air," he says. "Everybody was talking about it." But Alvarez says WWE "does not appear to be sold yet." Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer also reports WWE is looking to sell by mid-2023, and he confirms Saudi Arabia is "in the hunt," as is Endeavor, which already owns UFC. Meltzer adds that WWE CEO Nick Khan recently met with Disney CEO Bob Iger, sparking speculation Disney could be in the mix.

CNBC says WWE's rival All Elite Wrestling is also interested in a merger, though the report notes this is likely a "long shot" and that AEW hasn't had talks with McMahon or Khan.

Meanwhile, Meltzer says on The Dan LeBatard Show that the WWE board previously voted not to bring McMahon back because "there's other things that haven't even come out publicly that they're worried about." He also speculates that despite Triple H still being in charge of the creative side of WWE for now, "I'm sure that [McMahon's] goal is to be back in charge, fully, of the company, and run the creative of the company."

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Saturn IB rocket no longer safe to keep standing at Alabama rest stop



January 23, 2023  A roadside rocket display that for more than 40 years has stood as a welcome sign for drivers entering the state of Alabama is no longer safe to be left standing and should now be replaced, according to NASA and the museum charged with its care.



Officials at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville have decided that the Saturn IB rocket erected in 1979 at the Ardmore Welcome Center in Elkmont needs to be replaced. More than just a matter of moving it elsewhere, the Apollo-era artifact may be destroyed due to its failing condition after nearly four-and-a-half decades on outdoor, vertical display.



"A beacon to travelers along I-65 for many years, this rocket was not built to withstand more than 40 years of continuous exposure to the elements of nature," NASA officials said in a statement. "The support structure has deteriorated over the years, the damage is too significant to repair, and could potentially pose a structural safety issue if left in place."



Initial estimates provided by the rocket center to disassemble and reconstruct the Saturn IB  one of only two remaining examples of the rocket in the world  exceed $7 million with no assurance that the booster would survive the process. Even if it could be safely lowered, moving the rocket to restore it elsewhere is not an option given size constraints for the overpass bridges on I-65 and restrictions on other routes.



"Extensive repairs, if possible, would need to be done on site and require a team of experts working full time for more than a year," said the Saturn IB's curators at the rocket center. "None of these efforts will prevent the inevitable deterioration of a vehicle that was not designed to stand outdoors."



'A significant piece of space hardware'



A plaque installed near the rocket dedicates the display "to the men and women who made it possible for this nation [the United States] to explore space for peaceful purposes" through the cooperation of NASA, the Marshall Space Flight Center and the State of Alabama.



The idea to erect such an exhibit began in 1974, when then-Governor George Wallace wrote to Marshall's director William Lucas requesting a "significant piece of space hardware, such as a Saturn rocket, be erected on the Welcome Center site as a permanent landmark." At the time, the Welcome Center was a year from opening along what was then a new interstate highway.



The Apollo program was not yet over and though the Saturn IB launches to the Skylab orbital workshop were complete, at least one more use of the rocket was planned for the joint U.S. and Soviet Union mission, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, in 1975. NASA was further limited by a congressional mandate to keep its stock of Apollo hardware "so as to be able to restore it, if required, to flight condition."



What Marshall was ultimately able to provide the state was a mixture of authentic and mock hardware. The first (or lower) stage of the rocket is flight hardware, referred to by NASA as S-IB-211. Between December 1967 and April 1968, the stage was test fired seven times on Marshall's Saturn IB test stand.



The upper stage, or S-IVB, is comprised of a real interstage and forward skirt mounted to a mockup body that was originally built for underwater training at Marshall's Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS). The forward skirt was mounted upside down at the aft end of the body intentionally, but the reasons for doing so are unknown today.



The spacecraft-lunar module adapter, or SLA, and instrument unit (which held the avionics for the launch vehicle) are authentic hardware, as is likely the launch escape system tower topping the rocket.



The Apollo command module is a boilerplate mockup. Its service module is likely Block 1 (first generation) hardware that was previously exhibited at Marshall.



All together, the pieces formed the 142-foot-tall (43-meter) Saturn IB. The rocket rests on eight authentic hold-down arms just as if it was on a launch pad.



'Meaningful, sustainable and economically feasible'



Efforts to restore the rocket were undertaken in 2006 and 2014, with the latter first focused on repairing its base. That work alone was estimated to cost $15,000 and took a few years to get underway.



NASA and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center announced its decision to retire the display on Friday (Jan. 19) after the director of the Alabama Tourism Department made public comments suggesting that it was time to replace the Saturn IB with something that better reflected the future of the U.S. space program.



"What Huntsville needs to market is the next big project, going back to the moon, instead of people saying nothing ever changes," Lee Sentell told The Huntsville Times. "I'm for putting up something that's future."



State Representative Andy Whitt (R-Ardmore), who chairs the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, agreed.



"This is an opportunity to create a landmark that will withstand the test of time and serve as a symbol of Alabama's past and current role in space and technology," Whitt said in a statement released by the rocket center. "Everyone involved is working together to create the next great icon for our community, our state and our nation."



For its part, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center wants a "meaningful, sustainable and economically feasible replacement for the iconic rocket."



"Whether the rocket is replaced by a replica of the Saturn IB or another rocket, we're excited at the possibility for a new enduring emblem of Alabama's leadership in space exploration," said Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director of the center.



For 44 years, a NASA Apollo-era Saturn IB rocket has stood at the Ardmore rest area alongside I-65, welcoming visitors to the state of Alabama. Now, the space agency has decided that the degraded display is no longer safe to keep standing and should be replaced. (Mike Jetzer/ heroicrelics.org )





A look at the real and mockup components of the Saturn IB rocket that were assembled, taken vertical and dedicated at the Alabama Welcome Center in 1979. (U.S. Space & Rocket Center)





More than four decades of exposure to the elements has taken a toll on Saturn IB rocket, leaving it unsafe to keep standing without millions of dollars of restoration work that it still might not survive. (Mike Jetzer/ heroicrelics.org )





After 44 years, the Saturn IB rocket display at the Alabama Welcome Center at Ardmore is in the rear view mirror. (Mike Jetzer/ heroicrelics.org )



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South Korean actor Na Chul died in a hospital over the weekend at the age of 36, according to local reports.

Na, whose health had taken a turn for the worse recently, died while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness on Saturday morning, South Korean media reported.

His funeral was held at Soonchunhyang University Hospital Funeral Home in Seoul on Monday.

Several South Korean celebrities posted their condolences online after news of Nas death surfaced over the weekend.

More from NextShark: Collin Gosselin of Jon & Kate Plus 8 says the show tore his family apart in new interview

Kim Go-eun, a friend of Na who also appeared in the 2022 tvN series Little Women, reportedly canceled an upcoming fashion show appearance after hearing about his death.

The best actor Na-cheol. The greatest person, father, husband, son and friend Na-cheol, Kim wrote in Korean in an Instagram tribute on Saturday.





She then uploaded a picture of her and Na together with other people on Sunday. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay by your side," she wrote in the post's caption in Korean. "Thank you for creating those precious times. I don't know why you were in such a rush but that place will be better than here. I'll take care of your two treasures left here. Don't worry."

More from NextShark: Why Henry Golding Took on a Gay Role in 'Monsoon'

Meanwhile, Uhm Ji-won, who also appeared in Little Women, paid tribute to Na via Instagram Stories. "Dear Na-cheol, thank you for showing us great acting... I was looking forward to seeing more of your acting... RIP," she wrote in Korean.

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Known for his roles in movies and TV shows such as the hit tvN series Vincenzo, Na, who recently celebrated his birthday in December 2022, reportedly made his debut in the play Annes Diary in 2010.

In addition to "Vincenzo" and "Little Women," Na has also appeared in other projects, such as "The Good Wife" and the second season of "Hospital Playlist." His role as Kim Gil-soo in the web series Weak Hero Class 1 is his most recent onscreen appearance.

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During a recent trip to Paris, I stopped by Barthelemy, a cheese shop beloved by Ina Garten.

The shop is located in Paris' seventh arrondissement and has been in business for over 50 years.

I could see why Garten loves the charming Barthelemy  it was a feast for the senses.

Celebrity chef Ina Garten spends a lot of time in Paris, and she even visits the city every year for her and her husband Jeffrey's anniversary.

Ina Garten. Evan Agostini/AP

Paris holds a special place for Garten: A trip she and Jeffrey took in 1971 inspired her to hone her cooking skills and explore her passion for food.

"It was the first formative period in her cooking," Jeffrey told Food Network when Garten's 2016 book, "Cooking for Jeffrey," was released. "All those little shops in Europe  the boulangeries  Ina would walk through them and just glow."

Garten has even written a cookbook, "Barefoot in Paris," dedicated to the city's cuisine. She has also praised the city's food scene on Instagram and has called out a few of her favorite spots to visit.

In one post from May 2022, she revealed that her favorite cheese shop in the city  and the world  is Barthelemy, writing, "Too much cheese; too little time! ... Barthelemy is my favorite cheese shop in the world and it's right around the corner."

Barthelemy is located in Paris' seventh arrondissement, a short walk from the Musee d'Orsay.

The exterior of Barthelemy in Paris. Erin McDowell/Insider

When I visited around the holidays, the shop was decorated with festive garlands and ornaments, which gave it an adorable, intimate feel. Though I'm by no means a cheese expert, I was excited to step through the doors to this tiny shop and see what makes Barthelemy so well-known.

Outside the shop, I could peer in to see a festive window display of different cheeses.

A window display outside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

Owner Nicole Barthelemy has run Barthelemy for over 50 years, but it was a different cheese shop, or fromagerie, for 50 years prior to that, according to Urbansider. All of its cheeses are aged to perfection in the cellar underneath the shop  Bon Appetit called it a "master's degree in French cheese."

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Garten isn't the only celebrity who's sung the shop's praises over the years. It has reportedly been visited by Catherine Deneuve and Charlotte Gainsbourg, and it is also the official cheese supplier to the Elysee Palace, the home of French President Emmanuel Macron.

When I stepped inside, I was immediately greeted by an impressive display of cheese in all shapes and sizes.

A cheese display inside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

Along the wall, there were also bottles of milk, in addition to other products like mascarpone, ricotta, and yogurt  this shop truly was a dairy lover's dream.

The store also offered other gourmet products, such as wine, tomato sauce, jams, biscuits, and bread.

A cheese display inside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

If you were looking to craft the perfect cheeseboard, this could be a one-stop shop.

What I found most notable about the shop was that it was not only a feast for the eyes, but for all my senses.

A cheese display inside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

The smell of the cheeses mingling in the air was intoxicating, as was the buzz of customers speaking in French and English, conversing with each other and trying the shop's offerings.

Not only were the cheeses delicious, but such care was taken into making them look as beautiful as they tasted, from heart-shaped soft cheeses to small bun-shaped cheeses like Le Trou du Cru.

When I visited, the small boutique was teeming with customers admiring and sampling various cheeses.

Customers inside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

The shop was stocked practically floor-to-ceiling with cheese, bread, and other goods. It was borderline overwhelming to decide where to start or what to choose. Luckily, Nicole Barthelemy was available to steer our group in the right direction and allowed us to try a few different cheeses.

"It's better to have a small shop really full, than a big one empty," Barthelemy told ChannelCheeseTV in 2014.

In addition to familiar cheeses like Brie and bleu, Barthelemy had an overwhelming amount I wasn't familiar with.

The main wall of cheeses inside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

From Persille and Mont d'Or to Roquefort, the options were endless when it came to deciding what cheese to try or buy.

The cheeses were available in a number of different price ranges.

A cheese display and scale inside Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

While some varieties ran for as much as 55 ($59.75) per kilo, others were priced lower, such as 14.50 ($15.75) or 22 ($23.90) per kilo. While you certainly could run up a large bill by purchasing some of the pricier cheeses, it's also possible to visit this famous shop on a smaller budget.

After asking for a few recommendations, I settled on a gruyere, a soft Brie de Meaux, and a goat's-milk cheese called Rocamadour.

My bag from Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

My total came to 35 ($38) for the three cheeses, which I thought was a pretty reasonable price for a very special visit.

The Brie had a tart, perfectly creamy texture without being too runny, while the gruyere had an earthiness that I've never experienced with a cheese stateside.

I tried the cheese from Barthelemy. Erin McDowell/Insider

The goat's cheese was also a different consistency than I was used to  rather than crumbly, it was very smooth and glided onto the cracker like a paste.

After experiencing Barthelemy and its cheeses for myself, I could see why it's so beloved by Garten and people around the world. If you only have time to visit one fromagerie in Paris, you can't go wrong with this idyllic, quintessentially Parisian small business.

Read the original article on Insider
A Volkswagen logo mounted on the front of a Tiguan during final assembly at a factory in Germany. Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images

Two Volkswagen Tiguan owners told the Times of London about problems with adaptive cruise control.

"I thought the car was trying to kill me," said one man, whose car tried to accelerate to 100 miles-per-hour.

Volkswagen is currently facing a lawsuit in Missouri over its front assist braking feature.

A Volkswagen driver's car attempted to accelerate up to 100 miles-per-hour in a 30 miles-per-hour while its driver was using its adaptive cruise control technology, The Times of London reported.

Laurie Kenny, a retired university lecturer from East Yorkshire, England, told The Times that he had set up the adaptive cruise control in his VW Tiguan, and was returning home down a street with a speed limit of 30 miles-per-hour. But the car mistakenly registered this as 100 miles-per-hour, and began accelerating.

"It took off like a bat out of hell," he told the newspaper. "I was scared to death. I thought the car was trying to kill me."

Another Tiguan owner, Nick Croft, told The Times that his car slammed on the brakes on one 60 miles-per-hour road, because it thought the speed limit was actually 30 mph. Croft also saw the cruise control accelerate up to 110 miles-per-hour while driving down the M5 freeway, where the speed limit is 70 miles-per-hour  the maximum in the UK.

Croft told the Times that his local dealership said that the problem had been reported to Volkswagen's head office, but when Kenny complained around the same time, he was told the company wouldn't be investigating any further, per The Times.

In a statement sent to Insider, Volkswagen noted that the adaptive cruise control system is "certainly not designed to create a fully autonomous vehicle nor supersede the responsibility of the driver."

"In fact at any time ACC, once activated by the driver, can be deactivated by using a button on the steering wheel, or by touching the brake pedal.

"There are clear, helpful instructions in the owner's manual on how to make good use of ACC, and also warnings that it is not a substitute for the full concentration of the driver, who should be prepared to control the vehicle at all times while driving. Additionally, it warns that ACC may not be able to recognise all driving situations correctly."

Story continues

Volkswagen is currently facing a class-action lawsuit in Missouri, over complaints about its Front Assist feature. It was filed in 2020, and includes testimonies from 14 plaintiffs who say their cars suddenly put on the brakes.

In court documents seen by Insider, a VW Atlas owner describes the brakes activating suddenly while approaching a highway off-ramp in downtown Kansas City. A couple from North Carolina also say their Tiguan abruptly slowed from 70 mph to 45 mph.

According to Volkswagen's website, adaptive cruise control works with front assist's radar sensors which detect if you're too close to a vehicle in front. ACC also uses front and rear cameras, as well as GPS information, to work out the road's speed limit.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A white-backed vulture sits in his new aviary at Tierpark Berlin, on May 25, 2020. Britta Pedersen/picture alliance/Getty Images

The death of an endangered vulture at the Dallas Zoo is not believed to be from natural causes.

About a week prior, a clouded leopard at the zoo went missing for several hours before being found.

Police said a suspicious cut was made in the leopard enclosure, as well as that of some monkeys.

Police are investigating after a series of strange events at the Dallas Zoo.

First, a clouded leopard escaped from her encampment, which had a "suspicious" tear in it. Next, another cut was found in an enclosure containing langurs, a type of monkey native to Africa and Asia. Now, a vulture has died under what the zoo is calling "unusual" circumstances.

"This weekend, our staff found that one of the endangered vultures in our Wilds of Africa habitats had died. The animal care team is heartbroken over this tremendous loss," the Dallas Zoo said in a statement on Saturday.

"The circumstances of the death are unusual, and the death does not appear to be from natural causes," the statement continued, adding: "In the past week, we have added additional cameras throughout the Zoo and increased onsite security patrols during the overnight hours. We will continue to implement and expand our safety and security measures to whatever level necessary to keep our animals and staff safe."

The zoo did not provide additional details about the vulture's death but said it contacted the Dallas Police Department, which is investigating the matter. Dallas Police did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The Dallas Zoo first made national headlines earlier this month when a female clouded leopard named Nova was not inside her habitat when staff arrived on the morning of January 13. The zoo said the leopard, which it described as not dangerous, weighed 25 pounds and was "bigger than a house cat and smaller than most bobcats."

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Nova was missing for several hours before she was located near her enclosure and quickly secured. The zoo said she had no signs of injury and quickly settled back into her usual routine.

Sgt. Warren Mitchell, a public information officer for the Dallas Police said during a press conference held while Nova was missing that "after investigating, it is our belief that this was an intentional act."

In a follow-up statement, police said they determined "a cutting tool was intentionally used to cut an opening in the fencing of the Clouded Leopard's habitat." They also said they were made aware of a "similar cut" made in the langurs' enclosure, but that all of the monkeys were accounted for.

Police added the investigation was ongoing and that it was not yet clear if the cuts in the leopard enclosure and the langur enclosure were related.

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.

Read the original article on Insider
There has been a lot of talk amongst Republican leadership in recent years about big tents  the idea being that the GOP is inclusive and will make room for everyone.

President Trump espoused this in 2016; some of the fine people under his tent were the white supremacists, neo-Nazis, Klansmen, alt-rightists, and others who attended the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville in 2017. 3 people were killed at the rally and nearly 50 injured.

Narrowly elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy also noted there was plenty of room in the tent in early 2021 after too many of his fellow House members voted against certifying the 2020 Electoral College presidential election results while President Trumps mob breached the Capitol on January 6. Five people died and nearly 140 were injured in the riot, with about 2,000 rioters storming the Capitol.

Monday, former 2022 New Mexico Republican legislative candidate Solomon Pena was arrested on suspicion of orchestrating and participating in four shootings at the homes of Democratic lawmakers in Albuquerque. He is accused of shooting into the bedroom window of State Senator Linda Lopez 10-year-old daughter, who was sleeping in the room at the time.

Widening the tent shouldnt have a body count.

In each of these cases, Republican leaders made decisions to embrace questionable individuals for support, votes, and even thug muscle in the case of the January 6 riots.

Some votes simply arent worth it. Desperation is not a recipe for success. Like the old trope says: You want it bad, you get it bad.

Pena made headlines this summer when it was discovered he had served nearly seven years in prison following a felony burglary conviction. His opponent, longtime incumbent Miguel P. Garcia (D-14), filed a challenge to Penas candidacy in district court. 2nd Judicial District Judge Joshua Allison ruled that the law barring felons from holding office was unconstitutional, so Pena remained on the ballot.

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(Judge Allison is a Democrat. One might argue this is a rather liberal interpretation of the law. I am certainly not enthusiastic about felons running for public office.)

House District 14 is in the South Valley of Albuquerque, a Democratic stronghold. Rep. Garcia has held the seat since 1997. A credible GOP candidate would have an uphill battle. Pena lost by 48 percentage points, and immediately claimed election fraud on his social media accounts. He also posted photos he claimed were from his trip to the 1/6 rally in Washington.

Police reports say he traveled to the homes of the lawmakers later targeted by the shootings, Democratic Bernalillo County Commissioners Adriann Barboa and Debbie OMalley, State Representative Javier Martinez (D-11) and State Senator Lopez (D-11) to complain about the election.

One other individual tied to the shooting at Lopez home has been arrested. He also happened to have an outstanding warrant and 800 fentanyl pills. Other arrests are anticipated.

Pena had no business on the 2022 ballot. But when the party makes everyone welcome, everyone comes. A convicted felon with an R after his name is still a convicted felon. Thanks to liberal control of the legislature, Pena was allowed to vote for himself, eliminating at least some awkwardness.

The true irony here is that the original big tent speech came from the Great Communicator himself, Ronald Reagan, in the decade when he worked with Barry Goldwater and others to clear the GOP of the far-right extremists of the time. He made the speech in 1967 when he was running for governor of California. Heres the statement in full context:

The Republican Party, both in this state and nationally is a broad party. There is room in our tent for many views; indeed the divergence of views is one of our strengths. Let no one, however, interpret this to mean compromise of basic philosophy or that we will be all things to all people for political expediency.

Not compromising basic philosophy is pretty straightforward. That means you dont take in felons as candidates because they register as Republicans. That means you dont keep George Santos around because you need his vote on the House floor. That means you dont have your top aides meet with the leaders of the Proud Boys.

Its basic integrity and morals. It is the rule of law. Its simple decency.

Is the GOP really worried about losing the anti-democracy, white supremacist, felon vote?

I think it is a base that can be jettisoned. Reagan and Goldwater dumped the McCarthyites and Birchers in the 1960s and won five of six presidential elections from 1968-1992.

Look what we have now. Rioters and racists and conspiracy theorists and felons. And barely a majority in the U.S. House, with a tainted President who couldnt get a second term.

We must do better, and we can. With integrity, morals, rule of law and simple decency.

This should not be hard, GOP.

Merritt Hamilton Allen is a PR executive and former Navy officer. She appears regularly as a panelist on NM PBS and is a frequent guest on News Radio KKOB. A Republican, she lives amicably with her Democratic husband north of I-40 where they run one head of dog, and two of cat. She can be reached at news.ind.merritt@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: You want it bad, you get it bad
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, attorney Antonio Romanucci, and NAACP Memphis President Van Turner plans to speak alongside the family of Tyre Nichols, the man who died after a police stop by the Memphis Police Department in early January, Monday afternoon.

A timeline of eventsTyre Nichols died after a traffic stop with Memphis Police.

Nichols, 29, died Jan. 10, three days after being pulled over in a traffic stop by MPD.

Crump, in a statement released on Twitter, says the Memphis Police Department should release any body camera video captured by the officers involved. "Nobody should ever die from a simple traffic stop - the footage is the only way to discern the true narrative of why and how that happened to Tyre," Crump said.

The next day, Memphis officials announced the video footage related to Nichols' death would be released after the police department completes an internal investigation.

More:Memphis will release footage of incident related to Tyre Nichols' death, city says

After the city finished an administrative hearing related to the case, five police officers were fired.

MPD said it's fully cooperating with the criminal investigation being conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Shelby County District Attorney's Office.

"Transparency remains a priority in this incident, and a premature release could adversely impact the criminal investigation and the judicial process. We are working with the District Attorney's Office to determine the appropriate time to release the video," Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis said in statement.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Watch: Tyre Nichols' family speaks after viewing footage
NOVYI BURLUK, Kharkiv Oblast  The darkness setting over the muddy street of the small hamlet in Kharkiv Oblast did little to hide the destruction Russian soldiers left behind.

Novyi Burluk, located 85 kilometers south of the Russian border, was occupied on the first day of the full-scale invasion. The occupation lasted for seven months.

When it was over, the village was a shadow of its former self.

Amid burned carcasses and ransacked schools, bullet holes pockmarked the fences of homes, in which locals had used white chalk to write in large capital letters, "PEOPLE LIVE HERE."

Ukraine's army liberated Novyi Burluk, 75 kilometers from Kharkiv, on Sept. 10, during its swift fall counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine.

Standing outside his bullet-ridden house in mid-October, Anatolii Brezhnyk still sobbed when recalling what Russian soldiers did to his native village.

"They shot a girl here, she was 10 years old," he said, tears running down his face. "She was driving with her grandfather, and they shot her."

The girl, Katya Vinarska, had been wounded in Russian shelling on the second day of the country's full-scale invasion and was shot as her grandparents drove her from Noviy Burluk to a hospital in neighboring Chuhuiv.

"I'm 61 years old, I've never seen anything like this," Brezhnyk told the Kyiv Independent.

"God grant that Russia disintegrates into pieces so that they feel what war is like  fuck Russia, fuck Russian bread, fuck Putin," he added.

The day it started

The fog of Feb. 24 was so dense that local residents didn't see Russian soldiers arrive, Brezhnyk's wife, Liudmyla, a farm manager, told the Kyiv Independent.

It was only the next day that locals understood Russia's full-scale invasion had arrived at their doorsteps.

"On Feb. 25, they came into the streets, and we all came out and asked: "Why did you come here?" And they told us that they came to have military exercises," she said.

Russian troops seemed lost at first. Valentyn, Brezhnyk's neighbor, told the Kyiv Independent.

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"A convoy came, they got lost, they had to go straight, but they didn't have any maps, nothing," he said.

Katya Vinarska grave

10-year-old Katya Vinarska's grave, in Kharkiv Oblast. The Kharkiv Oblast's police took the photo before her body's exhumation on Oct. 22, 2022. to get evidence of her killing by a Russian bullet at the beginning of the invasion. (Kharkiv Oblast Police)

Anatolii first tried to reason with them, his wife said.

"We have roses here, and the neighbor has a garage. And when they turned around with a tank and hit his garage, my husband said: 'Guys, don't walk on the roses'."

"Don't be afraid, old man, we won't," she recalled them answering.

Anatolii and Liudmyla Brezhnyk, though they did not know it at the time, were meeting soldiers from Russia's 3rd Vislenskaya Red Banner Motorized Rifle Division, a motley regiment composed of at least four units from all across Russia, according to the findings of Ukrainian open-source intelligence (OSINT) research group Molfar.

The neighbor's roses would become the least of the couple's worries over the coming months.

Shooting civilians

The wanton killings quickly escalated as Russians took over the village, starting with the murder of Katya Vinarska, the little girl, the Brezhnyks recalled.

On Feb. 24, Katya's grandfather Mykola Kivshar, a neighbor of the Brezhnyk family working in Kharkiv, offered to take the child from Northern Saltivka, a Kharkiv district that was being heavily shelled, to Novyi Burluk, where the situation seemed quieter.

That was until Russia began shelling that village too, the next day, on Feb. 25.

In a bid to escape yet again, Katya's grandfather decided to bring her back to Kharkiv.

Valentyn himself stayed in the village for 98 days until Russian soldiers shoved him to a wall and almost shot him "for no reason."

It was too much to bear for him. He decided to leave through an evacuation corridor on May 30.

Molfar's research showed that in May 2022, units of Russia's 6th Army of the Western Military District, Eastern and Central Military Districts, and the 11th Corps of the Baltic Fleet were garrisoned in the area.

After their neighbor's departure, only the Brezhnyks were left, subjected to four long months of constant harassment by the occupiers.

"My husband and I, we were the only ones who stayed here, alone from the 25 houses, because I couldn't leave, because I have a country, my farm, my flag," Liudmyla said proudly.

"I stayed myself, like a (lonely) wolf, I had no one to chat with," her husband replied bitterly.

The Brezhnyk's grandchildren had evacuated to Poland while their sons fled to Chuhuiv, a Kharkiv Oblast city that briefly fell to Russia before being liberated on March 7.

"When the Buryats left, people from the DPR arrived," roughly two months after the first units' arrivals, Liudmyla said, referring to the Kremlin-backed proxies in occupied Donetsk.

At first, the family felt relieved, thinking the new troops would be less violent.

Russians constantly used humiliation and fear to extort goods from locals, according to Anatolii.

"They came to my yard with a machine gun, saw a car outside, and said: 'Give me the car or spare parts.'"

"And what can you do? I have nothing in life, and they have guns," she recalled. "They told me: 'You are slaves, collective farmers.' You have to obey, give everything they ask for, and potatoes too."

"He took the potatoes, and then he kicked me with a gun on the back: 'Give me only the good ones.'"

"This is some kind of humiliation. They shot the dogs, why the dogs?" Anatolii added.

Stealing everything

The whole occupation was a long nightmare of constant looting and destruction. Russians took away everything, from phones to pillows, and destroyed what they couldn't take.

Chechens, Buryats, Kremlin proxies from Donetsk and Luhansk, all kinds of units came to the hamlet, ransacking it over and over again, Brezhnyk said.

"They were looking for money, they were looking for everything they could," Liudmyla said. "They even took women's underwear."

"They looked around, rummaging through with guns. At our neighbor's house, they've taken clothes and mattresses from the beds."

One group of soldiers destroyed the village's school, stole computers, burned books, and destroyed shops and the cafeteria, Liudmyla said.

The settlement's charred buildings and the mountains of human waste material left behind testified to the mayhem.

"They said: 'Find where your troops are located through mobile communication, tell us the exact coordinates'," Anatolii said.

"You idiot, we have no electricity, what coordinates are you talking about? They took away our cellphones, tablets, laptops, then they beat and trample them in front of our eyes."

"And you couldn't say anything to them. If you come out, you will be shot. I don't know how to explain it to you, I can't express it in words," Anatolii added.

Liudmyla herself had a close call after refusing to give her car to a Russian soldier at a roadblock in Artemivka, a small settlement only a few kilometers up north.

"I contacted our Ukrainian army," she proudly said, winking.

Partisan spotters communicating for the Ukrainian army behind enemy lines have been critical in identifying coordinates for targets like the destroyed warehouse housing the remnants of charred tanks seen at the entrance of the village.

Liudmyla said she did just that.

As of June 2022, two Russian battalions with 11 tanks and 32 armored fighting vehicles were stationed in the area, according to research group Molfar.

She never got caught, she said, but Russian soldiers did try to take her car at a checkpoint in Artemivka, a village only a few kilometers away.

"The boy pulled me out, I recall that he had beautiful chestnut eyes, so I told him, 'Would you like to pull me out of the car, me an old lady? Pull me out.'" So, he shot three times," she recalled.

"He said to me: 'This is war.' I said: 'This is your war. Here's just a farm and peaceful people.'"

She clearly remembered the soldier's answer. "'What people? Are those people? These are not people,'" she recalled him saying about the locals.

"By this point, all the women (of the village) had left," Liudmyla said.

"I was the only one left, but I'm a boss woman," the farm manager added with a smirk. "They were not born to take away me and my land."
The Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator search remains ongoing two weeks after they fired Todd Downing from the post.

Now that the Titans have general manager Ran Carthon in place, attention can shift to finding a new play-caller with a new vision for a tepid Titans offense that ranked 28th in scoring and 30th in yards in 2022.

Here's the latest on where the Titans' search stands, who some top candidates might be and who some of the best targets available are.

ESTES:Ran Carthon can revive the Tennessee Titans and Mike Vrabel  if they let him

THE COLLABORATORS:Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon and coach Mike Vrabel want to be equals. Can it work?

THE BACKGROUND:To understand what Titans are getting in Ran Carthon, start with dad  and Steve Spurrier

Which offensive coordinator candidates have the Tennessee Titans reached out to?

Based on national media reports, the Titans have contacted at least five prospective offensive assistants, though it's unclear if all would be candidates for offensive coordinator. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the Titans have spoken to internal candidate Tim Kelly, who served as passing game coordinator last year after spending 2019-21 as the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator.

Fowler also reported the Titans requested permission to talk to Kansas City Chiefs offensive assistants Eric Bienemy and Matt Nagy. Bienemy has been the Chiefs' offensive coordinator since 2018, helping architect one of the league's top offenses year after year. He's interviewed for numerous head coaching vacancies in the past five years but has never made the jump. Nagy was coach of the Chicago Bears from 2018-21 and before that was the Chiefs' offensive coordinator for two seasons.

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported the Titans interviewed Atlanta Falcons QBs coach Charles London. London was a Titans offensive assistant in 2011 and worked with Titans coach Mike Vrabel for four years with the Texans. He's spent the last two seasons serving under Falcons coach Arthur Smith, the former Titans' offensive coordinator who helmed two of the most successful offensive seasons in franchise history in 2019 and 2020.

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NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the Titans have spoken to Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten "for a position on the offensive staff." Outten's Broncos offense was among the league's worst in 2022, but he has experience as a position coach for highly productive offenses in Green Bay and Atlanta before 2022.

Top available candidates for the Titans to consider

Some of the NFL's best and highest-profile offenses from recent years moved on from offensive coordinators this offseason. This puts coaches like former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coordinator Byron Leftwich, former Baltimore Ravens coordinator Greg Roman, former Los Angeles Chargers coordinator Joe Lombardi and former New York Jets coordinator Mike LaFleur on the market. Roman's history coaching run-first offenses in particular makes him an interesting fit for the Titans, as is LaFleur, the younger brother of former Titans OC and Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur.

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich is also on the market, though he's generated interest on the head coaching market this cycle as well. Former Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett and former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury are also unemployed coaches with offensive experience.

Other candidates/developments the Titans could consider

Titans tight ends coach Luke Steckel will reportedly interview for the Chargers' coordinator vacancy.

Ravens wide receiver coach Tee Martin has college offensive coordinator experience and played at Tennessee. With Baltimore searching for Roman's replacement, Martin could become available.

Miami Dolphins WRs coach Wes Welker played and coached with Vrabel and worked alongside Carthon in San Francisco.

Other names to consider include: Buffalo Bills QBs coach Joe Brady, Alabama OC Bill O'Brien, Patriots TEs coach Nick Caley, Ohio State passing game coordinator Brian Hartline, Philadelphia Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson, Minnesota Vikings assistant QBs coach Jerrod Johnson.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator search: Who are top candidates?
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva looks on as he visits the Yanomami Indigenous Health House, CASA Yanomami, in Boa Vista, Roraima state, Brazil on Jan 21. Credit - Ricardo StuckertHandout/Reuters

Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accused his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, of committing genocide against the Indigenous Yanomami people of the Amazon.

Lula blamed the former President for enabling thousands of gold miners in a nationally-protected territory where mining is banned. As illegal mining flourished during Bolsonaros tenure, a humanitarian crisis emerged in the territory they call home that is roughly the size of Maine. The miners have been accused of poisoning rivers with mercury and wrecking forests; the Yanomami depend on both for food sources. Activists have also accused miners of death threats and sexual violence.

More than a humanitarian crisis, what I saw in Roraima was a genocide. A premeditated crime against the Yanomami, committed by a government impervious to the suffering of the Brazilian people, Lula tweeted on Sunday, a day after visiting a clinic for Yanomami patients in Boa Vista. He accused the previous government of disregard and neglect for encouraging the invasion of 20,000 illegal miners.

Close to 30,000 Yanonami people live in Brazils Indigenous territory that spans Brazil and Venezuela. They maintain a way of life based on fishing, hunting, and fruit gathering.

Lula also told reporters during his visit that he will eliminate illegal mining in Brazil but did not offer further details on policies or programs to achieve the goal.

A Yanomami man, right, stands near an illegal gold mine on Indigenous land in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, in Roraima state, Brazil, in April 2016. Illegal miners continue to plague the area, sawing down trees and poisoning rivers with mercury in their lust for gold. Bruno KellyReuters

Brazils Minister of Justice and Public Security Flavio Dino said last week that federal police would investigate the possibility of genocide and other crimes against the Yanomami people.

The accusation of genocide is controversial but critics of Bolsonaro say abuses against the Yanomami reflect his broader policies towards the environment and Indigenous people.

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Susanna Hecht, director of the center for Brazilian studies at UCLA, notes its important to take into account Bolsonaros harmful rhetoric towards Indigenous people, including a statement from 1998 in which he said, its a shame that the Brazilian cavalry hasnt been as efficient as the Americans, who exterminated the Indians.

You can have a genocidal policy that has the effect of destroying a population without necessarily sticking theminto a gas chamber, Hecht says.

Bolsonaro has argued that the Indigenous population is standing in the way of Brazilian development and that they are not really Brazilian, she adds. So that creation of otherness basically creates the discursive framework that permits absolute brutality vis-a-vis these populations.

Experts note that Bolsonaro starved state institutions meant to protect Indigenous people and the environment.

That protection of Indigenous people and the environment was really just decimated under Bolsonaro, says Amy Erica Smith, an associate professor of political science and expert on Brazilian politics at Iowa State University. At the same time that he reduced authority and resources to these agencies to protect Indigenous people and the environment, he was also perceived as having come down firmly on the side of illegal miners.

There was no regulatory state capacity or interest in controlling any of the illegal activity. Under the Bolsonaro regime, it was a free-for-all, adds Hecht says.

Bolsonaro has denied responsibility and dismissed the accusation of genocide as a left-wing farce, according to The Guardian.

Read more: Lulas Victory in the Brazil Elections Is a Win for the Planet

Public health advocates have been vocal in recent years about threats faced by the Yanomami community as a result of mining. A report Yanomami Under Attack by the Sao Paolo-based nonprofit Socio-Environmental Institute found that in the last four years of Bolsonaros government, the death of children who were aged five or younger jumped 29% compared to the previous government. The report also found that the region was responsible for half of Brazils malaria cases and that more than 3,000 children were malnourished. Images showing malnourished children recently surfaced in local news reports.

The mining activity changes the soil, creating puddles which are favorable for the malaria mosquito, and other diseases as well. Many miners also bring diseases with them. Its a sanitary and humanitarian crisis, Estevao Benfica, geographer and one of the Socio-Environmental Institute researchers, told the Associated Press.

The Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, said the governments priority is getting a handle on malaria, malnutrition, and other issues that the Yanomami people face. Every 72 hours a child is dying from one of these illnesses, according to the information weve received, she said.

Guajajar has called for the miners to be expelled within the next three months.
A winter storm is expected to arrive in southeastern Michigan Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 2023.

A winter storm that's expected to arrive Wednesday could dump more than 4 inches of snow on southeastern Michigan.

Snow is expected to start Wednesday morning and continue throughout the day as a low-pressure system moves through the area, according to the National Weather Service office near Pontiac. Areas south of Interstate 69 are expected to get more snow, with amounts increasing closer to the Ohio state line. Most of Lenawee and Monroe counties are in an area with a 60% to 70% chance of getting more than 4 inches, while an area of southern Lenawee County is in an area that has a 70% to 80% chance of getting more than 4 inches.

The weather service's forecast for both Monroe and Lenawee counties as of early Monday afternoon called for about 5 inches of snowfall by Wednesday night along with gusty 20- to 30-mph northeast-north winds that will reduce visibility and cause blowing and drifting of snow. Temperatures are expected to be about 30-32 degrees all day.

A winter storm watch had not been issued for Monroe or Lenawee counties as of early Monday afternoon, but Hillsdale and Branch counties were under a winter storm watch along with several counties in northwest Ohio and northern Indiana.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Winter storm in forecast for Monroe, Lenawee counties
Looking for the latest weather news? Click here for Tuesday's forecast.

A winter storm warning tracked from the southwest to Illinois on Monday afternoon, with some areas expected to see a foot of snow.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said a winter storm warning will remain in effect until noon on Tuesday, with total snow accumulations of up to nine inches in some areas.

And the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, expected most Oklahomans to see accumulating snow Monday into Tuesday, The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, reports.

But New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and other states are all expected to see snowflakes. Heres what you need to know.

TUESDAY WEATHER UPDATES: 18 million people under winter storm warning stretching from New Mexico to Ohio: Snow forecast updates

Snow from the Southwest to the Midwest

In parts of eastern New Mexico, the National Weather Service in Albuquerque expects snow between three and six inches, with some counties expecting to see six to nine inches.

The winter weather will also impact Texas and Oklahoma.

Between 4 and 7 inches could fall in the southern and central Texas Panhandle, according to the National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas.

Southwestern, southern and eastern Oklahoma could see four to six inches in total snowfall, with heaver precipitation expected in in some areas.

As the storm moves east, a winter storm warning will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri.

Heavy snow is expected, with five to 10 inches in the forecast and up to a foot of snow in some parts of southwest Missouri.

Winter storm watch extends into Indiana, Ohio, Michigan

Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio are also under a winter storm watch this week, bringing snow into the Great Lakes region.

A winter storm watch starting Tuesday night and continuing through Wednesday could mean up to 9 inches of snow in central Indiana, the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network reported, with snow potentially lasting through early Thursday.

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And the National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio, said parts of northwest Ohio is also under a winter storm watch from Tuesday night through Wednesday evening, with snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches possible.

Winter weather forecast

Contributing: Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star; Jack Money, Oklahoman

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas, Oklahoma: Winter storm warning from the Southwest to Midwest
The Wisconsin Badgers play the Northwestern Wildcats on Monday evening, and if youre wondering how you can watch the action live, youve come to the right place.

Since their initial matchup on Saturday was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Northwestern program, the Badgers will play two road games in three days because they will be heading to Maryland for a game on Wednesday. Although this scheduling isnt ideal, it will allow Wisconsin to stay on track with its Big Ten schedule and potentially keep pace with Michigan and Rutgers near the top of the Conference.

Hopefully, forward Tyler Wahl can continue to progress in his second game back from an ankle injury and take some of the pressure off of Steven Crowl in the post. Over the last few weeks, Crowl has stepped up for the Badgers becoming the teams leading scorer, but Wahls presence in the post will provide another option for Wisconsin to play inside-out.

It should be an exciting game as Wisconsin hopes to start off its short road trip the right way with a victory over the Wildcats.

Heres when you should tune in to see the game:

Date: Jan. 23, 2023

Time: 5:30 p.m. CT

TV Channel: BTN

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

Players to watch:

Points Leaders:

Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl: 12.9 PPG

Northwestern guard Chase Audige: 15.3 PPG

Rebounds Leaders:

Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl: 6.8 RPG

Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson: 6.5 RPG

Assists Leaders:

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn: 3.3 APG

Northwestern guard Boo Buie: 14.3 APG

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire
STORY: Events centering the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted a constitutional right to abortion were held across the country Sunday.

Abortions were legal in Wisconsin until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, when the state reverted back to an 1849 law that criminalizes the procedure.

"I think it's just absolutely absurd that we live in a state where the abortion legislation has us looking back at 1849," said Wisconsin voter and abortion-rights advocate Madeline Glawy. "It's completely ridiculous, abortion is health care."

In less than a month Wisconsin voters will head to the polls for the primary election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the state will elect a new Supreme Court Justice in April.

Right now, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has a 4-3 conservative majority, but if a pro-choice candidate wins this seat, the state's abortion ban could be overturned.
A Louisiana woman used her dead grandmothers ATM card to steal more than $86,000 in Social Security funds over about 10 years, according to federal prosecutors.

Danielle Coleman, 39, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to theft of government funds on Jan. 19, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Colemans attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

Coleman failed to notify the Social Security Administration of her grandmothers death in September 2009 and withdrew Social Security benefits from her grandmothers account between September 2009 and May 2020, according to court documents.

Over that time period, Coleman took around $86,280 in Social Security funds and $1,200 in COVID-19 stimulus funds from her grandmothers bank account, according to a factual basis document. She used the money for personal expenses, according to the release.

Coleman faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison with three years of supervised release, according to the release. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and a $100 special assessment fee.

Anti-poverty nonprofit CEO bought $6,000 dinner with cash he embezzled in CA, feds say

For 48 years, woman stole dead moms veteran benefits, Ohio court says. She must repay

Men scammed Pennsylvania Turnpike out of $1 million in tolls, feds say
By Daphne Psaledakis and Gabriela Baczynska

WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The West on Monday stepped up pressure on Iran over its crackdown on protests as the United States, European Union and United Kingdom imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran.

The actions, which reflect a deterioration in the West's already dire relations with Tehran in recent months, are the latest response to Iran's deadly clampdown on unrest after the death of young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in morality police custody in September.

The protests by Iranians from all walks of life mark one of the boldest challenges to the ruling theocracy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran accuses Western powers of fomenting the unrest, which security forces have met with deadly violence.

The United States targeted the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and senior officials in its action, which imposed sanctions on the IRGC Cooperative Foundation and five of its board members, Deputy Minister of Intelligence and Security Naser Rashedi and four senior IRGC commanders in Iran.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the action targets a "key economic pillar of the IRGC, which funds much of the regimes brutal suppression; as well as senior security officials coordinating Tehrans crackdown at the national and provincial levels."

Washington has accused the IRGC of continuing to aggressively crack down on peaceful demonstrations and said it has played "a leading role in suppressing protests through extensive human rights abuses."

The IRGC was set up shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the Shi'ite clerical ruling system. It has an estimated 125,000-strong military with army, navy and air units, and commands the Basij religious militia often used in crackdowns.

The Treasury described the IRGC Cooperative Foundation - already under U.S. sanctions - as an economic conglomerate established by senior officials of the group to manage its investments and presence in sectors of Iran's economy.

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The Treasury accused the IRGC Cooperative Foundation of having become "a wellspring of corruption and graft" and said funds from it have supported the IRGC's military adventures abroad.

"Along with our partners, we will continue to hold the Iranian regime accountable so long as it relies upon violence, sham trials, the execution of protesters, and other means of suppressing its people," the U.S. Treasury's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in a statement.

'BRUTAL REPRESSION'

The European Union imposed sanctions on more than 30 Iranian officials and organizations, including units of the Revolutionary Guards, blaming them for a "brutal" crackdown on protesters and other human rights abuses.

Foreign ministers from the EU's 27 member countries agreed on the measures at a meeting in Brussels.

Those sanctions targeted units and senior officials of the IRGC across Iran, including in Sunni-populated areas where the state crackdown has been intense, a list published in the EU's Official Journal showed.

The new sanctions were imposed on 18 people and 19 entities. Those targeted cannot travel to the EU, and any assets they hold inside the bloc can be frozen.

Some EU governments and the European Parliament have made clear they want the IRGC as a whole added to the bloc's list of terrorist organizations. But the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, noted that could only happen if a court in an EU country determined the IRGC was guilty of terrorism.

Britain also imposed sanctions on more Iranian individuals and entities on Monday over the country's "brutal repression" of its people.

The sanctions included an asset freeze on Iranian deputy prosecutor general Ahmad Fazelian, who the British foreign office said was responsible for an unfair judicial system that used the death penalty for political purposes.

Others sanctioned by Britain on Monday include Kiyumars Heidari, commander in chief of Iran's ground forces; Hossein Nejat, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); and the Basij Resistance Force and its deputy commander, Salar Abnoush.

The Basij Cooperative Foundation, linked to the Basij militia, and Qasem Rezaei, deputy commander of Iran's law enforcement forces, were also sanctioned.

Britain has now imposed 50 new sanctions against Iran since Amini's death, the foreign office said.

Iran's long-strained relations with the West have deteriorated since talks to revive its 2015 nuclear deal deadlocked and after Tehran unleashed the crackdown on protesters last year.

Iran's ties with the West have also been strained by its support for Russia in Ukraine, where Western states say Moscow has used Iranian drones. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Katharine Jackson and Arshad Mohammed in Washington, Andrew Gray, Gabriela Baczynska and Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, Bart Meijer in Amsterdam and Kylie MacLellan in London and Parisa Hafezi; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Tomasz Janowski)
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in an interview published Sunday that Republican calls for spending cuts in exchange for agreeing to raise the debt ceiling were very irresponsible.

In an interview with The Associated Press published Sunday, Yellen said the GOPs stance on the debt ceiling could have far-reaching consequences for the economy.

It is possible for markets to become quite concerned about whether or not the U.S. will pay its bills, Yellen told the newswire.

The Biden administration has warned that an extended standoff over the debt ceiling could destroy faith in the credit of the U.S. government and spur a deep economic recession.

Republicans are using the debt ceiling as a point of leverage in an effort to freeze spending at 2022 levels, in a move that has raised particular concerns over potential cuts in defense spending.

The White House has so far refused to negotiate, pointing to clean votes to raise the debt ceiling under the Trump administration.

Yellen, who spoke to the AP while on a trip in Africa, said she has not yet spoken with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on the issue.

Congress needs to understand that this is about paying bills that have already been incurred by decisions with this and past Congresses and its not about new spending, Yellen said.

But it cant be negotiated over whether or not were going to pay our bills, she added.

The U.S. reached its technical borrowing limit of around $31.4 trillion last week, with the Treasury Department saying it will take extraordinary measures to make sure that the governments bills are fully paid until around June.

The White House said on Friday that President Biden plans to meet with McCarthy in discussions on various topics.

Congress has to do it, Yellen said of raising the debt ceiling. It has to be done. It cant be something thats contingent on cuts.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Experts say a prolonged debt crisis could permanently prevent nations like Zambia from recovering, leading to it sliding deeper into poverty.

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP)  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, on the second leg of an African tour aimed at promoting American investment and ties, said on Monday its crucial to immediately address Zambias heavy debt burden with China.

Yellen was in Lusaka, a capital city thats visibly dominated by Chinese financing. Visitors to Lusaka arriving at the renovated Kenneth Kaunda International Airport see a facility expanded in 2015 with Chinese money. A ride into the city passes billboards and newly built firms bearing Chinese signage, more evidence of Beijings influence and increasing competition with the United States.

But the growth that the country has experienced has come with a heavier debt burden. Zambia became Africas first coronavirus pandemic-era sovereign nation to default when it failed to make a $42.5 million bond payment in November 2020. Negotiations over how to deal with the debt load have been ongoing.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, shown in Dakar, Senegal, is currently in Zambia on the second leg of her African tour, a stop aimed at promoting American investment and ties while shes in a capital city that is visibly dominated by Chinese dollars. (Photo: Yesica Fisch/AP, File)

Experts say a prolonged debt crisis could permanently prevent countries like Zambia from recovering, leading to an entire nation sliding deeper into poverty and joblessness, and exclude it from credit to rebuild in the future. Its critically important to address it right away, Yellen told reporters at a Monday morning press conference in Zambias National Public Health Institute.

How Zambias debt is renegotiated with the Chinese  and how quickly  will provide a test case for how lenient China will be with other overextended nations that face debt distress.

On Monday, Yellen said that while she had constructive conversations with her Chinese counterpart on Zambias debt in Switzerland during a first face-to-face meeting last week, its taken far too long already to resolve this matter.

Addressing Zambias debt is a primary reason for Yellens visit, and the Treasury secretary will meet with Zambias president and finance minister later Monday to push for the Chinese to continue negotiations.

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Yusuf Dodia, an economist and director of Action Group Zambia, told The Associated Press that while analysts say Zambia shouldnt take on any more debt, there are infrastructure projects that we need done to change the trajectory of the Zambian economy.

If we had a widespread railway system, that would ensure that the cost of transport in Zambia would be brought down to 15% of the current cost  right now were dependent on busing and trucking  that would lower the cost of doing business.

Also Monday, Yellen toured Mylan Laboratories, a packaging subsidiary of American pharmaceutical manufacturer Viatris. The lab opened in 2010 with a $10 million U.S. investment and packages drugs that treat malaria and HIV in the country and region.

Still, Yellen insists her trip is not about competition with China.

We want to deepen our engagement, she said We see a rapidly growing young population that needs opportunities and economic growth.

We have many government programs and international programs that are oriented to help efforts to build infrastructure, she said. And when we do that, we want to make sure that we dont create the same problems that Chinese investment has sometimes created here.

Yellen said the U.S. wants to invest in companies with contracts that have transparency, that we have projects that really bring broad-based benefits to the African people and dont leave a legacy of unsustainable debt.

She also made a stop at the Zambia National Public Health Institute, considered a model of its kind.

Yellen started her 10-day African trip in Senegal, where she visited a onetime slave-trading post, and will visit South Africa.

The Biden administrations tour of Africa continues, as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced that she would be the second Cabinet member heading to Africa  to Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya starting Jan. 25  as part of President Joe Bidens big push to engage with the worlds second-largest continent.

In December, the White House announced the Democratic administrations support for the African Union becoming a permanent member of the Group of 20 nations.

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The post Zambia owes China tens of millions, and the U.S. treasury secretary is addressing it appeared first on TheGrio.
LUSAKA, Zambia (AP)  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, on the second leg of an African tour aimed at promoting American investment and ties, said on Monday it's crucial to immediately address Zambia's heavy debt burden with China.

Yellen was in Lusaka, a capital city that's visibly dominated by Chinese financing. Visitors to Lusaka arriving at the renovated Kenneth Kaunda International Airport see a facility expanded in 2015 with Chinese money. A ride into the city passes billboards and newly built firms bearing Chinese signage, more evidence of Beijing's influence and increasing competition with the United States.

But the growth that the country has experienced has come with a heavier debt burden. Zambia became Africas first coronavirus pandemic-era sovereign nation to default when it failed to make a $42.5 million bond payment in November 2020. Negotiations over how to deal with the debt load have been ongoing.

Experts say a prolonged debt crisis could permanently prevent countries like Zambia from recovering, leading to an entire nation sliding deeper into poverty and joblessness, and exclude it from credit to rebuild in the future. Its critically important to address it right away, Yellen told reporters at a Monday morning press conference in Zambia's National Public Health Institute.

How Zambia's debt is renegotiated with the Chinese  and how quickly  will provide a test case for how lenient China will be with other overextended nations that face debt distress.

On Monday, Yellen said that while she had constructive conversations with her Chinese counterpart on Zambia's debt in Switzerland during a first face-to-face meeting last week, it's taken far too long already to resolve this matter."

Addressing Zambia's debt is a primary reason for Yellen's visit, and the Treasury secretary met with Zambias president and finance minister on Monday to talk about the ongoing negotiations.

Story continues

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said during a bilateral meeting with Yellen that the country faces a late March deadline to find a solution to its debt overhang, which would then further drag its economy.

Yusuf Dodia, an economist and director of Action Group Zambia, told The Associated Press that while analysts say Zambia shouldnt take on any more debt, there are infrastructure projects that we need done to change the trajectory of the Zambian economy.

If we had a widespread railway system, that would ensure that the cost of transport in Zambia would be brought down to 15% of the current cost  right now were dependent on busing and trucking  that would lower the cost of doing business.

Also Monday, Yellen toured Mylan Laboratories, a packaging subsidiary of American pharmaceutical manufacturer Viatris. The lab opened in 2010 with a $10 million U.S. investment and packages drugs that treat malaria and HIV in the country and region.

Still, Yellen insists her trip is not about competition with China.

We want to deepen our engagement, she said We see a rapidly growing young population that needs opportunities and economic growth.

We have many government programs and international programs that are oriented to help efforts to build infrastructure," she said. And when we do that, we want to make sure that we dont create the same problems that Chinese investment has sometimes created here.

Yellen said the U.S. wants to invest in companies with contracts that have transparency, that we have projects that really bring broad-based benefits to the African people and dont leave a legacy of unsustainable debt.

She also made a stop at the Zambia National Public Health Institute, considered a model of its kind.

Yellen started her 10-day African trip in Senegal, where she visited a onetime slave-trading post, and will visit South Africa.

The Biden administration's tour of Africa continues, as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced that she would be the second Cabinet member heading to Africa  to Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya starting Jan. 25  as part of President Joe Bidens big push to engage with the worlds second-largest continent.

In December, the White House announced the Democratic administration's support for the African Union becoming a permanent member of the Group of 20 nations.
Crypto companies were put on notice on Monday when New York regulators issued a new warning about how to properly handle their customers' digital assets.

In an open letter addressed to the industry, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) outlined how customer assets should be separated from each other, how they should be used by custodians, and how to maintain the proper disclosures required when holding on to digital assets for clients.

The new set of guidelines applies to companies that operate in New York state and hold a BitLicense, a business license issued by New York beginning in 2015 to companies involved in digital asset activities.

Read Superintendent Harris' quote here: DFSs virtual currency regulation has protected New Yorkers since 2015, said Superintendent Harris. Todays guidance reminds DFS-regulated virtual currency companies of our expectations regarding the safekeeping of customer assets.  NYDFS (@NYDFS) January 23, 2023

The notice comes as federal prosecutors in New York dig further into the collapse of FTX under founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who is accused of funneling billions of dollars worth of customer assets from the exchange to fuel trades at his now-defunct hedge fund Alameda Research.

As stewards of others assets, virtual currency entities that act as custodians [...] must have robust processes in place, akin to traditional financial service providers, the NYDFS stated.

New York Banking Regulator Sets Crypto Guidelines in Wake of FTX

Asset custodianssuch as Americas oldest bank, BNY Mellonplay the crucial role in finance of holding on to customer assets, whether they be funds or stocks, in an organized and secure manner. The new guidelines more specifically outline how digital assets should be handled.

The regulator advised custodians to keep digital assets that belong to others separate from those that belong to the custodian itself, for example, both on-chain and in the custodians internal books, while maintaining appropriate records.

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It also asserted that assets under the control of a custodian should only be held for the purpose of safekeeping, and custodians will not thereby establish a debtor-creditor relationship with the customer when the possession of the digital assets is transferred.

Custodians are also required to provide their customers with written disclosures that specify specific arrangements, such as how the custodian segregates and accounts for the virtual currency held in custody, as well as the customer's retained property interest in the virtual currency.

New Yorks financial regulator just made life easier for crypto firms

In crafting the new guidelines, the agency said it conducted a robust analysis of the existing regulatory landscape, examined market trends, and spoke with industry players as well other state and federal regulators.

While the new rules are straightforward, BitLicenses have had a controversial reputation among some members of the crypto community who have critiqued them in the past, such as Kraken CEO Jesse Powell.

The exchanges CEO pulled Kraken out of the state in 2015 in response to the regulatory framework in New York. Years later, he compared the state to "an abusive, controlling ex you broke up with 3 years ago but they keep stalking you."

As recently as May of last year, Powell remained critical of BitLicenses, calling out the regulation as burdensome to the digital assets industry.

"After all this time, I mean, if we just looked back and did a study of the economic damage done by the BitLicense, I'm sure it would be tremendousin the billions of dollars," he said on an episode of Decrypts gm podcast.
MUNCIE, Ind.  An 18-year-old Yorktown woman will be prosecuted as an adult on charges stemming from a fatal shooting.

Daisy Craft was formally charged Monday in Delaware Circuit Court 5 with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and pointing a firearm.

Deputy Prosecutor Diane Frye last week presented testimony  at a hearing in the county's juvenile court  that Craft on Dec. 12 fired a gunshot that sent a bullet into the heart of Kayden Devon Lee, 17, at a gathering of friends at a home in the 1500 block of West Stirling Drive.

Lee was pronounced dead at the scene.

Testimony indicated a magazine containing bullets had been removed from the handgun, and that the teenagers were apparently unaware the firearm still held a live round.

More:Victim's mother calls for 'accountability' in fatal shooting

Lee reportedly handed the gun to Craft and encouraged her to pull the trigger.

Juvenile Magistrate Amanda Yonally formally waived Craft into adult jurisdiction on Friday. That day, Craft  who since Dec. 12 had been held in the county's juvenile detention center  was transferred to the Delaware County jail.

Her bond was set at $15,000. An initial hearing is set Tuesday.

At last week's hearing, Frye noted that since turning 18 a few days earlier, Craft could not longer be held in a Department of Correction facility for juveniles.

Defense attorney Ana Quirk Hunter maintained it was in her client's best interest to remain in the juvenile court system,.

While acknowledging Craft had cooperated with investigators and had no prior record in the juvenile court system, the magistrate noted testimony the teen had stopped attending Yorktown High School, failed to follow rules at a family member's home and also used "alcohol and illicit substances."

The involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide charges are Level 5 felonies with maximum six-year prison term. Pointing a firearm is a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison.

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Testimony at last week's hearing also indicated Craft is pregnant.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Yorktown teen to be prosecuted as adult in fatal shooting probe
By Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that changes would be announced imminently in the government, the regions and in the security forces following allegations of corruption nearly a year into Russia's invasion.

Zelenskiy, elected by a landslide in 2019 on pledges to change the way government operated, did not identify in his nightly video address the officials to be replaced.

"There are already personnel decisions - some today, some tomorrow - regarding officials of various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in the law enforcement system," Zelenskiy said.

The president said part of the crackdown would involve toughening oversight on travelling abroad for official assignments.

Ukrainian media outlets have reported that a number of cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked as Zelenskiy tries to streamline the government.

One of the president's top allies earlier said corrupt officials would be "actively" jailed, setting out a zero-tolerance approach after the allegations came to light.

HISTORY OF CORRUPTION

Ukraine has a long history of corruption and shaky governance, though there have been few examples since last year's invasion as Kyiv has sought Western financial and military support to help fight back Russian forces.

Anti-corruption police on Sunday said they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister on suspicion of receiving a $400,000 kickback to facilitate the import of generators into wartime Ukraine last September.

A committee of parliament agreed on Monday to toughen regulations on procurement after allegations in news reports that the defence ministry had overpaid suppliers for soldiers' food. A draft law was to be introduced on partially making procurement prices public in times of conflict.

Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, quoted by media, told the committee that the reports were based on a "technical error" with no money changing hands.

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The National Anti-Corruption Bureau said it was aware of the media report and that it was investigating the possible crime of appropriation of funds or abuse of power with regard to procurement worth over 13 billion hryvnia ($352 million).

David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party, said it had been made clear since Russia's invasion that officials should "focus on the war, help victims, cut bureaucracy and stop dubious business".

"Many of them got the message. But many of them did not unfortunately. We're definitely going to be jailing actively this spring. If the humane approach doesn't work, we'll do it in line with martial law," he said.

Timofiy Mylovanov, a former minister for the economy, trade and agriculture, praised the government's "proactive and very fast" response to the allegations. He said the deputy infrastructure minister had been immediately fired and pointed to society's "unprecedented" level of attention in the matter.

Ukraine, whose economy shrank by a third last year, is hugely dependent on Western financial aid and donors such as the International Monetary Fund and EU have repeatedly asked for more transparency and better governance.

($1 = 36.9250 hryvnias)

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash; Editing by Peter Graff and Stephen Coates)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the firing of Vasyl Lozynskyi, Deputy Minister of Hromada, Territory and Infrastructure Development [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.], a signal to everyone whose actions or behaviour violate the principle of justice.

Source: evening appeal of the President

Quote: "Today, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dismissed the deputy minister, who was exposed by the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine [NABU] employees. Law enforcement officers have every opportunity to conduct an investigation and send this proceeding to court.

And I want this to be our signal to everyone whose actions or behaviour violate the principle of justice. Of course, now the main focus is on defence, foreign policy, and war. But this does not mean that I do not see and hear what is being said in society at different levels  both in the central and in the regional ones.

And this week will be a time of appropriate decisions. These decisions have already been prepared. I don't want to announce them now, but it will all be fair."

Details: Zelenskyy promised that each situation will be dealt with in detail.

"What concerns energy and procurement. What concerns the relations between the central government and the regions. What concerns purchases for the military, and so on. The public will receive full information, and the state will take powerful necessary steps," he said.

The president also said that "there is progress in the work of our special services in working against people who deserve at least sanctions for their activities against Ukraine  independence and the Ukrainian people." He also announced "retaliatory steps" in this area.

Quote: "Let me be clear: this is not going back to how it was before, whether you are close to state institutions or have spent your life chasing a chair.

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I thank the law enforcement officers who protect the law and state interests and ensure justice. And I thank the journalists who deal with all the facts and establish the full picture. We all have  each of us  to do our own thing for our unity. The strength of society and the strength of the state are combined precisely by justice."

Background:

On 21 January, NABU conducted searches and detained the Deputy Minister of Hromada, Territory and Infrastructure Development, Vasyl Lozynskyi. Sources of Ukrainska Pravda reported that Lozynskyi is accused of receiving a bribe in the amount of 400,000 dollars during the purchase of generators.

Later, employees of NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office made the details of Lozynskyi's arrest public.

On 22 January, the Cabinet dismissed him from his post.

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, Jan 23 ( NHK ) - A Japanese court is ordering the government to compensate two people who were forcibly sterilized because of a disability. This is the third such ruling in under a year.

The sterilization procedures were ordered under the Eugenic Protection Law --- scrapped in the 1990s.

The plaintiffs are a 78-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman in Kumamoto Prefecture. Each was sterilized more than 40 years ago. The government argued they waited too long to file a suit and the statute of limitations had passed.

The Kumamoto District Court dismissed that argument, saying the law clearly violated the Constitution and was both discriminatory and inhumane.

The court ordered damages of 170,000 dollars split between the elderly plaintiffs, an amount well below what they requested. ...continue reading
The Agricultural Water Efficiency Team (AgWET) was created to train county Extension agents to transfer advanced irrigation scheduling knowledge to Georgia growers through a unique one-on-one educational approach.

Over the last few decades, water use-related disagreements between Georgia and its surrounding states have held the spotlight in the Southeast. Legal battles have been fought, and although Georgia won the most recent lawsuit, the courts decision stressed that Georgia shares the responsibility to conserve that most precious, non-renewable resource on which we all depend  water.

I work with farmers  it's part of my job  and I can tell you they truly care about stewarding our natural resources, said Jason Mallard, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension area water agent. But its also my job to support them in learning new production methods as researchers find better, more efficient ways of farming.

One of those production methods involves integrating advanced technology with traditional irrigation management systems based on research College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Wesley Porter has conducted since 2014. As precision agriculture and irrigation specialist for UGA Extension, Porter focuses his research on the optimal water requirements of major row crops grown in Georgia. His research details how overwatering crops can be just as detrimental as underwatering and that hitting the "sweet spot" improves yields. Proper irrigation timing is more critical than the overall amount of water used.

Porter emphasized that water is the most important agricultural input for successful crop production and large-scale implementation of irrigation scheduling technology is a critical Extension program. Because its difficult to progress an agricultural practice through just talks and meetings alone, we have to be able to show the successful implementation of these practices.

To address that need, the Agricultural Water Efficiency Team (AgWET) was created in 2017 to begin training county Extension agents on advanced irrigation scheduling. Now leading this initiative, Mallard assists agents as they help transfer that knowledge to growers in their counties via a unique one-on-one educational approach.

The advanced irrigation scheduling system involves installing sensors in production fields to track soil moisture content throughout the day, which can be monitored using an app from a smartphone or computer, Mallard explained. A grower can adjust irrigation timing to maximize efficiency based on the crops optimal water requirements and the soil moisture content in the field.

Last year, the team deployed three types of soil moisture sensors in 28 production fields across 17 counties in south Georgia.

County agents worked one-on-one with their growers, on a daily basis at times, said Mallard. It was great to be able to do this with the producers and provide real-time troubleshooting and education. I think without that communication method, this project would not have been so successful.

In its first official year of data collection, the program impacted more than 1,450 acres of row crops in Georgia, 300 acres of peanuts and 1,150 acres of cotton, and yielded an estimated water savings of over 100 million gallons of water.

New soil sensors will allow growers to monitor fertilizer movements in their crop rows over time, allowing them to adjust irrigation and other practices to minimize fertilizer loss through leaching.

Mallard hopes the growers from year one are now more aware of the benefits of using advanced irrigation scheduling and feel comfortable using the technology enough to purchase their own sensors.

There are just so many benefits to using this system, both for the growers in terms of cost savings and yield gains and for our overall effort toward water conservation in Georgia, so wed love to see this begin to grow across the state, said Mallard.

Farmers can apply for funding for the technology through various grant programs, such as the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation practices into working lands.

The team will begin identifying new producers to participate in the upcoming growing season to expand the knowledge base in hopes of seeing increased adoption rates of the systems across the state.

CAES Associate Dean for Extension Laura Perry Johnson, who has championed the initiative since its inception, said, it has grown tremendously over the last five years and has resulted in a much better understanding of the process by which farmers make decisions.

Mallard is excited to expand on the project with newly purchased sensors that can monitor fertilizer movements through salinity levels in the soil at multiple depths simultaneously.

These new in-soil data insights will allow growers to monitor fertilizer movements in their soil over time and make adjustments in irrigation and other production practices to minimize fertilizer loss through leaching, Mallard explained.

For more information on how UGA Extension is working to help conserve the worlds water, visit extension.uga.edu/water.
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Weather Alert

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ALL OF EASTERN NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA. * Affected Area...In Iowa, Monona, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont and Page. In Nebraska, Knox, Cedar, Thurston, Antelope, Pierce, Wayne, Boone, Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Burt, Platte, Colfax, Dodge, Washington, Butler, Saunders, Douglas, Sarpy, Seward, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Saline, Jefferson, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Richardson. * Winds...South 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidity...As low as 20 percent. * Impacts...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. &&
Moroccos OCP Group and the Indian government have sealed an agreement on the supply of fertilizers to the Asian country.

In a statement released over the weekend, OCP said it will supply more than 1.7 million metric tons (MT) of phosphate fertilizers to Indian companies during the agricultural season over the next twelve months.

The objective of this partnership is to carry out joint Research & Development initiatives and to jointly promote innovative fertilization solutions. The purpose is also to offer tailor-made fertilizers that meet the specific needs of Indian farmers, in close collaboration with the stake players of the agricultural ecosystem (public sector, agronomic institutes, agricultural federations, farmers), the statement said.

The memoranda were signed between executives of the OCP Group and the Indian fertilizer manufacturers concerned, in the presence of the Indian Minister of Health, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Manuskh Mandaviya, OCP CEO Mostafa Terrab, and the Indian Ambassador to Morocco, Shri Rajesh Vaishnaw.

These agreements provide for up to 700,000 MT of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), a phosphate-based fertilizer that has the highest phosphate content found in granular nitrogen-free fertilizers and can be scaled as needed by specific plants and soils in India, the statement said. Tailor-made fertilizers are known to be better for soil health, reducing waste. The memorandums of understanding also provide for the delivery of 1,000,000 tons of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) to Indian farmers, OCP statement said.

During the signing ceremony, Soufiyane El Kassi, CEO of OCP Nutricrops, a subsidiary dedicated to soil and plant fertilization solutions, expressed satisfaction at Indias interest in OCP tailor-made solution (TSP) which significantly contributes to increasing yields, improving farmers incomes and accelerating the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices.

Indian Minister of Health, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Manuskh Mandaviya, had said at the end of December, in a statement announcing his trip to Morocco that the visit would also be an opportunity to discuss possibility for Indian companies to set up factories in Morocco for the production of diammonium phosphate and nitrogen-phosphote-potassium, intended for import.

Under a joint venture, private and public actors will handle the extraction, production and transportation of fertilizers in India, the Indian official had said.

India imports up to 40 percent of the 50 million tons of fertilizer it needs each year. It has been hit by a sharp rise in prices since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war last February, which led to the disruption of supplies from Russia. Trade restrictions in China have also had an impact.
Burkina Faso has ordered French troops stationed in the country to leave within one month amid ongoing anti-France sentiment at home.

Local media, including National broadcaster RTB and state-run news agency Agence dInformation du Burkina, indicated that the Government made the decision Wednesday to end the presence of Frances military on Burkinabe soil.

The government criticized the 2018 agreement that greenlights the presence of French troops in the West African country.

Indeed, the government has denounced these agreements. An official communication will be made to situate the national and international opinion in the days to come, a government source said.

The government reportedly indicated the decision is in line with national anti-France sentiment in the country.

Friday, several hundred demonstrators took to the streets of Ouagadougou to demand the departure of the French ambassador to Burkina Faso, Luc Hallade, and the dismantling of the French military force Sabre stationed in the northern part of capital Ouagadougou.

Ties between Burkina Faso and its former colonial power have been sour since the arrival to power of incumbent leader Captain Ibrahim Traore in September last year, through a coup. Last week, Traore indicated that his country will kindly relinquish ties with some countries to re-gain its sovereignty.
As it seeks a scapegoat to pin its corruption scandals, the European Parliament picked Morocco by issuing a hostile resolution that interferes with Moroccos judiciary.

The resolution picked the cases of three journalists indicted on sexual assault charges to denounce Morocco for violating press freedom in a blatant disrespect for the victims as well as a disregard for the independence of Moroccos judiciary.

This case of interference in the sovereign affairs of the EUs most stable southern neighbor outraged Moroccan institutions, political class and the civil society.

The National Press Council rejected the resolution and its intent on politicizing human rights and press freedom to serve a political agenda hostile to Moroccos interests.

The higher judicial council issued a statement condemning the resolution and the attempts by the European Parliament to influence Moroccos judiciary.

It recalled the criminal character of the trials in which the three journalists had a fair trial on charges including human trafficking, sexual abuse and the exploitation of other persons vulnerability.

Moroccan political parties also rejected the resolution which is permeated by a superiority complex and an interventionism politicizing human rights and press freedom to serve a political agenda.

They warned of the repercussions of the European Parliaments blackmail on ties with Morocco echoing earlier warnings by Moroccos foreign minister who described such moves as a harassment undermining Morocco-EU partnership.
Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has urged the U.S. administration to add Algeria on its State Sponsors of Terrorism list for the support provided by the Algerian regime to the polisario, a terrorist organization.

Algeria must be held accountable for its support of the Polisario Front, said the American attorney in a letter published lately in the Washington Times.

For decades, Algeria, with the help of Iran, has provided military and material support to the Polisario Front, a terrorist organization that Algeria uses to destabilize neighboring Morocco, underlined Mr. Mark Brnovich, who also served a U.S. prosecutor & judge.

He said Iran provides this support to undermine the U.S. and its allies (in this case, Morocco), noting that the Polisario Front has established a corridor there for gun running and other illicit activities while courting ties with various terrorist organizations targeting the Sahrawi people.

It also foments corruption. A report by the European Anti-Fraud Office notes that between 2004 and 2007, the Polisario Front stole and misused international assistance designated for Sahrawi refugees, said Mr. Brnovich, a Republican politician.

He cited in this regard, the State Departments 2020 Country Reports on Terrorism which warned that the U.S. continues to address threats posed by state-sponsored terrorism, acknowledging the growing threat of the Islamic State in West Africa and the Sahel.

As these state-sponsored terrorist groups continue to gain strength, they remain a persistent threat to us. With continued Algerian support, the Polisario Front will retain its fertile recruiting grounds in Sahara, said the former U.S. Attorney General.

The case for Irans designation as a state sponsor of terrorism has been clear for decades. Now, with the evidence mounting against Algeria for its support of the Polisario Front, it is time the U.S. also recognizes Algeria for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism, underlined Mr. Mark Brnovich.

The U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism includes four countries: Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria. U.S. laws penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with states sponsoring terrorism.

The U.S. imposes sanctions on designated state sponsors of terrorism. These include restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance; a ban on defense exports and sales; certain controls over exports of dual use items; and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
Somali government forces have ended an al-Shabab siege of the Mogadishu mayors office and other local government facilities after the al-Qaida-linked extremists stormed the compound in the capital city Sunday January 22.

Somalias Ministry of Information said, in a statement, security forces shot dead six al-Shabab fighters behind Sundays attack on the Banadir Regional Administration headquarters in Mogadishu. Five civilians were killed and four others were injured, the statement added. The Somali government said the al-Shabab attackers arrived at the compound on foot, masquerading as government soldiers. A staff member at the headquarters said the attack began with a suicide bombing before gunmen entered and exchanged fire with security guards.

The mayors office was targeted by an earlier al-Shabab attack, on July 24, 2019, when a female suicide bomber fatally wounded then-mayor. The federal government last year declared total war on the extremist group and has retaken a number of communities the fighters had controlled in central and southern Somalia. The day before, al-Shabab stormed a Somali government military base in the newly captured town of Galcad in Galmudug state, claiming to have killed 159 soldiers. Meanwhile, a US military strike has killed approximately 30 Islamist al-Shabab militants near Galcad, where Somalias military was engaged in heavy fighting, US Africa Command said in a statement.
The United States continues the African charm offensive with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen having visited Senegal and Zambia as part of a 10-day trip aimed at rebuilding economic relationships between the US and its partners in Africa.

In Senegal, Yellen went to Gorree Island off the west African countrys coast on Saturday and spoke of the unspeakable cruelty of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Ultimately, Goree Island reminds us that the histories of Africa and America are intimately connected, she said after touring the island. We know that the tragedy did not stop with the generation of humans taken from here.

Yellen began her tour Friday (20 January) with a visit to a US-funded business incubator for youth and women in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. As the first female US treasury secretary, she got a warm round of applause from the businesswomen at the meeting. Yellen also helped kick off a new rural electrification project in the west African country that will bring reliable power to 350,000 people. The project support some 500 jobs in 14 US states.

On the second leg of her African tour, Yellen is visiting Zambia with the aim to promote US investment and ties while shes in a capital city that is visibly dominated by Chinese money. A ride from the Chinese-funded international airport into the capital city Lusaka passes billboards and newly built firms bearing Chinese signage, highlighting Beijings influence and increasing competition with the US. But the growth that the landlocked country has experienced has come with a heavier debt burden. In late 2020, Zambia opted to bow out of a $42.5 million Eurobond repayment, becoming the first African nation to default on its debt in the Covid-19 era. With the negotiations over how to deal with the debt load still ongoing, this is also a hot topic of conversation when Yellen meets with Zambias president and finance minister to push for the Chinese to continue negotiations.
Algeria has dissolved human rights NGO LADDH whom it accused of cooperation with international rights groups at a context where the military regime intensifies its crackdown on dissident voices.

The NGO said its only crime was defending human rights in a country whose jails are full of civil society activists and journalists.

Following a suit filed by the interior ministry, the Algerian judiciary accused LADDH of working on human rights issues together with internationally renowned organizations and for defending migrants rights as well as workers rights, LADDH said.

Algeria bans organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty and has in recent month arrested civil society leaders demanding social justice and respect for human rights as the regime prepares for a second mandate of puppet civilian president Tebboune.

The media have been domesticated after it have been muzzled with the closure of the latest free media Radio M and the arbitrary arrest of its editor in chief Ihssane El Kadi.

Despite the media blackout and the prevention of foreign journalists to report on the ground, several international outlets including Le Monde, the New York Times and the Economist wrote about Algerias grave human rights violations, drawing a portrait of a state ruled by a ruthless regime that has turned the country into a giant prison.
The Arab Parliament strongly denounced the meddling of the European Parliament in Moroccos internal affairs as well as the unfounded human rights accusations against the North African country.

The Arab Parliament voiced strong disapproval of the European Parliaments resolution which interfered in the judicial procedure of a sovereign Arab state, Arab MPs said in a statement.

The Arab Parliament expressed concern at the vote of the European Parliament and its allegations on the situation of human rights in Morocco.

It rejected the foreign interferences in Arab states using human rights and called on the European Parliament to immediately stop its biased approach which lacks fact-checking on the human rights situation in Arab countries.

The Arab MPs deplored in their statement the patronizing practices by the European Parliament and its dependence on allegations which are unfortunately treated as facts.

The European Union had better focused on the means to develop its partnership with Morocco and insulate it from harassment and blackmail, reads the Arab statement.

Several Moroccan political and institutional entities have also disavowed the EP resolution, expressing their rejection of any interference in justice or any attempt to influence its decisions.

They denounced a resolution permeated by a superiority complex and an interventionism politicizing human rights and press freedom to serve a political agenda.

They warned of the repercussions of the European Parliaments blackmail on ties with Morocco, echoing earlier warnings by Moroccos foreign minister who described such moves as a harassment undermining Morocco-EU partnership.
Press Release

January 23, 2023 Privilege Speech

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA

Senate of the Philippines

State of Climate Action: The Philippine Scenario

23 January 2023 Mr. President, distinguished colleagues: The Philippines is now the country with the highest disaster risk in the world. The World Risk Report 2022 assessed the level of exposure, susceptibility, and lack of coping and adaptive capacities of countries from disaster and climate risks and hazards and we came out as the most vulnerable. This is no longer new to us. Year after year, we've ranked high among the countries most at-risk of disasters and climate change - a reminder of both our natural situation and our vulnerability. Mulat na tayo sa epekto nito sa Pilipino at sa ating ekonomiya. Napapawalang-saysay ang deka-dekada nating aksyon upang maitaas ang antas ng buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino at mapalago ang ekonomiya dahil sa matitinding bagyo, tagtuyot, pagbaha, pagguho ng lupa, at iba pang mga delubyo't sakuna. Mula nitong Disyembre, may shear line na nagdulot ng baha sa Mindanao at hindi pa nga nakakabangon ay tuloy pa rin ang Baha doon. Taun-taon, PHP506.1 billion ang nawawala sa atin dahil sa mga sakunang ito. Katumbas na iyan ng pinagsamang budget ng DOH at ng DSWD para sa 2023. Kung gaano man kalaking halaga ang matitipid kung tayo ay mas handa ay maari na sanang mailaan sa iba pa nating pangangailangan. Unfortunately, climate events are not single, unrelated disasters. With each devastation, our vulnerabilities multiply, reverberating through all aspects of human life and biodiversity and bringing us closer to multiple ecosystem points of no return. These effects have a feedback loop that makes succeeding effects that much worse. Whenever we assess damage to crops and infrastructure from disasters, we fail to take into account the damage to ecosystems. Ravaged forests and coral reefs have much reduced capacity to provide services such as water retention, flood prevention, cultivar sources, air filtration, carbon sequestration and others. Moreover, due to the sea level rise, each passing day, my dear colleagues, we risk losing our coastlines and entire islands. We will lose entire cities and townships along the coasts if we do not succeed, resulting in chaos. This fact needs to be integral to all our planning. Way back in 2009, we passed the Climate Change Act, and followed it up with the People's Survival Fund in 2012. Despite their best efforts reducing requirements and assisting in proposal development, the Climate Change Commission has only been able to approve one third of the initial allocation from 11 years ago. This fund should not be a wasted opportunity. On Nationally Determined Contributions Our country needs climate finance to build our defenses and safeguard every Filipino from climate impacts. But we also need climate finance to transition our economy and society towards low- carbon development and growth, the kind that would mitigate global warming and the intensity of climate change. Thus in 2021, the Philippines submitted our Nationally Determined Contribution or NDC, conveying a 75% greenhouse gas emissions reduction and avoidance target by 2030 for agriculture, waste, industry, transport, and the energy sectors. Of this target, almost 3% is unconditional, or it will be undertaken using domestic resources. The rest is conditional, or will be implemented through support for technology development and transfer, capacity building, and climate finance by developed countries, as mandated by the Paris Agreement. We have an ambitious NDC despite our negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. But need to look at these commitments as investment plans, a massive opportunity for us to have the long view, modernize our sectors and transform our society past the climate crisis. Consider how we could make our industries and households run on cheap and clean renewable energy and not on imported fossil fuels, or how we could reinvent our car-centric transport sector to deploy more inclusive low-carbon public vehicles and mass transport systems, or how agriculture can thrive on natural fertility and microbiomes not reliant on imports. Think of a life without disposables and planned obsolescence and of reversing the pollution they bring to us and the living environment. Think of the sustainable practices and products that could become economic opportunities in a changed world. Change is inevitable and we have to use the momentum of how fast things are changing to ride that tide and chart the direction of our nation's future. On COP27 Outcomes World leaders and country delegations spent two weeks in November discussing the implementation of the 2015 Paris agreement to keep global warming from breaching 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, and providing support to vulnerable developing countries, such as ours. It was already the 27th COP, Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC. While certain decisions (or non-decisions) are still lacking, the COP nevertheless made history as countries finally agreed to operationalize funding arrangements to address loss and damage. It took thirty years for the Parties to the UNFCCC to reach this decision, but it is better late than never. We can now hope that as the details are fleshed out, our situation as most vulnerable will open the tap for funds to come in to help us recover and shift to climate resilient development. This loss and damage fund cannot bring back what we have lost in terms of lives, livelihoods, assets, and opportunities, but just like post war reparations, these will help get us on an appropriate development track. Loss and damage are now enshrined as the third pillar of climate action, alongside mitigation and adaptation. At COP27, the Philippines was also able to advance national interests by progressively phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels, promoting renewable energies, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and non-market approaches to climate action. Our country also recently joined the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People. The commitment of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in joining the HAC has set an aspiration of protecting at least 30% of the world's land and ocean, through increased public and private financing, to ensure long-term management and local governance, and clear implementation mechanisms to nature so we can recover ecosystems by the year 2030. This target was adopted by the Conference of Parties in another critical Convention -- the Convention on Biodiversity or CBD. In COP 15 of the CBD, state parties also agreed on major shifts in societies necessary to halt mass extinction. This is consistent with the United Nation's declaration of this decade as one for Ecological Restoration. Not surprisingly, 2030 is also the target for reaching our Sustainable Development Goals. We have very little time and I urge this august chamber to think about these goals in every piece of legislation we craft as we transition to survive and thrive past the climate crisis. On this note, I wish to thank the Philippine Delegations for both CoPs, headed by Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and representatives from the DENR, CCC, DA, DFA, DOE, NEDA, and civil society, for relentlessly pushing for better targets and making developed nations deliver on their commitments. While I commend the delegations, I also urge our leaders to make good on their climate pronouncements. We are way past the point when we can pay lip service to mitigation and adaptation and still avoid blame. We all carry the burden of a just energy transition but we in government need to show the way. Closing Mr. President, esteemed colleagues; Our work in this battle against climate change, considered the greatest existential threat to all of humanity, continues. It is inextricably linked to the biodiversity crisis and there is no time to lose. I want all of us--as legislators who pass laws, conduct oversight, and allocate budget--to embrace the critical role we play in this global climate emergency. Our work in the Senate in this 19th Congress will be a testament to our commitment to improving the lives of every Filipino and safeguarding our nation's future in light of the growing challenges amid this climate crisis. Buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ang nakataya. Hindi na pwedeng hindi kaya dahil kailangan. Mr. President and colleagues, the people have placed their utmost trust and confidence in all of us. Let's not waste this opportunity to do good, to do what is right, and in all our endeavors imagine a different future past this twin crisis of climate and biodiversity collapse. Thank you. Mabuhay.
The master planning meeting of the African Lion 2023 exercise was held, at the level of the South Zone Headquarters in Agadir, January 9 through 20.

During the meeting, held at the instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), the representatives of the Moroccan and US armed forces discussed the modalities of execution of the various activities planned within the framework of the 2023 edition of the African Lion drills. They also proceeded to the reconnaissance and choice of sites where the exercises could take place, the General Staff of the FAR said Monday in a statement.

In addition to training in several operational areas and a planning exercise for staff executives, joint and combined maneuvers are planned, including land, airborne, maritime, Special Forces, air, civil-military action and CBRN (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical) decontamination, the statement said.

The American and Moroccan planners also agreed on the modalities of the joint musical show between the FAR and the 23rd Utah State Army Band which will be held on the sidelines of the operational activities of the African Lion 23, the statement said, noting that this performance is part of the commemorative activities planned on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the bilateral cooperation between the FAR and the Utah State National Guard.

Considered one of the largest joint exercises in the world, Exercise AL23 will take place from May 22 to June 16, 2023, in the regions of Agadir, Tan Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kenitra, Ben Guerir and Tifnit.

African Lion is the most important multinational exercise on the African continent. Its organization every year in Morocco for almost two decades reflects the strength of the cooperation relations between Morocco and the United States as a privileged strategic partner of the Kingdom.

The participation of several countries, especially African ones, in this annual event establishes Morocco as a credible partner, open and committed to its origins and to the ideals of the international community, in particular peace, security and co-development, the statement added.
The megadrought gripping the Southwest  climatologists say its the driest 22-year period seen in the region in 1,200 years  has created an unprecedented challenge for the Colorado River Basin.

Increased evaporation from rising temperatures, a lack of precipitation and exploding demand from population growth has dried up reservoirs used to supply drinking water to communities, threatened hydroelectric power stations, and forced farmers to reduce their water appropriations.

Governments at all levels have stepped in to cut use in order to stabilize water levels, but the ongoing and worsening crisis has revived discussions online and on newspaper opinion pages about dramatic proposals to pipe water into the region from elsewhere.

Building a pipeline thousands of miles long to divert water from the Mississippi River to drought-stricken Southern California. Diverting a part of the Missouri River into an aqueduct that would supply water to the drylands of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.

Or, sinking a pipe into the Ogallala Aquifer, which extends through eight Midwestern states, to pump water to thirsty areas elsewhere.

That's a prospect Sen. Tom Briese of Albion said he wants to prevent, at least in the Cornhusker state: Water certainly is our most precious natural resource in Nebraska and it needs to be preserved and protected for future generations of Nebraskans."

His bill (LB241) would prohibit the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources from granting any permit that would allow groundwater to be transported more than 10 miles outside this state, unless it was to comply with an interstate compact or decree.

Essentially, Brieses idea would allow the Legislature a say on any project seeking to tap into the Ogallala Aquifer, a major geological feature underlying much of Nebraska.

I want to ensure we have a roadblock in place if somebody contemplates such a transfer, he said.

Nebraska, like other western states, historically required legislative approval for surface water exports and a reciprocity agreement with another state for groundwater exports, meaning Nebraska could import water from the same states it agreed to export water to.

A 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case  Sporhase v. Nebraska  ruled groundwater was a commodity and couldnt be blocked for export under the dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, however.

The case originated on a farm owned by Joy Sporhase and Dellmer Moss that straddled the Nebraska-Colorado border. They were denied permission to drill a new well on the Colorado side of the state line because the area had been overappropriated by other water users.

When they sought to pump water from a well on the Nebraska side of their farm to flood-irrigate a field on the Colorado side, the Nebraska Department of Water Resources cried foul, saying Sporhase and Moss had never received a permit to transport water across state lines.

The partners appealed the decision to the nations high court, which in addition to ruling groundwater was a commodity subject to federal regulation, kept in place Nebraskas right to regulate water use to ensure conservation.

After that ruling, the Legislature revised the interstate transfer statute to allow groundwater to be exported to other states for municipal purposes, as well as some industrial or agricultural uses.

It also allowed the state to consider whether or not a permit was in the public interest, if no other water was available for the applicant to use, and if the project would harm the nearby water supply or a future use.

That law was upheld by the Nebraska Supreme Court in 1996 after a Wyoming hog confinement operation sued the state after it was denied a permit to pump groundwater from a well in the Nebraska Panhandle.

The court found the denial of Ponderosa Ridges permit by the Nebraska Department of Water Resources was proper because the state found Ponderosa Ridge had not adequately explored using water on the Wyoming side of the border.

Since then, Nebraska has awarded dozens of permit requests from farmers, industrial users and municipalities outside the state to tap into its groundwater.

There are currently 33 active permits for groundwater transfers to adjoining states totaling 856 acre-feet, according to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover an acre of land at a depth of 1 foot, or about 326,000 gallons.

The largest out-of-state users are agricultural producers in Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming, respectively, totaling 434 acre-feet annually, department records show.

Seven municipalities outside the state get their public water supply from Nebraska sources, including Yankton, South Dakota, which filed a permit with the state in 2009 to access 5.8 million gallons per day from wells dug on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River.

The other six permits for public water supply originated in Kansas.

There are also five permits to transfer groundwater from Nebraska to other states for industrial or construction use totaling 194 acre-feet, and seven permits for domestic or livestock use totaling 28 acre-feet, according to the state.

Mike Thompson, who oversees the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources permits and registrations division, said the application process is relatively simple, but reviewing each permit can be challenging.

Its very situational, Thompson said. The facts of each potential project vary quite a bit by type of use, geologic setting and other issues.

Recently, the department has processed about one permit to transfer groundwater out of state per year, Thompson said, often working with local natural resources districts to review documentation and ensure each meets the requirements outlined in state law.

Applicants need to explain the expected use of the water, any alternative sources of water and why they chose not to use them, while the department seeks to understand if the transfer would harm an existing or future Nebraska user in the area, he added.

Thompson said the department would need to consider those questions  and maybe others  if an application seeking a permit for one of the long-rumored projects to draw water from the Ogallala Aquifer to a dry area elsewhere would land on his desk.

We would have to weigh that carefully, he said. The relative impact of a large project is going to take more analysis to see how a large withdrawal would affect agriculture, which could take a fair amount of effort to do.

Sarah Porter, the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, said shes unaware of any proposal to transfer water out of Nebraska to places like Arizona, Nevada or Southern California.

Doing so would likely be cost-prohibitive for governments or developers, energy-intensive and politically explosive, Porter said, particularly rights-of-way would need to be secured across hundreds, if not thousands, of miles.

Instead of looking to move resources elsewhere, Porter said state and local governments should promote careful stewardship of water resources and sustainable development, as well as collaboration with users both upstream and downstream.

All over the American West, there are landowners who are essentially water speculators, Porter said. Its important for states to weigh in early and make it clear what opportunities are and are not available.

The clearest way to do that is by enacting state statute spelling out what is and isnt permissible, Porter added, as well as to keep communication lines open between states so stakeholders understand each others problems.

Brieses bill, which will go before the Legislatures Natural Resources Committee for a hearing Thursday afternoon, spells out what Nebraskas expectations would be, Porter said.

Steve Mossman, a Lincoln attorney who represented several Banner County ranchers in the Ponderosa Ridge case, said limiting groundwater transfers out of state is an interesting issue, because everyone is concerned about it and then it rarely ever arises.

Banning any transfers more than 10 miles out of state may run into the Sporhase case, Mossman said, particularly if it places a hindrance on interstate commerce.

That would be a question for the U.S. Supreme Court again, he said.

Briese said he doesnt see the bill as running counter to the Commerce Clause.

Rather, its an issue of addressing when  not if  another state comes calling for Nebraskas groundwater.

Our job is to protect Nebraskas interests right now, he said. I foresee it being an issue someday.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2023
When close to half the companies in Malaysia have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") above 14x, you may consider DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:DKSH) as a highly attractive investment with its 6.6x P/E ratio. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the highly reduced P/E.

With earnings growth that's superior to most other companies of late, DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad has been doing relatively well. One possibility is that the P/E is low because investors think this strong earnings performance might be less impressive moving forward. If you like the company, you'd be hoping this isn't the case so that you could potentially pick up some stock while it's out of favour.

Check out our latest analysis for DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

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Keen to find out how analysts think DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's future stacks up against the industry? In that case, our free report is a great place to start.

How Is DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's Growth Trending?

The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/E as depressed as DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's is when the company's growth is on track to lag the market decidedly.

Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew earnings per share by an impressive 39% last year. The latest three year period has also seen an excellent 237% overall rise in EPS, aided by its short-term performance. Accordingly, shareholders would have probably welcomed those medium-term rates of earnings growth.

Shifting to the future, estimates from the three analysts covering the company suggest earnings growth is heading into negative territory, declining 17% over the next year. With the market predicted to deliver 8.7% growth , that's a disappointing outcome.

With this information, we are not surprised that DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad is trading at a P/E lower than the market. However, shrinking earnings are unlikely to lead to a stable P/E over the longer term. There's potential for the P/E to fall to even lower levels if the company doesn't improve its profitability.

Story continues

The Final Word

Typically, we'd caution against reading too much into price-to-earnings ratios when settling on investment decisions, though it can reveal plenty about what other market participants think about the company.

We've established that DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad maintains its low P/E on the weakness of its forecast for sliding earnings, as expected. Right now shareholders are accepting the low P/E as they concede future earnings probably won't provide any pleasant surprises. Unless these conditions improve, they will continue to form a barrier for the share price around these levels.

It's always necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (at least 2 which are potentially serious), and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with a strong growth track record, trading on a P/E below 20x.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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After the Opelika Police Department announced the name of Opelika Baby Jane Doe to be Amore Wiggins, her biological mother, Sherry Wiggins, has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to assist with funeral arrangements for her daughter and to help pay for travel expenses to be able to attend court in the future.

Thanks to everyone that is supporting me at this trying time. Words cant express my gratitude or emotions, Wiggins wrote. Im forever (thankful) for the Opelika police department and special thanks to Sgt. (Alfred) White. Hes still in that office working late countless hours along with his team. Justice will definitely be served.

Wiggins said she has plans to arrange a memorial service in Opelika for everyone who loves Amore and plans to have a burial service in Virginia afterwards.

The Opelika Police Department said they would not have been able to bring justice to Amore without the information and documentation provided by Sherry Wiggins.

On Jan. 28, 2012, Amore Wiggins then-unidentified skeletal remains were said to be found in a wooded area behind a mobile home off Hurst Street in Opelika. Detectives believed she was killed in 2010 or 2011, was about 4 years old and was likely malnourished and physically abused before her death.

For nearly 11 years, no one knew who she was or where she was from.

Through advanced forensic DNA testing, scientists and law enforcement officers were finally able to confirm her identity and confirm she was the daughter of Sherry Wiggins and Lamar Vickerstaff Jr.

On Jan. 19, Opelika police held a press conference to reveal her name and announced that two suspects were arrested in connection to her death  Lamar Vickerstaff Jr. and his current wife Ruth Vickerstaff.

Both were arrested in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 17. Lamar Vickerstaff was charged with felony murder and Ruth Vickerstaff was charged with failure to report a missing child.

At the Thursday press conference, Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey said detectives met with Sherry Wiggins in Baltimore, Md., in December 2022 after meeting with the Vickerstaff couple.

Wiggins not only confirmed that she was the biological mother of Opelika Jane Doe, but also said she had lost custody of her daughter to Lamar Vickerstaff Jr.

She had no idea that she was missing, Healey said at the press conference. She thought that she was with her father. She didnt know she was missing until we contacted her in December.

In a Virginia court, Lamar and Ruth Vickerstaff were awarded legal and physical custody of three-year-old Amore Wiggins. Sherry Wiggins lost visitation rights and lost contact with her daughter, but she continued to pay child support to Vickerstaff for the past 13 years.

During this time, Wiggins had also been trying to gain back visitation rights.

While serving the Navy I felt he was in a more stable position to care for Amore along with his wife Ruth, Wiggins wrote, referring to Lamar Vickerstaff. I had still been trying to get him into the courts for our case for years. While going through the ups and down and paying child support since 2009 until this present day I have lost many privileges and Im getting justice now since Ive got this news and I just want to raise money to regain some things lost in my life and give her a proper burial .

Wiggins set a goal to raise $15,000.

To prevent scammers from taking advantage of this tragic situation, the OPD has confirmed the correct link to the official Go Fund Me page to be www.gofundme.com/f/opelika-baby-jane-doe.

The OPD said there is still more work to be done regarding this case and bringing justice to Amore Wiggins. Healey asks for people in the community and people who knew Lamar or Ruth Vickerstaff to come forward with any information.

Anyone with information about this case can contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.
I had to forgive them, because I didnt want to carry this hate in my heart.  Sarah Collins Rudolph

Sarah Collins Rudolph was 12 years old on Sept. 15, 1963, when dynamite planted by members of the Ku Klux Klan exploded just inches from where she and four other young Black girls were congregating in the basement at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

The blast blew glass and shrapnel at her face, leaving her blind in her right eye and killing the other girlsher sister, Addie Mae Collins, and their friends, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNairall of whom were just 14 at the time.

I called, Addie, Addie, Addie  She didnt answer, Collins Rudolph told a crowd who had gathered for Auburn Universitys annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast held at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center on Jan. 16. I didnt know what had happened. I just wondered why would people put a bomb in the church and kill innocent people? We came in the church to praise God.

As the only survivor of the incident, Collins Rudolph is on a mission to tell her story. Many are familiar with the story of the four little girls, whose untimely deaths became a turning point in the civil rights movement.

Collins Rudolph, known as the fifth little girl, was the featured panelist at this years breakfast during Auburns MLK Week celebrations. Approximately 180 people attended in person for the first time since 2020 to celebrate Kings life and legacy.

The scholarship breakfast was led by the National Forum for Black Public AdministratorsEast Alabama Chapter, in collaboration with Auburn Universitys Office of University Outreach and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, or OID.

We were indeed privileged to hear Mrs. Collins Rudolphs first-hand account of that tragic day, as she has only begun to share her story in recent years, said Taffye Clayton, vice president and associate provost, Office of Inclusion and Diversity. It was inspiring to hear the rest of the distinguished, diverse panel share their thoughts on just how far weve come, yet having a long way still to go.

Several university and community leaders attended the breakfast.

As one of the most influential people in our American history, Dr. King reminds us that there is still work to be done and that each of us has a responsibility to work toward a more equitable nation for all who call America, the state of Alabama and the City of Auburn home, Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. said in his welcoming remarks.

The event also served as an opportunity to recognize leaders in the community and high school seniors who are creating a path forward and fostering a connection over dissention, change over stagnation and most of all, love over hate.

Congratulations went out to Regina Berry Meadows, director of Circles Opelika, a poverty reduction program, and Tamarcus Milner, assistant principal at the Opelika Learning Center, two community leaders who were honored for their service to mankind. Jeremiah Leon Woods and Ashleigh Pitts also received scholarships for their academic and extracurricular achievements.

The theme of the breakfast was Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that, a famous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Organizers emphasized that Collins Rudolph embodies that message.

I was angry for a long time, and I knew I had to forgive these people that hurt me, she said, describing having to testify at the mens trials. Thats what I had to do, I had to forgive them, because I didnt want to carry this hate in my heart.

If she [Collins Rudolph] can forgive men that set off a bomb that killed a member of her family and friends, said panelist and State Representative Jeremy Gray, then, we can forgive a friend, we can forgive a co-worker, so we dont need to just leave here today, we really need to apply this to life. How do I make the world better, and how do I lead with love?

The scholarship breakfast was the kickoff to Auburns 2023 MLK Week, a series of events designed to celebrate and learn about the life of King and his fight for civil rights. These events included a Canned Good and Hygiene Product Drive, a Living the Legacy Vision Board Creation, a MLK Lunch and Learn, and The Black Student Union, or BSUs, yearly tradition of a day of service.

For more information on Auburns commitment to DEI and other notes of recognition, please visit OID through its website, on Instagram, DEI landing page or by signing up for the OID newsletter set to return later this spring.
As a brazilian, um.... sorry bout that 

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Same but also you're all welcome bc this whole thing took a TURN and I'm thoroughly entertained.

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I'm not, it's what they deserve

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I just want to say I agree with George - he's not a queen





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yeah mgk totally should

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when even the young republicans dont want you around

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im not american and find his story amazing entertaining lol he probably not even republican. did the republican party facts check anything prior letting him run? 

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It's the Democrat that he ran against who should be dragged for not fact checking

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The person running against him went to the local news iirc, but nothing really came of it.

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The person who ran against him and many others in the city tried to blow the whistle only a few local news outlets ever picked up on it.

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It appears he was. Theres video of him using his real name to ask a question at a LGBTQ Walk Away panel which was basically a meeting of LGBTQ republicans.



Edited at 2023-01-23 12:56 pm (UTC)

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I read a BI reporting of The Daily Beast report...



George Santos, the embattled New York congressman, sent out engagement party invitations in 2014 to celebrate a marriage proposal to his boyfriend  while he was apparently still married to his then-wife, The Daily Beast reported.



"Good evening everyone! As you all may already know Pedro and I have decided to join our toothbrushes! Lol and a very few friends have been selected to share this special moment with us!" Santos wrote in a Facebook invitation to the engagement dinner in 2014, per the outlet.



The Daily Beast reported it obtained the invitation courtesy of Greg Morey-Parker, Santos' former roommate, and the aforementioned Pedro Vilarva, Santos' ex-boyfriend. The invite requested guests join Santos and his supposed betrothed at New York City's La Bonne Soupe for a Sunday night dinner, per the outlet.



"I hope to see everyone [sic] of you there and be sharp and make it count," Santos wrote with a winking emoji, per The Daily Beast. "Thanks for sharing this very important day in our lives! See you all there."



Vilarva told the outlet that he rejected Santos' proposals and that the engagement party "never happened."



"He asked me 3x but I didn't accept it," Vilarva told the Beast via text. "There was never a party [or] anything in regards to it."

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HE IS INSANE lol

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Blind item??

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Join....our....toothbrushes.



What kind of Candace Cameron Bure GAF Channel dialogue?..

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I love the random details that come out in these articles. My favorite one from the Daily Beast one about his engagement was when another former roommate shared old Facebook messages where Santos claimed he had landed a job at CNN. My favorite detail from the article about his Anthony Devolder wikipedia page was claiming that he had been on Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

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and wasn't he still married to a woman until 2019??????



this whole thing is so fucking bonkers, i feel like i'm on crazy pills. WHAT IS THE TRUTH???

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Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ

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RuPaul right now

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I don't think that suit is bright enough for RuPaul.

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god, my soul needs the trash tv that would come out of this

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I was gonna say that's Laci Mosley's reaction, because the Scam Goddess episode(s??) on this guy will be INSANE.

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what do you think her song is? lol

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"Beautiful Liar," by Beyonce and Shaki (idk which one he dressed up as, though.)

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Probably neither but claims to be both simultaneously.

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The throwback hit 'would i lie to you' by charie and eddie

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the whiplash I got from watching The Last of Us episode and then seeing this post lmao the thumbnail of the judgmental teen is killing me a;sdlkfjadskfjadsf

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Honey, here's one thing we agree on. You are NO queen.

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That said- with all his lies, he might actually be a queen.



You can never tell.

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We mean "queen" in terms of spirit, attitude, not the way he may identify



Like he does not have courage uniqueness nerve or talent. He simply doesn't have the range lol

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"And when a tired little Latin boy puts on a dress, he is simply a boy in a dress!"



-Ancient Drag Queen Proverb.

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hey now, chi-chi did nothing to deserve this comparison. lol.

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the gop must be paralyzed on what to do. they love a pathological liar but oh no he did drag. ron de santis probably woke in a cold sweat.

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Sashay away.

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Zelenskiy said there currently are more than 100 ships lined up near the Bosphorus waiting to be inspected.

Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and the United Nations reached the agreement, which also paved the way for Russian food and fertilizer to reach global markets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for the removal of obstructions that he said continue to disrupt food exports from his country's Black Sea ports.

Speaking on January 21 to an international conference of agriculture ministers in Berlin, Zelenskiy also urged participants to support the Black Sea Grain Initiative -- the program that for nearly six months has enabled exports of grain and other foodstuffs through Ukraine's major ports on the sea.

"The world needs more determination and more cooperation to stop the aggressions that are disrupting the food market, Zelenskiy told the conference in a video message. Stop any nation that blockades the sea and destroys food supply chains. Prosecute any tyrant who tries to make hunger a tool of his policy."

Before the Black Sea Grain Initiative was agreed in late July, Ukraine -- a critical supplier of grains, oilseeds, and vegetable oils to global markets -- and other countries accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon by blockading Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and the United Nations reached the agreement, which also paved the way for Russian food and fertilizer to reach global markets. The shipments are monitored by a joint coordination center in Istanbul that includes representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey.

Zelenskiy said there currently are more than 100 ships lined up near the Bosphorus waiting to be inspected. He claimed that ships are being detained for weeks while Russian representatives block the inspections.

This could affect food prices in Europe and mean a growing risk of social instability for Asia, he warned. For countries in Africa such as Ethiopia or Sudan it could mean empty dining tables for thousands of families, Zelenskiy added.

Russia on January 21 denied blockading Ukrainian grain ships and blamed Kyiv for creating an "artificial traffic jam."

It said there currently are 64 ships at anchor off Ukrainian ports and in inspection zones.

The order of their inspection is determined by the Ukrainian side, Russian representatives have no influence on this at all," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement quoted by the dpa news agency.

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Iran has dismissed the significance of Panamas de-flagging of more than a hundred tankers allegedly used by Iran to ship oil abroad in violation of U.S. sanctions.

We reiterate that such efforts are not only viewed as insignificant and unsubstantiated, but they have been publicized due to political pressure by the imperialist government of the United States, the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization said in a statement cited by Press TV.

The statement followed the release by the Panama Maritime Authority of another statement saying it had de-flagged several hundred vessels since 2019 in compliance with the UNs Convention on the Law of the Sea and in line with Panamas own efforts to counter illicit financing and illegal fishing, Forbes Dominic Dudley reported earlier this month.

The AMPs statement came in response to an op-ed by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, in which he claimed Panama had been helping Irans regime to survive by helping the government smuggle oil in violation of sanctions. Jeb Bush sits on the advisory board of an organization dubbed United Against Nuclear Iran.

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the entity in charge of the Panamanian Ship Registry, rejected the assertions made by Jeb Bush, a member of the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Advisory Board, in a Washington Post op-ed from January 16, 2023, titled How the United States can stop Panama from helping Iran avoid oil sanctions, the AMP said in its statement.

The Government of Panama maintains a close collaboration with the Government of the United States of America through the Embassy of the United States in Panama, and through direct communication with the Department of State, regarding the Registry of Ships and other safety issues of shared importance, the authority also said.

In its response, the Iranian maritime authority advised Panama to think about the legal and international implications of such statements, Press TV reported.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Italy is expected to eliminate imports of Russian natural gas by the winter of 2024/2025, Claudio Descalzi, the chief executive of energy major Eni, said on Monday during a visit to Algeria.

Italy, one of the biggest buyers of Russian gas in Europe before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will be independent of Moscows gas by the winter of 2024/2025, Descalzi told reporters on the sidelines of meetings on energy security in Algiers.

Eni and Algerian state oil and gas firm Sonatrach signed an agreement today to identify possible measures to improve Algerias energy export capacity to Europe, identify renewable energy development projects, and reduce emissions.

The partnership between Italy and Algeria gets stronger today, and Algerias key role as one of Europes main energy suppliers is confirmed, Enis Descalzi said after the signing of the agreements witnessed by Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Algerias President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Earlier this month, Descalzi told the Financial Times that Europe should look to Africa for a south-north energy axis that would deliver gas from Africa to the EU, which is scrambling to replace Russian pipeline supply.

Eni is a major player in many African countries and has signed several agreements to boost gas supply from Africa to Europe since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the slump in Russias gas deliveries via pipeline.

In April 2022, less than two months after Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine, Descalzi and the president of Algerias state energy firm Sonatrach, Toufik Hakkar, signed an agreement that will allow Eni to increase the quantities of gas imported through the TransMed/Enrico Mattei pipeline as part of a long-term gas supply contract in place with Sonatrach.

In October, Eni announced the start of production from two gas fields within the new Berkine South contract in Algeria, with volumes intended for the European market. And the following month, Eni announced the first shipment of LNG produced from the Coral gas field in the ultra-deep waters of the Rovuma Basin offshore Mozambique.

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Last week, Eni announced a significant new gas discovery offshore Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Kuwaits new Cabinet has resigned amid protests over a planned spending spree of the countrys oil wealth by the Assembly, which some fear would drain state coffers to the point of no return.

The Cabinets move to resign is meant to hinder the Assemblys attempts to push through spending bills that would see the government buying back consumer loans and raising salaries and benefits, among other things.

The prime minister submitted the government's resignation to the crown prince "as a result of what has become of the relationship between the executive and legislative authorities", according to Kuwaits KUNA news agency, citing a cabinet statement.



This is the third cabinet formed by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf al-Ahmed Al-Sabah since he took office in August last year. It is also Kuwaits sixth government in three years.



The parliament is led by opposition forces, which view ministers as corrupt and accuse them of mismanaging the countrys oil wealth. Appointed by the ruling family, the government has been at constant odds with the elected assembly, which is pursuing populist measures.

At the same time, the inability to keep a government in place has made it impossible to go through with any much-needed fiscal reforms.

While Kuwait boasts one of the worlds biggest sovereign wealth funds and has very low debt with a surplus of around $23 billion in store and an economy that was set for almost 8% growth in 2022, according to Bloomberg, its falling far behind its peersSaudi Arabia and the UAE in terms of non-oil economic growth.

According to OPECs December Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), Kuwaits crude oil production fell sharply, by 35,000 bpd, compared to increases in other venues, including Nigeria, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.

As of 2020, Kuwait has 101.5 billion barrels in oil reserves.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The Dutch government plans to close the Groningen gas field this year despite Europes precarious supply position. Groningen is the largest gas field in Europe.

The field is dangerous, a government official from the Hague told the Financial Times, and the government has no plans to boost production from it.

We wont open up more because of the safety issues, Hans Vijbrief told the FT. It is politically totally unviable. But apart from that, Im not going to do it because it means that you increase the chances of earthquakes, which I dont want to be responsible for.

Production from Groningen has been curtailed substantially, and there were plans in place to phase out production altogether because of increased seismic activity in the vicinity of the field even before the energy crisis began in 2021.

As gas prices began to climb in the autumn of 2021 and then took off in the spring of 2022, some began speculating that the Netherlands could keep the field operating to contribute to filling the gap in gas supply left by Russian pipeline deliveries.

The Dutch government was skeptical about that from the start and instead suggested production be extended, although at a minimum rate of some 2.8 billion cu m. Now, this, too, is being reconsidered.

Its very, very simple: everybody who has some knowledge of earthquake danger tells me that its really very dangerous to keep on producing there. Im quite convinced its wise to close it down, Vijbrief told the FT.

Since the 1980s, the FT notes, there have been some 100 earthquakes annually around Groningen, resulting in more than 150,000 claims for property damage. The operator of the field, a Shell-Exxon joint venture, was ordered to start reducing output in 2013 with a view to shutting the field down eventually.

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Poland said on January 23 that it could deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as part of a coalition of countries even without Berlin's approval for the re-export of the German-made tank as Ukrainian forces staved off fresh waves of Russian attacks in the east.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country is pushing for allies who have Leopards to send them to Ukraine, said Berlin's agreement is of "secondary importance" as Warsaw is more interested in building a consensus about the issue.

"We will ask for such permission, but this is an issue of secondary importance. Even if we did not get this approval...we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine," Morawiecki told reporters.

"The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries."

Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have also made a joint appeal to Germany to step up its leadership and send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, putting further pressure on Berlin to speed up its military aid for Kyiv.

Berlin has so far showed reluctance either for providing such tanks to Kyiv itself or allowing third countries that have Leopard tanks to send them to Ukraine. Germany has reportedly linked lifting its opposition to Washington's also sending Ukraine U.S.-made Abrams tanks.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indicated on January 22 that the stalemate is nearing a conclusion, saying Berlin would be ready to authorize Poland to send Leopards to Ukraine.

"If we are asked the question, then we will not stand in the way," Baerbock told LCI television after a Franco-German summit meeting in Paris.

However, spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on January 23 did not confirm that this was the German government's official position.

"I would perhaps like to put it this way: If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-established procedures for answering such a request. And we all abide by them," Hebestreit said, adding that it was important for Germany not to take a reckless step that might be regretted afterward.

These are hard questions of life and death, he said. We have to ask what this means for the defense of our own country.

Baerbock herself declined to further comment on the tank issue on January 23, saying just that Ukraine's allies should try to do everything possible to make sure Ukraine will win its war against Russia.

"It's important that we as an international community do everything we can to defend Ukraine, so that Ukraine wins and wins the right to live in peace and freedom again," Baerbock said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview on January 22 with German public broadcaster ARD, said that while a limited number of German-made tanks would not tilt the balance in Ukraine's favor on the battlefield, it would be a strong boost for his troops' morale.

"When the Russian Army, which has 1,000 tanks, is against us, no other country solves the problem by deciding to give us 10, 20, or 50 tanks," Zelenskiy said. "But they would do a very important thing -- they would motivate our soldiers to fight for their values. Because [such a gesture would] show that the whole world is with you."

Zelenskiy also criticized Germany's conditioning tank deliveries to the United States' doing the same thing.

"You can't do that.... This is not an issue between Germany and America, a competition of ambitions," Zelenskiy said.

"Of course, you can talk for another six months, level your influence. But people die here every day.... Simply, if you can give Leopards then give them," Zelenskiy told ARD.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on January 23 that differences between allies over whether to provide tanks to Kyiv proved there was "nervousness" within the NATO military alliance, and that it was the Ukrainian people who would "pay for the pseudo-support" if the West delivers tanks.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces held out against a fresh wave of Russian attacks in the east, the military said on January 23.

Russian forces attempted to advance in three directions in the past 24 hours but were repelled, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military said in its daily update, adding that the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk, where heavy fighting has been under way for months, remained the main target of Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

By RFE/RL

Poland said on January 23 that it could deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as part of a coalition of countries even without Berlin's approval for the re-export of the German-made tank as Ukrainian forces staved off fresh waves of Russian attacks in the east.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country is pushing for allies who have Leopards to send them to Ukraine, said Berlin's agreement is of "secondary importance" as Warsaw is more interested in building a consensus about the issue.

"We will ask for such permission, but this is an issue of secondary importance. Even if we did not get this approval...we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine," Morawiecki told reporters.

"The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries."

Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have also made a joint appeal to Germany to step up its leadership and send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, putting further pressure on Berlin to speed up its military aid for Kyiv.

Berlin has so far showed reluctance either for providing such tanks to Kyiv itself or allowing third countries that have Leopard tanks to send them to Ukraine. Germany has reportedly linked lifting its opposition to Washington's also sending Ukraine U.S.-made Abrams tanks.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indicated on January 22 that the stalemate is nearing a conclusion, saying Berlin would be ready to authorize Poland to send Leopards to Ukraine.

"If we are asked the question, then we will not stand in the way," Baerbock told LCI television after a Franco-German summit meeting in Paris.

However, spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on January 23 did not confirm that this was the German government's official position.

"I would perhaps like to put it this way: If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-established procedures for answering such a request. And we all abide by them," Hebestreit said, adding that it was important for Germany not to take a reckless step that might be regretted afterward.

ADVERTISEMENT

These are hard questions of life and death, he said. We have to ask what this means for the defense of our own country.

Baerbock herself declined to further comment on the tank issue on January 23, saying just that Ukraine's allies should try to do everything possible to make sure Ukraine will win its war against Russia.

"It's important that we as an international community do everything we can to defend Ukraine, so that Ukraine wins and wins the right to live in peace and freedom again," Baerbock said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview on January 22 with German public broadcaster ARD, said that while a limited number of German-made tanks would not tilt the balance in Ukraine's favor on the battlefield, it would be a strong boost for his troops' morale.

"When the Russian Army, which has 1,000 tanks, is against us, no other country solves the problem by deciding to give us 10, 20, or 50 tanks," Zelenskiy said. "But they would do a very important thing -- they would motivate our soldiers to fight for their values. Because [such a gesture would] show that the whole world is with you."

Zelenskiy also criticized Germany's conditioning tank deliveries to the United States' doing the same thing.

"You can't do that.... This is not an issue between Germany and America, a competition of ambitions," Zelenskiy said.

"Of course, you can talk for another six months, level your influence. But people die here every day.... Simply, if you can give Leopards then give them," Zelenskiy told ARD.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on January 23 that differences between allies over whether to provide tanks to Kyiv proved there was "nervousness" within the NATO military alliance, and that it was the Ukrainian people who would "pay for the pseudo-support" if the West delivers tanks.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces held out against a fresh wave of Russian attacks in the east, the military said on January 23.

Russian forces attempted to advance in three directions in the past 24 hours but were repelled, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military said in its daily update, adding that the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk, where heavy fighting has been under way for months, remained the main target of Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

By RFE/RL

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45% of retail investors and 36% of professional investors see copper as the best-performing commodity asset this year.

Retail and professional investors expect copper to be the top-performing commodity this year, outperforming gold, corn, and crude oil, according to Bloombergs MLIV Pulse survey published on Monday.

A total of 45% of retail investors and 36% of professional investors see copper as the best-performing commodity asset this year, compared to 26% of professional and 21% of retail investors who picked crude oil as most likely to be the top commodity performer in 2023.

Copper prices have strongly rebounded in recent weeks, thanks to the reopening in China, which is expected to spur additional demand, and to the long-term bullishness of the market for metals necessary for the energy transition.

Copper prices are set for a new record-high in 2023 amid an extremely tight market, Goldman Sachs said last month.

The sequential increase in policy targets and commitments to green transition, alongside a minimal supply response so far... have resulted in earlier and larger open-ended deficit conditions that essentially are already here, not beginning at some point in the future, Nicholas Snowdon, metals strategist at Goldman Sachs, said in December, as carried by Financial Review.

Moreover, mining and commodities giant Glencore said in an investor update last month that a huge shortage of copper is looming, reiterating warnings from other industry players and analysts that a supply crunch could slow the energy transition.

According to Glencores estimates, under the net-zero emissions pathway of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world will be more than 50 million tons short of copper between 2022 and 2030.

But increasing mine supply is challenging given heightened country and operational risks and the industry remains wary of multi-billion dollar investment decisions, Glencore said.

In the latest reporting week to January 17, copper, one of the best-performing commodities this month, attracted more bullish positions, and the net long positionthe difference between bullish and bearish betsjumped to a nine-month high, Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, said on Monday.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A local organization with several superintendent searches already under its belt this school year will be in charge of finding the next leader of the Bennington Public Schools.

During a Friday special meeting, the Bennington school board selected the Nebraska Association of School Boards to conduct its search for the price of $9,000.

The search follows Superintendent Terry Haacks December announcement that he plans to retire at the end of the 2022-23 school year.

NASB estimates that it could find a new superintendent by March, said Shari Becker, director of NASB search services.

The organization, which has offered search services since 2005, recently has filled superintendent roles in the Grand Island (interim post), Osmond, Boone Central, Cambridge and Anselmo-Merna school districts. Last school year, NASB found superintendents for the North Platte and Kearney districts.

Becker said Friday that the search timeline will start immediately with the launch of an online application. The application will get exposure from around the U.S. through superintendent search databases.

Becker said he hoped that by the end of January the board would be able to host a session to discuss candidate criteria and other search requirements.

Community input would come a couple of weeks later through electronic communication, open forums or both, depending on what the board decides. Select groups of staff, students, parents and community members also could be invited to be involved in each candidates interview process.

Becker estimated the application deadline would be about Feb. 19, followed by another board session where members would select interview candidates.

The association usually will speak to 10 to 15 references for each applicant to determine each persons strengths and weaknesses before bringing them to the board, Becker said.

After doing this for now 15 years, if somebody applies from a district, I typically know exactly who to call to find out exactly what I want to know, and people that will speak with me frankly about somebody, Becker said. You might have an applicant that has something that would be an area of growth, but maybe thats something that youre willing to still consider the applicant for.

Interviews could be completed by early March. A superintendent should be chosen shortly after interviews are done, according to NASBs application.

I think this is a reasonable timeline to be able to get everything done that needs to be done, Becker said.

NASB was one of four candidates the board considered. The others were McPherson & Jacobson from Omaha; EDWise, a firm from Alta, Iowa; and GR Recruiting from Council Bluffs.

In December, the association also applied to conduct the search for Nebraskas next education commissioner, but State Board of Education members chose McPherson & Jacobson.

One common strength NASB boasted and Bennington school board members agreed with was the associations constant work with school boards.

Besides conducting searches, NASB also trains school board members, advocates in government relations and consults with school districts around Nebraska.

We do work with a lot of boards every year, so weve seen some of the challenges boards can have and have helped them work through that, Becker said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
When someone dies of a drug overdose, family members, friends and others are left to anguish over what went wrong and what might have been done to prevent the tragedy.

A team formed by the Douglas County Health Department and backed by local partner Coalition Rx aims to help prevent such deaths by digging deeper into those questions.

To that end, the Douglas County Overdose Fatality Review team seeks to conduct confidential case reviews of overdose deaths in the county. The aim is to examine cases systematically, looking at what interventions were in place, said Leah Casanave, the Douglas County Health Departments division chief for community health, nutrition and clinical services.

Its the best place for us to find out what is failing folks, she said. Such reviews also can help indicate whether intervention programs are working as intended.

One challenge for the team has been getting the local data it needs to complete the reviews, Patty Falcone, the Health Departments supervisor of health promotion, told the Douglas County Board of Health in October.

The state sends data to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Casanave said. But because overdose deaths are not a condition health officials are required to report, like measles and polio, the team can get general data, such as numbers, but no details about individuals. State and federal reports also lag by a year or two.

To help remedy the lack of local data, State Sens. Tony Vargas and Megan Hunt, both of Omaha, introduced a bill that would create a template for county-level overdose fatality review teams in the state. The teams would be allowed to obtain and review records and other documentation related to overdoses from relevant agencies, entities and individuals while remaining in compliance with confidentiality laws.

Its important for us to bridge that gap, said Carey Pomykata, executive director and co-founder of Coalition Rx, a local nonprofit working to prevent substance abuse. We need to have some real-time data when it comes to this.

Available data indicates that overdose deaths have been on the rise, both nationally and in Nebraska. Nationally, the rate of overdose deaths increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020. That year, overdoses killed 91,799 Americans, according to the CDC.

Nebraska recorded 160 drug overdose deaths in 2020, according to CDCs State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System. At least one opportunity for intervention was documented in 53% of those deaths. A potential bystander was present in 30% of the deaths, indicating that there may have been an opportunity to prevent the deaths.

In 2021, the state recorded 174 overdose deaths. The per capita rate of 9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents was the lowest among the 32 reporting jurisdictions, which included Washington, D.C.

According to the bill, LB 570, the local teams review could include the persons points of contact with health care systems, social services, schools, law enforcement, the criminal justice system and other organizations.

Anything discussed by the team, Casanave said, would stay within the team. Prosecutors would not be able to access and use such information.

Were just trying to find the best way to protect people from future overdoses, she said.

The overdose fatality review team would function similarly to the County Health Departments Fetal Infant Mortality Review team, which gathers information about infant deaths from medical and public health records. Those records may be supplemented by voluntary interviews with the mother by a public health nurse trained in grief counseling, assessment and community resources.

The team then provides information to the Baby Blossoms Collaborative. That local group, made up of representatives from up to 40 health and social service organizations, reviews the teams findings to determine whether additional actions might help head off problems in the community. One such step, both nationally and locally, has been successful campaigns to promote safe sleeping positions for babies.

Similarly, the overdose death review teams findings would be shared with a collaborative group created by Coalition Rx, which would look at the data and determine prevention strategies.

Casanave said the Douglas County team, which was funded by the state with federal dollars, is piloting the program. She hopes to see other large counties in the state follow suit.

Pomykata said there are close to 400 overdose fatality review teams across the country. She and Falcone were in Washington, D.C., last week attending a national forum on the topic. Pomykata said they hope to learn what others involved in the work have been through and what theyve learned.

Weve got to find out what the gaps in communities are so we can put a stop to this, Pomykata said.
COVID-19 cases in Nebraska hit a nine-month low last week with the state apparently experiencing something it has never seen during the three-year pandemic  a winter lull.

Nebraska reported 924 cases for the week ending Wednesday, down 38% from 1,486 the previous week, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was the first time new cases in Nebraska had dropped below 1,000 since the first week of May, and its the lowest case level since late April.

All other indicators, including hospitalizations, also point to falling virus levels.

Nebraska cases have been below 2,000 for four straight weeks after hitting a recent peak of 3,900 just before Christmas.

Nebraska previously has seen extended periods where cases have dropped to those levels. But only during spring, summer and early fall  never before when the weather has turned colder and people have retreated indoors and gathered for the holidays.

To be sure, case counts no longer are considered as accurate a measure of virus activity as they once were. Many people no longer are testing or are using at-home tests that arent reported to health departments.

Dr. Bob Rauner, president of Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln, said that to monitor the virus these days, he typically looks at data based on wastewater sampling results and COVID-19 hospitalizations. Those measures, he said, also are showing reduced virus levels.

Hospitalizations for COVID also decreased last week, by 18% in the U.S. and by 17% in Nebraska. Both hospitalizations and new hospital admissions for COVID also were down in the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic states, which had seen a significant spike since shortly after the holidays.

Those two also are regions where a new highly transmissible version of the virus, XBB.1.5, made up an estimated 84% or more of the positive samples to undergo genomic sequencing. In Nebraska, that variant made up 6% of samples sequenced in the week ending Jan. 14.

Rauner said he also monitors Bryan Healths COVID dashboard for insight into who is being hospitalized with the virus. On Jan. 22, a total of 17 patients were hospitalized. Fifteen were not up to date on their vaccines, meaning they had not received the latest booster. Of the two who were up to date, both fell into the higher-risk 65-and-older age bracket.

If youre up to date on your vaccines, most people dont have much to worry about, Rauner said.

Most people, he said, can  and are  living life pretty much as normal now. They once again are gathering in large numbers in restaurants, stores and public events. Mask-wearing in such settings has become rare.

Rauner, who is up to date on his vaccines and in his 50s, said he wears a mask only when hes in an airport or at a health care facility.

Rauner said older people and those at higher risk because of a medical condition should get the antiviral drug Paxlovid if they contract the virus, even if they are up to date on their shots.

But he said there is no evidence yet that the coronavirus has become a seasonal virus, like its common cold-causing cousins.

More likely, he said, it is human behavior that is seasonal, because people tend to congregate indoors in groups at certain times of the year.

A University of Nebraska Medical Center epidemiologist recently said he did not expect the state to see dramatic spikes in COVID cases as in the past, as large numbers of previous infections and two years of vaccinations and boosters have left the population with a rough patchwork of immunity. The future of the virus will remain unpredictable.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is considering shifting the nations COVID vaccine strategy to an approach similar to that used for the influenza vaccine, NPR reported Monday.

The aim would be to simplify vaccination for COVID-19, possibly relying on annual updates corresponding to whatever strain of the virus is circulating. An agency advisory committee is scheduled to consider the proposal Thursday.

The meeting comes as all but four states reported declining numbers last week. Nebraska was one of a dozen to see cases decline by one-third or more. U.S. cases overall have been falling since early January.

Nebraskas case rate is currently the ninth lowest nationally. Most of its neighbors also rank in the bottom third among states, with Iowa currently 12th lowest.

COVID-19, however, remains a deadly disease for some. Nebraska over the past four months has reported an average of 13 new deaths a week. The total death toll for the three-year pandemic is 4,734.

Meanwhile, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, continue to decline across the country, with three regions dropping below their baseline for outpatient respiratory illness for the first time since October. Nebraskas flu activity was rated low for the first time in weeks.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
A 27-year-old Omaha man has been sentenced to 18 months of probation on each of three charges in connection with a shooting that injured three people last summer near an Old Market bar.

Raushod Johnson pleaded no contest to two counts of third-degree assault and one count of carrying a concealed weapon, all misdemeanors. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation on each count, with all three sentences to be served at the same time.

Johnson initially was charged with three counts of felony assault and two counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony. The charges were amended in a plea agreement with the Douglas County Attorneys Office.

Officers responded to a report of gunshots at Gate 10, 414 S. 10th St., just before 1 a.m. June 18, Omaha police said. Officers learned that a vehicle reportedly involved in the shooting was seen leaving the area.

Police pursued the vehicle to 42nd and Dodge Streets, where they found two people with gunshot injuries. The two, George Thompson, then 31, and Jordan Thompson, then 27, were taken to the Nebraska Medical Center to be treated for their injuries.

A third person, Detail Johnson, then 28, also went to the Nebraska Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot injury. He told police that he had been at Gate 10.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
A newly developed laser instrument will help NASA scour distant planets and moons for signs of alien life, researchers say.

The high-tech tool, developed for NASA by University of Maryland researchers, only weighs about 17 pounds, making it light enough to be brought along on deep space explorations, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature and an accompanying news release.

The tool is made up of two main components: an ultraviolet laser for excising samples from a planets surface and an ion analyzer that produces detailed information about the chemical makeup of the materials, researchers said.

The analyzer, which is 100 times more powerful than comparable technologies deployed on space missions, is built to detect traces of organic matter, like microfossils, from very small surface samples, researchers said. It is also relatively unobtrusive, thereby reducing the risk of sample contamination.

It took us eight years to make a prototype that could be used efficiently in space  significantly smaller and less resource-intensive, but still capable of cutting-edge science, Ricardo Arevalo, co-author of the study, wrote in a news release.

The laser, which generates more than three times the amount of energy of the laser aboard the ExoMars rover, will allow NASA to examine larger molecules that are more likely the byproducts of living systems, researchers said. So, rather than study small materials, like amino acids, which are not necessarily indicative of life, the device will facilitate the study of more complex compounds like proteins.

The new laser instrument has the potential to significantly enhance the way we currently study the geochemistry or astrobiology of a planetary surface, Arevalo added.

Researchers anticipate the new technology will be deployed into deep space at some point in the next few years.

Enceladus, a small moon orbiting Saturn, is considered a prime target for such a life-finding mission, according to the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. A warm ocean flowing beneath its surface, which potentially harbors a variety of biomarkers, could easily be accessed by NASAs instruments.

Biomarkers have been discovered on the surfaces of various celestial bodies in the recent past, intriguing researchers worldwide.

In 2017, a molecule thought to be indicative of life was spotted on a comet, according to the European Space Agency. Additionally, fungal biomarkers were detected on martian rocks even after theyd been exposed to low orbit conditions for over a year, according to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology.

However, the compounds that are considered biomarkers are not set in stone. Oxygen was once thought to be an  essential biomarker for life on extrasolar planets, but research published in Scientific Reports in 2015 called that hypothesis into question.

Watch the historic liftoff of NASA's mightiest new moon rocket
2022 projects funded by stamp program, partners

Aquatic habitat and angler access improvement work was accomplished throughout the state during 2022. Here's a list of projects completed or nearly completed in 2022 using aquatic habitat program, Sportfish Restoration and Nebraska Environmental Trust funding:

North Platte I-80 Lake: The south side of the lake, the primary entrance to the area, received several upgrades. Five fishing piers were built, and Americans with Disabilities Act access was added to the boat ramp and one pier. Barriers to prevent overgrown vegetation also were installed near the piers.

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge: Carp barriers, which prevent carp from moving into or out of a water body, often can clog with vegetation. Rotating screens were installed to prevent this problem in the outlet structures of Clear and Hackberry Lakes.

Grable Pond North at Fort Robinson State Park: This pond, the last in a series of three ponds to be renovated, was deepened along the perimeter. The outlet structure also was replaced and an ADA-access jetty was installed, with fish habitat features placed within casting distance.

I-80 lakes: Russian olive and cedar trees were cleared around West Wood River, Bufflehead, West Brady and East Sutherland wildlife management areas. That opened previously overgrown areas for easy angler access.

Summit Lake: The sediment basins were excavated on the south and west ends to restore them back to their original capacity and prevent sediment from entering the main reservoir. Angler jetties and the boat ramp also were improved and stabilized, and a kayak launch site was developed.

Bordeaux Creek: This Pine Ridge project was designed to reconnect the creek to the floodplain, ultimately improving bank stability and cool water fish habitat. These changes, which remain under construction, will improve the trout fishery and fishing access, greatly enhancing recreational opportunities for anglers.

Wagon Train Lake: Restored the sediment basin to its original capacity and modified the design to improve sediment capture. Habitat shoals and vegetation barriers were added to the reservoir basin, and undesirable fish were removed. The lake 2 miles east of Hickman is currently being restocked. A boat launch and angler access areas will be repaired in 2023.

Gracie Creek: Flooding from 2019 substantially reduced the capacity of the Gracie Creek Pond near Calamus Reservoir. This project developed a sediment dike to make it easier to remove sediment in the future. It also removed 30,000 cubic yards of sediment from the pond. Habitat and angler access improvements also were made below the outlet.

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area: Research is being conducted to identify sources of nutrients in the lake that are causing problems with aquatic vegetation and duckweed. These problems have led to fish kills and open water angler access difficulties.
A 62-year-old Nebraska prison inmate serving a life sentence for first-degree murder died Monday at a Lincoln hospital.

Marty Nuzum of Ralston had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony. He admitted to stabbing and strangling his former girlfriend, Jodi Rowe, 36, of La Vista, on Feb. 12, 2002. Nuzum began serving a life sentence in 2003.

Nuzums cause of death has not been determined, according to a statement from the Nebraska Department of Corrections.

Nuzum, who had been an inmate at the state prison in Tecumseh, was being treated for a medical condition, the department said.

Under state law, a grand jury investigates whenever someone dies while in custody.

According to prosecutors with the Douglas County Attorneys Office, Nuzum had been dating Rowe, although Rowe had tried to end the relationship several times. Rowe tried to end it again in February 2002 and called Nuzum crazy, Nuzum told others. He punched, strangled and stabbed her.

Afterward, he drove to his sisters Omaha home. She persuaded him to call police. Police went to Nuzums apartment, where they found Rowes body, two bloody knives and a pair of bloody scissors.

An assistant public defender said his client was remorseful and had a long history of mental illness. The defense submitted a psychiatric evaluation of Nuzum to that effect.

In 2007, jurors rejected the claim of Rowes family that Nuzums psychiatrist had a duty to warn Rowe about a comment Nuzum made before the murder about hurting her. The decision came 2 years after a different set of jurors deadlocked on the same issue.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
LINCOLN  Winter weather is making a comeback this week, with snowfall expected Tuesday and Wednesday in McLean County.

With cold temperatures  mostly in the low 30s  combined with solid cloud cover, snow is expected to begin late Tuesday evening and continue into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Matt Holiner, chief meteorologist for Lee Enterprises Midwest, said he expects the peak of the snowfall to be Wednesday morning.

It will start to back off during the afternoon on Wednesday, and I think the last of the snow showers will come to an end early Wednesday evening, he said.

Holiner said the Wednesday morning commute might be troublesome as he expects occasional periods of heavy snow to be mixed in with the light snowfall.

Its still early to say for sure, but snowfall could range from 2 to 5 inches across Central Illinois, Holiner said.

The southeastern part of the region, around Charleston-Mattoon, will see the higher totals, while Bloomington-Normal might be closer to 2 inches, he said.

The high Wednesday will be near 33 degrees, with wind gusts up to 26 mph. Temperatures are expected to be below freezing on Thursday with flurries possible in the evening.

According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a chance of snow will continue into the weekend as the daytime temperatures hang close to freezing.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has defaulted on payments of its matured 182-day bill for the first time, rolling over outstanding securities of GH940.4million, albeit without investors consent.



The development led to confusion and concern for investors expecting payments to be made on these securities. According to market information, the outstanding payments were made to investors who were credited but later had the credit reversed and automatically rolled over without their consent.



This sudden default has raised many questions among investors, as they now have to decide whether to sell their securities to willing investors or seek legal redress.



Fred Duvor, Managing Director (MD) of Apakan Securities, said in an interview with the B&FT that COCOBOD has an obligation to buyers of the cocoa bills, which were for a fixed tenure, but they seem to have altered the terms without the consent of the clients. This move has left many clients feeling frustrated and uncertain about their investments.



Also, the MD of Apakan Securities stated that this default is a major blow to investor confidence in the capital markets. He said: It is really not a good one, and it is quite strange that COCOBOD will also be caught in this kind of situation because we know that the cocoa board receivables are tied to cocoa. So, I struggle to understand why the current woes of the government should affect COCOBOD.



He also pointed out that this default may lead to investors shying away from Treasury bills, as they will now be on the edge, and may not be willing to buy Treasury bills which have been exempted from the domestic debt exchange programme.



Introduced in 2002 as an added layer of investment options to the public and a means of easing the cyclical pressure on the cedi, the cocoa bills have been a mainstay of the domestic capital market  particularly the 182-day variant. They have recorded handsome patronage on account of the strength of its underlying asset  cocoa.



The Ghana Cocoa Board is a government-owned entity that is responsible for regulation and development of the cocoa industry in Ghana. The country is the second-largest producer of cocoa in the world, and the industry is a major contributor to the countrys economy. The default on the 182-day bill is a significant blow to the industry, and it is not yet clear how government plans to address the situation.



The development is bound to raise significant concerns among investors about COCOBODs ability to redeem upcoming obligations, in light of projections by the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) about cocoa prices dipping in 2023.



ICCOs forecast is based on a sharp rise in the net short positions of commercial traders in Europe and the United States over the 2020/21 to 2022/23 seasons, a development it attributes to demand for insurance against price drops.



This default also comes at a time when government is undertaking a domestic debt exchange programme amid massive resistance from investors although it has been taking measures to address issues raised, but the default on the 182-day bill is a major setback.



The Ghana Cocoa Board has yet to make an official statement on the matter, and it is not yet clear what steps it will take to address the situation. The default on the 182-day bill is a serious matter, and it is important that government and the cocoa board take immediate action to address the situation and restore investor confidence in the capital markets as the future of the Ghanaian economy, and the cocoa industry, depend on it.



Commenting on the issue, Edem Nick Kporku  Investment Analyst with Constant Capital, mentioned that this default will definitely have a ripple effect on the economy of Ghana, as many investors will be scared to invest in the future.



We are looking at the cash flow problem  especially if youre expecting the money to come to you and then nothing comes through and institutions may have had plans on how to use the funds when the maturities hit their accounts.



Take for example some asset managers who may be in a liquidity crunch and may not be able to sell government securities at this time to pay out investor withdrawals from their mutual funds positions. This would lead to a liquidity problem for them, the Investment Analyst said.



It is vital that government takes immediate action to restore the confidence of investors and ensure that the cocoa industry in Ghana is not affected. It is also important that COCOBOD takes steps to ensure that this does not happen again in the future and that they communicate effectively with investors to ensure their investments are protected.

Source: B&FT









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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About 40 students of Krobea Asante Technical and Vocational School at Asante Asokore in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region have been arrested by the police.



The students, according to reports, were arrested after they vandalized school properties over poor results recorded by their predecessors.



Speaking to OTEC News' Jacob Agyenim Boateng, an assembly member for Effiduase South Electoral Area who doubles as the coordinator for Free SHS in the District, Hon. Ebenezer Opoku said the unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday, January 22, 2023.



"A total of six cars have been destroyed by the students including four vehicles belonging to the school and two private vehicles belonging to teachers



"Properties amounting to millions of cedis have been destroyed, bagalow for senior house mistress, her car, school's notice board, stores and food stored there have all been vandalised," he said.



"It took the security doors to save the principal's room from destruction, but the dinning hall was not exempted from the chaos.



"Most of the things they destroyed are beyond repairs, including the principal's vehicle which was provided by government," the assembly member added.



Mr Opoku disclosed that the Ashanti Regional Education Director, Dr Annor Ankrah together with the District Director of Education for Sekyere East Mr William Agyapong have visited the school to access the situation.



He added that calm has been restored at the school by the police.



Watch pictures from the scene of the attack below:













































Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Maltese Minister of Foreign, European Affairs and Trade, Dr Ian Borg, has assured that his country remains committed to enhancing the partnership it enjoyed with Ghana and the National Lottery Authority (NLA) for the last 60 years.



He explained that the collaboration must be expanded to cover other areas of national development for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.



Dr Borg stated this when he unveiled the bust of the first Director General of the NLA, Mr Francis William Brennan, a Maltese who helped in establishing the authority and organised its first draw in 1962.



Dr Borg noted that the relationship between the two nations, especially with the National Lottery Authority (NLA) exemplified the strong bond which should be nurtured to benefit other areas of national development

He commended the staff and management of NLA for guiding the smooth evolution and growth of the NLA since its inception 60 years ago.



He said listening to the story of the role Malta played in the establishment of the NLA, he was filled with pride because a simple act of solidarity between two governments not only led to the establishment of this important national institution but also paved the way for closer ties between our two countries.



Dr Borg said 60 years of friendly relationship was thriving and it was for that reason that he had visited the NLA to memorialize the contribution of Malta and Mr Brennan Hall to the NLA in Ghana and cement their relationship.

He said the recent visit of NLA officials to Mlata also served to rekindle and revive the collaboration between the two nations and their peoples.



A Board Member of the NLA, Mr Philip Kofi Aning, assured that the NLA would continue to tap from the experience, expertise, and knowledge of their counterparts in Malta to grow and expand its base.



He commended the Maltese government for the reception offered the staff and management that visited Malta.



The Director General of the NLA, Samuel Awuku indicated that as part of its strategic objective, the authority planned to acquire new draw machines and renovate the Brennan Hall into a world class draw centre in line with international standards, and this was also to preserve the hall for generations yet unborn.



He said it would also help in attaining its mandate of generating extra revenue to be able to offer more assistance to the vulnerable, aged, orphans and destitute in the society whiles supporting governments developmental agenda.



He described the visit by Dr Borg to Ghana and the NLA premises as concrete indications of how Malta intended to deepen the bilateral ties between the government of Ghana and Malta.



Mr Awuku said the NLA held in high esteem the Maltese government for playing a great role in the establishment of the NLA and indicated that to express its gratitude, the NLA memorialize Mr Brennan the first Director General with a bust and named the hall after him.



The two memorials, the bust and the Brennan Hall, he explained were permanent reminders of the brotherly relationship between the two nations, particularly with the NLA.



He announced that the NLA was seeking collaboration to facilitate the visit of some of its staff to undertake training in Malta to sharpen their skills to expedite the growth of the NLA.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Hopeson Adorye, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has charged the Ministry of Finance and its consultants who in his view benefitted from government bonds to take up the mantle of explaining to Ghanaians what the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) entails.



Hopeson Adorye claims that communicators of the governing party have been hanged out to dry by persons he believes enjoyed commissions from the bonds that have contributed to the countrys unsustainable debt levels.



The one-time parliamentary candidate of the party for the Kpone Kantamanso constituency lamented on Peace FM that those who reaped benefits from the bonds have taken backstage while the persons he labels as innocent have been commissioned to defend the DDEP.



He appealed to the Ministry of Finance to solicit the views of the Attorney-General before taking a decision on the domestic creditors.



He also urged Ken Ofori-Atta and his cohorts to exclude the individual bondholders in the arrangement, warning that any move contrary will worsen things for the government.



We are overwhelmed by the situation. I believe by January 31 an agreement would have been reached and government would have adopted a position. We should make sure the final decision will be good news for Ghanaians. People want their money for various reasons so we should take a look at individual bondholders.



There is a lot of money going waste that if we decide to be careful, we wouldnt be in this situation. People have taken things free of charge and nothing happened. We have the money but we cant manage the money. We should seek the Attorney-Generals opinion on the matter. I believe the government will rescind the decision to go after the individual bondholders else we will know no peace in the country.



Those who benefited will never come out and address the issue. When you say it, they accuse you of destroying the party but those who benefitted will never find time to explain it to the public. You are the one who took these decisions and benefitted from the bonds so you should be talking. Your consultants who benefitted should be doing the explanation on media platforms.



They shouldnt leave it to us the innocent people to struggle. People benefited and got commissions, they should be asking, how can you defend this? We have been overwhelmed by the whole thing so we need the consultants to come on media platforms. You cant enjoy for us innocent people to suffer.



As part of conditionalities to achieve the IMF bailout, the government has recommended that all benefits due bondholders in 2023 will not be paid.



Per the arrangement, the payment of the benefits will resume in 2024 at the rate of 5%.



This arrangement has been widely criticized with critics saying that the government is worsening the situation of already burdened Ghanaians.









Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says his initial Facebook post on Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng has been deleted by dark forces.



According to him, the dark forces accessed his account to remove the post.



This follows the alleged disappearance of the post made by the lawmaker against the preacher of the gospel who has threatened to take action against him after deflating the allegations.



The post made by Mr. Ablakwa on January 16, 2023 on the Secretary of the Trustees of the National Cathedral Rev. Kusi Boateng suddenly disappeared on the Facebook wall of the lawmaker though he is the only person who have access to the password to his Facebook page.



According to him, the dark forces accessed his account to remove the post.



He However reposted the write up he claimed have been deleted but he has been accused by some netizens of editing the allegations.



The cowardly furtive dark forces who masterminded the deletion of the mother of all cathedral scandals published here on Monday 16th January, 2023 at 5am would have to prepare to delete it a billion times because anytime they delete it, I shall repost it, as I am doing now.



I am glad so far, the Twitter version is intact since Mondays publication, however, if they try same on Twitter, I shall repost it there a billion times; unless the cowardly furtive dark forces block my social media accounts, he said after he was accused by some people on Facebook for deleting the allegations himself.









Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The last batch of students picked on the streets, who are head potters popularly called 'kayaye', by the Jewels In The Street Foundation have graduated with flying colors at the GH Media shcool.



It could be recalled that thirteen (13) out of the first twenty (20) students graduated last year beaming with smiles as their aim of fulfilling their dreams were made possible by the Foundation.



The Co-founder of Jewels In The Street Foundation, Mrs. Mavis Leonards, during the graduation advised head potters (kayaye) not to look down on themselves.



According to her, their destinies can change in a day for good when they meet their destiny helpers who are willing to take them out from the streets.



She appealed to the public not to neglect the needs of head potters stressing they can become beneficial to the society.



Mrs. Mavis Leonards gave this advice when seven kayayes - the last batch of the 20 girls - graduated from the GH Media School in Accra.



The seven graduates were fully sponsored by Foundation to study courses in Media, Fashion and Cosmetology.



It also took care of their rent, medical care and other important expenses.



One of the seven who graduated emerged the Best Fashion Student in the school.



Speaking to the media in an interview, the beneficiaries expressed their joy to Peace News.

Source: Pious Baidoo/Peace News









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, has directed that the Information Ministry refunds some 151,500 to its own management and staff without approval.



This was revealed in Mr Asiedus audit of Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022.



The development reportedly ensued in 2020 during the lockdown at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana.



During our review, we noted that senior management staff and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GH151,500.00 as COVID-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown, the report stated.



President Akufo-Addo at the time had announced some incentives for frontline health workers including insurance and tax exemptions for doing their best to curb the virus spread.



As of now, some of the healthcare workers are reportedly yet to receive their share of the stipends.



The latest report is questioning the basis for such a remuneration since it was not sanctioned by the Chief of Staff.



According to the document, the deed goes contrary to the above Presidential directives and without approval from the Office of Chief of Staff.



The Auditor-General has recommended that the amount be recovered from the beneficiary staff and paid into the Auditor-Generals Recoveries account.



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Source: Myjoyonline.com









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The Inspector General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare has said he is not scared of death.



The only thing he says he is afraid of is birth and not death.



Answering questions on the directive against the publication of doom prophecies while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Thursday, January 19, he said Why should it be such that you found something, God has revealed something to you and you want to share it with me, you have to make it showmanship and tell the whole country that I am about to die, which of course I am not afraid of.



The only thing I am afraid of is birth because if you dont want to die you shouldnt allow yourself to be birthed, so once I have been born, I am going to die.



As for death, the only thing I can do is to become a friend of it so that it can treat me with some leniency.



So, the point is that you go and make such an announcement to the whole world, and I have a wife, I have children, I have a parent who is alive and I have family members. So every day when I live in my house and I always get up around 3AM, but today, I slept up to 5 AM, my wife will be thinking that I am dead. This is something she is going to live with for the rest of her life. Why is it that God himself did not tell us when we are going to die, it means a lot.



He further justified the directive regarding the communication of negative prophecies.



He insisted that nobody has the right to cause fear and panic through prophecies.



Dr Dampare told the PAC that Even then, if you have a prophecy about somebody dying, you have a way to communicate it in our typical Ghanaian environment even in proverbs for the person to decipher but you dont put fear and panic in the person, the persons immediate family, and the persons extended family and the whole country.



Honourable Chair, you were elected to be Members of Parliament by our votes therefore, you have been empowered by the Constitution and other laws to make certain pronouncements, which is acceptable. But those who are prophets, who elected them over my life to just get out there and make pronouncements about me when I am not a member of your family, I am not your church member and probably the person might not even believe in God.



We [Police] are deep-seated Christians that we dont joke with Godliness but we will also not allow anybody to use God to create a mess and confusion because God is not a God of confusion and God is not a God of disorderliness.



The Police cautioned Prophets over the way and manner they communicate prophecies.



As the year 2022 draws to a close, we wish to once again entreat the general public, especially faith-based groups to ensure continuous compliance with the law as it relates to the communication of prophecies, the police said in a statement on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.



Let us continue to remember that whereas we have the right to practice our faith in religion, freedom of worship and speech, this right must not be exercised in violation of the rights of others and the public interest, it added.



The warning that was first given 2021 forced some prophets to adopt different styles in communicating prophecies.







Source: 3news.com









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Agorsor Christian, a 22-year-old commercial motor rider, has allegedly stabbed his colleague rider to death.



The Ghana News Agency (GNA) learnt the alleged act was as a result of the suspects attempt to pick a passenger ahead of the deceased.



Agbesi Davor, 33, died on his way to the Abor Sacred Heart Hospital after his colleague stabbed him in the chest with a screwdriver.



Mr Raphael Ahiable, the Assemblyman for the area, told the GNA that a misunderstanding ensued between the two riders at their parking terminal as to whose turn it was to pick a passenger first.



The suspect, to express his anger, pulled out a screwdriver and stabbed the deceaseds chest before absconding.



Mr Ahiable said the deceased was quickly conveyed on a motorcycle by residents in the area.



It was initially planned to move him to Abor Hospital but was rushed to a health center at Avenorpedo on their way after they realised his condition was worsening but died upon arrival, he said.



Sources at the Abor Police Command confirmed the incident to the GNA.



The sources said the suspect fled the scene before the police arrived, but was later brought to the police station by his father, Pastor Agorsor Gomez.



The police at Abor said the suspect was currently in custody as investigations continued.



The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Sacred Heart Hospital Morgue at Abor for autopsy.









Source: GNA









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Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minister, has reiterated the government's resolve to assist women to play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the country, especially in the private sector.



He said between 2017 and 2022, the government had increased job creation in the formal sector from 320,000 to 720,000.



Mr Darko-Mensah said women were key in delivering the mandate of making sure that the private sector was more vibrant.



The Western Regional Minister disclosed this to Ghana News Agency in an interview in Takoradi after the recognition of 30 distinguished women in various sectors of the formal economy in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis by the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC).



He said government would continue to tap talents of women and support them to move the country forward.



Mr.Darko-Mensah said women constituted 52 per cent of the population hence, "we can't ignore women and work with half strength and half talents of our population. "



The Regional Minister, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, said the WRCC would continue to recognize the contribution of women and empower them to be more active in the governance system of the country.









Source: GNA









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An unidentified baby girl believed to be about two weeks old has been found dead at sefwi-Bekwai in the Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.



The deceased was found at a refuse dump in the early hours of Friday, January 20, 2023, wrapped in a cloth.



Mr Kwaku Bawah, a staff of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and an eyewitness, confirmed the story to the Ghana News Agency, said he went to the refuse dump at dawn as has been his daily routine.



"On arrival l saw a baby covered with a cloth but the legs were showing so l raised alarm and some neighbours came over only to realize the baby had already passed away."



He said they informed the Assembly Member of Anorku Electoral Area, Mr Akwasi Prince Tano, who reported the incident to the Sefwi-Bekwai District Police Command.



Mr Tano said the police had collaborated with the Environmental Health Officers in the Municipality to bury the baby while investigations continued.









Source: GNA









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Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called on institutions and agencies mandated to administer justice at all levels to exercise their responsibilities with fairness and expedition as justice delayed is justice denied.



He said the delay in the pursuit of justice posed a veritable threat to societal harmony and national security.



When members of the society feel that they have been treated unfairly, a foundation has been laid for social unrest, disharmony, and strikes, the Vice President said while addressing thousands of Ahmadi faithful at the 90th National Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, at Baghe-Ahmad in Pomadze, near Winneba on Saturday.



The three-day convention is being attended by some 30,000 Ahmadi faithful from across the country and delegations from other countries.



The convention has not been held since 2019 due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.



The theme is Promoting Justice And Social Cohesion- The Islamic Example.



The Vice President underscored the relevance of the theme for the convention in relation to justice administration in the country and noted that Ghanas social landscape was characterized by disputes over chieftaincy, land and property, which the courts at various levels, were required to make determinations on the entitlement of litigants based on acceptable standards of justice.



He said delays in cases for years at the law court could lead to discomfort and frustrations of the parties involved and often fuelled the perception of lack of transparency, corruption and political interferences in justice administration. The Vice President stated that the growing number of community violence in parts of the country, even though unfortunate, was due to delays in trials and perceptions of unfair judgement.



He, however, said no violence could ever be justified since legal processes ought to be followed to seek justice if one felt unfairly treated, stressing that we should never take the law into our own hands.



Dr Bawumia said the Government remained committed to rolling out social interventions for all regardless of location and status and mentioned the establishment of various development agencies, including the Northern Development Authority and the Zongo Development Fund as examples to ensure that no community was neglected in the development agenda.



The Government, he noted, was committed to enhancing justice delivery in the country, thus the decisive steps taken with focus on interventions for efficient and expedited justice delivery.



Among the steps are the provision of logistics support, such as befitting court buildings, vehicles, computers and decent bungalows and capacity building of judicial staff.



For instance, he said, the introduction of the E-court was enhancing Ghanas justice system, indicating that the E-court was helping in expediting the court process without unnecessary adjournment.



With the e-court system, it does not matter where a lawyer, witness or a prosecutor is, once they log into the system with a judge present, proceedings can take place, he said.



Another intervention he said was the plea-bargaining Act, which was facilitating case resolutions and trials within a reasonable time and ensured effective prosecution and helped in clearing the backlog of cases.



He also mentioned the launch of two separate funds for the Law Reform Commission and the Legal Aid Commission which would also go a long way to help in the justice delivery of the country.



Dr Bawumia commended the Ahmadiyya Mission Ghanas continued contribution to national growth, especially in the areas of education, and health and said the Missions contributions were well documented in the countrys history.



The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, in a fraternal message read on his behalf by Sheikh Arimiyaw Shaibu, noted that socio-cultural, religious and political diversity if not well managed, would give rise to conflicts in the country.



According to him, the theme for the convention was appropriate as the country was battling the scare of violent extremism, stressing that social cohesion was a necessary prerequisite for peaceful co-existence.









Source: GNA









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A farmer and his son are receiving treatment at Gomoa Dawurampong Polyclinic after a hunter shot at them while on their farm in broad day light.



The incident that happened at Gomoa Enyamea in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region Saturday, January 21, 2023 left the farmer shot in the testicles and his son, in the chest.



Information gathered by Kasapa News' Yaw Boagyan, revealed that the hunters numering about ten were chasing grasscuttter and firing gunshots while the farmer was also shouting at them that someone is on the farm.



But that did not stop them from firing the gunshots till the two were shot.



The two victims were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.



The case has been reported to the Gomoa Police Station for an investigation.









Source: kasapaonline









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Vice President Dr Mahmudu Bawumia has urged the citizenry, especially Muslims to be good to one another.



He said this on the seventh day (special prayers-Dua) for the late Chief Alhaji Issahaku Osman Chackson, the Chief of Mamprusi Community, Greater Accra Region.



Dr Bawumia said one could be called to the Maker at any time and as such, Ghanaians must eschew envy.



The Vice President, eulogising the late Alhaji Chackson, described him as one who showed love to everyone irrespective of their background.



He was a good and kind man and we pray that Allah grants him Jannatul Firdaus (Paradise), he stated.

The late Alhaji Chackson who died on January 16, 2023, until his demise was the Chief of the Mamprusi Community, Greater Accra Region.



He was a board member of the Zongo Development Fund and also a member of the Council of Zongo Chiefs.



The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, said special prayers for the late Alhaji Chackson, his family, the nation and the entire Muslim ummah.



He died at age 73 and was survived by two wives and eight children.



Dignitaries at the event include Ministers of State, Mamprusi chiefs from all the regions, and queen mothers, among others.





Source: GNA









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A 77-year-old sick retiree, Peter Kojo Nyasepe, has vowed to stay at his banks premises until he receives his interest on his bonds at the end of the month.



Peter, who is a bondholder, says he buys medications to survive from the returns on his bonds and therefore the returns cannot be withheld.



Speaking in an interview with Joy News, the aggrieved septuagenarian said he opted for government bonds due to his painful ordeal with a ponzi scheme in the past.

But according to him, he is now living in anxiety due to the governments Domestic Debt Exchange programme which will deny him the returns for this year.



I gave the money to the Ghana Commercial Bank so theyll give me the money before I come. Im going to stay there. If they say the money is not there, Im going to stay there. Im going to stay there until they carry me wherever they want to carry me because I cannot walk myself so theyll carry me.



Wherever they want to carry me they have to carry me and go. Thats the only thing I can do. I cannot fight them also, the distraught retiree said. Mr Nyasepes sentiments come on the back of governments proposed debt exchange programme.



In a bid to rescue the economy and secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), government has proposed that all bondholders will not receive any interest on their bonds for the 2023 financial year.



The payment of dividends, according to government, is likely to begin next year, 2024 at a discounted rate of 5%.



In relation to this, bondholders who may want to transfer their bonds will not be able to get the full principal they initially invested as bonds.



This proposal, since its announcement, has been rejected by many bondholders who have expressed frustration about the development. In their view, if the proposal is implemented, they will suffer a great deal of loss, with many of them stating that their investments may even become unprofitable.

Source: adomonline.com









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The TDC Development Company Limited (TDCL) has indicated its commitments to roll out plans to re-engineer the city of Tema to transform it into a modern city that can accommodate the growing population.

The company said plans were advanced to pull down some existing buildings and re-model them into modern high rise structures in a bid to make Tema more resilient to rapid population growth and meet modern city standards.



The General Manager in Charge of Operations, Samuel Asante, answering questions from journalists at a State Agencies Meet-the-Press engagement said the immediate concern of TDCL was to make sure they pursue their redevelopment programmes and complete what has to be done in Tema before launching out to other parts of the country in line with their new mandate.

TDC to TDCL



The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) was set up in 1952 by an Act of Parliament, with the sole responsibility to plan and develop about 63 square miles of public land for various land cases and also manage the township that had been created to provide accommodation to those that would be engaged in these economic operations.



TDC was given a 125-year lease term to manage this land area known as the Tema Acquisition Area.



The Company, since its birth, has gone through many experiences involving structural and legislative changes that have cumulatively given it a new lease of life.



In 2017, TDC was converted into a Limited Liability Company, with an enhanced mandate to expand its operational and geographical scope beyond the Tema Acquisition Area.



Mr Asante explained that there were a lot of old buildings and structures built in the 1950s and 1960s, which are currently running down and taking out the shine of the city of Tema.



We are trying now to redevelop those areas and bring back the shine of Tema before we can launch out full scale to other parts of the country, he stressed.



The company has already undertaken an in-filling project at Community One, as part of the regeneration scheme by constructing eight blocks of eight storey flats aimed at providing 128 units of apartments consisting of two and three-bedroom apartments.



Demolishing



In line with that same vision, Mr Asante said TDCL, in 2018, demolished about six blocks of flats within the Kaiser Flat enclave in Tema Community Four, which had become dilapidated and a death trap.



He said although some of the dilapidated structures have been pulled down pending redevelopment in the Kaiser Flat enclave, TDCL has had challenges dealing with some lessees who, sometime in the 1990s, were encouraged to buy their rental units.



Convincing them to move from where they are is becoming a bit of a tussle because they feel they own it and also they are comfortable where they are.



But to speak the truth, the buildings are not in good shape.



If you go to Kaiser Flats now, you will see a lot of cracks in the buildings, iron rods are exposed in the ceilings and when it rains the roofs leak badly.



Several structure integrity reports conducted by engineers from Architectural & Engineering Services Limited (AESL) and the Ghana Institution of Engineers all point to the fact that Kaiser Flats is a disaster prone area and that those buildings could come down at any time, he said.



Compensation



He, however, said the legal team of the company have looked at the situation and proposed compensation packages to the lessees for the intended ejection of occupants of the remaining flats in the enclave.



He said TDCL has valued the said apartments and offered money for the tenants to vacate, adding that the other option was for the tenants to opt for one of the affordable units in exchange.



Those affordable units are probably more expensive than what we have in Kaiser ,but its a win-win for both parties he said

He was optimistic that with time, negotiations would be completed and TDCL would be able to move every occupant of the dilapidated structure in the enclave out to pave the way for the regeneration of the area.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Kadjebi District in the Oti Region has recorded 23 teenage pregnancy cases in 2022 as against 26 in 2021.



The district recorded 43 cases of teenage pregnancy in 2020.



Out of the total number of cases, 17 nursing mothers went back to school in 2022, 19 in 2021 and eight in 2020.



Mr Seth Seyram Deh, the Kadjebi District Education Director, disclosed these in an address read on his behalf at the 2022 Performance Meeting at Kadjebi.



He said the figure represents only officially reported cases to the District Directorate of Ghana Education Service (GES) and that they might be higher.



The Budget Officer for the district urged residents to be concerned about the development and help prevent teenage pregnancy.



Mr Agortimevor encouraged parents to be responsible for the upkeep of their children so that they will not be forced to fend for themselves which could lead them into pregnancy.



He said another issue affecting education in the district was the teacher attrition rate as out of 99 trained teachers posted to the district in 2022, 48 had left.



He said if this problem persists, then what happened to the district in 2012, where classrooms were without teachers would occur again.



The Budget Officer, therefore, appealed to the District Assembly to support teachers for further studies based on the need basis of the district to help solve the teacher attrition rate.



Mr Agortimevor said another disturbing issue of concern was open defecation in the classrooms by some unscrupulous persons for reasons best known to them.





Source: GNA









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An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a commercial sex worker into Police custody over alleged human trafficking.



Osahenvimwen Raymond has denied receiving Favour Success, 17, the victim and others from Nigeria to Ghana to be used for cybercrime.



He will be brought back to the Court on January 31, 2023.



Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye told the Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, who is serving as a relief judge for Court 8, that both complainant/victim and Raymond, the accused person, were Nigerians, residing at Kwabenya.



He said in 2022, the accused person allegedly recruited the complainant and 17 other victims in Nigeria through his syndicate who acted as agents for him based on deceit that the accused was a businessman in Ghana and could help them to progress in life.



The prosecution said the victims were convinced by the deception of the accused and his agents and they were put in a bus in Nigeria with directions to where the accused person resided in Ghana.



On arrival of the victims in Ghana, they followed the directions to the accused persons house at Kwabenya and he allegedly started using them for internet fraud, the Court heard.



The prosecution said the victims did all that they could to enable the accused person to release them to return to Nigeria but all efforts proved futile.



He said the complainant became fed-up and contacted his elder brother, a police officer in Nigeria, and the brother also linked up with Police Intelligence Unit leading to the arrest of the accused.



After investigation, the accused person was charged with the offences and put before Court.



The prosecution objected to bail, saying that the accused person was a foreigner and could easily jump bail.

Related

Source: GNA









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Ghana recorded a total of 3,745,398 confirmed malaria infections from January to September 2022 out of 7,749,627 tests conducted, data from the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) has shown.



The figure shows a decrease in malaria infection as compared to 4,133,020 malaria cases recorded in the same period in 2021.



The country has also seen a reduction in malaria deaths from 196 in 2021 to 120 in 2022.



Dr Keziah Malm, Programme Manager of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that more people were tested for malaria before treatment with testing rate at 97.6 per cent presently.



She said the decline in malaria infections could be attributed to the use of effective malaria prevention interventions such as the use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN), Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), larva source management, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), malaria vaccine pilot and case management in the country.



Dr Malm said the fight against malaria, which started from the control phase had moved to the elimination stage.



Ghana has made strides in the fight against malaria, this year we hope to see a significant decrease in the number of suspected cases recorded at the Outpatient Department in health facilities.



She stated that the Global Fund had provided a sum of $47 million to fund activities of the programme this year in addition to funding from the government and other organisations.



The Programme Manager stated that this year, the NMEP would embark on ITNs distribution through antenatal care and child welfare in schools, especially in rural areas.



She said the NMEP target for 2025 was to ensure that all get tested for malaria and were pushing to ensure that persons who had not tested for Malaria would not have access to malaria treatment using the National Health Insurance card.



Dr Malm assured Ghanaians that the change of name from the National Malaria Control Programme to the National Malaria Elimination Programme would be backed by concrete actions and activities to help push the vision of eliminating malaria in Ghana.



Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.



The severity of malaria varies based on the species of plasmodium.



The symptoms are chills, fever and sweating, usually occurring a few weeks after being bitten.





Source: GNA









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The Executive Director of Global Info Analytics, Mussah Dankwa has dismissed media reports claiming a poll by his outfit has put NPP flagbearership hopeful, Alan Kyerematen ahead of his rivals.



According to him, the report is fake.



A release of a research by the Global Info Analytics on the NPP flagbearership race which claimed Alan Kyerematen has a whopping 57% lead in the race recently emerged and a number of media organizations used the infographic to run their stories.



The Global Info Analytics Executive Director expressed surprise at the infographic and its content and is asking the public to disregard it.



Writing on his Facebook page, the Executive Director rebuked the media houses for peddling the false reports without verifying the survey first.



"I am extremely disappointed in the media houses running with this poll without cross checking it," Mussa Dankwa said.



"We release our polls first to the mainstream, then social media platforms and then our website. If you can't verify it from there, then it is FAKE. Because there is confidence in our work, they would like to associate such polls with us in order to gain credibility. It means we are doing something right."



The latest twist by the head of the research group comes as an unpleasant development for those who widely shared the fake news.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The NDC Member of Parliament(MP) for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has asked the National Cathedral Board of Trustees to answer some seven pertinent questions as they embark on their renewed media outreach since his expose about Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng alias Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, Secretary to the Board.



According to Mr. Ablakwa it is great to observe the spirited media advocacy by some members of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, as such they should kindly respond to his seven pertinent questions during their media engageement.



He posted on his Twitter page Monday afteroon.



JNS Talent Centre Ltd which allegedly runs a creche in Dawhenya was paid some GH2.6 million to help build the National Cathedral.



The lawmaker on Monday, January 16, further alleged that JNS Talent is owned by one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.



According to him, documents in his possession reveal that Mr Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the same as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.



Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Monday, January 16, petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to probe the GH2.6 million paid to JNS Talent, a company owned by Rev. Kusi Boateng, Secretary of the National Cathedral Board.



See below his post

Ablakwa's 7 Pertinent Questions

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The senior pastor of Fire and Omega Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman has filed a defamation lawsuit against actress Halima Abubakar.



Halima had accused Apostle Suleman of having an affair with her and inflicting her with sickness.

She also alleged that she was pregnant for him three times and lost all three while he also had sex with her while she bled.



The preacher, through his legal representatives, Ephesus Lex Attorneys and Solicitors, brought Ms Abubakar before Justice. J. Enobie Obanor of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.



He asked the court to direct the defendant to publish a retraction of her defamatory statements posted on her Instagram handle and on several online blogs and newspapers.



He also asked the court to compel Halima to pay for the deletion of all links and reportage of the said defamatory comments on all platforms on the internet.



Suleman also demanded the sum of N1 billion as aggravated and exemplary damages for libel, an order of perpetual injunction restraining her from further publishing or causing to be published the said or similar defamatory statements.



He is also asking that Halima be made to pay the sum of N20 million for legal fees.



The case comes up for hearing on 25th March 2023.















Source: dailypost.ng









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A group in Belgium was noisily playing Monopoly on the sidewalk at 5am, leading to a frustrated neighbour bringing out a Japanese katana sword.

Nearly turned to a game of death 
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Copy of the First Folio held at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC. Credit: Daderot/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

Right now, for technological, ethical and political reasons, the world's archivists are suddenly very busy.

Advances in digital imaging and communications are feeding an already intense interest in provenance, authorship and material culture. Two recent discoveriesa woman's name scratched in the margins of an 8th-century manuscript, and John Milton's annotations in a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio held in the Free Library of Philadelphiaare examples of how new tools are revealing new evidence, and how distant scholars are making fascinating connections.

At the same time, and even more importantly, the holdings of archives, libraries and museums"memory institutions"are being scrutinized as the world grapples with legacies of racism, imperialism, slavery and oppression. Some of the holdings speak to heinous episodes and indefensible values. And some of them were flat-out stolen.

The so called "post-truth" era is a third cause of the burst of archival activity. Politicians and activists, mostly from the political right, have attacked facts and science. Archives have come under pressure to rewrite history, or have done so on their own initiative. The decision of the US National Archives to obscure anti-Trump slogans in a 2017 image of the Women's March is a case in point.

Post-truth narratives pose all sorts of archival conundrums. In Australia, for example, people raised eyebrows when the National Library began collecting the posts of anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists, as part of its effort to document the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buffeted by strong and competing forces, archivists are in a tough spot. Their ability to navigate a path forward, moreover, is made more difficult by non-archivists' foggy and unrealistic expectations of what archivists actually do, and what they might do in the future.

What to save?

In principle, every detail of every kind of object is useful and valid as historical evidence. Two recent examples of this fractal property: the field of biocodicologythe study of biological traces in books and manuscriptsis turning library dust into valuable data, while the field of fragmentology is looking inside old book-bindings for hidden pieces of even older texts.

But this is not enough to justify keeping everything. And even if we wanted to, we couldn't. In his story The Library of Babel, Jorge Luis Borges imagined an infinite library, but here on earth there are limits.

Despite the rise of e-books and online periodicals, publishers still produce millions of physical books, journals, magazines and newspapers every year. Then there are amateur publications, along with personal, official and commercial documents, multitudes of flyers, catalogs, posters and other ephemera. We can't keep everything in this bulging pile of paper.

Non-textual objects are also part of the story of humanity, but we can't keep all of them, either. Not only do we lack the room and money and curators to keep it all, for reasons of civilizational self-preservation we need to recycle as much of it as we can. And for reasons of civilizational sanity, we shouldn't even attempt universal preservation, whichthe moral of Borges's storyis a sure-fire path to madness.

The physics of digital storage are different to those of physical archives, but ultimately the same rule applies: we can't keep all the corporate and news sites, social media posts, blog posts, computer games, AI mash-ups, YouTube videos, messages, comments, selfies, pornall of it growing by the second.

Keeping a single, static copy of the internet at any given moment is a Google-scale task. Now imagine what would be involved in preserving all the previous copies simultaneously, not just as static versions but dynamic ones, meaningfully accessible and covering every corner of the internet. That task is beyond even the imagination of Borges.

The minefield of decision-making

The work of archivists, therefore, necessarily involves decisions about what to preserve and for how long.

Those decisions are a minefield. Libraries, for example, are regularly criticized when they refuse donated books. "Why won't you take our nineteenth-century bible," the donors ask indignantly, "or our set of old racing guides, or Encyclopedia Britannica, or Funk and Wagnalls?"

Libraries and museums are criticized even more loudly when they are caught removing items from their collections. Every good curator knows the value of a regular cull, but patrons and funders have romantic conceptions of collection practices. Senior librarians get into trouble when people see, round the back of the library, the skips full of "deaccessioned" books.

In the global shift towards digital resources, libraries have been so trigger-happy in retiring physical holdings of newspapers and magazines, that some mastheads may no longer exist at all in physical form, their non-digital properties forever lost to research. Physical newspapers are not the only ones in trouble. Late in 2022, the National Library of Australia announced that funding for its hugely popular online newspaper archive Trove would likely run out in mid-2023.

Just as dangerous for librarians is the offloadingsometimes sheepishly, sometimes flagrantlyof valuable items via suave, big-city book dealers and auction houses, such as Christies and Sotheby's.

In the 1980s, for example, at a time of tight budgets and financial austerity, the John Rylands Library in Manchester auctioned 98 of its best books on the grounds that they were "duplicates." But a closer look revealed many of the books were unique in important ways. The sale sparked an outcry; author Nicolas Barker likened the disposals to the sale of a trilith from Stonehenge.

The benefits of hindsight

Librarians get in trouble when books leaveand when books arrive.

At the start of the 17th century, Sir Thomas Bodley revived one of the great Oxford libraries. He had firm ideas about what constituted "worthy books" for the revitalized collection. They certainly did not include "such books as almanacs, plays and an infinite number, that are daily printed, of very unworthy matters." When Dr. Thomas James, Bodley's librarian, allowed such volumes into the collection, he earned a sharp rebuke. After Bodley's death, James collected them with gusto.

With 400 years of hindsight, we can see Bodley's definition of a worthy book was biased and fallible. His definition left out the first published works of Shakespeare, as well as many other early modern works of exceptional cultural and literary interest.

With our super-powered hindsight, we can also see that his 17th-century value judgements reflected explicit and implicit prejudices about class, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, high and low culture, and politics.

Sir Thomas Bodley revived the Bodleian Library at Oxford in 1602. Credit: Remi Mathis/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Of course, the same is true about curatorial judgements today. There is no such thing as an apolitical archive. Even an archive that is assiduously bipartisan or multi-partisan will still reflect choices about the scope and balance of the represented perspectives.

Right now, at our strange social moment, in which "woke"a synonym for (racial) respectis wielded as a politicized insult, archival work is even more political than usual.

Danger areas

How things leave and how they arrive are just two of the danger areas for archivists. Archives are full of hazards, including light, air conditioners, thieves and careless handling.

Fakes are another danger. Bogus Socratic scrolls famously infiltrated the ancient Library of Alexandria. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Wrenn Library (subsequently in the University of Texas) and the British Library accumulated large holdings of Thomas Wise editions in the years before he was exposed as an audacious forger.

How should today's archivists chart a course through this perilous terrain?

Most archival mistakes are the result of a failure to do something that is right but difficult, or doing something that is wrong but easy.

In the "easy but wrong" category, simple mistakes have led to the preventable damage of art, artifacts and books. The photo modification at the US National Archives was a grave dereliction of archival duty, but it was an easy path to follow, and technically a simple thing to do.

For an example of "difficult but right," we need only consider that for much of the 20th century, Western "memory institutions" largely reflected a white and chauvinistic view of worthy items. It was hard for archivists to retain evidence from the cultural fringes. But many forward-looking archivists and institutions swam against the official and political tide, assembling collections focused on women, civil rights, banned books, queer literature and "low" literature, such as the cheap magazines known as "pulps."

With hindsight, we can see that retaining and conserving those collections was emphatically the right choice. Banned and marginal texts are essential to several grand human projects, including filling in silences and erasures, and building foundations for a fairer and more inclusive society.

There are still obstacles to representation and inclusion, but the argument has largely been won. Recovering women's history, decolonizing the archive, queering the archivethese have all rightly become mainstream endeavors.

Contentious material

One of the most difficult frontiers for archivists today is whether and how to record social and political phenomena that progressive people would rather did not exist.

We have just come through the Trump era (or phase one of the Trump era) and we are still going through the COVID era. Both eras have spawned populist, sometimes militant and incendiary literatures and discourses.

In Melbourne, the State Library of Victoria is collecting pandemic-era imagery, including photos of anti-vax graffiti and anti-government protests. With the help of that library and other institutions, the National Library of Australia is keeping anti-vax, "pro-freedom" websites and social media posts.

Holding this kind of material is a challenge and a paradox for archives. The anti-vax sites are symptoms of anti-truth forces that are anathema to archives' truth-telling goals. In the 19th century, the forger Thomas Wise relished the credibility that came from the British Library holding his publications. Now, the anti-vaxxers celebrate the official preservation of their material as a similar badge of legitimacy.

But no matter how obnoxious or fantastical, these records are historically relevant. They are part of the full story of politics and activism in Australia. For future scholars looking to understand the COVID era, the records will be invaluable.

Archivists cannot and should not blind humanity to its own mistakes. But the best archivists also know the importance of context when conserving and presenting difficult material. The records from the COVID fringe need proper and honest framing.

Such framing would acknowledge that the anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists did not represent a majority view, or even a significant minority one. It would also acknowledge the influence of misinformation and conspiracy theories beyond the fringe: on vaccine hesitancy, for example, and on the tactics of mainstream political parties that flirted with and even courted the anti-vax vote.

The value of archives

Preserving the story of humankind: that is the noble goal of archives, libraries and museums. It can sometimes seem like an abstract luxury, but it is actually very tangible, and essential. Without evidence, there can be no history. And without history, we can't understand ourselves or chart a good course into the future.

The cliched image of archival work as dusty, dull and benign is a long way from the truth. Archivists are continually making hard decisions at the sharp edges of politics and social change.

What can society do to help? We need a wide conversation to better understand the nature and value of archival work, and the limits of what archivists can do. We need to give archivists an explicit license and the necessary resources to continue to make difficult decisions.

For that to work, the community needs to protect archivists from politicians and narrow interests. Only then will archivists feel safe to be transparent about what they are keeping, why they are keeping it, and the judgements they are applying in order to put the holdings in their proper context.

Looking back over the past two millennia, archivists have made every kind of curatorial mistake. They have rejected worthy items, let in unworthy ones, mishandled objects in their care, and fallen prey to fakers and frauds. But only rarely have they lost sight of their core purpose.

On the big issues of our time, we should trust archivists to make the right calls. And we should give them our understanding and protection so they can do their work in peace.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A lone Australian black swan in Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania (Australia). Credit: The University of Queensland

The unique genetics of the Australian black swan leaves the species vulnerable to viral illnesses such as avian flu, University of Queensland research has revealed.

The UQ-led study has generated a first-ever genome of the black swan which revealed the species lacks some immune genes which help other wild waterfowl combat infectious diseases.

Associate Professor Kirsty Short from UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said the geographic isolation of Australia's black swans has meant limited exposure to pathogens commonly found in other parts of the world leading to reduced immune diversity.

"Unlike Mallard ducks for example, black swans are extremely sensitive highly pathogenic avian influenzaHPAI which is often referred to as bird fluand can die from it within three days," Dr. Short said.

"Our data suggests that the immune system of the black swan is such that, should any avian viral infection become established in its native habitat, their survival would be in peril.

"We currently don't have HPAI in Australia, but it has spread from Asia to North America, Europe, North Africa and South America.

"When it was introduced to new locations, such as Chile and Peru, thousands of wild seabirds perished.

"The risk to one of Australia's most unique and beautiful birds is very real, and we need to be prepared if we hope to protect it."

With the knowledge from the UQ study, Dr. Short said researchers and conservationists hope to be able to better protect not only the black swan, but also other susceptible species across the globe.

"We want to increase awareness about how vulnerable Australia's bird species are to avian influenza and the highly precarious situation they are in," Dr. Short said.

This research was published in Genome Biology.

More information: Anjana C. Karawita et al, The swan genome and transcriptome, it is not all black and white, Genome Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02838-0 Journal information: Genome Biology
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

On December 19, more than 190 countriesexcluding the U.S. and the Holy Seesigned onto an agreement to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030 and take 22 other measures to reduce global biodiversity loss this decade.

The agreement, signed at the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity's 15th Annual Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Montreal, is a particularly impactful one, said Mara Goldman, an associate professor in the Department of Geography who specializes in biodiversity conservation, indigenous knowledge and global development.

"They came together to redesign a new biodiversity conservation framework for post-2020, as there was global failure to meet any of the prior goals that were set for protecting biodiversity," she said. "It's a big achievement not only for biodiversity conservation, but for human rights."

CU Boulder Today spoke with Goldman about biodiversity conservation, what happened at COP15 and how people around the world are part of the solution.

Why is biodiversity important?

We often think about biodiversity from a species perspective: We need to save the rainforest because of all the different species of plants and animals thereand there might be a cure for cancer, for instance, in a plant species that we haven't even discovered yet. There's also diversity at the genetics level, within a species. Through modern agricultural practices, for instance, we've lost much of the diversity in species like corn and potatoes, which then reduces the ability for these particular plants to deal with climate change, insects or other threats.

Low genetic diversity also puts populations in the wild at risk. If you have a small population of lions, for example, and they're genetically not very diverse, a sickness could come in and wipe out that whole population. The same thing occurs at the landscape or ecosystem level on our planet. It's not healthy to only have forests. We also need alpine grasslands and all the other ecosystems.

Do threats to biodiversity and climate change overlap?

Climate change is going to pose a great deal of threat to the planet, to individuals and to communitiesand it's the same thing with biodiversity. They're interconnected. Diversity, at any level, helps with the ability for speciesfor populations, for individuals, for communitiesto respond to change.

It's impossible to imagine a world without diversity: Everything from the food that we eat, to the water that we drink to the survival of the planet depends on halting and reversing biodiversity loss, which was the goal of the recent COP15.

Why was the recent 'biodiversity COP' so timely?

It was important because there's now a recognition that biodiversity loss is happening at an extreme rate, something on a planetary scale that we haven't seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs. People refer to it as a mass extinction.

There was also an acknowledgement of historic and ongoing mistreatment and human rights concerns for indigenous and local communities in the name of conservation. Credit: University of Colorado at Boulder

What was accomplished at COP15?

A big accomplishment was the "30 by 30" target. It is a promise and a push by scientists to protect 30% of the planet's land and oceans by 2030. It's also controversial because indigenous communities were afraidand remain afraidthat the achievement of that goal is going to impinge on their rights. So another important achievement, not only for human rights but for biodiversity conservation, is the recognition of the knowledge and rights of indigenous and local communities, including their territorial rights within the 30-by-30 goal.

There's also what is being called a second 30 by 30, which are the finances involved. Similar to the most recent climate change COP (COP27 in Egypt), one of the big achievements of COP15 was a promise for money: $30 billion for developing countries by 2030 to help them reach these goals.

Another target recognizes gender as an important issue. What role does it play?

In the lead up to the COP15, I was working with a group of women academics and activists to push for a separate target on gender, because research shows that women and girls tend to be the most affected by the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. Women and girls are often responsible for water collection, fisheries management, small stock management, and so on.

And yet, they are often excluded from conversations about biodiversity protection and management. So women's needs and concerns are not included in the conversation, and we also miss out on all the knowledge that they have, which is often quite different than knowledge that men have, because of different roles and responsibilities that often happen along gender lines. So it's really exciting that there's actually a gendered target now as a result of COP15.

How are the indigenous communities crucial to the success of biodiversity conservation?

There's been a lot of research recently, including a scientific study that is now also touted by the UN, that shows that the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet exist in lands that are occupied and managed by indigenous communities. Indigenous communities often have different knowledge, different ways of interacting with what we call nature, that could be incredibly useful for redefining our relationship with naturebut they often lack the legal recognition to do it.

What is the biggest challenge for biodiversity conservation going forward?

The biggest challenge is that equitable participation from communities around the world is necessary to reach the 30 by 30 goal. Conservation often happens in ways that bring women to the table, bring indigenous communities to the table, and bring local communities to the table, but it doesn't change the way the table is structured. Those in power don't change the power dynamics at the table. Sometimes indigenous and local communities, and women, are brought to the table at the end to just give their agreement.

Biodiversity conservation is dependent on cultural diversity. The recognition of indigenous rights and knowledge and the inclusion of women is not an add-on. It needs to be fully a part of the process. So how are we going to create new systems? If that challenge can be taken up, then there's a real promise that we can protect both biodiversity and indigenous rights and knowledge.
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Credit: AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin

Shaking a traditional rattle, Brazil's incoming head of Indigenous affairs recently walked through every corner of the agency's headquarterseven its coffee roomas she invoked help from ancestors during a ritual cleansing.

The ritual carried extra meaning for Joenia Wapichana, Brazil's first Indigenous woman to command the agency charged with protecting the Amazon rainforest and its people. Once she is sworn in next month under newly inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Wapichana promises to clean house at an agency that critics say has allowed the Amazon's resources to be exploited at the expense of the environment.

As Wapichana performed the ritual, Indigenous people and government officials enthusiastically chanted "Yoohoo! Funai is ours!''a reference to the agency she will lead.

Environmentalists, Indigenous people and voters sympathetic to their causes were important to Lula's narrow victory over former President Jair Bolsonaro. Now Lula is seeking to fulfill campaign pledges he made to them on a wide range of issues, from expanding Indigenous territories to halting a surge in illegal deforestation.

To carry out these goals, Lula is appointing well-known environmentalists and Indigenous people to key positions at Funai and other agencies that Bolsonaro had filled with allies of agribusiness and military officers.

Trees lie in an area of recent deforestation identified by agents of the Chico Mendes Institute in the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, Acre state, Brazil, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva named Marina Silva as environment minister for his incoming government, indicating he will prioritize cracking down on illegal deforestation in the Amazon. Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

In Lula's previous two terms as president, he had a mixed record on environmental and Indigenous issues. And he is certain to face obstacles from pro-Bolsonaro state governors who still control swaths of the Amazon. But experts say Lula is taking the right first steps.

The federal officials Lula has already named to key posts "have the national and international prestige to reverse all the environmental destruction that we have suffered over these four years of the Bolsonaro government," said George Porto Ferreira, an analyst at Ibama, Brazil's environmental law-enforcement agency.

Bolsonaro's supporters, meanwhile, fear that Lula's promise of stronger environmental protections will hurt the economy by reducing the amount of land open for development, and punish people for activities that had previously been allowed. Some supporters with ties to agribusiness have been accused of providing financial and logistical assistance to rioters who earlier this month stormed Brazil's presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court.

When Bolsonaro was president, he defanged Funai and other agencies responsible for environmental oversight. This enabled deforestation to soar to its highest level since 2006, as developers and miners who took land from Indigenous people faced few consequences.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stands next to Indigenous leader Cacique Raoni at the Planalto Palace after he was sworn in as new president in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Environmentalists, Indigenous people and voters sympathetic to their causes were important to Luiz Inacio da Silva's election to a third term as Brazil's president.Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, file

Between 2019 and 2022, the number of fines handed out for illegal activities in the Amazon declined by 38% compared with the previous four years, according an analysis of Brazilian government data by the Climate Observatory, a network of environmental nonprofit groups.

One of the strongest signs yet of Lula's intentions to reverse these trends was his decision to return Marina Silva to lead the country's environmental ministry. Silva formerly held the job between 2003 and 2008, a period when deforestation declined by 53%. A former rubber-tapper from Acre state, Silva resigned after clashing with government and agribusiness leaders over environmental policies she deemed to be too lenient.

Silva strikes a strong contrast with Bolsonaro's first environment minister, Ricardo Salles, who had never set foot in the Amazon when he took office in 2019 and resigned two years later following allegations that he had facilitated the export of illegally felled timber.

Other measures Lula has taken in support of the Amazon and its people include:

Kayapo leader Raoni Metuktire, from left, Joenia Wapichana, the first indigenous congresswoman to be elected to Brazil's lower house, and indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara, attend a meeting with lawmakers to discuss land rights and the Chamber of Deputies' role in the protection of the environment in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Environmentalists, Indigenous people and voters sympathetic to their causes were important to Luiz Inacio da Silva's election to a third term as Brazil's president. Credit: AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, file

Signing a decree that would rejuvenate the most significant international effort to preserve the rainforestthe Amazon Fund. The fund, which Bolsonaro had gutted, has received more than $1.2 billion, mostly from Norway, to help pay for sustainable development of the Amazon.

Revoking a Bolsonaro decree that allowed mining in Indigenous and environmental protection areas.

Creating a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, which will oversee everything from land boundaries to education. This ministry will be led by Sonia Guajajara, the country's first Indigenous woman in such a high government post.

"It won't be easy to overcome 504 years in only four years. But we are willing to use this moment to promote a take-back of Brazil's spiritual force," Guajajara said during her induction ceremony, which was delayed by the damage pro-Bolsonaro rioters caused to the presidential palace.

A section of Amazon rainforest stands next to soy fields in Belterra, Para state, Brazil, on Nov. 30, 2019. Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva named Marina Silva as environment minister for his incoming government, indicating he will prioritize cracking down on illegal deforestation in the Amazon. Credit: AP Photo/Leo Correa, File

The Amazon rainforest, which covers an area twice the size of India, acts as a buffer against climate change by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide. But Bolsonaro viewed management of the Amazon as an internal affair, causing Brazil's global reputation to take a hit. Lula is trying to undo that damage.

During the UN's climate summit in Egypt in November, Lula pledged to end all deforestation by 2030 and announced his country's intention to host the COP30 climate conference in 2025. Brazil had been scheduled to host the event in 2019, but Bolsonaro canceled it in 2018 right after he was elected.

While Lula has ambitious environmental goals, the fight to protect the Amazon faces complex hurdles. For example, getting cooperation from local officials won't be easy.

Six out of nine Amazonian states are run by Bolsonaro allies. Those include Rondonia, where settlers of European descent control local power and have dismantled environmental legislation through the state assembly; and Acre, where a lack of economic opportunities is driving rubber-tappers who had long fought to preserve the rainforest to take up cattle grazing instead.

An area of forest on fire near a logging area in the Transamazonica highway region, in the municipality of Humaita, Amazonas state, Brazil, Sept. 17, 2022. In a victory speech Sunday, Oct. 30, Brazil's president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised to reverse a surge in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Credit: AP Photo/Edmar Barros, file

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, right, and congressional candidate Marina Silva, campaign in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Environmentalists, Indigenous people and voters sympathetic to their causes were important to Lula's narrow victory over former President Jair Bolsonaro. Now Lula is seeking to fulfill campaign pledges he made to them on a wide range of issues, from expanding Indigenous territories to halting a surge in illegal deforestation. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner, file

The Amazon has also been plagued for decades by illegal gold mining, which employs tens of thousands of people in Brazil and other countries, such as Peru and Venezuela. The illegal mining causes mercury contamination of rivers that Indigenous peoples rely upon for fishing and drinking.

"Its main cause is the state's absence," says Gustavo Geiser, a forensics expert with the Federal Police who has worked in the Amazon for over 15 years.

One area where Lula has more control is in designating Indigenous territories, which are the best preserved regions in the Amazon.

Lula is under pressure to create 13 new Indigenous territoriesa process that had stalled under Bolsonaro, who kept his promise not to grant "one more inch" of land to Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous leader Sonia Guajajara from the Guajajara ethnic group poses for a photo during a protest against Violence, illegal logging, mining and ranching, and to demand government protection for their reserves, one day before the celebration of "Amazon Day", in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner, file

A major step will be to expand the size of Uneiuxi, part of one of the most remote and culturally diverse regions of the world that is home to 23 peoples. The process of expanding the boundaries of Uneiuxi started four decades ago, and the only remaining step is a presidential signature, which will increase its size by 37% to 551,000 hectares (2,100 square miles).

"Lula already indicated that he would not have any problem doing that," said Kleber Karipuna, a close aide of Guajajara.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Chicory and roasted coffee contain different bitter substances. Credit: Dr. Gisela Olias

The composition of foodstuffs, but also the sequence of dishes, is important for the perfect taste experience of a menu. This insight, based on experience, is well known. The molecular causes of the pleasure-enhancing effects, on the other hand, are still poorly understood.

Using the example of chicory, surrogate and roasted coffee, a study by the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich (LSB) now explains for the first time why the order in which we eat food can be decisive for bitter taste perception and what role bitter taste receptors play in this process.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a popular salad ingredient, and its bitterness harmonizes well with apples or balsamic vinegar. The roasted and ground bitter roots of the plant, on the other hand, contribute to the flavor similarity to roasted coffee in many coffee substitutes. The reason for this, however, is not clear. To investigate this question and learn more about the molecular basis of taste perception, the research team led by Maik Behrens, head of the Taste & Odor Systems Reception group at LSB, conducted extensive experiments.

Three bitter taste receptor types identified for chicory

The experiments focused on the three main known bitter substances present in chicory and chicory root-containing surrogate coffee. To determine which human bitter taste receptor types they activate, the team used an established cellular assay system.

As the test results show for the first time, the chicory bitter compounds activate only three of the approximately 25 bitter taste receptor types. However, these belong to the group of five receptor types identified to date that respond to bitter substances in roasted coffee. "Chicory bitter compounds thus exhibit a receptor activation profile that overlaps with those of the roasted coffee compounds tested to date and appear to mimic the bitterness of roasted coffee well. However, the profiles are not completely identical," says Tatjana Lang of the LSB, who was substantially involved in the study.

It's the sequence that counts

To check the extent to which the similarities and differences in the receptor activation profiles affect taste perception, the team also conducted sensory tests. If the test subjects evaluated roasted coffee shortly before eating chicory or drinking a coffee substitute, both foods tasted significantly less bitter than before. Conversely, consumption of chicory or surrogate coffee did not affect the perceived bitterness of a subsequently tasted roasted coffee.

"Our results suggest that the bitter substances of roasted coffee briefly make all three bitter taste receptor types that respond to chicory compounds less sensitive to the latter. Conversely, this debittering effect does not work, as presumably the chicory bitter substances are not able to desensitize all receptor types that detect bitter compounds in roasted coffee," explains Roman Lang, who heads the Biosystems Chemistry & Human Metabolism group at LSB.

"Ultimately, our results suggest that precise knowledge of the receptor activation profiles of bitter compounds could in principle be used to predict or positively modulate the taste perception of foods," adds principal investigator Maik Behrens. "Moreover, it can be assumed that such effects are not limited to the perception of bitter substances. Therefore, there is still much to be explored to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying complex taste sensations."

More information: Roman Lang et al, Overlapping activation pattern of bitter taste receptors affect sensory adaptation and food perception, Frontiers in Nutrition (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1082698

Provided by Leibniz-Institut fur Lebensmittel-Systembiologie
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A trio of researchers from the University of Cincinnati, the University of Colorado Boulder and Clemson University has found that college students giving evaluations of their professors in upper-level courses exhibited a gender bias based on the predominance of gender ratios of professors in a given department. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Oriana Aragon, Evava Pietri and Brian Powell describe analyzing more than 100,000 student evaluations at Clemson University.

Prior research has shown that students may allow biases such as gender, attractiveness or race to impact evaluations of their professors, which can, of course, skew results. In this new effort, the researchers found another factor that can skew results: gender bias based on the predominance of a given gender of professors in a given department.

For example, they found that students tend to give lower marks to male professors in a given department if most of the other professors in that department are female. They also found that this effect applied regardless of the gender predominance: If the department is predominantly male, then students tend to give lower marks to female professors. To reach these conclusions, the researchers obtained and analyzed more than 100,000 student evaluations for professors teaching 4,700 courses at Clemson University.

The researchers also conducted an experiment to learn more about such biases. Their experiment consisted of a website for a non-existent department at the university that displayed ratios of male to female professors teaching courses, which were rated by volunteer students. The fake website also allowed the volunteers to look at and rate professors who were described as teaching various courses. Pictures of the professors were also included to ensure the volunteers could identify their gender.

In looking at the data, the researchers found the same resultsthe students rated those professors lower who were in the gender minority in their department. They also found that when they moved the ratios toward parity, the students ceased rating one gender or the other higher or lower. The researchers did not attempt to find out why such biases exist, but suggest learning institutions could reduce such biases by moving toward gender parity regardless of the department in which professors are teaching.

More information: Oriana R. Aragon et al, Gender bias in teaching evaluations: the causal role of department gender composition, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118466120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

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To extend a network of observations in the South Atlantic Ocean, two new scientific, full-depth, instrumented moorings have been deployed off the eastern coast of South America. These tall moorings will measure variations in the Atlantic circulationa system of ocean currents affecting life in the ocean as well as the weather and economy of coastal nations.

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), consisting of an upper-ocean northward flow compensated by a southward deep-ocean flow, is a main engine of the Earth's climate system. This upper AMOC cell is connected to deep-water formation and sinking in the subpolar North Atlantic and upwelling in the Southern Ocean. Beneath the upper cell is a weaker abyssal cell, sourced by the sinking of dense water near Antarctica.

With global warming the system is thought to become weaker. As well as such long-term circulation changes, natural variations on shorter timescales occur. These may be due to reductions of sinking water in the north, but also to changes in the water mass exchange in the south.

"The South Atlantic is particularly important," says Peter Brandt, professor at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research.

"Changes in the AMOC that result from water mass exchanges between the Atlantic and the Indian and Pacific oceans, can best be detected in the south, and then compared to changes originating in the well-observed North Atlantic," he explains.

"The South Atlantic is the only ocean basin with a net equatorward heat transport, and where freshwater transports may be key to AMOC stability. It is also the basin where the upper and abyssal overturning cells of the AMOC are both important," adds Maria Paz Chidichimo, leader of the research involving the new tall moorings. Chidichimo is a researcher at the Argentine Scientific Research Council (CONICET), the Hydrographic Service and the French-Argentine Institute for Climate Studies, CNRS/IRD/CONICET UBA UMI 3351 IFAECI, in Buenos Aires.

The new moorings contribute to an existing measurement array along 34.5 degrees south on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, termed South Atlantic MOC Basin-wide array (SAMBA). The SAMBA array is a component of the multi-national South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (SAMOC) Initiative, established in 2007 to measure ocean currents and the transport of heat and salt at key locations in the South Atlantic Ocean.

While existing measurements in the southwestern Atlantic are to a large extent performed using echosounders situated on the sea floor, the new moorings will directly measure seawater properties throughout the water column, from the seafloor up to the surface.

Data for the future

"We are proud to contribute to the long-term efforts to maintain and develop the global observing system," says Peter Brandt.

He emphasizes that the goal is to measure changes in climate through the coming decades, not only within the timeframes of a single research project.

The moorings were deployed by the EU Horizon 2020 sister projects iAtlantic and TRIATLAS, contributing to the fulfillment of the Belem Statementa joint declaration on Atlantic research between the European Union, Brazil and South Africaas well as bilateral agreements between the European Union and Argentina, and with other countries.

Influencing climate, weather and ecosystems

The South Atlantic has received far less observational effort than the North Atlantic during recent decades. The lack of sufficient physical oceanography information near the coasts also limits our understanding of marine ecosystems.

Maria Paz Chidichimo emphasizes the need to enhance oxygen measurements in tandem with physical measurements to better track water masses and evaluate changes relevant to ecosystems in the South Atlantic.

"Continuous full-depth observations are critical to detect and understand combined variations of ocean currents and physical and biogeochemical water mass properties associated with climate change," she says.

She hopes the new moorings will shed light on the impacts of western boundary currents and the AMOC on regional weather, climate, ocean extreme events and sea level, as well as on the content of heat, salt and oxygen in the water. These properties influence ecosystems, marine resources and ocean health.

"The new observations will improve the capacity to model some of the changes and improve predictive tools in a region where full-depth continuous in situ observations are sparse," says Maria Paz Chidichimo.

Provided by Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Top-down approaches to tackling substance abuse in drug-ravaged parts of Colombia, Afghanistan and Myanmar are harming livelihoods, health and ecology, a new study warns.

Cocaine, opiates and meth are widespread among the poor and young in some communities because of the role drugs play in their local economies, and because they are taken by workers to cope with physically punishing jobs.

Drug wars are not the solution in these regions, the research says. Instead, helping people build new economies would transform their lives.

The research, published in the journal Third World Quarterly, was carried out by Dr. Maziyar Ghiabi from the University of Exeter, who set out to explore the impact of "narco-capitalism"what life is like at the nexus of drug production, trade and consumption.

Dr. Ghiabi and the international team of researchers carried out 60 in-depth interviews with people living in the drug producing territories of Colombia, Afghanistan and Myanmar, the combined region responsible for much of the world's opium, heroin and cocaine production.

The team engaged with coca grower communities (cocaleros) in Putumayo (Colombia); communities involved in poppy cultivation, opiate and meth consumption in the Kachin and Shan states (Myanmar); and poppy growers, opiate traders and local communities in Nimroz and Nangahar (Afghanistan) between 2018 and 2020. This included peasants, community leaders, local and trans-border traders, drug consumers, police officers, and current and former militia members.

In Afghanistan there have been unprecedented levels of poppy cultivation, and the study warns a drug economy in the country will remain because of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In Myanmar, the PA-O ceasefire agreement in 2015 coincided with the arrival of drugs and the increasingly public visibility of "addiction" to substances other than opium.

In Kachin state, an elderly peasant said peace hadn't led to fewer drugs: "Since the ceasefire period, the Chinese came in, people could move around more easily, and drugs started flooding in. Yes, the ceasefire was a good thing but since the ceasefire, drugs became more available. I see it that way."

A villager and local representative in southern Shan state, a region bordering China, Thailand and Laos, said there were "a few poppy plantations in some of the villages around Taunggyi, in Pinlaung and Hsihseng," but following the ceasefire these territories came under the militias' control, and "poppy plantations and drugs were allowed without any restrictions." He stated that because of taxes on the local farmers for their crops and land, people grow poppies since they can earn more money more quickly compared to other regular crops. Since then, heroin and meth have become widely available.

Dr. Ghiabi writes, "Traders and petty dealers face the militarized onslaught of governments and rival organizations in the drug wars and/or the war on insurgency. People deprived of social bonds and community become the target of the greed of the pharmaceutical industry or of predatory dealing practices in its promotion of opioids and other habit-forming substances."

In Danai in Western Kachin State, a miner described how many miners use drugs to boost their energy. He said he had witnessed many cohorts "becoming addicts" or "perishing because of drugs." Opium is "hard to get" but heroin and meth are "found easily" as they perform more effectively in these labor conditions.

One of the miners in Shan State confirmed that the owner of the mining business gave "yaa baa" pills to the stone workers, who have the heavier toll in the mine. The drug, the owner claimed, make[s] them stronger and healthier.

"Sometimes they cannot even hire workers if they cannot provide them with drugs," claims a miner, who adds that once "...addicted, the workers buy the drugs with all the money they make each day."

The study also outlines different responses to drug use. In Colombia local communities have stepped up social organization and territorial reclaiming as a first step towards a different everyday life. Conversely, in Myanmar, popular and militia organizations have started moral campaigns against drugs, which include severe, often inhumane punishments against people who use drugs or suffer from addiction. Ultimately, Dr. Ghiabi suggests in order to understand the violence produced by illicit drug economies, we may need to look at the socio-economic forms of life where they take place rather than at drugs themselves.

The research is part of a Special Issue on The Everyday Life of Drugs published by Third World Quarterly guest edited by Dr. Maziyar Ghiabi. On January 27 it will be launched as part of the 2-day Symposium on "Healing Disruption: Other Histories of Intoxication and Recovery," which takes place at the University of Exeter.

More information: Maziyar Ghiabi, Critique of everyday narco-capitalism, Third World Quarterly (2022). DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2022.2053776
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Protected area status across Great Britain. 1 km grid cells (British grid) were classified as protected if > 10 % of the grid cell area was designated as Tier 1 (Lawton, 2010) in 1990 (blue; 9 % of total grid cells) and as unprotected if < 1 % of the cell was designated as Tier 1 in 2018 (orange; 71 % of total grid cells). Gray represents grid cells that did not meet either criterion (20 % of total grid cells). For example, grid cells where protected areas were designated after 1990, or cells with low protected area coverage (110 %). Inset shows the location of Great Britain within Europe (orthographic projection). Protected sites are distributed throughout the study region but occur disproportionately in the north and west of Great Britain. Credit: Biological Conservation (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109884

Protected natural areas of the UK are struggling to halt declines in insects and spiders that have occurred over the past 30 years, according to a new study led by researchers from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).

Nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation and other forms of protected habitat have long been regarded as a key tool in conservation efforts to preserve and restore natural habitats.

But the new study, which collated nearly one million records for more than 1,230 invertebrate species between 1990 and 2018, suggests these protected areas are just as susceptible to the wider declines in biodiversity occurring across the country.

The authors found that protected areas were richer in species than unprotected areas of the country, but both areas have suffered similar rates of decline in native insects and spiders over the past 30 years.

Pollinators, such as bees and hoverflies, have suffered particularly severe declines, according to the findings.

The results suggest that while protected areas are helping to conserve valuable habitats and the species within them, they need more assistance to tackle wider threats posed by climate change, pollution and invasive species that are causing biodiversity loss across the country.

"We see parallel trends for invertebrates in both protected and unprotected areas," said Dr. Rob Cooke, an ecological modeler at UKCEH and lead author of the study. "It is worrying, as you would expect species to show more positive trends in protected areas."

The declines found in the study equate to the loss of more than three species per decade for protected areas and less than two species per decade for unprotected areas.

The study, which is published in the journal Biological Conservation, used data from a number of different invertebrate recording schemes across the UK that contained observations of ants, bees, hoverflies, ladybirds, spiders and wasps. Dr. Cooke, together with UKCEH colleagues Dr. Francesca Mancini, Dr. Robin Boyd, Dr. Nick Isaac and researchers at the University of Sheffield, then examined changes in biodiversity through the study period.

They found there were almost double the number of rare species in protected areas compared to unprotected parts of the UK. The trends of these rare species also remained stable in both protected and unprotected areas, suggesting they were benefiting from conservation efforts. But the authors found strong declines for common species, especially in protected areas.

Dr. Cooke said, "Protected areas are often designated specifically to help rare species. But the more common species appear to be falling through the cracks. It should serve as a warning as today's common species can be tomorrow's rare species."

The researchers conclude that the large number of protected areas around the UK could play a bigger role in the future. Protected areas have supported some notable conservation success stories, such as the bittern, the ladybird spider and the chalkhill blue butterfly. But the authors suggest more can be done to ensure protected areas are benefitting all of the country's biodiversity. They say evidence-based policies, targets and management focused more on the effectiveness, rather than just the coverage of protected areas, may be needed.

Dr. Cooke added, "I think the positive thing we can take from this is that we have a clear opportunity to make protected areas better for biodiversity."

More information: Rob Cooke et al, Protected areas support more species than unprotected areas in Great Britain, but lose them equally rapidly, Biological Conservation (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109884 Journal information: Biological Conservation

Provided by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
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Exports of poultry meat from Europe are often criticized for harming the local smallholder sector in Africa. Credit: ZEF/University of Bonn

The EU regularly exports large quantities of poultry meat to West African countries. These exports have been criticized for harming importing countries in West Africa and exacerbating poverty there. The reason: Cheap imports depress the local price of chicken, making life difficult for local smallholders.

Researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Gottingen have now used the example of Ghana to calculate the effects that would result if the country were to significantly increase its import tariffs for poultry meat or even stop imports completely. The result: Prices would indeed rise domestically, but most local households would not benefit. The study has been published in the journal Food Security.

The EU mainly exports chicken parts in large quantities to various West African countries, including Ghana. "The topic is much discussed when it comes to poverty, international trade and Europe's role for the agricultural sector in Africa," says Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim of the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn.

He and his team used nationally representative data from about 14,000 households in all regions of Ghana in their current study. They combined this micro data of production and consumption with a trade model. The approach is new in this context: "Such a combination of micro and macro data has not been used before to study the effects of poultry imports on different populations in West African countries," says Matin Qaim. Previous case studies focused primarily on poultry producers.

The researchers calculated what the effects would be if Ghana were to significantly increase its import tariffs for poultry meat or even stop imports completely. The result: Domestic prices would, in fact, rise. If imports were stopped, local producers would get over a third more for selling their chickenthough most households in Ghana would not benefit.

"This is because prices for consumers would also increase, and there are significantly more consumers than poultry producers," explains lead author Isabel Knolsdorfer of the University of Gottingen. On the producer side, another factor is that many smallholder households produce poultry primarily for their own consumption, so they are less affected by prices.

Disadvantages for most households

In their analysis, the researchers also distinguished between poor and less poor households in urban and rural areas. "We show that all of these groups would be worse off on average without poultry imports than with the imports. Poor households would eat 80% less chicken if imports were stopped," says Isabel Knolsdorfer. Demand for poultry meat is rising sharply in many African countries and cannot be met by domestic production alone, she explains. These basic findings can also be applied to other importing countries in West Africa. "Our results show that international agricultural trade can have important positive development effects for West Africa," Knolsdorfer emphasizes.

"A reduction in meat consumption in Europe would be entirely desirable for sustainability reasons, but in Africa the situation is different. Meat consumption is still very low in most African countries, so the cheap availability through imports improves the local supply and nutrition situation with proteins and other important nutrients," says Matin Qaim, a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area Sustainable Futures and Cluster of Excellence PhenoRob at the University of Bonn.

"Of course, local agriculture in Africa also needs to be strengthened and promoted, however, striving for local self-sufficiency does not make sense for all products," Qaim says. While a few households suffered from cheap imports, many more households benefited. According to the team, it makes more political sense to target disadvantaged households instead of imposing general import restrictions.

More information: Isabel Knolsdorfer et al, Cheap chicken in Africa: Would import restrictions be pro-poor?, Food Security (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s12571-022-01341-5
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A commemorative plaque celebrating Galileos discovery of Jupiters moons was unveiled on ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, on 20 January 2023. The spacecraft had just completed its final tests before departing Airbus Toulouse, France for Europes Spaceport in French Guiana to count down to an April launch. The plaque features imagery of Galileo Galilei's first observations of Jupiter and its moons from a copy of the Sidereus Nuncius hosted in the library of the Astronomical and Copernican Museum, at the headquarters of the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) in Rome, Italy. The copy is one of the first 550 ever printed in 1610 in Venice. Credit: ESA/M.Pedoussaut

A commemorative plaque celebrating Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons has been unveiled on ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice. The spacecraft has just completed its final tests before departing Toulouse, France, for Europe's Spaceport to count down to an April launch.

As part of the final preparations a commemorative plaque was mounted on the spacecraft as a tribute to Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei who was the first to view Jupiter and its four largest moons through a telescope in January 1610. His observation that the moons changed position from night to night overturned the long-held idea that everything in the heavens revolved around Earth. The moonsIo, Europa, Ganymede and Callistowere to become collectively known as the Galilean satellites in his honor.

The plaque, which replicates several pages of Galileo's Sidereus Nuncius where he describes his observations of the moons, was unveiled at Airbus Toulouse on 20 January. Following the event, the spacecraft will be packed for its transatlantic flight to French Guiana where it will be readied for launch on an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport.

"Unveiling the plaque is a beautiful moment in this intense chapter preparing the spacecraft for launch," says Giuseppe Sarri, ESA's Juice project manager. "It's not only an opportunity to pause and reflect on the decades-long hard work that has gone into conceiving, building and testing the spacecraft, but also to celebrate the curiosity and wonder of everyone who's ever gazed up at Jupiter in the night sky and pondered our originsthe inspiration behind this mission."

Answering humankind's big questions

Three of Jupiter's largest moonsEuropa, Ganymede and Callistohold vast quantities of water buried under their surfaces in volumes far greater than in Earth's oceans. These planet-sized moons offer us tantalizing hints that conditions for life could exist other than here on our pale blue dot, orbiting giant planets instead of hot stars. Jupiter and its family of large moons represent an archetype for giant gas planet systems across the universe and as such are some of the most compelling destinations in our solar system.

ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moonsCallisto, Europa and in particular Ganymede. This graphic shows the main mission milestones, from arrival at the launch site in French Guiana in February 2023 to arrival at Ganymede in December 2034. On its journey to Jupiter, Juice will make a series of flybys of Earth, the Earth-Moon system and Venus to set it on course for its July 2031 rendezvous in the Jovian system. Once Juice has arrived at Jupiter, it will make 35 flybys of the icy moons before going into orbit around Ganymede to make more detailed observations.ESA (acknowledgement: work performed by ATG under contract to ESA), CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

ESA and its international partners are almost ready to send Juice on its quest to explore this fascinating planet and intriguing moons. With its suite of powerful instruments, Juice will see Jupiter and its moons in a way that Galileo couldn't even have dreamt of. The data returned by the spacecraft will serve many future generations of scientists determined to uncover the mysteries of the jovian system and its place in the evolution of our solar system.

"With Juice's departure for the launch site fast approaching, we remember its long Earthly journey through various Airbus sites in Europe towards final integration and more than 500 Airbus employees who prepared the spacecraft for its eight-year cruise," says Cyril Cavel, Juice Project Manager at Airbus Defense and Space. "It has been an incredible adventure, along with more than 80 companies across Europe, to bring ESA's vision to life and ultimately study Jupiter and its icy moons in-depth."

A trio of milestones

Three important milestones have been concluded in the last weeks alone. In December the spacecraft completed a final thermal vacuum test needed to confirm it is ready for the harsh temperatures inflicted by the space environment.

Last week a final "System Validation Test" saw the spacecraftsitting in Toulouse"plugged in" to mission control at ESA's Space Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, to simulate the first activities after launch when Juice's various arrays, booms and appendages will unfold, with the final version of the flight software

Finally, and most critically, on 18 January the Qualification and Acceptance Review confirmed readiness to move forward with launch preparations at the Spaceport.

Juice will lift off on an Ariane 5 in Aprilthe last ESA mission to fly on this launcher before Ariane 6 takes over. Juice flyby of Ganymede (artists impression). Credit: ESA (acknowledgement: ATG Medialab)

Preparing for a treacherous trip

In parallel, while Juice moves to the Spaceport, a strong focus of activities remains centered at ESA's ESOC mission control center in Germany. The flight control teams will ramp up their training for launch and early operations in a series of 16 intensive multi-day simulations.

"This is the biggest deep-space mission we've ever launched, and it needs to nimbly orbit the moons of the largest planet in the Solar System using no less than 35 flybys," explains Andrea Accomazzo, Flight Operations Director for the mission.

"Juice's exploration of Jupiter and its moons will require us to perform a decade of operations we've never done before, and a lot could go wrong. In these weeks of simulations, we'll have every possible problem thrown at us, so that we can handle any situation in space."

Following launch, Juice will fly an eight-year course through the Solar System, its path punctuated with gravity assists of Earth and Venus to slingshot it out to Jupiter.

The inspiration behind Juices Galileo plaque. Credit: INAF  Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica

Depending on the exact day it launchesand so depending on the geometry of the Solar System on that dayJuice could perform the first-ever lunar-Earth gravity assist. This would see the mission perform a flyby of the Moon and just a day later a flyby of Earth.

Once it arrives in the Jupiter system Juice will face a harsh radiation and temperature environment, hundreds of millions of kilometers from Earth, in order to gather data that will uncover the mysteries of the planet's complex environment and ocean-bearing moons.

To fly such a complex path from such an enormous distanceand vitally, to get Juice's data homewill require extreme navigation techniques, reliant on ESA's Estrack network of deep space antennas in Spain, Argentina and Australia, controlled remotely from ESOC.

The spacecraft, ground support equipment and personnel will arrive at the Spaceport early February for the intensive launch site preparations, culminating in launch this April.
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Remote Sensing of Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2022.113366

According to national USDA statistics, no-till and conservation tillage are on the rise, with more than three quarters of corn and soybean farmers opting for the practices to reduce soil erosion, maintain soil structure, and save on fuel. However, these estimates are based primarily on farmer self-reporting and are only compiled once every five years, potentially limiting accuracy.

In a new study, University of Illinois scientists demonstrate a way to accurately map tilled land in real time by integrating ground, airborne, and satellite imagery.

"We've shown remote sensing can quantify regional-scale tillage information in a cost-effective manner. This field-level information can be used to support growers in their management practices, as well as to support agroecosystem modeling and provide tools to the USDA to verify their census data," says the study's lead author, Sheng Wang, a research assistant professor in U of I's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

He is also a research scientist in the Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) at U of I.

Wang and the research team took photos of the ground at participating field sites throughout Central Illinois, generating 6,719 GPS-tagged images. Then they arranged for an airplane equipped with high-powered hyperspectral sensors to fly over the region. The airborne system scanned 40,000 acres per hour and captured rich spectral signatures of the ground at a scale of about half a meter.

Wang fed the ground photos into a computer that learned to differentiate bare ground from crop residue, a hallmark feature of no-till and conservation tillage. After training on labeled ground images, the computer could interpret and predict hyperspectral images from the airborne sensor with about 82% accuracy. Using this ground-to-air upscaling as a model, the computers then developed an algorithm to scale up again, this time from the air to space, using satellite data.

Compared to upscaling directly from the ground to the satellite, which was only accurate about 22% of the time according to a separate analysis in the study, the airborne layer increased mapping accuracy to 67%.

"In remote sensing, we're always trying to link ground-truth data with spectral signals from satellites, but that represents a big scale mismatch. The intermediate-scale hyperspectral data helps to augment ground-truth data because it can provide both high resolution and accuracy. It's a major innovation; nobody has done this in the agricultural world. This cross-scale technology significantly advances our capability to create ground-truth information," says Kaiyu Guan, associate professor in NRES, founding director of the ASC, and senior author on the study.

Although the method was tested in Champaign and surrounding Illinois counties, Guan says the team is working to scale the technology to the broader Midwest and the nation. Now that airborne sensors and computers have been trained to detect evidence of tillage using ground images, it should be possible to forego or minimize ground photos in the next iteration.

The article, "Cross-scale sensing of field-level crop residue cover: Integrating field photos, airborne hyperspectral imaging, and satellite data," is published in Remote Sensing of Environment.

More information: Sheng Wang et al, Cross-scale sensing of field-level crop residue cover: Integrating field photos, airborne hyperspectral imaging, and satellite data, Remote Sensing of Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2022.113366
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Kenya's last execution of a prisoner was in 1987. But the country still hosts a death row population of nearly 600. Almost all were sentenced to death for murder or robbery with violence. New sentences are handed down every year.

Kenya is an "abolitionist de facto" state: the death penalty is still present in law and people are sentenced to death, but they aren't executed. Currently, 17 of the African Union's 54 member states are abolitionist de factothey haven't carried out an execution of a prisoner for at least 10 years. Just 11 are fully retentionist, meaning that they sentence people to death and have carried out executions.

Advocates for the death penalty will often argue that it deters potential offenders from committing serious crimeeven when a country has not executed anyone for years.

But our recent research, Living with a Death Sentence in Kenya: Prisoners' Experiences of Crime, Punishment and Death Row, suggests this isn't true.

We spoke to 671 inmates who had been sentenced to death in Kenya. Just over a quarter had had their sentences commuted to life. Most said they had no idea that their crimes might attract a death sentence.

Our findings support research done in other countries: that the threat of being sentenced to death appears to have little bearing on how people behave. They also support the argument that abolishing the death penalty wouldn't lead to a spike in violent crime in Kenya.

According to deterrence theorists, potential offenders will be deterred by the death penalty because they make rational choices about whether to offend. They use knowledge about the relevant laws and punishments, and then weigh up the costs and benefits of offending. They will be deterred if they think it's likely they will be caught and convicted, and that the possible punishment outweighs the rewards.

Our study found that in most cases, these preconditions for being deterred from committing capital crimes were not met.

The research

We studied the experiences of prisoners serving death sentences in Kenya. The work was done through the Death Penalty Project, working with Oxford University's Death Penalty Research Unit. Our colleagues at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights carried out interviews with 671 prisoners (33 were women) sentenced to death for murder (44% of the total) and robbery with violence (56%).

Most of the prisoners were poorly educated. Participants mainly used local languages. They might not have been able to understand information distributed in Kenya's national languages: English and Swahili. This may explain why most didn't know that the death penalty was the likely punishment for their offense. Our study found that just 1% of our sample said they knew the death penalty was a punishment available for their offense in law.

In addition, only 4% of those convicted of robbery and 8% of those convicted of murder said they had thought about the possibility of being sentenced to death. However, 48% of murderers and 69% of robbers said they had contemplated being sent to prison before committing the crime.

The study also challenged the claim that offenders make rational choices about whether to offend, at least in cases of homicide. For example, the most common reasons given by participants for committing murder were anger (27%), provocation (23%), self-defense (17%) and extreme emotional situations (13%).

Less than a third of participants said knowledge of the law and possible punishments had affected their behavior at all. Overall, few prisoners who committed crimes that resulted in a sentence of death had, at the time of the offense, considered this potential outcome.

Shifts across Africa

In 2022, three sub-Saharan countries abolished the death penalty: the Central African Republic in June, Equatorial Guinea in September and Zambia in December.

In Zambia in 2016, Cornelius Mweetwaa former lawyer and police officer who is now minister for the country's Southern Provinceargued that deterrence did not "work".

He noted three assumptions that deterrence theorists use: that people know the penalties for crimes; that they can control their actions; and that people make decisions to commit a crime based on logic not passion.

"However, the three assumptions usually are not true. Therefore  people still commit these crimes."

Mweetwa made another argument that also came through in our research. That the harsh, socially deprived death row regime, coupled with condemned prisoners' "constant awareness of their impending execution" meant they were being subjected to cruel and inhuman punishment as defined by the UN Convention Against Torture.

While there may be some differences between Zambia and Kenya, most countries in the region will have similar levels of relative deprivation, both material and educational. Therefore, the rationales applied in Zambia leading to abolition would equally apply to Kenya.

Next steps

Kenya has been equivocal on its position on the death penalty. While various attempts have been made to move towards abolition, and mass commutations have taken hundreds of prisoners off death row, the country continues to sentence people to death.

Our report reflects on the histories, decision-making and prison experiences of those subject to the death penalty in Kenya. It provides an opportunity to better understand the lives fractured by this system.

And our findings are clear: abolition of the death penalty in Kenya won't lead to a rise in violent crime. The country should, therefore, take the obvious step forward and abolish the death penalty in law.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Idalia Fedotova, researcher at HSE University and the RAS Ivannikov Institute for System Programming, examined lexical differences across Khanty dialects and found that members of this relatively small ethnic group speak three distinct languagesrather than two, as previously thought. The findings are published in Ural-Altaic Studies.

The Khanty are an indigenous people with a population of approximately 30,000 living in Russia's Western Siberia, mainly in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous OkrugYugra. Their native language belongs to the Uralic family and is close to Hungarian. Scholars traditionally separate the Khanty dialect continuum into two dialectal groups: Northern (Western) and Eastern Khanty. Southern dialects of Khanty disappeared in the 20th century. In another terminology, these groups are referred to as separate languages: Northern and Eastern Khanty.

In the last decade, new sources on Khanty dialects have become available, including 18th-century archives, 19th and 20th-century vocabulary lists, new academic dictionaries, and records from many years of field research. The new findings, published on LingvoDoc, make it possible to perform etymological and statistical analysis of Khanty dialects' basic vocabulary. Terms for body parts (arm, leg, head), simple actions (walking, standing, lying down, sleeping), and landscape features (mountain, land) are considered basic vocabulary, because such terms exist in all languages and are independent of cultural specifics.

Fedotova used a list of 110 basic concepts, matched them with words from 14 sources, and calculated the percentages of coincidence across vocabulary variants. She found that Khanty dialects today consist of three, rather than two, groups, since the eastern dialectal group falls into two distinct variants: Surgut Khanty and Vakh Khanty. For language variants to be defined as a single language or at least as dialects of the same language, their basic vocabulary must coincide by more than 90%. In this case, coincidences were much lower: 79%. The researcher therefore argues that these variants can be recognized as separate languages.

"Generally, dialects are described as variants of the same language when people speaking different variants can still understand each other. Indeed, even speakers of different but closely related languages can communicate. In the case of Khanty, speakers of its different variants are sometimes unable to comprehend each other's speech. While the Khanty identify as one people, the differences between their dialects are greater than those between certain Slavic languages, eg between Russian and Czech or between Serbian and Polish," says Idalia Fedotova, Lecturer, HSE School of Foreign Languages; Junior Research Fellow, Institute of System Programming, Russian Academy of Sciences

More information: Idalia Fedotova et al,        , Ural-Altaic Studies (2023). DOI: 10.37892/2500-2902-2022-47-4-117-166 (in Russian) LingvoDoc: lingvodoc.ispras.ru/

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Seneca, the Roman stoic philosopher, wrote that "luck does not exist." Modern managerial studies take the liberty of disagreeing. Luck exists in the form of events that are beyond the control of CEOs and firms alike. Movements in oil prices and the business cycle (e.g., variations in GDP growth, and employment rate) that boost the market value of firms are a couple of examples.

A recent study by Mario Daniele Amore (Bocconi University, Milan) and Sebastian Schwenen (Technical University of Munich) found that choosing a lucky CEO means bad luck for the hiring company.

Good luck allows CEOs to "shine" in the labor market, making them more likely to leave their firm. "The hiring companies, though, are not perfectly able to separate out luck from task performance in their candidate pool," Prof. Amore explained. "Therefore, lucky CEOs are likely to possess greater bargaining power vis-a-vis new firms' shareholders, and thus gain benefits in the form of higher compensation and more attractive job assignments."

Using a sample of S&P 1,500 US firms from 1992 to 2018, the authors found a positive association between a CEO's luck at the departing firm and the level of pay at the new firm. Specifically, this larger pay is mostly made of non-cash compensation items like stocks awards and options, rather than salary and bonus. More interestingly, lucky CEOs were observed to move more swiftly to new firms and to have a shorter time-spell between CEO jobs.

Authors also observed that the increase in lucky CEOs' bargaining power especially occurs in less competitive industries.

Unfortunately, incoming CEOs' luck is also associated with a subsequent decline in the performance of the hiring firms. In particular, the performance of firms that hired low-luck CEOs gradually improves, whereas the performance of firms that hired high-luck CEOs experiences a moderate decline.

What is worse, luck may induce an attribution bias: high-luck CEOs, or the boards that hire them, misattribute luck-driven performance to observed individual actions, with the consequence that lucky CEOs will likely implement at the hiring firm the same corporate investment policies they implemented in their former companies, irrespective of their real effectiveness.

"Luck increases the attractiveness of CEOs in the managerial labor market of less competitive industries, bringing about higher bargaining power of lucky CEOs to transit swiftly and earn more. Nevertheless, appointing a lucky CEO is associated with poorer company performance and slower growth," Professor Amore concluded.

The work is published in The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization.

More information: Mario Daniele Amore et al, Hiring Lucky CEOs, The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization (2022). DOI: 10.1093/jleo/ewac021

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A hammer and chisel were required to collect samples from the terrain where Barbacenia macranta lives, in this case, exposed rock. Credit: Rafael Soares Correa de Souza/GCCRC

A study published in The ISME Journal identified 522 genomes of archaea and bacteria associated with the roots and soil of two plant species native to the Brazilian montane savanna ecoregion known as campos rupestres ("rocky meadows"). Hundreds of microorganisms hitherto unknown to science were identified, showing that the ecoregion is a biodiversity hotspot and that many new organisms have yet to be described and classified in Brazil.

The discovery could potentially be a basis for the development of biological substitutes for the chemical fertilizers used by farmers, especially those containing phosphorus.

"Phosphorus is normally present in the soil, but not always in a form that plants can use. Most of the microorganisms we found make phosphorus soluble so that plants can absorb it," said Antonio Camargo, first author of the article.

The study was conducted under the aegis of the Genomics for Climate Change Research Center (GCCRC) in partnership with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) at UNICAMP.

One of the plants, Vellozia epidendroides, lives in shallow soil, whereas another, Barbacenia macranta, was found growing on exposed rock. Both belong to the family Velloziacea. Specimens were collected in a private area adjacent to the Serra do Cipo National Park in Minas Gerais state.

A comparison of microorganisms associated with plants found growing in soil and on rocks showed that they comprised different communities but shared many species. Several microorganisms were highly specialized in phosphorus transport and conversion to the soluble form of the mineral, which plants can absorb.

"Microbial communities also play an important role in supplying nitrogen, another essential plant nutrient," said Camargo, currently a researcher at the US Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute, where the genomes were sequenced.

Novel solutions

"Previous research focused on plants' mechanisms for adapting to the harsh conditions of this montane savanna and often ignored microorganisms. Our study shows that microorganisms can play a key role in plant adaptation to the extreme conditions of this environment. In particular, they supply the phosphorus need to fuel plant growth," said Rafael Soares Correa de Souza, one of the corresponding authors of the article.

The researchers expect their discoveries to contribute to the creation of products that replace chemical fertilizers based on phosphorus, one of the crop nutrients most widely used by Brazilian farmers. More than half the phosphate fertilizer used in Brazil is imported, mainly from Morrocco but also from Russia, Egypt, China and the United States.

In addition to the dependence on imports, phosphate fertilizer pollutes water bodies, and its production is a source of greenhouse gas emissions, estimated at 1 kg for every kg of fertilizer produced. Moreover, phosphorus is a non-renewable natural resource and hence finite.

Biological fertilizers are already in use in Brazil. In the case of soybeans, they are the main source of nitrogen in 80% of the planted area. A previous study by the GCCRC estimated that the use of biological inoculants instead of nitrogen fertilizers could save USD 10 billion per year.

"The study also underscores the need for conservation of Brazil's ecosystems, which can supply many other nature-based solutions like this one," said Souza, a co-founder of biotech startup Symbionics, which develops next-generation biologics.

As noted, campos rupestres are biodiversity hotspots with many exclusive species. They form mosaics totaling some 26,500 square kilometers scattered across Brazil in biomes such as the Cerrado (savanna), Caatinga (semi-arid areas in the Northeast) and Atlantic Rainforest. The main threats to these ecosystems are mining and cattle raising.

The researchers are now conducting studies to test the benefits of some of the microorganisms found in croplands. Experiments are under way at the GCCRC in Campinas.

More information: Antonio P. Camargo et al, Plant microbiomes harbor potential to promote nutrient turnover in impoverished substrates of a Brazilian biodiversity hotspot, The ISME Journal (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01345-1

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River watersheds (outlined in various colors), mean rate of vertical motion from January 2006 to December 2021, and GPS sites (symbols). This study focuses on the Sacramento (blue), San Joaquin (green), and Tulare River (violet red) watersheds. The Klamath and north California Coast River watershed (pink) is also plotted. Color gradations depict nearly zero vertical motion (white color), slow uplift (light green), slow subsidence (light blue), and fast subsidence (magenta). See legend at bottom left for vertical rates. Contours of vertical motion at 10 mm/yr (violet to magenta) and 100 mm/yr in the southern Central Valley are labeled. The shape of the symbol at each GPS site designates the primary phenomenon deforming solid Earth at the site: porous response to groundwater change (red squares), elastic response to water oscillations (blue hexagons), and volcanic activity (green triangles). Early data before 2006 (gray circles) are omitted. The hexagons are filled with the color designating vertical motion in mm/yr observed at the GPS site (see legend). Credit: Geophysical Research Letters (2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GL099583

In a recent study, scientists found that a previously unmeasured sourcewater percolating through soil and fractured rock below California's Sierra Nevada mountainsdelivers an average of 4 million acre feet (5 cubic kilometers) of water to the state's Central Valley each year. This underground source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland each year from every source (including river inflows and precipitation).

The Central Valley encompasses only 1% of U.S. farmland but produces 40% of the nation's table fruits, vegetables, and nuts annually. That's only possible because of intensive groundwater pumping for irrigation and river and stream flow captured in reservoirs. For at least 60 years, growers have been pumping more water from aquifers than can be replenished by natural sources, causing the ground level to sink and requiring wells to be drilled deeper and deeper.

As water grows more scarce in the Central Valley due to climate change and human use, a more detailed understanding of the natural movement of groundwater offers a chance to better protect the remaining resources.

In the recently published study led by scientist Donald Argus of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, researchers found that groundwater volume fluctuates more widely between dry and wet years than had been previously understood. In particular, the scientists observed a greater loss of groundwater during dry years than earlier studies had estimated. Argus and colleagues estimated that the Central Valley lost about 1.8 million acre feet (2.2 cubic kilometers) of groundwater per year between 2006 to 2021.

There is no way to directly measure the total volume of water on and under the Central Valley, but the satellites of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE FO) missions can accurately measure how much that volume changes from month to month. Argus and colleagues have been working for several years to combine such GRACE data with observations from a GPS research network that measures how land surfaces rise and subside. In central California, those motions are largely caused by increases and decreases in underground water.

Argus had previously used GPS to quantify the changing volume of water deep within the Sierra. For this new study, he and his co-authors used both GPS and GRACE measurements and subtracted the mountain groundwater change from the groundwater changes in both the mountains and the valley to obtain a more accurate estimate of change in the valley alone.

Then they compared that number with an estimate that co-author Sarfaraz Alam, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University, had calculated using a water-balance model. Such models attempt to account for all water entering and leaving an area from all processes, including river flows, precipitation, evaporation, and pumping from wells. The difference between the model's estimate and their new result, they believe, must come from the one process that was not included in the water-balance model: groundwater flowing from the mountains into the valley.

The volume of the inflow was surprising, according to Argus, because researchers believed they already had a good understanding of the amount of water entering and leaving the Central Valley. "We now know how much groundwater is going into and coming out of the aquifers during each season of the year, and during periods of drought and episodes of heavy precipitation," Argus said. This new understanding could be used, for example, to modify existing restrictions on watering during dry years versus wet years to better match usage with the available groundwater resources.

The paper is published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

More information: Donald F. Argus et al, Subsurface Water Flux in California's Central Valley and Its Source Watershed From Space Geodesy, Geophysical Research Letters (2022). DOI: 10.1029/2022GL099583 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters
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Pompeii House of the Vettii. Credit: Ad Meskens/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

As Pompeii's House of the Vettii finally reopens after a long process of restoration, news outlets appear to be struggling with how to report on the Roman sex cultures so well recorded in the ruins of the city.

The Metro opened with the headline "Lavish Pompeii home that doubled as a brothel has some interesting wall art", while the Guardian highlighted the fresco of Priapus, the god of fertility (depicted weighing his oversized penis on a scale with bags of coins) as well as the erotic frescoes found next to the kitchen.

The Daily Mail, on the other handand arguably surprisinglysaid nothing about the explicit frescoes and instead centered its story on the house's "historic hallmarks of interior design".

As a scholar who researches modern and contemporary visual cultures of sexuality, I was struck by how the heavy presence of sexual imagery in the ruins of Pompeii seems to confound those writing about it for a general audience.

Rethinking Roman sexuality

As a gay man and a researcher on sexuality, I am all too familiar with the ways modern gay men look to ancient Rome in search of evidence that there have always been people like us.

It is now clear among the research community that such straightforward readings of homosexuality in classical history are flawed. That is because same-sex relations among Romans were lived and thought about in very different ways from our own.

Roman sexuality was not framed in terms of the gender of partners but in terms of power. The gender of a free man's sexual partner was less relevant than their social position.

Socially acceptable Roman sexuality was about power, power was about masculinityand Roman patriarchal sex cultures were assertions of both. An adult free man could have sex as the penetrating partner with anyone of a lower social statusincluding women or slaves and sex workers of both genders.

Despite this, I understand how politically important and strategic it was for the early homosexual movement to invent its own myth of origin and to populate history with figures that had beenthey thoughtjust like us.

The flip side of modern notions of homosexuality being read into Roman history, is the way in which the widespread presence of sex in ancient Roman (including in the graffiti and visual culture preserved in Pompeii) has been disavowed orat leastpurified by mainstream modern culture.

Pornography in Pompeii

This phenomenon started when sexually explicit artifacts were first discovered in Pompeii, propelling archaeologists to preserve them due to their historical value, but to keep them hidden from the general public in "secret museums" on account of their obscene content.

Indeed, the coinage of the word "pornography" was a result of the archival need to classify those Roman artifacts. The term "pornographers" was first used to designate the creators of such Roman images in Karl Otfried Muller's Handbook of Archaeology of Art ("Handbuch der Archaologie der Kunst"), from 1830.

The news coverage around the reopening of the House of the Vettii is one such example of mainstream modern culture sanitizing Roman history.

When focusing on the fresco of Priapus, for instance, news outlets are quick to claim that the god's oversized penis was merely a metaphor for the wealth accumulated by the men who owned the house. The pair had made their fortune selling wine after being freed from slavery.

This reading of the fresco, while not necessarily incorrect, overlooks the more complexand for that reason, more interestingrole of phallic imagery in Roman culture.

As classicist Craig Williams writes, the images of a hyper-endowed, hyper-masculine Priapus that were widespread in Roman culture functioned not only as a source of identification but also as an object of desire for Roman menif not to be penetrated by the large phallus, then at least to wish it was their own.

Priapus, with his large manhood and unquenchable desire to dominate others through penetration was, Williams tells us: "Something like the patron saint or mascot of Roman machismo."

What's missing from the story?

News coverage of the erotic frescoes found in a smaller room of the house has been similarly too straight forward in claiming them as evidence that that room was used for sex work.

While some scholars have certainly argued that perspective, others believe it unlikely. Some academics suggest that the erotic frescoes in that room (which probably belonged to the house's cook) had more likely been commissioned as a gift to the Vettii's favorite slave and very much fit the wider aesthetic of quirky excess that marks the house as a whole.

In a culture where sex was not taboo but instead promoted as a sign of power, wealth and culture, it is fair to suggest that erotic images wouldn't just belong in brothels. Sex was everywhere in Rome, including in literary and visual arts.

When reading the recent news stories, I could not help but think that their interpretations, while not wholly wrong, were too skewed into presenting the explicit frescoes as either metaphors for something more noble, or as something that was restricted to a specific site of Roman lifethe brothel.

Perhaps these readings are privileged over others because we're reluctant to accept that sex in ancient Roman culturea culture we so often mythologise as our "origin"was performed in ways that we are uncomfortable with.

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An artists impression of Balaenognathus maeuseri. Credit: Megan Jacobs

An unusual new species of pterosaur has been identified, which had over 400 teeth that looked like the prongs of a nit comb.

The fossil was found in a German quarry and has been described by paleontologists from England, Germany and Mexico.

Professor David Martill, lead author of the research, from the University of Portsmouth's School of the Environment, Geography and Geosciences, said, "The nearly complete skeleton was found in a very finely layered limestone that preserves fossils beautifully.

"The jaws of this pterosaur are really long and lined with small fine, hooked teeth, with tiny spaces between them like a nit comb. The long jaw is curved upwards like an avocet and at the end it flares out like a spoonbill. There are no teeth at the end of its mouth, but there are teeth all the way along both jaws right to the back of its smile.

"And what's even more remarkable is some of the teeth have a hook on the end, which we've never seen before in a pterosaur ever. These small hooks would have been used to catch the tiny shrimp the pterosaur likely fed onmaking sure they went down its throat and weren't squeezed between the teeth."

Balaenognathus maeuseri gen. et sp. nov. (NKMB P2011-633): holotype and only reported specimen, Torleite Formation of Wattendorf (Late Jurassic). Some small gaps in the slab have been infilled with minor restoration of some bones. A portion of the distal extremity of the left metacarpal IV and part of the left anterior ilium process are known to be missing. Some other missing elements (e.g., the pteroids) may be concealed under larger bones. Credit: PalZ (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s12542-022-00644-4

The discovery was made accidentally while scientists were excavating a large block of limestone containing crocodile bones.

Professor Martill said, "This was a rather serendipitous find of a well-preserved skeleton with near perfect articulation, which suggests the carcass must have been at a very early stage of decay with all joints, including their ligaments, still viable. It must have been buried in sediment almost as soon as it had died."

The pterosaur belongs to a family of pterosaurs called Ctenochasmatidae, which are known from the limestone in Bavaria, Germany, where this one was also found.

Since the first pterosaur was described from there in the 18th century, hundreds of remains of these flying reptiles have been discovered, making the quarries of the Franconian Jura in Bavaria one of the richest pterosaur localities in the world.

"This pterosaur had teeth in the upper and lower jaw, which are a mirror image of each other. There is one other pterosaur with more teethPterodaustro from Argentinabut it has stubby teeth in its upper jaw and even longer teeth in its lower jaw, so this new specimen is very different from other ctenochasmatids," Professor Martill added.

The teeth of the new pterosaur suggest an extraordinary feeding mechanism while it waded through water. It would use its spoon-shaped beak to funnel the water and then its teeth to squeeze out excess liquid, leaving prey trapped in its mouth.

The animal likely dabbled as it waded through shallow lagoons, sucking in tiny water shrimps and copepods and then filtering them out through its teeth just like ducks and flamingos.

It has been named Balaenognathus maeuseri. The generic name roughly translated means whale mouth because of its filtering feeding style. The specific name is after one of the co-authors Matthias Mauser who sadly passed away during the writing of the paper.

Professor Martill said, "Matthias was a friendly and warm-hearted colleague of a kind that can be scarcely found. In order to preserve his memory, we named the pterosaur in his honor."

The paper, "A new pterodactyloid pterosaur with a unique filter-feeding apparatus from the Late Jurassic of Germany," is published in Palaontologische Zeitschrift (PalZ). The specimen is currently on display in the Bamberg Natural History Museum.

More information: David M. Martill et al, A new pterodactyloid pterosaur with a unique filter-feeding apparatus from the Late Jurassic of Germany, PalZ (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s12542-022-00644-4
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Jan. 19, 2023, that she will soon resign from office. "I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice," Ardern said.

Ardern was 37 when she was elected prime minister in 2017, and is the youngest female head of government to have served in any country. During her tenure, Ardern oversaw the country's strict COVID-19 response and also dealt with other crises like the Christchurch mosque shooting in 2019.

The prime minister also received unwanted attention that many observersand Ardern herselfdubbed sexist. This included questions and comments about Ardern's plans to have a child, as well as about her eventual pregnancy in office. Ardern herself noted in her resignation speech that she is looking forward to spending more time with family once she leaves office in February.

She also addressed her young daughter, saying, "And so to Neve, Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year."

The Conversation U.S. spoke with Virginia Tech political science scholar and women in politics expert Farida Jalalzai to provide context about the unique challenges facing Ardern and other women in positions of power.

1. What does Ardern's resignation say about the experiences of women in top political jobs?

Women in leadership positions will get asked certain questions that men do not. New Zealand is obviously a country that has had many women in political positionsArdern was the third female prime minister there. Still, Ardern, for example, faced questions about her appearance and personal life, like her plans for marrying her partner.

Men tend to receive less media coverage about their personal lives. People also tend to think of places like New Zealand as countries where women have shattered the glass ceiling, politically speaking. But if this kind of sexist questioning and speculation is what's happening at the highest levels in the most egalitarian societies like New Zealand, then of course it must be happening in all of these other places where women are facing political violence, for example.

2. How can having a woman as a political leader impact societies and the way they consider gender?

When women hold really visible positions worldwide, that sends a signal to the public that politics is more open and that women bring competency to the position. Some of my research shows that having women in these political roles has encouraged other women to become more engaged in the political system and to believe that politics is more open to everyone. It has also led men to feel similarly.

There is also power that comes with seeing the first woman rise to a very visible leadership position. Whereas even though Hillary Clinton didn't clinch the presidential victory in 2016, it certainly seemed to shape people's views of what was possible. I don't think that it's a coincidence that in the following election, so many more womenand women of diverse backgroundsthrew their hats in the ring, even at local and state levels.

3. What are the risks, if any, facing women in these high-profile roles?

I've written about, for example, the 2016 impeachment of Brazil's former president, Dilma Rousseff. She faced overt sexist attacks and was the victim of essentially a witch hunt, where she ultimately did nothing that would have normally led to the corruption charges she faced. What we found in a 2021 book I co-authored with Pedro dos Santos was that after Rousseff's removal, people's beliefs that women could be competent leaders declined over the short term, for about a year.

4. What's the precedent for having a female leader with young kids?

It's uncommon for women to give birth in executive office. The other head of state or government who was pregnant during her tenure was Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990. There was a deliberate attempt by Bhutto's opposition to schedule elections for when she was having the baby. But she cleverly lied about the due date so that she could throw the opposition off, because she knew that they were going to try to make it impossible for her to campaign.

Ardern took six weeks off for maternity leave. But cases of women with very young children are still few and far between because women tend to wait until they're older to become part of the political realmand then it takes awhile to make it to the top.

5. Has there been a shift over the last few years in how women in politics address their personal lives?

It's becoming more common to not hide that personal side of yourself. In a way, female leaders in politics can control the narrative if they don't hide the facts, or they could even make that a positive aspect of their tenure.

Michelle Bachelet, who was the president of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and then again from 2014 to 2018, was a single mom. When she ran for office, she gained a lot of support from single mothers and working mothers, who understood what it's like to be in the same position.

But generally, women in positions of power have to achieve balance in such a way that you don't want to come across as too hard and too aggressive, because they will get hit for that. If they are conceived of as overly soft and an emotional person, then they are going to get criticized for that, as well. There isn't an easy way around it.

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Asteroid Itokawa. Credit: Curtin University

Curtin University-led research into the durability and age of an ancient asteroid made of rocky rubble and dust, revealed significant findings that could contribute to potentially saving the planet if one ever hurtled toward Earth.

The international team studied three tiny dust particles collected from the surface of ancient 500-meter-long rubble pile asteroid, Itokawa, returned to Earth by the Japanese Space Agency's Hayabusa 1 probe.

The study's results showed asteroid Itokawa, which is 2 million kilometers from Earth and around the size of Sydney Harbor Bridge, was hard to destroy and resistant to collision.

Lead author Professor Fred Jourdan, Director of the Western Australian Argon Isotope Facility, part of the John de Laeter Centre and the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Curtin, said the team also found Itokawa is almost as old as the solar system itself.

"Unlike monolithic asteroids, Itokawa is not a single lump of rock, but belongs to the rubble pile family which means it's entirely made of loose boulders and rocks, with almost half of it being empty space," Professor Jourdan said.

"The survival time of monolithic asteroids the size of Itokawa is predicted to be only several hundreds of thousands of years in the asteroid belt.

"The huge impact that destroyed Itokawa's monolithic parent asteroid and formed Itokawa happened at least 4.2 billion years ago. Such an astonishingly long survival time for an asteroid the size of Itokawa is attributed to the shock-absorbent nature of rubble pile material.

"In short, we found that Itokawa is like a giant space cushion, and very hard to destroy."

Itokawa grain with scale. Credit: Celia Mayers / Curtin University

The Curtin-led team used two complementary techniques to analyze the three dust particles. The first one is called Electron Backscattered Diffraction and can measure if a rock has been shocked by any meteor impact. The second methodargon-argon datingis used to date asteroid impacts.

Co-author Associate Professor Nick Timms, also from Curtin's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said the durability of rubble pile asteroids was previously unknown, jeopardizing the ability to design defense strategies in case one was hurtling toward Earth.

"We set out to answer whether rubble pile asteroids are resistant to being shocked or whether they fragment at the slightest knock," Associate Professor Timms said.

"Now that we have found they can survive in the solar system for almost its entire history, they must be more abundant in the asteroid belt than previously thought, so there is more chance that if a big asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, it will be a rubble pile.

"The good news is that we can also use this information to our advantageif an asteroid is detected too late for a kinetic push, we can then potentially use a more aggressive approach like using the shockwave of a close-by nuclear blast to push a rubble-pile asteroid off course without destroying it."

Curtin University co-authors include Associate Professor William Rickard, Celia Mayers, Professor Steven Reddy, Dr. David Saxey and John Curtin Distinguished Professor Phil Bland, all from the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study is titled "Rubble pile asteroids are forever."
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Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), Isla Guadalupe, Mexico. Credit: Public Domain

It's hard out there for a shark. A critical barometer to the health of ocean ecosystems, shark and ray populations have faced significant global declines from overfishing, habitat loss, and environment degradation. Add to the mix a slow reproductive cyclefemale great white sharks take approximately 30 years to reach sexual maturity, for instanceand the broader logistical challenges of trying to monitor animals with ranges that can exceed 10,000 nautical miles, and the task of protecting sharks becomes even more daunting.

But there is some good news for sharks and rays: Researchers from Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment are part of a group of scientists that used temporal and spatial comparisons to reveal that extinction risks can be significantly reduced by having effective fisheries management and policies in place to ensure the survival of these vulnerable species. The results were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Our research focuses on a specific suite of coastal sharks and rays, all wide-ranging animals with broad distributions across the Atlantic Ocean," said Holly Kindsvater, assistant professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation and one of the authors of the paper. "That means you'll see the same species in the coastal waters of North, Central, and South America."

This distribution pattern provided the research team with the opportunity to study the impact of fisheries management on shark populations. Using decades of data, researchers were able to track shark and ray populations in western Atlantic waters and measure population changes since the U.S. Department of Commerce asked the National Marine Fisheries Service to implement a Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic sharks in 1993.

"It took years of work to gather data on shark populations and fisheries data," said Nathan Pacoureau, a postdoctoral research fellow at Simon Fraser University in Canada, the paper's lead author, and a former postdoctoral research fellow at Virginia Tech. "From there, the challenge was determining the primary elements to the recovery of sharks in some areas and driving increased extinction risk in others."

Kindsvater, who was a primary investigator for grants that funded this research, explained that cultivating a robust data set and correlating that to conservation efforts required extensive collaboration between universities around the world, national agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and global research groups, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Shark Specialist Group.

"A central part of my role in this project was to facilitate in the research design," she said. "We built on the findings of people who are experts in shark and ray ecologythose individuals and groups who did the assessments and compiled the dataand worked to combine and translate their expertise into a scientific comparison that is meaningful and important."

The findings show a positive trajectory for shark populations where regulations have been put in place, with large species such as the great white, tiger, and great hammerhead sharkwhich are elsewhere endangeredall showing clear signs of population recovery in northern Atlantic waters.

"You can see it in the data," said Kindsvater, an affiliate faculty member of the Global Change Center and the Center for Coastal Studies. "Even in places where fishing intensity is high but management exists, the regional status of these endangered species is improving significantly.

Sharks and rays still face challenges: The group's finding demonstrates that coastal populations in the southern Atlantic remain critically threatened, and the demand for shark meat and fins can provide lucrative livelihoods to fishers, despite international treaties in place to prevent the trade of shark and ray species that are fished unsustainably. Sharks and rays also are caught unintentionally in fisheries for bony fishes: Without robust policy measures, this can significantly reduce their populations.

Still, Pacoureau is careful to not assign fault on specific nations, as conservation of wide-ranging marine species like sharks is a global challenge.

"The aim of our work isn't to point at specific countries," said Pacoureau. "Instead, we're making a general alignment: We now know that we can rebuild populations with better management of fisheries."

Professor Joel Snodgrass, head of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, said this collaborative research is critical to the protection of sharks and rays.

"Our marine fisheries are some of the most threatened natural resources, and it will take teams of scientists and conservationists working collaboratively to prevent the extinction of some of the world's more charismatic creatures," Snodgrass said. "This publication is a great example of such a collaboration, and it gives us hope that our hard work in conservation can make a difference."

Kindsvater, whose lab at Virginia Tech aims to solve conservation challenges by understanding connections between evolution and ecology of managed or threatened species, is optimistic that management of fisheries has been demonstrated as an effective avenue toward providing protection for endangered species.

"In the milieu of marine conservation, some think it's hopeless to try to manage shark fisheries, that illegal trade will always exist," she said. "What this research shows is that it is possible to significantly improve the population health of a species by monitoring and managing fisheries."
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Image from simulation of ice XVIII. Oxygen ions (red) occupy a regular crystal lattice, while protons (white) diffuse like a liquid. Credit: Maurice de Koning & Filipe Matusalem

Ordinary everyday ice, like the ice produced by a fridge, is known to scientists as hexagonal ice (ice Ih), and is not the only crystalline phase of water. More than 20 different phases are possible. One of them, called "superionic ice" or "ice XVIII," is of particular interest, among other reasons, because it is thought to make up a large part of Neptune and Uranus, planets frequently referred to as "ice giants."

In the superionic crystalline phase, water loses its molecular identity (H 2 O): negative oxygen ions (O2-) crystallize into an extensive lattice, and protons in the form of positive hydrogen ions (H+) form a liquid that floats around freely within the oxygen lattice.

"The situation can be compared to a metal conductor such as copper, with the big difference that positive ions form the crystal lattice in the metal, and electrons bearing a negative charge are free to wander around the lattice," said Maurice de Koning, a professor at the State University of Campinas's Gleb Wataghin Physics Institute (IFGW-UNICAMP) in Sao Paulo state, Brazil.

De Koning led the study that resulted in an article published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and featured on the cover of its November 8, 2022 issue.

Superionic ice forms at extremely high temperatures in the range of 5,000 Kelvin (4,700 C) and pressure of around 340 gigapascals, or over 3.3 million times Earth's standard atmospheric pressure, he explained. It is therefore impossible for stable superionic ice to exist on our planet.

It can exist on Neptune and Uranus, however. In fact, scientists are confident that large amounts of ice XVIII lurk deep in their mantles, thanks to the pressure resulting from these giants' huge gravitational fields, as confirmed by seismographic readings.

"The electricity conducted by the protons through the oxygen lattice relates closely to the question of why the axis of the magnetic field doesn't coincide with the rotation axis in these planets. They're significantly misaligned, in fact," De Koning said.

Measurements made by the space probe Voyager 2, which flew by these distant planets on its journey to the edge of the Solar System and beyond, show that the axes of Neptune's and Uranus's magnetic fields form angles of 47 degrees and 59 degrees with their respective rotation axes.

Experiments and simulations

On Earth, an experiment reported in Nature in 2019 succeeded in producing a tiny amount of ice XVIII for 1 nanosecond (a billionth of a second), after which the material disintegrated. The researchers used laser-driven shock waves to compress and heat liquid water.

According to the paper in Nature, six high-power laser beams were fired in a temporally tailored sequence to compress a thin water layer encapsulated between two diamond surfaces. The shock waves reverberated between the two stiff diamonds to achieve a homogeneous compression of the water layer resulting in the superionic crystalline phase for an extremely short time.

"In this latest study, we didn't perform a real physical experiment but used computer simulations to investigate the mechanical properties of ice XVIII and find out how its deformations influence the phenomena seen to occur on Neptune and Uranus," De Koning said.

A key aspect of the study was the deployment of density functional theory (DFT), a method derived from quantum mechanics and used in solid-state physics to resolve complex crystalline structures. "First of all, we investigated the mechanical behavior of a flawless phase, which doesn't exist in the real world. We then added defects to see what kinds of macroscopic deformations resulted," he explained.

Crystal defects are typically point defects characterized by ion vacancies or intrusion of ions from other materials into the crystal lattice. Not so in this case. De Koning was referring to linear defects known as "dislocations," which are due to angular differences between adjacent layers resulting in puckering somewhat like a rumpled rug.

"In crystal physics, dislocation was postulated in 1934 but first observed experimentally in 1956. It's a type of defect that explains a great many phenomena. We say dislocation is to metallurgy what DNA is to genetics," De Koning said.

In the case of superionic ice, the sum of dislocations produces shear, a macroscopic deformation familiar to mineralogists, metallurgists and engineers. "In our study, we calculated, among other things, how much it's necessary to force the crystal for it to break up owing to shear," De Konig said.

To this end, the researchers had to consider a relatively large cell of the material with about 80,000 molecules. The calculations entailed extremely heavy and sophisticated computational techniques, including neural networks, machine learning, and the composition of various configurations based on DFT.

"This was a most interesting aspect of the study, integrating knowledge in metallurgy, planetology, quantum mechanics and high-performance computing," he said.

Provided by FAPESP
A man wanted in New York was taken into custody after troopers found him with a vehicle that had been reported stolen at a rest stop in Middletown, according to Connecticut State Police.

About 5:23 p.m. Friday, troopers responded to a rest area on Interstate 91 northbound in Middletown after being altered that a fugitive with an active extraditable arrest warrant out of New York was there, along with a reportedly stolen car, according to Connecticut State Police Troop H.

Troopers located the stolen tan Buick LeSabre and found 41 year old Zachary Yando, of Tupper Lake, New York, nearby. Yando was wanted by the Tupper Lake Village Police Department, police said.

Yando was taken into custody as a fugitive from justice. He was processed as state police Troop H in Hartford and then transferred to the Hartford Correctional Center where he was being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond, police said.

He was scheduled to be arraigned in Middletown Superior Court on Monday, police said.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It is a popular takeaway choice at fish and chip shops, but new research has revealed threatened species of shark are being sold as flake at some outlets across South Australia.

The University of Adelaide study is the first of its kind to examine flake filets sold at South Australian fish and chip shops.

The team of researchers analyzed the DNA of filets from more than 100 retailers across Adelaide and regional areas of South Australia to determine what type of fish were being sold as flakean umbrella term used to describe shark meat filets.

"Only 27% of all samples were identified as gummy shark, a species that has a sustainable population, and is one of only two species that is recommended to be labeled as flake in Australia," said first author Ashleigh Sharrad, a researcher from the University of Adelaide's School of Biological Sciences.

The study found four threatened species, such as the short-fin mako shark and smooth hammerhead shark, were also being sold as flake at some takeaway outlets.

A total of nine different types of species were identified in the study, including some which are not found in Australian waters.

"Food fraud in the seafood industry is a growing concern and mislabeling may occur. It can have potential implications on human health, the economy, and species conservation," said the University of Adelaide's Professor Bronwyn Gillanders, a researcher in the School of Biological Sciences and the Environment Institute.

Of all the flake samples analyzed, only one in 10 retailers could correctly identify the type of fish being sold while 20% of the filets were mislabeled and the remainder had ambiguous labeling.

"It is important to note that while a broad variety of species are being sold as flake, smaller retailers can't be accused of mislabeling because they are most likely unaware when they purchase bulk, processed or frozen fish filets," said Ms. Sharrad.

The Australian Fish Names Standard recommends the term flake only be used to describe gummy shark and New Zealand rig, but this guideline is not mandatory.

"Our results highlight the need for clearer national guidelines or labeling laws for shark filets," said Ms Sharrad.

"This is the key to building trust across the supply chain, boosting demand for local, sustainable catch and importantly, empowering consumers and retailers to make informed choices."

Professor Gillanders was the senior author of the study, while Dr. Patrick Reis Santos and Associate Professor Jeremy Austin also contributed to the research.

The research has been published in the international journal Food Control.

More information: Ashleigh E. Sharrad et al, Umbrella terms conceal the sale of threatened shark species: A DNA barcoding approach, Food Control (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109606
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new study from Rice University political scientist Rick Wilson and Texas A&M economist Catherine Eckel has examined the topic of trustworthiness. The article, titled "Attributions of Trust and Trustworthiness," will appear in an upcoming edition of Political Behavior.

"In 2001, George W. Bush proclaimed that he looked into Vladimir Putin's eyes and found the Russian leader to be 'trustworthy,'" the authors wrote. "Many people claim to be able to read their counterparts in bargaining settings; there is little doubt that this would be a valuable skill.  How often do they get it right?"

Not very often.

Using decisions made in experimental trust games conducted in previous academic studies, Wilson and Eckel asked subjects in the new study to view photos of the people who made those decisions and guess their levels of trustworthiness. Even though subjects were motivated by being paid for correct guesses, they had little accuracy.

Wilson said incorrect guesses were tied to distinctive characteristics.

"We found that subjects were influenced by stereotypes based on the features seen in the photos, including gender, skin color or attractiveness," he said. "Our results revealed that people are fooling themselves when they think they can predict trustworthiness from appearance alone."

So do Wilson and Eckel believe it when world leaders claim they can judge trustworthiness just by meeting face to face?

"We're skeptical," they concluded in the paper. "While people are confident in their ability to quickly read the faces of others, they rarely do better than chance."

More information: Rick K. Wilson et al, Attributions of Trust and Trustworthiness, Political Behavior (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11109-022-09855-6 Journal information: Political Behavior
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

At any given time, 50 or more vessels, ranging from massive cargo ships to small fishing boats, are motoring off New Jersey's 127-mile coast from New York to Delaware.

The smaller vessels often travel at just a few knots per hour, while larger ones run to 20 knots (23 mph) or more.

Little wonder whales sometimes crash into one of them, receiving what amounts to giant-sized headaches or fatal blows.

Two whales that died in January and were stranded in Atlantic City and Brigantine showed evidence of blunt force trauma associated with vessel collisions. Opponents of offshore wind have suggested survey vessels are to blame, but officials suggest otherwise.

Walt Nadolny, a professor emeritus at SUNY Maritime College in New York, has been teaching students for two decades how to avoid whale strikes before they head to sea as merchant mariners.

"The odds are ridiculously low" that the whales struck a slow-going survey vessel, said Nadolny, who has no affiliation with an offshore wind company.

Orsted, a global offshore wind company that started in Denmark, is set to build New Jersey's first wind farm but has not started construction. In January, it has had one vessel at a time on the water totaling little more than seven days.

Nadonly surmises that it's highly unlikely an offshore wind surveying vessel, which normally would travel at 8 to 10 knots (9-11 mph), could cause a fatal blow to a whale. Rather, he said, fatal collisions typically occur with bigger ships traveling at least 18 knots (21 mph) or more. Usually only large commercial ships travel that fast.

For example, on Friday morning the Maersk Pittsburgh container ship with a gross tonnage of 74,642 was traveling off the coast of Long Beach Island from New York City to Charleston at almost 21 knots (24 mph), according to tracking provided on marinetraffic.com. Multiple other container ships were traveling at similar speeds.

Many of those fast ships, Nadolny noted, often come from, or are headed to, the busy ports of New York/New Jersey or the Delaware Bay toward Philadelphia. The ships are required to reduce speed only as they near the ports, but they often follow voluntary speed restrictions farther out.

'Unusual mortality event'

At least 178 humpback whales have died from Maine to Florida since 2016, with necropsies completed on half. About 40% of those bear evidence of being struck by a vessel or entangled in fishing gear, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Fisheries Service, which has designated the time period as an unusual mortality event that predated offshore wind energy activity.

NOAA scientists say whales die from a variety of reasons, and necropsies are often difficult to carry out, especially if the bodies are badly decomposed. Sometimes, no cause of death is determined.

"No whale mortality has been attributed to offshore wind activities," said Lauren Gaches, a spokeswoman for NOAA. "We know of several factors that may be driving these interactions. As the humpback whale population has grown, their occurrence in the mid-Atlantic has increased. These whales may be following their prey, which we're hearing from our partners in the region are reportedly close to shore this winter."

Over the past year, there have been nine large whale strandings from Maine to Cape Hatteras, N.C., which NOAA describes as a recent "pulse" of deaths. Humpback whale strandings tend to occur in winter months.

A humpback whale was found dead this week in Assateague Island in Maryland. A cause of death has not been released.

N.J. whale deaths

Recent deaths have shown signs of vessel strikes, but tests might take weeks to months, and it's possible no conclusion might ever be reached on some.

A humpback whale found dead in Atlantic City on Jan. 7, however, had clear evidence of a large head injury behind the blowhole, leading to the belief it was struck by a vessel.

The most recent death along the New Jersey coast occurred Jan. 12 in Brigantine. The 32-foot female also showed signs of being struck.

"Preliminary results based on observations during the necropsy suggest that the whale suffered blunt trauma injuries consistent with those from a vessel strike," the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine said in a statement about the Jan. 12 stranding. "Injuries and hemorrhaging were observed on the head and thoracic region, as well as along the right side and the pectoral flipper."

The statement added that, "Although there has been speculation about whether these whale deaths are linked to wind energy development, at this point no whale mortality has been attributed to offshore wind activities. We will continue to gather data and go where the science leads us."

There are currently a high number of large whales in the waters off New Jersey, the center said, attracted by small fish that attract stripers. So, it advises boaters to travel slower than 10 knots (11 mph). Currently, any vessel 65 feet or longer is required to travel at that lower speed as they enter major ports.

Offshore wind testing

Social media forums are filled with people questioning whether offshore wind vessels using sonar or seismic testing are to blame.

Orsted is set to build New Jersey's first wind farm, Ocean Wind I, which calls for up to 98 wind turbines to be erected about 12 miles off of Atlantic City. The company says it is not performing any seismic activity as part if its testing of the seafloor.

"Our current work off the coast of New Jersey consists of surveys and does not involve sounds or actions that will disturb whales or any ocean mammals," Maddy Urbish, Orsted's head of government affairs and market strategy for New Jersey said in a statement. "Orsted-contracted vessels have not experienced any marine mammal strikes during offshore survey activity in the U.S."

Orsted said it carried out geotechnical investigations of the ocean floor Jan. 4-10 with its ship Regulus, a 272-foot vessel that has since moved out of the area. Another vessel, the NorthStar Voyager will be conducting surveys in the next few days.

Orsted provides weekly briefings to mariners, with the latest saying that the NorthStar Voyager will be traveling along a planned cable route and within the area it has leased from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. It asks vessels to provide a wide berth because the ship will be limited to maneuver because it is towing gear up to 300 meters behind.

The ship is conducting tests to learn the nature of the soil under the seabed. During the test, a machine on the vessel presses a metal rod into the seafloor to test the soil's friction and resistance. Orsted said the test is "low in terms of noise impacts." Some of these kinds of tests use sound, Orsted said, but their vessels do not.

NOAA said the acoustic systems used by offshore wind ships around the world have not had whale strandings associated with them.

Each vessel also has to have at least one person designated to monitor for marine mammals and report any disturbances of whales.

Paul Forsberg, a commercial ship captain who has done surveying work for offshore wind, posted a video Friday saying surveying has been done since 2017 and no known whale deaths have been associated with the activity. He said operations shut down immediately anytime a whale is spotted nearby, and there were often multiple spotters on each vessel.

Forsberg said a small acoustic device known as a sparker with very low power was often used to scan the ocean floor.

Offshore wind opponents seized on the recent fatalities to tarnish the wind industry, he said.

"If offshore wind surveying started way back in 2017 and now we're into 2023, how come there aren't hundreds of dead whales?" Forsberg asked. "I'll tell you why. 'Cause offshore wind survey stuff is not killing them."

2023 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Endangered Species Act is a landmark conservation law that has brought wildlife threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and other issues back from the brink of extinctionthe iconic Bald Eagle is one of the most well-known examples.

In 2019, the Trump Administration rolled back several major protections outlined in the Endangered Species Act. These changes included banning blanket protections for newly threatened species and allowing cost to be a consideration when evaluating what it would take to save at-risk species. While in office, Trump took more than 100 legislative actions favoring business over the environment. In July 2022, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar, presiding in Northern California, threw out the Trump-era changes, restoring critical protection for threatened species.

More than 1,300 species in the U.S. are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Some of these animals are found nowhere else in the world. Stacker compiled a list of 25 endangered animals that are only found in the United States using the 2022 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species list.

All animals on this list are classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and classified as either Endangered or Threatened by the federal government. While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identifies critical habitats and provides legal protections for endangered species, the IUCN helps raise global awareness through data collection, analysis, fieldwork, advocacy, and fundraising.
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP  A Monmouth County man and registered sex offender was charged with allegedly committing a lewd act in the parking lot of a local Target store on Jan. 17.

Police were called to the parking lot on Stafford Park Boulevard after a lewd act was reported by a woman, police said on Monday.

James G. Doll, 48, of Howell, was arrested on Jan. 18 after a warrant was issued following an investigation into the alleged incident, police said.

Doll was taken to the Ocean County jail and charged with fourth-degree lewdness, police said.

The woman called police after she saw Doll watching pornography in his car for sexual gratification, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The woman told police she was parked in the section of Targets parking lot where online orders are retrieved, noticing Doll pulled up to a spot next to her. Time passed while she was on the phone before she witnessed Doll watching the alleged explicit content from his phone, the affidavit says.

Doll allegedly moved his car into another area of the parking lot before driving off onto Route 72, the affidavit says.

Police investigating the claim identified Doll through the vehicles registration, the affidavit says.

According to state records, Doll is a Tier 2 repetitive compulsive sex offender with an extensive history of committing lewd acts in cars, the document says.

Doll was first convicted of lewdness in 1995, according to New Jerseys sex offender registry. He was then convicted of endangering the welfare of a child in 1998, the registry says.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
Mumbai: Actress Saba Azad was seen posing alongside Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan and his family as she attended his sister Sunaina Roshan's birthday.



Present at the birthday party were Hrithik's sons Hridhaan and Hrehaan, Pashmina Roshan, uncle-music composer Rajesh Roshan, as well as the actor's father Rakesh.



Hrithik's mother Pinkie Roshan took to Instagram to wish her daughter and share a glimpse of the birthday celebrations.



Pinkie wrote in her Instagram caption: "Happy birthday to my darling daughter Sunainaa my sunshine, my life, my heartbeat. Your happiness means the world to all of your family, we love you. The orange candles, the flowers in yellow, the colours of the cake say it all we want your life filled with colours."



Hrithik and Saba were first seen together on a date in Mumbai in early 2022. Since then, Saba has joined Hrithik at various events and family get-togethers. They also celebrated Diwali and Christmas together.



On the work front, Hrithik will next be seen in 'Fighter' alongside Deepika Padukone.
Hauz Khas, famous for resto-bars and high-end boutiques, is hub of illegal commercial establishments

The scars of the man-made calamity might have faded in these 26 years yet the trauma of the events is still fresh in the minds of the people who lost their loved ones.

The 1997 Uphaar cinema fire tragedy which claimed 59 lives, including 23 children, the massive fire that killed 17 people, including a child, at Arpit Palace hotel in Karol Bagh in 2019 are the grim reminders of safety norms being flouted continuously in the national capital.

South Delhis Hauz Khas Village, a favourite spot of youngsters and booze lovers, is also in the danger zone of a fire hazard which the majority of these restaurants-cum-bars are vulnerable to.

The area is popular for two things -- resto-bars and high-end boutiques. Scores of people including youngsters always throng to the bars and restro in Hauz Khas to celebrate weekends. On weekdays, one can see the rush in these restaurants especially in the evening.

The trendy bars and the crowds attract the youth to Hauz Khas Village where people hardly have a place to walk. But the visitors forget that this place is a hub of illegal commercial establishments that are a constant threat to ones life, considering the fact that they hardly follow the basic mandatory legal precautions.

A senior Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said that the Village is congested and has narrow roads and the fire engines cant enter these lanes.

There are above 60 restaurants running in the Village with the rules being flouted as the fire department says only two are operating with the necessary no-objection certificate (NOC) from the department while the rest are operating without NOCs.

Being in narrow lanes, the whole area is vulnerable and not safe from fire. Most of them are not even eligible for NOCs. Many restaurants have been operating from second or third floors of buildings which is not only illegal but also dangerous, said the fire official.

Most of the restaurants have kept the seating arrangements below the eligibility criteria to have a NOC. Most of the bar-cum-restaurants have less than 45-46 seats. If they expand it to above 50 seats, they need to get a NOC. IANS
Experts say immunity after a bout of nCoV coupled with vax more resilient

People with hybrid immunity are the most protected against severe illness and reinfection, a new study has found. Results from global data show vaccination and a prior Covid-19 infection offer the best defence against severe illness and reinfection, according to a University of Calgary research group.

Hybrid immunity occurs when someone has had at least the full series of vaccines and has a prior infection, in any order.

The study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases will help public policy makers understand the optimal timing of vaccinations. The results reinforce the global imperative for vaccination. A common question throughout the pandemic was whether previously infected people should also get vaccinated. Our results clearly indicate the need for vaccination, even among people who have had Covid-19, said Dr Niklas Bobrovitz, first author on the study.

In the study, investigators were able to look at immune protection against Omicron after a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (the virus that causes Covid-19), vaccination, or hybrid immunity.

Protection against hospitalization and severe disease remained above 95 per cent for 12 months for individuals with hybrid immunity, said Dr Lorenzo Subissi, WHO-Scientist and senior author on the study.

The systematic review and meta-analysis find that protection against Omicron infection declines substantially by 12 months, regardless of whether youve had an infection, vaccinations, or both.

It means that vaccination is the best way to periodically boost your protection and to keep down levels of infection in the population.

While the findings demonstrate that vaccination along with a prior infection carries the most protection, the scientists warn against intentional exposure to the virus. You should never try to get Covid-19, said Bobrovitz. IANS

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iNCOVACC

First Made-in-India intranasal Covid vax iNCOVACC to be launched on R-Day

Bharat Biotech will launch its intranasal Covid-19 vaccine iNCOVACC on January 26, the companys CMD Krishna Ella announced here on Saturday. The vaccine manufacturer had already received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) earlier this month for the nasal vaccine, the first of its kind in India.

Our nasal vaccine will be officially launched on Republic Day on January 26, said Ella while participating in a session during the 8th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) that began at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), here on Saturday.

The company had earlier announced that it would price the intranasal vaccine at Rs 325 per shot for procurement by the government, and 800 per shot for private vaccination centres. The nasal vaccine can be taken after six months of the second dose. IANS
Two Waterbury teenagers were charged with stealing a SUV and trying to evade police officers who confronted them while they were stopped at a red light on Friday, police said.

The 15-year-old and 16-year-old were arrested Friday night after officers spotted a Honda CR-V, reported stolen from a Waterbury home on Jan. 17, stopped at a red light near East Main Street and Brass Mill Drive, according to the Waterbury Police Department.

When officers tried to pull the car over, the 15-year-old driver tried to drive off and struck the front end of a police cruiser. The cruiser sustained minor damage and the teen was taken into custody when he got out of the car, police said.

The 15-year-old was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, first-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, disoberying an officers signal, unsafe backing and operation of a motor vehicle, police said.

The other teen, a passenger in the front seat, also got out of the car and ran toward the Brass Mill Commons parking lot where he was taken into custody, police said.

The 16-year-old was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and interfering with police, records show.

No injuries were reported. The teens were not identified due to their age.
Pune Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) district president Sameer Thigale shot at near his Rajgurunagar resident

PUNE On Sunday, three assailants opened fire on Pune Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) district president Sameer Thigale near his Satkarsthal, Rajgurunagar residence.

Thigale was with his family members when the event occurred, according to the police.

Milind Jagdale and Mayur Jagdale have been identified as assailants. According to authorities, one of them has yet to be recognised.

The assailants have been recognised by Rajguru police as criminals who have been charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA) and murder-related charges and are now out on bail.

"I am the bhai of Khed," one of the accused said, carrying a revolver. He even demanded money from Thigale, threatening to kill him.

According to investigators, Thigale was shot in the chest. Fortunately, the pistol's bullet did not fire mistakenly. The perpetrators fired guns into the air and threatened Thigale before departing the area. The police are further investigating the case.
From left are Stratolaunch CEO and president Zachary Krevor, U.S. Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana and Purdues Dan DeLaurentis and President Mung Chiang. (Photo provided)

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN  Stratolaunch LLC and Purdue University are pleased to announce they have established a partnership dedicated to accelerating the time required to design, build, test and fly hypersonic vehicles.

Stratolaunch will establish the Stratolaunch Advanced Programs Office at the Convergence Center in Purdues Discovery Park District in West Lafayette, Indiana, to ensure the goals of their collaboration will be rapidly achieved. The office will be led by an experienced advanced design director with support staff that will offer opportunities for student internships.

Through their collaboration, Stratolaunch and Purdue will leverage the universitys world-class multidisciplinary hypersonic design methods, ground test facilities, faculty, staff, and students to anchor ground simulations. By combining this capability with Stratolaunchs rapid prototyping fabrication, flight test service, as well as hypersonic flight test data from the Talon-A, the integrated team will develop methodologies to accelerate the design to fly time of hypersonic systems.

Stratolaunch recently funded a one-year collaborative research project with four Purdue faculty experts and their graduate students to explore and establish a foundation of best-in-class computational and experimental capabilities, which can be used to create the most comprehensive suite of flight-validated air vehicle design optimization tools.

Im excited for our partnership with Purdue because of the positive implications it has for streamlining our nations hypersonic design capabilities, said Dr. Zachary Krevor, CEO and president at Stratolaunch. Reducing development and test timelines of hypersonic vehicles is paramount to achieving critical leap-ahead technologies.

Stratolaunchs unique capacities to provide access to flight data in long-duration hypersonic conditions complements Purdues advanced hypersonics laboratories and the cutting-edge research by our faculty to advance these technologies while providing our students with real-world learning experiences, Purdue President Mung Chiang said. Stratolaunch s office at Discovery Park District further strengthens Purdue as an epicenter of hypersonic research and testing in the country.

"Any effort to increase the speed of 'continuous learning' in hypersonic systems design and deployment is a major win for our nation's defense, said Dan DeLaurentis, vice president for Discovery Park District institutes. The world-class Purdue computational and ground test research capabilities, combined with the premier hypersonics flight test capability of Stratolaunch, is exactly such an effort, and yet another new avenue for developing and retaining the best talent so desperately needed in this domain."

About Stratolaunch

Stratolaunch's mission is to advance high-speed technology through innovative design, manufacturing, and operation of world-class aerospace vehicles. For the latest news and information, visit www.stratolaunch.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Dr. Dan DeLaurentis, ddlaure@purdue.edu Kate Squires, kate.squires@stratolaunch.com Samantha Griffith, slgriffith@prf.org
Next fall, nurses can pursue their bachelor's degrees virtually through St. Ambrose University's new Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing.

The Nano School will provide fully online licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN) to bachelor's degree pathways, in addition to other industry-recognized certifications and credentials. Through remote learning flexibilities, the online program aims to bring nursing education to many who otherwise couldn't continue theirs  proximity or work obligations among reasons why.

"This opens up access to individuals who would not have been able to go to a traditional, face-to-face program Monday through Friday," associate nursing professor Dr. Katrina Browning said.

The Nano School is a new division of SAU's College of Health and Human Services; Interim Dean Dr. Lynn Kilburg said it has a specific appeal to current nurses.

"So they're RNs or LPNS, potentially working already. With the online delivery approach, they can keep working and advance their education, without stopping to find a location or school near them that offers nursing," she said. "That's really one of the key issues because of the nursing shortage, in rural areas especially, when trying to help support building the workforce."

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, physician demand could rise by 74,100 to 145,500 by 2033 in rural and underserved communities if these areas experienced the same health care patterns as those with fewer barriers to access.

The demand for RNs is projected to reach over 3.6 million by 2030, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics  a large gap to fill, given how 2021 marked the highest number of RNs vacating the profession in over four decades.

Browning said a majority of the current student pipeline hailed from rural communities already, often those an hour or more from the nearest college.

"So these are individuals already committed to working in those rural communities at the LPN level, but we also want to advance that education," she said. "... To serve those communities at a higher level of practice and serve even more intentionally within those communities."

SAU's former consortium agreement with Presentation College (Aberdeen, S.D.) gave rise to its new online school upon Presentation's announcement to cease operation this May, 140 students in Presentation's nursing program will transition to the Nano School over the summer.

"We have that pipeline of students, and we've already begun to receive many inquiries about the program, so there's definitely interest here in our Quad-Cities region for this type of programming," Browning said, adding that SAU is "in conversation" with several health care systems interested in supporting their staff through further education.

According to Browning, the online school's curriculum aligns with that of traditional SAU nursing students  even mirroring in-person, classroom components.

"... Those (classroom) pieces will still be there, it'll just be happening in virtual, online components," she said. "These students will also complete clinicals; those clinicals are located across the Midwest, so there's several facilities we'll partner with so that they're able to do their clinicals close to home."

For the nursing program's simulation and skills check-offs, Browning said online students will submit these requirements via video. The online curriculum will also integrate simulation technology.

Noting SAU's "long history" of excellent health care programs dating back to the 1950s, Kilburg said the Nano school is an opportunity to continue innovating.

"The changing technology for education is allowing us to think of opportunities we might not have explored before," she said, adding it can supplement access and affordability barriers.

The new school is named in honor of Presentation's founder, Venerable Honora Nagle. Also known as "Nano" Nagle, she was a pioneer in Roman Catholic education in Ireland  despite legal prohibitions at the time.

In a news release, President Amy Novak said SAU is committed to honoring Honora Nagle's legacy.

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to build on the long history of Presentation College and the Presentation Sisters to deliver SAUs adaptive, online learning format," she said. "We want to ensure that, wherever you are located as a student, you have what it takes to become the nurse of your future and make a direct impact on the community in which you live and serve.

SAU's master of public health program is also online-only, and the school recently launched an online master's of social work option. For more information about the Nano School of Nursing, visit sau.edu/onlinenursing.
Editor's note: This profile is the second in an eight-part series, featuring Quad-City area college students' perspectives on the fall 2022 semester.

Johana Gonzales School: Augustana College

Augustana College Hometown: East Moline

East Moline Class: Sophomore

Sophomore Major: Political science & communications studies

Political science & communications studies Favorite fall 2022 class: Rhetorical analysis

Rhetorical analysis Favorite "new release" from fall 2022: "young forever" by Nessa Barrett

Though it's only her second year in college, 20-year-old Augustana College student Johana Gonzales is already learning the importance of work-life balance.

"Learning to take time to yourself is so beneficial," she said. "Even just watching a movie or doing your self-care  it's just so important when being a college student."

Gonzales, a political science and communications studies major, enjoyed learning more about rhetoric this fall.

"I think it's so important because of the media we see," she said. "When people post on Facebook, I think it's interesting because I know a lot of people learn from there. It's even better to know the contradiction between false narratives or why people even post certain stuff."

Learning how to better engage in political conversation, often with those she may disagree with, has been another key learning point for Gonzales.

"In any political talk, I used to get so mad and would argue  it would go nowhere," she said. "But now I'm learning to be like, 'OK, this is what they think. Do I think they're correct? No. But they probably have a reason for believing.'"

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War was the most impactful event during the fall semester, Gonzales said.

"One of my teachers was actually impacted, with family in Ukraine," she said. "I wish we would've talked more about it in my classes."

Reflecting on the political landscape around education, Gonzales said any policies targeting "students and the way they live is horrible." She also thinks diverse historical knowledge is important, noting a project she was involved with, regarding the poor treatment of Lakota women.

"Growing up, I learned about Christopher Columbus and how he was great; teachers would give us hats and we'd paint them and dress up as Native Americans. Looking back now, I'm like, 'That's awful. Why was that OK?'" Gonzales said. "In my political science classes, we've talked about how a lot of the 'history makers' are the majority, so learning from sources who are actually Native American, Hispanic or Black is so important."

She participates in Augustana's TRIO program, which offers support services for first-generation students and students with disabilities.

"Having a club to sponsor me, give scholarships and also offer scholarship boot camps is so necessary," she said, adding that her parents immigrated from Mexico.

Regarding fall 2022 fashion trends, flared leggings was one Gonzales noticed on campus  and joined.

"My mom says they're ugly, but I love them. I wear flared leggings so much, and I think they're so cute," she said.

Gonzales also owns another fall 2022 trend item: moccasin slippers, which she said are "so comfy."

In addition to her federal Pell Grant and FAFSA having "worked out really well," Gonzales works as a pharmacy technician to help pay for college.

"Luckily for me, I got a lot of scholarships from Augustana and was able to get it down to a reasonable price for me and my family," she said. "A lot of older people in my family always talk about how college isn't necessary or how it's a waste of time, but in the sense that you just go there to party and have fun."

But to Gonzales, that hasn't been the case.

"The classes are so amazing," she said. "I can't say this enough: The classes I took last semester opened my eyes to everything. I had so many opportunities and so did everyone else."

For example, her English class visited the American Writers Museum in Chicago, something Gonzales said she wouldn't have otherwise done.

"So it's not all about partying and fun, even though you can have that," she said. "I know I want to be a lawyer after I graduate, and I think these classes are necessary for me and are helping me grow."

If Gonzales could change one thing in higher education, she'd increase student wages. She also wishes mental health was discussed more among faculty and her peers, highlighting how students often forgo adequate sleep due to heavy workloads or stress.

"Understanding that college students may not have the best mental health, or aren't taking time for themselves, is important," she said. "I think our professors are getting into it, but some adults in my life don't understand. They think it's just school, not college, and believe it's not that hard  but it is. It's also really beneficial."

Though sometimes difficult, Gonzales said her college education isn't something she'd ever take for granted.

"My parents blessed me with being ale to go to college," she said. "So I'm really happy about that."

Photos: IHMVCU Shootout between Iowa and Illinois girls basketball at Augustana College Carver Center

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9beee1a6-9b5a-43c2-9d5e-17f50541a655
The Illinois Department of Aging is looking to honor adults 65 and older who have continued to serve their community.

The department is taking nominations for the categories of community service, education, performance and/or graphic arts and the labor force.

The four candidates chosen will be inducted into the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame, which was initiated by the General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate the achievements and contributions of residents 65 and older.

Community members can nominate someone through the department's website, ilaging.illinois.gov.

Submissions need to be completed by June 1.
We, the American public, need to be more fully aware of the evil Russia is perpetrating in the Central African Republic, an African nation slightly larger than Ukraine, upon which we are currently fixated. As Putin seeks to make Ukraine a vassal state of the Kremlin, Russian mercenaries have occupied and now control the CAR.

The mercenaries, the Putin-funded Wagner Group, support the Russian puppet, President Touadera; 5,000 patrol the streets of the capital, Bangui, and elsewhere across the country. They have taken over mining and timber; they export gold, diamonds, and lumber they sell to enrich themselves. And they are very brutal about all this, killing many in the name of quelling sectarian violence and stopping looting. (CAR, third poorest nation in the world, suffers widespread hunger and lawlessness.)

The Russians have seized control despite UN peacekeepers in CAR who protect a large camp of refugees from area conflicts, whose residents fear to go beyond the confines of the camp, afraid to be killed in tribal violence.

Corruption prevails in CAR among Russians and local elites, esp. the current government that Putin seeks to make permanent by forcing a change to term limits in the CAR constitution. Unlike China in Africa, Russia does not build bridges and other infrastructure. The Wagner Group is solely a protection racket that plunders and spouts anti-Western propaganda. It is achieving in CAR what Putin hopes to accomplish in Ukraine.

The American public needs to know whats going on in CAR.

Gary Heath

Davenport
A system moving through the Quad-City region late Tuesday into Wednesday could bring another chance of snow, but how much remains to be seen, Meteorologist Jim Hladik of the National Weather Service, Davenport, said Sunday.

Models show the bulk of it rolling to the south of us now, but its something we need to keep an eye on, Hladik said.

There is another system dropping out of the northern plains that could interact with that system and pull it closer to the Quad-Cities, he said. If it stays south of us we may not get that much snow.

As of Sunday night the chance of snow on Wednesday was 50% with accumulations of a half-inch or less.

The forecasts for Monday and Tuesday call for mostly cloudy skies and gray with highs in the middle 30s and overnight lows both days of about 27 degrees.

Wednesdays high is expected to reach 33 degrees with an overnight low of 25.

Colder air moves into the region Thursday, with the high reaching 30 and an overnight low of 17.

There is another chance of snow Friday with a high of about 37 degrees and an overnight low of 17.

The high for Saturday under mostly cloudy skies is expected to be about 30 degrees, while the high Sunday is expected to reach only the middle 20s.

The National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 60%-70% chance of colder-than-normal temperatures for the region from Jan. 30 through Feb. 5. The Climate Prediction Center also is forecasting a 33% to 40% chance of higher than normal precipitation.

Any precipitation Iowa gets will go toward alleviating the drought conditions that are plaguing most of the state. East Central Iowa, however, is out of the drought. Water conditions in Scott, Clinton, Jackson, Jones and Dubuque counties are all normal, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.

Much of the rest of Iowa, with the exception of the south-central portion of the state and the northeast corner, continues to suffer drought conditions.

In the Illinois Quad-City region, Rock Island, Mercer and Henderson counties are drought free, while most of Whiteside County is out of the drought. Abnormally dry conditions remain in Henry, Warren, and Knox counties, according to the drought monitor.

As for the system that moved through late Saturday, a total of 1.5 inches of snow fell Saturday at the Quad Cities International Airport, Moline, while 1.5 inches fell at the Davenport Municipal Airport.

For the month of January, 2.5 inches of snow has fallen at the Davenport Municipal Airport, while 1.8 inches of snow has fallen at the Quad Cities International Airport.

Last year, 9.6 inches of snow had fallen in Moline by this time in January, while 10.4 inches had fallen in Davenport.
Its come to this: Most of Illinois' sheriffs have said they will not enforce the new assault weapons law approved in Illinois.

The law, House Bill 5471, bans rapid-fire handguns and rifles, .50-caliber guns, attachments and limits cartridges to 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for pistols, according to the Associated Press. Those already owning these guns are required to register them by Jan. 1, 2024.

The law is somewhat in response to the July 4, 2022, Highland Park shooting, which killed seven people and injured 30 at a Fourth of July parade.

Rock Island County Sheriff Darren Hart and Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker sent out news releases, saying they believe the law is unconstitutional and that they oppose it. They are not alone. Some 90 out of 102 county sheriffs say they wont aggressively enforce the law. Many of the sheriffs released a letter proclaiming their intent to not enforce the new law, using similar words and phrases.

Booker said:  Neither myself nor my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we be arresting or housing law-abiding individuals that have been arrested solely with non-compliance of this act.

Hart stopped short of saying he wont enforce the law, which is a proper distinction to make. Illinois sheriffs have a First Amendment right to speak out about laws or whatever they choose. And they can coordinate that message to have a louder voice, as is clearly the case here.

But we think those sheriffs who have said they wont enforce the law have stepped across an ethical legal line. In Illinois, laws are made in the House and Senate, signed into law by the governor, tested in the courts and enforced by police and prosecutors. Everyone has a job to do and is expected to do it, whether they agree with every task or not.

Beyond the ethics, this sends a message to Illinois residents that they must adhere only to the laws they agree with. Laws are laws, whether we believe in them or not. We can change them through voting, lobbying or running for office. We can also challenge laws in court, which is whats happening with regard to House Bill 5471. (A judge granted a temporary restraining order Friday, barring the enforcement of the new law). But we must abide by the laws that exist.

This protest from sheriffs seems more about politics than anything else. Sheriffs and police chiefs have always had discretion on where to invest their energy, and theres seldom fanfare about those decisions. So why the big coordinated megaphone on assault weapons? Its political push back against a liberal legislature and governor. It's national political division, coming home to roost.

While we believe sheriffs should enforce laws, lawmakers could do better as well. Whatever happened to building a consensus before creating new laws? We realize the Democrats have a super majority in the Illinois House and Senate, but that doesnt mean those in opposition should be ignored.

Yes, sometimes the right thing to do must be done, regardless of opposition. But why not benefit from bringing people of varying political perspectives and experiences together to solve a problem?

Not everything needs to be a fight. Wed like to see lawmakers and law enforcers work together instead of facing off.

States with the biggest gun industries States with the biggest gun industries #50. Washington DC (tie) #50. Hawaii (tie) #49. Rhode Island #48. Delaware #47. New Jersey #46. Vermont #45. New York #44. North Dakota #43. Illinois #41. Alaska (tie) #41. Maine (tie) #40. Massachusetts #39. South Dakota #38. Nebraska #37. Wyoming #36. West Virginia #35. Connecticut #34. New Mexico #33. California #32. Montana #31. New Hampshire #30. Maryland #29. Mississippi #28. Idaho #27. Iowa #26. Utah #25. Louisiana #24. Arkansas #23. Nevada #21. Oregon (tie) #21. Washington (tie) #19. Oklahoma (tie) #19. Minnesota (tie) #18. Kansas #17. South Carolina #16. Kentucky #15. Wisconsin #14. Alabama #13. Missouri #12. Indiana #11. Michigan #10. Tennessee #9. Colorado #8. Georgia #7. Virginia #6. Ohio #5. North Carolina #4. Pennsylvania #3. Arizona #2. Florida #1. Texas
Four months after M&T Banks troubled conversion of accounts from Peoples United Bank  and nearly 400 complaints later  Connecticut Attorney General William Tong says he remains generally dissatisfied with the Buffalo-based bank.

Frankly, my frustration level remains high, Tong said in an interview with the Courant. Were working on this every single day, and, frankly, the bank continues to have issues.

Tong said he considers the 399 complaints filed with his office since Labor Day when the conversion took place a particularly large number. A portion of Tongs staff remains assigned to working with M&T to resolve customer problems, Tong said.

For an institution this big, with the resources that M&T has and for the issues to persist and not be resolved is not satisfactory and unacceptable, Tong said.

Of the 399 complaints received by Tongs office as of last week, all but 20 had been resolved, according to a Tong spokeswoman.

Tong did credit M&T with being responsive to working to resolve complaints coming into the attorney generals office on a case-by-case basis. But Tong said he remains concerned about such issues as customers having difficulty accessing accounts when they have power of attorney for an account holder or are a guardian or trustee.

Theyre not able to do that, Tong said. And thats not good. And then, now we are seeing a real uptick, which has been there all along, in people who find their money deposited into the wrong account.

M&T, which acquired Bridgeport-based Peoples United last spring for $8.3 billion, touched off an uproar after the Labor Day conversion among former Peoples United customers, some unable to access their funds. The troubles quickly garnered the attention of Tong and other elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and drew an apology from M&T and a pledge to waive account or reimburse late fees for customers who experienced disruptions.

By acquiring Bridgeport-based Peoples United Bank, M&T Bank became one of the largest lenders in Connecticut.

We have worked diligently to support any impacted customers and regain their trust, including waiving consumer checking and savings fees, and late fees for consumer and mortgage loan payments, an M&T spokesman said, in a statement. While losing even one customer is too many, we are confident in the strong retention rates of former Peoples United customers, and are focused on the future in Connecticut.

Tong said he has yet to meet with M&T chief executive Rene F. Jones, despite several requests. But M&T said the bank has had 23 meetings with the attorney generals office since the conversion. Those meetings, M&T said, included a team of executive leadership from M&T who met with the attorney generals senior staff, as recently as last month.

By the banks count, M&T said there were less than 10 customer service issues, as of Jan. 4, relayed by the attorney generals office. All complaints get a response within 10 days, as required by Tongs office, so none are past due, M&T said. In addition, M&T contends, complaint levels to the bank and to its regulators are at historically normal levels.

M&T did not disclose details on the extent of fees that were waived or reimbursed to inconvenienced customers.

M&T Bank says the number of complaints filed with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong represents less than 0.1% of its customer base in Connecticut.

M&T also said the number of complaints fielded by Tongs office are miniscule  less than 0.1% of all M&T customers in Connecticut following the merger.

Keeping a close eye on them

Among customers, who experienced disruptions in the conversion, there appeared this week to be some moderation in their upset.

It was exasperating, Paul Altieri, a longtime Peoples United customer in New Britain. said, recalling the disruption after Labor Day. It was difficult and, you know, I figured it was going to be a problem, but I was willing to give them time to get this straightened out.

It took a week but Altieri said he was able to get access to his savings and checking accounts. Those accounts remain at M&T, though Altieri said he was tempted to close them and is still in a wait-and-see period to determine if he will remain a long-term customer.

However, Altieris problems with a third account ran deeper, one that was tied to his role as executor for his deceased brothers estate. He couldnt get online access and the only way he could get a sense of activity in the account was if he went to a branch and got a print out. The problem with that was, the print out would be out of date the next day, Altieri said.

The account was there, I just couldnt get access to it, Altieri said. I had no idea what was clearing, what was coming in, what was going out. I couldnt tell unless I physically went to the bank to find out.

Altieri said he gave M&T a month to fix the problem, but he ultimately moved the account to another bank.

The whole thing was crazy, and it should not be like that, Altieri said. I gave it a whole month, and they still werent able to do it. And thats a real problem.

In Glastonbury, Donald Kray has been a depositor at Peoples United and a string of predecessor banks for decades.

The conversion created a couple of headaches for Kray, a retired Aetna employee who worked in the insurers IT operations. The largest problem was the trouble M&T had connecting Krays Quicken software on his desktop computer directly with the other banks where Kray has business.

Kray said he talked with one M&T employee in Buffalo about the issue. As a result of multiple conversations that also drew on Krays background in IT, the bank was able to solve the problem.

Kray praises those efforts  hed even go so far as to call the employee a friend now  but overall, Kray says, the execution of the conversion was poorly handled. At Aetna, Kray said the insurer took over claim payments from other companies.

And it wasnt easy, Kray said. Those were more like unique activities. This should not have been  bigger banks take over smaller banks all the time.

Kray said he is staying with M&T, but he will continue daily online monitoring of his accounts, something he routinely did even before the M&T takeover.

I will be keeping a close eye on them, Kray said.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
Will fish and wildlife issues again be some of the most hotly debated issues of this session, or will the 68th Legislature be marked by more consensus-building and agreement for a state known for its natural resources and wildlife?

The answer will play out over the next few months as lawmakers bring legislation to shape the future of wildlife, habitat, recreation and funding. It may be early, but some legislators and advocates say this session could be quieter compared to the last with efforts to build coalitions around more supported issues. Others are remaining vigilant, cautioning that legislation with the potential to divide hunters, anglers and conservationists could come at any time.

I think its still early so Im sure well see lots more bills come in  but I think youll see a more coalition-based approach as a caucus when it comes to everything wildlife, conservation issues, Kyle Schmauch, the Senate GOP communications director, said in an interview. A lot of the different wildlife and conservation groups (are) trying to work together to turn the temperature down on some of these topics and try to find a bit more agreement and consensus.

'A bit more subdued'

Many of the bills have come at the request of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as the administration enters its second session and has had more time to look at what is and isnt working, Schmauch said, and the Republican caucus has an interest in looking at strengthening current programs such as Block Management.

Pointing to wildlife laws that came out of last session, Schmauch expects fewer bills on controversial topics such as predator management.

Last session there was a lot of different stuff that happened especially on predator management, where people who wanted to make some changes for a long time made those changes last session, he said. A lot of those were implemented, some were tweaked through rule, there are still some outstanding lawsuits on pieces of it, but because there was so much that happened in that space last session, there isnt as much coming this session.

Sen. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls, was among the lawmakers who brought bills aimed at reducing Montanas population of wolves in 2021, that along with subsequent hunting and trapping season, drew passionate debate and national media attention.

Brown said in an interview the first week of the session that he did not have plans to bring more legislation on wolves. Generally fish and wildlife issues might be a bit more subdued than 2021, he said.

I feel like we pushed last session and Id like to see that management play out, he said.

House Speaker Matt Regier, a Republican from Kalispell, said Gov. Greg Gianfortes Red Tape Relief project aimed at trimming regulations deemed excessive by the administration has taken up a lot of the time and work of bill drafters early in the session, adding that the package contains 159 bills. Regier expects more legislation later in the 90-day term on fish and wildlife issues.

There's a lot of details that are still forthcoming and it's slow on legislators getting their priorities drafted and the details filled, he said. I know Fish, Wildlife & Parks is usually always a hot topic. As an avid outdoorsman myself, it's always a committee I like watching. I haven't seen the details, but I know there will be hot topics.

Potential turbulence

Sen. Brad Molnar, R-Laurel, has been one of the most outspoken members of his caucus, and expects to bring bills that could again draw significant attention and debate.

One bill would change the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission from a governor-appointed body to an elected one. The proposal comes out of Molnars frustration with the makeup of the commission and a desire to see a more moderate body seated.

The governor appears to choose commissioners based on outcome and it appears with this commission it is political donations and former members of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, he said. How does that represent Montanans? It represents nonresidents that use outfitters.

Molnar will also bring back a bill, with a few changes, that would mandate the allowance of crossbows during archery season for hunters with disabilities. The subject has long been contentious as bowhunting advocates have pushed back due to concerns over impacts to Montanas long archery season. They also point to adaptive devices that aid hunters with disabilities with using archery equipment in defense of opposing crossbows.

But Molnar is adamant that the policy is discriminatory and that a blanket prohibition violates federal law. Only about 80 current hunters out of 58,000 archery hunters would be impacted, he said, and some feel unsafe or require assistance to operate the assistant devices.

Molnar did not mince words when asked about his level of frustration after pushing in the Legislature, wildlife commission and in a federal lawsuit for crossbows, saying he has lost respect for many who have opposed similar efforts in the past.

Minority priorities

For Democrats, advancing bills with a supermajority of Republicans could prove a difficult lift, but Democratic bills in both houses could look to advance priorities or offer a check on legislation passed in 2021.

Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers of Belgrade, a former FWP employee who sits on the Senate Fish and Game Committee, highlighted the importance of access issues and habitat funding, but said it was early to see what he or other Democrats could bring in terms of legislation.

Were interested in ensuring opportunities for resident sportsmen and women, thats our highest priority, he said.

In the House, Rep. Tom France, D-Missoula, sits as vice chair of the House Fish, Wildlife & Parks Committee, and echoed Flowers. He touted an effort to create a $200 million conservation legacy trust that has also seen support from Republican Sen. Jeff Welborn of Dillion, although legislation has not yet been drafted.

Were still figuring out our priorities, but its making sure we advance access to rivers, streams, public lands and preserve habitat in Montana, he said.

France expects to carry a bill that would aim to repeal funding for the prison pheasant rearing and release program. The program falls under the umbrella of recruiting and retaining hunters, and particularly young hunters, but critics have raised concerns about ethics and the programs $1 million price tag.

The concern is FWP taking sportsmens dollars and putting that into the Department of Corrections budget, France said. We would like to see that money go into habitat.

Fellow Missoula Democrat Rep. Marilyn Marler is carrying a number of bills aiming to reform FWP programs or reporting. Citing concerns about reports of crowding and high numbers of nonresident hunters, one bill draft would require reporting on annual sales of all nonresident licenses.

Its about transparency, she said. I think the people want to know.

Marler also requested a bill looking at how elk numbers are accounted for in the states elk management plan, and is co-sponsoring bipartisan House Bill 243 with Rep. Neil Duram, R-Eureka, to require an in-person field day for hunter education. She is hopeful this session could be more tempered on fish and wildlife issues.

Just after all the kerfuffle well call it from last session, hopefully some people got the memo that these issues cant be one-sided, she said. So Im cautiously optimistic and Im willing to work across the aisle.

Rep. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, will continue efforts dating back to her time in the Senate to curb the influence of technology in hunting and efforts to monetize. Her bill this session would outlaw the sale of images, video or location data from trail cameras on public lands. She brought a similar effort in a previous session but ultimately passed legislation limiting the use of location data from animals collared by state officials for hunting.

Especially with trail cameras and what were seeing in other states starting to pull back, were going to continue to educate legislators on those issues, she said. This is where I think the Legislature can make a difference and where we can use the publics oversite authority.

Cohenour limited the bill to public lands, she said, due to concerns about issues with property rights with images from private lands.

Cohenour will also bring back a bill that stalled in the last session that would allow the stripping of hunting licenses for someone convicted of trespassing to collect antlers.

'More productive dialogue'

Hunting and outfitting groups echoed more efforts to work together in the lead-up to and during the session. The Montana Outfitters and Guides Association recently hosted an event to discuss elk management in the state, which featured involvement from a variety of Montanans with traditionally different viewpoints.

The objective is to set a tone for the conversation on policy, said Mac Minard with MOGA. Were absolutely working to get a more conversational tone, a more productive dialogue going.

Minards organization is not pushing a large agenda this session, he said, but will look to support other people and good legislative efforts.

Kevin Farron with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers agreed there has been more willingness to work together on issues before differences spill out into committee meetings, but his organization still has concerns about legislation that could come later in the session.

So far what weve seen is were at the sunshine-and-rainbows point of the session, department bills and bills that are noncontroversial, but of course thats all going to change pretty quickly, he said.

Farron remains concerned for bills that he believes could make it more difficult to see conservation on the ground, namely changes to funding or parameters to the Habitat Montana program. The program uses a portion of hunting license sales to fund FWPs purchase of property, conservation easements, and more recently, termed conservation leases. Changes have introduced uncertainty in the program that could make landowners weary, and he believes could put its viability in question.

Farron also has concerns that bills could put into question equitable opportunities for Montanans through measures such as reforms to nonresident hunting license allocation. Potential bills that could also erode the authority for FWP or the commission could also draw opposition, he said.

After last session, a number of advocacy groups and lawmakers joined in an effort known as the Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition, with a goal of vetting and advancing ideas on elk, hunting and access. The coalition will host an Elk Camp event on Jan. 24, featuring speakers and information about becoming involved with the legislative process.

The invitation to elk camp includes some pointed language, stating No persons hunting opportunity is safe when the Legislature is in session. Marcus Strange with the Montana Wildlife Federation, which is part of the coalition, said every session has the potential for great good or great harm.

Hunters and anglers have learned to stay vigilant for attacks on Fish Wildlife and Parks management authority and our habitat and access programs, he said. However, this doesn't need to be a zero-sum game. The Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition has been working together with outfitters and landowners to identify and advance collaborative policies to improve the status-quo. Our goal this session is to advance the most collaborative measures and push back on policy ideas that create unnecessary conflict or competition over the public's land and wildlife resources.

Clayton Elliot with Montana Trout Unlimited said he expects to spend more time on the budget side than the policy side this session. That includes advocating for program funding and against diverting funds, as well as addressing maintenance backlogs. He was pleased to see solid program funding for FWPs nongame program in the governors budget, which funds management for many species that rely on riparian habitat.

I thought the governors budget was responsible and makes some really smart investments, so well see how that shakes out, he said.

Early policy

A few bills so far have generated debate, not necessarily for what the legislation does, but for what some advocates feel was left out.

Earlier in the session, wolf advocates testified against an FWP bill carried by Brown, Senate Bill 84, that sought to add drones to legal prohibitions about using aircraft to hunt. Because of how wolves are classified, they were not captured in the bill, but Brown said the absence of wolves had not crossed his mind when the agency asked him to carry the bill.

Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, also brought Senate Bill 85 recently stating that should grizzly bears be delisted from the Endangered Species Act, they be managed at population levels necessary to keep them from returning to the list. That bill also saw opposition as some wildlife advocates testified the bill did not emphasize the use of nonlethal measures nor ensure work on connectivity between populations; Lang has said those provisions are part of FWPs management plan. The bill was amended to include mention of nonlethal and preventative measures before passing committee.

Nick Gevock with the Endangered Species Coalition was among those who testified in opposition to both bills. He believes the bills, coupled with the bills from last session, show a pattern by legislators to manage large predators down to minimum levels.

Their push to kill more wolves is imperiling all of Montanas wildlife and undermining fair chase and sound management, he said. They very much want to delist grizzly bears. Why would we want to do that based on how theyve directed management of wolves?

Both bills also saw support from a number of conservation and livestock groups as well as FWP.
Longtime restaurant owner, Yellowstone County commissioner, and all-around decent man, James Ziggy Ziegler, died of cancer Thursday at age 89.

He died on the 66th anniversary of his wedding to Stella, whom he married when she was 17.

He took me to my senior prom and that was it, weve been together ever since, Stella said Friday morning. He was quite a guy.

Together Ziegler and Stella had six kids, ran a KOA campground, a bakery and then a restaurant in downtown Billings that still serves homemade dishes and the best cinnamon rolls ever created.

Ziegler served 12 years as a Yellowstone County commissioner beginning in 1990, and before that four years as county auditor.

But it may have been his prison ministry that, aside from family, is his greatest legacy.

Ziegler developed a soft spot for prisoners as an antidote to the anger he felt after his father was murdered by two armed robbers in 1973. To get over his hurt, a friend suggested he visit the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge as part of the Catholic Churchs Cursillo prison ministry, talking to prisoners from a victims perspective.

In time, his heart softened as he made the monthly 500-mile roundtrip from Billings to Deer Lodge.

For 40 years, he made that trip. It was just who he was, said Stella.

It was during one of these prison trips that he met Barry Beach, who had been sentenced to 100 years for the murder of a teenage girl. Beach maintained his innocence, and Ziegler believed him. Ziegler was among many who advocated for Beachs release.

And, it was Zieglers vow to support and employ Beach that helped convince a judge to set him free in 2011 after serving 28 years.

I lived with the Zieglers in their house for eight months after I got out of prison, Beach said Friday. It was based on Ziggys word that the judge agreed to release me. It wouldnt have happened without people like him believing me.

Beach is now a successful handyman in Billings.

Ziggy was a wonderful man who put his faith into action. He didnt just talk about his faith, he lived it, Beach said. Im so thankful for my years of friendship with the Zieglers.

Over the years, Ziggy and Stella employed hundreds of ex-cons at their restaurant. Ziggy said of the parolees in 2010, If nobody gives them a chance, whats going to happen to them?

It was that experience with inmates that informed his time on the board of directors for Alternatives Inc., a prison pre-release center in Billings. It was there he advocated for options besides jail for lesser offenders.

As children, Ziggy and Stella Marapese went to the same grammar school in California. Stella was in the third grade and Ziggy the eighth. Their families went to the same parish and their parents were friends. But, it wasnt until Ziggy returned home from the Korean War that he finally noticed how special Stella really was.

I grew up while he was away, Stella recalled.

When she needed a date to her senior prom, she called Ziggy.

He said he would take me, and that was the beginning, she said on their 60th anniversary.

The couple worked together in the campgrounds, the bakery, and the restaurant for 50 years, something many marriages dont survive.

We just found a way to do it. It could be difficult, but we talked about what needed to be done and he took care of his part and I took care of mine, Stella said.

Jacque Ziegler is the youngest of the six children in the family. Although shes been married, shes kept her family name out of a sense of pride and loyalty.

Ill be a Ziegler until the day I die, she said Friday.

Although her father was very busy with his ministry, the restaurant and his government work, he was never absent, she said. When he and Stella took the rare vacation, they took all the kids with them.

He and mom always made sure the family was first, she said. He would rather be with his family than anything else he did.

Jacque worked with her parents at the restaurant, and came to share their fondness and appreciation for the numerous ex-cons who got to restart their lives there.

She was never nervous about sharing a shift with someone who had a spotted past.

I saw how mom and dad treated them, like friends, and that was enough for me, she said.

Steve Wahrlich, owner of the Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn downtown, purchased Stellas Kitchen & Bakery from the couple in 2019. The trio had been friends for years. It was Wahrlich who persuaded the Zieglers to move their restaurant in 2005 to its current location next door to the motel, renting the space from him.

I had the privilege of having an 18-year business and friend relationship with Ziggy, Wahrlich said Friday. A true gentleman who brought out the best in people. We've truly lost one of Billings greats today.

Current County Commissioner John Ostlund ran against Zeigler in 2002, beating him to take his seat. But, even after the election, the two remained friends.

Ziggy was committed as an auditor for the county. He was committed as a commissioner. He was committed as a Christian, Ostlund said. He never missed an opportunity to help someone.
Richmond-based Estes Express Lines is passing its leadership baton from father to son, with Webb Estes, the great-grandson of founder W.W. Estes, now taking over as company president. The trucking and logistics company is ready to say goodbye to some of the biggest challenges it faced during the height of the pandemic and forge into the future under his leadership.

The company that began with one truck in 1931 is now doing over $5 billion in revenue across all 50 states plus parts of Mexico and Canada. Its a major player in the less-than-truckload, or LTL, space where shipments are too big for carriers, such as FedEx or UPS, but too small for full truckloads.

The company announced this month that Webb Estes would become its president as his father, Robey W. Rob Estes Jr., 70, steps down from the position. The elder Estes, who became president in 1990, will remain chairman of the companys board to help guide the transition.

Webb Estes, 39, has already been running the companys LTL operations, which account for 85% of its revenue. He has been the vice president for process improvement for nine of his 15 years with the company. Before that, he managed a shipping terminal in Pittsburgh, and his first job in the business was as a truck driver.

His duties have continued to grow, with the human resources and information technology teams also reporting to him. Nearly 86% of Estes employees fall under his umbrella.

This change reflects a lot of what Webb [Estes] has been doing over the past couple of years, Rob Estes said. Through the years, he has done many jobs throughout the company. Everything he has done he has excelled at.

Rob Estes will also retain the title of chief executive officer while continuing to oversee 15% of the company.

My dad continues to drive other divisions of the company, continuing to give me lots of guidance and wisdom, Webb Estes said. My dad has huge shoes, and its going to be hard to come close to filling them, and Im happy that hes sticking around.

Growth from regional to national

Estes began its gradual rise in the 1980s and 90s during a period of deregulation in the logistics industry that allowed more players to enter the national market.

In 1975, the company had fewer than 1,000 employees and around $12 million in revenue  about $68 million in todays dollars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics  with operations primarily in Virginia and North Carolina and some in South Carolina. Today, it has over 22,000 people and around 73 times the revenue.

Rob Estes is credited with an acquisition that took the company west of the Mississippi River for the first time in its history. The purchase of Los Angeles-based G.I. Trucking in 2005 expanded the companys service to 46 states after the companies 10-year collaboration in LTL carrying. The two companies are still separated legally as eastern and western entities.

The family initially saw that move as somewhat of a risk, with Rob Estes having been told by his father, former Estes President Robey Estes Sr., never to stretch the company farther west than the Mississippi.

[Rob Jr.] is definitely the most optimistic person I know. He always believed there was something exciting around and that we could make it work, Webb Estes said. That entrepreneurial belief that we were going to succeed was so paramount to the success weve had.

Rob Estes said his 32-year stint as president was made better by the continuity of the leaders around him, having worked with two vice presidents of operations and three vice presidents in pricing. Some of that stability in leadership is set to remain with Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Billy Hupp, an Estes cousin, transitioning to vice president of the board and corporate executive vice president.

Webb [Estes] inherits a team that is a little bit older than him but one that doesnt have a ton of folks that are on the verge of retirement, Rob Estes said.

Focusing on people, technology

Estes has emerged from the earlier challenges of the pandemic in a strong position, having adapted to industry stressors that hit when supply lines were strained.

One area that the company improved during the pandemic was a focus on its drivers.

The great resignation happened these past few years, and retention has been a key element, Webb Estes said. Trucking, generally speaking, has had a high turnover; drivers either leave the industry or have an accident.

Webb Estes said the company reorganized in a way that allows 95% of its drivers to be home every night. He added that industrywide turnover can be above 80%, but that Estes has numbers from 12% to 17%.

Estes increased its base of operations in 2022 by establishing 10 new facilities in places that it hadnt been serving, like Cheyenne, Wyoming. The company is also modernizing and continuing to add facilities, like its soon-to-open 100-door terminal at 2601 Swineford Ave. in Chesterfield County. That 44,000-square-foot centralized hub adds 33% more loading capacity than the company has at its current space at 1200 Commerce Road, in Richmond. The new hub also provides the ability to do pickup and delivery shipping more efficiently.

Technology is a big play for the company moving forward. Before the pandemic, many of its deliveries would go to retail stores or box retailers, but now the its moving more toward home deliveries, for large items, such as grills, patio furniture or exercise equipment. It can now track shipments by the block.

There was a psychological shift in American buying where more of our deliveries are going to a residence, Rob Estes said. Similar to how people are used to tracking their Uber Eats deliveries, theres a lot of technology that goes along with that.

Other parts of the business have also grown. Estes offers dedicated drivers and trucks for local Fortune 500 companies and other clients and has warehousing and what it calls last-mile delivery that brings a package from a warehouse to a customers doorstep.

Those sections of the business grew consistently in 2021 and 2022 but still account for the same 15% of Estes revenue, due to simultaneous growth in LTL shipping.

Supply chain has never been talked about as much as it has in these past few years, Webb Estes said. Companies are starting to ask questions of who they can depend on to make sure their product is ready to go to market at the right time.

Photos: Mass shooting at Lunar New Year celebration in California
One small step at a time. That was the mantra at the Virginia Cannabis Conference & Lobby Day, which runs through Monday in downtown Richmond.

The event was a testament to the breadth to which cannabis, also known as marijuana, has become a cultural and economic issue in the state since the plant was largely legalized in July 2020  and to the frustratingly slow progress made on some key issues since then.

Attendees included clinicians, lobbyists, researchers, marketers and legislators. Many came to get up to speed on the rules regulating marijuana in Virginia, which have developed, albeit with frustrating slowness for those in the industry.

And those rules are still mind-bogglingly complex.

For example, the growing and possession of marijuana is legal in the state, but its sale as a flower is not.

The sale of intoxicating cannabinoid alternatives, derived from hemp, is legal however, and these are mostly unregulated by the State. Meanwhile, medical dispensaries are allowed to sell cannabis, but only types of bags and with certain warning labels, some of which are so long they dont realistically fit on their packaging.

These are questions we still continue to grapple with at the level of the legislature, said Hunter Jameson, a lawyer and lobbyist who spoke Sunday.

The conference was hosted by Virginia NORML, the state arm of the national marijuana advocacy organization.

The complexity isnt just a headache, said JM Pedini, NORML development director and Virginia NORML executive director. When the General Assembly legalized possession, it didnt legalize regulated access. That means its still illegal to sell marijuana in Virginia.

Filling the void in the recreational market have been illicit dealers. Data from Leafly, a marijuana distribution and education company, recently estimated the illicit marijuana market to be worth $1.8 billion.

1.8 billion dollars is not your friend who sells weed, said Pedini, who has been vocally critical of the legislature. Pedini has lobbied it to do more to open up the business to distributors who will be good stewards of their product.

We have a legislative body that purports to care about patient safety, Pedini said. Instead, we just put our heads in the sand, and were encouraging the illicit market.

One example: Synthetic marijuana derived from the CBD found in hemp isnt illegal, and unregulated versions of it can be found in mom-and-pop stores across the commonwealth.

Its a gray area, said Michelle Peace, a toxicologist with Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Department of Forensic Science.

The event was also attended by local marijuana entrepreneurs. Milton and Jennifer Ares operate RVA Cannabis Company, a CBD dispensary in Chesterfield County.

The two started the venture in September 2020, just months after legalization. Their best-selling product is a topical pain oil, which uses CBD as an active component.

CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that doesnt have the same psychotropic effects as THC.

Most of their clients are over the age of 40, said Milton Ares, and return excited about finding a new way to treat their pain.

It just really shows the therapeutic value of cannabis, Milton said.

The issue of pain management is central to the marijuana debate, which some view as a viable alternative to strong drugs like opioids.

But the debate is stunted by bad data. Federally, marijuana is still a Schedule I drug, even though numerous states have legalized or decriminalized it.

The federal ban makes it difficult for researchers to study marijuana as a viable alternative to powerful pain management drugs or even commonly prescribed antidepressants.

The medical infrastructure just doesnt support the patient when they want to move to a plant-based product, said Del. Dawn Adams, D-Richmond, who is also a nurse practitioner. This is why its so important to reschedule this.

In Virginia, the legislature has been slow to move since making big initial moves toward legalization under past Democratic administrations.

However, the legislature has several bills on its upcoming docket that would significantly reshape the industry.

On Sunday, speakers at the conference sounded the alarm on how some of those bills would hurt minority and small-business owners. Nationwide, equitable access to the marijuana economy has been a key component for racial justice advocates, who note that minorities have disproportionately borne the brunt of criminalization for decades.

Speaking after a panel on social equity, Paul McLean, founder of the Virginia Minority Cannabis Coalition, was critical of a bill proposed by Del. Keith Hodges, R-Middlesex.

McLean said Hodges bill literally took out every mention of the word equity.

Yeah, Im worried about that bill, McLean said. Its not just bad for minorities; it would be bad for small businesses. It would pave the way for big companies, like Altria, even Anheuser-Busch, to come in and dominate the Virginia market.
A top Democratic priority for the 2023 General Assembly, a tax credit for lower-income families, died in the GOP-led House of Delegates tax credits subcommittee Monday on a party-line vote.

The bill, sponsored by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, said the states $300 income tax credit for households with income at or below the federal poverty line  $18,310 for a couple, $27,750 for a family of four  should be fully refundable.

Until last year, the credit could only be used to offset taxes owed. Since many of those taxpayers owed less than $300, they could not get the full benefit of that amount.

Last year, the General Assembly approved writing those taxpayers a check for a portion of the difference between the $300 and the amount credited against the sum taxpayers owned.

Price said the measure would help 33,000 families just in her Newport News and Hampton district pay their bills.

It will trickle down to benefit companies and higher-income families, she said, reversing a common Republican argument for tax cuts: that the money wealthier Americans save will trickle down to affect the entire economy.

But Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, after praising Price for her effort, asked that the bill be laid on the table, which means Price could try to resurrect it but, as a practical matter, puts her proposal on ice.

We made a lot of progress on this last year, and this year were doing major work on taxes, Ware said, including a proposal to increase the standard deduction, which should have a big impact on low- and moderate-income family budgets.

But we cant do everything every year, he said.

The subcommittee approved Wares motion on a 5-3, party-line vote.

The panel killed a measure that would create a tax credit for newspaper publishers to encourage hiring journalists to cover local news and another that would have extended a tax deduction for teachers who buy school supplies for their classrooms to teachers in state colleges and universities.
A bill prohibiting state agencies from contracting with some Chinese-affiliated companies passed a House of Delegates committee on a party-line vote on Monday, even though the panel never discussed the principal goal of the legislation.

Instead, the House Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation talked solely about provisions of House Bill 2385 that would codify an executive order that Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed last month to prohibit TikTok, WeChat and other social media applications affiliated with the government of the Peoples Republic of China from being downloaded on state-owned telecommunications devices or networks.

We have seen in the past that the Chinese government has used devices or applications, such as TikTok and WeChat, to infiltrate national security interests across the country and in other countries as well, said Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk, the bills sponsor and the committees chair. It is imperative that we protect the security of the commonwealth.

Brewer  in her introduction of the legislation after Vice Chair James Edmunds, R-Halifax, took over control of the meeting  did not mention the provisions of the bill that would prohibit state contracts with companies scrutinized by the Committee for Foreign Investment in the United States for potential national security concerns. Those provisions remained in a substitute version of the bill that the committee passed on an 11-10 vote along political party lines, but they were not discussed.

China has become a dominant political target for Virginia Republicans, led by Youngkin, who banned the social media applications in state government days before he abruptly withdrew the state from competing for a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery factory proposed by Ford Motor Co. in partnership with a Chinese company that owns the patented technology for the lithium ion batteries.

Ford was considering a megasite in Pittsylvania County  the largest such site in Virginia  for the project, but the company said last week that it had not yet made a final decision when the governor pulled Virginia out of the running.

In his speech to legislators on the first day of the General Assembly session, Youngkin defended his decision to ban TikTok and WeChat on state communications devices and networks, and warned of the ever-growing threat that the Chinese Communist Party poses to our national security, our privacy and our way of life in Virginia.

Ive said before that I want Made in America to mean Made in Virginia, he said. But let me be clear, Made in Virginia cannot be a front for the Chinese Communist Party.

Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, suggested that Youngkins motive in banning Chinese social media apps from state devices and networks was less about state policy than his response to similar moves by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential rival for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

This is not a good subject for legislating. This is not something that ought to go into the code, Simon said. I understand the desire to score some political points and join the big red menace that comes from China as a political movement.

Youngkins executive ban on TikTok and other Chinese-owned applications drew support from a prominent Virginia DemocratU.S. Sen. Mark Warner, chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

TikTok has the stamp of approval of the Chinese Communist Party and it poses a serious national security threat due to its data collection practices and its ability to reach and manipulate Americans, said Warner, a former Virginia governor.

Simon and other Democrats questioned whether it was necessary or wise to put the executive ban into state code, as Brewer proposed; name specific countries; or limit the prohibition to China instead of including foreign adversaries such as Russia, Iran and Cuba.

But no one discussed the bills provisions to prohibit a scrutinized company from receiving state government contracts or even bidding on them. The bill would allow civil penalties of $250,000 or twice the value of the contract for any company that submits false information in certifying that it is not a company scrutinized by the federal committee.

Brewer said later in an interview that she had intended to return to the provisions, but the committee and debate went in a different direction.

The flow kind of went off the road, she said.

How gas prices have changed in Virginia in the last week How gas prices have changed in Virginia in the last week
The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Democrats, on Monday advanced bills to crack down on the sales of ghost guns (which are gun parts with no serial numbers), set new requirements for weapon storage in homes with children, and to ban the sale of assault-style weapons beginning in July.

A bill to ban the sale of assault-style weapons by Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, was folded into Senate Bill 1382 by Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath. Deeds was one of four Democrats to halt a similar measure in committee three years ago. The panel backed the bill on a 9-6, party-line vote and referred it to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Assault-style firearms, like AR-15s, have semiautomatic firing capabilities. Three years ago, Deeds expressed concern that the classification could be applied to more guns than intended. The 2023 legislation now outlines that the classification does not apply to antique guns, bolt-operated guns and guns manufactured before July 1, 2023  when the law would take effect.

At a recent news conference about gun legislation, Deeds said he believes his bill is going to be very hard to vote against.

The Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights group, says the U.S. Supreme Court has held that any firearm in common use is protected by the Second Amendment. The VCDL asserts that the guns and magazines that are subject to the bill are in common use in the U.S.

With Democrats largely supporting gun restrictions and in control of the Senate, bills like Deeds are likely to clear that legislative chamber but could be defeated in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, who is carrying Senate Bill 1139, the storage bill, said at a recent news conference: This bill would not only stop tragedies like we saw in Newport News, where an elementary school student allegedly shot a teacher, it would prevent other tragedies including gun accidents, youth suicides and (other) school shootings.

But some members of the public who spoke during the committee disagree that the legislation could protect people. They argued that their children while home alone could use access to guns to defend themselves.

One woman, Vic Nichols, told legislators the problem [with gun violence] is the people, not the guns.

It wasnt all Democrats with gun bills on Monday. Some Republican senators had legislation, too.

The panel voted 9-6 to defeat a bill from Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, to repeal localities ability to restrict the public carrying of weapons in such places as public parks and community centers. Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, has a similar bill, but the committee put off considering her legislation because she was absent due to COVID-19.

Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, noted how the 2020 law helped the city of Charlottesville enact a local ordinance. Charlottesville was the location of the deadly Unite the Right rally in 2017. In following years, people carrying firearms had patrolled public parks at night.

Proponents of repealing the law say it is confusing to have a patchwork of localities across Virginia with different local ordinances on the matter.

Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, had a bill that would make a person guilty of a separate felony if they carry firearms that are hidden from common observation while committing or attempting to commit other felonies. The committee voted it down, 9-6, as well.

While the panel referred a number of the Democratic bills to other committees for future consideration, it sent a proposed update to Virginias red flag law to the full Senate for a future vote.

A red flag law is a colloquial term for substantial risk orders. These orders allow law enforcement and prosecutors to petition courts to temporarily prohibit possession, purchase or transportation of firearms from people who have been deemed at risk to themselves or others.

Surovells Senate Bill 1067 would add factors for a judge to consider when issuing a substantial risk order such as any arrests or law violations in the six months leading up to the filing of the petition.

Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said his organization strongly opposes the law.

This is the first in an unending litany of ornaments that will be hung on the Red Flag tree, making it easier and easier to take away someones gun without due process, Van Cleave said.

Van Cleave, who spoke in opposition to several bills, also noted how last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a gun lobby group to strike down a New York state law that required people to provide proper cause to carry a firearm in public.

Meanwhile, a new law that emerged as a result is currently facing legal challenge. It also contains restrictions for firearms in public and private places. This month, the Supreme Court allowed New York to continue enforcing the law, for now.

VCDL was the organization that organized a gun rights rally three years ago on Capitol Square and in the surrounding area to protest then-Gov. Ralph Northams gun control measures. The rally garnered national attention and attracted more than 20,000 people. Some attendees were members of militias and far-right groups.

Legislators latest gun-related bills come amid a spate of gun violence and mass shootings around Virginia and the nation. Should bills not pass this legislative session, the topic will remain prominent in upcoming elections, as all members of the Senate and House are up for elections this year.
Citizens threaten to boycott Cancun taxi drivers after ongoing Uber aggression

Cancun, Q.R.  Several more taxi drivers from the Andres Quintana Roo Union were arrested in the hotel zone over the weekend for assaulting another Uber driver. The Municipal Department of Public Safety and Transit arrested five people on Kukulcan Boulevard for their alleged participation in an altercation resulting in the disturbance of public order.

Those arrested included four Cancun taxi drivers and one female Uber driver identified as Juan Carlos N, Yukio Alfredo N, Arsenio N, Eyner N and Luz Elena N. Their vehicles were also seized from the public roadway.

Jose Pablo Mathey Cruz, the Secretary of Public Security, said they will continue to ensure public order and that on the issue of transportation, they will arrest those who attack other citizens and they will be brought before the Civic Judge.

He also said that they will request the Mobility Institute of the State of Quintana Roo (Imoveqroo) cancel transportation concessions to those who commit assaults against other drivers.

Another group of Cancun taxi drivers were arrested after again, intercepting an Uber driver in the Cancun Hotel Zone. The arrests were made after a citizen report of a chase. Police received the report Sunday afternoon.

The taxi drivers were reportedly chasing an Uber that had left the Cancun airport. In this latest incident, four Cancun taxi drivers and one Uber driver were detained, however, Agueda Esperilla, an Uber partner, said the arrests are pointless since the taxi drivers are immediately released.

Last week, Cancun taxi drivers intercepted two families of tourists. One was a family from Russia who was chased in their Uber from a shopping mall. The second was a national Mexican family of tourists who were intercepted outside their hotel while waiting for an Uber.

In both instances, the Cancun taxi drivers demanded the tourists ride with them.

On Sunday, groups of citizens took to various social media platforms encouraging people to boycott the use of Cancun taxis due to their ongoing aggression against other drivers.

In October of 2022, Cancun taxi drivers were accused of intimidating city bus drivers with threats to stop offering their services after 10:00 p.m. so locals would be forced to hire them instead of using less expensive city public transport. In that particular case, the city stepped in.
Days old humpback whales dies stranded off Acapulco beach

Acapulco, Guerrero  A newborn humpback whale died off an Acapulco beach after becoming stranded. The young calf was found without any physical injuries. Environmental authorities responding to concerned citizen requests located the humpback with a protruding umbilical cord.

With this, personnel from the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) who attended to the whale determined it was only a few days old.

The 4.5 meter long calf was found on Playa Larga. Profepa reported that it was buried in a strategic area to avoid health risks.

In Mexico, humpback whales are listed in the Official Mexican Standard as subject to special protection. In the middle of the last century, they were commercially exploited until almost extinct, according to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
Press Release

January 23, 2023 Poe to telcos: Speed up registration of remaining 146M SIMs Sen. Grace Poe implored telecommunications companies to pick up pace in facilitating the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration of mobile users, with 146 million SIMs still unregistered three months away from deadline. Poe issued the call after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reported that as of Jan. 18, 2023, a total of 22,298,020 SIMs have been successfully registered. The number represents 13.2 percent of the total 168 million active SIMs as of September 2022, the NTC said. "Given this figure, are the telcos on track with its target schedule and number of registrants?" Poe, author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act, said. "There should be no room for laxity. Telcos should act as if they are always racing against time because the number of subscribers that must sign up is enormous," she added. The law provides for a 180-day registration period for SIM cards, which began on Dec. 27, 2022. The Department of Information and Communications Technology said subscribers have until April to register their SIM. The registration may be extended for a period not exceeding 120 days. SIM cards that are not registered in the given period will be deactivated. With 22 million already registered, Poe said at least 146 million SIMs are not yet enlisted. This means telcos need to register around 48 million subscribers a month in the remaining three months or about 1.6 million per day. "We trust that telcos have measures in place to register their subscribers. But given the enormity of the task, they should have something over and above the ordinary to ensure their goals are met," Poe said. The senator urged telcos to guarantee that avenues in the registration process are available for mobile phone users living in geographically isolated communities, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant and minors. Assistance should also be extended to those who do not have regular access to the internet or do not have the means to pay for mobile data. Recently, the NTC identified 45 remote areas within 15 regions in the country that will be given aid in SIM registration starting Jan. 25. Poe said closer coordination among telcos, local government units and other concerned agencies will provide SIM users better means to register and will accelerate the signup drive. "We have to help our people not just register their SIM, but register early," Poe said. "There's no doubt they are eager to do their part in realizing the full potential of the SIM Registration law," Poe added.
Tip leads police to Cancun bar where underage girls work as prostitutes

Cancun, Q.R.  More than two dozen people were removed from a club in Cancun Sunday after a police operation. Cancun officers moved in on the club after midnight Saturday after receiving a tip of underage workers inside the establishment.

Their operation lead to the detainment of more than two dozen people, two of which included two 17 year old girls. The two young girls were allegedly involved in prostitution through the club.

They, along with other workers, were removed from the establishment before city officials proceeded to shut it down. The two girls, who are considered minors, were transferred to DIF Benito Juarez from where they were returned to their families.
Unionized workers demand transparency from Tulum hotel

Tulum, Q.R.  Dozens of workers protested outside their place of employment over the weekend demanding transparency and improved working conditions. More than two dozen Tulum hotel workers held signs and protested with a bullhorn regarding the lack of transparency of their tips, along with food and uniform issues.

The unionized workers were demading the hotel respect their collective agreement. After failed attempts at talks, they took to the street.

We demand justice because we are unionized and the unions are there to demand the rights that are being violated by the company, shouted a hotel worker through his bullhorn.

Everyone here knows that there is no transparency, that the amounts being given to us is not the full amount which is why we demand transparency, the bullhorn operator added.

In February of 2021, workers from the same Tulum hotel protested outside claiming forced working hours without bonus pay. In that instance, the situation was resolved after an agreement between the CROC union leaders and hotel.
Several Montgomery County leaders are raising their eyebrows in response to a recent decision concerning the future of school resource officers in Christiansburgs schools.

The town council earlier this month approved a plan to end its funding for three school resource officer roles, a decision that will become effective at the start of the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber elaborated on the reasoning behind the decision in a letter he sent to Sherri Blevins and Mark Cherbaka. Blevins is chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, while Cherbaka is her counterpart on the county School Board.

Barber wrote that the decision by his colleagues was prompted by the countys previous denial of a town request for reimbursement of the three positions.

In response to the denial of the town request for reimbursement of town provision of school resource officers  town council voted to provide the county and school board notice of the towns intent to remove subsidy of our school resource officers from the county schools located within our corporate limits, effective July 1, 2023, the mayor wrote.

Council narrowly passed the measure on a 4-3 vote. Barber, who only votes in the event of a tie, cast the deciding vote on the matter.

Christiansburg provides $265,000 annually in salaries and benefits for the three SRO jobs, according to figures provided by the locality. Town staff said that funding doesnt include expenses such as the vehicles, uniform, equipment and training.

Barber, in his letter, addressed a meeting during which he and Christiansburg Town Manager Randy Wingfield met with Blevins and Montgomery County Administrator Craig Meadows to request funding for the three Christiansburg Police Department SRO jobs. The mayor wrote that the request and some other items were denied in an Oct. 24 letter from the county.

We understand the differences in our positions and [we] are fully prepared to re-address the issue should the board reverse its position of the funding and reimburse the town for the salaries of our SROs, Barber wrote. We believe it would be easier and more cost effective for the county to fund our trained officers rather than for the county to hire, train and equip new offices  including vehicles, for which the town did not request reimbursement.

Barber said the town believes it is in the best interest of the students to have town officers in the schools as it would allow the already established relationships and trust to continue. He said it will take time to build a rapport with students and staff if the town SRO officers are replaced with county deputies.

Several county officials voiced surprise at the decision by the town council.

Blevins said in an interview this past week that she was shocked and disappointed with the move.

Personally, as someone thats advocated my whole life for school safety and the positive relationship with law enforcement in the community, Im very disappointed with this, she said. "Its so vital. Ive fought and advocated for school resource officers. I wish for every school to have school resource officers.

The issue comes on the heels of the incident in Newport News where a 6-year-old student shot and wounded his first-grade teacher. Blevins noted the timing of that incident and Christiansburgs recent decision.

We just had a school shooting in Virginia, the supervisor said. I just think  we need to work together to find a resolution. We need to make it work.

Blevins board plans to discuss the school resource officer issue in a work session Monday night.

I was disappointed when I heard about the Christiansburg Town Councils decision to pull their officers out of the schools in Christiansburg on July 1, Supervisor Mary Biggs wrote in a text message. However, I remain [open] and committed to working with all the parties involved with this issue, law enforcement, the two towns, the county and the school system to help find a solution so school resource officers can have a presence in all our schools.

Biggs continued.

The priority  the bottom line for me is the safety and security of our countys students and employees, she wrote.

The Oct. 24 county letter Barber referenced  and which The Roanoke Times initially obtained this past fall  does include some comments from Blevins about her boards decision to not provide funding for Christiansburg police officers in town schools.

Blevins said the reasoning behind her boards stance was based on discussions the elected body had with the top law enforcement officials from the county, Christiansburg and Blacksburg, a point she addressed in the October letter.

The sheriff and the [town police] chiefs agreed that the current system under which the towns provide officers in MCPS facilities in the towns, while the sheriff provides deputies in the MCPS facilities in the unincorporated areas of the county, was working well, Blevins wrote.

Barber, however, said its an issue of financial fairness for the town, especially when taking into account all the contributions Christiansburg has made to the county over the years.

Do we feel school resource officers are needed? Absolutely, the mayor said in an interview. Our feeling is Hey, weve provided these officers for almost 15 years.' If they can decide to expand the school officers, they can look to reimburse us for our annual costs. Thats kind of it in a nutshell.

Barber was referencing a decision from supervisors this past summer to provide $150,000 for two additional school resource officers in the county schools outside of Christiansburg and Blacksburg. The move was touted by county Sheriff Hank Partin, who said at the time that it would ensure a police presence at each of those schools at all times.

Partin has long called for a permanent SRO presence at each of the county schools. The sheriff said the measure helps improve response time as it generally takes longer for police to reach the schools outside the two towns due to distance.

Barber maintained the concern over financial fairness.

In his recent letter, Barber listed a number of figures, including the revenue from real estate taxes in Christiansburg. He also listed revenues from sources such as taxes on personal property and machinery and tools.

The county has generated over $200 million from within the town of Christiansburg over the past six years - just based on these taxes, Barber wrote. We realize the county must fund schools, courts, the health department, social services and animal control  however, if you examine the percentage of your budgets versus your revenues generated from the towns, I think you will see what amounts to subsidy of county functions in the unincorporated areas by property owners within the town. Town council desires more equity in the distribution of Montgomery County resources to prevent this subsidization.

Barber, however, stressed that the duties of the three SRO jobs at the root of the issue will continue to be filled after July 1, regardless of what other decisions are made before then.

People say youre abandoning our children. Thats not true, at all. Its a matter of asking for reimbursement for that service, the mayor said. Its a matter of open discussion with them.

Each of the middle and high schools across Montgomery County has an SRO assigned to them, according to information previously shared by both Partin and Montgomery County Public Schools spokeswoman Brenda Drake.

Not all the elementary schools in Blacksburg and Christiansburg have an SRO on their campuses at all times. While all the schools have an officer available to them, many of the officers are assigned to more than one school, Drake previously said.
Opening the last stage of the dilution refrigerator for the quantum computer at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. A copy of this quantum computer will be built using SEK 102 million in funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, thus making the technology available to Swedish industry and Swedish researchers. Pictured: Hang-Xi Li, doctoral student and Giovanna Tancredi, research leader of the quantum computer project. Credit: Chalmers University of Technology | Anna-Lena Lundqvist

A Swedish quantum computer is to become more widely available. A copy of the quantum computer at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden will be built using additional funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The new computer, accompanied by a quantum helpdesk, will allow Swedish companies and researchers to solve problems using quantum technology.

Under the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) initiative, since 2018 a large project to develop and build a Swedish quantum computer has been running at Chalmers University of Technology. The Chalmers quantum computer now has 25 quantum bits, or qubits. The target is 100 qubits by 2029 but, even with 25 bits, running quantum algorithms on the computer is interesting. The problem is that the machine is rarely available, as researchers are constantly working to develop it.

"We're therefore going to build a copy of our quantum computer and make it available as a test bed for companies and researchers to run algorithms. Its purpose is to raise Sweden's competence level in quantum technology and lower the threshold for using quantum computers," says Per Delsing, a professor at Chalmers and director of WACQT.

As a first stage, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has granted funding of SEK 102 million for the test bed. Alongside the quantum computer, the test bed will have a support function, a quantum helpdesk, to guide users and help them boil down their problems to executable quantum algorithms. The test bed will also provide test equipment for companies that are developing quantum technology components.

Opening the last stage of the dilution refrigerator for the quantum computer at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. A copy of this quantum computer will be built using SEK 102 million in funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, thus making the technology available to Swedish industry and Swedish researchers. Pictured: Hang-Xi Li, doctoral student and Giovanna Tancredi, research leader of the quantum computer project. The dilution refrigerator cools the quantum computer to a few tenths of a degree above absolute zero. Credit: Chalmers University of Technology | Anna-Lena Lundqvist

"The idea is that users shouldn't need much prior knowledge. It should be enough for a company to have a problem which they've heard might be solved by a quantum computer. The Quantum Helpdesk will help them from there," says Delsing.

There are already several commercial actors abroad who have made quantum computers available via the cloud. However, WACQT's test bed will be significantly cheaper for Swedish users.

"Another big difference is that we're transparent with what's under the hood of our quantum computers. That allows you to optimise the algorithms for the hardware, thus increasing the chance of successful computations," explains Delsing.

In 2024, the test bed will open its equipment for testing components and the Quantum Helpdesk, while the quantum computer will open for running algorithms in 2025. Initially, the quantum computer will have 25 qubits, but will be upgraded to 40 qubits within a couple of years.

25-qubit quantum processor chip packaged in a specially designed sample holder. Credit: Chalmers University of Technology | Anna-Lena Lundqvist

For more information, please contact:

Per Delsing, Director of Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) and Professor at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.per.delsing@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 33 17

Provided by Chalmers University of Technology
As South Carolina corn and soybean farmers prepare for the 2023 growing season, Clemson Extension specialists have a few tips to help ensure productive and profitable crops.

These suggestions were given to about 220 participants who attended the December 2022 Clemson Cooperative Extension Service Corn and Soybean meeting in Santee, South Carolina. One suggestion is to pay attention to new crop insurance planting date deadlines for soybeans starting this year (2023).

Clemson Extension corn and soybean specialist Michael Plumblee told soybean farmers they will be able to get crop insurance coverage starting on April 1 for soybean in 2023. This date was moved up from the previous dates of April 30 for the coastal plain and April 15 for the upstate, allowing for coverage on earlier planted soybean in South Carolina.

Additionally, the final planting date has been moved back to June 30 from June 25 for full coverage, and the absolute last day to plant and have reduced coverage still remains July 10, Plumblee said.

These date changes were made possible by working through the Farm Bureau Soybean, Hay and Feed Grain Committee; the Risk Management Agency office in Valdosta, Georgia, as well as the South Carolina Soybean Board and Clemson University.

As for corn, the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) unofficial baseline projections forecast farmers are likely to expand plantings for the 2023/2024 season while reducing soybeans. Plumblee says farmers should use local hybrid and varietal trial data when making selections for 2023, paying close attention to disease resistance packages in scenarios where crop rotations may be short. Clemson corn variety test data is available at https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/research/vt/corn.html.

Plumblee also talked about a project he and graduate student Bennett Harrelson are working on related to double-cropping soybean after corn. The researchers are looking at plant and harvest dates, row spacing, and the use of at-plant nitrogen. They also are studying to determine if this double-cropping system leads to issues with increased plant parasitic nematodes.

Deer, insect pests and Bt resistance

Farmers were advised of actions to take to control deer and insect pests.

Using repellents is one way to control deer but can be expensive. Kendall Kirk, a precision agriculture engineer, said installing high fences around crops may be less costly.

Insect pests create additional problems. Entomologists Francis Reay-Jones and Jeremy Greene, together with Clemson IPM Program assistant coordinator Tim Bryant, talked about corn and soybean insects. Most of the states corn acreage is planted in Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn. Resistance issues with corn earworm in Bt corn are leading to resistance issues in Bt cotton. The corn earworm also is known as the bollworm and attacks cotton. Farmers may be dealing with resistance issues for some time, as Reay-Jones said, We are years away from any new Bt trait in corn and cotton.

Stink bugs also are a problem. Applying pyrethroids can be effective but scouting and timely applications are important, said Bryant, adding South Carolina farmers can get disease and insect management information from the free MyIPM for Row Crops app.

Pyrethroids also are effective in controlling stink bugs and kudzu bugs in soybean, Greene said. Treatment thresholds are one to two stink bugs per sweep for stink bugs and one nymph per sweep for kudzu bugs. Following these guidelines can help reduce the need for multiple sprays.

Pyrethroids are not effective for the soybean looper, which causes problems from mid-August to mid-September. The threshold for soybean loopers is 30% defoliation before mid-bloom and 15% after. This pest is resistant to many insecticides and costs more to control.

Spray drones

Guest speaker Steve Li, associate professor of weed science at Auburn University, talked about using drones to spray row crops.

Spray drones make it easy for growers with small acreage, slopes, or challenging field shapes to make field applications without taking a boom sprayer in the field or contracting a crop duster, Li said.

The end goal is not to replace current application methods, but to find methods to work spray drones into field management. Drone use in field crop farming is low because the technology is still new. However, Li said interest is high among growers, crop consultants and pesticide applicators. He believes the ease of use will increase the adoption rate of drones.

Other speakers included Dean Hutto, S.C. Soybean Board chairman; Mary Cromley, S.C. Corn and Soybean Association executive director; Ed Wilkins, S.C. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance; Rick Caldwell, S.C. Farm Bureau; Ashley Carothers, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Alexa Combelic, director of government relations for the American Soybean Association.

A drone demonstration followed the meeting.
PORTLAND, Maine  The warming of the waters off the East Coast has come at an invisible, but very steep cost  the loss of microscopic organisms that make up the base of the ocean's food chain.

The growing warmth and saltiness of the Gulf of Maine off New England is causing a dramatic decrease in the production of phytoplankton, according to Maine-based scientists who recently reported results of a yearslong, NASA-funded study. Phytoplankton, sometimes described as an invisible forest, are tiny plant-like organisms that serve as food for marine life.

The scientists found that phytoplankton are about 65% less productive in the Gulf of Maine, part of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by New England and Canada, than they were two decades ago. The Gulf of Maine has emerged as one of the fastest warming sections of the world's oceans.

Potential loss of phytoplankton has emerged as a serious concern in recent years in other places, such as the Bering Sea off Alaska. The loss of the tiny organisms has the ability to disrupt valuable fishing industries for species such as lobsters and scallops, and it could further jeopardize imperiled animals such as North Atlantic right whales and Atlantic puffins, scientists said.

The drop in the productivity over these 20 years is profound, said William Balch, a senior research scientist with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine, who led the study. And that has large ramifications to what can grow here. The health of the ecosystem, the productivity of the ecosystem.

The scientists did the study using data gathered since 1998 by tracking chemical changes in the Gulf of Maine. The samples used to perform the work were gathered via commercial ferries and research vessels that run the same routes over and over.

The data showed changes between the gulf and the broader Atlantic, Balch said. Intrusions of warm water from the North Atlantic since 2008 have created a gulf that is hotter, saltier and less hospitable to the phytoplankton, the study states. The scientists published their findings last June in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.

Phytoplankton are eaten by larger zooplankton, small fish and crustaceans, and they are critically important to sustaining larger marine life up the food chain such as sharks and whales. Loss of phytoplankton will likely have negative impacts on the overall productivity" of larger animals and commercial fisheries, the study states.

Decline of fish stocks in the Gulf of Maine would be especially disruptive to American fishermen because it's a key ground for the U.S. lobster industry. Other important species such as haddock, flounder and pollock are also harvested there.

Researchers have tracked similar warming trends in the Bering Sea, Southern Ocean and northern Barents Sea in recent years. Warming's impact on plankton is an ongoing subject of scientific inquiry. A 2020 article in the journal Nature Communications found that climate change is predicted to trigger major shifts in the geographic distribution of marine plankton species.

Cyclical ocean conditions also have placed more stress on phytoplankton. An El Nino climate pattern, when surface water in the equatorial Pacific becomes warmer, can reduce phytoplankton production, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said. The impacts include lack of anchovies off South America, fewer squid off California and less salmon in the Pacific, NOAA said.

The Maine scientists say loss of phytoplankton is also significant because the organisms absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, much like plants do on land.

It's part of the toll climate change is taking on ecosystems all over the world, said Jeff Runge, a professor in the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, who was not involved in the study.

There's mounting evidence that it's linked to climate change, Runge said. It's having all kinds of effects on the system that we're beginning to see.

Earth continues to warm. What does that mean for the oceans and people? Your browser does not support the audio element.
The multinational media conglomerate Thomson Reuters left a database with sensitive customer and corporate data exposed online

Original post at https://cybernews.com/security/thomson-reuters-leaked-terabytes-sensitive-data/

Thomson Reuters, a multinational media conglomerate, left an open database with sensitive customer and corporate data, including third-party server passwords in plaintext format. Attackers could use the details for a supply-chain attack.

The Cybernews research team found that Thomson Reuters left at least three of its databases accessible for anyone to look at. One of the open instances, the 3TB public-facing ElasticSearch database, contains a trove of sensitive, up-to-date information from across the companys platforms. The company recognized the issue and fixed it immediately.

Thomson Reuters provides customers with products such as the business-to-business media tool Reuters Connect, legal research service and database Westlaw, the tax automation system ONESOURCE, online research suite of editorial and source materials Checkpoint, and other tools.

The size of the open database the team discovered corresponds with the company using ElasticSearch, a data storage favored by enterprises dealing with extensive, constantly updated volumes of data.

Media giant with $6.35 billion in revenue left at least three of its databases open

At least 3TB of sensitive data exposed including Thomson Reuters plaintext passwords to third-party servers

The data company collects is a treasure trove for threat actors, likely worth millions of dollars on underground criminal forums

The company has immediately fixed the issue, and started notifying their customers

Thomson Reuters downplayed the issue, saying it affects only a small subset of Thomson Reuters Global Trade customers

The dataset was open for several days  malicious bots are capable of discovering instances within mere hours

Threat actors could use the leak for attacks, from social engineering attacks to ransomware

The naming of ElasticSearch indices inside the Thomson Reuters server suggests that the open instance was used as a logging server to collect vast amounts of data gathered through user-client interaction. In other words, the company collected and exposed thousands of gigabytes of data that Cybernews researchers believe would be worth millions of dollars on underground criminal forums because of the potential access it could give to other systems.

Meanwhile, Thomson Reuters claims that out of three misconfigured servers the team informed the company about, two were designed to be publicly accessible. The third server was a non-production server meant for application logs from the pre-production/implementation environment.

The leaked data

Time stamps on data samples reviewed by the team indicate that the information was logged recently, with some pieces of data as recent as October 26. According to the researchers, the logs in the open database contain sensitive information and could lead to supply-chain attacks if accessed by threat actors.

For example, the open dataset held access credentials to third-party servers. The details were held in plaintext format, visible to anyone crawling through the open instance. According to Mantas Sasnauskas, the Head of Security Research at Cybernews, this type of information would allow threat actors to gain an initial foothold in the systems used by companies working with Thomson Reuters.

ElasticSearch is a very common and widely used data storage and is prone to misconfigurations, which makes it accessible to anyone. This instance left sensitive data open and was already indexed via popular IoT [internet of things] search engines. This provides a large attack surface for malicious actors to exploit not only internal systems but a way for supply chain attacks to get through. A simple human error can lead to devastating attacks, from data exfiltration to ransomware, Sasnauskas said.

The team also found the open instance to contain login and password reset logs. While these dont expose either old or new passwords, the logs show the account holders email address, and the exact time the password change query was sent can be seen.

Another piece of sensitive information includes SQL (structured query language) logs that show what information Thomson Reuters clients were looking for. The records also include what information the query brought back.

That includes documents with corporate and legal information about specific businesses or individuals. For instance, an employee of a company based in the US was looking for information about an organization in Russia using Thomson Reuters services, only to find out that its board members were under US sanctions over their role in the invasion of Ukraine.

The team has also discovered that the open database included an internal screening of other platforms such as YouTube, Thomson Reuters clients access logs, and connection strings to other databases. The exposure of connection strings is particularly dangerous because the companys internal network elements are exposed, enabling threat actors lateral movement and pivoting through Reuter Thomsons internal systems.

There is a high chance the open instance included much more sensitive data since the database holds more than 6.9 million unique logs that take up over 3TB of server disk. The team claims that it is impossible to know the full extent of how big the dataset actually is without crossing the ethical boundaries within which researchers operate.

This instance left sensitive data open and was already indexed via popular IoT search engines. This provides a large attack surface for malicious actors to exploit not only internal systems but a way for supply chain attacks to get through, Sasnauskas said.

The companys investigation

The team contacted Thomson Reuters upon discovering the leaking database, and the company took down the open instance immediately.

Upon notification we immediately investigated the findings provided by Cybernews regarding the three potentially misconfigured servers, a Thomson Reuters representative told Cybernews.

According to the company, two of the servers were designed to be publicly accessible, while the third is a non-production server related to one of Thomson Reuters products, ONESOURCE Global Trade Product. The tool allows users to manage export/import, sanctions screening, and other trade controls activities and related filings.

This non-production server only houses application logs from the pre-production/implementation environment of that product and is only associated with a small subset of Thomson Reuters Global Trade customers, the company explained.

Non-production servers usually dont hold application data. However, that does not mean that the details stored there are less sensitive.

The open instance resembles a development server which can consist of an entire infrastructure and usually holds more sensitive client activity and data, Sasnauskas said.

Thomson Reuters says that the now-closed server only captures data generated through user actions within the pre-production and implementation environment.

The server contains the information needed to operationally support the platform, the companys representative explained.

However, its hard to tell whether all details stored on the instance were necessary to support the platforms operations. Either way, even if all of the data was essential, that doesnt make it less sensitive if leaked.

Information stored on the server is extremely sensitive. Cases like these raise questions about corporate data collection practices. The ramifications of a data leak of such scale are worrying to say the least, Sasnauskas explained.

The company launched an investigation to get the root of the problem. The leading theory so far is that an isolated error in the product environment resulted in the inadvertent misconfiguration of the non-production environment.

Thomson Reuters said it had begun notifying affected customers.

Significant impact

Researchers believe that any loss of information on the dataset could not only harm Thomson Reuters and its clients but also be detrimental to the public interest.

For example, the open database was leaking some individuals and organizations sensitive screening and compliance data. Accessible data from the public-facing Thomson Reuters database could have tipped off entities that would like their wrongdoing kept in the dark.

According to Martynas Vareikis, Information Security Researcher at Cybernews, threat actors could use the email addresses exposed in the dataset to carry out phishing attacks. Attackers could impersonate Thomson Reuters and send the companys customers fake invoices.

Information stored on the server is extremely sensitive. Cases like these raise questions about corporate data collection practices. The ramifications of a data leak of such scale are worrying to say the least, Sasnauskas explained.

Having more details always helps malicious actors. Knowing the victims are Thomson Reuters clients allows for a targeted campaign. Thats especially true if Thomson Reuters clients used a non-public business email address to register with the company. Invoices infected with malware could cause huge losses for the clients if they were attacked by ransomware gangs, Vareikis explained.

According to Sasnauskas there are numerous ways attackers could use the leaked details to harm the company itself. He claims that access to log files and the instance could enable malicious actors to leak sensitive information, extort the business, and gain knowledge about the internal networks, systems, and services in use.

Attackers could pivot and move laterally in systems, and cause a plethora of malicious actions such as sell access to brokers or ransomware affiliates and launch sophisticated attacks, possibly including ransomware, Sasnauskas said.

Why did it happen?

A thorough inspection of the SSL (secure sockets layer) certificate of the accessible web server, DNS (domain name system) data, and information on the ElasticSearch instance itself allowed the team to confirm that the open database belongs to the Thomson Reuters Corporation. The server had been left accessible since October 21.

IoT search engines did not show any results for the Thomson Reuters instance before that day. Since the web space is filled with bots and scripts hunting for open databases, it is doubtful the database was accessible to the public before.

According to Vareikis, the likeliest cause for the dataset to suddenly appear online is a misconfiguration error.

We believe that it was caused by a misconfiguration on the AWS Elastic Load Balancing service, which followed different rules that werent configured to fully cover access control rules, which led to the service being exposed to the public, Vareikis explained.

Exposed in the past?

Thomson Reuters security principles laid down in a whitepaper published last year claim the companys secure configuration is created and deployed according to best practices.

However, digging through historical data from IoT search engines, researchers discovered that some of Thomson Reuters configuration and system environment files were exposed last year. Some of the files that appear on IoT search engines are still exposed to this day.

This non-production server only houses application logs from the pre-production/implementation environment of that product and is only associated with a small subset of Thomson Reuters Global Trade customers, the company explained.

The companys security principles also say that it performs automated and centralized logging to provide real-time alerting. However, the open dataset was accessible to the public for several days.

It takes less than a few hours for an open server to be crawling with bots. Meanwhile, the data shows that the instance was open for more than three straight days. It begs the question of whether real-time alerting is necessary if there is no one to review the alerts, Vareikis said.

To discover how to prevent such incidents visit the original post on Cybernews: https://cybernews.com/security/thomson-reuters-leaked-terabytes-sensitive-data/

About the author Vilius Petkauskas

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  hacking, Thomson Reuters)

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NEW YORK (AP)  A former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official who investigated Russian oligarchs has been indicted on charges he secretly worked for one, in violation of U.S. sanctions. The official was also charged, in a separate indictment, with taking cash from a former foreign security officer.

Charles McGonigal, the special agent in charge of the FBIs counterintelligence division in New York from 2016 to 2018, is accused in an indictment unsealed Monday of working with a former Soviet diplomat-turned-Russian interpreter on behalf of Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire they purportedly referred to in code as the big guy and the client.

McGonigal, who had supervised and participated in investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska, worked to have Deripaskas sanctions lifted in 2019 and took money from him in 2021 to investigate a rival oligarch, the Justice Department said.

The indictment is a black eye to the FBI at a time when the bureau has become entangled in separate politically charged investigations involving the handling of classified documents by both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, and as newly ascendant Republicans in Congress have pledged to investigate high-profile decisions by the bureau and Justice Department.

McGonigal and the interpreter, Sergey Shestakov were arrested Saturday  McGonigal after landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Shestakov at his home in Morris, Connecticut. They are scheduled to appear in court in Manhattan on Monday. Both are being held at a federal jail in Brooklyn.

McGonigal, 54, and Shestakov, 69, are charged with violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering. Shestakov is also charged with making material misstatements to the FBI.

Messages seeking comment were left for lawyers for McGonigal and Shestakov. Lawyers for Deripaska did not immediately return an email seeking comment Monday.

McGonigal was separately charged in federal court in Washington, D.C. with concealing at least $225,000 in cash he allegedly received from a former Albanian intelligence official while working for the FBI.

The indictment does not charge or characterize the payment to McGonigal as a bribe, but federal prosecutors say that, while hiding the payment from the FBI, he took actions as an FBI supervisor that were aimed at his own financial benefit.

They included proposing that a pharmaceutical company pay the mans company $500,000 in exchange for scheduling a business meeting involving a representative from the U.S. delegation to the United Nations.

In a bureau-wide email Monday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said McGonigals alleged conduct is entirely inconsistent with what I see from the men and women of the FBI who demonstrate every day through their actions that theyre worthy of the publics trust.

The U.S. Treasury Department added Deripaska to its sanctions list in 2018 for purported ties to the Russian government and Russias energy sector amid Russias ongoing threats to Ukraine.

In September, federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Deripaska and three associates with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions by plotting to ensure his child was born in the United States.

Shestakov, who worked as an interpreter for federal courts and prosecutors in New York City after retiring as a diplomat in 1993, helped connect McGonigal to Deripaska, according to the indictment.

In 2018, while McGonigal was still working for the FBI, Shestakov introduced him to a former Soviet and Russian diplomat who functioned as Deripaskas agent, the indictment said. That person is not named in court papers but the Justice Department says he was rumored in public media reports to be a Russian intelligence officer.

According to the indictment, Shestakov asked McGonigal for help getting the agents daughter an internship in the New York Police Departments counterterrorism and intelligence units. McGonigal agreed, prosecutors say, and told a police department contact that, I have an interest in her father for a number of reasons.

According to the indictment, a police sergeant subsequently reported to the NYPD and FBI that the woman claimed to have an unusually close relationship with an FBI agent whom, she said, had given her access to confidential FBI files. The sergeant felt it was unusual for a college student to receive such special treatment from the NYPD and FBI, the indictment said.

After retiring from the FBI, according to the indictment, McGonigal went to work in 2019 as a consultant and investigator for an international law firm seeking to reverse Deripaskas sanctions, a process known as delisting. The law firm paid McGonigal $25,000 through a Shestakov-owned corporation, prosecutors say, though the work was ultimately interrupted by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, according to the indictment, Deripaskas agent enlisted McGonigal and Shestakov to dig up dirt on a rival oligarch, whom Deripaska was fighting for control of a large Russian corporation, in exchange for $51,280 up front and $41,790 per month paid via a Russian bank to a New Jersey company owned by McGonigals friend. McGonigal kept his friend in the dark about the true nature of the payments, prosecutors say.

McGonigal is also accused of hiding from the FBI key details of a 2017 trip he took to Albania with the former Albanian intelligence official who is alleged to have given him at least $225,000.

Once there, according to the Justice Department, McGonigal met with Albanias prime minister and urged caution in awarding oil field drilling licenses in the country to Russian front companies. McGonigals Albanian contacts had a financial interest in those decisions.

In an example of how McGonigal allegedly blurred personal gain with professional responsibilities, prosecutors in Washington say he caused the FBIs New York office to open a criminal lobbying investigation in which the former Albanian intelligence official was to serve as a confidential human source.

McGonigal did so, prosecutors allege, without revealing to the FBI or Justice Department his financial connections to the man.

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Eric Tucker reported from Washington. Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report.

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Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak and Eric Tucker at twitter.com/etuckerAP. Send confidential tips by visiting https://www.ap.org/tips/.
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HARTINGTON, Neb.  Prosecutors must show evidence that Carrie Jones fatally shot a Laurel, Nebraska, man inside his home before her case can proceed to district court.

District Judge Bryan Meismer on Monday granted a defense request for a preliminary hearing in county court to determine if there's probable cause that Jones committed first-degree murder and other crimes before she can be bound over to Cedar County District Court for arraignment.

The hearing was scheduled for Feb. 15.

Prosecutors in December filed a complaint charging Jones, 43, of Laurel, with first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory to a felony directly in district court rather than in county court as is the usual procedure. Jones has a right to a preliminary hearing first in county court, and her attorney, Douglas Stratton, requested the hearing Monday at what was scheduled to be an arraignment in district court.

Meismer also granted Stratton's motions for the appointment of an additional attorney to represent Jones and to receive a copy of the search warrant and affidavit the state used as a basis for the charges against Jones. Those documents were filed under seal because they contain significant details of the investigation.

Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Corey O'Brien objected to neither motion, but asked Meismer to ensure the affidavit remained sealed after Stratton received his copy. If details in those documents were made public and reported by the media, O'Brien said, it could jeopardize the right of Jones and her husband, Jason Jones, who also faces murder charges, to receive a fair trial in Cedar County or nearby counties if the trial were to be moved because it was determined an impartial jury could not be seated in Cedar County as a result of the extensive media coverage the case has received.

"We'd probably be looking at taking this case out to Scottsbluff" if the affidavit was unsealed, O'Brien said.

Carrie Jones is accused of killing Gene Twiford in his house at 503 Elm St. in the early morning hours of Aug. 4, when the body of Twiford, 86, his wife, Janet, 85, and their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, were found shot to death in their burning home. The bodies were discovered shortly after firefighters and police who responded to an explosion and fire three blocks away at 209 Elm St. found the body of Michele Ebeling, 53, who also had been shot.

According to court documents, Jones destroyed or concealed physical evidence after the shootings and hid her husband in an effort to prevent his arrest. She was arrested Dec. 16 and remains in custody on a $1 million bond.

Jason Jones, 42, who lived with his wife across the street from Ebeling, was arrested at their home about 24 hours after the bodies were discovered. He is charged with four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of first-degree arson. He is accused of shooting all four victims and setting the two houses on fire.

O'Brien last week filed notice the state will seek the death penalty against Jason Jones, noting aggravating circumstances that he committed several killings at the same time and also killed to conceal the commission of another crime or to conceal his identity.

Jason Jones also had been scheduled to be arraigned Monday, but his attorney filed a waiver of appearance last week and advised the court Jones would not be entering a plea because he would file a motion to quash sections of Nebraska's death penalty statute as unconstitutional.

In the motion, filed Friday, Todd Lancaster, of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, argued the prosecution's decision to seek the death penalty is arbitrary and violates the due process and equal protection clauses in the U.S. Constitution. The state's death penalty statute also violates the constitution because the defense is prohibited from presenting mitigating evidence to jurors to weigh against aggravating factors used in arguing for the death penalty and a jury is not allowed to decide if a defendant will be sentenced to death.

Lancaster also said Nebraska's death penalty statute is unconstitutionally vague.

A hearing on the motion to quash is scheduled for Feb. 27 in Cedar County District Court.

Jones is being held without bond at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln, where he continues to receive treatment for burns received in the incidents.
Dear Prudence is online weekly to chat live with readers on Mondays at noon ET. Heres an edited transcript of this weeks chat.

Jenee Desmond-Harris: Hey friends! Happy Slate Advice Week to those who celebrate (I do!) Lets get started.

Q. Bad Surprise: Im in college living in a double dorm room with a close friend. Her birthday was last week and I organized a surprise party for her that went about as badly as humanly possible and I dont know what to do about it now. I knew that she was going out to dinner with her parents and she told me she expected to be back around 9 p.m. I pretended I might be out with friends and told her to text on her way in case she wanted to join us. A group of about 10 of us gathered at a friends room down the hall to get everything ready. She texted she was going to stop at our room but then might come out. Perfect, we all went into our room, hid under the beds and the desks, and basically just crammed wherever and turned the lights out.

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A couple of minutes later, the door opens, the lights turn on, and before we can even jump out she drops the towel wrapped around her. Shes completely naked as we all jump out. Apparently, she was already back when she texted me and was showering when we got into position. She burst out crying and started screaming at me and we all just very awkwardly left. She still wont really talk to me despite my many apologies and I cant really blame her. Is there anything I can do to make up for this? I want my friend back but am scared I ruined it for good.

A: This was such a horrible mistake but it was also such an innocent mistake. You can both feel very sorry about what happened, and forgive yourself. The way forward might be to accept that you (in the course of being a really nice person) caused enormous embarrassment for your friend. And that embarrassment might be so intense that shes unable to forgive you right now. Just be patient. Dont annoy her. Dont try to explain to her why she should forgive you. If she ever gets there (and I think she will) be gracious and dont hold her period of being mad at you against her.

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Q. Too Torn to Choose: I am taking part in a high school optional class trip overseas. Today we received a form to submit for roommate requests and while I am ecstatic to go, I cannot help but dread the trip now. I have two dear friends, one who I would call my ride-or-die bestie (lets call her Tracy) and another, (Edith), someone who I became extremely close with in middle school. Before I met Tracy, Edith was my closest friend. We could understand each other so well, get along, and have similar interests. I can distinctly remember thinking, Were so similar, I may as well BE her, many, many times.

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But then Tracy enters. We click, just like Edith and I did. So much so that I ended up sharing things that I never could have ever thought of with Edith; for example, my journey of self-harm and recovering from it. Within just a couple weeks of knowing Tracy, I let her in the lowest of lows in my life. I think thats why were so close now, because we confide such deep things so early on, allowing us to make a connection of mutual trust and love that we wouldnt have made otherwise.

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I didnt mean to leave Edith behind. I didnt ghost her or anything, were still pretty close, but when I would have been going to Starbucks or calling her, I do that with Tracy instead. I hear all the time that friendships and people change, especially in high school, so while I suppose its not abnormal that this has happened, I still feel guilty whenever I think about it. I feel like I owe something to Edith, so when I saw her request my name (you can only enter one person, and to have them as your roommate they must request them back), I immediately felt the obligation to put her name down. But the thing is I was going to put down Tracy.

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I know it seems like such a trivial thing, to worry over roommates, but I know that whatever choice I make will end up having somebody unhappyif I put down Tracy instead, itll tell Edith that I dont want her and leave her feeling hurt and excluded, which will be painful since I was right beside her when she put down my name. But I know Ill have a much more memorable and fun time with Tracy and enjoy this trip so much more. The deadline for the form is only in a couple of days, and Im already stressed about who to choose because I can tell whatever choice I make will impact both friendships drastically.

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A: Choose Edith. I know. You dont want to. But, two things:

A) Getting left behind by a best friend in high school (even if that best friend simply found someone who was a better fit) can be a horrible experience that hurts someone for a long time. You dont want to be the person responsible for Ediths misery. Not like this. Theres something to be said for loyalty, and I think you owe it to her.

B) Edith wrote your name down first! So you have an easy out with Tracy: I know were really close and I love hanging out with you but I just learned that Edith put my name down as her roommate. She and I go way back and have a lot of history between us and I think the right thing for me to do is to choose her too. Would that be OK with you? As someone who youre really opened up to, and someone with whom you share so much trust and love, Tracy should understand this.

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And then please, hang out as a trio. The roommate assignment only dictates where you sleep. You can spend all your days together, until the moment youre ready to close your eyes. If you and Edith are so incredibly similar, she and Tracy will love each other too. By the end of high school, the three of you could be inseparable.

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Its great to have more than one friend at a time. Its wonderful to be a person who connects people. Its almost always a good choice to err on the side of being inclusive and kind, and to look out for people who may be at risk of getting hurt. All of this is especially true in high school when things can get so rough for so many kids. And in this situation, you can do whats right without giving up any of the fun you hope to have on the trip.

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Q. Hopelessly In Love: I recently friend-zoned a girl I liked. For reference, I am openly gay and she was not, and I was fine with that. She told me she liked me and I said that I did as well, but wanted to wait because I had just gotten out of a long relationship. She said OK but later texted me and told me she was straight and she has just made a mistake in liking me. However, I still liked her and eventually, we became really close again. About a month ago she asked me if we were just friends. I didnt want to go through the pain of having her tell me she was just confused, so I rejected her. Now, a month later, I have almost gotten over my feelings for her, but I was having a bad day and she comforted me when I was feeling vulnerable, and all of those feelings came rushing back. Shes a good person, but I dont know what to do.

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A: Sadly, I think the collective communication skills and emotional maturity in this letter are not enough to sustain a relationship. Youre both all over the place, wishy-washy, a little confused, and will probably just terrorize each other repeatedly if you get together. Look elsewhere for love.

Q. Missing Home: Is loneliness on holidays enough of a reason to move home? My husband and I have lived more than 1,000 miles from each of our families (who themselves live 1,000 miles from each other) for more than five years. We both have great jobs doing what we love, a busy social life with wonderful friends, and an almost 2-year-old child. Moreover, my family is able to visit several times a year, though we can only afford to travel out of state once or twice per year. The only times we consider moving to be nearer to either of our families is during the holiday season or our childs birthday. We both have very warm memories of the holidays with our families, including siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc., and wonder if were depriving our child of the same. Neither of us is particularly keen on living in our home states, and it may require getting jobs in fields were not trained in or dont love as much. Is it worth it for our child to grow up near family?

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A: Nope. Dont do it. Youre happy where you are and it sounds like a move could throw your life into disarray and decrease your happiness in ways your family couldnt help with. Instead, think about creative solutions for spending more time with the people you love during the holiday season. If your work allows, could you stay for a full month and work remotely every year? Would it be worth it to look for a new role that would allow this? How about a home swap to cut down on costs and let you stay even longer? What if you were to create new traditions like FaceTiming every evening as your kid opens their advent calendar for that night? Or a cookie exchange via mail. Or making photo books of the time you do get to spend with family and reading them throughout the year to really get the most out of your time together. What you want for your kids is really to feel the love of their relatives during the holiday season and make good memories. You can accomplish that without a moving truck.

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Re: Q. Bad Surprise: Youve apologized, youve tried to talk to her, you have probably figured out never to do this again to someone whose feelings about surprises are unknown to you, etc. Theres not much more you can do. Let this be a life lesson: The silent treatment, no matter how angry you are, is a terrible way to interact with people, so make sure not to do it yourself. Learn how to express your feelings, even when you feel too angry to do so. You may be stuck with an angry roommate for the next several months. We all had bad roommatesI had one who had such terrible body odor that I had to open the windows in January in Wisconsin, 45 years ago. This will all be a funny story one day. The body odor was funny once we went our separate ways.

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A: Such a good point. I think before you throw someone a surprise party, you have to, a few months before, discreetly ask how they feel about surprises. And yeah, our letter writer may be stuck with an angry roommate for a while and that sucks. Probably not as much as the body odor situation did, though.

Re: Q. Too Torn to Choose: Even the closest of friends are sometimes not the best roommates. When I was in college, my sophomore roommate told me she had to move out (our schedules were different: She was an early bird, and I was an insomniac) to save our friendship. I was hurt for a while but completely understood. And she was right. We could be best friends but we couldnt live together in the same room.

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A: This is a good perspective, but I dont think the letter is about roommate compatibility as much as it was about friendship and potential hurt feelings.

Re: Q. Missing Home: While I love Prudies idea of looking into working remotely, make sure you look into it properly with your company. If they dont already have employees in that state they might not let you do it, as having to set up taxes for that state can be too much of a headache. On Ask A Manager, a letter writers boss agreed he could work remotely for three months. He went ahead, found an apartment to rent, etc. Then the boss came back and said he was sorry but HR told him that wouldnt be possible for the tax reason.

A: That sounds like a nightmare! Definitely follow this advice, LW.

Catch up on Advice Week here!

Classic Prudie

Seriously, the diamond in my engagement ring is way too large! I know this sounds like a humblebrag or the rant of a crazy person, but it is true. My fiance and I have been talking marriage for a couple of years, and he proposed over the holidays. I said yes of course. He didnt have a ring and said he was going to surprise me with one. All good so farhonestly I love this guy to the moon and back so I was thrilled. Then two weeks ago he gave me the ring.
Brit arrested in Spain for helping Russian tycoon conceal 90-million-euro megayacht



ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The UK national has been detained at Madrid airport for his part in preventing the yacht from being seized by US investigators

Spanish police and FBI search the yacht in Palma de Mallorca last April

The Guardia Civil police in Spain have arrested a British citizen at the Adolfo Suarez MadridBarajas Airport for allegedly being the ringleader of a business network that tried to hide Russian assets.

Richard Masters, CEO of Master Yachts in Mallorca for over 23 years, is suspected of concealing the Russian yacht Tango under a false name in order to avoid having it seized under the sanctions against Russia due to the Ukraine invasion.

Investigators believe he was being paid by the Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg to hide the yacht, which is 78 metres long and valued at around 90 million euros, so that it wouldnt be seized.

They estimate that his company earned more than 800,000 euros for the management of the yacht Tango, which was searched in in Palma de Mallorca in April of last year by agents of the Guardia Civil, the FBI and the Homeland Security Investigations of the USA.

At that time, documentation was seized that has now led to the arrest of UK national Masters at Madrid airport, at the request of US authorities. He is accused of fraud and money laundering on behalf of a Russian citizen and the owner of a Russian business conglomerate with interests in the oil, energy and telecommunications sectors, according to the Guardia Civil. At that time, documentation was seized that has now led to the arrest of UK national Masters at Madrid airport, at the request of US authorities. He is accused of fraud and money laundering on behalf of a Russian citizen and the owner of a Russian business conglomerate with interests in the oil, energy and telecommunications sectors, according to the Guardia Civil.

His company, Master Yachts, is a commercial company based in Spains Palma de Mallorca which takes care of the maintenance and provision of administrative services for luxury sailing vessels.

Among his clients and vessels managed was a yacht owned by a Russian citizen who is banned from operating in US markets and with US financial and commercial entities.

According to the Guardia Civil, the company provided services aimed at satisfying the personal needs of the owner and users of the yacht with knowledge of the existence of the existing sanctions and prohibitions on this person.

To circumvent the sanctions, Masters gave the yacht a pseudonym in all documentation so as not to arouse suspicion. In this way, he provided goods and services to the yacht itself, its owner and its users worth more than 485,000 US dollars, according to US authorities.

The detainee and his company also made considerable profits by approving and coordinating the yachts annual operating budget, a large part of which was earmarked for fees paid to the yachts own management company.

When the yacht was searched back in April of last year, it was said to be flying a Cook Islands flag and was registered in the name of a company based in the British Virgin Islands, which in turn is administered by companies in Panama, all following a complex financial and corporate scheme to conceal the true ownership of the yacht.

Read also: Russian intelligence suspected of ordering white supremacists to mail bombs in Spain

Images: Guardia Civil
President turns to Constitutional Court.

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General Prosecutor Maros Zilinka cancelled the indictment of Sme Rodina MP Martin Borgula on Friday last week. Since last April, Borgula has faced corruption charges. The General Prosecutor once again applied the controversial paragraph 363 of the Criminal Code.

Maros Zilinka was nominated by the Sme Rodina party.

Paragraph 363 of the Penal Code grants the general prosecutor the exclusive power to scrap any decision by the police or other prosecutors during pre-trial proceedings - this includes the power to completely cancel a criminal prosecution - if they determine that a law has been violated.

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Related article Last week was big week for 363 Read more

Reasons for cancellation

During a press conference Zilinka explained his reasons for doing so by citing procedural errors on the part of the NAKA investigator and the Special Prosecutor's Office. He also did not like the fact that the police changed the qualification of the crime during the investigation.

Zilinka also defended Borgula claiming there is not enough evidence in his case for him to be prosecuted at all. After his explanation he ran away from journalists and did not answer questions, as usual.

At first, Borgula was investigated on the basis of extortion and bribery, but this was changed to accepting a bribe.

The allegations against Borgula were related to a legal case dating to 2018 when, the MP admits, he paid tens of thousands of euros to police officers when he was running for the post of mayor of the Old Town, Bratislava.

He claimed police had contacted him demanding 50,000 if he wanted to run for mayor.

Borgula said he felt he could not go to police for help, and that it was easier for him to pay the money than risk officers smashing down his door in front of his two young children and elderly mother.

According to Borgula, his prosecution was politically motivated, referring to the fact that the police charged him the day before the parliament voted on whether to give the green light to the prosecutor to request pre-trial custody for former prime minister Robert Fico. Borgula claims it was meant to intimidate him before the vote.

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Related article Coalition MP facing corruption charges Read more

Criticism

"The election of Zilinka as the General Prosecutor has been the biggest mistake of this coalition," Interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OLaNO) wrote on social media in response to the cancellation.

The former Minister of Justice Maria Kolikova is also critical of the decision. She says the General Prosecutor's Office has to be hold accountable and face public scrutiny. Kolikova has called for the change of the controversial paragraph for some time.

SaS party considers the application of the paragraph in the case of Borgula to be another political decision of the General Prosecutor. According to SaS MP Alojz Baranik, Zilinka does not act freely and is in a conflict of interests.

Sme Rodina party will not comment on the decision of the General Prosecutor once again. "It is purely his jurisdiction and we respect that," the statement of the party reads.

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Related article Prosecutor Generals Office scraps criminal charges against ex-PM Fico Read more

President turns to Constitutional Court

Last Friday, President Zuzana Caputova announced she will send the controversial paragraph to the Constitutional Court this week.

"I am convinced that the paragraph as it currently stands and the powers that the General Prosecutor has on its basis interfere disproportionately with the independence of the judiciary, and do not contribute to building trust in it either," she wrote on social media.

She also pointed to the fact there is no remedy to the paragraph, and its use by the General Prosecutor arouses controversy in the whole of society.

In early December, the General Prosecutors Office scrapped criminal charges of abuse of power and formation of an organised criminal group laid against Robert Fico and his right-hand-man, former interior minister Robert Kalinak. The decision caused an uproar.

Since there was no political will to change the legislation in the past period, the President decided to use her power and turn to the Constitutional Court.
Jozef Kaban's designs did not meet expectations.

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Slovak designer Jozef Kaban working for German carmaker Volkswagen will be replaced by Andreas Mindt, chief designer of British car brand Bentley.

Kaban became the chief designer of the Volkswagen brand in 2020. Now he will move to another, as of yet unspecified position within the company. Volkswagen is expected to officially announce the changes in the coming days.

Website Automotive News broke the news. According to its sources within the company, the new head of the Volkswagen brand Thomas Schafer did not find some of Kaban's designs interesting.

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Related article Kaban will return to VW as the brands chief designer Read more

Kaban was asked to change the retro design of the Volkswagen ID Life, which was presented at the 2021 Munich Motor Show, and propose a more modern design instead. It was supposed to be a preview of the appearance of the basic Volkswagen ID electric car, which is to be presented in 2025.

Kaban started his career as a car designer in 1999 at Volkswagen. Within the group, he also worked for the brands Audi, Bugatti, and Skoda.

Kaban's successor also has a long career at Volkswagen. Thirty-five-year-old Mindt will take up the new role on February 1, sources told Automobilwoche, a sister publication of Automotive News.
Michael Jordan-Jalen Hurts comparison is 'sacrilegious' originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

After beating the New York Giants in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni compared quarterback Jalen Hurts to Michael Jordan.

As in six-time NBA Champion, greatest of all-time, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.

"To have him out there is like I know this is high praise, but to have him out there is like having I shouldn't even go there it's like having Michael Jordan out there," Sirianni told reporters after the game. "He's your leader. He's your guy."

Keep in mind Hurts had just won a game to reach the NFC championship game. Not the NFC Championship game. It's also his one and only playoff game and win of his career.

It's a ludicrous comparison, and NBC Sports Bay Area's Carlos Ramirez joined Football Night In Chicago to lambast the comparison in a way that would make any Chicagoan proud.

"I am of the belief that Michael Jeffrey Jordan is the single greatest athlete to ever walk death or this earth ever, ever. Any sport, ever, ever. I don't care," Ramirez said. "And for Nick Sirianni to come out and compare Jalen Hurts to the GOAT, to the greatest to ever do anything on the planet to me is sacrilegious.

"I think Chicago should be in an uproar because and frankly, Jalen Hurts should be upset that his head coach put him in such a situation, such an uncomfortable situation. It's just mind boggling to me."

The comment has relatively flown under the radar in Chicago, perhaps because it's so absurd it doesn't even need to be addressed. There are too many mock drafts to read or listicles about free agents Ryan Poles will give truck loads of cash to that need to be perused.

But Ramirez says he understands what Sirianni was trying to say, but it was the wrong moment.

Story continues

"He's talking about the intangibles of leadership that Jalen Hurts has, but he's won one playoff game," Ramirez said. "We're talking about a guy who will change a sport, who change a city, who change the entire planet on basketball terms and merch and media and everything, Michael Jordan.

"So I just think it's unfair for Sirianni to put the Superman cape on Jalen Hurts before the biggest game of his career."

We'll see how Hurts handles the pressure Sunday.

Click here to follow the Under Center Podcast.
Utah student-athlete Cristal Isa scores 9.875 on bars against No. 1 Oklahoma on Sunday, Jan. 22. Follow Pac-12 womens gymnastics this season with the Pac-12 Now App. Download the Pac-12 Now App today and set alerts for Pac-12 womens gymnastics to make sure you never miss a moment of the action. Pac-12 Now is available today in your app store for iOS, Android, and Apple TV.
The developer who created the Assembly Room upscale dining hall in downtown New Britain is opening Prohibition, a bar, on the first floor of a newly renovated apartment building on Arch Street.

Even though its just a few blocks from the Assembly Room, Dan Czyzewskis new project represents a fresh focus on reviving a different part of the city, according to municipal officials.

Were branching out from downtown a little, were connecting the dots, Czyzewski said.

Working on separate residential and mixed-use projects, Czyzewski and developers Avner Krohn and Amit Lakhotia have created dozens of market rate apartments downtown and are building several hundred more. New Britain is now looking to expand that revitalization to Arch Street, the chief thoroughfare in the neighborhood that city leaders dubbed Barrio Latino seven years ago.

Arch Street was known for crime a decade or two ago, but has seen a limited revival since then with the opening of Five Churches Brewing in 2018 and numerous new businesses, including Roosters Chicken and Waffles. To foster further improvement, the city is planning a streetscape makeover similar to what it did downtown.

Arch Street used to be tough, but thats turning around, Czyzewski said. The city is going to do a $2 million streetscape with brick pavers, lights, benches.

A kitchen in one of the apartments at the new Prohibition mixed-use building on Arch Street in New Britain.

Czyzewskis Exclusive Development LLC has been renovating the fire-damaged 67-69 Arch St. building for several years, and tenants this month began moving in.

We have converted the building into nine residential luxury apartment units and a creative and trendy bar with a tapas menu going in on the ground level retail space, Czyzewski said in an email earlier in the week.

Weve owned the building for a few years now and have been working to align our vision to create something New Britain has never seen before: A one-of-a-kind living experience, with a unique Prohibition-era vibe, he said.

My idea was to create a trendy destination spot, while also offering our residents a luxurious amenity, he said of the narrow, historic four-story building.

An apartment at the new Prohibition on Arch Street in New Britain.

Rents range from $1,450 for a studio and $1,650 for a one-bedroom to $2,650 for a two-bedroom unit. All nine apartments are leased, but the company is compiling a waiting list for the future.

Exclusive Development has signed an operator for the bar, and expects the business will open in March. The nine apartments are all leased.

Mayor Erin Stewart said the building represents what New Britain wants to bring to Arch Street.

This project is an important step in the citys efforts to expand the development weve seen in downtown to other neighborhoods, she said. Projects like this one will only add to the vibrancy of Arch Street and will help this neighborhood thrive well into the future.

Exclusive Properties bought the historic but dilapidated Porter Building at 222 Main St. in 2018 and reopened it three years later as a mixed-use development. In the heart of downtown overlooking Central Park, the five-story Porter has 43 apartments as well as the ground-floor Assembly Room.

The dining hall has four restaurants and a bar, and Czyzewski sees foot traffic increasing after large-scale apartment buildings by Krohn and Lakhotia open downtown over the next two years.

People think of us as competitors but we really build off each other. One or two developers couldnt do this, he said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/biden-may-appoint-former-white-house-covid-19-coordinator-as-new-chief-of-staff-according-to-media-1106597748.html

Biden May Appoint Former White House COVID-19 Coordinator as New Chief of Staff, According to Media

Biden May Appoint Former White House COVID-19 Coordinator as New Chief of Staff, According to Media

US President Joe Biden may appoint former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients as the new chief of staff to replace Ronald Klain, media reported on Sunday, citing sources.

2023-01-22T22:03+0000

2023-01-22T22:03+0000

2023-01-22T22:03+0000

americas

white house

biden administration

ron klain

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Klain assigned Zients different projects in recent weeks, which some regarded as a move to prepare him for the senior position, The Washington Post reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Zients returned to the White House last fall and assisted Klain in the preparation of personnel reshuffles after the US 2022 midterm elections in November, the report said. In April 2022, Zients left his position of the White House COVID-19 chief and was replaced by Dr. Ashish Jha. Biden said that 80% of adults in the United States were fully vaccinated and over 100 million people were boosted under Zients's 14-month management. On Saturday, The New York Times reported that Klain, who has been remaining in office longer than any other presidential first chief of staff in more than 50 years, might step down in the coming weeks and that a search of a successor was underway. Klain's decision to step down is reportedly unrelated to the ongoing investigation about classified documents found at Biden's private office and Delaware residence.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230121/white-house-chief-of-staff-ronald-klain-may-reportedly-resign-in-coming-weeks-1106561532.html

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ron klain, joe biden, jeffrey zients, chief of staff, us politics
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/australia-planning-to-spend-up-to-1bln-on-sea-mines-defense-ministry-1106616379.html

Australia Planning to Spend Up to $1Bln on Sea Mines: Defense Ministry

Australia Planning to Spend Up to $1Bln on Sea Mines: Defense Ministry

Australia plans to spend up to $1 billion on advanced naval mines to protect its sea lanes and ports amid China's rising influence in the Indo-Pacific region

2023-01-23T12:26+0000

2023-01-23T12:26+0000

2023-04-06T12:15+0000

military

australia

mines

japan

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"Defence is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australias maritime approaches. A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors," the ministry told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Australia is expected to spend from $500 million to $1 billion on mines, the newspaper reported, citing sources, adding that it would be Australias first major investment in naval mines since the Vietnam War. According to the report, Australia will buy mines that can be remotely activated and deactivated once laid, allowing friendly commercial and naval vessels to pass safely. In August, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said that his country should purchase enough lethal weapons to prevent an enemy attack. In January, the Australian government said that it would spend up to $2 billion to strengthen its missile capability.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221206/china-urges-australia-to-stop-sending-wrong-signals-to-taiwan-official-1105107357.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/bbc-chairman-requests-probe-into-own-appointment-over-links-to-boris-johnson-reports-say-1106619948.html

BBC Chairman Requests Probe Into Own Appointment Over Links to Boris Johnson, Reports Say

BBC Chairman Requests Probe Into Own Appointment Over Links to Boris Johnson, Reports Say

Chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Richard Sharp asked the BBC board to investigate his appointment as the BBC chairman

2023-01-23T13:54+0000

2023-01-23T13:54+0000

2023-01-23T13:54+0000

world

uk

bbc

boris johnson

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Last week, The Sunday Times reported that Sharp, who was recommended for the top BBC job by Johnson in 2020, had helped the former UK leader arrange a guarantor on a loan of some 800,000 pounds ($990,000), which sparked calls for investigating a possible conflict of interests in Sharp's appointment process. According to reports, Sharp instructed the BBC board to review a potential conflict of interests during his appointment, though he denied his involvement in arranging any kind of financial help for Johnson. On Sunday, the Labour party wrote a letter to Commissioner for Public Appointments William Shawcross, calling for an investigation into Sharp's appointment. According to The Sunday Times, Sharp helped the former prime minister receive a loan in late 2020 when the latter was facing financial problems due to a child support he had to provide to his ex-wife. The current BBC chairman arranged a meeting between Johnson and multimillionaire Canadian businessman Sam Blyth, with the latter proposing to act as Johnson's guarantor for a loan, the newspaper noted. A few weeks later, Sharp was announced as the government's choice for the top job at the BBC.

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richard sharp asked the bbc board to investigate, involvement of former uk pm boris johnson
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/berlin-will-not-stand-in-the-way-if-poland-opts-to-send-tanks-to-ukraine-baerbock-says-1106600608.html

Berlin Will Not Stand in the Way If Poland Opts to Send Tanks to Ukraine, Baerbock Says

Berlin Will Not Stand in the Way If Poland Opts to Send Tanks to Ukraine, Baerbock Says

Berlin will not stand in the way if Poland opts to send tanks to Ukraine, said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

2023-01-23T06:12+0000

2023-01-23T06:12+0000

2023-01-23T09:11+0000

volodymyr zelensky

ukraine

tanks

russia's special operation in ukraine

olaf scholz

leopard 2

boris pistorius

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102152/86/1021528687_0:107:2048:1259_1920x0_80_0_0_fd24735631ee036f2e53f5986adc4857.jpg

If Poland takes a decision to send German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Berlin will not stop Warsaw from doing so, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.When asked in an interview for French television on January 22 what Berlins response would be if Poland were to go ahead with the delivery, Baerbock said: "For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way."Baerbock added:The Foreign Minister's words appear to strike a quite different tone from earlier remarks by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, made at a summit on Sunday. Scholz had insisted that any decision on weapons deliveries would be made in full coordination with allies, including Washington.Meanwhile, at a joint news conference with Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out that France might send Leclerc tanks to Ukraine. However, he pointed to the need to take into consideration the time needed to train Ukrainians to use the tanks, and insisted any decision must not jeopardize France's own security, adding that the move would have to be coordinated with allies such as Germany.As German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius weighed in on the issue the same day, he said that he anticipated a decision to be made regarding the delivery of the tanks to Ukraine soon. However, he clarified to German media that Berlin would not rush in to make any hasty decisions. Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius promised to check the armys inventory, as Washington pressured its German allies to deliver some of the estimated 328 Leopard 2 battle tanks from the Bundeswehrs arsenal to Ukraine. Washington has held off on deploying its own M1 Abrams tanks to the Kiev authorities, arguing their weight and supposed unsuitability to the Ukrainian terrain.The move to hold off on sending German-made tanks for the Kiev regime by Berlin has left the US, NATO and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky fuming for months. Mateusz Morawiecki. Prime Minister of Poland, which has repeatedly riled at Berlin over its hesitant stance regarding sending the highly advanced Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, or allowing third nations to transfer them, slammed Germany's attitude as "unacceptable."Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius promised to check the armys inventory, as Washington pressured its German allies to deliver some of the estimated 328 Leopard 2 battle tanks from the Bundeswehrs arsenal to Ukraine. Washington has held off on deploying its own M1 Abrams tanks to the Kiev authorities, arguing their weight and supposed unsuitability to the Ukrainian environment.As for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he pressed ahead with his oft-repeated mantra calling for more weapons deliveries to his country on January 20. However, he conceded that sending several dozen Western tanks to Ukraine could not radically change the situation, as he gave an interview to German media.Since Russia started its special military operation in Ukraine, the US and its NATO allies have been pumping Kiev with weapons which Moscow warned would have a detrimental effect on the conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry repeatedly noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia.Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin recently said that the supply of offensive armament from Western countries to Kiev will lead to a global disaster and retaliatory measures from Moscow with the use of more powerful weapons.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/move-to-hold-off-on-tanks-for-kiev-sparks-row-between-senior-members-of-germanys-coalition-govt-1106576488.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230121/i-am-tired-of-this-sshow-washington-and-kiev-fume-as-berlin-holds-off-on-tanks-for-ukraine-1106552205.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/western-arms-deliveries-to-kiev-will-lead-to-global-disaster-russian-state-duma-speaker-says--1106569206.html

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berlin will not stand in the way, if poland decides to send tanks to ukraine, german foreign minister annalena baerbock, sending leopard 2 tanks to ukraine, pumping ukraine with western weapons, prolonging the conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/brushing-off-terror-label-iran-says-volcano-of-terrorism-would-have-engulfed-eu-if-not-for-irgc-1106624789.html

Brushing Off Terror Label, Iran Says Volcano of Terrorism Would Have Engulfed EU if Not for IRGC

Brushing Off Terror Label, Iran Says Volcano of Terrorism Would Have Engulfed EU if Not for IRGC

European Union foreign ministers stopped short of labeling Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist entity on Monday while announcing new sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Last week, the European Parliament issued a resolution calling for the IRGC to be added to the blocs official terrorist list.

2023-01-23T18:27+0000

2023-01-23T18:27+0000

2023-02-09T11:45+0000

world

iran

sanctions

blacklist

blacklisting

revolutionary guard

islamic revolutionary guard corps

revolutionary guard corps

us

josep borrell

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The fire of Daesh (ISIS)* terror would have made its way into the heart of Europe and engulfed the region in a volcano of terrorism, were it not for Irans IRGC troops, Iranian officials, diplomats, and lawmakers have said, responding to European lawmakers failed push to add the elite fighting force to its list of designated terrorist entities.Europe owes its security to the IRGCs anti-terror campaign in Iraq and Syria, and any sanctions against the IRGC would constitute a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told reporters on Monday.Dismissing the European Parliaments resolution passed last Wednesday asking bloc members to designate the IRGC as irresponsible and illogical, Kanani stressed that Brussels had been given necessary warnings on the implications of such a move, promising appropriate measures in response to any reckless decisions on the part of the EU.EU foreign ministers failed to move forward with the terror designation on Monday, with the blocs foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, saying such a decision would require a court ruling. It is something that cannot be decided without a court, a court decision first. You cannot say I consider you a terrorist because I dont like you, Borrell said.The EU instead agreed to a fresh round of sanctions against Tehran, targeting Iranian officials it said were responsible for the repression of foreign-backed protests across the country which began in September, and caused the deaths of scores of people, including both protesters and security forces. The new restrictions target 18 individuals and 19 entities, including high-ranking members of the IRGC, political and media figures, and government and parliament officials.The US also slapped new sanctions against Iran on Monday, targeting the IRGCs Cooperative Foundation (a charitable trust), and officials including the deputy minister of intelligence and four IRGC commanders on human rights grounds.Iranian lawmakers and military officials lashed out at the EU over attempts to link the IRGC to terrorism.Lawmaker Gholamreza Shariati told Iranian media that the IRGC was the guarantor of security not just for Iran but for the entire world, and that had it not been for the elite force risking their lives in Iraq and Syria, Daesh would have been in central Europe today. The politician suggested that the EP had become a puppet of terrorist groups such as the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), and has become deluded by them. The MKO is a US and Israeli-sponsored paramilitary group waging low-intensity warfare against Iran since the early 1980s, and is responsible for a string of terrorist attacks which has killed thousands of Iranian security forces personnel, government officials and civilians.The fire [of terrorism] was reaching the edge of Europe and had it not been contained, it would have covered the whole region, Salami added.Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Sunday that Iran would take retaliatory, swift and decisive action if the EU moved ahead with measures to blacklist the IRGC, including the possible designation of European armies as terrorist entities.Irans parliament already took similar measures in January 2020, when it designated the entire US military as terrorists following the strike that killed Soleimani.Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran would consider walking out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, expelling International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and other radical measures if Brussels took the visceral decision to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity.The IRGC played an instrumental role in saving the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad from the Western and Gulf-backed dirty war against Syria from 2012 onward, and helped to organize and coordinate Iraqi militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces formed to fight Daesh between 2014 and 2017.Iran has jealously guarded the IRGCs reputation abroad from attacks by the US and its allies. Last year, months of talks between Iranian and US negotiators on the possible renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement on Irans peaceful nuclear program ground to a halt after President Joe Biden announced that he would be ready to kill the nuclear deal to keep the IRGC on the USs terror blacklist.* A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/us-sanctions-irans-irgc-cooperative-foundation-senior-officials-1106623294.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/iran-urges-eu-to-think-carefully-before-labeling-irgc-as-terrorist-report-1106594600.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/iran-nuclear-deal-how-us-failed-historic-breakthrough--opened-door-to-seven-years-of-controversy-1106401574.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/democratic-rep-gallego-announces-run-for-ind-sinemas-us-senate-seat-for-arizona-1106624118.html

Democratic Rep. Gallego Announces Run for Ind. Sinemas US Senate Seat for Arizona

Democratic Rep. Gallego Announces Run for Ind. Sinemas US Senate Seat for Arizona

US Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) could face a challenger from her former party in the 2024 election campaign: Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego. The announcement comes weeks after Sinema, a moderate, left the Democrats after having long been at odds with party leadership.

2023-01-23T18:08+0000

2023-01-23T18:08+0000

2023-01-23T18:08+0000

americas

kyrsten sinema

ruben gallego

arizona

us senate

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Gallego threw his hat into the ring for the 2024 election race on Monday with a post on his official Twitter account.Growing up poor, all I had was the American dream. It kept me going: as a kid sleeping on the floor, a student scrubbing toilets, a Marine losing brothers in Iraq, Gallego wrote. Today, too many Arizonans see their dream slipping away. Im running for the US Senate to win it back for you!In the accompanying video recorded in both English and Spanish, the bilingual Gallego is seen talking to a group of US military veterans about how they need a fighter for them because of rising costs of living that dont affect the rich and powerful.The comment is a direct swipe at Sinema, who has long positioned herself as the champion of Arizonas Chamber of Commerce and has received millions in corporate campaign donations to fight progressive bills being championed by Democrats.Gallego was born in Chicago to Colombian and Mexican parents and was one of four kids. He studied International Relations at Harvard and joined the US Marines after, and fought in the US war in Iraq. His unit suffered the heaviest losses of any USMC unit, and he wrote a book in 2021 about his experiences titled They Called Us Lucky: The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit.After departing the service, Gallego took up politics as a way to advocate for veterans, serving in the Arizona state legislature before winning his present seat in the US House of Representatives in 2015.However, Sinema hasnt yet confirmed if she will seek a second Senate term.In a statement on Monday, Philip Letsou, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, characterized the situation as a Democrat civil war in which party members will have to pick sides.Although Republicans are salivating at the thought of infighting among their rivals, no GOP candidate has yet announced themselves. Arizonans considered likely to take up the challenge include several Donald Trump-backed candidates who failed to win their November 2022 races, including would-be governor Kari Lake and Blake Masters, who sought Arizonas other Senate seat and lost to incumbent Mark Kelly.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230118/trump-reportedly-makes-bid-to-regain-control-over-facebook-account-for-2024-campaign-1106471264.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/erdogan-sweden-should-not-count-on-turkeys-support-for-joining-nato-1106625424.html

Erdogan: Sweden Should Not Count on Turkey's Support for Joining NATO

Erdogan: Sweden Should Not Count on Turkey's Support for Joining NATO

Stockholm should not expect Ankara's support for Sweden's entry into NATO after anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic actions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

2023-01-23T18:35+0000

2023-01-23T18:35+0000

2023-01-23T18:36+0000

world

turkiye

sweden

nato

hulusi akar

recep tayyip erdogan

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On Saturday, Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the far-right Danish political party Stram Kurs, burned a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm after receiving a relevant permission from the authorities. The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the act, calling it a "vile attack" on the holy book and "another example of the alarming level that Islamophobia and, racist and discriminatory movements have reached in Europe." The burning of the Quran was also condemned by the foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. He stressed that those who create such "heresy," as well as those who allow these actions, must answer for their deeds. Earlier in the day, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also said that if the Swedish authorities did not change their attitude towards Turkey's requests, Ankara could veto Sweden's membership in NATO. On May 18, against the backdrop of the events in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden handed over an application for joining NATO to the alliance's secretary general. At first, Ankara blocked the start of consideration of these applications, but on June 29, Turkey, Sweden and Finland signed a trilateral security memorandum that takes into account all Ankara's concerns. Turkey has withdrawn its objections to the two countries' accession to NATO. At the moment, 28 of 30 NATO member states have already made a positive decision on the admission of northern countries to NATO, with the exception of Turkey and Hungary. On January 15, Erdogan said that Sweden and Finland needed to extradite about 130 terrorists to Turkey if they wanted the Turkish parliament to ratify their NATO bids. On Saturday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Paludan's action was a clear violation of the obligation of the tripartite memorandum, which Sweden signed, to prevent the propaganda of terrorist organizations. In addition, Turkey unilaterally canceled the upcoming visit of Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson to Ankara, where he was supposed to discuss Stockholm's application for NATO membership.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230121/turkey-cancels-swedish-defense-ministers-visit-over-disgusting-demonstrations-1106548681.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/sweden-may-become-frontier-state-because-of-nato-bid-former-ambassador-warns-1106600670.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/ex-roscosmos-ceo-says-he-has-detailed-information-on-weapon-used-in-donetsk-attack-1106599945.html

Ex-Roscosmos CEO Says He Has Detailed Information on Weapon Used in Donetsk Attack

Ex-Roscosmos CEO Says He Has Detailed Information on Weapon Used in Donetsk Attack

The former CEO of Russian space agency Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, told Sputnik that satellite imagery had helped spot the howitzer from which he was attacked in Donetsk

2023-01-23T04:32+0000

2023-01-23T04:32+0000

2023-01-23T11:52+0000

russia

dmitry rogozin

russia

donetsk

attack

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"Since I worked for four years in our state corporation Roscosmos, I have good friends, partners and comrades there. I had requested an accurate map, a picture that was taken that day, that evening, by one of our spacecraft. I believe that we have established exactly the weapon from which the shot was fired, which was at the optimal distance and position for shots. We continue to monitor this combat crew, which fired at us, and I hope, when I return, they will be found and destroyed," Rogozin said. Servicemen from the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) have managed to seize subscriber terminals of Elon Musks Starlink satellite communication system, which were used by the Ukrainian military, as trophies, Dmitry Rogozin said.Starlink has reportedly provided Ukraine with an estimated 22,000 devices since the start of Russia's special military operation in February of last year.Russia has deployed satellite communication terminals to a military unit in the Donetsk People's Republic for testing, Rogozin said.The military technology is based off civilian solutions marketed by Russian companies, Rogozin said. The former official, who is on a military advisory panel, said the tech was tailored for use "along the frontline when the enemy is jamming this sort of communication channels."In December of last year, the hotel where Rogozin and a group of Russian military advisers were staying in Donetsk came under fire. The ex-space official was wounded in the spine by a shell fragment, while one of the military advisers was killed. Since November 2022, the former Roscosmos CEO has been heading an inspection group of military advisers in the zone of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, which provides technical support to units in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221112/ex-ceo-of-russias-roscosmos-says-plans-mass-production-of-drones-for-troops-in-donbass-1104063022.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/flags-in-us-shall-be-flown-at-half-staff-following-monterey-park-shooting-biden-1106600272.html

Flags in US Shall Be Flown at Half-Staff Following Monterey Park Shooting: Biden

Flags in US Shall Be Flown at Half-Staff Following Monterey Park Shooting: Biden

Joe Biden has ordered that flags in the United States be flown at half-staff until Thursday, in order to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park

2023-01-23T04:38+0000

2023-01-23T04:38+0000

2023-01-23T04:38+0000

americas

us

california

shooting

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"As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on January 21, 2023, in Monterey Park, California I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds," Biden said in a Sunday proclamation. He added that flags shall also be flown at half-staff at all military facilities and naval vessels and at US embassies and other facilities abroad, until sunset, January 26. Late on Saturday, January 21, a gunman opened fire at a local dance studio in the city of Monterey Park, located east of Los Angeles, killing 10 people and injuring 10 others. He then fled the scene. Later in the day, police have identified the suspected gunman as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, and confirmed he shot and killed himself.The incident occurred at the end of the first day of a two-day street festival to celebrate Lunar New Year. The City of Monterey Park cancelled the rest of the Chinese New Year celebrations following the mass shooting. Biden expressed condolences to the families of the victims on Sunday, saying that the shooting deeply impacted the Asian American and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPI) community. A SWAT team breached a white van linked to the mass shooting in Monterey Park on Sunday and found a body inside, according to US media reports. Media reported on Sunday, citing two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, that the man found dead inside the white cargo van in the city of Torrance, California, was described as "possibly" being the suspect. According to US media reports, he may have shot himself.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/shooting-in-california-leaves-10-dead-10-injured-sheriffs-department-1106580558.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/house-gop-appears-on-track-to-find-out-who-had-access-to-bidens-classified-memos-1106625111.html

House GOP Appears on Track to Find Out Who Had Access to Biden's Classified Memos

House GOP Appears on Track to Find Out Who Had Access to Biden's Classified Memos

House GOP investigators looking into the president's classified memo saga are set to obtain information about who visited Joe Biden's house in Wilmington... 23.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-23T18:37+0000

2023-01-23T18:37+0000

2023-01-23T18:37+0000

americas

us

hunter biden

joe biden

us secret service

classified documents

delaware

gop

house gop

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House Republicans are striving to get information on who could get access to classified documents stored at Biden's Delaware premises for at least six years. Several tranches of memos reportedly originating from the Obama era have been discovered in Biden's private house and garage and, earlier, at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement of the University of Pennsylvania is located in Washington, DC.On January 15, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain requesting the Wilmington residences visitor log. However, the White House said that no visitor logs for the Delaware home exist, since Bidens "personal residence is personal."Earlier, on January 13, House Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to share documents and communications concerning Biden's classified documents. The DoJ responded that its ability to fully cooperate with congressional probe is limited by a number of factors.Having been stonewalled by both the DoJ and the White House, GOP congressmen continued their efforts to find out who visited Joe Biden's property.Republicans appear to have good reasons for being so relentless. Last week, conservative media outlet Just the News broke that Hunter Biden had listed the Wilmington home as his personal residence during a period in 2018-2019 when he suffered from self-described addiction and also pursued deals with a Chinese company that reportedly gave him a large diamond and a $5 million interest-free forgivable loan.Hunter is known for maintaining ties with foreign tycoons and fixers, including Ukrainian oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky. Zlochevsky used to pay him a staggering $83,333 per month for serving on the board of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma even though the younger Biden had zero expertise in energy sector. Republicans don't rule out that Hunter's foreign business partners could potentially get access to sensitive government documents.Even though there are no visitor logs for Biden's Wilmington, the US Secret Service does have some information on vetted guests with regular access to the Bidens' premises. As per Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi, the agency "generate[s] law enforcement and criminal justice information records for various individuals who may come into contact with Secret Service protected sites."A source familiar with the situation told Fox News last week that the agency is ready to share information on Biden's guests with House investigators if requested by Congress. However, the Secret Service did not respond to a request from the US press to comment on that.On Sunday, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced in an interview with a US broadcaster that the committee would file an official request for key names and dates to the Secret Service on January 23.Earlier, another American conservative outlet reported that there are "several avenues" to obtain information on who had access to classified documents; and that the Oversight Committee will pursue those avenues and is determined to exhaust them all.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/contagious-syndrome-how-clinton--obama-used-to-mishandle-classified-docs-akin-to-biden-1106411646.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/all-deny--deflect-bidens-no-regrets-response-to-classified-docs-row-ripped-as-really-dumb--1106564745.html

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Jeff Parshley and his partner, photographer Adam Bouska, were not activists until 2008. What got them started that year was the passage of Proposition 8, which prohibited same-sex marriage in California.

Adam and myself were among the people who were always saying Prop 8 will never pass in California. We are a liberal state. Marriage equality was legal already. They wanted to make it illegal, to take it back away? said Parshley, who lives in Los Angeles.

When it passed, the men were in shock. In reaction, Bouska took a picture of Parshley with masking tape over his mouth and NOH8? painted on his cheek.

He posted the photo online. It went viral. Parshley and Bouska were approached by countless people who wanted to be photographed, too. Many of them were celebrities. The project grew and grew. More than 14 years and 65,000 photo shoots later, the couple is established as LGBTQ rights standard bearers.

The NOH8 campaign is returning to Hartford and West Hartford this month. On Jan. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m., Bouska will be shooting photos at TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl St. in Hartford. On Jan. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., he will be shooting at Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road in West Hartford.

I am so happy we are doing it in both locations. It sends a stronger unified message if both of our theaters do this hand in hand, said Tracy Flater, executive director of Playhouse on Park.

In West Hartford, the event is presented by West Hartford Pride and scheduled to coincide with the run of Indecent, Paula Vogels drama about a groundbreaking LGBTQ play.

Its a good fit with the play, which is filled with antisemitism, censorship, violence against women and prejudice about the LGBTQ community, Flater said.

Any single person or group of people can show up to have their pictures taken. The cost is $40 for one person and $25 per person for a group. Reservations are not necessary. The photography sessions will be first-come, first-served.

Proposition 8 is no longer a factor in the battle for LGBTQ rights. It was later ruled unconstitutional and today, same-sex marriage is legal nationwide. But Parshley said his travels around the country have taught him that the fight against hate always will be timely.

Sadly, hate is prevalent today. You dont need to be in the LGBT community to relate to hate, he said. Everyone has their own reason for coming to pose. People come out saying I believe in this, I am hated on account of my size, my religion, my gender, what I wear, where I live. This campaign is an outlet for that.

Joanna Schubert, co-chair of West Hartford Pride, agrees.

In this atmosphere of growing partisan tensions, certainly there is a lot of hate. You see it in the rise of antisemitism, anti-Asian hate, the rise of violent incidents with firearms like Pulse and Club Q, Schubert said, referring to two mass shootings at LGBTQ social hubs.

Rob Ruggiero, producing artistic director of TheaterWorks, invoked last years overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court to emphasize that even in a relatively embracing state like Connecticut, the LGBTQ community cant become complacent.

That made the LGBTQ community sit forward. You start to worry, are our rights next? Our marriage rights? Any other really important rights weve got?, Ruggiero said. In the political arena, it seems like an uncertain time. You want to make sure you stay on top of it.

Those who want to participate must wear a plain white shirt in the style of the photo project. (Examples: noh8campaign.com/photo-galleries). Each subject must sign a release. Subjects will have a NOH8? temporary tattoo put on their face and their mouths will be covered with electrical tape. Cash and credit cards only. Fees cover services and costs for one edited digital print and do not include physical prints. noh8campaign.com/events.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/hungary-will-not-support-sanctions-limiting-energy-cooperation-with-russia-szijjarto-1106616870.html

Hungary Will Not Support Sanctions Limiting Energy Cooperation With Russia: Szijjarto

Hungary Will Not Support Sanctions Limiting Energy Cooperation With Russia: Szijjarto

Hungary will not support any sanctions restricting energy cooperation with Russia

2023-01-23T12:41+0000

2023-01-23T12:41+0000

2023-01-23T12:41+0000

world

hungary

nuclear power plant

russia

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"Without the Paks nuclear power plant, it would be impossible to ensure the current energy supply to Hungary, as without the construction of new units of the Paks nuclear power plant, it will be impossible to guarantee the security of Hungary's energy supply in the coming decades... So, I think it is quite obvious that Hungary will not support any sanctions that would in any way limit cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy," Szijjarto told a briefing, broadcast on his social media. The minister recalled that Hungary has been using nuclear energy from the Paks nuclear power plant for 40 years, the contract with Rosatom on the construction of new units was signed nine years ago.Hungary's only nuclear power plant, Paks, generates about a third of all electricity in Hungary, with the share expected to increase after the planned commissioning of the NPP's two new reactor units. The Hungarian leadership has often stressed that nuclear energy is a way to ensure the country's energy security.In late 2014, Russia and Hungary signed an agreement on the construction of two additional advanced reactors. The sides agreed that Russia would allocate 10 billion euros ($10.6 billion) as loan to finance the construction of the units.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20170715/hungary-russian-nuclear-technologies-1055580582.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/malta-helps-eu-in-freezing-russian-assets-worth-over-100mln-foreign-minister-1106614816.html

Malta Helps EU in Freezing Russian Assets Worth Over $100Mln: Foreign Minister

Malta Helps EU in Freezing Russian Assets Worth Over $100Mln: Foreign Minister

Malta provided other EU countries with information that helped freeze over $100 million worth of Russian assets

2023-01-23T11:19+0000

2023-01-23T11:19+0000

2023-04-12T17:05+0000

economy

malta

russia

assets

european union (eu)

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Malta itself reportedly froze over $200,000 worth of Russian assets as part of EU sanctions. The minister noted that as a result of the information provided to EU members as part of the measures against Russia, bulk carriers, two yachts and bank accounts have been frozen. Last week, the European Parliament passed a legally non-binding resolution calling for a special international tribunal on Ukraine and a discussion on using Russian state assets as reparations to Kiev for military operation launched by Russia in February. In November, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed creating a special structure to manage the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank and private assets to support Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow would take appropriate measures in response if the assets were confiscated.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/nato-chief-to-visit-south-korea-japan-from-sunday-1106614132.html

NATO Chief to Visit South Korea, Japan From Sunday

NATO Chief to Visit South Korea, Japan From Sunday

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit South Korea and Japan from January 29 to February 1

2023-01-23T11:02+0000

2023-01-23T11:02+0000

2023-04-06T12:15+0000

military

nato

south korea

jens stoltenberg

japan

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In Seoul, the former Norwegian prime minister will meet with Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup and other senior officials. He will also speak at the CHEY Institute at 10 a.m. (1:00 GMT) on Monday and lay a wreath at the National Cemetery. During his Tokyo visit, the alliance's secretary general will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other dignitaries, and deliver remarks at Keio University on Wednesday morning.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220607/japan-upping-ante-on-taiwan-question-nato-expansion-causes-concern-in-asia-pacific-1096085283.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/nigeria-to-overturn-11bln-arbitration-claim-what-threatens-africas-largest-economy-1106613605.html

Nigeria to Overturn $11Bln Arbitration Claim: What Threatens Africa's Largest Economy?

Nigeria to Overturn $11Bln Arbitration Claim: What Threatens Africa's Largest Economy?

This Monday Nigeria will file a lawsuit at London's High Court seeking to overturn a $11 billion arbitration award that resulted in the country owing more than a quarter of its foreign exchange reserves to an oil and gas company.

2023-01-23T13:35+0000

2023-01-23T13:35+0000

2023-01-23T13:35+0000

africa

west africa

nigeria

debt

uk

uk high court

high court of london

lawsuit

case

court case

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Nigeria is to file a lawsuit on Monday at London's High Court seeking to overturn an $11Bln arbitration award that resulted in the country owing more than a quarter of its foreign exchange reserves to an obscure British Virgin Islands-based oil and gas company over a failed natural gas project.As the case develops, Sputnik outlines major events within a prolonged legal dispute between Nigeria's government and P&ID over an alleged repudiation by Nigeria of the agreement, which has rumbled for over a decade and drawn great attention of both domestic and international media. The trial is on the list of the biggest in the UK history in terms of the amount of money involved. Nigeria's Deal With P&ID On 11 January 2010, Nigeria and Process & Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) signed a Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA). The initial goal of the project was to assist the west Afrcian country in its efforts to exploit its huge natural gas reserves. The company was founded and led by two Irish nationals - Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill. The terms of the contract required Nigeria to supply natural gas to the company's processing facility, which was expected to be built in the country. In exchange, P&ID would process the gas and return almost 85 percent of it to Nigeria, taking certain by-products from the refining for its own use. The GSPA also stipulated that the country had to build pipelines and other facilities to transport the gas. However, Nigeria's government was said not to have fulfilled its part of the deal for more than two years. Therefore, the project never got off the ground. P&ID's Legal Action Against Nigeria Viewing this situation as a breach of contract by Nigeria's government, in August 2012, P&ID began arbitration proceedings in London, stating that the country failed to arrange supply of the agreed-upon quantity of natural gas and construct necessary infrastructure. In 2015, the arbitration tribunal ruled that Nigeria had not honored its side of the agreement.Nigeria, for its part, first tried to appeal to Englands courts, requesting that the arbitration tribunals decision be set aside. But in February 2016, the High Court of Justice in London denied its application on the ground that it had been filed more than four months after the deadline. After that, Nigeria sought a set-aside order in its own Federal High Court which, in May 2016, ruled setting aside and/or remitting for further consideration all or part of the arbitration award.At the same time, arbitration proceedings continued in London. In 2017, the tribunal decided that the Nigerian court had no jurisdiction to set aside its determination, and awarded P&ID about $6.6Bln for lost profits with interest at the rate of 7 percent beginning 20 March 2013. The sum has now risen to $11Bln. If enforced, the award would pose a major threat to the country's economy, with the damages accounting for more that 20 percent of foreign exchange reserves and about 10 percent of the total public debt stock. After the court's ruling, P&ID sought to enforce the award in England. In August 2019, the English High Court of Justice concluded that it was enforceable.Nigeria's Legal Response Meanwhile, Nigeria started a criminal investigation into the company's procurement of the natural gas deal. After the judgment for enforcement of the arbitral award, in December 2019, Nigeria subsequently applied to the High Court to extend the deadline to challenge the award citing new evidence of fraud in the arbitration, as well as in underlying contract negotiations. The country stated it had "a prima facie case of fraud" against P&ID, which justifies the extension of time. Nigerias lead counsel, Mark Howard KC, focused on several key aspects in his arguments:The judge, Sir Ross Cranston, said there was a possibility that Nigerias lawyer had been corrupted, pointing out to several payments made by Shasore to lawyers connected with the proceedings. The judge agreed that there was a "strong prima facie case" that the payments were made to to purchase their silence. As a result, the English court granted Nigeria more time to pursue a challenge on the grounds of alleged corruption. As of now, the court has not set aside the arbitration award and a trial on these issues is scheduled to commence in January 2023. It is expected to last eight weeks, and hear the testimony of individuals including Cahill, Grace Taiga, a former legal services director at the country's petroleum ministry, and former P&ID director James Nolan. The company claimed that Nigeria came up with the accusations of corruption to avoid paying what it legally owes as a result of repudiation of the agreement. Thus, Nigeria is now trying to convince the High Court that the arbitration claim was based on a massive fraud perpetrated by P&ID along with former Nigerian government officials.The court proceedings come as Africas largest economy struggles through difficult times. Nigerias federal government spent about 80 percent of its revenue on debt servicing between January and November 2022, as oil production decreased and spending on fuel subsidies rose.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230106/loan-servicing-drains-80-of-nigerias-revenues-finance-minister-says-1106082578.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/poignant-9-page-chronicle-of-death-tanya-savichevas-leningrad-siege-diary-1106581486.html

Poignant 9-Page Chronicle of Death: Tanya Savicheva's Leningrad Siege Diary

Poignant 9-Page Chronicle of Death: Tanya Savicheva's Leningrad Siege Diary

Russian schoolgirl Tanya Savicheva's Leningrad Siege Diary as a symbol of the horrors of WWII.

2023-01-23T11:59+0000

2023-01-23T11:59+0000

2023-01-23T11:59+0000

russia

wwii

nazis

blockade

siege of leningrad

leningrad siege

nuremberg trial

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In her brief diary, Soviet schoolgirl Tanya Savicheva managed to capture the entire essence of the devastating 900-day Siege of Leningrad during World War II, when thousands of civilians starved and froze to death. Yet how poignant those entries written in a faltering hand are, as she recorded the date and time when each member of her beloved family died, until she was the only one left. The heart-rending journal was presented at the Nuremberg Trials as evidence of Nazi atrocities. Here is a brief look at how the personal drama of one family in just a few scant phrases reflected the tragedy of millions of households in the war-torn city of Leningrad.Tanya Savicheva was born on January 23, 1930, the youngest child in her family of two sisters, Nina and Zhenya, and two brothers, Mikhail and Leka. Her father, who died before the war, in 1936, had been a baker, and her mother was a seamstress. At the end of May 1941, Tanya Savicheva graduated from the third grade at school. In 1941, the family originally planned to go to the countryside to spend the summer with relatives in the village of Dvorishchi, but by June 22, 1941, when the Great Patriotic War broke out, only Tanyas older brother Mikhail had managed to set off for the rural settlement. After the beginning of the war, the Savichevs decided to stay in the city to contribute to the war effort. Tanya's brother Leonid, due to myopia, was not taken into the army, and he stayed on to work at the shipbuilding factory in the city. As part of Hitler's offensive against the USSR, Operation Barbarossa, on September 8, 1941, German forces closed in around Leningrad. Hitler's forces laid siege to the city (now St. Petersburg) until January 1944, with the Nazi's bombarding the city and choking off all supplies. Leningrad was to be "erased from the face of the earth," according to Hitler's plan.Amid starvation, exposure to freezing temperatures, disease, and merciless shelling, the entire Savichev family responded to the call to help bolster the citys defenses. Tanya, only 11 years old, helped dig anti-tank trenches, while her mother tirelessly sewed uniforms for the soldiers. Tanyas sister Zhenya worked at an enterprise that produced casings for mines, and despite her growing emaciation, continued to donate blood for the wounded. Her sister Nina was mobilized for defense work, while Tanyas uncles served in the air defenses.Over some of the most harrowing periods of the 900-day siege, people were rationed only 150 to 250 grams of bread daily - a mere fraction of the calories needed to sustain life. People would queue in the freezing winter temperatures for as long as 12 hours, at times, to receive their rations. From sawdust and cellulose added to the bread, to wallpaper, boiled carpenter's glue, and leather - people ate anything to survive. Furthermore, the starving residents of the city had to contend with the piercing cold. In the first winter of the blockade, temperatures reached lows of -40C. Despite this struggle for survival, remarkable fortitude was shown by the people of Leningrad. There were even theater performances, and museums were open while the city remained under German fire.An estimated one million inhabitants died during the siege of the city, which Hitler had repeatedly demanded be razed to the ground with its population completely destroyed. More than 600,000 of these people perished due to hunger. There was only one opening out of the encircled city - across frozen Lake Ladoga in the winter months. The perilous route, which was commonly called the Road of Life, was constantly under German fire, but it offered the only way people for to be evacuated and most importantly, supplies brought into the city. During the siege, nearly 1.5 million people were able to escape across Lake Ladoga, while more than 1.5 million tons of food were delivered to the residents of Leningrad over the ice.As hunger and illness took its toll on Tanya's emaciated family members, one by one they died, their passing recorded in entries in her notebook. The first entry recorded the death of her sister, Zhenya, who passed away on December 28, 1941 at the munitions factory where she had been struggling to work double shifts. Others were to follow soon. The two missin siblings - sister Nina, 12 years older than Tanya, and Mikhail, were assumed to have died by the family. Finally the death of Tanyas mother came on May 13, 1942. The excruciatingly brief, but heartbreaking text of Tanyas notebook reads:Tanya herself was discovered by special nursing brigades searching houses around Leningrad, and along with around 140 children, was brought to an orphanage in August 1942. However, already too ill, Tanya died of tuberculosis on July 1, 1944.The girl never found out that not all members of her family had died, and that the missing ones had survived the siege. Tanyas brother Mikhail suffered severe injuries in the war, but survived his ordeals. Her sister Nina, who had gone to work one day and never came back, had been evacuated out of the city across Lake Ladoga at a moments notice. Returning to Leningrad after the war, it was Nina who found the notebook amidst the ruins of their home. Nina gave the diary to a newspaper journalist, and so the short legacy of death left behind by the Russian schoolgirl became a symbol of the horrors of the Siege of Leningrad.Tanya Savicheva is buried at Krasny Bor cemetery in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Tanya's notebook was presented at the post-war Nuremberg Trials as documentary evidence condemning the terrors of fascism. Today, the diary is on display in St. Petersburg, in the Museum of Leningrad History.In 1968, a memorial was constructed in Tanya Savicheva's memory, with a large stone flower and eight stone tablets representing pages of her diary, known as "The Flower of Life," and a tribute to children who endured the tragedy of the Siege of Leningrad.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/putin-urges-eaeu-to-reduce-risks-created-by-use-of-foreign-currencies-1106608559.html

Putin Urges EAEU to Reduce Risks Created by Use of Foreign Currencies

Putin Urges EAEU to Reduce Risks Created by Use of Foreign Currencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) should prioritize reducing the risks emanating from the use of foreign currencies

2023-01-23T07:47+0000

2023-01-23T07:47+0000

2023-01-23T07:47+0000

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"The urgent task is to consistently reduce the economic risks that the use of foreign currencies and payment systems creates for mutual trade. We believe that an indispensable condition for stable settlement relations within the Union is the connection of partners to the Financial Messaging System of the Bank of Russia and the development of intersystem interaction of national payment systems," Putin said in a statement published by the Kremlin. The Russian president also urged the EAEU to prioritize the development of technological potential. Among the key economic sectors the Russian president listed the automotive and chemical industries, transport engineering, microelectronics, aircraft industry, shipbuilding, pharmaceutics, digital ecosystems, alternative energy, agricultural engineering, biotechnology and seed production. Putin said the harmonization of financial markets would create favorable conditions for member countries to remain within the EAEU. He also suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a Eurasian rating agency that would provide assessment tools for servicing the growing economic activity in the region.The EAEU includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/russia-blames-us-eu-actions-for-decision-to-stop-paying-contributions-to-unece-1106619077.html

Russia Blames US, EU Actions for Decision to Stop Paying Contributions to UNECE

Russia Blames US, EU Actions for Decision to Stop Paying Contributions to UNECE

Russia's decision not to pay contributions to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has been forced

2023-01-23T13:37+0000

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2023-01-23T13:37+0000

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"This measure has been forced, and is a result of the destructive line the United States and the countries of the European Union have adopted [against Russia] in this UN regional commission. These states, in violation of internal procedures, 'pushed through' a number of illegitimate decisions in the UNECE Executive Committee to limit interactions between Russia and the commission. The practical result of such actions was the actual blocking of Russian technical assistance projects in the UNECE," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry also noted that "the authority and effectiveness of the commission, as well as the states of Central Asia and Transcaucasia  the main recipients of Russian assistance  suffered from the unfriendly actions of the EU and the United States." According to the statement, Russia is ready to resume making voluntary contributions to the UNECE after the restoration of a respectful and constructive interstate dialogue within the platform. At the same time, Moscow will continue financing development projects through other organizations of the UN system, the statement added.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/russia-slams-us-psychological-warfare-after-lawmaker-demands-missiles-for-kiev-to-strike-crimea-1106623377.html

Russia Slams US Psychological Warfare After Lawmaker Demands Missiles for Kiev to Strike Crimea

Russia Slams US Psychological Warfare After Lawmaker Demands Missiles for Kiev to Strike Crimea

Ukrainian officials have spent months asking the US to provide them with long-range missile systems to give their forces advanced, long-range strike capabilities to target Russian cities and military infrastructure.

2023-01-23T18:03+0000

2023-01-23T18:03+0000

2023-01-23T18:28+0000

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has blasted calls in Washington to ship long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Kiev, calling these proposals an example of psychological warfare.The senior Russian diplomat warned that the continuing escalation of tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine is an incredibly dangerous path, the consequences of which could be unpredictable.Ryabkovs remarks come amid growing calls by hawkish lawmakers in Washington asking the Biden administration to send ATACMS to Kiev.On Sunday, Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign relations Committee, told US media that Washington should immediately deliver heavy weapons, including tanks and missiles.The Wall Street Journal had an editorial that said were giving [Ukraine] just enough to bleed through months without a chance for victory. Thats the problem here. They need the tanks, and they need the tactical long-range artillery, known as ATACMS, McCaul said.McCaul rejected the suggestion by his interviewer that hitting Russian territory would cross a red line with Moscow. Thats the assumption that Crimeas part of Russia. It was illegally invaded upon in violation of international law. I dont consider Crimea to be part of Russia, the lawmaker said, adding that he was convinced Russia wouldnt react to its territory being struck by US missiles in any substantive way.Crimea became a part of Russia in the spring of 2014 after a peninsula-wide referendum in which over 95 percent of residents voted to break off from Ukrainian jurisdiction following a US-backed coup detat in Kiev.What are ATACMS?A Pentagon official announced last week that Washington wont be providing ATACMS to Ukraine for now, expressing confidence that the Ukrainians can change the dynamic on the battlefield and achieve the type of effects they want to push the Russians back without these weapons.The MGM-140 ATACMS is a long-range surface-to-surface missile manufactured by Lockheed Martin. In service with the US and allied forces since the 1990s, the weapon fires 230 kg fragmentation warhead, and has a range of up to 300 km. The missile can be fired using M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), both of which have already been deployed in Ukraine.The ATACMS was first used during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, and in the US wars of aggression in Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/drone-shot-down-over-sevastopol-bay-in-crimea-governor-says-1106386619.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/western-arms-deliveries-to-kiev-will-lead-to-global-disaster-russian-state-duma-speaker-says--1106569206.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/russian-biolab-commission-to-invite-us-representatives-to-meeting-senior-lawmaker-1106610799.html

Russian Biolab Commission to Invite US Representatives to Meeting: Senior Lawmaker

Russian Biolab Commission to Invite US Representatives to Meeting: Senior Lawmaker

The Commission on the biological program in Ukraine intends to invite renowned economist and chairman of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission Jeffrey Sachs

2023-01-23T09:09+0000

2023-01-23T09:09+0000

2023-01-23T09:23+0000

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"We propose to additionally invite Jeffrey Sachs, who just headed the Lancet commission on COVID. We propose to invite this scholar because we consider it fundamentally important, since the position of the Russian parliament is absolutely transparent, open, as is Russia's position regarding the provision of evaluation evidence, evidence, and we have repeatedly initiated the need for an international investigation into the dangerous activities of the Pentagon, the conclusions of German scholars on the artificial origin of COVID," Yarovaya said. According to the lawmaker, the position of these scholars should be heard in order to correlate it with the materials of the parliamentary investigation, and the commission is also ready to transfer the materials to the academic community in the future, in order to assess the real scale of those "possibly dangerous actions that are being implemented by the United States all over the world." Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament, said that the next meeting of the Commission will take place on February 6, and both houses of parliament will discuss its report on March 15.In September, a consultative meeting of the states parties to the BTWC was held at Russia's initiative. In October, Moscow brought the issue of violations of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) by Ukraine and the United States to the UN Security Council. The US, the United Kingdom and France voted against the resolution on the international investigation into the case, while Russia and China supported the document. Other countries, including India, Mexico and NATO member Norway, abstained from voting.During its special military operation in Ukraine, Russia says it has discovered a network of more than 30 biological laboratories on Ukrainian territory. According to Moscow, Washington has spent over $200 million to develop biological weapons at the facilities. Russia also said that the labs revealed in Ukraine constitute only a small part of a global network of over 300 similar facilities.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/sergey-lavrov-us-crossing-red-lines-by-threatening-other-countries-not-to-work-with-russia-1106616023.html

Sergey Lavrov: US Crossing Red Lines by Threatening Other Countries Not to Work With Russia

Sergey Lavrov: US Crossing Red Lines by Threatening Other Countries Not to Work With Russia

Western countries, namely the US and the UK, are crossing all red lines by exerting pressure on the states, which cooperate with Russia, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

2023-01-23T13:17+0000

2023-01-23T13:17+0000

2023-01-23T15:23+0000

africa

southern africa

south africa

sergey lavrov

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us

foreign minister

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Western countries, namely the US and the UK, are crossing all red lines by exerting pressure on countries that cooperate with Russia, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a joint press conference with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor after their meeting in Pretoria on Monday.Lavrov stressed that the West is undermining democratic principles in terms of international relations, noting that the US along with the EU appeal to democracy only when it suits their interests.Answering reporters' questions, the minister also drew attention to issues concerning the export of Russian grain and fertilizers in the context of the global food crisis and anti-Russian sanctions. He noted that although such exports are not prohibited by Western sanctions, the latter create logistical, financial, and freightage problems. Lavrov stressed that Russia is ready for international cooperation to overcome these issues  among others, noted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres  but the West does not seem to be willing to participate.He also noted that only 20,000 of 280 thousand tons of fertilizers, which Russia agreed to provide to the poorest countries for free, had left the European ports.According to Lavrov, less than 10% of grain exported under the so-called Black Sea grain deal goes to the poorest countries, with almost a half being directed to the EU and roughly the same amount to prosperous developing countries.The Black Sea Grain Initiative, also known as the "grain deal," refers to an agreement between Russia and Ukraine with the participation of Turkey and the UN. The goal of the initiative is to help tackle the global food crisis by allowing grain exports from Black Sea ports that were initially blocked during the conflict in Ukraine.Talking about the food crisis, the minister also responded to claims made by the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who said that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine and "weaponization of food has exacerbated food insecurity and caused untold suffering."According to Lavrov, it is "hard to comment" on Yellen's statements, which he called a "slogan" and cited UN data indicating that the world food crisis started before the special military operation in Ukraine and was caused by the "uncontrolled emission of money" in the West as well as "politicized and uncompromising transition to so-called green economy."Yellen had made her statements during her January African tour, which is widely seen as part of "Biden's big push" into Africa in an effort to counter Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.Talking about the West's pressure on African countries, Lavrov also touched the matter of western criticism of the Russia-China-South Africa naval drills scheduled to take place in February.China, Russia, and South Africa held first trilateral naval drills in 2019. The next ones will take place on February 17-24 near the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Thandi Modise, South Africa's minister of defense, earlier said that Russia could become Africa's key partner in terms of military cooperation. She also recently stated that the US, in its turn, "threatens Africa, not just South Africa, of having anything that is even smelling of Russia."In her turn, South Africa's foreign minister stressed the importance of the exercises for her state, saying that South Africa's military conducts drills "as part of agreements with many countries worldwide." Naledi Pandor said that in contrast with the current criticism of the trilateral exercises, "no-one asked questions" when South Africa took part in drills with the US or France.According to Lavrov, Russia is actively developing military cooperation with its BRICS partners such as China, South Africa, and India, noting that this cooperation is "nothing new." He said that the exercises are "transparent" and called for Western nations to respect their foreign counterparts.On Monday, Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in South Africa, which became the first destination for him during his African tour.In summer 2022, Sergey Lavrov conducted a major African tour, visiting the Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Egypt. In September 2022, he also held talks with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.Russia and South Africa established bilateral diplomatic relations in 1992. Being two key nations of the BRICS group, which also encompasses Brazil, India, and China, Moscow and Pretoria promoted their bilateral relations to the level of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013. South Africa is a key Russian partner in the scientific and educational spheres and one of its primary trade partners along with Egypt and Algeria in Africa. The two sides have also been actively promoting relations in the military dimension as well as in other fields. Moscow and Pretoria share common views on core principles of the world order, coordinating their positions and actions by the means of regular bilateral diplomatic dialogue, at the United Nations, as well as within formats such as BRICS and G20. The countrys president, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Russia for the first time in 2019, when he participated in the first Russia-Africa summit held in Sochi. Pretoria is also expected to participate in the second Russia-Africa summit, which will be held in Saint Petersburg in July.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230120/how-west-used-global-food-crisis-to-whip-up-profits-seize-russias-niche-in-market-1106535089.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/south-africa-hopes-naval-exercises-with-russia-and-china-become-annual--ambassador-1106574146.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230118/south-africa-says-brics-mulling-new-payment-system-to-ditch-dollar-control-1106444789.html

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Ray Landry of West Hartford finally got the daughter he always wanted, even though she arrived at 38 years old via the DNA database of 23andMe.

I always wanted a daughter, but figured it wasnt meant to be.  Im so thrilled and excited, said Landry, who has four adult sons. I think shes been through a lot in life and I wished I was there for her.

Landry, a realtor with Luxe Realty was found in late June through a DNA match sought by Stephanie Cyr, the daughter he never knew he had.

Cyr grew up in Bristol with her mom and her moms husband, who it was presumed was her biological father.

They do not want to be identified.

He was a great dad, she said, but she began to question the genetics at an early age, joking she was a milk carton baby and those doubts only increased as she got older.

Me and my father when I was little had talks about it, He said it wouldnt matter because Id always be his little girl, she said.

While she bore a resemblance to mom, none of her features looked like her dads. Cyr had brown eyes and her parents had blue eyes. She said their teeth werent the same as hers or their noses. While Cyr had long legs both her parents had short, stubby legs, she said.

Even their basic personalities were different.

Cyr said she was close to her dad at times, but she never truly felt, connected.

Ive always questioned my whole life whether the father who raised me was really my father, Cyr said. I knew deep down it wasnt right.

As she got older, Cyr said she realized her birthdate of Oct. 11, 1984 didnt match up with her mothers story that she was conceived on Valentines Day. That only added up to eight months and she knew she wasnt premature.

But meeting Ray Landry for the first time in early July, seeing their uncanny resemblance and quickly seeing the same goofy personalities has been a game-changer in Cyrs life.

Stephanie Cyr, 38, front, found her biological dad, Ray Landry, rear, after wondering for decades if she was related by blood to the man who raised her. The father/daughter were amazed by the uncanny resemblance.

I dont know how other people feel in that situation, but Ive always wanted to be able to relate to someone in that way, Cyr said. This was a great weight taken off my shoulders.

She calls Landry dad as she still lovingly calls the man who raised her.

I got two daddies, Cyr said.

No disputing the science

The genetic discovery was freeing for Cyr, but the journey was long with a lot of tears, hurt for the family and revelations of personal encounters that may have forever gone unsaid.

Cyrs journey into getting to the truth began in 2022. The dad who raised her had a son by a woman who was not Cyrs mother. The son and father had been confirmed in a DNA match through the court.

Cyr, who had expressed her skepticism to the family all along, asked the person she thought was her half brother to take a DNA test along with her.

The result was that it was highly unlikely he and Cyr were related, meaning they didnt share the same biological father.

A few days later, Cyr turned to 23andMe and when the test came back it showed Ray Landry was her father.

She approached her mom about the DNA result and mom said, Youre crazy. Your father is your father.

But there was no disputing the science, as Cyr explained.

Landry was in the database because he had searched for a half-sister he knew existed, but whom he still hasnt located.

When pressed, Cyrs mom realized what had happened, Cyr said.

Cyr said her mom was apologetic and she believes hadnt figured it out till then.

As it turns out, her mom had been dating the father Cyr grew up with and they broke up, Cyr said. The mother then dated Landry  she was 20, he was 17  but got back together with the man who would raise Cyr.

The mother had apparently become pregnant soon before the reconciliation.

Theyve been very understanding, Cyr said of her parents. Mom said she didnt know. They are happy to see I no longer feel lost .

Landry said he knew she was pregnant and asked if he could be the father, but Cyrs mother gave an emphatic, No.

I had a funny feeling, Landry said in hindsight. Deep down inside I was wondering.

Cyr got the results June 30 that Ray Landry was her father and they shared 50% of their genetics. The results were said to be 99% accurate.

Thats basically when my whole life got flipped upside down, she said. Its like everything you grew up with was kind of a lie. Youre half excited, half sad because now youre identity isnt what you are.

When Cyr found Landry, she was a divorced single mom of daughter Sophia Engro, 9, and living in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

She was so anxious and excited when Landry called her after seeing the match on his 23andMe App that she drove to West Hartford that day.

They visited for hours, got caught up on their lives and the next day connected with Landrys four sons for a call on Whats APP.

When he opened the door I was like, Oh my God, she said referring to the uncanny resemblance. I dont know how other people feel in that situation, but Ive always wanted to be able to relate to someone in that way. 

Landry said it was amazing to meet his daughter.

I think shes wonderful. Im proud of her. Shes very pretty, smart, independent, strong, Landry said. She looks so much like me. I was totally shocked. Cyr, in the human resource field, is a graduate student and in the National Guard.

Landry said he didnt get a chance to raise Cyr, but thats OK, and he has great respect for the dad who, brought her up. 

Everything worked out, he said.

Ray Landrys wife welcomed his new found daughter with open arms. They have an adult son together and he also has a three adult sons from a previous marriage.

Stephanie Cyr, left, and Ray Landry, right, both of West Hartford, learned last summer they are biol;ogically father and daughter. Cyr, who always doubted the man who raised her biological father, and Landry, who always wanted a daughter, are happy to be in touch with one another.

To me its been very validating and its fixed me, Cyr said. I dont feel trapped anymore. I know who I am and Im genuinely happy.

Cyr and her daughter, who have since moved to West Hartford to be closer to the family, were at the Landry home for Christmas and in a dad-like move Ray Landry fixed a drain for her recently. The two are hoping to make lots of memories.

While Landry didnt locate his half-sister yes, he also discovered through 23andMe that his brother had a son they didnt know about. They now have a good relationship, Landry said.

Cyr has this advice for people:  First and foremost, always trust your intuition. Thats what drove me to get an answer.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/somali-security-forces-repel-terrorist-attack-on-mayors-office-in-mogadishu-1106607289.html

Somali Security Forces Repel Terrorist Attack on Mayor's Office in Mogadishu

Somali Security Forces Repel Terrorist Attack on Mayor's Office in Mogadishu

Somalias security forces have fought off an attack carried out by members of al-Shabaab* terrorist group at the Banadir Regional Administration headquarters in the countrys capital Mogadishu.

2023-01-23T10:54+0000

2023-01-23T10:54+0000

2023-01-23T10:54+0000

africa

east africa

horn of africa

somalia

terrorist attack

counter-terrorism

terrorism

terrorist group

al-shabaab

security forces

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Somalias security forces have fought off an attack carried out by members of the al-Shabaab terrorist group at the Banaadir Regional Administration headquarters in the countrys capital Mogadishu, Somalias Information Ministry has said in a statement. The attack started with a suicide bombing as a blast tore through a building near the office complex. It was followed by terrorists storming the headquarters and engaging in a shoot-out with security guards. The ministry added that the militants came to the office on foot disguised as National Army troops.According to Somalias Information Ministry, the security forces conducted a multifaceted operation, killing all six terrorists and managing to save regional officials. The siege lasted four hours. At least five civilians died and four others were injured as a result of the terror attack. All the staff at the office were rescued, the police said. This latest attack comes several days after seven soldiers were killed in a car bombing on Friday, including deputy commander Hassan Tuurre, who was a key figure in the ongoing military offensive against al-Shabaab in the region. The militants targeted a military base in the town of Galcad in Galmudug state, 375km north-east of the capital Mogadishu. In recent months, the al-Shabaab jihadist movement has intensified its attacks on the countrys security forces and its bases as Somali military started its offensive against the terrorists, declaring a "total war" on all fronts.Somalias Deputy Defense Minister Abdifatah Kasim recently said that al-Shabaab has asked to open negotiations in the face of the military offensive. He added that an open dialogue is possible with terrorist factions which consist of locals whereas for foreigners there was only one option - "to return to where they are from". He said that the government is "ready to receive" Somalis who want to surrender.*Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda are terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230108/al-shabaab-terrorist-group-seeks-dialogue-somali-govt-says--1106123657.html

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east afrcia, horn of afrcia, somalia, mogadishu municipality headquaters in mogadishu, somalia, al-shabaab militants, mayor's office in central mogadishu
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/sweden-may-become-frontier-state-because-of-nato-bid-former-ambassador-warns-1106600670.html

Sweden May Become 'Frontier State' Because of NATO Bid, Former Ambassador Warns

Sweden May Become 'Frontier State' Because of NATO Bid, Former Ambassador Warns

Sweden filed its NATO in May 2022, citing a shift in the security situation amid Russias special op in Ukraine  a step former ambassador Hirdman labeled premature.

2023-01-23T05:55+0000

2023-01-23T05:55+0000

2023-01-23T05:55+0000

scandinavia

news

sweden

turkiye

nato

world

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Sweden's former ambassador to Russia Sven Hirdman has said his countrys contested NATO bid is hasty and he warned that Sweden will become a frontier state should war break out between the alliance and Russia.Sweden filed a joint NATO bid with Finland in May 2022 - a step Hirdman labeled as premature - because it felt that the security situation had shifted after Russia launched its special operation in Ukraine.Hirdman also claimed that Russia was prepared to conclude a peace settlement early in the conflict, but this was deliberately prevented by the US and the UK, which resulted in Britain's then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson persuading Kiev against this move."He went there and said: 'Don't make a peace settlement with the Russians, and we will give you weapons and money and so on.' So nothing came of it," Hirdman said.He also suggested that from the US perspective a protracted and bloody conflict in Ukraine was "not strange", as many Americans saw Russia as "the only major and potentially aggressive enemy". Trying to exhaust Moscow with a heavy conflict seemed a logical move for the US, he added. However, as far as Stockholm's interests are concerned, a broad conflict in Europe may turn it into a "frontier state against Russia".Sven Hirdman has been state secretary to two Swedish defense ministers and head of the National Swedish Materiel Inspectorate. For a decade, between 1994 and 2004, he served as Sweden's ambassador to Moscow.Swedens NATO bid at present depends on Turkey, which is the only alliance member to have opposed the move. Although hailed by NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg as "the fastest in history", Sweden's potential accession to the bloc has been stalled by Stockholms reluctance to grant all Ankaras demands, which include a crackdown on Kurdish groups it regards as terrorist organizations. The already tense bilateral relations have been marred by a spate of extra controversies, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan being hanged in effigy in Stockholm during a pro-Kurdish demonstration, a cartoon contest mocking Erdogan, harsh insults by Swedish government allies, and a copy of the Quran being burned in front of the Turkish embassy by right-wing politician Rasmus Paludan.Turkey strenuously condemned these acts. In particular, Ankara called the Quran-burning a "vile attack" on the holy book and "another example of the alarming level to which Islamophobia and racist and discriminatory movements have risen in Europe". It was also condemned by several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.Although Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, tried to mend fences by calling the Quran burning a "disrespectful act" and expressing "sympathy for all Muslims", the self-inflicted damage may further postpone Swedens bid to join NATO.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230117/turkish-defense-minister-says-sweden-finland-not-meeting-requirements-to-join-nato-1106421347.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/ukraine-stockpiling-weapons-provided-by-west-on-territories-of-npp---russian-foreign-intel-1106607699.html

Ukraine Stockpiling Weapons Provided by West on Territories of NPP - Russian Foreign Intel

Ukraine Stockpiling Weapons Provided by West on Territories of NPP - Russian Foreign Intel

There is reliable evidence that Ukrainian army is stockpiling weapons and ammunition provided by the West on the territories of nuclear power plants

2023-01-23T07:28+0000

2023-01-23T07:28+0000

2023-01-23T07:28+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

weapons supplies

russia

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"The Foreign Intelligence Service receives reliable information that the Ukrainian armed forces are stockpiling weapons and ammunition provided by the West on the territories of nuclear power plants. This applies to the most expensive and scarce for the Ukrainian armed forces missiles for the HIMARS MLRS and foreign air defense systems, as well as large-caliber artillery ammunition," Naryshkin was quoted as saying by the SVR. The command of the Ukrainian army hides ammunition and weapons on the territory of nuclear power plants, realizing that the Russian armed forces will not deliver strikes at the territories of nuclear power plants, fearing a nuclear catastrophe, the official added.Western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation there on February 24, 2022. In April 2022, Moscow sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Kiev after Russia started its military operation in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any arms shipments on Ukrainian territory would be "legitimate targets" for Russian forces. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that pumping Ukraine with weapons did not contribute to the success of peace negotiations and would have a detrimental effect on the conflict.

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ukrainian army is stockpiling, weapons and ammunition, territories of nuclear power plants
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/un-nuclear-chief-briefs-eu-ministers-on-ukrainian-plant-1106618783.html

UN Nuclear Chief Briefs EU Ministers on Ukrainian Plant

UN Nuclear Chief Briefs EU Ministers on Ukrainian Plant

Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog IAEA, came to Brussels on Monday to brief EU foreign ministers on the nuclear security in conflict-torn Ukraine

2023-01-23T13:32+0000

2023-01-23T13:32+0000

2023-01-23T13:32+0000

world

ukraine

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

the united nations (un)

nuclear plant

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"Protecting the Zaporozhye NPP is urgent and the EU support is indispensable for our missions in Ukraine," the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on social media. The IAEA has been rotating a team of nuclear experts into Europes largest atomic power plant since September in a bid to prevent a nuclear accident. It is seeking to create a buffer security zone around the nuclear site. Grossi said he had also talked with EU foreign ministers about Iran's nuclear program. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, who invited the IAEA to the Foreign Affairs Council, said the EU needed to prevent a nuclear arms race in the region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230107/iaea-consultations-with-agencys-director-general-on-zaporozhye-nuclear-power-plant-remain-ongoing-1106094620.html

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eu foreign ministers, nuclear watchdog iaea, nuclear security
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/us-military-probing-disproportionate-number-of-blood-cancer-incidents-among-nuclear-silo-crews-1106608694.html

US Military Probing 'Disproportionate Number' of Blood Cancer Incidents Among Nuclear Silo Crews

US Military Probing 'Disproportionate Number' of Blood Cancer Incidents Among Nuclear Silo Crews

US Military probing blood cancer incidents among nuclear silo crews at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

2023-01-23T14:33+0000

2023-01-23T14:33+0000

2023-01-23T14:33+0000

americas

us

montana

cancer

us air force

per- and polyfluorinated substances (pfas)

toxic chemicals

firefighters

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/17/1106608252_0:119:3223:1931_1920x0_80_0_0_c741ba7c4bfaf94c8bebd49a25bb49d9.jpg

The US military is carrying out a probe into the "disproportionate number" of missileers - military combat crews staffing nuclear launch complexes - diagnosed with blood cancer.There are indications the disease may be linked to their service, according to a US report citing military briefing slides. Nine officers who had been part of such crews as far back as 25 years ago at a nuclear missile base in Montana have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to a January briefing by US Space Force Lt. Col. Daniel Sebeck. One of the officers has since died, the report added. One of three bases in the US that house 400 Minutemen III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), Malmstrom Air Force Base has 150 such silos. Other ICBMs are hosted by Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.Officers who are part of a combat crew (MCC) operate underground missile systems and are sometimes required to stay in concrete and steel-encased bunkers for days.Sebeck also clarified that at least 455 former missileers were currently serving as Space Force officers. Among them were reportedly at least four of the nine officers diagnosed with blood cancer shown in the slides.Commenting on the issue, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek acknowledged that senior leaders are aware of the concerns raised about the possible association of cancer related to missile combat crew members at Malmstrom AFB." The spokeswoman added that the information "had been shared with the Department of the Air Force surgeon general and our medical professionals are working to gather data and understand more."A type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, part of the immune system, non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects an estimated 19 out of every 100,000 people in the US annually, as per the American Cancer Society.One of the reasons for the concerns is also the fact that the most common age factor connected with incidents of adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 67, as per National Institutes of Health. However, all of the former missileers diagnosed with the cancer are reportedly much younger.Furthermore, the military had previously been warned of multiple cancer cases diagnosed among Malmstroms officers. As far back as in 2001, when 14 cancers, including two cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, were discovered among missileers who had served at Malmstrom AFB, the Air Force Institute for Operational Health waded in to carry out a probe.However, at the time, the review dispelled concerns, concluding that the base was environmentally safe and that sometimes illnesses tend to occur by chance alone.Cancer-Causing ChemicalsOver the past few years, a spate of reports have thrown light on concerning incidents of cancer diagnosed among those who were deployed at several American military bases, with veterans associations signaling alarm and demanding answers.Thus, a report from the Department of Defense and analysis from the Environmental Working Group found that PFAS - a large group of man-made chemicals that are ingredients in everyday products and dubbed forever chemicals, resistant to biodegradation, were present in drinking water at military bases around the United States. PFAS can accumulate in the human body, potentially causing cancer.At 24 bases, PFAS were found to be 70 parts-per-trillion (ppt) or more in the drinking water, the study said, while Environmental Protection Agency rules limited them at one ppt for PFAS. The environmental nonprofit said at least 400 of Americas military installations, both inside the US and overseas, were discovered to have PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies.A greater part of the PFAS pollution at military installations was believed to be the result of firefighting foam made with the chemicals. Furthermore, it was underscored that the DOD has known of the health problems PFAS can cause since the 1970s, but continued to use them, while military firefighters were not informed of the risks posed by PFAS chemicals until 2015, the environmental nonprofit stated.In 2020, a Pentagon report presented to the US House Armed Services Committee went as far as to identify 401 active and Base Closure and Realignment installations in the US where at least one area contained a known or suspected release of perfluorinated compounds.The report revealed that 36 sites had contamination of drinking water, and more than 90 sites reported water source having tested above the Environmental Protection Agencys acceptable levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS & PFOAs.)

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220907/us-test-launches-minuteman-iii-missile-to-show-nuclear-force-readiness-air-force-1100491052.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220826/epa-to-designate-pfas-forever-chemicals-as-hazardous-substances-compel-companies-to-report-spills-1100045779.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220505/pentagon-temporarily-stops-incineration-of-forever-chemicals-1095291278.html

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Svetlana Ekimenko

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/us-seizes-over-600mln-in-assets-from-founder-of-crypto-exchange-ftx-reports-say-1106612323.html

US Seizes Over $600Mln in Assets From Founder of Crypto Exchange FTX, Reports Say

US Seizes Over $600Mln in Assets From Founder of Crypto Exchange FTX, Reports Say

The US federal authorities seized more than $600 million in assets belonging to the founder of now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX

2023-01-23T10:22+0000

2023-01-23T10:22+0000

2023-01-23T10:23+0000

us

sam bankman-fried

ftx

economy

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Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas in December at the behest of the Justice Department and charged with eight counts of fraud. He is accused of defrauding clients and investors of his crypto trading firm of billions of dollars. Court records seen by US media show that US prosecutors provided a list of assets subject to forfeiture, including cash held in several banks and more than 55 million Robinhood Markets shares. Several Binance accounts were also seized, although their values were not included. Bankman-Fried is scheduled to stand trial in October. The US alleges that the 30-year-old Californian orchestrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history by steering billions in FTX investors' money into his hedge fund, Alameda Research. He has denied any wrongdoing.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221212/ftx-founder-sam-bankman-fried-arrested-by-bahamian-authorities-after-us-files-criminal-charges-1105402625.html

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defrauding clients and investors, crypto trading firm of billions of dollars
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/us-senate-democrat-slams-bidens-handling-of-classified-documents-1106613021.html

US Senate Democrat Slams Biden's Handling of Classified Documents

US Senate Democrat Slams Biden's Handling of Classified Documents

US Senate Democratic whip Dick Durbin condemned US President Joe Biden's conduct in keeping classified state documents at home

2023-01-23T10:35+0000

2023-01-23T10:35+0000

2023-01-23T10:42+0000

americas

us

joe biden

documents

classified documents

biden classified files

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Biden "lost the high ground" on this issue of classified information being where it should not be, Durbin told US media, referring to former President Donald Trump, around whom a similar secret papers scandal erupted last summer. Durbin also noted his own careful and responsible handling of official paperwork, adding that "to think that any of them (documents) ended up in boxes, in storage one place or the other is just unacceptable." On Sunday, the Department of Justice conducted another search of President Joe Bidens residence in Wilmington, Delaware, during which a new batch of classified documents was found. On January 9, US media reported that the president's personal attorneys discovered 10 classified documents pertaining to Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom at a Biden think-tank's office, prompting a federal probe into the matter. A second batch of classified documents was discovered in the garage of Biden's residence in Wilmington, Delaware, while another one-page document was found in an adjacent room. The classified documents reportedly date from 2013-2016, when Biden was vice president of the US.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230116/james-comer-biden-refuses-transparent-investigation-into-classified-documents-case-1106413155.html

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us senate democratic whip dick durbin, classified state documents, us president joe biden, biden scandal, biden kept classified documents
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/what-is-the-bradley-infantry-fighting-vehicle-the-us-wants-to-send-to-ukraine-1106625750.html

What is the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle the US Wants to Send to Ukraine?

What is the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle the US Wants to Send to Ukraine?

So whats the deal with this strange weapon of war that Washington wants to send to Kiev?

2023-01-23T19:44+0000

2023-01-23T19:44+0000

2023-01-23T19:38+0000

sputnik explains

m2 bradley infantry fighting vehicle

us army

ukraine

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Its not a tank, even though it looks like one. Nor is the Bradley an armored personnel carrier (APC), even though thats what it was designed to replace. In fact, the Bradley IFV is none of these things, even though its expected to be all of them and more at some time or another.So whats the deal with this strange weapon of war that Washington wants to send to Kiev?What is an Infantry Fighting Vehicle?The M-2 Bradley was the Pentagons delayed response to the mechanized infantry tactics pioneered in Europe after the Second World War. In the German, French, and Soviet armies, IFVs became a way for APCs to participate in the fight after dropping off their troops on the battlefield. Their bigger guns could not just fire in self-defense, but could provide cover for disembarking troops and even take on other lightly armored vehicles.Such vehicles also had to be fast enough to keep up with main battle tanks like the M1 Abrams, which can hit 45 miles per hour on a road and 30 mph offroad.What Can the Bradley Do?However, in drafting plans for the Bradley, Pentagon planners wanted a vehicle that could not just transport infantry or take on comparable lightly armored vehicles, but go toe-to-toe with main battle tanks as well. On top of it, they wanted the Bradley to serve as a reconnaissance vehicle and to have amphibious capabilities, too.The result was a design that did many jobs adequately, but none as well as the singular-role specialized vehicles that had done them in years prior. The Bradley comes in different configurations with different designations - M2, M3, M4, etc. - depending on which role it is intended for.How Many Does the US Army Have?BAE Systems has built 6,785 Bradleys in total, including 400 for Saudi Arabia. Lebanon has also received 32 Bradleys, and Croatia has made a deal to buy 89 units from the US.The US has several armored brigades equipped with the Bradley IFV deployed in Europe, including as far east as Poland and Latvia.How Much Does a Bradley IFV Cost?It's unclear how much any Bradleys sent to Ukraine might cost, but in negotiations last summer to buy the newest version - the M2A4 - the US Army was prepared to pay $4.3 million each.How Has the Bradley Performed in Combat?While it performed admirably during Operation Desert Storm and supposedly destroyed more Iraqi tanks than the M1 Abrams did, during the US later occupation of Iraq, the Bradley fared more poorly, and by 2007 the US Army had traded out the vulnerable Bradleys for the new Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The Pentagon has tried several times to develop a replacement for the Bradley, but all such programs have been canceled.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230119/us-authorizes-25-billion-in-new-ukraine-military-aid-including-bradley-stryker-vehicles-1106506824.html

ukraine

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Fantine Gardinier

ukraine, special military operation, russia, us military aid, bradley infantry fighting vehicle
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/zambias-president-urges-to-stop-snooping--be-tolerant-amid-unfortunate-divorce-statistics-1106615513.html

Zambia's President Urges to Stop Snooping & 'Be Tolerant' Amid 'Unfortunate' Divorce Statistics

Zambia's President Urges to Stop Snooping & 'Be Tolerant' Amid 'Unfortunate' Divorce Statistics

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has reportedly called for married couples to be tolerant of each other and stop checking their spouses phones as it ruins ones marriage.

2023-01-23T13:00+0000

2023-01-23T13:00+0000

2023-01-23T13:00+0000

africa

southern africa

zambia

marriage

divorce

divorce talks

peaceful divorce

adultery

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Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has reportedly called for married couples to be tolerant of each other and stop checking their spouses phones, as it ruins marriages.He delivered his comments on the issue during a meeting with traditional leaders, Paramount chief Mpezeni and chief Maguya of the Ngoni-speaking people, at the Community House. His advice comes amid a bid to curb surging divorce rates in the country. Last year, Zambia recorded over 22,000 divorce cases. The president described the recent statistics as "unfortunate." According to the figures, the average age of couples seeking divorce was between 20 and 45 years, reportedly as they got married at an early age. Major causes of divorce included gender-based violence, insults, cruelty between spouses, lack of employment due to company closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as lack of conjugal rights and adultery.

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Standardbred Canada (SC) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2022 Outstanding Groom Award, sponsored for the seventh year by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Introduced in 2015, this award recognizes grooms who put their horses first, treat them with kindness and outstanding care, regardless of the horse or its ability, in addition to having a strong work ethic and being a good sportsman.

Submissions were received and considered for grooms from across the country.

Congratulations to the 2022 finalists, Nelly Boileau of Campbellville, Ont., and Kayla Chappell of Millet, Alta.

The two finalists will be honoured, and the winner will be announced during the 2022 OBrien Awards Black Tie Gala on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale.

Nelly Boileau inherited a love for horses from her parents who raced at Quebec City, and she cant recall a time in her life where she wasnt around horses.

The Quebec City native relocated to Ontario in 2018 and since Dec. 3, 2018, shes worked at The Stable. Shes never missed or taken a day off work and though her employer gives all grooms Sundays off, youll find her in the barn cleaning stalls, and checking on the horses to ensure they are healthy and happy. I go in on Sundays because I choose to, she states happily. The horses under Boileaus care receive impeccable care seven days a week.

Boileau works under the direction of trainer Harry Poulton and although she loves all the horses she works with, she admits that she has a soft spot for a trio of horses: Locatelli, No Free Lunch and Sintra. These boys are my pets!

According to Boileaus nominator, she goes above and beyond every day and never asks for so much as a high five or compliment. She takes on additional work, helping with administrative tasks when needed, whether it be picking up Lasix vouchers, cheques from the race office, tack shop and feed orders and more.

Kayla Chappell lives and breathes harness racing and has been involved in the industry her entire life. Seven days a week, she does whatever is required to ensure the health and welfare of the horses under her care.

Previously a caretaker for Casie Coleman, Chappell has worked for the Duane Marfisi stable for just over a year, paddocking, warming up, shipping and grooming horses. Before the native of Millet, Alta. relocated to Ontario she groomed horses for several Alberta-based trainers, most recently Chris Lancaster and Kelly Hoerdt, and she was also a member of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association social media team.

Chappell is known for her attention to detail and treats every horse with great care. In addition to grooming, she has both her trainers and drivers licenses and took part in the 2022 International Womens Day Race at Woodbine Mohawk Park last March.

Previous winners of the Outstanding Groom Award include:

2021 - Susie McNair

2020 - Brady Jackson

2019 - Rachel Dupuis

2018 - Scott Lecain & Trevor Forgie

2017 - Chantel Gillis

2016 - Teesha Symes

2015 - Cindy Acton

Standardbred Canada was overwhelmed by the many worthy submissions and SC and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate an outstanding groom.

(Photos of Nelly Boileau courtesy Kirby McGinnis and New Image Media. Photos of Kayla Chappell courtesy Chappell and John Watkins)
Adding three hospitals to its health care network will bring them the world-renowned expertise and resources of Yale New Haven Health, according to CEO Christopher OConnor.

OConnor, joined by the CEOs of Waterbury Health and Eastern Connecticut Health Network, told the Hartford Courant editorial board the proposed $400 million acquisition will be positive overall for Connecticuts health care consumers.

Countering concerns about hospital consolidation in the state, OConnor said growth is critical for the $6 billion organization, adding, You cant shrink to success.

From left, Dr. Justin Lundbye, CEO of Waterbury Health; Christopher OConnor, CEO of Yale New Haven Health; and Deborah Weymouth, CEO of Eastern Connecticut Health Network

Yale New Haven signed an agreement in October to buy three for-profit hospitals from Prospect Medical Holdings: Waterbury Hospital, Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital in Vernon. Manchester and Rockville are part of the Eastern Connecticut Health Network.

OConnor said Yale New Haven plans to turn the hospitals back to not-for-profit status. The deal, first announced in February, would bring Yale New Havens hospital campuses to 10, spanning Greenwich to Westerly, R.I., on the shoreline, and extending to central and northern Connecticut.

OConnor said that, since 2012, as Yale New Haven has acquired the Hospital of St. Raphael and Milford, Lawrence & Memorial and Westerly Hospitals, they all have seen tremendous growth. Westerly, he said, had 27 patients when it joined Yale New Haven Health, and now has 100.

Christopher OConnor, CEO of Yale New Haven Health

He, as well as Waterbury CEO Dr. Justin Lundbye and ECHN CEO Deborah Weymouth, said the biggest benefit would be that the small community hospitals will be able to rely on Yale New Havens expertise in specialized surgeries and treatments.

Each of these experiences has yielded a tremendous benefit to the communities and to the system, OConnor said. He used the systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example.

There were a lot of unknowns. We were able to respond quickly to those changes, he said. He pointed out that Yale New Haven had an 8% mortality rate, compared to 15% nationally.

Dr. Justin Lundbye, CEO of Waterbury Health

Lundbye, CEO since October 2022, said Waterbury Hospital has a Level 2 trauma program, compared with Yale New Haven Hospitals Level 1, and has the ability to treat stroke and perform open-heart surgery.

We are an important health care provider to our community, he said. Our quality of care is really improving.

Waterburys neonatal intensive care unit already is staffed by Yale New Haven doctors, Lundbye said, as is the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center.

I would love to see that growth in a way that we can offer resources locally, he said, adding that the partnership with Yale New Haven will bring more jobs to Waterbury Hospital.

Deborah Weymouth, CEO of Eastern Connecticut Health Network

Weymouth said, in addition to its two hospitals in Manchester and Vernon, ECHN includes a medical group of community doctors, home health services, hospice care and a high school that cares for behavioral health students who are unable to be successful in their home school.

She said the system had gone 691 days without an inpatient pressure injury.

By having the partnership with Yale New Haven Health, well be able to further expand our expertise, Weymouth said. We too have a culture that is very similar to Yale New Haven Health. She said joining an academic medical center will prove beneficial to patients and bring access to care that is low cost and high quality.

From left, Dr. Justin Lundbye, CEO of Waterbury Health; Christopher OConnor, CEO of Yale New Haven Health; and Deborah Weymouth, CEO of Eastern Connecticut Health Network.

All three leaders said they are facing major staffing issues. We dont have enough people to fill the jobs, OConnor said. He said Yale New Haven has made agreements with several nursing schools in southern Connecticut to help increase the number of students they can accommodate.

Lundbye said Waterbury needs the resources of Yale New Haven in order to compete for nurses and other staff, saying his hospitals bandwidth is not large enough to compete on its own.

He and Weymouth said the acquisition will allow more patients to be treated in their home communities, rather than traveling to New Haven or Hartford. For doctors, the combined health care system allows them to care for more complex patients at home, literally in their backyard.

Deborah Weymouth, CEO of Eastern Connecticut Health Network

Weymouth said she wasnt concerned the 19 communities that Rockville and Manchester serve would greet their acquisition negatively or that other systems have a greater hold on peoples trust in northern Connecticut than Yale New Haven does.

The difference in name recognition across the world  is night and day, she said. The trust of the longevity of the educational and academic systems [of Yale New Haven] is pretty profound.  The folks in Manchester that Ive talked to .. are very excited.

Manchester Memorial Hospital on Friday, Jan 20, 2023. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)

Lundbye said Waterbury Hospital, like others, responded to the pandemic by continuing to offer care at the same high level it had before. The same faces that were doing that when the pandemic occurred will be there when the sign changes, he said.

While both Yale New Haven Health and Hartford HealthCare have expanded across the state, both by buying independent hospitals and medical practices and expanding services such as radiology, OConnor said Yale New Haven is relatively small when you look at systems that are nationwide.

Having grown up in New Haven, our best asset is our location, OConnor said, because patients also have the option to go to the major medical centers in Boston and New York. He added that the Federal Trade Commission weighed in on the deal with Prospect and said it did not impair growth and competition.

He disputed claims that acquiring more hospitals leads to higher prices. It is a complicated issue, he said, with a great deal of pricing dictated by Medicare and Medicaid, which do not cover the costs of care.

Also, in the last two cases of our integrations  there were caps that were put on that were abided by, OConnor said. I think that we can continue to deliver a high-value product.

People may live pretty far away

State Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, co-chairman of the General Assemblys Insurance and Real Estate Committee, said he would reintroduce a bill addressing hospital consolidation, which passed the Senate nearly unanimously in 2022 but was not voted on in the House.

He said the large health care systems will force insurance companies to pay a premium to have access to all the hospitals in their networks, so they can use their size to get higher rates than they would otherwise do.

You can look at any individual purchase and come to a conclusion if you just look at it in isolation, but theres a bigger problem that consolidation in the hospital space has led to higher prices and lower quality, Lesser said.

We know that competition works and then, when there isnt competition, that these giant hospital chains are using their market power to pad their pockets and to skimp on patient care, he said.

Lesser said another problem is smaller hospitals closing units such as labor and delivery.

You see discontinuing of coverage in smaller hospitals when youre part of the larger networks, he said. Thats why we saw when Windham Hospital said, Oh, come to Hartford if you want to have a baby, thats a big burden on people who live pretty far away.

Concerns about consolidation are not a hypothesis, Lesser said. Now weve seen enough of it to really appreciate that its really happening on the ground, just fewer choices and so forth. Theres no incentive to put that money into patient care.

Christopher OConnor, CEO of Yale New Haven Health

OConnor said Yale New Haven Health had filed its certificate of need in November and it is uncertain how long the process will take. Since 2019, everything has been turned upside down and the times have been much longer, he said. The health system has received questions it must answer as part of the process, he said.

Negotiations with Prospect, he said, were atypical from our historical integrations, because the price was the prime issue, rather than community concerns.

Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@courant.com.
Warhorse Southwind Amazon eclipsed two milestones on Sunday (Jan. 22) at MGM Northfield Park.

The 13-year-old surpassed Breeze On J for fourth in all-time wins with his victory on Sunday night registering his 124th victory in his 328th lifetime start.

Winless in three starts this season, Southwind Amazon looked like a version of his old self on Sunday, winning an upper-level pacing event by a length.

Driver Billy Davis Jr. made the lead through the first eighth of a mile with Southwind Amazon but set a torrid pace early getting to the quarter in :26.3.

Coming to the half, Southwind Amazon didnt face any challengers, allowing Davis to get a :28.4 breather. Heading into the clubhouse turn the final time, 2020 Carl Milstein Memorial winner Odds On Osiris tried to make a bid at the leader. Feeling the pressure, Davis stepped on the gas, opening to a two-length lead. But heading to the three-quarter pole in 1:23, Captainofrocknroll with Odds On Osiris in tow.

Turning for home, Southwind Amazon had more left in the tank to win in 1:52.3 over Almanac, who closed to be second, while Odds On Osiris settled for third.

Hes been an absolute blast to train for seven years now; he is like my son, said winning trainer Paul Holzman.

Southwind Amazon is owned by Ameer Najor.

In the $18,000 Open Pace on Sunday night, Bettor Than Spring returned to the winners circle for the first time since mid-December.

Leaving from post three, driver Billy Davis Jr. put Bettor Than Spring on the lead and was able to get to the quarter in a leisurely :27. Bettor Than Spring continued to set a leisurely pace getting to the half in :55.1 with Dancin Dragon, who had been parked from the word go pressuring the pace.

Moving up the backstretch, Davis kicked out the plugs and cruised to three-quarters in 1:23.2. Benefitting from outer-tier horses getting stacked up by a tiring Dancin Dragon, he turned for home with a 1-1/2-length lead. Through the stretch, One Last Laugh, Bronx Seelster and Bernie all took shots at Bettor Than Spring, who had more in the tank, winning by a half-length in 1:52.1.

Bettor Than Spring has now earned $586,414 for owner Thunder Racing Stables Inc and trainer Cory Kreiser.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday night (Jan. 24) at MGM Northfield Park with a first post of 6 p.m. (EST).

(Northfield Park)
Hanover Shoe Farms has reported that champion racehorse and Hall of Fame sire Cantab Hall was humanely euthanized on Monday morning (Jan. 23), at the age of 22, due to arthritic disabilities.

During his racing career, Cantab Hall earned honours as the 2003 Dan Patch Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year and Trotter of the Year, earning $461,337 by winning 10 races in 10 starts including the Breeders Crown.

As a three-year-old, he earned $1,062,968 finishing in the top three 11 times in 13 starts, with his lifetime record of 1:54 taken at The Meadowlands when winning a division of the Dickerson and then an elimination of the Stanley Dancer. He was also victorious in the $250,000 American National and a Canadian Trotting Classic elimination before finishing second in the final.

As a sire, Cantab Halls lifetime progeny earnings total $116,926,333 to date. He sired 11 millionaires including Father Patrick 3,1:50.2f ($2,600,571); Crystal Fashion 4,1:50 ($2,318,776); Wild Honey 3,1:50.4 ($1,687,588); Explosive Matter 3,1:52.3 ($1,528,266); Mets Hall 3,1:51.2 ($1,349,176); Uncle Peter 4,1:50.3f ($1,294,413); and Lifetime Pursuit 3,1:50.4 ($1,074,358).

As a broodmare sire, his daughters have produced the likes of Atlanta 6,1:49 ($3,805,259); Manchego 4,1:49 ($3,279,400); Ariana G 4,1:50.2 ($2,600,995); Southwind Frank 3,1:52.1 ($2,115,999); Six Pack 3,1:49.1 ($1,973,661); Jujubee 3,1:49.3 ($1,173,318), Jiggy Jog S 3,1:50 ($1,250,293); and Temporal Hanover 3,1:52.2s ($991,847).

In 2018, Cantab Hall was inducted into the U.S. Harness Racing Living Hall of Fame as a stallion.

Cantab Hall was a tough horse that commanded respect on the track and in the breeding shed. He was enjoying his last years in retirement at Hanover Shoe Farms in his paddock next to fellow retiree Andover Hall. He will be missed by those that worked with him.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Cantab Hall.

(With files from Hanover Shoe Farms)
A proposed solar energy project in Tazewell County is drawing opposition from a human rights group.

Buckhorn Mountain Solar filed a notice of intent with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality last January for a small renewable energy project on 465 acres between Gratton and Tazewell. Nearly a year later, the Virginia Coalition for Human Rights has written letters to residents of the Gratton community expressing concerns about the proposal.

County Engineer Ken Dunford said nothing has been filed with the county about the project but the coalition made a presentation at the Jan. 10 planning commission meeting. Some local residents attended that meeting as well.

The information presented to the planning commission showed Blue Ridge Energy Services, LLC as the property owner leasing the property to Buckhorn Mountain Solar LLC, whose parent company is listed as Energix Renewable Energies.

The information said the plan is to build a 16.5 megawatt solar power plant to generate electricity. Energix is an Israeli company that since 2020 has proposed 22 solar energy projects in Virginia. Pulaski, Wythe, Franklin, Caroline, Buckingham, Dinwiddie, New Kent, Prince George and others are among the sites the company has explored.

The Virginia Coalition for Human rights defines itself as a coalition of over 19 organizations with more than 10,000 members who advocate for Palestinian human rights. They have a website Ejectenergix.org which outlines their opposition to the projects.

Their presentation to the planning commission cited erosion and sediment control violations in Wythe County. It also cited viewshed concerns as well as problems with the material used to construct the panels.

The company uses cadmium telluride in its panels and the chairman of the board of supervisors in Pulaski said concerns that the material would leak into Claytor Lake and destroy the water system was a factor in denying a permit.

The Pulaski project was less than a mile from the lake. The coalition said the farm proposed for Tazewell County would have 44,680 solar panels. They claim each would contain up to four grams of heavy metals that could pollute streams, wells, springs and ground water.

The company has not applied for any permits in Tazewell County to date. While Tazewell County does not have zoning the planning commission would have to approve erosion and sediment control plans and the DEQ would also have to issue permits and both groups would monitor the site.
On face value the text looks bad in tdn. Thats what former Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha said about former School Resource Officer Terry Reeces text messages to a teenage student in 2014. His appraisal, and what it says about the departments priorities at that time, worries us.

As TDN reported last week, Reece underwent an internal review in April 2014 following complaints that he was sending unsolicited text messages to a sophomore at Mark Morris High School. In these messages, he impersonated a student with special needs and, after complimenting her on her ripped abs, asked her to lunch.

Reece sent the student over a dozen more texts, culminating in him addressing her face-to-face. The school district levied a complaint against Reece and an investigation began on April 30, 2014.

Were not here to relitigate the disciplinary actions that the department took against Reece, though. Thats a pointless exercise; the time for that has long passed. What needs to be discussed is the way the Longview police handled this serious accusation. Duscha was right about one thing: This does look bad. But unlike Duschas face value assertion, the texts look bad because they are bad, and the subsequent actions taken by the Longview police show they were well aware.

In a report, Duscha says Reeces behavior could cause a shit storm for the department. By placing priority on saving face rather than being thorough and just, it made the department look worse when the facts actually came to light.

The LPDs internal tribunal was willing to accept Reeces argument that the series of texts was simply a practical joke in which he tried too hard to be funny. But his behavior says otherwise: over a dozen mostly anonymous texts culminating in a face-to-face meeting is no mere joke. This was either actual flirtation or actual harassment, emboldened by anonymity. As Oscar Wilde famously said, Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. Not that it should matter whether this was a joke or not. In fact, claiming that something is a joke and that the target is just too thin-skinned is often the first defense that harassers jump to.

It is important that we take questionable behavior seriously, especially when something like this happens between an adult with power and a minor. We rely on police to enforce the law, which makes seeing the rush to accept Reeces explanation so troubling. Reassigning him and sweeping all this under the rug hasnt helped the department; in the long run, it has done the opposite. We want to trust the police, but seeing the way the former chief downplayed Reeces conduct makes it more difficult to do so.

Today, the department has different leadership, which we feel is more transparent. For instance, in October the department shared a video on their social media about the questionable behavior of an officer and disciplined that officer. This is the kind of openness that is needed, rather than downplaying the matter until it blows back on future leadership.

So what does the 2014 issue ultimately amount to? An attempt to hush this up by the Longview Police Department ultimately made things look much worse when facts came to light. Its a lesson that is true at all levels: being transparent about things is going to hurt less than letting the truth come out later. Whether its a kid lying about cleaning his room, a question of officer conduct in Longview, or classified documents in a presidential residence, the best way to have a good reputation is simply to do good.
Last February, three days after recognizing the independence of the Peoples Republics created by pro-Russian separatists in portions of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine in 2014 and signing treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with both, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in eastern Ukraine to protect the people who have been facing humiliation and genocide perpetrated by the Kiev regime.

The special military operation was in fact a full-fledged, multi-pronged invasion of Ukraine from Belarus in the north, Crimea in the south, and Russian territory adjacent to eastern and northeastern Ukraine. In the first weeks of the special military operation, Russia attempted to take Kyiv with ground forces and attacked Kyiv as well as Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Mariupol, Odesa and other cities with artillery and missiles. But the Russian forces were unable to take Kyiv and in late March the Russian military announced a fundamental shift in the focus of the special military operation to the liberation of Donbass.

Soldiers prepare to head out near the Bakhmut front lines with Russia on January 22, 2023 in Chasov Yar, Ukraine. Russia has stepped up its offensive in the Donetsk region in the new year, with the regions Kyiv-appointed governor accusing Russia of using scorched-earth tactics.

As Russia shifted the focus of the special military operation, in early April it appointed for the first time an overall military commander of its forces in Ukraine. But while the Russian forces quickly took most of Luhansk region in the northern portion of the Donbas, they encountered tough resistance in Donetsk region, and in June Russia replaced the operation commander with another general who, in turn, was replaced in October. On January 12, that general was replaced by Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and first deputy minister of defense  which is more or less comparable to the U.S. putting the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directly in charge of a military operation.

One important consequence of Gerasimovs appointment was that, for the first time, the commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine also had direct control over Russias air and naval forces and could deploy them against Ukraine without going through a complicated inter-service process to obtain authorization. As if to underscore that point, two days after Gerasimovs appointment, Russia hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities with a wave of cruise missiles on Jan. 13-14, some of them launched from strategic bombers based in Russia and others from naval vessels and facilities in Crimea. One of them, which British Intelligence subsequently identified as a long-range, high-speed cruise missile designed to destroy ships and fired from a Russian strategic bomber, leveled a nine-floor apartment building in Dnipro, killing 45 residents, including six children, and injured 80.

After Ukraine took back Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine and a portion Kherson region in southern Ukraine several months ago, the contact line in eastern Ukraine between the forces has changed very little and, with winter settling in, both sides are preparing for a resumption of the ground war this spring. Russia is embarking on a second round of conscription  larger than the first, in late September and October, that drafted 300,000  that aims to bring another 500,000 into the military. And Ukraine, which expects a massive Russian offensive beginning in February and March while the ground is still frozen and tanks and other large vehicles can move quickly, is preparing as well for what is likely to come in the next month or two  primarily by pressing its supporters for more equipment including, in particular, armored vehicles, personnel carriers, and, above all, tanks  many tanks.

Ukraine estimates it will need several hundred tanks to withstand the attack that will come in the weeks and months ahead. Some of its supporters in the West have already offered some assistance in that regard: The UK has agreed to provide it with 14 Challenger 2 tanks and Poland and Finland have agreed to provide some of their German-made Leopard 2 tanks, which were specifically designed to fight Russias T-90 main battle tank.

M1 Abrams

But German export law requires its approval for any transfer of tanks it produced to another country. And thus far, Germany has not approved the transfer of the Polish and Finnish Leopard 2s to Ukraine. Germany apparently fears its approval might be regarded by Russia as a de facto intervention in the war by Germany and/or NATO (notwithstanding the fact that Finland is not yet in NATO). Germany has reportedly said it wont approve the transfer to Ukraine of Leopards by other countries or itself unless the U.S. agrees to provide Ukraine with its M1 Abrams main battle tank  something the U.S., notwithstanding its willingness to provide Ukraine with Bradley armored vehicles and Stryker personnel carriers, doesnt want to do

On Friday, the top defense officials of the U.S. and other countries in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group met in Ramstein, Germany to discuss what Ukraine needs for the battle that is coming in the weeks and months ahead. Needless to say, in a meeting that began with an online address from President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, the number one topic on everyones mind was tanks: Will Germany approve the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine? And if so, how many will it get and when?

Russia is preparing a major offensive to take all of the Donbas this spring, after which, if it succeeds, it will announce its support for a ceasefire and truce. Ukraine knows that in order to prevent Russia from taking all of the Donbas and keeping the territory it now holds in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions between the Donbas and Crimea, it must defeat Russias forthcoming offensive. And it knows the only way it can do that is with several hundred more tanks, including main battle tanks such as the German Leopard 2, the British Challenger, and the American M1 Abrams. Ukraine and the West cannot allow Russia to win the offensive that is coming in the weeks and months ahead. Ukraine needs more tanks  now.

David R. Cameron is a professor emeritus and lecturer in political science at Yale.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Why has commercial airline travel become so safe in the United States?

The tragic crash of Yeti Airlines flight 691 in Nepal serves as a reminder of how commercial flying used to be in the U.S., where airplane crashes were viewed as an unavoidable risk.

But the culture of American air travel has changed. Over the past 13 years, U.S. airlines have not endured a fatal crash.

"We just take it for granted that planes are safe," says Ravi Sarathy, a professor of international business and strategy who studies the airline industry. "The numbers show that it's much more dangerous to drive to work than it is to take a plane in terms of the probability of fatalities."

As recently as 1996, the U.S. airline industry suffered a fatal crash for every 2 million departures, resulting in more than 350 deaths that year, according to The Wall Street Journal. By 2021, the rate had plummeted to one death for every 120 million departures.

A variety of safety measures across the board have contributed to airline safety. At the heart of the movement has been a cultural change within the cockpit of commercial jets that has veered the U.S. industry away from a military hierarchy and toward a model of teamwork among the airline crew, says Bruce Mamont, a flight instructor and former Boeing employee who lectures at Northeastern University Seattle.

"It goes under an umbrella concept called 'aeronautical decision making,'" Mamont says. "It involves everybody who has a responsibility for the safe outcome of the flightand has the shared destiny of being on the airplaneinteracting with each other as a team to ensure that safe outcome."

Airlines traditionally hired pilots from the military, which contributed to a culture of authority revolving around the airplane captain, Mamont says.

"It was kind of like the way we think about shipsthat the captain has the final word," Mamont says. "We still have that idea in aviation. We call it the 'pilot in command,' meaning that the pilot is ultimately responsible for the safe outcome of the flight."

The authority of the pilot was so commanding that first officers and crew members were wary or intimidated of sharing information about potential problems, Mamont says.

"The problem is, if you're performing an activity that requires a team effort and collaboration, sometimes observationslet alone opinionsthat might be perceived as a challenge to the captain's authority are withheld," Mamont says. "They were so disregarded as members of the airplane's crew that they didn't feel like they would be listened to. And so they might not say, 'Hey, there's a lot of ice on the wings, maybe we should do something about that.'"

An example of the old hierarchy emerged in 2003 when three US Airways flight attendants were sued for defamation by their pilot after they informed the Federal Aviation Administration of an incident in which their observations about ice accumulating on the wings prior to takeoff were ignored by the cockpit. It took three attempts by the flight attendants to convince the pilot to submit the plane to de-icing.

In 2009, pilots Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles succeeded in landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after the engines were shut down by a collision with a flock of birds. They were able to save all 155 people on board by working as a team, Mamont notes.

"Sully was a military guy, but he relied on all sorts of sources of information within the plane to help him," Mamont says. "He and the first officer had been training and flying together. They had teamwork working for them. It took both of them flying that airplane to get the safe outcome."

Technological advances have also contributed to U.S. airline safety, Sarathy says, noting that the ill-fated Yeti airplane lacked access to an airport instrument landing system, and, as a 15-year-old aircraft, had old transponders that may have functioned inaccurately.

"In general, automation has contributed enormously to improve airline safety," Sarathy says. But he also notes that two crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max airplanes were caused by its automated flight control system. Those tragic events, which were responsible for 346 deaths, happened in Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019.

"It's a combination of engineering advances and advances in sensors and software that have improved aircraft safety," Sarathy says. "The software tells the plane what to do based on the information that's coming from the sensor. In a sense, you are automating the plane."

Mamont says the high level of automation on commercial airliners, combined with the redundancy of having a second pilot in the cockpit, has greatly influenced the safety record for commercial airliners and smaller corporate jets. The absence of those features explains why far more crashes happen in the U.S. among smaller planes, he says.

"It has to do with how many people are flying the airplane," Mamont says. "When you're flying a commercial airliner, there are two pilots sharing the tasks. In a smaller, general aviation airplane, it's a single-pilot operation. There is no pilot monitoring. You've got to do it all, and you don't have the infrastructure of the airline doing a lot of the things they do to help prepare pilots for the flight. You don't have as much automation in the airplane."
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Installing solar panels can help put cities on a greener path. Credit: Jeroen van de Water via Unsplash

As Europe strives to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, Turku and Dijon are among a group of cities seeking to reach this goal two decades earlier.

In 2029, Finland's oldest city, Turku, will celebrate reaching the grand old age of 800. At the same time, it hopes to reach another major milestonebecoming climate-neutral. The French city of Dijon 2,000 kilometers away hopes to achieve the same goal by 2030.

The two are part of the Cities Missionan EU initiative to create 100 climate-neutral cities by the end of this decade. Turku and Dijon are also flagship members of the RESPONSE project to help cities chart the path toward clean energy.

City labs

"We're finding new ways to empower different kinds of citizens," said David Goujon, the project's coordinator.

Three-quarters of EU inhabitants live in urban areas. Worldwide, cities account for more than 65% of global energy consumption and more than 70% of greenhouse-gas emissionsmaking them key players in the fight against global warming.

A wide range of green technologies has been developed, from solar panels to quadruple glazing, but selecting the best mix to meet each city's particular needs is far from straightforward.

RESPONSE has set out almost 100 options from which cities can select a mix that works best for their specific situations. Examples include biomethane produced from sewage sludge, predictive home thermostats and high-performance ventilation systems.

The project is also running workshops and hackathons to introduce citizens to the available energy-saving tools, encouraging them to use less and lower their bills.

A wide variety of options will be tested in Turku and Dijon, the project's two "lighthouse cities." Six fellow citiesBrussels (Belgium), Zaragoza (Spain), Botosani (Romania), Ptolemaida (Greece), Gabrovo (Bulgaria) and Severodonetsk (Ukraine)will look to apply what is learned.

One key goal is to create "positive energy districts" in these citiesmeaning they produce more energy than they consume. The ultimate aim is for 20% more energy to be produced than consumed on an annual basis, but to achieve a positive balance at a minimum.

Local differences

The idea was to cover a range of cities with varying characteristics and at different stages on the sustainability path to test what works for different populations, according to Goujon, sustainable city project manager at the European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER) in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The focus in Turku is on its large student populationwith the city home to several universities and about 40,000 higher-education students. The focal point in Dijon comprises many lower-income households with a broad cultural mix of nationalities.

"It's two totally different worlds that we're addressing," said Goujon.

RESPONSE hopes that Turku and Dijon can inspire other cities in Europe to follow and scale up their examples.

"We could advise the European Commission that some of these solutions are perfect in the conditions of Dijon, others are very good in the conditions of Turku, and then the fellow cities can learn from this," said Monjur Murshed, co-coordinator of RESPONSE and senior project manager for climate-neutral communities at EIFER.

Over the past six months, RESPONSE has undertaken activities including refurbishing buildings in Dijon and Turku and installing quadruple-glazed windows and solar technologies.

In both cities, the team is testing community-based options for generating renewable energy. In a district of Dijon, for example, 1,100 inhabitants will participate in an initiative to harvest solar energy in the second half of 2023. Smart public lighting and infrastructure for electric vehicles, as well as cloud-based smart energy systems, are other options under consideration in the two cities.

What's working best should become clearer in the coming year. Goujon and Murshed think the project's positive-energy goals are achievable by 2024.

Green purchases

A project called XPRESS has sought to increase city planners' uptake of renewable energy solutions (RES) by bringing together small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public authorities and end users of technology.

The tools developed include a searchable database with RES-related tenders and green public procurement projects across 10 European countriesBelgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

The database aims to make it easier for SMEs to access RES tenders and, by extension, increase the adoption of innovative solutions by citiesleading to greater energy savings and lower carbon emissions.

XPRESS has tried to spur public authorities to look at the full long-term environmental impact of products across their lifecycle rather than just their initial price.

"The goal is to bring authorities to write public tenders taking into consideration the real impact on the environment in the cost of the purchase," said project coordinator Riccardo Coletta of the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE) in Rome, Italy. "You cannot consider only the price you're going to pay for a service, or for energy or new cars for your public transport fleet."

Coletta highlighted advances in electric transport in the Portuguese city of Braga, which he said has had a strong commitment to pushing green mobility through the development of fully electric buses, promotion of electric vehicles and construction of charging stations.

The Danish island of Sams, home to 4,000 inhabitants, is another notable case. In 2007, it became the world's first island to be powered entirely by renewable energy. Community involvement has been key to the island's rapid progress.

Larger areas can build on these examples, according to Coletta.

"One way might be to start producing renewable energy with small communities, and then selling energy to other communities that can be inspired by this example," he said. "This means a bottom-up change coming from the people."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An intrusion into the computer systems of the Los Angeles school district began more than a month earlier than previously disclosed and likely exposed confidential information, including Social Security numbers, of more than 500 people who worked for district contractors, according to information filed with the state.

As the district previously disclosed, the security breach does not appear to extend to the payroll records and Social Security numbers for the tens of thousands of district employees. An undisclosed number of students enrolled at some point from 2013 through 2016 and some employees during that period appear to have lost information that includes their date of birth and address. California school districts don't collect student Social Security numbers.

The updated information comes by way of a "Notice of Data Breach" that the nation's second-largest school system was required under state law to send to potential victims.

School district officials Friday did not provide information on the number of possible victims. In addition to having to notify victims, a notice letter must be filed with the state attorney general when the number of those affected surpasses 500 California residents, the mandated threshold for public notification.

District officials had previously stated that there would be a small but not-yet-determined number of victims"outliers," as Supt. Alberto Carvalho described them. The victims would be notified and assisted, he added, while emphasizing that the overriding narrative was one of a worse disaster averted.

Hackers made off with about 500 gigabytes of dataa figure agreed on by both the hackers and the school system. That's a large haul compared with what an individual user would maintain, but a tiny fraction of the data under the control of L.A. Unified.

Stealing data is only one part of an attack. The second part involves encrypting computer systems so that its users cannot get in, paralyzing the ability to conduct everyday business. Hackers managed to encrypt servers in the district's facilities division, but had limited success elsewhere, even though normal operations, including classroom instruction and record-keeping, were more difficult for about two weeks. Schools never had to be temporarily closedwhich has happened elsewhere when some school systems were attacked.

L.A. Unified refused to pay a ransom and hackers responded by releasing the data they had onto the dark web, where other bad actors could use it for such purposes as identify theft.

District officials have for months publicly characterized the attack as beginning and ending on Sept. 3the Saturday of the Labor Day weekend. District technicians, when they noticed the attack, moved quickly and with substantial success to limit its scope.

"In a very, very unique way, we stopped the attack midstream," Carvalho said at a news conference in October. "That's very unusual. What usually happens is the entity finds out about the attack after the information was captured, uploaded, and the servers the system [are] encrypted. ... I can tell you that there have been a number of systems in this country who have fallen victim to this same actor that were not so lucky."

The follow-up investigation determined that an intrusion began as early as July 31.

"Between July 31, 2022, and Sept. 3, 2022, an unauthorized actor accessed and acquired certain files maintained on our servers," states the required notice, which was filed with the state last week.

State records list the span of the breach as beginning on July 31 and ending Sept. 3.

On Friday, the district said the original one-day attack scenario remains correct.

"The investigation revealed that the threat actor was engaged in reconnaissance on or about July 31, 2022," a district statement said. "The cyberattack began and ended on Sept. 3, 2022."

For cybersecurity experts, the disclosure in the notice letter was no surprise. They had predicted that an investigation would uncover that the intrusion into the system began earlier than what had been announced.

"Hackers are often inside networks for weeks or even months before they deploy the ransomware that encrypts the systems," said Brett Callow, threat analyst for the cybersecurity company Emsisoft. "This means there's a window of opportunity during which threats can be detected and neutralized before they become full-blown ransomware incidents."

"In simple terms, a whole bunch of things happen before systems get locked," he added. "The hacker needs to do recon, to get into the network, to ensure they can get back in, to gain access to other areas of the network, to exfiltrate data, etc., etc. All of these steps require them doing certain thingsand those things can be detected if you're looking for them."

A newly released Emsisoft report indicates that the annual number of known cyberattacks on school systems in 2022 was about the same as in other recent years despite "executive orders, international summits, increased efforts to disrupt the ransomware ecosystem, and the creation by Congress of an interagency body, the Joint Ransomware Task Force, to unify and strengthen efforts."

But it is unclear if the attacks are causing increased harm, according to the report.

"A decrease in the level of disruption caused by attacks or in the amount paid in ransoms could be regarded as a win even if the number of incidents had increased," the report states, while noting that data to draw such a conclusion was largely unavailable.

The L.A. Unified data-breach notice contained unwelcome news for district contractors based on the ongoing investigation.

"On Jan. 9, 2023, we identified labor compliance documents, including certified payroll records, that contractors provided to L.A. Unified in connection with Facilities Services Division projects," the notice states. "Those files contained the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of contractor and subcontractor employees and other affiliated individuals."

Carvalho, who became superintendent nearly a year ago, said recently that the district was more vulnerable because of preventable lapses. These included failing to follow through with key recommendations of an internal cybersecurity audit that was prepared more than two years ago, he said.

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Half valley robotic folding of an A4 sheet of paper with (a) intuitive manipulation and (b) our optimal manipulation. The intuitive semi-circular manipulation trajectory suffers from significant sliding due to the stiffness of the paper, resulting in a poor fold. By contrast, our optimal manipulation controller minimizes sliding to achieve an excellent fold. Credit: Tong et al.

To tackle different real-world tasks, robots should be able to handle and manipulate a variety of objects and materials, including paper. While roboticists have successfully improved the ability of humanoid robots or robotic grippers to handle several materials, paper folding remains a rarely explored topic within the robotics community.

A research team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has recently created a new computational framework that allows a robot to tackle paper folding and the Oriental art of origami. This framework, introduced in a paper pre-published on arXiv, combines a deep learning algorithm with physics simulations.

"Although there has been considerable robotics research on deformable material handling, the manipulation of paper has been a relatively unexplored topic, despite the ubiquity of paper in daily life," Dezhong Tong and Andrew Choi, two of the researchers who carried out the study, told Tech Xplore.

"The two most relevant studies on this topic were conducted by research teams at Aalto University in Finland and at Bielefeld University in Germany. The first deals with fabrics, which are much easier to manipulate than paper, while the second focuses on folding paper, but develops a complicated robot system involving human-like manipulators that is computationally onerous."

The recent work by Tong, Choi and their colleagues was motivated by the lack of straight-forward and effective robotic paper folding systems. The team's primary objective was thus to create a simple but promising system that could fold sheets of paper using a single robotic manipulator.

The robot control strategy proposed by the researchers "teaches" robots behaviors from a physical standpoint, so that they can better tackle tasks that involve physically insightful manipulation. More specifically, the team trained an artificial neural network (ANN) within an offline environment involving physics simulations of paper folding. During training, the network learned how paper "behaves" when it is subjected to different grasps from different physical positions.

"The training data was generated purely via physics-based computer simulations," Tong and Choi explained. "Subsequently, online and in real-time, the trained neural network rapidly made predictions that result in optimal manipulation trajectories. Another key novelty is our use of scaling analysis, a technique adopted from mathematical physics, to nondimensionalize the predictions of the neural network."

Half valley folding of stiff (card) paper. (a) The intuitive baseline manipulation fails badly as the stiffness of the paper causes excessive sliding during the folding process. (b) Our open-loop control algorithm achieves a significant improvement over the baseline, with minimal sliding. (c) Our closed-loop control algorithm achieves a nearly perfect fold. Credit: Tong et al.

In this article, the term "non-dimensionalization" refers to making the input and output independent of their units, through a mathematical physics technique. The non-dimensionalized quantity is unitless. Therefore, the changing the units of the system will not influence the analysis.

In the context of this study, this process has notable advantages. It improves the generalization of the control framework, allowing the robot to fold sheets of paper of different thickness or with different geometries, without requiring training for each of these types of paper.

In addition, non-dimensionalization reduces the "dimensionality" of the paper folding problem. In other words, it makes it easier to train the neural network while improving its real-time performance.

"Given the highly nonlinear behavior of many deformable objects, roboticists have struggled to develop effective methods to control robots in ways that satisfy real-world manipulation tasks, such as paper folding," Tong and Choi said.

"An exciting finding of our work is that machine learning algorithms and physics-based scaling analysis are complementary and highly effective for the purposes of robotic deformable object manipulation. On the one hand, conventional mathematical physics models suffer from intractable computational cost when dealing with objects such as paper, thus rendering online control infeasible. On the other hand, naively employing machine learning to mitigate the problem results in a control scheme that works only for scenarios within the scope of the training data (i.e., performance will decline drastically even if the material of the manipulated deformable object is modified)."

The recent work by this team of researchers highlights the value of combining scaling analysis with deep learning when addressing real-world robotic object manipulation problems. Their initial findings are very promising, both in terms of accuracy and efficiency.

In the future, the framework created by Tong, Choi and their colleagues could help to significantly enhance the object manipulation capabilities of robots. For instance, it could allow them to handle a broader range of objects in advanced ways, including sheets of paper and items made of other deformable materials.

"To our knowledge, our framework is the first to exploit this synergistic approach, which we believe can be widely used in a broad variety of deformable manipulation tasks, such as cable management, knot tying, robotic kirigami, etc.," Tong and Choi added. "We would like to expand our work to encompass more complex folding tasks, such as robotic origami. An interesting goal would be to enable a robot to fold a sheet of paper into different structures, such as paper airplanes, paper frogs, etc."

More information: Dezhong Tong et al, Deep Learning of Force Manifolds from the Simulated Physics of Robotic Paper Folding, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2301.01968 Vladimir Petrik et al, Feedback-based Fabric Strip Folding, 2019 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) (2020). DOI: 10.1109/IROS40897.2019.8967657 Christof Elbrechter et al, Folding paper with anthropomorphic robot hands using real-time physics-based modeling, 2012 12th IEEE-RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robots (Humanoids 2012) (2013). DOI: 10.1109/HUMANOIDS.2012.6651522 Journal information: arXiv

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Shipping traffic density around Qatar in 2019 with close-up views of the desalination and LNG export infrastructures Some areas within or close to Qatar EEZ (shown in dark green) have a particularly high shipping density: 1. main shipping route to Bahrain; 2. main shipping route from Qatar to Iran; 3. route from Ras Laffan to Qatars North Field; 4. main route followed by LNG carriers to/from Ras Laffan; 5. shipping routes to/from the industrial area south of Mesaieed. The shipping density map also highlights the locations of some major oilfields and gas fields close to Qatar: 6. Abu Safah oilfield (KSA), 7. North Field, 8. Bul Hanine and Maydan Mahzam oilfields, and Halul Island terminals. ac, Enlargements of areas marked on map: Ras Laffan (a), Abu Fontas (b) and Umm al Houl (c). Credit: Nature Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-01037-w

Over the last year, the world's energy market has been highly volatile. The warmer-than-average winter in Europe helped avoid a gas crisis this year, but the forecast for the next winter is unclear as instabilities persist. More than 20% of global liquefied natural gas exports originate from a single port in Qatar.

A new paper in Nature Sustainability by a team of researchers at the University of Louvain, the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering, and the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, pinpoints the location of what the authors call a "high vulnerability zone," where an oil spill could cause liquified natural gas export facilities and desalination plants on the coast to be completely shut down for several days.

In the presence of an oil spill, tankers cannot navigate through thick oil slicks. Further, desalination plants, which rely on the intake of seawater, cannot perform normal operations with a heavily polluted water source. This shutdown, the researchers explain, could cause significant disruption in the global gas supply and cause an unprecedented water shortage for inhabitants of the Qatari Peninsula, while simultaneously compromising containment efforts.

Awareness of such a vulnerability is imperative, say the researchers. Qatar's export capacity is expected to increase by approximately 64% in the next five years. Thus, this key port will continue to be a crucial hotspot for the global energy supply chain. The researchers also note that the increasing number of tanker accidents in the Gulf adds a level of concern, particularly related to how such accidents could impact critical coastal infrastructures that export a vital source of energy for the planet and ensure the safety of desalinated water for one of the world's most arid climates.

The paper uses advanced numerical modeling to corollate maritime data transports, atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, waves, and seafloor topographic map data acquired over a period of five years to locate specific, offshore areas of the Qatar Peninsula that are vulnerable to oil spills and assess potential disruptions to the global supply of liquid natural gas.

The study suggests that tankers crossing this area are the principal risks for oil spills and, not the numerous oil rigs in the northern part of the Peninsula. Should there be a spill in this area, the researchers contend, Qatar would have only a few days to contain the oil spills before such spills would reach the country's main liquified gas export facility and main desalination plant. The authors indicate that these events could potentially cause disruptions or even a total shutdown for day for the desalination plants, pushing the nation to rely on its small freshwater reserve and sending liquified natural gas prices to higher values.

To put the size of the issue in context, experts believe that the largest liquid natural gas tankers from Qatar provide enough energy to heat the entire city of London for one week.

The study advocates for increased remote sensing using satellite and airborne images in the Gulf's most vulnerable areas to provide early warning for spills and better model their evolution. The above actions are crucial, say the researchers, to guide mitigation efforts to avoid negative consequences both locally and globally.

Co-author Essam Heggy of the USC Arid Climate and Water Research Center argues that the Middle East's vulnerability to environmental and climatic hazards is largely underestimated. "Global containment of major oil spills has always been challenging, but it is even harder in the shallow water of the Gulf where any intervention has to account for the complex circulation currents, a harsh operational environment, and the presence of highly-sensitive ecosystems on which three million humans rely for drinking water."

He added, "I hope serious resources are put into resolving this vulnerability."

Co-author Emmanuel Hanert of the University of Louvain stated, "Oil spill vulnerability in the Gulf could exacerbate both the global energy crisis and the local water crisis in Gulf countries." He added that "Energy and water security are deeply intertwined, and both are at risk of being disrupted by a major oil spill. We identified sea areas in the Gulf where an oil spill would be the most dangerous to desalination and liquified natural gas export facilities. Satellite surveillance should focus on detecting oil spills as early as possible and hence limit their impact."

More information: Thomas Anselain et al, Qatar Peninsula's vulnerability to oil spills and its implications for the global gas supply, Nature Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-01037-w Journal information: Nature Sustainability
After meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky under heavy security in Ukraine, Connecticuts U.S. Sen. Blumenthal says he is returning to Washington, D.C. to push harder for both American and German tanks that are crucially needed to repel the expected Russian offensive in the spring.

In a telephone interview from Munich, Blumenthal said he would lobby both the White House and the Pentagon to push the Germans to release strategically important Leopard 2 tanks that could reach war-torn Ukraine more quickly than tanks from the United States. The Ukrainians have held off the Russians far longer than diplomats had expected, but they need more equipment to avoid being out-gunned by the aggressive Russian army.

Fearing retaliation from the Russians, the Germans have been slow to release the tanks, causing high-level talks and tensions in recent days in Germany, Ukraine and the United States.

FILE  A Leopard 2 tank is pictured during a demonstration event held for the media by the German Bundeswehr in Munster near Hannover, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Germany faces mounting pressure to supply battle tanks to Kyiv and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is airing frustration about not obtaining enough weaponry as Western allies confer on how best to support Ukraine nearly 11 months into Russias invasion. Germanys new defense minister welcomed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Berlin, declaring that German weapons systems delivered so far have proven their worth and that aid will continue in the future. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

Time is not on our side, Blumenthal told The Courant in an interview. The Russians are resupplying and reinforcing their positions. The tanks are absolutely necessary for the Ukrainians to not only defend against the offensive that the Russians will launch  literally possibly within weeks  but also to do their own offensive attack against the Russians, which could enable them to push the Russians substantially back and possibly out of their country. Its a really dangerous time for Ukraine, a time of very deep danger, but also major opportunity.

Blumenthal traveled on a bipartisan trip with two other U.S. Senators under heavy security and secrecy. The group members did not publicly discuss their trip in advance, and Blumenthal said American officials avoid flying into Ukraine because Russian missiles could shoot down the plane. Instead, they boarded a train and took a 10-hour, overnight trip from Poland to Kiev, Ukraine.

He traveled in the American delegation with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island. Blumenthal has visited Ukraine three times in the past 12 months, including with Graham in July. Their work will continue upon their return to Washington.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal meets with Ukraine President Zelensky as part of an American delegation. He is pictured with U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is standing next to Zelensky.

Were going to be pushing the White House and the administration to continue pushing the Germans, said Blumenthal, who plays a key role as a member of the Democratic-controlled Senate Armed Services Committee. There is a roundabout contention here as to who does what first. We need to eliminate that confusion and contention.

At the same time that Ukraine has been seeking the German-made Leopard 2 tanks that are currently stationed in 15 countries across Europe, they are also seeking American-made M1 Abrams tanks. One of the problems, however, is that the high-tech American tanks are more complicated and require more training, thus slowing down the effort when time is of the essence.

The M1A2 Abrams tank was approved for production in 1990 and is the most modern battle tank in the world. This tank is armed with a 120 mm Smooth Bore Cannon, coaxial machine guns, and a 50 cal M2 machine gun. The original iteration of the modern M1 Abrams was capable of accepting different caliber rounds for its turret, including the DU penetrator M833 round (105 mm), which was capable of penetrating 420 mm of rolled homogeneous armor at 2,000 meters.

The Germans need to give permission for the tanks to leave from countries that include Denmark, Spain, and Poland, among others.

Theres a kind of gridlock here that has to be broken, Blumenthal said. It is urgent. The Ukrainians desperately need these tanks, and they need them now.  We need to break this gridlock among the major allies without attributing blame to any one of them. The German motives are not completely transparent, so its people reporting that they want America to take that first step with tanks because they are somewhat more fearful about Russian retaliation.

Meeting with Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky has become a historic figure, and some have compared him to famed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky receives from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, a U.S. national flag during his address to the U.S. Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022.

Blumenthal has met previously with Zelensky, who received standing ovations for his historic speech to Congress in December.

He seemed to be in good spirits, but he is deeply concerned about a coming Russian offensive, a major onslaught, this spring, Blumenthal said of the recent trip. His soldiers are bleeding and dying in really brutal conditions. Theyre severely out-manned, and we cant let them be out-gunned.

Blumenthal is looking ahead to prevent a further spread of the war in Europe.

If we dont stop Putin, he will continue his attack on democracies by going against NATO countries, and then well have a treaty obligation to be involved with troops, Blumenthal said. Right now, there should be no American troops on the ground, and I want to make that clear. No American troops because the Ukrainians believe they can win this war if they have the right kinds of arms and weapons. Thats why we need to provide tanks, planes, and longer-range artillery.

The money that is needed to help the Ukrainians has already been earmarked by the U.S. Congress. No additional money is being sought at the moment as Congress is split with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Demoratic-controlled Senate.

At the same time as Blumenthals trip, the top defense ministers, including U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterparts from Germany and Ukraine, were meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on the same issue of the tanks. Blumenthals group, however, did not participate directly in those talks.

As the war continues, Russian leader Vladimir Putin continues to attack civilian areas in a war of attrition.

Putin is a butcher, a war criminal, and hes committing genocide, Blumenthal said. It is mind-boggling, stomach-turning, and heart-breaking. It harkens back to the atrocities of World War II.

At the same time, Zelensky is trying to defend his smaller, less-equipped country.

Zelensky will be a hero of historic magnitude, Blumenthal said. To meet with him is to be inspired. My heart soared as I heard him talk about what he is doing, and his travels to the front in some of the most dangerous areas and his visits to the bombed-out apartment houses. He is a leader of historic magnitude and very inspiring.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
LYONS  Independent meat processors in Nebraska now have access to $10 million in loan capital through the Center for Rural Affairs.

The new initiative comes at a time when small lockers across the state have seen an increase in use. When packing plants were suffering from COVID-19 worker health challenges and the national meat supply chain faltered, these small businesses kept serving local customers.

This boost to Nebraskas rural economy is made possible with a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program grant.

Small meat lockers  independent businesses by definitionhelp anchor small town main streets, said Brian Depew, executive director of the Center. They provide jobs and a retail outlet for affordable and quality local food. Independent livestock farmers rely on them to process their animals into marketable products. And, as the pandemic illustrated, theyre a critical pillar of a resilient food system in times of crisis.

However during the pandemic, local farmers who depend on small lockers found themselves waiting months for an open slaughter date.

The challenges for small meat lockers started long before the pandemic, Depew said. Consolidation in livestock production, retiring owners, and aging facilities had already shuttered many small-town lockers. It is common for local farmers to drive an hour or more to find custom slaughter and processing.

For more than 30 years, the Center for Rural Affairs has offered loans, one-on-one business counseling, and other support to small businesses in Nebraska. Expanding these services for independent meat processors and in turn, supporting local farmers, was the next step, according to Depew.

These loans can be used for expansion of existing processors, start-up of new processors, real estate purchase, facilities update or expansion, equipment purchase, energy efficiency upgrades to facilities and equipment, sale of an existing business in cases where the sale will avert closure, or working capital.

Both primary and secondary meat processing facilities are eligible.

Our local meat lockers need and deserve our support and assistance, Depew said. We will continue to bring policy change, technical assistance, and lending support to the sector because we understand that local food processing infrastructure is a cornerstone of a vibrant and sustainable rural future.

Interested borrowers can contact Wyatt Fraas at 402.254.6893 or wyattf@cfra.org.

For more information, visit cfra.org/meatprocessingloans.

Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, nonprofit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.
LINCOLN  Rural Prosperity Nebraska, the community development arm of Nebraska Extension, has named two new program co-leaders to lead its community development efforts.

Jordan Rasmussen and Brandi Hilton-Hagemann, both Nebraska Extension educators, will serve in these positions for one year, at which time the positions will conclude.

Rasmussen joined Rural Prosperity Nebraska in 2020 and currently works in Burwell, serving as the statewide Leadership Development team lead. Hilton-Hagemann joined in 2021 and acts as the statewide Community Engagement team lead, based in McCook.

The program co-leaders will work with Rural Prosperity Nebraskas director, Mary Emery, and program leader, Dave Varner. Their main responsibilities will focus on partnering with rural communities to put into practice scholarship that focuses on rural community development.

However, they will also spearhead projects of their own design. Rasmussen plans to focus on Rural Prosperity Nebraskas communications, helping reach and connect with a wider Nebraska audience. Hilton-Hagemann plans to reevaluate current engagement strategies to better work with communities on their growth and improvement plans.

Were excited for our new program co-leaders, Emery said. They bring to the table both experience and drive that will help us reach more Nebraskans. Our goal is not to impose programs on rural communities, but to work with them and to accomplish the goals they set for themselves. Both Jordan and Brandi will excel at creating those opportunities.

Rural Prosperity Nebraska brings together Extension professionals, faculty from across the University of Nebraska system, and student fellows to work with community leaders to help make Nebraskas rural communities more vibrant. Rural Prosperity Nebraska is housed within the Universitys Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information, visit ruralprosperityne.unl.edu.
YORK  The York City Council has approved several agreements pertaining to public works operations.

This week, they signed the citys annual maintenance agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation. York Public Works Director James Paul explained how this agreement pertains to shared work (maintenance, snow removal, etc.) on roadways within the citys footprint.

For example, the city helps do some maintenance on some stretches and the state pays us $19,000, Paul said. And the state helps us with some snow removal and in return we pay the state $6,800. So this is for shared services and this is considered each year.

The council also approved a task order with HDR Engineering with a cost of $33,500. Paul said the city was up for renewal of its landfill R and D (discarded building materials) permit. This allows HDR to gather information and answer questions the Department of Energy might have. This is done every five years.

York City Administrator Sue Crawford noted that HDR is the citys engineer for landfill matters, and it is in the best interest of the city to approve and go out for bids.

Paul also noted this expenditure falls within the budget.

The council agreed to sign the task order.

They also considered the purchase of two traffic signal control cabinets. As Paul explained, We are looking to get two more. These will be wireless and will help with maintenance issues. These would be installed at the intersection of Fifth and Lincoln Avenue. Paul said the hope is they will be received by the end of March  due to supply chain issues, there was a major delay in receiving the same for the intersection of Eighth and Lincoln a few months back. He said by ordering these now, the plan is to have them installed as soon as possible. The purchase will cost $30,640. The council agreed to move forward.
Suspect involved with deadly Carbondale shooting charged

CARBONDALE  Illinois State Police and Jackson County States Attorney Joseph A. Cervantez announced Monday, Keon L. Foulks, age 19, of Carbondale, has been charged with first degree murder for the Jan. 21, 2023, death of Robert L. Delmore, Jr., age 26, of Carbondale.

If found guilty and convicted, Foulks could face 45 years to natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Foulks is currently in custody at the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $2,000,000.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 7.

The investigation is being pursued by the Carbondale Police Department and the Illinois State Police. States Attorney Joseph Cervantez is handling the prosecution.

 The Southern

Illinois Department of Aging seeks Hall of Fame nominations

The Illinois Department of Aging is looking to honor adults 65 and older who have continued to serve their community.

The department is taking nominations for the categories of community service, education, performance and/or graphic arts and the labor force.

The four candidates chosen will be inducted into the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame, which was initiated by the General Assembly in 1994 to commemorate the achievements and contributions of residents 65 and older.

Community members can nominate someone through the departments website, ilaging.illinois.gov.

Submissions need to be completed by June 1.

JACKSONVILLE JOURNAL-COURIER
CARBONDALE  Illinois State Police have identified Robert Delmore Jr., 26, of Carbondale as the victim of a weekend shooting at University Village, an apartment complex just off the campus of Southern Illinois University.

Carbondale police officers responded to the 800 block of East Grand Avenue at 1:27 a.m. Saturday in reference to a death investigation. Officers found a deceased male with a gunshot wound inside an apartment.

Carbondale Police Department requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigate the shooting.

A suspect has not yet been identified. The investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Illinois State Police Zone 7 Investigations at (618) 542-2171, the City of Carbondale Police Department at (618) 549-2121, the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (618) 549-COPS (2677) or the Murphysboro/Jackson County anonymous tip line at (618) 687-COPS (2677).

 Marilyn Halstead, The Southern
With political momentum from his re-election victory, Gov. Ned Lamont proposed a major package of gun control legislation Monday that includes banning the open carry of guns in public places and eliminating bulk purchasing of handguns.

Although Connecticut has some of the toughest gun laws in the country and is among the safest states, Lamont and supporters said it is not enough.

Lamont is also pushing for mandating the registration of all ghost guns, which are handmade weapons that can be constructed with parts and instructions that are available over the internet or with 3D printers.

Those ghost guns are meant to kill, Lamont told reporters in a small, crowded room at the Waterbury police department. They are meant to be untraceable.

Lamont has the support of the big-city Democratic mayors who attended the news conference, including Luke Bronin of Hartford, Justin Elicker of New Haven, Joseph Ganim of Bridgeport and Neil OLeary of Waterbury.

Lamont did not announce that he would seek to eliminate the grandfather provision on assault weapons that are currently owned by many residents across the state. During a gubernatorial debate last year with Republican candidate Bob Stefanowski, Lamont mentioned the idea and talked about it at other times.

Its pretty tough to enforce, Lamont said Monday.

No major gun legislation was passed last year as it was a short legislative session during an election year.

Lamonts package, though, was only the first in a series related to guns and violence, and more details will be revealed on other proposals in the coming days.

The package includes spending $2.5 million for community violence intervention programs in the next fiscal year, which would be in addition to $2.9 million in the current fiscal year.

While openly carrying firearms in public would be banned, the state would continue its current law that allows gun owners with permits to carry guns that are concealed.

Lamont made his announcement two days after a mass shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., that left 11 people dead and nine wounded at a ballroom dance studio east of downtown Los Angeles. The shooter, police said, was a 72-year-old man who later shot himself to death when his van was surrounded by Torrance officers not far from the initial shooting.

Another provision backed by Lamont is limiting buyers to purchasing one handgun per month, which would discourage straw purchases that are often sold to criminals who are not eligible to buy guns themselves. Currently, there are no legal limits on the amount of guns that a person can buy. The plan applies only to handguns and does not include restrictions on hunting rifles or so-called long guns.

If youre going to go legally buy a gun, dont buy dozens at one time, Lamont told reporters. Were going to limit the bulk purchases. Something easy. Something enforceable.

Asked if bulk purchasing is common in Connecticut, Lamont said, It seems crazy to me.

OLeary, a former police chief in Waterbury who later became the mayor, said, It is a problem. Right now, if you have a pistol permit, you can go into any gun store, anywhere in Connecticut, and buy the whole store out in one hour. And then what happens  weve seen happen over and over again  not the whole store, but people come in and buy 15 or 20 handguns at a time, and then what happens is hours later, days later, weeks later, someone breaks into their home or someone breaks into their car and guess what? All the guns are gone. Then, a week or two, maybe a month later, we start to recover these guns on the street. These guns are involved in serious felony situations or even murders. Thats the issue.

The motive, he said, is often quick profits that place guns in the hands of criminals.

Straw purchases mean they come in, they buy a dozen guns, for say $500 a gun, and then they sell them on the street for $1,500, $2,000 or $2,500 a gun, OLeary said.

Rep. Steve Stafstrom, a Bridgeport Democrat who is among the legislatures leading authorities on guns, said there would likely be a public hearing in March on all of the gun proposals. Important gun legislation is often debated on the House and Senate floors toward the end of the legislative session, which ends this year on June 7.

While Democrats were enthusiastic about the proposals, House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford was not. He said various members of his caucus would not support the ideas laid out by Lamont.

I need an explanation on how limiting the sale to one pistol per month is going to make our state safer, Candelora told The Courant in an interview. It comes down to enforcing our existing laws and putting appropriate reforms in place where people are actually held accountable for their actions. Yet, we continue to see proposal after proposal that targets law-abiding citizens.

During the gubernatorial and legislative campaigns last year, Republicans repeatedly complained that crime was rising and even out of control. Democrats countered that statistics showed that crime was not as bad as Republicans had portrayed.

Just enforce what we have, Candelora said. If you are charged with a gun crime, do not allow them to plead it down to something else. Thats a start. Any gun violation needs to be prosecuted. It cant be pled out.  Its gang violence. Its street violence. Those are the issues we need to be addressing, not limiting peoples purchase to one pistol per month. We have gun laws on the books, and theyre not enforced.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Some area members of Congress, state lawmakers and DuPage County Board members gathered Monday to call on DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick to retract his statement or resign after he said he will not enforce the states new assault weapons ban.

Mendrick issued a statement Jan. 13, saying he believes the new bill violates Second Amendment rights and that his office wont be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the state nor arresting or housing anyone charged solely with not complying with the act.

Dozens of sheriffs around Illinois have also declared they will not enforce the new assault weapons ban.

Lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, D- Downers Grove; Delia Ramirez, D- Chicago; Bill Foster, D- Naperville; and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D- Schaumburg, spoke at Mondays news conference at Danada House in Wheaton, calling Mendricks statement irresponsible.

I just want to say with one voice, we cannot wait another day, we cannot wait another hour, we cannot wait another minute for the sheriff to do his duty because lives depend on it, Krishnamoorthi said.

Casten said Mendricks actions will make future mass shootings more likely. He said he spoke with Mendrick last week before he and other Democratic lawmakers issued a letter calling on him to retract his statement and answer several questions about his comments by Feb. 3.

In the letter, they asked Mendrick if there were any other laws he has chosen to disregard because he viewed them as unconstitutional.

The questions we ask are questions all citizens should want to know. If he believes he has the authority to act as a judge and interpret the Constitution, please advise where that authority resides because all of us who operate under the laws of the United States have not previously been familiar with that theory, Casten said.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune last week, Mendrick said he planned on staying out of the statewide outcry among other sheriffs about the new law but said the concerns he heard from his own deputies and regular citizens were too much to ignore.

The first couple of days, I was actually trying to call people back personally. But everyone would keep me on the phone for 30, 40 minutes apiece. Every citizen I talked to wanted to vent on all of this stuff, said Mendrick. The way the law was released scared society. I know it wasnt the intent. But it did. It scared everybody who owns guns.

Gun owners, lawful gun owners, this makes them feel that their rights are being infringed upon, that this is just the beginning, said Mendrick. How much further will it go after this?

He said he tries to comply with everything I can but believes the new law, as written, is incomplete. While the ban says that current owners of high-capacity magazines are required to register them with the Illinois State Police by April and high-powered weapons by Jan. 1, Mendrick is concerned over whether hell have the police resources to enforce the law.

If youre expecting us to be the arm of this, how? Tell me where I get the people, he said.

If manpower is the issue, Casten encouraged Mendrick to reach out to legislators to try and seek federal, state or county funding to help increase staffing levels.

In a follow-up statement after the news conference, Mendrick said the law is poorly written and has no clear direction as to who will be enforcing it. He said he was contacted by Casten on Jan. 16 about enforcing the law.

There is absolutely nothing that we are doing or not doing that would make a mass shooting more accessible in DuPage County, Mendrick said in the statement. In fact, I have asked on multiple occasions to increase penalties on all existing gun crimes, but it does not appear that they want to have that conversation. They seem more concerned with lawful gun owners than people illegally possessing guns.

On Friday, an Effingham County judge temporarily blocked the ban from being enforced on more than 850 people and a handful of licensed gun dealers. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed last week by attorney Thomas DeVore, a Republican who argued the ban violated the state constitutions due process and equal protection clauses.

The judge set a hearing for Feb. 1. The order only applies to the plaintiffs and the state can still enforce the ban against anyone who isnt a part of the lawsuit.

2022 in review: The year in photos
Calhoun County Council recently gave first reading to an ordinance that would bring the county's fire services under the countys jurisdiction with advisory boards created from the county's two districts.

The ordinance would create a Fire Advisory Board for the Sandy Run Fire District and the Calhoun County Rural Fire District.

The ordinance also creates the position of a fire services coordinator, which would be an employee of the county who serves as a liaison between the fire boards and the county and present the needs of the fire stations to the county administration as other department heads do.

Under the ordinance, the fire services coordinator would be responsible for centralized purchasing of all materials, supplies and equipment for the fire districts in accordance with the county's procurement codes.

The fire services coordinator would also be responsible for a districtwide standardization of all rolling stock and equipment and a uniform maintenance schedule.

The fire services coordinator, with the assistance of the fire district boards, would also submit a recommended budget to council.

We are finding in Calhoun County, like a lot of rural counties, that with emergency services of all kinds, the day-to-day operation requests and the needs are growing while the volunteer spirit is diminishing due to jobs and family obligations, Calhoun County Administrator John McLauchlin said during a recent meeting of council.

The change is designed to enable the county and departments to handle demand and growth.

He noted the existing board members, operations and volunteers will remain in place.

Council and administration feel that by making both districts a department of the county, all eight stations will have more uniformity and ultimately be on the same page, McLauchlin said.

County administration said the change would enable the county's existing financing and procurement departments to better track the funds and expenditures of departments, plus standardize equipment and gear, with hopes of reducing costs and increasing opportunities for grants for equipment, gear and trucks.

This plan will allow a more equitable distribution of needs throughout the county, McLauchlin said.

It would change the districts funding from a flat fire service fee to millage.

Under the ordinance, the current fire district boards would be responsible for:

 Assisting in the development of standard operating procedures/guidelines, training standards, fire inspection programs and fire prevention programs.

 Assisting in the assessment of buildings, equipment and manpower and developing a strategic plan to deliver fire and rescue services in the fire district.

 Advising on all operational aspects between Calhoun County and the fire departments within the fire district.

The change includes the dissolution of the county Fire Commission, which was replaced by the Calhoun County Rural Fire District in 2014. At that time, an ordinance to repeal the commission was never passed as it ought to have been.

Sandy Run Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Christian Wolfe requested council postpone the vote until the Sandy Run Fire Commission could receive more information the impact and intent of the ordinance.

Nobody has come to Sandy Run to talk about it, Wolfe said. Our fire commission has not been made aware of this.

Wolfe noted McLauchlin and County Deputy Administrator Richard Hall were planning to come to a commission meeting following the council meeting.

In light of this fact, he requested council postpone the vote until after the Fire Commission met and received more information.

The Calhoun County Rural Fire District, they have had the privilege of knowing what is going to be talked about here tonight, Wolfe said. Our district has not. I don't think that is fair. I don't think that is good business, personally.

The matter had previously been tabled for first reading at the Dec. 12 meeting due to similar concerns.

Despite the request to table the vote, council voted 4-1 to give it first reading.

Councilwoman Rebecca Bonnette voted against it.

Councilman Cecil Thornton voted in support of the ordinance, but noted it was just first reading.

We will get questions answered that you want answered and we will move forward if the vote so carries, Thornton said.

Council Chairman James Haigler noted council is not trying to hurt anyone or ram anything down anyone's throat.

Just because we have passed first reading, that does not mean the thing will pass, Haigler said. It just gives us an opportunity to get it on the books so we can discuss it. The more we prolong it and don't get it on the books, the more we don't know what is going on.

Haigler said the reading process enables council to hear from the public about their concerns and provides more transparency to the process.
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded two local institutions grants totaling almost $2 million.

Claflin University will receive $1 million and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College will receive $952,262.

The Postsecondary Student Success Program grants are designed to support individuals who have started but not completed postsecondary education with opportunities that will lead to degrees, certification and credentialing.

The goal is to increase student outcomes, while simultaneously re-engaging individuals with higher education and providing essential wrap-around services.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced a total of 38 awards totaling more than $30 million to colleges and universities from five competitive grant programs of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, which aims to improve higher education opportunities and outcomes for students from underrepresented communities.

We cannot be complacent with a higher education system that leaves so many college students from diverse and underserved backgrounds without the supports and resources they need to succeed in school and, ultimately, graduate, Cardona said in a release.

The $30 million in grants announced today  including those of the new Postsecondary Student Success Program  will help colleges and universities advance innovative and evidence-based strategies to better support their students and help address students basic needs, launch affordable open textbook programs, improve campus resources for veterans and create opportunities for youth whove struggled with violence to get their lives back on track.

These investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administrations continued commitment to raising the bar for equitable outcomes in higher education and making sure students from all walks of life can thrive, he said.
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Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will today turn the sod for the construction of the 112 mega watt (MWac) solar project.

The sod-turning comes almost three years after the consortium of bpTT and Shell were selected as the preferred bidder on the project which has caused an escalation in cost to taxpayers.
Your childs education should be a family priority, according to Kimarie Richardson-Thomas, who has taught for 23 years in the public school system.

Richardson-Thomas is the Academic Dean at Goodwood Secondary School, and teaches English Language, English Literature, and CAPE Communication Studies.
As I get older, I am starting to understand my grandparents better. I have seen things grow 
While some people insist on chocolate in their banana bread, I much prefer nuts  walnuts, to be exact. Theyre a buttery, crunchy counterpart to the sweet and tender crumbs of the classic quick bread. This particular version is packed with them. Combined with a boost of flavor from brown butter and some extra moisture, thanks to a generous spoonful or two of yogurt, this is sure to be a banana bread recipe youll turn to again and again.

Tips for making walnut banana bread

Reach for your speckled bananas. The riper the bananas, the better when it comes to banana bread. Itll result in a deeper banana flavor. However, if your bananas show any signs of mold or smell off, they shouldnt be used.

Use a lot of walnuts, but not too many. While testing, we confirmed that 2/3 cup is perfect. Its a generous amount that ensures youll get walnut in every bite without having the loaf fall apart when sliced.

Toast the walnuts. Toasting the nuts before adding them to the batter draws out their deep, earthy flavor.

Banana Walnut Bread

Serves 8 to 10; makes 1 (9-by-5-inch) loaf

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2/3 cup raw walnut halves or pieces (about 2 1/2 ounces)

3 very ripe large bananas (about 1 pound)

1 large egg

2/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

1/3 cup whole milk Greek or regular plain yogurt

1/4 cup neutral vegetable oil, such as canola or grapeseed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to form a sling that hangs over the two long sides.

2. Cut 4 tablespoons unsalted butter into two pieces. Place in a small skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is toasted brown and has a nutty aroma, 4 to 5 minutes. Immediately scrape the browned butter and the solids into a large heatproof bowl. Set aside to cool while you toast the walnuts.

3. Arrange 2/3 cup raw walnuts in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring halfway through, until lightly browned and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool while you make the batter.

4. Add 3 peeled, ripe bananas to the bowl of brown butter and mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Add 1 large egg, 2/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup whole milk Greek or plain yogurt, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir with a flexible spatula until combined.

5. Add 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Stir with the spatula until just incorporated with no streaks of flour. Coarsely chop the walnuts, add to the batter, and fold until just combined. Transfer to the loaf pan and spread into an even layer.

6. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Grasp the parchment paper sling and lift the bread out of the pan onto a wire rack. Let cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour.

Recipe notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. The bread can also be wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and frozen for up to three months.
Russian MP Sergey Gavrilov told a Russian media outlet that it is necessary to restore diplomatic relations with Georgia."Taking into account Georgia's independent position on the issue of Ukraine and the war-related sanctions launched against Russia, it is necessary to restore not only air traffic, but also full-fledged diplomatic relations between our countries. The presence of the embassy and consulate will contribute to the expansion of our contacts and opportunities to support our citizens living in Georgia," Gavrilov said.According to him, the restoration of relations will contribute to the increase of trade and the development of tourism."The number of airlines, including those from friendly countries, that will carry out shipments between Russia and Georgia should increase," added the Duma deputy.The member of the Rada of Ukraine, Oleksiy Goncharenko, said that Saakashvili's health condition worries him and that the former president of Georgia who is now the citizen of Ukraine has the right to receive medical assistance."First of all, Mikheil Saakashvili is a human being. He has the right to be treated as a human being, to receive medical care. Even in this difficult situation, Ukraine is ready to help our citizen. I am sure there will be many countries in the world who are ready to offer him medical care. Not because he was president, but because he is human. This is the most important thing. I am very worried about his health condition. I want to see him recovered and healthy. This is the right of any other person on this planet," said Oleksiy Goncharenko.
Four members of the Oath Keepers were convicted Monday of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in the second major trial of far-right extremists accused of plotting to forcibly keep President Donald Trump in power.

The verdict against Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Florida; Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas; David Moerschel of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Edward Vallejo of Phoenix comes weeks after a different jury convicted the groups leader, Stewart Rhodes, in the mobs attack that halted the certification of President Joe Bidens electoral victory.

Its another major victory for the Justice Department, which is also trying to secure sedition convictions against the former leader of the Proud Boys and four associates. The trial against Enrique Tarrio and his lieutenants opened earlier this month in Washington and is expected to last several weeks.

The Washington jury deliberated for about 12 hours over three days before delivering their guilty verdict on the rarely used charge, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The four were also convicted of two other conspiracy charges as well as obstructing an official proceeding: Congress certification of the 2020 election. Minuta, Hackett and Moerschel were acquitted of lesser charges.

The judge didnt immediately set a date for sentencing. The judge denied prosecutors bid to lock up the men while they await sentencing, finding them not to be a risk of flight. They were ordered to remain in home detention with electronic monitoring.

It was one of the most serious cases brought so far in the sweeping Jan. 6 investigation, which continues to grow two years after the riot. The Justice Department has charged nearly 1,000 people in the riot and the tally increases by the week.

Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters after the verdict that he is grateful to the prosecutors, agents and staff for their outstanding work.

Oath Keepers leader Rhodes and Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs were convicted of seditious conspiracy in the previous trial that ended in November. They were the first people in decades found guilty at trial of the Civil War-era charge. Three other Oath Keepers were cleared of the charge in that case but were found guilty of other serious crimes. They are all awaiting sentencing.

Lawyers for Moerschel and Minuta suggested after the verdict that their clients were hurt by not being able to stand trial alongside Rhodes because the judge split the case into two groups. Moerchels lawyer, Scott Weinberg, said he could have pointed to Rhodes as the real bad guy.

I think it would be easier to be a low-level person in the same case as Stewart Rhodes, who is basically the figurehead of of this organization, Weinberg said.

William Shipley Jr., Minutas attorney, said he was disappointed and somewhat puzzled by the verdict. He said the governments witnesses didnt stand up to scrutiny and there were gaps in the evidence presented.

We didnt really think that in the 15 days of trial testimony the government really had a good day, Shipley said.

Vallejo left the courthouse without speaking to reporters. Joseph Hacketts attorney, Angela Halim, declined to comment after the verdict.

We got a trial by residents of a small judicial district who in one way or another were almost all impacted by the events of January 6th, Shipley said. I think that raises some real troubling issues.

Prosecutors told jurors that Rhodes and his band of extremists began shortly after the 2020 election to prepare an armed rebellion to keep Trump in power. Messages show Rhodes and the Oath Keepers discussing the prospect of a bloody civil war and the need to keep Biden out of the White House.

Our democracy was under attack, but for the defendants it was everything they trained for and a moment to celebrate, prosecutor Louis Manzo told jurors in his closing argument.

Prosecutors alleged that the Oath Keepers amassed weapons and stashed them at a Virginia hotel for so-called quick reaction force teams that could quickly shuttle guns into Washington to support their plot if they were needed. The weapons were never used.

Defense attorneys sought to downplay violent messages as mere bluster and said the Oath Keepers came to Washington to provide security at events before the riot. They seized on prosecutors lack of evidence that the Oath Keepers had an explicit plan to storm the Capitol before Jan. 6 and told jurors that the extremists who attacked the Capitol acted spontaneously like thousands of other rioters.

Prosecutors argued that while there is not evidence specifically spelling out a plan to attack the Capitol, the Oath Keepers saw the riot as a means to an end and sprung into action at an apparent opportunity to help keep Trump in power.

Hackett, Moerschel and other Oath Keepers approached the Capitol in a military-style stack formation before they entered the building, according to prosecutors. Minuta and his group from a second stack of Oath Keepers clashed with police after heeding Rhodes call to race to the Capitol, according to court documents.

Also on Monday, an Arkansas man who propped his feet up on a desk in then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the U.S. Capitol riot was convicted of joining a mobs attack on the building two years ago.

A jury deliberated for about two hours before unanimously convicting Richard Bigo Barnett on all eight counts in his indictment, including felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.

Barnett lounging at a desk in Pelosis office made him one of the most memorable figures from the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, the day when Congress convened a joint session to certify President Joe Bidens electoral victory.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper is scheduled to sentence Barnett on May 3.
NEW YORK  After the relative quiet of the pandemic, New York City has come roaring back. Just listen: Jackhammers. Honking cars and trucks. Rumbling subway trains. Sirens. Shouting.

Over the years, there have been numerous efforts to quiet the cacophony. One of the latest: traffic cameras equipped with sound meters capable of identifying souped-up cars and motorbikes emitting an illegal amount of street noise.

At least 71 drivers have received tickets so far for violating noise rules during a yearlong pilot program of the system. The citys Department of Environmental Protection now has plans to expand the use of the roadside sound meters.

Vehicles with illegally modified mufflers and tailpipes that emit extremely loud noise have been a growing problem in recent years, said City Council member Erik Bottcher, who heralded the arrival of the radars to his district to help reduce obnoxious noise.

New York City already has one of the most extensive noise ordinances in the country, setting allowable levels for a host of noisemakers, such as jackhammers and vehicles.

A state law known as the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution Act, or the SLEEP Act, that went into effect last spring raised fines for illegal modifications of mufflers and exhaust systems.

Because police officers often have other priorities, offenders have gone their merry, noisy way. The new devices record the license plates of offenders, much like how speedsters are nabbed by roadside cameras. Vehicle owners face fines of $800 for a first noise offense and a penalty of $2,625 if they ignore a third-offense hearing.

City officials declined to reveal where the radars are currently perched.

A year ago, Paris, one of Europes noisier cities, installed similar equipment along some streets.

Evidence is clear that noise affects not only hearing but mood and mental health, not to mention possible links to heightened risks of heart disease and elevated blood pressure.

You listen to the noise out there, it is nonstop  the horns, the trucks, the sirens, New York City Mayor Eric Adams bemoaned during a recent press conference that blamed an expressway for noise and illness. Noise pollution makes it hard to sleep and increases the risk of chronic disease.

Nearly a decade ago, one of Adams predecessors, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, launched a war on noise, releasing 45 pages of rules that covered chiming ice cream trucks and how long a canine can continuously yap (five minutes during the wee hours of the night, 10 during most of the day) before its owner gets in the doghouse.

In 1905, the New York Times had declared the metropolis a bonfire of sound that is rapidly spreading beyond control of any ordinary extinguisher. The article asked: Is there any relief possible?

A global pandemic more than a century later answered that question. For a few months in the spring of 2020, the roar of vehicles on city streets stopped as people stayed in their homes.

The silence allowed people to hear birdsong again  though it was often interrupted by wailing ambulance sirens and, at night, bursts of illegal fireworks.

As quiet as it was during the lockdown, it was a very uncomfortable quiet. It was a scary quiet because it carried a lot of implications with it, said Juan Pablo Bello, the lead investigator of Sounds of New York City, or SONYC, a New York University endeavor to study urban noise.

Bello and his team initially hoped to collect data on the dissonance of routine urban life but the coronavirus intervened. Instead, they monitored the acoustical rhythms of a city under lockdown.

The number of noise complaints actually grew during the pandemic, but some experts say that was a symptom of homebound people becoming hypersensitive to their uneasy environments.

Complaints over noisy neighbors nearly doubled in the first year of the pandemic. Many other complaints were attributed to cars and motorcycles with modified mufflers.

But theres only so much that can be done about the racket, and most New Yorkers have come to peace with that.

I think people developed an appreciation for the fact that its a messy, noisy city, said Bello, the NYU researcher. We like it to be active, and we like it to be lively. And we like it to be full of jobs and activity, and not this sort of scary, quite unnerving place.
A Sand Springs 19-year-old has been charged in connection with a drive-by-shooting that critically wounded a 6-year-old girl in north Tulsa last week.

Tulsa police think Rocky David Serna was the driver of the vehicle from which shots were fired just before 11 a.m. Jan. 15 near Apache Street and Yale Avenue. A 6-year-old girl who was shot in the chest was in critical condition when she was taken to a hospital, police said.

They reported later in the week that her condition had been stabilized.

Serna was arrested about 5:20 p.m. Jan. 15.

He was charged Friday with use of a vehicle to facilitate a shooting, gang related offense and violation of a protective order, Tulsa County District Court records show.

Detectives determined that a 17-year-old fired the shots from the vehicle. Police said that teen, whose name they did not release, was arrested Jan. 16 on complaints of shooting with an intent to kill and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He will likely be charged as a Youthful Offender, police said in a social media post. When the District Attorney files charges in this case, more information about the 17-year-old will be released.

Court records show that a Sand Springs 17-year-old was charged as a youthful offender on Friday with use of a vehicle to facilitate a shooting and a gang-related offense in connection with crimes that occurred Jan. 15.

However, no shooting charge was filed.

Serna also has previously filed charges, including gun, drug-trafficking and contributing to the delinquency of a minor counts, still pending in Tulsa and Osage counties.
Statebound and down: Teams from 15 northeastern Oklahoma high schools will compete in the state academic bowl tournament Saturday at Rose State College in Midwest City.

Qualifiers include Booker T. Washington, Jenks, Owasso and Stillwater in 6A; Bishop Kelley, Claremore, Edison and Tahlequah in 5A; Holland Hall, Miami and Wagoner in 4A; Caney Valley, Morris and Preston in 3A; and Regent Prep in 2A.

Enrollment season: Bixby Public Schools enrollment window for new prekindergarten and kindergarten students opens on Monday. Applications will be available through the districts website and at the districts enrollment office at 7 E. Dawes Ave., Bixby.

Due to capacity limitations, prekindergarten placement will be done via lottery, and enrollment must be completed by March 3 in order to be included. Any applications received after that date will be placed on a waiting list.

College Board kudos: On Wednesday, Booker T. Washington, Grove and Mingo Valley Christian School were among the 1,105 schools worldwide to receive the College Boards Advanced Placement Computer Science Female Diversity Award.

The award is presented annually to schools where at least half of the students who sit for one of the two Advanced Placement computer science exams are girls or where the percentage of female computer science exam takers meets or exceeds that of the schools overall female enrollment.

Stay home day: Friday is a previously scheduled distance learning day for Catoosa and Jenks.

Information sessions: TPS has a Spanish language enrollment information event scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Tuesday at Hicks Park, 3443 S. Mingo Road. On-site enrollment help for the 2023-24 school year will be available, along with translation services and free food.

Additionally, Broken Arrow Public Schools will have an information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Northeastern State Universitys Broken Arrow campus for families of eighth- and ninth-grade students interested in the districts Early College High School program.

Applications for the 2023-24 school year are available through baschools.org and are due by March 3.

COVID-19 by the numbers: Four districts published had updated COVID-19 case counts by the close of business Friday.

Bartlesville Public Schools had one reported case among students and none among staff.

Berryhill Public Schools did not have any reported cases among students or staff.

Skiatook Public Schools had two reported cases among students and one among all district employees.

Tulsa Public Schools had 14 reported cases among students and 15 cases reported among staff. Peary Elementary accounted for nine cases, while Council Oak Elementary had seven.

Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, Glenpool, Jenks, Kiefer, Liberty, Mounds, Owasso, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Sperry, Union, Verdigris and Wagoner are not publishing updated case counts at this time.

School board schedule: The boards of education for Catoosa, Tulsa, Tulsa Tech and Woodland are scheduled to meet Monday.

TPS board has also scheduled special meetings for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The State Board of Education is scheduled to meet Thursday in Oklahoma City. Wagoner Public Schools has announced a special board meeting for Thursday.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahomas new attorney general will take a hands-on approach to high-profile criminal probes of two state agencies.

Gentner Drummonds office will take the lead on working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as it scrutinizes a sweetheart deal between the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation and Swadleys Bar-B-Q.

This case includes allegations of fraud involving millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, Drummond said in a Sunday news release. Beginning immediately, my office will join with the OSBI to thoroughly investigate this matter. The Office of Attorney General is the appropriate entity to determine if the findings merit prosecution and, if they do, to prosecute any wrongdoers.

The Tourism Department previously paid Swadleys nearly $17 million to renovate and operate several state park restaurants in a deal that came under immense scrutiny when it appeared that the local barbecue chain was overpaid for its work.

Former Attorney General John OConnor, who was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, declined to probe the Swadleys deal. Instead, former Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater asked the OSBI to investigate to determine whether any criminal wrongdoing occurred.

After speaking with Drummond, new Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna recently asked the OSBI to disclose its findings to the Attorney Generals Office.

The state canceled its contracts with Swadleys last spring and then sued the barbecue business for breach of contract.

Drummond also is taking from the District Attorneys Office oversight of an investigation into the Commissioners of the Land Office.

Prater asked the OSBI to investigate after the Tulsa World reported last year that the head of the state agency fired an internal auditor after she raised conflict of interest concerns about a company hired to manage the agencys investments. Land Office Secretary Elliot Chambers then resigned in August.

April 2022 video: Investigation into possibly fraudulent Swadleys contract with state Tourism office

Tulsa-area state legislators and how to contact them Sen. Nathan Dahm Sen. Dana Prieto Sen. Jo Anna Dossett Sen. John Haste Sen. Todd Gollihare Sen. Kevin Matthews Sen. Joe Newhouse Sen. Dave Rader Sen. Cody Rogers Rep. Meloyde Blancett Rep. Jeff Boatman Rep. Amanda Swope Rep. Suzanne Schreiber 032823-tul-nws-davis-dean Rep. Mark Tedford Rep. Scott Fetgatter Rep. Ross Ford Rep. Regina Goodwin Rep. Kyle Hilbert Rep. Mark Lawson Rep. T.J. Marti Rep. Stan May Rep. Monroe Nichols Rep. Clay Staires Rep. Terry O'Donnell Rep. Melissa Provenzano Rep. Lonnie Sims Rep. John Kane Rep. Mark Vancuren Rep. John Waldron Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
After listening to the Tulsa Zoos concerns about the citys plan to build a new animal welfare facility nearer to the zoo, city officials have decided to move forward with the project.

There is no plan to move to a different site, but we are going to do everything we can possibly do from a design perspective to minimize any risk of disease or any animal getting into the zoo, said James Wagner, director of the Working in Neighborhoods Department.

Lindsay Hutchison, president and CEO of the Tulsa Zoo, said she called the city to discuss the plan after learning about it in the newspaper in October.

We are passionate about animal welfare in the city, so we want to be part of the solution, Hutchison said. We just want to be sure it doesnt negatively impact our animals.

The citys plan calls for replacing the existing Tulsa Animal Welfare shelter at 3031 N. Erie Ave. with a new one that would be built on 3.5 acres just south of the zoo at 36th Street North and Pawnee Drive.

Hutchison said the zoos proximity to the new animal shelter  the zoos service gates are approximately one-quarter mile from the shelter property  creates two potential problems.

Having the presence of an animal welfare facility will attract other animals and increase the number of unwanted animals at our gates, Hutchison said. That is already a regular occurrence by the public  that the zoo can assume the care of unwanted, injured or stray animals.

And we cannot offer holding for stray and abandoned animals, including those that slip onto zoo grounds, because of the disease risk. They put our rare and endangered species at risk due to the presence of their unknown conditions.

Hutchison said the zoos service gates are opened more than a 100 times a day and that there is no way to move them to another part of the complex.

Whenever they (stray animals) slip on grounds, it immediately causes a disruption, and we have to initiate emergency protocol, pull animal care, health staff from their regular duties, and immediately trap and remove the animals because they pose a risk to our animals, she said.

Wagner said the city shares the zoos concerns and that, at his request, the architect on the project, GH2, has retained a veterinarian who specializes in infectious diseases.

Moving forward, the city plans to include a member of the zoo staff in the design process.

During the citys recent kickoff meeting with GH2, Wagner said, he challenged the architects to go through every disease that could potentially enter the new facility and come up with a plan to make sure those diseases cant leave the facility.

We started off and specifically asked the question: Are there grave concerns that you would have about this site from an infectious disease perspective, from the perspective of the zoo? And she said, no, basically, Wagner said, that she thought there were solutions to the issues that they had brought up and that the risk was incredibly low.

Now, that said, there are going to be design considerations  for instance, things like perimeter fencing  that we will need to take into consideration as we design that facility, and we are serious about that.

The existing animal welfare shelter has been in poor condition for years and has frequently had to close its doors temporarily due to outbreaks of distemper and other animal diseases. It reopened last week after being closed for a month due to a canine influenza outbreak.

Wagner said its important to understand that the existing animal welfare shelter is not designed to keep diseases from spreading from animal to animal but that the new one will be.

To extrapolate the experience that we have had at the current facility with what we are designing now is just not a fair comparison, because what they have now, there is no separate ventilation, Wagner said. So everything that is in the facility just gets spread everywhere. And what we are talking about with the new facility is positive and negative air pressures and different types of rooms so that there is no transmission outside of an isolation room.

It literally is night and day in terms of the facilitys ability by what is built into it to isolate disease and prevent it from spreading.

The 24,125-square-foot facility is expected to include clinic space, a surgery center, isolation rooms, an adoption area, office space, an outdoor space for animals, and more than 500 cages for cats, dogs, exotic animals and recovering animals.

The city initially budgeted $4.7 million to remodel and expand its existing animal shelter. By last summer, though, city officials began exploring whether a new facility could be built at a cost similar to the requested improvements, as the shelters needs have continued to grow.

The cost of the new shelter is currently budgeted at just under $12.9 million.

City officials say they hope construction can begin by the end of 2024, but they will need to raise an additional $5.5 million from public and private sources.
Following their tenure as foreign ambassadors to Vietnam, two diplomats have chosen to launch businesses in Vietnam, taking advantage of the Southeast Asian countrys dynamic startup scene. Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier and former New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning both served in Vietnam from 2012 to 2016  a tenure which left such an impression on each of them that they both chose to stay in the country following their ambassadorships. Ex-ambassadors laundromat service Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier left diplomatic service following his term in Vietnam, but he didnt choose to leave the country. Instead, he opened three laundromats in Hanoi, one of which managed to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while the other two only recently reopened following financial hardship brought about by the coronavirus. But laundromats are just a side hustle for Porier. When hes not busy making sure Hanoians have clean clothes, he manages a foreign investment consulting business in the Southeast Asian country. While the pandemic essentially put a hold on foreign investment in Vietnam, the countrys rapid economic recovery has signaled to foreign businesses that Vietnam still has significant long-term development potential, particularly now that COVID-19 has led to dozens of countries shifting their manufacturing bases away from China and into Vietnam. According to Poirier, Vietnams investment potential is heighted by two key factors: the government of Vietnam is particularly interested in foreign companies, and the business climate is very welcoming and encouraging. Poirier also noted that safety and peace of mind for long-term business in Vietnam are the top priorities for international investors, and the Vietnamese government has done a good job of setting investors at ease by enforcing a tough anti-epidemic policy and taking numerous measures to support the growth of the local business environment. Such growth and potential are Poriers main inspiration for staying in Vietnam following his tenure as a diplomat. "I wanted to participate in [Vietnams] progress," he explained. Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier. Photo: Supplied Porier juxtaposed the business environments in Europe and Asia, explaining that, for the past 20 years, the business environment in Europe has been in decline, with economic downturn, unemployment, the closure of businesses and factories, and the relocation of businesses to Asia being serious concerns. In comparison, Vietnams business environment is upbeat and maintains a culture that is relatively welcoming to outsiders, provided they adhere to the adage "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Porier explained that the transition from diplomat to entrepreneur was difficult for him, but support from his Vietnamese acquaintances eased the burden. Improving access to education October 2022 was the 10th anniversary of Haike Manning and his family moving to Vietnam. The last six of those years were spent in Ho Chi Minh City, while the first four, from 2012 to 2016, were spent in Hanoi where Manning served as the New Zealand ambassador to Vietnam. I always intended to stay here in Vietnam. We were quite well settled and had a really good network in Hanoi, but Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnams commercial hub and the idea of moving to Ho Chi Minh City to start a new Vietnam life was interesting. We are happy here, I think it's because me, my wife, and my son, have found our place in doing different things, Haike shared. Haike Manning, former New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam from 2012 to 2016. Photo: Tran Tien Dung / Tuoi Tre Hanoi has undergone immense change since Haike and his family first moved to the city in 2012. The capitals new roads and bridges are both particularly distinct signs of its growth over the past decade. Haike now operates a company that focuses on education. Specifically, he manages the companys operations across Southeast Asia. As part of this job, he often travels to Malaysia  an experience he says has opened his eyes to how impressed the international community is with Vietnams growth and how fearful countries like Malaysia are of losing the development advantages they have over Vietnam. Vietnam is becoming more connected with the world, especially in education, where the number of students going abroad each year continues to grow. Around 200,000 Vietnamese students are studying abroad, and there are more and more international programs being delivered in Vietnam, Haike said. Haike sees the countrys development through the lens of education and, in his view, has done a fantastic job of providing education to every Vietnamese citizen and opening the doors to higher education for a large proportion of the population. However, there are areas where the government does fall short, and that's where international partnerships and collaboration in education come in. In Haikes view, Vietnam can continue to advance its education system by developing greater international connections and continuing to create more accessible education. With more and more international education programs coming to Vietnam, there is less pressure for Vietnamese students to study abroad and more opportunities for lower-income families. Improving access through digital and online education, and improving quality of education through international connections, are two important things that factor into increases in the quality of education over time. Haike Manning (left) and the New Zealand Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Joseph Nelson attended an event at Mannings office. Photo: Supplied My personal view is that bringing international education to Vietnam is going to create much bigger opportunities for everyone. Not only have we increased access to education for families, but we have also supported improving the capacity of local institutions, Haike said. Data from a survey carried out by Haikes company showed that Vietnamese parents spent significantly more on their childrens education compared to parents in other Southeast Asian countries. International education institutions also tend to favor Vietnamese students. Vietnamese students are often academically strong, but they're also often quite open to embracing the culture overseas. However, for young people to reach their full potential, Haike believes Vietnamese students need to focus on life skills. It's one thing to know a lot about engineering, computer science, economics, or finance, but to really thrive in the world that we live in now, you need to have soft skills as well. You need to invest in building your communication and interpersonal skills so that you can form good relationships across cultures. Figuring out how to work on a team, how to lead people, and how to analyze and apply critical thinking is absolutely essential, Haike explained. In Vietnam, talented young people are the countrys assets. It is important for Vietnam to keep the economy growing and provide conditions that are attractive enough so even when Vietnamese students can go overseas, to Australia or Canada, and eventually return home. They come back because they can see more opportunities here and we have started to see that trend in our recent market surveys. We're starting to see that, increasingly, families are saying there are really good chances here in Vietnam now. Ten years ago, there weren't the same set of opportunities, Haike said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Following their tenure as foreign ambassadors to Vietnam, two diplomats have chosen to launch businesses in Vietnam, taking advantage of the Southeast Asian countrys dynamic startup scene.

Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier and former New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning both served in Vietnam from 2012 to 2016  a tenure which left such an impression on each of them that they both chose to stay in the country following their ambassadorships.

Ex-ambassadors laundromat service

Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier left diplomatic service following his term in Vietnam, but he didnt choose to leave the country.

Instead, he opened three laundromats in Hanoi, one of which managed to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while the other two only recently reopened following financial hardship brought about by the coronavirus.

But laundromats are just a side hustle for Porier.

When hes not busy making sure Hanoians have clean clothes, he manages a foreign investment consulting business in the Southeast Asian country.

While the pandemic essentially put a hold on foreign investment in Vietnam, the countrys rapid economic recovery has signaled to foreign businesses that Vietnam still has significant long-term development potential, particularly now that COVID-19 has led to dozens of countries shifting their manufacturing bases away from China and into Vietnam.

According to Poirier, Vietnams investment potential is heighted by two key factors: the government of Vietnam is particularly interested in foreign companies, and the business climate is very welcoming and encouraging.

Poirier also noted that safety and peace of mind for long-term business in Vietnam are the top priorities for international investors, and the Vietnamese government has done a good job of setting investors at ease by enforcing a tough anti-epidemic policy and taking numerous measures to support the growth of the local business environment.

Such growth and potential are Poriers main inspiration for staying in Vietnam following his tenure as a diplomat.

"I wanted to participate in [Vietnams] progress," he explained.

Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier. Photo: Supplied

Porier juxtaposed the business environments in Europe and Asia, explaining that, for the past 20 years, the business environment in Europe has been in decline, with economic downturn, unemployment, the closure of businesses and factories, and the relocation of businesses to Asia being serious concerns.

In comparison, Vietnams business environment is upbeat and maintains a culture that is relatively welcoming to outsiders, provided they adhere to the adage "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Porier explained that the transition from diplomat to entrepreneur was difficult for him, but support from his Vietnamese acquaintances eased the burden.

Improving access to education

October 2022 was the 10th anniversary of Haike Manning and his family moving to Vietnam.

The last six of those years were spent in Ho Chi Minh City, while the first four, from 2012 to 2016, were spent in Hanoi where Manning served as the New Zealand ambassador to Vietnam.

I always intended to stay here in Vietnam. We were quite well settled and had a really good network in Hanoi, but Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnams commercial hub and the idea of moving to Ho Chi Minh City to start a new Vietnam life was interesting.

We are happy here, I think it's because me, my wife, and my son, have found our place in doing different things, Haike shared.

Haike Manning, former New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam from 2012 to 2016. Photo: Tran Tien Dung / Tuoi Tre

Hanoi has undergone immense change since Haike and his family first moved to the city in 2012.

The capitals new roads and bridges are both particularly distinct signs of its growth over the past decade.

Haike now operates a company that focuses on education. Specifically, he manages the companys operations across Southeast Asia.

As part of this job, he often travels to Malaysia  an experience he says has opened his eyes to how impressed the international community is with Vietnams growth and how fearful countries like Malaysia are of losing the development advantages they have over Vietnam.

Vietnam is becoming more connected with the world, especially in education, where the number of students going abroad each year continues to grow.

Around 200,000 Vietnamese students are studying abroad, and there are more and more international programs being delivered in Vietnam, Haike said.

Haike sees the countrys development through the lens of education and, in his view, has done a fantastic job of providing education to every Vietnamese citizen and opening the doors to higher education for a large proportion of the population.

However, there are areas where the government does fall short, and that's where international partnerships and collaboration in education come in.

In Haikes view, Vietnam can continue to advance its education system by developing greater international connections and continuing to create more accessible education.

With more and more international education programs coming to Vietnam, there is less pressure for Vietnamese students to study abroad and more opportunities for lower-income families.

Improving access through digital and online education, and improving quality of education through international connections, are two important things that factor into increases in the quality of education over time.

Haike Manning (left) and the New Zealand Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Joseph Nelson attended an event at Mannings office. Photo: Supplied

My personal view is that bringing international education to Vietnam is going to create much bigger opportunities for everyone. Not only have we increased access to education for families, but we have also supported improving the capacity of local institutions, Haike said.

Data from a survey carried out by Haikes company showed that Vietnamese parents spent significantly more on their childrens education compared to parents in other Southeast Asian countries.

International education institutions also tend to favor Vietnamese students.

Vietnamese students are often academically strong, but they're also often quite open to embracing the culture overseas.

However, for young people to reach their full potential, Haike believes Vietnamese students need to focus on life skills.

It's one thing to know a lot about engineering, computer science, economics, or finance, but to really thrive in the world that we live in now, you need to have soft skills as well. You need to invest in building your communication and interpersonal skills so that you can form good relationships across cultures.

Figuring out how to work on a team, how to lead people, and how to analyze and apply critical thinking is absolutely essential, Haike explained.

In Vietnam, talented young people are the countrys assets. It is important for Vietnam to keep the economy growing and provide conditions that are attractive enough so even when Vietnamese students can go overseas, to Australia or Canada, and eventually return home.

They come back because they can see more opportunities here and we have started to see that trend in our recent market surveys. We're starting to see that, increasingly, families are saying there are really good chances here in Vietnam now. Ten years ago, there weren't the same set of opportunities, Haike said.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A flight from Thailand with over 100 passengers on board arrived in Da Nang City on Sunday, making it the first to bring international visitors to the central Vietnamese city in the 2023 Lunar New Year. Local tourism authorities held a ceremony to welcome the Thai travelers on the first day of the Year of the Cat at the international passenger terminal of the Da Nang International Airport. Flight VZ964 of Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet from Bangkok, Thailand landed at the Da Nang International Airport on Sunday morning. During the ceremony, visitors were able to enjoy the lion dance performance and other welcoming activities. The organizers also presented tourists special gifts, including coupons to visit tourist attractions, restaurants, and to enjoy local specialties. According to airline operators, the total number of flights to Da Nang for the Tet holiday from January 20 to 26 is projected at 768, with more than 98,000 passengers. This includes 444 domestic flights and 344 international flights. On this occasion, local government and tourism businesses have offered a variety of events and activities, including artistic light decorating on the Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, the fire-breathing show on the Dragon Bridge, and the Han River cruise experience. A spring festival is also being organized at My Khe beach by the management board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang's tourism beaches. At the festival, visitors may take pictures with Tet-themed backdrops, learn how to cook banh chung, and make traditional jams and sweets with craftsmen at the food booths. Beside the above-mentioned activities, tourists visiting Da Nang during the Tet holiday can also explore Bien Dong Park, Lang Ong Park, Ha Khe Square, the photo exhibition on Vong Canh Hill, and Ban Co Summit. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

A flight from Thailand with over 100 passengers on board arrived in Da Nang City on Sunday, making it the first to bring international visitors to the central Vietnamese city in the 2023 Lunar New Year.

Local tourism authorities held a ceremony to welcome the Thai travelers on the first day of the Year of the Cat at the international passenger terminal of the Da Nang International Airport.

Flight VZ964 of Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet from Bangkok, Thailand landed at the Da Nang International Airport on Sunday morning.

During the ceremony, visitors were able to enjoy the lion dance performance and other welcoming activities. The organizers also presented tourists special gifts, including coupons to visit tourist attractions, restaurants, and to enjoy local specialties.

According to airline operators, the total number of flights to Da Nang for the Tet holiday from January 20 to 26 is projected at 768, with more than 98,000 passengers. This includes 444 domestic flights and 344 international flights.

On this occasion, local government and tourism businesses have offered a variety of events and activities, including artistic light decorating on the Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, the fire-breathing show on the Dragon Bridge, and the Han River cruise experience.

A spring festival is also being organized at My Khe beach by the management board of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang's tourism beaches.

At the festival, visitors may take pictures with Tet-themed backdrops, learn how to cook banh chung, and make traditional jams and sweets with craftsmen at the food booths.

Beside the above-mentioned activities, tourists visiting Da Nang during the Tet holiday can also explore Bien Dong Park, Lang Ong Park, Ha Khe Square, the photo exhibition on Vong Canh Hill, and Ban Co Summit.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested 33 young men amongst 100 people who gathered to take part in an illegal motorbike race on Sunday, the first day of the 2023 Lunar New Year. Authorities told local media that they found a group of youngsters planning to gather for an illegal motorbike race organized through a social media platform. Youngsters gather for an illegal motorbike race in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22, 2023. Photo: Supplied According to early findings, at around 3:50 am on Sunday, police officers in Ho Chi Minh City who were on patrol stumbled upon over 100 youths participating in a motorbike race on Bac Hai Street, Ward 14, District 10. Law enforcement officers managed to detain 33 young men and seize 21 motorbikes. Authorities are still investigating the case to collect more evidence to initiate legal proceedings against the gang for disturbing public order. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested 33 young men amongst 100 people who gathered to take part in an illegal motorbike race on Sunday, the first day of the 2023 Lunar New Year.

Authorities told local media that they found a group of youngsters planning to gather for an illegal motorbike race organized through a social media platform.

Youngsters gather for an illegal motorbike race in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22, 2023. Photo: Supplied

According to early findings, at around 3:50 am on Sunday, police officers in Ho Chi Minh City who were on patrol stumbled upon over 100 youths participating in a motorbike race on Bac Hai Street, Ward 14, District 10.

Law enforcement officers managed to detain 33 young men and seize 21 motorbikes.

Authorities are still investigating the case to collect more evidence to initiate legal proceedings against the gang for disturbing public order.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Numerous people in Ho Chi Minh City have visited various recreational venues, including flower streets and pagodas, during their ongoing celebration of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Amid beautiful sunny weather on Sunday, many families in Ho Chi Minh went to the Nguyen Hue Flower Street as well as numerous public parks and recreational centers to enjoy the first day of their seven-day Tet vacation that began last Friday. Hieu, a man from Binh Thanh District, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that his family got up as early as 6:00 am Sunday to pay visits to relatives and then came to the Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the citys downtown District 1. This image shows four members of the family of Ly Nguyen, a woman in Ho Chi Minh City, posing for a photo at the Nguyen Hue Flower Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 22, 2023  the first day of the Lunar New Year. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Hieu said his family would later visit a pagoda to experience moments of peace of mind and make some prayers on the first day of the lunar new year. Traveling on city streets and visiting some pagodas on Tet holiday is our familys annual tradition, Hieu said. The man added that this years Tet celebration would be of great significance to his daughter as she will go abroad for studies in the coming time. Such Tet moments would contribute to reminding our children of their homeland when they are living far away from home, Hieu said. A woman and her daughter are seen posing for a photo at the Ho Chi Minh City Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park in District 1 on January 22, 2023. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Ly Nguyen, another local resident, said she and other female members of her family liked to wear ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) when going out and posing for photos during every Tet. By noon, despite the weather becoming a bit hotter, waves of visitors kept flocked to the flower street for sightseeing and photographing. Meanwhile, the citys Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park, also in District 1, also attracted a quite large number of visitors after opening a week ago. This image shows people offering incense at Lady Thien Hau Pagoda in Binh Duong Provinces Thu Dau Mot City, which borders Ho Chi Minh City, on January 22, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Cong Thanh / Tuoi Tre A great deal of people also gathered in the area in front of the Ben Thanh Market, which had been decorated with landscapes and colorful lights, for photographing. Meanwhile, visiting pagodas on Tet is also a cultural feature of Vietnamese people, particularly on the first day of the lunar new year. Many people went to major pagodas in the city, such as Hue Nghiem (in Thu Duc City), Vinh Nghiem (District 3) and Gia Lam (Go Vap District), among others. A family is seen looking at orchids at a spring flower area in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22, 2023. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre At the crowded Hue Nghiem Pagoda, a man identified himself as Thong told Tuoi Tre that he and his family visited the pagoda to pray for health and peace. This Tet has seen the pagoda recover all of its activities after a long time of restrictions due to the COVID-19 impacts, Thong said. Locals also visited Lady Thien Hau Pagoda in the neighboring Binh Duong Province. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Numerous people in Ho Chi Minh City have visited various recreational venues, including flower streets and pagodas, during their ongoing celebration of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Amid beautiful sunny weather on Sunday, many families in Ho Chi Minh went to the Nguyen Hue Flower Street as well as numerous public parks and recreational centers to enjoy the first day of their seven-day Tet vacation that began last Friday.

Hieu, a man from Binh Thanh District, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that his family got up as early as 6:00 am Sunday to pay visits to relatives and then came to the Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the citys downtown District 1.

This image shows four members of the family of Ly Nguyen, a woman in Ho Chi Minh City, posing for a photo at the Nguyen Hue Flower Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 22, 2023  the first day of the Lunar New Year. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Hieu said his family would later visit a pagoda to experience moments of peace of mind and make some prayers on the first day of the lunar new year.

Traveling on city streets and visiting some pagodas on Tet holiday is our familys annual tradition, Hieu said.

The man added that this years Tet celebration would be of great significance to his daughter as she will go abroad for studies in the coming time.

Such Tet moments would contribute to reminding our children of their homeland when they are living far away from home, Hieu said.

A woman and her daughter are seen posing for a photo at the Ho Chi Minh City Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park in District 1 on January 22, 2023. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Ly Nguyen, another local resident, said she and other female members of her family liked to wear ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) when going out and posing for photos during every Tet.

By noon, despite the weather becoming a bit hotter, waves of visitors kept flocked to the flower street for sightseeing and photographing.

Meanwhile, the citys Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park, also in District 1, also attracted a quite large number of visitors after opening a week ago.

This image shows people offering incense at Lady Thien Hau Pagoda in Binh Duong Provinces Thu Dau Mot City, which borders Ho Chi Minh City, on January 22, 2023. Photo: Nguyen Cong Thanh / Tuoi Tre

A great deal of people also gathered in the area in front of the Ben Thanh Market, which had been decorated with landscapes and colorful lights, for photographing.

Meanwhile, visiting pagodas on Tet is also a cultural feature of Vietnamese people, particularly on the first day of the lunar new year.

Many people went to major pagodas in the city, such as Hue Nghiem (in Thu Duc City), Vinh Nghiem (District 3) and Gia Lam (Go Vap District), among others.

A family is seen looking at orchids at a spring flower area in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22, 2023. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

At the crowded Hue Nghiem Pagoda, a man identified himself as Thong told Tuoi Tre that he and his family visited the pagoda to pray for health and peace.

This Tet has seen the pagoda recover all of its activities after a long time of restrictions due to the COVID-19 impacts, Thong said.

Locals also visited Lady Thien Hau Pagoda in the neighboring Binh Duong Province.

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ONWARD Medical

Erika Ross to join the company as VP Global Clinical & Regulatory, and Sarah Moore to join as VP Global Marketing

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands, LAUSANNE, Switzerland, and BOSTON, MA USA, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ONWARD Medical N.V. (Euronext: ONWD), the medical technology company creating innovative therapies to restore movement, independence, and health in people with spinal cord injury (SCI), today announced two key appointments to its leadership team to drive the Companys clinical research and commercial activities. Both new hires will be based in the US and will report to Dave Marver, CEO.

New VP Global Clinical & Regulatory  Erika Ross, PhD

Erika Ross will join ONWARD as Vice President, Global Clinical & Regulatory, effective January 23, 2023. In this newly created role, Erika will assume global leadership of ONWARDs clinical and regulatory activities.

Erika joins ONWARD from Abbott Neuromodulation, where she was Director, Global Clinical & Applied Research. Previously, as Neuroscience Director at Cala Health, she managed the scientific research program that led to de novo clearance and launch of the companys neurostimulation technology. Erika also served as Deputy Director, Medical Device Innovation Accelerator, Department of Surgery and Assistant Professor, Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic. Erika holds a BSc in Biology and Business and an MSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Denver, and a PhD in Neuroscience from Mayo Clinic.

I am delighted to welcome Erika to our leadership team, said Dave Marver, Chief Executive Officer. Her deep expertise in neuromodulation will strengthen our company as we prepare to commercialize the many promising therapies in our pipeline. Erika also brings outstanding relationships with researchers and clinicians, forged during her years working in neuroscience and neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic and continuing after she transitioned to industry.

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I am humbled by the opportunity to help advance ONWARDs therapies to address critical unmet needs for people who have experienced spinal cord injury. I am also thrilled to join this passionate and highly capable leadership team, which is driven to make these important therapies accessible as soon as possible, commented Erika Ross.

New VP, Global Marketing  Sarah Moore

Sarah Moore will join ONWARD as Vice President, Global Marketing, effective February 1, 2023. In this role, Sarah will be responsible for ONWARDs global marketing operations, including product management and launch planning.

Sarah comes to ONWARD from Nevro, an implantable neuromodulation company, where she served as Head of Commercial Marketing. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles in global marketing across multiple Johnson & Johnson medical device franchises, most recently as the business unit leader for J&Js Advanced Imaging business. Sarah earned an MBA from Duke University and a BA in German from Washington and Lee University.

Sarahs extensive background in the marketing of medical devices, and particularly neuromodulation therapies, will be invaluable as we prepare to commercialize our first therapy later this year, said Dave Marver. She brings a broad range of capabilities that extend beyond marketing which will help us scale.

I am inspired by the ONWARD mission, and its an honor to join this world-class team focused on restoring function in people with spinal cord injury. I am looking forward to partnering with the clinical community to bring this game-changing therapy to market, added Sarah Moore.

About ONWARD Medical

ONWARD is a medical technology company creating innovative therapies to restore movement, independence, and health in people with spinal cord injuries. ONWARDs work builds on more than a decade of basic science and preclinical research conducted at the worlds leading neuroscience laboratories. ONWARDs ARC Therapy, which can be delivered by implantable (ARC-IM) or external (ARC-EX) systems, is designed to deliver targeted, programmed spinal cord stimulation to restore movement and other functions in people with spinal cord injury, ultimately improving their quality of life.

ONWARD has received five Breakthrough Device Designations from the US FDA encompassing both ARC-IM and ARC-EX. ARC-EX is an external, non-invasive platform consisting of a wearable stimulator and wireless programmer. Positive top-line data were reported in 2022 from the companys first pivotal study, called Up-LIFT, evaluating the ability of transcutaneous ARC Therapy to improve upper extremity strength and function. The company is now preparing marketing approval submissions for the US and Europe. ARC-IM consists of an implantable pulse generator and lead that is placed near the spinal cord. The company completed its first-in-human use of the ARC-IM neurostimulator in 2022.

ONWARD is headquartered in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. It maintains a Science and Engineering Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, and has a growing US presence in Boston, Massachusetts. The company has an academic partnership with .NeuroRestore, a collaboration between the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). For additional information about the company, please visit ONWD.com. To access our 2023 Financial Calendar, please visit IR.ONWD.com.

For Company Enquiries:

info@onw d.com



For Media Enquiries:

MC Services AG

US: Laurie Doyle, P: +1 339 832 0752

Europe: Dr. Johanna Kobler, Katja Arnold, Kaja Skorka, P: +49 89 210 228 0

media@onwd.com



For Investor Enquiries:

investors@onwd.com



Disclaimer

Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as appropriate, the Company directors current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve several risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition, and technology, can cause actual events, performance, or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such persons officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.








Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, on a bus in Bournemouth (Dorset Police) (PA Media)

An asylum-seeker who stabbed a young man to death in a row over an e-scooter has previously been convicted of murder in Serbia, it can be revealed.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai was sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence in his absence following a trial over the killing in Serbia, a preliminary hearing for the UK court case heard.

And he had also been convicted of drug-dealing in Italy and given a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty, the court heard.

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin told Salisbury Crown Court: Two people were shot dead outside a refugee area by a petrol station.

Evidence seems to come from a taxi driver who drove people to the scene and they see a photograph and they point the defendant out as the person they drove.

And there was evidence from someone, who in this country would be considered a co-defendant, also was given at the trial.

The court heard the Serbian authorities were seeking his extradition but the UK courts were unlikely to deport him without an automatic right to appeal as he was convicted in his absence.

The court was told that Abdulrahimzai arrived in the UK in 2019 as an asylum seeker and claimed he was 14 at that time and 16 at the time of the Bournemouth incident.

But an age determination hearing held by the court in the run up to the trial used an examination of the defendants teeth and the judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, ruled that he was actually 21 years old, assigning him the date of birth of October 7 2001.

The court heard that he had believed he was the younger age because that was what he had been told by an uncle while still in Afghanistan.

Abdulrahimzai told the trial that it was normal for people in Afghanistan to not know their dates of birth due to a lack of education, and his uncle had told him the incorrect date.

During the trial at Salisbury Crown Court for the murder of Thomas Roberts in Bournemouth, the defendant, who had a fascination with knives admitted stabbing the 21-year-old who died of his injuries.

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A Dorset Police video shown to the jury showed the arrest of Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai (PA Media)

Abdulrahimzai was convicted of murder by majority after 12 hours of jury deliberations on Monday.

In the months before the incident, Abdulrahimzai shared pictures of himself posing with a knife about 10in long on the social media and video sharing app TikTok.

He had been seen carrying a knife by his foster parent, who had warned him not to, and had also been warned by police and social workers of the dangers of carrying a knife.

Abdulrahimzai told the court that he carried a knife because he was fearing for his life because there were people from Afghanistan who wanted to kill him, and he had also had death threats in Bournemouth.

The defendant said he posted photos of his knife on TikTok to get followers from people out there liking knives.

Abdulrahimzai told the court his parents were killed when the Taliban planted bombs at his family home, as they suspected them of colluding with American forces.

He said: I have seen some explosions not very far away. There was an American base not far from where we lived and the Taliban would come and demand things and there would be fighting and gunshots.

They used heavy weapons like rocket launchers. They planted bombs around my house, I was at my uncles house at the time, when I came home my parents were dead. I saw their body parts and a lot of blood.

Abdulrahimzai said he was then captured and tortured by the Taliban for up to three weeks before being dumped and left for dead on the side of a road.

The jury was shown photographs of scarring all over his body which he says was caused by the torture, during which he was beaten with the butts of rifles and injured with knives.

However, a passer-by rescued him, tended to his wounds and put him back in touch with his uncle, who arranged for him to leave Afghanistan.

He first went to Serbia through Pakistan and Iran in October 2015, before arriving in Norway later that month with a friend he considered to be like an adopted brother.

Abdulrahimzai then left Norway and spent some time in Italy and Serbia.

He applied for asylum in Norway, but when his application was refused in December 2019, he left out of fear of being deported back to Afghanistan and arrived in the UK in Poole, Dorset, in the same month.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown warned the Tories were testing the water for a different kind of NHS (File picture) (PA Archive)

The Conservatives are testing the water for a different kind of NHS by suggesting ideas such as paid GP appointments, Gordon Brown has claimed.

The former Prime Minister said that the Tories were contemplating a more privately financed healthcare system, but warned that introducing payments would only lead to early diagnoses being missed.

In an op-ed for The Times last week, former Health Secretary Sajid Javid argued that the NHS would not survive much longer without radical reform, such as the introduction of payments for GP appointments.

Mr Javid cited the 20 required to see a GP in Norway or Sweden, or Irelands policy of charging 66 for treatment in A&E.

Writing in the Guardian, Mr Brown said that the former Cabinet ministers claims were no accident and that the direction the party is travelling in is already clear.

The sick would pay for being sick and charging would force  as has happened with GP and hospitals in France  the better-off sections of the population to take out private insurance, inevitably creating, in its wake, a two-tier healthcare system.

Todays Conservatives may have clapped NHS nurses and health workers at the height of the pandemic; yet they are not only opposing decent remuneration for them but also contemplating a more privately financed healthcare system.

It reminds us that exactly 75 years ago they opposed the introduction of the NHS, having attempted in 1944 to impose charges and private insurance.

During his campaign for the Tory leadership, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set out plans to fine patients 10 for missing a GP or hospital appointment.

But he backtracked on the pledge after it was widely criticised by health leaders, signalling the controversy surrounding any reforms that could threaten the principle of free NHS care at the point of need.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been approached for comment.

Labours Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said of Mr Javids claims: Over my dead body. An NHS free at the point of use has been its central equitable principle for 75 years. Patients should never have to worry about the bill.

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The Prime Ministers official spokesman said there were no plans to introduce fees for GP appointments.

Labour have also proposed a major overhaul of the NHS, with Mr Streeting earlier this month arguing that reform is not a Conservative word.

In recent elections, the left has given a lot of people the impression the answer to everything is to pour more money in, he told The Guardian.

Of course, investment is needed in the NHS, but ask any patient about their miserable experiences and its partly about culture and systems. Thats got to change too.

Mr Streetings proposals to make general practitioners salaried NHS employees have been criticised in some quarters of the medical profession.

The current model sees self-employed GPs run their own practices under contracts awarded by the NHS.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the current system needs an overhaul as the pressure on GP surgeries is causing more people to resort to attending hospital instead.
RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco's ties with the European Union must be protected against harassment at the European parliament, foreign minister Nasser Bourita said on Thursday, following a European probe into graft allegations involving European lawmakers, Qatar and Morocco.

"This partnership faces a continuous judicial harassment and repeated media attacks," Bourita told reporters following talks with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, although Bourita did not directly refer to the cash-for-influence case.

"This partnership faces attacks in European institutions, notably at the parliament," Bourita added.

Belgian authorities have charged four people linked to the European Parliament over allegations that Qatar lavished them with cash and gifts to influence decision-making. Qatar has said it had no involvement in the scandal.

In arrest warrants issued in Italy, there are also allegations of payments from Morocco.

Morocco has not publicly comment on the case.

Morocco's partnership with the EU is "based on neighbourliness, values and mutual interests," said Bourita.

The graft accusations "are grave", Borrell said after discussing the issue with Bourita and earlier in the day with Prime Minister Aziz Akhnnouch. Borrell gave no details.

The European Union maintains a position of "zero tolerance" of corruption and will wait for the results of the decision of a judicial investigation into the case, he said.

Separately, Borrel said the EU and Morocco had a "solid strategic partnership."

He said EU aid to Morocco would increase to 1.6 billion euros during 2021-2027 from 1.4 billion in 2014-2020.

(Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi, Editing by William Maclean)
Morocco has denounced what it calls "repeated media attacks" and "legal harassment" as the kingdom battles growing allegations that suggest an involvement in the corruption scandal engulfing the European Parliament, dubbed as QatarGate.

"The partnership between Morocco and the European Union is a partnership that faces attacks," Nasser Bourita, Morocco's foreign affairs minister, said on Thursday. "Morocco's position has always been that it is a partnership that must be protected on both sides."

So far, four people have been arrested as a result of the Belgian probe: Greek MEP Eva Kaili, her partner Francesco Giorgi, former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, and NGO director Niccolo Figa-Talamanca.

They are accused of participation in a criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering. More than 1.5 million in cash have been seized across dozens of home and office searches.

The plot further thickened this week after Belgian authorities requested the lifting of the immunity of two additional MEPs from the socialist group, Marc Tarabella (Belgium) Andrea Cozzolino (Italy), and whose lawyers have told media they will not impede the process and wish to be heard.

Although the investigation was initially launched in connection to illicit lobbying conducted by a Persian Gulf country, widely identified as Qatar, attention has recently shifted to Morocco and its potential participation in the cash-for-favours scheme.

According to information obtained by Belgian newspaper Le Soir and Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Francesco Giorgi has confessed to being part of an "organisation" used by both Qatar and Morocco with the aim to influence EU policy-making.

Giorgi tried to exonerate Eva Kaili by accusing Cozzolino, his former boss, and Tarabella of accepting cash through Panzeri's management. Kaili's lawyer has said his client is innocent and feels "betrayed" by Giorgi.

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The Belgian prosecutor had previously referred to "large sums of money" and "substantial gifts" as a key element of the graft scandal.

Qatar has denied any wrongdoing and described the claims as "baseless" and "gravely misinformed."

The newspapers also reported that Giorgi, Panzeri and Cozzolino were in direct contact with agents from Morocco's foreign intelligence agency, known as DGED (Direction Generale des Etudes et de la Documentation), as well as with Morocco's Ambassador to Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun.

In his capacity as a lawmaker, Cozzolino chaired the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries, including the EU-Morocco joint parliamentary committee.

'No impunity for corruption'

As new twists and turns mount, the African kingdom tried to counter the accusations.

"The (EU-Morocco) partnership is facing continuous legal harassment. This partnership faces repeated media attacks," Nasser Bourita said on Thursday afternoon.

Bourita was speaking in French during a joint press conference with Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, following a bilateral meeting in Rabat.

"This partnership is also facing attacks in European institutions, particularly in the Parliament, through questions directed at Morocco, which are the result of calculations and a desire to harm this partnership," he added.

"Morocco will defend its interests. Morocco is counting on its partners to defend this partnership. It's a partnership of geographical neighbourhood, shared values and converging interests."

For his part, Borrell said the meeting in Rabat had "obviously" touched upon the corruption scandal, among a broad range of policy issues, and wished for the "full cooperation" of all the people involved.

"We are concerned about these events which have been reported in the press. They are disturbing and the charges are serious," Borrell said, also in French.

"The position of the European Union is clear: there can be no impunity for corruption."

No question from the media was permitted during their joint address.

Prior to travelling to Rabat, Josep Borrell had faced criticism over his trip to Morocco, given the fraught political context and the growing number of media revelations.

"Morocco is a very important partner country. It's a southern neighbour," a spokesperson for Borrell said on Wednesday, in response to a question by Euronews.

"Let's not forget: these are allegations at this point, there is no proof, there is no concluded investigation. No one has officially said, from the judicial point of view, that Morocco, as a country, is guilty and that Morocco should be avoided in international contacts."

The spokesperson said it was "appropriate" for Borrell to meet with his counterparts "all around the world" and that the visit to Rabat had been planned "for some time."

"We cannot pre-empt or pre-judge something based on allegations," the official said, noting the EU will wait to have an official confirmation from the Belgian judiciary before making any diplomatic decision.
By Carien Du Plessis

PRETORIA (Reuters) -South Africa's foreign minister on Monday deflected criticism of joint military drills planned with Russia and China, saying that hosting such exercises with "friends" was the "natural course of relations."

Naledi Pandor made her comments during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was visiting South Africa 11 months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A South African official, who declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak, said Lavrov would afterwards visit Eswatini, Botswana and Angola.

South Africa is one of Russia's most important allies on a continent divided over the invasion and Western attempts to isolate Moscow because of its military actions.

Lavrov visited a day before U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was due to arrive in South Africa, part of a lengthy trip to the continent designed to shore up ties with the United States.

In Washington, the White House expressed worry about South Africa's military plans.

"The United States has concerns about any country ... exercising with Russia as Russia wages a brutal war against Ukraine," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

She said she had no information to provide about conversations with South Africa on the matter.

Some opposition parties and South Africa's small Ukrainian community have said that hosting Lavrov is insensitive.

FEBRUARY DRILLS

South Africa says it is impartial on the Ukraine conflict and has abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions on the war.

It has close ties with Moscow, a friend of the governing African National Congress when it was a liberation movement opposing white minority rule, and will host a joint exercise with Russia and China on its east coast from Feb. 17-27.

"All countries conduct military exercises with friends worldwide. It's the natural course of relations," Pandor, alongside Lavrov, told reporters in the capital, Pretoria.

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The exercise will be under way on Feb. 24, the anniversary of what Russia calls its "special military operation". Ukraine and its allies accuse Russia of an imperial-style land grab from its neighbour and fellow ex-Soviet republic.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's government has expressed a desire to mediate in the Ukraine conflict as a neutral party.

Pandor emphasised that, though South Africa had initially called on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine unilaterally, that was no longer its position.

"To repeat that ... to Mr Lavrov today would make me appear quite simplistic and infantile, given the massive transfer of arms (to Ukraine) ... and all that has occurred (since)," she said.

NEUTRALITY

South Africa has little trade with Russia but champions a world view - favoured by China and Russia - that seeks to undo perceived U.S.-hegemony in favour of a "multipolar" world in which geopolitical power is more diffuse.

Lavrov said the military drills were transparent and that Russia, China and South Africa had provided all relevant information.

The South African armed forces said last week the exercise was a "means to strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia and China".

Russia's TASS news agency reported on Monday that a Russian warship armed with new generation hypersonic cruise weapons would take part in the drills.

Lavrov was visiting ahead of a Russia-Africa summit in July. There was no official public comment from the Ukrainian embassy but officials said it had asked the South African government to help push a Ukrainian peace plan.

Pandor has said South Africa will not be dragged into taking sides, and has accused the West of condemning Russia while ignoring issues such as Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.

"As South Africa, we consistently articulate that we will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts on the (African) continent and throughout the globe," Pandor said in earlier remarks on Monday.

(Reporting by Carien Du Plessis, Anait Miridzhanian, Alexander Winning, Estelle Shirbon and Steve Holland; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Philippa Fletcher and Grant McCool)
Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad's (KLSE:CARLSBG) price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 21.5x might make it look like a strong sell right now compared to the market in Malaysia, where around half of the companies have P/E ratios below 13x and even P/E's below 7x are quite common. However, the P/E might be quite high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified.

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad certainly has been doing a good job lately as it's been growing earnings more than most other companies. The P/E is probably high because investors think this strong earnings performance will continue. If not, then existing shareholders might be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.

See our latest analysis for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad

pe

Keen to find out how analysts think Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad's future stacks up against the industry? In that case, our free report is a great place to start.

How Is Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad's Growth Trending?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should far outperform the market for P/E ratios like Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad's to be considered reasonable.

If we review the last year of earnings growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 96%. EPS has also lifted 13% in aggregate from three years ago, mostly thanks to the last 12 months of growth. So we can start by confirming that the company has actually done a good job of growing earnings over that time.

Shifting to the future, estimates from the analysts covering the company suggest earnings should grow by 8.3% over the next year. That's shaping up to be similar to the 8.7% growth forecast for the broader market.

In light of this, it's curious that Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad's P/E sits above the majority of other companies. It seems most investors are ignoring the fairly average growth expectations and are willing to pay up for exposure to the stock. Although, additional gains will be difficult to achieve as this level of earnings growth is likely to weigh down the share price eventually.

Story continues

The Bottom Line On Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad's P/E

Generally, our preference is to limit the use of the price-to-earnings ratio to establishing what the market thinks about the overall health of a company.

We've established that Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad currently trades on a higher than expected P/E since its forecast growth is only in line with the wider market. Right now we are uncomfortable with the relatively high share price as the predicted future earnings aren't likely to support such positive sentiment for long. This places shareholders' investments at risk and potential investors in danger of paying an unnecessary premium.

Don't forget that there may be other risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad that you should be aware of.

You might be able to find a better investment than Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad. If you want a selection of possible candidates, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a P/E below 20x (but have proven they can grow earnings).

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The events will wrap on Jan. 26 with "Thank Your Mentor Day," a chance for mentees to be encouraged, receive thank you cards, and write a note of appreciation to their mentor to let them know how much they appreciate having them as a mentor. Mentees on the Gainesville Campus can drop their cards off with Herring in the Administration Building.

The Gen 1 Mentoring Program launched in fall 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of knowing the importance of first-generation students having mentors to help them be successful in college. Dr. Jeanelle Morgan, UNG biology professor and associate department head, has appreciated the connection with her mentee.

"As a first-generation college student myself, I wish I had this kind of program when I was in college. You don't know what you don't know," Morgan said. "Mentoring has been very rewarding for me. I have really enjoyed getting to know my mentee over the years, helping her navigate campus and her college career and seeing her grow. I am very proud of her and love celebrating her successes.

Morgan mentors Daleana Reyes Alejo, a senior from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology.

"The Gen 1 Mentoring Program at UNG has been a wonderful aspect of my college life. It has provided me with information as well as a personal connection with my mentor that I would have otherwise not had," Reyes Alejo said.

To sign up to be a mentor, visit the UNG Gen 1 mentoring program webpage.
Nicolas Warnery, French Ambassador to Vietnam

France was among the first Western countries to support Vietnams reform and opening up in the 1980s and ranks among Vietnams main providers of development assistance. Our trade has continuously grown, reaching nearly $7.45 billion in 2021, and it could top $8.5 billion for 2022. At one point, many products sold in France were processed in Vietnam.

Our bilateral trade, however, remains unbalanced. In 2021, Frances trade deficit with Vietnam stabilised at $4.57 billion but looks set to increase to over $5.32 billion for 2022. French exports to Vietnam reached $1.27 billion in 2021 and stabilised last year too. In contrast, French imports from Vietnam have remained very dynamic: they reached $5.85 billion in 2021 and amounted to around $7.45 billion in 2022.

I believe that more can be done to increase and rebalance our trade. We can see a real demand for French products by Vietnamese consumers, and vice-versa. France has been a strong supporter of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. In line with Vietnams commitments to the agreement, market access for European and French agricultural products and pharmaceuticals, which are very popular in Vietnam, should be further eased and streamlined following the new rules. This is a business issue that will significantly benefit Vietnamese consumers and patients.

Business France works with small- and medium-sized French enterprises (SMEs) to help them find export opportunities in Vietnam in industrial equipment, agri-food, consumer goods, and technological solutions.

In terms of investment, France is a key player in Vietnam, ranking third among European countries that have invested in the country. Overall, France is Vietnams 16th largest foreign investor, with a cumulated stock of $3.6 billion. All but five of Frances 40 highest-valued companies on the Paris stock exchange have set foot in Vietnam.

Vietnamese people can see these companies in various fields, such as infrastructure projects like Hanois metro line 3, which benefits from French government financial support. These projects are never easy and they can suffer lengthy delays, but we are proud of what they are achieving and convinced they have much more to offer.

Numerous French entrepreneurs have also set up successful companies in Vietnam, with Vergers du Mekong, Annam Gourmet, Aden Services, and Saint-Honore as prime examples and proof of Vietnams attractiveness.

As the Vietnamese economy is getting increasingly sophisticated, many French companies are starting to see Vietnam as a base to design new products or conduct research and development. Others also set up offices to support the countrys digitalisation and tap into its pool of IT talent. I believe these trends will only continue to grow. Our embassy is following those trends closely to better support innovative French SMEs.

Some Vietnamese companies have invested in France - among the latest to set up a subsidiary in our country are household names such as Vietnam Airlines, FPT Software, Viettel, and VinFast. I believe this is another related aspect where things can go even further. France boasts a dynamic market and privileged links to other markets, like Africa. Tech companies also praise their innovation ecosystem.

We stand ready to help Vietnamese companies internationalise by setting up plants and research centres on our territory. Our embassy plans to visit more Vietnamese groups in the coming months to discuss these opportunities and see how we can assist them better.

Our two countries have developed long-term partnerships in numerous fields, including infrastructure, transportation, energy and space. On sustainable mobility, the aforementioned Hanoi metro line 3, funded largely by French public development aid, and implemented by several French groups, is our flagship project. We hope to see its elevated section open to the public in 2023 to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.

Some administrative hurdles have yet to be cleared for this to come true. As has always been the case, our embassy is working with Vietnamese authorities to help facilitate those administrative procedures.

In the past, France and Vietnam have extended their cooperation in health, sustainable development, environmental protection, digital economy, education and research, and defence and security  and these sectors remain in our future. Investing in such fields strong evidence of the growing mutual trust between our two countries at the political level. Through our everyday dealings with Vietnamese officials here at the embassy and by facilitating the organisation of calls and high-level visits between our leaders, we hope to further strengthen this trust to deepen our relationship.

Our two countries have important ambitions in the coming years. We share certain principles and values. We will be stronger together to face the many daunting challenges worldwide, such as international crises, attacks against multilateralism, climate change, transforming the agricultural systems, and fighting disease. Our embassy is engaging Vietnamese officials and companies daily to find standard solutions to these critical issues for the future of our planet and its people.

France supports extension of Ialy hydropower plan through AFD Fabrice Richy, director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Vietnam and Nguyen Xuan Nam, vice chairman of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) signed a credit facility agreement for a 74.7 million ($88.6 million) non-sovereign concessional loan aiming at financing the extension of Ialy Hydropower plant, supporting Vietnam's energy transition.

Vietnam receives nearly 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from France and Italy Vietnam on September 14 received two shipments of Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccines donated by the governments of France and Italy through the COVAX Facility.
In 1996, Argentina and Vietnam signed two agreements on economic and trade cooperation and the promotion and protection of mutual investments. After that, the relationship between the two countries was strengthened with a comprehensive partnership in 2010, and trade exchanges have grown steadily ever since.

Luis Pablo Maria Beltramino Argentinian Ambassador to Vietnam

Over the past 10 years, Argentina recorded a cumulative growth in exports to Vietnam of 600 per cent, while exports from Vietnam to Argentina increased by 700 per cent. This trend shows both countries have a sustainable relationship in trade.

The products Argentina exports to Vietnam are mainly agricultural goods incorporated into Vietnams value chain and then exported to other countries. That is why we are de facto strategic partners in the agricultural and agro-industry.

For its part, Vietnam exports completed consumer goods to Argentina such as mobile phones, electronic products and components, textile products, footwear, rubber products, ceramics, machinery, equipment, and industrial spare parts.

In 2021, Vietnam was Argentinas sixth-largest trading partner, and Argentina was Vietnams third-largest partner in Latin America. Forecasts suggest that trade will continue this favourable and sustainable trend.

We are confident that the commercial relationship between Argentina and Vietnam will continue to grow, especially in agribusiness. In addition, we also maintain cooperation with Vietnam, including cooperation and technical assistance in agricultural development and innovation, such as technology to improve rice productivity, soybean production and yield, and the control of foot-and-mouth disease, among other sub-sectors.

To help further connect both economies, the embassy will continue to encourage Argentine business delegations to come to Vietnam to meet with current and potential counterparts to explore business opportunities, import-export associations, or joint venture projects. At the same time and as happens every year, the embassy will organise trade promotion activities to exhibit products already known by many Vietnamese such as beef, wine, and mate infusion.

The embassy is also working on the diversification of the Argentine export offer. For instance, this year, our lemons were exported to Vietnam for the first time. Hence, Argentina is currently one of the very few countries that can export yellow lemons here. Therefore, we will continue commercial activities, so Vietnamese consumers know more about our products.

At the same time, we are connecting businesses of both countries, the chambers of commerce and the two governments to promote bilateral trade growth on a win-win basis so that Argentine consumers can also enjoy products imported from Vietnam. We believe the more bilateral trade and commercial exchange our countries have, the more the people of Argentina and Vietnam will benefit.
We were delighted to see regular exchanges of high-level visits between Singapore and Vietnam resume in 2022. Vietnams President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Singapore in February, while Singaporean President Halimah Yacob visited Vietnam in October.

Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam

Through government-level MoUs signed at the two state visits, Singapore and Vietnam strengthened our multi-faceted cooperation and expanded cooperation to include new areas such as digital economy, regional and global supply chain connectivity, energy, and carbon credits. These MoUs have enabled Singapore and Vietnam to seize new opportunities in the digital and green economy as the world recovers from the pandemic.

Singapore and Vietnam share strong trade and investment ties. Bilateral trade has grown steadily over the past decade, reaching SGD26.9 billion ($20 billion) in 2021, an 18.7 per cent increase on-year. Singapore was also Vietnams second-largest cumulative foreign investor, with around $70.8 billion invested in around 3,097 projects as of December 20, 2022.

Further exemplifying our strong economic ties are ongoing joint projects. In 1996, Singapores Sembcorp Industries and Vietnams Becamex established the first Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in the southern province of Binh Duong. Today, there are 12 VSIPs across Vietnam, attracting $17 billion worth of capital, and creating more than 300,000 jobs.

In August, Singapores NCS Group and FPT Software also launched a Strategic Delivery Centre in Hanoi, which is expected to employ a team of over 3,000 by 2025.

At the regional level, Singapore and Vietnam are also like-minded partners in free trade agreements. Through the Connectivity Framework Agreement signed in 2005, Singapore and Vietnam meet annually for connectivity ministerial meetings (CMMs) to discuss new and ongoing collaborations in the areas of education, finance, ICT, investment and trade, and transportation.

At the 16th Singapore-Vietnam CMM held in Singapore in December, Singapore and Vietnam broadened discussions to include innovation and energy. An MoU on formation of an Innovation Work Group was signed by Singapores Ministry of Trade and Industry and Vietnams National Innovation Centre, to connect the startup ecosystems from both sides.

Looking forward

The MoUs signed in 2022 have highlighted how both countries are taking important steps in new and forward-looking areas to elevate Singapore-Vietnam bilateral cooperation. As we look forward to 2023 and beyond, Singapore and Vietnam can deepen our economic cooperation in five key areas:

First is in digital economy and innovation. Singapore and Vietnam are among the top three startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia. As of December 2021, Vietnam had more than 3,800 startups and is home to four unicorns. The total startup funding to Vietnam in 2021 reached a new high of over $1.3 billion, with Singapore as the top source. Our collaboration in innovation has gained momentum through BLOCK71 Saigon, a joint collaboration between the National University of Singapore and Vietnams Becamex IDC; and the Global Innovation Alliance where Enterprise Singapore has partnered with Quest Ventures to facilitate two-way exchanges of startups between both countries. With our common goal of driving further economic growth through technology and innovation, there is scope for Singapore and Vietnam to tap on each others innovation ecosystems for partners, funding, and talent.

Second, arising from Vietnams rapid urbanisation, Vietnams infrastructure sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 4 per cent between 2020 and 2025. It is projected that Vietnams sustainable infrastructure will require investments of up to $25 billion per year to develop ports, expressways, urban areas, and green energy.

There is potential for Singapore-based companies to work with Vietnamese corporates to provide financing, technology, and operating expertise for projects in the areas of green energy, smart cities, waste management, and wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Regional connections

Thirdly, Singapore and Vietnam share a common vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The scaling up of renewable energy and development of regional power grids will not only support our decarbonisation efforts, but also promote greater infrastructural connectivity to help advance the regions sustainable energy goals.

Like the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project, which serves as an important pathfinder project to advance regional energy interconnectivity, collaborations between Vietnam and Singapore can contribute to the ASEAN Power Grid vision.

The energy cooperation MoU signed in October 2022 has paved the way both countries to explore closer collaboration in areas such as renewable energy development, cross-border electricity trading, liquefied natural gas and electricity, low-carbon solutions, and demand-side management, including energy efficiency.

Next, we urgently need to accelerate climate action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Singapore is committed to doing our part. In 2021, we rolled out the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to advance Singapores national agenda on sustainable development and position us to achieve our long-term net-zero emissions aspiration as soon as viable.

To advance global climate action and ambition to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries must play their part and work together. Carbon markets can play a critical role in supporting countries to decarbonise, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.

In October last year, Singapore and Vietnam signed an MoU to collaborate on carbon markets, aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This puts both Singapore and Vietnam in excellent positions to capture the opportunities generated by carbon markets. We look forward to jointly implementing carbon credit generating projects in the coming year and our projects can help spur a more vibrant carbon market in the region.

Finally, Singapore and Vietnam must continue to deepen our multi-faceted connectivity in trade and investment, finance, transport, and tourism. As we seek out new opportunities in emerging fields like innovation, energy, and sustainability, we must continue the good progress we have achieved in these areas and deepen people-to-people connections.

As we commemorate this special year, I am extremely confident that Singapore and Vietnam will continue the positive momentum established in 2022. This year will see the exchange of visits between Singapore and Vietnams prime ministers. We look forward to the successful exchange of visits, celebration of milestones, and stronger bilateral ties with Vietnam in the years ahead.+

Singapore expands Global Innovation Alliance The Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) network has grown to include Abu Dhabi and Seoul, helping Singapore-based tech startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) link up with partners and access more opportunities in the two markets.

Airport development and operation, Singapore style Singapore is renowned for its airport development the world over. Andrew Tan, director and head of Airport Operations at Changi Airports International, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about the successful developments and what is next around the corner.

Doors open for Vietnam-Singapore innovation ties Bilateral trade relations between Vietnam and Singapore in digital transformation, economy, and innovations are expected to further deepen. In September, both countries reaffirmed the relations and welcomed the strong and multi-faceted progress under the Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Partnership. At the sidelines of the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology, Gan Kim Yong, Singapores Minister for Trade and Industry, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about new innovative business.
Emily Hamblin, British consul general in Ho Chi Minh City Director of Trade and Investment in Vietnam

This was swiftly followed by the implementation of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2021, a hugely significant milestone for our bilateral trading partnership, and by the UK becoming an ASEAN dialogue partner later that same year.

I have been delighted to see how this strong foundation is enabling us to work closely together to tackle some of the worlds greatest challenges, from supporting one another throughout the pandemic to increasingly partnering in our shared efforts to address climate change.

The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations is a chance to celebrate our relationship's strength and look ahead to the next 50 years, during which we hope to see Vietnam meet its ambitious development goals, achieve net-zero by 2050, and to achieve high-income status.

The prospects for continued and deepened strategic cooperation between Vietnam and the UK are strong, and our forward-looking relationship will only grow in importance.

Our focus this year will be on how the UK and Vietnam collaborate to build for the future, with a particular emphasis on key themes such as trade, sustainability, and education. These are critical elements in connecting the economies of our two countries and strengthening bilateral strategic cooperation.

Despite post-pandemic challenges and global volatility, we are trading with each other more than ever. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Vietnam now stands at $7.09 billion, an increase of over 12 per cent over the same period last year.

This strong trade relationship is supported by both sides efforts to facilitate trade and remove market access barriers through the annual UK-Vietnam Joint Economic Trade Committee and our bilateral FTA.

The FTA represents a significant step forward in our two nations economic and trade ties. It removes 99 per cent of tariffs by full implementation, but the benefits are much broader than that. Both sides can use the FTA and its provisions to advance business interests and remove barriers to market access.

After two years of our FTA, Vietnamese businesses can access preferential tariff rates across a whole range of sectors, including footwear, textiles, and agricultural products that have seen particularly high export growth rates. And British businesses are benefiting too, including in some of our most important export categories. For example, British exports in medicinal and pharmaceutical products have enjoyed robust growth, growing at over 40 per cent on-year in the first nine months of 2022. Under the FTA, UK pharma companies can benefit from significantly lower tariffs, but the benefits are much broader than that.

The FTA allows for increased access to the public procurement market for pharmaceutical products, as well as increased protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, especially of pharmaceutical patents, and it helped to deliver regulatory changes that allow British pharmaceutical companies to obtain a foreign-invested enterprise status in the Vietnamese market.

There remains huge potential for our bilateral trade relationship to grow as we enter the third year of FTA implementation. We are focused on further boosting bilateral trade, benefiting both countries' businesses and consumers.

As well as continuing to implement our bilateral FTA and to use its many levers to identify and also remove sectoral trade barriers, we are also very much focused on promoting trade in key sectors of opportunity such as clean growth, health, education, financial and professional services, and technology.

Throughout the year, we will maintain a consistent programme of trade promotion and business engagement activities in these key sectors, including a series of trade shows and trade missions bringing UK businesses to Vietnam, to invest for the future.

We are also aware of Ho Chi Minh Citys ambition to become a regional financial and business centre and an economic and investment hub. We will launch a project with the city to help it achieve its goals.

Finally, and importantly, we remain committed to the UK joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is one of the largest free trade areas in the world. This will complement our bilateral FTA and further bolster our trade with Vietnam.

Foreign investors, including those from the UK, are becoming increasingly sensitive to environmental and climate concerns. I am pleased to see Vietnam beginning to lead the way in the region on sustainability. This will continue to be a key pillar of the UK and Vietnams relationship, and I believe it will be key to unlocking further trade and investment.

In December, international partners successfully agreed to the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which will mobilise $15.5 billion in international technical and financial assistance to accelerate Vietnam's transition from coal to renewable energy.

Investing now in clean infrastructure and high-tech climate solutions will be vital for Vietnam to maintain its attractiveness to investors and sustain its economic growth in the coming decades, and the business community also has an important role to play in enabling this.

This will not only allow Vietnamese products to enter markets with high environmental and quality standards, such as the UK, but will also attract more UK investors to Vietnam.

At this exciting moment for UK-Vietnam relations, and as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations and continue to work together to build for the future, I would like to offer my best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous Year of the Cat.

Upbeat projections for UK-Vietnam trade outlook Since its entry into force in early 2021, the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has helped both nations significantly amplify their trade and investment ties. Nguyen Canh Cuong, trade counsellor at Vietnams Embassy to the United Kingdom, talked with VIRs Thanh Tung about the leverage that can be attained through the agreement.

Firms must work to fully benefit from UKVFTA: Insiders The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) has given a big push to Vietnamese exports, but insiders said firms still have much to do to make the most of the deal.
I have arrived here at a fortunate time. Vietnam, like Australia, has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic with both its reputation and its economy intact. The pandemic was, in fact, an opportunity to increase cooperation between Australia and Vietnam, with the embassy donating more than 26 million vaccine doses, 2,000 refrigeration units, and many other medical supplies.

Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam

It is also a fortunate time in terms of our bilateral relations, and the friendship between Vietnam and Australia has never been stronger than it is today.

Our status as natural partners was confirmed recently by the official visit to Australia by the National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. I accompanied him to Australia, where he was received at the highest levels of government and state. The most significant outcome, in a formal sense, was the joint announcement by Chairman Hue and Prime Minister Albanese of the intention to upgrade our bilateral relations to the highest level.

But, informally, I thought the most important aspect of the visit was the mutual and sincere warmth I witnessed from all quarters  particularly in Hues visits to a number of Melbourne universities, including Swinburne where Chairman Hue himself studied.

While the Vietnam/Australia relationship is no doubt in excellent shape, there is always room for improvement. Chairman Hue identified that, while bilateral trade is growing rapidly (up more than 30 per cent over the past year), our two-way investment is underdone.

Vietnam is a rapidly developing country, while Australia is a large economy in the same region. We started 2021 as the worlds 14th biggest economy and figures show that we finished 2022 in 12th place. And yet the total stock of two-way investment is less than AU$3 billion ($2.07 billion).

This is a modest figure, particularly given that Australia was once a pioneering investor in Vietnam, including the first international bank, ANZ; the first foreign law firm in Philips Fox, which became Allens; the first western telecom provider, now known as Telstra; and the first foreign university in RMIT.

I have identified seven reasons why Australian investment may not have grown as fast as it might have but, also, why this is turning around - either through government action or through the natural economic and social convergence of our two nations.

Value curve

Until recently, Vietnams greatest success has been in large scale, labour-intensive, manufacturing. This is not where Australia excels.

But as Vietnams economy modernises and digitalises, it will also move up the value curve. This is where Australian expertise and Vietnamese ambition will meet. Australian firms will increasingly become partners of choice for everything from agri-tech through to IT, to high-end financial services and much more besides. Some of these companies are small, but cutting-edge.

Clean energy transition

Both our countries have made commitments to achieving net-zero emissions. Australia is moving from being a major supplier of fossil fuels to becoming an exporter of renewable energy such as including green hydrogen. Our Prime Minister promises we will become a green energy superpower.

At the same time, we are investing in Vietnamese wind farms and, through our partnership with VinFast and the World Bank, in the rollout of electric vehicle charging stations and electric buses.

Regulatory environment

Australian public companies and institutional investors are traditionally cautious about entering markets perceived as risky. Vietnam is addressing these perceptions, including by looking at how bureaucratic decision-making can be simplified, sped up and made more transparent  and how indicators on ease of doing business in Vietnam can be lifted.

Also, the states campaign against official corruption is being stepped up. These points were particularly highlighted at the fifth Vietnam Economic Forum in December, in which the Australian Embassy was involved.

Low mining activity

The absence of a modern international mining sector in Vietnam has naturally limited Australian investment. Australian mining companies are some of the largest and most experienced in the world. But more than that, the absence of large Australian miners has had another effect  because they are often the first to enter a market, their absence here has sent a misleading signal to other prospective entrepreneurs.

Vietnam is, in fact, a good place to do business, as many Australian companies are finding. But reforms that enable the entry of high-quality international miners are urgently needed  both for the value it will bring and the signal it will send.

Better options elsewhere

Before the pandemic, Australia enjoyed three decades of uninterrupted economic growth  a world record. This meant that cautious investors could leave their money in Australia and still make a reasonable return. This includes the AU$3.3 trillion ($2.28 trillion) under management in Australian pension funds. Other investors chose China as a safe and familiar place to do business. Today, the emerging picture looks somewhat different.

Corporates, traders, and institutional investors have recognised the value of diversification, including in supply chains. Just-in-case is replacing just-in-time as a strategic goal. Vietnam is in an excellent position to benefit from this global rebalancing. But it remains a highly competitive environment  particularly for new high-tech investments.

Vietnamese Australians

Around 350,000 Australians identify as Vietnamese. They comprise one of our most vibrant and energetic communities. In Melbourne, Vietnamese is the second most widely spoken language. In previous decades, language was a barrier to doing business in Vietnam; but today it is a bridge.

It is also a natural advantage for Australia. In my four months in Vietnam, I would say that at least half of the Australian business people I have met have a Vietnamese background. This is not something governments need to encourage; it is happening naturally, and this important connection will continue to grow to the benefit of both countries.

Education and training

Education and training levels have been a key determinant of the quality and scale of foreign investment in Vietnam, and sometimes a limiting factor. Digitalisation and automation will make further demands of the Vietnamese workforce. Again, Australia is well positioned to assist. In pre-pandemic times, more than 30,000 young Vietnamese were studying in Australia. In the future, we expect this number to grow substanially.

With all that being said, I expect that two-way investment will soon become an even more important part of the Vietnam-Australia story, to the great benefit of both our nations.

Vietnam and Australia promoting bilateral trade and investment As Business Champions Vietnam-Australia 2022 celebrates its first anniversary, it promises to continue facilitating trade and investment.

Australia promotes carbon market collaborations The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) announced six new private sector partnerships on November 29.
DES MOINES  Iowans on the food assistance program known as SNAP would have far fewer food purchasing options  not being able to use the benefits to buy meat, nuts or canned fruits and vegetables  under legislation proposed by Republican lawmakers.

However, the bill may be amended eventually to include more foods, Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley said.

For the time being, the legislation as written  which has 39 House Republican sponsors, including Grassley  would limit SNAP program users to only foods eligible for users of WIC, the nutrition assistance program for expectant mothers.

That means SNAP users would be limited to purchasing WIC-approved foods like milk, juice, cereal, bread, rice, pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and yogurt.

But SNAP users would no longer be able to purchase with the aid many other foods, including meat, poultry, fish, canned fruits and vegetables and items commonly used in food preparation like butter, flour, spices and seasonings, sugar, and vegetable oil, and ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other condiments.

In addition to food banks and anti-hunger advocacy groups, among those registered as against the bill, according to state lobbying records, is Tyson Foods, the worlds second-largest processor of chicken, beef and pork with meatpacking plants in Iowa.

Grassley said the legislation was designed to ensure accountability in Iowas assistance programs, like SNAP, to make sure they are sustainable. The food assistance program is funded by the federal government and jointly administered by the federal and state governments.

According to federal data, Iowas share of the programs administrative costs in the 2020 budget year was $22 million, and its average administrative costs of $27.84 per case per month was 18th-lowest among U.S. states.

Grassley said the legislation, which was one of 13 bills published by House Republicans as their priorities, will work through the legislative process and could be amended.

Any legislation that would change Iowas SNAP program would require federal approval.

Our goal is not just to eliminate swaths of things, Grassley said in response to a question about cutting meat and other categories of food out of the SNAP program. But I think there needs to be some level of accountability, and make sure that theyre really things that should qualify. If you dont lead a healthy lifestyle, that leads to more use of the (government-funded) services.

The legislation, House File 3, contains other provisions that would add more levels of oversight and reporting, which proponents of such proposals say is needed to limit fraud. Critics of such requirements say they are extraneous because there is little fraud in the system now, and adding hurdles could lead to rejecting individuals who are in need of the assistance.

Such proposals have passed out of the Iowa Senate in recent years, but have not been passed out of the Iowa House.

Luke Elzinga, an advocate for anti-poverty policies and policy and advocacy manager of the nonprofit Des Moines Area Religious Council, criticized the legislation and said it comes at a time when food banks and food pantries in Iowa are seeing record numbers of people, while the number of Iowans enrolled in SNAP has been falling for years.

Iowas average monthly SNAP participation of roughly 279,000 in the 2022 budget year was the lowest since 2008, according to federal data.

(The bill) is a misguided and harmful bill that would severely limit food choices for Iowans on SNAP, kick people off the SNAP program, and increase hunger and food insecurity in our state, Elzinga said. There are a lot of Iowans struggling to put food on the table right now.  We should be exploring ways to expand access to SNAP, not creating more barriers to receive assistance.

The bill has not yet been assigned a subcommittee hearing, which is the first step in the legislative process.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  One of Sarah Huckabee Sanders' first acts as Arkansas governor was to ban most state agencies from using the gender-neutral term Latinx, tapping into a debate that has divided Hispanics along generational lines.

Sanders called the word culturally insensitive in an order that prompted complaints from some critics who view it as yet another attack by Republicans on the LGBTQ community. Yet her move may have limited impact, given that the word does not appear to be widely used in Arkansas government.

It was among several orders the 40-year-old former White House press secretary signed within hours of taking office that were cheered by conservatives, including restrictions on teaching critical race theory in public schools and banning TikTok on state devices. The Latinx prohibition gives agencies 60 days to revise written materials to comply.

One of the things as governor that I will not permit is the government using culturally insensitive words," Sanders said as she signed the order.

Sanders' order adds to the debate over a word that's found little widespread support among Latinos and even prompted backlash from some Democrats. It comes as Republicans have sought to rally around culture war issues. They also are seeking to make inroads with Latino voters, but fell short of the major shifts some in the party were hoping for in last years elections.

The term Latinx was coined in recent years as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino and Latina, since all nouns in the Spanish language are gendered. Many in the LGBTQ Latino community have embraced the word, but it has been slow to catch on more widely, with some Latino figures calling the term unnecessary.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest Latino civil rights group in the U.S., announced in 2021 that it would no longer use the term Latinx. The group declined to comment on Sanders' order.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego from Arizona also said that year his staff was not allowed to use the term in official communications.

When Latino politicos use the term it is largely to appease white rich progressives who think that is the term we use," Gallego tweeted in 2021.

The Log Cabin Republicans, which represents LGBT members of the party, praised Sanders' order.

The term Latinx is just another misguided product of the modern lefts relentless obsession with stripping gender from American life, an obsession that LGBT conservatives fight back against daily," Charles Moran, the group's president, said in a statement.

Sanders' order doesnt apply to the states institutes of higher education or other state agencies considered constitutionally independent, such as the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It also allows the governor to grant exemptions for the words use.

Several state agencies said they were reviewing their forms to make sure they would comply. Health Department spokeswoman Meg Mirivel said two jobs that had been unofficially called the Latinx public information coordinator and the Latinx outreach coordinator will continue to work with the Latino community but will no longer include Latinx in their titles.

Critics of Sanders' order have said that just because the term isn't universal among Spanish speakers, that doesn't mean it's insensitive to use.

Language is constantly evolving, said Manuel Hernandez, head of the Latino LGBTQ group Association of Latinos/as/xs Motivating Action. We dont speak Old English. Ive never met someone who says thy.

Hernandez called Sanders' order an attempt to erase" the LGBTQ Latino community.

Sanders executive order banning Latinx cites a 2020 report from Pew Research Center, which found that 1 in 4 U.S. Hispanics have heard the term Latinx, but just 3% use it.

Age is an important factor. Hispanics ages 18-29 are six times more likely than older generations to have heard of the term  42% compared with 7% of those ages 65 or older, Pew found.

Its popularity has risen since 2016, but remains below Latina, Latino and Hispanic, according to the report.

If youre trying to categorize a community with the term that they seemingly are rejecting or in some cases are even openly hostile against, it makes sense that that term would in essence, go the way of the dodo, which Latinx seems to have done," said Fernand Amandi, president of Bendixen & Amandi, a multilingual public opinion research firm.

Among those using the term is Angel Castillo Reyes, a 21-year-old nonbinary student at the University of Arkansas who uses the pronouns they/them. Castillo Reyes uses both Latinx and Latine," another gender-neutral term that's been used by some in the Latino community to describe their ethnic identity.

I appreciate those terms because I know it doesnt come from a sense of wanting to divide," Castillo Reyes said. It comes from the sense of wanting to unite."
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22 Apr (6) 8 Apr - 15 Apr (4) 1 Apr - 8 Apr (4) 25 Mar - 1 Apr (3) 18 Mar - 25 Mar (3) 11 Mar - 18 Mar (3) 4 Mar - 11 Mar (4) 25 Feb - 4 Mar (3) 18 Feb - 25 Feb (1) 11 Feb - 18 Feb (4) 4 Feb - 11 Feb (5) 28 Jan - 4 Feb (6) 21 Jan - 28 Jan (1) 14 Jan - 21 Jan (4) 7 Jan - 14 Jan (2) 31 Dec - 7 Jan (7) 24 Dec - 31 Dec (2) 17 Dec - 24 Dec (3) 10 Dec - 17 Dec (1) 3 Dec - 10 Dec (4) 26 Nov - 3 Dec (3) 19 Nov - 26 Nov (2) 12 Nov - 19 Nov (1) 5 Nov - 12 Nov (4) 22 Oct - 29 Oct (3) 15 Oct - 22 Oct (4) 8 Oct - 15 Oct (4) 1 Oct - 8 Oct (1) 10 Sep - 17 Sep (2) 3 Sep - 10 Sep (2) 27 Aug - 3 Sep (1) 20 Aug - 27 Aug (6) 6 Aug - 13 Aug (4) 30 Jul - 6 Aug (1) 23 Jul - 30 Jul (5) 16 Jul - 23 Jul (3) 9 Jul - 16 Jul (5) 25 Jun - 2 Jul (5) 18 Jun - 25 Jun (2) 11 Jun - 18 Jun (6) 4 Jun - 11 Jun (1) 28 May - 4 Jun (5) 21 May - 28 May (2) 14 May - 21 May (4) 7 May - 14 May (4) 30 Apr - 7 May (4) 23 Apr - 30 Apr (3) 16 Apr - 23 Apr (3) 9 Apr - 16 Apr (1) 2 Apr - 9 Apr (3) 26 Mar - 2 Apr (2) 19 Mar - 26 Mar (3) 12 Mar - 19 Mar (3) 5 Mar - 12 Mar (2) 26 Feb - 5 Mar (3) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (2) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (2) 5 Feb - 12 Feb (6) 29 Jan - 5 Feb (5) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (1) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (8) 8 Jan - 15 Jan (7) 1 Jan - 8 Jan (4) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (3) 11 Dec - 18 Dec (3) 13 Nov - 20 Nov (4) 6 Nov - 13 Nov (2) 30 Oct - 6 Nov (1) 23 Oct - 30 Oct (1) 16 Oct - 23 Oct (1) 9 Oct - 16 Oct (1) 2 Oct - 9 Oct (2) 25 Sep - 2 Oct (1) 18 Sep - 25 Sep (4) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (2) 4 Sep - 11 Sep (1) 28 Aug - 4 Sep (4) 21 Aug - 28 Aug (1) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (2) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (4) 31 Jul - 7 Aug (6) 24 Jul - 31 Jul (3) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (6) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (3) 3 Jul - 10 Jul (6) 26 Jun - 3 Jul (3) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (4) 5 Jun - 12 Jun (5) 29 May - 5 Jun (1) 22 May - 29 May (1) 15 May - 22 May (1) 8 May - 15 May (5) 1 May - 8 May (5) 24 Apr - 1 May (1) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (2) 10 Apr - 17 Apr (3) 3 Apr - 10 Apr (2) 20 Mar - 27 Mar (2) 13 Mar - 20 Mar (4) 6 Mar - 13 Mar (1) 28 Feb - 6 Mar (2) 21 Feb - 28 Feb (1) 14 Feb - 21 Feb (1) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (3) 24 Jan - 31 Jan (2) 17 Jan - 24 Jan (3) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (2) 3 Jan - 10 Jan (1) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (1) 20 Dec - 27 Dec (1) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (3) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (2) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (2) 22 Nov - 29 Nov (2) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (1) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (5) 1 Nov - 8 Nov (2) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (2) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (1) 11 Oct - 18 Oct (4) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (1) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (3) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (2) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (1) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (3) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (5) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (6) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (1) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (1) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (3) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (2) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (1) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (5) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (6) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (4) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (7) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (5) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (2) 31 May - 7 Jun (5) 24 May - 31 May (3) 17 May - 24 May (5) 10 May - 17 May (3) 3 May - 10 May (1) 26 Apr - 3 May (1) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (5) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (5) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (2) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (1) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (5) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (9) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (6) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (10) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (5) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (5) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (2) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (1) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (4) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (1) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (3) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (3) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (3) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (4) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (2) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (3) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (3) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (3) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (5) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (3) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (8) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (6) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (3) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (5) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (4) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (1) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (4) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (1) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (2) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (2) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (7) 3 Aug - 10 Aug (3) 27 Jul - 3 Aug (3) 20 Jul - 27 Jul (3) 13 Jul - 20 Jul (4) 6 Jul - 13 Jul (1) 29 Jun - 6 Jul (5) 22 Jun - 29 Jun (2) 15 Jun - 22 Jun (4) 8 Jun - 15 Jun (2) 1 Jun - 8 Jun (2) 25 May - 1 Jun (8) 18 May - 25 May (4) 11 May - 18 May (1) 4 May - 11 May (3) 27 Apr - 4 May (4) 20 Apr - 27 Apr (2) 13 Apr - 20 Apr (6) 6 Apr - 13 Apr (2) 23 Mar - 30 Mar (4) 16 Mar - 23 Mar (2) 9 Mar - 16 Mar (2) 2 Mar - 9 Mar (2) 23 Feb - 2 Mar (2) 16 Feb - 23 Feb (1) 9 Feb - 16 Feb (6) 2 Feb - 9 Feb (1) 26 Jan - 2 Feb (2) 19 Jan - 26 Jan (1) 12 Jan - 19 Jan (1) 29 Dec - 5 Jan (1) 22 Dec - 29 Dec (2) 8 Dec - 15 Dec (2) 1 Dec - 8 Dec (1) 24 Nov - 1 Dec (4) 17 Nov - 24 Nov (4) 10 Nov - 17 Nov (1) 3 Nov - 10 Nov (4) 20 Oct - 27 Oct (2) 13 Oct - 20 Oct (4) 29 Sep - 6 Oct (1) 22 Sep - 29 Sep (2) 15 Sep - 22 Sep (3) 8 Sep - 15 Sep (1) 1 Sep - 8 Sep (6) 25 Aug - 1 Sep (7) 18 Aug - 25 Aug (9) 11 Aug - 18 Aug (6) 4 Aug - 11 Aug (4) 28 Jul - 4 Aug (3) 21 Jul - 28 Jul (8) 14 Jul - 21 Jul (4) 7 Jul - 14 Jul (5) 30 Jun - 7 Jul (8) 23 Jun - 30 Jun (8) 16 Jun - 23 Jun (4) 9 Jun - 16 Jun (7) 2 Jun - 9 Jun (7) 26 May - 2 Jun (8) 19 May - 26 May (7) 12 May - 19 May (5) 5 May - 12 May (5) 28 Apr - 5 May (11) 21 Apr - 28 Apr (6) 14 Apr - 21 Apr (5) 7 Apr - 14 Apr (6) 31 Mar - 7 Apr (7) 24 Mar - 31 Mar (4) 17 Mar - 24 Mar (4) 3 Mar - 10 Mar (6) 24 Feb - 3 Mar (3) 17 Feb - 24 Feb (3) 10 Feb - 17 Feb (5) 3 Feb - 10 Feb (3) 27 Jan - 3 Feb (6) 20 Jan - 27 Jan (1) 13 Jan - 20 Jan (6) 6 Jan - 13 Jan (2) 30 Dec - 6 Jan (2) 23 Dec - 30 Dec (1) 16 Dec - 23 Dec (3) 9 Dec - 16 Dec (2) 2 Dec - 9 Dec (1) 25 Nov - 2 Dec (1) 18 Nov - 25 Nov (3) 11 Nov - 18 Nov (5) 4 Nov - 11 Nov (2) 28 Oct - 4 Nov (6) 21 Oct - 28 Oct (9) 14 Oct - 21 Oct (9) 30 Sep - 7 Oct (4) 23 Sep - 30 Sep (2) 16 Sep - 23 Sep (2) 9 Sep - 16 Sep (6) 2 Sep - 9 Sep (3) 26 Aug - 2 Sep (3) 19 Aug - 26 Aug (3) 12 Aug - 19 Aug (7) 5 Aug - 12 Aug (4) 29 Jul - 5 Aug (8) 22 Jul - 29 Jul (7) 15 Jul - 22 Jul (7) 8 Jul - 15 Jul (7) 1 Jul - 8 Jul (7) 24 Jun - 1 Jul (9) 17 Jun - 24 Jun (10) 10 Jun - 17 Jun (7) 3 Jun - 10 Jun (10) 27 May - 3 Jun (6) 20 May - 27 May (8) 13 May - 20 May (8) 6 May - 13 May (11) 29 Apr - 6 May (6) 22 Apr - 29 Apr (8) 15 Apr - 22 Apr (5) 8 Apr - 15 Apr (11) 1 Apr - 8 Apr (5) 25 Mar - 1 Apr (9) 18 Mar - 25 Mar (9) 11 Mar - 18 Mar (8) 4 Mar - 11 Mar (8) 19 Feb - 26 Feb (7) 12 Feb - 19 Feb (7) 5 Feb - 12 Feb (5) 29 Jan - 5 Feb (7) 22 Jan - 29 Jan (4) 15 Jan - 22 Jan (2) 8 Jan - 15 Jan (5) 1 Jan - 8 Jan (5) 25 Dec - 1 Jan (6) 18 Dec - 25 Dec (4) 11 Dec - 18 Dec (5) 4 Dec - 11 Dec (7) 27 Nov - 4 Dec (7) 20 Nov - 27 Nov (7) 13 Nov - 20 Nov (3) 6 Nov - 13 Nov (4) 30 Oct - 6 Nov (5) 23 Oct - 30 Oct (9) 16 Oct - 23 Oct (3) 9 Oct - 16 Oct (8) 2 Oct - 9 Oct (5) 25 Sep - 2 Oct (11) 18 Sep - 25 Sep (4) 11 Sep - 18 Sep (6) 4 Sep - 11 Sep (6) 28 Aug - 4 Sep (7) 21 Aug - 28 Aug (3) 14 Aug - 21 Aug (9) 7 Aug - 14 Aug (4) 31 Jul - 7 Aug (8) 24 Jul - 31 Jul (11) 17 Jul - 24 Jul (8) 10 Jul - 17 Jul (9) 3 Jul - 10 Jul (11) 26 Jun - 3 Jul (9) 19 Jun - 26 Jun (9) 12 Jun - 19 Jun (7) 5 Jun - 12 Jun (9) 29 May - 5 Jun (5) 22 May - 29 May (8) 15 May - 22 May (9) 8 May - 15 May (4) 1 May - 8 May (6) 24 Apr - 1 May (6) 17 Apr - 24 Apr (10) 10 Apr - 17 Apr (8) 3 Apr - 10 Apr (8) 27 Mar - 3 Apr (8) 20 Mar - 27 Mar (8) 13 Mar - 20 Mar (12) 6 Mar - 13 Mar (7) 27 Feb - 6 Mar (7) 20 Feb - 27 Feb (11) 13 Feb - 20 Feb (7) 6 Feb - 13 Feb (5) 30 Jan - 6 Feb (8) 23 Jan - 30 Jan (10) 16 Jan - 23 Jan (10) 9 Jan - 16 Jan (9) 2 Jan - 9 Jan (11) 26 Dec - 2 Jan (6) 19 Dec - 26 Dec (7) 12 Dec - 19 Dec (6) 5 Dec - 12 Dec (7) 28 Nov - 5 Dec (5) 21 Nov - 28 Nov (4) 14 Nov - 21 Nov (7) 7 Nov - 14 Nov (6) 31 Oct - 7 Nov (6) 24 Oct - 31 Oct (5) 17 Oct - 24 Oct (5) 10 Oct - 17 Oct (7) 3 Oct - 10 Oct (2) 26 Sep - 3 Oct (4) 19 Sep - 26 Sep (6) 12 Sep - 19 Sep (7) 5 Sep - 12 Sep (10) 29 Aug - 5 Sep (8) 22 Aug - 29 Aug (5) 15 Aug - 22 Aug (6) 8 Aug - 15 Aug (6) 1 Aug - 8 Aug (4) 25 Jul - 1 Aug (13) 18 Jul - 25 Jul (9) 11 Jul - 18 Jul (9) 4 Jul - 11 Jul (8) 27 Jun - 4 Jul (9) 20 Jun - 27 Jun (11) 13 Jun - 20 Jun (11) 6 Jun - 13 Jun (11) 30 May - 6 Jun (9) 23 May - 30 May (23) 16 May - 23 May (12) 9 May - 16 May (12) 2 May - 9 May (10) 25 Apr - 2 May (7) 18 Apr - 25 Apr (9) 11 Apr - 18 Apr (10) 4 Apr - 11 Apr (11) 28 Mar - 4 Apr (9) 21 Mar - 28 Mar (6) 14 Mar - 21 Mar (9) 7 Mar - 14 Mar (2) 28 Feb - 7 Mar (9) 21 Feb - 28 Feb (7) 14 Feb - 21 Feb (9) 7 Feb - 14 Feb (9) 31 Jan - 7 Feb (6) 24 Jan - 31 Jan (14) 17 Jan - 24 Jan (9) 10 Jan - 17 Jan (11) 3 Jan - 10 Jan (10) 27 Dec - 3 Jan (10) 20 Dec - 27 Dec (8) 13 Dec - 20 Dec (6) 6 Dec - 13 Dec (9) 29 Nov - 6 Dec (13) 22 Nov - 29 Nov (10) 15 Nov - 22 Nov (14) 8 Nov - 15 Nov (11) 1 Nov - 8 Nov (16) 25 Oct - 1 Nov (13) 18 Oct - 25 Oct (12) 11 Oct - 18 Oct (9) 4 Oct - 11 Oct (11) 27 Sep - 4 Oct (14) 20 Sep - 27 Sep (19) 13 Sep - 20 Sep (13) 6 Sep - 13 Sep (12) 30 Aug - 6 Sep (15) 23 Aug - 30 Aug (15) 16 Aug - 23 Aug (16) 9 Aug - 16 Aug (14) 2 Aug - 9 Aug (15) 26 Jul - 2 Aug (20) 19 Jul - 26 Jul (10) 12 Jul - 19 Jul (13) 5 Jul - 12 Jul (21) 28 Jun - 5 Jul (15) 21 Jun - 28 Jun (20) 14 Jun - 21 Jun (10) 7 Jun - 14 Jun (13) 31 May - 7 Jun (13) 24 May - 31 May (13) 17 May - 24 May (15) 10 May - 17 May (16) 3 May - 10 May (11) 26 Apr - 3 May (21) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (17) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (20) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (16) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (19) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (17) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (23) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (22) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (21) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5)
23.01.2023 (05:45) SMD T-90M Proryv tank crews hammer AFU positions in one of tactical directions Observation posts, ordnance depots, and foreign military hardware, deployed on the right bank of Dnepr, are destroyed according to the coordinates transmitted by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

23.01.2023 (05:30) Su-25 crews launch strikes at AFU military facilities and hardware The action of airpower has resulted in the elimination of hostile camouflaged fortified field positions and armoured vehicles.

22.01.2023 (12:00) SMD unmanned aircraft operators support Russian Armed Forces offensive UAV crews uninterruptedly reconnoiter airspace, search for Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, and adjust fire of Russian artillery and tanks.

21.01.2023 (06:30) Engineering units of SMD perform daily combat tasks to clear unexploded ordnance on territories liberated in the course of special military operation Since the beginning of the special military operation, military engineers have cleared more than 32 thousand hectares of liberated territories, checked more than 2.8 thousand buildings and 280 km of roads, found and neutralised more than 975 thousand explosive objects.

21.01.2023 (06:00) Engineering units of Airborne Troops continue to clear liberated territories within special military operation Particular attention is paid to roads, life support facilities, buildings and structures, residential neighborhoods and industrial areas, as well as agricultural land.

21.01.2023 (05:00) Crews of Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters of Russian Aerospace Forces destroy AFU tank and lightly armoured vehicles The army aviation is responsible for escorting convoys, destroying armoured vehicles, landing operations, delivering military cargo and air support to the units involved in the special military operation.

20.01.2023 (18:40) Russian Deputy Defene Minister Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin meet with president of International Committee of Red Cross The parties discussed the most urgent issues of cooperation between the Russian Ministry of Defence and the ICRC in the Ukrainian direction.

20.01.2023 (16:45) Baltic Fleets sappers practise defusing explosive remnants The mine action groups learnt to detect and defuse anti-tank mines, trap mines, improvised explosive devices, and camouflaged tripwires.

20.01.2023 (16:00) Baltic Fleets artillery units practise operating 152mm Giatsint gun Personnel practise shooting at day- and nighttime, as well as qualification shooting exercises within their units.

20.01.2023 (12:30) Russian servicemen attend special training in Transnistria Personnel not only learn foreign language, but also amplify their knowledge of the culture, traditions, and ethnographic characteristics of the region.

20.01.2023 (06:00) Mobilised personnel practise operating NSV large-calibre tank machine guns The training course takes place at Borzya-Novaya training ground in Zabaikalye region under the command of the officers who have been involved in the special military operation.

19.01.2023 (19:15) Russian Defence Ministry hosts meeting with Prime Minister of Central African Republic The sides discussed in detail current projects of cooperation, the international situation, issues on regional security, and stressed the importance of the relations between both countries in the field of defence.

19.01.2023 (18:30) Baltic Fleets BMP-3 vehicle crews practise shooting in Kaliningrad region The crews reached the firing line, and neutralised the targets located up to two kilometres away, using 100mm guns and 30mm twin-barreled cannons.

19.01.2023 (16:15) Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu holds telephone talks with Belarusian defence chief Viktor Khrenin The heads of the military departments have discussed the set of strategic deterrence measures being implemented, as well as the training of the regional grouping of troops (forces).

19.01.2023 (15:30) Submarine Generalissimus Suvorov navigates to Northern Fleet The crew of the submarine are to attend a combat training course, and to be examined within necessary course tasks.

WtR
Weather Alert

.Warming temperatures this weekend will bring renewed snowmelt and streamflow rises, especially for snow covered terrain below about 7000 feet. Creeks that brought impacts this past week are likely to be problematic again and potentially reach higher levels, especially by late Sunday. ...FLOOD WATCH FOR SNOWMELT IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt is possible. * WHERE...Portions of California and western Nevada, including the following areas, in California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties and Surprise Valley California. In western Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area and Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Creeks and streams will be running high and fast. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Minor mainstem flooding along the Susan River, Forks of the Carson River, and the East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir cannot be ruled out. Anyone participating in outdoor recreation this weekend should use caution as water will be running high, fast, and potentially out of banks for some creeks and streams. The water will be extremely cold as well, quickly causing shock. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. && The Flood Watch for the weekend of April 22-
Koppala Sai Charan. (By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: A student from Telangana who is studying at Chicagos Governors State University is undergoing treatment for bullet wounds he suffered in a mass shooting incident on Sunday.

The Hyderabad native, Koppala Sai Charan, of BHEL, is admitted to the University Medical Centre and is said to be out of danger.

Charan had landed in Chicago on January 13 for higher studies, according to his parents K. Srinivas and K.V.M. Laxmi, who were informed about the incident by their sons friends.

They said that another boy, who was accompanying Charan when they were out shopping, was also shot in the incident that took place around 1 pm on Sunday.

The boys parents and family members said they were shocked by the news and appealed to the state government to intervene to ensure Charan was given proper medical care.
Batik Air. (AFP)

Visakhapatnam: Batik Air, formerly Malindo Airlines, would launch its flights between Kuala Lumpur and Visakhapatnam on March 28.

The Tours and Travels Association of Andhra, K Vijay Mohan, said they had made a representation to former Malaysian tourism minister Santara when he was in Visakhapatnam along with an official delegation. He said some airline companies were planning to launch flights between Visakhapatnam and Bangkok shortly.


Mangaroon North REE enriched Ironstones 7km Northwest Trend

Perth, Jan 23, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Venus Metals Corporation Limited ( ASX:VMC ) is pleased to announce the results of recent field work and geochemical sampling following the delineation of multiple priority REE targets at Mangaroon North, based on remote-sensing and radiometric data (refer ASX release 5 September 2022).



Evaluation of the multiple remaining REE targets will be conducted as part of the next stage of field work.



HIGHLIGHTS:



- High-priority REE target area confirmed in E08/3229.



- REE anomalies associated with ironstone (Figure 1*) identified in areas of cover @ 1848 ppm TREO with 355 ppm Nd2O3 ~1 km west off the Edmund Fault.



- Collected 299 soil and 84 rock chip samples, and re-analysed 66 previous soil samples for a full REE suite with up to 2136 ppm TREO and 232 ppm Nd2O3 , and 1848 ppm TREO with 355 ppm Nd2O3 in the most recent sampling suggest the presence of REE-enriched ironstones along a ~7 km long northwest trend.



- Soil samples in Pooranoo Metamorphics contain up to 1420 ppm TREO.



- High-priority REE target area delineated in E09/2422.



- Airborne Magnetic surveys completed in E09/2422 in December 2022 and to be flown in E09/2541 prior to planned field reconnaissance and follow-up work.



Current work - field reconnaissance



The recent reconnaissance field sampling program was completed to test and evaluate high-priority REE targets with emphasis on radiometric thorium (Th) and remote-sensed data band ratio anomalies (refer ASX release 5 September 2022). Selected geochemical results and TREO calculation can be found in Tables 1 and 2*. REE-enriched bedrock associated with several Th radiometric anomalies along a ~7 km long northwest trend in E08/3229 contain up to 2136 ppm TREO with 232 ppm Nd2O3 in reanalysed ultrafine soil from previous sampling (refer ASX release 21 December 2021) and 1848 ppm TREO with 355 ppm Nd2O3 in the most recent sampling. A TREO anomaly located in the south of E09/2422 has a maximum of 732 ppm TREO with 130 ppm Nd2O3. Both target areas will be further explored for potential (ferro-) carbonatite mineralisation.



Ironstone outcrops have been identified at several targets in E08/3229 and E09/2422 (Figures 4 and 5*). In some areas, sedimentary lithologies have been ferruginised, whereas in others veins of ironstone breccia crosscut Pimbyana Granite, Poorannoo Metamorphics, or sedimentary rocks of the Edmund Group (Figure 4*).



Systematic grid sampling followed by aircore/reverse circulation drilling is planned across selected target areas. The evaluation of multiple other targets identified by RSC (refer ASX release 5 September 2022) is scheduled to recommence in the coming field season.



Current work - geophysical surveys



An aeromagnetic and radiometric survey over tenement E09/2422 was flown in December 2022 with a line spacing of 50 m. Detailed interpretation and assessment of ironstones and further REE targets is pending. The scheduled aeromagnetic and radiometric survey with a 50 m line spacing (Figures 2-3*) on tenement E09/2541 will help to define new target areas in this underexplored tenement.



Gold, PGE and base metal targets generated from earlier soil sampling (refer ASX releases 18 October 2021 & 21 December 2021) will be re-examined using recently acquired remotely sensed and aeromagnetic data to prioritise targets for follow up work as part of the next phase of fieldwork. In particular, work will focus on areas surrounding the Star of Mangaroon Gold Mine, which is ~1.5 km away from E09/2422 and was recently acquired by Dreadnought Resources Ltd (refer DRE ASX release 12 September 2022).



Project background



Venus Metals is well positioned with four tenements (E08/3229, E08/3375, E09/2422, and E09/2451) located adjacent to the Mangaroon-Yangibana rare earth (REE) mineralised zone. Venus' E09/2541 abuts tenements by Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (Yangibana), Dreadnought Resources Ltd (Yin) and Lanthanein Resources Ltd. The other three ELs (E08/3229, E09/2422 and ELA08/3755) abut Dreadnought's tenure (Figures 2-3*).



Venus's Mangaroon North project tenements which abut Dreadnought Resources Ltd (DRE) are considered prospective for REE:



- Same host lithologies as Yin and Yangibana are present within Venus' tenements. Continuity from Yin and Yangibana host rocks along the regional northwest strike.



- Linear and circular structures along major northwest-trending trans-lithospheric faults, including the Edmund Fault, intersect Venus' tenements. These faults are interpreted to have acted as pathways for carbonatitic or ferro-carbonatitic melts.



- Confirmed presence of ironstones in the carbonatite complex, which have distinct signatures in ASTER and Sentinel maps. Presence of ironstones and K, Th, and U anomalies shown in all Venus tenements.



- High-priority targets identified from anomalies in multiple techniques (refer ASX release 5 September 2022) and earlier reconnaissance geochemical work (refer ASX release 21 December 2021).



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/RPB6JNJG





About Venus Metals Corporation Limited





Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX:VMC) is a West Australian based Company with a focus on gold, base metals, vanadium and lithium exploration projects. The Company aims to increase shareholder value through targeted exploration success on its projects.

The Company's major gold project is the Youanmi Gold Mine, located 500km north-east of Perth. The Youanmi Gold Mine is now jointly owned by Venus Metals (30%) and Rox Resources Limited (70%); Indicated and Inferred Resource of the mine is in excess of 3 million ounces of gold.
You might consider rescuing things just part of a firefighter/EMTs DNA.

Yes, Albuquerque Fire Rescues new ambassador program was born of dedicated individuals wanting to give back to the community by encouraging the next generation of their profession. But if scaled up it has the potential to help resuscitate our states struggling workforce participation and knock down our high poverty levels.

Right now just over half of N.M.s working-age population, 56.7%, is actually working or looking for work. According to federal government websites, an estimated 382,798 of 2,076,524 New Mexicans live in poverty  roughly one in five or 18.4%. And just under half of the states population is on Medicaid, the government health insurance plan for the low income.

A big root cause of all that is New Mexico has the third highest dropout rate in the nation. More than 7,500 students in New Mexico drop out each year, according to eric.ed.gov.

So if a classroom visit from someone like AFR Capt. Chris Sotelo, a 15-year veteran of the fire department and a Manzano High School alum, gets students thinking about career opportunities, thats encouraging. If it provides real-world tips to help them streamline their path and avoid frustrating bureaucratic hurdles that derail their goal, thats promising. And if it can tap into a students interests and get them on a path to financial independence and security, thats a victory for the student, the mentor and the local and state economies.

Fire Chief Gene Gallegos says the hope is that one day  these young minds will want to join the public safety teams for the city of Albuquerque  and most importantly, possibly Albuquerque Fire Rescue. Its working. Manzano senior Juliana Hielkema says while she already wanted to be a firefighter, during his visit Soletos passion just really spoke to me. I feel like this would be great for me, because I want to do something important and impactful.

The connection is genius. But why stop there?

Over the past semester, Albuquerque Public Schools and AFR have been running the ambassador program at the districts comprehensive high schools. If possible, it puts firefighters in the schools they graduated from, making them more relatable to students as they were once in their shoes.

And it sounds like a program that would work not only for public safety professionals like firefighters and EMTs (and law enforcement and corrections officers); but also those in the medical field, from doctors and nurses, to blood and X-ray technicians and pharmacists; to myriad STEM careers and more.

Critics might say this is little more than the career days of old, and we would respond, if it works, so what? As Hielkemas reaction shows, theres little thats more inspiring to a young person than actually meeting someone who is making a good living doing what you want to do when its time to start adulting. And if they can give you tips, shortcuts, etc., to get you on your way, all the better.

In October panelists at an event sponsored by NAIOP New Mexico, the states largest commercial real estate organization, emphasized that skilling up the workforce from a young age is essential to the growth of the local economy. They explained that in practice, that means strong private-public partnerships between local schools and private businesses to show students the career opportunities available in the state.

So heres to monitoring the AFR-APS ambassador program, and scaling it up to other careers and other districts  for the future of our students as well as our local and state economies.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  While waiting on federal relief funds to arrive, New Mexico lawmakers could move quickly during this years 60-day legislative session to provide funding for recovery efforts within the burn scar of a massive wildfire complex that burned more than 340,000 acres last year.

A bill backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham would provide up to $100 million in state funds for zero-interest loans to towns, villages and counties to fix washed out roads, damaged culverts and wiped-out acequias.

The intent of this bill is to try to restore the basic services that are necessary in these communities, said Sen. Pete Campos, a Las Vegas Democrat whos sponsoring the legislation.

He said many local residents displaced by the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire are still living in other parts of New Mexico due to the damage and are waiting to return home until at least some repairs are made. Theres also been an increase in stress, illness and suicide among area residents in the fires aftermath, he said.

This is having a definite mental and physical impact on the population, Campos said in a recent interview.

The aftermath of the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire, which began as two U.S. Forest Service burns and burned a largely rural area roughly the size of Los Angeles, stoked anger among many affected residents at the federal governments role in the blaze and the process for financial reimbursement for losses.

While Congress has approved $2.5 billion in relief funds for victims of the largest wildfire in New Mexico history, the distribution of money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency has proven to be laborious for many applying for reimbursement of losses, Campos said.

In her State of the State Address on the opening day of the session, Lujan Grisham touted the effort to distribute upfront state funds to jump-start recovery efforts, saying the wildfire and its fallout had deeply impacted more than 30,000 state residents.

I propose that we make sure that fund is available so that we can begin rebuilding their homes, their lives, their infrastructure without waiting for the federal governments investments to be distributed, the governor said.

She also vowed to push the federal government to follow through on President Joe Bidens promise that affected areas would receive 100% reimbursement of costs, saying, If FEMA wants to fight the governor and the Legislature of the state of New Mexico  bring it.

Senate Bill 6

The funding in the bill proposed at the Roundhouse, Senate Bill 6, would be available through June 2024 and would take effect immediately upon being signed, provided its approved by at least a two-thirds vote margin in both the House and Senate.

Any loans distributed under the legislation would then be paid back once federal relief funds are received.

However, the funds would have to be spent on public infrastructure  not the rebuilding of personal property  under a constitutional anti-donation clause that prohibits state funds from being transferred directly to people or businesses.

San Miguel County Commissioner Harold Garcia said the state funding infusion would be welcomed, but said county officials would have their work cut out to spend it efficiently.

If we know for sure the money is coming, were going to have to prepare financially and administratively, Garcia told the Journal.

He said that could include hiring additional staffers to help with reporting requirements and preparing contracts with vendors to perform the various repair jobs.

Its going to be quite the task, but it needs to be done, he said in an interview.

Human-caused

Meanwhile, the emergency recovery funds proposed by the legislation would only be available to cities and counties located within the burn scar of the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire complex.

New Mexico, which has dealt with extreme drought conditions in recent years, also saw several other large wildfires last year, including the Black Fire that burned more than 325,000 acres in the Gila Wilderness northwest of Truth or Consequences and the McBride Fire that killed an elderly couple and destroyed more than 200 homes in the Ruidoso area in April 2022.

However, the Ruidoso blaze was determined to have been caused by a tree falling on power lines, while the Black Fire was determined to be a human-caused blaze.

In the wake of last years fire season, several other bills are expected to be debated dealing with wildfires, including a proposal by Sen. Ron Griggs, R-Alamogordo, to prohibit controlled burns during spring months.

There could also be measures to increase funding for rural emergency response providers amid a state revenue boom driven by record-high oil production in southeast New Mexico and an uptick in consumer spending.

As for the proposed emergency recovery funds, the bill is scheduled to receive its first hearing in a Senate committee this week.

In addition to Campos, its also co-sponsored by two other northern New Mexico lawmakers  Democratic Reps. Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde and Ambrose Castellano of Las Vegas.
467 ROAD DEATHS LAST YEAR: On average, more than one person died on N.M. roads every single day last year.

And while the total, 467 deaths, is slightly down from 2021 when 481 people died, it is way up over 2020 when the total number of traffic fatalities was 398.

Of note last year in the data provided by the N.M. Department of Transportation and University of New Mexico:

 The deaths broke down to 142 in cars, 93 on foot, 82 in vans/SUVs, 64 in pickups, 55 on motorcycles, 19 in semis or buses, four on bicycles and two on ATVs. The rest are classified as vehicle other/unknown.

 Alcohol was a factor in 106 of the deaths (23%), including eight motorcyclist and 20 pedestrian fatalities. (It was a factor in 177 deaths in 2021 and 145 in 2020.) NMDOT District 5 (Santa Fe) and District 6 (Grants/Milan) had the highest percentages of fatal DWIs.

 Deaths were pretty evenly split between rural, 242, and urban, 225.

 Bernalillo County had the most deaths with 111. De Baca, Harding and Los Alamos counties had none.

 July was the deadliest month with 51 deaths. January had the fewest, 30.

 Fifty-seven of the deaths were minors under the age of 21. Sixty-seven were age 65 or older.

 188 of those killed in vehicles were not wearing seat belts  just over 40%. District 2, Roswell, had the most unbelted fatalities, 51.7%

 Thirty-four of the motorcyclists were not wearing helmets.

TIRED OF PASEOS LOOK, PACE, ETC.: Joe shares via email a desire for any thoughts on helping us with the Paseo (del Norte) corridor, the earth berms, landscaping, speeding, the awful Second/Paseo/El Pueblo intersection? Sigh.

Turns out local and state officials are discussing the ugly and loud parts.

Kimberly Gallegos of the NMDOT District 3 office, which covers metro Albuquerque, explains landscaping is the responsibility of the local agency jurisdiction. The district and Village of Los Ranchos have been meeting about ideas to address aesthetics and noise concerns in the corridor. In addition, there is an ask at the (current legislative) session for funds to commission a sound study for the area.

As for speeding, it will take a local request and crash analysis to go beyond traditional enforcement and get speed cameras installed. Speed-camera requests also need to come from the local area law enforcement, Gallegos says, and should be placed on corridors that have high crash concerns.

CAN 528/ROCKAWAY GET A FLASHING YELLOW? Maria P. emails that in Rio Rancho (northbound N.M.) 528 at Rockaway Boulevards left-turn arrow does not have a flashing-yellow arrow. Why? The sign says left turn on green arrow only. Seems kind of silly to wait for a green arrow at 11 p.m. when theres not another car in sight.

Gallegos says this intersection will remain with a protective left, meaning it will have the green arrow and not have a yellow flashing light. This was determined due to the new project and as a safety measure.

Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland said Monday it would ask Berlin for permission to send German-built Leopard tanks to Ukraine as its Western allies move to supply Kyiv with more powerful military hardware to thwart Russias invasion.

Germany has hesitated to approve sending tanks to Ukraine. But Polish officials took heart from remarks Sunday by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock that Berlin wouldnt seek to stop Poland from providing Leopard 2 battle tanks.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki didnt specify when the request to Germany will be made. He said that Poland is building a coalition of nations ready to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

Poland needs the consent of Germany, which builds the tanks, to send them to a non-NATO country.

But even if Germany doesnt grant permission, Warsaw will make its own decisions, Morawiecki said at a news conference.

Ukraine says tanks  and especially the Leopards  are vital to its war effort. Both sides battlefield positions are mostly deadlocked during winter, with new ground offensives expected in the spring. Russias forces are much larger than Ukraines, so Kyiv wants to gain an advantage in weaponry and fuller backing from its Western allies.

Poland has become a leading advocate in the European Union for giving military aid to help Ukraine prevail 11 months after the Kremlins forces invaded. Germanys hesitation has drawn criticism, particularly from Poland and the Baltic countries on NATOs eastern flank that feel especially threatened by Russia.

Although Berlin has provided substantial aid, it has been criticized for dragging its feet on providing military hardware.

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said it was important for Germany not to take a reckless step it might regret, adding that a decision will not be rushed.

These are hard questions of life and death, he added. We have to ask what this means for the defense of our own country.

Pressed on how long a decision on sending tanks might take, Hebestreit said: I assume that its not a question of months now.

Previously, Polish officials have indicated that Finland and Denmark were ready to join Warsaw in sending Leopards to Ukraine. The United Kingdom has pledged to send Challenger tanks. French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday he asked his defense minister to work on the possibility of sending Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine.

But Macron said a decision hinged on three criteria that have also weighed on the minds of other Western leaders: that sharing the equipment doesnt lead to an escalation of the conflict; that it would provide efficient and workable help when training time is taken into account; and that it wouldnt weaken his own military.

Morawiecki said that while Poland intends to ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the request is a secondary matter as a group of EU countries look at how to help Kyiv.

Naturally, these are not easy talks, but we will be taking efforts to break this barrier of unwillingness in various countries, he said.

Baerbock, Germanys top diplomat, told French television channel LCI on Sunday that Poland hasnt formally asked for Berlins approval to share some of its Leopards, but added if we were asked, we would not stand in the way.

Regarding Baerbocks comments, Morawiecki said that exerting pressure makes sense and that her words are a spark of hope that Germany may even take part in the coalition.

According to Morawiecki, Germany has more than 350 active Leopards and about 200 in storage.

Poland wants to send a company of Leopard tanks, which means 14 of them, but they would barely make an impression in a war that involves thousands of tanks. If other countries contribute, Warsaw reckons, the tank detachment could grow to a brigade size.

Berlin has shown caution at each step of increasing its aid to Ukraine, a hesitancy seen as rooted in its history and political culture.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the latest developments on Western Europe sending tanks to Ukraine signaled increasing nervousness among members of the alliance.

Ukraines supporters pledged billions of dollars in military aid to Kyiv at a meeting Friday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. International defense leaders discussed Ukraines urgent request for the Leopard 2 tanks, and the absence of an agreement overshadowed new military commitments.

In Brussels, EU foreign ministers gave the green light Monday to a further 500 million euro ($543 million) package of military support for Ukraine, as well as funds to help pay for a training mission for the bloc has set up for the countrys troops.

The money would be used to reimburse EU countries for weapons and ammunition they supply Ukraine. Another 45 million euros ($49 million) will pay for the 27-nation blocs military training mission this year.

It brings the total amount of money provided to Ukraine from the EU fund to about 3.6 billion euros.

Moscow, in response to the pledges of sophisticated Western weapons for Kyivs military, has stepped up its warnings that escalation risks catastrophe.

We have said on numerous occasions that escalation is the most dangerous path, and the consequences may be unpredictable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. Our signals are not listened to, and Russias adversaries keep raising the stakes.

The Kremlins forces have kept up their bombardments of Ukrainian areas.

Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Synyehubov said Russian forces shelled several towns and villages in the northeastern region in the previous 24 hours, killing a 67-year-old woman and leaving another resident wounded.

Neither side shows signs of backing down as the war heads for a second year.

The Kremlin appears to be keeping its options open on mobilizing more soldiers. Russian authorities declared that the mobilization of an additional 300,000 reservists in late October is complete. However, some Russian lawyers and rights groups pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putins mobilization decree remains in effect until another presidential decree is issued to formally end the action.

Peskov said Monday although the assigned number of reservists have been mobilized, the decree remains in force because it also includes other measures needed to ensure the fulfillment of tasks by the military. He didnt elaborate.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that Russia plans to continue mobilizing more troops.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
HONOLULU (AP)  The casket bearing the 96-year-old heiress long considered the last Hawaiian princess went on public display Sunday in the downtown Honolulu palace that benefited from her wealth.

Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoas casket, handcrafted from a 165-year-old koa tree that fell during a 2021 storm on the Big Island, arrived at Iolani Palace in a hearse. It was greeted by a traditional Hawaiian wailing and a chanting of her lineage before being carried by members of a law enforcement honor guard up the palaces front stairs and into the throne room.

Family spokesperson Caroline Witherspoon called the procession extremely emotional, saying, The wailing  it was just beautiful. It just caused a visceral reaction for me. I started to cry.

The palace is Americas only royal residence, where the Hawaiian monarchy dwelled but which now serves mostly as a museum. Kawananakoa was the palaces largest single benefactor, according to her publicists, and even paid its electricity bills for many years.

Members of the public were allowed to line up to view her casket and werent required to wear the shoe coverings that palace visitors normally have to wear as a preservation precaution. A carpet for mourners to walk on was temporarily installed for the viewing.

The viewing was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. local time.

Kawananakoa diedat her home in Nuuanu, near downtown Honolulu on Dec. 11. She passed away peacefully with her wife, Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, 70, at her side, according to a news release.

Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people, her wife said in the release, and I will miss her with all of my heart.

Kawananakoa held no formal title but was considered a princess because her lineage included the royal family that once ruled the Hawaiian islands. She was a reminder of Hawaiis monarchy and a symbol of its national identity that endured after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893.

In 1895, an unsuccessful attempt by Hawaiian royalists to restore Queen Liliuokalani to power resulted in her arrest. She was put on trial before a military tribunal in her own throne room. After she was convicted, she was imprisoned in an upstairs bedroom of the palace for nearly eight months.

Kawananakoa inherited her wealth from her great-grandfather, Irish businessman James Campbell, who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaiis largest landowners.

He had married Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright. Their daughter, Abigail Wahiikaahuula Campbell, married Prince David Kawananakoa, who was named an heir to the throne. Their daughter then went on to give birth to Abigail.

After the prince died, his widow adopted their grandchild, Abigail, which strengthened her claim to a princess title.

She received more Campbell money than anyone else and amassed a trust valued at about $215 million.

In 2017, a court battle began over control of her trust after she suffered a stroke. In 2018, Kawananakoa attempted to amend her trust to ensure that her wife would receive $40 million and all her personal property, according to court records.

Three years later, a judge ruled that Kawananakoa was unable to manage her property and business affairs because she was impaired.

Kawananakoa gained notoriety when she sat on an Iolani Palace throne for a Life magazine photo shoot in 1998. She damaged some of its fragile threads.

The uproar led to her ouster as president of Friends of Iolani Palace, a position she held for more than 25 years.

In addition to the palaces upkeep, Kawananakoa funded various causes over the years, including scholarships for Native Hawaiian students, opposition to Honolulus rail transit project and protests against a giant telescope. She also donated items owned by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani for public display, including a 14-carat diamond from the kings pinky ring.

On Friday, Gov. Josh Green ordered that U.S. and Hawaii state flags be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol and state offices through sundown Monday for her funeral services.

A private funeral service is scheduled for Monday at Mauna Ala, also known as Royal Mausoleum State Monument, which is the burial place of Hawaiian royalty.
Copyright  2023 Albuquerque Journal

A 50-year-old woman who was fixing a flat tire off Interstate 40 near Coors  and a good Samaritan who had stopped to help her  were struck by a suspected drunken driver early Saturday morning.

The woman  who was identified by New Mexico State Police as Wendy Hunn of Albuquerque  was taken to the hospital, where she died. The man who was helping her was taken to the hospital with bleeding in his brain and is in critical, but stable, condition, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

Raymundo Jaquez-Barallasco, 31, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on charges of vehicular homicide (DWI) and great bodily harm by vehicle. Prosecutors have asked for him to be held pending trial. Its unclear who his attorney will be.

State Police said its investigators have determined that Hunn had parked her 2006 Honda Sedan on the shoulder to fix a flat tire and another driver had stopped to help her.

The two were outside the car  which had its emergency lights flashing  when a driver in a GMC pickup truck crashed into the back of the assisting drivers Hyundai SUV, causing it to crash into the Honda, state police said.

Hunn and the man who was helping her were critically injured in the crash.

There were two passengers in Hunns car  one who was taken to the hospital to be treated for unknown injuries and the other who was not injured, State Police said.

Jaquez-Barallasco was not injured.

Mr. Jaquez had noticeable red, bloodshot and watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and he was crying, an Albuquerque Police Department officer wrote in the complaint. He made multiple statements about his vehicle being severely damaged and how upset he was about that fact.

The officer said when he asked Jaquez-Barallasco how much he had to drink before driving, he said just like three beers and was unable to say when he had his last drink.

The officer said Jaquez-Barallasco performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests.
A&E/TIME Celebrity

In a new interview, the 'Holly's World' star claims that she became estranged from the Playboy founder soon after the duo called off their romantic relationship.

Jan 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Holly Madison didn't have "any desire to say anything" to Hugh Hefner before he died. Previously working in the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles and famously dating late owner Hugh from 2006 until 2008 - who passed away in 2017 at the age of 91, the 43-year-old reality star explained that she realised he was a "stranger" shortly before his death.

"It was odd because after I left the relationship, I was so shell shocked because I realised that this vision I'd had of him the whole time as this amazing person was just kind of something I had wished for and kind of made up in my own head. And I realised the person I was looking at was really a stranger. So, I never really had any desire to say anything to him," she said.

The former "Holly's World" star went on to add that she knew there were "huge red flags" in her time with the businessman and "always hoped" things would change between them.

She told E! News, "I knew there was problems in the relationship the whole time, and, obviously, super huge red flags. But there was also the other side of the relationship where we were really close and he would tell me all these positive things, so I always hoped that things would change."

What's more, Holly recently admitted that being in the mansion was like being part of a "cult." She said, "It's a very cult-like atmosphere anyway and you're manipulated to feel that way, but on top of it, my own shame kept me there too."

"I just couldn't really imagine a life outside of there. Imagine having sex with somebody in a room full of women who all hate you and you know they're all talking s*** about you. Like, how horrible? It was gross."

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The 'Hawkeye' actor, who was left with blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries after being crushed by a snowplow on New Year's Day, takes to Twitter to respond to his 'Avengers: Endgame' co-star's joke.

Jan 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Jeremy Renner had a playful banter with Chris Evans on Twitter. The "Hawkeye" actor has offered his response after his "Avengers: Endgame" co-star joked about his snowplow accident.

Making use of the blue bird app, Renner shared a photograph of himself in a bed receiving what appeared to be physical therapy. "I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness," he began his caption.

"Much love and appreciation to you all," the 52-year-old further noted. "These 30 plus broken bones will mend , grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens."

Catching wind of the post, Evans quote-retweeted it by writing, "That's one tough mf'er. Has anyone even checked on the snowcat???" The Captain America depicter then concluded, "Sending so much love."

Renner proved that he still has a sense of humor despite the harrowing incident. "Love you brother," he replied, before quipping, "I did check on the snow cat , she needs fuel."

Renner was left with blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries after being crushed by a snowplow on New Year's Day at his home in the Reno area of Nevada. He had been recovering in a hospital up until January 17, when he revealed that he was home.

Earlier this week, Renner offered an update on his journey to recovery. "Morning workouts, resolutions all changed this particular new years," he penned on Instagram. "Spawned from tragedy for my entire family, and quickly focused into uniting actionable love [heart emoji]."

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Following their secret wedding earlier this month, the Yeezy designer and his new wife are reportedly set to fly to Melbourne, Australia to meet his new in-laws.

Jan 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kanye West is going to meet his new in-laws soon. The "Donda" artist and his new wife Bianca Censori are expected to fly to Melbourne, Australia "to meet her family," according to a new report from The Herald.

In the Sunday, January 22 report, it was also said that the newlyweds will "spend time in Ivanhoe, east of the CBD, where Censori grew up." While Ye might be nervous ahead of the meeting, it seems like Bianca's family will have no problem in welcoming the Yeezy designer with open arms.

Prior to this, Bianca's family showed support for the secret wedding. Bianca's sister, Angelina Censoro, shared in a statement, "It's very exciting news for both my sister and the family." Angelina added, "But we choose to have some privacy for the time being." Alyssia Censori, Bianca's another relative, also claimed that she was "super happy for them both."

News of Ye and Bianca's shocking marriage broke on Friday, January 13. While the pair reportedly tied the knot in private ceremony in Beverly Hills, it was believed that the union is not legally binding as they haven't filed a marriage certificate.

Following the nuptials, the couple reportedly went on a honeymoon in Utah. The embattled star, who shares four kids with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, and the Yeezy architectural designer allegedly spent time at Amangiri resort last week.

Upon returning from the honeymoon, they were snapped together in public for the first time at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills on July 15. During the outing, Ye was seen sporting what looked like a wedding ring. The two were also pictured enjoying a meal together at the same hotel on the next day.

Neither Ye nor Bianca has officially confirmed their marriage.

As for the hip-hop star's ex Kim, it was said that "The Kardashians" star appeared to be unbothered by Ye's love life as she declared that she's in her "happy era" in a recent Instagram post. It was also rumored that the SKIMS founder is currently dating rapper Meek Mill, whom Ye accused of having an affair with Kim back in 2020.

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A school in-charge directs a class 10 student wearing hijab arriving in line with other students before the commencement of the annual SSLC exams at a government school in Bangalore on March 28, 2022. (AFP)

BENGALURU: "The hijab ban will continue in the state," asserted minister for primary and secondary education B.C. Nagesh on Thursday after the Supreme Court gave a split verdict on the hijab ban imposed in schools and pre-university colleges in Karnataka.

The state government on February 5 this year issued a circular banning hijab in schools and pre-university colleges of the State. The matter reached the High Court of Karnataka which upheld the decision of the state government and the issue was later taken-up in the Supreme Court and the two-judge bench pronounced its split verdict on Thursday.

In the verdict, Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed appeals challenging the High Court's order while Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said wearing hijab is a matter of choice.

Stating that he expected a "better" SC verdict on hijab, Nagesh told reporters that "We are clear that no student can wear hijab inside the classroom and maintained that the High Court of Karnataka verdict on hijab which upholds the state government s decision to ban hijab is still valid".

Minister for Kannada and culture Sunil Kumar told reporters that "There is no going back on the ban imposed on wearing hijab by the state government. The circular issued by the state government on not wearing hijab will stay."

In Karnataka, the minister said no students will enter the classroom wearing hijab and that all students should attend classes in uniforms.

He blamed that the Congress and the Popular Front of India (PFI) for backing some students to move to the Supreme Court, and "a big conspiracy" was behind the ordinary students knocking at the doors of the Supreme Court against ban on hijab.

The minister asked the students to change their mindset and follow the state government decision and stated that "there was opposition to wear hijab even in certain Muslim countries such as Iran and Iraq."
Instagram Celebrity

The SKIMS model and the girlfriend of the 'Maze Runner' actor lands in hot water after her old 'Taylor Swift is a w****e' tweet and other racist and pedophilic posts emerge.

Jan 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Dylan O'Brien's girlfriend Rachael Lange faces intense backlash on social media. The SKIMS model has landed in hot water after her old anti-Taylor Swift and racist tweets resurfaced.

Rachael came under fire after Dylan seemingly confirmed their relationship on Thursday, January 19. Soon after news of their romance broke, fans were quick to take a look at Rachael's social media profiles, including her Twitter.

They then found some of Rachael's old tweets. In 2013, Rachael wrote, "I hate Taylor swift." Then in 2016, she tweeted, "Never date a girl that plays ANY Taylor swift," and, "Taylor swift is a w****e."

Aside from her anti-Taylor tweets, fans noticed some of Rachael's racist, homo/transphobic and pedophilic posts. She often used the word "n***a" in her tweets and in September 2013, she wrote, "I'm literally such a pedophile oh my gosh." In a separate post, she even confessed, "I have various pictures of small black children on my phone."

After catching heat with her old tweets, Rachael set her Twitter account private on Friday. Then on Sunday, she made her page accessible to the public again but her old problematic posts were gone.

However, that didn't stop critics from calling her out. "Soooo we are going to address the pe/do tweets or are you gonna keep deleting everything?" one Twitter user replied to her latest tweet. Another added, "Deleted all your racist tweets I see?" Someone else said, "You're disgusting. You're still a racist no matter how much you try to hide it." A different person posted, "I hope dylan leaves you and you get canceled you racist b***h."

"Why can't people just acknowledge their mistakes and apologize??? I don't get it," another social media critic wondered. Someone stressed, "She needs to apologize because going private isn't gonna do nothing."

Prior to the controversy, Rachael and Dylan were seen out and about at Paris Fashion Week together. During the outing, the so-called couple was caught holding hands as they attended the AIM fashion show while visiting the City of Love.

The pair coordinated for the event, both rocking camel-colored coats over black sweaters and dark pants. "The Maze Runner" actor kept his look casual with white sneakers while Rachael, for her part, donned black leather knee-high boots.

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The 'Game of Thrones' alum feels 'very, very lucky' after finding love with Alessandra Masi on the set of his film 'The Book of Vision', calling it his favorite memory of working on the movie.

Jan 23, 2023

AceShowbiz - Charles Dance feels "very, very lucky" after finding love with his Italian girlfriend Alessandra Masi. The 76-year-old "Game of Thrones" star met Alessandra, 54, on the set of his film "The Book of Vision" where she was working as a production manager which was shot on location in both Italy and Belgium. When asked about his favorite memory of working on the movie, Charles told The Times newspaper, "To be honest, it's meeting Alessandra."

He went on to reveal she is now living with him a lot of the time, adding "which I'm really pleased about." Charles was asked whether striking up a romance with Alessandra overshadowed his work on the film, and he replied, "Well, it does a bit. Alessandra's fantastic. I'm very, very lucky."

The couple is believed to have been together for around three years. Charles was previously married to Joanna Haythorn from 1970 to 2004 and has previously dated actresses Emilia Fox and Sophia Myles.

"The Book of Vision" was shot five years ago but its release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Charles recalled of the shoot, "It was f**king cold, if I remember rightly," before adding, "In Italy, because of their aesthetic sense, even if the film's s**t it's going to look good."

In a previous interview with the "Sydney Morning Herald", Charles was asked about what kind of women he's attracted to and he revealed he is drawn to beautiful, independent partners. He replied, "Beautiful ones! Of course I am being facetious. I like independence, I like strong women, women who survive and thrive in what is still a male-dominated world in most professions. I think that description fits my [exes]."

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ABP Majha, the leading Marathi news channel, is set to present its unique event  'Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision'  on January 24, 2023, at BKC Trident, Mumbai. The event will bring together leaders of the state to discuss the current developments, challenges, and pressing issues affecting Maharashtra. Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision will be an insightful and engaging platform for meaningful and productive conversations on topics ranging from political discourse to economic development.

The event will be inaugurated by Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, while the valedictory session will be addressed by Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Organized by ABP Majha, this one-of-a-kind event will witness leaders of Maharashtra voicing their opinions and sharing ideas on topics related to the development of Maharashtra. It will be aired live from 11:30 AM onwards.

Other prominent personalities attending the event will include Raj Thackeray (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief), Ashok Chavan (Ex. Chief Minister of Maharashtra), Jayant Patil (President & Leader of Legislative Party), Sudhir Mungantivar (Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries), Uday Samant (Minister of Industries) and MP Sanjay Raut (Shivsena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)

Majha Maharashtra Majha Vision is presented by Kapila Pure Steel, Ram Bandhu, Badhekar Group and Tatkal Banking. It is powered by Edison Club and Star Edu .It is partnered with Jadhav Paradise & Arihant Superstructure. The print partner for the event is Loksatta while its digital partner is ABP LIVE.
Balkrishna Industries Ltd., (BKT) the Indian multinational company and global player in the Off-Highway tire segment, released an inspiring anthem, that pays tribute to the unsung heroes  farmers and soldiers, who have played a vital role in shaping the country's economy and are strong pillars of our nation. The anthem, titled Muskurayega India, which salutes the unmatchable contribution of farmers and soldiers, is produced by JJust Music, for the occasion of Republic Day.

Through the Muskurayega India anthem, BKT celebrates the life of the valiant and often unnoticed pillars of our nation, from those safeguarding our borders to those cultivating our lands, all of whom have played a vital role in the progression of our country.

While it is easy to get caught up in our everyday life activities, we desired to do something special this Republic Day and honor the true unsung heroes of our nation - the farmers and soldiers. 'Muskurayega India' is a tribute from our entire company to these individuals who are the backbone of our economy. They play an integral part in building unity in our nation and celebrate diversity in the most unique manner, said Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, Balkrishna Industries Ltd. He further added, This tribute is our way of celebrating these inspirational unsung heroes and inviting the country to join us in honoring their hard work, resilience, and sacrifice.

With this inspiring and strong ode to the lives of these unsung heroes, BKT invites the rest of the nation to join in this tribute and salute the invaluable contributions of these true selfless heroes.
coto, the social community app exclusively for women, brings on board Brand and Marketing specialist Avi Kumar as Chief Business Officer. Avi brings with him in-depth Consumer Insights, Brand Proficiency and Digital Expertise, which will further accelerate Business and Marketing strategies for coto. In his new role, Avis focus will be to design the narrative of converting cotos in-app content to unique consumer insights that will set the platform apart from its contemporaries. He will report to Tarun Katial, Founder and CEO, coto.

coto as a women-exclusive platform believes in empowering women worldwide with communities they relate with and feel comfortable with. It provides a safe online space for all women to question, share thoughts and take a stand for the things they believe in. The app is for all women of all races, sizes, disabilities, age groups, social sections, and income groups to accept their uniqueness and find unity in diversity. As a natural brand steward, Avi will champion this vision and mission of cotos into a stellar growth and transformational journey ahead.

Commenting on Avi Kumars appointment, Tarun Katial, Founder & CEO, coto says, Avi has an earned reputation as a game changer, brand innovator, agile marketer, and proficient leader. He has the desired skill set mix that allows him to expertly comprehend consumer needs and requirements and build lasting brand relevance while driving business outcomes. His entrepreneurial outlook will go a long way in fortifying cotos commitment to delivering a safe online space for women.

Avi says about his new remit, I am excited at the opportunity of joining the senior executive team at coto and working collectively towards building a responsible virtual environment for women. coto brings together leaders of today and tomorrow and enables and empowers them to be the changemakers. I will focus on driving business growth, consumer engagement, and relationship management as part of the larger strategy. It would be an incredible opportunity to unlock incremental value for our customers and partners by curating richer and more immersive experiences.

With a career spanning over a decade, Avi has built a solid reputation as a marketer specializing in converting data to consumer insights and further to market strategy while delivering growth. He has been instrumental in building some of the largest brands across both the Media and FMCG categories.

Prior to coto, Avi was the Chief Marketing Officer at Join Ventures and led the global marketing for its portfolio companies - IGP.com, Interflora India, IGP for Business, and Masqa. Before that, Avi was the Head of Marketing for ZEE5 and was responsible for the growth of the D2C and B2B businesses. He had also led marketing for BIG FM, before which he was associated with Oriflame.

Avis vast experience has earned him many laurels like Top 30 CMO (IAMAI), Top 40 CMO 2019, and Marketing Professional of the Year by ACEF, South Asia. He has also won several awards for campaigns at the New York Festivals, Emvies, DMAi, ET-brand excellence, IRF, and Golden Mikes.
Following the news that Netflix added 7.7 million subscribers in Q4;

Francesca Gregory, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

Netflix finished a tough year with substantial subscriber growth, as popular content kept streamers glued to their screens. Netflix has not lost its ability to create unmissable shows, as shown by the success of the hit series Wednesday in Q4. However, the prospect of the platform recapturing its previously breakneck subscriber growth remains slim as the wider streaming market experiences a slowdown.

Although Netflix hopes to diversify its revenue streams to counter this challenge, the rollout of its ad-supported tier was a delayed response to industry headwinds. While CEO Reed Hastings admitted to mistakes, and has now stepped down, the companys belated decision to move into advertising could prove costly. Netflix must make up for lost time by quickly refining its ad-supported service to outcompete rival platforms.

Sarah Coop, Analyst at GlobalData, offers her view:

Increased competition, a saturated market, and a cost-of-living crisis will see the streaming wars enter a new frontier in 2023. Minimal growth in overall subscription numbers is predicted across Netflixs core markets. According to GlobalData forecasts, the average number of subscription video on demand (SVoD) subscriptions per UK household will increase from 2.2 in 2022 to 2.3 in 2023. In the US, average subscriptions will increase from 3.1 to 3.3, and in Canada, average subscriptions per household will remain the same, at 2.2.

These modest increases suggest many households will not be adding new services or will jump around based on new content. Consequently, paid password sharing and interoperable bundled services will be key strategies to maintain market share and raise subscription numbers by cracking down on account sharing.

Martina Raveni, Analyst at GlobalData, offers her view:

Netflix must now play catch up with competitors who were early ad integrators. HBO Max introduced an ad-supported tier in June 2021, and this subscription type reportedly now accounts for around 30% of customer additions. This is an interesting benchmark for Netflix in the short to medium term, as it finds out if this significant change in its business model can fund spiraling content spending.

For Netflixs ad plan to succeed, it needs accurate targeting and measurement. The coming months will be an important test for ad-supported subscriptions as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis causes many consumers to rationalize their spending on subscriptions.
With the rapidly changing digital landscape, it is becoming increasingly important for marketers to re-evaluate their media mix and make adjustments to ensure they reach their target audience most effectively and efficiently as possible.

According to reports, 84% of media planners leverage a mix of organic and paid media. Marketers may consider rejuggling the media mix to reach target audiences more effectively, optimise return on investment, and stay ahead of changes in consumer behaviour and technological advancements. This could involve increasing investment in digital channels, such as social media and mobile, while reducing or eliminating traditional media, such as print and television.

In consideration of todays scenario, Adgully hosted its premier Twitter chat property, Gully Chat, on the topic Re-juggling the media mix - New considerations for marketers on January 20, 2023. A panel of leading industry experts took part on the discussions:

Abhishek Mehta, Digital Marketer Lead - FMCG, Jubliant Foods

Anjali Malthankar, National Strategy Head, Tonic Worldwide

Shrenik Gandhi, Co-Founder, White Rivers Media

Tanya Menon, Team Lead, PR & Corp Comm, Gamezop

Vani Gupta Dandia, Independent Business Consultant, CherryPeachPlum Growth Partners

With businesses having to pivot their marketing strategies in the post-pandemic period, how are brands media mix strategies evolving?

Commencing the conversation, Shrenik Gandhi noted, The pandemic was a key catalyst for the growth of technology. The era of experiential shopping is here, and brands are finding new ways to provide immersive experiences to their customers. Being on top of the MarTech solutions and leveraging Web 3.0 experiences can work wonders.

He further added, Since the pandemic, time spent watching videos has been at an all-time high. Leveraging this opportunity, Connected TV and OTT advertising is booming. Short-form videos have also become an effective tool for businesses to participate in strategic social media outreach!

Anjali Malthankar remarked, From Cookieless future-proofing to prepping for a recession and a lingering Covid scare here and there  marketers have a lot to be cognizant of. The evolving strategies include flexibility, caution, and experimentation. Brands have multiple challenges while picking their media mixes today.

Abhishek Mehta felt that post-pandemic, it is imperative to have a strong digital brand experience. Build/Invest in your digital assets and collect, and analyse the customer data you need to tell the right story, personalise experiences and drive action, was his advice to marketers. Tanya Menon added here, India will have 700 million gamers by 2025. So, marketing dollars will chase casual gamers as almost every digitally-connected person is a gamer. Advertisers with all kinds of goals and budgets can buy gaming inventory to meet the objective of their campaign  whether branding or performance marketing.

How can brands maximise a full-funnel media strategy?

According to Abhishek Mehta, Awareness, Consideration, and Conversion are great, but the Retention of customers is most important now. They drive repeat purchases, word of mouth, and act as brand advocates.

Adding further, he said, Use video ads to generate awareness  one-third of all online activity spent watching the video, but videos also generate higher engagement, with prospects 27 times more likely to click a video ad than a banner ad.

Tanya Menon noted, By tapping into the most diverse group on the Internet vis-a-vis casual gamers, brands and advertisers see casual gaming as a more viable option to reach out to a wider audience.

Anjali Malthankers advice was to identify and reach shoppers who are most likely to purchase with hyper contextual creative with a strong CTA.

According to Shrenik Gandhi, The new marketing funnel is no longer a linear, cone-shaped model. With increased access to information, changing human behavior and competition, it has transformed into an omnichannel experience thats unique for each customer. Brands must ensure to add value to customers lives.

Follow the entire discussion below:

https://twitter.com/adgully
Google said on Friday that it will cooperate with India's competition authority after the Supreme Court upheld the antitrust directives forcing it to change how it markets its popular Android platform in a key growth market.

In October, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, exploited its dominant position in Android and ordered it to remove restrictions on device makers, including those related to the pre-installation of apps and ensuring its search was exclusive. A $161-million fine was also imposed on Google.

On Thursday, Google lost a challenge in the Supreme Court to block the directives, getting seven days to comply.

According to the Supreme Court, a lower tribunalwhere Google first challenged Android directivescan continue to hear its appeal until March 31.

About 97% of 600 million smartphones in India run on Android, according to Counterpoint Research estimates. Apple has just a 3% share.

Google has filed a lawsuit against the CCI decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that it might hinder the expansion of the Android ecosystem in an effort to stop the execution of the CCI directives. Additionally, it stated that if the guidelines take effect, it will be required to change its agreements with more than 1,100 device makers and thousands of app developers.

Given that India's move is perceived as taking more drastic measures than those mandated by the European Commission's 2018 order, Google has expressed alarm about it. It received a fine for imposing what the Commission deemed to be illegal limitations on manufacturers of Android mobile devices. Google is currently contesting the record $4.3 billion fine.

Some analysts say Google will now need to make similar changes in India to comply with the directives.
In Y 2022, 22% indexed growth was observed in advertising in the Movie genre compared to Y 2019 and 13% growth compared to Y 2020. However, compared to Y 2021, a slight dip was seen, as per TAM AdExs analysis of advertising in Movie genre in 2022. Highest Ad Volumes were observed in Jul-Sep22 among all the quarters of Y 2022. Jul-Sep22 registered a rise of 5% in ad volumes in Movie Genre as compared to Apr-Jun22. Feb22 registered the lowest share of Ad Volumes in Movie genre, that is, 7.73 %, while Oct22 registered highest Ad Volumes in the Movie genre at 9.1%.

Hindi movies dominated the ad volumes for the Movie genre in both of the years 2022 and 2021 with a share of more than 40%. All the Top 5 sub-genres retained their respective ranks in Y 2022 over Y 2021.

The count of advertisers and brands in the movie genre descended in Q4'22 compared to other quarters of Y 2022.

Among the leading sectors, Food & Beverages topped with 24% share of the Movie Genres ad volumes in 2022. The top 7 sectors retained their positions for the years 2022 and 2021, with the F&B and Personal Care/ Personal Hygiene sectors accounting for 45% of the ad volumes for Movies by genre.

With a share of 6%, Toilet Soaps led the categories in Movie genre ad volumes in Y 2022. The Top 10 categories added 36% share of the Movies genres Ad Volumes.

Over 130 Categories registered positive growth in the Movie genre. During Y 2022, Mosquito Repellents saw the highest increase in ad secondages as compared to Y 2021, followed by Ecom-Wallets. In terms of growth per cent among Top 10 categories, Air Fresheners topped with highest growth of 2.8x. Three categories out of the Top 10 growing categories belonged to the F&B sector.

Among the leading advertisers, FMCG players reigned the Top 10 list. Throughout the years 2021 and 2022, HUL, Reckitt Benckiser, Cadbury India, and Pond India held the top spots in the Movie genre. Coca Cola India observed the highest positive rank shift in Y 2022 as compared to Y 2021. The Top 10 Advertisers contributed 47% share of the Movies genres Ad Volumes, while the Top 100 advertisers accounted for 85% share of the overall Movie genre advertising.

The number of exclusive advertisers in the Movie genre totalled 40+ in Y 2022. Advanced Hair Restoration India was the top exclusive advertiser in Movie genre, followed by TCN Enterprises.

Dettol Toilets Soaps topped among the 3,050+ brands advertising in the Movie genre in Y 2022. Out of the Top 10 brands, 5 belonged to HUL and 4 belonged to Reckitt. The Top 10 Brands contributed 10% share of Movies Ad Volumes. Four brands entered the Top 10 list during Y 2022 as compared to Y 2021.

Over 480 advertisers and 1.4K+ brands exclusively advertised in the Movie genre during Y 2022 as compared to Y 2021. Cashgrail and Veet Pure were the top exclusive advertisers and brands, respectively, during Y 2022 as compared to Y 2021.

At 55% and 45% respectively, Regional and National Movie channels had nearly equal share of the Movie genres Ad Volumes in both 2022 and 2021. There were 95+ Exclusive Advertisers on National and 685+ on Regional channels in Movie genre during Y 2022. Hewlett Packard India and Kaleesuwari Refinery were the leading Exclusive advertisers on National and Regional Movie channels, respectively, during Y 2022.
The DP World International League T20 was inaugurated at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday 13 January (2023) in the presence of a large, enthusiastic crowd cheering on their respective teams. The opening match was played between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Dubai Capitals, GMR group, with Dubai Capitals taking the first win.



Sponsored by DP World, the DP World ILT20 league comprises six teams playing a total of 34 matches across the UAE  Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The league is also associated with renowned media partners, broadcasting and reporting real time updates from the matches, including ZEE as Global Broadcast Partner, Khaleej Times, Media Partner and FairPlay News.



FairPlay News is one of the biggest and leading sports news networks on the internet. Offering real time match updates, scoreboards, general info and exclusive player bytes, FairPlay News caters to all that a sports enthusiast seeks. It has backed numerous promising teams and leagues including the Sri Lanka Womens team and the mens team when they won the Asia Cup in 2022. The FairPlay Group since its establishment has steadily risen in popularity and become a household name in the sports fraternity.



We are strong believers in the spirit of sports and aim to push boundaries and unite the sports fraternity. Were elated to be a part of the DP World ILT20 and would like to thank the league for bringing us onboard the next big thing in the cricket world. A FairPlay News representative said. FairPlay News awards one player every match the title of the Biggest Hit Of The Match along with a cash prize.



The DP World ILT20 is currently being played across the United Arab Emirates until the final on Sunday 12 February, 2023. The teams playing for the title are: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR group), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries) and the Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global). Find the latest DP World ILT20 news, updates and interactive chats on the FairPlay News network via @fairplay_news on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.




Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj. (Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: Chief electoral officer Vikas Raj said that the Election Commission has identified around 12 lakh photo similar entries (PSE) in Telangana state and most of them would be deleted shortly. This is in addition to 10.5 lakh PSEs deleted due to various reasons. Now 17-year-olds can apply for advance voter facility till April 1.

In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, CEO Vikas Raj explained various issues. Excerpts

What are the major voters awareness programmes that have been taken up in the state?

We conducted numerous awareness programmes during the special summary revision-2023. As part of it, booth level officers (BLOs) visited every household to enroll new voters as well as delete names of those who had died or had since migrated. Around three lakh voters from the previous list had died. We focussed on urban areas, where access of voters with officials is quite low. Displaying details of BLOs at polling booths and their availability has yielded good results. Within GHMC limits, we sent 10 lakh SMS alerts to voters based on their property tax details. Public announcement system on voter enrolment by garbage carrying vehicles benefited a lot in enrolment. This was a significant change, considering that in the earlier three years, voter enrollment had reduced dramatically due to Covid-19.

How has been the response in the state now that ECI has allowed 17-year-olds to enroll their names as voters?

We received around 20,000 applications from 17- year-old youngsters. We will accept advanced applications, including online, till April 1. Those who complete 18 years of age as on January 1 are eligible to submit advance applications for enrolment. It has been extended up to April 1.

Political parties allege that there is conspiracy behind deletion of votes in large numbers. How will you justify the ECI stand?

We conducted enrolment of votes and deletion in a transparent manner. Moreover, it was in the presence of party representatives that BLOs enrolled new voters and also deleted names of those who had died or had migrated. There is no truth in the allegations. Names of around 10.5 lakh voters were deleted due to photo similar entries.

Voters have not been unable to download their electoral photo identity cards (EPIC) for the last few months. By when will this e-EPIC facility be restored?

ECI has barred downloading of e-EPICs for the last few months. Instead, high security featured electoral photo identity cards will be issued soon. For the last one month, we have distributed 14 lakh EPICs. If voters had lost their cards or they were damaged they can be replaced by new cards.

How many complaints have you cleared in recent months?

From April 1, 2022 to January 20 we have received 7,200 complaints pertaining to various issues. Of this, 6,772 have been resolved and 428 are under progress. On an average we receive around 100 complaints a month.

To whom can people complain about vote and election-related issues?

People can dial 1950 toll-free number for vote-related grievances. NGRS portal is also available for the convenience of voters. People can also register their complaints through letters and emails.

What is that EC expects from voters to ensure a smooth conduct of elections?

Voters should link their Aadhar cards with the electoral photo identity cards. Migration, job postings and other issues compelled people to get enrolled in two constituencies. Some have multiple electoral photo identity cards. All these issues need to be resolved with people's cooperation.

The TS Vote overview

Total number of voters in Telangana state 2,99,74,919

Male voters 1,50,48,250

Female 1,49,24,718

Third-gender 1,951

NRI voters 2,740

Election Commission toll-free number 1950
Nothing, the London-headquartered consumer electronics manufacturer, has promoted India head of communications Megha Vishwanath as global product marketing manager.

Vishwanath joined the company in January 2021.

Vishwanath announced her promotion on social media: "Being a part of Nothing's journey from the start has been an incredible experience. Grounded by Nothing's mission, I am now looking forward to Year(3). Being a part of Nothing's journey from the start has been an incredible experience. Grounded by Nothing's mission, I am now looking forward to Year (3)."

Vishwanath worked as a journalist for CNBC-TV 18, before joining Nothings. She worked for nine years for media companies like CNBC-TV18 and nbctv18.com, as a technology leader.

Carl Pei, the co-founder of OnePlus', founded the tech company. Tony Fadell, inventor of the iPod, Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, and CEO of Reddit Steve Huffman, are the investors of the business. Nothings recently launched its first phone Nothing.
The elites obsession with achieving total financial control By Clint Siegner

web posted January 23, 2023 Federal bureaucrats use proxies to stifle all kinds of activities they dont like. The Twitter Files are revealing this tactic to a new wave of Americans, but it has been around a long time. The bureaucratic assault on the First Amendment is part of a larger movement to end personal liberty. The ultimate goal may be to assume financial control over the populace through implementation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). If officials can replace the existing currencies with digital, programmable money, they will claim the power to dictate if, when, and where individuals can spend money as well as what they can spend it on. Those who question whether forces inside the federal government are actually pursuing such power may wish to review recent history around the Federal Reserve note "dollar." The effort to control people by targeting their money escalated in 1970 with the Bank Secrecy Act. It targeted cash specifically by requiring banks to report transactions involving more than $10,000. Shortly afterward came the end of sound money. Nixon slammed shut the gold window in 1971, severing the last link between the Federal Reserve note and physical gold. That maneuver launched an era of perpetual government deficits, unlimited borrowing, and interventionist central banking. Officials seized the opportunity to demand even more reporting in the aftermath of 9/11. The misnamed Patriot Act required all merchants (not just banks) to file a Form 8300 on transactions of $10,000 or more. They also required merchants to file an Orwellian Suspicious Activity Report on any transaction the merchant judged to be suspicious. Then the Obama Department of Justice launched Operation Choke Point in 2013. Regulators threatened banks with increased scrutiny, controls, and penalties if they did business with certain companies deemed by the Department to be at higher risk for money laundering and fraud. Banks responded by closing accounts and/or reducing services to firearms dealers, payday lenders, coin dealers, and businesses in other targeted industries. Frank Keating, CEO of the American Bankers Association, didnt think regulators should be hassling banks about clients "simply doing something government officials don't like. In 2017, the FDIC settled a series of lawsuits by promising to cease making informal and unwritten suggestions about who banks should be doing business with. However, banks and financial services providers continue to cancel clients with the audacity to operate disfavored businesses or voice unapproved views. JP Morgan Chase sent a letter to Trump supporter and election fraud activist general Michael Flynn in August 2021. Chase said, "We decided to close your credit cards on September 18, 2021 because continuing the relationship creates possible reputational risk to our company." The bank later reversed the decision amidst a backlash from conservatives. PayPal recently went so far as to insert a provision in their terms of service which allowed the company to charge clients up to $2,500 if, at PayPals sole discretion, they were spreading misinformation. The company also reversed course after the story went viral and many clients decided to dump the woke company. Couple these sorts of stories with the release of the Twitter files, and one should expect to find that bureaucrats are using backchannel communications with banks to push their anti-liberty agenda. Stopping misinformation and controlling the narrative certainly isnt all the administrative state hopes to achieve. It is one means to an even more ominous end. The Federal Reserve is openly developing a digital currency. Its part of a long-running globalist agenda to curtail financial privacy and increase control over people. Those who accumulate, tangible non-government money like gold and silver are sidestepping the elites growing obsession with achieving total financial control. Clint Siegner is a Director at Money Metals Exchange , the national precious metals company named 2015 "Dealer of the Year" in the United States by an independent global ratings group. A graduate of Linfield College in Oregon, Siegner puts his experience in business management along with his passion for personal liberty, limited government, and honest money into the development of Money Metals' brand and reach. This includes writing extensively on the bullion markets and their intersection with policy and world affairs. Home
Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 7:30PM

Team Experience is pairing up to debate the merits of each of the big awards season movies this year. Heres Abe Friedtanzer & Eric Blume on one of the Oscar frontrunners...

ERIC: Abe, here we are again with another split decision. But unlike our discussion about The Whale, which you loved and I definitely didn't, we're swapping sides for The Banshees of Inisherin. I absolutely loved this film. I'd go as far as to say it's close to a masterpiece. It's a piercing and painful meditation on loneliness, a heartbreaking and lyrical stare in the face at death. Martin McDonagh is tackling The Big Themes with ferocity and honesty, and I was deeply moved. But let's start with why you didn't care for the film...

ABE: Hello Eric! I was going to start out by saying that I don't loathe this film or any like that, I just find it to be vastly overrated and can't understand why everyone loves it so much. I definitely disagree that it's a masterpiece, but I'm very aware that most of the people sitting around me at the crowded theater in Toronto were howling with laughter. I was not. It was my fifth movie of the day, which I don't see as a detractor since I enjoy the film festival experience and seeing too much doesn't influence my enjoyment of the later films in the slate. But I also think I was set up for moderate disappointment since I had many of the same issues as I did with McDonagh's previous films, Three Billboards. I liked In Bruges considerably more, which was the last time that McDonagh, Colin Farrell, and Brendan Gleeson all worked together. I found this new collaboration to be aimless and not really about anything. I was waiting for it to get there, and instead it just got (predictably) dark. What hook did I miss that everyone else seems to have found?

ERIC: Not really about anything? Abe! It's about all of the biggest stuff! Going back to the most basic philosophical questions: Why are we here? Why do we exist? McDonagh has created this world where our four main characters are approaching the end of the road (death), trying to find meaning. Colm (Brendan Gleeson) feels death the closest, and he feels the only way he might be able to find meaning is to release himself from the everyday world around him and search in music and poetry for transcendence. Dominic (Barry Keoghan) has only one hope: Siobhan (Kerry Condon), who herself is searching for more than what their tiny village can grant her. Padraic (Colin Ferrell) has a speech midway through the movie, questioning why goodness, and living a decent life, and treating other people well isn't "enough" to define a man? Why do we place more value on music and poetry and "legacy" than how we live our lives and treat others?

McDonagh even has the balls to have the old woman character play Death itself...she's always right around the corner when you least expect her. There's no hiding. McDonagh even goes so far as to dress her like Charon, black and skeletal. She literally beckons for Dominick to 'cross the river" to her before his suicide.

The loneliness of these four central characters was shattering to me. Padraic welcomes the farm animals into the house to simply be one fraction less alone. Siobhan realizes when she leaves that she's sentencing Padraic to himself. Dominic loses his one dream. Colm cuts off his nose to spite his face. These trajectories and endings have echoes of classical drama, and McDonagh's writing evokes the great Irish playwright John Millington Synge, where small-village Ireland takes on a larger symbolic role of purgatory, where characters trap themselves in limbo, forced to make tragic choices.

It's also the definition of a tragicomedy, a very high artform that's extraordinarily difficult to pull off, so very few people even attempt it. Not only is McDonagh's language beautiful on the ear, it's funny, too. He knows how to string sentences together that have comic rhythms and intricate meter, and these actors know how to knock them out of the park. He laces these sad, tragic characters with elevated language that gives them snap and verve, and most importantly wit, a prized Irish quality that's woven into the fabric of the culture (Kenneth Branagh found this same quality in last year's Belfast).

I think McDonagh has the highest aims possible in mind as an artist on this picture. Obviously, they didn't resonate with you. How did you feel about McDonagh's direction?

ABE: I did love Belfast, but didn't find that quality here. I can see what you're saying but none of these characters were vibrant or accessible enough for me to feel any of these things. One thing I kept thinking back to regarding McDonagh's direction (and writing) is that I have appreciated his work before, as I mentioned, with In Bruges. The tone there worked. I actually cite a film by a different McDonagh, Martin's brother John Michael, as my favorite of the bunch: The Guard. Now that's a Brendan Gleeson performance I would fully endorse, doing excellent comedic work opposite Don Cheadle. But John Michael's latest film, The Forgiven, starring Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain, hit me the wrong way -- too unpleasant and off-putting to truly enjoy. I think what these admittedly brilliant and creative brothers are doing is challenging and delicate, and only sometimes does the end result really hit the mark.

I think expectations of a director like either of the McDonaghs, who do very similar work to each other, plays into my expectations of the film. The same goes for someone like Ruben Ostlund. I wasn't enamored with either Force Majeure or The Square, and Triangle of Sadness hit me exactly as I expected it to. I laughed a few times, cringed more than that, and ultimately came out of it with decidedly mixed feelings. I understand that's part of what McDonagh (Martin) is going for here, but there was never that moment that cracked it open. Therefore I felt unengaged, watching these people's misery from a distance without the benefit of being in on the joke, if you will. McDonagh knows and understands his characters, but I couldn't connect with them, so his familiarity didn't translate to this audience member.

ERIC: That's a shame. I think Banshees shows a huge growth for McDonagh as a director. He's always had a stunning way with actors, and always keys his films in just the right place tonally, but this was the first film of his where he really focused on his framing for storytelling, and it pays off in spades. Throughout the film, McDonagh frames Farrell and Gleeson together in a variety of ways that expresses where they are emotionally at all times. Sometimes they're shot through panes of glass, sometimes separated on inside/outside of the pub, etc. And that final shot of them together on either side of the frame, "Death" right in between them? High holy hell, what a terrific composition and way to end a film! He uses this gorgeous green and yellow color palette throughout that evokes melancholia and ache to great effect. I felt he really evolved as an artist with this picture.

ABE: I will say that watching Farrell and Gleeson at the Golden Globes made me okay with the idea of Farrell getting recognition for this role (though as you know I'm team Brendan Fraser), and I do want to start by singling out the performance that got me through this film: Kerry Condon. I first saw her in a movie called Don Hemingway opposite Jude Law and have been a big fan of hers since then, including her recent TV work on Ray Donovan and Better Call Saul. I can take or leave any of the other performers - Condon is the MVP for me. Do you agree?

ERIC: I think Condon is smashingly good in this film, and she's my pick far and away for Best Supporting Actress this year (these awards for Angela Bassett are incredibly silly). But as great as Condon is, I still don't think she's the acting MVP. To me, that's Colin Farrell. As you know, I'm not much of a fan of Fraser's work, and I find Farrell's performance here even more deeply felt, and much more of a high-wire act. (Granted, Farrell has the benefit of a much better script.)

Farrell knows how to get every ounce of zest out of McDonagh's language, and he's sublimely comic throughout while still feeling through Padraic's aching sadness. He plays each moment with fierce directness, while giving it just a *smidge* of a heightened nature given the poetry of the language. He's exactly 1% "actorly" in a way that's perfect for the material, while 100% being fully committed to the character's pain. Farrell's Padraic is a fully-fleshed out and original creation: a man who, due to the purity of his simplicity, is beautifully complex.

Do you have any other thoughts on the cinematography or production design or score or other elements of the film?

ABE: I wish these characters spoke to me more and that I had grasped the same meaning from all those moments and shots. I do think that the production values are good, but nothing compared to some of the other films I've seen this year. The score is pensive, haunting, and deliberate. I'm a huge Carter Burwell fan, even though I don't think this is quite his best work (see: A Serious Man). There's a simplicity to this entire film that I think makes it easy to watch in some ways but also difficult to connect to. I can't say that I hated anything about it but the enthusiasm from others both at my screening and ever scine has often had me rolling my eyes.

This film has taken a similar awards trajectory to Three Billboards in that it had a great night at the Golden Globes but then lost both the Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay prizes at the Critics Choice Awards. Farrell might still be good for a win but I'm not betting on that or anything else. Not that a film's Oscar wins cement its legacy at all, but do you think this film will end up going home empty-handed on Oscar night?

ERIC: Abe, I enjoy you. First of all, I will NOT see A Serious Man, as I loathe that film -- my least favorite Coen Brothers movie! And you're probably eyerolling your way through this whole discourse, because I am beyond enthusiastic about The Banshees of Inisherin. I do concede that McDonagh is a certain flavor, and his humor is a very, very specific bullseye. I feel sad you didn't connect with it, but I hope I've adequately shared specific reasons for my great passion for this beautiful movie. It's one of the few films in the history of the medium I think can truly earn the word elegiac.

The Critics Choice Awards are a bit of an industry joke, and the voting pool is completely separate from the Oscar voting pool, so it's a pretty grain-of-salt situation there. I think the way Film Twitter reacts to all the precursors is pretty comical, quite frankly. I'm only going on my pool of actors/writers/directors within the business, almost all of whom loved this film. Beyond that, they revere McDonagh, who is seen as a brilliant writer still working outside the mainstream while working within its which is something a lot of people want to do. The writers want to write like him, and they get that he has a skill with language they don't have. Actors in particular love this film. It's the movie this year they all most wish they could have been in, which goes really far with the acting branch. That's why I am bullish on Farrell even despite my bias for him personally. I also think Condon stands an excellent chance of winning, as does McDonagh for screenplay and Burwell for the score. I think Best Picture is also a strong possibility. So I see as many as five and as few as two (Farrell and McDonagh). I'm just glad this film exists.

ABE: All Ill add is that McDonagh got snubbed for directing Three Billboards. This isn't a sign that Oscar voters dont like him but I do believe it is something that could happen again this year since hell still be up for writing and that could be enough. But thats another conversation.

Our debate may now be over but I was still tortured driving home from picking up dinner tonight as the large billboard just a few blocks from my house reminded me of this films existence. Ill eagerly await its replacement.





other "split decisions"
The internal debate in the Iranian elite over the hijab protest By Yoni Ben Menachem

web posted January 23, 2023 Iran announced that it had executed by hanging on January 14, 2023, Ali Reza Akbari, a former deputy defense minister with British and Iranian citizenship, after he was convicted of spying for Britain. He was convicted of harming Irans security and providing intelligence information. Akbari was detained for more than three years, and his execution is a message to Western countries and Israel not to interfere in the internal situation in Iran. It was also a warning to deter the demonstrators who continue the widespread Hijab protests against the regime.

The woman who started a revolution. In 2017, 31-year-old Vida Movahedi held a one-woman demonstration against the Burqa on Revolution Street in Tehran. She was arrested. After her release, the womens protests spread. The four-month-long protests deeply worry the Iranian leadership. The Hijab is a basic tenet of the Iranian Ayatollahs theology. This wave is now a force that threatens the stability of the regime. So far, between 400 and 500 people have been killed in the protests, among them members of the Iranian security forces, and about 18,000 people have been arrested. The execution of Ali Reza Akbari symbolizes the victory of the extremist faction in the Iranian elite. According to top Iranian officials, a debate broke out on how to stop the forces of protest. The regime does not have a clear strategy for dealing with the intermittently renewed demonstrations in different parts of Iran. However, one thing is clear: the protests continue and show no signs of ending. A Sign of Flexibility? Some senior officials at the top of the Iranian regime believe that flexibility should be shown in handling the protests to calm the atmosphere. But on the other hand, some senior officials advocate the continuation of the iron fist policy and brutal suppression of the demonstrators, including executions. So far, four protesters have been executed, and another 14 are awaiting execution. According to Iranian sources, the countrys elite includes figures who support the Hijab protest wave, such as former presidents Hassan Rouhani and Mohammad Khatami, opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, cultural and media figures, athletes, and former politicians. As a precaution, the Iranian regime forbids former politicians from traveling abroad. The administration threatens to erase the political future of any senior member of the administration who opposes the suppression of the protesters and the executions. The execution of Ali Reza Akbari is a message to those criticizing the reformist movement in Iran. Khamenei Is the Supreme Authority Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is playing a double game regarding the treatment of the Hijab protest. First, the regime spread fake news in early December 2022 that the morality police, who enforce the wearing of the Hijab, had been abolished. Second, Khamenei called the protesting women our daughters and met with a delegation of women to hear their claims. Finally, the Supreme Leader ordered the release of two well-known opposition activists (Majid Tokali and Hossein Ronki) and retrials for several protesters who were sentenced to death. On the other hand, Khamenei appointed a new police commander, General Ahmad Reza Radan, a member of the paramilitary Basij force and the Revolutionary Guards, and a commander of the Tehran police. Radans forces were infamous for their brutality in putting down the Green Movement demonstrations in 2009 and 2020. His human rights violations resulted in his listing on the U.S. Treasury Departments terror list. The debate in the Iranian regime leadership also stems from a fear of increased sanctions from Western countries due to the continuation of the brutal repression. But on the other hand, extremist elements at the top believe repression is the only way to discourage the protesters and that the cancellation of the executions is a surrender to international pressure that will only encourage the continuation of the demonstrations. In an official order on January 10, 2023, Abdol Samad Khorram Abadia, a Deputy Prosecutor General, urged the police and judiciary officials to severely fight against those removing their Hijab. In the end, the one who determines the way to deal with the protest wave is Supreme Leader Khamenei. He has a lot of survival experience, with over 30 years in his chair. He maneuvers and zigzags and looks for new and creative ways to stop the protests, but he does not hesitate to apply brutal repression against the protesters. Yoni Ben Menachem, a veteran Arab affairs and diplomatic commentator for Israel Radio and Television, is a senior Middle East analyst for the Jerusalem Center. He served as Director General and Chief Editor of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Home
In his own discreet way, President Joe Bidens personal attorney Bob Bauer is back in the news again. On Saturday, Bauer released a statement about a new discovery of documents chez Biden.

According to Bauer, the Justice Department "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 and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President."

This same CBS News report notes that this new find comes after 10 or so classified documents were discovered by Mr. Biden's personal lawyers at the Penn Biden Center on Nov. 2. Others were found at his home on December 20.

Bauer goes unmentioned in those earlier finds, but he almost surely had to be one of those personal lawyers. Six days before the midterms, these attorneys made the strategic decision not to go public with their find. In Bauers case, I suspect the decision to go public after the election was strategic as wellbut not necessarily on Bidens behalf.

Bauer, of course, has a history of blocking the release of certain documents and then strategically releasing them. In the way of background, on August 21, 2008, a week prior to the Democratic National Convention, Democrat attorney Philip Berg filed a federal suit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania challenging Barack Obamas constitutional eligibility to be president.

A former deputy attorney general for the State of Pennsylvania and a credible pro-choice gubernatorial candidate in a Democrat primary against sitting governor Robert Casey, Berg expected to be taken seriously. He wasnt. The media expressed zero interest in his suit.

Obama and the Democratic National Committee took a good deal of interest. Defending Obamas interest was Bauer, then a top gun from the Deep States go-to law firm, Perkins Coie. Bauer served as general counsel to the DNC and as personal lawyer to Obama during the 2008 campaign. In that capacity Bauer led the legal fight against Berg.

On November 12, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, ruled that Berg lacked standing to bring the suit. The day after the suit was dismissed, the New York Times reported that White House counsel, Gregory B. Craig, was stepping down from his job. An anonymous source told the Times that Bauer would be taking over, and the source knew whereof he spoke.

Bob Bauer in the Oval Office 20101 as White House Counsel

Extracted from a photo by White House official photographer Pete Souza (public domain)

With the media averting their collective gaze, a federal judge felt free to dismiss Bergs narrowly tailored suit without a hearing. I was deprived of my due process rights to be heard, Berg would write. Judge Surrick made some outlandish comments claiming Obama had been properly vetted, and that was completely untrue. Bergs claim here is accurate. The medias failure to investigate Obamas background is a scandal in its own right.

After blocking the release of his birth certificate for more than two years, Obama decided in April 2011 to produce the certificate or at least something like it. Donald Trump was giving him fits.

Finally I decided Id had enough, Obama writes of Trumps challenge in his memoir, A Promised Land. I called in White House counsel Bob Bauer and told him to go ahead and obtain the long-form birth certificate from its home in a bound volume, somewhere deep in the bowels of the Hawaii Vital Records office. Bauer dispatched Obamas personal attorney Judith Corley, also of Perkins Coie, to secure two copies.

Overriding staff objections, Obama went live on national TV in late April 2011 to address the birth certificate issue. The timing was strategic. Planning was well underway for the raid on Osama bin Ladens hideout.

Still failing to appreciate how gingerly the media treated him, Obama writes, I began by remarking on the fact that the national TV networks had all decided to break from their regularly scheduled programming to carry my remarks livesomething they very rarely did.

Yes, very rarely. Arguably, the last comparable breakaway for a personal matter took place on July 25, 1969, when the networks gave Ted Kennedy fifteen minutes to assure America there was no truth whatsoever to any rumors of immoral conduct between him and the late Mary Jo Kopechne.

After explaining the problems America faced, Obama scolded the carnival barkers for distracting its citizens. We do not have time for this kind of silliness, he said angrily. Weve got better stuff to do. Ive got better stuff to do. Weve got big problems to solve. And Im confident we can solve them, but were going to have to focus on themnot on this.

Less than a week after the announcement, Osama bin Laden was killed, and the birther controversy was buried along with him. A month later, Bauer returned to private practice so he could once again represent the Obama campaign and the DNC. Said Obama of Bauer at the time, He has exceptional judgment, wisdom, and intellect, and he will continue to be one of my close advisers.

Bauer would offer that advice from the plush offices of the firm to which he returned, Perkins Coie. In April 2016, when the DNC learned that its computers had been hacked, its staff alerted Perkins Coie, and the firm, in turn, recommended a private cyber security outfit called CrowdStrike to clean up the mess. No need to bring in the FBI. (As shall be seen, it was CrowdStrike that took control of Seth Richs laptop. More to come,)

That same memorable year, 2016, it was Perkins Coie that retained Fusion GPS to create the infamous Steele dossier. Would a firm capable of commissioning the Steele dossier have trouble dummying up a birth certificate?

Would an attorney whom Obama called one of my close advisers be one Biden would want to trust? As Joel Gilbert has warned in his prescient book and documentary, Michelle Obama 2024, the Obamas may have other plans for the White House than Bidens continued occupancy.

To learn more, see www.cashill.com
Something's happening here. Last month Tucker Carlson made the case for the CIA's direct involvement in President Kennedy's assassination. This month he has made the case for the CIA's direct involvement in President Nixon's forced resignation. Tying the two events together, Carlson outlines a chief motive for the Agency's alleged actions against Nixon by highlighting a recorded conversation between Nixon and then-CIA Director Richard Helms in which Nixon told Helms to his face that he knew "who shot John," an accusation from the president that the director answered with telling silence.

In publicly prosecuting the Intelligence Community for taking down Nixon, Carlson notes that four of the five Watergate burglars worked for the CIA, that young metro reporter Bob Woodward had been a naval officer at the Pentagon who "worked regularly with the intel agencies" and "had a top-secret clearance," and that Woodward's infamous Deep Throat source for his Watergate news stories, FBI Associate Director Mark Felt, had run the FBI's illicit counterintelligence program specifically designed to discredit and disrupt American political organizations.

Furthermore, Carlson points out that Nixon's replacement, Gerald Ford, the only unelected president in American history, had no achievements to justify his rapid rise from forgettable congressman to White House occupant in the space of eight months, aside from his service on the Warren Commission, which had "absolved the CIA of responsibility for President Kennedy's murder." When unelected federal bureaucrats forced Nixon's vice president, Spiro Agnew, to resign in late '73 for tax evasion, Democrats in Congress "gave Nixon no choice but Ford." The next summer, the Intelligence Community replaced an adversarial Nixon, arguably the most popularly elected president in U.S. history, with a rubber-stamp for the CIA.

Carlson's pull-no-punches attacks on the CIA implicating America's spies in both Kennedy's assassination and Nixon's forced resignation are part of a larger campaign he has been waging for some time against the unelected yet permanent federal bureaucracy and its coercive national security Deep State. Night after night, Carlson chooses a target within the Washington Leviathan  regulatory agencies acting without legal authority, the Department of (in)Justice's selective prosecutions and political persecution, the Intelligence Community's dissemination of lies and propaganda meant to manipulate public opinion  and articulates how untethered America's acting government has become from the U.S. Constitution, statutory law, and the will of legal American voters.

Even though he is not claiming his opinionated commentary as rote recitation of indisputable facts, his arguments are grounded in research and reason. Often, his conclusions are not entirely new. Many like-minded Americans tune in to his show precisely because he reflects much of what they already believe. What is most interesting, then, is not necessarily Tucker Carlson's increasingly incisive rhetorical dismantling of the federal government but rather his timing.

Kennedy's assassination and Nixon's forced resignation occurred a half-century ago, and plenty of people have disputed the American government's official telling of those events since they first occurred. Only now, however, is one of the most popular hosts in the small world of news commentary dedicating his time (and reputation) to throwing down the gauntlet against America's Deep State. Why? Well, that relatively new and disparaging epithet  Deep State  tells a big part of the tale by reflecting an "awakening" American cynicism and a sizable collapse in Americans' trust in their own government. It should be a big deal for someone of Carlson's stature to accuse the Intelligence Community of multiple coups d'etat; that he does so suggests that he feels the American people have begun to fundamentally shift in their understanding of and relationship to the federal government.

It is easy for his detractors to impugn his speech as conspiratorial, vulgarly incentivized by the pursuit of ratings, or needlessly inflammatory, but, in truth, Tucker Carlson's editorial monologues should scare the bejesus out of the Establishment as ominous harbingers of things to come. He clearly sees the rumblings of an emerging social consciousness in America grounded in disgust with government institutions, a rejection of the official "narratives" promulgated by national leaders, and a "widening gyre" separating the powerful from the powerless.

If Americans increasingly doubt the legitimacy of the very institutions that claim to have increasingly absolute power over every detail of their lives, then Tucker Carlson is urging them to question just how long the federal government's criminal enterprise has been operating. It didn't just start with the suspicious election outcomes in '20 and '22, did it? Surely it goes beyond American courts scribbling through the meaning of the Constitution, multinational corporations buying up politicians for pennies, and central bank currency manipulation that has only made the wealthiest wealthier while secretly taxing everyone else into poverty. Surely it goes beyond Americans' new understanding that the World Economic Forum and other international oligarchies of "elites" have for decades vetoed Americans' own self-determination.

The government's illegitimate exercise of power goes to the heart of the question: who really runs America? For most of American history, Americans proud of their nation's history and its dedication to individual rights, liberty, republican virtue, and respect for democracy would have answered, "The people." Now, however, they are beginning to wonder whether something much darker and more nefarious has been in charge all along.

If that "something" is actually "the Intelligence Community," then that revelation drastically changes the picture of America's post-WWII history, does it not? Think about the presidents who came after Truman. There was Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower; an assassinated Kennedy; a crass and calculating President Johnson often accused of having been complicit in his predecessor's murder; an obstinate Nixon forced into resignation; the Warren Commission's "go along to get along" man Gerald Ford; a peanut farmer apologist for Hugo Chavez; a true "outsider" President Reagan; followed immediately by former CIA Director George Bush; serial philanderer, credibly-accused rapist (and therefore "manageable"), China-backed Bill Clinton; the CIA director's oldest son; a "hope and change" puppet for American communists whose background history was covered up and rewritten repeatedly; another true "outsider" President Trump; followed immediately by a Deep State stooge with a half-century of public corruption under his belt. Now that same Deep State seems intent on taking out pudding-for-brains China Joe Biden, so that it can install Kamala Harris or some other fool entirely susceptible to the unelected Intelligence Community's control.

From that perspective, American leadership since the end of the last Great War has been dominated by men from the Intelligence Community, men who benefited directly from their efforts, men whose pasts made them easy to control, and a couple aberration presidencies where true "outsiders" Reagan and Trump still climbed to power. In Reagan's case, the former director of the CIA stood directly behind him. In Trump's case, the man was genuinely so free from political obligation to pursue his own path that the FBI, national security surveillance State, and D.C. Uniparty literally framed him as a Russian spy, wrongly accused him of abuse of power for revealing Biden's financial quid-pro-quo arrangements in Ukraine, and ultimately defamed him as a "terrorist" and "insurrectionist" for objecting to the massive mail-in ballot fraud and other election irregularities that rendered him the only sitting president to win substantially more votes during his re-election campaign only to come up short of victory.

In fact, given the lengths the Deep State went to remove President Trump from office in any way necessary, it would be fair to say that what the American government truly fears most is any elected representative of the people not entirely beholden to the permanent bureaucratic State. That speaks volumes about how the U.S. government really feels about "democracy."

If American elections mean so little because the Deep State's power is so great, then things must change.

Image via Pixnio.
As the 100-plus crowd exited the auditorium at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York, shuffling as crowds do when the hour is late and the temperature plunging, a voice behind me muttered Mach schnell!

I froze for a moment.

We had all been privy for the prior three hours to a compelling program dubbed Remember This, a movie/play of David Strathairn performing a lightly fictionalized compilation of the thoughts, perceptions and emotions of Polish patriot and Holocaust truth-teller, Jan Karski.

Karski entered into and escaped from many of the camps, as a personal devotion to what the Jews were experiencing. He brought his excruciating experiences to the U.S. president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who treated Karski and his scalding reports of the ongoing horrors in Europe dismissively, and changed his policies during WWII not one iota. FDR was no friend of the Jews, though I heard that assertion many times as I grew up in the States.

Karski told his impressions, his truths, while thousands of Jews still breathed. Many could have lived, if those he spoke to had listened to him. And acted to save them.

The evening was sobering, as the topic would of course have you believe. The two-hour, deeply painful monologue enacted against a stark white scrim, with only a plain table and two chairs in the frame behind the actor-- who in his early 70s quite resembles Karski himself, whom I met in the company of my then-boss, the brilliant and original Sir Moshe Barr-Nea, a Holocaust survivor of, he told me, five concentration camps. I was honored to interview Karski in 1995, awed by his courage and dedication.

When we met Karski, he must have been in his late 70s, and had been teaching at Georgetown University for several decades by then, teaching about the Holocaust to the privileged offspring of privileged homes, with enough water and food.

When I heard that German phrase, so often bitterly flung at the millions of Jews experiencing their last days on earth, having just tumbled out of boxcars, starving, freezing, denuded of their all, Mach schnell evoked a chill in me, as in fact any spoken German does, even though I was never in the Holocaust, nor had I experienced any UberKommandos shouting their commands, dogs at their heels barking insanely at the terrified Jews shunted into queues that spelled further degradationor gas chambers they suspected, perhaps, but could not then envision, so miserable were they in the crystalline moment of their lives peak horror.

My colleague had voiced the phrase, not meaning anything beyond a chuckle to get the people ahead to move along faster, out of the hall. It was late, and the museum is far downtown.

Remember This is a film, which is also performed as a play in select venues, and is designed to teach the less-knowing generations what the Shoah was. What it looked like. What it felt like. Witness.

And sadly, many even not-so-young citizens have only the fuzziest conception if anyof that obscene Nazi effort at extinguishing the entire Jewish people.

On a hike in Riverdale, some years ago, I struck up a conversation with an attractive 40-something elegant local hiker. I happened to mention Auschwitz and the Holocaust, linked to some item in the news. This well-heeled modern, a Gentile I realized, had never heard of either. She was wholly unaware of this mid-century era of murder, torture, and blithe experimentation on human beings treated like lab rats.

She of course is among the many who still cannot say what exactly the camps were about. Who cannot name even one of the dozens of death camps sprinkled around Europes fine and thriving metropoli; who are unaware of the labor camps interning slave labor Jews all along North African countriesthe lucky Jews not incarcerated and gassed to death in the Sobibors, the Bergen-Belsens, the Theresienstadtsjust worked to death in the broiling equatorial sun and sands.

Karski died in 2013, after 40 years of Georgetown* University classes, teaching the surreal realities of the Shoah.

Though the film is tightly claustrophobic, lighting changes and the mobility and verbal skill of Strathairn lend immediacy and power to the piercing emotional content he imparts to the silent audience.

The actor performs after removing his shoes, his tie, his jacket. He loosens the top button of his white shirt. He sits square face-forward on the spindly table. He gestures, stands, achieves a catalogue of calisthenics of grief, pain, horror, incomprehension, terror. Memory too scalding to encompass.

After the sobering performance by Strathairn, TV personality and host Katie Couric moderated a somewhat after-the-fact panel on the impact of the Karski legacy, featuring a Holocaust survivor, Tovah, who was six-and-a-half years old when the camps were liberated; a producer of the film; and the actor himself.

Katie Couric shares the slightly shocking kernel that she never knew she was Jewish, that her mother was Jewish, until she was 10 years old, herself. She was raised Episcopalian, her family apparently unwilling to be treated the way they thought Jews in their upper middle-class suburb would be treated.

It emerged in the Q-and-A that for decades in the States, no one even spoke of the horror, as if it were bad manners to do so. Or as if Jews had something of which to be ashamed. Couric is 66, she acknowledged.

Remember This will be shown several times on PBS, Great Performances (March 13, first showing); at the JCC in Manhattan; at the Quad Cinema from January 27; and at the Laemmle Monica Film Center in Santa Monica, from February 3. It opens wide nationally after that.

It is a destination appointment for Jew or Gentile, young or old. No need to mach schnell, but go. Go.

Image: Lilly M, Magorzata Miaszewska-Duda, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

*Correction: An earlier version of this piece misstated the name of the university.
I get a lot of email along the following lines:

The Dems have corrupted our elections  our vote will never matter again.

We'll never see justice from our DoJ  the system is rigged against us.

We can't fight the federal bureaucracy  it controls everything.

We'll never get out from under all of this debt  collapse is imminent.

A return to founding principles is hopeless  poor, poor, pitiful me.

Granted, it isn't all conservatives saying these things, but an alarming number are starting to sound as though they're accepting victimhood. The left is quite happy about that. Leftists want us to accept our lot in life as helpless subjects, dependent on them for everything.

It's time we accepted a hard truth: we're in this mess because we let it happen.

But the left would like us to continue denying that truth and accept the victimhood that they've been promoting. Victimhood is a state of mind in which those suffering from it have given up control. Life's disappointments are someone else's fault. Conversely, life's blessings are a gift from someone else. It's what Barack Obama wanted us to believe when he told business-owners that "you didn't build that." He was telling them that their success wasn't the result of their hard work, but because the government allowed them to be successful. It was a message that the federal government retains the power to make them fail or allow them to succeed  at its whim. He was insisting that they accept victimhood, that any control they think they have is an illusion. In reality, Obama's assertion was an illusion the left would like us to believe.

Embracing such an illusion signals that we have ceded power to the state  which is also ceding power to the left. People who accept victimhood have mentally and emotionally given power over their lives to the state  just as the leftists like it.

That's why the left's language is the language of victimhood:

We face prejudices in society that can't be fixed with hard work and outreach. We need more government oversight.

Others are so much wealthier than us that we can't close that gap with hard work. We need more government redistribution.

Our streets are unsafe, and we don't know how to defend ourselves. We need to sacrifice our freedom for security  provided by the state.

We fear a viral Armageddon, and thoughtful individual risk management will not save us. We need to give the government emergency powers over our behavior, associations, speech, and medical treatment.

If we accept that belief system, we have no control over our own lives. From there, it's only a small step to accepting state control of everything. That last step into tyranny is exceptionally small but disturbingly consequential.

Many on the right mourn the America we are losing  the land of freedom, equality, and opportunity. But we on the right bear some responsibility for this mess. We are complicit. We cannot blame the left for doing this to us because it wasn't "done to" us. It was done with us. We had the power to say no but didn't. We allowed it to happen by being derelict in our duty as citizens.

In 1967, German student Rudi Dutschke told us that Marxists would do a "long march through the institutions." Well, they did it while we ignored it. The left used the schools to turn our children into loyal subjects. They've used the propaganda media to make us believe a false narrative. Leftists running major corporations have worked to impose their own ideology on us. Government bureaucracy has worked to eliminate freedom and due process. Those who wish to undermine America have used moral relativism to destroy our sense of right and wrong.

All of that has been happening right under our noses since at least the 1960s. All the while, we refused to see and refused to act against it.

We stopped telling our children the importance of freedom because we thought freedom was forever. We let the schools stop teaching civics because we didn't have the time to audit their curricula. We allowed the Constitution to become the most misinterpreted document in America because we didn't read or understand it  and didn't hold those sworn to uphold it accountable for perverting it. We can blame others for our current state if we wish, but we could have prevented it and didn't.

But here's the thing: we can take power back just as easily as we gave it away. The real power of a self-governed people is a state of mind. It's a belief in ourselves and a faith that we will overcome. It's the certain knowledge that our future is not subject to the whims of others  but dependent on our own efforts.

People who successfully bounce back from violence universally say that they refuse to be a victim. They understand that they can be victimized without accepting victimhood. They accept that something bad was done to them but refuse to let it define them. By refusing to accept victimhood, they refuse to let others have dominion over their lives. They take back the power to thrive.

It's time to accept responsibility for our mistakes and take our power back. Acknowledge that we have erred in the past. Our current state is not the fault of evil actors. It's our fault for giving evil actors power over our lives. There is great empowerment in owning one's mistakes. It's the power not to make those mistakes again  ever. Our ability to change our lives returns when we accept accountability and commit to doing the work required to maintain the society which we want.

We need to

Teach our children good vs. evil.

Hold "public servants" accountable.

Be active in government  especially at the local level (where election shenanigans happen).

Challenge the MSM narrative. There are no alternate realities, and just because some fool with a $200 haircut says something doesn't make it true.

Celebrate America. It is still a place of pride, not shame.

Our founders believed freedom to be our birthright  a gift from God. But they understood that evil forces would always try to take it from us. They knew that keeping our freedom requires stewardship and, at times, even sacrifice. Our founders pledged their lives, fortunes, and their sacred honor to that duty. Will we make such a commitment  or just feel sorry for ourselves?

John Green is a political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He has written for American Thinker and American Free News Network. He can be followed on Facebook or reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image via Max Pixel.
Is Joe Biden farther 'gone' on the dementia front than even his opponents have claimed?

Sure looks like it, now that "Breakfast Club" talk-show host Charlamagne Tha God, is disdainfully declaring that Biden has been seen talking to imaginary people.

According to Fox News:

Radio host Charlamagne tha God said Friday that President Biden probably had "dementia," leading to a heated debate over the president's mental agility on Friday with his liberal guests. Charlamagne and co-host Raashaun Casey, better known as DJ Envy, said Biden seemed like he was suffering from "dementia" on "The Breakfast Club" radio program. Charlamagne also suggested Biden should hold off before announcing his 2024 bid, which he is likely to do in the coming months. But former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross and liberal ex-CNN commentator Angela Rye both defended Biden and asked them for better alternatives. "Have you seen something that suggests that he has dementia?" Cross asked the hosts of The Breakfast Club. "I [saw] him talking to a ghost," Charlamagne said, in an apparent reference to when Biden seemingly forgot about the death of Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski, R., at an event last year.

Maybe it was that, maybe it was something else. Maybe Charlamagne really did see Biden talking to an imaginary figure instead of just forgetting that someone in the room had died -- and it probably wouldn't be the first time.

What matters, though, is that this is the perception about Biden now, not in the words of right-wing fanatics who have never liked Joe anyway, but in eyes of the Black community.

They're ridiculing him as a man who's been seen talking to ghosts.

If Joe isn't gone senility-wise, he definitely is politically.

Charlamagne's observations are significant because Black voters are a critical Biden constituency.

Charlamagne in fact serves as a sort of proxy for that voting bloc. Although he generally agrees with the Democrat party line on issues, he's no parrot. He's known for his detachment, not wanting Democrats to take Black voters for granted as they have been accused of doing in recent years. His independent streak is not seen in much of the Biden political machine, where talking points, echo chambers, and common buzzwords are the norm.

Charlamagne is the one who called out Kamala Harris for her phoniness in the war on drugs, drawing her out to make absurd claims about smoking pot and listening to Tupac Shakur (a rapper whose appearance on the scene came well past her college years), even as he recalled that she put away smalltime dope users for hard time, making her own pot use hypocritical.

He's been onto the Biden camp for awhile, asking Biden why he should vote for him during the 2020 campaign, and drawing out Biden's outrageous claim that if a black person didn't want to vote for him, then "you ain't black." By late 2021, Charlamagne was already skeptical about whether Joe Biden was really in charge:

"I want to know who the real president of this country is  is it Joe Biden, or Joe Manchin?" Charlamagne asked on his Comedy Central show, "Tha God's Honest Truth," while he and Harris discussed Democratic Sen. Manchin's opposition to liberal spending legislation being debated on Capitol Hill. An aide tried to step in and end the interview, but Harris then answered that President Biden was the nation's leader  then expressed disappointment with the question.

Now he's ridiculing Biden as a guy who talks to ghosts.

That's bad news for Joe Biden, who needs the black vote desperately in order to continue his hold on political power.

With guys like Charlamagne making more skeptical noises than ever about Joe, it's pretty clear that Biden's got a big problem with the Black community. With Charlamagne serving as a lightning rod, Biden's got a bad storm ahead in his quest to win re-election in 2024.

Image: Screen shot from Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM video, via YouTube
Two Biden scandals are converging: (1) Joes illegal possession of classified documents and (2) the contents of that genuine, 100%, all-real Hunter Biden hard drive. The conversation isnt only pictures of Hunter Biden, drug addict and international businessman, suspiciously close to the garage trove of classified documents; its also a compelling claim that, on at least one occasion, Hunter Biden sent his business partners an email that has the smell of a reworked classified briefing.

From the moment in October 2020 when the New York Post broke the news about Hunter Bidens laptop, Miranda Devine has been all over the laptop story. Shes probably one of the few people with the breadth and depth of knowledge that allows her to suggest that one of Hunter Bidens business emails, written while he was on Burismas payroll, seems awfully like a classified briefing, not a typical Hunter scribble.

In an article entitled Theres no hiding Bidens fright over classified document scandal, Devine notes that many of the documents being discovered, to the extent we know anything about them, are from 2013 through 2016 and include intelligence memos and briefing materials from multiple foreign countries, including Ukraine and China. Devine explains, That three-year period corresponds to the most frenetic influence-peddling activity overseas by his son Hunter and brother Jim Biden, who made millions of dollars from shady interests in Ukraine, China, Russia and elsewhere.

However, just because things happen at the same time does not mean theyre related. Devine, thankfully, is too good an analyst to stop with mere temporal correlation. Instead, she assembles other pivotal facts: (1) The laptop reveals Joes involvement in Hunters business deals; (2) Hunter traveled on Air Force 2 with his Dad to countries that figure in both the stolen documents and Hunters deals; (3) during the key time period, Hunter lived in the Delaware mansion in which documents were found and drove the Corvette parked next to documents; and (4) during the same time period, Hunter had unlimited access to Bidens official White House office.

Image: Hunter Biden. YouTube screen grab.

What really grabs Devine is a striking email. The predicate for Devines analysis is that most people have a distinctive writing style. Hunters consistent writing style is terse, ungrammatical, poorly spelled, and poorly organized. Thats why it sticks out a mile when he suddenly writes an email showing none of those traits:

It was from Hunter to Archer on April 13, 2014, a week before Joe Biden visited Ukraine to meet then-Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and refers to my guys upcoming travels. For Hunter, it was an uncharacteristically lengthy email, listing 22 points about Ukraines political situation, with detailed information about the upcoming election and predicting an escalation of Russias destabilization campaign, which could lead to a full-scale takeover of the eastern region, most critically Donetsk. The strategic value is to create a land bridge for RU to Crimea. That wont directly affect Burisma holdings but it will limit future UK exploration and utilization of offshore opportunities in particular, Hunter wrote. It will also result in further destabilization of UK nationally and for whatever govt is in power. And the US will respond with even stronger sanctions. Those sanctions will threaten the tenuous support of the EU which does not have the political will to incur steep energy price increases. In point 22, Hunter instructed Archer to buy a burner phone, presumably to keep their conversations private. Buy a cell phone from a 7/11 or CVS tmrw and ill do the same. Its a prescient and very well-informed email, unlike anything else Hunter wrote in the nine years covered in the laptop, and it has the distinct flavor of an official briefing, perhaps even a classified one.

To check if Hunter copied from a website, I ran through Grammarlys excellent plagiarism tool, one of the phrases Devine reprints, the one beginning The strategic value is to create. Grammarly returned only one match, and it was to Devines article. Hunter didnt download his analysis from some online news or analysis site. Those words came from a source to which the ordinary public has no access.

Currently, theres no proof; only suspicions. But Devine is right to be suspicious when a drug-addled man who writes in a semi-literate, marginally informed, telegraphic style suddenly bursts forth with a highly detailed, deeply knowledgeable, well-organized, and literate analysis of a complex foreign situation.

That the Democrat establishment is now desperate to rid itself of Joe Biden is obvious. Bidens departure, however, standing alone, isnt necessarily good for conservatives. The best outcome isnt just Joes removal but also the entire corrupt Democrat establishments collapse. Sadly, the Democrats and the Deep State are adept at protecting their interests, even as they pull down everything else around them.
Poverty in America is so bad that some people can barely afford their cell phones. In much of the rest of the world, poor people starve to death, or die of what in America are ordinary, survivable diseases or injuries.

In America, injustice is so bad that many lawyers appointed by the court cannot get their clients acquitted of the crimes they committed and must settle for a plea bargain. Elsewhere, to be accused is to be found guilty and imprisoned in hellhole cellars, innocence being irrelevant to the courts of so-called justice.

In the U.S., police sometimes bruise a resisting felon and get fired for excessive use of force. In some parts of the world, the main difference between their police and their criminals is a badge. Those police routinely brutalize anyone who is not well connected, where the brutality consists of committing robbery, extortion, and rape  at will.

To be sure, poverty is no picnic for anyone, anywhere. Injustice at the hands of officials is injustice, plain and simple  anywhere. In the U.S., there are egregious examples of it.

Even so, as bad as America sometimes is, people by the millions are risking their lives to get here. There is a reason for that. As the tee-shirt with Einstein's image on it says, "It's all relative." Hope is better than hopelessness.

As recorded in a remarkable video, Konstantin Kisin gave a brief speech during a debate held at the Oxford Union in England, in which he expostulated with the woke culture, which has become a major popular mindset of leftists in the West.

Speaking with a thread of humor throughout, but dead serious nevertheless, he touched upon a number of subjects and then pulled them together into the topic of "climate change."

He pointed out that China and India are, by far, the leading factors in damaging the environment, and furthermore, they are not going to slow down. (Nor are the Africans, I might add.) The reason, as he points out, is poverty  not poverty as the pampered university students in the West define it, but grinding, abject destitution  hopeless poverty. Impoverished people across the globe have, as their main concern, daily survival, regardless of pollution. Will there be a next meal, even if it comes from a dump? They will not, Kisin points out, condemn their children to starvation simply to appease "Saint Greta [Thunberg]." Any amount of pollution is preferable to that.

Even in the West, Kisin says, the woke will not tear out their indoor plumbing to live as do the truly poor, so why should we expect that the homeless of India will forgo economic development if it will feed them?

Is it hopeless? Must the environment be doomed? No, says Kisin (and many others). The environment can be sustained. That will not happen by protesting, by defacing artworks in museums, or by (in my view) illegally restricting the rights of free people to exercise their liberties. The problem will be solved by innovation, by hard work in the development of profit-making industries  in short, by everything that the woke left hates and seeks to destroy. Capitalism is not bent on its own suicide. It is a force for good, including the good of the environment. Nothing else comes close.

Sadly, as Kisin points out, few on the left are willing (perhaps they are fundamentally incapable of it) to stop crafting their worldview solely on their emotions. They are unreceptive to facts and reason, even to the point of calling such traits racist and the tool of the oppressor (that is, you). Thus, they have become puppets, useful idiots, and the actual tools of the actual oppressors, such as the would-be tyrants at Davos.

Before we can save the environment from the woke who are destroying it, there is one major hurdle that may be impossible to overcome. How can we fix stupid?

Image: Screen shot from Triggernometry video via YouTube.
World War III looms larger as a real possibility today, following a threat delivered by one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies. Following U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson dismissing the threat of nuclear weapons being used, former deputy prime minister and head of Putin's presidential administration, Vyacheslav Volodin, said (via GB News):

"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," In a Telegram message he continued: "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." He added "Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe".

I don't know about you, but I am not willing to dismiss this as mere rhetoric, something that we safely can ignore. After all, many U.S. and NATO officials have openly stated that they want regime change in Russia as the goal of the war that is devastating Ukraine. For Putin, this result almost certainly would result in death, or at best trial for war crimes should he survive and be captured. With such a fate in prospect, why wouldn't Putin be willing to use nuclear weapons?

Yes, Russia did invade Ukraine and has grabbed territory and incorporated it into Russia, and yes, we tend to frown on that (although it is the way that the world has worked forever, including the assembling of the territory that the United States consists of today). But the closer you look at the events that led to the current situation, the cloudier the calculus of the rights and wrongs becomes. The U.S. pretty openly engineered the destruction of a democratically elected pro-Russia government in Kyiv in the 2014 "Maidan Revolution" and provoked Russia with the threat to bring Ukraine into NATO.

I don't propose to relitigate the origins of this crisis, only to point out that nuclear Armageddon may not be a price worth paying.

How about supporting a negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia?



Photo credit: PXhere, public domain.

Anyone else remember the lefties and their 1980s bumper stickers: "one nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day"?
From drag queen allegations to resume enhancements to this or that, Representative George Santos has a little explaining to do. According to news reports, the list keeps growing:

Newly elected Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is facing a host of questions: He's accused of faking his resume and the circumstances of his mother's death along with having questionable campaign finances reporting and allegations of pilfering from a fundraising campaign for a dying dog, among other things. He has acknowledged embellishing his educational background and job history, but has denied most of the other allegations, even as he was sworn in for his new House post this month. The allegations have sparked multiple demands for his resignation, as well as at least two investigations and calls for additional probes. Santos, 34, has repeatedly said he will not resign.

Santos should switch parties, and no one will ask him to resign. Let me explain:

1) It won't impact the House majority. The GOP has the numbers, and the Dems need a legislator to go "drag queen" for the teachers' union.

2) He can join the king of all resume-enhancers, President Biden. They call him "the fabulist in chief," and there is a video to prove it.

3) He can ask Senator Elizabeth Warren what it's like to lie about your past.

4) There is always Senator Richard Blumenthal, who can explain how to stop media questions about the Vietnam War he did not serve in.

Easy as 1-2-3. Flip parties, and the whole thing will disappear in a New York minute! Representative Santos will fit right in on the other side. Santos to Democrats for a player not to be named later, and let's move on from this distraction.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: Empire State Conservatives Podcast.
Charles McGonigal, a retired counterintelligence investigator from the FBIs New York Field Office, was just arrested because he allegedly took substantial sums of money from Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire, to get the latter off a U.S. sanctions list. Where this goes beyond the ordinary corruption that periodically crops up among people with too much power, too few morals, and too little accountability is that McGonigal was one of the people investigating Trump over the Russia Hoax, while Deripaska employed Christopher Steele, whose false dossier seeded the Russia Hoax.

Anyone who paid attention during the hot years of the Russia Hoax recognizes Deripaskas name. He was a close ally of Vladimir Putin and, in 2018, the U.S. government sanctioned him for his involvement in Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea. Specifically with regard to the Russia Hoax, in 2021, Jerry Dunleavy summarized how closely allied Steele and Deripaska were:

Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska is known for his ties to President Vladimir Putin, as well as his prior business relationships with Steele and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. [snip] The Senate Intelligence Committees 1,000-page report last year found that the Russian government coordinates with and directs Deripaska on many of his influence operations. Steele and his company, Orbis Business Intelligence, worked for Deripaska in 2016, helping recover millions of dollars the Russian oligarch claimed Manafort had stolen from him. Steele sought help in this anti-Trump research effort from Fusion GPS, and the company hired Steele soon after. The investigation found multiple links between Steele and Deripaska and indications that Deripaska had early knowledge of Steeles work. Steeles continued relationship with Deripaska provid[ed] a potential direct channel for Russian influence on the dossier.

Those multiple links played directly into the Russia Hoax:

An associate of Deripaska seemed in indicate earlier in the year that Deripaska fed information to Christopher Steele, and now Deripaska has confirmed that he was paid by Steele to be a dossier source in a recent interview with The Hills John Solomon. [snip] Deripaskas clearest connection to the dossier is in regards to Source D, Sergei Millian. Source D is who the fictitious golden showers story is attributed to. Millian met with Deripaska at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum between June 16 and 18th in 2016. Two days after the forum ended, Steele wrote a memo sourcing Millian. According to Chuck Ross, Millians appearance at the St. Petersburg expo, photos of which he posted on Facebook, establishes for the first time that he was in Russia at the time the dossier placed him there as a source. And if Millian did indeed discuss Trump at the conference, that means Steeles direct source was present at the conference.

You really cant have the Russia hoax without Deripaska.

As for McGonigal, he was a staunch James Comey ally, referring to Comey as one of the most loved leaders that weve had in a number of years commanding a leadership role in the FBI. Comey, as a reminder, improperly cleared Hillary of charges connected to her violating national security laws, leaked classified information to jump-start the Russia collusion hoax, and boasted about entrapping General Mike Flynn, resulting in manufactured charges against him.

Loved by some of the troops? Clearly. Honest and faithful to the Constitution? No.

McGonigal spent the two years before his 2018 retirement supervising 150 counterintelligence agents in New York. McGonigal also worked directly on the Russia Hoax. According to the New York Post, he was one of the first FBI agents to learn that a Trump campaign official claimed that the Russians had dirt onthen-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, which triggered the investigation that continued into Donald Trumps presidency. Its unclear, however, whether he first met Deripaska in connection with that investigation.

The charges against McGonigal, who retired from the FBI in 2018, are extremely serious:

McGonigal is charged with violating US sanctions by trying to get Deripaska - who is worth $1.7billion - off the sanctions list in 2019. He is one of the highest-ranking former FBI officials ever charged with a crime, and was living in a plush $730k West Village apartment before selling it in 2020. Both McGonigal and [Sergey] Shestakov [an interpreter] are accused of receiving payments through shell companies and forging signatures to keep it secret that Deripaska was paying them. According to the Justice Department, the pair, who both worked for the FBI and investigated oligarchs, agreed to investigate a rival oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska. Both men are facing money laundering charges as well as violating sanctions  with each of the four counts carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison.

One of the problems flowing from consorting with criminals, which is what law enforcement officers often do, is that those without strong moral compasses are vulnerable to the seemingly easy money associated with working with those same criminals. If the charges against McGonigal stick, he will have been one of those who couldnt be near crime without being corrupted.

Image: Charles McGonigal. YouTube screen grab.
Jump! By Dr. Robert Owens

web posted January 23, 2023 Christ came to fulfill the Old Covenant. He paid the price for Adams sin and made a way back into fellowship with God. Sin was the problem and Jesus is the answer. When he was offered up by the High Priest as a sinless sacrifice, He fulfilled all that had ever been required in the Old Covenant. When He breathed His last on the cross and cried out, It is finished, the curtain in the temple was ripped in half. God left the Holy of Holies on earth signifying the end of the Old Covenant. When Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, He poured out his blood on the eternal alter of God in the heavenly temple of God. All the sacrifices of the Old Testament had been but a foreshadowing of this event. When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead as it says in Romans 10:9-10 we shall be saved. It doesnt say we might be saved. It doesnt say we will be saved by and by. It says we shall be saved. The moment we do that were born again, recreated, and translated from the old world of sin caused separation from God and death to the new world of fellowship with God and life. Once were saved from the curse of sin, we become the righteousness of God. This means we can stand in the presence of God without any guilt, shame, or fear for weve become His children. And as His children we have the right and the ability to come boldly into our Daddys throne room any time we want. Think of it this way, if you or I walked up to the gate of Buckingham Palace and told the guard, Let me in I want to see the queen we wouldnt even get a smile from one of those guys. But if Prince Phillip walked up and said the same thing, they would immediately usher him into the royal presence. Its the same with us and the heavenly Holy of Holies. God is our Father. We can enter His presence any time we want. Theres no need to beg or plead. Its our right as His child because we are one with Christ. Hes the head and were the body. Were the very living stones built up into His eternal temple. Were individually the tabernacles of His Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Dont accept less. Be all that God re-created you to be. Were a new creation the old has passed away and behold all has become new. We dwell this moment in Gods New Jerusalem and collectively we are His Holy Temple. God the Father is on His throne. Christ the Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world and yet lives is seated to His right hand. The Holy Spirit indwells the temple built of living stones. There is nothing left to be done. It is finished. There is nothing we can add. We have been given the authority to act in the Name of Christ. We shouldnt sit back waiting to get good enough. We shouldnt expect some hireling to do what God has called us to do. Weve been called to take the light of Christ into a world of darkness. He never told us to build a lamp. He never told us to pay a lighthouse tender. He told us to take the light of His love to those sold under bondage to the king of this world. And we must always remember greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Jesus told us that if we have faith, even if its as small as the smallest seed, and we tell the mountain to jump itll jump. Lets quit waiting for some collective bulldozer to move the mountains and start living as what we are: children of the Most High God. In the desert God told Moses to speak to the rock. He has told us to speak to the mountains. So now, all together on the count of three lets say to the mountains in our life, Jump! One, two, three. This is an excerpt from the book Faith by Dr. Robert Owens. This and all his books are available from Amazon in paperback or kindle at Amazon. Home
Its big news in the conservative media: Rep. Katherine Clark, a Massachusetts Democrat and the House Minority Whip, announced that her daughter, who is really her son, got arrested in Boston. She added, I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting. I have no doubt that this statement comes from her heart. However, its possible that the values Clark brought to parenting her son are connected to her sons defacing property and violently assaulting a police officer.

The facts are straightforward enough, per the Boston Police Department. Saturday night, officers responded to a protest on the Boston Common. When they got there, they saw 23-year-old Jared Dowell (Clarks son) defacing a monument with anti-police sentiments (NO COP CITY and ACAB). As they were arresting Jared, around 20 protesters surrounded the cops, screaming obscenities at them through megaphones.

One officer was hit in the face with injuries to his nose and mouth. The police frame this in the passive voice, but they also charge Dowell with Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, indicating that it was he who struck the officer. The other charges against Jared were Destruction or Injury of Personal Property and Damage of Property. If the police charges are proven true, Jared was a bad boy.

Clark wisely got out ahead of the story, tweeting a brief statement about the arrest, her emotional response, and her trust in the law. Interestingly, though, she referred in the tweet to a daughter, not a son. Yes, a Democrat rep has a so-called transgender child:

Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting.



This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) January 22, 2023

This is Clarks daughter at her arraignment:

Image from YouTube.

The pink shirt, earring, and eyeshadow do not obscure the fact that this is a healthy young man in the prime of his physical life.

Given that Bostons District Attorney, Kevin R. Haven, is a Democrat, in a Democrat city, in a Democrat state, Clark is probably correct to be optimistic about the outcome of the case against her son. What interests me more is how her son got to the point where he thinks hes a girl and that its all right to attack a police officer.

Clark has served in Congress for a decade. That means that, for a decade, her three children, beginning when Riley was 13, have had a mom who has lived with them only part-time in their Revere, Massachusetts, home. Some kids handle the absentee mom/single dad routine well; some dont.

Politically, Clark is pure leftist. To begin, shes pro-mandatory vaccinations and pro-abortion, something she managed to combine in one recent tweet:

#SCOTUS is refusing to uphold vaccine requirements while they chip away at abortion protections. So, "personal freedom" doesnt apply to everyone?   Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) January 14, 2022

She supports Black Lives Matter and is hostile to the police:

Once again, we face the death of a Black man at the hands of the police. #GeorgeFloyd, his family, friends, and city deserve justice. We must end racism and the resulting violence from the very institutions meant to protect us all. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) May 27, 2020

We need to change the federal statute so that it is easier to prosecute and hold officers accountable for crimes committed. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForAll #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) June 3, 2020

Praying for #JacobBlake.



Until we take action against racism and police brutality, tragedies will continue.



We cant wait another day to enact the #JusticeinPolicingAct. #BLM #BlackLivesMatter  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) August 24, 2020

She was among those who attacked President Trumps efforts to control the flow of illegal aliens across Americas southern border. (Since Biden took office, shes been silent about the border, along with the degradation of Texas border towns, the influx of fentanyl, and the human trafficking.)

Arrived at the Border Security Station in McAllen, Texas. We are here to ask question, get answers and demand reunification and respect for those arriving at our southern border. #ireallydocare #FamiliesBelongTogther pic.twitter.com/gcBzya7ULT  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) June 23, 2018

She supports gun reform, which really means gun control. She seems disinterested in criminal justice reform that includes punishing actual criminals and in changing the disrespect for life that permeates the most dangerous communities when it comes to guns:

Freedom to vote.

Freedom to marry who you love.

Freedom to live without debt.

Freedom to make your own health care decisions.

Freedom to live without fear of gun violence.



Your freedom over politics. Thats our promise. #PeopleOverPolitics  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) October 31, 2022

Shes completely committed to the anthropogenic climate change agenda, which includes returning the world to the nasty, brutish, and short pre-modern, pre-fossil fuel era.

Say it with me: #ClimateChange is an existential threat.  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) October 8, 2020

She acknowledged during an interview that climate change preaching has left one of her children in a state of existential terror: And let me tell you what it means to me coming in as a different generation. I remember my middle child waking up with nightmares over concern around climate change. To her credit, Clark is mostly quiet about her children, but it appears that Riley is her middle child.

Finally, Clark is all-in when it comes to so-called transgenderism, celebrating not just her sons abandonment of his biological reality but the entire principle that people can choose their own sex, including supporting the Equality Act, which gives LGBTQ+ rights above and beyond those guaranteed in the Constitution:

A young student asked me: what's Congress doing to protect trans people like him? He was terrified by the bigotry against him and all #LGBTQIA people.



Fears I've heard from my own non-binary child.



I vote for the #EqualityAct because no one is free until everyone is equal. pic.twitter.com/5NTplsS1Kz  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) February 25, 2021

As we close out #PrideMonth a reminder that we must include non-binary people, trans people, disabled LGBTQ+ people, and queer people of color in every celebration, every fight & every space.  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) June 30, 2021

Every person should be celebrated and free to live safely, regardless of their gender expression. Today, Riley and I are celebrating #InternationalNonBinaryPeoplesDay with a reminder that inclusivity and acceptance make our entire community stronger. We see you. pic.twitter.com/tyrygsAPaf  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) July 14, 2021

And there you have a great recipe for creating a gender-confused young man arrested for violently assaulting the police: Affluent leftist home, existential fear, hostility to the police, the denial of biological reality. Its all there. Again, I have no doubt that Clark and her husband genuinely love their children. I just suspect that their values have not served poor Riley well.
In August 1910, a Canadian steamship named Princess May ran aground near Sentinel Island, off the coast of Alaska, in the most spectacular fashion. The ship became wedged in the rocks, and when the water receded at low tide, the ship appeared to hang in the air completely out of water. An image that appears almost unreal was captured by a photographer, and that photograph circled the nation in newspapers, magazines and postcards. The wreck of the Princess May soon became one of the most recognizable shipwreck images in America.

Wreck of Princess May. Photo: William Howard

Princess May was built in England by the Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd. in 1888. The ship was initially named Cass when she joined the fleet of the Formosa Trading Company, based out of Taiwan. The arrival of Cass and her sister ship Smith at Taiwan was called the shipping event of the year for the China coast. The Formosa Trading Company was established by Taiwan's governor, Liu Mingchuan, following the advice of a former manager of China Merchant Steam Navigation Company. According to a historical source, the official reason for commissioning two steamers was to modernize Taiwan, however, the real objective was to rival the China Merchant Steam Navigation Company and its two allied English partners for passenger transport on the Yangtze River and between Shanghai and Tientsin.

However, the China Merchant Steam Navigation Company was able to frustrate this scheme, and the Formosa Trading Company became defunct. Cass was then run by a host of different companies under different names, including Arthur, Ningchow, and Hating. In 1901, after thirteen years servicing the Chinese coast, Cass was purchased by the newly organized Canadian Pacific Railway Coastal Service and renamed Princess May, after Mary of Teck, who was known as May and who would later become the Queen of England.

Photo: William R. Norton

On 5 August 1910, Princess May departed Skagway, Alaska, with 80 passengers and 68 crew and a shipment of gold. The ship was steaming down the Lynn Canal at 12 knots under heavy fog under the command of Captain John McLeo, when it stuck the rocks near the north end of Sentinel Island early in the morning. It was high tide and the momentum of the ship forced it well up onto the rocks, with the bow jutting upward at an angle of 23 degrees.

The hull was breached, through which water began to pour in and flooded the engine room, cutting off electrical power to the ships instruments, including its wireless set. The wireless operator, W.R. Keller, ran to the engine room and rigged an improvised electrical connection with the engine room telegraph battery, and using this was able to send out a wireless distress call before the engine room was completely flooded.

The close proximity of Sentinel Island helped prevent a major disaster. The passengers and crew were able to safely evacuate to the island, and the gold shipment was also secured. Later the passengers and crew were picked up by Princess Ena and other rescue ships and taken to Juneau.

To remove Princess May from the rocks, a Seattle-based salvage tug named Santa Cruz was brought in, as well as the William Jolliffe, one of the most powerful tugs on the British Columbia coast. The rocks were blasted and a temporary shipway was built, and after several failed attempts, the salvors were able to refloat the ship and tow it to port.

Princess May returned to service in less than a year, and remained with the Canadian Pacific Railway Coast Service for another nine years. In 1917, the steamer narrowly avoided disaster when it collided with another ship, the Jefferson, off the coast of British Columbia. The Princess May suffered little damage, while the Jefferson was severely damaged, but there were no injuries. In 1919, the Canadian Pacific Railway sold the Princess May to a company based in the Caribbean, where the ship continued to operate until the end of its active service. The ship was eventually scuttled in the 1930s.
Recent reports say that Google co-founders are looking for ways to tackle the Open ChatGPT platform. This AI-driven platform is proving to be a threat to Googles search business. Since its inception back in November 2022, some people have turned to it to get answers to various questions.

With its training, this AI-driven platform can answer even complex questions to the best of its ability. Sometimes its answers might be wrong, but this doesnt stop it from having a response to give users. Slowly, some people are abandoning Google search and relying on ChatGPT for their various research needs.

If left unchecked, OpenAI might cripple Googles search business. On its part, Google isnt having any of this, as the firm has initiated a code red plan to tackle ChatGPT. Now, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Google co-founders, are stepping into the playing field as well.

Googles co-founders seem to be a bit worried about ChatGPT chatbot

According to the New York Times, Google has called on their co-founders for help in tackling the ChatGPT threat. Sergey Brin and Larry Page have held several meetings with executives at Google. The outcome of these meetings would help Google square up against OpenAI in a bid to save the search business.

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Although full details on the meetings are not available, those familiar with the matter gave the public a brief on what to expect. To battle OpenAI, Google will integrate more chatbot features into its search engine. This will help improve the overall experience while using Googles search engine on any platform.

Already, Google has a ton of AI technology at its disposal, but most arent available to the public. Some of these AI technologies are PaLM and GPT-3, the latter has grown in popularity since the launch of ChatGPT. Google will need to integrate these technologies into more products that are accessible to the public.

Microsoft is also stepping up the competition by adding ChatGPT to its Bing search engine. This might make more users move over to Bing if Google doesnt take preventive measures. Over the coming months, Google will continue to test its AI technology to ensure it is safe for public usage.
TikTok, the popular social media platform, has recently come under scrutiny for its data privacy practices. Now, the European Union (EU) is pressuring TikTok to comply with the recently adopted Digital Services Act (DSA) or face a potential ban. The DSA, considered a gold standard for content and internet platform governance, provides for multiple sanctions, including a ban in the EU for repeated breaches that can threaten the life and safety of EU citizens.

This new regulation aims to bring popular social media companies, including TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, under the watchful eye of the act, as it applies to all platforms with over 45 million users in the EU.

TikToks compliance with the DSA

Ever since reports of TikTok employees accessing US data emerged last year, the EU has raised concerns about its data privacy practices. In response, the company has been in discussions with the EU about data safety, misinformation, and compliance with the DSA. However, in a recent video call, EU commissioner Breton emphasized TikTok must begin adhering to these rules well before the September 1st deadline. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to 6% of TikToks annual revenue, or even a ban on operating in the EU.

Breton said that with a younger audience comes greater responsibility for the platform. TikTok responded to the EU by committing to following the rules outlined in the DSA and other regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Code of Practice on Disinformation.

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TikToks director of public policy, Caroline Greer, tweeted that Chew and Breton had a good exchange during their meeting, stating that the company welcomed the opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the #DSA. We also outlined our efforts to ensure compliance with the GDPR & the Code of Practice on Disinformation. The safety of our users is paramount.
Nokia has signed a multi-year 5G patent license agreement with Samsung. As part of this agreement, the Finnish telecom equipment maker will give the Korean firm access to its fundamental inventions in 5G and other technologies. The two parties didnt disclose the terms of the deal.

According to a press release from Nokia, this deal is effective from January 1, 2023. The two companies signed the new cross-license patent agreement following the expiry of a previous deal at the end of 2022. The Finning firm doesnt reveal whether its just an extension of the existing partnership or some terms have changed. However, it does confirm that Samsung will pay royalties for the licensed patents and technologies from the beginning of this year.

Nokia is one of the worlds leading companies when it comes to 5G technologies. It holds more than 4,500 patent families declared essential to 5G. Overall, the firms patent portfolio consists of around 20,000 patent families. Nokia says it has invested more than 130 billion (over $140 billion) in R&D (research and development) since 2000. It licenses these patented technologies to other companies and earns royalties from them. Samsung is one of its biggest partners.

Samsung is a leader in the smartphone industry, and we are delighted to have reached an amicable agreement with them, said Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies. The agreement gives both companies the freedom to innovate, and reflects the strength of Nokias patent portfolio, decades-long investments in R&D, and contributions to cellular standards and other technologies.

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Samsung recently signed a similar 5G patent license agreement with Huawei

This isnt the first major 5G patent license agreement Samsung has signed in recent months. We reported last month that the Korean firm has agreed to a similar deal with beleaguered Chinese tech giant Huawei, which has made patent licensing an important source of revenue following the US sanctions. These deals suggest the worlds largest smartphone vendor is giving a renewed push to 5G technologies. Unfortunately, we dont know what 5G technologies Samsung is obtaining from Nokia and Huawei.

Its worth noting that Samsung already holds the highest number of patents globally. The South Korean conglomerate has over 300,000 patents against its name around the world. Last year, it registered 8,513 utility patents in the US alone, overthrowing International Business Machines Corporation, popularly known as IBM, from the top spot after 29 years. The latter registered 4,743 patents in the US last year, dropping to the second spot after almost three decades.
Samsung has released the January 2023 Android security patch for a couple more Galaxy devices. The Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A41 are the latest recipients of the new security update. The Korean firm has already updated dozens of other Galaxy smartphones and tablets to this months SMR (Security Maintenance Release).

The January SMR for the Galaxy A53 5G is currently available in Taiwan and a few Latin American countries, including Brazil, Paraguay, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago. The updated firmware versions for the phone in the two regions are A5360ZHS4BWA2 and A536EXXS4BWA4, respectively. Samsung should expand this release to more markets in the coming days, including the US. The build number may vary slightly in each region, but the content should remain the same.

Meanwhile, if youre using the Galaxy A41, the latest security update for your phone is already available widely. The new SMR is available in pretty much the whole of Europe. The device is getting this update with firmware build number A415FXXS2DWA2 (via). This 2020 mid-range smartphone from Samsung didnt arrive in the US, but users in other markets where it was sold can expect to receive the latest security update sooner rather than later.

Samsung has already revealed that the January SMR for its Galaxy devices patches more than 70 privacy and security vulnerabilities. These include over 50 high-severity patches that are part of Googles latest ASB (Android Security Bulletin). These vulnerabilities affect every Android device that features a compromised component. Along with those, Samsung also patched 20 Galaxy-specific vulnerabilities this month. These issues dont exist on Android products from other brands.

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The Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A41 join Samsungs January update party

The latest update for the Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A41 doesnt bring any new features or changes. Its all about this months vulnerability fixes. The former recently picked up Android 13. The latter, on the other hand, will not get the new Android version. It debuted with Android 10 and will end its life on Android 12. Security patches will also come few and far between. This is the first firmware release for the Galaxy A41 in about six months.

If youre using either of these Samsung smartphones, watch out for an update in the coming days. You should be notified once the OTA (over the air) package hits your Galaxy A53 5G or Galaxy A41 unit. You can also go to Settings > Software update and tap on Download and install to check for updates manually.
(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 23 - Optimism that Egypt may start helping Italy to find the murderers of Italian student Giulio Regeni does not mean that everything in bilateral relations is OK, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said after being accused of spurring false hopes by saying his talks with President Abdel Fattah e-Sisi had been positive on the student tortured to death in Cairo in early 2016.

Tajani said after meeting Sisi in the Egyptian capital Sunday that he had been "reassured on the case of Regeni, for whose murder Rome prosecutors are seeking four Egyptian intelligence officers.

Regeni's parents dismissed this optimism in an interview with Rome daily la Repubblica Monday saying that Cairo's collaboration in notifying the officers of their indictment, and thus allowing a trial in absentia to proceed, had been and continued to be "non-existent".

The four officers are National Security General Tariq Sabir and his subordinates, Colonels Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Uhsam Helmi, and Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif.

The Italian justice ministry said last month that it has had no response from Egypt over its calls for cooperation in the case of the four Egyptian intelligence officers suspected of Regeni's abduction, torture and murder.

The trial against the four has been suspended after a Rome court ruled that it could not go ahead because the defendants had not been notified of its existence.

Italy has been trying to notify the four officers of their indictments in order to proceed with their trial in absentia but the efforts ran into a brick wall last year after Cairo refused to help locate them.

Regeni, a Cambridge University doctoral researcher, was tortured to death while in Egypt to work on research into Cairo street hawkers' unions. His mother only recognised his body by the tip of his nose.

A fresh hearing in the case has been set for February 13 in Rome.

Tajani said Monday that Sisi had shown a new willingness to collaborate on the case.

In Egypt "we raised the issue of Regeni because we need to know and to hit those who murdered this boy. I put the problem to the President of the Egyptian Republic and to the Foreign Minister, and the President was the first to raise the issue by saying that he will do everything to remove the obstacles that have made relations between Italy and his country difficult. I want to be optimistic, but that does not mean that everything is OK.

We will continue to monitor but it seems to me that I have seen a new and different willingness compared to the past", Tajani said on Radio 24. (ANSA).


Biden's classified garage docudrama

By Mark Alexander

web posted January 23, 2023

Warning: If you are prone to fainting spells, better get out the smelling salts. You'll be shocked  shocked  to learn that Joe Biden is a "lying dog-faced pony soldier," as are his key administration handlers.

On January 9, we learned that Biden's personal attorneys found classified documents at the office he used after his tenure as Barack Obama's contemptible and corrupt vice president. But those documents were actually "found" on November 2, just prior to the GOP's midterm election fizzle. On November 4, still four days before the election, the National Archives contacted the Justice Department confirming the documents have been secured.

A day after the election, the FBI began its "assessment" to determine if any federal laws had been violated in the misappropriation of the documents. Ten days after the election, Biden's attorney general, Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel, tough federal prosecutor Jack Smith, to investigate the classified documents retained by Donald Trump  Garland knowing full well about the documents discovered in Biden's possession but saying not a word.

So, after all the Democrat Party outrage last August regarding classified documents retained by Trump in secure storage at his Mar-a-Lago compound, outrage propagated by the Demo Leftmedia talkingheads and scribes despite the fact that the National Archives knew the documents were there, now comes news of classified documents discovered in Biden's office. And those documents were taken without any National Archives record. Furthermore, this discovery was kept secret until long after the midterm election in order to give Biden political cover.

Who can forget that highly publicized early morning FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, with full-court press coverage?

On December 20, Biden's personal attorney informed the Justice Department about additional classified documents found in the garage of Biden's Delaware home.

But it was not until January 12, days after information about the first Biden documents was leaked to the press, that Biden himself disclosed that more classified documents were discovered in his garage in a cardboard box next to his Corvette convertible. Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy baited Biden with this question: "Classified materials, next to your Corvette? What were you thinking?" Biden laughingly responded: "My Corvette's in a locked garage, okay? So it's not like they're sitting out on the street. ... As I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified material seriously."

Seriously, he said that.

Biden's lawyer, Richard Sauber, assured the public, "We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the President and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake." So, if I understand this correctly, Biden takes "classified documents and classified material seriously," except for when it is in a box in his "locked garage."

Sauber's remark prompted my friend, Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), the new House DHS chairman, to inquire: "OK, I give up. Why, why, why are Biden's 'personal attorneys' who have no security clearance, searching for additional classified documents instead of the FBI?" Of course, Mark knows the answer  as do we all! Can't have the FBI poking around in Biden's house and garage, where they might find more evidence from Hunter Biden incriminating the "Big Guy" and the Biden family crime syndicate.

Ultimately, Biden's announcement also prompted AG Garland to appoint a special counsel, Robert Hur, former Maryland U.S. Attorney and a career Beltway FBI insider. According to Garland, "This appointment underscores for the public the department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters and to make decisions indisputably guided only by the facts, and the law."

Seriously, he said that.

In fact, Biden is out of excuses, and the Garland appointment is another thick layer of protection for the administration, providing Biden political cover as all questions about the documents can now be referred to the Justice Department, where no questions will be answered. As political analyst Brit Hume noted, "The appointment of a special council gives the president and his team of way of saying, 'Oh, sorry, this matter is under investigation. We can't comment about it.'"

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley notes: "The discovery of a fourth set of classified documents at the Biden residence in Delaware has further undermined the White House's virtual mantra that the president 'takes classified documents very seriously.' ... It's strange Biden did not use security officers or the FBI to conduct further searches. The president has a host of people who regularly handle classified material. So why use the lawyers? The answer appears the same as in the case of Hillary Clinton's emails: control. Using private counsel allows Biden to raise attorney-client privilege. The key is that unlike FBI agents, these lawyers are not acting on behalf of the public interest but for the president's personal interests."

Turley concludes: "With Mar-a-Lago, the FBI was criticized for staging documents to be shown in the storage room. The photos were then leaked to an eager media. There will be no staged photos of documents alongside Time magazine covers for Biden."

In fact, The Wall Street Journal reports that the DOJ declined to have FBI agents monitor the Biden document search, in effect saving Biden's bacon. Who could have predicted that?

Trying to reframe the subterfuge, Biden's pinch hitter in charge of deflecting inquiries, his weaselly designated obfuscator, Ian Sams, insists that Republican demands for an investigation "should be met with skepticism, and they should face questions themselves about why they are politicizing this issue, and admitting they actually do not care about the underlying classified material."

Seriously, he said that.

Hmm, who set the precedent for "politicizing this issue" when in fact they "do not care about the underlying classified material"?

Of course, some Demos are feigning an interest in the facts. Rep. Adam Schiff insists: "We have asked for an assessment in the intelligence community of the Mar-a-Lago documents. I think we ought to get that same assessment of the documents found in the think tank, as well as the home, of President Biden. ... I'd like to know what the [intelligence community's] assessment is, whether there was any risk of exposure and what the harm would be and whether any mitigation needs to be done."

There is even speculation that some of Biden's supporters are cooling on his 2024 prospects. However, let me restate this: Biden is NOT RUNNING in 2024.

That notwithstanding, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), who once expressed concern in House testimony that the island of Guam might capsize due to an increased U.S. military presence, exposed what is really going on with these documents: "Things can be planted, uh, things can be planted in places, uh, and then, discovered, conveniently, that may be what happened here."

Finally, for context, let's review the Demos' diversionary modus operandi.

Back in 2020, we detailed how Democrats and their deep state actors attempted to impeach Trump for what then-Vice President Biden actually did in 2015 in a corrupt quid pro quo with Ukrainian officials on behalf of Hunter Biden's Burisma outfit.

In August of last year, we detailed how Demos and their deep staters are attempting to indict Trump for Hillary Clinton's massive classified documents crime.

Again, as I have stated many times before, "If not for double standards, Democrats would have no standards."

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 23 - A fresco from Pompeii is among 60 archaeological finds that have been returned from the United States where they had been sold by international art traffickers, Italy's crack art cops said Monday.

The works, worth over $20 million, have returned to Italy thanks to the collaboration between the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC), Italy's world-famous art cops, and the New York County District Attorney's Office (DAO).

Among the recovered artifacts is a Pompeian fresco from clandestine excavations in the Vesuvian area, showing the Baby Hercules with Snake, dating back to the 1st century AD .

"This is a great success against illicit trafficking," commented Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano.

The works were recovered from public and private American collections and one top collector was banned for life from buying antiquities as a consequence of the TPC's work. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 23 - Italy is not part of the debate about Ukraine's request to send German Leopard 2 tanks to help fight off the Russian invasion, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Monday.

Berlin has so far not agreed to send the formidable fighting machines and has urged countries that have them to also not do so, although Poland has said it will ignore that request. Italy "is not part of the debate on sending tanks to Ukraine", Tajani said on the sidelines of the foreign affairs council in Brussels, confirming that the issue was discussed at the meeting of the 27 but will continue at a "bilateral" level. (ANSA).


ALGIERS - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Sunday flew to Algiers for a two-day visit focusing on energy, gas and industrial development opportunities - central themes for her first official bilateral trip abroad. During her visits to Algiers, the prime minister is expected to start laying the foundations of the so-called Mattei Plan, inspired by Enrico Mattei, the founder of energy giant ENI that positioned the sector at the centre of Italy's economic boom. Mattei died in 1962. The premier's idea is to cooperate with African countries to turn Italy into an energy hub of the Mediterranean.



The scenario is interesting for Algeria, a country which has become Italy's top natural gas provider as a consequence of the war in Ukraine. And if Rome has found a way to replace Russia, Algiers has found the path it was seeking to reduce its reliance on oil sales, which has led the country to suffer recurring crises each time the crude oil prices plummet.



Algeria, an historic partner of Moscow and its third-largest arms buyer, in April abstained from a UN motion against Russia and voted against suspending the country from the Human Rights Council.



"Algeria is a friend of all countries, except those who don't want it: it does not depend on any diplomatic sphere of influence", Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told the newspaper L'Expression. The president is meeting Meloni on Monday and will travel to Paris in May. He has not ruled out a mission to Moscow.



Italy and Algeria have signed a memorandum of agreement for cooperation in the space sector and are committed in the automotive, shipbuilding, tourism and agricultural sectors.



Indeed agreements will be made at the end of the visit of the Italian delegation, including ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi and the president of industrialists union, Carlo Bonomi.



From the prime minister's perspective, promoting a Mattei Plan can also have a positive impact on the management of migration flows from Africa. In the short term, however, Meloni is asking the EU to change its approach. And she is expected to highlight this stance at a European Council on February 9-10, after illustrating Italy's position to partners in the coming weeks. The premier is scheduled to travel on February 3 to Stockholm, in Sweden, the country which holds the EU's rotating presidency, and could be headed to Berlin before going to Brussels.




Italy recovers 60 of its archaeological artworks from abroad Culture Minister Sangiuliano says 'still much to be done'

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 23 - There is much to be done on recovering stolen Italian art works abroad despite a string of recent successes including, most recently, some 60 archaeological artifacts from US private and public museums including a famous Pompeian fresco of the baby Hercules killing a snake, Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said in presenting the latest art cop coup Monday.



"What we are presenting today is the result of a choral activity of international cooperation, but much still needs to be done on this front," he said.



"We have a duty to guarantee legal certainty also in this area: we must ensure that the works are returned to the places from which they were stolen.



"Legal certainty must be a guarantee of civilisation and respect for national and international laws, for treaties that prevent the illegal export of works of art," said the minister.



Italy is among the most plundered countries in the world by tomb raiders and traffickers, since it contains an estimated three quarters of global art.



Despite the depredations, the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit, TPC, have a long and fine record in recovering stolen ancient masterpieces.



Many of these returns have come via accords with museums abroad, especially in the United States.



New York's Metropolitan Museum is to return 21 looted antiquities to Italy, the New York Times reported recently in the wake of the announcement of the return of a famed Magna Graecia statuary group from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.



Prosecutors in New York have been seizing the antiquities over the last few months, the New York Times said.



According to the investigators, eight of the pieces came into the museum's collections via Gianfranco Becchina, a Sicilian art dealer with a gallery in Switzerland who has been the focus of several trials in Italy.



The works are worth some 13 million dollars.



Among them, valued at three million, is a colossal marble head of Athena dated to 200 BC and a terracotta Etruscan kylix attributed to the Painter of Villa Giulia that was made around 470 BC, and which the Met bought from Becchina's Basel gallery in 1979. Another piece, a terracotta stauette of a goddess dating to 400 BC, had been donated in 200 by Robin Symes, the British collector involved in the sale of the colossal Venus of Morgantina, acquired by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for 18 million dollars in 1988 and returned to Italy amid fanfare in 2007.



On August 12 the Getty Museum in Los Angeles said it would return a famed and illicitly exported Ancient Greek statuary group, Orpheus and the Sirens, to Italy.



The groups includes life-size terracotta figures of a poet and two sirens, or mythical singing mermaids who lured sailors to their deaths.



It was discovered in Puglia and dates back to the fourth century BC, when Magna Graecia culture was at its peak in southern Italy.



Italy had been seeking to get it back since 2006.



Manhattan prosecutor Matthew Bogdanos recently proved that the group was exported from Italy illegally.



The prosecutor's efforts also recently resulted in the return to Italy of 142 other antiquities, mostly from the collection of New York financier Michael Steinhardt.



Bogdanos specified that the Orpheus group had been seized from the Getty, which had thus "left out half the truth" in announcing its return.



Bogdanos also told ANSA that "we investigate people, not museums," saying that other art dealers in the investigators' cross-hairs included the notorious Giacomo Medici, and another Italian antiquities merchant, Pasquale Camera.



Another six Ancient Egyptian works that were recently confiscated will be returned to Egypt, prosecutors told the NYT.



(ANSA).




France: bakers demonstrate against soaring energy prices Association seeks more help from government

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, 23 GEN - Bakers in France have been asked to strike - in the so-called 'baguette strike' - against soaring energy prices despite aid announced at the beginning of the year by the government. Some of them will protest on Monday afternoon in Paris, in Place de la Nation, at the initiative of 'Collectif pour la survie de la boulangerie et de l'artisanat' (Collective for the survival of bakeries and craft). Protesters are demanding new State aid.



But not everybody agrees, including the president of the Confederation nationale de la boulangerie et boulangerie-patisserie francaise, Dominique Anract, who expressed satisfaction over the open attitude shown by the government so far in an interview to the newspaper Ouest-France.



Aid has been provided in France. On January 3, the government pledged fiscal cuts for 'boulangeries' affected by high energy bills. Premier Elisabeth Borne said bakers can now "ask to postpone tax and social security payments" to ease expenses. But some bakers have denounced that bureaucratic procedures are too complicated to obtain aid and that they don't have time to follow them.



The baguette is one of France's symbols. The famous loaf of bread with its crunchy crust and soft interior was added last November to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.



(ANSAmed)
EU nearly 100% free from Russian energy reliance, Borrell European diplomacy chief: Germany doesn't use Russian energy

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, 23 GEN - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told Spanish newspaper Abc in an interview published on Monday that "it is necessary to note something very important that has perhaps been overlooked by the media: Europe is almost entirely free from its Russian energy reliance".



"In the specific case of Germany, which was one of the countries that most contributed to such dependence, the country is now 100% free. Germany is not consuming Russian gas, oil or coal. This appeared impossible three months ago and shows Europe's ability to adapt", Borrell said in the interview.



(ANSAmed).




No Sweden in NATO if it doesn't respect Islam, says Erdogan Turkish leader criticizes Koran-burning protest in Stockholm

(ANSAmed) - ROME, 23 GEN - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech broadcast by Turkish State television Trt that "Sweden's administration shouldn't talk about rights and freedom; first, they have to show respect for the faith of religious people. If there will be no respect, we will not support" Stockholm's bid to join NATO. Erdogan was criticizing right-wing Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan who recently burned a copy of the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. "No individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims", stated the Turkish president. (ANSAmed).




Energy mix is solution to crisis, Meloni says in Algeria Premier visits North African country to increase gas imports

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 23 - Premier Giorgia Meloni stressed the importance of having an "energy mix" on Monday during a visit to Algeria to sign more agreements to strengthen Italy's partnership in this sphere with the North African country.



Italy has struck deals with several countries to boost alternative sources of energy since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and Algeria has replaced Russia as Italy's biggest supplier of gas.



"Today Algeria is a our main gas supplier," Meloni said. "Two agreements have been signed by (Italian energy giant) Eni and its Algerian counterpart. "An agreement to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, so one that is for sustainable development. Another to increase Algeria's gas exports to Italy and the EU, the development of a new pipeline for hydrogen and the possibility to have liquefied gas. In short, it is a energy-mix mechanism that we have identified as a possible solution to the ongoing crisis".



She added that she could see Italy becoming "the port of access, a sort of energy-distribution hub". Meloni also spoke about the need for the EU to have a coherent approach to aid to enable businesses to stay competitive following the shock they have endured in terms of soaring energy prices.



She said Italy would raise this issue at the next European Council summit.



Italy should have weaned itself off its reliance on Russian gas imports by the winter of 2024-25, Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said during the visit.



"I am optimistic we will be able to being down Russian supplies of gas to zero in the winter of 2024-2025," Descalzi said.



"I'd say that, if we continue as we are, things will go in the right direction". (ANSA).




Mediterranean is strategic for Italy, says Meloni in Algiers PMs official visit - accords on gas, industry, space

(ANSAmed) - ALGIERS, 23 GEN - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Sunday flew to Algiers for a two-day visit focusing on energy, gas and industrial development opportunities - central themes for her first official bilateral trip abroad. During her visits to Algiers, the prime minister is expected to start laying the foundations of the so-called Mattei Plan, inspired by Enrico Mattei, the founder of energy giant ENI that positioned the sector at the centre of Italy's economic boom. Mattei died in 1962. The premier's idea is to cooperate with African countries to turn Italy into an energy hub of the Mediterranean.



The scenario is interesting for Algeria, a country which has become Italy's top natural gas provider as a consequence of the war in Ukraine. And if Rome has found a way to replace Russia, Algiers has found the path it was seeking to reduce its reliance on oil sales, which has led the country to suffer recurring crises each time the crude oil prices plummet.



Algeria, an historic partner of Moscow and its third-largest arms buyer, in April abstained from a UN motion against Russia and voted against suspending the country from the Human Rights Council.



"Algeria is a friend of all countries, except those who don't want it: it does not depend on any diplomatic sphere of influence", Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told the newspaper L'Expression. The president is meeting Meloni on Monday and will travel to Paris in May. He has not ruled out a mission to Moscow.



Italy and Algeria have signed a memorandum of agreement for cooperation in the space sector and are committed in the automotive, shipbuilding, tourism and agricultural sectors.



Indeed agreements will be made at the end of the visit of the Italian delegation, including ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi and the president of industrialists union, Carlo Bonomi.



From the prime minister's perspective, promoting a Mattei Plan can also have a positive impact on the management of migration flows from Africa. In the short term, however, Meloni is asking the EU to change its approach. And she is expected to highlight this stance at a European Council on February 9-10, after illustrating Italy's position to partners in the coming weeks. The premier is scheduled to travel on February 3 to Stockholm, in Sweden, the country which holds the EU's rotating presidency, and could be headed to Berlin before going to Brussels. (ANSAmed).




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.
Thousands of ambulance workers are staging more strikes as the Chancellor was urged to find the money to pay health workers fairly in order to end the walkouts.

Up to 15,000 Unison ambulance workers are striking on Monday for the third time in five weeks, and will be joined by 5,000 of their NHS colleagues at two hospital trusts in Liverpool.

Further strikes are planned in the coming weeks by nurses and other NHS workers.

Unions have accused the Government of not wanting to find a resolution to what has become an escalating and bitter dispute over pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said a double-digit pay rise must be offered to striking NHS staff, but described the Government as appearing willing to talk about anything, but they wont talk about pay.

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said the solution is simple and staring the Government in the face but that most ministers look like theyd rather dig in and do nothing instead of boost pay.

Ms McAnea accused Chancellor Jeremy Hunt of blocking progress.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has described having had constructive talks with unions about this coming years pay process for 2023/24 but unions have been calling for the 2022/23 pay award to be reviewed.

Steve Barclay said further strike action by ambulance workers this week is hugely disappointing and will inevitably cause disruption to healthcare.

Sharon Graham has accused the Government of not being an honest negotiating partner (Jacob King/PA)

Thousands of members of Unison, Unite and the GMB unions are walking out across England and Wales on Monday.

From 7am, paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians, other 999 crew members and control room staff across five services in England  London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West  were joining picket lines.

Porters, cleaners, nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants, theatre staff and other NHS workers at the Liverpool University Hospitals Trust and the citys Heart and Chest Hospital are also out on strike.

On Sunday, Ms Graham indicated a 10% pay rise would be considered by union members, saying Labour should show real leadership by coming out and saying that is what it would offer if it was the party in power.

Last week, Mr Barclay appeared to rule out a 10% pay rise for nurses, saying it was not affordable.

Ms Graham accused the Government of either being incompetent when it comes to negotiations, or wanting to privatise the NHS.

She told Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday: The public is supporting that pay rise as we can see from surveys, and weve got the employer, in this instance the Government, who will talk about anything, but they wont talk about pay.

She described Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as being missing in action and said she believed the Government was either at an unreal level of incompetence in terms of negotiating or looking at this as the moment they can privatise the NHS.

In what appeared to be a sign of poor relations between the Government and unions, Ms Graham accused ministers of lying and not being an honest partner at the other side of the table.

She said: Im negotiating with somebody at the moment that I dont think wants resolution, and thats a real problem.

Ambulance workers are due to go on strike again on Monday (Victoria Jones/PA)

Ms McAnea said: The solution to the growing NHS crisis is staring the Government in the face. Its simple, all the Chancellor needs to do is find the money to pay health workers fairly.

The public wants the Government to end the dispute, so do NHS staff, but most ministers look like theyd rather dig in and do nothing instead of boost pay and help turn the ailing NHS around.

She added: Its strange that its the Chancellor blocking progress. Jeremy Hunt knows the NHS better than anyone in the Cabinet.

As health secretary, he negotiated the wage deal to end the 2015 NHS strike and pushed for fair pay when Health Select Committee chair. But as Chancellor hes chosen to forget all that.

Stuart Richards, GMB senior organiser, said: Instead of working to solve the problems, this Government has demonised the ambulance workers who provided life and limb cover on strike days.

Tomorrow, some services may be affected due to strike action. Please continue to come forward for NHS care, if you need medical help use 111 online, and in emergencies, please call 999. https://t.co/x5p5WhBDJD pic.twitter.com/BKSYUjHDzN  NHS England (@NHSEngland) January 22, 2023

The only way to solve this dispute is a proper pay offer. We are waiting.

In a statement on Sunday Mr Barclay said: It is hugely disappointing some ambulance workers are continuing to take industrial action. While we have contingency plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety, there will inevitably be further disruption.

It is important people continue coming forward for treatment  call 999 in life threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 online, local pharmacies and GP services for non-life threatening care.

I have had constructive talks with unions about this coming years pay process for 2023/24, and am keen to continue talking about what is affordable and fair.

NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said: As with other ambulance strikes, the message to patients remains that it is vital to come forward and seek emergency care if needed.

This includes calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies as well as using 111 online for other health needs where you will receive clinical advice on the best next steps to take.

People should also continue to use local services such as pharmacies and general practice as they normally would which arent impacted by strike action.

February 6 is likely to see the biggest strike action the NHS has ever experienced, with thousands of nurses and ambulance workers due to stage walkouts if no deal has been reached by then.
A trio of record-breaking Scottish brothers are launching a new art exhibition for charity.

Jamie, Ewan and Lachlan MacLean were the youngest trio and the fastest trio to ever row the Atlantic, in just 35 days.

The trio, who have already raised 200,000 for charity through their record-breaking efforts, plan to host an art exhibition in Edinburgh as well as auctioning paintings.

The brothers were left paintings by artist Bridget Levers Cox when she died last year, and the trio are auctioning her entire collection to raise money for clean water projects in developing communities around the world.

The trio with their father Charles MacLean (Elaine Livingstone/PA)

The posthumous exhibition is set to take place on March 5 at Summerhall, Edinburgh.

Jamie MacLean, who was Bridgets godson, said: We remain deeply saddened by Bridgets passing. She was so supportive to us throughout our lives, especially when it came to our efforts to row across the Atlantic to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar.

It was only right that we shared her work with the world and used the proceeds to help others who are less fortunate. Thats the best tribute possible and perfectly fitting. Her work is incredible and when people see it, Im sure it will prove to be popular and provide much-needed support to people who need it.

The artist was a close friend of the trios father, Charles MacLean, one of the worlds leading whisky experts.

After spending 30 years in County Galway, the Lake District-born artist moved back to Scotland in 2000.

Her work was exhibited in France, Dublin, Belfast, Galway, London, and Carlisle.

Her talent was recognised internationally in 2019 when a painting was included in the National Portrait Gallerys International Portrait Competition  described as the most prestigious portrait painting competition in the world.

Of 2,538 entrants in 2019 from 84 countries, Bridgets was one of only 44 pictures chosen.

Charles MacLean said: Her talent was prodigious, as I think this exhibition demonstrates, ranging from portraiture and still life, to landscape and abstract painting.

We were brought up together and she was like a sister to me. She was a quintessential artist: self-centred, self-doubting but self-sufficient.

Bridget had a rich, varied, and eventful life, living through the depths of depression to the peaks of creativity. She enriched the lives of those who knew her in so many ways  although she was probably unaware of it.
Unions have accused the Government of trying to pit worker against worker as they called for an end to hostility and racism against migrant workers.

Some 21 trade unions have signed a migrant workers pledge, vowing to stand in solidarity with a group they described as a vital part of our labour movement and our communities.

The organisations, including Unison, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, said all workers in the UK deserve safety at work, decent pay and protection.

The pledge stated: No worker should lose their job or be pushed into poverty, unsustainable debt, homelessness or unsafe housing simply because of the colour of their skin or where they were born.

No worker should be vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and unable to report mistreatment, out of fear of losing their job or being removed from the country.

The statement was co-ordinated by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), which said the pledge comes amid a renewed commitment to the hostile environment by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The JCWI cited the December announcement by Mr Sunak of an aim to increase raids on illegal working by 50%, as well as the Governments controversial anti-strike proposals.

The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill would require minimum levels of service during industrial action from ambulance staff, firefighters, railway workers and those in other sectors deemed essential.

Unions and opposition MPs have condemned the proposals as unworkable and there are fears workers could be sacked if they refuse to work strike days.

The unions pledge stated: We stand against this Governments attempts to pit worker against worker, and recognise that united we are stronger. An injury to one is an injury to all.

Signatories vowed to strive to advance the rights of undocumented workers, who remain at the sharpest end of workplace precarity, and will work to secure their ability to unionise.

They also called for an end to temporary visa schemes which they said put migrant workers at risk of exploitation and abuse; urged a separation between immigration enforcement and labour inspectorates to ensure everyone can safely report abuse and exploitation; and called on employers not to assist the Home Office with immigration raids.

A JCWI spokesperson said: Every worker should be able to report abuse or mistreatment theyve suffered on the job without fear, but this Government is currently prioritising anti-migrant hostility over exploitation-free workplaces.

The only people this benefits are predatory bosses. Levelled-up rights for migrant workers, on the other hand, would benefit all workers.
An asylum-seeker who stabbed a young man to death in a row over an e-scooter has previously been convicted of murder in Serbia, it can be revealed.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai was sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence in his absence following a trial over the killing in Serbia, a preliminary hearing for the UK court case heard.

And he had also been convicted of drug-dealing in Italy and given a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty, the court heard.

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin told Salisbury Crown Court: Two people were shot dead outside a refugee area by a petrol station.

Evidence seems to come from a taxi driver who drove people to the scene and they see a photograph and they point the defendant out as the person they drove.

And there was evidence from someone, who in this country would be considered a co-defendant, also was given at the trial.

The court heard the Serbian authorities were seeking his extradition but the UK courts were unlikely to deport him without an automatic right to appeal as he was convicted in his absence.

The court was told that Abdulrahimzai arrived in the UK in 2019 as an asylum seeker and claimed he was 14 at that time and 16 at the time of the Bournemouth incident.

But an age determination hearing held by the court in the run up to the trial used an examination of the defendants teeth and the judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, ruled that he was actually 21 years old, assigning him the date of birth of October 7 2001.

The court heard that he had believed he was the younger age because that was what he had been told by an uncle while still in Afghanistan.

Abdulrahimzai told the trial that it was normal for people in Afghanistan to not know their dates of birth due to a lack of education, and his uncle had told him the incorrect date.

During the trial at Salisbury Crown Court for the murder of Thomas Roberts in Bournemouth, the defendant, who had a fascination with knives admitted stabbing the 21-year-old who died of his injuries.

Abdulrahimzai was convicted of murder by majority after 12 hours of jury deliberations on Monday.

In the months before the incident, Abdulrahimzai shared pictures of himself posing with a knife about 10in long on the social media and video sharing app TikTok.

He had been seen carrying a knife by his foster parent, who had warned him not to, and had also been warned by police and social workers of the dangers of carrying a knife.

Abdulrahimzai told the court that he carried a knife because he was fearing for his life because there were people from Afghanistan who wanted to kill him, and he had also had death threats in Bournemouth.

The defendant said he posted photos of his knife on TikTok to get followers from people out there liking knives.

Abdulrahimzai told the court his parents were killed when the Taliban planted bombs at his family home, as they suspected them of colluding with American forces.

He said: I have seen some explosions not very far away. There was an American base not far from where we lived and the Taliban would come and demand things and there would be fighting and gunshots.

They used heavy weapons like rocket launchers. They planted bombs around my house, I was at my uncles house at the time, when I came home my parents were dead. I saw their body parts and a lot of blood.

Abdulrahimzai said he was then captured and tortured by the Taliban for up to three weeks before being dumped and left for dead on the side of a road.

The jury was shown photographs of scarring all over his body which he says was caused by the torture, during which he was beaten with the butts of rifles and injured with knives.

However, a passer-by rescued him, tended to his wounds and put him back in touch with his uncle, who arranged for him to leave Afghanistan.

He first went to Serbia through Pakistan and Iran in October 2015, before arriving in Norway later that month with a friend he considered to be like an adopted brother.

Abdulrahimzai then left Norway and spent some time in Italy and Serbia.

He applied for asylum in Norway, but when his application was refused in December 2019, he left out of fear of being deported back to Afghanistan and arrived in the UK in Poole, Dorset, in the same month.
Sherry Cola poses for a portrait to promote the film "Shortcomings" at the Latinx House during the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP)

PARK CITY, Utah (AP)  For actor Sherry Cola, the mass shooting in her hometown of Monterey Park, California, left her devastated ahead of the premiere of the new film Shortcomings at the Sundance Film Festival.

I definitely cried myself to sleep, to be honest, because this is Monterey Park, California, like where I grew up, the 626, San Gabriel Valley, Cola said. This is where my Buddhist temple is, you know? Like all my friends I grew up with they were born in Monterey Park. Its this hometown that Im so proud to call my hometown.

Shortcomings is the story of three friends who are Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) living the Bay Area and finding themselves. Saturday nights shooting left the cast  including Cola, Randall Park, Justin H. Min and Ally Maki  with the difficult task of mourning the victims while speaking about the film ahead of its Sunday premiere in Park City, Utah.

A gunman killed 10 people Saturday night in Monterey Park, a city of about 60,000 people on the eastern edge of Los Angeles that is composed mostly of Asian immigrants from China or first-generation Asian Americans. The massacre derailed Lunar New Year celebrations and sent fear through Monterey Park and other nearby communities with large Asian American populations.

Cola was still processing her emotions on Sunday morning, with limited information available and a search still underway for the gunman.

Its just a reminder, as we premiere this film today, celebrating unapologetic, authentic AAPI voices in a different way, its just a reminder that we still have to reclaim our validation as human beings in this country and in this industry, Cola said.

We have this beautiful film today that we still want to, you know, talk about, Cola added. And I think by talking about it is moving the culture and community forward. I think to just show each other grace and having each others backs is all we can do, you know?

Park, who directed the film, added Regardless of whatever information comes out, its just so, so infuriating.

At a Sundance lounge nearby, a moment in silence was held for the victims.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Janet Yellen has knocked hopes the US could issue a $1 trillion platinum coin to keep out of debt default.

The Treasury Secretary told the WSJ that the Federal Reserve wouldn't back the #MintTheCoin plan.

The US hit the $31.4 trillion debt limit Thursday, forcing the Treasury to take extraordinary measures.

Janet Yellen has crushed hopes the US Treasury could mint a $1 trillion platinum coin to help cover the country's bills as it struggles with a debt default.

Under the #MintTheCoin plan, the White House would tell the US Mint to issue a $1 trillion platinum coin, which would then be deposited at the Federal Reserve. The Biden administration could then withdraw money to pay the government's bills.

"It truly is not by any means to be taken as a given that the Fed would do it, and I think especially with something that's a gimmick," Treasury Secretary Yellen said in a Wall Street Journal interview published Sunday.

"The Fed is not required to accept it, there's no requirement on the part of the Fed. It's up to them what to do," said Yellen, a former chair of the US central bank.

Officials in the Biden administration and Democrat lawmakers have floated the idea of the coin to avoid a wrangle in Congress over raising the debt ceiling.

The US hit the $31.4 trillion borrowing limit on Thursday, forcing the Treasury to step in with so-called extraordinary measures to prevent a default. But those measures will only stave off until early June the political debate over how much money the government can borrow to make its payments.

Congress is shaping up for a standoff, as Republicans want any debt ceiling agreement to include cuts to government spending, while Democrats have rejected that move. The Biden administration insists the statutory limit on its borrowing should be raised without any conditions.

The $1 trillion coin  which exploits a loophole in US currency law  would allow the US to keep paying its bills without any agreement from Congress or issuing new debt.

Yellen has warned the US risks defaulting on its debt when the extraordinary measures run out.

"Failure to meet the government's obligations would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability," Yellen previously wrote in a letter.

She also urged lawmakers to "act in a timely manner" to increase or suspend the debt limit to prevent the US from facing a catastrophic economic situation.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Blood stains and a small section of police tape show the scene where multiple people were injured following an overnight shooting at the Dior Bar & Lounge in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Michael Johnson/The Advocate via AP)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Authorities in Louisiana say 12 people were injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Baton Rouge early Sunday.

One of the victims is in critical condition, while the rest are listed as stable, police said. No arrests have been made.

The shooting occurred inside the Dior Bar & Lounge around 1:30 a.m., said Sgt. LJean McKneely Jr., a police spokesman.

While no arrests have been made and the motive for the shootings is unknown, McKneely said the police department has leads. People are talking, and we know that we can get some information to help us with our investigation, McKneely said.

No additional information about the shooting, victims or investigation was provided at this time.

Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome  who met with mayors of other major U.S. cities in Washington, D.C., last week, to discuss the issue of crime  called the shooting "a senseless act of violence that will not go unchecked.

We will not stop our work until everyone feels safe and individuals no longer turn to guns to resolve their differences, Broome tweeted.
A body is seen on the driver's side of a van as authorities investigate, in Torrance, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. Authorities say the driver, the suspect in a California dance club shooting that left multiple people dead, shot and killed himself. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (AP)  Authorities searched for a motive for the gunman who killed 10 people at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations, slayings that sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities and cast a shadow over festivities nationwide.

The suspect, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday in the van that authorities say he used to flee after attempting to attack a second dance hall. The mayor of Monterey Park said Tran may have frequented the first dance hall that he targeted.

The massacre was the nations fifth mass killing this month, and it struck one of California's largest celebrations of a holiday observed in many Asian cultures, dealing another blow to a community that has been the target of high-profile violence in recent years.

It was also the deadliest attack since May 24, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Law enforcement officials said the rampage could have been even deadlier. A man whose family runs the second dance hall confronted the assailant in the lobby and wrested the gun from him, The New York Times reported.

Authorities have shared little about Tran.

We do understand that he may have had a history of visiting this dance hall and perhaps the motivation has to do with some personal relationships. But thats something that I think investigators are still uncovering and investigating, said Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo. Public records show Tran once had addresses in the city and neighboring ones.

But the mayor and LA County Sheriff Robert Luna stressed that the motive remained unclear for the attack, which also wounded 10 people. Speaking at a Sunday evening news conference, Luna said all of the people killed appeared to be over 50. No other suspects were at large, according to the sheriff.

The suspect was carrying what Luna described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where Tran died.

Within three minutes of receiving the call, officers arrived at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, according to Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese.

There, they found carnage inside and people trying to flee through all the doors.

When they came into the parking lot, it was chaos, Wiese said.

About 20 minutes after the first attack, the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in the nearby city of Alhambra.

Brandon Tsay was in the lobby at the time, and he told ABCs Good Morning America that he thought he was going to die.

Something came over me. I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him, I needed to take this weapon, disarm him or else everybody would have died," Tsay said. When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon and we had a struggle.

Once Tsay seized the gun, he pointed it at the man and shouted: Get the hell out of here, Ill shoot, get away, go!

The assailant paused, but then headed back to his van, and Tsay called the police, the gun still in his hand.

While Luna told reporters on Sunday that two people wrested the weapon away from the attacker, Tsay, who works a few days a week at the dance hall his grandparents started, told The New York Times that he acted alone. Stills from security footage shown on Good Morning America showed only the two men struggling for the gun.

The suspect's white van was found in Torrance, another community home to many Asian Americans.

After surrounding the vehicle for hours, law enforcement officials swarmed and entered it. A persons body appeared to be slumped over the wheel and was later removed. Members of a SWAT team looked through the vans contents before walking away.

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 Sunday at a news conference.

What was the motive for this shooter? she said. "Did he have a mental illness? Was he a domestic violence abuser? How did he get these guns and was it through legal means or not?

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 Californias largest. Two days of festivities, which have been attended by as many as 100,000 people in past years, were planned. But officials canceled Sundays events following the shooting.

An Associated Press/USA Today database on mass killings in the U.S. shows that 2022 was one of the nation's worst years, with 42 such attacks  the second-highest number since the creation of the tracker in 2006. The database defines a mass killing as four people killed, not including the perpetrator.

___

Associated Press journalists Andrew Dalton, Jae C. Hong and Eugene Garcia in Los Angeles and Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report.
FILE - U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., speaks during a news conference on protecting women's reproductive health care, Thursday, July 28, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. An adult child of Clark's was arrested during a protest late Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, on Boston Common and later charged with assault after a police officer was injured. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BOSTON (AP)  The daughter of U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts was arrested during a protest Saturday night on Boston Common and later charged with assault after a police officer was injured.

In a statement on its website, the Boston Police Department said the 23-year-old was expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

Clark, the House Democratic whip, said in a tweet that her daughter, Riley Dowell, had been arrested. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting, Clark wrote. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

Clark has spoken publicly about the fears of her own nonbinary child amid bigotry targeting transgender people.

Police said officers responded to a report at the Parkman Bandstand Monument located within the Boston Common. They found a person, identified as Dowell, a resident of Melrose, defacing the monument with spray paint and anti-police phrases, according to police.

During the arrest, a group of about 20 protesters began to surround officers while screaming profanities though megaphones on the public street causing traffic to come to a standstill, police said, adding that an officer was hit in the face and could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Dowell was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, destruction or injury of personal property, and damage of property by graffiti/tagging, police said.

A fatal police shooting earlier this month in nearby Cambridge sparked protests over use of force. A 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Sayed Faisal, was shot and killed by Cambridge police. He had advanced on officers with what police described as a kukri, a type of sword, and a less-than-lethal sponge round had failed to stop him, police said.

Clark is in her sixth term in the House and represents the state's 5th Congressional District.
A group of Russian SU-24 fighter bombers was captured by zooming past the HMS Queen Elizabeth in a fly-by. The 3.2 billion warship British carrier is the newest warship of the UK that was put into service last year, the same one that lost an F-35 to the sea.

HMS Queen Elizabeth Gets Buzzed by Russian Air Force

These fighter bombers were recorded flying in the direction of the Roya Navy ship steaming for the Suez Canal, as reported by Daily Express.

Based on the sources, the images were taken in June 2021 on the HMS QE's first mission. This incident was disclosed after the BBC documentary as it traveled to the east, cited Mail Online.

The documentary shows officers readying the F-35 in response to the incident. An officer remarked on the trio of Russian jets as far as six miles.

The following warning was that the jets were getting close to a coalition vessel, and their action was menacing. Changes in courses or actions will be implemented.

Furthermore, the HMS QE officer added that the warnings had been issued, but there was no response, and the trio was still inbound. The three jets were directed from Russia to Syria.

Reportedly, Admiral Makarov is also involved in this incident. An additional officer verified the inbound combat jets. Russians blocked the crew from launching the jets on board using the Makarov.

The show's title is The Warship: Tour of Duty, aired last Sunday, January 22, broadcasted on BBC 2, and several episodes are expected to follow.

Read Also: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Urges Peace Talks

A source told an outlet that these incidents with Russian and British forces were not, and nothing should alarm. Another said that this happened periodically but not all the time.

Russian SU-24 Fighter Bombers Flies Over the British Aircraft Carrier

One source mentioned that there was respect for safety between the British-Russian close encounters, but those on the Royal Navy ship added that they would not allow such overflies and defend the British carrier.

A spokesman of the Royal Navy stated that the HMS QE, with a multinational task force, had close encounters with naval and airborne forces during the deployment of the battle group in 2021. Ways to protect the carrier battle group are in place, including an astute class sub if needed in a timely manner; there will also be routine challenges.

British-Russian Close Encounters

Quite recently, Kremlin claimed in an incident that the Russian navy had fired a broadside at the HMS Defender before the HMS QE occurred. The Russians warned they would fire if the ship did not change its direction.

In 2018, another incident was recorded as a near-skirmish that would have had serious consequences. It involved HMS Duncan when 17 Russian fighters came into close contact in the annexed Crimean Peninsula, per UK Defence Journal.

The former Defense Secretary, Gavin Williamson, was incensed and called Moscow very hostile in its actions. A spate of multiple incidents with SU-24 fighter bombers that buzz the HMS Queen Elizabeth in a fly-by is of concern for the Royal Navy.

Related Article: Royal Navy Ships Shadow Russian Vessels in the English Channel

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WASHINGTON  Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego announced Monday he will run for the Arizona U.S. Senate seat currently held by centrist Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party in December to become an independent.

As a Marine, I never back down from a fight and in the Senate, Ill fight to make sure every Arizonan has the same chance that I had at the American Dream, Gallego said in a statement.

Gallego launched his campaign with videos in English and Spanish, highlighting his humble beginnings as the son of an immigrant mom. If elected he would become the first Latino senator in what has become one of the most competitive states in the country.

A Sinema aide declined to comment on Gallegos announcement.

Gallego is the first major candidate to jump into the race. His long-expected campaign comes as Sinemas intentions remain a mystery; the first-term senator has not said whether she will run for re-election as an independent in 2024.

A never-ending focus on campaign politics is why so many people hate politics, Sinema told local radio station KTAR on Friday.

If she runs, it could become a three-way race in the general election, with Republicans sure to field a nominee. Some Democrats fear that could play into the GOPs hands.

In his statement Monday, Gallego said: The problem isnt that Senator Sinema abandoned the Democratic Party  its that shes abandoned Arizona. Shes repeatedly broken her promises and fought for the interests of big pharma and Wall Street at our expense. Im running for the U.S. Senate because the rich and the powerful dont need any more advocates in Washington  but families who cant afford groceries do.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee said Monday in a news release that it welcomes Gallego to the race.

The Democrat civil war is on in Arizona," its spokesman, Philip Letsou, said. "Chuck Schumer has a choice: Stand with open borders radical Ruben Gallego or back his incumbent, Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

Who else might run?

Its unclear what competition Gallego will have in the primary. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., has said he wont run. An ally close to Democrat Paul Penzone, the Maricopa County sheriff, said that a lot of people have approached him but that for now, hes focused on a re-election bid for sheriff in 2024.

On the Republican side, a source close to failed governor candidate Kari Lake said that many people are urging her to run but that she is very invested in the legal battle over the race she lost in the midterm elections.

Karrin Taylor Robson, who narrowly lost to Lake in the 2022 primary after spending $20 million of her familys money, is seriously considering a Senate run, a source close to her said. If she runs, she would make a play to win back the Republicans and independents who once supported Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and have drifted away from the GOP, the source said.

Blake Masters, a GOP Senate nominee who lost in 2022, is strongly considering another bid this cycle, two sources said.

And Mark Lamb, the Pinal County sheriff, is also considering a Senate run in 2024, said an Arizona Republican source.

Image: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., speaks at a news conference at the Capitol on Nov. 29, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images file)

Sinema vs. Gallego

Sinema became the first Democrat in 30 years to get elected to the Senate from Arizona in 2018. In recent years, she has cut numerous bipartisan deals and broke with President Joe Biden on some of his top priorities, like higher tax rates for the wealthy, weakening the Senates 60-vote rule to pass a federal voting rights law and raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. She has drawn criticism from Arizona Democrats and cut ties with the state party.

A Gallego adviser said he's prepared for a two-way race if Sinema steps aside or a three-way race if she chooses to run.

The adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, said the strategy to frame it as a battle of who is fighting for working people versus fighting for Wall Street will work against Sinema, if she runs, as well as the eventual Republican nominee.

She has no base, the Gallego adviser said of Sinema. If anything, she could play the spoiler.

Gallegos decision sets up a challenging dynamic for Democratic leaders in what they see as a must-win race in order to hold the Senate majority next year. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee have declined to say whether they will support Sinema if she runs.

Sinemas allies argue that her work to secure deals with Republicans on proposals like infrastructure and a modest gun safety law helped Democrats in the 2022 midterm election. Some have questioned whether Gallegos more progressive record is a good fit for Arizona, a former Republican stronghold that has become highly competitive. In 2020, Biden carried the state. That year, and again in 2022, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., won Senate races.

Sinemas situation is unique. Over the next two years, Schumer said, shell get her Senate committee assignments from the Democratic Party. But unlike liberal-leaning independent Sens. Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, she doesnt attend caucus meetings and has worked to distance herself from the party.

Gallegos campaign cited a survey last month by the Democratic-affiliated Public Policy Polling firm, which tested a three-way race between Gallego, Sinema and hypothetical Republican candidate Kari Lake. In that survey, Lake got 41%, Gallego 40% and Sinema 13%.

Although Sinema would not have a serious path to victory as an independent candidate she could have a spoiler effect since she gets 14% from Biden voters but only 9% from Trump voters, PPP pollster Tom Jensen said in a memo circulated by Gallegos team.
FILE - Members of the Oath Keepers extremist group stand on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. The Capitol riot was the culmination of weeks of preparation and a moment of triumph for the Oath Keepers, federal prosecutor Louis Manzo said Jan. 18, 2023, in closing arguments in the second seditious conspiracy trial against members of the far-right extremist group. The defendants facing jurors in the latest trial are Joseph Hackett, Roberto Minuta, David Moerschel, and Edward Vallejo. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Four members of the Oath Keepers were convicted Monday of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack in the second major trial of far-right extremists accused of plotting to forcibly keep President Donald Trump in power.

The verdict against Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Florida; Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas; David Moerschel of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Edward Vallejo of Phoenix comes weeks after after a different jury convicted the groups leader, Stewart Rhodes, in the mobs attack that halted the certification of President Joe Bidens electoral victory.

Its another major victory for the Justice Department, which is also trying to secure sedition convictions against the former leader of the Proud Boys and four associates. The trial against Enrique Tarrio and his lieutenants opened earlier this month in Washington and is expected to last several weeks.

The Washington jury deliberated for about 12 hours over three days before delivering their guilty verdict on the rarely used charge, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The four were also convicted of two other conspiracy charges as well as obstructing an official proceeding: Congress' certification of the 2020 election. Minuta, Hackett and Moerschel were acquitted of lesser charges.

The judge didn't immediately set a date for sentencing. The judge denied prosecutors' bid to lock up the men while they await sentencing, finding them not to be a risk of flight. They were ordered to remain in home detention with electronic monitoring.

It was one of the most serious cases brought so far in the sweeping Jan. 6 investigation, which continues to grow two years after the riot. The Justice Department has charged nearly 1,000 people in the riot and the tally increases by the week.

Prosecutors told jurors that Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and his band of extremists began shortly after the 2020 election to prepare an armed rebellion to keep Trump in power. Messages show Rhodes and the Oath Keepers discussing the prospect of a bloody civil war and the need to keep Biden out of the White House.

Our democracy was under attack, but for the defendants it was everything they trained for and a moment to celebrate, prosecutor Louis Manzo told jurors in his closing argument.

Prosecutors alleged that the Oath Keepers amassed weapons and stashed them at a Virginia hotel for so-called quick reaction force teams that could quickly shuttle guns into Washington to support their plot if they were needed. The weapons were never used.

Rhodes and Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs were convicted of seditious conspiracy in the previous trial that ended in November. They were the first people in decades found guilty at trial of the Civil War-era charge. Three other Oath Keepers were cleared of the charge in that case but were found guilty of other serious crimes. They are all awaiting sentencing.

Defense attorneys sought to downplay violent messages as mere bluster and said the Oath Keepers came to Washington to provide security at events before the riot. They seized on prosecutors lack of evidence that the Oath Keepers had an explicit plan to storm the Capitol before Jan. 6 and told jurors that the extremists who attacked the Capitol acted spontaneously like thousands of other rioters.

They left evidence out and they picked and chose what they wanted, said William Lee Shipley, an attorney for Minuta.

Prosecutors argued that while there is not evidence specifically spelling out a plan to attack the Capitol, the Oath Keepers saw the riot as a means to an end and sprung into action at an apparent opportunity to help keep Trump in power.

Hackett, Moerschel and other Oath Keepers approached the Capitol in a military-style stack formation before they entered the building, according to prosecutors. Minuta and his group from a second stack of Oath Keepers clashed with police after heeding Rhodes call to race to the Capitol, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said that Vallejo, a U.S. Army veteran and Rhodes ally, drove from Arizona to prepare with the QRF  the quick reaction force  at the hotel outside Washington. Jurors heard an audio recording of Vallejo talking about a declaration of a guerilla war on the morning of Jan. 6.

Three other Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the hopes of getting a lighter sentence. They are among about 500 people who have pleaded guilty to riot-related charges.

____

Richer reported from Boston.
This booking photo provided by the Shawnee County, Kan., jail shows Chase Neill. On Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, a federal jury convicted Neill after he admitted in court that he threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.(Shawnee County, Kan., jail via AP)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A federal court jury convicted a Kansas man who insisted that a death threat he made against U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner was a message from God, amid what authorities have said is a sharp rise in threats against members of Congress and their families.

Jurors found Chase Neill, 32, of Lawrence, guilty of a single count of threatening a U.S. government official. The presiding judge instructed jurors that to find Neill guilty, they had to conclude that a reasonable person would find that he had made a true threat and intended to either intimidate LaTurner or interfere with his work as a Republican congressman representing eastern Kansas.

Neill acted as his own attorney and cross-examined LaTurner on the witness stand Wednesday. Neill testified Thursday that he was a messenger from God and he passed along a message from God threatening LaTurner for ignoring concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.

Federal prosecutors said Neill fixated on LaTurner before leaving an after-hours voicemail June 5 with the congressmans Topeka office that included, I will kill you. LaTurner testified that he worried about his family's and staff's safety and beefed up security at his home and Topeka office.

You cannot cloak yourself in religious belief and justify such a threat, federal prosecutor Stephen Hunting said in his closing remarks. There is a line you cannot cross.

Neill sat calmly as U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter read the jurys verdict, which came after about two hours of deliberation. He politely declined to have the jury polled and, when asked whether he had more about the case to discuss, he said calmly, No, your honor.

As a marshal handcuffed him, his mother, Pamela Neill, who had watched the three-day trial, told him, I love you.

Teeter scheduled Neill's sentencing for April 11. He could face 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The judge had Neill give his testimony Thursday as a narrative from the witness stand because he was representing himself. Neill interrupted his comments to make sure documents were projected onto four big screens on a wall behind him and to confer with the judge and prosecutors about what evidence would be allowed. Prosecutors did not cross-examine him.

Neill admitted in court that he left the June 5 voicemail and others with more death threats the next day. But he said he was conveying a message from God that LaTurner and other officials faced death by an act of God, such as a tornado or hurricane, for attacking Gods creation.

This is not me saying, Im going to chase you down with a knife, or something like that, Neill said in his closing argument.

His mother, fighting back tears, told reporters upon leaving the courtroom, He never raised a hand on anybody.

Threats against members of Congress have increased since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder severely beat former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

Local school board members and election workers across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a failed Republican legislative candidate over a series of shootings targeting elected Democratic officials homes or offices.

Hunting told jurors that it was reasonable for LaTurner and his staff to take Neill's words seriously as threats.

LaTurner said in a statement after the verdict: "Violence and threats of violence have no place in our society.

Neill said his concerns about a war for souls were sparked by a May 13 story on the Kansas Reflector news site about a legislative debate in which a western Kansas lawmaker urged colleagues to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto of a measure that would have restricted public health officials power in epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican state Rep. Tatum Lee was quoted as saying, The war is real you all. We are fighting for the soul of our nation.

Neill told jurors he values his soul and was required by God to act when he heard the sound of the trumpet.

He also showed jurors a LinkedIn page for himself, saying he dealt with matters concerning over 400 million lives lost with high sorcery.

Neill testified that in 2018, God came to me very directly, without elaborating. A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago characterized as a head fracture.

But the trial judge concluded last month that Neill was capable of following what goes on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial. She granted his request to act as his own attorney, starting Wednesday.

Im really trying to explain how I interact with God, and its a difficult explanation, Neill told jurors during his testimony Thursday. I apologize.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
FILE - U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran gives a victory speech at an election party in Overland Park, Kan., Nov. 8, 2022. Someone scammed Sen. Moran's reelection campaign out of $690,000 by getting the Kansas Republican's accounting firm to wire the money to fraudulent bank accounts, his office said Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Someone scammed U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's reelection campaign out of $690,000 by getting the Kansas Republican's accounting firm to wire the money to fraudulent bank accounts, his office said Monday.

Moran's campaign treasurer, Timothy Gottschalk, notified the Federal Election Commission by electronic letter Dec. 8 of fraudulent activity by a third-party cyber-criminal. The letter said that after the campaign notified a local sheriff's office on Nov. 16, eight days after the general election, the case was forwarded to the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The letter said the campaign received two fraudulent invoices that appeared to be from SRCP Media Inc., a Washington area company hired to handle Moran's broadcast advertising. The letter said the campaign organization wired $345,000 on Oct. 25 and another $345,000 on Nov. 9.

As soon as a discrepancy was realized, it was reported to law enforcement, Moran spokesman Tom Brandt said in an email Monday. We are currently pursuing all avenues available to recover the money and there is an ongoing investigation with the FBI.

The campaign's electronic letter to the FEC said that as of Dec. 8, the campaign had recovered $168,184. The letter was first reported by the RawStory website last week.

The FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, said Bridget Patton, its spokesperson in Kansas City, Missouri. Representatives of the KBI and SRCP did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment.

Moran won his third six-year term in the Senate in November with 60% of the vote against Democrat Mark Holland, a former Kansas City, Kansas, mayor. His reelection campaign raised more than $7.3 million and spent more than $5.1 million through Nov. 28, according to a finance report it filed with the FEC, also on Dec. 8.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP)  A wanted man was killed and three deputies were wounded Monday morning in an exchange of gunfire in western Kansas, authorities say.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that it started around 9 a.m. when the sheriff's office in Clark County attempted to stop the suspect. Clark County sits along the state's border with Oklahoma.

The release said the suspect fled and that deputies pursued him one county to the north. The Ford County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.

The KBI said that gunfire erupted once the vehicle came to a stop in an area of Dodge City that includes a John Deere dealership and a gas station.

In video posted by Wichita television station KAKE, a man can be heard yelling Get your hands up." As the shooting begins, an officer dodges behind a truck.

The release said the suspect was fatally shot and that a woman in the vehicle was critically wounded. Neither of their names was released.

Two deputies from Ford County and one from Clark County also were wounded. Two of them were rushed to a Wichita hospital with injuries described as serious, while the condition of the third deputy was described as good. A highway patrol trooper was bit by a police dog during the melee but wasn't hurt badly.

Ford County posted on its website that there was no additional danger to the community. And Clark County Sheriff John Ketron described what happened in an email only as an active investigation," directing additional questions to the KBI.

The Dodge City Police Department put out a notice urging people to avoid the area. It said surrounding roads would be closed for several hours.

A man who answered the phone at the John Deere dealership and a woman who answered the phone at the gas station near the scene declined to comment.
The Pentagon has requested that U.S. troops stationed in South Korea send equipment and supplies to Ukraine to support Kyiv in its war against Russia.

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), which has about 28,000 troops in South Korea, confirmed it would provide some equipment in a statement to The Hill on Thursday.

Col. Isaac Taylor, a USFK spokesperson, said the equipment transfer would not impact its operations in South Korea.

This has zero impact on our operations and our ability to execute on our ironclad commitment to the defense of our ally, Taylor said.

The Pentagons request was first reported by Reuters.

The U.S. has provided billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine since the war began last February. The Pentagon announced another $2.5 billion military aid package on Thursday that includes 90 Strykers, or armored combat vehicles.

Concerns have been raised about depleting U.S. inventories amid the large transfers of equipment and weapons to Kyiv.

A Center for Strategic and International Studies report earlier this month found several types of weapons and ammunition stockpiles from the U.S. were unlikely to be rebuilt within the next five years.

The Defense Department is also tapping into a stockpile of ammunition stored in Israel to ship over to Ukraine, The New York Times reported this week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Thousands of spectators flocked to watch the return of a renowned surfing tournament, and the waves that crashed ashore tested the mettle of North Shore lifeguards in more ways than one.

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, sometimes alluded to as the "Super Bowl of Surfing," or the "Eddie," returned for the 10th time in over 30 years on Sunday as waves at Hawaii's Waimea Bay swelled over a story high. The one-day surfing contest of will in Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore is only held when the swells consistently reach an astounding 20 feet, testing the skills -- and mettle -- of the select group of surfers invited to the event.

Organizer Clyde Aikau said at a news conference Friday that he expected waves to reach 25 to 30 feet by Hawaii's measures -- or 50 to 60 feet on the national scale.

The waves met the swell height requirement Sunday, with one of the larger swells recorded by an NOAA buoy at Waimea Bay clocking in at 20.3 feet just before 9 a.m. local time, along with a wave of the same height just before 3 p.m. Temperatures also soared, reaching a balmy high temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Jamie Mitchell, right, and Ross Clarke-Jones, both of Australia, surf in the Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest in Waimea Bay near Haliewa, Hawaii on Feb. 25, 2016. One of the world's most prestigious and storied surfing contests was held Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Hawaii for the first time in seven years. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)

Due to the wave height requirement, the tournament is held between mid-December to mid-March when winter storms in the Pacific are capable of creating monstrous waves. However, there have been a number of years since its first run in 1984 when the waves weren't high enough and the tournament was scratched. Sunday was the first time the tournament was held in seven years thanks to a storm churning southwest of Alaska that ushered in the vital towering swells from thousands of miles away.

"It was a very powerful storm with very low pressure, more representative of what you might see with a hurricane, so it was generating a lot of wind and waves, which all propagated southward toward Hawaii," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick said.

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For the first time in the tournament's nearly 40-year history, women were invited to compete alongside men, according to The Associated Press. Keala Kennelly, of Kauai, a women's big wave surf champion, was among the 40 surfers invited to the event.

Sunny Garcia, of Hawaii, rides a wave to shore during the Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest in Waimea Bay near Haliewa, Hawaii on Feb. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)

Some tens of thousands of spectators flocked to Waimea Bay to watch the prestigious event, according to organizers, keeping the lifeguards busy. One video from Sunday showed how the waves rushed ashore, including one that knocked over visitors who had stepped past metal barriers on the beach. One announcer called for the adults present to watch their kids as the water threatened to sweep away anyone who was knocked off balance. Another video showed lifeguards bolting into the waves to save people who had been dragged back by retreating waves.

"Onlookers got a touch of what can happen if you don't back up and listen to the lifeguards. Mother Nature did not disappoint and the surfers put on a show!" Honolulu Ocean Safety, which is run by the Hawaiian government, posted on its Instagram.

Lifeguards told Hawaiian News Now that they had rescued 64 people at the bay Sunday, and Ocean Safety responded to a home after a large wave crashed ashore, knocking into two adults and a baby. The baby was washed under the home but was quickly retrieved and uninjured, according to Hawaiian News Now.

The competition is named after the late Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau, the first lifeguard for the entire North Shore, including Waimea Bay, who saved 500 people over the course of his career.

"Eddie would brave the waves that often reached 30 feet or more when no one else would go out," the tournament's website reads. "It's important to keep his legacy alive and inspire the next generation to live like Eddie did."

In this Dec. 8, 2009, file photo, Mark Healey of Hawaii, takes a spill down the face of a large wave in the second heat of The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf contest at Waimea Bay located on the north shore of the island of Oahu in Hawaii. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner, File)

At the age of 31, Aikau joined the Polynesian Voyaging Society as a crew member for the 1978 expedition to sail from the Hawaiian Islands to the Tahitian island chains in Hokulea, a replica of a wa'a kaulua, or a Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe. The boat had successfully reached Tahiti in 1976 on its inaugural voyage as the Polynesian Voyaging Society sought to conserve the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration.

"On that first voyage, we were facing cultural extinction. There was no navigator from our culture left. The Voyaging Society looked beyond Polynesia to find a traditional navigator to guide Hokulea: Mau Piailug," reads the society's website, adding that without him, the first voyaging would have never taken place.

In 1978, the Polynesian Voyaging Society set out for Tahiti once more. Hours after sailing out of port, however, the Hokulea capsized. It would take hours before the U.S. Coast Guard would rescue the crew, but not before Aikau volunteered to paddle on his surfboard for several miles to the nearby Lanai Island for help. Aikau was never seen again.

Now, the tournament is held both to honor his legacy and to celebrate Hawaiian culture.

Luke Shepardson, a North Shore lifeguard, won the 2023 Eddie on Sunday when he took a few hours off of work to compete.

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Vice-Premier Liu and the United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met in Zurich to consider how to improve the bilateral relations between China and the US interaction of late. One of their concerns last Wednesday was how to overhaul the bilateral relationship between these nations.

US, China Begin Initial Talks

The focus of the two officials is how Beijing and Washington cooperate, different from the US's actions directed against a competitor., according to China Daily.

From a joint statement from the representatives, they agreed to better interaction for macroeconomic and financial issues in their discussions. One comment from Yellen's face-to-face meeting with Liu is that it covered everything that needs to be clarified.

Either side stressed that the two sides focus on a bilateral and multilateral basis, which are the structures of the United Nations, G20, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

An invitation was given to the Treasury official to go to Beijing, and both finance and trade representatives are in touch.

China and US Need To Improve Bilateral Ties

It follows a meeting to the earlier one between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden held in Bali, Indonesia, in November last year, saying to improve interaction, cites Reuters.

An opinion of Christopher Bovis, an expert on the matter of international business law, stating the impact of the meeting with the Chinese and American officials should not be discounted arbitrarily.

Read Also: South African President Tells US Not To Pressure Pretoria

Described that face-to-face communication as diplomatic means shows the situation's impact in the shadow of all these developments in the 2023 Davos economic forum.

Expressing that the talks will pace how to implement the agenda in the Davos summit. Another is to set the rules of engagement for the current and future collaboration with competing nations as the biggest economies.

In a speech delivered in Davos during the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, Vice-Premier Liu said that a cold war approach would only make things worse, as reported by DW. Beijing says that international cooperation is the key to getting things going, and the Chinese government will open the door wider for others.

Blinken Encouraged To Visit Beijing

The invitation was sent to the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with plans to coincide with the planned visit's details, remarked the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin in a Tuesday statement, per Global Times.

Chinese leaders are concerned over the state of bilateral ties that should be squared out with Washington. These changes are needed to start correcting a global recovery which is needed. These remarks came about after the US-based media reported that Blinker is scheduled to visit Beijing in February to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Wang explained that the relationship with Washington is based on three precepts crucial to a satisfactory interaction. They are mutual respect, coexisting in peace, not a contest, and a mutually beneficial collaboration for both.

Beijing hopes that the White House adopts the right attitude to avoid a losing confrontational contest to gain beneficial returns, not concentrate on useless competitions.

Wang stressed that hope for the normalization of the two leaders could reset the already raucous path set by recent events. Liu and Yellen agreed that China and the US need to improve bilateral ties.

Related Article: Chinese Foreign Minister Takes a Swipe at US Allegations Concerning Debt Traps

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prosecutor-General Anna Vardapetyan asked Parliament to allow investigators bring criminal charges against opposition Member of Parliament Armen Charchyan (Hayastan faction).

The Prosecutor-Generals Office did not explicitly name Charchyan in the press release announcing the motion but said that A. Ch. is suspected of signing a fake forensic examination report in 2017 as a member of a forensic medical commission in a criminal investigation.

Article 97 of the Constitution requires law enforcement authorities to obtain the consent of Parliament in order to prosecute a legislator.

Earlier on January 20, the Prosecutor-General filed a similar motion to parliament, asking permission to prosecute MP Seyran Ohanyan, Hayastan faction leader in parliament.
AIBA welcomed the Government's move to block YouTube channels and Twitter handles that spread a venomous documentary of the BBC

New Delhi: The All India Bar Association (AIBA) has demanded a 360-degree probe into the "international conspiracy" angle in the BBCs documentary "India: The Modi Question" while welcoming the Government of India's move to block YouTube channels and Twitter handles that spread a venomous documentary of the BBC.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, AIBA chairman and senior advocate Adish C Aggarwala has pointed out that the AIBA considers the timing of the so-called documentary, its contents and the way it had been conceived and promoted as "dangerous", and calls upon the Government of India to order a 360-degree probe into the international conspiracy angle.

This documentary should neither be seen as a one-off adverse media report or brushed aside as a superficial and half-baked attempt to undermine the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his individual capacity, the AIBA said.

The Bar Association said invisible hands behind this documentary and the minds that got together to stitch an imaginary tale with discredited and rejected evidence should be identified and brought to the book.

Four things should be borne in mind while ordering a comprehensive probe into the international conspiracy angle to this BBC documentary, Aggarwala, who was also the Vice Chairman of Bar Council of India and Supreme Court Bar Association, added in the letter.

First, the AIBA chairman said when a few western nations traditionally inimical and dismissive of India's assets and progresses had expected the nation to flounder and crumble during the deadly pandemic caused by the spread of Covid-19. India not only withstood the Covid wave, but it also developed its own vaccines and went about inoculating more than a billion population thereby shielding them against the infection.

"Unlike these so-called developed nations, India offered its vaccine either free or at heavily discounted rates to other poor nations, exhibiting its large heart and concern for global peace and well-being. Those who were waiting to write off India were stunned by this incredible handling of Covid waves by the Government of India, headed by Narendra Modi," Aggarwala said in his letter.

Secondly, the AIBA said ever since Russia and Ukraine went to war in February 2022, India has chartered its own way in dealing with the international crisis keeping its own domestic issues in mind. India has not budged to the muscle-flexing by the Western nations and instead has spoken tough about keeping its own interest at the top.

"India, therefore, is not only able to do business with Russia, it is also able to talk to both sides, enjoying the confidence on both sides. The fact that India was able to evacuate its stranded students from the war-affected zones is proof of the same. Enjoying tremendous goodwill in both Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is tipped to achieve a breakthrough and achieve a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict," the Bar Association said.

The letter added India has repeatedly told both sides that talks and peaceful resolution alone would be the lasting solution and that this is not an era of war. Western nations do not have this leverage on both sides, and therefore they are determined to destabilise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts, as it would earn him the top spot in international diplomacy, noted AIBA.

Thirdly, the AIBA chairman said India ascended to the G20 leadership in December 2022, much to the chagrin of India-baiters in some of the western nations. "From the moment the sceptre was handed over to India, we have been working towards achieving global peace and addressing vexed issues. This is also not to the liking of some nations that still cling to their colonial mindset," Aggarwala said.

Fourthly, he said with a global recession looming over several developed nations, India has not only emerged as the fifth-largest economy in the world but also has nullified all the initial ill effects of a slowdown or recession. India's fundamentals are strong, and its healthy domestic demand-supply situation has insulated the nation from the vagaries of international economic turmoil.

India is already the fastest growing large economy in the world, and in another five years, it will reach the envious position of the third largest economy in the world - behind only the United States and China. This achievement under the able leadership of Narendra Modi too has riled many nations, AIBA said.

AIBA said it is of the firm opinion that all these mega international trends and reality have made the forces averse to India's leadership and development to dig out something that would distract the nation's focus from development and welfare, to defending its image in the global arena.

"This so-called documentary has nothing new to show or speak of. Much of its contents had been thoroughly circulated and discussed in public, considered and rejected by various courts, including the Supreme Court of India. The 20-year-old Gujarat riot has several layers to it, but this BBC tries to have a linear narrative and quite maliciously tries to pin down our Prime Minister and the nation itself on the mat," AIBA said in its letter to Union Home Minister.

Fortunately, this narrative has failed to find much takers. Except for those who want to get at the ruling party, the Prime Minister and his policies, the general public have comprehensively rejected this documentary, the letter said.

"But, AIBA feels just because it has not cut ice with the general public and India at large, the mischievous attempt of the BBC to foment trouble in India, should be viewed seriously by the Government of India, and a probe should be ordered into the international conspiracy angle," it said.

AIBA urged the government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising retired judges of the Supreme Court, jurists and investigators to probe the international conspiracy behind the BBC documentary.

The Bar Association also requested the Centre to write to the UK government to identify people behind this production, probe their backgrounds and cooperate with the Government of India in accessing the so-called documents in possession of the BBC and hold inquiry with persons who had conceived, produced and spread it across the world.

AIBA urged the government to link this dangerous documentary issued with the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the UK and obtain an assurance from that nation that no more such anti-India attempts will be allowed on its soil.

The association further requested the government to Issue a warning to BBC that India will not hesitate to invoke its inherent powers and block its channel and other platforms within the territory of India unless the BBC issues a public apology within a timeframe.
Crores of Indian families have become poorer and can no longer afford private education for their children.

Governance is defined as the system by which an organisation is controlled and operates, and the mechanisms by which it, and its people, are held to account. Ethics, risk management, compliance and administration are all elements of governance.

Good governance is said to have eight characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimised, the views of the minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society. The most important function of government is governance, and in fortunate nations, this is often good governance.

ASER is a survey on education conducted across India since 2005. This year it covered 616 rural districts (which is more than 85 per cent of the total) and engaged 6.9 lakh children in the age group of three to 16. The survey is conducted by over 27,000 volunteers. It is simple and assesses three things  enrolment, reading ability and maths skills. Students are given a single sheet of paper with four levels of text: first, letters of the alphabet, second, common words, third, a short paragraph consisting of four easy sentences, fourth, a longer text containing a slightly more complex vocabulary.

In Class 3, children are usually about eight years old. ASERs survey reveals that the number of Class 3 children who can read a text from Class 2 is 20 per cent. This means that four out of five children cannot read the text. The number has fallen from 27 per cent in 2018. In 2014 the figure had been 23 per cent, meaning that learning levels today are worse than they were a decade ago. The decline is across private and government schools.

The number of children in Class 5 who could read a Class 2 text was 48 per cent in 2014, 50 per cent in 2018 and is now 42 per cent.

In 2014, the proportion of children in Class 3 who could do subtraction was 25 per cent (meaning that three out of four children did not know how to do this minus this equals to). In 2018, the number who could subtract rose to 28 per cent. Today it has fallen to 25 per cent again.

Similarly, of the students of Class 5, who are about 10 years old, the number that could do simple division was 26 per cent in 2014, 27 per cent in 2018 and has fallen again to 25 per cent. If our children cannot read and cannot do simple maths, what kind of skills will they acquire as grown-ups? In Bengalurus infotech companies, which together have some 15 lakh employees, nine out of 10 engineers who apply for jobs are rejected, not because the position is filled but because they do not have the skills. We should not be surprised that a nation whose children are in school but illiterate also has engineers who are barely literate. Its not their fault.

We can acknowledge that the problem is not new. But we cant avoid the reality that the problem is getting worse. We have regressed 10 years on an issue where we were already in bad shape compared to the rest of the world. Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. A survey a few months ago showed that during the pandemic only eight per cent of rural students studied online regularly. Most studied sometimes, and one in three students did not study at all. The ASER study shows another alarming thing. For the first time, government schools have seen an increase in children enrolled. This has gone from 73 per cent in 2006 to 65 per cent in 2018 back to 72 per cent today. Why? Have government schools suddenly become more attractive than private schools? No. The answer is that crores of Indian families have become poorer and can no longer afford private education for their children. The governments solution is to hide the poor when it conducts its G-20 gatherings. We can only solve problems after we acknowledge that they exist. When was the last time we heard this government speaking of the disaster in primary education, rather than Ganga cruises and cheetahs? Less money, Rs 88,000 crores, was spent by the Union government on education in its last Budget than has been allocated to the bullet train. This sort of thing is happening across the board. According to the World Banks figures, Indias spending on health has gone from 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2013 to 3.0 per cent today.

In another nation, the problems that get acknowledged then begin to be solved. Here the fact is that the government has given up. It knows or is convinced that it cannot solve the issue of education and health and has no idea how to solve it. The reason is that solving problems of this magnitude require governance, proper, hard, everyday governance. Inaugurations, fancy dress and speeches do not solve such problems. Urban unemployment in December was 10 per cent. This is about three times what it was a few years ago. Employment in agriculture, which had been reducing all these decades, increased as people with no work in manufacturing and services returned to farms. This is a fact and the data comes from the government itself. That it is not being held to account for it is also a fact.

Getting our children educated so that they live fulfilling lives and can compete with the worlds children is good governance. The rest is pageantry and drama.
The peace card appears unplayable in both nations due to domestic political compulsions.

The year 2023 opened with interesting developments involving Pakistan and China and their impact on Indias national interests. This was before the public discourse was hijacked by a BBC documentary on the 2002 Godhra riots and the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then the chief minister of Gujarat. The external affairs ministry dropped all other tasks and commenced to demonise the documentary and its makers. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attempted some damage control with an intervention in Parliament, albeit too measured to be effective.

Preceding it, two events caused intense speculation about Indias relations with Pakistan and China. The first was an interview Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave to television the Al-Arabiya channel during his visit to the UAE. He conceded that three wars with India caused unemployment, poverty and economic damage in Pakistan, and added that his nation had learnt its lesson. However, while seeking normal relations with India, he added the caveat that this could only happen if burning issues were sorted out. He explained that India must roll back the constitutional changes made in August 2019, including the abrogation of the special rights of Jam-mu and Kashmir under Article 370. This was a reiteration of Pakistans already known position, which even former Prime Minister Imran Khan had articulated.

The Indian reaction was less than enthusiastic, even verging on scepticism. If any proof was needed that even among the ruling coalition in Pakistan there was no unanimity, Pakistans foreign minister Bilawal Zardari Bhutto during his visit to the United States made undiplomatic and scathing remarks about the Indian Prime Minister. More recently his deputy, Hina Rabbani Khar, sharing the stage with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at Davos on January 19, alleged that the statesmanship which India used to display episodically was now completely absent. Sri Sri was left to restate the Indian position that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism was the root cause of mutual distrust.

Meanwhile, it emerged that after China lifted its lock on the process, Abdul Rahman Makki, the deputy leader of dreaded terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, was finally listed as a terrorist by the 1267 UN Sanctions Committee. Is there some connection between these random events? Firstly, the context is important. Shehbaz Sharif was in the UAE to solicit financial aid as Pakistans financial condition neared meltdown. Pakistan is aware of the personal rapport that Mr Modi has been able to generate with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed. It has been an old assessment of Abu Dhabis ruling Al Nahyan family that because of their strong relations with both India and Pakistan and the citizens of both nations being present in UAE in dominant numbers, good India-Pakistan relations benefit their nation. It is possible that the United States had a hand in encouraging the Emiratis to mediate. Relations between the US and Pakistan have also been on the mend of late after the ouster of Mr Imran Khan. The killing by a US drone of Zayman al-Zawaahiri, Al Qaedas surviving leader, in Kabul had all the signs of Pakistani intelligence help. The worsened relations between the ruling Taliban in Kabul and Pakistan have been becoming more apparent by the day. This also converges the American and Pakistani assessment of Afghanistan.

Therefore, the Sharif epiphany may have occurred due more than sudden self-realisation. Pakistans financial vulnerability would embolden those bailing it out to try weaning it away from China and embedding it in a peaceful South Asian construct. Logically, only this can provide a sustainable solution to Pakistans financial health. As Chinas economic rise helped lift Asean nations like Vietnam, a rising India can bring prosperity to all of South Asia, provided of course that India-Pakistan differences stop being a hurdle.

However, the time is not yet ripe for such wise counsel. India is barely a year away from the next Lok Sabha election, for which the ruling BJP is already gearing up. Pakistan too will face a national election this year, with an ascendant Imran Khan threatening to seize power back. Thus, Mr Sharif cant present Mr Khan any vulnerability that a compromise on their Kashmir stand would constitute. Likewise, in India, with a global economic slowdown likely on the way and its possible impact on India, the Narendra Modi government cannot risk diluting its majoritarian nationalist plank. The peace card appears unplayable in both nations due to domestic political compulsions.

China presents a very different challenge. President Xi Jinping, having consolidated power, appears to be calibrating Chinas aggressive posture. After an about turn on the Zero Covid policy, he has allowed the virus to surge through his indifferently vaccinated population. After weeks of denying mass deaths, China finally announced that 59,938 persons died of Covid-19 between December 8 and January 12. Even this figure is considered by most international experts as an undercount. China also conceded that at the end of 2022 China had 850,000 fewer people than at the start. It was the first population drop since the disastrous Great Leap Forward that ended in 1962. The Chinese fertility rate lingers at 1.2 per cent when the replacement threshold is 2.1 per cent. Alongside, the Chinese economy last year only grew at three per cent, the weakest since 1976. This bodes ill for future growth as it starves the economy of fresh workers, besides creating a growing number of older and non-productive people who will need pensions and healthcare.

Chinese exports were also down 9.9 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

But this is where a new contradiction emerges. Xis New Year address adopted a less aggressive and more measured tone. Muscle-flexing on the unification of Taiwan was dropped, as were dark warnings about external forces. Statesmanship emerged as the new talisman as President Xi promised that we cherish peace and development and value friends and partners. However, on January 18, he had a video conference with the PLA forces near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Khunjerab and reportedly inspected their combat readiness. He postulated that in recent years the area has been constantly changing. Noticeably, the area faces the eastern part of Ladakh where the post-Galwan standoff between India and China still persists in some sectors. This came as Bhutan sat down to sort out its border issue with China. New Delhis nervousness at being outflanked was apparent as the foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra rushed to Thimphu to decipher Chinas moves.

India needs to introspect on President John F. Kennedys remark that domestic policy can only defeat us; foreign policy can kill us. When a democracy is imperilled by majoritarian nationalism, the reverse can be true as well.
Hunter Biden, the son of United States President Joe Biden, allegedly paid his father $50,000 in rent every month to live in the Democrat's Delaware home where classified documents were recently found.

In a Jan. 17 Instagram post, Newsmax host Carl Higbie accused Hunter of giving his dad $50,000 to rent the home when, at the same time, the president only claimed that there was $20,000 in rent payments made per year.

Hunter Biden's Rent Payments

Furthermore, former United States President Donald Trump posted on Facebook, saying that Tucker Carlson, the host of Fox News, dug up bombshell documents that proved Hunter rented the top-secret documents that his Democratic rival stole, he claims.

However, while these posts quickly spread among supporters of the former president, the information provided is inaccurate and was subsequently flagged as part of Facebook's continuous efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its news feed, as per PolitiFact.

The accusations took off after the Fox News host ran a segment on Jan. 16 regarding the newly-surfaced background screening document Hunter purportedly filled out in July 2018. It was part of an application for a rental property in California and appeared to have contained some things that needed to be corrected.

While it remained unclear whether or not Hunter filled out all the forms on July 27, 2018, emails provided by a former Trump White House employee revealed that Hunter's former assistant filled out the application.

The date of an email with the subject "background app" matches the date when the form was signed. Furthermore, it followed a separate email that Hunter appears to have sent out inquiring about a rental in California.

Read Also: Hunter Biden Laptop Scandal Update

Joe Biden's Classified Documents

One Twitter user questioned why the president's 2017 tax returns did not declare the roughly $50,000 rent payments listed under his son's name. The chair of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, confirmed in a letter to White House counsel that the address seen on Hunter's driver's license is the same as where the classified documents were found, according to Newsweek.

Comer said that Americans had a right to know who visited President Biden's Wilmington residence and who had access to the classified documents. On the other hand, Hunter has indicated that the Delaware residence was a personal asset and was his residence as recently as 2018.

Carlson also credited a Twitter user, @jj_talking, a self-described "MAGA" supporter responsible for sharing Hunter's background check. The Fox News host also questioned how the president's son, a disgraced drug addict with no job skills, could have so much financial capital.

In a memoir published in April 2021, Hunter said that he and other close family members were forced to quarantine on November 3, 2020, at his father's Delaware home. He was also seen traveling with the president to the Wilmington home on Dec. 16, 2022, only a few days before the classified documents were discovered, said Yahoo News.

Related Article: Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal Update

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A blockade and isolation from the Arab world were put in place since the start of Syrias civil war more than a decade ago. Sugar and petrochemicals from Saudi Arabia will now be able to enter Syria. Rumours of a resumption of diplomatic relations are intensifying, but so far there is no official confirmation. At present, bypassing Western sanctions is the main goal.

Damascus (AsiaNews)  The Syrian government has decided to allow imports from Saudi Arabia after trade between the two countries was suspended more than 10 years ago after the two countries found themselves on opposing sides in Syrias civil war.

For many years, Saudi Arabia was close to anti-Assad rebels and groups during the bloodiest years of the conflict; now Damascus and Riyadh are progressively easing tensions, experts explain, as a further step towards reconciliation between the two Arab countries.

Syrian leaders, starting with the Foreign Ministry, gave the green light to goods from Saudi Arabia, in particular sugar and petrochemicals, the Arabi 21 news outlet reports citing Syrian government media. This includes about 10,000 tonnes of sugar from the Saudi kingdom.

Recently, rumours multiplied about a possible rapprochement between Damascus and Riyadh and the resumption of diplomatic relations, after a decade of war and violence that caused almost half a million deaths and millions of displaced people.

The conflict isolated the Syrian government in the Arab world and only lately does the isolation seem to be ending. However, according to some analysts, the decision to allow Saudi goods into the country is purely commercial, to bypass Western sanctions, without any political strings.

Despite the ability of Syrian traders to find alternative sources for materials that are allowed to be imported from Saudi Arabia, the aim of the decision is to push Riyadh to reduce restrictions on trucks carrying Syrian goods, which are transported to countries in the Gulf, said Iyad al-Jaafari, an economic expert.

For Al-Jaafari, the decision "aims to soften" the Saudi position on its restrictions on Syrian imports into the kingdom, which were imposed in response to the huge flow of narcotics, particularly captagon, from Syria.

As for re-establishing diplomatic ties with Syria and the Assad regime, the Saudi government is not ruling out that possibility as Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan himself pointed out to Bloomberg.

Nevertheless, for now Riyadh is keeping to its official opposition to the full restoration of relations, as evinced by its recent decision to block Syrias attempt to be readmitted to the Arab League.
by Santosh Digal

After 51 years of mission in the tormented south of the Philippines, serving the last and peace among religious communities, the Claretian missionary has returned to Spain. From Basilan to Zamboanga, he challenged Islamic terrorism by building opportunities for encounter.

Manila (AsiaNews)  Fr Angel Calvo, a Claretian missionary, left the Philippines last Friday to return to his native Spain, country.

Well known for his commitment to reconciliation in Mindanao, he retired at the age of 78 after 51 spent in the service of the last on an island torn by a long conflict, in an area of the country with an Islamic majority.

In recent weeks, his tireless work in Mindanao won him public accolades from several government organisations, civil society groups, religious leaders, who committed themselves to keeping alive the legacy of peace and service to the poor he promoted in his apostolate, starting with Katilingban sa Kalambuan, the development society he founded to give dignity to the poorest and most marginalised communities in Zamboanga.

His missionary work begun in Basian, where he arrived in 1972, just five months before martial law was proclaimed in the Philippines.

In the 20 years he spent in Basilan (where he served as parish priest and head of the local radio) followed by his ministry in Zamboanga, he found himself confronted with traumas such as the kidnapping of religious leaders by Islamist terrorists, the tragedy of the homeless, the scourge of trafficking of children and adolescents, nights spent with street kids.

I discovered soul-crushing experiences in each of these scenarios when I discovered others' or my own breathing moments of existence. I found the core of God's purpose, Fr Calvo said.

His missionary approach was to turn hatred into love and be an instrument of peace in the midst of violent extremism and terrorism, working with everyone: the government, civil society organisations, Christians, Muslims, people of other faiths.

Everyone now recognises his commitment to mutual respect, trust and love between Christians and Muslims and cooperation in the quest for harmony, solidarity and peace.

We thank him for dedicating his life, love, and service to Mindanao and Zamboanga! We hope his return to Spain will find him in good health, peace and happiness, said Maria Venus Bonifacio Giron, a lay colleague of Fr Calvo, speaking to AsiaNews.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Russia and China launch plans to help families to reverse the demographic trend. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the problem of depopulation and aging in Russia. Chinese subsidies considered insufficient by experts. The Kremlin running out of funds.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - While statistics indicate that India is close to becoming the most populous country in the world, China and Russia are trying to boost the domestic birth rate. Immediately after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, the population increase calculated thanks to the three million inhabitants of the peninsula had led to the reduction of subsidies for "maternal capital", but in reality the program was never really reduced. The year of war, even with the fictitious annexation of four other Ukrainian regions, only exacerbated the problem of depopulation and aging in Russia.

A plan to support the birth rate is also being rolled out in China. Unlike Russia, where subsidies are mostly intended to encourage births of the first child, in China the sums are also increased for the second and subsequent children.

In Shenzhen (Guandong), one of the great Chinese cities with a population exceeding 17 million, local authorities are trying to expand support measures for families with children. The local health commission proposes that family subsidies can accumulate up to 19,000 yuan (just under 3,000 dollars) over three years.

Pregnancy and childbirth allowances of 3,000 yuan will be granted to families where their first child is born, provided they register their residence in the city. These families will be able to obtain 1,500 yuan of child care aid for three years.

Similar measures are being studied in several Chinese cities, after reports that in 2022 China lost 850,000 people. Above all, the number of women of reproductive age, between 15 and 49 years of age, decreased by more than 4 million in the last year. Women in general are fewer than men, 690 million against 722.

This is the result of more than 40 years of the "one child" policy, introduced in 1979, which applied to the whole country, with some exceptions for some regions and groups ethnic groups, greatly reducing the working-age population.

In 2015 alone, the Beijing government allowed the second child, which led to a record growth in the following year, when nearly 18 million babies were born. However, the growth was not confirmed in the following years, so as to allow even the third child in 2021. Policies in favor of the birth rate do not arouse great enthusiasm, also looking at similar practices in Western countries; Subsidies and extended holidays are not enough, say experts, such as Professor Sun Tsjuanchen of the Shandong School of Social Development.

The independent Russian demographer Aleksej Raksa, former collaborator of the Rosstat statistical institute, considers the Chinese subsidies insufficient: "Shenzhen can be compared to Moscow, and in comparison, Chinese families receive much less than Russian ones".

Not to mention that in most other cities in China the measures have not yet been activated. Russia's "maternal capital" has undergone various changes in recent times, and in 2023 the figures will reach 589,000 rubles (just under ,000) for the first child, and 779,000 for the second, but only for families who have no received support for the firstborn.

Even in Russia, however, more effective ways are being sought to stimulate the birth rate, modulated on the basis of the different conditions and location of families, as Finance Minister Anton Siluanov maintains. We need more expenditure and more articulated budget funds, difficult measures to plan in times of war and mobilization, which certainly do not contribute to population growth and family wellfare.
Shas's leader leaves the Interior and Healthcare Ministries, but the party remains in the government structure, and the prime minister ensures a forthcoming "public" post for the ultra-Orthodox leader. He will still be able to participate in executive meetings and retains the (honorary) title of deputy minister. Tens of thousands of people demonstrate in Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has removed Aryeh Deri, from office. The leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party was a top executive minister for a few weeks and is a key ally of the government coalition.

The decision that follows the sentence issued in recent days by the Supreme Court, which declared the Radical exponent unsuitable for the role due to a double conviction - the second one arrived last year - for fraud and corruption.

However, in communicating the decision, which will come into effect tomorrow, Netanyahu himself assured that he wanted to find "every legal means" to keep him in the government structure. The goal is to ensure him high profile "public office" in the near future.

Deri accepted the resignation, but then added that he does not intend to retire from public life and will keep the leadership of the party in Parliament. Furthermore, he will still be able to benefit from the title of "deputy minister" (moreover only honorary and without effective roles) and will participate as an "observer" in executive meetings.

After all, the votes of his party are essential to guarantee a margin of safety in the Knesset and carry out a series of reforms, first of all the controversial one on justice, a source of institutional tensions and street protests that were repeated last weekend as well .

In a note released on the sidelines of the executive meeting held yesterday, Netanyahu would have defined the sentence concerning the now former Minister of Health and Interior as "deplorable", because he was "indifferent" to the will "of the electorate".

A close collaborator of Deri, Barak Seri, told Israeli army radio that the ministerial portfolio will remain the prerogative of the Shas party, which will indicate a name in the coming days. In the aftermath of the verdict, the leaders of Shas had threatened to withdraw from the majority in the event of their leader being ousted, while today they seem to withdraw by accepting the proposal to choose a replacement.

Meanwhile, a poll published by the Hayom newspaper shows that 35% of voters support Netanyahu in the decision to change the appointment of judges - one of the most controversial points of the reform - with a substantial 45% saying they are against.

At the same time, only 26% are in favor of guaranteeing Parliament, with a majority vote, to overturn the sentences of the Supreme Court.

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people returned to the streets in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against the justice reform plan proposed by the government and by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.

At least 40,000 people gathered in the Kaplan Street area, one of the main arteries of the country's economic and commercial capital. Another 10,000 gathered in Piazza Habima, all with a single goal: to oppose a reform project that would end up limiting the autonomy of the judiciary, starting with the Supreme Court, binding the judges - and their appointment - to the dictates of the executive .
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

The latest official Sri Lankan data come from 2017. Norway plans to set up an independent inquiry. In the 1970s, baby farms were popular, selling Sri Lankan babies with false papers to European couples. Some Sri Lankans remember younger siblings going missing this way.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  The Norwegian government plans to investigate adoptions from Sri Lanka going as far back as the 1980s after discovering that possibly 11,000 Sri Lankan babies were illegally adopted.

Norways Children and Family Minister Kjersti Toppe told the Verdens Gang (VG) newspaper that the government is setting up an independent commission of inquiry to look into the matter.

In the 1970s, Sri Lanka had several "baby farms" that sold minors to European couples providing them with false papers. In 2017, Sri Lankan authorities admitted that 11,000 children may have been adopted illegally.

Sources in Sri Lanka's Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment told AsiaNews that in 2021, Romanticized Immigration, an organisation led by Priyangika Samanthie, a Norwegian adopted as a child from Sri Lanka, had called for an investigation into international adoptions.

The matter regarding adoptions came to light when a Dutch female adopted from Sri Lanka searched for her biological parents. It was revealed during investigations that all the official papers were falsified in Sri Lanka, said Sanuth Nakalanda, a prominent NGO activist who participated in a field survey as an undergraduate for a university project.

This adoption racket was a part of the baby farm mafia, Nakalanda explained. The Dutch female filed a case in court to trace her biological parents. Due to this Sri Lankan pathetic corrupt business, adoption from outside Europe was forbidden for a while in the Netherlands.

Chathura Semage, a resident of Ampara, Eastern Province, still remembers the day a white car drove away with her mother, Karunawathie Semage, and her two-year-old sister, Damayanthi, while he and his younger brother Dilan stayed at home. When she returned home in the evening, her mother was alone.

When the children asked him about their sister, she replied that she had been given up for adoption. "This incident took place either in 1986 or 1987. I was about 10, I remember. It was a period when my mother was struggling to survive. I remember a person visiting us several times and handing over cash in instalments, Chathura added.

When we said goodbye to each other, I never thought that my sister Damyanthi was about to go abroad and it was the last time wed see each other. I was sad that my sister was given for adoption, although, Mother had no option when Father left us.

Karunawathie was paid 1,800 Sri Lankan rupees (about at the time) for her daughter. I don't blame my mother, although I never saw my sister, to date. My mother was unable to feed three of us."

Chathura later heard that the person who visited them was the "baby farm broker" in Kochchikade, a suburb of Colombo, run by a court official and her husband, who acted as intermediaries arranging adoptions for foreign couples, mostly Norwegians and Dutch.

Photo: Flickr / Les
Potential candidates visit the country's temples on the first day of the lunar new year. Vice President Lai Ching-te is the favourite in the ruling party. New Mayor Taipei Hou Yu-ih is leading in the Chinese nationalist Kuomintang with hi-tech giant Foxconn founder Terry Guo well positioned.

Taipei (AsiaNews)  Yesterday was the first day of the Year of the Rabbit. In Taiwan, it marked the start of the campaign to replace outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), whose second term in office ends next year.

Following tradition, potential presidential candidates visited the country's temples for Lunar New Year festivities, taking the opportunity to position themselves ahead of the upcoming race.

At the Qingan temple in Keelung, Vice President Lai Ching-te said the government's priority is to improve the economy, which slowed down towards the end of 2022 due to declining world demand, especially for microchips.

Last week, Lai took over the leadership of the DPP, making him the favourite to be his partys candidate for president. One of the key points he stressed was boosting the island's military capabilities vis-a-vis mainland China.

Eric Chu, head of the Chinese nationalist Kuomintang, Taiwans main opposition party, visited Longshan shrine in the capital. Polls among party members ahead of upcoming primaries place him in third place (7.9 per cent) behind New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih and tycoon Terry Gou.

Gou is the founder and former CEO of Foxconn, the world's largest iPhone manufacturer, with huge interests in mainland China.

Visiting Cihui and Jieyun temples in New Taipei, Guo told reporters that he asked the gods if he should compete in the 2024 elections. Sound very much like a candidate, he stressed that people expect a leader who can keep the peace and strengthen the economy.

The Kuomintang is more open to mainland China, which accuses Tsai and her party of seeking Taiwans independence; for the mainland, Taiwan is a rebel province to be taken by force if necessary.

In November, the DPP suffered a crushing defeat in local elections. But the same happened before the 2020 presidential elections, which saw Tsai re-elected.

In Taiwan, relations with China weigh heavily, with the Kuomintang often accused of being too closely aligned on the positions of communist China.
Peru police authorities have ordered the closure of Machu Picchu, a popular destination for international travelers, and evacuated hundreds of tourists amid continuous unrest with protesters.

Law enforcement personnel prevented tourists from entering the Machu Picchu Citadel along with the Inca Trail Network until further notice. In a statement, a day before the announcement, the Decentralized Culture Directorate and Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary Directorate said that tourists who had tickets for Jan. 21, 2023, or later are entitled to a refund that can be used up until a month after the end of the demonstration.

Closure of Machu Picchu

Protests in Peru earlier this week raged across the country and have left at least 30 people injured. Furthermore, at least two police officers were wounded while 11 individuals were detained on Friday as protests became violent in Puno, a city in the southern parts of Peru.

A Puno police station was set ablaze, and Interior Minister Vicente Romero said that demonstrators attacked government infrastructure, police stations, and various private businesses across Peru on Friday. The country's National Police stormed the National University of San Marcos on Saturday to remove protesters from the area, said officials in a Twitter post, as per CNN.

According to social media posts, the university's legal representatives requested authorities to assist, saying that unidentified individuals "had used violence" against university staff. They added that these people took control of the university campus, including the educational institution's doors.

On Saturday, the university said that the National Police cleared the university's doors previously occupied by protesters who "participated in marches at the national level." In a Twitter post, Interior Minister Vincent Romero Fernandez said that more than 100 protesters were taken into custody.

State news agency Andina reported that between 200 and 300 policemen entered the university campus with the assistance of an armored vehicle to remove demonstrators. Law enforcement personnel used tear gas to disperse demonstrators near the entrance gates.

Read Also: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Urges Peace Talks

Peru's Violent Protests

Hundreds of tourists were left stranded at the ancient archeological site of Machu Picchu after Peru's railway service claimed that a portion of the tracking that led back to the capital was sabotaged by demonstrators, according to Fox News.

The nationwide protests began after authorities ordered the arrest of former President Pedro Castillo after he tried to dissolve Congress to maintain his power. He became the first leader with a rural Andean background but was later impeached and imprisoned.

Authorities said that train service to and from the town of Machu Picchu, located at the base of the bill where the ancient Inca citadel with the same name sits, was closed off since Thursday. Tourists allegedly lined up to sign a petition to be evacuated in a "humanitarian train."

In a statement on Saturday, Peru's Culture Ministry said that it ordered the closure of the most famous tourist attraction in Peru along with the Inca Trail to "project the safety of tourists and the population in general."

On the other hand, Pope Francis of the Catholic Church also called for an end to the violence binding Peru that has been going on for several weeks. During his weekly address to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, the religious leader said that violence was wrong no matter its origin, according to Reuters.

Related Article: UN Employees Photographed Under Taliban Flags

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A couple of days ago, we told you about the latest episode of the Unboxed teaser campaign. Its Mazdas way of creating hype for the upcoming CX-90 three-row. Whilst being a very important car for the brand and it will surely turn 2023 into a memorable year, some fans and prospective customers are getting a bit frustrated with how things are happening. We understand. Were eager to see the CX-90 too, especially after discovering all the novelties introduced by the CX-60.But you dont have to wait until the next episode of the Unboxed series drops. Nor do you have to count the days left for the wraps to be taken off the brand-new SUV. We know its going to come with a powerful gas-powered engine . The automaker allowed us to look at what was going to be found inside the cabin, and there is already a good sound bit that shows the exhaust note and gives us a glimpse of the front side view.But now, things are getting even better. Mazda invited former Wheeler Dealers mechanic Anthony Richard Anstead (better known as Ant Anstead) to explore the CX-90 before anyone else. He drove it and said that it has bragging rights. But besides letting us know what he thinks of it, Anstead also gave us a very good look at how the new Artisan Red color looks like in real life. At the same time, the footage he published on Instagram unveils the rear quarter of the SUV.The mechanic that gave up on Wheeler Dealers to remain in the U.S. also filmed himself getting behind the wheel of the car. While the whole filming setup shown in this Instagram clip is impressive and reveals just how much work and gear are needed to create these clips that stir emotion, we cannot ignore the fact that the CX-90s rear end looks very good. The blend between blacked-out elements, chrome, and body color gives the impression that this is a premium SUV that might just want to accede to the luxury segment.Theres a lot shared with the CX-60, but that was expected. Besides the sneaky rear-side view, we also get a mildly good look at the engine bay and at how the Artisan Red Premium looks when more or less sunlight is present. The  badge on the fender is there and confirms that were looking at the CX-90, while Anstead continues to move towards the drivers door and gets inside.But not without revealing some more details for us. The TV presenter shows us the drivers seat, the seat controls, and some cabin design cues, and confirms this way that were going to see the same blend of fabrics and metal on the well-specced CX-90s as is currently the case with the CX-60 Lastly, the footage also gives us a glimpse at the roomy cabin and shows that there are indeed three rows of seats and a very large sunroof. Gladly, it looks like Mazda thought about your comfort and also added a special place to deposit your sunglasses besides borrowing Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) system from the MX-5.All that is left to do right now is wait. Stick around because well show you everything about the CX-90 in detail when the time is right Which is precisely happening on the 31st of January.
Founded in 2017 by Swedish wakeboarder Philip Werner, Awake Boards has made a name for itself in the personal watercraft sector with products like the Ravik S and Ravik 3 electric surfboards and the Vinga S eFoil.eFoils, or hydrofoil electric surfboards, differ from regular electric surfboards due to an additional hydrofoil wing and electric propeller under the water, which allows surfers to fly one to two feet (approx. 0.5 meters) above the waters surface.The new Vinga 3 machine is basically a successor to the Awake Vinga S eFoil , which was released in March of last year, with the updates it brings focused on usability. The company has strived to make the new Vinga 3 eFoil more accessible, easier to maneuver, and safer for riders.Introduced with the tagline 30 seconds to set up, 5 minutes to fly  youll be cruising within the first session, the new eFoil is designed to allow for an easier learning curve.It boasts a generous volume of 95 liters (25 gallons) and can be assembled in less than 30 seconds due to its Click-to-Ride snap-lock function. No need to use screws or cables to get it ready for action.This system also allows for easy transportation. The disassembled board can easily fit in the trunk of your car, or you could even transport it to the beach or lake of your choice on a bicycle or moped.The Vinga 3 features a compact 5ft 6in (1.7-meter) double concave hull, which ensures the board can easily be controlled and maneuvered even by inexperienced riders, while also being stable enough during take-off and landing.As mentioned, the personal watercraft manufacturer also focused on safety with this release, so the new eFoil comes with a series of safety features, such as rounded wings, soft rails, and a shielded jet propulsion system.In terms of performance, the Vinga 3 can achieve a top speed of 31 mph (50 kph). Two battery sizes are available for the eFoil - a 1.9kWh Flex battery that provides riders with up to 1h 20 min of autonomy and a 2.8kWh unit that allows for up to two hours of riding.Whichever battery you choose, it is compatible with Awakes other boards. Actually, all Vinga 3s modules, including the board shell, the wings, and the jet-drive unit, are interchangeable with the other products in the companys portfolio.If youve been shying away from learning how to ride an electric hydrofoil surfboard until now for fear of a steep learning curve, you should try out the new Awake Vinga 3 . However, be ready to shell out at least 12.900 (around $14,040 at current exchange rates) without taxes when it becomes available for order in April.
Its not very easy to abstain from looking at a Bentley when the occasion presents itself. The manufacturers vehicles are all wildly attractive and impress with their elegant designs and generous sizes. However, can it get better than just ordering a basic V8-powered Continental? Well, yes! And, get this, it doesnt involve going for the W12-equipped Speed version Bentley Sydney wanted to properly remind everyone that the Continental GT3  the gentleman racers racing car  won at Bathurst in 2020. Their choice? Two spanking-new limited-edition Continental GT S two-door sedans each come with 542 hp (550 ps) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque. Sporting a V8 like the GT3, these two special Mulliner cars also celebrate the debut of the S range in Australia.Theres no performance change for the two special Continentals. Both have the same power figures and can accelerate to 62 mph (100 kph) in four seconds. However, the differentiating aspects are present inside and outside.Thanks to individual specifications, the first Continental GT S that glorifies winning V8 performance comes in a green-over-black configuration. However, this being Bentley were talking about, the paintwork is pristine and is known as Apple Green. Its also a hint at the GT3s racing livery. There are also a couple of blacked-out elements that enhance the sporty look. These include some additions in carbon fiber. Moreover, the grille shows the number seven painted on it.Inside, the darker color allows the masterfully done green accents to pop out without being too in your face. The headrests come with Bathurst stitched onto them and the treadplates remind the driver that the car is truly special with this simple expression  One of Two. Theres also an indication next to the powerful expression that says Bathurst 12hr Tribute in case the buyer will ever forget what hes driving. While sitting behind the wheel, the driver will notice the Australian tracks shape added as a metal overlay on the carbon fiber fascia. However, that part will be more visible to the passenger.The drivers who worked together to bring the win in 2020 are honored as well  their names are etched onto the center console."We are proud to help Bentley celebrate that famous result with this pair of incredibly special and unique Continental GT S vehicles, much like the pair of Continental GT3 entries that were so impressive on the Mountain for many memorable years," said Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director Shane Rudzis.The second car is finished in Silver Tempest and reminds us of the time when the second-generation Continental GT3 started racing in 2018. Other than this, it looks exactly like the first one.The owners of these vehicles will receive a 1:18 scale model of the winning GT3 and a framed artifact.This is how Bentley s Mulliner division kickstarts 2023 after delivering 500 bespoke creations last year.Finally, the Continental GT3 weighs less than 2,866 lb (1,300 kg) thanks to a structure made mostly of aluminum and other carbon fiber bits and pieces. The automaker added a redesigned dry sump system, new intakes, a new exhaust system, and different intercoolers, and lifted the power restriction for the eight-cylinder engine. Aerodynamic upgrades together with improved suspension and braking systems completed the vehicle.
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kW

They say that every picture is worth 1,000 words, so get ready for 5,000 words upon checking it out in the image gallery above. This British luxurycame from al13wheels on Instagram a few days ago, and it looks like a proper contender to become Bruce Waynes daily cruiser, with or without the chauffeured experience.Wearing black pretty much everywhere you look, from bumper to bumper, including on that imposing grille up front, it has a similar look for the exterior lighting units and darkened windows too. The only things that provide some contrast to the sinister makeover are the orange accents, including the pinstripe, and the Rolls-Royce emblems on the grille, front fenders, and probably on the tailgate too, though the embedded post doesn't show any images of the back end.Since it was shared by a wheel maker on social media, you can bet your bottom dollar on the fact that those alloys were fitted there post-assembly. The AL13 C00-109R aerodisc set has a rather simple pattern, and very wide lips to go with the fender flares that are part of the makeover. Decorated by the OEM Rolls-Royce center caps, 24-inch wheels are hugged by very thin tires on the pictured Cullinan, which also features some extensions at the front, sides, and likely rear too.We definitely dig the murdered-out looks of this Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which hasnt lost its appeal and has managed to become even more head-turning than the standard one, and this time it is for the right reasons. But what do you think about it? Does it look better than a stock example, or would you rather have yours, when you finally win the lottery , in a different configuration? Let us know your thoughts about it in the comments area down below, and dont forget to check out the pictures shared in the gallery before you do.Also, on a final note, we have to mention that powerful engine that breathes air from behind the iconic grille, which is a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12, with 562 hp (570 ps/419) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. Everything is transferred to the all-wheel drive system via a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. For such a big boy, equipped with all sorts of luxury gizmos, the Cullinan sure is quick, as it can deal with the 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) acceleration in less than six seconds, en route to a 155 mph (250 kph) top speed.
Before it sets off on this historic space flight, JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) needs to embark on a different kind of journey. Since the summer of 2021, its been sitting at the Airbus center in Toulouse, France, for its final assembly and tests.After its official unveiling (where everyone could admire the commemorative plaque) the spacecraft was loaded onto a massive Antonov cargo aircraft that will carry it across the Atlantic, all the way to South America. The final destination, to be reached by February, is Europes Kourou spaceport in the French Guiana. This is where an Ariane 5 launch vehicle will lift off a few months later, in April.That will be the beginning of JUICE s real journey, the one that will go down in history. This is the largest planetary mission to this day for ESA (European Space Agency) and the spacecraft itself is the first L-class (L stands for Large) mission in the Cosmic Vision program, dedicated to the planets in the Solar System.Jupiter and the largest of its 79 moons (Ganymede, Callisto, Io and Europa) are the target for this particular mission. With no fuel, Juice weighs around 2,400 kg (2.4 tons). When fueled, its weight will increase to more than six tons. Onboard, it will carry ten scientific instruments, including sensors, cameras, an altimeter, and an ice-penetrating radar.Two of these instruments were developed with help from the Institute of Planetary Research at the DLR (the German Aerospace Center). Plus, the German Space Agency contributed to the funding of seven of them.After being flown from one continent to another, JUICE will be ready to set off on its epic journey to Jupiter, which it will reach by the summer of 2031. Once there, it will use its state-of-the-art instruments to map out Jupiters icy moons in much more detail than ever before (compared to NASAs Voyager and Galileo missions). At best, it will shed more light on the elusive oceans of these moons.Europa, for example, could be hiding more water than all of the oceans on Earth, under a thick layer of ice. Thanks to these ultra-capable instruments, scientists could at least get a confirmation for the presence of water on these four moons, and more information about it.In the Fall of 2035, when its mission is supposed to end , JUICE will die like a hero, through a carefully-controlled crash into the icy surface of Ganymede. By then, it will have already written one of the most important pages in space exploration history.
Current spacecraft use one of two means of propulsion to get where theyre going: solar or chemical. The former is perfect for moving through space efficiently, but only works as long as the ship is close enough to the Sun for its panels to be hit by light. The latter is highly restrictive because chemical propellant means a lot of mass, and burning it results in rather slow speeds for our cosmic goals.So a while ago, NASA started to look for alternative means of propulsion for spacecraft meant to visit not only Mars, but also the outer planets. The focus quickly fell on something called Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP).In itself, the idea is not new, but was never put to use on a spacecraft. It basically means a uranium nuclear core where fission occurs, with atoms splitting to release heat. The same core is flooded with fuel, like say liquid hydrogen. The heat produced by the reactor converts the fuel to gas, which is pushed out through the back of the spacecraft to produce thrust.There are a number of advantages to such a solution, including the fact they are twice as efficient as chemical rockets, as per the Office of Nuclear Energy. They are also faster and could reduce travel time to neighboring Mars , which usually takes about nine months, by about a quarter. Thats by more than two months, and in the economy of a crewed mission there, its like getting the planet closer to our home to make it easier to reach.NASA has been looking for such solutions for a while now, but we know of no NTP being close to becoming a reality. Yet, this isnt stopping people from coming up with their own ideas on the matter.Among them is Ryan Gosse from the University of Florida, Gainesville. His idea is complicatedly called Bimodal NTP/NEP with a Wave Rotor Topping Cycle and received a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts ( NIAC ) Phase 1 grant earlier in January.Theres a visual breakdown of the concepts components featured as the main photo of this piece. We see the usual controllers, reaction and thrust chambers, and the nozzle, but also something called a wave rotor.Its this piece of technology thats key to this design. You see, a regular NTP design provides a specific impulse (the thrust resulting from a specific amount of fuel) of 900 seconds. Thats not bad, considering a chemical rockets specific impulse is half that, but horrible when compared with the maximum potential of the NTP, which could go as high as 4,000 seconds.So, the wave rotor topping cycle this scientist is proposing should increase the specific impulse to up to 4,000 seconds under the right conditions.What does that mean for a spaceship traveling to Mars? Well, instead of the nine months on chemical rockets, or seven using a standard NTP, a ship rocking this tech could potentially reach the Red Planet in about 45 days.It's like the other planet was somehow moved right next door, and this could forever change the face of our expansion into the solar system. Sadly, the entire idea is at the NIAC Phase I stage, and that means people have not nearly begun making it a reality.
SUV

4WD

Think about it for a moment. Nissan has quite a versatile family of models, starting with the Versa sedan as far as passenger cars are concerned or kicking off with the little Kicks when dealing with crossovers and SUVs. Of course, it all boils down to having an Armada of models when trying to cross the Frontier and beat the eternal Honda and Toyota foes in terms of American sales.Still, that may not be enough, as it is quite obvious from the Titan(ic) efforts needed to fight the eternal best-selling mid-size pickup truck king  aka the Toyota Tacoma. Well, perhaps the Japanese company just needs reinforcements  even from across the imaginative realm of virtual automotive artists if the real-world endeavors are not enough. So, cue to the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube.They have recently imagined that Nissan simply needs a body-on-framesibling for the D41 Nissan Frontier mid-size pickup truck, which just went on its standalone, North America-dedicated merry way as opposed to just going along for the modified Navara (MP300) ride. And, of course, they also have the perfect nameplate for this rough and toughsport utility vehicle.As such, witness the return of the truck-based Xterra compact SUV in a mid-size form that would make it suitable to fight the big turf war against Jeeps Wrangler, Fords reinvented sixth-gen Bronco, and especially against the Tacoma-based 4Runner SUV. Well, that would certainly turn into a brawl for the ages.Especially since Nissan has not done anything in that direction since the Xterra was born as a compact body-on-frame SUV in 1999 and only lived across the spawn of two generations, until 2015. During that time, the original Xterra also had a few other names and was produced all around the world, from China to Brazil and the United States (Smyrna, Tennessee, and Canton, Mississippi), before its rather untimely demise.Now that the Toyota 4Runner still enjoys success with an N280 fifth generation that has been around since 2009 (back then the Xterra had no worries and was manufactured at NSAP!) and the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco have demonstrated that rugged SUVs are just as good as family-oriented CUV mall crawlers, maybe it is also time for Nissan to think about bringing back the adventure-ready nameplate. The channels pixel master certainly thinks the neo-retro design could strike at the core of the 4x4 community and sure acts accordingly.So, the reinvented, third-gen 2024 Nissan Xterra has a fresh, Frontier-inspired front end that bodes well for the 21st-century buyer. But it also comes with a distinctive profile and a minimalist rear (as far as we can tell) that tries to show this 4WD might need minimal maintenance and maximum overlanding road trip adventures. So, do we like the ritzy color reel enough to give it our CGI hall pass, or not?
?Tras la 1 carga de hidrogeno para abastecer la estacion de suministro, cual es el siguiente paso? ????Probar su uso en las maquinas Reachstacker y la cabeza tractora, dos vehiculos pioneros que van a permitir comprobar el uso real de este combustible en operaciones portuarias pic.twitter.com/np4BbGzVig  Valenciaport (@AutPortValencia) January 20, 2023

Similar to airports, maritime ports are working on renewing their support machinery fleets, by replacing conventional vehicles with battery-electric or hydrogen-electric alternatives. The use of hydrogen also implies the need to implement refueling infrastructure. And the Port of Valencia seems to have worked faster than other European counterparts at this. It has officially inaugurated a hydrogen supply station (HRS) that will soon be used to refuel two machine prototypes.The first hydrogen loading of the HRS is a milestone that confirms Valenciaports pioneering status as the first maritime port in Europe to launch hydrogen-based operations.This supply station consists of a fixed part, where hydrogen is received, stored, and compressed, plus a mobile part that is used for refueling the port machinery with the compressed hydrogen. Initially, this machinery will be limited to two prototypes that are set to arrive at the port this year  a container stacker and a 4 x 4 tractor unit.Hyster Europe is currently developing the future Reach Stacker that will run on hydrogen. Its supposed to be as efficient as a diesel truck when it comes to capacity, lift, and speed, while operating with zero emissions. Its supposed to be even better than battery-electric alternatives, mostly thanks to its compact build (a battery pack for the same capabilities would be as big as half of the truck) and fast refueling time, compared to charging. According to the Port of Valencia, the fuel cell Reach Stacker takes 15 minutes at most to be refilled, and a single refill would be enough for an entire day of operations.Now that the HRS demonstrated its first successful hydrogen loading, its ready to start refueling the Reach Stacker and the fuel cell tractor, once they are delivered. Before that, technicians and port operators from Valenciaport are headed to Holland, where the Reach Stacker will initially be tested. Meanwhile, the tractor unit is being modified for hydrogen use by Atena Distretto in Italy.All of these elements are part of the H2Ports project, funded through the EUs Clean Hydrogen JU program. The HRS was designed and built domestically, in Spain, by the National Hydrogen Center, and the hydrogen was supplied by another local company, Carburos Metalicos.Together with other solutions for clean energy, such as the installation of solar panels and wind turbines, hydrogen-fueled port machines are meant to lead to zero-emission port operations by the end of this decade.
The Black Hawk was introduced in 1974, meaning the thing is just a year short of turning half a century. Like most other military hardware out there, it continues to operate, despite its age, and does so with great success.Also like most other military hardware, its family grew to such an extent that today we have several high-profile variants. For maritime operations, theres the MH-60R/S, multi-missions are performed using the MH-60T, while rescues happen all over the world thanks to the HH-60W.The Black Hawk is in service with the militaries and other government entities in some 30 countries, but no other organization is as fond of the helicopter as the U.S. Army , Sikorsky's largest customer for the machine. You see, throughout its entire existence, the Black Hawk family had 5,000 members born, and of that some 2,000 are in use with the U.S. Army.In fact, Black Hawk number 5,000, a UH-60M version, was just delivered by its maker to the military branch this past weekend, marking an important moment in the platforms existence.The UH-60M is a multi-mission bird, and the most recent addition to the Black Hawk family. It is operated by a crew of four and is powered by a pair of General Electric turboshaft engines that develop a little under 2,000 hp each.The helicopter can travel at speeds of up to 183 mph (294 kph) and has a range of about 370 miles (590 km). It can be configured in many ways, but when ready for combat youll see it carrying various guns, rockets and missiles attached to hardpoints, and even bombs.The Black Hawk will continue to be the backbone of the American military, at least when it comes to rotor aircraft. Already used in every major contingency operation the Army has executed, as Col. Calvin Lane, utility helicopter project manager for the Program Executive Office Aviation said when the 5,000th unit was received, it will continue to do so for at least another four decades.The Army is presently running a modernization program for the Black Hawk, which will see some 1,200 of them get new and better tech installed. The main goals are to give it increased range and lift capabilities, but also make the family deadlier and more capable of surviving dangerous situations.As a twist, Sikorsky is also gunning for autonomous applications for the Black Hawk, and in early 2022 it started a testing program with an uncrewed helicopter.
Alex Murdaugh stands murder trial over the killings of his wife and youngest son as his defense team issued one last statement, saying they would remain quiet during the hearing.

The suspect's defense team consists of South Carolina lawyers Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin. The two legal experts said they wanted to remain quiet to maintain the integrity of the trial process.

Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial

The statement from the lawyers read, "Our team will not be providing any further statements or responses to anything that occurs at trial." Murdaugh faces accusations of fatally shooting his 52-year-old wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and their youngest son, 22-year-old Paul Murdaught, on their family property in Colleton County on June 7, 2021.

On the other hand, the suspect's defense team said that they are ready to challenge those accusations in court and plan to demonstrate the "weakness" in the State's case against their client.

The defense lawyers' statement said that the defendant was looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name of the heinous charges. This is so that the Attorney-General can finally start searching for the real killer or killers of their client's beloved wife and son, as per Live5 News.

As seen in documents filed before the trial, the State has called for representatives from Snapchat and Google to testify during Murdaugh's murder trial. Officials claimed that the tech giants have crucial information regarding the case.

Furthermore, the State wants a blood spatter expert during the defendant's murder trial to testify as an expert on a white T-shirt that had blood on it and was known to have been worn by Murdaugh on the night of the murders.

On the other hand, the defense team called for the blood spatter expert to be excluded from the trial in favor of another expert who disagreed with the State's representative's statement about how blood transferred to the shirt.

Read Also: Did Hunter Biden Rent His Father's Delaware Home?

A Series of Criminal Charges

Paul, the defendant's son, reportedly sent a Snapchat video to his friends a few hours before he was murdered. A legal contributor to ABC News, Dan Abrams, said that the prosecution's expert initially did not find blood spatter on the shirt but was able to find it after using a different kind of testing, according to ABC7 Chicago.

The defendant made a 911 call in June 2021, claiming that he found his wife and son fatally shot outside their family's hunting lodge. The month after, the disgraced attorney was indicted by a South Carolina grand jury for the double murders. During his indictment hearing, Murdaugh pleaded not guilty.

The murders of Murdaugh's wife and son initially appeared to be revenge killings over the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. The latter died in 2019 after Murdaugh's son Paul was charged with boating under the influence and was responsible for the death of the teenager.

On Feb. 24, 2019, Paul, Beach, and four other individuals were drinking and joyriding on a fishing boat near Beaufort, South Carolina. Then, the boat crashed into a bridge, throwing Beach from the boat, where it took authorities a week to find her body, said Rolling Stone.

Related Article: Jay Briscoe Daughters Car Crash Update

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SUV

6x6

AMG

Founded back in 1926 and killed off following the major financial crisis of the 2000s, the division was slotted above the best-selling Chevrolet as a way to bridge the gap between Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac. Many fans would probably swap places between Buick and Pontiac in a second if that meant the latter was allowed to live a passenger car lifestyle instead of the formers bland and uninteresting crossoverstint.Alas, one cannot have the course of history reversed. Or, at least, not in the real world. Over across the dreamy realm of virtual automotive artists, though  anything is possible. As such, meet Czech Republic-based virtual artist Rostislav Prokop, better known as rostislav_prokop on social media, who shares another closer POV of his commissioned CGI work done for his traditional car periplus alongside HotCars.Since the new year has started, the journey alongside the publication has included just about everything, from a hypothetical next-generation Lambo Huracan to a reborn Mazda RX-7 or Toyota MR2 and from a cool Toyota Land Cruiserpickup truck to the modern revival of the feisty Lambo Diablo. In between them, though, there was also something to appease the CGI appetite of Americana muscle car enthusiasts  the return of the 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge.The Pontiac GTO is widely heralded as the series that introduced us to the golden age of U.S. muscle cars, of course. It was produced between 1963 and 1974 over four generations and then officially resurrected for a brief period during the mid-2000s for the 2004 to 2006 model years as a captive import  a rebadged third-gen Holden Monaro originating from Australia.Naturally, most of GTOs cult following is based on the original versions from the 1960s and 1970s, and especially the early ones have received a lot of attention from the areas of restoration and modernization. As such, restomod fans have been keen on playing with the Pontiac GTO  both in the real world as well as across the virtual realm. And Prokop seems to want doubles, as now he also cooked up a second restomod based on a darker 1964 Pontiac GTO.This one also comes with interesting styling traits, such as the one-piece windows or the cool wheels that are color-matched to the black body. Alas, to me  and to some extent to other fans  this also feels like a reinterpretation of a Mercedes-Benz coupe. Namely, a CLKas far as one of the channels fans is concerned, and an older two-door C126 Mercedes 560 SEC, if my two cents are also allowed on the matter.
EV

kW

kWh

Rowan said that the EX30 has a critical mission apart from improving Volvos sales volumes: help the brands audience rejuvenate, so to speak. With Volvos price tags, it is predictable that only older people have the money to afford its cars. The younger ones with enough cash to consider a Volvo usually prefer flashier brands.For the Volvo CEO, these newer customers may also choose the Swedish brand because of the changes the EX30 will bring to the shopping experience. Buyers may subscribe to the cars instead of purchasing them. Thats a model Geely has been using with Lynk & Co for quite some time already, and that probably proved to be a good idea.Ironically, Rowan said that he believes the EX30 should attract a lot of older buyers in search of smaller cars, fit for shorter distances that you can cover just by charging theat home. This utilization description reminds us of the quadricycles used in Europe without a drivers license. The Citroen Ami is an excellent example of these cars, even if the EX30 promises to be a much larger vehicle for five people.If the new Volvo keeps the exact dimensions as the smart #1, it will be 4.27 m (168.1 in) long, 1.82 m (71.7 in) wide, 1.64 m (64.4 in) tall, and will have a 2.75 m (108.3 in) wheelbase. We do not expect the final dimensions to be precisely these, but the Chinese press believes the motors will be the same. The EX30 should have a single motor for the rear with 200(268 hp) and one for each axle in fancier versions, delivering a total output of 315 kW (422 hp).The Volvo CEO also suggested that Volvo will go for smaller battery packs  between 30and 50 kWh  in markets where the charging infrastructure is big enough to ensure these EV owners will never worry about range. Weve heard something similar from Markus Duesmann. The Audi CEO said that in February 2021, which shows that most automakers believe they will manage to sell more miniature battery packs as soon as people can charge them anywhere.That would work just fine if people were willing to stop every 100 miles or less to charge. Thats the range the Mazda MX-30 has with its 35.5 kWh battery pack. Rowan may want to meet with the Mazda CEO to ask him how that strategy played out for the Japanese company.
EV

It is important to note that the Ford-VW tie-up will involve three passenger cars and four commercial vehicles. In other words, the prototype that is featured in the photo gallery and in the image at the top of this article is supposed to be one of the three passenger cars that the Blue Oval will build based on a Volkswagen Group platform.From what we already know from previous statements, it should be anthat is smaller than the Mustang Mach-E , yet bigger than the Puma. In other words, this should be something similar to a Volkswagen ID.4, if we think about it, and it looks like it fits the bill from that perspective, at least from what we can distinguish from the photos. However, in some images, the prototype looks awfully small, while in others it looks bigger than a Kuga.This is the first public sighting of the prototype, it is camouflaged to mark the occasion, and this barely covers the basics. The prototype was spotted in Europe while it was driven in an enclosed compound, where it did not even require license plates. The facility in question was full of other Ford vehicles, so it is easy to presume that it is one of the company's European centers.Most likely, these images were taken near Ford's headquarters in Koln, Germany, or in Aachen, where the Blue Oval has one of its development centers, which is called a Research and Innovation Center. The firm has a proving ground in nearby Belgium, in Lommel, which may also be a place where the firm was testing this prototype.There is a possibility that the facility in question was neither in Koln, Aachen, nor in any of the mentioned locations. The location is not that important right now, but it may be among the things that are clear about the vehicle.We still do not know what Ford intends to name the new crossover , but we do know that it is an all-electric model and that it will have a size that is close to the Volkswagen ID.4. For now, it is referred to as the "medium-sized crossover," and it is set to be followed by a sport crossover that will share Volkswagen's MEB platform. There is a chance that this is the sport crossover prototype, and not the medium-sized one, but the Blue Oval will not clear that up for us.From a styling perspective, it will have a boxy shape, slim LED headlights, an angular tailgate, and what looks like an inspiration from the Explorer on an ID.4 body , but only as far as styling cues go. The interior is allegedly set to be exclusive to Ford, as well, while Volkswagen will keep its touch controls for itself on the ID.4 and its siblings within the group.
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https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/finesse-101.html

Bass Fishing For Beginners

By M.L. Anderson and R. L. McAlpin / August 6, 2022

Image BFS rod and reel with a hard bait.

Japanese anglers often fish in limited waters that are highly pressured, so smaller baits and more finesse often get the nod. But that presents a problem: those small baits are almost impossible to throw using traditional baitcasting gear, and spinning gear often lacks the precision to put a tiny lure exactly where you want it.

Another drawback of spinning gear is line twist. The beauty of a baitcaster is that the line rolls straight off the reel and doesn't spool off as it does on a spinning rod. But unfortunately, this spooling action causes the dreaded spin caster line twist. So, between the inaccuracy, lack of power, and line twist, sophisticated Japanese anglers wanted baitcasting reels that would allow them to cast small lures like spinning gear without those inherent drawbacks.

So about ten or fifteen years ago, Japanese fishermen began tweaking their baitcasting reels with smaller spools.

Don Iovino was tournament-fishing with the mini Ambassadeurs and finesse lures with 5-lb mono in the 1990s, tuning his reels for light weights. BFS just didn't have a name yet.

The first reference to BFS in print was in 2000 when Hiroyuki Motoyama wrote about stream trout fishing. His books over the following decades on BFS were mostly aimed at shore bass fishing. The smartest guy in the world regarding BFS is Jun Sonada, who has put a lot of his experience into essays on his JapanTackle website.

Image BFS reels often include 34-mm and 36-mm diameter spools. Here is a 1000-size Zillion and an Ambassadeur 4600.

The first BFS reels were modified Ambassadeurs. Bait Finesse System combines a lighter-weight spool, low-inertia spool bearings (spool micro-bearings), and threadline that's either mono or PE braid about the diameter of #1 silk thread or 4-lb mono, give or take. It's baitcasting gear in the range of traditional ultralight spinning tackle.

The movement grew from there, and now you can get BFS rods and reels from online stores like Bait Finesse Empire. BFS reels are built small with shallow spools that allow light lures to pull the line out for casting.

Early in 2020, Gary Dobyns of Dobyns Rods posted on his Facebook page that he was toying with the idea of building a lighter power-fishing baitcast rod. Amir Azabbi, who had gotten into BFS via a small online community, answered Gary and suggested he build BFS rods. Gary had never heard of it, but he agreed.

Image Micro-bearings

He sent Azabbi and one other fisherman two rods, and they fished with them, tested them, and gave suggestions. At first, shops didnt seem interested, so Azabbi started a shop himself (Bait Finesse Empire), and Gary supplied him with the rods. Dobyns told me he is amazed at how fast BFS fishing has taken off. Now Dobyns Rods makes the Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rod Series, and he tells me he can hardly keep them in stock.

Special Gear

We all know that baitcasting gear gives you more precision for better accuracy and control. That's why the Japanese anglers who started the system started tinkering with the smallest baitcasters they could find, putting even smaller-capacity spools on them and tweaking them until they could throw super small baits.

Image Mid-frame Ambassadeurs for bass BFS

It began with the mini Ambassadeur reels for trout fishing but quickly moved into mid-frame Ambassadeurs for bass BFS. The Ambassadeur BFS spools are an ounce lighter than stock spools. On newer low-profile reels, BFS spools are typically 1/3 to 1/2 the weight of deep stock spools and made shallow to hold a tiny fraction of the deep-spool line capacity.

By keeping the total rotating mass as small as possible, the spool, the moving portion of the spool bearings, and the loaded line mass combine to keep the system inertia low, allowing BFS to cast ultralight lures a great distance - often exceeding the distance of equivalent spinning tackle. The result is high cast reliability with minimal braking force.

Aftermarket spools and spool micro-bearings (BFS Air bearings) are available for many reel models. Fishermen may have the option of converting their existing baitcast reel to BFS. A $90 spool and $20 bearings may be an option for some, whereas a $300 package reel might not be. Of course, you can always swap it back if you prefer.

Image BFS spools are made shallow to hold a tiny fraction of their deep-spool counterparts.

Japan home-packaged BFS reels are most often built on compact-frame low-profile reels. They're ready to fish with lightweight shallow spools and spool micro-bearings. Theyre often rated for lines smaller than PE#1 and designed with faster level wind pitch to prevent line dig with the smallest threadlines.

Companies like Tsurinoya, iFishband, Daiwa, and Shimano make specific BFS reels that are perfect for the Bait Finesse System. For instance, the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS HG 2017 has a 6.8:1 gear ratio that takes up 26.8 inches of line per handle turn. It holds just 49 yards of 8-pound-test line.

The BFS rods are specially designed with very light, limber tips to make casting the small baits easier. However, they aren't noodle rods  they tend to be pretty stout with a medium to medium-light action, so even though you can cast small lures when you get hooked up, you know you've got a true bass rod.

BFS is also hugely popular with trout fishermen, and the trout rods are generally shorter (4 to 5 /2 feet), ranging from moderate to extra-fast action (the latter for strong current) that is ideal for what the Japanese call "area fish," meaning stocked trout. In addition, these rods flex more when you cast than traditional bass gear, allowing you to play a trout slowly and keep it on the line.

BFS bass rods will typically handle lures as light as 1/8- to 1/16th ounce, while the trout rods will allow you to throw as light as 1/32 ounce. Over the past year, BFS has gone beyond a niche  this year, at ICAST, two or three American companies had BFS rods on display.

Image The diminutive Shakespeare Tournament Freespool casting reel from the 30s, with a light alloy spool, shallow cork arbor, and 4-lb silk braid.

Every country with a fishing tradition has a history of threadline fishing using progressive-taper rods, which goes back to at least the advent of spinning reels. The Scot, Alexander Wanless, Ernest Schwiebert in the US, and, more recently, Joe Robinson and the late Dave Whitlock made their finesse rods from fly rod blanks. Centuries before the advent of reels, the Japanese did something similar with long rods and threadline, which they call Cara.

Finesse rods have a progressive taper, or what I call super-progressive. They're very close to the good dry-fly tapers in fly rods. They feature a short soft tip, long fast mid, and powerful butt. Shorter progressive tapers like Japanese stream trout rods aren't long enough to load deeper for big lures, but 1-7 g in a 5' rod is still a wide lure range. They're very different from traditional ultralight spinning rods, which are typically para tapers with narrow lure-weight range, and flexing deep into the rod butt. Even the light and ultralight stream trout rods feel fast and crisp. You're usually casting off the tip.

In recent years, the Japanese have been quickly adding salt-niche BFS rods that traditionally belong to finesse spinning tackle for rockfish, shore (surf) micro-jigging, offshore micro-jigging and inshore micro-plug, and soft jig fishing. These rods can have extreme lure ranges and big-fish power, especially as they go longer, e.g., 2 to 20 g and 3 to 30 g in all-range rods over 8'. The move to salt BFS makes sense. They've been eating there for 2000 years and using most all spinning rods there for a generation.

Image Japanese BFS spinnerbait

BFS rods over 7-1/2' are generally intended for shore fishing. Rods under 7-1/2' are mainly made for boat fishing. However, many lightweight, powerful shorter rods can double for all-range bass finesse.

Lures

BFS lures run the entire gamut of bass lures  from plastics to metal baits to plugs and topwater. Azzabi says that it isn't the size of the bait per se. Instead, the weight of the bait matters with BFS gear. If you start getting too heavy, you're better off with regular baitcasting gear.

You can fish many traditional bass baits with the Bait Finesse System  many worms are light enough, as well as small 1-1/2- to 2-inch craws and creature baits, 1- to 3-inch swimbaits, etc. However, Azzabi says hard baits are the most popular on his website: things like crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc. He imports many of them directly from Japan, as the Japanese have been doing this for a long time and have better quality spinnerbaits.

Topwater baits are one of his most significant selling categories, and BFS has about every kind you can think of, including Spook-like baits, poppers, and even floating soft baits. There are also frogs, inline spinners, and even spoons.

Image 45-mm, and 38-mm stream trout plugs with the size 12 and 14 trebles swapped for size 4 and 6 singles.

Its worth noting about casting weightless plastics with BFS tackle - BFS makes it easy to cast a worm or swim jig without a weight. Many JDM suspending plastic minnow bodies are made to be fished with a single hook only. In addition, BFE offers various single-plug hooks.

When fishing these lures, a must-have item is the Smith Pinchette split ring tweezers for size 0 split rings. This allows you to take Japanese stream trout plugs with micro-trebles and swap larger single-plug hooks for bigger fish. These hooks foul on spinning line casts but seldom foul with BFS because of tight line casts. You can fish these for snook all winter to imitate glass minnows and all summer for river bass.

In addition to finesse plugs and spoons, one of my favorite river lures duplicates a Woolly Booger on a fly rod and bottom-bounces. BFE sells the Mukai Max inline spinner that keels hook-up. In addition, Vanfook offers the pre-tied woolly booger tail.

Why BFS?

Image Bass with a Japanese minnow bait.

First, hooking a bass on gear this light is an incredible rush. Its just plain fun. Azzabi says that for most guys (here in America, anyway), BFS isnt going to be their primary bass fishing gear. It's going to be one part of what you do. So you can undoubtedly use your power stuff, but finesse will become more and more critical as pressure increases.

Amir has also seen many avid bass anglers getting into BFS because they love power fishing, but shoulder or other injuries have made it too difficult for them to use traditional heavy baitcasting gear all day. BFS is the ideal solution  much lighter, but supplies the need for speed!

If you like to fish in small rivers, creeks, and ponds, BFS is the way to go, especially if you walk the bank. Amir loves walking creeks for bass, getting away from other anglers, and enjoying the sport and the outdoors. Most of the fishing that a creek or pond fisherman does is shallow fishing, and that's ideal for BFS since the reels don't hold much line. However, you'll be better off with your big gear if you want to fish deep.

Some of the most popular BFS fishing rods on Bait Finesse Empire are the 4-piece travel rods. They break down small enough to fit in a day pack, so you can easily carry your gear anywhere. For example, Azzabi uses a fanny pack as a tackle box and only needs a couple of small boxes for all the lures he needs, plus pliers, etc.

He says that when you're fishing a creek that's only ten inches deep, you don't need much line out, so BFS is perfect for that because it still gives you the backbone to get a smallmouth out of current. And it's much easier to cast with a baitcaster when surrounded by trees and brush. He loves fishing Japanese minnow lures in creeks. They sink, so it's an aggressive bait, and you have to fish it with a fast twitch. He walks along the creeks and power fishes.

Amir also says he's seen many crappie fishermen getting into BFS, especially with the new Live View technology. It allows them to cast directly to the target. But, for bass fishermen, BFS is like Power Finesse Fishing. It lets you cover shallow water very quickly but with smaller baits. So it's ideal for pitching or flipping small baits just outside cover, for instance, but you probably wouldn't use it to pitch right INTO the cover.

BFS fishing is perfect for travel, particularly when you're not bringing a big bass boat. Imagine being able to pack a single-day pack with all the fishing gear you'll need! You can probably think of many places near you where the Bait Finesse System would be the ideal way to have a nice quiet day of fishing, so check out BFS  I bet you get hooked!

BassResource may receive a portion of revenues if you make a purchase using a link above.
The man who was "possibly" a suspect in the mass shooting at Monterey Park was discovered dead in a white cargo van in Torrance on Sunday, according to two law enforcement officials with access to the case.

Before breaking a window, multiple police enforcement agencies had encircled the car for more than an hour. NBC Los Angeles's overhead coverage showed law enforcement officers unlocking the van's doors and entering the vehicle minutes afterward.

Lunar New Year Shooting

Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County stated earlier on Sunday that he could not determine whether the individual in question was the gunman his department was searching for. The white van matched the description of the car involved in the adjacent Alhambra incident.

Twenty minutes after the incident in Monterey Park, patrons of a dance establishment in neighboring Alhambra pulled a man with a gun away from him as he entered. Luna stated that he thought there was a connection between the two incidents but could not determine alternative possibilities.

On Sunday afternoon, police encircled a car containing a person who, according to Luna, was "probably" the suspect but whose condition was unknown. The spectacular vehicle-related scenario was caught by TV helicopters flying overhead.

Luna stated they were still examining the connection between the van, the suspect, and the incident. Two armored vehicles were positioned in front and behind the van, which was stationed in a parking lot in Torrance, west of Los Angeles, as were cops in fatigues and body armor in the rear of one of the police cars, as shown by aerial footage from a helicopter.

Police issued an alert describing the suspect as a guy of Asian ancestry, around 5 feet 10 inches tall, who should be regarded as "armed and dangerous." Luna announced that a victim center had been established and invited anybody who feared a family member had been at the dance hall to visit.

The suspect entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in the city of Monterey Park on Saturday and began firing until he was disarmed by guests, according to a previous statement by Luna.

Luna did not specify the sort of weapon used, save to say that it was not a high-powered assault rifle. He stated that they were examining if many weapons were used. Officers responded to the scene of the incident just after 10 p.m. on Saturday in response to a complaint of shots fired and discovered ten injured victims outside the dance studio.

According to Luna, the ten wounded were brought to local hospitals where their conditions ranged from stable to critical. In the hunt for the culprit, homicide detectives collaborated with the Monterey Park Police Department, the FBI, and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, among other law enforcement agencies.

Monterey Park is an approximately 60,000-person community located on the eastern fringe of Los Angeles. Most of its population are Asian immigrants or their descendants, with Chinese constituting the largest group. The dancing studio in downtown Monterey Park is just a few steps from city hall on Garvey Avenue, the city's major highway, lined with strip malls with small companies whose signs are written in both English and Chinese.

Read Also: Border Crisis: Migrant Surge Soared to Highest

Threat to Asian Americans

In the city, Cantonese and Mandarin are extensively spoken, Chinese holidays are observed, and Chinese films are played. Assisting local police are federal officers from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that President Biden had been informed about the shooting.

Wong Wei, a local neighbor, told the Los Angeles Times that his acquaintance was at the dancing class and was in the restroom when the shooting began. According to the suspect, when she came from the restroom, she found a shooter and three bodies: two ladies and the studio's manager.

The friend then escaped to his residence at around 11 p.m., Wei claimed, adding that his pals informed him that the gunman appeared to fire randomly with a long rifle. He told the newspaper, "They do not know why; therefore, they run."

Peter Fong, a friend of one of the dancing studio's owners, informed CBS News that the owner was among the victims of the shooting.

Officials were also investigating a second incident that occurred around two miles away in Alhambra immediately after the gunshot in Monterey Park to determine whether the two were related.

Two law enforcement officials told CBS News that investigators were analyzing the ballistics of the weapon seized at the Alhambra crime scene to determine if it was used in the shooting in Monterey Park and if the suspect was the same. The firearm found in Alhambra was not an assault weapon, according to authorities.

A neighbor of the Monterey Park studio told CBS Los Angeles that the gunshots sounded like fireworks, but he did not think much of it at the moment because of the celebrations in the neighborhood.

Related Article: Search Warrant at Bryan Kohberger's Home

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By Azernews

Laman Ismayilova

The Israeli public has paid tribute to innocent victims of the January 20 tragedy, when Soviet troops were brought into Baku to suppress a peaceful protest, Azernews reports, citing Trend Life.

The republic by that time was filled with hundreds of thousands of refugees from Armenia, Karabakh, and other parts of Azerbaijan, expelled by Armenian separatists in order to seize and appropriate the original Azerbaijani territories. All those events were preceded by the criminal actions of Armenian ideologists, who incited the implementation of the crazy idea of "restoring greater Armenia".

How the Karabakh conflict started is described in the book "The Karabakh Trap" by well-known Israeli journalist David Cohn, published by the AzIz Association.

Presenting his book, David Kon (Vadim Korsh) from Baku, in particular, said that when speaking about any kind of conflict, one should start from its origins, since only the roots of the conflict can answer the eternal question of who is to blame. At the same time, he added that he wrote only about what he saw and heard, in which he took part.

The events described in David Kon's book led to the tragedy of January 1990, when 147 innocent people were killed in Baku in one night, 744 people were seriously injured, and hundreds of invalids and orphans were left.

Describing those terrible events, he added that if such a strong politician as Heydar Aliyev had been in power at that time, nothing like this would have happened in Azerbaijan. Further, David Kon spoke about his career in Baku, about how Jews lived and worked in Azerbaijan, who never knew oppression either at home or in their careers.

David Kon told how, when he was a novice journalist in the 80s, he repeatedly met with the then-First Secretary of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. The journalist told how a wise and sensitive person, an extraordinary and talented politician was Heydar Aliyev, who was attentive to both creative people and professionals in various fields.

President of the Israel-Azerbaijan International Association AzIz Lev Spivak noted that innocent people of various nationalities fell victim to the January events of 1990 in Baku, among which were Jews who gave their lives for freedom and democracy in Azerbaijan. That evening, the vice-mayor of the city of Afula, Dr. B. Yudis, a member of the City Council Gennady Kipnis, and other employees of the municipality came to honor the memory of the victims of January 1990.

The evening was organized by AzIz Association with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora.
A Mogadishu attack utilizing a bomb and guns conducted by members of the Al-Shabab armed group targeting the mayor's office resulted in the death of at least five individuals said the ministry of information.

The attackers allegedly charged into the block that housed the office of the area's mayor at around noon. On Sunday, officials said they engaged in a firefight with security forces guarding the office.

Mogadishu Bombing Attack

There were reports that security forces later killed six of the attacking group's members and were able to clear the area by roughly 6:00 p.m., a post on Facebook said. The attack comes as the Al-Shabab armed group has recently increased the frequency and deadliness of its assaults to show its resilience.

Their determination comes as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's government recently launched an offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked group last August. In a statement, Farah Abdullahi, who works in the mayor's office, said that they were inside the building and were suddenly deafened by the blast, forcing them outside, where they could hear gunfire, as per Aljazeera.

In a statement, the director of Aamin Ambulance Services, Abdikadir Abdirahman, said that 16 people were injured because of the attack. The mayor's office is situated in the local government headquarters building in a well-guarded area of Mogadishu.

Read Also: UN Employees Photographed Under Taliban Flags

The armed group later released a statement that its bombers were able to strike the building and were followed up by foot fighters who stormed the establishment after killing the guards. Al-Shabab has continuously fought against the government since 2006 and plans to impose its interpretation of Islamic law. It is known to conduct bombings and gun attacks nationwide frequently.

On Sunday, there were reports that regional and Somalia federal forces launched attacks on the Al-Shabab armed group and were able to take control of Janay Abdale town. It was a sign that the government was beginning to expand its offensive against the group in the southern parts of Somalia.

Al-Shabab Armed Group

The roads in the area of the attack were equipped with concrete barriers and multiple roadblocks. According to Reuters, the mayor's office was also located roughly 1.5 km from Villa Somalia, the office of the country's president.

Deputy Mayor Isse Gure said that all top government officials, except Mayor Yusuf Hussein Jimale, were in the area at the time of the attack. The official also noted that troops were alert and were able to minimize casualties dealt by the Al-Shabab armed group.

He said that security forces could rescue officials and staffers inside the building and confirmed that one local government staffer with special needs was among the casualties. The armed group, in a Telegram post, claimed the deaths of 34 people, which include administrative workers, officials, officers, and soldiers. However, the group's claim has not yet been independently verified.

Abdiaziz Ahmed Barrow, a Somali stringer, said that he was in Hamarweyne when the blast occurred. The place he was at was only a short travel away from the source of the explosion, told the Voice of America News.

Related Article: Machu Picchu Closed Amid Peru Protests

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A polling officer verifies the fingerprints of a voter at a polling station in the Cumilla City Corporation elections, during which all votes were cast via electronic voting machine (EVM). June 15, 2022.

Bangladeshs government has nixed a plan to use electronic voting machines for at least half the parliamentary constituencies in the next general election, citing a funds crunch, the Election Commission said Monday.

The government had planned to automate voting in 150 constituencies amid strong objections from the opposition, which said EVMs made it easy to rig the polls.

The Planning Commission has said the country couldnt afford to spend U.S. $829 million the machines required as part of the governments plan for the upcoming general election expected to be held in December this year or January 2024, the Election Commission (EC) noted.

The Planning Commission of the government informed the Election Commission about its decision not to proceed with purchasing 200,000 EVMs considering the governments financial capacity amid the ongoing global economic crisis, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam said at a media briefing.

The project is not being completely scrapped but being halted for the time being. The EC will advance with its plans to install EVMs at 70-80 constituencies with the resources that are currently available, he added.

The government plan envisaged buying electronic voting machines from China, an authoritarian state that does not hold national elections.

The EVMs are mainly Chinese. All equipment is imported from China, former Election Commissioner Sakhawat Hossain told BenarNews on Monday.

Locally developed software is installed after assembling the imported equipment. These machines are very slow. EVMs slow down the voting process.

The South Asian nation used EVMs in some constituencies in the capital Dhaka in the last general election, in 2018. Introduced in 2010 to digitize voting and obtain results swiftly, EVMs have been used in 900 mostly local government polls in the country so far.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is staunchly against EVMs and alleges that the ruling Awami League wants to use them so it can fraudulently return to power.

The government says fraud is impossible with EVMs.

On Monday, some Awami League leaders said that the decision not to use EVMs was a concession to the opposition, an assertion the BNP pooh-poohed.

It is not just that the government did not approve the project due to financial reasons. There is a political concession in this decision, Awami League presidium member Shajahan Khan told BenarNews.

Awami League wants all parties, including BNP, to participate in the next election. We dropped the project as they are opposing it.

The ruling party is not being honest, said BNP media cell chief Zahir Uddin Swapan.

The Awami Leagues claim that the EVMs were canceled due to the oppositions objections is not true. The Planning Commission did not approve the project mainly due to economic distress, he told BenarNews.

There is no political integrity in this decision. If they had scrapped the project when economic conditions were good, the people of the country would have believed them, the BNP leader said.

Former Election Commissioner Sakhawat, meanwhile, faulted the EC as well for trying to pursue the EVM plan.

There are sharp differences between the two political parties over these EVMs. Why should the EVM be introduced just because the ruling alliance wants it? The EC has thereby lost its legitimacy, he said.

The economic condition of the country is not good. The government itself is saying this. In this situation, why did the EC forward such a project for approval?
Police gather evidence near the site of a bomb explosion that took place outside the house of a senior journalist, Victor Mambor, in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia, Jan. 23, 2023.

A veteran reporter known for covering rights abuses in Indonesias militarized and restive Papua region said a bomb exploded outside his residence on Monday, with a journalists group calling it an act of intimidation that threatened press freedom.

No one was injured in the blast near his home in the provincial capital, Jayapura, said Victor Mambor, editor of Papuas leading news website, Jubi, and a contributor to BenarNews and other media.

Police said they were investigating the explosion and that no one had yet claimed responsibility.

Yes, someone threw a bomb, Papua Police spokesperson Ignatius Benny told BenarNews. The motive and perpetrators are unknown.

Mambor said he heard the sound of a motorcycle at about 4 a.m. and then an explosion about a minute later. It was so loud that my house shook like there was an earthquake, he told BenarNews.

I also checked the source of the explosion and smelled sulfur coming from the side of the house.

The explosion left a hole in the road, he said.

The incident was not the first to occur outside Mambors home. In April 2021, windows were smashed and paint sprayed on his car in the middle of the night.

Mambor is also an advocate for press freedom in Papua. In that role, he has criticized Jakartas restrictions on the media in Papua, as well as its other policies in his troubled home province.

Indonesian journalists organization AJI awarded Mambor its press freedom award in August 2022, saying that through Jubi, Victor brings more voices from Papua, amid domination of information that is biased, one-sided and discriminatory."

The Jayapura branch of AJI, which stands for Alliance of Independent Journalists, called the explosion outside Mambors house on Monday a terrorist bombing.

AJI in Jayapura strongly condemns the terrorist bombing and considers this an act of intimidation that threatens press freedom in Papua, it said in a statement.

AJI Jayapura calls on all journalists in the land of Papua to continue to voice the truth despite obstacles. Justice should be upheld even though the sky is falling, said AJI Chairman Lucky Ireeuw.

Amnesty International Indonesia urged the police to find those responsible.

The police must thoroughly investigate this incident, because this is not the first time  meaning there was an omission that made the perpetrators feel free to do it again, to intimidate and threaten journalists, Amnestys campaign manager in Indonesia, Nurina Savitri, told BenarNews.

The Papua region, located at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, has been the site of a decades-old separatist insurgency where both government security forces and rebels have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians.

Foreign journalists have been largely barred from the area, with the government insisting it could not guarantee their safety. Indonesian journalists allege that officials make their work difficult by refusing to provide information.

The armed elements of the independence movement have stepped up lethal attacks on Indonesian security forces, civilians and targets such as construction of a trans-Papua highway that would make the Papuan highlands more accessible.

Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, has accused Indonesian security forces of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and mass forced displacement in Papua.

Last month, Indonesian activist group KontraS said 36 people were killed by security forces and separatist rebels in the Papua and West Papua provinces in 2022, an increase from 28 in 2021.
The Philippine armed forces face a potential ammunition shortage after shifting to a non-lethal approach toward a long-running communist insurgency as well as Muslim militant groups in the south, the countrys new defense chief said Monday.

Soon after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him defense secretary earlier this month, Carlito Galvez Jr. said that his predecessor, Jose Faustino Jr. , apprised him about safety dates for ammunition nearing expiration.

During one of the briefings to me, during the formal turnover [of leadership], it has come to my attention that there is a high level of wastage in ammunition in the different branches of the armed forces. We should avoid this from happening, Galvez told reporters.

We have to take care and conserve our departments logistical resources, including the armed forces. We should focus on preventing wastage at all levels of the organization, he said.

Galvez said the old ammunition likely was a result of troops shifting to civil military operations in an effort to use dialogue to bring an end to insurgencies.

There are no major incidents in Mindanao and also in other areas so its a good indication that really we are winning the war against our communist insurgency. Also, peace-inclined organizations are really now going with us and also joining us in the government, Galvez said.

The defense secretary did not give details of the ammunition inventory, but said the military was looking at the possibility of finding a new use for some of the ammunition.

What we will do is we will convert these ammunitions into training ammo and hopefully we can have some procedures on how we can really prevent what we call wastage. As of now, they are not really wasted, we are looking at the possibility of using them, he said.

Military history

Accusations of corruption and graft have long dogged the military, particularly in the procurement of war materiel. In February 2011, former military chief Angelo Reyes took his own life after allegations surfaced that he had embezzled about a million dollars.

Reyes was the commander of the armed forces for President Joseph Estrada , but withdrew his support for Estrada in 2001 over charges that the president had received payoffs from operators of an illegal numbers game.

Estrada denied the allegations, but was impeached. He later vacated the presidential palace and was placed under arrest, only to be pardoned by his successor, Gloria Arroyo.

She later crushed a mutiny by junior military officers who accused their generals of corruption.

More recently, much of the southern city of Marawi was destroyed in 2017 when Islamic State-linked militants from the region and the Middle East seized the city and engaged the military in five months of fighting, resulting in about 1,200 deaths of militants, troops and civilians.

Elsewhere, communist rebels operate in strongholds in the south, although the military has said the guerrillas firepower and strength have substantially weakened.

Jojo Rinoza and Basilio Sepe in Manila contributed to this report.
Orawan Phuphong (left) and Tantawan Tawan Tuatulanon stain their clothes with red paint and give the three-fingered salute, a protest sign inspired by the Hunger Games movies, as they call for authorities to grant bail to other political activists, Jan. 16, 2023.

Two young Thai pro-democracy activists are on hunger strike and refusing to be fed by an intravenous drip or receive medical care after they were taken to a prison hospital, a lawyers group representing them said Monday.

Tantawan Tawan Tuatulanon and Orawan Phuphong began their hunger strike in jail last week after they appeared in a Bangkok court on Jan. 16 to ask a judge to revoke their bail on charges of violating the nations strict law against royal defamation.

They said they wanted their bail revoked as an act of solidarity to demand that other anti-government activists charged with royal defamation and sedition have those charges dropped.

The pair began their hunger strike on Jan. 18 and were taken to the Department of Corrections Hospital in Bangkok two days later, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said on Monday.

Tawan was very weak, fainted in a restroom and hit her head on the floor, TLHR said after visiting the hospital on Monday. But she refused to have an X-ray.

Tawan lost 5 kg. (11 lbs.) while Orawan lost 6 kg. (13 lbs.) They have parched lips, their skin is pale, they are exhausted and have vomited.

The Department of Corrections issued its own statement on Monday. It said Tantawan hit her head against a wall while alone in a restroom, and that staff had acted professionally and in a humanitarian manner.

Tantawan slipped in a restroom on Sunday afternoon, her head knocked on the wall, the department said. The doctor advised her to have her head X-rayed and kept her under 24-hour watch but Tantawan refused treatment.

Twenty-four hours have passed and no irregularities have been found. She affirmed she would not have food and water or intravenous drugs or saline, the statement said, adding they would need a doctors approval to be returned to the Central Womens Correctional Institution, the official name for the central prison for women in Bangkok.

TLHR said the two had refused treatment because they feared it could convey inaccurate messages about their condition.

Charged last year

In 2022, Tantawan and Orawan were charged under Lese-Majeste, the law that guards against royal defamation, after they participated in protests against the government, including conducting public opinion polls about royal motorcades. They were jailed but later released on bail.

On Jan. 16, Tantawan and Orawan asked the court to revoke their bail in a show of solidarity for two others who were returned to prison over similar Lese-Majeste charges. They called on authorities to allow other activists to be released on bail and for the abolition of royal defamation and sedition charges.

They began their hunger strike after the court did not respond.

Justice ministry spokesman Sorawit Limparangsri said the court had acted properly.

Regardless of cases, defendants  the judges always maintain equal justice based on the rule of law, according to international standards and without any outside interference, he said.

Since youth-led protests against the royals and the government led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha began in July 2020, at least 1,888 political cases had been filed as of the end of 2022, with at least 22 people still incarcerated pending trials, according to the TLHR.

Thai anti-government protesters outside the Bangkok Art and Culture Center hold signs calling for the immediate release of political activists on bail, Jan. 23, 2023 [Sunthorn Chongcharoen/BenarNews]

Meanwhile, hundreds of people including activists and former politicians rallied in downtown Bangkok on Monday to call for the pair to be released.

All Thai people have rights to fair and neutral justice. That should be the new norm for a new and democratic society, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the disbanded Future Forward Party, told protesters at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center.

On Saturday, New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a statement calling for the release of Tantawan and Orawan as well as other protesters.

Holding these activists in pretrial detention for the peaceful exercise of their rights is punitive and cruel, said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Thailand has ratified, encourages bail for criminal suspects, HRW said.

The covenants Article 9 states, It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody, but release may be subject to guarantees to appear for trial.

Sunthorn Chongcharoen and Wilawan Watcharasakwet in Bangkok contributed to this report.
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The number of mass shootings in the United States already exceeded 30, which is more than the number of days in 2023.

Gun Violence Archive (GVA) reported that there have been at least 36 US mass shootings by the 23rd day of the year, with over 50 deaths and 150 injuries, as per CNN.

The majority of mass shootings occur in the United States. Although they are sometimes combined into a single category, they fall under a variety of categories, with the main criterion being that at least four victims were shot and either wounded or killed, excluding any shooters who may also have been hurt or slain, according to GVA.

Meanwhile, the perpetrator in Saturday's Lunar New Year shooting that killed 10 and wounded 10 has been identified by California police.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna named Huu Can Tran, 72, the suspect in one US Mass shootings 2023.

Read Also: Joe Biden Concedes to Aubrey Plaza

The US Mass shootings supect was identified many hours after he shot and killed himself in a white vehicle in Torrance, some 30 minutes away from the shooting scene in Monterey Park. Authorities stated it was the suspect's getaway vehicle from Saturday's Lunar New Year shooting, per Fox News.

Earlier on Sunday, law enforcement officers encircled the van with bomb squad trucks and tactical vehicles. Luna said a weapon and other evidence linked the suspect to the crime scene were recovered in the vehicle.

Police Says There's No More Threat

Authorities declared that there are "no longer" any threats to the neighborhood and no further suspects are at large. However, police have not revealed a motive, stating the Lunar New Year shooting investigation is ongoing.

Seven individuals are still in the hospital, Luna added. He estimated the victims' ages as above 50.

The Lunar New Year shooting happened at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a few streets from city hall on Monterey Park's major artery, Garvey Avenue, as per an earlier HNGN report.

Related Article: Al-Shabab Armed Group Attack Update

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Cops and Courts Reporter

Amanda Burke is Cops and Courts Reporter for The Berkshire Eagle. An Ithaca, New York native, she previously worked at The Herald News of Fall River and the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise.
There were about seven crashes in Pittsfield since just before 8 a.m., including an SUV that rolled over on Crane Avenue. One person was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment of injuries.
The Adams Community Bank provided $75,000 in donations during the holiday season, including $50,000 to Berkshire Community Action Council's Fuel Assistance Program.
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989.
I have never met a woman who terminated a pregnancy without first contemplating the alternatives and imagining the outcomes. It is a decision that no woman makes lightly, and every woman hopes shell never have to make at all.
Tech workers, facing layoffs today, have many lessons to learn from the dot-com bust of the early 2000s.
In her first jailhouse interview, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell said that the controversial Prince Andrew photo in her London home is likely a "fake" and that she does not recall introducing the royalty to Virginia Giuffre.

Broadcaster Jeremy Kyle talked to Maxwell, who went to Oxford and is now serving a 20-year sentence in a federal prison in Florida for her part in Jeffrey Epstein's decade-long plan to sexually exploit and torture many young girls, as reported by Fox News.

The Prince Andrew Virginia Giuffre photo that surfaced decades ago shows Maxwell is standing next to them, and Andrew has his arm around Giuffre's waist. The photograph was supposedly shot in London in 2001. The Prince Andrew Virginia Giuffre photo turned out to be vital to the accusation against the prince, per WION.

Read Also: US-China Deteriorating Relationship Status

Even though the Prince Andrew photo seems to be shot at her house and she's in it, Maxwell says it's manipulated. She remarked that she has "no recall of their meeting."

I dont believe its real for a second.



EXCLUSIVE: Ghislaine Maxwell claims the photo of Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew is fake.



Don't miss Ghislaine Behind Bars with Jeremy Kyle. Monday at 7pm on TalkTV.@JKyleOfficial | @TalkTV | #GhislaineTalkTV pic.twitter.com/UJ2OyyBklp  Jeremy Kyle Live (@JeremyKyleLive) January 22, 2023

"And I don't think that picture is real, It is a fake. I don't believe it is real for a second, in fact I am sure it is not," Maxwell said, per Marca.

Maxwell Calls Prince Andrew "Dear Friend"

Teaser clips for the TalkTV special interview show Maxwell talking about Epstein while on the phone at the FTC in Tallahassee.

Maxwell said she felt "entirely divorced from the person people reference and speak about" and from all the different articles, television programs, and podcasts.

After Giuffre withdrew a second sexual abuse case against American lawyer Alan Dershowitz in November, she praised the Duke of York as a "dear friend" who must be "uplifted."

Giuffre confessed in court filings that she "may have made a mistake" in saying Dershowitz had molested her as a teenager.

The whole interview, which is being billed as "Ghislaine Behind Bars," will be broadcast Monday on Jeremy Kyle's UK TalkTV program at 7 p.m.

Related Article: New Zealand Incoming Prime Minister Reveals Plans

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Film festivals are places that strengthen freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and peaceful dialogue. With the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and the courageous protests in Iran, as well as in many other regions of the world, the Berlinale stands in 2023 even more firmly for these democratic values, and remembers victims of war, destruction and oppression all over the world.

Like numerous cultural institutions worldwide, the Berlinale has expressed its solidarity with Ukraine and Iran. Solidarity is expressed within the 2023 Berlinale in the film selection and with various events - in part with cooperation partners.

Detailed information on individual formats and further events will be available when the full programme is revealed on February 7, 2023. Below, you will find an initial overview of related material within the programme.

Ukraine

A pin-on badge and magnet

A pin-on badge, in the form of the beloved Berlinale bear, featuring the Ukrainian national colours, is intended to provide widespread visibility for the cause among Berlinale attendees, accredited industry guests and Berlinale film guests. Berlinale merchandising offers will also include a magnetic Berlinale bear designed by Ukrainian artists in the country's typical Petrykivka painting style.

Films and activities regarding Ukraine in the programme (as of Jan 20, 2023)

Encounters

Eastern Front

by Vitaly Mansky & Yevhen Titarenko

Latvia / Czech Republic / Ukraine / USA

Berlinale Special

Superpower

by Sean Penn & Aaron Kaufmann

USA

Berlinale Shorts

It's a Date

by Nadia Parfan

Ukraine

Panorama

Iron Butterflies

by Roman Liubyi

Ukraine / Germany

Ty mene lubysh? (Do You Love Me?)

by Tonia Noyabrova

Ukraine / Sweden

Forum

W Ukrainie (In Ukraine)

by Piotr Pawlus &Tomasz Wolski

Poland

Generation

We Will Not Fade Away

by Alisa Kovalenko

Ukraine / France / Poland

Waking Up in Silence

by Mila Zhluktenko

Germany / Ukraine

In the Kplus programme at Generation, where films are traditionally presented with live voice-overs in German for a younger audience, there will also be voice-overs in Ukrainian and Arabic for selected films.

Retrospective - Coming of Age

The line-up encompasses the personal favourites dealing with being young and growing up of the artists invited, to shape this years Retrospective.

Chosen by Sergei Loznitsa:

Grazuole

by Arunas Zebriunas

USSR / Lithuania

Berlinale Talents

Six participants hail from Ukraine, including Alina Gorlova in the Doc Station and Anna Melikova in the Script Station. In the public programme, there will be a talk with Ukrainian documentary filmmakers from various sections. In addition, Berlinale Talents is in contact with and supports its Ukrainian alumni across the entire festival.

EFM

The EFM is supporting the industry with a package of special measures.



Ukrainian stand: The Ukraine has been represented for many years with its own stand at the EFM . The Ukrainian Film State Agency (UFSA) has the official mandate to organise the country's representation. The EFM is providing the exhibition space and stand production assistance free of charge.

. The Ukrainian Film State Agency (UFSA) has the official mandate to organise the country's representation. The is providing the exhibition space and stand production assistance free of charge. Financing panel: an associated panel will shed light on the status quo regarding financing options for Ukrainian audio-visual content, highlight co-production and co-financing possibilities and present funding opportunities.

Producers Presentations: so-called "Producers Presentations" are introducing Ukrainian producers and their projects and thus support them with their search for international partners.

Odesa International Film Festival (OIFF) presents: Project Pitches: Due to the war, the OIFF will not be able to take place in the city of Odesa for the foreseeable future. Following programmes that took place at other festivals, industry events and markets, the Project Pitches of the OIFF will take place at the EFM as an associated guest programme.

as an associated guest programme. The EFM is granting free market and festival accreditations to Ukrainian filmmakers (for approx. 50 individuals).

Berlinale Co-Production Market

The Blindsight

by Ruslan Batytskyi

Fore Films has been selected as one of five companies world-wide to participate in the renowned Company Matching programme.

In the past years, Ukrainian projects and producers have already taken part in the Berlinale Co-Production Market with great success (for instance, among others, the earlier project Reflection by Valentyn Vasyanovich, which screened in the competition section at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival).

Iran

Films and activities regarding Iran in the programme (as of 20.01.2023)

Encounters

Mon pire ennemi

by Mehran Tamadon

France / Switzerland

Panorama

La Sirene (The Siren)

by Sepideh Farsi

France / Germany / Luxembourg / Belgium

Be Kucheye Khoshbakht (And, Towards Happy Alleys)

by Dr Sreemoyee Singh

India

Motstandaren

by Milad Alami

Sweden

Forum

Jaii keh khoda nist (Where God Is Not)

by Mehran Tamadon

France / Switzerland

Forum Expanded

Sahnehaye Estekhraj (Scenes of Extraction)

by Sanaz Sohrabi

Canada

Generation

Darvazeye royaha (Dreams Gate)

by Negin Ahmadi

Iran / Norway / France

Man ham Miraghsam (And Me, I'm Dancing Too)

by Mohammad Valizadegan

Germany / Czech Republic / Iran

Perspektive Deutsches Kino

Sieben Winter in Teheran (Seven Winters in Tehran)

by Steffi Niederzoll

Germany / France

Event accompanying the opening film of Perspektive Deutsches Kino Seven Winters in Tehran:

January 26 marks Berlin Verlag's official publication date for the book "Wie man ein Schmetterling wird. Das kurze, mutige Leben meiner Tochter Reyhaneh Jabbari", which Shole Pakravan, the mother of the deceased student, authored together with director Steffi Niederzoll.

In cooperation with Amnesty International, a reading of the book will take place at Bundesplatz Kino before the re-screening of the film as part of Berlinale Goes Kiez.

Perspektive Match

Teheran Tabu

by Ali Soozandeh

Germany / Austria

In the supplementary film series Perspektive Match, some Perspektive films will also be honoured for the special talent exhibited by the technical crew. The selected talents will be matched with established craft colleagues from the German Film Academy through a mentorship programme. In co-operation with Berlinale Talents, over the course of four afternoons, one film a day which was made with the participation of a mentor will be screened publicly at HAU Hebbel am Ufer Theater (HAU1). Following the screenings, a panel discussion will take place between the mentor and Perspektive talent.

In the scope of the Film Music Match, film composer Ali N. Askin (Teheran Tabu) will meet Perspektive talent Ole Wiedekamm (film music for Ash Wednesday).

Retrospective  Coming of Age

The line-up encompasses the personal favourites dealing with being young and growing up of the artists invited, to shape this years Retrospective.

Chosen by Mohammad Rasoulof:

Jeder fur sich und Gott gegen alle (The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser)

by Werner Herzog

FRG 1974

Chosen by Tilda Swinton:

Kiseye Berendj (Bag of Rice)

by Mohammad-Ali Talebi

Iran/Japan 1996

Chosen by Niki Karimi:

Khane-ye dust kojast? (Wo ist das Haus meines Freundes?)

by Abbas Kiarostami

Iran 1987

Berlinale Talents

Three Iranian talents residing in Teheran, including one with a project in the Short Form Station, and an Iranian talent residing in Berlin have been invited to Doc Station 2023.

Further Iranian Talents are Dornaz Hajiha, Sahand Sarhaddi und Mohsen Najafi Mehri.

An EFM Industry Insights Podcast episode will be realised in co-operation with Berlinale Talents, featuring, among others, Iranian alumna Sadaf Faroughi (tbc), in partnership with Goethe Institut.

WCF

This year, World Cinema Fund Day will also focus on the realities of making films in Iran today, and the struggles that Iranian filmmakers face inside and out of the country. The WCF Day will also deal with a crucial and essential question, involving representatives from international funding institutions, discussing funding cinema and culture during increasing crisis and war times.

WCF Day: Funding Cinema Cultures During Crises And War Times (in English)

Introduction / Focus on Iran / The State of Things

A cultural political introduction - Institutions and Iranian filmmakers.

Talk 1 / Focus on Iran / The Spirit of Time

The Spirit Of Time - Shooting in Iran, telling Iranian stories.

A conversation with directors of Iranian film projects recently (not only) supported by the WCF.

EFM

Iran Umbrella will feature a concentration on the new young generation in cooperation with Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association.

An EFM Industry Insights Podcast episode will be realised in co-operation with Berlinale Talents, featuring, among others, Iranian alumna Sadaf Faroughi (tbc), in partnership with Goethe Institut.

EFMs Producers & Project Hub: The perspective of Iranian independent filmmakers / filmmaking - with Goethe Institut

Berlinale Co-Production Market

Buran, a new project from Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha (known for Ballad of a White Cow, Berlinale Competition 2021), has been selected for the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2023. The project is presented by the Swedish company Hobab and will be in Berlin to meet with potential co-production and financing partners.



Press Office

January 23, 2023
Today

Mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low 36F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 56F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight's rundown:

 Talking Points Memo: Joe Biden continues to decline with the world watching and remains out of the press reach

 Presidential Historian Larry Cook weighs in on how Bidens relationship with the press compares to past presidents

 US Special Forces have been confirmed to be in Ukraine

 OReilly describes Democrats hosting the DNC in Chicago as Crazy Arrogant

 The trial of Fox News gets underway

 58% of Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck even as inflation begins to cool off

 Smart Life: Utilizing Kelly Blue Book when searching for a new car

 This Day in History: FDR dies in office

 Final Thought: what to do when someone is disrespectful to you

In Case You Missed It:

 Read Bill's latest column, "Reason to Believe"

 Join 'Team Normal!' Order your gear now at BillOReilly.com!

 Pre-order Bills next bestseller Killing the Witches NOW

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Regulators must find a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting public health: Say Experts

The pharmaceutical industry is buzzing with anticipation for the Global Tech Summit 2023, set to take place in Visakhapatnam from February 1617. Recently, the Global Tech Summit team, led by Dr Srinubabu Gedela, CEO of Pulsus Group, held a roadshow and business-to-biopharma digital transformation policy design meeting in Nagpur as a part of the 72nd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, held between 20th and 22nd January 2023.



The event brought together 50 influential policymakers, global pharma experts, and other decision-makers to discuss how the Global Tech Summit is becoming a revolutionary platform for the application of cutting-edge technology in drug discovery, regulatory affairs, and making medicine more affordable for all.



During the Round Table Series of Biopharma Digital Transformation Policy Deliberations, participants heard from key figures in the industry about the challenges facing regulators in digital healthcare.



Dr Dominique Jordan, President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation, highlighted the potential impact of technology in revolutionising drug discovery. "Digital transformation can benefit the pharmaceutical industry in a variety of ways, including improved drug development, patient care, and interaction; technology helps to make medicine more affordable and accessible; it reduces carbon footprint; and it improves supply chain transparency." Dr Jordan said.



The Global Tech Summit team and experts in attendance also discussed the importance of using digital technologies in drug discovery, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

"Regulators must find a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting public health," said Dr H.G. Koshia, Commissioner of Food and Drug Control Administration, Government of Gujarat.

Abhijit Ghoshi, Assistant Drug Controller at the Medical Device Standards Control Organisation said, "Digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry is inevitable, and India should take the lead in developing policies that encourage innovation while protecting public health".




Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
John Williams Ntwali, one of Rwanda's few journalists who published stories critical of the government, has died, his newspaper The Chronicles reported.

Ntwali was the sole fatality in a car accident in Kigali on Wednesday, police spokesman John Bosco Kabera told Reuters. The driver of the other vehicle has been arrested and "the accident file is being processed for onward transmission to prosecution," Kabera said.

Questions raised

Ntwali had been away from work since Monday, The Chronicles said.

Human rights activists and journalists outside Rwanda raised questions about the official narrative, noting how critics of President Paul Kagame's government have repeatedly been arrested, threatened, or gone missing.

Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ntwali "joins a sinister list of people who have challenged the government and died in suspicious circumstance," said Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

"There are many reasons to question the theory of a car accident and it is essential that a prompt, effective investigation, drawing on international expertise, be conducted to determine whether or not he was murdered."

The Rwandan government has previously denied accusations that it kills critics or commits human rights abuses.

Politically motivated murders

In 2014, the US State Department rebuked Rwanda for what it called a "succession of what appear to be politically motivated murders of prominent Rwandan exiles."

Williams, who had been arrested several times before, was an editor at The Chronicles and ran YouTube channel Pax TV - IREME News.

He reported on issues including arrests of opposition figures, deaths of critics and forced evictions.

Last year, while reporting on evictions, he told Al Jazeera: "I'm focused on justice, human rights, and advocacy... the three are risky here in Rwanda. But I'm committed."

"Those who try to speak out, they are jailed - harassed, intimidated or jailed. Second, forced to flee their country. Three, some of them disappear in thin air. Or even, they die."

Human Rights Watch said last year that authorities were threatening and prosecuting Rwandan journalists and YouTubers.

The US State Department's 2014 rebuke followed the killing in Johannesburg of Rwandas former spy chief who had become a critic of Kagame.

In 2021, opposition figure Seif Bamporiki was killed in an apparent robbery in South Africa and government critic Cassien Ntamuhanga disappeared after being arrested in Mozambique, where he had sought asylum.

Rwanda's government has denied involvement in all of those cases.
In 2022, Ogilvy Africa's Lesso Lessons campaign won a Cannes Gold Lion, four metals at the Loeries including Grand Prix and a gold, and a LIA (London International Awards) bronze - each of these are a first for any agency in East, Central and West Africa. The agency also won Africa's only yellow pencil at 2022 D&ADs

Image supplied. Vikas Mehta, chief executive officer, Ogilvy Africa would like to see more great award-wininng work come from Africa

Vikas Mehta, chief executive officer, Ogilvy Africa, hopes to see more work of this calibre coming from the Continent and being recognised on the global stage.

Lesso Lessons is an example of a collaboration of diverse entities coming together and doing something because it felt like the right thing to do. We like a collaborative advantage more than a competitive advantage, and Lesso is a great example of collaborative success between Roto Foundation, Kenyas Ministry of Health and Ogilvy Africa, explains Mehta.

Not just a flash in the pan

Our biggest priority, and something that keeps us awake at night, is what if this were just a flash in the pan? he says.

We would like to see a scenario three years down the line where many pieces of work from more countries and more agencies across Africa shine at global award shows.

For him being a global network in Africa comes with the responsibility of putting Africa on the world map. He says they would love to see work thats good enough to compete with the best in the world, coming from African countries you didnt expect.

Weve seen this evolution in Asia and Latin America in the past and their rising share of excellence. The world is not going to do it for Africa. We need more of Africa coming to the party and do work like (and better than) Lesso Lessons again and again.

A functional network

In Africa the canvas is very wide because the Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone Africa are poles apart. And yet, despite being a continent of 54 countries, most of the creative excellence stems from a few places like Egypt and South Africa. At least historically.

He adds that different countries are also in different development cycles which impacts the kind of work clients expect from their agency.

When you look at countries such as South Africa, there is over half a century of history with this industry that exists. However, at times, history can also become baggage. The opportunity to leapfrog and create innovations exists in some of the lesser-known countries because they do not have the burden of years of baggage. It will take many brave clients and agencies to drive it simultaneously.

Chasing true North

Their aim is, to give their clients and employees the same expertise and experience they would expect out of Ogilvy anywhere in the world.

It is a lot easier said than done, but thats our true North at Ogilvy Africa, he says.

He explains that the Ogilvy Africa network manages subSaharan Africa. That is everything beneath North Africa, starting with West African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, and it goes as far south as Zambia and Zimbabwe, in effect giving the agency network 39 functional dots on the continents map.

We structure ourselves around the East and Central African region managed through Kenya, and the West African region managed through Ghana.

I wish I could say that competencies are the same across all 39 countries, but its a functional network that actually works, enabled through enough lines of collaboration between the hubs and the countries.

He adds that they are excited about scaling competencies in influence, technology, content, and data. When it comes to mass media advertising, the calibre of work continues to get a lot better.

A model for other parts of the world

So why did this particular campaign resonate so clearly with juries from across the globe?

Simple, says Mehta. This campaign is essentially a human impact story. The universal appeal of human impact stories often resonates well with audiences and juries alike.

Even if you removed the context of Kenya, where this was designed to work; and look at most of the developing and emerging world, issues such as nutrition need to be solved.

I believe this campaign framework could possibly serve as a model to solve similar problems in other parts of the world, provided its interpreted right for the local context, like Lesso is to our cultural context, he says.




If you are a business owner, you know how it feels when all the business duties are waiting for your lone attention.

Looks tough, right? Managing and running a successful business has never been easy. But we will make it easy for you to find the best SEO company in Johannesburg - because an SEO agency is your savior in this hectic situation.

Every business has one common need, and that is - marketing services. Business marketing is a divergent subject. Marketing includes all the steps to increase visibility, sales, and awareness of a brand's website. It has types - traditional and digital marketing. For these services, business owners hire a marketing agency that performs all these steps.

Johannesburg is a beautiful city located in South Africa. Despite having stunning landmarks and countryside, this city is a business hub of South Africa. So, are you a brand owner and finding marketing plus SEO Services in Johannesburg?

Burnesseo is delighted to be of any help. In this blog post, we discussed all the details about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) services and the top 7 performing SEO companies in Johannesburg.

What is Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

A search engine is software through which people get the answers to their queries. You type anything in the search engine, and it shows you the relevant results. These results visible on a search engine have hierarchies due to different factors.

Search Engine Optimisation is the process of improving the visibility and ranking of a website. This process consists of many steps - all significant in separate ways.

What are the basic types of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

A website is like your address - unique to your brand. But, if it does not rank on a search engine and no one sees it - the situation becomes frustrating. SEO is like the soul of your website. It has some basic types. Some of these are the following:

Judging by the heading, you might get the idea. Local Search Engine Optimisation is the process of aligning the online and physical information of your brand. It includes all the steps taken to make your audience aware of the physical location of your business and to bring local traffic to your website.

For example - your brand-related information is incorporated into Google My Business directory, and Google Maps is used to pinpoint the exact location of your business.

This type of Search Engine Optimisation includes the steps related to the Back-end of your website. It is similar to On-page SEO but is directed more toward enhancing the website user experience. So, this type of optimization includes the actions like improving website design, website speed, HTTPS connection security, data analysis through tools like Google Analytics, and much more.

By looking at the name, you might get confused. No worries - we are happy to help you out. This type of Search Engine Optimisation involves link building (backlinks). Think of the internet as a socialisation medium. Just like people all over the world connect, websites also have a way of socialisation.

Most of the time, two basic strategies get utilised by SEO specialists - Getting redirected links from popular websites or building a network of backlinks through social media channels. The former technique is a bit difficult as compared to the latter one.

On-Page SEO

This category is vast - including all the factors related to the other SEO categories. However, the usual meaning of this type of Search Engine Optimisation includes these strategies - Website Content, Keywords, and User Experience.

The websites that rank at the topmost positions on a search engine have something in common. Their content is outstanding and their keyword usage is optimum. These are the goals of on-page SEO. Read the details here.

What is an SEO Agency?

Search Engine Optimisation is a subcategory under the broader field of digital marketing. It is an organisation or company that deals with online presence, online advertisement, social media management, website development, and website management of your brand. So, any digital agency that provides website-related services, and content marketing, is also called an SEO company or SEO agency.

Average cost of hiring an SEO company in Johannesburg South Africa

When you look out for an SEO company for your brand, you seem to find hundreds and thousands of options. Every agency sets the cost according to its services and contracts. Some of them also offer customisable packages for your website. So, the cost of hiring an SEO agency varies with many variables.

However, if we only consider Johannesburg, the business hub of South Africa, the average expense of hiring an SEO company ranges from R5,000 - R30,000 per month. It depends on your preferences and budget. The more you spend, the better you get.

How to find the best SEO company in Johannesburg?

To choose the best SEO company for your business promotion, you must decide on your budget and desired services. These are the initial criteria that help you find the right option for your website. However, we made a list of factors to consider before selecting an SEO agency in Johannesburg.

Decide on the products and services

It is the initial step in the SEO company selection. Search Engine Optimisation is a diverse field - consisting of several types and services. Plus, every website has different goals - for example, the difference between an e-commerce and blog website.

So, firstly, you need to analyse and finalise the services and SEO strategy your website needs. Plus, highlight any service you want to discuss with the agency representatives.

Services specialisation

After shortlisting your desired SEO services, go through the list again. If there is a specialised SEO service, for example, content writing - you can search for an SEO company specialising in content writing. The other way - you can select an agency having the most positive reviews about this service. This way, you can choose the desired agency options more easily.

Decide on your budget

After you decide on the Search Engine Optimisation services for your brand, decide and finalise your budget. Determine the cost that you can spend on an SEO company. When you settle the expense, you can shortlist the SEO agency options more clearly.

Keep realistic expectations

Like every other thing, your experience with an SEO company might go excellent or unsatisfactory. The outcomes promised by SEO companies are mostly guaranteed because they use data-driven techniques. But sometimes, the results might not meet your expectations. So, before hiring an agency, keep it in mind & set realistic expectations.

Look for portfolio and reviews

While researching an SEO company, always look at their work portfolio and social media channels. Read out the reviews and preview their previous work. When going through the reviews, keep your priorities in mind. Filter the reviews and read them thoroughly. It might help you in decision-making.

The top 7 SEO companies in Johannesburg, South Africa

SEO companies are abundantly found in Johannesburg because this city is known for the ease of doing business - plus, SEO is the need of nearly every brand out there. By performing a web search and local search, you would find many options. We have handpicked some of the best SEO companies for your brand.

Burnesseo Marketing Agency When you find an SEO company on Google, several results will appear representing different terms and words - like digital marketing, SSL certificate, and others. Confusing right? Having four years of experience and many happy clients - Burnesseo believes in simplicity. The moment you discover and open our website, you get to see the services we offer. Burnesseo is one of the best and leading SEO companies in Johannesburg, South Africa. We propose four packages to make it affordable for every brand - new or established. Our SEO services include SEO audit, GMB (Google My Business optimisation), Competitor Research, Data Analysation (Google Analytics), SEO copywriting, and much more. Making a choice becomes easy when trust develops between the customer and seller. Your satisfaction - is our priority. We also offer a free Search Engine Optimisation analysis for your website. This way, you can understand our SEO strategies before getting our services. Top Click Media - Digital Marketing Agency This marketing agency has been serving SEO aspirants for 15 years. They believe in providing Search Engine Optimisation services to every smaller or established brand. They focus on results, services, and price. They also offer short-term contracts. So, if you are looking for a specialised SEO service at an affordable price, ROI (Return on Investment), and shorter time - this agency might be the right choice for your brand. Other than that, their Search Engine Optimisation services include On-page SEO, Link Building, and Technical SEO. Wao Host Agency Having 14 years of trustworthy experience and satisfied clients - this digital marketing agency is like an all-in-one service. Besides providing Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) services, they also offer web design, hosting, and other digital marketing services you see on the internet. Their SEO services are tailored in this way so that every business can afford them. The cost of these packages ranges from R999 - R2,500 per month. The services included in these packages are keyword optimisation, Google Analytics, Google My Business Management, Link building activities, and much more. Power Web Digital Marketing Agency This digital agency is dynamic in terms of its services. They have eight years of experience in building websites and marketing services. They have built their tools and technologies to maintain the workflow and work strategies. The SEO services offered by this agency focus mainly on keyword research which is the backbone of On-page Search Engine Optimisation. Likewise, they also provide local, technical, and full-suite SEO services. Blink Digital Marketing Agency Google rates it as a 5-star marketing agency in Johannesburg. This company is known for its guaranteed and data-driven results. Having three years of experience, they have served many happy clients until now. Their Search Engine Optimisation services include local and international SEO, e-commerce SEO, app store optimisation, and much more. Besides that, their other complimentary services are marketing and brand strategies, web design and e-commerce stores, Pay-per-Click advertising, and social media. Saglotech Web Design & SEO Services Saglotech is a leading web design, digital marketing and SEO agency that provides services in Johannesburg and across the country. With extraordinary customer relationships and services, they've been serving their clients for seven years. They offer three affordable packages for SEO services ranging from R2,750 - R8,499 per month. These services include focused keywords, a premium SEO plugin, domain authority, backlink building, content writing, Google My Business management, and monthly reports. CSA | Shaizwe Digital Marketing Agency Assisting businesses with over 30 years of experience in digital services, this digital agency provides top-class facilities to its customers. They combine the essence of Search Engine Optimisation and data intelligence to cater to unique digital experiences for their customers. Their SEO services focus on the growth and reputation of a brand. These services include website audit, competitive and keyword research, content creation and content strategy, On-page SEO, Technical SEO, link building activities, and regular SEO reports.

Bottom-line

Thus, Search Engine Optimisation is a necessity in the business world. When you hire SEO services, your business performance gets better and best with time. Therefore, if you are searching for the best SEO Company in Johannesburg, you are on the right site.

Burnesseo internet marketing service promises guaranteed results for your website. Read our details, get back to us, and be ready for an outstanding business experience.
The Polish prime minister announced Monday that his country will seek Berlin's permission to deploy Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but it still intends to do so regardless of Berlin's response.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki noted that his nation "will still hand over our tanks, together with others" to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government is counting on the Leopard 2 tanks, manufactured in Germany. Kyiv is reportedly anxious for heavy weaponry to stave off a predicted Russian attack in the following months that might change the Russia Ukraine War, per Financial Times.

Foreign ministers from the EU gathered in Brussels to put pressure on Berlin, which must authorize re-exports of the Leopard. Latvia's foreign minister stated "there are no good arguments" why the combat tanks couldn't be supplied, per Reuters.

As the anniversary of the Russia Ukraine War approaches, Western allies have talked about how to help Ukraine.

Read Also: Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal Update

Germany Won't Block Tank Shipments for Ukraine

In response to Poland's plan to deploy Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Germany's foreign minister Anna Baerbock said that Berlin "would not stand in the way" of Poland, according to the BBC.

However, Germany's export restrictions preclude other nations from providing armored vehicles.

Baerbock said on Sunday that Poland had not requested export approval.

On Sunday, the German official told French broadcast media LCI TV that, currently, they have not received any inquiries about the tank shipments, but if they were asked, Germany "would not stand in the way."

A German government spokesperson said it had not received any requests to authorize the supply of Leopard 2 tanks on Monday.

Morawiecki said last week that his nation was prepared to provide Kyiv with 14 Leopard 2 tanks amid the Russia Ukraine War.

Related Article: Incoming New Zealand Prime Minister Announces Plans

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Herbalife has been announced as one of South Africa's Top Employers for 2023. This is the company's fourth year in a row taking home the prestigious title. The company is also one of Ghana's Top Employers for 2023. This will be its first year taking home the title for Ghana.

The Top Employer programme certifies and recognises over 2053 Top Employers in 121 countries across five continents, and the award signifies a companys ongoing dedication to the well-being of its employees. The passion and commitment that a Top Employer title signifies is one of the many reasons prospective employees seek these companies out when on the hunt for a job.

Its an honour to join top international and local companies as a Top Employer for the fourth year in a row, explains Ilanda Els, senior human resources manager for Herbalife (Africa, Germany, Norway, and Turkey). Here at Herbalife, we firmly believe that our people are the key to our success. Its why were constantly building and improving our team culture. To be recognised for our efforts, once again, is proof that were following the right strategy. We look forward to another year with a team full of positive and ambitious individuals.

To be recognised as a Top Employer, organisations must meet an array of strict entry requirements, including having advanced formalised HR practices. Organisations are required to participate in an HR Best Practices Survey, which covers key HR practices such as leadership, talent acquisition, learning opportunities, sustainability, and more. The practices are grouped according to the following six domains: steer, shape, attract, develop, engage, and unite, ensuring a holistic view of companies that participate.

Herbalife is already a global leader in nutrition, so to be recognised as an industry leader for our team culture is truly a remarkable achievement. As for receiving this recognition for a fourth year in a row? Thats beyond incredible and we owe it all to our amazing team, says Herbalife Southern Africa country director, Thilo Naidoo. This certification proves that we are once again practicing what we preach and ensuring that our employees are well taken care of.

We would like to thank everyone at the company who works so diligently to make it an inspiring place to work, concludes Ilanda.




It's that time again when we sit down to discuss the biggest consumer trends that we see impacting South Africa's Gen Zs in the coming year. These trends and insights are based on our soon-to-be-released Youth Spend and Lifestyle Report 2022. So, get your notebooks ready. We're about to spill the T on what's worth looking out for in 2023.

1. Tik Tok on top

During the past two years theres been a steady climb in the popularity of Tik Tok among Gen Zs. Its estimated that six million South Africans are currently on the platform and half of those are younger than 24. Although we see no signs of Tik Tok slowing down, there are some other platforms and features worth keeping an eye on.

As part of our Youth Spend and Lifestyle Report 2022, we found that many students continue to use WhatsApp for features like disappearing messages and status updates. Similarly, Snapchat is also making a comeback internationally with 78% of US and UK Gen Z students back on the platform. Even though were still waiting to see if Snapchat will catch on in South Africa, theres no denying the benefit that more personal and intimate social media features can provide Gen Zs in sidestepping online trolls and drama.

2. Mental health matters

Two-thirds of the young people that we surveyed reported feeling stressed and worried. Its no surprise, based on the immense financial, and social pressure they face. This coupled with school/work-load requirements, often seems to create anxiety that leaves many feeling overwhelmed and somewhat crippled.

In a way to combat some of these pains, Gen Zs have started putting their mental health first. Many are attempting to create a healthier work-life balance through quiet quitting while generally being more emotionally open to speaking about mental health issues. Whats interesting is that since many Gen Zs lack access to mental health professionals, some are turning to social media platforms like Tik Tok and YouTube for advice and support.

3. Hustle and (cash)flow

Its no secret that South African Gen Zs are under huge financial pressure. More than half of the respondents from our Youth Spend and Lifestyle Report 2022 still live with family members, while only 33% of older working Gen Zs live with friends, a partner or on their own.

Apart from cohabiting, another way in which Gen Zs are making up for financial pressure is through side hustles. Thirty-four percent of our respondents have a side hustle outside of their main job or studies. This includes their own businesses and other gigs like getting paid to sign up friends and family for products and services like bank accounts and ride sharing.

Gen Zs are also looking to brands to provide them with more value, discounts, and cheaper alternatives. We found that 79% of Gen Zs are likely to sign up to a loyalty programme, which paired with good value, is a big opportunity for brands.

4. Brand values create brand value

Gen Zs are activists that expect their brands to live up to their values. More than 90% of the Gen Zs we surveyed believe in the importance of brands sharing their values and actively support brands whose values are aligned to their own. Its therefore critical for brands wanting to reach young people effectively, to appeal to what's important to them. This means being open, honest, and transparent about how brands conduct their business; standing for something beyond the bottom line; and giving back to causes that Gen Zs are passionate about.

5. Doing diversity right

Everyone knows that Gen Zs value diversity. However, if done wrong, brands run the risk of getting cancelled and called out for being inauthentic. Done are the beer commercial days of a diverse range of characters going on awkward road trips. Gen Zs are looking for authentic representations that reflect their diverse lifestyles. As one of our youth said:

Its not just about adding a plus sized or LGBTQ+ model to your ad. Its about being recognised and seen as a person with a diverse point of view - not a character in some boomers fantasy about what a diverse South Africa looks like.

This need for authentic representation also extends to Gen Z influencers with 61% of respondents reporting that they have bought a product because of an authentic social media influencer or content creators recommendation.

6. Community. Community. Community. (Did we mention community?)

From obscure K-Pop artists to niche video games, Gen Zs are building communities with like-minded people from all over the world. This has given rise to online communities on Discord and Twitch where Gen Zs can geek-out with like-minded people.

Since many Gen Zs share a distrust of governments, businesses, and other large institutions, some would rather place their trust in communities, friends, and family. In order for brands to remain relevant in the years to come they will need to learn how to build relationships with Gen Zs through communities on a one-on-one level, instead of the Voice from beyond approach of old.

To 2023 and beyond

And thats it; our 6 youth trends to keep an eye on for 2023. To learn even more about the trends and insights bound to shape youth marketing in South Africa in the coming year, speak to az.oc.egallivtneduts@onoj about how you can access our Youth Spend and Lifestyle Report 2022.
A student's choice of university can impact the trajectory of their life and career. It comes as no surprise, then, that over 1.2-million South Africans have set their sights on studying abroad. While it's not new for local students to dream of securing a degree from an international university, a notable shift has taken place in terms of how realistic this actually is.

Rebecca Pretorius, South Africa Country Manager at Crimson Education

Demand for spots at universities, locally and abroad, remains high, and competition is stiff. Despite this, we have seen a decrease in the barriers preventing South African students from applying, and being accepted, abroad. From students having a better understanding of the application process and requirements for admission to top institutions, the easing of standardised testing, and the understanding and availability of support, the chances of admission are higher than ever  provided students start early and build a strong profile.

Fuelling these trends is the desire of local students to gain global experience and access career opportunities abroad during, and after, university. Being part of a top-ranked institution also offers the chance to build strong personal alumni networks, and can result in higher earning potential once a student has graduated. The growing number of success stories, with local students getting into the likes of Harvard, Oxford, and other competitive universities, is proof to South African students that it is possible to compete on a global stage.

There are four key trends that counsellors and teachers should take note of, in order to provide the right level of support and guidance to their students:

Getting started early As local students become more aware of the complexities of applying to top universities abroad, they are starting to prepare earlier to boost their chances of admission. As early as Grade 8, students and families are having to research and kickstart their goals, to meet the admission requirements. These include strong academic engagement and achievement, subject mastery, innovative and impactful leadership activities that span multiple years, and proof of financial support. The rise of super- and ultra-curriculars As many students have already learned, starting early is not enough, and it is important to stand out to admissions officers. This can be achieved by developing super-curriculars  activities that explore a students main area of interest, and showcase subject mastery. Additionally, establishing and organising their own clubs or social movements aimed at solving a real-life problem, can highlight leadership skills and a passion for making an impact. Students can also compete in local or global competitions, or complete competitive summer programmes, to showcase their dedication to excellence in a particular field. Rankings no longer number one In the past year, both Yale and Harvard announced that they are withdrawing from the US News and World Report university rankings. Their reasoning is that the rankings are both unscientific, and discourage students from diverse backgrounds from applying. With other top institutions likely to follow suit, well see applications at so-called mid-tier universities grow in number, as people begin to broaden their scope based on best-fit  not ranking. A revolution in standardised testing In 2020, 600 United States universities, including the entire Ivy League, became test optional to offset the impact of the pandemic on admissions. Since then, a growing number of these institutions have implemented this as a permanent policy, with Forbes estimating that 80% of bachelors degree-granting US universities will be test-optional by 2024. For now, admissions experts still recommend taking SATs and ACTs, since they provide a common data point that can be used to compare applicants. From March 2023, SATs will be digital for South African students, a change that has already been made in the United States. In the future, test optional will open the doors for more South Africans to be considered, based purely on their academic and extracurricular merit.

The appeal to study abroad is as strong as ever  but now, local students have more opportunity to realise this dream. At Crimson, we are excited to see our countrys representation grow at highly competitive universities abroad; we know that local students do have the capacity to compete and excel internationally.
An engaged, fulfilled and thriving workforce was a key goal for all progressive businesses in 2022. The challenges faced by both employers and employees in the workplace called for a redesign of workforce policies that were able to balance the financial, employment and logistics challenges faced by post-pandemic employers, with the individual employee's search for meaning, flexibility and well-being.

Johan Botes, Partner and head of Baker McKenzies Employment & Compensation Practice in Johannesburg.

The great resignation

According to PwC's Global Workforce Hopes and Fears survey, one in five global workers planned to quit in 2022. A fair number of them eventually did, with employers facing fresh challenges to recruit new talent due to employees reassessing their lives and goals during Covid. A general unhappiness with their current workplace environment and a search for more pay or more flexible policies have all been cited as the reasons for the mass migration of employees from one firm to another, or for complete downgrades or downscaling. More than one employee seemed to conclude that living a more spartan life - but with greater peace and tranquillity - was worth ditching some of the accoutrements of high-end jobs.

This great resignation has affected most industries, and companies around the world have been trying to find the most efficient staffing models and flexible arrangements within those models to ensure they are able to meet staff expectations and attract and retain the right talent.

The search for meaning

While workplace flexibility has become a key negotiation point in employment contracts, the modern workforce is also increasingly demanding that their employer's activities match their own personal ideals. This includes that the business operates in a sustainable way and provides benefits for the environment, local economies and the surrounding communities. Employees want to know they are working in a role that provides not only personal meaning, but that the business is fulfilling its responsibilities to society and the environment.

Employees, customers, shareholders and other stakeholders are also demanding that organisations take a stance on important issues such as racism, sexual harassment, unemployment, and income inequality. Leading businesses are turning this challenge into a competitive advantage by creating workplaces with purposeful engagement and ways to accommodate a diverse set of employees with differing workplace needs.

The growing importance of mental well-being

For much of the pre-industrial era, what was going on in the minds of workers was considered to be of no relevance to the quality of their work. Workers were simply required to show up physically at the workplace. Fortunately, businesses and our society have since evolved. In our current economy, the most critical tool for any business is the intellectual property of its employees - the workers' minds.

Working at its best, the human mind is a state-of-the-art piece of machinery, capable of painting the Sistine Chapel, writing the Google algorithm, and calculating precise mathematical trajectories that landed Apollo 11 on the moon. Given its crucial value to the business, it follows that the mental health of a workforce should be a top priority for employers, and employee well-being policies are now an integral part of forward-thinking businesses' human resources strategies. The rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation has not eradicated the need for creative thinking - instead, it has served to emphasise its immense value.

The quiet quitters

While employers grapple with retaining key talent, some employees opt not to vote with their feet when they are disgruntled - they quietly quit. They do not actually resign or leave the service of their employer, but switch gears to "disengage" but continue to work and draw a salary with the same employer. The risk of staff only doing what they are absolutely supposed to (or just enough to not get fired) is often associated with poor workplace culture. Employees who are fearful of repercussions are less likely to raise suggestions, put forward ideas on new ways of doing business, identify outdated practices or drive the business in a new direction.

The rise of quiet quitting in the workplace during 2022 has been attributed to various factors, including long working hours, lack of work/life balance, workplace bullying and being taken for granted by their employers. Employers focussed on making sure their top performers didn't leave came to realise that their next tier of employees were as important, and warranted attention and rewards as well. Whilst key talent is often mobile and such employees are likely to leave when they feel disgruntled, employees who are less likely to readily find meaningful alternative employment may be more inclined to stay and be unhappy. This group of quiet quitters could have a disastrous effect on the business, turning a thriving company into a bureaucracy resembling a poorly run state department.

For employers, the solution lies in getting the balance right. Businesses must ensure that employees who have felt compelled to quietly quit are able to speak up about exhaustion, frustration and grievances, and ask for assistance. Avoiding burnout and risks to their mental health will assist greatly in fulfilling the higher demands we place on employees to remain motivated. The trend to silently slip away from one's workplace responsibilities, literally or figuratively, could place additional burden on other employees who are dedicated to the cause. Employees who repeatedly experience an unbalanced workload are likely to quit - whether they do so actually or quietly.

Employers should ensure that their retention policies and projects aim to address not only their high-flyers but all groups of employees needed to ensure the smooth running of the business. Retention of staff is no longer enough - retaining the commitment and motivation of all employed by the organisation is critical for business success.

The four-day work week

Like yo-yos and hula hoops, the four-day work week has excited generations, with the notion fading over time and becoming trendy again once those who were infatuated with the idea have long forgotten the frustration of replicating moves made to look so simple by a select few. Two global oil companies were the first documented cases of modern companies adopting the four-day work week, back in 1940. Their drivers worked a schedule that saw them working 40 hours in four days (the 4/40 system).

Research from the 1970s shows that the initial enthusiasm and positive effects of a reduced work week wane over time. Ivancevich & Lyon (1977) noted that employees working on a 4/40 week reported increased satisfaction in respect of job security, autonomy and remuneration when compared to a comparator group, plus reduced anxiety and increased productivity. These results - measured after 13 months from the commencement of the programme - stood in stark contrast to the employee experiences recorded at 25 months. All areas that were measured declined by the second survey - the only aspect that remained positive after two years was the employees' sense of personal worth.

A current trial conducted by 4 Day Week Global, the think tank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week UK Campaign and researchers at Boston College and Cambridge and Oxford universities continues to report success. In late November, it was announced that 100 UK companies employing around 2,600 employees would permanently implement four-day weeks, with employees receiving the same salaries. This is considered to be a positive step for the four-day week campaign.

What these trends make clear is that the working world is ready for greater flexibility in the way, manner and frequency in which we expect employees to show up to a location and perform work tasks. Businesses who think deeply and widely about the impact of such flexibility may be able to sustain gains for longer than counterparts who jump from one fad to the next. Further, employers that are able to correctly identify the right mix of workforce policies available to them and then find ways of accommodating and communicating with their staff to create meaning, purpose and well-being for them, are at a strategic advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining the right talent.
Employees are increasingly holding their companies accountable for better workplaces, and many astute business leaders are starting to tap into the significant advantages of creating supportive spaces for those who work in them.

Lianie Minny, managing director of ID (Internal Developers)

As the workplace adapts to new needs, there are some overriding forces driving the change and innovation taking place in tomorrows workplaces. Some are established trends that are here to stay, while there are also new trends emerging. Here are five trends that are changing the world of work.

Renewable energy access

Investment in the development and affordability of solar power and other renewable energy sources will take centre stage in 2023, locally and globally.

Europe and its neighbours are bearing the brunt of skyrocketing gas prices this winter. Businesses are faced with hefty gas bills, and people are struggling to warm their homes sustainably.

In South Africa, employees are returning to the office full-time, catalysed by the prolonged power outages from load shedding and the greater availability of backup power at commercial buildings. In some cases, this comes from solar energy, however, more often from fossil-fuelled generators.

With higher fuel prices and longer power cuts, landlords and tenants alike are having to pay more than ever to keep generators running to avoid business disruption. This also comes with environmental costs.

Sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations

As companies become more conscious of their impacts on the environment and society, they are striving to do better and rethinking their investment, operations and workplaces to reflect this.

Cutting carbon emissions to tackle the climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges we face right now. Of course, accessing renewable energy is part of this, creating a big overlap between this and the previous trend.

In the year ahead, expect to see investment in advancing green hydrogen, an energy source that burns clean to produce next to no greenhouse gas emissions. The first major green energy pipeline from wind plants is going ahead in the North Sea, created by two major European energy companies, Shell and RWE.

More decentralised power grids - comprising small power generators and storage in communities or individual houses - are likely to emerge to provide power, even if the main grid is unavailable. They are credited with the potential to decrease carbon emissions and unlock more sustainable, democratic power access worldwide.

Employee well-being

The world of work has changed, and we are seeing a shift from employee efficiency to employee resilience. This trend became prominent during the pandemic and continues to gain traction and accelerate due to our increasingly fluid environment.

Employees need to be equipped to thrive in a fast-paced, fast-changing world and learn to adapt in order to support mental well-being in a turbulent environment.

AI and automation opportunities

The emergence of DALL-E 2, which creates images from text, and ChatGPT, which allows users to have human-like conversations with chatbots, has resulted in much public buzz and the fast and furious mainstream growth of artificial intelligence (AI).

Yet, AI has been a focus area in many businesses for years. Together with automation technology, AI presents enormous growth potential for companies willing to adapt and adopt. As this unlocks new opportunities in the workplace, upskilling, reskilling and equipping employees to work with these technologies will become imperative.

Immersion in the metaverse

The crossover between the workplace and the metaverse is snowballing. The metaverse is already integrating meetings from digital and physical spaces. It is only a matter of time before real estate leasing becomes immersed in the metaverse, transforming the interior design requirements of corporates forever.
War on Drugs Sadism: Dying Cancer Patient in Hospice Arrested For Cannabis Possession

Government agents got a tip that a Kansas man literally dying of terminal cancer was self-medicating with cannabis to ease his excruciating pain. They leapt into action to save the day and deliver justice to the criminal good and hard.

Via The Guardian:

Hospital staff in Kansas called the police on a man dying of cancer who was using cannabis products to cope with his symptoms The encounter took place in mid-December, when police in the city of Hays say two officers showed up at the cancer patients hospital room to issue him a citation for a drug violation. Police also took away a vaping device and cannabis product that hospital staff had already confiscated. Greg Bretz, the 69-year-old cancer patient who has terminal, inoperable cancer, was issued a must appear citation for drug possession.

This is where extra-basic Karen-esque let-me-speak-to-the-manager law and order people chime in with their talking points.

The law says dying cancer patients cant seek relief from a plant with proven medicinal properties that existed for thousands of years before first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics Henry Anslinger invented a series of fantastical lies about its psychological effects to get marijuana outlawed less than a century ago, theyll say, smug and assured of their own impeachable morality.

Actually, that would be giving them far too much credit. Most are totally ignorant of the roots of the American drug war.

The law provides criminal penalties, so criminal penalties are what the dying cancer patient gets, good and hard. And thats called justice.

In the early 1960s, a Yale professor conducted a series of studies now known as the Milgram Shock Experiment(s) designed to measure the extent to which subjects (teachers) would obey orders from an authority figure to torture fellow humans (learners) simply for answer academic questions incorrectly.

Simply Psychology explains:

Two rooms in the Yale Interaction Laboratory were used  one for the learner (with an electric chair) and another for the teacher and experimenter with an electric shock generator The learner (Mr. Wallace) was strapped to a chair with electrodes. After he has learned a list of word pairs given him to learn, the teacher tests him by naming a word and asking the learner to recall its partner/pair from a list of four possible choices.

Each time the learner (who was in on the experiment) intentionally answered wrongly, the teacher was instructed to shock the learner with escalating voltages:

There were 30 switches on the shock generator marked from 15 volts (slight shock) to 450 (danger  severe shock). When the teacher refused to administer a shock, the experimenter was to give a series of orders/prods to ensure they continued.

Whenever the teacher hesitated, the experimenter would make increasingly insistent demands to continue with the shocks:

There were four prods and if one was not obeyed, then the experimenter (Mr. Williams) read out the next prod, and so on. Prod 1: Please continue. Prod 2: The experiment requires you to continue. Prod 3: It is absolutely essential that you continue. Prod 4: You have no other choice but to continue.

And here were the results:

65% (two-thirds) of participants (i.e., teachers) continued to the highest level of 450 volts. All the participants continued to 300 volts. Milgram did more than one experiment  he carried out 18 variations of his study. All he did was alter the situation (IV) to see how this affected obedience (DV).

That 65% is who the American cop is  machine men with machine hearts who can barely be called human. This is the creature who outsources his moral conscience (to the extent he had one in the first place) to the state and somehow can convince himself that his subservience is a virtue.

These cops either lack a conscience or the testicular fortitude to act on their conscience. More decent men would leave a dying human alone to whatever non-violent, victimless remedy he can find to take away the pain, if only temporarily.

They are either monsters or craven cowards, or both. Neither trait is admirable. What they did to this man is not justice. Its state-sanctioned sadism.

If karma is real  and stories like this make one hope that it is  theyll reap what they sow as they lay dying someday.

Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via Armageddon Prose and/or Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.

Bitcoin public address: bc1qvq4hgnx3eu09e0m2kk5uanxnm8ljfmpefwhawv
Maybe its time for the Israeli government to put a moratorium on Mossad-based startups. Israeli intelligence services have been the petri dishes for a particular strain of techbro  ones who have the smarts to create zero-click exploits but none of the common sense needed to cull baddies from their customer lists.

The Israeli government is partly to blame. It worked closely with NSO Group (and presumably others in the same business) to broker deals with human rights abusers: diplomacy via malware sales.

Months of negative press got NSO blacklisted by the US government. It also got it investigated in its homeland, finally resulting in the Israeli government (reluctantly) limiting who the company could sell to.

NSO isnt the only malware merchant with Israeli roots. Candiru  another recipient of US sanctions  calls Israel home. So does Cytrox, yet another exploit developer with ties to Israeli intelligence services. Cytrox was at the center of a recent domestic spying scandal in Greece, with its malware being used to target opposition leaders and journalists. This culminated in Greek police forces raiding Cytroxs local office, presumably as part of the ongoing investigation.

Now theres another Israeli spyware maker making the wrong kind of headlines, as Fanny Potkin and Poppy McPherson report for Reuters.

Israels Cognyte Software Ltd won a tender to sell intercept spyware to a Myanmar state-backed telecommunications firm a month before the Asian nations February 2021 military coup, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.

No matter whos running the Myanmar government, they shouldnt be trusted with powerful spyware. For most of the past 60 years, the country has been run by some form of military dictatorship. The 2021 coup simply reshuffled a bit of the military dictatorship organizational chart. Throughout this time period, residents (especially Muslim residents) have been on the receiving end of intense oppression. For Myanmars Muslims, oppression means death: ethic cleansing.

Given the fact that any malware sold to the Myanmar government was likely to be abused to target critics and political opponents, Cognyte never should have agreed to sell the government its products. Thats what it should have willingly decided to do because thats just being responsible.

But theres another reason Cognyte shouldnt have done it: it had to violate the law to complete the sale.

The deal was made even though Israel has claimed it stopped defence technology transfers to Myanmar following a 2017 ruling by Israels Supreme Court, according to a legal complaint recently filed with Israels attorney general and disclosed on Sunday.

According to the documents seen by Reuters, the sale was finalized at the end of 2020, apparently with the assistance of regulator Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT). Given its proximity to the beginning of the coup, it seems this was deliberately acquired for use by the military government, which decided to contest an election it lost in November 2020 by overthrowing the democratically elected government three months later.

The fact that this sale occurred after the government swears it no longer permitted sales to Myanmar presents two possibilities. Neither option is good.

Either the government never stopped handing out export licenses to tech companies hoping to sell to Myanmars government or Cognyte ignored the restriction and made the sale without the required export license. Given that the documents show Cognyte as the winning bidder, the company didnt even bother to try to launder its illegal export through a middleman. Or maybe it was both: a dont ask, dont tell policy for malware sales to human right abusers.

Whatever the case, its another black eye for the Israeli government  one that has done little to prevent local companies from selling powerful tech to bad people. Its also an indictment of its intelligence services, which seem capable of attracting extremely skilled people who somehow decide that the logical extension of the lessons theyve learned securing their nation is abandoning any remaining morality or ethics once they hit the private sector.
The uranium mine that supplies North Korea's nuclear weapons has seen a succession of cave-ins, with the magnitude of the calamity visible from space.

Recent images of the Pyongsan mine collapse were uncovered by Jacob Bogle, who produced a detailed map of the country based on satellite images. Per Daily Mail, the mine is the regime's primary supply of uranium ore, which can be refined into yellowcake and subsequently weapon-grade uranium.

North Korea Major Uranium Mine Collapsed

Now that the mine has been struck by calamity, satellite images have captured the rapid development of enormous depressions in the earth near the entrance of the mine. Bogle stated that all indicators led to a collapse.

Two similar pits, each with a diameter of more than 100 meters, are readily apparent in satellite images. Unknown is the human cost of the cave-ins, but evidence suggests that individuals continue to work at the plant.

With each fresh satellite image, the site's garbage mounds have continued to grow, while new above-ground structures have been constructed. Even with the recent failures, the supply of uranium for Kim Jong-nuclear un's weapons is expected to continue, given the size of the Pyongsan mine.

Unknown is the human cost of the cave-ins, but evidence suggests that individuals continue to work at the plant. The garbage piles at the site have continued to grow with each successive satellite image, while new structures have been constructed above ground.

Even with the recent disasters at the Pyongsan mine, the flow of uranium for Kim Jong-nuclear un's weapons is expected to continue. Bogle cautioned that these cave-ins may only be the beginning, stating, North Korea's mining industry is one of the most hazardous.

Less than 30 miles separate the Pyongsan mine from the South Korean border, which is 62 miles southeast of Pyongyang, as per Mirror. During a 1992 visit by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Kim regime admitted to extracting uranium from coal there.

Read Also: Joe Biden Admits Defeat to Aubrey plaza

North Korea Urges to Build 300 Nuclear Arsenal

North Korea, which now possesses an estimated 80 to 90 nuclear bombs, plans to construct a 300-weapon nuclear arsenal, according to a new analysis issued Thursday by a South Korean government think group, UPI reported. At its Yongbyon nuclear plant, North Korea has produced 4,506 pounds of highly enriched uranium of weapon-grade purity. It is also estimated that the government owns between 150 and 172 pounds of plutonium.

Pyongyang's existing stockpile of fissile material could produce between 80 and 90 nuclear weapons, according to a study conducted by the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis (KIDA) in Seoul, as reported by United Press International (UPI) on Friday.

If fissile material production continues at the current rate, North Korea could possess up to 166 nuclear bombs by 2030, according to the study by a think tank. The regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly aims to increase its overall arsenal to 300 warheads, according to KIDA research.

In response to alleged threats from South Korea and the United States, the North Korean leader called for exponential growth in the country's nuclear arsenal at the Workers' Party's year-end gathering.

On the penultimate day of a six-day plenary session of his governing party, Kim referred to South Korea as an undeniable enemy and blamed the United States for escalating pressure on his country to maximum levels by sending military assets to the Korean Peninsula repeatedly.

Kim said that Pyongyang must mass-produce tactical nuclear weapons meant for use on the battlefield and simultaneously create a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would provide the North with rapid counter-strike capabilities.

In September 2022, North Korea approved a law authorizing the use of preemptive nuclear strikes for self-defense. Under the law that was passed by the country's rubber-stamp legislature, Pyongyang stated that it will launch a preemptive nuclear strike automatically and quickly to destroy hostile forces if a foreign nation poses an imminent threat to North Korea and its dictator, Kim Jong-un.

With the United States, South Korea, and Japan carefully monitoring North Korea's nuclear test site, there are suspicions that Pyongyang may soon execute its seventh underground nuclear test. Between 2006 and 2017, North Korea conducted six nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

Related Article: New Zealand Prime Minister Reprioritization Plans

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Fighting censorship in Katy: Cameron Samuels '26

After discovering an internet ban on important community resources like The Trevor Project, Samuels started a movement against censorship in Katy, Texas.

For young people who are discovering their identity, resources like The Trevor Project , a suicide prevention program for people in the LGBTQIA+ community, provide a safe space of acceptance and community, and can even save a life.

When Cameron Samuels 26 tried to visit the projects website from a computer in their public high school in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, it wouldnt work.

It was one of numerous sites Samuels found to be blocked on the high school servers because they promoted alternative sexual lifestyles.

Samuels was hesitant to create conflict with the school district, but knew these sites were important resources. They felt obligated to challenge the ban.

It had never been comforting for me to walk through the hallways as someone who is openly queer, but I knew I had a supportive family to come home to at the end of the day. Others dont have that privilege, they said. Without these resources, some students have nowhere to go. It not only creates an atmosphere of bigotry and isolation, but denies students access to something that could save their life.

After building up the courage, Samuels attended a school board meeting to stand up to censorship. They were met with backlash from the community and rejection from the school district.

I was the only student in the room. There was no applause. I felt isolated and lonely, but knew I had to keep fighting for this because I had peers who were directly affected by these policies, Samuels said.

Samuels took to social media, circulating a petition with the help of friends and family. With over 90,000 students in the Katy school district, Samuels saw an opportunity to create a movement. After gaining positive traction from the community and over 2,000 petition signatures, Samuels returned to the school board and filled the room with supporters. With time and continued conversations, the ban was lifted at the high school level, but some resources remain blocked at the elementary and middle school level.

Websites werent the only thing banned throughout the Katy school district. After discovering numerous books were being banned for topics of race and sexuality, Samuels worked alongside peers to distribute hundreds of these books throughout the school system.

Samuels efforts have received national attention, ranging from being featured on NBC News to being selected as one of Teen Vogues 21 under 21 for 2022. The biggest recognition has come from students and parents in the school district who are now joining the movement.

Some people just need a spark to take action into their own hands. Its empowering to see parents continuing to push to lift these bans for their own children.

While Samuels continues their efforts in Texas virtually, they have already found their sense of community and inclusion at Brandeis through organizations like Hillel. Samuels also looks forward to finding causes to support on campus like establishing a book sanctuary, a safe place for censored books, at Brandeis.

Brandeis was right for me because it is rooted in social justice and inclusion, they said. As Brandeisians, we arent changing the story or pushing the boundaries to make it seem like we are someone we are not. Were developing the skills to be the best of ourselves and the best we can provide to the world.
A Rozelle woman has been charged with the alleged neglect and manslaughter of her elderly husband, who police say was found semi-conscious and in a state of neglect.

Police were called to the two-bedroom property on Nelson Street in Sydneys inner west in May before Victor Donald Alberts, 84, was taken to hospital.

Liliya Nemirovskaya was charged with alleged neglect and manslaughter of her elderly husband in Rozelle. Credit: Facebook

Alberts stayed there for seven months before dying in December as a result of his injuries, police said in a statement.

His wife, hairdresser Liliya Nemirovskaya, 61, was arrested in Rozelle on Monday morning and charged with manslaughter and refusing to provide the necessities of life, endangering life, domestic-violence related.
Parkland near Sydneys Central Station could be nearly doubled under a contentious proposal by architects to construct towers on Prince Alfred Park in return for a larger area of green space on a land deck built over nearby rail lines.

The concept by architecture firm Bates Smart comes months after the state government released plans for an $11 billion redevelopment around Central, which the City of Sydney has warned risks repeating the same urban design mistakes as at Barangaroo.

Bates Smarts alternative proposal for the Central Station precinct. Credit: Bates Smart

Under the governments plans, about 15 buildings would be constructed on a land deck covering the regional and intercity rail lines which terminate at Central. The suburban rail lines would not be built over.

But Bates Smart managing director Philip Vivian said the governments vision would be very expensive to build and result in narrow streets, tall towers blocking sunlight and a lack of connections over the uncovered suburban rail lines.
The case against a 17-year-old boy, charged with the murder of a man found stabbed along a busy road in Wilston after midnight on Sunday, has been heard in court.

Police questioned and later charged the teenager after he was seen running near where the 43-year-old died, allegedly concealing a large knife beneath his clothing.

Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the accused allegedly hid a large knife under his clothes when found near the scene. Credit: QPS/Twitter/Seven News

The teenagers case was mentioned in Childrens Court in Brisbane on Monday, where acting magistrate Leanne Scoines remanded him in custody.

Police said they intercepted the teenager, who allegedly had what Superintendent Andrew Massingham described as a small machete concealed in a sheath.
A man has been charged after a five-year-old boy was left fighting for life in hospital and two other children were found in a garage with extensive injuries.

Emergency services were called to a Wishart address about 9.30pm on Saturday after a five-year-old boy required medical assistance.

The boy who was found with significant injuries was rushed to Queensland Childrens Hospital in a critical condition.

Two other children, a six-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy, were found in the propertys garage and also taken to the same hospital with what police described as extensive injuries.
Detectives obtained more than 5000 covert recordings from accused murderer Gregory Lynn as they investigated the deaths of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay.

Police allege that before his ultimate arrest at a remote Victorian camping ground, the recordings captured Lynn repeatedly talking to himself.

The officer listening in, Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Passingham, told Melbourne Magistrates Court those recordings varied from one minute to 30 minutes long - and were sourced from covert devices placed in Lynns Nissan Patrol.

Passingham told the court Lynn also allegedly referenced chapters in his life and said his time was coming to an end as he drove in his four-wheel-drive in the lead up to his arrest at Arbuckle Junction on November 22, 2021.
Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: This story contains images and references to a deceased person.

A Victorian coroner will call for urgent reform of the states controversial bail laws after finding cruel and inhumane treatment of an Indigenous woman caused her preventable death in jail.

Coroner Simon McGregors plea for the Andrews government to improve the criminal justice systems treatment of Indigenous Australians is contained in highly anticipated findings of the inquest into Veronica Nelsons death.

Veronica Nelson died in prison in January 2020 after calling for help about 40 times.

Sources with knowledge of the confidential report have briefed The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on McGregors key findings and confirmed the coroner will use Nelsons death to call for landmark changes to Victorias justice system.
According to speculations, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not join King Charles and Camilla on the balcony for his Coronation.

It seems unlikely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would join other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the newly crowned King, as per The Sun.

Why Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Won't Join The Coronation?

The lineup will consist solely of active members of The Firm, excluding Prince Harry and his uncle, Prince Andrew. Although there is no indication that Prince Harry will be prevented from attending the celebrations on May 6 - which coincide with his son Archie's fourth birthday - he is not expected to earn a balcony place.

According to speculations, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not join King Charles and Camilla on the balcony for his coronation. It seems unlikely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would join other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the newly crowned King.

Per Daily Mail, the lineup will consist solely of active members of The Firm, excluding Prince Harry and his uncle, Prince Andrew. Although there is no indication that Prince Harry will be prevented from attending the celebrations on May 6 - which coincide with his son Archie's fourth birthday - he is not expected to earn a balcony place.

To prevent the dispute from overshadowing the coronation in the coming months, royal sources hinted at the possibility of peace negotiations. According to a royal source, King Charles must send the invitation sooner rather than later; else, it would become a diversion and circus.

However, several Royals are reportedly anxious that their conversations may be included in the paperback edition of Spare. Prince Harry was paid an estimated $40 million for a four-book deal, and his debut memoir explores confidential interactions with his family.

Early this week, a 407-page book was published in which the privacy of practically every member of the Royal Family is compromised.

Read Also: North Korea Uranium Mine Collapsed

King Charles III Coronation Plans

Some relatives apparently fear that if they do not remain silent, they would serve as material for additional articles. Whether or not he attends the coronation, the nation will enjoy a meticulously prepared three-day celebration.

At Windsor Castle, a mega performance featuring worldwide pop legends, such as Sir Paul McCartney and Queen, is also planned. The two Coronation Day parades will culminate with members of the Royal Family waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, including the newly-crowned King and his Queen Consort.

As the centerpiece of the events commemorating His Majesty's coronation, iconic places throughout the United Kingdom will be lighted with projections, lasers, and drones. The three-day event scheduled for Saturday, May 6 through Monday, May 8 will be comparable in scope to the weekend celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June.

On Saturday morning, Charles and Camilla will be proclaimed King and Queen Consort during a service at Westminster Abbey, followed by a procession to Buckingham Palace, where they will appear on the balcony with their families.

As was the case for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year, the lineup of royals will be limited to working family members, according to Daily Express. This covers the royals residing in the United States including Prince Andrew, who no longer performs formal duties.

Also unknown is whether Andrew and Harry will be authorized to wear military uniforms during the parade if they attend. The 74-year-old monarch desires that his youngest son Harry be included on the guest list, although it is unclear whether he will attend.

The three-day historic event is anticipated to highlight King Charles' wishes for diversity and his goal to become the people's King. There will also be an opportunity for Commonwealth representatives and NHS employees to speak. The ceremony will be more embracing, contemporary, and less archaic than Charles' mother Queen Elizabeth's 1953 coronation, according to royal historian Jennie Bond.

Harry stated in an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby that a lot can happen between now and then when asked if he will attend the coronation if he is invited. Then, he appeared to offer an ultimatum to the palace, declaring, The door is always open. The court is now theirs.

Related Article: Prince Harry Worries About Prince William's Kid

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Its a Saturday morning at one of Perths busiest veterinary clinics and pet owners have spilled out into the car park before the doors even open at 9am.

Swan Veterinary Hospital in Midvale is heaving under the strain of being short-staffed.

One of the busiest clinics in Perth is struggling to cope with staff shortages. Credit: Sarah Brookes

But its not the only one. The issue is being felt across the state, with seasoned vets concerned for the viability of an industry which was already struggling before COVID hit.

Garnett Hall owns the Fremantle Animal Hospital and West Coast Veterinary Hospital in Forrestdale. He said clinics were closing their books to new patients and emergency centres across the metropolitan area were frequently going on bypass due to staff shortages.
Frontline workers and single parents who have saved just 2 per cent of a deposit for their first home can now enter the property market with the launch of the NSW governments shared equity scheme.

Teachers, nurses, paramedics and early childcare workers are among essential workers who qualify for the scheme under which the government will contribute up to 40 per cent of the cost of a new home or up to 30 per cent of an existing home.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet at Robinson Park in Jamisontown on Monday. Credit: Kate Geraghty

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Monday said thousands of frontline workers, including midwives and police officers, had lodged expressions of interest in the shared equity program, while 20 people had already received preapproval.

Up to 3000 places will be available each year for two years under the $780 million package. It is among a suite of housing affordability measures the Coalition will take to the March state election, after they were costed in the last state budget.
Berlin: German prosecutors have charged five suspects in a plot to kidnap the countrys health minister, stir civil unrest and violently overthrow the government.

The public prosecutor said the group had planned to blow up power infrastructure, trigger civil-war-like conditions and overthrow democracy. All five have been charged with being suspected members of a terrorist group and planning highly treasonable acts against the government.

Two of the suspects face additional charges of preparing a serious act of violence that is dangerous to the state, while another also faces a charge of terrorist financing.

Demonstrators kneel in front of a police chain in Frankfurt, Germany, in December 2021. Several hundred participants, including members of the cross-thinkers and Reichsburger scene, had gathered in the city centre to protest COVID regulations. Credit: dpa/AP

The group intended to use an actor to imitate the countrys president or chancellor in a live television broadcast and announce that the federal government had been deposed and that the constitution of 1871 was in force again, the indictment said.
But now, Russias invasion of Ukraine is exerting a clarifying effect on American Big Tech. Increasingly, these businesses, the biggest in the world, are under pressure to choose sides. We dont necessarily just see this as participation with the US government, says Microsoft executive, Angel Smith, whose title is partner, mission engineering. We see it as part of our responsibility to defend democracy globally and to defend our platform, she tells me in an interview. Russian cyber targeting of a facility is often a prelude to a missile strike. Credit: The Washington Post Australia, too, is a beneficiary, says Smith: We do come to Australia at least once a year so we can give a briefing on the sorts of behaviours we are seeing. The malicious cyberattacks that Microsofts hunters seek to defend against come from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. And the AUKUS partnership between the US, UK and Australia has given new shape to Microsofts efforts. Says Smith: Were actively working with governments of allied nations to find solutions to their problems of integration  how can we integrate allies in the digital space?

I focus heavily on AUKUS. We are still getting countries comfortable with sharing sensitive data. Getting AUKUS right will help us understand how to extend to other allies. Loading Smith briefed a high-level group of Australian and US visitors on Microsofts Ukraine operations during a visit to the companys Silicon Valley campus last week, part of the Australian-American Leadership Dialogues West Coast initiative. Unlike land, sea, and air, cyberspace is owned and operated in part by companies. This makes the war in Ukraine different from major wars of the past, said company president Brad Smith in a report titled Defending Ukraine: Early Lessons from the Cyber War, published last June. This led him to conclude that the best cyber defences were public-private partnerships. The Microsoft president highlighted the fact that several Big Tech firms had helped Ukraine evacuate critical data from the country at the last moment before the Russian attack began.

Ukrainian law had demanded that all critical government data be stored in servers physically located in the country, a so-called sovereign data policy. But recognising that this made it vulnerable to artillery and missiles, Kyivs parliament changed the law just one week before the invasion began. Loading The foreign tech firms helped move the data into the public cloud. Sure enough, one of Russias earliest missile targets in Ukraine was a government data centre. Microsofts share of this digital Dunkirk cost the firm $US107 million ($A153 million), the company says, part of total Microsoft assistance to Ukraine, provided gratis, worth almost a quarter of a billion dollars. Of course, Microsofts commitment to the defence of Ukraine, and to democratic principles more broadly, is not actually a morality play. While its indispensable to Ukraine in its hour of need, its also a useful showcase for the company to display its tech wares and buff its political credentials in the West. Microsoft has not announced an end to its business in China, for example. Its commitment to democracy only runs so far. The company did announce in 2021 that it would shut down the Chinese operation of its LinkedIn social network site when the demands of Beijings censors became too restrictive.

Yet, Microsoft has since pledged to expand its core business in China: Were very, very bullish about whats happening in Asia, company chief executive Satya Nadella said in November. Were absolutely committed to all of these countries and in China too. In an announcement in Chinese language only, the firm said in September that it would expand its campuses in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou and continue to increase its workforce in China. The Party mouthpiece Global Times congratulated Microsoft for defying pressure from Washington to decouple from China. Loading Decoupling from Moscow is one thing. Decoupling from China, with an economy more than 10 times the size of Russias, is quite another. Yet the pressure on Big Tech to sever ties with Beijing will only grow. Any company that expands its business operations in China is either naive to the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party or simply doesnt care about working with a genocidal, anti-American regime, Republican senator Marco Rubio said of Microsoft.

As the great geopolitical divide between China and the West widens, is the hunter destined to become the hunted? The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. More world commentary from our acclaimed writers Weapons of choice: We may not be at war, but Australia has some tough lessons to learn from Ukraine about what we need to prioritise and prepare in case we do go to war - Mick Ryan The US/ Australia alliance: Theres a new head of the US Studies Centre in Sydney, and this Republican has a few things he wants Australians to know about the reality of their relationship with the US - Peter Hartcher
Los Angeles: It was meant to be a day that marked a new and prosperous beginning. But instead of celebrating Lunar New Year, Americans were confronted by yet another mass shooting: the 33rd to take place since the start of January.

Who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people? Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna asked in disbelief on Sunday (Monday AEDT), the morning after 10 people were killed and 10 others were injured in the predominantly Asian city of Monterey Park.

endor tents for the Lunar New Year festival near where a gunman killed 10 people and injured another 10 in Monterey Park, California. Credit: The Washington Post by Philip Cheun

Hours later, after an extensive manhunt, the answer was somewhat clearer.

The man who carried out this latest mass shooting was identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, who shot himself in a white van as authorities closed in.
He started prepping the weapon and something came over me, Tsay recalled. We struggled into the lobby, trying to get this gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face, bashing the back of my head. Finally at one point I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside, create some distance, point the gun at him, intimidate him and say: Get the hell out of here! Ill shoot! Get away! Go! Authorities released these images of the shooter. He was later found dead. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departmen An hours-long manhunt to find Tran finally ended on Sunday afternoon when tactical teams surrounded a vehicle in Torrance that matched the description of the white cargo van in which he was believed to have fled. There, they discovered him slumped over in his vehicle, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said officers issued a search warrant on the suspected gunmans home in Hemet on and recovered a rifle, ammunition, electronic devices and other items that led them to believe that the suspect was manufacturing silencers. Tran had also been arrested in 1990 for unlawful possession of a firearm, he said.

But the motive remains unclear - including whether the gunman, who once frequented the dance hall and met his ex-wife there, had connections to any of his victims. Were hearing there were possible relationships there, but Im not going to confirm that yet, Luna told reporters. Brandon Tsay disarmed the Monterey gunman Huu Can Tran at the second location, the Lai Lai Ballroom, near Los Angeles. Credit: Screenshot/American ABC News Four victims have been identified by authorities: My Nhan, 65, Lilan Li, 63, and Xiujuan Yu, 57, and Valentino Alvero, 68. In a tribute on Twitter, Nhans family described her as a person whose smile and kindness was contagious.

She spent so many years going to the dance studio in Monterey Park on weekends. Its what she loved to do, they wrote. But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance. We are starting the Lunar New Year broken. We never imagined her life would end so suddenly. The mass shooting in Monterey Park was the 33rd to take place so far this year, and the worst since last Mays Uvalde tragedy, in which 19 children and two teachers were killed when a 21-year-old gun opened fire at the Robb Elementary School in south Texas. The latest incident happened during the weekends Lunar New Year celebration, initially raising fears of another hate crime against the Asian-American community, which has experienced an uptick of violence and discrimination since the pandemic. While Trans Asian heritage has made the likely motive less clear-cut, authorities say everything is on the table in the effort to identify the motive.

As investigators continued to piece details together, it also emerged that Tran had recently visited police in Hemet, where he was living in a caravan park, to say that his family was poisoning him. Loading According to a statement from Hemet police, he attended the local police station January 7 and 9 alleging past fraud, theft and poisoning allegations involving his family in the Los Angeles area 10 to 20 years ago. Tran stated he would return to the station with documentation but never returned. In Washington DC, President Joe Biden ordered American flags on federal government property to be flown at half-mast until Thursday at dawn as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence. Back at the dance studio, a tight-knit community continues to grieve and some wonder what it will take to thwart the gun violence epidemic.

Were just so tired of all the senseless violence and shooting, says Jan Alejandro as his daughter Arlene gently places a bouquet of red roses on the makeshift memorial. Its so frustrating because it doesnt matter whos in the White House or who is in Congress, theyre not getting anything done. Jan Alejandro and his daughter Arlene pay their respects at the site of the Monterey Park mass shooting. Credit: Farrah Tomazin Its hard to put words to how Im feeling, Arlene says holding back tears. I didnt really think about how this could happen in my backyard because its too close to home for me. I truly dont feel safe. I dont feel safe about walking down the street. Theres so much violence. School bus driver Inez Arakaki also came to pay tribute to the victims with her nine-year-old son Zachary.
Monterey Park, California: Authorities searched for a motive for the gunman who killed 10 people at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations, slayings that sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities in the region and cast a shadow over festivities nationwide.

The suspect was found on Sunday (Monday AEDT), dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van in which authorities say he fled after people thwarted his attempt at a second shooting on Saturday night.

A forensic photographer gets ready to take pictures of a vans window and its contents in Torrance, California. Credit: AP

The massacre was the nations 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.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the man as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran and said no other suspects were at large. Luna said the motive remained unclear for the attack, which wounded 10 people, seven of whom were still hospitalised. Speaking at a Sunday evening news conference, the sheriff said he didnt have their exact ages but that all of the people killed appeared to be over 50.


After lackluster sales of a battery-powered sedan called the Tigor EV, Tata Motors in 2020 introduced an electric version of the Nexon compact SUV. Priced at 1.4 million rupees ($17,300) and with a range of around 300 kilometers (186 miles), the Nexon quickly became Indias best-selling electric model.



Still, public adoption of anything electric in India when it comes to passenger transport has been slow. Most local manufacturers have been reluctant to switch to electric cars because of their high upfront production costs, while a lack of public charging points has deterred buyers. Just 1.2% of passenger vehicles sold in the six months through September were electric, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Even EV market leader Tata Motors, whose electric sales in the quarter through December were up almost 120% from a year earlier, only sold 12,596 units.



But India, which may have already surpassed China as the worlds most-populous nation, is also a market carmakers cant afford to ignore. At the same time, some foreign players are rethinking their strategies around China, the worlds other massive car market. Stellantis NV, for example, has shuttered its only Jeep factory in China due to interference from local politicians while Volkswagen and General Motors Co. are struggling to preserve their positions as local Chinese manufacturers give them a run for their money.

India not only offers cheap labor but also a talent pool of largely English-speaking workers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the country, home to the worlds fourth-largest car market, will reduce emissions to net zero by 2070, and curbing transport pollution is key to meeting that goal. India not only offers cheap labor but also a talent pool of largely English-speaking workers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the country, home to the worlds fourth-largest car market, will reduce emissions to net zero by 2070, and curbing transport pollution is key to meeting that goal. After lackluster sales of a battery-powered sedan called the Tigor EV, Tata Motors in 2020 introduced an electric version of the Nexon compact SUV. Priced at 1.4 million rupees ($17,300) and with a range of around 300 kilometers (186 miles), the Nexon quickly became Indias best-selling electric model.Still, public adoption of anything electric in India when it comes to passenger transport has been slow. Most local manufacturers have been reluctant to switch to electric cars because of their high upfront production costs, while a lack of public charging points has deterred buyers. Just 1.2% of passenger vehicles sold in the six months through September were electric, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Even EV market leader Tata Motors, whose electric sales in the quarter through December were up almost 120% from a year earlier, only sold 12,596 units.But India, which may have already surpassed China as the worlds most-populous nation, is also a market carmakers cant afford to ignore. At the same time, some foreign players are rethinking their strategies around China, the worlds other massive car market. Stellantis NV, for example, has shuttered its only Jeep factory in China due to interference from local politicians while Volkswagen and General Motors Co. are struggling to preserve their positions as local Chinese manufacturers give them a run for their money.

In India, where an increasing number of consumers aspire to own bigger cars to cope with the countrys notoriously potholed roads and bad traffic, automakers are betting on low-cost battery-powered SUVs to capture the budding electric vehicle market.At the nations major auto show in New Delhi earlier this month, there was a new breed of EVs taking center stage, with predominately foreign companies looking to muscle in on the nascent electric scene. In a marked shift in rhetoric, local auto bosses were also excitedly talking up the sectors prospects.Homegrown manufacturers Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. are now jostling with Chinese giants BYD Co. and SAIC Motor Corp. and South Koreas Hyundai Motor Co. Even Indias biggest automaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., which had previously largely pooh-poohed EVs, showed a compact electric SUV it says will hit the market in 2025.Demand for smaller SUVs has been surging in India. Theyre suited for the countrys driving conditions, which can vary vastly from smooth multi-lane freeways to rutted streets crowded with rickshaws, dogs and cows. They also offer aspirational buyers an important, yet affordable, status symbol, perching drivers above the masses. And while larger electric SUVs tend to be inefficient (and expensive) because they require bigger and costlier battery packs, their compact equivalents are built on small-car platforms, making them more cost effective.The conundrum for electric vehicles is lighter is better, but customers want SUVs, says Andy Palmer, the former CEO of Aston Martin who also helped spearhead Nissan Motor Co.s creation of the Leaf, one of the first mass market EVs. Using a small-car platform to build an electric SUV meets the sweet spot for both manufacturers and consumers, he said, citing the example of Volkswagen AG using the ID.3 hatchback platform to also build the ID.4 SUV.
After the death of an environmental activist who was assassinated by authorities this week, a demonstration got violent in downtown Atlanta on Saturday night.

Large glass windows were shattered by black-clad, masked protestors who tossed rocks and set off fireworkd in front of the skyscraper housing the Atlanta Police Foundation. They then set fire to a police cruiser, smashed other windows, and defaced walls with anti-police graffiti as visitors scattered in shock, USA Today reported.

Activist Tortuguita's Death Sparks Protest in Atlanta

Hundreds of people had assembled and marched up Atlanta's renowned Peachtree Street to grieve the loss of the protester, a nonbinary person who went by the name Tortuguita and utilized their pronouns.

Tortuguita, 26 years old, was slain on Wednesday after officials evicted a small group of demonstrators from the site of a planned public safety training center in the Atlanta area that activists have called Cop City.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has stated that Tortuguita was killed by authorities after shooting and wounding a state trooper, but protestors have called it a murder and demanded an independent investigation, throwing the official account into question.

Body cams did not film the encounter. The agency determined on Friday that the trooper was wounded in the abdomen by a bullet from a weapon owned by Tortuguita. Social media and left-leaning activists had actively disseminated information about the rally on Saturday. Some distributed fliers with the inscription, "Police killed a protester. Rise. Counterattack.

During a news conference, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated that six arrests were made and explosive devices were seized after protesters damaged property along Peachtree Street, a corridor of hotels and restaurants. According to him, law enforcement stopped the fighting within two blocks, and no civilians or officers were hurt.

Francis Carroll, an Antifa activist who was out on bail for domestic terrorism and purportedly the son of a multimillionaire Maine family, was identified as one of the arrested suspects by journalist Andy Ngo.

'Stop Cop City' demonstrators lamented the passing of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, alias Tortuguita, an environmental activist who fought the construction of the training center in a forested area. They demanded Justice for Tort on social media before Saturday's demonstration. He participated in their Defend the Forest movement, which opposed the felling of trees to fund the $90 million project.

Saturday evening, demonstrators dressed in all black marched down Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. When they approached the Ellis Street crossroads, several protests began, shattering the windows of local businesses and attacking police cars, setting one ablaze, as per The Washington Examiner.

Saturday night, a spokeswoman for Stop Cop City issued multiple remarks to the Atlanta television station WSB-TV, stating that the group's activities were non-violent and justified.

Read Also: Woman Stabs Indiana University Student

Controversial 'Cop City'

Social media and leftist activists had widely disseminated information about Saturday's rally, with some passing out flyers that stated, "Police killed a protester. Stand up. Fight back."

During a news conference, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated that six arrests were made and explosive devices were seized after protesters damaged property along Peachtree Street, a corridor of hotels and restaurants.

According to him, law enforcement stopped the fighting within two blocks, and no civilians or officers were hurt. Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia condemned the violence and commended the responding officers.

Per PBS, a few activists recounted their memories of Tortuguita, characterizing them as highly compassionate and caring members of the "Stop Cop City" group during the first hour of the nonviolent rally. Tortuguita, according to the speakers, completed a 20-hour course to serve as a physician for fellow "forest defenders" who had made their home in the DeKalb County forests just outside of Atlanta.

For over a year, opponents of the training center have protested by erecting platforms in adjacent trees and camping at the site. They claim that the Atlanta Police Foundation's $90 million project, which would necessitate the planting of a large number of trees, would be environmentally detrimental.

They are also opposed to spending so much money on a facility that they claim will be used for "urban warfare" training. During Wednesday's operation, some 25 tents were identified and confiscated, as well as mortar-style fireworks, edged weapons, pellet rifles, gas masks, and a blow torch.

Related Article: Lunar New Year Shooting Suspect Identified

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The company would also enter the low-end motorcycle market in March by launching a 100cc engine bike at a price that will positively shock customers, he said while speaking with reporters, after launching the Activa with Honda Smart Key. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the countrys second-largest two-wheeler manufacturer, is planning to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) here by March next year, said CEO & MD Atsushi Ogata on Monday.



Relatively new companies, such as Ola Electric, Hero Electric, Okinawa, and Ather, are the top four players in the electric two-wheeler market with about 60 per cent market share. HMSIs first EV, an electric scooter, will have a fixed battery and the second model will have two swappable batteries, Ogata explained. The company started working on the first model around six months ago... It will have a top speed of about 50 km per hour, he said.



He said in the past three years, the company has focused on developing a strong constitution (fundamentals) by taking steps, such as centralising HMSIs functioning from its Manesar office. At a time when established two-wheeler makers Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, and TVS Motors have already launched their electric scooters, Ogata said HMSI is not late in developing and launching its EVs.

Also Read Honda Cars eyes comeback with a slew of new SUVs across multiple segments Tata Motors Q1 loss may widen to Rs 1,767 cr; revenue may dip QoQ: Analysts Honda Cars' domestic PV sales jump 29% to 8,714 units in September Eicher Motors sinks 3% as CFO Arunachalam tenders resignation Eicher Motors net profit in Q1 surges 158% to Rs 611 crore on higher sales Maruti Suzuki India recalls 11,177 Grand Vitara SUVs to fix seat belt issue OEMs push up EV prices five months into FAME subsidy halt by Centre Automakers focus on low-cost battery powered SUVs in budding EV market Hero MotoCorp commences delivery of electric scooter VIDA V1 in Jaipur Hero Electric looks to raise nearly Rs 2,000 crore to drive expansion



Now, he further said, the company is entering into a new business operation (EVs), so it comes with a long-term mindset of about 10-20 years. Our market share in total two-wheeler sales in India is at its highest because of a very strong portfolio, efficient dealership network, etc. So, it (launching an EV) was not an urgent matter from a business point of view, he said.



We will be ready with our first electric scooter by March 2024 for the Indian domestic market, Ogata said. Ogata mentioned that the platform for the new electric scooter would be new (and not developed by converting an existing ICE vehicle to an electric scooter) to satisfy the Indian customers needs, which are different from other countries. It will be completely new, the top executive said. HMSI is not focusing on developing electric motorcycles right now.



The CEO & MD said the hybrid engine mechanism -- internal combustion engine coupled with electric battery pack -- is not suitable for two-wheelers as it is inefficient in terms of cost, as well as space. HMSI, he said, would be making a sizable investment to develop its EV business in India and a big chunk of it would go into designing its motor. Honda is currently selling its electric two-wheelers in China and its home market in Japan and it is soon going to start selling them in Europe. We are concentrating on designing and developing specifications for an electric two-wheeler that is for the Indian market, he said, adding that this EV will be exported to countries if they want to have it.



He said the two-wheeler industry in India is likely to touch the 20 million unit sales mark by 2028. In 2022, India automobile companies sold 15.38 million two-wheelers, 13.37 per cent higher than the 2021 figure, according to Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) data. He said the company is also concentrating on developing enough charging points across the country to support its EV products. HMSI currently has 6,000 existing touch points (dealers, service points, etc) across the country and these would be equipped with battery-swapping facilities, he noted.
BENGALURU (Reuters) - India's top carmaker Maruti Suzuki on Monday said it was recalling 11,177 Grand Vitara vehicles to address a possible defect in rear seat belt mounting brackets, its second recall within a week.

In a rare case, the brackets may loosen in the long run and impair the seat belt's functionality, Maruti said.

Last week, Maruti said it will recall 17,362 vehicles, including Alto K10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno and Grand Vitara models, on possible airbag controller defect.

The company, which is majority owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp, will report its results for the quarter ending Dec. 31 on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Nallur Sethuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Dhanya Ann Thoppil)


On a sequential basis, the private sector banks net profit rose 10 per cent from Rs 5,329.77 crore in July-September. Axis Bank on Monday reported a 62 per cent year-on-year jump in standalone net profit for October-December to Rs 5,853.07 crore as strong growth in net interest income bolstered the bottomline despite higher provisions.



In the third quarter of the current financial year, Axis Banks net interest margin was at 4.26 per cent, up 73 basis points YoY and 30 bps sequentially. As has been the case with most banks that have reported earnings so far, Axis Banks net interest income rose sharply in October-December, coming in at Rs 11,459 crore, up 32 per cent YoY and 11 per cent sequentially.



The central banks current monetary tightening cycle has assisted pricing of assets while the re-pricing of deposits has lagged as a significant portion of loans are linked to external benchmarks including policy rates. Addressing the media in a post-earnings call, the banks senior management said the improvement in NIM was due to three factors  a structural initiative taken to improve margins, pricing discipline across businesses and the RBIs rate hikes.

Also Read Axis Bank Q1 result today: A look at the numbers in the last four quarters Axis Bank Q1 review: Why did shares fall 3.5% despite 91% surge in profit? Axis Bank Q2 preview: Profit may rise over 40% YoY on low provisions Axis Bank Q1 net profit jumps 91% to Rs 4,125 crore on firm NII growth Axis Bank Q2 net profit rises 70% to Rs 5,329 crore; NII jumps 31% Shoppers Stop Q3 profit jumps 24% to Rs 63 crore on festive demand Gland Pharma Q3 net declines 15% to Rs 232 cr due to production delays Jindal Stainless Q3 profit drops 32% to Rs 298.56 cr due to higher expenses RattanIndia Power Q3 net loss widens to Rs 479 crore on higher expenses Puravankara Q3 bookings rise 20% to Rs 796 cr on higher price realisation



We expect liability cost to increase over the next few quarters with limited compensation from further re-pricing on assets. Its important to note that we have built a healthy cushion above our medium-term guidance on NIMs, Puneet Sharma, chief financial officer, Axis Bank said. The environment surrounding interest margins, however, is expected to change in coming quarters as the full re-pricing of deposit rates plays out, the banks senior officials said.



While refraining from providing short-term guidance on interest margins, Sharma said that Axis Banks through-cycle guidance on NIMS is 380 basis points. Accordingly the current level of the NIM provides a cushion of 46 basis points, he said. We do think we have levers in our hands to manage that cushion, he said, adding that a typical credit cycle could comprise of three to five years. We clearly will endeavour to work towards retaining as much of the cushion as possible. We will be aided in maintaining this cushion in part by the gradual improvement in the composition and the quality of our deposits, he said.



On a quarterly average balance basis, savings account deposits grew 10 per cent YoY and 1 per cent sequentially, while current account deposits grew 9 per cent YOY and10% QoQ, the bank said. As on December 31, 2022, Axis Banks deposits were at Rs 8.48 trillion, up 9.9 per cent on-year. The banks advances were at Rs 7.62 trillion, up 14.6 per cent year-on-year. The lender expects 14-15 per cent credit growth in the next financial year.



Weve grown about 1 percentage faster than industry growth on deposits. Its also important to note that our CASA growth has been exceedingly strong for the quarter. Our CASA grew 10 per cent YoY and 4 per cent sequentially. Yes, term deposits have increased but it is a way to fund the balance sheet, Sharma said. Latest Reserve Bank of India data showed that as on December 30, 2022, bank credit growth was at 14.9 per cent while deposit growth was at 9.2 per cent. Total term deposits rose 9 per cent on-year, while on a quarterly average basis the share of CASA deposits in total deposits was at 44 per cent, up 18 bps on-year and 48 bps on-quarter.



On the retail asset growth, you should really look at our focused products  credit cards, personal loans, business loans and those have been strong, Bali said. According to Sumit Bali, group executive and head, retail lending, the bank had seen some weaknesses in mortgages in October-December due to delays in closures of enquiries. However, the situation had seen improvement in the current quarter, he said.



On the asset quality front, the bank reported an improvement with the gross NPA ratio at 2.38 per cent as on December 31, down from 2.50 per cent a quarter ago and 3.17 per cent a year ago. The net NPA ratio was at 0.47 per cent versus 0.51 per cent a quarter ago and 0.91 per cent a year ago. Retail loans grew 17 per cent YoY and 1 per cent QoQ to Rs 4.29 trillion, accounting for 56 per cent net advances.



An example of what would fit in that number effectively is an account that is not 90 days past due but weve qualitatively classified it as an NPA and made adequate provisioning against that account. These reflect one-time prudent choices weve made with respect to classification which is why weve called that out for slippages, Sharma said. The banks provisions, however, rose 7.7 per cent on-year to Rs 1,437.73 crore. These included non-recurring, one-time/prudent provisions of Rs 340 crores.

As on December 31, the provision coverage was at 81 per cent, as compared to 72 per cent a year ago. The Basel III Capital Adequacy Ratio was at 17.6 per cent as on December 31, versus 17.4 per cent a year ago.
"We have issued a voluntary product recall of a specific batch of Chirorab with batch number 4188. This action was initiated due to the theft of Chirorab from the shipping services provider in Karnataka," the company said in a statement. It added that the company had tested batch No. 4188 and released it, but part of the shipment was stolen, for which cold chain storage conditions are unknown. The action to recall the entire batch has been initiated.

Hyderabad-based vaccine maker Bharat Biotech on Monday said it has initiated a voluntary recall for a batch of its anti-rabies vaccine Chirorab.


With EaseMyTrip Franchise, the company is tapping a new set of offline customers that will enable it to expand its reach. Within its commercial ambit, the target audience it aspires to reach out to are the walk-in customers. EaseMyTrip on Monday announced that it would start establishing offline retail stores under a franchise model in India. Through EaseMyTrip Franchise, the online travel tech firm will "allow the customers to have an in-store retail experience", it said in a regulatory filing.



"The pre-requirements would include: knowledge about travel vertical, sales, customer services, good network of customer base and local contacts," the company said. To establish a franchise, a person must have a "strong network" of high-net individuals (HNIs), a cluster of customers, a network of societies and associations, and "an ability to generate a substantial amount of walk-in business".



Products and services that will be offered under the EaseMyTrip Franchise will include flight booking, group fares, hotels, holidays, IRCTC (rail booking), cabs, buses, cruises, charters, and visas. Rikant Pittie, co-founder at EaseMyTrip, said, "EaseMyTrip Franchise model is born with a simple idea of catering to the different set of customers who likes to be assisted face-to-face and are not internet savvy. With EaseMyTrip Franchise, our focus is to provide a meet-and-greet experience which is a one-of-a-kind in the travel industry."

Also Read RBL signs franchise pact with Balenciaga to introduce the brand to India Start-ups collaborate with chemists, shake up offline pharma business NPCI sets Oct 31 as deadline to activate offline payments on RuPay cards India's offline market for smartphones grew 44% in H1 2022: Report Reliance Retail may convert Metro Cash & Carry stores into B2B outlets Corporate India's new mantra for employees on leave: Do Not Disturb Spotify to start handing over pink slips as soon as this week: Report Apple first company to export phones worth $1 bn in a month from India BPCL plans to shut Bina refinery in June for a month for maintenance Zomato CEO Goyal says aware of fraud at delivery agents' end, fixing it
Gland Pharma Ltd on Monday reported a 15 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 231.95 crore for the third quarter ended December 2022, impacted by production delays due to supply disruptions.

The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 273.03 crore in the same period last fiscal, Gland Pharma said in a regulatory filing.

Consolidated revenue from operations during the quarter under review stood at Rs 938.29 crore as against Rs 1,063.33 crore in the year-ago period.

Total expenses in the third quarter were lower at Rs 688.95 crore as compared to Rs 743.43 crore in the same period a year ago.

"Challenging business environment, ongoing supply chain disruptions leading to production delays continue to impact our performance," Gland Pharma Managing Director and CEO Srinivas Sadu said.

The company's core markets US, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand accounted for 70 per cent of revenue during the quarter, maintaining a similar level of revenue contribution as compared to Q3 FY22, Gland Pharma said.

Also Read BJP's expenses on assembly polls in five states up 58% to Rs 344 cr Fosun's sale of Gland Pharma to become India's biggest pharma deal: Report BSE net profit nearly halves to Rs 34 cr as margin plunges, expenses rise Several insurance companies exceed limit on expenses in FY22: Irdai report Gland Pharma to acquire French firm Cenexi Group for Rs 1,000 crore Jindal Stainless Q3 profit drops 32% to Rs 298.56 cr due to higher expenses RattanIndia Power Q3 net loss widens to Rs 479 crore on higher expenses Puravankara Q3 bookings rise 20% to Rs 796 cr on higher price realisation IDBI Bank Q3 net up 60% YoY to Rs 927 cr on improvement in margin Little to cheer for in Q3 early bird results; non-BFSI companies lag

Rest of the world markets contributed 21 per cent while the India market accounted for 9 per cent of Q3 FY23 revenue and witnessed sequential recovery of business due to normalisation of insulin production line, it added.

During the quarter, total R&D expense stood at Rs 51.2 crore, at 5.5 per cent of revenue, the company said, adding the total capex incurred during the quarter was Rs 42.7 crore.

On the outlook, Sadu said the proposed acquisition of Cenexi, the company's first acquisition overseas, will enable Gland to increase its presence and expand its product and service offering capability in Europe.

"Our new production lines in our sterile facility, in Pashamylaram, will support our product portfolio of complex and differentiated delivery formats," he added.
Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, aims to achieve approximately 190 million tonnes of dry fuel production in the current fiscal.

This will be 13.09 per cent more than 168 million tonnes production recorded in 2021-22 by MCL.

MCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director O.P. Singh told media persons that the production target for 2022-23 was 176 million tonnes, however the company is 21 per cent ahead of the target, and expects to reach 190 million tonnes by end of this fiscal.

MCL, he said, has also kept a target of 190 million tonnes for coal despatch for 2022-23.

In the next financial year (2023-24), MCL, the Chairman said, has kept a projection of 200 million tonnes for coal despatch. Out of this, 80 per cent is expected to be for the power sector.

With the government aiming to encourage commercial coal mining, Singh said that it would enhance MCL's supplies.

Also Read South Eastern Coalfields tops in coal output among CIL subsidiaries Odisha bracing for flood as Mahanadi swells after incessant rain: Officials Chhattisgarh: New mines give South Eastern Coalfields a ray of hope Flood situation in Odisha's Mahanadi grim, over 150,000 marooned: Official Northern Coalfields logs 19.8% growth in coal production in H1FY23 Absence of immediate drivers puts Reliance Industries stock in back seat Retailers shrug off winter chill to see double-digit growth in yr-end sales Ather Energy plans to build new EV facility, produce 1 mn more 2-wheelers AEL's strongest growth is ahead of us, says Gautam Adani on FPO Ugly truth of layoffs: Firms invest huge resources to rebuild workforce

The mini ratna company has spent Rs 3,922 crore on 11 first mile connectivity projects, he said.

Out of these, eight projects are under construction, two have been commissioned while one is yet to be awarded.

First mile connectivity means transfer of coal directly to consumers.

MCL has 18 operational mines, out of which 15 are open cast mines while three are underground mines.

There are 85 billion tonnes of coal reserves in Odisha, out which MCL's reserves are 37 billion tonnes.

--IANS

ans/vd
The airline did not disclose the actual profit figure but said the result was excluding unrealised foreign exchange loss.

For the first time since its launch in 2015, Vistara has seen a profitable quarter when it registered a net profit during October-December due to growth in operations and revenue.
This comes as the companys CEO Deepinder Goyal announced 800 job vacancies across 5 roles via a Linkedin post. These roles include Chief of Staff to the CEO, generalist, growth manager, product owner and software development engineer.

Food aggregator platform Zomato has discontinued its 10-minute delivery offering, Zomato Instant, as the business has struggled to grow and faces challenges in turning profitable, media reports said. The company has denied these claims, stating that the business is just being rebranded.
As the nation pays homage to Subhas Chandra Bose, one more of the mysteries surrounding the legendary freedom fighter's after-life has emerged a book written for the Defence Ministry in 1949-50 on the 'History of the INA' which remains shrouded in secrecy till date.

Attempts by researchers on Bose to have the manuscript, compiled by a team of historians led by Late Prof Pratul Chandra Gupta, released to the public remains stonewalled despite an assurance by the central government to the Delhi High Court that it would publish it by July-end 2011.

The assurance was given after a case was filed seeking its release.

Deepening the mystery over this tome's content is a copy of a note purportedly written by an official of the Ministry of External Affairs on the issue of publication and left strangely in the letter box of TMC MP and life-long Netaji researcher Sukhendu Sekhar Ray.

It states that while publication of the manuscript would not impinge on India's relationship with any country in the region what is likely to be more controversial are the pages (186-191) pertaining to the death of Netaji Bose.

The note shared by Ray with PTI, the authenticity of which could not be ascertained, goes on to state unfortunately, the current volume does not bring any finality to the subject (of Bose's death) and only adds to the view that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have escaped alive from the plane crash.

Also Read Anita Bose urges political parties for bringing Netaji's remains to India On 75 years of Independence, Netaji's daughter demands: Bring Netaji home! Netaji's daughter to approach India, Japan for DNA tests of ashes PM Narendra Modi to unveil 28-ft statue of Netaji near India Gate today PM to name 21 unnamed islands in Andaman-Nicobar, pay tribute to Bose today Top headlines: Non-BFSI cos lag in Q3, El Nino & India's climate crisis Delhi Police release traffic advisory on Republic Day rehearsal parade Shah arrives in Port Blair to participate in Subhas Chandra Bose jayanti PM to name 21 unnamed islands in Andaman-Nicobar, pay tribute to Bose today PM Modi lauds CJI's pitch to provide SC judgments in local languages

Eyewitnesses, including his companion, Abid Hasan have testified Bose died on August 18, 1945 in an air crash at Taipei, though this is doubted by some, which include one of the three official commissions of enquiry.

I wrote pointing out all this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2021 and pleaded for release of the book. There has been no resolution till date, said Ray.

He also pointed out that this purported note in conclusion also states that the MEA may have no objection from the political angle to such publication".

Prof Gupta, a noted specialist on Maratha history, who was later Vice Chancellor of Viswa Bharati University, Shantiniketan, was commissioned to write about the military history of the INA, of strategies it used in the war against the British army in Burma as an academic tome to be used by defence experts in analysing an important campaign in the eastern theatre of World War 2.

Most members of Netaji's family, including his daughter Anita Bose Pfaff and grandnephew and eminent historian Sugato Bose, however believe the leader did die in the crash in Taipei in 1945.

They have been demanding that the remains kept in Renkoji temple in Japan after the air crash be brought back and tested for DNA to settle the issue once and for all.

While a DNA test may well settle that part of the controversy, Ray's assertions on the 'History of INA', continue to help turn the story of the hero of India's freedom struggle into a 'riddle, wrapped in an enigma'.
As part of its echidna defense strategy, Australia will spend $1 billion on new high-tech sea mines. It's part of an ongoing effort to bolster the Australian Defense Force in response to China's burgeoning military capability, which poses a potential danger.

The Navy began seeking my makers to demonstrate their wears in 2021, and Defence insiders have informed the Sydney Morning Herald that procurement from a European manufacturer will soon be revealed.

Australia Sea Mines

On the ocean floor are modern sea mines. They may be activated and deactivated remotely and can be deployed by ship, submarine, or aircraft. They can employ auditory, magnetic, and pressure forces to identify and distinguish between surface ships, civilian and military vessels, friendly and hostile ships, and submersibles from different fleets.

Hugh White, a distinguished Australian strategist at the Australian National University, despite their efficacy and cost-effectiveness, sea mines are not considered a particularly beautiful component of a naval battle, according to the author.

However, naval policy analyst Greg Mapson supported the navy's decision to acquire sea mines when it solicited expressions of interest from manufacturers, as per Daily Mail. Such capabilities are a natural fit for what Defense Minister Richard Marles has termed Australia's "echidna" or porcupine strategy, in which the nation would create enough "spiky" weapons to keep its enemies at bay.

This concept is based on the success of so-called "asymmetric weaponry" in the Ukraine conflict, where precision drones and missiles have destroyed considerably larger tanks and other weapons.

As part of this initiative, the Department of Defense stated in January that it will acquire 20 land-based "god of war" High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) that can unleash surface-to-surface precision-guided missiles capable of striking an opponent 300 kilometers away.

Since the 14th century, the weapons have been deployed in practically every maritime conflict, but they have fallen out of favor with Western naval chiefs, including Australia, in recent decades. China has amassed up to one hundred thousand naval mines as part of its huge military development.

According to sources in the defense industry, the federal government will shortly announce that it has struck a contract with a European weapons manufacturer to acquire a considerable quantity of sea mines. Per SMH, the Defense Department intends to acquire sophisticated multi-influence land mines that respond to the auditory, magnetic, and pressure effects of passing boats. They can be positioned on the ocean floor by ship, submarine, or aircraft.

A representative for the government claimed that new sea mines can distinguish between military targets and other ships, distinguishing them from land mines. Australia wants to buy sea mines that can be remotely activated and deactivated, allowing friendly commercial and navy boats to transit through waterways and ports securely.

According to unnamed sources, the entire cost of the deal will likely range between $500 million and $1 billion. Italy and Spain are two of Europe's foremost producers of marine mines.

Read Also: North Korea Uranium Mine Collapsed

China's Trade Ban Against Australia

Tim Ayres, Australia's Assistant Minister for Trade, met with his Chinese counterpart on the margins of the World Economic Forum and demanded the removal of China's trade barriers on Australian exports, according to his office.

The Chinese news agency Xinhua said earlier that Thursday's meeting between Australian and Chinese officials resulted in an agreement for the two countries' trade ministers to undertake virtual consultations shortly. The video conference between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and his Australian counterpart, Don Farrell, has not yet been scheduled, as per Reuters via MSN.

After years of rocky relations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Xi Jinping met in November on the sidelines of the G20 summit to improve bilateral relationships. However, Penny Wong, Australia's foreign minister, stated on Thursday that it was a gradual process.

China imposed unofficial bans on Australian coal and wine in 2020 after Australia demanded an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and banned telecom giant Huawei from 5G networks. In January, many Chinese corporations were granted authorization to continue purchasing Australian coal.

Canberra has lodged two complaints with the World Trade Organization against China's duties on Australian wine and barley, and is monitoring whether Beijing removes unofficial trade barriers on other Australian goods, including lobsters. Murray Watt, Australia's Minister of Agriculture, stated on Friday that there was chatter in the industry of inquiries from Chinese purchasers, but nothing concrete.

Related Article: China Slams UK, Japan Defense Pact

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An Air India Express flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Muscat, Oman returned shortly after take-off due to a technical glitch in its on-board computer system.

The flight, IX 549, which took off from the state capital of Kerala at 8.30 AM returned to the international airport here at 9.17 AM after one of the pilots noticed the technical glitch.

"All 105 passengers and the cabin crew are safe," an Air India Express spokesperson said.

The airline is attempting to arrange another flight for the passengers and it's expected to take off from here at 1 PM, he said.

All passengers are being well taken care of, he added.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday flagged threats from deep fake narratives to elections worldwide.

Social media platforms ought to use their Algorithm power and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect deep fakes proactively, he added.

On pressing challenges before the Election Management Bodies, CEC Kumar stressed on the impact of new media, especially social media on the intersection of technology with EMB's functioning. He added that a disturbing trend of deep fake narratives has become a common feature in elections worldwide, where disruptive elements attempt to alter public perception and mislead the user by repetitively presenting the deep fakes as "fact".

While recalling his keynote address from the previous conference, Kumar stressed that social media intermediaries through their algorithm power and AI, have the capability to detect the deep fakes proactively, specially in jurisdictions like India, where electoral cycles are definite and well announced.

The CEC, along with Election Commissioner's Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, inaugurated a two-day international conference on the theme 'Use of Technology & Elections Integrity' this morning.

The conference which is second in a series of three conferences to be organised by Election Commission of India is being hosted here under Cohort on Election Integrity led by ECI. A total of 16 countries, including Heads, Dy Heads of nine EMBs or Election Authorities are participating.

Also Read 'One nation, one election' is for legislature to decide: CEC Rajiv Kumar CEC stresses on intersection of EMBs functioning with social media Morbi bridge collapse a factor in delay in Gujarat poll announcement: CEC CEC Rajiv Kumar invited as international observer for Nepal polls Need a CEC who can even take action against prime minister, says SC Gaumutra cures illness, dung protects from nuclear radiation: Gujarat court Sukhu meets Prez Murmu, V-P Dhankhar to discuss pension schemes in Delhi Joshimath crisis: Roof of house with cracks collapses, courtyard sinks Indigenously-developed 5G, 4G tech roll out this year: Ashwini Vaishnaw Plea in Delhi HC against wrestlers who protested against WFI chief

Kumar further raised concerns over level playing field not inbuilt in platforms search results to at least show officially verified versions with the same prominence as fake content. He used enforcement agencies analogy to put onus on social media platforms to detect deep fakes proactively.

He said that it is difficult to imagine if the enforcement agencies say that they would not act unless crime is reported to them; intelligence prevention is not their responsibility.

In his keynote address, the CEC emphasised that engagement of technology has become vital in ensuring inclusivity and transparency in elections and thus in further building up trust towards the democratic electoral exercise. The success of any EMB depends on deploying appropriate technology in three broad verticals - ease of registration for voters, facilitating political parties and candidates and thirdly for election management and logistics, security.

EC Arun Goel said that use of technology in election administration has become indispensable from automating basic processes to managing sophisticated electoral databases.

Goel highlighted various technology initiatives being used by ECI for managing a database of over 94.5 crore electors and to facilitate election related decision making like rationalisation of polling stations; technology for facilitating political parties/candidates and apps like cVigil to empower voters.

--IANS

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While announcing the life imprisonment sentence to a 22-year old Mohammed Aameen Arif Anjum, Judge SV Vyas of Tapi district court said that religion is born out of a cow. All the problems of earth will be solved the day no drop of blood of cow drops of the earth and even nuclear radiation cannot affect houses made of cow dung, a Gujarat court noted, as report by LiveLaw.



"Cow is not only an animal, but it is the mother. That is why it is given the name of the mother. None is so grateful as a cow. A cow is the living planet of 68 crore holy places and thirty-three crore gods. The obligation of a cow on the entire Universe defies description. The day when no drop of blood of cow drops on the earth all problems of the earth will be solved and the well-being of the earth will be established. There is much talk of cow protection and cow rearing but it is not put in to practice," the order read. Anjum was arrested in July 2020 for illegally transporting over 16 cows and their progeny in a truck and they were tied with a rope with no facility for food or water.



Anjum was arrested under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, 2011, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Gujarat Essential Commositied and Cattle (Control) Act, 2005 as well as Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 2015. He added that the use of Gaumutra (cow urine) can cure many incurable diseases. The order said "consumption of cow urine cures many incurable diseases. Cow is a symbol of religion"

Also Read After dung, Chhattisgarh's Congress govt to use cow urine as fertiliser Govt schools to be painted with shades of cow dung in Chhattisgarh Supreme Court rejects plea seeking declaration of cow as national animal What is a small modular nuclear reactor? How small modular nuclear reactors may help India to meet energy goals Sukhu meets Prez Murmu, V-P Dhankhar to discuss pension schemes in Delhi Joshimath crisis: Roof of house with cracks collapses, courtyard sinks Indigenously-developed 5G, 4G tech roll out this year: Ashwini Vaishnaw Plea in Delhi HC against wrestlers who protested against WFI chief Delhi HC rejects journalist Raghav Bahl's plea in ED money laundering case
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday called on the President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

"Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Smt Droupadi Murmu, President of India at New Delhi today. It was a courtesy call. This is his first meeting with the President of India after becoming the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh," said the Chief Minister's office.

He also meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, added the CMO.

The month-old Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has fulfilled a key poll promise, with the Cabinet, at its first meeting, deciding to provide the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to all government employees, covered under the defined contributory pension scheme or National Pension System (NPS), on the pattern of party-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

This will benefit about 1.36 lakh NPS employees, as per official statement.

--IANS

Also Read Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take oath as Himachal's chief minister today Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu tests positive for Covid-19 Vice President Dhankhar praises India's 'exceptional' human resources CM Sukhu asks officers to come up with innovative ideas for welfare Leaders from Shimla district, Rajput community lead in HP cabinet extension Joshimath crisis: Roof of house with cracks collapses, courtyard sinks Indigenously-developed 5G, 4G tech roll out this year: Ashwini Vaishnaw Plea in Delhi HC against wrestlers who protested against WFI chief Delhi HC rejects journalist Raghav Bahl's plea in ED money laundering case Uddhav Thackeray announces alliance with Prakash Ambedkar In Maharashtra

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Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday said he has expressed desire before Prime minister Narendra Modi to quit the post.

The former Uttarakhand chief minister said he would like to spend the remainder of his life in reading, writing and other activities.

During the recent visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to Mumbai, I have conveyed to him my desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities and to spend the remainder of my life in reading, writing and other activities.

I have always received the love and affection from the Hon'ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard, a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

PM Modi was in Mumbai on January 19 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects.

It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great State like Maharashtra the land of Saints, Social reformers and valiant fighters, Koshyari added.


It upheld the order of the West Bengal Authority of Advance Ruling (AAR) and said mangrove cultivation would attract 18 per cent GST. The cultivation of mangroves is different from agriculture and hence would not be exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Appellate Authority for Advance Rulings (AAAR) has said.



In his petition, the applicant said he cultivates mangrove seeds in coastal areas across the country in line with contracts awarded by internationally acclaimed environmental organisations. He also said mangrove cultivation could offer sustainable development and provision of livelihood for the people in coastal areas. The applicant, who is engaged in developing mangrove seeds into seedlings in nurseries with a stated objective of environmental protection against cyclones and tidal waves, had sought a ruling from the West Bengal AAR that his activities be exempted from GST.



The applicant had said his activities should come under 9986 heading, which covers activities that support agriculture. But the West Bengal AAR ruled that the product may be treated as environmental protection services under chapter heading 9994, which imposes 18 per cent tax. However, the GST on various products and services are based on their classification in the harmonised system of nomenclature (HSN) codes.

Also Read E-commerce firm not liable to pay GST on cab service by third parties: AAR GST would apply if a rented residential building is sublet as hostel: AAAR Medicine purchases by inpatients exempt from GST, says Tamil Nadu AAR Printing question paper exempt from GST, but not answer booklet, rules AAR Firms to not pay GST on part recovery of canteen payment from staff: AAR Supreme Court dismisses plea against UP CM Yogi Adityanath in 2018 case Air India Express flight returns to Thiruvananthapuram after technical snag SC to hear journalist Rana Ayyub's plea in money laundering case on Jan 25 SC to consider setting up 3-judge bench to hear Hijab ban case in K'taka Cold weather prevails in Punjab, Haryana with min temp of 5.3 degrees C



Aggrieved, the applicant then challenged the matter in the AAAR. The heading 9994 covers sewage and waste collection, treatment and disposal and other environmental protection services as well.



The appellate authority determined that the appellant is engaged in the business of cultivation, planting, and nurturing of mangrove seeds and seedlings for the primary purpose of environmental protection and such services are not related to the cultivation of plants for food, fiber, fuel, raw material or other similar products. The appellate authority said the activities by the applicant will be classified as support services to agriculture, forestry, fishing, animal husbandry only if it is related to the cultivation of plants and rearing of all life forms of animals, except the rearing of horses, for food, fiber, fuel, raw material or other similar products.
Off-the-beaten-path destinations in India saw a spike in tourists' interest in 2022, with places like Madhapur, Telangana; Rameswaram and Vellore in Tamil Nadu; Cherrapunji?, Meghalaya; and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra; being the top-trending spots, according to data released by Airbnb on Monday.

International travel saw a strong recovery in 2022, a trend that should continue to rise in 2023, found the round-up of key trends presented by Airbnb, with Indians searching for the most iconic cities around the world, and solo travel emerging as the most popular type of international travel as of the third quarter (July - September) of 2022, followed by couple and family travel.

Benefiting local communities by travelling to off-the-beaten-path destinations will further help in tourism recovery, Airbnb stated, observing that domestically, Indians are exploring off-beat destinations in states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Meghalaya and Telangana.

Dubai, London, Paris, Toronto and New York were the most searched for destinations internationally by Indian guests as of Q3 2022.

"In India, hospitality is deeply rooted in the diversity found in local culture, cuisine, lifestyle preferences and the way we welcome people into our homes. Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh are topping the charts when it comes to hospitality, with the highest share of 5-star reviews from guests on Airbnb.

Airbnb data also revealed that guests chose to enjoy city life as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata were the most searched for domestic destinations by Indians in 2022.

Also Read Indians flocking both foreign and local getaways as travel recovers: Airbnb Airbnb to verify all guests, crack down on party bookings, says report Airbnb witnesses surge in demand for offbeat destinations in India Villas to luxury apartments: Picking homestays over hotels is more fun Amid case surge, low vaccine supply, US says monkeypox can still be beaten Almost 25-30% products sold in India spurious with counterfeiting: Report Tech-tonic shift: Google reworking terms of mobile app distribution PM Modi names 21 islands in Andaman and Nicobar after decorated soldiers Assam to book men under POCSO Act for marrying girls aged less than 14 Construction of pre-fab shelters begins for displaced families in Joshimath

In 2022, travellers found themselves sitting pool-side or catching rays on a sandy beach. Both of these water-related categories occupied the top spots amongst Indian travellers, with tropical, iconic city and national parks also making appearances, it said.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb's General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: "The past year was about the revival and recovery of the travel industry. This year is expected to see travellers taking much-awaited international trips as well as exploring lesser known destinations in India and around the world. People are preparing their bucket lists for the year, and this growing appetite for travel is a positive sign".

The top five hosts in India with the highest number of bookings in 2022 were from Mumbai (Maharashtra), New Delhi (Delhi), Guwahati (Assam), Goa and (Hyderabad) Telangana, the Airbnb data said.
Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein made headlines once again in mid-December, as his recent trial for rape, sexual assault, and sexual battery came to a close in Los Angeles. And RAINN - the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network - is applauding the courageous survivors who bravely took the stand in the case.

After a month in court and nine days of jury deliberations, Weinstein was found guilty of three charges of rape and sexual assault for one of his four accusers in this trial. This isn't the first conviction for Weinstein, who is currently serving a 23-year sentence for similar charges in New York (he has chosen to appeal that verdict).

Forced sexual acts and misconduct have led Weinstein's story in the years since survivors came forward to tweet #MeToo and more have felt empowered to speak out regarding their experiences. Following the conviction in Los Angeles in December 2022, a victim identified as Jane Doe shared that "Harvey Weinstein forever destroyed a part of me that night ... I hope Weinstein never sees the outside of a prison cell during his lifetime."

RAINN: 'Tonight We Celebrate Their Courage and Strength'

While Weinstein remains publicly remorseless and vows to pursue legal action to appeal and demonstrate his innocence, the Los Angeles district attorney lauded the victims and survivors for their courage in coming forward. President and founder of RAINN Scott Berkowitz echoed these sentiments in a release regarding the court case's outcomes: "While many will reflect on how this verdict is another significant chapter in Harvey Weinstein's history as a sexual predator tonight, RAINN is reflecting on the significance of how many women are coming forward to tell their stories about Harvey Weinstein.

"Tonight, we celebrate their courage and strength. RAINN is here - 24 hours, 7 days a week - to offer confidential support to anyone seeking it."

The fight for justice for survivors of sexual violence is ingrained in RAINN's DNA. The nonprofit organization is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Partnering with more than 1,000 other organizations across the country, RAINN serves communities as a resource by operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline as well as a number of help lines for corporations and organizations nationwide. Since its inception in 1994, RAINN has helped 4 million survivors with programs, advocacy, and support for victims of sexual abuse crimes. Victim services are provided in large part by staff who undergo extensive training to be able to provide support to those who reach out in dire times of need through confidential channels including phone, email, and online chat.

RAINN also remains active when it comes to advocacy and public policy. Commenting on cases like Weinstein's and making sure that those reading the news are aware of RAINN's services is an essential component of public education, as are programs designed to change the way Americans think about sexual violence prevention and recovery. RAINN regularly reacts to current events in the news that bring attention to these crimes and highlights ways that victims and their loved ones can receive assistance starting with the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE (4673). The organization also participates in the creation and advocacy of laws and regulations that can help make communities safer for everyone.

The RAINN Speaker's Bureau is a unique program that empowers a network of about 4,000 survivors to share their experiences with their communities and the media. These initiatives can help other victims of similar sexual abuse and crimes to come forward to receive assistance and make changes in their lives for the better. In collaboration with a variety of private and public corporations, RAINN has created a network of resources and programs that provide high-quality, anonymous, and confidential intervention services that can be lifesaving and life changing for those in need.

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Uttar Pradesh government is all set to hold its seventh domestic roadshow in Bengaluru on Monday as part of its efforts to draw investors to the upcoming Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2023 in the state, an official release said.

The team of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will participate in the roadshow in order to bring large-scale investment from Bengaluru.

As per an official statement, industrialists will be informed about the possibilities and opportunities for large-scale investment in Uttar Pradesh.

This meeting will be on the basis of Business to Government (B2G).

Numerous eminent industrialists will also participate during the roadshow, in which ministers and senior officials will inform them about investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh and encourage them to invest in Uttar Pradesh.

CM Yogi's team in Bengaluru includes Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Cabinet Ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Yogendra Upadhyay, Ministers of State (Independent Charge) Dinesh Pratap Singh, and Girish Chandra Yadav, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner Arvind Kumar, Invest UP CEO Abhishek Prakash, Special Secretary IT-Electronics Akshay Tripathi, YEIDA CEO Arunveer Singh and UP Defence Corridor Nodal Officer RKS Bhadauria will interact with industrialists.

Also Read UP GIS-23: Pacts worth Rs 19,265 cr signed with firms in US, Canada GIS participants expressed intentions to invest Rs 15.42 trn in MP: CM Private companies lap up Esri's GIS software for multiple uses GIS 2023 will give flight to 'New India, New Uttar Pradesh': CM Adityanath Uttar Pradesh prepares for Global Investors' Summit 2023 on a war footing 6 passenger trains running late in north India due to fog, low visibility LIVE: Indian Navy commissions INS Vagir, fifth submarine of Kalvari class Air quality in Delhi-NCR continue to remain in 'very poor' category Netaji's courage, patriotism still inspires every Indian: Rahul Gandhi Netaji will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule: PM

In Bengaluru, the Group of Ministers and officials will also meet representatives of more than 32 organizations along with industrialists. Representatives of several groups including Wipro Enterprises, Britannia Industries, MKU Limited, Ola Electric, Kishan Croft Limited, Jyothi Labs, Orient Press Limited, Best Corporation, MTR Foods, and JR Group will also attend the roadshow event.
The Kerala Assembly is scheduled to undergo its 33-day prolonged session to discuss the budget, speaker AN Shamseer said on Sunday.

This is the eighth session of this 15th legislative assembly in Kerala and will start from January 23 up till March 30.

According to speaker Shamseer, the budget will be presented by the governor on February 3 after the "prolonged" discussions on January 25, February 1 and 2.

Shamser said that State governor Arif Mohammed Khan will first address the assembly today by 9 am.

"The 15th assembly's eighth session will start from January 23 to Match 30. It is a prolonged session. The governor will address the session on January 23 and there will be a discussion on the address on January 25, February 1 and 2, following the presentation of the budget on February 3. It would be a prolonged session to pass the budget. We expect cooperation from the Opposition and the treasury bench," Shamseer said talking to ANI.

"After the presentation of the budget, a discussion will take place among the various ministries and departments of the government. Later, various subject committees will scrutinize the budget following which it will come again to the assembly and we will pass the budget. This session is merely for passing the budget," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always prioritised the energy sector of the North East, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said here on Monday.

The prime minister's priority is to put the region in the high growth trajectory and as such he is putting great emphasis on the energy sector, Puri said while participating at the run-up to the India Energy Week event here tonight.

Without giving any detail, the Union minister said several big projects in the sector are also in the pipeline in the region.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas minister was also present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and the Assam government to set up three bamboo nurseries that were signed on the occasion.

Each nursery will cover an area of five hectares to accomplish secondary hardening of tissue-cultured bamboo saplings and will be set up in Golaghat, Nagaon and Sonitpur.

The three bamboo nurseries will generate saplings that can be planted on 15,000 hectares of land area, thus creating a carbon sink that will fix 2.6 lakh tonne CO2 from the air/year.

Also Read India to cater to 25% of global energy demand in next 20 yrs: Hardeep Puri Puri releases guidelines for ranking cities based on financial performance India set to become $10 trillion economy by 2030, says Hardeep Singh Puri India's crude oil supplies to come mostly from Gulf: Hardeep Singh Puri Hardeep Puri flags Offshore Bid Round; promises transparency to investors Business confidence recovers from lows of 2019-20 and pandemic yrs: NCAER In a first, Centre planning a universal cattle insurance scheme Nitin Gadkari inaugurates highway projects worth Rs 6,800 crore in MP Finance ministry looks to curb smuggling of top-end mobile phones Emergency credit guarantee scheme helped save 1.46 mn MSMEs: Report

He also interacted with farmers who are supplying bamboo on a sustainable basis to Assam Bio-Refinery, the first of its kind 2G Bio Refinery with bamboo biomass as feedstock, implemented by Numaligarh Refinery Limited.

Puri along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister of State for Petroleum Rameshwar Teli flagged off a fleet of Electric Vehicle scooters by BIKOZEE, a hyper-local logistic Start-up supported by NRL.

The start-up aims to empower and equip economically marginalized communities with a range of job opportunities in the hyperlocal delivery sector.

Earlier, Puri along with Sarma and Teli had inaugurated the NRL Centre - the corporate office of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).

India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 is the first major event held under India's G20 Presidency.

IEW follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge at COP26 to cut India's emissions to net zero by 2070.

IEW is being held under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and is the all-encompassing international energy event supported at the highest level of the Indian government, with participation from all the public sector undertakings (PSUs), and officially supported by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI).


YES Banks share price tumbled 12.37 per cent in intraday trade before closing 8.33 per cent lower on Monday in an otherwise firm market on the back of heavy volumes because of weak December quarter (Q3FY23) results, and the Bombay High Courts decision to set aside the write-off of the banks AT1 bonds worth over Rs 8,400 crore. Its shares closed at Rs 18.15 apiece on the BSE. Private equity (PE) majors -- Carlyle Group and Advent International -- which picked up a 9.99 per cent stake each in YES Bank are fully supportive of the lender and there are no downside risks in terms of them exercising their warrant option, Prashant Kumar, MD & CEO, YES Bank, told a news channel on Monday.



It appears that the administrator exceeded his powers and authority in writing off AT-1 bonds after the bank was reconstructed on March 13, 2020, the court said in its order copy. The High Court on Friday had set aside the lenders erstwhile administrators decision to write off the additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds held by bondholders and retail investors when it was bailed out by fellow banks in a Reserve Bank of India-led scheme in 2020, after alleged misconduct by its founders led to a huge chunk of loans turning sour.



Both of them (Carlyle and Advent International) are fully supportive and there are absolutely no downside risks in terms of (them) exercising the warrant option. They are absolutely with the bank and both of them will continue to be part of this journey and continue to support it. They would like to see the bank moving forward. And, there has not been any change in terms of their strategy towards the bank, he replied when asked if the bank has spoken with these two investors after the courts order. Kumar told CNBC TV18 in an interview: We are not worried with this decision but are surprised.

Also Read YES Bank up 19% in 2 days on RBI nod to proceed with Carlyle, Verventa deal YES Bank jumps 6% as Carlyle, Advent International to infuse $1.1 billion RBI conditional approval to Carlyle, Advent's stake buy in YES Bank Global PE investors Carlyle, Advent to pick up 10% stake each in YES Bank Top Headlines: BSNL bailout, YES Bank to raise $1.1 bn from Carlyle, Advent Jammu and Kashmir Bank Q3 net profit rises 79% to Rs 311 cr; NII up 27% RBI orders SBM Bank to stop transactions under remittance scheme Need to create specialised SME digital bank: Co-founder of Biz2Credit Banks get time till Dec 31 to execute revised agreement with locker holders ICICI Bank, RBL, Axis, IDFC First raise deposit rates to meet credit growth





AT1 bonds are perpetual bonds, so the discretion to exercise the call option rests with the bank. Also, the discretion to pay coupon or interest on these bonds rests with the bank, except in cases where the bank is paying a dividend to equity holders, he added.



The two private equity (PE) funds together have agreed to pump Rs 8,887 crore into YES Bank, including the amount towards the full conversion of warrants into equity. The bank had allotted 3.7 billion shares of face value Rs 2 each at Rs 13.78 per share, and 2.56 billion share warrants (convertible into equity shares of face value Rs 2 each) on a preferential basis to CA Basque Investments, a Carlyle Group entity, and Verventa Holdings, an Advent group entity. Each warrant can be converted into an equity share at a price of Rs 14.82 apiece. We will make an appeal (against the Bombay High Courts decision) in the Supreme Court as soon as possible, Kumar added.



Kumar, in a media call after the banks Q3 earnings, said that the High Courts decision would not have a bearing on total capital adequacy ratio. In an extreme case scenario, when AT1 bonds are restored, Common Equity tier I (CET1) may come down and AT1 will go up, he said. For equity shares, both the private equity players have already paid Rs 2,546.65 crore each last month. For the share warrants, the total amount payable by each of the two PEs is Rs 1,896.78 crore, of which Rs 474.19 crore (25 per cent) had been paid upfront by each of them at the time of allotment. The balance 75 per cent of the amount would be payable to the bank at the time of issue and allotment of the equity shares upon exercise of the option attached to the relevant share warrant.

In case the final decision is in favour of AT-1 bondholders, the impact would be a knock-down in CET-1 ratio and an increase in the AT-1 capital ratio by a similar quantum. The management indicated it is not mandatory to exercise the call option, said domestic brokerage ICICI Securities in a note.
Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft gaming expressed his sadness in an email sent to Xbox's employees. He mentioned that it has been a difficult week due to the "painful choices," but that it could benefit the company's long-term success for products and business.

What Came After the Job Cuts

Around 10,000 employees were impacted by the job cuts which were implemented in several Xbox studios on January 18th. That includes studious like 343 Industries, The Coalition, ZeniMax Media, and Bethesda Game Studios.

Spencer's email started by saying that it has been a difficult week for Microsoft and its teams. He reiterated that it was a challenging moment for the business and that the week's actions were painful choices, as mentioned in Eurogamer.

The decisions were made by the Gaming Leadership team or GLT, whereas they mentioned that the individual results of the decisions were real. They thank the recipients of the email for supporting their colleagues as they process the recent changes.

The email also mentioned that over the coming weeks, the company will connect and answer questions including the ones regarding the Monthly Gaming Update. Spencer mentioned that he was in close contact with teams at ZeniMax to offer support.

An employee at Xbox did not feel like the email was sincere, however. They said that the email felt like it was only sent out as an obligation. They added that the monthly gaming updates will not do anything to make anyone feel better, as mentioned in Kotaku.

Read Also: Microsoft Responds To FTC's Activision Blizzard Lawsuit

Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

10,000 employees being laid off seems to align with the 10,000 employees that Activision Blizzard has, which according to Microsoft's blog post, they are planning to buy. It's a part of Microsoft's effort to grow its gaming business across mobile, PC, console, and cloud.

Microsoft announced its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard the same day that the layoffs were implemented. For $95 a share, the tech giant will be buying the video game company for a whopping $68.7 billion, including Activision Blizzard's net cash.

This will put Microsoft as the third-largest gaming company in revenue, alongside Tencent and Sony. Games like Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush will be part of the deal, as well as Major League Gaming activities.

Spencer stated that players everywhere love Activision Blizzard games, and their creative teams have their best work in front of them. Bobby Kotick, the video game company's CEO, will continue to lead the company even after Microsoft buys it.

Kotick expressed that Activision Blizzard's world-class talent along with Microsoft's technology, distribution, and access to talent, vision, and commitment, will help ensure success in an increasingly competitive industry.

It's also possible that they aim to bring PC and console games to mobile. The blog stated that 95% of players globally enjoy games on mobile. It also mentioned that with the two companies' partnership, they could enjoy franchises like Halo and Warcraft "virtually anywhere they want."

Related: Microsoft's Latest Blog Post Assures Regulators Its Activision Blizzard Deal Will Benefit Everyone
By Anushka Trivedi and Dharamraj Dhutia

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Indian rupee is expected to extend its gains this week, while government bond yields may move marginally higher due to worries about yet another year of elevated borrowing.

With a holiday-shortened week in India, the Chinese New Year, and no major data releases apart from U.S. economic growth and consumption prints towards the end of the week, market participants will keep a close eye on foreign portfolio inflows into Indian markets.

The rupee rose for a second straight week, gaining 0.25% over last week to end at 81.12 per dollar on Jan. 20, as the greenback slid on soft U.S. data.

The local unit is likely to add to its momentum and trade in a broad 80.50-81.50 range this week, analysts said.

"The rupee is expected to appreciate, but it may not go beyond 80.50-80.75 as the central bank could step in at those levels," said Arnob Biswas, head of FX research at SMC Global Securities.

Also Read Rupee falls to fresh low on relentless strength in dollar after Fed hike Rupee at 82.5750, gains on speculators bets, lack of cash dollar demand Finance Ministry not in favour of exhausting forex reserves to defend rupee Rupee depreciates 40 paise to all-time low of 81.93 against US dollar US dollar surges to new 24-year high versus yen; sterling rallies Forex reserves zoom by $10.417 bn to $572 bn as on Jan 13: RBI data Rupee closes at 81.18 against US dollar amid surge in crude oil prices Dollar around seven-month low as growth concerns mount, yen retreats Rupee up briefly, searches for direction around familiar resistance level NRIs' deposits touch $134 billion in November 2022: RBI bulletin

Despite the corporate flows in the market, steady foreign investment into equities is more important, so it seems appropriate for the rupee to trade around those levels, Biswas added.

NSDL data showed overseas investors have pulled out around $1.9 billion from Indian equities so far this year, while bonds have received a small inflow.

Meanwhile, India's benchmark bond yield ended at 7.3478% on Friday, having gained 5 basis points (bps) last week after easing 7 bps in the week prior.

Market participants expect the benchmark bond yield to trade in the 7.30%-7.40% band this week.

"The market is cautious and under pressure, as we are likely to see a heavy borrowing calendar in a year where there may be some worries over demand," said Rajeev Pawar, head of treasury at Ujjivan Small Finance Bank.

The government will present the union budget for the next fiscal year on Feb. 1, but the main focus for investors will be on the fiscal consolidation path and gross borrowing calendar.

Most foreign banks expect gross supply in the range of 15.50 trillion rupees to 16.80 trillion rupees ($191 billion to $207 billion), with estimates from Barclays and Goldman Sachs on the higher side.

Still, shorter-tenor government bond yields are expected to fall further on bets of a turn in U.S. monetary policy later in the year and as foreign banks accelerate their bond purchases in 2023, analysts said.

Traders will also keep an eye on demand for India's first-ever sovereign green bond issue. The Reserve Bank of India will auction 40 billion rupees each of five- and 10-year green bonds on Wednesday.

KEY EVENTS:

($1 = 81.0960 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Anushka Trivedi; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
Bangladesh will hold the presidential election by February 23, the country's poll body announced.

The announcement was made by the Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam at a news conference on Sunday evening, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said incumbent president Abdul Hamid will not to be re-elected for another term, as the country's constitution allows only a a maximum two-term limit consisting of five years each.

Hamid's tenure will expire on April 24.

Alam said the schedule for the presidential election will soon be announced.

In Bangladesh, the President is elected by an indirect election by MPs.

Also Read Bangladesh Minister seeks international recognition of 1971 genocide Fitch affirms Bangladesh's issuer default rating at 'BB-'; outlook stable MP local body polls: Contemplation call for BJP as Cong gains vital thrust Dilip Mahalanabis, whose ORS saved lives during 1971 Bangladesh War, dies Ban vs Afg, Asia Cup 2022, Match 3: Predicted 11, time, weather and pitch Erdogan announces Turkey's parliamentary, prez polls to be held on May 14 US-India relations not a Bollywood movie, need more than just photo-ops Former UK PM Boris Johnson visits Ukraine, meets President Zelensky FBI finds more classified papers at Biden's home in 13-hour search Brazil's right-wing movement persists without ex-President Bolsonaro

--IANS

ksk/
Sebi has asked B2B payments and services provider



PayMate India to refile the documents for the initial public offering with certain updates.

PayMate India had filed the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for a Rs 1,500 crore-IPO with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in May 2022.

The proposed Initial Public Offering (IPO) comprises fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 1,125 crore and an Offer-for-sale (OFS) of Rs 375 crore by promoters, investors and other shareholders, according to the draft papers.

The company's promoters -- Ajay Adiseshan and Vishvanathan Subramanian and investors -- as well as Lightbox Ventures I, Mayfield FVCI Ltd, RSP India Fund LLC and IPO Wealth Holdings are to sell shares through the OFS. Besides, certain existing shareholders are offering to offload shares through this route.

Currently, promoter and promoter group hold 66.70 per cent stake in the company and the rest is with public shareholders.

According to an update on Sebi's website on Monday, the regulator returned the company's DRHP on January 17, 2023 with an advise to refile it post applicable updates/revisions.

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However, specific details were not disclosed.

PayMate is a multi-payment category platform that incorporates vendor payments, statutory payments, and utility payments, giving its customers a fully-integrated B2B payment stack.

The platform also allows consumers and their vendors, suppliers, buyers, dealers, and distributors to use commercial credit cards to make statutory payments of direct taxes and GST as well as utility payments.

Visa has a partnership with PayMate. It is also a shareholder in PayMate, owning 2.94 per cent of the fully diluted paid-up equity share capital.

ICICI Securities, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited, JM Financial and SBI Capital Markets are the book running lead managers to the issue.

Earlier this month, Sebi returned the draft IPO papers of home-grown mobile maker Lava International and Oravel Stays Ltd, the parent company of travel-tech firm OYO, and asked them to refile the documents with certain updates.


Snapping its two-day sliding streak, the 30-share BSE barometer rose by 319.90 or 0.53 per cent to close at 60,941.67.

Benchmark BSE Sensex rose by 319 points on Monday on gains in IT and financial stocks after positive quarterly results amid supportive global cues.



The broader NSE Nifty gained 90.90 points or 0.5 per cent to settle at 18,118.55 as 32 of its stocks advanced while 18 declined.



The index moved between 18,162.60 and 18,063.45 during the day.

The index opened higher and gained more than 400 points to scale the 61,000 level. It touched a high of 61,113.27 and a low of 60,761.88 in the day.





Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, SBI, Kotak Bank, HDFC twins, and Nestle were among major gainers.



ICICI Bank closed flat after the second largest private sector lender on Saturday reported a 34.5 per cent jump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 8,792 crore in the December 2022 quarter.





Among Sensex stocks, Hindustan Unilever rose the most by 1.89 per cent.Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, Infosys, TCS, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, SBI, Kotak Bank, HDFC twins, and Nestle were among major gainers.ICICI Bank closed flat after the second largest private sector lender on Saturday reported a 34.5 per cent jump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 8,792 crore in the December 2022 quarter.

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The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the act of desecration of a copy of Koran at a rally in Stockholm outside the Turkish embassy.

"We strongly condemn the despicable act of desecrating the #HolyQuran in front of the @TC Stockholm. Islamophobic acts as an outright #hatecrime are not an expression of freedom of speech. We call on the #Swedish government to bring perpetrators of this hate crime to justice soon," the ministry said in a tweet.

On January 21, the Stockholm authorities sanctioned a protest rally outside the Turkish embassy, during which a copy of the Koran was defiantly burnt. Ankara condemned the action and called it an "open violation" of the memorandum on joining NATO. Against this background, Turkey canceled the visit of the Swedish defense minister. Stockholm, in turn, said that it does not support Islamophobia, but there is "broad freedom of opinion" in the country.

The Swedish prime minister noted that freedom of speech is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. The burning of a book sacred to many is an act of deep disrespect. I want to express my sympathy to all Muslims who are offended by what happened today in Stockholm.

The Koran-burning has exacerbated tensions with Turkey over the NATO bid and Ankara canceled a planned meeting of the defense ministers from the two countries.

During the protests on Saturday in Stockholm, an anti-immigrant politician from the far-right fringe burned a copy of the Koran near the Turkish embassy. Ankara, Baku and many Muslim nations denounced the move as vile and urged the government to bring perpetrators of this hate crime to justice immediately.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the vile attack on our holy book, the Foreign Ministry of Turkiye said in a statement.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the talks with his Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson were called off as they had lost significance and meaning.

Jonson tweeted on Saturday that he had met with Akar on Friday in Germany, where they decided to postpone the planned meeting in Ankara until later.

Relations with Turkey are very important for Sweden and we look forward to continuing the dialogue on common security and defense issues at a later date, Jonson wrote.

The Koran-burning was carried out by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, media reports say.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom described the Koran-burning appalling in a tweet on Saturday. Islamophobic provocations are appalling. Sweden has far-reaching freedom of expression, but it does not imply that the Swedish government, or myself, support the opinions expressed, he said.
A couple holds flowers and hands as members of the community hold a prayer vigil near the scene of a shooting that took place during a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, in Monterey Park, California, Jan. 22. Reuters-Yonhap



The Korean foreign ministry said Monday that no Korean injuries or deaths have been reported from the deadly mass shooting in California that claimed 10 lives.



"No Korean damage has been reported to the Korean Embassy or local Korean communities so far," the ministry said. "We will make constant efforts to keep close tabs on the incident in cooperation with the Los Angeles authorities."



A gunman killed 10 people and injured 10 more in a shooting Saturday night (local time) at a dance studio in Monterey Park, a city east of Los Angeles, where the large Asian American community there was celebrating Lunar New Year.






Australia stock market finished session slightly higher on Monday, 23 January 2023, extending gains to the fourth session and touching its highest since April 22 last year, with tech stocks leading the advance after a strong Wall Street rally at the end of last week.

At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 5.11 points, or 0.07%, to 7,457.27. The broader All Ordinaries index added 7.91 points, or 0.1%, to 7,674.19.

Total 6 of 11 sectors ended higher along with the S&P/ASX 200 Index. Information Technology was the best performing sector, gaining +1.3%, followed by energy (up 0.86%), while utilities was worst performing sector, erasing 0.5%.

The top performing stocks in S&P/ASX200 index were KAROON ENERGY and LIONTOWN RESOURCES, up 7.41% and 6.91% respectively. The bottom performing stocks in S&P/ASX200 index were FISHER & PAYKEL and ADBRI, down 2.8% and 2.7% respectively.

Technology and communication services stocks powered much of Wall Street's gains as investors cheered another big quarterly surge in Netflix's subscribers. Energy stocks rose, as traders continued to focus on brightening economic prospects in key crude oil buyer China. Woodside Energy Group gained 1.7%, while Santos Ltd inched higher. Whitehaven Coal soared 6.2% on the back of record expected earnings in the first half of 2023. The biggest large-cap advancers were lithium miners Pilbara Minerals (up 6.1%) and Allkem (up 4.2%). Shares of materials and resources closed mixed. Iron ore giant BHP Group fell about 1.1%, while Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group slipped 0.6% and 1%, respectively. South32 rose 1.3% after the diversified miner posted 24.4% jump in second-quarter metallurgical coal output that was in line with expectations.

Lithium stocks continued to put up a good show, with Pilbara Mineral hitting a seven-week peak, while Mineral Resources closed higher for the fourth straight session.

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IDBI Bank's standalone net profit surged 60.36% to Rs 927.27 crore on 5.66% rise in total income to Rs 6088.31 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22.

Net Interest Income (NII) jumped 23% to Rs 2,925 crore in Q3 FY23 from Rs 2,383 crore posted in the same period a year ago. Net Interest Margin (NIM) improved to 4.59% in Q3 FY23 as compared to 3.88% in Q3 FY22 and 4.37% in Q2 FY23.

Operating profit grew 16% to Rs 2,051 crore in quarter ended 31 December 2022 as against Rs 1,768 crore reported in Q3 FY22. Provisions & Contingencies declined 2.19% year on year to Rs 784.28 crore in Q3 FY23.

Profit before tax in Q3 FY23 stood at Rs 1,267.09 crore, rising 31.19% from Rs 965.84 crore registered in Q3 FY22.

CASA increased to Rs 1,26,663 crore as on 31 December 2022 as against Rs 1,21,732 as on 31 December 2021, registering a growth of 4%. CASA ratio improved to 54.44% as on 31 December 2022 as against 54.69% as on 31 December 2021.

Gross NPAs aggregated to Rs 23,535.06 crore as on 31 December 2022 as against Rs 28,722.24 crore as on 30 September 2022 and Rs 34,405.37 crore as on 31 December 2022.

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Gross NPA ratio improved to 13.82% as on 31 December 2022 as against 16.51% as on 30 September 2022 and 21.68% as on 31 December 2022.

Net NPA ratio was at 1.07% as on 31 December 2022 as against 1.15% as on 30 September 2022 and 1.81% as on 31 December 2022.

Provision coverage ratio (including technical write-offs) stood at 98% as on 31 December 2022 as compared to 97.10 % as on 31 December 2021.

Deposits increased by 5% YoY to Rs 2,32,671 crore while net advances rose 17% YoY to Rs 1,48,213 crore as on 31 December 2022.

CRAR improved to 20.14% as on 31 December 2022 as against 16.75% as on 31 December 2021. Tier 1 stood at 17.60% as on 31 December 2022 as against 14.13% as on 31 December 2021.

The bank's return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) improved to 1.22% and 15.79%, respectively in the quarter ended 31 December 2022.

IDBI Bank is one of India's one of the state own largest bank having more than 1,890 branches with 3,300 ATM'S across the globe. The Government of India held 45.48% stake while the Life Insurance Corporation of India held 49.24% stake in the bank as on 31 December 2022.

Shares of IDBI Bank rose 0.55% to Rs 54.90 on the BSE.

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Power stocks were trading in red, with the S&P BSE Power index falling 17.82 points or 0.39% at 4503.69 at 13:47 IST.

Among the components of the S&P BSE Power index, JSW Energy Ltd (down 5.85%), CG Power & Industrial Solutions Ltd (down 4.61%), NTPC Ltd (down 1.19%), Adani Power Ltd (down 0.75%), Siemens Ltd (down 0.73%), and Adani Green Energy Ltd (down 0.52%), were the top losers.

On the other hand, Adani Transmission Ltd (up 0.89%), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (up 0.83%), and ABB India Ltd (up 0.52%) moved up.

At 13:47 IST, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 345.41 or 0.57% at 60967.18.

The Nifty 50 index was up 93 points or 0.52% at 18120.65.

The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was down 49.35 points or 0.17% at 28580.84.

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The S&P BSE 150 Midcap Index index was up 21.55 points or 0.24% at 8937.96.

On BSE,1736 shares were trading in green, 1817 were trading in red and 203 were unchanged.

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Tanla Platforms slipped 3.36% to Rs 675.05 after the company's consolidated net profit dropped 26.3% to Rs 116.51 crore on 1.7% decline in revenue from operations to Rs 869.63 crore in Q3 FY23 over Q3 FY22.

Profit before tax tumbled 25.9% to Rs 145 crore in Q3 FY23 from Rs 195.55 crore recorded in the same period last year. Total expenses rose 5.37% year on year to Rs 730.69 crore in quarter ended 31 December 2022.

Consolidated EBITDA declined by 25% YoY to Rs 151.3 crore in Q3 FY23 from Rs 202.8 crore posted in Q3 FY22. EBITDA margin stood at 17.4% in Q3 FY23.

The company's revenue from Platform business was at Rs 78.2 crore (up 19% YoY) whereas revenue from Enterprise business stood at Rs 791.4 crore (down 3% YoY) during the period under review.

The company said that 220 customers contributing greater than Rs 1 crore annual revenue grew by 16% year on year.

Tanla Platforms registered a negative free cash flow of Rs 56.5 crore and cash & cash equivalents stood at Rs 768 crore in Q3 FY23.

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Uday Reddy, founder chairman & CEO, Tanla Platforms said, Wisely is scaling up well and contributed 35% of our platform gross profit in the quarter. Our enterprise business is showing steady recovery with sequential improvement.

Tanla Platforms, one of the world's largest CPaaS players, processes more than 800 billion interactions annually and about 63% of India's A2P SMS traffic is processed through its distributed ledger platform.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday lauded then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's handling of the diplomatic situation following the nuclear tests in 1998 and said that within a space of two years India had engaged all the major countries of the world.

Presiding over the third Atal Bihari Vajpayee memorial lecture that was delivered by former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan here, Jaishankar also hailed Vajpayee's stint as an external affairs minister, and his role in strengthening India's ties with the US and Russia.

The external affairs minister said the fundamentals of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest that are talked about now in terms of the modus vivendi with China, a lot of it is credited to Vajpayee.

Asserting that Vajpayee was never "impervious" to the challenges of terrorism, Jaishankar hailed his realism in using all instruments at his command to actually try to forge a basis of relationships in this region which would very explicitly abjure terrorism.

Talking about the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, the external affairs minister urged people not to look just at the tests but also look at the diplomacy that followed them.

"Within a space of two years after the tests, we had engaged all the major countries of the world, had actually brought them around. When you had the visit of a president (Bill) Clinton, PM (John) Howard, PM (Yoshiro) Mori, visit of president (Jacques) Chirac. It was actually the post-test diplomacy, which I think anybody who is in the field of diplomacy, should look at and seek to draw lessons," he said.

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"I was at that time posted in Japan and it was a relationship that was particularly affected by the nuclear tests. But we always drew from the prime minister's confidence that we would find a way of settling it down and indeed today when I look at that relationship, I marvel at the wisdom and the maturity with which prime minister Vajpayee got all of us to look at that particular challenge," Jaishankar said.

India conducted five nuclear tests of advanced weapon designs in May, 1998 at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan.

Jaishankar said Vajpayee also transformed the relationship with the US in the post Cold War environment. He said Vajpayee also imparted continuity and stability into our ties with Russia.

Vajpayee served as prime minister thrice -- first for a term of 13 days in 1996, then for a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999 and then for a full term between 1999 and 2004.

The lecture was delivered by Kausikan, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Kausikan is currently serving as chairman of the Middle East Institute at National University of Singapore.




North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit Korea early next week on a regional swing that will also take him to Japan, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.







Stoltenberg is scheduled to make a two-day trip to Seoul from Sunday, during which he will have meetings with top South Korean government officials, including Foreign Minister Park Jin and Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, according to the foreign ministry.







Stoltenberg is also due to visit the Seoul National Cemetery and participate in a forum hosted by a South Korean think tank.







His trip to Seoul comes as the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol has been stepping up cooperation with NATO. Yoon attended a NATO summit in June last year, becoming the first South Korea leader to have taken part in the summit.







Following his Seoul trip, Stoltenberg will fly to Japan for a two-day trip. (Yonhap)


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Vehicles clog the southbound lanes on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Seoul, as millions of South Koreans begin their annual exodus out of the capital toward their hometowns during the extended Lunar New Year holiday, Jan. 22. Yonhap



Traffic on major highways eased late Monday even as millions of Korean headed back to Seoul on the third day of the four-day Lunar New Year holiday.



As of 10 p.m., it was taking about 4 hours and 40 minutes to drive from the southern port city of Busan to Seoul, around 3 hours and 30 minutes from Daegu, 3 hours and 20 minutes from the southwestern city of Gwangju, and about 2 hours and 40 minutes from Gangneung on the east coast, according to the state-run Korea Expressway Corp.



The traffic was expected to further ease after midnight.



This year's holiday, one of the country's largest, started Saturday, with the annual exodus of people from Seoul and its surrounding areas to their hometowns for Lunar New Year, which fell on Sunday.



With the extended holiday ending Tuesday, those same people began making their way back to the nation's capital Monday.



The expressway operator estimated 5.13 million vehicles hit the road Monday. (Yonhap)


Law enforcement personnel open the door of a van outside the site in Torrance, California, where the alleged suspect in the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, in which 10 people were killed, is believed to be holed up, Jan. 22. AFP-Yonhap



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, the authorities said Sunday.



An hours-long manhunt led police to surround and enter a white van, but it was not immediately clear whether the suspect was inside.



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.



Authorities believe the two events are connected. They offered no details about a possible motive.



The suspect in both cases was described as an Asian male. He entered the Alhambra club with a gun, and people wrested the weapon away from him before he fled, Luna said.





The male suspect allegedly involved in a shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 21, is seen in these photos provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. AP-Yonhap



By midday, police in tactical vehicles and bomb-squad trucks surrounded a white van in a parking lot 22 miles (35.4 kilometers) from Alhambra in Torrance, another majority Asian community.



Hours earlier, Luna said authorities were looking for a white van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee from Alhambra in such a vehicle.



''We believe there is a person inside of that vehicle. We don't know their condition, but we're going to handle that in safest manner that we possibly can and try and identify that person. Could it be our suspect? Possibly,'' Luna said.



In response to a question, Luna said it was possible that the person barricaded in the van was dead.



Members of a SWAT team entered it a short time later and after looking through its contents walked away. It was unclear what they found.









The authorities said Sunday they know the suspect's name but declined to release it because it could complicate their ability to apprehend him. But they did release a photo showing an Asian man wearing glasses and a winter hat. The image was taken from the attempted shooting in Alhambra.



The sheriff declined to say what type of gun was recovered in Alhambra. He said investigators believe the gun used in Monterey Park was not an assault rifle.



The massacre was the nation's fifth mass killing this month. It was also the deadliest attack since May 24 last year, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.





The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in the Alhambra area of Los Angeles, Calif., is closed Jan. 22 after an incident in which a man walked in holding a gun that patrons were able to take from him, according to witnesses, following a Monterey Park, California, shooting during a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. Reuters-Yonhap
Faced with the possibility of being left behind in the shift towards EVs, Toyota has announced a radical shift in company policy and directi...
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Dakar, Senegal, Jan. 21, in this screen capture. AP-Yonhap



U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Sunday that the United States wanted to see quicker progress on the World Bank's plans for expanding its lending capacity to address climate change and other global crises.



The World Bank's "evolution roadmap," reported by Reuters earlier this month, calls for the bank to negotiate with shareholders ahead of April meetings on proposals that include a capital increase and new lending tools.



It calls for World Bank management to develop specific proposals to change its mission, operating model and financial capacity that could be approved by the joint World Bank and International Monetary Fund Development Committee in October.



The plan marks the start of a negotiation process to alter the bank's mission and financial resources and shift it away from a country- and project-specific lending model used since its creation at the end of World War Two.



Yellen said the bank's roadmap was a "constructive document" and formed a good basis for discussion, but more work was needed.



"We do have some concerns," she told Reuters as she traveled to Zambia from Senegal. "We would like to see some progress on a quicker timeline. And think there are some things that could be done to expand lending given the current capital release."



Yellen said working on the reforms  first of the World Bank and then other multilateral development banks  was one of her biggest priorities this year.



The United States, the bank's largest shareholder, worked with other countries to push the World Bank to develop the reform plan, which was discussed by the bank's board Jan. 11.



"2023 is the year to reap specific progress in the short-term with the Spring Meetings (in April) ... and lay the foundation for more fundamental/complex reforms by the October meetings," a senior Treasury official said.



The United States and other shareholders favor a staged implementation approach, with proposals for certain reforms released in time for the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank to enable some "quick wins," the official said.



These would focus on the World Bank's vision and mission, stretching its financial capacity ... and stepping work on private sector mobilization, the official said.



More work was also needed to reorient the World Bank's operational model to focus more on global challenges, its use of incentives and a strengthened framework for the use of concessional, or low-interest resources, the official said.



The Treasury was also looking for more details on how the bank could work with supra- and sub-national entities. (Reuters)




Tackling plastic waste management in Asia

ICR Research By

Published 23 January 2023

With 12bnt of plastic waste predicted in the environment by 2050, the OPTOCE Regional Forum, held on 27-28 October 2022, discussed tackling plastic waste management in China, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. By Dr Kare Helge Karstensen, Palash Kumar Saha and Anneli Alatalo Paulsen, SINTEF, Norway.

The Norwegian funded project Ocean Plastic Turned into an Opportunity in Circular Economy (OPTOCE) is part of the Norwegian development programme on marine littering and microplastics. OPTOCE aims to investigate if and how the cement industry can be involved and increase the treatment capacity for non-recyclable plastic wastes (NRPW) in the five OPTOCE partner countries of China, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, thereby contributing to reducing the release of microplastics into the sea.

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Members of the Slovakian military climb onto a Leopard 2 tank in Bratislava, Dec. 19, 2022, after Germany delivered the fighting vehicle to their country as part of a deal following Slovakia's donation of its armor to Ukraine. Reuters-Yonhap



Germany's foreign minister said Sunday that her government would not stand in the way if Poland wanted to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, in a possible breakthrough for Kyiv which wants the vehicles for its fight against Russia's invasion.



Ukrainian officials have been calling on Western allies to supply them with the modern German-made tanks for months  but Berlin has so far held back from sending them, or allowing other NATO countries to do so.



Asked what would happen if Poland went ahead and sent its Leopard 2 tanks without German approval, Annalena Baerbock said on France's LCI TV: "For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way."



Her remarks appeared to go further than German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's comments at a summit in Paris earlier Sunday that all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in coordination with allies including the United States.



Germany has been under heavy pressure to let the Leopards go to Ukraine. But Scholz's Social Democrat party is traditionally skeptical of military involvements and wary of sudden moves that could cause Moscow to further escalate.



German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Sunday that he expected a decision soon on the tanks, though he kept up a note of caution.





Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy speaks via video link from Kyiv, during a meeting of ministers of defense at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Jan. 20, to discuss how to help Ukraine defend itself as Russia's attack on the country continues. Reuters-Yonhap
photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley photo by Kay Ashley Previous Next

Over 40 vendors and hundreds of area residents attended the Annual History Fair of the Soddy, Daisy and Montlake Historical Association on Saturday.

Genealogy, coal mining relics, Civil War relics, local American Indian artifacts, antique bottles from the area and lots of local history were on display.
Police observed a suspicious vehicle stationary at the pharmacy entrance of the Walmart at 501 Signal Mountain Road. When stopping behind the vehicle, police could see that it was occupied by two people. As police stopped, the vehicle began moving. Police then conducted a traffic stop in the parking area. The silver Jeep Patriot bearing a Georgia tag was in disrepair and the two occupants looked questionable. Police identified the male driver and the male front seat passenger. While speaking with both of them, police could see nothing suspicious in the vehicle. Both men were checked and no outstanding warrants were found. The driver said that they were just waiting for a friend to come out. Police then explained that Walmart associates get nervous when a get-away vehicle is parked at the exit door. After positively identifying both men, they were released with no further action taken.



* * *

Police spoke with a man on Gunbarrel Road who said he was homeless and staying under the building due to the rain. Police informed the man the manager of the Walgreens, 2289 Gunbarrel Road, asked that he leave the property. The man cleaned up the area then left the property without issue.

* * *

A man on Highland Avenue requested police stand by while his ex-girlfriend was getting her belongings. After she did so, she left without incident.

* * *

Officers observed a man sitting at the bottom of the exit ramp from I-24 (west) and Cummings Highway. The man is a known homeless man who stays in that area. It was suggested the man relocate from the ramp. He did not have any current active warrants and left without incident.

* * *



A man on Miller Drive told police he heard a commotion outside of his home. When he looked outside, he noticed a black male and white female arguing. The man then stuck his hand in the woman's face prior to them walking inside another residence. Police spoke with the man and woman, who both said that they were in a verbal only argument and nothing physical had occurred. Police told both of them to be cautious as they have many neighbors and passers by. They seemed fine when police left.

* * *



A manager at the Popeye's, 4428 Highway 58, told police an employee had an attitude with him, so he told the employee to go home. He said the employee refused to leave and was causing a scene in the store. He said he just wanted police to make sure the employee left. Police spoke to the employee, who agreed to leave.

* * *

Officers responded to a suspicious bicycle at the Mapco Gas Station at 201 Browns Ferry Road. The caller said the bike has been sitting across from his property for three or four days and he thinks that it might be stolen. Police located the blue Avalanche All Terra mountain bike abandoned on the Mapco property The serial number was checked for stolen, but it came back negative. The bike was on private property, so police left it there.

* * *

A man on Tunnel Boulevard told police his neighbor threatened him by saying "he's going to put bullet holes in him." The man said that he felt threatened and would like the incident reported for documentation purposes.
Protesters burn the national flag of Sweden as they demonstrate in front of the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 21, after Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line and who also has Swedish citizenship burned a copy of the Koran near the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. Reuters-Yonhap



Outrage over a Quran-burning protest in Sweden produced a second day of protests in Turkey, reflecting tensions between the two countries.



Some 250 people gathered outside the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul, where a photo of Danish anti-Islam activist Rasmus Paludan was set on fire. Paludan burned Islam's holy book outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, Saturday, sparking protests in Istanbul and Ankara that night.



Participants in Sunday's event carried green flags featuring the Islamic proclamation of faith and banner that said, ''We condemn Sweden's state-supported Islamophobia.'' A sign on a window of the Swedish Consulate read, ''We do not share that book-burning idiot's view.''



The protests have renewed concerns about Turkey holding up Sweden and Finland's bid to join NATO. Turkey has not yet ratified the Nordic nations' memberships in the military alliance, saying Sweden needs to address Ankara's security concerns.



Turkish officials slammed Sweden for allowing the Quran-burning protest but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not comment on it during his weekend speeches.



Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson tweeted late Saturday that freedom of expression was crucial to democracy but added that ''what is legal is not necessarily appropriate.''



''Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act. I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today,'' Kristersson said.



Mustafa Demircan, one of the people protesting in Istanbul on Sunday, said the act of burning the Quran should not be considered an act protected by the right of free expression.



Protesters also gathered outside the Swedish Embassy in Ankara for a second day. In southeastern Sanliurfa Province, men held the Quran high after prayers in a mosque and chanted ''God is great'' in videos shared online. More protests were planned for Sunday evening. (AP)


Miller & Martin PLLC announces the election and promotion of attorneys Elizabeth Marquardt and Scott Simmons to membership in the law firm effective January 2023.Elizabeth and Scott are talented lawyers who add value and depth to our membership, said Firm Chairman Scott Parrish. The firm welcomes these enthusiastic and proven leaders as we continue to grow and serve clients across our practice areas.Ms. Marquardt is a litigator practicing in the firms Atlanta office.She represents corporate and individual clients in complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings. Ms. Marquardts civil practice is focused on business litigation, and she frequently represents clients in matters involving breach of contract, negligence, fraud, bad faith, indemnification and business torts. She also specializes in insurance coverage litigation, representing insureds and insurers in first-party claims. Ms. Marquardt is an active member of Miller & Martin's Women's Network and serves as the firms Hiring Committee vice chair.She graduated with a law degree from Emory University and a bachelors degree in English and political science from the University of Florida. She is licensed in Georgia and Tennessee. Ms. Marquardts accolades include being named to Georgia Trend magazines Legal Elite and recognition in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Stars. She is a member of the Atlanta Bar Associations Litigation Section and Activities Committee as well as a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia.Before joining Miller & Martin in 2018, she practiced at an insurance coverage boutique firm in Atlanta. She also previously served as an extern for the Georgia Attorney General in the Government Counsel Division.Mr. Simmons focuses his practice in the firms Chattanooga office on labor-and-employment matters. He regularly advises clients on a wide range of employment-related topics, with a heavy focus on wage-and-hour compliance, and he also has significant experience defending a wide variety of employment-related disputes before myriad employment-related forums, including both state and federal courts, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board.Mr. Simmons is licensed to practice in Tennessee, and he has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in the areas of commercial litigation, labor-and-employment law and employment litigation. He graduated from the University of Tennessee magna cum laude with his law degree, as well as with a bachelors degree in finance and an MBA.He is a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association, and he serves on the board of directors for the Southeast Tennessee Society of Human Resource Management. His community involvement also includes serving as deacon chairman and Personnel Committee member for Red Bank Baptist Church.Mr. Simmons returned to the private practice of law at Miller & Martin in 2019 after pursuing additional professional experiences. He spent several years as a partner and licensed agent in an independent commercial insurance agency. He also is an ordained Southern Baptist minister who served several years full-time as senior pastor of a local church.
Eric Bryan Johnson, of McDonald, Tennessee, lost his battle with cancer on January 19,2023.

Surviving relatives include his wife Shasta of 24 years, his daughter, Bristol (11), his mother, Sonja Johnson, father and stepmother, Larry and Ginger Johnson, his sister, Tanya Jansen (Erik) and brother, Greg Johnson (Brook), nieces and nephews, Abby, Zach, Ava, Tyler, Alyssa, and Addy.
Common annealing of glass uses heat to melt it and afterwards some variation of cooling to set specific properties in place. The experiment using X-rays shows that completely other properties could come from non-thermal annealing.

For thousands of years, people around the world have experimented with different ways to make glasses with varying properties by heating them until they melt then cooling them again. A team led by scientists at the University of Padua in Italy have used DESYs PETRA III X-ray light source to study a completely different concept: using X-rays to alter the glass without heating it up. The results show that the atoms in the glass move more similarly to charged particles accelerating in interstellar space rather than the motion expected in molten glass. The study may enable a better understanding of irradiated materials or even new glass materials with new physical characteristics, as the research team reports in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Glass is a strange state of matter: Although it looks like a solid, it lacks the typical crystal atomic structure seen in most other solids. Moreover, the atoms remain stuck in their position; they do not diffuse in the material as in a liquid. Glasses can have a variety of physical properties. The process for changing the properties of glasses, called annealing, involves repeated heating of the glass until it acts more like a liquid, then cooling it at various speeds. This is most famously seen with glassblowers: They dip a glass bulb into a fire, change its shape while molten using their breath, and douse it in cold water when finished. Depending on the length of time and temperature of the heating and cooling used, many different kinds of glasses can be made: ones that are super strong, others that break into dull edges, more that can withstand high temperatures, and myriad other possibilities.

The researchers determined a way to get a similar effect to traditional annealing of glass using X-rays. By exposing thin slices of silica (SiO 2 ) to the X-rays generated by the PETRA III light source at DESY and examining changes to the material, the team was able to monitor the atomic motion within the sample. The results differed from what happens when the glass is simply heated and melted  instead of the atoms flowing around one another at a consistently faster rate, in the irradiated sample, some of the atoms tended to make comparably giant leaps within the material. The X-ray process occurred without the glass changing temperature.

Giulio Monaco, a professor at the University of Padua who led the research, describes the difference in atomic motion: With traditional glass annealing, its as if the atom in the glass were a tourist in some place, going around and seeing the sights. With the X-rays on the glass, the tourist  our atom  gets on a plane and goes to a whole other city and starts seeing the sights again.

This effect can be used as a probing tool to get deeper knowledge about how the atoms in glasses move, says DESY scientist Michael Sprung, beamline manager in charge of the experiment station P10 at PETRA III where the research took place and a co-author of the paper. Our team realised that X-rays caused measurable differences between the observed and expected dynamics. Now theres a deeper understanding of the effect itself.

Francesco Dallari, a first author on the study, says that the jumps are caused by the X-rays breaking the bonds between silicon and oxygen in the silica glass. This is caused by the atoms electrons being excited by the X-rays and the atoms thereafter repelling one another with great force within the unstructured form of the glass, a phenomenon that is literally somewhat out of this world. The same effect, called stochastic atomic acceleration, is observed in cosmic particle acceleration in interstellar bodies like black holes  but on an utterly massive energy and distance scale compared to the atoms in the glass.

Understanding the effect of X-rays on glass could open the door for many new and heretofore unknown properties of glasses to be discovered. This research shows that one can tailor the properties of glasses with radiation as opposed to heat, says Dallari, who was a postdoc at DESY at the time of the experiment and is now in Monacos group in Padua. Depending on the application, glasses might need to be cooled or quenched quickly. Using the X-rays would be like a super-fast quenching. What sorts of properties this would provide in different situations will be the topic of future research. In the example used in this experiment, the glass became more brittle, but other changes in glass composition, X-ray energy, and time of exposure could produce completely different effects.

This result could influence how the fatigue of irradiated materials is interpreted, for example, says Sprung. This could also have a strong effect on a wide range of use cases, such as in medical equipment or in research facilities.

Monacos team has a European Research Council grant to investigate this phenomenon and will continue its work at DESY.

This is only the first example, Monaco says. The story appears to be getting more interesting.

Scientists from the universities of Padua, Trento and Amsterdam as well as from DESY were involved in this work.
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South Africa is reeling from the shocking death of 15 people, including a three-month-old baby, during a river baptism that went wrong last month.

The victims were swept away December 3 by floodwaters in the Jukskei River, which flows through a number of suburbs in Johannesburg, South Africas biggest city. The pastor conducting the baptism ceremony, identified by local press as Kind Kupe from neighboring Zimbabwe, was rescued by other members of his church.

The church is part of the Johane Masowe group, started by an indigenous, itinerant preacher in 1930s Zimbabwe. Adherents are known for their prominent white robes and preference for outdoor worship.

Some in South Africa are blaming church leaders for the tragedy.

"I know that baptism is something that has been happening for a very long time, but for someone to be baptized at a river with that heavy flow of water is dangerous," a resident of Alexandria told the News24 website.

Nomusa Bandile, who lost her teenage daughter in the flood, labeled the pastor a cruel fraudster.

Some academics, however, are pointing to the tragedy as an example of how humans have trouble adapting to climate change.

Without proper information filtering to the grassroots on climate change, we are likely to see more tragedies, said Sibusiso Masondo, an associate professor in the school of religion, philosophy, and classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

He said traditionally in South Africa, lakes, rivers, and the ocean were seen as significant in both cleansing and healing rituals.

Indigenous churches connect this tradition with the Christian ritual of baptism, centering much of their faith and worship on outdoor immersion ceremonies.

African religion has an element of respect for nature and dependence on her for provision, he said. It is up to them to adapt to the weather changes that we currently observe.

South Africa has been hit by deadly floods more frequently in recent years, making open-river baptisms more dangerous.

Last April, floods and landslides hit the countrys Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces after heavy rains that in some areas exceeded 11 inches in 24 hours. The floods killed more than 400 people, displaced 40,000 others, and destroyed over 12,000 homes.

A coalition of research groups, including the University of Oxfords School of Geography and the Environment and Princeton Universitys Department of Geosciences, concluded that the probability of such heavy rainfall had doubled due to human-induced climate change.

An event of this magnitude would have been rarer in a 1.2C cooler world, they wrote. Going forward, the scientists said, heavy rainfall events are projected to increase in frequency and magnitude  with additional global warming levels.

The heavy rains that hit South Africas Gauteng Province in early December sparked another humanitarian disaster affecting 40,000 people, according to aid agencies.

Previous floods have also killed people getting baptized. In December 2021, a minister and one of his congregants drowned during a river immersion after heavy rains in South Africas Free State Province.

South Africas Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities said that while people have the right to exercise rituals such as water baptism, greater levels of responsibility are needed from both leaders and members.

The practice of a persons faith should always ensure the protection and preservation of ones life and dignity, the commission said after the Jukskei drownings.

But Retief Muller, a South African researcher and associate professor of mission and world Christianity at Norway's VID Specialized University, cautioned that people are quick to blame marginal groups as a way of avoiding complexity and complicity. The Johane Masowe churches have not adapted their religious rituals to the new challenges of climate change, but then neither has South African society as a whole.

This is not to defend the pastor, but it is important to be aware of the wider context, Muller said. Given what we know of the history of xenophobia and anti-foreigner sentiment in various parts of South Africa, including in the Johannesburg area, negative feelings against this church leader might have existed even before the tragedy.

Ten of the victims have been confirmed as South Africans; at least one was Zimbabwean.

The danger is not always easy to see ahead of time either. Drownings have also occurred in the regions rivers when they are not flooding.

In 2021, eight members of an apostolic church group drowned in Zimbabwe during a ceremony along the Mazowe River, in the north of the country. Church leaders had ordered the men to retrieve a holy stick tossed into the river. The one who retrieved the stick first would be the next leader of baptisms in the church.

The tragedy occurred at the height of the Zimbabwean dry season, when rivers are at their lowest.

Muller said Africas long history of rituals associated with water preceded the introduction of Christianity, but life in the city may have blunted some church leaders sense of what is safe.

In times gone by, ritual practitioners might have had greater knowledge of the characteristics of bodies of water and weather patterns by virtue of their lifestyles that were closely tied to the natural environment and the geography of the land, he said.

I would not assume malicious intent on the part of the church leaders. Insufficient knowledge of the environment and how to coexist with it is more likely the real culprit.
The farm labor history of California has often been told through the plight of agricultural laborers during the Depression era and the efforts, beginning in the early 1960s, of the United Farm Workers to improve working conditions of Mexicans in the fields.

But to Lloyd Barba, a professor of religion at Amherst College, this history isnt complete without factoring in religion, particularly the stories of Californias Mexican farmworkers who embraced Pentecostalism, a Christian movement generally seen at the time as a distasteful new sect with cultish and fanatical tendencies.

I think about how often Latino history is told as labor history, and that makes sense  but where are the laborers going? Barba said. If were going to get a more balanced and accurate Latino history, we have to look at Latino religious life.

In his recently released book, Sowing the Sacred: Mexican Pentecostal Farmworkers in California, Barba writes about the Mexican and Mexican American Pentecostal agricultural workers who built houses of worship in the states agricultural towns, who turned to divine healing for injuries they sustained working in the fields and whose worship style inspired civil rights leader Cesar Chavez to incorporate music and singing in his union organizing.

Barba also writes about the role of women in these church spaces who were the foundation of the church, despite not given ministerial credentials to become preachers. They raised money for the building of churches by selling food and made the worship spaces look holy through their handmade goods, such as doilies and fabric embroidered with biblical phrases, Barba said.

To do a material history of this Mexican Pentecostal movement is to do womens history, Barba told Religion News Service.

The book traces the development of Pentecostalism among migrant laborers between 1916 and 1966, before the heyday of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. Barba felt it important to describe a moment where the exploitation of Mexican workers is at its worst.

Barba, in his book, recounts how divine healing was seen as a pragmatic way to care for impoverished workers who lacked regular access to medical care. For laborers working in tough conditions, it was about hard work and fervent worship  work by day and worship by night, Barba said.

People are getting hurt. People are contracting tuberculosis. People are seeking out healing when theres not a health care system in place to provide those kinds of services, Barba said. Whether were talking physical healing, or what we now refer to as mental health and counseling, these are spaces that offered respite in an otherwise punishing world.

Worship services would call for people who were sick to come up and to be healed, Barba said. There was a spectacle side to it, he added, in that it was a very public kind of ritual.

In the book, Barba cites a flier distributed by La Iglesia Apostolica Cristiania del Pentecostes that invited residents in the Imperial County city of Calexico to revival services held under the direction of the Holy Spirit. These services were outdoor and presided by a Mexican orator and pastor who lived in Los Angeles. All are invited. Bring your sick and God will bless them, the flier declared.

Barba writes about the sonic elements of services, which included collective singing, exuberant worshipping, guitar playing, percussive striking, hand clapping, and shouting aleluya.

The vibrancy of this sacred music inspired Chavez to later incorporate it into his organizational tactics. Barba wrote of the working relationship between Chavezwho at the time served with the Community Service Organizationand Mariano Marina Pentecostal preacher and pastorwho led his immigrant congregation in the midst of Operation Wetback, which resulted in a mass deportation of Mexican nationals.

Through this partnership, Chavez witnessed Marin leading worship services out of a house in the San Joaquin Valley town of Madera and noticed a contrast between the sonic and material world of Pentecostal and Catholic music, Barba wrote.

Chavez recalled in his 1975 autobiography visiting a little church in Madera of a dozen men and women, describing more spirit there than when I went to mass where there were two hundred.

These people were really committed in their beliefs and this made them sing and clap and participate. I liked that, he wrote. I think thats where I got the idea of singing at the meetings. That was one of the first things we did when I started the Union. And it was hard for me because I couldnt carry a tune.

For Barba, who hails from Stockton in the Central Valley, its noteworthy that this religious movement grew in rural agricultural areas.

He sees the influence of those early immigrant houses of worship today in the Spanish-language church signs across Californias Central Valley. A church that used to be First Baptist Church in many cities in the Central Valley may now be Iglesia Bautista, Barba said, adding that he also knows of church services in Mixtec among Indigenous Mexicans arriving in the area.

Because of a largefirst Mexican but more so now Central Americaninflux into the agricultural fields in California, you can note a very visible transformation of the religious demography, Barba said.
Police officers stand outside a ballroom dance club in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 22. AP-Yonhap





Investigators scrambled Monday to discover why a 72-year-old gunman opened fire in a California dance hall popular with older patrons and killed 10 people before fatally turning a gun on himself hours later.







Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the reasons behind the Lunar New Year massacre carried out by Huu Can Tran, Saturday night, remained elusive.







Officials worked into Monday trying to identify the 10 people he killed Saturday night at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, about 7 miles (11 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. Another 10 people were wounded and seven remained hospitalized late Sunday.







Tran's rampage could have been far worse. About 20 minutes after the shooting in Monterey Park, he entered another dance club in the neighboring city of Alhambra. There, two patrons wrestled a weapon away from the septuagenarian before he could get a shot off. Tran then fled.







"I can tell you that the suspect walked in there, probably with the intent to kill more people, and two brave community members decided they were going to jump into action and disarm him," Luna told reporters in a Sunday evening briefing.







About 12 hours later, police officers in the city of Torrance, 20 miles southwest of Monterey Park, approached a white cargo van Tran was driving. As officers neared the van, they heard a single gunshot from inside when Tran killed himself.






Border crossings surpass 250,000 in December, reaching record high 38 people on terrorist watch list caught crossing US border

More than a quarter million people illegally crossed the United States southwest border in December as concerns about the border crisis continue to loom large for affected communities.

Statistics released by United States Customs and Border Patrol reveal 251,487 encounters between federal law enforcement officials and migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in December 2022. The astronomical figure marks a record high for the monthly number of illegal border crossings, blowing past the previous record of 241,136 set in May 2022.

In the first three months of fiscal year 2023, which began in October, law enforcement officials have encountered 717,660 migrants. The number of monthly border crossings has consistently remained above 200,000 since March of last year and have never dropped below 100,000 since January 2021, when President Joe Biden took office.

In addition to concerns that the surge of illegal immigration puts a strain on the resources of small border towns and cities like El Paso, Texas, which declared a state of emergency late last year, the explosion in border crossings also poses a public safety threat. CBP data show that the number of apprehensions of individuals on the U.S. governments Terrorist Screening Dataset, which consists of known or suspected terrorists, has reached 38 in the first three months of fiscal year 2023.

For comparison, in fiscal year 2022, federal immigration officials apprehended 98 individuals on the Terrorist Screening Dataset between ports of entry along the southwest border. The number of such apprehensions last year constituted a noticeable increase from the 16 encounters between border officials and individuals on the Terrorist Screening Dataset in fiscal year 2021. In the previous four years, the number of known or suspected terrorists captured was measured at three, three, six and two, respectively.

The news about the record number of border crossings comes less than three weeks after Republicans retook control of the U.S. House of Representatives. While the Republicans achieved a narrower-than-expected majority and failed to retake control of the U.S. Senate in last years midterms, the partys capture of the House was attributed in part to Bidens low approval ratings, particularly on illegal immigration.

The RealClearPolitics average of polls taken since the beginning of 2023 asking Americans for their views on Bidens handling of the immigration issue show his net approval rating 31.5 points underwater, with a 62.5% disapproval rating. One of the polls included in the dataset, conducted by Quinnipiac, showed his net disapproval rating at a record high of 45 points.

The presidents net approval rating on immigration is lower than all other categories measured by RealClearPolitics and significantly lower than his overall approval rating, which is just 9.7 points underwater. Meanwhile, Biden is blaming Republicans for the border surge.

In remarks at the White House Friday, the president addressed the situation, attributing the explosion in border crossings to congressional Republicans refusal to embrace comprehensive immigration reform. According to Biden, They can keep using immigration to try to score political points, or we can help solve the problem. Immigration reform used to be a bipartisan issue. And we can make it that again, in my view.

Biden visited El Paso two weeks ago, marking his first-ever trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. Critics derided his visit as $20 billion too little and two years too late, with Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott delivering a letter to the president reading in part your visit avoids the sites where mass illegal immigration occurs and sidesteps the thousands of angry property owners whose lives have been destroyed by your border policies.

Like most critics of the Biden administration, Abbott pointed to the presidents policies as the reason for the border surge. Slamming what he characterized as Bidens failure to enforce the immigration laws that Congress enacted and open-border policies, Abbott laid out actions the president could take to solve the border crisis.

You must stop sandbagging the implementation of the Remain-in-Mexico policy and Title 42 expulsions, and fully enforce those measures as the federal courts have ordered you to do, he wrote. The Remain-in-Mexico policy, implemented by the Trump administration, required migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to remain in Mexico while their claims were adjudicated. Title 42 enabled border officials to quickly turn away most migrants seeking entry into the U.S. due to public health concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout the Biden administration, Title 42 has become the subject of litigation, with the U.S. Supreme Court ordering the Trump-era policy to remain in place while the justices consider the case of Arizona, et al. v. Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security. Both Title 42 and the Remain-in-Mexico policy were credited with reducing the flow of illegal immigration at the southwest border. In fiscal year 2020, where those initiatives were in place for more than half of the year, there were only 458,088 border crossings.
Fasting Celebration Church founders expected in court to fight eviction notice

Stovall and Kerri Weems, the founders of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, are expected to return to court on Monday afternoon to fight a push from the current leaders of the church to evict them from a Black Hammock Island home that was purchased as a parsonage.

Celebration Church is demanding in a lawsuit that the Weemses, who are expected in court at 1 p.m. Monday, vacate the million-dollar waterfront parsonage because they completely resigned from all work with the church in April 2022.

Church officials argued in the lawsuit filed on June 1 that on June 6, 2021, Stovall Weems purchased the disputed home located at 16073 Shellcracker Road on behalf of the church and Weems Group, LLC, which he managed himself. The purchase was made without authorization from the churchs board. Redfin reports that the home, which has an estimated value of $1,394,606, was last sold for $1,286,900

The Weemses remain in possession of the  property despite Stovall Weems resignation of employment, the Weemses refusal to pay rent and the church demands that the Weemses vacate the premises, the lawsuit says.

The Celebration Church founders are on a 21-day period of prayer and fasting, which is expected to end on Feb. 3, according to their website Awakening Ecclesia.

On Tuesday, the couple is also expected to appear at a hearing regarding a defamation lawsuit they filed against Celebration Church and its board of trustees.

The defamation lawsuit follows the release of an internal investigation commissioned by the church that painted them as abusive leaders who exploited church staff and finances until they were forced to resign.

The single word used most frequently to describe Stovall Weems was narcissist. Nearly every witness we interviewed used that specific word, a 22-page report on the investigation produced by the Nelson Mullins law firm said.

According to the report, the Weemses leadership had been inconsistent and unbiblical" since at least 2019. Investigators allege that Stovall Weems leadership was marked by rampant spiritual and emotional abuse, including manipulation, a profound sense of self-importance and selfishness, superiority and entitlement, overbearing and unreasonable demands on employees time, a lack of accountability or humility, and demands of absolute loyalty.

Earlier this month, First Citizens Bank revealed that they reached a settlement with the former megachurch leaders, six months after they sued them and several companies they control for defaulting on more than $700,000 in loans.

An attorney for the bank filed notice at the Duval County Courthouse in Florida last month stating that they were voluntarily dismissing the suit as a result of [an] amicable settlement.
Hundreds take part in dueling rallies at Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade's 50th anniversary

WASHINGTON  Pro-life and pro-choice advocates held opposing demonstrations outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building Sunday on the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling, with both sides speaking on where their respective movements plan to go from here.

The Womens March advocacy group held its Bigger Than Roe rally in Madison, Wisconsin and sister marches in other cities throughout the United States as a message to lawmakers that their movement is strong and growing.

Representatives of various pro-life groups, including Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, Pro-Life San Francisco and Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust held a rally outside the Supreme Court on the same day, two days after the annual March for Life.

The rally honored multiple veteran pro-life activists who spent years performing rescues, a nonviolent direct-action technique that involves illegally entering abortion facilities to actively intervene with its operations.

A couple hundred Womens March participants arrived at the Supreme Court in the afternoon, and activists on both sides chanted slogans at one another and held up signs revealing their stance on the abortion issue.

Slogans from the pro-life side consisted of chants like, Abortion is murder; Abortion is oppression, while Womens March participants yelled, "Abortion is healthcare.

Some abortion proponents responded to the pro-life activists chants by flipping them off or attempting to silence them by using the siren feature on their megaphones. As the day progressed, the crowd began to dwindle, with advocates on both sides eventually departing.

Terrisa Bukovinac, founder and executive director of PAAU, believes that in the absence of Roe  the 1973 ruling that made abortion a national right that was overturned last June  the pro-life movement must mobilize a massive amount of people for direct action.

We will not have change in this country unless we can harness the power of social tension, she told The Christian Post.

The pro-life progressive activist acknowledged that some pro-lifers are hesitant about engaging in direct action, as they argue that it is a detriment to the movement. However, Bukovinac believes that We must break through those fears in order to make change.

Just the fact that its unpopular and difficult to do doesnt mean that it isnt what we need to do because it is. Its the only way, she argued. Theres not another way to end an injustice this massive, a global injustice this massive.

Historically speaking, its the most effective, and its in line with our values as pro-lifers. Its consistent with our beliefs about opposing violence and promoting human equality, Bukovinac continued. Direct action is the only way.

She wants to see the pro-life movement uplift left-leaning activists, asserting that the movement is ill-equipped at the moment to effectively reach the political progressives and atheists who typically hold pro-choice views.

She believes the movement needs to make pro-life "leftists" more visible" and enable them to address the concerns that their fellow progressives have about right-wing politics while still getting to the heart of the issue, which is to end child killing.

Right now, there just arent enough visible pro-life Democrats, and the only way to make visible the leftist pro-life movement is to mobilize through direct action, Bukovinac said.

AJ Hurley, the director of activism for the pro-life activist organization Live Action, said that the rally's goal and subsequent counter-protest was to celebrate the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the pro-life activists who worked for decades to see it overturned.

So many people sacrificed incredible amounts of time, energy, and money. So many people stood up against the violence of child killing, and they suffered, and so many never saw this day, Hurley told CP, calling the legal child killing in America the greatest tragedy in human history.

Hurley said that the goal of the pro-life movement post-Roe should be to make abortion a crime by ensuring that 14th Amendment protections apply to all human beings from conception to birth.

The deathblow, eventually, to abortion is to recognize that 14th Amendment protections apply to every single human being, the pro-life activist said. The science is clear that life begins in the womb at the moment of fertilization.

One Womens March protestor, Violet Webster, 20, an Ohio native who now resides in New York, called the overturn of Roe v. Wade alarming, saying that she feels as if she has no control over what goes on in [her] body.

She told CP that she would like to see states pass laws protecting abortion access, citing Vermont as an example. During the 2022 Midterm elections, Vermont residents voted in favor of Proposal 5, an amendment to the state's constitution that guarantees a "right" to "personal reproductive autonomy" to all individuals in the state.

Webster told CP that she has always been pro-choice, stating that "people should have a say over what they can do with their bodies.

I dont know if, personally, I would ever get an abortion, but I think that people deserve to have the right to choose, she added.

Another attendee of the march alongside Webster, who declined to share her name, said she attended a Catholic high school where many were pro-life. She disagreed with the argument, particularly from some teenage boys who dont have uteruses, that people are murdering babies.

Were just protecting women, she said, saying that the pro-life position treats womens lives as less valuable than potential fetuses.

Bukovinac, a feminist atheist, argued that abortion is completely inconsistent with feminisms values of equality, nonviolence and non-discrimination.

The women, and people in this country, have been lied to about what a pro-life world looks like and about what it is, and who pro-life people are, she told CP. But this is not about taking away rights.

This is about expanding rights to those who are most vulnerable, and those who are currently, not just being discriminated against, but being discriminated against to a lethal degree by the hundreds of thousands every single year.
Gay couple accused of raping sons, filming abuse used Christian adoption agency: report

A now-defunct Christian adoption agency was reportedly used by a same-sex couple in Georgia who were arrested last August on charges of allegedly sexually abusing their two adopted sons and filming the abuse to upload and share on the internet.

William Dale Zulock, 32, and Zachary Jacoby Zulock, 35, were charged with child molestation and sexual exploitation following their arrest on July 27 in Loganville, Georgia, after officials with the Walton Countys Division of Family and Child Services joined deputies in a raid at the mens home.

During the raid, authorities said investigators found evidence the Zulocks were engaging in sexually abusive acts and video documenting this abuse.

Now an investigation by Townhall has uncovered new details about the Zulocks, including that Zachary was the focus of a pedophilia investigation in 2011 in which he was accused of engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old boy in Walton County.

That investigation was ultimately shut down and no charges were filed. Since the Townhall report was published, however, authorities have reportedly reopened the 2011 investigation.

Its unclear whether the earlier allegation was considered when the Zulocks used All Gods Children, a special needs adoption agency located in Watkinsville, Georgia, to adopt their sons in 2018.

According to Townhall, All Gods Children, Inc. worked specifically with special needs children who were "considered more difficult to place because they are older, need to be placed with their siblings or have physical, mental or emotional/behavioral challenges.

While the agency is no longer active, a listing for All Gods Children remained on the Georgia Association of Licensed Adoption Agencies (GALAA) website as of Jan. 23.

All Gods Children worked in partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services to find families for Georgias waiting children, according to a description on AdoptionCenter.us. The Department of Human Services oversees the state's Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS), Townhall reported.

A family member told Townhall the brothers  now ages 9 and 11  were raised by struggling heroin addicts. Another relative of the boys said they believe the Zulocks had full knowledge of that information and targeted the boys for that very reason.

"I do think they had every intention, and this is why they adopted them for this purpose," another family member who was not identified told Townhall.

According to the Georgia Corporations Division, All Gods Children, Inc., was dissolved on Oct. 28, 2022, just weeks after the Zulocks were arrested.

Private messages uncovered by Townhall between Zachary Zulock and All Gods Children former executive director Emily Bailey in October 2021 indicate Bailey said the agency was forced to close due to a combination of factors.

When Zulock asked Bailey for a recommendation on agencies to possibly help them adopt a girl, Bailey recommended two agencies that are open to same-sex families, including Bethany Christian Services, which the New York Times profiled in March 2021 as one of the countrys largest adoption and foster care agencies.

The couple frequently criticized the adoption process, taking to social media to rant about a range of related topics, including arguing in favor of reforming Americas foster-care system.

Zachary wrote in one February 2021 post, All kids deserve a loving and safe home. Another post read, "How many may be tempted by...prostitution?"

In August 2020, he took to Facebook to rant about a speech by Billy Graham's granddaughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, at the 2020 Republican National Convention in which she defended the rights of Christian adoption agencies to hold deeply held beliefs.

Zachary wrote: And if you have an issue with my family because of who we are and who we love, maybe you shouldnt be reading this and keep it moving. If we had not been allowed to adopt them, that's taking our rights away.

What about all the [LGBT] couples out there that have been stopped from adopting?! What about their rights?" he added.
Gov't officials prohibit Christian worship service outside city hall in Indonesia

SURABAYA, Indonesia  A church in Indonesia on Jan. 8 was prohibited from holding a Sunday service in front of a city hall building, where it had gone after losing its prior worship venue in a mall, sources said.

Following opposition to the churchs services in a mall in Medan, North Sumatra Province, the head of the Medan Public Order Enforcer (Satpol Pamong Praja, or SPP), Rakhmat Harahap, and his unit banned an Elim Church Indonesia Christian (GEKI) congregation from holding worship near the Medan City Hall.

Harahap said the church had no permission to worship in front of the Medan City Hall, just as officials earlier had said they had no permission to worship at the Suzuya Mall in the Marella area of Medan.

A video appearing on social media shows a row of Medan Municipal SPP members with congregation members in the middle of traffic on Kapten Maulana Street, in Medan Petisah Sub-Districts Petisah Tengah, Medan. The site is about 150 meters from Medan City Hall.

The video shows a church leader asking Harahap to reveal who ordered the ban on the congregation from holding the Sunday service, to which Harahap replies, I dont have to let you know.

We need to know, the church leader replies, then raising his hand saying, This man has an order from his commandant.

A woman is heard saying, There will be a wedding  we have to bring the needed things, before unresponsive officers.

A video narrator states that Public Order Enforcer staff prohibited church members from parking vehicles at the site and kept them from opening car doors.

In the video, Harahap says the site near the city hall was not allocated for religious service and so was opposed by area people. Harahap on Jan. 14 told online newpaper TribunMedan that the GEKI congregation lacked permission to hold a religious service at the site. He added that there is no ban on Christian worship, but that all parties must comply with legislation.

The Rev. Henrek Lokra, executive secretary of justice and peace of the Communion of Christian Churches (PGI), told Morning Star News that the GEKI congregation previously rented a room at Suzuya Mall for worship, which ended abruptly.

They had rented a room in Suzuya Mall but were opposed by a group of people, Lokra said. Later on, the local administration opposed it as well, since the mall, they say, is not allocated as a place of worship.

GEKI congregations have held worship services near the Medan City Hall three times since Jan. 1, said Suryani Paskah Naiborhu, deputy to the general treasurer of the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI) Central Board, to medanbisnisdaily.com on Jan. 10.

Suryani said banning worship is against all higher legislation, including the constitution, as quoted on Jan. 4 by RMOL Sumut. The Medan City administration, she said, has a role in solving the problem facing the GEKI congregation.

The general secretary of the PGI, North Sumatra Region, the Rev. Eben Siagian, told HarianSIB.com on Jan. 10 that the prohibition of worship was unreasonable. The owner of the Suzuya building had the right to rent out one of the rooms at the mall for worship as long as there were no harmful activities, he said.

How long will it be before incidents like this end in our country? Siagian said. What are their objections and loss if there is a place of Christian worship in Suzuya?

Police must investigate why local people are objecting, he reportedly said on Jan. 8, because the government must facilitate worship in accordance with the constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion. Appealing to all parties to act fairly, he said no one should object to worship venues.

His colleague, Lokra of the PGI, concurred, saying the government should not keep threatening Christians.

The government is given the responsibility by the constitution to solve the problems of society, not create problems, he said.

Precedents

Holding religious services on the sidewalks or in front of the government buildings to draw the attention of high-ranking officials in the Muslim-majority country is not a new practice.

In the 1990s, at the peak of Indonesias New Order regime, congregations of the Christian Church of Protestant Indonesia (GKPI) and Catholics in the same city, Medan, undertook the practice following the banning of their church services.

In response to the pretext that congregations had no legal permission  applications for which are largely ignored or denied  they began holding services on the sidewalk. They ceased after two leading Christian organizations joined the action, finally prompting the local administration to issue permits.

The congregations of the Bogor Indonesian Christian Church (GKI Yasmin Bogor) and Filadelfia Huria Kristen Batak Protestant, Bekasi undertook the same practice. Both congregations were holding worship celebrations in front of the state palace in Central Jakarta since February 2012, every two weeks, following the banning of their churches by religious radicals. Lokra of the PGI said the practice ended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Jan. 17, Indonesian President Joko Widodo told regional heads that all officials should be careful about banning houses of worship based on local administration regulations or instructions.

Dont let the constitution lose against an agreement [by local officials], Widodo said at the Regional Head National Coordination Meeting in Sentul, West Java. The constitution must not be forfeited because of agreements. These examples make me think sometimes  is it really that difficult for someone to practice their religion? It saddens me to hear such a thing.

Everyone in Indonesia, Widodo said, has the same right to worship.

Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship, he said. Even if its only one, two, three cities or regencies, be watchful for such cases.

A Medan administration official, H. Syofian, had no comment to journalists about the incident.

The mayor of Medan Municipality, Bobby Afif Nasution, is the son-in-law of Widodo. Married to Kahiyang Ayu, the first daughter of Widodo, Bobby has been the mayor of the city since Feb. 26, 2021.

Indonesia ranked 33rd on Christian support organization Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Indonesian society has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to Open Doors WWL report.

If a church is seen to be preaching and spreading the gospel, they soon run into opposition from Islamic extremist groups, especially in rural areas, the report noted. In some regions of Indonesia, non-traditional churches struggle to get permission for church buildings, with the authorities often ignoring their paperwork.
Christian man facing prison for sharing ex-gay testimony in first-of-its-kind conversion therapy case

A Maltese Christian charity worker is facing criminal charges for allegedly discussing and promoting so-called conversion practices after he shared his ex-gay testimony during an online media interview.

The case, believed to be the first of its kind, will see Matthew Grech, 33, a trustee of the Core Issues Trust, stand trial on Feb. 3 at the Court of Magistrates in Valletta, along with the presenters of a local free speech media outlet, PMnews Malta, said the U.K.-based group Christian Concern, whose arm, Christian Legal Centre, is supporting the charity worker.

According to Maltese laws that prohibit "conversion practices," if found guilty, Grech could face a punishment of five months in prison and/or a fine of $5,000, the group said.

Grech believes he is being targeted by members of the Malta Gay Rights Movement who argue that Christian views on marriage, human identity and any discussion related to LGBT lifestyles should be considered a criminal offense.

In the online interview last April, which was advertised on Facebook beforehand, Grech spoke about his childhood, the confusion he experienced with his own sexuality and relationships, and how as an adult he had been involved in homosexual relationships before becoming a Christian, which changed his life dramatically.

Grech stated that he does not agree with the term conversion therapy and the deeper he went into his Christian faith exploring the Bible, the more he understood that homosexuality is not an identity but a practice.

He shared his view that no matter what sexual feelings a man or a woman experiences, if they have sexual relations with a person of the same sex, they commit the homosexual act in God's eyes, and that is a sin.

He went on to say that just like every other sin, one can repent from it and ask God for forgiveness and ask Him for strength to overcome. He made it clear that he was talking from a Christian perspective.

At no point during the program did Grech invite any listener to attend therapy or encourage anyone to get help for unwanted same-sex attraction, Christian Concern said in the statement.

This case holds significance on an international level because, in 2016, Malta became the first country in the European Union to outlaw counseling or therapy for unwanted same-sex attraction, often derisively referred to as conversion therapy by LGBT groups.

Anyone who cares about freedom of speech should be alarmed by what is happening to me, Grech was quoted as saying. If it happens to me in Malta, I assure you that it will soon be happening in the U.K. and other countries across the world.

Meanwhile, Britains Culture Minister Michelle Donelan said last week that the government plans to ban conversion therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified individuals.

In a consultation in December 2021, over 500 church leaders from across the U.K. wrote to the government to say they were prepared to face criminal charges if a conversion therapy ban was introduced.

In the letter, they said they would "continue to do our duty to God" even if the proposed ban came into force.

"It should not be a criminal offense for us to instruct our children that God made them male and female, in His image, and has reserved sex for the marriage of one man and one woman. Yet this seems to be the likely outcome of the proposed legislation," they wrote.

A consultation document at the time said, The United Kingdom is a global leader on LGBT rights and is committed to banning the coercive and abhorrent practice of conversion therapy. We want every individual to have the freedom to be themselves and proposals have been developed with the protection of LGBT people in mind. The proposals we are bringing forward in this consultation are intended to ensure that everyone in this country is protected through both criminal and civil measures.

In the United States, a federal appeals court unanimously upheld a Washington state law prohibiting therapy for minors experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction last September, rejecting a Christian therapist's claims that the ban violated his free speech rights to counsel patients with unwanted same-sex attraction.

In 2013, the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of a similar California law, a first-in-the-nation ban on sexual orientation change therapy for minors.

Sometimes also known as "reparative therapy," the court defined conversion therapy as an attempt to "change an individual's sexual orientation from gay to heterosexual or to change an individual's gender identity from transgender to cisgender."

Such counseling has been largely rejected by mainstream psychiatric organizations in the United States, with over 20 states and the District of Columbia banning the practice on minors.

However, some Christian counselors say their practices are often misconstrued and the term "conversion therapy" maligns their efforts to help people facing unwanted same-sex attraction.
Palestinian woman ordained first female pastor of Lutheran church in Jerusalem

History was made in Jerusalem Sunday as Sally Azar became the first Palestinian female pastor to be ordained in the Holy Land. The ceremony, held at a Lutheran church in the heart of the Old City, was attended by hundreds.

Azar will head the English-speaking congregation at the Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem, The Associated Press reported.

As Azar watched the excitement of those around her, her own excitement grew, she told the BBC, which said she was ordained by her father, Bishop Sani Azar.

It was an indescribable feeling for her to take this step in her faith journey with the support of the church, she said, adding that she hopes many girls and women will know that this is possible and that other women in other churches will join her in this path.

She will also be leading services and Bible studies in Beit Sahour, in the West Bank, for English-speaking congregations, BBC said.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, as of 2017, the West Bank and Gaza Strip had a population of around 47,000 Christians. The majority of Palestinian Christians belong to denominations that do not permit the ordination of female clergy, including the Greek Orthodox and Latin Catholic Churches.

Azar said she understands that it might take a long time, but she believes it could be exciting if this change occurs in Palestine.

Everywhere where you have a patriarchal society and culture this is a major step, the BBC quoted the recently retired Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, Antje Jackelen, as saying.

The Old City, which is part of East Jerusalem in Israel, has sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Last January, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem said Israeli radical fringe groups were seeking to drive the Christian community out of the city.

Our presence in Jerusalem is under threat, Theophilos III, the patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, wrote in an op-ed in The Times (of London) at the time.

Our churches are threatened by Israeli radical fringe groups. At the hands of these Zionist extremists the Christian community in Jerusalem is suffering greatly. Our brothers and sisters are the victims of hate crimes. Our churches are regularly desecrated and vandalized. Our clergy are subject to frequent intimidation, he continued.

He believed the sworn intent of these radical groups is to extinguish the light of the Christian community from the Old City.

The patriarch noted that these radical groups, which were not representative of the state of Israel or the Jewish people, were seeking to occupy through illegitimate transactions two big buildings at the Jaffa Gate area, which lies on the pilgrim route to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church was built on the spot where both Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
UK govt official says 'conversion therapy' ban wont harm parents, faith leaders

A United Kingdom government official contends that the government's proposed ban on "conversion therapy," once written up, will provide conscience protections for religious groups and parents who hold traditional views on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch wrote a letter last Wednesday to members of Parliament outlining the government's proposal in the House of Commons Tuesday, which is slated to culminate in a bill published in full later this year. A copy of the minister's letter was emailed to The Christian Post.

Badenoch stated that the government intends to craft a bill that balances both protections for LGBT youth and respects the rights of religious beliefs and parents.

"Undertaking pre-legislative scrutiny on this legislation will ensure that the final legislation does not cause unintended consequences, is robust and receives appropriate scrutiny," wrote Badenoch.

"It will ensure the Bill is designed in such a way as to provide strong protections whilst ensuring faith leaders, parents, teachers or counsellors continue to be able to have exploratory conversations with people about their sexual orientation, sex or gender identity."

Badenoch added that the "freedom to express the teachings of any religion, as well as everyday religious practice, will not be affected by the ban."

Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said in a statement that he believes that letter from Badenoch "confirms what we've been saying for years," which is that a conversion therapy ban "is an absolute minefield, primarily because no one knows what it is."

"Activists used to say they wanted to outlaw brutal abuse like electro-shock therapy. But that's already illegal. Now they're admitting what they really want is to outlaw traditional theology and gender critical feminism," stated Calvert.

"They don't like women's activists and parents discouraging young people from rushing into gender transition. So they are weaponizing the language of 'safeguarding' to try to bounce Parliament into outlawing the opinions of their theological and philosophical opponents. This is not what the criminal law is for."

Also called "reparative therapy" or "sexual orientation changes efforts therapy," conversion therapy seeks to reduce or eliminate same-sex attraction in an individual.

In 2018, the U.K. government announced its intention to craft legislation banning conversion therapy, albeit with some conscience protections.

Conservative Christian groups in the U.K. expressed concern that such legislation would be used to target their organizations and parents who consider homosexuality to be sinful behavior.

In 2021, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson responded to these concerns, assuring that any new law would "continue to allow adults to receive appropriate pastoral support (including prayer), in churches and other religious settings, in the exploration of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the current government announced its intention to introduce a conversion therapy ban later this year to add protections for trans-identified individuals.

"The Bill will protect everyone, including those targeted on the basis of their sexuality, or being transgender," Michelle Donelan, the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"The legislation must not, through a lack of clarity, harm the growing number of children and young adults experiencing gender related distress, through inadvertently criminalizing or chilling legitimate conversations parents or clinicians may have with their children."
Va. lawmaker introduces Sages Law after girl is trafficked, kept from grandparents deemed unfit for 'misgendering'

A Virginia lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require schools to inform parents if their child is confused about their sexual identity in response to a girl being the victim of trafficking due to the system refusing to give custody to her grandparents who were deemed unsafe due to an incident of "misgendering."

State Delegate Dave LaRock announced Thursday that he introduced a bill, known as HB 2432 or "Sages Law, which requires anyone licensed as administrative or instructional personnel by the Board of Education and employed by a local school board to contact at least one parent of a student who self-identifies as trans to ask whether such parent is aware of the student's mental state and whether the parent wishes to obtain or has already obtained counseling for such student.

The inspiration for the proposed legislation was a recent story published by The Federalist about a 2021 incident in which a then 14-year-old girl named Sage (last name withheld) was trafficked and sexually assaulted in part because a court would not allow her grandmother (who had adopted her) to return home because she had not used the child's chosen male pronouns. At the time, the girl's grandparents were unaware of her gender confusion or that, while at school, the girl was identifying as a boy.

Sage, who at the time identified as male, enrolled at Appomattox County High School in August 2021 and experienced harsh bullying by some of the boys because of her confusion about her sexual identity. School officials had also delayed telling her grandmother because of their policy of keeping such information secret from parents and guardians.

Later, Sage was trafficked and ended up in Maryland, where she was forcibly kept in temporary custody and forced to live in a home for troubled boys with boys because a court had decided that her adopted grandparents were wrong to not affirm her trans identity, reported The Federalist.

From there, as the courts continued to deny custody to her adopted grandparents because they would not affirm her chosen sexual identity at the time, Sage was again trafficked and assaulted, eventually being rescued in Texas by U.S. Marshals in January 2022.

Sage has since renounced her former self-identification as a boy, according to The Federalist, with the teenager wanting the system to do a better job of protecting other youths who might be experiencing gender dysphoria.

In a statement posted on Facebook, LaRock said that Virginia law needs to be absolutely clear that affirming a childs biological sex does not justify taking a child away from their family.

Teachers, school counselors, social service workers and courts must respect the parents fundamental rights in the parent-child relationship by involving parents immediately when a child is experiencing serious challenges, stated LaRock.

The horrific treatment of Sage has shown the need to provide protections for parents and children in Virginia.

However, Democratic Delegate Danica Roem, an openly trans-identifying person elected to the General Assembly back in 2018, expressed opposition to the bill.

Even more children will be put in danger if the government interjects itself into the most personal of family discussions like this, regardless of whether its safe for the child to be out, claimed Roem, as quoted by WTKR.

The Virginia bill also states that if a student says that the reason for being at imminent risk of suicide relates to being an abused or neglected child  as the result of parental abuse or neglect, this contact shall not be made with the parent.

Instead, the person shall, as soon as practicable, notify the local department of social services of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred or the state Department of Social Services' toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline, the bill adds.
Church of England apologizes for treatment of LGBT people; Archbishop Welby won't bless gay couples

Bishops of the Church of England have apologized to the LGBT community for their "rejection and exclusion" within the denomination, saying they are now "welcome and valued" within the church.

The move comes two days after the denomination announced its support for a proposal allowing same-sex couples to receive "God's blessings." The denomination's senior bishop, Justin Welby, said he doesn't plan to offer blessings to same-sex couples at this time.

The denomination issued the apology Friday ahead of its General Synod's meeting next month in a report titled "Living in Love and Faith: A response from the Bishops of the Church of England about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage."

"We want to apologize for the ways in which the Church of England has treated LGBTQI+ people  both those who worship in our churches and those who do not," the bishops said in a statement accompanying the report, which follows six years of debate over the denomination's position on sexuality.

"For the times we have rejected or excluded you, and those you love, we are deeply sorry. The occasions on which you have received a hostile and homophobic response in our churches are shameful, and for this we repent."

"As we have listened, we have been told time and time again how we have failed LGBTQI+ people," the statement continues. "We have not loved you as God loves you, and that is profoundly wrong. We affirm, publicly and unequivocally, that LGBTQI+ people are welcome and valued: we are all children of God."

The Church of England has also drafted prayers and readings to "offer clergy a variety of flexible ways to affirm and celebrate same-sex couples in church, and will include prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and for God's blessing."

The proposed prayers, bishops said, will be "entirely discretionary," as the denomination's formal teaching in the canons and authorized liturgies remain unchanged  that Holy Matrimony is between one man and one woman for life.

"While there is a range of convictions held by the bishops about this important matter, we have not found sufficient consensus to propose a change in doctrine at the present time," the bishops stated.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Welby, the denomination's principal leader, said he would refrain from using the prayers himself.

"Because of my pastoral care and responsibility in being a focus of unity for the whole Communion, I will  while being extremely, joyfully celebratory of these new resources  I will not personally use them in order not to compromise that pastoral care," Welby said at a press conference Friday.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said he will offer blessings to same-sex couples but understands Welby's position.

"This is the fullest pastoral provision we can offer at the moment without changing legislation and that would take years anyway," Cottrell said. "Years and years. We can offer this soon, and I thank God for it. I hope it will be well received in our church and in our world."

On Wednesday, Welby said he is "under no illusions that what we are proposing today will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others."

"[B]ut it is my hope that what we have agreed will be received in a spirit of generosity, seeking the common good."

Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London and chair of the group of bishops tasked with forming the proposal, acknowledged that the process "has been costly and painful for many on all sides."

"We have been moved by what we have heard and seen," she said. "And what has come through very clearly, even though there continues to be disagreement among the bishops and among the wider church on these questions, is a strong desire to continue to share our life together in Christ with all our differences."

Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the British House of Commons, urged the Church of England to change its doctrinal teaching on same-sex marriage last week.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the conservative advocacy group Christian Concern and former lay member of the General Synod, said in a statement the apology could prove to be a "turning point" and signal the decline of the denomination.

"Christianity teaches that sexual expression is reserved for marriage between one man and one woman. Any other form of sexual relationships are sexually immoral," Williams said.
Tributes recall model example pastor, wife who died trying to save son from beach drowning

SAO PAULO, Brazil  Tributes are flowing in for a Brazilian evangelist and his wife who died trying to save their young teen son from drowning at the beach.

After the death of Pastor Felisberto Sampaio, 43, and his wife, Inalda Sampaio, 42, the Convention of Ministers of the Evangelical Church Assembly of God in Campina Grande/Paraiba State (COMEAD-CGPB) published a statement expressing its condolences.

"The couple had served the Lord for about 17 years and were loved by the entire church. We express our sincere condolences and ask for the prayers of the church for the entire bereaved family, so that the Holy Spirit may comfort their hearts at this time," the Assembly of God convention shared on Instagram.

The pastor and his wife were trying to save their 13-year-old son, Ian Sampaio, who was struggling in the water of Camacari beach, in Lucena, in the Metropolitan Region of Joao Pessoa, in the state of Paraiba, on Jan. 10. The parents died before reaching their son, but their child Ian was rescued by a fisherman and another family member, according to Brazilian news outlet Universo Online.

READ: Church mourns pastor, wife who died trying to save son from drowning at the beach

According to COMEAD-CGPB, the evangelist was a leader in the Quixaba congregation for 12 years and was at the time the coordinator and professor of the EBD (Sunday Biblical School), treasurer, and secretary of the Assembly of God Church in Quixaba. His wife, Inalda Ribeiro Sampaio, was the second coordinator of the field and women's group leader.

The General Convention of the Assemblies of God in Brazil (CGADB) also published a message of condolence:

"In this moment of pain and separation, the Board of Directors of CGADB sympathizes with family and friends, asking the Holy Spirit of God to console, comfort and strengthen them. 'Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalms 116.15'".

In social media posts, church members and friends expressed sadness and offered sympathy for the family.

On Instagram, user isaias885345, who describes the evangelist as a big friend, expressed, "May the God of consolation console all family and friends[.] [S]peechless friend".

And user m.a.t.e.u.s.23 writes: "I cannot describe the size of the shock that I had[.] [M]y feelings to the friend[']s brothers from all over the field of Catole de Boa Vist[.] Sister lnalda and brother Beto left their legacy as Christians, a model example of Christian[.] I have no words to express such grief and anguish that I feel at this moment, the entire church of Quixaba is in mourning."

On the COMEAD-CGPB Instagram page, user jocelitodantas commented that the evangelist and his wife are examples of men and women of God.

"An example of a man of God, a devoted father, and an exemplary husband[.] [S]ister Inalda, a holy woman of God[.] [M]ay the Lord Jesus Christ console all her family and friends. [I] had the honor of shepherding this family for 3 years[.] [R]est in peace, Ev. Beto and sister Inalda.

The president of the Assembly of God MadureiraCampo Feira de Santana, Pastor Enivaldo Moreira, wrote, "May the good God console all family, church and friends."

Some commenters brought up the beach policy banning swimming on busy beaches that may have contributed to the couple's tragic deaths, with user dariovianaa saying, "I'm sorry for my sincerity, but it's not the fault of the parents or the teenager[.] [I]t's the system that prohibits bathing on very busy beaches[.] [T]hen the system says look for deserted places[.] [T]he result is no lifeguards, no people around to help. [R]evolting. God help this teenager."

Others commented to honor the parents' attitude in trying to save their son. Instagram user josefaernestorego wrote, "A great proof of love. [T]hey are in glory with their father."

The devoted parents are survived by their two sons, Ian and his older brother Issac.
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.
Vimeo takes down 'Dead Name' documentary, forces film to launch new site

Vimeo has removed Dead Name, a documentary featuring three parents whose lives have been shaken and forever altered because their children have declared (or have been given) a transgender identity, from its platform.

On Monday, CP learned that Vimeo took down Dead Name less than two months after the documentary was published on the platform. The former video page now reads, Gone, baby, gone. Sorry, this page is no longer available.

"I was very distressed to find 'Dead Name' vaporized from Vimeo and without warning," filmmaker Taylor Reece of Broken Hearted films told The Christian Post on Monday. "The film had been up for 34 days. Sales and rentals were brisk. The response has been incredible from more than 16 countries around the world. But I wasn't 100 percent shocked because I am familiar with the force that the trans activists use to silence anyone who checks or questions their dogma."

She added: "No doubt this is disheartening and caused a temporary disruption, but we circumvented this setback ... Ironically, every time the trans activists cancel someone, whether it is a journalist, a filmmaker, or a comedian, inadvertently they raise the profile of the piece of work at hand and ultimately give it more sunlight and play than it might have had in the first place."

The film is now available to watch at deadnamedocumentary.com where viewers can purchase the film for $14.99 or rent it for $9.99.

Vimeo subscribers who purchased the film have not been refunded by the company, nor have they received an email about its decision to take down the film from its site.

Released on Dec. 20, Dead Name is an hour-length documentary that weaves back and forth between the stories of three parents whose children struggled with gender confusion due to outside influences.

Reads the film description: We learn how shocking it is for parents to hear that their children in their mid to late teens have seemingly out of nowhere decided to switch from female to male or from male to female. In another story, we follow one parent's nightmarish descent into the transgender world as her ex assigns a female gender to their very young son. In all these stories, we find parents struggling with disbelief, loneliness, helplessness, isolation and despair. Ultimately, each one's ultimate fear is the medicalized transition of their child  though in one story, the path to medicalization may have proven to be fatal.

It adds: Dead Name lets us in on the inner thoughts, the struggles, and the declarations to fight for children who feel lost to them. We have made 'Dead Name' to open the conversation, humanize the subject from the perspective of parents, and give them a voice.

CP commentator Brandon Showalter, who is featured in the film, tweeted that even those who paid for the film no longer have access to it.

What gives? Trans activists censor, that is what they do, he tweeted.

Just as this film was starting to gain some traction and moving people deeply because of its truly unique angle, POOF! Gone.

CP reached out to Vimeo for comment and will update this piece once a response is received.

On its website, Vimeo said it does not allow videos that are hateful, harass others, or include defamatory or discriminatory speech." It also claims to forbid content that displays a demeaning attitude toward specific groups," including videos that promote Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE).

In a previous review of the film, Showalter wrote that Dead Name spotlights issues that have largely gone unexamined.

As public scrutiny continues to grow about the long-term repercussions of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and the hastiness with which psychologically troubled young people are being prescribed such drugs, the potential medical harms are finally being debated more widely. But much less attention has been given to the splintering of families that gender medicalization has wrought, other than firsthand accounts from parents in spaces like the PITT substack and other online forums, he wrote.

Dead Name punctures the prevailing narrative around this highly fraught topic and is a poignant call to consider the perspectives of families that know what it feels like to be on the inside of this struggle.

This is not the first time a major platform has removed content that critiques the transgender movement.

In February 2021, Amazon removed scholar Ryan Andersons book, When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment, from its website. The book explores the meaning of human embodiment and public policy considerations related to transgender issues.

Amazon also removed the Kindle or Audible versions of the book from its website.

At the time, Anderson told CP that critics of his book had clearly not read it, as it earned praise from prominent medical experts and legal scholars.

"People who have actually read my book discovered that it was a thoughtful and accessible presentation of the state of the scientific, medical, philosophical and legal debates, Anderson said. Yes, it advances an argument from a certain viewpoint. No, it didnt get any facts wrong, and it didnt engage in any name-calling.
Authorities still searching for motive after 10 killed in Monterey Park mass shooting; suspect dead

Authorities are still searching for a motive after 10 people were murdered in a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, on Sunday after an individual entered a dance studio and opened fire on the people present.

Police have identified the suspected shooter as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, who was later found dead in a white cargo van about 30 miles away. A motive for the shooting remains unclear, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press conference.

Tran also allegedly attempted to commit a second shooting at another dance studio located in Alhambra, however, two individuals successfully disarmed him, authorities say.

Luna said that when authorities neared the white van after a traffic stop, they heard a single gunshot inside the vehicle, implying that Tran had killed himself.

During the search, several pieces of evidence were found inside the van linking the suspect to both locations in Monterey Park and Alhambra. In addition, a handgun was discovered inside the van, stated Luna.

I can confirm that there are no outstanding suspects from the mass shooting that occurred in the city of Monterey Park, and although that closes a portion of a very long day for all of us, the investigation is still ongoing.

Luna reported that the weapon recovered in Alhambra was a magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol which had an extended large-capacity magazine, but not an assault rifle.

On Saturday evening, a shooter entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, a predominantly Asian community near Los Angeles, killing 10 people and wounding 10 others.

Sources familiar with the investigation told NBC News that police stopped the van in the coastal city of Torrance, and Tran fit the description of a person seen at crime scenes in Monterey Park and Alhambra.

Authorities have not yet ruled whether the shooting was a hate crime or whether Tran knew any victims.

Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo told NBC's "Today" show that Tran had a history of visiting the dance hall, suggesting that the motive could be tied to "personal relationships." However, Lo stressed that no conclusions have yet been reached as police are still investigating.

President Joe Biden issued a statement in response to the mass shooting, noting that the attack occurred during the Lunar New Year, celebrated by many Asian Americans.

While there is still much we dont know about the motive in this senseless attack, we do know that many families are grieving tonight, or praying that their loved one will recover from their wounds, stated Biden.

As we await more crucial information from law enforcement, I want to assure the community of Monterey Park and the broader area that we will support you in every way we can.

Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security to mobilize full federal support to local and state authorities as they continue to respond and investigate this shooting.

The Monterey Park mass shooting comes less than a year after a Chinese American allegedly entered a Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California, and attempted to massacre a Taiwanese Christian congregation.

David Chou, 68, was charged with a hate crime for the Laguna Woods church shooting, killing one person and leaving a few others wounded before he was subdued.
Supreme Court rejects Daystar's lawsuit against Vimeo's removal of COVID-19 vaccine videos

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the Daystar Television Network, which is suing Vimeo over the website's decision to remove multiple anti-vaccine videos uploaded by the Christian ministry.

In an orders list released Monday morning, the high court denied certiorari without comment in the case of Word of God Fellowship v. Vimeo, Inc. et al., which allows a lower court ruling against Daystar to remain in effect.

On July 24, 2020, amid the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, Vimeo opted to remove five videos that Daystar uploaded promoting the claim of a causal link between vaccines and childhood autism.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing ASD."

In response, Daystar filed a lawsuit against Vimeo in New York County, claiming that the video-sharing website engaged in unjust enrichment and breach of contract.

The lower court dismissed the lawsuit, arguing that Vimeo was protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which gives legal immunity to technology companies regarding removing content on their platforms.

In March of last year, the First Department of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division upheld the lower court ruling against Daystar, with Justice Anil Singh authoring the unanimous opinion.

"The motion court held that liability was precluded by section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. We agree. Section 230 prevents lawsuits against Internet service providers for their good-faith decisions to remove content that they consider objectionable," wrote Singh.

"If service providers had to justify those decisions in court, or if plaintiffs could circumvent immunity through unsupported accusations of bad faith, section 230 would be a dead letter. This is as true for commercial users as for any other plaintiff. Therefore, we affirm dismissal of the complaint."

Vimeo General Counsel Michael Cheah said in a statement last year reported by the New York Post that he was "pleased" with the court's decision, adding that Vimeo "will continue to be diligent in removing content that spreads misinformation which can cause real-world harm."

In November 2021, Daystar joined the American Family Association in suing the federal government over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, arguing that the measure violated their beliefs.

"AFA and Daystar must obey God's Word. They have no other choice," stated the suit, in part. "AFA and Daystar have a sincerely held religious belief that they cannot force their employees to test their beliefs or conscience by requiring them to obtain any of the COVID-19 vaccines."
Why these pro-lifers continue to march even after Roe's reversal

WASHINGTON  A girl who was almost aborted, a man carrying a 65-pound cross and a woman marching in honor of her mother's legacy were among the thousands gathered in the nation's capital for the annual March for Life Friday, insisting that advocacy on behalf of the unborn remains vital as the pro-life movement enters a new era.

Demonstrators from across the nation gathered two days before the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. But what is different this year compared to the previous four decades of marches is that Friday marked the first March for Life since the nation's high court overturned Roe last June and ruled there is no constitutional right to abortion.

The landmark decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization is one that opponents of abortion have prayed for, and some, perhaps, never thought would happen in their lifetime.

Attendees spoke with The Christian Post, sharing their thoughts about the future of the pro-life movement and why they felt so passionate about marching even though the movement achieved its long-desired goal of overturning Roe.

The following pages highlight five reasons participants gave for attending this year's March for Life.

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Atheist group demands sheriff stop promoting jail baptisms after nearly 40 inmates baptized

One of the nation's leading atheist organizations has demanded that a sheriff in Indiana quit promoting Christianity on social media and baptizing inmates at a detention center.

Decatur County Sheriff David Durant's office has overseen multiple overtly Christian events and ministries at the detention center and celebrated these gatherings on his Facebook page.

In response, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent multiple letters of complaint to Durant regarding his office's promotion of Christianity and evangelism efforts.

The Christian Post reached out to the sheriff's office and learned that Durant lost an election last November and was replaced by Sheriff Bill Meyerrose, who took office at the first of the year.

Meyerrose told CP that he had not seen the FFRF complaint letters and doesn't yet have a specific response to them, though he was familiar with baptisms having been held at the detention center before he took office.

On Dec. 29, the official Decatur County Sheriff Facebook page posted photos from an event at the Decatur County Detention Center celebrating the baptisms of several inmates.

"What a great way to celebrate Christmas and a New Year! DCDC Chaplain Dave Burnett along with REC members baptized nearly 40 men and women after a personal, public profession of Jesus Christ in their lives," read the post.

"Over the past four years, nearly 300 men and women have given their life to Jesus Christ while incarcerated at the Decatur County Detention Center. All glory to GOD!"

Last week, FFRF Staff Attorney Christopher Line wrote to Durant to protest the promotion of Christianity and baptism events, arguing that "the Sheriff's Office has continued to push Christianity onto inmates."

"The DCDC is actively coercing inmates to participate in its religious programming, which is rampant throughout the Department. Any inmate aware of the DCDC's official support for, and celebration of inmates participating in, religious programs will not feel free to decline to participate," Line wrote in the January letter.

"This is constitutionally impermissible. The government cannot legally itself host sectarian religious events in its facility, or promote them in its official capacity. Nor can it use a County corrections center, with a literal captive audience, to proselytize and convert inmates to Christianity."

Line previously wrote a complaint letter outlining multiple instances of the sheriff's office hosting Christian events, celebrating baptisms and posting Bible verses to its Facebook page.

"Multiple concerned Decatur County residents have reported that the Decatur County Sheriff's Department has been promoting religion and explicitly affiliating itself with Christianity," wrote Line.

"We write to ensure that the Decatur County Sheriff's Department ceases its promotion of, and official affiliation with, Christianity on its official social media pages and through its religious events, programs, and activities in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment."

Line contends that while "the DCDC may permissibly accommodate the free exercise rights of its inmates by providing opportunities for religious worship, Decatur County and its employees may not organize, promote, or participate in these religious events and programs."

"Government employees can worship, pray, or quote any religious text they wish when acting in their personal capacities. But they are not permitted to use the machinery of a government office to advance their personal religion," continued Line.

"To avoid further Establishment Clause concerns and to protect the rights of its inmates and the general public, the Decatur County Sheriff's Department must refrain from promoting religion on social media and cease its coordination of religious programs and events."
Prostitution case against megachurch Pastor John Blanchard could be reopened after public outcry

After public outcry and the receipt of "new information," Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney Stacey Davenport of Virginia is requesting a special prosecutor to review whether a prostitution case against Rock Church International Pastor John Blanchard should be reopened.

"As a result of new information related to the case of John Blanchard that was provided to my office less than 48 hours ago, I intend to move the court to appoint a special prosecutor to determine whether this case should be prosecuted," Davenport said in a brief statement Thursday.

"Due to the repeated public comments and unfounded political attacks levied upon my office by both Chesterfield County Police Chief Jeffery Katz and Delegate Tim Anderson, I cannot ethically make any decisions on whether or not this new information should impact future prosecutorial decisions in this matter."

Blanchard was among 17 men accused of solicitation of prostitution after an online sting operation by police on Oct. 29, 2021. The married father of two was charged with solicitation of prostitution of a minor and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution, which are felonies. He was arrested at a hotel where he was supposed to meet a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl.

After almost a year of legal maneuvering, the charges against Blanchard were withdrawn or nolle prossed ahead of a criminal trial in October. A case that is nolle prossed means prosecutors could potentially bring those charges again.

A report from the Chesterfield County Police Department said Davenport cited a "lack of evidence" in not moving forward with the case against Blanchard, WRIC reported.

Earlier this month, Chesterfield County Police Chief, Col. Jeffrey S. Katz, spoke publicly about the case after Blanchard's attorney filed a motion to "seal all police or court records, transcripts, and investigative records associated with this case" and "has decided to consent to render these records unavailable to the public, which  upon approval by a judge  would make sharing of these transcripts, the report, or any other documents, previously released under FOIA a crime."

Katz called the move "bewildering," mainly because his investigators have presented cases with less compelling evidence that led to a conviction.

"When someone: 1. Rents a car, 2. Texts a phone number posted on a known sex worker website, 3. Solicits a 'qv' ('John' lingo for a 'quick visit'), 4. Makes multiple inquiries if the person he's texting is 'affiliated with law enforcement,' 5. Drives two and a half hours to a hotel and knocks on the hotel room door  as directed by our undercover '17-year-old,' I believe a jury of Chesterfield County residents deserves to weigh in on the matter of criminal culpability," he wrote.

Reacting to Davenport's announcement in a statement on Facebook Thursday, Katz said the "wheels of justice are back in motion."

"Good. I have privately - and then publicly - requested reasonable answers to reasonable questions; questions many are rightfully askingquestions that now actually stand a chance of getting answered. If Ms. Davenport chooses to frame those questions as a political attack, so be it. The wheels of justice are back in motion," he wrote. "For whatever the motivation, thank you Stacey T. Davenport."
High school counselor invites witches who gave students crystals, loses job

A Catholic high school counselor in Pennslyvania lost her job after inviting three "witches" to speak to students, who gave them crystals that Wiccans believe have alleged special powers.

A career and college counselor at North Catholic High School was placed on leave and later resigned following an investigation by the schools administration, Pittsburgh news outlet KDKA-TV reports, while not revealing the counselors identity.

According to Michelle Peduto, the director of Catholic education for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, the students themselves expressed concerns about the planned visit by the witches before Christmas break and brought it to the attention of the schools administrators.

We followed our process and protocol and as of today, actually, a few days, she's not with the school anymore, Peduto was quoted as saying.

Peduto said the school puts its faith in Jesus Christ, not in objects such as crystals.

"Rosary beads? Yes, but crystals, no," Peduto told KDKA-TV Investigator Andy Sheehan.

The three individuals who identify as witches were invited to speak to juniors and seniors about marketing. The women own a store called Elemental Magick, which sells crystals, skulls and scented candles that they claim possess special powers. They, however, emphasized they do not use or conjure any dark forces.

No, absolutely, we dont believe in that. We worship as Wiccans. We worship nature. So our elements  earth, air, water and fire  thats what we worship, Tabitha Latshaw, one of the three women, told Sheehan.

The women also stated that the students were told it was for increased concentration and would be helpful for studying, and they were allowed to choose their own crystals, like fluorite.

Latshaw said she was not raised Catholic and didnt know that giving students crystals would be considered an offense. In a post on Facebook, Latshaw clarified that Wiccans don't worship Satan, who is part of a Christian belief system.

The counselor told KDKA-TV that she didn't intend to impart the women's beliefs to students. She maintains that while she was placed on administrative leave and then given the option to resign, there basically wasn't any alternative for her but to resign.

"I should have had more conversation with them specifically about the crystal situation, but again it didn't ping for me something that would be such a big issue," she said.

According to Helen A. Berger of Brandeis University near Boston, Wicca is part of the larger contemporary pagan movement whose adherents call themselves witches regardless of gender. The movement began in the United Kingdom in the 1940s.

The population of individuals identifying as witches has grown in the United States in recent decades as interest in astrology and witchcraft practices have become more popular.

In 2018, Quartz noted that while data was sparse, the practice of witchcraft had grown concurrently with the rise of the witch aesthetic.

Trinity College in Connecticut conducted three extensive and detailed religion surveys between 1990 and 2008, finding that Wicca experienced significant growth. In 1990, there were an estimated 8,000 Wiccans; by 2008, that number had grown to around 340,000 practitioners. Additionally, the surveys estimated that there were approximately 340,000 Pagans in 2008.

The rapid increase in the number of self-identified witches was not unexpected, given the philosophical and spiritual trends in culture, some said in response.

It makes sense that witchcraft and the occult would rise as society becomes increasingly postmodern. The rejection of Christianity has left a void that people, as inherently spiritual beings, will seek to fill, author Julie Roys, formerly of Moody Radio, told The Christian Post at the time.

Plus, Wicca has effectively repackaged witchcraft for millennial consumption. No longer is witchcraft and paganism satanic and demonic," she said, "it's a 'pre-Christian tradition' that promotes 'free thought' and 'understanding of earth and nature.'"

Pew Research Center studied the issue in 2014, discovering that 0.4 percent of Americans, approximately 1 to 1.5 million people, identified as Wicca or pagan, meaning their communities continued to experience significant growth, according to Quartz.

Sarah Anne Sumpolec, a former self-described "teenage witch" who struggled with suicidal thoughts, later said on Billy Hallowell's The Playing With Fire Podcast" that her life was transformed after she turned to Jesus Christ.

At the age of 15, Sumpolec began experimenting with witchcraft, visiting New Age bookstores, conducting seances and using Tarot cards.

In a blog post for CBN, titled Confessions of a Teenage Witch, she warned that while there is a prince of the power of the air, thats not the end of the story. She contends that "any supernatural power that does not come directly from God comes from Satan."

Since the power source that witchcraft taps into comes from Satan, a lot of stuff actually happens. I dont even like to think about the things I saw, she wrote. Yet, just because stuff happens doesnt mean that its truth. Satan does have some limited power on Earth, so thats why psychics are sometimes right and why witchcraft seems to work. Dont mistake Satans power for Gods. They cant even compare!
25 churchgoers abducted from worship service in Nigeria; pastor shot

ABUJA, Nigeria  Terrorists attacked a church service in northwestern Nigeria on Sunday, shot and wounded the pastor and kidnapped 25 congregation members, sources said.

The assailants stormed into the morning worship service of New Life for All Church in Katsina states Dantsauri village, Gidan Haruna District, Kankara County, said Gambo Isah of the Katsina State Police Command.

A distress call was received that terrorists in their numbers, shooting sporadically, invaded Dantsauri village in Kankara, Isah said in a statement. The terrorists shot one Pastor Haruna on his hand and kidnapped five women who were in a Sunday service in their church.

While Isah mentioned five females (including two minors) kidnapped, area residents and the Senior Special Assistant on Christian Affairs to Gov. Aminu Bello Masari, the Rev. Ishaya Jurau, told media that 25 church members were kidnapped, and that nine of them soon escaped.

Police spokesman Isah identified the five kidnapped females as Rabi Isiaku, 15; Nooseba Shuaibu, 13; Rabi Saidu, 36; Rabi Baba, 49; and Saratu Hadi, 27. He said the pastor received treatment at General Hospital, Kankara.

Area resident Francis Sardauna said in a text message to Morning Star News that the assailants arrived on motorcycles.

Terrorists attacked a local Christian assembly  shot the pastor of the church and abducted 25 worshippers, Sardauna said.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused. Nigeria also had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity.
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By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Georgia is the best venue for negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Georgian First Vice Parliament Speaker Gia Volski said.

"We have special relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Many people of Armenian and Azerbaijani origins live in Georgia, and the best venue for negotiations between these two parties is Georgia," the official opined.

He emphasized the importance of Georgias role in the settlement of relations between the two neighboring countries, especially if it is supported by the international community.

In the same vein, speaking at a panel discussion as part of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that "Georgia is indeed a neutral and impartial mediator in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia".

Similarly, Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party MP Mikheil Sarjveladze underlined the countrys interest in peace in the South Caucasus.

"No one can benefit from military operations in the region, in close proximity to us. Georgia is interested in peace and is ready to take on specific responsibilities and perform specific functions in order for our efforts to be effective," Sarjveladze told reporters.

According to him, it is vital for Georgia to establish lasting peace in the region.

Notably, the comments were sparked by the recent remarks of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan that Yerevan is considering the idea of holding a meeting with the participation of the heads of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. At the same time, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has earlier stated that Azerbaijan offered Armenia a trilateral format of negotiations in Georgia, but was refused.
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Canada continues to be one of the worlds most popular destinations for international students. With an excellent standard of education and internationally accredited schoolsCanada hosts a huge number of students from abroad every yearwelcoming close to 450,000 new international students in 2021 alone.

While Canada does host many international students annually, there are also those who receive refusals of their study permit applications. Giving careful consideration to the eligibility criteria set by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the discretion of the IRCC immigration officer reviewing their application can be crucial to success when applying.

Discover your options to study in Canada

Make sure you are eligible

In particular, to receive a study permit, applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria. This includes applicants showing that they:

Have been accepted to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI); a DLI is an institution that is authorized by a provincial or territorial government to host international students;

Are a law-abiding citizen, with no criminal record, and not a risk to the security of Canada. A police clearance certificate(s) may be required as well; and

Are in good health and willing to complete a medical exam if needed.

However, understand that acceptance or refusal of a study permit application is also influenced by the discretion of the reviewing immigration officer.

Discretion of your immigration officer

Giving immigration officers as much assurance as possible that an applicant can satisfy the terms of their stay as a student, can be pivotal to success.

Outside of ineligibility, there are two recurring themes to why applications get refused (though others do exist); involving individuals failing to convince immigration officers that:

The actual purpose of their visit to Canada is to studybetween 2019 and 2021, 77% of study permit refusals were due to IRCC not being satisfied that the purpose of the applicants visit was to study; and

They will leave Canada at the end of their stay26% of refusals of study permit applications (in the same time period) were due to IRCC not being satisfied that applicants would leave Canada based on their personal assets and financial status.

With this consideration, individuals applying should review whether their applications show as clearly as possible. For example, applicants will likely have a better chance of approval if they:

Make sure they show a clear, logical progression in studies from previous education to Canadian education being pursued;

Make sure they can show proof of finances through authorized documentation;

Ensure they meet the English/French requirements for immigration;

Explain any long gaps in their studies in their application;

Make evident their intent to leave Canada after the duration of their studies;

Ensuring they complete a dual intent application if they have applied for permanent residence (PR) at the same time. Dual intent is when a foreign national who has applied (or may apply) for PR also applies to enter Canada for a temporary period as a visitor, worker, or student; and

Include any other documentation/information they can within their applications to give confidence to the officer reviewing their study permit.

In addition, applicants can look at streams of study permits that they may be eligible for. For example, the Student Direct Stream is a preferential path to receive a Canadian study permit, for citizens of specific countries. Acceptance rates are generally higher for applications under this stream, due to its higher eligibility criteria; applicants accepted will benefit from expedited processing times.

Next steps if your application has been refused

While receiving a study permit refusal can be frustrating, applicants can still take steps to pursue studying in Canada, and even increase their chances of acceptance when re-applying.

Applicants can take stock of what the reasons for their refusal were (as included in their refusal letter), and adjust their applications accordingly. Unless specifically stated, IRCC does not have an interim period between applications, so applicants can re-apply as soon as they are ready.

Lastly, if (based on the reasons stated in the refusal letter), an applicant suspects that they have been refused wrongly (and that they do meet the eligibility criteria), they may apply for a review of their decision by the Federal Court of Canada.

Discover your options to study in Canada

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Guide Dogs UK has moved out of a London office-share with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) after the latter ended the lease on its building.

In December, Guide Dogs London-based staff moved from RNIBs old office on Judd Street to the British Medical Associations building in Tavistock Square.

RNIB accepted an offer for its Judd Street office in 2021 for an undisclosed sum and plans to move out in the coming weeks. The property has been valued at 21.6m.

An understanding of accessibility requirements

Chris Austin, Guide Dogs head of property services, explained that co-sharing office space was beneficial for both parties.

As vision impairment charities, there were many places the charities missions overlapped, which made it easier for them to work together.

Austin said: Guide Dogs was fortunate to have the RNIB as the landlord of our London Community site for five years. This arrangement offered a range of benefits to both the staff who worked there and our joint service users beyond the typical landlord/tenant commercial agreement.



There was a built-in willingness to support the charitys requirements and an understanding of the accessible requirements that people with sight loss who used the building would require. This made fitting the space with things such as tactile surfaces, handrails and clear contrasts signage a far simpler process.



Similarly, because there are many members of staff at RNIB who are guide dog owners, there was a natural understanding about on-site dog access and their requirements within a working office. Staff and dog welfare was considered equally important and their needs were accommodated in a flexible way.

However, Guide Dogs has now moved into a larger building, and Austin admitted there were some benefits to having more tenants in the building.

Weve only been in our new home in London for a couple of months but when all our dogs were evacuated in a recent fire alarm drill, it offered the perfect opportunity to talk to lots of new people about the benefits of volunteering for guide dogs, he said.

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 21)  The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of five dismissed delivery riders of e-commerce site Lazada, ordering the company to reinstate them with full backwages.

In a 24-page ruling dated Sept. 21, 2022 but publicly released on Jan. 20, Friday, the high court ordered Lazada E-Services Philippines, Inc. to reinstate Chrisden Cabrera Ditiangkin, Hendrix Masamayor Molines, Harvey Mosquito Juanio, Joselito Castro Verde, and Brian Anthony Cubacub Nabong.

Lazada must also pay the riders' full backwages, 13th month pay, cash bond deposit, and other benefits and privileges they are entitled to, computed from the time of dismissal up to the time of actual reinstatement.

The case is sent to the Labor Arbiter, which is ordered to compute the total monetary benefits due to the riders.

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who penned the promulgation, said the riders were regular workers and not independent contractors, overturning the previous decision of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the Court of Appeals (CA).

"When the status of the employment is in dispute, the employer bears the burden to prove that the person whose service it pays for is an independent contractor rather than a regular employee with or without fixed terms," Leonen said.

He explained the Supreme Court applied the four-fold and economic-dependence tests in determining whether an employer-employee relationship existed between Lazada and the petitioners.

It found that the four factors  employer's selection and engagement of the employee, payment of wages, power to dismiss, and power to control the employee's conduct  were present.

For the second test, the court found that petitioners, who were directly hired by the respondents at that time, have been economically dependent on them.

On the argument that there is no employer-employee relationship between them based on the contract, the Supreme Court explained: "However, protection of the law afforded to labor precedes over the nomenclature and stipulations of the ContractThus, it is patently erroneous for the labor tribunals to reject an employer-employee relationship simply because the Contract stipulates that this relationship does not exist."

The petitioners filed the complaint before the NLRC in Jan. 2017, after finding out that they were removed from their usual routes and would no longer be given any schedule.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22)  Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc sought to suspend the importation of 21,060 metric tons (MT) of onions, which the government claimed will help address the shortage and rising costs.

In their House Joint Resolution 18, Party-list Representatives Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, France Castro of ACT Teachers, and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan claimed the importation would harm local farmers  especially as the onion harvest season approaches.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also the Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary, approved this month the importation of onions  citing the skyrocketing prices of the commodity.

"The rising prices of onions in the market is not merely a problem on the supply but a manifestation of the long-standing issue of price manipulation, profiteering, and hoarding of onion cartels and large traders," Brosas said in a statement Sunday.

RELATED: Lawmaker seeks House probe into alleged onion cartel

According to the DA's price monitoring, a kilogram of onion sells for up to 400 in Metro Manila as of Jan. 20, five times higher than the cost in June last year.

EXPLAINER: Why onions in PH are now more expensive than meat

Brosas argued that the increase in onion prices should not be used as reason for the country to return to importation, citing how the Rice Tarification Law affected rice farmers.

"What the government must do is to strengthen local production and provide subsidy for distraught farmers. But with Marcos Jr. resorting to importation, big cartels and hoarders are now off the hook in this issue that has gravely affected the poor," Brosas stressed.

Marcos earlier said the country is "forced" to import agricultural products such as onions due to insufficient local production and rampant smuggling in the country.

CNN Philippines has reached out to the DA for comments.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed the Philippines was part of a "VIP Club" of Southeast Asian countries with the best-performing economies at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

"Mabuti naman at nakapunta tayo rito, dahil sa pagpunta natin, nasama tayo sa tinatawag nilang VIP Club 'Yung VIP Club ay Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines. 'Yun daw ang pinakamagandang ekonomiya sa Asya," Malacanang quoted the president as saying on Sunday.

[Translation: It's good that we were able to go there and participate because we were included in what they call VIP Club The VIP Club is Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines  countries that have the best economies in Asia.]

There was no additional information as to how the VIP Club was created  since Malaysia's economy grew by 14.2% in the third quarter of 2022  or if it was just simply an acronym.

Marcos attended the WEF on Jan. 16 to 20 to present the country's economic situation. The president also had business meetings that he said, "held promise of new investments in many of our economic sectors."

RELATED: Marcos on criticisms vs PH delegation to WEF: We tried to be complete

"The process that we undertook really in Davos was not simply to highlight the new situation, the new economic situation, the new policies, and the new concepts that we are promoting in the Philippines today, but also to learn from the world leaders and the world economic leaders what part the Philippines can play in this fragmented world," Marcos said in his arrival speech on Saturday.

He also pitched the Maharlika Investment Fund to top business executives and fellow world leaders during the forum, which Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel criticized as "premature" and would "tie the hands of Congress."

This was Marcos' eighth foreign trip since he took office on June 30 last year. He is eyeing to visit Japan by mid-February. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/6/marcos-japan-trip-mid-february.html

RECAP: Marcos' int'l trips in first 7 months in office
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he hopes former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo will still be part of his administration, but adds it will not be as presidential adviser.

"That's really not been part of the plan for Erwin. We have other plans for him, not as presidential adviser," Marcos said at a media conference in Malacanang on Monday.

Marcos recognized Tulfo's work as chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and thinks he can be an asset to the government.

"Because whatever we say, the difficulties that he faced with the Commission on Appointments, the time that he was running the DSWD, he did a very good job. We can't lose that kind of an asset," he added.

"We'll find something that he can do so we can take advantage of his good instincts when it comes to social service."

The CA bypassed Tulfo for a second time in December. The president has named Undersecretary Eduardo Punay as officer-in-charge of the DSWD later that month.

The CA deferred Tulfo's appointment due to his four libel convictions as a columnist and questions over his citizenship after he served in the United States military in 1998.

Marcos did not say what position Tulfo could take in his administration.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it will soon ask Congress for an additional 3 billion to increase teachers honoraria for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this October.

Hopefully well be able to ask Congress by the second week of February to the third week of February because we have to understand that Congress will be adjourning by March so kinakailangan po naming mai-push kaagad yun pong ating (we need to immediately push our) proposed supplemental budget, Comelec Chairman George Garcia told CNN Philippines The Source.

Earlier, Garcia told reporters that there will be no increase in the teachers honoraria in the BSKE after the poll bodys proposed 10 billion supplemented budget did not push through.

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."

Garcia said the teachers honoraria for the BSKE polls only ranges from 4,000 to 6,000, compared to the 8,000 to 10,000 distributed during automated elections.

If the additional 3 billion will be granted, the honoraria can be increased by 2,000 each, he noted.

This is very much needed since the village-level polls are manually conducted, Garcia said.

We have to understand the electoral board members for this Barangay and SK elections, because we are going to conduct the elections manually, they will serve for a longer period of time, he said. If Congress will be kind enough to give us this discretion, kahit po tig-2,000 additional for our electoral board members I think maganda-ganda na yun (2,000 additional for each of our electoral board members I think that will be nice).

After being postponed a number of times, Comelec is confident that the BSKE will be finally held this October 30.

So far, over a million have registered since registration started in December.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  There is no more reason to postpone the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as preparations are all on track, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

The law is there and Congress had said before that this would be the last postponement, Comelec chairman George Garcia told CNN Philippines The Source, referring to the law that moved the village-level polls from December 2022 to October 2023.

Comelec is 100% prepared already for the conduct of the Barangay and SK Elections, so I think there is no more need to postpone, there is no more reason to postpone in view of our preparation and likewise our people are now ready to vote ito na po iyon, matutuloy na po tayo ngayong (this is it, we will push through this) October 30, he added.

Garcia said the procurement of election paraphernalia is complete, and 50% of the 91 million ballots needed were printed. Printing and verification of ballots will be completed by second week of February, he noted.

So far, around 1.028 million Filipinos have registered during the ongoing registration that will end on Jan. 31. Garcia said the poll body expects 1.5 million to 2 million additional voters for the upcoming polls.

Garcia reiterated Comelecs call for Filipinos to register as early as possible since an extension is already unlikely.

He reminded the public that the poll body currently has the Register Anywhere program. Through this, voters can register in any Comelec or designated government office where this service is being offered even if its location is not where they will be casting their vote on election day.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  The Department of Health recorded 1,891 new COVID-19 cases during the week of Jan. 16 to 21, down 35% from the previous week.

The latest tally brings the daily average number of cases to 270, DOH reported on Monday in its weekly bulletin.

Of the new cases, DOH said four patients were in severe and critical condition.

A total of 104 deaths due to COVID-19 were also verified, including seven that occurred on Jan. 9 to 22.

According to the agency, 16.1% of the 2,229 intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 were occupied.

DOH also said 94.52% or 73 million individuals of the target population are vaccinated against COVID-19, while 21 million people received their booster shots.

In a Twitter post, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said the countrys positivity rate decreased from 3.7% to 2.4% as of Jan 21. Positivity rate refers to the percentage of all COVID-19 tests that are positive on a given period.

On Jan. 22, Davids post showed that Metro Manila logged the most number of COVID-19 cases with 104, followed by Western Visayas and Calabarzon with 23 cases and Davao Region with 22 cases.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is investigating the reported police harassment of a widowed onion farmer in Pangasinan who testified in a Senate hearing last week.

The DILG on Sunday said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos ordered their Ilocos Region and Pangasinan offices to look into the incident allegedly involving the Bayambang municipal police.

Earlier, Senator Imee Marcos criticized the DILG after police repeatedly visited the house of onion farmer Nanay Merly who told lawmakers that her husband took his own life due to the dire agricultural situation.

The senator said police made the move  which she likened to how government forces targeted communist rebels  upon the orders of the DILG and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

READ: Sen. Marcos slams harassment of onion farmers by DILG, NTF-ELCAC

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the DILG will immediately provide Marcos and the public with updates on the probe.

Mataas ang respeto namin sa mga magsasaka dahil mahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan nila sa seguridad ng pagkain at maayos na nutrisyon ng ating bansa, the DILG chief said.

[Translation: We have a high regard for farmers, because they play an important role in ensuring food security and proper nutrition of the country.]

The Philippine National Police is also conducting its own probe into the incident.

During the Senate hearing last week, it was revealed that farmers were forced to sell their onions for 8 to 15 per kilo during the harvest season in 2022 due to a cold storage shortage.

They later found out that traders sold their produce for up to 700 per kilo in Metro Manila markets from September to December.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday condemned the murder of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait.

The burnt body of 35-year-old domestic helper Jullebee Ranara was found in the desert on Sunday evening, the DMW said in a statement.

The department said Kuwaiti authorities have confirmed they have arrested the suspect  the son of Ranara's employer.

An Arab Times report said autopsy showed the Filipino woman was pregnant. It said the suspect was a 17-year-old Kuwaiti national.

Ranara is the latest OFW killed in Kuwait, host to over 240,000 Filipinos. The Philippines had earlier imposed a labor deployment ban to Kuwait after the gruesome deaths of several Filipino domestic workers there.

"Secretary Ople and the entire department condemns this heinous crime and urges the Kuwaiti government to work on the early resolution of the case and its perpetrators brought to justice," the DMW statement added.

READ: PH gov't seeks justice for OFW death in Kuwait

Ople also reached out to the bereaved family of Ranara and said the department will provide them all the necessary support they need at their time of grief.

The DMW said it is awaiting Kuwaiti authorities' official report on the incident.

The department is closely monitoring developments on the case alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In April 2018, the Philippines imposed a workers deployment ban to Kuwait following the killing of Filipina domestic helper Joanna Daniela Demafelis, who was found in a freezer at an abandoned apartment in the Gulf state.

The ban was partially lifted the same year, after the two countries signed a protection agreement for Filipino workers in Kuwait.

But in May 2019, the Labor Department said 47-year-old overseas Filipino worker Constancia Lago Dayag died at the hands of her employer in Kuwait. Another worker, Jeanelyn Villavende, was reported killed in December 2019, prompting the government to impose a total deployment ban to Kuwait in January 2020.

The ban was lifted in February 2020, after the filing of murder charges against Villavende's employers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Presidential adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed that his appointment in the Department of National Defense (DND) is just as senior undersecretary and officer-in-charge  similar to the position of resigned defense chief Jose Faustino Jr.

Galvez said the Office of the President gave him such a designation so he will no longer need to hurdle the Commission on Appointments.

But the defense chief emphasized that the title is not important for as long as he holds the top-most position in the DND.

"It doesn't matter," he added, referring to the position. "Ang importante (Whats important), we put leadership in DND so that it will be seamless and stable."

On Jan. 9, Presidential Communications Office OIC Cheloy Garafil confirmed that Faustino resigned from his post as DND chief, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered Galvez the DND position.

READ: Galvez accepts appointment as Defense secretary

The new DND senior undersecretary is a former military chief-of-staff and also the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

He also served as the vaccine czar during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, under former president Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: Senate to conduct probe on non-disclosure of vaccine procurement contracts

As the new DND chief, Galvez said the marching order of Marcos is to ensure that the sovereignty of the country will be protected and not an inch of the country's territory will be lost under his leadership.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday criticized state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for still allowing two POGO service providers to operate despite their involvement in a kidnap-for-ransom case.

"Do you think this is effective regulation? After 30 days wala kayong ginawa (you did nothing)? There is no sense of urgency within Pagcor in so far as dealing with crimes. That's the problem," Gatchalian said during a Senate hearing.

Even before the release of the report, Pagcor's Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, the new head of the offshore gaming and licensing department, said Pagcor slapped an initial 500,000 fine.

Fernandez also said Pagcor would coordinate with authorities.

However, Gatchalian said it was "unacceptable" for Pagcor to act only now, over 30 days after the case was revealed during Sen. Grace Poes privilege speech last December.

"None of the POGO operators, especially those involved in crimes, respects us kasi mabagal tayo at 'yung punishment natin (because we're slow and our punishment is just) 500,000," he said.

"Sana you went to the police station, you did your own action. Why wait? The privilege speech was already a trigger to you," he added.

Pagcor apologized and vowed to look into the criminal case, adding that registered POGOs involved in any criminal case will face deportation and have their licenses revoked.

"If I were you, these two companies should be banned completely. Don't allow them to come in our shores," Gatchalian said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Gaming regulatory officials received a dressing down in the Senate over a questionable multi billion-peso auditing contract.

At a Senate hearing on Monday, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian grilled Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) after it bared a 6-billion contract for Global ComRCI to audit gross gaming revenues of offshore gaming operators in 2017.

Photos presented during the hearing, however, showed that instead of office space, a house was instead built at the address submitted by Global ComRCI to the regulator.

"This supposedly office was the basis to approve the third party auditor but nowhere can this be an office of a credible third-party auditor," Gatchalian said.

He said while Global ComRCI seemed to meet the 1-billion operating capital requirement, it was certified by a certain Soleil Chartered Bank which was not registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

"Modus seems to be they issue some sort of guarantee, bank guarantee or letter of credit. Supplier will sell based on that guarantee," he said. "Either nabudol kayo or nagpabudol kayo [Either you were deceived or you let them deceive you]."

In response, Pagcor said it will look into the issue and get Global ComRCI's side. The company did not send a representative to the hearing.

Gatchalian said some offshore gaming operators and former Pagcor officials were potential accomplices in hiring Global ComRCI.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is confident that his overseas trips would provide a return on investment (ROI).

The way I see it, you have to look at it as ROI. Do we bring something back or do we not? For example, we came back from China with pledges of $22 billion. Lets say we get (an) actual $1 billion, bawing-bawi lahat ng eight trips [we recoup the expenses from the eight trips]. Thats the idea, Marcos said in an interview on Monday.

The presidents answer came after he was asked about the breakdown of average expenses during his foreign trips. Marcos said he did not have the exact figures at hand.

Marcos also pointed out that he did not only get investment pledges in China, but also in the other seven countries he has visited since he assumed office in June 2022  Indonesia, Singapore, the United States, Cambodia, Thailand, Belgium, and Switzerland.

Just one of the MOUs (memorandums of understanding)  napakahina naman kung isa lang makukuha natin  pero sabihin nating isa lang, bawi na lahat ng trip ko, he said.

[Translation: Just one of the MOUs  it seems unlikely that well only get one  but let's say just one, we recoup the expenses from all of my trips.]

Marcos emphasized that rather than focusing on costs, the effectiveness of his state trips should be measured by the time and effort put into representing the nation.

The chief executive further defended his delegation during his overseas trips, saying that most of them, particularly the members of the private sector, travel on their own.

Progressive lawmakers earlier said they are planning to call for an inquiry into Marcos Davos trip to find out who paid for the delegations expenses.

This comes in the wake of a Vera Files report that claimed at least 70 people accompanied the president to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

Fewer foreign trips in 2023

Marcos announced he is cutting back on his international visits for the rest of the year to focus on consolidating and following up on the investment deals he made with other countries during his trips.

Kailangan namin i-detalye yung aming pinag-usapan. Sino ba dito, tungkol dito, sino ba ang kinausap natin? Ano ba ang aming usapan. Dito sa lahat ng project na sinasabi, ano ba ang i-prioritize natin diyan? Hindi pa namin nagagawa dahil busy kami, biyahe kami ng biyahe, he said.

[Translation: We need to discuss in detail what we talked about. Who did we talk to? What did we talk about? Of all the projects mentioned, what should we prioritize? We haven't done it yet because we're busy with the trips.]

According to Marcos, his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in the United States in November is the only confirmed presidential trip so far.

The president is tentatively scheduled to visit Japan in February, following the invitation of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in September last year.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked senators to take their time and carefully review the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill, even if he prefers the measure to quickly sail through the Upper House.

Suriin ninyong mabuti. Mas maganda na matapos sa lalong madaling panahon pero hindi naman dapat imadali dahil napakaimportante ng bawat salita na ilalagay sa batas na yun, Marcos said in an interview on Monday.

[Translation: Check it carefully. It is better to finish as soon as possible but it should not be rushed because every word that will be put in that law is very important.]

According to Marcos, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has announced the possibility of Senate deliberations on the MIF bill to be over by the Holy Week or the first week of April.

That would be good, but sa akin, mas importante na maging tama kaysa maging mabilis [That would be good, but to me, it's more important to be right than to be quick]. We have to get it right. Getting it wrong would be a very bad mistake, Marcos said.

The House of Representatives passed the measure on third and final reading in December, while government representatives touted the fund at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland last week.

Senator Mark Villar filed the Senate version of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill, or Senate Bill 1670, on Jan. 12.

The Senate bill still includes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as a funding source for the MIF, which was supposedly removed in the version re-engineered by a four-man panel headed by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.

Money laundering concerns

In the interview, Marcos also addressed concerns about the MIF becoming a money laundering tool.

The worry about the fund being used as a money laundering device implies that private monies will be put into the fund. Yes, private monies will be put into the fund but its not a savings account that you just put there and stays there, Marcos explained.

According to Marcos, the only time money will enter or leave the fund is when it is necessary to invest in a certain partnership or program.

On our end, we will only deploy funds when theres a specific project to be paid for so money laundering does not come in, he said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Senior Deputy Minority Leader Paul Daza, who voted in favor of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill in the House of Representatives, on Monday said he was not informed that the proposed measure was revised.

In fact I was surprised, so I know as much as you do. Knowing Speaker Martin Romualdez, Im sure in his own time, which I think will be in the next few weeks, will disclose what these revisions will be. He is legally bound to do that eventually, he told CNN Philippines The Source.

In a television interview last week, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, who is part of the four-man panel which revised the proposed measure, said the "re-engineered" version of the MIF bill will drop the dividends from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as capital source. It will be funded instead by surpluses from government-owned and controlled corporations before it is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and before the conduct of an initial public offering.

Some House members questioned the revision as the proposed measure was already approved at the lower chamber.

Daza said this was unusual as the MIF bill is supposed to be in the Senate for deliberation.

While he has yet to see the details of the revisions, Daza said publicly listing the Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC)which will manage the MIFmight be a good thing because it will be subjected to many transparency requirements by the Philippine Stock Exchange.

There will be much more financial scrutiny because before you get publicly listed, you have to realize there is a long process for that and thats privately led by the stock exchange and the SEC, he added.

The congressman also said he hopes the bill will be further improved, like having the private sector appointing the chairman of the Board of Directors and have more of its members be from the private sector.

According to the published version of the MIF bill that was approved last December, the 15-member board of the MIC will be headed by the Finance secretary, and only five of the members will be from the private sector.

A recipe for disaster is politicians running public funds. The much better situation is private sector running government-funded programs, Daza said.

Daza said he expects the details of the revisions to be released in at least 2-3 weeks to allow the Senate to start its hearings on the MIF.

But if he were to decide, he wants the revised bill to go through the three-reading rule again, wherein it will be heard at the committee-level, followed by debates on the floor, and be voted on by lawmakers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Three former police officers implicated in the kidnapping of a missing e-sabong master agent surrendered to authorities, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo Azurin confirmed Monday.

According to the police chief, the surrender of dismissed cops in Laguna last week is another breakthrough in the case.

The three former members of the police force  who are now under police custody  all have standing arrest warrants for charges of robbery, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

READ: NCRPO relieves 11 cops linked to missing sabungeros case

Based on the report of Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), the two cops surrendered on January 19 while the other cop turned himself in on January 21.

We are looking for a good breakthrough especially if they are going to cooperate because medyo matagal na itong problema natin sa missing e-sabong na iniimbestigahan. I hope na itong mga pulis natin na ito would really cooperate, says Azurin during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

[Translation: We are looking for a good breakthrough especially if they are going to cooperate because we have had a problem with the missing e-sabong that is being investigated for quite some time now. I hope that our police officers would really cooperate.]

Azurin also assured the safety of the families of the accused.

Of course the only assurance that we can give them is if we can see that their participation is lesser, then we can course them through the witness protection program and it will be the WPP who will be evaluating if they are qualified to be protected under the WPP program, he added.

The three cops along with two other cops were dismissed from the service in December 2022 as the Internal Affairs Service has found substantial evidence on the administrative charges filed against them in relation to e-sabong agent Ricardo Lascos disappearance.

The case of Lasco is one of eight cases being handled by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Special Investigation Task Group Sabungero, which took the case for further investigation after the complaint for kidnapping filed by the victims family before the San Pablo City, Laguna prosecutor's office was dismissed.

Lasco is still considered "missing" and the CIDG is probing the cases involving the disappearance of 34 other e-sabong enthusiasts since 2020.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Gregorio Catapang will be recommended as the new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general to replace Gerald Bantag, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla told reporters on Monday.

He [Bantag] will be replaced as BuCor director, he said.

Remulla said he would push for Catapangs permanent appointment as BuCor director general at a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 24.

Catapang said he only found out about his possible appointment the same day Remulla made the announcement.

Nagpapasalamat sa pangulo sa pagtitiwala niya sa atin Ngayon lang po [nalaman], hindi ko na-expect kahit acting OIC [officer-in-charge], Catapang said in an interview.

[Translation: Im thankful to president for his trust in meI just found out now, I didnt even expect to be appointed acting OIC]

He said that, as a permanent appointee, he could do all the powers that are given to me as director general which is reform agenda, full speed ahead.

Catapang said his marching orders were the regionalization of the BuCor: Within three to four years, maisara na natin ang New Bilibid Prison na hindi na ito yung headquarters (we can phase out the New Bilibid Prison as the BuCor headquarters).

He added that he was not worried about possible challenges to his appointment.

Catapang, a retired general and former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, has been acting BuCor chief since Bantag was first suspended on Oct. 21, 2022.

When asked why it took months to eventually remove Bantag, Remulla said, We are not in the business of replacing people just like that, we have to study everything and we have to wait for the developments to come in.

Bantag was first suspended for 90 days for his alleged involvement in the killing of journalist Percival Percy Lapid Mabasa.

READ: Marcos orders preventive suspension of BuCor chief amid probe on Percy Lapid slay

On Jan. 19, 2023, Bantag was suspended for another 90 days when he approved the interview by Sonshine Media Network International of convicted kidnapper retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan.

READ: Bantag suspended for another 90 days - DOJ

Bantag has been accused of orchestrating the killing of Lapid and middleman Crisanto Jun Villamor, stabbing inmates with a dagger, and torturing prison guards of Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan.
In the last active period of his life, Lenin was chiefly absorbed by the problems of the Soviet economy under the New Economic Policy. In 1921, under the pressure of the millions of peasant small proprietors, the workers' state had been forced to retreat from the path of Socialist planning and industrialisation, in order to procure grain for the starving workers in the cities. The old Civil War practice of requisitioning grain had to be abandoned to placate the peasants, whose support was necessary if the workers' state was not to succumb to the reaction. A free market in grain was re-established, and concessions were made to the peasants and small traders, while the main levers of economic power (nationalised banks and heavy industries, state monopoly of foreign trade) remained in the hands of the workers' state.

This retreat which had been forced upon the Bolsheviks was not to create a Socialist, classless society but to save millions from starving to death, to re-build a shattered economy and to provide houses and elementary schools - i.e. to drag Russia into the twentieth century.

The triumph of socialism demands a development of the productive forces to a level unheard of in any previously existing society. Only when the conditions of general want and poverty are obliterated can the thoughts of man be raised to loftier horizons than the grinding, day-to-day struggle to live. The conditions for such a transformation already exist in the world today. For the first time in human history we can say truthfully that there is no longer any need for anyone to starve, to be homeless, to be illiterate.

The potential is there - in the science, technique and industry created by the development of capitalism itself which draws upon all the resources of the planet albeit in an incomplete, anarchic and undeveloped way. Only on the basis of an integrated, harmonious plan of production can this potential be realised. But this can only be carried out on the basis of common ownership of the means of production and a democratic socialist plan.

These elementary truths of Marxism were taken for granted by Lenin and the Bolsheviks. They did not lead the workers to victory in October 1917 with a view to "building Socialism" within the frontiers of the former Tsarist Empire, but to strike the first blow for the international Socialist Revolution:

"We have made the start," wrote Lenin on the fourth anniversary of the October Revolution. "When, at what date and time, and the proletarians of which nations will complete this process is not important. The important thing is that the ice has been broken; the road is open, the way has been shown."

For Lenin, the first significance of the Russian Revolution was the example it provided in the eyes of the workers of the world. The failure of the revolutionary wave which swept across Europe in the period 1918-21 was the decisive factor in the subsequent development. On the basis of a victorious European revolution, the enormous potential mineral wealth of Russia, its vast labour force, could have been linked to the science, technique and industry of Germany, Britain and France. A Socialist United States of Europe could have transformed the lives of the peoples of Europe and Asia and opened the way for a Socialist World Federation. Instead, as a result of the cowardice and ineptitude of the labour leaders, the European working classes faced decades of hardship, unemployment, Fascism and a new World War. On the other hand, the isolation of the only workers' state in the world in a backward, peasant country, opened the door to bureaucratic degeneration and Stalinist reaction.

The defeat of the German working class in March 1921 forced the Soviet Republic to look to its own resources in order to survive. In a speech on October 17, 1921, Lenin spelt out the consequences:

"You must remember that our Soviet land is impoverished after many years of trial and suffering and has no Socialist France or Socialist England as neighbours to keep us with their highly developed technology and highly developed industry. Bear that in mind! We must remember that at present all their highly developed technology and industry belong to the capitalists who are fighting us."

In order to survive, it was necessary to conciliate the desire of the peasant to make profit, even at the expense of the working class and the building up of industry - the only real basis for a transition to socialism.

The concessions given to the peasants, small businessmen and speculators ("Nepmen") staved off economic collapse in 1921-22. The trade between town and countryside was restored, but on terms greatly disadvantageous to the former. The reduction of taxes on the peasant cut into the funds necessary for investment in industry. Heavy industry stagnated, while much of light industry was in private hands. Even the revival in agriculture strengthened the capitalist, not the socialist element in Soviet society. Huge profits were made by the "Kulaks" (wealthy peasants), with the largest and most fertile farms and the capital necessary for equipment, horses and fertiliser. In fact, it soon became clear that under NEP, the difference between the rich and poor in the villages was growing at an alarming rate. The Kulaks took to hoarding grain to push up prices, even buying up the grain of the poor peasants to sell it back to them at a later date when prices rose.

These tendencies were watched with anxiety by Lenin, who repeatedly warned of the need for the working class to keep a tight rein on the levers of the economy. At the 4th Congress of the Communist International, in November 1922, Lenin put the matter in a nutshell:

"The salvation of Russia lies not only in a good harvest on the peasant farms - that is not enough; and not only in the good condition of light industry, which provides the peasantry with consumer goods - this, too, is not enough; we also need heavy industry. And to put it in good condition will require several years of work. Heavy industry needs state subsidies. If we are not able to provide them, we shall be doomed as a civilised state, let alone a Socialist state."

At this period Lenin grappled with the problem of electrification as a possible area where a breach could be made in the solid wall of Russian backwardness. Trotsky, on the other hand, was preoccupied with the overall state planning of industry, which had been practically lost sight of under NEP. All along he stressed the need to strengthen "Gosplan", the state Planning Agency, as a means of encouraging a general planned revival of industry. Lenin, at first, was distrustful of the idea - not because he rejected planning but because of the prevailing scourge of bureaucracy in Soviet institutions, which, he feared, would turn an enlarged and strengthened Gosplan into a paper game.

However different their approaches to this question, Lenin and Trotsky were in complete agreement about the urgent need to strengthen the Socialist elements in the economy and to end backsliding in the direction of "peasant capitalism". However, such was the pressure of the Kulak interest that even a section of the Bolshevik leadership began to bend. The question of which road the Soviet power would take was posed point-blank by the controversy over the monopoly of foreign trade which broke out in March 1922.

The monopoly of foreign trade, established in April 1918, was a vital measure for ensuring the socialist economy against the threat of penetration and domination by foreign capital. Under NEP the monopoly became even more important as a bulwark against the growing capitalist tendencies. Early in 1922, at Lenin's request, A.M. Lezhava drafted Theses on Foreign Trade which emphasised the need to strengthen the monopoly and strictly supervise exports and imports. Despite this, the Party Central Committee was split. Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev opposed Lenin's proposals and advocated the relaxation of the monopoly, while Sokolnikov, Bukharin and Pyatakov actually went so far as to call for its abolition.

On May 15, Lenin wrote the following letter to Stalin:

"Comrade Stalin, "In view of this, please get a directive passed through the Politburo by collecting the votes of the members that "The CC reaffirms the monopoly of foreign trade and resolves that a stop be put everywhere to the working up of the question of merging the Supreme Economic Council with the Commissariat for Foreign Trade. All People's Commissars to sign confidentially and return the original to Stalin. No copies to be made."

At the same time he wrote to Stalin and to Frumkin (Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Trade) stressing that a "formal ban should be put on all talk and negotiations, commissions etc. concerning the relaxation of the foreign trade monopoly."

Stalin's reply was evasive: "I have no objections to a 'formal ban' on measures to mitigate the foreign trade monopoly at the present stage. All the same, I think that mitigation is becoming indispensable."

On 26 May, Lenin suffered the first onslaught of his illness, which put him out of activity until September. In the meantime, in spite of Lenin's request, the question of "mitigating" the monopoly was raised again. On 12 October, Sokolnikov moved a resolution at the plenary session of the Central Committee, for the relaxation of the foreign trade monopoly. Lenin and Trotsky were absent, and the resolution was carried overwhelmingly.

On 13 October, Lenin wrote to the Central Committee through Stalin, with whom he had already discussed the matter. Lenin protested against the decision and demanded that the question should be raised again at the next plenum in December. Subsequently, Stalin wrote to members of the CC:

"Comrade Lenin's letter has not persuaded me that the decision of the CC was wrongNevertheless, in view of Comrade Lenin's insistence that fulfilment of the CC Plenary Meeting decision be delayed, I shall vote for a postponement so that the question may be again raised for discussion at the next Plenary Meeting which Comrade Lenin will attend."

On 16 October, it was agreed to postpone the matter till the next plenum. However, as the date of the plenum approached, Lenin became increasingly worried that the state of his health would not permit him to speak. On 12 December, he wrote his first letter to Trotsky asking him to take upon himself "the defence of our common opinion of the unconditional necessity of preserving and reinforcing the monopoly of foreign trade." The letters written by Lenin clearly indicate the political bloc that existed between Lenin and Trotsky at this time. They demonstrate Lenin's implicit faith in Trotsky's political judgements, a faith born of years of common work at the head of the Soviet state. And it is not accidental that at this time Lenin would turn to no-one else to defend his views on the Central Committee. Even his other confidants, Frumkin and Stomoniakov, were non-members of the Central Committee.

Learning of Lenin's preparations for a struggle and his bloc with Trotsky, the Central Committee backed down without a fight. On 18 December, the October resolution was unconditionally rescinded. The first round in the battle against the pro-Kulak element in the party leadership was won by the Leninist faction. The battle was continued after Lenin's death by Trotsky and the Left Opposition, who alone held high the banner and programme of Lenin in the teeth of the Stalinist political counter-revolution.

Friedrich Engels long ago explained that in any society in which art, science and government are the preserve of a minority, that minority will use and abuse its position in its own interests. Because of the isolation of the revolution in a backward country the Bolsheviks were obliged to call on the services of a host of former Tsarist officials to keep the state and society running. These elements, who had held the workers' government to ransom in the first days of the revolution gradually realised that the Soviet power was not going to be crushed by armed force. After the dangers of the Civil War had passed, many former enemies of Bolshevism began to infiltrate the state, the trade unions, and even the party.

The first "purge", in 1921, had nothing in common with the later grotesque frame-up trials of Stalin, in which the entire Old Bolshevik leadership were murdered. No-one was tried, killed or imprisoned. But special party commissions were set up to expel from the party the thousands of careerists and bourgeois who had joined in order to further their own interests. The offences for which people were expelled were "bureaucratism, careerism, abuse by party members of their party or Soviet status, violation of comradely relations within the party, dissemination of unfounded and unverified rumours, insinuations or other reports reflecting on the party or individual members of it, and destructive of the unity and authority of the party."

In order to carry out a struggle against bureaucracy, Lenin advocated the setting up of a "Commission on Workers and Peasants Inspection" (RABKRIN), as the highest arbiter and guardian of party morality, and as a weapon against alien elements in the Soviet state apparatus. At the centre of RABKRIN Lenin placed a man whom he respected for his organisational abilities and strong character - Stalin.

Amongst other important functions, RABKRIN scrutinised the selection and appointment of responsible workers in the state and party. Whoever had the power to hold up the promotion of some and advance others obviously held a weapon which could serve their own interests. Stalin did not scruple to use it for his. RABKRIN turned from a weapon against bureaucracy into a hotbed of careerist intrigue. Stalin cynically used his position in RABKRIN, and later his control of the party Secretariat, to gather around himself a bloc of yes-men - nonentities whose only allegiance was to the man who helped them climb into comfortable positions. From the highest arbiter of party morality, RABKRIN sank to the lowest depths of bureaucratic cynicism.

Trotsky noticed what was going on before Lenin, whose illness prevented his close supervision of party work. Trotsky pointed out that "those working in RABKRIN are chiefly workers who have come to grief in other fields," and drew attention to the "extreme prevalence of intrigue in the organs of RABKRIN which has become a by-word throughout the country."

Lenin continued to defend RABKRIN against Trotsky's criticisms. Yet in his last works we see that his eyes were opened to the threat of bureaucracy from this quarter and the role of Stalin who guided it. In his article How we should reorganise the Workers and Peasants Inspectorate, Lenin connected the question to the bureaucratic deformation of the workers' state apparatus:

"With the exception the Peoples Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, our state apparatus is to a considerable extent a survival of the past and has undergone hardly any serious change. It has only been slightly touched up on the surface, but in all other respects it is a most typical relic of our old state machine."

However, in Better Fewer, But Better, Lenin's last article, written on 2 March 1923, he delivered the most scathing attack on RABKRIN:

"Let us say frankly that the Peoples Commissariat of the Workers and Peasants Inspectorate does not at present enjoy the slightest authority. Everybody knows that no other institutions are worse organised than those of our Workers and Peasants Inspection, and that under present conditions nothing can be expected from this People's Commissariat."

In the same article, Lenin included a remark directed straight at Stalin: "Let it be said in parentheses that we have bureaucrats in our party offices as well as in other Soviet offices."

That Lenin singled out Stalin as the potential ringleader of a bureaucrats faction in the party is an example of his far-sightedness. At this particular time, Stalin's power in the "apparatus" was invisible to the majority even of party members, while most of the leaders did not believe him capable of using it, in view of his notoriously mediocre grasp of politics and theory. Even after Lenin's death, it was not Stalin, but Zinoviev who headed the "Troika" (Zinoviev, Kamenev, Stalin) which pushed the party on the first, fateful steps away from the traditions of October under the guise of an attack on "Trotskyism".

It was no accident that Lenin's last advice to the party was to warn it against Stalin's "disloyal" and "intolerant" abuse of power and to advocate his removal from the post of General Secretary.

The defeat of the European workers' revolution gave even more importance to the work of the Communist International for a revolution of the enslaved peoples of the East. The October Revolution gave a mighty impetus to the struggle of the colonies against their imperialist oppressors. In particular, the proud slogan of "The rights of nations to self-determination" emblazoned on the banner of Bolshevism gave heart to the downtrodden millions of Asia and Africa.

Almost the first act of the workers' government was to recognise the independence of Finland, although that inevitably meant granting independence to a hostile capitalist government. Naturally, Marxists stand firmly for the uniting of all peoples in a World Socialist Federation. But such unity cannot be brought about by force, but only by the free consent of the workers and peasants of the various countries. Above all, when the workers of a former imperialist nation take power, it is their bounden duty to respect the wishes of the peoples in the former colonies - even if they wish to secede. Unification can be brought about later, on the basis of example and persuasion.

In 1921, the Red Army was forced to intervene in Georgia, where the government had been consistently intriguing with Britain and other capitalist powers against the Soviet State. Lenin was extremely anxious that this military action should not be seen as the annexation of Georgia by Russia, thus identifying the Soviet state with the Tsarist oppressors. He wrote letter after letter instructing the Orzhonikidze, the representative of the Central Committee in Georgia, to pursue a "policy of concessions in relation to the Georgian intelligentsia and small traders," and advocating the setting up of a "coalition with Jordania or similar Georgian Mensheviks." On the tenth of March, he sent a telegram urging the need to "observe particular respect for the sovereign bodies of Georgia; to display particular attention and caution in regard to the Georgian population."

However, the activities of Orzhonikidze in Georgia were connected with the Stalin clique in the party. Stalin was working on proposals for the unification of the Russian Soviet Socialist Federation with the other, non-Russian Soviet Republics. In August 1922, while Lenin was out of action, a commission in which Stalin was the leading figure, was set up to work out the terms of unification.

When Stalin's theses appeared, they were firmly rejected by the Central Committee of the Georgian party. On 22 September, the Georgian Bolshevik leaders passed the following motion:

"The union in the form of the autonomisation of the independent republics, proposed on the basis of Stalin's theses is premature. A union of economic efforts and a common policy are necessary, but all attributes of independence should be preserved."

The protests of the Georgians went unheeded. Stalin was bent upon bulldozing through his proposals. The commission met on 23 and 24 September, under the chairmanship of Stalin's stooge Molotov. It rejected the Georgian resolution with one vote against (Mdivani the Georgian representative). On 25 September, the materials of the Commission were sent to Lenin, who was convalescing at Gorki. Without waiting for Lenin's views, and without even a discussion in the Politburo, the Secretariat (Stalin's centre in the party) sent the Commission's decision to all CC members in preparation for the October Plenum.

On 26 September, Lenin wrote to the Central Committee via Kamenev urging caution on this question and warning against Stalin's attempt to rush the business through. ("Stalin tends to be somewhat hasty.") Lenin had arranged to meet him the following day. He did not yet suspect the lengths to which Stalin had gone to force unification through. However, even this letter indicates his opposition to any affront to the national aspirations of a small people and thus strengthen the hold of nationalism.

"The important thing is not to provide material for the 'pro-independence' people, not to destroy their independence, but to create another new storey, a federation of equal republics."

Lenin's amendments were aimed to soften the tone of Stalin's original draft to make allowance for the "pro-independence" people, whom he considered, at this point, to be in the wrong. In answer to Lenin's mild comments, Stalin wrote to members of the Politburo on 27 September a number of abrupt and surly rejoinders, including the following:

"On the subject of paragraph four, in my opinion Comrade Lenin himself 'hurried' a littleThere is hardly a doubt that his 'hurriedness' will supply fuel to the advocates of 'independence', to the detriment of the national liberalism of Lenin."

Stalin's rude reply was the expression of his unconcealed annoyance at Lenin's "interference" in what he considered his private domain, accentuated by fear at the outcome of Lenin's intervention.

Stalin's fears were well-grounded. Following his discussion with Mdivani, Lenin became convinced that the Georgian business was being mishandled by Stalin, and set to work accumulating evidence. On 6 October, Lenin wrote a memo to the Politburo, On Combatting Dominant National Chauvinism:

"I declare war to the death on dominant nation chauvinism. I shall eat it with all my healthy teeth as soon as I get rid of this accursed bad tooth."

The full significance of what had happened in Georgia had not yet come home to Lenin. He did not know that Stalin, in order to strengthen his hand had actually carried out a purge of the finest cadres of Georgian Bolshevism, replacing the old central committee with new and more "pliant" elements.

What he did know was sufficient to arouse Lenin's suspicions. In the following week he began quietly to collect information on the Georgian "affair", and got the Central Committee to send Rykov and Dzerzhinsky to Tiflis to investigate the complaints of the Georgian Bolsheviks.

On 23 and 24 December, Lenin began to dictate his famous letters to the Congress to his secretary. He stressed that this was to be secret. Lenin's work proceeded slowly, painfully, interrupted by bouts of illness. But through it all, the idea becomes increasingly clear that the central enemy lay within the bureaucratic "apparat" of the state and party, and the man who stood at its head, Stalin.

In The Real Situation in Russia, Trotsky records his last conversation he had with Lenin shortly before his second stroke. In reply to Lenin's suggestion that Trotsky should participate in a new commission to fight against bureaucracy (see "How to Reorganise the Workers and Peasants Inepectorate"). Trotsky replied as follows:

"'Vladimir Ilyich, according to my conviction, in the present struggle with bureaucratism in the Soviet apparatus, we must not forget that there is going on, both in the provinces and in the centre, a special selection of officials and specialists, party, non-party, and half-party, around certain ruling party personalities and groups - in the provinces, in the districts, in the party locals and in the centre - that is, the Central Committee, etc. Attacking the Soviet officials you run into the party leader. The specialist is a member of his suite. In such circumstances I could not undertake this work.' "Then Vladimir Ilyich reflected for a moment and - here I quote him practically verbatim - said: 'That is, I propose a struggle with Soviet bureaucratism, and you want to add to that the bureaucratism of the Organisation Bureau of the party.' I laughed at the unexpectedness of this, because no such finished formulation of the idea was in my head. I answered, 'I suppose that's it.' "Then Vladimir Ilyich said: 'Well, all right, I propose a bloc.' and I said: 'I'm always ready to form a bloc with a good man.'"

This conversation is important for the light it sheds on the content of Lenin's last works, especially the famous "Testament", the letters on the national question and Better Fewer, But Better. The tone of his letters gets increasingly sharp, his targets more clearly defined, with every day. No matter what question he deals with, the central thought is the same, the need to combat the pressure of alien class forces in state and party, the rooting out of bureaucracy, the fight against Great-Russian chauvinism, the fight against the Stalin clique in the party.

Despite Lenin's insistent requests that his notes be kept strictly secret, the first part of the "Testament" found its way into the hands of the Secretariat and Stalin, who immediately realised the danger of Lenin's intervention and took measures to prevent it from taking place. Severe pressure was put upon Lenin's secretaries to prevent Lenin from discovering any news which might "upset" him.

Nevertheless, Lenin found out from Dzerzhinsky that, among other outrages perpetrated by the Stalin faction, Orzhonikidze had gone so far as to hit one of the Georgian oppositionists. This may seem a small thing when compared to the later Stalinist terror, but it shocked Lenin profoundly. His secretary noted in her diary for 30 January, 1923 the words of Lenin: "Just before I got ill Dzerzhinsky told me about the work of the Commission and about the 'incident' and this had a very painful effect on me."

To understand the enormity of this crime, it is necessary to know about the relations between the Russian (more correctly Great-Russian) national and the national minorities who, under the Tsars, were treated with the same contempt and the same barbarous arbitrariness as the negroes and Indians were under the British Empire. The historic task of the Russian Revolution was to raise these despised minorities to the stature of full men, with their own rights and dignity. The idea of a representative of the Great-Russian nation abusing or striking a Georgian was a crime against proletarian internationalism, a Tsarist monstrosity which would have been punished in the most drastic matter - by expulsion from the party at the very least. That is why Lenin poured out his wrath against Stalin and Orzhonikidze, demanding "exemplary punishment for those responsible."

Stalin placed every obstacle in the way of Lenin's receiving information from Georgia. Numerous passages from the diaries of Lenin's secretaries give a clear picture of this bureaucratic harassment:

"On Thursday 25 January, he [Lenin] asked whether the materials [of the Georgian committee] had been received. I answered that Dzerzhinsky would not be arriving until Saturday. Therefore I had not been able to ask him.

"On Saturday I asked Dzerzhinsky, he said Stalin had the materials. I sent Stalin a letter, but he was out of town. Yesterday, 29 January, Stalin phoned, saying he could not give the materials without the Politburo. Asked whether I had not been telling Vladimir Ilyich things he was not to be told - how was it he was posted about current affairs? For instance, his article about the WPI (RABKRIN) showed that certain circumstances were known to him, I answered that I had not been telling anything and had no reason to believe he was posted about affairs. Today Vladimir Ilyich sent for me to learn the answer and said that he would fight to get the materials." (my emphasis - AW)

These few lines starkly reveal the bullying, bureaucratic manner with which Stalin attempted to defend his position against Lenin, whom he mortally feared, even on his death-bed. There can be no clearer illustration of Stalin's "rudeness" and "disloyalty" to which Lenin refers in his "Testament".

Lenin's distrustful attitude to the commission of Dzerzhinsky and the behaviour of the Central Committee is reflected in his instructions to his secretaries:

"1) Why was the old CC of the CP of Georgia accused of deviationism? "2) What breach of discipline were they blamed for? "3) Why is the Transcaucasian Committee accused of suppressing the CC of the CP of Georgia? "4) The physical means of suppression 'bio-mechanics'. "5) The line of the CC of the CP (of the RCP(B)) in Vladimir Ilyich's absence and in his presence. "6) Attitude of the Commission. Did it examine only the accusations against the CC of the CP of Georgia or also against the Transcaucasian Committee? Did examine the 'bio-mechanics' incident? "7) The present situation (the election campaign, the Mensheviks, suppression, national discord)."

But Lenin's growing realisation of the disloyal and dishonest methods of elements in the party leadership made him also distrustful of his own secretariat. Were they not also being gagged by Stalin?

"On January 24 Vladimir Ilyich said: 'First of all about this "secret" job of ours. I know that you are deceiving me.' To my assurances on the contrary, he answered 'I have my own opinion about that.'"

With difficulty, the sick Lenin managed to learn that the Politburo had accepted the conclusions of Dzerzhinsky's Commission. It was at this time (2-6 February) that Lenin dictated Better Fewer, But Better, the most outspoken attack on Stalin and the party bureaucracy yet. The Georgian events had convinced Lenin that the rotten chauvinism of the state was the most dangerous indication of pressure from alien classes:

"Our state apparatus is so deplorable, not to say wretched, that we must first think very carefully how to combat its defects, bearing in mind that these defects are rooted in the past, which, although it has been overthrown, has not yet been overcome"

In his last public appearance at a political gathering, the Eleventh Congress of the RCP(B), Lenin had warned that the state machine was escaping from the control of the Communists: "The machine refused to obey the hand that guided it. It was like a car that is not responding to the steering, but going in the direction someone else desired as if it were being driven by some mysterious, lawless hand - God knows whose, perhaps of a profiteer, or of a private capitalist, or of both. Be that as it may, the car is not going quite in the direction the man at the wheel imagines, and often it goes in an altogether different direction."

The poison of nationalism, the most characteristic feature of all forms of Stalinism, had its roots in the reaction of the petit-bourgeois, the Kulak, the Nepman and the Soviet official against the revolutionary internationalism of October.

Lenin proposed to fight against this reaction at the forthcoming Congress, in alliance with Trotsky - the only member of the Central Committee he could trust to uphold his point of view.

He proposed to deal personally with the question of RABKRIN and was "preparing a bombshell" for Stalin. His conviction that the Party "apparat" was plotting to keep him out at all costs is illustrated by the remark of his secretary that "apparently, furthermore, Vladimir Ilyich has the impression that it was not the doctors who gave instructions to the Central Committee, but the Central Committee that gave instructions to the doctors."

Lenin's suspicions were only too well grounded. One of the ideas seriously canvassed on the Central Committee at this time was the printing of a special, single number of Pravda, especially for Lenin's consumption, in order to deceive him about the Georgian affair!

The argument that this was all for the good of Lenin's health does not hold water. As he himself explained, nothing agitated and upset him so much as the disloyal actions of CC members and the tissue of lies with which they were camouflaged. The real attitude of Stalin towards the dying Lenin was revealed in a truly monstrous incident involving Krupskaya, Lenin's wife - attempting to defend her sick husband from the rude importunings of Stalin, she was rewarded by crude abuse from the "loyal disciple". Krupskaya describes the incident in a letter to Kamenev dated 23 December 1922:

"Lev Borisovich, "Concerning the brief letter written by me at Vladimir Ilyich's dictation with the doctors' permission, Stalin phoned me yesterday and addressed himself to me in the crudest fashion. I have not been in the party for just a day. In the whole 30 years I have never heard a single rude word from one comrade. The interests of the Party and Ilyich are not less dear to me than to Stalin. Now I need the maximum self-control. I know better than any doctor what can or cannot be said to Ilyich, because I know what upsets him and what doesn't, in any case better than Stalin."

Krupskaya begged Kamenev, a personal friend, to protect her "from rude interference in my personal life, unworthy brawling and threats," adding that as far as Stalin's threat of bringing here before a control commission was concerned: "I have no strength and no time to waste on such stupid squabbles. I am also a human being and my nerves are stretched to breaking point."

Lenin's threat to break off all comradely relations with Stalin and his accusations of "rudeness" in the "Testament" are often explained away by vague references to this incident. But in the first place, what Stalin did was not a "personal" matter but a grave political offence, punishable by expulsion from the Party. The offence is magnified by the fact that Stalin's position in the Party made it incumbent on him to root out such behaviour, not to champion it.

However, this "little incident" must be seen in its proper context. It is only the most distasteful and obvious of the manifestations of Stalin's disloyalty.

Lenin's last active days were spent organising his fight against the Stalin faction at the Congress. He wrote a letter to Trotsky asking him to take up the defence of the Georgian comrades, and to the Georgian leaders warmly committing himself to their cause. It should be noted that such emphatic expressions as "with all my heart" and "with very best comradely greetings" are very rarely met in the letters of Lenin, who preferred a more restrained style of writing. It was a measure of his commitment to the struggle. It should also be pointed out that Lenin's bloc constituted a political faction - what was later known by the Stalinists as an "anti-party bloc". The Stalinists had already organised their faction which controlled the party machine.

Fotieva, Lenin's secretary, took down Lenin's last notes on the Georgian question, evidently preparation for a speech at the Congress:

"Vladimir Ilyich's instructions that a hint be given to Stoltz that he [Lenin] was on the side of the injured party. Someone or other of the injured party to be given to understand that he was on their side. Three moments: 1) One should not fight. 2) Concessions should be made. 3) One cannot compare a large state with a small one. Did Stalin know? Why didn't he react? The name 'deviationist' for a deviation towards chauvinism and Menshevism proves the same deviation with the dominant nation chauvinists. Collected printed matter for Vladimir Ilyich."

On 9 March, Lenin suffered his third stroke which left him paralysed and helpless. The struggle against bureaucratic degeneration passed to Trotsky and the Left Opposition. But Lenin laid the foundation of the programme of the Opposition, against bureaucracy, against the Kulak menace, for industrialisation and Socialist planning, for Socialist Internationalism and workers' democracy.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  Initial findings on unclaimed bodies of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates showed most were with undiagnosed diseases and left untreated, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday.

Most of the people who died had tuberculosis, had lung disease, and many of them had cancer. Maraming diseases na left untreated and undiagnosed dito po sa loob [Several diseases were left untreated and undiagnosed inside the prison], Remulla, who has supervision over the Bureau of Correction which runs NBP, told reporters.

In November last year, reports revealed nearly 200 bodies of Bilibid prisoners had accumulated at a funeral home in Muntinlupa City, including some unclaimed for months.

They were autopsied to determine the cause of deaths, but authorities said some had to be buried immediately as they were already mummified.

Asked about possible foul play in the deaths, Remulla told reporters, "Nothing [is] conclusive yet."

He also pointed out that they werent particularly looking at the angle.

Syempre general conclusion muna," Remulla said. "Wala naman tayong inimbestigahan na foul play. Ang ating tinitignan talaga eh syempre bakit tumagal nang ganun."

[Translation: Of course, the general conclusion first. Anyway, we werent investigating foul play. What were really looking at is why the cadavers were in the funeral home for so long.]

RELATED: DOJ to check possible liability of jail officials over unclaimed inmate cadavers

Meanwhile, Remulla said the agency is working on ways to prevent deaths in the NBP for lack of access to medical care.

Isa yun sa mga problema na dapat ho natin i-address, and meron kaming steps na ginagawa ni DG (Director General Gregorio) Catapang about this matter which you will see in the next few months. Meron po kaming ia-address dito na needs ng mga PDL (persons deprived of liberty), Remulla said.

[Translation: Thats one of the problems we need to address, and (Acting) Director General Catapang and I are taking steps regarding this matter which you will see in the next few months. Were addressing the needs of the PDLs.]

He said malnutrition, which he added has already become endemic in the national penitentiary, will also be addressed.

Malnutrition is really an endemic problem here...Dapat talaga maisaayos natin yan [We really need to fix that] from the root cause which is really, number one, to feed these people properly, he said. These things we haven't seen, which [have] not been done in the past, we will try to address properly.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government has no plans to privatize "anything," especially the countrys airports.

"We have no plans of privatizing anything, rather the opposite," Marcos said on Monday at a media briefing.

In December, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the administration was pursuing the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. However, Marcos said the transport chief may have misspoken.

"You cannot privatize an airport, to begin with. A private firm cannot own the airport," Marcos clarified.

Marcos said that during their trip to New York, they met the group that was running Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom and asked if they could come to the country to help with the NAIA.

"They were here last week to look at the operations of the airport, and especially since we had that problem on New Year's Day. At most, we will have a management contract," he said.

Marcos said this could be done without any changes, new equipment, or building a new runway.

EXPLAINER: How NAIA, EDSA Carousel privatization could affect travelers

Marcos offered no further details about the group he spoke with, what was discussed during the assessment of the airport, or whether any changes would be made soon to improve the situation at the country's main gateway.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is conducting an investigation on the NAIA mess that affected tens of thousands of travelers on New Year's Day.

However, Senate Public Services Committee Chairperson Grace Poe has asked CAAP Director General Manuel Tamayo and other officials to inhibit from the probe, saying CAAP should not be investigating itself.

CAAP officials have stayed mum on the matter, saying they would answer all other issues when the Senate hearing on the air traffic management system fiasco resumes.
(CNN)  The man found dead inside a white cargo van after a standoff with police in Torrance, California, has been confirmed as the person suspected of carrying out a mass shooting in Monterey Park Saturday night, according to police.

Huu Can Tran, 72, was pronounced dead at the scene following a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a news conference Sunday afternoon.

Tran is suspected of opening fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, killing 10 people and injuring 10 more as the city's large Asian American community was celebrating Lunar New Year weekend, Luna said.

SWAT officers had been in an hours-long standoff at the scene of the white cargo van, which fit the description of a vehicle of interest from the Monterey Park shooting.

As authorities ordered the occupant to leave the van, they heard a sound and believed the driver may have shot himself, law enforcement sources told CNN earlier.

Investigators searched the van after Tran fatally shot himself and discovered "several pieces of evidence" linking Tran to the Monterey Park shooting and another incident in nearby Alhambra, where a group of people had wrestled a gun away from an armed man at a dance studio, Luna said.

A handgun was also discovered inside the van, he said.

Police and investigators are now working to determine the motive behind the shooting, according to Luna.

What we know

 Huu Can Tran, 72, is believed to be the suspect behind the Monterey Park shooting, according to Luna, who said there are "no outstanding suspects" linked to the massacre.

 A group of people wrestled a gun away from man described as an Asian male at a dance studio in the nearby city of Alhambra shortly after the Monterey Park mass shooting, Luna said. Multiple pieces of evidence found in the van linked the shooter to both the Alhambra and Monterey Park incidents.

 It's still too soon to rule out hate crime as a possible motive, the sheriff said Sunday. "Everything's on the table."

 Officers responded to a dance studio around 10:22 p.m. Saturday and found people "pouring out of the location, screaming," said Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

 The massacre took place in the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, according to a CNN analysis.

 The 10 slain victims were pronounced dead at the scene, Meyer said. "There were at least 10 other victims who were transported to numerous local hospitals and are listed in various conditions from stable to critical," Meyer said.

 The coroner's office is still in the process of identifying the 10 victims, Luna said, but the sheriff described them as likely being in their 50s, 60s or older.

 Seven people remain hospitalized, according to Luna.

Officers were at the dance studio in Monterey Park "less than three minutes" after the first call was made Saturday night, Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said.

They arrived to a scene of "chaos" as people tried to flee and others lay wounded, Wiese said. "They came across a scene that none of them had been prepared for," the chief added.

The gun wrestled away from the man in Alhambra was a Cobray M11 9mm semi-automatic weapon according to a law enforcement official. This firearm is designed to take 30-round magazines that allow for rapid fire without having to frequently change magazines.

In response to a reporter's question, Luna said, "I believe the weapon that was recovered at the Alhambra location is not legal to have here in the State of California."

Luna said the community members who disarmed the suspect "saved lives," calling them "heroes." "This could've been much worse," he said.

The carnage unfolded near Monterey Park's Lunar New Year festival, which was scheduled to take place until 9 p.m. on Garvey Avenue between Garfield and Alhambra avenues.

About 65% of Monterey Park's residents are of Asian descent, according to the US Census Bureau.

While it's too early to say whether the massacre was a hate crime, the impact has already been felt among one of the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the US, the mayor of nearby Alhambra said.

"To have this tragedy occur on Lunar New Year weekend, makes this especially painful," Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renee Perez tweeted.

"Monterey Park is home to one of the largest #AAPI communities in the country. This is a time when residents should be celebrating with family, friends and loved ones - not fearing gun violence."

Monterey Park, about 7 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, has been known to host Lunar New Year events drawing more than 100,000 people from across Southern California, according to the city.

It's not clear how many people were still gathered in the area when shots were fired.

"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," Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted.

The local Lunar New Year festival which began Saturday and was scheduled to last into Sunday has been canceled, Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said Sunday.

"Out of an abundance of caution and reverence for the victims, we are canceling the event that's going to happen later today," Wiese said.

The massacre in Monterey Park marks at least the 33rd mass shooting in the US so far this month, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Both the non-profit and CNN define a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.

"California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but yet look what we just had today," Luna said Sunday. " I can tell you this, the status quo is not working. So we need to reexamine what we're doing and what may work better. And I hope that this tragedy doesn't just go on a long list of many others that we don't even talk about until the next one comes up."

Suspect had once been a regular patron at the dance hall

The man suspected of opening fire at Star Ballroom Dance Studio had once been a regular patron at the venue, his ex-wife and a long-time acquaintance both told CNN.

Tran's former wife, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the case, said she had met Tran about two decades ago at Star Ballroom, a popular community gathering place where he gave informal lessons. Tran saw her at a dance, introduced himself and offered her free lessons, she said. The two married soon after, she said.

While Tran was never violent to her, she said he could be quick to anger. For example, she said, if she missed a step dancing he would become upset because he felt it made him look bad. Tran filed for divorce in late 2005, and a judge approved the divorce the following year, Los Angeles court records show.

It was unclear how frequently Tran visited the dance hall, if at all, in recent years.

Another long-time acquaintance of Tran's also remembered him as a frequent presence at the dance studio. The friend, who also asked not to be named, was close to Tran in the late 2000s and early 2010s, when he said Tran would make the roughly five minute drive from his home in San Gabriel to Star Ballroom Dance Studio "almost every night."

Tran often complained at the time that the instructors at the dance hall didn't like him and said "evil things about him," the friend remembered, adding Tran was "hostile to a lot of people there."

In 2013, Tran sold his San Gabriel home, which he had owned for more than two decades, property records show.

The friend said he hadn't seen Tran in several years, and was "totally shocked" when he heard about the shooting.

"I know lots of people, and if they go to Star studio, they frequent there," he said, adding he was "worried maybe I know some of" the shooting victims.
(CNN)  At least 10 people are dead and another 10 injured after a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, Saturday night, that happened as the city's large Asian American community was celebrating Lunar New Year weekend.

A lot remains unknown, but the scenes of agony and horror are increasingly all too familiar in America. In fact, Saturday's mass shooting joins a staggering *32* others from just the first three weeks of 2023, per the Gun Violence Archive.

Communities from Goshen, California, to Baltimore, Maryland, are reeling while others brace for the possibility of such violence in their own backyards.

"A time of a cultural celebration ... and yet another community has been torn apart by senseless gun violence," Vice President Kamala Harris told a crowd in Tallahassee, Florida, on Sunday. "All of us in this room and in our country understand this violence must stop."

But how that happens with a divided Congress, vastly different policy prescriptions, and a deeply entrenched gun culture remains to be seen.

The sobering data

It's bad however you look at it.

Firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death among people younger than 24 in the United States, according to a study published in the December 2022 edition of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

From 2015 through 2020, there were at least 2,070 unintentional shootings by children under 18 in the US, according to a report from Everytown. Those shootings resulted in 765 deaths and 1,366 injuries.

An unequal burden. A study published late last year in JAMA Network Open analyzed firearm deaths over the past three decades  a total of more than 1 million lives lost since 1990.

The researchers found that firearm mortality rates increased for most demographic groups in recent years  especially during the Covid-19 pandemic  but vast disparities persisted. The homicide rate among young Black men  142 homicide deaths for every 100,000 Black men ages 20 to 24  was nearly 10 times higher than the overall firearm death rate in the US in 2021.

Americans are armed like few others. There are about 393 million privately owned firearms in the US, according to an estimate by the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey. That's 120 guns for every 100 Americans.

While the exact number of civilian-owned firearms is difficult to calculate due to a variety of factors  including unregistered weapons, the illegal trade and global conflict  no other nation has more civilian guns than people.

About 45% of US adults say they live in a household with a gun, according to an October 2022 Gallup survey.

How should we define 'mass shooting'?

The Gun Violence Archive, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.

But what defines a mass shooting depends on whom you ask.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, for example, has cited 2012 legislation defining a "mass killing" as "three or more killings in a single incident."

Mass Shooting Tracker, a crowd-sourced data base, defines mass shooting as "a single outburst of violence in which four or more people are shot."

Everytown For Gun Safety defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot and killed, excluding the shooter.

The lack of a firm definition doesn't help in addressing the problem. And the squishiness opens up room to interpret the data differently. The conservative Daily Caller, for example, has cited a definition of "public mass shootings" included in a 2013 Congressional Research Service report that is so narrow it only identified 78 of them between 1983 and 2012.

A 2019 research paper published in Injury Epidemiology put a spotlight on this issue: "Gun Violence Archive recorded the most mass shooting incidents at 346 incidents in 2017, while Mother Jones only recorded 11 cases."

The authors' conclusion? "Establishing a definition for 'mass shooting' will improve the quality of analyses being completed. This could lead to an improvement in not only public awareness and understanding of mass shooting facts, but also arguments to policymakers for legislation that could alleviate the burden that mass shootings place on society."

Remember, we're alone

It certainly doesn't have to be this way. Countries that have introduced laws to reduce gun-related deaths have achieved significant changes, a previous, in-depth CNN analysis found:

Australia. Less than two weeks after Australia's worst mass shooting, the federal government implemented a new program, banning rapid-fire rifles and shotguns, and unifying gun owner licensing and registrations across the country. In the next 10 years gun deaths in Australia fell by more than 50%.

A 2010 study found the government's 1997 buyback program -- part of the overall reform  led to an average drop in firearm suicide rates of 74% in the five years that followed.

South Africa. Gun-related deaths almost halved over a 10-year-period after new gun legislation, the Firearms Control Act of 2000, went into force in July 2004. The new laws made it much more difficult to obtain a firearm.

New Zealand. Gun laws were swiftly amended after the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. Just 24 hours after the attack, in which 51 people were killed, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the law would change.

New Zealand's parliament voted almost unanimously to change the country's gun laws less than a month later, banning all military-style semi-automatic weapons.

Britain tightened its gun laws and banned most private handgun ownership after a mass shooting in 1996, a move that saw gun deaths drop by almost a quarter over a decade.

But America's gun culture is a global outlier. For now, the deadly cycle of violence seems destined to continue.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Three weeks and 33 mass shootings. This is America in 2023."
(CNN)  Lebanon vowed to restore its payments to the UNs operating budget on Friday after losing its right to vote in the 193-member UN General Assembly, according to the countrys state-owned National News Agency (NNA).

Lebanon is one of six countries to lose its right to vote for not meeting minimum contributions, along with Venezuela, South Sudan, Gabon, Dominica and Equatorial Guinea, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a letter on Thursday.

In response to the suspension, Lebanons Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the payment process will take place immediately, NNA said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants would like to clarify that all the payment stages of the required amount have been completed, the ministry said in a statement, according to NNA.

After the necessary contacts with each of the Lebanese Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, it has been confirmed that the final payment process will take place immediately in a manner that preserves Lebanons rights in the United Nations.

Under Article 19 of the UN Charter, members with arrears that equal or exceed the amount of their contributions for the preceding two full years lose their voting rights. The General Assembly also has the authority to decide if failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member, in which case the country will not lose its voting rights.

The minimum payments needed to restore voting rights for Lebanon is $1,835,303, the secretary generals letter said.

For more than three years, Lebanon has seen the most devastating, multi-pronged crisis in its modern history, as described by the World Bank.

In a report on Lebanon, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described the situation in the country as the deepest economic crisis since the end of the civil war.

The unfolding financial crisis that started in October 2019 was worsened by the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, and the massive Port of Beirut explosion in August 2020.

Lebanons banks have locked most depositors out of their savings since the economic crisis, leaving much of the population unable to pay for basics and forcing depositors to hold up banks demanding access to their funds.

The Lebanese lira on Thursday hit a new record low of 50,000 to 1 US dollar, currency exchange dealers told Reuters, marking a loss in value of more than 95% since the countrys financial system imploded in 2019.

Around 2 million people in Lebanon, including 1.29 million Lebanese residents and 700,000 Syrian refugees, are currently facing food insecurity, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Program said in a report on Thursday, stating that the situation is expected to worsen in the coming months.

In the midst of the financial crisis, a political deadlock has prevented parliament from electing a president for the country. On Thursday, it failed to do so for the eleventh consecutive time. Several members of parliament staged a sit-in to pressure other factions to reach a consensus on the vote.

We are insisting on the need to elect a president for the republic and accordingly we started this sit-in inside the parliament to voice our need to have a president capable of putting an end to the collapse of the country! said Najat Saliba, a member of parliament who took part in Thursdays sit-in.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Lebanon to restore UN payments immediately after losing voting rights in General Assembly"
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday that a planned visit by his Swedish counterpart to Ankara has been canceled after Swedish authorities granted permission for protests in Stockholm.

Protests in Stockholm on Saturday against Turkey and Swedens bid to join NATO, including the burning of a copy of the Quran, sharply heightened tensions with Turkey at a time when the Nordic country needs Ankaras backing to gain entry to the military alliance.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the vile attack on our holy book  Permitting this anti-Islam act, which targets Muslims and insults our sacred values, under the guise of freedom of expression is completely unacceptable, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Its statement was issued after an anti-immigrant politician from the far-right fringe burned a copy of the Quran near the Turkish Embassy. The Turkish ministry urged Sweden to take necessary actions against the perpetrators and invited all countries to take concrete steps against Islamophobia.

A separate protest took place in the city supporting Kurds and against Swedens bid to join NATO. A group of pro-Turkish demonstrators also held a rally outside the embassy. All three events had police permits.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that Islamophobic provocations were appalling.

Sweden has a far-reaching freedom of expression, but it does not imply that the Swedish Government, or myself, support the opinions expressed, Billstrom said on Twitter.

The Quran-burning was carried out by Rasmus Paludan, leader of Danish far-right political party Hard Line. Paludan, who also has Swedish citizenship, has held a number of demonstrations in the past where he has burned the Quran.

Paludan could not immediately be reached by email for a comment. In the permit he obtained from police, it says his protest was held against Islam and what it called Turkish President Tayyip Erdogans attempt to influence freedom of expression in Sweden.

Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait denounced the Quran-burning. Saudi Arabia calls for spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, and rejects hatred and extremism, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join NATO following Russias invasion of Ukraine but all 30 member states must approve their bids. Turkey has said Sweden in particular must first take a clearer stance against what it sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish militants and a group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt.

At the demonstration to protest Swedens NATO bid and to show support for Kurds, speakers stood in front of a large red banner reading We are all PKK, referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party that is outlawed in Turkey, Sweden, and the United States among other countries, and addressed several hundred pro-Kurdish and left-wing supporters.

We will continue our opposition to the Swedish NATO application, Thomas Pettersson, spokesperson for Alliance Against NATO and one of organizers of the demonstration, told Reuters.

Police said the situation was calm at all three demonstrations.

Earlier on Saturday, Turkey said that due to lack of measures to restrict protests, it had canceled a planned visit to Ankara by the Swedish defence minister.

At this point, the visit of Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson to Turkey on January 27 has become meaningless. So we canceled the visit, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Protests in Stockholm, including Koran-burning, draw strong condemnation from Turkey"
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Recently, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar stated that, if there is one border and one region of India which has dramatically improved in the last decade, it is eastern and northeastern India. And the reason for that is that India has vastly improved its relationship with Bangladesh.

Not only that, but recently India also has expressed interest in building and operating an airport in Bangladesh. India wants a piece of Bangladeshi land in Brahmanbaria to upgrade and expand the Agartala airport, which is set to become the third international airport in Indias northeastern region by the end of this year or early next year. Following the completion of the project, flights between Agartala and Dhaka, as well as other Bangladeshi cities like Chattogram and Sylhet, would be operated.

The main reason behind this is, Bangladesh is the trump card for India to implement its Act Fast for Northeast policy. And Chickens Neck or Siliguri Corridor created the importance of Bangladesh for India. This corridor is one of the most geographical compulsions for India. This narrow corridor separated the whole North Eastern region from the Indian Mainland.

Bangladesh creates a broader nexus between the Indian mainland and the North Eastern region. Because Agartala is 1,650km from Kolkata and 2,637km from New Delhi through Shillong and Guwahati. The journey between Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh, on the other hand, is only about 550km. Furthermore, the average distance between Bangladesh's major cities and northeast India is 20km to 300km.

As a result, Bangladesh is always considered crucial for the North-Eastern region's connectivity with mainland India by rail, road, and river routes. Bangladesh played a major role and has immense potential for the development of Indian northeastern states. And among those states, Tripura and Assam are the prominent ones.

Bangladesh-locked Tripura is an important part of Indias northeastern states. It is considered Indias gateway to ASEAN countries. There is a saying in the South Asian region that, if Bangladesh is India-locked, Tripura is Bangladesh-locked. So, the relationship between Bangladesh and Tripura is a long one; it is civilizational, historical, lingual, and cultural. From time immemorial, the people of Tripura and Bangladesh, have shared their problems and prosperity. Tripura and Bangladesh share a porous border, which stretches over 856-kilometer-long border, constituting 85 percent of Tripura's border.

The AgartalaAkhaura (Bangladesh) railway link is expected to be completed in June 2023. When it will be completed, it will connect Gangasagar in Bangladesh to Nischintapur in India (10.6 kilometers) and then connect Nischintapur to Agartala railway station (5.46 kilometers) in India. The scope of trade relations will open with the introduction of the Agartala-Akhaura railway line.

Not only that, but India also plans to develop an integrated checkpost and cargo handling facility at Nischintapur, which is the junction point of the Agartala-Akhaura rail link at Tripura. This rail link will reduce the journey time between Agartala and Kolkata by passing through Dhaka instead of Guwahati. The travel time between Agartala and Kolkata will be reduced to 10 hours from the current 31 hours as it will travel a mere 550 km instead of 1,600.

India and Bangladesh currently have four operational rail links between West Bengal and Western Bangladesh  Petrapole-Benapole, Gede-Darshana, Radhikapur-Biral, and Singhabad-Rohanpur. The last two are also notified of the use of Nepalese transit traffic. The present line will not only help people from Agartala but also those from Mizoram, which is 150 kilometers away.

With the completion of these two connectivity projects -- the Feni bridge connecting Sabroom, Tripura with Chittagong, Bangladesh, and the AgartalaAkhaura rail line -- Tripura would emerge as a well-connected state from a landlocked one. In this way, Tripura will develop its connectivity and relations by connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand through roadways.



Bangladesh is situated in a crucial geostrategic, forming a key triangle around Assam along with Bhutan and Myanmar

Tripuras Maharaja Bir Bikram airport would be the third international airport in the landlocked Northeastern region after its new terminal is completed by this year. After the completion of this airport, flights between Agartala and Dhaka, as well as other cities like Chittagong and Sylhet would be operated.
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has announced that its investigation to find the insider who leaked a draft opinion of the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Org. decision to media outlet Politico has come up empty.

In a nutshell, the courts insider risk management program, designed to protect the information the justices handle on a daily basis, failedand failed miserably. Frankly, based on the findings of the report, the courts insider risk management programif it existedwas anemic at best.

The investigation, detailed in a 23-page report released on January 19, indicates that the courts methodology was judged to be thorough by Michael Chertoff of the Chertoff Group, who was asked to review the marshal of the courts investigative results.

Basic security protocols were not in place

Chertoffs recommendations speak volumes about the state of affairs of the information security arena within SCOTUS and every CISO will recognize that what should have happened was basic blocking and tackling (or infosec 101):

Restrict the distribution of hard copy versions of sensitive documents. Restrict email distribution for sensitive documents. Use information rights management (IRM) tools to better control how sensitive documents are used, edited, and shared. Limit the access to sensitive information on outside mobile devices.

All investigations are limited to the available data. The marshal may well have been most thorough, but what was available seems to indicate an arcane and dated information-handling strategy was in place within the court. The court did not embrace the basic tenets of insider risk management by any stretch of the imagination.

SCOTUS leak investigators used subjective criteria

The report highlights that 97 employees were interviewed, all of whom denied providing the draft to Politico. The report goes on to explain that investigators had apparently divided the employees into cohorts based on an evaluation of statements and conduct of personnel who displayed attributes associated with insider-threat behaviorviolation of confidentiality rules, a disgruntled attitude, claimed stress, anger at the courts decision, etc.and weighed behavior and evidence that would tend to mitigate any adverse inferences. Investigators also carefully evaluated whether personnel may have had reason to disclose the courts draft decision for strategic reasons.

This is a long-winded way of saying that investigators employed subjective criteria and the content of personnel files (no doubt looking for prior reprimands) and considered whether an individual might hold opinions that did not align with the draft opinion to determine who may have been most likely to violate the trust of the court.

Joyce Vance, former US attorney and co-host of the #SistersInLaw podcast, noted in a series of public Twitter posts that it appeared the investigation focused on people who had anger at the courts decision. She contends that the investigation appeared very one-sided and noted that the court could have explained what they did and didnt do, why they didnt use criminal investigators, given cyber issues and their list of possible criminal violations. Transparency wasnt the goal here.

In fairness, the report does reference that the investigative team consists of seasoned attorneys and trained federal investigators with substantial experience conducting criminal, administrative, and cyber investigations, without further attribution. Interestingly, the report does not indicate if the 97 employees included the nine justices.

Remote working clouded leak investigation

Highlighted by the marshal is an issue that every CISO has had to address throughout the pandemic: a dispersed workforce, working from locations other than their principal place of employmentin other words, working from home. This reduced the IT teams visibility. In addition, the interviews of employees revealed that several did not handle the document in accordance with existing IT policies and numerous copies were printed, though neither logged nor accounted for by any empirical methodologies as there was very little logging capability at that time.

Additionally, the report indicates that some employees violated the need to know principles and shared sensitive portions of the draft with their spouses.

The investigation goes on to opine that it is unlikely that the public disclosure was caused by a hack of the courts IT system. The report continues that the investigation did not uncover any evidence that an employee with elevated IT access privileges accessed or moved the draft opinion. Furthermore, the investigators did not find any logs or IT artifacts indicating that the draft opinion had been downloaded onto removable media, but it is impossible to rule out.

The takeaway for CISOs from SCOTUS leak investigation

The important takeaway for CISOs and their infosec and insider risk management teams lay within the conclusion provided in the Marshals report: Assuming, however, that the opinion was intentionally provided to Politico by a court employee, that individual was evidently able to act without being detected by any of the courts IT systems. If it was a court employee or someone who had access to an employees home, that person was able to act with impunity because of inadequate security with respect to the movement of hard copy documents from the court to home, the absence of mechanisms to track print jobs on court printers and copiers, and other gaps in security or policies.

It was not until the investigation was initiated that it was recognized there were gaping holes in the ability to discern what was happening within the network and with the sensitive data. The court did not know what they didnt know, and only because they were stung did they learn that they lacked the ability to reconstruct events. The court lost a draft opinion, the loss of which was overtaken by events when the decision was officially made and the ruling put forward. Companies with intellectual property to protect may not be so fortunate.

The loss of intellectual property, the lifeblood of many a company may have significant deleterious effects on the sustainability of the entity. How many companies can withstand the loss of their crown jewels and then find themselves competing on the global market at a future date against products following their own design? Not many.

Best to invest upfront in the ability to monitor ones infrastructure so that in the event of need, one may reconstruct events and provide the empirical evidence desired.
On Jan. 16, people gathered at Autzen Stadium to march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and shared the actions they will take in upholding MLKs philosophies of justice and equality for all.

After three years of postponing the march due to the pandemic, the Eugene Springfield NAACP coordinated a march from Autzen Stadium to the Hult Performing Arts Center in Downtown Eugene.

Val Hoyle, the United States representative for Oregons fourth congressional district, attended the event. I think that its critical right now more than ever before that we come together and show, not only that we believe in the mission of Martin Luther King Jr., but that were actually willing to do the work, Hoyle said.

Hoyle said people must continue serving their communities and learning about history even after the holiday to create social change.

Eugene Springfield NAACP President Miles Rowe Pendleton spoke prior to the start of the march. After years of not being able to gather again. Look at us, Pendleton said.

He said the community needs to support those who have been unheard and ignored.

These days, these moments, these events, they mean something because we collectively decide that they need to mean something, Pendleton said.

Shannetta Mennenga, president of the South Willamette Valley chapter of the National Organization for Women, attended the march along with other members of the organization.

Mennenga said it was important for the organization to support causes that are working to protect the same goals of equality and justice for all that it has.

Locally, we try to support local politicians and legislation that are working on initiatives that are going to help forward things for women and women of color and the LGBTQ community, Mennenga said.

Students from South Eugene High Schools Black Student Union were present at the march carrying posters and flags. Volunteers followed along with megaphones chanting Black Lives Matter.

Bringing the community together through discussion about local issues and marches like this is how Pendleton plans to continue his activism with the NAACP.

We commit ourselves not only to progress, not only to battles that are historic, but not short-lived, and we gather today to fight our fights together, he said.
US Dollar, DXY Index, USD, Fed, Lunar New Year, Crude Oil, Gold - Talking Points

The US Dollar dipped today on the possibility of the Fed being less aggressive

Equity markets that remain open over the Lunar New Year are buoyant so far today

If the Fed slows its hiking pace, will the DXY ( USD ) index come under pressure?

Recommended by Daniel McCarthy Get Your Free USD Forecast Get My Guide

The US Dollar is on the back foot to start the week as the slowing in rate hikes from the Federal Reserve is becoming apparent. Thin trading conditions through the Asian session may have exaggerated the moves.

APAC markets might be in for a quiet week with many parts of the region celebrating the Lunar New Year. Mainland China will be joined by Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore in taking a break and Australia also will take a holiday on Thursday.

Asian equity cash markets that were open were mostly in the green. Hong Kongs Hang Seng index futures contract was also up over 1%.

This followed a positive finish to last week for Wall Street. Fed speakers Esther George, Patrick Harker and Christopher Waller pointed toward the central bank being less hawkish with future rate hikes  citing 25 basis points as the most appropriate steps going forward.

The word restrictive also got plenty of airplay from them. The next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting will be held Wednesday the 1st of February.

The commentary appears to have boosted risk assets such as equities and undermined the US Dollar.

The biggest gainers so far today have been the Kiwi Dollar, Euro and the Nordic bloc of DKK, NOK and SKK. ECB President Christine Lagarde is due to speak later today. The Japanese Yen is the only G-10 currency that is struggling to make headway against the big dollar.

Treasury yields have added a couple of basis points across most of the curve.

Crude oil is a touch softer and a gold smidge higher with the WTI futures contract under US$ 81.50 bbl while the Brent contract is below US$ 87.50 bbl. Spot gold is trading near US$ 1,930 at the time of going to print.

A data point of note later today will be the Conference Board US Leading Index.

The full economic calendar can be viewed here.

Recommended by Daniel McCarthy How to Trade AUD/USD Get My Guide

DXY (USD) INDEX TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

The DXY index continues to languish near the May 2022 low of 101.30 which may provide support ahead of the April 2022 low of 99.42.

After trading below the lower band of the 21-day simple moving average (SMA) based Bollinger Band and then moving back inside it, the price has moved sideways.

This pause in direction could suggest a reversal if it rallies back above the breakpoint of 103.42. The 21-day SMA is near that level, and it might offer resistance.

Further up, the prior peaks may offer resistance at 105.63, 105.82, 107.20 and 108.00.

Chart created in TradingView

--- Written by Daniel McCarthy, Strategist for DailyFX.com

Please contact Daniel via @DanMcCathyFX on Twitter
When a female Labour MP, someone who campaigns bravely for womens rights, comes out and says in public that the Labour Party has a woman problem, you would expect our national broadcaster to sit up and take notice. Perhaps even report the story.

Yet the BBC chose to largely ignore Rosie Duffield, MP for Canterbury, after she wrote an article on Friday for the political news website Unherd that detailed the abuse she had been subjected to by Labour MPs in a debate last week on Nicola Sturgeons Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

Along with the Tory MP Miriam Cates, she had been heckled and screamed at for objecting to the Bill. They had both made speeches defending the right of women to safe spaces, which they believe the Bill threatens because it will make it easier for Scottish people to self-identify as the gender of their choice and open the door to male predators.

Particularly objectionable had been Labours hard-Left MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle who launched a vicious verbal assault on Ms Cates, saying her speech was disgusting and she should be ashamed.

Labours hard-Left MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle who launched a vicious verbal assault on Ms Cates

The experience of being shouted down, wrote Ms Duffield, left her so traumatised it was like being in an abusive relationship.

Worse, she suggested, there was silence from Keir Starmer after the speech which had made headlines everywhere (except the BBC). Its a cycle Ive come to know well, she wrote. First, speak up in defence of womens sex-based rights. And then, face the consequences. Alone.

Bullying, misogyny, a cowardly silence  these are extraordinary accusations to level at your own party. And yet, as I said, the BBC did not appear to be interested.

No, instead they were obsessed with what they clearly considered a far greater abuse of power  that of Rishi Sunaks failure to wear his seatbelt in the back seat of his car. In fact, you could hardly watch or listen to the BBC news without them interviewing the usual Tory-bashers ludicrously suggesting that this minor omission brought the Prime Ministers integrity into question.

They were obsessed with what they clearly considered a far greater abuse of power  that of Rishi Sunaks failure to wear his seatbelt in the back seat of his car

As a former Tory spin doctor I like to think I understand what a political story is. And the fact is Seatbelt-gate is utterly absurd. In the litany of political transgressions, it does not even register. Rishi made a mistake, apologised and paid the fine, end of story. Actually, who hasnt sat in the back seat of a car without a seatbelt on? Well, as my colleague Dominic Lawson pointed out on these pages, the last three Labour leaders all did it for starters  Keir Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn and Ed Miliband  and weve seen the video evidence. As well as Tony Blair.

Of course, the BBC never mentioned them. Yet for failing to belt up, Rishis been treated as if hes the next Reggie Kray.

A quick visit to the BBC website proves my point. Yesterday, I searched first for Rishi Sunak seatbelt on the site. Five BBC articles on Rishi and his seatbelt, all published within the last four days, popped up.

Then, I typed in Rosie Duffield gender. No story at all came up about her treatment in that fractious debate  in fact the most recent story that appeared about her was dated September 26 last year.

My survey was hardly scientific. Yet, it confirmed my suspicion that the BBC values are so skewed that vicious attacks on women by fellow MPs were considered unimportant. Is it that the oh-so woke BBC supports the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (something the majority of Britons disagree with)? That the corporation doesnt want to upset Labour MPs? Or is Aunties dislike of the Tories simply too ingrained to shake off?

It comes at a time when Rosie Duffield was accused of spending more time with J K Rowling than her own constituency

Whatever the case, it seems the Beeb cannot get enough of the Tories current travails. It has endless reports on Labours calls for the resignation of Tory Chairman Nadhim Zahawi after he paid a penalty to HMRC for unpaid tax while Chancellor.

There is also the coverage of BBC chairman Richard Sharps involvement in securing Boris Johnson an 800,000 loan while he was PM, insinuating he got the job as chairman only because Johnson was in No 10. (Mr Sharp yesterday refuted that he had been involved in any way in securing the loan.)

Of course these stories warrant investigation and reporting. Its just the relentless nature of the BBCs anti-Tory bias, while Labour malpractice is given a wide berth.

I know from my decades working with the BBC as a presenter and panellist that it cannot shake off this bias. Take for example my mistake after pleas from Jonathan Dimbleby to appear on his final Any Questions? show in the summer of 2019.

The balanced panel consisted of the Guardians Polly Toynbee, arch Remainer Chris Patten, Labours David Blunkett and me. Despite promises that the audience would be impartial, I was hissed at and booed during most of my answers, many of them to questions about Brexit.

Which is another reason the BBC is so anti-Tory. Too many of its employees are bitter Remainers and will not miss any opportunity to criticise the party that delivered Brexit, even though it was the legitimate will of the people.

Rosie Duffield isnt a Tory. It took great courage for her to defend womens rights in the faced of boorish male heckling from her own party. Yet the BBC preferred to concentrate instead on Rishi and his seatbelt. The PMs transgression was accidental, but the corporations is cold, cruel and calculated.
Everyone knows that building work rarely goes to plan. But, as these hilarious photos show, some constructions can be worse than others.

A new gallery compiled by Bored Panda features snaps people have shared of disastrous building and renovation projects from around the world.

From bent looking curbs to toilet doors with large gaps in them, some contractors show a reckless attitude towards building safety.

FEMAIL has rounded up the best from the online gallery - and we're warning you now, they'll either make you laugh or cry.

A group of builders started constructing a wall but instead of making it even, all the bricks seemed to be jumbled up and placed at different angles

At first glance this may look like a smart and well design kitchen - until you realise the top of the breakfast bar is acting as one of the stairs. It's probably not the most hygienic surface to eat meal on

Mind your step! Social media users ridiculed this inhabitant in the US for having a stair case which could cause you to fall over

The curb on this straight-looking track in the US could make drivers dizzy, with many thinking they are in an illusion as they hit the open road

One Bored Panda user's old bathroom cabinet was not particularly useful, considering you could only pull them out very slightly

Peekaboo! Social media users claim this was meant to be used for a bathroom door, but it does not look like you get much privacy

People are questioning whether this is the wrong sized stove or the Bosch chimney cooker is in the incorrect place in this British home - either way, it's not working out!

This digger is placing tricks with your vision. Even though it's far away it looks like it is about to imminently squash the four construction workers on the floor

Lots of people like a blackout blind - especially one which covers the full length of the window. But whoever fitted this got it all wrong, with the material drooping down from the ceiling and letting all the light in

Is this normal practice? Builders have been teased on social media as a layer of bricks are on a slant and look like they could tumble onto the floor
If you are about to have a baby, chances are you are more likely to be unmarried than married.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 2021 was the first year on record that more children were born out of wedlock than in it.

It follows a long-term trend of declining marriage rates and rising numbers of cohabiting couples seen in recent decades.

Explaining the decline, Dr Max Blumberg, a relationship psychologist and chartered member of the British Psychological Society, says that marriage no longer offers what it used to.

Marriage is on the decline - as is the number of children born to married parents (stock image)

Dr Blumberg, of Hampshire, says: 'Society used to require you to get married, even if the benefits of it were not great.

'For women especially, there was no social mobility without getting married, so even a bad one had benefits.

'But now it has switched around and the costs of getting married are often higher than the costs of remaining single.

'A marriage can mean compromising so you have less money, less of a career and less freedom.

'So for many there is less value in getting married than remaining single.'

Here he breaks down exactly why the traditional institution is on the way out.

1. Traditional reasons for marriage no longer matter

Traditionally, women needed the economic stability and social mobility of marriage. Even until the 1960s or later, men and women had set roles. But modern social structures make this increasingly less important and women's lives are now much more flexible. They are working, pursuing careers, having babies and looking after the house  whether they are married or not. Men are also becoming more flexible in their roles but not at the same rate as women.

2. People marry when they are happy (and we are less happy)

Happier people are more likely to get married than unhappy people simply because unhappy people find it hard to have relationships and are hard to be in a relationship with. So a decline in mental health and happiness will link to a decline in marriage.

But we know happiness has been declining. This is chiefly because people are working harder to stay afloat  and those working hard don't have time for decent relationships.

There is also a lot of pressure to earn a certain amount and look a certain way. Young women's self-esteem has been particularly hit by social media, while online connections are known to not bring as much happiness as offline connections. People also have less time while resources such as doctor's appointments and food on the shelves are scarcer.

3. Growing acceptance of cohabiting

There has been a growing societal acceptance of cohabiting, with increasing demands for legal protection. Often people believe that living with someone prior to marriage might reduce the impact of a later divorce. In fact, cohabiting can bring more risks than marriage to couples breaking down. Yet still, it is increasingly popular, perhaps simply because it is easier and parents don't frown on it anymore.

4. High divorce rates paint a bad picture

It is estimated that 42 per cent of marriages in the UK end in divorce. Often a key reason is arguments about finances. Also, most divorces are initiated by women. But in psychology, we place strong emphasis on how our expectations can govern our behaviour. So if all a person sees in the media is marriages ending badly, this will colour their view and they may not want to try it at all.

5. No evidence to show that marriage makes you happier and healthier (especially for women)

The benefits of marriage to men are quite clear. Studies have shown married men have better health and happiness. They also have fewer illnesses, better mental health and recover faster from sickness. But it is not so clear cut for women.

In his 2020 book Happy Ever After: A Radical New Approach to Living Well, behavioural scientist Paul Dolan of the London School of Economics analysed global data. He found that women who are single with no children often claim to be happier than those who are married. They also live longer. He believes that by middle-age the effects of marriage might have begun to take mental and physical effects on some women.

Research shows that women who are single may have bigger social connections and do more social activities  which is a key marker of happiness.

6. Cost of weddings

According to Hitched's National Wedding Survey, the average cost of a wedding in 2021 was 17,300. This was up 90 per cent on the previous year, where costs were 9,100.

While Covid may have had an impact on causing prices to rise, there has long been an upwards trend in wedding costs. In a cost of living crisis, many couples might simply think a wedding is too expensive and not at the top of their list of priorities.

7. Marriage is not promoted by UK government

According to the Marriage Foundation, people in lower socio-economic groups are less likely to marry than middle-class couples, and this is due to financial penalties. Their research shows that the welfare system penalises couples who live together over those who don't.

But it has been shown that if you offer financial incentives more people will get married. In Hungary, for example, marriage rates have declined since the 1980s. But the government then promoted it economically, and it now has one of the highest marriage rates in Europe.

Also, if a government does not promote marriage as a good thing, why would anyone think it is?

Dr Max Blumberg studies people  both in relationships and at work  and believes for some marriage may come with more costs than benefits

8. Women are fine doing motherhood alone

I don't think most women say they want to do motherhood alone. But if they have a strong biological urge to be a parent but haven't met the right partner, or don't like the look of their friend's relationships, they may chose to go it alone. There is now less stigma about using sperm donors or being a single mother. And if a woman can afford it  which they increasingly can  this seems like an option. Equally, if a couple get pregnant but one doesn't want to have the child, the other might choose to bring it up alone.

9. People don't want to invest

When a person looks at whether they want to get married or not, they weigh up how much they will be investing emotionally and financially  and what return they will get on this. Marriages inevitably mean you have to compromise on certain things. You won't have the freedom to do what you want. Equally, you might find your finances drop as they go into a shared pool and you no longer have agency over what you spend your money on. People look at the return they get on their investment, and if it doesn't look like it's enough, they won't get married. The value and benefit of it has to be more than the cost.

10. Being born out of wedlock is no longer a social disgrace

People over the age of 50 may still raise an eyebrow about a child born out of wedlock. But most people won't. This is probably linked to the waning power of the church. Much of the traditional social stigma came from a religious outlook. But a recent census showed fewer and fewer people are affiliated to a church in the UK. There is no coincidence in the rise of babies born out of wedlock rises as the same time as church attendance declines.



11. Sexual fluidity

The younger generations are far more likely to be open minded than older generations. An increasing number are gay or lesbian or pan sexual, as well as being gender fluid. If people want to date people of differing and varied sexes, then again marriage is less likely to be an option, particularly as the church does still not support gay marriage.

12. Lack of married role models

We are now with the second generation of people who are choosing not to get married. So many of those will have grown up not having married parents. Equally, the media does not focus on married couples anymore. So there are fewer and fewer married role models to look up to.

13. Sexual liberation and the pill

The world is now full of dating sites. Equally, the pill bought liberation for women and more control over their own bodies. Women and men are free to do as they want  and they don't need to be part of an institution such as marriage.
While hundreds of thousands of people take flights every single day, there are still many questions surrounding the process.

Over the last couple of months, many flight crew members have gone viral on social media for answering burning travel questions - like why you have to keep window shades open during takeoff and landing, what the chime sound that you hear throughout flights really means, and what happens to the water when you flush the toilet on a plane.

Now, a set of pilots have addressed some more of the biggest flying mysteries to Newsweek, spilling the truth about what really goes on in the cockpit - as well as what happens if there's an emergency mid-flight.

Pilots have spilled on the biggest travel mysteries to Newsweek, revealing the truth about what really goes on in the cockpit - and what happens if there's an emergency (stock image)

They spoke out about the top secret set of code words and phrases that pilots use to alert the stewardesses about a problem without freaking out the passengers, as well as the harrowing process the flight attendants use to hide a body from fellow travelers if one passes away in air.

They even dished on the difference between a pilot and co-pilot and what they actually do all flight long, especially since 98 per cent of the time, the plane is on autopilot.

From who would take over if both of the pilots became ill or hurt during travel to why the wings wobbling during turbulence is actually a good thing - check out these six flying secrets revealed by pilots.

What is the difference between a pilot and co-pilot and what does each one do?

There is usually two pilots in a cockpit on every flight - a pilot, also known as a captain, and a co-pilot, also called a first officer. But what is the difference between the two? (Stock image)

Patrick Smith (seen), a pilot from Boston, told Newsweek that the co-pilot is definitely 'not an apprentice' to the pilot and that they are equally involved in the decision-making process

There is usually two pilots in a cockpit on every flight - a pilot, also known as a captain, and a co-pilot, also called a first officer.

Pilot versus co-pilot: What are their responsibilities? Pilot Developing flight plans, ensuring the plane has adequate fuel and is an appropriate weight

Collaborating with meteorologists to evaluate the weather before a flight and adjust the flight plan as necessary

Inspecting the different areas of an aircraft to ensure everything functions properly before boarding passengers

Providing instructions to the co-pilot and cabin crew, and making announcements to passengers Co-pilot Preparing an aircraft and its cockpit before flights

Maintaining records of navigation and events that occur during a flight

Communicating with the flight crew and the ground grew

Updating airplane logs

Reviewing the performance of an aircraft and keeping records of any important details

Taking over for the captain if an emergency situation arises Source: Indeed Advertisement

And while both are fully qualified to work the aircraft, there are some differences between the two jobs.

Most notably, a pilot needs to have 2,500 hours of flying experience to earn the qualifications, while a co-pilot only needs 1,500.

Patrick Smith, a pilot from Boston, Massachusetts, who has written a book about his experiences, entitled Cockpit Confidential, told Newsweek that despite the difference, the co-pilot is definitely 'not an apprentice' to the pilot.

He noted that while the captain is 'officially in charge,' the first officer will usually average the same amount of take-offs and landings as captains do in 'pretty much all weather conditions' and are just as involved in the decision-making process during a flight.

'It's not terribly uncommon for the co-pilot to be older and more experienced than the captain. Pilots earn a larger paycheck, but both individuals fly the aircraft,' he said.

He also explained that 'seniority' plays a huge role in a co-pilot being promoted to pilot.

'Airline seniority bidding is a complicated thing,' Smith continued. 'A pilot can often have a more comfortable quality of life - salary, aircraft assignment, schedule, and choice of destinations.'

Indeed reported that co-pilots responsibilities include 'preparing an aircraft and its cockpit before flights, maintaining records of navigation and events that occur during a flight, such as turbulence, communicating with the flight crew and the ground grew throughout each flight, updating airplane logs after each flight, reviewing the performance of an aircraft and keeping records of any important details, and taking over for the captain if an emergency situation arises.'

The outlet added that pilots are in control of 'developing flight plans for each flight to ensure the plane has adequate fuel and is an appropriate weight, considering cargo and passengers, collaborating with meteorologists to evaluate the weather before a flight and adjust the flight plan as necessary, inspecting the different areas of an aircraft to ensure everything functions properly before boarding passengers, providing instructions to the co-pilot and cabin crew, and making announcements to passengers.'

What happens if both pilots get sick or hurt during a flight? Who will take over?

Having two pilots is vital in case one becomes debilitated - but what happens if both the captain and first officer both become ill or unable to fly the plane? (stock image)

Tony Shen (seen), a former pilot from Florida, explained to Newsweek that if something happens to both pilots, flight crew will look for passengers who have flying experience

Having two pilots is vital in case one becomes debilitated - but what happens if both the captain and first officer both become ill or unable to fly the plane?

Former pilot Dan Bubb (seen), from Las Vegas, Nevada, explained that it's 'extremely rare' for that to happen, especially because the pilots take extreme measures to ensure they both don't fall ill at the same time

Tony Shen, a former pilot who is now the president of Wayman Aviation Academy, from Florida, explained to Newsweek that if something happens to both pilots, flight crew will look for passengers who have flying experience.

'No cabin crew members have been trained to either control the plane or communicate with [air traffic control],' he revealed.

Former pilot Dan Bubb, from Las Vegas, Nevada, explained that it's 'extremely rare' for that to happen, especially because the pilots take extreme measures to ensure they both don't fall ill at the same time.

'Pilots order different meals for that reason. Some pilots bring their own food they know is safe,' he added.

'And if the illness is severe and happens mid-flight, the pilots will declare an emergency and land at the nearest airport to be met by medical personnel.'

Back in May 2022, a passenger aboard a small private plane flying from The Bahamas to Florida was hailed a hero after he successfully landed the aircraft while air traffic control guided him

While the man, named Darren Harrison, 39, had never flown that type of plane before, he was an FAA-certified flight instructor with around 1,200 hours of flying time under his belt

Back in May 2022, a passenger aboard a small private plane flying from The Bahamas to Florida was hailed a hero after he successfully landed the aircraft while air traffic control guided him using a printed out picture of the cockpit controls.

While the man, named Darren Harrison, 39, had never flown that type of plane before, he was an FAA-certified flight instructor with around 1,200 hours of flying time under his belt.

The pilot had suffered a medical emergency and had fallen unconscious. Due to the plane's small size, he was the only pilot on board.

Should you be alarmed if plane wings start to wobble during turbulence?

If you've ever been on an airplane that has gone through turbulence, you may have noticed the wings appearing to wobble - but is that something to be alarmed about? (Stock image)

While it may look like they're about to fall apart or that the plane is unsteady, Bubb said it's actually nothing to worry about (stock image)

If you've ever been on an airplane that has gone through some turbulence, you may have noticed the wings appearing to wobble - but is that something to be alarmed about?

While it may look like they're about to fall apart or that the plane is unsteady, Bubb said it's actually nothing to worry about.

Shen (pictured) echoed these sentiments, adding that airplanes are structurally strong enough to handle any type of wind or weather you may encounter

In fact, according to the former pilot, wings flapping during turbulence is a 'good thing.'

Shen echoed these sentiments, adding that airplanes are structurally strong enough to handle any type of wind or weather you may encounter.

'The real danger during turbulence is that passengers can fly out the seat and get hurt if the seat belt is not fastened,' he added.

'So it is always recommended to keep your seat belt fastened during flight.'

CBS previously reported that the FDA requires all airplanes to be able to withstand turbulence up to 50 per cent stronger than the worst that's ever been encountered before.

Mental Floss explained that the wings are actually designed to bend slightly to account for the slight changes in air density.

How much of your flight is actually spent in autopilot?

According to ThePointsGuy, airplanes are actually in autopilot for around 98 per cent of the time that they are airborne (stock image)

But Smith (pictured) told Newsweek that even so, flying is a very 'hands-on operation and involves tremendous amounts of input from the crew'

According to ThePointsGuy, airplanes are actually in autopilot for around 98 per cent of the time that they are airborne.

But Smith told Newsweek that even so, flying is a very 'hands-on operation and involves tremendous amounts of input from the crew.'

'Our hands might not be steering the airplane directly, as would have been the case in the 1930s, but almost everything the airplane does is commanded, one way or the other, by the pilots,' he added. 'The automation only does what we tell it to do.'

He said pilots have to tell the autopilot 'what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.'

'Our hands might not be steering the airplane directly, but almost everything the airplane does is commanded, by the pilots,' he added. 'The automation only does what we tell it to do'

'There are, for example, no fewer than six different ways that I can program an automatic climb or descent on the jet that I fly, depending on preference and circumstances,' he continued.

'We are telling it which routes to follow, and how to follow them, which speeds and altitudes to fly, and when to fly them, and 100 other things over the course of a flight.

'You'd be surprised how busy a cockpit can become - to the point of task-saturation - even with the autopilot [mode] on.

'The emphasis nowadays is on a different skill set, absolutely, but it's wrong to say this skill set is somehow less important, or less demanding than the old one.'

What happens if a passenger dies during the flight?

According to Bubb, if someone dies during a flight, crew will do their best to keep it 'discreet' and they will 'not inform' fellow passengers (stock image)

According to Bubb, it's possible that someone died during your travel and you never even knew about it - because flight crews do their best to keep it 'discreet' if a passenger passes away mid-flight.

'If a passenger dies, they will be discreetly removed from the plane, and to avoid upsetting other passengers, the flight crew will not inform the passengers that a [fellow] passenger has died,' he revealed.

A previous report claimed that some aircraft are even equipped with special compartments to keep a body out of sight.

If there is no space, cabin crew are told to cover the person with a blanket up to their neck and tighten their safety belt.

As for medical emergencies, airline crew are all trained in first aid and there are usually defibrillators on board, but if they think a passenger needs more assistance they might stage an emergency landing at the nearest airport.

In addition, they could ask for help from any passengers who may have medical experience.

Are there secret codes that pilots and flight crew use to communicate on planes?

Pilots need to be able to communicate with crew if there's an emergency without freaking out the passengers - so Shen explained there's a set of 'secret words' used (stock image)

It's important for the pilots to be able to communicate with flight crew if there's an emergency without freaking out the passengers - so Shen explained that there's a set of 'secret words' or 'special call options' created by each airline.

'It varies by airline, but all airlines have standard words or codes for communication between flight attendants and pilots using PA systems,' he said.

'In the case of emergencies e.g., hijack, flight attendants will notify pilots using secret words or special call options.'

DailyMail.com previously revealed some of the codes used to tell flight control on the ground that there's been an emergency.

The code 7500 is used if the aircraft is under threat of, or has been, hijacked. If there has been a radio failure, 7600 is used, and 7700 indicates a general emergency.
She took an online course and has mastered her finances; she shared her tips

When she got to her 20s, she had a family and mortgage to pay for and no idea

A mum who felt she has 'no idea what she was doing with money' or how to manage her finances has saved $100,000 and paid off half of her mortgage in just five years, describing the impact as 'life-changing'.

Pharmacist Sandy, 32, from Australia said when she was growing up, money was not something that was 'talked about openly' at home with her parents, and so by the time she hit her 20s, she had little experience with managing her own money.

However, all of this changed after she completed an online financial education program after she got married and bought a house.

Now, five years later, Sandy and her husband have a six-figure investment portfolio, they have saved $100,000 and paid off half of their mortgage.

Sandy has also tripled the balance of her super fund.

A mum who felt she has 'no idea what she was doing with money' or how to manage her finances has saved $100,000 and paid off half of her mortgage in just five years (Sandy Gokal pictured)

Sandy said she knew she needed to change her attitude towards her finances when she hit her late 20s and had financial responsibilities:

'Growing up, money was not something my parents talked about openly,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'They said it was important to save money, but that was about it. Investing was a totally foreign world to me. I didn't know it was something regular people like me could do.'

She added: 'By the time I was in my late 20s, I had just got married and we had bought a property together.

'While we weren't bad at saving money, now I had this huge mortgage and I still had no idea what I was doing with my finances. It was nerve-wracking.'

Sandy (pictured) said she knew she needed to change her attitude towards her finances when she hit her late 20s and had financial responsibilities like a mortgage to pay off

Sandy stumbled upon SkilledSmart's online financial education program, Mastering Money.

SkilledSmart is a financial education platform for adults to learn about money and personal finances founded by Paridhi Jain, after she realised that most Australians couldn't afford a financial advisor.

The online program Mastering Money covers all foundational financial planning topics including budgeting, investing, superannuation and more.

'For the first time ever, I felt like I understood my money and that was so empowering and exciting

'I needed something that was practical and suitable for beginners because I didn't have any experience in finance,' Sandy recalled.

'I found the Mastering Money course and it looked perfect. Within a few weeks, I could already see that it would change my life.

'For the first time ever, I felt like I understood my money and that was so empowering and exciting.'

She added: 'It wasn't just basic budgeting but it also went into topics like superannuation, investing and taxes and it broke everything down really simply, very step-by-step, and in a practical way so that I could apply it to my real life straight away'.

Sandy's tips for women looking to save more money 1. Pay attention to the small things: It's cliche, but the small things do add up over time. Once she started to care more about her financial future, she found that she started thinking twice about whether she really wanted to spend money on something or would she rather put that toward her future. 2. Create a streamlined system to manage your income and expenses: One thing Sandy got from the program was a clearer structure on how to set up her accounts in a way that made saving money much simpler. Otherwise, you can spend a lot of energy trying not to spend money but still not seeing your bank balance change, which can be frustrating. 3. Get clear on your goals and values: The program made Sandy get clear about what her goals and values really are, and once she had that clarity she was more motivated to save money for the things she cared about. It's not as motivating if you're just saving for the sake of saving, without knowing why. Advertisement

Sandy (pictured) has thousands invested into exchanged traded funds (ETFs), and she also has tripled her superannuation and paid off half her mortgage

Sandy said she saw results quickly from the course, and within a few months had already saved thousands.

Even better, she found the confidence to invest her first $10,000, 'fixed up' her superannuation by making voluntary contributions and started paying down her mortgage, quickly.

They now have thousands invested into into exchange traded funds (ETFs), which are listed on the Australian share market.

Sandy said she did this even though neither she or her husband are considered typical 'high earners'.

Having just given birth, the mum said she wants to pass on the skills to her child:

'I'm excited I have the skills to give my child the financial education I never got growing up,' she said.

'I'll have open conversations about money, teach them how to start investing and role model good behaviour from a young age.'

Paridhi Jain (pictured) is the founder of SkilledSmart, an independent financial education platform helping adults learn to save and invest their money

Sandy shared the three tips she thinks helped her to achieve her big financial goals in just a few years.

Investing is key to building wealth

The first is that investing is absolutely key to building wealth.

'Before the program, I didn't really understand how money is used to create wealth through investing, or what the purpose of investing was, or what role it played in my financial future,' Sandy said.

'I found the idea of investing intimidating because it seemed complicated and risky.'

But during the program, the 32-year-old discovered how 'important it is' to invest your money in order to build real wealth, and 'what a big impact that can have on my future'.

She said she now understands that investing is like 'fast-tracking' your ability to create wealth; otherwise, you'll be working for a long time without ever feeling like you're getting ahead.

Taking control of your retirement fund from a young age is important

The second lesson she learned is how important it is to take control of your super.

'Before the program, I hadn't thought too much about my superannuation. It was just something that my employer made a contribution to, and it was mandatory,' Sandy said.

'But through it, I woke up to how big a role it can play in my financial future and how taking an active interest in it can make a big impact on the balance I end up with in retirement.'

Sandy said she learned that superannuation is a form of investing, and so she started making voluntary contributions. She has now tripled her balance.

One of Paridhi's (pictured) courses aims to teach you that anyone can learn to be good with money - and you don't need a finance degree to get successful

Anyone can learn to be good with money

Finally, she said she has learned that anyone can be good with money - you don't need a finance degree.

'Before, I would change the channel as soon as the finance news came on, or I'd leave a conversation if people started talking about it. It was boring and complicated.'

But now, the mum said she feels in control of their household finances and manages them in a successful way.

'With a little effort and guidance, anyone can learn to be good with money.'

Paridhi Jain is the founder of SkilledSmart, an independent financial education platform helping adults learn to save and invest their money.

For more money tips, you can get a free e-book on Five Money Mistakes Costing You Thousands via their website, and follow them on Instagram.
A university student has revealed that although she's ditched the booze, she still goes on nights out and 3am takeaways, but without the hangovers.

Leilani van Someren, 20, decided to give up alcohol after having 'negative experiences' when other people were drunk.

Leilani, from London, had a 'two drink' limit and would avoid drinking at parties because she didn't trust inebriated people her own.

But now in her third year at Queen Mary University of London, Leilani doesn't drink at all and is president of the Sober Socials Society.

Leilani van Smeren, 20, (left) decided to give up alcohol after having negative experiences while drunk. She is pictured here with Magda, (right) another member of Queen Mary of London University's Sober Socials Society

Along with the society's 120 other members, she still participates in everything you would expect a student to do, such as going out clubbing, to parties and exploring the city.

Leilani, a psychology student, said: 'I used to drink a very small amount - the two glass limit - and I only liked wine.

'But I never drank with friends or at parties with people my own age because I didn't trust other people.'

The 20-year-old explained that she doesn't like the behaviour that is associated with being intoxicated.

Now in her third year at Queen Mary University of London , Leilani (second from right) doesn't drink at all and is president of the Sober Socials Society. She is pictured here with three other members at a gingerbread decoration event

She explained: 'I find it scary as a young woman to think about the things male people can do when they are uninhibited.

'I look at myself very proudly that I can control my own decisions, and I feel confident that I can step away from situations if anyone pressured me to drink.'

Going further the student believes that by not drinking she has removed herself from drugs and has found a kinder circle of friends.

Leilani has never regretted her decision to stay sober but said that she is not comfortable around drunk people as she fears that that person will 'step over the line.'

She said: 'When I went to the [student union] party for the societies committees there were lots of other societies drinking alcohol.

'We stayed in a small group drinking soft drinks and dancing to the music. It was a lot of fun and I would love for more events to be more intimate.

'I would love to find more parties like that, just with little or less alcohol so I can feel safe.'

Leilani also suffers from emetophobia - an intense fear of vomiting - which has further deterred her from drinking booze.

Leilani, from London, had a 'two drink' limit and would avoid drinking at parties because she didn't trust inebriated people her own

Although Leilani no longer drinks alcohol at all, she would sometimes drink a couple of glasses of wine in her final years of secondary school.

She found she was drinking less and less frequently at university, so decided to get involved with the sober social society, which had just launched in 2020 when she joined.

She explained that they are not an AA group or a sober support group, and do have members that drink, but enjoy spending time with members of the society.

The sober society is a 50-50 gender split of men and women.

Leilani speculated: 'People don't drink for all kinds of reasons - from religion to just not finding it fun, or because it saves a lot of money.'

Her society gets involved with a huge amount of sober activities from board games and laser tag to karaoke and London bus tours.

Last year the society visited Stepney Green farm and has hosted 'mub quiz', which is a pub quiz with mocktails.

Leilani said: 'Students say they are grateful that we have opened up these social networks, to bring them all together, because it's still the case that otherwise most university socialising does take place around drinking.'

Being teetotal has been a very positive experience for Leilani but says she sometimes feels like she is 'missing out.'

She said: 'I have never been pressured to drink alcohol, as I pick my friends really well.

'However, I do sometimes feel like I'm missing out. If there are a lot of people getting drunk then I feel uncomfortable and I will leave, which has limited my choice of friends.

'Moving to university was a scary thing to do, because drinking culture is a big stereotype about Freshers'.

'And to be honest it was difficult at first with freshers' socials - because there was rarely anything for me to drink.

'But it was OK because I thought there would always someone in the same boat as me, who wasn't drinking.

'It's really important that everyone is supported in all their needs whether you drink alcohol or not, for people who drink alcohol as well as those who do, in the same way that we should provide access to wheelchair users.'
Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer joined a host of stars partying in Dubai at the opening of Atlantis the Royal over the weekend.

Amelia, 30, the niece of Princess Diana and daughter of Earl Spencer, and her twin sister were joined by their partners Greg Mallett and Channing Millerd for the lavish hotel opening.

Celebrities at the launch of the 43 storey hotel included Kendall Jenner, Rebel Wilson, Liam Payne, Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan as well as Beyonce's husband Jay-Z and their children.

Both sisters shared snaps on their Instagram page as they partied with their partners at the event, posting snaps as they lounged outside their hotel room and gazed across at the view of Dubai.

Lady Amelia and Eliza Spencer joined a host of stars partying in Dubai at the opening of Atlantis the Royal over the weekend

In one, the twins could be seen reclining on sunbeds as they took in the views from their room in Dubai.

In another, they could be seen dancing as Swedish House Mafia played a set for the opening night of the lavish hotel.

It is the first hotel to be designed with Instagram in mind, with a series of features designed to look good in photos including a fountain that spans four acres  and breathes fire. The cheapest room is $1,800 a night.

Party-goers glugged 4,000 bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne at the opening of the 43-storey hotel, which has 3,000 members of staff to cater for its wealthy guests.

In one snap shared on social media over the weekend, Lady Amelia could be seen reclining on sunbeds as they took in the views from their room in Dubai

The VIP-only 'grand reveal party' comes ahead of the full opening next month to those members of the 'general public' who can afford it.

The flagship Royal Mansion suite where Beyonce and her family stayed costs $142,500 a night. Set over 11,000sq ft and 22 floors up, it has four vast rooms, a cinema, a 'safe room' and its own pool. Should you need further space, it can expand to 15 rooms for $285,000 a night,

Of the 795 rooms, 44 have their own private infinity pools, hundreds of feet in the air.

Off one bar is an exclusive 'ultra lounge' with 20 tables, each having a minimum spend said to be upwards of $35,000.

Amelia, 30, the niece of Princess Diana and daughter of Earl Spence r, and her twin sister were joined by their partners Greg Mallett and Channing Millerd for the lavish hotel opening

Hotel boss Timothy Kelly told The Mail on Sunday: 'We call that the space for your one percenters'  an exclusive spot only for the very richest 'celebrities and dignitaries'.

The Spencer twins visit to Dubai is their second trip in recent weeks, after they celebrated Amelia's bachelorette in South Africa.

Writing on her Instagram, Amelia said the party was her 'dream bachelorette', adding she had 'one of the best days of my life with my favourite girls.'

The first cousin of Princes Harry and William was joined by her twin sister Lady Eliza Spencer, who wore a vibrant, floral mini-dress for the sun-soaked hen party.

The sisters both shared snaps and clips of their trip to Dubai - with wait staff dressed in white fluffy outfits

Meanwhile Eliza shared another snap as the group looked out over their infinity pool while dining on caviar

Meanwhile, Amelia opted for bridal white, in a stylish two-piece by Reformation.

She paired her ensemble with chunky gold link heels from Versace and matching bag, and swept her hair back into a sleek ponytail.

Later in the day, Amelia changed into a white mini-dress with a deep V-neck.

Lady Amelia's fiancee, whom she is due to marry in March, posed for a snap as he lapped up the view from their infinity pool

Jet-set getaway! The sisters appeared happy to lap up a number of the 90 pools in the resort, sharing snaps on their Instagram pages

Lady Eliza posted a clip as she took in the view from their infinity pool during the hotel opening this weekend

Her beau Greg shared a slideshow of the event on his social media, writing: 'Cant wait to marry you!'

Lady Amelia, whose first name is actually Katya, and her twin sister Eliza grew up in the Constantia area of Cape Town with siblings Kitty and Louis.

The three sisters attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in 2011.

While Lady Kitty, Louis and Lady Eliza were present at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials in May 2018, Amelia was missing.
When Brandon Burr was learning how to tattoo, it was the early 1990s  before the internet connected artists to each other and the supplies they needed.

You couldnt just go online and buy tattoo equipment or supplies, said Burr, owner of Critical Acclaim Tattoos in Allentown. They had National Tattoo Supply and you had to know people. It wasnt just like you just walk in and buy equipment  you had to be vouched for by other artists.

National Tattoo Supply sold only to professional tattoo artists. At a time when there were only a handful of tattoo shops in the Lehigh Valley, that exclusivity was purposeful, Burr said, working to keep standards high in a state with little to no laws or guidelines on the books.

Even though it was difficult to get into these places to buy things, there was a reason for it, he said. They protected our community.

But now, after more than 30 years in Allentown, National Tattoo Supply, 485 Business Park Lane, is closing its doors. Several local artists said the closure isnt surprising, as it follows a sharp increase in tattoo supplies available through online retailers.

The industry has gone through many changes over the last few years, notes a letter from the owners on Nationals website. I will not say it is just one reason but the continued growth of many reasons that put hardships on this company.

Between the effects of COVID, the growing prices of product and shipping and a few other issues has been the reason for this decision. We (Don and Flo Makofske) are now in our 80s and believe it is time to enjoy full retirement.

National Tattoo Supply is closing after more than three decades of business in Allentown, owners announced in a November Facebook post.

The Morning Call could not immediately reach Nationals owners for comment.

Established in August 1974 in Long Island, New York, the Makofskes moved the business to Allentown in 1991, according to the companys website.

We are always looking for the best in tattoo equipment and supplies and we welcome any suggestions from you, according to their website. We want to thank you, our valued customer and friend, for your part in the success of this company. We promise to continue to offer the products that you require at the best possible cost to you.

We ask that you continue to allow us to serve you and that you do your best to maintain the professional standards so important to the future well-being of the tattoo profession.

Nationals only requirement for customers is that they must be a professional tattoo artist, according to the website. National never advertised their products  relying solely on in-store and website sales.

Chris Vangeli, owner of Amaryllis Tattoo Artistry & Design, in Palmer Township, said it feels like a small mom-and-pop place closing.

A customer for more than a decade, though not very regularly, Vangeli said it was a convenient place to buy supplies  until he could get deliveries right to his shop.

The global tattoo supply market was valued at $853.1 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2031, according to a recent report from Oregon-based Allied Market Research. Over the last few decades, as online retailers have grown, theyve shouldered out smaller supply businesses.

There are various e-commerce platforms available to purchase the tattoo accessories such as Amazon, Alibaba and Flipkart, the report notes. Easy accessibility, and heavy discounts and offers provided by these online platforms boost the adoption of tattoo accessories, thus serving as a popular medium for purchase. The most popular distribution channel is online sales channel in todays era.

Unlike National, many tattoo supply retailers do not require artists to prove they are professionals before ordering. That can be a problem, artists said.

Not to get all sappy, but you know going [to National] physically, you get close to the people behind the desk because its like it was family, Burr said. You go online and you buy things and thats great.

But at the same time, now you have people that arent tattoo artists, that arent trained in blood-borne pathogens, that dont take it seriously, that are tattooing people out of their house. And online [sales] really allowed all that.

Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states with no laws regulating tattoo shops. Its a stark difference from New Jersey, which requires tattoo artists to be licensed, and the shop or studio subject to local health department inspections.

Through Nationals vouching system, the owners were able to make sure tattoo supplies got into the hands of trained artists.

It was just that they cared about the industry, Vangeli said. They werent selling to just somebody who worked in his kitchen  you had to prove you are a professional. It stood for something, at least in their minds, that they cared about the direction the industry was going.

Nationals owners went above and beyond to help protect and maintain the standards of the Valleys tattooing industry, Burr said.

They protected the general public from getting disease, he said. Now anybody can buy anything on Wish and eBay and Amazon and just tattoo each other. And, its not just the art, its the medical side, and they really went above and beyond to help preserve that.

With Nationals closure, Valley tattoo artists will be left with mainly online retailers to meet their supply needs, unless theyre willing to travel.

Its a shame, Burr said. Its like living in the middle of nowhere and hey, theres a Wawa five minutes away. And now youre living in the middle of nowhere and you have to order everything online because theres no other direct competition  the closest would be Jersey or New York City.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have 'it all worked out' when it comes to navigating Charlotte's position as 'spare', a royal expert has claimed.

Speaking to The Telegraph earlier this month, Prince Harry voiced concerns about the future of the other 'spares' in the royal family to his brother Prince William - who 'made it very clear that the children are not his responsibility'.

However Vanity Fair's Katie Nicholl has said she is sure Prince William and Kate Middleton have it 'all worked out' when it comes to Princess Charlotte and her future role in The Firm.

Speaking on the podcast Dynasty, she said: 'George, Charlotte and Louis are enjoying a childhood Harry and William didn't get to enjoy and I think that is why William and Kate are channeling everything they can into raising their children with an understanding of who they are as royals but as ordinary children too.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales have 'it all worked out' when it comes to navigating Charlotte's position as 'spare', royal expert Katie Nicholl has claimed

She explained: 'No one wants the next generation to suffer as Harry has suffered...it's not a pretty picture.'

The royal expert said the family were enjoying a childhood which the brothers didn't, adding: 'I think when you look to the Cambridges and how they are raising their children, away from the spotlight, in pretty ordinary schools, in a regular cottage on the grounds of Windsor, having bucket and spade holidays and teaching them to sail on the broads in Norfolk....'

'It does open up the question of the next spare, of Princess Charlotte.

'I'm sure William and Kate have got that all worked out.

The royal expert said the family were enjoying a life which Prince William and Prince Harry didn't get to have while growing up

'Reading Spare, if they do, I think at points it will be deeply uncomfortable for them.'

Earlier this month, the Duke of Sussex spoke candidly about his worries for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in an interview, noting that he hopes his efforts to highlight his own pain will pay dividends for the next generation.

'Though William and I have talked about it once or twice, and he has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility, I still feel a responsibility,' he said.

'Out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare. And that hurts, that worries me.'

Earlier this month, the Duke of Sussex spoke candidly about his worries for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in an interview, noting that he hopes his efforts to highlight his own pain will pay dividends for the next generation

William's first-born Prince George is second in line to the throne behind his father, while younger siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are third and fourth.

It comes as it emerged the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York are 'unlikely' to join the King and Queen Consort on the balcony during the Coronation.

Last night Buckingham Palace confirmed that the newly crowned King and Queen will appear at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony in May.

As with the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year, the line-up of Royals alongside them will be restricted to working members of the family. That will exclude Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew, who no longer carry out official duties.

Prince Andrew stepped down from his official role after allegations of sexual abuse in November 2019. He has always denied the accusations.

Harry and Meghan quit their roles three years ago when they left Britain to start a new life in California.

Earlier this month, Harry released a tell-all book revealing past and present grievances against his family. In a television interview to promote his memoirs, he refused to confirm whether he would attend the Coronation even if he was invited.
Prince Albert of Monaco was all smiles as he treated his twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques to a night at the circus yesterday evening.

The European royal, 64, attended the 45th International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo over the weekend, following its grand opening last week.

The family were joined by Albert's niece Camille Gottlieb, 24, and nephew Louis Ducruet, 30 - who are his sister Princess Stephanie's children.

Ahead of the show, Princess Gabriella, eight, and her cousin Camille accepted a bunch of flowers each from cast members who came out to greet them on the red carpet.

Prince Albert, 64, pictured with his eight-year-old twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques as they arrived at the International Circus Festival last night with the royal's niece Camille Gottlieb (right) and nephew Louis Ducruet (left)

After posing for a family photo, the party - which was missing Prince Albert's wife Princess Charlene - took their seats in the royal box.

Prince Albert's late father Prince Ranier was the brains behind the first International Circus Festival, which now as then, specialises in traditional circus acts from clowns to acrobats.

The festival is an annual event in the principality and has been running since 1974.

However, this is the first time since the pandemic struck that the festival has been able to go ahead.

Princess Gabriella and her cousin Camille accepted bouquets of flowers on the red carpet as they arrived at the Monte Carlo event

The family pictured in the royal box ahead of the performance. Princess Charlene was noticeably absent from the family outing

For the 45th International Circus Festival, magician Peter Marvey will be taking to the stage alongside clown Mister Lorenzo Carnevale and tiger-tamer Bruno Togni.

Last week, Prince Albert's sister Princess Stephanie, 57, attended the grand opening of the festival and happily posed for pictures with a parrot perched on her shoulder.

Stephanie, a patron of the awe-inspiring show, helps to oversee the Circus Festival and is involved in everything from choosing the acts to the choreography.

Although Princess Charlene didn't make an appearance at last night's family outing, her husband confirmed they will be both be attending King Charles' coronation in May.

Princess Stephanieof Monaco, 57, posed for photos with a parrot for the opening night of the 45th International Circus Festival last week

Stephanie's father Prince Ranier was the brains behind the first festival, which was held in the principality in 1974

Magician Peter Marvey will be taking to the stage alongside clown Mister Lorenzo Carnevale and tiger-tamer Bruno Togni this year

The royal spoke fondly of the British King ahead of his 6 May coronation, calling him 'a very educated man and someone with a great sense of humour'.

Speaking to PEOPLE, Albert confirmed he and his wife Princess Charlene would attend, adding: 'I'm certain that it's going to be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one.'

The event will be amongst the highest profile attended by Charlene since her recent illness, which saw her spending 11 months away from the Mediterranean principality in her native South Africa, undergoing treatment for an unspecified condition.

Albert added: 'We've maintained contact since His Majesty became King, but I haven't talked to him personally since the Queen's funeral.'

Last week, Prince Albert confirmed that he and his wife Princess Charlene will definitely be at the ceremony to watch King Charles' coronation in May

Prince Albert went onto reveal that himself and his wife Princess Charlene, will definitely be at the ceremony to watch the king's crowning, however their 8-year-old twins Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella might be 'too young'.

News of the couple's attendance comes after Prince Albert praised his wife, Princess Charlene, for 'turning it around in an incredible way' after a long-running health battle.

Speaking in December, the 64-year-old royal told People he was 'really proud of my wife,' adding: 'Charlene's doing really well.'

He continued: 'As you know, last year was a very tough year for her - and the beginning of this year.'

Albert added that after being admitted to a Swiss treatment facility for exhaustion and keeping out of the limelight, Charlene, 44, has been 'active in any number of different events.'

He highlighted a number of events where the former Olympic swimmer had been visible at lately, including a recent outing to the Monaco branch of the Red Cross.

'She's really enjoying doing things together and with the kids, so this year is ending on a very, a very high note. We're truly thrilled about how things are,' Albert said.
Naomi Campbell and Irina Shayk were among the models on the catwalk

Schiaparelli insists no animals were harmed in making the clothing collection

The mother-of-two, 34, took to her Instagram story to criticise the design

Schiaparelli has come under fire for it's 'disturbing' collection which has been accused of 'promoting trophy hunting' after models strutted the catwalk wearing animal head replicas.

Environmental campaigner Carrie Johnson was among the voices slamming the Italian fashion house as supermodels Irina Shayk and Naomi Campbell modelled the designs at the Italian Fashion House's Spring/Summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week. Photographer Misan Harriman also urged the designer to 'be better'.

Mrs Johnson wrote: 'Grim! Real or fake this just promotes trophy hunting. Yuck!'

The bizarre clothing line is part of the Italian fashion house's Inferno Couture line and features heads of big cats and wolves, but it insists no animals have been harmed in the production of the line.

Carrie Johnson took to her Instagram story to criticise the Italian fashion house Schiaparelli for its use of animal head replicas in its SS23 Paris Fashion Week show, accusing the label of promoting trophy hunting

The designer posted photos of the intricately designed and embroidered 'animal heads' on its Instagram account.

The caption read: 'Embroidered animals for @schiaparellis Inferno Couture.

The leopard, the lion, and the she-wolfrepresenting lust, pride, and avarice in Dantes iconic allegory  in hand sculpted foam, resin, wool and silk faux fur, hand painted to look as life-like as possible.'

The Italian designer posted photos of the animal heads including big cats (left) and wolves (right) in production, stressing no animals were harmed in the making of the collection

Kylie Jenner arrived in Paris for the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show in one of the Embroidered Animals dresses

It also stressed: 'NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN MAKING THIS LOOK.' Femail has contacted Schiaparelli for comment.

However, the environmental campaigner argued it did not matter whether the designs were real or not.

The 34-year-old has long campaigned for animal rights and environmental conservation and is communications director of the Aspinall Foundation, a charity which works to protect endangered animals.

The charity runs programmes in UK zoos Howletts and Port Lympne, as well as other projects throughout Africa and Asia.

While her husband Boris Johnson was prime minister, Carrie championed animal welfare causes and was a supporter of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation which campaigned against animal cruelty and hunting.

Irina Shayk took to Instagram to defend the Italian fashion house's design and said she was 'honoured' to have walked in the show

She has previously said: 'I am against fox hunting. Always have been. I even campaigned against it when I was much younger by dressing up as a fox.'

Supermodels Irina Shayk, 37, and Naomi Campbell, 52, were among the stars wearing the Schiaparelli designs on the catwalk this afternoon, with Shayk in a lion head gown while Campbell wore the wolf head on her black outfit.

Responding to criticism of the outfits, Shayk took to Instagram to defend the looks and stated she was proud to have appeared on the catwalk for Schiaparelli.

She wrote: 'I support these incredible artists who worked tirelessly, with their hands, using wool, silk, and foam, to sculpt this embroidered Lion, and image of Pride, An image that @schiaparelli invokes while exploring themes of strength.

'I am honored to have been called on as well to lend my art as a woman to this.'

Kylie Jenner turned human heads as she arrived at the show today wearing one of the dresses which features the head of a male lion.

Posing in the maxi, ruched black dress on arrival at the Schiaparelli Spring/Summer 2023 show, she showed off the enormous lion's head, complete with a mane, on her chest.

She wore her thick, dark locks in a sleek, high ponytail and accessorised with gold earrings.

The mother-of-two accessorised her unusual dress with a black and gold crocodile-style clutch bag.

Mrs Johnson was not the only figure to criticise Schiaparelli for its design, with famed photographer Misan Harriman, who has previously shot the cover of British Vogue, weighing in on Twitter.

He wrote: 'Dear fashion industry, this is NOT the way to start the year. nope NOPE NOPE! Be better.

'Schiaparelli This is disturbing.. and yes I know no animals were hurt in this.'
An influencer has revealed he has been trolled by people who say his new teeth look like a piano after he had implants in Turkey - but said he loves his new look despite the abuse.

Jordan Declan Field, from Ipswich, shared his dental journey on TikTok, which included two trips to Turkey and a treatment in the UK.

The online influencer excitedly showed off his new pearly whites, letting haters know that he's happy with his results no matter what they say.

After one person compared his new gnashers to a piano, he laughed off the comment and said it was in the 'top three' responses he had received commenting on his cosmetic procedure.

Jordan began his journey in November 2021, when he travelled to Turkey, which offers cosmetic dental procedures at cheaper prices, for a consultation.

There, he underwent the first stage of treatment which included getting temporary plastic veneers, and undergoing four teeth extractions - as well as the removal of three wisdom teeth.

Jordan's teeth were filed down and he also had implants.

Jordan Declan Field (pictured before he got his teeth done), from Ipswich, shared his dental journey on social media, which included two trips to Turkey and a treatment in the UK

He travelled back to the UK absolutely over the moon with his new smile, which featured a decorated new set of teeth, with some work to be done in six to twelve months.

In April, Jordan got root canal treatments at a dental clinic in Worthing, West Sussex - and was all set for his second trip abroad.

Last spring, online influencer excitedly showed off his new pearly whites, letting haters know that he's happy with his results no matter what they say

By May 2022 everything was wrapped up and Jordan let his followers know how pleased he was with the results.

In a TikTok video two weeks after his completed treatment, the influencer explained that he had 'no problems, no sensitivity' and 'no pain'.

His only qualm was with the antibiotics he was given - which 'upset his insides a little bit' - but other than that, the experience was 'absolutely fab'.

Jordan also hit out at commenters which told him his teeth were too big, explaining that they were the same size as his old ones.

Jordan began his journey in November 2021 (pictured left), when he ventured to the nation - famed for more affordable dentistry - for a consult and treatment plan. By May 2022 (pictured right) - everything was wrapped up - and Jordan let his followers know how pleased he was with the results

The influencer explained they may, for some people, seem larger because they're now white and populate his whole mouth; but he's happy with them.

In one clip, a commenter said: 'It's giving horse'.

'They look ridiculous,' one user wrote. 'I have an oak tree you can knaw down.'

'Well that's a really kind comment,' Jordan replied sarcastically. 'And I actually might take you up on that offer 'cause that's really nice.'

In November 2021, Jordan (pictured) underwent the first stage of treatment which included getting temporary plastic veneers, and undergoing four teeth extractions - as well as three wisdom ones

He added: 'If I'm that ridiculous why are you following? Why are you doing that?'

'Well looks awful,' another added. 'Sorry to say but looks cheap and plasticky.'

Jordan dryly responded: 'Thank you ever so much for your feedback. I will take that on board. And...yeah, I'll just pull all my teeth out now.

Another mean comment in a video read: 'It's giving piano.'

Jordan's positive experience comes amid horror stories of Britons suffering permanent damage to their teeth after travelling to Turkey for treatment.

A trend known as 'Turkey teeth' that involves travelling abroad to get drastic cut-price treatment is leaving thousands facing painful complications.

The cosmetic fad, made popular by stars like Katie Price and Love Island's Jack Fincham, involves filing down teeth to pegs then replacing them with crowns or veneers.

The procedure, which leaves patients with a Hollywood smile, is being fuelled on social media under the hashtag #Turkeyteeth which has been viewed more than 322 million times on TikTok.

In July, a BBC documentary looked at the fallout, asking whether the risks really outweigh the savings on having cheaper treatment, with UK dentists warning the complications can leave patients with huge medical bills to fix shoddy work.

A number of dentists surveyed on behalf of the BBC said some of the remedial work was provided by the NHS.

Meanwhile one private clinic urged patients to be certain they know what they are getting after being contacted by clients who had been sold veneers but given the much more aggressive option of crowns.

The Harley Street Smile Clinic in London said they had been inundated by young people suffering from severe infections, intense long lasting pain, infected gums or rotting teeth due to the procedure.

In one case, Tiktok user Lisa Martyn revealed how her experience turned into a nightmare after she travelled to Turkey for the cosmetic treatment and paid 3,500 Euros (2,960) for what she thought was veneers but was actually a set of crowns.

She told the BBC: 'I was duped into the dream of having a full set of perfect teeth that I was never going to have any issues with but I was grossly misled about what I was having done - they were sold to me as veneers not a full set of crowns.

This graphic shows how a tooth is shaved down slightly to make room for a thin veneer

'No one sat down and told me the risks or if there were any other options. I thought that once they put the new teeth into my mouth that would be it - there would never be any more problems.

'But not only have I been in crippling pain every day since, but it has also cost me thousands. It's the biggest mistake of my life.'

Lisa flew to Turkey in 2021 under the belief she would be fitted with 26 veneers in a bid to get the 'Hollywood smile' for her son's wedding but was actually fitted with crowns - a far more invasive procedure.

But months after her treatment, the 48-year-old was left in horrific pain after developing an abscess which nearly paralysed half her face and is suffering from nerve sensitivity.

The treatment has proven popular with social media influencers and TV stars including model Katie price.

Love Island's Jack Fincham was one of the first to share his Turkey Teeth story after getting the treatment before appearing on the ITV reality show in 2018. Pictured: Before and after

In August 2020, she shared a video which showed that her natural teeth had been shaved down to points which she said made her look like a James Bond villain before she had new veneers fitted while in Turkey.

The treatment was carried out after her original veneers fell out. However, in October that year, she had to go back to Turkey again after some of her new veneers fell out.

A spokesman for the star told the Sun at the time she had to return to Turkey to get the work fixed.

Love Island star Jack Fincham also received treatment in Turkey before appearing on the ITV reality show.

Crowns and veneers: What's the difference? Veneers and crowns are both dental treatments that can improve the look and function of your teeth. The most significant difference between the two is that a veneer only covers part of the tooth while a crown covers the entire tooth. A veneer is a very thin layer of porcelain, but can be made from other materials, and is usually chosen more for cosmetic purposes. They are bonded to the front of existing teeth with colouring to existing teeth matched by the dentist. A crown is roughly twice as thick and covers the whole tooth in a far more invasive procedure than veneers because most of the tooth is removed to make room. It can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to a metal alloy or an all-metal alloy. While crowns are also chosen for cosmetic purposes, they also offer a solution for those with conditions including broken, decayed or crooked teeth. Advertisement

After the Love Island winner discussed his Turkey Teeth in 2018, Google searches for the term sky-rocketed.

Mr Fincham travelled to the Turkish city of Antalya years ago, saying in a Love Island promotion video 'I absolutely love my pearly whites.

'I went all the way to Turkey to get these. I come back with a winning smile and a nice little holiday.'

But in the BBC Three documentary 'Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake,' he admitted he would 'do it differently' and showed off how his teeth had been filed down for his veneers.

He said that he receives lots of messages from people asking about the work he had done, and told the BBC that he now tells them about his own experience.

Speaking to the documentary's host Dr Trishala Lakhani, a dentist as well as Miss Universe GB, he said: 'I flew out there in the winter time, not the holiday season, and pretty much everyone on the flight was going to get some sort of procedure done.'

He got the work done despite knowing about the risks that come with veneers - such as a higher risk of requiring root canal work done or his teeth being removed.

'They mentioned all this stuff and it didn't put me off. It was for cosmetic purposes, so I was probably being a bit vain,' he admitted.

On the procedure itself, he said it 'can be quite uncomfortable'. 'You have loads of injections to numb your mouth. It's not an easy procedure. You have to do your research.' He added: 'Honestly, I love my teeth, but going back, if someone said, 'Would you have the composites or just get crowns done?' I'd get that.'

A survey carried out for the BBC found that hundreds of dentists in the UK had treated patients suffering from complications after getting work done abroad.

Dr MJ Rowland-Warmann, director of a dental clinic in Liverpool, told the broadcaster: 'If I did 20 crowns on a 21-year-old for the purposes of improving the colour, I would have my licence revoked, I would be struck off.'

She said her clinic receives one to three calls a day from people with issues with their teeth after going abroad but that her clinic cannot treat them.

'Some can't floss because their crowns are stuck together or they're in pain because they have bleeding gums.

'But it's easier for us not to take that patient. At the point when you inherit that patient and do any work, that's when the problems really start and that's when the UK dentist becomes liable. A risk we cannot take.

'This leaves patients in very vulnerable positions trying to scrabble around for help and it becomes very costly trying to fix the damage.'

Dr Maurice Johanne, Principle Dentist at Harley Street Smile Clinic, urged people to be careful about what treatment they were getting.

He said: 'I can't stress enough that people need to be 100 per cent clear about exactly what they are signing up for when they go abroad for cosmetic dental treatment.

'Although patients are under the impression they are having veneers, in reality they are having crowns placed, which means much more aggressive tooth reduction.'

London-based dental clinic said that it has been 'inundated' with young people seeking to have their botched survey rectified.

Not everyone who receives treatment abroad suffers complications. The BBC spoke to Tilly Entwhistle from Manchester who said she was thrilled with her work after being compared to Bugs Bunny as a child.

However, she said since visiting a dentist back in the UK, she was told they would not touch her teeth as they did not want to take responsibility for any issues with the work done in Turkey.
A 10-year-old girl has asked police to test for Santa Claus's DNA from a partially-eaten cookie and leftover bites of carrot to see if he is real - and they agreed.

Scarlett Doumato, from Rhode Island, sent a package to the Cumberland Police Department containing the leftovers along with a handwritten letter asking them to open an investigation.

The young girl, identified by NBC affiliate WJAR, wrote: 'Dear Cumberland Police Dapartment (sic), I took a sample of a cookie and carrots that I left for Santa and the raindeer (sic) on Christmas Eve and was wondering if you could take a sample of DNA and see if Santa is real?'

And the Cumberland Police Department made it clear that they were taking the matter very seriously.

Scarlett Doumato (pictured), from Rhode Island, sent a package to the Cumberland Police Department along with a handwritten letter

In her letter, the 10-year-old asked them to test 'a sample of a cookie and carrots that I left out for Santa and the raindeer (sic)'

Scarlett's evidence (pictured) included partially-eaten Oreo cookie and leftover bites of baby carrot

In a press statement, issued on January 20, the department confirmed that it had forwarded Scarlett's evidence to the State of Rhode Island's Department of Health- Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis.

It also included a scan of the evidence receipt which listed the articles as one plastic bag with two pieces of baby carrots and one plastic bag with a 'partially-eaten' Oreo cookie.

The official document called for the items to be 'examined for bite marks compared with any dental records on file' for Santa and his aliases including Kris Kringle, Saint Nicholas and Saint Nick.

It also called for similar tests for 'reindeer owned by the suspect' that might have been with him that evening including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, or Rudolph.

It also included a scan of the evidence receipt (pictured), which listed the articles that had been sent to the Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis

Police said officers had 'already uncovered evidence in support of Santa Claus' presence in her neighborhood before attaching a CCTV image of a 'reindeer' on a lawn (pictured)

Speaking to WJAR, Scarlett's mother Alyson Doumato (pictured) said her daughter was 'always a little bit skeptical, and looking for the facts'

Chief Matthew J. Benson also issued a statement that read: 'This young lady obviously has a keen sense for truth and the investigative process and did a tremendous job packaging her evidence for submission.

'We will do our very best to provide answers for her.'

Speaking to WJAR, Scarlett's mother Alyson Doumato said her daughter was 'always a little bit skeptical, and looking for the facts.'

The young investigator added: 'I watch crime shows, and I thought it was cool to be a detective.'

Police say that they are still awaiting test results, but that the department had already reached out to Scarlett who they earmarked as a 'future-CPD Detective.'

They added that officers had 'already uncovered evidence in support of Santa Claus's presence in her neighborhood the night of December 24th' before attaching a CCTV image of a 'reindeer' on a lawn.
A transgender father who breastfeeds his baby boy after giving birth to him has clapped back at haters who told him that carrying and nursing his child makes him 'less of a man.'

Tanius Posey, 31, who was born female, said he felt like 'something was off' from early on, but 'never knew exactly what it was.'

Six years ago, he realized that he wanted to be male with the help of a transgender co-worker, and he soon started medically transitioning.

But when he found out he was pregnant in the spring of 2021, Tanius was left completely stunned.

A transgender father who breastfeeds his baby boy after giving birth to him has clapped back at haters who told him that carrying and nursing his child makes him 'less of a man'

Tanius Posey, 31, who was born female, said he felt like 'something was off' from early on, but 'never knew exactly what it was.' He is seen as a child

Six years ago, he realized that he wanted to be male, and started medically transitioning. But when he found out he was pregnant in the spring of 2021, Tanius was left completely stunned

His son, Za'nius, now one, was born in early 2022, and now, he is proud to be a transgender father - something often referred to as a 'seahorse dad,' since male seahorses carry the babies

His son, Za'nius, now one, was born in early 2022, and now, Tanius is proud to be a transgender father - something often referred to as a 'seahorse dad,' since male seahorses carry their babies.

The 31-year-old has continuously shared his journey on his TikTok account - gaining more than 928,000 followers and 10 million likes across his videos - but it has sparked a slew of backlash from nasty commenters, some of whom, have said he 'doesn't belong on this planet' and others who claimed his son will 'die' because he's consuming breastmilk that Tanius produced while taking hormones.

He recently responded to the criticism during an interview with Truly, while encouraging other seahorse dads to 'utilize what they've got' without feeling any shame.

'I've got the parts to be able to [breastfeed]. Just because I transitioned does not mean I stripped myself from wanting to give my child nutrients,' he said.

'I've got it, why not utilize what I've got? My child has to eat. I can't sit there and starve him. He's gotta eat and he doesn't take a bottle, so I've got to feed him.'

Some of the terrible responses that Tanius has received include messages like, 'You do not belong on this planet carrying a child,' 'Men don't carry babies,' and, 'Go ahead and go back to where you came from.'

The 31-year-old has continuously shared his journey on his TikTok account - but it has sparked a slew of backlash from nasty commenters

He has now responded to the criticism during an interview with Truly, while encouraging other seahorse dads to 'utilize what they've got' without feeling any shame

'Just because I transitioned does not mean I stripped myself from wanting to give my child nutrients,' he said. 'Why not utilize what I've got? My child has to eat. I can't starve him'

Some people even claimed that Za'nius will end up being 'corrupt' or unhealthy when he gets older.

Some of the terrible responses that Tanius has received include messages like, 'You do not belong on this planet carrying a child,' 'Men don't carry babies,' and, 'Go ahead and go back to where you came from'

'Somebody said he's gonna resent me once he finds out that I carried him, and he's gonna be so confused or whatnot because he doesn't have a mom and dad,' Tanius explained.

He admitted that he's even received a lot of negative comments from people who are part of the trans community, telling him things like, 'You are not trans enough because you carried your baby,' or, 'You're making the rest of us look bad.'

But the hate has not brought the TikTok star down. He added, 'I got a lot of backlash, it got the best of me real bad [at first]. But I'm like, maybe if I continue sharing I might be able to help the next individual.

'My response of the haters is that we gotta stop living under a rock, we've gotta open up our eyes and realize there's more than one way to live.'

He said he's even received a lot of negative comments from people who are part of the trans community, telling him things like, 'You are not trans enough because you carried your baby'

But the hate has not brought the TikTok star down. He added, 'I got a lot of backlash. But I'm like, maybe if I continue sharing I might be able to help the next individual'

Tanius recalled finding out that he was three months pregnant after going to the hospital because he wasn't feeling well. One of his sonograms is seen above

He said he 'certainly did not see it coming at all' because he was in the midst of going through his transition. He is pictured after Za'nius' birth

He added that he started 'sharing his journey' online because he felt like he didn't see many people like him on the web

Tanius recalled finding out that he was three months pregnant after going to the hospital because he wasn't feeling well.

'My response of the haters is that we gotta stop living under a rock, we've gotta open up our eyes and realize there's more than one way to live,' Tanius (seen as a kid) said

He said he 'certainly did not see it coming at all' because he was in the midst of going through his transition.

He immediately had to stop taking testosterone 'cold turkey,' which he described as 'Hell.'

llli.org reported that transgender males 'may be able to produce some milk' even after they underwent top surgery to have their breasts removed.

And if they suffer from a low milk supply, they can increase it using various hormones.

It is not known what hormones Tanius is taking.

Tanius explained to Truly that he didn't want to breastfeed his son at first because he was worried of how people might react, but he eventually decided it was best after doing research on the benefits that breast milk has for babies.

He said he started 'sharing his journey' online because he felt like he didn't see many people like him on the web.

'I was just going on TikTok and I didn't really see trans people of color that were pregnant. I started filming my breastfeeding journey to normalize it,' he concluded.

'To any other trans individual that is carrying a child or wanting to carry a child - it is OK.

'We've got the parts, it does not make us any less of a man. We are still a man, regardless of how society feels about us. Utilize the parts you got.'
A hairdresser has revealed the biggest mistake people make when washing their locks that can destroy the health of their hair.

Ricky Walters, who owns SALON64 in London, said sticking to a strict hair washing routine even if your hair does not necessarily need to be washed on a particular day is causing more problems than it solves.

The stylist added you should only be washing your hair in the shower if you think it actually needs to be washed - and if it doesn't look or feel greasy then it's much better to leave it.

He revealed he often sees clients who wash their hair on certain days of the week, even if their tresses are clean.

A hairdresser has revealed one of the biggest mistakes clients make with their haircare routine that affects the health of their hair. Ricky Walters, who owns SALON64 in London, said sticking to a strict hair washing routine can do more harm than good (stock image)

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'There are so many factors to think about when washing your hair and the healthiest heads of hair are often washed the least.

'Take into consideration your lifestyle, exercise, the heat, the weather, and where you have been.'

He urged people to 'break the habit' of sticking to certain wash days and only washing their hair when they really need to.

Mr Walters added people who live in densely populated urban areas are more likely to need to wash their hair more often because of pollution.

In contrast, people who live in the countryside or by the sea are less likely to need to wash their hair frequently.

The hair expert also revealed his top tip for getting the best results when you run conditioner through your hair.

He revealed many people waste money on expensive conditioners, only to use them in a way that doesn't make the most of them.

Explaining that conditioner can be watered down if you apply it to soaking wet hair, he advised people to towel dry their locks for two minutes after shampooing and before applying conditioner.

When the conditioner is applied, he recommended leaving it for a further two minutes before rinsing it out.

Mr Walters' tips come after a hairdresser in Australia revealed her biggest gripes from customers as she works on their locks.

Emily Pytel revealed she couldn't stand it when a customer came to her salon with 'super dirty hair'.

She added customers who turn their heads to look in the mirror while their stylist is trying to cut their tresses is one of her other pet peeves.
A woman whose husband tragically died of cancer at age 27 is fulfilling their dream of starting a family after using his frozen sperm to conceive a child - nearly two years after his passing.

Mariah Smith, 26, from Haverhill, Massachusetts, said becoming parents was always a top priority for her and her husband, Chris Smith - but unfortunately, they never got the chance to embark on that journey together.

Chris was diagnosed with sinus cancer when he was just 24, and it eventually spread to his brain and spinal chord.

After a long and strenuous three-year battle with the disease, he passed away in February 2021, but Mariah's hope to be a mother didn't die with him.

A woman whose husband froze his sperm before tragically dying of cancer at age 27 so that she could complete their dream of starting a family is now pregnant with his child

Mariah Smith, 26, from Haverhill, Massachusetts, said becoming parents was always a top priority for her and her husband, Chris Smith (seen in the hospital before his death)

Chris was diagnosed with sinus cancer when he was just 24, and it eventually spread to his brain and spinal chord. He is seen in the hospital

After a long and strenuous three-year battle with the disease, he passed away in February 2021, but Mariah's hope to be a mother didn't die with him. They are pictured in 2017

He made sure to freeze his sperm so that she could one day have their child, and now, as the two-year anniversary of his death approaches, Mariah has announced that she is expecting a baby girl.

He made sure to freeze his sperm so that she could one day have their child, and now, as the two-year anniversary of his death approaches, Mariah has announced that she is expecting a baby girl

'Before he passed, I promised him I'd chase our dream of having kids. This spring, just over two years after Chris' death, our daughter will be born,' she wrote in a recent essay for Insider.

Mariah explained that when Chris was diagnosed in 2018, he 'refused to start treatment until he had banked sperm' just in case 'chemotherapy left him infertile.'

'We wanted to know we could have the family we dreamed of. It was a must for us to share a family,' she continued.

While the couple remained optimistic and 'believed he would survive,' Mariah explained that Chris made it clear to her that he wanted her to use his sperm even if he didn't make it.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst just after their wedding in late 2020, and when he passed away in early 2021, knowing that one day she would be able to give birth to his child was what helped her get through the pain of losing her husband.

Mariah (seen in 2020) explained to Insider recently that when Chris was diagnosed in 2018, he 'refused to start treatment until he had banked sperm'

While the couple remained optimistic and 'believed he would survive,' Mariah said Chris (seen in 2020) made it clear to her that he wanted her to use his sperm even if he didn't make it

When Chris passed away in early 2021, knowing that one day she would be able to give birth to his child was what helped her get through the pain of losing her husband

Mariah revealed that they discussed their 'future children' in Chris' 'last moments,' and that she vowed to 'tell them everything about him' so that they'd 'know how special he was and how hard her fought.'

'Becoming a widow at 24 was just as awful as it sounds. But I had something to hang on to: the promise of having Chris' child,' she said.

'It kept me going, taking care of myself and working toward the future. It breathed life into my heart and soul.

'I knew I still had that piece of him. I had the option to have our own family, even though it'd look very different than I'd anticipated. I could keep him alive in this way for our family and friends.'

Getting pregnant wasn't easy - Mariah went through one round of IUI, three rounds of IVF, and suffered from a miscarriage.

Mariah revealed that they discussed their 'future children' in Chris' 'last moments,' and that she vowed to 'tell them everything about him' so that they'd 'know how special he was

'Becoming a widow at 24 was just as awful as it sounds. But I had something to hang on to: the promise of having Chris' child,' she said

She concluded: 'I've been through a lot and still have a great challenge ahead: doing my absolute best to make sure my children know Chris, without ever being able to know him'

Now, she is preparing for the birth of her and Chris' daughter, but she admitted that there will be mixed feelings when she enters the world.

'I've been preparing myself for meeting my daughter my whole pregnancy. It will be a moment of immense joy and sadness,' she concluded.

'Knowing that Chris won't be there to hold her and meet her with me will bring a new kind of grief.

'Chris and I had plenty of conversations about how we would parent, and I feel prepared to do what he would have wanted.

'I've been through a lot and still have a great challenge ahead: doing my absolute best to make sure my children know Chris, without ever being able to know him.'
Tom Parker-Bowles was spotted for the first time since Prince Harry threw accusations at his mother, Queen Consort Camilla, in his explosive memoir Spare.

The author, 48, was seen at the Groucho Club in London tonight, where he was celebrating the 50-year-long career of fellow restaurant critic Fay Maschler.

Tom looked relaxed during the event, dressed in a blue jacket and trousers and bright red t-shirt.

The Duke of Sussex, 38, was highly critical of Queen Consort Camilla, 75, in his tell-all book Spare, where he accused her of briefing the press against him and his wife Meghan Markle, 41.

Tom Parker-Bowles, 48, was spotted at an event at the Groucho Club in London for the first time since Prince Harry gave the Queen Consort a trashing in his explosive memoirs

Tom, 48, was seen grinning at the camera, posing with the woman of the hour, Fay, who has enjoyed a much celebrated career and is a contributor for Tatler magazine.

Camilla's first son from her first marriage to Andrew Parker-Bowles has not commented on the claims Prince Harry unleashed against his mother in Spare.

In the book, which hit shelves earlier this month, the Duke of Sussex claimed the Queen Consort dismissed his wife Meghan when she went to her for advice with her public image - reminding the Duchess of Sussex that she had been the 'bad guy once'.

Elsewhere in the memoir, the father-of-two described how he told his wife not to curtsy to Camilla during their first meeting before accusing Camilla of trying to 'eavesdrop' on a conversation between the Duchess of Sussex and his father.

The author was seen at the Groucho Club in London tonight, where he was celebrating the 50-year-long career of Fay Maschler as a food writer

Meanwhile, Harry also claimed his stepmother encouraged him to take on the role of Governor General of Bermuda - which would involve him and his wife moving thousands of miles away.

Prince Harry described introducing his girlfriend Meghan Markle to his father and stepmother in late 2016 - shortly after her awkward meeting with Prince William.

Before going into Clarence House in London, Prince Harry said in the book that the couple had 'rehearsed' how Meghan should greet Charles and Camilla.

Earlier on in the book, the Duke recounted how the Duchess of York taught the Suits actress to curtsy for his grandmother Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Lodge.

Tom looked relaxed during the literary event and did not comment on the allegations the Duke of Sussex raised against his mother the Queen Consort, 75, in his memoirs Spare

He instructed her to curtsy for Charles, address him as 'Your Royal Highness' and give him a kiss on each cheek if he leaned in - but if he didn't, she should stick to a handshake instead.

However, Harry told Meghan to take a different approach with Camilla and said a curtsy was 'not necessary'. Instead, he urged her to give his stepmother either a kiss on the cheek or another handshake.

Although Meghan queried his instruction about the lack of curtsy for Camilla, Prince Harry doubled down and insisted it 'was not appropriate'.

The Duke of Sussex also launched a blistering attack on the King's wife during an interview with CBS News 60 Minutes' Anderson Cooper to promote Spare in early January.

Referring back to a 1995 interview in which his mother, Princess Diana, famously referred to Camilla as the 'third person in her marriage', Harry says that this admission turned the now-Queen Consort into a 'villain', adding: 'She needed to rehabilitate her image.'

According to Harry - who also revealed in his book that he and William 'begged' their father not to marry Camilla - this desire to transform her public image made her 'dangerous'.

He accused his stepmother of 'trading information' with the press in an attempt to get more positive stories written about herself, before sensationally suggesting that her 'connections' with the media would end up with 'people or bodies left in the street'.

'[Her need to rehabilitate her image] made her dangerous because of the connections that she that she was forging within the British press,' he told Cooper.

'And there was open willingness on both sides to trade of information. And with a family built on hierarchy, and with her, on the way to being Queen Consort, there was gonna be people or bodies left in the street because of that.'

Princess Diana's interview with the BBC's Martin Bashir in 1995 marked the first time that she had publicly addressed claims that Charles and Camilla had an affair during her marriage to the then-Prince of Wales.

At the time, she sensationally told Bashir: 'There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.'
'Imagine never getting it wrong. Ever. Stylistically, every day of your life, nailing it.'

That was the verdict of Vogue, looking back on the Queen's 70 years of outfits during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The reason Her Majesty managed to nail it, every single day? She adored wearing colour.

Red and yellow and pink and green, orange and purple and blue. She wore them all and more, from head to toe. She 'popped' on every balcony, and would brighten the dreariest day.

As Stewart Parvin, the designer who made most of Her Majesty's outfits later in life, remembers: 'For William and Catherine's wedding, I gave Her Majesty a choice of two outfits I felt were perfect. But no.

It's heartening to see that, as she grows in confidence and status, the Princess of Wales is choosing to follow in the Queen's sartorial footsteps, wearing a host of top-to-toe outfits in a kaleidoscope of colours

Red and yellow and pink and green, orange and purple and blue. She wore them all and more, from head to toe

At 5ft9, Kate may not need bright colour to help her stand out as much as the Queen but she knows that it's now her job to cheer up the nation

'The Queen looked out the window and said: 'It's not the brightest day, I want to be in yellow.' She felt the weather was dull and wanted to cheer up the crowd.'

Her Majesty famously said 'I have to be seen to be believed', and thanks to her rainbow attire, you could never miss her, rain or shine. A pattern can look too busy when you add a sash, jewellery, insignias.

But a block of colour works every single time. She knew that wearing colour was not just eye-catching, or even diplomatic  clover-leaf green to Ireland, say, or canary yellow to Jamaica  but that it can semaphore optimism and stability.

This was vital when she came to the throne  and it's vital for her successors now.

So it's heartening to see that, as she grows in confidence and status, the Princess of Wales is choosing to follow in the Queen's sartorial footsteps, wearing a host of top-to-toe outfits in a kaleidoscope of colours.

At 5ft 9in (plus heels) she may not need bright colour to help her stand out as much as the Queen did at 5ft 3in. But she knows that, while she may favour slubby browns, jeans, navy polka dots and Barbours when off duty, it's now her job to cheer up the nation.

Over the past year, Kate has come into her own with her colour choices for events

The Princess of Wales's colour choices can occasionally be too literal: pillar-box red for Christmas carols; a bright green Solace London rental worn for the Earthshot Prize ceremony last month (left)

In choosing to adopt a cheerful colour scheme, the Princess of Wales has proven that she and the Queen share an ability to bring brightness wherever they go

Unlike Meghan, who has confessed to avoiding colour during her royal tenure to make sure she did not clash with senior royal ladies, Kate knows onlookers want an outfit that speaks of a sense of fun, rather than conjuring Nurse Ratched.

During her years in the spotlight, Kate has learned through trial and error not to be half-hearted or scared of colour. Looking back, I'm sure she realises the McQueen coat dress worn to Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, which was supposed to be pale lemon, appeared far too pale in photographs.

Her late Majesty, pro that she was, wore lime silk tweed that day, with a purple sinamay hat, and therefore managed to look jaunty without stealing the show.

Her Majesty was prescient, too, with her love of colour; this season, Prada has come up with orange shoes, Fendi sent out lime boots, and I'd love to see Kate in Ralph Lauren's bright orange silk taffeta gown.

Queens of colour: Kate wore pale blue to an Easter service in 2022. The Queen wore a similar shade to an event to mark her official birthday in 2020

Unlike Meghan, who has confessed to avoiding colour during her royal tenure to make sure she did not clash with senior royal ladies, Kate knows onlookers want an outfit that speaks of a sense of fun

Kate was cheery in purple in Londonderry in 2021. The Queen wore an almost identical shade to open the Royal National ENT and Eastman Hospit

The Queen knew that wearing colour was not just eye-catching, or even diplomatic  clover-leaf green to Ireland, say, or canary yellow to Jamaica  but that it can semaphore optimism and stability

In the pink: Kate in June 2022 and the Queen on a royal visit to Sandringham in December 2019

But the Princess of Wales's colour choices can occasionally be too literal: pillar-box red for Christmas carols; a bright green Solace London rental worn for the Earthshot Prize ceremony last month.

And she also needs to learn that if you're wearing a bright colour, the fabric must be understated and classy. The droopy Vampire's Wife dress in bottle green worn for her first official painted portrait with William, unveiled last summer, was in a fabric that to me screamed Quality Street wrapper.

Over the past year, Kate has come into her own. Her pink Alexander McQueen suit. That blue Catherine Walker ensemble with matching pillbox hat. The magenta Emilia Wickstead coat dress with wine-coloured courts, worn for the South African state visit in November, was an outfit worthy of Her Majesty herself.

The Princess of Wales might not have her Majesty's ice-cream complexion, as famously commented on by photographer Cecil Beaton. However, in choosing to adopt a cheerful colour scheme, she has proven that she and the Queen share an ability to bring brightness wherever they go.
Toivo Klaar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, is planning to visit Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Henri Duquenne, Spokesperson for the EU's special representative.

The spokesperson noted that Klaar has already visited Armenia for a series of high-level regular consultations with the country's leadership and is also planning to visit Azerbaijan in the near future for similar consultations.

Furthermore, the EU special representative was in Baku on September 14, 2022, where he had a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov to discuss efforts to normalize Azerbaijani-Armenian relations and possible further steps.

The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries intend to approve a new EU mission in Armenia at a meeting scheduled to be held during the day, which should contribute to the settlement of the situation in the region.
Disruptions to the food supply chain created a dilemma for farmer Josh Zimmerman: Sell at least 30,000 eggs per day or euthanize half of the 80,000 egg-laying hens he cares for at his 140-acre, family-owned farm near Hamburg.

Zimmermans flock produces 60,000 eggs per day, which are normally purchased by a food processing company that turns them into cartons of liquid for restaurants and hotels. But the coronavirus has forced eateries and hospitality businesses to close. That company, which Zimmerman declined to name, cant buy as many eggs right now.

Humane euthanasia is not ideal, but Zimmerman pays $15,000 per week to feed so many birds, a cost that isnt sustainable if he cant sell their eggs.

In a weeks time, I can lose $31,000 just like that. Its not something you mess around with. You have to have a plan or it doesnt work, Zimmerman said.

For now, the plan includes a partnership with The Nesting Box Farm Market & Creamery near Kempton, a farm owned by Timi Bauscher and Keith Bauscher that sells its own eggs directly to the public.

On Friday and Saturday, the Bauschers had already sold 64,800 eggs on behalf of Zimmerman to wholesalers and restaurants. A drive-thru egg sale Monday, where members of the public could buy eggs in increments of five dozen, resulted in sales of another 228,000 of his eggs, or 19,000 dozen.

Mondays batch sold out soon after opening at 10 a.m. Future sales will be announced on The Nesting Box Facebook page.

Zimmerman said that effort, and the publics response, have saved his flock from euthanasia ? for now.

Theres a lot of good people out there once they hear about terrible things happening, Zimmerman said of the Bauschers efforts to help.

In addition to washing and packing eggs at Zimmermans farm in Windsor Township, the Bauschers also have stepped up to wash and package Zimmermans eggs at their facility in Albany Township.

Its quite an undertaking, but farmers are daily problem solvers, and this was merely figuring out an answer to that problem. We will keep going as long as we have the manpower to do so, Timi Bauscher said. Hens lay every day, so there will be eggs to move indefinitely.

Zimmerman is hardly alone in his plight, as the coronavirus has forced a sudden drop in demand for food at restaurants, schools and cafeterias across the country. The situation is now extending to farmers who have been dumping milk and plowing over produce because processing plants wont take it.

Nearly 2 million chickens at farms in Maryland and Delaware will be destroyed instead of processed for meat because of a worker shortage, The Baltimore Sun reported last week.

In Albany, Minnesota, a farm was forced to euthanize 61,000 birds this month after the plant that processes their eggs temporarily shut down and laid off 300 employees, the Star Tribune reported.

The company I am with is doing their best to take product, but they are in a really tough spot, Zimmerman said. Their New Jersey plant got quarantined, so they are down to the New York plant and that one is not running at full capacity.

Allison Czapp, director of Buy Fresh Buy Local of the Greater Lehigh Valley, said the pandemic highlights how delicate the countrys food supply chain is.

What does this mean for the future of our food system if this is happening broadly? This isnt the only farmer this is happening to. Where does the supply come in once things get back to normal? Its really terrifying, said Czapp, who also has been looking for a buyer for Zimmermans eggs.

Zimmerman anticipates disruptions will continue into the fall.

He and his wife, Joyce, started the farm in 2016. Their primary business is raising cage-free eggs, which means the hens are free to roam around the hen house and lay eggs in nests.

Disruptions at the company Zimmerman works with have been going on for more than a month.

They said we are going to keep you guys going as long as possible, but its getting harder and harder. Every time more things get shut down it just compounds the problem. The last couple weeks we are coming more to a point where we have to have a firm plan in hand, he said.

The general public doesnt understand how difficult it is for farmers and food processors to pivot their business models, Czapp said.

Theres a perception among people that farmers have all this free food and they shouldnt just throw it away, but it cost farmers money to produce that food, she said.

Zimmerman, who has one part-time employee, says it takes 41/2 hours to package 67,000 eggs per day for the processing company, but now that hes selling to the public, Zimmerman has to take extra steps. He had to buy a machine to wash the eggs and is continuing to look into ways to streamline the process.

Other farmers have strict contracts with companies that prohibit them from selling to anyone else, Czapp said.

Its sort of like we allowed this insane siloing of the industrial food system that doesnt give any flexibility of getting food to other places in times of shortage, and so its forcing farmers out of business and what does that mean for the long term? Czapp asked.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a program this month to assist farmers who lost their wholesale accounts, she said.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will provide $19 billion in relief to farmers and ranchers. As part of the plan, the USDA will partner with regional and local food distributors whose workforces have been affected by the closure of hotels and restaurants.

The USDA will buy $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat that distributors and wholesalers will package for food banks, community organizations and nonprofits serving Americans in need, according to the USDA website.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also announced a plan to prioritize COVID-19 testing for critical food supply workers in select areas of the state.

This priority has been given to workers up and down the supply chain  from farm to store  in Pennsylvanias most at-risk counties for community spread, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a prepared statement. Its a step to further acknowledge the risk and sacrifice being made by these workers, and further ensure that food will be on the shelves at both our grocery stores and food banks when Pennsylvanians go looking.

The testing is available to symptomatic agriculture and food supply workers who live or work in Montgomery, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Wayne or Lackawanna counties.

Czapp and Bauscher hope the situation will educate the public on how the food supply system works and encourage more people to buy fresh food directly from farmers to help keep them in business.

Without agriculture, there isnt much left, Bauscher said. Farmers literally provide food, clothing and alcohol to the world.

TO BUY

Go to The Nesting Box Farm Market & Creamery Facebook page for updates on when eggs will be available and how to buy.

Tucker Silk Mill, a cafe in Eastons Simon Silk Mill, is operating a mini-grocery and will sell some of the eggs. Information can be found on its Facebook page.

Morning Call reporter Christina Tatu can be reached at 610-820-6583 or ctatu@mcall.com.

We rely on the support of our subscribers to fund our journalism as we continue to cover the coronavirus crisis. If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. Already a print subscriber? If you havent already, please activate your digital access.
The 64-year-old grandma wants to be paid for her time and service

A new mum was shocked when her own mother demanded to be paid to babysit.

The 29-year-old mum from the US was planning to return to work and didn't want to get into further debt paying for childcare fees.

Although when she reached out to her 64-year-old retired mum for assistance, she refused.

Sharing the details on Reddit, the woman asked 'am I the a**hole?' for wanting her own mum to take care of her baby for free.

A retired 64-year-old grandma has refused to babysit her grandchild unless she's paid $20 per hour. This demand left her daughter, 29, furious and unsure what to do (stock image)

In the post the woman detailed how her mum 'has been a homemaker/stay-at-home-mom since 1992, and hasn't been part of the workforce since then'.

'She also added that if I really wanted this baby, then maybe I should have thought about staying home like she did to take care of it while my partner goes to work and provides for us like a 'traditional' family, and that if she any my dad were able to work it out, so can we,' the woman wrote.

The new mum said she earns more than her partner - who's $5,000 in debt - and can't afford to be a stay-at-home parent.

'When I explained all the above to my mom, she then proceeded to say that she will charge me $20/hr for each hour she takes care of the baby, plus late fees if we are late for pickup,' she wrote and claims her mum 'does not do anything besides watch TV and cook meals'.

The grandma also demanded her daughter supply all the baby essentials - including a car seat, stroller, bottles, and 'pretty much everything'.

'She will not step foot in my house for her own personal reasons (she's come in once, and I've lived with my partner for 5 years; she's a 15min drive away),' the mum continued.

Poll Who do you think is being unreasonable? The young mum The grandma Who do you think is being unreasonable? The young mum 1037 votes

The grandma 325 votes Now share your opinion





'I want to save money to bring down our debt, and don't want to pay her as much nor invest as much in double of everything as it will spiral into more debt for me and my partner.

'I'm on the fence about enrolling my baby into an infant daycare instead as the cost will overall be lower and a little closer to our home.'

Working from home also isn't an option for the couple and other family members work full-time during business hours.

'Am I the a**hole for wanting my mom, who again is at home all day long, to take care of my baby for free while me and my partner try to fix our finances?' the mum asked.

The daughter shared the details on Reddit and asked 'am I the a**hole?' for wanting her own mum to take care of her baby for free while she returns to work (stock image)

The Reddit thread was flooded with comments from more than 2,300 people who shared their advice and opinions - and many sided with the grandma.

'Sorry to be blunt and rude but maybe don't have a child if you can't afford to take care of them. And if your plan was always go back to work you should of discussed that before the pregnancy with your mum,' one person wrote.

'The audacity to neglect her mother's time. 'She doesn't do anything': CAUSE SHES 64!!!' another said.

A third added: 'Your mother is under no obligation to babysit for you.'

But others understood the dilemma.

'The best thing you can do is start building your childcare system. Look at nurseries. Make some mom friends in the same boat as you and swap babysitting. Go, OK, mom isn't interested, that sucks, what are some other options?' another suggested.

Another was more blunt about it: 'You're not an a**hole for wanting her to care for your baby. And she's not an a**hole for not wanting to. I know it would be a blessing if your mum was more generous of her time and wanted to care for your child. But she doesn't.'
A mum who has been called 'gross' and 'abusive' for breastfeeding her five-year-old boy says she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.

Lauren McLeod, 29, from Perth, is open and honest about her parenting decisions on Instagram with the hope of reducing the stigma around breastfeeding.

In August, 2017 she gave birth to her son, Bowie, followed by her daughter, Tigerlily, in May, 2020. Today Lauren still breastfeeds both kids.

'Breastfeeding beyond infancy is completely normal. I never thought I'd be breastfeeding my child aged five but I'm like any other mum doing the best I can for my children,' she said.

'It's not weird or sexual, it's completely normal and I will keep going until they want to stop.

'I get upset thinking about when we do stop - it's been a huge part of our lives and I don't think Bowie will keep feeding until six.'

Lauren says she will only stop breastfeeding Bowie when he is ready and wants to.

Aussie mum Lauren McLeod, 29, (pictured, centre, with her kids) has continued to breastfeed her son Bowie (left), five, but initially only planned to breastfeed until age two

The doula - a person who provides support during childbirth - has also been labelled as 'sick' and 'disgusting' for breastfeeding for so long (pictured with her two children, Bowie, left, and Tigerlily, right,)

The doula - a person who provides support during childbirth - has also been labelled as 'sick' and 'disgusting' for breastfeeding for so long.

She and her husband Anders, 33, were breastfed until the age of two and wanted to carry this out with their own kids.

'We thought he [Bowie] would self-wean by that point but two came and went. He is now five and breastfeeds only at bedtime and a few times a week.'

'Occasionally people will say something really mean, coming from a lack of education but nobody has ever said anything to my face.

'Someone accused me of not feeding him food - of course we do.

'I believe we're doing the right thing for us. It's a beautiful thing for us to bond and reconnect after a long day.'

'Breastfeeding beyond infancy is completely normal. I never thought I'd be breastfeeding my child aged five but I'm like any other mum doing the best I can for my children,' she said

What are the breastfeeding recommendations in Australia? Whether you breastfeed for a day or for several years, the decision to breastfeed your child is one you will never regret. And whenever weaning takes place, remember that it is a big step for both of you. How long to continue breastfeeding for is a personal decision for your family to make. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (i.e. no other fluids or solids) for six months and then continued breastfeeding combined with solid foods for two years or as long as mother and baby desire. Benefits after two years old: - Meets child's physical and emotional needs - Provides comfort - It is biologically normal and our body seems geared to a weaning age of between two and seven years - Continues to reduce woman's risk of breast and ovarian cancers - Is nutritious, providing a source of energy and protein and protection against illness Source: Australian Breastfeeding Association Advertisement

When Tigerlily was born she had to set some boundaries and started breastfeeding Bowie less.

At one point she felt 'touched-out' - when you're overwhelmed from being touched too much - and decided to night wean Tigerlily.

'I'm sure there will come a time where I need to set more boundaries, but Tigerlily has never taken a bottle so at night time if she wakes, she has water or cow milk from a sippy cup,' Lauren said.

'Bowie took express breast milk from the bottle when I went back to work one morning a week which made things slightly easier.'

On other occasions she's also breastfed her friend's baby who doesn't take bottles.

'It was a little strange feeding a baby who wasn't mine, but not in a bad way. It felt so natural, and it was really nice to help my friend as he was only eight months old, and she didn't want to leave him with anyone else.'

Lauren previously told FEMAIL she chooses to breastfeed because it's what has 'always worked best' for herself and kids'. She also believes breastmilk is an immunity booster.

Lauren previously told FEMAIL she chooses to breastfeed because it's what has 'always worked best' for herself and kids. She also believes breastmilk is an immunity booster

She said the children find comfort in breastfeeding, and it also 'soothes them to sleep faster', calms them if they're upset, offers pain relief and supports their immune systems

Despite the nasty comments on social media, Lauren turns her head to those who criticise her.

'I just don't read the comments sections on social media posts that aren't my own, so I don't see the majority of nasty things that are said about me,' she told FEMAIL.

Lauren said if someone's being negative online, she simply blocks them and deletes the comment.

'It's not worth my time and energy to respond to someone who has made up their mind about me already, and takes time out of their day to be nasty,' she said.

'At the end of the day, if someone doesn't agree with my choices then that's fine, that's their opinion.

She added how the positive impact left on other parents who choose to breastfeed 'outweighs the negativity'. And hundreds have praised Lauren for having the courage to sharing her story

'A lot of the negative opinions people have about breastfeeding are often based on cultural bias and lack of education on the topic, which is part of the reason I share my story - to help people understand that natural term breastfeeding is biologically normal.'

She added how the positive impact left on other parents who choose to breastfeed 'outweighs the negativity'.

And hundreds have praised Lauren for having the courage to sharing her story.
She listed the three things newbies should never do Down Under

A British expat has issued a warning to tourists about the things they should never do in Australia if they don't want to be 'judged' or 'yelled at'.

Jordana Grace, who is now based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, listed three things newbies should never do if they don't want to annoy Aussies.

The list included never complaining about the heat, going to Starbucks or swimming outside the flags.

The radio host refers to herself as That British Gal on her social media and often shares the culture shocks she's experienced since moving from the UK to Australia.

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British expat Jordana Grace (pictured) has issued a warning to tourists about the things they should never do in Australia

Jordana listed three things newbies should never do if they don't want to annoy Aussies. The surprising list included never complaining about the heat, never going to Starbucks and never swimming outside the flags

'Here are three things you shouldn't do when you come to Australia,' Jordana said.

Her number one no-go was complaining about how hot it is.

'We all know Australia's hot. But if you're a tourist and all you've done is come here and complain about the heat it's not going to go down well,' she said.

'Just ignore the boob sweat, smile and carry on.'

The comedian jokingly recommended hanging out in the freezer aisle at supermarkets if you're feeling really hot.

Her second tip is to never ask where the nearest Starbucks is.

'Australia invented the beloved flat white, don't disrespect the great coffee culture here by basically asking for sugar dirt water,' she said.

If you don't knew where the best cafe is, she advised tourists to ask an Australian person where they get their favourite coffee from and you're bound to find a good one.

She advised never asking where the nearest Starbucks is and go to an Australian cafe instead. Her final piece of advice was to never swim outside the flags, especially if you don't want to be 'yelled at' by lifeguards over a tannoy

Her final piece of advice was to never swim outside the flags, especially if you don't want to be 'yelled at' by lifeguards over a tannoy.

'The sea in Australia is a beautiful beast, it's gorgeous but the people that get into the most trouble are tourists,' she said.

'The lifeguards aren't just there to be pretty, they are there to help you swim safely.'

Hundreds of people weighed in on her tips, many Aussies agreed with the advice.

'Only the locals are allowed to say "it's too bloody hot" one man said.

Three things tourists should never do in Australia: 1. Never complain about the heat 2. Never ask where the nearest Starbucks is, go to an Australian cafe instead 3. Never swim outside the flags at the beach Advertisement

'Yes, swim between the damn flags,' another agreed.

However, some locals took issue with some of the tips.

'I was born and live in Australia and all I do is complain and complain and complain about the heat. I just hate it,' one woman said.

Several people contested Jordana's statement that the flat white was invented in Australia.

'I believe the flat white was actually invented in New Zealand,' one woman said.
Twenty-one people have been killed by a 'mysterious disease' in Afghanistan, local media has claimed.

Cases have all been logged in the mountainous Wakhan region in the north-east of the country, which borders Tajikistan and Pakistan.

Health chiefs have now been dispatched to the area to investigate the nature of the illness.

The cases have all been reported in the mountainous Wakhan district, 230 miles northeast of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul

Health officials have raised concerns that the 'mysterious' respiratory disease shares similarities with Covid-19

Details on what the actual illness is are scarce.

But the Afghanistan Times reported that officials described it as being 'very similar' to Covid.

Covid itself, a type of coronavirus, was behind a mysterious outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan three years ago.

The first deaths occurred a fortnight ago, the Afghanistan Times claimed.

Kyrgyzstan, which doesn't border Afghanistan, has dispatched a representative to the region amid fears that it could spread further.

Wakhan is a sparsely-populated, narrow strip of territory which includes the Pamir Mountains.

Afghanistan has recently been hit by outbreaks of Cholera and Polio.

British health chiefs are also monitoring cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, a viral disease mainly transmitted by ticks, which can prove fatal for up to 40 per cent of cases.

Wakhan is a sparsely-populated, narrow strip of territory which includes the Pamir Mountains. Pictured above, cereal fields in the Wakhan valley

It comes as the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency last week reported that at least 50 children have died due to respiratory diseases in just a month in the Baghlan province, northern Afghanistan.

According to the the agency, Baghlan Hospital officials confirmed that 1,000 children had been infected with respiratory diseases in the province over the last month.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which supports 33 hospitals across Afghanistan, also revealed in November that it had seen the number of children treated for pneumonia surge over 50 per cent in 2022, compared to the same time in the previous year.

Data shared with The Independent earlier this month by the ICRC, also showed that pneumonia cases in the country jumped by 35 per cent in a year to 213,049 in 2022.
Ever looked at a letter from the doctor and been baffled at how to pronounce the words?

Well, you're not alone.

So, after Google search results revealed words such as quinoa, gyros and acai are among the trickiest to say, MailOnline looked at some of the most commonly mispronounced medical terms.

From oesophageal to pica, here are the words your doctors uses that you might have been saying wrong.

As Google search results revealed words such as quinoa, gyros and acai are among the trickiest to say, MailOnline looked at the most commonly mispronounced medical terms

Tinnitus

This is pronounced 'TIN-it-us'  but doctors say they are used to hearing 'ti-nite-us'.

The NHS describes tinnitus as being 'the name for hearing noises that do not come from an outside source'.

Tinnitus can sound like ringing, throbbing, hissing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, music or singing.

It is not always clear what the cause of tinnitus is but it can be linked to hearing loss, anxiety or depression, conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders or multiple sclerosis, or taking certain medications.

Meniere's disease - an inner-ear condition that causes sudden attacks of symptoms such as feeling like the room is spinning - is also thought to be commonly linked to tinnitus.

Kegel exercises

These exercises should be pronounced 'KAY-gull', not 'kee-gull'.

Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and are recommended during pregnancy and after childbirth.

The pelvic floor muscles support the uterus, bladder, small intestine and rectum, and kegel exercises can help prevent or control problems such as urinary incontinence by strengthening them.

For doing kegel exercises, you first need to find the right muscles - which you can do by stopping urination midstream.

To do these exercises, you should 'imagine you are sitting on a marble and tighten your pelvic floor muscles to lift the marble', according to Mayo Clinic. Hold this for three seconds then relax for three seconds.

Diphtheria

This infection is pronounced 'dif-THEER-ee-uh', as the 'ph' sounds like an F, not a P.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the nose, throat and sometimes skin, according to the NHS.

It is spread by coughs, sneezes or close contact with an infected person and can sometimes be fatal.

It is rare in the UK as babies and children have been vaccinated against the infection since the 1940s.

However the NHS said: 'Since 2018, the World Health Organization has reported a rise in cases in Indonesia, India, South America and Africa', so if you are travelling to any of these parts of the world you may need a booster vaccination.

Oophorectomy

This surgical procedure should be pronounced 'oh-uh-fuh-WRECK-tuh-mee.' It's not an 'oof' which the spelling suggests.

Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your ovaries and may be used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, benign tumours or large ovarian cysts.

It can also be used to lower the risk of ovarian cancer in women who carry mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.

As most of the production of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone takes place in the ovaries, this surgery results in the menopause and permanent infertility.

Oopherectomy can be performed alone but is often combined with a salpingectomy  removal of the fallopian tubes.

Anaesthetist

This type of specialised doctor is pronounced 'an-EES-thi-tist.' Unlike 'anaesthesia,' the ae makes an ee sound.

Anaesthetists are responsible for providing the powerful drugs to patients for operations and procedures.

Anaesthetists form the largest group of specialist doctors in NHS hospitals and are required to 'undertake at least seven years of paid postgraduate training in anaesthesia, intensive care medicine and pain management'.

They determine which anaesthesia is needed, make routine checks on the day of the patient's surgery, administer the anaesthetic and remain with the patient throughout the operation.

The NHS describes tinnitus as 'the name for hearing noises that do not come from an outside source' (file photo)

Febrile

This is pronounced 'FEE-brile', not 'feeb-roll' and comes from the Latin word for fever.

Medically, this term is most commonly associated with febrile convulsion, or febrile seizures, which are fits that can happen when a child has a fever.

Febrile seizures are relatively common and 'in most cases are not serious', according to NHS Scotland.

They most often occur between the ages of six months and three years when a child has a high temperature and their body will usually become stiff.

They will lose consciousness, their arms and legs may twitch and some children wet themselves.

Psoriasis

This skin condition is pronounced 'suh-RYE-uh-sis' as the P is silent.

Psoriasis is a skin condition which causes flaky patches of skin which form scales, according to the NHS.

The patches can look pink, red purple or dark brown and the scales can look white, silver or grey.

They normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, but psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body.

The NHS says it is caused by an excess production of skin cells  which are normally made and replaced every three to four weeks but in people with psoriasis this process happens in just three to seven days.

Gastroenterologist

This type of specialised doctor is pronounced 'gas-troh-en-ter-AW-luh-jist.'

Gastroenterologists diagnose, treat and work to prevent gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) diseases, like coeliac and IBD.

They also specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatological diseases, which concern the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas.

A gastroenterologist also performs endoscopes  tests to look inside your body  such as colonoscopy.

Anaesthetists are responsible for providing anaesthesia to patients dfor operations and procedures (file photo of an anaesthetist with a patient)

Periodontitis

This type of gum disease is pronounced 'pay-ree-oh-don-TIE-tiss.'

Periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease, is where your gums become inflamed from a build-up of plaque.

The inflammation 'spreads to your ligaments and bones that hold your teeth in place', according to Bupa Health.

Your gums may start to pull away from your teeth, leaving pockets that trap plaque you may not be able to reach with a toothbrush.

Sometimes you may develop an infection as the plaque hardens and your gums become more difficult to clean.

Pica

This feeding disorder is pronounced 'PIKE-uh', not 'PEE-ka' like Pikachu is.

Pica is a feeding disorder where people eat non-food substances such as paper, soap or chalk, according to Beat Eating Disorders.

It affects people of all genders and ages, though is more likely to first be seen in children.

The reasons people develop pica is unclear but 'it has been linked to the nervous system', or as a learned behaviour.

Pica is more likely to occur alongside anaemia, pregnancy, autism, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia or intellectual developmental disorders.

Cochlea

The preferred pronunciation for this part of the inner ear is 'COKE-lee-uh', though 'KAHK-lee-uh' is also accepted.

The cochlea is a hollow, spiral-shaped bone found in the inner ear that plays a key role in the sense of hearing, according to experts.

It also participates in the process of auditory transduction - which involves the transformation of sound waves into electrical energy.

The spiral shape of the cochlea allows for people to perceive different frequencies as different parts are stimulated.

A cochlear implant is a small, electronic device that can help provide the sense of sound in a person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis - a build-up of plaque that causes your gums to become inflamed - goes untreated

Fissure

This type of tear or open sore, which occurs in the anus, is pronounced 'FISH-ur', much like fisherman.

Anal fissures can be caused by a large or hard poo tearing the anal canal, persistent diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy and childbirth.

Less common causes are sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis or herpes infecting and damaging the canal, or having an unusually tight sphincter.

Common symptoms are a 'sharp pain when you poo followed by a deep burning pain', or bleeding.

Oesophageal

This term relating to the oesophagus is pronounced 'iss-off-uh-JEE-ole' as the G sounds like a J.

The NHS says oesophageal cancer is a cancer found anywhere in the oesophagus  sometimes called the gullet or food pipe  which connects your mouth to your stomach.

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer include having problems swallowing, feeling or being sick, acid reflux and indigestion, among others.

It is not always clear what causes this type of cancer but you are more likely to get it if you are male, over the age of 75 or have conditions such as severe acid-reflux or Barret's oesophagus.

It can be difficult to treat and may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Interstitial cystitis

Also known as bladder pain syndrome, this term is pronounced 'in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis.'

Interstitial cystitis is a poorly understood condition that causes pelvic pain and problems peeing, according to the NHS.

There is no single test to confirm the condition so it can be difficult to diagnose and symptoms include sudden strong urges to pee and pain in your lower tummy as your bladder fills up, among others.

Interstitial cystitis can affect people over all ages but it is more common in women over the age of 30.

Suggested causes include damage to the bladder lining, a problem with the pelvic floor muscles or your immune system causing an inflammatory reaction.

Embolus

This is pronounced 'EM-buh-luss', not 'em-BOLE-us'.

An embolus is a 'blood clot, air bubble or small object that causes an embolism'  a blocked artery.

If the blood supply to a major organ such as the brain or heart is blocked, it will lose some or all of its function.

Two of the most serious conditions caused by an embolism are a stroke or pulmonary embolism, the NHS says.

A stroke is where the blood supply to the brain is cut off and a pulmonary embolism is where a foreign body blocks an artery carrying blood to the heart or lungs.

The cochlea is a hollow, spiral-shaped bone found in the inner ear that plays a key role in the sense of hearing, according to PubMed

Rosacea

This chronic but treatable skin condition is pronounced 'roe-ZAY-shuh.'

Rosacea begins as flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chine or forehead that may come and go, according to the National Rosacea Society.

If left untreated, rosacea can cause inflammatory bumps and pimples and the nose may become swollen, particularity in men.

In as many as 50 per cent of cases, the eyes are also affected and appear watery or bloodshot.

Rosacea can be treated with a range of oral and topical medications and medical therapy may be prescribed to treat the redness.

Whooping cough

This bacterial infection is pronounced 'HOO-pin-kof', which is confusingly different to its spelling.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, causes severe bouts of coughing which can last for weeks or months, according to Bupa Health.

It gets its name from the sound often made by those with the infection, particularly children, as they draw in breath between coughing.

Whooping cough can strike at any age but it is most common in babies and children, and the infection is highly contagious.

Otolaryngologist

Also called an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor, this job title is pronounced 'oh-toe-lar-en-GAW-luh-jist.'

Otolaryngologists diagnose, evaluate and and manage diseases of the head and neck, according to NHS careers.

They treat conditions that affect the senses such as hearing, balance, smell or taste, including hearing loss, dizziness, nasal injuries or throat cancer.

Otolaryngologists also perform facial cosmetic surgery following trauma or cancer.

Other conditions they treat include sinus infections, perforated ear drums, tonsillitis and childhood 'glue ear' - where the middle ear is blocked with fluid.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, causes severe bouts of coughing which can last for weeks or months, according to Bupa Health (file photo)

Mastectomy

This type of surgery is pronounced 'ma-STEK-tuh-mee' and the first T is often skipped over.

A mastectomy is where all of the breast is removed and is used to treat cancer, according to Cancer Research.

A surgeon may removed one or both breasts if you 'have a large tumour, have a tumour in the middle of your breast, have had radiotherapy to the breast before, or cancer in more than one area of your breast'.

You may also have a mastectomy if you have large areas of ductal carcinoma in situ - a condition where cells inside the milk ducts become cancerous.

It can also be used to reduce the chances of developing breast cancer in women who have a high risk.

Endoscopy

This type of medical test is pronounced 'end-AW-skuh-pee' but confusingly endoscope is pronounced 'end-UH-scope'.

An endoscopy is a test to look inside your body where a long, thin tube with a camera attached is inserted.

The tube will be passed into your body through a natural opening such as your mouth.

There are different types of endoscopy, such as a hysteroscopy - where the tube is passed through your vagina to check your womb.

Another type of endoscopy is colonoscopy - where the tube is passed through your bottom to check your bowels.

Cerebral Palsy

This term which covers several neurological conditions is pronounced 'se-RU-bul PAWL-zee.'

Cerebral palsy is the term relating to conditions caused before, during, or shortly after birth as a result of injury to the brain, according to cerebralpalsy.org.

The injury to the brain can be caused by limited or interrupted oxygen supply to the brain, a brain bleed, difficult birthing process or the mother catching an infection while pregnant.

It is estimated that one in 400 babies are born with a type of cerebral palsy in the UK each year and one in 345 have the condition in the US.
Rishi Sunak was today urged to 'come out of hiding' by union chiefs who accused him of dodging vital pay negotiations needed to end NHS strikes.

Unite boss Sharon Graham accused the PM of being of 'missing in action' in efforts to end the dispute and called on him to start negotiating  hitting out at the Health Secretary Steve Barclay for not having 'any authority' to make a pay offer.

Up to 20,000 ambulance staff have today taken to the picket lines across England and Wales. Patients have been urged to continue calling 999 in all life-threatening emergencies, with paramedics providing 'life and limb' cover.

It marks the latest round of strikes in the never-ending row over pay and conditions, which are set to rumble on for months.

Action planned for two weeks' time is set to be the biggest in NHS history, spanning both ambulance and nursing staff.

GMB union ambulance workers on the picket line outside the Donnington Ambulance Hub, in Donnington, near Telford, Shropshire on January 23

NHS staff at Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool take part in strikes on January 23

Both Steve Barclay (right) and Rishi Sunak (left ) have told nurses that a 10 per cent pay rise is 'unaffordable'  meaning ambulance staff are unlikely to secure the pay award

Unite boss Sharon Graham has accused the Prime Minister of being of 'missing in action'

Speaking on LBC Radio this morning, Ms Graham accused the Prime Minister of being 'missing in action' in efforts to resolve the ambulance strikes.

None of the meetings between union chiefs and Government officials have been about pay, according to the Unite boss.

She said: 'What I'm calling on today is for Rishi Sunak to come out of hiding, to do his job as the leader of this country and start negotiating on this particular dispute.

'They've gone on airways talking about constructive meetings.

'I don't know what meetings they're in, because they're certainly not the same ones I'm in. I can't put "constructive meetings" on a ballot form.

'I need them to come with an offer.'

In a separate interview with Sky News, Ms Graham urged Mr Sunak to 'come to the table' and hit out at Health Secretary Mr Barclay for not having the power to offer NHS workers any extra cash.

She said: 'It's very clear that Steve Barclay does not have any authority, he doesn't have the authority to do the deal.'

So there is 'no point' in having any more discussions with Mr Barclay but Mr Sunak is 'the CEO of this employer' and should 'come to the table' so ambulance staff can 'get back to work', Ms Graham said.

She added: 'The Prime Minister has absolutely not spoken to us about this in any way, shape or form. This is his responsibility.

'This is the biggest abdication of leadership that I have seen in negotiations ever in 30 years of negotiating.

'He needs to do the job he's paid for  get around the table so these people now can get back to work.'

The calendar shows planned strike dates among NHS staff in the coming months. Nurses are on strike on January 18 and 19 and return to picket lines on February 6 and 7. The next ambulance strike is on January 23, followed by February 6 and 20 and March 6 and 20. NHS physiotherapists hold their first strike action on January 26 and then again on February 9

NHS England data shows ambulance handover delays have fallen to their lowest level this winter. Less than one in four (23 per cent) of ambulance patients waited 30 minutes or longer last week before being handed to A&E teams, down from 36 per cent a week earlier (red line)

Just one in ten ambulance patients (9 per cent) waited more than one hour to be handed over to A&E teams  another record low this winter down from 19 per cent in the previous week

NHS ambulance data for December shows that 999 callers classed as category two  which includes heart attacks, strokes, burns and epilepsy  waited 1 hour, 32 minutes and 54 seconds, on average, for paramedics to arrive (shown in red bar). This is five-times longer than the 18-minute target (shown in green line). This is despite category 2 cases falling slightly to 368,042 (shown in yellow bar)

More NHS misery as union barons announce 10 fresh ambulance worker walkouts amid fears February 6 'D-Day' will be the biggest strike action in the health service's history The Government has been accused of 'disastrous handling of the NHS that has brought it to breaking point' by unions Advertisement

The Unite boss has called for a pay rise in the 'ballpark' of 10 per cent for ambulance staff, while the Royal College of Nursing, which is coordinating nursing strikes, has urged ministers for a nearly 20 per cent pay hike  though it has said it would meet in the middle.

Both Mr Barclay and the PM have told nurses that a 10 per cent pay rise is 'unaffordable'  meaning ambulance staff are unlikely to secure the pay award.

They argue it would take 3.6billion away from 'essential' NHS services where investment is needed to tackle the backlog of more than 7million people in England.

Ms Graham added: 'I'm the leader of the biggest private sector union  the private sector wouldn't operate like this in negotiations of this calibre.

'The CEO will be in a room with me, would be negotiating and put a deal back to the members. That's what the Government needs to do.

'Either Rishi Sunak isn't up to the job and he doesn't know how to negotiate, or there's something more sinister going on here.'

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she accused Mr Sunak of not wanting to resolve the dispute with NHS staff and instead having a 'sinister' agenda to privatise the health service.

Ms Graham said: 'The public are behind the NHS workers getting a pay rise. We have the money for the NHS workers getting a pay rise. We're the fifth richest economy in the entire world.

'Why are they not coming to the table? I believe they have an agenda in terms of privatising the NHS.'

She pointed to comments from former Health Secretary Sajid Javid this weekend, who called for Brits to be charged a fee for GP appointments and A&E visits  as a 'flag to see how it flew'.

However, Sara Gorton, head of health at the Unison union, blamed the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt for blocking any pay offer to NHS staff.

Ambulance workers respond to an emergency call amid a union strike, at Longley Ambulance Station in Sheffield, on January 23

NHS staff at Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool take part in strikes on January 23

NHS staff at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool take part in strikes on January 23

NHS staff at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool take part in strikes on January 23

Ambulance staff who are members of the GMB union on the picket line outside the Donnington Ambulance Hub, in Donnington, near Telford, Shropshire on January 23

Ambulance staff who are members of the GMB union on the picket line outside the Donnington Ambulance Hub, in Donnington, near Telford, Shropshire on January 23

Ambulance staff who are members of the GMB union on the picket line outside the Donnington Ambulance Hub, in Donnington, near Telford, Shropshire on January 23

Ambulance staff who are members of the GMB union on the picket line outside the Donnington Ambulance Hub, in Donnington, near Telford, Shropshire on January 23

Ambulance workers on the picket line outside Croydon Street Ambulance Station in Bristol on January 23

NHS staff at Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool take part in strikes on January 23

She said: '[It] is really ironic because Jeremy Hunt, only a few short months ago was writing reports as chair of the (Health and Social Care) Select Committee, talking about the investment that's needed to resolve the workforce emergency in the NHS.

'He knows more than anybody else what is needed.

'He's also worked with unions very constructively to resolve disputes before  he worked with Unison and other health unions to resolve the 2014/15 pay dispute.

'So he's got a track record in working with us to do this. We just want him to do that again. And to put a stop to this before any more strikes are necessary.'

Up to 18,600 ambulance staff have taken to picket lines across England and Wales today in a bitter row over pay and working conditions.

NHS biggest ever strike on February 6 will be a 'bad day' for the health service, union admits Mass walkouts among NHS nurses and ambulance staff in a fortnight will be a 'very bad day', one union boss behind the action has admitted. Seven days of strike action among 99 crews, nurses and physiotherapists are scheduled over the next two months. Health chiefs are most concerned about walk-outs on February 6, when coordinated walk-outs among nurses and ambulance staff will take place. It is set to be the biggest day of strikes in the history of the NHS. Unite boss Sharon Graham said: 'There's many, many days between now and February 6. 'I hope the Government come to their senses, get the general secretaries around the table  we will be there any time, any place, anywhere  and do this deal. 'So, I really hope that February 6 doesn't go ahead because the Government puts an offer on the table. 'If they don't do that, of course it will go ahead (and) it will be a very bad day for the NHS, everybody will feel that.' Although the most seriously ill patients and 999 callers have been able to access swift treatment and transport on previous strike days this winter, others have been left with no choice but to make their own way to hospital. And thousands of hospital appointments and operations are cancelled on strike days in response to reduced capacity. Advertisement

The figure includes up to 15,000 Unison members, around 1,000 ambulance workers in the West Midlands who are members of the GMB union and more than 2,600 Unite members in the West Midlands, North West, North East, East Midlands and Wales.

As well as paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians, other 999 crew members and control room staff are also walking out.

As part of the Unison action, 5,000 porters, cleaners, nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and theatre staff at Liverpool University Hospitals Trust and the citys Heart and Chest Hospital are also striking.

Both Mr Barclay and NHS England medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis have urged the public to continue to call 999 in life-threatening emergencies and come forward for NHS care as they usually would, despite the strike action.

As with previous strike days, unions have committed to providing life and limb cover.

There are seven more days of strike action are planned over the next two months among ambulance staff, nurses and physiotherapists.

Health chiefs have warned of the damage that the long-running disputes are causing to the NHS.

Thousands more hospital appointments and operations will be cancelled over the next few months in response to reduced capacity on strike days.

And the loss of ambulance workers will lead to long delays or some patients getting no ambulance sent to them at all.

Health chiefs are most concerned about walk-outs on February 6, when nurses and 999 crews will join picket lines on the same day  set to be the biggest day of strikes in the history of the NHS.

Ms Graham said: 'There's many, many days between now and February 6.

'I hope the Government come to their senses, get the general secretaries around the table  we will be there any time, any place, anywhere  and do this deal.

'So, I really hope that February 6 doesn't go ahead because the Government puts an offer on the table.

'If they don't do that, of course it will go ahead (and) it will be a very bad day for the NHS, everybody will feel that.'
Scientists have discovered the molecule blocks infection by changing its shape

A toxin found in sugar that wipes out superbugs has been dubbed the 'most exciting antibiotic candidate' in decades.

Albicidin is a toxin produced by the plant pathogen that causes the devastating leaf scald disease in sugar cane. Researchers found albicidin was effective against six antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a new laboratory study.

Scientists hope it will give them a new weapon to fight superbugs, which are estimated to contribute to around seven million deaths a year. Experts have warned they should be taken as seriously as global warming.

The antibiotic - called albicidin - is made by the plant pathogen which causes the devastating leaf scald disease in sugar cane, bacterial disease which can ruin crops

Dr Dmitry Ghilarov, head of the research group examining albicidin at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK, said: 'We believe this is one of the most exciting new antibiotic candidates in many years.

'It has extremely high effectiveness in small concentrations and is highly potent against pathogenic bacteria - even those resistant to the widely used antibiotics.'

Albicidin is used by the pathogen Xanthomonas albilineans to spread throughout the plant, withering the leaves and rendering crops unusable.

The development of albicidin as an antibiotic has been slow because scientists could not work out exactly how it engaged with its target in plants - the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase.

Albicidin prevents a process which enables cells to function properly.

Gyrase, a bacterial enzyme, binds to DNA and twists it into a coil in a process called supercoiling, which is crucial for cells to operate.

During supercoiling, the DNA becomes temporarily broken.

Albicidin prevents the rejoining of the DNA by changing shape and effectively blocking the way.

Now scientists have this added structural understanding of how albicidin works, they hope to use it to modify the antibiotic and make it more effective against drug-resistant bacteria.

In the latest study, scientists used a powerful microscope to discover that albicidin takes an L-shape, blocking the gyrase from rejoining the broken DNA, like 'a spanner thrown between two gears'.

The way albicidin interacts is sufficiently different from existing antibiotics, which will likely work against many of the current antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Through laboratory tests, the scientists found it to be effective against some of the most dangerous bacterial infections often contracted in hospitals, including salmonella, E. coli and pneumonia.

Those three antibiotic-resistant bugs are estimated to kill more than 50,000 Americans every year.

When antibiotics are taken unnecessarily, bacteria can develop the ability to defeat them and gradually become drug-resistant.

Dr Ghilarov said: 'It seems by the nature of the interaction, albicidin targets a really essential part of the enzyme and it's hard for bacteria to evolve resistance to that.

'Now that we have a structural understanding, we can look to further exploit this binding pocket and make more modifications to albicidin to improve its efficacy and pharmacological properties.'

Now the researchers will seek funding for human clinical trials, which they hope will lead to creating a new class of antibiotics.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Catalysis.

Figures estimate that superbugs will kill 10 million people each year by 2050, with patients succumbing to once-harmless bugs.

Around 700,000 people already die yearly due to drug-resistant infections, including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria across the world.

Concerns have repeatedly been raised that medicine will be taken back to the 'dark ages' if antibiotics are rendered ineffective in the coming years.

In addition to existing drugs becoming less effective, only one or two new antibiotics have been developed in the last 30 years.

In 2019, the WHO warned antibiotics are 'running out' as a report found a 'serious lack' of new drugs in the development pipeline.

Without antibiotics, C-sections, cancer treatments and hip replacements will become incredibly 'risky', it was said at the time.
Pediatric hospitals across the country are doling out gun safety locks as firearms become the leading cause of death among children.

More than 4,000 under-19s were slain by guns in 2020 alone, meaning firearms now claim more lives than car crashes and drug overdoses for the first time.

With many of the gun deaths a result of intentional and accidental self-inflicted shootings, hospitals such as St. Louis Childrens Hospital in Missouri have begun setting out bowls of free cable gun locks available to parents who own firearms.

The pediatric department at Boston Medical Center and Comer Childrens Hospital in Chicago have also set up gun lock giveaway programs.

Cable gun locks work like a padlock. A metal cable is fed through the chamber and out the part where magazines are inserted, holding the trigger from being pulled and blocking ammo from being released

Gun violence is now the leading killer off American youth, a research report finds, surpassing motor vehicle crashes

Dr. Lindsay Clukies, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at St. Louis Childrens Hospital told CNN: Weve had employees as well as patients take our locks, also their families and even a grandmother who took one for her grandson. Its for anyone who needs them.

The No Questions Asked program is designed to remove the stigma around gun ownership, an extremely divisive topic that drives many a political conversation.

Healthcare workers from across the country have become all too familiar with treating critical gunshot wounds in children caused by violence, suicide, or accidents.

So far, the hospitals program has proven successful. About two-thirds of caregivers who took free gun locks used them and there was a statistically significant decrease in those who didnt store their firearms safely, as well as an increase in those who kept their firearms unloaded.

The cable gun locks are a simple way to shrink the flow of patients entering emergency department doors.

Designed like a padlock, one end of the cable is inserted through the guns chamber and out the area where magazines are inserted, then locked at the base to secure the gun, preventing the trigger from being pulled.

Dr Annie Andrews, a professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina and an expert on gun violence prevention told CNN: It takes standing at the bedside of one child who has been shot to realize that we all have to do more and as the leading cause of death for children in this country, pediatricians need to be front and center of the solution, of all the solutions.

More than 4,300 children aged one to 19 died of a firearm-related injury during the first year of the Covid pandemic, marking a 30 percent jump from the previous year.

2020 was the first year that gun violence overtook vehicle crashes as a leading killer, due to both a surge in firearm deaths and a rapid fall in vehicle-related deaths over the past two decades.

Over the coming weeks, gun locks will be made available to caregivers at hospitals in the metro St. Louis area, mid-Missouri, and Southern Illinois.

The contentious debate over guns and gun safety has increasingly become centered on the public health crisis that has arisen from it. Gun-control advocacy non-profit Everytown for Gun Safety has identified more than 175 incidents of gunfire at schools in 2022 alone.

Approximately 4.6 million children and teens live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun. Additionally, suicide is the second leading cause of adolescent death, with most cases involving a family members unlocked gun

Each tragic school shooting elicits the same thoughts and prayers refrain with few if any reforms coming up behind. The move by several hospitals to stock gun locks is the latest example of medical professionals feeling compelled to take up the issue of gun violence themselves where politicians wont.

Many hospitals including St. Louis Childrens Hospital, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Boston Medical Center now screen patients and their families for guns in the home and helping educated parents about safe storage.

Doctors try to sound as least judgmental as possible in asking questions of their patients caregivers.

Dr. Lois Kaye Lee, a pediatrician and the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention said: This shouldnt be considered as something extra; it should be considered as part of the work that we do every day around injury prevention, be it around firearms, child passenger safety and suicide prevention.

Gun violence is a uniquely American problem that kills 12 children on average every day. About one out of 10 gun deaths are children and teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But bivalent coverage in America remains sluggish with only 15 percent boosted

Some young children, seniors and immunocompromised people might get two

Covid shots are set to become an indefinite part of American life under plans drawn up by health officials.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel will vote on Thursday on whether to switch the Covid vaccine rollout to a yearly schedule similar to the flu shot program.

Under the new plan, Americans would get a Covid shot every fall, which would be updated according to whichever variant is most dominant at the time.

It comes as US government contracts with vaccine makers Moderna and Pfizer are due to end this year, leading the companies to quadruple the price of the shots. While Americans will not actually pay this hike out-of-pocket, premiums all round will still be pushed up.

Currently, US adults need to have had three Covid shots (two original and one booster) to be considered fully vaccinated against Covid

More than 25 percent of the residents in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and D.C. received their updated bivalent booster dose

Current weekly Covid cases have plateaued in America, leading the FDA to consider a simplified vaccine schedule. The XBB.1.5 subvariant now makes up around 28 percent of US Covid-19 cases

At the moment, people must have their two shots of the original Covid vaccine, plus a booster received at least two months later, to be considered fully vaccinated.

If the panel votes in favor, the majority of the population would be advised to have the latest iteration of the vaccine every fall, regardless of how many shots they have already had and when they received them.

Pfizer and Moderna's bivalent vaccines, which target both the Omicron and the original variants, would be used for all Covid vaccine doses, and not just as boosters.

Last month, the European Medicines Agency regulator said the bivalent shots can be used as primary vaccinations.

The FDA has also asked the vaccine advisory panel to look at giving two shots a year to some young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

Vaccine manufacturers would update the shot according to whichever variant was most dominant at the time, as is done with the flu jab.

Health officials believe the move would improve vaccine uptake.

Documents released ahead of Thursday's meeting said: 'FDA expects that simplification of Covid-19 vaccine composition and annual immunization schedules may contribute to more facile vaccine deployment, fewer vaccine administration errors, and less complex communication, all potentially leading to improved vaccine coverage rates and, ultimately, to enhanced public health.'

Only 15 percent of the US population have received the updated Covid booster shot so far, according to CDC data.

The Biden Administration has also been pushing for Covid boosters every fall season.

The bivalent jabs were touted as being able to boost protection against the Omicron strain, but several studies suggest they are no more effective than the original Covid shots.

In September, Dr Ashish Jha, White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator, said: 'I really believe this is why God gave us two arms  one for the flu shot and the other one for the Covid shot.'

In the spring, as it became apparent that an annual jab would likely be the preferred policy, some experts questioned whether the data supported an annual jab.

'It's alarming that there hasn't been organization around these vital questions so that we can actually answer them in a very enlightened and data-driven and knowledgeable manner,' said Luciana Borio, a former acting chief scientist at the FDA who is now a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations.

She said in April: 'It's so reactive. And we know that this just snowballs. And we end up being stuck with decisions that don't really make sense.'

It comes as Moderna and Pfizer are planning to jack up the price of the Covid shot when it hits the open market after doses bought by the US government run out.

Americans can expect to pay around $130 for Moderna's vaccine, which is estimated to cost just $1.18 to make, representing a 10,000 percent markup. The vaccine is currently sold for around $26 a dose.

Moderna - which turned an estimated $39bn in profit last year - benefitted from a multi-billion-dollar taxpayer-funded support package for designing and testing its Covid shot as part of the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed.

The subsidized shots have thus far been free for all Americans regardless of whether they have health insurance.

And while insured Americans likely won't see a difference when they go to get the shots, those without coverage will be saddled with a high price.

Insurance premiums will cover the price hike, meaning Americans will not actually pay out-of-pocket, but it will still push up premiums all around.
As tragically illustrated by the story of Clive Worthington, who never received 116,000 a court awarded him for failed implants  and ended up taking his own life after years of pain

For 14 years Clive Worthington lived in daily agony after undergoing dental surgery that went badly wrong. After suffering problems with dentures, hed had eight implants fitted to replace loosening teeth.

But the procedure led to nerve damage which caused some of the implants to break and fall out  setting in place a train of events that ended in tragedy.

The failed implants meant the retired joiner, from Harlow in Essex, could no longer chew or eat properly. He lost several stone in the years following his surgery and often felt weak through a lack of nutrition.

Tragic outcome: Clive pictured here with his daughter Gina

But the procedure led to nerve damage which caused some of the implants to break and fall out  setting in place a train of events that ended in tragedy. The failed implants meant the retired joiner, from Harlow in Essex, could no longer chew or eat properly. He lost several stone in the years following his surgery and often felt weak through a lack of nutrition

The nerve pain in his jaw caused chronic insomnia and Clive was prescribed sleeping tablets. To compound his problems he developed debilitating migraines after the surgery  he tried everything from over-the-counter remedies to prescription morphine-based painkillers to help  but nothing worked.

Last year, he even had Botox injections in his throat, recommended by doctors to help him swallow what little food he could eat.

As his daughter, Gina, 43, a communications consultant, told Good Health: This had been going on since Dad was in his late 60s  as well as his physical health, his mental health was affected.

Last September, at the age of 81, Clive took his own life.

His family are convinced the daily pain he had to endure was a major factor in his death and want to share his story to highlight a worrying grey area concerning how some dentists are insured.

For in 2019, 11 years after hed undergone the implant surgery, performed in Budapest by a dentist registered in the UK, Clive had been awarded compensation for the botched dentistry  86,000 in damages plus 30,000 costs, thought to be the highest amount ordered by a UK court for dental medical negligence.

For 14 years Clive Worthington lived in daily agony after undergoing dental surgery that went badly wrong. After suffering problems with dentures, hed had eight implants fitted to replace loosening teeth

Clive, who was widowed and lived alone, was relying on this money to have the corrective surgery he needed, expected to cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Yet he did not see a penny due to a detail in the regulation of UK dental insurance  which could affect many other patients.

Im appalled by the way he was let down so badly by the UK dental system, says Gina. It was horrendous to see him suffer and the hopelessness of trying to get what he had been awarded.

Im heartbroken that we ran out of time for Dad, but Im determined to do what I can to stop this from happening to anybody else.

Many people in the UK, unknowingly, might be being treated by dentists who are not fully insured.

The problem, in short, is that some dentists may not be covered for dental work as their insurance is discretionary and providers can decide not to cover  with no need to explain why.

Even the dentists themselves may be unaware of the loophole.

So although the dentist who carried out Clives surgery was registered with the UK dentist regulatory body, the General Dental Council (GDC)  which requires all dentists (both NHS and private) to have professional indemnity in order to be a member, and they can only practise in this country if they are a member  it turned out she did not have full professional insurance cover.

Full insurance means a dentist holds a contract of insurance provided by a regulated insurer with contractually binding terms. Such a policy protects the dentist in the event of a claim, and means patients can be confident that they will receive compensation in the event their dental treatment causes them avoidable harm.

Instead, Clives dentist was only covered via her membership of the Dental Defence Union (DDU), a dental mutual society.

Organisations like the DDU are not insurance companies  rather, they are not-for-profit organisations, owned by their members. They offer professional indemnity on a discretionary basis for members against the risk of dental negligence claims and of professional conduct proceedings.

So although the dentist who carried out Clives surgery was registered with the UK dentist regulatory body, the General Dental Council (GDC)  which requires all dentists (both NHS and private) to have professional indemnity in order to be a member, and they can only practise in this country if they are a member  it turned out she did not have full professional insurance cover

The DDU lists professional indemnity as a member benefit on its website, says Gina. But the problem we discovered is that its essentially able to pick and choose when it does and doesnt pay out. This is because it only provides professional indemnity at its own discretion, according to an email they sent to us when I asked them to reconsider Dads case.

Furthermore, the DDU does not give reasons for its discretion and nor is it required to do so,  adds Gina.

That means that if your dentist needs to pay you compensation, even when a judge rules they should pay out, the Dental Defence Union can potentially stop this, without having to explain why.

What that means for patients is that if something goes wrong as a result of their treatment  whether private or NHS  if their dentist only has what turns out to be discretionary cover, potentially they may not receive any compensation.

If more treatment is needed as a result, they will be the ones out of pocket, and potentially left in pain, as Clive was.

I'm determined to stop this from happening ot anybody else

The DDU website makes a virtue of the fact that in 2019 it successfully defended 65 per cent of claims without making a compensation payment to patients.

Indemnity cover for healthcare professionals including dentists has been the subject of a consultation launched by the Department of Health in December 2018  thanks to help from the familys local MP, Clives case was included in the information reviewed.

This consultation has just been updated. It highlights concerns that indemnity cover for many professionals is discretionary rather than a regulated form of insurance. It is not clear, however, when changes to the current situation will be implemented.

Chris Dean, a registered dentist and managing director of the Dental Law Partnership, which specialises in dental negligence claims, says this problem of indemnity provided by mutual societies is longstanding.

We have more than 20 years experience representing dental patients, and over that period we have repeatedly come up against the inadequacy of discretionary indemnity, as peddled by the mutual dental defence societies.

When these 130-year-old unregulated mutual societies decide to exercise their discretion not to pay up, as they have done 29 times for our clients in the last seven years, our clients are left with no possibility of recovering the compensation to which they are entitled.

He says the dentists themselves may be unaware of the situation.

Sometimes it is dentists who have paid their mutual membership subscriptions for many years in good faith who are then dropped by their mutual societies when assistance with a legal claim is requested, adds Chris Dean.

Frankly in such cases, everyone on both sides is let down; the injured patient who may not be able to access compensation for their remedial dental treatment, and the dentists themselves who believe that they have full cover, then suddenly find out they are completely exposed financially.

The NHS dentist did not provide the service so he investigated private dentistry and  like thousands of Britons  found a company operating a clinic abroad at a fraction of the cost of implants available in the UK

These cases of unpaid compensation, he says, included those where implants  that can cost patients thousands of pounds  needed to be removed and replaced, and root canal treatments where fragments of dental instruments were left in the teeth.

At the low end, the estimated lost compensation is from 10,000 per patient but some of the more egregious cases lost an estimated compensation of more than 50,000, Chris Dean says.

He adds: It is high time these mutual societies were regulated, that the GDC recognises that discretionary indemnity cover is not fit for purpose and that all dentists obtain proper professional insurance cover.

Clives problems began in 2007  after hed suffered from pain and loosening teeth for several years  when his NHS dentist removed several teeth, replacing them with dentures. These began to rub, so Clive enquired about implants.

The NHS dentist did not provide the service so he investigated private dentistry and  like thousands of Britons  found a company operating a clinic abroad at a fraction of the cost of implants available in the UK.

Weeks before his death, he gave an interview to the Mail, in which he recalled: I saw an advert in a newspaper for a clinic in Budapest. I spoke to their office in England who said they could give me four implants on my top teeth and four in the bottom as well as a clip-on denture for around 8,000.

Including flights and other expenses, the whole thing would cost around 10,000. It was still a lot of money but in the UK it would have costs tens of thousands.

I discussed it with my wife, Kate, and we decided we could use savings and I could combine it with a little break in Budapest. I was in so much pain, I knew I needed to do something sooner rather than later.

I dont recall anyone telling me of any risks, although Im sure I must have signed something at the time.

I was fairly confident they would do a good job. Never in a million years would I have gone through with it if I didnt think they were insured.

Clive booked the work through Dr Ezster Gombos, who worked for a company then called Perfect Profiles Ltd, (later sold to Perfect Profiles Clinics Ltd); the operation was performed in Budapest in 2008, but at the time she was registered with the GDC, meaning she could practise dentistry in the UK.

I woke up feeling very groggy and in pain but they gave me painkillers and  I think  antibiotics, Clive told us. We stayed in Budapest for about a week. The staff were very friendly and I had no idea of the problems that were to follow later.

After returning home, he developed an infection in his top gum so, a week or so later, he flew back to Budapest where the implant was removed to allow the infection to heal: the implant was then put back in.

They replaced it free of charge but I had to pay for more flights and accommodation, Clive said.

Sadly, it didnt fix the problem. I lived with pain and discomfort, the teeth were breaking away and yet whenever I contacted the clinic, they said they had performed the correct operation.

They promised they would make it right and I went back to them several times to their clinic in the UK but eventually I was told that they had run out of expertise to solve the problem.

In 2015, Clive approached the Dental Complaints Service (an organisation that helps private dental patients and professionals settle complaints), who advised him to contact the GDC. After two years the GDC found there had been substantial failings by Dr Gombos

They even gave me a spanner-type tool and told me to take it to another dentist to take the teeth out. I was speechless.

In 2015, Clive approached the Dental Complaints Service (an organisation that helps private dental patients and professionals settle complaints), who advised him to contact the GDC.

Discretionary cover is not fit for purpose

After two years the GDC found there had been substantial failings by Dr Gombos.

On legal advice, Clive sought compensation  the case was eventually heard in 2018 at Chelmsford County Court, with the judge awarding Clive more than 110,000, including costs.

But his problems were far from over.

It took us until 2021 to even wrestle the info out of the GDC that Dr Gomboss insurer was the Dental Defence Union, says Gina. And then when we followed up with them, we were told that they had used their discretion and that was about it.

Meanwhile, other dentists didnt want to treat my father, because his teeth were in such a mess and they knew there had been a negligence claim.

We feel so very badly let down by the dental system. How can it be OK for the Dental Defence Union to self-select effectively when it is and isnt an indemnity company? How can the GDC as regulators accept this as adequate cover?

Her fathers solicitor, Paul Judkins, adds: Wed advise anyone going to the dentist to make sure they ask beforehand to confirm the dentist has full professional insurance in addition to any membership of a mutual society.

The Dental Defence Union told Good Health: We do not offer personal indemnity insurance. As part of our membership benefits, we offer discretionary indemnity which meets the GDCs requirements on appropriate indemnity/insurance.

A GDC spokesperson said: Patients must be able to seek compensation in the rare event that something goes wrong in their dental care. Dental professionals are legally required to hold appropriate indemnity or insurance cover before they practise dentistry in the UK.

When they join the professions and then renew their registration every year, we ask dental professionals to make a declaration that they have or will have cover in place. This is embedded in the General Dental Councils Standards for the Dental Team which state: You must have appropriate arrangements in place for patients to seek compensation if they suffer harm.

The GDC says that dental professionals must hold appropriate indemnity or insurance cover but adds that recognising concern in relation to discretionary indemnity arrangements, which are permitted in legislation, The Department of Health and Social Care consulted on this issue in December 2018. The government has not yet indicated whether it intends to introduce changes in light of the responses it received.'

An inquest will be held into Clives death in October this year. His family have been asked to submit a life letter to be read by the coroner.

Its a chance for me and my brother to say what we think caused Dad to do what he did, says Gina.

We will be saying that we strongly feel that the pain caused by the botched dentistry, as well as the stress of trying to recover what was owed, was a major factor in his decision to end his life.

Good Health contacted Dr Gombos at her clinic in Hungary but she declined to comment.

For confidential support for mental health problems, speak to the Samaritans on 116 123 or use its online chat service at samaritans.org

For our health editors picks of the best from the Mail and Mail On Sunday, sign up to her weekly newsletter here
Three Lutheran churches in Bethlehem will go forward with a vote to merge and sell their buildings in early February, after a threat of eminent domain from the Bethlehem parking authority delayed the sale.

St. Johns Windish council president Ken Remaly announced at a Saturday church service that the joint congregations of St. Johns, Light of Christ Lutheran Church and St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church would meet Feb. 5 to accept the terms of a merger and sale of the three churches and parking lot to Lehigh University.

The three churches, facing dwindling membership, plan to merge into one congregation and rebrand as the Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church.

The congregations originally were scheduled to vote on a merger and sale of their properties Jan 8.

But the Bethlehem Parking Authority late December issued a letter that they planned to seize the St. Johns Windish Lutheran Churchs parking lot, which was part of the planned sale. The authority backed down on the threat Jan. 11, but the possibility of the seizure delayed a final vote.

Both Lehigh University and the city of Bethlehem made offers to buy the properties. Bethlehem originally bid $3.5 million while Lehigh University bid $3.7 million, but the city later announced it would match Lehighs offer.

Bethlehem mayor J. William Reynolds also made a public plea during a council meeting last week for the churches to sell to the city, not Lehigh.

As a local government, the city is best suited to ensure a transparent community planning process takes place, Reynolds said. A city answers to its citizens in a way that a private institution does not.

City officials have vowed to use the space for affordable housing, while a Lehigh University spokesperson said the school could not yet publicly announce how they plan to use the space.

Kevin Remaly, a member of the churches unity team, said at the recent church service that their lawyers had reviewed Reynolds statement and decided there was no need to respond.

The letter is not a legal document, it is only statement of opinion, Remaly said.

Although three churches joint council recommended the sale to Lehigh University instead of the city, it is up to the full congregation to make a final decision.

Remaly also urged members of the congregation not to discuss the sale and merger with the public, news media or on social media.

No reply or comment is necessary at this time, Remaly said. As we continue to move through the process toward successful completion of our sale, the joint council and unity team will be updating all members about current factual information as we move forward.

Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at liweber@mcall.com.
Energy firms' practice of forcing households on to more expensive pre-payment meters if they struggle with bills has been condemned as 'not acceptable' by energy watchdog Ofgem and business and energy secretary Grant Shapps.

Today Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said he was 'concerned' about the rising number of pre-payment meters being fitted by energy firms regardless of customers' wishes, and threatened legal action if vulnerable customers were harmed.

Brearley said: 'I am concerned about the sharp growth in households struggling to pay their bills being switched over to pre-payment meters, sometimes without their even knowing about it, leaving them without heating.

He continued: 'The numbers of forced installation of pre-payment meters is extremely high. It is simply not acceptable that vulnerable customers are left in the dark and cold in Winter.'

Energy firms can even swap smart meters over to being pre-payment at the flick of a switch

Yesterday, business and energy secretary Grant Shapps wrote a letter to energy companies urging them to stop fitting pre-payment meters by force as so many households struggle to afford the cost of living.

Here is everything you need to know about why energy firms fit customers with pre-payment meters - and your rights if it happens to you.

>> Energy bill prices could fall quicker than expected, say analysts

Why are energy firms fitting pre-payment meters?

Currently there are more than three million households with pre-payment meters, and that number is growing fast.

That is because energy firms are forcing some customers to get these meters, which require you to pay in advance for any energy you use.

Energy companies are doing this because households are falling behind with energy bills.

However, another reason the number of pre-payment meters is growing is because some households are requesting them to help them limit how much they spend on energy bills.

A smart meter can be swapped to pre-payment remotely in many cases, without a visit from energy firm staff.

>> Old boilers waste 500 a year: How to give yours a money-saving makeover

More expensive: Customers with pre-payment meters normally end up paying higher prices for gas and electricity

What is the problem with pre-payment meters?

Simply, vulnerable and hard-up households can end up paying more for energy, and are at risk of being unable to afford power when they need it most.

Customers with pre-payment meters pay more for their energy than those without, because pre-payment meters are more expensive for energy firms to operate. That cost gets passed on in the form of more expensive tariffs.

If a customer cannot afford to top up their meter, they get no power at all. Charity Citizens Advice said 3.2 million households ran out of credit at some point last year.

Additionally, some energy firms are accused of being underhand in how they fit pre-payment meters.

Ofgem's Brearley said one man in Glasgow went on holiday and returned home to find he had been switched to a pre-payment meter without his knowledge - and had no way to top up.

Your rights around pre-payment meters

Energy companies have the right to enter your home and fit a pre-payment meter, but they have to prove it is necessary and it has to be a last resort.

The same applies to them switching a smart meter to work as a pre-payment meter.

However, Ofgem's rules say that energy firms have to check a household is not vulnerable before any pre-payment switch, and have to explain any extra help available.

So for example, a supplier cannot fit a pre-payment meter if it is not safe, or if disability or illness means you would suffer if your energy was cut off for non-payment.

Energy firms also cannot fit pre-payment meters if you cannot top up the device, for example because you live nowhere near a shop letting you do this.

If you are in debt to your energy supplier they must give 28 days' notice before fitting a pre-payment meter.

Can an energy firm break into my home to fit a pre-payment meter?

No, they can only enter peacefully. They will need either your permission to enter and carry out the work, or will go to a magistrates court to get permission.

However, if they go to court they can add the cost of getting this warrant to any debt you owe them.

They must also give at least seven days' notice before fitting a pre-payment meter.

Can I refuse a pre-payment meter?

No, if you are in debt with energy bills. Energy firms have the legal right to fit these devices, and even Ofgem cannot stop them.

However, if you think your supplier should not be fitting a pre-payment meter to your home, you can complain.

Millions of people are being left in cold, dark and damp homes because they cant afford to top up their meter. No one should be forced to live like this Gillian Cooper, Citizens Advice

You can do this by speaking to your supplier first and putting in a formal complaint. If you do not hear back within eight weeks, or it has been eight weeks since they give a final decision, you can go to the Energy Ombudsman to make a further complaint.

This is a free process, and the Ombudsman acts as an independent assessor.

Gillian Cooper, head of energy policy at charity Citizens Advice, said: 'We welcome the Governments call for energy suppliers to stop forcing people onto prepayment meters.

'Millions of people are being left in cold, dark and damp homes because they cant afford to top up their meter. No one should be forced to live like this.

'Its now up to suppliers to do the right thing and end this practice. If they dont, the government must step in with stronger action. Its also vital further protections are brought in for people already using prepayment meters.'
Balfour Beatty has won a 1.2billion contract for work on the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, a transport link intended to ease traffic bottlenecks in southern England.

Britain's biggest construction firm said it would be responsible for erecting more than 10 miles of new motorways and dozens of new structures, including bridges and viaducts, as part of National Highways' 'Roads North of the Thames' contract.

Two 2.6-mile underpasses will be constructed below the River Thames, making them Britain's longest road tunnel - surpassing the Queensway Tunnel beneath the River Mersey - as well as the world's third-widest bored tunnel.

New scheme: Balfour Beatty said it would be responsible for erecting more than 10 miles of new motorways and dozens of new structures as part of the Lower Thames Crossing project

The south side of the new road will be located near Gravesend in Kent and link to the A2 and M2, while the north side, situated near East Tilbury, will connect to the A13 in Thurrock and the M25 in Havering.

It is hoped the development will relieve significant congestion problems affecting the Dartford Crossing, one of Britain's busiest and most economically important thoroughfares, infamous for its delays and traffic jams.

According to National Highways, the Lower Thames Crossing project will result in 13 million fewer vehicles using the Kent bridge and almost double road capacity across the river east of London.

The motorway operator also estimates that journey times will be 30 per cent quicker at Dartford, and 46 per cent better between Tilbury and Medway Innovation Park.

Work on the scheme is set to begin next year following 18 months of design and pre-construction planning, but contingent on receiving a Development Consent Order from the Department of Transport, and be completed by 2030 at the latest.

Approximately 2,000 people will be working directly on the project at its peak, with around 150 of them holding apprenticeship, graduate or trainee roles.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty's chief executive, said the scheme would 'stimulate local, regional and national economic growth, create employment opportunities and new, sustainable methods of construction for the future of our industry.'

He added: 'Our deep domain knowledge and long-standing history in complex road construction, acquired through many years of successful delivery on behalf of National Highways, makes us ideally positioned to deliver this project to the highest standard.'

In addition to the Roads North development, Balfour Beatty currently has motorway maintenance contracts from East Sussex and Buckinghamshire county councils, and a 108million deal to build a dual carriageway linking the M67 with the A57.

Outside the UK, it is working on a scheme worth over $700million to rebuild and widen an 11-mile stretch of road outside Dallas, Texas, under a joint venture with engineering group Fleur Corporation.

Balfour Beatty shares closed trading 0.8 per cent up at 36.82p on Monday, meaning their value has climbed by around 35 per cent during the past 12 months.
The Spotify executive who signed up Harry and Meghan in a multi-million-pound podcast deal is leaving as the company slashes hundreds of jobs.

Chief content officer Dawn Ostroff was the driving force behind the streaming businesss move into podcasts.

She secured the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs Archetypes series in a deal thought to be worth 20million  but announcing around 600 job cuts and a management shake-up, chief executive Daniel Ek yesterday said Ostroff has decided to depart Spotify.

Royal drama: Chief content officer Dawn Ostroff secured the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs Archetypes series in a deal thought to be worth 20m

The Stockholm-based company is just the latest technology giant to feel the heat of economic uncertainty and said it would reduce its global workforce by 6 per cent.

The group employs almost 10,000 staff worldwide, with around 671 in the UK. The company said cost-cutting efforts in recent months had failed to shift the dial and more drastic changes were needed to boost business, including fundamentally changing how we operate at the top.

Ek said: Like many other leaders, I hoped to sustain the strong tailwinds from the pandemic and believed our broad global business and lower risk to the impact of a slowdown in ads would insulate us. In hindsight, I was too ambitious in investing ahead of our revenue growth.

The company said Ostroff helped expand the podcast content by 40 times, signing major contracts with Harry and Meghan and the Obamas.

But this shift to podcast and content investment has come at a cost as the firm racked up losses of 130million in the nine months to September 30.

Spotifys shares have also been hit by the increasing pressure on consumer spending and a wider tech sell-off, with shares down more than 70 per cent since February 2021 heights, knocking roughly 40billion off its value.

Head of research at Enders Analysis Alice Enders described Spotifys job cuts as inevitable for a company that relies so heavily on advertising.

Over half of Spotifys 456million monthly users listen for free, meaning any global advertising slump is likely to weigh heavy on the platform.

The same advertising strain has meant mass job cuts for Facebook-owner Meta, Snapchat and Twitter too in recent months.

Tech analyst at PP Foresight Paolo Pescatore said job losses are simply the flavour of the month for tech firms. Amazon.

Google parent Alphabet and Microsoft have announced cuts this month alone. Data website Layoffs.fyi estimates over 55,000 have lost their jobs at tech firms so far in 2023, pushing the total number of job losses to well over 200,000 since the start of 2021.
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'.
An Afghan asylum seeker today convicted of murdering an aspiring Royal Marine has been unmasked as a killer of two who fled in Serbia to the UK claiming he was a 14-year-old schoolboy.

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, murdered Thomas Roberts, 21, during an argument over an e-scooter in Bournemouth town centre in March last year.

Abdulrahimzai had hoodwinked Border Force and the Home Office after arriving in Dorset on a Brittany Ferries service from Cherbourg on Boxing Day 2019, telling authorities he was 14.

At Salisbury Crown Court today the jury found him guilty of killing Mr Roberts  and the murderer's full life of crime was made public.

Abdulrahimzai had been handed a 20-year prison sentence in his absence after the killings in Serbia. But he fled to the UK  where he became a street fighter who attacked his foster mother and boasted about his love of knives on TikTok.

Officials were unaware of Abdulrahimzai's previous convictions  carried out under the alias 'Huan Yasin'  until police started investigating Mr Roberts' murder.

Police released a picture of Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, after he was convicted of murder

The Afghan national was charged with the murder of aspiring Royal Marine Thomas Roberts (above), 21, outside a Subway sandwich shop in Bournemouth on March 12 last year, having stabbed him twice in the chest with a '10cm blade'

Murderer asylum seeker Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, seen here on bus CCTV, broke down in tears and claimed his parents were killed by the Taliban and detailed the alleged torture he endured

They discovered that two people in Serbia had been shot dead by a petrol station and Abdulrahimzai was identified by witnesses as the killer.

He had also been convicted of drug-dealing in Italy and given a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty.

But Abdulrahimzai, who was born in Afghanistan, was allowed into the UK after telling authorities he was a 14-year-old schoolboy whose parents had been killed by the Taliban.

He had deceived them so comprehensively that he was placed with foster mother Nicola Marchant-Jones.

Dorset Police, which investigated the murder of Thomas Roberts', today said they had no idea Abdulrahimzai was a convicted double murderer.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: 'Abdulrahimzai was not marked on any police intelligence systems within the UK as having convictions, nor was he marked as having convictions on the Police National Computer or Police National Database.

'As a result, no previous convictions would have been raised with any police force within the UK.

'As part of the investigation process Dorset Police will, where necessary, make enquiries to other agencies to obtain the relevant information, as we did in this this case. More routinely, any enquiries regarding convictions from outside of UK jurisdiction held by foreign nationals entering the UK are a matter for other agencies.'

The force said Abdulrahimzai was never arrested by Dorset Police before this case but admitted they received a report alleging he was carrying a knife - just two days before he stabbed Mr Roberts to death.

An image of the a knife held by Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai in a video posted on his TikTok page

Abdulrahimzai (centre with black hood) was caught on camera headbutting a reveller on a night just minutes before he murdered an aspiring Royal Marine in a row over an e-scooter

He killed his third murder victim, stabbing Mr Roberts (pictured) twice in the chest with a '10cm blade' after an argument with his friend about an e-scooter outside a Subway sandwich shop

The double-killer who tricked his way into UK Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai was sentenced to a 20-year prison sentence in his absence following a trial over the killing in Serbia, a preliminary hearing for the UK court case heard. Prosecutor Nic Lobbenberg KC said: 'Between July 31 and August 1 in 2018, during the evening in in Dobrinci - near the motorway - he murdered two people also from Afghanistan. 'The name he was using was Huan Yasin.' Mr Lobbenberg KC said Afghans were staying in a shed in the area when an argument broke out over trafficking. 'The defendant arrived and an argument broke about the business of transporting migrants. 'He was armed with an automatic assault rifle, two others had pistols one of the group said 'who is the smuggler?' and then aimed their weapons at the victims 'He shot 18 rounds of a 7.62 calibre Kalashnikov. 'It's a military weapon with great firepower and rapid rate of fire. 'The range of the shooting was said to be relatively short, three to 10 metres.' Mr Lobbenberg KC said the killer did not move position and fired six rounds into each victim, with some bullets hitting their heads. 'An enormous number found their target', he said. Abdulrahimzai, who fled Serbia, was later identified by a taxi driver who drove him away from the scene, it was heard. The taxi driver said he was 'sweating' and 'showing signs of anxiety', with the court also hearing he got the weapon from 'gypsies'. In November 2020 he was convicted of murder in his absence by a Serbian court, having been wanted in the country since the attacks. He was understood to be 15 at the time of the killings, it was heard. Advertisement

She described him as a shy, 'bright lad' who suffered 'night terrors' but grew to have a 'Jekyll and Hyde' personality towards the end of their time together.

However Abdulrahimzai - nicknamed Lo by Ms Marchant-Jones - was caught with a knife but was only given words of advice by Bournemouth police.

He began spiralling out of control and would be paid 100 for ten minutes of street fighting.

When he nearly headbutted Ms Marchant-Jones during an argument he was removed from her care.

Then on March 12 last year, he killed his third murder victim, stabbing Mr Roberts twice in the chest with a '10cm blade' after an argument with the aspiring Royal Marine's friend about an e-scooter outside a Subway sandwich shop.

Months earlier the murderer had shared pictures of himself with a blade on TikTok - despite being warned by his foster parent, police and social workers not to.

The Afghan admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing, but denied murder and forced a trial. The jury did not believe him.

Asked by prosecutor Nic Lobbenberg KC why he carried the knife, he said: 'I was fearing for my life, there were people from home who wanted to kill me and people in Bournemouth had threatened to stab me to death.'

Giving evidence in court, Abdulrahimzai had sobbed as he described the abuse he claimed he endured at the hands of the Taliban and how the insurgents killed his parents after 'bombing' his home.

When arrested, he told authorities he was 16, but the court has since determined that he is now 21.

Taking to the dock today, self-professed orphan Abdulrahimzai claimed he was one of the thousands of victims of the horrors of the Taliban.

The militant group seized control of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021 when the last remnants of Allied forces withdrew after two decades.

Recalling his experience, Abdulrahimzai told the court: 'I have seen some explosions not very far away. There was an American base not far from where we lived and the Taliban would come and demand things and there would be fighting and gunshots.

'They used heavy weapons like rocket launchers. They planted bombs around my house, I was at my uncle's house at the time, when I came home my parents were dead. I saw their body parts and a lot of blood.'

CCTV footage released yesterday showed the moment Abdulrahimzai (circled in white) flees on foot while being chased by Mr Medway (circled in yellow)

A police cordon outside the Subway sandwich shop on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth

The police cordoned off Horseshoe Common in Bournemouth following the fatal stabbing

After briefly breaking down in tears, Abdulrahimzai said he was then captured and tortured by the Taliban for up to three weeks before being dumped and left for dead on the side of a road.

The jury was shown photographs of scarring all over his body which he says was caused by the torture, during which he was beaten with the butts of rifles and injured with knives.

Abdulrahimzai told the court how he had been hanging around a nightclub in Poole having drunk vodka and missed his bus when he encountered Mr Roberts and Mr Medway.

Opening the case last week, prosecutor Mr Lobbenberg told jurors it was a 'fatal encounter all about a scooter which has cost this boy his life'.

He added: 'Thomas was the peacemaker, he came between the two men. For his troubles, he received two stab wounds.'

Abdulrahimzai later 'buried' the knife, and burnt some of the clothes he was wearing, the court was told.

'I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart, I wish I could change it,' he added.

Armed police are pictured arresting the Afghan national, who is now revealed as a triple killer

The arrest, captured on police bodycam, took place just hours after the killing of Mr Roberts

Family tells over their agony over Thomas Roberts' death 'The family of Thomas Roberts cannot describe the loss of their son, brother, partner, friend in the tragic circumstances of his violent and unnecessary death. Thomas was loved by many people and continues to be loved in his absence. He was a bright young man with a sense humour. Active sportsman and loved his DJing in his spare time. He had a potentially fulfilling future to look forward to, whether that be in his profession of precision engineer or his potential in the military. Thomas was a normal kind person, who had enjoyed life. On the night of his tragic death, he was in town with friends having good time when he was suddenly involved in an incident involving a large knife that cost him his life. The family would like this to be a warning to everyone not to carry knives so other families do not suffer in the way we as a family are suffering now.' Advertisement

A court heard Mr Roberts, a DJ, was enjoying a night out with his friend James Medway, 24, when he got into an argument with Abdulrahimzai over an e-scooter outside a Subway sandwich store at around 4.40am.

Jurors were told that, moments after intervening in the disagreement, Mr Roberts sustained two stab wounds to his chest from an 'aggressive' Abdulrahimzai - with one slicing through his heart.

Firearms officers in balaclavas and full tactical gear swooped on the asylum seeker's flat 24 hours after the incident and arrested him.

In a video of the raid just after midnight on March 13, an officer can be heard reading him his legal rights as Abdulrahimzai is detained in the hallway of his block of flats in Poole.

Abdulrahimzai can be seen roaming the streets of Bournemouth in other images in the early hours of March 12 before he allegedly murdered Mr Roberts.

Details about his journey to safety through Europe were also revealed in court.

The triple killer first headed to Serbia through Pakistan and Iran in October 2015, before arriving in Norway later that month with a friend he considered to be like an adopted brother.

Abdulrahimzai then left Norway and spent some time in Italy and Serbia. He applied for asylum in Norway, but when his application was refused in December 2019, he left out of fear of being deported back to Afghanistan.

In November 2020, Abdulrahimzai was involved in an incident in King's Park, Bournemouth, where he was 'beaten up,' persuading him to start carrying a knife, the jury was told.

A chilling Snapchat video shows murderer accused Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai in a street fight with another man, raining down blows before later posting a Snapchat message boasting: 'We are Afghan we keep it real' (right)

When asked by the KC why he carried a knife, he said: 'I was fearing for my life, there were people from home who wanted to kill me and people in Bournemouth had threatened to stab me to death.

'I was given it by my friend for my safety. It's a five-inch blade and I think I've seen other people with 22-inch knives.

'My intention wasn't for everyone to see it, it was taken by friends. I put it on TikTok to get some followers. There's just people out there liking knives.'

In footage released to the court, Abdulrahimzai can be seen viciously pummeling another man in a street brawl before boasting: 'We are Afghan, we keep it real'.

In the video shown to jurors, he can be seen pinning his helpless opponent to the floor as he rains down blows, punching the cowering man in the head nine times.

At the end of the video, Abdulrahimzai films himself with the caption 'we are Afghan we keep it real... I'm 100% sure you wouldn't forget your lessons for the rest of your life.'

He has clamed it was normal for people in Afghanistan to not know their dates of birth due to a lack of education, and his uncle had told him the incorrect date.

On the night of the stabbing, the jury was told Abdulrahimzai wore a hooded coat, a balaclava partially covering his face and an Afghan flag around his neck.

After Mr Roberts was stabbed in the argument, the court heard he managed to stay on his feet for a few seconds as his friend Mr Medway chased after Abdulrahimzai, but then collapsed seconds later as he 'bled profusely' and then died in hospital.

It was heard that the asylum seeker burned his clothes and buried his knife after the murder, but detectives were able to trace him as he had dropped his mobile phone while fleeing from the scene of the vicious attack.

Abdulrahimzai will now be sentenced for murder on Wednesday.
An Australian teacher working at an international school in the Congo was killed when his drink was allegedly poisoned by his boyfriend and another man, who are accused of dumping his body in a crocodile-infested river.

Mark Ciavarella, 57, from Leeton in NSW moved to the African country six years ago, working at first for the American International School teaching English and music and then switching to the French Consular School.

His flatmate and lover Clement Bebeka has been charged with assassination by local police who will show an alleged videotaped confession at his trial in the main court of the Palais de Justice in Brazzaville.

Mr Ciavarella was reported missing by his brother back in Australia on October 26, 2022, after he lost contact and feared something 'untoward' had happened in the notoriously dangerous and conflict-stricken country.

Mark Ciavarella (pictured), 57, was allegedly poisoned by his flatmate and another man

He moved to the Congo six years ago looking for adventure and taught at the American International School in the capital Brazzaville (pictured: the school with razor-wire fence)

The alleged confession of his flatmate, detailed to The Daily Telegraph, included a claim that Bebeka arrived at his unit where he had lived with Mr Ciavarella since 2016 and found him with another friend.

'He said Mark was going to leave the country and leave us with nothing and said we needed something to benefit. He said he had a solution,' Bebeka allegedly told police in French during the confession.

He said when Mr Ciavarella went to the bathroom, the man pulled out a bottle of poison and poured it into his glass, telling him they needed to get his money and his bankcards.

'After he drank the poison, he fell asleep and after 35 minutes or so he was dead,' Bebeka allegedly said, before adding that he didn't intervene to stop the man or warn Mr Ciavarella as he drank the contents of glass in front of him.

As the Australian lay dead, Bebeka allegedly said he called a driver friend and the three wrapped the body in a sheet, loaded it into a car, drove to the Congo River and then threw it off a bridge.

Police in the Congo allegedly obtained a confession from Clement Bebeka (pictured) who has been charged with assassination under local law

The Congo River runs on the border between Congo and the DRC (pictured)

Mr Ciavarella's brother Darren told the newspaper his family is devastated, particularly because his body has not been found.

'If it was a crash or illness, it would be easier to come to terms with, but the fact they killed him and fed him to crocodiles in the sea is killing us,' he said.

He said his brother knew the country was dangerous but was passionate about teaching the children and helping and that he spoke to him the day before he went missing and he was excited about returning to Australia.

The family had wanted him to return to sooner, he said, but he'd been hesitant because of a debt back home he racked up by being ripped off in a fraudulent housing scheme.

The trial will begin in March.
Australians have been warned to be on high alert for a devious scam in which criminals impersonate Australian Tax Office (ATO) workers.

The federal government has sounded the alarm that fraudsters are pretending to be tax office agents on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms to gain access to people's information.

The fraud begins when scammers sneak into the comments sections of the tax office's Facebook page to find potential victims.

Using fake ATO profiles they then directly contact those taxpayers who have complained or asked questions online, offering to resolve their issues.

Having won their trust, the criminals ask the taxpayers to click on a link which asks for personal information.

Australians have been warned to be on high alert for a devious scam in which criminals are impersonating the Australian Tax Office

The ATO posted a video to its Facebook page explaining one important difference between its posts and messages from scammers on fake ATO profiles - the dodgy ones are mising a verification tick

In response, the ATO has posted a video to its Facebook page explaining that the scammers can be recognised because they do not have Facebook's official blue verification tick next to their title.

The cruel trick is the latest in a growing list of ATO frauds cyberthieves are continually attempting. Others include fake messages about tax refunds, tax debts and superannuation

What to do about fake ATO messages The ATO says if you receive what you believe to be a fake call, email or message, do not reply. Instead report it to the ATO on 1800 008 540. The ATO points out that faked ATO profiles and accounts do not carry an official blue verification tick - so look out for it. The tax office will never ask for personal information over social media. It will never send links that ask you to fill out your personal information like your tax file number, myGov log in or bank account details. Advertisement

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones described the scam as 'insidious' because of how convincing the faked ATO profiles are.

He said Australians must exercise 'extreme caution' when engaging with the ATO on social media.

Mr Jones clarified how people could protect themselves against fake ATO scams.

'The tax office will never ask for personal information over social media and never send links that ask you to fill out your personal information like your tax file number, myGov log in or bank account details,' he said.

Scammers have faked ATO communications for several years now as they try to trick the public.

Among the scam methods are: dodgy tax refund SMS messages, fake tax lodgement emails, phone and email scams related to superannuation, and bullying calls threatening legal action if a tax debt is not paid immediately.

The ATO urges anyone who believes they have received a fake ATO phone call, SMS, voicemail or email to not reply to it.

Instead, you should either: phone the ATO on 1800 008 540, or go to the tax office's verify or report a scam page to see how to spot and report a scam.
Australia will spend $1billion on new high tech sea mines as part of an 'echidna' strategy to defend the country.

It's part of an ongoing splurge to beef up the Australian Defence Force to counter the potential threat of China with its bulging military arsenal.

The Navy started approaching mine manufacturers to show off their wears in 2021 and Defence sources have told the Sydney Morning Herald that a purchase from a European maker will shortly be announced.

Australia will spend up to $1billion on new sea mines as the nation continues to beef up its military capacity

'Defence is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australia's maritime approaches,' the department told news organisation.

'A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors.'

Australia has not invested in sea mines since the 1960s but they have long been a part of naval strategy to deny enemy ships passage through or into strategic waters.

Modern sea mines lie on the ocean floor. They can be laid by ship, submarine or dropped from planes and can be activated or deactivated remotely.

They can use acoustic, magnetic and pressure influences to detect and discriminate between surface ships, distinguish between civilian and military craft or between friendly and hostile ships and submersibles from different fleets.

Despite their utility and cost effectiveness sea mines are often not seen as a very 'sexy' part of naval warfare, according to eminent Australian strategist ANU professor Hugh White.

Sea mines are powerful and potent, but navies are traditionally very reluctant to invest in them,' Professor White said.

'There's no glamour in mines.'

Modern sea mines come in a variety of different forms and can be adapted for various uses in denying an enemy strategic waters

However, Naval strategy expert Greg Mapson applauded the move to acquire sea mines when the navy began seeking expressions of interest from the manufacturers.

'If there's one sure way to deter adversary surface and subsurface units from approaching our harbours or using our sea lanes, it's the laying of minefields,' he wrote in The Strategist newsletter.

'Even in periods of tension, mines provide the flexibility to impose a significant deterrent without causing an all-out confrontation.'

Australia's decision to buy an arsenal of sea mines has been applauded by naval strategy experts

With such capabilities are a perfect fit for what Defence Minister Richard Marles has labelled Australia's 'echidna' or porcupine strategy, which would see the country develop enough 'spiky' weaponry to keep enemies at a distance.

This strategy reflects the success of so-called 'asymmetric weapons' in the Ukraine war where precision drones and missiles have taken out much larger tanks and and other weapons.

As part of this push it was announced in January that Defence is buying 20 land-based 'god of war' High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which launch surface-to-surface precision guided missiles that can strike an enemy 300km away.

Australia is also buying 20 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) here seen being used during combat exercises at the Yakima Training Center, in the US state of Washington

It has also been announced the navy will be replacing their aging Harpoon missiles.

This all comes on the back of the major AUKUS agreement signed in 2021, which as part of a defence pact with the US and Britain will provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.
The annual 'Invasion Day' protests against January 26 as the date of Australia Day have taken a surprise turn, with thousands of protesters set to rally against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.

Indigenous rights rallies held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on January 26 will protest against the Federal Government's plan for a national vote on introducing an advisory body for Aboriginal affairs into the constitution.

That's because rally organisers - including Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe's sister Meriki Onus, who is involved in planning the Melbourne protest - are calling for a national Voice to come only after a Treaty between Indigenous people and Australian governments.

Greens Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe (left) has fiercely opposed and openly criticised the Voice to Parliament. Her activist sister, Meriki, has confirmed the Melbourne Invasion Day protest will feature the theme 'Treaty Before Voice'

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe's sister Meriki Onus (pictured) will lead thousands in Melbourne's Invasion Day rally on January 26

Over 250 Indigenous leaders endorsed the Voice during the Uluru dialogues in 2017, however a small group of delegates including Senator Thorpe walked out in protest.

Ms Onus, the co-founder of activist group Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, has confirmed 'Treaty Before Voice' is the theme of this year's rally in Melbourne, Nine newspapers reported.

Meanwhile, posters advertising the Brisbane march state: 'Sovereignty never ceded. Treaty before a Voice to Parliament!'

Sydney rally co-organiser Gwenda Stanley has reportedly slammed the referendum as a waste of money and adopted 'sovereignty before Voice' as the city's theme.

The Gomerio woman and caretaker of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra said Indigenous people have never marched demanding 'a Voice' and would prefer 'self-determination'.

'The main message for us to deliver [at the rally] is that, for a lot of us, we are not for the Voice, we are for sovereignty,' Ms Stanley told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'It's about our self-determination as Aboriginal people, as original sovereigns of this country. We have never ever marched these streets singing out 'we want a Voice'.'

Activists will attend Invasion Day rallies in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to commemorate the beginning of Indigenous colonisation by the British and protest the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum (pictured, 2022 Invasion Day protesters in Canberra)

Activist group Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance are calling for a national Voice to come only after a Treaty between Indigenous people and Australian governments has been established (pictured, Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance rally poster)

Earlier this month, Uluru dialogue co-chair Professor Megan Davis urged Aussies to support the referendum.

The Voice 'actually make a difference on the ground' and secure First Nation's people within Australias democratic system, she said.

The official Yes campaign is likely to launch late next month, with the public able to vote on the referendum as early as August.

On January 1, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney confirmed the Albanese government wanted to introduce legislation to set up the Voice referendum 'sometime in March'.

Activists criticised the The Voice to Parliament as a modern example of indigenous rights being decided by 'white people' (pictured, 2022 Invasion Day protesters in Melbourne)

The government will then aim to pass the legislation in May, after six weeks of scrutiny by a parliamentary committee.

This would allow for a public vote as early as August however, there is speculation that October could be a likely date as the month is free from major distractions such as footy finals and school holidays.

Ms Burney is optimistic that once the referendum is established, Australia will support it.

'Once that all mobilises, I think were going to have a country thats ready for change,' Ms Burney said.
A conservative commentator has berated anyone calling for Australia Day to be abolished after Kmart announced it would not be stocking flag merchandise ahead of January 26.

Sydney Watson took to Twitter on Saturday to blast the department store giant after it announced it had not created a specific Australia Day range before the national holiday.

'I am sick to death of this,' Ms Watson wrote to her 452,000 Twitter followers.

'Australia Day is basically the one day where Aussies are actually openly patriotic.

'A fraction of the population can't stand it. So they push and shove to have the day blacked out entirely. Every year they successfully chip away at it a little more. It's despicable.'

Conservative commentator Sydney Watson (pictured) has berated the anti-Australia Day movement after department store, Kmart, decided to not stock Australia merch before holiday

Originally from Australia, Ms Watson made her fame as a weekly guest contributor on Sky News in 2018 before relocating to the United States.

She now lives in Texas in an attempt to reach a larger population with a 'stronger emphasis on freedom', producing news articles, podcasts and YouTube videos.

'I am sick to death of a fraction of the population calling the shots for the rest of us,' Ms Watson wrote in her tweet.

'I'm tired of people s**tting on nationalism, patriotism and the days we celebrate our nations.

'If you don't like it and don't want to celebrate it? Stay home.'

Kmart said Aussie shoppers can buy a wide range of Australiana themed goods year-round but it will not specifically stock Australia Day merchandise (above)

Her tweet has been seen more than 250,000 times and received more than 500 comments from users who were split on the debate.

'Not a fraction of the population but a growing number of Australians (a majority possibly),' one Twitter user wrote, citing a Guardian Essential poll.

'It's not about patriotism but but celebrating on the day you stole someone's land and their right to be equal or free'.

Others supported Ms Watson, blasting Kmart.

'The goal has always been to take away pride in one's culture and nation,' an American Twitter user wrote.

'Kmart has been self-destructive since the early aughts. This is a cry for help,' another wrote.

Kmart has joined a number of other major companies offering employees the choice to swap time off on January 26 for another day to celebrate Australia Day (pictured, Australia Day revellers in Sydney last year)

Kmart stocks products with Australian flags, flora and fauna year round but said it was not creating a specific line for Australia Day this year.

'We respect that January 26 means different things to different people and we aim to foster an environment that is inclusive and respectful of both our customers and teams,' a spokesperson for Kmart told Daily Mail Australia.

'It is for this reason that we will also be giving all of our team members the choice of whether or not they work that day, with the option to substitute for another day.'

The decision comes after a wave of companies, including Kmart, Woolworths, Channel 10, Telstra and accounting firms Deloitte, KPMG and EY, said they were giving their staff a choice to take a different date off instead of January 26.

The date has become increasingly controversial, with many Indigenous people observing it as a day of mourning and instead labelling it 'Invasion Day'.
Gavin P. Holihan announced Monday hes running for Lehigh County district attorney.

Lehigh County is home for me and my family and it is an honor to serve our neighbors and keep our community safe, Holihan said in a news release.

Holihan, a well-known lawyer, earlier this month announced his return to the Lehigh County district attorneys office, where he serves as first assistant district attorney, after years in private practice.

His candidacy comes after Jim Martin, the longest-serving chief prosecutor in county history, said he wont be seeking reelection. Holihan, a Republican, has Martins support, according to the release.

Gavin Holihan is a well-respected attorney throughout Lehigh County, Martin said in a statement. His experience speaks for itself; no one knows this office and this courthouse better than Gavin Holihan. Hell be able to hit the ground running Day 1 and he will serve the people of Lehigh County well.

Holihan taught in the Allentown Police Academy for over a decade and has served on the Criminal Justice Act Felony Panel for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania since 2002, the release notes. He is an alumnus of Franklin and Marshall College and completed law school at Fordham University School of Law. He lives in Lehigh County with his wife.

Holihan is the first candidate to announce his intention of running. So far, no Democrats have publicly stepped forward.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.
A Queensland teacher is suing his former school for unfair dismissal, claiming in court documents allegations of him having sex with a student in a classroom and kissing her at a school event are blatantly untrue.

Dalton Schloss, a former year coordinator at Nambour Christian College, in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland, claimed he was fired in November as a result of an 'unfair' investigation into the allegations.

He also claimed in court documents allegations he behaved in a 'predatory' way were false and were used as a cover-up for sacking him for 'upsetting' his bosses by taking a period of extended parental leave and raising questions about the Covid-19 vaccine mandate.

Mr Schloss is suing the school for compensation and reinstatement.

Dalton Schloss (pictured), a former year co-ordinator at Nambour Christian College, in Woombye, QLD, is suing his former employer for unfair dismissal

Mr Schloss was accused by the school of having sex with a student in a classroom, texting her with a phone application that deleted texts after 24 hours, and kissing her backstage at the school formal, federal court documents obtained by The Australian revealed.

He was also accused of taking the student to appointments and meeting with her outside of school hours, the documents revealed.

Mr Schloss has vehemently denied the allegations and Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the allegations are true.

The student involved in the allegations was reportedly over the age of 18 at the time.

On December 14, 2021, nearly a year before the allegations were put forward, Mr Schloss had met with his superiors to discuss leave options as he was unwilling to take the Covid-19 vaccine, which was mandated for Queensland teachers at the time.

Unvaccinated school staff in Queensland have since been able to return to work after the mandate was removed on June 30, 2022.

Executive principal Geoff van der Vliet told Mr Schloss he had no leave available, which Mr Schloss later discovered was false, according to court documents.

On January 4, Mr Schloss told the principal he was under 'significant stress' and needed to take a period of parental leave to support his family due to his wifes brain tumour and medical concerns for his newborn daughter.

The court heard Mr van der Vliet approved Mr Schloss' leave, but said it was 'untimely'.

When Mr Schloss resumed work on April 19, he said the executive team were 'stand-offish', according to court documents.

Mr Schloss denied allegations of predatory behaviour made against him from staff at Nambour Christian College

Then, on September 6, Mr Schloss was notified that accusations had been made against him.

The court heard Mr Schloss was terminated from his role on November 1, nearly one month after the investigation concluded.

Mr Schloss claimed in court documents the school had used the 'false, defamatory and untrue allegations from unnamed complainants'.

He said the investigation into him was 'lacklustre' and designed to to dismiss him after he 'upset' the school by 'exercising his workplace rights' to take leave, court documents revealed.

His statement of claim said the school had 'predetermined the outcome and made a decision in relation to the matter without affording [him] a chance to respond'.

Despite Mr Schloss denying all claims, the school employed law firm Macpherson Kelley to investigate the allegations.

Lawyer Adam Foster found the only substantiated claim was that Mr Schloss had forged a 'friendship' with the student and had regularly caught up with her at school.

Mr Schloss has continued to deny this claim and said the lawyer had 'put words in his mouth'.

Mr van der Vliet said the school had worked 'openly and transparently' with all parties, including police and the fair work commission.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nambour Christian College and Queensland's Department of Education for comment.
Kloepfer suffered wounds in the torso and arm despite obeying orders

Jason Harley Kloepfer, 41, was shot several times by North Carolina officers

Shocking footage showed the moment a disabled man was shot by the North Carolina SWAT team despite obeying their orders.

Jason Harley Kloepfer, 41, was shot several times the Cherokee Indian Police Department SWAT Team after authorities received a call about gunfire in the area on December 12 around 11pm.

Police suspected Kloepfer was the alleged shooter and was holding a hostage.

Kloepfer can be seen in surveillance footage from inside the trailer opening the door with his wife Alison Mahler shortly behind him as both of their hands were raised.

Seconds later, officers fired several rounds at Kloepfer as he collapsed to the floor. He was transported to the hospital in critical but stable condition.

Jason Harley Kloepfer, 41, was shot several times by North Carolina officers

Police said Kloepfer had engaged in a verbal altercation with police prior to opening the door and insisted he 'confronted' them upon being shot.

Mahler was seen in the video pulling Kloepfer out of the gunfire pathway as he began to repeatedly scream, 'I've been shot!'

'What the hell,' Mahler screamed at the officers while helping Kloepfer. 'He's shot - what the hell did you do!'

Police continued to shout from outside the trailer ordering the two to come outside.

Mahler obeyed while holding her hands up as Kloepfer pulled himself toward the door. She slightly hesitated to leave her husband unattended before leaving his side.

'He can't! He's shot!' Mahler screamed at officers while exiting.

As officers approached the trailer Kloepfer can be heard faintly shouting, 'I don't have a gun. I didn't have a gun.'

Kloepfer was then dragged out by the arm for treatment.

He was charged with Communicating Threats and Resist, Obstruct and Delay.

The sheriff's office wasn't immediately available for comment.

Kloepfer can be seen in surveillance footage from inside the trailer opening the door with his wife Alison Mahler shortly behind him. Both of their hands were raised

Mahler was seen in the video pulling Kloepfer out of the gunfire pathway and attempting to help him after he was shot

Police later demanded Mahler come out from the trailer along with Kloepfer who was barely able to crawl to the door

Kloepfer shared his healing journey on social media along. It appeared he had been shot in the torso and arm

Mahler (left) and Kloepfer haven't been mentally well since the incident, he said

Police charged him with Communicating Threats and Resist, Obstruct and Delay. Kloepfer argued the charges are 'completely wrong'

Last week, Kloepfer shared his healing journey on social media along with footage of the incident.

He appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds to the torso and arm.

'I am physically doing better, mentally me an Ali ain't so good on this one,' Kloepfer wrote. 'We are out of state for fear of our lives since I got out the hospital.'

The details of the incident and the aftermath remain unclear as Kloepfer insisted he couldn't share information about the shooting.

He insisted he was innocent and called the charges 'completely wrong.'

'This has been and still is a horrible nightmare we are trying to get thru. We will make it thru!' he wrote.

Kloepfer identifies as disabled but the nature of his disability was not publicly revealed.
Qantas has been forced to turn back five of its planes in less than a week due to a 'perfect storm' of events, a decorated airline pilot has claimed.

Richard de Crespigny admitted 'things go wrong in aviation' all the time as he weighed in on the disastrous week for the airline.

The first Qantas plane to turn back was a flight from Auckland to Sydney, with pilots issuing a mayday call on Wednesday.

Richard de Crespigny admitted 'things go wrong in aviation' all the time as he weighed in on the disastrous week for the airline

The first Qantas plane to turn back was a flight from Auckland to Sydney with pilots issuing a mayday call on Wednesday

The second was a Sydney to Fiji flight on Thursday, the third was a Melbourne to Sydney plane on Friday and the fourth a Canberra-bound flight later that day.

The most recent was a Qantas plane headed from Fiji to Sydney with crew turning around after noticing smoke in the cabin on Sunday.

'To be fair to Qantas, this is sort of a perfect storm of things going wrong, and a lot of them are not that important,' Mr Crespigny told Channel Nine's Today on Monday.

'Things go wrong in aviation all the time. That's why we have two pilots in the cockpit.'

Mr Crespigny compared the current media coverage to the time when Qantas experienced its worst aviation disaster in November 2010.

A Qantas Airbus A380 had left Singapore Changi Airport and was headed to Sydney before it experienced an uncontained engine failure four minutes after takeoff.

Mr Crespigny was the pilot of the plane, QF32, and there were 440 passengers and 29 crew members onboard.

Thick smoke billowed from the left hand wing prompting Mr Crespigny to navigate it back to the airport and make an emergency landing.

Flight QF1516 from Melbourne to Canberra was forced to turn back after pilots noticed an issue with the flaps of the Boeing 717 aircraft (pictured is the aircraft's route on Friday morning)

A packed Qantas plane travelling from Melbourne to Sydney has been forced to turn around mid-flight just days after another aircraft issued a mayday call

The veteran pilot was questioned whether the recent gaffes suffered by the airline had to do with recent cutbacks made by Qantas.

'We've got to look at every critical aspect of aviation, it's from the catering to the engineering,' he said.

'We trust engineers to do a good job, the fuel's loaded, the baggage is loaded, so you have to look at all those inputs.'

Mr Crespigny was critical of Qantas making a $400million buyback of its shares in September saying the money could have been spent on its workers.

'I think perhaps the people would look back at think allocating $400million to a shared buyback instead of securing these critical assets at a time when the airline is growing, may not have been the best idea,' he said.
The future of Delmonico's, the oldest steakhouse in the country which had been in operation since 1837 until the pandemic, appears to be at stake.

The 186-year-old restaurant, set in the Financial District, also serves as the exterior shots for The Continental Hotel in the John Wick series of films and has been closed for nearly three years.

However, there's currently a dispute with two parties now claiming to have the right to reopen the restaurant set in the Financial District.

The Continental is John Wick's most iconic location: a hotel for assassins where they can drink scotch, and make eyes at other assassins while they take care of 'business' in the heart of the Financial District.

One of Manhattan's oldest restaurants, Delmonico's, is in the process of returning to the Financial District after being closed for nearly three years

When it was open the restaurant was famous for its innovative American dishes including eggs benedict, Manhattan clam chowder and the famous Delmonico steak, pictured above

When it was open the restaurant was famous for its innovative American dishes including eggs benedict, Manhattan clam chowder, and the famous Delmonico ribeye steak.

The dispute centers around who owns the rights to the Delmonico's name and its use.

A press release sent out last week stated how the restaurant would return in the fall of 2023 but an Instagram post on Delmonico's Instagram account alleged how the 'recent reports that we will re-open at 56 Beaver Street are false.

'It has come to our attention that former associates have been misrepresenting themselves to the media as owners of Delmonico's,' the post stated.

One family is stating they have the right to use the trademarked name while a second party claims announcing any kind of reopening is a violation of trademark rights.

An Instagram post on Delmonico's Instagram account allege the 'recent reports that we will re-open at 56 Beaver Street are false.'

The iconic New York restaurant at 56 Beaver Street has served as the 're-dressed' exterior of The Continental Hotel in the John Wick movie series. Keanu Reeves is pictured, above

New York City's 186-year-old restaurant, Delmonico's closed as COVID struck in 2020

Delmonico's shut their doors and 'suspended all operations' as part of the lockdown on March 18, 2020. This image shows cooks preparing food at Delmonico's in 1902

The Grgurevs, who used to operate the restaurant and currently run the Delmonico's Instagram account, claim that new leaseholders of the 56 Beaver Street location are using the Delmonico's name in bad faith, without their involvement and are not involved in the restaurant's relaunch.

The Grgurevs are also in the process of filing a lawsuit against the new operators.

The disagreement centers on a legal ruling in spring 2021 in which brothers Ferdo and Omer Grgurev managed to secure full ownership of the location, but were barred from operating a Delmonico's restaurant or any other restaurant within one mile until March 2023.

Yet, the Grgurevs have stated that they also have still the right to still operate the restaurant under the Delmonico's name.

In the meantime, Dennis Turcinovic and Joseph Licul, who are involved in another restaurant, are now claiming to be the new owners of the property as of January 1, 2023, and are not involved in any ongoing lawsuit with the previous owners.

Delmonico's was among eateries and bars across the country that were forced to close during the coronavirus lockdown. They have never reopened

A representative for Turcinovic told Eater how he and Licul signed a new 15-year lease with Time Equities and deny any claims that might suggest they are not the legitimate owners.

They have announced plans to remove any website that suggests otherwise and are planning to launch new websites if the issue is not resolved.

But the Grgurev brothers state it is they who have the right to operate the restaurant under the Delmonico's name with others barred from operating any Delmonico's or another restaurant within one mile until March of this year.

In April 2022, the landlord, Time Equities, attempted to evict the restaurant, under the Grgurev family's management, for alleged non-payment of almost $300,000 in rent and fees.

Some of Delmonico's legendary steaks seen in the fridge when the venue was open pre-2020

The busy kitchen of Delmonico's as seen in 1902 wen the restaurant was 65 years old

Mark Twain's 70th birthday dinner at Delmonico's held on December 5th, 1905

The Grgurev family denied the eviction claim and stated it was related to the landlord's delay in repairing water damage in the building from Hurricane Ida in 2021.

By December 2022, the lease expired and the landlord did not renew it, Time Equities then signed the deal with Turcinovic and Licul, Grgurev's former partners.

Michelle Grgurev, the daughter of Omer Grgurev, now says her family believes the landlord intentionally allowed the lease to expire so that it could be reissued to new tenants.

The iconic New York Restaurant features as the exterior of The Continental Hotel in the John Wick movie series
He told Brock 'you're on my country'

He said reading tarot cards was 'breaking our laws'

An angry Indigenous man ordered a street performer to 'pay the rent' because he was performing card tricks 'on my country'.

Sydney man Brock was delivering prank tarot card readings for strangers on the public footpath of King Street when the Aboriginal man stormed up to him.

'Hey bruz, you're on my country here. You gotta pay the rent,' the Aboriginal man is heard shouting on the TikTok video Brock recorded.

The street performer tried to give the man a coin, but this appeared to infuriate him even more.

A social media prankster has been ordered 'pay the rent' by an angry Indigenous man because he was performing card tricks 'on my country'

Brock's diplomacy was to no avail, as the Indigenous man ordered him to leave the public space that he had every right to be in

'Nah don't do this s***,' he said.

Embarrassed, Brock offered the man a free tarot card reading.

'I don't believe in that s***. You're on my country here. That's breaking our rules.'

Brock did his best to calm the situation down, again offering a freebie.

'Sir, I am feeling a lot of anger right now, would you like me to give you a free card reading?'

But it was to no avail, as the Indigenous man ordered him to leave.

'No. Why don't you just G.O. - just go.!'

'I understand you've had a bad day today,' Brock responded.

'No. I haven't had a bad day. You're on our land and you're doing s*** like this with your tarot and whatever.'

The Indigenous man claimed that using tarot cards in public was breaking traditional law

'I don't want to disrespect your culture or anything so I will leave,' Brock said, finally admitting defeat.

He told Daily Mail Australia he wasn't offended by the order to 'pay rent' for using a public space.

'It was just an awkward moment,' he said.

'But as soon as he could see I was prepared to leave the situation got better.'
He ironically escaped while wearing a pair of crocs

A man has escaped being dragged into the river by a saltwater crocodile after aggravating it with his fishing rod.

Fisherman Kody Duncan filmed himself approaching the crocodile while at the Wujal Wujal Falls, north of Cairns, in Queensland on Saturday.

Unlike their saltwater relatives, freshwater crocodiles are more commonly known to flee from humans and only attack if their territory is threatened.

However the saltwater crocodile sitting just under the water at Wujal Wujal appeared to be ready for a fight.

Fisherman Kody Duncan narrowly escaped an angry crocodile in the Wujal Wujal Falls, north of Cairns on Saturday after he provoked it with his fishing pole (pictured)

In the footage, Mr Duncan zoomed in to show the croc lying motionless in the clear water, sarcastically calling it 'a weird looking log'.

He then started splashing the lure on the end of his fishing rod into the water just above the croc's head.

Mr Duncan had barely dipped the lure in the water twice when the crocodile came rushing out of the water to chase Mr Duncan.

He luckily escaped the angry crocodile, ironically, wearing a pair of crocs.

Mr Duncan posted the footage to TikTok, gaining more than 900,000 likes and almost 5000 comments.

'Sees danger, pokes danger,' one commenter wrote.

'Wearing crocs when getting chased by a croc. What a sight,' a second wrote.

'Why did you think to do that though?' a third questioned.

Mr Duncan replied, saying: 'Honestly I don't know what went through my head.'

Although usually more timid than their saltwater relatives, the freshwater crocodile quickly breached the water (pictured) forcing Mr Duncan to flee, ironically while wear a pair of crocs

The Wujal Wujal Council offers numerous safety tips for visitors entering the area, including advising people to stay away from the water.

'Our common local law recommends that you stay at least five metres away from the edge of rivers, lagoons and water holes at all times,' the council advises.

'Our wildlife, even dangerous species like our crocodiles and snakes, are usually shy of humans and would rather move out of your way, unless you get too close to their territory.'

Mr Duncan's close call comes days after a three-metre saltwater crocodile was spotted near North Stradbroke Island, just outside of Brisbane on Wednesday.

The crocodile was almost 400km away from its usual habitat in central to northern Queensland.
Wallabies star Kurtley Beale has been hit with a restraining order to protect the woman he is accused of raping in a pub toilet in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The provisional apprehended violence order was issued after Beale was granted bail on four sexual assault charges at the weekend.

Under the terms of the order Beale must not approach the 28-year-old woman he is alleged to have raped or contact her in any way except through a lawyer.

He must also not try to find the woman, or go within 100m of where she lives or works.

Standard AVO conditions prevent Beale from assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing or intimidating the alleged victim or anyone with whom she is in a domestic relationship.

There is no suggestion Beale has done any of those things, only that police have sought the order.

Wallabies star Kurtley Beale has been hit with a restraining order to protect the woman he is accused of raping at a hotel in Sydney's eastern suburbs. He is pictured with wife Maddi, who supported the 34-year-old when he appeared in court on Saturday

The restraining order was issued after Beale (above) was granted bail on four sexual assault charges at the weekend. Under the terms of the order Beale must not approach the 28-year-old woman he is alleged to have raped or contact her in any way except through a lawyer

Beale was supported by his wife Maddi, who gave birth to the couple's first child in October, as his application for bail was granted at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

The 34-year-old had spent last Friday night in the cells at Surry Hills police station after being arrested at Kingsford that afternoon.

Police allege Beale sexually assaulted a 28-year-old woman in the toilets of the Beach Road Hotel at Bondi on December 17.

The court heard there was a recorded conversation between Beale and his alleged victim and that the rugby player allegedly sent a message to his friend saying he had 'messed up'.

Beale has been charged with two counts of sexually touching another person without consent, inciting another to sexually touch them without consent and sexual intercourse without consent.

The court heard that Beale denied the allegations.

Beale spent last Friday night in the cells at Surry Hills police station after being arrested at Kingsford that afternoon. Police allege he sexually assaulted a 28-year-old woman in the toilets of the Beach Road Hotel at Bondi on December 17. Beale's wife is pictured outside court

Prosecutor Scott Thompson told the court police had recorded a conversation between Beale and the alleged victim.

'That conversation alludes to what I would say [were] admissions,' he said.

Sergeant Thompson told the court Beale had allegedly sent a message to a friend saying: 'Yeah I messed up, I was out at the pub before Chrissy'.

But Beale's barrister Stephen Stanton argued the calls and text were 'an admission of infidelity, no more, no less', and did not relate to the assault allegations.

Beale, who has played 95 Tests for Australia, was granted bail on the condition he does not contact the alleged victim or enter an airport.

He has also been forced to surrender his passport and must report to Waverley Police Station twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

A stone-faced Maddi was seen leaving the court and ignoring media following the decision by the judge to grant her partner bail

The sexual assault charges with be mentioned at Waverley Local Court on March 22 and the apprehended violence order will be mentioned next month.

Rugby Australia said in a statement on Friday that Beale would remain suspended while he continued to appear before the courts.

'Kurtley Beale has been suspended from all forms of rugby with immediate effect pending the conclusion of legal proceedings,' it read.

'This step follows Mr Beale's arrest and subsequent charge with serious criminal offences, and is in line with Rugby Australia's Professional Player Code of Conduct.'

Beale took part in a 44-man Wallabies training camp on the Gold Coast last week.

He recently returned to Australia after several years spent playing in France ahead of the Super Rugby season for the NSW Waratahs.

Beale has spent his more than decade-long Super Rugby career with the Waratahs, apart from a brief spell with the Melbourne Rebels.
New Zealand's incoming prime minister Chris Hipkins has revealed the private pain of his marriage breakdown while pleading with the media for privacy.

Mr Hipkins, 44, was anointed as the successor to Jacinda Ardern on Sunday after the ruling Labor party's MPs unanimously elected him as their new leader.

Speaking to Kiwi media afterwards Mr Hipkins revealed that he and his wife, Jade, had been living separately for about a year.

The incoming New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has revealed he has separated from his wife

The couple, who married in 2020, have two children, a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.

Mr Hipkins said the decision to live separately had been 'in the best interest of our family'.

He made a heart-felt plea to the media and public to respect his family's privacy

'As a member of Parliament and as a public figure, I've worked really hard in the time that I've been in politics to keep my family out of the public limelight,' Mr Hipkins said.

'I want [my children] to grow up with a typical, Kiwi-kid life.

Mr Hipkins split from wife Jade (pictured right) had been a source of rumour in Wellington

'I want them to be able to make mistakes, I want them to be able to learn and to grow without five million people looking over their shoulder, so I intend to keep them out of the public limelight.'

'I know that putting my name forward to be a minister, to be an MP, to be the Prime Minister, I make myself public property. I absolutely accept that, but my family aren't and I ask that people do respect that.'

Mr Hipkins acknowledged that the split had been widely rumoured in the Kiwi captial of Wellington.

He said the pressures of political life could be very hard for a family to bear.

'Being a politician's partner and a minister's partner, when you're in the public spotlight as I have been, particularly during the Covid response, it's bloody hard,' he said.

'Families come under an enormous amount of pressure.'

'A year ago, my wife and I made the decision that we would live separately, that we would do everything we can to raise our children together.

'We remain incredibly close, she's still my best friend, but we have made that decision in the best interest of our family.'

Outgoing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured right) had special messages for her partner Clarke Gayford (pictured left) and daughter Neve (centre) in her resignation speech

As the Covid response minister Mr Hipkins was constantly in the public eye during the pandemic and is associated with some of the country's harsh border and lockdown policies that polarised the nation.

In asking for his family's privacy to be respected Mr Hipkins referenced the 'enormous scrutiny and pressure' he said had been placed on Ms Ardern's family.

During her shock resignation speech last Thursday Ms Ardern gave special mention to her partner Clarke Gayford and daugther Neve, who was born during her prime ministership.

Mr Hipkins, here seen after being appointed Labour's leader, made a special plea for the media to respect his family's privacy

Ms Ardern said Ms Gayford and Neve are 'the ones that have sacrificed the most out of all of us'.

'To Neve: Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,' she said.

'And to Clarke  let's finally get married.'

Mr Hipkins will officially take over as prime minister from Ms Ardern on Wednesday.
Anthony Albanese has been called out by Today Show host

Anthony Albanese has broken down his Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal once again after being called out by Today Show host Sarah Abo who says Aussies are 'confused' by it.

Ms Abo grilled Mr Albanese over the proposal on Monday morning, claiming it had become 'quite the mess' as the federal opposition calls for more detail on the proposed body, which would be established after a successful referendum.

'Why won't you sit down and discuss this so that there is more clarity out there for the public so we can actually achieve the outcomes that you're after?'

'You have the community trying to get some consensus between you and the Opposition. Why don't you sit down and discuss this so you can achieve the outcomes that you are after,' Ms Abo asked.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has broken down The Voice once again after complaints from the opposition that the proposal was 'confusing' and needed further detail

'I've had five meetings with Peter Dutton, Sarah, five meetings,' the Prime Minister responded.

'And last July, I put forward the actual questions that will be asked in the referendum.'

But Ms Abo claimed that Aussies were 'still confused' over the proposal and a deeper explanation was needed.

'You don't need all the detail, but you need a bit more detail, so it's easier to digest. Is it even necessary?' she asked Mr Albanese.

'The two simple things that people will be asked to vote yes to in the referendum are, one, to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our constitution,' the Prime Minister reiterated.

'The second is to allow an advisory body, to be called "The Voice", to be created to give advice to government, to the parliament, about issues that directly impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.'

'A Voice to Parliament will not be a funding body. It will not run programs, it will simply be a source of advice to government,' Mr Albanese explained.

He added that there had been no changes to the proposal since he announced it back in July.

Asked if the government would push through legislation if the referendum failed, Mr Albanese said he was rather focused on ensuring a successful vote.

The Prime Minister appeared on The Today show on Monday to discuss The Voice as well as the state of the economy, cost of living pressures and energy

Australians will be asked to vote on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being recognised in the constitution and the formation of an advisory group to advise the government on matters impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (pictured, protest opposing the date of Australia Day in Melbourne)

Mr Albanese explained that there had been no changes to the proposal since he announced it back in July (pictured, Mr Albanese at the Garma Festival last year)

It comes as both treasurer Jim Chalmers and environment minister Tanya Plibersek weighed into the debate.

The environment minister cautioned Australians not to confuse the status of the proposed Indigenous voice to parliament.

'This is a voice, not a veto,' she told the Seven Network on Monday.

'It is a really important vote. It will be a chance for Australians to talk about the sort of nation we want to be in the future, to send a message to the world and get more practical delivery of healthcare and education and so on for First Nations Australians.'

Dr. Chalmers rubbished claims from opposition leader Peter Dutton that the proposal didn't provide enough detail.

'Peter Dutton is not genuinely looking for more detail, he's looking for more division and in that I think he is a very similar kind of leader to Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison,' Dr. Chalmers said at a press conference on Sunday.

'No wonder they're talking about bringing Tony Abbott back, then they'd have the full set, three peas in a pod.

'They all practice this kind of divisive and destructive brand of politics that says the surest way for them to succeed politically is to tear down these sort of opportunities that Australia faces in 2023 and beyond.'

Peter Dutton (pictured) said he was focused on whether The Voice would provide action in addressing racial inequality

Treasurer Jim Chalmers (pictured) has rubbished calls from the opposition leader for more detail, saying Mr Dutton was only concerned with creating division

Mr Dutton said on Sunday any proposal would need to address racial inequalities and improve reconciliation.

However he stopped short of officially endorsing the need for a voice, saying there needed to be tangible action first.

'It's not so much in my mind whether or not there's a voice, it's whether there's action from the government,' he told Sky News Australia.

'I want an outcome that's going to bring an end to the violence, the sexual assaults on children taking place in Alice Springs at the moment.

'Their voice is not being heard now.'
The mysterious Hamzy clan associate who was allegedly kidnapped in an exclusive Sydney suburb has been living in a lavish $6million mansion with waterfront views while out on bail.

Rodrigo Henriquez, 39, was allegedly assaulted with a crowbar then bundled into a car by a group of men outside his Oyama Avenue home, in Manly, about 9.30am on Sunday.

Witnesses contacted police who pulled over the Toyota Hilux around 11km away in Warringah Road, at Forestville, a short time later.

Four men were arrested and Henriquez was taken to hospital for treatment where he was treated for injuries.

Rodrigo Henriquez lives in a $2.35 million dollar home (pictured) in Manly, in Sydney's Northern Beaches

Property records show the home has been rented out for $4100-a-week since December 2020

The multimillion dollar Northern Beaches home at the centre of the alleged kidnapping has been rented out since December 2020.

The four bedroom home, which features a pool and overlooks Manly Beach, spans 488 square metres and goes for a whooping $4100 per week.

Property records show the home was purchased for $2,355,000 in 2007, but is worth up to $6.79million in the current market.

While little is known about Henriquez, he was allegedly involved in a high-profile brawl between warring Sydney gangs - the Alameddine and Hamzy networks - at Ballina Airport in February 2021.

Footage of the incident allegedly shows high-ranking Hamzy member Ghassan Amoun and Henriquez trading blows with Alammeddine ally John Ray Bayssarri and another associate.

Henriquez was charged with affray and has been on bail while the matter remains before the courts.

Rodrigo Henriquez is pictured during an alleged brawl in Ballina in February 2021

The alleged kidnapping on Sunday has rattled residents of Manly, where homeowners pay a median of $4,065,000 for a house in the popular beachside suburb.

A local resident told Nine News she called police after seeing four men in balaclavas waiting for in a car for Henriquez then pouncing on him as he walked by.

Police were allegedly forced to pursue the car through Forestville after it failed to stop when officers tried to pull the Toyota Hilux over.

The vehicle eventually came to a halt on Starkey Street after officers deployed road spikes.

The four men arrested were taken to Manly Police Station and charged by detectives overnight.

Talonoa Leaaetoa, Henry Kupa, Erica Hema and Sonny Siope Puleiku, aged between 19 and 25, have each been charged with five offences.

They include kidnap in company with intent serious indictable occasion  actual bodily harm; participating in a criminal group contribute criminal activity; be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner; face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence; and affray.

Leaaetoa, 24 and from Sefton, was also charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly; and use of an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.

The property has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool and lockup double garage. Pictured is the living room

The backyard, which has a pool and outdoor dining area, overlooks Manly beach

The group did not face did not face Hornsby Local Court on Monday as their charges were mentioned for the first time.

Their lawyer Mahmoud Abbas told media it was 'far too early to make a determination' as to what is going to happen in the future, but confirmed the men would be making an application for release.

'It is far too early to make any determination as to what the evidence is, but once all the relevant material is released, we will make a determination and proceed from there,' he said.

Mr Abbas was yet to contact his clients as he left court but said he was 'sure they're fine'.

'At this stage it's an allegation and everyone is entitled to the right of silence and presumption of innocence,' he said.

The matter was adjourned to be heard in Manly Local Court in March.

Henriquez has now been released from hospital.
A New Jersey man reportedly fell asleep and is suspected of driving under the influence Friday when the decommissioned school bus he was driving on Interstate 78 in Lehigh County crashed into a tractor-trailer, state police said.

At 8:46 a.m. Friday, Nathanal Roerig, 33, of Glen Gardner, was westbound in the bus near the Route 100 interchange in Upper Macungie Township, according to a news release from state police. Roerig lost control of the bus and hit the rear of a tractor-trailer illegally parked on the shoulder of the highway.

The bus hit the left side of the trailer, state police said. The impact pushed in the trailer and injured the truck driver, James Barton, 39, of Harrisburg, who was outside his rig.

Roerig and Barton were treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest and released, police said.

A preliminary investigation found Roerig reportedly fell asleep while swerving into the travel lane, according to the release. He was also suspected of driving under the influence.

Charges are pending completion of the investigation, which is ongoing.

Roerig owns the bus, but it was not used for transporting schoolchildren, troopers said. Traffic was detoured off I-78, with both westbound lanes closed for several hours following the crash.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.
A Labour-run authority has been accused of using motorists as cash cows during the cost of living crisis by bringing in low-traffic neighbourhoods.

Haringey Council could earn an eye-watering 6.1million in fines across four months from two schemes set up in August.

Drivers in the St Anns area of the north London borough were hit with 32,620 penalty charge notices by November 22 after being caught by cameras driving down seven restricted roads.

The council has received 949,390 from these PCNs so far but if the 130 fines are paid in full it would pocket more than 4.2million. Drivers in Bounds Green, where there are ten roads with restricted access, were hit with 14,758 PCNs by late November, Freedom of Information requests show.

A Labour-run authority has been accused of using motorists as cash cows during the cost of living crisis by bringing in low-traffic neighbourhoods

Haringey Council could earn an eye-watering 6.1million in fines across four months from two schemes set up in August

The authority has received 541,905 so far but if it is paid in full, more than 1.9million would flow into its coffers.

Fines are halved if drivers pay in two weeks but if the fee is not paid on time, the cost rises to 195.

The low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) were introduced on a trial basis for up to 18 months to make residential streets quieter.

But locals complain they have led to huge rises in traffic and increased journey times.

Planter barriers form an LTN (Low Traffic Neighbourhood), a road closure feature by Southwark Council preventing motorists from accessing the junction of Carlton Avenue and Dulwich Village. Restrictions also prevent traffic from passing through at morning and afternoon rush-hour times in the borough of Southwark, on 1st November 2022, in London, England

More than 300 LTNs have been set up or are pending in the UK

Let-off for speeding drivers Thousands of drivers caught speeding in December could escape fines or points due to postal strike delays, a leading motoring lawyer has warned. Some letters took weeks to be delivered during Royal Mail strikes last month  and if speeding culprits can demonstrate they do not receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within 14 days of their alleged offences, their cases are likely to be thrown out. Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole for helping celebrity clients such as David Beckham escape driving bans, told the Telegraph the system needs to be changed and urgently so that NIPs for speeding can be sent out by text and email. Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole for helping celebrity clients such as David Beckham escape driving bans, told the Telegraph the system needs to be changed and urgently so that NIPs for speeding can be sent out by text and email Advertisement

Ivy Kalli, 62, who lives within the St Anns scheme, was hit with 27 PCNs simply for driving on her own road.

The mobile hairdresser said: I am allowed in and out but I received a warning so I stopped driving through the road.

But when she returned from holiday on October 17, there were 27 letters from the council on her mat demanding nearly 4,000 in fines.

I was panicking, Miss Kalli said. I struggle with arthritis and I was struggling to take my tablets I was that stressed.

I was getting ratty and couldnt sleep with this hanging over my head. After complaints, her fines were cancelled.

Another hard-hit resident Tracey Elwood, 64, said: Its not fair that the roads behind us are quiet and have no cars when our road is jam-packed from 7am until 8pm. They are sacrificing us while the others are having a great time.

I cant go anywhere because I am stuck in traffic for half-an-hour before Ive even left the area.

Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign group, said: Local authorities see honest tax-paying motorists and sole traders as pure cash cows.

He called for the control of roads to be taken away from local councils as they were clueless.

Haringey residents were also angry at leaked emails showing the council proposed using income from LTNs and other penalties to plug a budget gap.

These made up 88 per cent of its 6.49million savings prediction for 2023/24.

More than 300 LTNs have been set up or are pending in the UK.

A Haringey Council spokesman said it was engaging with residents and would not hesitate to make changes to get this right.

I was panicking and couldnt sleep
The reliance on the State spiked between 2020 and 2022 due to lockdowns

The poorest fifth households get 17,600 more in benefits than they pay in tax

MPs say support provided during Covid 'changed the psyche' of the country

Britons are more dependent on the State than ever before, a bombshell report reveals today.

For the first time, more than half of households  36 million people  get more from the Government than they pay in tax, according to a study by Civitas. But this definition includes the amount individuals receive from 'benefits in kind', such as use of the NHS and state education.

This is up from 24 million, or two-fifths of households, when Tony Blair was in power at the turn of the millennium.

MPs said the huge government support provided during the Covid pandemic 'changed the psyche' of the country and made people think they can 'get something for nothing'.

Britons are more dependent on the State than ever before, a bombshell report reveals today. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pictured on January 19

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader and ex-work and pensions secretary, said: 'Lockdown changed the psyche of the British people'

The cost of the nation's massive reliance on the State is being borne by higher earners, the think-tank's report found.

The top 10 per cent of earners pay 53 per cent of all income tax, turning the levy  the Treasury's biggest single earner  into a 'stealth wealth tax', Civitas said.

The surge in state 'dependency' means the poorest fifth of households receive 17,600 more on average in welfare and non-financial benefits from the State than they pay in tax.

The findings sparked alarm among senior Tories, who demanded tax cuts to boost growth and a fresh debate about the role and size of the State.

Meanwhile analysis from Labour published on Monday shows there are 1.9 million over 50s receiving out of work benefits in May 2022 - a rise of 300,000 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader and ex-work and pensions secretary, said: 'Lockdown changed the psyche of the British people.

'For all those years, we told them you can't get something for nothing, and all of sudden they did. The British public thought the Government could do it all  even pay their salaries and they don't have to work.'

The Civitas analysis used data from the Office for National Statistics to compare how much tax people pay with the benefits they receive from the Government.

These include cash welfare payments, such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance and the state pension, and non-financial benefits, such as use of the NHS and social care, free school meals and subsidised housing.

The proportion of those who get more from the State than they put in has climbed steadily over several decades, and is higher now than under either Sir Tony or Gordon Brown's premierships.

The number who get more from the state than they pay in tax is up from 24 million, or two-fifths of households, when Tony Blair was in power at the turn of the millennium. Tony Blair is pictured at the WEF forum on January 19

The nation's reliance on the State spiked between 2020 and 2022, in part due to the massive jump in health spending, the fall in VAT receipts during lockdowns, and a growing benefits bill (file image)

The nation's reliance on the State spiked between 2020 and 2022, in part due to the massive jump in health spending, the fall in VAT receipts during lockdowns, and a growing benefits bill.

The report's authors said the true headline figure was likely to be even higher than 36 million people because their findings excluded the 70 billion furlough scheme.

The latest data also does not take account of the tens of billions of pounds put aside to subsidise energy bills, and the impact of hundreds of thousands of people disappearing from the workforce.

The report sparked fears that the State has become bloated, smothering entrepreneurship and forcing the low-paid into a benefits trap.

It follows data released last month that showed benefit fraud is believed to have rocketed to more than 8.5 billion a year.

Ministers were recently blasted by a committee of MPs after bungling staff in the Department of Work and Pensions lost a record 8.6billion of taxpayers' money to fraud and error in 2021 - almost double what was lost the year before the pandemic.

Mr Duncan Smith said: 'The more we spend, the more we have to tax or borrow. The Government has to do something, and do it pretty quick. Start cutting taxes, and put money back into people's pockets.'

Labour more likely than Tories to cut taxes Voters believe Labour is more likely than the Tories to cut taxes, according to a poll that will concern ministers. Rishi Sunak has faced growing calls from his own MPs for early action to reduce the burden on individuals and businesses. Some 49 per cent of the public think the tax burden is too high, according to a poll for the Sunday Telegraph. Asked which party they 'trust more' to cut taxes, 49 per cent said Labour, compared to 23 per cent who said the Tories. Advertisement

Tory MP Ben Bradley added: 'None of this is sustainable. You can't have more people taking out than putting in.

'As a society we need to have a serious conversation about our levels of demand and expectation of the State.'

Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood said: 'The Government should take on board the message of this report. We need to encourage more people back into work.'

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng announced huge tax cuts in their disastrous September mini-Budget  but new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ditched the plan.

But as energy prices fall, Tory MPs and business leaders have asked if the Government is doing enough to promote economic growth.

There is also a growing backlash from many Conservative backbenchers, who believe that tax on high earners, the 'strivers', is too excessive.

Tim Knox, author of the Civitas report, said all political parties must ask: 'Is it a good thing that more than half of Brits take more from the State than they put in?

'Do we, as a country, want so many people to be dependent on the State?'

A government spokesman said: 'Our priority is to help families gain financial independence through work, but we recognise we need to go further and are looking at how we drive down economic inactivity at pace.'

The DWP told MailOnline they saw a surge in Universal Credit claims when the pandemic hit with more people needing support.

However, this caused an increase in fraudulent claims - partly driven by gangs seeking to take 'advantage' of a relaxation of the rules on applications.

The DWP swiftly set up an enhanced review team, staffed by 1,000 employees in seven regional offices to investigate suspicious activity. This successfully managed to block tens of thousands of claims, according to The Times.

Approximately 172,000 applications that appeared fraudulent were automatically suspended - with the claimants invited to interview to prove their innocence. These claims were equivalent to 2 billion.

In November, the Commons public accounts committee published a critical report on the government's response to fraud, saying there was no clear plan to deal with 'unacceptably high' levels of false claims.

A spokesperson for DWP previously told MailOnline: 'When the pandemic hit, we saw a surge in Universal Credit claims, which demanded an extraordinary response to help all those in urgent need.

'Regrettably, unscrupulous fraudsters took advantage but we are rooting them out and have already reviewed 900,000 claims.

'We made savings from correction and prevention of fraud and error of 2billion last year alone. But we're going much further, through our robust fraud plan to prevent 2billion of loss over the next three years, and over 4billlion over the next five years.'
An 89-year-old widower died after he was violently attacked by a fellow patient with a Zimmer frame in a hospital ward.

Farmer and grandfather-of-eight Matthew Healy was attacked in front of patients in a general ward at Mercy University Hospital (MUH), Cork, shortly after 5am yesterday.

The attack was witnessed by shocked patients in a six-bed ward and heroic staff rushed to his aid after being alerted by shouts and screams.

The hospital staff reportedly intervened to try to stop the attack on the pensioner.

Matthew Healy, 89, died after he was attacked with a Zimmer frame in hospital

It is believed it took several staff members to drag the attacker  reported to be a fellow in-patient  away from Mr Healys bed.

The Garda Armed Support Unit was called and arrested a male patient, who was being questioned last night.

Mr Healy, from Berrings, Co. Cork, was pronounced dead at the scene and the ward was cordoned off to allow for a full forensic and technical examination.

A postmortem will be carried out by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster.

The 32-year-old man who was arrested is from Churchfield, on the north side of Cork city.

The men were not known to each other beforehand.

Fianna Fail councillor Michael Looney said the people of Berrings were saddened and shocked by the death of Mr Healy, whom he described as a pure gentleman.

Mr Healy was recently widowed, having buried his wife Delia in the first week of the New Year.

Mr Looney said: He was a very quiet man. The last place you would think something like this would happen is in a hospital.

Mercy University Hospital confirmed that Gardai are investigating a fatal incident involving a man in his late 80s

When you go in to hospital you think you are safe in your bed.

The people of Berrings are devastated. The family are here for generations. They are hugely respected. They are lovely people and he was a thorough gentleman, a pure gentleman. His wife is only dead a few weeks.

Tragedy previously struck the family four decades ago when Mr Healy and his wife Delia  who had two adult sons and a daughter  lost their daughter in an accident at a young age.

Meanwhile, long time advocate for the elderly in Cork, Paddy OBrien, offered his condolences to Mr Healys family.

He said: I just heard what happened on the news. I sympathise with the family of the man on this tragedy. For a man to go in to hospital only to lose his life. I dont know what to say.

The Mercy is a fine hospital. I spent a period there myself in 2020. The care I got there was excellent. This is an awful, desperate tragedy.

That poor man went in hospital with some illness and nobody could expect a tragedy like this to happen.

My thoughts are also with the family of the other man involved. He also has a family. My thoughts are also with the staff at the hospital as they are in shock.

Mercy University Hospital confirmed that Gardai are investigating a fatal incident involving a man in his late 80s.

The hospital is providing counselling services to patients and staff affected by the incident, it said, adding that staff were saddened and shocked at the tragic and unexpected death of an elderly patient in an incident in the hospital today.

The man who was arrested was being held for questioning at the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork city under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be detained for up to 24 hours.

An incident room has been set up at the Bridewell Garda Station and a Garda family liaison officer has been appointed to help Mr Healys family, who were told about the deeply shocking attack on their beloved father early yesterday morning.

The hospital expressed its deepest condolences to the devastated family, relatives and friends of Mr Healy.

Gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death.

news@dailymail.ie
Top Democrat Katherine Clark's daughter was arrested during an Antifa protest in Boston.

Police allegedly witnessed Jared 'Riley' Dowell spray painting 'All Cops Are Bastards' and 'NO COP CITY' on a Parkman Bandstand Monument on the eastern side of the Boston Common on Saturday around 9.30pm.

Clark, who is the House Minority Whip, addressed Dowell's contentious arrest calling it a 'difficult time.' Dowell is non-binary.

'Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts,' Clark wrote on Twitter.

'I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.'

Police allegedly witnessed Jared 'Riley' Dowell spray painting 'All Cops Are Bastards' and 'NO COP CITY' on a Parkman Bandstand Monument on the eastern side of the Boston Common on Saturday around 9.30pm

Katherine Clark's daughter Jared 'Riley' Dowell was arrested at an Antifa protests on Saturday night. Pictured: Clark and Dowell in 2016

Clark, who is the House Minority Whip, addressed the contention around Dowell's arrest calling it a 'difficult time'

About 20 protestors surrounded cops while Dowell, 23, was arrested with some shouted profanity through megaphones.

The protest led to traffic coming to a complete stop as participants created a scene on the sidewalk, police said.

One protestor hit an officer in the face causing him to bleed from his nose and mouth, police said.

Dowell, 23, was charged with Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Destruction or Injury of Personal Property and Damage of Property by Graffiti.

Dowell is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal.

Dowell, 23, was charged with Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Destruction or Injury of Personal Property and Damage of Property by Graffiti. Pictured: Clark and Dowell in 2018

The Parkman Bandstand Monument is a landmark bandstand on the eastern side of the Boston Common in Boston

Earlier this month, Clark spoke out about extremism in politics while pointing fingers at the GOP during the debate about whether to appoint Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House.

Clark took a few hits at the Republican party insisting they didn't support the same values as Democrats, such as equal pay for women, according to Boston.com.

She claimed there was a disconnect between party leaders which was hindering Congress as McCarthy failed to garner enough votes to be elected as speaker for about two weeks.

'Unable to organize, unable to govern, unable to lead,' Clark said, according to the news outlet.

'Years of blindly pursuing power, currying the favor of special interests, and bowing to election deniers has left the GOP in shambles.'

'Lets look at the extremists who have taken over,' she continued.

Clark proceeded to call out Republican Representatives Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz.

'Lets stop with the campaign smears and tactics to get people to turn against us, even having my favorite president call us and tell us "We need to knock this off." I think it actually needs to be reversed.'

Earlier this month, Clark spoke out about extremism in politics while pointing fingers at the GOP during the debate about whether to appoint Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House

Another person was taken into custody for graffiti and resisting arrest in Boston about an hour after Dowell.

Andrea Colletti, 27, was caught by officers after a short chase on foot.

Colletti gave cops a brief struggle before she was placed in handcuffs.

Meanwhile, Antifa protests in Atlanta became violent on Saturday as rioters armed with explosives screamed 'I can't breathe' as they were arrested by police officers after torching cars, hurling fireworks, and smashing windows with hammers.

Clad in black hoodies, ski masks, and surgical face masks in order to obscure their identity as they perpetrated acts of wanton vandalism, video footage saw at least three being pinned to the ground by police officers all the while screaming George Floyd's dying words.

However, unlike Floyd who died at the hands of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020, those who were being placed in cuffs on Saturday night were clearly able to breathe and they made their full-throated claims audible, in front of cameras.

The six rioters who were arrested have not yet been identified and their charges have not been released.
Illegal migrants working in the black market face a new crackdown in a return of hostile environment checks.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said the Home Office will use every available power to ensure only those eligible can work, receive benefits or access public services.

He wants to expand the hostile environment for illegal migration led by Theresa May as home secretary and paused in the wake of the Windrush scandal.

Mr Jenrick will lead a taskforce that will carry out checks on bank accounts, jobs and examine how to protect access to rented accommodation and driving licences.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick wants to expand the hostile environment for illegal migration led by Theresa May and paused in the wake of the Windrush scandal

It will also review legislation to prevent illegal migrants from exploiting the explosion in casual jobs in the gig economy, such as food delivery roles.

It also aims to increase by 50 per cent visits to workplaces such as construction and car washes.

There has already been a 10 per cent rise in raids to 1,152 to such businesses since Dec 11, resulting in 362 arrests and firms issued with 92 illegal working civil penalties, worth 1.5million.

In one raid on building site earlier this month, immigration officials deployed a video drone to catch runaway illegal workers.

More than 50 officers from the Home Offices Immigration Enforcement agency - backed by seven police officers - launched a dawn raid at the site of a luxury housing estate on the outskirts of Crawley, West Sussex.

A drone equipped with video and infra red cameras was flown overhead as officers entered the site to track scattering workers.

A 24-year-old Albanian man was arrested after he attempted to flee. Checks later found he was in the UK illegally despite being previously removed from the country.

Mr Jenrick said: Our Immigration Enforcement teams are working round the clock to bring those violating our laws to justice'

The intelligence-led operation came just four months after a similar raid at the same site, owned by Newcastle-based developer Bellway, which led to seven arrests for illegal working.

The development, Riverbrook Place, features more than 100 new homes priced at up to 495,000.

Bellway said the arrested man had been working for one of their sub-contractors.

Mr Jenrick said: Illegal working causes untold harm to our communities, cheating honest workers of employment, putting vulnerable people at risk, and defrauding the public purse.

Our Immigration Enforcement teams are working round the clock to bring those violating our laws to justice. Its our priority to crack down on this crime and empower law enforcement to remove illegal migrants.

With support from our new enforcement taskforce, we will go further and faster to prevent the abuse of our laws and borders and crack down on individuals exploiting the generosity of the UK taxpayer.

The Home Office is also working with police to increase their role in cracking down on car washes operating illegally.

Bosses caught employing migrants without the right to work can face fines up to 20,000 per worker, a jail sentence of up to five years, closure of their business and disqualification as a director.
The RSPCA has recorded an alarming 73 per cent rise in the number of puppies being abandoned after a spike in demand during lockdown.

Some 3.2million households in the UK bought pets during the Covid lockdown as a way to combat social isolation, treat the family or boost exercise.

But sales declined after restrictions were lifted, leading to a surplus of puppies. Now the animal charity has blamed the sharp rise in the number of puppies being abandoned on this sales slump as callous breeders dump the extra dogs no one wants to buy.

In 2022, the charity said, 711 puppies and breeding female dogs were abandoned, up from 411 in 2021. The pre-Covid figure in 2019 was 275 dumped puppies.

The RSPCA has recorded an alarming 73 per cent rise in the number of puppies being abandoned after a spike in demand during lockdown

In 2022, the charity said, 711 puppies and breeding female dogs were abandoned, up from 411 in 2021. The pre-Covid figure in 2019 was 275 dumped puppies

In recent weeks, the RSPCA has rescued a total of 3,260 animals abandoned since November 1  a 14 per cent increase on the same time the year before. The rescued dogs include six American bulldogs dumped in a box in Hull, which were covered in cuts and scratches. Rescuers suggested they had been kept in a cage since birth, and two were in such poor condition they died before being seen by a vet.

The four surviving puppies, which were around 12 weeks old, are now being cared for at the RSPCAs York Animal Home.

Another five American bulldog pups were dumped in a remote layby near Yarm, North Yorkshire, by two masked men. The dogs were covered in their own faeces and one had to be put down.

Some 3.2million households in the UK bought pets during the Covid lockdown as a way to combat social isolation, treat the family or boost exercise

The charity also rescued three underweight and neglected spaniel puppies left in a cardboard box by the B4696 in Wiltshire.

RSPCA officer Freya Lamb, who rescued the trio now called Mary, Holly and Rudey, said: They are very nervous and scared.

The charity has launched a fundraising campaign called Join The Winter Rescue and has committed 1.5million to crisis measures including helping pet food banks and struggling owners.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: Our teams have seen families who simply cannot afford to feed both themselves and the pets. Others have been helping families facing eviction who cant find accommodation that allows pets.

We really need animal-lovers to help us get through this crisis.

See the RSPCA website for details of Join The Winter Rescue.
In a 2021 email, the administrator fought against proposed changes including 'multiple perspectives'

A California administrator has come under fire for calling to ban 'privileged White voices' from conversations regarding ethnic studies

A school district administrator in California has sparked outrage for stating she believes 'privileged White voices' should not be involved in establishing lessons.

According to reports, Samia Shoman with the San Mateo Union High School District sent an email in 2021 to the California State superintendent, Tony Thurmond, arguing against proposed changes to the ethnic studies curriculum.

'We urge the [state board of education] not to give in to the pressures and influences of political lobbyists, racist & privileged white voices, and individuals,' she said in the email, according to Fox News Digital.

The changes put forward included Jewish-American studies and curriculum that would have brought in 'multiple perspectives.'

According to reports, Samia Shoman with the San Mateo Union High School District sent an email in 2021 to the California State superintendent, Tony Thurmond, arguing against proposed changes to the ethnic studies curriculum

This is a school in the San Mateo Union High School District where Shoman works

'The proposed revisions privileges terms like "multiple perspectives," "diversity," "all students" and "broad range of groups" undermining the primary focus on the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) communities that compose over 80 percent of California's student population,' Shoman wrote in the email.

The email, sent around the time the State Board of Education approved the Ethnic Studies Curriculum, was obtained via a public record request by Zachor Legal.

The educator continued, allegedly calling for a more extreme ethnic studies curriculum, specifically pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement.

'[E]ven in the African American lesson on the Black Lives Matter movement, which is a direct response white supremacy fails to call out and analyze racism and systemic oppression,' she said in the email.

She also urged against changes that would include Jewish-American studies.

According to one outlet, Shoman is the co-coordinator of the Middle East Children Alliance's Teach Palestine initiative.

A pro-Palestinian advocate, Shoman said she wholeheartedly disagreed with the choice to include Jewish people in ethic studies under the Asian American and Pacific Islander categories.

'This is grossly inaccurate, and has no institutional history,' she said.

'We urge the [state board of education] not to give in to the pressures and influences of political lobbyists, racist & privileged white voices, and individuals,' she said in the email

Shoman is responsible for overseeing the district's English learner and academic support programs. According to her bio on the district's website, she is a California native with 'Palestinian roots.'

'I have dedicated my career in public education to promoting racial and social justice in the classroom and broader educational organizations and space I work in,' the educator's bio says.

The woman also works in ethnic, guided, and family engagement studies and has a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Education from San Francisco State University.

'I see my role as visioning and advocating for the continuous improvement of the programs that serve our most vulnerable, but resilient, student populations,' she says in the bio published on the district's website.

The educator continued, allegedly calling for a more extreme ethnic studies curriculum, specifically pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the district said the following:

'Dr. Shoman  was appointed and served on the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Advisory Committee.

'She and her fellow committee members wrote to the California State Board of Education in their roles as members of this Committee to express their opinions.

'In their letter, the committee did not call for the erasure of Israel, Jews, Jewish perspective or Jewish history in the curriculum. They do suggest that these topics do not belong under the umbrella of Asian American and Pacific Islander History.

'Further, the group does not criticize multiple perspectives but rather urges the Board of Education to center BIPOC voices through this curriculum.'

Officials with the San Mateo Union High School District could not be reached by DailyMail.com by the time of publication.

Officials with the district said Shoman was working with a group and that they were simply urging the Board of Education to focus on centering BIPOC voices

In a statement to Fox News Digital Marc Greendorfer of Zachor Legal called Shoman's statements false.

'The position taken by Samia Shoman and others to treat Jews, the true indigenous people of the land of Israel, as 'white' occupiers and colonists is utterly at odds with history and facts,' Greendorfer said.

He also took issue with the idea of ethnic studies, in general.

'While the idea of ensuring students are taught about the history of all ethnicities is one we support, we have found that these programs are anything but educational. Instead, they are political indoctrination by extremists who are working to institutionalize bigotry and hate in education,' said Greendorfer.

DailyMail.com was unable to reach Shoman for a response to Greendorfer's statements or comment in regard to the Fox News story.

A guideline for the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum states the principles including promoting 'the values of civic engagement and civic responsibility,' 'self and collective empowerment,' and 'critical thinking and rigorous analysis of history, systems of oppression, and the status quo in an effort to generate discussions on futurity and imagine new possibilities'

In October 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation making California the first state to require high school students to complete a semester-long ethnic studies course.

The mandate doesn't take effect until the 2025 to 2026 school year but many schools around the state have been offering related courses for years.

A guideline for the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum states the principles including promoting 'the values of civic engagement and civic responsibility,' 'self and collective empowerment,' and 'critical thinking and rigorous analysis of history, systems of oppression, and the status quo in an effort to generate discussions on futurity and imagine new possibilities.'

In October 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation making California the first state to require high school students to complete a semester-long ethnic studies course

According to 2022 WalletHub research, California is the most diverse state in the US using metrics like socio-economic diversity, cultural diversity, economic diversity, household diversity, religious diversity, and political diversity.

Other top diverse states include Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and Arizona.

The least diverse states are Iowa, Ohio, Utah, Wyoming, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and West Virginia.
Angry stargazers have criticised Shell, saying a 'ghastly bright' service station has ruined a village's famous night skies.

The fuel giant has been accused of 'blatant light pollution' after the company built a petrol station in the quiet village of Thropton, Northumberland.

The station, which includes a Spar and a butcher's, opened in the village  which has just 458 residents  in November.

Thropton sits on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, which was named one of the world's best places to gaze at the stars.

Angry stargazers have criticised Shell, saying a 'ghastly bright' service station has ruined a village's famous night skies

The station, which includes a Spar and a butcher's, opened in the village  which has just 458 residents  in November

Several residents are calling for the service station to either shut at night or close completely over fears the light could drive tourists away.

One said: 'There is blatant light pollution seeping into the night sky.'

A Shell spokesman said: 'We are exploring suitable solutions to dim the lighting to address this concern.'

The 572 square miles of the county were awarded Gold Tier status for their pristine dark skies, rating it alongside Death Valley in America.

Between November to February thousands of dark-sky fans flock to the area to enjoy the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, which is visible over the county.

The 'lights row' has erupted on social media to such an extent a local Facebook group even conducted a poll of residents to shed light on the issue.

According to the 'Rothbury & Coquetdale' Facebook group, 98 per cent of people said the lighting was not a problem.

Meanwhile two per cent of people agreed that the lighting was 'ghastly' and a 'blight on our landscape'.

Local councillor Steven Bridgett, who represents Thropton, said: 'A complaint has been made to Northumberland County Council by a parish council that neighbours Thropton regarding the lighting.

'What I will say is that the lighting scheme that is currently in place is very different from what was originally proposed and a lot more conservative (than was previously proposed).'

The row comes after scientists say light pollution has led to eroding star visibility around the world over the past decade.

Dr Christopher Kyba, of the the German Research Centre for Geosciences, said: 'To put this in perspective, a child born in an area where 250 stars were visible would likely see fewer than 100 in the same location 18 years later.'
Freezing temperatures this winter are a large factor in remote workers returning to the office, new data shows, as cash-strapped Brits return to the office in order to save on heating bills ahead of another cold snap set to arrive early next month.

Research from CV-Library, a jobs and employment site, shows that 20 percent of professionals changed their working patterns due to the recent cold weather, which has seen snow and ice hit much of the UK.

The survey of 1,700 people found that 40 percent of those who had changed working pattern said they had gone into the officer 'purely to save on heating bills', the Telegraph reports.

It comes as weather forecasters warn of another 'Beast from the East' could hit UK shores next month, sending a stream of Arctic air heading this way.

A series of weather warnings have been issued by forecasters over freezing fog to hit the UK this morning

Corfe Castle in Dorset saw a frosty, cold start on Sunday, with no let up in temperatures yet

Although professionals are increasingly returning to the office due to the cold, an incoming severe blast of weather could halt transport and make it harder to commute, while continuing rail strikes will also complicate the journey for millions around the UK.

The founder and CEO of CV-Library Lee Biggins said: 'Britain's greatest obsession is often reported to be the weather but its impact on the economy is a serious topic.

'The knock-on impacts of severe weather aren't just limited to reduced consumer spending and supply and distribution issues.'

Data from LinkedIn shows that just one in ten roles advertised on its site are now fully remote.

Meanwhile a second 'Beast from the East' could arrive in February as a mass of polar air travels southwards from the Arctic.

It could see a spell of weather such as that seen in 2018, or even a more severe cold snap such as January 2021, when the UK saw its coldest temperature in 26 years, -23C.

The fiercely cold weather is set to continue this week as temperatures plunged to -8C overnight on Sunday.

Freezing fog will remain 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 swimmer breaks ice covering the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, which has frozen over amid falling temperatures

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

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 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.

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 Sunday, 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 on Sunday 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

A blaze of golden hues fill the skies above the Couple sculpture in Newbiggin, Northumberland

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 on Saturday night, 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

Fen-skaters make the most of the frozen flooded fields and the natural ice they create

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.

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 week's Nightmare from the North.

The same phenomenon helped to cause 2018's 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 week's -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 Pole's 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 Britain's coldest temperature for 26 years, -23C in Aberdeenshire.
Boris Johnson is said to be deeply concerned that the Government will strike a compromise with the EU over Northern Ireland that gives a role to European judges.

The former PM fears ministers are planning to let the European Court of Justice be the final arbiter of EU laws that apply within the province to end the long-running dispute over post-Brexit trade.

The Government is stepping up its efforts to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol dispute before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April.

Boris Johnson fears ministers are planning to let the European Court of Justice be the final arbiter of EU laws that apply within the province

According to The Sunday Telegraph, the draft deal would include a layer of protections to stop the European Commission referring disputes directly to the Luxembourg court.

David Jones, of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said Mr Johnson may well speak out. The views of any former PM on such an issue are important, he added.

This week Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is in the US to drum up investment opportunities as well as meeting Joe Bidens special envoy on Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III.

Last week Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met his counterpart in Washington DC to update him on progress made in the negotiations with the EU over checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea.

Last week Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met his counterpart in Washington DC

At the same time, however, Brexiteers in the Conservative party are together with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) organising their resistance to any concessions that would give the European Court of Justice a role in Northern Ireland.

Last night a Government spokesman said: As weve said repeatedly, any solution on the Protocol must address the range of issues including governance and the democratic deficit on how new EU laws apply in NI.

Ahead of his five-day trip to Washington, Boston and New York, Mr Heaton-Harris said: As the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement approaches, I look forward to discussing with US stakeholders the UK Governments plans to mark this significant milestone.

The US and UK share a commitment to upholding the Agreement and continuing to transform Northern Ireland for the better.

Mr Johnsons spokesman did not respond to requests to comment.
William McCandless served honorably in the Navy and brought compassion to his various ministries as a Catholic priest  including as an adviser to Monacos royal family but all the while, evil resided within him, a judge said Monday.

You could not contain that evil, U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith told McCandless, a former counselor at DeSales University, before handing down the maximum sentence under a plea deal for child pornography during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Easton.

Smith sentenced McCandless to 37 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for using his cellphone to try to access pornography featuring underage boys. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Stephan said computer analysis showed the Salesian priest visited 3,000 pages featuring such pornography, some of which showed children being tortured.

He had no empathy for a single child in any of those images, she said. The reaction McCandless felt was to look for more.

McCandless, 57, of Wilmington, Delaware, was charged in 2020 with possessing child pornography for importation into the U.S., transporting child pornography in interstate and foreign commerce, and attempted access with intent to view child pornography.

Authorities at the time said he had amassed a vast collection of child pornography while in Monaco and brought it back to the U.S.  a charge McCandless denied.

In May, he pleaded guilty to attempted access and the other charges were dropped. He could have been sentenced to up to 60 years in prison had he been convicted of all charges.

McCandless will never serve in ministry again. After his release, he will live under the supervision of his order, the Wilmington-based Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, barred from contact with anyone under 18. He will also be placed on a sex offender registry.

He apologized to his family, friends, religious order and to anyone who ever placed faith in me.

Words cannot express the depths of my remorse, he said.

At the time of McCandless arrest, federal officials said the priest frequently traveled overseas and was assigned to the English-speaking St. Charles Parish in Monaco from 2010-17. He had a close relationship with Princess Charlene, wife of Prince Albert II. He presided over the baptism of their twins in 2014.

McCandless was a counselor in the Wellness Center at DeSales from February to October 2017. His employment at the Upper Saucon Township university was terminated when the school learned he was under investigation. McCandless graduated from the school in 1988 with a bachelors degree in education and theology.

Smith praised McCandless for his 11 years of service in the Navy, and noted that scores of people submitted letters supporting the priest for the good he had done in his career.

Smith likened McCandless attraction to child pornography to an incurable illness.

Why did you choose the priesthood? he said. Was it an attempt to fight it or to go further with it? I believe it was to fight it. But you couldnt fight against it to the degree that you could stop looking at it.

Stephan argued for the maximum sentence, saying McCandless reaction upon finding out he was under investigation was to search for ways to conceal internet activity and to drop off the grid.

McCandless lawyer, Michael Diamondstein, said his client acknowledged the grave nature of the crime but was not the devil in a priests collar the prosecution portrayed.

The priests attraction to the images is sick, it is wrong, and I hope one day better minds than I will be able to fix it, he said.

Morning Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com
When the latest polls show, astonishingly, that Labour is more trusted by voters to cut taxes and fix the economy, it's time the Tories asked themselves a serious question. What exactly is their point and purpose?

They are supposed to be the standard bearers for Conservatism  a small state, and an unflinching commitment to low taxation, growth, entrepreneurialism and aspiration. That philosophy has served the country well over the years.

The problem is, the Tories have been seduced into believing that state intervention and high taxes are necessary to win the love and support of the public.

Well, now they're finding out that they've made a grave mistake. By savaging the economy with tax hikes, the party has wrecked its hard-earned political reputation for being on the side of hard workers.

Rishi Sunak and his Chancellor must return to first principles  leaving people with more of their own money to spend, incentivising business to create jobs and the wealth to fund our public services, and reducing the bloated state to a manageable, affordable size. And they have to start getting people back to work  urgently

Yes, we need to balance the books. But Jeremy Hunt mustn't aggravate the party's problems in this spring's Budget

Rishi Sunak and his Chancellor must return to first principles  leaving people with more of their own money to spend, incentivising business to create jobs and the wealth to fund our public services, and reducing the bloated state to a manageable, affordable size. And they have to start getting people back to work  urgently. It is scandalous that over half of the population get more in benefits than they pay in tax.

Shamefully, this is higher than under Tony Blair, who deliberately created an army of people who did so well out of welfare handouts that they shunned employment.

High earners are, of course, bearing the brunt of the cost, with the best-paid 10 per cent paying 53 per cent of income tax.

Far too many people are indolent and unproductive. As a report by Civitas warns today, a troubling 'something for nothing' culture has developed. This sense of entitlement has grown since the pandemic. First furlough, then energy subsidies, have helped convince people that whatever befalls them, the Government will bail them out.

By presiding over the highest tax burden since the Second World War, ministers have further reduced the appeal of working harder  or indeed at all  damaging investment, growth and prosperity.

Yes, we need to balance the books. But Jeremy Hunt mustn't aggravate the party's problems in this spring's Budget.

If the public finances are in ruder health than forecast, it would be an error to press ahead with punishing tax rises.

Already too many Britons aren't working  and that means Britain itself isn't working.

A healthy proposal

With hospitals and GPs facing unprecedented demand, it makes sense for pharmacies to treat patients with minor ailments, as a report by MPs recommends.

This could help free up beds, let family doctors focus on people with more serious illnesses and save the NHS money.

Yet thousands of community pharmacists face extinction because of financial worries, as the Mail's Save Our Local Pharmacies campaign has highlighted.

If they are to play a bigger role in the nation's health, perhaps they could be exempt from business rates. And of course, it would have to be proved safe for them to prescribe a wider range of medicines.

But let's not forget, pharmacists stayed open during the pandemic, when GPs' surgeries padlocked their doors.

This is a neat solution to ease pressure on the NHS. But ultimately, it is a sticking plaster to patch up a creaking healthcare system designed for an earlier age.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is being called a hypocrite after being pictured grilling on gas powered grills despite stating how she wants to see a ban such equipment within a matter of years.

State officials have portrayed Hochul's proposal as a way to combat climate change but critics believe her words to be full of hot air.

If the new law is passed, New Yorkers would only see electric stovetops in new developments by 2028 but smaller buildings will no longer be allowed to have gas hook-ups from as soon as 2025.

Despite her good intentions, Hochul does not appear to be practicing what she preaches and has been pictured using one herself including at the Governor's mansion in Albany and her Buffalo, New York, home.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal to ban gas stoves in new homes by 2025 is facing backlash from critics who accuse her of being hypocritical. She is pictured using a gas grill

Hochul has been pictured on her own social media using fossil fuels on gas ranges at the Executive Mansion in Albany and at her private residence in Buffalo

Hochul suggested the controversial move during her state-of-the-state address earlier this month while outlining her plan toward 'Achieving the New York Dream.'

Current buildings would not be impacted and so residents would not be forced to swap out their stovetops.

Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay stated, 'The governor's push to ban gas stoves appears to be as hypocritical as it is ridiculous.'

'One has to wonder how many times she's fired up her own gas stove since declaring them environmentally unsafe in her State of the State Address,' he added.

Hochul has argued that the state must push for electrification mandates for new buildings in order to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent compared to 1990 levels as required by a 2019 state law.

Hochul has been pictured using gas appliances including at the Governor's mansion in Albany and her Buffalo, New York home

In response to the obvious clash, Hochul's spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays stated, 'No one is taking away anyone's gas stoves. The Governor's proposal would not apply to existing gas stoves in homes and businesses,' she stated.

'We are focused on continuing to advance the boldest climate policies in the nation to protect the health and safety of our children and the planet, all while lowering energy bills and prioritizing energy affordability and reliability.'

Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy also called into question Hochul's double standards.

'Is it any surprise that Queen Kathy cooks on her gas stove when she flies around on private planes? New Yorkers are so sick of phony climate-warrior hypocrites and their 'rules for thee but not for me.' Our state is in a crime and economic free fall and she's waging war on appliances.'

Governor Kathy Hochul plans to halt the use of gas stoves in new developments. Hochul, 64, claimed the stoves contribute to a third of greenhouse gas output

'Flying in private jets and driving gas-guzzling SUVs are common sights as they fear-monger and frighten our children over climate change,' state Senator George Borello told The New York Post.

'If eliminating natural gas appliances and heating isn't a priority for the political elite then why should it be for middle-class families in New York,' he asked.

'The governor, and anyone else in government support a ban on fossil fuel powered equipment, should lead by example. I'd like to see them remove their gas stoves and heating systems,' Republican Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo suggested.

Those in the restaurant industry are uncomfortable about such restrictions with many suggesting cooking on gas has definite advantages over gas both in terms of flavor and reliability.

'The recent storms in Western New York are a perfect example, as many people hit by widespread power outages were able to have warm meals thanks to gas stoves in homes and restaurants,' Melissa Fleischut president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association said.

Hochul is expected to unveil her proposed state budget by the end of January.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted earlier this month that President Joe Biden was not coming after Americans' gas stoves

Meanwhile, as the contentious debate over gas stoves heats up, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted on Wednesday that President Joe Biden was not coming after Americans' gas stoves.

'The president does not support banning gas stoves and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, is not banning gas stoves,' she said.

Jean-Pierre's comment was in response to Biden-appointed Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. who called the stoves a 'hazard' to children following the release of a study conducted by the commission.

The new study on children's health found that roughly one in eight cases of childhood asthma in the US are the result of air pollution given off by gas stoves.

That puts emissions from gas cooking at the same asthma risk level as breathing in secondhand smoke.

Asthma affects roughly six million US children each year, and nearly 13 percent of them get it from breathing in the myriad toxins that a gas stove belches out every day.

Hochul's proposal aims to implement plans to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 85% compared to 1990 levels, as required by a 2019 state law

About 100 cities and counties have adopted policies that require or encourage a move away from fossil fuel-powered buildings. In California, the sale of natural gas-fired furnaces and water heaters will be banned by 2030.

Natural gas distributors and appliance makers argued that a ban on natural gas stoves would drive up costs for homeowners and restaurants with little environmental gain.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group representing appliance makers, noted that gas stoves are usually cheaper to operate than electric, arguing that 'increased use of ventilation' is a better solution than a ban.

'A ban on gas cooking appliances would remove an affordable and preferred technology used in more than 40 percent of homes across the country,' AHAM spokeswoman Jill Notini told DailyMail.com in a statement on Tuesday.

'A ban would fail to address the overall concern of indoor air quality while cooking, because all forms of cooking, regardless of heat source, generate air pollutants, especially at high temperatures,' she said.

Notini added that 'a focus on increased use of ventilation is an effective solution to improve indoor air quality while cooking.'

The American Gas Association added that regulatory agencies have presented no documented evidence linking breathing problems to gas stoves.

'The US Consumer Product Safety Commission and EPA do not present gas ranges as a significant contributor to adverse air quality or health hazard in their technical or public information literature, guidance or requirements,' Karen Harbert, the group's president, told Bloomberg.

'The most practical, realistic way to achieve a sustainable future where energy is clean, as well as safe, reliable and affordable, is to ensure it includes natural gas and the infrastructure that transports it.'
The Monterey Park mass shooter who slaughtered 10 people and injured several others at a California dance hall may have gone to hospital after the bloody rampage.

Huu Can Tran, 72, was identified as the gunman who shot several people in a ballroom dance studio late Saturday during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in the predominantly Asian-American community, before he died in a police standoff.

The massacre at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, where Tran used to give dance lessons, left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Seven people remained hospitalized Sunday.

Tran was also identified as the gunman who entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra just 20 to 30 minutes after the first shooting, but brave patrons fought him off and took his gun.

Local hospital staff said a man fitting Tran's description was then spotted inside the emergency room with injuries that appeared to be sustained in a fight, law enforcement sources told CNN.

The man waited for a period of time but then left without treatment, the staff said, who added that they recognized him from photos of the wanted gunman posted by the sheriff department's Twitter account.

Tran was at large until Sunday afternoon when police pulled him over in the van he used to flee the scene. After an hours-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Huu Can Tran, 72, may have went to the hospital Sunday after killing 10 people. Hospital workers said he appeared to have wounds from a fight. This photo was released earlier

Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff

After an hours-long standoff, Tran died 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 on Saturday

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

How the massacre and manhunt unfolded Saturday, 10.22pm: Gunshots ring out in Star Ballroom Dance Studio 10.29pm: 911 responders receive a call about a shooting in Monterey Park 10.33pm: Police and rescue units start to arrive at the scene 10.38pm: Officers say the studio has been 'cleared' and there are initially an estimated 10 unresponsive victims and two more in critical condition 10.39pm: Tran enters a second dance hall studio, the Lai Lai ballroom in Alhambra. His weapon is wrestled away from him Sunday: Gunman reportedly enters a local hospital at an unspecified time with apparent fight injuries. He leaves ER before being treated 10.20am: Police locate white cargo van seen leaving scene of shooting 11.15am: White van in shopping center parking lot is surrounded by police and SWAT 12.30pm: Sheriff's office say the suspect has barricaded himself in the van 1pm: Police enter the vehicle after Tran shot himself dead. Evidence linking him to the shootings is found in the vehicle Advertisement

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified Tran as the suspect on Sunday and confirmed that his motive is unknown.

'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.'

He continued: '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.'

The sheriff said the pistol Tran used appeared to be illegal in California, where state laws ban any magazine holding more than 10 rounds.

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 white cargo van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing Alhambra. No one was killed at that scene.

A short time after Tran was spotted at the hospital, police pulled over the van 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.

Tran's friends, who were close to the gunman from around the early 2010s, revealed to CNN after the shooting that he was 'hostile to a lot of people' at the studio where he taught and believed they said 'evil things about him.'

Tran taught lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio almost every night in the early 2000s when he lived five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.

His ex-wife also revealed to CNN that the studio is where she met Tran decades during a dance lesson and it wasn't long until they tied the knot.

But Tran's appeared to fade quickly as the ex-wife, whose identity wasn't revealed, claimed he lost interest in her and became easily angered when she messed up on choreography.

Tran, who is an immigrant from China, filed for divorce in 2005.

Investigators linked Tran to both shooting incidents that happened late Saturday night

A law enforcement official walks past Tran who is slumped over in the driver's seat of the van

Investigators search a van that was linked to the mass shooting in Monterey Park

Aerial footage shows officials pulling unknown items from the white van after the standoff

The Star Ballroom Dance Studio was Tran's first stop before he made his way to the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra, but brave patrons thwarted his plan to carry out another shooting.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Tran's motive is still unknown, but said it's believed he had intended to kill more people.

'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.'

The exact ages of the victims were not released, but Luna they all appeared to be over 50, 60, and beyond. Seven of the wounded people remained in the hospital, he said.

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.

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, Luna added.

The pistol is designed to take 30-round magazines which allow for rapid fire without having to frequently change magazines.

When asked if the gun was legal, Luna said: 'I believe the weapon ... is not legal to have here in the state of California.'

Luna said that he needed to consult the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further details on the weapon's legality.

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 identified Tran as the suspect on Sunday and confirmed that his motive is unknown. 'He intended to kill more people,' Luna said

Ten people were killed when a gunman opened fire in California during New Year celebrations

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)

Click here to read the Lunar New Year massacre recap as it happened Advertisement

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.

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.

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.'
The Monterey mass shooter was once a dancer at the studio where he killed 10 people during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

Huu Can Tran, 72, taught lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio almost every night in the early 2000s when he lived five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.

Tran's friends, who was close to the gunman from around the early 2010s, revealed to CNN that he was 'hostile to a lot of people' at the studio and believed they said 'evil things about him.'

The gunman's ex-wife also revealed that she met Tran decades during a dance lesson and it wasn't long until they tied the knot.

Saturday's shooting left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Tran died Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with police.

Huu Can Tran, 72, taught lessons at the studio where he killed 10 people. He also met his ex-wife at the studio

Tran taught lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio almost every night in the early 2000s when he lived five-minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley

Aside from teaching dance nearly five times a week, Tran was also a truck driver and registered a business, Trans Trucking Inc., from 2002 to 2004, according to documents obtained by CNN.

It's unclear when Tran stopped teaching lessons at the studio, but he relocated to Hemet in 2013 after about 20 years in Los Angeles.

Tran's friend lost contact with the gunman around the time he moved and was shocked to hear about the massacre.

The friend also recalled Tran being quick to anger and didn't trust people.

Tran's ex-wife, whose identity wasn't revealed, said she was only married to the gunman for a short time before he filed for divorce in 2005.

She recalled the first time she met Tran and he offered her free dance lessons.

Tran's love appeared to fade quickly as she claimed her former instructor lost interest in her and became easily angered when she messed up on choreography.

Their marriage license showed that Tran is an immigrant from China.

Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations

Police can be seen on Sunday swarming the van Tran used to flee after he killed five women and five men - and wounded another 10 people

He 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

The Star Ballroom Dance Studio shooting was Tran's first stop before he went 30 minutes later to the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra where brave patrons fought him off and took the gun.

Tran then fled the scene and was at large until Sunday when police found him in the van he used to flee the massacre.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified Tran as the suspect on Sunday and confirmed his motive is unknown.

'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.'

The exact ages of the victims were not released, but Luna they all appeared to be over 50. Seven of the wounded people remained in the hospital, he said.

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

Aerial footage shows officials pulling unknown items from the white van after the standoff

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, Luna added.

Earlier Sunday, law enforcement officials swarmed and entered the van after surrounding it for hours. They heard a gunshot and approached the van to find Tran's body slumped over the steering wheel.

Before locating Tran, Luna said authorities were looking for a white van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee from Alhambra in such a vehicle.

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.

Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled

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

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.

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.
A man has been charged with torturing a five-year-old boy with another two children found injured in his garage.

The 29-year-old man was arrested by police after searching a property at Wishart, in Brisbane, on Saturday.

A five-year-old boy was found with critical injuries before he was transported to Queensland Children's Hospital.

A man has been charged with torturing a five-year-old boy with another two children found injured in his garage (stock image)

A six-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy were found in the garage with extensive non-life threatening injuries and taken to the same hospital.

Police declared the property a crime scene before taking the man into custody.

He was charged with 14 offences that included domestic violence offences such as seven counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Three counts each of torture and assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and one count of grievous bodily harm were among the other offences.

His bail was refused and he was scheduled to front Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
Australian Jews have called for disgraced rapper Kanye West to be denied a visa over his hateful anti-Semitic rants.

The Holocaust-denying entertainer faced an exodus of sponsors and investors over the past four months after he began airing his extreme views.

West, 45, 'married' architect Bianca Censori, 27, originally from Melbourne, in a non-binding ceremony in Utah about two weeks ago.

He is believed to be planning a visit to Australia to meet his new bride's family next week, but some of the local Jewish community want him banned from arriving.

Australian Jews have called for disgraced rapper Kanye West to be denied a visa over his hateful anti-Semitic rants

West, 45, 'married' architect Bianca Censori, 27, originally from Melbourne, in a non-binding ceremony in Utah about two weeks ago

Dvir Abramovich, chairman of Jewish lobby group the Anti-Defamation Commission, on Monday called for Immigration Minister David Giles to refuse West entry.

The strongly worded statement referenced three of West's most outrageous statements and argued 'calling for violence and hate' must have consequences.

'Australia should not put out the welcome mat and provide a platform to a hatemonger who spews threats against the Jewish community and peddles conspiracy myths about Jewish power, greed and control,' he said.

'Kanye is a blatant, unvarnished anti-Semite, Nazi-lover, and Hitler worshipper who openly admires an evil tyrant responsible for the extermination of six million Jews, including 1.5 million children.'

'This kind of rhetoric is dangerous and has real-world consequences given the more than 30 million followers that this person has, and who may start believing that his demonisation of the Jewish community and that they must act.'

Unearthed photos obtained by DailyMail.com show Kanye West's new wife Bianca Censori nearly baring it all while smoking a cigarette, before she secretly married the rapper

Dr Abramovich argued allowing West to enter the country would undermine Australia's values of tolerance, diversity, and respect.

He claimed antisemitism was on the rise and 'his presence in the country, revolting anti-Jewish propaganda and incitement, and abhorrent rhetoric poses a significant risk to the Jewish community'.

Mr Giles has powers under section 501 of The Migration Act to refuse anyone entry to Australia if he believes they don't pass a character test.

The character test laid out in the legislation allows a non-citizen to be denied entry, or be deported, for various reasons.

They include a criminal record, association with other convicted criminals, past criminal conduct or a risk of future criminal conduct.

The parts that could apply to West are subsections 501(6)(c)(ii) and 501(6)(d) as he has no significant criminal record.

The first subsection covers 'general conduct' that may not have constituted a criminal offence - notably including 'political extremism'.

The second subsection provides for entry refusal if there is a 'significant risk' the person would 'vilify a segment of the Australian community'.

Character tests would also be failed if they were likely to 'incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of the community'.

Dr Abramovich argued West could also 'represent a danger to the Australian community or to a segment of the community, whether by way of being liable to become involved in activities that are disruptive to, or in violence threatening harm to, that community or segment, or in any other way', as stated in the act.

Americans do not need a formal visa to visit family under the visa waiver program, but can be denied entry regardless.

The Holocaust-denying entertainer faced an exodus of sponsors and investors over the past four months after he began airing his extreme views

Dr Abramovich singled out three statements West made in October and December as evidence that he shouldn't be allowed into Australia.

The first was a tweet on October 8 reading: 'I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I'm going death con 3 (sic) On JEWISH PEOPLE.

'The funny thing is I actually can't be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.'

Then in an October 16 interview he attacked 'Jewish media' and 'Jewish Zionists, claiming 'Jewish people have owned the Black voice' and that 'the Jewish community, especially in the music industrythey'll take us and milk us till we die'.

Lastly was West's infamous interview with disgraced conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, alongside 'his white supremacist sidekick Nick Fuente', where he spent much of the three-hour discourse spewing anti-Semitic nonsense.

Among his claims were that the Holocaust, where the Nazis systematically murdered six million Jews, never happened, and praised Adolf Hitler.

'I see good things about Hitler Every human being has valueespecially HitlerWe've got to stop dissing the Nazis all the time,' he said.

West was hours later kicked off Twitter 'for incitement to violence' after the rapper posted the picture of the swastika - the symbol of the Nazi Party - intertwined with the Jewish Star of David following the interview.

'I see good things about Hilter... every human being has something of value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler,' said West in the interview with Alex Jones

The 22-time Grammy winner was dumped by Vogue, CAA, Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas as he started to publicise his views, costing him as much as $1 billion.

According to Censori's Linkedin page, she met the rapper at least two years ago when she took a job as an architectural designer at West's Yeezy business.

Before that, she worked as a trainee architect at DP Toscano Architects  a firm in Collingwood, inner-city Melbourne  and ran her own jewelry brand.

The quiet wedding appeared to take Censori's family by surprise, with her sister Angelina telling the Herald Sun it was 'exciting news'.

'It's very exciting news for both my sister and the family, but we choose to have some privacy for the time being,' she added.

West has not officially confirmed his new marriage but appeared to hint at the relationship in his new song, 'Censori Overload', a play on his wife's last name.

The song, which he released on Instagram in early December, is also being called 'Someday we'll all be free' for its sample of the 1973 Donnie Hathaway song of the same name.

West and ex-wife Kim Kardashian finally settled their divorce in November, but even if they hadn't it wouldn't have affected his 'marriage' to Censori as it was non-binding.

West and ex-wife Kim Kardashian finally settled their divorce in November

During their highly-publicized legal battle, the rapper attempted to oppose Kardashian's efforts to be declared legally single - but a judge granted her request in March 2022.

After spending nearly two years battling it out in court, the exes came to an accord on the custody of their four kids, parenting plans and division of their multimillion dollar real estate portfolio.

The agreement granted Kardashian $200,000 in child support monthly, with the two having joint custody and 'equal access' to their four kids North, nine, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three.

In the months after their split was announced, West was linked to a number of models, many of whom had an uncanny resemblance to his ex.
A truck driver has been charged over a crash with a school bus that left more than two dozen students and teachers injured.

The truck smashed into the back of the bus as it slowed down to avoid a previous crash in the suburb of Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne, in September.

The force of the collision sent the bus plummeting down an embankment off the Western Highway at Pentland Hills.

The school bus, carrying 27 students and four teachers, rolled 50m after it and a truck collided in the confusion of a previous truck crash (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

There were 27 students and five adults aboard the bus, which was meant to travel to Melbourne airport.

A Croydon man, 60, has been charged with 46 offences, including reckless conduct causing serious injury, and reckless conduct endangering life.

He was due to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.
Australia's medical regulator has given a provisional green light to the first COVID-19 booster shot for two Omicron variants.

The Pfizer jab will be for those aged 12 and over, and targets the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

The approval was granted on Friday.

A provisional green light has been issued for the first COVID booster shot for two Omicron variants

A booster for the BA.1 variant and original bivalent vaccine - which is when the original virus strain is included in the vaccine - was approved in October.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration said studies showed the vaccine helped produce neutralising antibodies against the variants and original strains one month after the booster.

It also provided protection against a number of other variants.

'Evidence from extensive use in the US and Europe over recent months has also shown that this booster provides clear reductions in hospitalisation and death,' the regulator said in a statement.

The rollout of the vaccine is yet to be ticked off, with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation due to provide advice to the government in coming weeks.
Girls in India are coerced by parents into becoming 'devadasis', many of whom are forced into illegal prostitution

Dedicated to an Indian goddess as a child, Huvakka Bhimappa's years of sexual servitude began when her uncle took her virginity, raping her in exchange for a saree and some jewellery.

Bhimappa was not yet ten years old when she became a 'devadasi'  girls coerced by their parents into an elaborate wedding ritual with a Hindu deity, many of whom are then forced into illegal prostitution.

Devadasis are expected to live a life of religious devotion, forbidden from marrying other mortals, and forced at puberty to sacrifice their virginity to an older man, in return for money or gifts.

'In my case, it was my mother's brother,' Bhimappa, now in her late 40s, told AFP.

Former devadasis women gather in India's Karnataka state with members of an NGO helping to rehabilitate the women's lives

Devadasis are expected to live a life of religious devotion, forbidden from marrying other mortals, and forced at puberty to sacrifice their virginity to an older man, in return for money or gifts

What followed was years of sexual slavery, earning money for her family through encounters with other men in the name of serving the goddess.

Bhimappa eventually escaped her servitude but with no education, she earns around a dollar a day toiling in fields.

Her time as a devotee to the Hindu goddess Yellamma has also rendered her an outcast in the eyes of her community.

She had loved a man once, but it would have been unthinkable for her to ask him to marry.

'If I was not a devadasi, I would have had a family and children and some money. I would have lived well,' she said.

Devadasis have been an integral part of southern Indian culture for centuries and once enjoyed a respectable place in society.

Many were highly educated, trained in classical dance and music, lived comfortable lives and chose their own sexual partners.

'This notion of more or less religiously sanctioned sexual slavery was not part of the original system of patronage,' historian Gayathri Iyer told AFP.

Iyer said that in the 19th century, during the British colonial era, the divine pact between devadasi and goddess evolved into an institution of sexual exploitation.

It now serves as a means for poverty-stricken families from the bottom of India's rigid caste hierarchy to relieve themselves of responsibility for their daughters.

Former 'devadasis', women who were dedicated by their families to the Hindu Goddess Yellamma Devi, feed a domestic water buffalo at their home in Jalalpur village of Belgaum District, in Karnataka state

A decorated mask of the Hindu Goddess Yellamma Devi is seen on a tree near a pond where former 'devadasis' women cleanse themselves

The practice was outlawed in Bhimappa's home state of Karnataka back in 1982, and India's top court has described the devotion of young girls to temples as 'evil'.

Campaigners, however, say that young girls are still secretly inducted into devadasi orders.

Four decades after the state ban, there are still more than 70,000 devadasis in Karnataka, India's human rights commission wrote last year.

Girls are commonly seen as burdensome and costly in India due to the tradition of wedding dowries.

By forcing daughters to become devadasis, poorer families gain a source of income and avoid the costs of marrying them off.

Many households around the small southern town of Saundatti  home to a revered Yellamma temple  believe that having a family member in the order can lift their fortunes or cure the illness of a loved one.

It was at this temple that Sitavva D. Jodatti was enjoined to marry the goddess when she was eight years old.

Her sisters had all married other men, and her parents decided to dedicate her to Yellamma in order to provide for them.

'When other people get married, there is a bride and a groom. When I realised I was alone, I started crying,' Jodatti, 49, told AFP.

Her father eventually fell ill, and she was pulled out of school to engage in sex work and help pay for his treatment.

'By the age of 17, I had two kids,' she said.

A former 'devadasi' woman places a flower garland on a decorated mask of the Hindu Goddess Yellamma Devi

Rekha Bhandari, a fellow former devadasi, said they had been subjected to a practice of 'blind tradition' that had ruined their lives.

She was forced into the order after the death of her mother and was 13 when a 30-year-old man took her virginity. She fell pregnant soon after.

'A normal delivery was difficult. The doctor yelled at my family, saying that I was too young to give birth,' the 45-year-old told AFP. 'I had no understanding.'

Years of unsafe sex exposed many devadasis to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

'I know of women who are infected and now it has passed on to their children,' an activist who works with devadasis, who asked not to be named, told AFP.

'They hide it and live with it in secrecy. Many women have died.'

Parents are occasionally prosecuted for allowing their daughters to be inducted as devadasis, and women who leave the order are given meagre government pensions of 1,500 rupees (14.80) per month.

Nitesh Patil, a civil servant who administers Saundatti, told AFP that there had been no 'recent instances' of women being dedicated to temples.

India's rights commission last year ordered Karnataka and several other Indian states to outline what they were doing to prevent the practice, after a media investigation found that devadasi inductions were still widespread.

The stigma around their pasts means women who leave their devadasi order often endure lives as outcasts or objects of ridicule, and few ever marry.

Many find themselves destitute or struggling to survive on poorly paid manual labour and farming work.

Jodatti now heads a civil society group which helped extricate the women AFP spoke to from their lives of servitude and provides support to former devadasis.

She said many of her contemporaries had several years ago become engrossed by the #MeToo movement and the personal revelations of celebrity women around the world that revealed them as survivors of sexual abuse.

'We watch the news and sometimes when we see famous people... we understand their situation is much like ours. They have suffered the same. But they continue to live freely,' she said.

'We have gone through the same experience, but we don't get the respect they get.

'Devadasi women are still looked down upon.'
An Aussie farmer who opened a butcher shop that runs 24 hours a day says customers have never stolen a single product despite the shop having no staff.

New South Wales farmer Jacob Wolki has run a butchery in the regional city of Lavington, north of NSW-Victorian border town of Albury, for two years.

Wolki Butchery is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and has zero employees.

In a video shared by Mr Wolki on Sunday, the farmer said his shop has had 'zero theft' in the two-years since he opened the self-service butchery.

'We've been running this model for two years now,' Mr Wolki said.

'We're doing around $3,000 in revenue a week and in two years we have had zero theft and zero shrinkage.'

NSW Farmer Jacob Wolki opened his butchery in Lavington, NSW, two years ago. The self-service butchery has zero staff and is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year (pictured)

The farmer explained customers are given a PIN code to enter the store when they sign-up as members.

The store then has a 'couple' high definition security cameras which have audio surveillance to monitor customers as they browse the products.

However, Mr Wolki said customers have never stolen from the butchery because they understand the farm's ethos and 'buy into' its mission.

'The way we achieve that is to qualify to be a member of our butchery here you have to come do a free farm tour,' Mr Wolki said.

'Understand our values and our ethos and what we are trying to achieve. Let people buy into our mission.'

Mr Wolki said the butchery stocks meat that is grown on his regenerative farm 10km up the road from the store.

The store sells pork, lamb, beef, chicken and wild harvest venison meat, as well as bones, chicken feet, pet mince, eggs and jerky.

Customers must use an app on their smartphone called 'Express Checkout' to scan the products they wish to purchase and then use a debit or credit card to pay through the app.

Customers must become a member before they are given a pin code to enter the store. Once inside, they must use an app to scan and pay for products (pictured)

In another video Mr Wolki explained he has 50 local workers on his farm.

The money saved from not having to pay store wages is redirected into his farm to improve animal welfare and environmental stewardship.'

Many followers praised the farmer's unique business model.

'Good work mate, butchers across the region think you lost your mind but you did a great job,' one user wrote

'What a great idea - getting your customers to buy into more than just a product, but the connection that has with the people behind it!,' another commented.
The political paralysis in our state Legislature is holding up several proposed government reform bills that would improve the accountability and transparency of Pennsylvania state government.

During the last month or so, lawmakers from both parties have circulated memos to their colleagues seeking support for legislation they intend to introduce.

But they cant write any bills yet, or debate about them, because the state House hasnt opened for business. It has no operating rules, so it cant operate.

Thats embarrassing.

The state Senate has paused as well, since any legislation it acts on cant be considered by the hibernating House.

Theres no telling when lawmakers will get back to work for the taxpayers they represent, and who are paying their bloated salaries. When they do, here are three bills that deserve swift consideration in the House, and then by the Senate.

Campaign finance records

Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said he plans to introduce legislation that would require county election boards to send campaign finance reports they receive from local candidates to the Department of State so they can be posted online.

Candidates for state office file their reports directly with the state, which publishes them. There is no requirement for county boards to publish the reports they receive from those running in municipal, school board and county races.

Anyone who wants to see the reports of those candidates must check records, usually paper records, at individual county offices. Thats inefficient and an undue burden on voters, Schweyer wrote in a legislative memo.

Enhanced transparency will result in clarity to an otherwise convoluted process and will serve as a public accountability mechanism, he said.

Amen to that.

I have wasted countless hours traveling to local elections offices, getting copies of reports and then logging them into spreadsheets for analysis.

I suggest one tweak to Schweyers planned legislation. The candidates should have to file their reports with the Department of State instead of county elections offices passing them on. Elections workers already have enough to do.

Pennsylvania Capitol

Pay-to-play

Rep. Mike Zabel, D-Delaware, said he plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier for the public to know whether companies that win state contracts contributed to the campaigns of state officials, raising questions of whether their donations influenced their contracts.

While current law requires state contracts and their cost to be posted for public review, there is no way for the public to determine if the campaign contributions of contractors may have played a role in decisions about who is awarded state contracts, Zabel wrote in a legislative memo.

His legislation would require bidders for state contracts to submit a list of any campaign contributions they made for the previous year. They would also have to disclose contributions made during the term of any contract they are awarded, and for the year after the contract is completed.

Last year, the House State Government Committee unanimously endorsed his legislation, but the bill did not proceed.

Our constituents deserve to have a fair and transparent government that allocates their tax dollars efficiently, Zabel said. State contracts should go to whoever does the work the best, not to whoever can donate the most.

Votes on constitutional amendments

Rep. Benjamin Sanchez, D-Montgomery, said he plans to introduce legislation to change when the public would vote on amendments to the state Constitution and other ballot questions.

The bill would limit ballot questions to appearing only in presidential or gubernatorial election years.

Voter turnout is higher in those years.

It is time that we make it so that ballot questions are submitted to and decided upon by as many eligible voters as possible, Sanchez wrote in a legislative memo. This will ensure that more voters have a say in amending our state Constitution. Democracy works best when everyone participates.

But it cant work at all if our state lawmakers arent working.

Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com
Germany would not block Poland sending its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, its foreign minister said, in a blow for Vladimir Putin and his invading forces.

Ukrainian officials have been calling on Western allies to supply them with the modern German-made armour for months, but Germany has held back from sending them or allowing other Nato countries to do so.

But in an apparent shift, Annalena Baerbock said her government would not block Poland if it were to send its Leopard 2 tanks  although Poland's prime minister later said Warsaw would seek Berlin's sign-off.

Leopard tanks, used by an array of Nato countries but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlin's sign-off, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable heavy battle tanks for Ukraine's needs  as Russia prepares for a new mobilisation.

Ukrainian soldiers are seen riding on a T-72 Soviet-era tank, used widely in the ongoing conflict, in the Donetsk region, January 20

German chancellor Olaf Scholz stands in front of a Leopard 2 tank in October last year (file photo)

Western allies pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week but they failed to persuade Germany to lift its veto on providing the tanks.

Poland has said it intends to form a 'smaller coalition of countries' that are prepared to donate heavier weapons.

It had earlier been suggested that Poland would do so with or without approval from Berlin, but its prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki today said Warsaw would go through the proper channels.

'For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way,' Ms Baerbock told France's LCI TV when asked about her government's reaction to such a decision by the Poles.

German officials 'know how important these tanks are' and 'this is why we are discussing this now with our partners', she said.

Germany has been under heavy pressure to let Leopards go to Ukraine but the Social Democrat party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is traditionally sceptical of military involvement and wary of sudden moves that could trigger Russian escalation.

Ms Baerbock's remarks appeared to go further than Scholz's comments at a summit in Paris on Sunday that all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in co-ordination with allies, including the United States.

Ukraine says the heavily armoured battle tanks would give its ground troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive expected in coming months, and could give them the firepower they need to regain the momentum.

But Germany has appeared to have tied any such contribution to a US move to send its Abrams tanks, something American officials have said they are reluctant to do because the vehicles are complicated to maintain.

Leopard tanks, which are held by an array of Nato countries but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlin's sign-off, are seen by experts as the most suitable heavy battle tanks to help Ukraine continue its push against Moscow's armies. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier is seen in a trench in Ukraine, near Slovyansk

Moscow has warned Ukraine's Nato allies that the delivery of heavy weaponry would 'add to the problems of the Ukrainian people'. Pictured: Putin speaks in Saint Petersburg last week

Poland's plan to create a smaller group of countries within the group of Ukraine's Nato and European allies willing to send heavy weaponry Kyiv is likely to put further pressure on Berlin.

'We will build a smaller coalition of countries ready to donate some of their modern equipment, modern tanks,' Morawiecki said on Sunday. 'We will not passively watch Ukraine bleed to death.'

'Almost a year had passed since the outbreak of war,' he told Polish state news agency PAP. '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?'

Previously, officials in Poland indicated Finland and Denmark also were ready to send Leopards to Ukraine.

Eleven months after Russia invaded its southern neighbour, the fighting is centred on the town of Bakhmut in Ukraine's east, where Russia's Wagner mercenaries and Ukrainian forces have been locked in a battle of attrition.

Russia's defence ministry said for the second straight day on Sunday that its forces were improving their positions in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhia.

A Ukrainian military spokesman told the state broadcaster the situation there was 'difficult' but stable.

American lawmakers pushed their government on Sunday to export M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine, saying that even sending a symbolic number would be enough to push European allies to do the same.

Britain recently said it was supplying 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Sunday it still wanted an international deal to provide Ukraine with the German-made tanks.

French president Emmanuel Macron also said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Ukraine Leclerc tanks. He said on Sunday that he had asked his defence minister to 'work on' the idea of sending some of France's battle tanks.

Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers fire an artillery canon in the direction of Marinka, January 15

A unit of Ukrainian troops manning a howitzer in the area of Marinka in the country's east, January 15

A Ukrainian soldier rests as his unit transports an artillery cannon

Mr Macron spoke during a news conference in Paris with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as France and Germany commemorated the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty.

In a joint declaration, they committed to their 'unwavering support' for Ukraine.

The French president said his country will decide on sending its tanks based on three criteria: that sharing them does not lead to escalation; that it would provide efficient and workable help when training time is taken into account; and that it wouldn't weaken France's own military.

Mr Scholz did not respond when asked about the Leopard 2 tanks, but stressed that his country has 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 coordinated all these decisions closely with our important allies and friends.'

Last week, the Kremlin's spokesman said Western countries supplying additional tanks to Ukraine would not change the course of the conflict, but would add to the problems of the Ukrainian people.

A close ally of president Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that deliveries of offensive weapons to Kyiv that threaten Russia's territories would lead to a global catastrophe and make arguments against using weapons of mass destruction untenable.

Earlier on Sunday, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, said governments that give more powerful weapons to Ukraine risked causing a 'global tragedy that would destroy their countries'.

'Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe,' Volodin said. '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.'

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said Friday's US-led meeting at an air base in Germany 'left no doubt that our enemies will try to exhaust or better destroy us'.

He added that 'they have enough weapons' to achieve the purpose.

Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned that 'in case of a protracted conflict,' Russia could seek to form a military alliance with 'the nations that are fed up with the Americans and a pack of their castrated dogs.'

Pictured: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) is seen with a Leopard 2 tank

A protester holds a sign that reads 'Free the leopards Olaf Scholz' as demonstrators, many of them Ukrainians living in Berlin, protest under the motto: 'Free the Leopards' outside the Chancellery to demand that Germany send Ukraine Leopard battle tanks, January 20

Since its invasion on February 24, which it has cast as defending itself from an aggressive West, Russia has taken control of parts of Ukraine that is has said it will never return.

Ukraine has said that restoring its territorial integrity is not open for negotiation.

In Ukraine's embattled east, the top Russian-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region said late on Sunday he had visited the town of Soledar that Russia says it captured this month.

Denis Pushilin, the administrator, published a short video on the Telegram messaging app that showed him driving and walking amidst uninhabited areas and destroyed buildings.

Reuters was not able to independently verify when and where the video was taken.

On January 11, the private Russian military group Wagner said it had captured Soledar and Russian-installed authorities in the Donetsk region said last week they were in control of the salt-mining town.

Ukraine has never publicly said that the town was taken by Russian forces. On Sunday, the general staff of its armed forces said in a daily update that Russian forces had fired on Ukrainian positions in the area.

Ukraine has argued it needs more weapons as it anticipates Russia's forces launching a new offensive in the spring.

Oleksii Danilov, 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.

In a column published by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, he described the Kremlin's goal in the conflict as a 'total and absolute genocide, a total war of destruction'.

Among those calling for more arms for Ukraine was the former British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Sunday.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was pictured signing his name on an anti-tank weapon in Ukraine to demonstrate his solidarity for the country on Sunday

The former Prime Minister was guided around the wreckage from Russian attacks on the capital. Pictured: Boris Johnson gestures during his visit to Ukraine on Sunday

Johnson, who was pictured in the town of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region, said he travelled to Ukraine at the invitation of its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

'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,' Johnson said in a statement.

The last week was especially tragic for Ukraine even by the standards of a brutal war that has gone on for nearly a year, killing tens of thousands of people, uprooting millions more and creating vast destruction of Ukrainian cities.

A barrage of Russian missiles struck an apartment complex in the southeastern city of Dnipro on January 14, killing at least 45 civilians.

On Wednesday, a government helicopter crashed into a building housing a kindergarten in a suburb of Kyiv. Ukraine's interior minister, other officials and a child on the ground were among the 14 people killed.

Mr Zelensky vowed on Sunday that Ukraine would ultimately prevail in the war.

'We are united because we are strong. We are strong because we are united,' the Ukrainian leader said in a video address as he marked Ukraine Unity Day, which commemorates when east and west Ukraine were united in 1919.
An elderly pensioner has revealed how her life was turned 'upside down' after being told she had to pay back Centrelink $65,000 as part of its bungled robodebt scheme.

Rosemary Gay, from Ballarat in Victoria, told the robodebt royal commission in Brisbane on Monday she experienced 'sheer terror' after a letter warned she had just two weeks to pay up.

The 76-year-old said the message came on September 29, 2016 and had stated that Centrelink had received information from the ATO about her employment income.

The income referred to in the letter was $17,436 Ms Gay said she made as a part-time receptionist between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, while working at a transport company in Ballarat.

However, Centrelink said the amounts she declared were different from what was actually earned, something Ms Gay said left her in 'shock' and 'surprised'.

'The data that I provided to them of my earnings would be exactly the same as what would be contained in my group certificate in my tax return at the end of that financial year,' she said.

Pensioner Rosemary Gay told the robodebt royal commission on Monday that she received a bill from Centrelink demanding she pay back $65,000

After checking the paperwork was the same as what she had reported, Ms Gay thought the matter would be sorted.

'I presumed that once I'd confirmed that (amount) was in my group certificate, that would be the end,' she said.

'That they would correlate that to be the same as what I had reported to them, and expected that would be the end of it.'

Ms Gay had been employed on a permanent, part-time basis at the time and was paid around $22 an hour for 14 hours' work a week, she said.

However, on October 12, 2016 Ms Gay received a debt notice for $64,998.17, something she said left her in despair.

The mammoth payment, more than three times her annual salary, was due in less than a month, she said.

'It turned my life upside down. It was just sheer terror that I owed a figure which was just such a huge amount, that I had never earned that much money. How could I owe that much money and I had to come up with it in three or four weeks. It was just sheer terror,' she said.

'I just wasn't able to see the forest for the trees. I wasn't able to see what I had to do.

'All I could see was that I may be faced with selling my home and losing everything that I had worked for in my 70 years and I just saw it all going away instantly.'

'My mental health and physical health, at that stage, were at a very low ebb,' Ms Gay said. Above, queues at Centrelink

When Ms Gay lodged a dispute with Centrelink, $133 a week began being taken from her pension as a repayment before being lowered to $60 a fortnight.

'It was a very dark period of time for me and one that is very difficult to re-live. My mental health and physical health, at that stage, were at a very low ebb,' she said.

However, on December 7 of the same year, Ms Gay said she was sent a letter from Centrelink saying her debt was an error and the correct amount was $120.33.

'I was shocked and angry to think that they could initially cause such a traumatic experience to everybody accessing support from a pension,' she said.

'That they could turn someone's life upside down and still get it so wrong over and over again.'

The royal commission is aiming to investigate how Australians' annual tax information was used to determine average fortnightly earnings and automatically establish welfare debts.

The practice was ruled unlawful by the Federal Court in 2019 and is believed to have wrongfully recovered more than $750 million from 381,000 people.
A Queensland woman accused of taking part in a string of armed robberies that 'terrified' fast-food staff has been denied bail.

Denika Dianne Appleton, 18, of Ellen Grove, was arrested over the alleged robbery of four outlets across Ipswich and Brisbane's southside on January 15 and 16 in which staff were threatened with knives and a firearm.

Ms Appleton along with two male co-accused allegedly demanded cash and valuables from both staff and customers before fleeing the outlets, which included at least two Hungry Jack's stores, in stolen vehicles.

Police executed simultaneous search warrants at Ellen Grove and Inala in Brisbane's outer southwest, and took Ms Appleton and her two co-accused into custody early on Sunday morning.

Denika Dianne Appleton, 18, of Ellen Grove, was arrested over the alleged robbery of four outlets across Ipswich and Brisbane's southside on January 15 and 16 (footage of one of the alleged robberies pictured)

A string of alleged armed robberies in Ipswich and Brisbane's southside in January 'terrified' fast-food staff

Ms Appleton faced Brisbane Arrest Court via video on Monday charged with 10 counts of armed robbery, 22 counts of deprivation of liberty, three counts of enter premises with intent and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The co-accused, a 29-year-old man from Mansfield and a 21-year-old Ellen Grove man, were also due to face court on Monday.

The police prosecutor objected to granting Ms Appleton bail and said she would have to show cause for release given the severity of the allegations.

The prosecutor said Ms Appleton had been accused of entering a Hungry Jack's outlet at Springfield in eastern Ipswich at 9.30pm on January 15 while her two co-accused had a knife and a black handgun.

'She was an active participant, she was armed with a large brown knife,' the prosecutor said.

Officers allegedly found items identified in CCTV footage of the robberies at the address where Ms Appleton was arrested including a Spider-Man mask, blue walkie-talkies, a gold-coloured Holden Commodore and another allegedly stolen vehicle, the prosecutor said.

'The show cause for bail has not been made. These were robberies that terrified a number of young workers,' the prosecutor said.

Magistrate Julian Noud said it was 'alleged that (the three co-accused) forced staff members onto their knees on the floor' during the alleged robberies

Ms Appleton's solicitor said her client had no criminal record as an adult or juvenile.

'She was employed but had to give that up recently due to difficulties with travel. She was going to start a government job in a call centre and was expecting a call today,' the solicitor said.

'She is willing to report as regularly as required for bail.'

Magistrate Julian Noud said Ms Appleton's clean record worked heavily in her favour but she also faced a strong prosecution case for 'very serious' alleged offences.

'It is alleged that (the three co-accused) forced staff members onto their knees on the floor and the male assailant with the firearm forced two customers to jump over the counter and also get on their knees,' he said.

'It is alleged all victims were forced to place property items and phones onto the bench and eventually all assailants decamped the store into a stolen Ford utility.

'There is a raised risk that (Ms Appleton) will fail to appear or commit offences on bail. Bail is refused.'

Ms Appleton's case was adjourned to February 27.
California Gov. Gavin Newson met with Monterey Park residents a day after the Lunar New Year mass shooting that left 10 people dead shook the community.

Newson was seen walking the streets of the city and gathering with local officials on Sunday night. The Democrat leader took the opportunity to urge gun reforms.

His travels come after identified gunman Huu Can Tran, 72, shot several people in a ballroom dance studio late Saturday leaving five women and five men dead and another 10 people wounded. Tran died Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an hours-long standoff.

'The strength of this community is incredible,' Newsom wrote on Twitter. 'No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at a national level.'

The mass shooting occurred at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio amid celebrations in the predominantly Asian American community.

Gov. Gavin Newson urged for gun reforms a day after the Monterey massacre that left 10 dead on amid Lunar New Year celebrations. Newsom arrived in the city to met with residents and local officials

Huu Can Tran, 72, shot 20 people in a ballroom dance studio leaving 10 dead. The motive for the attack is still unclear. A photo of the man was released earlier

About 30 minutes after the massacre, Tran entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra to strike a second time, but brave patrons fought him off and took his gun.

Tran fled the scene and was at large until Sunday afternoon when police pulled him over in the van he used to flee the scene. After an hours-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

After leaving the dance studios, Tran may have gone to a nearby hospital to seek treatment from wounds that appeared to be from a fight, law enforcement sources told CNN.

Local hospital staff reported a man fitting Tran's description was spotted inside the emergency room.

The man waited for a period of time but then left without treatment, the staff said, who added that they recognized him from photos of the wanted gunman posted sheriff department's Twitter account.

Police later hunted him down on Sunday by identifying the van he used to flee the dance studio. Tran was in a standoff with officers until he shot himself.

The Democrat leader was seen walking through the streets of Monterey

He gathered with local officials a day after the massacre. He wrote on Twitter: 'The strength of this community is incredible'

Newsom acknowledged the massacre on social media Sunday morning. He called it 'a horrific and heartless act of gun violence'

Newsom later shared his travels to the city and called for gun reform

Huu Can Tran died 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

Newsom acknowledged the massacre early Sunday while mourning the lives of those Tran killed.

'Monterey Park should have had a night of joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year,' Newsom wrote.

'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.'

The governor also officially proclaimed Lunar New Year a state holiday on Sunday and ordered all state buildings to fly their flags halfway in remembrance of the victims.

The first shooting happened on the 100 block of West Garvey Avenue, which is where the Star ballroom dance studio is based (pictured)

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

It was later revealed that Tran was once a dance instructor at the studio where he attacked in the early 2000s when he lived five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.

Tran's friends, who were close to the gunman from around the early 2010s, revealed to CNN that he was 'hostile to a lot of people' at the studio and believed they said 'evil things about him.'

Aside from teaching dance nearly five times a week, Tran was also a truck driver and registered a business, Trans Trucking Inc., from 2002 to 2004, according to documents obtained by CNN.

It's unclear when Tran stopped teaching lessons at the studio, but he relocated to Hemet in 2013 after about 20 years in Los Angeles.

Tran's friend lost contact with the gunman around the time he moved and was shocked to hear about the massacre.

The friend also recalled Tran being quick to anger and didn't trust people.

Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations

Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled

The gunman's ex-wife, whose identity wasn't revealed, recalled that she met Tran decades during a dance lesson and it wasn't long until they tied the knot.

The pair weren't married for long before he filed for divorce in 2005. She recalled the first time she met Tran and he offered her free dance lessons.

Tran's love appeared to fade quickly as she claimed her former instructor lost interest in her and became easily angered when she messed up on choreography.

Their marriage license showed that Tran is an immigrant from China.

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

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Tran's motive is still unknown, but said it's believed he had intended to kill more people.

'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.'

The exact ages of the victims were not released, but Luna they all appeared to be over 50, 60 and beyond. Seven of the wounded people remained in the hospital, he said.

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.

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, Luna added.

The pistol is designed to take 30-round magazines which allow for rapid fire without having to frequently change magazines.

When asked if the gun was legal, Luna said: 'I believe the weapon ... is not legal to have here in the state of California.'

Luna said that he needed to consult the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further details on the weapon's legality.

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.
The Facebook post has since gone viral for its candor regarding the pup

'We don't actually have too many nice things to say,' the agency said

In a post, the Niagara SPCA says Ralphie is a 'fire-breathing demon'

A New York dog described as a 'jerk' is up for adoption

A New York dog has become the subject of a viral Facebook post advertising his adoption status but describing him as a 'fire-breathing dragon.'

The Niagara SPCA in Niagara County is looking for a home for Ralphie, a rescued French bulldog who isn't exactly 'man's best friend.'

'Ralphie is a terror in a somewhat small package. What could go wrong with a 26lb dog, right? We're sure you're thinking: my ankles will be just fine. We'd caution- proceed at your own risk,' the nonprofit animal agency wrote.

According to their post, Ralphie, who is still available after his viral moment, is best suited for a home with the 'Mother of Dragons' or any adult home with no other animals.

The Niagara SPCA in Niagara County is looking for a home for Ralphie, a rescued French bulldog who isn't exactly 'man's best friend'

The post caught the attention of thousands of Facebook users who may have been stopped in their tracks when the agency said they could not 'sugar coat' the animal's demeanor.

'We don't actually have too many nice things to say so we're just going to come out with it,' a post from the Niagara SPCA reads.

The post states that one may look at the pup and think he looks sweet and innocent, but that it simply not true.

'At first glance, he's an adorable highly sought-after, young dog. People should be banging down our doors for him. We promise you, that won't be the case,' it read.

The nonprofit says Ralphie seems to think boundaries and rules do not apply to him and that his 'cute face got him whatever he wanted' in his first home.

The Niagara SPCA said his relationship with the first owner was 'built on the premise that Ralphie was the boss.'

Ralphie was taken to board and train but was rehomed.

This is the description of Ralphie posted by the Niagara SPCA

In his second placement, the French bulldog was brought to the shelter because he was not getting along with the other dog in the home.

'Two weeks into this new home and he was surrendered to us because "annoys our older dog,' the nonprofit wrote in their post.

'What they actually meant was: Ralphie is a fire-breathing demon and will eat our dog, but hey, he's only 26lbs,' the post continued.

Where other animal agencies may have thrown in the towel at this point, the Niagara SPCA continued, doubling down on their not-so-positive depiction.

'Lots of people withheld Ralphie's less-than-desirable traits, but we're going to tell you all about it. He's a whole jerk- not even half. Everything belongs to him,' they wrote.

'If you dare test his ability to possess THE things, wrath will ensue. If you show a moment of weakness, prepare to be exploited. Sounds fun, huh?' the agency continued.

'The ideal home for Ralphie is the Mother of Dragons, or an adult home free of other animals, with an owner who will lead him calmly and sternly- putting up with zero crap,' they wrote.

The Niagara SPCA is a nonprofit shelter in Niagara County, New York

The Niagara SPCA is looking for serious inquiries only with no exceptions.

'No takesy backsies (kidding, obviously),' they wrote.

Officials with the organization told CNN Friday Ralphie is still available.

Interested parties are encouraged to call the Niagara SPCA at (716) 731-4368, extension 301 'if you're that crazy.'

Since it was posted Tuesday, the picture has received nearly 2,000 likes and hundreds of shares.

Hundreds of people have also commented on the post, some expressing interest while others share their own personal stories of their 'jerk' pets.

'Little ralphie here sounds like a reincarnated boba Fett. We lost him the year before last to cancer. He was not the easiest dog, he was most certainly a test your patience kind of dog, but he made life interesting, and we loved him very much,' wrote one woman.

'Id like to donate toward his adoption fee. Im bossy and too much for some people too, so hes a little bit my spirit animal,' said another commenter.

'His face says that he is 0% sorry,' wrote another.

Commenters shared their own stories of 'jerk' pets underneath the post

One woman offered to pay for the animal's adoption fee, calling Ralphie her 'spirit animal'
First it was cars and Bonds clothing that stopped being made in Australia, now, due to a lack of timber and an endangered animal, not even white paper is made here.

A worker at Maryvale paper mill in Victoria said seeing the last ream of white paper come off the line 'was a very sad moment' - one that will also see back to school costs for some paper products rise by up to 50 per cent in the short term.

The last Holden Commodore rolled off the assembly line at Elizabeth, South Australia on October 19, 2017 and it will be a day forever ingrained in the nation's history.

The manufacture of the iconic Bonds, King Gee and Hard Yakka clothes was already long gone, moved out of Australia to Asia by then owner Pacific Brands in 2009.

The solemn dates are now joined by January 21, 2023 - the day the last batch of Reflex white paper was produced at Maryvale, 160km south-east of Melbourne.

Trevor Patton (left) and co-workers from the Maryvale paper mill are pictured with the last ream of Reflex white paper produced there

Normally the outsourcing of products is done to cut production costs and bring down the price for consumers.

But the latest manufacturing casualty is set to send the price of paper soaring as the end of production is being forced by domestic issues, not competition from overseas.

This is bad news for anyone buying office supplies, exercise books, envelopes or printing prescriptions, bills, posters and more.

Ben Kearney, of the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association, said this means 'Copy paper will be at least 50 per cent more expensive in the short term,' he told ABC.

He is also concerned that even in the medium term it is going to be very to difficult get enough supplies of copy paper.

Reflex's parent company Opal Australian Paper suspended white paper production indefinitely at the Maryvale mill due to a lack of timber.

In November, the timber industry in Victoria said a Supreme Court decision threatened its future.

The court ordered stricter rules for VicForests operations, finding that the government-owned agency broke the law by not adequately protecting the yellow-bellied glider and the endangered greater glider in Victoria.

VicForests has appealed the Supreme Court decision.

Trevor Patton was working at Maryvale mill on Saturday when the final ream produced in Australia - possibly ever - came off the line.

The last Holden Commodore (pictured) rolled off the assembly line at Elizabeth, South Australia on October 19, 2017

VicForests broke the law by not adequately protecting the endangered greater glider (pictured), leading to timber supply problems

'It was very surreal for us guys that have been there for anywhere between 10 to 20 years, it was a bit strange to see that last ream.'

'We took a photo and we were smiling in the photo  but that wasn't the way we were feeling at the time. It was a very sad moment.'

Opal had already stood down 37 workers at the mill from New Year's Day due to a shortage of materials.

The company has not said it will permanently stop making white paper but that it was 'seriously considering' the closure of its white paper manufacturing.

It previously made up to 200,000 tonnes of white paper per year, with 300 reams of paper a minute being produced.

The mill is one of the biggest employers in the Latrobe Valley and the area is still reeling from the loss of other major employers such as the Hazelwood power station and coal mines.

Mr Patton, who has worked at the Opal plant for 16 years, is not sure about what the future holds.

'I'm supposed to go back (to work) next Saturday, but at this stage it doesn't look like they're going to have anything for us to do,' he said.

'We'll be temporarily stood down until they can work out what they're going to do with us all.'

The manufacture of iconic Bonds clothing (pictured) was moved out of Australia to Asia by then owner Pacific Brands in 2009

There is a possibility a new supply of timber could be found, but in the meantime Opal said workers who are stood down will receive full pay until the middle of February.

Adam Joy, the CEO of Office Brands, which represents office product companies, said 98 per cent of paper bought by members was from the Maryvale mill.

He said businesses are now now ordering supplies form overseas and 'just hoping that it arrives in time'.
The appointment of Jeff Zients as the new chief of staff for President Joe Biden has been met with sharp criticism from liberals and left-wing organizations.

Zients, who previously served as the White House coronavirus response coordinator, has been criticized for his corporate past and the significant wealth he has accumulated in the private sector.

Zients has disclosed owning between $89.3 million and $442.8 million in assets, including various investment funds, real estate properties, and cash shares.

Progressive Twitter users have been sharing articles that criticize Zients following the announcement of his appointment.

Jeff Zients has been criticized for his corporate past and the significant wealth he that has accumulated while working in the private sector

Liberal organization Revolving Door Project Executive Director Jeff Hauser called Zients appointment a 'catastrophic decision'

'A horrific choice,' tweeted journlaist Sarah Kendzior

Zients held several positions in the Obama administration, including director of the National Economic Council, and has also served on the board of directors at Facebook and held executive roles at The Advisory Board Company and Corporate Executive Board.

He has also worked closely with several of Biden's senior advisers and members of his cabinet.

Liberal think tanks such as the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Public Citizen have been vocal in their opposition to Zients' tenure as COVID czar, accusing him of not going far enough on mask mandates and not acting quickly enough to ship vaccines overseas.

The Revolving Door Project, which is critical of Zients' wealth and corporate past, has also criticized his hiring as chief of staff, claiming that he has profited from healthcare and may even prevent the administration from acting in the best interests of the American people.

Jeffrey Zients (pictured) is replacing White House Chief of Staff Ronald Klain next month

'Americans are appalled by profiteering in healthcare  Jeff Zients has become astonishingly rich by profiteering in healthcare,' Revolving Door Project Executive Director Jeff Hauser said in a statement on Sunday.

'Joe Biden's best chance to fight for the American people and defeat the dark forces threatening our economy is to show real results via the branch of government he runs  the executive branch,' he said.

'We have long argued for a 'corporate crackdown' on behaviors that violate federal laws and harm the American people in order for corporations to become richer. Those are the practices that have made Zients rich. We're deeply worried that Zients will prevent the administration from exercising power righteously on behalf of an already cynical populace.'

Several Twitter users were not impressed with the appointment of Zients by President Biden

One year into Zients' role coordinating the White House's coronavirus response, the Revolving Door Project published an article calling for Zients to be fired.

It described him as aa 'former corporate executive whose track record bolsters the worst possible impulses for a Biden appointee in command of the federal government's resources.'

'Taken together, an examination of the companies that made Zients rich paints a picture of a man who seized on medical providers as a way to capitalize on the suffering of sick Americans. In the end, it seems to have all paid off,' the report stated.

'A horrific choice,' tweeted journalist Sarah Kendzior. 'Epically worse than Ron Klain. Zients is responsible along with Walensky for the horrific Covid policies that led to mass death and long-term disability. He is an investment banker who was not qualified for that job and not qualified for this one.'

'Jeff Zients failed, and the world paid the price,' Public Citizen President Robert Weissman said in March 2022.

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.

Zients appointment comes as Klein plans to step down in the 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 administration's pandemic response and leading the vaccination campaign.

He returned to Biden's 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 its 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 have 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 of 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 as 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.
The gunman who massacred 10 people at a California dance studio was hunting for his wife, sources have said.

Huu Can Tran, 72, went on a bloody rampage at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park on Saturday night, killing five women and five men and injuring several more, before he shot himself dead during a police standoff Sunday.

Police have yet to officially release a motive but a police source told LA Mag: 'There is increasing evidence this was domestic violence.'

Chester Chong, the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles and a community leader in Monterey Park, said the suspect may have been jealous about not being invited to a party that his wife attended.

He told ABC 7: 'This hate is because of wife and husband. I believe because of that there was the killing of innocent people.'

Huu Can Tran, 72, who killed 10 at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, was remembered as being hostile toward his students and quick to get angry with his ex-wife

After an hours-long standoff, Tran died 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 on Saturday

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio near the site of a deadly shooting on Saturday

Tran gave dance lessons at the studio in the early 2000s, where he met his first wife. The pair quickly tied the knot, but their marriage had crumbled by 2005.

The ex-wife, who didn't want her identity revealed, told CNN that Tran became easily angered when she messed up on choreography and she felt as if he had lost interest in her.

Another person who was close to Tran told CNN that the man was 'hostile to a lot of people' at the studio where he taught and believed they said 'evil things about him.'

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday that a motive for the attack is still unclear.

'He intended to kill more people,' Luna said in a news conference on Sunday night, adding that it was the patrons of the second dance studio who stopped the rampage from getting worse. 'They saved lives. This could've been much worse,' he said.

The mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Seven people remained hospitalized Sunday.

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio dance school remained closed after the shooting

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 former dance instructor, who is an immigrant from China, taught lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio almost every night in the early 2000s when he lived five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.

Those who knew Tran and recall him being hostile to his students also told CNN that he was easily irritated, complained a lot, and didn't seem to trust people.

Tran was also identified as the man gunman who entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra just 20 to 30 minutes after the first shooting, but brave patrons thwarted his attack.

As Monterey Park continues to reel from the massacre, it comes as:

Tran fled the scene and was at large until Sunday afternoon when police pulled him over in the van he had been spotted in. After an hours-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The deadly massacre began around 10 p.m. Saturday night when many were out to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

A dance student named Grace was practicing her dance steps at the studio where she had danced for four years when she heard what she said sounded like fireworks, she recalled to the Times.

She saw people collapsing and diving for cover under tables.

'No one dared to flee  we all got down to the ground, hiding wherever we could,' she said on Sunday. 'No one could get out.'

Tran gave dance lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in the early 2000s, was remembered as being hostile toward his students and quick to get angry with his ex-wife

Community members were out dancing and celebrating following a Lunar New Year celebration that had ended about an hour before the shooting

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

Tran was also identified as the man gunman who entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra just 20 to 30 minutes after the first shooting, but brave patrons thwarted his attack

How the massacre and manhunt unfolded Saturday, 10.22pm: Gunshots ring out in Star Ballroom Dance Studio 10.29pm: 911 responders receive a call about a shooting in Monterey Park 10.33pm: Police and rescue units start to arrive at the scene 10.38pm: Officers say the studio has been 'cleared' and there are initially an estimated 10 unresponsive victims and two more in critical condition 10.39pm: Tran enters a second dance hall studio, the Lai Lai ballroom in Alhambra. His weapon is wrestled away from him Sunday: Gunman reportedly enters a local hospital at an unspecified time with apparent fight injuries. He leaves ER before being treated 10.20am: Police locate white cargo van seen leaving scene of shooting 11.15am: White van in shopping center parking lot is surrounded by police and SWAT 12.30pm: Sheriff's office say the suspect has barricaded himself in the van 1pm: Police enter the vehicle after Tran shot himself dead. Evidence linking him to the shootings is found in the vehicle Advertisement

Grace also said that a man she called 'Ma laoban'  'Boss Ma'  was near the entrance and appeared to be the first one who was shot. There were two other people who were next to him collapsed as five or six shots occurred in rapid succession, she said.

She spotted the gunman who appeared to run out of bullets and left, but quickly returned where he unleashed another round of terror into the ballroom, killing 10 people and injuring several others.

The whole mass shooting lasted about five minutes, she said.

'I saw him, but I was far away and the lights were dim. I could not see his face clearly,' Grace said.

Grace added that she didn't recognize the suspect in the photos released by local authorities Sunday morning while he was still at large.

Several families are still waiting to hear about their loved ones.

Jeff and Nancy Liu, who emigrated from China more than 25 years ago, and rarely left each other's side, are now separated following the shooting. Their daughter Juno Blees told the New York Times that her father saw a man open fire at the dance hall.

Jeff Liu, 62, saw his wife, 63, collapse and hasn't seen her since. Nancy's family is hoping that she is OK and that she was taken to the hospital where they will be reunited soon.

'He saw her collapse, and they got separated,' she said. 'They got separated during the panic that ensued. So we are hoping for the best right now.'

Liu was grazed by two bullets and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He was released on Sunday.

In an update on Sunday, officials laid out how the massacre unfolded, pointing out that the death toll could have been higher.

'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.

'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.'

The sheriff said the pistol Tran used appeared to be illegal in California, where state laws ban any magazine holding more than 10 rounds.

Another gun, a handgun, was later found in the van where Tran was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Luna added 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.

Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations

Dozens of cops and firefighters swarmed the scene where 10 people were killed on Saturday

Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled

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.

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, U.S. Representative 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.

Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff

What appears to be bloody material is piled next to the white van as SWAT inspect the vehicle

A law enforcement official looks into the window of a van with a body in the driver's seat

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.
A plan to pay more than one million households and businesses to cut energy from 5pm to 6pm tonight has been branded a 'gimmick', with experts claiming it is a way to 'penalise' those without controversial smart meters.

The National Grid is activating its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) for an hour this evening with 26 energy suppliers, such as British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus Energy, participating in the scheme.

Families will be paid between 10 and 20 to cut their usage to prevent blackouts on one of the coldest days of the year, amid warnings supplies will be 'tighter than normal'.

Craig Dyke, who is in charge of the project, has refused to rule out using the 'world-leading' scheme every winter, saying it will 'drive forward towards net zero'. Asked if it could become a feature of British life each winter, Mr Dyke told the BBC: 'It's something we strongly believe in. This is the start of something much, much bigger'.

More than one million users have signed up for the service. But critics have condemned the decision to open it to only the 29.5million homes and businesses with smart meters, which means just under half the population is ineligible. Some critics told MailOnline they are being 'excluded' because they can't get a meter - complaining of waits of six months or more.

Supply chain expert Richard Bartlett said: 'The blackout scheme just seems like another gimmick. I can't see how it's going to work. It's just the Government's way of rolling through situations without tackling the issue'. Mr Bartlett said he is worried about the number of people who may be without heating. He added: 'The savings that it is going to amount to doesn't seem worth the amount of work involved. I can't see myself doing it and I can't see many others doing it either.'

The National Grid is encouraging homeowners to take part in the scheme in a bid to avoid potential blackouts - this is how much they could save. Experts have suggested its customers could save as much as 240 this winter if there are 12 Demand Flexibility Service events called by the National Grid

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 - as long as they have a smart meter

Snow-covered fields in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, this morning

Households could receive payments of up to 20 if they don't use ovens, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, games consoles or decide not to charge cars during the hour.

But the scheme relies on users having a smart meter, a device that automatically transmits your energy usage to your provider every 30 minutes.

There have been many complaints about the devices, ranging from them logging inaccurate readings that lead to inflated bills to stopping working altogether.

Wireless technology expert Nick Hunn told MailOnline: 'If it has an impact, then expect to see a lot more events like this, as it effectively lets suppliers increase costs for users without smart meters.

'Its a very similar approach to what theyve been doing by moving customers to prepay meters, i.e. penalising the ones who dont do what the suppliers want.

'Given the suppliers have failed dismally to meet their smart meter-fitting obligations, they may see this as a way of offsetting their penalties by blaming customers for not have signed up.

'I suspect it would be subject to legal challenge, as in most cases, its not the customers fault that theyve not had a smart meter fitted yet, so this is a selective discount. Were still barely at the halfway point for compliant smart meters being installed'.

It came as energy watchdog Ofgem said it is to review the checks and balances energy firms have around placing customers on pre-payment meters, warning it will take further legal action if it finds they are not taking due care.

In a blog, its chief executive Jonathan Brearley said he is concerned about the 'sharp growth in households struggling to pay their bills being switched over to pre-payment meters, sometimes without their even knowing about it, leaving them without heating'.

Q&A: Can I sign up for the scheme that will pay me to use less electricity? How will it work? How can I sign up? The National Grid will run events asking customers to reduce their electricity use during a set time. 26 companies have signed up. They will either invite customers to sign up or allow them to apply via their websites? Do I have to take part? Customers can take part in as many - or as few - events as suits them What do I need? To get involved you must have a smart meter that automatically sends half hourly readings. What will happen? 1. You will get an alert the day before each event, telling them what window they need to reduce energy use in ie 5pm until 6pm. 2. Customer must confirm they are taking part by text or email 3. Use less energy during the event 4. They will save money on your bill and earn credit of up to 20 per day Advertisement

It follows Business Secretary Grant Shapps's demand over the weekend that energy suppliers stop forcing financially-stretched households to switch to pre-payment meters. He also vowed to 'name and shame' the worst offenders.

Ahead of an urgent question in the Commons this afternoon, the Prime Ministers spokesman said: This is an issue of concern. He [Rishi Sunak] welcomes the fact that Ofgem have said they will look into this. You will know it is something that the Business Secretary has said that the government is keeping a close eye on and we will not hesitate in naming and shaming any suppliers that arent following the rules.

We will await Ofgems work but in the meantime we will be clear that providers need to be treating those who are struggling fairly and lending a sympathetic ear to those who are struggling. We want to see greater efforts from suppliers to help consumers in payment difficulties and Ofgems rules already make that clear.'

It is the first time National Grid has implemented the DFS since it was announced last November, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week.

Craig Dyke, head of National Control at National Grid ESO, suggested the measure could become a regular part of the UK winter.

He said: 'It is something we strongly believe in. It provides flexibility for the system and the consumer. We see this as a growing market. We see this as a world-leading step forward into a space where we can only grow and drive forward towards net zero'.

Participants in the Demand Flexibility Service will receive money off their bills if as they voluntarily reduce their usage between 5pm and 6pm.

It is the first time National Grid has implemented its DFS scheme since it was first announced last November, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week.

In a further sign of the squeeze on supply, the company is preparing to use its back-up coal plants at the Drax power station in North Yorkshire and West Burton in Nottinghamshire today.

Is your energy provider signed up? The 26 companies taking part this winter British Gas - Domestic

CarbonLaces - Domestic and Non-domestic

Conrad Energy - Non-domestic

CUB (UK) Ltd - Non-domestic

Drax - Non-domestic

EDF - Domestic and Non-domestic

ENGIE Power Limited - Non-domestic

E.ON Next - Domestic

Equiwatt - Domestic and Non-domestic

ev.energy - Domestic

Flexitricity - Non-domestic

Grid Beyond - Non-domestic

Gridimp - Non-domestic

Hugo Energy App (via SMS) - Domestic

Labrador (via Perse Technology Ltd) - Domestic and Non-domestic

Loop.homes (via SMS) - Domestic

myenergi (via Orange Power) - Domestic

Oaktree Power - Non-domestic

Octopus Energy - Domestic and Non-domestic

OVO Energy - Domestic

Pearlstone Energy - Non-domestic

Power Rewards App (via Orange Power) - Domestic

Shell Energy Retail (Via SMS) - Domestic

SMS - Domestic and Non-domestic

VpowerU - Domestic and Non-domestic

Zenobe Energy Limited - Non-domestic Advertisement

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 tomorrow evening.

'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'.

Energy companies say smart meters are mandatory.

But the rollout of smart meters has been plagued by an industry-wide supply problem. Hundreds of thousands of households are unable to get one because they live in high-rise flats, old properties with thick walls, or remote regions with poor signal.

It comes as temperatures plunge to -8C overnight and 'freezing fog' will remain for much of the week.

Twenty six of the UK's energy suppliers are taking part in the DFS scheme including British Gas, Eon, Octopus Energy and EDF.

Participating households earn around 3 for every unit (kilowatt per hour) they save by keeping their electricity switched off during peak times.

It came after National Grid put three coal-fired power plants on standby over the weekend as the UK grapples with a cold snap following a period of unseasonably mild weather earlier this month.

The UK's power grid operator gave notification to warm the three units, owned by Yorkshire-based Drax and French generator EDF, in case they are needed to provide additional power to the grid as temperatures remain close to or below zero in much of the country.

National Grid said the move 'should give the public confidence in Monday's energy supply', but stressed that the coal plants would only be used to increase the electricity supply 'should it be needed'.

There are worries that the freezing temperatures and low levels of wind, which reduces the generation of renewable electricity, will put additional strain on the power grid this week.

The coal plants were due to close in September but have been kept open longer as potential backup while the UK grapples with a disruption to natural gas supplies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Fears Britain could face power cuts this winter started in October when National Grid warned gas shortages could lead to three-hour blackouts in some areas.

What is the Demand Flexibility Service and how does it work? National Grid has warned that there could be blackouts this winter if gas power plants are not able to keep running due to the energy crisis. The electricity systems operator said it is still unlikely but winter could see the first planned blackouts, which the grid calls rota load shedding, since the 1970s. To try to avoid this happening they introduced the Demand Flexibility Service. It means domestic users, plus some businesses, will be 'incentivised for voluntarily flexing the time when they use their electricity'. Most demand happens during peak hours of between around 4pm and 7pm when people get home from work, put the kettle on, switch on their ovens and sit down to watch TV. The scheme gives money to people who simply use less power at this time. The overall amount of electricity that people use does not have to reduce if they just change their usage to other times of the day. For instance, electric cars could be unplugged during these hours, switching the dishwasher on could wait until 9pm and you could put the washing machine on earlier in the day or during the weekend. To qualify households have to have a smart meter. Engineers working on the energy grid need to make sure it is 'balanced' at all times. This means that the amount of electricity being put into the grid by power plants, wind farms and others should match the amount being taken out by households and businesses at any given time. The grid plans for when it thinks demand can be high so it can ask generators to meet that demand. But if there is ever an imbalance where demand is higher than supply or supply is higher than demand, it can cause major breakdowns in the grid. Advertisement

The plans were based on a worst-case scenario of the UK receiving no imports of electricity from continental Europe this winter alongside a lack of gas.

Britain depends heavily on natural gas to produce electricity, with gas-fired power stations accounting for more than 40 per cent of its electricity supplies.

But international gas markets were thrown into chaos after Russia shut off most of its supplies to Europe in retaliation for the West's sanctions.

While the UK does not use much Russian energy, there are fears gas shortages elsewhere could affect imports, leaving the electricity grid facing a supply shortfall.

The typical overnight temperature for England in January is around 2C, but this will fall as low as -8C overnight on Monday. It in turn means the 'freezing fog' will take longer to clear, with warnings for motorists likely to remain in place.

A Met Office spokesman told MailOnline: '[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.

The DFS  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.

Mr Dyke said: 'These test results show that, if called upon, this service will help the ESO balance the national electricity network this winter.'

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 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.

Ofgem approved the proposals for National Grid electricity system operator (ESO) to launch the programme from November until March.

Participating households 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 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 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 firm 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 daughter of conspiracy theorists who shot dead police at their remote property has claimed the young officers who were sent there weren't given vital information.

Madelyn Train, 26, admits that no-one but her parents are responsible for the cold-blooded act in which they ambushed four cops as they exited their patrol car, but alleges police were warned beforehand that they were 'mistrustful of authority'.

The perpetrators Nathaniel and Stacey Train - Maddy's biological parents - and Nathaniel's brother Gareth - who went on to marry Stacey and take on the role of Maddy's father - had fortified their Wieambilla property in country Queensland as they increasingly shunned society and fell deeper into conspiracy delusions.

The trio gunned down police constables Rachel McCrow, 29, and Matthew Arnold, 26, in December as the officers walked up the driveway to the property during a routine welfare check.

Madelyn Train (pictured) the devastated daughter of Wieambilla cop ambush perpetrators Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train

Officers had just entered this property at Wieambilla, in country Queensland, and were walking up the driveway when they were gunned down in a hail of bullets

Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were killed when they attended the property on a routine welfare check

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.

Police had already wanted to speak with Nathaniel about an outstanding warrant for a firearms breach.

But a missing persons report lodged by his estranged second wife Vanessa after he abandoned his school principal job and vanished from their Walgett, NSW home was what brought officers to the Wieambilla property.

Vanessa received hostile messages from Gareth as she reached out to try and pin down where he could have gone.

Just two-and-a-half hours before the trio opened fire, Maddy said she received a call from a Walgett detective that went to voicemail because she was at work.

The person identified themselves as a detective senior sergeant and asked that she call him back.

'I think they were contacting us to confirm if Nathaniel was missing and to get contextual information,' Maddy told 9News in an interview airing on Monday night.

'But they never should have sent anyone there until they got all that contextual information.'

Gareth and Stacey (pictured) married after she divorced Nathaniel with Madelyn saying she grew up considering him as her father

Cop killer Nathaniel Train disappeared from Walgett, NSW prompting his estranged wife to file a missing persons report

Maddy alleges that Vanessa had also warned police.

'She had told the police officers that there was a mistrust of police, that Gary had a mistrust of police.'

'The New south Wales police force apparently did not disclose that to the Queensland police force,' Maddy claimed.

Both the NSW and Queensland police forces have said they would not comment on the case as it is the subject of a coronial investigation.

Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Tracy Linford said just days after the ambush that they were not aware of any 'red flags' raised about the trio.

'We knew very little about the Trains,' she told reporters.

'There was nothing that could have caused a particular flag for our members who attended on that day, that would have raised any particular concerns about those individuals.'

Despite the painful experience, Maddy said she has ventured back to the Wiambilla property twice to collect some items.

'Mum always wore a specific perfume on Christmas and she had one for work too so I got that and her wedding dress she wore when she married Gary,' she said.

'And our family pictures that they had in a box.'

Images from inside the house show a mixture of normality and chaos - a clean kitchen with a fridge and kettle but with piles of books covering the counter.

A furnished bedroom but with the bed unmade and piled high with clothes, books and an old television covering the lounge room sofas.

The inside of the Wieambilla property where the trio lived off-the-grid (pictured)

Maddy said she has lost her job and friends after they found out how she was connected to the tragedy.

'No one crosses the street because I don't look scary, but I look exactly like my mum so I ended up cutting all my hair off,' Maddy said.

She added that the life she knew had been 'destroyed'.

'That's fine but it's a lot to manage while you're trying to grieve lots of people.'

And when asked what she would say to the officers who were so callously killed and their families, Maddy replied: 'Thank you for your service'.

'Not just to the police but the neighbour... people like him should exist everywhere'.
Lidia Thorpe appears to have used a racist slur to hit back at an Aboriginal leader as the war of words over the Indigenous Voice escalates.

The polarising Greens senator took exception to Noel Pearson accusing her of being on a 'fringe unity ticket' with Jacinta Price in opposing the Voice.

Senator Thorpe fired out a tweet on Monday afternoon calling Mr Pearson 'Uncle' alongside a picture of him with media baron Rupert Murdoch and former Liberal PM Tony Abbott.

The reference appears to be a deliberate allusion to 'Uncle Tom', a racist slur used against black people.

The insult accuses a black person of being humiliatingly subservient to white people, and frequently of betraying their race as a result.

Lidia Thorpe has used a racist slur to hit back at Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson, calling him 'Uncle' in an apparent allusion to 'Uncle Tom'. She wrote the insult along with a photo of him laughing with Rupert Murdoch and Tony Abbott in 2014

Senator Thorpe took exception to Noel Pearson accusing her of being on a 'fringe unity ticket' with Jacinta Price in opposing the Voice

Aboriginal businessman Warren Mundine last year told Daily Mail Australia he was frequently called an 'Uncle Tom' for opposing the Voice.

Mr Pearson was discussing plans for some 'Invasion Day' protests to also oppose the Indigenous Voice as they parade through Australian cities.

'What I will say about the far left is there's a point in the clock face where the far left meets the far right, and all of a sudden, the fringe of the left and the fringe of the right find common ground,' he told ABC radio.

'They're on a unity ticket. They're saying the same thing. That is where you get Lidia and Jacinta Price holding hands.'

Senator Price, from the Country Liberal Party, and Senator Thorpe agree on very little politically but are united in their opposition to the Voice.

The Greens firebrand responded to Mr Pearson by posting a photo of him laughing with New Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch and former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott at The Australian's 50th anniversary party in 2014.

'Noel has me holding hands with Jacinta Price lol. Who's holding your hand, Uncle?' she wrote.

Indigenous Australians sometimes respectfully refer to older member of their community as 'Uncle' or 'Aunty', but Senator Thorpe has never done so to Mr Pearson and it seemed unlikely alongside the photo.

Neither of the pair responded to requests for comment.

Another photo, also from 2014, literally shows Mr Pearson holding hands with Mr Abbott

Aboriginal businessman Warren Mundine last year told Daily Mail Australia he was frequently called an 'Uncle Tom' for opposing the Voice. This is one example

Yet another clash between prominent Aboriginal figures highlighted the increasingly ugly divisions in Australia's indigenous community on the issue.

Mr Pearson lobbed incendiary criticism at Senator Price in November, again on ABC radio, after she and the National Party declared their formal opposition to the Voice.

On Monday he cast a wider net, accusing opponents of the Voice of trying to derail the referendum by complaining there was not enough detail about how the proposed advisory body would work.

'This demand for detail is a diversion. Detail concerns legislation, not the constitution. And the referendum is about the constitution. Legislation is for the parliament,' he said.

He was responding to the Coalition threatening to withdraw its support of the Voice unless Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave more details about what it would look like.

Mr Pearson lobbed incendiary criticism at Senator Price (pictured together) in November after she and the National Party declared their formal opposition to the Voice

The opposition's spokesman for indigenous affairs Julian Leeser, who supports the Voice in principle, said the government needed to listen to people who had questions and concerns about the Voice and the lack of available detail.

'The government is in danger of losing me, because I just don't think that they're listening, and I'm really trying to get them to listen to the reasonable concerns that people are raising,' he told ABC radio.

'I spent the summer going round talking to reasonable Australians, people that I would have expected would be people likely to support [the Voice].

'They're saying to me things like, look, I want to vote yes, but I'm just not sure I can because no one can explain to me how this will work.

'I think the government is ignoring the reasonable concerns of reasonable Australians.'

Mr Pearson warned 2023 was the most important year for Australia and indigenous people in 235 years and there would be dire consequences if the Voice vote failed.

'I think that Julian Leeser [and Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton... may be just choosing to play a spoiling game. I hope they are not,' he said.

'This referendum is the most important question concerning indigenous and non-indigenous Australians since the First Fleet.

'Weve got to understand what is at stake, and that is the chance for reconciliation and if the referendum is kiboshed through game play and spoiling game by the opposition, we will lose the opportunity forever.'

Noel Pearson on Monday accused opponents of the Voice of trying to derail the referendum by complaining there was not enough detail about how the proposed advisory body would work

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the draft question at the Garma Festival last year

Mr Pearson said the alternative was that indigenous Australians would have no recourse but to protest for the foreseeable future.

'The question that will be put is, do we recognise indigenous people in the Constitution? And if we say no to that, then I cant say how it is, how the future will be anything other than protest,' he said.

'Indigenous presence in this country will forever be associated with protest rather than a proper response by the Australian people to this call for recognition and and the achievement of reconciliation.'

Senator Thorpe's tweet was the latest in a series of proactive social media statements in the past few days.

She on Sunday appeared to take some credit for Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews quietly cancelling Melbourne's Australia Day parade.

The event was previously shelved in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic and then again in 2022 as the Omicron outbreak lingered.

Senator 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.'

Sydney Morning Herald national affairs editor James Massola responded by mocking her for taking credit for Mr Andrews' decision.

'Victorian Labor government cancels parade. Federal Greens senator @SenatorThorpe (somehow) claims credit for it. Lol,' he wrote.

Senator Thorpe shot back: 'I hear your uncle Aldo wrote books and made money from sacred Gunnai Womens country. Pay the Rent mate!'
Freezing fog in southern England appeared to thaw slightly with bright blue skies replacing the Arctic haze as temperatures crept above zero by Monday afternoon.

The mercury hit 1.3C in Wisley, Surrey, by 3pm  markedly warmer than the -8.4C recorded at Heathrow Airport during the coldest night since 2010.

But Britain is seeing something of a North-South divide when it comes to the climate, with Achnagart in the north-west Highlands recording a mild 12.1C.

The variation is being caused by different types of air masses being swept in, with milder air being blown towards Scotland.

The freezing fog wreaked travel chaos on Monday morning, cancelling nearly 100 flights at London's busiest airport.

North-south divide: There was a 10.8C difference between the north of Scotland and the south of England by 3pm on Monday - but forecasters said things should even out by the end of the week

Bright blue skies were seen at Pitts Wood near Fordingbridge in the New Forest on Monday

Conditions are set to even out by the end of the week, forecasters said.

Met Office spokesman Nicola Maxey said by Friday, the whole country will see 'slightly milder airspace' with temperatures rising to high single digits.

She said although 'not balmy' it will be 'typical for this time of year'.

But Ms Maxey said to expect more unsettled conditions, including wet and windy weather, into the start of February.

The disruption threatened to hit 12,000 passengers hoping to fly from Heathrow as the airport scrambled to reduce flights by up to 15 per cent due to Air Traffic Control restrictions.

Passengers reported being stuck on grounded plans for hours on Monday morning as the mercury plummeted to -8.4C overnight.

Around 80 British Airways flights were forced to cancel - as were dozens of other airlines - due to low visibility caused by fog descending overnight.

Commuters braced for Arctic conditions this morning as the UK woke to freezing fog as a yellow weather warning remains in place

People wake to freezing cars in Windsor, Berkshire, this morning as the mercury slipped to minus digits overnight

The mercury had plunged to -9.5C in Santon Downham, Norfolk. just before 8am on Monday - but things were considerably warmer near the top of Scotland - reaching over 10C

The start to the day felt bitterly cold in eastern England with temperatures plummeting to as low as -9.5C in Santon Downham, Norfolk, just before 8am.

It was also the coldest January night since -9.1C was recorded in 1987, according to forecasters.

The Met Office issued a yellow fog warning overnight that lasted until 11am, covering southern and eastern England as workers battled with below freezing temperatures on Monday morning.

Freezing fog is defined as such when visibility is less than 0.6 miles (1 km) and it is combined with an air temperature below 0C.

Forecasters warned that low visibility could cause potentially hazardous road conditions, and that the fog could become so thick that visibility could drop to as low as 50 metres in some parts of England.

Flights in and out of Heathrow Airport were disrupted.

All airlines were affected but conditions lifted later in the morning.

A spokesman for Heathrow said: 'Poor visibility is forecast this morning at the airport and across the South East.

Passengers landing at Heathrow Airport on Monday morning were met with low visibility as freezing fog swept across the capital

Flights at London's airports were hit by delays and cancellations due to the freezing fog

Freezing fog led to low visibility as cars travelled down a country lane in Dundsen, Oxfordshire on Monday morning

Forecasters have warned that ice on roads could make for dangerous driving conditions. Pictured: Highgate, north London this morning

There was low visibility on Monday prompting forecasters to warn of potentially hazardous driving conditions

Thick frost has set in on the banks of the Tames in Cricklade, Wiltshire, this morning

People wake to frozen cars this morning as the temperatures dipped overnight. Pictured: Highgate, north London this morning

'While there may be minor changes to todays schedule as a result of the weather, we want to reassure passengers that our colleagues are working in close collaboration with our airline and air traffic control partners to get them safely away on their journeys as quickly as possible.

'We encourage passengers to check with their airline for the latest information.'

British Airways said: 'Like other airlines, our schedule has been affected by the continued freezing fog weather conditions experienced across London.

'We've apologised to customers whose flights have been affected and are doing everything we can to get them on their way as quickly as possible'.

Despite icy road conditions, Highways England said there had been no accident reports due to weather conditions since midnight.

A sheet of ice covered the grass on Hampstead Heath in north London this morning

A dog walker braved the wintry conditions in Hampstead Heath, north London, on Monday

The ponds at Hampstead Heath appeared to have an icy glaze this morning

The start to the day will feel bitterly cold with temperatures plummeting to as low as -6C in London by 8am, while much of the UK will struggle to get above zero

Two swimmers braved freezing temperatures at the Serpentine in Hyde Park this morning

But the weather did not deter hardy swimmers who donned bobble hats and gloves to take a dip in Hyde Park's Serpentine this morning.

By 8am the Met Office forecast temperatures were around -6C in the capital and would struggle to rise above zero until midday.

Forecasters said it was unlikely to top 4C later in the day, while temperatures could reach 10C by mid-afternoon in Northern Ireland.

Tonight is expected to bring a mixture of conditions with mostly clear skies in the south but heavy cloud further north.

Sunday saw mixed weather conditions across the UK as milder air moved into northern and western parts, while southern and eastern areas remained cold.

The Royal Parks Police said it had received reports of children walking on ice in Bushy Park.

A video also emerged of a dog being rescued by a fisherman after falling through the ice, prompting them to put out a safety warning.

Yesterday a video emerged of a dog being rescued by a fisherman after falling through the ice, prompting the Royal Parks Police to issue a safety warning

The dog was rescued by a local fisherman after falling through ice as temperatures plummeted

An ice hockey player takes full advantage of the freezing conditions in Ely, Cambridgehshire

Ice hockey player David Powell practiced his skills on a frozen fen near Ely, Cambridgeshire, this morning

The water was filled with ice as swimmers wearing bobble hats took a dip in the freezing waters of the Serpentine

Ice or no ice, the Serpentine swimming club members were determined to take a morning dip

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 is tipped to reward those participating in the Demand Flexibility Service as they 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 first 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 company is preparing to use its back-up coal plants at the Drax power station in North Yorkshire and West Burton in Nottinghamshire today.

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 tomorrow evening.

'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.'
Rishi Sunak ordered a probe into Nadhim Zahawi today admitting 'questions need answering' over his tax affairs.

The PM has asked his standards advisers to examine the situation after it emerged he paid millions of pounds to settle a dispute with HMRC while he was Chancellor last summer.

Allies of Mr Zahawi insist he has no intention of quitting, stressing the tax authorities accepted the error was 'careless' rather than deliberate, and he opted to pay the full amount demanded rather than negotiating.

Downing Street said the premier was responding to 'additional facts' that surfaced over the weekend. No10 insisted Mr Sunak retains confidence in the senior minister, who will continue his duties during the investigation.

However, the row is showing little sign of abating, with Labour branding Mr Zahawi's position 'untenable' and senior Conservatives suggesting he will need to answer more questions.

Research by Find Out Now conducted over the weekend found that 59 per cent thought Rishi Sunak should dismiss him. Just 14 per cent said he should stay on, while 28 per cent were not sure.

Mr Zahawi shouted a cheery 'morning' to waiting reporters and photographers as he arrived at Tory HQ in Westminster today.

Nadhim Zahawi shouted a cheery 'morning' to waiting reporters and photographers as he arrived at Tory HQ in Westminster today

Research by Find Out Now conducted over the weekend found that 59 per cent thought Rishi Sunak should dismiss Mr Zahawi. Just 14 per cent said he should stay on, while 28 per cent were not sure

Downing Street has voiced Rishi Sunak's (pictured today) confidence in the senior minister

Speaking on a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire, Mr Sunak said his adviser Sir Laurie Magnus - who took on the role shortly before Christmas - would be looking into the case.

'Integrity and accountability is really important to me and clearly in this case there are questions that need answering,' he said.

'That's why I've asked our independent adviser to get to the bottom of everything, to investigate the matter fully and establish all the facts and provide advice to me on Nadhim Zahawi's compliance with the ministerial code.

'I'm pleased that Nadhim Zahawi has agreed with that approach and has agreed to fully co-operate with that investigation.'

Asked whether Mr Zahawi would stand down during the probe, Mr Sunak said: 'As is longstanding practice, he will continue to play the role he does.'

In a statement, Mr Zahawi said: 'I welcome the Prime Minister's referral of this matter to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. I look forward to explaining the facts of this issue to Sir Laurie Magnus and his team.

'I am confident I acted properly throughout and look forward to answering any and all specific questions in a formal setting to Sir Laurie.

'In order to ensure the independence of this process, you will understand that it would be inappropriate to discuss this issue any further, as I continue my duties as chairman of the Conservative and Unionist Party.'

The PM's official spokesman said: 'He retains the Prime Minister's confidence, that's why he continues in the role as is standard practice.'

He could not give a timeline for the investigation to be finished and acknowledged it would be up to Mr Sunak if he wants to disagree with its conclusions.

'The Prime Minister remains the final arbiter of the code,' the spokesman said.

Mr Zahawi admitted on Saturday that he had paid money to the taxman after making an error  although he did not address allegations that he had to pay back as much as 4.8million, including a major penalty over his shareholdings in polling firm YouGov.

He denied allegations that he avoided tax by using an offshore company registered in Gibraltar to hold shares in YouGov.

Keir Starmer said Mr Zahawi's position was 'untenable' and he should be sacked.

He told reporters: 'I think it's obvious that Zahawi can't stay as Tory Party chair, the very idea that he can be discussing and negotiating his own tax affairs with the body that he's supposed to be running, everybody knows it's wrong.

'He clearly isn't going to resign and so the Prime Minister needs to show some leadership.

'This is a test of the Prime Minister. He promised us  his first words  integrity and accountability.

'Well, if those words mean anything, the Prime Minister should sack him, and sack him today and show some leadership.

'Because if he doesn't, it's just going to be further evidence, I think, for the British public, as to just how weak this Prime Minister really is.'

Failing to sack Mr Zahawi would be a 'strong failure of leadership' and 'if this was somebody in my team, I would sack them', Sir Keir added.

Keir Starmer (pictured on a visit to Octopus Energy in Berkshire today) said Mr Zahawi's position is 'untenable'

Former minister Tim Loughton told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour last night: 'I think it's fair to let him (Mr Zahawi) have his say and put his side of the case. It would have just been more helpful if he had done that rather more fully rather earlier on.'

Mr Loughton added: 'I don't know if Nadhim has done something ill-advised or inappropriate.

'He has certainly not done anything illegal by the sounds of it otherwise there would be more implications.

'If there is more to it, then he will absolutely have to stand up and take the consequences and the Prime Minister, I'm sure, will take the appropriate action.

'But at the moment we don't know the whole story.'

Other Tories including former party leader Iain Duncan Smith have warned Mr Zahawi must share more information.

Lord Young of Cookham told Times Radio: 'I think that Nadhim will need to be more transparent about exactly what happened, otherwise the story simply isn't going to go away.'

He added: 'Normally a Cabinet minister, particularly somebody who is well off as Nadhim clearly is, would have some really professional reputable accountants dealing with all his tax affairs, making sure that you didn't get into the sorts of difficulties that we are seeing.'

Mr Zahawi did not take founder shares when he set up YouGov, saying in his statement on Saturday 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.

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.'

Despite the growing controversy his Cabinet colleague James Cleverly insisted yesterday that he would not be sacked.

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

Asked if Mr Zahawi would survive until Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary told Sky News: 'Yes, because he is a very, very effective minister, he has shown himself to be a successful businessman before coming into politics.' But Mr Cleverly faced mockery for claiming in a separate interview that he did not know the details of Mr Zahawi's situation because he had spent the previous day 'shopping'.

A former first permanent secretary of HMRC said the taxman had a traffic-light system to warn the Government of any risks of giving a knighthood to someone with tax problems. Sir Edward Troup told the BBC: 'They don't decide whether the honour or the peerage is given but they give the information to those who do make the decision, who form their own judgment.'

There have been growing calls for ministers to publish their tax returns, as is standard practice for presidential candidates in the US.

But Mr Cleverly said: 'People's taxes are private matters. I know that as politicians we, quite rightly, are expected to have a higher level of disclosure than other people might do.'
A driver hit with a $1,078 fine because his wife momentarily reached over and adjusted her sun visor has also complained the traffic camera snapped a photo of her underwear.

Anh Nyugen was in the passenger seat while her partner Richard Arnold was driving when she pulled the sun visor down and her arm slipped out of the seatbelt.

Mr Arnold, as the driver, was shocked when he got sent a fine, but the couple was even more distressed - and is demanding an apology - for the 'indecent photograph' up Ms Nyugen's skirt.

He got set two photos taken by a fixed cameras on the M1 in Coomera, Gold Coast, at 5.21pm on December 19.

A Queensland couple is furious after being fined $1,078 for the passenger (pictured) adjusting the sun visor after her arm had slipped out of the seatbelt

The traffic camera also snapped a photo of her Anh Nyugen's underwear (pictured, blurred on the right)

Poll Did the couple deserve the $1078 fine? Yes No Did the couple deserve the $1078 fine? Yes 382 votes

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Ms Nyugen, who is a petite 152cm tall, had a foot up on the Mitsubishi Triton ute's dashboard at the time the photo was taken.

Mr Arnold, who is a retired aviation worker on a fixed income, was stunned to get such a large fine over the incident he said lasted no more than two or three seconds.

'I don't think it's reasonable,' he told the Courier Mail. 'If you're driving your car you can't be checking your passengers all the time to see if their seatbelt is correctly adjusted.'

He also wants the Queensland government to say sorry for the intrusive photograph.

'You don't expect to be sent pictures of your wife's underwear, I have to say,' he said.

'It's actually illegal I think to photograph up a skirt. Covert photographic surveillance should not be used in such an insensitive and disrespectful manner.'

Mr Arnold is fighting the fine in court, despite fearing he may be hit with even more costs.

Mr Arnold (pictured left with his partner Anh Nyugen) is fighting the fine in court, despite fearing he may be hit with even more costs

He said being on a fixed income, the $1,078 fine is a very big amount to him, after being forced into early retirement due to the pandemic.

Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads said photographs taken by traffic cameras are 'securely encrypted and stored' and used 'only for enforcement purposes'.

When fines are issued, images are not altered before they are included on the infringement notice.

An average of 70 fines a day for seatbelt offences recorded on traffic cameras were issued in Queensland in the year to October 31, 2022.

Most of the fines were for seatbelt offences by passengers, not drivers.
Do you know who this driver is? Contact: Rachael.Bunyan@mailonline.co.uk

Video shows donkey, with rope tied tightly around its mouth and attached to the back of the car, being pulled along the road by the driver in Edenberry, Ireland

This is the shocking moment a brave woman forced a car to stop after the driver dragged a terrified donkey along a road in Ireland.

Distressing footage shows the white donkey, with a rope tied tightly around its mouth and attached to the back of the car, being pulled along the road by the driver in Edenderry, County Offaly.

The animal was finally rescued after a heroine, an animal welfare volunteer who witnessed the shocking incident, screamed at the driver to stop the car.

Video, filmed by the witness who was walking behind the car, shows the donkey helplessly being dragged along the grass verge next to a main road.

Distressing footage shows the white donkey, with a rope tied tightly around its mouth and attached to the back of the car, being pulled along the road by the driver in Edenderry, County Offaly

Video, filmed by the witness who was walking behind the car, shows the donkey helplessly being dragged along the grass verge next to a main road

The donkey, which is unable to escape as the rope is tied tightly around its mouth and ears and attached to the car's bumper, is seen hobbling along as it struggles to keep up with the vehicle

At one point, the donkey slips on the icy grass and struggles to keep upright as the woman, a volunteer with charity My Lovely Horse Rescue, screams at the driver: 'F***ing stop, what's wrong with you?'

The donkey, which is unable to escape as the rope is tied tightly around its mouth and ears and attached to the car's bumper, is seen hobbling along as it struggles to keep up with the vehicle.

The heroine can be heard screaming 'stop' as the donkey loses its footing again, its back legs skidding across the icy pavement as it is dragged along by the driver.

The terrified donkey can be heard neighing as it struggles to keep up with the car.

The animal, its head outstretched and legs buckling under the force of the car, helplessly tries to escape from the rope's snare by sticking its hooves into the ground but is unable to get enough grip.

At this point, the woman can be heard screaming at the driver: 'F***ing stop, just stop!'

Finally, after nearly a minute of filming, the car finally comes to a halt and the heroine can be heard breathing heavily as she checks on the donkey's condition.

At one point, the donkey slips on the icy grass and struggles to keep upright as the woman, a volunteer with charity My Lovely Horse Rescue, screams at the driver: 'F***ing stop, what's wrong with you?

Finally, after nearly a minute of filming, the car finally comes to a halt and the heroine can be heard breathing heavily as she checks on the donkey's condition. The donkey, its eyes wide with fear, can be seen standing stock still as it drags its heels in fear of the car starting again.

The video was shared on social media and local Garda have since seized the donkey as well as six others with the help of the My Lovely Horse Rescue organisation. The charity condemned the incident as an 'awful act of cruelty' as they shared a photograph of the white donkey safely inside a trailer (pictured)

The donkey, its eyes wide with fear, can be seen standing still as it drags its heels in fear of the car starting again.

The video was shared on social media and local Garda have since seized the donkey as well as six others with the help of the My Lovely Horse Rescue organisation.

The charity condemned the incident as an 'awful act of cruelty' as they shared a photograph of the white donkey safely inside a trailer.

A Garda spokesperson told MailOnline: 'An Garda Siochana is aware of footage in circulation involving an animal in Edenderry, Co. Offaly.

'While we do not comment on its contents, An Garda Siochana are currently investigating an incident under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. The animal has been checked over by Gardai and is being recovered with their assistance.

'An Garda Siochana take all matters of animal welfare and the criminality linked to it very seriously. We ask that any incident is reported to a local Garda Station where a complaint will be logged and fully investigated.'

The Edenderry Garda has asked witnesses to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600.
Have YOU had a parking nightmare? Email tips@dailymail.com or katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk

Horrified McDonald's customers are getting caught out by little-known parking rules costing them up to 100 in fines.

McDonald's on Newmarket Road, Cambridge, has been a popular destination for diners even prior to its facelift in February last year.

But there have been reports from visitors of the restaurant who claim they were landed with several penalty notices after surpassing the 90 minute parking allocation slot.

Have YOU had a parking nightmare? Email tips@dailymail.com or katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk.

Shapour Meftah, pictured, was one unlucky customer who received two fixed penalty notices coming to 100 after parking at the McDonald's in Cambridge

UK Parking Control claimed Mr Meftah had surpassed the 90 minute allocation for McDonald's customers at the car park

Shapour Meftah was one unlucky customer who had a particularly expensive dining experience when meeting his brother for a McDonald's after work.

He parked his car at the restaurant and received two penalty notices through his letterbox from a private parking company, UK Parking Control, several days later.

The fixed notices issued by the company came to 100 for two visits to the restaurant on the evening of January 4 and 6.

The company claimed Mr Meftah had surpassed the 90 minute allocation for McDonald's customers at the car park.

'It was parking from hell - the most expensive McDonald's I've ever had,' said Mr Meftah.

If he does not pay the fine within a week, the amount that is owed will rise to 100 per ticket, he said.

He parked his car at the restaurant and received two penalty notices through his letterbox from a private parking company, UK Parking Control, several days later

'There's no sign inside McDonald's that says you have 90 minutes to sit down, eat and go. You don't want to rush your meal and we ordered quite a bit of food,' he said.

Mr Meftah went to McDonald's to appeal the penalty notice he had been given.

However, he said: 'There's no way you can get help from them. I tried talking to them and they said it was nothing to do with them. There's no way on earth they'll help you.'

Explaining the regulations at their car parks and fixed penalty notices, a representative from the company said that it is at the discretion of the parking control company responsible on the outcome of individual cases.

MoneySavingExpert advised that if you get a ticket from a private parking firm which you believe is unfair, do not just pay it automatically. [File image]

A spokesperson for McDonald's told MailOnline: 'We have parking restrictions in place at a number of our restaurants, with a time limit to ensure there is adequate parking for all of our customers.

'Ample signage regarding these restrictions is clearly displayed both as you drive into the car park and on various lampposts within it.

'If a customer believes they have been issued a ticket incorrectly, they should appeal it as per the parking control company guidelines.'

MoneySavingExpert advised that if you get a ticket from a private parking firm which you believe is unfair, do not just pay it automatically.

An extract on their website states: 'Private parking companies have no official right to fine you, though they may try to make you think they do. All they're doing is sending you a notice of what they deem to be a breach of contract.

'It isn't the ability of private companies to issue tickets in itself that's a problem though. It's the unstructured system which puts unnecessary power in potentially unscrupulous hands.'

Mr Meftah has put in an appeal for UK Parking Control to revoke the penalty notice.

MailOnline has contacted UK Parking Control for comment.

Have YOU had a parking nightmare? Email tips@dailymail.com or katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk.
As the search for missing British actor Julian Sands continues, stars including Matthew Modine and Jon Cryer have posted messages of hope that he is found alive.

Sands, 65, was reported missing on a hiking trip in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains and has not been seen for 10 days, as temperatures in the area hover just above the freezing mark.

Searches by local authorities continue by 'helicopter and drones when weather permits'.

A car belonging to Sands was found on Thursday. It was close to the spot where he was reported missing at around 19:30 local time on January 13.

Julian Sands is pictured sitting on a peak of the Weisshorn mountain in the Swiss Alps

Pictured: Julian Sands and wife Evgenia Citkowitz. Sands, 65, was reported missing on a hiking trip in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains at around 19:30 local time on January 13, as searches by local authorities continue by 'helicopter and drones when weather permits'

Jon Cryer posted a message on January 19

Matthew Modine also tweeted a message of hope on January 19

On Friday, ground crews were still unable to continue the search for Sands due to the avalanche risk in the area.

The search has been heightened of late as officials use mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the location of the actor.

'There has been no new update or witness information about his whereabouts since then,' Gloria Huerta, Public Information Officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department told the BBC on Friday.

'The air search is being resumed, but we have not been able to resume a ground search yet due to icy conditions and a threat of avalanches,' said Huerta.

Cryer tweeted: 'I am hoping against hope that this will turn out to be just another one of his adventures. I'm so sorry for his family and friends going through this.'

Modine also took to Twitter to post: '#JulianSands is a wonderful man, husband, father, and friend to so so many.

'A gentle, kind soul. Keep candles burning for his safe return from the mountain he loves.'

Fellow mountain climber Sarah Crosby shared a tribute yesterday.

'Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro,' she wrote on Twitter.

'He regaled us with Shakespeare and Keats and was the first person to capture us as an engaged couple. He even carried a hunk of the mountain down to present to us. He is such a beautiful soul.'

The weather is currently around 3C (38F) at Mount Baldy. There is a high wind warning for Southwestern California. The official guidance states: 'Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.'

On Friday a spokesman for San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said: 'On January 15, 2023, phone pings showed Sands to be heading to the Mount Baldy area.

'Additional phone pings from the cell provider were attempted but were unsuccessful, due to the lack of cell service and most likely cell phone power failure.

'A delayed ping through Sands' Apple iPhone operating system, from January 14, 2023, provided a possible location on one of the trails leading to the summit of Mount Baldy. This area was checked by ground searchers and by helicopter.'

The spokesman added: 'Ground and air searchers were unable to locate any evidence in this area that would assist in locating Mr. Sands. Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.

'However, the search continues by helicopter and drones when the weather permits. Additional ground searches will be scheduled when the weather improves, and it is safe for our rescue crews.'

Sands is known for his roles in popular film and television shows, including A Room With A View, 24 and Smallville.

He has three children, and lives in the North Hollywood neighbourhood of Los Angeles with his wife, writer Evgenia Citkowitz.

Police had previously said that they plan to continue looking for Sands, and there is 'no hard deadline' for ending their search mission.

Sands, 65, was reported missing by his family after disappearing in the dangerous mountain range. He is pictured in a recent image released by his family to police to aid the search

A map of the area in which Julian Sands, 65, was reported missing

The region is home to some of the most popular trails in Los Angeles, California

His family reported him missing at 7.30pm on January 13 and rescuers recovered a snow-covered car, which was towed away

On Thursday, the actor's family members towed his car from a car park where it was found.

Authorities have given 'no time set' for when ground searches will resume.

The incident is still being classified as a search and rescue operation.

As California has been buffeted by winter storms, weather conditions on the mountain have inhibited attempts to assist missing and injured hikers, including Sands.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department previously warned hikers to 'think twice and heed warnings' as weather conditions in the area worsened.

The department reported its search and rescue teams had responded to 14 calls on and around Mount Baldy over the last four weeks.

'It is extremely dangerous and even experienced hikers are getting in trouble,' police said.

Actor Julian Sands was reported missing on January 13 after failing to return from a hiking trip

Pictured: Sands and Helena Bonham Carter on set for the award-winning 1985 film A Room With A View

Sands' first major production was 1984's The Killing Fields, the acclaimed historical drama about the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia (pictured alongside John Malkovich)

Julian's son Henry  himself an experienced hiker  flew out to California last week and is assisting with the search of Mount Baldy.

Henry, 37, is understood to have retraced the route his father took  some 40-miles from Los Angeles  but was also forced to abandon his efforts due to poor weather.

A relative told MailOnline on Saturday: 'Henry has been in the US since the weekend and is helping the search. The problem is that the weather is hampering rescue efforts.

'We are extremely worried but we're hoping that Julian will be found safe and well. We'll be looking to see how things evolve over the next few days.'

Federal and state agencies in the United States said Friday they would join the search amid worsening weather conditions and avalanche risks that have halted the work of ground crews.

Sands has spoken previously about his love for hiking and mountain climbing, and said in 2020 he was happiest 'close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning'.
The border city of Yuma, Arizona, is at breaking point with the unprecedented flow of migrants leaving the community at the brink of collapse and hospitals and food banks overloaded.

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines slammed the Biden administration for its handling of the border crisis and said his county will crumble as it can't support the cascading flow of migrants.

Customs and Border officials say some 5 million migrants have crossed over the US southern border since January 2021 when the Biden administration took over the White House.

After Yuma County's Border Patrol saw a 171% increase in migrant crossings between 2021 and 2022, Mr Lines has warned that the situation will only get worse.

Large numbers of migrants continue to cross into the United States at the Yuma, Arizona southern border

Migrants wait to be processed after crossing the border Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, near Yuma, Arizona

Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines (pictured at the county's border) slammed the Biden administration for its handing of the border crisis

'They're coming because they said that Biden told them to come,' Mr Lines said. Pictured: President Biden in the White House, Washington, January 20, 2023

Mr Lines told Fox News: 'Policies need to be changed when you see an unprecedented amount of people coming across the border that even supersedes what we saw under any of the other presidents for the past 30 years.'

He called the surging increase in crossings 'ridiculous'.

'They're coming because they said that Biden told them to come, that we have an open border.'

Yuma is known as the 'sunniest city on Earth', but over recent years it has become known as the US' hotspot for migrant crossings that has stretched its Border Control to the limit.

Facilities along the border are being pushed to breaking point due to the increasing migrant flow, with residents reportedly unable to access the only hospital in the city.

The number of migrants crossing over the US southern border since January 2021 when the Biden administration took over the White House has surged

The unprecedented flow of migrants as left Yuma at the brink of collapse and hospitals and food banks overloaded. Pictured: Migrants serve food donated by a resident at the southern border, December 21, 2022

Large numbers of migrants continue to cross into the United States through Yuma, December 27, 2022

Migrants are coming from Central America in hope of a better life for them and their families, but locals and critics of the current immigration policy view the current numbers as unsustainable.

Most of the migrants are drawn to the area by the relative ease of crossing the border, officials say. According to Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, there are 50 breaks in the border wall along the 126-mile Yuma sector, including the infamous 'Gap'.

Huge container-sized gaps in the 30ft border wall allow migrants to walk right through, aided by a thinly-spread Border Patrol. However, construction is currently underway to fill some of the gaps.

To add to the surge, Fox News reported that their sources confirmed 1.2million illegal migrants had escaped the Border Patrol force since January 2021.

Border counties like Yuma are trying to balance the needs of residents with the migrants queueing

Construction workers stand at a jobsite in the U.S.-Mexico border, where the work to fill border gaps, previously filled by shipping containers, has begun in Yuma, Arizona, U.S., January 12, 2023

Immigrants line up to present themselves to U.S. Border Patrol agents after spending the night camped alongside the U.S.-Mexico border fence on December 22, 2022

Asylum-seekers line up to be processed by US Customs and Border Patrol agents at a gap in the US-Mexico border fence near Somerton, Arizona, on December 26, 2022

Asylum-seekers attempt to warm up next to a small fire as they wait to be processed by a US Customs and Border Patrol agent near the US-Mexico border fence near Somerton, Arizona, on December 26, 2022

A strain has also been put on the city when it comes to food, with migrants walking across crop fields risking a pillar of the community's local economy. Yuma is the winter lettuce capital of the US due to its famed all-year-round sun. It produces 93 percent of the country's lettuce during the winter months.

Local farmer Alex Muller told Fox News: 'Our fields are monitored and audited and tested for different pathogens. You can't have people walking through the field.'

County Supervisor Lines called on the Biden administration to act to relieve the pressure on border counties, and to visit Yuma to witness the strain that has been placed on the community.

'Please come and see for yourself,' Mr Lines said, addressing the Biden administration on Fox News.

'I've invited them several times, and I would invite them again right now,' he added.

A bipartisan delegate from Washington DC, led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema and John Cornyn visited Yuma earlier this month. However, officials complained that they saw a 'sanitized' version of the border crisis.

A bipartisan group of senators led by Texas Republican John Cornyn and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema arrived to visit the border earlier this month

Migrants wait along a border wall after crossing from Mexico, near Yuma, Ariz., on Aug. 23, 2022

The southern United States border at Yuma, Arizona, January 10, 2023

Mr Lines said after the visit, that border crossings had dropped to almost nothing amid tighter activity on the Mexican side, while discarded shoes, medicine bottles and other evidence of illegal crossings had been removed from along the US side.

'Everything's been 100% sanitized here as well. Even more so than they've ever done before. And we're actually not even seeing people coming across the border right now,' he said.

'It's interesting because I've had several congressional delegations come to Yuma and the unannounced delegations always see the real border challenge, not the publicized ones.'

Lines said the senators would see little to help them understand the nature of the crisis.

'It's a lie,' he said. 'They're misrepresenting what's actually happening at the border.

'Every single time there's a high profile visit, this is par for the course, so that people never get to see what it looks like.'
A quick-thinking mother tracked down a Sudanese asylum seeker who had just sexually assaulted her 16-year-old daughter, before confronting him and taking his picture.

The sex offender approached the girl just minutes after she left work. Mother and daughter then looked around the area for the man and their amateur detective work paid off when he was later jailed for a year.

Mahmood Noor Ibrahim, 39, a Sudanese asylum seeker living in Hull, admitted sexual assault in November last year.

He was originally jailed for one year by Hull magistrates on December 1, but he appealed against that sentence at Hull Crown Court.

Mahmood Noor Ibrahim (pictured), 39, a Sudanese asylum seeker living in Hull, admitted sexual assault in November last year

During the appeal hearing, a judge said Noor Ibrahim posed a high risk of serious harm to the public, particularly females.

However, he was granted a two-month cut in his prison term because magistrates had not given him enough discount for his early guilty plea.

Rachel Scott, prosecuting, told the hearing that the 16-year-old girl had finished work late in the evening and was walking through Paragon Interchange, in Hull city centre, to meet her mother, who was due to pick her up.

Noor Ibrahim approached her and asked her: 'Where have you been?'

She said that she had been at work and he asked her 'if she had been with anyone', to which she answered innocently and said she was waiting for her mother to pick her up.

Ibrahim then grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.

Miss Scott said: 'She was left feeling scared and unsafe and, a minute or so later, her mum arrived to pick her up.

'She told her mum what had happened. They drove along the road looking for the male.

'They found the male on Paragon Street, which is very close to where the incident had taken place.'

The girl's mother got out of the car and approached the man and took photographs of him on her mobile phone.

'He had a pint of alcohol in his right hand,' said Miss Scott.

The mother asked him: 'Have you just grabbed my daughter? You're not going to get away with this.'

Noor Ibrahim did not reply and continued walking down South Street.

The matter was reported to the police the next day and, as a result of inquiries, police went to the address where Noor Ibrahim was staying. He was arrested.

Rachel Scott, prosecuting, told the hearing at Hull Crown Court (pictured) that the 16-year-old girl had finished work late in the evening and was walking through Paragon Interchange, in Hull city centre, to meet her mother, who was due to pick her up

Noor Ibrahim admitted kissing the girl, but would not comment on whether it was consensual, the court heard.

He claimed that he thought that the girl was aged 20 to 25 and claimed that she told him that she was 17.

The girl later said that the incident had upset her and made her feel really uncomfortable.

'She feels scared and unsafe now,' said Miss Scott. Noor Ibrahim had no previous convictions in this country. He had been here for two years, the court heard.

Marc Luxford, representing Noor Ibrahim, said that it was 'disgusting behaviour' involving a vulnerable 16-year-old girl late at night, but the defendant had been drinking.

He had tried to minimise the offence in an interview with the probation service, but had shown remorse.

'He is sorry for the offence,' said Mr Luxford. 'He was in drink.'

Noor Ibrahim was seeking asylum from Sudan and still had family living there.

Recorder David Gordon, sitting with two magistrates, allowed the appeal and reduced Noor Ibrahim's sentence from one year to 10 months because the magistrates had not given him enough discount for his early guilty plea.

But Recorder Gordon said that Noor Ibrahim had been assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm to the public, particularly females, and especially sexual harm.

A future offence could happen 'at any time', according to the assessment. 'That's concerning,' said Recorder Gordon.

'This offence was extremely upsetting for that young girl, who in law is regarded as a child.

'She said this incident upset her and made her uncomfortable and has left her feeling scared and unsafe.

'This offence has had a serious detrimental effect on the complainant.

'You are assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm to the public, particularly females.

'You are an asylum seeker in this country. The victim was particularly vulnerable, a lone female, 16, on her own in Hull city centre late at night.

'You specifically targeted a vulnerable victim.'

Noor Ibrahim was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
A lawyer for Jeffrey Epstein's victims today angrily hit back against claims by the paedophile's jailed accomplice that the notorious photo showing Prince Andrew with his accuser Virginia Giuffre has been doctored.

In an interview from prison, Ghislaine Maxwell said she had 'no memory' of the meeting and did not believe 'for a second' that the image was real, adding: 'There has never been an original, there is no photograph'.

But Lisa Bloom, a lawyer for Jeffrey Epstein's victims, called her comments 'disgusting' and told Good Morning Britain it 'really doesn't matter' what the former British socialite thought because she has never seen the original.

The March 2001 image shows Andrew with her hand around Ms Giuffre's waist next to a laughing Maxwell. On the night it was taken, Ms Giuffre says she went on to have sex with the royal after being trafficked to Britain by Epstein.

The March 2001 image shows Prince Andrew with her hand around Virginia Giuffre's waist next to a laughing Ghislaine Maxwell

She maintains it was snapped in Maxwell's central London mews house after a night out in Mayfair. However, the prince, who has always denied having sex with her, insisted that he had 'no recollection' of meeting her or posing for the photo.

The picture was first published by The Mail on Sunday in 2011 after the newspaper found Ms Giuffre living in a small bungalow in New South Wales, Australia. She is said to have given the original to FBI investigators in 2011.

But Andrew and his allies have aired a series of theories to suggest the photo is a fake. These include:

Andrew's fingers 'aren't chubby enough and he's too small'

The Duke of York's friends have previously raised doubts over the veracity of the photo by claiming the hand around Ms Giuffre's waist 'doesn't look right' and suggesting he looks too small.

A source told the London Evening Standard: 'Look at his fingers in the photo. The duke has quite chubby fingers - they don't look right and nor does the height of the duke and the girl.'

However, while Andrew is said to be around 6ft tall, Virginia is understood to be around 5ft 8in - which is reflected in the picture.

Other pictures of his hands do not highlight any obvious discrepancies. Experts have pointed out the practice of manipulating images was in its infancy when the picture was taken.

Maxwell has insisted the photo of Andrew with his accuser Ms Giuffre is fake

It's cobbled together from several images

Last year, Lady Victoria Hervey introduced her own dubious theory to the mix by suggesting the photo had actually been cobbled together from a number of different images.

The 46-year-old former 'It Girl' said it has been pieced together using a photo taken at Naomi Campbell's birthday party on board a yacht in St Tropez in May 2001, in which Ms Giuffre can be seen wearing the same white tank top with colourful patterned jeans.

The logical explanation is, of course, that she was wearing the same outfit on both occasions.

What's more, Lady Victoria does not have a copy of the exact photo from St Tropez which she claims was used to fake the Andrew image, and it has never been seen publicly.

However, she did share a bizarre painted reproduction of the alleged image to Instagram.

Lady Victoria Hervey said that an image taken at Naomi Campbell's birthday in 2001 in St Tropez was used to 'fake' the Prince Andrew photo, pointing out that Virginia is wearing the same outfit in both (pictured)

The former 'It Girl', who is the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol, has claimed the image is doctored

Andrew is actually a body double

Lady Victoria added to her baffling claims by saying that an 'Irish guy' who was dating one of Epstein's victims in 2001 and also attended the boat party was used as a 'body double' for Andrew in the 'fake' image.

In an exclusive interview, Lady Victoria told FEMAIL she has spoken to several victims of Epstein, who said they believe the image was edited by Ms Giuffre and Maria Farmer, another victim who worked as an 'artist-in-residence' for Epstein.

She said other victims had 'seen' Ms Giuffre and Ms Farmer photoshopping the image, before being 'bullied and silenced' by Ms Giuffre.

Lady Victoria said the pair had been in 'cahoots' for 20 years because they 'wanted to bring down the monarchy using Prince Andrew', adding that this was Epstein's intention too.

'I know this sounds pretty wild  Epstein told one survivor that he basically wanted to bring down the monarchy,' she said.

Lady Victoria claimed a photograph of this unnamed man, who she said is Irish and was dating one of Epstein's victims at the time, was used as a body double for Prince Andrew

ANDREW'S CLAIMS TO EMILY MAITLIS

During his notorious 2019 interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight, the Duke of York said he had 'no recollection' of meeting Ms Giuffre or posing for the photo.

He also echoed previously unnamed sources who have queried the photo's veracity, even hinting that the hand around her waist may not be his.

The prince told interviewer Emily Maitlis: 'I have absolutely no memory of that photograph ever being taken.

'From the investigations that we've done, you can't prove whether or not that photograph is faked or not because it is a photograph of a photograph of a photograph.

'So it's very difficult to be able to prove it but I don't remember that photograph ever being taken.'

Andrew also said -

He's never seen Epstein with a camera

The Duke of York poured doubt on the idea Epstein could have taken the photo because: 'I've never seen Epstein with a camera in my life.'

Ms Maitlis suggested his former friend had borrowed Ms Roberts's camera, leaving the prince to respond: 'Listen, I don't remember. I don't remember that photograph ever being taken.'

Prince Andrew during his notorious BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis

He hasn't been on the first floor of Maxwell's house

The photo supposedly shows the first floor of the property, with the window appearing to match one at the front of the house.

But the prince denied he had been on the first floor. Ms Maitlis asked: 'There's a photo inside Ghislaine Maxwell's house, Ghislaine herself in the background.

'Why would people not believe that you were there with her that night?' He replied: 'They might well wish to believe it but the photograph is taken upstairs and I don't think I ever went upstairs... because the dining room and everything was on the ground floor...

'I'm at a loss to explain this particular photograph. I don't remember going upstairs because that photograph was taken upstairs and I am not entirely convinced that... we can't be certain as to whether or not that's my hand on her whatever it is, side.'

He would have been wearing a tie on a night out

The prince even questioned his own casual clothing in the photo. He said: 'I don't believe it's a picture of me in London because when I would go out in London, I wear a suit and a tie.'

Instead he is dressed in dark trousers and a light blue shirt, with cufflinks adorning his sleeves.

Other photos show this was his favoured look at the time and he was pictured in almost exactly the same clothing as he left London's Chinawhite club a few months earlier.

The Duke of York pictured leaving the famous Chinawhite nightclub in London at around 2am in July 2000

Andrew attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church

He's not a hugger

In the Newsnight interview, Andrew also argued he would not have placed his arm around the teenager, saying: 'I am not one to, as it were, hug, and public displays of affection are not something I do.'

But that claim also seems to be contradicted by a number of photos over the years.

Ms Maitlis asked: 'You think that photo has been faked?' Andrew responded: 'Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored but I don't recollect that photograph being taken.

'So that's the best explanation I can give you and I'm afraid to say that I don't believe that photograph was taken in the way that has been suggested.

'If the original was ever produced, then perhaps we might be able to solve it but I can't.'
Heartbroken friend, Bernard Kosia, said he was grateful for recognition of Jimi

A hero who died after he dived into the Thames to save a drowning woman has been honoured with a plaque.

Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, was found dead six hours after going into the water near London Bridge in April 2021 to save a woman in difficulty.

The woman and Joaquim Garcia, another would-be rescuer, were saved from the river by coastguard and marine police but Jimi could not be found.

Friends and family gathered on the banks of the Thames on Sunday afternoon to watch the plaque be unveiled on the spot where Jimi jumped in to try and save the woman.

Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, jumped into the Thames to save a woman who was drowning in April 2021. He told his friend Bernard Kosia not to follow him, knowing he couldn't swim

Bernard Kosia, a friend of Jimi's, paid tribute to his friend and said it was important that children in their community learn of his sacrifice

Jimi's friend, Bernard Kosia, a camera assistant at ITV, told GMB on Monday that he was grateful for all the support Jimi's loved ones had received.

He described seeing the plaque to his friend for the first time as 'surreal' and thanked London Mayor Sadiq Khan for his assistance.

'It was surreal. I actually froze or a minute just to admire the plaque itself. I am so grateful to everyone that's been a part of this journey, supporting us in every way.

'And I am more grateful to Sadiq Khan for being a massive part of us during the course of this.'

Mr Kosia, who was with Jimi on the night he died but did not follow him into the water because he cannot swim, finds it difficult to speak about the accident.

The plaque near London Bridge, where Jimi raced down the steps to the waterside to try and save the woman

Friends and family gathered for the unveiling ceremony, which was also attended by London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Jimi's mother, Olasunkanmi Adewole, said her son was a hero and that she was grateful for the support she had received

Jimi's father Michael Adewola (left), 63, and his mother Olasunkanmi Adewole, 54, (centre) said they are proud of their son (right) for trying to save another person's life - but they are devastated by his death

He said he was delighted that his friend's legacy would live on and that children in their community would have a chance to learn about Jimi.

'I just want to make sure that he can live on, even when I am dead and my life here is finished, Jimi now has a way and a legacy to live on. Kids within the community who want to know the story, this is their way of knowing who Jimi is and what he did for everyone.'

He paid tribute to his friend, who he said was a role model and was widely respected by his community.

'Jimi was a bubbly person, a loving person. You could hear Jimi miles away and just know it was him. He was just that guy in the neighbourhood that everyone loved. Positive - and that was his mindset.

'The things that he would teach you, he'd never say it but you'd watch him and how he lived his life and it would make you want to live by that way too.

'So one thing that he never did was care about people's opinions. That's one rule that he lived by. You could make a judgement on him but he'd just bypass that s**t, just push it aside.

'He said: "I am me and this is me."

The unveiling ceremony, which was organised by the Living Bankside Charity, was attended by many of Jimi's family and friends

Mr Olubunmi-Adewole was posthumously put forward for a Royal Humane Society award by City of London Police for his bravery and selfless actions'

But Mr Kosia also admitted that he still struggles with talking about his friend but said he finds peace in the support he has received.

'I find it hard to speak on my emotions and I don't really speak much about what goes through my mind or how I live my life. And everyone sees from the outside, yeah, he's positive and everything. But behind closed doors I do have my days where I am emotional.

'Other than that just seeing how everything has come out and how everything has played out, I find peace within it and as time goes by I am slowly actually gaining the strength.'

Jimi's mother, who regularly visits the spot, told BBC Newsbeat at the unveiling on Sunday that she was grateful for the recognition of Jimi's bravery.

'Jimi is a hero and that's why everyone has come here today. I'm so grateful.'

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who also attended the ceremony, organised by the Living Bankside charity, described Jimi as 'the best of all of us'.

'His parents' pain will never go away, but we can make it easier by talking about Jimi's story.'
The nephew of one-eyed double cop killer Dale Cregan has been jailed for three years after unsuccessfully arguing that his uncle's reputation led him to deal drugs.

Self styled 'bad man' Oscar Cregan, 20, helped set up a cocaine trafficking racket in Manchester after returning to the UK following a stint in Spain with his family.

He was arrested during a stop and search in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, last year and was found in possession of two Nokia 'burner' phones used to peddle cocaine and also morphine.

Whilst being detained he was caught scratching the words 'f**k Greater Manchester Police' and 'Oscar Cregan is a bad man' on a door in the exercise yard at Forest Bank prison in Salford.

Oscar Cregan, 20, has been jailed for three years after attempting to deal cocaine in Manchester

The troubled youth had also stolen a 5,000 Rolex watch from a pawn shop.

Last Thursday, Cregan was jailed for three years for the supply of class A and C drugs, criminal damage and theft.

In September 2012, Cregan's uncle Dale lured unarmed PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone to a property with a hoax 999 call and when they arrived, he shot both women at least eight times before throwing a grenade at them.

Cregan, who was already on the run for the murders of David, 46, and Mark Short, 23, at the time of the killings, is now serving a whole life sentence behind bars.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Oscar who is the youngest son of Dale Cregan's sister Kelly tried to blame his crimes on living under the shadow of his uncle.

Dale Cregan is serving a life sentence for the murders and was told he would die in prison

Unarmed PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were lured to a property with a hoax 999 call and when they arrived they were both shot

However, a judge rejected his pleas and jailed him for three years saying there were 'many people in similar circumstances who live law-abiding lives.'

Oscar had fled to Malaga with Kelly, older brother Oli, now 22, and his twin sisters Annie and Alice in 2015 after drug dealer Dale was convicted of murder.

At the time Kelly said the family were in fear of revenge attacks from associates of gangland rivals Mark and David Short after another relative had phone threats that acid would be thrown in her face.

Mark Short, 23, was shot dead by Dale in a pub in Droylsden, east Manchester, as he played pool while his father, 46, was shot and finished off with a grenade at his home in nearby Clayton.

Kelly took her young children to live in Spain after claiming the situation in the UK had become too dangerous for her family

Oscar referred to himself as a 'badman' after being collared by police

Kelly had to find new schools for Oscar and his siblings in Spain whilst in hiding on the Costa Del Sol. It is thought they returned to Britain in 2018.

Stuart Neale, prosecuting said: 'On November 9 2021, the defendant and another unknown individual entered a pawn shop in Manchester. The pair walked towards the counter and asked the store assistant if they could try on a Rolex valued at 5,000 that was behind a glass display case.

'As the the assistant gave the pair the watch, they waited for a second and ran out of the shop into the street. The pair were captured on CCTV and their description was ascertained and provided to Greater Manchester Police.

'On March 15 2022, the defendant was approached by two PC's who noted that he matched the description and was stopped and searched. The officers found 320 in cash and two Nokia burner phones on his person.

'He was arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and later analysis of the two phones uncovered text messages that were indicative of the defendant's involvement in drug supply. These messages showed that the defendant had been running a local drug ring for the last three months.

'The messages showed that he was involved in the supply of class A drugs, including cocaine and morphine. However, he was not found with any drugs on his persons. When he was detained at HMP Forest Bank a prison officer noticed that the defendant was stood apart from other detainees in the exercise yard.

'He stood with one hand up and when he was told to turn around the officer noticed that the defendant had scratched graffiti onto a door reading "f**k Greater Manchester Police" and "Oscar Cregan is a bad man". The cost of the damage to the door is estimated to be 595.'

After a troubled upbringing, Cregan will now spend the next three years of his life in prison

Cregan who has one previous referral order for cannabis possession in 2018 admitted criminal damage, theft and intent to supply drugs.

Speaking in mitigation, Cregan's lawyer Daniel Calder argued that Oscar's back story relating to his uncle Dale 'caused the entire family much trauma and disruption.'

He told the court: 'In particular has had to deal with the burdens and barriers that this has bought. He even had to relocate to Spain for a number of years in an attempt to rescue his education.

'His actions are all a product of the uniquely challenging circumstances in which he grew up. He has kept regular employment throughout his life, mainly as a labourer but he fell into the familiar pattern of debt dependency that often leads to drug dealing as a way of settling these debts.'

In sentencing Judge Mark Savill said: 'The defendant is a young man born into circumstances, not of his own but there are many people who have been in similar circumstances that have still gone on to live law-abiding lives.

He told Oscar: 'Although you were 18 at the time of the offences, that age is not a cliff edge and at that time you were well over the cusp and considerably mature.

'I am hard pushed to accept that you and your accomplice went into the pawn shop that day for a genuine reason of than to steal. Especially considering that the watch you stole had a value of 5000.

'Although you were not found with drugs on your person during the search it was clear that you operated a drug supply ring for serious class A drugs. However, I believe that there were higher forces in your dealings which places your involvement at a lesser role.'
A desperate daughter is still hoping to find her mother who has not been seen since a gunman opened fire in a California dance studio on Saturday night, killing ten people.

Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Mr Liu, 62, who was released from hospital yesterday, saw his wife, 63, collapse shortly after the attacker, Huu Can Tran, stormed into the crowded room and started firing indiscriminately.

The family is still hoping she was taken to hospital without her ID card and they will be reunited.

But she admitted: 'We are mentally preparing for the worst.'

Writing on Twitter, Ms Blees, a game producer, said: 'My dad got wounded and my mom is still missing. I dont know what to think or say.'

She later added: 'An update: My dad was discharged from the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds but we still havent found my mom.

'The last time my dad saw her was at the scene when she collapsed. They were separated in the panic and were taken to different hospitals.'

Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate Lunar New Year and her mother is still missing

Mr Liu described the gunman opening fire at a ticket seller at a booth inside the studio and he immediately jumped to the ground.

But then two bullets grazed Mr Liu's shoulder and back, causing minor injuries, and he lost sight of his wife after she fell to the floor.

Ms Blees told the New York Times: 'He bled a lot, but the doctors said it was non-life threatening.'

Another witness named Grace recalled the moment the gunman entered, saying: 'No one dared to flee  we all got down to the ground, hiding wherever we could.'

She said a man called Ma laoban, 'Boss Ma', was next to the entrance and appeared to be the first person shot.

Two people beside him then collapsed after five or six shots rang out, she said.

After the shooter ran out of bullets, he quickly left and came back to unleash a second volley of gunfire.

Bodies lined the wooden floor while others ducked under tables or ran into adjacent rooms during the five-minute bloodbath, she said.

The family is still hoping she was taken to hospital without her ID card and they will be reunited

Huu Can Tran, 72, who killed 10 at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, was remembered as being hostile toward his students and quick to get angry with his ex-wife

After an hours-long standoff, Tran died 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 on Saturday

How the massacre and manhunt unfolded Saturday, 10.22pm: Gunshots ring out in Star Ballroom Dance Studio 10.29pm: 911 responders receive a call about a shooting in Monterey Park 10.33pm: Police and rescue units start to arrive at the scene 10.38pm: Officers say the studio has been 'cleared' and there are initially an estimated 10 unresponsive victims and two more in critical condition 10.39pm: Tran enters a second dance hall studio, the Lai Lai ballroom in Alhambra. His weapon is wrestled away from him Sunday: Gunman reportedly enters a local hospital at an unspecified time with apparent fight injuries. He leaves ER before being treated 10.20am: Police locate white cargo van seen leaving scene of shooting 11.15am: White van in shopping center parking lot is surrounded by police and SWAT 12.30pm: Sheriff's office say the suspect has barricaded himself in the van 1pm: Police enter the vehicle after Tran shot himself dead. Evidence linking him to the shootings is found in the vehicle Advertisement

Dance instructor Alejandro Delatorre, 40, worked at the venue last year and returned to the crime scene early on Sunday morning.

He said: 'That place is always packed, man.'

Wong Wei, who lives near the studio, declined to go to the studio on Saturday but his sister and three friends were there.

One of his friends was injured and was lying on the ground with her face covered in blood, he told the LA Times.

Mr Wei still does not know if his friend has survived the shooting or if she was hospitalized.

As Monterey Park continues to reel from the massacre, it comes as:

The gunman, Huu Can Tran, 72, used to work as an instructor at the studio and was remembered as being hostile toward his students and quick to get angry with his ex-wife.

He died on Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a standoff with police ending a manhunt that unfolded the night before.

Sources indicated the gunman was hunting for his current wife and the motive for the attack was a domestic dispute.

Tran gave dance lessons at the studio in the early 2000s, where he met his first wife. The pair quickly tied the knot, but their marriage had crumbled by 2005.

A source told LA Mag: 'There is increasing evidence this was domestic violence.'

Chester Chong, the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles and a community leader in Monterey Park, said the suspect may have been jealous about not being invited to a party his wife attended, saying: 'This hate is because of wife and husband. I believe because of that there was the killing of innocent people.'

The ex-wife, who didn't want her identity revealed, told CNN that Tran became easily angered when she messed up on choreography and she felt as if he had lost interest in her.

Another person who was close to Tran told CNN that the man was 'hostile to a lot of people' at the studio where he taught and believed they said 'evil things about him.'

Tran was identified as the gunman who slaughtered 10 people and injured several others late Saturday night amid Lunar New Years celebrations in the predominantly Asian American community of Monterey Park.

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio near the site of a deadly shooting on Saturday

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday that a motive for the attack is still unclear.

'He intended to kill more people,' Luna said in a news conference on Sunday night, adding that it was the patrons of the second dance studio who stopped the rampage from getting worse. 'They saved lives. This could've been much worse,' he said.

The mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Seven people remained hospitalized Sunday.

The former dance instructor, who is an immigrant from China, taught lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio almost every night in the early 2000s when he lived five minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley.

Those who knew Tran and recall him being hostile to his students also told CNN that he was easily irritated, complained a lot, and didn't seem to trust people.

Tran was also identified as the man gunman who entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra just 20 to 30 minutes after the first shooting, but brave patrons thwarted his attack.

Tran fled the scene and was at large until Sunday afternoon when police pulled him over in the van he had been spotted in. After an hours-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The deadly massacre began around 10 p.m. Saturday night when many were out to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

A dance student named Grace was practicing her dance steps at the studio where she had danced for four years when she heard what she said sounded like fireworks, she recalled to the Times.

She saw people collapsing and diving for cover under tables.

'No one dared to flee  we all got down to the ground, hiding wherever we could,' she said on Sunday. 'No one could get out.'

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio dance school remained closed after the shooting

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

Grace also said that a man she called 'Ma laoban'  'Boss Ma'  was near the entrance and appeared to be the first one who was shot. There were two other people who were next to him collapsed as five or six shots occurred in rapid succession, she said.

She spotted the gunman who appeared to run out of bullets and left, but quickly returned where he unleashed another round of terror into the ballroom, killing 10 people and injuring several others.

The whole mass shooting lasted about five minutes, she said.

'I saw him, but I was far away and the lights were dim. I could not see his face clearly,' Grace said.

Grace added that she didn't recognize the suspect in the photos released by local authorities Sunday morning while he was still at large.

Several families are still waiting to hear about their loved ones.

Tran gave dance lessons at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in the early 2000s, was remembered as being hostile toward his students and quick to get angry with his ex-wife

Community members were out dancing and celebrating following a Lunar New Year celebration that had ended about an hour before the shooting

The interior of Star Ballroom dance hall, where Tran killed at least 10 people Saturday night

Tran was also identified as the man gunman who entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra just 20 to 30 minutes after the first shooting, but brave patrons thwarted his attack

In an update on Sunday, officials laid out how the massacre unfolded, pointing out that the death toll could have been higher.

'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.

'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.'

The sheriff said the pistol Tran used appeared to be illegal in California, where state laws ban any magazine holding more than 10 rounds.

Another gun, a handgun, was later found in the van where Tran was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Luna added 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.

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.

Multiple casualties were reported after the shooting in California during New Year celebrations

Dozens of cops and firefighters swarmed the scene where 10 people were killed on Saturday

Sunday Lunar New Year celebrations around the area of the mass shooting were canceled

Also speaking at the news conference, U.S. Representative 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.

Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff

What appears to be bloody material is piled next to the white van as SWAT inspect the vehicle

A law enforcement official looks into the window of a van with a body in the driver's seat

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 last time dad saw mom was at the scene when she collapsed': Daughter's desperate plea for help to find mother who is STILL missing after being caught in the Monterey bloodbath where gunman slaughtered ten
If Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony as part of the King's Coronation celebrations, it would 'appear in the next book,' a royal commentator has said.

Royal insiders claimed last week that Harry and wife Meghan are 'unlikely' to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony, should they attend the event at all following the fallout of the Duke's bombshell memoir.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, author and journalist Claudia Joseph hit out at the Sussexes saying every time they 'open their mouths' it is to say something critical about the institution.

'I think if you look back to the Queen's jubilee, they were not included at that stage on the balcony,' she said. 'It's very difficult for the royal family because they are an institution, they are a monarchy, and that is their job.

Prince Harry dodged the question over whether he will attend the Coronation of his father in his recent interview with ITV for his memoir Spare

'Obviously in the past there've been times when perhaps the press have been too intrusive and there have been problems, but ultimately the job is to do good work and to keep quiet and not talk about their feelings and what's going on in public.

'And it's very difficult because every time Harry and Meghan open their mouths now they say something critical of the institution and if they are on the balcony, that will appear in the next book.'

But broadcaster Ateh Jewel, also appearing on the show this morning, disagreed and said Meghan and Harry should appear on the balcony, arguing the family needs to 'heal'.

'I think the royal family are an institution and a family and both need to evolve and heal,' she said.

Author and royal commentator Claudia Joseph appearing on Good Morning Britain today to discuss whether Harry and Meghan should attend the King's Coronation

But Broadcaster Ateh Jewel argued the Sussexes 'should be on the balcony'

The show discussed if the Sussexes should be involved in the celebrations of Charles' day

Senior royals pictured at the Queen's Trooping the Colour on June 2, 2022

King Charles III's coronation: A timeline May 6 The King and Queen Consort will proceed to Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony. After the ceremony they will take part in a second procession to Buckingham Palace, before appearing on the balcony. May 7 Britons are encouraged to hold street parties and take part in the Big Lunch. A celebratory concert will take place at Windsor Castle, featuring an exclusive performance from the Coronation Choir. May 8 An extra bank holiday has been scheduled for May 8. Members of the public are encouraged to spend time volunteering for charity as part of the Big Help Out. Advertisement

'I think if King Charles - who is also our King and I do support the monarchy, he's also a father, he needs to put the un in unconditional and put his hand out and be the bigger person. The person who will have a gesture to help heal his family.

'I mean what message does it send to the whole country that when you speak about your truth, when you speak about mental health, when you speak about toxic behaviour and racism that it's met with silence, stonewalling and ex communication. They should be on the balcony.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York are 'unlikely' to join the King and Queen Consort on the balcony during the Coronation, The Mail on Sunday understands.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the newly crowned King and Queen will appear at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony in May.

As with the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year, the line-up of Royals alongside them will be restricted to working members of the family. That will exclude Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew, who no longer carry out official duties.

Prince Harry dodged the question over whether he will attend the Coronation of his father in his recent interview with ITV.

In a publicity blitz for his memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex told Tom Bradby that 'a lot can happen between now and then' when asked if he will go to see his father crowned.

Mr Bradby asked Harry: 'If you are invited to the Coronation will you come?'

Refusing to say yes, Harry answered: 'There's a lot that can happen between now and then.

'But, the door is always open. The ball is in their court.

'There's a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they're willing to sit down and talk about it.'

The historic coronation of King Charles III will champion refugees, diversity and volunteering.

The three-day extravaganza will give millions of Brits a day off, with tens of thousands expected to line the streets in central London to watch the ceremony - the first of its kind in more than 70 years.

The coronation is scheduled to take place on May 6, followed by a huge concert at Windsor Castle the day after which will focus on showcasing Charles' vision for the Commonwealth.
He says his main goal is to spread awareness of critically endangered animals in need of support

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These seemingly straightforward photographs actually feature photographer Sasan Amir, 27, who has spent the last five years tracking animals around the world in stunning disguise.

Sasan uses a camouflage suit to blend in with his environment and get close to animals in their natural surroundings without disturbing them.

He has taken 1.2 million photographs since finding his passion for photography at the age of nine.

Can you find him disguised in these woodland snaps?

ANSWERS BELOW

1.

Sasan Amir (pictured) was given a cheap camera at the age of nine and has followed his passion for photography ever since

2.

Sasan's career has allowed him to travel widely, from South Africa to Ecuador and Bolivia to across Asia, for the right shot

3.

Sasan, with 36k Instagram followers, has taken 1.2mn photographs over an 18 year career, tracking animals for the last five

4.

The photographer with a global following says planning is key and sometimes takes half a year to prepare for a shoot

It can take months of preparation for Sasan to set up and find the right shot.

He said: 'Planning is key, try to get as much information as possible and still stay flexible and easy if something is not going to plan.

'Then there are two main rules, don't disturb the animals and second don't get yourself into too dangerous situations. No signal, no Wi-Fi, no internet and sometimes no electricity and water are facts which you should always keep in mind before making risky decisions.

'Take your time and don't stress yourself out. Wild animals are not something you can get easily and especially not from a close distance. The worst if you are not successful on a wildlife trip is that you have spend time in nature which is a win/win for me.

'Respect animals and plants and don't let any waste where it doesn't belong please.

'I take the pictures using my camera and a drone. I use drones for hardly walkable or very dangerous places and to get an idea of the whole environment I am hiking and exploring.

'In many situations a good professional drone can also replace a helicopter ride for captures and is much faster and cheaper.'

ANSWERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

Sasan, pictured here on a shoot, has stuck with his craft for 18 years since finding a passion for photography at age nine

Too easy? Try to find the snow leopard hidden in these shots of the Indian wilderness.
More than 1million households and businesses will be paid to cut their electricity usage today as a new scheme goes live  amid warnings supplies will be 'tighter than normal'.

The National Grid said it would be activating its Demand Flexibility Service between 5pm and 6pm. People who cook their meal outside that time, delay bathing their children or put off their laundry should get money off their bills.

The scheme offers people the chance to save between 10 and 20 a day to cut their electricity usage during peak times in order to reduce pressure on the grid.

People will get money off their bills, as long as they are signed up via 26 energy companies. They must have a smart meter - meaning half the country will miss out.

There are expected to be up to ten of these events this winter. People will get a text the say before telling them when reduce energy use. The time may change each time but is likely to be between 4pm and 7pm - the peak time in the UK for energy use.

The National Grid is encouraging homeowners to take part in the scheme in a bid to avoid potential blackouts - this is how much they could save. Experts have suggested its customers could save as much as 240 this winter if there are 12 Demand Flexibility Service events called by the National Grid

The National Grid is encouraging homeowners to take part in the scheme in a bid to avoid potential blackouts - this is how much they could save. Experts have suggested its customers could save as much as 240 this winter if there are 12 Demand Flexibility Service events called by the National Grid

What is the 'demand flexibility service'?

National Grid ESO said it had given the instructions in light of forecasts showing electricity supply margins may be tighter than normal on Monday.

It added it was also activating a live 'demand flexibility service' - which allows the ESO to access additional flexibility when national demand is at its highest during peak winter days - between 5-6pm on Monday.

The scheme entitles some households with smart meters to discounts if they cut their use of electricity. It is due to stay in place until March.

How can I sign up?

The National Grid will run events asking customers to reduce their electricity use during a set time.

26 companies have signed up. They will either invite customers to sign up or allow them to apply via their websites.

Which companies are involved?

British Gas - Domestic

CarbonLaces - Domestic and Non-domestic

Conrad Energy - Non-domestic

CUB (UK) Ltd - Non-domestic

Drax - Non-domestic

EDF - Domestic and Non-domestic

ENGIE Power Limited - Non-domestic

E.ON Next - Domestic

Equiwatt - Domestic and Non-domestic

ev.energy - Domestic

Flexitricity - Non-domestic

Grid Beyond - Non-domestic

Gridimp - Non-domestic

Hugo Energy App (via SMS) - Domestic

Labrador (via Perse Technology Ltd) - Domestic and Non-domestic

Loop.homes (via SMS) - Domestic

myenergi (via Orange Power) - Domestic

Oaktree Power - Non-domestic

Octopus Energy - Domestic and Non-domestic

OVO Energy - Domestic

Pearlstone Energy - Non-domestic

Power Rewards App (via Orange Power) - Domestic

Shell Energy Retail (Via SMS) - Domestic

SMS - Domestic and Non-domestic

VpowerU - Domestic and Non-domestic

Zenobe Energy Limited - Non-domestic

Do I have to take part?

Customers can take part in as many - or as few - events as suits them.

Is there a sign-up deadline?

It will depend on how your energy supplier runs its system. Some may require you to sign up some time in advance.

However, certainly with some suppliers you can sign up just before the system launches. Octopus Energy said that those of its one million customers who are not yet signed up can do so up until the moment the service starts at 5pm on Monday.

What do I need?

To get involved you must have a smart meter that automatically sends half hourly readings. Those without one cannot take part.

What will happen if I sign up?

1. You will get an alert the day before each event, telling them what window they need to reduce energy use in ie 5pm until 6pm.

2. Customer must confirm they are taking part by text or email

3. Use less energy during the event

4. They will save money on your bill and earn credit of up to 20 per day back off your bill once the results are in.

When will I have to reduce energy use?

You will be given a specific time, usually between one and three hours. But it is likely to be between 4pm and 7pm - the peak time for energy use.

Could you get money off your bill? How does it work?

Yes. It means domestic users, plus some businesses, will be 'incentivised for voluntarily flexing the time when they use their electricity'.

Most demand happens during peak hours of between around 4pm and 7pm when people get home from work, put the kettle on, switch on their ovens and sit down to watch TV.

The scheme gives money to people who simply use less power at this time. The overall amount of electricity that people use does not have to reduce if they just change their usage to other times of the day.

For instance, electric cars could be unplugged during these hours, switching the dishwasher on could wait until 9pm and you could put the washing machine on earlier in the day or during the weekend.

Will I be punished if I don't save any electricity?

No. If you do not save any electricity when the Demand Flexibility Service is running you will not be punished, you will simply miss out on the savings.

Instead you will pay the normal amount for the electricity that you use during those hours.

How much can I save?

They will be advised to use washing machines, tumble dryers, ovens, dishwashers and other appliances outside those periods so boffins can measure how much energy is saved on the grid when it is at its busiest.

If the entire proposed 3 per kwh rebate if passed on to Britons by their supplier, over five months this could mean around 240 off their bills in total if there are ten events this winter.

Which appliances will save me the most money if I don't use them?

Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill - and use the most energy.

Not using them could save up to 1 an hour or more.

Not having an oven on for an hour could save around and not using an electric hob would save 58p. Even using a microwave less will save 6p per minute.

Turning off the TV at the wall will save around 3p. Boiling the kettle less will take 5p each time.

It does not make much sense to switch off your lights during these hours, because lightbulbs take very little electricity, especially if they are modern ones.

It would take hundreds of hours to save just 3 by switching off a lightbulb.

Why are we in this energy crisis?

National Grids Interconnexion France-Angleterre (IFA) 44 mile cable under the Channel has not been running at full capacity for more than a year after a blaze at its Kent substation (pictured)

Britain has one of the most reliable power networks in the world and unless cables are cut by storms or other accidents outages are rare.

But this winter, gas generators might not be able to get enough gas to keep running because of the war in Ukraine.

The grid said that if this happens, it still thinks that is 'unlikely', then it might have to cut power to some households and businesses.

Knowing this winter was likely to be more challenging than usual due to the energy supply crisis that has hit much of Europe, the Government agreed deals with coal plants that would otherwise have closed to be on standby.

These plants need time to slowly warm up before they can start producing electricity for British homes so the grid needs to warn them in advance.

There have been further problems due to a problem with wind and supply from Europe.

Last year, wind accounted for more than 20 per cent of the countrys electricity generation mix.

At the same time, electricity imports via a cable under the Channel from nuclear power stations in France are below expectations.

France has been facing months of problems with its nuclear power plants, which generate around three-quarters of the countrys electricity as well as exports to the UK.

More than half of the nuclear reactors run by French state energy company EDF have closed due to maintenance problems and technical issues.

Why would a grid ever plan for blackouts?

Engineers working on the energy grid need to make sure it is 'balanced' at all times.

This means that the amount of electricity being put into the grid by power plants, wind farms and others should match the amount being taken out by households and businesses at any given time.

The grid plans for when it thinks demand can be high so it can ask generators to meet that demand.

But if there is ever an imbalance where demand is higher than supply or supply is higher than demand, it can cause major breakdowns in the grid.

That could cause actual physical damage to the grid that could take days to repair.

If the engineers know there will not be enough supply to match demand, sometimes they need to reduce demand by planned outages.

Who will be impacted by blackouts and who gets cut off first?

If the grid realises that it has to cut off some parts of the country, it will issue a warning to the local and regional distributors saying how much demand needs to be cut.

It will be up to these so-called distribution network operators to decide who gets cut off and who does not.

But the DNOs have limited controls so most of the time it will be whole areas that are impacted.
Two former senior civil servants have been linked with a senior Labour job as Sir Keir Starmer organises his top team for a potential election win.

Sir Tom Scholar, the ex-permanent secretary at the Treasury, and Sir Olly Robbins, a senior Brexit negotiator for Theresa May, have been linked with the opposition leader's vacant chief of staff post.

After 12 years in opposition Sir Keir's team is lacking in previous experience of Government, with less than two years to go until the next election and a large Labour poll lead.

Sir Tom, 54, and Sir Olly, 47, both held the No10 post of principal private secretary under New Labour before moving on to other senior Civil Service jobs. Sir Olly went on to work for Tory PM Theresa May.

Sir Tom Scholar, the ex-permanent secretary at the Treasury, and Sir Olly Robbins, a senior Brexit negotiator for Theresa May, have been linked with the opposition leader's vacant chief of staff post.

After 12 years in opposition Sir Keir's team is lacking in previous experience of Government, with less than two years to go until the next election and a large Labour poll lead.

The chief of staff post has been vacant since October, when Sam White left after reports of tensions within the operation.

Sir Keir said his exit was due to the changes to the scale of the leader of the opposition's operation.

'Sam has played an incredible role taking our operation to the next level. Under his leadership the team has become better and stronger,' he said.

But 'with the merger, running the leader's office becomes a smaller role than Sam signed up for and we both agree, as we're making this change, now is the right time to go'.

Sir Tom was removed from his Treasury post by short-lived chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in one of his first acts on taking office in September.

Autumn PM Liz Truss had previously railed against 'Treasury orthodoxy' and the decision to get rid of the mandarin on the first day of her new Government, was seen as a signal of her determination to change the direction of economic policy.

Ms Truss is said to have personally pushed for the sacking of a former aide to Gordon Brown.

Sources close to the former Treasury chief told the Times he was unlikely to take the post as he had 'never been very political'.

Sir Olly resigned as Britain's chief Brexit negotiator ahead of Boris Johnson taking power in 2019.

He left for a City post with Goldman Sachs as the incoming PM introduced a completely different approach to Brexit from his predecessor.

As the man who secured Theresa May's doomed Brexit deal on the ground in Brussels, Mr Robbins was seen as a bogeyman figure by many of Mr Johnson's supporters and, as far as they were concerned, his position was untenable.

Brexiteers blamed Mrs May's personal EU adviser and head of the Cabinet Office's powerful Europe Unit for softening the terms of Britain's exit and failing to demand concessions on the hated Northern Irish 'backstop'.

They have also pointed to Sir Olly's support for a federal European system while studying at Oxford, accusing him of secretly plotting to keep Britain tied to Brussels indefinitely.

But one colleague defended him, saying: 'Whatever faults people have found with Olly, he was always deeply loyal to Theresa and did everything she asked of him in the negotiations. Any sins he has been accused of were largely hers, but her party found it easier to blame him until recently.'

Dubbed 'the mandarin's mandarin' he worked in senior positions under every Prime Minister since Tony Blair, including as Gordon Brown's private secretary and as National Security Adviser to David Cameron.

But as Sir Keir tries to balance the Brexit position of his party, a Labour source told the Times he could be seen as 'too Remainy'.

It is understood that while some Labour figures have floated them as candidates, neither is on the party's radar.
A British man who had been involved in a 'bitter' family feud over properties left to him by his late mother has been shot dead in Jamaica, local media has said.

Michael Brown, 48, was shot and killed in his bed while visiting relatives in Mike Town, Manchester early Thursday morning.

Police reports said Brown was in an unfinished section of a house in the community and was pounced upon by gunmen at approximately 12.20am Thursday.

His death brings the number of Britons killed on the Caribbean isle this year to two.

Michael Brown (pictured in an image shared by local press in Jamaica), 48, was shot and killed while visiting relatives in Mike Town on the outskirts of Mandeville in Manchester early Thursday morning

Brown, also known as 'Jimmy', was in a bedroom of an unfinished house he was constructing when he sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body in the attack. He was rushed to the Mandeville Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Citing 'community sources', Jamaican radio station Nationwide 90FM said Brown had been involved in a 'bitter' family feud over several properties his recently deceased mother had left to him in her will in the island nation.

The station reported the dispute escalated on Wednesday between Brown and his relatives, and a heated argument took place.

Police have opened an investigation into the shooting and are collecting statements.

Detectives are now probing whether Brown was killed in connection to the feud, according to local reports.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer, Brown was in bed when he was shot, just four days after he laid his 74-year-old mother to rest.

Head of the Manchester police Superintendent Shane McCalla told the local newspaper that the police had previously intervened in the family dispute, which is reported to have been going on since 2015.

Local television reports showed this picture, said to be of Mr Brown. Police reports said Mr Brown, also known as 'Jimmy', went to an unfinished section of his house in the community and was pounced upon by gunmen at approximately 12.20am on Thursday

'Up to as recent as last night [January 18], the police had to intervene in a domestic dispute between [relatives]. All the necessary actions were taken, persons were warned,' McCalla said. She told reporters the dispute involved five houses.

'The dispute stems as far back as 2015 and it is various properties, not only located [in Mike Town], but in other areas of Manchester, about five houses in total,' she said.

Police sources said two of Brown's relatives had been taken into custody, the Observer reported, and that they were persons of interest.

McCalla told the paper that officer questioned the relatives 'for hours'.

Reporters from the Observer visited the house, and said they found grief-stricken relatives, who shed some light on the dispute.

One said Brown's late mother suffered because of the dispute, claiming that even she was attacked at one point and chased from her house in the nude.

'This is a despicable crime and we are looking at all lines on inquiries. This man was from England and came over to look after his new house which he was building and to visit family,' a police spokesman said.

'From all accounts, he was a hard-working man. We intend to bring to justice those responsible.' they added: 'We will catch those responsible.'

An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are in contact with the local authorities following the death of a British-Jamaican man in Jamaica,' adding the Foreign Office had not been approached for consular assistance.

Brown is the second Brit to be shot dead in Jamaica this year after Sean Patterson, 33, a personal trainer from Shepherd's Bush, West London, was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head in St James, earlier in January.

Brown is the second Brit to be shot dead in Jamaica this year after Sean Patterson (pictured), 33, a personal trainer from Shepherd's Bush, West London, was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head in St James , earlier in January

Patterson, a personal trainer, was shot and killed outside of the guesthouse where he was staying, pictured, in Jamaica. Witnesses have said they heard 'explosions'

Speaking at the time, Jamaica Constabulary's deputy commissioner Fitz Bailey called it 'a contract killing that emanated from Britain'.

In a video statement, Bailey went on to say Patterson had arrived in Jamaica on 29 December with another man who was also from London. The pair had spent several days at an apartment before checking into the villa in Bogue Hill on New Year's Day.

Later that day, Mr. Patterson, and the man staying with him, met a third person from Kingston, and all three of them stayed at the guest house in separate rooms.

It was around noon the following day that Mr. Patterson and the Jamaican man went to the villa's pool deck, and a 'lone man dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt' was seen firing shots, Mr. Bailey said.
A 40-year-old man has died after being hit by a London bus in an alleged 'hit and run'.

The incident happened in Hounslow, west of the city, just before 7.20pm on Saturday.

Police were called at 9.20pm by staff at a west London hospital after a man was admitted with serious injuries.

'Despite their efforts the man died a short time after arrival,' the Met Police said in a statement.

A 59-year-old bus driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene.

A man was hit by a bus in Cranford Lane, junction with Armytage Road, Hounslow, west London (stock image of the location)

He was taken into custody and has since been released on bail.

Police say they know the identity of the man who has died and have informed his next of kin.

They are being supported by specially trained officers and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

Officers investigating the incident are appealing for witnesses.

The force said: 'Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit want to hear from anyone who might have been driving in the area and caught dash cam footage, or those who might have witnessed the incident.'

'Please call the SCIU on 02085435157, or call 101/ tweet @MetCC ref CAD 6583/21 Jan.'
Ghislaine Maxwell has hit the headlines again in the past few days as she is set to appear in a TV interview from her jail cell.

The convicted sex trafficker will appear on Jeremy Kyle's show on Talk TV tonight, speaking in a pre-recorded interview from FCI Tallahassee in Florida.

Below, MailOnline has all your questions covered.

Before being put behind bars for sex trafficking offences related to her relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell was well-known in Britain and the US, mixing with the rich and famous at lavish parties

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?

Before being put behind bars for sex trafficking offences related to her relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell was well-known in Britain and the US, mixing with the rich and famous at lavish parties.

Her most high-profile friend was Prince Andrew, whom she met when she was a student at the University of Oxford.

Before being put behind bars for sex trafficking offences related to her relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell was well-known in Britain and the US, mixing with the rich and famous at lavish parties. Above: Maxwell in the new interview

Maxwell had been in the spotlight from an early age, due to the fact that her father was media mogul Robert Maxwell, who died in 1991.

Maxwell is believed to have met Epstein, then a wealthy financier, in the late 1980s.

The pair had a romantic relationship that ended in the 1990s, but they remained close.

Why is she in prison?

Last summer, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping Epstein - who was found hanged in his prison cell while awaiting trial in 2019 - to abuse young girls.

She lured young girls to massage rooms for Epstein to molest between 1994 and 2004.

Maxwell was convicted in December 2021 of five counts of grooming minors.

Last summer, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping Epstein - who was found hanged in his prison cell while awaiting trial in 2019 - to abuse young girls. Above: Maxwell is seen during an exercise session at her prison in October

Before being convicted, she spent two years at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in New York.

She complained of maggot-infested meals and poor treatment from guards.

Whilst she was going to spend her sentence at Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Danbury  the Connecticut prison that inspired Orange is the New Black, she was instead sent to FCI Tallahassee last July.

Maxwell did express remorse to her victims after being sentenced, telling them: 'I hope my conviction and harsh incarceration brings you closure.'

Who are her alleged victims?

The only victim to give evidence under her full name during Maxwell's trial was Annie Farmer. There were three other women who were identified only by their first names.

Farmer told how she was lured to Epstein's ranch in New Mexico at the age of 16 with the promise there would be dozens of other bright students that he wanted to help.

Instead it was just her and Maxwell proceeded to massage her breasts before Epstein got into bed with her.

Annie Farmer (left), an alleged victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and her attorney Sigrid McCawley are seen outside federal court in New York after Maxwell's conviction last June

Another victim, Sarah Ransome, did not testify at Maxwell's trial but did give a victim impact statement after her conviction.

Referencing another victim in her statement, she said: 'I was 10 years old when Liz Stein was being trafficked. I was 10.

'That is how long this sex trafficking ring has been going on for. And it should have just taken one survivor to come forward for us to be taken seriously.

'It should not have been this hard.'

Virginia Roberts, who famously agreed a financial settlement with Prince Andrew over her claims that he raped her, was another alleged victim of Maxwell and Epstein.

Virginia Roberts, who famously agreed a financial settlement with Prince Andrew over her claims that he raped her, was another alleged victim of Maxwell and Epstein. Above: The infamous photo of the Duke of York (left), Virginia Giuffre (middle), and Ghislaine Maxwell (right)

Now known by her married name of Virginia Giuffre, the mother-of-three alleges that she was recruited by Maxwell to be Epstein's 'sex slave' in 2000, when she was aged just 17.

In her statement that was read out in her absence outside court, she said: 'Ghislaine, 22 years ago, in the summer of 2000, you spotted me at the Mar-a-Lago Hotel in Florida, and you made a choice.

'You chose to follow me and procure me for Jeffrey Epstein.

'Together, you damaged me physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally....Without question, Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible paedophile.

'But I never would have met Jeffrey Epstein if not for you. For me, and for so many others, you opened the door to hell'.

How does Maxwell know Prince Andrew?

Maxwell and Prince Andrew met when she was a student at Oxford in the 1980s.

The pair became friends and socialised together, and she introduced him to Epstein.

Maxwell and Epstein attended a party at the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk in the year 2000 that was reportedly held to celebrate her 39th birthday.

In his infamous Newsnight interview in 2019, Prince Andrew claimed that the event was a 'straightforward shooting weekend'.

Maxwell is also known to have made several visits to Buckingham Palace to see Andrew.

Maxwell and Prince Andrew met when she was a student at Oxford in the 1980s. The pair became friends and socialised together, and she introduced him to Epstein. Above: Andrew and Maxwell at Royal Ascot in the year 2000

What time is Jeremy Kyle's interview with Ms Maxwell on tonight?

The special show, titled Ghislaine Behind Bars, airs on TalkTV at 7pm.

It lasts for one hour and was put together using a series of video and phone conversations from Maxwell's prison.

What will Maxwell say?

In a clip released ahead of the show airing, Maxwell claimed that she has 'no memory' of Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre meeting, and insisting that the famous photo of the three of them is fake.

'It is a fake. I don't believe it is real for a second, in fact I am sure it is not,' she said.

'There has never been an original, there is no photograph.'

In a clip released ahead of the show airing , Maxwell claimed that she has 'no memory' of Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre meeting, and insisting that the famous photo of the three of them is fake

She also failed to apologise to her victims, saying in another clip: 'I say that Epstein died and they should take their disappointment and upset out on the authorities who allowed that to happen.

'And as I said I hope they have some closure by the judicial process that took place.'

How did Jeffrey Epstein die?

Epstein was found hanged in his prison cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York in 2019.

He had been awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy and sex trafficking.

Whilst the medical examiner ruled that his death was a result of suicide by hanging, there is significant public scepticism about the verdict.

His lawyer said in 2020 that he believed Epstein had been murdered.


EMOTIONS ran high during the burial of former Hwedza Police Station officer-in-charge, Inspector Maxwell Hove, in Mberengwa district, Midlands province, over the weekend with the deceaseds mother Loice claiming her son could have escaped cop killer Jaison Muvevis shots had he managed to jump out of the police car which entrapped him.

She implored the Zimbabwe Republic Police to improve the working conditions of its staff, saying the police vehicle door malfunctioned, leaving her son exposed to former detective Muvevi, who shot him at close range.

Another policeman, Detective Constable Tendai Mugova, who was in the same car, managed to jump to safety, but after being shot once.

Two other victims, Crispen Mubvana Kanerusine (62), better known as Madzibaba Silage, and Munashe Mujanhi (20) were shot on the same day but in separate incidents in Hwedza and have since been buried in the same district.

Addressing mourners, Hoves mother said if the police force was well-equipped, the reaction team could have disarmed Muvevi before he went on the rampage, shooting people indiscriminately.

I will never bring my son back, but I want to tell the Deputy Commissioner that I am in pain and bereaved. My child was in a police vehicle and was shot while trying to open it. Maybe if he had opened the door, he might be alive today, she said as emotions ran high at the grave side.

I also heard that another police officer was also injured when his service rifle jammed. I urge the police to improve the conditions of service for their officers. Equip them, train them because they will be dealing with dangerous criminals, Hoves grieving mother added.

Speaking at the same event, Deputy Commissioner Lorraine Chipato described the late Hove as a dedicated police officer who had served the country with distinction.

Maxwell was a dedicated officer who rose through the ranks to be an officer-in-charge. He was part of the police force and we are all saddened by his demise, Chipato said.

Earlier in the week, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga had warned that his charges would not hesitate to shoot to kill armed criminals. Newsday
Almost 450 migrants risked their lives in sub-zero conditions to illegally cross the English Channel over the weekend - in the biggest surge of asylum seekers this year.

People smugglers took advantage of the calm conditions on Saturday evening to sail a mass of asylum seekers from France - as temperatures in the south of England plunged to -5C.

A total of 10 boats were intercepted by UK Border Force cutters early on Sunday morning as the dinghies attempted to sail the treacherous 21-mile crossing of the Dover Straits.

Among those rescued included a small baby, with the Ministry of Defence confirming on Monday afternoon that 442 migrants had made the crossing on Sunday, bringing the total illegal arrivals to the UK this year to 486 people.

Dozens of migrants are pictured getting off a UK Border Force boat in Dover on Sunday having made the perilous 21-mile trip across the English Channel

It's believed migrants set sail from Gravelines, near Dunkirk, France. They were all brought into the harbour at Dover, Kent on Border Force vessels through Sunday.

The French coastguard confirmed they also prevented a further 53 asylum seekers from reaching the UK the same day.

French rescue ship Abeille Normandie was tasked with assisting a boat in difficulty off the coast on Sunday, recovering the 53 stranded migrants and dropping them off at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Once docked at the French Port, they were taken care of by the departmental fire and rescue service, the maritime medical coordination, and the border police.

Meanwhile, French naval vessels are understood to have shadowed the other dinghies are they headed towards British territory, with the military having a policy of not intervening to intercept the inflatables once they get into the water.

The crossings are the second this week despite biting temperatures, with 106 people making the dangerous voyage on January 17. While 44 migrants illegally completed the perilous crossing on January 2.

Those rescued by the authorities included men, women and children - with a small baby believed to be among the people to have been escorted into Dover on Sunday

Last year was the biggest year on record after 45,728 people arrived in 1,104 boats. - dwarfing 2021's total of 28,526.

August saw 8,641 people arrive in Britain by inflatable dinghy or other small craft - the most migrants to reach the UK in one month.

And the busiest day came on August 22 when 1,295 migrants arrived in Britain over a 24-hour period.

But there are fears that 2023 could see the crisis deepen even further, with Government officials predicting a whopping 80,000 people could try to cross the Channel this year - almost double 2022's record-breaking figure.

Albanian gangs have already launched a TikTok advertising blitz offering stowaway trips to the UK, with criminals demanding up to 18,000 a head - boasting of a '100 per cent success' record.

Ahead of a supposed crackdown on small boat arrivals, the people smugglers are demanding up to 18,000 a head at they boast having a '100 per cent success' rate

Unlike small boat arrivals, who are usually collected by lifeboats and passed to Border Force officials, lorry migrants disappear on arrival.

The latest crossings came on the same day that it was revealed that ministers had spent 20.8 million deploying the Royal Navy to try and halt the crisis.

Navy vessels were first deployed to assist Border Force last April by ex-PM Boris Johnson, who said it would mean 'no boat makes it to the UK undetected'.

And a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Defence on Sunday uncovered that taxpayers had stumped up 87,097 daily, 535 a migrant, under Operation Isotrope which is due to end on January 31 which the role is handed back to Border Force.

The revelation shocked Dover MP Natalie Elphicke, who told The Sun: 'This huge cost yet again underlines the importance of bringing this small boats crisis to an end.'

Meanwhile it emerged last week that three out of five of Britain's Broder Force cutters are currently undergoing maintenance instead of patrolling the English Channel protecting the nation's coastline.

HMC Valiant, pictured, is undergoing a 2 million 'ship life extension programme'

HMP Protector, pictured, has been moored in Lowestoft, Suffolk for at least six months. It has been tied up for so long that it has been mapped on Google Street View

HMC Protector, Valiant and Seeker are all tied up in Lowestoft, Suffolk where they are all undergoing repairs, or recertification.

HMC Protector was bought second hand from the Finnish Navy in 2013. According to marine tracking data it has been moored up for the past six months awaiting safety certification works which were due to last 25 days.

HMC Seeker is also undergoing work expected to cost up to 123,000 and due to last up to 25 days.

A Home Office official said: 'Our utmost priority is protecting the safety of the public, the maintenance of Border Forces vessels is managed throughout the year to ensure that this does not impact on our operational effectiveness.'

They did not provide any comment on why the three cutters were out of service at the same time.
Putin is said to have felt threatened by Prigozhin's rise and self-assertion

Prigozhin claimed his fighters had single-handedly taken control of Soledar

Yevgeny Prigozhin has fallen out of favour with Putin after he gloated that his fighters were more superior and successful than Russia's conventional forces

Vladimir Putin is said to have turned against the head of the feared Russian Wagner mercenary group after he 'failed to take the hint' and kept on bragging that his forces were achieving more success than Russia's army.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has fallen out of favour with the Russian president after he continuously gloated his private paramilitary fighters were more superior and successful than the country's conventional forces, experts say.

Earlier this month, Prigozhin bragged that his fighters had single-handedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar, which has been razed by fighting.

Putin is said to have felt threatened by Prigozhin's rise and tactless self-assertion, experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said today. This was evident, they said, when the leader pointedly did not credit Prigozhin or his Wagner forces for town's capture.

Earlier this month, Prigozhin (centre) undermined Putin by bragging that his fighters had single-handedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar, which has been razed to the ground by fighting

A Ukrainian tank drives down a street in the heavily damaged town of Siversk which is situated near the front lines with Russia on January 21

Putin, paranoid about Prigozhin's power, began to reintroduce himself as an involved wartime leader and met commanders after the Wagner boss posted a picture of himself with his mercenaries at the entrance of a salt mine in Soledar.

'Prigozhin did not take the hint, if hint it was, but instead redoubled his efforts to assert himself by advertising the superiority and successes of his own troops,' the experts from ISW said.

The Wagner boss instead tried to boost his standing by claiming he had arrived at the front lines near Bakhmut to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the control of territories there.

'His rhetoric and self-presentation had become overbearing and ostentatiously swaggering until things began to go south for him,' the think-tank researchers said.

Since Putin's war began, Prigozhin and Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov have been jockeying for power, suggesting that they could one day want to supplant Putin.

Prigozhin has been publicly critical of Russia's army and military leadership.

'Prigozhin likely imagined that his efforts in Ukraine would continue to lend him military and political power in Russia,' ISW experts said.

Vladimir Putin is said to have turned against Prigozhin after the private army chief 'failed to take the hint' and kept on bragging that his forces were achieving more success than Russia's

But Putin has now begun marginalising the Wagner group and has returned to relying on his conventional forces by appointing General Valery Gerasimov as Russia's new military commander in Ukraine.

'Prigozhin's recent apparent fall from grace and influence likely reflects the real limitations on his actual power,' the ISW said.

Experts suggested the return to prominence of Russia's conventional military will make it less likely Putin will 'give in to the crazier demands of the far-Right, pro-war faction' in Moscow.

Prigozhin has approximately 50,000 fighters in Ukraine, of whom 40,000 are convicts and 10,000 contractors, according to UK and US intelligence.

The ISW researchers said the marginalisation of Prigozhin, who has overseen the execution of deserters with sledgehammers, is positive.

But they said the re-emergence of the Russian military is 'concerning' as it means Russia could get back on course toward rebuilding its forces.

While Putin is now focusing on centralising his armed forces and strengthening his command over them, this is not going to plan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said today.

Putin's newly-appointed commander has seen a collapse in support just 12 days into the job after he brought in 'farcical' rules ordering troops to shave, the MoD said.

Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of the General Staff of the armed forces, has been criticised by those within his own ranks for being 'out of touch' by prioritising troops' appearances over combat training.

Gerasimov, who was put in charge only 12 days ago on January 11, was ridiculed for his focus on troops being clean-shaven amid heavy Russian casualties.

The MoD said since Gerasimov took command, officers have been attempting to clamp down on non-regulation uniform, travel in civilian vehicles, use of mobile phones and non-standard haircuts.

General Valery Gerasimov (pictured), Russia's Chief of the General Staff of the armed forces, has been criticised by those within his own ranks for being 'out of touch' by prioritising troops' appearances over combat training

Gerasimov, who was put in charge of troops in Ukraine only 12 days ago, was ridiculed for his focus on them being clean-shaven amid heavy Russian casualties. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers drive a tank near the town of Siversk near the front line

The measures have been met with 'sceptical feedback' and some of the 'greatest derision' has been reserved for Gerasimov's attempts to improve the standards of troops' shaving, according to the MoD's intelligence briefing today.

Officials in the Donetsk People's Republic have described the prioritisation as a 'farce' that would 'hamper the process of destroying the enemy', the ministry added.

The Wagner boss criticised Gerasimov's leadership and said 'war is the time of the active and courageous, and not of the clean-shaven'.

Britain's MoD said Gerasimov's prioritisation of minor regulations over combat training amid heavy casualties and operational deadlock will 'likely confirm the fears of his many sceptics in Russia'.

'Along with defence minister Sergei Shoigu, he is increasingly seen as out of touch and focused on presentation over substance,' the MoD added.

Gerasimov, like Shoigu, has faced sharp criticism from Russia's hawkish military bloggers for setbacks on the battlefield and Moscow's failure to secure victory in a campaign the Kremlin had expected to take just days.

Ukrainian soldiers take part in military drills in the eastern Donetsk region on January 21

The MoD said Gerasimov's (pictured with Putin in December 2021) prioritisation of minor regulations over combat training amid heavy casualties and operational deadlock will 'likely confirm the fears of his many sceptics in Russia'

Only last October, Sergey Surovikin, nicknamed 'General Armageddon' for his reputed ruthlessness, was put in overall charge of Russia's operations following a series of counter-offensives by Ukraine that turned the tide of the conflict.

But the reshuffle has meant Surovikin will serve as Gerasimov's deputy.

The shake-up was designed to increase effectiveness of military operations in Ukraine more than 10 months into a campaign in which tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, as well as hundreds of Ukrainian civilians, have been killed.

'The increase in the level of leadership of the special military operation is connected with the expansion in the scale of tasks... the need to organise closer contact between different branches of the armed forces and improve the quality... and effectiveness of the management of Russian forces,' Russia's ministry of defence said earlier this month.

Gerasimov, considered the architect of Russian action in Ukraine as the country's top officer for strategic military planning, has been widely blamed for Moscow's military setbacks.

Ukrainian soldiers work on a military vehicle on a road outside of the heavily damaged town of Siversk which is situated near the front lines with Russia on January 21

Such criticism was also shared by Kadyrov, who deployed his Chechnyan troops in Ukraine and repeatedly urged the Kremlin to up the ante in the conflict.

The criticism of Gerasimov from Prigozhin and Kadyrov rose to a high pitch in September, when Russian troops were forced to pull back from Ukraine's northeastern region of Kharkiv by a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Kadyrov accused Gerasimov of covering up for his protege, Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, who was in charge of troops that retreated from Kharkiv.

Yet Lapin was promoted to chief of staff of ground forces earlier this month. His promotion, with Gerasimov's new appointment, appear to signal Prigozhin and Kadyrov have little influence over the Kremlin's decision-making despite their increasing public activity.

It comes after Russian pro-war commentators were also left unimpressed by Gerasimov's appointment.

'The sum does not change, just by changing the places of its parts,' wrote one prominent military blogger who posts on the Telegram messaging app under the name of Rybar.

Ukrainian soldiers in trenches take part in military drills in the eastern Donetsk region on January 21

He said Surovikin, a veteran of Russian campaigns in Chechnya and Syria, was being made the fall guy for a series of failures, including an attack on a Russian barracks in the town of Makiivka that killed at least 89 soldiers, including conscripts, at New Year.

Meanwhile, Poland's prime minister said his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, and would send them whether or not Berlin agreed.

Germany's foreign minister had said on Sunday that Berlin would not stand in the way if Poland wanted to do so.

The issue of supplying German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine has dominated recent discussions among Western allies about how much and what sort of material aid they should give Ukraine as the first anniversary of the invasion nears.

Berlin, though it has provided substantial aid, has been criticised for dragging its feet on providing military hardware.

Meanwhile, Poland's prime minister said today his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks (file image) to Ukraine, and planned to send them whether or not Berlin agreed

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said on Monday it was important for the country not to take a reckless step that might be regretted later, adding that a decision will not be rushed.

'These are hard questions of life and death,' he added. 'We have to ask what this means for the defence of our own country.'

Russia and Ukraine are believed to be planning spring offensives to break the deadlock in what has become a war of attrition in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Fighting is centred on the town of Bakhmut in the east, where Wagner mercenaries have faced Ukrainian forces.

Russia said on Sunday its forces were improving their positions in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have been pleading with Western allies to supply them with Leopard tanks for months.

Leopards, held by an array of Nato countries, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable for Ukraine.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Warsaw would ask Germany for permission to re-export tanks to Ukraine, 'but this is an issue of secondary importance'.

'Even if we did not get this approval... we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine', he told reporters. 'The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries.'

Western allies pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week but they failed to persuade Germany to lift its veto on providing the tanks.

But in an apparent shift in Germany's position, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday her government would not block Poland if it tries to send Leopards.

Ms Baerbock's remarks appeared to go further than Chancellor Olaf Scholz's comments at a summit in Paris earlier that day, that all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in co-ordination with allies, including the United States.

Ukraine says the heavy battle tanks would give its ground troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive expected in coming months.

A close ally of Putin said on Sunday that deliveries of offensive weapons to Kyiv that threaten Russia's territories would lead to a global catastrophe and make arguments against using weapons of mass destruction untenable.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, warned that the United States and Nato's support of Ukraine was leading the world to a 'terrible war'.
Boris Johnson today hit out at 'complete nonsense' over claims the BBC chairman helped him secure a 800,000 loan while he was prime minister.

The former premier said the reports about Richard Sharp's involvement were 'just another example of the BBC disappearing up its own fundament'.

Mr Johnson, who has returned to London after a weekend trip to Ukraine, also insisted Mr Sharp 'knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances  let me tell you that for 100 per cent ding dang sure'.

It has been reported that Mr Sharp was involved in talks about how to arrange a loan guarantee for Mr Johnson in November and December 2020.

The discussions are said to have taken place just weeks before the then-PM recommended Mr Sharp for the role as BBC chairman.

Downing Street today denied the appointment of Mr Sharp was an example of 'cronyism' and insisted hiring processes were 'properly' followed.

But William Shawcross, the comissioner for public appointments, announced he would review the process used to appoint Mr Sharp.

Meanwhile Mr Sharp himself, a former Goldman Sachs banker and an ex-adviser to Rishi Sunak when the current PM was Chancellor, has ordered an internal BBC review into any possible 'conflicts of interest'.

In a statement, he admitted the row had become a 'distraction' for the broadcaster but insisted he had been given the BBC chairmanship 'on merit'.

Boris Johnson hit out at 'complete nonsense' over claims the BBC chairman helped him secure a 800,000 loan while he was prime minister

It has been reported that Richard Sharp was involved in talks about how to arrange a loan guarantee for Mr Johnson in November and December 2020

The discussions are said to have taken place just weeks before the then-PM recommended Mr Sharp for the role as BBC chairman

William Shawcross, the comissioner for public appointments, announced he would review the process used to appoint Mr Sharp

Mr Johnson is reported to have secured a loan of up to 800,000 in late 2020 at a time when he faced financial troubles over divorce payments, childcare costs and bills for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.

According to The Sunday Times, Sam Blyth, a multimillionaire Canadian businessman and distant cousin of Mr Johnson, raised the idea of acting as the PM's guarantor and asked Mr Sharp, an old friend, for advice on the best way forward.

The newspaper claimed that Mr Sharp later discussed the matter with Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, while Mr Johnson, Mr Sharp and Mr Blyth are all said to have had a private dinner at Chequers before the loan was finalised.

Labour had demanded Mr Shawcross's probe into Mr Sharp's subsequent appointment as BBC chairman  a role he is said to have already applied for before entering talks about Mr Johnson's loan  in January 2021.

Asked about the reports of Mr Sharp's role this morning, Mr Johnson told Sky News: 'This is a load of complete nonsense, absolute nonsense.

'Let me just tell you, Richard Sharp is a good and a wise man but he knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances, let me tell you that for 100 per cent ding, dang sure.

'This is just another example of the BBC disappearing up its own fundament.'

Mr Sunak was also quizzed about the row during a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire this morning.

The PM, who is separately facing questions about the tax affairs of Tory party chairman Nadhim Zahawi, insisted Mr Sharp went through a 'rigorous' and 'independent' appointments process before becoming BBC chairman.

'This appointment was obviously made by one of my predecessors before I became PM,' Mr Sunak said.

'The appointments process itself for appointing the BBC chairman is a rigorous process, it is independent, there are two stages to it, it is transparent and published online.

'Mr Sharp's appointment went through that full process.'

Mr Sharp himself has apologised to BBC staff for the 'distraction' the row has caused.

In a statement he confirmed he had spoken to Mr Blyth and Mr Case about financial support for Mr Johnson at a time when he had already submitted an application to become BBC chairman.

He said that he and Mr Case 'both agreed that to avoid any conflict that I should have nothing further to do with the matter'.

'At that point there was no detail on the proposed arrangements and I had no knowledge of whether any assistance was possible, or could be agreed,' he added.

'Since that meeting I have had no involvement whatsoever with any process. Even now, I dont know any more than is reported in the media about a loan or reported guarantee.'

Mr Johnson insisted Mr Sharp 'knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances  let me tell you that for 100 per cent ding dang sure'

Rishi Sunak, speaking on a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire, insisted Mr Sharp went through a 'rigorous' and 'independent' appointments process before becoming BBC chairman

In his statement to 'set out the facts', Mr Sharp insisted that he 'was appointed on merit, in a process which was independently monitored'.

He also stressed that he had 'never hidden my longstanding relationship' with Mr Johnson, for who he worked as an adviser during the ex-PM's spell as London mayor.

'We have many challenges at the BBC, and I know that distractions such as this are not welcomed,' Mr Sharp said.

'Our work at the BBC is rooted in trust. Although the appointment of the BBC chairman is solely a matter for the Government, I want to ensure that all the appropriate guidelines have been followed within the BBC since I have joined.

'The nominations committee of the BBC board has responsibility for regularly reviewing board members' conflicts of interest and I have agreed with the board's senior independent director, Sir Nicholas Serota, that the committee shall assess this when it next meets, reporting to the board, and in the interests of transparency publish the conclusions.'

Labour's shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell yesterday wrote to Mr Shawcross to ask him to investigate the appointment process for Mr Sharp.

Mr Shawcross this afternoon confirmed he would review Mr Sharp's appointment 'to assure myself and the public that the process was run in compliance with the Governments governance code for public appointments'.

'My office has today called for the relevant papers from the Department for Media, Culture and Sport,' he added.

Downing Street denied Mr Sharp's appointment as BBC chairman was an example of 'cronyism'.

The PMs official spokesman said: 'There are processes in place to ensure that these appointments are done properly. That was followed in this instance.'

A BBC spokesman said: 'The BBC plays no role in the recruitment of the Chair and any questions are a matter for the Government.'
Just 100 miles separate mainland China and Taiwan - a distance shorter than the gap between Florida and Cuba - but for decades they have been locked in a diplomatic and political battle over control.

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that is part of mainland - but the island insists it is a separate nation with its own democratically elected officials and a standing Army.

It sits in the 'first island chain' and is surrounded by nations - including Japan and South Korea - who are friendly to the U.S.

The Biden administration has consistently said they do not back Taiwanese independence and the One-China policy in place since Jimmy Carter has not changed.

Only 13 countries, including the Vatican, recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation.

But actions by previous Presidents, including Donald Trump, suggest that the diplomatic situation is open to interpretation in the West, angering Beijing.

Taiwan also produces more than 60 percent of the world's semiconductors - that are critical for operating smartphones, computers and the brake sensors in cars.

A conflict between China and Taiwan could plunge the pair into an economic crisis that could spark a global supply chain meltdown.

When and where did the tensions begin? Centuries of displacement and friction

Taiwan has changed hands since AD 239, when Beijing sent an expedition to explore the area and ended up claiming it as its own.

Between the 13th and early 17th century, the Hoklo and Hakka Chinese people started to settle there fleeing hardship and still make up the largest demographics on the island.

It came to be known as Formosa by European nations when the Dutch set up a colony between 1624 and 1661 and the Spanish built a small enclave in the north of the island in 1626.

In 1662, the island changed hands to and became integrated into the Qing dynasty until 1895 when the Japanese won the First Sino-Japanese War and had to cede the territory to Tokyo - which was then known as Edo.

Modern China was then formed in 1911, after the revolution - and Taiwan insists they were never a formal part.

Just 100 miles separate mainland China and Taiwan - a distance shorter than the gap between Florida and Cuba - but for decades they have been locked in a diplomatic battle

Japan then surrendered the island after their defeat in the Second World War and handed the control of Taiwan back to China - with the backing of western allies including the US and the UK.

But then the Civil War broke out between Republic of China, led by Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang (KMT), and the Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong.

Overrun by Mao's forces, Kai-shek and the remainder of his government fled to Taiwan in 1949 and dominated politics on the island while the communists took over in Beijing.

Taiwan becomes an ally of the United States, which was at war with China in Korea. The United States deployed a fleet in the Taiwan Strait to protect its ally from possible attack from the mainland.

Kai-shek's son began a process of democratization when there was an uprising by the rest of the people living on the island started to protest.

Since then the island has moved to put more democratic institutions.

After the Second World War, Civil War broke out between Republic of China, led by Chiang Kai-shek (left) and the Kuomintang, and the Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong (right)

The 'One China' policy: The U.S. and its longstanding position on Taiwan

The policy acknowledges that there is only one Chinese government, and Taiwan is not an independent or sovereign state.

In 1979, after years of improving relations between the U.S. and China, Jimmy Carter travelled to Beijing to meet leader Deng Xiaoping and severed formal ties with Taipei.

He closed the U.S. embassy and established formal relations with China.

However, Congress also passed the Taiwan Relations Act. The legislation guaranteed that the U.S. would protect the island and help it defend itself - which is why the U.S. sells them arms.

Administrations since Carter's have recognized the policy and stood by it.

President Biden has insisted Taiwan should be independent, but the there was been remove to remove.

In December 2016, Donald Trump spoke to President Tsai Ing-wen to congratulate her on the election win - breaking three decades of policy precedent and angering China.

Trump noted in the call that the U.S. and Taiwan have 'close economic, political and security ties'.

The encroachment of the U.S. and their willingness to protect Taiwan has made the Beijing-Washington relationship increasingly tenuous in recent years and ramped up friction in the build-up to Pelosi's visit.

At the end of July, Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a two-hour call, where Biden underscored that 'the United States policy has not changed - but strongly opposed unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Xi Jinping fired back at Biden and said 'those who play with fire will perish by it' over Taiwan.

In 1979, after years of improving relations between the U.S. and China, Jimmy Carter travelled to Beijing to meet leader Deng Xiaoping and severed formal ties with Taipei

Recent tensions between China and Taiwan - and the back and forth over relations

Chen Shui-bian wa elected Taiwan's president in 2000, marking the first time in power for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which supports Taiwanese sovereignty and formal independence.

It was a move that marked the start of the island's slow move towards trying to split from Beijing.

In March 2005, Beijing adopted an anti-secession bill in March that made secession by Taiwan illegal.

That April, leaders of Taiwan's major opposition KMT and the Communist Party of China meet for the first time since 1949 to try and ease the souring relationship.

In 2008, the KMT-backed President Ma Ying-jeou, who favored closer ties with China, came into power and set aside political disputes to discuss deals ranging from tourism to commercial flights.

But in 2016, Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP won the presidential race on a platform of standing up to China. Months later, Beijing suspended all official communications with Taiwan.

In 2016, Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP won the presidential race on a platform of standing up to China. Months later, Beijing suspended all official communications with Taiwan

Taiwan's dominance in the semiconductor market - and how a conflict could cause a global crisis

Taiwan manufactured more than 60 percent of the globe's semiconductors last year, and the industry is now in the spotlight.

The chips allow smartphones, computers and the brake sensors in cars to function.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, counts Apple, Qualcomm and Nvidia as its clients and took in 54 percent of global revenue in 2021.

TSMC Chairman Mark Liu said on Monday August 1 that there would be an economic crisis on both sides of the strait if China and Taiwan entered a conflict.

He told CNN TSMC factories will be rendered 'non-operable' in the event of a Chinese attack because the sophisticated manufacturing facilities depend on connections with the rest of the world.

He stressed it would cause a supply chain crisis which would extend as far away as the U.S., which last month passed a bill trying to fix the shortage.
A 70-year-old pensioner who spent a year sending poison pen letters and emails to her Quaker society has been given a restraining order to keep away from the group.

Julia Wermig-Morgan was found guilty of harassment after writing 'distressing and unsavoury' letters as part of an 'unpleasant' vendetta campaign against members of the Bridport Quaker Group in Dorset.

A two-day trial at Weymouth Magistrates Court heard the psychotherapist and Oxford University postgraduate became upset about a 'clique' forming within the religious organisation she had been part of for more than 35 years.

She accused newcomer Caroline Kibblewhite of creating a 'division' in the group after she had been installed as assistant clerk.

Julia Wermig-Morgan, 70, was found guilty of harassment after a two-day trial at Weymouth Magistrates Court

A trial heard how she bombarded members of her local Quaker society Caroline Kibblewhite (left) and Valerie Shepherd (right), with 'distressing and unsavoury' letters, emails and postcards

Mrs Wermig-Morgan had been an elder of the Bridport Quaker group in Dorset but she felt like nobody was listening to her.

The letters she started to send to Mrs Kibblewhite and Valerie Shepherd, another elder, were described by the victims as 'distressing and offensive'.

In them she made unfounded allegations of bullying, fraud and domestic violence against members.

Despite being told to stop by the police, Mrs Wermig-Morgan continued her campaign of harassment.

She had denied two charges of harassment without violence, claiming she was a whistleblower.

But she was found guilty and has now been sentenced.

Raymond Tan, mitigating, described his client as 'exceptionally intelligent' adding that she is about to start a Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford University's medical research department.

He said that she saw 'wrongdoing' in the group and accepted she had been 'relentless' in the way she 'hammered away' at certain members.

Mr Tan said: 'When it comes to religion people do have very strong views.

'In this case there are very clearly two different groups of people, Mrs Wermig-Morgan had four witnesses come forward supporting her views.

'In her letters she was more concerned in highlighting wrongs than in making targeted attacks.

'She is an exceptionally intelligent woman who takes community work very seriously.

'During the pandemic she volunteered in soup kitchens and tried to do her bit to help.

'I hope that in future she will accept that sometimes people see things differently and to carry on with her own life.

'She is being invited to do a DPhil at Oxford University medical research and I hope she focuses on that.'

At Mrs Wermig-Morgan's trial held last month, magistrates in Weymouth heard that the problems arose in 2019 after former probation officer Mrs Kibblewhite retired to rural west Dorset 'for a quiet life'.

The defendant made 'ludicrous' accusations of bullying against Mrs Kibblewhite, claiming she wanted to create a hierarchy of 'important and unimportant people' in the society.

This prompted her to write her hate mail.

Nicola Reese, prosecuting, said: 'Several members of the group received numerous letters and emails from the defendant.

'They included a number of personal comments that members found offensive.

'They decided that the best course of action was to forward all of the emails into the general Bridport Quaker Meeting email as evidence.

'A letter was sent to the defendant about the contact she was having with other members.

'They requested her to desist sending letters.

'On the 15th December 2020 they expelled her from meetings for one year.

'The police also sent her a letter, which she signed to confirm he had received, that explained the contact she was making was unwanted and that she had to stop.

'She still kept sending emails and letters to those two ladies.

'They have both said that they found the contact distressing and offensive.'

During a trial Mrs Kibblewhite said she tried to ignore Mrs Wermig-Morgan's letters and emails but then met with her to ask her to stop due to the harm they were doing.

She said: 'I was convinced that we were not going to be able to easily get her to realise that her behaviour was unacceptable and she needed to refrain but it was one thing after another after another.

'There were very solid hard working people who were devastated by what was happening and were quite traumatised and their only solution was to stay away.

'I retired down here for a quiet life and I didn't want to get into any confrontation.'

Mrs Shepherd said: 'Her correspondence caused great distress and we asked her to stop doing it. That's all we asked of her.

'She felt bullied. There were allegations of a fraud. She would attack various individuals. It was just ridiculous and also very hurtful.

'Quite often I thought she had given up and then out of the blue there would be another postcard.

'I tried to ignore it but it gets under your skin and you can't help but think about them.'

In sentencing Mrs Wermig-Morgan to a 12 month restraining order, presiding magistrate Richard MacRae, said: 'We have read a lot of the emails that were sent.

'We are going to go with the recommendation from the Probation Service and issue a restraining order.

'During the next year you must not contact the others in the Bridport Quaker Meeting unless you have their permission.

'All being well after 12 months you will be able to contact them first again.

'The other aspect is that you cannot contact by letter or email or any other means Mrs Shepherd or Mrs Kibblewhite.

'We are also making a community order which requires 10 days of rehabilitation work.'

Mrs Wermig-Morgan was also fined 968.
A father and son who left a fellow plane passenger with 'horrendous injuries' when they attacked him following an argument about a seat being pushed back have avoided jail.

Robert Powell, 58, and his son James, 22, got into a row with Sreenivasayyr Janakiram on a flight to Heathrow on September 25, 2021, Uxbridge Magistrates Court heard.

District judge Deborah Wright said the argument was 'to do with the seat going back'.

It was said Robert approached Mr Janakiram as he waited for the terminal shuttle train at Heathrow's Terminal 5 and pushed him.

James then became involved and rained a number of blows on Mr Janakiram, preventing him from getting away, the court heard.

Robert Powell, 58 (blue shirt and jeans) and James Powell, 22 (black coat) have been given suspended prison sentences for assault by beating

Mr Janakiram was left with cuts and bruises on his face and neck, including a large swelling on his cheek.

Robert, the director of an online counselling company, and his son James were found guilty by magistrates of assault by beating earlier this month.

At their sentencing hearing, a judge said neither had 'shown a bit of remorse' for launching the assault and she handed the pair, from Enfield, north London, suspended prison sentences.

Sentencing them, Ms Wright said: 'Neither of you are getting credit, neither of you are accepting responsibility for your actions, neither of you have shown a bit of remorse.

'You needn't have approached that man. He wasn't presenting any threat to you.

'James Powell you rained significant injuries upon him. You assisted effectively by preventing him from moving. The behaviour of both of you was appalling.'

James Powell was handed a 26-week prison sentence while his father was given a 16-week sentence - both suspended for 18 months.

Robert Powell had claimed their victim had threatened to kill him while on the plane - an allegation rejected by the court.

He said: 'Under the laws of this country I'm guilty of assault and I must accept that.'

In mitigation Robert Powell alleged: 'At the time, I thought I was standing up for myself because someone threatened me and I realise that was wrong and that the courts in this country don't see that as appropriate behaviour.'

Ms Wright replied: 'You clearly targeted him in the hall, he was standing there minding his own business. You could have left it, but you decided not to. He ended up with horrendous injuries. You two acted as a pack.'

As well as the suspended prison sentences, the pair were ordered to pay 998 each - made up of 250 compensation to the victim, 1,620 of prosecution costs and a surcharge of 128.

Robert Powell was also given an electronically monitored tag for three months while his son was given a tag for six months.
Rishi Sunak today insisted he does obey the law as he issued a grovelling apology for failing to wear a seatbelt in his official car.

The PM was issued with a fixed penalty notice on Friday after an Instagram video showed him sitting in the moving vehicle without a restraint.

Downing Street said sorry on Mr Sunak's behalf last week. But today he expressed 'deep regret' in person.

Asked about the blunder during a visit to Berrywood Hospital in Northampton, Mr Sunak said: 'Yes, I regret not wearing a seatbelt.

'It was a mistake and that is why I apologised straight away.'

Mr Sunak received another FPN over 'Partygate' Covid rule breaches in April alongside predecessor Boris Johnson. He is only the second PM after Mr Johnson to be fined

Challenged on how the public could trust him to follow the 'laws of the land', Mr Sunak replied: 'Of course I do (follow the law).

'In this instance, I made a mistake which I regret deeply and that's why I apologised straight away.'

Asked about the seatbelt blunder during a visit to Berrywood Hospital in Northampton today (right), Rishi Sunak said: 'Yes, I regret not wearing a seatbelt.'

Lancashire Constabulary did not reveal how much Mr Sunak was fined, but fixed penalty notices for seatbelt offences are usually 100, rising to up to 500 if taken to court.

A fixed penalty notice is a sanction for breaking the law which allows the recipient to pay a set amount to avoid going to court.

Labour said Mr Sunak demonstrated a 'lack of judgment' over his decision not to wear a seatbelt.

The Liberal Democrats said it was an example of the Conservatives behaving 'as though it's one rule for them and another for everyone else'.

However, some Tories said the police were wasting their time by getting involved in political complaints.
Presenter Fearne Cotton says an inner rage took hold as she stood up to some scaffolders who targeted her with abuse and sexual comments in the street.

The former Radio 1 DJ recalled being on a walk with her husband Jesse Wood when the workers began harassing her.

Miss Cotton, 41, said she 'lost the plot a bit' at the men before noting the name of the firm and later calling the owner in Benidorm, Spain.

She also revealed that she had previously spent a long time being terrified to walk alone.

Fearne Cotton, 41, a former BBC presenter, said she hit back at the men before noting the name of the company and later calling the owner

Fearne said her husband, Jesse Wood (left), was with her when the sexist comments were made and that he intervened

I'm not in any way wanting to accentuate stereotypes that may or may not exist, but I walked past a bunch of scaffolders and  I was with my husband unbelievably  but there was some abuse shouted at me, she said on her Happy Place podcast.

Some inner rage took hold and I sort of lost the plot a bit and I kind of walked back and was like You cannot talk to me like that. And it didn't stop. They carried on.

Then my husband kind of got involved and we sort of said, Right, what's going on here? And then they denied it and said, Oh, no, there's other workers, they're round the back of the house  which was obviously a lie.

She continued: And this fury within me, which I think was probably cumulative... And then when I walked off, because I'd obviously called them out they shouted stuff. This bit wasn't necessarily sexual, but it had been  but it was just swearing and saying horrible things.

And I went back again, because I was like, I cannot walk home and feel ok with what's just happened.

Miss Cotton, who has son Rex, nine, and daughter Honey, seven, with Wood, 46, said she took down the name of the company from their jumpers, Googled it and rang their boss with whom she had a really good chat.

Opening up: Fearne Cotton said 'some inner rage took hold' during the incident with the scaffolders

Career: Fearne has been a solid part of the TV and radio world since she began her presenting career at the age of 15 (pictured on Celebrity Juice with Holly Willoughby, Keith Lemon and Rufus Hound in 2009)

Married to the son of Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood, Jesse Wood, Fearne has two children and has focused her recent years in family life and her Happy Place Podcast, which she promoted on Lorraine in October 2022

She said: He happened to be on holiday in Benidorm, quite irritated that this was actually going on.

I sat at home fuming and I was just deep breathing. I knew it wasn't just about that one incident, it was just knowing that we've all had this for years and years.

She then received a phone call from the perpetrator, adding: We had a chat and it was actually alright.

'And we sort of ended it on me sort of saying I'm a human, just walking about, having a walk with my husband.

She said she really hopes he will never make women feel scared, p***** off or infuriated ever again.

The presenter recalled the encounter during an interview with Emily Atack ahead of her BBC2 documentary Asking For It? in which she opens up about the online abuse she receives from men online.

Miss Cotton said she was left terrified by some of the comments that she would receive while on air at BBC Radio 1.

Some terrified me and were not so much sexual but violent, aggressive, she said.

The paranoia I had at that point of my life Id be walking the streets looking over my shoulder constantly.
The heroic bystander who took down the Monterey Park gunman after he murdered 11 people at a California dance hall has spoken out to describe how he took the 72-year-old down, saying his 'primal instinct' told him to attack.

Brandon Tsay was at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra at 10.40pm last night when gunman Huu Can Tran burst through the doors armed with an illegal, semi-automatic pistol.

He has since told Good Morning America and The New York Times how he was helping out on Saturday night at his family's business when dozens had come to the ballroom for a Lunar New Year party.

Tran had already killed 11 people at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park.

Police sources say he was 'looking for his wife'. It remains unclear if she is among the victims.

Hero Brandon Tsay, 26, wrestled the gun out of Huu Can Tran's hands after he showed up at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra on Saturday night looking for more victims. Tran, shown in a hat and wearing all black, had just killed ten people at another studio

Tsay,. 26, told Good Morning America that he thought he was going to die when he saw Tran enter the ballroom with his gun. 'Something came over me...I thought I have to get this gun away from him or else we're all going to die,' he said

EXCLUSIVE: "I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him, disarm him, or else everyone else would have died."



Brandon Tsay, who helped disarm the gunman who allegedly shot 20 people, 10 fatally, during Lunar New Year celebration in CA, speaks out. https://t.co/O3eNuELr9O pic.twitter.com/OXTCXgml1u  Good Morning America (@GMA) January 23, 2023

Tran was looking for more victims when Tsay - whose family owns the Lai Lai Ballroom - confronted him, snatching his weapon from him after a struggle and scaring him away.

In an interview with GMA's Robin Roberts in Monterey Park, Tsay described the moment he realized the shooter had come looking to kill.

Shooter Huu Can Tran killed himself on Sunday after going on the run

'It was Chinese New Year's, we were hosting a social dance party.

'I was in the lobby and it was late into the evening. Most of our customers already left, I was looking into the dance ballroom.

'This is when I heard the sound of the front door creaking, instantly followed by the sound of metal objects rubbing together.

'I turned around and saw there was an Asian man holding a gun. My first thought was, I was going to die here. This is it.'

He told The New York Times in a separate interview that it was 'primal instinct' to attack him, and that Tran's eyes were 'menacing'.

Tsay had never seen Tran before.

He said he instantly knew he was there to commit a mass shooting, and was scanning the room for targets.

There was a struggle between the pair, with Tran punching Tsay and hitting him with the gun

Tsay fought back and eventually drove Tran out of the ballroom lobby before he could shoot anyone

Tsay punched the gunman's glasses off his face in the struggle. Tran fled and later killed himself

The struggle was at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra , the gunman's second stop

'I could tell he was not here to rob us, he wasn't looking for money. He was looking around the room. It seemed like he was looking for targets, people to harm.

'Something came over me - I realized I needed to take this weapon, disarm him, or else everybody would have died.

Something came over me - I realized I needed to take this weapon, disarm him, or else everybody would have died.

'When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon an we struggled into the lobby, trying to get this gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face and bashing my head.

'I was trying to create some distance. Finally, at one point, I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside and create some distance.

'I was able to get the gun and point it at him, intimidate him, shout: "Get the hell away from here! I'll shoot! Get away!"

'At this point, I thought he would run away. He was contemplating whether to fight or run away. I really thought I'd have to shoot him. This is when he turned around and walked out the door, and walked back to his van.

'I immediately called the police, with the gun still in my hand. I couldn't believe what happened,' he said.

His first stop was the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, where ten were killed

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

Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff

After an hours-long standoff, Tran died 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 on Saturday

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

Hunter Zhao, 41, holds flowers to honor the victims killed in Saturday's ballroom dance studio shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023

From the Lai Lai ballroom, Tran is believed to have traveled to a nearby hospital.

He then got back in his white van - which had stolen plates - and drove 22 miles to Torrance.

A SWAT team surrounded the vehicle and upon breaching it, found him dead inside.

Police are yet to confirm exactly what drove him to commit the murders but a source told LA Magazine it was a 'domestic dispute' and that he was looking 'for his wife'.

His first wife - whom he divorced in 2005 - has since spoken anonymously to CNN to describe how they met at Star Dance, where he taught lessons for years.

The woman said he would often berate her if she got a dance step wrong, and that he was quick to fly into a rage.

It remains unclear what Tran did for work.

Tsay's family praised his efforts, and said he was lucky to be alive.

'It was just my son. He could have died. Hes lucky, someone was watching over him,' his father, Tom, told the Times.

Tran lived alone in a small house in the Lakes at Hemet West Senior Community where neighbors say he was kind and quiet.

'Tran was just a nice guy. I mean, Id see him riding his little, small motorcycle in and out, once in a while in his van.

'Hed stop to pet your dog, and everybody around here just thought he was just some quiet, little guy.

'The people Ive talked to are just stunned that he was involved in this. Pretty much lived alone, and I guess he taught dance or something, ballroom dance,' neighbor Pat Roth told Inland News.
A senior executive at a FTSE 250 firm who was told by his younger boss he was an 'old fossil' has won 35,000 in an age discrimination case.

Glenn Cowie was sacked and replaced with a younger woman following the implementation of a new policy that meant the company was encouraged not to hire people over 45.

The 300,000-a-year senior manager was 58 when he was told he would be dismissed from his role as a divisional president at global engineering company Vesuvius after almost 40 years.

The sacking came just 18 months after CEO Patrick Andre called him an 'old fossil' in the middle of a meeting with other executives, an employment tribunal heard.

Glenn Cowie, 58, (pictured) was awarded nearly 35,000 in a age discrimination case after he was called an 'old fossil who doesn't know how to manage millennials' by his boss Patrick Andre, the CEO at engineering firm Vesuvius

A tribunal hearing was told there was a meeting of the company's executives in Brazil, where Mr Andre (pictured) told Mr Cowie he was 'an old fossil who doesn't know how to manage millennials'

Mr Cowie - who accused the firm of having an 'institutional and deep prejudice against older employees' - won claims of age discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal.

He has been awarded 34,407 - and will be awarded further compensation at a later date.

The tribunal, held in central London, heard Mr Cowie started working for Vesuvius - which makes products for the car industry, steelmakers and foundries - while living in South Africa in 1981.

In 2014 he was promoted to Global Business Unit President of Foundry Industries, also known as Foseco International, one of the four divisions of the company.

The hearing was told that in September 2017 Mr Andre was appointed CEO of Vesuvius, having previously been Mr Cowie's immediate peer.

The tribunal heard that at the time Mr Cowie was based in the United States and his salary was raised to more than 300,000 in December 2017, although his 'overall remuneration package was significantly more valuable'.

In February 2018 there was a meeting of the company's executives in Brazil, where Mr Cowie said Mr Andre spoke to senior managers including himself.

He told the tribunal that Mr Andre said: 'These new millennials will never stop pushing until they have my job and you older guys have to get used to it.'

Mr Cowie - who was the divisional president for Vesuvius' metals foundry business Foseco International - won claims of age discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal and is set to receive further payouts. Pictured: Vesuvius headquarters

The issue of the resignation of a manager who was in his 30s and who Mr Cowie had hired at Mr Andre's recommendation was also discussed.

The tribunal heard Mr Andre told Mr Cowie he was 'an old fossil who doesn't know how to manage millennials'.

Mr Cowie said he remembered the comment very well as 'it was so out of the blue and inappropriate'.

In the tribunal's judgement, Employment Judge Adkin said: 'First, Mr Andre commented negatively on [his] age and second, he commented negatively on Mr Cowie's inability to manage younger employees.

'It was unwanted conduct. We find it created an intimidating and hostile environment.'

The tribunal heard Mr Andre emailed Mr Cowie in May 2018, pushing for any new recruits to be a maximum age of 45 years old.

There was a concern about not having enough 'high potential' younger employees who could progress to executive roles and the recruiting aim was to find people 'with enough time left in their career in order to develop'.

Mr Andre confirmed this was the 'preference' but said this was not a 'rigid rule' and denied there was an 'age ceiling' within the business.

In September 2018 Mr Andre indicated to the company's board that Mr Cowie was not performing well enough in his role and that he had six months to improve.

However, this was not communicated to Mr Cowie himself, the tribunal heard.

By October, at the insistence of Mr Andre, Mr Cowie moved back to the UK. But the same month an executive search agency was employed to find a potential replacement for him.

In the tribunal's judgement Employment Judge Adkin said: 'First, Mr Andre (circle right) commented negatively on [his] age and second, he commented negatively on Mr Cowie's (circled left) inability to manage younger employees. It was unwanted conduct'

The tribunal heard Mr Andre decided to sack Mr Cowie in February 2019, but he did not discuss this decision with him until 1 August 2019, when he told Mr Cowie 'it's not working' and his employment would be terminated.

The tribunal heard Mr Cowie was 58 at the time and his replacement, Karena Cancilleri, was 51 years old.

Vesuvius argued showed that the under 45 policy was a suggestion rather than a rule.

Following his dismissal, Mr Cowie filed a grievance in October 2019 complaining of age discrimination.

He said: 'Patrick has brazenly embarked on an unlawful campaign of getting rid of older employees and replacing them with under 45-year-old staff as per emails and direct instructions to recruiting companies not to employ staff over aged 45.

'These blatant written instructions are on the record and show an institutional and deep prejudice against older employees. These comments are a direct smoking gun.'

He said the 'old fossil' comment 'tells you everything you need to know about his motivations and stereotypical opinions about older employees'.

The tribunal concluded that while Mr Cowie's complaint about the 'old fossil' comment was discriminatory it had happened too long ago to form part of his case.

However, it ruled that the remark was 'important background' for the rest of his age claims.

The tribunal ruled he had been unfairly dismissed by Vesuvius and suffered age discrimination at the hands of the company and Mr Andre.

At the latest tribunal hearing to determine compensation, Mr Cowie said: 'It is hard to describe fully the mental anguish that I suffered as a result of the company's treatment.

'It was severe and lasting. I had devoted 37 years of my life to the company.

'I lost confidence. I felt very low. In late 2019 I suffered deeply depressive and anxious periods that I had never had before.'

The tribunal awarded him an initial payment including 20,000 for injury to feelings.

A second compensation hearing to determine his loss of income award will be held at a later date.
Ethan Mollick, associate professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, pointed to the technology's capabilities in a recent post to Twitter

ChatGPT - a recently released AI with the uncanny ability to mimic human writing - has passed some of America's most challenging professional exams, studies have shown, raising concerns it could soon put many white collar workers out of a job.

The artificially intelligent content creator, whose name is short for 'Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer,' was released two months ago by OpenAI, and has since taken the world by storm.

Praised by figures such as Elon Musk - one of OpenAI's founders - the AI-powered chatbot, however, has raised alarms in regards to ethics as students use it to cheat on writing assignments and experts warn it could have lasting effects on the US economy.

Its results, though, are inarguable - with recent research showing it the chatbot could successfully achieve an MBA, and soon pass notoriously difficult tests like the United States Medical Licensing Exam and the Bar.

Ethan Mollick, associate professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, touted ChatGPT's increasingly impressive capabilities in a recent post to Twitter

Recent research shared by the professor showed that the AI-powered chatbot, release two months ago, can already successfully achieve an MBA, and may soon be able to pass notoriously difficult tests like the United States Medical Licensing Exam and the Bar Exam

Ethan Mollick, associate professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted these reports in a recent post on social media, one of which was carried out by one of his colleagues at the prestigious school.

The report, by Wharton professor Christian Terwiesch, found that ChatGPT, while still in its infancy, received a grade varying from a B to B- on the final exam of a typical MBA core course.

Additionally, the research, done to see what the release of the AI tool could mean for MBA programs, found that ChatGPT also 'performed well in the preparation of legal documents.'

'The next generation of this technology might even be able to pass the bar exam,' the report notes.

Mollick, who requires students to use the AI during his courses covering innovation and entrepreneurship, touted the findings Sunday in a post to social media, in which he remarked on their potential implications.

Mollick, who allows students in his class to use the technology highlighted these reports in a recent post on social media, one of which was carried out by one of his colleagues

'I think we haven't fully absorbed the fact that careful academic papers have found ChatGPT clearly passes some of the most challenging American professional exams,' Mollick wrote.

The post saw the professor share another study carried out by researchers ay Yale that saw the chatbot earn a passing grade United States Medical Licensing Exam.

Another praised the AI bot's performances on the professional license exam, commonly referred to as 'the Bar Exam', which professors at the Michigan State and Chicago Kent colleges of law found could also be conquered by ChatGPT.

Other posts from the professor similarly tout the progress recently seen from the still young AI, which early adopters have already begun using to draft assignments and write work emails, all in specific tones and styles.

While 'still in its infancy,' as billionaire crypto enthusiast Mark Cuban said in an interview touting the technology this week, the accomplishments of ChatGPT in the few months since its release cannot be ignored.

The post saw the professor share another study carried out by researchers ay Yale that saw the chatbot earn a passing grade United States Medical Licensing Exam

Andrew Karolyi, dean of Cornell University's SC Johnson College of Business, told the Financial Times this week that while many may have their reservations over the technology - which has become a burgeoning internet fad in recent weeks - he believes ChatGPT is here to stay.

'One thing we all know for sure is that ChatGPT is not going away. If anything, these AI techniques will continue to get better and better. Faculty and university administrators need to invest to educate themselves.'

As the technology gains popularity, it has reportedly raised alarms within companies like Google, which has sought to adopt the AI to enhance the capabilities of its popular search engine.

Late last week, The New York Times reported that Google execs are engaged in plans to 'demonstrate a version of its search engine with chatbot features this year' and unveil more than 20 projects powered by artificial intelligence.

However, sources have since alleged that brass at the company have embraced the AI technology too fast for its own good, with the search giant on Friday announcing layoffs of more than 12,000 employees amid plans to shift to AI as a domain of primary importance.

The nixing, the largest in the company's 25-year history, stoked fears that services like ChatGPT could put copywriters, journalists, customer-service agents, and now even lawyers and doctors, out of a job.

Another praised the AI bot's performances on the professional license exam, commonly referred to as 'the Bar Exam', which professors at the Michigan State and Chicago Kent colleges of law found could also be conquered by the now viral AI bot

As students and others on social media become the first to embrace the technology, Kara McWilliams, who heads a nonprofit which that offers a tool that can identify AI-generated answers, warns that others will soon need to follow suit or risk being left in the dust by those who embrace such tools, which likely will become more commonplace in the coming years.

ETS Product Innovation Labs' Williams told the Times last week: 'Im of the mind that AI isnt going to replace people, but people who use AI are going to replace people.'

While introducing his paper, Terwiesch, noted liken affect ChapGPT will have on the world to that of electronic calculators on the corporate world in the late 60s and 70s.

'Prior to the introduction of calculators and other computing devices, many firms employed hundreds of employees whose task it was to manually perform mathematical operations such as multiplications or matrix inversions,' he wrote.

'Obviously, such tasks are now automated, and the value of the associated skills has dramatically decreased. In the same way any automation of the skills taught in our MBA programs could potentially reduce the value of an MBA education.'
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov today claimed the West stopped peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in the early months of the war.

Lavrov claimed Russia did not 'refuse negotiations' with Ukraine and was willing to negotiate but the US and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it.

His remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was ready for talks but Ukraine's Western allies prevented that from happening.

The U.S. and other Western nations have said that Russia is not serious about negotiations to end the war, set to mark its one-year anniversary next month.

Lavrov also warned the war between Russia and the West is no longer hybrid but is 'almost a real one', as he blasted Ukraine's allies for sending weapons to the war-torn country.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov today claimed the West stopped peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in the early months of the war

Ukrainian servicemen stand on their tanks near the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine

Western nations have pledged to send billions of pounds worth of arms to Kyiv and Poland's prime minister said today his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine  and planned to send them whether or not Berlin agreed.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky desperately wants the German-made Leopard 2 tank to break through Russian lines and recapture territory this year.

'When we speak about what is happening in Ukraine  it is a war, not a hybrid one, almost a real war, that the West has been plotting for a long time against Russia,' Lavrov said today.

'The goal is to destroy everything Russian, from language to culture, that has been in Ukraine for centuries and to prohibit people from speaking their mother tongue,' Lavrov claimed, parroting the same line that Vladimir Putin has used since the beginning of the war.

Meanwhile, Lavrov claimed Russia did not 'refuse negotiations' with Ukraine and it was the West who stopped the peace talks.

'It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict,' Lavrov said.

'It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.'

'But those who refuse must understand that the longer they refuse, the more difficult it is to find a solution,' Lavrov said.

Officials in Moscow have blamed the closure of diplomatic channels on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he will not negotiate while Russian leader Vladimir Putin is in power.

Despite the public overtures, the Kremlin has so far shown little willingness to soften its approach on the ground.

Western allies pledged billions of pounds in weapons for Kyiv last week and Poland's prime minister said today his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks (pictured) to Ukraine  and planned to send them whether or not Berlin agreed

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and his South Africa's counterpart Naledi Pandor shake hands after a joint news conference following their talks in Pretoria, South Africa on Monday

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Meanwhile, Lavrov claimed Russia did not 'refuse negotiations' with Ukraine and it was the West who stopped the peace talks.

'It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict,' Lavrov said.

'It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime.'

'But those who refuse must understand that the longer they refuse, the more difficult it is to find a solution,' Lavrov said.

Officials in Moscow have blamed the closure of diplomatic channels on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has said he will not negotiate while Russian leader Vladimir Putin is in power.

Despite the public overtures, the Kremlin has so far shown little willingness to soften its approach on the ground.

Russia has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian and Western demands that it withdraw completely from Ukraine as a condition for any negotiations. US President Joe Biden has indicated he would be willing to talk with Putin if the Russian leader demonstrated that he seriously wanted to end the invasion.

Lavrov's comments during a visit to South Africa come as Poland's government today pushes its Western allies to move faster on supplying Kyiv with more military hardware to thwart Russia's invasion.

Previously, Polish officials have indicated that Finland and Denmark were ready to join Warsaw in sending Leopards to Ukraine, while the UK has pledged to send some of its Challenger tanks.

Leopard tanks are seen by defence experts as the most suitable heavy battle tanks to help Ukraine as Russia prepares for a new mobilisation.

Lavrov is in Pretoria for talks with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor as Russia pushes to strengthen ties with Africa's most developed country and an historical ally amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

South Africa was seen as the most significant of several African nations to take a neutral stance on the war and refuse to condemn Russia's invasion - to the disappointment of the U.S. and other Western partners who also view South Africa as pivotal to their plans to build relationships in Africa.

Pandor today deflected criticism of joint military drills planned with Russia and China, saying that hosting such exercises with 'friends' was the 'natural course of relations.'

Firefighters work near the site where a helicopter crashed near a kindergarten in Brovary, outside the capital Kyiv, killing Sixteen people, including two children and Ukrainian interior minister, on January 18

Several NATO countries have the powerful Leopard 2 tanks (pictured, file photo) in their arsenals and have expressed their wish to send some to Ukraine. However, any such move would require sign-off from the German government. Some have said they may defy this

Russia's Soviet-era T-72 main battle tank Type: Main battle tank Origin: Russia First produced: 1973 Cost per unit: $1 million - $2 million Main armament: 125 mm 2A46M/2A46M-5 smoothbore gun Top speed: 37 mph Weight: 41.5 tonnes Crew: 3 Length: 31.2 feet Width: 11.77 feet Height: 7.31 feet Advertisement

German-made Leopard 2 main battle tank Type: Main battle tank Origin: Germany First produced: 1979 Cost per unit: $5.74 million Main armament: 120 mm Rheinmetall L55 smoothbore gun Top speed: 45 mph Weight: 55.15 - 62.5 tonnes Crew: 4 Length: 32.7 feet Width: 12.3 feet Height: 9.84 feet Advertisement

'All countries conduct military exercises with friends,' Pandor told a press conference after the talks.

She thanked Lavrov for the 'most wonderful meeting', which she earlier said would have helped 'strengthen the already good relations', with what she described as a 'valued partner'.

South Africa recently assumed the chairmanship of the BRICS, a grouping that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China to challenge the dominant US and European-led global governance structures.

The country has little trade with Russia but champions a world view  favoured by China and Russia  that seeks to undo a perceived U.S. hegemony in favour of a 'multipolar' world in which geopolitical power is more diffuse.

South Africa has resisted taking sides over the war in Ukraine, that has triggered sweeping Western sanctions against Moscow and attempts to leave it diplomatically isolated.

But the links with Moscow have triggered criticism, with some accusing the government of having abandoned its neutral stance.

'It is becoming increasingly clear that the South African government is openly siding with Russia,' said Darren Bergman, a lawmaker with the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party.

'Friendly engagement' with Russia was 'not appropriate' unless aimed at persuading it to end its involvement in Ukraine, he said.

The naval drills will take place off the country's east coast near Durban and Richards Bay from February 17 to 27

The Chinese naval frigate Binzhou takes part in a joint naval drills with Russian warships in December

Lavrov said Moscow appreciated 'the independent, well-balanced and considerate approach' taken by Pretoria.

Lavrov said the military drills were transparent and that Russia, China and South Africa had provided all relevant information.

Pandor has said South Africa will not be dragged into taking sides, and has criticised the West for condemning Russia while ignoring issues such as Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.

The South African armed forces said last week the exercise was a 'means to strengthen the already flourishing relations between South Africa, Russia and China'.

Russia's TASS news agency reported on Monday that a Russian warship armed with new generation hypersonic cruise weapons would take part in the drills.

Lavrov was visiting six months ahead of a Russia-Africa summit in July. There was no official public comment from the Ukrainian embassy but officials said it had asked the South African government to help push a Ukrainian peace plan.

Meanwhile, Poland's prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said today his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks (file photo) to Ukraine, and planned to send them whether or not Berlin agreed

Lavrov met with Pandor in the South African capital and is expected to visit other African countries on his trip.

The war in Ukraine and its impact on Africa's 1.3 billion people, which includes rising global oil and food prices, is expected to take centre stage during Lavrov's talks with Pandor.

'We are fully alert that conflict, wherever it exists in the world, impacts negatively on all of us, and as the developing world it impacts on us particularly as the African continent,' Pandor said.

'This is why as South Africa we consistently articulate that we will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the continent and throughout the globe.'

Meanwhile, Poland's prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said today his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, and planned to send them whether or not Berlin agreed.

The United States and its allies failed during talks in Germany last week to convince Berlin to provide its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, a key demand from Kyiv as it tries to breathe new momentum into its fight against Russian forces.

Poland is pushing for countries who have Leopards to send them to Ukraine, even if Germany does not want to join them. However, re-exporting the German-made tanks would normally require Berlin's approval.

Germany's foreign minister had said on Sunday that Berlin would not stand in the way if Poland wanted to do so. However, a German government spokesperson said on Monday that Berlin had still not received any requests to authorise the re-export of the tanks.

'Pressure makes sense, because this weekend, the foreign minister of Germany sent a slightly different message that gives a glimmer of hope that not only Germany will not block (sending tanks) but will finally hand over heavy equipment, modern equipment to help Ukraine,' Morawiecki said.

Defence analyst Konrad Muzyka said that if tanks were sent without Berlin's consent, a potential consequence could be Germany refusing to supply spare parts for them.

Air Defense Missile Group 24 begins moving the first two of three committed Patriot air defense missile squadrons from Germany to Poland in Gnoien, Germany today

A Patriot system launcher is unveiled at a press event hosted by Air Defense Missile Group 24 ahead of the transfer of the first two of three committed Patriot air defense missile squadrons from Germany to Poland in Gnoien, Germany today

The issue of supplying the German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine has dominated recent discussions among Western allies about how much and what sort of material aid they should give Ukraine as the first anniversary of the Russian invasion nears.

Berlin, though it has provided substantial aid, has been criticised for dragging its feet on providing military hardware.

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Monday it was important for Germany not to take a 'reckless' step that might be regretted afterward, adding that a decision will not be rushed.

'These are hard questions of life and death,' he added. 'We have to ask what this means for the defence of our own country.'

Ukrainian officials have been pleading with Western allies to supply them with Leopard tanks for months, but Germany has held back from sending them or allowing other NATO countries to re-export them. Leopards, held by an array of NATO countries, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable for Ukraine.

Polish PM Morawiecki said Warsaw would ask Germany for permission to re-export tanks to Ukraine, 'but this is an issue of secondary importance.

'Even if we did not get this approval... we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine', he told reporters. 'The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries.'

Western allies pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week but they failed to persuade Germany to lift its veto on providing the tanks.

But in an apparent shift in Germany's position, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday her government would not block Poland if it tries to send its Leopards.

Baerbock's remarks appeared to go further than Chancellor Olaf Scholz's comments at a summit in Paris earlier that day that all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in co-ordination with allies, including the United States.

Ukraine says the heavily armoured battle tanks would give its ground troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive expected in coming months.

A close ally of Putin said on Sunday that deliveries of offensive weapons to Kyiv that threaten Russia's territories would lead to a global catastrophe and make arguments against using weapons of mass destruction untenable.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, warned that the United States and NATO's support of Ukraine was leading the world to a 'terrible war'.
Nicola Sturgeon today condemned placards seen at a pro-trans rights rally after SNP politicians were pictured near a 'decapitate TERFs' sign.

The SNP leader spoke out against banners on display at the Glasgow demonstration on Saturday, which came in the wake of Westminster's block on her gender identity reforms.

Police have launched a probe after receiving a report about one of the signs at the rally on the city's Buchanan Street, amid claims it represented a 'hate crime' and a 'public order offence'.

Harry Potter author J.K.Rowling, who has clashed with Ms Sturgeon over the Scottish Parliament's gender identity legislation, was among those to have raised concerns about the banners.

SNP MP Kirsten Oswald and Kaukab Stewart, one of the party's MSPs, were spotted near to the 'decapitate TERFs' placard - which used the acronmym for 'trans-exclusionary radical feminist'.

Ms Oswald has condemned the 'horrific' and 'unacceptable' sign and said it 'wasn't there when I joined the demo'.

And Ms Stewart has also said she was 'not aware of these hateful signs' when she attended the protest.

Ms Sturgeon today insisted it was not 'credible' to suggest that SNP politicians condoned the views expressed in offensive placards.

SNP MP Kirsten Oswald and Kaukab Stewart, one of the party's MSPs, were among those spotted near to the 'decapitate TERFs' placard

Nicola Sturgeon spoke out against the banners on display at the Glasgow demonstration on Saturday

Harry Potter author J.K.Rowling, who has clashed with Ms Sturgeon over the Scottish Parliament's gender identity legislation, raised concerns about the signs

The SNP leader told a press conference: 'All politicians have an obligation to contribute to debate that is civil and respectful and that's a responsibility I take seriously and would expect all members of my government and all elected members of my party to take seriously as well.

'That said, I have attended many demonstrations over my many years in politics now and probably on all of them I've seen placards or signs that would not align with my views on the topic of the demonstration.

'Certainly, from the images I have seen, that was the case at the demonstration on trans rights on Saturday.

'The placards that I have seen in absolutely no way, shape or form accord with my views and I would condemn the way in which those views were expressed and the views that were expressed there.

'And I dont think it is fair or credible to suggest that the elected representatives who were there in any way share or condone those views.'

The Scottish First Minister also highlighted how she herself had been the subject of 'completely unacceptable' placards during demonstrations against her gender identity legislation.

'I think weve all got a responsibility to express ourselves, particularly elected representatives, in ways that we think are appropriate and I would certainly say that applies to me and others within my party,' she added.

But Ms Sturgeon later clarified she was not trying to draw 'an equivalence' between offensive placards about her and those that appeared to encourage violence against women.

Saturday's demonstration came in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to use a Section 35 power to block the Scottish Parliament's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from becoming law.

The Glasgow demonstration came in the wake of Westminster's block on tjhe Scottish Parliament's gender identity reforms

Ms Sturgeon claimed both Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, and Kemi Badenoch, the minister for women and equalities, had snubbed an invitation to appear before MSPs

Ms Sturgeon today hit out at senior Westminster politicians for declining to appear before a Holyrood committee to explain the UK Government's decision.

She said: 'If you are going to outrageously and unacceptably ride roughshod over the democratically-elected Scottish Parliament.

'And seek to overturn decisions that the democratically-elected Scottish Parliament has arrived at, you should at least have the guts to turn up before a committee of the democratically-elected Scottish Parliament and set out your reasons for doing so and answer questions on that.'

The First Minister claimed that both Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, and Kemi Badenoch, the minister for women and equalities, had snubbed an invitation to appear before MSPs.

'The fact that Alistair Jack and Kemi Badenoch, so far, have declined to do so I think says quite a lot about the absence of confidence they have in their own position and how difficult they would clearly find it to answer questions on that from MSPs,' Ms Sturgeon added.

'But I hope they will both consider that and change their minds - if they've got confidence that they've done the right thing and done something that in any way shape or form is democratically defensible then what problem would they have sitting before a Scottish Parliament committee answering questions about it.'

A source close to Mr Jack said the Scottish Secretary had been unable to accept an invitation at very short notice but had not ruled out a possible future appearance.

But the source added that this was very unlikely in the present circumstances as Mr Jack had already set out his reasons for the use of Section 35, while it would be inapproriate due to the likelihood of legal action by the Scottish Government over the decision.
Currents had carried him a mile and to depths of 150 feet before he surfaced

Four hours after he went for a dive last Thursday he was miraculously found

A 21-year-old free diver was miraculously rescued by his family after he was swept away by the Gulf Stream while diving more than five miles from the Florida Keys.

Diver and spear fisherman Dylan Gartenmayer described the moment he heard the hum of his grandfather's boat as he hopelessly lay watching the sun set over shark-infested waters.

Hours earlier on Thursday afternoon, he had been with two friends as he descended for his final dive of the day around the West Sambo Reef.

Beneath the surface he was caught in a current that drew him 150 feet below the surface and spat him out around a mile away.

His friends notified both the US Coast Guard and his family, who began a desperate search, racing against the setting sun.

21-year-old diver and spear fisherman Dylan Gartenmayer (right) was rescued after being swept away by the Gulf Stream while free diving more than 5 miles from the Florida Key. He is pictured here with his mother, Tabitha (left)

After emerging he swam around a mile back towards the reef, where he cut free mooring buoys which he tied together to form a makeshift raft.

'I was watching the sun drop pretty quickly,' said Gartenmayer in a video posted to social media.

Fishing bait started washing up around him, attracting the attention of sharks.

'I'd just seen a reef shark swam past me,' he said. 'I had a bunch of bait start blowing up around, I could see mackerel skyrocketing.'

As the temperature began to drop and a chill set in, the diver described how he used the buoys to keep his body as far out of the water as possible.

'I was starting to shiver at that point and my hands were starting to feel a little numb, so were my toes, so I knew this was starting to get serious,' he said.

A rescue mission involving coast guard boats and aircraft was underway, but they were unable to spot him.

'I had a small plane fly above but they didn't see me,' he said. 'About 30 minutes later they flew back again, still didn't see me.'

'Shortly after that the sun had disappeared past the horizon. Looking to the east it was pitch black, looking to the west you could see the remnants of the sunset. As I saw the sun disappear I knew things were starting to get a little more dire,' he said.

Family members and the coast guard launched a search operation and he was discovered clinging to two buoys just as the sun was setting

But then the amateur search party led by his family struck gold. 'By some miracle my parents and everybody else on board my grandfather's boat ended up driving and basically landing right on top of me,' he said.

'I could hear the engines running and I knew from there that was actually my grandfather's boat.'

Gartenmayer, who was raised in the Keys, has more than a decade of experience free diving and spear fishing.

'As natives of Key West, we love the ocean. I was spearfishing with Dylan in my belly,' his mother Tabitha told NBC6.

'Unfortunately missing diver cases often do not usually have positive outcomes,' US Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Tatum told GMA. 'There are a lot of elements that play out against people.'

The incident happened on January 19 when he and two friends were diving and fishing around six miles from the coast. As they were getting ready to head back due to deteriorating water conditions, Gartenmayer decided to go for one last dive.

During that dive he was around 35 feet below the surface when currents swept him down to a depth of 150 foot, submerging him for around two minutes.

'I do a lot of deep free diving, so I like to go over 100 plus feet on a single breath,' Gartenmayer said.

His friends waiting on the boat became concerned when he never came back up. 'They were mainly looking down, thinking I blacked out from a lack of oxygen,' he said.

They then contacted the coast guard and notified his family to initiate a search operation, sharing with everyone the coordinates of where he had entered the water.

'Friend went diving and is missing in this area by Western Sambo Reef at these coordinates coast guard now searching if anyone has a fast boat and can help look before the sun goes down,' wrote his friend Sean Caggiano.

That was at 6.03pm, the same time to the nearest minute that the sun was due to set.

Family members hugged Gartenmayer after he was hauled onto his grandfather's boat

Once they realized he was missing his friends contacted the Coast Guard, his family and shared coordinates of where he had gone for the last dive

The moment he was seen was captured on video and showed family members and friends cheering as Gartenmayer used his spear gun to paddle towards their boat

Gartenmayer, who was raised in the Keys, has more than a decade of experience free diving and spear fishing

Once on board he was transferred onto a coast guard boat and was taken to shore. Although his temperature was low at first he was released just an hour later

By 6.37pm Caggiano posted an update that his friend had been found.

Once on board he was transferred onto a coast guard boat and taken to shore. Although his temperature was low at first he was released just an hour later.

'There was a bunch of bait blowing up around me. I knew that there were big fish eating that bait. I was ready to fight the night out but I'm glad I didn't have to,' Gartenmayer told NBC6.

'I could see coast guard out in the distance to the west of me. I could see their blue lights, the helicopter going, doing their grid pattern,' he said.

He described how he then heard the humming sound of the boat's engine. 'My mom took my dive gear. She just started hugging, crying,' said Gartenmayer.

His cousin, Priscilla Gartenmayer, recorded key moments during the rescue mission, and uploaded videos to social media.

'He's the smartest most experienced diver I know on the water, he swam about two miles and before he lost his energy he grabbed 3 buoys and made a hammock for himself to float on,' she wrote.

Gartenmayer's mother attributed the fortune of finding her son to divine intervention.

'It's a miracle we landed right on my son in a needle in a haystack. You're in the middle of the ocean, and that's God,' she said.
The Serbian mother of missing Ana Walshe will ask the US for official information about her daughter's disappearance.

The Serbian Foreign Ministry made the announcement Saturday after Milanka Ljubicic, 69, signed a formal request to receive documents about the case.

The request was first sent to Serbia's Consulate in New York and will subsequently be sent to relevant US authorities.

Ljubicic, who still resides in Serbia - where Ana was raised - told local media she cannot believe her son-in-law would hurt her daughter, despite him being charged with her murder.

Serbian native Ana moved to the US from her home city of Belgrade in 2005 and had worked in the hotel business before switching to real estate in 2020.

Milanka Ljubicic (left) with her missing daughter Ana Walshe (right)

Brian Walshe - Ana's husband - in court on January 9. He was charged with misleading a police investigation

Just prior to her disappearance, Ana had asked her mother to catch a flight to Washington DC as soon as possible, which Ljubicic said made her think there were 'some problems' going on in her daughter's life.

Ljubicic told Fox News Digital: 'She just said, 'Please, mama. Come tomorrow.' Clearly, there must have been some problems.'

'And now I can't forgive myself for not just letting things fall where they may, and just go, and whatever happens to me, happens.'

Brian Walshe, 47, was charged with the murder of Ana Walshe, 39, whose body has not yet been found. The couple and their three young children previously resided in the affluent Boston-are seaside community of Cohasset.

Authorities say Ana was reportedly last seen leaving her house in the early morning hours of January 1st, supposedly to take a car to Logan International Airport for a trip to Washington, DC, where she spent the majority of her professional life.

It is believed that Brian likely murdered Ana in the basement of their shared Boston home that night.

According to police, however, there is no indication that she actually took a car to the airport, nor that she boarded her flight.

She was reported missing on January 4th by her DC-based employer.

Between January 1st and January 3rd, Brian Walshe conducted a series of potentially incriminating Google searches, nearly all pertaining to ways to deal with a dead human body.

On January 4th, when she was reported missing and a police wellness check was requested, the searches stopped.

Items belonging to Ana, as well as her DNA, were then found at a trash processing facility. Inspectors also found a bloody hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug and used cleaning supplies.

Walshe currently remains in prison awaiting next steps in his trial.

Walshe, 47, was arrested and charged two weeks ago for misleading a police investigation, and was eventually formally charged with her murder

Police searched the couple's home, finding blood in an area of the basement before finding a 'damaged' knife with blood on it

Ana and Brian are shown on their wedding day in 2015. They met while she was working in a hotel in Washington, D.C.

Walshe left an extensive digital trail for police with Google searches about divorce, murder, dismemberment and decomposing bodies, prosecutors revealed last week

Despite there being no body, Walshe's grisly searches have formed the basis of the murder trial.

ANA WALSHE'S DISAPPEARANCE JANUARY 1: Ana and Brian host a New Year's Eve dinner party. She is last seen at 1.30am. She fails to turn up to work in Washington DC, and there is no proof of her making it to the airport for her flight. JANUARY 4: Tishman Speyer's head of security in DC calls police to report her missing. The caller told the operator he'd informed her husband JANUARY 6: Fire reported at the house Ana shared with her husband JANUARY 8: Brian Walshe arrested for misleading investigation JANUARY 9: Police reveal they found blood in the basement of the couple's home JANUARY 10: Police reveal they found trash bags filled with bloody items, a hatchet and a hacksaw in a trash center near the home JANUARY 17: Brian Walshe is arrested for murder Advertisement

On December 27th, days before she vanished, he Googled: 'What's the best state to divorce for a man?'

Ana was last seen alive at 1.30am on January 1st by friends who had been in their home for a New Year's Eve party.

On January 3rd, police say Brian visited a dumpster in Abingdon, where he was seen carrying a heavy-looking garbage bag.

'He had to heft it into the dumpster,' according to police.

Prosecutors tried to track down those trash bags, but by the time they got to them they had been destroyed in an incinerator at a trash transfer center.

Brian then did some additional dead-body related Googling.

On January 4th, Walshe allegedly purchased bath mats, men's clothing and towels at TJ Maxx and Home Goods. He then visited Lowe's.

That same day, a colleague of Ana's in Washington DC called police in Cohasset to report her missing and request a welfare check at her home.

Police visited the family house, where they noticed the seats in Brian's Volvo were down, and a large, plastic liner was in the backseat.

One day later, police returned to the Walshe family home, where they noticed Brian's Volvo had been freshly cleaned.

When questioned, he said he'd thrown out the plastic liner they saw the previous day.

That same day, he visited the dumpster near his mother's home.

On January 8th, Walshe was arrested for misleading police. A search warrant for the house is obtained, and police discover blood stains in the basement. They also found a knife with traces of blood on it.

Police then searched the dumpster near his mother's home and found 10 trash bag that were stained with blood. Inside, they discovered:
As the snowballing scandal over President Joe Biden's classified document debacle careens downhill - gaining size and speed by the minute - I feel compelled to get ahead of the big splat.

President Biden must go.

Premature, you say? I think not. An overreaction? I vehemently disagree.

From the very start of Biden's admitted mishandling of America's secrets, the president and his administration have spun, misled, and distracted.

They've made a mockery of their Day One pledge to restore trust in government. And Biden has proven that he's not above looking straight into the camera  straight into the eyes of Americans  and yes, lying.

Enough is enough. He cannot credibly lead the country. Time to go!

Consider the evidence: On Saturday, White House lawyers made yet another  conveniently timed  stunning admission, as Americans settled-in with their families for the weekend.

Despite White House assurances that a search for top-secret materials had been completed, despite Biden's absurd claim he takes sensitive info 'very seriously,' despite his declaration he has 'no regrets,' the FBI discovered more 'items' containing classified markings in his Wilmington home on Friday.

For those keeping track, this is the fifth time that America's secrets were found in his possession. Except this time, the FBI was apparently asked by Biden's team to do the search.

Why the Justice Department had to wait for an invitation, and why the DOJ allowed Biden's lawyers to conduct the initial, weeks-long document hunt is still unclear.

But here we are  classified docs are scattered around Joe's homes like naked selfies on Hunter's laptop.

And get this  among the latest 'items' recovered by the FBI are materials dating back to Biden's time as a U.S. Senator! That's over a decade ago.

Biden's doing gags for Saturday Night Live. This weekend, he recorded and tweeted a video of his cameo  joking with White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza (right).

'I've served in the Senate for 10 years,' tweeted Senator Ted Cruz, 'EVERY single classified doc I've read - 100 percent - have been in a secure SCIF in the basement of the Capitol. What the hell?'

What the hell, indeed.

Biden's been mishandling classified docs for years and this keeps getting worse, and worse, and worse.

Last week, while Biden surveyed storm damage in California, he belittled reporters who asked him why his administration failed to reveal his secret stash immediately after his lawyers found it in his DC think tank office in November before the 2022 midterms.

'What quite frankly bugs me is that we have serious problems here and the American people don't understand why you don't ask me questions about that,' he spat at the journalist.

How condescending? How self-serving? How dare he act like he's one to dictate what the American people should know.

It was a lame attempt to undermine the reporter and dodge the question. Then he looked down to read a prepared statement that sounded like it was composed in a Mad Libs: Washington DC-coverup edition.

'We found a handful of documents were filed in the wrong place,' he read.

As the president spoke a lean and hungry Governor Gavin Newsom stood behind him, licking his chops and mentally measuring the White House drapes. He can recognize a sinking ship when he sees it.

'There's no there there,' Biden concluded. He can't help himself, can he?

Mr. President  don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. None of that is true.

'A handful of documents'? Is that like a gaggle of geese?

Biden's own spokesman Ian Sams has refused to say how many pages were found. 'The answer to it is a little complicated,' he told MSNBC on Sunday.

I'm sure it is.

According to Biden and his lawyers, this is all just a big misunderstanding. They've called it, 'inadvertent mishandling'.

Are we to believe that there are five separate such 'inadvertent' mishaps dating back to the George W. Bush administration? Are we really expected to accept that this is all just some huge coincidence and Biden has no idea he possessed any of this material? If this was all so innocent then why withhold it from the public for two months until reporting forced them to come clean?

As the president spoke a lean and hungry Governor Gavin Newsom stood behind him, licking his chops and mentally measuring the White House drapes. He can recognize a sinking ship when he sees it.

Even then, Biden was slippery on the facts and stingy with the details.

'I was briefed about this discovery and surprised to learn that there were any government records that were taken there to that [DC] office. But I don't know what's in the documents,' he claimed.

By that time, more documents had been discovered in his garage. He conveniently left that out.

As the president is fond of saying, 'Come on, man.'

Law professor Jonathan Turley framed this malarkey perfectly when he tweeted, 'This now has to be not only 'inadvertent' but almost miraculous that the documents seem to follow the President without any knowledge or purpose for their use. For unknown and unrequested documents, they seem to track the President wherever he goes.'

If Biden had no hand in moving what is now five sets of documents into various locations over years and years, then who did?

We deserve answers, but none are forthcoming.

Biden's press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claims that she and Biden can't discuss specifics because of the ongoing DOJ investigation, but the DOJ says there's no reason they can't, so yes, another lie.

Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre's press conferences have become utterly useless because Biden's inner circle isn't telling her anything either. She belatedly admitted last week that she learned about the first batch of documents from the media, which means she and the American people were kept in the dark.

We might as well be questioning the White House pastry chef.

For his part, when Biden's not telling half-truths or attacking journalists, he's sitting in the Oval Office smirking and laughing in reporters' faces as they pepper him with questions.

Or he's doing gags for Saturday Night Live. This weekend, he recorded and tweeted a video of his cameo  joking with White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza.

The FBI discovered more 'items' containing classified markings in his Wilmington home on Friday.

We're glad you're having fun Mr. President, but how about holding a formal news conference to address this hugely damaging controversy?

If your blood is not boiling, check for a pulse.

Talk about misplaced priorities?

What Biden's team is more than willing to offer is childish, cynical political spin.

Republicans are 'shamelessly hypocritical,' said Sams.

To that I respond: I know what you are, but want am I? Na-na-na-na-boo-boo.

The bottom line is that Biden's irresponsible handling of classified information wasn't a simple mistake. This is a pattern, and there is a 'there there' and there and there and there.

Even top Democrats and the mainstream lapdog media now find his disassembling indefensible.

'They downplayed the special counsel probe, but more classified documents keep showing up,' said ABC News' Martha Raddatz on Sunday.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin called the president's behavior 'unacceptable.'

'It's totally irresponsible,' said Democratic Senator Joe Manchin.

Obviously, I don't expect Biden to step to the microphones and announce his resignation. Career politicians only leave office when they have no other option. Power is their lifeblood.

Democrats may moan and wail over Biden's botched handling of this scandal, but they won't rally to force him from power as Republicans did to Nixon after Watergate. But that doesn't mean he should stay. That doesn't mean that this is right.

After the DOJ raided Mar-a-Lago and seized classified materials kept by Trump, Biden was aghast.

'How that could possibly happen, how anyone could be that irresponsible,' he preached. But he knows exactly how that 'could possibly happen.' He did it himself for years.

From the very start of Biden's admitted mishandling of America's secrets, the president and his administration have spun, misled, and distracted.

Biden has broken trust with the American people and almost certainly broken the law. He's a liar and hypocrite. His vows of transparency are trashed. At this point, it is impossible to believe anything that comes out of his mouth.

'I have never spoken to my son [Hunter] about his overseas business dealings,' is just one statement that comes to mind.

Does Biden ever tell the truth about anything?

An honorable man would apologize for what he's done. But Joe Biden is no honorable man. He is the liar-in-chief. He should never darken the doorway of the Oval ever again.

Shame on you Mr. President, you have brought low your mighty office. If you had a shred of dignity, if you meant it when you say you give us your 'word as a Biden,' you would step down.

And if you don't your party should demand it.

'Come on' Democrats. Where is your self-respect?
The son of a millionaire surgeon has been charged with domestic terrorism for the second time in a month over his role in violent Antifa protests in Atlanta on Saturday.

Francis 'Frankie' Carroll, 22, from Kennebunkport, Maine, is one of six people charged after riots over the death of a protester who allegedly shot a police officer.

Details also emerged on Monday about the privileged backgrounds of several other rioters - most of whom travelled from their peaceful hometowns outside of Georgia to wreak havoc in the state.

A police car was torched and buildings were vandalized on Saturday during clashes which followed the death of Antifa activist Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, 26, who was killed on Wednesday, January 19.

Carroll, who grew up in a mansion in a luxurious beach town, was previously charged with domestic terrorism in December for his role in violent protests at the site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

Francis 'Frankie' Carroll, 22, from Kennebunkport, Maine, is one of six people charged after riots over the death of a protester who allegedly shot a police officer. Carroll, who grew up in a mansion in a luxurious beach town, was previously charged with domestic terrorism in December for his role in violent protests at the site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

From left to right: Nadja Geier; Madeleine Feola - the trans non-binary activist who uses the name Henri is from the wealthy suburb of Happy Valley in Portland; and Ivan Ferguson - a classically-trained clarinetist who studied at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Graham Evatt from Georgia and Emily Murphy - a vegan activist who has claimed her family 'still doesn't fully understand what being vegan means'

A law enforcement vehicle is seen lit on fire during demonstrations on Saturday night

A burned out police car sits on the street following the violent protest

The $90 million center, dubbed 'Cop City' by protesters, has been the target of protests since June 2021.

Atlanta Police Department said Carroll was charged again on Saturday along with Nadja Geier, 24, from Nashville, Tennessee; Madeleine Feola, 22, from Spokane, Washington; Ivan Ferguson, 23, from Nevada; Graham Evatt, 20, from Decatur, Georgia; and Emily Murphy 37, from Grosse Ile, Michigan.

All six are charged with domestic terrorism and other felonies including arson, criminal damage and interference with government property. They also face several misdemeanor charges.

Fresh details have also emerged about the privileged lives of some of the other protesters who are accused of bringing destruction to the streets of Atlanta.

Feola, from the wealthy suburb of Happy Valley in Portland, Oregon, is a trans nonbinary activist who uses the name Henri, the New York Post reported.

They studied archaeology at Oberlin College with a focus on decolonization and once wrote a blogpost for the American Scientist about 'gatekeeping medical transition'.

Murphy is a vegan activist who has claimed her family 'still doesn't fully understand what being vegan means' despite her attempts to explain the lifestyle choice, which she took up more than five years ago.

Ferguson is a classically-trained clarinetist who studied at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

The revelations about the group follows the arrest of other activists from similarly middle- and upper-class backgrounds following earlier riots in the city.

Demonstrators took to Underground Atlanta where the demonstration turned violent

A protester throws a rock at a window during a burst of anarchy in Atlanta on Saturday

A 'Cop City' protester is pictured being arrested in downtown Atlanta Saturday

A 'Cop City' protester is pictured being arrested and put into an ambulance in downtown Atlanta Saturday

The arrests indicate Antifa organizers are recruiting activists from across the country to commit violence in Atlanta. The violent thugs, several who were brought up in wealthy households, believe that police forces should be scrapped.

They have set up camps in woodland around the training center site in a bid to halt construction.

Teran was shot dead by police after allegedly shooting and injuring an officer during an operation to clear protesters from the site. Antifa protesters called for a 'night of rage' against police after the death.

On Saturday, masked thugs in black uniforms clashed with police in downtown Atlanta as they destroyed vehicles and property.

Carroll's father Dr Mike Carroll (right) pictured with his wife, is a keen sailor who owns boats including a double hull yacht

A 2016 picture shows a man resembling Carroll on board the boat, called Allez, although the sailor's identity is unclear

Francis 'Frankie' Carroll, 22, who grew up in this Maine mansion with his wealthy family, has been charged with domestic terrorism for a second time after protests in Atlanta

He grew up just a stone's throw from the famous Bush family compound - where George H. W. Bush spent his summer (pictured)

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said: 'It doesn't take a rocket scientist or an attorney to tell you that breaking windows or setting fires is not protesting, that is terrorism.

'They will be charged accordingly, and they will find that this police department and the partnership is equally committed to stopping that activity.'

The fresh charges against Carroll and the five others were revealed on Sunday night.

A police statement said activists damaged property at several locations along Peachtree Street, a corridor of hotels and restaurants, adding that several arrests were made and 'order was quickly restored'.

Saturday night's protest was held in the name of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, 26, who was shot dead by police on Wednesday after authorities say he aimed a gun at officers

Members of Antifa have set up camp at the site of a new police training facility in Atlanta

An abandoned protest campsite is seen inside Weelaunee People's Park

Graffiti is seen at the edge of Weelaunee People's Park, the planned site of a controversial 'Cop City' project, days after protestor Manuel Teran died during a police raid, near Atlanta, Georgia

Carroll is the son of surgeon Dr Mike Carroll and grew up in a $2million five-bedroom and four-bathroom mansion in Kennebunkport. Before he aligned with Antifa, he enjoyed time on his parents' yacht with his sisters.

His father works at Maine Health County Medical Center as a general surgeon, and his mother is a keen sailor.

A 2016 picture shows a man resembling Carroll on board the boat, called Allez, although the sailor's identity is unclear.

He grew up just a stone's throw from the famous Bush family compound - where George H. W. Bush spent his summer.

Carroll's arrest in December came after police were assaulted with rocks and bottles by militants occupying makeshift treehouses near the police training facility site. They are also accused of terrorizing nearby residents.

Carroll, who wiped his social media shortly before his arrest, was charged with criminal trespass, domestic terrorism, aggravated assault, felony obstruction, interference with government property, and possession of tools for the commission of the crime.

It wasn't immediately clear how he was free to take part in further violent protests over the weekend.
The first victim of the mass-shooting massacre has been identified as the owner of the ballroom studio - as the death toll rises to 11.

Ming Wei Ma is one of ten people who were killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night.

One more victim succumbed to their extensive injuries while in hospital on Monday following the shooting.

The family of My Nhan, 65, have also paid tribute to the keen dancer whose 'kindness was contagious.

Friends of the Ma have revealed that he was the first one to rush towards the gunman, Huu Can Tran, when he opened fire.

Dozens of people had packed into the studio on Saturday night to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Police say they have not yet defined a motive for the deadly shooting, but sources say Tran could have been hunting for his wife.

Friends of dance enthusiast Ming Wei Ma, left, have revealed that he was the first one to rush towards the gunman, Huu Can Tran, when he opened fire

Mymy Nhan, 65, has been identified as one of the other victims of the mass killing on Saturday night

Lilan Li, 63,has been identified as one of the other victims, with three other women, two in their 60s and one in her 50s, and five men in their 60s and 70s have all been identified as those who were killed.

The family of Nhan said in a statement: 'She spent so many years going to the dance studio in Monterey Park on weekends. It's what she loved to do.

'But unfairly, Saturday was her last dance. We are starting the Lunar New Year broken; we never imagined her life would end so suddenly.

'If you knew her, you knew her warm smile and kindness were contagious. She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend.

'Mymy was our biggest cheerleader. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate the support of our neighbors and community.'

Ma's friend, Eric Chen, told CBS: 'According to the chat, he was the first to rush the shooter. He was just caring, and other first, people first kind of person.

'It is heartbreaking and it's unthinkable that it would happen.'

Instructor Lauren Woods added: 'He was so adorable to me and I could tell he was the heart of Star Ballroom.

Ming Wei Ma , right, is one of eleven people who were killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night

Huu Can Tran, 72, shot and killed eleven people and injured nine more at a dance hall in California  before driving less than three miles to launch another attack

This image shows the inside of the nightclub where the shots were fired and eleven people were slain

'So many dancers, teachers and organizers were connected with Ma and I personally will miss him dearly.'

Authorities have yet to release the identities of the 10 victims killed in the attack.

Police were called to shots fired at the dance studio at 10:22pm, arriving on scene just minutes later to find ten dead inside of the building.

A further two were found critically injured inside and another eight were found with injuries outside of the ballroom.

Seven currently remain in hospital being treated for their injuries, with Tran then traveling to another dance studio less than 2.7miles away.

He entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra around 20 minutes after the first shooting, with brave customers managing to disarm him.

Police say that he had planned to shoot at least two more people, before having his firearm taken from him by

Local hospital staff said a man fitting Tran's description was then spotted inside the emergency room with injuries that appeared to be sustained in a fight.

He waited for a period of time but left without treatment, with staff recognizing him from photos of the wanted gunman posted by the sheriff's department.

Those inside the studio were pronounced dead at the scene, with the others being rushed to hospital, and seven continue to receive treatment

Police say they have not yet defined a motive for the deadly shooting, but sources say Tran could have been hunting for his wife

Aerial footage shows officials pulling unknown items from the white van after the standoff

Tran was at large until Sunday afternoon when police pulled him over in the van he used to flee the scene.

After an hours-long standoff, Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the vehicle which was later searched by a SWAT team.

In a statement Star Dance said: 'Thank you for your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.

'What should have been a festive night to welcome the first day of the Lunar New Year turned into a tragedy.

'Our heart goes out to all the victims, survivors, and their families. In this time of healing, we hope that all those who were affected have the space to grieve and process what transpired within the last 24 hours.

'In the meantime, all classes will be canceled and studio will be closed until further notice.'

Authorities believe Tran acted alone and are not seeking anyone else in connection to the mass shooting.

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

Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff

Other survivors have posted their horrifying injuries after being shot by the gunman, with one daughter still searching for her mother after the attack.

Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the star Dance studio for the celebrations.

Liu, 62, was released from hospital yesterday but his wife, 63, has still not been found by the family.

They are hoping that she has been rushed to hospital after the attack, but are 'preparing for the worst' after he saw her collapse when the gunman opened fire.

Mae Ikigai added that her mother was shot in her shoulder and waist, but is no longer in a critical condition.

She said: 'She told us that she was five tables away from where the gunman was standing. She was dancing with her friends and dance instructor when she heard a noise that sounded like fireworks.

'She turned around and saw a man holding a long gun firing indiscriminately. She quickly got down on the ground and felt her left shoulder and waist grazed by one of the bullets.'

Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate Lunar New Year and her mother is still missing
The US suffered its deadliest shooting in eight months when an elderly gunman killed 10 people in a bloodthirsty rampage on Saturday night.

Huu Can Tran, 72, stormed a dance hall in Monterey Park, southern California on Saturday night, shooting indiscriminately at revelers celebrating Lunar New Year.

Five women and five men were killed, with 10 others wounded in the massacre, before the killer moved to another venue where he was held off by a hero bystander.

A manhunt was launched and police finally tracked down the mass shooter on Sunday and surrounded his white van in a tense hours-long standoff before he shot himself dead.

Here is what we know about the attack so far.

First attack

On Saturday night, large crowds filled the street for the start of the first Lunar New Year celebrations in Monterey Park since before Covid, a city with a large Chinese American population.

But at around 10.20pm, Huu Can Tran entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and unleashed chaos.

He opened fire at the dancers, killing five women and five men, and injuring several more.

One witness named Grace recalled the moment the gunman entered, saying: 'No one dared to flee  we all got down to the ground, hiding wherever we could.'

She said a man called Ma laoban, 'Boss Ma', was next to the entrance and appeared to be the first person shot.

Two people beside him then collapsed after five or six shots rang out, she said.

Police are pictured on the scene after the shooting on Saturday night which saw 10 people killed

Ten people were killed when a gunman opened fire in California during New Year celebrations

After the shooter ran out of bullets, he quickly left and came back to unleash a second volley of gunfire.

Bodies lined the wooden floor while others ducked under tables or ran into adjacent rooms during the five-minute bloodbath, she said.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said that within three minutes of receiving the call, officers arrived at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park.

There, they found carnage inside and people trying to flee through all the doors.

'When they came into the parking lot, it was chaos,' Wiese said.

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.

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

Community members were out dancing and celebrating following a Lunar New Year celebration that had ended about an hour before the shooting

Wong Wei, who lives near the studio, declined to go to the studio on Saturday but his sister and three friends were there.

One of his friends was injured and was lying on the ground with her face covered in blood, he told the LA Times.

Mr Wei still does not know if his friend has survived the shooting or if she was hospitalized.

The gunman quickly fled the scene before he could be halted by police.

Second attack

The shooter then arrived at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra at 10.40pm armed with an illegal, semi-automatic pistol.

Police said he was looking for more victims but a hero bystander stopped him from adding to the tragic death toll.

Brandon Tsay was helping at his family's business when he saw the gunman and confronted him, snatching his weapon away from him and scaring him away.

A second shooting, which cops were probing if it was related, happened at nearby Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra (pictured)

Hero Brandon Tsay, 26, wrestled the gun out of Huu Can Tran's hands after he showed up at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra on Saturday night looking for more victims. Tran, shown in a hat and wearing all black, had just killed ten people at another studio

Tran then fled and was on the loose and dangerous, with police yet to track him down.

Reports suggest that the killer went to hospital with wounds indicative of a fight.

He waited in the emergency room for some time before he decided to leave, witnesses said.

Manhunt

Authorities had been on the lookout for a white cargo van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing Alhambra.

A short time after Tran was spotted at the hospital, police pulled over the van which led to the three-hour standoff.

By midday Sunday, police in tactical vehicles and bomb-squad trucks surrounded the van in a parking lot 22 miles from Alhambra in Torrance, another majority Asian community.

After an hours-long standoff, Tran died 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 on Saturday

Tran was removed from the van after he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during standoff

It ended as police approached the vehicle and heard a gunshot.

Tran was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

His body appeared to be slumped over the wheel and was later removed.

Members of a SWAT team looked through the van's contents before walking away, and evidence linking him to the attack was found in the vehicle.

The gunman

Police have said the motive behind the attack, which came as Asian communities around the world celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday, remained a mystery.

CNN reported that Tran had met his ex-wife some 20 years ago at the studio in Monterey Park, a majority Asian American city.

The network did not identify the ex-wife, but said the pair met when Tran - who was giving informal lessons - spotted her and offered lessons.

He was an immigrant from China, CNN reported. The marriage did not last long, with the pair divorcing by 2006.

Huu Can Tran, 72, was named as the gunman by police

The ex-wife said Tran was never violent to her, but would become frustrated when, for example, she missed a step in a dance.

He reportedly believed that other instructors said 'evil things about him,' an unnamed friend told CNN.

The network said it was unclear how frequently Tran had visited the studio in recent years.

Police have yet to officially release a motive but a police source told LA Mag: 'There is increasing evidence this was domestic violence.'

Chester Chong, the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles and a community leader in Monterey Park, said the suspect may have been jealous about not being invited to a party that his wife attended.

He told ABC 7: 'This hate is because of wife and husband. I believe because of that there was the killing of innocent people.'

CNN also interviewed an old friend of Tran's who said at one point he was attending the studio 'every night'.

Tran was 'hostile to a lot of people there,' the friend said.

It was not clear if Tran was still a regular attendee at the Monterey Park studio.

Victims

The first victim of the mass-shooting massacre has been identified as the owner of the ballroom studio - who heroically ran towards the gunman.

Ming Wei Ma is one of ten people who were killed in the horrific massacre at the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, on Saturday night.

Friends of the dance enthusiast have revealed that he was the first one to rush towards the gunman, Huu Can Tran, when he opened fire.

Friends of dance enthusiast Ming Wei Ma, left, have revealed that he was the first one to rush towards the gunman, Huu Can Tran, when he opened fire

Dozens of people had packed into the studio on Saturday night to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Ma's friend, Eric Chen, told CBS: 'According to the chat, he was the first to rush the shooter. He was just caring, and other first, people first kind of person.

'It is heartbreaking and it's unthinkable that it would happen.'

Instructor Lauren Woods added: 'He was so adorable to me and I could tell he was the heart of Star Ballroom.

'So many dancers, teachers and organizers were connected with Ma and I personally will miss him dearly.'

Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Mr Liu, 62, who was released from hospital yesterday, saw his wife, 63, collapse shortly after the attacker, Huu Can Tran, stormed into the crowded room and started firing indiscriminately.

Juno Blees said her father Jeff Liu was hospitalized with gunshot wounds after he and his wife Nancy went to the Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park to celebrate Lunar New Year and her mother is still missing

The family is still hoping she was taken to hospital without her ID card and they will be reunited.

But she admitted: 'We are mentally preparing for the worst.'

Writing on Twitter, Ms Blees, a game producer, said: 'My dad got wounded and my mom is still missing. I dont know what to think or say.'

She later added: 'An update: My dad was discharged from the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds but we still havent found my mom.

'The last time my dad saw her was at the scene when she collapsed. They were separated in the panic and were taken to different hospitals.'

Mr Liu described the gunman opening fire at a ticket seller at a booth inside the studio and he immediately jumped to the ground.

But then two bullets grazed Mr Liu's shoulder and back, causing minor injuries, and he lost sight of his wife after she fell to the floor.

Ms Blees told the New York Times: 'He bled a lot, but the doctors said it was non-life threatening.'

Authorities have not formally announced the identities of the victims.

The hero

Brandon Tsay was at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra at 10.40pm last night when gunman Huu Can Tran burst through the doors armed with an illegal, semi-automatic pistol.

He has since told Good Morning America and The New York Times how he was helping out on Saturday night at his family's business when dozens had come to the ballroom for a Lunar New Year party.

In an interview with GMA's Robin Roberts in Monterey Park, Tsay described the moment he realized the shooter had come looking to kill.

'It was Chinese New Year's, we were hosting a social dance party.

Tsay,. 26, told Good Morning America that he thought he was going to die when he saw Tran enter the ballroom with his gun. 'Something came over me...I thought I have to get this gun away from him or else we're all going to die,' he said

EXCLUSIVE: "I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him, disarm him, or else everyone else would have died."



Brandon Tsay, who helped disarm the gunman who allegedly shot 20 people, 10 fatally, during Lunar New Year celebration in CA, speaks out. https://t.co/O3eNuELr9O pic.twitter.com/OXTCXgml1u  Good Morning America (@GMA) January 23, 2023

'I was in the lobby and it was late into the evening. Most of our customers already left, I was looking into the dance ballroom.

'This is when I heard the sound of the front door creaking, instantly followed by the sound of metal objects rubbing together.

'I turned around and saw there was an Asian man holding a gun. My first thought was, I was going to die here. This is it.'

He told The New York Times in a separate interview that it was 'primal instinct' to attack him, and that Tran's eyes were 'menacing'.

Tsay had never seen Tran before.

He said he instantly knew he was there to commit a mass shooting, and was scanning the room for targets.

'I could tell he was not here to rob us, he wasn't looking for money. He was looking around the room. It seemed like he was looking for targets, people to harm.

Tsay fought back and eventually drove Tran out of the ballroom lobby before he could shoot anyone

'Something came over me - I realized I needed to take this weapon, disarm him, or else everybody would have died.

'When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon an we struggled into the lobby, trying to get this gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face and bashing my head.

'I was trying to create some distance. Finally, at one point, I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside and create some distance.

'I was able to get the gun and point it at him, intimidate him, shout: "Get the hell away from here! I'll shoot! Get away!"

'At this point, I thought he would run away. He was contemplating whether to fight or run away. I really thought I'd have to shoot him. This is when he turned around and walked out the door, and walked back to his van.

'I immediately called the police, with the gun still in my hand. I couldn't believe what happened,' he said.

Gun violence

California Gov. Gavin Newson met with a day after the Lunar mass shooting and called for gun reform.

Newson was seen walking the streets of the city and gathering with local officials on Sunday night.

'The strength of this community is incredible,' Newsom wrote on Twitter.

'No other country in the world is terrorized by this constant stream of gun violence. We need real gun reform at a national level.'

Gov. Gavin Newson urged for gun reforms a day after the Monterey massacre that left 10 dead on amid Lunar New Year celebrations. Newsom arrived in the city to met with residents and local officials

Newsom acknowledged the massacre on social media Sunday morning. He called it 'a horrific and heartless act of gun violence'

Newsom later shared his travels to the city and called for gun reform

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, Luna added.

The pistol is designed to take 30-round magazines which allow for rapid fire without having to frequently change magazines.

When asked if the gun was legal, Luna said: 'I believe the weapon ... is not legal to have here in the state of California.'

Luna said that he needed to consult the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further details on the weapon's legality.

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.

The massacre was the nation's fifth this month and was the deadliest attack since May 24, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

An Associated Press/USA Today database on mass killings in the U.S. shows that 2022 was one of the nation's worst years with 42 such attacks - the second-highest number since the creation of the tracker in 2006.

The database defines a mass killing as four people killed, not including the perpetrator.
South Africa: SA's navy exercises between China and Russia to benefit nations  Modise

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise, says she is confident that the multinational maritime exercise between South Africa, Russia and China that will take place over a 10-day period will benefit all three participating nations.

The envisaged exercise will benefit all countries involved through interoperability of the naval systems, joint disaster systems management enhancement, maritime cooperation and anti-piracy exercises.

In addition, she said the event known as Exercise Mosi II, will serve as a platform for the three nations to share operational skills, expertise and experience.

This comes after the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced last week that it will host the Peoples Liberation Army Navy from China and the Russian Federal Navy during the multilateral maritime exercise scheduled to take place from 17 to 27 February 2023.

The maritime exercise will be held in Durban and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to the department, this will be the second time such an exercise will be taking place involving the three naval forces with the first one held in November 2019 in Cape Town.

This years Exercise Mosi II will see over 350 SANDF personnel from various Arms of Services and Divisions participating alongside their Russian and Chinese counterparts.

South Africa, according to the department, enjoys diplomatic relations with all member states of BRICS (Brazil, Russia and China) at a bilateral level, in addition to the multilateral levels.

We also enjoy defence diplomatic relations with several countries across all the continents of the world since we have become an integral part of the community of nations and no longer a pariah State.

In recent months, the department said it had engagements with counterparts in the United Kingdom, China, Nigeria, Cote dIvoire and Ghana.

There was no hype about any of these countries, especially about the USA wherein we held an even longer exercise, known as Exercise Shared Accord in KwaZulu-Natal last year regarding our military health capabilities, the department added.

In addition, the department said the SANDF plans and budgets for military exercises with other nations across the globe, both at bilateral and multilateral levels.

Exercise Mosi II, according to the department is no exception, including the Exercise Shared Accord held with the United States armed forces counterparts.

Meanwhile, the biennial maritime Exercise Oxide between South Africa and France also took place in November last year at the Simons Town Naval Base.

We wish to state categorically that South Africa, like any independent and sovereign state, has a right to conduct its foreign relations in line with its diplomatic relations and national interests. South Africa sees Exercise Mosi II as an opportunity to contribute towards further strengthening the strong bonds that exist between South Africa, Russia and China, the department said.

Contrary to the assertions by our critics, South Africa is not abandoning its neutral position on the Russian-Ukraine conflict. We remain firm in our view that multilateralism and dialogue are keys to unlocking sustainable international peace. We continue to urge both parties to engage in dialogue as a solution to the current conflict.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Azernews

Fatima Hasanova

Another attempt to smuggle narcotics into Azerbaijan from Iran has been prevented, Azernews reports via the press center of the State Border Service.

On January 21 at 1625 hours, the Goytapa Border Detachment of the Border Troops under the Azerbaijani State Border Service, stationed near Malikgasimli village of Jalilabad District, prevented an attempted drug smuggling into the country from Iran.

As a result of the border search and operational measures, 300 grams of marijuana and 250 methadone M-40 psychotropic tablets totaling 5 kilograms were discovered and seized in one package hidden in the bush near the state borderline.

Operational and investigative activities are underway into the case.




Says he doesn't believe FBI and DOJ are taking probe 'seriously'

Demanding transparency and a full investigation, Rep. James Comer, the freshly-installed Chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Accountability Committee, wants the Justice Department to cast an even wider net by searching homes of Biden family members for classified material, after the discovery of additional classified material at Biden's Wilmington home.

The Kentucky Republican, who has already launched a probe into Hunter Biden, said 'any premises' where Biden has spent time ought to be searched  and made reference to the homes of his brothers and the Malibu home maintained by son Hunter Biden.

'I still don't believe the DOJ, FBI are taking this seriously,' Comer said, after senior Democrats have begun criticizing Biden following the discovery of additional material marked classified following a Friday search of his home.

That followed the discover of material marked classified in his former Penn Biden office and another batch at the home. That followed a report in DailyMail.com that revealed Biden's vice presidential document had a stopover in downtown DC in 2017 before making their way to the Penn Biden think tank office he used.

House Oversight Chair James Comer wrote the Secret Service seeking any visitor logs of Biden's Wilmington home. He also says he wants any premises where Biden lived searched

He also is asking the Secret Service to hand over any visitor logs that might exist for the Wilmington house, citing a 'lack of transparency.'

In a letter dated Monday, he noted that the White House claims it does not maintain such logs, but that the Secret Service 'does generate law enforcement and criminal justice records' for people who may come into contact with protected sites.

Comer was critical of the nature of the current searches being done with Biden's permission through his attorneys.

'We learned that initially they just took the president's personal attorney's word that there were no further documents. At the very least, this should put to bed whether president Biden's attorneys actually know the extent of his responsibility, or they are not being truthful with the DOJ,' he said of the initial search, now that DOJ has been on site.

Comer said he wouldn't rule out searching Biden family member homes, and made reference to alleged 'influence peddling.' Joe Biden (left) is seen with his brother, James

Hunter Biden maintains a spacious home in Malibu

Selfie of Joe Biden (left) and his son, Hunter

'They need to take this very seriously. I think any premises where the president has spent any amount of time needs to be searched. I wouldn't rule out searching anywhere where certain relatives of the Biden family  we know has been involved in influence peddling schemes,' he alleged. 'I wouldn't rule out looking at their locations,' he said, pointing to a 'pattern.'

'Something bad is going on here. This is of the utmost important for document security,' said Comer.

He got asked whether Hunter Biden papers and devices should be fair game, since he spent time living in Biden's Wilmington home early in the pandemic. He said the White House would 'stonewall every investigation by the House Republicans, much less this investigation.'

'We are hopeful the secret service will work with us. This is not going to go away for Joe Biden,' he said.

His comments follow reports that DOJ is considering doing its own search of Biden's Rehoboth, Del. beach house, where he visited this past weekend, and where the White House counsel says no classified documents were found in a search by Biden lawyers.

Over the weekend, Comer said his investigation into the Biden family was moving into its 'next phase.'

'We'll be looking at bank statements. We'll be looking at bank violations,' Comer told the Washington Examiner.

The White House has stressed that Biden's team has cooperated voluntarily with law enforcement to allowed access to documents Biden's lawyers have discovered, have have tried to contrast it with Donald Trump's months long resistance to requests from the National Archives, in a clash that led to an FBI search under a subpoena.

Sen. Majority Whip Richard Durbin on Sunday rapped Biden for the matter. 'Let's be honest about it. When that information is found, it diminishes the stature of any person who is in possession of it because it's not supposed to happen,' he said.

Under criminal probes, authorities must have probable cause to search a premises, and must provide a judge with a good reason to search properties of any related associates.

'The president takes this very seriously,' White House counsel spokesman Ian Sams told MSNBC Monday. He said Biden was fully cooperating 'to understand how this happened.' But he repeatedly declined to say how the documents got where they ended up, referring questions to DOJ.
Nine military officers who worked decades ago on a nuclear missile base in Montana have been diagnosed with blood cancer and there are 'indications' it's linked to their service, documents show.

The officers, known as missileers, were assigned as many as 25 years ago to Malmstrom Air Force Base, home to a vast field of 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile silos.

They were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to a briefing this month by US Space Force Lt. Col. Daniel Sebeck. One of the officers has died.

Missileers ride caged elevators deep underground into a small operations bunker encased in a thick wall of concrete and steel. They remain there, sometimes for days, ready to turn the launch keys if ordered to by the president.

'There are indications of a possible association between cancer and missile combat crew service at Malmstrom AFB,' Sebeck said in slides presented to his Space Force unit this month.

Maintenance technicians working at a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile training silo at Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. The military is investigating incidents of blood cancer among missileers who worked in similar roles

The 'disproportionate number of missileers presenting with cancer, specifically lymphoma' was concerning, he said.

In the slides, Sebeck said the issue was important to the Space Force because as many as 455 former missileers are now serving as Space Force officers, including at least four of the nine identified in the slides.

In a statement, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said 'senior leaders are aware of the concerns raised about the possible association of cancer related to missile combat crew members at Malmstrom AFB.'

She added: 'The information in this briefing has been shared with the Department of the Air Force surgeon general and our medical professionals are working to gather data and understand more.'

The Montana cancer scare joins a series of damaging military health scandals, as rising numbers of veterans report toxic exposures in everything from contaminated water in California to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which according to the American Cancer Society affects an estimated 19 out of every 100,000 people in the US annually, is a blood cancer that uses the body's infection-fighting lymph system to spread.

Malmstrom Air Force Base in central Montana is home to a vast field of 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile silos

Scar tissue obtained by a patient after biopsy for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The median age for adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 67, according to the National Institutes of Health

Non-hodgkin lymphoma cells in the blood flow. The blood cancer affects some 19 out of every 100,000 people in the US annually, using the body's infection-fighting lymph system to spread

By comparison, only some 3,300 troops are based at Malmstrom at a time, and only about 400 of those are assigned either as missileers or as support for those operators.

It is one of three bases in the US that operate a total of 400 siloed Minutemen III ICBMs, including fields at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

The median age for adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma is 67, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The former missileers affected are far younger. Officers are often in their 20s when they are assigned duty watch; the officer who died, who was not identified, was a Space Force officer assigned to Schreiver Space Force Base in Colorado with the rank of major, a rank typically achieved in a service member's 30s.

Two of the others are in the same Space Force unit with the rank of lieutenant colonel, which is typically reached in a service member's early 40s.

It's not the first time the military has been alerted to multiple cancer cases at Malmstrom. In 2001 the Air Force Institute for Operational Health investigated the base after 14 cancers of various types were reported among missileers who had served there, including two cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

An inert Minuteman III missile is seen in a training launch tube at Minot Air Force, North Dakota

The launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile during a developmental test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

But the review found the base was environmentally safe and that 'sometimes illnesses tend to occur by chance alone.' The report lamented that the list of those diagnosed had been collected because it 'perpetuates the level of concern.'

The discovery of new cases comes as the US government has shown more openness to acknowledging the environmental hazards, or toxic exposures, troops may face while serving.

In her statement, Stefanek said, 'We are heartbroken for all who have lost loved ones or are currently facing cancer of any kind.'

It was not clear whether some of the nine officers identified in the January briefing slides, whose diagnoses occurred between 1997 and 2007, overlap some of the cases identified in the Air Force's 2001 investigation.

It's also not known if there were similar reports of cancers at other nuclear silo bases or whether that is being investigated by the Air Force.

'Missileers have always been concerned about known hazards, such as exposure to chemicals, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead and other hazardous material in the work environment,' Sebeck said in the January slides.

'All missileers should be screened and tracked for the rest of their lives.'

Last year President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act, which greatly expanded the types of illnesses and toxic exposures that would be considered presumptive  meaning a service member or veterans would not face an uphill battle to convince the government that the injury was tied to their military service in order to received covered care.
A fire chief who was savagely mauled by an eight-foot grizzly bear in Alaska has told how he had to claw debris out of his throat to survive.

Wes Perkins, 65, who lost his teeth, tongue and jaw during the 2011 attack, said he and two friends were driving around a hill while tracking the 'nice size bear'.

But suddenly the beast rushed out of a hole and charged him, tearing the bottom half of his face off before being shot dead by his friend and his son.

Perkins, a former fire chief for the city of Nome in Alaska, told Newsweek that he managed to stay alert during the near deadly attack.

'I basically kept my airway open and had to dig the debris out of my airway, when I lost my tongue, jaw and all but a few teeth,' Perkins said.

'So telling myself to function and never close my eyes or go unconscious was the main concentration.'

After the attack, Perkins had titanium plates inserted in both cheeks and a titanium rib around the jawbone during the facial reconstruction process

Wes Perkins, 65, from Nome, Alaska, was out on a hunting trip with his friend Dan Stang, and Dan Stang's son, Edward Stang, in 2011 lost his teeth, tongue and jaw in vicious attack

Wes Perkins pictured in a photo before the grizzly attack that nearly took his life. The photo was taken sometime before 2011

The horrific attack took place in the Alaskan wilderness in 2011. Filmmaker and YouTuber Dannie Rose released a short film about Perkins' experience.

In the video Perkins, who became severely disfigured from the attack, said: 'We were out bear hunting. We saw some bears earlier in the day.'

Perkins said the weather was bad - snowing a bit and slightly overcast. He said they saw a bear in the distance up on the hill.

'We went up and towards it and it disappeared. Eventually we went around the hill and found the tracks and we were tracking the bear down,' he said.

He added: 'It was a few miles off ahead of us so we are driving along the stretch following his tracks and then the the bear disappeared.

'Ed was ahead of me and I was right behind him. I stopped not realizing the bear was was only 70 feet away in a hole.'

But suddenly the grizzly came charging towards Perkins.

'I turned and saw the bear, full charge,' Perkins told Anchorage Daily News in a previous interview.

'I only had time to say, 'Oh s***!' But I got [my] gun [halfway] off my back... When I turned around, the bear was that close. I had no time to do anything.'

Perkins dedicates a lot of his time to helping other victims of mauling incidents through their recovery

Perkins was savaged by the bear in what has been described as one of the most horrific attacks on record, leaving his face severely disfigured

Perkins, who was nearly mauled to death by the grizzly's razor-like teeth, miraculously survived the brutal attack, and said in the video he 'remembers everything'.

He said: 'I never lost consciousness. I had to open my airways because I had a bunch of mud here - my face was all tore up - lost my teeth, my tongue, my jaw. And so I just stayed focused.

'I knew I could hear so I could talk to Ed and Dan who were with me.'

Dan Stang said the bear had been hiding in the willows. He said he started driving away and when he looked back the bear was on top of Wesley.

'I look back and the bear's on top of [Perkins]', Dan Stang said in the video. He said he immediately grabbed his gun and started shooting at the animal.

The bear then spun around several times before he started to charge at him. That is when Stang's son began to fire shots, eventually killing the beast.

'I probably saved Wes' life and my son saved my life from the whole ordeal,' the elder Stang said.

He said when he rolled Perkins over he saw 'his whole face rolled right off'.

Dan Stang said the bear had been hiding in the willows. He said he started driving away and when he looked back the bear was on top of Wesley

Stock image of a grizzly or brown bear (pictured). Perkins and his group saw a grizzly bear in the distance and started to track it before it disappeared quickly out of sight

He said he called on his radio transmission asking for anyone to help, and Perkins' brother answered.

'There was a bear mauling. Wesley was all torn up,' he said.

He then told him exactly where in the wilderness they were located.

'There was very little blood. Wesley was conscious,' he said. '[I told him] Wesley you need to stay real still just keep your face in the snow.'

Perkins said the snow helped 'numb what was left [of his face]'.

'I was getting wet from the snow and starting to get cold,' Perkins, who waited in for nearly an hour before help arrived, said.

He added: 'As I stayed there I knew I was getting hypothermic a little bit. When the helicopter arrived Perkins said he was able to walk to it with help.

'I was lucky enough and able to walk, with their help, into the helicopter.'

Perkins was taken to a hospital in Nome before being transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

'I had no airway unless I kept my head tilted to the side just right,' Perkins said. The bear had also caused huge damage to one of Perkins' eyes.

Perkins spent the next four months in hospital, undergoing numerous operations.

He had titanium plates inserted in both cheeks and a titanium rib around the jawbone during the facial reconstruction process.

Perkins and his wife Terri pictured this month

Perkins pictured here with his daughter Darcee Perkins, who told Newsweek: 'Not any person would have survived this or continue to todayI couldn't have. His will to survive and keep going, stay positive'

He also had a fibula bone graft, where they took his left fibula from the lower leg and made a jaw from it.

Perkins said: 'I was fortunate enough to have a great surgical team.'

For several months, Perkins could not speak and was only able to communicate by writing.

Doctors told him he may never be able to eat or drink via his mouth again. And, he became addicted to painkillers, having taken morphine, and opiates during the recovery.

Darcee Perkins, Perkins' daughter, told Newsweek: 'Not any person would have survived this or continue to todayI couldn't have. His will to survive and keep going, stay positive.'

Over ten years later, Perkins' face has healed, though the scarring remains, and he is able to live a happy life.

He still explores the wilderness, hunting moose and bears as he used to.

Perkins said: '[I] do most everything I used to do but since I cannot close my mouth, I cannot swim and it's hard to run or jog, as my jaw bounces because I lost so much muscle in my jaw... but hell, those are small things in life. I do everything else.'

He dedicates a lot of his time to helping other victims of mauling incidents through their recovery.

Perkins said: 'I do what I can to pay it forward, and have always had a positive attitude.'
This is the terrifying moment a gang of intruders broke into the home of Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish and stole 700,000 of watches - as a thug was today convicted of robbery.

Romario Henry, 31, has been found guilty of the knifepoint raid at the property in November 2021 following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Cavendish, 37, had been asleep with his wife Peta when balaclava-clad burglars broke into their home in the Ongar area of Essex at around 2.30am and threatened to stab him.

They took items including two Richard Mille watches valued at 400,000 and 300,000, as well as two phones, a safe and Louis Vuitton suitcase

Romario Henry, 31 (left) and Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, during their trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Romario Henry has been found guilty of the robbery at the home of Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish in November 2021. His co-defendant Oludewa Okorosobo denied two counts of robbery and was cleared by the jury

Henry, 31, of Lewisham, south-east London, denied two counts of robbery but was found guilty on both counts by a majority verdict of 10 jurors to two following 14 hours and 35 minutes of deliberation.

His co-defendant Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, of Camberwell, south London, denied two counts of robbery and was cleared by the jury.

Okorosobo, who held his head in his hands as he was cleared, had earlier told jurors that he was stabbed in the leg on September 16, 2021 - months prior to the robbery.

He said in a prepared statement to police in December 2021 that he was 'unable to do any' of the alleged offences, and that 'any human could see I'm incapable of doing this'.

He also said that he had loaned his mobile phone, which connected with cell masts in the Ongar area on the night, to a man who has admitted robbery.

Okorosobo said that he did not go to the Cavendish address and was not with his phone, but had let Ali Sesay borrow it to use a navigation app.

Henry, meanwhile, who showed no visible reaction as he was convicted.

He will be sentenced on February 7 along with Sesay, of Holding Street, Rainham, Kent, who admitted two counts of robbery at an earlier hearing.

The trial was told that 28-year-old Sesay's DNA was found on the phone of Peta Cavendish, which was taken and found outside the property.

Mrs Cavendish, who like her husband was naked during the robbery, had told jurors she had heard a noise that woke her in the night and went downstairs to investigate.

She recalled seeing 'men's figures in balaclavas, and they were running towards the bottom of the stairs', and believed there were 'between three and five' intruders.

CCTV image taken from the property of Mark Cavendish showing suspects leaving through the open front gate after the robbery

They took items including two Richard Mille watches with a combined value of 700,000.

The Olympic cyclist, 37, was asleep alongside his wife Peta (pictured together) when balaclava-clad burglars broke into his home

A picture issued by the Crown Prosecution Service showing suspect George Goddard topping up a mobile phone, which was shown to the jury

She said that she ran back to the bedroom shouting 'get back' or 'get in' to her husband, who was unable to activate a panic alarm.

He had attempted to reach the alarm, but was jumped on by an intruder who started to punch him in the head.

Mrs Cavendish told the trial that her husband was 'dragged from his feet' before he was assaulted.

She told of how one intruder had her husband in a headlock, before adding: 'One of them held a large black knife to his throat and they said "where's the watches" and "do you want me to stab you?"'

She agreed with a suggestion that it was a Rambo-style knife, while Cavendish said in his evidence that it 'wasn't a knife you have in a kitchen'.

'It was black and had holes in it', he said, adding: 'It was a weapon.'

Mrs Cavendish said that at the time her husband had been 'out of hospital for four days maybe' following a cycling crash which had left him with three broken ribs and a tear to his left lung.

She added: 'They were very specific about a watch. I tried to explain that actually we were broken into a couple of years previously, everything has been taken.'

Her husband then showed the intruders where the safe was, the court heard.

'It was becoming more frantic as they werent getting what they wanted. They kept saying "there must be cash, there must be jewellery"', she added.

Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish (pictured competing in the Tour de Pologne in Poland last year) cut his feet on smashed glass following the break-in

Mark Cavendish celebrates after winning the Men's Elite race in Castle Douglas during the 2022 British National Road Championships road race

Mrs Cavendish told the court that the intruders did not take her engagement ring or wedding ring or a necklace, though they had said 'show me your wrists, as if maybe I was wearing a watch'.

The court heard that the men turned the bedroom 'upside down' and that when they left, Cavendish pressed a panic alarm to alert a private security firm and the police.

Jurors were told that two further men, Jo Jobson, from Plaistow, east London, and George Goddard, from Loughton in Essex, have been named as suspects in the case but have not been apprehended.

In a statement following the conviction today Cavendish and his wife Peta said that 'nothing can ever erase what our family went through'.

The statement added: 'Reliving our family's experience from that night in November 2021 has been an incredibly difficult experience.

'What happened that night is something that no family should ever have to go through.

'Although nothing can ever erase what our family went through, there is now some comfort that two men who broke into our family home and stole from us, assaulted Mark and terrified our children are now convicted and will be facing what we hope will be an appropriate sentence for their actions and we hope moves some steps in preventing this horror happening to another innocent family.'

Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Tony Atkin, of Essex Police, said: 'Today, we have two men now convicted of an incredibly violent robbery in the family home of Mark and Peta Cavendish; somewhere where they should have felt safe and protected from men like Sesay and Henry.

'This was a traumatic incident, made all the worse by the fact that it happened in the presence of the couples young children. The bravery the family has shown in the face of this incident has been humbling.

'Although Mark sustained serious injuries, thankfully he has now made a full recovery and is able to focus on his fantastic career.

'I made a promise to them very early in this investigation that Essex Police would do all it could to catch the people responsible for invading their home and bring them to justice.

He also made an appeal to camera for Jobson and Goddard to hand themselves in, adding: 'Today, two men are facing a significant amount of time in prison for their actions.

'But we wont stop there; two men who we would really like to speak to about this investigation remain outstanding.'

'Jo Jobson and George Goddard are those men. Although I cant go into significant detail, we are following a number of lines of enquiry in order to locate them. The actions we believe they are responsible for cannot go unpunished.

'I would like to appeal to Jo Jobson and to George Goddard to hand themselves in.

'If not, I will say this: we will pursue you. It is in your interests to hand yourselves in. You can only hide for so long.'
Billionaire George Soros has used his wealth to reshape America in his liberal vision by bankrolling campaigns for woke district attorneys across the country.

Over the years Soros has thrown millions behind liberal DAs - either with outright donations or funneled through political action committees - effectively buying elections and leading to the installment of at least 75 prosecutors who support his leftist agenda.

Soros has spent at least $40million on the project, wrote Matt Palumbo, author of The Man Behind the Curtain: Inside the Secret Network of George Soros, in the New York Post - a minuscule sum for a man worth at least $32billion.

The billionaire's DAs have stripped away bail laws and opted to forgo prosecuting crimes like theft and reckless driving, effectively giving criminals a free pass and leading to the breakdown of law and order across the United States.

As a direct result, crime has skyrocketed in major cities overseen by Soros's DAs. In 2021 under Kim Foxx's reign, Chicago had the most murders it's seen since 1994. And in Philadelphia, drug use and violent crime has seen a surge since Larry Krasner took office.

Soros, a Hungarian-born businessman, has long backed liberal politics. In the 2000s he was an outspoken opponent of President George W. Bush and donated millions to hinder his reelection, and later donated heavily to the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton.

Below are some of his most notorious DAs and their policies.

George Soros has pumped at least $40million into backing woke district attorneys

Kim Foxx: Lenient on gun violent and shoplifting in Chicago

The District Attorney for Cooks County, Illinois, Foxx received at least $2million for Soros backed PACS.

Upon taking office Foxx raised the threshold in Chicago for a shoplifting offense in to qualify as a felony from $300 worth of merchandise to $1,000.

With little more to fear than a slap on the wrist for theft, criminals have run rampant in the city and raids on stores have skyrocketed.

Foxx also faced ire from Chicago officials after she refused to prosecute individuals filmed in a daylight shootout, because she characterized the violent crime as a 'mutual combat' incident.

Kim Foxx, DA for Cooks County, Illinois

Larry Krasner: Lax arrests despite hundreds of murders in Philly

Philadelphia's District Attorney, Krasner received about $1.5million from Soros backed groups.

Under his watch at over 1,000 people have been murdered in the City of Brotherly Love.

Despite those staggering numbers, in only 38.5 percent of deadly shootings were any suspects arrested. The other 61.5 percent saw nobody detained.

Alvin Bragg: Reduced armed robbery penalties in NYC

Bragg was backed by over $1million from a Soros organization while running for DA of Manhattan, New York.

Bragg vowed to reduce penalties for armed robberies, and to no longer prosecute resisting arrest.

Kim Gardner, DA for St. Louis, Missouri

He has also let a litany of shoplifting offenses slide, leading to soaring smash-and-grab robberies at high-end retail stores across the city.

Theft from pharmacies, bodegas, and supermarkets in New York City has left store owners locking merchandise to shelves with chains and padlocks.

Kim Gardner: Murders reach 50-year high in St. Louis

The St. Louis, Missouri, DA received about $116,000 from Soros backed PACs.

Under her watch, murder in St. Louis his a 50-year high.

George Gascon, DA for Los Angeles County, California

Despite those numbers, Gardner has charged fewer and fewer felonies.

George Gascon: Los Angeles' woke DA

The DA for Los Angeles County, California, was supported by about $4.7million from the Soros-backed California Justice and Public Safety PAC.

Gascon pushed for and secured a host of lax criminal justice reforms since he took office, including stripping away bail for some crimes and adjusting offense thresholds.

Crime - especially home burglaries - have soared, and even led to 'crime tourists' from South America to wealthy communities, and then flea home with their loot once released on lax bail.

Joe Gonzales: Homicides spike 50 percent

DA from Bexar County, Texas, Gonzales received $1million from Soros.

Murders have skyrocketed 50 percent since he took office in 2018, according to The Post.

Jose Garza, DA from Travis County, Texas

Jose Garza: Vowed to stop 'over-prosecution' in Texas

The DA from Travis County, Texas, received about $600,000 from the Soros-backed Texas Justice and Safety PAC.

Garza vowed to end 'over-prosecution' of minorities and impoverished residents.

He has also drawn ire from the Austin Police Department for arresting officers for incidents which had been handled through department's internal process.

John Creuzot: Allows robbery 'for necessity' in Dallas

Creuzot was given at least $236,000 from Soros while running for DA from Dallas County, Texas, Creuzot.

His office doesn't prosecute theft of 'personal items' worth under $750 of the good were 'stolen out of necessity.'

Steve Descano: Rescinded cash bails for crimes in Virginia

Descano, the DA for Fairfax County, Virginia, received $600,000 in donations from Soros.

He has rescinded cash bails for many crimes, arguing it 'exacerbates socioeconomic disparities' and leads to more crime.
A former Labour MP falsely claimed around 30,000 in expenses in a 'brazen fraud' to fund a 'prodigious' cocaine habit, a court heard today.

Jared O'Mara, 41, who was MP for Sheffield Hallam for two years, regarded 'taxpayers' money as a source of income that was his to claim and use as he wished', Leeds Crown Court was told.

The MP, who is autistic, even allegedly invented a fictitious autism organisation to try and claim thousands of pounds in faked expenses.

Prosecutor James Bourne-Arton said O'Mara was in 'dire need of cash' as he was funding a cocaine habit and possibly 'living beyond his means.'

Former Labour MP Jared O'Mara falsely claimed around 30,000 in expenses in a 'brazen fraud' to fund a 'prodigious' cocaine habit, a court heard today

But he said O'Mara 'appears to maintain' that his claims were 'all genuine and that he didn't act dishonestly.'

O'Mara, from Sheffield, has denied eight counts of fraud by false representation. He appeared in court by video-link today.

His chief of staff Gareth Arnold, 30, of Dronfield, Derbyshire, denies six of the same fraud offences.

John Woodliff, 43, a friend of the MP, also from Sheffield, denies a single fraud offence that he falsely claimed to be a constituency support worker.

Mr Bourne-Arton told the jury it was a 'very straightforward case of fraud' involving invoices for services that 'were a fiction' and making 'dishonest claims for work that hadn't been done'.

He said the MP's claims were submitted to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA)  set up in the wake of the MPs expenses scandal  as a means of acquiring extra income for the 'enjoyment of his extensive cocaine habit'.

Co-defendants Arnold and Woodliff were 'old friends' persuaded to go along with the 'dishonest claims,' the jury heard.

O'Mara, who was elected as a Labour MP in June 2017 and remained in office until he stepped down ahead of the December 2019 general election, was said to be 'fully aware of the claims that were being made and knew that they were false'.

The 'fraudulent' claims were made in 2019 and exposed when Arnold went to the police to report what was happening.

He also told police he spoke to the mental health crisis team the day before to report the MP who was suffering a 'severe psychotic episode and has delusions of a conspiracy against him'.

O'Mara is accused of submitting expense claims totalling 19,370 relating to an organisation named as Confident About Autism South Yorkshire (CAASY).

But Mr Bourne-Arton told the jury this organisation didn't exist.

He said: 'It was an invention of Jared O'Mara that he hoped to slip through as a legitimate claim, no doubt seeking to hide behind the fact that it related to his disability if it was ever challenged.'

He claimed this group was owed payment for 'vocational support and assistance'.

Mr O'Mara, 41, who was MP for Sheffield Hallam for two years, regarded 'taxpayers' money as a source of income that was his to claim and use as he wished,' Leeds Crown Court was told. Above: O'Mara giving his victory speech after winning his seat from former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg (seen in the background) in 2017

One invoice for 3,110 to the autism organisation was submitted three times and rejected on each occasion by IPSA.

Mr Bourne-Arton said all the invoices from CAASY were 'obviously false' and 'quite obviously' created by O'Mara himself.

Other claims totalling 4,650 were made for 'media training and consultancy' work provided by Arnold.

The jury heard no such work took place. Mr Bourne-Arton added: 'The legitimate staff who had been working for O'Mara at the time these services related to had never heard of Gareth Arnold.'

Woodliff was another friend who worked as a nightclub doorman when O'Mara was a nightclub manager.

He visited O'Mara regularly and did shopping and household chores for him.

He was put on the payroll as a constituency support officer in June 2019 and signed a contract for an annual salary of 28,800 to be paid by the taxpayer.

He was supposed to work on constituency business but in reality he did 'no such thing,' the jury heard.

'The job was another fiction designed to generate cash income to which both men were not entitled,' said Mr Bourne-Arton.

When questioned by police, O'Mara 'described an undoubtedly sad state of affairs' in which he was 'plainly unable to cope with the office he held, was in poor mental health and was heavily addicted to cocaine that he was abusing in prodigious quantities,' said the prosecutor.

The court heard that when arrested Woodliff said: 'I knew it was dodgy.'

Arnold initially told police he supplied the services and was entitled to the money and then said his work was voluntary, but was told by O'Mara the expenses claims were legitimate.

Both men were said to know about the MP's cocaine habit.

Analysis of mobile phones involved references to money making schemes, bending the rules, deleting records and abandoning claims for payment that might ring alarm bells, the court heard.

Mr Bourne-Arton said O'Mara was 'likely to blame IPSA, Parliament and his autism for any discrepancy that can be identified'.

The case continues.
The song A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin is being bashed by LGBTQ critics as 'offensive,' with one organization in particular saying the tune helps perpetuate harmful anti-trans stereotypes.

Released as a single by the late Queen of Soul back in 1967, the stirring love ballad is now facing scrutiny - despite preaching positive messages in regards to women and femininity in general.

Leading the charge to have the song nixed is the Norway-based Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (TCMA), a group that started this year and has made a series of polarizing posts on social media.

The dubious organization initially claimed to be genuine before later backtracking. In the update it said the tweets were 'satire' and 'commentary on the state of the "woke" movement in general'.

Some of its tweets sparked outrage, including its January 20 request to pull Franklin's song from streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

The song A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin is being bashed by LGBTQ critics as 'offensive,' with one organization saying the tune helps perpetuate harmful anti-trans stereotypes

Leading the charge to have the song nixed is the Norway-based Trans Cultural Mindfulness Alliance (TCMA), a group started this year and has since made its presence known with a series of polarizing posts on social media

The post, perceived by many as satire, began by asserting the song is offensive to transgender people and that 'there is no such thing as a "natural" woman.'

'Aretha Franklin's 1968 song "Natural Woman" perpetuates multiple harmful anti-trans stereotypes,' the post reads, erroneously listing the song's September 1967 release as coming in 1968.

'There is no such thing as a "natural" woman,' the organization went on to declare, before claiming the song has already 'helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women.'

TCMA said it is requesting the song be 'removed from Spotify & Apple Music.'

The post - the group's first-ever on social media - would go on to garner national attention, amassing more than 300,000 views in a matter of days.

In terms of likes, however, reception was more lukewarm - with the post as of Monday only boasting just over 100.

In the time since, statements made by the organization - which seeks to open a chapter 'in each European country and North America' - have spawned outrage, including its January 20 request to pull Franklin's song from streaming platforms like Spotify & Apple Music

Social media users were quick to question whether or not the account, started just days ago, was a joke designed to fan the flames fueling the ongoing war between progressives and the political right.

Other posts that would follow contained statements deemed by many to equally controversial - and some even more so.

'There have been zero meaningful studies into the gender identities of pets,' one post published later in the day read, in which organizers told parents that children should be able to decide on their pets' gender.

'It seems meaningless, but many children learn gender from their pets,' organizers wrote. 'Just because you bring home a "gendered" pet, allow your child to choose the gender of the pet - don't assign it one "at will."'

In another regarding feminine hygiene, organizers wrote: 'You do not need to bleed to have a period. You do not need to ovulate to have a period.

'A period is a state of mind than an actual state of being,' the post went on to state, before stating that biological men who have transitioned 'can absolutely have periods and need free hygiene products.'

Other requests aired by the organization included a ban on listing gender on birth certificates in its native Norway and 'an international police force to prosecute bigotry.'

Other posts that would follow contained statements deemed by many to equally controversial

Following its initial post regarding Franklin's classic melody, TCMA quickly came under fire from several Twitter users for its brazen request

Despite assertions from many that the group is legitimate, including from TCMA itself, many users remain skeptical, and believe the brazen requests are a gag.

The group, however, attested to its legitimacy in a post published Monday morning.

'For clarification, the TCMA is not a parody organization,' it read, adding that the organizers 'are a group of trans individuals seeking to make culture more fair for transgender individuals.

'We are based in Norway but are seeking to open a chapter in each European country and also North America,' the group revealed.

That said, following its initial post that demanded streamers pull Franklin's classic melody, TCMA quickly found itself at the center of backlash on social media.

Others, including Standing for Women Founder Kellie-Jay Keen, slammed the request to pull the song as misogynistic, and an affront to female's ownership of their own femininity

'You have to be freaking kidding me,' wrote one. 'No one cancels Aretha Franklin.'

Another user, who conceded that he at first thought the account was a joke, added: I thought you had to be a parody but I looked at the accounts you follow and it seems you might be serious.

'Yall up the crazy level daily so its hard to tell,' the user continued. 'Just in case, YES there is such a thing as a natural woman. Theyre born with female chromosomes + anatomy. Seek help.'

Someone else wrote the tweet was the 'stupidest' he had ever seen on the platform, before demanding 'on behalf of all normal people,' the group remove their Twitter account.

'If you don't like the song or sentiment don't listen to it,' another user simply instructed.

Following its request to pull Franklin's classic melody, TCMA quickly came under fire on social media

Others, including Standing for Women Founder Kellie-Jay Keen, slammed the request to pull the song as misogynistic, and an affront to female's ownership of their own femininity.

Appearing for an interview with Sky News Australia Sunday, as backlash against the organization continues to burgeon, Keen insisted that being a woman is not a crime.

'Being a mum, that is also being attacked, were now called birthing persons or pregnant persons,' Keen said, appearing for the interview in front of a sign that bore an inscription of the aforementioned phrase.

'I dont think many women really know how much were hated  I hate to say it  I dont have a victim mentality, but its really hard to ignore the misogyny of this particular movement.

'It means a man who says hes frightened to go in a mans toilet  his words are more credible than a woman who says she doesnt want that man in her space.'

The group, according to its social media profiles, was founded January 2023 'exclusively by trans individuals,' and seeks to instill 'cultural changes to ensure the inclusivity of trans individuals.'

The group's request to pull Franklin's song has yet to catch traction with more notable activist groups, but has drawn support from several onlookers on social media. The identities of the group's founders are not yet known.
A Brazilian woman is facing embezzlement charges after she conned her family and friends into believing she had breast cancer who then gave her cash donations.

Camila Barbosa, 27, told relatives in early 2022 that she had been diagnosed with cancer after was admitted to the hospital for dengue fever, according to news outlet G1.

A relative who spoke to the outlet said that Barbosa told her family that doctors at the medical facility wanted to intubate her, but that she refused to allow them.

They said: 'She said that the doctors said they wanted to intubate her, but she said that she did not authorize it and that she signed a (document) denying authorization.

'But when the doctor came by, a relative who was there asked him about it and he said that he had nothing like that, that she was fine and that she was already discharged from the ICU and that he would send her (home).'

Camila Barbosa, Goias, Brazil, is being investigated for embezzling family and friends who donated money to her after she claimed to have been diagnosed with breast cancer

Camila Barbosa would often sneak into Araujo Jorge Cancer Hospital to take photos of herself pretending to be receiving chemotherapy sessions

Barbosa went on to tell her loved ones that aside from the breast cancer detection, doctors also discovered a malignant growth in her intestine and lung.

Whenever someone would suggest that she seek a second opinion from a doctor they were recommending, she would often decline their guidance and say that she was already undergoing chemotherapy.

The family unearthed Barbosa's lies after one of her relatives followed her to Araujo Jorge Cancer Hospital and spotted her sitting in the cafeteria.

The family member was able to confirm that she was not a patient and that she had been busted on multiple occasions for taking pictures at the treatment center during a chemotherapy session.

Barbosa regularly posted photos of her bogus cancer battle on her social media accounts, including images of herself lying on a bed pretending to be in the process of a treatment session.

Camila Barbosa reportedly conned friends and family members into donating $3,800 after lying that she was undergoing breast cancer treatment in 2022

The 27-year-old Brazilian woman would often share her cancer battle on social media with images and videos

She also took to social media to share a video of the moment she had her hair shaven off her head.

Police learned of Barbosa's scam after 10 people, including former boyfriends, came forward January 11 and filed a report claiming she had swindled about 20,000 reals ($3,800) in donations.

Barbosa told authorities she had been cured from cancer several years ago, but that the disease had returned and spread to her intestine and lung after she was diagnosed with dengue.

Camila Barbosa told her family she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer and that doctors had found malignant growths in her lung and intestine

In addition, she claimed that the treatment had been paused after the hospital misplaced her medical file.

Authorities searched her home and found hospital documents which didn't support her cancer claims.

'She did an MRI from the skull to the rectum,' the family member said. 'The only thing that shows in this exam is that she has gastritis, which is a very common disease. I saw the report. I don't know what goes through her head.'
Republicans and even some Democrats are piling pressure on the Biden administration and on Germany's government to bolster Ukraine's military resistance with top-of-the-line tanks.

It comes amid a tense diplomatic standoff between Washington and Munich about who will agree to the massive weapons boost first - if at all.

Ukraine's government has been asking for battle tanks to help fight off Russia's troops since just after Vladimir Putin first ordered his invasion early last year.

South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham became one of the latest U.S. lawmakers to re-up Kyiv's request after he traveled to the war-torn country on a bipartisan delegation just last week.

'The debacle regarding sending tanks to Ukraine must end. It is impossible for Ukraine to expel Russia without tanks,' Graham said in a statement on Sunday upon his return.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (4th R) meets with United States Senator Lindsey Graham (3rd R), Senator Richard Blumenthal (4th L) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (3rd L) in Kyiv, Ukraine on January 20, 2023

The bipartisan delegation is the US Congress' latest show of support for Ukraine's resistance

Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon told DailyMail.com on Monday that officials both in the U.S. and Europe needed to 'stop delays' and send Ukraine the military aid it's asking for, but suggested Germany's Leopard tanks might be the better route.

'It is in our national interests to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend its sovereignty and the security of its people  the Biden Administration and the European allies must stop the delays and start delivering better armor, air defense and long-range precisions weapons,' Bacon said.

'On the issue of tanks, the most important factor is which system can be delivered, on-line, and combat effective in the shortest amount of time.'

He explained, 'Given the complex training, support and repair logistics for these armor systems, my understanding that the German Leopard 2  the main battle tank used by the majority of NATO members - would be the faster and is the preferred option.'

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida called on Europe to step up its contributions to Ukraine as a whole.

'Europe must step up its military aid to Ukraine including Leopard 2 tanks. With the exception of Poland and the UK, what Europe has actually delivered is a fraction of what it has promised,' Waltz told DailyMail.com.

'If Germany and the rest it Europe refuses to provide military aid then it should take on 100 percent of humanitarian/economic aid. The US cannot afford to continue to bear this burden.'

Graham said on Sunday, ''I am hoping Germany and the United States will both send tanks ASAP  opening up other countries desire to help Ukraine. The tanks are outcome determinative in expelling Russia from Ukraine.'

He also pointed out that the world's foremost national security forum, the Munich Security Conference, would be hosted in Germany next month.

'It would be unbelievably embarrassing to have a meeting of the free world in Munich while Ukraines military needs havent been met,' the conservative senator said.

He traveled to Kyiv along with Democrat Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

They're joining growing calls for the US to send its elite Abrams battle tanks (pictured alongside a M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle) to Ukraine's war front

Graham called the meeting 'incredible,' and said that international vows of cooperation to help the wartime leader's people 'would ring hollow if the United States, Germany and others do not supply tanks to Ukraine to counter the coming Russian offensive and expel Russia from Ukraine.'

On the House side, Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul suggested on ABC News' This Week on Sunday that the U.S. sending its tanks could 'unleash' Germany to do the same.

'What I hear is that Germany is waiting for us to take the lead,' the Texas Republican said.

'There are about 10 countries that have Leopard tanks, but they need Germany to sign off on release.'

A Ukrainian soldier practices with a mortar at their mortar position in the direction of Bakhmut, Ukraine as military mobility continues within the Russian-Ukrainian war on January 21, 2023

He added, 'Even saying that were going to put Abrams tanks in, I think, would be enough for Germany to unleash.'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told U.S. lawmakers on the sidelines of last week's Davos summit that he would not send Germany's Leopard tanks - among the most advanced today - until Americans sent Ukraine Abrams tanks, according to Politico.

But on Sunday, Germany's foreign minister signaled that a path forward is still feasible.

She told a French television network that her government 'would not stand in the way' if Poland wanted to send the Leopard battle tanks it got from Munich to Ukraine's front lines, the Associated Press reported.

Warsaw has not requested to make such a shipment, but it signals the West is intent on seeing Ukraine's needs filled as the tides of war steadily turn against Moscow's offensive.
Households asked to slash their energy usage to help the National Grid cope with soaring demand in exchange for savings have labelled the scheme a 'joke' and a 'waste of time' after receiving paltry sums for their sacrifices.

The electricity system operator activated its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) for the first time tonight, which rewards people for cutting power between 5pm and 6pm on one of the coldest days of the year.

More than a million households have already signed up to the measure, with 26 energy suppliers, including British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus Energy participating.

National Grid claims families will be paid between 10 and 20 to slash their electricity usage.

But one person who signed up told MailOnline he received an email from energy supplier Eon that said he would only earn 'around 0.30' by participating in the DFS initiative. Others claimed they'd only received between 0.38 and 4.07.

Most of the UK's energy suppliers have signed up to the Demand Flexibility Scheme that will pay families to keep their electricity switched off during peak times this winter - as long as they have a smart meter

The National Grid is encouraging homeowners to take part in the scheme in a bid to avoid potential blackouts - this is how much they could save. Experts have suggested its customers could save as much as 240 this winter if there are 12 Demand Flexibility Service events called by the National Grid

Lee Preston

Lee Preston told MailOnline: 'I signed up (to DFS) because I thought it was a good idea to save energy and money... (Eon) told me I would get 30p.'

Another Eon customer, Sharon Priestly, said she had been informed she had earned just 58p.

Twenty six of the UK's energy suppliers are taking part in the DFS scheme. Participating households earn around 3 for every unit (kilowatt per hour) they save by keeping their electricity switched off during peak times.

An Eon spokesperson told MailOnline that customers saved an average of about 1.75 per event across six trials of the energy-saving scheme, and confirmed that 100 per cent of savings are passed directly to the consumer.

MailOnline has contacted National Grid ESO for comment.

Diane Pritchard, 74, said: 'I've taken part in this evening's session as well as six previous (trial sessions) with Octopus Energy. After 5 sessions I've earned a total of 4.07. Really a very poor amount.

'In the past for sessions I've literally switched all electrical items off but have learned my lesson as its not worth it for such a poor return.

'I'm a 74 year old pensioner with medical issues and am very careful with utility costs but feel this is a joke scheme... a waste of effort.'

The DFS aims to avert sweeping winter blackouts across the UK amid an energy crisis, which deepened after freezing weather and bad conditions for wind turbines left the grid with less supply to meet demand.

Energy bosses said the initiative could run again on Tuesday evening between 4.30pm and 6pm, though it is yet to be confirmed by the National Grid Electricity System Operator.

Critics meanwhile have condemned the decision to make it available only to the 29.5million smart meter users, precluding just under half the population from taking part.

Expressing their fury online, one critic told Octopus Energy: 'I've been trying to get a smart meter installed for 6 months and you can't/won't. Because of that I can't get this peak time discount. How is that fair?!'

Paul Robbins, 70, of Swindon, Wiltshire, had hoped to take part in the scheme but claims he couldn't find any way of signing up with his provider, British Gas.

The retired radio engineer branded the scheme a 'joke' and said: 'This is a really badly thought out idea. We have a smart meter and a British Gas account but nowhere on the website or app does it make any mention at all of this scheme.

'The whole thing is a joke. It's something that's government led and the industry is now scrambling to work out to do it.

'They are paying lip service but really haven't worked out how to make it work. I've got bored of the whole thing. It just doesn't work.'

But Julie Thomas, who is with OVO energy, said she will be taking part in the scheme, adding: 'This will be the third or fourth I've taken part in via OVO. I failed two but on the last one I saved 3.31 over two hours. It can work.'

Brits are taking to social media to display their candlelit or LED-lit setups to see them through the optional blackout

Critics earlier branded the energy-cutting scheme a 'gimmick', with experts claiming it is a way to 'penalise' those without controversial smart meters.

Craig Dyke, who is in charge of the project, has refused to rule out using the 'world-leading' scheme every winter, saying it will 'drive forward towards net zero'. Asked if it could become a feature of British life each winter, Mr Dyke told the BBC: 'It's something we strongly believe in. This is the start of something much, much bigger'.

The comments drew criticism from industry leaders, with supply chain expert Richard Bartlett saying: 'The blackout scheme just seems like another gimmick. I can't see how it's going to work.

'It's just the Government's way of rolling through situations without tackling the issue'.

Mr Bartlett said he is worried about the number of people who may be without heating. He added: 'The savings that it is going to amount to doesn't seem worth the amount of work involved. I can't see myself doing it and I can't see many others doing it either.'

Households could receive payments of up to 20 if they don't use ovens, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, games consoles or decide not to charge cars during the hour.

But the scheme relies on users having a smart meter, a device that automatically transmits your energy usage to your provider every 30 minutes.

There have been many complaints about the devices, ranging from them logging inaccurate readings that lead to inflated bills to stopping working altogether.

Wireless technology expert Nick Hunn told MailOnline: 'If it has an impact, then expect to see a lot more events like this, as it effectively lets suppliers increase costs for users without smart meters.

'It's a very similar approach to what they've been doing by moving customers to prepay meters, i.e. penalising the ones who don't do what the suppliers want.

'Given the suppliers have failed dismally to meet their smart meter-fitting obligations, they may see this as a way of offsetting their penalties by blaming customers for not have signed up.

'I suspect it would be subject to legal challenge, as in most cases, it's not the customer's fault that they've not had a smart meter fitted yet, so this is a selective discount. We're still barely at the halfway point for compliant smart meters being installed'.

Brits shared snaps of their smart meters online to show how little electricity they were using

Some took the opportunity to enjoy candlelit dinners

Snow-covered fields in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, this morning

It came as energy watchdog Ofgem said it is to review the checks and balances energy firms have around placing customers on pre-payment meters, warning it will take further legal action if it finds they are not taking due care.

In a blog, its chief executive Jonathan Brearley said he is concerned about the 'sharp growth in households struggling to pay their bills being switched over to pre-payment meters, sometimes without their even knowing about it, leaving them without heating'.

Q&A: Can I sign up for the scheme that will pay me to use less electricity? How will it work? How can I sign up? The National Grid will run events asking customers to reduce their electricity use during a set time. 26 companies have signed up. They will either invite customers to sign up or allow them to apply via their websites? Do I have to take part? Customers can take part in as many - or as few - events as suits them What do I need? To get involved you must have a smart meter that automatically sends half hourly readings. What will happen? 1. You will get an alert the day before each event, telling them what window they need to reduce energy use in ie 5pm until 6pm. 2. Customer must confirm they are taking part by text or email 3. Use less energy during the event 4. They will save money on your bill and earn credit of up to 20 per day Advertisement

It follows Business Secretary Grant Shapps' demand over the weekend that energy suppliers stop forcing financially-stretched households to switch to pre-payment meters. He also vowed to 'name and shame' the worst offenders.

Ahead of an urgent question in the Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'This is an issue of concern. He [Rishi Sunak] welcomes the fact that Ofgem have said they will look into this. You will know it is something that the Business Secretary has said that the government is keeping a close eye on and we will not hesitate in naming and shaming any suppliers that aren't following the rules.

'We will await Ofgem's work but in the meantime we will be clear that providers need to be treating those who are struggling fairly and lending a sympathetic ear to those who are struggling. We want to see greater efforts from suppliers to help consumers in payment difficulties and Ofgem's rules already make that clear.'

It is the first time National Grid has implemented the DFS since it was announced last November, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week.

Craig Dyke, head of National Control at National Grid ESO, suggested the measure could become a regular part of the UK winter.

He said: 'It is something we strongly believe in. It provides flexibility for the system and the consumer. We see this as a growing market. We see this as a world-leading step forward into a space where we can only grow and drive forward towards net zero'.

Energy companies say smart meters are mandatory.

But the rollout of smart meters has been plagued by an industry-wide supply problem. Hundreds of thousands of households are unable to get one because they live in high-rise flats, old properties with thick walls, or remote regions with poor signal.

It comes as temperatures plunge to -8C overnight and 'freezing fog' will remain for much of the week.

Is your energy provider signed up? The 26 companies taking part this winter British Gas - Domestic

CarbonLaces - Domestic and Non-domestic

Conrad Energy - Non-domestic

CUB (UK) Ltd - Non-domestic

Drax - Non-domestic

EDF - Domestic and Non-domestic

ENGIE Power Limited - Non-domestic

E.ON Next - Domestic

Equiwatt - Domestic and Non-domestic

ev.energy - Domestic

Flexitricity - Non-domestic

Grid Beyond - Non-domestic

Gridimp - Non-domestic

Hugo Energy App (via SMS) - Domestic

Labrador (via Perse Technology Ltd) - Domestic and Non-domestic

Loop.homes (via SMS) - Domestic

myenergi (via Orange Power) - Domestic

Oaktree Power - Non-domestic

Octopus Energy - Domestic and Non-domestic

OVO Energy - Domestic

Pearlstone Energy - Non-domestic

Power Rewards App (via Orange Power) - Domestic

Shell Energy Retail (Via SMS) - Domestic

SMS - Domestic and Non-domestic

VpowerU - Domestic and Non-domestic

Zenobe Energy Limited - Non-domestic Advertisement

National Grid put three coal-fired power plants on standby over the weekend as the UK grapples with a cold snap following a period of unseasonably mild weather earlier this month.

The UK's power grid operator gave notification to warm the three units, owned by Yorkshire-based Drax and French generator EDF, in case they are needed to provide additional power to the grid as temperatures remain close to or below zero in much of the country.

National Grid said the move 'should give the public confidence in Monday's energy supply', but stressed that the coal plants would only be used to increase the electricity supply 'should it be needed'. They were not called upon on Monday.

The grid operator has called on the plants to be on standby again on Tuesday as the balance between electricity supply and demand remains tight.

There are worries that the freezing temperatures and low levels of wind, which reduces the generation of renewable electricity, will put additional strain on the power grid this week.

The coal plants were due to close in September but have been kept open longer as potential backup while the UK grapples with a disruption to natural gas supplies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Fears Britain could face power cuts this winter started in October when National Grid warned gas shortages could lead to three-hour blackouts in some areas.

The plans were based on a worst-case scenario of the UK receiving no imports of electricity from continental Europe this winter alongside a lack of gas.

Britain depends heavily on natural gas to produce electricity, with gas-fired power stations accounting for more than 40 per cent of its electricity supplies.

But international gas markets were thrown into chaos after Russia shut off most of its supplies to Europe in retaliation for the West's sanctions.

While the UK does not use much Russian energy, there are fears gas shortages elsewhere could affect imports, leaving the electricity grid facing a supply shortfall.

The typical overnight temperature for England in January is around 2C, but this will fall as low as -8C overnight on Monday. It in turn means the 'freezing fog' will take longer to clear, with warnings for motorists likely to remain in place.

A general view of Drax Power Station behind residential houses in Drax, North Yorkshire, Britain, 23 January 2023

A Met Office spokesman told MailOnline: '[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.

What is the Demand Flexibility Service and how does it work? National Grid has warned that there could be blackouts this winter if gas power plants are not able to keep running due to the energy crisis. The electricity systems operator said it is still unlikely but winter could see the first planned blackouts, which the grid calls rota load shedding, since the 1970s. To try to avoid this happening they introduced the Demand Flexibility Service. It means domestic users, plus some businesses, will be 'incentivised for voluntarily flexing the time when they use their electricity'. Most demand happens during peak hours of between around 4pm and 7pm when people get home from work, put the kettle on, switch on their ovens and sit down to watch TV. The scheme gives money to people who simply use less power at this time. The overall amount of electricity that people use does not have to reduce if they just change their usage to other times of the day. For instance, electric cars could be unplugged during these hours, switching the dishwasher on could wait until 9pm and you could put the washing machine on earlier in the day or during the weekend. To qualify households have to have a smart meter. Engineers working on the energy grid need to make sure it is 'balanced' at all times. This means that the amount of electricity being put into the grid by power plants, wind farms and others should match the amount being taken out by households and businesses at any given time. The grid plans for when it thinks demand can be high so it can ask generators to meet that demand. But if there is ever an imbalance where demand is higher than supply or supply is higher than demand, it can cause major breakdowns in the grid. Advertisement

'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.

The DFS is among a range of tools designed to help manage the electricity system this winter.

Mr Dyke said: 'These test results show that, if called upon, this service will help the ESO balance the national electricity network this winter.'

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 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.

Ofgem approved the proposals for National Grid electricity system operator (ESO) to launch the programme from November until March.

Participating households 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 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 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 firm 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 Monterey Park shooter who murdered 11 people on Saturday at a Lunar New Year party in a dance hall lived quietly in a community for the elderly, surprised neighbors have revealed.

Huu Can Tran, 72, shot himself on Sunday in a van after being surrounded by SWAT teams. His motive for the rampage at Star Dance Studio remains unconfirmed, but police sources say it was a 'domestic dispute'.

His ex-wife had been invited to the party at the studio where he used to teach, but he had not, according to Chester Chong, chairman of the Chinese Chamber Commerce of Los Angeles.

Huu Can Tran, 72, shot himself on Sunday in a van after being surrounded by SWAT teams. His motive for the rampage at Star Dance Studio remains unconfirmed, but police sources say it was a 'domestic dispute'. He is shown in surveillance footage from Saturday

Tran used to teach classes at the studio and he met his ex-wife there. They divorced in 2005.

According to The L.A. Times, Tran had complained to police in Hemet, where he lived, that he feared his family were trying to poison him.

Cops also said on Monday afternoon he had made complaints of fraud and theft dating back up to 20 years against him family to a local police station on January 7 and 9.

He told them he would return with documents regarding his claims, but officers say he never came back.

It's unclear if he and his ex have any children. He lived alone at The Lakes at Hemet West, a community for over 55s some 75 miles away from the shootings.

'Tran was just a nice guy. I mean, I'd see him riding his little, small motorcycle in and out, once in a while in his van.

'He'd stop to pet your dog, and everybody around here just thought he was just some quiet, little guy.

'The people I've talked to are just stunned that he was involved in this.

'Pretty much lived alone, and I guess he taught dance or something, ballroom dance,' neighbor Pat Roth told Inland News.

Tran lived at The Lakes at Hemet West, a retirement community for people over 50. Neighbors said he was quiet and polite, and would stop to pet their dogs

A home next door to Tran's that is currently for sale. He lived alone

Office administrators at the community did not immediately respond to inquiries today.

The ex-wife has not been named publicly. She however told CNN that Tran was hot-tempered and cruel to her when they worked at Star Dance.

An old friend also revealed that he felt the instructors at Star Dance didn't like him, and would say 'evil things' about him.

He was 'hostile to a lot of people there,' the friend, who also did not want to be named, said.

He moved to the seniors community in 2013. Tran owns a trucking business called Tran's Trucking, but the company does not seem to be operational.

On Saturday, he opened fire on the Star Dance Studio at 10.22pm, shooting at random before fleeing in his van.

He then went to the Lai Lai Ballroom, where he was tackled by Brandon Tsay, the 26-year-old son of the ballroom's owners, who was there helping out.

Tsay punched the gunman's glasses off his face in the struggle. Tran fled and later killed himself

There was a struggle between the pair, with Tran punching Tsay and hitting him with the gun

Tsay told Good Morning America and The New York Times how he was helping out on Saturday night at his family's business when dozens had come to the ballroom for a Lunar New Year party.

'It was Chinese New Year's, we were hosting a social dance party.

'I was in the lobby and it was late into the evening. Most of our customers already left, I was looking into the dance ballroom.

'This is when I heard the sound of the front door creaking, instantly followed by the sound of metal objects rubbing together.

'I turned around and saw there was an Asian man holding a gun. My first thought was, I was going to die here. This is it.'

He told The New York Times in a separate interview that it was 'primal instinct' to attack him, and that Tran's eyes were 'menacing'.

Tsay had never seen Tran before.

He said he instantly knew he was there to commit a mass shooting, and was scanning the room for targets.

'I could tell he was not here to rob us, he wasn't looking for money. He was looking around the room. It seemed like he was looking for targets, people to harm.

Shortly after he was spotted at the hospital for treatment, Tran was pulled over by police. A SWAT team swarmed the van after a three-hour long standoff

'Something came over me - I realized I needed to take this weapon, disarm him, or else everybody would have died.

'When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon an we struggled into the lobby, trying to get this gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face and bashing my head.

'I was trying to create some distance. Finally, at one point, I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside and create some distance.

'I was able to get the gun and point it at him, intimidate him, shout: 'Get the hell away from here! I'll shoot! Get away!'

'At this point, I thought he would run away. He was contemplating whether to fight or run away. I really thought I'd have to shoot him. This is when he turned around and walked out the door, and walked back to his van.

'I immediately called the police, with the gun still in my hand. I couldn't believe what happened,' he said.

The Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, which was targeted on Saturday night
Alec Baldwin has been spotted returning to his New York City home with heavy bags under his eyes after being charged with manslaughter over a shooting on the set of Rust.

The 64-year-old looked up as he sheltered from the rain and exited a black SUV on Sunday afternoon.

The actor was greeted by his wife Hilaria, who donned a bright pink hoodie with the phrase 'Boundaries Are Hot!' emblazoned on the back.

It comes after he was charged last week with manslaughter for the shooting of Halyna Hutchins in October 2021 on the set of the movie Rust.

He and his legal team immediately vowed to fight the charges that they have characterized as a 'miscarriage of justice.'

Alec Baldwin, 64, is seen Monday morning returning to his Greenwich Village home in the rain

Baldwin (left) is seen returning to his Manhattan apartment with wife Hilaria, 39 (right)

Baldwin was yesterday seen opening a black umbrella with its tag still on before making his way from the large black vehicle into his swanky downtown apartment.

He was accompanied by an iced-coffee sipping Hilaria, 39, who sported a pink hoodie emblazoned with the words 'Boundaries Are Hot' on the back.

The yoga instructor and mom of seven has seemingly been sending messages recently to onlookers each morning as the Rust saga continues to play out.

Several days ago, she was spotted wearing a beige hoodie with 'HUMAN' embroidered on the front. She then sported a sweatshirt with 'EMPATHY' spelled out visibly.

Last week, an increasingly frustrated Hilaria approached photographers, cutting off their questions and saying: 'I'm going to tell you what I'm going to say, you're not going to ask me questions.

'I want you guys to realize we have seven kids, and you being here to escort them to school and to be there when they come home is not good.

'So, on a human level, you know that I'm not going to say anything to you. You know that. So please, leave my family in peace and let it play out.'

During that exchange, Hilaria's accent grew markedly more Spanish-sounding as her diatribe went on.

She continued, saying that it's a 'very hard thing as a mom to explain' to her children why a crowd of people have been following them around and asking questions, before she reminded them that she nor her husband Alec will be answering questions.

'So please, go home, because I'm not going to say anything and Alec is not going to say anything,' she concluded before dodging questions about their lawyers.

Alec and Hilaria return home after dropping off some of their seven children at school

Baldwin looked considerably worse for the wear after being charged last week in the accidental shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021

Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria arrive back to their NYC apartment after taking kids to school. Alec Baldwin tried to hide his face under an umbrella as he walked into his apartment

Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and could be looking at as many as six years in prison, if convicted

Despite a general feeling of sympathy toward the predicament, she finds herself under criticism for the Boston native's 'emotional support accent' that sounds Spanish.

Several years ago, Hilaria was forced to defend her accent after low-level online sleuthing led to the discovery that she had attended a tony private school in Massachusetts.

'My parents raised my brother and me with two cultures, American and Spanish, and I feel a true sense of belonging to both,' she said at the time.

'The way I've spoken about myself and my deep connection to two cultures could have been better explained - I should have been more clear and I'm sorry.

'I'm proud of the way I was raised, and we're raising our children to share the same love and respect for both,' she continued.

'Being vulnerable and pushing ourselves to learn and grow is what we've built our community on, and I hope to get back to the supportive and kind environment we've built together.'

Several former classmates came forward to confirm that Hilaria was in fact raised in Weston, Massachusetts, by American parents without a hint of a foreign accent.

Despite the social backlash Hilaria is facing, her husband might actually face jail time, and the Santa Fe prosecutor who unveiled the charges is confident Baldwin will be convicted.

In an interview after the announcement with CNN, she said Baldwin did pull the trigger - despite his claims to the contrary - and he ran a 'fast and loose set' that was plagued with safety issues.

'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.

'This is creepy!': Alec Baldwin is slammed for caption with 'sexually suggestive innuendo' between wife Hilaria and son in FIRST post since involuntary manslaughter charge

Alec Baldwin has been criticised over a bizarre Instagram post  his first since it emerged he will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Just days after prosecutors revealed plans to hold him responsible for the accidental killing of Halyna Hutchins in October 2021, the actor, 64, left followers perplexed over his latest Instagram caption.

Under a sweet photo of his son holding his mother's shoulders as they sat on their living room floor, the Golden Globe winner sent trolls into a frenzy as he suggested his little boy was pulling 'the old let me give you a back rub ploy' on mom Hilaria Baldwin.

The public post came just hours after Boston-born Hilaria was ridiculed for slipping into an 'offensive' Spanish accent while asking photographers to leave her kids alone in wake of Alec's charge.

Bizarre: Alec Baldwin has come under fire for his first Instagram post since he was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the accidental killing of Halyna Hutchins

Odd: Just days after prosecutors revealed plans to hold him responsible for the fatal on-set shooting of Rust's cinematographer in October 2021, the actor, 64, left followers perplexed over his latest Instagram caption

'Imagine being indicted for involuntary manslaughter and the first post you make after the announcement includes a picture of your attention-seeking wife, posed with your young son, and captioned with a sexually suggestive innuendo,' one critic asked in the comment section.

Another wrote: 'Does anyone else think this is creepy af with the caption? Pic is sweet. Caption makes it weird.'

A third commenter wrote: 'Dude you need consult your team before you post man this does not help your case.'

One of Baldwin's fans explained to the 30 Rock star that the 'back rub ploy is a joke between grownups not mother/son.'

Others pleaded with the father-of-eight to stop being 'problematic' and to stop posting at all.

'Imagine being indicted for involuntary manslaughter and the first post you make after the announcement includes a picture of your attention-seeking wife, posed with your young son, and captioned with a sexually suggestive innuendo,' one critic asked in the comment section

Not appropriate: One of Baldwin's fans explained to the 30 Rock star that the 'back rub ploy is a joke between grownups not mother/son'

Yikes: Another wrote: 'Does anyone else think this is creepy af with the caption? Pic is sweet. Caption makes it weird'

No more: Others pleaded with the father-of-eight to stop being 'problematic' and to stop posting at all

Still, others found the caption innocuous, and implied her son was just buttering up his mom for 'ice cream after 9pm'

'Sexualizing children is always so weird but your own child? Yikes,' another user remarked.

Still, others found the caption innocuous, and implied her son was just buttering up his mom for 'ice cream after 9pm.'

Last week, sources claimed Alec is 'trying to stay strong' for his kids after being charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Fighting to clear his name: As for his legal woes, Alec has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing over Hutchins' passing and insisted that Assistant Director Dave Halls said he was being handed a 'cold' gun  meaning it was unloaded and safe (seen in 2019)

The cinematographer was killed when a prop gun went off during rehearsals on the set of the upcoming Western movie in October 2021 and now the 64-year-old actor  who is married to Hilaria Baldwin and has Carmen Gabriela, nine, Rafael Thomas, seven, Leonardo Angel Charles, six, Romeo Alejandro David, four, Eduardo Pao Lucas, two, and daughters Ilaria Catalina Irena, three months with her  but is said to be 'focused' on his children and 'leaning' on his wife as they come to terms with the charges.

An insider told People: 'They were prepared for all outcomes, but nothing can quite prepare you for this. They are really leaning on each other and trying to keep their focus on the kids. Hilaria has been Alec's rock throughout all of this, and to see him so distraught is heartbreaking for her. She is doing whatever she can to support him and they're doing their best to stay strong for the kids.'

The film's head armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, faces the same charge, and both face a maximum of five years in prison if found guilty.

Santa Fe's District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said the charges will be filed by the end of the month.

She added in a statement: 'Actor and producer Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.

'After a thorough review of the evidence... I have determined that there is sufficient evidence.

'On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.'

Assistant Director Dave Halls has agreed a plea deal on the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. He will receive six months probation and a suspended prison sentence.

Alec has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said Dave said it was a 'cold' gun  meaning it was unloaded and safe  when he handed him the weapon.

Hannah was not present when the incident occurred, but the actor previously suggested she bare some responsibility as it was her job to prepare and check the props.

The '30 Rock' star previously insisted he did not pull the trigger when Halyna was shot, but the FBI tested the weapon and later issued a report which concluded it would not have fired if someone hadn't pulled the trigger.

Halyna's death was previously ruled an accident but her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alec and others involved in the production.

The lawsuit was settled last October, and it was agreed filming would resume on 'Rust', with the cinematographer's widower, Matthew Hutchins, on board as an executive producer.

Matthew previously said he has 'no interest' in apportioning blame for his wife's tragic death and wants to pay tribute to Halyna's 'final work'.

In a statement, he said: 'We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of 'Rust', including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed.

'The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023.

'I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin).

'All of us believe Halyna's death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna's final work.'

Alec also sued four crew members  Hannah, Dave, Sarah Zachry and Seth Kenney  claiming they failed to safeguard the film set.
Pro-abortion protesters gathered outside Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home to disrupt his evening on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which fell seven months after the ruling to overturn the landmark decision.

A video of what appeared to be about a dozen protesters wielding signs in the rain outside Kavanaugh's home on Sunday was posted by Daily Signal reporter Mary Margaret Olohan.

The demonstration outside the personal residence comes after protests in June outside the homes of several justices eventually resulted in an assassination attempt against Kavanaugh.

Pro-abortion protesters gathered outside Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home Sunday night on the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling

The group walked back and forth in front of Kavanaugh's home in Chevy Chase, Maryland wielding signs and chanting. Law enforcement was seen lining the justice's property

Nicholas John Roske, 26, showed up in Kavanaugh's neighborhood in Chevy Chase, Maryland in the early hours of June 8, 2022 armed with a knife, pistol, ammunition, zip ties, pepper spray and duct tape, among other items.

He allegedly told police that he intended to use the weapons to kill Kavanaugh.

The new protesters held signs reading: 'our rights are not up for debate,' 'abortion saves lives' and 'abortion is healthcare.'

'Cut his time short. A rapist should not rule the court,' they chanted, as well as: 'No privacy for us, no peace for you.'

Several members of law enforcement were seen on video standing along the sidewalk to serve as a barrier between the protesters and Kavanaugh's property.

It also appeared from the one clip put out by the Daily Signal, a conservative media outlet published by think tank the Heritage Foundation, that the protesters were keeping their voices at a considerably lower level than other demonstrations considering the late hour in the neighborhood.

The protest comes after demonstrations over the summer cumulated in an assassination attempt against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (pictured)

Protests happened after the Supreme Court ruling in June overturned Roe v. Wade, which stripped the nation of federal-level abortion rights. Pictured: March for Life anti-abortion activists gathered in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 20 - two days before the 50th anniversary of Roe

Sunday was supposed to be the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion protected at the federal level. The 6-3 conservative majority Supreme Court overturned that ruling in a June decision, which stripped federal-level abortion rights.

Pro-abortion activists have insisted that the ruling is against 'women's rights,' while anti-abortion activists say that it helps protect the lives of unborn children and send the right to regulate abortion back to the states.

A poster from Our Rights DC invited members of the community to show up for the protest outside Kavanaugh's home, which is also in the neighborhood of Chief Justice John Roberts, to push their message that 'abortion is a human right.'

Following the protest, which started at 5:30 p.m., the group invited demonstrators to attend a concert for the DC Abortion Fund.

Protesters on Sunday chanted: 'Cut his time short. A rapist should not rule the court,' referencing the sexual assault allegations that muddied Kavanaugh's confirmation process

To mark the 50th anniversary of Roe, Vice President Kamala Harris was deployed by the White House for remarks at Tallahassee, Florida to commemorate the landmark ruling now that it is no more.

The Biden administration announced over the weekend a presidential memorandum directing agencies to enact protections nationwide for access to the so-called abortion pill.

Florida is one of the several red states that enacted restrictive abortion rules both before and following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling over the summer.

Women in the sunshine cannot seek an abortion after the 15-week point in their pregnancy. There are no exceptions for pregnancies emerging as a result of rape, incest or human trafficking  only if the life of the mother is at risk.
The 'intoxicated' woman survived but almost lost her hand, reports said

The woman was mauled by a lion in a zoo in Ussuriysk, near the Chinese border

A video shows the terrifying moment an 'intoxicated' woman climbs over a safety fence and is mauled by a lion.

The trespasser was savagely mauled by a big cat named Aristo in a 'terrible incident' at a zoo in Ussuriysk, Russia.

The unidentified woman survived but 'almost lost her hand'. She is now in hospital.

A statement from the zoo said that in frozen conditions the woman who was 'in a state of intoxication' had 'provoked a lion - and he injured her hand'.

An 'intoxicated' woman can be seen climbing over a safety fence where she is then mauled by a lion at a zoo in Chudesny, Ussuriysk, Russia

The woman jumped over the fence as she was being ejected from the zoo, said the statement

The attack happened after the woman had given the slip to her minders

The woman jumped over the fence as she was being ejected from the zoo, said the statement.

The attack happened after the woman had given the slip to her minders, say reports.

'At some point, the woman was left alone and went to the cage with our lion Aristo,' the statement said.

'Judging by the video, she looked around and began to climb over the fence, one metre from which hangs a sign reading 'Do not go beyond the fences'.

'At that moment, our employees ran to her screaming, but the woman did not stop.

'Everything happened in a matter of seconds.

'Unfortunately, she was very close to the enclosure and the predator grabbed her hand.

'Having dragged the woman away from the enclosure, the staff gave her first aid.

'We immediately called an ambulance.

'Now the woman is in hospital and we really hope that doctors will save her hand.'

The trespasser was savagely mauled by a big cat named Aristo at the Russian zoo in Ussuriysk

The lion almost bit off the hand of the woman who provoked him by climbing over the safety fence

The zoo admitted: 'The situation is terrible.

'We are very worried, above all, about human health.

'A criminal investigation into the incident will begin.'

The zoo, in the Russian far east, urged visitors not to be drunk.

'Please do not visit places, even seemingly absolutely safe, under the influence of alcohol,' they urged.

'Let our tragedy help at least some people come to their senses.'
A high-ranking mercenary from Vladimir Putin's Wagner private military company has been arrested in Norway after he fled across the border.

Russian Andrey Medvedev said he came under Russian gunfire as he crossed into the the Scandinavian country, where is seeking asylum. He is currently in police custody on suspicion of entering Norway illegally, authorities said.

The Wagner deserter 'has been arrested under the Immigration Act and it is being assessed whether he should be produced for detention,' Jon Andreas Johansen, of Norwegian immigration police, told reporters. Norway's VG newspaper said detaining him is not a punishment, but a security measure.

Medvedev, who says he fears for his life, is believed to have illegally entered Norway after crossing the country's 123-mile-long border with Russia earlier this month.

Andrey Medvedev (pictured), a high-ranking mercenary from Vladimir Putin's Wagner private military company was arrested in Norway after he fled across the border

In a video posted by the Russian dissident group Gulagu.net, Medvedev said he came under Russian gunfire before crossing into the Scandinavian country.

Norwegian police said they were notified by Russian border guards about tracks in the snow indicating that someone may have crossed the border illegally.

Medvedev's Norwegian lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, insisted on broadcaster NRK that his client is not suspected of any offence and that he is unaccustomed to Norway's new, stricter security measures.

'Significant security measures have been introduced. Medvedev has problems adapting to them,' Mr Risnes told NRK.

Medvedev claimed he had been detained and handcuffed on Sunday at a hotel where he was staying and taken to a detention centre.

Gulagu.net said Medvedev had been told he faced deportation.

Asked about the claim, a Norwegian police spokesperson said: 'No, this is not correct,' without elaborating.

Medvedev's Norwegian lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, put the risk of his being deported at 'zero', adding he had been detained due to 'disagreement' about measures taken to ensure his safety. 'He is under very strict security measures and we disagree about the way they are applied. These have caused frictions,' Risnes told Reuters.

Russian Andrey Medvedev said he came under Russian gunfire as he crossed into the the Scandinavian country, where is seeking asylum. Pictured: A Ukrainian soldier drives a tank near the Donbas frontline in Ukraine, January 18

Wagner has given deserters good reason to be fearful. In November, Russian inmate-turned Wagner fighter Yevgeny Nuzhin - who changed sides in the Ukraine war - was executed with a sledgehammer a harrowing video that circulated online (pictured, a still image from the video)

Norway's National Criminal Investigation Service, which takes part in the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine, said it is questioning Medvedev who 'has the status of a witness'.

Medvedev, who has been on the run since he defected from the Wagner Group, has reportedly told Gulagu.net that he is ready to tell everything he knows about the shady paramilitary group and its owner Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Prigozhin is a millionaire with ties to the Russian President.

He is known as Putin's chef for providing catering services to the Kremlin, alongside heading up the notorious private army that has carried out the Kremlin's bidding in the middle-east, Africa and now in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Medvedev said he left the Wagner Group after his contract was extended beyond the July-November timeline without his consent.

He said he is willing to testify about any war crimes he witnessed and denied participating in any.

The Wagner Group, which has spearheaded attacks against Ukrainian forces, includes a large number of convicts recruited from Russian prisons.

The group has become increasingly influential in Africa and has been linked to civilian massacres in Mali. It grew in notoriety during Russia's involvement in the Syrian Civil War, and reports have also placed its fighters in Libya and Burkina Faso.

A Ukrainian soldier observes the situation in a locality near the northern front of the Donbas

Medvedev, an orphan who joined the Russian army and served time in prison before joining Wagner on July 6, 2022, said on the video on Gulagu.net that he had slipped away from the group after witnessing the killing of captured deserters from Wagner.

'I am afraid of dying in agony,' Medvedev told Vladimir Osechkin, founder of the Gulagu.net rights group, which said it had helped Medvedev to leave Russia after he approached the group in fear for his life.

Wagner has given deserters good reason to be fearful. In November, Russian inmate-turned Wagner fighter Yevgeny Nuzhin - who changed sides in the Ukraine war - was executed with a sledgehammer a harrowing video that circulated online.

Prigozhin described Nuzhin as a traitor, with the close ally of Vladimir Putin saying a 'dog receives a dog's death' in response to the clip.

Medvedev said Nuzhin had been part of his unit.

'My goal in coming here was firstly of course to save my life and secondly to tell the truth to the people and the world,' he said in the phone interview with Gulagu.net, recorded on Monday.

He said he also wanted to 'punish' Wagner founder Prigozhin for the deaths of people who died on his orders in Ukraine.

Gulagu.net said Medvedev would face 'brutal murder and death' for speaking out against Wagner if he was returned to Russia. 'We do not whitewash Medvedev. He has done many bad things in his life,' the rights group said.

'But he has seen the light, he has realised this, he is ready and willing to cooperate with the world, with the international investigation and with the authorities of Norway, he wants to live and testify' against Wagner and Prigozhin, it added.

Prigozhin (pictured left with Vladimir Putin in 2010) - himself an ex-convict who is now the billionaire head of Wagner - has taken no prisoners when it comes to deserter from Wagner

News of Medvedev's arrest comes amid reports of a growing feud between the Russian President and Yevgeny Prigozhin.

It is understood that Prigozhin continuously gloated that his private paramilitary fighters were more superior and successful than Russia's conventional forces.

Earlier this month, Prigozhin undermined Putin by bragging that his fighters had single-handedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Soledar, which has been razed to the ground by fighting.

Putin is said to have felt threatened by Prigozhin's rise and tactless self-assertion, experts from the Institute for the Study of War said today.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday doubled down on his decision to ban a course on African American studies, saying the class in question contained 'queer theory' and imposed a 'political agenda' on the state's children.

He defended his new policy during a press conference in Jacksonville in his first public comments on the controversy, which brought heavy criticism on the Republican governor and was seen as the latest attempt by his conservative administration to criticize and even outlaw some educational efforts about racism and slavery.

'When you try to use black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes,' DeSantis said. 'We want education, not indoctrination.'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican doubled down on his decision to ban an African American studies course

'We want to do history. That's what our standards for Black History are. It's just cut and dried history. You learn all the basics, you learn about the great figures, and you know, I view it as American history. I don't view it as separate history,' DeSantis noted.

He argued schools should be 'focusing on math and reading and all the things that are really, really important.'

Florida, last week, in a letter to the College Board Florida Partnership, which runs its Advanced Placement (AP) program, said it would not allow high school students to take a new AP class in African American Studies, because it was 'inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks education value.'

The state does offer AP history courses in European History, Art History, Japanese Language and Culture, German Language and Culture, Italian Language and Culture, and Spanish Language and Culture.

White House officials and civil rights leaders slammed DeSantis for the decision.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and African American to hold that role, spoke with Florida's House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D) and state Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D) on Sunday during her visit to the state marking the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision.

She criticized the move.

'Every student in our nation should be able to learn about the culture, contributions, and experiences of all Americans  including Black Americans  who shaped our history,' Harris said to the lawmakers, according to a White House official.

'Unfortunately, in Florida, extremist so-called leaders ban books, block history classes, and prevent teachers from freely discussing who they are and who they love,' Harris added. 'Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America's future.'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday called the governor's decision 'incomprehensible.'

'The administration does not dictate any curriculum for local schools,' she said. 'That is not something that we do here.'

But, she added, it is 'incomprehensible' that DeSantis put forward this ban.

Martin Luther King Jr. III weighed in on Twitter, saying: 'The State of Florida will allow AP European and American studies - but AP African-American studies is 'contrary to Florida law? Please explain how this isnt blatantly racist. Floridians deserve a clear answer.'

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (right) were among the White House officials criticizing DeSantis

Florida is one of several states that have banned public schools from teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT), an academic framework that teaches 'racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice. It is embedded in laws, policies and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities,' according to the NAACP. Some conservatives view teaching this as inaccurate and harmful.

In a separate move this week, the presidents of Florida's state college system said they would not provide funding for courses or activities that 'compel' a belief in Critical Race Theory, without pointing to any specific programs that did.

The African American Studies advanced placement course is new to the College Board. The curriculum was developed through a pilot program this year at 60 high schools.

It was then supposed to be tested at hundreds of additional schools, before schools across the country would begin offering the program in the 2024-25 school year, with the first AP exam being administered in Spring 2025.

The program includes a portion written by CRT advocate and legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaw that has students look at intersectional discrimination through overlapping racial and gender identities.

Students would also study and analyze speeches made by Malcolm X and members of the Black Panther Party, according to Time magazine.

DeSantis is said to be considering a 2024 presidential bid but has made no formal announcement. He has, however, outlined his vision for the state, which he calls a place the 'woke goes to die.'
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 60s died following the suspected robbery of his mobility scooter.

Police were called shortly before 6am on Sunday to a report a man had been found unresponsive in the car park of a Tesco superstore on Stratford Road in Stroud.

The man was found without his mobility scooter and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by paramedics, where he died later in the day.

His next of kin have been informed.

Gloucestershire Police believe the victim was subject of a robbery and his mobility scooter, which he used as a mode of transport, was taken.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 60s died following the suspected robbery of his mobility scooter in the Cotswolds on Sunday, Gloucestershire Police said

A woman from Stroud has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder and remains in police custody.

The force said: 'Police are keen to hear from people who saw a black mobility scooter being used by anyone in the Paganhill area between around 2am and 4am yesterday... It is described as having four wheels, a basket on the front and arm rests.

'A mobility scooter, which is believed to belong to the victim, was found by a member of the public later that morning, shortly before 8am, abandoned on Bisley Old Road.

'Officers are in the early stages of a murder investigation which is being led by the Major Crime Investigation Team.

Officers investigating the death of a man in Stroud, Gloucestershire, want to hear from anyone who saw a black mobility scooter being used in the early hours of yesterday morning, January 22

'Investigating officers are asking for anyone who lives in the area to review their doorbell cameras and CCTV to see if they have any footage of the mobility scooter or it being driven which may assist the ongoing investigation.'

Police are also keen to hear from any motorists who were driving in the area and may have dashcam footage.

Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact police by completing the online form and quoting incident 78 of January 22.

You can also call police on 101.

Information can be submitted anonymously by calling independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: 'Were shocked and saddened by this terrible incident and our thoughts are with with everyone affected by it.

'We are helping the police with their enquiries.'
Jill Biden was seen in public on Monday for the first time since her Mohs surgery, sporting sunglasses to cover her eyes after having lesions removed from each lid.

White House Dr. Kevin O'Connor said last week the first lady was cancer free but still experiencing 'mild bruising and swelling' after the procedure.

She and President Joe Biden walked hand-in-hand to the White House on Monday morning after spending the weekend at their beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware. President Biden ignored shouted questions on the classified document crisis engulfing his administration.

The president did, however, make a surprise cameo appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live this weekend.

Jill Biden wore sunglasses for her first post-surgery public appearance after she had lesions removed from each eye lid

Jill Biden accompanied President Joe Biden back to the White House after they spent the weekend at their Rehoboth, Delaware, beach house

Biden popped up in actress Aubrey Plaza's opening monologue in the late-night comedy show, celebrating the White Lotus star's Delaware roots.

'I was actually voted the most famous person from Delaware. I beat Joe Biden. That's a fact,' Plaza said in her opening remarks.

'And he was pissed. He was livid. Look at this video he sent me,' she added.

The screen then cut to a video message from Biden where he said: 'Aubrey, you're the most famous person out of Delaware and there's no question about that. We're just grateful you made it out of White Lotus alive.'

The president's classified documents scandal took a new turn over the weekend when Biden's personal attorney announced six more documents had been found at Biden's Wilmington home after the Justice Department spent all of Friday searching the property.

Even some Democrats are now questioning the administration's handling of the scandal. Originally Biden and his team waited two months to concede he had classified material in his possession that dated back to his time as vice president and only admitted it after CBS News reported the news.

Since then, the administration has announced more documents have been found but has struggled to explain the delay in publicly announcing each discovery. Administration officials stress that the National Archives and Justice Department were informed promptly and argue they were following federal procedure.

The White House also has stressed that Biden's team has cooperated voluntarily with law enforcement to allowed access to documents Biden's lawyers have discovered, and have tried to contrast it with Donald Trump's months long resistance to requests from the National Archives, in a clash that led to an FBI search under a subpoena.

Biden also didn't address questions on whether his Rehoboth property will be searched by federal agents. His personal attorney searched it and said no classified material was at the beach house. The president is scheduled to go to Camp David this coming weekend.

Just two Delawareans, live from New York. pic.twitter.com/EgSN2Tie2b  President Biden (@POTUS) January 22, 2023

President Joe Biden didn't answer questions about the classified documents scandal engulfing his White House

The White House doctor said last week that Jill Biden is cancer free

Meanwhile, Jill Biden will make another public appearance on Wednesday when she donates her inaugural ball gown - and face mask - to the Smithsonian's American History Museum.

It's traditional for each first lady to donate her gown.

Biden, in an historic first, will donate both her ballgown and the blue wool dress she wore to her husband's swearing-in ceremony.

She is returning to her public schedule after her Mohs surgery on January 11th.

The first lady had lesions removed from her face and chest at Walter Reed National Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. At least two of them - one from above her right eye and one of the left side of her chest - were determined to be cancerous but had all the cancerous tissue successfully removed.

The one from her left eyelid was sent out for a traditional biopsy but the results came back cancer free, Dr. Kevin O'Connor said in a letter released by the East Wing last Wednesday.

'Results are consistent with a seborrheic keratosis,' O'Connor wrote. 'Seborrheic keratosis is a very common, totally harmless non-cancerous growth. No further treatment is required.'

Seborrheic keratosis is a common noncancerous skin growth that people tend to get as they get older. Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan.

'Dr. Biden is recovering very nicely from her procedures,' O'Connor said. 'She experienced some anticipated mild bruising and swelling but feels very well.'

President Joe Biden and Jill Biden walk into the White House on Monday

The first lady was under anesthesia for about five hours for her Mohs surgery, which she had last Wednesday at Walter Reed National Military Hospital.

O'Connor said in a memo last week after her surgery that the first lady was experiencing facial swelling and bruising.

She had a lesion removed from above her right eye, which was confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma. Doctors also found a lesion on her chest, which appeared to be basal cell carcinoma, and doctors extracted. They later confirmed it was that type of skin cancer.

'All cancerous tissue was successfully removed,' O'Connor said.

Additionally, during the surgery, doctors also excised a lesion from her left eyelid and sent it in for additional testing. This is the one that was found to be benign.

President Joe Biden said last week his wife of 45 years is doing well but feeling some soreness.

'She will be sore for a while because of the work they did on her eyes and -- that's where one of these were. But she has a 0 to 1% chance of the return of any cancer so thank God she is doing really well,' he said.

Jill Biden thanked the hospital staff for their care.

Her spokesperson Vanessa Valdivia said in a statement last week that the first lady 'sends her love and gratitude to all the doctors and nurses at Walter Reed for their expertise, care, and kindness, and appreciates all those who have sent her well-wishes and prayers.'

Mohs Surgery is an outpatient procedure where thin layers of skin are cut away and tested for cancer.

President Biden spent eight hours at the hospital to be with his wife during her procedure.

In his letter last Wednesday, O'Connor noted that 'basal cell carcinoma lesions do not tend to spread or 'metastasize' as some more serious skin cancers such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma are known to do.'

'They do, however, have the potential to increase in size, resulting in a more significant issue as well as increased challenges for surgical removal,' he wrote.

Jill Biden is declared cancer free after her surgery last week - above she leaves the White House on Jan. 11th to head to Walter Reed for the procedure

The first lady steps off Marine One at the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Jan. 11th for her surgery

Jill Biden, 71, is the oldest first lady in modern American history.

President Biden has accompanied her for two other medical procedures.

Prior to Wednesday's procedure, Dr. Biden had a 'common medical procedure' done at an outpatient center near the George Washington University campus in April 2021, with the White House not disclosing additional details.

And, in July 2021, she traveled to Walter Reed to have debris removed from her foot after she stepped on an unnamed object while walking on a beach in Hawaii during a pit stop made in the state as she returned from the Tokyo Olympics.

It is not the Biden family's first brush with cancer.

Beau Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma in 2013. He died in 2015.
Alex Murdaugh looked considerably healthier as he smirked in Colleton County Court before going on trial for the 'execution-style' murders of his estranged wife and son.

The disgraced South Carolina attorney, 54, looked lighter as appeared in court on Monday where a jury will be selected for his three-week-long trial.

Maggie, 52, and Paul Murdaugh, 22, were found dead at the family hunting lodge in June 2021.

Several of his surviving family members are expected to testify against him in the upcoming trial - including his surviving son Buster, brothers and his wife's family.

Defendant Alex Murdaugh smirked as prepares for jury selection to resume during his murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse

Surrounded by SWAT teams and sheriff's officers, Murdaugh arrived at the courthouse handcuffed, wearing a white shirt and grey trousers

Surrounded by SWAT teams and sheriff's officers, Murdaugh arrived at the courthouse handcuffed, wearing a white shirt and grey trousers.

Prosecutors say Murdaugh lured his wife and son to the 1,700-acre lodge and shot them.

The court also claims that his life was spiraling out of control amid years of opioid addiction and ballooning debts.

Murdaugh pleaded not guilty in June, and the blockbuster trial is expected to have wild allegations of dark family secrets, financial ruin and hedonistic excess.

Lawyers expect the selection to take several days before testimony can be heard in the courtroom.

Judge Clifton Newman revealed on Monday that his brothers John Marvin and Randy Murdaugh, as well as his surviving son Buster could testify against him.

Curtis Smith, who is accused of helping Murdaugh in a twisted assisted suicide scheme is also expected to take the stand, as well as members of his wife's family - the Branstetter and Proctor's

A bench of 12 jurors will hear the evidence, with authorities taking 13 months of investigation to charge Murdaugh in connection with the crimes.

Murdaugh pleaded not guilty in June, and the blockbuster trial is expected to have wild allegations of dark family secrets, financial ruin and hedonistic excess

Several views of the crime scene where Paul had been shot were in the court filings

Alex Murdaugh (center) is accused of killing his wife Maggie, 52, (right) and son Paul Murdaugh, 22, (left) in 2021

The 22-year-old was shot in the feed room connected to the Moselle properties dog kennels, while his mother was shot five times, including in the back of the head, with a semiautomatic rifle  the pair dying just 30 yards from one another

He has been charged with two counts of murder and insisted that the trial start as soon as possible.

Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty but will ask for life without parole if he is convicted of murder  with the minimum sentence carrying a 30-year stint behind bars.

When asked if they had heard of the case, all potential jurors confirmed that they had, with several being excused because they had 'form opinions which cannot be changed'.

Last week prosecutors claimed that a Snapchat video was critical to the case, with Paul sending the footage shortly before 8pm on the night he died.

Investigators believe he and his mother died between 9pm and 9:30pm, and are seeking permission to call a Snapchat executive to testify as to the veracity of the video.

Creighton Waters, senior assistant deputy attorney general said: 'Amongst other things, critical to the case is a video sent out to several friends at approximately 7:56 p.m. on the night of the murders.

A crime scene photo showing what appears to be blood droplets on the floor, a mannequin and an evidence marker in the feed room where Paul was fatally shot

Murdaugh (pictured center), the heir of a once-powerful legal dynasty, is accused of shooting his youngest son Paul (left) and wife Maggie (right) at their home

The court filing also had a close up of the blood spatter where Paul was shot twice - once in the chest and a second time which entered his left shoulder into his neck and brain

'The contents of this video is important to proving the State's case in chief.'

The order was approved, with prosecutors not revealing what was in the Snapchat video during the hearing.

The disgraced former attorney is facing a total of 98 criminal charges - four related to the double murders and others for a botched suicide for hire plot

State forensic expert Dr Kenneth Kinsey last week described Paul's horrific wounds, explaining he was was shot twice - with the second bullet entering the left shoulder into his neck and brain.

Kinsey said his 'brain was completely detached from head, adding that the 22-year-old was first struck in the chest as he stood in the feed room.

The room was connected to the Moselle properties dog kennels, while his mother was shot five times, including in the back of the head, with a semiautomatic rifle.

The pair died just 30 yards from one another, with Murdaughs lawyers asking Judge Newman to exclude a blood spatter expert from testifying for the state in the upcoming trial.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) enlisted Oklahoma-based forensics expert Tom Bevel to analyze a white T-shirt Murdaugh had been wearing the night of the murders.

Defense attorneys, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, argued in a previous motion that any blood on the shirt was transferred when Murdaugh found the bodies and 'frantically checked them for signs of life.'

Paul Murdaugh (right) was shot dead in June 2021. On Wednesday prosecutors revealed he sent a Snapchat video to friends around an hour before he died. His father Alex (left) will go on trial on Monday, charged with his murder

Alex Murdaugh pictured with his wife Maggie and their two sons Paul (left) and Buster

But Bevel concluded that the T-shirt is 'stained with high-velocity blood spatter resulting from shooting Maggie and Paul' after his initial report found the stains were 'consistent with transfers and not back spatter from a bullet wound.'

Murdaugh's attorneys accused SLED of 'badgering' Bevel into changing his report.

The T-shirt was later destroyed 'for purposes of forensics testing by the unnecessary application of an oxidizing chemical stain,' the court filing states.

Bevel's initial report only came to light when prosecutors with the South Carolina Attorney General's Office accidentally turned over a copy to Murdaugh's defense team, according to the motion.

The white T-shirt is a critical piece of evidence for state prosecutors, who have suggested in court papers that the family patriarch shot his wife and son after fearing his decades-long corruption schemes would be exposed.

In the affidavit, Kinsey said he cannot make judgement on whether the stains on Murdaugh's T-shirt are consistent with back spatter.
It was, said Nadhim Zahawi, a 'careless error' that led him to not paying the taxes he owed.

And so, after negotiating a settlement with HMRC  astonishingly, when he was chancellor and therefore in charge of HM Revenue and Customs  he has paid the taxman millions.

It is by no means the first time the Cabinet minister's complex finances have caused him difficulties. Ten years ago, when the millionaire MP was discovered to be claiming taxpayers' expenses for the electricity used by his horse riding business, he blamed a 'mistake' and said he had been 'mortified' to discover the error.

Fast forward to last weekend and Mr Zahawi, now the Conservative Party chairman, was once again to be found trying to explain what he called 'the confusion about my finances'.

The 'confusion' goes back to the beginnings of Mr Zahawi's success in 2000

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi leaving the Conservative Party head office in Westminster, central London

YouGov shares

Mr Zahawi's rise to fortune and political success are in many ways inspiring. He was born in Baghdad to Kurdish parents and arrived in the UK aged nine, unable to speak English. He has hailed Britain and its education system which 'took in a young Kurdish boy without a word of English and made him a Cabinet minister'.

In May 2000, when he was 32, Mr Zahawi co-founded the YouGov political polling company. He took no shares himself but a Gibraltar-based company, Balshore Investments Limited, was allocated shares equal in value to those given to his co-founder Stephan Shakespeare.

Balshore was held by a trust which documents state is 'the family trust of Nadhim Zahawi's family', controlled by Mr Zahawi's parents. Mr Zahawi said his father, Hareth, had offered him 'invaluable guidance' and some cash to help start the company and was allocated some shares in return.

Last year, Mr Zahawi insisted the reason the outfit was based in the offshore haven Gibraltar was not to avoid tax but simply because his father 'lived abroad'.

YouGov was highly successful. Mr Zahawi was chief executive and a director until 2010. Balshore Investments disposed of its YouGov shareholdings about eight years later. By then, they were worth about 27million.

If Mr Zahawi was a beneficiary of that transaction, he would owe capital gains tax on it.

Among the questions Mr Zahawi has faced is whether the trust was really controlled by his parents. Or was he himself the true beneficiary of the sale of Balshore's shares?

As for his father's shareholding, did the work done by him at YouGov's founding truly merit a large proportion of the initial shares? When The Times spoke to people involved in YouGov at the start, none could recall Mr Zahawi's father being involved.

After HMRC's investigation, Mr Zahawi revealed this weekend that the taxman had 'agreed that my father was entitled to founder shares' but had 'disagreed about the exact allocation'.

The minister said: 'They concluded that this was a 'careless and not deliberate' error.'

National Crime Agency

In July last year, when Mr Zahawi was appointed chancellor, it was reported that his finances were under investigation by the National Crime Agency.

At the time, Mr Zahawi said he was unaware of it, and the investigation was reported not to have led to any action. It further emerged that an HMRC 'flag' was raised over Mr Zahawi's finances before his promotion to chancellor.

The HMRC flag  a sign that his taxes had been in dispute  was also said to have led to him being denied a knighthood in the recent New Year Honours List.

When stories about his tax affairs surfaced last summer, Mr Zahawi, one of the richest members of the Cabinet, described them as 'smears'. A source close to Mr Zahawi said he 'does not have, and never has had, an interest in Balshore Investments and he is not a beneficiary'.

Independent expert

Saying he 'is not a beneficiary' of Balshore is not the same as saying he never has been, according to Dan Neidle, an expert from the Tax Policy Associates think tank.

Last summer, Mr Neidle  who is dismissed by Conservative sources as a 'Labour activist'  started to go through the publicly available documents on Mr Zahawi's business activities.

He reached the conclusion that 'the obvious rationale' for the Balshore arrangement with the YouGov shares was 'tax avoidance'  a claim strenuously denied by Mr Zahawi, whose lawyers sent Mr Neidle threatening letters.

Nadhim Zahawi shouted a cheery 'morning' to waiting reporters and photographers as he arrived at Tory HQ in Westminster today

HMRC penalties

Matters came to a head last week when the Sun on Sunday reported that Mr Zahawi had settled his dispute with HMRC  and agreed to pay several million pounds.

It was also reported that the sum included a 30 per cent penalty on top of an estimated tax bill of 3.7million, suggesting Mr Zahawi had to pay 4.8million in total.

Mr Zahawi himself confirmed that the settlement was reached before he became Tory chairman  in other words, when he was chancellor.

In a statement issued on Saturday to 'address some of the confusion about my finances', he said that because of his 'careless and not deliberate' error, he had 'done the right thing' and paid what was due 'so that I could focus on my life as a public servant'. He did not confirm a figure.

Mr Neidle said: 'You don't pay a 30 per cent penalty if your tax affairs are in order. You do it, at best, if you've been careless  if you haven't paid tax that's due.'

Many top Tories believe Zahawi will struggle to survive but Rishi may have kicked row into the long grass because he's relying on him to build an election-winning machine, writes JASON GROVES

By Jason Groves, Political Editor

When news broke at Westminster this morning that Rishi Sunak was poised to give an 'update' on Nadhim Zahawi's future, rumours swirled that the Tory chairman was about to get the chop.

After all, the Prime Minister has made much of his determination to restore 'integrity, professionalism and accountability' to politics after a rocky period.

And Mr Zahawi was undoubtedly in trouble.

Allies of the Tory chairman do not dispute reports that he had to settle an overdue tax bill totalling up to 4.8million during his brief stint as Chancellor last year. Nor do they dispute that the total included a 'penalty'  or fine  of more than 1million, although they insist his actions were 'careless' rather than a deliberate attempt to dodge tax.

Yet Mr Sunak decided to give his party chairman a stay of execution, handing the matter over to his independent ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, whose enquiries could take many months.

Many senior Tories believe Mr Zahawi will struggle to survive the probe, with one Cabinet source describing him as 'finished'.

So why would the Prime Minister allow him to cling on, while acknowledging there were 'clearly questions that need answering'?

No 10 made little secret of Mr Sunak's irritation over the affair today.

Rishi Sunak (pictured today) has confidence in the senior minister, his spokesman said

At the regular briefing with reporters, the PM's spokesman said Mr Sunak had not been aware of the seven-figure fine, either when he appointed him or when he defended him at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons last week, saying Mr Zahawi had 'addressed the matter in full'.

It took the PM's spokesman three attempts to even confirm he still had confidence in the minister.

Mr Sunak certainly does not owe Nadhim Zahawi any personal loyalty.

During the brief race to succeed Liz Truss in October, Mr Zahawi enthusiastically backed the return of Boris Johnson, just weeks after calling for him to resign.

When the former prime minister pulled out of the race, it took Mr Zahawi less than half an hour to switch sides, saying that he now believed the 'immensely talented' Mr Sunak was the man to lead the country.

'A day is a long time in politics,' he explained lamely.

Many were surprised he was appointed as party chairman, and some believe he will inevitably be axed when Sir Laurie reports.

'Rishi believes in due process,' said one senior Tory. 'Nadhim doesn't want to go, but he will have to in the end.'

But others think Mr Sunak is genuinely reluctant to lose a man who has many of the attributes the party needs in the run up to the next election.

Mr Zahawi is the seventh person to hold the post of Tory chairman since the 2019 election, and the party is now approaching the business end of the electoral cycle. On Thursday he is due to present a major briefing on electoral strategy at a Cabinet away day at Chequers.

The founder of polling company YouGov is, unsurprisingly, an expert on both polling and elections.

He also enjoys an unusual degree of public name recognition following his high profile role as vaccines minister during the pandemic.

He is said to enjoy good relations with a number of prominent donors, whose cash will be essential at the next election.

And Tory sources say he has made a good start in turning round the often dysfunctional operations at Conservative Central Office.

For all the talk of integrity, it may be that the PM has kicked the row into the long grass in the time-honoured hope that, by the time it eventually re-emerges, the world has moved on, and a chastened Tory chairman can continue building the electoral machine the Conservatives will be relying on in less than two years' time.
Anti-fraud police boasted of seizing a record 30million from scammer only to hand it back.

City of London Police hailed it as the 'biggest ever seizure' by a UK law enforcement agency and told of taking 'criminal proceeds out of the UK economy'.

The revelation about the return of the money came in extradition hearings for Christopher Hamilton, a 64-year-old British financier who is appealing against a UK court's decision that he can be sent to the United States.

According to court documents, the father of three was suspected of laundering tens of millions of dollars stolen from investors in OneCoin, a cryptocurrency launched by Bulgarian businesswoman Ruja Ignatova.

According to court documents, father of three Christopher Hamilton was laundering tens of millions of dollars stolen from investors in OneCoin, a cryptocurrency launched by Bulgarian businesswoman Ruja Ignatova (pictured)

Known as the Cryptoqueen, she is on the FBI's most-wanted list after vanishing in 2017 when her empire came crashing down. The 42-year-old is accused of cheating as many as million investors worldwide out of 3.3billion.

It is alleged that Ignatova's lover, US businessman Gilbert Armenta, had approached Hamilton, his deputy Rob Macdonald, and his UK firm Viola Asset Management to launder the OneCoin money.

An FBI investigation allegedly revealed that 'between 2015 and 2016 Hamilton and Macdonald conspired with others to launder tens of millions of dollars in criminal proceeds'.

Hamilton was arrested in 2016 at his 1.5million Glamorgan home by detectives who had been alerted by HSBC to suspicious transactions. The police said they had seized cheques representing approximately 30million sent by Armenta to Viola. Hamilton maintains his innocence.

Known as the Cryptoqueen, Ignatova is on the FBI's most-wanted list after vanishing in 2017 when her empire came crashing down

At the time CLP said: 'A South Wales man has been arrested by the CLP in possession of banker's drafts worth 30million in what is believed to be the biggest ever money seizure made by UK law enforcement.

'The funds are suspected to have been generated from overseas organised crime, including Ponzi schemes and then laundered through the 58-year-old's company bank account.

'His arrest and the massive money seizure is further evidence of how banks and law enforcement are working very closely together to take criminal proceeds out of the UK economy.'

But with a US investigation into OneCoin already under way, CLP dropped its inquiries and approved the return of the cash to Armenta in August 2017.

According to the extradition judgement at Westminster Magistrates' Court in August, the force agreed to return the funds because it had seized the cash unlawfully.

Jen McAdam, 52, who with family and friends lost 220,000 in the OneCoin scam, said: 'British investors lost 100million and yet CLP closed the investigation and left the victims out in the cold.

'The victims are left asking 'Why?' They have left the investigation to the US, Germany, and many other countries, and I have witnessed personally how they shrug off their responsibilities.

'It is a relentless nightmare with horrendous treatment of UK victims who have had no justice or support from the police despite many losing all their life savings, families torn apart and many victims left feeling suicidal. An inquiry is needed now.

'The CLP has failed UK victims, left so many unanswered questions and they need to be held accountable.'

Simon Fell, vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on anti-corruption, said the fiasco showed CLP was 'not fit for the modern world'.

The Tory MP said it appeared to be a clear case of the proceeds of money laundering 'being handed straight back to the people responsible for it'.

The UK's top fraud lawyer, Clare Mongtomery, has said police have lost interest in catching scammers.

Armenta was indicted and arrested by the FBI on OneCoin fraud charges in September 2017.

Detective Inspector Paul Curtis of CLP said: 'As a result of the court ruling, CLP was directed to release the money that we had seized in the course of our investigation.'

The forced declined to comment on why the investigation into OneCoin was dropped.

Ignatova's lawyers this week made a formal claim to a four-bedroom 13.5million penthouse in London even though she is on the run.
A Kansas town known for its cowboys and gunslingers bizarrely saw history repeat itself this morning, as deputies engaged in a deadly stand-off with a wanted suspect.

Three deputies were shot and a Highway Patrol officer bitten in the Dodge City shoot out that left the gunman dead, and his female passenger rushed to hospital.

After a Clark County Sheriffs Office tried to stop a vehicle driven by the wanted man this morning, the traffic stop turned quickly into a high-speed chase, and ultimately, a prolonged shoot out on the aptly named Wyatt Earp Boulevard.

A lawman and gambler infamous throughout the American West, Wyatt Earp was involved in the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral, during which lawmen shot and killed three outlaw cowboys.

Dodge City, where the more recent shoot out occurred, is also renowned for its history as a landmark of the American West. At the time, it was known for having the most gunfighters of any town on the Western frontier.

Video footage of the scene's aftermath shows police vehicles gathered at the side of the Wyatt Earp Boulevard

3 deputies were shot during the altercation and another bitten by a K-9 officer, while the suspect was fatally shot at the scene

In video footage taken from within a nearby building, a barrage of bullets can be heard from the cars parked in the distance

The traffic stop occurred around 9am on Monday morning, when deputies from the Clark County Sheriffs Office attempted to intercept the yet unidentified suspect.

Immediately fleeing, the driver led the deputies on a chase from Clark County into Ford County, where deputies from the Ford County Sheriffs Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.

Skidding to a stop on Wyatt Earp Boulevard, the wanted driver then exchanged gunfire with the various deputies - leaving him dead, and a female passenger seriously injured.

Video footage taken by onlookers shows a barrage of gunfire coming from a collection of vehicles.

Three other deputies were shot in the encounter, with two rushed to Wichita Hospital in serious condition, and a Kansas Patrol Officer bitten by a K-9 officer.

Why the driver was originally wanted by police is not yet known, nor the identity of his injured passenger.

Wyatt Earp was an infamous lawman in the Wild West, known for leading the O.K. Corral gunfight, which saw three outlaw cowboys shot and killed by lawmen in 1881

Dodge Town was renowned for its number of gunslingers in the late 1800s, and has inspired many a Western action flick

Local authorities say the investigation is still in a preliminary stage.

A number of popular Western films have been named after, or set in, Dodge City - including the 1959 flick The Gunfight at Dodge City.

Once known as the 'Cowboy capital of the world', Dodge City lost many of its more colorful residents in the late 1800s following the shutdown of the Great Western Cattle Trail.

The sleepy little town now runs 'Wild West experiences' for visitors and tourists.
Law enforcement says he has links to Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska

He was previously in charge of New York's counterintelligence division

A former FBI official has been arrested over his ties to a Russian oligarch charged with violating US sanctions.

Charles McGonigal, 54, was previously the special agent in charge of counterintelligence in the New York Field office - and worked on the investigation into Donald Trumps ties to Russia.

He was arrested on Saturday afternoon after arriving at JFK following a trip to Sri Lanka and retired from the FBI in 2018.

Law enforcement says he has links to metal mogul Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire who was sanctioned by the US in 2018 and then charged with violating them last year.

Deripaska was among two dozen Russian oligarchs and government officials blacklisted by Washington in 2018 in reaction to Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump become president.

Court interpreter Sergey Shestakov, 69, has also been charged in connection with the case and working with Deripaska.

Charles McGonigal exits Manhattan federal court after being arrested on Saturday at JFK

Charles McGonigal, 54, was previously the special agent in charge of counterintelligence in the New York Field office - and worked on the investigation into Donald Trumps ties to Russia

Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska was sanctioned by the US and then charged with violating them last year. Pictured: With Vladimir Putin in 2017

Charles McGonigal and wife leaves Manhattan Federal Court after he was arraigned on charges he violated US sanctions

McGonigal is charged with violating US sanctions by trying to get Deripaska - who is worth $1.7billion - off the sanctions list in 2019.

He is one of the highest-ranking former FBI officials ever charged with a crime, and was living in a plush $730k West Village apartment before selling it in 2020.

Both McGonigal and Shestakov are accused of receiving payments through shell companies and forging signatures to keep it secret that Deripaska was paying them.

According to the Justice Department, the pair, who both worked for the FBI and investigated oligarchs, agreed to investigate a rival oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska.

Both men are facing money laundering charges as well as violating sanctions  with each of the four counts carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The FBI searched Deripaska's $15million home in Washington DC, his $42.5million property in the Upper East Side and $4.5million townhouse in West Village in 2021.

Charles McGonigal and wife leaves Manhattan Federal Court after he was arraigned on charges he violated US sanctions.

He was arrested on Saturday afternoon after arriving at JFK following a trip to Sri Lanka and retired from the FBI in 2018

The FBI searched Deripaska's $15million home in Washington DC (pictured) , his $42.5million property in the Upper East Side and $4.5million townhouse in West Village in 2021

Deripaska, 55, is one of the small number of oligarchs who criticized Putin for launching war in Ukraine  calling it madness

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael Driscoll said in a statement: 'The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors.

'Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence.

'As alleged, Mr. McGonigal and Mr. Shestakov, both U.S. citizens, acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a U.S. entity to obscure their activity in violation of U.S. sanctions.

'After sanctions are imposed, they must be enforced equally against all U.S. citizens in order to be successful. There are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal.'

Shestakov has also been charged with lying to FBI investigators about his relationship with the oligarch.

Deripaska and his aluminum giant Rusal have been under U.S. sanctions since 2018 for malign activity in both Russian-annexed Crimea and Ukraine

Deripaska was among two dozen Russian oligarchs and government officials blacklisted by Washington in 2018 in reaction to Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump become president

After leaving the FBI, McGonigal worked for Deripaska through a law firm, and made at least $25,000 working as an 'investigator. '

He was then paid $51,000 and $41,790 for across several months of working for the Russian directly.

McGonigal told pals that he was working for a 'rich Russian guy' and stressed that his work was legal.

The US Attorney's Office has unsealed a separate case against McGonigal, claiming that he accepted $225,000 from an individual who was a former intelligence agent for Albania.

Documents claim that between August 2017 and September 2018  just before his retirement  he hid the relationship from the FBI.

He is accused of travelling abroad with the 'individual with business interests in Europe', and met foreign nationals.

The meetings included get-togethers with the prime minister of Albanian, as well as a former senior Albanian official employed by a Chinese energy conglomerate.

Deripaska is one of a group of businessmen known as oligarchs who control large parts of the economy, especially in energy and commodities, and have been able to preserve their fortunes on condition that they stay out of politics

In December 2022 he had his $1billion hotel complex and marina in Sochi seized after the Kremlin reportedly asked him to 'calm down'

A Russian court ordered his $1billion Imeretinskiy hotel complex and marina in Sochi to be seized after the Kremlin asked him not to criticise Russia's war in Ukraine

The person later 'served as an FBI source in a criminal investigation involving foreign political lobbying' over which McGonigal had a supervisory role.

Deripaska, 55, is one of the small number of oligarchs who criticized Putin for launching war in Ukraine  calling it madness.

In December 2022 he had his $1billion hotel complex and marina in Sochi seized after the Kremlin reportedly asked him to 'calm down'.

The metals tycoon, who made his fortune as the founder of aluminum giant Rusal, initially spoke out after Russian forces swept into neighboring Ukraine in February.

Deripaska and his aluminum giant Rusal have been under U.S. sanctions since 2018 for malign activity in both Russian-annexed Crimea and Ukraine.

He was reportedly worth $7billion in 2018, when he was sanctioned by the US government.

The science hub and the hotel complex, which stretches 1.5 kilometres along the Black Sea coast and comprises hotels, apartments and swimming pools, are next to each other.

Deripaska is one of a group of businessmen known as oligarchs who control large parts of the economy, especially in energy and commodities, and have been able to preserve their fortunes on condition that they stay out of politics.
A San Francisco tech executive has branded the downtown area 'dystopian' after she walked past 'hundreds' of homeless people.

Michelle Tandler, 37, shared a picture from her Saturday night trip to a bar in the wilting Democrat-run city.

She posted the image of a distressing scene that featured a group of homeless men surrounding by trash and graffiti.

It comes as cities such as San Francisco, Portland and Philadelphia are being outed for their homeless and drug crisis.

The picture of downtown San Francisco shared by Michelle Tandler on Sunday morning. She said because of the scene of drug-addled homeless people around her, she felt unsafe

Successful San Francisco tech entrepreneur Michelle Tandler has become a voice of reason when it comes to thoughtfully assessing the reality of the decline of her city

'Last night I went to a bar in downtown San Francisco. It looked like a dystopia,' wrote Tandler.

'I saw hundreds of people folded over (likely high on Fentanyl), or sitting on the sidewalks smoking.

'Almost every person looked homeless. I felt scared to park and walk two blocks,' she wrote before launching into a nearly two-dozen tweet thread about the ruinous state of San Francisco.

Tandler claims that San Francisco is at a breaking point as it pertains to the ongoing and rampant homelessness problem, as well as drug use in the streets and lax criminal prosecution policies fostered by progressive politicians and city officials.

'Businesses are shutting down and leaving,' she wrote. 'The homeless, rightfully so or not, have taken over downtown SF.'

'The status quo is unsustainable,' she declared. Last week, Collier Gwin - the man who was filmed spraying down a homeless woman who refused to move away from his gallery front - was arrested.

The city's district attorney said he would face charges for the incident that occurred on January 9 in front of the Foster Gwin gallery.

The incident prompted an initial public outcry, but some SF residents - Tandler among them - took a more nuanced view of the unfortunate interaction.

'Recently a man in San Francisco was arrested for spraying a homeless woman with water,' she wrote.

'She had been camping in front of his shop for weeks, screaming, defecating, scattering trash. He lost his patience and engaged in a cruel act.'

Tandler went on to question who should have taken responsibility for the woman who was an issue for the man and his client-facing business.

'He had been allowing her to camp under his awning for weeks. But she clearly needed more,' wrote Tandler. 'Where was SF government? California? The Federal government?'

'Who owns the sidewalk?....Should she be allowed to camp, and block passage into his store?

'Was he defending his property? Is that allowed?' she continued.

Tandler added that she, along with many others, is in search of a humanitarian option, but does not believe the city's homeless population should be given a free pass to camp on the streets, effectively taking over parts of the city.

A business owner who went viral after he was filmed spraying down a homeless woman with a hose in front of his San Francisco store was arrested for battery, hours after the city's DA said he would face charges for the widely seen incident

Pictured: Collier Gwin, who runs Foster Gwin Gallery in the Financial District. He was arrested last week at his gallery after the city's DA issued a warrant for his arrest

Rows of homeless tents are seen near the City Hall of San Francisco outside residential properties and small business premises earlier this year

Homeless tents in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco where a rampant homeless population have taken over many blocks

Homeless men are seen on a sidewalk near San Francisco's City Hall, where legislators dream up increasingly relaxed policies that fail to protect any part of the city's vulnerable population

Tandler wrote that she saw people doubled-over Saturday night, possibly experiencing fentanyl highs and overdoses

She wondered how many of the people she saw Saturday night wound up dead

Homeless people are seen in San Francisco, California on July 19, 2022

Summer 2022 in San Francisco. Homelessness has increased markedly in SF over the last few years

She wrote that she believes the city may be on the precipice of 'vigilantism.'

'When home values fall people will follow their natural urge to protect their families and net worth...this anarcho-tyranny needs to come to an end,' she wrote.

She also hit out against the so-called 'harm reduction' policies in the city that allow homeless and others to publicly access syringes and shoot up at injection sites.

'All I see is harm,' she wrote.

The number of homeless people in San Francisco was tallied in February of last year at almost 8,000, the second highest figure of any year since 2005, according to the official government count which takes place every three years.

It has almost certainly ballooned since the latest count.

Business owners in some of San Francisco's neighborhoods have threatened to stop paying taxes if politicians don't start cleaning up streets of litter and stopping people from openly taking drugs.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed is beginning to take some of the blame for the homeless crisis engulfing her city

This picture dates back to summer of 2018. The city's government has long been accused of doing little to help solve the problem

Homeless people do drugs on the streets of the Tenderloin district in San Francisco, California on April 13, 2020. In some cases, small children and animals have gotten ahold of the drugs left around the city

Tandler also wondered on her thread if any of the city's homeless population would ever be held accountable for the trash they strewn across the city

Some of the city's homeless population have dogs that also need taking care of

In a letter to city officials from last summer, The Castro Merchants Association said some of the homeless people in the streets outside their stores had been harassing customers and needed help.

'They need shelter and/or services and they need them immediately,' the Merchants Association said.

'Our community is struggling to recover from lost business revenue, from burglaries and never-ending vandalism/graffiti (often committed by unhoused persons) and we implore you to take action.'

Major crimes in San Francisco are up 7.4 percent so far last year from the same period in 2021, with assault up 11.1 percent and robbery up 5.2 percent.

A recent poll found that a majority of San Franciscans believe their city is going down hill, and a third plan to leave the city within three years.

Some residents blame Mayor London Breed, whose earlier popularity for steering the city through the pandemic appears to have waned amid rising crime, the fentanyl epidemic and other woes.

Some efforts have been taken by the city's government to stem the homeless issue, however, those efforts have often been channeled into failed policies

A paramedic helps a homeless woman who is in drug at Tenderloin district of San Francisco

Homeless people sit passed out from using fentanyl with their shirts over their heads to block the sun near City Hall in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco in late 2022

One specific harm reduction policy that failed was the opening of the Tenderloin Center last year that was meant to help alleviate the city's drug and homelessness crisis.

It cost taxpayers a whopping $22million and was meant to be a 'safe place' for addicts to 'get high without getting robbed' and without fear of fatally overdosing.

Users were also meant to be directed to help centers, though during its first four months of operations, it referred just 18 people of the more than 23,000 who were welcomed to the site.

Overall less than one per cent of visits ended in a 'completed linkage' to behavioral health programs.

Despite their efforts, 2022 saw upward of 500 people die from overdoses in San Francisco. In 2021, that figure was 641.

Officials had also hoped the site would offer a place to deal with the homeless crisis the city has faced in recent months and years.

Mayor Breed had originally allotted just $10 million for the project but it quickly ballooned to more than double that estimate.

In total, some 400 individuals were provided with assistance each day at the center, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

A large portion of those who took advantage of the site used it specifically for shelter or food.
Boris Johnson today implores the West to give Ukraine the weapons it needs to defeat Vladimir Putin now.

In an extraordinarily powerful  and emotional  rallying cry, the former PM says Kyiv can win the war this year if it gets the right equipment.

Mr Johnson says that with hundreds of tanks and other weaponry it can be 'game over' for Putin but, with Germany and others dithering, he asks: 'What the hell are we waiting for?'

Britain is the only country to commit to sending tanks to help fight the Russians but the 14 assigned so far will not make a battle-winning difference.

Pleas from Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky for Germany to release up to 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks operated by Nato states have been ignored.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky address students of the State Taras Shevchenko University, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 22, 2023

Britain's armoured vehicles prepare to move at the Tapa Military Camp, in Estonia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023

In a withering attack on Berlin's excuses and delays, Mr Johnson warned the hand-wringing was costing lives and causing economic pain everywhere.

In an apparent shot across Rishi Sunak's bows, he suggested no British tanks should be idling in this country when they could be used to liberate Ukraine.

Writing exclusively for Mail Plus, Mr Johnson said: 'What conceivable grounds can there be for delay? Why are we not giving the Ukrainians all the help they need, now, when they need it?

'The sooner we can help the Ukrainians to their inevitable victory, the sooner the whole world can begin to recover from Putin's catastrophe. That requires the West to double and treble our support.

'I am proud the UK is once again making the running. By sending 14 Challenger 2s, Ben Wallace has set an example. It is now time for others to follow our lead.

'The Ukrainians need hundreds of tanks and they should be getting them from the Americans, the Germans, the Poles and many others.

'Where does the Western world need to station those tanks, at the moment? Guarding North-Rhine Westphalia? Protecting Tennessee? Prowling the villages of Wiltshire?'

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts his signature on a Ukrainian national flag for students in a city university in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023

Former PM Johnson claims Kyiv can win the war this year but needs the help of European and US allies in the form of more weapons and military equipment

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses students of the State Taras Shevchenko University, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 22, 2023

Johnson and Zelensky are seen in Kyiv yesterday

A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian presidential press service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) welcomes former British prime minister Boris Johnson (L) for a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 22 January 2022 amid the Russian invasion

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky address students in Kyiv

Mr Johnson's call to arms follows his surprise visit to Ukraine at the weekend. He was invited by President Zelensky, who has previously singled out the ex-PM for praise.

Under Mr Johnson, the UK was the first country to supply military aid to Kyiv as Russia tanks rolled across its borders 11 months ago.

Mr Johnson, who also called for Ukraine's bid to join Nato to be approved immediately, was pictured visiting Borodyanka, a town heavily damaged by Russian attacks. He said it was a 'privilege' to be there to show solidarity.

Writing for the Mail, he added: 'Stand with me by the blackened remains of an apartment block in Borodyanka, the twisted plumbing and the smashed children's toys. Look at what just one of Putin's 500kg airborne bombs can do to an eight-storey building.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, holds a gift from student while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts in a city university in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not yet given the green light to send German tanks to Ukraine

'Try to meet the pleading eyes of the people who pulled 162 corpses from the rubble, and who searched for the 28 whose remains were never found.

'Look at those brave Ukrainians and answer me this question: just what the hell are we waiting for? Putin has no restraint, no scruple. With every day that goes by more innocents are sacrificed.

'If you want to minimise the world's economic pain, if you want to avoid the enormous cost  in blood and treasure  of letting this tragedy stretch on, then let's together do the obvious thing. Let's give the Ukrainians all they need to win now.'

Mr Johnson dismissed fears that sending tanks to Ukraine could escalate the conflict, convincing Putin and his Kremlin cronies they should resort to nuclear weapons.

He said he did not believe it 'for a second', due to the political fallout for Russia. He said Putin would lose the support of China, which is propping up the Russian economy, and ordinary Russians would turn against him.

The courage of the Ukrainians is such, according to Mr Johnson, that even a nuclear missile would not stop them fighting.
It comes as Sweden seeks the approval of Turkey to be allowed to join Nato

Turkey's President Erdogan condemned the incident as a hate crime in response

Rasmus Paludan burned the Koran by Stockholm's Turkish embassy on Saturday

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect his country's support to join NATO after an anti-Islam politician set fire to the Koran in Stockholm.

Convicted far-right leader Rasmus Paludan, 41, was allowed by Swedish police to burn the book outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm on Saturday.

As expected, the burning of the Koran has provoked strong reactions in Turkey, a Muslim-majority country.

'Sweden should not expect support from us for NATO,' President Erdogan said in his first official response to the incident.

Convicted far-right leader Rasmus Paludan, 41, was allowed by Swedish police to burn the Koran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm on Saturday

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect Turkey's support to join NATO

He continued: 'It is clear that those who caused such a disgrace in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect any benevolence from us regarding their application for NATO membership.'

The incident has met with fury from Turkey, as protestors were pictured burning a Swedish flag in response in Istanbul on Saturday.

Turkey had appealed to Sweden to stop the protest and called off a visit by Sweden's defence minister Pal Jonson.

Erdogan said the burning of the Muslim holy book was a hate crime that could not be defended by free speech.

'No one has the right to humiliate the saints,' he said in nationally televised remarks.

'When we say something, we say it honestly, and when someone dishonours us, we put them in their place.'

Sweden reacted with extreme caution to Erdogan's remarks.

An effigy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan which provoked a strong response in Turkey

Danish-Swedish Paludan said he wanted to 'mark some freedom of speech' by setting fire to the book

The incident also provoked a strong reaction in Sweden. Here protestors demonstrated outside the Consulate General of Sweden on Sunday

The incident has met with fury from Turkey, as protestors were pictured burning a Swedish flag in response in Istanbul on Saturday

'I cannot comment on the statement tonight. First, I want to understand exactly what was said,' Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told Sweden's TT news agency.

Swedish leaders roundly condemned far-right politician Rasmus Paludan's actions but defended their country's broad definition of free speech.

'I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today,' Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson tweeted on Saturday.

Danish-Swedish Paludan said he wanted to 'mark some freedom of speech' after the hanging of an effigy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan near the Stockholm city hall provoked a strong response in Turkey.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the effigy was an attempt to sabotage the country's application to join Nato.

The decision to allow the burning of the Koran came amid strained relations between Sweden and Turkey, following the latter's decision to push back on Swedish ascension to Nato.

Sweden and Finland have sought Nato membership since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but their bids must be approved by all 30 Nato member states.

The two Nordic countries still rely on votes from Turkey and Hungary, which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised to deliver in 2023.

Paladan, the leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, also gave a speech about immigration as the book was burned

Police control riot control vans were seen near burning garbage cans after the demonstration in Malmo, Sweden

Far-right activist Rasmus Paludan burns a Koran during an election meeting in May 2022

A bus burns as a police officer watches on after riots overnight in Malmo, in the south of Sweden, sparked by an anti-Islam Danish politician carrying out Koran-burning stunts

But Turkish officials said the effigy hanging by pro-Kurdish activists last week was contrary to an agreement made previously under which Sweden and Finland would crack down on Kurdish militants as both seek Turkish approval for NATO membership.

Sweden is home to a large number of Kurds, many of whom fled Turkish persecution in the late 1980s and subsequent crises in the Middle East.

Turkish foreign minister Melvut Cavusoglu said that Swedish inaction over the effigy was 'absurd' and that Sweden should not try to fool Turkey by calling the act 'freedom of speech'.

In recent days, the country has increased the pressure on Sweden, demanding 130 so-called 'terrorists' be extradited to Turkey before the Turkish parliament will approve NATO bids.

Paladan is the leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line. He has been at the centre of anti-Islamic politics in northern Europe for several years.

The lawyer and YouTuber is known for burning the Koran and for calling for the deportation of all Muslims from Denmark.

Paludan previously said: 'The enemy is Islam and Muslims. The best thing would be if there were not a single Muslim left on this earth. Then we would have reached our final goal.'
A London street slammed for 'racist connotations' has been renamed with a huge cost of 100,000, it has been claimed. Haringey Council says the total cost is unlikely to exceed this figure.

From Monday, Tottenham's Black Boy Lane is to be rebranded as La Rose Lane, following outrage from Black Lives Matter campaigners.

The new name is inspired by the black publisher John La Rose, a Haringey local who was a political activist and launched New Beacon Books in 1966.

But heritage campaigners, Save Our Statues, alleged that the name change will likely cost Haringey Council 180,000 of public money.

Black Boy Lane is to be rebranded as La Rose Lane, following outrage from campaigners

The group also told the BBC that the change was a 'futile gesture'.

Founder Robert Poll said: 'This move is representative of the current impulse to hunt out racism and offence where there is none as a performative display of virtuousness.'

At least 70 residents were also previously reported to have derided the plan as 'tokenistic' and an ill thought out 'vanity project' which could lose the history of the area.

After plans were announced resident Anne Taylor, told MailOnline: 'The La Rose family issued a statement forbidding the use of La Rose name to rename Black Boy Lane.

'They said it was a tokenistic gesture at too great a cost for Black Boy Lane residents and that John la Rose would have hated the notion.

It is thought that Black Boy Lane was named after a pub in the late 17th century

'Racism has no place in today's society but this is like clapping for the NHS. It made people feel good but it did not help the NHS.'

The renaming of Black Boy Lane follows the anti-racism protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd in then hands of US police during 2020.

Since his death, a number of statues and place names have been attacked for their racist connotations and links to the UK's colonial past.

It is thought that Black Boy Lane was named after a pub in the late 17th century.

The decision to change the street name to 'La Rose Lane' was made by the council in February last year.

'Haringey Council is committed to taking action to both address inequality and celebrate the rich diversity of our borough. We recognise that there are different views on how best to do this,' it was stated online.

Haringey Council said that it planned to change the name following calls from residents

The council also added that it made the decision 'following calls from Haringey residents, in recognition of the negative impact the racist connotations attached to the name have had on residents.'

Cllr Peray Ahmet, Leader of Haringey Council, said: 'Im delighted that were able to pay tribute to John La Rose with a new street name. John made such a huge contribution to Black life both here in Haringey and across the UK and played an important role in gaining recognition for Black authors and artists, as well as championing inclusive education.

'I understand that this is a decision which has generated passionate responses. Several rounds of consultation were held, and I know that the Corporate Committee took the full range of views into consideration when deciding to change the name of the road. It is time now to move forward with this.

'I also want to be clear that this is just one small part of the work that we must do to ensure Haringey is a place where everyone feels welcome and included. I look forward to working with residents and communities on this important mission in the months and years to come.'

MailOnline has approached Haringey Council about the alleged cost of the renaming.
The Dallas Zoo has asked for aid from the local police department in investigating the death of one of its endangered vultures over the weekend - an occurrence deemed 'suspicious' by officials.

Part of the Wilds of Africa habitat, the bird of prey was discovered dead in its enclosure on Sunday, roughly a week after a clouded leopard escaped its own habitat through a hole investigators believe was purposely cut.

The animal was found unharmed by officers from the Dallas Police Department hours later, who would brand the opening as 'suspicious.'

Investigators later gleaned that another enclosure, housing some of the zoo's monkeys, was also cut open. The string of 'unusual' incidents has since spawned an official police investigation, announced by staffers Sunday shortly after their unsettling discovery.

The Dallas Zoo has asked for aid from the local police department in investigating the death of one of its vultures over the weekend - an occurrence deemed 'suspicious' by officials. Pictured are two of the eight endangered vultures that had been housed at the zoo

A string of 'unusual' incidents at the Zoo over the past two weeks spawned the police probe, which announced by staffers Sunday shortly after they found the bird dead in its enclosure

'The animal care team is heartbroken over this tremendous loss,' the Dallas Zoo wrote on Twitter Sunday, who added that 'given the recent incidents,' they had again enlisted the city's police force to aid in their probe.

Officials further wrote that the 'circumstances' of the vulture's death had been 'unusual' and did 'not appear to be from natural causes.

'Given the recent incidents at the Zoo, we alerted the Dallas Police Department.'

Zoo officials would not provide any further details regarding the vulture's death, refusing to do so until police progress further with their investigation.

Part of the Wilds of Africa habitat, the bird of prey was discovered dead in its enclosure on Sunday, roughly a week after a clouded leopard escaped its own habitat through a hole investigators said was purposely cu

The suspected avicide comes on the heels of another incident that saw cops called to the zoo's grounds, in which a leopard escaped its enclosure due to what officers said was an intentionally cut fence.

The event sparked a day-long search for 25-pound Nova on Friday, January 13, before the animal was found a few hours later just off the zoo property and returned to her habitat.

Forced to close down due the search for the carnivorous cat, the zoo resumed operations as normal the next day - until it was discovered that

Operations at the zoo would return to normal the next day, that is until zoo officials discovered that a second habitat - one housed a breed of monkey known as langurs -was similarly cut into.

Fortunately, the hole was discovered before any of the animals could escape. A police report that alleged the incident was a result of 'criminal mischief' was filed soon after.

According to zoo staffers, the incident saw them bolster security measures by installing additional security cameras on the grounds and increased security patrols at night.

The suspected avicide comes on the heels of another incident that saw cops called to the zoo's grounds, in which a leopard escaped its enclosure due to what officers said was an intentionally cut fence (pictured)

The event sparked a day-long search for 25-pound Nova on Friday, January 13, before the animal was found a few hours later just off the zoo property and returned to her habitat

Operations at the zoo would return to normal the next day, that is until zoo officials discovered that a second habitat - one housed a breed of monkey known as langurs - was similarly cut into

In their statement Sunday, zoo officials asserted that they would 'continue to implement and expand our safety and security measures to whatever level necessary to keep our animals and staff safe.'

The cause of the vulture's death, meanwhile, is currently unclear, with a necropsy scheduled to be performed in the coming days, a spokeswoman for the Dallas Police Department said Sunday.

The police official added that the death was 'being investigated as suspicious', but did not reveal if officers had gleaned any suspects.

As for three-year-old Nova, the animal is back in her home safe and sound, being cared for zoo officials after her own scare earlier this month.

Zoo officials would not provide any further details regarding the vulture's death, refusing to do so until police progress further with their investigation. Officers are pictured at the zoo earlier this month after the aforementioned incident that saw a leopard escape its enclosure

"Shes doing great. She got right back into her routine Saturday afternoon,' aid Tina Cloutier Barbour, the Dallas Zoos associate vice president of animal care and welfare.

The zoo staffer added that the animal, after her ordeal, 'was a little bit sleepy' but showed no signs of any unusual behavior since being found.

'She was really happy to be reunited with her sister,' Cloutier Barbour said.

Zoo officials said Monday that they expect to offer further details on the vulture incident this afternoon. Officials did not specify which of its vultures, of which there are eight, died. Police's investigation is still ongoing.
Prince Andrew was spotted driving in his Range Rover yesterday hours before his former friend Ghislaine Maxwell spoke from behind bars.

The Duke of York, 62, has kept a low profile since coming to a settlement allegedly worth 12 million with his accuser Virginia Giuffre, 39, who claimed she was trafficked via paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In her interview with Talk TV, Ghislaine Maxwell, 61, who was convicted of procuring girls for Epstein, said she wished she'd never met the business mogul.

Maxwell also referred to the infamous picture of herself, Ms Giuffre - who at the time used her maiden name Roberts - and Prince Andrew allegedly taken in her London townhouse in 2001 - and insisted the picture was doctored.

Prince Andrew, 62, was spotted driving in his Range Rover just hours before his former friend Ghislaine Maxwell broke cover to speak from behind bars

In her interview with Talk TV, Ghislaine Maxwell, 61, who was convicted of procuring girls for Jeffrey Epstein, said she wished she'd never met the business mogul

TIMELINE OF THE NOTORIOUS VIRGINIA GIUFFRE AND PRINCE ANDREW PHOTOGRAPH March 2001 - The photo of Virginia, Ghislaine and Prince Andrew is reportedly taken at Ghislaine's home in London. May 2001 - Naomi Campbell hosted a boat party in the French Riviera with Jeffrey Epstein, Virginia, Ghislaine Maxwell all attending. February 2011 - Virginia is approached by the Mail On Sunday and produces the picture. She claimed the photograph was taken in March 2001, two months before the boat party in St Tropez. She said she had sex with Andrew three times while a teenager, which the Duke denies. The photographs are published by the Mail On Sunday. November 2019 - Prince Andrew tells BBC Newsnight: 'You can't prove whether or not that photograph is faked because it's a photograph of a photograph of a photograph.' December 2019 - Virginia told BBC Panorama that the photo is genuine and she gave the original to the FBI in 2011. December 2019 - Giuffre's then-boyfriend Tony Figueroa tells BBC Panorama he saw the picture in the year it was taken - 2001 - and that Ms Giuffre told him she had been forced to have sex with the prince. February 2022 - Lady Victoria Hervey says victims of Epstein have told her the image was photoshopped by Virginia and Maria Farmer. February 2022 - Experts claim the image is real and unlikely to be fake. January 2023 - Maxwell claims the image is fake and that she has not seen an original, only photocopies. Advertisement

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in a US prison last year after being found guilty of luring young girls to massage rooms so Epstein could molest them between 1994 and 2004.

In an interview for TalkTV's Jeremy Kyle Live: Ghislaine Behind Bars, which aired on Monday evening, Maxwell also said she believes Epstein was murdered.

The billionaire was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

His death was ruled a suicide.

Maxwell said: 'I believe that he was murdered. I was shocked. Then I wondered how it had happened because as far as I was concerned, he was going to... I was sure he was going to appeal. And I was sure he was covered under the non-prosecution agreement.

'But I wasn't in the indictment. I wasn't mentioned. I wasn't even one of the co-conspirators.

'I honestly wish I had never met him.

'Looking back now, I probably wish I had stayed in England. But leaving that aside, you know, I tried to leave and start another new job and move on from the end of '98, '99.

'So I wish I had been more successful in moving on... Because I'd been a banker and so I should have moved on completely.'

Maxwell said she 'didn't know' Epstein 'was so awful' - though he is 'obviously now, looking back with hindsight, of course'.

She added: 'But at the time, I mean he had lots of friends. He was friendly with just about everybody you could imagine. There was no reason to imagine that he was someone of interest to people.'

Maxwell also said the well-known photograph showing the Duke of York next to Virginia Giuffre is fake.

Said to be taken inside Maxwell's Mayfair home, the photograph shows Andrew with his arm around Ms Giuffre.

Maxwell said: 'Well, it's a fake. I don't believe it's real. In fact I'm sure it's not... There's never been an original. Further, there's no photograph; I've only even seen a photocopy of it.

'I don't believe it happened, certainly the way as described. It would have been impossible. I don't have any memory of going to [nightclub] Tramp [where Ms Giuffre said Andrew danced with her].

The notorious photo of the Duke of York, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell

'Certainly it's not an outfit I would have worn.'

Ms Giuffre sued Andrew for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein, a former partner of Maxwell.

Andrew has also questioned the validity of the infamous image.

The duke went on to pay millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre - a woman he claimed to have never met.

He previously said he has 'no recollection' of meeting her and cast doubt on the picture, claiming he is 'not one to hug' or 'display affection' in public.

In an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2019, Andrew said while he recognises himself in the picture with Ms Giuffre, he claimed it is not possible to prove if the image has been faked.
A protester who was photographed with his feet on then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk amid the Jan. 6 riot was on Monday convicted on eight charges, including civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The picture of Richard 'Bigo' Barnett lounging in Pelosi's office became of the most memorable images of the unrest.

But he could now spend as much as 20 years in prison  the maximum sentence for obstructing an official proceeding.

The jury in Washington, D.C., took two hours to find Barnett, 62, guilty of all eight counts he faced.

Richard 'Bigo' Barnett provided one the most memorable images of the Jan 3. riot, when he was photographed in Nancy Pelosi's office with his feet on her desk

Barnett arriving for his trial earlier this month. He pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty on all eight charges, leaving him facing up to 20 years in prison

Outside the court, Barnett promised to appeal against what he said was an 'injustice.'

And he said the judge had refused his request to move the trial to his home state of Arkansas.

'This is not a jury of my peers,' he told reporters.

He took the stand last week in his defense, and claimed he had stumbled into Pelosi's office while looking for a toilet.

There he encountered two news photographers. One asked him to 'act natural,' he said, so he leaned back in his chair and rested his legs on the desk.

'Did it dawn on you that what you were doing could cause some trouble?' defence lawyer Joseph McBride asked Barnett.

'I was just in the moment,' he replied. 'I'm just kind of going with the flow at this point.'

Attorneys for Barnett (left) say he wrote 'biatch' not 'b****h' in a note left on Pelosi's desk (right)

He also said that a stun gun he carried was inoperable, possibly because he had dropped it in the shower after drinking the night before.

Last year Barnett, a former firefighter and window salesman from Gravette, Arkansas, rejected a plea deal that would have limited his sentence to 87 months.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper is scheduled to sentence Barnett on May 3.

The judge agreed to let Barnett remain free on certain conditions until his sentencing.

Justice Department prosecutor Alison Prout said the jury concluded that Barnett took a weapon into Ms Pelosi's office.

'We can only imagine what would have happened if (Ms Pelosi) had been there at the time, Ms Prout said.

He also took a piece of her mail and left behind a note that said, "Nancy, Bigo was here," punctuating the message with a sexist expletive.

Before leaving Capitol grounds, Barnett used a bullhorn to give a speech to the crowd, shouting, "We took back our house, and I took Nancy Pelosi's office," according to prosecutors.
Come with me into the ochre mud of the churchyard in Bucha, past the bullet-riddled church of St Andrew. Stand over the graves of some of the 416 inhabitants of this town  9 of them children  who were shot by the Russians in an attempt to terrify the rest.

Look at the photos of their corpses, their hands tied behind their backs, left in the street to rot or to be eaten by dogs.

Stand with me by the blackened remains of an apartment block in Borodyanka, the twisted plumbing and smashed children's toys. Look at what just one of Putin's 500kg airborne bombs can do to an eight-story building.

Try to meet the pleading eyes of the people who pulled 162 corpses from the rubble, and who searched for the 28 whose remains were never found.

Look at those brave Ukrainians and answer me this question: just what the hell are we waiting for?

Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Boris Johnson in Kyiv on Sunday for a meeting about the conflict in Ukraine

The former prime minister, pictured with the Ukrainian president, speaks to students at the Taras Shevchenko National University

What happened here in the suburbs of Kyiv was sickening. But it is happening in every part of Ukraine that Putin continues to occupy: torture, rape, mass murder.

Though the physical destruction here is awful, it pales beside the crimes that Putin is committing in other parts of the country  flattening entire townships in a typhoon of bombs and missiles.

He has no restraint. He has no scruple. He has long since abandoned the slightest respect for the laws of war  and with every day that goes by, more innocents are sacrificed, more brave Ukrainian soldiers are killed and more young Russians are fed into the maw of his meat-grinder.

So let me pose the question again. What conceivable grounds can there be for delay? Why are we not giving the Ukrainians all the help that they need, now, when they need it?

Let us be in no doubt. Ukraine is winning and will win this war. Ukrainian hearts are high and their determination is hardening every day. Drive around the outskirts of Kyiv, and you will see how ferociously they fought to protect their hearths and homes, and how ludicrously Putin misunderstood his enemy.

You see innumerable buildings, crumpled and scarred by Russian tank fire. You see how the tracks of those tanks have ribbed the tarmac of the roads.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, holds a gift from student while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts in a city university in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023

Mr Johnson visits a blackened apartment building that was demolished by Russian bombs in Borodyanka

The former PM, pictured in Borodyanka on Sunday, is urging the West to give Ukraine the weapons it needs to defeat Vladimir Putin

Mr Johnson, pictured visiting an exhibition in Kyiv dedicated to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, says it will be game over for Putin with the right equipment

You also see the bivouacs and foxholes in the woods, camouflaged with rags, from which the Ukrainians fearlessly ambushed those Russian tanks  blowing them up with shoulder-launched missiles, many of them made in Belfast. You see where they routed what was supposed to be the most formidable army in the world.

The Ukrainian expulsion of Russian troops from Kyiv will go down as one of the great feats of arms of modern times. They did it again in Kharkiv, and again in Kherson.

They can, and will, drive Putin out of the whole of Ukraine. This is now a war of independence, and history teaches us that wars of independence only end one way. The question is when.

The sooner we can help the Ukrainians to their inevitable victory, the sooner their suffering will be over, and the sooner the whole world, including Russia, can begin to recover from Putin's catastrophe. That requires all of us in the West, all the friends of Ukraine, to double and treble our support.

Putin's troops are demoralised. They are short of good ammunition. His army consists of freshly sprung convicts, or scared members of ethnic minorities dragooned to fight from anonymous cities in the furthest reaches of Russia.

But wasteful though he is, Putin still has the reserves of population; he has the power to conscript; and he has shown his total contempt for the value of human life.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky address students in Kyiv

Mr Johnson, pictured with Mr Zelensky, praised the UK for setting an example 'for other countries to emulate'

The former PM visited sites including Taras Shevchenko National University during his surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday

He also warned that president Putin, pictured, is preparing a 'counter-punch' for which Ukraine needs to be prepared

He is now preparing a counter-punch. And even if the Ukrainians can see it coming, and will easily absorb that punch, they will need our help for that next and decisive phase  taking back the land bridge. This is that continuous strip of conquered land that runs along the coast from the Donbas to Crimea, and which currently blocks Ukrainian access to the Sea of Azov.

If they can take back that land bridge, or drive their way through it and cut it in two, the Ukrainians have won. It is game over for Putin.

All they need to do it is the kind of kit the West has in abundance, and which right now could have no higher moral or strategic purpose than to help Ukraine.

They need 'deep fires'  longer-range artillery that can take out Putin's positions from afar. At present, they can see what he is doing on Ukrainian soil. They can discern his command centres and ammo dumps.

To their immense frustration, they cannot hit those targets with the systems they have. They need planes to strike those positions from the air, and they need armoured cars and tanks to recapture and hold the ground that Putin has stolen.

I am proud that it is the UK that is once again making the running. By sending 14 Challenger 2 tanks, our Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has set an example for other countries to emulate. Now is the time for others to follow our lead.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts his signature on a Ukrainian national flag for students in a city university in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, pictured at the Tapa military base in Estonia, is sending a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine

Britain has pledged to send hundreds of armoured vehicles, pictured in Estonia last week, to help president Zelensky's forces

The Ukrainians need hundreds of tanks, and they should be getting them from the Americans, the Germans, the Poles, and many others. Where does the Western world need to station those tanks at the moment?

Guarding North Rhine-Westphalia? Protecting Tennessee? Prowling the villages of Wiltshire?

The same point can be made about every item of conventional weaponry that could help Ukraine bring this agony to an end.

Don't talk to me about 'escalation', or the risk that we will somehow provoke Putin, by increasing our support, to some fresh horror. Why should we fear to provoke him, when he has already shown what he will do without the slightest provocation?

How can he 'escalate', when he has already reached such a pitch of barbarism that he is systematically pulverising the homes of civilians?

Will he escalate with a battlefield nuclear weapon? Really? I don't believe it for a second. If Putin were so insane as to go nuclear, he would in a trice lose all the world's swing voters  from Africa, the Middle East, Asia  who are currently willing to cut him so much slack.

Worse, from his point of view, he would lose the Chinese. He would become a global pariah, and plunge Russia into such a state of cryogenic economic exclusion as to make the current sanctions look moderate.

Above all, he would lose the Russian people, who would be utterly terrified about the consequences of such a move, and where it might lead. And it wouldn't even work. It wouldn't stop the Ukrainians fighting.

He won't do it. He wants to make us talk about nuclear weapons, because he wants to portray his war of choice as a stand-off between Nato and Russia. It is no such thing. It is a brutal and unprovoked attack on a blameless European country, and all Ukraine's friends are doing is to help that country defend itself.

We cannot be blamed for the geo-strategic disaster that Putin has brought upon himself. He has managed by his violence and aggression not only to cause Finland and Sweden to join Nato; he has eloquently destroyed any case against the Nato membership of the Ukrainians themselves.

Mr Johnson signs an anti-tank weapon during a visit to an exhibition about the conflict

Dozens of university students - many wearing military fatigues - listen to Mr Johnson and Mr Zelensky speak on Sunday

What is the result of our decades-long failure to live up to our promise, and admit the Ukrainians to the shelter of the Nato defensive umbrella?

The result is the bloodiest war in Europe for 80 years. For the sake of clarity and stability and long-term peace, it is now clear  which it wasn't before Putin's invasion  that Ukraine must join.

And yes, I accept that when Putin eventually and inevitably loses, it will be difficult to explain it all to the Russian public. But he will find a way. He controls the organs of opinion. He still has very substantial support.

It is not our job to worry about Putin, or where his career might go next, or to engage in pointless Kremlinology. Our job is to help Ukraine win  as fast as possible.

Those heroic people are fighting for all of us. The Ukrainians are fighting for the Georgians, for the Moldovans, for the Baltic states, for the Poles  for anyone who might in due time be threatened by Putin's crazed revanchism and neo-imperialism. They are fighting for the principle that nations should not have their borders changed by force.

When Ukraine wins, that is a message that will be heard around the world. So let us help them win, not next year or the year after, but this year, 2023; and don't talk to me, finally, about expense.

If you want to minimise the world's economic pain, if you want to avoid the enormous cost  in blood and treasure  of letting this tragedy stretch on, then let's together do the obvious thing.

Let's give the Ukrainians all they need to win now.
A majority of New York residents want Republican Rep. George Santos (NY-03) to resign as details of his backstory have continued to unravel, according to a new poll released on Monday.

The freshman congressman was thrust into the spotlight when he admitted to lying about his college and career credentials late last year.

He is also wanted by prosecutors in Brazil for allegedly stealing an ailing man's checkbook, and spent a year working for a U.S. company that the SEC branded a 'Ponzi scheme.'

On Saturday, the 34-year-old lawmaker said he was 'not a drag queen in Brazil' but that he 'had fun' in his youth when confronted about a photo supposedly depicting him in a dress and sporting long hair and heavy makeup.

'I was young and I had fun at a festival. Sue me for having a life,' he told reporters at La Guardia Airport, according to CNN.

But according to the new poll from the Siena College Research Institute, people living in the Empire State - including his Queens/Long Island district - are tired of the steady drip of new revelations.

Embattled Republican Rep. George Santos has brushed off bipartisan calls to step down from Congress

Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they want Santos to resign, compared to just 17 percent who said they want him to stay on Capitol Hill.

Just under a quarter said they had no opinion on his political career.

His overall favorability rating is also low, at just 16 percent.

The share of people who say they disapprove of him is slightly lower than the share calling on him to resign, 56 percent, but the modest difference falls into the poll's 4.3 percent margin of error.

Even among fellow Republicans, a 49-percent plurality want him out of Congress.

A whopping 71 percent of suburban New York residents polled want him to resign, as well as 58 percent of those who call the Big Apple home.

More men than women also want Santos to step down, though more than 50 percent of both believe he should go.

He's so far resisted all calls to resign, and on Thursday, Santos denied a pair of respective allegations that he was a drag queen and that he took $3,000 in donations meant for a homeless veteran's dog to have life-saving surgery.

'The most recent obsession from the media claiming that I am a drag Queen or performed as a drag Queen is categorically false,' Santos said of the first claim.

'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.'

He later posted, 'The reports that I would let a dog die is shocking & insane.'

It came after a military veteran told a number of different outlets that Santos had presented himself as 'Anthony Devolder,' his middle names, and agreed to help raise money for his service dog's cancer surgery.

Santos allegedly ended up disappearing with the money, and the dog had to be put down. Her owner said he was forced to panhandle for enough money to pay for the procedure to put the dog out of her misery.

But Santos defended himself, 'My work in animal advocacy was the labor of love & hard work.'

'Over the past 24hr I have received pictures of dogs I helped rescue throughout the years along with supportive messages. These distractions wont stop me!' he said.
The Republican Party reiterated Monday that the GOP presidential nominee in the 2024 race will not participate in any debates hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said any sites interested in hosting and looking to submit a proposal to the CPD should not 'waste your time' with the 'flawed' organization.

In a letter to the group last January, McDaniel alleged that they are not willing to 'meaningfully address' issues raised by the RNC  and therefore would prohibit any future nominees from participating in CPD-sponsored debates.

CPD announced on January 3 that it is opening requests for sites interested in hosting presidential and vice presidential debates in the 2024 election. Many times these debates take place at venues like colleges or concert halls and auditoriums.

The deadline for submission is April 28, 2023.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel doubled-down on Monday that the GOP nominee in the 2024 presidential election will not participate in debate hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates

The called the commission 'flawed' and 'bias' and told venues interested in hosting the events not to 'waste your time' applying

'NEWSFLASH for organizations considering applying to the Commission on Presidential Debates in response to their request for proposals: Don't waste your time,' McDaniel wrote in a Monday Twitter post.

'The GOP nominee will not be participating in any debate put on by the biased and flawed CPD,' she added.

The RNC chairwoman claimed: 'We tried for over a year to get fairness in the process. The CPD won't even commit to commonsense reforms.'

She attached a January 13, 2022 letter to the co-chairs detailing an interactive process to amend the rules and operations of the organization, which McDaniel said were unsuccessful.

CPD is a private, nonpartisan organization which has hosted presidential general election debates spanning back to 1988.

'The CPD's primary mission is to ensure, for the benefit of the American electorate, that general election debates are held every four years between and among the leading candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States,' the group's mission statement reads.

'The CPD is an independent organization. It is not controlled by any political party or outside organization, and it does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. It receives no funding from the government or any political party, political action committee or candidate.'

McDaniel, however, has made it clear that the RNC and GOP does not believe the organization works in a bipartisan manner.

The CPD announced in early January that it was opening applications for venues to host debates for the 2024 general election cycle

Former President Donald Trump participated in debates in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential general elections. Pictured: Trump looks at Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during their debate in Missouri on October 9, 2016  one month before election day

Flashback: Trump debates President Joe Biden in Nashville, Tennessee on October 22, 2020

Ironically, the RNC chairwoman has received widespread criticism on her part for not committing to a debate with those challenging her for her seat at the helm of the RNC this year.

She claimed that they announced a debate, but never asked for her input regarding timing, and says she is too busy to participate.

'This person put out a debate  John Fredericks says, 'Oh we're going to do a debate.' And he  I have to conduct business at the RNC, I've got meetings all day. And he says, 'here's this time and she's not doing it.' They never asked me, they never cleared it with my schedule,' she told Steve Bannon on his War Room podcast.

'I was never, ever asked to be a part of that debate  and I can't.'

The John Fredericks Media Network and Real America's Voice, two conservative media outlets, are set to host a candidate forum on January 25 live from the Dana Point, California, where RNC members are gathering to elect their next chair.

Both Harmeet Dhillon, the RNC committeewoman from California, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, will be participating.

McDaniel will not.

When pushed by Bannon on whether she would participate in an hour debate if networks worked around her schedule, McDaniels said: 'No don't throw a debate on me at the last minute and say, 'oh, now she can't do it.'
A notorious killer who abducted and murdered his niece and has never revealed the whereabouts of her body has been refused parole.

Stuart Campbell, now 64, is serving a life sentence for murder of 15-year-old Danielle Jones, who was last seen near her home in East Tilbury, Essex, on 18 June 2001 while walking to a bus stop.

Her body was never found, but after police discovered a pair of white stockings with Danielle's DNA on them in Campbell's home, as well as a lip gloss used by her, he was arrested and later found guilty.

Campbell was found to have lured her into his blue transit van to abduct her. In December 2002 Campbell was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and ten years for abduction, with the two to run concurrently.

Stuart Campbell, now 64, was found guilty of abducting and murdering his teenage niece Danielle Jones, has never divulged the location of her body and was refused parole

The High Court ruled that Campbell should not be considered for parole until he had served a minimum of 20 years. He became eligible for a hearing in 2022.

But in a rare decision, Mail Online can reveal that Campbell's parole appeal has been rejected at the first stage under a Member Case Assessment, whereby the Parole Board considers written evidence.

The panel decided that after assessing Campbell's file, he didn't reach the threshold for a full parole hearing and was still too dangerous to be released.

Campbell now has 28-days to appeal the decision. If he does not, the killer will be eligible for another parole hearing in 2024.

Danielle Jones was last seen near her home in East Tilbury, Essex, on 18 June 2001

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has refused the release of Stuart Campbell following a paper review. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

Campbell denied any involvement in his niece's disappearance

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

Despite appeal's by Danielle's family and Campbell's brother Alix Sharkey to the ex-builder to reveal where he hid the body, Campbell has refused to disclose any information.

As a result, the case was one of the first to be assessed under Helen's Law which legally requires the Parole Board to consider whether a prisoner has admitted guilt or expressed remorse.

This makes it harder for killers like Campbell to be released if they refuse to give up details on where they hid the victim's body and give full disclosure of their crimes.

Helen's Law is named after Helen McCourt, a 22-year-old insurance clerk who was murdered in 1988. Her killer, Ian Simms, has never revealed the location of her body. In his trial for Danielle Jones' murder, it was revealed that Campbell faked texts from the teenager to himself to make it seem like she was still alive.

Pictured: Danielle's parents Tony and Linda at the scene of a search for Danielle's body in Thurrock, May 2017

On the 20th anniversary of the schoolgirl's death, Danielle's family appealed to Campbell to reveal where he hid her body.

Her mother Linda said she hoped Campbell would 'do the right thing and allow us to lay our darling daughter to rest'.

Danielle left her home in East Tilbury, Essex in June 2001 to catch a bus to St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex - and her parents never saw her again.

Campbell, a father-of-two and body-builder, denied any involvement in his niece's disappearance, but the prosecution produced evidence that he had developed an 'irresistible sexual attraction' for her.

He regularly picked her up from the school bus stop in his van, sent her 'an inordinate amount of text messages' and kept a diary chronicling his contact with her. Campbell's brother Alix Shakey, also 64, who is currently living in Barbados, has written a book about his brother's crimes and spoke of his 'profound scorn' for Campbell.

He said in an interview in the Sunday Times Magazine last year he is 'furious' with his brother for not telling Danielle's parents where her body is, and hopes his book will encourage Campbell to do the right thing.

Pictured: The blue van belonging to Stuart Campbell. During the investigation police looked into a sighting of a blue van, whose driver was seen speaking to a girl resembling Danielle

'I hope it will shift something in him, to make him understand that you cannot pretend to anyone, including yourself, that this is over, that you can start again,' he told the publication.

'You can't do that. I won't let you. You have to tell these people what you did with that girl's body.

'I was so angry with him, because I could see what he was trying to do,' Sharkey said.

'I realised with Ian Simms that with the way the law stands you can leave prison without confessing your crime, without expressing remorse for what you did  you can still get out of prison. Then I was furious. I was furious with myself for being complacent about the whole thing, and furious with him.'

He added that he believes his brother feels shame for what he did, demonstrable by the fact Campbell has never replied to any of his letters.

'A response means a conversation, a conversation means being confronted with his crime. I guess he can't handle that,' Sharkey said.
A cellphone audio recording revealed a lawyer's frantic yells for help during a fight with her husband cop before he strangled her at his police academy dormitory room and then buried her body in a ditch.

Maria Bernal, 34, used her cellphone to record the encounter with lieutenant German Caceres, 29, at a police school in Quito, Ecuador, the early morning of September 11, 2022.

According to an excerpt from the recording that was obtained by Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo, the two-hour audio disclosed that Bernal screamed for help ten times while Caceres choked her before the recording went quiet.

A lawyer for the family told the newspaper that the incident was sparked by argument the couple had after Bernal arrived at the police academy and confronted Caceres for reportedly under the influence of alcohol and not taking care of his job as an instructor at the school.

Maria Bernal (left) was strangled by police lieutenant and husband of five years, German Caceres, inside his police academy dorm in Quito, Ecuador, on September 11, 2022. Last Wednesday, Bernal's mother shared an audio with Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo which revealed how Bernal screamed for help 10 times before she was killed

An agent (right) with Colombia's Office of the Attorney General interrogates German Caceres (left) moments after arresting him in the Caribbean coast town of Palomino, where the disgraced former police lieutenant was hiding out and working as a bartended

Ecuador police officers remove a blanket from the ditch were the body of Maria Bernal was buried by her husband, former police lieutenant German Caceres

The confrontation escalated when Bernal discovered a bruise near her husband's neck-shoulder area. Caceres then admitted to being involved in an affair with Josselyn Sanchez  a cadet at the academy  and said that he cheated on her throughout the five years they were married.

At one point, Bernal smacked Caceres and pushed him against a wall inside his dorm room. Caceres responded by shoving her into the bed and then placed her in a chokehold.

After noticing that Bernal was no longer breathing, Caceres took her body and hid it in the room.

He then transported the body to a mountain area 10 minutes away from the police academy, dug up a ditch and buried her. Authorities found Bernal's body September 21.

Maria Bernal (pictured) was strangled after she confronted her husband, police officer German Caceres, for drinking and not taking his job serious as an instructor at a police academy in Quito, Ecuador. The 34-year-old was able to record the argument she had with Caceres when she discovered that he had a bruise near his shoulder-neck area and he responded by telling her that he had been cheating on her. She slapped him and pushed him against a wall before he shoved her to the bed in his dorm room and choked her

German Caceres (right) was hiding out in Palomino, a town in Colombia's Caribbean coast where he was also working as a bartender

German Caceres (left) with his wife of five years, Maria Bernal

Maria Bernal (left) and German Caceres (right) were married for five years

Caceres fled to Palomino, a town in Colombia's Caribbean coast, and on December 30 was arrested at a bar where he was working as a bartender.

The disgraced cop, who was fired from the police force in October, was extradited to Ecuador on January 3. He confessed to killing Bernal and said he didn't receive any help to bury her.

A police agent in Colombia adjusts the handcuffs on German Caceres

Elizabeth Otavalo (right) cries over the coffin of her daughter, Maria Bernal, on September 22

Access to the audio was made possible after Bernal's 13-year-old son remembered the password to his late mother's phone and shared it with his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Otavalo.

The emergence of the audio also led to Sanchez's release last Wednesday from a local jail, where she was being held in connection to Bernal's disappearance and murder.

'This audio may free Joselyn Sanchez, but nothing of her conscience,' Otavalo told El Universo.
Teresa Yue Shen, 31, was arrested on domestic terrorism charges last Wednesday

An Antifa terror suspect who is part of the Atlanta cell is the daughter of a New Jersey-based Pharma China and a global diversity expert, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Teresa Yue Shen, 31, was one of seven activists arrested at the future $90million Atlanta Public Safety Training Centre in a 'clearing operation' on last week.

Mental health consultant Shen traveled from Brooklyn to Atlanta to protest the creation of 'cop city'  which has sparked violent clashes after a protestor was shot dead after allegedly shooting a Georgia State Police officer.

DailyMail.com can reveal that both of her parents are high-flying businesspeople, with her father running a New Jersey-based Chinese media company and her mother a former British Foreign Office consultant.

DailyMail.com can reveal that both of her parents are businesspeople, with her father James Chen (pictured) running a New Jersey-based Chinese media company and her mother a former British Foreign Office Consultant.

Mental health consultant Shen traveled from Brooklyn to Atlanta to protest the creation of 'cop city'  which has sparked violent clashes after a protestor was shot dead after allegedly shooting a Georgia State Police officer

Shen was arrested alongside Sarah Wasilewski, 35, Spencer Liberto, 29, Matt Macar, 30, along with Geoffrey Parson, 20, of Baltimore, TImothy Murphy, 25, of Maine, and Christopher Reynolds, 31, of Ohio.

She was charged with domestic terrorism and aggravated assault of an officer, and was previously arrested during an anti-ICE demonstration at the Bergen County Jail in 2021.

Her father, James Shen, 58, is the president of publisher WiCON  which owns Pharma China - and brags about its links to the 'most multinational pharma companies' across China.

He claims to come from a 'family with generations of ties with the pharmaceutical industry in China' and described himself as a 'strategist, advisor and publisher' specializing in China Healthcare.

Shen herself appears to have followed in her father's footsteps initially, interning at both Reuters and CNN  with the latter refusing to report n the clashes after the 'conflict of interest' was revealed.

She grew up in the three-bedroom $810k family home in Princetown, New Jersey, before moving to a one bed $500k Brooklyn apartment.

Her mother Xiao-Hua Shen was one of the first group of university scholarship students sent by the Chinese Government to study in the UK at Exeter University

She grew up in the three-bedroom $810k family home in Princetown, New Jersey, (pictured) before moving to a one bed $500k Brooklyn apartment.

She was charged with domestic terrorism and aggravated assault of an officer, and was previously arrested during an anti-ICE demonstration at the Bergen County Jail in 2021

Her mother Xiao-Hua Shen was one of the first group of university scholarship students sent by the Chinese Government to study in the UK at Exeter University.

The 63-year-old is available to speak at events, and calls herself a 'Global Diversity Expert' who has an 'in-depth knowledge' of how to do 'successful business in China.'

She also worked as a trainer and consultant in London, for Lloyds of London and the British Foreign Office.

Her website claims while at the foreign government she taught diplomats about the Chinese language and culture  to prepare for negotiation with China.

Xiao-Hua holds both an MA from Exeter University, UK and a Master of Education from Columbia University.

Mr and Mrs Shen did not respond to a request for comment by DailyMail.com.

Since June 2021, Antifa and other far-left extremists from across the US have occupied the area to prevent the construction of what they've dubbed 'cop city.'

It comes after Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, 26, was shot dead after allegedly opening fire at a Georgia State Patrol trooper during a 'clearing operation'.

Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, 26, (pictured) was shot and killed after a Georgia State trooper was shot at in a 'clearing operation'

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) said a Georgia State Patrol trooper was shot and severely injured during the raid by a man camped in the area. Officers returned fire and killed the gunman, who allegedly used a pistol.

During the multi-agency operation GBI said approximately 25 campsites were located and removed from the site.

Additionally, mortar style fireworks, multiple edged weapons, pellet rifles, gas masks, and a blow torch were recovered.

Three people contacted in connection with the materials were asked to provide their names to authorities and then let go.

Activists previously called for a 'Night of Rage' and bloodshed against the police following the shooting  threatening to enact 'reciprocal violence' against the authorities.

Six more protestors were arrested on Saturday, after setting fire to items during riots and being found with explosive devices.

The state trooper was wearing a bulletproof vest when he was shot in the abdomen on Wednesday morning and is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery

They are also angrily rejecting claims that the protestor who was killed shot at police first, and even claim that the trooper was shot in 'friendly fire'

The protestors, who call themselves forest defenders, are claiming that the police have 'murdered' one of their own and are demanding 'action'.

In a statement posted on social media, the Scenes from the Atlanta Forest account said: 'A call for retaliation. Consider this a call for reciprocal violence to be done to the police and their allies.

'On Friday, January 20th, wherever you are, you are invited to participate in a night of rage in order to honor the memory of our fallen comrade.'

In several posts sweeping social media, they claim that the police are 'lying' and 'refusing to release bodycam footage' of the incident.

They are also angrily rejecting claims that the protestor who was killed shot at police first, and even claim that the trooper was shot in 'friendly fire'.

Some 'anonymous' members of the Atlanta Forest Defenders appeared in an Open Society Foundations-sponsored story about the autonomous zone in The Guardian.

The protestors, who call themselves forest defenders, are claiming that the police have 'murdered' one of their own and are demanding 'action'

Protestors are claiming that the police are 'lying' and are rejecting the narrative that one of their own shot at officers - despite members being arrested on 'domestic terrorism' charges

Four other protesters were arrested at the scene and taken to DeKalb County Jail and have not been identified

George Soros is the chairman of the OSF, and has given away more than $32billion of his personal fortune to fund the group.

Soros is one of the world's best-known philanthropists, and is also known for funding many of the woke district attorneys whose policies have been blamed for soaring violent crime across the US.

In May, eight militants were arrested after police patrolling the land were assaulted and pelted with rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Five people were arrested on December 13 for allegedly polotting terror attacks at the soon-to-be police academy.

Serena Hertel, 25, of California, Leonard Voiselle, 20, of Macon, Georgia, Nicholas Dean Olson, 25, of Bennington, Nebraska, Francis M. Carroll, 22, of Kennebunkport, Maine and Arieon Robinson, 21, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were arrested.

Nicholas Olsen (left) was charged with domestic terrorism, aggravated assault, interference with government property and obstruction. Serena Hertel (right) , 25, has been charged with criminal trespass, domestic terrorism, aggravated assault, obstruction, and inciting a riot

Francis Carroll is the son of a millionaire Maine surgeon who grew up in a stunning mansion in one of the most luxurious beach towns on the east coast, DailyMail.com previously revealed. He was arrested again in Atlanta on suspicion of arson on Saturday

Arieon Robinson (left) was charged with criminal trespass, obstruction, and domestic terrorism, while Leonard Vioselle (right) was charged with criminal trespass, domestic terrorism, and possession of tools of the crime

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Carroll is the son of surgeon Dr Mike Carroll and grew up in a $2million five-bedroom and four-bathroom mansion in Kennebunkport  as well as enjoying time on his parents' yacht.

Atlanta Police Department said Carroll was charged again on Saturday along with Nadja Geier, 24, from Nashville, Tennessee; Madeleine Feola, 22, from Spokane, Washington; Ivan Ferguson, 23, from Nevada; Graham Evatt, 20, from Decatur, Georgia; and Emily Murphy 37, from Grosse Ile, Michigan.

Left-wing groups used Twitter to fundraise bail for suspects after another six were arrested in August  charged with various crimes from burglary to criminal damage.

Members of the group tried to burn a man to death after he drove into the area, and he was forced to run for his life after they torched it with him still in it.

After their members were arrested the Defend the Atlanta Forest group held a protest outside of Dekalb County Jail and let off explosive fireworks.

The Atlanta Jail Support, a project of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, also issued calls to fundraise bail money for the terror suspects using Twitter.

Convictions of domestic terrorism carry with it sentences of anywhere between five and 35 years in prison.
Public support for an Indigenous voice to parliament is falling as the federal opposition continues to call for more detail on the referendum proposal.

A Resolve Political Monitor survey, published in Nine newspapers on Tuesday, showed 47 per cent of voters backed a plan to enshrine an Indigenous voice in the constitution.

A growing number of people are undecided about or against an Indigenous voice, a new survey says

The figure, based on more than 3000 responses during a month from late December, was down from the 53 per cent who supported the move in August and September.

Some 30 per cent said they didn't back the constitutional change, up from 29 per cent in the previous survey.

A growing number of people were undecided, with the cohort swelling from 19 per cent to 23 per cent.

Poll Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes No Unsure, I need to know more about it Should the Australian Constitution be amended to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament? Yes 534 votes

No 3554 votes

Unsure, I need to know more about it 703 votes Now share your opinion





The survey comes as the opposition ramps up its attacks on the government over a claimed lack of detail on the proposed body.

Indigenous leader and leading "yes" campaigner Noel Pearson on Monday dismissed the call for more detail as a diversion, adding that a referendum failure would permanently harm reconciliation efforts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who released the wording of the proposed referendum question at the Garma festival in July, has said parliament would decide how the advisory body operated if the referendum was successful.

The National Party has declared it will not support the referendum, while the Liberal Party is yet to set out a formal position.
This is the moment members of the Daytona Beach police force confronted an elderly woman who had allegedly just shot dead her terminally-ill husband after making a murder-suicide pact with him weeks earlier.

The department released a portion of the body-camera footage that shows officers attempting to negotiate with Ellen Gilland, 76, who had just shot Jerry Gilland, 77.

The tragic situation unfolded on Saturday at AdventHealth in Daytona Beach, Florida when 76-year-old Ellen Gilland shot and killed her husband after the couple had planned out a murder-suicide agreement.

The body-camera footage picks up after the shooting as several officers gather outside the hospital room, inside of which Ellen shot her husband and proceeded have a stand off with law enforcement.

Ellen Gilland (right) and her now-deceased husband Jerry Gilland (left), whom she shot on Saturday while he was hospitalized with a terminal illness

The officer on tape can be heard repeatedly ordering Ellen to 'drop the gun.'

When their orders appear to go unmet, one of the men says, 'we've got time. We've got nothing but time, guys.'

Officers continue to ask that Ellen drop the gun before the same cop who delivered the time advisory said instructed the others to 'hold on. Build dialogue.'

He then says to Ellen, 'We don't want to hurt you. Tell me what's going on.'

He continues to attempt conversation with Ellen, but her words, if there were any, were not picked up by the body camera.

Near the end of the video, the footage jumps to Ellen being wheeled out of the hospital, hands bound, in a wheelchair.

Police records indicate the officers attempted to negotiate with her for upwards of two-and-a-half hours.

Eventually, SWAT officers distracted her with a flashbang and attempted, unsuccessfully, to use a taser on her.

She fired a shot into the ceiling before dropping her weapon, according to investigators. She was ultimately arrested without further incident.

Daytona Beach police negotiate with woman accused of killing terminally ill husband in hospital - Ellen Gilland

Ellen (right) and Jerry (left) celebrated their 50th anniversary together in 2019

Gilland told officers that her 77-year-old husband Jerry Gilland had been ill for some time and they had planned the shooting together, according to officers

She was charged with first degree premeditated murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She is being held without bail

Law enforcement agents reported that Ellen told them she and her terminally ill 77-year-old husband Jerry had planned the shooting together three weeks ago.

The area's Chief of Police, Jakari Young, later said the shooting was intended to be a murder-suicide.

'The goal was for him to do it, but he did not have the strength, so she had to carry it out for him,' said Young.

Gilland was later brought up on charges of premeditated first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

She is currently being held without bond.

Over the weekend, Young said the couple has apparently '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.'

'She's very sad,' he added. 'This is obviously a - it's a tough situation.'

He noted that police are 'unsure how she brought that gun into the hospital, but this was planned.'

Ellen was eventually escorted unharmed from the hospital, hands bound and in a wheelchair following a two-and-a-half hour negotiation

The Gillands, according to neighbors led a relatively quiet life together in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, a coastal area just south of Daytona Beach

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,' he continued..

Ellen Gilland did not harm herself and no one else was wounded during the altercation.

'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.

It is unclear with what kind of terminal illness Jerry was afflicted.

The entire incident was described as a logistical nightmare by first responders and hospital staff as they rushed to evacuate other hospital patients on the floor.

The hospital has since resumed normal operations.
A baby girl was attacked twice in 24 hours by a nurse accused of murdering seven children while on duty, a court heard today.

Doctors could find no 'clear' medical reason for why the premature infant dramatically collapsed at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Cheshire, in 2015.

Lucy Letby, 32, was working consecutive night shifts when the girl, known as Baby H, suffered a cardiac arrest and needed emergency resuscitation in the early hours of September 26 and 27, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Despite being without a heartbeat for up to 22 minutes, she survived and was transferred to a more specialist neo-natal unit at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral.

Lucy Letby, 32, was a neonatal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital. She is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting the murder of ten more

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Lucy Letby listening from the dock at Manchester Crown Court where she is charged with the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of another ten, between June 2015 and June 2016 while working on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospita

Her parents told jurors that Baby H appeared 'a different baby' and came on 'in leaps and bounds' at Arrowe Park, where doctors quickly stabilised her. She survived without any lasting harm.

The prosecution say Letby somehow sabotaged her care on both occasions. She denies two charges of attempted murder.

Dr Matthew Neame, who attended to Baby H during her second cardiac arrest, told the court that staff were worried because they could not work out what had caused her heart to stop on both occasions.

In a discharge note for medics at Arrowe Park, the registrar explained that she had previously been treated for problems associated with a puncture in her left lung (pneumothoraces) and respiratory distress syndrome, a breathing problem common in premature babies.

But this did not appear to explain her low heart rate (bradycardia) and drop in oxygen levels (desaturations) during the 'acute' collapses.

Dr Neame wrote: 'Thank you for accepting this baby who has had two significant episodes of bradycardia requiring resuscitation, adrenaline and CPR in the last 24 hours with no clear precipitating factors. Her care has been complicated by the development of respiratory distress syndrome and pneumothoraces but the acute episodes with desaturation and bradycardia do not seem to be directly related to the respiratory problems.'

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Lucy Letby appearing in the dock at Manchester Crown Court

Nurse Lucy Letby who is standing trial for murder over the deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital neo-natal unit

The court heard that Baby H was born six weeks early and suffered several episodes where her oxygen levels dropped because of air leaking from her left lung into her chest cavity in her first few days of life.

But, at around 3.24am on September 26, when Letby was Baby H's designated nurse, she suffered a more dramatic deterioration and needed to be resuscitated by staff.

Jurors were told that Baby H was without a viable heartbeat for 22 minutes and was given three shots of adrenaline to try to revive her. Fortunately, this worked and she stabilised.

However, the following night, it is alleged, Letby struck again.

Dr Neame said he was 'crash' called to the neo-natal unit just before 1am on September 27.

In his statement to police, the medic said he remembered Letby giving Baby H rescue breaths with a special oxygen mask when he arrived. Again, Baby H suffered a cardiac arrest and needed CPR, plus a dose of adrenaline, before her heartbeat returned six minutes later.

The court heard that Letby was not Baby H's designated nurse during this shift but was involved with helping the child's main carer, Nurse Shelley Tomlins, look after her.

Medication for Baby H was signed for by both Miss Tomlins and Letby in accordance with hospital protocol.

Letby also sent a text to another colleague during the shift, saying: 'I've been helping Shelley so least still involved but haven't got the responsibility.'

Letby, of Hereford, denies the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of ten others at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016

Letby is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court (pictured)

Miss Tomlins admitted she would likely have 'popped' out of the intensive care room from time to time to go to the toilet, go on a break or to organise drugs, and it was usual to ask a colleague to cover.

'Usually, we would tell another one of the nurses that we were nipping (out), they would cover if you were on a break,' she said.

'Given that Baby H was ventilated...and quite unwell I don't think we would have left her alone (in the room) but I can't be sure.'

She said there appeared to be no medical explanation for Baby H's cardiac arrest.

The court also heard from another nurse, shift leader Chris Booth, who described Letby as a 'conscientious, excellent and hard-working' member of staff who was always willing to change shifts or work extra hours at short notice.

He also agreed that Letby was 'upset' when 'events went wrong.' Mr Booth added: 'It was a harrowing time, we all got upset without doubt, Lucy as well.'

Letby, of Hereford, denies the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of ten others at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.
Billionaire Elon Musk was forced to deny his infamous tweet selling Tesla shares for $420 was a joke about pot as he stood trial for misleading investors.

Musk hit headlines in 2018 when he claimed on Twitter he was considering taking the electric car company private and that he already had the funding secured.

Skeptics had raised eyebrows at the 420 figure as it is popular street code for marijuana, dating back to the 1970s.

Court sketching captures Elon Musk defending claims he misled investors with 2018 tweet claiming Tesla might go private, with shares selling for $420 a piece

Musk insisted '$420 was not a joke', claiming the figure was a 'coincidence' rather than a nod to marijuana use

But taking to the stand in San Francisco on Monday, Musk categorically denied the tweet had been an inside joke for pot enthusiasts and said the number was a 'coincidence'.

It represented the stock price at the time plus a 20 percent premium, he claimed.

The 51-year-old Twitter owner told the federal court: '420 was not a joke. There is some karma around 420 although I should question if that is good or bad karma at this point.'

Why is Musk on trial? Billionaire Twitter owner Elon Musk is facing claims he misled investors over a tweet he sent in 2018 in which he said he was considering taking electric car company Tesla private

In the now-infamous post, he told followers Tesla shares would be sold for $420 - a figure which is common code for marijuana use

The post caused Tesla's stock price to skyrocket then promptly fall when it became clear the deal wasn't happening - causing investors to lose millions

Prosecutors say the declaration that the funding was 'secured' was misleading as no deal had been approved

Musk's lawyers must prove the tweets did not damage Tesla shareholders Advertisement

Nicholas Porritt, a lawyer representing Tesla shareholders, had explicitly asked Musk if he chose the 420 figure 'because it was a joke your girlfriend enjoys.'

It is not known why 420 became common slang for pot, though many theories exist including one claiming the figure was historically used as a radio shortcut for the drug by Californian police.

Musk is facing a class action lawsuit filed by Tesla investors who allege he misled them with the 2018 tweet as the deal never came close to happening.

The post read: 'Am considering taking Tesla private for $420. Funding secured.'

Musk followed up a few hours later with another tweet suggesting a deal was imminent.

The move plunged Tesla into chaos, prompting its stock price to skyrocket before dropping sharply when it became clear the buyout would not materialize.

Musk was swiftly forced to forfeit his position as Tesla's executive chairman and pay millions of dollars in fines and legal fees.

His claim that the funding for the private move was already 'secured' was pinpointed as specifically misleading.

However the entrepreneur, who now owns Twitter, testified today that he genuinely believed he had locked up the financial backing to take Tesla private.

The deal had been done with representatives from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - though no specific amount or price was discussed, Musk said.

He accused those involved in the fund of 'backpedaling'.

Musk insisted in court that he believed he had the financial backing to take Tesla private

The trial hinges on the question of whether a pair of tweets that Musk posted on Aug. 7, 2018, damaged Tesla shareholders during a 10-day period leading up to Musk's admission that the buyout he had envisioned wasnt going to happen.

On Friday, Musk - who is notoriously combative on the stand - told the court that his tweets have little influence on Tesla's stock price.

He pointed to an incident in May of 2020 when he tweeted that 'Tesla stock price is too high.'

The stock price dropped the day of his tweet but recovered and closed the year higher than it had opened.

But lead plaintiff Glen Littleton says the $420 tweet caused him to lose more than 75 percent of his investments.

The case is centered around a tweet Musk sent in August 2018 where he claimed the funding was 'secured' for a deal to take Tesla private

Musk's attorney Alex Spiro has argued that the CEO's word choice was clumsy but it was no deliberate fraud.

Spiro said: 'In his rushed, reckless state he tweeted the wrong word choice.

'In his mind funding wasn't an issue, it was secured.

Musk, pictured in Norway in August 2022, was forced to resign as Tesla chief executive over the post

'But what he said in that tweet was 'funding secured' without elaborating what that meant to him.'

Shares of Tesla climbed $8.76. or 6.6%, to $142.18 on Monday as Musk's testimony was underway.
Tech billionaire Bill Gates has warned Australia to be ready for the next pandemic, which could be man-made and far more brutal.

Mr Gates told the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney on Monday that political leaders needed to set aside their differences and work together to prepare for the next virus.

He called for greater global cooperation using the Covid-19 pandemic as an example of how countries could improve on their response if they worked together.

Tech billionaire Bill Gates has warned Australia to be ready for the next pandemic saying that it will be man made

He called for greater global cooperation using the Covid-19 pandemic as an example of how countries could improve on their response if they worked together

'Compare the economic cost of being prepared for the next one to the cost of this one, over $US10trillion economic loss,' he said.

'With the pandemic we were foolish not to have the tools, the practice and global capacity to be on standby like we do with fire or earthquakes.'

Mr Gates praised Australia's policies in helping to keep infection rates low before vaccines were rolled out.

'Some of the things that stand out are that Australia and about seven other countries did population scale diagnostics early on and had quarantine policies,' he said.

'That meant you kept the level of infection low in that first year when there were no vaccines.'

The Microsoft founder turned philanthropist said a stable international order based on mutual political will is needed in order to deal with future pandemics.

'The one thing that still hangs in the balance is will we have the global capacity and at the regional and country levels that would mean that when an (infectious disease) threat comes up we act in such a way that it doesn't go global,' Mr Gates said.

'We need to be doing every five years a comprehensive exercise at both country and regional levels of pandemic preparedness and you need a global group that's scoring everybody.'

Mr Gates has promised to donate half of his fortune to good causes and to try and bring equality to the health, energy and education industries.

Mr Gates praised Australia's policies in helping to keep infection rates low before vaccines were rolled out

The Microsoft founder turned philanthropist said a stable international order based on mutual political will is needed in order to deal with future pandemics

'There is this huge failure of market capitalism to look at some of the needs of the poorest. Their voice in the marketplace is very small,' he said.

'You can literally save lives for $US1,000 and there isn't much around that should be as fulfilling as that.'

He criticised the United States under Donald Trump's leadership threatening to withdraw from the World Health Organisation and withholding funding.

Mr Gates advocated for a bolstering of resources to the international health body.

He also said US policy, and by extension Australia's, towards China needed a more conciliatory and cooperative political approach in tackling major problems such as climate change.

'I see China's rise as a huge win for the world ... the current mentality of the US to China, and which is reciprocated, is kind of a lose-lose mentality'.

'That could be very self-fulfilling in a very negative way'.

Mr Gates on Saturday met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House in Sydney to discuss climate change, health and energy challenges.
How you say in English . . . Sick and disgusting?

Hey, George Santos, step aside! It's time that Hilaria Baldwin reminds us all of what a truly unhinged fraud looks and sounds like  and she does it in a fake Spanish accent while wearing high heels, leather pants, statement tops and babies strapped all over herself while her husband faces serious criminal charges and potential prison time.

You think that's easy?

Ay caramba, nothing will stop Hilaria, nee Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas from Boston, descendant of the Mayflower, from sticking to her years-long lie that she's actually Spanish. How amazing to watch her castigate the paparazzi outside the Baldwins' luxury Manhattan apartment building, wearing a green sweatshirt emblazoned with the word 'EMPATHY,' waving her hands around to display her perfectly manicured nails, newborn attached in a sling, all in that fake Spanish accent.

'I want you guys to realize that we have seven kids.'

Um, we know. We got the memo a looong time ago. All you do is display those poor kids on your Instagram account. And frankly, it too often seems like those 'happy family' posts exist to torment Halyna Hutchins's widower  made so by your husband's tragic mistake  and young son.

Said posts also seem grossly inappropriate, teetering on sexually suggestive: See Hilaria's endless sexy-mommy-yoga-poses-with-her-latest-bambino  whose neck may or may not be supported, depending on Hilaria's best camera angle  or Alec's bizarre post Sunday night, captioning a photo of Hilaria and her toddler son as a kind of leering come-on.

Casa Baldwin seems deeply unwell, on many levels.

Back to Hilaria's natural habitat, the roadside presser, where she can briefly slake her constant thirst for media attention while running on fumes of self-righteousness. Check out her oversize movie-star sunglasses, worn on an overcast day. Mami will not sacrifice glam, no matter how dire the circumstances.

How amazing to watch her castigate the paparazzi outside the Baldwins' luxury Manhattan apartment building, wearing a green sweatshirt emblazoned with the word 'EMPATHY,' waving her hands around to display her perfectly manicured nails, newborn attached in a sling, all in that fake Spanish accent

'So on a human level,' New York's own Rachel Dolezal continued, 'you guys know I'm not gonna say anything to you.'

Huh? She's talking to a pack of reporters to tell them she's not going to talk to them?

'So pleees,' she said, 'leave my family in peace.'

There are so many questions to ask Hilaria in moments like these, but my number-one-with-a-bullet ask remains: 'Hilaria, after all this time, for real  what's with the fake Spanish accent?'

Anyway, that presser turned out to be a mere diversion, allowing Alec  who had just been slapped with involuntary manslaughter charges  to speed away to NYC's Film Center Building, where he was photographed smiling. Actually, he seemed to be laughing, really enjoying all this attention.

Think about that. This is a man with a history of attacking photographers on the streets of New York. Now that he is undeniably newsworthy for something truly terrible, he seems to love the paps! It's all so ghastly and twisted.

And Alec trusts no one more than Hilaria to be his ambassador. Over the past three days we've been treated to her pap walks  I mean, someone in that $16 million dollar apartment, staffed with nannies and God knows how many assistants, has to go out and get the coffee, am I right?  wearing $300 slippers and another sweatshirt reading 'HUMAN' and on Monday, a hot pink hoodie reading 'BOUNDARIES ARE HOT.'

Know what else is hot? A criminal justice system unbowed by celebrity.

No matter how this trial plays out, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin are already suffering. They have done themselves deep, irreparable reputational damage, treating the accidental death of a young wife and mother, at Alec's hands, as some kind of tabloid joke.

In the days after Hutchins's death, Hilaria posted this: 'Parenting through this has been an intense experience, to say the least.'

Alec and Hilaria haven't begun to experience intense. Intense will be that criminal trial in New Mexico. Intense is the very real possibility of going to prison. Intense is trying to sell off all their most valuable real estate  they just price-chopped their beloved house in Amagansett by $4.1 million and are quietly shopping their NYC pad  and moving to Vermont, which isn't really a hotbed of paparazzi.

Intense will be losing much of Alec's fortune to legal fees.

Halyna's (above) son  because it can never be noted enough  was so traumatized by her death that he couldn't speak for two days

Ay caramba, nothing will stop Hilaria, nee Hillary Lynn Hayward-Thomas from Boston, descendant of the Mayflower, from sticking to her years-long lie that she's actually Spanish

Alec and Hilaria are so convinced that they are the real victims here, and if that they just tell their version of events enough times  see Alec's appalling sit down with George Stephanopoulos, in which he claimed Hutchins's death was someone's fault, but definitely not his, and actually, come to think of it, Halyna told him to point the gun at her, so really her death was probably her own fault  we'll all come around and feel sorry for them.

As two leading Hollywood firearms experts have told me, on the record and more than once: Guns don't just go off by themselves. The first rule of gun safety, on a movie set or anywhere, is: Never point a gun, whether you believe it to be loaded or not, at something or someone you do not intend to kill.

Alec Baldwin has never been a sympathetic figure, but he sure had public sympathy in the immediate aftermath of that shooting.

And then he and Hilaria, true to who they are, squandered it all. Whether he's convicted or not, who would ever hire Alec Baldwin again? Aside from whether he could ever be insurable, who wants his stink-cloud of arrogance, his sheer lack of repentance or sympathy for what Halyna Hutchins's son and husband are going through, anywhere near them?

Her son  because it can never be noted enough  was so traumatized by Halyna's death that he couldn't speak for two days.

Yet here was Alec, in texts to Hutchins's widower Matthew, callously dismissing his questions and concerns.

After Matthew reached out to Baldwin via text on December 1, 2021, less than two months after the shooting, Baldwin replied curtly:

Over the past three days we've been treated to Hilaria's pap walks wearing $300 slippers and another sweatshirt reading 'HUMAN' and on Monday, a hot pink hoodie reading 'BOUNDARIES ARE HOT'

'I am with my kids.'

Are you kidding me? Know who will never be with her kid again?

And remember: Baldwin put on quite a show right after Hutchins died, sure to be photographed with Matthew and his young son, telling his Hamptons pal George Stephanopoulos that Matthew 'hugged me and he said, 'I suppose you and I are going to go through this together.' And I thought, 'Well, not as much as you are.'

In that regard, Alec was telling the truth. He was happy to let Matthew go through this without him.

Heartless doesn't begin to cover Alec Baldwin's demeanor. Nor Hillary's from Boston.

So, Hillary: Wear all the expensive sloganeering outerwear you can afford and let loose with your complex de espanol  para ahora. Because whether or not a jury finds Alec Baldwin guilty, in the court of public opinion, you're both done.

Adios!
A beach-loving young woman has drowned just one day before her 28th birthday, leaving her grief-stricken mother in 'total shock'.

Lucinda McGrath, 27, was pulled from the water, unresponsive, by beachgoers at Bulcock Beach in Caloundra, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, at about 3.45pm on Sunday.

Lifesavers rushed to perform CPR however Lucinda could not be revived and died at the scene.

Lucinda's mother, Lynelle McGrath, said her free spirited daughter 'loved the beach' and regularly travelled from her home in Zillmere, north Brisbane, to camp around the Sunshine Coast, Courier Mail reports.

Brisbane resident Lucinda McGrath (above) drowned on Sunday, the day before her 28th birthday

Lucinda was pulled from the water by beachgoers at Bulcock Beach (above) on the Sunshine Coast but could not be revived

She said her daughter liked to help her stay active and the pair would often go to the gym together.

'She liked to organise me,' Ms McGrath said.

She revealed Lucinda had headed to the beach on Sunday with a work colleague to celebrate her upcoming birthday.

Lucinda worked as an assistant cabinet marker and was described as being a 'bit blokey' by family.

Lucinda's cousin Jennifer Moy said the 27-year-old was 'adventurous', adding she 'can't imagine' her life without her.

Another mourner wrote on social media: 'Rest in Peace Lucy. Thank you for providing me with your free spirited vibes throughout high school.'

Some 48 drowning deaths have been reported around Australia this summer, according to Royal Surf Lifesaving's toll.

Mother Lynelle McGrath (right) said Lucinda (left) 'loved the beach' and regularly camped in the Sunshine Coast region

Lifeguards performed CPR on Lucinda until paramedics arrived but she could not be revived (pictured, emergency services at Bulcock Beach)
An 18-year-old Iowa gang member has been charged with two counts of murder after taking a gun into a school founded by a local rapper for at-risk youth and shooting dead a 16-year-old and 18-year-old from rival gangs.

Preston Walls cut off his GPS ankle monitor - which he was wearing following weapons charges - 16 minutes before entering Starts Right Here in Des Moines, police said.

Will Keeps, a Chicago-born rapper who joined the city's gangs at the age of 13, then moved to Des Moines and became a community activist and founded the school, saw Walls enter.

Keeps saw the 9mm handgun with an extended ammunition magazine which Walls - described by police as a known gang member - was carrying, and escorted Walls out of the building.

But Walls then turned and shot at the two teenagers. Both were severely wounded, and died in the hospital; Keeps was also critically injured and remains in the hospital.

Preston Walls, 18, was charged on Monday night with double murder; he was also charged with attempted murder after he shot at Will Keeps, a 49-year-old rapper who founded the school

Police K-9s are seen tracking Walls, who got out of a car when stopped by police and ran

Walls then ran off, and got into a car. Police tracked the car, and arrested two inside: Walls ran off again, and was tracked down by police K-9 and arrested.

Walls was charged on Monday night with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and participation in a criminal gang.

Officers said the victims were targeted and that 'there was nothing random' about the attack.

Emergency services transport one of the people shot at the Starts Right Here school

A swarm of police cars on scene outside the Starts Right Here in Des Moines on Monday

A car matching witness descriptions was stopped by police at about 1:20pm two miles from the school.

Three suspects - including Walls - were apprehended, after Walls tried to flee from the car.

A witness who work next door to Starts Right Here said she saw somebody running from the building after the shooting, while police pursued them.

'We just saw a lot of cop cars pouring in from everywhere,' witness Nicole Krantz told the Des Moines Register.

'It's terrifying. We're all worried. We went on lockdown, obviously.

'We were all told to stay away from the windows because we weren't sure if they caught the guy,' Krantz said.

Sgt Paul Parizek, a spokesman for Des Moines police, said the violence was gang- related.

'We've got two people dead, so we're looking at the most serious charges,' he said.

'The incident was definitely targeted.

'It was not random. There's nothing random about this. It was certainly a targeted incident.'

He said they were yet to pinpoint the motive.

'But as far as getting motive, that is something that we are going to try and figure out,' he said.

Kim Reynolds, the governor of Iowa, who is on the school advisory board, said she was devastated by the shooting and praised Keeps, the school president.

'I am shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here,' she wrote in a statement.

'I've seen first-hand how hard Will Keeps and his staff works to help at-risk kids through this alternative education program.

'My heart breaks for them, these kids and their families. Kevin and I are praying for their safe recovery.'

Keeps, who was born on the South Side of Chicago, founded the school in a bid to help Iowa youngsters avoid making his own mistake, and getting involved in gang violence.

'He wanted to make a change for others so they don't have to go through life without feeling cared for, loved, or being in a home where they can feel safe,' his website states.

'His legacy started with giving back to his community and to youth who are faced with similar situations that he was in.

'He began mentoring youth on a daily basis as a team member of the ManUp Iowa program for at-risk youth.

'Will found that his true God-given abilities were helping others and empowering them to go down a better pathone he wishes he would have had the opportunity to go down when he was younger.'

Police are seen responding to the school in downtown Des Moines on Monday afternoon

Ambulances are seen outside the school in Des Moines on Monday afternoon

The school is seen cordoned off on Monday, after the shooting dead of two students

Keeps was sexually abused by his stepfather aged seven, and said the abuse led him on a downward spiral.

'In Will's journey to find answers, he learned that what he really wanted was a loving father and mother that would protect him and love him unconditionally,' the website states.

'Just like many other young teenage boys in similar situations, they did not find that love in their own home, so they look for that love and protection in the form of a gang.'

Keeps joined The Blackstone Gang, which in the 1960s was the most famous in Chicago. The group today has an estimated 6,000 members.

Keeps, who lives in Altoona, is seen with some of the staff and students of his school

Keeps, 49, posted a video last year captioned: 'We have been trying to get our lost kids to change their mindset and to help them find there way for years. And even though some of you don't like the moves I made to help these kids, just remember. When you hate on it, it hurts the progress of helping them! So STOP!'

Keeps' most recent Instagram was five days ago, when he said he was at the school helping the students with their college applications

'I thought the streets was my family,' he said, as one of the presenters at the Register's Storytellers Project in 2018, according to the Des Moines Register.

'I thought these people on the streets would have my back more than my own family would.

Keeps is pictured at the school in Des Moines

'I thought that they would protect me more than my own family would.'

He saw a friend fatally shot and suffered a beating that nearly killed him, leaving him angry and aggressive, he said.

Keeps said his children asked him to write a song about 'what's going on in the community,' and he said the request proved a turning point.

He wrote a song that was about 'opening up people on each side to listen to and understand each other,' and said it urged him to work to bring about change.

'You see, when I subtracted negativity from my life and added hope and multiplied that to the people around me, I saw the division in my city start to fade,' he said.

'That helped me have more of a positive influence in my community.'

Des Moines Public Schools also released a statement.

'We are saddened to learn of another act of gun violence, especially one that impacts an organization that works closely with some of our students.

'We are still waiting to learn more details, but our thoughts are with any victims of this incident and their families and friends.

'Starts Right Here is a valuable partner to DMPS, doing important work to help us re-engage students, and we stand by to support them during this critical time.'

Keeps is seen in the school he founded in Des Moines, Iowa

Mike Beranek, president of Iowa State Education Association, called for more effective prevention of gun violence in educational settings.

'Tragedy has once again struck close to home. Our hearts go out to the victims, families, and school community at Starts Right Here as they endure the unthinkable,' Beranek said in a statement.

'We implore our elected leaders to consider effective strategies to eliminate gun violence and pursue concrete solutions that will keep our students, educators, and communities safe.

'Our schools need to be bastions of safety, not the recipients of violence.

'This needs to end.

'As a nation we need to recognize this is a societal issue seeping into our schools.'
The White House on Monday accused Republicans of helping Vladimir Putin wage war in Ukraine by trying to make it harder for President Joe Biden to tap the Strategic the Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Officials say releases from the store were crucial to bringing down gas prices last year after world oil prices rocketed after Russian launched its invasion.

And now the administration says Biden would veto a Republican bill to make it harder for him to use the reserve if it is passed by Congress.

'Putin has tried to use energy supply and high prices as a strategy to weaken the United States and Europe's resolve to defend Ukraine,' said the White House Office of Management and Budget.

'By interfering with the United States' ability to release oil collectively, this legislation would help Putins war aims.'

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Monday slammed Republicans for moves she said could drive up gas prices as he promised that President Joe Biden would veto their bill limiting his ability to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

an aerial view, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage at the Bryan Mound site in Freeport, Texas. Last year, Biden released 180 million barrels from the reserve

Earlier, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm slammed Republicans for moves she said could drive up gas prices as she promised that Biden would veto their bill limiting his ability to tap use the SPR.

She said the reserve proved crucial last year in reducing the cost to drivers when the war in Ukraine pushed global oil prices higher.

'House Republicans are now pursuing this extreme agenda that risks worsening supply shortages in times of crisis, and risks, raising gas prices for American families,' she told reporters at the White House.

'When you consider [House Resolution} 21, the bill they've introduced needlessly aims to weaken the strategic petroleum reserve's usefulness as a tool to ensure energy security in America.'

The bill requires an administration that taps the SPR to push forward plans to increase oil and gas leasing on federal lands, unless the release is for a severe oil supply emergency.

Republicans have the reserve in their sights in other ways.

The Bidens arrived back at the White House on Monday morning after a weekend in Delaware

Earlier this month they advanced a bill through the House that would prevent Biden from tapping the SPR to sell US oil to China.

Reuters reported in July last year that SPR oil was going to China, India, Italy, and the Netherlands. In some cases U.S. companies, including Phillips 66, bought the reserve's oil then sold it to China.

Last March, Biden began announced a record 180 million-barrel sale over six months.

The SPR stock is now at 372 million barrels, down from 594 million one year ago.

The result is that Republicans and some Democrats have expressed concern at the level of reserves.

Granholm said: 'Analysts who have looked at this have credited the releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for filling the supply gaps that were resulting from the invasion and the lessening of Russian oil on a global market and have credited the SPR with lowering prices.'

In a letter sent to Congress last week, Granholm said the releases were responsible for a 40-cent drop in pump prices.
Prime minister is yet to visit the isolated city since election

Anthony Albanese is flying to Alice Springs after being criticised for not visiting the crime-ridden Outback city since being elected.

The prime minister's visit comes amid growing complaints by civic leaders and business owners of a crime wave in the Northern Territory city, with lawless gangs roaming the streets at night, breaking into shops and fighting each other.

The gangs can number in the hundreds, with many of them children, who do not fear juvenile sentencing if caught, and are often fuelled by alcohol.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Mr Albanese could have flown in with him on a bipartisan trip but had dragged his feet focusing on other issues.

'(He) should have been there by now,' he insisted on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (above) is visiting Alice Springs for the first time since he was elected

Ben Fordham claimed on his 2GB radio show that Mr Albanese had 'caved' and 'buckled to the pressure' by flying in on Tuesday morning.

Limits on alcohol sales in remote communities, which did not include Alice Springs, were lifted in July, but the wave of violence and criminality prompted calls for their re-introduction and even restrictions in the city itself.

Federal frontbencher Bill Shorten said the crisis warranted immediate attention but resolving the violence could not just be a police issue.

'It will be tackling the root causes of what's causing the heartache and the distress,' he told Sky News on Tuesday.

'It is a crisis. There's no question.'

He added the people of Alice Springs did not want heavy-handed intervention from Canberra.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles is also travelling there on Tuesday to discuss the crisis with locals.

Alice Springs has faced a wave of youth crime with one business owner saying they were broken into 40 times (pictured, a young man attempting to break into Alice Spring's Todd Tavern)

Ms Fyles was also steadfast against a federal intervention similar to that instigated by John Howard in 2007, which included strict curbs on the sale of alcohol and the quarantining of welfare payments.

Mr Dutton said there would be outrage if a similar crime spree was happening in capital cities and branded it 'the biggest issue in our country today'.

'There are reports of kids running around with machetes, children not wanting to go back home because they feel it's unsafe to stay there so they're out committing crimes,' he told the Today show on Tuesday.

'It's a law and order and crime problem and we want those kids to grow up in a safe environment and the prime minister has the resources, has the ability, and should show the leadership to deal with this issue.'

Inside the lawless Outback town where gangs of kids are roaming the streets, breaking into homes and attacking drivers with star pickets - and when the cops are called no-one answers

By Candace Sutton for Daily Mail Australia

The iconic Outback city of Alice Springs has become a lawless outpost where up to 200 children roam the streets at night, committing crimes such as breaking into homes and stealing cars.

Locals say they're living in fear and forced to hide indoors as children as young as five run riot on the streets.

And when police are called, no-one answers or officers are too busy elsewhere to attend.

Other Outback towns such as Tennant Creek are also reeling from a wave of violence and armed break-ins by teenagers, which many are blaming on Albanese Labor Government's decision to lift bans on alcohol.

Problems were 'immediate' when the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act ceased on July 17, 2022, meaning alcohol was available for the first time in many of the Territory's indigenous town camps for the first time since 2007.

An Alice Springs man posted this video of the five children who broke into his Tennant Creek house, where they spent 30 minutes trashing the place before leaving

The owner's security camera caught this person carrying a knife when the kids broke in, unperturbed by the alarm and ate his food and watched Tv before trashing the place

The Australian newspaper and Radio 2GB have reported that kids are drinking alcohol, 'sometimes in the form of hand sanitiser diluted in soft drinks, or consuming deodorant, petrol or glue'.

The soaring crime rate in Alice Springs in particular has come into sharp focus with a campaign by local man Darren Clarke and his Action For Alice Facebook page.

In a 2GB video posted on his page, Mr Clarke begged PM Anthony Albanese to 'get up here mate, it's so bad, you do not know how bad this is.

'All the violence and abuse that happened to children in the Northern Territory on remote communities, in homes in this town, the violence on our streets.

'It's not a racial problem, it's a behavioural problem. The whole town is suffering. It doesn't matter what colour you are.

Youth caught on camera fleeing after breaking into the Red Centre Office Technology premises in Alice Springs

Cars are regularly stolen, broken into and torched in Alice Springs, meaning residents cannot leave their vehicles unattended in the street

A female on a street in the middle of Alice Springs wielding a metal pole is caught on camera after reports of a person attacking cars opposite McDonalds with what appeared to be a star picket

Incidents posted on Mr Clarke Facebook page just in the 48 hours until Monday morning included a woman threatening cars with a star picket or metal pole on a main Alice Springs street across from McDonalds and a service station.

Another video showed a young man with a football jumper covering his face trying to break in to Alice Spring's oldest pub, the Todd Tavern, by doing a running jump at the metal shutter.

WHY THE KIDS ARE RUNNING WILD Darren Clarke, who started the campaign to spotlight the violence in Alice Springs, told Daily Mail Australia that indigenous kids were coming into town and committing crimes and acts of violence to get away from alcohol-fuelled violence at home. These kids are not in safe, theres alcohol being drunk in the town camps, theres blood on the walls at home, kids see people being hurt and the kids are being raped and abused. You have to save the kids but no-one will speak out about it because everyone is scared about the Stolen Generation. Thats whats inhibiting kids being put into a safe spot. Im a white person, but people like (Federal Alice Springs MP) Marion Scrymgour is calling out the NT Government at the moment, thats very brave. Mr Clarke was referring to the lapse of the governments previously strict alcohol laws which ensured a grog ban in Alice Springs roughly 30 tow camps. I run a bakery in town and my partner and I have spent a lot of time with young girls who are in town in the middle of the night because (they say) my auntie has been bashed and bashed and theres blood all over the walls. Or Dads mate came into my bedroom and tried to touch me. It breaks your heart. Advertisement

'They don't discriminate. They attack you. These kids are crying for help. They've got no mentors,' Mr Clarke said.

'I'll take you round to some of these kids and have a sit down with them mate . Listen to the kids.

'Listen to what they see in their homes. The blood splattered on the walls, the cries their aunties bashed on the ground.

'It's time, people. You want a voice Albo, you want a voice? Come up here.'

Indigenous radio station, the Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) posted images of its second break-in in a week and fifth in 12 months writing: 'We are all victims in this town. We join the long list of victims in this town.'

Another poster described their terrifying experience when shutting up shop at the Cignall tobacco store when '6-7 kids entered the shop' and started grabbing things.

When the man screamed at them and pushed the last kid out, they started banging on the glass windows.

He posted: 'How long do we have to live like this, scared to hell even to go to work?

'They were still there in front of Pizza hut... I was fearing they will notice my car n do some damage later on or follow me. I had to wait till they went out of sight.'

One post on Sunday read: 'Beware. Rock throwers, Billy goat hill', referring to a location near the town's K-Mart and KFC stores.

One post showed a photograph taken last Thursday evening of police vehicles parked outside a bottle shop with two mounted police on horseback, with the comment: 'Have we ever seen this number of police at one place when no emergency?'.

The post referred to the fact that the Northern Territory Police Minister Kate Wordern and NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker had flown in to Alice Springs to launch a crime blitz as a result of media pressure.

Officers arrested locals for drinking in a public place and put in police trucks a number of children who were taken back out to their town camps.

Alice Springs and Tennant Creek have about 25 of the Territory's 43 town camps in their vicinity.

The Facebook post on Action for Alice 2020 mocked the visit, saying both officials should 'resign in shame or be sacked', saying the show of force was 'almost comical after a week of screaming, fighting and no police attendance when calling 000'.

One post on Darren Clarke's Action for Alice Facebook page warning residents last weekend simply read 'Beware, rock throwers, Billy goat hill'

The five children who broke into Pietje Span's home in Tennant Creek seemed unfazed by the alarm or being caught on security camera and brazenly lounged about the house before leaving

This club was broken into at 1am and alcohol was stolen, and when police were called they were 'too busy' to attend the incident

Indigenous man Marcus Casey-Kirkman said when incidents like the liquor theft occur that's 'why young fellas like me who are working get looked at bad'. Above (right) PK Crash Repairs shop broken into in Alice Springs

On Sunday, educational community liaison officer Pietje Span posted a video of children breaking into his house 500km north of Alice Springs at Tennant Creek, after midnight on January 19.

The video recorded by his Eufy security system at 12.14am clearly shows five children, one armed with a knife, setting off the alarm as they entered his house.

Mr Span said the children spent 'about 30 minutes inside', had something to eat, watched TV, made 'a huge mess' and stole his belongings.

He said he posted the footage 'for the families of these children - I am hoping you will see this and be ashamed of their actions.

'The police had been notified the same morning as the break in, but have not shown up for reasons unknown.

Locals were not impressed when the NT police minister and commissioner flew in, saying the police presence was almost comical compared to incidents when police didn't respond to triple-0 calls

Smashed wall (left) at the indigenous radio station in Alice Springs and back windscreen of a car (right)

'To the families of these children - I would like you to talk with them. Do whatever is needed now to stop this, to stop them going down the wrong path.

'I have cared for and guided Aboriginal youth in the NT for a number of years, I am aware of the issues that face these kids but if anything is to change, it must come from the families of these children.

'Please do not post hateful or racist remarks/comments, they aren't helpful - this is purely for the families of these children.'

A young Aboriginal man, Marcus Casey-Kirkman, posted a comment on the Facebook page below a report about a break-in and theft of alcohol at an Alice Springs club writing, 'Yeah nah that's fu**ed that's why young fellas like me who are working get looked at bad when we go there on our lunch breaks from work.

'These mob wrecking it for all of us because we getting painted with the same brush.'

A Caucasian woman posted on Tik-Tok an expletive-ridden rant about the violence and lawlessness, saying 'if you are the parents of f***ing kids, under 16 and they're out f***ing running amok, and trashing the streets, you're to f***ing blame.

'I don't want to hear about f***ing colour and race, it's got nothing to f***ing do with anything.'

This woman recorded an expletive-laden video on Tik-Tok , saying it was not about race, but admonishing parents who let their children 'run amok' on the streets

Violence in the streets, cars stolen and burnt, children roaming Alice Springs on alcohol and drugs are al caught on the video made by local Darren Clarke who has begged the PM to visit

Local Alice Springs MP Marion Scrymgour (above with Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney) said said the removal of the grog ban had led to a level of violence she had never encountered

Local MP, Marion Scrymgour, member for the federal seat of Lingiari, said the removal of the grog ban with the Stronger Futures law lapsing had led to a level of violence she had never encountered.

'I just find it unacceptable in this day and age that the violence against Aboriginal women in this town raises very little urgency from anyone  it's appalling,' Ms Scrymgour told The Australia.

'There's the issue of young people and the level of lawlessness and disrespect amongst those young people.

'They don't respect law or culture anymore and then there's the adults and the level of violence, and it's not just male on male or male on female, there's a really bad level of violence of female on female and particularly under the influence of alcohol.

'I've seen some horrific fights in and around the town area of Alice Springs where women are just drunk and just stomping on (other women's) heads.'

The Alice springs radio station CAAMA issued a statement pleading for 'leadership and government accountability here on the ground to work to listen to our people ... in restoring law and order so our towns and communities are safe'.
The family of Julian Sands have praised the 'heroic' efforts of Californian authorities conducting the search for the missing British actor.

Sands, 65, was reported missing on a hiking trip in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains and has not been seen for 11 days, as temperatures in the area hover just above the freezing mark.

A statement shared by local law enforcement read: 'Our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department who are coordinating the search for our beloved Julian, not least the heroic search teams listed below who are braving difficult conditions on the ground and in the air to bring Julian home.'

The statement went on to list various organisations involved in the search. 'We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support,' it added.

Julian Sands is pictured sitting on a peak of the Weisshorn mountain in the Swiss Alps

Pictured: Julian Sands and wife Evgenia Citkowitz. Sands, 65, was reported missing on a hiking trip in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel mountains at around 19:30 local time on January 13, as searches by local authorities continue by 'helicopter and drones when weather permits'

JULIAN SANDS: FROM THE YORKSHIRE DALES TO THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF LOS ANGELES Sands starred alongside Helena Bonham Carter in A Room With A View (1986) Julian Sands was born in Otley, Yorkshire, in 1958 and moved to Los Angeles in 2020. His breakout role came as the free-spirited George in the period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter. He later made the move to the horror genre, featuring in films such as Leaving Las Vegas, Warlock and Arachnophobia, as well as parts on television. More recently he played the chief medical officer in the 2021 Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi-led drama Benediction. From 1984 to 1987 Sands was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands, with whom he has a son. He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990. Advertisement

In a message sharing the statement, the sheriff's department added: 'As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt. Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination & selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search.

'We will continue to utilize the resources available to us.'

It comes after federal agencies joined efforts to find Sands, using mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the actor's location.

Today, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department told the PA news agency that conditions were still too dangerous for ground crews to operate, and that searches would be conducted by helicopter only.

It was previously revealed that pings from Sands' phone appeared to show he had been on the move heading further into the mountainous area of Baldy Bowl on the day he was reported missing.

The department also previously said that there was still 'no hard deadline' and 'no date set' for calling off efforts - and the incident is still being classified as a search and rescue operation.

Searches by local authorities continue by 'helicopter and drones when weather permits'.

A car belonging to Sands was found on Thursday. It was close to the spot where he was reported missing at around 19:30 local time on January 13.

On Friday, ground crews were still unable to continue the search for Sands due to the avalanche risk in the area.

'There has been no new update or witness information about his whereabouts since then,' Gloria Huerta, Public Information Officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, told the BBC on Friday.

'The air search is being resumed, but we have not been able to resume a ground search yet due to icy conditions and a threat of avalanches,' said Huerta.

Actor Jon Cryer tweeted: 'I am hoping against hope that this will turn out to be just another one of his adventures. I'm so sorry for his family and friends going through this.'

Jon Cryer posted a message on January 19

Matthew Modine also tweeted a message of hope on January 19

Actor Matthew Modine also took to Twitter to post: '#JulianSands is a wonderful man, husband, father, and friend to so so many.

'A gentle, kind soul. Keep candles burning for his safe return from the mountain he loves.'

Fellow mountain climber Sarah Crosby shared a tribute on Sunday.

'Praying for Julian Sands, who we got to know on Mt. Kilimanjaro,' she wrote on Twitter.

'He regaled us with Shakespeare and Keats and was the first person to capture us as an engaged couple. He even carried a hunk of the mountain down to present to us. He is such a beautiful soul.'

The weather is currently around 3C (38F) at Mount Baldy. There is a high wind warning for Southwestern California. The official guidance states: 'Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.'

Sands, 65, was reported missing by his family after disappearing in the dangerous mountain range. He is pictured in a recent image released by his family to police to aid the search

On Friday a spokesman for San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said: 'On January 15, 2023, phone pings showed Sands to be heading to the Mount Baldy area.

'Additional phone pings from the cell provider were attempted but were unsuccessful, due to the lack of cell service and most likely cell phone power failure.

'A delayed ping through Sands' Apple iPhone operating system, from January 14, 2023, provided a possible location on one of the trails leading to the summit of Mount Baldy. This area was checked by ground searchers and by helicopter.'

The spokesman added: 'Ground and air searchers were unable to locate any evidence in this area that would assist in locating Mr. Sands. Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.

'However, the search continues by helicopter and drones when the weather permits. Additional ground searches will be scheduled when the weather improves, and it is safe for our rescue crews.'

Sands is known for his roles in popular film and television shows, including A Room With A View, 24 and Smallville.

He has three children and lives in the North Hollywood neighbourhood of Los Angeles with his wife, writer Evgenia Citkowitz.

Police had previously said that they plan to continue looking for Sands.

A map of the area in which Julian Sands, 65, was reported missing

The region is home to some of the most popular trails in Los Angeles, California

His family reported him missing at 7.30pm on January 13 and rescuers recovered a snow-covered car, which was towed away

On Thursday, the actor's family members towed his car from a car park where it was found.

Authorities have given 'no time set' for when ground searches will resume.

As California has been buffeted by winter storms, weather conditions on the mountain have inhibited attempts to assist missing and injured hikers, including Sands.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department previously warned hikers to 'think twice and heed warnings' as weather conditions in the area worsened.

The department reported its search and rescue teams had responded to 14 calls on and around Mount Baldy over the last four weeks.

'It is extremely dangerous and even experienced hikers are getting in trouble,' police said.

Actor Julian Sands was reported missing on January 13 after failing to return from a hiking trip

Pictured: Sands and Helena Bonham Carter on set for the award-winning 1985 film A Room With A View

Sands' first major production was 1984's The Killing Fields, the acclaimed historical drama about the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia (pictured alongside John Malkovich)

Julian's son Henry  himself an experienced hiker  flew out to California last week and is assisting with the search of Mount Baldy.

Henry, 37, is understood to have retraced the route his father took  some 40-miles from Los Angeles  but was also forced to abandon his efforts due to poor weather.

A relative told MailOnline on Saturday: 'Henry has been in the US since the weekend and is helping the search. The problem is that the weather is hampering rescue efforts.

'We are extremely worried but we're hoping that Julian will be found safe and well. We'll be looking to see how things evolve over the next few days.'

Federal and state agencies in the United States said Friday they would join the search amid worsening weather conditions and avalanche risks that have halted the work of ground crews.

Sands has spoken previously about his love for hiking and mountain climbing, and said in 2020 he was happiest 'close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning'.
China can spy on anyone in the UK through smart fridges, light bulbs and other appliances controlled through an app, a report warned yesterday.

Microchips embedded in cars and domestic appliances pose a wide-ranging threat to national security because China could weaponise them to spy on millions of Britons.

The modules are also found in laptops, voice-controlled speakers, smart watches, smart energy meters, doorbell cameras, police body cams, cashpoints, cars and even hot tubs.

They collect data and can be handed to the Chinese government if ordered to.

China can spy on anyone in the UK through smart fridges, light bulbs and other appliances controlled through an app, a report warned yesterday

Microchips embedded in cars and domestic appliances pose a wide-ranging threat to national security because China could weaponise them to spy on millions of Britons

A report published by the Washington-based consultancy, Observe, Orientate, Decide, Act (OODA), said the UK Government should do something before it was too late.

Written by a former diplomat in Beijing, Charles Parton, the report warned: Its time to wake up  free and open countries should ban Chinese-manufactured modules from their supply chains as soon as possible.

According to the report, three Chinese companies  Quectel, Fibocom and China Mobile  dominate 54 per cent of the global market in smart devices.

This month, it emerged that security services had dismantled ministerial cars and found at least one of the devices, sparking fears China could track everyone from the Prime Minister downwards.

In 2020, the Government said it would remove Huawei technology from Britains mobile infrastructure by 2027 amid fears of spying.

Foreign affairs committee chairman Alicia Kearns told The Daily Telegraph: Because they are in so many of our mundane day-to-day objects, the risk if someone was to weaponise them is significant.

Tory MP Ms Kearns added: You could track someone and work out where the Prime Minister is going to be, for example, and that would be useful information for terrorists.
Was found in the same spot as another body last December

She's believed to be a homeless grandmother in her 50s

Homicide detectives are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who was found in the same spot another body was discovered just weeks ago.

Western Australia Police allege the woman, believed to be in her 50s, was involved in an altercation in a carpark on Wellington St, Perth, just before 2pm on Monday.

She then collapsed near the intersection of Wellington and Pier Street before her friends found her and called emergency services.

A woman, believed to be a homeless grandmother in her 50s, has died after being found at a carpark in Perth's CBD (pictured) with a head injury from a brawl

St John paramedics attempted CPR for around 15 minutes before an ambulance rushed her to Royal Perth Hospital where she died not long after.

Witnesses told Nine News that they saw two women fighting in the carpark before the victim was knocked out and found by her friends shortly after.

'Homicide squad detectives have taken carriage of the investigation,' a WA Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

The scene at the Wilsons carpark outside of the Boorloo Bidee Mia has been cordoned off by police as officers examine the scene.

The body of a 24-year-old woman was found in the same location on December 15.

Her 27-year-old partner was charged with an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.
The female Labour MP who says the party has a woman problem has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer's top spin doctor for briefing against her.

Rosie Duffield accused Matthew Doyle of trying to undermine her by spreading rumours that she spent more time with fellow women's rights campaigner JK Rowling than in her Canterbury constituency.

She also insisted she had been in to see Opposition leader Sir Keir only once, rather than numerous times as had been claimed by Mr Doyle, his executive director of communications.

It comes after Ms Duffield, who was heckled by her own side in a Commons debate on transgender rights, likened her treatment by the party to her experience in an abusive relationship.

Rosie Duffield was heckled by her own side in a Commons debate on transgender rights, likened her treatment by the party to her experience in an abusive relationship

A leaked recording, published by the Guido Fawkes website yesterday, provides more details of comments first revealed by The Mail on Sunday.

In the audio clip, senior Labour staffer Mr Doyle admits that the situation regarding Ms Duffield is 'irritating' but insists it does not do the party 'any actual damage'.

The aide  who previously worked for Sir Tony Blair  claims Ms Duffield has been in to see Sir Keir 'a number of times but she also then does incredibly disingenuous things'.

'There are people in Canterbury who say it would be nice if it's possible to spend a bit more time actually in Canterbury rather than hanging out with JK Rowling,' he says.

In response, Ms Duffield said she had 'never had the pleasure of meeting' the adviser, who was apparently recorded 'loudly ranting about me' in Parliament on Friday.

She said that 'while he was overheard loudly opining on my whereabouts and choice of friends', she was meeting people in her constituency. 'On a more serious note, when women are considered difficult, these statements are obviously designed to undermine us,' she wrote on Twitter. 'Sow a little seed of doubt rumours that might catch on. Politics is nasty. But think on. I am used to so much worse.'

She also said there were a 'couple of inaccurate comments from this chap' as she had been in to see Sir Keir only once, in September 2021, and claimed the leader had not been to Canterbury.

Rosie Duffield accused Matthew Doyle (pictured), Keir Starmer's top spin doctor, of trying to undermine her by spreading rumours about her

Last night, Harry Potter author JK Rowling shared a link to Mr Doyle's comments, tweeting: 'Rosie Duffield, an ex-assistant teacher, single mother and survivor of domestic abuse won Labour a seat they thought was unwinnable.

'Post-Corbyn, she was returned to Parliament with an increased majority. This is how Labour repays her.'

Labour sources insisted the aide had not been briefing against Ms Duffield and defended her right to speak out.

Sir Keir insisted his party must have 'respect and tolerance' despite differing views on gender rights.

It came as the Labour backbencher who barracked Ms Duffield in the Commons last week denied trying to intimidate Tory MP Miriam Cates, by crossing the floor of the chamber to sit close to her as she spoke in a fractious debate on transgender rights.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle yesterday insisted he had moved to a different seat on his way to a vote and would 'never deliberately intimidate anyone'.
It went live last night as people reduced electricity use between 5 and 6pm

Households have rushed to sign up to a scheme that pays them to turn off washing machines, ovens, dishwashers and even the lights.

As many as one million are thought to have taken part in a mass electricity switch-off last night with a similar figure expected today.

Demand to take part has been so high some energy companies are turning people away as trial schemes are full.

It came as the National Grid said that the switch-off could become a feature of British life in winter.

Households have rushed to sign up to a scheme that pays them to turn off washing machines, ovens, dishwashers and even the lights

It went live on a national scale last night when people were asked to reduce their electricity use for one hour, between 5pm and 6pm

Britains biggest energy firms, including Octopus, British Gas and E.on, have run a series of trials under the scheme, which is operated by National Grid ESO

The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) is a voluntary scheme where households can be rewarded with cash for reducing electricity use at peak periods.

Q&A What is it? The scheme is open to homes with smart meters who agree to cut their usage at peak times. How can I join? If eligible, youll receive an email from your electricity supplier. Youll be notified the day before each DFS period so you can opt in or out. When is it? It will usually be a one or two-hour time slot, from 4pm to 7pm, in winter. What do I do? You have to reduce your normal consumption by around 30 per cent. The easiest way is by not using things such as washing machines, dishwashers and cookers. Light bulbs and TVs use very little energy  so you dont need to sit in the dark or avoid watching TV. What can I save? Customers can typically earn around 2-3 for every kWh of electricity they save below their own households target, which is assessed by the supplier. Over an hours session, most would save around 4, but heavy users could save 20. This is paid via a deduction from energy bills. Who offers it? A total of 26 firms, including British Gas, E.on, OVO energy and Shell. Does it work? Data from the first two tests found households cut usage by 35 per cent more than expected. Why now? Managing usage at peak times  by reducing demand  means theres less need to build new expensive power stations or try to fire up old ones. Advertisement

Britains biggest energy firms, including Octopus, British Gas and E.on, have run a series of trials under the scheme, which is operated by National Grid ESO.

It went live on a national scale last night when people were asked to reduce their electricity use for one hour, between 5pm and 6pm.

It will be triggered again for 90 minutes this afternoon between 4.30pm and 6pm. The cold weather has driven up the demand for electricity to heat homes.

However, a lack of wind has reduced the amount of renewable energy available to electricity suppliers.

The National Grid has put coal-fired power stations on standby as they may be needed to keep the lights on at periods of high demand.

The scheme aims to save energy without resorting to drastic actions such as blackouts. In general, participants are asked to cut their energy by 30 per cent compared with normal peak usage, for a cash reward.

In trials, most have made a modest saving of around 4 per one-hour session, but the top 5 per cent of normally heavy users have been able to save over 20.

It is estimated some users could save 240 over 12 of the sessions.

Octopus has increased the reward for its customers by 50 per cent to 3.37 per kWh of energy saved.

As a result, users would typically save around 5.50 but potentially as much as 30 per session. One participant will even win a 500 bonus in a customer lottery.

It is understood a record figure  400,000 to 500,000  of its customers took part last night and will do so again today.

A spokesman said: If you live in a large multiple-person household and normally use a lot of energy at 5pm, turning off your oven, microwave or TV is probably going to save you quite a lot of money. But we are not encouraging people to live by candlelight.

Phil Hewitt, of energy consultancy EnAppSys, said offering people money to cut energy use was cheaper for the National Grid than firing up a mothballed power station.

National Grid ESOs Craig Dyke was asked if it could become a feature of British life each winter.

He replied: Its something we strongly believe in. This is the start of something much, much bigger.
Nadhim Zahawis political career was hanging by a thread last night after it emerged he had failed to tell Rishi Sunak he was fined more than 1 million over a tax dispute.

The Prime Minister yesterday ordered an investigation into the financial affairs of the Tory party chairman, saying there were questions that need answering.

No 10 said the inquiry by new ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus would focus on Mr Zahawis ministerial declarations, but it could extend to his prior tax arrangement and whether he lied to the media when he dismissed reports about his financial affairs as smears.

The row follows reports that Mr Zahawi agreed to pay a penalty of more than 1 million as part of a 5 million tax settlement with HM Revenue and Customs.

Nadhim Zahawis political career was hanging by a thread last night after it emerged he had failed to tell Rishi Sunak he was fined more than 1 million over a tax dispute

The Prime Minister yesterday ordered an investigation into the financial affairs of the Tory party chairman, saying there were questions that need answering

Allies of Mr Zahawi do not dispute that he was fined over the huge tax bill, but insist he had been careless over his financial affairs rather than deliberately seeking to dodge tax. Mr Zahawi said yesterday he was confident I acted properly throughout.

The tax settlement relates to a stake in the polling firm YouGov, which he founded before entering politics. It was agreed during his brief stint as Chancellor last year  when he was in charge of the countrys tax system.

The dispute is said to have been so serious that it resulted in Mr Zahawi being denied a knighthood.

But Downing Street yesterday said Mr Sunak had not been informed of the row when he appointed Mr Zahawi as Conservative Party chairman in October.

Last week, the PM defended Mr Zahawi, telling MPs he had addressed the matter in full.

But No 10 yesterday revealed he had only learned that Mr Zahawi was fined by HMRC in media reports at the weekend.

A Cabinet source said Mr Zahawi had undermined the PMs pledge to bring integrity, professionalism and accountability to politics, adding that he was finished.

No 10 yesterday revealed he had only learned that Mr Zahawi was fined by HMRC in media reports at the weekend

Former No 10 communications director Sir Craig Oliver said the Tory chairman was hanging on by a thread.

Mr Sunak acknowledged that clearly in this case there are questions that need answering.

He added: Thats why Ive asked our independent adviser to get to the bottom of everything, to investigate the matter fully and establish all the facts and provide advice to me on Nadhim Zahawis compliance with the ministerial code. Im pleased that Nadhim Zahawi has agreed with that approach and has agreed to fully co-operate with that investigation.

Mr Sunak distanced himself from the decision to appoint Mr Zahawi as chancellor, saying it had taken place while he was out of government.

In July, Mr Zahawi, then running for the Tory leadership, told Sky News he was clearly being smeared about his tax and insisted: Ive always declared my taxes, Ive paid my taxes in the UK.

Whitehall sources did not deny Mr Sunak was irritated by the emergence of further allegations about Mr Zahawis tax affairs.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Zahawis position was untenable and urged the PM to sack him.
Alfie Hammett, 18, and a 17-year-old, have both been charged with murder

Two teenagers have been charged with murder over the death of an 18-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in Ipswich town centre.

Raymond James Quigley, known as 'James', from Wymondham, Norfolk, lost his life in the attack in broad daylight on Tuesday, January 17.

Suffolk Police said Mr Quigley was approached by two other males and stabbed. A second man who was with the victim was chased and threatened with a knife by one of the suspects during the attack, but managed to escape unharmed.

The suspects then made off from the area in different directions.

Police at the scene after a man was stabbed to death in the town centre of Ipswich, Suffolk

An air ambulance helicopter in Christchurch Park, Ipswich, Suffolk, after a man was fatally stabbed in the nearby town centre

Police units and ambulance crews were quickly on the scene but despite the best efforts of emergency workers, Mr Quigley sadly died at the scene.

A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Quigley sustained four stab wounds to the torso and died as a result of these injuries.

A Section 60 Authority was implemented by Suffolk Police shortly after the attack for 24 hours, providing officers with additional powers to stop and search people in Ipswich town centre.

On Saturday, January 21, investigating officers arrested Alfie Hammett, 18, of Rushmere St Andrew, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The pair were taken into police custody for questioning and have since both been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

They were remanded in custody to appear before Ipswich Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Ms Dickson said her street, Drummond Place, is full of brightly coloured doors

She was told the door was 'not in keeping with the historic character' of the area

A mother-of-two has been ordered to change her pink front door after losing a battle with officials who said it breached regulations.

Miranda Dickson, 48, clashed with council bosses who said her door in Edinburgh's New Town, a World Heritage Conservation site, had to be changed or she could face a 20,000 fine.

Ms Dickson spent 18 months renovating her childhood home when she inherited it in 2019 after her parents passed away.

But she was left stunned when City of Edinburgh Council said the new door was 'not in keeping with the historic character' of the listed building and had to be changed by April of this year.

Miranda Dickson, 48, who argued her door was 'pale pink' and in keeping with regulations, has been ordered to change her front door's colour

Ms Dickson said her street, Drummond Place, is filled with brightly coloured front doors, and compared it to Notting Hill, in London, or Bristol (Pictured: Other coloured doors on her street)

She appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to overturn the ban and insisted her door was 'pale pink'.

Dickson earlier said she would be asking to paint it 'dark crimson' if her appeal failed.

She said: 'I am appealing on the fact the door is painted pale pink not bright pink.

'I was not initially aware permission was required to paint my own front door.

'My neighbours both painted their doors recently and did not have to ask permission so this was something I was unaware of as it is not a permanent alteration to the property and guidelines on painting appear to be only for painting the building.'

Pictured: Ms Dickson celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubillee, the post was captioned: 'J U B I L E E F U N #ItsNotElton @shaun_clarkson'

Government reporter Steve Field said the pink door had breached rules and recommended it should be changed to white.

He said: 'In relation to painting, the guidance advises that 'doors should be painted an appropriate dark and muted colour.'

'It is evident from photographs produced by the appellant and from my site inspection that the pink paint used on the door is neither dark nor muted.

'I consider that this does not preserve the door as a feature of architectural or historic interest.'

Ms Dickson had hoped to keep the colour and claimed other brightly painted doors could be seen in her conservation area neighbourhood.

The mother-of-two, who is a brand ambassador in the drinks industry, moved back to Edinburgh after working in the US for nine years.

She refurbished the house with the last task of having her front door professionally painted.

Pictured: Ms Dickson compared her front door to other coloured doors on her street, Drummond Place, Edinburgh

The written decision will allow Ms Dickson more time to have the work completed in spring but said she should apply for permission if she wanted to choose an alternative colour.

Mr Field added: 'The guidelines recommend that windows should be painted white or off-white.

'The conservation area character appraisal recommends that windows be painted white to maintain the unity of architectural schemes.

'I accept that neither document advocates the use of white paint on front doors.

'However, I consider white to be a neutral colour and one used on front doors by a number of property owners in Drummond Place without causing an unacceptable impact on the character of the building.

'On these properties, the white doors also complement the white-painted windows so do not disrupt the unity of the Georgian architecture.'

A City of Edinburgh Council spokeswoman said: 'The colour of the door is not in keeping with the historic character and appearance of this listed building in the New Town, part of our World Heritage Site.

'The owner agreed the door would be repainted but as this work has not been carried out we are taking enforcement action requiring them to repaint the door.'
Dogs are often referred to as man's best friend, but research suggests they could have competition  from pigs.

Pigs show just as much affection to their owners as dogs  although pooches are more likely to show interesting things off to you, according to a study.

Researchers at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary have discovered pigs that were raised around humans lack the ability to demonstrate 'referential communication'.

'We suggest that pigs might lack important characteristics that are crucial for the emergence of this sort of communication,' said first author Paula Perez Fraga.

Researchers at Eotvos Lorand University have discovered that human-socialised pigs will not try to show us things they find interesting. Pictured: Researcher Paula Perez and a pig

The team made this discovery when investigating the pig's ability to demonstrate 'referential communication'. Pictured: Left: Setup of the test. Right: Experimenter hiding the food. S = subject, O = owner, B = hiding boxes, E = experimenter, P = plastic container

The team made this discovery when investigating the pig's ability to demonstrate 'referential communication'.

This is an interaction between two parties where one directs the other's attention to a specific entity.

Humans do this easily with language or gestures, such as by pointing to something, and many animal species have also been found to use it with each other, like dogs.

Chickens can communicate through at least 24 distinct vocalisations, as well as different visual displays, and can use them for referential communication.

When roosters are shown computer animations of their predators, they used different alarm calls depending on the type of predator shown.

So when they were shown flying predators, they gave one type of alarm call, and when they were shown terrestrial predators, such as raccoons, they gave another distinctive alarm call.

For the study, published today in Scientific Reports, the researchers aimed to see if this was a necessary characteristic for the ability, using dogs and socialised pigs

WHAT IS 'REFERENTIAL COMMUNICATION'? Referential communication is an interaction between two parties where one directs the other's attention to a specific entity. Humans do this easily with language or gestures, like by pointing to something, and many animal species have also been found to use it with each other. Domestic animals, like dogs, and some human-socialised animals, like horses, cats and kangaroos, have been found to be able to referentially communicate with humans. Advertisement

But, whether animals can referentially communicate with humans is another story.

Ms Perez Fraga said: 'Domestic animals seem especially predisposed to referentially communicate with humans.

'However, some human-socialised wild animals can do this as well, thus domestication might not be key for this communicative ability to emerge after all.'

The researchers noticed that animals that can referentially communicate with humans  domestic or not  tend to be of species which primarily use visual signals with each other.

For the study, published in Scientific Reports, they aimed to see if this was a necessary characteristic for the ability, using dogs and socialised pigs.

The domestication of dogs is thought to have occurred at least 15,000 years ago, when grey wolves and dogs diverged from an extinct wolf species.

Many researchers believe that their ability to form attachment with humans was developed around the same time while they became tamer, likely over thousands of years.

But while pigs are becoming an increasingly popular pet, they have not undergone the same evolution, and are therefore still regarded as wild.

Dogs are also known to be heavily reliant on visual communication while pigs are mainly vocal, using grunts and squeals.

All participating pigs had been raised with human families, so they were familiar with people and their behaviours could be compared to those of dogs

For the experiment, a pig or a dog was led into a room with a food reward under a box. This was unreachable for the animal but reachable for the owner

They were either left in there alone or with their owner, or alternatively they were left with their owner but there was no food reward present

All participating pigs had been raised with humans, so they were familiar with people and their behaviours could be compared to those of dogs.

For the experiment, a pig or a dog were led into a room with a food reward under a box. This was unreachable for the animal but reachable for the owner.

They were either left in there alone or with their owner, or alternatively left with their owner but there was no food reward present.

Dr Attila Andics, the principal investigator, said: 'We expected an increase of referential communicative behaviours when both the owner and the food reward were present, meaning that the animal was directing the attention of the human to the food location.'

To be counted as a referential behaviour, the animal would have to first interact with the reward box and orient their body towards it.

Next, they would orient themselves towards their owner if they were present in the room, or the door  that they knew their owner was behind  if they weren't.

To be counted as a referential behaviour, the animal would have to first interact with the reward box and orient their body towards it. Next, they would orient themselves towards their owner if they were present in the room, or the door- that they knew their owner was behind - if they weren't. Pictured: A: Time spent orienting towards the boxes for dogs and pigs, B: Time spent interacting with the boxes for dogs and pigs

Even though they were raised with humans, the pigs did not try to direct their owner to the treat. Pictured: A: Time spent orienting towards the door/owner for dogs and pigs, B: Frequency of alternation of orientation for dogs and pigs

Dogs and pigs oriented themselves towards their owner more than the door, and alternated between the food box and owner more than the food box and door.

This shows that both species have a similar readiness to attend to humans.

However, only dogs alternated between the box and owner more when the box contained food than when it didn't, suggesting they were trying to direct them to it.

Even though they were raised with humans, the pigs did not try to direct their owner to the treat, either with visual cues or vocalisations.

Dr Andics said: 'We found that when pigs and dogs were alone with their owners, they paid similar attention to her/him.

'However, after the experimenter hid the reward, only dogs tried to show their owners where it was.

'Pigs, in contrast, just tried to find the way to take it themselves.'

The researchers concluded that an animal's ability to referentially communicate with us may not be the result of human socialisation.

Pigs could inherently lack something required for it, which could be a preference for visual communication with members of the same species.

The authors wrote: 'That, in turn, may be caused by anatomical constraints including poor vision and neck rigidity.'

They also claim that the pigs' strong desire to open the box and access the treat themselves may have overrode any want to direct a human towards it.
He found this to be 'virtually zero', but a one-metre-long eel is more plausible

A data analyst calculated the probability one could exist at over six metres

Studies have suggested that the Loch Ness Monster was a giant European eel

Be it a century-long hoax or a genuine prehistoric relative, the Loch Ness Monster has been a topic of fascination for scientists and fantasy lovers alike since 1933.

Now, a data analyst has put one of the most popular theories to bed, after claiming that if Nessie does exist, it is not a giant eel.

Floe Foxon calculated the probability of the existence of a European eel over 20 feet (six metres) in length in the Scottish loch using catch data.

While this was found to be 'essentially zero', he did admit that 'if it's real, it could be an eel, but not a very large one'.

A data analyst has put one of the most popular Loch Ness Monster theories to bed, after discovering that, no, it was not a giant eel. Pictured: Famous photograph of 'Nessie' taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson

Length distributions for European eels captured in Loch Ness (left) and graph to show the probability of finding an eel at least as long as L in Loch Ness (right)

HOW BIG COULD NESSIE HAVE BEEN? European eels, or Anguilla anguilla, typically grow between 2.0 and 2.6 feet (60 and 80 cm) long, but exceptions have been noted. In his new study, Floe Foxon did find that the probability of finding an eel approximately 3.3 feet (one metre) long is around 1 in 50,000. The data scientist calculated that there there are over 8,000 eels in Loch Ness at any one time, giving finding one of this size a 'reasonable' likelihood. 'Some eels may account for purported sightings of somewhat large animals at the loch surface,' he wrote. 'Over the course of a few generations, an eel one metre in length may be expected. However, this is not quite the 'monster' postulated.' He found that the probability of the existence of a European eel over 20 feet (six metres) in length is 'essentially zero'. Advertisement

Over the years, experts have claimed that Nessie sightings were just the result of naturally-occurring bubbles or a 'collective illusion' inspired by dinosaur findings.

Dinosaur fossils found in bodies of freshwater similar to Loch Ness and that resemble the alleged beast suggest it could have lived 66 million years ago.

In 2019, Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago conducted an extensive DNA study of the home of the infamous monster from 250 water samples.

His team searched for tiny genetic remnants left behind by life in Loch Ness, which they used to establish a detailed list of all life living in its waters.

They identified 15 different species of fish and 3,000 types of bacteria, but found no evidence of plesiosaurs - a prehistoric marine reptile that has been linked to Nessie.

The researchers also did not find evidence of large fish like sturgeon, catfish and Greenland sharks, but they did find a 'very significant amount of eel DNA'.

Professor Gemmell said: 'Eels are very plentiful in Loch Ness, with eel DNA found at pretty much every location sampled - there are a lot of them.

'Our data doesn't reveal their size, but the sheer quantity of the material says that we can't discount the possibility that there may be giant eels in Loch Ness.

'Therefore we can't discount the possibility that what people see and believe is the Loch Ness Monster might be a giant eel.'

In 2019, Professor Neil Gemmell (pictured) conducted an extensive DNA study of Loch Ness from 250 water samples. His team searched for tiny genetic remnants left behind by life which they used to establish a detailed list of all life living in its waters

European eels, or Anguilla anguilla, (pictured) typically grow between 2.0 and 2.6 feet (60 and 80 cm) long, but exceptions have been noted

THE FIRST NESSIE SIGHTINGS The first reported sighting of the monster is said to have been made in AD565 by the Irish missionary St Columba when he came across a giant beast in the River Ness. One of the first sightings, believed to have fuelled modern Nessie fever, came in May 2, 1933. On this date the Inverness Courier carried a story about a local couple who claim to have seen 'an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface'. Another famous claimed sighting is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson which was published in the Daily Mail for 100. It was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, who, on his deathbed, revealed that the pictures were staged. Advertisement

European eels, or Anguilla anguilla, typically grow between two and 2.6 feet (60 and 80 cm) long, but exceptions have been noted.

In his new study, Mr Foxon calculated that there are over 8,000 eels in Loch Ness at any one time.

Based on this figure, the probability of finding an eel approximately 3.3 feet (one metre) long is around one in 50,000.

But the probability of finding an eel over 20 feet (six metres) in length is 'essentially zero'.

This suggests that if Nessie does exist, it likely is not just a giant eel, according to Mr Foxon.

'Some eels may account for purported sightings of somewhat large animals at the loch surface,' he wrote.

'Over the course of a few generations, an eel one metre in length may be expected. However, this is not quite the "monster" postulated.'

Mr Foxon, who studied Physics at the University of Nottingham but is now based in Pennsylvania, concludes that sightings of the Loch Ness monster could be accounted for by 'wave phenomena' or 'the occasional stray mammal.'

The scientist's calculations were published on bioRxiv as a pre-print that has yet to be peer-reviewed, along with a similar study on Bigfoot.

Bigfoot, or 'sasquatch', is a hairy, hominid species not yet recognised by science, which stands over six feet tall and allegedly roams the US and Canada.

Mr Foxon used statistical modelling to see if there were any correlations between Bigfoot (left) sightings and black bear population size in each state and province of North America. Right: Maps that show number of sasquatch reports (top) and black bear populations (bottom) in the United States and Canada

Sightings have been linked to misidentification of the American black bear, Ursus americanus, and Mr Foxon wanted to test the plausibility of this theory.

He used statistical modelling to see if there were any correlations between Bigfoot sightings and black bear population size in each state and province of North America.

This revealed that one sighting is expected for every 900 bears in a given region, giving weight to the misidentification theory.

'In conclusion, if bigfoot is there, it may be many bears,' he wrote.
It experienced 'gravitational lensing', which allowed it to travel for so long

Scientists have detected a mysterious radio wave which started almost nine billion light-years away from Earth.

But before you get excited, this is not a sign that aliens are trying to contact us from another corner of the universe.

Instead, cosmologists from the Indian Institute of Science and McGill University say that the signal was emitted from a star-forming galaxy 8.8 billion years ago.

Properties of the signal indicate that it came from gaseous hydrogen in a faraway galaxy named 'SDSSJ0826+5630'.

Scientists have detected a mysterious radio wave which started life almost nine billion light-years away from Earth. Pictured: Image of the radio signal from galaxy SDSSJ0826+5630

The radio wave in question was picked up by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Pune (pictured), India, and had a wavelength of 48 cm

WHAT IS 'REDSHIFT'? As radiation travels across expanding space, its wavelength is stretched and frequency reduced, through what is known as 'redshift'. The magnitude of the redshift allows scientists to calculate when the waves was emitted. Advertisement

Dr Arnab Chakraborty from McGill University. told MailOnline: 'This is definitely not from aliens, as we know the wavelength of the emission signal at the position of the galaxy and what the wavelength should be when the signal finally reaches us.

'And we measured the exact same wavelength as we expected.

'From this, we can definitely conclude that the signal is coming from hydrogen atoms.'

He added: 'It's the equivalent to a look-back in time of 8.8 billion years.'

Hydrogen is of great interest to physicists as it is the simplest element and one of the key building blocks of the universe.

After the Big Bang, around 13.8 billion years ago, hydrogen was spread throughout the universe as a fog from which the first stars and galaxies formed.

Scientists are always looking out for waves that can be traced back to this early hydrogen, to discover more about the creation of the universe.

The radio wave in question was picked up by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in Pune, India, and had a wavelength of 48 cm.

However, the researchers from Montreal, Canada and Bangalore, India deduced that this particular radio signal actually started life with a wavelength of 21 cm.

Neutral hydrogen atoms emit waves with a characteristic wavelength of 21 cm and frequency of 1420 MHz.

This enables them to penetrate dust clouds and cover great distances across the universe, where eventually some of them are detected by Earth-bound scientists.

But as this radiation travels across expanding space, its wavelength is stretched and frequency reduced, through what is known as 'redshift'.

Redshift allows scientists to calculate how long ago the wave was emitted which, in this case, was when our galaxy was just 4.9 billion years old.

Gravitational lensing is where the gravity of a massive object causes the magnification of electromagnetic radiation. Massive objects like galaxies cause space-time to bend around it, and if they are on the path of rays of light, the rays will be forced to take different paths to bend around it too. The rays then converge on the other side as a single, focused ray

WHAT IS 'GRAVITATIONAL LENSING'? Gravitational lensing is where the gravity of a massive object causes the magnification of electromagnetic radiation. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity states that gravity is not a force, but a warping of space-time as a result of the presence of mass or energy. If you think of a stretched-out sheet as space-time, and a melon as a representation of mass, dropping the melon on the sheet will cause the latter to curve around it. As a result, objects with less mass move towards the densest object on this curve, manifesting as a gravitational pull. Light is also affected by this curvature, as a massive object in its path causes each ray to take a different path and bend around it. All the rays then converge into a focused point on the other side of the object as a single, magnified ray which is more easily detectable by telescopes. Advertisement

Signs of hydrogen in the outer reaches of the universe are notoriously hard to come by.

The waves hydrogen atoms produce often have long wavelengths are are low in energy, making them unlikely to survive the long journey to our telescopes.

Up until now, the oldest hydrogen emission ever detected was 4.4 billion years old.

But this latest signal benefited from a phenomenon called 'gravitational lensing', which focused the rays and allowed for their detection.

Albert Einstein's theory of relativity states that gravity is not a force, but a warping of space-time as a result of the presence of mass or energy.

If you think of a stretched-out sheet as space-time, and a melon as a representation of mass, dropping the melon on the sheet will cause the latter to curve around it.

As a result, objects with less mass move towards the denser object on this curve, manifesting as a gravitational pull.

The more massive the object, for example a star, black hole or galaxy, the more space-time is warped and the stronger its gravitational pull.

Light is also affected by this curvature, as a massive object in its path causes each ray to take a different path and bend around it.

All the rays then converge into a single, focused ray on the other side of the object which is more easily to detect with telescopes.

Co-author Dr Nirupam Roy, from the Indian Institute of Science, said: 'Gravitational lensing magnifies the signal coming from a distant object to help us peer into the early universe.

Co-author Dr Nirupam Roy said: 'In this specific case, the signal is bent by the presence of another massive body, another galaxy, between the target and the observer. This effectively results in the magnification of the signal by a factor of 30, allowing the telescope to pick it up.' Pictured: Image of foreground galaxy taken by the Hubble Space Telescope which magnified the light from SDSSJ0826+5630

'In this specific case, the signal is bent by the presence of another massive body, another galaxy, between the target and the observer.

'This effectively results in the magnification of the signal by a factor of 30, allowing the telescope to pick it up.'

Dr Chakraborty told MailOnline: 'The lensing galaxy is close to us and only 1.7 billon years away.

'It is along the same line of sight as the background galaxy, which is close to 8.8 billions years away. '

The physicists were able to glean information about the hydrogen gas in the source galaxy from the signal.

In their paper, published this month in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, they say that the atomic mass of gas in SDSSJ0826+5630 is nearly double that of the stars visible from Earth.

They also hope that the discovery of such an old hydrogen emission means that more could be on the horizon, and result in a better understanding of the universe.

'A galaxy emits different kinds of radio signals,' said Dr Chakraborty.

'Until now, its only been possible to capture this particular signal from a galaxy nearby, limiting our knowledge to those galaxies closer to Earth.

'But thanks to the help of a naturally occurring phenomenon called gravitational lensing, we can capture a faint signal from a record-breaking distance.

'This will help us understand the composition of galaxies at much greater distances from Earth.'
More than a million households in England, Scotland and Wales will be paid to cut back their electricity usage between 5pm and 6pm today to prevent blackouts.

It comes amid warnings that energy supplies will be 'tighter than normal' on one of the coldest days of the year  but why is Britain so short of energy?

Experts say it is a 'perfect storm' of the cold weather ramping up demand, lower than usual wind power and uncertainty over whether the UK will be able to import the power it needs via undersea cables from Europe.

MailOnline delves deeper into the crisis and looks at whether this is now an annual trend.

What has caused the UK's energy shortage? Experts say cold weather ramping up demand, lower than usual wind power, and uncertainty over whether the UK will be able to import the power it needs via undersea cables from Europe are all to blame

With recent conditions being calmer, there has been less wind power generated (stock image)

Why is there an energy shortage?

One of the main reasons is the cold snap that has blanketed Britain over the past week, leading to an increase in the demand for power from UK households and businesses.

Not only this, but with conditions being calmer, there has been less wind power generated.

On some days wind can provide more than half the country's electricity, while just two weeks ago blustery conditions saw the UK break its record for wind power generation.

On some days wind can provide more than half the country's electricity, while just two weeks ago blustery conditions saw the UK break its record for wind power generation. This graphic shows how wind power supplied more than 57 per cent of the UK's electricity on January 14

But on Saturday it provided less than a quarter of Britain's electricity (pictured), meaning more natural gas had to be used to prop up demand, which in turn has been higher because of the cold weather

This was helped by a growing number of turbines across Britain.

Such has been the impact of strong wind speeds in recent weeks that it helped slash Britain's reliance on natural gas for electricity, which in turn saw gas prices fall close to their pre-Ukraine war level.

But with calmer conditions over the last seven days, and more on the way, wind power is forecast to be lower than usual.

So much so that on Saturday it provided less than a quarter of Britain's electricity, meaning more natural gas had to be used to prop up demand, which in turn has been higher because of the cold weather.

It is also unclear whether the UK will be able to import the power it needs via undersea cables from Europe.

Experts have previously expressed fears that the UK will face challenges getting gas from storage sites in Europe this winter, with countries on the continent facing their own supply crunch due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Is Russia to blame?

Sort of, but there are many other factors.

Ever since it invaded Ukraine, the Kremlin has reduced energy supplies to Europe in response to what it says are punitive economic sanctions imposed on it by the West.

Nord Stream 1, Russia's largest gas pipeline to Europe, was closed indefinitely last September after a number of leaks were found in it.

EU leaders said the leaks were caused deliberately, but the Kremlin has denied being to blame.

Nord Stream 1 would normally supply European Union states with about 35 per cent of all the gas they import from Russia.

While the UK does not itself rely on Russia for oil and gas, any disruption to the EU  or international supplies on the whole  causes a widespread impact that has a knock-on effect on Britain.

So how did it all begin?

'As countries began to recover from the pandemic, demand for gas increased and couldn't be met because of a supply shortage,' explains Abigail Ward, policy and communications officer at Energy Saving Trust.

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 - as long as they have a smart meter

Q&A: Can I sign up for the scheme that will pay me to use less electricity? How will it work? How can I sign up? The National Grid will run events asking customers to reduce their electricity use during a set time. 26 companies have signed up. They will either invite customers to sign up or allow them to apply via their websites? Do I have to take part? Customers can take part in as many - or as few - events as suits them What do I need? To get involved you must have a smart meter that automatically sends half hourly readings. What will happen? 1. You will get an alert the day before each event, telling them what window they need to reduce energy use in ie 5pm until 6pm. 2. Customer must confirm they are taking part by text or email 3. Use less energy during the event 4. They will save money on your bill and earn credit of up to 20 per day Advertisement

'This caused gas prices to go up in 2021. Russia's invasion of Ukraine then threatened supplies, and this drove up the price of gas even more.'

As mentioned above, the UK can tap into storage sites in Europe if it needs to, even if that is looking a little more precarious this year.

Part of the reason it has to do this is because Britain has some of the lowest amounts of gas storage capabilities in Europe, leaving the market exposed to the supply crunch.

Less than one per cent of Europe's stored gas is held by the UK, despite us relying heavily on it for home heating and cooking.

Why are electricity prices affected by the gas shortage?

Electricity prices are also high because they're directly linked to gas prices.

'Although about 40 per cent of our electricity comes from renewables, this is combined mostly with gas-generated electricity transmitted and distributed across our electricity network,' said Ms Ward.

'The way the energy system is set up ties the price of electricity to gas even though there are more renewables on the grid.'

Will there really be blackouts?

The National Grid is adamant its latest action is just precautionary and it is confident that there won't be blackouts.

In November last year, energy bosses said blackouts would be a last resort if supplies were low over the winter.

However, National Grid chief John Pettigrew added that short rolling power cuts were a possibility.

He told the BBC the company was working on a number of scenarios to protect the UK against a supply shortfall, including restarting mothballed coal-fired power stations and paying households and businesses to cut consumption at peak times.

Most energy analysts also believe that the chances of blackouts have receded as gas prices have fallen.

What is being done about it?

The National Grid is activating its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) for an hour this evening with 26 energy suppliers such as British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus Energy.

Families will be paid between 10 and 20 to cut their usage to prevent blackouts on one of the coldest days of the year, amid warnings supplies will be 'tighter than normal'.

The grid operator also asked for three coal-fired generators to be put on standby in case electricity supplies ran low, but has since stood them down.

The coal plants were due to close in September but have been kept open longer as potential backup while the UK grapples with a disruption to natural gas supplies following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Will turning off a washing machine for an hour really help?

The National Grid certainly thinks so, so much so that the man in charge of the project has refused to rule out rolling out the 'world-leading' scheme every winter, saying it will 'drive forward towards net zero'.

Asked if it could become a feature of British life each winter, Craig Dyke told the BBC: 'It's something we strongly believe in. This is the start of something much much bigger'.

More than one million users have signed up for the service. But critics have condemned the decision to open it only to the 29.5million homes and businesses with smart meters, which means just under half the population is ineligible.

The National Grid is encouraging homeowners to take part in the scheme in a bid to avoid potential blackouts - this is how much they could save. Experts have suggested its customers could save as much as 240 this winter if there are 12 Demand Flexibility Service events called by the National Grid

Supply chain expert Richard Bartlett said: 'The blackout scheme just seems like another gimmick. I can't see how it's going to work. It's just the Government's way of rolling through situations without tackling the issue'.

Mr Bartlett said he is worried about the number of people who may be without heating. He added: 'The savings that it is going to amount to doesn't seem worth the amount of work involved. I can't see myself doing it and I can't see many others doing it either.'

It's fair to say that this scheme is unlikely to have a big impact on Britain's energy usage un the short-term.

But what the National Grid and energy bosses are banking on is that it leads to a change in attitudes towards energy usage and encourages people to save power.

Time will tell if that will be the case.

What can you do to reduce your energy bills?

Mark Sait, CEO of SaveMoneyCutCarbon, shares some tips.

He says behaviour change is important when it comes to Britons and their energy usage.

'What needs to happen is finding a way to be smarter with energy use,' Mr Sait said.

'This can start with the least cost-effective way  behaviour. i.e. not just turning your heating off but checking when your timer is set, and switching off appliances/boilers that aren't in use.

'Or, it can be low-cost, sustainable swaps. The most obvious is a swap to the LED lightbulb  you will be using fewer units of energy and it works out to be a big saving.

'Small changes make a big difference.

'Not everyone can afford big solar panels, electric cars and so on, so education, behaviour change, community and coming together will make the biggest difference.

'There's always more to be done on our end  people just need the facts to know where to begin.'
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has found the 'building blocks of life' frozen inside the deepest, coldest ices measured in a molecular cloud.

Methane, sulfur, nitrogen and ethanol were identified in the Chameleon 1 cloud, 500 light years from Earth, which suggests these molecules are a typical result of star formation rather than a unique feature of our Solar System.

JWST sent back a never-before-seen image of the icy cloud, which was found to be the coldest ice ever measured, with a temperature of about -505 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because these elements are necessary for life, the latest data will let scientists see how much of each goes into forming new planets and allow them to see how habitable the world will be.

Methane, sulfur, nitrogen and ethanol were identified in the Chameleon 1 cloud (pictured), which is located 500 light years from Earth

'This molecular cloud is so cold and dark that various molecules have frozen onto grains of dust inside. Webb's data proves for the first time that molecules more complex than methanol can form in the icy depths of such clouds before stars are born,' NASA's official Webb Telescope Twitter account shared.

Using Webb's infrared abilities, researchers studied how the icy molecules within absorbed starlight from beyond the molecular cloud.

This process left the team with 'chemical fingerprints,' or absorption lines, that could be compared with lab data to identify the molecules.

In this study, the team targeted ices buried in a particularly cold, dense, and difficult-to-investigate region of the Chamaeleon I molecular cloud, which is currently forming dozens of young stars.

Klaus Pontoppidan, Webb project scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, said in a statement: 'We simply couldn't have observed these ices without Webb.

'The ices show up as dips against a continuum of background starlight. In regions that are this cold and dense, much of the light from the background star is blocked, and Webb's exquisite sensitivity was necessary to detect the starlight and therefore identify the ices in the molecular cloud.'

On Earth, methane includes emissions from wetlands and oceans and from the digestive processes of termites.

And ethanol comes from fermenting starches and sugars.

NASA and the European Space Agency said these elements are essential ingredients in the atmosphere of habitable planets and are the basis of sugars, alcohols, and simple amino acids.

Will Rocha, an astronomer at Leiden Observatory, said: 'Our identification of complex organic molecules, like methanol and potentially ethanol, also suggests that the many star and planetary systems developing in this particular cloud will inherit molecules in a fairly advanced chemical state.

'This could mean that the presence of precursors to prebiotic molecules in planetary systems is a common result of star formation rather than a unique feature of our own solar system.'

This research forms part of the Ice Age project, one of Webb's 13 Early Release Science programs. These observations showcase Webb's observing capabilities and allow the astronomical community to learn how to get the best from its instruments.

Astronomers have taken an inventory of the most deeply embedded ices in a cold molecular cloud to date

These lines indicate which substances are present within the molecular cloud. These graphs show spectral data from three of the James Webb Space Telescopes instruments

The Ice Age team has already planned further observations and hopes to trace the journey of ices from their formation to the assemblage of icy comets.

Melissa McClure, an astronomer at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands,, concluded: 'This is just the first in a series of spectral snapshots that we will obtain to see how the ices evolve from their initial synthesis to the comet-forming regions of protoplanetary disks.

'This will tell us which mixture of ices  and therefore which elements  can eventually be delivered to the surfaces of terrestrial exoplanets or incorporated into the atmospheres of giant gas or ice planets.'
A comet not seen since Neanderthals walked the Earth 50,000 years ago is returning in a week, but astrophotographers are getting a sneak peek at the once-in-a-generation ice ball.

Andrew McCarthy, from Arizona, snapped a stunning image of C/2022 E3 (ZTF), capturing the bright greenish coma and long, glowing tail.

Currently, E3 can only be seen with a telescope, but it will be visible to the naked eye when it reaches perigee - the point at which it is nearest to the earth - at the start of February, when it is 26 million miles away.

McCarthy told DailyMail.com that he spent an entire morning tracking the comet and the 'result is a stack from about 45 photos captured over a period of an hour between clouds.'

Andrew McCarthy tracked the comet for hours, snapping pictures every chance he could. The final result, which shows the comet's natural colors, is a stunning image of its green coma and glowing tail

McCarthy continued to explain that there were many clouds in the sky the day he was tracking E3 and snapped photos every chance he got.

'The image actually had a lot of artifacts from the clouds and being near a streetlight,' he told DailyMail.com.

'The raw image looked terrible as a result. You can see some of the artifacts from the clouds here, showing uneven patches.

'You can also see how the stars and the comet were in different positions over that hour, which also had to be corrected (which is a very complicated procedure).'

McCarthy said he performed a lot of processing to clean up the image to get the stunning result, but the ion tail seen in the unprocessed photo 'is accurate.'

And he told DailyMail.com the color in the image is real.

In early March, astronomers discovered Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) using the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility.

Since then, the new long-period comet has brightened substantially and is now sweeping across the northern constellation Corona Borealis in predawn skies.

Stargazers will be able to tell the difference between the comet and surrounding stars as it will have a streaking trail of dust following it.

A glowing green coma, a cloud of gas, will be clinging around it.

This gas is formed as the comet passes close to the sun, causing its ice to change state.

Comets are known for being unpredictable, but the brightness of C/2022 E3, according to its current trend, should make it easy to spot with binoculars or a telescope.

However, those without specialist equipment should not worry, as it may even be visible to the naked eye if the skies are dark enough later this month.

However, Bryce Bolin, who discovered the comet last year, 'secretly hope[s] it will disintegrate' as 'that's where the more interesting science is.'

Currently, E3 can only be seen with a telescope , but it will be visible to the naked eye when it reaches perigee at the start of February, when it is 26 million miles away. McCarthy shared an unprocessed image of the comet

McCarthy continued to explain that there were many clouds in the sky the day he was tracking E3 and snapped photos every chance he got

He told the Boston Globe: 'Comets are the cats of the solar system; they do whatever they want.

'Like cats they have fluffiness. Comets have been observed to have peculiar behaviors, like fragmenting or disintegrating.

'But there is not really a strong correlation between the distance to the sun and the kind of disintegration events that occur. It could break apart on its way in before it ever comes close to the sun, or even after.'

The NASA postdoctoral program fellow said that he and Caltech senior staff scientist Frank Masci were at the California Institute of Technology's Palomar Observatory when artificial intelligence flagged the comet was unknown.

If the unaided eye can spot this newly discovered comet, it will be the first time since NEOWISE soared by Earth in 2020, although it won't be anywhere near as spectacular.
Make your holiday budget stretch further with our handy guide

Planning a holiday requires plenty of cunning to keep a lid on spending. With that in mind, here is our guide to making sure you dont end up paying too much...

BE OPEN-MINDED

Flight-search sites such as Skyscanner or Google Flights show you best-value destinations from your nearest airport. You never know what may catch your eye.

BUY PLANE TICKETS EARLY

Pick up the cheapest fares by being quick off the mark. Airlines usually release tickets around a year before departure, but some carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet have shorter pre-sale periods.

BEST DAY TO TRAVEL

Airfares are at their cheapest for flights to Europe on Tuesdays, according to the travel comparison site travelsupermarket.com. Many business travellers prefer to fly on Mondays and return on Fridays, so the cheapest weekend mini-breaks can often be Thursday to Tuesday.

TRANSATLANTIC FOR LESS

Budget airlines such as Norse and Play have made fares to the U.S more competitive

Fares for U.S. flights are rather competitive, especially to New York (from around 300 return), thanks to new budget airlines such as Norse (flynorse.com) and Play (flyplay.com). Theres JetBlue (jetblue.com), BA (britishairways.com) and Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com), too.

EUROSTAR HACK

It's best to book Eurostar tickets as soon as they are available. Most are released 180 days before departure at eurostar.com.

CURRENCY CHECK

Sterling is doing well year-on-year with the Turkish lira (up 23 per cent), Egyptian pound (30 per cent), Swedish krona (4 per cent), Japanese yen (4 per cent) and Hungarian forint (3 per cent). See changes at xe.com. And never buy foreign currency at the airport.

GO ALL-INCLUSIVE

With the pound wobbling against some currencies, booking an all-inclusive holiday makes more sense than ever. Try tui.co.uk, thomascook.com and jet2holidays.com.

GET MORE MONEY ADVICE

Each year Post Office Travel Money releases a report on costs at overseas resorts. Marmaris in Turkey came out cheapest most recently, followed by Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, the Algarve in Portugal and Cape Town in South Africa.

JOIN A TOUR

Signing up for an escorted tour can cost 25 per cent less than going DIY, as operators get discounts on accommodation, attractions and guides. Check the latest deals at group specialists newmarketholidays.co.uk, titantravel.co.uk and travel.saga.co.uk.

TRY A TRAVEL AGENT

High-street travel agents can sometimes offer cheaper deals

Travel agents rarely get a look-in these days. But see if a High Street agent such as barrheadtravel.co.uk, trailfinders.com, flightcentre.co.uk and haystravel.co.uk can do it cheaper. You may be surprised

BEST-VALUE MONTHS

November and January are the best for bargain hunters. Big discounts are on offer, says Brian Young, managing director of G Adventures (gadventures.com).

AVOID THE SUMMER

Go during shoulder months and steer clear of June to August. May and September are the best for sun and low prices.

BOOK HOTELS DIRECT

If you are brave enough to wait until the last minute, many tour operators offer deals of as much as 60 per cent off the original cost  and 20 to 30 per cent in the weeks before departure

Hotel websites often offer lower rates than general booking sites, so always check with the hotel. Compare with the likes of booking.com and hotels.com.

STAY ON A SUNDAY

If you're after a couple of days away in the UK, try staying on a Sunday night, when rates can be as much as 50 per cent off.

SIGN UP FOR DEALS

Free membership-based websites have sprung up, offering flash sales on package holidays to the Med, and hotel stays that need to be filled. See travelzoo.com, secretescapes.com, holidaypirates.com and voyage-prive.co.uk.

LAST-MINUTE GETAWAYS

If you are brave enough to wait until the last minute, many tour operators offer deals of as much as 60 per cent off the original cost  and 20 to 30 per cent in the weeks before departure. TUI (tui.co.uk) is great for this.

GREAT CITY RATES

Cities that are popular for business travel, such as Milan, Frankfurt, Munich and Luxembourg City, often have cheaper hotel rates at weekends. Many European cities also offer city cards, with discounts on attractions and transport, to be bought in advance. Lisbon has 24-hour cards costing from 17.45 (shop.visitlisboa.com).

HOLIDAY HOME DISCOUNTS

If you are taking a large group of friends or family, wait to book until a month before going. Discounts of 40 per cent on UK holiday homes are possible. Try byquince.co.uk, vrbo.com or cottages.com.

CHEAP EUROPEAN TRAINS

Avoid high-speed trains when on a Europe rail adventure and opt for cheaper regional services, especially on Wednesdays or Sundays. See fredholidays.co.uk, seat61.com, thetrainline.com and raileurope.com.

LONG ADVENTURES

Save on your heating bill by disappearing somewhere sunny for a month or longer. You can only stay in the EU for a maximum of 90 days during any 180-day period. Jet2holidays.com offers 55 nights at the Ourapraia Hotel Apartments in the Algarve from 1,612 pp, with Stansted flights on February 10.

FIND MORE TIPS ONLINE

Check out our budget city guides for short-haul destinations with rooms for less than 100 a night at dailymail.co.uk/travel.
She's had six weddings, two annulments and four divorces. But Pamela Anderson tells a Netflix documentary that her first husband, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, is the only man she has ever truly loved.

In Pamela, A Love Story, released on Netflix on January 31st, she says to son Brandon: 'I really loved your Dad for all the right reasons and I really don't think I've loved anybody else. It's ****ed.'

She adds: 'I think I'd rather be alone than not be with the father of my kids. I think it's impossible to be with anybody else but I don't think I could be with Tommy either. It's almost like a punishment.'

Anderson, 55, was married to Lee from 1995 to 1998. They famously got married on a beach in Cancun, Mexico after a four day whirlwind courtship.

Pamela Anderson tells a Netflix documentary that her first husband, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, is the only man she has ever truly loved

The marriage ended after Lee assaulted her while she was holding their six week old son Dylan. He was sentenced to six months in prison.

She is candid in the film about her romantic disasters  from an early love who she caught washing his penis in the sink ('Suspicious,' she wrote in her journal) to husband Rick Salomon who she married twice.

The first time around the union ended after she says she found his crack pipe in the Christmas tree. 'He still to this day denies it was his,' she says.

She also claims that actor Sylvester Stallone offered her a love contract. They dated in 1989 between Stallone's second and third marriages.

Anderson, 55, was married to Lee from 1995 to 1998. They famously got married on a beach in Cancun, Mexico after a four day whirlwind courtship

Anderson said: 'He offered me a condo and a Porsche to be his number one girl and I was like: 'Does that mean there's a number two girl?  Nuh uh'. And he's like: 'That's the best offer you are going to get honey, you are in Hollywood now.' But I wanted to be really in love, and I didn't want anything less than that.'

Overall, Anderson has had six weddings, two annulments and four divorces in her lifetime

Other loves were actors Mario Van Peebles, Scott Baio and David Charvet. At one point in the documentary she reads an entry in her journal which says: 'I woke up at Marios, went home to change and then went to Scott's' and laughs saying: 'Why would I even write that down because God forbid you do a documentary and find out what kind of a whore you are!'

There are fond words for surfer Kelly Slater, but he was astonished to find that his girlfriend, who he was preparing to fly to Florida to meet his family, had married someone else: Tommy Lee.

Anderson tells the story of their romance for laughs, pointing out that she barely knew Lee, asking him what their married name would be (she thought he was named Tommy Lee Jones, confusing him with the actor).

On their first night together she took Ecstasy with her champagne, and the night was 'a big happy blur.'

She says: 'What was different about Tommy was that there were no secrets, there was no deception, there was no game playing, it was really just full on heart to heart explosive kind of love. We didn't know anything about each other and it ended up being one of the wildest most beautiful love affairs ever.'

The marriage ended after Lee assaulted Anderson while she was holding their six week old son Dylan. He was sentenced to six months in prison

She was devastated after losing their first baby in a miscarriage while filming Barb Wire. And after the birth of oldest son Brandon, there were 'red flags' in the behaviour of Lee, who she calls: 'talented romantic and a bad drunk.'

He was jealous, which she found 'cute' and would turn up on set in Baywatch and stand in her eyeline if she had romantic storylines. After she kissed an actor for a storyline, he trashed her trailer on set.

She said that the changes which came with family life made her husband feel left out, and in 1998 came a fight which ended the marriage.

'I think Tommy went through a bit of postpartum Tommy was going I want my wife back I want my wife back. At that point I didn't know what to do.

'I just said: 'I need some ****ing help here, you've got to grow up. It's not about you any more.' I had never spoken to him that way before. I didn't recognise him. He went black and then I started hyperventilating, scared. Brandon was shaking and screaming and holding my leg so I called 911 I put the receiver off.'

Anderson said: 'What was different about Tommy was that there were no secrets, there was no deception, there was no game playing, it was really just full on heart to heart explosive kind of love'

He was arrested and charged with spousal and child abuse having allegedly grabbed her by the arm and kicked her back, causing her to fall over. Lee pleaded no contest to felony spousal battery and was sentenced to six months in jail.

Lee later said that he thought she had pressed charges because 'she wanted an easy way out of a difficult situation.'

There were rumours that they might remarry in 1999, and in 2005 Lee said that they were together again.

In the Netflix show, Anderson is filmed sifting through a pile of letters which he wrote to her from jail. 'He really fought for us to stay together. I had to bifurcate the divorce because he wouldn't sign the papers. But it wasn't a grey area for me - you can't do that.'

She wrote in her journal: 'I've never loved someone so deeply and by deeply I mean I loved his soul. I feel that a part of me has died.' She says that their coparenting was never easy, with subsequent husbands disliking Lee.

'I think what it all comes down to is that I never got over not being able to make it work with the father of my kids.

'Even though I thought I could recreate a family or fall in love with someone else it's just not me.

'I think that's probably why I keep failing in all my relationships. My parents were wild and crazy and hurt each other and hurt us, but they are happy now.'

With Kid Rock, she didn't experience the 'frenzy' of her romance with Tommy Lee. She doesn't even mention her brief marriage to film mogul Jon Peters.

Her last husband, builder Dan Hayhurst, is dismissed in a few moments. She says: 'He's a good Canadian guy. Normal. I just felt like maybe I need to try that. Don't know. Sometimes I don't know if I'm alive or dead. I'd love to live a romantic life every day.'

Son Dylan says: 'She loves getting married. You know, maybe it's her favourite thing in the world.'

Pamela, A Love Story, is on Netflix from January 31st.
SBS' 24-hour news channel WorldWatch has proved to be a flop with viewers.

Launched last May with millions in federal Government funding, the platform, which features bulletins from news outlets in 30 different countries, has consistently managed only a 'zero' in the OzTAM ratings.

This means that the number of people watching is so low on average it is not significant enough to create a score.

SBS' 24-hour news channel WorldWatch has proved to be a flop with viewers reported the Sydney Morning Herald on Friday Pictured: SBS managing director James Taylor (left) with SBS newsreaders Ali Bahnasawy and Rena Li

Meanwhile, the Arabic and Mandarin language news service produced by SBS, which is hosted on WorldWatch, continues to struggle to attract an audience reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

According to the publication's report, published on Friday, SBS' Arabic news has managed an average OzTAM rating of 151 viewers a night since May.

Their Mandarin-language evening bulletin, meanwhile, has managed an average of 858 fans in the same period according to OzTAM's data.

Among the news services regularly featured on WorldWatch are bulletins produced by 20 Heures in France, YTN in South Korea and Portugal's RTP.

Launched last May, the platform, which features bulletins from news outlets in 30 different countries, has consistently managed only a 0 in the OzTAM ratings. This means that the number of people watching is so low on average it is not significant enough to create a score

There are also bulletins from Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Poland.

The service also features news produced in languages such as Punjabi and Hindi, Arabic and Indonesian.

A total of 35 languages are represented on WorldWatch.

Among the news services regularly featured on WorldWatch are bulletins produced by 20 Heures in France, YTN in South Korea and Portugal's RTP Pictured: SBS' WorldWatch

Management at SBS has responded to the ratings report by the Sydney Morning Herald with a statement suggesting that 'thousands' are tuning into WorldWatch every month.

The metric used by the station calls into account the amount of people who tune into the platform to watch for more than five minutes at time.

Mandi Wicks, director of news and current affairs at SBS told the publication that the platform's audience was' stable and growing'.
Kylie Jenner donned a flashy baby blue coat and silvery heels for the Maison Margiela Paris Fashion Week show, resembling a Cinderella look.

The billionaire businesswoman, 25, commanded attention as she made her way into the designer showcase on Sunday.

The mother-of-two  who finally shared her son's name  rocked the complexly designed powder blue outer layer over a mini dress.

While getting dressed, she found time for an impromptu Instagram lingerie shoot in a busty crop top and matching knickers.

That will set tongues wagging: Kylie Jenner posed for an impromptu Instagram lingerie shoot while getting ready for a Paris fashion show on Sunday

Princess Kylie: She later stepped out in a flashy baby blue coat and silvery heels for the Maison Margiela Paris Fashion Week show, resembling a Cinderella look

The statement-making high-fashion coat boasted three different fabrics, including a light gray patterned lining.

Kylie used to her to hold it close as she was escorted through a crowd by a bodyguard.

At times she let the sky-colored cloak fall glamorously off her shoulders as she carried a tiny, stone-covered bag that coordinated with her shoes.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum teased her long legs as they poked through the cloak while she took strides.

Showstopper: The billionaire businesswoman, 25, commanded attention as she made her way into the designer showcase on Sunday

Notable footwear: Kylie slipped her feet into a dazzle pair of heels with a split toe design

For the exclusive event, the media personality pulled her raven tresses into a loose, low ponytail.

She left face-framing baby hair free around her hairline and skipped earrings for the fashion moment.

Jenner's face was meticulously beautified with a dewy, pink-toned makeup palette that highlighted her features.

Her thick eyebrows provided an anchor for the rest of her look, which included dark mascara and a shimmery eyeshadow.

Protective: Jenner was escorted by security who made sure she was safe as a crowd gathered around her

Details: The statement-making high-fashion coat boasted three different fabrics, including a light gray patterned lining

Star power: At times she let the sky-colored cloak fall glamorously off her shoulders as she carried a tiny, stone-covered bag that coordinated with her shoes

Kylie took to Instagram to share her perspective as she took her seat at the presentation.

And the Kylie Cosmetics founder shared a 'get dressed with me' roundup of photos on social media.

Engaging her massive following of 379 million, the fashionista gave viewers a look into her behind-the-scenes moments.

The socialite showed off cream-hued, designer undergarments, which included a spiked bra and high-waisted briefs in what appeared to be a latex material.

Up-close: Kylie took to Instagram to share her perspective as she took her seat at the presentation

Instagram content: The Kylie Cosmetics founder shared a 'get dressed with me' roundup of photos on social media

Additionally, she flaunted an almond-shaped nude manicure as she struck multiple poses.

The makeup maven gave the camera her best come-hither stare as she tantalized and captivated her audience.

One day earlier, the Hollywood fixture arrived in Paris on her private jet for the buzzed-about week.

It came after revealing her son's  who she shares with ex Travis Scott  face for the first time and his unusual new name.

Stunner: Jenner's face was meticulously beautified with a dewy, pink-toned makeup palette that highlighted her features

She and her former partner, who also co-parent daughter Stormi, four, had originally named the boy Wolf, but later changed it after deciding it didn't fit him.

The Kardashians star uploaded an Instagram photo series and penned the simple caption, 'Aire,' to officially announce the new moniker.

The first snapshot that she shared was a mirror selfie showing her holding her 11-month-old son on her hip.

Her second-born child was casual in a patterned, blue shark outfit as the TV personality gave a full glimpse of Aire's face for the first time.

She also explained her son's unique name is pronounced 'air' underneath a post on a fan account.

What's underneath: Kylie showed off her cream-hued, designer undergarments, which included a spiked bra and high-waisted briefs
Sam and Lara Worthington looked flustered on Friday as they wrangled their three young sons through check-in at Sydney Airport.

The couple, who are heading back to America after a brief trip to Sydney so Sam could promote his new Stan movie Transfusion, appeared to have their hands full as they hauled their bags through the terminal and kept an eye on their lively boys.

Sam, 46, and his model wife, 35, both donned all-black outfits with the Avatar: The Way of Water star opting for a T-shirt and baggy cargo pants.

Sam and Lara Worthington looked flustered on Friday as they wrangled their three young sons through check-in at Sydney Airport

He finished the casual look with a pair of combat boots and sunglasses as he gathered the family of five's numerous suitcases and bags.

Lara, meanwhile, sported an oversized leather jacket with a grey shirt and loose pants.

Like her Hollywood star husband, she slipped into a pair of black sneakers and shades, and also flashed a glimpse of her diamond-encrusted wedding band.

She completed her look with a Bottega Veneta handbag worth $8,250.

The couple, who are heading back to America after a brief trip to Sydney, appeared to have their hands full as they hauled their bags through the terminal and kept an eye on their boys

Sam, 46, and his model wife, 35, both donned all-black outfits with the Avatar: The Way of Water star opting for a T-shirt and baggy cargo pants

He finished the casual look with a pair of combat boots and sunglasses as he gathered the family of five's numerous suitcases and bags

Lara let her natural beauty shine through as she stepped out without a lick of makeup on.

As Sam took care of the bulk of the luggage, she kept an eye on their sons Rocket, six, Racer, four, and River, one.

It comes after Sam gave a rare insight into his family life with Lara and their three children during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday.

Lara, meanwhile, sported an oversized leather jacket with a grey shirt and loose pants

She flashed a glimpse of her diamond-encrusted wedding band and completed her look with a Bottega Veneta handbag worth $8,250

The Transfusion star extended some fatherly advice to new dad Kyle Sandilands after he welcomed his first child Otto five months ago.

He said there's no right or wrong way to be a parent after Kyle admitted he 'should have read a book or something' before the birth of son Otto.

'The books don't tell you anything... It's a hands-on experience and you learn as you go. That's what me and Lara are doing,' Sam said.

Lara let her natural beauty shine through as she stepped out without a lick of makeup on

As Sam took care of the bulk of the luggage, she kept an eye on their sons Rocket, six, Racer, four, and River, one

Sam mentioning his wife prompted Kyle to ask how his old friend Lara was doing, and make an interesting observation about the famous couple.

'Neither of you has aged. Is there some secret Hollywood serum you use?' he asked.

'I think I'm ageing!' Sam replied. 'Lara's like Benjamin Button, she's ageing backwards. She's getting better looking.'

The Stan Originals film, Transfusion, is available now on Stan.
Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are refusing to sign contracts for the latest series of Britain's Got Talent it's been reported.

The duo are said to be furious that new judge Bruno Tonioli, 67, who is replacing David Walliams, will see his new salary match their own - an estimated 850,000.

According to The Sun Amanda, 51, Alesha, 44, have sent the latest series into chaos with bosses scrambling to secure the TV favourites ahead of filming beginning in London next week.

Furious: Amanda Holden (left) and Alesha Dixon (right) are refusing to sign contracts for the latest series of Britain's Got Talent it's been reported

A source told the publication: 'Amanda has been on BGT for 17 years, while Alesha is going into her eleventh year. They don't think it's fair a newcomer could walk into the show and be handed the same deal as them'.

'It's a bit of a headache for BGT given filming for the next series begins at the London Palladium on Tuesday'.

'Bruno was still ironing out his contract on Friday too so it's all very much down to the wire'.

New member: Amanda, 51, Alesha, 44, have reportedly sent the latest series into chaos with bosses scrambling to secure the duo ahead of filming for series 16 due to begin in London next week

MailOnline have contacted reps for Amanda, Alesha and ITV for comment.

It comes after it was reported Bruno would triple the salary he received on Strictly Come Dancing by joining the ITV judging panel.

The former Strictly judge Bruno replace David Walliams who left the show last year after ITV bosses who wanted comedian Alan Carr were overruled by boss Simon Cowell.

Final details: It comes after it was reported bruno would triple the salary he received on Strictly Come Dancing by joining the ITV judging panel (L-R) David Walliams, Alesha, Amanda, Simon Cowell

Bruno, who is said to be 'delighted' to return to Saturday night prime time TV in the UK, will now overshadow his former Strictly co-stars wage by three times.

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are all believed to earn 250,000 per series on the Strictly judging panel.

It comes following battle between Bruno - a close friend of Simon's - and comedian Alan for the role. The show's judges Alesha and Amanda were told the identity of their new colleague in the last week.

According to the Daily Mail's Katie Hind, Bruno is yet to sign the contract but the job has been formally offered to him following at tug of war between ITV and BGT boss, who insisted that he had the role following David's departure.

Alan, 46, is understood to be 'devastated' at losing out on the job which he thought was his.

Bye bye: The former Strictly judge Bruno replace David Walliams who left the show last year after ITV bosses who wanted comedian Alan Carr were overruled by boss Simon Cowell

Friends of the star said that he told he would be joining the show by those close to it two weeks ago.

One told the Daily Mail: 'He is trying to keep his head up, he thought that he had it. It is really disappointing for him. BGT have really missed a trick, especially with the on-screen chemistry between him and Amanda.'

Meanwhile, a source close to the show said: 'It is one the most peculiar events in showbusiness in recent years. Alan was told that he had the job and then all of sudden Bruno's name popped up. It is so bizarre.

'Some ITV bosses are cross at the decision, their preference was Alan as did most involved in the show who were really over the moon at the prospect of having join them for series. They all wanted him but Cowell was against it, he wanted his friend.' Tonioli joining BGT means that there now two former Strictly judges on the panel - something ITV bosses are understood to have been against.

What a shame: Alan is understood to be 'devastated' at losing out on the job which he thought was his.

He thought he had the job - and had even begun making arrangements for his on-screen clothing - until he saw reports that Bruno was also in line to take over.

David, 51, was last year forced to leave the show after ten years following vile remarks he made about contestants during auditions in 2020.

It was reported in November that David stood down from his role, although sources close to the show say he 'jumped before he was pushed.'

His exit came after he described an elderly contestant as a c**t and made vile sexual remarks about a woman taking part during auditions in January 2020 at the London Palladium.

In one incident, picked up on the show's microphones, an older performer engaged in light-hearted banter with the judges in which he made a jibe about David.

Awkward! He thought he had the job - and had even begun making arrangements for his on-screen clothing - until he saw reports that Bruno was also in line to take over

After the audition, the pensioner left, and David is said to have described him as a 'c**t' three times.

In a separate incident, after a female contestant had walked off stage, David remarked: 'She's like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them, but you don't.' He later added: 'I know, she's just like: 'Oh, f*** off!' I was saying, she thinks you want to f*** her, but you don't.

'It's the last thing on your mind, but she's like: 'Yep, I bet you do!'

'No I don't! I had a bit of a b***r, but now it's going, it's now shrivelled up inside my body.'

David, one of the UK's best-known television personalities and children's book authors, was forced to apologise for his outbursts - but he insisted that they were private conversations.
Delta Goodrem has announced her Innocent Eyes 20th Anniversary Tour will commence later this year.

The 38-year-old songstress will hit the road across Australia between September and October to celebrate her debut album's milestone.

Delta's latest trek will mark her sixth headlining tour across Australia as she performs songs from the album that kick-started her career in several major cities.

Delta Goodrem (pictured) has announced her Innocent Eyes 20th Anniversary Tour will commence later this year

She promises her latest tour will be an intimate event taking fans on a journey through her artistry.

Not only will the tour thrill concert-goers with an array of performances, but the Born to Try star will also share her experiences about making the album.

Tour dates include shows at the Sydney Opera House on Monday, September 25, and Tuesday, September 26; Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Thursday, September 28, and Friday, September 29; the Adelaide Festival Centre on Sunday, October 1; and the Riverside Theatre in Perth on Saturday, October 7.

The 38-year-old songstress will hit the road across Australia between September and October to celebrate her debut album's milestone

New shows were added in Sydney and Melbourne due to popular demand after she first teased the tour earlier this month.

Innocent Eyes rocketed onto the charts in March 2003 and quickly became a multi-platinum-selling effort with 70,000 album sales.

The album spent an unprecedented 29 weeks at the top spot of the ARIA Albums Chart, which made it the biggest-selling debut for an Australian artist.

Delta's latest trek will mark her sixth headlining tour across Australia as she performs songs from the album that kick-started her career in several major cities

Delta is now in a relationship with musician Matt Copley, and is known to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight.

The couple first met while on tour in late 2017 and confirmed they were dating in January 2018, but have mostly kept their romance under wraps.

Last year, Delta achieved one of her musical dreams by opening for the Backstreet Boys on tour across America.

For more information on Delta Goodrem's Innocent Eyes 20th Anniversary Tour and to purchase tickets, visit ticketek.com.au
Anastasia Karanikolaou showcased her firm abs and toned legs as she enjoyed the beach in Turks and Caicos Sunday.

The 26-year-old model looked smolderingly hot in a very tiny bright pink bikini with a halter top and thong bottom as she luxuriated in the warm Caribbean breeze.

Stassie, as her friends call her, tagged the Heavy Manners clothing brand in the photo.

Smoldering: Anastasia Karanikolaou, 26, looked smolderingly hot in a very tiny bright pink bikini with a halter top and French cut thong bottom as she luxuriated in the warm Caribbean breeze

Both she and best friend, Kylie Jenner, 25, have promoted the brand, which includes high end, but size inclusive pieces.

The influencer combed her wet hair away from her tanned face and displayed her firm derriere in a photo as she walked away from the camera and into the turquoise water.

She accessorized with earrings and a pendant necklace with a gold chain.

Toned: The model showcased her firm abs and toned legs as she enjoyed the beach in Turks and Caicos Sunday

Tagged: Stassie, as her friends call her, tagged the Heavy Manners clothing brand in the photo, Both she and best friend, Kylie Jenner, 25, have promoted the brand, which includes high end but size inclusive pieces

The former Vine star seemed to be going for a natural look with her makeup, but boosted the look with a bold red lip.

The social media maven summed up her feelings with a brief 'this sh*t feels like paradise,' next to a series of five photos.

Anastasia posed in some sexy poses on the sand and in the water for the carousel of snaps.

Sexy: Anastasia posed in some sexy poses on the sand and in the water for the carousel of snaps

Musician Olivia O'Brien, who appears to be on the sumptuous girls trip with Stassie, seconded the thought, commenting 'Paradise' next to the post.

Bling Empire cast member Tina Leung shared approval, writing 'SO PERFECT.'

The fashionista shared some envy inducing video on Instagram stories Saturday sharing a few highlights from the holiday so far, which included boating and swimming with a dolphin.
Rebel Wilson and her fiancee Ramona Agruma were among the A-list guests at the extravagant opening of Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai over the weekend.

And while the lesbian couple appeared to have the time of their life at the lavish event, the Pitch Perfect star, 42, has now faced criticism from fans pointing out the United Arab Emirates is well-known for its anti-LGBT laws.

After Rebel posted about the ritzy trip on Instagram, many followers questioned why she was promoting tourism in a country where same-sex acts are a criminal offence - although these laws are not always enforced.

Rebel Wilson, 42, (right) and her fiancee Ramona Agruma (left) were among the A-list guests at the extravagant opening of Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai over the weekend

Wilson, who is a member of the LGBT community since coming out in June last year, posted a video of herself and Agruma having a blast in Dubai.

The opening of the luxury resort hotel featured an exclusive concert by Beyonce, who was allegedly paid $34million for her appearance.

'Atlantis The Royal is BEYond! What a weekend with BEY!' the Bridesmaids star gushed in a caption alongside photos from the event.

While the lesbian couple appeared to have the time of their life at the lavish event, the Pitch Perfect star has now faced criticism from fans pointing out the United Arab Emirates is well-known for its anti-LGBT laws

Followers were quick to slam Wilson for promoting the UAE and one of its most luxurious cities, citing its notorious anti-gay laws.

'So any update on the situation of LGBTQ there?' one asked.

'Aren't you a member of LGBTQ+ community?' another commented.

After Rebel posted about the ritzy trip on Instagram, many followers questioned why she was promoting tourism in a country where same-sex acts are a criminal offence - although these laws are not always enforced

'Human rights? LGBTQ? Unfollowing now,' a third wrote, while a fourth added: 'Oh, the privilege. What about other LGBT people?'

Another took a swipe at Wilson for turning a blind eye to the country's reputation so she could enjoy 'a nice free trip'.

'I had friends who were homosexual in Dubai. They had to get a two-bedroom apartment just in case the authorities knocked on their door,' they added.

Wilson was joined by some of the world's biggest stars, including Kendall Jenner, Liam Payne and Ellen Pompeo, for the publicity extravaganza for Atlantis The Royal

Wilson was joined by some of the world's biggest stars, including Kendall Jenner, Liam Payne and Ellen Pompeo, for the publicity extravaganza for Atlantis The Royal.

Channel Seven presenter Sonia Kruger, who inexplicably got on the guest list, thought her invite to the 'next-level crazy' opening was a 'joke' at first because it came through her Instagram DMs.

She told Fifi, Fev and Nick on Monday morning: 'You walk through the hotel foyer and walk past Kendall Jenner, there's Jay-Z over at the beach bar.'

Channel Seven's Sonia Kruger, who inexplicably got on the guest list, thought her invite to the 'next-level crazy' opening was a 'joke' at first because it came through her Instagram DMs

According to AMERA International, a website for refugee legal aid resources, the UAE Penal Code says any sexual acts outside of heterosexual marriage carry a penalty of a minimum one-year 'confinement'.

However, it goes on to say: 'The Arabic of article 354 is written in such a way that it could be taken as condemning all male homosexual intercourse to the death penalty or only forced male homosexual intercourse.

'Amnesty International interprets the article as condemning perpetrators of rape of both men and women to death, but it can also be translated: "Whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male."'
Aubrey Plaza arrived at JFK airport and left New York City on Sunday, right after hosting Saturday Night Live for the very first time.

Clutching a pillow and wearing minimal makeup, the White Lotus star, 38, kept it comfy and casual for her day of travel.

Plaza's triumphant debut as SNL host was aided by a parade of A-list guest stars  from President Joe Biden and Amy Poehler, to the one and only Sharon Stone.

Bite out of The Big Apple: Aubrey Plaza, 38, arrived at JFK airport and left New York City on Sunday, right after hosting Saturday Night Live for the very first time

Walking through the airport in a pair of white kicks, Plaza donned a long SMYTHE tweed coat, simple black pants, and a weathered gray sweater.

The Ingrid Goes West star rocked her platinum blonde hair underneath a powder blue ball cap.

Presumably exhausted from her grueling duties as SNL host, Aubrey walked with purpose as she trudged through JFK and made her way to the departing gate.

The Delaware native calls Los Angeles home as she recently upgraded to a Spanish-style house in the Hollywood Hills for $4.7 million, according to Dirt.

Heading home: Clutching a pillow and wearing minimal makeup, the White Lotus star, 38, kept it comfy and casual for her day of travel

Aubrey's first time hosting Saturday Night Live was a major success.

The talented star nailed her opening monologue and even received some help from President Joe Biden.

Biden's cameo came after she joked: 'I was actually voted the most famous person from Delaware. I beat Joe Biden, in fact. Thats a fact, and he was pissed! He was livid! Look at this video he sent me.'

Appearing in a pre-recorded message, Biden said: 'Aubrey, youre the most famous person out of Delaware and theres no question about that. Were just grateful you made it out of White Lotus alive.'

SNL success: Aubrey nailed her opening monologue on SNL and even received some help from President Joe Biden. Biden's cameo came after she joked, 'I was actually voted the most famous person from Delaware. I beat Joe Biden, in fact. Thats a fact, and he was pissed! He was livid! Look at this video he sent me'

Appearing in a pre-recorded message, Biden said: 'Aubrey, youre the most famous person out of Delaware and theres no question about that. Were just grateful you made it out of White Lotus alive'

During her monologue, Aubrey told the audience that she worked as an NBC page at the beginning of her career.

Since a page is responsible for leading tours around 30 Rock, Aubrey proceeded to give the SNL cameras a hilarious tour.

The tour took Aubrey into another full circle moment when she ran into her Parks and Recreation co-star  and SNL legend  Amy Poehler, 51.

'So, Aubrey, I see that youre wearing your page jacket,' said Amy at one point. 'Are you drinking again?'

Aubrey and Amy reunited once more in the show when they reprised their roles in Parks and Recreation for Weekend Update.

And Plaza's epic night ended on a high note when Sharon Stone, 64, sprawled herself out on a divan during Sam Smith's musical performance.

Turning the page: During her monologue, the Ingrid Goes West star told the audience that she worked as an NBC page at the beginning of her career. Since a page is responsible for leading tours around 30 Rock, Aubrey proceeded to give the SNL cameras a hilarious tour

Reunited: The tour took Aubrey into another full circle moment when she ran into her Parks and Recreation co-star  and SNL legend  Amy Poehler, 51. 'So, Aubrey, I see that youre wearing your page jacket,' said Amy at one point. 'Are you drinking again?'

Reprising their roles: Plaza and Poehler reunited once more in the show when they reprised their roles in Parks and Recreation for Weekend Update
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Insatiable alum Debby Ryan suited up for the world premiere of her film Shortcomings at the Eccles Theatre in Park City on Sunday during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

The Alabama-born 29-year-old looked sophisticated in a black diamond-print double-breasted blazer, matching wide-leg pants, and pointy-toed heels selected by stylist Chris Horan.

Debby - who's married to Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun - had her fringed ombre waves coiffed into two back braids, which were interlaced with safety pins and rhinestone stars.

Sundance style! Insatiable alum Debby Ryan suited up for the world premiere of her film Shortcomings at the Eccles Theatre in Park City on Sunday during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

Make-up artist Kristin Hilton brought out Ryan's natural beauty with defined brows and winged eye-liner.

The former Disney Channel star was joined at the premiere by her co-stars Timothy Simons, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, director Randall Park, and co-star Justin H. Min.

Shortcomings marks the 48-year-old Fresh Off the Boat alum's feature directorial debut, which will compete for the popular fest's Grand Jury Prize.

Randall - wearing a plaid shirt and duck boots - was joined by his wife of 13 years, Candy Coated Christmas actress Jae Suh Park.

Chic: The Alabama-born 29-year-old looked sophisticated in a black diamond-print double-breasted blazer, matching wide-leg pants, and pointy-toed heels selected by stylist Chris Horan

Pretty plaits: Debby had her fringed ombre waves coiffed into two back braids, which were interlaced with safety pins and rhinestone stars

Big smile: Make-up artist Kristin Hilton brought out Ryan's natural beauty with defined brows and winged eye-liner

Reunited! The former Disney Channel star was joined at the premiere by her co-stars Timothy Simons, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, director Randall Park, and co-star Justin H. Min

The Asian-American Bay Area dramedy also stars Tavi Gevinson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jacob Batalon, and Timothy Simons.

'Being a part of making a film is the great treat of my life,' Debby wrote on Instagram last Thursday.

'This film is called Shortcomings. Not unlike my own shortcomings, it is complicated and messy and comedic and also has a lot to do with finding ways to belong and be loved lol I have not seen it yet but I'm gonna check it out at Sundance this weekend!'

There's still four more in-person screenings of Ryan's film on January 23, 24, 26, and 27.

U.S. Dramatic Competition: Shortcomings marks the 48-year-old Fresh Off the Boat alum's feature directorial debut, which will compete for the popular fest's Grand Jury Prize

Randall - wearing a plaid shirt and duck boots - was joined by his wife of 13 years, Candy Coated Christmas actress Jae Suh Park.

Four more screenings! The Asian-American Bay Area dramedy also stars Tavi Gevinson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jacob Batalon, and Timothy Simons

Debby wrote on Instagram last Thursday: 'Being a part of making a film is the great treat of my life. This film is called Shortcomings. Not unlike my own shortcomings, it is complicated and messy and comedic and also has a lot to do with finding ways to belong and be loved lol I have not seen it yet but I'm gonna check it out at Sundance this weekend!'

The US Military Brat - who boasts 34.9M social media followers - Instastoried two snaps of the snowy Utah setting.

Missing from Debby's side was her husband Josh Dun with whom she celebrated four years of wedded bliss on New Year's Eve.

Ryan reportedly began dating the 34-year-old Grammy winner in May 2013 before splitting in September 2014 and eventually rekindling their romance.

The Velma guest star wasn't the only one opting for menswear as her castmates Sherry Cola and Ally Maki - who play Alice and Miko - also wore black suits for the festivities.

Snapshots: The US Military Brat - who boasts 34.9M social media followers - Instastoried two snaps of the snowy Utah setting

Halloween 2022 portrait: Missing from Debby's side was her husband - Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun - with whom she celebrated four years of wedded bliss on New Year's Eve

The Umbrella Academy's Justin H. Min heads up Shortcomings as struggling filmmaker Ben, whose girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) moves to New York for an internship and leaves him to explore what he thinks he might want.

Shortcomings screenwriter Adrian Tomine - who adapted his own 2007 graphic novel - wore a corduroy blazer over a sweater and jeans and duck shoes.

Ahead of the screening, Park expressed condolences for the victims of Saturday night's mass shooting in Monterey Park - not far from where the movie was set.

Sunday was a family affair for The Masked Singer #7 champ Teyana Taylor who brought her husband Iman Shumpert and two daughters - Iman Tayla, 7; and Rue Rose, 2 - to the world premiere of her film A Thousand and One.

Talented trio: The Velma guest star wasn't the only one opting for menswear as her castmates Sherry Cola (L) and Ally Maki (M) - who play Alice and Miko - also wore black suits for the festivities

Protagonist: The Umbrella Academy's Justin H. Min heads up Shortcomings as struggling filmmaker Ben, whose girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) moves to New York for an internship and leaves him to explore what he thinks he might want

Source material: Shortcomings screenwriter Adrian Tomine - who adapted his own 2007 graphic novel - wore a corduroy blazer over a sweater and jeans and duck shoes.

RIP: Ahead of the screening, Park expressed condolences for the victims of Saturday night's mass shooting in Monterey Park - not far from where the movie was set

The 32-year-old retired R&B songstress posed at The Ray Theater wearing a grey Thom Browne skirt suit beneath a large beige wrap, sweatpants, and hiking boots.

Teyana portrays a mother called Inez, who kidnaps her six-year-old son from the foster care system, in A.V. Rockwell's feature directorial debut also starring Aaron Kingsley Adetola, William Catlett, and Josiah Cross.

11-time Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus glammed up for the world premiere of her new A24 movie You Hurt My Feelings at the Eccles Center Theatre on Sunday.

The 62-year-old native New Yorker - who plays a longtime married novelist called Beth - wore a flirty black-collared zip-up dress with matching shiny boots selected by stylist Kevin Michael Ericson.

Six years strong! Sunday was a family affair for The Masked Singer #7 champ Teyana Taylor who brought her husband Iman Shumpert and two daughters - Iman Tayla, 7; and Rue Rose, 2 - to the world premiere of her film A Thousand and One

Eccentric attire: The 32-year-old retired R&B songstress posed at The Ray Theater wearing a grey Thom Browne skirt suit beneath a large beige wrap, sweatpants, and hiking boots

Cast and crew: Teyana portrays a mother called Inez, who kidnaps her six-year-old son from the foster care system, in A.V. Rockwell's (2-L) feature directorial debut also starring Aaron Kingsley Adetola (M), William Catlett (2-R), and Josiah Cross (R)

Hairstylist Matthew Monzon coiffed Julia's side-parted raven locks and make-up artist Karen Kawahara brought out her brown eyes and pink pout.

Louis-Dreyfus was joined at the You Hurt My Feelings premiere by producer Stefanie Azpiazu, co-star Tobias Menzies, director Nicole Holofcener, and producer Anthony Bregman.

Spotted chilling outside Acura Festival Village was Top Gun: Maverick star Jennifer Connelly.

The 52-year-old Oscar winner made the rounds at Variety Sundance Studio and Vulture on Main Street while bundled un a grey winter coat over a black skirt, tights, and high-heeled boots selected by stylist Leslie Fremar.

Surrounded! 11-time Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus glammed up for the world premiere of her new A24 movie You Hurt My Feelings at the Eccles Center Theatre on Sunday

Babe! The 62-year-old native New Yorker - who plays a longtime married novelist called Beth - wore a flirty black-collared zip-up dress with matching shiny boots selected by stylist Kevin Michael Ericson

Seinfeld alum: Hairstylist Matthew Monzon coiffed Julia's side-parted raven locks and make-up artist Karen Kawahara brought out her brown eyes and pink pout

Group shot: Louis-Dreyfus was joined at the You Hurt My Feelings premiere by (from L-R) producer Stefanie Azpiazu, co-star Tobias Menzies, director Nicole Holofcener, and producer Anthony Bregman

Hairstylist Renato Campora blew out Jennifer's raven bob as she promoted her role as a former child star called Lucy attending a spiritual retreat in the dark mother-daughter comedy, Bad Behaviour.

Connelly later caught up with her co-star Ben Whishaw and director Alice Englert, who pulls double duty as her stunt performer onscreen daughter Dylan, while visiting Latinx House.

Also hitting up the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday was Pinocchio star Cynthia Erivo, who attended the world premiere of Drift at the Eccles Center Theatre.

The British-Nigerian 36-year-old - who's an Oscar away from EGOT status - bundled up in a chic Louis Vuitton camel coat over a blue knit sweater, cobalt-blue slacks, and black platform boots selected by stylist Jason Bolden.

Snowfall: Spotted chilling outside Acura Festival Village was Top Gun: Maverick star Jennifer Connelly

Zero degree weather: The 52-year-old Oscar winner made the rounds at Variety Sundance Studio and Vulture on Main Street while bundled un a grey winter coat over a black skirt, tights, and high-heeled boots selected by stylist Leslie Fremar

Minimalist: Hairstylist Renato Campora blew out Jennifer's raven bob as she promoted her role as a former child star called Lucy attending a spiritual retreat in the dark mother-daughter comedy, Bad Behaviour

Talented trio: Connelly later caught up with her co-star Ben Whishaw (L) and director Alice Englert (R), who pulls double duty as her stunt performer onscreen daughter Dylan, while visiting Latinx House

Cynthia - who produced and starred as Liberian refugee - seemed especially excited to reunite with her castmate Alia Shawkat.

The 33-year-old Arrested Development alum - who plays lonely American tour guide Callie - stood out in a red babydoll top over psychdellic leggings and thigh-high flat black boots.

Erivo and Shawcat then gamely posed for a red carpet selfie with their director Anthony Chen.

Mountain view: Also hitting up the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday was Pinocchio star Cynthia Erivo, who attended the world premiere of Drift at the Eccles Center Theatre

Only an Oscar away from elite EGOT status! The British-Nigerian 36-year-old bundled up in a chic Louis Vuitton camel coat over a blue knit sweater, cobalt-blue slacks, and black platform boots selected by stylist Jason Bolden

Can-can! Cynthia - who produced and starred as Liberian refugee - seemed especially excited to reunite with her castmate Alia Shawkat (L)

Eccentric attire: The 33-year-old Arrested Development alum - who plays lonely American tour guide Callie - stood out in a red babydoll top over psychdellic leggings and thigh-high flat black boots
Ryan Gosling looked every inch the action star on Sunday as he performed his own stunts while shooting his new movie The Fall Guy on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Canadian actor, 42, was filmed hanging on for dear life to the edge of a skip bin that was being driven by a truck across the famous bridge, which had been closed off for much of the day, causing traffic chaos in the city.

Ryan stood on a piece of metal while grasping a shovel tied to the bin and appeared to be trying to claw his way onto the truck as he filmed the tense action scene.

Ryan Gosling looked every inch the action star on Sunday as he performed his own stunts while shooting his new movie The Fall Guy on the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Canadian actor, 42, was filmed hanging on for dear life to the edge of a skip bin that was being driven by a truck across the famous bridge

The bridge had been closed off for much of the day, causing traffic chaos in the city

The incredible footage was captured by somebody on a passing train, as trains across the bridge were running as normal even though vehicle traffic was blocked.

Ryan was dressed in a red leather jacket, white shirt and faded jeans for the scene.

At one point sparks began flying underneath his metal stand as Ryan stood up and performed a front flip to get a better grip on the dumpster.

Ryan stood on a piece of metal while grasping a shovel tied to the bin

He appeared to be trying to claw his way onto the truck as he filmed the tense action scene

The incredible footage was captured by somebody on a passing train, as trains across the bridge were running as normal even though vehicle traffic was blocked

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed in both directions from 3am to 10am on Sunday, while the cycleway and footpath was closed from 5.30am to 10am.

Frustrated Sydney residents took to Twitter to blast the production for causing major traffic delays across the city.

'Great to see the closure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge - eight lanes, plus cycle/pedestrian lanes - so they could film a f**king movie. But it's great that they can use an iconic bridge in a film because that bridge needs a bit of exposure,' one Sydneysider tweeted.

Ryan was dressed in a red leather jacket, white shirt and faded jeans for the scene

At one point sparks began flying underneath his metal stand as Ryan stood up and performed a front flip to get a better grip on the dumpster

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed in both directions from 3am to 10am on Sunday, while the cycleway and footpath was closed from 5.30am to 10am

Frustrated Sydney residents took to Twitter to blast the production for causing major traffic delays across the city

'I just want to know how much they paid the government for such an inconvenience,' another tweeted, while a third added: 'Surely with movie technology, this could've been filmed elsewhere and then rejigged to appear as if filmed on the Harbour Bridge.'

The full-scale production saw the bridge filled with filmmaking equipment as well as a handful of cars and trucks.

The Fall Guy began filming in September, after Ryan arrived in Australia with his partner Eva Mendes and their children.

The movie is based on the 1980s television series of the same name and is being helmed by John Wick director David Leitch.

The Fall Guy began filming in September, after Ryan arrived in Australia with his partner Eva Mendes and their children

The movie is based on the 1980s television series of the same name and is being helmed by John Wick director David Leitch
Former reality television star Samuel Messina has received his punishment for the three counts of assault he committed against his ex-girlfriend in 2019.

The 27-year-old, who was cast on the 2020 season of Farmer Wants a Wife, was sentenced to an 18-month community correction order and fined $350.

It was passed down by Magistrate Michael Ong on Monday in Port Kembla Local Court after Messina was found guilty in November 2022 in the same jurisdiction.

Former reality television star Samuel Messina, 27, (pictured) received his punishment for the three counts of assault he committed against his ex-girlfriend in 2019

After the court heard the relationship between Messina and his former girlfriend was 'controlling and abusive', Messina's lawyer Mathew Lowry went to bat for him.

'He is very remorseful and embarrassed for this whole situation,' Mr Lowry said after praising Messina's hard work as an interstate truck driver.

Mr Ong seemed doubtful and expressed concerns Messina would reoffend due to the 'very little acceptance' he showed for his actions.

The 27-year-old, who was cast on the 2020 season of Farmer Wants A Wife, was sentenced to an 18-month community correction order and fined $350

'Domestic violence is rife in the community,' Mr Ong said.

'Many people remain in domestic relationships when there is violence and abusive behaviour.

'They remain in silence because they are concerned about what would happen if they leave the relative safety of having a roof over their head.'

Mr Ong then sentenced Messina to 150 hours of community service, ordered him to pay a $350 fine for trespassing and said he must attend the Orange Community Corrections office within seven days.

Messina has appealed the sentence and will be back in Wollongong District Court in February.

It was passed down by Magistrate Michael Ong on Monday in Port Kembla Local Court after Messina was found guilty in November 2022 in the same jurisdiction

Messina was found guilty of three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his ex-girlfriend in November last year.

The attacks occurred one year before Messina appeared on the popular Channel Seven dating show Farmer Wants A Wife, which sees lonely rural farmers paired with city girls.

The court previously heard Messina struck his ex so hard she bled for weeks.

His former partner told the court he physically abused her on four occasions in 2019 while they were living together in Orange, NSW.

After the court heard the relationship between Messina and his former girlfriend was 'controlling and abusive', Messina's lawyer Mathew Lowry went to bat for him

The court heard the first assault, which occurred in March 2019, involved him opening a door onto her foot, causing pain in two of her toes.

In July that year, Messina grabbed her by her clothes and threw her onto the floor.

The court also heard that on the morning of July 31, Messina shoved her before punching her in the nose causing it to bleed.

The victim said the injury caused pain and bleeding every time she sneezed for the next month.

Messina was accused of a fourth assault, in which he 'whipped' her with a phone charging cable.

But Magistrate Ong said this allegation could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, as the victim's work roster indicated she was at work at the time of the alleged incident.

The pair split up not long after that alleged incident and she moved to Illawarra.

'He is very remorseful and embarrassed for this whole situation,' Mr Lowry said. Mr Ong seemed doubtful and expressed concerned Messina would reoffend due to the 'very little acceptance' he showed for his actions

Messina was first charged with a total of seven domestic violence offences against his ex in July 2021. She had gone to police in March that year.

He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, which included intimidation, trespassing and four counts of assault.

He later pleaded not guilty to four counts of assault and guilty to two counts of intimidation after he showed up at his ex's mother's home and threatened to kill her pet rabbits.

During two days of evidence, the court heard the woman had found the courage to report the assaults after Messina allegedly made threats against her rabbits in February last year.

Messina was found guilty of three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his ex-girlfriend. The attacks occurred one year before Messina appeared on the popular Channel Seven dating show Farmer Wants A Wife, which sees lonely rural farmers paired with city girls

Police prosecutor Sergeant Ben Bragger told the court the woman's delay in reporting the allegations should not 'impact her credibility'.

'In 2022, delay is not a reason to attack credibility,' he said, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

'Women who are victims of domestic violence have many good reasons not to report things straight away, they are embarrassed, ashamed and don't want their personal lives examined.

'She had the courage to report [the allegations] after her safety was breached  enough was enough and she felt she had to go to police.'

Messina was a favourite on Farmer Wants A Wife, but got flak for rejecting two lovelorn contenders Mackenzie Phillips (left) and and Allanah Taranto (right)

Messina rose to prominence after featuring in Channel Seven's popular Farmer Wants A Wife TV program as one of the farmers looking for love.

He astonished viewers when he rejected two women, Mackenzie Phillips and Allanah Taranto, who were competing for his affections.

In July, 2021, claims came to light that he wasn't a real farmer and was using his brother's farm in the show.

Instead, it was claimed Messina was a truck driver from Sydney.

He later said in an Instagram post that the farm used on the show was a family farm and he had 'never once claimed that it is explicitly mine'.

'I'm just like every other person out there  sometimes two incomes are needed to pay the bills. I drive trucks as a second income and that's never been a secret,' he added.
Sydney socialite Christian Wilkins is known for his head-turning androgynous style.

But the 27-year-old didn't always have a flair for fashion, admitting on Monday he once suffered a 'ghastly' wardrobe fail a decade ago.

The actor and model told the I've Got News for You podcast he still cringes over his red carpet debut at the 2013 ARIA Awards.

Christian Wilkins didn't always have a flair for fashion, admitting on Monday he once suffered a 'ghastly' wardrobe fail at the 2013 ARIA Awards (pictured with his father Richard Wilkins)

When asked if there was an outfit he particularly regretted, Christian said his first ARIAs, which he attended with his father Richard Wilkins, was especially bad.

He'd just returned from Schoolies, he said, and wore a lime green suit with pink hair and feathers through it, as well as brown shoes and a blue belt.

'[It was] ghastly. But I thought that I was popping,' he said of his outfit.

Christian admitted he often dressed himself for events at the time, so was the 'only one to blame' for his red carpet misfire.

Christian (pictured at the 2022 Logie Awards) has certainly come a long way since 2013, and is now renowned for his sense of style, which often includes wearing dresses and skirts

'I style myself with everything that I do; I love fashion. Part of me kind of hopes I look back at the stuff I'm wearing now and I'm like... "Oh, my God, that's awful,"' he said.

Christian has certainly come a long way since 2013, and is now renowned for his sense of style, which often includes wearing dresses and skirts.

He turned heads last Thursday when he stepped out in an eye-grabbing ensemble at Piper-Heidsieck's annual cocktail party.

Christian stole the show on Rod Laver Arena Terrace in a $3,500 KOURH mini dress, which showcased his incredibly toned legs.

'I style myself with everything that I do; I love fashion. Part of me kind of hopes I look back at the stuff I'm wearing now and I'm like... "Oh, my God, that's awful,"' he said. (Pictured: Christian at the Australian Premiere of Babylon in Sydney on January 16)

Held together with thin, crisscrossed straps, the frock was covered in shimmering crystals and beads.

His outfit was accessorised with sparkly silver eyeshadow as he flipped his heavy mass of soft golden curls over one shoulder.

A set of shiny black cowboy boots polished off the look while he held a red glass which appeared to be the party favour of the night.
Lisa Oldfield revealed on Monday her pre-teen sons had started 'repeating horrible misogyny' after discovering Andrew Tate on social media.

The Real Housewives of Sydney star shared a meme on Instagram mocking 36-year-old Tate's recent arrest, saying she was 'disturbed' by his influence on young men.

She said despite being amused by the image, which labelled the podcaster an 'incel', it was worrying to discover her 10- and 12-year-old boys follow the online personality.

Lisa Oldfield revealed on Monday her pre-teen sons had started spewing 'horrible misogyny' after discovering Andrew Tate on social media. (Pictured: Lisa with one of her sons)

The picture showed a side-by-side image of Tate in and out of prison with the labels 'incel' and 'in cell'.

'As much as I chuckled at this meme, I was really disturbed at how much my 10 and 12 year old sons knew about this clown Andrew Tate,' Oldfield wrote in the caption.

'And explains the horrible misogyny they'd repeated in the last few months.'

The Real Housewives of Sydney star shared a meme on Instagram mocking 36-year-old Tate's recent arrest, saying she was 'disturbed' by his influence on young men. (Pictured: Andrew Tate at his home in Romania shortly before his arrest)

She went on to say she was unable to 'monitor Harry and Bert 24/7' due to her shared custody arrangement with her ex-husband David Oldfield.

'But pleased that after we spoke about this idiot they determined, individually, he is not a good person or someone to follow or emulate. Mums of the world, speak to your boys!' she concluded.

It comes just days after it was announced Tate and his brother Tristan will remain in prison until February 27 after a Romanian court extended their detention.

She went on to say she was unable to 'monitor' Harry and Bert (both pictured) 24/7 due to her shared custody arrangement with her ex-husband David Oldfield

Tate, a British-U.S. citizen who has 4.5 million followers on Twitter, was arrested on December 29 in Bucharest along with Tristan and two Romanian women on charges of being part of an organised crime group, human trafficking and rape.

Today, a judge granted prosecutors another 30-day extension on their arrest, meaning all four will remain in custody until February 27.

Tate, who is accused of recruiting young women and forcing them to create online pornographic content, was furious at the judge's decision and said via his lawyers that he is 'being arrested for a crime of opinion'.

Tate, 36, (pictured) a British-U.S. citizen who has 4.5 million followers on Twitter, was arrested on December 29 in Bucharest along with Tristan and two Romanian women on charges of being part of an organised crime group, human trafficking and rape

'We continue to maintain that practically at this moment the Tate brothers are being arrested for a crime of opinion, for what they said, at some point, in the online environment and not for what they actually did in their private lives', Constantin Ioan Gliga, one of the defence lawyers, told Romanian news outlet Gandul.

Gliga added that the decision was 'unjustified and totally exaggerated'.

The judge's ruling came after all four - Tate, Tristan and Luana Radu and Georgiana Naghel - lost an appeal last week at a Bucharest court, which ruled to uphold a judge's December 30 move to uphold an earlier decision to extend their arrest from 24 hours to 30 days.

Tate is accused of recruiting scores of women and held them under house arrest 'like prisoners' while forcing them to create online pornographic content on webcams.
Kristen Chenoweth joined forces with Ariana Grande on Sunday, singing a gorgeous duet of Over the Rainbow for TikTok.

Grande, 29, originally posted a solo video of her singing the iconic ballad, leading Chenoweth, 54  who nearly spilled out of her skintight dress last week  to add on her own vocals and make some magic happen.

Ariana will be starring in the film adaptation of Wicked as Glinda  a part that launched Kristin into stardom on Broadway nearly two decades ago.

Glindas unite! Kristen Chenoweth, 54, joined forces with Ariana Grande, 29, on Sunday, singing a gorgeous duet of Over the Rainbow for TikTok

The petite divas both wore pink in their TikTok, with Kristin draping herself in what appeared to be a yeti coat while a crocheted slanket enveloped Ariana's arms and head.

Kristen let her blonde locks flow free and Ariana's porcelain skin glowed with star power.

'You know I just had to duet this one,' Chenoweth captioned the TikTok. 'Over the [rainbow emoji] with my baby girl.'

'Just two Ozians,' Chenoweth added in the caption, referencing the magical land of Oz that their character Glinda inhabits.

With their powerhouse vocals melting together as one, the Grammy winners sent TikTok ablaze.

What Heaven sounds like: Grande originally posted a solo video of her singing the iconic ballad, leading Chenoweth to add on her own vocals and make some magic happen. 'This is what heaven sounds like,' wrote one TikTok user, echoing the views of many others

'This just healed my heart,' gushed one TikTok user.

'This is what heaven sounds like,' wrote another.

A third fan wrote: 'This just solved world peace.'

Chenoweth's comments section filled with wonder and awe as her 1.3 million followers showered the video with love.

And one fan in particular left a very special comment: 'I love you with all my heart,' penned Grande.

'Baby!' proclaimed Chenoweth. 'It's mutual.'

Back in 2021 when the Thank U, Next superstar was announced as the new Glinda, Kristin said: 'I'm not sure if I've ever been this proud. From the very first day I met you, you were destined for this role.'

Thank U, Next: Ariana will be starring in the film adaptation of Wicked as Glinda  a part that launched Kristin into stardom on Broadway nearly two decades ago

Destiny: Back in 2021 when the Thank U, Next superstar was cast as Glinda, Kristin said, 'I'm not sure if I've ever been this proud. From the very first day I met you, you were destined for this role'

Chenoweth recently sat down with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live and said that Grande will 'put her own stamp' on the part that made her a star.

When the Bravo host asked whether she spoke to Grande about the role, the Emmy winner replied: 'Yeah, I do. She's going to put her own stamp on it. I'm so proud of her. I wanted her to do her Glenda. And that's what she's doing. I'm proud of her.'

Wicked will be split into two films, released one year apart, according to director Jon M. Chu.

During her WWHL interview, Andy asked Kristin: 'How do you feel about the Wicked movies being split into two? Is there enough for two?'

'There's so much more in the books that we know about the characters, so yeah, there is,' the Tony winner replied. 'And I haven't read anything, but I think so. I think there is enough.'

Filming is shrouded in secrecy, but excitement surrounding Wicked only continues to grow.

Passing the wand: Chenoweth recently sat down with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live and said that Grande will 'put her own stamp' on the part that made her a star
Michael J. Fox has reflected on his friendship with his Back To The Future franchise co-star Christopher Lloyd.

The 61-year-old actor opened up on their relationship on Saturday at a Variety Studio presented by Audible interview at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

'Chris is a great guy. He's very enigmatic,' said Fox of his 84-year-old co-star who portrayed Doc Brown in the sci-fi comedy franchise.

Franchise friend: Michael J. Fox, shown on Saturday in Utah, has reflected on his friendship with his Back To The Future franchise co-star Christopher Lloyd

'It took me a few films to get to know him. On ''Back to the Future Part III'' we connected in a way we hadn't on the other films. I came to see how much he loved acting. I never got that before. To sit down and talk about acting and talk about Shakespeare and 'King Lear' This guy can play King Lear! People don't expect that of him. He's full of surprises,' Fox added.

He continued, 'He can tell a movie's worth of story in two seconds and you get it. Us regular actors have to lay out hours and hours to get the information out. Chris is brilliant at it. His love of film and his love of being an actor He's not just a crazy guy, he's an artist.'

Fox played Marty McFly in the franchise that spawned three films, a short film and an animated series.

The Family Ties star earned a standing ovation at Sundance on Friday after the world premiere of his documentary Still that examines his legendary acting career and battle with Parkinson's disease.

Popular films: The 61-year-old actor is shown with Lloyd, 84, in a still from the 1990 film Back To The Future III

Together again: Lloyd and Fox attended a Back To The Future Reunion last October at New York Comic Con in New York City

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie will be shown on Apple TV+ later this year.

Fox discovered he had Parkinson's disease after waking up from a night of drinking to find his pinky twitching in 1990. After it wouldn't stop, he went to a neurologist in 1991 and was diagnosed with the disease.

The actor has been married since 1988 to actress Tracy Pollan, 62, and they have four children together.

Going strong: The actor has been married since 1988 to actress Tracy Pollan, shown together in November in Los Angeles, and they have four children together

Great guy: 'Chris is a great guy. He's very enigmatic,' said Fox of his co-star Lloyd who portrayed Doc Brown in the sci-fi comedy franchise, shown in November in Los Angeles

Fox retired from acting in 2020 after having a career resurgence in the early 2000s with the Good Fight and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

He started his career by dropping out of his Canadian high school and moving to Hollywood at 16.

Fox is now writing books about his experience and is funding research into Parkinson's through his Michael J. Fox Foundation.
A couple of Star Wars alums are responding to whether they'd be open to reprising their respective roles in the epic space opera franchise.

Emilia Clarke and Daisy Ridley, who both wrapped up their characters' stories in the films that they starred in, were presented with the question while attending the 2023 Sundance Film Festival that kicked off on January 19.

For Clarke, she didn't mince words when she shot back with a quick 'no', while Ridley had a different answer when she confessed she would definitely consider returning.

Star Wars alums: Emilia Clarke and Daisy Ridley responded to the question of whether they would consider reprising their roles in the Star Wars franchise while attending the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

Clarke, 36, played the role of Qira, Han Solo's childhood friend and romantic interest, in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).

While promoting the new science fiction romantic comedy film The Pod Generation at Sundance, the British actress was asked if her interest in doing more genre films would extend back to a galaxy far, far away.

'I mean no,' she said with a laugh, according to Indie Wire, adding, 'That would be lovely, that would be very nice. I'm genuinely having a wicked time on Marvel, though, they're absolutely brilliant.'

Moved on: 'I mean no,' Clarke said with a laugh, according to Indie Wire, when asked about a return to the Star Wars universe

Clarke is currently working on Marvel's Secret Invasion for Disney+ that stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, along with the likes of Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Olivia Colman, Martin Freeman and Don Cheadle.

The six episode show, which is intended to be the ninth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is slated to premiere in early 2023.

For Ridley, 30, she's been at the famed film festival in Park City, Utah in promotion of her new film Sometimes I Feel Like Dying.

Her experience playing Rey in the Star Wars universe actually extends to three films: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

All in: Ridley confessed she would be open to returning to the Star Wards universe, in an interview with IMdB while at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

In an interview with IMdB, the London, England native confessed she would definitely consider returning to the fold.

'I mean, I'm open to a phone call. I'm looking for employment!' she said.

The actress also spoke to TheWrap about how she has watched the various Star Wars franchise shows on Disney+, and considers herself a big fan.

'I haven't watched all of them, but it's just because of timing and stuff like that. But yeah, I mean the work everyone's doing is amazing,' she shared. 'I worked with Pedro Pascal and I was like, "This is really cool; he's The Mandalorian." I still find it all very exciting.'
Cara Delevingne appeared deep in conversation on Sunday as she spoke on the phone while enjoying a trip to a local dog park in Los Angeles.

The model and actress, 30, donned an electric blue matching tracksuit, teamed with matching high-top trainers.

Battling the brisk winter day, she added a black beanie while appearing bare-faced for the outing.

Day of rest: Cara Delevingne, 30, appeared deep in conversation while donning a bright blue tracksuit on Sunday as she enjoyed a stroll in Los Angeles

Cara opted for a bright Puma hoodie with a yellow and green print, teamed with co-ordinating jogging bottoms.

While her jaw-length mousse brown locks were left to fall freely underneath the ribbed hat.

Strolling the park, the make-up free model-turned-actress held a phone up to her ear while chatting away.

Cara appears to be back on track after she was seen looking worse for wear a couple of times back in September.

Ensemble: Cara opted for a bright Puma hoodie with a yellow and green print, teamed with co-ordinating jogging bottoms

At one point, the British-born beauty was seen with a long round object  resembling a pipe  in her mouth, rubbing her face and blowing her nose multiple times.

However, she appears to be back to her happy and healthy best.

And she recently reflected on the last year by sharing a series of pictures to Instagram to ring in 2023.

The star shared her love of cannabis and boobs in the gallery and also posed in an incredible string dress for one very sexy snap.

It's a string thing: She recently reflected on the last year by sharing a series of pictures to Instagram to ring in 2023

Flashing her underwear in the daring ensemble, her long hair extensions covered her modesty for her selfie in the mirror.

A second picture showed her sitting in first class on a plane while wearing a Notorious B.I.G T-shirt and a Covid mask.

She had a neck pillow which had two novelty plush breasts at either side as she gave a thumbs up to the camera.

Breast is best: One picture showed her sitting in first class on a plane while wearing a Notorious B.I.G T-shirt and a Covid mask

Living it up: She modelled an LED face mask during a moment of well-being

A third image was simply her foot placed alongside her dog - as she wore a sock which had a cannabis leaf motif emblazoned all along it.

She modelled an LED face mask during a moment of well-being as well as a snap of herself doing some voiceover work in a studio.

Perhaps noting that she has had some controversial moments this year, she shared a picture of a van which had the words: 'Living life on the veg' written on the back.
Maya Jama and Indiyah Polack poked fun at farmer Will Young during Sunday night's episode of Love Island AfterSun.

While chatting about the new batch of contestants looking for love in South Africa they couldn't help but touch on the country boy's hilarious dance moves.

Chatting about the 23-year-old from Buckinghamshire Maya said: 'Let's talk about Will, we love Will don't we?!' - to which the audience cheered.

Funny: Maya Jama and Indiyah Polack poked fun at farmer Will Young during Sunday night's episode of Love Island AfterSun

'He's so cute! But do we hope there will be any hope for Will on the romance section as at the moment he is riding the friend zone wave so hard!'

Referring to new Aussie bombshell Jessie Wynter, Indiyah suggested the beauty may only be going for him as she may have seen he is popular with viewers.

She said: 'We all love Will and I think she might know that too because I'm not being funny he's very...' - before Indiyah busted some of Will's iconic moves.

Hilarious: While chatting about the new batch of contestants looking for love in South Africa they couldn't help but touch on the country boy's hilarious dance moves

Suspicious: Referring to new Aussie bombshell Jessie Wynter, Indiyah suggested the beauty may only be going for him as she may have seen he is popular with viewers

Maya then joined in with the cheesy dance and added: On a scale of one to ten how bad is this if you fancy someone?'

To which Indiyah quipped: 'It's giving ick! But we love Will though!'

Love Island viewers were left in tears when Islander Will casually broke into dance amid the drama between Haris Namani and Shaq Muhammad that kicked off on Thursday night.

It comes as Love Island fans were thrilled on Sunday when unlucky in love Will cosied up to gorgeous new bombshell Jessie.

Fan: Chatting about the 23-year-old from Buckinghamshire Maya said: 'Let's talk about Will, we love Will don't we?!' - to which the audience cheered

Here we go! She said: 'We all love Will and I think she might know that too because I'm not being funny he's very...' - before Indiyah busted some of Will's iconic moves

Despite struggling to find a match since his arrival in the villa the farmer shared an intimate moment on the terrace with the Aussie beauty.

With the tides finally turning for Will, who is currently paired with Lana Jenkins in a friendship couple, one viewer declared: 'There's hope for our boy yet'.

Jessie soon pulled Will for a chat in order to get to know him better, telling him: 'I kind of grew up in the country... Loving it, same, everyone in here is like city people and I'm a little country boy.'

Jokes: Maya then joined in with the cheesy dance and added: On a scale of one to ten how bad is this if you fancy someone?'

'I feel like you kind of don't strike me as the kind of guy to be in an office, I feel like it's a country thing because I'm the same.'

Turning up the heat, Will said: 'You're honestly a 10/10, you're unreal. I can't stop looking at your eyes, your eye contact is so good.'

Another wrote: 'Will man so happy for him!' and third added: 'OMG Jessie was interested in Will since she saw him - crossing my fingers for him'.

LOL: Love Island viewers were left in tears when Islander Will casually broke into dance amid the drama between Haris Namani and Shaq Muhammad that kicked off on Thursday night

Oblivious: He was in the kitchen area with the girls busting some moves as the drama kicked off around him

While another admitted they were 'Praying for Will and Jessie'.

A fifth wrote: 'Will and Jessie are gonna make me cry that was so cute' while a sixth added: ' Will and Jessie are so cute, can't wait for recoupling'.

However other viewers were less sure with one saying: 'I really hope Jessie doesnt break Wills heart!Low key wish they really hit it off but I feel its too good to be true'.

Lovebirds: It comes as Love Island fans were thrilled on Sunday when unlucky in love Will cosied up to gorgeous new bombshell Jessie

And a second adding: 'I really wanna be so happy for will he deserves the world but why do I feel like the producers have specifically told Jessie to go for him cos they know how much the public love him?? Idk if this is genuine '

Jessie previously appeared in series two of the Australian edition of the reality dating show, and her arrival was teased during Friday's edition of the programme.

Following her entrance alongside series three star Aaron Waters, the duo promised to stir things up in the South African villa.

A stroke of luck! Despite struggling to find a match since his arrival in the villa the farmer shared an intimate moment on the terrace with the Aussie beauty

Will's journey has been a rough ride so far and began with none of the girls stepping forward for him, before he ended up with Olivia, 27, who had originally wanted Kai.

Olivia was then picked by newcomer Tom Clare leaving Will to be single.

Will was the last boy to be picked during the recoupling on Friday, when Lana chose him to be in a friendship couple, ultimately dumping David Salako.
Nova radio host Ben Harvey has announced he is expecting to welcome his first child with his wife Samantha Wallace.

The radio star shared the exciting news to his Instagram page on Monday alongside a photo of himself and Samantha holding an ultrasound.

'There's a bun in the oven,' he captioned the image.

Nova radio host Ben Harvey has announced he's expecting his first child with wife Samantha on Monday. Both pictured

In the sweet photo, Ben and Samantha looked lovingly at one another as they held the ultrasound scan.

Many of their friends congratulated the pair on the exciting news, with Triple J's Bryce Mills writing: 'Congrats fam!!!'

Weatherman Sam Mac said: 'Sensational news!! Congratulations mate. But I thought it was Liam who got the hole in one.'

The couple tied the knot in front of family and friends at Woodburn Homestead in Strathalbyn, South Australia, in May last year

The couple tied the knot in front of family and friends at Woodburn Homestead in Strathalbyn, South Australia, in May last year.

The intimate ceremony featured Ben's brother James as Best Man and Sam's sister Catherine as Maid of Honour, with the couple's dog Finley making an appearance as ring bearer.

His Nova co-host Liam Stapleton cheekily played the role of 'Better Man', a role that did not allow him to make a speech or take on any important responsibilities.

The couple had been together for over seven years after meeting at a nightclub in Adelaide and got engaged in 2020.

'Went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and that night I told her I organised a dinner. We went out the door and across the hall to her mum and dad's room, and all the family was in there... I did it in front of her family,' he explained at the time.

The radio host popped the question while on holiday with Sam's family in Port Douglas, Queensland, on December 29, 2020

'It was pretty intimidating... The lights were all off, so when someone turned them on they were all there and she didn't know what was going on and started freaking out.'

Ben then detailed getting down on one knee and not knowing what to say.

'I didn't plan what I was going to say. Like, I might say a few words about spending the rest of my life with you... she was freaking out, like 'what's going on?', 'what are you doing?',' he said.

'Before I even got the ring out she said 'yes' and I got it out and shoved it on her finger.'

The funnyman added he hired a private chef to make the couple Japanese food in the hotel room after because 'that's her favourite'.

'We've been dating for five and a half years, so it was about time,' he said.
Susanna Reid changed into her pink pyjamas for an appearance on Monday's Lorraine alongside Dr Hilary Jones.

The Good Morning Britain anchor, 52, who also sported an eye mask while pretending to drift off - admitted she has no less than nine cups of coffee every morning while speaking about the importance of sleep.

She said: 'I thought it was eight cups of coffee I have, but they told me it was nine in the green room this morning.

'I have NINE cups of coffee every morning!' Susanna Reid changed into her pink pyjamas for an appearance on Monday's Lorrain to discuss the importance of sleep

'I don't finish a cup just a few sips here and there. No caffeine after mid-day not even a cup of tea.

'I don't get ridged about naps, I just close my eyes and see how long it lasts. I've been getting up at 3.45 for years.

'I do think if you have a problem sleeping, you shouldn't obsess over it. I always think, if I'm in bed, I'm resting.

'I have to go to bed before my children because they are at that age when they stay up,' she concluded.

Shock! The Good Morning Britain anchor, 52, also sported an eye mask while pretending to drift off

Wow! She said: 'I thought it was eight cups of coffee I have, but they told me it was nine in the green room this morning'

Surprise: She added: 'I don't finish a cup just a few sips here and there. No caffeine after mid-day not even a cup of tea'

Susanna recently told The Mail on Sunday's You Magazine she feels tired a lot of the time but is a big believer in the power of a nap  and caffeine.

Ive been doing breakfast news for almost 20 years, the broadcaster said.

The early starts are baked into the job. From the outside it looks like a bizarre, strange, unnatural time of the morning but for me its just work. You build strategies, habits and rituals for dealing with it.

Expert advice: Susanna was joined by Dr Hilary Jones on the sofa

Hilarious: Lorraine looked a little concerned about Susanna's coffee admission

One of her main coping mechanisms is drinking up to eight cups of coffee to get her through the three-hour ITV breakfast show.

The caffeine starts at 4.30am, Susanna added. When I arrive here theres a coffee on my desk and they keep coming every 15 minutes until 9am. The cups appear wherever I am in the building. I have about eight but then no more caffeine for the rest of the day.

Afterwards, the mother of three will happily begin a nap, which can last up to two hours. Having a guilt-free nap is one of the enormous pleasures of my day, Reid said.

I dont set an alarm. I just see what my body naturally needs... I have told myself that, as long as I get seven hours within a 24-hour period, I should not obsess about getting it all in one go.

As a journalist, Reid is diligent about her research but there is one area into which she dare not investigate too closely  sleep.

There have been a number of big books on sleep recently and I make a point of not reading them, she said.

Im worried they will say my sleep strategy is nonsense, that napping doesnt count and that I have done long-term damage to my health through chronic sleep deprivation. I dont want to know!
Diane Kruger commanded attention as she arrived at the star-studded Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

The actress, 46, looked sensational in a quirky black and white mini dress while posing up a storm before taking her seat in the front row.

The denim frock boasted a striking print as well as bright gold buttons and she layered it over a black sweater.

Stunner: Diane Kruger, 46, commanded attention as she arrived at the star-studded Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday

Diane completed the stylish look with a chic beret and carried the gold colour story into her accessories.

Opting for large earrings, the stunner also toted a matching clutch and strutted her stuff in towering heels.

Diane accentuated her features with a gorgeous palette of make-up and slicked back her blonde tresses with a single statement curl.

Stunning: The actress, 46, looked sensational in a quirky black and white mini dress and posed up a storm before taking her seat in the front row

Fashion: The denim frock boasted a striking print as well as bright gold buttons and she layered it over a black sweater

Schiaparelli was founded in 1927 by it's Elsa Schiaparelli, now known for it's unconventional themes the label has been worn by the likes of Beyonce and Kim Kardashian.

It comes after Diane candidly admitted that she didn't want children for a 'long time' and then thought it was too late.

She now shares her daughter Nova Tennessee, four, with her longtime partner Norman Reedus but said she didn't want children until later in life.

Chic: Diane completed the look with a chic beret and carried the gold colour story into her accessories

Diane explained that having a child wasn't her priority when she was younger and she then gave up hope' in her late 30s because she wasn't in a place where it was 'possible'.

Appearing as Tatler's January cover star, she explained: 'I didn't want children for a long time. I really liked my life the way it was.

'In my late thirties, I was starting to think about it but I wasn't in a place in my relationship at the time  or whatever  where that was going to be a possibility and so I had kind of given up hope and I thought it was just too late.'

Golden girl: Opting for large earrings, the stunner also toted a matching clutch and strutted her stuff in towering heels

'The arrival of Nova has changed my life  our lives  in the best possible way, it's just amazing that you thought you were one thing but you're meant to do something completely different,' she added.

In July, Diane also marked her six-year anniversary with her partner - The Walking Dead star Norman, 53.

The smitten couple first met when they co-starred in the 2015 movie Sky and began dating in 2016.

They then welcomed their first child, Nova, together in 2018 and then announced their engagement in 2021.

Norman also shares a son Mingus Lucien, 22, with his ex-girlfriend Helena Christenson, 53.
Nicole Kidman went under the radar as she enjoyed a spot of shopping in Mallorca on Monday, where she is filming her new spy thriller series, Lioness.

The actress, 55, kept things casual in an oversized black sweater and jeans as she strolled through the streets of Valldemossa, a village in the mountains.

She accessorised with a charcoal beanie hat, along with coordinating trainers and a handbag while joined by her personal assistant.

Outing: Nicole Kidman went under the radar as she enjoyed a spot of shopping in Mallorca on Monday, where she is filming her new spy thriller series, Lioness

Nicole is executive producing the series and will star as CIA Senior Supervisor Kaitlyn Meade, who has a history of playing and surviving the political game.

Zoe Saldana, who is executive producing the project alongside the Moulin Rouge actress, will star as Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program.

Her character is tasked with training and leading her female undercover operatives.

Stepping out: The actress, 55, kept things casual in an oversized black sweater and jeans

Stunning: She strolled through the streets of Valldemossa, a village in the mountains

Talented: Nicole is executive producing the series and will star as CIA Senior Supervisor Kaitlyn Meade, who has a history of playing and surviving the political game

Exciting: The Paramount+ show, created by Yellowstone showrunner Taylor Sheridan, is based on a real-life CIA program

Companion: The Moulin Rouge star was joined by her personal assistant

The Paramount+ show, created by Yellowstone showrunner Taylor Sheridan, is based on a real-life CIA program.

Brittney Spears' husband, Sam Asghari, will guest-star as Kamal, an unapologetic womanizer.

85-year-old Oscar winner Morgan Freeman recently joined the cast too as US Secretary of State Edwin Mullin in the political thriller about a young Marine, played by Laysla De Oliveira, who is recruited by the CIA to befriend the daughter of a terrorist.

Happy: The pair appeared to be in high spiritis

Gorgeous: Nicole never fails to look sensational

Chatting: They seemed to be in deep conversation

Busy bees: They certainly have a jam-packed schedule ahead of them

The idea behind the operation is to bring down the organization from within.

Morgan will be seen next in A Good Person with Florence Pugh as a woman whose life falls apart after her involvement in a fatal accident.

The drama, written and directed by Zach Braff, is set to open in theaters in March.

What's this? Nicole admired a black top on a rack outside a shop

Designer: Her handbag was by Yves Saint Laurent
Carol Vorderman candidly discussed her sex life during an appearance on Monday's This Morning and admitted they often start off as friends before an 'extra frisson' occurs.

The television personality, 62, admitted her lovers 'all know about each other' and said life has changed since she dreamed of being married to one man when she was in her 20s.

Carol, who divorced second husband Patrick King in 2000, went on to gush about the arrangement revealing she doesn't get jealous as she 'never asks' about her partners personal lives.

Candid: Carol Vorderman, 62, candidly discussed her sex life during an appearance on Monday's This Morning and admitted they often start off as friends before an 'extra frisson' occurs

She said: 'They do know about each other now. We all have to be on the same page. They have their lives and I don't need to know about that'.

Going on to reveal that her one rule is always to 'do no harm'.

She said: 'It was interesting I talked about it [multiple partners] off the cuff but the reaction was almost all positive'.

'When I was in my 20s I wanted to get married and have children. In my 60s I have a full life and I live with my children'.

Revelations: The television personality admitted her lovers 'all know about each other' and said life has changed since she dreamed of being married to one man when she was in her 20

'I don't want to settle with anybody, I love my job, the business of education, a busy home. People don't want just one partner, were all single. There's one rule do no harm'.

She continued: 'Societies rules were very different and if a woman had a child without being married it was awful.

'I went to Cambridge [University] at 17 and my mum sat me down and told me I need to think about settling down to get married.

'I think age 50 plus you have to think do you want another man to live with you or do you want the nice bits'.

Loving life: Carol, who divorced second husband Patrick King in 2000 , went on to gush about the arrangement revealing she doesn't get jealous as she 'never asks' about her partners personal lives

Honesty: She said: 'They do know about each other now. We all have to be on the same page. They have their lives and I don't need to know about that'

Admitting that she 'doesn't need to know' about her partner's personal lives or has no idea even if they have their own friends.

'I'm only talking about it because there was such a reaction to it and a lot people are shamed by society so why not talk about'

'Love can be very unhappy and isn't the goal to just be happy.

Stunning: Carol, who looked gorgeous for her appearance on the show and slipped into a black bodysuit which perfectly accentuated her hourglass figure

Carol, who looked gorgeous for her appearance on the show and slipped into a black bodysuit which perfectly accentuated her hourglass figure.

It comes after she described her five 'special friends' as long-term as she continued her promo tour for her new podcast on Friday.

Speaking on Zoe Ball's breakfast show, Carol shared that she has been in some of the relationships for a long time.

The presenter added that her choice means that she has a lot of love in her life and a 'little bit of icing on the cake.'

Larking around: Carol even found time to lark around with '90s icon Mr Blobby

She also explained her decision, saying: 'Ill tell you why Zoe, I have been married I've had two grown up children, I look after myself, I'm independent, I'm empowered.

'As a woman nowadays you think actually I don't want to live with one person.'

She continued: 'I love my life, I have fantastic friends, I can do incredible adventures.

'I do all the things I want to do and I don't want to have one single person in there'.
Olivia Frazer has revealed the racy reason she broke up with her British filmmaker boyfriend Will Mitchell.

The Married At First Sight bride, 29, answered a fan who asked about the split in an Instagram question and answer session on Monday.

'What happened with you and that English guy?' the fan enquired, and Olivia was quick to answer sardonically.

Olivia Frazer (pictured) has revealed the racy reason she broke up with her British filmmaker boyfriend Will Mitchell. 'I missed having orgasms so I had to make some room in my life for someone who was going to provide them,' she wrote

'I missed having orgasms so I had to make some room in my life for someone who was going to provide them,' she wrote.

Olivia and her beau had been dating for two months and the relationship appeared to be going strong when they announced their split in December.

The couple decided to go their separate ways after spending time together in the UK.

Olivia and her beau had been dating for two months and the relationship appeared to be going strong when they announced their split in December. Pictured together

Liv confirmed she was taking a break from dating during a chat with fans on Instagram late last year.

'I've made a vow to myself to stay single until I'm 30 next year,' she explained.

'I'm up for dating for fun for the next few months though. Not dating for a relationship anytime soon.'

The couple decided to go their separate ways after spending time together in the UK with Liv confirming the break up in an Instagram post late last year

While the blonde beauty didn't go into detail about her split from Will, she confessed her relationship with him 'was never that deep'.

The split appears to have come as a shock to fans, who had been speculating about a romance between the two after Olivia posted a photo of her and Will sharing a beer in early December.

Though she didn't caption the post, she did tag Will, sending fans into a frenzy.

While Olivia didn't go into detail about her split from Will, she confessed her relationship with Will 'was never that deep'

Olivia met Will at a Halloween party in Sydney in October, while her ex-boyfriend Jackson was just metres away

She met him at a Halloween party in Sydney in October, while her ex-boyfriend Jackson was just metres away.

The pair appeared very cosy during the event, sharing kisses in front of onlookers and later taking part in a karaoke session with pals down the street.

Olivia and Jackson announced they'd split in a joint Instagram post on August 8, after almost a year together.
She's expecting to welcome her second child with her husband Matty Fahd.

And on Monday, Sarah Marie Fahd showed off her growing baby bump in a bikini as she relaxed at the beach.

The Gogglebox Australia star was simply glowing as she flaunted her bump in the patterned two-piece and sarong.

Gogglebox Australia star Sarah Marie Fahd showed off her growing baby bump in a bikini as she relaxed at the beach on Monday

Sarah protected herself from the sun in a large hat and sunglasses as she stretched her body out on the sand.

Sarah and her husband Matty announced they are expecting their second child together last month.

The couple shared the exciting news to Instagram, alongside a series of family photos with their three-year-old son Malik.

The Gogglebox Australia star was simply glowing as she flaunted her bump in the patterned two-piece and sarong

'Our family is growing! We're so excited to welcome a new Fahd to the family in 2023,' they wrote.

'Malik has already started prepping to be a big brother, reciting endless lists of the things he will be playing with his new sibling and writing up the 'Bulldogs for Dummies' playbook.'

They continued: 'Bane [their dog] was asked to participate in this photo but instead chose to piss on the front porch (thankfully out of shot). Play the circus music, warm up the cuddles and bring on 2023!'

The couple tied the knot in 2018 after four years of dating, and they welcomed their son Malik, in November 2019.

Sarah and her husband Matty announced they are expecting their second child together last month. The couple shared the exciting news to Instagram, alongside a series of family photos with their three-year-old son Malik

Sarah and Matty recently celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.

Matty posted a sweet video montage full of photos of the pair travelling, getting married, and having their son, Malik, to celebrate their anniversary.

'4 years married, 8 years together & infinite memories with you @sarahmariefahd,' Matty wrote.

'You have been the creator, the selfless mother, my travel companion, my wife, my friend & the light of my life. I will cherish you always, I will always love you. Happy Anniversary,' he wrote.
Naomi Campbell took the runway by storm during Schiaparelli's Paris Fashion Week show on Monday.

The supermodel, 52, made quite the statement as she sported a faux fur coat dress with a wolf head attached to the shoulder.

While Irina Shayk also made her mark on the show, strutting her stuff in a black one-shouldered dress with a giant lion's head attached.

Supermodels: Naomi Campbell (left) and Irina Shayk (right) take the Schiaparelli runway by storm as they sport gowns with HUGE animal heads attached during Paris Fashion Week show

Naomi's garment had an extravagant shoulder pad design and featured a shaggy material hem.

The wolf head sat on the coats left collar, with a pair of black and gold heels adding to the look.

While her chocolate brown tresses left to fall freely in a sleek straight style, as a glamorous palette of makeup brushed over her gorgeous complexion.

Meanwhile, Irina, 37, was styled in a black one-shouldered gown with a long sleeve on one side.

Extra: Naomi's garment had an extravagant shoulder pad design and featured a shaggy material hem as the animal head sat on the left collar

Crafted: The garments modelled in the show are made from hand sculpted foam, resin, wool and silk faux fur, hand painted to look as life-like as possible

Her gown caught the eye with a massive lion's head attached across the chest, torso and right shoulder.

The garments modelled in the show are made from hand sculpted foam, resin, wool and silk faux fur, hand painted to look as life-like as possible.

It takes inspiration from Dante Alighieri's Inferno, the first part of his poem Divine Comedy, with the leopard, the lion, and the she-wolf-representing lust, pride, and avarice.

Colour scheme: While a black and gold theme was adhered to with all the garments modelled on the runway

Behind the idea: The theme of the show took inspiration from Dante Alighieri's Inferno, the first part of his poem Divine Comedy, with the leopard, the lion, and the she-wolf-representing lust, pride, and avarice

Schiaparelli was founded in 1927 by it's Elsa Schiaparelli, now known for it's unconventional themes the label has been worn by the likes of Beyonce and Kim Kardashian.

The show welcomed a slew of A-listers to the front row, including Kylie Jenner - who donned the same dress as Irina as she modelled the look off of the runway.

Brought to life by the brand's Creative Director Daniel Roseberry, they assured via social media that no animals were harmed during the process.
Kirsten Dunst looked chic as she made a rare public appearance with husband Jesse Plemons at the Dior Show during Paris Fashion week on Monday.

The actress, 40, turned heads in a striking pair of high-waisted suede trousers which she teamed with braces.

The couple, who share sons Ennis, four, and 17-month-old James, beamed for the camera before taking their seats in the front row.

Chic: Kirsten Dunst, 40, looked chic as she made a rare public appearance with husband Jesse Plemons, 34, at the Dior Show during Paris Fashion week on Monday

Kirsten completed the look with a chic black shirt with frilled bib detailing and slipped her feet into stylish heels.

She accentuated her features with a radiant palette of make-up and wore her blonde tresses loose.

Meanwhile Jesse, 34, looked dapper in a dark suit which he layered over a simple black t-shirt.

Beaming: The couple, who share sons Ennis, four, and 17-month-old James, beamed for the camera before taking their seats in the front row

Style: The actress turned heads in a striking pair of high-waisted suede trousers which she teamed with braces

Dior was first founded in 1946 by it's namesake Christian Dior and is synonymous with Parisian chic, famous faces to have worn the label include everyone from Natalie Portman and Charlize Theron to the late Princess Margaret.

It comes after the couple, who have been together for six years in total, tied the knot in Jamaica back in July.

Kirsten and Jesse started dating back in 2016 after meeting on the set of Fargo, and they became engaged the following year.

Gorgeous: Kirsten accented her features with a radiant palette of make-up and styled her blonde tresses loose

The couple starred opposite one another in the 2021 Netflix drama Power Of The Dog, which saw them play husband and wife.

They were both nominated for Oscars for their roles, but did not win this time around.

'We kind of fell in love creatively first and fell in love as actors,' Kirsten previously said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, adding her partner was her 'favorite actor.'

Speaking of Jesse, Kirsten told the New York Times: 'My first impression was, "Oh, hes like me." We were two people who worked very similarly, and it felt like a soulmate.'

Pose: Kirsten completed the look with a chic black shirt with frilled bib detailing and slipped her feet into stylish heels

Front row: (L-R) (L to R) Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, Rosamund Pike, Camille Cottin and Catherine Deneuve

'I knew he would be in my life forever,' she said. 'It was one of those connections where you just know. But were also very respectful people and were mindful of the fact that we were working together intensely.'

Jesse also had the same feeling. Speaking with the NY Times, he said: 'I knew that she would be in my life for a long time.'

Jesse also spoke glowingly about Kirsten at at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2019.

'I don't often remember every detail about meeting someone  Immediately, without too many words being exchanged, I looked into her eyes and saw the beautiful, sweet, unguarded, welcoming human being that she is,' he said.
Elizabeth Debicki and her lookalike sister Catherine looked stylish on Monday as they attended Christian Dior's Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show.

The Crown actress, 32, flashed her undergarments in a mesh silver and gold top, which was teamed with a patterned skirt for the front row appearance.

While she brought along younger sister Catherine, who opted for a stylish fully monochrome ensemble.

Elizabeth Debicki flashes her bra in a mesh gold top and monochrome patterned skirt as she is joined by lookalike sister Catherine to watch Dior's Paris Fashion Week show

Elizabeth layered a black cropped blazer over her ruched neck top, which was tucked into her intricately patterned skirt.

Her bright blonde locks were pulled away from her face into a bun, as the beauty opted for a pink-hued palette of makeup.

The actress beamed for snaps alongside her interior designer sister, who bears a striking resemblance to her.

Catherine layered a black and white checked jacket over a crochet black top, matching the look with a tartan maxi skirt.

Ensemble: Elizabeth flashed her undergarments in a mesh silver and gold top, which was teamed with a patterned skirt for the front row appearance

Complexion: Her bright blonde locks were pulled away from her face into a bun, opting for a pink-hued palette of makeup

She had her brunette cropped hair gelled back into a slick look for the fashion event.

The sibling duo, who sat in the front row for the show, appear to have a close relationship, with Catherine often accompanying Elizabeth to events.

Elizabeth's appearance at the Dior show comes as filming for the sixth and final series of The Crown is well underway, as the Netflix hits prepares its sixth and final series.

Outfit: Elizabeth layered a black cropped blazer over her ruched neck top, which was tucked into her intricately patterned skirt

Front row: The actress beamed for snaps alongside her interior designer sister, who bears a striking resemblance to her

Crew members from the Netflix hit were seen setting up Winchester Cathedral on Saturday as they prepared to film scene's for Princess Diana's funeral.

Fans are eagerly awaiting its release later this year, but the show is already courting controversy with its plans to depict the tragic death of Diana.

The stunning Gothic church was seen with cordons in place and location trucks on site at the weekend.

On-screen: Elizabeth's appearance at the Dior show comes as filming for the sixth and final series of The Crown is well underway, as the Netflix hits prepares its sixth and final series

Boxes of red and white roses were seen scattered across the floor, with lighting and scaffolding in place.

The scene depicting a grief-stricken William and Prince Harry  then aged 15 and 12  was filmed in secrecy at a disused RAF base.

The scenes will form part of The Crown's final series, which is expected to be released later in 2023.

Imelda Staunton will reprise her role as Queen Elizabeth II, with Jonathan Pryce playing her husband Prince Philip.

Elizabeth will once again appear as Princess Diana in the build-up to her death, while Dominic West plays Prince Charles.
Noah Schnapp's hilarious yearbook quote has been revealed by one of his former classmates.

The Stranger Things actor, 18, made a dig at his teachers with his quote, jesting that they didn't teach him 'a thing'.

While he also made a cheeky reference to the Netflix show that made him famous, citing a scene where one character says: 'Son of a b**ch, you know you're really help at all'.

'To all the teachers that never taught me a thing': Noah Schnapp's hilarious yearbook quote has been revealed by a former classmate - and is complete with a cheeky Stranger Things reference

One TikTok user, who went to the same school as Noah, shared a video of the yearbook to the streaming platform.

Writing 'UM HELP I FOUND THIS IN MY YEARBOOK' over the clip, the camera focused on Noah's black and white picture - which showed him beaming in a white T-shirt.

While he had written in the quote section: 'To all the teachers who haven't taught me a thing. - Stranger Things S2 Episode 5 35:08.'

The timecode leads to a Stranger Things scene where Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson, says: 'Son of a b**ch, you know you're really help at all, you know that.'

Learnt nothing? He had written in the quote section: 'To all the teachers who haven't taught me a thing. - Stranger Things S2 Episode 5 35:08 (pictured on the show)

One user wrote: 'UM HELP I FOUND THIS IN MY YEARBOOK' over the clip, the camera focused on Noah's black and white picture - which showed him beaming in a white T-shirt

Noah's twin sister Chloe's picture and quote was placed beside his, as she went down a more sentimental route.

Quoting Walt Disney's 'If you can dream it, you can do it,' she wrote: 'Mom, Dad and Noah: thank you for supporting me every day and always believing in me.

'I would not have become the person I am today without you guys. I love you!'

Siblings: Noah's twin sister Chloe's picture and quote was placed beside his, as she went down a more sentimental route

Fans took to the comment section to question how the user knows Noah, to which they responded: 'This yearbook was from last year he is in college now.

'I am a grade lower then him but like we had mutual friends and i would see him around (sic)'.

Noah rose to fame when he was just 10 years old alongside Millie Bobby Brown on Netflix's Stranger Things.

And while he's making it big in Hollywood, the young star is also focusing on his education as he is currently enrolled as a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

Reference: The timecode leads to a Stranger Things scene where Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson, says: 'Son of a b**ch, you know you're really help at all, you know that'
Harry Hamlin has revealed the real reason why his wife Lisa Rinna acrimoniously departed the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after eight seasons, reports Page Six.

Rinna, 59, confirmed her shock exit from the Bravo show earlier this month following a feud with Kathy Hilton.

Now Hamlin, 71, claims his wife and Sutton Stracke's feud over Elton John Oscars gala tickets in 2021, and viewers subsequently siding with Stracke was the final nail in the coffin for Rinna's time on the show,

Admission: Harry Hamlin has revealed the real reason why his wife Lisa Rinna acrimoniously departed the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after eight seasons, reports Page Six (pictured together on January 6)

The feud erupted when Stracke, 51, claimed she never received a thank you for inviting Rinna and Harry Hamlin to the 2019 Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party - but Rinna said she and Hamlin got their own tickets to the party.

PageSix overheard Hamlin say during the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday that Rinna 'might still be on the show had the fight not happened.'

He said: 'Lisa had all the receipts from that night, but they never showed the receipts on the reunion.

'She might still be on the show had Sutton not said that. She might still be on the show, but the audience believed Sutton.'

Firestarter: Rinna, 59, confirmed her shock exit from the Bravo show earlier this month following a feud with Kathy Hilton

Oh dear: Now Hamlin, 71, claims his wife and Sutton Stracke's feud over Elton John Oscars gala tickets in 2021, and viewers subsequently siding with Stracke was the final nail in the coffin for Rinna's time on the show

'All good things come to an end. She took it as far as she could take it. Now Im working like crazy so she doesnt have to work.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Rinna and Bravo for comment. Stracke's representative declined to comment to Dailymail.com.

The feud erupted when Stracke alleged she invited the couple to the party 'a few years ago' during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2021, but Lisa fired back fast enough for her response to make it to onto the show.

'We didn't come as your guests @suttonstracke. @eltonjohn invited us to his event, you asked us to sit at your table. So we did. Let's just make that clear,' Lisa hit back on her Instagram Stories.

In a follow up post, Rinna said she had gone to the bash 'for years' and recalled attending the party while a contestant on Dancing With The Stars

Stracke spilled the alleged tea after a fan asked if Rinna was 'reaching' for asking Garcelle Beauvais to thank him for his sauce.

'A few years ago - this is really bad,' Sutton said in response to the question. 'OK, I'm gonna do it. A few years ago, Harry and Lisa both came, I invited them to the Elton John gala, and they came with me as my guests. I never got a thank you,' Stracke claimed.

Over and out: He said: 'Lisa had all the receipts from that night, but they never showed the receipts on the reunion. She might still be on the show had Sutton not said that'

After Lisa struck back on Instagram, Andy asked Sutton about Rinna's response.

'Okay, see, we're gonna have words about this,' Sutton said.

Andy added that Sutton confessed to him during the commercial break that tickets to the gala were priced at $10,000 a pop.

'I purchased them for them,' Sutton said, agreeing with Andy that she actually ended up buying a table.

'Perhaps they do not know that I actually bought those tickets for them,' the RHOBH star added. 'So maybe that's a miscommunication.'

Confirming her exit from the show in January 2023, Rinna said: 'This is the longest job I have held in my 35 year career and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and all those involved in the series,' she told People in a statement.

She continued: 'It has been a fun eight-year run and I am excited for what is to come!'

The outlet reported that 'she and Bravo mutually decided that she would not return to RHOBH' after her contract expired last season.

Not mincing her words: Rinna responded fast enough that Andy addressed her claim on WWHL

'Dancing the night away': In a follow up post, Rinna said she had gone to the bash 'for years' and recalled attending the party while a contestant on Dancing With The Stars

In October, she was booed at BravoCon following backlash from fans over saying she would 'get cancer' if she didn't expose Hilton's 'vile' comments on the show's finale.

When asked by DailyMail.com about her reaction to those calling for her to be fired, the mom-of-two said she didn't know what to think and branded herself a 'rockstar.'

'We are the number one show on cable, and on television... That's all I have to say,' she concluded.

At the time, Lisa was slammed by cancer survivors and doctors alike after she used the disease as an excuse to spill Hilton's personal secrets.

Her feud with Hilton seemingly began when Rinna accused Hilton of attacking her sister Kyle Richards during a 'psychotic break.'

During the three-part RHOBH reunion, that aired on October 12, Hilton called Rina 'the biggest bully in Hollywood.'

Previously, she got into a massive fight with Hilton's sister Kim Richards over dinner, which resulted in her hurling a wine glass at Kim, who threatened to say something unkind about her husband, Harry Hamlin.

Additionally, she accused Yolanda Hadid, who was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, of having Munchausen syndrome on RHOBH season 5.

Rinna has since apologized and said the claim 'was very wrong, on all levels.'
Donna D'Errico displayed her timeless beauty as she flaunted her toned body in a teeny purple and pink string bikini on Instagram.

The 54-year-old Baywatch vet sprawled out on a beachside wood plank as water rained on her toned physique.

Posting to her 1.5 million followers, she shared a behind-the-scenes reel as she carried out a photo shoot.

Looking good: Donna D'Errico displayed her timeless beauty as she flaunted her toned body in a teeny string bikini on Instagram

Donna wrote in the caption, 'Its been sweet being back home where I was raised! Im thinking of staying! Rain & all!.'

The Alabama native fittingly sound tracked the sexy snippet to the song Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The mom-of-two slithered and squirmed, arching her back and pointing her toes as she played up her ample chest.

Her bleach blonde hair was wet as she rested her head on the wood paneling and showed off her best angles.

Sizzling: The Baywatch vet, 54, sprawled out on a beachside wood plank as water rained on her toned physique

The TV star wrapped up the caption by writing to her fans, 'Have a beautiful Monday yall.'

She then directed her admirers to click the link in her bio, which led them to a Linktree account in which she promotes her Only Fans page.

It comes after earlier this month the vixen gave fans a fashion show as she tried on different swimwear in a hotel room.

The star, who's known to post risque content on social media, clapped back at criticism last year.

Social media engagement: Posting to her 1.5 million followers, she shared a behind-the-scenes reel as she carried out a photo shoot

'Someone please tell me again how Im too old to be wearing bikinis. Next!' she wrote online last year in response to internet trolls.

'Quite a few women complained about the 4th of July video I posted in a red white & blue bikini because they thought I was classier than that and too old to wear a bikini and, my favorite, desperate,"' shared the bombshell about a specific post.

'Let me tell you something that might surprise you. I can actually wear and do literally whatever I want. On that note, here is me in a bikini squatting on a coffee table .'

Teaser: It comes after earlier this month the vixen gave fans a fashion show as she tried on different swimwear in a hotel room

D'Errico, who shares daughter Frankie, 22, and son Rhyan, 29, with ex-husband Nikki Sixx, 64, stirred up controversy when she opened her own OnlyFans account in October.

Explaining her choice to launch the site, the former Playboy model wrote on Instagram, 'All these celebs posting nude and topless pics of themselves here on IG and Twitter all the time covering their important bits with their hands. Boom, thousands of likes & comments talking about body positivity and confidence and empowerment and you go girl! Hot!

'But take that same photo of that same celeb and put it on OF where she can control who sees it and now shes gross and hard up. People kill me.'
Ruth Wilson looked nothing short of sensational on Monday as she attended the star-studded Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week.

The actress, 40, cut an elegant figure in a black cropped top that showed off her toned stomach.

She teamed it with a pair of black velvet high-waisted trousers with flared bottoms and adorned with gold buttons.

Incredible: Ruth Wilson looked nothing short of sensational on Monday as she attended the star-studded Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week

The Luther star added a huge chunky gold ring to add a splash of sparkle to her outfit and wore her brunette locks down.

Ruth added a few extra inches to her height in a pair of quirky black and gold toed high heels.

She gave her ensemble a touch of sophistication with a black wide-brimmed hat perched on top of her head.

Chiselled: The actress, 40, cut an elegant figure in a black cropped top that showed off her toned stomach

To add a pop of colour to the monotone outfit, she added a bold red clutch and a slick of matching lipstick.

It comes after Ruth confessed that she 'thinks about having a baby every day'.

She said she has 'lots of kids in my life' who she adores, but can see both the 'benefits and the disadvantages' in raising her own children.

Classy: She teamed it with a pair of black velvet high-waisted trousers with flared bottoms and adorned with gold buttons

The Affair star is currently taking a break with her American writer boyfriend - who she has previously refused to name - after a busy few years career-wise working on the His Dark Materials series, movie shoots and theatre performances.

When asked in an interview with the new issue of Radio Times magazine whether she wants a baby, Ruth responded: 'I think about it every day. I can see the benefits and the disadvantages every day.

'I have lots of nieces and nephews, so I have lots of kids in my life and I love kids. It's just that it changes your life entirely. So yes, I think about it a lot.'

Chic: She gave her ensemble a touch of sophistication with a black wide-brimmed hat perched on top of her head

Dazzling: To add a pop of colour to the monotone outfit, she added a bold red clutch and a slick of matching lipstick

The actress is the youngest of four children; her three older brothers all have their own kids and her parents - investment banker father Nigel and probation officer mother Mary - have been married for well over 40 years.

As a result, the screen star has previously said she has 'no example by which to live my life' and finds the baby question 'a really annoying thing to deal with'.

Ruth said in an interview with ES magazine in 2016: 'My mum had four kids at my age and all my brothers have replicated my parents' marriage - they've got kids and are settled.

'I have no example by which to live my life, really. I feel I am a bit on my own and have to form it as I go. My parents' lives were in one place, static and maybe routine and my life isn't.

Baby question: The actress said 'it's just that it changes your life entirely. So yes, I think about it a lot' (pictured as Alison Lockhart in The Affair with co-star Joshua Jackson)

'Sometimes I think, "God, I'd really love some kids", and other times it's like, "No way". For a woman my age, it's a constant debate - and again, a really annoying thing to deal with, because it defines relationships and how you approach them.

'Life will take its paths and you have to believe things will happen for a reason. I am quite laissez-faire about it, and I am happy as I am at the moment.'

Speaking in an interview with Radio Times magazine in 2018, Ruth said if she wanted to have a child later in life then she would be prepared to 'adopt or there are other ways'.

She explained: 'Every day I feel a different way about it. What's interesting about women is that we're conscious time is running out and that some part of us is in a process of dying from the age of puberty.

'I feel like what happens, happens. We have more ways available to us to have kids later on. If I really want a child, I can adopt or there are other ways.

'At the same time, if I don't have a child, that decision is not judged as much as it used to be. Times are changing.'

Read the full interview with Ruth Wilson in the new issue of Radio Times magazine, on sale now

The Golden Globe-winning actress previously claimed some women's focus on the institution of marriage is 'depressing'.

Speaking to the Sunday Times Magazine in February, she said: 'I personally have no interest in walking down a church in a white dress.

'[There are women] with exactly the same ring on their finger, talking about their bachelorettes. You think, that's all they're living for. It feels so depressing.

'Honestly it's never been something that I've wildly wanted or even really thought about.

'How long does love last? Can it really last a lifetime? People expect forever and when it doesn't work out they're somehow surprised.'

Read the full interview with Ruth Wilson in the new issue of Radio Times magazine, on sale now.
Jorgie Porter shared some sweet family snaps on Sunday from her getaway to the Gleneagles Hotel and resort in Scotland.

The Hollyoaks star, 35, revealed that she and fiance Ollie Piotrowski enjoyed a trip away with family and their newborn son Forest, five weeks, for Ollie's birthday.

Jorgie shared a fun reel on Instagram on the weekend and said it was a surreal moment for the pair to be 'back at the spot where they got engaged but this time with their little man'.

'Back to the spot where we got engaged but this time with the little man': Jorgie Porter shared sweet snaps from her family getaway to Scotland on the weekend

In the images, the pair are seen doting on their son and in another image their tiny tot can be seen in a hotel robe with adorable 'toasty toes' slippers.

In another, she sleeps as her son naps beside her.

'Back to the spot where we got engaged but this time with the little man,' her post began.

Cute! In the images, the pair are seen doting on their son and in another image their tiny tot can be seen in a hotel robe with adorable 'toasty toes' slippers

'The BEST birthday weekend for my favourite @olliepiotrowski 

'Magical weekend ~ The Conway ports Piotrowskis break at @thegleneagleshotel  Till next time .'

In December 2021, Jorgie revealed that she and Ollie were engaged.

That same year, Jorgie and Ollie took a big step in their relationship in July when they bought a property together.

'Magical weekend ~ The Conway ports Piotrowskis break at @thegleneagleshotel  Till next time ' she wrote in her post

Jorgie previously revealed doctors could never explain why she had miscarried quadruplets as she reflected on her devastating pregnancy loss.

The star, who lost her babies at 14 weeks, said she felt 'very loved' by her fans who flooded her with support after she shared her struggles.

The couple announced their son's birth in November last year.

'Welcome to the family. Our baby boy .. Forest,' her post read at the time.

The couple announced they were expecting the baby in June in a video on Instagram which showed Porter, Piotrowski and their dog each moving their hands to unveil the sonogram photo.
Jasmine Tookes enjoyed a beautiful baby shower over the weekend surrounded by friends and family in Los Angeles.

The gorgeous Victoria's Secret vet, 31, looked breathtaking in a figure-hugging turtleneck white dress.

The supermodel, who's married to 32-year-old Juan David Borrero  the son of Ecuadorian vice president Alfredo Borrero  beamed as she soaked up the sun.

Celebration: Jasmine Tookes enjoyed a beautiful baby shower over the weekend surrounded by friends and family in Los Angeles

The shower was hosted outdoors, where Jasmine and her loved ones were surrounded by lush greenery.

Among the attendees were her fellow runway regulars - friends including Josephine Skriver, Shanina Shaik, Sara Sampaio and Kelsey Merritt.

Tookes, who hails from Huntington Beach, CA, was comfortably barefoot as she put on an ethereal display.

Her long-sleeved, curve-flattering maxi dress featured a side slit that reached up to her lower thigh.

Beauty! The gorgeous Victoria's Secret vet, 31, looked breathtaking in a figure-hugging turtleneck white dress

Star-studded: Among the attendees were her fellow runway regulars - friends including Josephine Skriver, Shanina Shaik, Sara Sampaio and Kelsey Merritt

Great turnout: The Victoria's Secret alum was shown love, support, and appreciation by all who came out

Tookes pulled her lustrous dark hair into an elegant updo that was styled in a precise center part, culminating in a loose chignon.

She left out wispy pieces near her ears as she showed off a pair of silver-toned dome earrings.

The stunning model shared the big news by uploading fashionable black and white snaps to social media last November.

Jasmine expressed her excitement by writing, 'Baby Borrero. The last 6 months have gone by so fast & we cant wait to meet this precious little angel. Feeling so grateful to start a family with you @juandavidborrero.'

Glowing: The supermodel, who's married to 32-year-old Juan David Borrero  the son of Ecuadorian vice president Alfredo Borrero  beamed as she soaked up the sun

Precious! The mom-to-be couldn't help but smile as she marked the special occasion with close friends

The soon-to-be mama pulled out all the stops for her baby bash as she incorporated fun games, and an espresso bar that produced drinks with 'baby Borrero' written on them.

The superstar also offered guests a champagne bar, various food and sweet treats with Jasmine's pregnancy photos on them.

'Baby Borrero' cookies were also distributed to partygoers at the Sunday soiree.

Star studded! Josephine, Shanina, Sara and Kelsey all showed up to celebrate their glowing friend who proudly showed off her growing baby bump

Yum! The expectant mom nibbled on bites at the meticulously-planned gathering

Woman of the hour: The beauty interacted with her guests as they sat down for food and fun

Jasmine's friends stepped out in style, showing they're just as fashionable as the future mom while they pulled out their best looks.

Shanina, who's mom to four-month-old baby boy Zai, arrived in a button-up white dress.

She added brown accents in the form of leather boots and a coordinating leather trench coat.

The new mother came bearing gifts as she carried a bouquet of pink and white roses for her friend.

Matching: Jasmine took turns posing for one-on-one photos with her gal pals; pictured with Shanina

Full circle: Tookes posed with mom Cary Robinson, who lovingly wrapped her hands around her daughter

For her part, Josephine went for a casual and cool look as she rocked a neutral color palette for the celebration.

The Danish-born beauty opted for a cream-colored knit turtleneck sweater with a chunky collar.

It was layered underneath a lighter-hued boucle coat and she added a pair of baggy, khaki slacks.

Pulling everything together, she added a sporty touch with black and white sneakers.

Sweet photo-op: Jasmine placed a protective hand on her bump while posing with Josephine

Bearing gifts! Shanina, who recently gave birth, arrived with a bouquet of roses

In a November interview with Vogue Jasmine opened up about her pregnancy journey and the excitement she feels about becoming a mother.

When talking about the way she wanted to share the happy news, the catwalk queen admitted, 'I couldnt find the right way that I wanted to do it, a way that felt true to me.'

However, the beautiful and classic pregnancy photos from her shoot with the fashion magazine proved to be a great way to share the news.

Jasmine also said that she and her husband chose wait to announce they were expecting their first child until her pregnancy symptoms, like 'chronic fatigue,' subsided.

Guest list: The model's friends Jocelyn Chew and Sara showed off their stellar senses of fashion in classic looks

Cute! Sara posed with a quaint retro baby carriage filled with flowers for a solo snapshot

'The tiredness was something I had never experienced,' the model explained, giving an example that, 'I almost fell asleep driving my car.'

On her journey motherhood, the model admitted that, 'Every day is scary. You never know whats going to happen. So I just pray, hope for the best, and try to keep an open mind.'

Jasmine and Juan David began dating in 2016, and became engaged four years later in 2020.

The two held a dream wedding ceremony in 2021 in her husband's home country of Ecuador.

Sensational: Georgia Sinclair modeled a ribbed beige dress with cutouts at the chest and midriff while Jasmine's mom Cary also opted for a light dress with a deep neckline

Fun time! The guests were all smiles as they lifted their hands while partaking in a game; L-R Shanina, Sara, and Georgia

Details: The superstar also offered guests a champagne bar, various food and sweet treats with Jasmine's pregnancy photos on them
Kylie Jenner got a surprising thumbs up from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on Friday after she found an innovative way to evoke the majesty of animals without harming on in the process.

The 25-year-old cosmetics mogul debuted a stunning black dress at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show for Paris Fashion Week that hugged her curves, but it was the enormous, realistic lion head attached to the front that got the most attention.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk praised Kylie  along with similarly attired models Naomi Campbell and Irina Shayk  for possibly making a statement against trophy hunting.

'These fabulously innovative three-dimensional animal heads show that where theres a will, theres a way  and Kylie, Naomi and Irinas looks celebrate the beauty of wild animals and may be a statement against trophy hunting, in which lions and wolves are torn apart to satisfy human egotism,' she said.

Seal of approval: Kylie Jenner, 25, got a surprising thumbs up on Monday from PETA after she wore a dress with a fake lion head to the Schiaparelli Haute Couture show for Paris Fashion Week

Newkirk also urged the fashion stars to give up using wool products, which PETA says leads to the abuse and injury of sheep, and silk, which results in silkworms being killed in many instances.

The applause from PETA was a surprising turnaround for Kylie, who has been criticized in the past by animal rights advocates for her use of fur clothing.

The raven-haired beauty wore a winter outfit that had what looked like fur trim last month while vacationing in Aspen, Colorado, and two years earlier she was confronted by activists while leaving a clothing store that sells fox fur.

However, she was not wearing any fur at the time of the protest, which didn't appear to be specifically aimed at her.

Applause: 'These fabulously innovative three-dimensional animal heads show that where theres a will, theres a way  and Kylie, Naomi and Irinas looks celebrate the beauty of wild animals and may be a statement against trophy hunting,' PETA President Ingrid Newkirk told DailyMail.com

More to do: Newkirk also urged the fashion stars to give up using wool products, which PETA says leads to the abuse and injury of sheep, and silk, which results in silkworms being killed in many instances

Back in black: Kylie's fur-free look featured a stunning off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her enviable curves

Can't miss it: The Kardashians star's dress featured an eye-catching ruched design, put the most look put the spotlight on the massive lion head attached to the front of the dress, just to the side of her chest; pictured with Barry Lyndon star Marisa Berenson

Kylie's other family members have also come under fire in the past for wearing fur, though it seems to have made the biggest impact on Kim Kardashian.

In 2019, the SKIMS co-founder revealed that she had had all of the fur clothing in her closet remade with faux fur.

Previously, she had been hounded by activists and was once even flour bombed by a person supporting PETA.

Kylie's fur-free look featured a stunning off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her enviable curves.

The Kardashians star's dress featured an eye-catching ruched design, put the most look put the spotlight on the massive lion head attached to the front of the dress, just to the side of her chest.

Bad blood: The applause from PETA was a surprising turnaround for Kylie, who has been criticized in the past by animal rights advocates for her use of fur clothing; seen in 2017 in NYC

History: The raven-haired beauty wore a winter outfit that had what looked like fur trim last month while vacationing in Aspen, Colorado, and two years earlier she was confronted by activists while leaving a clothing store that sells fox fur; PETA supporters seen in London

Making a change: Kim Kardashian also experienced similar protests before having all her fur clothing remade as faux fur in 2019

'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. thank you @danielroseberry and @schiaparelli for such a special morning,' Kylie wrote on Instagram while sharing the dress. 'wow i loved wearing this faux art creation constructed by hand using manmade materials. beautiful beautiful.'

However, some fans on social media weren't crazy for the confrontational look.

'But why. Why why why even imitate this. Im thankful its faux but the imagery is still disturbing,' wrote one concerned user.

'Why are you wearing animals head on your dress? Faux or not it doesnt make sense to me?' echoed another person.

Others worried she would inspires Americans and fashion-conscious people to head to Africa for trophy hunts.

But some users compared the fake lion head to a child playing with a stuffed animals

Lookalikes: Naomi Campbell and Irina Shayk both wore similar animal heads on the red carpet. Irina's lion head had its mouth opened as if it was roaring

Kylie's striking look at Paris Fashion Week comes after she finally revealed the face and name of her youngest child.

The raven-haired beauty shared photos of herself posing with her 11-month-old son Aire, whom she shares with her now-ex Travis Scott.

The couple had previously strived to keep their son's privacy and had not posted any photos of his face to social media while also keeping him away from public spaces.

They previously announced that his name was Wolf, only to share that they had changed it after deciding it didn't suit the little boy.

Big revelation: Kylie revealed that her baby son's name is Aire on Instagram on Saturday after revealing that she had plans to change his name


By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

The Western Azerbaijan Community held a meeting with Ambassador Cahit Bagci of Turkiye to Baku, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the ambassador was informed about the Armenian governments refusal to take measures to restore the rights of the expelled Azerbaijanis and the fact that Armenia continues to deprive them of the right to live in their homeland.

Besides, it was emphasized that the international community's support is vital for ensuring the recognized rights of expelled Azerbaijanis within the framework of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international conventions.

In turn, Bagci underlined that it is impossible to track down where the Azerbaijan-Turkiye ties started.

The two states have always stood shoulder to shoulder in struggle and supported each other, he added.

Noting that the soldiers of the Caucasus Islamic Army fought in Goycha, Baku, and Shamakhi, he pointed out that the Azerbaijani people buried Ottoman soldiers on their land because they knew them as brothers.

The diplomat then noted that in the coming months, the monument built to perpetuate the memory of the martyred Azerbaijanis in Canakkala would be inaugurated.

Responding to journalists' questions after the event, the head of the communitys press service Ulviyya Zulfugar stated that a list of more than 100,000 West Azerbaijani residents had been compiled so far.

Noting that the registration process continues, the official stressed that along with Azerbaijanis deported in 1988-1991, others were forced to migrate earlier and their heirs are also being registered.

"In connection with the registration process, both local executive bodies provide support, and every day 250-300 people of our Western Azerbaijani compatriots approach our community and take the initiative to get registered."

In 2021, Azerbaijan and Turkiye signed the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations, which focuses on defense cooperation, promoting regional stability, and prosperity through establishing new transport routes.

Additionally, Turkiye was one of the first countries that expressed its readiness for involvement in the restoration of Azerbaijans liberated territories.




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Jennifer Lopez and her husband Ben Affleck were joined by his ex-wife Jennifer Garner on Sunday to celebrate a musical event featuring family.

The 53-year-old Shotgun wedding star and the 50-year-old 13 Going On 30 star were seen joined by their children as they arrived at a performance hall in Santa Monica, California.

The meet-up showed how seemingly cozy the blended family and exes have become since Affleck married Lopez last year.

Lopez and Affleck were both seen looking affectionate with her child Emme, 14, while Garner was spotted arriving at the venue with her older daughter Violet, 17, and son Samuel, 10, while Seraphina, 14, was presumably already in the venue.

Blended: Jennifer Lopez and her husband Ben Affleck were joined by his ex-wife Jennifer Garner on Sunday to celebrate a musical event featuring family. The 53-year-old Shotgun wedding star and the 50-year-old 13 Going On 30 star were seen joined by their children as they arrived at a performance hall in Santa Monica, California

The whole family was dressed in casual clothing for the function.

Lopez looked relaxed yet stylish in a short green tweed jacket that was only partially buttoned up on the breezy day.

She wore the item over a pale green ribbed turtleneck sweater that reached up to her chin.

The Out Of Sight star paired the items with her high-waisted jeans, which emphasized her curves and flared slightly at the hems.

Jennifer also wore an olive-colored set of platform Louboutins, which elevated her 5ft5in stature.

Sweet: Ben was seen looking affectionate with Lopez's child Emme, 14. He rocked a charcoal jacket with a black untucked shirt, black jeans and weathered dark leather boots

No fuss: The whole family was dressed in casual clothing for the function. Lopez looked relaxed yet stylish in a short green tweed jacket that was only partially buttoned up on the breezy day

Casual chic: The Out Of Sight star paired the items with her high-waisted jeans, which emphasized her curves and flared slightly at the hems

Standing tall: Jennifer also wore an olive-colored set of platform Louboutins, which elevated her 5ft5in stature

She accessorized with a luxurious tan Birkin bag from Hermes, and she wore striking octagonal-shaped sunglasses with only a modest tint.

The songstress was spotted waiting outside the venue with Emme and Ben's mother Christopher Anne Boldt.

She wore a charcoal cardigan with a black top, black slacks and a long red scarf draped around her throat, along with a black quilted handbag.

Emme rocked a grungy style featuring a baggy black hoodie and loose acid wash jeans with cargo pockets, along with black sneakers.

They brought along a set of large headlines and wore their jet black hair with a small blond-dyed bit over one of their temples.

Ben rocked a charcoal jacket with a black untucked shirt, black jeans and weathered dark leather boots.

Generations: The songstress was spotted waiting outside the venue with Emme and Ben's mother Christopher Anne Boldt. She wore a charcoal cardigan with a black top, black slacks and a long red scarf draped around her throat

Alternative style: Emme rocked a grungy style featuring a baggy black hoodie and loose acid wash jeans with cargo pockets, along with black sneakers

Waiting up: Jennifer was seen waiting outside the venue before heading in with her family

On point: She accessorized with a luxurious tan Birkin bag from Hermes, and she wore striking octagonal-shaped sunglasses with only a modest tint

Notably, Emme's twin Max was spotted with the group as they arrived for the performance.

Jennifer Garner appeared to be bringing her other children with Ben.

She opted for a more relaxed look with a puffy navy blue down coat with a ribbed collar, which she layered over a toasty gray ribbed sweater.

The Alias star opted for cropped blue jeans, and she stuck with a sporty set of teal trainers while wearing her brunette tresses tied back in a casual ponytail.

Jennifer traveled light, eschewing a hand bag in favor of just bringing along her blue wallet and phone.

Covered up: Jennifer Garner appeared to be bringing her other children with Ben. She opted for a more relaxed look with a puffy navy blue down coat with a ribbed collar, which she layered over a toasty gray ribbed sweater

Cool digs: Violet wore a red patterned jumpsuit with white trainers and a cream-colored cardigan decorated with hearts

Taking it easy: Samuel rocked a cool set of red, white and black Nike high tops that contrasted with his blue hoodie and dark jeans with blown-out patches over the knees

Cute: Samuel was sweet affectionate with his mother and nuzzled up against her as they headed toward the building

Blue mood: The Alias star opted for cropped blue jeans, and she stuck with a sporty set of teal trainers. She had her brunette tresses tied back in a casual ponytail

Violet wore a red patterned jumpsuit with white trainers and a cream-colored cardigan decorated with hearts.

She carried a simple black handbag slung across her body and brought along a high-quality respirator-style mask for inside the venue.

Her brother Samuel opted for a similarly low-key look. He rocked a cool set of red, white and black Nike high tops that contrasted with his blue hoodie and dark jeans with blown-out patches over the knees.

Jennifer's sighting comes on the same day that new images were released from the upcoming third-season revival of the cult comedy series Party Down.

The series was canceled after its second season in 2010 due to low ratings and the loss of cast members Jane Lynch (who skipped the second season to appear on Glee) and Adam Scott, who would have left to appear on Parks And Recreation.

The revived third season features several original cast members, while Garner will be joining as a movie producer who is now Scott's girlfriend.

Lizzie Caplan previously played his co-worker and love interest but was unable to join the third season due to scheduling issues.

New role: Jennifer's sighting comes on the same day that new images were released from the upcoming third-season revival of the cult comedy series Party Down

Romantic angle: She joins the cast a movie producer who is dating star Adam Scott. Lizzie Caplan previously played his co-worker and love interest but was unable to join the third season due to scheduling issues

Jennifer Lopez's meeting with her husband's ex-wife comes after she opened up about the joys of joining a blended family while speaking with Extra at the premiere of her new romantic comedy Shotgun Wedding on Wednesday.

'Its going really, really well, its amazing, we have five beautiful, beautiful children, blessings' she said of the children.

'We dropped one of them off at school today and we were just kind of thinking about what our lives have become and just feeling so blessed and grateful for where we wound up in our lives,' she continued. 'Its a beautiful night, thats all I can say.'

During an appearance on Today earlier this week, Jennifer said she had had her 'best year' in a long time after she and Ben moved in together and their children could finally be together under one roof.

'We moved in together, the kids moved in together. So its been, like, a really kind of emotional transition. But at the same time, like, all your dreams coming true and its just been a phenomenal year. Like, my best year, I think, since my kids were born,' gushed.

While speaking with People, Jennifer delved into how she tries to juggle her busy singing and acting careers with her obligations as a mother and now a stepmother.

'I put my best foot forward as much as I can,' she said modestly, before adding that she prefers to keep it to herself when she's stressed out by her obligations.

'I'm not one to share my angst. I don't feel like that's my life as a performer. You always show the best of you,' she explained. 'But I'm a human being like everybody else, and I suffer in silence at times.'

Happy to be together: During an appearance on Today earlier this week, Jennifer said she had had her 'best year' in a long time after she and Ben moved in together and their children could finally be together under one roof

The pop star added that she had to think carefully about how many personal details she was willing to reveal to the public in her music.

'I've been thinking a lot about that  like, what parts of myself do I share with my audience? And what it means to be an artist and to be authentic,' she continued. 'And I feel like there are some things that need to be said and shared because I think, like you just said, it's like, "Oh, you have it all together."'

Jennifer added, 'But the truth is, I'm just like anybody else. I struggle at times, and I wonder at times and I doubt at times, and I'm insecure.'

The hitmaker is set to release her ninth studio album, This Is Me ... Now, later this year, though a release date hasn't yet been announced.

The LP is the spiritual successor to This Is Me ... Then, which she released in 2002 during her first relationship with Ben.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 57th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police, in New Delhi, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the top police brass to make the police forces more sensitive and train them in emerging technologies. The PMs emphasis came during his interactions with the director generals of police and inspector generals of police of the state and Union territories during the three-day conference organised by the Intelligence Bureau here.

The Prime Minister emphasised on the importance of the National Data Governance Framework for smoothening of data exchange across agencies, the government said in a statement.

The PM also sought enhanced cooperation between the state police and the Central agencies. Addressing the 57th All India Conference of Director Generals and Inspector Generals of Police, Mr Modi recommended repealing obsolete criminal laws and sought suggestions on prison reforms and building standards for police organisations across states.

He stressed that while the agencies should further leverage technological solutions like biometrics, there is also a need to further strengthen traditional policing mechanisms like foot patrols.

The PM also discussed strengthening the border as well as coastal security by organising frequent visits by officials.

The Prime Minister called for replicating the model of DGP-IGP conferences at the state and district levels for discussing emerging challenges and evolving best practices among their teams.

The conference covered various aspects of policing and national security, including counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and cybersecurity.

Union home minister Amit Shah and national security adviser Ajit Doval attended the three-day meet, which began on January 20. Around 600 officers of various levels from states and union territories attended the conference in hybrid mode.

"Since 2014, Mr Modi has taken a keen interest in the DGPs' conference. Unlike the symbolic presence of Prime Ministers earlier, he sits through all major sessions of the conference," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office had earlier said.

It also said that the Prime Minister not only listens patiently to all the inputs, but also encourages free and informal discussions so that new ideas can come up.

This provides a congenial atmosphere for the top police officials of the country to directly brief the Prime Minister on key policing and internal security issues, and give open and frank recommendations, the statement said.

Guided by the vision of the PM, the conference started discussions on futuristic themes in policing and security, an official said.

Topics such as security challenges along the land borders with Nepal and Myanmar, strategies to identify overstaying foreigners in India and targeting of Maoist strongholds were discussed at the three-day meet.

The conference concluded after the Prime Minister distributed police medals for distinguished service to the police officials.
Supreme Court (PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider setting up a three-judge bench to adjudicate the case related to wearing of the Islamic head covering in Karnataka schools following its split verdict.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandarchud, and Justices V Ramasubramanian and JB Pardiwala, took note of the submissions of senior advocate Meenakshi Arora that an interim order was needed keeping in mind the practical examinations, scheduled for some classes from February 6 in the state.

"This is the headscarf matter. The girls have practical examinations from February 6, 2023 and this matter needs to be listed for interim directions so that they can appear. The practical examinations will be held in government schools," the senior lawyer said, appearing for some students.

"I will examine it. This is a three judge bench matter. We will allot a date," the CJI said.

A two judge bench of the apex court had on October 13, last year delivered opposing verdicts in the hijab controversy, and urged the Chief Justice to constitute an appropriate bench to adjudicate the case that stemmed from a ban on wearing of Islamic head covering in Karnataka schools.

While Justice Hemant Gupta, since retired, had dismissed the appeals challenging the March 15 judgement of the Karnataka High Court which had refused to lift the ban, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia held there will be no restriction on the wearing of hijab anywhere in the schools and colleges of the state.

Permitting a community to wear its religious symbols to schools will be an "antithesis to secularism," Justice Gupta had said, while Justice Dhulia insisted that wearing the Muslim headscarf should simply be a "matter of choice."

With the apex court delivering a split verdict, the high court's judgement still holds the field. However, the split verdict held off a permanent resolution of the row over hijab as both judges suggested placing the matter before a larger bench for adjudication.

On March 15, the high court dismissed the petitions filed by a section of Muslim students of the Government Pre-University Girls College in Karnataka's Udupi seeking permission to wear the hijab inside classrooms, ruling it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith.

Several appeals were filed in the apex court against the verdict.
Andhra Pradesh High Court. (File)

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Prashant Mishra has pulled up the vacation bench for behaving like a De Facto Chief Justice and acting beyond its limits vis-a-vis its recent order on GO-I relating to curbs on public meetings on roads and highways in AP.

The vacation bench belittled the position of Chief Justice by taking up the case and issuing an interim stay on GO-1, the chief justice pointed out.

The high court refused to extend the interim order on GO-1 further and would hear the case on Tuesday.

A division bench of Chief Justice Prashant Mishra heard the case here on Monday and pointedly asked the vacation bench what was the urgency involved in filing the lunch motion and taking up the hearing in the GO-1 case. It further asked whether the petitioner had staged a dharna or protest with a demand that they be allowed to file a lunch motion in the court.

If every vacation bench in the high court took up any matter saying it was important, what would happen to the institution of judiciary, the CJ asked, and opined that "every vacation court judge would become a Chief Justice in case such a practice is allowed to be continued."

The CJ sharply criticised the vacation bench for taking up the hearing in the case and said he did not see any urgency about the case. "I know everything that is happening and how things happened on that day when the vacation bench issued the interim stay."

State government counsel argued that the government had issued the GO - 1 imposing curbs on public meetings and rallies, "in a clear balancing of fundamental rights of the citizens and public interest."

"No citizen is entitled to claim that he has a vested fundamental right to conduct a meeting on the public road," he stressed.

Counsel submitted that the state government had not banned any public meeting on public roads and only regulated the conduct of such meetings by issuing some guidelines and norms. Counsel said no ban was imposed on processions and roadshows and that the petitioner also did not contend that there was a ban on public processions and road shows.

Counsel submitted that the state government appointed a commission of inquiry on the recent stampede deaths and it was waiting for the report. "There is no merit in the contention of the petitioner that the GO infringed upon the fundamental rights of the people to speak or assemble."

A few days ago, the Supreme Court refused to interfere in the case and directed the regular bench of AP HC to take up the hearing.

The state government had issued GO-1 after the death of 11 persons in a stampede at Kandukur in Nellore district and in Guntur during the meeting held by TD chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu.




India's opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, speaks during a meeting as part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu on Monday, Jan.23, 2023. (Photo:AP)

SRINAGAR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asserted that the biggest issue Jammu and Kashmir is faced with today is the BJP governments stripping it of its statehood and said that his party will throw its "full weight" behind the demand of its restoration.

"There isnt a bigger issue in J&K than this (stripping of) statehood. Your right has been snatched away completely. The Congress will throw its full support towards its restoration. We will use our full power to get it back," he said while speaking at a series of rallies immediately before entering Jammu, also known as the City of Temples, at the head of his "Bharat Jodo Yatra".

Mr Gandhi walked into a rousing reception in J&Ks winter capital where he met a cross section of people and paid obeisance at the famous Raghunath Temple. Mr Gandhi, who was accompanied by senior party leaders, was garlanded by the priests at the historic temple, a complex of seven Hindu shrines, situated in the heart of the old city.

Earlier while speaking at public rallies at Satwari Chowk and Vijaypur on the peripheries of Jammu city, he reiterated that the Congress had tried to raise the issues of public importance such as the "adverse consequences of demonetisation on the Indian economy, the negative impact of GST on the poor and other anti-people, anti- small trader and anti-farmer policies and measures of the government, and China occupying 2,000 sq km of Indias land in Ladakh" in both Houses of Parliament but was not allowed to do it. "Whenever a member of our party stood up to speak on these issues, they put the mike off. Seeing this and democracy being attacked, we started the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which has received tremendous support in all the states it has passed through," he said.

He said that the people who met him, so far, in J&K complained that their land is being snatched away from them and the entire trade is being run by outsiders, leaving the locals workless, unemployment rate has soared up and stands at the highest in the country. He said, "Youngsters aspire to become engineers, doctors and lawyers but they find they cannot. There was another way (to get employment) earlier. It was with the Army. It has also been closed now by a new scheme, called Agniveer, introduced by the BJP government. That path is also now closed."

He complained that the media is not reporting on these issues and the government is not trying to address them either and is even refusing to listen to the masses. "People told me that the administration is just not hearing their voice," he said.

Mr Gandhi said that after beginning the yatra from Kanyakumari on September 7 last year, he and the others would normally start out at 5 am everyday but the J&K authorities have advised them to do it at 7 am instead. "I wanted to set out at 6 am but they said you should do it at 7 am and I have accepted it," he said.

The J&K authorities have justified it saying an extra hour of time was sought to enable them to lay out security arrangements along the yatra route. The Congress has, while acknowledging the sensitivities of the situation in J&K and particularly the Kashmir Valley, left the decision to choose the itinerary of the final leg of the yatra to the discretion of the government and security agencies.

On Saturday, nine persons were injured in twin car blasts within 15 minutes in Narwal suburb area of Jammu. Over the past three days, security forces have found and subsequently defused a few improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted at various places in the Jammu region, including the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

The authorities have, while holding separatist militants responsible for these incidents, insisted on it being a deliberate attempt to jeopardise peace and security and terrify people on the eve of Republic Day. However, security agencies have viewed all these happenings, particularly the twin car blasts, as a matter of serious concern as these took place during the yatra passing through the Jammu region.

On the other hand, the Congress had, following the twin car blasts, criticised the government for the "falling security parameters" in J&K but hoped it would ensure no harm came to Mr Gandhi and those joining him during the final leg of his unity march.

"It is a matter of concern. The twin blasts show the deteriorating security situation in J&K and expose the governments tall claims. We hope the security agencies will take care of our leader," Congress leader Ravinder Sharma had said on Saturday.

Senior AICC leader Jairam Ramesh told the media on Sunday, "There will be no compromise on the security of Rahul Gandhi. His security is our topmost priority, and we are following the guidelines of security agencies in totality."
A third Hindu temple has been vandalised within a fortnight in Australia's Victoria state allegedly by "Khalistani supporters" with anti-India graffiti, according to a media report on Monday.

The management of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple also known as the Hare Krishna Temple in Melbourne's Albert Park on Monday morning found the walls of the revered temple vandalised with graffiti Hindustan Murdabad, The Australia Today website reported.

We are shocked and outraged with this blatant disregard for respect for the place of worship," Bhakta Das, Director of Communication for ISKCON Temple, said.

A complaint has been filed with Victoria Police and CCTV footage is being provided to assist them in their pursuit of culprits.

This is the third such incident in the country within a fortnight.

Also Read  Another Hindu temple vandalised in Australia: Report

On January 16, the historic Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria, was vandalised in a similar manner.

On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced by 'anti-social elements' with anti-India graffiti.

Acting Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan told The Australia Today, All Victorians deserve to practice their faith free from racism, vilification and hatred.

This behaviour is not reflective of the majority of Victorians. The diversity of Victoria is one of our strongest assets, and we condemn these attacks, Allan added.

This attack on ISKCON Temple came just two days after Victorian multi-faith leaders had an emergency meeting with the Victorian Multicultural Commission after which a statement of condemnation was issued against the spread of Hindu hate allegedly by Khalistani supporters.

This is disgusting. We must not allow this to happen," Victorian Liberal Party MP Brad Battin has told The Australia Today.

Federal Member of Parliament Josh Burns also issued a statement saying, I was shocked today to learn of the hateful attack on the Hare Krishna temple in Albert Park. This is the third incident of vandalism against Hindu places of worship in Melbourne in recent weeks.

Shivesh Pandey, an IT consultant and devotee of ISKCON temple said: In the last two weeks, Victoria Police has failed to take any decisive action against the people who are running their hate-filled agenda against the peaceful Hindu community.

India last week condemned the vandalisation of Hindu temples in Australia and said that the matter has been raised with the Australian government in Canberra and asked for an expeditious investigation against the perpetrators.

Australian High Commissioner In India Barry OFarrell issued a statement after Indian intervention.

He said, We have been shocked at the vandalism of two Hindu temples in Melbourne, & Australian authorities are investigating," he tweeted.
The Nationalist Congress Party and the Trinamool Congress on Monday condemned a protest by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at St Xavier College in Mapusa in Goa last week seeking induction of the newly-elected students' council. Police had to be called in to take control of the situation during the protest on Saturday and these parties have sought a reaction from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the ABVP's alleged unruly behaviour.

The ABVP's North Goa secretary Nikita Parsekar alleged the college management was not recognising the students' council despite elections having taken place 75 days ago. The ABVP, which is the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, won most of the seats, its functionaries said. In a video message, the college said the protests were unfortunate and accused ABVP of unruly behaviour as well as abusing the principal, management and staff.

"The police and mamlatdar of the area had to be called in to control the situation," said a statement from the college. The CM must take action against the ABVP or else it will set a wrong precedent," NCP Goa in charge Clyde Crasto said. "If the ABVP wanted to have a dialogue with the principal and management of the college regarding formation of students' council, then they should have asked for a formal meeting instead of creating ruckus in the college," Crasto said in a statement.

TMC spokesperson Trajano D'Mello questioned the CM's silence on the issue. Meanwhile, ABVP's Parsekar said the protests would continue, adding that attempts to meet the college principal were in vain.
Within days of a Bihar minister's controversial remarks over 'Ram Charit Manas', former Uttar Pradesh minister and senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya also stoked a major controversy after he termed the Hindu epic 'anti-dalit' and demanded ban on it.

While the BJP has taken strong exception to Maurya's remarks and the saffron outfits staged protest demonstrations and even declared a reward to whosoever chopped his (Maurya) tongue, the SP, apparently embarrassed, sought to term the remarks as Maurya's personal opinion.

Also Read | Many good things in Ramcharitmanas, but stand by statement: Bihar minister

''We respect all religions but there are certain lines in Ram Charit Manas which are anti-dalit...we can not accept it....we demand a ban on the epic,'' Maurya said.

BJP leader Aparna Bisht, who was the daughter-in-law of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, lashed out at Maurya over the remarks and said that the SP leader had only 'revealed' his own character. ''It seems Maurya has not read Ram Charit Manas.....he should read the epic before making much statement,'' she said here on Monday.

The All India Hindu Mahasabha workers burnt effigy of Maurya in Agra in protest against the remarks and demanded action against him. The Mahasabha general secretary Saurav Sharma declared a reward of Rs 51 thousand to whosoever 'chopped' tongue of Maurya.

Also Read | Muslim clerics slam SP leader's Ramcharitramanas remark

SP leaders also sought to distance themselves from the remarks saying that they were not in accordance with the party ideology. ''They (remarks) may be his personal opinion....the party has nothing to do with them,'' SP leader Ravidas Mehrotra here said.

According to the sources in the SP, party president Akhilesh Yadav had also expressed his serious displeasure over the remarks. ''Such remarks may adversely impact our electoral prospects in the state,'' said a senior SP leader.

Earlier Bihar education minister Chandra Shekhar had said that Ram Charit Manas promoted hatred and social discrimination.
Describing the late Balasaheb Thackeray as a leader of Himalayan stature, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde said that the Shiv Sena founder was the only leader that Pakistan feared.

there was a time when Pakistan feared only one leaderthat was Balasaheb, Shinde said.

On the famous remote control, Shinde said: He never compromised with idealshe used the remote control for the welfare of people and never for himself.

Shinde was speaking after unveiling the oil paint portrait of Thackeray at the Central Hall of the Vidhan Bhavan at Nariman Point.

Shinde also recalled his mentor late Anand Dighe saying that the latter would have been the happiest person today.

Balasaheb never compromised with his words and never took back his words, he said recalling his association with Balasaheb.

Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis jointly unveiled the portrait.

Several members of the Thackeray family including MNS president Raj Thackeray, Smita Thackeray, and Nihar Thackeray were present.

However, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray did not attend the ceremony.
There was an outcry around two issues of public health importance within the last few months. One was about the trading and processing of human breast milk for profit; the second concerned the front-of-pack labelling of unhealthy or ultra-processed food products, which are usually high in sugar, salt or saturated fats.

We wish to highlight why these issues are worth dealing with through a legislative approach, as it will not only strengthen the healthcare system and the protection of people, but also have the potential to improve Indias image globally, especially when India has the G20 Presidency.

We like to draw the attention of the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister to the specific solutions that we are offering to both issues as effective policy interventions.

The first one is about commercial trading and processing of human breast milk. This has been going on for quite a few years. India is the only country in Asia indulging in such an activity due to a weak regulatory system.

A couple of companies have been either processing mothers milk and selling it at an exorbitant price or they are charging huge amounts of money to process breast milk into powder form and return it to mothers in sachets. Both companies secured the licence as a dairy product, which is an example of a weak system turning human breast milk into a marketable commodity.

Of course, the Union government took some timely action as the Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare stated unequivocally in Parliament that mothers milk cannot be commercialised.

Licence of one company has been cancelled, but they have filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking remedy. The licence of another company has been suspended. Both companies appropriated the value of breastfeeding in marketing their products or services.

This kind of commercialisation of mothers milk is not akin to human milk banking. Many human milk banks in Indian hospitals are operating without commercial sales. Led by Brazil, 20 countries in Latin America are part of the Human Milk Bank Networks under which it is prohibited to buy, sell or adopt any commercial practice involving human milk. The donation is voluntary and selfless.

In 2017, Cambodia banned commercial sales of mothers milk. UNICEF had warned that the sale of breastmilk, donated by Cambodian mothers, by a commercial company to women in the US could lead to babies of poor and vulnerable women becoming malnourished.

In Cambodia, Ngor Hong Ly, Secretary of State in the Council of Ministers, said, Despite how poor and difficult Cambodia is, its not at a level where we sell breast milk.

There are huge safety and ethical issues involved when mothers milk or its processed powders are sold in the market. This defeats the very idea of banking of human milk to help preterm and very low birth weight babies being treated and cared for in special units. There is another question: When mothers provide their own milk to a commercial entity, are they depriving their babies?

A solution to these critical issues lies in bringing a Bill in Parliament, which the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare could initiate, and answering the questions: Should mothers milk be allowed to be sold in the market? Can it be processed, converted into powder form to be used as a substitute?

The Bill could also address the ethical standard and control of human breast milk banking in India.

The second issue that made a lot of news during the last one year is about the front-of-pack labelling of pre-packaged unhealthy food products.

The Prime Ministers office rightly summoned the FSSAI to do this work as quickly as possible. This policy has been waiting to happen for several years. It was about to be implemented in 2018-19 but the proposed regulation never saw the light of the day.

The FSSAIs proposed draft notification in September 2022 invited public comments within 60 days, which is over, and many people may have sent their comments.

Though the FSSAI has proposed star rating, science does not support this and it is unlikely to achieve the goal of reducing the consumption of unhealthy food products. The average buyer is not able to understand the complicated calculation behind the star rating. Instead, a clearly stated warning label cautioning how much of salt, sugar and calories are in excess of the recommended limits is a better approach.

Scientific studies do show a clear association of increased consumption of ultra-processed food with the onset of diabetes, heart disease, cancers and all cause deaths. Therefore, an intervention is much urgently required.

India has witnessed more than 6% rise in the consumption of unhealthy/ultra-processed food/drink products, and rising obesity both in men and women has increased by 25% in the past 5 years.

Adult onset of Type-2 diabetes is rapidly increasing, too. Unfortunately, these are the products which are widely advertised. Our simple research revealed that most of the advertised food products are unhealthy but advertisements continue unabated in spite of the self-regulatory processes.

This situation calls for a Bill in Parliament namely, Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases with the objective of prohibiting advertisements and marketing of such food products.

It should also ensure display on the front of packs a warning label showing whether these food products are high in sugar/salt or saturated fats, the three main culprits of the diseases mentioned above. You may also consider bringing unhealthy food products under the highest GST slab as done for cola drinks. Once done, these two legislations can be a turning point in public health for India; and an achievement that can be showcased at the G20.

(The writers are senior paediatricians. Gupta is the convener of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest and Antony is an independent public health consultant and former health & nutrition specialist, UNICEF, India)
A Derry News reader recalls their time at Rossville Flats in Derry; the difficult memories and those cherished to this day. She remembers the heartbreak and her hero. A cumulation of fondness and fear of a time so many have etched in memory forever.



"My first memory of the flats; I was about seven and we lived at the houses at the back of the walls called Nailors Row. Unfortunately, they were getting demolished. So I remember walking along the railings and my aunty holding my hand tight and me balancing on them. At the end of the railings was Butcher's Gate.



"I remember her saying, 'Look up.' They were so high. They were the Rossville Street Flats. She had secured a flat on Donagh Place; the highest floor. We walked up the stairs; they were never ending. My legs were getting sore. We finally arrived at our destination. Little did I know what was going to happen in later years.



"We put in the key in the door and I walked in with her. I used to go everywhere with my auntie; she had me spoiled. She seemed to know everyone. All the people were talking about the march for Civil Rights. I was nine years old; I didn't understand. That day would change everyone's life forever.



"The march was a peaceful march but many innocent people were killed."



She said that the day after the march, everything was so silent, "It was as if my auntie and I were the only people living. I still vividly remember seeing bloody rags, blood stains and the smell of blood," they recalled.



"My father came to go to the march but, luckily, he was coming up the steps to get a cup of tea. He met a man he knew on the way down and told him he'd be down soon. Little did he know the would be the last person to speak to him. He was shot dead. Fate has a lot to do with life, I think.



"I remember the rioting after that; it was never-ending. We used to stand on the balcony- we felt safe because we were so high up. So became the men they called the IRA - fighting for our cause. We were always second class citizens. My auntie told me that only a few Catholics were in the Council and if you were looking for a job, the employer's first question was, 'What school did you attend?'



"I still didn't really understand at the time but later on, I did."



She recollects a time, they were around 13 years old at the time and she and her friend were going to Molly Barr's shop. The shop sold magazines, papers and sweets, "I loved the walnut whips and the pink and white nougat yoghurt," she recalled. A man approached us. He told us he was from America and he wanted to go to the cemetery. Being well warned about strangers, I asked my auntie if we could.



"My auntie said yes, but she was coming too. We walked up to the cemetery. He took photographs of the Bloody Sunday graves. We walked back down to Waterloo Street. He thanked us very much. My auntie missed her calling; she would have made a good tour guide.



"He reached into his inside jacket pocket and brought out his leather wallet. It was bulging with notes. He went and took out a wad of notes to give to my friend and I, 'No, no Mr,' my auntie said, 'It was a privledge.' We were so deflated; what we could have done with that money.



She recalls another day. The first time she truly began to be afraid of the soldiers, "I remember going down the back steps, running down the stairs at fifth floor, A Block," she said.



"A soldier was standing with a large rifle. He pushed the rifle handle into my side. It took the wind out of me. I was bruised for months and eating painkillers. I hid it well and never told my auntie. My ribs ached for months. I began to be afraid of them.



"My auntie was a very holy religious woman. On several occasions we would hear the cathedral bells as we rushed up William Street. A whole row of derelict houses were on the street on our way up. One time, suddenly, gunshots rang. She told me to lie flat on the ground.



"I was wearing a beautiful white, lace dress. By the time we got to Mass, it looked like I came there on the back of a coal lorry. The dress was bogging. I was so embarassed. I remember my auntie saying, 'God doesn't care about your dress as long as you come to Mass.'"



She can to this day recall her auntie's flat inside and out and describes it as immaculate. "Every Saturday, she cleaned the aluminium footstep with Brasso and a yellow cloth. One day, soldiers were passing and they spat on the step. She looked up at him and smiled. 'Oh, Mr, thank you,' she said. 'That will put a better shine on it.'



"Back in the day, my auntie worked but she was a wee bit more financially secure than others. Every week, we went to John Deery's and got our hair and nails done. There was always a waiting list but because we were regulars, we got to see him.



"He crimped my long black hair and fringe; he always referred to me as Cleopatra. I was the only one who had that hairstyle. I won beauty competitions and modelled for John Deery in the Guildhall. I always had the latest style; I like to stand out from the crowd. My auntie would tell me as you have you hair and nails nice and nice shoes, you can get away with anything in between.



"I had two good friends from the flats; one I still know and one I lost touch with. I had another two friends from Lawrence Hill. Little did I know, my auntie had handpicked them for me. She always said, 'You can't go wrong having lovely friends like them.' She was right."



Our reader had a large family who also lived in Nailors Row. They were relocated to a new housing estate a few miles away. She unfortunately had an underlying health problem that she kept hidden well, but when she was getting a flare up, her auntie would take her back to them, "I loved and still loved my brothers and sisters; but my memories aren't their memories," she said.



"Going back to the troubles, we used to visit my other auntie and uncle. They lived in a top flat in Meenan Square. They never had any children. They were religious and so kind too. One day, going into Meenan Square we got caught up with the soldiers and tear gas.



"There was a key for the whole building and we couldn't even see to get the key in the door. We locked the ground floor which secured the four flats inside. I'll never forget the pain of my eyes; watering, stinging, excrutitating pain. My other auntie ran into the kitchen and got a tea towel soaked with water. For a few days our eyes were bloodshot.



"We used to go on bus runs on a Sunday to several wee villages down South. One time, we came back and the flat was burgled. My auntie knew who it was but it was a far out relation and to prevent shame on the family, she didn't do anything about it.



"Unfortunately, my memory isn't as good as it once was. What I have told, I hope some of you can relate to my story. Maybe not, as this is my own recollection. It was the best time of my life; I'd go back in a heartbeat."



Sadly her beloved auntie has since passed away; a lady she describes as "the best."



"She would do anything for anybody but was so discreet," she added. "The flat was never raided and was always a place of refuge to anyone who needed it. She helped whoever she could and didn't seek the credit.

"The manners, the faith, the honesty, everything she instilled in me, I carry it with me to this day. But, that is my story, my mansion; The Rossville Flats."






Two projects from the Derry City and Strabane District Council area have received runners up awards at the 2023 IPB Pride of Place Awards.

The Waterside Neighbourhood Partnerships Minding Mum Project and the Sion Mills Community Forum were nominated for the prestigious competition that acknowledges and celebrates community work across Ireland.

Representatives of both initiatives attended the awards at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin with Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Angela Dobbins, who congratulated them on their success.

Christine McBride and Rhonda Wooler from Minding Mum with their Pride of Place awards.

I am bursting with pride these projects have received national recognition for their dedicated work to make our neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise, she said.

The initiatives in Sion Mills and the Waterside are prime examples of the ideals of the Pride of Place awards, bringing together people from different backgrounds to support and improve their lives through a wide range of activities.

I would like to congratulate both projects and wish you continued success in delivering your service in the future.

The Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership Minding Mum Project contended for the title of best Urban Community Wellbeing initiative at the awards.

Established in 2008, the partnership is an inter-agency partnership made up of representatives from the community and statutory sectors who have come together to take a collaborative approach to improve the life chances of local people.

Based on identified need, a number of key projects have been delivered including Minding Mum, a holistic maternal mental health programme that supports pregnant mothers and mothers of children aged up to one year.

The programme provides tailored workshops and programming for pregnant women and new mums to support their mental health.

It provides opportunities for new mums to get together to support each other to reduce the isolation and anxiety many new mothers experience after the birth of their child.

Sion Mills Community Forum (SMCF) is a cross community organisation that aims to make the village a happier, safer environment to live in and was Councils Rural representative in the Community Wellbeing section.

The Forum works with all sectors of the community offering a range of projects and interventions and represents local residents on various agencies and boards.

They run mental health and wellbeing projects for older men and women including creative arts classes and a mens fitness and well-being project.

The SMCF also deliver a youth mental health peer mentoring programme that targets those most hard to reach and helps tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour in the village.

The Forum is a voluntary run organisation that prides itself in listening, responding and addressing needs in the local village.

The awards, hosted by RTEs Marty Whelan, took place in in front of 400 community volunteers from across the island.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 20 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

It has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.
Speaking in advance of the launch of 'Injustice', an art exhibition by Squarebearderry, Bloody Sunday March activist, Eamonn McCann, said the pieces evoked the environment of the streets where the Bloody Sunday massacre took place.

The public has been invited to the exhibition in Eden Place Arts' Centre, in Pilots' Row community centre, on Monday (January 23) at 7.00pm.

The exhibition will focus on Bloody Sunday: Representing the environment of Rossville, and the events of that day re-imagined through paint and contemporary imagery.

Eamonn McCann said: "The point of this exhibition is to mark the 51st Anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

"We have marched the same route every year since Bloody Sunday happened, have pledged we wont stop until those responsible for the mass murder are brought to book.

"The guilty include not just the men who pulled the triggers but those who organised and ordered the deadly fusillade - the senior officers and the politicians who stood behind them.

"The British ruling class have hoped that throwing a bunch of low-lifes to the wolves would put an end to agitation over Bloody Sunday," said Eamonn McCann.

Mr McCann added the British ruling class had "perfected this manoeuvre across the world".

He added: "First, deny that any war crime took place; then, when they cant hold that line, claim that nobody representing the State was involved. All the blame is put on low-ranks who dont matter to anybody important.

"General Sir Michael Jackson, who was present in the Bogside for the firing of every shot and then concocted the farrago of lies which British diplomats spread around the world in an effort to dampen down the horror of people everywhere.

"All the bosses of the British State were involved in covering up the war crime. Jackson, who went on to become Chief of Staff, Britains top soldier, was at the very heart of the evil.

"It is this which makes the slogan Jail Jackson! directly relevant to any consideration of Bloody Sunday."

Eamonn McCann said the Saville Report had exonerated the victims, but made no finding against the British Army itself, much less the gung-ho politicians who had cheered the killers on.

He said: "This is the pattern of imperial cover-ups everywhere. It is a measure of how much they believe they are immune from truth and decency that Jackson is set to appear on BBC tonight pontificating on the moral basis of torture in the North in the 1970s. What a sham!

"It is understandable that some who remain fully committed to the Bloody Sunday campaign feel nevertheless that the time for campaigning on the streets is gone.

"It all happened more than half a century ago. The victims have had their innocence acknowledged. People have their lives to live. Its time to put it in the past. We have no quarrel with that. Everybody is entitled to take whatever view they believe most reasonable. But we take a different view.

"We say that the top war-criminals should be named, shamed and put in the dock. Its only then that we can say that truth and justice has been served. It is the British State and those who rule it who must be held to account. Otherwise, they will feel OK about doing it again."
One of the men charged with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee has been granted permission to attend the Bloody Sunday commemoration march next week.

Peter Gearoid Cavanagh (33) of Elmwood Terrace in Derry is charged with the murder of Lyra McKee on April 18 2019 as well as rioting on the same date.

After he was returned for trial to Belfast Crown Court an application was made to vary his bail to allow him to enter Creggan Estate to attend the Bloody Sunday march on January 29.

Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that the defendant was also seeking to have his curfew removed.

He said his client had severed his links with the dissident republican group Saoradh and added that police objections that Cavanagh had taken part in dissident republican white line protests were mistaken.

A prosecution barrister said there were no objections to the application for the march on condition Cavanagh enters Creggan on 2.15pm and has left the area by 3.30pm.

During the march he is not to have any 'flag, banner or poster'.

As regards the application to remove the curfew the barrister said that one officer now said that the identification of Cavanagh at one of the protests was mistaken but the other officer was standing by his identification.

District Judge Ted Magill ruled that Cavanagh could attend the Bloody Sunday march but ruled against removing the curfew.
Local author Jane Buckley, within only two years, has launched the third of her four novels, 'Light', in the award-winning, highly proclaimed Derry-based fictional award-winning thriller series, 'Stones Corner'.

Since the publication of Jane's debut novel Stones Corner, Turmoil, in early 2021, she has produced books two and three Darkness and Light in just under two years!

"Each Stones Corner book is a lengthy 400 pages, longer than most fictional paperbacks with around 135,000 words.

"I love a physical book, and I find it incredible when I pick up one of my own to see how heavy, meaty and solid it is!, " Jane commented. So far, paperback sales have been fabulous, and kindle e-books on par.

Jane penned her first book, Turmoil, to attract young adults through a fictional tale that incorporates all the ingredients of a fictional but fact-based thriller based in Derry in the early years of The Troubles.

Nevertheless, the book has proved remarkably successful with middle-aged men and women who lived and experienced the conflict from an early age.

The hard-hitting series commences in late 1972 and until now, ends in book three in London in 1982.

Emotional pointers range from supportive neighbours running in and out of each other's homes borrowing sugar or money to top up the electric meter to the lives of the strong-minded women of Derry's shirt factories who linked arm in arm to work.

We see the British Army raiding homes, internment, Armagh Womens gaol and, finally, in the core of all this chaos, a forbidden love affair.

Commenting on her work, Jane Buckley said: "My novels are a challenging read and not for the light-hearted.

Sadly, once again, they address the social issue merry-go-round we are on because of the cost-of-living crisis and the political air in the Northern Ireland today.

These familiar topics include poverty, unemployment, addiction, prejudice, broken communities and narcissistic opportunists."

Reviews for Jane's books have been riveting and her first novel, Turmoil, won her an award at the Indie Reader Awards, for fiction in the States. She also works closely with libraries throughout the island of Ireland and plans a book tour in the spring of 2023.

She continued: "I love getting out and about and talking to everyone and anyone about my writing journey including the highlights and lows, of which there are lots!

Writing is tough, but marketing and promoting harder!

Ive just returned from launching Light in New Zealand, meeting in person and online with Irish Mammies in New Zealand, Friends of Ireland and the amazing Irish Society in both Auckland and Christchurch and loved every moment of it.

For further information or to purchase Turmoil, Darkness or Light, both paperback and e-book visit http://www.janebuckleywrites.com/ or Little Acorns Bookstore, Derry https://littleacornsbookstore.co.uk/
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called for a full security audit of all hospitals, after an elderly man died following a suspected assault by another patient in a hospital over the weekend.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families at the centre of yesterday mornings tragic incident in Mercy University Hospital.

We have been offering our unions full support members in the Mercy and will continue to do so.

In light of this awful incident, the INMO is once again repeating our call for a full review and audit of security systems and protocols in Irish hospitals. We havent had a security audit of our hospitals since 2016, it is time now for the HSE to complete a full audit of what measures are in place in each hospital, Ms Ni Sheaghdha said.

The pensioner who died has been named as Matthew Healy.

The incident happened on Sunday at Mercy University Hospital in Cork. Gardai were alerted shortly after 5.30am.

It is understood the patients involved were being treated in the same ward of the hospital.

Gardai attended and a man in his 30s was arrested at the scene.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Sunday. Gardai said the results were not being released for operational reasons.

The area of the hospital where the incident happened remained sealed off on Sunday for forensic and technical examinations.
MILPITAS, Calif.  January 23, 2023  Electronic System Design (ESD) industry revenue increased 8.9% from $3,458.2 million in Q3 2021 to $3,767.4 million in Q3 2022, the ESD Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, announced today in its latest Electronic Design Market Data (EDMD) report. The four-quarter moving average, which compares the most recent four quarters to the prior four, rose 13.4%.

The electronic design automation (EDA) industry posted overall gains in Q3 2022, with double-digit increases in all product categories except Semiconductor IP, said Walden C. Rhines, Executive Sponsor of the SEMI Electronic Design Market Data report. All geographic regions except Japan recorded growth in the quarter, with Asia Pacific reporting a double-digit increase.

The companies tracked in the EDMD report employed 55,369 people globally in Q3 2022, an 8.2% increase over the Q3 2021 headcount of 51,182 and up 1.8% compared to Q2 2022.

The quarterly EDMD report contains detailed revenue information with the following category and geographic breakdowns.

Revenue by Product and Application Category  Year-Over-Year Change

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) revenue increased 16.7% to $1,231.2 million. The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 14.8%.

IC Physical Design and Verification revenue increased 12.2% to $687.4 million. The four-quarter moving average for the category increased 3.4%.

Printed Circuit Board and Multi-Chip Module (PCB and MCM) revenue increased 15.6% to $344.7 million. The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM rose 13.2%.

Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP) revenue decreased 1.0% to $1,360.2 million. The four-quarter SIP moving average grew 16.5%.

Services revenue increased 20.8% to $144 million. The four-quarter Services moving average increased 26.8%.

Revenue by Region  Year-Over-Year Change

The Americas, the largest reporting region by revenue, procured $1,622.1 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2022, an 8.5% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 16.8%.

Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) procured $451 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2022, a 0.2% increase. The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 3.8%.

Japans procurement of electronic system design products and services decreased 8.5% to $237.8 million. The four-quarter moving average for Japan declined 0.8%.

Asia Pacific (APAC) procured $1,456.4 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2022, a 16.3% increase. The four-quarter moving average for APAC increased 16.2%.

About the EDMD Report

The ESD Alliance Electronic Design Market Data (formerly the Market Statistics Service) report presents Electronic Design Automation (EDA), SIP and services industry revenue data quarterly. Both public and private companies contribute data to the report available from SEMI. Each quarterly report is published approximately three months after quarter close. EDMD report data is segmented as follows:

Revenue by product category (CAE, IC Physical Design and Verification, Semiconductor IP, PCB/MCM Layout, and Services) including numerous detailed sub-categories

Revenue by geographic region (Americas, EMEA, Japan and APAC)

Total employment at participating companies

For information about SEMI market research reports, visit the SEMI Market Research Reports and Databases Catalog.

About the Electronic System Design Alliance

The Electronic System Design (ESD) Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, is the central voice to communicate and promote the value of the semiconductor design ecosystem as a vital component of the global electronics industry. As an international association of companies providing goods and services throughout the semiconductor design ecosystem, it is a forum to address technical, marketing, economic and legislative issues affecting the entire industry. For more information about the ESD Alliance, visit http://esd-alliance.org.

About SEMI

SEMI connects more than 2,500 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA), the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) and SOI Consortium are SEMI Strategic Technology Communities. Visit www.semi.org to learn more.






Apple iPhone 13 is available for 59,999 on Flipkart as a part of its ongoing sale, once you avail of the cashback and exchange offers the platform has at the moment. This may just be one of the lowest possible price points to get this smartphone, so keep reading to know how you can get it for just 59,999.

How to get the Apple iPhone 13 for 59,999 on Flipkart?

Flipkart is currently offering a bunch of deals and discounts on many products. Before, you find out how you can get the iPhone 13 for 59,999, note that this deal is applicable for the 128GB version of the smartphone. You can avail of the following offers to bring the smartphones price down from its current sale price, which is 61,999:

You can enjoy 2000 Off On HDFC bank Credit Non EMI, Credit and Debit Card EMI Transactions. This brings the price down to 59,999

You can get an extra 7901 off (price inclusive of cashback/coupon),

You can 5% Cashback on Flipkart Axis Bank Card

You can buy the smartphone and get a surprise cashback coupon for January/February

You can also sign up for Flipkart Pay Later and get a Flipkart Gift Card worth up to 500

Apple iPhone 13 specifications

The Apple iPhone 13 comes with 128GB storage. It offers a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display. It has a dual camera setup with 12MP + 12MP rear cameras and 12MP front camera. The smartphone runs on an A15 Bionic Chip Processor.

You can check out the device on Flipkart.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Rumours have begun to circulate about the upcoming iPhone 15 series, which is expected to be released in a year. Recently, leakster ShrimpApplePro has suggested that the device will feature significant design changes, including reduced bezels and curved edges, similar to the design of the Apple Watch Series 7. Additionally, there are rumours about the display sizes of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Well I have the result for the display design of the iPhone 15 series.

- all iPhone 15 series will have the same display sizes as iPhone 14 series

- pro 15 will have thinner bezels with curve edges, display is still flat tho, only the bezels is curve  ShrimpApplePro (@VNchocoTaco) January 21, 2023

Apple iPhone 15 Pro rumours

Leakster ShrimpApplePro has reported that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (or iPhone 15 Ultra) will have thinner bezels and sleek curved edges. There are also rumours that the iPhone 15 series will have similar display sizes as the iPhone 14 series, including the 6.1-inch screen size of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and the 6.7-inch screen size of the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Ultra.

How accurate are these rumours?

This is not the first time that ShrimpApplePro has suggested that the iPhone 15 series will have curved bezels. The design reportedly is similar to the iPhone 5C, with a square front and rounded back, or the latest MacBook Pro design language, featuring a round shell design. Furthermore, the leaker claims that the iPhone 15 Pro models will have a design that closely resembles that of the Apple Watch, with thinner bezels and curved edges.

It's important to note that the accuracy of ShrimpApplePro's claims has not been confirmed, and these rumours should be approached with caution. However, it seems that the iPhone 15 is expected to have small but notable design changes, similar to the design of the Apple Watch Series 7. As the launch date approaches, more rumours and information about the iPhone 15 are expected to be revealed, providing a clearer image of the final design.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Jio has recently added two new plans to its offerings, with validity periods of 30 and 90 days. The plans, costing 349 and 899 respectively, were quietly introduced and are intended to provide more data for customers with rounded validity periods. It remains to be seen if these plans will have a significant impact on customers, but it appears to be a move by Jio to increase its average revenue per user.

Reliance Jio 349 Prepaid Plan

The 349 prepaid plan from Reliance Jio offers a daily data allowance of 2.5GB, along with unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and complimentary subscriptions to JioCinema, JioTV, JioSecurity, and JioCloud apps. This plan has a validity of 30 days, costing the user 11.63 per day.

Reliance Jio 899 prepaid plan

The Rs 899 prepaid plan from Reliance Jio offers 2.5GB of daily data, as well as 100 SMS per day and unlimited voice calling. Additional app subscriptions include JioCinema, JioTV, JioSecurity, and JioCloud. This plan has a validity of 90 days and costs the user Rs 9.99 per day.

Both these plans offer 2.5GB of daily data, which is a unique category that may appeal to niche customers. 2.5GB daily data plans are not common in India, and this is because they tend to be expensive. Jio also introduced another 2.5GB daily data plan in December 2022 for Rs 2023, which offers 252 days of service validity, unlimited voice calls, and 100 SMS per day.

Users who opt for either the 349 or 899 plan will also be eligible for Jio's 5G Welcome Offer.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
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The death has occurred of Edward (Eddie) Brown of Edentubber, Ravensdale, Louth

On 20 January 2023 at his home. Beloved husband of Caroline, loving father of Edwina, Karen, Emma and Alison, predeceased by his brother John and his sisters Bridie and Maureen. Very deeply regretted by his loving wife, daughters, brother Pat, sisters Margaret, Assumpta, Joe, Ann and Kathleen, sons-in-law David, Darren and Shane and the extended family circle.

Funeral arrangements later.

May he rest in peace

The death has occurred of Stephen Doyle of Market Street, Dundalk, Co Louth and formerly of Halpin Terrace, Drogheda



On 20 January 2022, peacefully in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Stephen much loved partner of Robbie Sharkey, Stephen will be sadly missed by his partner, brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Reposing at Mc Geoughs Funeral Home. House private at all times. Removal on Monday morning at 10.50am walking to St Patricks Cathedral arriving for Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in St Furseys Cemetery, Haggardstown. Family flowers only donations to Irish Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ie/. All enquires contact Oisin at McGeoughs Funerals on 042 9334283.

May he rest in peace

The death has occurred of Paddy Larkin P.T.L of Drive One, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk, Louth / Newry, Down

On Friday 20 January 2023, peacefully in the love and tender care of Curam Care Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his parents Maggie and Geordie (late of High Street Newry). Paddy will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his sons Padraig (Paudie) and Ciaran, daughter in-law Mary and also Catherine, his adored grandchildren Sophie, Abbie and Alex, extended family, relatives, wonderful friends and neighbours.

Reposing at Shevlin's Funeral Home, Barrack Street. Removal on Monday morning at 11am driving to his late residence Drive One then proceeding on foot to The Church of The Holy Family arriving for Funeral Mass at 11.30am followed by Cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan.

May he rest in peace














To coincide with events to mark this years St. Brigids Day, Louth County Council says it is pleased to announce that the County Museum, Dundalk will host a free afternoon talk on Tuesday January 31 at 2.30 p.m.

The talk entitled Brigid  Ancient Figure, Modern Icon will be given by Dr. Karen Ward, (author of Goddesses of Ireland: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Women and the recently released children's book Glorious Goddesses of Ancient Ireland) and will provide an overview of Brigids life and how it continues to have relevance today.

Dr. Ward said, Im delighted to bring alive the myths and legends of Celtic Goddess and Matron Saint of Ireland Brigid as we celebrate a special festive time culminating in her new national holiday. Her phenomenal attributes are as relevant and available to us today as when she graced the land of Ireland many moons ago.

In organising the talk, Museum Curator Brian Walsh said that in so many ways Brigid is a touchstone for our times  she has links to creativity, beekeeping, the plight of children and refugees. Issues that are as pertinent today as they were 1500 years ago.

Admission to the talk is free and all are welcome. Refreshments will be served after the event. For more information please contact the museum at 042 9392999
THERE were 713 young people waiting for treatment with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Cork and Kerry in December, according to figures obtained by The Echo.

A spokesperson for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) said there is regret that young people cannot always access the CAMHS service as quickly as they, or we, would like.

Figures from December, 2022, show six children and adolescents with mental health difficulties on the waiting list were waiting for over two years for treatment  five in the South Lee 3 area, and one in North Cork.

There were 74 children and adolescents waiting between 18 and 24 months in three areas  South Lee 1, South Lee 3, and North Cork.

Some 136 were waiting between 12 and 18 months across seven of the eight CAMHS areas in Cork.

Management in Cork Kerry Mental Health Services are actively taking every measure to acquire the necessary resources, clinical and otherwise, to ensure a quality service for the children of Cork going forward, the CKCH spokesperson said.

Long-standing recruitment challenges have faced several CAMHS teams in Cork and Kerry which, in turn, has affected Slainte Care waiting time targets, they added.

Local, national and international efforts are continuing in order to ensure that all available avenues are explored to provide a staffing supply for mental health services, including CAMHS services.

The HSE has taken concrete steps to address these issues in workforce planning, as well as training and recruitment enhancements.

Every effort is being made to address these staffing challenges including, but not limited to, the use of agencies, overseas recruitment, and telemedicine, the spokesperson said.

With regard to North Cork, CKCH has put a weekend clinic in place to tackle the waiting list in that area.

In addition, recruitment is underway to appoint a clinical co-ordinator and practice manager.

We wish to reassure young people and their families that urgent cases are responded to on a priority basis, often within 24 to 48 hours.

Referrals to CAMHS are prioritised according to their acuity and severity.

In a crisis situation, we would urge the service user to engage with their GP, or present to the nearest emergency department, where necessary supports will be available, said the spokesperson.
CLIMATE action is routinely framed as requiring individual sacrifice in addition to hard choices by state and industry to achieve the carbon emission reductions necessary to avoid planetary breakdown.

But apolitical messages like everyone must put their shoulder to the wheel often hide deeply political strategies which hand the cost of failing climate action to workers and carers.

Everyone will have received, in the coldest week of the year and as the cost of electricity and heating skyrocketed, the governments protect and survive pamphlet telling people how to keep their home warm while using less fuel. Its a pity the advice is not taken by those giving it.

I asked in Cork City Council what low-cost measures were addressing fuel poverty. What I had in mind were simple measures; doors, windows, insulation on pipes and boilers, attic insulation or upgrades of open fires.

In low BER houses, even meagre investments in aggregate can reduce the emissions of the councils estate while demonstrating climate action is not the slow-moving, belt-tightening exercise official propaganda would make us believe. In answer, this type of low-cost scheme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) improved 1,057 houses annually in the city, but only up until 2021.

This vastly outperformed the governments new scheme since, which has only retrofitted 127 properties.

New schemes only cover deep retrofit, a costly and time-consuming process while funding for low-cost interventions stopped over a year ago, without replacement.

Figures like these suggest this approach doesnt make sense, unless state policy is made for class-based ideological reasons, rather than common sense or climate science.

When the low-cost scheme was running, it provided free, fast retrofitting to those who could least afford it. This differs both in principle and in rate to what now happens with the billions of retrofit funding we keep hearing about, which entails funding top-to-bottom complete refit on small numbers of individual houses or nothing at all. Choosing to benefit the few instead of the many clearly reflects the class politics of the parties of government rather than what workers and carers need.

In a world where we must decarbonise quickly and equitably, the government chooses to use the now approaching 1 billion gains from its universal regressive carbon tax and EU funding to give as little back as possible to workers and carers living in social housing, or indeed anyone who doesnt have at least 20,000 down the back of the couch.

Instead, this money is drawn up into pay upfront with reimbursment type retrofit schemes only affordable to the wealthy.

Cllr Lorna Bogue.

Case in point, MEP Grace OSullivan had an Irish Times property-section-style interview discussing her retrofit. This, while worthwhile, highlighted the chief problem of retrofitting in Ireland; it is a pursuit for the rich.

At the end of the day, money misappropriated from workers and carers is spent increasing property prices of three-bed semi-Ds in Ranelagh because shoring up government support is more important than decarbonisation. Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) data from the EU shows categories of very affluent and affluent spending less per week on energy costs than categories below them already. With the exception of disadvantaged and very disadvantaged who have always made tough choices between heating and eating.

Oxfams research paper, Confronting inequality in Ireland, showed workers and carers are not the biggest carbon emitters, with the lowest-earning 50% of the Irish population emitting only 29% of emissions.

Eco-austerity and elitist retrofit schemes are doomed to fail by design.

Climate action is currently implemented through strictly neoliberal ideas, using ineffective pricing mechanisms, or nudges. Universal ideas that would benefit the highest number of people with lowest costs are rejected.

Rather than full-duck-or-no-dinner approaches to retrofit, we need bread-and-butter. A motion by PBP Cllr Adrienne Wallace passed in Carlow provides figures to this effect. Annual targets of 70,000 retrofits to a B2 rating were underachieved with 28,800 retrofits under the National Residential Retrofit Plan with a two year wait to apply for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.

The solely political problems in delivering climate action rather than being a bad news story offers instead a huge vista of possibility.

Huge wells of funding are available to any EU member state should they be lucky enough to have a national government that isnt as anti-working class as ours. It is the now sitting government that has, and continues to misappropriate both EU and national funding on a grand scale for the benefit of their own class.

That is the problem we have. Not resources, not lack of knowledge. It is very possible then to see what a new political economy could produce; an eco-socialist economy which puts workers and carers not only first in the queue but in more control of their workplaces, communities and homes.

Lorna Bogue is a Councillor with Cork City Council representing Cork City South East. She is the leader of an ecosocialist political party, An Rabharta Glas - Green Left.

TOMORROW: In day two of the series by Lorna Bogue, why the soldiers of destiny have reached their final destination.
Paul Neilan

The State has appealed the fully suspended sentence given to a "family man" who laundered over 120,000 while he was in receipt of social welfare, a sum the Court of Appeal heard he will be repaying for the rest of his life.

The court also heard on Monday that Timmy OReilly (47), who has never filed a return to Revenue, previously had a suspended sentence imposed on him for assault causing harm.

OReilly (47), of St Marys, Hebron Road, Kilkenny, was given an 18-month fully-suspended sentence by Judge Cormac Quinn at Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court on July 28th, 2022.

O'Reilly had pleaded guilty to eight counts of offences contrary to Section 7 (a) and Section 7 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

Money laundering offences

In all, O'Reilly had been charged with 32 money laundering offences in relation to monies totalling around 125,000 found in one Irish Life account and two Credit Union accounts while he was in receipt of social welfare payments over eight years.

Twenty-four counts of money laundering were taken into account by Judge Quinn, with all charges relating to the period between January 1st, 2011, and December 31st, 2018.

Dylan Redmond BL, for the State, told the Court of Appeal on Monday that the trial judge had identified three years' imprisonment as a headline sentence but after reviewing mitigating circumstances reduced the sentence to 18 months before suspending it entirely.

Mr Redmond said that there was 114,000 identified in the Irish Life account held by O'Reilly and that gardai and the Criminal Assets Bureau had carried out investigations in the matter. The two credit union accounts held a total of around 10,500. Mr Redmond said it was the view of the Director of Public Prosecutions that a custodial term had to be imposed.

Previous convictions

The barrister said O'Reilly had 15 previous convictions and had a suspended sentence imposed on him in 2015 for assault causing harm.

Mr Redmond said O'Reilly had never filed a return with revenue and that the monies were forfeited to them.

Counsel said that it was the view of the DPP that a general and specific deterrent should be imposed regarding O'Reilly's sentence.

Mr Redmond said that O'Reilly was in charge of the Irish Life and account and was the sole beneficiary in that regard.

He said that O'Reilly's co-accused - who were all members of his family - received suspended sentences because they were judged to have been led by the appellant.

James Dwyer SC, for O'Reilly, said that the monies had been lodged over a long period of time but had remained "inactive". He said the money was not a result of "some hot-bed of criminal activity" and had not been "scurried off into another account to escape the authorities".

"They were there to be taken," said Mr Dwyer, who added that all of the money had been seized.

Regarding deterrence, Mr Dwyer said O'Reilly was sentenced and was on a bond that he has complied with and that his previous convictions were not relevant to the matters under appeal.

Mr Dwyer said his client had entered a "valuable" early plea of guilty on all eight matters, that he was generally co-operative, did not challenge any freezing orders and showed remorse.

Counsel said that O'Reilly was a "family man" who played a constructive role in the community but had psychological issues. Mr Dwyer added that there was no suggestion of there being a grander criminal scheme or of a criminal organisation being involved.

Mr Dwyer said the suspended sentence was within the discretion of the trial judge and that repayments of social welfare would extend beyond O'Reilly's life.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding at the three-judge court, said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

Britain is warming up its coal power stations once again this winter as a cold snap and light winds have settled into the region.

To make sure there is enough power during the cold spell, National Grids electricity system operator (ESO) has asked power station operators Drax and EDF Energy to begin warming their respective North Yorkshire and West Burton, Nottinghamshire, coal units, reported The Guardian.

Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Monday evening, said the ESO, as The Guardian reported. We have instructed coal-fired power units to be available to increase electricity supplies should it be needed tomorrow evening These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need.

In mid-December of last year, power plants also requested coal units be at the ready, but it turned out enough power was generated from other sources.

Usually, offshore and onshore wind turbines provide enough power, but when gas prices peaked last summer because of Russias invasion of Ukraine, as a precautionary measure the ESO negotiated a contingency contract with coal generators for the winter.

Some households will be able to take advantage of the live demand flexibility service offered by the ESO, where between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m., customers who reduce their energy consumption will be given financial compensation.

Sarah Chambers from Wales told the BBC she had charged her familys laptops and smartphones ahead of time and was excited to participate in the program.

I wont be running the tumble dryer or the washing machine as I usually do when the children come home with dirty PE kits after school, Chambers said, as reported by BBC News.

Sunday it was sunny and cold, with wind power making up just 17.6 percent of total power generation at 6.89 gigawatts, according to data from the National Grid.

On Sunday, demand was at 40.2 gigawatts, and, according to grid data, peak demand is predicted to occur at 5 p.m. this evening at 42.2 gigawatts, Bloomberg reported.

Earlier this month, windfarms in Britain set a record average of 21.69 gigawatts, reported The Guardian.

Even though the UK is prepared to use its coal-fired units as a backup, its power generation is coming from more renewables overall. In December of 2022, more than half of the electricity in the UK was generated by zero-carbon sources. And, according to the ESO, a one-day record was set for zero-carbon electricity generation on December 30 at 87.2 percent of the total.
Expressions of interest to run Peel Post Office

Isle of Man Post Office have begun a search to someone to take over the running of Peel Post Office.

The move comes in light of the current retailer acting as Sub Postmaster having just notified IOMPO of the required six months notice of her intention to terminate her contract for service.

Although there is a three-month cooling off period within the termination clause of the contract, IOMPO is keen to understand what interest there may be from existing or new businesses in the community.

Stu Peters MHK, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office said: I would like to place on record our grateful thanks to the outgoing sub postmistresses for the services she has provided on our behalf and that of our commercial partners for the past 9 years. He continued:

The expression of interest will commence from week commencing 23rd January 2023 and by starting the process now, it will allow us to adhere to the required procurement protocol and reduce the risk of any break in service for Peel residents.
Spotify is laying off 6 percent of its workforce as part of a company-wide restructuring, CEO Daniel Ek wrote in a message to employees. The precise number of people who will lose their jobs wasn't provided, but the company employs around 9,800 people, according to its last earnings report. In addition, chief content officer Dawn Ostroff is stepping down as part of the changes, Ek said.

Much like Google's Sundar Pichai, Ek said he takes "full accountability for the moves that got us here today." The company will provide 5 months of severance to employees on average, along with acrued and unused vacation time, healthcare during the severance period, immigration support and career support. The majority of Spotify's employees are based in the US, followed by Sweden and the UK.

The company is "fundamentally changing how we operate at the top," delegating its engineering and product work to the new chief product and chief business officers, Ek said. "These changes will allow me to get back to the part where I do my best workspending more time working on the future of Spotify."

Like other tech firms, Spotify has expanded rapidly over the past couple of years, particularly in the area of podcasting. It spent over a billion dollars on podcast networks, hosting services and shows like The Joe Rogan Experience. Much of that effort was driven by chief content officer Dawn Ostroff, who grew podcast content by 40 times, according to Ek. As part of the changes, however, she'll be leaving the company.

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Spotify joins other tech giants in making mass layoffs, partially due to a downturn in the economy and partially due to hiring sprees. Over the past few weeks, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Google laid off 51,000 employees combined. From 2020 to 2022, however, those companies hired many more employees than they let go. Spotify itself had 6,617 employees in 2021 and 9,800 a year later, prior to the layoffs.
Stroke patients in the US could soon take advantage of cutting-edge robotics during the recovery process. The Food and Drug Administration has cleared Wandercraft's Atalante exoskeleton for use in stroke rehabilitation. The machine can help with intensive gait training, particularly for people with limited upper body mobility that might prevent using other methods.

The current-generation Atalante is a self-balancing, battery-powered device with an adjustable gait that can help with early steps through to more natural walking later in therapy. While the hardware still needs to be used in a clinical setting with help from a therapist, its hands-free use lets patients reestablish their gait whether or not they can use their arms.

Wandercraft plans to deliver its first exoskeletons to the US during the first quarter of the year, though it didn't name initial customers. It only recently launched its commercial business in the country, but financial backer Quadrant Management says Wandercraft could "significantly scale" its operations within the next one to two years.

FDA-cleared exoskeletons are still relatively rare, and are still limited to helping with specific conditions. Last June, Ekso Bionics received permission to market its EksoNR device for multiple sclerosis rehab. Wandercraft's approval makes the technology accessible for a wider range of patients, and may be especially helpful when strokes are a major cause of long-term disability in the US. Over 795,000 people have a stroke in the country each year  this could help some of them regain freedom of movement.
At e4m-DNPA Future of Digital Media Conference, Paul Fletcher, Member of Parliament, Australia, spoke and made a presentation about 'Australias Law on Technology Platforms and News Publishers: Background and Analysis'. Fletcher was joined by Puneet Jain, Chief Executive Officer, Hindustan Times, for a chat to discuss more on the topic.

Fletcher opened his session by sharing lessons from the initiatives taken by the former Marshall government in Australia to regulate the impacts of global digital platforms like Facebook and Google on the news media sector. Sharing the issues that the News Media Bargaining Code is supposed to address, Fletcher shared, There were certain problems that we needed to address namely the market power of FB and Google in digital advertising. In every market that they operate, they capture very larger share and the revenue that it brings. Yet, the content that they use very successfully to monetize their advertising revenue is from the media companies that they are competing with. In our view, it was a serious competition policy problem.

Adding more to this, Fletcher shared that it is also a problem of media policy. He said, An adverse and rigorous media sector, producing hard quality journalism costs money and needs to be paid for. In most countries, privately owned media businesses, which generate much of their revenue from advertising, play a very important role in providing diverse sources of news which are not only reporting what the government would want to be reported. If incumbent news media business are losing advertising revenue to Fb and Google, they are becoming weaker financially, they employee few journalists, stories become shorter and less detailed and these media outlet start to go out of business.

Tapping into the third very important problem that the News Media Bargaining Code is trying to address, Fletcher added, It also undermines the very important role that the free and independent media sector plays in a liberal democracy. The work of journalists is important in holding up to public scrutiny, but if the commercial model which sustains the employment of journalists, is fundamentally eroded due to unfair competition then that means fewer journalists, reduced scrutiny of the government and a material reduction in the effective operation of the democratic system under which many democracies around the world operate.

Joining Letcher for a chat, Jain posed a question to him on whether unfair competition flagged by him holds true for other large markets as well and is legislative action the only way to tackle it? Answering the same, Letched said, We saw this as a competition policy issue. Competition is a good thing, it drives innovation and that in turn delivers better outcomes for consumers, but unfair competition is a problem and that is why most countries have a law in place for this. One of the lessons from our experience is that we need to have a look at these competition policies, especially in terms of policy response, if you determine that a policy response is justified.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)


Air Serbia plans to grow its passenger numbers between 10% and 20% on an annual basis, handle over three million travellers in 2023 and further expand its fleet and route network with new long haul destinations. The carriers CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, the plan for 2023 would be to welcome over three million passengers, up from the 2.76 million handled in 2022. Of those, the airline anticipates having 30% of travellers transferring through Belgrade to onward destinations. According to Mr Marek, the carriers goal is to overtake JAT Yugoslav Airlines results within the next two to three years, without specifying in which metric. JAT registered its busiest year in 1987 when it welcomed 4.531.000 passengers on board its aircraft. Air Serbia plans to grow its passenger numbers between 10% and 20% on an annual basis, handle over three million travellers in 2023 and further expand its fleet and route network with new long haul destinations. The carriers CEO, Jiri Marek, noted, the plan for 2023 would be to welcome over three million passengers, up from the 2.76 million handled in 2022. Of those, the airline anticipates having 30% of travellers transferring through Belgrade to onward destinations. According to Mr Marek, the carriers goal is to overtake JAT Yugoslav Airlines results within the next two to three years, without specifying in which metric. JAT registered its busiest year in 1987 when it welcomed 4.531.000 passengers on board its aircraft.





Network plans





Air Serbia has so far announced it will launch nineteen new routes during the course of 2023, however, more are to follow. Mr Marek noted the carrier would restore flights to Cairo following a hiatus of over three years this spring, with the service expected to resume around Easter, which takes place in April. Flights are yet to be scheduled. In our strategy, we are also looking at Slovakia, southern Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria. We believe that Belgrade is geographically very favourably located and will therefore attract traffic, Mr Marek recently said.





The airline also plans to grow its long haul network with the addition of a third Airbus A330-200 jet. Beijing and Shanghai are earmarked as new destinations in China, although Mr Marek noted the introduction of these two is a very complex but very important process. A new destination is also planned in North America, however, the CEO said it was still too early to comment which one. Mr Marek previously said the airline was looking at Toronto and Miami for its potential third destination across the Atlantic. Among the line-up of new routes slated to launch this year, Air Serbias CEO singled out Izmir as being an early success based on booking data.





Fleet plans





Commenting on plans to grow the fleet, Mr Marek said, Renewing the fleet is one of Air Serbias strategic goals. During 2022 alone we took delivery of four ATR72-600 aircraft, as well as one A330 and one A320. We are especially proud to have put into operation the second wide-body A330-200 which carries the name of the famous Mihajlo Pupin. According to the CEO, the airline plans to add at least two more ATRs and one A320 to the fleet and is looking into its third A330-200. Earlier this month, Air Serbia took delivery of its fifth ATR72-600 turboprop and wet-leased a sixth unit. We should be proud of the country in which we operate and that is why we plan for the ATRs to receive geographical names and for the aircraft to feature the symbols of Serbia", he added.





Hub growth ambitions





Mr Marek said that Belgrade Airports ongoing multi million euro transformation will enable the carrier to further grow its operations and added his hope the airport would be able to keep up with the carriers ambitious plans. In an earlier interview, the CEO said, The airport is undergoing major expansion and once it is completed, we believe that Belgrade Airport will be able to offer convenient, easy transfers with short connecting times without the congestion we usually see in Europe. He added, The expanded airport will have a capacity to handle up to fifteen million passengers. This year, we expect the airport to handle seven million, of which three million will be carried by Air Serbia. That leaves us with plenty of room to grow. The airport will enable smooth connections, which will bring competitive advantages and will bring passengers from other hubs to Belgrade. Since Budapest is no longer a real hub, the competition will mainly be with hubs such as Vienna, Rome, Milan and Athens. I think we have to see where the niche is for us.





Profitability





Air Serbia ended 2022 with a record profit of 21 million euros and hopes to replicate that success this year. We will never be able to match the cost advantages of low cost airlines, but we will try to achieve as much growth as possible in terms of efficiency and cost structure. That way, we will be able to operate at lower costs, which will be reflected in our profitability at the end of the day. When low cost carriers open new routes and stimulate new demand, it is good for everybody, because it is a new market for Belgrade Airport, it means additional tourists for Serbia and we get additional passengers into our regional network. We welcome competition, Mr Marek recently told the AIRzaehlungen podcast.




A beef and sheep producer is on the search for a new entrant to participate in a share farming opportunity in Denbighshire.

Rhian Pierce, who farms alongside her father at Plas Dolben, Llangynhafal in Denbighshire, has approached Farming Connects Venture programme.

The initiative matches up farmers wanting to step down or exit the industry with young entrants keen to gain a foothold.

As Mr Pierce reduces the time he spends on the farm and looks towards retirement, Plas Dolben is looking for the right person to farm alongside Rhian.

In the past, particularly during busy times, Rhian has relied on bringing in and training casual farm workers to help run the farm.

Now, determined to maintain the high animal health and welfare and environmental standards, she believes a share-farming arrangement will provide the solution.

With a part-time conservation role away from the farm, Rhian hopes that her share-farming offer will appeal to someone wanting a part-time involvement, with a view to a full time opportunity within five years.

If the arrangement works out for both parties, I envisage a time over the next five years or so when I can step back from some of the more physically demanding farm tasks to pursue other interests.

"So in essence, I will then be the part-time farmer helping out as needed," Rhian says.

Plas Dolben is a partly upland 100 acre beef and sheep holding located on the Clwydian Hills, equidistant between Ruthin and Denbigh, which are both a 10 minute drive away.

The Pierce family also have grazing rights to 200 acres of common land close by.

Im hoping that Venture will find me a like-minded, enthusiastic business partner who appreciates my commitment to sharing my knowledge of modern farming with the wider public, and especially schoolchildren, says Rhian.

Rhian plans to continue to host open days and school visits at Plas Dolben, when visitors will be invited to see where their food comes from.

Visitors will also learn first-hand how beneficial it is to handle and work with farm livestock calmly and quietly, to protect biodiversity and to treat the environment with respect.

The farm is stocked with a herd of 60 British Blue cross cattle, bought in the autumn at around four to six weeks old, fattened and sold as stores at 20 months.

There are also 350 Lleyn cross ewes, all finished on the farm and sold at local markets or as meat boxes directly to the public. There are also two Welsh cross Large White sows which farrow twice a year.

There is ample opportunity for a new share-farmer to increase stocking rates without impacting on our current low input  high output system of farming, with stock fed mainly on 50 acres of hay or silage we bring in ourselves," says Rhian.

Regular soil sampling and the targeted use of lime and chicken muck spread over the patchwork of small fields, means that fields are rested regularly with top quality pasture making the farm almost self-sufficient with little need to buy in feed.

The farm has an extensive range of well-maintained machinery and handling equipment to farm efficiently and safely and there are sufficient outbuildings, handling pens and yards to cope with both current and projected stocking levels.

Rhian says its essential that the new share farmer must be kind and quiet when handling, rearing and shepherding livestock, setting a good example to visitors.

The new entrant must also be able to drive and handle farm machinery efficiently and safely, as well as have a commitment to her ideals on both animal health and welfare and protecting the environment.

Rhian says: Most importantly, Im looking for someone enthusiastic and able, with a can do open and honest attitude and a flexible approach to helping out at busy times such as lambing, harvesting and during farm visits.

There is plenty of scope for a new share-farmer to introduce appropriate new systems or enterprises which could include increasing stocking levels, finding ways to utilise the empty cattle sheds in summer, and possibly developing a boxed meat enterprise marketed through social media.

I would welcome the chance to provide a new entrant with the chance to not only help with the practical side of farm work at Plas Dolben, but to get involved in strategic decisions too.

Im more than willing to help the right individual acquire new skills and gain more experience, but Ill also be delighted if they bring new ideas and suggestions of different or improved ways of working that may benefit the business longer-term."

Those interested in the opportunity can download an application form the Venture webpage and submit it by 10am on 10 February.

Alternatively, call Gwydion Owen, North Wales Venture Officer on 07498 055 416 or email: Gwydion.owen@menterabusnes.co.uk.
The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has proposed a 100m development centred on creating a UK-first carbon neutral innovation village.

The development would sit on a 29-acre site at the university's Cirencester campus, and would be home to a community of entrepreneurs and policymakers to address major global challenges facing the industry.

According to RAU, the proposal aimed to support farmers and landowners in developing sustainable solutions for food production, environment and rural communities.

The university said it would be liaising with local residents and stakeholders to shape the proposals as they progress, with a view to submitting a planning application to Cotswold District Council later this year.

Professor Peter McCaffery, RAU vice-chancellor, said the innovation village would turbo-charge SME agri-tech enterprise activity with a distinctively rural feel.

"We anticipate we will increase the RAU's current contribution of 52m to the local and regional economy by half as much again over five years, when the project is up and running."

The site would comprise a number of integrated areas, including a research and innovation centre, live/work residential units, business start-up and support spaces, as well as business and conferencing hospitality facilities.

A cluster development of this nature, applied to agriculture, food and land management, currently does not exist in the UK.

The RAU said it was committed to ensuring that the innovation village would push the boundaries of sustainable design and has employed Hereford-based Architype to lead the design process.

Mark Barry, director at Architype, said: "The innovation village is an amazing opportunity to create an exemplar ecological development for the university and wider community.

"We are excited by the potential to enhance biodiversity, revitalise access to the beautiful site and provide a thriving and vibrant new hub for Cirencester with an exciting breadth of new facilities."

It is hoped that, in the first five years of operation, the innovation village would double the current new business output of RAU's Farm491 and the Growth Hub.

The development would also provide skills, training, employment and affordable housing, targeted towards improving retention of 16-24yr olds.

The RAU said it aimed to gain full planning consent for the development by next spring.
A property marking scheme is proving successful at reducing thefts from over sixty farms in South Lanarkshire.

No new thefts have been reported since the deployment of SelectaDNA marking kits and warning signs on the farms, which had previously been the victims of theft.

The property marking kits contain forensic liquid with a DNA code which enables police to identify property suspected of being stolen, in seconds.

The kits have been funded by NFU Mutual as part of its support for SPARC  the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime.

Rural crime is costly and disruptive and can be highly distressing for those impacted.

South Lanarkshire beef farmer Tom French said a few years ago the area was being "absolutely hammered" by quad bike and machinery thefts.

Police Scotlands introduction of the SPARC scheme supported by NFU Mutual funding has helped reduce these types of crimes and thefts," he said.

"And now SelectaDNA is proving to be another effective tool to deter criminal activity.

NFU Mutual Scotland manager, Mark McBrearty said the rural insurer was delighted that the scheme was proving so successful with farmers.

Working closely with farmers and Police Scotland, weve seen how effective property marking is at deterring farm thieves, with no new thefts in the area since the trial began," he said.

We will continue to work alongside SPARC to roll out more of these kits and protect Scottish farmers, and their vital machinery, from criminals.

Police Inspector Alan Dron, Scotlands National Rural Crime Coordinator added that SelectaDNA was proving to be a huge success story.

"We have offered the kits to farms that have suffered thefts, as part of the crime prevention support being offered by police officers to repeat victims of crime.

Combined with proactive policing, an extremely strong local rural crime partnership and a number of criminals being caught and locked up, theft of quads, trailers, plant and machinery has significantly reduced in many parts of rural Scotland.

"As a result of the reduction in theft, were going to be giving out more kits to vulnerable farms," he said.
There was a 4 percent fall in the number of UK tractor registrations throughout 2022, according to newly published figures.

The Agricultural Engineers' Association (AEA) said 11,580 machines were registered last year, a 4 percent decline compared to 2021.

The average power of all agricultural tractors registered in the UK in 2022 was 168.4hp, which was slightly higher than the previous year (166.3hp).

But this was below the record high reached in 2020 - 171.0hp - when the market was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are signs that the long-term upward trend in tractor powers has slowed in recent years, the AEA said, although the widespread disruptions since the onset of the pandemic may be having an effect.

Looking at individual power bands, the main decline in registrations was for machines below 140hp, for which 13% fewer tractors were recorded in 2022 than in the previous year.

Above 140hp, registrations increased, compared with 2021, although there was a decline for the largest machines, those over 260hp, which account for a little over 6% of total registrations.

AEA's figures show that registrations declined in most English regions, except for the Home Counties (including London), Yorkshire and the Humber and West Midlands.

The three regions with the highest number of registrations  the South West, East of England and North West  all recorded year-on-year declines between 2021 and 2022, though, while the sharpest fall was in the South East.

Scotland and Wales also saw lower registrations in the latest year, the AEA said, but there slightly more machines recorded in Northern Ireland than in the previous year.

The latter was a result of a big increase in the final quarter of the year, a period during which UK-wide registrations were more than 5% higher than in the equivalent period of 2021, reversing the trend seen earlier in the year.
By Azernews

Yusif Abbaszada

In an interview with Armenpress news agency on January 20, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan laid all his cards on the table by confirming his countrys second-rate position under the current circumstances, emphasizing that it does not have power to dictate its own conditions, all the more, solving strategic issues.

The Armenian foreign minister objected by saying that now the ball is on the side of Azerbaijan and Yerevan is waiting for an answer from Baku.

We submitted our new proposals and substantiations of the draft agreement to Azerbaijan over a month ago, but we still have not received a response, Mirzoyan said.

At least at this point, Mirzoyan was frank with his public: after all, throughout the 44-day war, to this day, conditions have been dictated by Azerbaijan, and the latter has been doing this in an extremely radical and liberal way, taking into account the whims of the perpetually confused Armenian government.

Azerbaijan is ready for negotiations, taking into account the political situation in the region. We are more or less happy about the current state of affairs, and it is Armenia in the grip of economic and political tension, and it is up to the Armenian government to take drastic measures both domestically and externally to somehow improve the situation and prove to be a partner for the other nation-states of the South Caucasus region.

In Davos, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that Yerevan had rejected a proposal to create a new trilateral format with the participation of the three Caucasus states.

Our proposal was to organize a meeting of the leaders of the three countries in Georgia, after all, Georgia is the venue where neighbors traditionally meet. However, Armenia is not ready for this, President Ilham Aliyev said.

Ararat Mirzoyan, having taken the liberty of giving an interview, focused on two interesting points at once. First, it is the complete demoralization of the Armenian government, and second, the supernatural ability of the Armenian government to buy time and delay the talks with Azerbaijan instead of hammering out a peace deal.

First, he says that Armenia is not in a position to dictate conditions, but at the same time, he is trying with all its might to take responsibility for solving strategic issues.

"Armenia has clearly indicated the reason for and the need to postpone the meeting. You must admit that it is difficult to hold constructive and productive meetings in the face of constant threats and fresh manifestations of the use of force. As for the conviction that these manifestations will continue, I think that the tripartite statement of November 10, 2020, and the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh are designed to exclude this," Mirzoyan said.

It is vague what kinds of threats are involved because no further comments were made on this matter. Azerbaijan does not shy away from negotiations, but Armenia is trying to play for time, doing it clumsily and unsuccessfully, demonstrating the mediocrity of its power.
The latest gas price hike in Bangladesh has troubled industries, which will try to shift the burden onto consumers by raising prices, and that in turn will affect their global competitiveness. Businesses have expressed concern over the hike, to be effective next month. Exports and domestic sales both will decline and foreign exchange reserves will get hit.

Sustaining will be a big problem for the industry as the price hike, said Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries.

The domestic market of basic industries will weaken as well and unemployment will rise while banks will have to deal with defaulters, he said.

The latest gas price hike in Bangladesh has troubled industries, which will try to shift the burden onto consumers by raising prices, and that in turn will affect their global competitiveness. Businesses have expressed concern over the hike, to be effective next month. Exports and domestic sales both will decline and foreign exchange reserves will get hit.

The hike will double production costs, said Mohammad Ali Khokon, president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association. "The government has increased gas prices but it has not made it clear whether we will get uninterrupted gas supply," he said, adding that textile millers would now suffer more.

The government needs to address corruption and irregularities in the energy sector instead of increasing gas prices in the name of subsidy withdrawal, he was quoted as saying by a domestic media outlet.

Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, called for a more reasonable hike.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Indian fabric is gaining ground in the Sri Lankan textile market as imports from India are increasing in the island country compared to Chinese supplies. Sri Lankas fabric imports from India are witnessing an upward trend as they jumped by more than fifty per cent in four years, but its import from China remained almost stable during the same period.

Sri Lankas fabric imports from India increased to $565.848 million in 2021 from $374.214 million in 2017, according to Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro.

The inbound shipment had amounted to $426.046 million in 2018 and $485.160 million in 2019, before declining to $410.881 million in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, it bounced back to $565.848 million in 2021. Sri Lanka imported fabric worth $556.921 million during January-November 2022. The total imports for 2022 are likely to surpass the shipment of 2021.

Indian fabric is gaining ground in the Sri Lankan textile market as imports from India are increasing in the island country compared to Chinese supplies. Sri Lanka's fabric imports from India are witnessing an upward trend as they jumped by more than fifty per cent in four years, but its import from China remained almost stable during the same period.

Fabric imports from China to Sri Lanka were recorded at $888.772 million in 2017 which inched up to $897.101 million in 2021. The shipment increased by just 1 per cent in four years. The imports amounted to $892.740 million in 2018 and $944.202 million in 2019. It came down to $720.823 million in 2020 but increased to $897.101 million in 2021. Sri Lanka imported fabric worth $829.451 million in the first eleven months of 2022, as per data obtained from TexPro.

Sri Lankas fabric imports totalled $2.141 billion in the first eleven months of 2022. China and India were the top suppliers with total contribution of more than 64 per cent. The imports from China grabbed a share of 38.73 per cent, while Indias share was 26.01 per cent of the total.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Sara Ali Khan, who made her Bollywood debut with Sushant Singh Rajput in Kedarnath, paid tribute to the actor on his birth anniversary. The actress, who has always spoken about the close relationship she had with the late star, joined kids to celebrate his birthday. Sara shared a photo of the memorable moment along with a touching message on Instagram. She brought joy to the kids' faces by celebrating the event by cutting a cake with them.





The children sing Happy Birthday Sushant as the actress cuts the cake in a video that she published. The beautiful note that accompanied the video, which is certain to make you glow with happiness, read, Happiest Birthday Sushant. I know what makes other people smile meant to you. And while youre watching over all of us, up there next to the rising new moon, I hope weve made you smile today too. Shine onJai Bholenath. Thank you @sunilarora_ @balashatrust for making today so special. People like you make the world a better, safer, happier place. Keep spreading the joy that you do (sic).
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Activist investor Elliott Management Corp. has made a multibillion-dollar investment in Salesforce Inc. (CRM), the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter. Details of the campaign couldn't be learned, the report said. Elliott often seeks board representation and pushes for companies to make operational improvements and other changes. Earlier this month, the Cloud-based software company Salesforce announced a restructuring plan, including job cuts, to reduce operating costs and improve operating margins. The company estimated that it would incur around $1.4 billion to $2.1 billion in charges in connection with the Plan. As per the plan, the company would reduce its current workforce by around 10 percent and select real estate exits and office space reductions within certain markets. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - NEWFOUNDLAND DISCOVERY CORP. (CSE: NEWD) (OTC PINK: NEWDF) (FSE: M4K) ("Newfoundland Discovery" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated January 17, 2023, the Company has closed the acquisition of all issued and outstanding securities of 1000377311 Ontario Inc. ("Ontario Inc"), representing a 100% interest in Ontario Inc (the "Transaction").

Ontario Inc is the sole beneficial owner of the Sugaree property a 2,376-hectare mineral lithium exploration property located in the Quetico Subprovince located roughly 15 kilometers south of Hearst, Ontario with easy access by forestry roads. The 340 claims have demonstrated preferred geologic environments with S-type granitoids, and pegmatites hosted by metamorphosed sediments (paragneiss) and metavolcanics. The property is adjacent to Brunswick exploration's newly staked ground, containing both a spodumene and a lepidolite (lithium-rich mica) zone. There is high potential for additional discoveries in our newly consolidated land package.

Transaction Terms

Pursuant to the Transaction, the Company paid the shareholders of Ontario Inc $20,000 and issued 32,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares"). The Shares were issued pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws pursuant to Section 2.16 of National Instrument 45-106 and therefore the Shares are free-trading upon issuance.

About Newfoundland Discovery Corp.

Newfoundland Discovery is a Canadian junior mining exploration company focused on exploration and development along the Detour Gold trend in Quebec and the Central Gold Belt in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Company is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Detour trend and retains significant landholdings in Newfoundland. The Company also holds an earn-in option agreement into the JMW and Maxwell projects in Chapais-Chibougamau area of Quebec.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

NEWFOUNDLAND DISCOVERY CORP.

"Jeremy Prinsen"

President, CEO & Director

Investor Relations

Email: info@newfoundlanddiscovery.com

Website: www.newfoundlanddiscovery.ca

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152126
MANAMA & TOKYO, Jan 23, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) and JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan's only international payment brand, have signed an agreement to enable JCB payment acceptance at the bank's POS and e-commerce merchants in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The signing ceremony was recently held at NBB Headquarters in the presence of NBB and JCB representatives.The partnership with JCB, will provide cardholders from mainly Asian markets with greater convenience, allowing them to enjoy the usage of their JCB Cards at all NBB merchant outlets across the Kingdom. This falls in line with NBB's promise of remaining 'Closer to You', and follows its commitment to improve accessibility and provide existing and new customers with easy access to its services.Commenting on the partnership, Hisham AlKurdi, Group Chief Executive - Corporate & Institutional Investment Banking at NBB, said: "We are pleased to partner with JCB to provide JCB's cardholders with the convenience of using their JCB Cards through NBB's banking channels. This partnership is a step forward to increase JCB Card acceptance in the Kingdom through NBB POS and Payment Gateway channels as well as strengthening cross-country relations, improving accessibility and enhancing branch capability to better reach all citizens and residents for a more enhanced service."On his end, Mr. Yoshiki Kaneko, President and COO of JCB International Co., Ltd., said: "The Kingdom of Bahrain is very important for our cardholders as a travel destination, as well as for JCB as there is a local cardmember base in the region. We are delighted that we have entered into this partnership with the National Bank of Bahrain, one of the largest banks and most prominent locally owned institutions in the region, for the acceptance of JCB Cards. This partnership will enhance our offering for convenience of cardholders in the Kingdom and cater for both the business and touristic needs of our cardholders worldwide."This partnership falls in line with NBB's commitment to simplifying the customer journey through personalisation and convenience, making clients' daily lives easier, and fortifying relations with global institutions across the world.JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan with more than 150 million cardholders. Its acceptance network includes about 41 million merchants around the world. JCB is the only international payment brand based in Japan, offering high quality payment solution and technologies that are trusted worldwide.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 41 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 150 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/JCB ContactAyaka NakajimaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@jcb.co.jpSource: JCBCopyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - KaJ Labs announced that it has issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire the assets of the distressed crypto firm Genesis Global Capital for $1.5 billion.

KaJ Labs seeks to purchase the remaining qualified assets of Genesis Global Capital LLC. Genesis Global Capital, also known as Genesis Global Trading, is a cryptocurrency brokerage for institutional investors. Genesis is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group (DCG). Genesis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 19, 2023 to request court protection to reorganize its cryptocurrency lending businesses.





Lithosphere Network

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8833/152105_f12883db74b6a921_001full.jpg

KaJ Labs is the core team building the novel Lithosphere AI blockchain. The Lithosphere network promises to eradicate bottlenecks faced in existing blockchain networks by being the first blockchain to utilize embedded Deep Neural Networks to make smart contracts intelligent while enabling interoperability across diverse blockchains.

Lithosphere is the future infrastructure for distributed value transfer and will offer interoperability across multiple blockchain networks. It addresses bottlenecks hindering mainstream Web3 adoption.

###

About Lithosphere

Lithosphere is a next-generation network for cross-chain decentralized applications powered by AI and Deep Learning.

About KaJ Labs

KaJ Labs is a decentralized research organization focusing on AI and blockchain technology. We're driven to create innovative products that work for the greater good around the globe.

About Digital Currency Group

Digital Currency Group (DCG) is a venture capital company focusing on the digital currency market.

About Genesis

Genesis is a crypto trading, lending, and asset custody platform, targeting institutional clients and high net worth individuals.

Media Contact

Dorothy Marley

Phone: (707)-622-6168

Email: media@kajlabs.com

KaJ Labs Foundation

4730 University Way NE 104-#175

Seattle, WA 98105

Website: https://kajlabs.org

Website: https://lithosphere.network

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152105
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR GENERAL RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD VIOLATE APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS

This is a joint press release by Koninklijke DSM N.V. (DSM), Firmenich International SA (Firmenich) and Danube AG, to be renamed DSM-Firmenich AG (the Company) in connection with the voluntary public exchange offer by the Company for all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the share capital of DSM (each such share, a DSM Ordinary Share) (the Exchange Offer)), pursuant to Section 12, paragraph 3 and Section 15, paragraph 2 of the Dutch Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) (the Decree). The Exchange Offer is not being made, and the DSM Ordinary Shares will not be accepted for purchase from or on behalf of any holder of DSM Ordinary Shares (a DSM Shareholder), in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws or regulations of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or filing with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the terms of the offering circular in relation to the Exchange Offer dated 22 November 2022 (the Offering Circular).

KAISERAUGST, SWITZERLAND and HEERLEN, NETHERLANDS and GENEVA, Switzerland, 23 January 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The acceptance period during which DSM Shareholders can tender their DSM Ordinary Shares into the Exchange Offer that launched on 22 November 2022, which acceptance period was to expire on 31 January 2023, will be extended. The reason for this extension is that not all competition clearances will have been obtained by 31 January 2023.





Status of competition clearances

To date, no substantive competition concerns have been identified. DSM and Firmenich expect that the remaining competition clearances will have been obtained by 7 March 2023, potentially with the exception of the competition clearance in India.

In India, the relevant competition authority (the Competition Commission of India (CCI)) has a vacancy in its board since the chairperson's retirement on 25 October 2022. To date, no new chairperson or additional member has been appointed. Without an additional member, the CCI does not have the required quorum to take decisions to approve transactions such as ours. There is no deadline for the appointment of a new chairperson or additional member.

End date of the extended acceptance period

We will make a public announcement once the Indian clearance is obtained. The acceptance period will be extended until two weeks after that announcement, but not before 17:40 hours CET on 7 March 2023 and no later than 17:40 hours CET on 11 April 2023.1

1 Pursuant to an exemption (ontheffing) granted by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets on 20 January 2023.

Tendered shares and withdrawal rights

DSM Shareholders who have already tendered their DSM Ordinary Shares are not required to take any action, but they may withdraw their tendered DSM Ordinary Shares in the extended acceptance period, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offering Circular and the provisions of Section 15, paragraph 3 of the Decree.

DSM Shareholders who have not yet tendered their DSM Ordinary Shares or who have withdrawn their tendered DSM Ordinary Shares in accordance with the above but want to tender again, are requested to take action via their financial intermediary within the extended acceptance period. Certain intermediaries may set an earlier deadline in order to be able to timely communicate the tender to the exchange agent. For more information, please see section 14.9 of the Offering Circular.

Announcements

Announcements in relation to the exchange offer are issued by means of a press release. Any joint press release issued by the Company, DSM and Firmenich is made available on the website of the Company (www.creator-innovator.com).

Subject to any applicable requirements of the applicable laws and without limiting the manner in which the Company, DSM and Firmenich may choose to make any public announcement, the Company, DSM and Firmenich will have no obligation to communicate any public announcement other than as described in the Offering Circular.

Further information

Capitalised terms used but not defined herein are defined in the Offering Circular. This announcement contains selected, condensed information regarding the Exchange Offer and does not replace the Offering Circular. The information in this announcement is not complete and additional information is contained in the Offering Circular. A digital copy of the Offering Circular is available on the website of the Company (www.creator-innovator.com/en/offering-circular-and-egm/).

General restrictions

The Exchange Offer is being made in and from the Netherlands with due observance of such statements, conditions and restrictions as are included in the Offering Circular. The Company reserves the right to accept any tender under the Exchange Offer, which is made by or on behalf of a DSM Shareholder, even if it has not been made in the manner set out in the Offering Circular.

The distribution of the Offering Circular and/or the making of the Exchange Offer in jurisdictions other than the Netherlands may be restricted and/or prohibited by law. In particular, subject to certain exceptions, the Offering Circular is not for general circulation in the United States. The Exchange Offer is not being made, and the DSM Ordinary Shares will not be accepted for purchase from or on behalf of any DSM Shareholder, in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws or regulations of such jurisdiction or would require any registration, approval or filing with any regulatory authority not expressly contemplated by the terms of the Offering Circular. Persons obtaining the Offering Circular are required to take due note and observe all such restrictions and obtain any necessary authorisations, approvals or consents (to the extent applicable). Outside of the Netherlands, no actions have been taken (nor will actions be taken) to make the Exchange Offer possible in any jurisdiction where such actions would be required. In addition, the Offering Circular has not been filed with nor recognised by the authorities of any jurisdiction other than the Netherlands. Neither the Company, nor DSM, nor Firmenich, nor any of their advisers accept any liability for any violation by any person of any such restriction. Any person (including, without limitation, custodians, nominees and trustees) who forwards or intends to forward the Offering Circular or any related document to any jurisdiction outside the Netherlands should carefully read section 16 (Restrictions) and section 17 (Important Information) of the Offering Circular before taking any action. The release, publication or distribution of the Offering Circular and any documentation regarding the Exchange Offer, the making of the Exchange Offer or the issuance and offering of the DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares in jurisdictions other than the Netherlands may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession the Offering Circular comes should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with any such restrictions may constitute a violation of the law of any such jurisdiction.

United States of America

Unless otherwise determined by the Company, the Exchange Offer is not being, and will not be, made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, telephonically or electronically) of, interstate or foreign commerce of, or of any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States except to DSM Shareholders who (i) are "qualified institutional buyers" as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act, and each such person, a QIB) and (ii), to the Company's satisfaction (in its sole discretion), have duly completed and returned to the Company a letter confirming that it is a QIB and agreeing to certain transfer restrictions applicable to the DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares (a U.S. Investor Letter) available from the Company (each an Eligible U.S. Holder). Accordingly, to be eligible to receive DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares under the Exchange Offer, each DSM Shareholder that is a U.S. Person and that is a QIB must make their acceptance known through their custodian, bank or stockbroker by executing and delivering a U.S. Investor letter to such custodian or intermediary no later than 17:40 hours CET on the Acceptance Closing Date. The custodian, bank or stockbroker may set an earlier deadline for communication by DSM Shareholders in order to permit the custodian, bank or stockbroker to communicate its acceptances to the Settlement Agent (ABN AMRO) in a timely manner. Accordingly, Eligible U.S. Holders holding DSM Ordinary Shares through a financial intermediary should comply with the dates communicated by such financial intermediary, as such dates may differ from the dates and times noted in the Offering Circular.

The form of a U.S. Investor Letter will be distributed to custodians, nominees and other financial intermediaries to distribute to those they hold for in due course and is also available to QIBs from the Company. Any U.S. Person who is not a QIB, or in respect of whom no U.S. Investor Letter is received before 17:40 hours CET on the Acceptance Closing Date, will be a Restricted Shareholder and will be treated as set out under section 14.35 (Notice to DSM Shareholders in certain jurisdictions) of the Offering Circular.

The DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any other applicable law of the United States and accordingly, the DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares may not be reoffered, resold or transferred, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

Any DSM Shareholder located in the United States at the time of the Transactions will be required to make certain representations, warranties and undertakings in respect of their status as QIB (the QIB Confirmations), in order to receive the DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares on the Post-Closing Acceptance Settlement Date.

If a beneficiary to DSM Ordinary Shares located in the United States is unable to make the QIB Confirmations on behalf of itself or the person on whose behalf such DSM Ordinary Shares are held, any DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares allotted to such person will instead be transferred to a sales agent, and such DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares will be sold on his, her or its behalf with the proceeds being remitted to such person within five days of the Settlement Date, for DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares allotted in exchange for DSM Ordinary Shares tendered during the Acceptance Period, or within five days of the Post-Closing Acceptance Settlement Date, for DSM-Firmenich Ordinary Shares allotted in exchange for DSM Ordinary Shares tendered during any Post-Closing Acceptance Period.

Additional information is included in section 16.1 (United States of America) of the Offering Circular.

Forward looking statements

Certain statements in this press release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs and projections and on information currently available to the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and all of which are based on its current beliefs and expectations about future events. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "seek", "would", "could", "should", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "assume", "predict", "anticipate", "annualised", "goal", "target", "potential", "continue", "hope", "objective", "position", "project", "risk" or "aim" or the highlights or negatives thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of DSM-Firmenich's strategy, short-term and mid-term objectives and future plans that involve risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake and it expressly disclaims any duty to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections of the Directors in office at the time of this press release and the Company's management, public statements made by it, present and future business strategies and the environment in which DSM-Firmenich will operate in the future. By their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause DSM-Firmenich's actual results and future events to differ materially from those implied or expressed by forward-looking statements. The DSM Shareholders and other prospective investors are advised to read section 2 (Risk Factors) of the Offering Circular for a more complete discussion of the factors that could affect the DSM-Firmenich's future performance and the industry in which DSM-Firmenich operates. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialise, or should any of the assumptions underlying the above or other factors prove to be incorrect, DSM-Firmenich's actual results of operations or future financial condition could differ materially from those described herein as currently anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. In light of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions underlying the above factors, the forward-looking events described in the Offering Circular may not occur or be realized. Additional risks not known to the Company or that the Company does not currently consider material could also cause the forward-looking events discussed in the Offering Circular not to occur.

For more information, please contact:

DSM investor relations enquiries:

Dave Huizing

Email: investor.relations@dsm.com

Telephone: +31 45 578 2864

DSM media enquiries:

FTI Consulting LLP

Edward Bridges / Alex Le May

Email: scdsm@fticonsulting.com

Telephone: +44 20 3727 1017

Firmenich investor relations enquiries:

Ingvild van Lysebetten

Email: investor_relations@firmenich.com

Telephone: +41 79 833 7252

Firmenich media enquiries:

Brunswick Group

Joseph Chi Lo / Edward Brown

Email: firmenich@brunswickgroup.com

Telephone: +44 20 7404 5959

Settlement Agent and Listing and Paying Agent:

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Corporate Broking Issuer Services

Email: as.exchange.agency@nl.abnamro.com

Telephone: +31 20 628 6070

About Firmenich

Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895, and has been family-owned for 127 years. Firmenich is a business-to-business company specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors, and ingredients. Renowned for its excellent research, as well as its leadership in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers innovation in formulation, a broad palette of ingredients, and proprietary technologies such as biotechnology. Firmenich delivered CHF 4.7bn of sales in the financial year ended 30 June 2022.

About DSM

DSM has transformed during its 150+ year history into today's health, nutrition & bioscience global leader. The Dutch-Swiss company specializes in nutritional ingredients for food and feed with proven world-leading bioscience capabilities and an international network of high-quality manufacturing sites that underpin a business model of global products, local solutions and personalization and precision. For Health, Nutrition & Bioscience (excluding Materials), DSM delivered 7.3bn of sales in the calendar year 2021, with adjusted EBITDA of 1.4bn and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 19%.

Transaction website

Please visit www.creator-innovator.com for additional materials on the Transactions.

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Not only globally, but also in Latvia there is a developing trend - companies focusing on sustainability are choosing their offices only in energy-efficient Class A buildings that meet BREEAM standards. This has been the case also of IT company Tietoevry which has just become the largest anchor tenant of building B of Riga's greenest office complex Verde. As both companies have agreed, a lease contract has been signed on the establishment of the office for Tietoevry Latvian branch on the 4th, 8th and 9th floors of Verde building B with a total floor space of 4,500 m2. The deal was concluded at the end of last year, becoming the largest office rent deal in Latvia in 2022. Iveta Lace, Verde Commercial Director, says: "As Tietoevry arrives in Verde, Skanste - Riga's newest central business district is even becoming the technology epicentre of the Latvian capital. Now and exactly here such a hub is developing that will promote economic activity and international attractiveness of the city and our country in general. I am truly glad that the development of this innovative company will take place in Verde. At the same time, I would like to note that building B, which is still in construction process, has already been rented by 68%." The Latvian branch of Tietoevry is one of the country's ICT export and innovation leaders with more than 1,100 employees who specialize in development of different IT systems and payment solutions for clients in Latvia, the Baltic states, and the world. Riga also houses Tietoevry corporation's global Financial Services Centre and IT Services Centre. Valerija Varna, Head of Tietoevry Latvian branch, underscores: "The team of our information technologies and financial experts on an everyday basis develops IT solutions for organizations and improves businesses in order to promote and create changes for better. At present we lay the foundation for our own growth for better. Moving our office to Verde business centre reflects our future goals and strategy - modern and possibly the best working environment for Tietoevry employees, as well as sustainable, competitive and innovative business solutions for clients and partners. We see a huge potential in Riga's quiet centre and Skanste becoming the artery of the information technologies and financial sector in Riga." It is planned that the new Tietoevry office in building B of Verde office complex will be opened in 2024. Meanwhile, 2023 will be devoted to development of the interior design by architects' office ARHIS ARHITEKTI. Inese Plate, Head of Tietoevry Baltic offices, notes: "Over the past years, the functions of offices and workplaces have changed considerably. We are confident that activity-based office with smart technologies will help to successfully continue our hybrid work model. The main criteria for selecting the new Tietoevry office were energy efficiency of the building, smart office management system and excellent air quality. Also, the green terrace, fast charging facility for electric cars, parking space for bicycles and other facilities are of the same importance, contributing to wellness of our employees and reducing the ecological imprint of our company." Eriks Bergmans, Colliers Latvia Partner and Head of Agency: "Tietoevry is a company with very high standards towards the wellbeing and productivity of their employees, brand awareness and sustainability. We are truly glad that Riga can now offer such Class A project as Verde that completely meets the highest international corporate standards. With exceptional attention to all the details paid, this deal is the largest office lease transaction of 2022 in Riga. The total leased area of Verde proves that new development projects at construction stage are becoming even more attractive for companies that choose sustainability, comfort and quality for their future development." As reported, Verde is the first Capitalica Asset Management project in Latvia, in which more than EUR 65 million will be invested. The office complex is being built under the leadership of Notus Developers, a subsidiary of SBA Group. The project's general contractor is Velve, and exclusive leasing and management partner - Latvia's leading real estate agency Colliers. So far, tenants of the office complex include such companies as Swisscom, Decta, KPMG Latvija, Swetch, Merito Group, Workland, Enefit, VIA SMS Group, Veselibas centrs 4 and Tietoevry. About "Verde" Verde (www.verde.lv) will be the greenest A-class office complex at the Skanstes area in Riga (R.Hirsa Street 1a), the place opposite the Latvian Fire Fighting Museum, and the only A-class office complex the first stage of which will be commissioned in June 2022. The Verde office complex comprises two office buildings with a total leasable area of 30 000 m2 (45 000 m2 together with underground parking area). Verde has been developed in line with BREEAM Excellent and the nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building) standards. The special feature of Verde will be incomparable greenery on 600 m2 large terraces with trees and plants on each of the buildings and green outdoor workspaces in the yard. Verde has been ranked among the most-sustainable projects in the competition "Sustainability in Architecture, Construction and Design 2020". Verde embodies its green thinking in a sustainable and contemporary architectural solution designed by Latvian architects Andris Kronbergs and Janis Zvejnieks (Arhis Architects), applying Class A energy efficiency and smart building management solutions. About "Capitalica Asset Management" and "SBA Group" Capitalica Asset Management (www.capitalica.lt) is an investment management company licensed and supervised by the Central bank of Lithuania and is managing investment funds investing in commercial real estate in the Baltic States. Capitalica Baltic Real Estate Fund I, managed by Capitalica Asset Management, owns office complex Verde in Riga, the business center 135 in Vilnius, the business center Kauno Dokas in Kaunas, and the shopping center Luize in Klaipeda. Capitalica Z114 Real Estate Fund currently manages an office and warehouse complex, and in the future plans to develop a new Class A business center on Zalgirio st. in Vilnius. Capitalica Green Logistics Fund owns 3 logistic complexes, two in Tallinn and one in Riga. The controlling stake (70%) of Capitalica Asset Management is held by SBA Group, one of the largest Lithuanian business groups, and another 30% is owned by A. Barstys' (CEO of Capitalica Asset Management) company Fox Holdings. SBA is one of the largest Lithuanian capital business groups. It consists of more than 30 companies operating in real estate, furniture manufacturing, textile manufacturing, and investment management. The group employs around 5,000 people. Consolidated sales in 2021 amounted to EUR 404.6 million. For more information: Andrius Barstys CEO of Capitalica Asset Management andrius.barstys@capitalica.lt +370 612 30260
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Buffalo Coal Corp. (TSXV: BUF) (JSE: BUC) (the "Company") announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Buffalo Coal Dundee Proprietary Limited ("BCD") has entered into and received approval from the South African Reserve Bank regarding a secured credit facility agreement dated November 7, 2022 and addendum to the facility agreement dated December 29, 2022 (as amended, the "Credit Agreement") with Ikwezi Mining FZE (the "Lender"), an affiliate of the Company's majority shareholder, Belvedere Resources DMCC ("Belvedere").

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lender will make a credit facility available to BCD in the aggregate principal amount of USD$30,000,000, which amount may be drawn in up to ten draws under the Credit Agreement (each such draw, a "Facility Advance"). Interest will accrue on each Facility Advance at a rate based on the base lending rate applicable in the United States of America, as prescribed by the South African Reserve Bank (7.5% as of January 20, 2023), and each Facility Advance will become due and payable three (3) years after the date such Facility Advance was advanced to BCD by the Lender. The Credit Agreement provides for a general charge against BCD's assets as security for the Facility Advances made thereunder, which may be prepaid by BCD on notice to the Lender in whole or in part without any penalties.

Although the Credit Agreement constitutes a "related party transaction" for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and TSXV Exchange Policy 5.9, it is exempt from the valuation requirements pursuant to Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, as the Company's securities are not listed on a market specified in that section, and from the minority approval requirements pursuant to Section 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101, as the credit facility is a non-convertible loan on what the Company and its independent board members have determined are market terms and is not repayable in securities of the Company.

The Company intends to use the initial Facility Advance under the Credit Agreement to repay amounts owing to Belvedere under the Third Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between the Company and Resource Capital Fund V L.P. (which was assumed by Belvedere). The remaining amounts available to BCD under the Credit Agreement will be used for general working capital purposes.

About Buffalo Coal

Buffalo is a coal producer in South Africa. It holds a majority interest in two operating mines through its 100% interest in BCD, a South African company which has a 70% interest in Zinoju Coal Proprietary Limited ("Zinoju"). Zinoju holds a 100% interest in the Magdalena bituminous mine, the Aviemore East anthracite mine and the Balgray and North Adit anthracite projects in South Africa. Buffalo Coal has an experienced coal-focused Board and Management team.

The Company has its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange and has a secondary listing on the Alternative Exchange, operated by the JSE Limited.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events. Forward looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Ms. Emma Oosthuizen

Chief Financial Officer

Email: emma.oosthuizen@buffalocoal.co.za

Registered Office:

Greytown Road

Industrial Area, Dundee

KwaZulu-Natal, 3000

January 23, 2023

Designated Advisor: Questco Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152111
Newton Biocapital II Leads Funding Round For First-of-Its-Kind Drug to Treat Insulin Resistance

First Breakthrough Addressing Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

STRASBOURG, France, Jan. 23, 2023, a French biotech company developing a novel and promising type 2 diabetes drug, announced today that it has successfully secured Series A funding. It expects to enter clinical trials later this year with a drug that represents the first, therapeutic breakthrough for type 2 diabetes treatment in more than a decade.

Newton BiocapitalII (NBC II), a venture capital firm focused on investing and growing early-stage life sciences companies in Europe and Japan that target chronic health conditions, led the Series A investment.

AdipoPharma uses a novel approach to treating Type 2 diabetes. Unlike most current diabetes drugs that treat the symptoms of the disease, AdipoPharma's drug, PATAS, treats insulin resistance, the root cause of Type 2 diabetes. PATAS has been designed while working on fat cells known as adipocytes. PATAS, by restoring insulin resistance in adipocytes, also restores healthy lipid biosynthesis.

The company was founded by its President, Vincent Marion, PhD, MSc, a biochemist by training and deputy director of the Laboratory of Medical Genetics in Strasbourg at INSERM, the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. Dr. Marion has spent the last 10 years researching the critical, and overlooked, role that adipocytes play in type 2 diabetes.

"This funding is a major step forward for AdipoPharma and in our quest to treat insulin resistance, the primary cause of type 2 diabetes," Dr. Marion said. "The funding will allow us to move quickly and hit our product development milestones. We are excited to start clinical trials this year with the first drug specifically targeting insulin resistance in adipocytes."

AdipoPharma's novel approach to diabetes has already created a buzz around a disease that has not seen a single new, therapeutic development in more than a decade. PATAS was the featured science paper in the August issue of Diabetes magazine. Dr. Marion has spoken at several key conferences about his groundbreaking research.

AdipoPharma will open a U.S. office in Pittsburgh as it prepares for clinical trials later this year.

Dr. Marion has assembled a team of high-profile, experienced pharmaceutical executives, former senior FDA members, and academic scientists to lead the development of PATAS. He has also established AdipoPharma's scientific advisory board, with internationally recognized experts in type 2 diabetes, including:

Dr. Paul Zimmet, sciencific advisory board chairman and internationally recognized pioneer in diabetes and obesity research

Dr. Alexander (Zan) Fleming, former senior endocrinologist at the FDA

Dr. Alan Cherrington, past president of the American Diabetes Association



Alain Parthoens, CEO of Newton Biocapital, said: "We are delighted to support AdipoPharma on its journey to provide an innovative type 2 diabetes treatment that has the potential to transform the lives of millions of patients worldwide. We look forward to seeing the first clinical read-outs in the coming months."

Newton Biocapital was joined by Good Growth Capital of Charleston, SC.

Isabelle Pelletier-Bressac, founder and CEO of the French consulting firm AttLeva Conseils, served as financial advisor. She introduced AdiopoPharma to Newton Biocapital.

More than 500 million people worldwide have type 2 diabetes, and that number continues to rise. Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease, amputation, and death in the world.

About AdipoPharma

AdipoPharma is harnessing the power of the adipocyte for the treatment of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related disorders. The company was established in July 2022 to commercialize the work of its founder, Dr. Vincent Marion, PhD, MSc, biochemist by training and deputy director of the Laboratory of Medical Genetics in Strasbourg at INSERM, the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research.

Dr. Marion and his team of researchers have spent more than a decade identifying cellular targets based on the adipocyte's role in metabolic diseases which were inspired by rare genetic diseases. PATAS, a therapeutic peptide, is the result of this research and is the first representative of a new class of drugs called "Adipeutics."

PATAS has been shown to restore healthy lipid biosynthesis in adipocytes in diseased animal models and should be the first diabetes drug to have significant beneficial effects on insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, pancreatic beta cell plaque removal, liver steatosis and fibrosis correlated with decreased ceramide levels.

AdipoPharma SAS is based in Strasbourg, France, with a U.S. office in Pittsburgh. www.adipopharma.com

About Newton Biocapital

Newton Biocapital ("NBC") is a VC firm focused on early-stage Life Sciences companies targeting chronic health conditions. NBC is among the eight VC firms certified by AMED in Japan to boost the pharma ecosystem and the only one with offices in Japan/Europe. NBC's diversified team of experts and its presence in Japan/Europe enable NBC to identify and select the most promising companies based on the outstanding research ecosystem in those two regions. NBC provides investment opportunities that can help patients and society, as well as foster growth of the Japanese/European biotech ecosystems.

NBC is a hands-on investor and leverages its expertise to help its portfolio companies focus on the right indication and clinical trial design, thereby helping them progress successfully through the challenging early drug development phases up to the proof of concept in patients. NBC enables time- and cost-effective translation from science to proof of concept in patients that attracts potential acquirers and unlocks value - for patients, companies, and investors.

www. newtonbiocapital.com

Contact:

john.reynolds@buchananpr.com


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (TKPHF.PK, TAK) announced Monday that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with HUTCHMED (China) Limited (HCM) for Fruquintinib, a Highly Selective, Oral VEGFR1/2/3 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.



Under the deal terms, Takeda will receive an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize fruquintinib in all indications and territories outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.



Subject to the terms of the agreement, Takeda will pay HUTCHMED $400 million upfront, up to $730 million in additional potential payments relating to regulatory, development and commercial sales milestones, as well as royalties on net sales.



The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including completion of antitrust reviews.



Fruquintinib, which was approved in China in 2018, is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors or VEGFR -1, 2 and 3.



Fruquintinib is orally administered and has the potential to be used across subtypes of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer or CRC, regardless of biomarker status.



The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track designation for the development of fruquintinib to treat patients with metastatic CRC in 2020. In December 2022, HUTCHMED initiated a rolling submission of a New Drug Application for fruquintinib with the FDA, which is planned to be completed in the first half of 2023.



Teresa Bitetti, President of the Global Oncology Business Unit at Takeda, said, 'Fruquintinib has the potential to change the treatment landscape for patients with refractory metastatic CRC who are in need of additional treatment options. We look forward to utilizing our development and commercial capabilities to expand the potential of this innovative medicine to patients beyond China.'



In London, HUTCHMED shares were gaining around 6 percent to trade at 301.75 pence.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



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BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks opened higher on Monday, with a strong rally on Wall Street Friday and gains across Asian markets boosting investor sentiment. The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 14 points, or 0.2 percent, at 7,782 after closing 0.3 percent higher on Friday. Dignity Plc shares soared 8.5 percent. The funeral service provider said it would be acquired by a consortium comprising investment firms SPWOne V Ltd, Castelnau Group (CGL.L) and Phoenix Asset Management Partners. Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty gained 1 percent after it secured a 1.2 billion pounds contract from National Highways to deliver the 'Roads North of the Thames' package of works for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing. Public transport provider National Express Group jumped 5.5 percent. The company said that its unit National Express Rail GmbH has won a 1 billion euros worth contract for rail operations in Germany. Saga rallied 2.5 percent. The over-50's travel operator said it is seeking buyers for its in-house insurance underwriting business. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.




TOKYO, Jan 23, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - With the support of Fujitsu, the operators of the legendary Nurburgring are showing how history, the present and the future can be optimally combined - for greater safety using advanced AI technology. Especially on the one of the world's most challenging race tracks: the Nordschleife. There, the unique tourist drives in particular can become even safer.The first installations as well as tests and analyses for this groundbreaking project have already been underway for one year. HD cameras were installed along a 2.8-kilometer section and connected with fiberglass. Fujitsu developed an AI system that immediately registers safety-relevant incidents and forwards them to operations management. At future races, track days, tourist drives and test drives by the automotive industry, drivers can be warned immediately of dangers via LED displays on the track, so that everyone involved can assess the situation more quickly and react accordingly.After a year of successful test installations, the partners involved are now drawing a thoroughly positive balance, so that in the next two years the entire Nordschleife can be equipped with the AI-based system without any gaps. The new system is scheduled to be fully operational as early as the 2025 season and will then monitor around 21 kilometers of the Nordschleife."The project is of outstanding importance to us. It equips the world-renowned Nordschleife for the future in terms of safety. For us, it is one of the most extensive innovation measures in the soon-to-be 100-year history of the Nurburgring. Artificial intelligence is the best solution here, because no one would be able to monitor and evaluate the images from so many cameras in real time and take appropriate action. With Fujitsu, we have a partner that not only offers the necessary expertise and suitable solutions, but also shares our passion for this historic track," the managing directors of Nurburgring 1927 GmbH & Co. KG, Christian Stephani and Ingo Boder, explain.The Nordschleife is probably the best-known and longest permanent racetrack in the world. No fewer than 73 curves and particularly challenging sections make the almost 21-kilometer-long track so appealing. For racing drivers, but especially for private drivers who want to test their driving skills apart from the race dates, this is a real challenge. It is not without reason that the "Green Hell," as it was named by racing legend Jackie Steward, enjoys a very special reputation worldwide.In order to ensure the safety of drivers and the public, dangers and incidents are currently reported by radio announcements from so-called track marshals and signaled by waving flags. Naturally, valuable time passes until help is actually on the way and the track is closed if necessary. In the future, with help of the equipment with cameras and artificial intelligence, the aim is to support and accelerate these processes significantly and to lay the foundations for irregularities to be automatically detected and lead to appropriate measures in real time."Especially at the Nurburgring, where racing enthusiasm and tradition come together, safety is the top priority in the interest of professional and private drivers, as well as in the interest of the race track and the organizers. Perfect organization and well-rehearsed processes are already an important basis here. The use of smart technology makes the Nurburgring even safer and innovates the working environment of the employees in the area of track safety. This according to the well-known motto: "Everyone praises what Nurburgring tests", which not only applies to the automotive industry, but can now also be applied to the digital transformation and innovation of the track. Based on this solution, we are already discussing the application of the technology e.g. in public road traffic or other scenarios," Jorn Nitschmann, Head of Digital Transformation Unit DACH at Fujitsu Services GmbH sums up.For this solution, Fujitsu has taken an on-premises approach to ensure minimal system latency and uses a combination of AI methods to meet the specific requirements of the Nurburgring. The software includes AI object recognition to identify vehicles or people on the track. Through image segmentation, it can also distinguish between the race track, gravel and grass surfaces, as well as guardrails and safety fences. In the event of a safety issue, a downstream system alerts incident command and can trigger additional traffic light warnings and initial messages via LED displays at the track. Thanks to its modular design, the system is highly scalable and can be easily extended to new sections of track.About FujitsuFujitsu's purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$32 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.Source: Fujitsu LtdCopyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
In its second year, the Rise Initiative seeks to engage British commercial real estate businesses making progress in DEI

LONDON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bisnow , commercial real estate's (CRE) largest source for news, events, marketing services and recruitment solutions, announced the expansion of their Rise Initiative into the United Kingdom. Rise is calling on CRE companies with operations based in the UK to submit internal DEI programmes , focused on racial diversity, that have proven success through data and analytics.





Since 2020, the Bisnow editorial team has released an annual investigative report that examines diversity in leadership within the largest CRE companies. The Rise Initiative was formed in response to the findings on racial and gender inequality within executive ranks. In its inaugural year, the Initiative garnered interest from 132 companies across the U.S. and recognised 9 outstanding initiatives.

"It's imperative that our industry face these shortcomings while we work to build communities and spaces that reflect the people that use them," expressed Natascha Bhuiyan, Bisnow Rise Initiative. "We were thrilled at the enthusiasm around Rise in its first year. From the thoughtful programmes that were shared to the energy in the room and the inspiring discussions, we knew we had to keep the momentum going on this important topic."

Bisnow has found support for Rise from 15 DEI-focused organisations and recruited a diverse group of industry experts to independently evaluate all submissions. Entries are open now through 24 March, 2023.

"We're keen to promote real actions that make a tangible difference," said Liz Peace CBE, Adviser On Property, Politics And The Built Environment/Chair of Real Estate Balance. "By gathering together examples of the great work currently taking place on DEI within UK real estate, Rise will help the industry to share best practices and learn from each other. Don't miss this opportunity to help keep the industry moving forward."

2023 honourees will be spotlighted at a premier event this summer in London.

For more information or to submit your company's programme, click here . Interested in sponsorship, email rise@bisnow.com .

Contact Information:

Natascha Bhuiyan

Bisnow Rise Initiative Executive Director

rise@bisnow.com

About Bisnow

Bisnow is the world's leading B2B platform serving the commercial real estate industry. From events and news to branded content and recruiting solutions, Bisnow reaches more than 11 million readers and hosts more than 450 events each year. Operating in over 50 local markets across the U.S., Canada, the UK and Ireland, our products inform and connect the commercial real estate business to do more business.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1658189/Rise_Initiative_By_Bisnow_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bisnow-expands-diversity-equity--inclusion-focused-honouree-programme-into-the-uk-301727037.html


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The gunman suspected of killing 10 people in a ballroom dance studio near Los Angeles at the weekend has been found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a stand off with police.



California police said they have identified the killer as Huu Can Tran, 72.



Tran apparently took his life as police swarmed a white van in Torrance, about 30 miles from the scene of the crime, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.



He was declared dead at the scene, Luna added.



The Sheriff told reporters that 10 people were injured in the shooting, and some of them are critical. Most of the victims were middle-aged and of Asian descent.



Monterey Park's large Asian population has been celebrating Lunar New Year weekend on Saturday when the gunman opened fire indiscriminately at popular Star Ballroom Dance Studio at around 10:22 p.m., reports quoting police say.



The location was about seven miles east of central Los Angeles.



Shortly after the attack, the gunman arrived at another dance studio in the nearby town of Alhambra, where two people snatched a semi-automatic assault pistol from him.



In a combing operation across Los Angeles on Sunday, a SWAT team approached a white van in a carpark in Torrance, and found Tran dead inside with self-inflicted gunshot, Luna said.



As a mark of respect for the victims of the Monterey Park shooting, President Joe Biden ordered that the U.S. flag shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Government until January 26.



He also directed that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Bedford, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Sylla Gold Corp. (TSXV: SYG) (OTCQB: SYGCF) ("Sylla" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Phase 2 reverse circulation (RC) and air core (AC) drilling operations has commenced drilling on its Niaouleni Gold Project ("Niaouleni") in southern Mali (Figure 1).

The purpose of the Phase 2 drilling program is to:

Complete step out drilling from previous high grade drilling intercepts

Expand the mineralized footprint of Niaouleni South target to both the north and south.

Further define the structural geometry of the interpreted Kobada Shear extension on the property

The planned drilling program is comprised of approximately 1,600 m of AC drilling followed by 2,330 m of RC drilling along several drill fences. The drilling is designed to expand the footprint of mineralization at Niaouleni South and further test adjacent geochemical anomalies.

Regan Isenor, President and CEO of Sylla commented, "We had great success in our maiden 2022 drilling program establishing numerous thick, high-grade gold intercepts and developing a better understanding for the structure and mineralization within the Kobada Shear. Our technical team has designed this next drilling program to rapidly expand the area of gold mineralization at the Niaouleni South target, through step outs to both the north and south."

Niaouleni Project

The Niaouleni Project is 17,200 hectares size and accessible by paved highway and includes extensive artisanal mining activity within the interpreted extensions of gold bearing structures. Niaouleni is strategically located roughly 3km south of Toubani Resources Kobada deposit within the emerging Niaouleni-Kobada-Sanankoro Corridor (Figure 2). Sylla Gold's maiden drilling program was completed between April and July 2022 and included 57 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes (7,305 m) and 212 air core (AC) drill holes (10,600 m) completed along several drill fences. These drill holes targeted the Niaouleni South, Lebre Plateau and Kankou Moussa prospects along the Kobada Shear, and the Gouingouindougou target located on the Gosso Shear. These targets were all previously defined by termite mound and soil geochemistry results. Assay results from the RC and AC drilling programs were released by the Company in news releases dated August 29, 2022, September 13, 2022, and October 4, 2022. Significant assay highlights from the 2022 drilling program include 5.17 g/t Au over 25 m from drill hole NSRC22-018 and 2.13 g/t Au over 25 m from drill hole NSRC22-027

Further information on the Niaouleni Gold Project is available in the Company's NI 43-101 technical report on the Niaouleni Project with an effective date of September 28, 2021, and available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.





Figure 1: Map of the Niaouleni Gold Project in southern Mali

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6472/152031_9387a3760420f907_001full.jpg.





Figure 2: Niaouleni-Kobada-Sanankoro-Corridor

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6472/152031_9387a3760420f907_002full.jpg.

The Company also announces that is has entered into an investor marketing campaign agreement (the "Agreement") with Struthers Consulting and Market Report ("RSC") effective January 15, 2023. During the 12-month term of the Agreement, RSC will introduce the Company to RSC's audience of educated, active investors. RSC does not provide Investor Relations or Market Making services. RSC will receive a fee of $10,000 plus applicable taxes for the 12-month agreement. RSC is an arm's length party to the Company, and both are unrelated and unaffiliated entities. There are no performance factors contained in the Agreement and no stock options or other compensation are being granted in connection with the Agreement.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains scientific and technical information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties to the Niaouleni Project, which the Company has no interest in or rights to explore. Readers are cautioned that information regarding mineral resources, geology, and mineralization on adjacent or similar properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Niaouleni Project.

Qualified Person Statement

All scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared and approved by Gregory Isenor, P.Geo., Director of Sylla Gold Corp. who is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

About Sylla Gold

Sylla Gold Corp. (TSXV: SYG) is a Canadian junior gold exploration company focused on the exploration and acquisition of gold properties in West Africa including Mali, and adjacent to known gold deposits.

For more information, please contact:

Regan Isenor

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (902) 233-4381

Email: risenor@syllagold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and includes those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152031
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Mundoro Capital Inc. (TSXV: MUN) (www.mundoro.com) ("Mundoro" or the "Company"), announces it has entered into a definitive agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Group Limited ("BHP"), which provides BHP with the right to earn-in to three (each, an "Option") exploration areas that Mundoro holds in the Timok region ("Timok Properties").

Ms. Teo Dechev, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Mundoro commented, "Mundoro welcomes BHP as an exploration partner that recognizes the potential of further exploration in the western Tethyan Belt. We are looking forward to commencing field exploration at the Timok Properties in order to advance targeting and testing of undercover, and near surface, porphyry and related epithermal systems in the Timok region of eastern Serbia."

Ms. Dechev added, "Mundoro has established a decade-long history of generative and early-stage exploration in Serbia and Bulgaria. Partner funded exploration programs along with Mundoro's generative programs have invested over C$30 million of exploration expenditures which bring value to stakeholders in the communities where we operate, to our partners, and to our shareholders."

Regional Setting

The porphyry copper projects under the Options with BHP are located in and around the Timok Magmatic Complex in Serbia. The Timok region is known as a mining district with more than 100 years of mining comprising approximately 4 billion tons in porphyry systems over 5 known mines. The Timok Magmatic Complex is host to the largest copper-gold porphyry deposits in the western portion of the Tethyan Belt such as (i) Cukaru-Peki, a high sulphidation epithermal copper-gold and porphyry copper deposit, (ii) Bor underground mine which is a copper-gold porphyry ("Bor Mining Complex"), (iii - iv) Veliki Krivelj and Majdanpek open-pit mines which are both copper-gold porphyries and (v) the recently re-opened Cerovo porphyry copper -gold open-pit mine (see Figure 1).

Dr. Richard Jemeilita, Chief Geologist at Mundoro commented: "The Timok Properties represent a district scale, attractive exploration package in this prospective mineral belt in Serbia. Our exploration team in the region has identified, in the South Timok Properties exploration area, extending south from the Timok Magmatic Complex, continuation of fertile geological units for further copper exploration. We are encouraged by the initial reconnaissance sampling which has identified anomalous copper zones."

Follow our weekly updates on: LinkedIn and Twitter: @Mundoro





Figure 1 - Location Map for Timok Region, Serbia

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2408/152060_caef5c79b404a95d_001full.jpg

Property Information

Borsko

The Borsko Jezero Project ("Borsko") is located in the central portion of the Timok Magmatic Complex and aggregates an exploration area of 34.5 sqkm. The project is directly adjacent to and west of the producing Bor copper porphyry mine (see Figure 1). Exploration completed to date by Mundoro has identified several targets of which, Target 1 is an undercover preserved advanced argillic alteration lithocap covering an area approximately 1.6 km in strike length, discovered using a combination of geophysical techniques. The Target 1 system contains elevated copper-gold-arsenic geochemical results indicative of high sulphidation epithermal type mineralization with elevated copper at the bottom of the lithocap suggesting a porphyry source beyond the immediate drill tested area.

South Timok

An area that aggregates 213 sqkm, located at the southern end of the Timok Magmatic Complex and approximately 60 km south-southeast of Bor mining district in Central Timok. The northern parts of exploration ground is covered by Paleogene sediments interlayered with Paleogene pyroclastics, while the central area consists of Upper Cretaceous sediments and volcanics. To the east the area is almost entirely covered by Upper Cretaceous volcanics from the Timok Magmatic Complex. Hornblende andesite that intrudes the Upper Cretaceous sediments from both licenses are considered to have the potential for copper-gold porphyry and epithermal related systems. Several small-scale coal mines and old workings have been exploited by the state during the 1950's in this area.

The southern portion of the exploration area comprises Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary lithologies intruded by late Cretaceous latite intrusions and partly overlain by Paleogene sediments. The volcanic-intrusive lithologies form part of the northwest-southeast L-shape-striking Cretaceous magmatic arc of Eastern Serbia. Mundoro started a stream sediment program over the favorable geological setting in the southern portion of the exploration area that yielded several drainage areas anomalous for gold, copper, lead and zinc within two outlined targets internally named Ponor North and Ponor South, respectively.

Trstenik

This exploration area covers an aggregate of 55 sqkm and lies within the northern portion of the Timok Magmatic Complex directly north of Majdanpek Mine Complex. To date, the systematic exploration work carried out by Mundoro in the exploration area has identified several target areas. Two of the targets at the southern end of the exploration area have similarities with the Majdanpek deposit in that the targets share similar geology, structural settings, and mineralisation - porphyry and skarn/massive sulphide replacement type and occur along strike of the main Timok trend.

Transaction Overview

Each of the three Options provides BHP with the right to earn a 100% interest in the relevant Timok Property by making (i) annual cash payments and operator payments ("Payments") to Mundoro, with the aggregate amount of Payments for the three properties over three years amounting to approximately US$1,700,020, and (ii) incurring exploration expenditures within three years on the three properties amounting to US$7,500,000. The earn-in also includes an exploration expenditure commitment related to drilling by March 2023. BHP may exercise each Option independently or elect to extend each Option by one year by making additional Payments and incurring additional exploration expenditures. Upon exercise of each Option, Mundoro will retain a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty that includes development milestone payments for a total up to US$9,000,000 and annual cash payments until commercial production commences. Mundoro is appointed as the initial operator under the Options.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared under the supervision of, and approved by, T. Dechev, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and the Company's Chief Executive Officer and R. Jemielita, PhD, MIMMM, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and Chief Geologist to the Company.

About Mundoro Capital Inc.

Mundoro is a publicly listed company on the TSX-V in Canada and OTCQB in the USA with a portfolio of mineral properties focused primarily on base and precious metals. To drive value for shareholders, Mundoro's asset portfolio generates near-term cash payments to Mundoro from partners and creates royalties attached to each mineral property. The portfolio of mineral properties is currently focused on predominantly copper in two mineral districts: Western Tethyan Belt in Eastern Europe and the Laramide Belt in the southwest USA.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe" or "continue" or similar words or the negative thereof, and include the following: completion of earn-in expenditures, options and completion of a definitive agreement by the parties. The material assumptions that were applied in making the forward looking statements in this News Release include expectations as to the mineral potential of the Company's projects, the Company's future strategy and business plan and execution of the Company's existing plans. We caution readers of this News Release not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements contained in this News Release, as there can be no assurance that they will occur and they are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include general economic and market conditions, exploration results, commodity prices, changes in law, regulatory processes, the status of Mundoro's assets and financial condition, actions of competitors and the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities. The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this News Release are made as of the date of this News Release and the Board undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and for a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please visit Mundoro Capital website www.mundoro.com

Teo Dechev, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

+1-604-669-8055

info@mundoro.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152060
THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / Wolfden Resources Corporation (WLF.V) ("Wolfden" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary Wolfden Mt. Chase LLC, has submitted an application to the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) in order to re-zone a 374 acre parcel of its wholly owned 7,135 acre Pickett Mountain Project land holdings in Northern Maine, from a General Management (M-GN) designation to Planned Development (D-PD) in T6 R6 WELS. The proposed purpose of the D-PD rezoning is to allow for the construction, operation and reclamation of a state of the art, small foot print underground metallic mineral mine in a manner that is fully protective of the environment.

The Project is located several miles off of State Route 11, in an area of very low population density, north of the Town of Patten and includes a 1200 tonne per day underground mining operation with a 10-15 year mine life. The mine and other supporting infrastructure will require a steady-state work force of roughly 272 direct employees and contractors. The mined ore, rich in zinc, copper, lead, silver and gold and will be processed at a different location (not in T6 R6) and therefore is outside of the scope of the application. Moreover, the technical analysis for each component of the Project and each aspect for the protection of natural resources, demonstrate that the Project is feasible and consistent with the values prioritized by the LUPC.

"We are very pleased to submit this application where the technical studies to date indicate the operation will be fully protective of the surrounding natural resources and associated recreational activities, the neighboring communities and the State of Maine," stated, Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development. "In addition, we have hosted public meetings and information sessions in many of the surrounding towns that have resulted in growing community interest as members appreciate the protective nature of Maine's Chapter 200 mining regulations and their right to be heard in the mine permitting process." Several neighboring towns have passed ordinances or resolutions, by public vote, in support of the Project, subject to the prerequisite regulatory approvals.

The Project represents a significant opportunity for new economic growth in an area of the State where much of the economy is based on timber harvesting. Wolfden has been working with residents and businesses in the region to ensure that the Project is responsive to the needs of the region and will benefit the people who live and work there. The Project will be developed, operated, and reclaimed in accordance with regulations that ensure protection of the surrounding environment.

The re-zoning application is subject to and will be reviewed under the Commission's Chapter 10 and Chapter 12 rules. Chapter 12 requires a public hearing to be held by the Commission in the area of the project before a final decision on the application.

A copy of the petition and more information about the process is available for download from the LUPC project-specific webpage and the Company's website.

Pickett Mountain Mineral Resource Estimate

NOVEMBER 17, 2021 - MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT Category Tonnes % Zn % Pb % Cu g/t Ag g/t Au Density % ZnEq Indicated 2,724,000 8.91 3.83 1.22 97.2 0.8 3.84 17.72 Inferred 3,593,600 9.27 3.83 1.00 105.4 0.7 3.81 17.65

Metal prices used for the estimate: US$1.20/lb Zn, $2.50/lb Cu, $1.00/lb Pb, $16.00/oz Ag, and $1,200/oz/Au, using a 7% cutoff grade that equates to an approximate NSR cut-off of $139/tonne at the same metal prices. An average recoveryof 75% for all metals was assumed based on preliminary metallurgical testing. The deposit remains open at depth and into the footwall (north) where continued expansion and infill diamond drilling has the potential to further upgrade and expand the mineral resource

About Wolfden

Wolfden is an exploration and development company focused on high-margin metallic mineral deposits including base, precious and strategic metals. Its wholly owned Pickett Mountain Project is one of the highest-grade polymetallic projects in North America (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au) and its two nickel sulphide deposits in Manitoba represent significant development projects with the potential to be domestic sources of ethically produced base and critical metals for the expansion of renewable energy in North America.

For further information please contact Ron Little, President & CEO, at (807) 624-1136 or Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development, at (807) 624-1134.

The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development, Don Dudek, P. Geo., VP Exploration and Ron Little, P.Eng., President and CEO, all of whom are Qualified Persons' under National Instrument 43-101. The mineral resource estimate has been prepared, supervised, and reviewed by an Independent qualified person ("QP") Finley Bakker, P. Geo. of A-Z Mining Consultants and has an effective date of November 17, 2021. The Mineral Resource estimate was classified into indicated and inferred categories in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events, including the expected use of the net proceeds of the Financing. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, and include, without limitation, metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, permit and community and other regulatory approvals, and the timing and completion of exploration programs in Manitoba, Maine, New Brunswick and the respective drill results. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, the following risks and uncertainties: (i) risks inherent in the mining industry; (ii) regulatory and environmental risks; (iii) results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; (iv) risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; (v) stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations; and (vi) general market and industry conditions. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Wolfden Resources Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736208/Wolfden-Submits-Re-Zoning-Application-for-a-Mine-at-the-Pickett-Mt-Project-in-Maine
Our investment in education - especially for children caught in crisis and conflict - is our investment in a better future.

GENEVA, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a press statement provided by Education Cannot Wait:





As we mark the International Day of Education, world leaders must make good on their promise of providing quality education for all by 2030.

Education is our investment in peace where there is war, our investment in equality where there is injustice, our investment in prosperity where there is poverty.

Make no mistake about it, there is a global education crisis that threatens to unravel decades of development gains, spur new conflicts, and upend economic and social progress across the globe.

As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted at last year's Transforming Education Summit: "If we are to transform our world by 2030 as envisaged by the Sustainable Development Goals, then the international community must give this (education) crisis the attention it deserves."

When Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, was founded in 2016, we estimated that 75 million crisis-impacted children required education support. Today, that number has tripled to 222 million.

Of the 222 million children whose right to an education has been ripped from their hands by the multiplying impacts of conflict, climate change and other protracted crises, an estimated 78 million are out of school all together - more than the total populations of France, Italy or the United Kingdom.

Even when they are in school, many are not achieving minimum proficiencies in reading or math. Think about this terrifying statistic: 671 million children and adolescents worldwide cannot read. That's more than 8% of the world's total population. That's an entire generation at risk of being lost.

As we have seen from the war in Ukraine, the challenges of the Venezuelan migration to Colombia and South America, the unforgivable denial of education for girls in Afghanistan, and a devastating climate change-driven drought in the Horn of Africa that has created a severe hunger crisis for 22 million people, we are living in an interconnected world. The problems of Africa, the Middle East, South America, and beyond are the problems of the world that we share together.

Every minute of every day, children are fleeing violence and persecution in places like Myanmar, the Sahel, South America and the Middle East. Every minute of every day, boys are being recruited as child soldiers in Somalia, the Central African Republic and beyond. Every minute of every day, the climate crisis brings us closer to the end of times, and children go hungry because they are denied their right to go to school, where they might just have their only meal of the day. And amid conflict, migration and climate change, governments like Colombia are struggling to secure the most basic living and education conditions for children in hard-to-reach borders.

It's an assault on our humanity, a moral affront to the binding promises outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and a giant step backwards in our persistent efforts - against all odds - to find peace in our times.

There is hope. By embracing a new way of working and delivering with humanitarian speed and development depth, ECW and its strategic partners have reached 7 million children in just five years, with plans to reach 20 million more of the next four years.

Imagine what an education can mean for a child of war? In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 13-year-old Nyota lost her father and brothers in a brutal attack on her village. Her family's home was burnt to the ground.

In a country where 3.2 million children are out of school, Nyota's future was bleak. Would she be a child bride, the victim of sexual violence, another tragic statistic in a forgotten crisis?

No. She did not give up. With the support of an innovative programme funded by ECW, Nyota is back in school. "When I have completed my studies, I dream of becoming the President of my country to end the war here. That will allow children to study in peace and not endure the same horrible things that I have."

Nyota is not alone: we have received inspiring letters from girls and boys in over 20 crisis-affected countries across the world that underscore the amazing value of education in transforming lives and creating a better future for generations to come.

On February 16, world leaders are gathering for the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference in Geneva. Hosted by ECW and Switzerland - and co-convened by Colombia, Germany, Niger, Norway and South Sudan - the conference provides world leaders, businesses, foundations and high-net-worth individuals with the opportunity to deliver on our promise of education for all. The aim is to raise US$1.5 billion for the next four years.

As the co-conveners of this seminal event, we are calling on the people of the world to invest in the promise of an education. It's the best investment we could make in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nyota and millions like her are not giving up on their dream, and we shouldn't give up on them. We have promises to keep.

Co-signed Statement By: Federal Councillor of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis; Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, Svenja Schulze; Minister of Education, Niger, Ibrahim Natatou; Minister of International Development, Norway, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim; Minister of General Education and Instruction, South Sudan, Awut Deng Acuil; Minister of Education, Colombia, Alejandro Gaviria; Former UK Prime Minister, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown.





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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/delivering-on-our-promise-of-universal-education--education-cannot-wait-301727648.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / As we're approaching the halfway point to accomplish the 2030 Agenda, how are business leaders contributing to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

According to the 12th UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study - the world's largest research initiative on sustainable leadership - an overwhelming 98% of executives now agree that sustainability is core to their role. But faced with geopolitical instability, they are also navigating an unprecedented number of global business challenges.

Download the CEO Study today to find out how business leaders are:

Building resilience by incorporating sustainability into their core business operations and strategies

Leveraging innovation and partnerships to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Shaping the future of sustainable development by delivering shared stakeholder value and competitive advantage

Download now

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from United Nations Global Compact on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: United Nations Global Compact

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/united-nations-global-compact

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: United Nations Global Compact

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736235/New-CEO-Study-on-Corporate-Sustainability-From-Accenture-and-the-UN-Global-Compact
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British drug major AstraZeneca Plc. (AZN.L, AZN) Monday said it is commencing a tender offer to buy all shares of CinCor Pharma, Inc. (CINC), a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The acquisition is for $26 per share in cash at closing, plus a non-tradable contingent value right of $10 per share in cash payable upon a specified regulatory submission for a baxdrostat product. It was on January 9 that AstraZeneca announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CinCor. Following the successful closing of the tender offer, CinCor will become a subsidiary of AstraZeneca. The tender offer will expire at one minute past 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on February 23, unless extended or earlier terminated. The closing of the tender offer is subject to certain conditions, including the tender of shares representing at least one more than 50% of the total number of CinCor's outstanding shares, receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Excelsior Mining Corp. (TSX: MIN) (FSE: 3XS) (OTCQB: EXMGF) ("Excelsior" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for a new leach pad at its Johnson Camp Mine (JCM) facility. The Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) for Johnson Camp has been amended to include the construction and operation of a heap leach pad to produce copper from the legacy open pits at Johnson Camp in Cochise County, Arizona.

"Excelsior appreciates the groundwater protection team at ADEQ for their dedication to the protection of Arizona's groundwater and their guidance through the process. The amended APP is a key piece for Excelsior to continue developing its JCM project after the successful drilling program of 2022. The permit approval is also welcomed in the context of the recently announced collaboration with an industry leader in the emerging sulfide heap leach technology. We are excited for the potential that Johnson Camp brings to Excelsior to complement our growing mining camp in Southern Arizona, one of the best jurisdictions in the world for mining the critical materials required for our ever-changing world," states Robert Winton, SVP Operations.

ABOUT EXCELSIOR MINING

Excelsior "The Copper Solution Company" is a mineral exploration and production company that owns and operates the Gunnison Copper Project in Cochise County, Arizona. The project is a low cost, environmentally friendly in-situ recovery copper extraction project that is permitted to 125 million pounds per year of copper cathode production. Excelsior also owns the past producing Johnson Camp Mine and a portfolio of exploration projects, including the Peabody Sill and the Strong and Harris deposits.

For more information on Excelsior, please visit our website at www.excelsiormining.com.

For further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Excelsior Mining Corp.

Concord Place, Suite 300, 2999 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85018.

Shawn Westcott

T: 604.365.6681

E: info@excelsiormining.com

www.excelsiormining.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward-looking information contained in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the intention to deploy sulfide leaching technology at the Johnson Camp mine and other Excelsior copper projects, and future production therefrom; and (ii) details of future operational plans.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the availability of financing to implement the Company's operational plans, the estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, expectations and anticipated impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, copper and other metal prices, the timing and amount of future development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs (including the price of acid), the availability of labour, material and acid supply, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the construction and operation of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined including the possibility that mining operations may not be sustained at the Gunnison Copper Project, risks relating to variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates, risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to changes in copper and other commodity prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of copper and related products, risks related to increased competition in the market for copper and related products, risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions and the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources, access and supply risks, risks related to the ability to access acid supply on commercially reasonable terms, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of mining activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes, increases in capital and operating costs and the risk of delays or increased costs that might be encountered during the construction or mining process, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152066
Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQX: RYES) (the "Company") announces that it has increased the size of the non-brokered private placement previously announced in its January 18th, 2023 news release from US$1,600,000 to US$2,500,000 through the issuance of up to 6,250,000 units (each a "Unit") at a price of US$0.40 per Unit (~CDN$0.55 per Unit), with each Unit comprising one share of common stock (a "Share") and one-half of one share purchase warrant (the "Private Placement"). Each whole warrant (a "Warrant") entitles the holder to acquire one Share at an exercise price of US$0.60 for a period of two years from the date of issuance.

Rise Gold will use the proceeds from the Private Placement for the advancement of its Idaho-Maryland Mine Project and for general working capital. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to statutory hold periods in accordance with applicable United States and Canadian securities laws.

The securities offered have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold absent registration or compliance with an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

About Rise Gold Corp.

Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company incorporated in Nevada, USA. The Company's principal asset is the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Benjamin Mossman

President, CEO and Director

Rise Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:



RISE GOLD CORP.

Suite 215, 333 Crown Point Circle

Grass Valley, CA 95945

T: 530.433.0188

info@risegoldcorp.com

www.risegoldcorp.com

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152107


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - On what would have been the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, President Joe Biden issued an order to further protect access to medication abortion.



The Presidential Memorandum on Further Efforts to Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services direct the Members of his Cabinet and the administration to identify barriers to access to prescription medication and to recommend actions to make sure that doctors can legally prescribe, that pharmacies can dispense, and that women can secure safe and effective medication for reproductive care.



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 more than 20 years and accounts for the majority of all abortions in the United States.



Earlier this month, the FDA took evidence-based action to support safe access to mifepristone by allowing the continued use of telehealth to prescribe the medication and creating a new option for certified pharmacies to dispense it to patients.



Some state officials have taken steps to try to prevent women from legally accessing medication abortion and to discourage pharmacies from becoming certified by the FDA.



In the face of barriers to medication abortion and concerns about the safety of patients, healthcare providers, and pharmacists, the Presidential Memorandum announces actions to protect legal access to medication abortion.



It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), to consider new guidance to support patients, providers, and pharmacies who wish to legally access, prescribe, or provide mifepristone-no matter where they live.



The Attorney General and the Secretaries of HHS and DHS will also provide recommendations to the White House Interagency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access.



Vice President Kamala Harris announced the Presidential Memorandum in Tallahassee, Florida, on Sunday. To mark the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, she spoke about the next steps in the fight for reproductive rights and reinforce the Biden Administration's commitment to protecting access to abortion, including medication abortion.



'In Florida, healthcare providers face prison for up to five years for simply doing their job.'



'And now the state has also targeted medication abortion and even threatened Florida pharmacists with criminal charges if they provide medications prescribed by medical professionals'.



'Twenty-two states have announced they will not follow new federal rules that allow women to get medication prescribed by their doctor from a certified pharmacy,' Harris said.



Harris said that clinics are closing in states like Alabama, Missouri, and South Dakota, where patients have lost access to other basic care such as routine check-ups, cancer screenings, and contraception.



'And to everyone listening, be sure, no one is immune from these impacts, even in states that protect reproductive rights like New Jersey, Illinois, Oregon. Even then, people live in fear of what might be next because Republicans in Congress are now calling for a nationwide abortion ban,' Harris said.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY) ("Riverside" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce it has staked additional claims in northwestern Ontario and acquired the Duc Project ("the Project"), located south of the town of Kapuskasing, part of the Porcupine Mining District. The Project is roughly 600 hectares in size and located west of the past producing Agrium Ltd. carbonatite phosphate mine, within the Wawa Subprovince, which hosts several rare earth element occurrences and orogenic gold deposits. Gold typically occurs in older folded rocks associated with larger northeast trending structures related to Kapuskasing Structural Zone ("KSZ"). The Wawa Subprovince is host to multi-million-ounce large gold mines that include Alamos Gold's Island Gold Deposit and Argonaut's Magino Gold Deposit amongst others.

Riverside's President and CEO, John-Mark Staude stated: "We are excited to pick up more prospective ground in Ontario within the fertile Wawa Subprovince, which is host to many present and past producing mines in Ontario and Minnesota. Using the company's prospect generator approach, experience in the belt and industry presence, we plan to add value to the Duc Project through additional exploration and joint-venture partner-funded programs."

The Project area has excellent infrastructure, with road access from the Trans-Canada Highway and only 10km from the producing Agrium Ltd. Mine. The Project also has nearby existing power and within a 40-minute drive from the town of Kapuskasing (pop. 8,300). Interest in Ontario's critical minerals sector has attracted new explorers to this region, which in our opinion can open this area further to development for the rare earth element potential, along with the known gold endowment.

The Project is underlain by an Archean-aged metavolcanic and metasedimentary suite consisting of greywacke, arkose, and iron formation similar to the rocks known to host both the carbonatite and gold deposits. To the west and north, the terrain is underlain by east-west striking metasedimentary schists and mafic metavolcanic flows belonging to the Quetico Subprovince. The south and east areas of the Project are underlain by hornblende-quartz feldspar gneiss and granite bodies belonging to the Wawa Subprovince. The Project also lies within the LePage Fault System. This system is part of the western margin of the KSZ and consists of a series of parallel northeast trending fault structures, which include the Rufus Lake and Opasatika Lake faults. Both faults cross the property and are easily identifiable on the regional government airborne magnetic survey sheets. Given the structural feeders and tectonic evolution the Company sees high prospectivity for discoveries of potential large bodies associated with dynamic tectonic- magmatic evolution.



Figure 1: Geology on regional airborne mag

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/152129_0b54368a3429eb93_002full.jpg





Figure 2: Simplified Cross Section

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/152129_0b54368a3429eb93_003full.jpg

The next phase of proposed exploration includes ground-based geophysics building upon previous work to further refine the larger structures likely responsible for gold mineralization in the area. Past work included sonic drilling and basal till sampling which may be needed in areas of thick cover.

Qualified Person & QA/QC:

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources, who is responsible for ensuring that the geologic information provided within this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Riverside Resources Inc.:

Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has over $8M in cash, no debt and less than 75M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets and royalties in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside's own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has properties available for option, with information available on the Company's website at www.rivres.com.

ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.

"John-Mark Staude"



Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO

For additional information contact:

John-Mark Staude

President, CEO

Riverside Resources Inc.

info@rivres.com

Phone: (778) 327-6671

Fax: (778) 327-6675

Web: www.rivres.com

Mehran Bagherzadeh

Corporate Communications

Riverside Resources Inc.

Mehran@rivres.com

Phone: (778) 327-6671

TF: (877) RIV-RES1

Web: www.rivres.com

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152129
Supporting a range of philanthropic initiatives, the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program, together with our partners, continues to bring educational opportunities and humanitarian efforts to under-resourced areas



SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2023is proud to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Acronis Cyber FoundationProgram, a set of philanthropic initiatives designed to engage with partners on community development projects and provide volunteering opportunities to team members around the world. Marking five years of monumental success and continuous growth in improving education accessibility, the Program's key focus is aimed at making education readily available to all and has evolved to include humanitarian disaster relief efforts and environmental projects.

Founded in 2018, the Program has been strongly dedicated to education by funding school construction and bringing IT skills training to communities around the globe. The Acronis Cyber Foundation Program, with collaboration from partners, has built 18 schools with five additional schools in construction progress in 22 different countries. This initiative has benefited over 5,500 students who now have access to quality education. To further support education, 12 schools have been equipped with computer classrooms to provide students with access to technology and the chance to benefit from learning in a digital environment.

In addition to building schools, the Program has engaged in educational projects with over 14,000 people taking part in Acronis IT Skills Training programs and has brought humanitarian aid to over 5,000 individuals in underserved communities. The Program also directly affects the volunteers involved, providing rare exposure to distant parts of the world and the unique experiences each culture offers with 92% of Acronis Cyber Foundation Program volunteers continuing their humanitarian efforts on a yearly basis.

"I am proud of what we achieved through the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program," said Patrick Pulvermueller, CEO, Acronis. "The Schools Initiative and IT Skills Training program provided much-needed support to those in need, opening a world of new educational and career opportunities. The success of the Acronis Cyber Foundation could not have been reached without the help of our partners. I'd like to thank them for their ongoing support and I have no doubt that our joint efforts will help contribute to a more positive and prosperous future."

Education has a solid and positive impact on people's lives, paving the way for future careers in technology, a flourishing global industry. The Acronis Cyber Foundation's IT training program in Singapore helped over 120 students complete certification training and gain valuable skills to secure employment, in partnership with Yellow Ribbon Fund. The Program recorded that over 70% of IT Skills Training graduates received employment within just one month following course completion. The IT Skills for migrants in Switzerland program, in partnership with Integres, an organization aimed at integrating immigrants into Switzerland, helped the migrant population of Schaffhausen refine and gain critical career skills, helping over 70 students in the span of three years.

"The Acronis Cyber Foundation represents the same values that encouraged me to build the school in a village in the Dominican Republic," said Sebastian Noelting, Managing Director at RNT Rausch. "We are convinced that problems such as poverty and hunger can only be solved sustainably through education. That is why education must be available to everyone all over the world. I'm glad that we have been able to partner with Acronis and are now working together towards this goal."

The success of the Acronis Cyber Foundation has been achieved thanks to the help of Acronis' service provider partners, including GoDaddy, CloudFest, RNT Rausch, Zebra Systems, Climb Channel Solutions, BusyMouse, Ubistor, and many more. The Acronis Cyber Foundation Program's official charity partner, Groundbreaker, ensures compliance and handles all construction aspects in the implementation process for school building projects.

"Acronis has been an important partner for us since the beginning and we are grateful for their commitment to providing access to quality education worldwide," said Leoni Rossberg, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Groundbreaker. "They show how relevant and impactful corporate responsibility is and we hope they can encourage even more companies in the tech sector to do the same."

The Acronis Cyber Foundation Program is focused on partnering with other organizations to make a difference together. Acronis invites all businesses, large or small, to engage in joint projects. For partners wanting to develop their own community development plans, the Program can help in supporting other initiatives as well. To join our mission or to learn more, please visit: www.acronis.org.

To discover more about the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program's milestone five-year anniversary, check out our latest blog here: https://www.acronis.com/en-us/blog/posts/acronis-cyber-foundation-program-celebrating-five-years-of-achievement/

About Acronis

Acronis unifies data protection and cybersecurityto deliver integrated, automated cyber protection that solves the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security, disaster recovery, and endpoint protection management solutions powered by AI. With advanced anti-malware powered by cutting-edge machine intelligence and blockchain based data authentication technologies, Acronis protects any environment - from cloud to hybrid to on premises - at a low and predictable cost.

Acronis is a Swiss company, founded in Singapore. Celebrating two decades of innovation, Acronis has more than 2,000 employees in 45 locations. Acronis Cyber Protect solution is available in 26 languages in over 150 countries and is used by 16,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses.

Press Contacts:

Julia Carfagno

Julia.Carfagno@acronis.com

Contact for press release:

Karl Bateson

karl.bateston@acronis.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3adb134d-008a-4fa3-9be4-3b8f2e26e965




GAN YAVNE, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / AppYea Inc. (OTCQB:APYP) which focuses on the development of accurate wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring, is pleased to announce the addition of Ron Mekler as an independent director of the Company and Chair of the Audit Committee, effective immediately.

The appointment is intended to strengthen the board of directors and management of the company, using the experience and connections of Mr. Mekler.

During the last 20 years Mr. Mekler has been serving in key positions including as CFO at Clalit Health Services - The largest Health Services organization in Israel (more than 2,000 employees, 600,000 members) and Controller in several international Industrial and Real Estate Companies.

Mr. Mekler started his career as an intern at Price Water House Coopers (BIG4) - Specializing in Industrial, Real Estate and High-Tech Companies.

Mr. Mekler is a certified accountant since 2003 (from BGU University) and has MBA in Business Management from the Ono Academic College.

"I am happy to take part in AppYea and believe in the potential of the company and its products in the international market. In recent years, we have seen a growing awareness of the importance of sleep monitoring in general and sleep breathing monitoring in particular, as evidenced by the entry of giant companies into the field. I think this trend will continue. I believe that the company's patent portfolio is a strategic asset that will attract companies to cooperate with the AppYea," said Mr. Mekler.

"I congratulate Ron on joining the team and thank him for expressing his trust in the company. I am convinced that Ron will contribute from his vast experience and professionalism to the advancement of the company." Said Boris (Bary) Molchadsky, the Chairman and CEO of AppYea.

About SleepX

SleepX is the research and development subsidiary of AppYea. The Company has developed a unique product for monitoring and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The technology is protected by several international patents. The Company currently focuses its activities on commercialization of its first product DreamIT .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release, which are not historical in nature, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements relating to the future performance of AppYea are subject to many factors including, but not limited to, the sufficiency or working capital and our ability to raise the capital needed to fund our development efforts, timing of product development, FDA approval/clearance of products in development, customer acceptance of our products in the market, the introduction of competitive products, the impact of any product liability or other adverse litigation, commercialization and technological difficulties, and the other risks identified in the S-1 resale registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise.

Contact:

Asaf Porat, CFO

asaf@sleepxclear.com

+972-546-864-110

SOURCE: AppYea Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736244/Ron-Mekler-Joins-AppYeas-Board-of-Directors-Audit-Committee-Chair
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0) ("Hemostemix" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it is hiring four new biotechnologists to re-establish the Company's production of ACP-01 in Montreal. The Company is hiring an experienced autologous stem cell therapy Manufacturing Manager, a Quality Control Manager, and two Manufacturing Technologists. Coincidentally, Hemostemix has applied for Federal and Provincial grant funding that may cover up to 75% of its capital and operating expenses to build and operate its cGMP facility during its first five years of operation.

"Adding four employees to our team enables Hemostemix to produce up to 20 ACP treatments per month for clinical trials and compassionate treatments approved by regulators," stated Thomas Smeenk, CEO. "We expect up to 174 revenue production slots for the first full year of production. To fill them and balance our production schedule, we are working on a forward sales plan," Smeenk said.

Thomas Abraham tendered his resignation as an officer and director of PreCerv Inc. effective January 15, 2023, to pursue other business interests. The Company thanks Mr. Abraham for his service and wishes him success in his business endeavour.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX

Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, and is scaling a patient's blood-based stem cell therapeutics platform that includes angiogenic cell precursors, neuronal cell precursor and cardiomyocyte cell precursors. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

For further information, please contact: Thomas Smeenk, President, CEO & Co-Founder

EM: tsmeenk@hemostemix.com PH: 905-580-4170

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to: the lead product ACP-01, the Phase II Clinical Trial of ischemic cardiomyopathy and related results, the retrospective study of ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy, and the commercialization of ACP-01 via the sale of compassionate treatments approved by regulators. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of the litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. Forward-looking information is Subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemis mayface; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression;the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152150
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / GoDaddy



Originally published on GoDaddy Life

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at GoDaddy?

I am a Senior Software Engineer on the DRI team and work on Domain Control center products. I have been with GoDaddy for over seven years now. I started at GoDaddy right after my Masters in CS in 2015. The past seven years have been amazing - I have really grown into myself! I started calling The United States my home (after moving from India in 2012), become a mom of two little girls, and have had the opportunity to work on so many different projects, here. I have been involved with GDGrad from early on. This is an Employee Resource Group dedicated to building a community for recent graduates. As a mentor to these individuals, I help them onboard and feel comfortable in a corporate environment. I was fortunate enough to travel to Stanford and Pittsburg University back in 2016 and 2017 as part of the recruitment process. This was an extremely fulfilling experience.

How does GoDaddy make you feel supported as a woman?

I have been the only woman on my team for a very long time now. Even though you might think I would face adversity, I have never felt that I am treated any differently, which is absolutely amazing. GoDaddy is generous with Maternity Leave, giving me time to bond with my babies. GDWIT, which is an Employee Resource for Women, has been a support system through many uncertain times with the pandemic.

What is one thing you learned about yourself at work recently?

I have always been an IC since I joined GoDaddy. This role is mandatory until you get to level three. After this level, you can choose between IC or a leadership role. However, I got an opportunity to lead a few major projects. This includes TransferIn rewrite and New DOP products! Through this experience, I interacted with major stakeholders crucial to project completion and communicated with Product and Program Managers. In the process, I learned that I am really good at mentoring junior folks, communicating, and resolving issues for various stakeholders. I was given accolades for "Joining Forces" for both projects. Because of these opportunities, I have decided to transition into an Engineering Manager role within this year.

What's something you're actively trying to unlearn at work?

I had to unlearn perfectionism. We often think (especially as a woman) that "perfect" work is always better than "good" work, but very often the opposite is true. The time that it would take to perfect a project means that other work will get pushed aside. Good work doesn't always have to be flawless.

What is your personal advise for women who are interested in your profession?

Be curious and confident. In the tech industry, you always have to be learning. I have been able to learn a plethora of new languages and technologies since joining GoDaddy. It's important to always be working on your tech skills, while understanding your interests. I was a frontend engineer when I started and it didn't suit my interests. So, I transitioned into Backend and absolutely love it. Be confident in sharing your ideas! Be confident in speaking to your manager about which path you want to move towards in your career. I wish I learned this sooner rather than later!

What ideas might you bring to the GDWIT group?

I was a site lead for the Iowa location for a long time and I saw women and allies really get excited when they found common interests amongst the group. With remote work, it's harder to find commonalities with your coworkers. I would like to create that space in a virtual setting, as well. It would be so neat to have sub groups within GDWIT, where members can chat and discuss topics that interest them. Examples could include: recipes for healthy eating, travel tips, and so on. We can also try to organize events that address these interests.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (teams, ERG's, locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoDaddyLife

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/godaddylife/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/godaddylife

Twitter - https://twitter.com/GoDaddyLife

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@godaddylife?

Career Page - https://careers.godaddy.com/

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GoDaddy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: GoDaddy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736258/Curiosity-and-Confidence-as-a-Woman-in-Tech-Meet-Richa-Gandhi
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - QcX Gold Corp. (TSXV: QCX) (OTCQB: QCXGF) (FSE: 21MA) ("QcX" or the "Company") has received assays results from the 51 grab samples collected from the Kali East Block of its Golden Giant Project, located in the James Bay region of Quebec. This was the initial prospecting for QcX on the most easterly block of claims at Golden Giant since acquiring Kali East in 2020 (QcX release September 9, 2020). The Kali East Block of the Golden Giant Project lies only 6 km to the northwest of Allkem Limited's James Bay Lithium project (also known as the Galaxy project) (see Figure 1 & 2), which is the largest lithium pegmatite deposit in Canada and currently being advanced to production. The project's lithium potential is further discussed below. In addition, numerous anomalous results were obtained for both copper, zinc and silver, details of which can be found below in Table 1. The Kali East Block (see Figure 1) is located directly adjacent to the Billy Diamond Highway, making for easy access and low-cost exploration.

Lithium potential was identified on the property after the discovery of pegmatitic boulders scattered across the Kali claims during the field program. This is geologically significant for the block's lithium potential, as it is located in close proximity to greenstone belt - granitic pluton contacts, which are known to be highly prospective zones for Li2O-bearing pegmatite dikes (see Figure 2). There exists an excellent potential for the block to hold pegmatite dikes directly under the thin layer of overburden that covers the majority of the property. Assay results from the regional prospecting program returned anomalous results for LCT-type pegmatite mineralization with up to 48.4 ppm Li and 96.6 ppm Rb (see Figure 3). Further work is required to determine the source location of the pegmatitic boulders found on the project.

In addition to the lithium potential identified, gold and base metals remain highly prospective. A highly anomalous result of 1,500ppm Cu and 0.68 g/t Ag was obtained from a "heavily altered amphibolite, with heavy gossan staining, 1-2% pyrite" in the northeast corner of the block, only a few hundred metres from the Billy Diamond Highway. This was surrounded by other anomalous Cu and Zn results (see Figures 4 and 5).

The majority of the Kali East Block remains unexplored and the Company has much further work to complete for follow up on structurally controlled geophysical targets that were discovered during QcX Gold's 2021 work program (see Figure 6). This work is in addition to further analysis on results from the Company's inaugural drill program at Golden Giant across the West and East Blocks.

The Golden Giant project comprises three packages of claims, Golden Giant East, Golden Giant West and the Kali East block, covering 18,992 hectares and is contiguous to Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Patwon project as shown in Figure 1.





Figure 1: Regional map of the James Bay area showing the proximity of the Golden Giant property to important lithium projects in the region.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/152160_5495277d04cabb45_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Geology of the Kali East Block at the Golden Giant Project. Note proximity to the James Bay Lithium Deposit held by Australia's Galaxy Resources directly southeast.

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/152160_5495277d04cabb45_002full.jpg





Figure 3: Lithium results from the northeastern corner of the Kali East property, directly adjacent to the Billy Diamond Highway.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/152160_5495277d04cabb45_003full.jpg





Figure 4: Anomalous copper results obtained from northeastern corner of the Kali East property, directly adjacent to the Billy Diamond Highway.

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Figure 5: Anomalous zinc results obtained from northeastern corner of the Kali East property, directly adjacent to the Billy Diamond Highway.

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Figure 6: Map of geophysical based target areas across the Kali East Block, superimposed on interpreted structures.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1791/152160_5495277d04cabb45_006full.jpg

Sample Easting Northing Au

ppm Ag

ppm Cu

ppm Zn

ppm Li

ppm E6058501 356822 5797319 0.01 <0.01 2.3 1 <0.1 E6058502 356822 5797319 0.01 <0.01 5.8 2.2 1.2 E6058503 356820 5797328 0.01 <0.01 3.6 2 0.8 E6058504 356818 5797287 <0.005 <0.01 5.2 6.5 1.6 E6058505 356815 5797287 0.01 0.04 38.4 14.8 6 E6058506 356816 5797287 0.01 0.05 114 37.6 28.8 E6058507 356776 5797320 0.01 0.02 8.3 40.9 16.8 E6058508 356766 5797333 0.02 0.05 9.8 20.7 10.6 E6058509 356772 5797330 0.02 0.04 19.6 8.1 2.7 E6058510 356766 5797319 0.09 0.16 57.1 98.1 20.5 E6058511 356764 5797305 <0.005 <0.01 9 2.8 1.7 E6058512 356775 5797320 0.01 0.03 8.1 39.7 17.2 E6058513 356773 5797321 0.02 0.08 0.7 1.8 0.7 E6058514 356590 5797311 <0.005 <0.01 3.5 2.1 0.6 E6058515 356715 5796697 0.01 0.14 158 34.9 14 E6058516 356558 5796632 0.01 0.02 46.8 22.1 48.4 E6058517 356387 5796783 0.02 0.13 13.3 112 4.8 E6058518 356452 5796933 0.01 0.04 50.1 4.6 6.1 E6058519 356451 5796931 0.01 0.05 55.3 8.6 4.7 E6058520 356682 5796954 0.01 <0.01 3.6 3.1 0.7 E6058521 356804 5797141 0.01 <0.01 6.9 8.6 15.4 E6058522 356802 5797124 0.01 0.02 2 31.3 17.5 E6058523 356792 5797121 0.01 <0.01 2.7 2.1 2.4 E6058524 356741 5797070 0.01 <0.01 9.7 2.5 1.3 E6058525 356778 5797045 0.02 0.01 17.3 17 2.6 E6058526 356690 5797260 <0.005 <0.01 2.6 2.9 1.9 E6058527 356630 5797315 0.01 <0.01 1.7 5.1 7.2 E6058528 356622 5797337 0.02 0.68 1,500 3.6 8.1 E6058529 356619 5797334 0.01 0.01 43.8 5.4 42.8 E6058530 356625 5797358 0.01 <0.01 2.3 7.6 6.1 E6058531 356623 5797346 0.01 0.1 63.9 4.7 19.7 E6058532 356633 5797357 0.01 0.07 68.1 9.4 4.9 E6058533 356658 5797401 <0.005 <0.01 71.8 86.7 5.2 E6058534 356582 5797343 <0.005 <0.01 9.5 47.6 16.4 E6058535 356651 5797324 0.01 <0.01 2.7 1.2 1.5 E6058536 356686 5797337 <0.005 <0.01 4.5 49.5 19.2 E6058537 356740 5797375 0.01 <0.01 3.6 19.1 27.2 E6058538 346509 5792569 0.01 <0.01 14.2 2.3 0.2 E6058539 346552 5792625 <0.005 <0.01 8.6 9 1.7 E6058540 346534 5792687 0.01 <0.01 2.7 3.5 2 E6058541 346533 5792950 0.01 0.02 12 45.3 17.4 E6058542 346562 5792971 0.01 0.02 33.5 18.5 5 E6058543 346639 5793014 <0.005 <0.01 5.2 2.9 0.4 E6058544 346528 5793008 <0.005 <0.01 3.1 1.8 0.5 E6058545 346477 5792976 <0.005 <0.01 <0.5 3.8 2.8 E6058546 346294 5792554 <0.005 <0.01 35.1 2.7 0.6 E6058547 345877 5792205 <0.005 <0.01 2.6 2.3 0.6 E6058548 345781 5792198 <0.005 0.32 4 4.6 0.7 E6058549 345651 5792187 <0.005 0.03 3.3 1.9 1.1 E6058550 345863 5792201 <0.005 0.05 98.6 70 13.9 E6058551 346306 5792358 0.01 <0.01 20.3 2 0.4

Table 1: Assay results from the 51 grab samples taken on the Kali East Block, with anomalous values highlighted.

Qualified Person

Aaron Stone, P.Geo. (OGQ 2170), Vice President Exploration of QcX Gold and Qualified Person ("QP") as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release.

About QcX Gold

QcX Gold is exploring for gold and VMS style mineralization on its highly prospective and well-located properties in Quebec, Canada. The Golden Giant Project is located in the James Bay region, only 2.9 km from Azimut Exploration Inc.'s Patwon discovery on their Elmer gold project. The Fernet Project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt and is contiguous with Wallbridge Mining Company Limited's Fenelon/Martiniere property. Both properties are in close proximity to major discoveries which bodes well for exploration.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Aaron Stone, P.Geo.

Vice President Exploration

aaron.stone@qcxgold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, the planned exploration program, the expected positive exploration results, the timing of the exploration results, the ability of the Company to continue with the exploration program, the availability of the required funds to continue with the exploration and the potential mineralization or potential mineral resources are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "to earn", "to have', "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned exploration expenditures, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, general business and economic conditions, changes in world gold markets, sufficient labour and equipment being available, changes in laws and permitting requirements, unanticipated weather changes, title disputes and claims, environmental risks as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152160
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / Ericsson

Originally published by Ericsson

Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility, Climate Action, and Digital Inclusion are phrases gaining a growing importance not just in the corridors of D.C. but also in the mindshare of corporate executives. As business leaders work to navigate the complexities of today's world they are faced with decisions that relate to the longer-term future of our global society - how can we bring about societal change and increase profitability without harming our planet?

It was during my MBA studies at the Kelley School of Business that I was first introduced to the concept of the Triple Bottom Line. This is a simple yet powerful tool that extends the traditional view of a firm's success into three dimensions: People, Profit, and Planet. This framework allows us to qualify the impact of our choices beyond that of economic profit (the most common business metric) and make better business decisions that lead to better outcomes. Since being introduced to this concept, I have considered technology investments in a new way; one that could benefit the people and planet as well as yield economic profit for adopters.

Let's unpack the triple Bottom Line a little more for those not so familiar with it:

Profit: Let's face it, businesses exist to make money. It is the lifeblood that excites investors, shareholders, employees, and business leaders. The more profitable the firm, the better they are seen as performing. It is no surprise that profit has been a key performance metric since the dawn of time and has yielded financial decision metrics for managers such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

People: Many of today's firms do not simply focus on economic profit but also have an active program to bring societal benefit to those they employ, those in the local community, or even humanity as a whole. According to Harvard Business School's Matt Gavin[1], there are four strategies that business can adopt, ranging from the promotion of ethical business practices[2], partnering with non-profit organizations, encouraging employee volunteering, and inspiring action through their corporate voice.

Planet: A focus on making a positive impact on the planet drives the third leg of the triple bottom line. This is where firms focus on sustainability targets such as reducing their CO2 emissions, switching to renewable energy sources, procuring materials from renewable and responsible sources[3],[4], engaging in an e-waste program[5] or reducing the output of pollutants into the environment.

All of this is great but how can 5G progress each of these components? Let's take a look at a typical 5G Indoor deployment within an office building and assess it using the TBL Framework.

With the advent of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), office environments increasingly need coverage solutions that serve more than one network operator. These systems are called Multi-Operator (MO) or Neutral Host (NH). The main choices to provide this type of 5G service within an office environment include:

Outdoor To Indoor (O2I): With this approach, CSP's utilize their existing outdoor public network to reach 5G consumers indoors. Where this approach works, it will be the common choice by CSPs looking to maximize low- and mid-band coverage whilst minimizing capex. This approach is frequently used with previous Gs but the longer-term benefit is uncertain, especially as we head towards 6G[6] and high-band (mmWave) 5G deployments.

I will assume for now that enterprises opting to utilize this model do not truly wish to bring 5G into their Digital Transformation agenda nor provide 5G services to their tenants or employees. Hence, the impact to the enterprises TBL is zero - there is no real benefit, no real cost, no tangible profit, and no net effect to their sustainability agendas. The same option is readily and easily available to their competitors, resulting in no competitive advantage. Overall, one could argue that this is not a good approach for an enterprise operating in a competitive landscape.

Active-Distributed Antenna Systems (A-DAS): Building owners, CSPs and REITs have been deploying shared antenna systems throughout buildings for decades. These systems are largely technology agnostic and operate by allowing the CSP's to deploy their network assets directly inside the building. Doing this has historically produced an economically viable solution for larger spaces albeit at the cost of complexity and inflexibility. This is often the highest cost option.

Uncoordinated Small Cells: Previous G's have seen some success with the deployment of Indoor small cells. Often referred to as Femtocells, these solutions offer standalone - all-in-one - devices similar to WiFi Access Points. This low power, low-capacity device can be placed in buildings where coverage is needed and uses standard enterprise structure cabling to connect them to the internet or a CSPs cell site router. They are typically low cost (similar price to WiFi) and have limited capabilities. They do not scale well for larger deployments but do offer a low-cost solution for smaller buildings.

Distributed Radio Systems: Distributed Radio Systems are a hybrid of A-DAS and Femtocell architectures. They offer a good blend of flexibility and scalability without the inefficiencies of DAS or the limitations of Femtocells. They can utilize enterprise structured cabling for both data and power as well as enable the support for features and functions common in the outdoor macro network.

Based on these architectural options, a CTO, Building Manager, or IT manager may simply pick the cheapest solution between Distributed Radio, DAS, and Small Cells that meets their technical needs. In most larger buildings we can down-select to Distributed Radio and A-DAS architectures.

When comparing the designs of A-DAS to Distributed Radio System we start to see clear differences. Not only in the simplicity of DRS over A-DAS, but also the supportable 5G feature-sets and power consumption.

In an office building[7] recently assessed by the Ericsson's Indoor Product team, an A-DAS approach had a power consumption of 12,475W compared to a DRS approach (using Ericsson RDS[8]) which required only 3,811W. This is a power saving of 8,664W or 70%! This energy saving is due to a combination of the implementation efficiency of the DRS system as well as the reduced hardware requirements versus an A-DAS solution. One can also appreciate that requiring less hardware is also a benefit to the solutions carbon footprint through reduced manufacturing needs.

Such energy savings directly contribute towards a firm's "Planet" objectives as well as drive down the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) for the "Profit" objectives. Given today's energy uncertainty, this cannot be ignored. Obviously, the exact power saving will vary from building to building but it is not insignificant.

We can directly map this impact of the architectural choice to the TBL framework:

Planet: RDS provides an energy saving of 75,896 kWh per year corresponding to a reduction of 53.8 Metric Tons of CO2 [9]

Profit: Besides the cost-efficiency gains of RDS versus A-DAS solutions, RDS also provides an annual energy saving of 75,896 kWh. At an average rate of 13.28 cents[10] per kWh this saves $10,079 per year or $50,395 on the 5-Year TCO. Such a saving de-risks a firm's investment from the current impacts of energy-uncertainty.

People: Enterprises experiencing this significant sustainability saving can leverage their platform to encourage others to do the same - to quote Chip and Dan Heath[11], they are "Bright Spots" and should be used as role models. If we all adopt a sustainability mindset and evangelize our success stories we can actively contribute to the vision of Net-Zero by 2050[12] which benefits society as a whole. Additionally, RDS brings the capabilities of 5G to the enterprise facilitating an environment that can benefit the business, its customers, and employees alike.

The Triple Bottom Line is an important tool for assessing the impact 5G brings to your business. By augmenting the analysis of solution sets beyond economic profit one can make compelling cases for the benefit of the shareholders, the community, and the planet.

My hope is that firms looking to invest in their 5G Digital Transformation strategies will utilize this framework to drive better business and societal outcomes.

References

[1] https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-can-business-drive-social-change

[2] https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility/responsible-business

[3] https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility/responsible-business/responsible-sourcing

[4] https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility/responsible-business/responsible-sourcing/supplier-requirements-related-to-responsible-sourcing

[5] https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/sustainability-and-corporate-responsibility/environment/e-waste-management

[6] https://www.lightreading.com/6g/ericsson-suggests-6g-basic-standards-could-be-released-in-2027/d/d-id/772773#:~:text=Ericsson%20suggests%20%276G%20Basic%27%20standards%20could%20be%20released%20in%202027,-AddThis%20Sharing%20Buttons

[7] "Whats next for indoor networks?", Ericsson, https://www.ericsson.com/4ad81e/assets/local/small-cells/doc/whats-next-for-indoor-networks.pdf

[8] https://www.ericsson.com/en/portfolio/networks/ericsson-cloud-ran/radio-portfolio/indoor

[9] https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

[10] https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_a

[11] Chip Heath and Dan Heath, "Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard", 2010

[12] https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/US-Long-Term-Strategy.pdf

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ericsson on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Ericsson

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ericsson

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Ericsson

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736318/How-5G-Indoor-Solutions-Can-Help-Your-Triple-Bottom-Line-and-Boost-Sustainability
OLD BRIDGE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB:BDRL) (the "Company") announced that Edward R. "Ted" Grauch has resigned as Chief Executive Officer and President effective March 18, 2023. Mr. Grauch has held these roles since January 1, 2020, and will remain in these roles until March 18, 2023. The Company's Board of Directors has reappointed Robert J "Bob" Palle to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, concurrent with Ted's departure.

Bob has been a Director of Blonder Tongue Laboratories since September 1993. He served as our President from May 2003 until May 2019, our Chief Executive Officer from May 2015 until December 31, 2019 and our Managing Director-Strategic Accounts during 2020, ending his prior service as an employee of the Company on December 31, 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Palle served as our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary since April 1989, our Executive Vice President from April 1989 until May 2003 and as our Interim Treasurer from March through April 2001.

Commenting on his departure, Mr. Grauch said: "I have deeply appreciated the opportunity that the Directors and employees of Blonder Tongue Labs have given me to lead the Company over the last three years, and feel incredibly proud of the progress the Company has made in product development, operating efficiency, and strategic position in the markets we serve during that period. Now that the significant challenges we faced during the pandemic and a majority of semiconductor and raw material supply chain issues are in the process of becoming resolved, I believe it is time for me to focus on the needs of my family and other personal goals. The Company has a great team in place to lead us forward and we will all be working closely with Bob for a smooth and seamless transition over the next two months."

Commenting on Mr. Grauch's departure and Mr. Palle's reappointment, Steve Shea, Chairman of the Board, said "We appreciate Ted's hard work over the last 3+ years. We wish him much success in his future endeavors. We are fortunate to have Bob returning to lead the Company through the next phase of the Company's evolution."

Commenting on his reappointment, Mr. Palle commented "I am honored to be reappointed to the Company's leadership position. I look forward to implementing several new initiatives, including enhancements to our manufacturing capabilities, and exploiting patented technologies unique to the Company in video, data and voice signal processing. While we continue to face challenges, my confidence regarding the future for the Company is buoyed by the support of our loyal customers and our team of dedicated Blonder Tongue Associates."

About Blonder Tongue

Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. is the oldest designer and manufacturer of telecommunications and cable television video transmission technology in the USA. The majority of our products continue to be designed and built in our state-of-the-art New Jersey facility, which has been the Company's home for more than 50 years. Blonder Tongue Labs offers U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing excellence with an industry reputation for delivering ultra-high reliability products. As a leader in cable television system design, the Company provides service operators and systems integrators with comprehensive solutions for the management and distribution of digital video, IPTV and high-speed data services, as well as RF broadband distribution over fiber, IP, and Coax networks for homes and businesses. Additional information on the Company and its products can be found at www.blondertongue.com

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information set forth above includes "forward-looking" statements and accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in Blonder Tongue's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (See Item 1: Business, Item 1A: Risk Factors, Item 3: Legal Proceedings and Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference. All statements, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results, developments, performance or achievements that Blonder Tongue anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future should be considered "forward-looking" statements, including statements that use the words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "target", "intend", "plan", "seek", "estimate", "endeavor", "should", "could", "may" and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections for our future financial performance, our anticipated growth trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. Blonder Tongue undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Blonder Tongue's actual results may differ from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in Blonder Tongue's "forward-looking" statements.

Contacts

Eric Skolnik

Chief Financial Officer

eskolnik@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

Ted Grauch

President & Chief Executive Officer

tgrauch@blondertongue.com

(732) 679-4000

SOURCE: Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/736393/Blonder-Tongue-Announces-Departure-of-CEO-Reappoints-Robert-J-Palle-to-Chief-Executive-Officer-and-President
What we call criminal law broadly refers to federal and state laws that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by imprisonment and/or fines. Our legal system is largely comprised of two different types of cases: civil and criminal. Civil cases are disputes between people regarding the legal duties and responsibilities they owe each other. Criminal cases, meanwhile, are charges pursued by prosecutors for violations of criminal statutes.

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Employment law is the section of United States laws that determines how an employee and employer can work together. It regulates the relationship between workers, managers, and owners to ensure everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. It includes how and when an employee can work, what they should be paid, and the minimum conditions that are safe and appropriate to work in. It also determines when someone can be hired or fired and outlines the rights of employees and employers.

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We go to doctors and medical professionals for accurate diagnoses and quality care. When we are sick, we hope that doctors will help us feel better. However, it doesn't always work out that way.

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There are two main components to most medical malpractice cases: figuring out who was at fault, and then proving that fault legally. Medical malpractice liability is not limited to just doctors. It can also apply to nurses and others who provide health care services. Even hospitals and pharmaceutical companies can be found liable for malpractice.

The other main thrust of a medical malpractice suit is proving fault. Most medical malpractice cases contend that a medical professional was negligent in treating a patient. To establish medical negligence, an injured patient must prove:

The health care professional owed a duty to the patient, as part of the doctor/patient relationship,

The health care professional deviated from the applicable standard of care, which is a breach of the duty owed to the patient,

The health care professional's deviation from the standard of care caused the patient's injury, and

An injury to the patient.

What to Do in Case of Medical Malpractice

There are some important steps to take if you think a medical professional has provided inadequate or improper care. First, you should contact the medical professional in charge of your care. It's possible that your issue could be remedied with the proper correction or solution. If your original healthcare provider is unable to remedy your situation, seek medical help immediately. Your priority should be to take care of your own health and medical needs. However, you should also be aware of the legal time limits regarding your case. Medical malpractice claims are subject to a statute of limitations, meaning you may have a limited window to file a legal action. Finally, know which medical records will be relevant to your claim and where to obtain them.

Legal Help for a Medical Malpractice Claim

The law regarding medical malpractice can be complicated. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can ascertain the merits of your claim, and help walk you through the necessary stages of filing, a possible trial, and any appeals that may result.

Click on any of the links below to learn more about medical malpractice.
We all work hard at our professions. But if we get injured on the job, will our job work hard for us? Workers' compensation provides the exclusive remedy in most states for employees who suffer on-the-job injuries. Most workers' compensation claims must follow strict procedural guidelines that can be confusing for the layperson to understand. FindLaw's Workers' Compensation section contains resources and information concerning the issues that may arise from a workers' compensation claim.

This section offers information on workers' rights to safety in the workplace, specifics on benefits for injured workers, and the employer's obligations under most state and federal systems. You will also find in-depth information for injured railroad employees and workers who have been hurt in construction accidents, from the basics of worksite accidents to specifics on scaffold injuries. Finally, this section provides tips on each phase of the workers' compensation claims process and access to experienced workers' compensation attorneys.

Workers' Compensation Coverage

The first step in any workers' compensation claim is determining whether or not you are covered. Generally, there are two main factors that determine your coverage:

Whether you are an employee, and

Whether your injury occurred as a result of your employment.

Neither of these factors is an absolute guarantee that you'll be covered by workers' compensation, however, as some employees are not covered by workers' compensation. Coverage will normally depend on the laws in your state. Workers' compensation also doesn't cover injuries that were intentional or that occurred while intoxicated.

Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities

Employees have the responsibility to comply with workplace rules and regulations and to report any injuries as promptly as possible. Employees also must cooperate with rehabilitation service providers or risk a reduction, if not suspension, of wage loss benefits. If he or she follows workers' compensation guidelines, an employee has a right to lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.

Employers also have statutory and regulatory responsibilities that they must fulfill in addition to providing lost wages and rehabilitation opportunities. These can vary from state to state. For example, some states require employers to offer rehabilitation-counseling services to any employee who has an injury that has resulted in 60 days of lost time from work, while other states, give employers 120 days if the injury resulted in a loss of "suitable gainful employment." Employers in some states may be required to pay for tuition, living expenses, room and board, child care expenses, and travel expenses on top of the regular wage loss benefits if an employee is enrolled in certain vocational rehabilitation programs.

Workers' Compensation Benefits

In addition to the payment of wages lost by not being able to work, injured employees generally can receive rehabilitation benefits. "Rehabilitation" in the workers' compensation context has two distinct meanings. The first is what most people think of as rehabilitation: physical therapy or rehabilitative care aimed at overcoming an injury and regaining functionality. The second is the concept of "vocational" rehabilitation. Many states offer this type of rehabilitation to injured workers who cannot return to their former employment, often at the expense of their employer's workers' compensation carrier.

Hiring a Workers' Compensation Attorney

Suing your employer for workplace injuries may disqualify you from collecting workers' compensation benefits. That being said, it never hurts to speak with an attorney if you have questions about your injury, whether it's covered, and what's considered reasonable compensation. You can learn more about state-specific laws on our workers' compensation legal answers page.
Eventually, most individuals working today will leave their job and settle into a new life as a retiree. Whether retirement is a time to look forward to, or a time to be feared, depends largely on how well you plan and prepare during your working years. This section has useful information on the different ways to prepare for retirement, including information on social security, as well as private retirement saving funds.

Social Security

Social Security is a safety net for elderly and disabled people who are no longer able to work. The program is funded through mandatory taxes everyone pays during their working years. When you reach retirement age, which is between 62 and 67 (depending on when you were born and how long you worked), you can apply for benefits. How much you receive in benefits largely depends on how much money you were able to pay in social security taxes during your working life.

Social Security benefits are also available to citizens who can show that they are afflicted with a long- term illness which prevents them from working. People who apply for social security disability typically need to show medical records and or a letter from a doctor in order to prove they can no longer work.

Retirement Planning

Even though most people can count on a Social Security check, the reality is that social security doesn't always provide enough income to live comfortably in retirement. Fortunately, there are a number of other ways to save money:

Pensions: Pensions are employer sponsored plans that pay benefits to retired employees typically based on how many years of service an employee had with a company. The employer manages the pension fund and pays benefits to the employee after they retire.

401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans: Many employers set up retirement investment accounts for their employees. The maintenance fees are paid by the employer, while the employee then contributes to the account and invests the money. Some employers offer matching contributions.

Individual Retirement Account (IRA): An IRA is similar to a 401(k), except an individual may set up an IRA without the help of her employer.

Keogh Plans: Keogh plans are similar to 401(k)'s, but they are designed for the self-employed. They have different rules about how much the owner can contribute and whether those contributions are tax-favored.

This section has more in-depth information about the different types of retirement plans, as well as tips on how to create a budget and savings goals so you can live comfortably both in retirement and in the present.

Social Security Attorneys

The social security process is one that often can be handled without an attorney's involvement. Social security attorneys primarily handle social security claims that have been denied, or where a dispute has arisen over benefits. During the appeal process, they will evaluate a claimant's medical condition and challenge the basis for the initial administrative decision. Because social security is an administrative process quite unlike a courtroom, it can be very helpful to have an attorney who specializes in the procedures and laws involved.

As far as retirement planning is concerned, attorneys specializing in estate planning and/or tax laws may be very helpful in finding the right investment and estate planning vehicles to create and preserve assets for one's golden years.
Tax law concerns the legal "rules" for how much the state, local, and federal governments can charge you for taxes each year. The tax code, also known as the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), covers the procedures, policies and penalties for everything to do with tax issues.

Every year, the vast majority of Americans are required to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Even though "tax season" has become an integral part of American life, the process involved can still be confusing and even overwhelming for many Americans. The complex nature of federal tax law is, in part, to blame for the confusion, and many Americans have to use an accountant or CPA to navigate them through tax policy and tax regulations, especially for business tax purposes.

The federal income tax system operates separately from other tax systems such as state tax, local tax, or sales taxes and excises taxes imposed by local governments. Because it is part of the federal system, the U.S. Department of the Treasury uses its IRS bureau to enforce federal tax law.

To give you a better idea of how tax law works, this section provides a number of articles and resources on U.S. code, tax programs, tax forms, audits, and tax problems. You'll find detailed information on filing your federal tax return, claiming exemptions, taking advantage of deductions, dealing with an audit, avoiding tax issues, and getting legal help with your taxes.

Personal Income Taxes

Most Americans are required to pay taxes on their personal income each year. For the purposes of taxation, "income" typically includes any earnings, tips, commissions, dividends, alimony, capital gains, unemployment benefits, IRA distributions, and Social Security benefits received during the tax year.

However, not all income is taxed at the same rate. The U.S. has a progressive tax system. That means each level of income is taxed at a progressively higher rate. For example, let's say you earn $60,000 in a year. Under a hypothetical progressive tax system, the first $20,000 would be taxed at a marginal tax rate of 10%, while the next $20,000 would be taxed at a rate of 20%, and so on.

Taxpayers can also apply deductions and credits to lighten their tax burden. Deductions are expenses that may be subtracted from your taxable income. Common deductions include student loan interest, medical and dental costs, property taxes, mortgage interest, and college tuition. Similar to deductions, tax credits reduce taxable income for certain groups of individuals, like first-time homebuyers and people caring for dependents.

Tax Lawyers and Common Issues

If you have questions about your tax return, a tax lawyer can help you in a number of ways. A tax lawyer will be able to identify key deductions, exemptions, and credits that could make a significant impact on your tax burden. In addition, a tax lawyer will be able to advise you on the type of tax-related activities that are illegal or that may trigger an audit by the IRS.

On the other hand, if you fail to file taxes or file your taxes improperly, you may need a lawyer to represent your interests. The IRS not only audits taxpayers who are under suspicion or who made disclosure errors in their paperwork, but also those who are part of a group targeted for greater scrutiny. If you become the subject of an IRS audit, you may want to consult with an attorney about the best course of action.

If the audit doesn't go your way, you can appeal the IRS's decision to the U.S. tax courts. Many lawyers, i.e., tax attorneys, specialize in defending taxpayers in federal court. If your case does go to tax court, it's in your best interest to find a tax professional who is experienced in handling tax appeals. A tax lawyer may be able to negotiate with the IRS on your behalf to reach a settlement, or "offer in compromise."
Coverdash, a NYC-based fully-digital business insurance startup providing simplified insurance solutions to businesses of all shapes and sizes, closed a seed funding round of undisclosed amount.

The round was led by Bling Capital, with participation from other notable investors, including AXIS Digital Ventures, Tokio Marine Future Fund (in affiliation with World Innovation Lab), Expansion VC, and Cameron Ventures. Multiple strategic angel investors also contributed to the round, including Greg Hendrick, CEO of Vantage Risk; Garret Koehn, president of CRC Insurance; and Steve Shenfeld, president of MidOcean Partners.

The company intends to use the funds for ongoing expansion and development through increased product innovation, go-to-market initiatives, and strategic hiring.

Led by Ralph Betesh, CEO, Coverdash simplifies the process of buying and managing business insurance for e-commerce merchants, gig workers, and all other types of businessowners. The company offers a broad range of commercial insurance products, including liability, property, workers compensation, and cyber. Coverdashs digital insurance experience enables businessowners to quote, bind, pay for, and actively manage insurance policies in seconds.

Its embedded technology enables partners to easily offer insurance to existing customers with a single line of code. Coverdashs network of embedded partners includes leading online marketplaces, service providers, PEOs, lenders, brokers, and various other platforms who serve or transact with businesses nationwide.

It is live in all 50 states.

FinSMEs

23/01/2023
Edgard & Cooper  packshot

Edgard & Cooper, a Kortrijk, Belgium-based producer of high-quality dog and cat food, raised 20m in funding.

The round was led by the The Craftory with participation from DLF Venture.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate product innovation and continue growing in the competitive Pan-European pet food category.

Created in 2016 by Koen Bostoen, Louis Chalabi and Jurgen Degrande, Edgard & Cooper provides pet food which combines nutritious fresh ingredients and is packed in environmentally friendly packaging. Over the past two years, the company has

Launched a 100% plant-based dog food range in autumn 2021;

Launched a brand-new range of junk-free premium cat food in autumn 2022;

Developed a Zero Paw Print 2025 plan, which includes making the company CO2 neutral by 2025.

FinSMEs

23/01/2023
GoodVision Ltd, a London, UK-based technology and AI transportation company, raised 2.7M in funding.

The round was led by Lead Ventures, with participation from Credo Ventures, and Bulgarian Sofia Angels Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its presence in the market.

Led by Daniel Stofan and Lukas Hruby, GoodVision provides a software platform that enables transportation specialists to work together on their projects and have most of their work tasks automated, saving time which they can dedicate to more relevant assignments. The companys main product GoodVision Video Insights is a SaaS monitoring traffic worldwide. Goodvision is providing solutions to 80 countries across 6 continents. It now counts distribution channels across Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, USA, Chile, Philippines, Australia and South Africa.

To date, the company has raised 3.7M in funding.

FinSMEs

23/01/202
Oxpit, a Lithuanian AI medical imaging company, raised $4.9M in funding.

Backers included Taiwania Capital, Practica Capital and Coinvest Capital, and angel investors.

The company intends to use the funds to advance its development of autonomous AI medical imaging applications and support market expansion into new geographic regions, with particular focus on the United Kingdom.

Led by CEO Gediminas Peksys, Oxpit develops AI applications for diagnostic medical imaging. Its ChestLink autonomously reports on medical images without any pathologies. The software can reduce the workload of radiologists in the primary care setting. Another product is Oxipit Quality, which acts as a virtual radiologist assistant. The application reviews every medical image and the corresponding radiologist report. If it detects any findings missed in the report, it will instantly notify the radiologist to take another look. Oxipit Quality acts like a real-time safeguard against diagnostic mistakes. It is already available in European markets and Australia. In December it was certified for use in Brazil. The company plans to file for US FDA certification in 2023.

In April 2022, the company received CE Class IIb certification for the ChestLink autonomous imaging software which allows the company to deploy the software in 32 European markets.

FinSMEs

23/01/2023
PERTH, Australia, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australia's mining industry is one of the most expansive sectors in the country and involves a wide array of expertise in a variety of areas. More than just miners, the mining industry has chef jobs, tech jobs and more in spades. Techforce, the top Australian labour hire company, reveals the three most searched-for jobs in the mining industry.

Much like most other industries, mining is increasingly adopting cutting edge technology to improve operations. Thus, mining companies are in search of experienced individuals to fill senior technology roles such as engineers, geologists and project managers. Mining's famous two-week-on, two-week-off model is appealing to many applicants and the roles are typically accompanied with extremely competitive remuneration. The industry provides an exciting change for many in the tech industry, especially those seeking a shift in scenery.

Techforce explains that alongside the rise in supply of tech jobs in Australia comes an increase in searches for mining engineer roles. Mining engineers help to design mining equipment, scout potential mine locations and ensure materials are extracted efficiently and safely. Working closely with mining engineers are technical services manager, which according to Techforce, are also a frequently searched job. Technical services managers lead engineers in the development of mining projects, ensuring everyone adheres to regulations, guidelines and safety measures while enforcing company policy and procedure.

Some individuals, says Techforce, are looking to get their hands a little dirtier - as displayed by a rise in searches for mine geologist jobs. A mine geologist works to assess geological data, locate new mineral resources for mining projects and analyse the environmental impact of extracting materials from the land.

There's no shortage of specialised jobs in the mining industry as the sector grows and expands. To learn more about available roles from project managers to FIFO chef jobs Perth to Queensland, contact Techforce today.

Contact Information:

Techforce Personnel

Marketing Manager

recruitment@techforce.com.au

(08) 6363 7040



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Image 1: Perth









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The connected logistics market size is projected to be valued at US$ 24.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at US$ 73.4 billion by 2033. The sales of connected logistics are anticipated to record a significant CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period.



The connected logistics market trend indicates a shift away from traditional transportation methods and toward IoT-enabled connected logistics solutions.

Rising fuel prices, as well as related environmental issues such as carbon emissions and pollution, are primarily driving the market trend.

Sensors, cloud computing, and automated processes are widely used to remotely monitor and manage supply chain processes. It also provides complete network issue visibility, allowing for quick and efficient decision-making.

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Improved supply chain visibility leads to long-term cost savings, necessitating the use of IoT-enabled solutions in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and automotive.

It is expected that the target market will benefit from increased adoption of logistics 4.0 and ongoing work on improving autonomous logistics trucks.

One of the factors fueling market growth is the decreasing cost of loT sensors and connected logistics hardware. However, rising security and safety concerns in the logistics sector limit the market's growth to some extent.

Key Takeaways:

Asset tracking is the top priority for the players which is leading devices segment towards a strong growth of 12.5%. Organizations can collect massive amount of data during the shipping and transit processes by incorporating RFID chips and IoT devices.

In terms of mode of transportation, roadways hold the majority of market share and is showing a substantial growth of 12.2%. This is due to the increasing demand for road-based transportation to transport retail goods over long distances.

Usage of cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, analytics, and deep learning is leading United States towards a revenue share of US$ 16.5 billion by 2033.

Rising public and private investment in the transportation sector is enhancing market expansion in the area is driving the United Kingdom regional market towards an impressive growth of 12.5%

Japan is the most lucrative region among all growing at an impressive rate of 15.7%. Japan began transforming logistics in order to strengthen its position in the Asia Pacific logistics industry by integrating new technologies with existing processes.





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Manufacturers Eying Opportunities through Aggressive Strategies

The competitive landscape of this market is split moderately because of the presence of several developing and established companies in the industry. Moreover, it is forecasted that the technological developments in logistic sectors is anticipated to quicken the product development as well as investment growth.

In the market, there are different competitors aim at addressing the problems aggressively by framing plans which are going to leave overall impact on the market development. The growth prospects of this market have a lots of room to flourish during the forecast period.

Recent Development:

A top cloud-based logistics execution platform, BluJay Solutions was acquired by E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. for almost US$ 1.7 billion in May 2020. It is a foremost network-based provider of mission-critical, 100% cloud-based and end-to-end supply chain management platform.

Key Players:

AT&T Inc., IBM Corporation, Intel Corporation, SAP SE, Infosys Limited, Cisco Systems Inc., HCL Technologies Limited, Eurotech S.P.A., Microsoft, oracle, Cloud Logistics, Zebra technologies, ORBCOMM, and GT Nexus.

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Key Segments Covered in the Connected Logistics Market Report

By Component:

Connected Logistics Devices Vehicle Telematics Data Loggers GPS Tracking Devices RFID Tags

Connected Logistics Software Fleet Management Asset Tracking Security Solutions

Connected Logistics Services Consulting Integration & Deployment Support & Maintenance







By Transportation:

Connected Logistics for Roadways

Connected Logistics for Railways

Connected Logistics for Airways

Connected Logistics for Seaways

By Vertical:

Connected Logistics in Manufacturing

Connected Logistics in IT & Telecom

Connected Logistics in Automotive

Connected Logistics in Retail & Consumer Goods

Connected Logistics in Food & Beverages

Connected Logistics in Healthcare

Connected Logistics in Energy & Utilities

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ)

Japan

The Middle East & Africa (MEA)





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Table of Content

1. Executive Summary | Connected Logistics Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

4. Global Market Analysis 2017 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033

4.1. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) Analysis, 2017 to 2022

4.2. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) Projections, 2023 to 2033

5. Global Market Analysis 2017 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Component

5.1. Introduction / Key Findings

5.2. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) Analysis by Component, 2017 to 2022

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New Delhi, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astute Analytica is proud to announce its membership in the prestigious Market Research Society of India (MRSI). This membership is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality market research services to clients across various industries, including Healthcare, Technology, Automotive, Food & Beverages, BFSI, Consumer Goods, Chemicals & Materials, Industrial, and Energy.

At Astute Analytica, we specialize in providing customized market research solutions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Our team of experts has extensive experience in various research methodologies, including primary and secondary research, surveys, focus groups, and data analysis.

Our unique approach combines the latest industry trends with advanced research methodologies to provide our clients with actionable insights and strategies that help them to achieve their business goals. In the past one year, our market research services helped our clients to increase their revenue by 20%, enter new markets and improve their market share by 15%.

As a member of MRSI, Astute Analytica will have access to:

Industry-leading research techniques

Best practices

Networking opportunities with other leading market research firms in India

The latest industry developments

This will give our clients a competitive edge in their respective markets. We are excited to be a part of such a reputable organization and look forward to contributing to the growth and development of the Indian and global market research industry.

We are proud to have served many notable clients from different sectors including Google, Cargill, BASF, Godrej, Kuehne+Nagel, Mitsubishi, Omron etc. With our expertise and experience, we have successfully delivered many projects that helped our clients to achieve their business goals.

We believe that this membership will help us to continue to do so. We would like to thank MRSI for this opportunity, and we look forward to working together to promote excellence in the market research industry. "We are thrilled to be a part of such a reputable organization and look forward to the valuable resources and networking opportunities it will provide to Astute Analytica," says CEO of Astute Analytica.

If you're looking for a market research partner that is dedicated to providing you with actionable insights and strategies, look no further than Astute Analytica. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business grow and succeed.

To learn more about Astute Analytica, visit here https://www.astuteanalytica.com/



About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.

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Dublin, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Air Freshener Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global air freshener market size reached US$ 12.1 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 15.0 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.65% during 2021-2027.



An air freshener is utilized to impart an aroma into space or mask unpleasant odor in homes and commercial interiors, such as foyers, restrooms, hallways, and vestibules. It also finds application in automobiles, public arenas, and large interior spaces, such as medical facilities, hotel lobbies.

It consists of adsorbents, oxidizers, surfactants, disinfectants, preservatives, aerosol propellants, and solvents like mineral oil. Besides this, it includes a scented air system that delivers fragrance throughout an indoor space by connecting a fragrance diffuser to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

Presently, it is available in numerous variants, including oils, gels, sprays, liquids, solids, beads, scented candles, hanging disks, plug-ins, electric fans, cleaning systems, and mist dispensers.



Air Freshener Market Trends:



A significant rise in the construction of luxury homes on account of rapid urbanization and improving income levels represents one of the key factors impelling the market growth.

Moreover, air fresheners are used in care facilities, such as homeless shelters, detention centers, elder care, and childcare. Due to the rising rate of poverty, unemployment, and lack of affordable housing, governing agencies of several countries are focusing on increasing the number of care facilities, which, in turn, is impelling the market growth.

Apart from this, the growing emphasis on indoor air quality is promoting the adoption of air fresheners in indoor built environments of commercial buildings, including offices, hospitals, theaters, stores, hotels, restaurants, health clubs, and schools.

Additionally, the rising use of transportation facilities is driving the demand for air fresheners in airplanes, airports, cars, taxis, buses, and trains. Furthermore, with advances in packaging and dispersing technology, next-generation products are being developed by leading players, which is creating a positive market outlook.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being California Scents (Energizer Holdings Inc), Church & Dwight Inc., Farcent Enterprise Co. Ltd., Godrej Consumer Products Limited (The Godrej Group), Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Newell Brands, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc. and S. C. Johnson & Son Inc.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global air freshener market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global air freshener market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the distribution channel?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global air freshener market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 143 Forecast Period 2021 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (Billion) in 2021 Billion12.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (Billion) by 2027 Billion15 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.6% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Air Freshener Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product Type

6.1 Sprays/Aerosols

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Electric Air Fresheners

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Gels Air Fresheners

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Candles Air Fresheners

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast

6.5 Others

6.5.1 Market Trends

6.5.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Application

7.1 Residential

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Corporate

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Cars

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Others

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

8.1 Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Convenience Stores

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Specialty Stores

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Pharmacies

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Others

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis



11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 California Scents (Energizer Holdings Inc)

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Church & Dwight Inc.

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2.3 Financials

14.3.2.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.3 Farcent Enterprise Co. Ltd.

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.4 Godrej Consumer Products Limited (The Godrej Group)

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 Financials

14.3.5 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 Financials

14.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.7 Newell Brands

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.8 Procter & Gamble

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.9.3 Financials

14.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.10 S. C. Johnson & Son Inc.

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jwtf36

Attachment
Selbyville, Delaware, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Breastfeeding accessories market value is estimated to be surpassed at over USD 2.5 billion by 2032, according to a new research report by Global Market Insights Inc.

The demand for breastfeeding accessories is foreseen to rise due to the growing population in emerging economies. The world population is growing at a rate of almost 83 million people per year, and this trend is likely to continue. Additionally, the steadily increasing birthrate and pregnancies in developing nations resulting from the inadequate knowledge of birth control methods are adding to the world's population growth.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1820







Furthermore, reimbursement for breastfeeding accessories is expected to accelerate the market's expansion in developed economies. Additionally, favorable government initiatives and the expanding supply of breastfeeding accessories from insurance companies, such as those covered by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, are likely to fuel industry expansion. Additionally, the booming availability of insurance-covered pumps by a number of businesses is estimated to spur the growth of the breastfeeding accessories market.

Increasing usage during breastfeeding to augment sore nipple cream segment share

The sore nipple cream segment is projected to witness revenue at a 9% CAGR by 2032. Sore nipple creams can help heal cracked and sore nipples as well as soothe sensitive and dry nipples. They also aid in the formation of an additional protective barrier over irritated or sore nipples during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a result, the growing preference for these creams among mothers with sore nipple issues to avoid discomfort while breastfeeding is anticipated to fuel product demand.

Browse key industry insights spread across 113 pages with 67 market data tables & 19 figures & charts from the report, Breastfeeding Accessories Market Size by Product (Breast Milk Bottles, Breast Milk Storage Bags, Sore Nipple Cream, Nursing Pads, Cleaning Products, Nipple Shields, Breast Shells), Application (Personal Use, Hospital Grade), Regional Outlook, Industry Analysis Report, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2023  2032 In detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/breastfeeding-accessories-market



Growing number of births in hospital settings to propel hospital grade segment expansion

The hospital grade segment dominated the breastfeeding accessories market with more than 85% industry gains in 2022. A surge in the number of births in hospital settings is speculated to accelerate segment uptake. Furthermore, technological advancements have increased the use of hospital grade breastfeeding accessories to stimulate breast milk expression among mothers, among other benefits. Many women struggle to produce adequate amounts of breast milk for breastfeeding, which is likely to impel product adoption in healthcare facilities by 2032.

Rising healthcare spending to complement North America's market share

The breastfeeding accessories industry in North America garnered a substantial demand of more than 47% in 2022 and is projected to witness significant progress through 2032. The increasing healthcare spending in North America is a major factor contributing to market gains. Moreover, the rising disposable income of the population base, coupled with rapid urbanization, is speculated to propel market revenue in the coming years.

Secure a copy of the premium research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/paymenta/1820?gmpaycod=sugmp



Strategic product developments to define the competitive landscape

The breastfeeding accessories market consists of prominent companies such as Ameda, Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Acute Ideas Co., Ltd., Bailey Medical, Ardo Medical, Inc., Hygeia Medical Group, Medela AG, NUK, Pigeon Corporation, and Mayborn Group Ltd., among others.

Browse Our Reports Store - GMIPulse @ https://www.gminsights.com/gmipulse



About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.
SAINT LAURENT, Quebec, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelGenx Corp. (TSX:IGX) (OTCQB:IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx"), a leader in pharmaceutical films, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive supply agreement (the Agreement) for RIZAPORT (the Product) with ARWAN Pharmaceuticals Industries Lebanon s.a.l. (ARWAN) in various countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iraq, , Libya, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, Mauritius, Cameroon, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (the Territory).



RIZAPORT is a proprietary oral thin film formulation of rizatriptan benzoate, a 5-HT1 receptor agonist and the active drug in Merck & Co.'s Maxalt. Rizatriptan is considered to be one of the most effective oral triptans, a class of molecules that constricts blood vessels in the brain to relieve swelling and other migraine symptoms.1 RIZAPORT is based on IntelGenx's proprietary VersaFilm technology. It dissolves rapidly and releases its active ingredient in the mouth. The administration method of the RIZAPORT oral soluble film, which does not require the patient to swallow a pill or consume water, along with its neutral flavor, presents a therapeutic alternative for migraine patients, especially for those who suffer from migraine-related nausea, estimated to be approximately 80% of the total migraine patient population, and for patients suffering from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).1

Under the terms of the Agreement, IntelGenx will supply the Product to ARWAN, which will have the exclusive right to register and commercialize it in the Territory.

The marketing and distribution of an innovative product like RIZAPORT requires deep insight into both the treatment and regulatory landscape within a target country, commented Dr. Horst G. Zerbe, CEO of IntelGenx. ARWAN knows the MENA marketplace intimately, and has a successful track record. We are looking forward to working with them."

"We are excited to bring this innovative and easy-to-administer treatment to patients in the MENA region, where migraine prevalence is similar to that in the rest of the world, said Abdul Razzaq Yousef, President of ARWAN.

Reference

1. Lainez MJA. (2006) Rizatriptan in the treatment of migraine. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2006 Sep; 2(3): 247259.

About ARWAN

Founded in 2009 and based in Lebanon, ARWAN develops, manufactures and markets critical care products, focusing on new generations anti-infectives, hematinics, anesthetics and analgesics, gastrointestinals, oncology, antiasthmatics, cardiovasculars, osteoporosis and wound management modalities.

ARWAN markets extend beyond Lebanon to cover the 20 countries of MENA as well as Africa, where the large Lebanese diaspora acts as a liaison in establishing businesses and forging partnership.

For more information, visit www.arwanlb.com.

About IntelGenx

IntelGenx is a leading drug delivery company focused on the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical films.

IntelGenxs superior film technologies, including VersaFilm, DisinteQ, VetaFilm and transdermal VevaDerm, allow for next generation pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. IntelGenxs innovative product pipeline offers significant benefits to patients and physicians for many therapeutic conditions.

IntelGenx's highly skilled team provides comprehensive pharmaceuticals services to pharmaceutical partners, including R&D, analytical method development, clinical monitoring, IP and regulatory services. IntelGenx's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offers full service by providing lab-scale to pilot- and commercial-scale production. For more information, visit www.intelgenx.com.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This document may contain forward-looking information about IntelGenx's operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about IntelGenx's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "may," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," and similar expressions. All forward looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, IntelGenx's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in IntelGenx's annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, and also filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. IntelGenx assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp.

For IntelGenx:

Stephen Kilmer

Investor Relations

(647) 872-4849

stephen@kilmerlucas.com

Or

Andre Godin, CPA, CA

President and CFO

IntelGenx Corp.

(514) 331-7440 ext 203

andre@intelgenx.com
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProStar Holdings Inc. ("ProStar" or "the Company") (TSXV: MAPS) (OTCQX: MAPPF) (FSE: 5D00), a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions, is pleased to announce Safe2core Inc has adopted ProStars solution, PointMan to enhance their operations and provide the most accurate and timely deliverables to their clients.



It is very apparent that locating utilities is moving away from just placing paint marks on the ground and into the digital era where much higher data quality standards, including geospatial precision, will be required, stated Antonio Guzman, COO Safe2core. We explored several options, and it became quite clear that PointMan provided exactly what we needed in order to help us transition into the new digital era and to remain an industry leader in providing utility damage prevention services.

Safe2core Inc specializes in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)/Concrete Scanning, Concrete Cutting (Slab Sawing, Wall Sawing, and Core Drilling), Underground Utility Locating, and CCTV Pipeline Inspection. With over 45 years of combined experience, Safe2core has been solving many complex cases for their customers in all types of projects, from small residential renovations to multimillion-dollar projects.

We are seeing a significant increase in the adoption of PointMan from companies like Safe2core that realize that the utility locating industry is being transformed by modern technology. History shows that whenever an industry experiences a significant transformation, a few will lead the way, others will follow, and some will simply be left behind, stated Page Tucker, CEO of ProStar. It is great to see companies like Safe2core adopt PointMan and recognize it is transformative.

About Safe2core

SAFE2CORE personnel have more than 40 years of combined experience in Concrete Scanning, Concrete Cutting, Utility Locating, and CCTV Pipeline Inspection. Their technicians have inspected a wide array of concrete structures, varying from simple inspections, such as locating rebar on concrete walls, to locating post-tension cables in highly complex structural concrete slabs. Their Concrete Cutting operators work in tandem with their Concrete Scanning technicians to insure that no damage is caused to any structural reinforcement or any other embedded targets when destructive work is performed.

Post-tensioning structural concrete is their specialty. Their staff has been trained and certified by the Post-Tensioning Institute. Their personnel has a unique and profound understanding of how (post-tension cables) behave within a structural slab, which, combined with their extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) allows them to perform tasks quickly and efficiently. Their expertise translates into considerable added value and cost savings to their clients in all projects we undertake.

To learn more about Safe2core, visit: www.safe2core.com

About ProStar:

ProStar is a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions and is creating a digital world by leveraging the most modern GPS, cloud, and mobile technologies. ProStar is a software development company specializing in developing patented cloud and mobile precision mapping solutions focused on the critical infrastructure industry. ProStars flagship product, PointMan, is designed to significantly improve the workflow processes and business practices associated with the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure assets both above and below the Earths surface.

ProStars PointMan is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) and seamlessly connects the field with the office and provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, pipelines, and utilities. Some of the largest entities in North America have adopted ProStars solutions, including Fortune 500 construction firms, Subsurface Utilities Engineering (SUE) firms, utility owners, and government agencies. ProStar has strategic business partnerships with the worlds leading geospatial technology providers, data collection equipment manufacturers, and dealer networks.

The Company has made a significant investment in creating a vast intellectual property portfolio that includes 20 issued patents in the United States and Canada. The patents protect the methods and systems required to digitally capture, record, organize, manage, distribute, and display the precise location of critical infrastructure, including buried utilities and pipelines. ProStars Executive management team has extensive experience in the management of both early-stage and Fortune 500 technology companies in the private and public sectors.

For more information about ProStar, please visit www.prostarcorp.com .

On behalf of the Company,

Page Tucker on sales / corporate news releases, CEO and Director

Contact:

Joel Sutherland

Investor Relations

970-822-4792

Investorrelations@prostarcorp.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the terms and conditions of the Companys future plans. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
WILMINGTON, Mass., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heilind Electronics, a leading global distributor of electronic components and authorized distributor for Times Microwave Systems, offers the LMR Hardcase Tool Kit, expanding its portfolio of the full line of available LMR coaxial cables and connectors.

The Amphenol Times Microwave Systems LMR Hardcase Tool Kit includes a crimp tool, prep tool, and cable cutting tool for connectors in the LMR-100, LMR-200, and LMR 240 series. The included CCT-03 cable cutting tool is compatible with LMR-100 through LMR-600.

These essential tools come pre-packaged in a rugged case with hard foam cut outs for each piece of the kit. Undo the dual latch case and all that is required for a specific job can be found organized and protected.

The Amphenol Times Microwave Systems LMR Hardcase Tool Kit is a convenient package for cable houses, distributors, contract manufacturers, and remote field workers.

To learn more about the Amphenol Times Microwave Systems LMR Hardcase Tool Kit please visit Heilind.com.

About Heilind Electronics

Heilind Electronics, Inc. (https://www.heilind.com) is one of the world's leading distributors of connectors, relays, sensors, switches, thermal management and circuit protection products, terminal blocks, wire and cable, wiring accessories, and insulation and identification products. Founded in 1974, Heilind has locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China.

About Amphenol Times Microwave Systems

Times Microwave Systems, a member of Amphenol North America Military Group, a division of Amphenol Harsh Environment Solutions, is a pioneering brand of innovative RF and microwave interconnect assemblies, cables, and connector designs. Times Microwave Systems has more than 70 years of industry experience in designing and manufacturing high-performance coaxial cables, connectors, assemblies, and custom solutions for ultra-demanding applications.

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New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Orthodontic Supplies Market by Product, Patient, User - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p04268640/?utm_source=GNW

during the forecast period.

Worldwide prevalence of malocclusion and increasing patient awareness about the availability of orthodontic treatment in the market are propelling the demand for orthodontic supplied. Strategies adopted by orthodontic supplies manufacturer to showcase their orthodontic product portfolio and rising collaboration & partnership among players and dental clinics are anticipated to increase the customer base of the orthodontic supplies market, further accelerating the market growth.



However, dearth of skilled dental professionals in many emerging nations and high cost of orthodontic treatment procedures is likely to hamper the growth of the market.



The removable braces segment to register the highest growth rate in orthodontic supplies market during the forecast period, by product 

Based on product, the orthodontic supplies market is segmented into fixed braces, removable braces, adhesives, and accessories.The removable braces segment registered the highest CAGR during the forecast period.



This is attributed to the rising patient awareness about the advantages offered by removable braces over fixed braces and the growing presence of well established manufacturers with strong offerings in removable braces.Additionally, the strategic collaboration between removable braces manufactures and orthodontic clinics is expected to increase the accessibility of clear aligners treatment among patient.



For instance in July 2022, Ormco corporation signed an agreement with Svet Rovnatek, the largest orthodontic clinic in Czech Republic.



The hospital and dental clinics segment accounted for the largest share of the global orthodontic supplies market, by end users, in 2021

Based on end user, the orthodontic supplies market is segmented in hospitals & dental clinics, e-commerce platforms, and other end users.The hospitals & dental clinic segment accounted for the largest market share 2021.



Factors such as increasing number of malocclusions globally, growing adoption of advanced orthodontic supplies among hospitals & dental clinics, along with the strong emphasis of private equity firm to establish a wide network of dental clinics are anticipated to play a significant role in boosting the growth of this segment.



The Asia Pacific market to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The global orthodontic treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.In 2021, North America accounted for the largest share of this market, followed by Europe.



Asia Pacific registered the highest growth during the forecast period.Emerging Asian economies, such as China, India, and Singapore, are likely to provide high orthodontic supplies market growth opportunities.



Improved healthcare infrastructure, increasing healthcare expenditures, rising number of dental clinics in and the emergence of small players offering wide range of orthodontic products in the region is likely to support the rapid market growth of Asia Pacific during the forecast period.



A breakdown of the primary participants referred to for this report is provided below:

 By Company Type: Tier 148%, Tier 236%, and Tier 3 16%

 By Designation: C-level10%, Director-level14%, and Others76%

 By Region: North America40%, Europe32%, Asia Pacific20%, Latin America5%, and the Middle East & Africa3%



The major players operating in the orthodontic supplies market are Align Technology (US), 3M (US), Envista Holdings Corporation (US), Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), and Dentsply Sirona (US). Other prominent players in this market include Henry Schein (US), American Orthodontics (US), Rocky Mountain Orthodontics (US), G&H Orthodontics (US), Dentaurum (Germany), TP Orthodontics (US), Great Lakes Dental Technologies (US), DB Orthodontics (UK), Morelli Ortodontia (Brazil), Institut Straumann AG (Switzerland), Ultradent Products (US), Aditek Orthodontics (Brazil), MATT Orthodontics (US), JJ Orthodontics (India), Sino Ortho Limited (China), and JISCOP Co., Ltd. (South Korea).



Research Coverage

This report studies the orthodontic supplies market based on the product, application, distribution challenge, and region.The report also studies factors (such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) affecting market growth and provides details of the competitive landscape for market leaders.



Furthermore, the report analyzes micromarkets with respect to their individual growth trends and forecasts the revenue of the market segments with respect to five major regions (and the respective countries in these regions).



Key Benefits of Buying the Report

This report focuses on various levels of analysisindustry trends, market share of top players, and company profiles, which together form basic views and analyze the competitive landscape, emerging segments of the orthodontic supplies market, and high-growth regions and their drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. The report will help both established firms as well as new entrants/smaller firms to gauge the pulse of the market and garner greater market shares.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04268640/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
CARY, N.C., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the buying and selling of people is the fastest-growing industry in the world. As the prevalence of human trafficking continues to be on the rise domestically, with cases being reported in all 50 states, Stirling Professional CBD is partnering with Chiro Heroes, a group of doctors and concerned members of the public who volunteer their time and efforts to serve those who have been freed from human trafficking or enslavement.

Stirling's CEO has joined the Board of Advisors of Chiro Heroes and will be focusing on increasing its visibility. "It's an honor to join forces with Chiro Heroes to support its mission of assisting those impacted by human trafficking and enslavement," said Joe Kryszak, CEO of Stirling CBD. "Everyone involved takes great pride in doing what they can to stop one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world."

In August 2000, Dr. Eric Harrison, Co-Founder and President of Chiro Heroes, was inspired to create an organization with the goal of offering healing and support to survivors of human trafficking so they can thrive physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. He took the idea to his colleagues and fellow chiropractors in Utah, where he practices, and then to the Utah Chiropractic Physicians Association. The support was overwhelming, and within two months, Chiro Heroes was founded.

"I was inspired to ensure more chiropractors across the country were aware of the evils of human trafficking and to raise money to help in the fight against human trafficking and in the recovery efforts of those who have been freed," said Harrison.

To date, Chiro Heroes has donated more than $70,000 to the fight against human trafficking. These funds have been used to help start a scholarship fund within Operation Underground Railroad as well as assist the Malouf Foundation build a home that will house girls between the ages of 11-18 that have been freed from sex slavery.

To learn more about how to help in the fight against human trafficking and to support victims, visit www.chiroheroes.org.

About Stirling CBD Professional

Since 2018, Stirling Professional CBD has manufactured and distributed the Purest Hemp-Based CBD, Delta 8 THC, and Delta 9 THC Products. Founded in 2014 in Santa Cruz, CA, as a premium cannabis flower company, Stirling launched its first CBD products in 2014. Stirling continues to lead in new product innovation and quality. Stirling Professional this the premier partner for PURE.POTENT.TESTED. Chiropractic CBD.

About Chiro Heroes

Chiro Heroes is a group of doctors and concerned members of the public who volunteer their time and efforts to serve those who have been freed from human trafficking or enslavement. They are not paid for their time, and 100% of donations go directly to helping those freed from human trafficking. To learn more, visit www.chiroheroes.org.

Contact Information:

Mike Albanese

mike.albanese@newswire.com



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This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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BERLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Click fraud detection firm Polygraph is warning advertisers using Performance Max advertising campaigns to be aware of fake clicks and spam leads.



According to Trey Vanes, Polygraphs head of marketing, the fraud is a result of Performance Max, also known as Pmax, forcing advertisers to display their adverts on scam display websites.

When your ads appear on scam display websites, theyre going to receive a large amount of click fraud, said Vanes. This is because the scammers are motivated to use bots and trickery to generate fake clicks on your ads, which depletes your advertising budget and enriches the criminals.

To ensure the fraudulent clicks appear genuine, the bots generate fake conversions at your website. Typically, these will be spam leads, or adding items to a shopping cart, as this is enough to trick the advertising network into believing real people clicked on your ads.

The end result is youre charged for the fake clicks, and you waste time and resources following up on spam leads.

Vanes says the problem could be avoided if advertisers were allowed to opt-out of Performance Max placing their adverts on display websites.

One of the problems with Performance Max is advertisers have little control over where their ads are placed, said Vanes. Typically, advertisers want to choose which websites or networks are able to show their ads, but Performance Max removes this choice and forces the ads to appear on display websites.

The end result is ads are being shown on display websites which only exist to generate fake clicks on ads, which doesnt benefit anyone except scammers and the advertising network.

Vanes recommends advertisers limit their adverts to search networks, and use a click fraud prevention tool to prevent click fraud.

If you limit your ads to appear on search networks, such as within Googles search results only, youll drastically reduce the amount of fake clicks stealing your advertising budget, as youve removed the financial incentive for scammers to click on your ads, said Vanes. Additionally, by using a click fraud prevention tool like Polygraph, youll be able to quantify the amount of fake clicks on your ads, adjust your ad keywords to avoid future click fraud, and have the evidence necessary to get refunds from your advertising network.

Polygraph makes it easy to detect click fraud, block click fraud websites, get refunds from advertising networks, and avoid fake clicks, added Vanes.

For more information, please visit https://polygraph.net

About Polygraph

Established in Berlin, Germany in 2021, Polygraph monitors the activities of click fraud gangs, including how they operate, who they target, the techniques they use, and how to detect their fraud. We go far beyond bot detection to ensure your ad budget is not stolen by cyber-criminals.

Contact Details:

114A Friedrichstrasse Berlin, BE 10117 Germany

Trey Vanes, Polygraph

+49 (030) 2204 4851
CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Basis Technologies, a leading provider of cloud-based workflow automation and business intelligence software for marketing and advertising, today announced it placed No. 3 on the 2023 Ad Age Best Places to Work. This is the second year in a row the company has been ranked in the top five of this list. Ad Age (https://adage.com) is a daily must-read for an influential audience of decision-makers and disruptors across the marketing and media landscape. Its Best Places to Work list is an annual ranking of companies that lead the pack in factors ranging from pay and benefits to corporate culture and leadership. This Ad Age special report is available at: https://adage.com/2023-best-places-to-work (subscription).



Ad Age Best Places to Work 2023 honors 50 companies that performed a standout job over the past year as the ad business confronted the challenges of a weakening economy, changing media market and a continued tight talent pool. The winnerstop companies with 200 or fewer employees and top companies with more than 200 employeesreflect the highest overall numerical scores based on an analysis of questionnaires submitted by employers and survey responses from their employees. Ad Ages scoring system factors in employee responses on topics including pay and benefits and seven other core focus areas (75% of the score) and a companys policies and practices on areas including pay and benefits, work/life balance, recruitment, training and development (25% of the score). Read more about Basis Technologies at: https://adage.com/article/best-places-work/best-places-work-2023-basis-technologies/2462781 (subscription).

The tight labor market forced every business in the industry to compete for talent, and the 2023 Best Places to Work winners proved the value of understanding what employees want today, said Dan Peres, president and editor-in-chief of Ad Age. Companies will face challenges this year with the economy and ongoing effects of the pandemic, but winning workplaces understand that taking care of employees is central to business success.

Basis Technologies secured a top spot because, according to Ad Age: The best practices at the Best Places to Work turn out to be pretty straightforward: Fair pay. Solid benefits. Recruit and retain a diverse workforce. Keep staffing levels adequate so team members and teams can do their best work. Provide good training and keep employees in the loop on how the business is doing. Tilt work-life balance a bit more toward life.

Ad Age produced Best Places to Work 2023 in partnership with Best Companies Group ( www.aabestplacestowork.com ) , a research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work. The competition was open to agencies, ad tech firms, brand or corporate marketing departments or groups and in-house agencies of marketers.

Basis Technologies is grateful to Ad Age for highlighting the top workplaces that are prioritizing the needs of workers. Our company has secured this honor for multiple years because of our clear, consistent focus on the happiness and growth of our employees, said Emily Barron, EVP of talent and development, Basis Technologies. The prestige given to Basis Technologies by Ad Age is a testament to the energy our team has for one another, as their feedback, opinion and voice matter the most for the evaluation of great workplaces.

Basis Technologies provides a software platform that automates manual operations, standardizes business processes, and improves marketing and advertising performance. The company offers benefits including employer HSA funding, wellness screenings, 401(K) match, unlimited flexible time-off, paid three-week sabbaticals, and more. It has received various recognition for its workplace, which include No. 1 Fortune Best Workplaces in Advertising & Marketing 2022; No. 1 Fortune Best Workplace in Chicago 2022; No. 14 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women 2022; and Crain's Business Chicago Best Places to Work, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The company is actively hiring across product development and engineering.

About Ad Age

Created in 1930 to cover a burgeoning industry with objectivity, accuracy and fairness, Ad Age continues to be powered by award-winning journalism. Today, Ad Age is a global media brand focusing on curated creativity, data and analysis, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting.

About Basis Technologies

Basis Technologies, formerly operating as Centro, is a leading provider of cloud-based workflow automation and business intelligence software for marketing and advertising functions within enterprises. Its SaaS platform is composed of a suite of integrated applications that automate manual operations, standardize business processes, and improve marketing and advertising performance. The technology provides a comprehensive selection of buying methods across all channels and devices, utilizing all major creative types and formats. Basis platform creates a single system of record, seamless team collaboration, and actionable data-driven insights yielding material gains in productivity and increased profitability for users. Headquartered in Chicago with offices providing services to North America, South America and Europe, Basis Technologies has received numerous accolades for its commitment to employees and workplace culture.

Contact:

Anthony Loredo

anthony.loredo@basis.net

917-573-4157

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5face81c-d670-4164-a65a-028cbfc4b8af

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ca940ca-0316-4bb0-899c-55245973aed9
Washington, DC, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rolls and bags containing the first American Innovation $1 Coin of 2023 will go on sale January 30 at noon EST. The reverse (tails) design of the coins in these products honors innovation from the State of Ohio. The following packaging options from the United States Mint (Mint) facilities at Philadelphia and Denver will be available:

PRODUCT CODE PRODUCT OPTION PRICE 23GRA 25-Coin RollP $34.50 23GRE 25-Coin RollD $34.50 23GBA 100-Coin BagP $117.50 23GBE 100-Coin BagD $117.50

Orders are limited to 10 items of each product per household.

Introduced in 2018 and authorized by Public Law 115-197, the American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series featuring distinctive reverse designs that pay homage to Americas ingenuity and celebrate the pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.

The 2023 American Innovation Ohio $1 coin reverse design depicts two strong hands grasped together, the upper arm pulling the lower arm upward, representing the support and strength required by both parties on the Underground Railroad. A chain fastened to a rustic shackle around the lower arms wrist snaps and fragments, alluding to the hope of freedom. The inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, and OHIO. The design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Beth Zaiken and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Stephen Layne.

Ohio is proud to have this part of our history on the new $1 dollar coin. Ohio had many stops on the Underground Railroad, and today, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center near the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati tells the story of the flight to freedom, said Governor Mike DeWine.

The United States Mint is honored to showcase Ohios pivotal role in the Underground Railroad network, said Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. The network of individuals, families, friends, and churches that covertly helped slaves escape to freedom was truly an innovation of human compassion and ingenuity.

The obverse (heads) of all coins in this series features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and $1. It also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation. AIP Designer Justin Kunz created the design, which was sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

Incused on the coins edge are 2023, the mint mark, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

American Innovation $1 Coins are included in the Mints Product Subscription Program. Structured like a magazine subscription, this program affords customers the convenience of signing up to receive automatic shipments of products in a series. The shipments continue until the subscription is cancelled. For details, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/shop/subscriptions.

Additional American Innovation $1 Coin products are available at: https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-innovation-dollar-coins/.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of January 30, 2023, at noon EST.

Please use the United States Mint catalog site at https://catalog.usmint.gov/ for all order placements or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

 Visit https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/american-innovation-dollar#ohio to view images of the Ohio American Innovation $1 Coin.

 Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

 Visit and subscribe to the United States Mints YouTube channel to view videos about the United States Mint.

 Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and our monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents.

 Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

# # #

United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins

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NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A recent IndexBox report on the global corrugated paper market offers some interesting insights.



Corrugated Paper Market Overview

The global corrugated paper and paperboard market was valued at $53B in 2022 and is expected to reach $67B by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period (2022-2030). The growing demand for packaged goods and e-commerce is one of the major factors driving the growth of the global corrugated paper market. The increasing number of online retail stores has resulted in a significant increase in the use of corrugated packaging, as it provides good protection for products during transportation. In addition, corrugated paper is also recyclable, which makes it an environmentally friendly option.

Corrugated paper is a type of paperboard that is made up of two or more layers of flat sheet paper , with the middle layer being corrugated. It is widely used for packaging purposes due to its high strength and durability.

View a sample report and free data online

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the largest market for corrugated paper during the forecast period due to rapid growth in the e-commerce industry and increased demand for corrugated paper packaging from China, India, and Japan. In addition, the rising disposable incomes and changing lifestyles of consumers are also fueling the growth of the market in this region.

Market Segmentation by End-Use

There are three primary end users for corrugated paper: packaging, construction, and retail. Each of these industries has different needs and requirements for paper, which drives market segmentation.

The packaging industry is the largest consumer of corrugated paper, accounting for over 50% of total demand. This sector includes food and beverage packaging, as well as industrial applications such as shipping containers.

The construction industry is the second largest consumer of corrugated paper, using it for temporary walls, flooring, and roofing.

The retail sector is the most minor consumer of corrugated paper, but it still accounts for a significant portion of demand. This sector includes things like store displays and point-of-sale signage.

Environmental Issues and Sustainability

One way that the corrugated paper industry is becoming more sustainable is by using recycled materials in its products. Recycled paper reduces the amount of waste produced and requires less energy than virgin paper. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of the industry as a whole.

In order to ensure a steady supply of raw materials, many corrugated paper manufacturers are working with suppliers who practice sustainable forestry. This means that trees are harvested in a way that ensures they will regrow, and wildlife habitat is protected. These practices help preserve our forests and ensure that they will be around for generations.

Another way that the corrugated paper industry is becoming more sustainable is by investing in cleaner production processes. This includes using alternative energy sources, such as wind or solar power, to generate the electricity needed for production. It also involves investing in new technologies that help to reduce emissions and waste. By doing this, the industry is helping to protect our environment while still meeting the demands of consumers.

About IndexBox

IndexBox is a market research firm developing an AI-driven market intelligence platform that helps business analysts find actionable insights and make data-driven decisions. The platform provides data on consumption, production, trade, and prices for more than 10K+ different products across 200 countries.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

International Paper Company, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Smurfit Kappa Group plc., WestRock Company, Mayr-Melnhof Karton, Georgia-Pacific, Mondi Plc., Metsa Board Corporation

Sources

World  Corrugated Paper and Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

EU - Corrugated Paper and Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

Asia - Corrugated Paper and Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
GRIMSBY, Ontario, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A / ADW.B) will issue its financial results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2022 on:



The afternoon of February 8, 2023

A telephone conference call hosted by John Peller, Chief Executive Officer and Paul Dubkowski, Chief Financial Officer will be held:

Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 10.00 am ET

To join the conference call without waiting for operator assistance, you may register within one hour of the start time by accessing the link below to receive an instant automated call back. You will need to enter your name, company, and your phone number to receive the call back:

https://bit.ly/3Gw7chy

You can also dial one of the following numbers to connect through an operator. If connecting with an operator we advise calling ten to fifteen minutes prior to the start time.

Local Toronto / International: (416) 764-8659

North American Toll Free: (888) 664-6392

Confirmation Number: 23421655

Following the live call a recording will be available on the Companys web site at www.ir.andrewpeller.com

About Andrew Peller Limited

Andrew Peller Limited is a leading producer and marketer of quality wines in Canada. With wineries in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, the Company markets wines produced from grapes grown in Ontarios Niagara Peninsula, British Columbias Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and from vineyards around the world.

For more information:

Mr. Paul Dubkowski, CFO and Executive Vice-President, IT

(905) 643-4131

Source: Andrew Peller Limited




In an interview with Azernews' Qabil Ashirov, legendary ship captain Karam Mammadov, who, in the face of imminent danger of arrest and physical destruction during the January 20, 1990, tragedy in Baku, displayed bravery and courage by preventing Soviet warships from carrying away dead bodies of Azerbaijani civilians to cover traces of their atrocities, and made successful attempts to break the media blackout on reporting about brutalities in Baku and regions.

Everyone is aware of the brutal massacre committed against Azerbaijan and its citizens on January 20, 1990, by the then-Soviet army. Everybody knows what happened onshore on that day, i.e. how the Soviet army mercilessly gunned down, beat, and tortured civilians in Baku, how Soviet tanks crossed over civilians, and how unarmed people challenged tanks without fear.

However, there was another epos at the sea. Showing solidarity with people on the streets of Baku, Azerbaijani seafarers sailed their ships to the Baku bay. They tore the information blockade and informed the world of atrocities happening in Baku at that time.

Our interviewee Karam Mammadov, one of the seven ship captains, who organized the process. With his help, we will try to find out how sailors joined the popular movement.

Q. How did the sailors join the process?

A. As is known, after the Treaty of Turkmenchay, Azerbaijan was divided into two parts and the process of creation of Armenia began in the part of Azerbaijan occupied by the Russian empire.

After the fall of the Russian empire, the imperialist Soviet communist government continued their Russian empire policy under a different guise and built an Armenian state within western Azerbaijan, mainly in the territories of the Iravan Khanate containing Aghbaba, Goycha, Zangazur, Kirkhbulag, Daralayaz, Vedibasar, Gamibasar, Abaran, Derachichak, Lori, Shorayel, Karbi and Pambak regions, etc. At the end of the XX century, as a continuation of this process, they tried to start the process of giving Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia from the remaining Azerbaijani territories. At that time, as the leadership of the Azerbaijani Republic was weak and the majority of [leaders] depended on Moscow, the popular movement started in 1988 with the aim of protecting our territorial integrity. Of course, the ships' crews were with the popular movement, as well.

Seafaring is our professional occupation, and of course, as children of this nation, we stood guard over the interests of our state, and I believe that our future generation of sailors will not spare their determination to fulfill their duty to the country.

Q. Some western outlets, more precisely of those Armenians abroad, claim that the Soviet troops entered Baku for saving Armenians. Do you think the 20th January massacre has any connection with saving Armenians?

A. During the 1988-89 events, the popular movement no longer received support from the republican authorities in terms of territorial integrity. Seeing that the local government at that time was controlled by Moscow, its inactivity, and finally, seeing that they were ready to give our lands to Armenia in order to show loyalty to the communist government of Moscow, people evaluated the situation as national and state treason, and the process of turning popular movement into national freedom started. The leadership of the Soviet Union sitting in the Kremlin, and the KGB, tried to use the factor of the so-called Armenian genocide, which was plotted before the crime, and the causes and consequences were calculated in advance. As far as I know, Armenians are trying to play political games according to their interests over the events of January, as in all the crimes committed by the Kremlin in this region. The presence of Armenians in this region is the result of international geopolitical games and is a destructive tool of non-regional forces against our historical development. By playing on the feelings of the international community, it has already become fashionable to bind Armenians to the steps to be taken to realize what they want in the region where the East and the West meet and it has turned into an Armenian reflex.

The Armenian massacres in Baku in January 1990, the product of brains sitting in Moscow offices, were planned by the KGB but prevented by the popular movement. It was impossible to tarnish the national liberation movement with such issues. Even today, after the 44-day war, we have shown the world that we are humanists, but at the same time, we are not a nation that will turn away from our own territorial integrity.

Q. What was the council of captains and how was it created?

A. On the night of January 19 to 20, 1990, the news of the brutality committed by the Soviet army against the unarmed people on the streets of Baku, killing more than 100 people with automatic and machine guns, and running over people with tanks was transmitted to the ships through a radio station. On January 20, the ships of the then-Caspian Sea Oil and Gas Fleet entered the Baku bay and anchored. The Council of Captains, authorized by the decision of the emergency meeting of the ship captains on the ship Sabit Orujov was elected in order to eliminate the chaos in the radio communication, negotiate with the heads of the occupation army that came to Azerbaijan, and manage the processes.

It became clear on January 20 that the leadership in the republic was absent or treacherously waiting for Moscow's orders. Thinking that the equipment of the Soviet army had broken the resolve of the residents of Baku, they [Soviet soldiers] moved through the empty streets and tried to hide the trace of the bloody terror they had committed from night to morning. That night, Moscow watered the territory of Azerbaijan with blood and lost Azerbaijanis against the desire to see a republic according to its plans in the future. In Baku, the people went out to bury their martyrs on January 22 and thus started a new form of protest of millions. After that, the people spent 40 days mourning and did not go to work, the flood of carnations on the streets, and the waving of black flags on the balconies became the detonator of the movement of the people of the USSR to centrifugal process.

Q. How did you hinder throwing the martyrs into the sea?

A.On January 20, military equipment was continuously arriving in the territory of the military fleet. At that time, the location of the fleet was on the side of the current Flag Square. According to the information we received through the radio station, this equipment brought the bodies of our martyrs to the military port, and wanted to take them out to sea and throw them into the sea.

The next steps of the military increased the probability of the truth of this information. They asked us to create an opportunity for the warships to go to the sea. In return, we requested to inspect the warships, but they did not agree. This has made us determined that the inspection is important. By the decision of the captains' council, we restricted the entry and exit to the military port by anchoring three of our ships at the entrance of the military port. What was on those warships is the work of our intelligence officers and researchers of the archives nowadays, during our independence period. For that period, we sailors were able to prevent the exit of the ships as much as possible, and by ensuring the publicization of the events, we disrupted the plans of the force sent from Moscow to Baku.

Q. Soviet military ships open fire on civil ships. Can you speak about it? How and why did it happen?

A. Seeing the activity of our ships, the military command created a relative movement in the sea. They unexpectedly opened fire on the "Cheleken 1" ship. I guess they were testing our resolve. As I said before, we were firm in our decision to inspect the warehouses of every military ship due to the news of our martyred children being put out to sea in the warehouses. Later allowed us to inspect military ships. A ship named Babazade headed by captain Muzaffar Aliyev sailed into the military port for inspection. However, they hindered inspection by surrendering Babazade and its crew.

Later, making our firm statements that we will sink military ships by ramming them, we managed to remove the "Babazade" ship from the military port. The next attempt of warships to go to sea resulted in the first collision. As a result, only one of the four warships managed to go to the open sea. The rest had to stay at the military port. In the annals of world naval battles, such a large-scale confrontation between civilian ships and warships resulted in military negotiations.

Q. As it is known, Baku was under an information blockade. You, the sailors, informed the world about the tragedy. Can you speak about it?

A. The task of writing texts of the SOS signal was given to active captains. After that, an SOS signal was sent to the world 3 times every hour through global communication. The text of SOS was roughly Soviet troops entered Baku and hundreds of people were killed. Soon we got responses from different ships on different seas. They expressed their solidarity with us and wrote that they had informed their government about the massacre committed in Baku. The speed with which the signal spread and the addresses it reached were already reverberating around the world. Thus, we broke the information blockade. The crime of the Moscow imperialists was conveyed to the world by us. I think that this action of the sailors greatly hindered the continuation of the terrible crime of the criminals. Later, the sounds from Moscow proved that our voice created problems for criminals in their cradles. Our national unity and national pride were a lesson to our enemies in those days. Exactly thirty years later, in the 44-day war, the enemies saw our unity again. Believe me, very few nations in the history of the world have had the opportunity to show such unity.

Q. What was and is the impact of your movement?

A. Baku streets were empty on January 20 and 21. With the whistles we gave from the ships, we gave the message "Azerbaijan is not dead, the children of Azerbaijan are not dead" to the residents of Baku and encouraged the people and called them to the streets.

Soviet flags were lowered on the ships, and black flags were raised on the mast in connection with the mourning days of our people. Today, thank God, our tri-color flag is above our heads, and state institutions are developing day by day; the successes of our foreign policy and the first results and prospects of the 44-day war are in sight.

As for future generations, they can evaluate what happened in those days. I believe that our tricolor flag has been raised in these areas for life, and there will be no generations that will live the bitter memory of black flags again, I am sure that they will only be proud of those historical days of ours. May God have mercy on our martyrs.

Q. How did the negations with civil authority start?

A. Although it is difficult to imagine it today, at that time the country's leadership no longer existed. The occupation chiefs from Moscow made all decisions. We made the statement that the occupation troop should leave our land, otherwise we indicated in the statement that we would take more drastic steps i.e. sinking ships at the entrance to Baku bay, blocking access to the city from the sea once and for all, and burning ships inside the port of Baku. Apparently, this statement had its effect. A meeting was held with the member of the Captains` Council. The head of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR Elmira Gafarova, People's Deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR Tofig Ismayilov, Arif Malikov, and others were present at the first meeting. In our capital city, we were thanked for the resistance we had organized, and in the end, we were asked to temporarily suspend the implementation of our demands due to the meeting of the Supreme Soviet. According to Ms. Elmira, they could not organize the arrival of communist deputies to the Supreme Soviet.

In the further development of the events, meetings were held with the Minister of Defense of the USSR, Army General Dmitry Yazov, who came with the aim of suppressing the struggle for independence of Azerbaijan, with the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR Vadim Bakatin, and from March 1988 - with the military inspector-advisor of the Inspector General Group of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR Nikolai Smirnov. At the end of those meetings, the decision they made in the face of the sailor's will and the captain's sternness was known at a later stage.

Q. How was the sailors' mutiny suppressed or were they able to suppress it?

A. At the end of the events, they were able to drive the visible part of our movement away from the port of Baku with military ships and tank cannons, and machine guns from the shore. But the struggle we waged with our ships bought time for state institutions and encouraged them to persevere. What we did was our duty to our country. I do not agree with the thought that the movement was suppressed.

I do not share the opinion that the movement was destroyed. Even today, our sailors have trained personalities who will take decisive steps for the interests of our state if necessary. My advice to them is to put state interests ahead of personal interests and have common sense.
BRISTOL, England, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tools for Schools, the company behind the multi-award winning EdTech tool 'Book Creator', announced today that Lainey Franks has been appointed as their new Chief Executive Officer. Franks, who has served as VP of Partnerships at Tools for Schools since 2020, brings a wealth of education and management experience to her role, alongside a passion for positively impacting the lives of students, teachers and administrators.

Since 2011, Tools for Schools has committed to working alongside educators to help learners thrive. Book Creator is the simplest, most inclusive way to create content in the classroom. No matter the age, ability or literacy level, Book Creator drives authentic engagement, inclusion and learning across the curriculum.

Founder Dan Amos - who originally built Book Creator as a tool to support his young son with dyslexia, will become Tools for Schools' Chief Product Officer. Amos has grown the company over the last 10 years, establishing Book Creator as a much-loved tool across the world. Over 100 million books have been made in Book Creator, and 2 million teachers have signed up to Book Creator to help their students demonstrate learning, express their creativity, and share their work beyond the classroom. As yet, the company has not needed to take on any outside investment and has remained profitable throughout Amos' tenure as CEO.

"Now the 'startup' phase is complete, we have to think ahead to the next 10 years - how do we grow the team and the organization to have an ever-increasing impact on education?" said Dan Amos. "I've reflected on how I personally can best serve teachers and studentsand also how I can best serve my colleagues. I thought back to those early days of building Book Creator and realized that that is where my energy and passion lie and where I can best contribute.

"So I am delighted to promote Lainey Franks as the next CEO of Book Creator, and step aside to focus on being Chief Product Officer, going back to doing what I love every day - making Book Creator the very best it can be.

"Lainey has the vision, the skills, the energy and enthusiasm to do the job, and most of all, she lives and breathes the mission of Book Creator: to allow students of all ages and abilities to actively engage in the joy of learning. I couldn't imagine someone better to lead the company into our next phase."

"As an educator, and the child of an educator, I know firsthand how important it is to ignite a student's love of learning, to enable each of my students to access the learning in the way that best suits them, and to have a simple-to-use tool that delivers on these goals," said Lainey Franks. "Having worked with this incredibly motivated and talented group of people for over two years, as well as many of our customers, I am thrilled to lead the company through its next stage of growth."

Franks is a vastly experienced educator and leader. Joining Tools for Schools in late 2020 as VP of Partnerships, she was instrumental in leading the sales and teacher success teams through a period of rapid growth. Working closely with school districts in the USA - she helped grow the customer base from 450 to 1,100 schools and districts.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia (USA), Lainey currently lives in the U.K. and has worked in multiple countries. She possesses global business experience in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and South America, including senior leadership roles at Lonely Planet and EdTech nonprofit Breteau Foundation.

With a degree in Computer Science from Harvard University and a more recent Post Graduate Certificate of Education gained in the U.K., Lainey has over 10 years of experience teaching math, computing and digital learning.

About Book Creator

Book Creator is the simplest, most inclusive way to create content in the classroom. A Common Sense Top Pick for Education and multi-award winning app, Book Creator is used in classrooms around the world. Over 2.5 million books are made in Book Creator each month - with over 100 million books made since 2011. Book Creator is used by students of all ages and abilities, allowing them to combine text, images, drawings, audio, and video to create interactive books across the curriculum.

Teachers can use Book Creator for free by creating an account. A premium subscription at $12 per month or $120 per year offers more features and increased capacity for making books. Schools and districts can purchase the app for their teachers with volume discounts.

For more information about Book Creator, visit bookcreator.com.

Tools for Schools is exhibiting Book Creator at the FETC conference in New Orleans, LA, from 23-26 Jan. and at the TCEA conference in San Antonio, TX, from 30 Jan. to 2 Feb.

Contact Information:

Dan Kemp

Marketing Director

dk@bookcreator.com

+44 7957419746



Related Images











Image 1: Lainey Franks and Dan Amos





New CEO Lainey Franks, with Founder Dan Amos at the Tools for Schools HQ in Bristol, U.K.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Huntsville, ONT., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Steadright Critical Minerals (CSE: SCM) (Steadright or the Company) is pleased to announce that Steadrights exploration team has compiled historical information on the highly prospective RAM project near Port Cartier, Quebec, which is associated with Nickel-Copper-Cobalt mineralization.

The RAM project has a strike length of over 9km on the Main Block area and a 2km splay with both up to 500 meters wide and open at depth. The entire strike length currently contains, Drill Ready targets based on the alignment of the magnetic, gravity, ground and airborne EM anomalies coincident with identified geological targets.

In a 2003 report published by Geologie Quebec titled, Report on mineral exploration activities 2002, the following is stated in an information release contained in the report from Ressources Appalaches, which had part of the RAM mineral claims, previously known as the B-20 property:

Massive sulphide zones with up to 1.2 % Ni, 1.6 % Cu, 0.13 % Co, and 0.4 g/t Pt, were reported. On the Main Grid, located on the same property, four out of eight drill holes intersected nine mineralized zones, from 4 to 65 m thick, containing massive sulphides and yielding grades up to 1.6 % Ni, 1.5 % Cu, 0.18 % Co, and 0.2 g/t Pt. According to Ressources Appalaches, these drill results confirm that the B-20 property (RAM) hosts an important Ni-Cu system located near surface, with significant cobalt and platinum group element concentrations.

On March 19th, 2003, The Canadian Journal reported on the finding of what is presently called the RAM mineral claims:

These results plus results of earlier drill programs have identified a low-grade, Nickel-Copper system from surface to a vertical depth of 150 meters and measuring 500 meters by 500 meters. The system is characterized by several zones over 20 meters thick that are possibly related to a 60-meter-thick zone defined by earlier drilling. The Massive sulphide zone lying at 150 meters extends into the EM anomalies Overall, the massive sulphide zone intersects vary between 0.25-0.75 % Ni (Nickel) and 0.20-0.47 % Cu (Copper).

Geology of B-20 (RAM) Project area showing historic drilling.

Robert Palkovits, V.P. of Exploration for Steadright notes, Strategically, the geological environment can host deposits such as that found at Voiseys Bay, NL, or as Talon Resources (TSX: TLO) and Polymet (TSX: POM) in the Duluth Complex situated within anorthositic complexes. These deposits can range from smaller, high-grade deposits to very large low-grade deposits. Based on current data and the shear size of the complex, all options for tons and grade are on the table for what may exist on the property.

John Morgan, Steadright CEO comments, Steadrights World class team of experts in Nickel and Copper has put together a terrific historical compilation, with more information shortly to share. The RAM Ni-Cu-Co project near Port Cartier is gaining significant momentum and is situated in a World class location with access to infrastructure and deep-water ports and is prospective for supporting mining with some of the lowest grades in the industry.

Qualified Person

Mr. Robert Palkovits, P. Geo, a consultant to Steadright, who is a qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Morgan

CEO

Steadright Critical Minerals Inc.

Phone: (647) 637-8608

Email: info@steadright.ca

Web: www.steadright.ca

Exploring for a better tomorrow

Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration company established in 2019. Steadright currently holds an option on its RAM property near Port Cartier, Quebec within the Gaspe Bay Region, which is accessible by route 138. The RAM project is comprised of 4,201 acres and located on an Anorthositic complex that is in a highly prospective geological unit and historically been under explored for Ni, Cu, Co and precious metals. Steadright also has an option agreement for the B2 Project exploring for Cu, Ag located in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Ana Macy closes her eyes and breathes in cold air while taking a break from a sauna by the fire pit at Sisu and LAyly Sauna on Jan. 5, 2023, at in Grand Marais, Minnesota. (RenAe Jones Schneider/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Financial institutions agree to roll over cocoa bills

Business Desk Report Business News Jan - 23 - 2023 , 10:38

The Bank of Ghana has announced that financial institutions in the country have agreed to roll over their cocoa bills investments following a meeting held with them, together with the Ghana Cocoa Board.

The central bank noted that on Thursday, January 19, a six-month Cocoa bill with face value of

GH940.42 million matured.

The BoG said it went through the usual processes to reissue on behalf of COCOBOD, a new six-month Cocoa bill to raise funds to cover the maturing obligation, but unfortunately, the auction failed and was severely undersubscribed resulting in a shortfall of GH 855.42million.

At a meeting held on Friday, 20th January 2023 among the banks, COCOBOD and



Bank of Ghana, it was agreed that all institutional investors will roll over their maturing cocoa bill for Tender 6155.

Financial Institutions have agreed to roll over their cocoa bills investments, it stated.
Daily Graphic Editorials

A year on, Appiatse on our minds

Daily Graphic Editorials Jan - 23 - 2023 , 07:29

On Friday, January 20, 2023, the nation commemorated the first anniversary of the explosion that occurred at Appiatse, a community in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality in the Western Region.

The explosion, which claimed 16 lives and injured 498 others, destroyed the entire Appiatse community.

The tragic incident occurred when a truck owned by the mining explosives manufacturing company, Maxam Ghana Limited, which was carrying explosives to a mining site at Bogoso, collided with a tricycle and caught fire.

A year on, families are still not only mourning the death of their relatives and loved ones, but also counting the loss of economic activities that has imposed a huge financial burden on them.

The Daily Graphic's checks indicate that 16 people are still receiving medical treatment, with two of them bedridden.

While some of the survivors of the tragedy are still fighting for their lives in hospital, others now live with permanent disabilities such as visual and hearing impairments.

Many of the residents of Appiatse are still struggling to regain their economic activities, a year after the explosion.

The situation is dire with those who are still on sick beds as their families struggle to meet the high cost of treatment.

To add insult to injury, the Appiatse Disaster Relief Committee (ADRC), which was set up as the community-based body to see to the welfare issues of the residents of Appiatse, including taking care of the education, health care and livelihood needs of the people, has run out of funds.

The committee operates using funds generated from donations into the Appiatse Disaster Relief Fund (ADRF).

However, the Daily Graphic's checks with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ADRC, Thywill Quarshie, revealed that the committee was overwhelmed by financial demands, especially from persons who were still fighting for their lives in hospitals.

It is commendable that the government took bold steps to ameliorate the suffering of the people of Appiatse and bring the community back to life.



For instance, after the January 20, 2022 disaster, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, set up the Appiatse Support Fund to mobilise funds for the rebuilding of Appiatse.

The Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Committee was subsequently inaugurated to oversee the reconstruction of the town into a climate-friendly model community.

Mr Jinapor also set up a committee to investigate the causes of the incident and make recommendations on the way forward.

Upon the recommendations of that investigative committee, a team was tasked to review the countrys mining safety protocols, especially those having to do with the transportation of explosives.

This recommendation has been followed through with the rolling out of watertight procedures for conveying mining explosives.



Again, upon the recommendation of the investigative committee, Maxam Ghana Limited, the mining entity at the centre of the explosion, was also fined $6 million.



The government reached an agreement with Future Gold Resources (FGR), the operator of the Bogoso Prestea Mine, and rehabilitated a resettlement community in the area to serve as temporary accommodation for the displaced residents of Appiatse.



Currently, work is ongoing on the first phase of the Appiatse Reconstruction project which comprises 124 housing units at the core of Appiatse as well as roads, drainage and infrastructure for utilities.



Commendable as these efforts by the government and other corporate entities are, it is clear that more work remains to be done to restore life to the people of Appiatse.



It is in the light of this that the Daily Graphic calls on the government and other stakeholders to pay heed to the demands by the residents of Appiatse.



The paper agrees with the PRO of the ADRC that more funds must be channelled into the relief fund to support the health and welfare needs of the people.



We also support the call for a percentage of the Appiatse Support Fund to be deducted into the relief fund to give the ADRC more resources to work effectively.

Also, it is important for corporate bodies, individuals and organisations to continue donating to support the restoration of life to Appiatse.



Again, the Daily Graphic agrees with the call made by the assembly member of the Beppo Electoral Area, Thomas Enyam, that an Education Endowment Fund be set up by the government to support the children of Appiatse.



Equally critical is the need for contractors working on the reconstruction of Appiatse to expedite action to ensure that the September, 2023 deadline for completion is met.



It is obvious that the best way to serve justice to the victims of the Appiatse explosion is for the government to ensure that the right compensation is given them.

All individuals and organisations must play their part in restoring life to Appiatse; after all, like body parts, what affects one affects the other.
Parliament, countervailing force for effective governance (3)

Daily Graphic Opinion Jan - 23 - 2023 , 11:53

The quality of vetting that Ministers-designate are subjected to, and Parliaments seeming unwillingness to signal to successive Presidents the need to cut down on the number of appointees they submit for approval are other examples. To this end, MPs join citizens to complain in the media about the huge number of Ministers and Supreme Court Justices, when they have the power to cause the Executive President to pull breaks on these appointments.

It took over two and half decades for Parliament to start admitting Private Members Bills. This ended the culture of leaving the power to set the legislative agenda of State entirely in the hands of the Executive.

Some have however argued that the 7th Parliaments resort to a Resolution to decide to admit Private Members Bills, can be overturned by subsequent Parliaments, hence the need to consider enshrining it by passing a law that clarifies the scope for private members bills.

Parliaments inability to prioritise the adoption and passage of gender-sensitive legislation in conformity with the Constitution has also been sharply criticised.

This is in line with the imperatives of Article 22(2) requiring Parliament to enact legislation regulating the property rights of spouses as soon as practicable.

Parliament conveniently leaving part of its obligations on Loans under Article 181 to the Judiciary to always interpret, remains a concern.

How the number dynamics in the current Parliament has not made it possible to stop the Executive from bringing loan agreements to Parliament and demanding their immediate approval without time for the necessary due diligence as has been the case in the past, still beats the imagination of many people.

This is said to have contributed to the debt crisis the country now faces. How Parliament has allowed the ballot snatching and invasion of Parliament by soldiers on January 7, 2021 to go unpunished, including making it possible for people to get away with excuses on who ordered soldiers into the Chamber, is another example.

It is contended that the Executive cannot be blamed for the actions and inactions of the Legislature because there are enough constitutional provisions empowering Parliament to be a countervailing force and provide a balance.

However, Parliament itself fails to be assertive and in most instances, simply yields to Executive influence/dominance.

Recommendations

Many provisions of the 1992 Constitution on the mandate of Parliament are recommended for amendments.

These include amending Article 78(1) to free the hands of Presidents from appointing majority of Ministers from Parliament; amending Article 94 to provide for minimum academic qualifications and skill sets for entry into Parliament; amending Article 11(7) to allow Parliament to reject a Constitutional Instrument or Legislative Instrument by a simple majority and not by the current two-thirds threshold; and amending Article 104(4) to enable secret voting on matters relating to appointments, national security and approval of budgets.

Other structural changes to the Constitution are proposed, including to allow for the regulation of behaviour of Parliament such as to make it possible to have career MPs, hence incentivising people to stay longer there to help positively shape Ghanas legislature.

The suggestion to make the position of Speaker of Parliament one that is held by an MP, and to separate the tenure of the Executive from that of Parliament to make room for the introduction of mid-term elections for some parliamentary seats, have also been considered as steps that may bring some urgency to the work of MPs.

Beyond constitutional changes, it is proposed that due consideration should be given to legislative and administrative changes that may be required to improve Ghanas governance architecture.

This should include a comprehensive review of the Standing Orders of Parliament to provide for the voting records of MPs, better ways to account for MPs attendance, to appraise their performance, and to make MPs and the Institution of Parliament - including the Parliamentary Service - better accountable.

Another area worth a comprehensive relook is the committee system in Parliament.

Reforms such as pruning down the number of MPs in each committee, increasing the number of committees chaired by MPs who are not members of the ruling party, and opening up most committee sittings to the public should be prioritised.

Professor Kofi Kumado, in his book, A Handbook of the Constitutional Law of Ghana and its History put it subtly when he argued that [W]hile it may be admitted that Parliament has worked the committee system admirably, it is not an exaggeration to state that more can be done, especially in terms of overseeing the work of the government.

But it is undoubtedly the output of the committees which makes it possible for Parliament to meet many of the targets.

However, the lack of visibility in the work of the Committees robs Parliament of much of the credit it should enjoy from the public.

To achieve better dividend from the work of the PAC, it is proposed that prosecution should be pursued to sanction improprieties arising from the Auditor Generals Report.

This could be done in liaison with the Judiciary.

Another way is to have the Office of Special Prosecutor to take up all cases arising from Parliaments work on the Auditor Generals report.

Electioneering processes that affect the effective functioning of Parliament should also be evaluated and reformed.

This includes proper regulation of campaign financing; creating constituencies based on equal population quotas and not simply to increase the number of seats in Parliament; and relooking at the level of the Presidents involvement in appointing the Chair and members of Electoral Commissioners i.e. reducing the Presidents role and power in making such appointments and increasing Parliaments role in this regard.

Perhaps the current hung Parliament comes at a good time to build broader consensus on matters of national interest.

These include taking bold decisions on the conversations around capping the number of Justices at the Supreme Court, mindful of the need to review the law so that some cases terminate at the Court of Appeal to reduce the workload at the apex Court.

Blocking excessive number of ministerial appointments and discouraging ministerial reshuffles without bringing back reshuffled ministers to Parliament for vetting are also worth considering - to prevent the situation where people are vetted with specific focus on serving in a particular ministry, only for them to be moved to other ministries that are completely unrelated in mandate to the ministries their vetting focused on.

Conclusion

After three decades under the 1992 Constitution, it has become clear that it has served the purpose for which its framers designed it  which is to provide political stability to the country.

Newer challenges and occurrences have however exposed the insufficiency of the constitution; hence it is time for a comprehensive and critical review of same to make it a development document.

The twin challenges of creating what has been described as an imperial presidency and an increasingly weakened Parliament that appear to cede its birth right to the Executive, require urgent attention and constitutional actions.

Parliament in recognising that it still has the potential to entrench itself as a countervailing force for the countrys effective governance, must be willing to play a key role in the reform processes.

These are necessary to free the institution from the shackles of excessive partisanship that has plagued it.

Our country needs to change for the better, and Parliament is a key stakeholder in that exercise.

In the words of John Pym, an English politician who helped establish the foundations of parliamentary democracy, Parliament is to this country that which the soul is to the body.

It behoves us therefore to keep the facility of that soul from distemper.
Searchlight on State Housing Company Limited

Dinah Amankwah Opinion Jan - 23 - 2023 , 07:39

I have learnt a valuable lesson from the recent call for the dismissal of the Finance Minister by a cross-section of parliamentarians. That was a cue for result-oriented Ghanaians that public office holders can be assessed by the public and be recommended for sanction. By that logic, ministries and companies can also be assessed for their performance and be helped with steps for improvement.

For development-oriented Ghanaians, one constant source of annoyance is shoddy infrastructural works that cause loss, not development for Ghana. A candid assessment can reveal that the construction sector can typify works that imply losses. The appraisal torch now swings full beam on the State Housing Company Limited (SHC).

In the last quarter of 2022, SHC served a notice of ejection to a cross-section of tenants owing commercial ground rent. The tone of the letter can, at best, be labelled as sanctimonious, since the SHC itself has reneged on its obligation to residents. The warning letter conveniently quotes State Housing Corporation (Ejection) Act 1970, Act 322 to legalise its demand.

Lately, it has become a major pain to reside on property of SHC due to environmental hazards. Churches and business dot such premises and are major sources of noise pollution. Churches organise all night prayer sessions, bars and restaurants can play music deep into the night without the slightest regard for other residents needs. Street preachers heartlessly start their operations at ungodly hours, making miserable the lives of residents.

Eyesore

SHC properties have become an eyesore for unplanned and inconsiderate extensions, which continue to transform once beautifully planned and landscaped real estate into slums. The extensions are not only major inconveniences and intrusion for neighbours, but they are springing up right under the noses of uncaring SHC and Assemblies that collect property rate from tenants. Apparently, SHC slights its own rules governing extension on its properties.

The intrepid defence of one SHC employee regarding Company neglect is that when they see obstructing structures, they mark the structure red, order a halt to the work, then request the developer to submit plans. However, the culprits defy orders and continue work at night or on weekends. In other words, SHC is a stagnant entity that cannot revise its operational strategy to meet changing tides. A proactive entity would set up a task force for night and weekend operations to halt the menace of illegal construction on its properties.

However, despite changing times and degenerating attitudes, the SHC maintains the regular Monday-Friday, 8a.m.-5p.m. work status. If the same aggression characterising debt collection also characterised SHC vigilance and property monitoring culture, the estates would still be ideal in structure, environment and landscape. Sadly, tenants must endure hideous extension, noise pollution, other forms of environmental degradation, to mention these. The SHC has the upper hand because homelessness is not an option for tenants. Helplessly, they endure landowner abuse.

Suggestion

The SHCs response to the taskforce suggestion would be the typical contemptuous no funds. Ironically, the Company would vastly improve its internal revenue collection if it insisted on Company Acts and Bye laws, struck a collaborative monitoring with the local assemblies. Both would generate revenue for submitted plans, which might cumulate into major revenue due to the rapidity of extension on SHC properties.

A proper monitoring system would also protect the original structures, the environment and residents rights. SHC has a culture of a solid drainage established on its properties. It had deep drains lined at the back of the homes for wastewater, whilst shallow drains in front of the houses catered for rainwater. In the dry season, the shallow drains remained dry, contributing to good sanitation on the properties.

The amorphous extension culture has reversed the sanitation culture. Stores developed in front of the estates direct dirty water to the shallow drains. Currently, on one SHC property, wastewater from one salon creates filth for an entire block, jeopardising residents health. That eyesore situation is replicated on all SHC properties. The Company does not resist wilful destruction of its properties. The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is also culpable for collecting license fees from such destroyers without checking poor sanitation conditions.

An indifferent SHC looks on whilst unscrupulous tenants wilfully and gleefully destroy others property and peace through intrusive extensions. Amidst such anomaly, the Company threatens to prosecute defaulters of property rent. The legal officer does not find it ethically conflicting to demand rent where services are not rendered, charges unfairly distributed sometimes. Neither SHC nor defaulters stand justified. Each must honour responsibility.

SHC must end the culture of focusing on money and target humanity and service. When other communities get rid of slums, SHC neglects its duties to endorse slum conditions on hitherto excellently planned real estate. The SHC Management, Minister for Housing, and SHC legal Officer must honour their respective mandates not only to build, but also protect good tenants from recalcitrant ones who wilfully destroy property.
The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion

Can I suffer personally for any lawsuit from my business?

Mirror Lawyer Lifestyle Jan - 23 - 2023 , 08:24

Dear Mirror Lawyer, I run my own business in the Central Business District, Makola. I sell wine and other alcoholic drinks. I have registered this business under the Registration of Business Name Act.

Quite recently, I entered into an arrangement with one of my suppliers but I was unable to follow through with the arrangement because when he brought my goods I did not have enough money to honour the deal.

He has threatened to sue me as a result. Someone informed me that when you own a business, you do not suffer personally from any lawsuit from the business. How accurate is this information?

Hussain, Accra

Dear Hussain, Thank you for reaching out to me on your issue. Firstly, the advice you received is partially accurate. There is a principle in law that says that when a company is duly formed, it becomes a person, separate from the person or people that formed it. This principle is called the Separate Legal Personality principle and to my mind, it exists so that directors of a business can feel free to pursue legitimate business risk for profit without the fear of bankruptcy or personal impoverishment.

What this means is that any financial loss arising from a bad deal or even a lawsuit will usually be borne by the company and not its shareholders or directors as held by the courts in the cases of Salomon v Salomon and Morkor v Kuma. The Companies Act 2019, Act 992, provides the procedures one must comply with to duly form a company under Ghanaian Law. When a company is formed in accordance with those rules it becomes a juristic entity capable of suing or being sued in its name. This was explained in the case of Bank of West Africa v Appenteng. It can also take loan facilities from financial institutions in its own name and or transfer property as held in the case of Macaura v Northern Assurance.

On the other hand, registering a business name under the Registration of Business Name Act 1962, Act 152 is not enough to grant a business a separate legal personality. Registering a business name merely grants you exclusive use and right to the business name as decided in Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd v Lartey and Baidoo v Sam. It does not absolve you personally from any loss incurred while you are running the business. What this means is that, in your current situation, you may be personally liable to your supplier for damages on the grounds of breach of contract. You should seek further advice from a lawyer. Also, endeavour to convert your sole proprietorship into a limited liability company and you will enjoy the benefits of the principle of separate legal personality.
Ghana Education News

Krobea Asante Technical and Vocational School shut down indefinitely

GraphicOnline Education Jan - 23 - 2023 , 11:57

The Krobea Asante Technical and Vocational School at Effiduase Asokore in the Sekeyere East District of the Ashanti Region has been shut down indefinitely after students went on a violent demonstration on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

According to the management of the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service, the decision to close down the school was upon the advice of the Sekyere East District Security Council and the Ashanti Regional Security Council.

A press release issued by the Ghana TVET Service said all students had been directed to vacate the campus immediately.

"The Security Services will be on hand to evacuate all the students to protect lives and properties. Parents are advised to take steps to pick up their wards from the school," the release said.

"Management of the Ghana TVET Service will keep Parents and the General Public informed on any development".

The students on Sunday allegedly caused a power outage and broke into the storerooms of the school and scattered food items.

The motive for the destruction is unclear but there are suggestions it could be linked to their dissatisfaction with the poor performance of their predecessors in the 2022 end-of-year examination.

About 40 students have been invited by the Police to assist with investigations.
20 Receive support for vocational training

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jan - 23 - 2023 , 14:35

Beneficiaries of the governments skills training programmes have been to urged to eschew laziness in order to impact their lives, families and communities.



The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Nelson Owusu Ansah, said some of the beneficiaries of such programmes had failed to fully take advantage of the opportunities to impact their lives and communities, making such efforts and investment to go waste.

At a ceremony to hand over tools to 20 beneficiaries of the Skills Towards Employability and Productivity (STEP) project in Abura Dunkwa in the Central Region last Friday, he said there were instances where beneficiaries of such programmes sold tools and equipment given to them under such skills development projects, stressing that this was a worrying phenomenon that derailed efforts at reducing unemployment.

Training

The project is being implemented by the NYA at Abura Dunkwa in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Disitrict (AAK).

In all, 1,500 beneficiaries from 30 districts are expected to be trained under the project across the country.

There are three beneficiary districts in the Central Region, namely Assin North, Assin Central and AAK.

The STEP project allows beneficiaries to select vocations of their choice.

It takes care of their apprenticeship fees and also presents them with equipment and tools for training.

The beneficiaries in the AAK district would learn vocations such as hairdressing, cosmetology, digital satellite television installation and repairs and sewing.

Mr Owusu-Ansah said the project would ensure strict monitoring processes to ensure that beneficiaries learnt the skills.

He noted that government, apart from the Free Senior High School policy and the development of vocational and technical education in recent times, was also making efforts to get other youth equipped with skills.

Beneficiaries

The Member of Parliament for the area, Elvis Donkor, said the community and parents of the beneficiaries had been involved in the effort to ensure effective monitoring of the programme.

He advised the beneficiaries to focus and concentrate to complete their apprenticeship and to support the training of other young ones in their communities.

He said he had also initiated similar efforts to get the youth to earn decent incomes.

The Chief Executive for AAK District Assembly, Willyevans Obiri-Awuah, advised the beneficiaries to ensure that the investment in them did not go waste.

A beneficiary, Victor Nyarko, said he was taking jobs as a labourer on peoples farms to survive, and that he was committed to improving his life by completing his apprenticeship.

Another beneficiary, Josephine Sam, also expressed gratitude to the government for the intervention.
Chinese celebrate Luna New Year

Juliet Akyaa Safo Jan - 23 - 2023 , 13:18

Thousands of Chinese living in Ghana converged on the forecourt of the State House last Friday to celebrate the Chinese Luna New Year, also known as the Year of the Rabbit.

The Year of the Rabbit is considered a year of new beginning, newness and a prosperous year for Chinese.

The celebrants joined other Chinese around the world to celebrate the New Year with a gala night sponsored by Access Bank.

Performing on a colourful dais decorated with red Chinese paraphernalia, students from two Confucius institutes treated the audience to a traditional Chinese dance, known famously as the dragon dance, and some other song performances.

The celebration was interspersed with a raffle draw where 800 people won prizes which included bedding set, laptops, air-conditioners, plane tickets and cash prizes.

Fifty winners took home a bedding set and Huawei bracelets worth GH2,000 each; 10 others won Huawei tablets worth GH4,000 each; six people took home Huawei laptops worth GH10,500 each, while four winners received air tickets for Emirates Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.

Two other winners also received Midea air-conditioners; two more winners received GH10,000 cash each, while another set of two winners received GH50,000 each.

Personalities, who attended the event, included Ghanas Ambassador to China, Wilfred Nii Okai Hammond; the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun; former envoys, the Chinese business community and the Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana PLC, Olumide Olatunji.

Mr Hammond, in brief remarks, described the year 2022 as a difficult one due to COVID-19, saying it affected policies in both countries, but stressed that the partnership between the two countries pulled them through.

He expressed the belief that the new year was the time for the two countries to come together to support each other.

"I can confidently say that the year 2023, the Year of the Rabbit, which I am told is a very wise animal, a smart animal that brings fortune and great success, will bring Ghana and China closer together despite the challenges that we have faced on many fronts," he said.

Mr Kun also reiterated the importance of the celebration to the Chinese, and said the new beginning would bring forth stronger bilateral ties between Ghana and China.

Cooperation

The President of the Association of Chinese Society of Ghana, Tang Hong, expressed the confidence that despite the economic challenges, the new year would bring greater economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

For decades, the Chinese community has been an integral part of the Ghanaian society.

We have been industry players in trade and commerce, and have made substantial contributions to the Ghanaian economy.

Together we can continue to prosper through hard work and fortitude.

It is my hope that the Year of the Rabbit will bring good fortune, peace and strength to all of us, he said.

Mr Olatunji also said his outfit was pleased to be associated with the Chinese community in Ghana, and stressed that they looked forward to facilitating trade between the two countries.

The event was climaxed with fireworks display and music.
CID boss Andoh-Kwofie dragged to court for alleged contempt

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Jan - 23 - 2023 , 17:49

The new Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie has been dragged to court on an allegation of contempt.

She is alleged to be meddling in a 24-year-old land dispute at Adjiringanor and Borteyman in Accra, which has been settled by the Supreme Court - Empire Builders Ltd vrs: Top Kings Enterprise Ltd.

DCOP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie, the CID boss and Superintendent of Police, Alhassan Bawa, of the Property Fraud Unit at the CID headquarters have both been dragged to court by Kingsley Owusu-Achau, the Chief Executive Officer of real estate company, Top Kings Enterprise on allegation of contempt.

The motion on notice for committal for contempt was filed by Kingsley Owusu-Achau on Thursday, January 19, 2023 and it is expected to be moved on January 31, 2023 at the Accra High Court.

The applicant, is praying for an order to commit DCOP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie and Superintendent Alhassan Bawa for contempt for conducting themselves in a manner that brings the administration of justice into disrepute and to order them to purge themselves of the contempt.

Grounds

It is the case of Owusu-Achau that the two are meddling in a land case which has already been settled by the Supreme Court.

In an affidavit in support, Owusu-Achau states that the respondents have been arresting workers of Top Kings and its assignees whenever they attempt to develop the land.

The respondents in complete disrespect of the Judiciary, inclusive the Supreme Court are preventing Top Kings and its grantees from developing the land by having police patrol vehicles always visiting the land in the company of officials of Empire Builders Limited to cause arrest of workmen of Top Kings and its grantees.

The respondents, according to the applicant are telling the grantees of Top Kings who follow up to the CID headquarters to secure the release of their arrested workmen to ignore various court judgments in favour of Top Kings because the land belongs to Empire Builders Ltd.

Letter

The CID per a letter dated October 11, 2022 signed by DCOP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie, which has been attached as an Exhibit invited Mr Owusu-Achau to a meeting at the Property Fraud Unit with the explanation that it was investigating a case of trespass in respect of a parcel of land situate at Adjiringanor in Accra, which Mr Owusu-Achaus name had been mentioned.

Background

In the affidavit in support, Owusu-Achau stated that sometime in 1998, Top Kings commenced real estate development on land it had acquired from the Nungua stool at Adjiringanor / Borteyman.

Empire Builders Limited instituted action against Top Kings at the High Court and secured an order of interim injunction to restrain Top Kings from developing the land.

The suit travelled all the way to the Supreme Court for a period of 22 years with all the courts dismissing Empire Builders Limited claims to the land.

DCOP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie was appointed as CID boss after Ken Yeboah retired from active service at age 60 in September 2022.

Related article: DCOP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie appointed CID boss to replace Ken Yeboah

Attached below is a text from the affidavit in support of the contempt motion

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT I, Kingsley Owusu-Achau of No. 5, Kojo Ashong Street, Dzorwulu, Accra make oath and say as follows; 1. I am the Chief-Executive officer of Top Kings Enterprise Ltd. a real estate development company (hereinafter simply "Top Kings). 2. Sometime in 1998, Top Kings commenced real estate development on land it had acquired from the Nungua stool at Adjiriganor/Borteyman. 3. Empire Builders Limited instituted action against Top Kings at the High Court in suit No. L49/99 entitled Empire Builders Limited vrs. Top Kings Enterprise Limited. and secured an order of Interim Injunction to restrain Top Kings from developing the land. 4. The case travelled all the way to the Supreme Court for a period of 22 years with all the courts dismissing Empire Builders Limited claims to the land. 5. After the Supreme Court judgment on December 16, 2020, Top Kings decided to return to its land to develop same. 6. Empire Builders Limited engaged the Ghana Police, National Security personnel and even the Ghana Armed Forces to prevent and frustrate Top Kings development of the land alleging that the land Top Kings has entered did not form part of the land the parties litigated over for 22 years ending at the Supreme Court. 7. When it became obvious that it could not use the security forces to frustrate Top Kings forever, Empire Builders Ltd commenced fresh action at the High Courts in Accra and Adenta in 2021 to stop Top Kings and its assigns from developing the land alleging that, that portion of the land was not covered by the Supreme Court judgment. 8. Both cases at the Accra and Adenta High Courts were dismissed basically on the grounds that they constitute an abuse of Court process in view of the Supreme Court judgement. A further appeal by Empire Builders Ltd to the Court of Appeal was also dismissed. 9. In effect none of the Courts accepted Empire Builders Ltd.'s allegation that the land Top Kings has taken possession of did not form part of the land litigated by the parties from 1998 to 2020. 10. Empire Builders Ltd did not exercise its right to proceed to the Supreme Court in respect of its allegation that Top Kings has gone beyond the land subject matter of the Supreme Court judgment dated 16th December 2020. 11. What Empire Builders Ltd has resorted to is to have the Respondents herein cause the arrest of workers of Top Kings and its assignees whenever they attempt to develop the land. 12. The Respondents in complete disrespect to the Judiciary inclusive of the Supreme Court are preventing Top Kings and its grantees from developing the land by having police patrol vehicles always visiting the land in the company of officials of Empire Builders Ltd. to cause arrest of workmen of Top Kings and its grantees. 13. The Respondents are telling grantees of Top Kings who follow up to the C.I.D Headquarters to secure the release of their arrested workmen, to ignore the various court judgments in favour of Top Kings because the land belongs to Empire Builders Ltd. 14. The Respondent have been inviting myself and the Nungua stool to their office purportedly to investigate a complaint of trespass and double sale of land lodged by Empire Builders Ltd. 15. On each occasion, Top Kings lawyers and myself have made it clear to them that the Empire Builders Ltd. claim has been dismissed repeatedly by all the courts he run to and indeed we have made copies of all the judgments to the Respondents. 16. Regardless of the numerous judgments denying and dismissing Empire Builders Ltd. claims, brought to the attention of the Respondents, they insist that the parties must compromise and resolve the dispute and insist that Top Kings and its grantees will not be allowed to develop the land until a compromise is reached with Empire Builders Ltd. 17. The Respondents invited me for another meeting with the C.E.O of Empire Builders Ltd at the 1st Respondents office on the 23rd of December 2022 which I refused to attend because Top Kings does not intend to compromise after 24 years of litigation that has ended in its favor. 18. In response to Top Kings refusal to take any further part in the absurd meetings at Respondents office to compromise the judgments in its favor, the Respondents have indicated that they will provide police protection to Empire Builders Ltd. to commence development of the land the courts have consistently denied it. 19. Like all other law-abiding persons, I know and accept that the Court is the final arbiter in disputes. 20. That when all efforts to resolve a dispute has failed the disputants resort to the court to make a decision which is binding on them, whether it favors them or not. 21. And when a party has exhausted the appellate processes, it has no other option than to accept and abide by the final decision. 22. I therefore find it strange that after 24 years of litigation at the courts initiated by Empire Builders Ltd. which did not go in its favor, the Respondents herein are bent on giving Empire Builders Ltd, what the Courts have consistently denied it. 23. I am advised and verily believe that the Respondents' conduct is bringing the administration of Justice into disrepute by seeking to enforce a claim the Courts have declined and dismissed repeatedly. 24. Attached are the judgments and correspondence from the Respondents to Top Kings; a. Exhibit A- The Supreme Court Judgment of 16 December, 2020 b. Exhibit B- Ruling of the High Court, Adenta of 30th July 2021 C. Exhibit C- Court of Appeal's decision 12th April 2022 d. Exhibit D- Letter from the Respondents inviting the C.E.O of Top Kings Enterprise Ltd for a meeting I therefore swear this affidavit praying that the Respondents be committed for contempt of Court.

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Constitution needs reforms  Participants

Maclean Kwofi & Diana Mensah Jan - 23 - 2023 , 05:51

Participants in a forum on constitutional reforms have made a case for a thorough review of the 1992 Constitution in line with current dynamics.

The participants, mainly lawyers, politicians, students and social commentators took turns to express their concerns in support of a review of the constitution to help accelerate the transformation of the country.

While some maintained that excessive and unrestrained appointment powers and influence granted to Presidents created a winner-takes-all environment in the democratic dispensation, others said the four-year tenure was limited and needed to be extended to at least 10 years.

The concerns of the participants, which border on reforms, dominated discussions at the forum organised by Africa Reform Movement (ARM) at the University of Ghana (UG) in Accra last Saturday.

The forum was used to launch the First Alliance of Independent Reformers (FAIR), a political institution established to sponsor individuals to contest for political positions in the country.

An initiative of ARM, the FAIR is expected to serve as an alternative to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Outliving usefulness

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Finest Productions, Kwesi Kyei Darkwah, who chaired the forum, stated that the constitution had outlived its usefulness and for that reason needed reforms.

He explained that intellectuals in the country privately agreed to a thorough review of the constitution, yet disagreed with same in public.

The renowned media personality added that because Ghanaians lived in a duopoly, they did not look out for people with better ideas.

Comprehensive review

The President of ARM, Dr Nii Amu Darko, said many Ghanaians preferred a comprehensive review of the constitution into a better document that could spur development and prosperity.

It is our property, we own the Constitution; we can dictate what we want to do with it. If we don't like it, we can do something about it. We adopted and enacted it so if we want to reform it, it is our property and we have the right over it, he said.

Dr Darko said the country was currently battling two main structural problems of the partisan framework or political organisation.

Governance framework

A Senior Partner of Logan and Associates, Maxwell Logan, said the purpose of the Constitution was for the people of Ghana to exercise their rights for the establishment of a governance framework to secure its posterity.

He said the presence of liberty, equality, prosperity and opportunity was to cast a duty on all citizens to constantly examine their socio-political circumstance in order to discharge their duties in contribution to a functional society.

Extend tenure

A level-100 Accounting student of UG, Wesley Oppong, during the open forum, stressed the need for the constitutional review to reflect an extended tenure of office for the President.

He said the four years of office granted to the President should be extended to at least 10 years.

That, he said, would provide an adequate time for the President and the government to embark on a solid developmental agenda.

Checks and balances

A participant, Emmanuel Lartei Lamptey, said there should be clearer checks and balances among the three arms of government: the executive, legislature and judiciary.

He said each arm should be allowed to play its role without any interference rather than the phenomenon where the executive secured a third of its members from Parliament.

Mr Lamptey said that situation caused a huge conflict of interest in the appointment of the executives and needed to be changed.

Another participant, Calvin Powell, said the power to appoint municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) should be taken from the President.
First-ever tax appeals board constituted

Emelia Ennin Abbey Jan - 23 - 2023 , 05:59

The country's first-ever Independent Tax Appeals Board has been inaugurated, with a call on the members to ensure speedy adjudication, accuracy and fairness in tax dispute resolution and transform the country's domestic revenue mobilisation efforts.

The 11-member board is chaired by Justice Lawrence Mensah, a retired Court of Appeal Judge, with members including the President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Nii Ayi Aryeetey; a retired Deputy Commissioner in charge of Special Duties at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Division, Peter Kwame Abebrese; a retired Justice of the High Court, Justice Kwabena Asumanadu, and the Managing Partner, Tax and Legal Affairs at advisory firm, WTS Nobisfields, Theophilus Tawiah.

The rest are a retired Chartered Accountant, Emmanuel Obeng Asiedu; the Administrator of the Diaspora Affairs Department at the Office of the President, Fauziah Ibrahim, a lawyer and former Director of the Legal Directorate of the Ministry of Finance, Mangowa Ghanney; a retired Assistant Commissioner and Head of the Transport Unit at the GRA, Samuel Narh Ojangmah; the Managing Partner of ikern Associates Limited and ikern Chartered Accountancy, Isaac Nyame, and a Senior Manager for Banking Operations of Bond Savings and Loans Company PLC, Catherine Quaidoo.

Until its inauguration, the tax dispute resolution regime required a taxpayer appealing to the GRA Commissioner-General on tax matters and going to the court if dissatisfied with the Commissioner-General's decision.

That caused litigation of tax disputes dragging on indefinitely, locking up potential government revenue, generating costs for businesses and frustrating both the revenue authority and taxpayers, while the authority was also put in a situation where it had to litigate even on minor issues.

Benefits

After leading the members of the board to swear the oath of office, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, said the appeals board provided an intermediate avenue for the resolution of a tax dispute as taxpayers and the revenue authority could explore the option before deciding to litigate in the law court.

The establishment of the board, he said, was part of the government's initiatives to transform revenue administration and enhance revenue mobilisation.

Mr Ofori-Atta explained that despite revenue mobilisation efforts, Ghana's tax as a ratio of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 13 per cent was one of the lowest in West Africa as the countrys peers were doing an average of 18 per cent.

He said the countrys annual corporate tax gap alone was estimated to be between nine per cent and 12 per cent of GDP.

"It gets worse when you look at the gap on import taxes and Value Added Tax (VAT). This must, as a matter of urgency, be addressed," Mr Ofori-Atta said.

The minister said Ghana's inability to mobilise sufficient tax revenue had contributed significantly to the current economic situation the country faced.

Alternate dispute mechanisms



Mr Ofori-Atta said tax disputes could lead to delays in revenue mobilisation, especially if they had to compete with the dispensation of justice in other segments of society.



Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, the Finance Minister said, were accepted as a speedy and more cost-effective approach to resolving disputes.

He said an ADR mechanism would instill confidence in investors and reduce the time spent on litigation for both taxpayers and the revenue administration.



Mr Ofori-Atta, therefore, urged the members of the board to develop a strong tax dispute resolution system, capable of supporting the countrys revenue mobilisation drive.



"Provide a fair and independent forum for dispute resolution between taxpayers and the GRA. Make decisions based on the evidence presented and in accordance with the law, and encourage compliance with tax laws by providing clarity on the interpretation of tax legislations," he charged the board.

Mr Ofori-Atta assured the board of the Ministry of Finance's support to the creation of a fit-for-purpose Independent Tax Appeals Board that would earn the trust and respect of all stakeholders.

Tax law

The Chairman of the board said the duty of the board was coming at a critical time when all citizens were required to put their shoulders to the wheel to protect the revenue generation system of the country.

Justice Mensah said in the last four months, the Supreme Court had delivered four decisions that provided clarity and direction on how to deal with the operational aspect of the dispute regulation mechanism in the Revenue Administration Act, 2016 (Act 915) as amended by the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2020, Act 1029.

"These and other decisions continue to provide strong jurisprudential support for the innovation that the Independent Tax Appeals Board is," he said.

Justice Mensah gave the assurance that the members would focus on ensuring that the board provided an efficient and effective forum for speedy resolution of disputes that could have created stress for market players and distorted government's income generation projections.
Foundation provides school uniforms to Potters Village Home children

Daily Graphic Jan - 23 - 2023 , 12:50

The Dora Awuah Foundation, a non-governmental organisation has donated uniforms and textbooks worth GH13,000 to the children of the Potters Village Foster Home at Dodowa.

Hitherto, the children wore house dresses to school.

But, thanks to the benevolence of the foundation which aims at adopting innovative strategies to promote mental health, the children are now happy to be wearing school uniforms.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Dora Awuah, said the gesture was meant to facilitate learning and also boost their interest in attending school to acquire knowledge as a legacy for life.

She said the foundation envisaged the joy and happiness associated with wearing new school uniforms will boost the mental health of the youngsters.

Orphans, she noted, are vulnerable to various levels of mental health distress largely due to emotional deprivation, pointing out that recent studies show a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and behavioural conditions among orphans, especially those in alternate care.

According to Mrs Awuah, such deprivations in several instances reduce the confidence levels of children.

She commended the management team, donors, and all volunteers for helping to put smiles on the faces of children at the Potters Village this academic year.
Ghana Air Force honours Wg Cdr Andy Mensah

Ghana Air Force Public Relations Office Jan - 23 - 2023 , 13:52

The Ghana Air Force has honoured a former Flying Instructor, Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) Andy Mensah (retd), as a distinguished retired officer whose legacy still lives on.

Assisted by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Frank Hanson and other dignatories, Wg Cdr Mensah (retd) last Thursday personally unveiled a commemorative plaque which was mounted at the forecourt of the Air Force Headquarters at Burma Camp to acknowledge the enduring legacy of the distinguished retired officer and serve as a testament to those in active service to be diligent, selfless and committed to their respective assignments.

His contributions

As part of his contribution to the development of the Ghana Air Force, Wg Cdr Mensah (retd), who was a Qualified Flying Instructor, tutored the late former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Samson Oje, AVM Nagai and Squadron Leader Ebo-Bartels.

Even as a No l Squadron Operational Pilot, he flew single engine aircraft with co-pilots at odd hours in challenging weather conditions on medical evacuations to recover patients from remote areas.

He landed and took off on the perilous short airstrips of Nandom, Yendi, Wa and Navrongo in the Northern regions and Ho in the Volta Region, with virtually no navigation aids and minimum air traffic communications.

Wg Cdr Mensah (retd) undertook some developmental projects in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which included the remodelling of the entire aircraft parking areas and environs at the Accra Air Force Base, the training of GAF pilots and Air Traffic Controllers for various commercial licences in conformity with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and procedures, among others.

He was also a member of the first GAF overseas operational detachment of six pilots and two Air Traffic Officers to be deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo to help stabilise Eastern Katangese Province ruled by General Mobutu Sese Seko.

He also established and fully equipped the Air Force Base Computer Centre, remodelled and equipped the Emergency Unit of the 37 Military Hospital.

He also assisted GAF in the reconfiguration of the GAF Fokker 27 aircraft to be ICAO complaint.

Historical monument

The Chief of Air Staff stated that the unveiling of the plaque at the historical monument was initiated to honour officers and airmen who had distinguished themselves in their service to the Air Force, God and country.

AVM Hanson added that the selfless and meritorious service by the distinguished personalities could not be overlooked, hence the need to honour them while they were alive.

"This historical monument has provisions for former Presidents of the Republic of Ghana, former Chiefs of Defence Staff from the Air Force, former Chiefs of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshals, who held tri-service appointments, the first Chief of Air Staff, Master Air Warrant Officers, fallen heroes and special recognitions," AVM Hanson disclosed.

Gratitude

Wg Cdr Mensah expressed his gratitude to the Ghana Air Force and admonished officers, airmen and women and the defence civilian staff of the Ghana Air Force to pursue excellence in their professional careers as well as the execution of their mandate of protecting the territorial borders of the country.

To achieve that, he urged all to exhibit a high sense of integrity and loyalty, competence, self-discipline, and the tenacity to say yes or no in accordance with their judgment without fear or intimidation.

Albeit, the retired distinguished officer enjoined everyone to employ a cocktail of humility and humour in their line of duty and cautioned everyone to bear in mind that posterity would be the judge of their actions.

Relying on the famous maxim that a nation that does not honour its heroes and heroines is not worth living for, Wg Cdr Mensah expressed the hope that their ingenuity would transcend the Ghana Air Force to the other services and society as a whole.

Some dignitaries present at the occasion were the former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, the outgoing Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Air Marshal Samson Oje.
Government of Malta, HopeXchange Medical Centre sign MoU on digital health

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Jan - 23 - 2023 , 12:30

HopeXchange Medical Centre located at Nwamase in the Kwadaso Municipal Assembly has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maltese government to provide e-learning and e-health at the facility.

Under the MoU, the Maltese government would support the facility financially and also provide logistics that would help the hospital to deliver e-learning to its staff and other medical staff in its partner health institutions in the country.

Centre

The centre will also serve as a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) facility for health workers.

In furtherance of this, the visiting Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Dr Ian Borg, last Wednesday, launched the E-Laboratory that would serve as a centre for the E-training at HopeXchange Medical Centre.

Objective

He said the centre would provide training to staff and also build their capacity to provide the needed health care to the people.

Dr Borg explained that just like Malta, all countries in the world were faced with health challenges and we are determined to show solidarity and work hand in hand with other countries to support and to strengthen the health system for the benefits of the society.

He said access to quality medical care was key to the promotion of socio-economic progress and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With the signing of this MoU, we are laying a solid foundation for the extension for the medical centre in order to ensure its continuous successful operation and the development of its capacities in the field of digital health, he said.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Medical Centre, Mario Cappello, was grateful to the Maltese government for the support to the facility since its establishment and also helping it to establish a digital health platform to serve the good people of Ghana.

He said the centre would specifically address and increase its healthcare capacity in the areas of specialised medicine.

He commended the staff of the centre both medical and administrative personnel, for their dedicated service which has made the facility, a centre of excellence in the delivery of medical care in the region.
Govt reaches revised agreement with banks; Govt to pay 5% coupon this year

Graphic.com.gh Jan - 23 - 2023 , 19:27

The government has agreed to pay five per cent coupon (interest) on bonds for this year.

It will also pay a single coupon of nine per cent on the 12 new bonds it proposes to issue to domestic bondholders who tender their old bonds.

The government and the bankers also agreed on the removal or amendment of all clauses in the Exchange Memorandum that empowered the Republic to, at its sole discretion, vary the terms of the exchange.

Statement

The parties issued the statement after a crunch meeting Monday (Jan 23, 2023) to negotiate new designs and concessions to make it easier for banks to participate in the voluntary DDEP.

The bankers association also asked the government to provide clarity on the operational framework and terms of access to the Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF).

The fund is expected to help fund managers, banks, insurance companies and the likes with cash flow to meet their obligations as the fall due, in view of the cash flow challenges the debt exchange programme would bring upon the participating institutions.

Context

Even though bond coupons are usually paid in two installments, under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), the government proposed to pay no interest for this year.

However, bonds maturing from 2024 will receive five per cent coupon in 2024 and thereafter between nine per cent and 10.65 per cent.

An agreement to pay five per cent coupon for 2023 and a single coupon rate for each of the 12 new bonds, resulting in an effective coupon rate of nine per cent, a joint statement by the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) stated.

The association had earlier instructed its members not to participate in the programme until certain agreements were reached.

However, the joint statement said the government of Ghana and the Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) have made significant progress on the terms for the participation of banks in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

Individual approvals

It said the agreement encompassed final improvements to the terms of the DDEP.

While the GAB said it recognised the progress made, it noted that the participation of its member banks in the DDEP, per the new terms, was subject to each individual banks internal governance and approval processes.

However, such processes should not go beyond Monday, January 30, this year.

This is a significant milestone towards addressing our economic challenges, and will thus help to restore macroeconomic stability and accelerate Ghanas economic growth, the statement said.

With this achievement, the government of Ghana reiterates its commitment to concluding the DDEP in time with all other stakeholders, it added.
La Leshie Mantse supports traders with GH20,000

Kwame Larweh Jan - 23 - 2023 , 12:39

The La Leshie Mantse, Nii Tettey Ofro-Osro I and Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao families have donated GH20,000 to traders at the La Market to support them in their business.

According to the two royal families, the money was donated at a short but colourful ceremony at the La Market in Accra last Thursday to help cushion the traders in the prevailing harsh economic conditions.

The Head of the Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao family, Nii Odoi Laryea, said the gesture would be replicated every year and urged the market women to live as a healthy family unit.

He challenged them to grow their trade and sanitise the market to attract customers, while entreating other benevolent persons and organisations in society to also come to the aid of the traders.

A member of the Nii Odoitso Odoi Kwao family, Benjamin Tetteh Yemo, also called on the Ga State to unite and embrace oneness for the common good of the Ga people.

We will keep supporting the women, it is our widows mite, but we believe it will go a long way to achieve the intended purpose if disbursed equitably, he said.

Gratitude

On behalf of the beneficiaries, the Market Queen, Christiana Laryea said, we are indeed grateful for this gesture, we are amazed because we least expected it.

God richly bless you for your kindness. It will definitely help us a great deal, she added.
Labour Ministry engages PWDs

Mary Anane-Amponsah Jan - 20 - 2023 , 12:33

The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has held a consultative meeting with persons with disability (PWDs) to factor in their concerns on the ongoing implementation of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project.



The project is aimed at creating a user-friendly, web-based and easily accessible one-stop shop Labour Market Information System (LMIS) to support jobseekers across the country.

The project started in January 2021, and currently the LMIS is being developed.

The ministry is, therefore, engaging key stakeholders to ensure that the system is accessible and useful to all segments of the labour force.

The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in a speech read on his behalf at the meeting yesterday, noted that the ministry had been mandated to promote job creation in the productive sectors through the development and strengthening of intersectoral linkages.

The ministry, he said, over the years had performed its mandate of promoting job creation by implementing a number of interventions and job modules to address youth unemployment.

Despite the efforts, there have been several challenges that impede the ability of the ministry and its agencies to meet the demands of all jobseekers, particularly, persons with disability, he added.

The Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP) being implemented by five ministries, including the Labour Ministry, is to support the governments effort to create more jobs through skills development and efficient coordination of the labour market.

Implementation

The Labour Ministrys role for the project was to implement component 3 of GJSP which included the operationalisation of the Ghana Labour Market Information System(GLMIS) and revamping 16 public employment centres across the country to support the initiative.

It was also to review independent performance of government youth employment and skills development programmes.

The public centres located in the districts are to be used for counselling and employment promotion purposes.

The ministry was currently at the stage of developing the GLMIS to ensure it is accessible and useful to all segments of the labour force.

"The GLMIS will be a one-stop-shop platform for all labour market data/information that will enable stakeholders to take evidence-based decisions such as the needed skills to facilitate their employment in the various industries", the minister indicated.

The meeting, he said, was to solicit inputs from the PWDs on how to address their needs in seeking employment.

The interventions, he said, would enable the ministry to generate accurate data and disseminate comprehensive same about all the segments of the market in a timely manner and implement effective active labour market interventions that would support jobseekers, including persons with disability to take advantage of job creation or employment opportunities in the labour market.

No Data

The Project coordinator of GJSP (Component 3), Ernest Berko, noted that the general lack of labour market information on PWDs such as employed, unemployed, skilled, unskilled, semi-skilled,among others, was a challenge for the ministry.

The population of PWDs was estimated at 5 million; however, Data on PWDs seeking jobs are not available and this is affecting government policies, he said when he gave an overview of the GJSP Component 3.

Mr Berko called on the representatives of PWDs at the meeting to support the ministry to develop a responsive system that would be useful in linking them up with employers who may need their skills and expertise in the industry.

Representatives of the PWDs expressed their interest in the project and indicated that unemployment among PWDs was a major challenge and therefore hoped that the platform to be created from the project would serve the purpose of job creation among PWDs.

Appeal for exemption

The project manager in charge of employment with the Ghana Blind Union, Bismark Amoh, however, appealed that there should be some exception for PWDs in terms of age limit for youthful jobseekers, indicating that although the acceptable age of youth is between 18 and 35, for us, it should be extended to 45 to get more PWD jobseekers covered, as many spend more years developing their skills and expertise due to our disability and so pegging it at 35 will be a disadvantage to many of us.
Lands Commission determined to sanitise land market  Executive Secretary

Emmanuel Oduro Jan - 23 - 2023 , 14:21

The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, James Dadson, has said that the outfit is determined to sanitise the countrys land market.



He said challenges such as multiple sale of lands, the land guard issue, among others, were matters of concern to the commission, stressing that it would stop at nothing to nib such issues in the bud.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Dadson noted that the commission had intensified its awareness programme, as well as engaged many stakeholders since last year, in a bid to sensitise the public about.the commissions mandate as established in the 1992 Constitution.

Mr Dadson indicated that the Lands Commission experienced high patronage in the last year largely due to its public engagement and leveraging on technology for its outreach.

Investor confidence

Mr Dadson observed that the Lands Commission had a big role to play to boost investor confidence through prudent land administration structures.

He noted that following the Year of Return and other diasporan engagements, many investors in the diaspora are engaging the services of the commission.

He added that the commission, as of its outreach programme, had held some road shows abroad, including one in London in the United Kingdom.

He said the nation would witness more action from his outfit this year, noting that the staff were collaborating with the security agencies to undertake regular patrols to safeguard lands from the activities of land guards.

He further stressed that the commission would strengthen relationships with other state agencies such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ghana Free Zones Board to facilitate the execution of its mandate.
Make patients your priority  KATH CEO

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Jan - 23 - 2023 , 13:13

The management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is determined to make the facility patient-centred and has urged the staff to let this reflect in their output.

The management has, therefore, challenged the staff of the facility to prioritise their patients and treat them with love and dignity.

Speaking at the Annual Thanksgiving and Staff Awards of KATH last Friday, the Chief Executive Officer of KATH, Prof. Otchere Addai-Mensah, said it was not enough to be considered as the hospital with the best qualified medical specialists and facilities in this part of the country.

He warned that my management would have a big problem with anyone whose action or inaction leads to a decline in the quality of services we render to the public.

According to him, also important is that we should be known as the most responsive and patient-centred facility through the provision of timely specialist care in a dignified manner to patients.

Dignity

Prof. Addai-Mensah urged the staff to treat patients with respect and dignity by making sure that clinics started work on time.

We must note that patients remain the reason why we are able to put food on our tables, so we must work to earn the salaries that enable us to do this, he urged.

He said the management would also ensure that the staff had the needed support and equipment to enable them to deliver on their mandate, stressing that as part of the support, all directorates would be given financial autonomy to retain part of their revenue for work-related expenses.

Awards

In all, 21 staff were rewarded for their long service and dedication to the hospital and 19 others for distinguishing themselves in their various fields in the year 2022.

The Overall Best Staff award went to Dr Augustine Tawiah of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, who is currently in South Korea for further studies.

He took home a cash prize of GH15,000 with a plaque, while the first runner-up award went to Patrick Anim, who went home with a cash prize of GHc10,000.

Dr Angela Boahen emerged as the second runner-up and took home a cash prize of GH5,000.

The Directorate of Surgery also emerged as the most innovate directorate for its proposal which won the hospital a grant of $600,000 to set up a Paediatric Theatre.

For their effort, the staff were rewarded with a cheque for GH30,000 to be used to improve the directorate.
Malta committed to deepening ties with Ghana - Dr Borg

Donald Ato Dapatem Jan - 23 - 2023 , 12:23

The visiting Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Dr Ian Borg, has stated that his country was committed to enhancing the solid partnership that had existed between his country and Ghana.

He explained that the two nations had collaborated for 60 years and believed that they could build on the solid foundation for their benefit and that of their peoples.

Dr Borg stated this when he unveiled the bust of the first Director of the NLA, Francis William Brennan, a Maltese who helped in establishing the authority and organised its first draw in 1962.

Dr Borg noted that the relationship between the two nations, especially with the National Lottery Authority (NLA) exemplified the strong bond which should be nurtured to benefit other areas of national development.

He commended the staff and management of NLA for guiding the smooth evolution and growth of the NLA since its inception 60 years ago.

He said listening to the story of the role Malta played in the establishment of the NLA, he was filled with pride because a simple act of solidarity between two governments did not only lead to the establishment of this important national institution but also paved the way for closer ties between our two countries.

60 years Dr Borg said 60 years of friendly relationship was thriving and it was for that reason that he had visited the NLA to memorialise the contribution of Malta and Brennan Hall to the NLA in Ghana and cement their relationship.

He said the recent visit of NLA officials to Malta also served to rekindle and revive the collaboration between the two nations and their peoples.

A Board Member of the NLA, Philip Kofi Aning, assured that the NLA would continue to tap from the experience, expertise and knowledge of their counterparts in Malta to grow and expand its base.

He commended the Maltese government for the reception offered the staff and management that visited Malta.

Strategic Objective The Director General of the NLA, Samuel Awuku indicated that as part of its strategic objective, the authority planned to acquire new draw machines and renovate the Brennan Hall into a world class draw centre in line with international standards, and this was also to preserve the hall for generations yet unborn.

He said it would also help in attaining its mandate of generating extra revenue to be able to offer more assistance to the vulnerable, aged, orphans and destitute in the society whiles supporting governments developmental agenda.

He described the visit by Dr Borg to Ghana and the NLA premises as concrete indications of how Malta intended to deepen the bilateral ties between the government of Ghana and Malta.

Concrete Mr Awuku said the NLA held in high esteem the Maltese government for playing a great role in the establishment of the NLA and indicated that to express its gratitude, the NLA memorialised Mr Brennan the first Director General with a bust and named the hall after him.

The two memorials, the bust and the Brennan Hall, he explained were permanent reminders of the brotherly relationship between the two nations, particularly with the NLA.

He announced that the NLA was seeking collaboration to facilitate the visit of some of its staff to undertake training in Malta to sharpen their skills to expedite the growth of the NLA.
Student disruptive behaviours "Case of 8 Chiana girls"

By Very Rev. Dr Sam Nii Nmai Ollennu Jan - 23 - 2023 , 15:29

Ghana woke up one morning in the month of January 2023 to the news that some eight girls in Chiana have been dismissed from their school.



Why? Because they had mounted a verbal assault on the first gentleman of the land, using words described as unprintable.

Unfortunately, they videoed themselves in the act and the video went viral. But one may ask: Is this an uncommon behaviour in schools? The answer is No.

It is among forms of unwanted behaviours classified as Pupil or student disruptive behaviour.

Managing disruptive behaviour

The findings of a study conducted by some researchers from the Methodist University Ghana, of which the author of this article was part, showed that student disruptive behaviour existed in schools across the country.

These manifest as attitudes and behavioural tendencies which can have negative repercussions for teaching and learning.

Management of such attitudes and behaviours is necessary for the creation of a conducive environment, especially in the classroom, for learning.

Meanwhile, the task of managing disruptive behaviour is that of the teacher and it becomes daunting when the class is large as often found in public schools in Ghana.

The fact is that young people of the 21st century have a large exposure to electronic and printed media such as social media, video games, movies and the like.

As a result of this exposure, they tend to pick up and emulate some behaviours or ways of life such as the use of abusive language and verbal assault, fighting, bullying, telling of lies, insubordination to authority, and loitering, among others, which singularly or collectively amount to disruptive behaviour.

Unfortunately, most a student is naive about these unwanted behaviours and unwittingly display them at the least opportunity.

Respondents

In the research referred to earlier, when one male participant was asked whether he ever displayed a disruptive behaviour, he replied in the affirmative saying, I like cracking jokes in class, and the teacher always tells me I am disturbing others from learning.

Giving reasons for this behaviour, he stated that he does that when he finds the lesson boring, or if he cannot hear the teacher well.

A female participant also said, sometimes, the non-conducive atmosphere in the classroom makes us misbehave during lessons and ask unnecessary questions.

She added that at other times, they turned to disruptive behaviour when the teacher insults or punishes them for small mistakes.

A third participant mentioned that he pinched his mates and flies a paper jet in the classroom when he could not hear the teacher well or understand the lesson being taught.

A teacher, among the respondents, confirmed that quite often the disruptive behaviours show up when the classroom was too warm and not conducive for learning.

She added, however, that on majority of occasions pupils had no reason to misbehave, but they did that just to seek attention.

The teacher opined that this may originate from the psychological state of the pupil and the environment they are coming from.

The writer is a Chaplain/Lecturer, Methodist University College Ghana, Accra
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Tema regeneration agenda on TDCLs radar

Benjamin Xornam Glover Jan - 23 - 2023 , 12:47

The TDC Development Company Limited (TDCL) has indicated its commitments to roll out plans to re-engineer the city of Tema to transform it into a modern city that can accommodate the growing population.

The company said plans were advanced to pull down some existing buildings and re-model them into modern high rise structures in a bid to make Tema more resilient to rapid population growth and meet modern city standards.

The General Manager in Charge of Operations, Samuel Asante, answering questions from journalists at a State Agencies Meet-the-Press engagement said the immediate concern of TDCL was to make sure they pursue their redevelopment programmes and complete what has to be done in Tema before launching out to other parts of the country in line with their new mandate.

TDC to TDCL

The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) was set up in 1952 by an Act of Parliament, with the sole responsibility to plan and develop about 63 square miles of public land for various land cases and also manage the township that had been created to provide accommodation to those that would be engaged in these economic operations.

TDC was given a 125-year lease term to manage this land area known as the Tema Acquisition Area.

The Company, since its birth, has gone through many experiences involving structural and legislative changes that have cumulatively given it a new lease of life.

In 2017, TDC was converted into a Limited Liability Company, with an enhanced mandate to expand its operational and geographical scope beyond the Tema Acquisition Area.

Mr Asante explained that there were a lot of old buildings and structures built in the 1950s and 1960s, which are currently running down and taking out the shine of the city of Tema.

We are trying now to redevelop those areas and bring back the shine of Tema before we can launch out full scale to other parts of the country, he stressed.

The company has already undertaken an in-filling project at Community One, as part of the regeneration scheme by constructing eight blocks of eight storey flats aimed at providing 128 units of apartments consisting of two and three-bedroom apartments.

Demolishing

In line with that same vision, Mr Asante said TDCL, in 2018, demolished about six blocks of flats within the Kaiser Flat enclave in Tema Community Four, which had become dilapidated and a death trap.

He said although some of the dilapidated structures have been pulled down pending redevelopment in the Kaiser Flat enclave, TDCL has had challenges dealing with some lessees who, sometime in the 1990s, were encouraged to buy their rental units.

Convincing them to move from where they are is becoming a bit of a tussle because they feel they own it and also they are comfortable where they are.

But to speak the truth, the buildings are not in good shape.

If you go to Kaiser Flats now, you will see a lot of cracks in the buildings, iron rods are exposed in the ceilings and when it rains the roofs leak badly.

Several structure integrity reports conducted by engineers from Architectural & Engineering Services Limited (AESL) and the Ghana Institution of Engineers all point to the fact that Kaiser Flats is a disaster prone area and that those buildings could come down at any time, he said.

Compensation

He, however, said the legal team of the company have looked at the situation and proposed compensation packages to the lessees for the intended ejection of occupants of the remaining flats in the enclave.

He said TDCL has valued the said apartments and offered money for the tenants to vacate, adding that the other option was for the tenants to opt for one of the affordable units in exchange.

Those affordable units are probably more expensive than what we have in Kaiser ,but its a win-win for both parties he said

He was optimistic that with time, negotiations would be completed and TDCL would be able to move every occupant of the dilapidated structure in the enclave out to pave the way for the regeneration of the area.
Writers association honours 20

Dickson Worlanyo Jan - 23 - 2023 , 14:08

The Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) has rewarded 20 writers for their rich and exemplary works in the year 2022 at the sixth edition of the organisations awards.



Some first-place winners included Empi Baryeh for the Novel category; Apiorkor Seyiram Ashong-Abbey for the Spoken Word category; Gabriel Awuah Mainoo for the Poetry category; Ruby Yayra Goka for the Childrens Book category; Richard D. Nimako for the Creative Non Fiction category; Godfred Edusei Derkyi for the Math and Science Special Award and Rachel Yram Perpetual Brain Tugbedzo, who won the Special Award to Youngest Entrant.

Held in Accra last Saturday, the awards was on the theme:  Honouring Literary Excellence.

Significance

In a keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Publisher of Adaex Educational Publications Ltd, Asare Konadu Yamoah, stressed the importance of writers, saying they ensured the peaceful development of the human society socially, economically and culturally.

That, he said, was because they threw light and pricked society's conscience to pay special attention to a particular issue or subject that if not corrected could draw back the progress of development so far achieved.

He added that writers were the mirrors that offered insights because their works celebrated social and cultural achievements, while opposing every negative practice that sought to overtake the collective aspirations as a people.

Docile writers

Mr Yamoah, who doubles as the President of Ghana Publishers Association (GPA), however, said writers in the country had become docile in recent times, leaving a wide space filled by ineptitude, maladministration and mediocrity in society.

We seem to have failed in our watchdog role in governance, social progress, and manifestation of our culture, he explained.

Mr Yamoah added that todays world had so much fear and doubts, causing people to have little or no patience for alternative views which led writers who had dared to defend their sacred roles to be forced into silence.

He said that could account for the slow progress of our development as a nation.

The publisher, therefore, appealed to the association to awaken its members to fulfil their role as the heart of our democracy and culture, while insisting on what was truthful and demand accountability of whom need be.

Commitment

The President of the association, Dr Camynta Baezie, said the association was committed, not only to the growth of its members but also to the development of the country as a whole.

The purpose is to appreciate, celebrate and honour the writers of various genres that mainly belong to our cherished Association, he said.

As we mark another edition of this event of honour, I would want to congratulate all persons who submitted their works, those who got shortlisted and those who are eventual winners tonight, he added.
Tamale High Court affirms election of MPs for Savelugu, Zabzugu

Mohammed Fugu, Politics Jan - 23 - 2023 , 12:11

The Tamale High Court on Friday affirmed the declaration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Savelugu, Abdulai Jacob Iddrisu and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Zabzugu, John Bennam, as the winners of the 2020 parliamentary elections.

In a separate ruling, the court presided over by Justice Daniel Obeng held that the petitioners Abdul-Samed Gunu, who was the NPP candidate for the election, and Alhassan Umar, the NDC candidate, failed to prove their cases.

The court awarded a cost of GH 120,000 to the MPs of the two constituencies and the Electoral Commission (EC).

Savelugu case

The NPP parliamentary candidate filed a petition at the high court challenging the validity of the election of Abdulai Jacob Iddrisu as MP pursuant to the parliamentary elections held on December 7, 2020.

Per the results declared by the EC in the parliamentary elections, Mr Gunu polled 19,478 votes while Alhaji Iddrisu had 19,577 votes.

In his petition, Mr Gunu claimed that the election of the NDC candidate as MP for the Savelugu constituency was invalid, owing to widespread malpractices and irregularities, which affected the outcome of the election.

The petitioner contended that there were irregularities at a number of polling stations, which substantially and materially affected the results of the election as declared by the EC in favour of the respondent.

He claimed that an EC officer and ballot box issuer surreptitiously inserted several already thumb-printed ballot sheets, into the situated ballot boxes.

The court had ordered the EC, which was the first respondent in the case, to produce the collation sheets (Form C) for inspection by both the petitioner and the second respondent in the case.

In his ruling, Justice Obeng said the petitioner failed to prove the claims.

He said the allegations raised by the petitioner were just administrative errors and did not affect the outcome of the elections.

He said the court, therefore, deemed the respondent as duly elected and ordered the registrar of the court to serve the EC with the certification of the result of the election.

Zabzugu

Similarly, the NDC 2020 parliamentary candidate for Zabzugu filed a petition against the NPP MP for the constituency, citing election irregularities.

The court accordingly dismissed the petition after the petitioner failed to prove his case, and awarded a cost of GH 60,000 to the EC and Mr Jabaah.

Reaction

Both the NDC and the NPP have expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the rulings.

The Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, said the party was satisfied with the outcome of the rulings and that it would not appeal the Zabzugu constituency ruling.

A Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Haruna Mohammed, urged state prosecutors to pursue another criminal case involving the Savelugu MP where unlicensed guns were allegedly found in his possessions during the 2020 general election.



Atmosphere

There was heavy security at the precincts of the Tamale High Court to ensure peace.

The atmosphere was charged and some executives and supporters of both the NDC and the NPP were anxiously waiting at the court precincts for the outcome of the cases.
Geothermal lithium producer Vulcan Energy Resources signed a Binding Term Sheet (BTS) with Stellantis for the first phase of a multiphase project aimed at decarbonizing the energy mix of the Russelsheim manufacturing site in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany, by developing new geothermal projects.

In June 2022, Stellantis made a 50-million equity investment in Vulcan and extended their original binding lithium hydroxide offtake agreement (earlier post) to 2035. With the resultant 8% shareholding, Stellantis is the second-largest shareholder in Vulcan.

Vulcans ZERO CARBON LITHIUM Project intends to produce a battery-quality lithium hydroxide chemical product from its combined geothermal energy and lithium resource, which is Europes largest lithium resource, in Germany.

In the northern area of the Upper Rhine Valley in Russelsheim am Main, Stellantis maintains a large manufacturing facility in which the DS 4 and Opel Astra models are produced, including the electrified variants. This facility in the German state of Hesse is also the traditional home of the Opel brand and the German headquarters of Stellantis.





The planned project will be at the northernmost extent of Vulcans focus area in the Upper Rhine Valley.

The first phase of the project will include a Pre-Feasibility Study for the construction of geothermal assets for Stellantis Russelsheim facility, carried out by Vulcan and based on existing data. The following phase, if the first phase is successful, will focus on drilling and more advanced studies and development.

Stellantis will aim to source funding for 50% of the project development after the first phase.

Material terms of the agreement:
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Nokia and Samsung have reached a new agreement on 5G patent technology which will see the Korean tech giant use Nokias fundamental inventions in 5G and other technologies. The two companies previously inked a similar deal, which expired at the end of 2022.

Samsung is a leader in the smartphone industry, and we are delighted to have reached an amicable agreement with them. The agreement gives both companies the freedom to innovate and reflects the strength of Nokias patent portfolio, decades-long investments in R&D and contributions to cellular standards and other technologies. - Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies

The new agreement will see Samsung make royalty payments to Nokia over a multi-year period with a start date of January 1, 2023. The actual terms of the agreement remain confidential.

Nokia currently holds over 20,000 patent families with 4,500 deemed essential to 5G technology. The company has invested over 130 billion in R&D since 2000.

Source
At the end of 2021 Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, the first 5nm chipset for Windows on ARM devices. It used ARM-designed cores, so its performance is not too different from its siblings that are used for Android. But soon Qualcomms acquisition of Nuvia will pay off with the 8cx Gen 4.

As previous rumors reported, the company is working on a 12 core chip. According to Kuba Wojciechowski, these will be divided into 8 performance (~3.4GHz) and 4 efficiency (~2.5GHz) cores. They are based on Nuvias Phoenix design and will use the Oryon marketing name (rather than Kryo like the current Android chips).

The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 will be quite a beast. Wojciechowski reports that there will be 12MB of shared L2 cache for each block of 4 cores, plus 8MB of L3 cache, 12MB of system-level cache and an extra 4MB for graphics.

Up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM will be supported in an 8-channel configuration running at 4.2GHz. Nuvia was originally designing chips for servers (it still is) and those typically have plenty of RAM.

The chipset will have the Adreno 740 built in, the same GPU as the 8 Gen 2. However, an external GPU will be supported with 8 lanes of PCIe 4.0 (as a reminder, v4.0 is twice as fast as PCIe 3.0).

There will be an extra 4 PCIe 4.0 lanes (that can also be configured as two 2x channels) for NVMe drives, though 2 lane UFS 4.0 storage (up to 1TB) is supported too as a cheaper option. The chip will also have additional PCIe 3.0 lanes for peripherals like a Wi-Fi card or a modem. The 8cx Gen 4 will not have a 5G built in (unlike its Android counterpart).

Wired connectivity options seem outstanding. The chip supports two USB 3 10Gbps ports, plus three USB 4 (Thunderbolt 4) ports with DisplayPort 1.4a. The latter will enable it to drive a triple monitor setup, 5K+4K+4K.

A few more tidbits. The Adreno 740 will be usable for machine learning tasks as will the upgraded Hexagon Tensor Processor, which can deliver up to 45 TOPS in INT8. The tricky part will be getting support for it on Windows, but Qualcomm is working with Microsoft and Adobe to figure it out.

The chipset will apparently support video decoding up to 4K/120fps and encoding up to 4K/60fps in various codecs, including AV1 (which Apples M2 chips lack).

The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4 is expected in 2024 and should power Windows laptops and tablets (and possibly mini PCs). Qualcomm has promised to unveil more official details for the new chip later this year.

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Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero will have to appoint a new head of the Guam Fire Department after Chief Daniel C. Stone resigned from his post Monday.

The governors director of communications, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, confirmed Adelups receipt of the letter of resignation that took effect Monday.

Appointment for an acting fire chief will be forthcoming, she said.

Chief Stone provided steadfast leadership during our pandemic response, secured additional assets for GFD including incoming fire trucks and the NextGen (911) system, and helped to pioneer our paramedic program. We thank Chief Stone for his service, Paco-San Agustin said in a statement.

The governor appointed Stone in 2019 and as of Monday, theres no word whether there will be more cabinet leadership changes during the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administrations second four-year term.

Prior to working at GFD, Stone was with the aircraft rescue and firefighting unit of the Guam International Airport Authority and served in the Army and the Navy Fire Department.

Sen. William Parkinson, a former firefighter himself and chairman of the Committee on Fire, Agriculture, Power and Energy Utilities, Public Transit, Unemployment Insurance and Universal Health Insurance, issued a statement Monday on Stones resignation.

Fire Chief Dan Stone has dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community with unwavering dedication and commitment, Parkinson said.

His leadership and expertise have been invaluable in keeping our community safe and secure. Throughout his tenure, he has faced many challenges and has always risen to the occasion. His implementation of the paramedic program, E911 system and procurement to replace aging fire trucks will reverberate with positive outcomes in the Guam Fire Department for years to come. As he enters this new chapter in his life, we are grateful for his tireless efforts to keep us safe. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors, the senator stated.
Senators are proposing easier access to medication that could potentially save the life of a person overdosing on opioids like heroin or fentanyl.

Naloxone, a drug described as an opioid antagonist, can stop an opioid overdose in its tracks when injected or sprayed into the nose. However, naloxone is only available via prescription, the Office of the Attorney General noted last October.

Speaker Therese Terlaje last week introduced Bill 10, legislation that would allow naloxone and other opioid antagonists to be distributed without a prescription for people at risk of an opioid overdose, or one of their family members or friends.

Sen. Chris Barnett is signed on as a co-sponsor.

Sign up and testify A public hearing for Bill 10 is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 30 at the Guam Congress Building. It will be the first bill heard during the 37th Guam Legislatures term. To submit oral or written testimony, call the Office of Speaker Therese M. Terlaje at (671) 472-3586 or email senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com.

The U.S. is in the midst of the worst opioid epidemic in history, the findings and intent portion of Bill 10 notes. Opioid overdose deaths are now five times higher than they were in 1999, the bill states, citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention.

Nearly 75% of the 91,799 drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved an opioid. Experts believe that this staggering number of overdose deaths is based on several factors, including an increase in illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, the bill states.

Despite the life-saving potential of opioid antagonists like naloxone, not enough of the medication is getting into the hands of those that need it, the bill states.

If signed into law, Bill 10 would allow health care providers to prescribe or dispense via a standing order opioid antagonists like naloxone to people at risk of overdosing, their family members or friend, first responders or community-based organizations.

Employees and volunteers in community-based groups would then be able to distribute the medication to anyone who needed it, provided they first get training from the Department of Public Health and Social Services or the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.

That training would cover how to screen patients who are at high risk of an overdose, how opioid antagonists work, when and how the medication should be administered, and potential adverse reactions.

Anyone who distributes the medication would be granted immunity from civil or criminal liability unless their actions constitute recklessness, gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Healthcare professionals would likewise be immune from any liability if they opt not to prescribe or distribute an opioid antagonist.

Law enforcement agencies would also be able to acquire naloxone or a related medication, should Bill 10 become law.
A man who pleaded guilty to burglary to a motor vehicle was sentenced to six months incarceration, with six months suspended, and given three years probation before judge Maria T. Cenzon on Monday at the Superior Court of Guam.

Vaghn Jamal Bamba, 20, was indicted on Feb. 21, 2020, on seven counts of burglary to a motor vehicle and theft of an automobile, both as secondary felonies.

He pleaded guilty in July 2021 to a one-count charge of burglary to a motor vehicle as a second-degree felony.

Although the second-degree felony charge does carry a minimum of five years to a maximum of 10 years of incarceration, because Bamba qualified as a first-time offender, it was negotiated a term of zero to three years of imprisonment.

Attorney John Patrick Morrison said since Bambas March 2020 pre-trial release, Bamba has continued to follow requirements, along with getting his high school diploma despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was a long period of time where there were a lot of defendants who stopped check-ins required to them because they didnt know what to do, or they took it as an opportunity to stop doing what they should have been doing, but Mr. Bamba is not one of them, said Morrison. He continued to check in, had no violations and hes just informed me that he was leaving messages when calls were not answered. Certainly gone and did exactly what the court would hope that he did during that time period. The efforts that Bamba and his family have made have shown that hes true to his word that hes going to follow through and that hes not going to reoffend.

Before sentencing, Bamba was given an opportunity to speak, in which he stated how remorseful he is.

Im willing to change and Ive been doing my best to stay on track, Bamba said.

Bamba also told Cenzon that he plans to work in a T-shirt factory with the aspiration to have his own T-shirt brand in the future.

Youre still young, still have a lot to learn, both education-wise as well as to focus on trade so that you can be gainfully employed not revert back to your teen years, said Cenzon.
Newly introduced legislation would put the bang and crackle of holiday fireworks back into the hands of the general public during the holidays  legally.

While some residents may have fond childhood memories of using simple, consumer-grade fireworks like sparklers, they are illegal and have been for decades on Guam. Under Guam law, only the local or federal government can authorize fireworks shows.

Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas Bill 9 aims to legalize and regulate and sale of safe and sane consumer-grade fireworks and has bipartisan support in the Legislature. San Nicolas campaigned on legalizing smoke bombs and other novelty fireworks, in the hopes of spurring economic growth.

He said it would provide residents a safe, and legal way to celebrate on the Fourth of July, Liberation Day and New Years Eve.

Over the years, I witnessed how good decent people would go walk outside and take (their) firearm and shoot it up in the air to celebrate New Years. How horrible is that? So I took it upon myself to run for office.

San Nicolas said it was a mandate from the more than 13,000 voters who voted for him. But also said it was also the fulfillment of a personal promise he made a long time ago.

I promised a 12-year-old kid, a long time ago, that I was gonna make it right. You know who that 12-year-old kid was? It was me, he said.

Seeing the return of legal, handheld pyrotechnics to Guam has been a dream of San Nicolas for years.

Only small-scale fireworks would be legalized, he said, not the commercial-grade pyrotechnics that regularly lights up the sky over Tumon and Hagatna.

He said that with adult supervision and under best practice, celebrants would be safe. He had used fireworks himself growing up, and under my fathers good supervision, I never hurt anybody, and I had a great time.

Bill 9 defines consumer-grade fireworks as those intended for retail sale and use by the general public and are not banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Some examples include:

Snakes

Sparklers

Fountains and cylindrical or cone fountains that emit effects up to a height not greater than twelve feet above the ground,

Illuminating torches

Whistles,

Toy smoke devices

Wheels

Ground spinners that, when ignited, remain in a circle with a radius of not more than 12 feet

Novelty and combination fireworks that produce similar effects to the above.

Anyone who sells fireworks would have to be licensed under provisions determined by the Guam Fire Department. A record of each sale, delivery, and importation of fireworks will have to be kept for a minimum period of four years at any time, and will be subject to examination. Firecracker sales in packets of more than 2,000 units will be prohibited.

Minors would not be able to purchase fireworks, but would be able to set them off under adult supervision.

Sellers found providing minors with fireworks will be punished by fines of up to $400, and will be subject to a 12-month suspension of their business license and misdemeanor charges upon a third offense.

Other violations will be punishable by up to $1,000.

Bill 9 is cosponsored by Sens. Joe San Agustin, Roy Quinata, Tina Muna Barnes, William Parkinson, Jesse Lujan, Thomas Fisher and Speaker Therese Terlaje.
Compucase, headquartered in Taiwan, has announced the domestic release of their COUGAR brand Mini-ITX case, COUGAR Dust 2. This new model, "Dust 2 2022 Version," was globally released on July 30, 2021, but the difference in specifications between this version and the previous one is not yet clear.

The exterior of the COUGAR Dust 2 features sandblasted aluminum on both the front and rear panels, with a unique texture and design achieved through a bending process rather than a flat surface. A carry handle is also provided to appeal to those looking for a portable PC. Inside, the case has separate spaces for the graphics card and CPU/power supply unit, each with an airflow layout that considers exhaust heat for stable operation. The case has dimensions of 175mm width, 403mm depth, and 335mm height (including handle), with the ability to install graphics cards up to 330mm in length, CPU coolers up to 70mm in height, and power supply units up to 160mm in depth.

The cooling fan layout includes two standard 120mm fans on the top, with two 2.5 inch shadow bays and one 3.5 inch shadow bay for storage. The case can also accommodate a 280mm size radiator. The product also comes with a PCIe (x16) Gen 3 compatible riser card. Sales will begin on January 27th, with no official market price announced yet.






A decision on the over 400-million-euro package was made based on a government proposal by President Sauli Niinisto . Finland has thereby delivered or pledged to deliver roughly 590 million euros worth of defence materiel across 12 packages to Ukraine.

FINLAND on Thursday decided to deliver its largest package of defence materiel to date to Ukraine.

Minister of Defence Mikko Savola (Centre) on Friday said Ukraine continues to need support in defending its territory against the attack by Russia.

The current package is clearly the largest one to date, he highlighted in a news release.

He stated that the package will comprise heavy weapons and ammunitions, adding that the content was determined based on both the needs of Ukraine and the resources of Finnish Defence Forces. No further details of the content, the means and schedule of delivery will be disclosed for operational reasons and to make sure the package reaches its intended destination.

YLE on Friday reported that experts believe the package could include artillery, ammunition and surface-to-air missiles.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto (Greens) said Finland is seeking to provide assistance that matches the acute needs of Ukraine.

Tank systems are associated with training, maintenance and the entire ecosystem that the tank type needs, he said to YLE, referencing the omission of Leopard 2s, German-made main battle tanks that were the focus of negotiations at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday. They arent too quick solutions. Thats why its important that we also provide weaponry that Ukraine can put to use immediately.

The Ministry of Defence stated in its press release that the assistance is made possible partly by a statement of intent enhancing defence co-operation between Finland and Sweden Signed in Germany on Friday, the agreement sees Finland supply defence materiel to Ukraine and Sweden express its readiness to support Finland.

The defence administrations of both countries examined the support to ensure it does not endanger the national defence of either country.

Elevating the co-operation to a new level will enable more effective co-operation in various security situations. You could summarise it by saying were able to provide more effective support to Ukraine due to bilateral co-operation between Finland and Sweden, Janne Kuusela, the director general of Ministry of Defence, summed up to YLE.

Haavisto said Finland could have supplied the materiel also without the support but estimated that the closer co-operation will bolster the national defence capabilities of Finland.

The situation is much more secure because we know that Sweden has materiels we can use if necessary. When countries deliver significant defence aid packages to Ukraine, its important to simultaneously look after their own national defences, he said.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
United Way announces new directors

The United Way of Henderson County has added seven community leaders to its 2023 Board of Directors.

New members are Paula Aguilera-Johnson, Joe Canning, Debi Gould, Brandon Nudd, Michelle Reynolds, Misty Zemla and Melissa Witmeier.

We are thrilled to welcome these new members to the United Way Board, said Lew Holloway, the United Way board chair. Their industry knowledge, community connections, and passion for our community and United Ways mission and work will make them real assets to our group. Our organization is fortunate to have a diverse group of leaders serving on our board who are fighting for the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of everyone in our community.

Aguilera-Johnson is the Member Engagement and Events Coordinator for the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce. Paulas professional career began as an Assistant Sales Manager for Verizon Wireless. In 2012, Paula began working with AFLAC where she led an initiative to educate Charlottes Hispanic community on healthcare reform. Through this work, Paula was introduced to the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte, which pivoted her professional career to the non-profit sector. Paula was later recruited to work for the organization, where she served as the Director of Membership and Programs for three years before relocating to Western North Carolina in 2019. She is a Summa Cum Laude Alumna of Blue Ridge Community College.

Canning, plant manager for Kimberly-Clark Berkeley Mills, originates from the great state of Ohio. Upon graduating from the University of Toledo with a Bachelors of Business Administration, he started his career with Kimberly-Clark in supply chain management. Over the course of his 17-year career with K-C, Joe has held various supply chain and operations leadership positions across 6 manufacturing and staff locations. Joe holds an MBA from Georgia State University and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Hes led the Berkeley Mills site since October 2021, where his focus has been on employee safety and engagement, developing long term site strategy, and delivering results for the Kimberly-Clark Global Nonwovens business.

Gould is the Accounts Payable/Customer Relations Manager at Dampp-Chaser Corporation where she has worked for the past 9 years. Debis first career was in nursing where she primarily worked Mental Health and Chemical Dependency settings. She later held administrative nursing positions in Quality Assurance and Risk Management. Debi has been an active volunteer with United Way for many years, serving on our program evaluation panels, as the employee campaign coordinator at Dampp-Chaser, and is in our Rising Leaders program. She was also the Lead Volunteer at our biggest school project at East Henderson High for the 2022 Day of Action and is a member of our Small Business League.

Nudd, is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for AdventHealth Hendersonville. He began his time in this role in August 2021 and oversees the day-to-day operations of AdventHealth Hendersonville. Prior to joining AdventHealth Hendersonville, Brandon served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital in Castle Rock, Co., which is part of Centura Health, AdventHealths joint operating company with CommonSpirit Health. Before that, Brandon served as Chief Operating Officer at AdventHealth Gordon in Calhoun, Ga. and AdventHealth Murray in Chatsworth, Ga. The move to North Carolina brought Brandon back to AdventHealth Hendersonville where he was part of the leadership team serving as administrative director of organizational development and primary care services from 2011 to 2014.

Reynolds is the Administrative Director of Support Services for Pardee UNC Health. Michelle has lived in Henderson County since 1983 and began employment at Pardee Hospital in 1990. She has developed professionally through more than 25 years of experience in Leadership and completed an Advanced Leadership Academy in 2016. Before her position at Pardee Hospital, Michelle worked for a family business, Lambs Grocery in Hendersonville, and ran operations at The Country Market in Flat Rock. Michelle has co-chaired the United Way campaign at Pardee in years past and volunteers for supported events.

Zemla joined Cummins Meritor seven months ago as Senior Manager of Human Resources for the companys Forest City and Fletcher locations. She attended Indiana Wesleyan University and earned her Bachelors degree in Business Management with a minor in HR Management. During her nine years with Meritor, she worked as an HR Admin, Materials Planner, HR Generalist, HR Manager and now a Senior HR Manager.

Witmeier joined the Council on Aging for Henderson County as the new Executive Director in March 2023. Prior to her work with COAHC, Melissa was the Vice President of Grant Strategies for the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Jacksonville, Florida. In previous positions, she was the Director of Operations at EPIC Behavioral Healthcare in St. Johns County, Florida for over two years where she was the Quality Assurance Officer; managed the Prevention Department and Data Team; wrote grants and proposals which created programs in the St. Johns County School District for mental health linkages, Care Coordination and Peer Support for people with substance use disorders.
A BANKING hub could be created in Henley following the closure of most of the major bank branches in town.

The NatWest branch in Market Place will close on February 7 after the bank said that counter transactions had fallen 61 per cent in the last three years.

The HSBC branch, also in Market Place, is due to close in August. The branches of Barclays in Hart Street, Lloyds Bank in Reading Road, the Halifax in Bell Street and Santander in Duke Street have all closed since 2019.

Mayor Michelle Thomas told a meeting of Henley Town Council: Given there will be no banks left in Henley, we need a banking hub.

At banking hubs, customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and carry out regular transactions.

Banks provide staff on a rota basis who are available to talk to and advise customers who bank with them in a private area. Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak said: The banks should get together. They shouldnt be allowed to redevelop their premises unless they provide a banking hub in one of their premises. There should be planning laws to guarantee that all towns of a certain size have a bank.

Councillor Will Hamilton said: Im a NatWest customer and Ive just called and made it very clear that we need a banking hub. If we cant use the NatWest building or the HSBC building we should be doing it downstairs in the town hall.

When the HSBC branch goes, it will be very difficult to get cash out for the pubs and they will all go on to cards-only transactions. Some of them are already.

The council agreed to discuss using the town hall as a banking hub at a future meeting.

Meanwhile, a planning application to convert the former Lloyds Bank into flats has been rejected. RSVP Holdings wanted to convert part of the ground and first floors of the building on the corner of Reading Road and Friday Street into three flats. A commercial area at the front of the ground floor would be occupied by a dental clinic.

The three-storey building has been vacant since 2021 when the bank closed.

South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, refused consent on the basis that the building had been under mixed use for a period of two years before the application had been submitted.

Deputy Mayor Donna Crook told the council meeting that she had seen activity at the building which suggested development was already taking place.

She said: Theyve already started putting kitchen units in. They were in there a couple of weeks before Christmas. I thought, Why are they doing it so quickly?

The council resolved to investigate a possible breach of planning rules.
THE Mayor of Henley says she is concerned that the town is in danger of having too many hospitality businesses compared with service industry outlets such as banks.

Michelle Thomas was responding to a planning application to convert the HSBC bank in Market Place, which will close in August, into a restaurant and coffee shop.

Speaking at a council meeting, she said: We need to write to the local authority and make it plain that were losing that balance, that relationship between retail and service.

Councillor Lorraine Hillier, who owns the Hot Gossip coffee house in Reading Road, said: We cant do anything about it but what I do think we ought to say is that we are at oversaturation in Henley. We ought to say we would welcome more retail but its a difficult period because people shop online.

"Its the experience people have in Henley, which we always used to have. Its not just people coming in for a drink and something to eat, they need to have a reason to stay longer.
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On Thursday January 19, 2023 the Ministers of Justice of Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten,

who met in Aruba in connection with the Four-party Judicial Consultation also referred to as the JVO (Justitieel Vierpartijen Overleg), were invited by the Board of Police Chiefs (College van Korpschefs) of the Caribbean countries in the Kingdom for an extensive presentation and discussion on the activities of the Board.

The Board of Police Chiefs is a partnership between the police forces of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and the BES islands represented by their respective Chiefs of Police and supported by the National Police of the Netherlands, in which the forces closely collaborate on and discuss matters of common interest. The Board is chaired by each of its members in turn under a rotating Chairmanship. The current Chair is Chief of Police of Sint Maarten Mr. Carl John.

During the presentation and discussion, Minister Tjon, Minister Hato and Minister Richardson were updated on the activities that have been carried out in recent months at the request of the Board. These activities have yielded positive results for the police forces. The activities have focused on Information Cooperation between the countries and within the countries, whereby special attention is placed amongst other things on improving analysis capacity in the forces and increasing the effectiveness of working with information. In addition, the activities also place much attention on General Education Programs for the police forces and how these can be further developed in the region while also looking at organizing specialized training programs to further professionalize the forces e.g. Leadership development programs. This will be carried out in collaboration with the local training institutes in Curacao and Aruba with the support of the Netherlands Police Academy.

After informing the Ministers of Justice of the activities that have taken place, the Board informed the Ministers of forthcoming projects. All three Ministers of Justice very much welcomed the opportunity for this first meeting with the Board of Police Chiefs which they found to be quite enlightening. Minister Richardson, supported by her colleague Ministers, expressed the hope that this meeting would mark the beginning of a regular discussion forum between the Ministers and Chiefs of Police to discuss common matters of importance. At the meeting with the Board of Police Chiefs, the Ministers of Justice were introduced to a visiting delegation of the police force of the Republic of Surinam. On behalf of their respective countries the Ministers of Justice conveyed the sincere regards and best wishes for the new year to the people of Surinam.
By Trend

Heydar Aliyev possessed an unswerving love of his country and total commitment to defending the interests of his people, former President of Latvia, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Vaira Vike-Freiberga told Trend.

Vike-Freiberga was sharing her memories of Heydar Aliyev as part of the joint Trend-NGIC project titled "The lasting legacy of Heydar Aliyev".

"On the centenary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev, I join the ranks of those who have had the privilege of direct personal contact with this towering figure of Azerbaijani history during my term in office as President of Latvia. He was truly an impressive personality, free and generous in sharing his insightful analysis of the challenges faced by all the countries that either gained or recovered their national independence after the dissolution of the USSR in December 1991," she said.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga noted that Heydar Aliyev's own personal experience spanned the cataclysmic changes that Azerbaijan had experienced during his lifetime, and he was fully committed to a vision of the future of his country that would rapidly advance on the path of independence, stability, social justice, economic development, religious tolerance, and modernity.

"Heydar Aliyev possessed an unswerving love of his country and total commitment to defending the interests of his people, which remain as a heritage worth emulating by future generations of Azerbaijanis," concluded the former president of Latvia.
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To honor a great achievement not only for Sint Maarten but the Dutch Caribbean region, the Honorable Minister of Justice Ms. Anna E. Richardson recently held a ceremony at the Government Administration building to congratulate and highlight Immigration officer Leo Vanterpool on his achievement of becoming Sint Maarten's 1st Document 3 Specialist.

Officer Vanterpool is the first and only Document 3 Specialist on the island and in the region. He traveled to the Netherlands and attended the Royal Netherlands Marrechausse Academy where he remained for a period to undergo both theoretical practical training to acquire his certification at the Learning Institution.

Though all Immigration officers are certified to detect fraudulent documents based on level 1 and level 2 certifications, having a level 3 certification goes more in-depth into fraud. Officer Vanterpool is now also certified as a train the trainer giving him the ability to train his colleagues in this area.

During the ceremony, the Minister Richardson gave attendees such as his classmates and supervisors the opportunity to share some congratulatory words with Officer Vanterpool. Several shared special moments about how Officer Vanterpool always exemplified academic excellence and they always new he would achieve great accomplishments.

As a token to remember hes valued, Minister Richardson expressed how proud she is of Officer Vanterpool presented him with a crystal award engraved with the following words:  Commander of the Education Training and Knowledge Center of the Royal Netherlands Marrechausse declares that Leo Ignacio Vanterpool has fulfilled the requirements of the document expert/specialist course Doc 3.

Officer Vanterpool in the presence of his classmates and colleagues representing the graduating class of 2013, supervisors, mentors, his beloved mother whom he referenced to as his Queen and the Honorable Minister if Justice, expressed his profound gratitude to everyone in the room for the support and encouragement theyve given him over the years to present day.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Minister for giving him this opportunity and advised her that he sees her efforts to make positive strides for the ministry and staff and prays thats she continues to be successful with all she is doing.

The ceremony was rounded off with a celebratory toast and a memorable photo to be framed and displayed at the immigration office for future generations to be inspired by this historic achievement.
Experienced developer EKN Development Group partners with culinary-first hotel brand Appellation - co-founded by luxury hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger and celebrated American chef Charlie Palmer - to launch Appellation Petaluma, California's first experiential boutique hotel. Debuting in 2026, the 93-room property will set a new standard for hospitality in the destination, while embracing Petaluma's local place, culture and rich history.

The Downtown Petaluma property will bring renowned local James Beard award-winning chef to the destination - Charlie Palmer - who has spent three decades immersed in the community and continues to play an integral part in elevating the region's food scene.

As with all Appellation properties, the culinary experience will go well beyond the hotel's food and beverage venues. Food-focused amenities and programming will be blended into every aspect of the hotel, many of which will embrace the destination's bourgeoning culinary scene. The five-story Appellation Petaluma will also be crowned with the only rooftop bar in town, with spectacular views of Petaluma River.

Beyond award-winning vintages coming out of the Petaluma Gap, the destination is often referenced as 'Wine Country's best kept secret,' brimming with historic buildings, boutiques, art galleries and eateries.

Appellation Petaluma will host a full calendar of activities for guests and locals via Crafted at Appellation, the brand's experiential learning program in partnership with community makers and artisans. Ahead of Appellation Petaluma's opening, Crafted at Appellation will begin hosting programming in 2023, which will be available to book by Petaluma residents and visitors.

Hotel website
Mr. Arnaud Morandi has been appointed as the new General Manager of Fauchon L'Hotel Paris.

Mr. Morandi has joined the iconic five-star property from his most recent position as Director of Operations of the Anne-Sophie PIC group, where he managed several sites in Valence, France, including the five-star Relais & Chateaux hotel, La Maison PIC, the prestigious Michelin three-star restaurant, Anne Sophie PIC, and the Bistro Andre as well as the Michelin one-star restaurant, La Dame de PIC in Paris.

He began his career with the Club Med Accor Group, holding various positions from Administrative and Treasury Manager to Sales Coordinator in the Congresses and Seminars Department. Mr. Morandi later held his first role as General Manager at the Chateau de Mercues, one of the most beautiful Relais & Chateaux establishments in France, and also oversaw soon after, the opening of La Maison d'Uzes in 2013.

A graduate of the Hotel Executive Program at the renown ESSEC business school in France, Mr. Morandi is a veteran of the luxury hospitality industry with extensive experience in prestigious establishments throughout France and abroad.

In his new role Mr. Morandi will continue to maintain the service excellence of the Artisans of Pleasure at the Fauchon L'Hotel Paris  also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World  as guest relations and a primary focus on the overall client experience are at the heart of his convictions.
Josef Filser has taken over as Head of Hospitality Germany at Cushman & Wakefield. In this new role, he is responsible for all transactions and lettings as well as strategic advisory mandates for the international real estate consultancy's Hospitality division in Germany. The 36-year-old reports to Alexander Kropf, Head of Capital Markets Germany at C&W, and succeeds Stefan Giesemann, who has left the company.

The proven hotel expert has more than ten years' experience in hotel consulting and joined C&W in 2020. He spent eight years with JLL first in London and then, for five years, in Munich.

Josef, a graduate of the renowned EHL Hospitality Business School, recently conducted the sale of a Munich B&B hotel with 135 rooms by Al Zayani Investments, Bahrain, to Abrdn Investments Germany for C&W on the seller's side. He also advised on the acquisition of Bierwirth & Kluth Hotel Management, one of the leading hotel operators in the DACH region, by the Borealis Hotel Group.
Cote Family Companies is pleased to announce the appointment of Agnelo A. Fernandes as CEO. For over 100 years, Cote Family Companies has distinguished itself by providing an array of hospitality services specializing in the management of resort facilities and services, real estate and development operations. Fernandes succeeds Tom Juliano, who has served in the role since 2017.

Fernandes' specialty lies in turning around asset performance and establishing brand reputation and value creation. Throughout his career he has outperformed the market, leading with setting a strong workplace culture, crafting sustainable growth strategy and fostering innovation. With more than 30 years of global leadership experience, he has helped position independent luxury resorts in the US, Caribbean, Central America and Asia. A thought leader within the hospitality industry and luxury lifestyle segment, Fernandes has been frequently invited to share his transformational perspectives on leadership, service culture, growth strategy, communications, global marketing and branding. His experience spans across hospitality, spa and wellness, real estate, travel and tourism and restaurants. He has held senior executive positions with brands like Canyon Ranch, Sonesta Hotels, and was most recently with Coral Tree Hospitality and its flagship, Terranea Resort as chief strategy officer and executive vice president.

Fernandes serves on Visit California's Marketing Advisory Board and is the immediate past chair of the Branding Committee, overseeing the strategic brand position of the state of California. Along with the executive committee, he chaired the deployment of the $110 million 'Dream Big' brand campaign that represented California as the leading destination. Fernandes also serves on the Executive Committee for the HSMAI Board of Directors and is the immediate past chair of the HSMAI Foundation, where he focused on attracting, developing, and retaining talent in the hospitality industry.

Fernandes has been recognized as an industry thought leader and is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including Lodging Magazine's Best and Brightest Hotel Innovators and Visionaries; Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Resort Marketer of the Year and Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing and Revenue; i-Lead Leader of the Year by Two Roads Hospitality, and the prestigious 'Spirit of Lowe' Award by Lowe and CoralTree Hospitality.
Emmanuel Sauvage, Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Leading French hospitality group, Evok Collection, appoints Alessandro Caristo as General Manager of Nolinski Venezia, which is due to open in Summer 2023. The launch of Nolinski Venice marks the group's primary debut outside of France.

Born into a family of hoteliers, Alessandro Caristo has inherited a passion for hospitality and service, with almost 35 years of experience working in prestigious hotel environments. Having obtained a diploma from the hotel school of Stresa and Milan, he began his career in 4 and 5 star hotels in London, Switzerland and Italy where he gained in-depth knowledge of all sectors of the hospitality industry as well as discovering a passion for languages. Today he is fluent in English, German and French as well as speaking a little Spanish.

After more than a decade alternating between the front office, F&B and Sales, he obtained a Master's degree in Tourism Economics and Management at the Ca' Foscari University in Venice.

Following this he took on management roles in hotels in Italy and Switzerland, in particular as Manager of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice before joining Evok and the management of Nolinski Venezia. His first mission is to recruit the 140 employees who will make up his team.

ABOUT NOLINSKI VENEZIA

Nolinski, where the art of living and attentive service will go hand in hand, will be a discreet haven of well-being at the heart of Paris' lively neighborhoods and monuments, and is soon to open in Venice.

Venice is Evok's first destination abroad, following the collection's 4 distinct Paris properties. Its elegant lifestyle infused with carnival magic will be a perfect match for the Nolinski spirit which offers a certain vision of intimate and quietly refined luxury combined with friendly and personalized service.

Venice's former Commodities Exchange is to be transformed to house 43 rooms and suites, the fine dining Palais Royal Restaurant, a terrace cafe, a library bar, an Ottoman-inspired spa and a pool with sweeping views to give everyone, and all those who are passionate about Venice, a unique and timeless experience in harmony with the city.
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PHILIPSBURG, Sint MaartenPrime Minister and Minister of General Affairs for Sint Maarten, Ms. Silveria E. Jacobs will be hosting the first informative session on Slavery, Atonement, and Reparations on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

The session is open to the public; and will run from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Government Administration Building and will focus on providing clarity on the duty and/ or role of the Advisory Committee on Slavery, Atonement and Reparation (ACSAR) and the steps moving forward from, the Apology.

Mr. Dorbrene O Marde, Vice President of the Caricom Reparation Committee, will be the keynote speaker for the event; he will discuss the significance of the apology made by the Dutch state in relation to reparatory justice; and provide further elucidation into Caricoms 10 points plan on reparatory justice and how the advisory committee can implement said points. All people interested in being a part of this dialogue should come out and allow your voices to be heard.

I have stated over and over that St. Maarten must have a strong voice in what is to come based on our research, and understanding of the effects of the enslavement and the subsequent period of colonialism that still impacts us today. We must be prepared to sit at the table for this continued dialogue to ensure St. Maarten and her people are the beneficiaries. said Prime Minister Jacobs.
McKenna Luke, MAI, a Director with HVS, resides in central South Carolina and is a member of the Charleston consulting team. McKenna earned her bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management and her MBA with a concentration in Finance from University of Denver. She holds a certified general appraisal license and is a Designated Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI). McKennas background in hospitality spans from hotel operations to advisory roles related to full-service hotel acquisitions and new developments. Her expertise includes small independent motels, extensive resorts, full-service metropolitan hotels, and historic conversions. Contact McKenna at +1 (303) 704-2636 or [email protected]
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, which operates 26 properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, has become the latest hospitality company to further its commitment to sustainability by joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. The luxury hotel company operates a range of sustainability initiatives spanning both the environment and community engagement.

Jumeirahs environmental initiatives include working to eliminate single-use plastics beginning with the removal of plastic straws and transitioning to sustainable packaging across their outlets. In addition, the Group has begun to roll out onsite water bottling and filtration systems which have removed over nine million single-use plastic bottles from reaching landfill, or our oceans, per year.

Jumeirah has played a pivotal role in protecting biodiversity through their Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, releasing over 2,000 rehabilitated turtles back to their natural habitat, combined with free environmental education programmes for school children. Other initiatives include setting up an on-site hydroponic farm to supply fresh produce to their restaurants which uses 70% less water per yield, and implementing innovative food tech systems to not only help reduce waste but also convert the waste to fertiliser for local use.

The Group is also focussed on gender equality and community engagement. Jumeirah invites female placements from developing nations and provides training to build the skillsets for successful hospitality careers in their home countries, raising the economic potential within their own communities. The company, which has recently appointed Katerina Giannouka as its first female CEO, also has robust corporate governance, combined with learning and development programmes, to support equal opportunity, gender parity, equal pay and other indicators of gender equality.

By joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Jumeirah has become part of the worlds leading responsible hospitality network, with a reach of over 7 million rooms, along with strategic and supply chain partners to create shared solutions for environmental and social challenges. The Alliances work includes climate action, water stewardship and responsible resourcing, alongside human rights, employability and equity, diversity and inclusion.

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts is committed to identifying and co-creating new ways to incorporate sustainable and inclusive practices across our business ecosystem, to shape the best possible future where everyone can thrive. The hospitality industry touches many communities and industries worldwide, and we believe we have the opportunity with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to bring about transformative change, by working alongside our industry peers and finding practical solutions that will ultimately set the foundations for long term value creation and sustainable growth. Thomas B. Meier, Chief Operating Officer of Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

Each new member brings a unique perspective and set of experiences which complement our existing community of responsible businesses, which enables us to better support the wider hotel industry around the world  at all stages of their sustainability journeys. We are delighted to welcome Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts to the Alliance and look forward to their insights and contribution as, together, we support the industry to achieve net positive hospitality. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

About Jumeirah

Jumeirah Group, a member of Dubai Holding and a global luxury hotel company, operates a world-class 6,500+-key portfolio of 26 luxury properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

The group boasts some of the most prestigious and captivating properties in the world, from the iconic flagship hotel and timeless pinnacle of luxury, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and lavish Arabian palaces across Dubais Madinat Jumeirah, to its contemporary Maldivian island paradise at Olhahali Island and art-inspired dolce vita on the island of Capri. Whether a modern twist on a British classic in the heart of Knightsbridge at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, or a futuristic setting at Jumeirah Nanjing, Jumeirahs name is synonymous with service excellence, crafting exceptional experiences for everyone who walks through its doors.

Beyond its properties and resorts, Jumeirah Group is also dedicated to destination dining experiences, combining the most authentic and diverse cuisines with spectacular settings to create those unforgettable moments worth sharing. With over 85 restaurants across its portfolio, Jumeirah Groups award-winning homegrown concepts including Sal, KAYTO, Shimmers, Al Mare, Pierchic and French Riviera, enjoy an enviable reputation for culinary excellence, with ten featuring in the Gault&Millau UAE 2022 guide. The group also has three Michelin starred restaurants  Shang High, LOlivo and Al Muntaha. Find out more: www.jumeirah.com.

About the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together the hospitality industry and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting the planet and its people, local destinations and communities. They develop practical free resources and programmes to create a prosperous and responsible hospitality sector that gives back more than it takes. Their members represent over 50,000 hotels  totalling 7 million rooms  and include world-leading companies including Choice Hotels International, Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, BWH Hotel Group and Radisson Hotel Group, as well as regional brands. Their network also includes other parts of the hospitality value chain, including owners, investors and suppliers, to further drive joined up action on sustainability, and accelerate the industry on the path to net positive hospitality. For more information, please visit: www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org.

Emily McLeish

Senior Brand and Marcomms Manager

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The company has once again been named a leading employer in Spain, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and this year also adds Germany and Italy, confirming its positioning as one of the best companies to work for in the travel industry.

Top Employers certification acknowledges organisations that employ best practices in talent management, and the recently released ranking for 2023 ratifies Melia Hotels International's position as one of the companies contributing most to excellence in the workplace in Spain, Mexico and the Dominican Republic for the second consecutive year, and for the first time also in Germany and Italy. These five certified countries are home to 50% of the company's total workforce.

The Top Employers Institute certifies leading employers in 123 countries based on its HR Best Practices Survey, a comprehensive analysis of variables in Human Resources management in which Melia has been particularly prominent in areas such as Training, Commitment, Ethics & Integrity, Values and Change Management. According to the Melia CEO, Gabriel Escarrer, this certification is a significant independent recognition of our commitment to our team members and encourages us to continue working on workplace excellence at a crucial time in which we have to promote travel more than ever as an attractive industry to work in .

Melia Hotels International's talent management strategy after Covid-19 is focused on attracting and recruiting the talent required to return to normal activity, and above all to enhance the commitment and pride of belonging of its team members, offering an attractive value proposition that meets their expectations at all times while also enhancing Melia's competitiveness as an employer brand. All the projects related to Training, Commitment, Ethics & Integrity, Values and Change Management have been reinforced and also acknowledged during the certification process.

About Melia Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Melia Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Melia, ME by Melia, Melia Hotels & Resorts, The Melia Collection, INNSiDE by Melia, Sol by Melia and Falcon's Resorts by Melia, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the "Affiliated by Melia" network. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (Silver Class). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal's list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of "Europe's Climate Leaders 2021" by Financial Times. Melia Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market. For more information, visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com
The year 2022 closed with an aura of hope and optimism for the new year to come. Without forgetting the uncertainty that has prevailed in the tourism and hospitality industry in recent years, it seems that we have seen enough reports, publications, and predictions to believe that the year 2023 will be a promising one.

In fact, the inner fragility of the wider travel industry witnessed over the past few years is calling for the definition of a clear set of building blocks to foster the system resilience and adaptation in case of future sanitary, financial, climate, and other earthquakes; therefore, the whole industry is looking forward to adopting solutions to transform, strengthen the field towards a prosperous future.

Here is where the concept of datafication kicks in. Travel operators have seen during the past years of the pandemic the rise of the application of digital technologies to their business: one example can be the extensive use of the QR code made by almost all the players in the field for different purposes: from the restaurant and bar menus to the link to the website and/or videos (often sanitary-related  by the way: this is very peculiar of the travel industry: we need a pandemic to make use of a technology invented in the mid-nineties!).

In any case, QR codes are just an example: technology became closer to the travel operators and hotels, and destination managers realized that travelers' engagement with technology is producing data which can be used by their business.

In fact, data allows to understand our customers better and enhance agile decision-making. Data gets rid of speculations. Data provides facts, real-time value, and precise knowledge. It is the basis of every PMS system, OTAs, user-generated content and reviews, staff management, new technologies, and every piece of ones business operations. By collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the relevant data, the broad tourism and hospitality industry, including small businesses, can upgrade their services and thus, their customer experiences. In other words, making sense of data brings meaningful value to the overall system, and it is high time for the wider travel sector to start trusting and investing in the power of data.

However, as we know, eighty percent of the industry is represented by small business enterprises with often few resources available and limited freedom of action, and all these ambitions seem somehow unrealistic. Most small businesses do not have the resources to even consider the possibility of changing their way of operating business as usual. And, while data is generated by every action taken by travelers and travel operators, the reality is that there is still an enormous gap between what is available and what is actually accessible.

Therefore, based on the importance of resilience, datafication and digital transformation for the industry, some nationwide and transnational initiatives have been developed to respond to these challenges and build data-driven resilient tourism systems. Examples of projects funded by recognized public institutions include:

DATES, the creation of a European Tourism Data Space: an EU-funded project that aims to explore approaches and options for the deployment of a secure and trusted tourism data space, ensuring transparent control of data access, use and re-use . DATES counts 13 European partners and is coordinated by Any Solutions.

. DATES counts 13 European partners and is coordinated by Any Solutions. Data Space for Tourism (DSFT): a market place that shall enable all sector stakeholder groups [] to share and access the data []. led by a consortium composed of Modul University, City Destinations Alliance, European Travel Commission, and Forward Keys.

led by a consortium composed of Modul University, City Destinations Alliance, European Travel Commission, and Forward Keys. Flagship Resilient Tourism project: a consortium of 6 Swiss academic partners and 30+ industry partners working together to support the datafication of the travel sector in Switzerland. Specifically, the Resilient Tourism project aims at creating a National Data Infrastructure for Tourism to connect data users and data providers in order to develop data-driven resilient systems, business processes and services, while encouraging innovation through knowledge sharing and cross-fertilization.

DIGITOUR, coordinated by the Venetian Heritage Cluster: DIGITOUR PROJECT brings together SMEs from the tourism sector with providers of innovative, digital, and smart solutions and new technologies. Through open calls and facilitation services, DIGITOUR PROJECT boosts the tourism sector in Europe through digital tools and innovation.

Further examples of publicly funded and national initiatives demonstrate the relevance of the topic across Europe: the Open Data Germany project, the French platform DATAtourisme, as well as several other EU-funded transnational projects. These are good news for the wider tourism industry. Many countries are already investing and believe in the importance of datafication. However, all of the above-mentioned projects first require significant efforts from thought leaders and industry stakeholders to ensure appropriate data-sharing infrastructure and accessibility. The overarching objectives of all these initiatives are to foster collaboration, enhance innovation and sustainability, and increase productivity through better business processes. Ideally, these projects will provide spaces for everyone to interact seamlessly around mines of data, including for small and medium enterprises, thus building bottom-up value both for the industry and for the travelers.

Ultimately, data is not the end, but it is the means to reach the end goal of generating a better understanding of the customers and the industry. Data is not the gold per se - gold is what is discovered within and actioned from data. What is this 2023 bringing to us is a deeper understanding of the importance of data by medium and small operators along with their awareness that together they can share their data to generate an even more powerful picture of their travel ecosystem, create innovative business models and prepare for uncertainty in the near future.

2023 will be the bounce back year for the wider travel industry. By leveraging data efficiently, hoteliers and tourism industry leaders will be able to provide high-quality and digitally-enhanced experiences for customers, improve operations and gain significant competitive advantage. However, we shall never forget the hospitality and thus the human essence of the tourism sector - technology should not and will not transform radically the industry; it is simply a lever to enhance and empower human interaction.

The EHL Hospitality Business School team coordinates the Resilient Tourism Flagship project, a Swiss initiative funded by Innosuisse and led with five other academic institutions and more than 30 industry partners to shape the digital future of the industry, as well as to foster cross-fertilization of communities of practice. In particular, the project will leverage the experience of national, regional and local destinations, hotels and other partners from the private sector towards the creation of an open-source data infrastructure to inform value creation in small & medium size enterprises operating in the industry.

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL
The way people talk about artificial intelligence today, youd think all we need to do is turn on ChatGPT and let the machines do our job for us.

That couldnt be further from the truth.

I do have to confess, though: when I hear AI I still think of something like this:

The dangerous myth of AI in hospitality  Photo by hoteloperations.com

But its just not accurate.

Ive spent my career working in hotel technology companies using machine learning and big data for insights and immersed myself in the world of AI recently, learning from leading hotel operators, technologists, and advisors like Philip Rothaus, Managing Director for Data & AI in Alvarez & Marsals Travel, Hospitality & Leisure Practice.

The reality is were a long way off from Matrix-style sentient, self-aware, all-encompassing AI models that can do everything that a human brain can do, but better and faster, Rothaus said.

Computer scientist and DARPA-funded AI researcher Erick Larsen goes further in The Myth of Artificial Intelligence.

The myth of artificial intelligence is that its arrival is inevitable, and only a matter of timethat we have already embarked on the path that will lead to human-level AI, and then superintelligence. There is no way for current AI to evolve into general intelligence in the first place, absent a fundamental discovery. Simply saying were getting there is scientifically and conceptually bankrupt, and further fans the flames of antihuman and anti-intellectual forces interested in controlling and predicting outcomes for maximizing short-term profit by skewing discussion toward inevitability. One way to make the future more predictable is simply to disparage and eliminate any value placed on individual intelligence.

AI may not be what you think it is

AI is frequently thought about in the most extreme terms, Rothaus observes. Its either seen as this very scary force thats going to automate all of our jobs away and change the nature of our lives  or its seen as some sort of nirvana that is not attainable for mere mortals. But AI is math, not magic.

Yet good technology works and feels like magic, Simone Puorto, CEO at Travel Singularity, notes. You dont see it. A lot of the potential for AI is working behind the scenes to make processes more efficient.

Martin Soler, a former hotel general manager, and now the CMO at Shiji Group, agrees.

Were a long way from robots cleaning our rooms and changing our bed sheets. It would be great to have robots help there, but were a long way from that. Instead, the opportunity now in hotel operations is small steps like optimizing room cleaning sequences.

AI isnt inevitable

I constantly hear people talk as if AI is inevitable but many of those closest to the technology, such as Larsen, do not share this belief.

This myth assumes that we need only keep chipping away at the challenge of general intelligence by making progress on narrow feats of intelligence, like playing games or recognizing images. This is a profound mistake: success on narrow applications gets us not one step closer to general intelligence.

If AI isnt inevitable, it changes the way we use and plan to use the technology.

Generative AI vs traditional AI

While DALLE and ChatGPT have captured our imaginations recently, traditional AI still holds the most promise for businesses like hotels.

Investor Rex Woodbury notes this for communication and e-commerce:

Much of the buzz lately has been around generative AI, but traditional AI still has a lot of room to run. And perhaps no use of AI is more visible to more people than TikToks For You Page, the best modern-day analogue to Hyperlands prescient ultra-personalized internet.

But this is even more true for hotel operators, where the job is less about creating content and images and more about becoming efficient and effective.

Traditional AI is the biggest opportunity for hoteliers now and in the foreseeable future.

AI isnt a cure-all that abdicates us of responsibility

Discussions about the use of AI often imply an over-reliance on what computers can do.

Rothaus noted, If I dont know how much revenue is produced at this property or that property, and am struggling to understand the basics of how my business is performing, AI isnt going to be some sort of magic wand that fixes all of your problems.

This sort of thinking is actually dangerous, Larson argues. Its difficult to imagine a cultural meme that is more directly corrosive to future flourishing and, paradoxically, more directly inimical to the very invention or discovery of a workable theory of general intelligence. Whether such a theory is forthcoming in future research and development is itself an unknown, but what can be recognized is the threat of an increasingly anemic culture of ideas that will militate against any such discovery.

AI isnt an excuse to disengage from our work as hospitality providers and hope the machines will save us.

For more, read AI for Hotels: A Practical Guide to Artificial Intelligence for Hospitality Leaders

Josiah Mackenzie

hoteloperations.com
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Hudson, NY (12534)

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The Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, and her delegation joined her colleague Justice ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Aruba to engage in intense discussions and decision- making regarding various agency matters related to the detention system, immigration and border protection and the progress on legislations, projects and structural improvements that will improve the enforcement for safety, security and the overall well-being of society. These are just a few of the matters handled during the two-day deliberations on technical and ministerial level.

The Chief Prosecutor, Mrs. Hieke Buist, and Chief of Police, Mr. Carl John, of Sint Maarten were part of the JVO delegation of Sint Maarten. Chief John also has an important role in the Caribbean part of our kingdom as the chairman of the College of the Chiefs of Police.

In representation of the Chiefs of Police of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, Chief John delivered a presentation that covered various collaborative efforts underway by each territory to tackle crimes of various calibers.

Minister Richardson appreciates the efforts underway with the cooperation initiatives that address undermining activities and cross-border crime. In particular, with attention zooming in on subversive crimes such as combating the import and sale of counterfeit products.

Regarding the subject matter of combatting counterfeit products in Sint Maarten, which is one of the Minister Richardsons top priorities of 2023, it is relevant to mention that it is becoming apparent to retailers and consumers that the existing anti-counterfeiting laws are now being heavily enforced by the Customs Department of Sint Maarten.

In December of 2022, the Customs Department launched an awareness campaign to further inform the public that the efforts to eradicate counterfeit products from within the community of Sint Maarten will be intensified.

The import and sale of fake and non-authentic products are a danger to the health and wellness of consumers and by extension is universally known to be heavily entwined with human trafficking, smuggling and child labor rings.

These are all serious crimes affecting nations around the globe and must be denormalized with consistent effort.

Most recently, the Prosecutors office gained the support of the courts to not release fake cigarettes that were imported to Sint Maarten. This case is ongoing, but the Government of Sint Maarten is pleased that the courts recognizes the danger of such products and has taken a stance thus far to not allow the release of these fake products.

Another important point Minister Richardson spoke very intensely on and called for her colleague Minister of the Netherlands to assist with is the immense cutting of the budgets of the Ministries of Justice of Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. Though the efforts are to achieve a balanced budget, its coming at a dangerous sacrifice that can ultimately result in cause and affect scenarios and this gives all the Ministers of the Dutch Caribbean great concerns about operations, needed developments, and required growth.

Intertwined with the cuts made on the budgets, the Ministers of Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten jointly addressed their severe concern about the many obligations of the countries coming from JVO initiatives and the country packages to work on projects to strengthen the combating and prevention of crime within the Kingdom.

The CAS islands have limited human, financial and material resources to work in a successful manner on the initiatives simultaneously. Therefore, the countries agreed during the JVO meeting that a joint prioritization of initiatives including the impact on the aforementioned local resources of these priorities will be carried out by the countries within short.

In June of this year, the second and final JVO meeting of the year will be hosted by Minister Richardson in Sint Maarten. Minister Richardson sees the need to open the JVO discussions to representatives of all agencies of the justice chain. This is to ensure that the impact of decisions made during the JVO ministerial meeting, and the possible concerns of the agencies are completely taken in consideration by the decision makers of the four countries and with that stimulate realistic and successful implementation of decisions on an operational level.
Symphonic Distribution artists collaborate for two unique album releases

Symphonic is releasing what they say are the first international compilation albums released by an independent music distributor.

Bringing together 10 producers and 15 artists, SympCamp 1 and 2 mark the kind of creative collaboration and group marketing that others need to emulate if they hope to help their artists rise above the clutter of the 100,00 tracks uploaded to music streamers each day.

by Randi Zimmerman of Symphonic Blog

Heres the rundown

Back in 2022, we hosted our first international songwriting camp. After the event, Symphonic Brazil & Symphonic Latino artists collaborated to create two diverse compilation albums, breaking cultural barriers through a unique, artistic experience. During one week in August 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 25 creators (10 producers / 15 artists) from Brazil and the Dominican Republic came together to produce bilingual songs in different studios around the city. With 20+ songs created in the process, the two albums are appropriately dubbed vol.1 and vol.2.

This project was a watershed for the Symphonic Brazil operation. After more than a year and a half working from home, we finally took to the streets, getting closer to partners and promoting a wonderful meeting of cultures and musical styles. The unique experience showed how music speaks louder than any language or cultural barrier, and that translates into the music were now releasing. Hopefully audiences from both Brazil and the Dominican Republic will get to experience through the tracks how enriching the whole experience was. says Ian Bueno, Head of Symphonic in Brazil.

The first album is out NOW, and the second is on February 3rd.

Available on all streaming platforms.

A POST SHARED BY SYMPHONIC BRASIL (@SYMPHONIC.BR)

Whos on the album?

Dominican Republic

Producers: Gerard La Melodya, Leo RD

Gerard La Melodya, Leo RD Artists: Mark B, La Materialista, JC La Nevula, Braulio Fogon

Brazil

Producers: Cabrera, Ecologyk, Jay Kay, Celo1st, BADZILLA, Champz, Woak, Xochuo

Cabrera, Ecologyk, Jay Kay, Celo1st, BADZILLA, Champz, Woak, Xochuo Artists: AKA Rasta, Kweller, Krawk, Sotam, Leal, Haitam, Trunks, MC G10, MC Kadu, Fred, MC Dup

The song camp experience was incredible! Its great to work with a distributor that doesnt just think about the cold technology of uploading our songs to streaming platforms, but that also promotes such unique projects like this one, bringing tons of relevant artists together for an exchange that can make a real difference. Ecologyk, Beatmaker and Producer.

Want to learn more?

Check out LaMusicas official video featuring behind-the-scenes of the process, its significance, and more below

Share on:
Microsoft has announced an updated version of the .NET Community Toolkit, a collection of helpers and APIs that work for all .NET developers. The updated version adds some features requested by users, and has much faster versions of the MVVM Toolkit source generators.

The Community Toolkit is described by Microsoft as agnostic of any specific UI platform. It is maintained and published by Microsoft, and is part of the .NET Foundation.

The toolkit is made up of libraries that were originally part of the Windows Community Toolkit that Microsoft released to simplify building UWP and .NET apps for Windows 10 and Windows 11. The collection of helpers, extensions, and custom controls evolved over time to be applicable to .NET in general rather than having Windows-specific dependencies.

The first improvement to the new release is support for using custom attributes for the ObservableProperty. The toolkit team says this is one of the most frequently requested improvements, and has been implemented using the existing property: syntax in C# to let developers mark attributes to propagate to generated properties.

The second improvement is the addition of dedicated analyzers to help developers find the best way to use the MVVM Toolkit. The MVVM Toolkit now goes further than emitting diagnostics for features used incorrectly, and now shows recommendations to improve the code and avoid common errors.

The other headline improvement is major performance optimizations to the MVVM Toolkit, especially when used for very large solutions. There are a number of strands to this, starting with the addition of multi-targeting for Roslyn 4.3. Roslyn is the .NET compiler platform that provides open-source C# and Visual Basic compilers with rich code analysis APIs. If supported, the MVVM Toolkit source generators will now use the Roslyn 4.3 target meaning they can opt-in into some more optimized APIs if the host supports it. Other performance improvements also make use of higher performance Roslyn APIs, including ObservableProperty.

The diagnostics have been moved to diagnostics analyzers that are run out of process and independently from source generators. This significantly reduces overhead when typing. The incremental models and incremental pipelines have all also been overhauled to significantly improve performance and reduce memory allocations.

.NET Community Toolkit is available now on GitHub.

More Information

.NET Community Toolkit On GitHub

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Windows UWP Community Toolkit



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Clark Art Hosts Virtual Talk on 18th Century French Drawings

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Clark Art Institute joins with the Association of Historians of Nineteenth-Century Art to discuss the Institute's current exhibition, "Promenades on Paper: Eighteenth-Century French Drawings" from the Bibliotheque nationale de France.

Focusing on select drawings from the exhibition, curators Esther Bell, Anne Leonard, and Sarah Grandin offer a varied and lively picture of artistic practices in the years leading up to and just after the French Revolution.

The virtual talk takes place at 7 pm on Zoom.

According to a press release:

Over centuries, the Bibliotheque nationale de France (BnF) has sought to assemble the most complete holdings of textual and visual sources in France. The works on display at the Clark constitute the first public exhibition ever presented of the BnF's eighteenth-century drawings collection and span subject areas including natural history, current events, design, landscape, portraiture, and much more. Running throughout the exhibition is the theme of the promenade, or stroll, centered on the experience of an individual beholder. In the eighteenth century, the public promenade emerged as a site of urban leisure in which a blend of social classes could engage in the pleasures of spectatorship. The activities of walking, looking, and sketching were closely related and often intertwined.

Free. Presented as part of the AHNCA/Dahesh Virtual Salon series. Advance registration for the Zoom transmission is required. Registrants will receive a private Zoom link via email prior to the event. For more information and to register, visit clarkart.edu/events

"Promenades on Paper: Eighteenth-Century French Drawings" from the Bibliotheque nationale de France is co-organized by the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the Bibliotheque nationale de France, Paris. It is curated by Esther Bell, Deputy Director and Robert and Martha Berman Lipp Chief Curator; Sarah Grandin, Clark-Getty Curatorial Fellow; and Anne Leonard, Manton Curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs from the Clark, and by Corinne Le Bitouze, Conservateur general; Pauline Chougnet, Conservateur en charge des dessins; and Chloe Perrot, Conservateur des bibliotheques from the Bibliotheque nationale.

This exhibition is made possible by Jessie and Charles Price. Major funding is provided by Elizabeth M. and Jean-Marie Eveillard, the Getty Foundation through its Paper Project initiative, and the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. The exhibition catalogue is made possible by Denise Littlefield Sobel.
More than 50 people stood out at Park Square on Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Reproductive Rights Rally Held on 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Pittsfield, Mass.  Community members joined nationwide standouts on Sunday to mark 50 years since the now-overturned Roe v. Wade decision secured reproductive rights.

In a post-Roe society, many fear that all freedoms are at stake.

Greylock Together co-founder Jessica Dils recounted marching for gender and civil rights with half a million others in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 21, 2017, and said this feels like "an old wound."

"I don't know how else to call it but being 53, having this all of my life and having constitutional rights taken away, assaulted, disregarded, this is so much more than our reproductive health care and justice and rights," she said.

"It's really about all of our collective constitutional human rights, and really about dignity and freedom and if we can't take the flag back on this one, what can we?"

More than 50 people gathered in Park Square for the Berkshire Democratic Brigades "Bigger Than Roe" standout. Participants held signs with slogans such as "my body my choice," "we won't go back," and "we need to talk about the elephant in the womb."

Virginia O'Leary, who helped organize the event for the Brigades, has been standing up for reproductive rights since 1973, said she won't not stop.

Though O'Leary was glad to see Sunday's turnout, she is not as happy about how long she has been in the fight.

"We will not stop. We all have a right in this country to behave in accordance with our values and our consciences," she said.

"And I would no more mandate that someone who did not agree with me had to behave in a particular way. I anticipate and insist on the same respect."

Marietta Rapetti Cawse, who also helped organize the event, said it is important to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision and the fact that abortion is still legal in Massachusetts.

Chair Michael Wise said reproductive rights should not be a matter of a political majority vote.

"The court was absolutely wrong to send it back but they did," he added. "And so now we have to be sure that it is defended by majority vote."

Frank Farkas, also of the Berkshire Democratic Brigades, described it as a wedge issue for Republicans that garners a few votes but is against the will of most people in the nation.

"What hypocritical is that the forces that supported the Supreme Court decision, they say they're concerned about life before birth, what about life after birth?" he said.

"They seem to be unconcerned about fighting for issues like child care for the children, adequate nutrition, decent schools, for protecting kids against gun violence."

Attack on Democracy

Dils feels the apparent end of Roe v. Wade is just the beginning of an erosion of humanity, adding that the people assaulting reproductive rights are also attacking other civil rights, such as with the LGBTQ-plus and immigrant populations.

"It's all in the same soup of people who have and want to maintain power and control over others, and that's just not what democracy is about," she explained

"As much as we claim to have that democracy, it's something that we can't take for granted."

Greylock Together co-founder Wendy Penner also asserted that the attack on freedoms goes further than reproductive rights.

"It's really important that we continue to gather and fight so that we don't lose our freedoms," she said.

"Our rights are under assault and we can't be naive and I'm just really struck by how [Saturday] was the six-year anniversary of the Women's March, which was a time of great hope, and I hate to think where we would be if we hadn't done all of this work."

Alisa Costa of Engaged Community Consulting was in the midst of reproductive justice work in New York State 20 years ago. If she was asked then if Roe would be over overturned in the future, she would have said "yes."

She said the right wing has been slowly doing the work to overturn the decision, leading to the events of June 2022.

"Over the last 20 years, it's been like watching a slow train wreck," Costa added.

Regardless, she was devastated at the "inevitable collision."

"I cried out because I know what will come next: a patchwork of laws across the country that would leave women in even more desperate situations, knowing women will die," she said.

Berkshire NAACP President Dennis Powell said citizens are responsible for everything that is happening in the country and to democracy.

"We don't take enough care and interest in the vote that we give up, that's why we end up with habitual liars in the house, habitual liars as president," he said.

"This is on us. We the people are supposed to be directing our government but that's also very difficult to do because unfortunately, we the people are very divided. We don't come along with the same message. We don't stand up and protect those that are considered not having a voice."

Powell pointed to enslaved people who were considered property and regularly raped by owners, adding that people allowed it to happen because it wasn't happening to them.

"You use your voice when you use your energy. It's got to be inclusive because as we can see now, look where we're at. We put the power in the Supreme Court to reverse that decision. We did that," he said.

"We did because we don't pay attention. We don't take the interest in the law. We've got to do more than just stand out like we did today. We need concrete action. The time is now, not yesterday. It's right now and we've got to come together with one common voice otherwise we are disrupting ourselves."

Domestic and Sexual Violence

Susan Birns, an Elizabeth Freeman Center board member, highlighted the importance of reproductive rights to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

"With the [Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization] decision last June, the Supreme Court handed the decision about whether to limit or protect the legality of abortion back to the states," she said.

"We're lucky to live in Massachusetts, one of the only 11 states whose Supreme Courts recognize that their state constitutions protect the right to abortion, but millions of other American women now live in states that do not offer this protection and nine states outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest."

Birns challenged audience members to imagine being forced to bear the child of your rapist in the case of incest and the "horror and injustice" of giving birth to an offspring and sibling at the same time.

She reported that one in four callers to the National Domestic Violence Hotline experience reproductive coercion, which includes forced sex and sabotage of birth control methods.

One in seven rape survivors becomes pregnant and violence often escalates when their partners are pregnant, Birns added, as the number one cause of death of pregnant women or women who have recently given birth is homicide.

"Sexual assault and domestic violence are efforts to dominate, humiliate, and control. Survivors report feeling powerless as one of the most common outcomes," she said. "Denying women the right to make their own reproductive choices is a particularly powerful means of exerting control over them and that is what this conservative Supreme Court has done."

Birns also pointed out that the loss of federally protected abortion affects all women but is a serious threat to vulnerable populations with the fewest resources.

She called for preserving existing reproductive rights, expanding access to these rights that include abortion, contraceptives, and sex education.

"The war against women including the way against reproductive rights is not a war we intend to lose," Birns concluded.

Access

Costa said that while abortion care is legal in Massachusetts, it is not easily accessible for all.

"I want to be perfectly clear, while access to abortion care is legal in our state, it's still not easily accessed by everyone," she said. "There are travel barriers and financial barriers and racial and cultural barriers to overcome ... I urge us to solve the problem for those who struggle the most."

Christine Bile, who is a mentor of social work students at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., and a member of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program, said the overturning has instilled fear and anger and a lack of access to fundamental health care for women who are cisgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and transgender.

"A woman's success depends on her overall well-being and ability," she added. "The ability to live without the mental burden that her want and needs for her body and future do not matter. Because they do."
The call center was expected to have 300 employees; now the 40 or so workers will be going virtual and the call center closed.

Wayfair Closing Pittsfield Call Center; Employees Will Go Virtual



Wayfair founder Niraj Shah takes a selfie with state Sen. Smitty Pignatelli, left, and Congressman Richie Neal at the call center's opening in 2019. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Wayfair opened a $5 million call center in the Clock Tower Building three years ago with plans to bring 300 jobs to the city.

It was a pledge by Chairman and CEO Niraj Shah, a Pittsfield High graduate, to ensure his hometown benefited from his burgeoning home goods business.

Now the company is planning to close that center by July and shift its 40-person staff to virtual work.

Wayfair announced last Friday plans to layoff upwards of 1,750 employees, following 900 let go in August. The restructuring is expected to save the company more than $1.4 billion, some $750 million from reducing its global labor force by more than 10 percent of its 17,000 employees reported in August.

"Although difficult, these are important decisions to get back to our 20-year roots as a focused, lean company premised on high ambitions and great execution," said Shah in statement about the reductions. "The changes announced today strengthen our future without reducing our total addressable market, our strategic objectives, or our ability to deliver them over time.

"In hindsight, similar to our technology peers, we scaled our spend too quickly over the last few years. The good news for Wayfair is that we have operated in a highly productive and efficient way for the vast majority of our 20-year history, and we are now simply returning to that."

The company reported a 9 percent decrease year over year in total revenues for the third quarter and a net loss of s $283 million.

Susan Frechette, Wayfair's director of communications, confirmed that the company would be not be renewing its lease for the two-story Clock Tower space.

"Like many companies, we have seen an increase in employees effectively transitioning to remote work, driven in part by the COVID-19 global pandemic and cost savings efforts," she wrote. "Moving our customer service team to a virtual working model continues to allow us to best serve our customers while supporting cost saving efforts for the business."

Frechette said the company remains committed to Pittsfield and will continue to provide support to its employees in the region.

The opening of the call center was considered a major coup for the city and numerous public officials  including then Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and U.S. Rep. Richie Neal  attended the ribbon cutting
Sri Lankas situation has to be widely publicized; there are other countries too  less prominent globally, smaller  who have unpayability problems, but none with the tortured contemporary history that your country is now living

INTERVIEW

It is time for the nations of the global South to build their own way, to self-organize, Gary Dymski, a well-known economist and Professor of Applied Economics at the Leeds University Business School in UK, said in an interview with Sri Lanka Guardian.

Who will lead them? Not Modi, nor Jinping. Who is the Kwame Nkrumah or Julius Nyerere or Sekou Toure of today; he asked.

Post Keynesian Economist Prof. Gary Dymski is addressing a seminar orgainsed by Economists for Peace and Security [File Photo Credit: Economists for Peace and Security]

Gary Dymski is an excerpt on monetary economics; macroeconomic theory and policy; banking and financial institutions; economic development; political economy; urban economics; inequality; stratification economics. He has been a visiting scholar in universities and research centers in Australia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Colombia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Mexico.

Sri Lankas situation has to be widely publicized; there are other countries too  less prominent globally, smaller  who have unpayability problems, but none with the tortured contemporary history that your country is now living, he observed.

We need a repurposed set of development banks, controlled by progressive forces willing to move past the capitalist system. This does not yet exist, he suggested.

Being a member of the council of the Post Keynesian Economic Society (UK), Prof Dymski also is an advisor to the Debt and Development division of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.

Excerpts of the interview;

Question: Are we passing through a period of the worse global recession that could lead to an unprecedented catastrophe? If yes, what is the way out?

Answer: We are in a global recession that could develop in an alarming way. There is already an emerging debt crisis that is catastrophic in many developing countries, and will likely get worse. The slowdown of economic activity as such is unlikely to degenerate into a collapse. But the stagnation will most likely continue. So it is more like strangulation of the economies of countries that are lower in the currency hierarchy. Businesses will fail; financing arrangements will either be sustained on a pretend-and-extend basis or will lead to default. India and China have somehow managed to sustain positive growth rates, but this is offset by the damage that Russias Ukrainian war is doing to supply chains and agricultural exports.

Q: Collective action and collective responsibilities are two sides of the same coin which will help us to overcome present challenges. But, I wonder, how we can advocate for all countries to come together in a deeply polarized global society. Give us some food for thought, please.

A: Only when an acute crisis emerges, with the mechanisms for leading out of that crisis prove to be broken, will we see a global consensus for a new global framework toward cooperation emerge. The success of right-wing nationalist movements looking backward to conditions for economic reproduction that no longer exists is a huge barrier now; as those seeking softer ways forward look like naive idealists, and those wanting to put up barriers to the outside world look like defenders of national honour.

The hope I can give you is this: we must see a renewal of impetus  the broad participation in  the global social forum movement when it first began. A global generational mobilization, I think, which is pro-equality and pro-sustainability, critical of capitalism, and esp of financial globalization in the way its developed to now  feeding hyper inequality. I think its possible. But this bottom-up, across-the-globe aspect has to be there, I think.

Q: You are one of the signatories who called for Sri Lanka debt cancellation. Do you think it is a realistic approach where all stakeholders shall come to a common platform to execute your demand?

A: The stakeholders have diverse interests; they must be forced to the table. Sri Lankas situation has to be widely publicized; there are other countries too  less prominent globally, smaller  who have unpayability problems, but none with the tortured contemporary history that your country is now living. I think it has to be framed in terms of the harm and loss debate that is now linking climate-change damage to legacies of colonialism and imperialism, not to mention the greater energy/non-renewable consumption of the elite global-North nations. This can be the basis of a common cause for debt forgiveness, I think. But the nations of the global South have to build their own way, to self-organize. Who will lead them? Not Modi, nor Jinping. Who is the Kwame Nkrumah or Julius Nyerere or Sekou Toure of today?

Q: Why do you think the case of Sri Lanka is essential to rethinking and reshaping the global economic order?

A: As answered earlier  the unique conjuncture of colonial-era imperialism, debt crisis, political instability and ethnic violence are a unique toxic mix, leading to unparalleled challenges.

Q: You have raised a vital point by alleging that International Financial Institutions of not living up to their responsibilities at a time when they are most urgently needed. Do we have an alternative?

A: There is no alternative now. We need a repurposed set of development banks, controlled by progressive forces willing to move past the capitalist system. This does not yet exist. The alternative can be imagined in a post-capitalist framework, in which nation-states are led by progressive leaders  enough of them  to force a global transfer mechanism for supporting the financing of the SDGs and climate sustainability on a world scale. I wish I had a different answer. For now, we must attempt to understand the scale of changes in systems of provision, supply chains, in localized production and consumption, required around the world.

The entities that have the capacity to support this are either too tied to capitalist priorities or they are not seeing the need to think holistically. It is not  it is never  too late. But we have to think beyond the limits that have prevented us from being strong enough to see the required planning framework clearly.
The managing director of Yaounde-based radio Amplitude FM, Martinez Zogo, and host of popular daily programme, Embouteillages, was abducted on Tuesday, 17 January by "unknown assailants and his mutilated body found dead five days later in Ebogo, 15 kilometers away from the capital Yaounde.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate Le Syndicat National des Journalistes du Cameroun (SNJC) in condemning this barbaric act and calling on the government of Cameroon to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Media reports say the journalist had been talking recently in his programmes about an embezzlement case involving a media outlet with government connections. Zogo has been described as a fearless journalist who would not hesitate to condemn corruption, even calling out names on his programmes.

In a statement published on 22 January, the SNJC says Zogo was a victim of hatred and barbarism". The union points to Zogo's killing, saying that this crime represent a threat to freedom of the press in the country. The union has asked media workers in Cameroon to wear black on 25 January in a sign of mourning their colleague.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger, said that the killing of journalist Martinez Zogo was unacceptable and should be duly investigated. The killing of Martinez is terrible indictment of the levels of intolerance to truth and accountability. He did nothing more than his job in exposing corruption and abuse of power. The fact that he was killed for exercising his right as a journalist to inform the public on issues of general interest shows that there are forces opposed to a democratic rule in Cameroon.

The IFJ calls on the Government of Cameroon to conduct an independent investigation into the killing of Martinez Zogo and to ensure by all means necessary that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice.
Senior Pakistani journalist with BOL News, Shahid Aslam, has been granted bail following his arrest for his alleged role in leaking the financial data of a former army chief. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in condemning the Pakistani authorities intimidation of the journalists and urging the government to withdraw all cases against Aslam.

At an Islamabad Session Court on January 18, BOL News journalist Shahid Aslam was granted bail after being charged under Section 216 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Special Judge Muhammad Azam Khan allowed the senior journalist a release on bail with PKR 50,000 (approx. USD 219) owed.

Aslam was originally detained for two days by agents from Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) without prior notice in Lahore on January 13 for his alleged involvement in the leaking of tax records of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The records were used in a November report by investigative news outlet FactFocus which accused Bajwa and his family of acquiring assets worth PKR 12,700,000,000 (approximately USD 55,544,622) over the past six years, substantiated by tax declarations and other financial details belonging to Bajwa and his family. Authorities have claimed these records were attained illegally.

In his initial trial on January 16 trial, Pakistani authorities criticised Aslams unsatisfactory replies to FIA enquiries and his failure to provide passwords to his laptop or phone. Aslams legal representation challenged the legitimacy of the case, calling the prosecutions evidence dubious and urging them to present evidence of the alleged illegal data transfer.

Aslams attorney argued that as the journalists WhatsApp had been active while confiscated by FIA officers, the authorities claims of not having access to Aslams passwords were illegitimate.

Before achieving bail, Aslam was to be placed on 14-day judicial remand, in line with a court order at his January 16 trial. Both Aslam and FactFocus have denied claims of his involvement in the fact-finding stage of the report.

PFUJ President, GM Jamali, and Secretary General, Rana Azeem, said, ThePFUJ strongly condemns the arrest of any journalist for performing their professional duty, floating information for the people of Pakistan. The government should avoid detaining journalists and protect freedom of speech and expression.

The IFJ said: The arrest and intimidation of Shahid Aslam violate the fundamental rights and legal protections guaranteed to journalists in Pakistan. Journalists must be able to report on matters in the public interest without fear of retribution. The IFJ condemns the FIAs arrest of Shahid Aslam and urges the Pakistani authorities to withdraw all legal cases against him.
One little-discussed reason for Putins obsession with conquering Ukraine is his desperate need to acquire more ethnic Russians to keep Russia Russian. The 2020 Russian census showed that the percentage of ethnic Russians had declined from 77.78 percent to 71.7 percent since 2010, even though it defined the two million Ukrainians (many ethnic Russians or Tatars) in Crimea as Russians because Putin had unilaterally declared that occupied (since 2014) Crimea was now part of Russia. International law, the UN and most of the world disagreed.

The decline in ethnic Russians is largely because of a low birth rate and a growing number of ethnic Russians leaving Putins Russia. Over seven million ethnic Russians have left Russia since Putin took power in 1999, The birth rate fell because Putin mismanaged the economy and turned democratic Russia back into something like the failed Soviet Union. Putin believes that reviving the Soviet Union would be a good thing. Its not enough to turn democratic Russia back into a police state with a corrupt and inefficient economy. The Soviet Union was an empire which lost half its population and much of its territory when it fell apart in 1991. Putin prospered as a citizen of the Soviet Union because he was a KGB officer. The KGB was a secret police/CIA type organization that was well paid and immune from arrest by anyone except another KGB officer. KGB officers were one of the few groups in the Soviet Union who had power and prosperity.

The KGB saw the collapse of the Soviet economy coming but was unable to stop it, or the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. There was a last minute coup attempt by the KGB but it failed and the Soviet Union (and the KGB) was no more. There were no reprisals against the KGB or other Soviet era officials, which was seen as a wise move to help the new Russia (or Russian Federation) adapt to democratic rule and a market economy and media freedom.

Putin and many of his fellow former KGB officers missed the Soviet Union and state-controlled economy and media. Putin brought back all of that and it is not working. As in the Soviet Union, the many ethnic groups that are not Russian, but learned to speak Russian, tend to still consider themselves members of their original ethnic group. This included those living in Belarus and Ukraine. While many people cant avoid being conquered by the Russians, that does not result in many of the conquered wanting to pretend they are Russian even if, like Ukrainians, Belarussians, Latvians and Lithuanians, they look like Russians. Putins delusion that most Ukrainians would welcome absorption into Russia proved very wrong. The Ukrainians fought to defend their independence and defeated what was believed to be the second or third most powerful armed forces on the planet. Putin learned little from that and attributed the resistance to NATO manipulation. This was seen as part of a secret NATO plan to weaken and destroy Russia.

Ukrainians believe Putin is delusional and self-destructive. Ukraine wants to join the European Union, not be absorbed by the Russian Federation. A growing number of Russians still living in Russia are coming around to agree with the Ukrainians. Saying so in Russia is a crime that can get you sent to prison (or hard labor camp. Not all dissatisfied Russians have the skills or resources to leave Russia. The only alternative is to remove Putin and his fellow KGB or pro-Soviet Union associates from power. Easy enough to do in a democracy but rather more difficult and dangerous in a Soviet-style police state.

Russia is having another uncertain and dangerous time of troubles and the fix is often not permanent, just a momentary interruption in the autocratic rule that has prevailed in Russia for centuries.
Top bancassurance firm BPI AIA today announced the appointment of Karen Custodia as the new Chief Executive Officer of BPI AIA, which took effect on January 9, 2023. At the helm, Custodia takes on the responsibility of overseeing BPI AIAs growing Partnership Distribution Channel and managing its strategic relationship with BPI while providing leadership to support a wide range of initiatives.

Surendra Menon turning over the role of Chief Executive Officer to Karen Custodia during BPI AIAs recent Sales Kick Off event

I am both proud and humbled to take on this new role at BPI AIA as we continue to provide Filipinos with the financial protection they need and encourage them to live longer, healthier, and better lives. We understand our consumers changing needs and we will continue to invest in innovations to fulfill our strong commitment to making insurance accessible, affordable, and personalized for every Filipino., said Karen Custodia, BPI AIA CEO.

Prior to her appointment, she held the role of Head of Partnership Distribution Sales Channels at BPI AIA since 2014. Bringing in more than a decade of rich experience in sales, Custodia has a proven track record of driving impactful change in the company. In her previous role, she led a team of over 1,500 employees from the In-Branch Corporate Sales, Direct Sales, Private Banking, and Telesales teams.

Under her leadership, BPI AIA successfully implemented a new distribution model aligned with BPIs customer and channel strategy. This feat has strengthened partner engagement and consequently increased the sales force productivity.

Our partnership with BPI has grown stronger every year, we push on every day to protect our customers letting them love the lives they live. We look forward to working alongside them towards our common goal of building a better Philippines, one family, one community at a time, added Custodia.

Custodia previously led the distribution channels to shift from physical to hybrid interaction at the height of the pandemic. The shift helped curb the pandemics impact and achieve faster recovery while staying true to the BPI AIA mission of making insurance easy to get and easy to have for every Filipino.

Custodia replaced Surendra Menon, who served six years as BPI AIA CEO and was recently appointed as Director of Partnership Distribution of AIA Indonesia. Custodia will work closely with and will be directly reporting to Kelvin Ang, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Philippines.

I am honored to pass on the chief executive role to Karen. Through the course of her career, she has demonstrated her expertise and knowledge, which have been key parts of many of the organizations innovations and developments. With her spearheading BPI AIA, I am certain that she will drive the company toward new heights of success, said Surendra Menon, outgoing and former CEO of BPI AIA.

BPI AIA is a joint venture between two icons of the financial industry, AIA Philippines (formerly AIA Philam Life) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). To learn more about the leading bancassurance company, visit www.bpi-aia.com.ph.
India and Germany enjoy a strong partnership based on shared economic and strategic interests. Germany is Indias largest trading partner in the European Union and the seventh largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI).

Noted German firms such as Bosch, Volkswagen, Basf, Bayer, Braun, and Adidas are already firmly established in the Indian market. These brands either manufacture their products in the country or provide their services in the technology and engineering sectors through joint ventures (JVs) with Indian businesses.

Germany and India hold an Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) every two years to discuss and broaden areas of cooperation. The latest such consultation was held in May 2017 in Germany, where the two countries committed to extending their partnership to new areas, such as solar and other forms of renewable energy.

German investment and Mittelstand in India

German investment in India has steadily grown in the past two decades, reaching to a total of US$11.78 billion (9.6 billion) from 2000 to 2016, and is concentrated in manufacturing and heavy industries  industrial equipment, automobiles, metallurgy, leather, and pharmaceuticals  as well as in the IT sector.

For one, Germanys advanced capabilities in science and engineering complement the needs of the rapidly growing Indian economy, which seeks to broaden its manufacturing base, accelerate urbanization, and improve infrastructure. Additionally, German companies can generate relevant jobs to absorb Indias large labor force trained in science and technology.

These growth concerns motivate much of the Modi governments economic agenda, as illustrated in their flagship programs: Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, and Smart Cities. India has actively sought German participation and investments in these areas, capitalizing on strong existing bilateral business and commercial ties.

In particular, India is wooing German small and medium enterprises (SME), called Mittelstand, to start operations in India. Towards this, the Modi federal government has already created a special window under Make in India-Mittelstand (MIIM) at its Berlin embassy to facilitate the entry of Mittelstand into the Indian market. So far, 73 Mittelstand companies are part of MIIM, of which 46 have begun operations in India. These companies belong to diverse sectors, including renewable energy, engineering technologies, construction technologies, agricultural mechanization, water technologies, and waste management.

Major German companies have already established manufacturing plants in India. BASF, the worlds leading chemical engineering company, has nine manufacturing plants in India, making a range of products that include: agrochemicals, battery chemicals, and mattress foam. Automotive powerhouses Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen, both, have plants in Maharashtra and Gujarat, respectively. Further, companies like Siemens, Bosch, and BASF are heavily invested in R&D activities in India to develop products customized for Indian consumers.

Most German companies prefer to partner with a local Indian company for their operations, to ease their navigation of Indias legal and regulatory landscape. This strategy has worked well for German companies over the years; they have come to better understand the Indian market and have begun to customize their products accordingly.

There are about 1,600 German companies currently operating in India through Indian partners or subsidiaries. In addition, Mittelstand companies predominantly operate through JVs in the country; there are over 500 such ventures at present.

German India trade relations

In terms of trade relations, during 2016, Indian imports from Germany accounted for 56 percent of trade, while exports to Germany made up for 44 percent of the total trade between the countries.

As shown in the figure below, trade between the two countries peaked in 2011-12, after which it began declining  an outcome of the global economic slowdown. Still, the trade volume continues to be steady and both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to promote trade relations.

Among others, major items exported from India to Germany include: machinery, organic chemicals, clothing accessories, vehicles, metal and metal products, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The figure below shows the share of these products in the total export portfolio.

Major German exports to India include: machinery and parts, electrical machinery and equipment, vehicles, medical equipment, chemicals, auto components, and plastics. In the figure below, we see the share of these items in the total export.

India and Germany do not have a trade agreement currently, as Germany is bound by the limitations of its EU membership. Instead, India is seeking a free trade agreement with the European Union, called the Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), which has Germanys support. Negotiations over the BTIA have been stalled due to disagreements over IPR issues and import duties. However, post-Brexit, EU members have showed renewed interest in materializing a deal with India to counter competition from Britain.

India Germany business associations

Meanwhile, private sector collaboration between the two countries is thriving. Associations such as the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and India Germany Export Project (IGEP) create opportunities for businesses in both countries to exchange ideas and experience. These associations work in tandem with their respective governments to promote business ties between India and Germany.

Below mentioned are the contact details of Indo-German business associations based in India.

Indo-German Chamber of Commerce

Mumbai office

Maker Tower E, 1st floor

Cuffe Parade

Mumbai (Bombay) 400005

India

Tel: +91-22-66652 121

Fax: +91-22-66652 120

E-Mail: bombay@indo-german.com

Maker Tower E, 1st floor Cuffe Parade Mumbai (Bombay) 400005 India Tel: +91-22-66652 121 Fax: +91-22-66652 120 E-Mail: bombay@indo-german.com Delhi Office

German House

2, Nyaya Marg

Chanakyapuri

New Delhi 110021

India

Tel: +91-11-47168 888 / 801

Fax: +91-11-26118 664

E-Mail: delhi@indo-german.com

India Germany Export Project (IGEP)
This publication is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in the Indian market and includes a gu...
Sonam Wangchuk, the social reformist from Ladakh, whose life story inspired the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots, said that "all is not well in Ladakh" and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra a Modi to provide protection to the Union Territory. He suggested the extinction of nearly 2/3rd of the glaciers in the region.

Urged PM to protect Ladakh

Talking to ANI on Sunday, Sonam Wangchuk stressed that if the carelessness continued and the Ladakh is refrained from being provided protection from the industries, the glaciers here will extinct, thus creating enormous problems due to water scarcity in India and its neighborhood.



timesnownews

"If measures are not taken, the industries, tourism, and commerce will continue to flourish in Ladakh and will eventually finish it. Recent studies from Kashmir University and other research organizations have concluded that glaciers in Leh-Ladakh will finish nearly to its 2/3rd if they are not properly taken care of. A study by Kashmir Univesity has found that the glaciers surrounded by highways and human activities are melting at a comparatively faster rate," Wangchuk said.



ALL IS NOT WELL in Ladakh!

In my latest video I appeal to @narendramodi ji to intervene & give safeguards to eco-fragile Ladakh.

To draw attention of Govt & the world I plan to sit on a 5 day #ClimateFast from 26 Jan at Khardungla pass at 18000ft -40 Chttps://t.co/ECi3YlB9kU  Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) January 21, 2023





Sharing a video titled, All is not well in Ladakh. Ladakh ki mann ki baat," the real life Phunsukh Wangdu - the character played by Amir Khan, said that Ladakh is facing dire concerns. He also mentioned the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the protests surrounding the same.



'Safeguard Ladakh's autonomy'

In his 13-minute-long video, the social reformist said that Ladakh has nearly 95 per cent of tribal population while the Constitution seeks 50 per cent of tribal population in an area for applicability of 6th Schedule. He added that anticipations were made that Ladakh would soon be included and minister Arjun Munda had also given assurances. He further reminded of BJP's poll promise to safeguard Ladakh's autonomy under the 6th Schedule in its manifesto.

Further, stressing the need for the adoption of sustainable development, the engineer-turned-education reformer appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the protection of Ladakh and other Himalayan regions from "industrial exploitation". It will help safeguard the lives and employment of the people, he added.



5-day climate fast

Sonam Wangchuk said that he will hold a five-day fast, starting from Republic Day, at the Khardung La pass. Notably, It is located at 18,000 ft and has extreme weather condition as the temperature drops to minus 40 degrees Celsius. He appealed to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to participate in discussions about Ladakh.

"If I survive, I will see you," he concludes the video. Today, he said that his test run for the climate fast was successful as he survived at minus 20C, inching closer to his goal of observing fast at a location where temperature drops to minus 40 C.



The Ladakh-based engineer is known for setting up his innovative school, the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), whose campus runs on solar energy and uses no fossil fuels for cooking, lighting, or heating. He set up the SECMOL in 1988 with the aim of supporting Ladakhi children and youth and training the students whom the system termed as failures.

In 1994, Wangchuk launched Operation New Hope to bring reforms to the government school system.


SpaceX's Starlink internet was recently tested in the field in Antarctica. The company first said that Starlink had reached Antarctica as part of the National Science Foundation experiment in September 2022 - extending satellite internet connectivity to all continents on Earth. Now, it is better!

About 5% of the 3400 working Starlink satellites currently in orbit are able to cover Antarctica, Teslarati reported. Currently, 181 Starlink satellites are operational in polar regions - implying that the coverage is not very stable.

We've tested Starlink in a @COLDEX_STC Antarctic field camp & @NSF is now testing at McMurdo Station (pop. 800+)! Exciting to see how this & other modes of high-speed connectivity can advance our communication & might alter how we do science on the ice!

 pic.twitter.com/bPopsl42bH  Peter Neff (@icy_pete) January 22, 2023

Why internet on Antarctica matters more

Since Antarctica has no ground stations, polar satellites use optical interlinks (lasers) to connect Antarctic users with ground stations situated thousands of kilometres away. These space lasers route their communications to and from ground stations situated in South America, New Zealand, and Australia.

Last ice cores are retrieved from Allan Hills, Antarctica, & empty core boxes are stashed in a trench for next year. The team is all done here, @blueicehiggins @COLDEX_STC! pic.twitter.com/BhjEPLbwco  Peter Neff (@icy_pete) January 17, 2023

Starlink is currently helping with a Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX) field experiment to discover the oldest ice on Earth. This would allow scientists to look back in time through information preserved in the ice. COLDEX first began testing Starlink in the field in December 2022.

Also read: SpaceX's Elon Musk Says Starlink Will Transfer Data Close To Speed Of Light

COLDEX is funded by the National Science Foundation. The government agency is helping test the limits of SpaceX network connectivity and ways in which such technology could benefit scientists who are pursuing research in extremely remote regions.

Wikipedia

The NSF also helps Starlink tweak its satellites to maximise benefits. For instance, NSF once urged SpaceX to reduce the satellite's brightness in order to limit their impact on astronomy.

GeekWire

Also read: Elon Musk Says Starlink Internet Coming To India Soon, After Getting Regulatory Nod



What do you think about bringing the internet to all corners of the planet? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Ralph, E. (2023c, January 22). SpaceX Starlink satellite internet tested in the field in Antarctica. TESLARATI. https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-internet-antacrtica-coldex-nsf-testing/
Quantum computers have been decades in the making. Hailed as the next big thing with the potential to address many of todays unsolvable problems, the quantum computing market is expected to reach US$1.76 billion by 2026, fueled by investments from the public sector for research and development.

Over the past few years, Indian businesses have talked about the application of quantum computing in data security and advanced encryptions. Real-world applications of quantum computers also include the development of new medicines and lifesaving drugs, providing better and more accurate data models and simulations.

Last year, NASSCOM reported that quantum technologies can add a value of $310 billion to the Indian economy by 2030. The Indian Government has in fact expressed interest in developing a quantum computer in collaboration with Finland. The government, during Union Budget 2020 announced the allocation of INR 8,000 crore over the next 5 years in the National Mission on Quantum technology and its applications.

iStock

Acknowledging the sectors potential, leading educational institutions in India have introduced courses focusing on advanced quantum computing. Moreover, in December 2021, the Indian Army established a quantum computing laboratory and an AI centre at a military engineering institute in Madhya Pradesh, backed by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).

However, to harness its true potential, we must first understand how it differs from classical computers.

Supercomputers and quantum computing  whats the difference?

Most laypersons think about computational power in terms of how fast a computer can perform. For commercial workloads that handle massive computations and databases such as weather forecasting and molecular modelling, even the best consumer desktops are unsuitable. This is where supercomputers come in. Supercomputers, like all classical computers, operate based on the computation of binary data: one or zero. Yes or no. On or off.





iStock

In comparison, quantum computers operate based on the principles of quantum physics and therefore rely on quantum bits, or qubits. A simple way to understand a qubit is to think of it as a coin, where it could either be in a head or tail state. Now, imagine that the coin is spinning, and as it is doing so, it is in a sense, in both head and tail states at the same time. This state is known as a superposition of the two states. With two of these spinning, entangled coins, we will have four states at the same time. A quantum computers power, therefore, grows exponentially with the number of qubits.

Also read: Explained: India-EU Agreement On High-Performance Computing, Quantum Tech

Unlike supercomputers, quantum computers treat data in a non-binary manner and perform calculations based on probabilities. The practical uses of a quantum computer are still largely in discovery, but experts have theorised their applications in fields like, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, financial modelling and weather forecasting and climate change. The application of quantum computing will make it possible to perform extremely complex calculations with a lot more efficiency and accuracy than a regular computer.

unsplash

The long road towards quantum practicality

In reality, we need more than a million high-quality qubits in order to commercialise quantum computingalso known as reaching quantum practicality. This is when a quantum computer has achieved commercial viability and can solve relevant, real-world problems. The challenge lies in the fact that qubits are very fragile. They have very short lifetimes (microseconds), and the tiniest noise such as external interference from magnetic fields and variation in temperature can cause a loss of information.

Here are three key areas that we must address in order to advance the scalability of viable quantum computing systems:

Managing qubits in higher temperatures with spin qubits

The fragile nature of qubits requires them to operate at extremely cold temperature (20 millikelvin, or about -273 degrees Celsius), which creates challenges for the material design of the chips themselves and the control electronics necessary to make them work. However, there have been recent advances in the development of a silicon spin qubit technology process. The spin qubits drastically reduce the complexity of the system required to operate the chips by allowing the integration of control electronics much closer to the processor.

Simplifying system design to accelerate setup time and improve qubit performance

A key challenge in todays quantum systems is the use of room-temperature electronics and the many coaxial cables that are routed to the qubit chip inside a dilution refrigerator. This approach does not scale to a large number of qubits due to form factor, cost, power consumption, and thermal load to the fridge. It is crucial to address this challenge and radically simplify the need for multiple racks of equipment and thousands of wires running into and out of the refrigerator in order to operate a quantum machine.

Intel

A full-stack scalable approach to quantum computing

Since quantum computing is an entirely new type of compute, it has an entirely different way of running programmes and require new hardware, software, and applications developed specifically for these systems. This means that quantum computers need all new components on all levels of the stack, from the qubit control processor and control electronics to the qubit chip device and more.

Also read: World's Most Powerful Quantum Computer Just Made Its Debut



Clearly, quantum computers are not meant to replace classical compute infrastructure. They are meant to augment them. Their continued development aims to eventually solve some of the worlds most intractable challenges that have stumped todays classical computers. But the road to building a viable system that works on a practical, commercial level will require persistence, patience, and partnerships.

For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

Disclaimer: Santhosh Viswanathan is the Managing Director at Intel India. All views and opinions expressed above are of the author and do not represent Indiatimes.
Love stories that begin on the internet are fascinating, but not every story has a happy ending. The internet played cupid for a UP man and a Pakistani teenager as they fell in love over a game of ludo.

Forging documents and entering India illegally led to the arrests of a 26-year-old Uttar Pradesh man and a 15-year-old Pakistani girl. The police in Bengaluru, where they had been living illegally since September of last year, detained them.

Identified as Mulayam Singh Yadav, the man worked as a security guard in Bengaluru.

The man met Iqra Jeewani while playing an online game. They fell in love and made a plan to forge documents and bring her to India so that the duo could live together.

As per a Hindustan Times report, S Girish, Bengaluru's Whitefield Deputy Commissioner of Police, said,

"The man used to work as a security guard at a private firm and used to play Ludo online. Last year, he came into contact with a minor girl. Recently, he asked his Pakistani girlfriend to come to Bengaluru so they could get married. They planned to get her to India through Nepal in September 2022," the DCP said.

The two were living in the Bellandur police station's laborers' accommodations, according to the police.

According to DCP S Girish (FRRO), the girl was taken to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

As per a report in The Indian Express, Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 420 (cheating), 495 (hiding marriage), 468 (forgery), and 471 (fake documents) were used to charge Yadav.

Unsplash

Govinda Reddy, the owner of the house where the couple was staying, was also charged under Section 7 of the Foreigners Act.



An FIR was filed against him for failing to report the girl's illegal stay at his Sarjapur Road premises.



Initially, Yadav had no idea that she was originally from Hyderabad, Pakistan. But soon he found out, he proposed to the girl. After getting married in Kathmandu, Nepal, Yadav and the girl reportedly entered India on September 28 last year over the India-Nepal border.

The couple then changed the girl's name to Rava Yadav on the fake Aadhaar card.

(For the latest trending stories, keep reading Indiatimes)


On Monday, a male passenger was offloaded from a SpiceJet flight at the Delhi airport after he made inappropriate physical contact with a female cabin staff member.

After an altercation on board a wet-leased Corendon aircraft en route from Delhi to Hyderabad, the airline claimed it removed the unruly passenger and his friend from the flight.



ANI

It was reported that the male passenger was loud and inappropriately groped a female cabin crew member while boarding.

After the crew member filed a written complaint, the passenger was removed from the aircraft and sent to the IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport) police station.



Flight SG-8133 was supposed to take off from Delhi and land in Hyderabad.

#WATCH | "Unruly & inappropriate" behaviour by a passenger on the Delhi-Hyderabad SpiceJet flight at Delhi airport today



The passenger and & a co-passenger were deboarded and handed over to the security team at the airport pic.twitter.com/H090cPKjWV  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2023

A senior official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it is looking into the matter and will take appropriate action.

SpiceJet

"During boarding at Delhi, one passenger behaved unruly and inappropriately, harassing and causing disturbance to cabin crew. The crew informed the PIC (Pilot in Command) and security staff of the same. The said passenger and a co-passenger, who were traveling together, were offloaded and handed over to the security team," SpiceJet said in a statement.



A video clip purportedly of a heated argument between a cabin crew and the passenger onboard the plane was also shared on social media.

Recently, there have been various incidents of unruly behavior by passengers onboard flights. Under DGCA norms, unruly behavior can even attract a lifetime ban on flying.

On January 7, two foreign nationals were offloaded from a Mumbai-bound Go First flight from Goa after allegedly misbehaving with a female cabin crew member.

At least three incidents of unruly passenger behavior onboard two Air India international flights last year came to light in recent weeks. There was also an incident onboard a Thai Smile Airways plane from Bangkok to Kolkata last month.

Twitter

On January 20, DGCA imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Tata Group-owned Air India and suspended the license of the pilot-in-command of the New York-Delhi flight in which a person allegedly urinated on a female co-passenger.



In the incident on November 26, 2022, the watchdog slapped a fine of Rs 3 lakh on Air India's director of in-flight services for failing to discharge her duties.

The enforcement actions for violation of applicable norms came nearly two months after the incident, which came to the notice of the DGCA only on January 4.

Shankar Mishra, who is currently in jail, has been barred from flying for four months by Air India.

On January 9, DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India after finding the airline's response as "lackadaisical and delayed" regarding two incidents of passenger misbehavior onboard a flight from Paris to New Delhi last month.

A drunk customer was once found smoking in the lavatory and not paying attention to the flight attendants. The passenger later used a female passenger's empty seat and blanket to pee on.

These events occurred on the December 6, 2022, flight between Paris and New Delhi but were never reported to the authorities.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security called the police on December 29 about the fight on a Thai Smile Airways flight from Bangkok to Kolkata on December 26.

A video clip of the incident before the take-off of the A320 plane from Bangkok on December 26 was shared on social media. In the clip, a male passenger was slapped multiple times by a few male co-passengers.

Twitter/Saurabh Sinha

"About the scuffle between passengers on board a @ThaiSmileAirway flight, a police complaint has been filed against those involved. Such behavior is unacceptable," Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a tweet on December 29.



Under DGCA rules, the airline concerned is responsible for informing the regulator within 12 hours of the landing of the aircraft in case of any unruly passengers/ passenger rage/passenger misconduct reported in their flight, the statement said.

Representative Image

Besides, the airline concerned has to set up a three-member internal committee.

It will have a retired District and Sessions Judge as Chairman, a representative from a different scheduled airline as a member, and a representative from a passengers' association or consumer association or retired officer of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum as the third member.



The committee can decide how long the rude passenger can't fly within 30 days, and the ban could last for life.

During the pendency of the decision by the committee, the airline concerned may ban the unruly passengers from flying for up to 30 days, as per the rules.

After the committee decides, the airline should maintain a database of unruly passengers and inform the DGCA, which is responsible for maintaining the 'no-fly list.'

(With PTI inputs)

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The advice to not carry a grudge may be well-meaning, but it certainly didnt come from anyone whos wrestled with a computer for a living. Toil for any amount of time with the infernal logic of a programming language and youll know the horrors of the inky void where the worst bugs dwell.

Fans love to tout the advantages of their favorite programming languages and sing of the intuitive magic they'll bring to your coding fingers. Nearly every programming language was created by someone with a grand plan for simplifying their programming chores, and the creators usually succeedat least in that narrow sense. The problem is that there are often secondary or tertiary effects that arent as wonderful.

For all the good that programming languages bring, theres always some hassle, some annoying quirk or inconsistency that ruins an evening, a weekend, or even an entire fiscal year.

Alas, we developers cant do much about it. The installed base may be too large to jettison the language that irks us. The boss may love a stack so much they refuse to hear the screams from the cubicle farms. Often, theres not even any agreement about what might be a good replacement.

The cruel truth is that there may be no better options. Were already using the best tools that humans can build. From Godel and Turing, weve learned that logical mechanisms have sharp edges. Sure, maybe its our own fault, we humans, for misusing or misprogramming. But when a programming language forces our brains into weird yoga poses, its hard not to blame it for our discontent.

Still, understanding the limitations of different programming languages makes it easier to program around them. If we cant permanently delete the languages from our repositories, we can try to understand and anticipate their idiosyncrasies. And besides, venting sometimes helps. Here are eight programming languages we love to hate, but also cant live without.

C

C is a language that might better be called a portable assembler rather than a complete computer language. Does anyone like writing separate header files? Has anyone used the preprocessor for something elaborate without going slightly mad?

In theory, were supposed to be able to use the power of the pointer arithmetic to do clever feats, but does anyone risk doing more than allocating data structures? Is it even a good idea to be too clever with pointers? Thats how code breaks. If youre able to be clever, it often requires writing a very long comment to document it, pretty much sucking up all the time you saved by being clever. Can anyone remember all the rules for writing C code to avoid adding all the possible security holes, like buffer overruns?

But we have no choice: Unix is written in C, and it runs most mobile phones and most of the cloud. Not everyone who writes code for these platforms needs to use C, but someone has to stay current with the asterisks and curly brackets, or else everything will fall apart.

Even the Unix people are starting to move away from C. In the last few years, some of the patches for the Linux kernel started appearing in Rust. The developers feel that the languages more rigid structure will prevent some of the security holes that C developers leave behind when theyre being clever. This transition, though, will take years and well probably be writing and chasing C pointers for longer than we run Cobol.

JavaScript

JavaScripts creators tried to make something modern. Its too bad that in their brilliance theyve forever doomed us to a life of counting curly brackets, square brackets, and parentheseswhile ensuring that theyre all properly nested, of course. Between the anonymous functions, the closures, and the JSON data structures, our pinkies get a real workout hitting those keys.

Then there are the weird details. If x is a string that holds the character for 1, then x+1 will produce the string 11 and x-1 will produce the number zero. Does anyone remember the difference between false , null , NaN , and undefined ? They sound similar, but why does JavaScript have all four of them? And why dont they behave consistently?

And then theres the rapid change. New JavaScript often looks nothing like old JavaScript, thanks to newer features for unpacking and packing, spreading or unspreading objects and arrays of objects. The code looks like a sea of double quotes, triple quotes, double question marks, and triple dots. Remember that  =>  is an arrow that invokes a function but  >=  is a way to compare numbers. The new features are great if you love them, but the rest of us are confused and stuck juggling ECMAScript version numbers and wondering if some browser will barf when fed some version of the code.

Alas, the internet, the web, and a bazillion browsers arent going anywhere. Then the supersmart Node.js team came along and built a platform for running JavaScript on the server. Now, its one of the most popular ways to build modern, progressive web applications. Coders are celebrating the freedom of isomorphic code that runs on both the browser and the server. It doesnt matter how much developers complain. Well be juggling anonymous functions and closures for decades.

PHP

PHP is not really a computer language; it's more of a tool for adding a bit of smarts to static HTML. You can store information in a database and concatenate it with static tags. There might be a few more features, but it seems like all we do with PHP is glue together strings we grab from a database.

Well, thats how it was. Some of PHP's creators have taken all our complaints to heart and added features like a stronger type system, smarter strings, and better integration with MySQL. PHP is better for it, and it supports more elaborate codebases. All of that sounds good, but dont get too excited about the improvements. At the same time the developers are adding new features, theyre deprecating some of the old ones. That means its only a matter of time before the old code stops working.

Arguing about toyish code or baby syntax isnt worth the trouble. Between WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, most of the content on the web is delivered through PHP code. Then theres Facebook (or Meta), which was largely written in PHP and continues to suck up a significant percentage of our time. We should just be happy that Facebook built the HipHop Virtual Machine (HHVM), inspiring Zend to create PHP 8.2.

These new PHP engines are often twice as fast, an irresistible speed boost that will save millions in electricity and ensure well all be writing PHP long into the future.

Cobol

Cobol began life in 1959 and should be obsolete by now, with its complex syntax filled with hundreds of restricted words. Yet Cobol lovers keep generating new versions, borrowing ideas from other languages, and bolting them onto a frame thats more than 60 years old. Did you know theres something called Cobol 2014? It includes dynamic tables, an idea that people have been trying to get into the language since 2002. And then theres Visual Cobol 8.0 which can link your Cobol up with Java or .NET code making it easier than ever to keep your old code running and running and running alongside more modern stacks.

We may have better tools for writing business logic to manipulate databases, but no one seems to bother because its easier to buy a bigger computer and keep the Cobol code going. Cobol lovers point out that old software logic never wears out so why risk introducing errors by trying to update it? As I type this, there are 346 jobs listed on Dice.com with the word Cobol in them. There are Cobol jobs in insurance companies and defense contractors everywhere. Early mainframe adopters still use Cobol to get the job done. Computer scientists may recoil in horror, but as long as customers are lining up, the bosses will say, If it aint broke, dont fix it. Just buy a bigger mainframe.

R

R was developed for data science and is still used widely by data scientists, although some have switched to Python because they find R too arcane. Some traditional programmers are thrown off by the interactive nature of R, sometimes called its scratchpad mode. Anyone who needs to add a few numbers or compute the standard deviation of a data set can just type a few characters into Rs command prompt and get the answer immediately. R is just as much a tool you use as a programming language for building things.

The language itself can be a bit odd and confusing. Many of the commands are designed to be quick and concise, which is great if youre juggling test tubes in the lab and asking R to compute a number on the side. Punctuation like the comma is incredibly powerful and Ive found that the solution to my woes was adding another comma. Hours of headaches, all for the want of one of the tiniest punctuation marks.

R's syntactic mysteries and data structure challenges frustrate data scientistsand they will for years to come. The installed base of R packages and libraries is almost irresistible. The R ecosystem is broad and growing. Many of the packages are open source and ready to answer your questions or your bosss demands with a quick graph or regression. Its just much easier to pull out your hair figuring out the double brackets in R than it is to rewrite the endless packages in your favorite language.

Java

The virtual machine and the libraries may date from the 90s, but Java's syntax is stuck in the 1970s when C was created. Automatic memory management seems like a big step forward until your code decides to abdicate while garbage collection takes control. Android developers exchange tips on when to politely request a garbage collection in advance to ensure that the garbage collector doesnt start up in the middle of an important event, like a phone call to 911.
The great DE&I journey Insurance Business Canadas 14 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) award winners have been recognized not only for their stellar achievements in fostering more progressive working environments but also for their ongoing commitment to their programs. DE&I work is a journey of learning, dialogue, social change, actions and shared accountability, explains Anne-Marie Pham, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Diversity, and Inclusion (CCDI). Because the workplace is continually changing with new employees, changing markets with new clients and expectations, organizations have to evolve over time in order to be responsive and adaptive  and that leads to long-term sustainability.

As we move towards a more equitable society, there are some people who feel like they are losing power or being left behind. DE&I is a journey and not everyone is moving at the same speed, so we need to help those who are fearful or angry about these changes

Rob Chiarello, Pacific Blue Cross

Insurance companies, as evidenced by IBCs award winners, will not all implement DE&I in the same way.

The insurance industry is not a monolith and there will inevitably be differences among various insurance companies in how ready and committed they are in their DE&I work. Those that show the most progress are those that are thoughtful about instituting change throughout the ecosystem  whether it be in hiring, retention, promotion, or how programs and services are developed and implemented  and engaging in dialogue to review progress and course correct throughout the year as needed, Pham adds.

What is a top-performing DE&I program?

Survey respondents ranked a series of statements in order of importance and the results are listed in the chart below.

Included in IBCs research were replies from 50 Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) employees.

Associate vice president Brooke Moss says its an expectation and an opportunity to attract strong talent and customers.

Manager, financial planning & analysis Maya Lanto, comments, Its a crazy world out there. People come from different backgrounds. Implementing a policy will ensure everyone understands each other.

PBC director Cathy Nurmi says, People deserve to feel safe and valued at work.

Im pleased with this ranking, says Rob Chiarello, senior vice president of people and culture at PBC. The top three that our staff have highlighted are a part of our DE&I purpose statement, so this really tells me we are on the right track.

Jenna Minchella, the head of people and culture at award winner Mitch Insurance, emphasizes that its vital to make DE&I a strategic priority. Diversity and inclusion can elevate us in so many ways, creating opportunities for everyone in the organization and showing the team whats possible and really just being an advocate for growth and development for everyone.

Her colleague, Mitch Insurance training lead Rhonda Reist, says on the survey that being treated equally is a basic human right. In the day were living in there is so much hate, and companies need to be diligent and address these issues right away so people can work in a safe environment in order to allow their gifts and talents to be fully expressed.

At fellow award winner QBE Services, Lisa Wolfe is the underwriting manager, property. A [DE&I] program is key to providing direction, accountability and a form of measure, she says. You need to be able to identify challenges and gain insights into what the obstacles are. I think it also allows you to adequately address those issues, report on them and address the root causes. It also helps address and change the organizational culture to be more accepting and supportive and reduces the risk of some of the negative consequences that you might face with pushback.

Ann Stevens, finance administrative assistant at QBE, says DE&I programs are important to protect both the company and employees. An anonymous participant from QBE explains, DE&I absolutely has to be measured in numbers; what does your company representation look like across all verticals? Most companies have a DE&I policy but without an accountable measurement this doesnt necessarily translate to results. Im pleased to work for a company that has representation across our leadership, notably women and visible minorities. There is a true sense of belonging for this reason that cant be replicated merely through a DE&I-related mandatory training session.

Diversity and inclusion can elevate us in so many ways, creating opportunities for everyone in the organization and showing the team whats possible and really just being an advocate for growth and development for everyone

Jenna Minchella, Mitch Insurance

Winners reflect on survey findings

Mary Martin, PBCs director of learning and engagement, feels the survey rankings ring true with her companys values. I think those top ones, theyre really saying that our employees feel like they belong and that their personal beliefs and traditions are respected. Creating and fulfilling a good DE&I program ranked lowest, something that Martin says is likely because our training programs are amazing and have built a solid foundation.

Also reflecting on the survey results, Minchella comments that not only is it necessary to have a good DE&I program, but its also really important to make sure your employees feel like they belong. This is something that we really try to include in our everyday lives here at Mitch, and its included in our values and our culture statement.

Wolfe also agrees with much of the sentiments shared by her industry peers and explains that the survey results arent surprising as they align with internal surveys at QBE. These are some of the overarching themes that come back to us, she says. Everyone wants to feel included and a part of the organization, and everyone wants to know that theyre being invited to the party and asked to dance.

DE&I work is a journey of learning, dialogue, social change, actions and shared accountability

Anne-Marie Pham, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Challenges to the DE&I movement

From disregarding historically overrepresented groups to more politically correct company cultures, the DE&I movement hasnt been without criticism. What do the winners think?

As we move towards a more equitable society, there are some people who feel like they are losing power or being left behind, says Chiarello. DE&I is a journey and not everyone is moving at the same speed, so we need to help those who are fearful or angry about these changes.

Martin adds, I think far too often we do DE&I initiatives because we know in our hearts that they are the right things to do. However, we dont create a solid change management plan to help those who may not be as far in their DE&I journey to embrace it.

Meanwhile, Minchella does not necessarily see any negative impacts, rather people implementing DE&I programs but not seeing them through. You really have to sincerely, genuinely drive DE&I and keep it as a priority and really own it, she says. I think if organizations are just talking about it but not actually doing anything, it can definitely negatively impact them from an employee standpoint or as a business.

Wolfe agrees with Minchella and says there isnt much negative about it. Theres continued challenges, she says. As much as weve been able to accomplish and move forward, theres still a lot of work to be done. There are a lot of moving parts with DE&I. Some people tend to focus on diversity, which can mean many things. Others focus on inclusion, which is also a grey area. So, I think that we need to heighten our focus around equity as well  equity being one of the most measurable in terms of numbers that give you accuracy in terms of the statistics and the measurements.

Summing up the intricacies and challenges to pursue an effective DE&I strategy, the CCDIs Pham says that it requires courage, humility, vulnerability and an ability to collaborate effectively with all affected parties.

Everyone wants to feel included and a part of the organization, and everyone wants to know that theyre being invited to the party and asked to dance

Lisa Wolfe, QBE Services

10,000+ employees

2,5009,999 employees

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

5002,499 employees

Beazley

Pacific Blue Cross

Westland Insurance Group

100499 employees

Liberty Mutual Canada

Markel Canada

Zensurance

199 employees
The IBC team determined the insurance companies with the most effective DE&I programs by inviting firms to share the DE&I initiatives they have implemented over the past 12 months. For 15 weeks, the team conducted one-on-one interviews with professionals to gain a keen understanding of the industry standards for DE&I and identify which companies had met or exceeded those expectations.
Edwards and Donelons concerns are not unfounded. Last year alone saw eight insurers go out of business, while several others had informed customers that they would stop writing new business in Louisiana. The surge of insured losses from hurricanes over the past years has also contributed to the states deteriorating insurance market.
The appointments are the latest for Zurich. Earlier this month, Penny Seach, former chief underwriting officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, stepped into the role of group chief underwriting officer. In September, the company named two new industry practice leaders for its US middle market team.
Dominick Tassone Jr. has been named chief underwriting officer

has been named chief underwriting officer Anne Hoffmans has been appointed senior vice president of program underwriting

has been appointed senior vice president of program underwriting Renee Montgomery has been named chief financial officer

Tassone has more than four decades of industry experience. Prior to joining ASIC, he served as vice president of underwriting for Spinnaker Insurance Company and executive vice president and head of programs for Aspen Insurance Group. He has also served in various underwriting management roles at QBE. in his new role, Tassone will be responsible for the development and maintenance of ASICs underwriting strategy, division profit and tactical growth, as well as underwriting standards for program business.
Operating profits at Pat McDonagh's Supermacs group surged by 62pc to 37.7m in 2021 as the business recovered from its city centre sites getting hammered in 2020 due to Covid-19.

New accounts show that Supermac's (Holdings) Ltd enjoyed the jump in operating profits in 2021 as it enjoyed its best-ever revenue performance with revenues increasing by 38pc from 141.5m to a record 195.69m.

The 195.69m in revenues compared to pre-Covid-19 revenues of 189.4m in 2019 and revenues of 172.19m in 2018.

The revenues for the expanding Supermac's (Holdings) Ltd are made up of income generated from its network of fast food restaurants, motorway service areas, hotels and property.

The group recorded a pre-tax profit of 29.48m after a write-down of 7.88m in inter-company loans and interest costs of 355,041 are taken into account.

The profits are skewed somewhat by unspecified other operating income of 16.65m.

Covid-19 restrictions had shut down the hotel sector until early June 2021 and separate figures by Revenue Commissioners show that Supermacs availed of Covid-19 support payments of Employer Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS) payments in 2021.

The 16.6m followed the group receiving payments CRSS and EWSS payments of 8.2m 2020.

Numbers employed at the group also increased rising 1,443 to 1,503 as staff costs increased from 24.1m to 38.9m.

The group recorded a post-tax profit of 24.08m after paying corporation tax of 5.4m.

The profit for 2021 also takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 5.6m.

The 2021 financial performed further strengthened the groups balance sheet with accumulated profits of 188m at the end of 2021.

The groups cash funds increased from 34.49m to 61.58m.

The group further expanded in 2021 with 11.74m spent on acquiring property and 13.07m was spent under that heading in 2020.

A note attached to the accounts states that the group actively seeks capital investment opportunities on an ongoing basis and intends to continue this policy for the foreseeable future.

Pat McDonagh and Una McDonagh - who signed the accounts off on January 20th - each have a 50pc share in the business.

According to the directors report the group operates in a very competitive environment with constant pressures on margins and costs. It requires a significant market share to remain profitable, while the economic recovery in Ireland remains volatile.

Pay to directors totalled 152,425. During the year the company paid 789,104 to Pat McDonagh in respect of property leased to the company.

At the beginning of the year the company owed 6.2m to Mr McDonagh. 431,764 was repaid during the year, leaving a balance owing to Mr McDonagh at year-end of 5.7m.

Ends
Burma 13 Election Commission Offices Attacked by Resistance So Far: Myanmar Regime

An undated picture of an election commission office after being attacked / Cincds

Thirteen election commission offices in different parts of the country were damaged in attacks by Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) from December 2021 to this past Sunday, the regime said in its mouthpiece newspapers on Monday.

Attacks on electoral offices were unprecedented in Myanmar until military rule under junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Most of the attacks took place in Chin and Karen states, where ethnic armed organizations as well as resistance forces that emerged following the 2021 coup, collectively known as the Peoples Defense Force, are fighting the regime. Other attacks were reported in Kayah (Karenni) State and Sagaing, Magwe and Tanintharyi regions.

The offices came under mine and arson attacks as well as gunfire and mortar attacks, and the financial loss totaled more than 350 million kyats [about US$123,000 at market rates], said the juntas newspapers.

Attacks on election offices have intensified lately as the regime is planning to hold an election later this year. Min Aung Hlaing said earlier this year that his regime plans to hold voting across the country.

The junta-appointed election body has approved the introduction of the proportional representation (PR) system to replace the first-past-the-post system in the planned poll. The adoption of PR is widely expected to guarantee the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party the 26 percent of seats it needs in the national legislature. With 25 percent of seats constitutionally guaranteed to the Myanmar military, this will allow the regime to maintain its grip on power, and claim legitimacy as an elected government.

The election body has also made changes to the Political Parties Registration Law and is providing training to electoral staff, as well as updating voter lists.

Revolutionary forces have warned people against organizing or participating in the junta-proposed election. The juntas updating of voter lists has prompted deadly attacks on junta soldiers and police providing security for election officers compiling voter lists.

The majority of Myanmar people are against the junta-organized poll, being well aware that those who will come to power will be the current ruling generals in different outfits, and their supporters. The parallel National Unity Government and major political parties including the National League for Democracy, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, some ethnic armed organizations, and foreign governments and blocs including the US, EU and Malaysia have rejected the poll.

US Department of State Counselor Derek Chollet reiterated Washingtons rejection of the juntas sham election in a recent interview with VOA.

Min Aung Hlaing is expected to step down as the chief of the military junta at the end of this month, which marks the expiration of the two-year emergency rule period declared at the time of the coup. The National Defense and Security Council, which is dominated by the Myanmar military, is required to hold an election within six months of that date, according to the constitution.

Political observers believe the proposed election will be neither free nor fair, and the regime might not be able to hold it nationwide. Min Aung Hlaing will however hold the election in towns, where the regime has control, and claim the presidency by any means at his disposal, observers say.
Burma Myanmar Junta Stops Issuing Passports

Myanmar migrant workers returning from Thailand seen at the border crossing in Mae Sot, Thailand in 2020. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars military regime has suspended issuing passports since last week, dismaying many job seekers planning to work overseas away from the social and economic turmoil in Myanmar. Labor rights activists say that the juntas move is politically motivated.

The regime suspended issuing passports in December, although Myanmar migrant workers were still able to obtain them under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Myanmar government and relevant foreign governments. But as of January 17, the junta fully suspended issuing and renewing passports, as well as accepting new passport applications.

The reasons behind the suspension and how long it will last have not been specified by the regime.

Labor rights activists say that the move is politically motivated, as the junta seeks to cut the funds flowing from Myanmar workers overseas to the armed resistance known as Peoples Defense Forces. The passport suspension amounts to a human rights violation, said labor activists.

Daw Thuzar Maung, a labor rights activist, said that the majority of Myanmar migrant workers in Malaysia make donations to the resistance movement.

They [the junta] apparently think that people cant work if they cant get passports, or that they cant continue to work once their passports expire. And if they arent receiving salaries, they wont be able to fund the revolution. They have done this with that thought in mind, she said.

Many Myanmar migrant workers in Malaysia choose to overstay their visas, as they dont want to engage with the junta-controlled embassy. Instead, they apply for work and residency permits issued locally, added Daw Thuzar Maung.

There are many Myanmar migrant workers who dont hold passports anymore. When they seek help from us, we help them contact the relevant United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office, she said.

By suspending passport services, the junta also wants to stop anti-regime activists from leaving the country while pretending to be migrant workers, observers say.

Young and middle-aged people have been leaving Myanmar daily in the hope of better economic prospects, after being deprived of their livelihoods and security amid the turmoil caused by the Myanmar militarys coup of February 2021. The putsch prompted an exodus of foreign firms from Myanmar, which has only worsened the countrys economy.

Top destinations for people leaving Myanmar include Thailand, Malaysia, Korea and Japan. Thailand has the largest population of Myanmar migrant workers, with another 400,000 moving there since the coup, according to labor rights activists.

U Moe Joe, a longtime Myanmar migrant rights activist and chairperson of the Mae Sot, Thailand-based Joint Action Committee for Burma Affairs, said of the suspension of passport services: It is a blatant violation of the citizenship and human rights of Myanmar citizens.

Employment agencies and labor rights activists warned that the suspension of passport services will result in an increase in the number of people leaving Myanmar illegally.

Over 60,000 Myanmar nationals were arrested in Thailand in 2022 for entering the country illegally, according to the Thai authorities.

In a December 2022 report, the International Organization for Migration said that it estimates that approximately 40,000 Myanmar nationals are leaving the country monthly for conflict-related but also economic and other reasons, through a range of regular and irregular pathways, with the majority migrating to Thailand.
Burma Over 15,000 Flee as Myanmar Junta Bombs, Shells and Burns Katha Villages

Houses burn in the sprawling village of Moetar, Katha township after being torched by regime forces on Sunday. / CJ

More than 15,000 residents from 10 villages in Katha Township, Sagaing Region have fled their homes as regime troops torch houses after conducting airstrikes on civilian targets.

Junta forces burned houses in Moetar village, Tike Kone ward on Sunday and Monday after three days of intense clashes with local resistance forces nearby, according to local residents.

Regime forces entered Tike Kone ward on Sunday, a day after resistance forces retreated following clashes. They continued to burn house until this morning, a representative of Katha Peoples Administration Group told The Irrawaddy on Monday.

Thousands of residents have fled to Katha town while many others are thought to be sheltering in forest and farmland, he said.

Heavy fighting erupted 3 to 5 kilometers from Moetar village on Wednesday when a combined unit of the Katha-People Defense Force and All Burma Students Front (ABSDF) ambushed a military detachment of around 100 troops from Kachin State heading to the village.

After suffering heavy losses in the clash, regime forces sent two fighter jets from the airbase in the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina to bomb both resistance fighters and civilian targets in Moetar.

The airstrikes killed eight villagers, mostly women, and injured 30 others.

The lethal attacks prompted several thousand residents of Moetar and surrounding villages to flee their homes.

The fierce clashes continued until Friday when regime forces deployed fighter jets and helicopter gunships to attack the resistance fighters while dropping reinforcements by helicopter.

Regime aircraft bombed the villages of Moetar and Nant San, which were also targeted by a junta artillery unit based in Katha town.

The combined attack left a father and child seriously injured, according to the Katha township People Administrative Group. The airstrikes also damaged the Nant San village school.

Thirty regime personnel including a military strategist were killed in the three-day battle, according to local media, citing resistance forces that took part in the fighting.

One resistance fighter was reportedly killed and three others wounded.

The Irrawaddy was unable to confirm the reports.

The Myohla PDF local resistance group last Thursday released video showing its members using grenade launchers and mortar shells in an intense clash.

Junta jets also attacked Moetar Village a year ago on January 12, killing or severely injuring five civilians including children, and damaging six houses.
War Against the Junta Commander of Myanmar Junta Interrogation Center, Sergeant Shot Dead by Resistance

Major Than Htut (left) and seized documents / Bago Region PDF

The commanding officer of an interrogation center and a sergeant, both from the regimes Military Intelligence unit, which is infamous for investigating, arresting and torturing anti-junta forces, were shot dead by local resistance groups on the Yangon-Mandalay highway on Sunday.

Major Than Htut, the commander of No. 1 Military Security Affairs Auxiliary Force, and Sergeant Myint Aung from his company were killed in an operation by combined forces of the Taungoo District Peoples Defense Force (PDF) in Bago Region, according to a statement issued by Bago Region PDF.

The resistance forces ambushed the van the two were traveling in after receiving a tip from the Yangon UG Association (YUA).

The military personnel defended themselves with weapons from inside the van. They were both killed along with two others traveling with them, according to the Taungoo PDF. The identities of the other two were unknown.

Bago Region PDF said Maj. Than Htut was in charge of an interrogation center on Pyay Road on the outskirts of Yangon.

He and his colleague Sergeant Myint Aung investigated and arrested underground resistance group members by posing as arm traders, Bago Region PDF said in the statement.

A member of Taungoo PDF said the two junta personnel were identified based on documents found at the scene. A dozen rounds of ammunition and two pistols were also seized.

We destroyed the car by setting it on fire, he said.

The Military Security Affairs Auxiliary Force is under the command of the Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (OCMSA), the regimes major apparatus for extracting information from dissidents through torture. OCMSA operatives are believed to have tortured thousands of detainees. Hundreds of detainees have been killed in military custody in post-coup Myanmar.

The interrogation centers are overseen by Lieutenant General Ye Win Oo, one of the right-hand men of Myanmar regime boss Min Aung Hlaing.
War Against the Junta Nearly 50 Myanmar Junta Troops Killed in Three Days of Resistance Attacks

Weapons and ammunition seized by Karenni resistance forces during a raid on a junta outpost in Bawlakhe Township last Friday / KNDF

At least 47 Myanmar junta forces including pro-regime militia members were killed in the last three days as Peoples Defense Force groups (PDF) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

Four civilians and three resistance members were killed in junta attacks.

In one case, resistance forces seized and burned down a military outpost in Kayah State.

Incidents were reported in Sagaing, Magwe and Bago regions and Chin, Kayah and Mon states.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and EAOs.

Some military casualty figures could not be independently verified.

Junta outpost seized by resistance groups in Kayah

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) claimed that it and several PDF groups including the Karenni Army managed to seize and burn down a military outpost on a mountain in Bawlakhe Township, Kayah State last Friday.

During the raid, the bodies of five dead soldiers were found at the outpost. The rest of the regime forces abandoned the base. A resistance fighter was also killed in the raid, said the KNDF.

The resistance forces managed to seize the junta outpost despite heavy junta artillery and air strikes.

Ammunition and many weapons were also seized, said the KNDF.

Seventeen regime forces killed in PDF attacks in Magwe

At least 17 regime forces including pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia members were killed in two days of attacks in Pakokkou and Pauk townships, Magwe Region on Friday and Saturday, said Myaing-PDF, which conducted the attacks.

Early on Saturday morning, the PDF fighters used land mines to ambush six military vehicles from three locations on the Pakokku-Kanma road in Pakokku Township. In the ambushes, 11 regime troops were killed and eight others injured.

On Friday, five junta troops including a militia member were killed in the township when Myaing-PDF attacked regime forces in a civilian vehicle near Kantaw Village.

During the ambush, regimes forces from nearby Hponekan Village used heavy explosives to target the resistance forces. A regime soldier was reportedly accidentally killed while shelling the PDF forces.

On the same day, Myaing-PDF and another PDF group jointly attacked regime forces at two military checkpoints in Pauk Township, Magwe Region. Many regime troops are thought to have been killed or injured, Myaing-PDF claimed.

Police outpost bombed by PDF drone in Magwe

Local PDF group Eagle Force claimed that it used a drone to drop a bomb on a police outpost in Yaynathar Village in Kanma Township, Magwe Region on Sunday. Military casualties were unknown.

Regime forces bombed by PDF drone in Magwe



A drone drops a bomb on regime targets in Pauk Township last Friday. / PRF

A junta soldier was killed and two others injured in Pauk Township, Magwe Region last Friday when Pauk Revolution Front used a drone to drop bombs on regime forces stationed at a school in Ohntaw Village, said the resistance group, which conduct the drone strike.

Three civilian hostages, PDF fighter killed in upper Sagaing

A PDF fighter and a junta soldier were killed in an intense clash between 130 regime forces and combined PDF groups including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Region last Friday, according to local news site Indaw Revoltuion.

In the clash, four regime soldiers were also injured. The military detachment killed three civilian detainees who were abducted from Lal Hmee Village as hostages.

Resistance forces discovered the bodies of the three civilian detainees as well as the body of a soldier who was killed in the clash.

Fierce clash breaks out in Sagaing

Many regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region last Friday when 15 resistance groups jointly attacked a military detachment shelling villages without reason, said Civilians Defense and Security Organization of Myaung (CDSOM), which coordinated the attack.

Resistance groups were forced to attack the military detachment of 60 troops after it shelled Suu Lay Kone Village, killing a villager and seriously injuring three others including a Buddhist monk.

The PDF groups ambushed the military detachment while it was returning to its base in Kyaukyit Village.

At the same time, other PDF groups used a drone and improvised rocket-launched bombs to attack the police station in Kyaukyit Village.

Five pro-regime militia members killed in PDF raid in Sagaing

Five pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia members and a resistance fighter were killed during a shootout in the pro-regime village of Sin Ai Ma near the border of Mingin and Kalewa townships in Sagaing Region last Friday, said Mingin Revolution, a media wing of local resistance forces.

The clash broke out as at least four PDF groups jointly raided the pro-regime village.

Three regime troops killed in PDF attack in Sagaing

At least three junta troops were killed in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday when Kawlin District PDF Battalion 1 and local resistance forces jointly attacked a military detachment of 53 troops from military Light Infantry Battalion 363 near Wayonekhone Village, said Kawlin Revolution, the media wing of local PDF groups.

After an hourlong clash, all PDF fighters retreated from the area without casualties.

Military checkpoint raided in Sagaing



Resistance fighters attack a military checkpoint in Myinmu Township on Sunday. / Zero Guerrilla Force

Three regime forces were killed and two others injured in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday when three PDF groups raided a military checkpoint at Htee Saung Village, claimed Zero Guerrilla Force, which took part in the raid.

Soldiers at the checkpoint were extorting money from civilian vehicles, the PDF group said.

Two junta soldiers killed in PDF drone strike in Sagaing



A drone drops a bomb on a junta base in Ayadaw Township on Sunday. / Danger Force

Local resistance group Danger Force claimed to have killed two regime troops and injured six others when they used a drone to drop two bombs on a military checkpoint in Ayadaw Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday.

After being bombed some regime forces searched for PDF fighters on the streets and randomly opened fire.

Junta police officer assassinated in Mon

Local resistance group Ye-Belu claimed to have assassinated police officer Hein Thura in the town of Ye in Mon State on Saturday.

The police officer took bribes to allow drug dealers and gambling businesses to operate in the town, Ye-Belu said, citing the reports of residents.

Nine regime forces killed in PDF raid in Chin

At least nine junta soldiers were killed and many other injured in Matupi Township, Chin State on Saturday morning when Chinland Defense Force-Matupi raided a regime base on the Mindat-Matupi highway, said the resistance group.

Resistance forces also ambushed a detachment of junta reinforcements traveling to military bases under attack by the PDF. During the attack, a military weapon was seized. There were no resistance casualties, CDF-Matupi claimed.

Junta-run General Administration Department office bombed in Bago

Bago Region PDF claimed that one of its PDF groups, Tharyarwaddy District PDF Battalion 3801, used a remote-controlled bomb to attack the regime-run General Administration Department office in Gyobingauk Township, Bago Region last Friday.

The office was collecting voter lists for the juntas coming sham election. In the attack, three regime forces were injured. After being bombed, regime forces guarding the office opened fire at random.
January 23, 2023



Idaho State University Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Mustafa Mashal has been named ISUs associate director at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES).

As associate director, Mashal is responsible for advancing ISUs CAES-related research projects, serving on the centers Executive Board, helping to direct resources and support for collaborative research  both interdisciplinary and inter-institutional, and more.

Dr. Mashal seeks innovative and imaginative ways to solve problems, and his expertise and wide-ranging interests will expand ISU's partnerships with Idaho National Laboratory and other universities in our region and beyond, said Martin Blair, vice president for research at Idaho State University. In the classroom and laboratory, Dr. Mashal works closely with students to help them learn while positively contributing to energy-related research.

Mashal has been no stranger to the workings of CAES. Hes earned multiple CAES program development grants, including one for what would later become the Disaster Response Complex (DRC). Housed in Pocatello, the DRC can host real-world emergency and search and rescue scenarios for local, state, and federal entities. The DRC was later awarded a $1.1 million Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission - Higher Education Research Council grant, with CAES and Idaho National Laboratory as collaborators. Additionally, Mashal was elected a CAES Fellow in 2020, and in 2019 and 2021, he was a member of the CAES Summer Visiting Faculty Program.

I have been collaborating with CAES since 2016, and I have seen firsthand how it has provided opportunities for our students and researchers at ISU, Mashal said. For example, the Disaster Response Complex was born from a CAES collaboration, and since opening in late 2020, more than 1,000 responders from around the region and across the country have trained at the DRC. It also provided numerous research and practical hands-on opportunities for more than a dozen ISU students.

Mashal started in his associate director role remotely in early January. He is currently on sabbatical until August 2023 in Doha, Qatar serving as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar at Qatar University. The U.S. Department of State recently approved for him to deliver a weeklong civil engineering seminar in March at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan, as part of the Fulbright Regional Travel Program. Before his time in Qatar, he held the Visiting Erskine Fellowship at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. He will return to Idaho in August 2023.

I take a personal interest in helping others because when I needed guidance during my career, there has been someone who has helped me, said Mashal. I look forward to continuing to serve ISU in this capacity by building on our partnerships with Idaho National Laboratory and fellow CAES Universities and helping ISU faculty, students, and staff involved in CAES achieve their research goals.

Mashal succeeds Dave Rodgers, who retired in December after spending over three years as associate director.

The Center for Advanced Energy Studies is a research and education consortium consisting of Idaho National Laboratory, the public research universities of Idaho: Boise State University, Idaho State University and the University of Idaho and industry. Through this collaboration, CAES participants work to solve critical energy challenges while providing workforce training opportunities and encouraging economic development in communities throughout the region. CAES accomplishes this through cutting-edge research and programs and services that pair university students with INL researchers and industry partners.

For more information on the research happening at ISU, visit isu.edu/research.
COMPANY NEWS: Enterprise automation oftware company UiPath has announced significant upgrades to allow customers to modernise their software testing practices by migrating testing to the UiPath Business Automation Platform.

Significant new functionality within UiPath Test Suite available to all UiPath customers to enable automated testing for software, automation, and quality assurance teams

With migration streamlined and comprehensive software testing natively available to all customers, UiPath provides CIOs and IT decision makers the opportunity to save costs by consolidating and automating testing in a single platform.

UiPath Test Suite combines the worlds leading robotic process automation (RPA) technology with omni-channel testing capabilities to sustainably accelerate scaling through continuous testing, cross-enterprise collaboration, and a consistent approach to create and deploy automations. Test Suite benefits practitioners who create automations and stakeholders who depend on automations, including transformation leaders, business users, customers, and partners.

New UiPath Test Suite capabilities include



Migration accelerator service: migrates both Test Management and Automation assets from commonly used legacy solutions for customers looking to standardise testing on UiPath. Large enterprise customers using legacy solutions for application lifecycle management (ALM) can use this tool for easy migration to UiPath.

Test Manager Hub : UiPath Test Manager connectors for ALM and testing tools for tighter collaboration and management across the software delivery team to support new test automation use cases.

Test Suite now integrates with more than 40 of the most popular ALM tools on the market after working in collaboration with Tasktop by Planview. With these new capabilities, UiPath customers can apply production-grade test automation on both modern and legacy applications, maximising automation coverage of testing by automating what was previously difficult and complex.

Customers are seeking to connect UiPath to their development toolchain, and these two new features of the UiPath Business Automation Platform are the latest innovations in automated testing, said Dr. Gerd Weishaar, Senior Vice President of Product Management at UiPath.

CIOs and IT leaders can achieve software testing outcomes faster at a lower cost with our intuitive and scalable testing solutions included in the markets only end-to-end automation platform. Organisations can leave disparate legacy testing tools behind and consolidate on the UiPath platform to modernise how teams manage and execute delivery of their software.

Orica, one of the worlds largest mining and infrastructure solutions providers, is planning to use Test Suite to enable successful upgrades of its SAP S4 HANA software. As we scale our automation program and build complex automations that will accelerate our business, the ability to automate testing within the UiPath Business Automation Platform will be critical, said Chris Crozier, Chief Information Officer, Orica.

"Digital innovation demands faster software deployment times which rely on continuous testing approaches to enable quality application delivery as part of DevOps pipelines," said Melinda Ballou, research director of IDC's Agile ALM Quality and Portfolio Strategies service.

"Software testing tools that enable ease of access and coordination with RPA environments such as UIPath's and broadly used development environments bring opportunities to execute more quickly to improve software velocity and business execution."

Earlier in 2022, UiPath was named a Leader in the IDCMarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Testing 2022 Vendor Assessment  Empowering Business Velocity.* The report, which includes UiPath for the first time among traditional software quality tools, examines cloud testing adoption trends and their influence on organisational success through the development of secure, high-quality software.

The IDC MarketScape report recognises UiPath for capitalising on its RPA technology and dominant position in the enterprise automation market to help enable timely, needed coordination and synergy for the testing of automations. One reference equated the time saved using UiPath for both RPA and Test Suite to a savings of $2.5 million for the company, the report states. To download a complimentary excerpt of the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Testing 2022 Vendor Assessment  Empowering Business Velocity, click here.

Register here to join a webinar on February 16 to learn more about modernising the testing stack with UiPath migration accelerators that help customers migrate from legacy testing solutions and connect UiPath Test Manager.

To learn more about UiPath Test Suite and its suite testing products and services, please visit here, and try UiPath Test Suite for free here. To learn more about UiPath, please visit www.uipath.com.

*IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Testing 2022 Vendor Assessment  Empowering Business Velocity (IDC # US47097221, March 2022)

About UiPath

UiPath has a vision to deliver the Fully Automated Enterprise, one where companies use automation to unlock their greatest potential. UiPath offers an end-to-end platform for automation, combining the leading Robotic Process Automation(RPA) solution with a full suite of capabilities that enable every organisation to rapidly scale digital business operations.
After four years of growth that propelled the radio access network market to reach new record levels, the RAN market is transitioning from expansion to the next phase in 5G journey with more challenging comparisons and slower growth, according to market research firm DellOro Group.

"It is still early days in the 5G journey but at the same time, the coverage and capacity phases that have shaped the capex cycles with previous technology generations still hold," explained DellOro Group vice president and analyst Stefan Pongratz.

Still, even with the expected changes in capital intensities as the operators reach their initial 5G coverage targets, the plethora of 5G frequencies taken together with the upside from FWA and eventually private 5G, will curb the peak-to-trough decline relative to 2G-4G," continued Pongratz.

The Mobile RAN five-year January 2023 forecast highlighted the following:

1. Global RAN is projected to grow at a zero percent CAGR outside of China by 2027.

2. The less advanced MBB regions are expected to grow while RAN investments in both China and 3. North America are expected to decline at mid-single digit CAGRs over the forecast period.

5G RAN is expected to grow another 25% to 30% by 2027, though this will barely be enough to offset steep declines in LTE.

4. mmWave projections have been revised downward over the near term and upward in the outer part of the forecast to reflect the potential upside with higher EIRP solutions.

5. Small cell RAN revenue growth has been outpacing macros for some time now and these trends are expected to extend throughout the forecast period, with small cell RAN revenues growing more than 20% by 2027.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 20 January 2023.
The European Commission is launching a public consultation on the reform of the European Union's electricity market design.

The aim is to better protect consumers from excessive price volatility, support their access to secure energy from clean sources, and make the market more resilient.

The consultation will run until 13 February and focuses on four main areas:

- Making electricity bills less dependent on short-term fossil fuel prices, and boosting the deployment of renewables;

- Improving market functioning to ensure security of supply, and fully utilise alternatives to gas, such as storage and demand response;

- Enhancing consumer protection and empowerment;

- Improving market transparency, surveillance and integrity.

The European Council has called on the Commission to work swiftly on the structural reform of the electricity market, with the dual objective of securing European energy sovereignty and achieving climate neutrality. The planned reform of the electricity market design was announced by President von der Leyen in her annual State of the Union Speech last year and is included in the Commission's 2023 Work Programme. The outline of an improved electricity market design was presented to Ministers by Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson at the Energy Council on 19 December.
The UK on Friday vowed to help Ukraine "pursue criminal accountability for Russia's illegal invasion", as international support grows for a special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly branded Moscow's renewed military assault on its neighbour, launched last February, "an outrageous violation of the rules-based international order".

He said London had accepted an invitation from Kyiv to join "a core group of like-minded partners" seeking legal accountability, with a new "hybrid" tribunal among the potential options to be assessed.

"Alongside other international partners invited by Ukraine, the UK will shape thinking on how to ensure criminal accountability for Russia's aggression against Ukraine," his department said.

"This includes assessing the feasibility of a new 'hybrid' tribunal".

A specialised court could be integrated into Ukraine's national justice system but have foreign elements, such as international prosecutors and judges and foreign funding.

The idea first emerged late last year and won the backing of German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock on Monday during a visit to The Hague, which hosts the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It would get around the fact that the ICC cannot prosecute Russia for the "leadership" crime of aggression, because Russia does not recognise the court.

The ICC has nonetheless launched an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, because Kyiv has accepted its jurisdiction.

But there are growing Western calls for a better mechanism to target Russia's civilian and military leadership for ordering and overseeing the invasion.

"The atrocities we've witnessed in Ukraine are diabolical... (and) must not go unpunished," said Cleverly.

"That's why the UK has accepted Ukraine's invitation to join this coalition, bringing our legal expertise to the table to explore options to ensure Russia's leaders are held to account fully."

However, there are major hurdles before any proposed special court could even be created, let alone put Russian leaders on trial.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who held talks with Baerbock on Monday, has opposed the creation of a special tribunal for Ukraine, fearing it could undermine his own probes into Russia's war.

Meanwhile, broad international support would be seen as crucial to its formation, before the thorny issue of how to bring any suspects before it is tackled.

Russia has said any Ukraine tribunal would lack legitimacy, and would refuse to extradite suspects.
A rights group representing China's Muslim Uyghur minority on Friday lost its case against the UK government, which it claimed had failed to investigate cotton imports allegedly linked to forced labour camps.

The German-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC) alleged that the UK government and police had blocked a criminal probe into the sale of goods sourced from Xinjiang, in northwest China.

Beijing has been accused of detaining upwards of one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in camps in its far west. A United Nations report in August cited possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.

The non-governmental organisation brought the case against the interior ministry, tax department and the National Crime Agency at the High Court in London.

But judge Ian Dove on Friday rejected the WUC's case, saying there were "problems" over identifying the required level of proof needed regarding cotton consignments to launch criminal investigations.

The government had committed "no error" in its assessment of the legal tools highlighted by WUC, he said.

Despite the ruling, Dove said the case "does not in any way undermine the striking consensus in the evidence that there are clear and widespread abuses in the cotton industry... involving human rights violations and the exploitation of forced labour".

Dolkun Isa, president of the WUC, said it was a "greatly disappointing outcome for the Uyghur community", adding that it would "continue to hold the Chinese government accountable".

Rights groups say more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are detained in what the United States and lawmakers in some Western countries have said amounts to genocide.

The UK parliament passed a non-binding declaration last year that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed in Xinjiang.

A recent United Nations report found credible allegations of torture and forced labour there.

However, Beijing has long denied any such accusations, claiming the United States and Western allies are using the issue as a "political tool".

In its legal filing, the WUC warned there was a "high risk" that cotton products sourced from some Chinese businesses by British companies could be produced by "prison or forced labour".

It said the UK government had "resolutely declined to engage" in evidence gathered since 2020 showing the "horrors" allegedly perpetrated against Uyghur people.

Lawyers for the UK government said the NCA had concluded there was "insufficient material from which to develop any line of inquiry or criminal investigation".

jwp/phz/gil

UNILEVER PLC
US authorities have deported to Mexico a former police officer accused of involvement in the disappearance of 43 college students in 2014 -- one of the Latin American country's worst human rights tragedies.

Alejandro Tenescalco Mejia, 41, was handed over to Mexican authorities after he entered the United States illegally by climbing over the border wall, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday.

"Tenescalco Mejia is one of several individuals wanted in the case (of the abducted students), according to a Mexican court document," it said in a statement.

The suspect was wanted by Mexican authorities and Interpol for kidnapping and involvement in organized crime, Mexico's National Migration Institute said.

The students at a teacher training college had commandeered buses in the southern state of Guerrero to travel to a demonstration in Mexico City before they went missing.

Investigators say they were detained by corrupt police and handed over to a drug cartel, though exactly what happened to them is disputed.

One theory is that cartel members targeted the students because they had unknowingly taken a bus with drugs hidden inside.

So far, the remains of only three victims have been identified.

Last year, a truth commission tasked by the government to investigate the atrocity branded the case a "state crime" involving agents of various institutions, including the military.
Four Russian soldiers are led by guards into the spacious chamber of the Poltava region's Kotelevsky district court. They are seated on a bench in a glass booth. For this one day only of hearing, the defendants were brought to court in Kotelva from the Kharkiv detention centre. Before, in the preliminary hearing, they participated with their defence lawyers by video conference.

Kolesnikov, you are the oldest and you will be the first to give explanations. Do you know what to say? Speak briefly, clearly, quickly, a lawyer instructs the Russian soldier with glasses who is sitting in the middle, before the hearing. He nods his head in response.

Later, Judge Antonina Sholudko will indeed talk first to Ruslan Kolesnikov, born in 1968, and then to his younger companions: Mikhail Ivanov, born in 1977; Maksim Volvak, born in 1992; and Valentin Bich, born in 1980. All four soldiers were captured a couple of months ago when the Ukrainian army regained control of the Kharkiv region that had been occupied by the Russian Federation. They are assisted in court by an interpreter, a woman in a turquoise suit, who sits in the centre, between the prosecutor, the judge and the defence, and by four lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Centre - one for each soldier.

According to the accusation, in early September in the village of Borova, south-east of Kharkiv, the Russians tortured three local residents who had taken part in a military operation in Donetsk and Lugansk regions, in eastern Ukraine, during the first episode of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014-2015. Seven years later, at the time of the occupation, the men were not military anymore, explained prosecutor Mykhaylo Martysh.

"I fully agree with the prosecution and with the punishment. We deserved it. This is not the way to act," one of the defendants replied to the judge of the court in Kotelva (eastern Ukraine) who asked them if they were aware that they were mistreating civilians and violating the laws and customs of war.  Iryna Salii

Beaten with a hammer

The four Russian soldiers were following instructions from their leader, an unidentified military officer code-named Amur. It was Amur who allegedly gave the accused instructions to bring the three victims in for questioning as former members of the ATO (the Anti-Terrorist Operation held by Ukraine to counter the separatist forces in Donbass).

The prosecutor spent 40 minutes presenting the charges, detailing all the scenes of torture.

On September 1, at 3pm, Russian soldiers captured Vladimir Pushkar. They put plastic restraints on his hands and a bag over his head. The man was then taken in a white pick-up truck to the "Miner's Light" recreation centre in the neighbouring village of Novoplatonovka, where he was held in a 3x3 metre pit dug in the ground, without sufficient food or water.

Over the next two days, Amur interrogated the prisoner about other residents of Borova who participated in the ATO. On September 3, Pushkar was again restrained with hand binders and a bag on his head before he was taken into the area of the local hospital, where he was released.

On September 3, the Russians likewise imprisoned Andrei Maliovany, a resident of Borova. Displaying a knife, Amur threatened to cut off Maliovany's fingers if he did not tell the occupants useful information about his fellow villagers.

On September 4, the Russians came to Sergei Sotnik's house and took him away. At the "Miner's Light" base, the captive was detained in a pit and interrogated, being repeatedly beaten on his limbs with a hammer.

After "the talking", the occupants also let the two men go.

Special forces and PMC soldiers

The Russians listened with detachment. Copies of the indictment in their own language had already been provided to them beforehand.

Kolesnikov, from Rostov-on-Don, was a squad leader in the 16th Brigade of the Spetsnaz GRU, with the rank of Senior Sergeant. Ivanov, from Yakutia, was an RPG-7 grenade launcher, rank of private. Shooter Volvak was born in Ukraine, in the village of Novopskovsky, Lugansk region, but is a citizen of the Russian Federation and lives in Voronezh. The fourth soldier, Valentin Bich from Krasnodar, served as a rifleman.

According to the case file, Kolesnikov and Ivanov are from the private military company (PMC) Redut, while the other two are from the 16th Brigade of the GRU, a Russian Armed Forces special unit. However, all four reported to the court that they were from the 16th Brigade. The prosecutor said that the PMC was allegedly independent from the brigade, but also belonged to the armed formations of the Russian Federation. The judge turned to the defendants. Kolesnikov said that "Redut" was indeed created within the 16th Brigade.

I agree with the charges

Since the Russians pleaded guilty, the case was heard in a simplified procedure - without examining all the evidence. The court limited itself to questioning them.

Kolesnikov briefly responds to the offer to testify: I agree with the charges. The judge explains that they should say exactly when, where and how the crime was committed. Kolesnikov recalls that his brigade departed for Borova on August 29. Their own commander was constantly away and ordered them to obey the military officer called Amur.

Amur gave the soldiers three addresses, to which they drove, to capture the men and bring them to him. He conducted the interrogation personally. They spent the night there. We had a pit - our punished soldiers were put there. These people were detained there. Then Amur called them, talked to them and in 2-3 days we drove them back. As it is written, everything is written Kolesnikov nods at the prosecutor, at the accusation report.

Physical violence - well, right..., he adds. The Russian does not deny that the victims had restraints on their hands and bags over their heads as well as were subjected to psychological pressure. About Amur's threat to cut off the prisoner's fingers, according to him, he had only heard about it from his companions, but it was not said in front of him. The boys came and said, Hes lost his mind, hasn't he?

We did hit him a little bit, of course

The prosecutor reminds Kolesnikov that he himself and his companions struck the victim Sotnik twice in the arms and legs with a hammer.

"I do not argue."

"All of you inflicted [the hits]? One after another?"

"It appears so."

The defendant Ivanov confirms violence against Sotnik:

"We did hit him a little bit, of course... All four of us, one by one."

The judge asks whether they were aware that they were mistreating civilians and violating the laws and customs of war. The Russian soldiers reply that they were aware and are now feeling remorse. Then, the prosecutor asks for 11 years of imprisonment for all of them.

- I fully agree with the prosecution and with the punishment. We deserve it. This is not the way to act. We were carrying out the order of a higher command, Kolesnikov said.

His lawyer Liudmila Kalyuzhnaya said that there had been no irreversible consequences from what he had done, so she urged the court to impose a shorter term than the one asked by the prosecutor. The other defence lawyers pointed out that the soldiers followed the orders of their commander and that this was the first time they had committed a crime. Therefore, they insisted that the punishment should be as minimal as legally possible.

At the end, the defendants apologised to the victims and to the entire Ukrainian nation. Ivanov apologised to his Slavic brothers, the Ukrainians.

So far, no one is officially saying that the Russians will be exchanged. But during a break, one of the lawyers, walking past the glass booth in which the defendants sit bored while waiting for a decision, drops a remark: These terms will make no difference to you.

The verdict is quickly passed: the Russians are sentenced to 11 years in prison.

This report is part of our coverage of war crimes justice produced in partnership with Ukrainian journalists. A first version of this article was published on the "Sudovyi Reporter" website.
Korean contents are dominating various streaming sites, which became its reason to earn recognition abroad. The newly released movie "Jung_E" amazingly gained a number of viewers as it topped the worldwide ranking.

Keep on reading for details.

'Jung_E' Tops Netflix's Global Charts in Movie Category

Netflix officially introduced its newest sci-fi movie, "Jung_E" to the world. Apart from the fact that it is a Korean film, its compelling story and magnificent production caught the public's attention.

The movie premiered on January 20. Interestingly, just one day after its release, "Jung_E" already became a blockbuster not just in Korea-but also abroad. According to Flix Patrol, a global OTT tanking site, as of January 21, the Korean film immediately occupied the top spot on Netflix's worldwide ranking in the movie category beating other foreign shows such as "Dog Gone," "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," "The Pale Blue Eye," and more.

In particular, "Jung_E" came first in the film category in 32 countries including the United States.

What We Know About Kim Hyun Joo's 'Jung_E'

Based on the synopsis released, "Jung_E" follows the story of people trying to develop the best combat artificial intelligence (AI) by cloning the brain of the legendary mercenary Jung Yi. They plan it hoping to end the war in a shelter, where they migrated to after leaving earth, which was ruined due to climate change.

K-drama actress Kim Hyun Joo headlined the film by playing the role of Jung Yi, she led the allied forces to victory in multiple operations during the civil war. The late actress Kang Soo Yeon played the character of Seo Hyun, the head of a research institute that develops "Jung_E" through the process of brain cloning.

In addition, the new Korean movie is helmed by director Yeon Sang Ho, who is also behind the creatives of Netflix's original series "Hellbound."

Koreans Share Sentiments About Netflix's Sci-Fi Movie 'Jung_E'

On the other hand, in an open forum online, other Koreans shared their comments about the movie. Some said that the graphic designs were great and the production investment was indeed good.

A commenter praised the film's action scenes and the actors performances. However, he finds it boring.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Song Hye Kyo & Song Joong Ki Top Actor Brand Reputation Rankings For January

Have you watched "Jung_E"? What can you say about it? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
90 days and counting: the uncertainty of being an employed physician [PODCAST]

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In the world of medicine, job security is not a given. In this episode, we speak with Aaron Morgenstein, an orthopedic surgeon who discusses the challenges and uncertainties of being an employed physician. He explains the implications of the 90-day notice provision in most employment contracts and the risks and opportunities it presents. He also shares his advice on how physicians can evaluate and negotiate their contracts to maximize job stability and career satisfaction. Tune in to learn more about the realities of being an employed physician and how to navigate the changing health care landscape.

Aaron Morgenstein is an orthopedic surgeon.

He shares his story and discusses the KevinMD article, Physicians are only good for 90 days.

The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience.

With a growing physician shortage, increasing burnout, and declining patient satisfaction, a dramatic change is needed to make health care more efficient and effective and bring back the joy of practicing medicine. AI-driven ambient clinical intelligence promises to help by revolutionizing patient and provider experiences with clinical documentation that writes itself.

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Four men have appeared before Kilkenny District court charged in connection with an ongoing Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation probe into organised deception and fraudulent practices relating to the tampering of identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter.

Garda Brian Dunne of the GNBCI told the court that he had arrested and charged one of the accused men, James Derwin.

Mr Derwin, Auburn, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath is accused of conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, deception, possession of a false instrument, using a false instrument and the breach of an EU directive in relation to the regulation of the equine industry. The offences are alleged to have taken place on dates between January 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

It is alleged that the four men conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited through a scheme to alter the identity of horses contrary to common law.

The garda told the court that he had no objection to bail on the condition that the accused would not associate with any of the co-accused, James Mee, Derek Nolan, Philip O'Neill and another named person who was not before the court.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of 10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.

Detective Sergeant Michelle Gillick of the GNBCI gave evidence that she had arrested and charged James Mee, Drumnore, Clonee, Co Leitrim with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law and of deception on dates between December 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown.

The sergeant told the court that he had no objection to bail on the condition that the accused would not associate with any of the co-accused and another named person who was not before the court.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of 10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.

The sergeant also gave evidence that she had arrested and charged Derek Nolan of Lisduff, Mount Talbot, Roscommon Co Roscommon with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, possession of a false instrument and the breach of an EU regulation in relation to the regulation of the equine industry.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of 10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.

Detective Garda Michelle Keogan of the GNBCI gave evidence of arresting and charging Philip O'Neill, Leam, Boyle, Co Roscommon with conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, the use of a false instrument and the breach of an EU regulation in relation to the regulation of the equine industry.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of 10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.
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Graignamanagh Barrow Valley Activities Hub has won the National Pride of Place Award under the Community Tourism Category.

Judges said they were impressed with efforts of the group to boost commerce in the area.

This very impressive project is the primary economic driver locally" they said.

"The enterprise is overseen by a six member board described by the judges as dynamic, innovative and strongly entrepreneurial. What started as an overnight parking facility for motorhomes and campervans is now a flourishing tourism centre.

There was also delight for Mullinavat, with the south Kilkenny village awarded the national runners-up prize under the village category - a massive achievement for all involved.



The Mullinavat group with Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick

The IPB National Pride of Place Awards is an annual competition organised by Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. It promotes and celebrates the best in community development and recognises the selfless efforts of people in making their local area a better place to live, work and socialise.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick also attended the awards night in support of the Kilkenny nominations.

"This is a fantastic achievement for these communities who have been recognised nationally for their outstanding work," he said.

On hearing the announcement the Chair of the Callan/Thomastown Municipal District Cllr Matt Doran said Kilkenny once again has been recognised nationally for the great work happening in local communities.

"This is a superb boost for all involved," he said.

The awards, were hosted by RTEs Marty Whelan on Saturday, January 21 in the Clayton Burlington Hotel in Dublin.
The HSE/South East Community Healthcare has welcomed the publication of the Independent Review of the provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services ( CAMHS) in the state by the Inspector of Mental Health Services - Interim Report, January 2023.

Damning findings are made in the interim report by the Inspector of Mental Health Services on child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). It found that children and young people accessing mental health services with open cases have been 'lost' to follow-up care - left on medication for years without follow-up appointments or monitoring.

The HSE/South East Community Healthcare (SECH) has engaged fully in the review process, which will contribute to its ongoing work to improve CAMHS services.

"The SECH services wish to reassure the public that it is there to provide care and support to service users and their families and has dedicated teams of professionals in place to do so," said a statement from the HSE/SECH.

"As part of its mental health services across the community, the HSE/SECH operates eight generic CAMHS teams in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. All CAMHS teams in the South East are multidisciplinary in nature and are led by a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist  all of whom are on the Specialist Register.

"Young people and their families are entitled to expect a high standard of care when they attend our services and the HSE/South East Community Healthcare wish to reassure them that we have taken on board the recommendations in the report and shall use them to improve the services locally.

"If any family or young person has a concern, please make direct contact with HSE Live Freephone (1800) 700 700."
MBABANE  Eswatini is projecting an increase in trade and foreign investments this year and the AfCFTA could play an imperative role.

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Acting Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro, said the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) should be expedited as the free trade zone to boost intra-African trade and accelerate industrialisation.While the AfCFTAs promise is high, that promise can be realised only if the Agreement is implemented efficiently, Pedro said, admitting that implementing the AfCFTA Agreement and supporting African economies, particularly least developed countries (LDCs), was no small task. Pedro said the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs was timely for Africa whose economies have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Action

The regional consultation on LDC5 for LDCs is taking stock of trade elements of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs for the decade 2022-2031 (DPOA). It was organised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations Office of the High Representative for LDCs (UN OHRLLS), in cooperation with the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). The AfCFTA holds great promise to help LDCs recover and accelerate growth. ECAs latest empirical assessment of the AfCFTA reform reveals that its successful implementation will positively impact Africas GDP, trade and welfare. With the AfCFTA Agreement in place, intra-African trade could be 34 per cent higher in 2045 than without the AfCFTA in the same year. Hence, the effective implementation of the AfCFTA agreement will help Africa industrialise and diversify away from energy and mining, said Pedro.

Facilitated

The ECA has facilitated deepening Africas participation in the battery and electric vehicle value chains through current investment projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. In addition, the ECAs work on the transboundary agro-industry park and special economic zone involving Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Zambia was promising and it would equip the two land-locked and LDCs to become bread baskets for Southern Africa and possibly Africa. Pedro said the successful implementation of the AfCFTA agreement would help build Africas resilience and potentially reduce its current trade dependence on external partners. He said was critical in light of the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. Africa needs to mitigate the potential negative impacts of future external shocks.
At the start of lockdown in 2020, a small group of remote working employees in Kilkenny registered a local chapter of the social enterprise Grow Remote and they have gone from strength to strength.

In 2020 Councillor Maria Dollard heard about Grow Remote and the potential that was there for remote working for rural Ireland.

Immediately I knew that the potential for remote work to unlock opportunities for workers to have more control over their working lives was enormous. With the housing crisis biting deep and people with families stressed and tired from commuting journeys that squandered their precious time, it was clear to me that we needed to tap into the potential to offer people more choice and a better quality of life. Since then, more remote working hubs have appeared all around County Kilkenny from Galmoy to Glenmore 

There are thousands of remote jobs available in Ireland and Grow Remote in collaboration with Laois Offaly ETB runs a 6 week accredited course to help workers tap into the opportunities that are there.

We have run several events over the past two years including a boat rip on the Nore and the recent Jobs Fair, where we had a very positive response to our stand, she said.

Every month the group meet up for a buy your own lunch and a social chat. They meet again this Friday (January 27) in Billy Byrnes pub and Grow Remote will pay for the coffee. Everyone who works remotely or is remotely curious is welcome to come along for a friendly social meet up. There will also be information available re the Remote Work Ready Course.
MBABANE- Ingatja yesterday registered its appreciation to His Majesty King Mswati III when they took home E1 000 incentives (imbasha) each.

The money was a share of the E15 million announced by the King when dispersing the regiment at Ngabezweni Royal Residence on Saturday. It was disbursed at Nkhanini office yesterday. Interviewed Ingatja confirmed the amount. They shared that it was their first time in history to receive that amount. They stated that the fact that the money came from the King meant a lot to them. A majority of the interviewed ingatja shared that they would purchase basic necessities such as school shoes, schoolbags and stationeries as schools reopen tomorrow for the new acandemic year. People may think we will use this money for pleasure yet it is not the case. This money is not for pleasure but for basic necessities as schools open tomorrow. Why would I ask for school shoes, schoolbag, perfumes, shoe polish from my mother when the King has given me E1 000? Its time to be responsible as young people, said a son to a single parent.

Parents

Some of the younger boys shared that they would give the money to their parents to decide for them on how to spend it. They said their parents spent so much on them so; they deserved a share of the money. I think my mother knows better where to direct this money to as she prepares for schools opening. Yes, it is my money but I cannot forget the struggles my mother went through to ensure I am in class, said another boy. The employed youth, who benefitted from the E15 million, which was paid to all people who participated and registered for the annual Incwala Ceremony, said the money was more than what they would have earned in the seven days if they had not attended the ceremony. It should be noted that the participants of the event registered for the incentives during the course of the weeding of the royal fields.

This was because some warriors only got a chance to participate at the weeding of the royal fields. Worth noting is that the King, by virtue of being the custodian of Eswatini culture, receives and distributes tetfulo from willing emaSwati and partners during the course of cultural events. When receiving tetfulo during the preparations for the main Incwala Ceremony, the King made it clear that tetfulo was a way of life for emaSwati. EmaSwati presented tetfulo such as money in cash, cattle, sneakers, bags, T-shirts and groceries, in order to see the event being a success.
MBABANE  Following complaints from stakeholders, the Executive Committee of SNAT Burial Services has withdrawn its E15 000 worth casket donation, which was extended to the Khumalo family for the funeral of their member, Mlandvo.

In a statement issued by the executive committee through the SNAT online pages, the SNAT Platforms, the decision to withdraw the donation stemmed from several complaints from members of the organisation. The SNAT Burial Executive said since the announcement was made on the donation to the family, their office had been flooded by complaints and mumbling from their stakeholders. The executive committee said it had noted that the decision to donate the casket to the Khumalo family was not sitting well with a majority of their stakeholders, particularly the members, who were the owners of this business. To that point, the executive committee of the burial services felt duty-bound to review its decision, read the statement.

The committee assured the nation that SNAT Burial Services was nothing but a strictly business entity that had no political affiliation. They therefore apologised to everyone who might have been inconvenienced by their decision. Last week Friday, this publication reported that there was an uproar by SNAT Burial members over the donation of the casket worth E15 000 for the burial of Mlandvo, who was shot dead by security forces. In a previous interview with this publication, the members said they were of the view that the executive should have informed them about the donation prior to announcing it. They said they learnt of the casket purchase and donation through social media platforms, something that really pained them.

Why have they not consulted us as we are members (of the burial scheme) and have a say on our monies? they questioned.

Worth noting is that members of the SNAT Burial Scheme bought shares at a minimum of E1 000 some years ago. The aggrieved members were those who bought shares as part of their investments, as they believed the burial scheme used their funds to purchase the casket. Meanwhile, some SNAT Burial members have welcomed the withdrawal of the casket donation by their scheme. The members said this was a good move by the scheme and the only way to rebuild the broken trust. According to the members, they really appreciate that the organisation gave them an ear when they stated their case, especially concerning the casket donation. We could have let it go if it was any other person which the donation was extended to, not someone who had a connection with the underground forces, they said. However, they said they would appreciate it in future, if the organisations informed them whenever they wanted to make a decision of such a magnitude.
COLUMBIA - Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood responded to Gov. Mike Parson's concerns about a drag performance at a city of Columbia diversity event.

On Friday, Gov. Parson tweeted that his office was "deeply concerned that Columbia middle school students were subjected to adult performers during what is historically a MLK day celebration... Parents weren't clearly informed of the contents of the program, and adult performances are not diversity."

We are deeply concerned about reports that Columbia middle school students were subjected to adult performers during what is historically a MLK Day celebration. This is unacceptable.  Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) January 20, 2023

On Jan. 19, 30 CPS middle schoolers took a field trip to the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration breakfast, according to the school district. The event ended with a 15-minute, G-rated drag performance by Nclusion Plus.

A CPS spokesperson told KOMU 8 News the district received two complaints from parents of children who attended who say they weren't informed their children would be watching a drag show. The district is now in conversation with those parents.

Responding to Gov. Parson's tweets on the event, Yearwood said the NClusion Plus performance was "not an 'adult' performance."

"Any characterization of the 'Columbia Values Diversity' Breakfast as 'child endangerment' or having a 'sexual nature' or violating state law is categorically false," Yearwood wrote in a letter to the governor.

You can read his full letter below. The district also sent out the superintendent's letter to CPS parents Sunday.

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Yearwood said misrepresenting the event is harmful to students, staff and the greater community.

Yearwood extended an invitation to Gov. Parson to discuss how to further education in the state.

Nclusion Plus responds to concerns

Brandon Banks, spokesperson for Nclusion Plus, released a statement on Twitter Saturday.

Weve been asked to give public comment. Here it is! We are thankful to have been highlighted as a part of the diverse community programming brought together for the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration in honor of the 30th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. pic.twitter.com/f3NgN650Y8  Nclusion Plus (@NclusionPlus) January 21, 2023

In an interview with KOMU 8 News, Banks said the group takes their programming very seriously. He said Nclusion Plus had conversations about how to make their performance appropriate for the audience. "We have lots of discussions about putting protocols in place of making sure that we provide content to the sources that we're delivering content that is in a tasteful manner," Banks said. "For this event specifically, because we knew that we were going to be providing the first experience for a lot of adults even, we decided to take what we consider the most G-rated protocol." Banks said performers selected songs that were motivational, uplifting and inspiring. He said entertainers chose costumes that were tasteful. "Their costuming was very ballgown oriented, [with] very few if any skin was showing," Banks said. Banks said Nclusion Plus stands by their performance. "If anything, this was one of the most age appropriate drag show experiences and theatrical performances that we could have delivered," Banks said. Banks said the negative response to the event from leading lawmakers was hyperbolic. "It seems like a hyperbolic response that has a lot of dangerous connotation behind it that can further instability and mental health for adults and youth in our community, as well as suppress cultural values of our community that have been progressing forward," Banks said. Banks said he thinks the community should look at drag performers as culture providers for our community and pride pioneers. "When we look at drag performances, it's really just a trifecta between costuming, makeup, singing and dancing," Banks said. "So, at the end of the day, we really felt like we infringed upon no moral grounds."
COLUMBIA  A local rotary club is taking initiative to feed stressed health care workers in Missouri.

Columbia South Rotary Club started the program "Meals for Healthcare Heroes" back in 2020, during the pandemic. The club partnered with Rock Bridge High School's Rotary Interact Club to raise funds to help feed MU Health Care employees.

Allison Kim, the president of RBHS Rotary Interact Club, said originally, the hospital asked for donations, but the club felt a fundraiser would be more realistic to raise money.

A similar GoFundMe launched in 2020 and raised $6,359 to provide over 800 meals for health care workers. Now, the hospital is reaching out for help once again.

Dell Epperson, president of Columbia South Rotary Club, says the program can help multiple industries.

"It was something the Interact Club came up with the idea a couple of years ago," Epperson said. "And that's why we decided to re-resurrect it, it helps both the restaurants who were struggling at that time, because of lack of patronage, and the health care workers. So, it was a win-win for everybody."

According to the GoFundMe, MU Health Care hospitals are being flooded with incoming patients suffering from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), COVID-19 and the flu.

Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says approximately 70% and 78% of all beds at University Hospital are currently occupied.

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Epperson says the decision to start the program back up was an easy one.

"COVID really took a toll on everybody in so many different ways. But most importantly, it was our health care workers who really suffered because they were trying to take care of us," Epperson said. "And so, it was an easy idea for us when Rock Bridge Interact came to us to say let's find a way to say thank you to them."

Because of the resurgence, health care staff work double shifts and even miss meals to cope with the crowd of patients.

So far, the GoFundMe has raised over $1,600 with a goal of $5,000.

The rotary is partnering up with the RBHS Interact Club this Sunday for a fundraiser at all Shakespeare's Pizza locations. Fifteen percent of the total proceeds will be sent to the Interact Club who will deposit it into the Meals for Healthcare Heroes.

Participants of the fundraiser will only need to present the flyer of the event to donate to the fundraiser.

Other restaurants participating in the fundraiser include Flat Branch, Pizza Tree, Beet Box and more.
Suspect arrested in Des Moines shooting that left 2 students dead, founder of education program in serious condition, police say
The death of a vulture at the Dallas Zoo is being investigated as suspicious, police said.
The US and Israel launched their largest joint military exercise ever on Monday.
All 5 inmates who escaped a Missouri detention center have been captured, authorities say
MBABANE  The impact of the shortage of medical drugs is starting to manifest as seen in the death of three people due to lack of insulin.

It is a matter of life and death, yet patients on insulin are still required to wait a little bit longer. The supplies, according government, are beginning to come into the country from different suppliers. Already, three people are said to have died as a result of insulin shortage in the country since December 2022. Insulin has been in short supply since October 2022. Currently, some people on insulin, who are living with diabetes, are forced to part with E1 500 to get Actraphane, which comes in pen-injections.

Available

This is currently the only available medication at pharmaceuticals, while the countrys public hospitals have been without the medication for the past three months. Eswatini Diabetes Association Director Dumisile Mavuso confirmed the death of the three who were also members of her organisation. Mavuso said from December to date, they lost a teenager, middle-aged man and an elderly who all died in a space of just one week. She said this had prompted the association to reach out for help and received a positive response from the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC). Mavuso said they wrote a letter to ESRIC, seeking assistance for the purchase of insulin from a different supplier from government. The director said in response, ESRIC gave them the sponsorship and they bought the medication which would be handed over to government.

She stated that they managed to purchase a two-month supply for the patients from ASD Inc and they delivered it last week Thursday. This, she said, was just to save the situation, as things were getting out of control, adding that they were of the view that government was working on the normal supply after its depletion. Currently, she said the insulin was passing through the Central Medical Stores (CMS) where it was being checked. The medication will be handed over to government and the association will monitor it together with government, on whether our clients get it, she added. Mavuso said the organisation could not roll out the insulin single-handedly, but needed the assistance of government.

According to Mavuso, they had a serious engagement with government following the insulin shortage and were guaranteed that they were working on the short-comings. We were told by government that they were dealing with their unpaid suppliers, clearing outstanding debts, among other things, Mavuso said. Reached for comment on the insulin shortage and how far government had gone in addressing the issue, Acting Director of Health Services Dr Velephi Okello stated that the supplies were beginning to come in from different suppliers. Hopefully, she said next week there would be a clear indication of delivery dates to the country.

Situation

When pressed further on what government was doing to try and avoid the situation of key drug shortages repeating itself in the future, Dr Okello said they were working on their electronic system for the monitoring of drug supplies at the central and peripheral facilities. This, she said, was being established and in some instances improved to enable quick detection of low stock. Furthermore, she said the ministry was engaging relevant ministries to expedite other supply chain processes. The acting director was also questioned on whether the medications and drugs supply had to do with financial challenges, she said the supply chain systems did not only involve financial inputs. Dr Okello said the ministry was also working on improving other areas of the chain that had been found to be weak.
SK Group Chey Tae-won, left, poses for a photo with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, after signing a memorandum of understanding on reducing carbon emissions, at the United Arab Emirates presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, Jan. 15. Yonhap



Korea's SK Group said Monday it has signed a partnership deal with the sovereign wealth fund of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a carbon credit market in Asia, as part of efforts to tackle climate change in the private sector.



SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (local time), while accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol on his four-day state visit to the Middle Eastern country, SK said.



Chey is traveling as part of the business delegation representing some 100 Korean companies.



Under the MOU, SK and Mubadala will work together to create a voluntary carbon market, where companies can trade carbon credits certified by private entities, SK said.



The two sides will seek to form a working group to materialize the partnership and work out details for the cooperation, especially on how to establish the methodologies to certify the carbon reduction and build transparency and credibility of such a market.



In 2021, SK launched an in-house "carbon reduction certification center" as the first private enterprise in Asia to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions by its affiliates and certify their performance in carbon reduction efforts.



Mubadala, with $284 billion in assets, has a wide range of investment portfolios in eco-friendly areas, including an equity investment in AirCarbon Exchange, a Singapore-headquartered carbon credit exchange platform. (Yonhap)


MANZINI  Government says it has never considered slain Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko as a person of interest.

Through Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, it said the late Maseko was not a person of interest to government because he was a peaceful man who believed in negotiations and engagements, save for his contrasting political views. Nxumalo said this during a press briefing at The George Hotel in Manzini yesterday.

Prominent

He alluded to that government woke up to the news of the sad passing of the human rights lawyer, who was prominent for being a human rights activist. The government spokesperson shared that Maseko was known for being a member of a review commission known as Atibuye Emasisweni, an organisation that advocated for the welfare of farm dwellers. Although his school of thought was of multiparty democracy, he was never a person of special interest to government, because he was a man, who even with clashing political views, never believed in violence but the clashing of ideas and mindsets, Nxumalo quipped. As a result, the government spokesperson highlighted that government had never regarded him as a disruptive person in the land, but one who put his divergent views on the table and life moved on.

Criminal

When further queried to clarify on who governments people of special interest were, Nxumalo said this was an international term that referred to people who were wanted by the State, suspected to have committed a criminal offence. Again, he was queried who these people specifically were. The government spokesperson maintained that the briefing was not meant to discuss about people who were of special interest to government. He said the question was nonsensical. Sanction Scanner describes special interest persons as people involved in a crime, and any suspicious activity. They may be involved in court proceedings, have a previous criminal allegation, or have previously been involved in financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing.

Meanwhile, according to Nxumalo, government had been informed by law enforcers that human rights lawyer Maseko was attacked at his home. We have not reached the bottom of the matter, as to getting details on the circumstances that have led to Masekos killing, his killers and what provoked them, let alone where they came from, he said. Nonethelesss, Nxumalo stated that the countrys security forces had assured government that they were already at work looking for the killers, and they would not rest until they were brought to book. This, he said, would be done the same way some of the gun-toting individuals had been rounded up in recent weeks. He urged the public to alert the police if they had any information that may help in the apprehension of the criminals.

On another note, the government spokesperson expressed governments condolences to the family, friends, relatives and colleagues of the human rights lawyer. Lawyer Thulani Masekos demise is a loss to the nation and his footprints as a human rights lawyer are there as proof of his contribution to the country. He will surely be missed, he sympathised. Meanwhile, Nxumalo stated that the country was faced with attacks from unknown thugs. Having said this, he noted and condemned acts of when such happened, there were people who qualified themselves as seers who knew about happenings and pointed fingers on the culprits. Government has noted this and has said it before. This is seen happening on social media, he said.

Nxumalo likened social media to drugs. He said once a person logged online and disseminated a certain narrative, another received it and eventually the rest followed suit. The government spin doctor mentioned that those peoples reasoning was monopolised by one person, who spread false accusations.

Condemn

As government, we condemn and refute these allegations. They are nowhere near the truth. It is a norm for this renowned person who resides in South Africa, that each time an incident similar to such happens, he is the first to know, he said. Nxumalo said emaSwati should question where these people got their machines to predict who had done what and how. He said this certain individual knew as soon as these events happened. He said emaSwati should not allow this to brainwash them as this also compromised investigations. Government once again takes this opportunity to condemn the ruthless killing of civilians. This will include the recent murder of an army officer at Bulembu Camp, and all other previous killings of innocent civilians in the recent past, he criticised.

He further warned against speculations and insinuations peddled particularly on social media platforms in instances like these. Again, government distinctly disassociates itself and the countrys authorities from these heinous acts. Such speculations are dangerous as they hamper investigations and take the attention away from the real criminals, Nxumalo reiterated.

The government spokesperson urged the entire nation to be with the Maseko family in prayer during this sad period.
MANZINI  The USA Embassy says Eswatini and the world have lost a powerful voice for nonviolence and human rights.

This is contained in a statement which was issued by the United States of America (USA) Embassy yesterday, following the death of Human Right Lawyer Thulani Maseko. The embassy said they learnt with profound sadness about the tragic death of Maseko, who was a renowned human rights lawyer, Multi-Stakeholder Forum Chairman and champion of social justice.

It said Maseko was an alumnus of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, where he studied at American University - Washington College of Law in 2010-2011 and focused on the US Bill of Rights and mechanisms used by the US Supreme Court to interpret and uphold fundamental human rights and freedoms. Thereafter, it extended its deepest condolences to Masekos family, friends and admirers around the world.

Meanwhile, the Swaziland Massacre Victims and Survivors Association (SWAVISA) Chairman Madzabudzabu Kunene said they learnt with shock about the brutal killing of the renowned human rights lawyer and activist. He said Maseko was a visionary leader, who dedicated his life to the people of Eswatini and fought side-by-side with them.

Struggle

He said Maseko courageously led from the front in the peoples struggle against the Tinkhundla regime. Thereafter, he said as SWAVISA, they called upon the people of Eswatini not to despair, but mobilise. He said they would remember Maseko as a selfless revolutionary who fought for basic human rights and respect for the rule of law in our country. He said they also called for an immediate and independent inquest into the killing of Maseko.
Ahead of the International Day of Education on 24 January, the European Commission and High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell made the following statement:

"Access to education is a fundamental human right. It is vital for the personal, social and professional development of children and young people. It empowers them to survive, thrive, and rise to meet everyday challenges. It is essential to building peace and democracy, socio-economic cohesion and gender equality, and more just and sustainable societies.

Within and beyond our borders, the European Union remains firmly committed to accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education. Quality education is the smartest and most powerful investment in our shared future.

Yet, collective progress is stalling and attacks against education are increasing worldwide. In many parts of the world, gender-based discrimination and violence and other systematic barriers still keep and force girls, minorities, and displaced and refugee children out of school.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban have completely denied girls and women their fundamental right to education. Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine has resulted in at least 3,045 educational facilities suffering bombing or shelling since 24 February 2022. The EU strongly condemns all attacks against education and expects all children and young people to be guaranteed their right to education.

There is an urgent need to ensure financing for education and future-oriented learning, which the COVID-19 pandemic greatly exacerbated, Across the world, two in three 10-year-olds cannot read and understand a simple story and 840 million teenagers will leave school without any qualifications for the workplace of the future.

But there is reason for optimism. During the UN Transforming Education Summit in September 2022, 133 countries, including the EU and its Member States as Team Europe, committed to recover learning losses and make education systems fit for the future. Now it is time for all to turn words into deeds by investing in concrete, transformative actions for education. The European Union has significantly increased its external investments in education and is ready to closely cooperate with partner countries as they deliver on their commitments. The EU's first-ever Youth Action Plan in EU External Action reiterates EU's commitment to invest at least 10% of the overall funding of Global Europe and of its humanitarian aid budget to education. This includes support to the implementation of the UN-sponsored Youth Declaration on Transforming Education, engaging, empowering and connecting young people.

Over 35 years, the EU Erasmus+ programme for education and training has made it possible for almost 13 million participants  students, staff, teachers, and trainees  to learn, work or train abroad, and for schools, universities and institutions to cooperate across borders. These opportunities are open for people from all over the world who, as EU Alumni", will benefit from this learning experience and networks throughout their lives. The EU also works with partner countries to strengthen cooperation on research and innovation, for example through the Horizon Europe programme. Moreover, the EU is putting significant efforts in making education systems fit for the green transformation and the digital age.

The EU welcomes the launch of the Global Commission on the Teaching Profession. Teachers are central to improving the quality of learning and ensure resilient education systems. This is why supporting teachers, and improving the attractiveness of teaching as a profession, is a key investment priority under the EU's Global Gateway strategy. In particular, through the Regional Teachers' Initiative for Africa, the EU will invest 100 million in empowering the world's fastest growing youth population through quality education.

Together, the EU and its Member States will continue devoting our efforts to put SDG 4 on quality education back in track.

Background

The EU institutions and Member States together contribute more than half of all global aid to education, supporting the education sector in more than 100 countries around the world.

During the period 20212027, the European Commission will dedicate at least 10% of its international partnerships budget with Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific to education, supporting quality teachers, 21st century life and work skills, inclusive and equitable education systems that are ready to support the digital and green transitions, opportunity driven vocational education and training, and higher education and mobility.

The EU remains at the forefront of the international mobilisation for education in emergencies, with 10% of its humanitarian aid budget dedicated to education and supporting safe, inclusive and quality education for millions of children affected by humanitarian crises and conflicts.

The EU will continue engaging, as a priority, with the Western Balkans, Turkey and the Neighbourhood regions to strengthen education systems, addressing skills mismatch with the labour market and enhancing joint cooperation with education institutions including mobility of students and teachers.

For More Information

Team Europe contribution to the UN Transforming Education Summit

Global Gateway

Education in Emergencies

Education | International Partnerships

Youth Action Plan

European Youth Portal

Erasmus+

European Education Area

European Pillar of Social Rights

Zarazeno po 23.01.2023 12:01:00 Zdroj Evropska komise Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=STATEMENT/23/287&language=cs lang en
Raceland, LA (70394)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Kochi, Jan 23 (PTI) Kerala government on Monday said norovirus infection, a cause of acute gastroenteritis, was confirmed in two students here.

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The students of Class 1 and 2 of a school at Kakkanad near here were found infected and three children are now under treatment.

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A senior medical officer of the district said 62 students and a few parents of the school exhibited symptoms following which two samples were sent for testing at the State Public Laboratory.

As per WHO, norovirus is a viral illness that is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis globally with symptoms including acute onset diarrhoea and vomiting.

"The health condition of the children is stable. The Health Department personnel inspected the school which is now temporarily closed. We are holding online awareness sessions to the children and parents. The classrooms and the toilets have now been sanitised," the District Medical Officer said in a statement.

Last year, two children were found infected with the same virus at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram. The Health Department today said precautionary measures have been taken as the virus spreads through contaminated water and food.

The department said the disease is highly contagious and urged the people to maintain hygiene.

Norovirus can be transmitted through contaminated food, water, and surfaces, the Health Department said, adding that the initial symptoms are vomiting and/or diarrhoea, head and body aches.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): Union Minister Arjun Munda on Monday slammed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over UK's British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)'s documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he should respect the Supreme Court which gave a clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister.

Hitting out at PM Modi over the Centre's move to block the BBC documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots, Owaisi questioned whether the Prime Minister would also block the upcoming movie on Godse, who assassinated MK Gandhi.

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"Modi government has banned BBC interviews on Twitter and YouTube in India. We ask PM Modi whether someone from outside the earth or from the sky killed the people in the Gujarat riots?" he said.

Slamming Owaisi's statement on PM Modi regarding the documentary, Munda said, "The country is growing under the leadership of PM Modi. But it is sad to see that people pelt more stones at the tree which bears more fruits. The country is in a stable condition and is moving forward just because of our Prime Minister."

Also Read | Afghanistan: Mysterious Disease Grips Afghan As 21 Deaths Reported in Northeastern Parts of Country.

Citing the Supreme Court judgement on the Gujarat riots, the Minister said that the decision of the top court should be accepted by all.

"In many cases, the Supreme Court has made it clear, taking into account all the factors in its decision, it has explained what kind of people were responsible for the Gujarat riots. The Supreme Court has also clearly stated those who are innocent. What the Supreme Court has said should be respected because all things that happen in this country, the courts interpret them and give justice," Munda said.

UK's British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a two-part series attacking PM Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.

In a strong rebuttal to the BBC documentary on Modi, more than 300 eminent Indians including retired judges, retired bureaucrats, and retired armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing "unrelenting prejudice" toward India and its leader. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Uzbekistan has resumed gas imports from Turkmenistan, Azernews reports per Uzbek Uztransgaz Company.

According to the source, on January 21, 2023, Turkmenistans Turkmengaz state-owned company resumed gas supplies to Uzbekistan.

Due to an accident that occurred at the Galkanish gas field of Turkmenistan since January 12, 2023 gas supply to Uzbekistan was stopped.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan imported 16 million cubic meters of natural gas per day from Turkmenistan through the Daryalyk gas measuring network.

Earlier in December 2022, Turkmenistans President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov. During the meeting, the parties signed an agreement to supply Uzbekistan with an additional 20 million cubic meters of gas per day (a total of 1.5 billion cubic meters in 3 months).
MBABANE  The circumstances of Thulanis death require a speedy and thorough investigation which must unearth the truth and lead to accountability to those involved.

This was said by the Law Society of Swaziland (LSS) in a statement on the death of astute Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko, who was murdered execution-style on Saturday night. In the statement, the Law Society said it learnt with profound sadness the cowardly killing of their member, colleague and human rights lawyer. The Law Society further mentioned that it strongly condemned the killing of their colleague in the strongest possible terms. Mr Maseko was a man who strongly believed in dialogue and engagement in the pursuit of human rights and legal activism founded upon the rights of emaSwati as enshrined in the Constitution. Not once did Maseko advocate for violence. He strongly believed in the Rule of Law and the role of the courts to interpret the Constitution in the enforcement of those rights, said the LSS.

Irony

The lawyers body went on to state that it was completely saddened by Masekos passing and viewed his death as a tragic irony which had left a huge void as he left big shoes to fill in the profession, being a pioneer of his field. We take this opportunity to convey our sincerest condolences to his wife, children and family. May God given them strength and fortitude during this difficult time, reads part of the statement by the Law Society. Meanwhile, after learning of his death a number of lawyer took to social media to express their condolences on the demise of Maseko, who they described as a walking dictionary when it came to matters touching on human rights. Some asserted that although he was a senior lawyer, he was a humble person who was willing to teach young lawyers. He was known for his line mneftu every time he engaged in a conversation or when greeted by someone. Maseko was known for his strong stance when it came to matters touching on politics.

Cases

During his lifetime, he handled a number of high profile cases, which included the one of the two incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs), Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, when they filed their first application for bail. He also represented some of the people in the chieftaincy dispute in his home area. Maseko was also representing the association which is seeking to register for purposes of promoting rights of the LGBTQI community in the country. He was once the secretary general of the LSS. Maseko was one of the respondents in the matter where the Suppression of Terrorism Act is being challenged. He was born at KaLuhleko, near Bhunya in the Manzini Region. On March 18, 2014, he was jailed for contempt of court after criticising the judicial system.

In August 2014, Maseko wrote to the then US President, Barack Obama, from prison, seeking his intervention ahead of the 2014 United States  Africa Leaders Summit. He was released from prison on July 30, 2015. He had been declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.
Jaipur, Jan 23 (PTI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday targeted BJP MLAs for creating a ruckus during the Governor's address in the state Assembly on the first day of the budget session, saying they have no guts to learn about the government's achievements.

Alleging conspiracy, he said the BJP legislators wanted to sabotage the governor's address so that the public will not get to know about the government's achievements over the years.

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The government has done everything and they (BJP MLAs) know it. When they had nothing to say, they created chaos during the governor's address. I condemn it, Gehlot said.

The governor's speech in the assembly traditionally is about the government's achievements but the BJP legislators created a scene as they had no guts to listen to it, he said.

Also Read | Republic Day 2023: Delhi Police Ban Drones, Paragliders Till February 15 Amid Security Threat.

This is their conspiracy, they will work like this till the elections. They want that the people should not learn about the schemes so that they will not get any benefit, he claimed.

The opposition members created an uproar in the House over paper leak incidents during recruitment exams. It happened when the governor was reading his address.

Gehlot said the government was concerned over paper leaks.

Our government is leading in the country in giving employment. They (BJP) know it3.5 lakh recruitments have been made in the state. They are trying to divert attention. They are just doing drama. The incidents of paper leaks are happening in all the states, including the BJP-ruled states, he said.

The chief minister said paper leaks are even happening in Army and judicial exams.

We have taken the issue seriouslypeople are sent to jail, employees are suspended, candidates involved are debarred from future examinations, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): The Ministry of Law and Justice on Monday notified the appointment of three additional judges as the Judges of Kerala High Court.

Notification issued in this regards stated that in the exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justices Abdul Rahim Musaliar Badharudeen, Viju Abraham and Mohammed Nias Chovvakkaran Puthiyapurayil, Additional Judges of the Kerala High Court to be Judges of the Kerala High Court with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices.

Also Read | Afghanistan: Mysterious Disease Grips Afghan As 21 Deaths Reported in Northeastern Parts of Country.

Last month the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had approved the proposal for the appointment of these three additional judges as permanent judges, in the Kerala High Court.

Recently, Centre Government had assured the Supreme Court that it will adhere to the timeline relating to the process of appointment of judges in High Courts.

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Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing Centre, apprised the court that out of 104 recommendations with the govt as of now, 44 will be processed very soon.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul listed the matter for further hearing on February 3.

The court also expressed concern about creating an environment where meritorious people are hesitant to give consent for his name for an appointment for a judge's post due to delay in clearing in the name. The court also flagged the issue that a couple of names have been withdrawn by the people as their names have not being cleared for months.

The court also observed that names cleared by the Collegium are put on the website and then it is not cleared. The court remarked that the person is professionally affected, therefore people hesitate to give consent as it gives examples of two outstanding counsels who withdrew their names because of the delay in clearing their names.

The court also said that keeping the name pending sends the wrong signal. The court also observed that govt might have apprehensions but names cannot be kept on hold. The court also said that till the law holds the fort, the law has to be implemented. Until this is the law of the land, Centre will have to follow it, the court remarked. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): Former judge of the Delhi Court Justice RS Sodhi, whose video interview was shared by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, on Monday reckoned changes in the manner of the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts.

In an interaction with ANI, ex-judge Justice RS Sodhi spoke on various drawbacks of the Collegium system and said it was a flop system.

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"I think the collegium system is a flop," the retired judge said adding that it should never have happened. Now it has happened and the country has tested this we found that now it has not worked therefore it should be changed, he said.

He said, "what change has to come is a question of debate and he leaves it open for parliament so that they can debate and parliament can take opinions from sitting judges."

Also Read | Karnataka: Man Who Barged Into Women's Restroom, Assaulted and Threatened a Girl in Bengaluru College Held.

He also mentioned huge numbers of judges in various High courts and said that these judges are brilliant and have their opinions.

He raised the question of why the views of HC judges are not been taken into consideration. "Their voice should be heard. Their opinion should be heard," he said.

He thanked the law minister for approving what he has opined. Retired judge Justice Sodhi said that whatever he had said was not a political statement but a general concern on Judiciary.

He said the Collegium system is not an appropriate one and stressed changes.

He said that the Collegium system has not improved the independence of the judiciary and it has diluted the independence.

Retired Judge Justice Sodhi said High Courts are supreme at their own level and the Supreme Court is supreme at its level.

But due to the present systems, every single order like bail and other various issues passed by the High Courts are challenged in the Supreme Court, he said. The retired Judge said in which country judges appoint judges but in India, it is happening which needs to be changed.

While speaking to ANI, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is not satisfied with the Collegium system of appointing judges, said, "It is just a follow-up action of the letters written earlier to CJI following the direction of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench while striking down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act. The SC Constitution Bench had directed to restructure the MoP of the collegium system."

Rijiji's letter to the CJI pitched for the inclusion of government representatives in the Supreme Court Collegium.

According to the Centre, this will infuse transparency and accountability to the public in the court's decision-making process with respect to the appointment of judges.

The Supreme Court Constitution Bench had directed the restructuring of the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) of the collegium system.

The MoP is a document that sets out the procedure for the appointment of judges to High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Under the present Collegium system, the Chief Justice of India along with four senior-most Supreme Court judges recommend appointments and transfers of judges. Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, KM Joseph, MR Shah, Ajay Rastogi and Sanjiv Khanna are among the current collegium of the Supreme Court. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) With the MCD House set to reconvene on Tuesday, Presiding Officer Satya Sharma has said the LG-appointed aldermen will take oath first, despite the fierce opposition by AAP in the last meeting that was adjourned amid chaos.

The maiden meeting of the newly elected MCD council on January 6 was adjourned without the election of the mayor and the deputy mayor after AAP and BJP councillors clashed over presiding officer's decision to administer the oath to the 10 aldermen first.

Also Read | Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Cuts Cake With a Sword To Celebrate His Parole in Baghpat (Watch Video).

Speaking to PTI, Presiding Officer Satya Sharma expressed hope that proceedings in the MCD House this time will be held without any untoward incident.

"Nominated members and aldermen will take oath first. Then other members will take the oath. I don't think the AAP will create such an issue because it is their loss. I am hopeful we will be able to elect the Mayor tomorrow," she said.

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The AAP had alleged that the nominated members were BJP workers and were being administered oath first to allow them to vote in the mayoral election.

Aldermen refers to people who are experts in their fields. However, they do not have voting rights in the mayoral election.

The agenda of the January 24 meeting mentioned that councillors and members nominated as per DMC Act 1957 (amended in 2022) will take the oath.

Councillors and members nominated as per DMC Act 1957 (amended in 2022) will take the oath, followed by the election for the posts of mayor, deputy mayor and six members of the standing committee, says the agenda.

However, it does not specify the sequence of oath-taking.

BJP councillor Satya Sharma, who was appointed as the presiding officer, said all preparations for the meeting are completed.

"We are ready for Tuesday. I have informed the LG and his MCD secretary about the ruckus of the last time," Sharma said, adding that the councillors who were involved in the January 6 incident should bear the cost of the damage.

Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Durgesh Pathak on Monday urged the BJP to let the house function "peacefully", saying that AAP councilors want the Mayoral election to be held as soon as possible.

The civic polls were held on December 4 and the counting of votes took place on December 7.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had emerged as a clear winner in the polls, bagging 134 wards and ending the BJP's 15-year rule in the civic body.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 104 wards to finish second, while the Congress won nine seats in the 250-member municipal house.

Shelly Oberoi and Ashu Thakur are AAP's contenders for the post of mayor. The BJP has nominated Rekha Gupta as its contender for the post.

The nominees for the post of deputy mayor are - Aaley Mohammad Iqbal and Jalaj Kumar (AAP), and Kamal Bagri (BJP).

Besides the mayor and deputy mayor, six members of the MCD's standing committee are also slated to be elected during the January 24 municipal House.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had come into being in April 1958 and its mayor wielded influential power and carried a huge prestige till 2012 when the corporation was spilt into three separate civic bodies, each having its own mayor.

In 2022, the Centre brought a legislation to unify the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (104 wards), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (104 wards), and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (64 wards) into a single entity though it had capped the total number of wards at 250, down from 272 wards earlier.

Delhi is now set to get a mayor for the city as a whole after a gap of 10 years.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurugram, Jan 23 (PTI) Gurugram police have received about 60 cyber complaints in the first 20 days of January, an official said on Monday.

The police issued an advisory and appealed to the general public of the city not to download screen-sharing apps on their mobiles at the behest of anyone.

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DCP Upasana said various IT companies use several apps like Anydesk, team viewer, TechSupport etc to remotely access their electronic devices, giving their employees the option to work from home.

Cybercriminals are increasingly misusing these apps to commit cyber frauds and dupe people of their hard-earned money, she said.

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"60 such cyber complaints have been received since the start of this year. Cyber criminals first collect information related to victim by using various social sites like Linkedin app, Facebook etc," DCP said.

"Then, call the victim (known as phishing) by providing technical support in name of KYC update, electricity bill update, credit card or debit card details update, Aadhaar card update etc and ask them to install screen sharing apps in their phones," she said.

"As soon as the app is installed cyber criminals get access to the victim's device and thereby dupe money from their payment wallets and net banking apps," Upasana added.

The Gurugram police in advisory mention some preventive measures like do not download any suspicious app on your device when you get a call from an unknown person. Before giving remote access to your device (Tech Support) the technical support should identify the caller properly," she said.

Do not click on any hyperlink (blue text) in SMS. Immediately press aeroplane mode on the mobile and immediately report any cyber fraud on 1930 or hyperlink: http://www.cybercrime.gov.in"www.cybercrime.gov.in," the DCP added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) The Delhi High Court Monday sought response of the Centre on a plea by a satirical website, "Dowry Calculator", challenging the government's decision to ban it.

The lawyer for the petitioner submitted that the website makes fun of the social evil of dowry and "it is self-evident that it is a satire".

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Justice Prathiba M Singh asked if the website was making good revenue out of dowry calculation and said, "it is quite creative though."

The website, which was launched in 2011 and calculates the amount of dowry on entering a person's particulars, says it is dedicated to all the match making aunties of India.

Also Read | Republic Day 2023: Delhi Police Ban Drones, Paragliders Till February 15 Amid Security Threat.

The high court issued notice to the Centre and asked the parties to file their written submissions along with relevant case laws and listed the matter for further hearing on May 16.

Senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal, appearing for petitioner Tanul Thakur who is the creator of the website, said it is a free website and has zero revenue.

"The website makes fun of the social evil (dowry practice). It is self-evident that it is a satire. It makes fun at a social evil. It does not encourage dowry. But the government's stand is that it will defame India in the eyes of the world, the counsel submitted.

The plea said the website was started in May 2011 with the intention of highlighting the evil of dowry and it is a tongue-in-cheek attempt to highlight the social evil which is prevalent here.

It said that the government blocked the website in 2018 following a complaint.

It said that in May 2022, the high court had asked a committee constituted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) to give a hearing to the petitioner.

However, the court was informed on Monday that the committee has recommended the ministry to retain the decision to block the website on the ground that the perception of the website is not satirical.

The plea said that initially the petitioner was reluctant to put a disclaimer on the website but now he is willing to do so.

However, the committee's view is that it will encourage the social evil, it said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Monday granted a "last opportunity" to the Centre and the lieutenant governor to respond to Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot's plea challenging a provision which requires state government ministers, including the chief minister, to seek political clearances from the Centre for foreign visits.

The petition was filed last year in the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being denied permission for his visit to Singapore for the 8th World Cities' Summit from July 31 to August 7, 2022.

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At the outset, Justice Prathiba M Singh asked why replies were not filed by the authorities. The counsel for the Centre and LG said as a last opportunity, some more time be given to them to file their counter affidavits.

"Why are you not filing the reply. It cannot go on like this Last and final opportunity is granted to file the counter affidavits within four weeks. List on May 22," the judge said.

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The high court had on August 29, 2022, issued notices and asked the Delhi LG and Union government through Ministries of External Affairs, Finance and Home Affairs to file their counter affidavits in response to the petition.

The petition said this was not the first instance of such abuse of discretion and mentioned that the chief minister was previously denied permission to attend the C-40 World Mayors' Summit in Copenhagen in 2019 and even Gahlot had requested for clearance to visit London on an invitation but there was no response from authorities in the Centre till the time the request became infructuous.

Gahlot, who is an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, has sought issuance of guidelines to channel and guide the implementation of several office memoranda issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, empowering the Centre to grant or deny permission to state government ministers for foreign visits in their official capacity.

Gahlot, in his plea, said all these visits were on invitation and were crucial fora for exchanging ideas on improving urban governance and showcasing Delhi's own progress in urban design.

The alleged draconian manner in which the central authorities have used their discretion on travel clearances is only exacerbated further by the fact that even personal visits by state government ministers must be cleared by them, he said.

The petition sought quashing of the office memoranda (OM) to the extent that they require state government ministers to seek political clearances from the respondents for personal visits abroad.

The petition also sought quashing of the undated letter sent by the LG to the Delhi government on July 20, 2022, advising against the chief minister's proposed visit to Singapore.

It said according one of the OMs issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, clearances are required from the Department of Expenditure in the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the relevant Central Administrative Ministry and once these clearances are obtained, for visits involving a chief minister, a final clearance from the PMO is required.

"The whimsical and capricious manner in which travel clearances for Indian statespersons are treated is prejudicial not just to the interests of good urban governance in this case, but also national interests in global platforms generally.

Not only has the respondent no. 1 (LG) acted beyond his jurisdiction in advising against the Singapore visit, but the actual exercise of the powers conferred by the Office Memoranda above noted has been manifestly arbitrary and reflects unchanneled and unbridled use of discretion on part of the respondents, the plea said.

It submitted that there appears to be no prima facie reason or basis for denial of clearances for this particular visit to Singapore, making the action of the authorities manifestly arbitrary and without any evident discernible principle.

Such arbitrary and whimsical denial of travel permissions to important constitutional functionaries is a routine matter, and is often achieved either by prima facie illogical decisions or simply by delayed decision-making serving as a pocket veto, it claimed.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla, Jan 23 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Monday sought the release of Rs 350 crore for the Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Project in Kangra district, an official statement said.

Agnihotri met Central Water Commission Chairman Kushvinder Vohra here and held discussions about strengthening the irrigation sector in the state besides urging for liberal assistance for it.

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He said the Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Project in Kangra's Nurpur was started at an initial cost of Rs 204 crore in 2011, which has now escalated to Rs 646 crore.

The state has spent Rs 283 crore from its own resources for executing the project, the statement quoting the deputy CM said.

Also Read | Republic Day 2023: Delhi Police Ban Drones, Paragliders Till February 15 Amid Security Threat.

Agnihotri urged for the early release Rs 350 crore so that the project can be completed on priority. He said that this project is on the priority list of the Union government as well, a statement issued here said.

He further said 5,000 hectares area to be covered under the Shah Nehar project was not getting adequate water for irrigation and the state has requested for additional resources from the Centre to provide irrigational facilities.

He also urged the Centre for providing speedy approval for the Beet Area Irrigation Scheme, Phase-II, in Una district to be completed with an outlay of Rs 75 crore.

The deputy chief minister informed that Phase -1 of this project had been completed by the state with its own resources. He further informed that the Nadaun irrigation scheme will be completed in a time-bound manner within the next two to three months.

He extended an invitation to the CWC chairperson to visit the state along with his team of experts to explore possibilities for strengthening the existing schemes and to prepare a roadmap for future planning and implementation of new irrigation schemes.

He said more focus was required on flood control measures and channelizing the rivulets.

The CWC chairperson assured of all possible support to the state, the statement added. PTI/BPL

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 23 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said that the Jammu and Kashmir government and Centre together are working on the Narwal blast case and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself is monitoring the situation every day.

The Union Minister while speaking to ANI on Monday said that as far as the Narwal blast was concerned, the Jammu and Kashmir government and Central government will take action in coordination with each other.

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He further stated that the Home Minister himself is monitoring the situation every day.

"Terrorists have shifted their focus from Kashmir to Jammu, that angle is also being looked into. For security purposes, these things are not discussed openly, this makes people think that no action is being taken," he added.

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"I can assure that sufficient and decisive action is on the way," he added.

On the ongoing Bharat Jodo yatra, he said that the BJP respects the Democratic and constitutional rights in the Bharat Jodi Yatra.

On Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is being led by Rahul Gandhi, Jitendra Singh said that the BJP also held three yatras in the past which includes the yatra led by Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on 11 May 1953. When he was arrested at Lakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir and later died in mysterious circumstances in police custody.

"Second yatra was in 1992 by led Dr. Murli Manohar and Narendra Modi as Ekta Yatra, and the third was the Tiranga Yatra in 2011 led by Arun Jaitely and Sushma Swaraj which was not allowed in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP leaders were arrested and sent to Punjab," he added.

He further alleged that Congress had adopted the policy of oppression.

"The policy of oppression was adopted by the then Jammu and Kashmir government. Now, this is the first time that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has started, and the BJP Govt followed and respected the democratic bequest and constitutional legacy. The yatra went on unhindered in the country. Now the public will decide the fate of this yatra," he added.

Jitendra Singh talked to the media after the BJP State working committee meeting at Kathua. He has also attended the BJP working committee to chalk out the future plans of the party. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 23 (ANI): The Department of Agriculture Kashmir in collaboration with an international marketing group (Lulu) has sent this year's second consignment of Kashmir-specific vegetables to UAE.

The vegetable consignment sent on Monday was from the Dal area of Srinagar and from Lalgam of Sub-division Budgam.

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It was procured by Fair exports private limited from a Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO), Dal Lake Stem Producer Company Ltd., and a progressive farmer of a nearby village. The consignment was flagged off by the Director of Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal.

Speaking on the occasion Director of Agriculture said, "Receiving new orders for our vegetables from the markets like Dubai, is encouraging".

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"The department is working on a long-term ambitious plan to strengthen the export promotion policy of UT of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

He said that the department is endeavouring to get more and more farmers, agri-preneurs attracted towards the international trade of Kashmir-specific agriculture produce with the aim to fetch high returns for their produce.

The Director of Agriculture said that under the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors, the proper marketing of Kashmir-specific vegetables, spices and other agricultural products at the international level is one of the top priorities and different strategies have been devised in this direction by the department.

Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Director Raksha and Farms Iqbal Singh, Chief Technical Officer Sheikh Imran, Divisional Seed Certification Officer Abdul Hamid Shah, Water use specialist Neelofar Qureshi were also present on the occasion.

Last year also, a large number of vegetable consignments were sent to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other Gulf markets. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
KALUHLEKO  Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko was assassinated while engaged in advanced preparations to meet the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika.

This was said by Chairperson of the Institute for Democracy and Leadership (IDEAL), Barnes Dlamini. He wondered about the motive behind the killing of Maseko and said the person who initiated the assassination was short-sighted as the deceased championed a solution to the political impasse in the the kingdom that would benefit every member of the society. Dlamini, who was among the mourners and political activists found at the homestead of the deceased human rights lawyer, said the callous murder sent chills down their spines as Maseko was the glue, which held the mass democratic movement together. We have advocated for peace and dialogue in the country and with such an incident, this fact is not holding up, Dlamini said.

Furthermore, the IDEAL chairperson said from a week ago, they were in advanced preparations for their trip to Namibia wherein they were to meet the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (Troika) chairperson, who is also Namibias president. He was to make the follow-up this week as the meeting was scheduled to be convened with the Troika chairperson before the end of January (this month).

Meet

Local parties are hoping to meet the chairperson of the SADC Troika in the next five weeks. The mass democratic movement (MDM) of Swaziland received an invitation from the SADC Troika chairperson when he was in the country on a work visit. President Geingob, when in the country, was quoted by Eswatini News saying that he would visit other member States and then soon the date of the Troika meeting would be set, where they would discuss all the afflictions of SADCs member States, including Eswatini.
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): Jawaharlal Nehru University on Monday warned against the screening of the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been banned by the Centre in the country, stating that strict action will be taken against the students who defy the order.

This comes after a group of students released a pamphlet for the screening of the documentary on Tuesday.

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According to an advisory issued by the JNU administration, the group of students in the name of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union, have not sought permission for the screening of "India: The Modi Question", the BBC documentary, from the administration.

It said that such "unauthorized activity" may "disturb peace and harmony" of the University campus.

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"It has come to the notice of the administration that a group of students have in the name of JNUSU released a pamphlet for screening a documentary/movie "India: The Modi Question" scheduled for 24th January, 2023 at 9:00 p.m. in Teflas," the advisory said.

"No prior permission for this event has been taken from the JNU Administration. This is to emphasize that such an unauthorized activity may disturb peace and harmony of the University Campus," it added.

The administration advised the individuals to cancel the screening warning of strict action against them upon the non-compliance with the advisory.

"The concerned students/individuals are firmly advised to cancel the proposed programme immediately, failing which strict disciplinary action may be initiated as per the University rules. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority," it said.

Earlier last week, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing as a 'propaganda piece' designed to push a discredited narrative.

"We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing.

The MEA spokesperson added that the documentary is a reflection of individuals that are peddling this narrative again.

Meanwhile, in a strong response to the BBC documentary, more than 300 eminent Indians, including retired judges, bureaucrats, and armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing "unrelenting prejudice" towards India and its leader. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 23: The Supreme Court on Monday assured the petitioners to list the matter pertaining to the ban on Hijab in the educational institutes in Karnataka. Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora mentioned the matter related to the headscarves before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

Arora said that many girls have lost out on the entire year because they have refused to take off their hijab. She also apprised the court about practicals in educational institutes in February and sought an early hearing for interim directions. SC to Consider Listing Before 3 Judge Bench Pleas Related to Ban on Wearing Islamic Head.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud assured that it will list the matter and give a date. The court also observed that the matter would be heard by a three-judge bench of the top court.

The court asked the lawyer to mention the matter before the registrar.

The top court had earlier given a verdict on various petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court order which upheld the ban on Hijab in educational institutes.

Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeal while Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia allowed it. The matter was thereafter referred to the Chief Justice of India for appropriate direction due to divergent opinions. The judgement was given by a two-judge of justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

The court was hearing various pleas against Karnataka HC's judgement upholding the Karnataka Government's decision to direct educational institutes to prescribe uniforms in educational institutes.

Various petitioners have approached the apex court challenging the Karnataka HC order upholding the Karnataka government's order which directs strict enforcement of schools and colleges' uniform rules.

One of the appeals in the top court has alleged "step-motherly behaviour of government authorities which has prevented students from practising their faith and resulted in an unwanted law and order situation".

The appeal said the High Court in its impugned order "had vehemently failed to apply its mind and was unable to understand the gravity of the situation as well as the core aspect of the Essential Religious Practices enshrined under Article 25 of the Constitution of India".

A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi had earlier held that the prescription of uniform is a reasonable restriction that students could not object to and dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions saying they are without merit.

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry.

After this, boys from several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.

As a result, the Karnataka government said that all students must adhere to the uniform and banned both hijab and saffron scarves till an expert committee decided on the issue. On February 5, the pre-University education board released a circular stating that the students could only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and that no other religious attire would be allowed in colleges.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 23: The Delhi government on Monday announced six dry days between January 26 and March 31, in the wake of Republic Day and other festive days. The state's Excise Department of the Delhi Government has issued the orders following reversing the previous excise policy. Dry Days in 2023 in Mumbai: Check Full Calendar With Dates When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Stores, Pubs & Bars in Indias Economic Capital.

On three national holidays-- Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti-- hotels, clubs, and restaurants are prohibited from serving alcohol by the Delhi Government. Republic Day, Guru Ravidas Jayanti, Swami Dayananda Saraswati Jayanti, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, and Ram Navami are among the upcoming dry days, according to a list released by the Delhi government's Excise department. Dry Days in Delhi 2023 List: Check Complete Calendar With Festivals and Dates When Alcohol Is Not for Sale in the Capital City of India.

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is on February 5, Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti on February 15, Maha Shivratri on February 18 and Ram Navami on March 30. The sale of liquor will also be prohibited at bars and restaurants on Republic Day (January 26), according to a statement from the Delhi government. According to the statement, the Delhi government issues a list of dry days every three months.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thiruvananthapuram, January 23: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday said that multidimensional poverty in Kerala is only 0.7 per cent and claimed that it was the lowest in the country. Governor was giving the policy address in connection with the commencement of the budget session at the Kerala Assembly today.

"Multidimensional poverty in Kerala is only 0.7 per cent which is the lowest in the country," Arif Mohammed Khan said. "My government is committed to uplifting the extremely poor and vulnerable families from their present state for which micro plans are being drawn up. My government is committed to land and housing for all in both rural and urban areas," the governor added.

The Kerala governor also stated that several steps were taken by the government to transform the investment landscape in the state. "My government is taking several path-breaking initiatives to transform the investment atmosphere to a business-friendly one. My government will continue to bring in reforms in the investment arena and modernise and amend laws and regulations to facilitate and simplify approvals for investment in the state," he said. Arif Mohammad Khan also stressed the importance of protecting the constitutional values of the citizens. Previous Govts Discussed Poverty, Sought Foreign Aid but Now India is Daring to Dream Big, Says PM Modi.

"My government is committed to protecting constitutional values which are presently facing many challenges. My govt is always committed to protecting the freedom of the press. A strong nation has to have a strong Centre, empowered states and actively functioning local governments," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], January 23 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister (CM) Dr Sarma on Monday said that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a personality who symbolised patriotism and nationalism of the highest order and that his contributions towards the nation's freedom struggle were immense and incomparable.

Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday attended as Chief Guest the 127th birthday celebration of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, organised by the All Assam Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Birthday Celebration Committee, at Netaji Chowk in Guwahati's Paltan Bazar.

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At the occasion, CM Dr Sarma said that Netaji symbolised patriotism and nationalism of the highest order.

Stating that the contributions of Netaji towards India's freedom struggle were either consciously or subconsciously downplayed by a section of the intellectual circles and contemporary historians, Chief Minister Dr Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been relentlessly trying to undo such historical wrongs through initiatives such as installation of the 28-feet tall black-granite statue of the Indian National Army (INA) Commander-In-Chief near the India Gate.

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Crediting Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for taking the issue of India's demand for Independence from colonial rule to areas far beyond the perimeters of the Indian subcontinent, Assam CM said Bose's indomitable spirit and aspirations to see his motherland become free again drove him to take up unimaginable dangerous tasks and missions. The ideals of patriotism, nationalism and of nation-first displayed by Netaji continue to inspire millions of Indian citizens in dedicating their lives to the welfare of the nation, the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister also showered praises on Subhash Chandra Bose for his role in preserving the cultural and political hegemony of the indigenous communities of Northeastern India countering designs of altering the demography of the region by certain quarters with vested interests.

Using the platform of the Netaji birth anniversary celebration, Chief Minister Dr Sarma appealed to the youths of the State to imbibe the ideals of Netaji and work towards the process of nation-building. Netaji had immense faith in the capabilities of the children in transforming the world and the society, the Chief Minister said, exuding confidence Assam's younger generations would make the best use of their potential and abilities in their respective fields of expertise.

Ministers of Assam Cabinet Pijush Hazarika and Ashok Singhal, Member of Legislative Assembly Siddhartha Bhattacharjee, Chief Executive of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Tuliram Ronghang, Mayor of Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mrigen Sarania, along with a host of other prominent personalities were also present during the celebration. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2023 on 11 children at an award ceremony held in New Delhi today, the President's Secretariat informed in a release on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said, "Children are the invaluable assets of our country. Every effort made to build their future would shape the future of our society and country."

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"We should make every effort for their safe and happy childhood and bright future. By awarding the children, we are encouraging and honouring their contribution to nation-building," she added.

The President said that some of the award winners have shown such indomitable courage and valour at such a young age that she was not only surprised but also overwhelmed to know about them. Their examples are inspirational for all children and youth.

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"We are celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav across the country. We achieved our freedom after a tough struggle. That's why it is expected from the new generation that all of them should recognize the value of this freedom and protect it. She advised children to think about the interest of the country and work for the country wherever they get opportunities," she said.

The President said that philanthropy has been given the highest place in Indian life values. Life is meaningful only for those who live for others.

"The sense of love for the entire humanity, the culture of taking care of animals, birds and plants is a part of Indian life values. Today's kids are more conscious towards the environment," she added.

President Murmu advised the children to keep in mind that whatever they do is not affecting the environment adversely. She urged them to plant and protect trees. She also urged them to save energy and motivate elders also for this.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are being conferred upon children in the age group 5-18 years, for their excellence in six categories - Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Scholastic, Social Service and Sports. This year, awards were presented in the categories of Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service and Sports, the release stated. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 23 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday called upon the public representatives to make efforts to speed up the industrial development in their respective regions.

CM Yogi held a meeting with MPs and MLAs of Unnao, Lucknow and Hardoi districts at his residence on Monday and inquired about the status of development works from the public representatives in their respective areas. They apprised the Chief Minister of the demands of the people and also gave new proposals for development works.

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The Chief Minister said that after inviting 16 countries to the proposed UP Global Investors Summit in February, the state delegation's visit to major cities of India has been successful.

According to an official statement, the global industry is impressed by the UP's industrial development-friendly environment and investment-friendly policies and the state is getting investments worth lakhs of crores. CM Yogi said every district of the state will get its benefit.

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The Chief Minister said that the dredging of the rivers has yielded good results to solve the problems of river erosion and floods. The help of drone technology is also being taken in this. Construction of new embankments and repair of old ones are also being done. He urged the MPs and MLAs to monitor these works in their areas.

Describing the role of public representatives as important in shaping the possibilities of eco-tourism in Unnao and Hardoi, CM Yogi spoke about the need to prepare a better action plan and make necessary efforts. He said this will generate employment in the region.

Emphasizing infrastructure development in villages, the Chief Minister said that the government has started 'Mathrubhoomi Yojana'.

Informing about the plan for the development of a night safari near Kukrail picnic spot in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said that this scheme will expand the possibilities of tourism.

The Chief Minister said that in the last five and a half years, proper roads have been made even in remote villages. Clean drinking water has become accessible in every house. There is strong law and order.

He said that the state government is setting up fire stations at all tehsil headquarters in a phased manner. Trained personnel will be deployed in every fire station.

"There is a huge land bank, better connectivity, and efficient human resource. By developing better infrastructure, a better environment has been created for industrial development. The state government is giving all possible cooperation for development. All of you should do branding of this potential of your area. With this investment will come here and employment opportunities will be created," CM Yogi told the public representatives.

Taking inspiration from foreign and domestic investor road shows, various districts organized investor conferences with their own efforts. Investment proposals worth rupess thousands of crores are being received in these district-level investor conferences. Communication with the investors should be continued at places where the events have already been held, the Chief Minister said.

Yogi said that today investment is coming in every district of the state. Refering to Lucknow, Unnao and Hardoi districts, he said the region has immense opportunities in every sector including agriculture, food processing, dairy, textiles, biofuels and solar energy.

The Chief Minister said that all the districts should be connected with the main function of the Global Investors Summit to be held between February 10-12.

CM Yogi said that public representatives should give wide publicity to the new industrial policies of the state government. A discussion should be organized among the youth in universities, colleges, polytechnics and ITIs. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): In the light of some reports on threats from anti-social and terrorist elements to the Republic Day celebrations, flying of sub-conventional and aerial platforms in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been prohibited until further notice, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora informed on Monday.

The Delhi Police Commissioner, through an order issued on Monday, said some criminal and anti-social elements inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations.

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"It has been reported that certain criminal or anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital Installations by the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), micro-light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even by para-jumping from aircraft etc," the Commissioner said.

Arora said in view of such reports, the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms over the National Capital Territory of Delhi is prohibited and punishable.

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"In pursuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification and under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, I do hereby prohibit the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASS, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the National Capital Territory of Delhi on the occasion of Republic Day Function-2023 and doing so shall be punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code," he further said.

He also said the order is passed 'ex-parte' and the notice will be published through the press and affixing copies on the notice boards of government offices.

"As the notice cannot be served individually on all concerned, the order is, hereby, passed ex-parte. It shall be published for the information of the public through press and affixing copies on the Notice Boards of the offices of all DCSP, Addl. DCSP, ACSP, Tehsils, all Police Stations and offices of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi & New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department, Delhi Development Authority and Delhi Cantonment Board," he said.

"This order shall come into force with effect from January 18 and shall remain in force for a period of 29 days, upto February 15 (both days Inclusive) unless withdrawn earlier," the Delhi Police Commissioner added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): The Delhi Police has increased the deployment of security equipment and personnel at the Red Fort, ahead of the Republic Day 2023 preparations, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Khalsi informed on Monday.

Talking to ANI, DCP North said that they carry out the security arrangements in two-fold under verification and briefing.

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"Firstly, we carry out door-to-door verifications of cinema halls, hotels, and guest houses, from around 2-2.5 months back. Under this, our foot and vehicle patrolling are beefed up. Secondly, we carry out briefing, under which, we brief people that if they find any suspicious people or object, they should inform the nearest police stations and authorities," he said.

"If we receive any specific inputs regarding a particular group, then we carry out proper verification of people and sympathisers of these groups. This time also we have beefed up security and night patrolling," he said.

Also Read | Republic Day 2023: Delhi Police Ban Drones, Paragliders Till February 15 Amid Security Threat.

DCP (North) further said that this year they are focussing more towards the 'quality' of CCTV cameras, so as to shorten the time between detecting and responding.

"Based on some inputs, we increased local security at the Red Fort on both human and technological fronts. We are sure that due to our preparations, no untoward incident will happen," he said.

He said that the procurement and capacity building of the police has increased in view of the G20 summit.

On being asked about some alleged 'Khalistani graffitis' written in some parts of Delhi, the DCP (North) said that arrangements near the Red Fort are very tight and no such thing will happen at the Red Fort. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 23 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Chowdhary on Monday lashed out at Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya over his controversial remark on 'Ramcharitmanas' and also sought his party's stand in the matter.

The Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya on Sunday, sparked a major controversy after he demanded the deletion of "insulting comments and sarcasm" targeted at particular castes and sects in Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic Ramayana.

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Speaking to ANI, the SP leader said, "I don't have any issue with Ramcharitramanas but parts of it have insulting comments and sarcasm directed at particular castes and sects. Those should be removed."

Maurya further claimed that in the Ramcharitmanas, which was composed by Tulsidas, there are words hurting the sentiments of the Dalit community.

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Speaking to reporters here in Moradabad on Monday, the UP BJP chief said, "People like Swami Prasad Maurya are deranged. Akhilesh Yadav should clarify whether it is his party's view or Swami Prasad's personal view.

"SP has always stood with anti-nationals. Whether it was opening fire on 'karsevaks' (during the fall of Babri Masjid) or taking cases back on terrorists," he further alleged.

On the upcoming Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) elections, the BJP leader said, "There are elections for five Vidhan Parishad seats on January 30. The BJP has announced candidates on all five seats and we are confident of coming out victorious in all of them."

"The government should take effective action and show sensitivity. It should see that the sentiments of any community are not hurt," Maurya had added earlier.

Maurya left the ruling BJP last year in January and joined the Samajwadi Party (SP), ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
MANZINI - The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) has described Maseko as one who was of a balanced mind.

The federation said this through the voice of its Secretary General Mduduzi Gina, who said Maseko believed in peaceful resolution of disputes. He said he strongly believed in dialogue as the only tool for the resolution of political disputes and conflicts. He was of a balanced mind. He recognised the role for each sector of society in the political development of the country, Gina said. On another note, he said as a federation, they condemned his killing in the strongest terms possible.

In trade unionism, he said Maseko represented the federation in its politically motivated deregistration during the period 2012 and 2015. He said the federation had pronounced its discomfort with the way the elections under the Tinkhundla System were proceeded with. In the middle of the deregistration litigation, he said Maseko was arrested allegedly for contempt of court charges for having questioned the way the then chief justice was generally conducting the affairs of the Judiciary and was subsequently sentenced to two years without an option of a fine.

Confirmed

He said these allegedly politically motivated charges were confirmed to be false and an attack on the Constitution by the Supreme Court. He said at that time, Maseko had already finished his unlawful sentence when the Supreme Court found that his arrest and sentence was in the first place unlawful and an infringement of the right to freedom of expression. In him, he said the federation had learnt the culture and importance of tolerance of dissenting views. He said the deceased had become a glue that kept the progressive mass democratic movement together. In that regard, he said they would never be the same without him. He said his strong views on the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts would have benefited the country. Moreover, he said a challenge had been thrown to each one of them, to take the baton, continue the noble journey for the total democratisation of the country. He said Maseko taught them that their struggle should be that of peace and love.
Stadtbergen (Germany), January 23 (ANI): As Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's 126th birth anniversary was celebrated on January 23, his daughter Dr Anita Bose Pfaff on Monday requested all Indians to help in repatriating Netaji's last remains from Taiwan.

"I request all Indians to support me to repatriate Netaji's remains," Dr Anita Bose Pfaff said while speaking to ANI.

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"It is very unfortunate that he could not live to see free India. At least it would be a great substitute if his remains eventually could return to his motherland," she added.

"And in that way, I support all men and women in India and invite them to participate in it," she added.

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She requested and invited all Indians to come forward and participate in helping her in repatriating Netaji's last remains to India, his motherland.

"He (Netaji) could not set foot in free India. I wish at least his remains return to his motherland and find a final resting place. Documentation is proof that he died on August 18, 1945, in a plane crash in present-day Taiwan. I hope his ashes are brought back to the country," added Netaji's daughter when she spoke to ANI back in September 2022.

Netaji's daughter also said while speaking to ANI on Monday that it was his (Netaji Subhash Chandra's) dream that men and women of all castes and social strata lived equally in the country.

She said he can be honoured by putting up impressive statues, and naming islands for freedom fighters. She added, "If we are able to do that(gain equality), then that would be the greatest honour to him".

"His only aim was to see a free India, he sacrificed his personal life and ultimately his own life for this goal. Countrymen will pay him for his sacrifice," Dr Anita Bose Pfaff said.

She said that he can be honoured by putting up impressive statues, and naming islands, she further added that all that would make her happy but each and every human being should help each other for the betterment of each other's lives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees in a ceremony on Monday on the occasion of Parakram Diwas.

PM Modi also unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, earlier known as Ross Islands. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present at the ceremony in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

"This land of Andaman is the land where the tricolour was hoisted for the first time. Where the government of independent India was formed for the first time. Today is the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Bose. The country celebrates this day as Parakram Diwas, PM Narendra Modi said on Monday on the occasion of Parakram divas and Netaji's 126th birth anniversary. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jan 23 (PTI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said though Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are two different territories politically and geographically, the "soul" of both the states is one.

Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh and formed in 2000.

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"The water of the Ganga will reach Gangasagar only when it comes down from the hills of Uttarakhand and flows ahead through Uttar Pradesh," Adityanath said while addressing the closing ceremony of the 'Uttarayani Kauthig' fair here.

"Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand cannot exist separately," he said, adding that the "soul of the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand is one".

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They may be "two different territories politically and geographically, however, the soul of both the states remains united", Adityanath said, according to a statement.

On the occasion, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister also remembered India's first chief of defence staff late General Bipin Rawat and Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali, and called upon the residents of Uttarakhand to remain dedicated to the nation.

Adityanath said that to keep the memory of General Rawat alive, the Uttar Pradesh government has named the Sainik School in Mainpuri after him. There will be a grand programme on his birth anniversary, he said.

"Uttarakhand also represents the army fighting at the forefront for the country. Every family in Uttarakhand in one way or another is contributing to the protection of the country. By joining the army, they consider service to the country as their duty and pride," Adityanath said, according to the statement.

He said that Uttarakhand is identified as 'Devbhoomi' because it reflects positivity. "I spent 14-15 years of my childhood in Uttarakhand. It is a land of meditation, full of spirituality. The intensity of faith is the same even today. Spirituality can find solutions to a number of issues," Adityanath said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jan 23 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday held a meeting with MPs and MLAs of Unnao, Lucknow, and Hardoi districts at his residence inquiring about the status of development works from the public representatives in their respective areas.

They apprised the Chief Minister of the aspirations of the regional people and also gave new proposals for development works.

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The Chief Minister said that after inviting 16 countries of the world to the proposed Global Investors Summit in February, Team UP's visit to major cities of the country has been successful.

"The global industry is impressed by the state's industrial development-friendly environment and investment-friendly policies and the state is getting investments worth lakhs of crores. Every district of the state will get its benefit. This summit is necessary from the point of view of connecting the youth with employment," he said.

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The Chief Minister said that the dredging of the rivers has yielded good results to solve the problems of river erosion and floods.

This should be continued even further and suggested to take help of drones in this.

Describing the role of public representatives as important in shaping the possibilities of eco-tourism in Unnao and Hardoi, the Chief Minister spoke about the need to prepare a better action plan and efforts that could also generate employment in the area.

Pointing out that the benefits of the mass marriage scheme implemented for families with low-income groups should be extended to the needy, the Chief Minister said that MPs and MLAs should also be present in these programs.

Emphasising infrastructure development in villages, the Chief Minister said that the government has started 'Mathrubhoomi Yojana'.

"Now anyone can directly participate in the development of his village/city. MPs, MLAs should try to connect more and more people with this scheme," he said.

Informing about the plan for the development of a night safari near Kukrail picnic spot in the state capital, the Chief Minister said that this scheme will expand the possibilities of tourism in Lucknow, which is becoming the standard of modern urban development.

Taking inspiration from foreign and domestic investor road shows, various districts organised investor conferences with their own efforts.

Investment proposals worth thousands of crores are being received in these district-level investor conferences.

Communication with the investors should be continued at places where the events have already been held, he added.

The Chief Minister said that public representatives should give wide publicity to the new industrial policies of the state government and a discussion should be organised among the youth in universities, colleges, polytechnics, and ITIs.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, January 23: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday extended a red carpet to top honchos of the Indian industry and invited them to invest in the state. The chief minister had detailed parleys with the representatives of big corporate houses like Godrej, Hindustan Unilever, Mafatlal Group, Mahindra & Mahindra, Jindal Steels and others during his Mumbai visit.

Mann had gone to Mumbai on Sunday to meet industry leaders with an aim to attract investments in his state. Mann apprised the industry leaders that the government of Punjab is making strenuous efforts to further strengthen the single window system for facilitating investors, said a state government release here.

"The chief minister said that the pragmatic policies of the state government coupled with industrial peace and state-of-the-art infrastructure provides a conducive atmosphere for the industrial development in the state. Invest Punjab Summit: CM Bhagwant Mann Arrives in Mumbai on Two-day Visit to Attract Investment to State.

"Bhagwant Mann pointed out that earlier single window service was merely a sham, devoid of any meaningful purpose, which not only demoralised the potential investors but also hampered the industrial development of the state.

"He said that now his government has ensured that the single window system works as a real facilitator to the entrepreneurs interested in investing in the state," the release said quoting the CM.

During a meeting with the representatives of the Hindustan Unilever, the chief minister asked them to expand their existing plant for tomato ketchup manufacturing in Nabha.

He said that the state government will encourage the farmers of the state to sow tomatoes in Punjab. The company assured Mann that they will explore the feasibility of setting up their unit in the state.

The chief minister also had a detailed meeting with a delegation of Thyrocare -- an Indian multinational chain of diagnostic and preventive care laboratories.

During the meeting, he apprised the representatives of the company that the state government is laying major thrust on imparting quality healthcare services to people. Mann also invited the company to set up a chain of laboratories in the state.

During a meeting with Mafatlal group executive, the chief minister invited the company to invest in Punjab. He said that the cotton belt of the state produces the finest cotton across the globe, which can be used as raw material for producing premium fabric.

Taking part in a meeting with representatives of Mahindra & Mahindra, Mann said that there is a huge potential for the tourism sector in the state especially around Ranjit Sagar Dam, Chohal Dam and other places. The company showed keen interest in setting up its chain of Club Mahindra resorts in the state. They also invited the chief minister for inauguration of the upgraded plant of Swaraj Tractors at Lalru.

In a meeting with the delegation of Kotak Mahindra Bank, the chief minister discussed the possibilities of expansion of the banking sector in the state.

He assured the delegation that the state government will provide fulsome support and cooperation to them for setting their venture in Punjab.

Mann said that the state government is committed to giving impetus to progress of the state and prosperity of its people. During a meeting with a delegation of Hind Terminal, a logistics company, Mann said that there is a huge scope for the growth of the sector in the state, said the release. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Slams Opposition, Says Rival Political Leaders Chronic Liars.

He assured full support to the company for expansion of their unit in Quilla Raipur. Mann said that the logistic park will be given a boost by the state government. Mann also had detailed deliberations with the Godrej group executives and asked the firm to invest in the agriculture sector.

He also asked them to explore the possibility of expansion in the real sector too. During a meeting with Jindal steel, the chief minister said the state is heading towards becoming surplus in power production and this can help in accelerating the growth of steel industry.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jan 23 (PTI) The emergency credit line guarantee scheme (ECLGS), launched during Covid to help small businesses tide over losses due to lockdowns, has helped save at least 14.6 lakh MSMEs which benefited from Rs 2.2 lakh crore in additional credit, a report said on Monday.

According to an SBI Research analysis, this additional credit flow has saved around 12 per cent of the outstanding MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) credit from slipping into NPAs. In terms of people, it saved the livelihood of at least 6.6 crore people, the report said.

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The ECLGS has helped in boosting credit flow to MSMEs with at least 14.6 lakh of them being saved due to the scheme.

In absolute terms, loans worth Rs 2.2 lakh crore were flown into MSMEs from banks during the scheme. This means that around 12 per cent of the outstanding MSME credit has been saved from slipping into NPAs because of the scheme, and saving the livelihood of 6.6 crore people, SBI chief economist Soumyakanti Ghosh said in the report.

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The report also noted that there is evidence of MSME units becoming larger with several units crossing the threshold of Rs 250-crore turnover and turning into mid-sized corporates by the new definition of MSME units.

With the change in MSME definition, in 2020 the government mandated all the MSMEs to register under the Udyam portal, which according to the report, is the way forward for the sector. A total of 1.33 crore MSMEs have Udyam certification now. As against this, the number of GST registration is only 1.40 crore.

The government recently launched Udyam assist platform, developed by Sidbi (Small Industries Development Bank of India), to bring all the informal micro enterprises into the formal ambit, which constitute around 99 per cent of MSMEs.

According to the report, the Udyam portal could potentially result in an MSME revolution and their entry into the ambit of formal credit mechanism and can result in around 50 million such micro units. Besides, states like Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra could benefit with 2.6 crore registrations of such micro units.

The country has around 64 million MSMEs as against 140 million in China.

As per NSS 73rd round survey (2015-16), there were 6.34 crore MSMEs in the country, of which 6.30 crore or 99.47 per cent of the total were micro units, 3.3 lakh enterprises were SMEs and just 10,000 were medium units.

Of the total, as much as 3.25 crore enterprises or 52.3 per cent are in rural areas and the rest 3.09 crore enterprises or 48.8 per cent are in urban areas.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gandhinagar, Jan 23 (PTI) Dean of Said Business School at the Oxford University Soumitra Dutta on Monday called for the need to build a global platform across universities to connect entrepreneurs, faculty members and industry leaders for inspiration and innovation.

In his address at a plenary session at the B20 India Inception Meeting organised at Mahatma Mandir here as part of India's G20 presidency, Dutta said that more "inspiration" was required for students and faculty members of universities to do great things.

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For that, there is "a need to connect Indian entrepreneurs in universities with peer entrepreneurs in universities in America, Europe, Africa and other parts of the world," he said at a session on "rethinking and revitalising innovation to drive inclusive impact."

"I do think today if I look at entrepreneurship and innovation, there is a need for more inspiration. I honestly do not think capital is a constraint, I think inspiration is the most important issue. If students are inspired, if faculties are inspired, they do great things," Dutta said.

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"The question really is how I inspire. The most common source of inspiration is another individual -- another fellow colleague, another student, another professor who has done something great. So, can we in fact try to build a global platform across universities that connect entrepreneurs, faculty members together with other relevant industry leaders?" he proposed.

Dutta said that a lot of the solutions that we seek for the global crises will have to come from technology and innovation, and the government alone cannot solve all these challenges.

Business will have to play a very key role, but universities are another "important partner in the solution", because universities are sources of talent, research and innovation in countries around the world, he said.

While universities have made progress in terms of research, supporting entrepreneurship and innovations of various kinds, a lot more can be done for which "inspiration" is required, he said.

Dutta said connecting Indian entrepreneurs in universities with peer entrepreneurs in universities in America, Europe, Africa and other parts of the world will help create "a lot of valuable learning" across these connections.

Entrepreneurs who are successful professionals would also benefit a lot from interacting with students and faculty across the world in different universities, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) Shares of UltraTech Cement on Monday declined by nearly 5 per cent after the firm reported a decline in its consolidated net profit for the third quarter.

The stock of the largest cement manufacturer fell 4.62 per cent to settle at Rs 6,846.90 apiece on the BSE.

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On the NSE, it declined by 4.42 per cent to end at Rs 6,860 per share.

In volume terms, over 22 thousand shares were traded on the BSE and nearly 10 lakh shares on the NSE during the day.

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The 30-share BSE Sensex indice ended 319.90 points or 0.53 per cent higher at 60,941.67 on Monday.

In a regulatory filing on Saturday, Aditya Birla group firm UltraTech Cement reported a 37.9 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 1,062.58 crore for the third quarter of FY23.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 1,710.14 crore in the October-December period a year ago.

However, its revenue from operations was up 19.53 per cent to Rs 15,520.93 crore during the quarter under review as against Rs 12,984.93 crore in the corresponding period of the last fiscal, it said.

UltraTech's total expenses were at Rs 14,123.56 crore, up 23.65 per cent in the third quarter of FY23, as against Rs 11,422.05 crore.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bogota, Jan 24 (AP) Colombia's human rights watchdog is reporting that 215 human rights advocates were killed last year, the highest death toll since a peace accord was signed with leftist rebels in 2016.

Jose Ricaurte Quintero, who founded the Mana Survivors Association, was one of the last victims of 2022.

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He was assassinated in the street in Armenia in December.

His group supported families of people who disappeared during more than five decades of armed conflict in Colombia.

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The ombudsman's office says the murders coincide with places that are strategically important to organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining and contraband.

The government of Gustavo Petro  Colombia's first-ever leftist president  has proposed in his total peace policy to initiate peace talks with armed groups such as the ELN guerrillas and to reach out to FARC dissidents who refused to sign the peace accord, as well as the Gulf Clan cartel, with whom the government announced a truce.

Ombudsman Carlos Camargo expressed hope that such talks would lead to a reduction in actions against leaders of human rights groups. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pretoria (South Africa), Jan 23 (AP) Russia was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war, but the United States and other Western nations advised Kyiv against holding talks, Moscow's top diplomat said on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by President Vladimir Putin.

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The US and other Western nations have said that Russia isn't serious about hammering out a deal to end the nearly year-long war, which began on February 24.

It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict," Lavrov said.

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It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime."

Russia has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian and Western demands that it withdraw completely from Ukraine as a condition for any negotiations.

US President Joe Biden has indicated he would be willing to talk with Putin, if the Russian leader demonstrated that he seriously wanted to end the invasion.

Lavrov is in Pretoria for talks with South African counterpart Naledi Pandor as Russia pushes to strengthen ties with Africa's most developed country and an historical ally amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

South Africa was seen as the most significant of several African nations to take a neutral stance on the war and refuse to condemn Russia's invasion  to the disappointment of the US and other Western partners who also view South Africa as pivotal to their plans to build relationships in Africa.

Lavrov met with Pandor in the South African capital and is expected to visit other African countries on his trip. It's the Russian minister's second visit to Africa in the space of six months as Moscow seeks to rally support.

Russia's war in Ukraine and its impact on Africa's 1.3 billion people, which includes rising oil and food prices, was expected to take centre stage during Lavrov's talks with Pandor.

We are fully alert that conflict, wherever it exists in the world, impacts negatively on all of us, and as the developing world it impacts on us particularly as the African continent," Pandor said before the talks.

This is why as South Africa we consistently articulate that we will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the continent and throughout the globe."

Lavrov repeated a claim that he's made before that the West was responsible for the surge in global food prices.

South Africa continues to keep strong bonds with Russia following the Soviet Union's support for the country's current ruling party, the African National Congress, when it was a liberation movement fighting to end the apartheid system of repression against South Africa's Black majority.

That relationship is largely what led South Africa to abstain from a UN vote last year condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, although a small group of people protested against Russia and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine outside the building where Lavrov and Pandor held talks.

Despite South Africa's expressed neutrality over Ukraine, Lavrov's visit comes days after the South African armed forces announced they would hold joint drills with the Russian and Chinese navies off South Africa's eastern coast next month, bringing Russian and Chinese warships across the Indian Ocean.

On Monday, Lavrov insisted that the naval exercises would be transparent and follow international law.

Three sovereign countries will hold drills without violating international law, and I don't understand with whom this can cause a mixed reaction," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency Tass.

Lavrov visited Ethiopia, Egypt, Uganda and the Republic of Congo on his African tour last year. That was closely followed by a visit to South Africa by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a move seen as a bid by Washington to counter expanding Russian influence in a strategically important continent.

This time, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will start an official visit to South Africa on Wednesday following stops in Senegal and Zambia. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Manila, Jan 23 (AP) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday he has proposed to China that the two countries hold talks between their foreign ministers to quickly resolve any new conflicts in the disputed South China Sea, and blamed Chinese actions for the disagreements.

Marcos told Philippine TV networks in an interview that Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to his proposal in their talks in Beijing early this month and the two sides are ironing out the details of such an arrangement.

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There was no immediate reaction from Chinese officials.

China and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, have been locked in an increasingly tense standoff over their overlapping claims in the busy and resource-rich waterway, which is regarded as a potential Asian flashpoint.

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In 2017, the Asian neighbours launched regular diplomatic talks called the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism to discuss incidents in the disputed waters and prevent any escalation while discussing other aspects of their relations.

Despite the talks, conflicts have persisted, including a recent incident reported by Filipino fishermen who accused the Chinese coast guard of driving them away from Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, which Beijing also claims, and then shadowing their vessel as it left the disputed area on January 9. The incident occurred a few days after Marcos made a visit to China and met Xi.

The Philippine coast guard said it deployed more patrol ships to protect the Filipino fishermen after the incident.

Marcos said he proposed to Xi in their meeting in Beijing that their top diplomats lead the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, which is currently handled by mid-level diplomats, to allow a more rapid response to future conflicts in the disputed sea.

My proposal is that we bring that bilateral group to a higher level, Marcos said, adding that he would also ask the Philippine ambassador to China to be part of the higher-level talks.

I guarantee you that if there is any decision that needs to be made, either of those gentlemen can pick up the telephone and talk to me and within five minutes we will have a decision.

Marcos said Xi agreed to his proposal and asked the Chinese foreign minister to discuss the new arrangement with Philippine officials.

I think that if the president, President Xi, puts out an order that we will not do that anymore, we will do something else,' then I think it will be. I think the chain of command is fairly solid, Marcos said. We will be able to report any violation of whatever agreement we come to.

It remains to be seen whether China will ease its increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waters and back off in any fresh conflict. Beijing has dismissed and continues to defy a 2016 ruling by a UN-backed arbitration tribunal that invalidated its vast territorial claims on historical grounds in the South China Sea.

Marcos suggested that China needs to change its actions to prevent future conflicts. I think the actions that are needed are really from the Chinese side because we do not send coast guard boats into what we consider their waters or international waters. They stay within Philippine waters.

What they do is they shadow our fishing boats, he said. The Philippines, he added, will continue to exercise its right to file diplomatic protests against China despite his proposal for higher-level talks that aim to rapidly address future conflicts at sea. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
stc Bahrain, a world-class digital enabler, has partnered with Huawei to plant trees as part of the companys ongoing Trees for Life campaign. As part of the collaboration, Huawei will plant 2,000 trees in various locations across the kingdom.

The partnership is a part of stc Bahrains commitment to preserve the environment and combat climate change by increasing the number of green spaces in Bahrain, in line with the kingdoms vision to double the number of trees by 2035.

The campaign also aims to reduce desertification, address increasingly high temperatures and promote environmental awareness and air quality enhancement in Bahrain.

stc Bahrains Trees for Life campaign was launched in 2021, in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Environment and the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.-- TradeArabia News Service
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 23 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday accused (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) PTI Chairman Imran Khan of being part of a "grand design" to oust Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan based The News International newspaper reported.

The remarks by Sharif came after Imran Khan in a recent interview claimed that former army chief General (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa had "sent two brigadiers" in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in the Panama Papers case that ultimately led to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif.

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"In their JIT, Gen (R) Bajwa had sent two brigadiers that later proved Nawaz Sharif's Panama case," he said, adding that "to this date, Nawaz Sharif refuses to forgive Bajwa" for this reason, The News International reported.

Shehbaz Sharif in response called Khan an agent of anarchy and chaos.

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"Imran has been part of a grand design to oust Nawaz Sharif and victimise PML-N in the name of accountability," Sharif wrote on his official Twitter handle.

From 2013 on, he said, Imran Khan has been an agent of anarchy and chaos in the country. "His poisonous rants have debased politics, polarised society and undermined state institutions," he further said, as quoted by The News International.

PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, recently, said that for the sake of personal gains, a cruel joke has been played on Pakistan, reported the Dawn newspaper.

"A cruel joke had been played on Pakistan... for the sake of personal gains," Sharif said on being asked by reporters if he held the former army chief retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and former spymaster Gen Faiz Hamid responsible for the state of the country.

"The reality is before everyone. Now no name or face is hidden," he said.

This is the first time that Sharif broke his silence after his party faced a major political blow in Punjab following Parvez Elahi's victory in a vote of confidence shortly before the dissolution of the provincial assembly.

"We all discussed the situation in Pakistan. Pakistan will come out of this difficult situation and we will be the ones to take the country out of it," Sharif said.

"In my Gujranwala jalsa, I stated who was responsible and everything was out in the open. It is my responsibility to tell the nation about the wrongs committed against the people, and it is my responsibility to make things right," he said, as quoted by Dawn newspaper. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 23 (ANI): A 19-year-old Pakistani girl was on Monday shot dead over honour by her father at the gates of Karachi City Court for marrying of her free will, according to the city's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shabbir Ahmed Sethar, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported.

During the incident, head constable Imran Zaman, 40, and another person, 20-year-old Wajid Kaleem, were also injured. Both the injured were then taken to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi along with the girl's body, the SSP said.

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According to SSP Sethar, the suspect behind the firing, Ameer Jan Mehsud, 65, was arrested and a weapon was recovered from him.

Pirabad Station House Officer (SHO) Mukhtiar Ahmed Panhwar said the investigators, including Zaman, had brought the girl to the court to record her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (recording of confessions and statements) when the incident occurred, Dawn reported.

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The SHO said the police officer deployed at the court's entrance was suspended over charges of negligence.

SSP Sethar said, "The suspect was chasing [the girl]. When she reached Gate 4 of City Courts, the suspect opened fire on her."

He added the suspect was alone at the time of the incident, Dawn newspaper reported.

He further said, "The victim had married a man, who is said to be a doctor, with her free consent and her father killed her over so-called honour." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Des Moines, January 24: Police say two students were killed Monday and a teacher was injured in a shooting at a Des Moines school on the edge of the city's downtown. The shooting was at an educational programme called Starts Right Here that is affiliated with the Des Moines school district.

Police say emergency crews were called to the school, which is in a business park, just before 1 p.m. Officers arrived to find two students critically injured, and they started CPR immediately. US Mass Shooting: Two Shootings at Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County Leave Seven People Dead, Suspect Arrested.

Nine People Killed In Three Incidents At Half Moon Bay And Des Moines

The two students died at a hospital. The teacher who was injured is in serious condition and headed into surgery Monday afternoon. About 20 minutes after the shooting, police said officers stopped a car that matched witnesses' descriptions about two miles away and took three suspects into custody. Police said one of the suspects ran from the car, but officers using a K-9 were able to track that person down.

The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random. There was nothing random about this, Sgt. Paul Parizek said. The Starts Right Here program, which helps at-risk youth, was founded by Will Holmes, a rapper whose stage name is Will Keeps.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who serves on an advisory board for Starts Right Here, said she was shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting. I've seen first-hand how hard Will Keeps and his staff works to help at-risk kids through this alternative education programme, Reynolds said in a statement.

"My heart breaks for them, these kids and their families. Kevin and I are praying for their safe recovery. Nicole Krantz said her office near the school was put on lockdown immediately after the shooting, and she saw someone running from the building with police in pursuit on foot and in patrol cars. Monterey Park Mass Shooting: 10 Killed at Dance Studio During Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in California; Search Launched for Gunman (Watch Video).

We just saw a lot of cop cars pouring in from everywhere, Krantz said to the Des Moines Register. We just saw a lot of cop cars pouring in from everywhere, Krantz said to the Des Moines Register. It's terrifying. We're all worried. We went on lockdown, obviously. We were all told to stay away from the windows because we weren't sure if they caught the guy.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 23 (ANI): Every year, thousands of young girls in Pakistan, as young as 13 and especially from minority communities, fall victim to the greed of landlords, criminals and zealots. Their numbers have risen sharply with political collapse, economic downslides and disastrous floods in Pakistan, Canada-based non-profit think tank the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) reported.

According to the IFFRAS report, Pakistan's media, civil society and political leaders have been silent about the issue. Religious leaders and generals have never paid any attention to the same. Only, occasionally, international organisations express their distress at the plight of Pakistan's young girls.

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Top human rights experts affiliated with the UN Human Rights Council earlier in January, pointed out that an increasing number of teenagers are being "kidnapped from their families, trafficked ... far from their homes (and) made to marry men sometimes twice their age".

The human rights report, hardly reported in Pakistani media, referred to threats of violence against the family of girls. "Abductors force their victims to sign documents which falsely attest to their being of legal age for marriage as well as marrying and converting of free will. These documents are cited by the police as evidence that no crime has occurred," IFFRAS reported.

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According to IFFRAS, the most distressing aspect of this human rights crime is the rampant manner in which young girls have been raped, forced into marriage and converted to Islam by a cabal of religious and moneyed people, helped in large measure by the state agencies like the police and judiciary, and uncared by the leaders.

Most of the time, these girls remain unknown and their cries remain unheard beyond the walls of their homes.

A recent report said that a total of 100 cases of forced faith conversion, forced and child marriage and abduction of girls and women belonging to the Christian community have been reported in Pakistan between January 2019 and October 2022.

According to the report titled "Conversion without Consent", the 100 cases took place over a span of more than three years, of which 27 were recorded in 2019, 12 in 2020, 42 in 2021 and 19 till October 2022.

According to the report, sixty-one per cent of the girls were targeted before reaching 16 years of age, while 18 per cent became victims between the ages of 16 and 18 and 14 per cent became victims when they were above 18 years old of age. The ages of seven victims are not known. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): The United Kingdom supports India's candidacy for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), British High Commissioner Alexander Ellis said while adding that New Delhi's push for reforms will make the institution more effective in dealing with the realities of today.

In ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Editor-in-Chief, the British High Commissioner said, "We certainly support India becoming the member of the UNSC as this is why the UNSC reforms are the institutional that reflects to the realities of today."

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"Change in the institution (UNSC) is hard and we need to make them work. Some of them come after the second World War like UN and UNSC, some came later like World Trade Organization (WTO)... zenith of globalization, the mid 90s and what we want from India is actually to make the effective institution," he added.

He also gave the example of the International Financial Institutions (IFI) which is the product of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and said that the countries are adapting those to realities of today. He also said that India, for example had also lend money.

Also Read | Pakistan Black Out: Major Electricity Breakdown Across Metro Cities of Pak Due to fault in Transmission Lines.

British High Commissioner also said that the vulnerable states like island nations need greater support so that they can create the impact in the world and hardwork is the key to that lock.

"Change in the multilateralisation is hardwork. What we are seeing is the creation of new institution which we will start more," Ellis said in a podcast with ANI's Editor-in-Chief.

He also gave the example of Clinical Trials Registry - India, which is majporly created with the support of UK.

"India will increasingly be part of all of those (Indo-Pacific group, minilateralism) things and including in panel so UK and India but also with other countries try to solve the particular problem," British High Commissioner said.

On December 1, India assumed the monthly rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the Council in 2021-22.

India had earlier assumed UNSC presidency in August 2021.

During its December Presidency, India held a "high-level open debate" on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism (NORMS)" at the Security Council.

Earlier on December 14, The UK extended support for India's permanent membership at the UNSC.

Dame Barbara Woodward, the UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations said, "The Security Council must as others have said become more representative of the world today and the UK has long called for its expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories, as the UK Foreign Secretary publicly reiterated this week - we support new permanent seats for Brazil, Germany, India and Japan."

The UN Security Council is the premier global body for maintaining International peace and security. The Security Council, the United Nations' principal crisis-management body, is empowered to impose binding obligations on the 193 UN member states to maintain peace.

The council's five permanent and ten elected members meet regularly to assess threats to international security, including civil wars, natural disasters, arms proliferation, and terrorism.

Structurally, the council remains largely unchanged since its founding in 1946, stirring debate among members about the need for reforms.

The UN Security Council is composed of 15 members, including five permanent member states - China, France, Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Kingdom - and 10 non-permanent member states, which are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Anand, January 23: A woman in her 20's whose throat was slit by a man, was rescued by the house owner and neighbours in Gujarat's Umreth town. The police were in search of the attacker.

The incident happened on Sunday. An officer with the Umreth police station told IANS that on Sunday afternoon the police received a call informing them that a female was screaming from a house for help in the Kachhiyapol. Viral Video: Women Steal Jewellery Worth Lakhs From Shop in Gujarat, Theft Caught on CCTV.

"When the team reached the place, the house owner Hitesh Kachhiya and neighbours had rescued her. She was bleeding, and was immediately rushed to Anand hospital, where the doctors referred her to Ahmedabad government hospital."

According to house owner Hitesh, the couple had rented the house on Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, the youth attacked the woman with a sharp weapon, locked her in the bathroom, later he locked the house and fled away. The house owner had neither taken any identity proof from the couple, nor signed any rent contract. Uttar Pradesh: Minor Boy Killed by Unidentified Person in Prayagraj, Body Found With Throat Slit.

The officer said, "Police could hardly know the first name of the victim. She identified herself as Jyoti. Police are now trying to identify her, and her boyfriend or lover or her husband and where they are from. As the victim was not able to get her statement recorded on Sunday, police are still processing the registration of the First Information Report on Monday."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2023 11:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Jaipur, January 23: The Rajasthan assembly's budget session began on Monday with the governor's address amid an Opposition protest over incidents of paper leaks, as the Speaker suspended three agitating RLP MLAs for the day and ordered them to be marshalled out.

As soon as the House assembled for the day, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria raised the issue of paper leaks following which the opposition members started creating an uproar. Rajasthan Chief Minister to Present State Budget on February 8.

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MLAs stormed the Well of the House carrying placards demanding a CBI inquiry into paper leak cases even as the governor continued his address for sometime. The BJP MLAs also protested in the Well of the house.

CPI(M) MLA Balwan Poonia, who had supported the Ashok Gehlot government when it was going through a political crisis on account of a rebellion by former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, also protested in the Well over the paper leak cases. The governor read the speech for some time and later the address was tabled. The House was adjourned for half an hour for the departure of the government.

After the house reassembled, newly elected member of the house Anil Kumar Sharma was administered the oath of office. During the oath-taking exercise, RLP MLAs Pukhraj, Narayan Beniwal and Indira Devi continued their protest in the Well of the House while other Opposition members sat quietly.

When his instructions were ignored by the RLP MLAs, the Speaker ordered the marshal to take the three MLAs out of the House. He expelled them from the house for the rest of the day. Gehlot Government Fulfilled 86% of Budget Promises in Rajasthan: Minister Khachariyawas.

The house paid tributes to former West Bengal and governor Bihar Keshari Nath Tripathi, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, former MLAs Bhanwar Lal Sharma, Rajendra Kumar Bhartiya and the victims of the Jodhpur cylinder blast incident. The House was then adjourned for the day.
The Patel family lives in the 7th floor of the same partly-built building where construction work is going on above the 15th till the 24th floors. Krisha was rushed to the Reliance Foundation Hospital nearby and died early this morning, around 1.30 am, during treatment, said the BMC official.
New Delhi, January 23 : Apple is expected to release its next-gen iPhone models  iPhone 15 by the end of this current year. Although it may seem to be a long wait, the upcoming Apple iPhone 15 series has been constantly making new headlines.

Innumerable speculations and leaks regarding the upcoming new iPhone 15 series seem to be always doing the rounds on the web world. Now, as per latest reports, theres more details about the design changes that can be expected on the iPhone 15. Read on to know. Apples New Patent Reveals New Crack-Resistant Foldable Display Tech To Feature on Future Foldable iPhone.

Apple iPhone 15  Leaked Design Details :

As per the latest leaks on social media, some more details have come out about the new design changes of the upcoming iPhone 15 series. It has apparently come to light that the iPhone 15 series will be featuring curved edges ditching the flat.

Nevertheless, the iPhone series is not expected to feature curved displays, but still the flat ones.

As per the latest speculations and leaks, the iPhone 15 Pro models will be also coming with thinner bezels.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max variant, which is speculated to be rebranded as the iPhone 15 Ultra is said to be the most stunning in the lot, and may have similar styling of the Apple Watch with very thin bezels as well as curved edges.

Apple shifted back to the flat-edge design with the iPhone 12 series, which have polarized opinions. which attracted divided opinions. However, now rumours are rife about going back to the more elegant curved edge design. Samsung Galaxy S23 Series: Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra To Get Customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Chip.

Apple iPhone 15  Other Details, We Know So Far :

All the devices of the upcoming iPhone 15 series are likely to flaunt the new Dynamic Island, which was first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models. The screen sizes are expected to remain the same. Hence, the iPhone 15 vanilla and the iPhone 15 Pro are most likely to feature a 6.1-inch display, while the higher iPhone 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra will flaunt a larger 6.7-inch screen size.

The iPhone 15 vanilla is expected to get powered by A16 Bionic chipset, while the iPhone 15 Pro will be packing in a new A17 chipset. The devices are reportedly coming with great camera enhancements, which includes a periscopic lens for the high-end model.

Other highly speculated updates on the iPhone 15 include USB Type-C port and tough buttons for the volume. Apple is also said to considerably hike the price range for the iPhone 15 Pro models. However, all these are based on leaks and speculations right now, while for confirmed details, we need to be patient.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2023 08:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mumbai, January 23: In a shocking incident that took place in China, a butcher died while he was trying to slaughter a pig in Hong Kong. The incident took place on Friday at around 1 pm. Police officials said that the 61-year-old butcher worked at the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse, which is located on the city's northern outskirts and close to its border with mainland China.

According to a report in CNN, the butcher died after he sustained a wound from a 15-inch meat cleaver. He was allegedly knocked to the ground by the struggling pig whom the butcher was trying to kill. Police officials said that the butcher had shot the pig with an electric gun and was about to kill him when the animal regained consciousness and knocked the butcher instead. China Lifts Zero-COVID-19 Policy To Eradicate Tibetans Out of Tibet, Says Report.

The incident came to light when a person working at the slaughterhouse found the butcher unconscious. Reportedly, the butcher was found with a cleaver in his hand and a wound on his left foot. He was immediately rushed to a hospital nearby, however, he was declared dead. Cops said that the cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

After the incident came to light, the Labour Department of Hong Kong launched an investigation into the matter. In a statement, the labour department said, "The Labour Department is saddened by the death of the person and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family." COVID-19 Surge in China: Hospitals in Many Cities Cancel New Year Holiday to Fight Against Epidemic.

A spokesman of the department said, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation"

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2023 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
France-based global multi-energy company TotalEnergies has announced the start of gas production from onshore Block 10 in Oman as well as an agreement with Oman LNG for a long-term LNG purchase contract.



TotalEnergies has announced the start of gas production from the Mabrouk North-East field in the onshore Block 10. TotalEnergies holds a 26.55% interest in Block 10, with OQ holding 20% and Shell, operator, holding 53.45%.



Gas production is expected to reach 500 million standard cu ft per day by mid-2024. The produced gas will supply the Omani gas network, feeding both local industry and LNG export facilities. This production start-up follows the signing of the concession agreement in December 2021.



Long-term LNG purchase contract

TotalEnergies has also signed an agreement with Oman LNG for the purchase of 0.8 million metric tons of LNG per year over a period of ten years starting from 2025.



This new contract will contribute to TotalEnergies' LNG integrated portfolio and reinforce its flexibility, by allowing to address both the European and Asian markets. This LNG will contribute to the reduction of emissions into the atmosphere since it will allow the electric utilities who purchase this gas to substitute it for coal, thus avoiding CO2 emissions (a natural gas power plant releases about half as much CO2 as a coal power plant).



These announcements are consistent with the ambition of TotalEnergies to contribute to the energy transition and reinforce its long-standing partnerships with both Oman LNG and the Omani State, said Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.



TotalEnergies deploys in Oman its multi-energy strategy in oil, gas and renewables and so participates in the sustainable development of the countrys natural resources.



TotalEnergies has recently signed 30 MW of Solar projects in Oman including a project to supply Sharqiyah Desalination Company (17 MW), in joint-venture with Veolia.  TradeArabia News Service
A protester, left, approaches President Hassan Rouhanis car leaving Mehrabad airport after his arrival from the U.S. in Tehran on Saturday.

TEHRAN -- Following President Obamas phone call to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday, the first such exchange between leaders of the two nations since 1979, Rouhani returned home to a mixed reception in Tehran.

While about 100 supporters of the first-year president gathered at the airport to greet him, a group of hard-line conservative students pelted his car with shoes and eggs as he departed following a welcome-home ceremony.

The aim of the negotiation is a sheer propaganda by USA read a placard carried by one of the protesters.

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We do not want economic growth if it implies being humiliated and dominated by USA, declared a protest leader, speaking into a megaphone.

Rouhani supporters, meanwhile, expressed exuberance about the discussion between the two leaders, saying it could lead to a breakthrough in the longtime antagonism between Iran and the U.S.

I am happy that President Obama made a phone call to President Rouhani, said Vida, a 50-year-old woman in a purple dress, who did not provide her last name. Mr. Rouhani has been respectfully treated by U.S. top officials, so the years of humiliation have ended, and gradually freedom is coming back to Iranian society.

Obama called Rouhani on Friday, as the Iranian leader was being driven to the airport after a week at the United Nations, to express confidence that the two could find a comprehensive solution to their nuclear standoff and begin mending their damaged relationship.

Leaders of the two nations hadnt spoken since Irans 1979 revolution, when hardliners took 52 Americans hostage and held them for 444 days.

The official greeting back in Tehran was organized largely by Rouhanis election campaign workers and consisted of a well-dressed group of men and women, many wearing purple attire, the color associated with Rouhanis campaign.

The protesters, about 50 students sporting beards and casual shirts, demanded an end to any discussion of rapprochement.

We do not believe in Western democracy, said Rouhollah Hossiana, 30, an engineering school graduate. We are believers in ideals of the revolution and we came here to remind our president that we do not let our ideals be compromised in wheeling and dealing behind the curtains with the U.S.

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The political unrest in Peru has sparked violence all over the South American country. This came after former president Pedro Castillo was ousted from power, and new President Dina Boluarte was sworn in. Now, Pope Francis is calling for an end to the violence.

From the window of the Apostolic Palace and in front of 15,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff first spoke in Italian saying, "I invite (you) to pray so that the acts of violence cease in Peru."

Pope Francis is the first pope to hail from South America, being a native of Argentina and the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He added, "Violence extinguishes hope for a just solution to the problems."

He encouraged all sides in the issue to take up the path of dialogue among brothers in the same nation, "in full respect of human rights and of the rule of law."

He also joined the appeals from Peruvian bishops calling an end to the violence, switching to his native Spanish language saying, "No to violence, from whatever part it comes! No more deaths!"

Dozens More Injured in Latest Rounds of Protests in Peru

A few days before Pope Francis issued his plea for peace in Peru, dozens of people were injured in the latest round of violence in Peru, as protesters clashed with security forces in Lima.

Demonstrators reportedly threw bottles and stones at police, with fires burning around Lima, according to Reuters.

The government of Peru has now extended the state of emergency to six regions. It cuts down on some aspects of civil rights in an effort to quell the unrest in those regions.

READ MORE: Peru Orders Mexico Ambassador to Leave

Former President Pedro Castillo was ousted after trying to dissolve Congress when the country's lawmakers tried to impeach him. He gave himself up to the police and remained in custody, making his vice president, Dina Boluarte, the rightful leader of Peru after his unsuccessful coup attempt to stay in power.

However, Boluarte has been asked to resign by critics, sparking waves of protests across the country. While the violence in Peru had been mostly contained in the south of the country, it has already resulted in over 55 deaths, according to the Associated Press.

Peru Closes Down Machu Picchu Because of the Protests, Tourists Evacuated

The protests have been so big that the Peruvian government had to close Machu Picchu, the country's most popular tourist destination. The closure was announced on Saturday after another protester died in the latest violent crash between police and demonstrators.

The death happened in the town of Ilave in the south, and video footage has shown police shooting at the crowd of Indigenous demonstrators in the town square. The protesters responded by setting a local police station on fire, according to Al Jazeera News.

Demonstrators previously damaged the train tracks to Machu Picchu, and the Ministry of Culture stated that they are forced to close the Inca Trails Network and the tourist site "due to the social situation and to preserve the safety of visitors."

This left over 400 tourists stranded at the foot of Machu Picchu, in the town of Aguas Calientes. They pleaded to be evacuated until rescue teams arrived and later led them to safety.

READ MORE: Pedro Castillo Ousted as Peru President

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Peru protests: Dozens dead as political violence grips country - Global News
Two residents of a Manhattan hotel serving as a migrant shelter were stabbed in a weekend brawl, according to police reports.

According to the police, brothers Jordy Torres-Cabezas, 33, and Dilan Pachecho-Cabezas, 16, were throwing bottles with another man, Alejandro Pollo, 19, at the Stewart Hotel on West 31st Street and Seventh Avenue, around 12:55 a.m. on Saturday.

Police said that Andiley Nazaire, 23 years old, a hotel security worker, was hit by one of the bottles that were thrown. However, it is unclear who the assailants were aiming for, said the New York Post.

According to the police, Nazaire retaliated by stabbing the brothers in the back with pieces of shattered glass.

Police also said that amid the migrant shelter fight, Pollo used his belt to hit another uninvolved individual in the face.

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Persons Involved in the Migrant Shelter Fight Were Arrested

The three males at the migrant shelter fight were reportedly immediately escorted out of the hotel by security and led by a supervisor two blocks away to W. 33rd St. and Seventh Ave.

Both brothers were injured and transferred to Bellevue Hospital, where their conditions have since stabilized, according to Yahoo.

Following the event, police arrested all four suspects. The security guard was arrested and charged with several crimes, including assault, menacing, endangering a minor, and illegally possessing a weapon.

Assault, menacing, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a firearm were all filed against the two brothers and their friend.

According to sources, prosecutors reportedly decided not to press charges against the younger sibling.

According to the police, the Cabezas brothers and Pollo are all hotel residents.

New York Luxury Hotels Turned Migrant Shelter Are Being Trashed by Residents, Says Employee

A worker at a high-end New York City hotel turned migrant shelter has gone on disability after getting hurt cleaning up a room damaged by migrants.

Felipe Rodriguez, a Row NYC employee, appeared on "Fox & Friends First" to talk about his concerns in early January about the impact of migrants on neighborhood safety and how they have made a "mess" of the institution and wasted fresh food.

Rodriguez, whose job requires him to interact frequently with the migrants, was hurt in the "cluttered" room while delivering a small refrigerator.

"We got people who are... getting drunk, using marijuana. They are punching and beating their wives or their girlfriends. We have teenagers running around wild around the hotel, opening the fire exit doors. It's a mess," he told co-host, Carley Shimkus.

Meanwhile, the critics are outraged because of the wasted food, Fox News noted.

Rodriguez showed video and photos of the hotel throwing out vast amounts of food because the migrants preferred different fares.

"I was shocked," Rodriguez said. "It was mind-boggling, and when I asked some of the guests... they said they [didn't] like it."

New York taxpayers are spending about $650,000 per night to lodge the migrants, or about $500 per room, at the Row.

Rodriguez has expressed concern for public safety despite the squandered food and hotel rooms.

READ MORE: Lunar New Year Shooting

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: NYC shelters buckling under migrant crisis - From FOX 5 New York
There is a persistent need to consider the future of the cities worth living in as the world's population growth propels urbanization in many regions of the world. It is essential to remember that technology can facilitate prosperity, well-being, urban livability, and social justice, but only with the appropriate digital elements to complement the technology. The ultimate goal of these smart cities is to facilitate and enhance human and social welfare.

A technologically advanced urban setting known as a "smart city" employs the ubiquitous connection among numerous digital devices and sensors to enhance urban development projects and collect data. In turn, the data and information improve operations throughout the city.

Carlos Moreno, a university associate professor of French and Colombian descent, is well-known in the scientific community worldwide. He proved his prowess in smart cities with his vision of a living city under the Human Smart City concept. Carlos Moreno was the French Pavilion ambassador for Floriade, the world's largest cultural, economic, and ecological gathering in the Netherlands, in October 2022 under the Growing Green Cities theme.

As the head of the Scientific Committee for the International Forum of the Human Smart City, Moreno works to develop a vision of the Smart City. The motive is to build one that prioritizes its residents' needs and quality of life through its services and uses. Moreno, a researcher in complex systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence, contrasts this idea with a new vision of the living city.

Operational Process of the Smart City

Smart cities use data and digital technologies to make better decisions and enhance the quality of life. There are proper channels and resources to evaluate road and transport systems. City managers and administrators can more efficiently manage power plants, utilities, water supply networks, garbage, criminal investigations, schools, libraries, hospitals, and resources. Innovative technology enables cities to serve their residents better despite rapid population growth, from better traffic management to the ability to monitor and track the positions of buses and trains.

The idea of "human smart cities" has led to infrastructure improvements and the introduction of technological integration in governance, waste management, manufacturing, active transportation, and better connection. Professor Moreno created the idea of the "sustainable digital city" in 2006 as a workable framework to offer the services required to guarantee a city's citizens' welfare. His analysis of urban systems and technology came before the "smart city" idea gained popularity in 2010.

He created the concept of the "Human Smart City" in 2012 in response to the prevalent technological model of the smart city. In 2014, he further enhanced it with the "Living City" concept.

Environment and its Challenges

Environmental protection has unquestionably evolved into a shared understanding and development plan of all nations around the globe. Humanity is currently attempting to enter the historical postindustrial and sustainable development process. As explained by professor Moreno, the actual task is to live more harmoniously, add value, be conscious of environmental concerns, and prioritize the quality of life.

Entrepreneurialism and Efforts of Carlos Moreno

Professor Moreno joined the Richelieu Committee, an organization of high-tech SMEs, as vice president to encourage the entrepreneurialism of researchers and innovators. The Richelieu Committee promotes market access for start-ups and SMEs with the "SME Pact," modeled after the US Small Business Act. He was the head of the research links, and in this capacity, he signed the "Pacte PME Recherche" with OSEO (now BPI).

Professor Moreno was part of the 2006 establishment of the Carnot Institutes, a framework for university technology transfer in France. He was a jury member for the Institut d'Excellence en Energies Decarbonees, which later changed its name to the Institut de la Transition Energetique.

Using Scientific Knowledge to Enhance Urban Development

Moreno is the scientific director of Sorbonne University in France's Entrepreneurship, Territory, and Innovation. Professor Moreno's innovative work and distinctive approach to urban issues have brought him recognition on a global scale. He is a scientific advisor at high national and international levels. These include the Mayor of Paris, for whom he has been the special envoy for smart cities, the world cities organization as the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization, and academic institutions such as the City Diplomacy Lab at Columbia Global Centers.

With these technologies, putting the needs of the people first can provide users with far more control over their data and enable more specialized services. In the years to come, emerging technologies will majorly impact social transformation. They will contribute to a more interconnected society. Carlos Moreno uses scientific knowledge and research to promote the human smart city concept to eliminate urban planning challenges.
Emirates has increased its service to two Australian cities Sydney and Melbourne and will also restart services to Christchurch, New Zealand via Sydney, offering a new path for Australians across the trans-Tasman route.



From March 26, Melbourne will increase from two to three daily services between Emirates Dubai hub via Singapore, with a third direct service to also begin to Sydney from May 1. The service increase follows the airlines recent announcement around double daily flights to Brisbane, starting from June 1.



The huge boost comes amidst another busy period for air travel and as the airline continues to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to growing its services to and from Australia. The two services will operate on a three-class Boeing-777 300ER offering passengers Economy, Business and First Class seats.



By mid-year, Emirates will be operating 63 weekly services to Australia with the capacity to transport more than 55,000 passengers per week to and from its major cities. Melbourne and Sydney will be restored to flying at pre-pandemic levels, a significant milestone in the airlines reinstatement of Australia services.



The uplift in capacity supports the revival of tourism by providing travellers with even more access to and from Australia, as well as bolstering trade and business opportunities with the large 22-tonne freight capacity offered by the Boeing 777-300ER.



The newly restored third Dubai-Melbourne service means Emirates is providing a new connectivity option between Singapore and Melbourne to serve strong demand between both cities, as well as offering customers its signature, differentiated product and service experience. The Christchurch service via Sydney, beginning March 26, will offer the only opportunity for passengers between the two cities to fly on an A380, Emirates flagship aircraft.



Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer Emirates Airline, said: Adding a third daily service to Sydney and Melbourne will offer over 500,000 additional seats to and from Australia in a year. To have the two cities operating back at pre-pandemic frequencies is a phenomenal milestone in our restoration of Australia capacity and testament to our longstanding commitment to flying down under.



For over 25 years we have provided services for Australia since our first flight to Melbourne in 1996. During this time, we have proudly transported over 40 million passengers and continued flying to Australia during the pandemic. We continue to record significant demand for our services, so were dedicated to offering Australians and travellers more options to travel, including the likes of our new Premium Economy cabin with Australia being one of the first markets to be offered this class.



Melbourne Airport CEO, Lorie Argus, said: Were thrilled that Emirates is enhancing its commitment to Melbourne. The resumption of the Melbourne to Singapore route means Emirates will operate three daily flights from Melbourne, returning to pre-Covid levels of capacity.



Its great news for customers as it provides extra capacity for the strong demand were seeing for travel from Melbourne to Europe and Asia. Its also great news for Victorian exporters, with the Boeing 777-300 aircraft providing additional freight opportunities into Asia and the Middle East.



Sydney Airport CEO, Geoff Culbert, said: We welcome this additional capacity on the Sydney to Dubai route, which will also give passengers access to Emirates extensive global network.



These extra flights are another important step towards Australias international aviation recovery, providing much needed additional capacity to meet the high demand for travel. It is great to see that both visitors and Australians will have more choice available in time for the start of the European summer and the NSW winter school holidays.



We are also pleased to see the A380 return on the trans-Tasman after a three-year hiatus, adding extra seats to meet the strong appetite for travel between Sydney and New Zealand."



Emirates has been serving Australia for more than 25 years, progressively growing its services to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and other destinations via its Dubai hub since 1996. The airline also currently operates a daily A380 service to Perth.  TradeArabia News Service
The Laois part in one of the biggest wars between the Irish and English will be explored at an upcoming talk in Portlaoise hosted by the Laois Heritage Society.

The talk is entitled 'The Pass of the Plumes & Laois in the 9 Years War'. What promises to be a 'great talk' will be delivered by Sean Murray, Laois Heritage Society Chairperson who is also the person behind the Laois Archaeology facebook page.

The Nine Years' War, sometimes called Tyrone's Rebellion, took place in Ireland from 1593 to 1603. It was fought between an Irish alliance - led mainly by Hugh O'Neill of Tyrone and Hugh Roe O'Donnell of Tyrconnell against English rule in Ireland in response to the ongoing Tudor conquest of Ireland.

The war turned in favour of the English when they defeated the Irish alliance and their Spanish allies in the siege of Kinsale. It's claimed however that the war almost bankrupted the English.

Many of the defeated northern lords left Ireland to seek support for a new uprising in the Flight of the Earls (1607), never to return. This marked the end of Gaelic Ireland and led to the Plantation of Ulster.

The war against O'Neill and his allies was the largest conflict fought by England in the Elizabethan era.

It takes place on Thursday, January 26 in the Portlaoise Parish Centre at 8.15 pm. The entry fee is 3, or free for Laois Heritage Society members. Membership is 20 annually and is available to purchase on the evening. All are welcome.

For all queries, please contact Sean at laoisheritagesociety@gmail.com
Four dogs were put to sleep at Laois Dog Pound during 2022.

All of the deaths were a consquence of the dogs being caught attacking farmed livestock.

No dogs have yet been put to sleep in 2023 at the pound.

Laois Dog Warden Tristan Blundell who gave the figures to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, says they do not have the power to decide to put a down down.

We do not have the power to put any dog to sleep. Only a judge or the owner can give an order to put a dog down, Mr Blundell said.

He has urged the public to keep dogs under control at all times, and says not doing so can incur hefty fines.

It's often thought that its just sheep who are worried, but it's all farmed animals.

Dogs have killed poultry in Laois, and worried farmed pheasants and deer, horses, cows. They can seriously damage all livestock but sheep are the most vulnerable.

Every dog has the potential to be dangerous. It's a dog's natural instinct to chase, the warden said.

He reminds owners that dogs can be legally shot by farmers if they are caught in the act of worrying farm animals and cannot be stopped in any other way.

It's a legal defence by any farmer who shoots a dog if it is caught worrying livestock. If they capture the dog, they are required to bring it to the pound, he said.

No dogs can be put down by a pound unless ordered he said.

The pound, funded by the state, is in Ballacolla and is busy he said.

There are about 10 dogs impounded, waiting for their owners or for new homes.

The dog here the longest is a little black Patterdale terrier, here since September. He's friendly with people but not other dogs. We have two Belgian Malinois, two bullies and a lurcher as well, he said.

Their numbers dipped hugely during Covid when people took in dogs as they were at home all the time.

Our highest year was 2007, we had 507 dogs. It's down to under 200 in the last couple of years, the lowest was 70 in 2020.

The numbers are down also due to microchipping, now most owners can be established and dogs returned almost straight away.

It is now the law in Ireland to have all dogs microchipped as well as licenced, and to wear a collar. Not doing so, and selling a dog without a licence or microchip, can incur spot fines of 100, up to 2,500 in court.

Owners who don't dispose of dog faeces responsibly, now face spot fines of 150, rising up to 3,000 in court if unpaid.

Enquire about rehoming by emailing laoisdogpoundrehoming@gmail.com
Laois people are being asked to help fundraise for one of Ireland's biggest hospitals.

The Mater Foundation is calling on people across Laois to challenge themselves, get active and walk, jog or run 100 miles to raise vital funds for the Mater Public Hospital.

The Foundation is asking for you to support the hospitals medical staff in their mission to safeguard patients hearts by helping to fund life-changing and life-saving equipment and technologies to enhance cardiac care.

When you register, you will receive your own 100 Miles in a Month t-shirt and miles chart to help you track your progress over the course of February. Participants will be supported every step of the way by the Foundation team and will have the opportunity to join a special 100 Miles in a Month in February Facebook group, where you can connect with people across Ireland who have joined the challenge.

Your fundraising will allow the Mater Foundation to enhance the vital service the Mater Hospital provides to patients presenting with various heart conditions who need critical care and immediate cardiac procedures.

Having up-to-date equipment and supporting technology allows doctors and nurses to discuss critical care pathways and act in a timely manner to save lives.

Chris Gifford, a patient receiving cardiac care in the Mater Foundation, explained his motivation for taking part in this February's challenge.

"I received a call not long before Christmas to say that I would probably have my procedure for a new pulmonary valve in the early months of 2023. I spotted this challenge on Facebook and realised that it could be a chance to give back to the team who have supported me - and who will hopefully save my life - in a constructive and public manner," he said.

Mary Moorhead is the CEO of the Mater Foundation.

At the Mater Foundation we are working to give every patient and every family who loves them, the very best of care at The Mater Hospital. By taking part in this challenge, you will make a real and tangible impact on the lives of our patients from all over Ireland. The vital funds you raise will be put to work where they are needed most to enhance cardiac services.

"Every project we support, and every advancement made with the help of the Foundation is only possible through the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Thank you to everyone who continues to fundraise, volunteer, and donate to support the Mater Public Hospital, she said.

Registrations are now open for this important challenge, which will run over the month of February. To learn more and sign up for 100 Miles in a Month in February, simply visit the Mater Foundation website at www.materfoundation.ie email contact@materfoundation.ie or call 01 830 3482.

The Mater Foundation is official fundraising body of The Mater Public Hospital, that aims to enhance hospital facilities to create a comfortable and caring environment for patients and their families.

Since 1985, the Mater Foundation has granted over 35 million to advance patient care in The Mater Hospital.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said the findings of a report into child mental health services in Ireland are unacceptable.

It comes after the HSE admitted to failings with its child mental health services after an independent report outlined a series of issues with follow-up appointments and monitoring children on medication.

The Mental Health Commissions report published on Monday found that children and young people with open cases have been lost in the system.

The MHC has published an Interim Report from an Independent Review of the Provision of CAMHS services, has found that children and young people accessing these services have been "lost" to follow-up care. https://t.co/GevzyudAHe#MentalHealthMatters #CAMHSInterimReport pic.twitter.com/z7gSSJHghQ  Mental Health Commission Ireland (@MHCIreland) January 23, 2023

In one community healthcare organisation (CHO)  the Midwest  there were 140 lost cases within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team, meaning they did not have an appointment, in some cases for up to two years.

These included some who had reached their 18th birthday with no discharge plan or transition to adult services, or any advice about medication or follow-up care.

The report also found that there was evidence some teams were not monitoring antipsychotic medication in accordance with international standards  and pointed out that there are currently no Irish national standards in relation to this.

This means that some children were taking medication without appropriate blood tests and physical monitoring, which is essential when on this medication.

The report also found many HSE teams and CHOs had team members working beyond their contracted hours, often without compensation, to continue to provide a service.

There was also evidence of stress and burnout in a significant number of employees, the report said.

The interim report found that CAMHS staff worked extremely hard within the often-limited resources to try to provide a good service to the public, it said.

Mr Martin said the findings of the report were unacceptable, (and) very, very concerning.

I think there has to be and is an ongoing review in terms of what has happened. The HSE has said that they have engaged with every child that was not catered to adequately by the CAMHS service, he told reporters in Brussels.

But also, I think we have to look at governance issues again in respect of the mental health services.

A lot of investment has gone in, over the last decade or so there has been significant investment in child and adolescent centres.

The numbers going forward for treatment has increased very significantly, the referrals have increased very significantly, but still, no child should be lost in the system.

HSE chief operations officer Damien McCallion said the organisation had responded to individual cases highlighted by the report, but admitted there were significant issues.

Where cases were identified, individual cases such as those cited in the report, those were addressed immediately, he said on RTE Radio One, referring to the 140 children in the Midwest.

We are not happy with the issues that have been identified and the service thats there, but thats no reflection on our staff who have worked really hard and continue to work hard to try and deal with some of the issues and the challenges that they face.

Clearly there are significant issues in the service and those have been highlighted by the commission and were working with the commission and working with our CHOs to address those challenges.

Having said that, there are 20,000 children getting care within our CAMHS service at the moment, and over a quarter of a million reviews are done or consultations with children annually. So there are some people for whom the service is working well, but it is very clear that theres significant work needed to improve our services.

He said this included appointing a national lead clinically and operationally, as well as additional training.

The inspector who wrote the report, Dr Susan Finnerty, published an interim paper due to the serious concerns and consequent risks for some patients that were found across four out of the five CHOs examined so far, so urgent and targeted action can be taken.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland welcomed the interim report, but emphasised issues with poor governance structures and support systems, as well as problems with doctor recruitment and retention.

Decades of poor resourcing, wholly insufficient funding, lack of basic ICT that includes electronic data management and patient record systems, and no meaningful implementation of official plans to either recruit or retain doctors in psychiatry, have led to the situation we are facing today, particularly in CAMHS, it said.
UK and EU negotiators must be given space to find a resolution to the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse, Irelands deputy premier has said.

Micheal Martin, who is also Irelands foreign affairs minister, stressed that the UK Government and European Commission still had to overcome challenges if a deal was to be struck.

Mr Martin said it was no bad thing that not much detail was emerging from the process on the state of the negotiations.

The Tanaiste was commenting as he arrived for a meeting of the EUs Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

I think the issues are challenging and I think the engagement is important, he said.

I think we all welcome the fact that the EU negotiating team and United Kingdoms negotiating team have been engaging and continue to engage on the issue.

And we would hope that those negotiations would be successful but they are very challenging, both for the UK government and for the European Union side.

So, Ive never understated the challenges that face them, but the important aspect of this is that they are talking and I do believe they should be allowed space to continue the negotiations.

The protocol was agreed by the UK and EU in 2019 as a way to unlock the logjam over securing a Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Designed as a means to keep the Irish land border free-flowing, it moved regulatory and customs checks on goods to the Irish Sea, creating economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Many unionists in Northern Ireland are vehemently opposed to arrangements they claim have weakened the regions place within the union.

The DUP is currently blocking the functioning of powersharing at Stormont and has made clear it will not allow devolution to return unless major changes to the protocol are delivered.

On Sunday, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson warned the Prime Minister not to serve up a half-baked deal to resolve the protocol stand -off.

He cautioned against any interim arrangement with the EU as he urged Rishi Sunak to get this done, and done properly.

Sir Jeffrey also moved to downplay speculation that London and Brussels were on the cusp of striking a deal to end the stand-off over the contentious trading arrangements.

He said Cabinet ministers were advising him there was still quite a gap between to the two sides.

Sir Jeffrey told GB News the pressure was on the UK Government to deliver the right deal.

I am very clear that we need to get this right and therefore I would say to the UK Government and to the Prime Minister, dont go for a half-baked deal, dont go for some kind of interim arrangement  lets get this done, and done properly, he said.

Because if were to restore the political institutions in Northern Ireland, if were to be able to move Northern Ireland forward with cross-community support, then we need an agreement that unionists as well as nationalists can support.

That means dealing with the very difficult and challenging issues. Thats what leadership is about. So, I think the pressure is on the UK Government to get a deal done, but I want to see them get the right deal for Northern Ireland and for the whole of the UK.

Both London and Brussels are keen to secure a breakthrough that would facilitate the return to the devolved institutions at Stormont ahead of the anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast peace agreement on April 25.

The Government has tabled draft legislation  the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill  that would empower ministers to unilaterally scrap the protocol without the consent of Brussels.

However, Mr Sunak has paused progress of the Bill through Parliament as efforts to secure a negotiated settlement with the EU have ramped up.
It's official: planning permission has been granted for Bord na Mona (BNM) proposed headquarters in the town of Newbridge.

Last July, BNM announced that it has lodged a planning application with Kildare County Council (KCC) for a new company headquarters off the towns main street, and in May of 2021, BNM revealed it had launched a tender for the development.

The company said the multi-storey building will be one of 'the most energy efficient headquarters in Ireland and, it will enhance the towns main street.'

According to planning permission documents, the due date for the decision to grant or deny planning permission was listed as Thursday, January 19 last.

DETAILS

The semi-state company has been granted permission from KCC for the construction of a five-storey headquarters office building with, setbacks and external terrace area at the fourth floor level.

The accommodation, totaling 3,343 square metres gross floor area, includes office accommodation and all ancillary uses and staff facilities.

The access road from Main Street provides access to a new car park (with 19 car spaces) to the rear of the new office building and 92 additional car parking spaces are designated for the new office building within the overall BNM site.

According to the documents, this road will facilitate KCC's objective for a link road connection from Main Street to the Military Road/Athgarvan Road (R416), which is to to be delivered in future phases, subject to separate planning permission.

Permission was also sought for hard and soft landscaping within the site, signage, external lighting, ESB substation, cycle parking and all ancillary site and development works.

The development was revised, and consists of revisions to the building form and scale of roof profile at front elevation and alterations to north eastern elevation scale (now 3,266 sqm gross floorspace), revised finishes and materials.

In addition, minor revisions were made to the site layout plan to facilitate future possible pedestrian connection with lands to the north east, revised parking to rear of proposed building (17 car spaces proposed and an additional 91 within the overall BNM site), and preliminary layout and proposals for the future east-west link road from Main Street to Military Road/Athgarvan Road (R416).

BNM has had a presence in the Newbridge for over 70 years.

At present, around 240 people work at its offices in the town.
The HSEs National Screening Service, National Immunisation Office (NIO) and National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) have joined forces to develop Irelands roadmap to reach global targets for the elimination of cervical cancer.

Launched today (Monday, 23rd January 2023) to mark Cervical Cancer Prevention week, which runs from 23rd to 29th January, Irelands roadmap shows the strides made so far towards this global goal, and signposts the future direction we will take, breaking this ambitious journey into achievable stages.

The global goals have been developed by the World Health Organisation and the set key targets that all countries are asked to strive towards are:

 By 2030, 90% of girls should be fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by 15 years of age

 70% of women should be screened using a high-performance test by age 35, and again by age 45

 90% of those identified with cervical disease should receive appropriate treatment.

Meeting these targets will put us on course to achieving our goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem in Ireland. Modelling work is already under way on setting Irelands specific target date to reach elimination, and this will be unveiled later this year.

The key message for this Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is to #GetInformed about cervical cancer elimination.

This means everyone  women, parents, young adults  getting informed about the causes of cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV); and about how HPV vaccination, cervical screening, early treatment and symptom awareness are key tools in our fight against cervical cancer.

What we want everyone to know

- Cervical cancer can be preventable and treatable, if detected early and managed well

- What cervical cancer is, and how to reduce the risk of developing it

- How cervical cancer is linked to HPV

- How vaccination can protect you against HPV, and against cervical cancer developing

- The role of cervical screening in reducing the incidence and impact of cervical cancer

- The symptoms of cervical cancer and where to go if you are experiencing them.

The HSE has created a social media campaign, information leaflet and website content so everyone can #getinformed about how they can reverse the course of this terrible disease in their lives, and in the lives of others.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, TD said: This is a truly significant initiative in womens health as it is the first time the world has committed to eliminating a cancer as a public health problem. I cannot think of a better way to mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week than to launch Irelands roadmap to make cervical cancer a rare disease. We are in a strong position to achieve these targets with effective HPV vaccination, cervical screening and cancer treatment services.

Most importantly, we are fortunate to have an alliance of passionate and committed advocates for both HPV vaccination and cervical screening, who are all united in the desire to consign cervical cancer to the history books.

Dr Caroline Mason Mohan, Director of Public Health, HSE National Screening Service and Head of the HSEs Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Group said: In our roadmap to elimination published today, you can see that in Ireland we have already made great advancements in vaccination, screening and treatment. But we want to ensure that everyone benefits from elimination. The drive towards elimination is a drive towards health equity. As we develop our action plan this year we will focus on improving vaccination, screening and treatment uptake in groups of people who, for various reasons, do not use these options. So, to achieve elimination it takes us all to play our part.

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe said: I welcome the launch of Ireland's roadmap to eliminate cervical cancer, based on the principles of the new WHO roadmap for the European region. A cervical cancer-free future is within our grasp. Politicians and policy-makers have the opportunity to realise this vision by providing equitable access to the HPV vaccine, organising national screening programmes, and offering quality and affordable diagnosis and treatment.

We look to Ireland as a trailblazer in achieving this ambitious goal, and wish you every success in implementing your roadmap. Thank you for your crucial contribution to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem in the European Region.

Professor Noirin Russell, Clinical Director of CervicalCheck, said: "As a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist I have seen the terrible impact of a diagnosis of cervical cancer on women and their families. I know that there are many more women who have accessed early treatment through screening that has stopped cervical cancer developing. In Ireland were incredibly fortunate to have the tools to achieve the goal of making cervical cancer a very rare disease.

If you are a young person, boy or girl, take the HPV vaccination - it can stop the virus damaging your health. If you are a woman, take up the offer of regular screening tests. Finding and treating abnormal cells at the earliest possible stages is really important. Prevent it - find it - treat it. These are the three things we need to do well in Ireland to reduce the risk of cervical cancer."

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Public Health Medicine  National Immunisation Lead at the HSEs National Immunisation Office (NIO), said: The HSE has been delivering HPV vaccine to girls since 2010 as part of the school immunisation programme and in 2019 the programme was extended to include boys in first year of second level schools. To date over 500,000 people have taken the opportunity to get the HPV vaccine. This year through the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme we are offering an additional opportunity to get vaccinated for young people who didnt take it up when the vaccine was previously offered.

The more young people vaccinated and women screened the better we can control the spread of the infection. We will continue to work towards the WHO target of 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15 by 2030.

How you can #getinformed:

 Look out for our social media campaign at #getinformed

 Read Irelands roadmap to cervical cancer elimination

 If you or a family member are due the HPV vaccine visit HSE.ie for information, and if you are aged between 16 and 25 and missed out visit the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme to find out more

 Did you know that HPV causes the majority of cervical cancers? Read more about HPV here

 Screening will not find all cancers, but regular screening along with vigilance and knowledge of symptoms can ensure that the majority of cancers are found at an earlier stage  which will save lives. You can find out more about CervicalCheck, Irelands free, national cervical cancer screening programme here

 Be aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer

 Read the WHO Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem
Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team were called out to Diarmuid and Grainnes Cave in the Glenniff Valley, Co Sligo on Saturday, January 21 after two walkers suffered injuries.

The walkers were part of a group of nine descending from the cave when the accident occurred. Fifteen Mountain Rescue Team members were accompanied by three ambulances and contact was established with the group.

Both walkers had suspected spinal and lower leg injuries and a party of five mountain rescue personnel and three paramedics were immediately tasked to the scene.

Two further walkers had also been involved in the accident, however they did not suffer any serious injuries and were able to descend the mountain without assistance.

The paramedics assessed both casualties. The first casualty suffered two broken ankles, an injured shoulder, and severe pain. The second casualty was in the early stages of hypothermia and had several soft tissue injuries.

The weather conditions were described as extremely challenging with high winds, rain and fading light and helicopter evacuation was not possible.

Both individuals were brought to the schoolhouse beneath Diarmuid and Grannies Cave where they were transferred by ambulance to the Sligo University Hospital.

Their injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening.

The Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue team stood down at 9.20pm Saturday night. On social media they thanked their colleagues in NorthWest mountain rescue NAS and an Garda Siochana for their assistance.
A police helicopter with a suspect arrives in Karlsruhe, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 close the federal prosecutor's office. Thousands of police officers carried out raids across much of Germany on that day against suspected far-right extremists who allegedly sought to overthrow the government in an armed coup. MICHAEL PROBST / AP

Five Germans have been charged with treason over a far-right plot to overthrow the government that included plans to abduct the health minister, prosecutors said Monday, January 23.

The four men and a woman were arrested in recent months over the plot, with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach  unpopular among far-right groups because of anti-Covid measures  confirming that he was targeted.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Germany coup plot: Far-right cell targeted many senior officials including Scholz

They were charged on January 16 and face counts ranging from founding a domestic terror group to preparing a treasonous act and violating weapons laws, the federal prosecutors' office said.

The group aimed to "trigger civil war-like conditions in Germany by means of violence... to cause the overthrow of the government and parliamentary democracy," it said in a statement. The suspects accepted that fatalities could result from the attempted overthrow, it added.

It said the group's ideology was "shaped" by the woman charged  identified only as Elisabeth R.  and was centered on the belief that the modern German state was not legitimate. Instead, they claimed that the German empire of the 19th century was the country's true system of government and that an authoritarian ruling order should be re-established.

Their beliefs chime with those of the far-right Reichsbuerger (Citizens of the Reich) movement, which rejects Germany's democratic institutions and has attracted a growing number of followers.

Nationwide blackout

The five members organized themselves into "military" and "administrative" arms to plan the coup, prosecutors said. It involved triggering a "long-lasting, nationwide blackout by damaging or destroying important power supply facilities," and then abducting Lauterbach, with his bodyguards killed if necessary.

A special assembly would then be called in Berlin to publicly depose the government and appoint a new leader, prosecutors said. They had sought support via the Telegram messaging app.

One of the accused, Sven B., was to lead the abduction of Lauterbach, while Thomas O. scouted areas as part of plans to trigger blackouts and obtained maps of electricity infrastructure, prosecutors said.

The two men also tried to procure explosives, which they wanted to import from the former Yugoslavia, and Thomas O. was arrested after obtaining assault rifles, handguns and ammunition. Elisabeth R., along with three others, was in charge of recruiting potential members. "She insisted on quick implementation of the plan and repeatedly named specific dates," prosecutors said.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Germany tackles its violent and rebellious far right

Another far-right group planning to overthrow the government  including an ex-MP and aristocrat  was uncovered in December, though authorities have not linked that group to the one that plotted to abduct Lauterbach.

Le Monde with AFP
THE IRISH Red Cross are encouraging people to learn lifesaving skills at their first-aid course starting in January.

The First Aid Response Course will start on Thursday, January 26 at the Limerick base on the Dock Road.

On the PHECC accredited course, the public can learn life-saving skills, how to treat wounds and fractures, how to manage medical conditions while awaiting an ambulance and much more.

The 10 week course will be delivered in person starting with an information and registration night.

The open night will be held at Unit 3, Ashbourne Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick City (V94 XE81) at 7:30pm.

A spokesperson for the Limerick branch said: "First aid is a very important skill to have regardless of your background. This is also a great opportunity to see what our organisation is all about, talk to our members and consider joining us as a new Volunteer  we would love to have you!"

You must pre-book a place at the information/open night by calling 087 8400 400.
Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is celebrating its milestone of 30 million members with incredible offers including a chance to win one million Skywards Miles.



Over the past two decades, the loyalty programme has evolved and grown to become one of the most recognized and valued loyalty programmes in the world. With industry leading initiatives, innovative product offerings, and more than 150 brand partners  Emirates Skywards continues to redefine the loyalty experience for customers, in the air and on-ground.



Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said: Thank you to each of our 30 million members who have made Emirates Skywards the successful loyalty programme it is today. This is a major milestone for us and we are very happy to be giving back to our loyal members who have played an invaluable role in our success. Stay tuned for some of the most amazing offers this month  from a chance to win 1 million Miles, upgrades to Business Class, and complimentary Tier upgrades  we have something in store for everyone!



We always strive to provide our members the best value, choice and exceptional rewards a loyalty programme can offer - when you fly, dine, shop, or drive. Were very proud of this milestone and look forward to the road ahead of us.



Gift that keeps giving

From 30 January to 1 February 2023, Emirates will be offering passengers travelling on select flights special branded cupcakes on board. To celebrate the milestone, the loyalty programme will also be rolling out fantastic surprises from 23 January until 4 February 2023. This includes:



 1 million Miles: Win the Skywards Miles jackpot! Join the competition from 23 January until 4 February 2023 for a chance to a grand one million Miles  enough to redeem more than 10 one-way Emirates Business Class tickets from Dubai to London. Emirates Skywards co-branded credit card holders who join the competition can also double their chances of winning.



Emirates Skywards members travelling to and through Dubai between 30 January and 1 February 2023 will also have a chance to win even more rewards. Look out for a red 30 million sticker on your luggage upon arrival into Dubai Airports to see if youre one of the many lucky winners.



 30,000 bonus Miles: The loyalty programme is giving away even more Miles with 300,000 Miles up for grabs. Over the next 3 days, 10 members will have a chance to win 30,000 Miles each.

 10 Skywards+ packages: Enjoy complimentary access to some of the best offers available on Skywards+ including bonus Miles, flight rewards, lounge access and more.

 30 Silver Tier upgrades: Become an Emirates Skywards Silver Tier member this month with a complimentary Tier upgrade and unlock fantastic benefits and rewards.

 30 flight upgrades: Fly even better on your next flight and enjoy a surprise upgrade to Business Class.

 30 complimentary Chauffer Drive Service vouchers: Discover the vibrant city of Dubai this month and enjoy a free premium ride to and from Dubai Airports.



Customers travelling with flydubai on 7 February 2023 can also look forward to some surprising giveaways, including:



 Four Silver Tier upgrades.

 75,000 Bonus Skywards Miles.

 One Skywards+ package.

 Two complimentary upgrades to Business Class.

 Seven access passes to the flydubai Business Lounge at Terminal 2.



More than 180 countries across six continents

Emirates Skywards members come from more than 180 countries, including: 3.7 million members in the United Kingdom, 3 million in the United States, 2.2 million in the United Arab Emirates, 2.1 million in Australia and 2.1 million in India.



On average, the loyalty programme attracts more than 120,000 members per month. In the last year alone, Emirates Skywards welcomed more than 1.4 million members between April 2021 and March 2022.



From flight rewards to global sporting events



Since its inception in 2000, Emirates Skywards has expanded and diversified its brand partnerships to offer its members more innovative ways to earn and redeem Miles. The loyalty programme currently has more than 150 partners including: 16 airline partners; more than 100 hotel partners; 33 financial partners, 22 retail and lifestyle partners, 7 car rental partners.



From 2018 to 2022, members redeemed more than 140 billion Miles on flight rewards; more than 1.8 billion Miles on hotel stays; more than 10 billion on retail outlets; and more than 150 million Miles on money-cant-buy experiences at world-renowned sporting events including US Open, Roland Garros, Grand Prix Miami, and more.



Five years of strategic partnership with flydubai

Dubai-based airlines, Emirates and flydubai, recently celebrated five years of strategic partnership. Since 2017, more than 11 million passengers have enjoyed seamless connectivity across the joint network to more than 211 destinations across 100 countries. Over the past five years, more than 8.5 million Emirates Skywards members have earned 150 billion Skywards Miles through the Emirates and flydubai partnership.



The worlds largest international airline has also recently activated a codeshare agreement with Air Canada, and expanded the partnership to offer frequent flyer members joint loyalty programme benefits. Skywards members are now able to earn and redeem Miles across Air Canadas network. Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members travelling in Economy Class with Air Canada or Emirates can also enjoy airport lounge access in Toronto.  TradeArabia News Service
THE funeral will take place this Monday of the extraordinary former Chief Justice, John L Murray, who died last week at the age of 79.

Born in Limerick in 1943, Mr Murray was first educated at Crescent College in the city before later becoming a barrister, dealing with commercial, civil and constitutional law.

In a statement, Minister for Justice, Simon Harris described Judge Murray as a distinguished jurist, having served twice as Attorney General, and for a remarkable 24 years as a judge.

During his career, the Limerick man served as a judge of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, as a judge of the Supreme Court and as Chief Justice of Ireland from 2004 to 2011.

Many heartfelt tributes have been paid by many of Mr Murrays respected colleagues and friends since his death last Wednesday.

Barrister Brian McInerney SC offered his condolences to Judge Murrays family and his friends.

Having achieved the highest judicial office in the country, Mr McInerney described him as the colossus - having achieved that office based on merit and ability, executing the office with efficiency, balance and courtesy at all times.

President of UL, Prof Kerstin Mey paid tribute to the former Chancellor of University of Limerick: When John took on the role of Chancellor he said that learning and education concern the soul of a nation and he was deeply committed to that vision and the provision of education. He will be sadly missed by his many colleagues and friends at University of Limerick.

Tributes have been paid at courts across Limerick and speaking prior to the commencement of Newcastle West Court on Thursday last, Judge Carol Anne Coolican noted "with regret" the passing of former Chief Justice and Attorney General John Murray saying he was an "interesting" man.

"He not only served as chief justice but also as a judge of the European Court of Justice. He was attorney general not once but twice. Minister for Justice Simon Harris said he was 'a most distinguished jurist' and he definitely was," said Judge Coolican.

John Murray's funeral Mass will take place at 11.30am this Monday in The Holy Rosary Church, Greystones, County Wicklow with burial afterwards in Priestnewtown Cemetery, Kilquade.

Mr Justice Murray is survived by his wife Gabrielle; children Catriona and Brian and his grandchildren Samuel, Anna, Sarah, Kate, Chloe, Conor and Matthew.

May he rest in peace.
A NEW INNOVATIVE research project examining how e-bikes can change transport behaviours to improve health and protect the environment has been launched at the University of Limerick (UL).

ISCycle was launched by UL President Professor Kerstin Mey on ULs campus.

The research team, working across physical activity, health psychology, sustainable engineering and economics, will examine how an e-bike loan could impact the overwhelming dominance of the private car, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of all journeys made in Ireland, according to the 2019 CSO National Travel Survey.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey said: The potential for e-bike ownership to replace private car trips is promising but needs to be examined in the Irish context. As a research-led institution, this is another fantastic initiative, and we are excited that the first study will be taking place on the UL campus.

ISCycle will be rolled out in phases across workplace settings in Limerick city, beginning with UL as the first study site - the study will continue throughout 2023 and 2024, with preliminary findings available early next year.

The ISCycle project will also target direct health benefits through increased physical activity. Assistance from the electric motor on an e-bike can increase opportunities for active travel among people who need to cover longer distances, carry passengers and heavy cargo, or cycle through hilly areas.

ISCycle will provide a selection of different e-bikes, including folding e-bikes that can be easily stored inside the home or carried onto public transport, and cargo e-bikes that can be used to transport passengers or groceries.

ISCycle is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Department of Transport as part of the SEAI National Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Funding Programme, ISCycle is led by Dr James Green, School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Health Research Institute, UL.
THE PREFERRED option corridor in the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project has been refined to a 100m wide corridor.

This Monday, an update has been published by Tipperary County Council, in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport

The project is identified as a priority investment in the Governments National Development Plan 2021-2030. While the vast majority of the key piece of infrastructure will be in County Tipperary, the new transport corridor will commence in County Limerick. Oola will be bypassed as will the oft-highlighted dangerous Brooks Bridge between Pallasgreen and Oola.

Since the conclusion of Public Display No. 3 for the preferred transport solution, the design team have been progressing the design of the active travel, demand management and road components of the Preferred Transport Solution. Design update drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.n24cahirlimerick.ie

This refined 100m wide corridor lies predominantly within the 300m wide corridor that was published for the preferred transport solution in May 2022. However, following detailed consideration of landowner engagement, stakeholder feedback, environmental surveys, and design development, the corridor diverges at a number of locations.

In addition, provisional junction locations have been identified and are shown as shaded areas on the design update drawings. The junction layouts are currently being developed within these areas. Potential active travel routes and demand management measures have also been identified and are shown on the design update drawings.

The project will have a positive impact on the attractiveness of public transport. The improved road corridor will provide greater journey time savings and cater for an enhanced more reliable bus service between the cities of Limerick and Waterford. The transport solution will provide improved connectivity to Limerick Junction Railway Station and enable the provision of potential park and ride facilities transforming it into a mobility hub where all modes of transport can interchange.

New and improved active travel infrastructure is a key component of this project and direct active travel links between Limerick Junction and Tipperary Town will further encourage modal shift, the use of sustainable forms of transport and inter-modal connectivity.

Within Tipperary Town, new streets incorporating active travel infrastructure are proposed. These streets will help divert traffic away from Main Street. This, in combination with a series of demand management measures, such as signalisation of key junctions and the provision of signalised pedestrian crossings will encourage modal shift and assist in creating a more attractive environment for people living and working in the centre of Tipperary Town.

Todays design update is an important step forward in the design development process as the project team continue to engage closely with landowners and various stakeholders.

Dr Pat Daly, chief executive, Limerick City and County Council said it is a welcome advancement as the project team progress the design of the preferred transport solution.

"Intensive consultation with landowners and stakeholders is vital to ensure that the potential impacts on landowners are minimised as much as possible. Along with removing heavy commercial vehicles and cars from the town centres and villages along this section of the N24 corridor, the inclusion of extensive active travel infrastructure along the existing N24 corridor will have a profound positive impact on the villages and communities along the existing N24 corridor. Limerick City & County Council looks forward to working with Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the project through the next phases," said Mr Daly.

Joe MacGrath, chief executive, Tipperary County Council said the upgrading of the N24 is a priority for Tipperary County Council.

"This infrastructure will improve connectivity between the towns and cities across the Southern Region and we acknowledge the significant economic and social benefits that derive from such investments. It will not only relieve the traffic bottleneck from within Tipperary Town but will also provide significant safety improvements along the full length of this section of the N24 corridor within the counties of Tipperary and Limerick," said Mr McGrath.

Design Update drawings are now available for viewing on the project website www.n24cahirlimerick.ie
AN BORD Pleanala has denied a developer permission to build a multi-million euro health centre which could have employed 300 people in Limerick.

Philip Doyle of Valley Healthcare sought the green light to develop a five-storey, 8,452 square-metre primary care centre in the shadow of the Jetland Shopping Centre at Caherdavin, and designed to serve almost 50,000 people.

Agents for the businessman said the facility would provide significant health and social care services for the city of Limerick outside of hospital setting.

It was confirmed that it would be sponsored by the HSE and cater for public patients as a result.

The massive project was designed to serve as a headquarters for smaller health centres at Ballynanty, Thomond, Westbury and the Kings Island.

The proposed primary care health centre will be anchored by four to five GPs, Tusla and HSE staff, the development is likely to employ 304 persons, the documentation to the council adds.

It also reveals a list of services planned for the building, including public health nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, psychology, dental services, physiotherapy, as well as public health and general nursing.

However, the proposal was blocked by local authority planners which saw Mr Doyle appeal against this decision to An Bord Pleanala.

But the national planning appeals body agreed with Limerick City and County Council's ruling and decided to reject the application.

They pointed out the development was being made on lands zoned agriculture, which would mean any building there would be "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".

The board also backed up flood concerns which were raised by some of the 12 groups and individuals who wrote to the council seeking to have the planning blocked in the first instance.

The decision comes against the backdrop of a crisis in Limerick's public health sector, which saw more than 11,000 people take to the streets in protest over the weekend.
Tata SIA Airlines, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, which operates as Vistara recorded profits in December 2022 quarter, for the first ever since it started flying in the skies both domestically and internationally. The carrier's top-line front is said to have crossed $1 billion, while its bottom-line basket turned profitable. However, the airline did not disclose the figures for profit in Q3.

According to a Reuters report, Vistara said its revenue crossed $1 billion and it clocked a net profit, excluding foreign currency loss and non-operating income, in the October-December quarter. The profit numbers were not disclosed.

Notably, this Tata carrier turned profitable at a time when Tata Group is seeking to consolidate its three brands --- Vistara, Air Asia, and former national carrier Air India. The move is to boost its aviation business.

Also, Reuters earlier reported that Tata is also set to place an order for some 495 new planes for Air India as it looks to revamp the airline and merge it with Vistara to create a bigger full-service carrier to take on Middle Eastern rivals like Emirates.

TATA SIA Airlines is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Son and Singapore Airlines. The brand Vistara commenced its operation on January 9, 2015, with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India and connect destinations across the country and abroad.

Vistara has a fleet of 52 aircraft, including 42 Airbus A320, five Airbus A321neo, two Boeing 737-800NG, and three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, and has flown more than 42 million customers since starting operations.

In 2022, Vistara's international network climbed by over 180%, and its domestic network jumped by over 50%. The airline added new destinations and routes amid a rebound in travel demand post-pandemic.

Last week, Vistara announced the addition of Manohar International Airport (New Goa International Airport, Goa) to its domestic network with daily connectivity to and from Bengaluru along with 6x weekly flights to and from Mumbai, starting 14 February 2023.

As of December 31, 2022, Vistara's market share in the domestic aviation industry is 9.2%, while Air India's share is around 6.2% and low-cost carrier Air Asia's market share is 0.6%.
NEW DELHI : Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) on Monday announced the appointment of professor Bharat Bhasker as the director of IIMA for a period of five years with effect from March 1, 2023.

Bhasker currently holds the position of professor of Information Technology and Systems at Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow. In the interim, the Board of Governors has appointed Arindam Banerjee as the director-in-charge for the period February 1 to 28, 2023.

I would like to congratulate and welcome Professor Bharat Bhasker as the new Director of IIMA. As a successful leader and a Professor of technology with experience of working in India and across the globe, I am confident that he will carry forward the legacy and lead the institute to newer horizons in todays digital, globalised world," said Pankaj R Patel, Chairperson, IIMA Board of Governors.

The IIMA Board of Governors set a committee for the selection of IIM Ahmedabad director. The committee had shortlisted 13 candidates for the position. All the IIMA faculty members who had applied for the position were interviewed, along with the external applicants.

"The selection committee had a detailed consultation with IIMA faculty members and other relevant stakeholders and conducted the final round of interviews. Based on the search and selection committees recommendations, the Board of Governors announced the appointment of Bharat Bhasker as the next Director for the institute, during a meeting held today at the IIMA campus," said a press release.

Bhasker is an experienced Information Technology leader with almost three decades of experience in industry, research, teaching, and consulting in India and globally. Until recently, he has served a five-year term as the Director of IIM Raipur from March 2017 to March 2022.

Before joining IIM Raipur, he has been associated with IIM Lucknow for over two decades having served in various capacities including being the acting Director of IIM Lucknow for a period of five months during July and November 2015. He has also served as the Dean Planning & Development at IIM Sirmaur from 2003 to 2005.

He has been a visiting professor at ESSEC Business School, Paris, France and University of Texas, Dallas, US. He was a Distinguished Professor at Chung- Ang University, Seoul, Korea, was a Research Professor at University of California, Riverside, USA and Adjunct Faculty at Information Systems, Univ. of Maryland, College Park," it added.
Auto giant Tata Motors partnered with leading private lender ICICI Bank on Monday to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in the country. Under the tie-up, ICICI Bank will provide inventory funding to EV dealers of Tata Motors. This would be one of its kind inventory financing programme for dealers of Tata Motors

This new financing solution is in addition to the bank's funding to dealers for diesel and petrol models.

The EV dealers can avail of flexible repayment tenures under this facility.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility said, "As the pioneers of EVs in the country, we take responsibility for their successful adoption. In our aim towards achieving complete electrification and promoting green mobility, we are happy to partner with ICICI Bank to assist our authorized passenger electric vehicle dealer partners with an exclusive financing program."

Chandra added, "Our dealer network forms a part of our core support pillars, and through their constant effort, we ride the electrification wave in India. We are confident that through this tie-up, we will make EVs more accessible and the EV purchase process a seamless and memorable experience for our customers."

Further, Rakesh Jha, Executive Director, of ICICI Bank believes the electric vehicle industry is growing at a rapid pace with the rising consumer demand for environment-friendly electric vehicles.

He added, "ICICI Bank has a legacy of supporting innovative technological initiatives. In line with this philosophy, we are delighted to partner with Tata Motors to offer an electric vehicle financing programme for the authorised dealers of the countrys leading automotive company."

The latest partnership with Tata Motors reflects ICICI Bank's continued participation in Indias journey toward a sustainable future.

Tata Motors has been pioneering the Indian automotive market with its ground-breaking efforts and is currently leading the e-mobility wave in India with a commanding market share of 85.8%, with over 57,000 EVs produced to date in personal and fleet segments.

Earlier in January, Tata Motors acquired Ford India's Sanand manufacturing plant, and vehicle manufacturing plant along with machinery and equipment for 725.7 crore.
New Delhi: Lemon Tree Hotels has announced the signing of a franchised hotel in Rajasthan. Under its Lemon Tree Resort brand, the company has opened its hotel in Kumbhalgarh. The property is franchised by the listed entity, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., and is expected to open by December 2023.

The hotel will have 59 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and meeting rooms.

Vilas Pawar, CEO of the franchise business for the listed hotel entity, said, This hotel has been signed with Mountain Tree Resorts Pvt. Ltd. We are expanding our footprint across the state of Rajasthan and this property will be an addition to our six existing hotels and resorts in the state. Lemon Tree Hotels signed 19 hotels in the last calendar year, and we are looking to top that number this year with numerous signings and openings planned across different segments in the coming months."

The company currently operates about 8,350 rooms in 87 hotels across and is expecting to have 11,200 rooms in 122 hotels across by the end of calendar year 2025. The group runs seven brands including Aurika Hotels & Resorts, Lemon Tree Premier, Red Fox Hotels, Keys Prima etc.

Earlier this week, another hospitality player Brij Hotels launched another 41-room hotel in Rajasthan under the brand, Brij Gaj Kesri in Bikaner. The property is spread on 16 acres of land is the groups fourth hotel in Rajasthan, and sixth across India.

According to a report by hospitality consultancy Hotelivate, the demand for hotel rooms will outpace supply in the next five years and there is likely to be a shortage of supply of hotel rooms. India currently has about 1.5 lakh branded hotel rooms and the projected upcoming supply of 35,000 rooms (which are being actively developed), just about 7,000 rooms are going to be added per year. This is just a 4.5% growth in supply.
New Delhi: Pepsico India-owned snack brand Kurkure has launched its second television commercial for Kurkure Playz snacks Halke Mein Lo campaign which aired last month.

Following the first TVC film that captured a banter between a young protagonist and ghost, this film shows a family enjoying teatime in the front yard of their bungalow when theres a sudden disturbance on the radio playing next to them.

When they look up, they find a spaceship hovering over the lawn amid dark clouds with strong winds. Two aliens appear with a plan to abduct the family, beckoning the protagonist to get on the ship right away. While spooked at first, a bite of the snack transforms the youngsters fear into a take-it-easy attitude, the company said in a statement. This leads him to make witty wisecracks diffusing an intimidating situation into a laughing riot.

Vikram Pandey, the national creative director of Leo Burnett -- the company behind the campaign -- said, This second film continues the light-hearted quirky tonality set by the first film with our proposition. In this film we find the protagonists family facing an alien invasion, but they manage to put off their abduction by stalling the aliens. We hope that the audiences will enjoy this film as much as the first one."

Neha Prasad, associate director and brand lead for the snack brand said, Our first film received an overwhelmingly positive response for its unique storytelling format. This propelled us to bring forth the second television commercial that we hope will once again keep everyone entertained in the brands style.

According to analysis website Statista, the snack food segment in India is projected to grow by 7.52% from 2023 to have a market volume of $89.45 billion in 2027.
Singapore is now very much open and continues to welcome visitors from the Middle East, said a senior official of Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Singapore remains a family destination with so many experiences and it is a safe city, said G B Srithar, Regional Director, SE Asia Middle East & Africa, STB.

He was speaking to the media following an event for the travel trade and media hosted by STB and Singapore Airlines in Dubai.

Srithar, who is based in STBs Mumbai office which is responsible for the GCC/Middle East region, said Singapore Tourism Board remains engaged in this market.

Aswin K, General Manager Gulf & Middle East - Singapore Airlines, added that the airline is ramping up flight connections and is now at 75% of pre-covid capacity.

China was a major chunk of our network. So, bearing this in mind, we are more or less back to normal and over the next few months, the numbers will spike upwards, he said.

Singapore Airlines has invested a lot over the last few years and during Covid to ensure that the Singapore experience shines on board, including the food. Over these next few months, a lot of new developments will announced, he said.

Srithar shared the recently announced tourism numbers for Singapore.

Singapores international visitor arrivals (IVA) reached 6.3 million in 2022, about 33% of 2019 IVA. This exceeded the forecast of 4 million to 6 million, he said. Tourism receipts are estimated to have reached S$13.8 billion to S$14.3 billion, which is approximately 50-52% of 2019.

Looking at the GCC market, Singapore welcomed 79,630 visitors in 2022, approximately 60% of 2019 IVA from the region. The UAE accounted for 42,970 of this, which is 39% of 2019 IVA. The peak months were July and August 2022. The average length of stay from the region was 5.3 days.

The UAE is clearly our number one source marketing within the GCC, he said.

The different experiences that existed before such as the zoo, the wildlife parks, Sentosa & Marina Bay Sands, etc., are ramping up their experiences, and in addition, visitors are now wanting to experience the local delights, he said.

Singapore is also liked by young travellers since the city is perceived as a great lifestyle, events, and F & B destination.

Cruise is another segment that is growing and Singapore is looking at maintaining and growing the destination as a cruise hub. The Middle East will be a key source for this segment, said Srithar.

Renjie Wong, Area Director India. Middle East & South Asia, added: As someone being born and raised in Singapore, for me personally, what most exciting about Singapore is that the city is constantly changing. -TradeArabia News Service
BENGALURU: IPO-bound fintech unicorn Pine Labs has acquired enterprise platform Saluto Wellness Pvt. Ltd for an undisclosed amount.

The company did not comment on any queries regarding transaction value.

Sequoia-backed Pine Labs offers solutions to merchants across sectors such as electronics, food and beverage, fashion, pharmacy, telecom and airlines. In 2019, it had acquired Qwikcilver, a brand through which it offers prepaid, stored value, and gift card solutions to companies in sectors such as e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, banking and financial services sector among others.

The deal will help Pine Labs to improve its issuing business Qwikcilvers offerings across employee rewards and recognition, customer loyalty and channel partner programs for medium and large enterprises.

With Salutos platform, we expect to enhance our leadership across enterprise rewards, recognition, incentive and engagement programmes," Kumar Sudarsan, president - issuing business, Pine Labs, said. Their solution, integrated with our offerings, will help us deliver more programs to our existing enterprise clients  resulting in larger and more long-term engagements."

Founded in 2017 by Siva Kumar and Anoop Nambiar, Bengaluru-based Saluto offers a digital platform to companies to improve engagement with employees, consumers and channel partners. It designs programmes for employee rewards, recognition and wellness, customer referrals, promotions, loyalty, among others.

Our enterprise solutions are today being used across diverse industry verticals and with this acquisition by Pine Labs, we will be able to scale our business further, said K Siva Kumar, chief executive, Saluto Wellness.

In March last year, Pine Labs had raised $50 million at a $5 billion valuation from Vitruvian Partners. Prior to that, it had raised around $150 million from Alpha Wave Ventures in a funding round.

The company has since acquired stakes in multiple companies. It acquired Bengaluru-based Setu, an API (application programming interface) infrastructure fintech startup for $70 million to $75 million in June 2022 and payment solutions provider Mosambee in April 2022.

In February, it acquired payments startup Qfix Infocomm, for an undisclosed amount.

The point-of-sale (PoS) major has also invested to scale Plural, its brand for online payments products, to grow beyond offline channels.

Last week, Pine Labs said it has forayed into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market through partnerships with local banks and financial institutions, expanding in the global footprint beyond India and Malaysia.
NEW DELHI : India and Panama are in talks to explore collaboration on renewable technologies like green hydrogen, said the foreign minister of Panama Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. In an exclusive interview with Mint , the Panamanian foreign minister said that both countries could collaborate to develop green hydrogen as an alternate fuel for shipping. Panama hopes to transform itself into a global hub for hydrogen and green shipping with Indias help.

Panama, which is host to the strategic Panama Canal, plays a key route for global shipping. The Panama Canal sees traffic from 13,000 ships every year.

The Central American country has major plans in terms of green hydrogen. In January last year, Panamas National Energy Secretariat released the Green Hydrogen Roadmap, which identifies hydrogen as the future fuel and aims to position Panama as the regions Global Green Hydrogen Route.

Panama is planning to become a hub for hydrogen. Recently, we have noticed that around 29% of the ships crossing the Panama Canal are using diesel fuel. Our interest is to be part of a transformation towards green energy," said Minister Mencomo.

Indias own plans to become a hydrogen hub have attracted Panamas attention. Before coming to India, I saw that Prime Minister Modis cabinet had approved a package to make India a hub for hydrogen. So there are common interests and possibilities to link our efforts. We can do more than what we are doing right now."

The talks also come in the backdrop of Indias union cabinet approving the 19,744 crore Nation Green Hydrogen Mission last week to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The central government expects the mission to attract investments worth 8 trillion by 2030.

India also has plans to run ships on green energy. On 12 January 2022, Mint reported that Centre is exploring plans to run ships 100% on green energy that may involve a hybrid energy model comprising a mix of solar, sea water, wind, and hydrogen.

This can be a potential game changer as maritime transport accounts for about 95% and 70% of Indias trade by volume and value.

Under the green hydrogen mission also, India would also carry out pilot projects for utilization of green hydrogen in shipping, road transport and production of green steel. By 2027, two ships would be retrofit to run on green hydrogen and the required supply chain, port infrastructure, green ammonia bunkers and re-fuelling facilities would be set up in the country, under the mission.

This is not the first time India has been involved in international cooperation for green hydrogen India has taken up initiatives with countries and blocks. In October last year, India and France adopted Indo-French Roadmap on the Development of Green Hydrogen.

Last September, European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, and R.K. Singh, Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy, government of India, inaugurated the First EU-India Green Hydrogen Forum.
The Reserve Bank of India on Monday has directed the SBM Bank (India) Ltd to stop all Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) transactions with immediate effect till further notice.

The RBI under sections 35A and 36(1)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, has directed SBM Bank to stop LRS transactions.

"The Reserve Bank of India has today, in exercise of its powers under sections 35A and 36(1)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, directed SBM Bank (India) Ltd to stop, with immediate effect, all transactions under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) till further orders. This action is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the bank," said RBI in its release.

Under the LRS scheme, all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit funds abroad up to $ 2,50,000 per financial year. The Scheme was introduced on February 4, 2004, with a limit of USD 25,000.

SBM Bank is a subsidiary of Mauritius-based SBM Holdings. It started its operations on 1 December 2018.

In 2019, RBI had imposed a 3 crore penalty on SBM Bank (India) for non-compliance of regulatory norms by SBM Bank (Mauritius), which amalgamated with the former in November 2018.

The penalty has been imposed for non-compliance by SBM Bank (Mauritius) with certain provisions of directions issued by the central bank on 'Time-bound implementation and strengthening of SWIFT - related operational controls' and 'Cyber Security Framework in Banks', the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a statement.
NEW DELHI : Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep S. Puri will preside over a run-up event to the India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 in Guwahati. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Labour and Employment, Rameswar Teli will also be present.

First, the minister will inaugurate the NRL Centre  the corporate office building of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in the heart of Guwahati.

He will then attend the event and interact with the farmers who are supplying bamboo on a sustainable basis to Assam Bio-Refinery, the first of its kind 2G Bio Refinery with bamboo biomass as feedstock is being implemented by NRL," the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said.

The minister will then flag off a fleet of EV scooters by BIKOZEE, a hyper-local logistic Start-up supported by NRL.

The Start-up aims to empower and equip economically marginalized communities with a range of job opportunities in the hyperlocal delivery sector," the ministry added.

Afterwards, the dignitaries will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NRL and the Government of Assam to set up three bamboo nurseries.

Each nursery will cover an area of five hectares to accomplish secondary hardening of tissue-cultured bamboo saplings and increase the number of saplings using macro proliferation methods.

IEW 2023 is the first major event held under Indias G20 Presidency; India Energy Week follows Prime Minister Narendra Modis pledge at COP26 to cut Indias emissions to net zero by 2070.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India Energy Week is the only all-encompassing international energy event supported at the highest level of the Indian government, with participation from all the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and officially supported by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI)," the ministry said.
New Delhi: Global crude oil prices were subdued on Monday in thin trade amid Lunar New Year holiday in eastern Asian countries of China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, among others.

Around 12pm, March contract of Brent on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) traded at $87.52 per barrel, down 0.13% from previous close. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.9% to $81.57 a barrel, lower by 0.09% from its previous close.

Despite the fall in prices, experts believe that the near-term outlook remains positive due to hopes of demand recovery in China after the recent easing of travel restrictions.

According to recent data from the Joint Organisations Data Initiative, oil demand in China rose nearly 1 million barrels per day (bpd) sequentially to 15.41 million bpd in November. China is the second largest importer of crude oil in the world and hopes of an increase in demand boosts market sentiments.

Last week, executive director of International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, had said that energy markets could be tighter in 2023, especially if the Chinese economy recovers and the Russian oil industry struggles under sanctions.

Ravindra V. Rao, head of commodity research at Kotak Securities Ltd., said, Both OPEC and IEA mentioned Chinese demand recovery as the driving force behind oil consumption in 2023. International Energy Agency (IEA) lifted its forecast for oil-demand growth for 2023 by nearly 200,000 bpd to 1.9 million bpd to average a record 101.7 million bpd, with nearly half the rise from China, while OPEC forecasts Chinese demand to grow by 510,000 bpd in 2023 as China lifted Covid restrictions."

He added that Chinese demand expectation as well as price cap on Russian oil imports, which has been rippling through the global markets, might keep supporting crude prices in the near term.
Here is the list of the top 10 stocks that will be in focus today:

Reliance Industries: Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd beat analysts expectations for quarterly profit as its new consumer ventures compensated for the decline in its chemicals business. Net profit fell 15% to 15,792 crore in the three months ended 31 December from 18,549 crore in the year-earlier on rising expenses. The companys consumer-facing ventures, Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail posted strong growth, even as improved refining margins boosted the oil-to-chemicals (O2C) business despite weakness in the petrochemicals segment. Additionally, higher gas prices benefited the oil and gas exploration and production business.

ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank bank beats street expectations by garnering a net profit of 8,311.85 crore in Q3 of the current fiscal compared to a profit of 6,193.81 crore recorded in the same quarter a year ago, registering a growth of a whopping 34.19% year-on-year. While gross NPA in the Q3FY23 dipped further, however, provisions scaled up during the quarter. ICICI Bank's Q3 PAT rose by 9.97% from 7,557.84 crore in September 2022 quarter. Net interest income, meanwhile, soared by a robust 34.6% to 16,465 crore in Q3FY23, compared to 12,236 crore in same the quarter of the previous fiscal.

Adani Enterprises: Billionaire Gautam Adani's group plans to spin off businesses like hydrogen, airports and data centre between 2025 and 2028 after they achieve a certain investment profile, its chief financial officer Jugeshinder Singh said. Adani Enterprises Ltd, which is looking to raise 20,000 crore in a follow-on share sale, is the business incubator for the group. Over the years, businesses such as ports, power and city gas were first incubated in AEL before being spun off or demerged into separately listed companies. AEL currently houses new businesses such as hydrogen, where the group plans to invest USD 50 billion over the next 10 years across the value chain, flourishing airport operations, mining, data centre and roads and logistics.

Kotak Mahindra Bank: Kotak Mahindra Bank beats street estimates in terms of profitability during the December 2022 quarter. The bank garnered a standalone net profit of 2,791.88 crore in Q3 of the current fiscal FY23 compared to 2,131 .36 crore a year ago same quarter, registering a growth of a whopping 30.99% year-on-year. Kotak's asset quality improved with gross NPA declining sharply, however, provisions increased during the quarter. However, Q3 PAT scaled up by 8.17% from the profit of 2,581 crore that was recorded in the September 2022 quarter.

JSW Steel: Indias largest steel maker JSW Steel Ltd reported an 89.5% drop in net profit in the December quarter due to a steep decline in exports as well as high finance costs. Its revenue rose marginally by 2.8% to 3,9134 crore. Its consolidated profit after tax fell to 476 crore compared to 4,516 crore in the year ago, with exports contracting 62% and finance costs rising 42% to 1819 crore. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization halved to 4,547 crore during the quarter. However, JSW expects to improve its competitive edge in subsequent quarters following the export duty rollback in November 2022.

LTMindtree: Domestic information technology (IT) services company LTIMindtree, the result of a merger between mid-cap IT firms L&T Infotech and Mindtree in November, reported a 4.7% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit to 1,000.7 crore from 1,050 crore, for the December quarter. The constant currency revenue growth came in at 16.3% YoY. The rupee revenue rose 25.3% YoY to 8,620 crore from 6,880.7 crore, backed by an addition of 23 new clients  four of them from the $10 million-plus category.

Ultratech Cement: Leading cement manufacturer, Ultratech Cement witnessed a mixed performance in terms of profitability in December 2022 quarter (Q3FY23), however, revenue garnered strong growth. Consolidated Q3 PAT dropped by 38.03% to 1,058.20 crore compared to 1,707.72 crore in the same quarter a year ago. However, sequentially, the company's PAT rose by 40.02% as against a profit of 755.73 crore posted in the September 2022 quarter. Consolidated revenue from operations came in at 15,520.93 crore in Q3FY23, rising by 19.53% from 12,984.93 crore in Q3 of the previous fiscal. Also, revenue was up by 11.72% from 13,892.69 crore in the preceding quarter.

SBI Life: SBI Life Insurance Company's profitability in December 2022 quarter dipped in both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter terms. Q3 PAT came in at 304.13 crore. The insurer's Q3FY23 PAT dropped by 16.46% from 364.06 crore in Q3FY22, however, the sequential drop was by 19.27% as against a profit of 376.74 crore in Q2 of FY23. On the other hand, the insurer's net premium income picked up momentum. Net premium income stood at 19,170.80 crore in Q3FY23 --- rising by 6.35% from 18,025.34 crore in Q3 of the previous fiscal, but up by a huge 16.35% from 16,477.26 crore in the preceding quarter.

GPT Infraprojects: GPT Infraprojects on Friday said it has signed a contract with state-run Bridge & Roof Company for the construction of a rail flyover under the Allahabad-Bamhrauli fourth line and other allied works for an outlay cost of 270 crore. The project for the construction of the rail flyover comprised of earthwork, pile foundation, composite steel girder, reinforced cement concrete (RCC) deck slabs, rail over bridge (ROB) and utilities shifting, according to a company statement released on Friday. Other allied works pertain to the construction of rail flyover (RFO) -2 (Phase -II) under the North Central Railway (NCR), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Spencer's Retail: Spencer's Retail Ltd on Friday said its chief executive officer and managing director Devendra Chawla has resigned with effect from 20 January 2023. Spencer's Retail said that Devendra Chawla has tendered his resignation from the position of CEO and Managing Director and also as a Director from the Board of the company. Devendra Chawla joined the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group in 2019 as its chief executive officer and managing director for a three-year term. Earlier, he was the chief operating officer of Walmart India.
The Union Budget for the year 2023-24 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on February 1, the last full Budget of the Modi government before the 2024 general elections. The budget, this year, is likely to be growth-oriented with a focus on capex, manufacturing, infrastructure, and rural economy.

Different sectors have different expectations from the budget, let's see what the different experts expect for the auto space.

Auto Industry is one the largest industries contributing more than 6 percent to Indias GDP and generating huge direct and indirect employment. Most analysts don't see major announcements in the space, however, they expect some PLI-like incentives, some relief in GST (especially for electric vehicles), and further smoothening in the manufacturing process.

1) Vinit Bolinjkar - Head of Research - Ventura Securities expects relief on the GST front for EV manufacturers. GST on EVs is 5 percent, however, GST on EV parts such as lithium-ion batteries and other ancillaries is 18-28 percent, resulting in an inverted duty structure that restricts working capital, he added.

2) Nirvi Ashar - Fundamental Analyst, Religare Broking said, "The expectations for the budget are high that the government may provide some policies to promote exports; also some allocation towards EVs and related infrastructure may be announced. In addition, focus on PLI schemes, high allocation towards infrastructure and welfare programs would bring some relief for rural consumers income."

3) Ram Kalyan Medury- A SEBI-registered investment advisory firm expects an extension of the PLI scheme for auto and auto component manufacturers, particularly for organizations with export potential. "We are likely to see a further push and incentives for EV and EV component manufacturers, with the aim of making India a manufacturing hub in this space. Charging infrastructure is likely to get further incentivized. R&D for Green technologies to support net zero carbon emissions might get a budget boost," he noted. Although the industry expects GST rationalization, Medury does not see that happening in this budget.

4) Saji John, Research analyst at Geojit Financial Services sees the government's primary priority to be expanding the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) II and PLI schemes and increasing the scope for start-ups and MSME. A path for alternative fuels and a reduction in duty for EV-electronic spare parts will be watched, he added. The industry anticipates enhanced support for battery manufacturing and charging infrastructure in India, and for that, he expects a further reduction in import duties on raw materials and capex subsidiaries. Furthermore, middle-class alleviation and attempts to increase rural participation will be monitored, noted John.

5) Aniket Mhatre, Institutional Research Analyst, HDFC Securities does not expect any direct sops in this Budget for the Sector. However, this budget is likely to be positive for rural India. Also, one expects Government's focus on infra push to continue. Both these factors augur well for the sector outlook for next year, Mhartre pointed out. There is likely to be some clarity on the FAME2 subsidy as it is nearing full utilisation. We would also expect some sops to be announced for hybrid vehicles, he said.

6) Anil Rego- Founder and Fund Manager at Right Horizons PMS noted that the Auto industry is expected to benefit from PLI-like incentives and further smoothening in the manufacturing process. Over 80 percent of vehicle sales in India come from Two-wheelers and three-wheelers, he informed adding that the EV penetration is also expected to be led by these segments.

"The personal segment accounts for most of the sales however for faster adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles (FAME) subsidy support is available only for commercial PVs, making EVs less viable in the personal segment. With FAME II set to expire on March 31, 2024, we expect the subsidies for EVs under the FAME II scheme to be extended and also, for light to heavy commercial vehicles to be included, which will promote electric mobility," he predicted.

He further added that the Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) PLI is supporting manufacturers of ACC batteries, however, due to a lack of infrastructure and support for manufacturers of components of batteries and he expects incentives for ACC active material manufacturers to further aid in the development of the EV sector.

7) Aditya Welekar, Senior Research Analyst - Metals, Mining, and Auto, Axis Securities believes that relief in the Budget could be limited to EVs, against ICE engine vehicles, with more attention towards boosting the electric charging Infrastructure in the country. However, he noted that the CV and tractor segments, with entry-level motorcycles, could be the indirect beneficiary if the Budget focuses on infrastructure growth, irrigation, and the rural economy. From the Budget, he expects the following:

a) An extension in the timeline of FAME-II subsidy beyond March 2024. Also, extension to categories like MHCV and LCV shall promote a faster adoption of EVs.

b) Timeline Extension of interest deduction, under section 80EEB of Rs. 1.5 lakh (IT Act 1969) on loan to purchase electric vehicles (EV) up to March 2025 from March 2023 will aid in higher demand for EV-2Ws and EV-4Ws in urban areas.

c) The impetus to charging infrastructure and energy storage systems, government support in R&D for clean energy, green mobility, and semiconductors will help the auto sector. Also, some incentives for building academic or skill training courses around EVs can happen.

d) Being the last Budget before general elections in CY24 key focus will be a boost to rural consumption, which shall support discretionary spending benefitting rural-focused 2Ws and entry-level 4W OEMs (along with auto ancillary companies supplying to such OEMs). (Hero Motors, Maruti could benefit from the rural focus, and Ashok Leyland could benefit from infrastructure impetus).
The government is unlikely to announce capital infusion for public sector banks (PSBs) in the upcoming budget because their financial health has improved significantly and they are on track to earn a combined profit of 1 lakh crore, according to PTI , citing sources.

For the first quarter of the current fiscal year, all 12 public sector banks earned a cumulative profit of about 15,306 crore, registering a 9.2% growth annually, while in the second quarter, the PSBs continued the same magnitude and posted a 50% YoY jump in combined net profit at 25,685 crore.

During the second quarter, SBI reported its highest-ever profit of Rs. 13,265 crore. On a YoY basis, this was 74 percent higher than the same quarter a year ago.

In the first half of FY23, the cumulative net profit of all PSBs increased by 32 percent to 40,991 crore. The combined profit more than doubled to 66,539 crore in 202122 despite COVID-19 pressure.

Following the RBI's rapid rate hikes, banks raised lending rates quickly but went slow on deposit rates, resulting in higher net interest margins in the second quarter. In addition, lower provisions have also contributed to the bank's profitability.

Bank's capital adequacy ratio is much above the regulatory requirement and varies between 14 and 20 per cent. To augment their resources, banks are raising growth funds from the market and also by selling their non-core assets, sources said.

The government last provided capital support to banks in 20212022. It had earmarked 20,000 crore for the recapitalization of PSBs through supplementary demands for grants.

The government infused 3,10,997 crore to recapitalise banks during the last five financial years - from 201617 to 202021. Out of which 34,997 crore were sourced through budgetary allocation and 2,76,000 crore through the issuance of recapitalisation bonds to these banks, according to sources.

Meanwhile, the gross NPA ratio of banks has fallen to a 7-year low of 5 percent in September 2022, while net non-performing assets (NNPA) have dropped to a 10-year low of 1.3% of total assets, according to the RBI.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of MintGenie.
For Bengaluru-based Saurabh (he declined to give his last name) and Chandigarh-based Nimish Goyal, the Bombay High Court judgment in the Yes Bank AT1 bonds case was the outcome of a long struggle. Around a third of Saurabhs parents retirement kitty had been invested in these bonds and it was wiped out in March 2020 when the bank collapsed.

Noida-based Ashok Kumar Tyagi, 65, had bought the AT1 bonds from his retirement funds . Tyagi says he invested his entire savings in the bondsan amount exceeding 1 crore. His daughter was unwell and he needed money for her treatment. When the AT1 bonds were written off, the family no longer had access to the money. She died in 2022.

The write-off of the bonds dealt a severe blow to Gurugram-based Amit Awasthi as well. His father had in 2017 invested around 1.3 crorehis entire life savingsin the bonds. I hid the news from my father for a year. I thought he would get a heart attack. When the interest did not get credited to his account, he asked me again. I played down the news and told him wed get the money back. Instead, I transferred him money from my account and supported him for three years," Amit said.

The 700-odd retail investors in Yes Bank AT1 bonds held only a small fraction of the roughly 8,400 crore issuance. Many of them were mis-sold these products by Yes Bank relationship managers on the promise of high interest.

When Yes Bank failed, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came up with a rescue plan which envisaged a takeover by SBI. However, Yes Banks implementation of this plan saw the AT1 bonds being written off altogether. Since its equity investors were not affected (equity being the first level of risk-absorption in a bankruptcy), AT1 bond investors saw the write-off as being manifestly unfair.

Not all experts, however, agree on this. AT1 bonds are by design meant to be written off when certain capital ratios are breached. Writing off equity is not a condition that is precedent for writing off these bonds. So I dont think this decision will stand. However, ideally they should have written off equity also, on moral grounds," said Deepak Shenoy, founder, Capital Mind.

The Bombay High Court did not address this question. It rejected the write-off on a technicalityit was approved by the administrator appointed to Yes Bank after his powers ceased to exist.

On 12 April 2021, Sebi levied a penalty of 25 crore on Yes Bank and penalties ranging from 50 lakh to 1 crore on some of its employees, a decision that was stayed by the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

Meanwhile, individuals owning these AT1 bonds decided to fight back. They formed an association of around 400 aggrieved persons and collected funds to challenge the write-down in the courts. They hired Srijan Sinha, a lawyer who had a history of fighting financial cases. At the time, Sinha was representing clients of Karvy Wealth Management who were sold NCDs by various builders who defaulted.

The Yes Bank AT1 case was an expensive proposition and happened during the covid pandemic when meeting people was difficult. The AT1 investors found each other over social media and formed a registered association.

Fighting the case cost the association approximately 25 lakh over the years and this excludes the time and effort that Saurabh and Nimish put into organizing the 400 investors scattered around the country who had collectively invested around 160 crore in the AT1 bonds. Each of them contributed funds for the case in proportion to the bonds that he or she held.

I expect RBI and Yes Bank will appeal in the Supreme Court. But, for us, this is a victory," said Nimish. A stock exchange filing by Yes Bank on 20 January confirmed that it will be appealing the decision in the Supreme Court.

The bulk of the roughly 8,400 crore worth AT1 bonds are owned by institutions including mutual funds (MFs) which ultimately represent retail investors. These MFs, which collectively held around 2,848 crore of AT1 bonds, are likely to see a write-back or growth in net asset value if the court judgment is upheld.

To get a full list of funds which may see write backs, click here (https://bit.ly/3GWllVr).
Elon Musk testified that Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund unequivocally" wanted to take Tesla Inc. private in 2018, a core element of his defense to claims that his tweets about the take-private plan misled shareholders.

The shareholders contend in a class-action lawsuit that the tweets were lies that cost them big losses from wild stock price swings over a 10-day period before the plan was abandoned.

As he resumed testifying Monday after a brief appearance on the witness stand Friday, Musk told jurors that he had discussions with the Saudi Public Investment Fund about the transaction. He said the amount required for the fund was potentially" less than $10 billion. Court filings indicate that Musk himself owned about 19% of Tesla at the time. The billionaire would have needed more than 50% to take the company private.

The thing that was absolutely unequivocal is that they were absolutely supportive of taking Tesla private," Musk said in San Francisco federal court. Unequivocal, without hesitation." The PIFs governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, had checked with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Musk said. I took that to mean it was a done deal."

The trial requires jurors to delve into Musks state of mind when he tweeted on Aug. 7, 2018, that he had funding secured" to take Tesla private at $420-a-share and added that investor support is confirmed."

Nicholas Porritt, a lawyer for the investors, prodded Musk with questions about why there was nothing in writing from the Saudis and no details on the specific amount that the PIF would pony up.

Thats not really how they do business," Musk said. If they say theyre going to do something they do. A signed document is neither here nor there."

Read More: An Acerbic Musk Risks Losing Billions If He Takes Lawyers Bait

Musk disclosed when he first arrived in court that he had a bad nights sleep, and he seemed to grow weary by his second hour on the stand, speaking in halting sentences as Porritt sharpened his questions to try to show that the take-private plan was lacking fundamental elements. At least once the judge warned Musk he had not answered the question he was asked.

There were also moments of levity, like when Musk revealed that he himself uses the term infamous" to describe the tweets at issue.

At another point, Porritt asked Musk whether the reference in the tweet to $420-a-share was really a joke about marijuana culture that he thought would amuse his girlfriend at the time.

There is some karma around 420" and theres a question whether that is good or bad karma at this point," Musk said, prompting laughter in the courtroom.

But he said the amount was chosen because it reflected about a 20% premium on Teslas stock price.

I dont know if she thought it funny or not but the 420 price was not a joke," he testified, referring to his then-girlfriend.

Musks lawyers told the jury during opening statements last week that while his tweets were rushed and contained technical errors, they accurately conveyed that he was sincere about taking Tesla private.

Musk said Monday that his actual language in the tweet  Considering taking Tesla private"  was not the same as saying the deal will be done."

In his testimony Friday, the renowned entrepreneur and prolific Twitter user offered a remarkably modest assessment of his influence on the social media network that he now owns: Just because I tweet about something doesnt mean people believe it or will act accordingly." The testimony showed Musk minimizing his role in the electric car-makers surging stock price after he tweeted.

The trial comes as Musks wealth has dwindled from a peak of $340 billion in November 2021. He became the first person in history to lose more than $200 billion, all while he spent $44 billion to acquire Twitter Inc. Last month, he was dethroned as the worlds richest person and Teslas stock has plummeted 27% since Dec. 1, with the electric-car maker facing increased competition and a looming recession.

Musk is no stranger to courtroom battles - and has been nicknamed Teflon Elon" for his ability to escape unscathed. He took the stand and prevailed in trials in 2019 in Los Angeles and in 2021 in Delaware. He also testified in November in a Delaware investor case over his $55 billion Tesla pay package  but that one hasnt been decided yet.
Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group has announced the opening of the first cruise terminal in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, thus marking the first of its five strategic mega-projects being planned in the kingdom. AD Ports Group will manage and operate the new cruise terminal.

Aqaba Cruise Terminal, a world-class facility for international cruise passengers looking to visit Jordan, specifically Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum, will be managed and operated by AD Ports Group.

The terminal launch coincides with the arrival of the cruise vessel MSC Splendida carrying more than 2,000 visitors to Jordan.

The new Aqaba Cruise Terminal marks the launch of the first of five strategic mega-projects planned between AD Ports Group - the global facilitator of logistics, industry and trade - and Aqaba Development Corporation to advance the coastal citys tourism, logistics and transport sectors, it stated.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Bisher Khasawneh, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, and Tawfiq Kreishan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration in Jordan.

A joint project by AD Ports Group and Aqaba Development Corporation, it is aimed at bolstering the coastal citys position as a regional tourism centre and gateway for travellers visiting the Red Sea.

More than 50 vessels are scheduled to dock at the Aqaba Cruise Terminal over the next four months, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the popular winter-sun destination.

A role model of a successful public-private partnership, the Aqaba Cruise Terminal provides an exceptional travel experience, setting Jordan as a pivotal destination for leisure travellers and signifying economic prosperity, said a statement from AD Ports Group.

The Aqaba Cruise Terminal comprises a 700-metre quay wall, passenger and luggage hall, indoor retail spaces, free Wi-Fi, prayer rooms and offices.

The ultra-modern facility is a one-stop-shop for multiple government stakeholders serving the cruise business, improving processes, procedures and services and making it an attractive destination for cruise lines, thereby increasing ship call opportunities and passenger volumes, while ultimately boosting the economy at large, it stated.

Sheikh Khalifa and Kreishan took a tour and were briefed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, on the facilitys wide array of amenities and services that cater to the needs and expectations of international tourists visiting the kingdom.

Sheikh Khalifa said: "The Aqaba Cruise Terminal is the result of the active cooperation and strategic partnership between the UAE and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Our longstanding, deep-rooted brotherly relations throughout history have today reached advanced levels of coordination on numerous fronts, with both countries serving as model examples of collaboration, wisdom, reason, peace, tolerance and forgiveness for the region and the world."

"The UAE is a key strategic partner for Jordan in a number of fields and is keen to propel mutual economic and investment cooperation to greater heights, while building on existing partnerships across different domains. Trade volumes amounted to around $3 billon last year, and UAE investments in Jordan reached over $17 billion," he noted.

Group Chairman Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi said the inauguration reflects the ongoing cooperation and strategic partnership between the two brotherly nations, propelling them to new heights.

"As the first and only facility of its kind in the country, the Aqaba Cruise Terminal not only offers an unprecedented opportunity to tap into the fast-growing cruise industry, but also enables us to share our longstanding expertise in operating leading-edge cruise terminals, while supporting AD Ports Groups international growth strategy by leveraging Aqabas pivotal location and vast potential as a regional hub on the Red Sea," he stated.

Engineer Nayef Fayez, Chief Commissioner of ASEZA, Chairman of Aqaba Development Corporation, said: "We remain committed to transforming the city of Aqaba into a competitive investment, commercial and tourism destination on the Red Sea, and the successful inauguration of the Aqaba Cruise Terminal today aligns with these endeavours."

"We thank our partners at AD Ports Group for believing in the vast potential of Aqaba and for sharing our ongoing efforts to stimulate and enhance sustainable economic activity at one of Jordans most vital gateways," he added.

Captain Al Shamisi said this new facility seeks to elevate Aqabas travel experience and leverage its prime location and growth potential to attract tens of thousands of international visitors to explore Jordans top attractions, thereby adding economic value to the coastal city while establishing its position as a destination of choice in the Levant region.

Aqaba Development Corporation CEO Hussein Safadi said: "This strategic partnership serves as a testament to the steadfast collaboration between Jordan and the UAE, firmly positioning Aqaba as a major player within the global arena, while helping promote national plans and drive economic prosperity."

"Not only that, but the subsequent digital transformation resulting from this partnership will also foster a new ecosystem that significantly enhances the resilience of Aqabas maritime sector," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
NEW DELHI : The Ministry of Ayush on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Ministry of Tourism to work together for the promotion of Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

Shashi Ranjan Vidyarthi, Director, Ministry of Ayush and Piyush Tiwari, Director (Commercial and Marketing), ITDC signed the MoU in presence of Pramod Kumar Pathak, Special Secretary, MoA and other senior officials of Ministry of Ayush and ITDC.

According to the MoU, Ministry of Ayush will provide training to the officials of ITDC to sensitize them about the Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

It will identify tourist circuits, where there is immense scope to promote medical value travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine and provide all the technical knowhow from time to time to ITDC.

ITDC on suggestion of Ministry of Ayush will include historical heritage sites of Indian systems of medicine in tourist destinations under Knowledge Tourism and may develop films/literature useful to tourists. It will explore establishing Ayurveda and Yoga centre in the Hotels run by ITDC and will organize sensitization workshops in collaboration," the Ministry of Ayush said.

The implementation and progress of the MoU will be monitored by a Joint Working Group (JWG) co-chaired by representatives from MoA and ITDC.

The JWG will also identify the best practices adopted by Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand etc. to promote themselves as a preferred destination for medical value travel.

Medical Value Travel has seen significant growth in India in recent years.

According to the report The Global Wellness Economy: Looking beyond COVID by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the Global Wellness economy will grow at 9.9% annually.

Ayush based healthcare and wellness economy is estimated to grow to $70 billion by 2025," the ministry added.
The Centre plans to reduce import duty on gold as higher taxes have made it more easier and profitable for smugglers as they can offer discounts thus denting the market share of banks and refiners, government and industry officials told Reuters.

This cut by India, which is the second-biggest consumer of the yellow metal, could lift retail sales by making it cheaper ahead of the peak demand season and support global prices.

It may also revive operations of local gold refineries, which nearly suspended refining for last two months as they could not compete with grey market operators.

"The government is considering bringing the effective gold rate to below 12%. The proposal is being discussed. We will take a final call soon," said a government official, who did not wish to be identified, reported Reuters.

The effective duty on gold is currently 18.45%, which includes 12.5% import duty, 2.5% agriculture infrastructure development cess and other taxes.

Grey market operators, who smuggle gold and sell it for cash to avoid duties, got a boost when government raised the basic import duty on gold to 12.5% from 7.5% in July.

Another official said the government was considering bringing the effective rate down to below 12%, reported Reuters. "We will take a final call soon," he added.

An official at the Ministry of Commerce said it was in favour of cutting the import duty on gold, reported Reuters.

"Smuggling is going up," said the commerce ministry official, adding that the duty could be cut in an upcoming budget.

Customs and other agencies seized 3,083.6 kg of gold illegally brought in last year up to November, the highest in three years.

Indian gold prices jumped to a record 56,850 rupees per 10 grams last week.
The first-ever joint exercise between Indian Army and Egyptian Army, Cyclone 2023, began its special heliborne operations at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

Cyclone 2023 began between the two countries on January 14, 2023. The 14-day long exercise is being carried out in Rajasthan.

"Exercise #Cyclone 2023 #SpecialForces troops of #IndianArmy and #EgyptArmy exercised Special Heliborne Operations during the ongoing joint exercise at #Jaisalmer." tweeted the Additional Directorate General of Public Information.

The exercise aims boost cooperation between the two army and their advancement in special forces skills such as Sniping, Combat Free Fall, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Designation, sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures.

Also Read: Republic Day 2023: Centre puts 32,000 tickets on sale online

The two armies will also perform Special Forces operations' joint planning and drills. The operations will be performed in a mechanised warfare setting as well as surgical strikes on terrorist camps/hideouts to include sniping of High-Value Targets.

From Non-Aligned Movement to being home to one of the oldest civilisations, India and Egypt have a lot of common between them. The exercise coincides with this year's Republic Day's celebration which will be joined by Egyptian President Adbel Fattah El-Sisi as the chief guest. Notably, this will be the first time when the President of Arab Republic of Egypt will be the chief guest of India's Republic Day Parade. Moreover, there can be some military agreement and deals between India and Egypt during President Adbel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to India.

Recently, Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat visited to India. His visit reflects Egypts willingness to boost its ties with India in the Information and Technology field, especially in areas related to digital transformation, the electronics industry, building digital capabilities for youth, research and development, and cyber security.

As the two nations strive to enhance their military ties, Covid 19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict already brought the two nations closer together. India and Egypt showed mutual goodwill by helping each other during the tough times.

At the time when India was dealing with its worst Covid wave in 2021, Egypt dispatched 300,000 doses of Remdesivir in May 2021. The move was reciprocated by India with the supply of wheat in 2022 to support Egypt in dealing with the supply-side disruptions due to the ongoing war.

With Egypt being the world's largest importer of wheat, Russia-Ukraine crisis posed a threat against the Arab nation of food supply shortage. 80 per cent of the wheat supplied to Egypt is imported from Russia and Ukraine. Subsequently, the Egyptian Cabinet announced the inclusion of India in the list of accredited countries to supply wheat to Egypt in 2022 and this given impetuous for enhancing bilateral engagements.

(With inputs from ANI)
RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka, who is known for sharing informative, motivational, and thought-provoking content on social media platforms, has recently posted a video on Incredible India. The industrialist posted a 30 seconds video on his official Twitter handle.

In the clip, it can be seen that Goenka has summed up the essence of India with its popular tourist destinations that make the country incredible in its own way. From east to west and north to south, every stand out place of various states have been showcased in the video footage.

Taking to Twitter, Goenka captioned the video Incredible with the Indian flag symbol. It contains eye-catching images from different parts of the country which are popular for their own specialties.

The places in the video include Kutch, Goa, Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar islands, Jaisalmer, Kashmir, Manali, Haridwar, Ladakh, Delhi, Jaipur, Kaziranga, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath.

It seems that song in the background was just made to flaunt the beauty of India. And the video ends with a flash montage and a text overlays Incredible India.

Take a look at Incredible India below:

Since being posted, the video has garnered more than 72.4k views, around 1,000 likes and numerous reactions in the comment section.

One user said, Beautiful - its time to visit our own backyard - India - We can have the Swiss Alps to the Greece Navagio or the Kenyan Jungle in Sunderbans. indeed Incredible India."

It is hard to believe that a country like India, which is gifted with amazing diversity on many fronts, is not leveraging all of its tourism potential," another wrote.

Truly the land of captivating & majestic landscapes! Our own lovely," one more commented.

A user also added, Indeed Incredibly spectacular sights in India!!!"
INS Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari Class submarines, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday, giving a boost to the force's prowess INS Vagir, which has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited here with technology transfer from France, was commissioned in a ceremony attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar. "The submarine will boost the Indian Navy's capability to further India's maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis," the Navy said.

Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Vagir is the third submarine inducted into Navy in a span of 24 months. It is also a shining testimony to expertise of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms," said Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff.

The commissioning of the submarine, built under Project-75, is set to bolster the Navy's combat capability at a time when China has been increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean region. Six Submarines are being constructed under Project-75. Four Submarines of the ongoing Project-75 Scorpene programme at MDL, Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj and Vela have been commissioned into the Indian Navy. The fifth submarine Vagir is being commissioned today, whilst the sixth and last submarine 'Vagsheer' will also undergo sea trials after launching.

The state-of-art technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features (such as advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape etc.) and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," according to a statement by the Ministry of Defence." The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention provided to her characteristic underwater signatures," the statement further added.

Fifth scorpene-class submarine Vagir: 5 Points

Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance etc.

The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres of operation, showcasing interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is a potent platform, marking a transformational shift in submarine operations.

Launched and named Vagir on 12 Nov 20, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines to date. Vagir undertook its maiden sea sortie on February 22, marking the commencement of sea trials and has gone through a series of comprehensive acceptance checks and, stringent and demanding sea trials prior being commissioned.

The Scorpene submarines are extremely potent platforms, they have advanced stealth features and are also equipped with both long range guided torpedoes as well as anti-ship missiles. These submarines have a state of the art SONAR and sensor suite permitting outstanding operational capabilities. They also have an advanced Permanent Magnetic Synchronous motor (PERMASYN) as its propulsion motor.

The erstwhile Vagir was commissioned on November 1, 1973 and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols. The submarine was decommissioned in January 2001 after serving the nation for about three decades.

*With agency inputs
New Delhi: India reported 94 new covid cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry data on Monday showed. While active cases have declined to 1,934, the countrys total covid cases have reached 4.47 crore so far. The overall death toll stood at 5,30,735 since the onset of covid pandemic.

Karnataka reported 151 active cases while Kerala with 1223 active cases. Maharashtra has 124 active cases, Odisha 71 cases, Rajasthan with 4 cases, Tamil Nadu has 36 active cases; Uttar Pradesh 13 and West Bengal has 54 active cases so far.

The country has conducted over 88,445 tests in the last 24 hours taking the total trajectory of covid testing to 91.44 crore so far.

Under the covid vaccination drive, more than 220.28 crore vaccine doses have been administered to the people across the country so far. In the last 24 hours, around 39,496 vaccine doses were administered.

Meanwhile, INSACOG under the supervision of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is keeping a close watch on covid situation in the country and continue to do constant genome sequencing to track any new variant.

Besides, surveillance at the hospital level is also going on to monitor lnfluenza-like illness (lLl) & SARI cases.

Government officials warned that the next 40 days would be crucial in determining the possibility of a resurgence of covid-19 cases in India as they urged people to follow safety protocols and complete their vaccination doses.

With large number of covid cases being reported in China and other countries, the Central government has tightened covid preparedness measures urging people to complete their vaccination doses and follow covid-19 preventive measures.

The government also plans to require RT-PCR testing for people returning from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and South Korea, the officials said. The government may make mandatory filling up of Air Suvidha forms for travellers from six countries under which 72-hour prior RT-PCR testing would be made compulsory from the coming week.
India's crude oil imports rose to a five-month high in December, government data showed on Monday, as refiners stocked up discounted Russian fuel amid a steady increase in consumption in the country.

Crude imports for the month were up 2.7% from November at 19.52 million tonnes, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell. On a yearly basis, imports were down 0.7% in December.

Russia continued to be the top oil supplier to India in December, shipping a record 1.25 million barrels per day (bpd).

Oil product imports rose to 4.12 million tonnes in December from 3.74 million tonnes in November. Exports also rose to 5.83 million tonnes, with diesel accounting for 2.41 million tonnes.

"Russia sells its oil to other clients (primarily in Asia), while Europe/the G7 buy their crude/refined products from other countries. The re-routing of these flows has resulted in a sharp increase of oil in transit on tankers," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

"If the discount stays in place, I would expect India to keep buying Russian crude (and refined products) as long as it is allowed."

The European Union has agreed a full ban of Russian oil products imports from February 2023 in an attempt to cut Russia's revenues for its role in the military conflict with Ukraine.

"The only option for Russia is to sell its crude in Asia. As a result, buyers are dictating the price for this crude," said Refinitiv analyst Ehsan Ul Haq.

Meanwhile, India's fuel demand reached a nine-month high in December, helped by strong industrial activity and a rise in gasoline consumption.

India has cut its windfall tax on crude oil and exports of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and diesel, according to a government notification dated Jan. 16.

India, Asia's third-biggest economy, holds surplus refining capacity and exports refined fuels as well.
Indian IT professionals are struggling to find new employment in the US within the stipulated period under their work visas after thousands laid off.

According to The Washington Post, nearly 200,000 IT workers have been laid off since November last year, including some record numbers in companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon.

Over 30 to 40 percent of the Indian IT professionals have been laid off in the US, news agency PTI has reported citing industry insiders. A significant number of whom are H-1B and L1 visa holders.

What is H-1B and L1 visa?

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

L-1A and L-1B visas are available for temporary intracompany transferees who work in managerial positions or have specialised knowledge.

A significantly large number of Indian IT professionals, who are on non-immigrant work visas like H-1B are L1 and are now scrambling for options to stay in the US. They are now struggling to find a new job in the stipulated few months time that they get under these foreign work visas after losing their jobs and change their visa status as well.

Also Read: US Investor Visa: Why are Indians lining up for EB-5?

Amazon staffer Gita (name changed) arrived in the US only three months ago. This week she was told that 20 March is her last working day, as reported by PTI.

The situation is getting worse for those on H-1B visas as they have to find a new job within 60 days or else, they would be left with no other option but to head back to India.

As tech companies are of a layoff spree, getting a job within that short period, they feel is next to impossible.

Also Read: Tech layoffs: 10 tips for H1-B visa holders to prevent deportation from the US

Sita (name changed), is another IT professional on an H-1B visa, got laid off from Microsoft on 18 January. She is a single mother. Her son is in High School Junior year, preparing for getting into college.

This situation is really hard on us," she told PTI.

It is unfortunate that thousands of tech employees are facing layoffs, particularly those on H-1B visas who are facing additional challenges as they must find a new job and transfer their visa within 60 days of termination or risk leaving the country," Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria said.

Also read: Planning a job in US? Check how Indian citizens can get work visa

This can have devastating consequences for families, including the sale of properties and disruptions to children's education. It would be beneficial for tech companies to show special consideration for H-1B workers and extend their termination date by a few months, as the job market and recruitment process can be challenging," he said.

Global Indian Technology Professionals Association (GITPRO) and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on Sunday launched a community-wide effort to try and help these IT professionals by connecting job seekers to job referrers and informers. FIIDS will work on efforts to influence policymakers and decision-makers of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

With massive layoffs in the tech industry, January 2023 has been brutal for tech professionals. Many talented folks lost their jobs. As the tech industry is dominated by Indian immigrants, they are the highest to get impacted," Khande Rao Kand said.

The laid-off H-1B holders need to find an H-1B sponsoring job in 60 days or leave within 10 days after becoming out of status.

"This has a huge disruption on the family lives and children's education etc on this tax-paying and contributing legal immigrant," Khande Rao Kand from FIIDS said. Bhutoria said it would be beneficial for the immigration process to be redesigned to better support H-1B workers and retain highly skilled talent in the US.

These fired Indian IT workers have formed various WhatsApp groups to find ways to have a solution to the terrible situation they are in. In one of the WhatsApp groups, there are more than 800 jobless Indian IT workers who are circulating among themselves vacancies appearing in the country.

In another group, they have been discussing various visa options, with some immigration attorneys who have volunteered to offer their consultancy services during this time.

These circumstances have such a devastating effect on us immigrants and are nerve-wracking. We are kinda lost," said Rakesh (name changed) was laid off from Microsoft on Thursday. He is in the US on an H-1B visa.

Adding to the miseries of these professionals is the latest decision of Google that they are pausing their Green Card processing. This is primarily because, at a time when they have fired thousands of employees, they cannot be seen arguing before the USCIS that they need a foreign IT professional as a permanent resident. Other companies are expected to follow the same.

The halt won't impact current or upcoming applications for other visa types, according to Google, which said it would continue to support PERM applications that have already been submitted, Observer reported. So what is PERM? Employers in America must often start the procedure by obtaining a "labour certification" (LC) from the Department of Labor (DOL) in order to apply for permanent residence for foreign workers. The PERM application is the first step before one may get engaged in the process of obtaining a green card."

On the other hand, on 17 January, the United States informed that there has been significant progress in the issuance of business visas to Indians and a marked improvement in H1B issuance also. As travel opened soon after the pandemic, there were serious challenges with regard to issuance of visas. However, the US said it has taken several steps like increasing the number of staff to further facilitate the process.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday barred SBM Bank (India) Ltd from undertaking outward remittance transactions till further orders.

SBM Bank India is a subsidiary of the State Bank of Mauritius and became the first foreign bank to receive a universal banking licence under an Indian scheme for wholly owned subsidiaries, which allowed foreign lenders to compete with Indian banks. The Reserve Bank of India has today, in exercise of its powers under sections 35A and 36(1)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, directed SBM Bank (India) Ltd to stop, with immediate effect, all transactions under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) till further orders," the RBI said in a release.

This action is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the bank, the RBI said. The central bank, however, didnt specify what exactly are the supervisory concerns surrounding the bank.

LRS is a set of guidelines by the RBI that enable Indian residents to remit capital overseas.

A fintech friendly bank, SBM has ties with dozen of startups for undertaking various financial transactions.

Firms like Zolve, Vested, IND money, Instarem, HOPRemit-Money, BookMyForex, Airpay have tie-ups with the bank for a number of features, including forex transactions and purchasing foreign stocks, ETFs. RBI has asked the bank to ensure that only those customers having accounts with the bank should be allowed to do remittance business. This is to refrain those customers who are referred by fintech partners from undertaking these transactions through the bank," said a person familiar with the matter.

Last year SBM stopped all tie-ups with fintech partners for prepaid credit card business, which impacted startups like Slice, Uni and LazyPay. This came after RBI mandated that disbursals and repayments must happen directly between the bank accounts of customers and the lender bank or non-banking financial company (NBFC), without the presence of a third party account or fintech in the middle. These rules quashed the model of lending through prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) including wallets and prepaid cards.

With inputs from Reuters.
Serbia in a unique gesture to commemorate the seventy-five years of India's independence has released a dedicated stamp. The Post of Serbia released a dedicated stamp issued to mark 75 years of Indias independence and freedom as a celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

A special event was organized by PTT Museum and Acting Director of the Post of Serbia Zoran Djordjevic handed over the stamp to Ambassador Shri Sanjeev Kohli in presence of Serbian First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic.

The First DYPM in his statement noted that 75 years had passed since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the then Yugoslavia and the friendship between the two countries continues to grow stronger.

Serbia Post released a special stamp today to honour the 75th Anniversary of our Independence #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav . Presence of the First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of Serbia @MFASerbia underlined our close friendship @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/1MxiednXuj  India in Serbia (@IndiaInSerbia) December 27, 2022

Ambassador mentioned that the two countries share a special relationship and rejoice at each others success and stand by each other in difficult times. Djordjevic remarked that the great friendship with India had been spotless and it was only logical for the Post of Serbia to issue the dedicated stamp as it wanted to honour a great friend and ally.

It is pertinent to note here that the Indian government has launched the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative to mark 75 years of independence and the glorious history of the nation's people, culture and achievements. Notably, the official journey of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav began on March 12 which started a 75-week countdown to the 75th anniversary of independence and will end post a year on 15th August 2023.

Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a tweet also announced publishing a special stamp to honour the 75th anniversary of India's independence. Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic stressed that the two nations will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted, "The Post Office of #Serbia released a special stamp today to honour the 75th Anniversary of #India's independence. DPM/FM #Dacic pointed out that next year Serbia and India celebrate 7[?]5 years of diplomatic relations, which are marked by traditional friendship."

India and Serbia traditionally have "very good and friendly relations" based on close ties established when the Non-Aligned Movement was founded, Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. It stated that both nations have similar views on many international issues and a mutual interest in strengthening the political dialogue and improving cooperation in policy areas.
RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka has shared his views on the Shark Tank Season 2. While the show is all all about helping aspiring business owners by persuading some of the biggest and most successful CEOs in the nation to invest in their venture, the Sharks seem to face lot of criticism this season.

Goenka has said that he enjoys Shark Tank as a program and thinks as a great platform for budding entrepreneurs.

However, he said, but whenever I think of sharks, I think of the movie Jaws and bleeding"

In a photo shared by Goenka showed that FY22 profit after tax of the companies owned by these Sharks. The source of the image shared by Goenka is not known.

It showed that Aman Gupta was the only shark who saw a profit after tax in FY22, his company boAt saw FY22 profit of 79 crore.

Also Read: Shark Tank judge and SUGAR CEO Vineeta Singh speaks on gender bias says was denied funding until...'

Apart from him, the other sharks reported a massive loss. CarDekho's Amit Jain profit was -246 crore. Peyush Bansal's Lenskart reported FY22 profit after tax -102 crore. Vineeta Shingh's Sugar Cosmetics reported saw loss of 75 crore. Anupam Mittal's Shaadi.com FY20 profit after tax was -27 crore as no disclosure was done after that. Mittal's also owns other two companies Makaan.com, and Mauj Mobile whose numbers are not revealed. The image shared by Goenka also stated that Shark Namita Thapar said that Emcure Pharma is not a startup as the company was started by her father who is still its CEO.

I enjoy #SharkTankIndia as a program and I think it is a great platform for our budding entrepreneurs.

1

But whenever I think of sharks, I think of the movie Jaws and bleeding ! pic.twitter.com/LAmGxQOiU8  Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) January 22, 2023

Goenka's post has got over 1.2 million views and 10, 316 likes. Users too agreed with Goenka. Nishant Pitti, CEO and Co-founder of EaseMyTrip wrote, True. Entrepreneur who are yet to make their startups profitable and giving exit to their investors are now investing in other startups."

Also read: Indians are highest-earning ethnic group in USA: Harsh Goenka explains why

Jigish S, CEO of BillMart commented, Its now like any other TV programs, acting by judges, contestants, emotional stories, fights, laughs and overall funding less than advertising revenue. 90% of people who watched S1 not watching S2, imho based on talking to friends."

Some other user wrote, It's just like a Family Melo drama with lots of emotional scenes."

When its your own money; the bottom line matters. But when it is public money or angel investors this gyan of valuation takes over. Never understood the basis of the valuation though. Of course the promoters take hefty salaries; sell their stakes and have a good life!!," other user wrote.

The choice of judges is inline with most Reality Shows on TV. They look for certain political leaning and its quite evident from other shows as well. But, the program is still worth to see some amazing entrepreneurs, their grit, perseverance and innovation."

One user commented, Yes it is fun to watch as though an evening soap other than that nothing in it. Business is tackled as though kirana store I think that also makes more money than the start ups on the show."

Some other wrote, Its a very well conceptualised program but very poorly produced/implemented. Loss making Sharks asking for profits/profitability of newly created startups."

This is not the first time the Sharks were highly criticised for their own businesses. Earlier, Ankit Uttam, a bestselling author on Amazon, wrote about the financials of businesses run by sharks. In a LinkedIn post, he went and compared Namita Thapar with Ananya Pandey in Bollywood over nepotism" as Thapar is not the founder of Emcure Pharma.
In view of the Full Dress Rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade on Monday, traffic in several areas of Delhi will remain affected. Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory regarding the arrangement and restrictions in order to ensure the smooth conduct of the rehearsal.

The parade will start at 10:30 AM on Monday from Vijay Chowk and will proceed towards the Red Fort. It will pass through the Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, roundabout statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Netaji Subhash Marg.

In an advisory regarding the traffic restrictions, the Delhi Police said that no traffic will be allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6 pm on Sunday till the end of the parade on Monday.

No cross-traffic on Kartavya Path at Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Man Singh Road from 11 pm on Sunday till the parade ends," the advisory said.

It added that the C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed from 9.15 am on Monday till the parade crosses Tilak Marg.

The advisory added that traffic from both sides will not be allowed on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Subhash Marg from 10:30 AM on Monday, and cross traffic will be allowed depending on the movement of the parade.

The traffic police advisory also had information regarding the operation of metro services during the parade. The metro services will remain available for commuters at all metro stations. However, boarding and de-boarding at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan metro station will not be allowed from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The movement of city buses will be curtailed at Park Street/Udyan Marg, Aram Bagh Road (Paharganj), Kamla Market roundabout, Delhi Secretariat (IG Stadium), Pragati Maidan (Bhairon Road), Hanuman Mandir (Yamuna Bazar), Mori Gate, ISBT Kashmere Gate, ISBT Sarai Kale Khan, and Tis Hazari Court.

In the instructions for the general public, the Delhi Police said that in case of any unidentified or suspicious person is seen, information must be conveyed to the nearest police station.

Flying sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-size powered aircraft, quadcopters, or para jumping from aircraft is prohibited over National Capital Territory of Delhi till February 15.

The advisory has requested motorists to observe traffic rules and follow the directions of the personnel deployed at intersections.
NEW DELHI : Indias carbon trading framework is getting ready for its rollout, with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) picked to administer the market. The framework may be released this year and the market for voluntary carbon trading too will open during the year.

BEE will be the administrator. It will formulate the complete framework, set the systems, along with the methodologies for both voluntary market and the compliance market for certain sectors, which will come later," BEE director general Abhay Bakre said in an interview.

BEE will assist the ministries of power and environment, which will separately come up with notifications on the carbon market, he said, adding an inter-ministerial body will take the final decision on the framework.

We expect that within this year 2023, the framework will be rolled out and the voluntary market will be there. The compliance market will take time because targets and timelines need to be given to the industries. It would take about 2-3 years," he said, adding that the current Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme would be transitioned into the compliance market.

PAT is a flagship BEE programme under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, and is a regulatory instrument to reduce the specific energy consumption in energy-intensive industries.

We are doing compliance-backed trading in PAT; so, we have to transit it to the compliance carbon market. We have to give the industry time to gear up for that."

Power exchanges which enable the trading of the energy saving certificates (ESCerts) converted from the excess energy savings, are likely to be the trading platform for carbon credits too, under the carbon market framework, Bakre said.

Last month, the Indian Energy Exchange announced the setting up of a wholly-owned subsidiary, International Carbon Exchange Pvt. Ltd, to explore business opportunities in the voluntary carbon market.

Parliament passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 on 12 December 2022, setting the stage for a carbon market in the country.

The draft blueprint of the national carbon market was released for stakeholder consultations in 2021. It proposed to initiate the development of a voluntary carbon market in India to overcome the barriers of ESCerts market and to encourage voluntary entities to participate in meeting Nationally Determined Contributions commitments of India.

As per the draft, developing a voluntary carbon market from the existing PAT scheme will be spread over three phases, increasing the demand in the existing ESCerts market in the first phase, by focusing on making the instrument more fungible, adding more participant into the pool, and linking other markets in India with the proposed voluntary market, increasing the supply in the voluntary carbon market in the second and moving to a cap-and-trade system in the third phase. Under the cap-and-trade system, sectors and sectors-specific companies are earmarked for only a specific amount of emissions.

According to a report by Intellecap, a carbon market would help as many leading Indian corporates have made commitments to become carbon-neutral and the market will provide flexibility to entities in hard-to-abate sectors and with high reduction costs to supplement their own reduction efforts with credits from the carbon market.

The market would incentivize entities with low reduction costs to reduce emissions beyond their mandate. Trading in the carbon market could reduce the overall cost of emission reductions in India, it said.
The Bombay High Court has set aside a March 2020 decision by the banking regulator and the Yes Bank administrator to write off 8,415 crore worth of the banks additional tier-1 bonds as part of a bailout of the private lender. Mint explains the likely impact of the decision.

What are the AT-1 bonds in question?

AT-1 bonds are a type of unsecured bonds issued by banks to shore up their core capital base to meet Basel III norms. It pays a periodic coupon and has a call option, which can be used by the banks to buy these bonds back from investors after a certain period. They are generally issued on private placement basis, without having any maturity period. These bonds are subordinate to all other debt and senior only to equity. The rating on the instrument essentially reflects the ability to service its coupon. When a bank becomes non-viable, Basel III AT-1 bonds are either converted into equity or written down.

What is the Yes Bank AT-1 bond case?

Yes Banks AT-1 bonds were the first in India where a write-off was triggered. Bonds worth 8,415 crore were written off as part of the banks bailout scheme in March 2020 to prevent its collapse. The decision was taken by the Yes Bank administrator, who was appointed by the Reserve Bank of India after the board was superseded. Bond holders filed a case against the bank decision, alleging that bank representatives had misrepresented their risk and mis-sold these bonds to senior citizens claiming that they could fetch higher returns than what a fixed deposit would yield.

Why did the HC set aside the write-off decision?

Two reasons: One, the administrator exceeded his powers and two, the absence of the clause in the final scheme. The court said that the administrator should not have taken the decision of writing off the bonds after the bank was reconstituted on 13 March 2020. It also said the government-approved recast scheme did not include a clause for writing down these bonds.

What could be the likely impact?

The order has no immediate impact on Yes banks capital position as of now. But the order could set a precedent for other such cases. As per Prime Database, nearly 1.75 trillion worth of AT-1 bonds have been issued by banks, as on December 2022. Previously, several public sector banks had almost breached the trigger levels. But both the RBI and the Centre ensured that the bonds were serviced on time. By easing norms, infusing funds, and calling back the bonds, the regulators have built investor confidence in AT-1 bonds.

What can we expect next in the case?

Yes Bank can file its appeal against the order in the Supreme Court in six weeks. The RBI is also likely to appeal against the order as it believes that it could have a negative impact on the industry. The central bank maintains that the administrators decision is as per RBI regulations. The outcome of Yes Bank case could have an impact on the Lakshmi Vilas Bank case, where bondholders are planning to seek an urgent hearing in the Madras high court against the RBIs decision to write off tier-II bonds worth 320 crore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gopika Gopakumar Gopika Gopakumar has worked for over 15 years as a banking journalist across print and television media. Her expertise lies in breaking big corporate stories and producing news based TV shows. She was part of the 2013 IMF Journalism Fellowship Program where she covered the Annual & Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. She started her career with CNBC-TV18, where she also produced a news feature show called Indianomics and an award winning show on business stories from South India called Up South. She joined Mint in 2016. Read more from this author
With the new year, the season of massive layoffs has continued from last year. Amidst the uncertainty several tech giants like Google, Amazon and Microsoft have fired many employees. With Facebook becoming Meta and expanding its Metaverse, various other companies as well tried to make big in the metaverse. Microsoft was one of them. Now, Microsoft seems to drop hints regarding dropping out plans to expand its metaverse.

Recently, Microsoft revealed in its blog post that the company is shutting its VR facility for good. AltspaceVR, the VR platform of Microsoft will cease to exist from March 12, 2023, as per the company. Moreover, a report by Windows Central suggests that Microsoft has also fired the team behind MTRK- Mixed Reality Tool Kit- theplatform which was opened for AR and VR integrations.

It seems that the company is no longer interested in the metaverse. In the blog post, Microsoft said, We see the opportunity for VR expanding beyond consumer into business and now have an even greater goal: a more open, accessible and secure version of immersive experiences in the metaverse."

Microsoft informed in the blog post that Microsoft Mesh is the division which will look after AR, VR and mixed reality. With Mesh, we aspire to build a platform that offers the widest opportunity to all involved, including creators, partners and customers," the technology giant.

Meanwhile, Microsoft might be planning to do more with less. Investors expect it to do a lot more.

The software giant is heading into its second fiscal quarter earnings report on Tuesday facing a slumping PC market, a slowing corporate software market and even unclear demand for its once-hot cloud computing services.

Microsofts dim forecast three months ago gave investors an early heads-up, and its plan to join other big techs in a recent layoff wave seemed to drive the point home further. We will have to do more with less," Chief Executive Satya Nadella told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, before the company announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs from its payroll.

That would appear to set a low bar for the coming report. Analysts estimate that Microsofts revenue for the December quarter grew only 2.7% year over year to $53.1 billionthe companys lowest growth rate in nearly six years. Growth for the companys crucial Azure public cloud service is expected to hit a record low 30.5% year over yeara deceleration of nearly 5 percentage points from the September quarter.
NEW DELHI : The BCCI is all set to get richer by at least 4000 crore with some of the top business houses set to bid aggressively for the five Women's IPL (WIPL) teams that would be auctioned on Wednesday.

According to market experts, the teams are expected to shell out in the "range of 500 to 600 crore INR" per team in the closed-bid auction.

"WIPL has huge potential but most of the legacy teams would like to mix optimism with pragmatism," an industry insider, who has previously worked on men's IPL team bid, told PTI ahead of auction.

"Expect a few bids in the range of 500 crore upwards. 800 crore plus could be a bit ambitious but BCCI won't complain," he added.

More than 30 odd companies have bought the bid documents worth 5 lakh including all the 10 men's IPL team. Well-known corporate houses such as Adani group, Torrent group, Haldiram's Prabhuji, Capri Global, Kotak and Aditya Birla Group have also shown interest in buying a team.

Some of these companies were unsuccessful when BCCI invited bids for two new men's teams in 2021.

Among the traditional IPL teams, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, KKR could seriously contemplate to add to the bouquet of their already existing men's teams across the globe. According to market insiders, there are two principles on which these bids are placed by the business houses. First one is "Return on Investment" (ROI), which is the core principal of any business. It is profit on what an entity spends.

The second one isn't a business principle as such but in business community they call it "Return of Ego". This is something where some of the biggest business names are ready to shell out any amount if they have their eyes on buying a particular property. Even if it takes five to seven years for touching breakeven point.

It's about wanting to purchase something at any cost

An existing IPL franchise with its "steady revenue stream" in place can afford to "bleed" a bit more in initial years which is imperative.

A former IPL franchisee official, who had once worked on bids, explained the rationale which goes into the bidding.

"Let's say, a franchise makes a winning bid of 500 crore for a period of five years. Now that's 100 crore committed straightaway for each of next five years," the source explained.

Now what will be source of earning for the franchises?

"The BCCI distributes its media broadcast revenue which is one of the major earning chunk. The second is a share from BCCI's central pool of sponsorship. The third is a franchisee's own set of sponsorship earnings. Fourth is gate sales, money earned from tickets," he elaborated. So what could be a franchisee's earning from WIPL's media revenue pool. "The BCCI in case of Women's IPL is going to share 80 percent of media rights money with the teams (in case of men, it's 50:50) to help them develop a sustainable model. "So what will be the mathematics over here? JIO has brought media rights for five years at 950 crore (approx) which is roughly 190 crore per year. So 80 percent of 190 crore is 152 crore. "Let's make it a round figure of 150 crore. That's what each franchise gets over a period of five years which approximately 30 crore per annum," he explained. "Now BCCI will also distribute a chunk of its central pool of sponsorship (title sponsor, co sponsors, various award sponsors) also with franchise. Add to it franchisee's own revenue pool also. So it could be anything between 15 to 18 crore per year. Gate sales won't earn you a great deal in first year," he said. So the per year earning for a team is expected to be 50 crore. Now apart from 100 crore franchisee fee per year, what will be the other expenses. "There is a salary cap of 12 crore for the squad. Add another 6 to 8 crore on salary of support staff. Let's make it 20 crore. Add the hotel expenses, fees paid to state associations for stadium and other operational costs. It could be anything between 6 to 8 crore. First year single city would reduce expenses. "So the cumulative expenses per year could be 128 to 130 crore. The earnings would be around 50 crore. So there is a chance during first few years, there would be a loss of 50 crore or more," he explained. Herein lies the catch. "The legacy franchises (MIPL) are better placed to offset these losses as they are already making profits after 15 years of IPL. They will club their men's and women's team together and perhaps quickly make the profit zone," the official added. The five-team WIPL will be played in the month of March in Mumbai at a couple of venues.
After Turkey refused to support Sweden for its NATO alliance, US State Department on Monday said Finland and Sweden are ready to join the NATO alliance.

Loss of Turkey's support to Sweden came after President Tayyip Erdogan raised objections against the protest happened near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm at the weekend. The protest also included the burning of the holy book Quran.

Also Read: NATO allies set to provide 'heavier weapons' to Ukraine

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act, adding that "something can be lawful but awful."

Sweden's NATO membership went into a limbo after warning Sweden not to expect support for its bid for membership into the military alliance following weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.

Also Read: Nuclear war possible: Vladimir Putin ally warns NATO against Russia's defeat in Ukraine war

US' comments on Sweden and Finland membership immediately after the Turkey's announcement of showing no support to the two nations, show divided stance of NATO members on the addition of two new countries.

Criticising the Quran-burning protest, held on Saturday, Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan, called the action an insult to everyone, especially Muslims.

Also Read: Russia, Ukraine slam West: One warns of 'global war', one blames 'indecision'

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Rasmus Paludans Quran-burning protest on Saturday, saying it was an insult to everyone, especially to Muslims. He also expressed his disappointment at Swedish authorities which allowed the demonstration to take place outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm under the protection" of security forces.

Pointing out at Sweden, Erdogan said countries which allowed the protests to take place in front of Turkish embassy can no longer expect any charity from Turkey in terms of NATO membership. He also said that Sweden must have measured the consequences of allowing Paludan's demonstration.

Erdogan also said if Sweden and Finland won't show any respect to other NATO members and Muslim community then they wont see any support from Turkey on the NATO issue."

The burning of holy book has incited anger among people across the world. The incident has received sharp criticism from several global political leaders.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan also criticed Sweden for letting pro-Kurdish protests wave flags of various Kurdish groups, including Kurdistan Workers' Party, PKK. Notably PKK is identified as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States of America.

(With agency inputs)
Pakistan suffered country-wide power cuts early on Monday due to a major breakdown in its national grid, the federal energy ministry said.

"According to initial information, at about 7:34 AM (local time) today, the National Grid experienced a loss of frequency, that caused a major breakdown. A swift work is on to revive the system," the ministry said in a statement.

The electricity outage was reported in all major cities including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, the capital, local media reported. It may take up to 12 hours to fully restore the power, Geo said, citing minister Khurram Dastgir Khan.

A frequency variation was reported in the southern part of the country between the cities of Jamshoro and Dadu when systems were turned on Monday morning, power minister Khurrum Dastagir told Geo TV channel.

"There was a fluctuation in voltage and the systems were shut down one by one. This is not a major crisis," Dastagir said.

Some grids in the country had already been restored, the minister added.

The two transmission lines from Guddu to Quetta tripped, according to Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO). The company added that 22 districts of Balochistan, including Quetta, are without power, Geo News reported.

Pakistan this month announced a new energy conservation plan as its fragile economy continues to struggle with multiple challenges including the country's foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to alarmingly low levels.

Earlier in October last year, Pakistan experienced a major power breakdown that deprived large swathes of the country, including provincial capitals Karachi and Lahore, of electricity, for more than 12 hours.

*With agency inputs
A fresh crisis threatens Swedens hopes of joining NATO. Stockholm has been deadlocked in negotiations with Turkey to allow it to enter the mutual defence body. The burning of a Koran by far-right protesters in Stockholm has sparked outrage and threatens to undermine months of work.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden, and its neighbour Finland, abandoned a decades-old policy of neutrality in the confrontation between the West and Russia. Both countries applied to join NATO, the American-led mutual defence body that has been the Wests military backbone in Europe since 1949.

However, entry into NATO can only occur if all member countries approve a countrys application to enter. Turkey, which joined NATO in 1952, proved to be a spanner in the works and opposed Sweden and Finlands entry into the organization.

Turkey had a few key demands before it allowed both countries into NATO. It wanted arms embargoes lifted and also that Stockholm and Oslo aid Ankara in its fight against Kurdish groups, who share a complicated and violent history with Turkey and are seen as a security threat by the latter.

Sweden hosts several Kurdish migrants, many of whom are vocal opponents of Turkeys foreign policy. Despite this, a landmark deal was reached in June last year wherein Turkey removed its block on NATO membership for both Nordic countries after its demands were met.

In the following months, arms embargoes were lifted. Sweden has also extradited certain Kurdish individuals to Turkey that the latter sees as a security threat. However, the June deal has now run into trouble. While Sweden feels it has upheld its part of the deal, Turkey wants Stockholm to crack down harder on Kurdish organizations and extradite targeted individuals faster.

Turkey confirms that we have done what we said we would do. But they also say that they want things that we cant and wont give them. So the decision is now with Turkey," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson

It was in the middle of this that right-wing politician Rasmus Paludan decided to hold a demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy. During this demonstration, he publicly burnt a copy of the Koran and made a speech denouncing Islam and immigration to Sweden.

Turkeys foreign ministry issued a swift condemnation of Paludans actions. It also took aim at Swedish authorities, who permitted the protest to take place. Despite Swedens protestations that Paludan was exercising his freedom of expression, condemnations have come in thick and fast from the Islamic world, including from Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Turkey also cancelled a meeting with Swedens defence minister, who was scheduled to meet with his Turkish counterpart to iron out disagreements that have held up a final agreement on Sweden and Finlands accession to NATO.

A final decision by Turkish President Recep Erdogan seems unlikely before the countrys general elections, slated to occur before June. Observers said Erdogan might drag out negotiations. The image of Erdogan handing down terms to powerful Western nations to get his way is politically useful in an election year.
The Bombay high courts ruling last Friday setting aside the writing off of Yes Banks additional tier 1 (AT-1) bonds on procedural grounds would be a snug fit in the world of Franz Kafkas Castle . Life in the village, governed by the Castle and its unreachable, complex bureaucracy and its rules, is a serial obstacle course whose sole purpose is to celebrate the sanctity of rules, never mind if life, whose smooth conduct the rules are meant to subserve, turns into misery. But the courts ruling lands in the real world, not in the world of ironic allegory, and it undermines the integrity of the financial system and the authority of the Reserve Bank of India.

In the wake of the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-09, the Bank for International Settlements and its Basel Committee for Banking Supervision recommended stiffer capital requirements and regular stress testing for banks. AT-1 bonds flow from the Committees so-called Basel III norms. AT-1 bonds are perpetual bonds issued by banks as a capital buffer to absorb the loss and sit alongside Common Equity in Tier 1 of a banks capital structure. These are issued with the explicit understanding that they could be written off if the bank ends up in a soup but remains a going concern and carries a higher-than-market coupon to reflect this element of risk.

Systemically important banks  very large banks whose collapse would affect not just their depositors, bondholders and investors but the financial system itself  are required to build higher loss-absorbing capital buffers in addition to AT-1.

In 2020, Indias banking regulator, the Reserve Bank of India, placed a moratorium on Yes Bank, removed its incumbent management and placed it under an administrator. The administrator decided to write off AT1 bonds. The bondholders were peeved, naturally, and challenged the decision. Their protest had no merit: after all, they knew the inherent, risky nature of the AT-1 bonds and were willing to accept that risk in return for the superior returns on offer. They challenged the write-off in the high court.

A high court division bench has upheld their challenge, not on merits, but on procedural grounds. The administrator informed the stock exchange of the decision to write off AT-1 bonds one day after a new scheme of reconstruction of the bank, complete with new management, had been notified. The high court ruled that the administrator ceased to have the power to write off the AT1 bonds after the scheme of reconstruction had been notified, and thus the writing off of the AT-1 bonds does not stand.

But two questions arise. One relates to the validity of the courts procedural reasoning. Did the administrator lose his authority on the notification of the new management? Who was in charge between the notification of the new management and its taking charge? Was the bank supposed to be placed under a managerial vacuum, or was the administrator in charge till the new management took charge? Did the decision to write off the AT1 bonds come into force only on notification of stock exchanges?

The bigger question relates to the regulatory arrangement for the financial sector. If the banking regulator followed the regulatory procedure envisaged when the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision instituted the Basel III norms in its attempt to save a mismanaged bank from failing and infecting other transaction partners with its malady, should the court be holding up the process? An added wrinkle is that while the draft reconstruction scheme contained the measure of writing off AT1 bonds, the final reconstruction scheme did not contain it after the demand raised by AT1 bondholders that the bonds should be converted into equity instead of being written off.

RBI and its administrator do not emerge smelling of roses from such reported vacillation and omission. But that does not undermine the purpose of AT-1 bonds and the validity of writing off these bonds to absorb loss as a bank approaches insolvency. The matter would, it is to be hoped, be clarified when the high court decision is appealed in the Supreme Court.

The whole point of Kafkas dark allegory is to bring out the alienating, disruptive effect of rules administered without concern for the purpose of framing the rules in the first place. Emerging India can ill-afford a precedent that undermines the concept of loss-absorbing AT-1 bonds.
Georgia received $3.5 billion from international tourist visits in 2022, a figure that represented a 182.5 percent increase compared to 2021, the National Tourism Administration said.

The body also said revenue from international tourism had also recovered by 107.6 percent compared to the pre-pandemic 2019.

Last year, 5,426,903 international travellers visited the country - 188.5 percent more than in 2021 - while the number of international tourists visits reached 3,652,949 (+131.6% y/y).

The number of international tourist visits recovered by 71.9 percent in 2022, while the number of international traveller visits rebounded by 58 percent, the GNTA also said.
New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) The Congress on Monday said the statement of senior party leader Digvijaya Singh regarding the 2016 surgical strikes is his own and does not reflect the position of the party.

The party also said it will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest.

"The views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress, " party general secretary in-charge, Communications Jairam Ramesh wrote in a tweet, referring to Singh's statement on surgical strikes.
That Indias ruling dispensation takes the symbolism of names seriously has long been clear. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named 21 unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) after Param Vir Chakra awardees. The biggest such island will now be known after Major Somnath Sharma, the first awardee of that gallantry award; the second-largest after the second, and so on. Earlier, renamings of cities, roads, stadiums and other landmarks by the Bharatiya Janata Party had run into controversy, with the opposition accusing the ruling party of playing divisive politics. This time around, such protests seem unlikely. Since the exercise involved no removal of earlier names, there is no specific reason to object, and as Indian war heroes have been honoured, it would be churlish to argue that it should not have been done. The irony is that these references are only dots on our maps. Some of the A&N archipelagos islands, North Sentinel being a famous example, are inhabited by tribals in complete isolation from the world who see our attempts at establishing contact as invasive. Our policy has been to stay off. That should continue.
Panic disorder is a mental health condition that causes sudden and repeated bouts of extreme fear that can last for several minutes or even longer. These episodes are referred to as panic attacks. The attacks are characterized by heightened feelings of disaster or of losing control, even when there is no immediate threat.

At first, the fear can be limited to a specific circumstance, such as getting in an elevator or driving over a bridge. That can lead to situational avoidance, according to the American Psychological Association (opens in new tab) (APA). As the disorder progresses, the person begins to fear not just the situation, but also the possibility of having an attack, and retreats from many daily activities.

There is a link between panic attacks and agoraphobia. People who suffer from agoraphobia typically avoid public places, such as public transportation or shopping malls, where they feel they may be trapped, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (opens in new tab) (ADAA). About one in three people with panic disorder also develop agoraphobia.

Dr. Deborah Lee (opens in new tab), a medical writer for Dr Fox Online Pharmacy in England, told Live Science that it can be hard to identify the trigger of a panic attack. "Panic attacks appear quite suddenly, often for no obvious reason," she said. "The sufferer feels acutely anxious, fearful, trembling, sweaty and may have palpitations. When a panic disorder is present, panic attacks occur frequently, sometimes several times a week."

People with panic disorder fear having another attack and often avoid situations and places in which previous attacks have occurred, according to the ADAA (opens in new tab). As the attacks become more frequent, a sufferer's world gets smaller and smaller and they stick to very specific areas and routes where they feel safe.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (opens in new tab) (NIMH), about 2.7% of adult Americans have suffered from varying degrees of panic disorder. Women are more than twice as likely to suffer than men too (3.8% compared with 1.6%). While it can occur at any age, panic disorder commonly begins during late adolescence and early adulthood.

What causes panic disorder?

While researchers have not determined a specific cause of panic disorder, many doctors believe it is a combination of environmental and genetic factors, according to the NIMH (opens in new tab).

"Panic disorder is a mental health condition, the cause of which is not well understood," Lee said. "It can occur in association with medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid gland, anemia, poorly controlled diabetes or heart disease."

Dr. Deborah Lee Medical Doctor Having worked for many years in the National Health Service in England, initially as a general practitioner, and then as lead clinician for an integrated community sexual health service, Dr. Deborah Lee now works as a health and medical writer for Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (opens in new tab)

Studies with twins have demonstrated that a genetic inheritance of the disorder is possible, according to the APA. Brain abnormalities can also contribute to the condition, with a review in the journal Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (opens in new tab) finding that the amygdala region of the brain was smaller in those with panic disorder compared with control subjects. Those with panic disorder experience excessive stimulation in the amygdala, which is involved in the fight-or-flight response, and is responsible for fear and aggression, as seen in an article in the journal Psychiatric Clinics of North America (opens in new tab).

Unbalanced neurotransmitter systems can be a cause of panic disorder, said Dr. Christopher La Tourette La Riche, medical director of the Lucida Treatment Center (opens in new tab) in Lantana, Florida.

Chemical or hormonal imbalances can also be a cause of panic attacks, according to an article in Psychiatric Clinics of North America (opens in new tab), which linked the neuroendocrine (hormone production) and neurotransmitter systems with panic disorder.

In addition to biological factors, researchers are also investigating how stress and environmental factors may play a role. A major stressful life event, such as giving birth, divorce, accident or the death of someone close, can trigger a panic attack in someone who previously exhibited no signs of the disorder, as can be seen in a study of postnatal panic disorder in the journal Comprehensive Psychiatry (opens in new tab). However, the majority of those who suffer from panic disorder cannot pinpoint a specific event that triggered the condition.

"Most people I treat have experienced some form of trauma at a young age  abuse, neglect, etc.," La Riche told Live Science. "These episodes are known to cause chronic changes in the brain and predispose adults to anxiety disorders."

Dr. Michael Birnbaum Physician Birnbaum is an attending physician in the Department of Psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York City. He works as the program director for Northwell Health's Early Treatment Program (ETP), a clinical and research initiative for adolescents and young adults in the early stages of psychosis. Birnbaum received his bachelors in psychology, followed by his medical degree, from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

What are the symptoms of panic disorder?

A panic disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by repeated and sudden attacks of intense fear and anxiety that last for at least several minutes or more, according to Dr. Michael Birnbaum, an attending physician in the Department of Psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital (opens in new tab) in New York City. While a panic attack usually lasts less than 10 minutes, according to the Mayo Clinic (opens in new tab), the effects can linger long after the initial episode.

"Panic attacks can happen at any time, and many people with panic disorder often worry about the possibility of having another attack," Birnbaum said.

Many people who suffer from panic disorder use similar phrases when describing an incident: It feels as if you are out of control and having a heart attack. According to Birnbaum, some typical symptoms include:

Pounding or racing heart

Trouble breathing

Sweating

Trembling or shaking

Concern that one is about to die

Fear of losing control or going insane

Other physical signs include dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands or other extremities, a feeling of being hot or a cold chill, tingly or numb hands, and stomach pain, according to the ADAA (opens in new tab).

While some people can identify their triggers for a panic attack, the episodes often come on suddenly. One of the biggest sources of panic is the fear of having another attack, according to the Mayo Clinic (opens in new tab).

Can you treat panic disorder?

While some people with very limited triggers can avoid certain situations and thus limit their panic attacks, the condition can seriously disable those who suffer frequent, full-fledged attacks, according to the ADAA (opens in new tab).

As with most mental health issues, panic disorder is treated by psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both, depending on the severity of the condition and the response of the individual to treatment, according to the NIMH (opens in new tab).

"Panic disorder is best treated with a combination of medications and therapy," Birnbaum said.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps teach different ways of thinking, behaving and responding to situations in order to feel less anxious and fearful. "Cognitive behavioral therapy is used frequently and helps to change destructive thinking patterns. And relaxation techniques are also incorporated into appropriate situations," La Riche said.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants are commonly prescribed to ease panic disorders. Medicines called beta-blockers are sometimes used to address the physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and chest pains, that often accompany panic disorder. "Medications help decrease anxious feelings and thoughts as well as the frequency and intensity of panic attacks," Birnbaum said.

Beta blockers can also help control the dizziness, heart pounding and excessive sweating that result from panic attacks, the NIMH said. Research in the Pharmacology of Stress (opens in new tab) indicates that beta blockers are particularly effective in treating the somatic (physical) symptoms of anxiety. The Food and Drug Administration (opens in new tab) considers using beta blockers for anxiety disorders as an off-label use, as they are approved in the treatment of heart and circulatory conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic (opens in new tab).

Additional resources
On September 7, a federal judge in Texas struck down an Affordable Care Act requirement that insurers and employers offer plans that cover HIV-prevention drugs.
(Alliance News) - Getech Group PLC on Monday said full-year revenue was up as it looks to capitalise on the energy transition.

The Leeds, England-based geo-energy and green hydrogen company said 2022 revenue was GBP5.0 million, increasing 16% from GBP4.3 million a year ago, and ahead of market expectations. Getech said 66% of revenue came from transitional petroleum, with the company benefiting from high petroleum customer retention rates.

Getech said the revenue increase reflects the signing of more than 100 new contracts during 2022, with a combined value of GBP6.5 million.

The company said it had a record order book at December 31, at GBP4.6 million, up 39% from GBP3.3 million the year prior.

Getech also reported GBP4.3 million cash at December 31, down 27% from GBP5.9 million a year ago.

"Low carbon solutions for critical minerals, geothermal, green hydrogen and carbon storage" will allow it to capitalise on the energy transition, with potential to scale-up its revenue as other sectors begin to decarbonise, Getech said.

The company said its outlook remains strong due to its focus on the energy transition, with forecasts showing a USD1 trillion increase per year in energy investment is needed to tackle energy affordability and security.

Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Copus said: "Looking ahead, we are confident that our solutions will gain even more momentum as every company is now facing the challenge to decarbonize their activities. We have a strong pipeline for this year and beyond, which will fuel the company's continued growth - unlocking value for all stakeholders.

Getech shares were up 15% trading at 15.75 pence per share on Monday afternoon in London.

By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Sharecast News) - Stocks in London were set for a slightly higher start on Monday with investors' attention on weakness in the US dollar.

It was against that backdrop that analysts in the City were mulling the outlook for financial markets on either side of the Pond.

"While there may be some logic in the argument that we may have seen the peaks in US markets, given how they have performed in the last few months, there is less of an argument when you look at markets in Europe, which look set to open higher later this morning," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

"Valuations in Europe are lower to begin with, and on an income/dividend basis much more compelling, compared to the US, with the FTSE100 and DAX both trading on forward dividend yields of 3.77% and 3.36% respectively."

As at 0744 GMT, futures on the FTSE 100 were trading up by two points at 7,753.50 while Sterling was edging higher by 0.07% to 1.2406.

In the background, the US dollar index was drifting lower by 0.21% to 101.80, having hit an intra-session low of 101.60 overnight.

Dragging on the Greenback, last Friday, Federal Reserve Governor, Christopher Waller, joined the ranks of top officials arguing for a downshift in the pace of rate hikes to 25 basis points per meeting.

Most markets in Asia remained closed on Monday, in observance of the Lunar New Year holiday across the region, although those that remained open were generally higher.

Later in the day, at 1500 GMT, the US Conference Board would publish its index of leading economic indicators for the month of December. In parallel, Eurostat will publish its preliminary reading for consumer confidence in the single currency bloc for the month of January.

After the close of markets in London, at 1745 GMT, European Central Bank chief, Christine Lagarde, was to speak at Deutsche Boerse's annual reception.

Saga confirms reports of possible asset sale

Saga, the specialist provider of products and services to those over 50, confirmed that it was in talks to potentially sell Acromas Insurance Company Limited with a view to reducing its debt pile. Its board has "concluded that a potential disposal of its Underwriting business is consistent with Group strategy and would crystalise value and enhance long-term returns for shareholders." Saga also said that it had reviewed the options available to optimise its operational and strategic position in the insurance space as it transitions to a capital-light business and looked to cut debt. "Discussions are ongoing and there can be no certainty that any transaction will occur," it added. "Any disposal of AICL would require regulatory and shareholder approvals. A further announcement will be made in due course."

Primary Health Properties has bought Irish property management business Axis Technical Services and signed a long-term agreement providing access to a strong pipeline of future primary care projects in Ireland, the company said on Monday. Axis manages a portfolio of more than 30 properties, including the majority of PHP's Irish portfolio, it added. No financial details were disclosed. "The acquisition gives the group a permanent presence on the ground, further strengthening its position in the country and relationship with the Health Service Executive, Ireland's national health service provider," PHP said.

Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty said it had been awarded a 1.2bn contract by Britain's National Highways to deliver a package of works for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing. The company on Monday said it would be responsible for the design and delivery of more than 10 miles of new highway as part of the project to build a new tunnel under the River Thames aimed at easing traffic congestion in the south of England.
(Alliance News) - RentGuarantor Holdings PLC on Monday said it agreed with Clever Student Lets Ltd to provide its software for use on the Clever Student's letting platform.

RentGuarantor is a London-based provider of rent guarantee services in the UK private rental sector. A rent guarantor is a person or company that agrees to pay if the person renting a property does not.

RentGuarantor said Clever Student will be promoting RentGuarantor to all students with the intention of generating secure tenants for Clever Student Lets' landlords.

Clever Student Lets provides student accommodation to students at the University of Plymouth, with over 2,500 properties listed on its website.

"I'm pleased to announce the agreement with Clever Student Lets and look forward to becoming their preferred rent guarantee supplier," said RentGuarantor Chief Executive Officer Paul Foy.

"RentGuarantor expects to assist Clever Student Lets by guaranteeing the rents of their student tenants in the Plymouth area for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year and beyond."

Over 70% of landlords require students to have a UK resident guarantor when they rent student accommodation, according to RentGuarantor, with around 21% of the student populations being international students and often having no access to a UK guarantor.

Shares in RentGuarantor were quoted at 185.00 pence each on AQSE in London on Monday after midday, having last traded at 200p each on October 3.

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - National Express Group PLC on Monday said it has won a contract worth over EUR1 billion to operate the RE1 and RE11 Rhein-Ruhr-Express lines in Germany to 2033.

National Express shares were up 4.9% to 144.29 pence each in London early Monday, among the best FTSE 250 performers.

The Birmingham, England-based transport provider first took over the operation of the two lines in February 2022 through an emergency contract award.

Following this new contract award, National Express now operates all three asset light Rhein-Ruhr-Express lots under long term contracts. The company noted that the contract is worth EUR1 billion over the lifetime of the agreement.

National Express said that the contract establishes it as "the second largest rail transport company in the region, delivering an anticipated 20 million train kilometres in 2023".

It added that the agreement allows it to unlock operational synergies and cements its position as the "trusted operator" in the region.

Chief Executive Ignacio Garat said: "To have secured this contract on the back of an emergency contract award is testament to our operational excellence and the strength of our proposition in Germany. It is also clear evidence of our Evolve strategy in action, and we look forward to making further progress in realising similar asset-light opportunities across the company."

By Sophie Rose, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
For many, age is just a numbernot for Pizza Hut! As one of the countrys most beloved pizza restaurants celebrates its 39th birthday in the Philippines, you can join the fun by copping your favorite Pan Pizza flavors, available at 39% off for a limited time only!

You heard that right! Thats a hefty 39% worth of savings apiece when you buy a regular or large Pan Pizza from January 17 to February 13, 2023! Theres no need for coupons, discount codes, or secret passwords, just some good vibes and great company!

Its available with all Pan Pizza flavors, too! Enjoy all-time classics Veggie Lovers, Cheese Lovers, Pepperoni Lovers, and Spicy Pepperoni Lovers at just P 225.09 for regular (from P 369) and P 340.99 for large (from P 559), or indulge in your favorite Supreme, Bacon Margherita, Hawaiian Supreme, Bacon Supreme, BBQ Chicken Supreme, Bacon Cheeseburger, or Cheese Supreme pizza at just P 243.39 for regular (from P 399), and P 365.39 for large (from P 599). You can also go with Super Supreme, Meat Lovers, or Carbonara Supreme for just P 261.69 for regular (from P 429) and P 383.69 (from P 629).

CHECK ALSO: PIZZA HUT VALENTINE'S PROMO

A lot has changed since we opened our first store in the Philippines in 1984. Since we launched our signature and world-famous Pan Pizza, Stuffed Crust Pizza, and a variety of great pasta, chicken, and side items, they have become staple favorites among Filipinos, delighting 1.4M customers a month in over 140 locations nationwide. But one thing has stayed the same all these years, and that is our commitment to providing good food that brings people together, said PPI Holdings Inc. COO Chacha Juinio. And now, as we pass another major milestone in the Philippines, we are inviting all pizza lovers out there to celebrate with us through this irresistible offer.

Get your favorite Pan Pizza at 39% off during Mondays to Fridays by visiting your nearest Pizza Hut branch for take-out. You can also order for delivery via the 8-911-1111 hotline, the Pizza Hut website, or the Pizza Hut mobile app, available for Android (play.google.com) and iOS (apps.apple.com).

Give Pizza Hut a like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you won't miss out on the latest news, updates, and deals!




Prince Andrew plans to nullify the millionaire settlement that was agreed with her accuser after the abuse case against the US lawyer fell to pieces. Virginia Giuffre dropped the lawsuit she had against The Duke of York last year claiming that she may have made a mistake.

Currently, Prince Andrew is getting consul from Andrew Brettler and Blair Berk a couple of US attorneys and he is aiming to overturn the settlement and even ask for a public apology, all of this so he could return to his Royal duties.

Virginia Giuffre settled with Prince Andrew for about 3 million pounds

Virginia Giuffre settled with Prince Andrew out of court and then she went ahead and sued him in the United States.

According to The Sun, a source said "I can tell you with confidence that the Prince Andrew team is now considering legal options."

The Duke of York thinks that he has legal high ground after her case fell apart against Alan Dershowitz when he was defending Ghislaine Maxwell.

Maxwell spoke to CBS and mentioned that the accusations against her "dear friend" Prince Andrew were false and lacked evidence.

Maxwell claims she never introduced Andrew to Virginia

Virginia on her part said that she was on a crusade to demonstrate that the law is above all, as she claimed "My goal has been to show the rich and powerful are not above the law and should be held accountable."

Some believe that Andre is getting counsel from Dershowitz too as the lawyer believes he should've fought her.

Andrew claims he was "forced" to make a deal with Virginia because Buckingham Palace did not want any bad press during the Queen's Jubilee and Andrew Paid Virginia at least 3 million pounds to drop the case in which she claimed she was forced to have sex with The Duke of York when she was only 17.

A source close to the royal claims "He never wanted to make a deal and has always insisted he is innocent."
New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) A bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud on Monday said that it would look into the plea for giving an interim order related to Hijab ban in PUC colleges in Karnataka.

The CJI said this after hearing a mentioning by senior advocate, Meenakshi Arora for setting up a three-judge bench in view of the split verdict.

"I would examine the matter for fixing a hearing in the matter," Justice Chandrachud said, after hearing Arora, who cited that there is an urgency in hearing the matter, keeping in view the examinations from February 6.

The Senior advocate mentioned the mentioning before the Apex Court for interim direction in the matter.

She told the Top Court that since the examinations are going to be conducted in the government institutions, those wearing hijab may not be able to take the exams. To which, the CJI said he would examine the matter for fixing a hearing.

The SC said that it will examine the matter, as it has to be placed before a bench of 3 judges and asked to submit a short note to the registrar.

The Supreme Court's two-judge bench had on October 13, last year, delivered a split verdict in the Hijab ban case, and it had referred the matter now to the Chief Justice of India's (CJI) court for his direction to constitute a larger bench to decide the issue.

A Full Bench of the Karnataka High Court comprising then Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna Dixit and Justice J M Khazi, in their judgement on March 15, 2022, held that wearing of hijab by women was not an essential religious practice of Islam.

The High Court of Karnataka's three-judge bench while pronouncing the Judgement dismissed the petitions filed by a group of muslim girl students against PU government college for denying them entry while wearing Hijab.

The High Court bench led by Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi dismissed the petitions stating that the practice of hijab is not an essential practice under Islam and thus does not fall within the ambit of Article 25 of the Constitution of India.

The High court had also held that prescription of school uniform is only a reasonable restriction which is constitutionally permissible which the students cannot object to and stated that the government had the power to issue such notification and that no case was made out against the government notification.

UNI SM CS1220
In just two weeks, almost a million Americans will be in line to get a $450 check. The funds are provided through Maine's winter energy relief program, and payments will begin to be distributed at the end of January.

The state stated that the $450 checks must all be mailed by March 31, 2023, at the latest. The sum is a component of the Emergency Winter Energy Relief Plan, which was deemed necessary by the state legislature.

"With high energy prices causing real hardship, this emergency measure will ease the financial burden on Maine people by putting money back into their pockets and ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are able to stay warm this winter," decalred Mills Mills in a statement.

Who qualifies for ths direct payment?

Residents of Maine who qualify for the payments total 880,000. You must fulfill a specific set of requirements in order to be eligible for the energy relief payments.

To begin with, you must have submitted a Maine income tax return for the tax year 2021 as a full-year resident. However, the cutoff date was October 31, 2022.

If you're filing jointly, your income must be less than $200,000, and if you're filing as the head of household, it must be less than $150,000. If filing as a single person or a married person filing a separate return, the cap is $100,000.

You cannot be listed as a dependent on the return of another taxpayer if you want to be eligible. If you received the $850 pandemic relief check from the state, you are automatically eligible as long as your 2021 tax return hasn't been modified since you received the initial payment. Your Maine tax return's mailing address will receive all payments.
On July 17 2022, after the private party that UFC fighter Conor McGregor held in Ibiza for his 34th birthday, a woman reported having been brutally beaten by the Irish fighter on board his yacht.

After being rescued from the sea by a Red Cross rescue boat, the woman (in her 40s) reported the alleged assault. The young woman had suffered bruises and contusions all over her body, including several hand fractures.

Once at police headquarters, after having been treated at Formentera hospital, the alleged victim, apparently feeling frustrated by "the lack of understanding of the language and wishing to return to Ireland", did not ratify her complaint to the Formentera police, due to the shock she was suffering, which meant that the process was provisionally dismissed.

However, as soon as she arrived in her country, with the help of a Spanish lawyer, she gave a statement to the "Garda de Irlanda" (Irish police) for more than six hours, in order to present her complaint and thus initiate legal action against McGregor. Police from both countries are working together in the ongoing investigation.

In Spain, thanks to the appeal for reform presented by her lawyers, the case has been reopened and preliminary proceedings have been opened, summoning the victim to ratify her statement in the next few days.

According to the version of the alleged events from the victim, who in the complaint provides photographs and medical evidence of the injuries suffered, she went to the birthday party of the fighter in a discotheque and then left, sharing a limousine with McGregor, as well as his wife and two mutual friends, to go to his yacht and continue with the celebration in a more private way.

Once on the boat and after they had been swimming together in the open sea and enjoying the sunrise, an argument broke out which allegedly provoked McGregor's violent reaction against the victim.


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ABOUT VILLAGEREACH

VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone, so that each person has the health care needed to thrive. We develop solutions that improve equity and access to primary health care. This includes making sure products are available when and where they are needed and primary health care services are delivered to the most under-reached. Radical collaboration with governments, the private sector and other partners strengthen our ability to scale and sustain these solutions. Our work increases access to quality health care for more than 58 million people in Africa.

VillageReach in incorporated in Washington State and has offices in Seattle (USA), Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Summary

Under the direction of the Finance & Administrative Officer and with partnership from the global Finance and admin team, the Finance and Administrative Assistant will support the organization for coordinating the financial and administrative operations of all programs in DRC. In this role, she/he will have responsibility for the following areas:

Financial Management:

Perform daily duties such as:

Maintain a system of financial documents and supporting files, including proper substantiation of payments made including proper approvals and coding, that ties to the General Ledger within sage Online;

Manage petty cash, payments, and record expenses;

Review and process payment requests; operational and travel advances requests,

Monitor advances and reconciliation of expenditures using Concur expense platform;

Support field offices with financial tasks

Prepare, collect, compile and declare sums paid to third parties

Support monthly duties, such as:

Submission of monthly financial report due to HQ;

Submission of monthly cash request due to HQ;

Perform any adjusting entries created during finance items review process;

Reconcile balance sheet accounts, including banking, petty cash, advances, prepaids, and accounts payable.

Office Administration:

Recommending, implementing, and maintaining efficient office systems.

Handling office communication, checking office e-mail, ensuring office maintenance and managing the front desk in a professional manner.

Coordinate office needs (repairs, internet, vehicle, suppliers, managing the cleaners, etc.),

Ensure efficient supervision of office drivers team and cars

Resource Management:

Assisting in the procurement and maintenance of office equipment, furniture, computers and other assets including managing and updating the inventory of office assets.

Any other duties as required

Competencies:

The following competencies reflect what is expected of all VillageReach employees; including examples of how one might demonstrate each of these competencies in ones role.

Personal Motivation and Drive : Is self-directed in ones approach to work, but asks for help when needed; holds oneself accountable; undertakes self-development activities; seeks to build and master new skills; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities within the organization

: Is self-directed in ones approach to work, but asks for help when needed; holds oneself accountable; undertakes self-development activities; seeks to build and master new skills; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities within the organization Collaboration & Effective Communication : Establishes and maintains effective relations with coworkers, partners & stakeholders and external parties; works collaboratively with others to accomplish organizational and team goals and objectives; works actively to resolve conflicts; expresses ideas and thoughts effectively; selects and uses appropriate communication methods and maintains meaningful communication with virtual coworkers and other parties to keep them informed

: Establishes and maintains effective relations with coworkers, partners & stakeholders and external parties; works collaboratively with others to accomplish organizational and team goals and objectives; works actively to resolve conflicts; expresses ideas and thoughts effectively; selects and uses appropriate communication methods and maintains meaningful communication with virtual coworkers and other parties to keep them informed Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion : Takes personal responsibility for and supports others across the organization in creating and sustaining a diverse work environment where individuals are welcomed, valued, respected and supported; personally committed to attaining cultural competency including self-awareness of ones own attitudes about culture and cross-cultural interactions; exhibits the willingness and ability to engage openly and respectfully around issues of race, colonialism, identity and culture; upholds equity in access to sharing of information, ideas, and opportunities throughout VillageReach

: Takes personal responsibility for and supports others across the organization in creating and sustaining a diverse work environment where individuals are welcomed, valued, respected and supported; personally committed to attaining cultural competency including self-awareness of ones own attitudes about culture and cross-cultural interactions; exhibits the willingness and ability to engage openly and respectfully around issues of race, colonialism, identity and culture; upholds equity in access to sharing of information, ideas, and opportunities throughout VillageReach Commitment to Excellence : Produces a high output of work, both in terms of quality and quantity; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors work to ensure quality; has a personal commitment to the mission of VillageReach

: Produces a high output of work, both in terms of quality and quantity; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors work to ensure quality; has a personal commitment to the mission of VillageReach Solution Orientation & Innovation: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them; gets the job done; sees opportunities for creative problem-solving while staying within the parameters of good practice; sees old problems in new ways and has novel approaches to solving those problems; contributes original and/or resourceful ideas to their area of responsibility; is able to consider and articulate risks and consequences of proposed innovations and factor these into decision-making

Qualifications and requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The administrative assistant supervises office drivers

Education & Experience:

Bachelors degree in Business Administration or Accounting (or similar) required or equivalent education and experience

Fluency in English and French; both written and verbal

At least 3 years of professional experience with at least two of those managing accounting, grant finances and compliance; public sector grants a plus

Demonstrated financial management skills within the non-profit sector

Financial and bookkeeping acumen

Experience with financial reporting

Demonstrated familiarity with financials tools, expenses allocations, contract language and grant cost policy adherence

Other Qualifications:

Comply with VillageReachs COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Established cultural competency in partnering with racial, cultural and linguistically diverse groups.

Demonstrated understanding of challenges with working in rural, underserved and lowincome context; experience living in and/or working in a low-income country a plus.

Superb technology skills including intermediate level understanding and Proficiency in

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel) and comfortable in a fast-paced technical environment.

Operationally-minded with strong attention to detail

Familiarity with budgeting software, accounting tools, data visualization software, and CRM platforms

ability to interact with several colleagues and several simultaneous requests while showing a pedagogical inclination regarding the dissemination of administrative procedures and instructions

Environment and Physical Demands

VillageReach has no private offices, employees work in a shared, open environment with task and conference rooms accessible to employees for privacy and meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Due to the time zone differences between our USA office and our Country Offices and location of other global staff, US based staff are expected to be available for early morning meetings starting at 6am. In addition, our Regional Africa based staff and Country office staff are expected to be available for late afternoon/evening meetings up to 6pm.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:

VillageReach is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. We believe that diverse, equitably weighted perspectives foster an organizational capacity to create novel solutions that improve health in the most underserved and hard-to-reach areas. To align our values, innovations and impact, VillageReach is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

This is an immediate hire and therefore resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis until February 10th 2023. To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter, a writing sample, and a quantitative report showing your data analysis skills, to our online portal: https://www.villagereach.org/join-us/

Compensation:

VillageReach has an established compensation structure that is based on the relevant market and internally transparent. We hire people into the established range based on ones experience and education and considering internal equity. We do not inquire about salary history.
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Is Wearing Tefillin Good for Heart

The use of tefillin dates back to scriptural commandments urging the faithful followers to comply with religious law and to "bind them as a sign upon your arm." Rubinstein says the binding of the arm and the discomfort users often report may serve as a form of preconditioning and offer a substantial degree of protection against the damage that occurs when someone suffers a sudden loss of blood flow (acute ischemia) or after the blood supply is restored to a tissue or organ after an ischemic event (reperfusion). Such injuries occur during a heart attack when a section of the heart is deprived of oxygen and then damaged further when blood flow is reestablished.Rubinstein says the researchers measured baseline information on all participants for 10 minutes in the morning, and then another round of data was obtained during and after 30 minutes of wearing the tefillin. The 30 participants, all healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 40, had their heart rate measured before, during and after the wearing of tefillin."What we found is that wearing tefillin in both male and females caused changes to the heart rate associated with lowering of the metabolism as measured via heart rate variability," says Rubinstein, who explains that heart rate variability is how much variability there is between one heartbeat and the next heartbeat. "We can measure all kinds of different things from heart rate variability including probably the most important which is parasympathetic tone. Does it relax you and does it cause your metabolism [to] come down?"The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have opposite roles. While the sympathetic nervous system carries signals that put the body's systems on alert, the parasympathetic carries signals that relax those systems. The two systems work together to keep the body in balance.Rubinstein says this study shows there is a measurable effect during and after wearing tefillin."It means that if we can have people wearing tefillin or a similar device, and they can get themselves to be preconditioned every day, we expect that those people should be protected or should have a decreased amount of damage if they should get a heart attack during the time they are protected," he explains. "This is a low-intensity way of protecting people from heart attacks." While wearing tefillin is a traditional practice of Orthodox Jewish men, Rubinstein points out this research did not include any usage of anything containing sacred religious text. He also says that the frequency of heart attacks, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection strike more than 800,000 people in the United States each year, makes this research potentially very impactful."You have a very common and very deadly disease. We are showing a path through which anyone can precondition themselves to decrease the amount of damage that they suffer from a heart attack by wearing a very simple device," says Rubinstein. "This is a potential game changer for how we approach cardiovascular disease prevention. Decreasing the amount of heart attack damage by even just two-fold is something that will change outcomes for millions of people."Source: Eurekalert
Four members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group were found guilty of seditious conspiracy by a federal jury Monday for their role in a plan to keep President Donald Trump in power by halting the certification of the 2020 election results.

Joseph Hackett, 52; Roberto Minuta, 38; David Moerschel, 45; and Edward Vallejo, 64, were all found guilty of seditious conspiracy, according to The Associated Press. The four were also convicted on a pair of conspiracy charges, as well as obstructing an official proceeding -- the congressional election certification.

The verdict is the second in a series of trials stemming from the original 11 indictments that included the group's leader, Stewart Rhodes. The results for these four men stand in contrast to the first trial, which ended with a sedition conviction for Rhodes and Kelly Meggs but split verdicts for the other three defendants and didn't convict them of the sedition charge.

Read Next: US Supreme Court Rejects Veteran's Challenge to Disability Claims Filing Deadline

Experts who have studied the Oath Keepers, former members, and even Rhodes own estranged wife, Tasha Adams, have noted that the group targets veterans and used the credibility and leadership talent that they possessed to achieve its goals.

In a previous interview with Military.com, Adams remarked that these people were manipulated" but was quick to add that they allowed it to go too far."

Vallejo, an Army veteran, becomes the second person with a military background to be convicted on a seditious conspiracy charge related to Jan. 6; it carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Debbie Jang, a lawyer for Vallejo in the early days of the trial, confirmed to Military.com that he served in the Army "in the late '70s at Fort Polk in Louisiana and was medically discharged."

In court documents, Vallejo was described as one of two men in charge of a quick reaction force or "QRF" that the Oath Keepers positioned at the Comfort Inn Ballston in Arlington, Virginia, eight miles from the U.S. Capitol.

Typically, the term QRF is used by the military to describe a small team that can quickly respond when troops are engaged by enemy forces.

The other man in charge of this group -- Thomas Caldwell, a retired Navy lieutenant commander -- was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and tampering with documents or proceeding in November 2022 at the same trial as Rhodes.

According to court documents, Vallejo played a key role in setting up the weapons cache that the men planned to use in their plot.

In a filing arguing for Vallejo's detention earlier in the trial, prosecutors noted that the Army veteran "and other members of the Arizona QRF team wheeled in bags and large bins of weapons, ammunition, and essential supplies to last 30 days."

Hackett, who was convicted alongside Vallejo, was also caught on the hotel's security cameras wheeling in large cases that prosecutors said contained rifles.

According to a variety of court documents that were filed in this case, the idea behind the QRF and the loads of guns and ammo was that the Oath Keepers would bring them into the Capitol on Jan. 6 to assist others who might be entangled with law enforcement or National Guard troops. There were also plans for a follow-on insurgency, presumably in Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia.

According to court documents, Vallejo was eager to deploy on the day of the riot. Prosecutors say that, at 2:24 p.m., shortly after rioters first began to breach the Capitol, he posted in group chat: "Vallejo back at hotel and outfitted. Have 2 trucks available. Let me know how I can assist."

And then again 14 minutes later: "QRF standing by at hotel. Just say the word ..."

Around this time, a group of unarmed Oath Keepers clad in paramilitary garb, including five named in the original sedition indictment, had breached the Capitol building after marching up the east steps in formation, according to documents. The "ground team lead" for this group was Kenneth Harrelson  also an Army veteran  who was convicted of obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings in the same trial as Rhodes and Caldwell.

At one point on Jan. 6, Vallejo tried, but failed, to launch a "drone with a 720p cam for recon [reconnaissance] use," court documents said.

The Associated Press reported that Vallejo's lawyer, Matthew Peed, told the court that the 64-year-old veteran "wears his heart on his sleeve and has no guile."

"No one was counting on Mr. Vallejo as part of a QRF," Peed added.

According to court records, the jury had been deliberating the charges in this case since last Thursday. Now, with a verdict in place, The AP reports that all four men have been placed on house arrest while they await sentencing.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Inside the Oath Keepers' Plan for an Armed Takeover of the US Capitol
The U.S. Air Force has assumed full responsibility for the unredacted release of congressional candidate Jennifer-Ruth Green's military record, according to officials.

Green, a Republican, continues to blame U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan and the Democratic Congressional Campaign for illegally obtaining and releasing the information to damage her campaign in the weeks leading up to the November election.

Ann Stefanek, chief of media operations with the Department of the Air Force, in a statement Friday wrote: "The Air Force takes full responsibility for releasing the information."

"The investigation determined a junior individual didn't follow proper procedures," the statement continued.

Green on Thursday posted to her Facebook page she received the results of the investigation.

"The letter I have received from the United States Air Force is vindication of what I have been saying all along. Congressman Frank J. Mrvan and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee owe the American people and especially our veterans an apology," Green wrote.

Green asked that a request for comment be sent to her communications director Kevin Hansberger. Hansberger did not respond.

In the wake of the investigation, Stefanek said the Air Force undertook a thorough review of its records-release procedures, elevated the approval level for release of information to third parties and conducted intensified retraining for personnel who handle record requests.

SF-180s are commonly used by veterans, authorized legal recipients and surviving next of kin to obtain information from personnel records. Third party requests require the member's authorizing signature, according to the statement.

Green's military records were released via SF-180 request.

Freedom of Information Act requests can cover a much broader range of topics and documents. Release of information via SF-180 or FOIA is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense regulations, the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974.

The Friday statement from the Air Force confirms the agency's initial findings.

An official with the U.S. Air Force in October confirmed to the Post-Tribune that information from Green's military record, including details about a sexual assault while she was serving in Iraq, were released to a third party by an individual who did not follow proper procedure.

The details, first released earlier that month by the online media source Politico, set off a firestorm in one of the most competitive congressional races in the country. Mrvan retained the seat, which has been held by Democrats for decades, by a narrow margin.

Mrvan's office did not respond to a request for comment.

"Based on the preliminary findings of an investigation, it appears information from Jennifer-Ruth Green's service record was released to a third party by a junior individual who didn't follow proper procedures and obtain required consent," Stefanek said at the time via email.

"The Department of the Air Force takes its responsibility to safeguard private information seriously and the matter remains under investigation."

___

(c)2023 the Post-Tribune (Merrillville, Ind.)

Visit the Post-Tribune (Merrillville, Ind.) at www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The family of a soldier whose head washed ashore off the coast of North Carolina will file a civil suit against the Army for how it handled the investigation into his death, the family's lawyer told Military.com on Sunday.

In May 2020, Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez, 21, went camping in the Outer Banks area with seven other soldiers. A member of the group reported him missing on May 23 and, six days later, Roman-Martinez's head was found just a few miles away from the soldiers' campsite.

No suspect has been named in the case, and the manner in which the Fort Bragg human resources specialist died is unknown.

Read Next: US Supreme Court Rejects Veteran's Challenge to Disability Claims Filing Deadline

More than two years after Roman-Martinez's death, his family wants answers about the fruitless Army investigation and is hoping the lawsuit will unearth more information about what happened.

"I want the truth," Griselda Martinez, Roman-Martinez's sister, told Military.com on Monday. "I want more effort for my brother.  I want justice for my family.  He was in the safest place in the whole world, and my brother was murdered on American land serving as a member of the military.

"This closure is everything to me," she added. "It's for my mom, for my family, my brother's friends -- the people that touched his life -- it's for all of us."

While the Army has been investigating the death -- which has been designated as a cold case -- as a homicide, officials have previously said that the seven key witnesses who went camping with Roman-Martinez, all current or formerly junior enlisted soldiers, are not suspects in his death. The last of those witnesses face potential dismissals from the military next month on nonviolent charges related to the trip.

It is unclear exactly when the civil suit will launch, though Dustin Collier, a California-based lawyer representing the family, told Military.com that it will be this year. He also said the family plans to use the Federal Tort Claims Act, a legal tool that allows individuals to sue the federal government. The law gives the Army six months to reach a settlement, before the lawsuit can proceed.

Collier said he'd "be stunned if they took us up on that opportunity" for a settlement, and he anticipates the lawsuit moving ahead.

"There will be some period of discovery where hopefully we can get answers to questions the Army has been unwilling or unable to answer for us to date, including hopefully obtaining unredacted copies of records," he said.

There are several key questions the family hopes to uncover, according to Collier, including questions about how quickly the Army Criminal Investigation Division, or CID, probe commenced after Roman-Martinez was reported missing.

A redacted CID report shared by Collier with Military.com shows that Army special agents weren't notified until nearly two days after Roman-Martinez was reported missing. Collier also said that FBI dive teams weren't deployed until months after the soldier's remains were found, something he said should have been done sooner.

Griselda Martinez found many aspects of the case "odd," she said, including that her brother's glasses were found at the campsite, ones that he needed to see despite reportedly going missing in the middle of the night.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time on any potential litigation, but I can tell you that the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division's investigation into the death of SPC Roman-Martinez remains open and ongoing," Jeffrey Castro, a CID spokesman, told Military.com. "CID special agents are committed to fully investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding his death."

Collier said that he is also concerned with the lack of transparency the Army gave him and the family in connection to the case.

"It's one of the reasons that we're extremely upset with the Army," Collier said, "the fact that we were getting different messages at different points in time, not always consistent with what they're telling the public."

In August 2021, the CID alluded to Roman-Martinez's death being caused by a boat propeller, a statement that Collier said bewildered him and the family.

"Please understand that homicide basically means that someone's death was caused by someone else," said CID Special Agent Steve Chancellor in a press release that touted the unit's efforts, along with over half a dozen other agencies, to solve the case. "That means that the death could have been intentional or it could have been unintentional -- for example in this case, someone running over someone with a boat while the person was in the water, etc."

Army officials have not publicly raised the boat theory, one that Collier said was "hard to imagine," again.

Collier also said that he and the family found out from a January 2021 Rolling Stone article that the Army was leveling non-violent charges -- drug use, making false statements, and conspiracy counts -- against the key witnesses who had been camping with Roman-Martinez.

"[The Army] told us in August when the CID report came out that the case was being closed and no charges were being filed against anybody, which turned out not to be true," Collier said. "They were filing charges the very next month, and nobody bothered to tell us that."

The announcement of the planned civil suit comes as the last of the seven soldiers who accompanied Roman-Martinez are scheduled for hearings to conclude courts-martial on nonviolent charges related to the trip, effectively ending the military's control of the case's key witnesses.

Four of the soldiers -- Sgt. Samuel Moore, Spc. Alex Becerra, Spc. Joshua Curry, and Spc. Benjamin Sibley -- who accompanied Roman-Martinez to the Outer Banks have already faced courts-martial for non-violent charges.

As of January, Moore, Becerra, and Curry had pleaded guilty to various conspiracy and false statement charges, received reductions in rank, and were dismissed from the Army, according to Lt. Col. Anthony Clas, a spokesperson for the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

Sibley was convicted, "contrary to his pleas," according to Clas, of conspiracy to commit a false statement and making a false statement and was reduced in rank. He is no longer serving in the Army. Becerra was convicted of three counts of disobeying a superior officer and one count of wrongful use of a controlled substance.

Spc. Juan Avila faces charges for conspiracy to provide a false statement and providing a false statement and will have his summary court-martial at the end of the month. Pfc. Samad Landrum and Pvt. Annamarie Cochell are charged with the same counts, as well as wrongful use of LSD, a psychoactive drug. Their courts-martial are scheduled for next month, according to Clas.

The CID told Military.com that there is an active reward of up to $50,000 for leads on the case. They encouraged the public to contact CID at 910-396-8777 or anonymously to its website.

Editor's Note: This article was updated with comment from the Army. Military.com attempted to obtain CID comment Monday before publication, but did not use the correct contact information.

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.

Related: 'Unacceptable': Congresswoman Wants Reforms as Decapitated Soldier Cold Case Lingers
CAY SAL BANK, Bahamas  High above a remote uninhabited Bahamian island, a U.S. Coast Guard air crew on patrol watches as a man and small child fish from a white-sand beach. A twin-outboard engine cabin cruiser is anchored in a cove just a few feet from shore.

Using cameras mounted on the C-144 Ocean Sentry, pilots and radar operators watch from about 1,500 feet as the two stand on the sand, rod and reel in hand, waiting for a fish to bite. Then the man and child notice the plane circling above. They drop their fishing gear and run toward trees.

Its very peculiar, Lt. Spencer Zwenger says as he pilots the plane and watches whats happening on the beach below.

The pilot positions the plane  a twin-engine turbo prop that the Coast Guard uses for search and rescue and law enforcement patrols  at a different angle, and the cameras catch more people hiding beneath a tropical tree canopy.

Oh, theres more than two people, Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Mitcheltree says from the right seat of the cockpit, after spotting the others gathered in the tree line. The people below are likely migrants that, for unknown reasons, stopped at Cay Sal Bank, an arrow-shaped atoll located about 30 miles from the northern coast of Cuba, on their way to South Florida. The Coast Guard crew above was on a routine patrol mission on Jan. 14.

The boat, a factory-built pleasure craft and not a makeshift migrant vessel, also indicates to the crew that the people are not on their own, but taken to the island by paid smugglers.

Its a nice boat in this graveyard of boats, Zwenger says, noticing a growing number of smashed migrant vessels that have been gathering on Cay Sal and other isolated Bahamian islands  reminders of the ongoing exodus of Cubans and Haitians on the way to the Florida Keys and South Florida.

A U.S. Coast Guard C-144 Ocean Sentry circles above Cay Sal Bank in the Bahamas Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (David Goodhue/Miami Herald/TNS)

Bahamas on alert

Lt. Cmdr. Derrick Ferguson with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force said the Cay Sal Bank area just off the north coast of Cuba is a traditional transshipment point for people leaving Cuba for the United States. It includes Cay Sal Bank, Elbow Cay and a group of small islands called the Anguilla Cays. But there has been a significant uptick in migrants arriving there over the past three to four months  coinciding with the increase in landings in the Florida Keys, Miami-Dade and Broward.

Sometimes, between navigational errors, sea conditions or mechanical issues, they will be left marooned on one of those cays inside Cay Sal Bank, Ferguson said.

As the area becomes more of a zone for scrutinizing Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defense Force patrols, Cuban migrants are increasingly using routes far to the east and north of the traditional maritime path to South Florida, a trend that concerns Ferguson.

Which means they are taking longer journeys at greater risk, which could increase the incidence of tragedy and loss of life at sea, he said.

The increase in migrants from Haiti and Cuba  two countries with deepening economic and social crises  has escalated so much since the holidays that Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida National Guard. He ordered the agency and other state law enforcement agencies to the Keys to help patrol the surrounding waters for incoming migrants moving through the Florida Straits.

Since Oct. 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, the Coast Guard has intercepted close to 5,000 people from Cuba at sea and about 1,200 people from Haiti attempting to migrate to the U.S. At the current pace, Cuban interdictions by the Coast Guard are set to triple what they were last fiscal year, which was already the highest in almost a decade.

U.S. Coast Guard pilots Lt. Spencer Zwenger and Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Mitcheltree prepare their C-144 Ocean Sentry plane for a patrol over the Florida Straits Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (David Goodhue/Miami Herald/TNS)

Smuggling launching pads

Nine months ago during another flyover, Cay Sal Bank looked like any remote Bahamian island in the middle of the ocean. But these days, the island and the nearby islands of Elbow Cay and the Anguillas have become landmarks of increased Cuban migration and offer a clue on how migrants may be making the journey. The islands appear to be stopovers for migrants, or a place for them to wait when things go wrong with their journey to the United States. The islands have become littered with abandoned boats.

Sometimes migrants are forced to seek refuge on the islands because of weather or because of a boat breakdown. Last February, the Coast Guard rescued three people who had said they were stranded on the island for 33 days and survived by eating coconuts.

But as the migration to South Florida increases, the Anguilla Cays, Cay Sal Bank and Elbow Cay are also being used as a launching pad for smugglers who have migrants wait there until they can be transported for the rest of the journey. Other tell-tale signs that people have been camping out on the islands include discarded clothing, tents and parachutes from Coast Guard planes dropping supplies to the stranded.

Supplies meant for stranded mariners and migrants are set in the back of a U.S. Coast Guard C-144 Ocean Sentry plane Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (David Goodhue/Miami Herald/TNS)

Playing goalie

On last weekends patrol, the Ocean Sentrys crew  Zwenger, Mitcheltree, aviation electrician mates Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Carty and Petty Officer 2nd Class Ian Angell, along with aviation maintenance technician Petty Officer 3rd Class Alonzo Williams  makes a run from Coast Guard Air Station Miami down to the southern end of the Bahamas.

From there, the plane flies up to the Florida Straits, covering the roughly 100-mile-wide distance west, then cutting back east, overlapping the same route, looking for migrant boats. Its a group effort, with the pilots looking out the windows of the cockpit, along with video screens on their console, Carty and Angell sitting in front of video and radar screens in the middle of the plane and Williams scanning the horizon out of the two bubble windows in the back.

If the crew determines people on an island or in a disabled boat need help, its Williams job to lower the back ramp door and drop supplies  food, water, blankets, a radio  to the distressed below.

Despite all of the eyes and technology aboard the C-144, its a very big ocean with thousands of boats on the water for legitimate reasons. Its not hard for migrant vessels to slip past their view.

The smaller ones, sometimes you dont even see on the radar, Mitcheltree says. Over the course of this latest chaotic maritime exodus from Cuba and Haiti, the Coast Guard has been playing goalie in its effort to spot migrant vessels before they reach the United States. Cuban boats are getting through because of the overwhelming numbers leaving daily. And larger Haitian freighters are reaching, or getting close to, the U.S. because theyre often piloted by smugglers who are seasoned sailors.

They know what theyre doing, Zwenger says of the Haitians, who also credit their belief in vodou to their boats arrival. Theyre professional mariners.

Mothership

On this patrol, no migrant boats are spotted at sea, but something else captures the crews attention. Its a mothership Bahamian shrimping trawler towing several smaller boats that break off to fish and return to the bigger vessel to offload their catch.

The trawler is near the shoreline of the Anguilla Cays, a group of sandy, small islands near the southeastern-most point of Cay Sal Bank.

Carty and Angell scan their cameras along the beach. Suddenly, a makeshift migrant boat appears on the sand. It resembles the homemade Cuban chugs that have been left behind on the shore and in the mangroves up and down the Florida Keys for the past two years after migrant drop-offs.

About four men stand on the beach. As the plane continues circling the island, about a dozen more people are standing underneath stunted palm trees. One of the smaller shrimping boats is anchored just a few feet from shore. Two crewmen swim to the beach to check on the migrants.

The Ocean Sentry is finally able to reach the captain of the mothership by radio, who relays that his crew is providing the people on the island with food and water, and that they all appear to be in good health.

Petty Officer Nicole Groll, a Coast Guard spokeswoman on the plane during the patrol, says that because the U.S. and Bahamas have a long-standing partnership, the Coast Guard notified Bahamian authorities that the people were on the island and did not need immediate medical attention.

What happens next, Groll says, the Bahamian authorities will go out there or they will ask us for assistance, and we will do our best to help.

Hit-or-miss

A 40-year-old Coast Guardsman, Mitcheltree was a helicopter pilot before moving on to the Ocean Sentry, and he was an elite rescue swimmer before going into aviation. He said each mission is unpredictable, and its hit-or-miss whether he and his crew will encounter migrants on any given patrol.

The last time I flew, we found nothing, he said. This time, we found these two groups.

Before heading back to Miami, the crew returns to Cay Sal Bank to make sure a supply drop isnt necessary.

After seeing the people run from the C-144 earlier in the day, Zwenger and Mitcheltree want to be careful not to spook the boat driver on the second go-around in case, like they suspect, he is a smuggler. If that happened, hed likely leave his human cargo on the island and at the mercy of the elements.

Smugglers only care if they get paid, Mitcheltree says. If they think that theyre going to get caught, theyll skedaddle in a heartbeat.

The pilots hide out in the low cloud ceiling before dipping down slightly so the aircrafts cameras can get a clear view of the beach. The people below dont appear to be distressed. If they were, theyd likely wave frantically at the plane above. For now, they dont seem to want a rescue. Like with the people in the Anguillas, the planes crew reports them to the Bahamians.

The boats still there and the people are still there, Mitcheltree says. They got a nice little fire going.

As the temperature drops inside the plane on this January evening, Zwenger responds: Good for them. Its going to be a cold night.

2023 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PRETORIA, South Africa  Russia was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war, but the United States and other Western nations advised Kyiv against holding talks, Moscow's top diplomat said Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. and other Western nations have said that Russia isn't serious about hammering out a deal to end the nearly year-long war, which began on Feb. 24.

It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict," Lavrov said.

It is well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime."

Russia has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian and Western demands that it withdraw completely from Ukraine as a condition for any negotiations. U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated he would be willing to talk with Putin, if the Russian leader demonstrated that he seriously wanted to end the invasion.

Lavrov is in Pretoria for talks with South African counterpart Naledi Pandor as Russia pushes to strengthen ties with Africa's most developed country and an historical ally amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

South Africa was seen as the most significant of several African nations to take a neutral stance on the war and refuse to condemn Russia's invasion  to the disappointment of the U.S. and other Western partners who also view South Africa as pivotal to their plans to build relationships in Africa.

Lavrov met with Pandor in the South African capital and is expected to visit other African countries on his trip. Its the Russian minister's second visit to Africa in the space of six months as Moscow seeks to rally support.

Russia's war in Ukraine and its impact on Africas 1.3 billion people, which includes rising oil and food prices, was expected to take center stage during Lavrov's talks with Pandor.

We are fully alert that conflict, wherever it exists in the world, impacts negatively on all of us, and as the developing world it impacts on us particularly as the African continent," Pandor said before the talks. This is why as South Africa we consistently articulate that we will always stand ready to support the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the continent and throughout the globe."

Lavrov repeated a claim that he's made before that the West was responsible for the surge in global food prices.

South Africa continues to keep strong bonds with Russia following the Soviet Union's support for the country's current ruling party, the African National Congress, when it was a liberation movement fighting to end the apartheid system of repression against South Africa's Black majority.

That relationship is largely what led South Africa to abstain from a U.N. vote last year condemning Russias actions in Ukraine, although a small group of people protested against Russia and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine outside the building where Lavrov and Pandor held talks.

Despite South Africa's expressed neutrality over Ukraine, Lavrovs visit comes days after the South African armed forces announced they would hold joint drills with the Russian and Chinese navies off South Africa's eastern coast next month, bringing Russian and Chinese warships across the Indian Ocean.

On Monday, Lavrov insisted that the naval exercises would be transparent and follow international law.

Three sovereign countries will hold drills without violating international law, and I dont understand with whom this can cause a mixed reaction," Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency Tass.

Lavrov visited Ethiopia, Egypt, Uganda and the Republic of Congo on his African tour last year. That was closely followed by a visit to South Africa by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a move seen as a bid by Washington to counter expanding Russian influence in a strategically important continent.

This time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will start an official visit to South Africa on Wednesday following stops in Senegal and Zambia.
Earl Warren, the late Supreme Court Chief Justice who presided over society-shaking civil rights changes in the 1950s and 60s, including ending racial segregation in public schools, was honored Saturday in San Diego by the Navy which christened a 746-foot fuel ship in his name.

The act was carried out with a hearty swing of a champagne bottle in front of a private audience of 300 people at General Dynamics-NASSCO, the ship's builder.

Acting on behalf of the Navy, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan slammed the bottle against the gunmetal gray hull of the USNS Earl Warren, causing a frothy explosion that left her covered in bubbly.

"If you ask, well, who is it that contributed so greatly to the civil rights struggle, and particularly to the struggle to ensure racial equality in our nation, Earl Warren has got to be among the top people on the list," Kagan said.

She said his greatness was particularly apparent in 1954 when the so-called "Warren Court" unanimously ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that state-sanctioned segregation in public schools violated the 14th Amendment.

Before the ruling, schools could segregate Blacks and Whites, provided that their facilities were equal.

Segregationists called for Warren's impeachment at a fraught moment in American history.

"We live in one society, a society in which people of all races are treated with equal dignity and equal respect," Kagan said. "In 1954, none of that was inevitable."

Saturday's christening represented something of a history lesson about Warren  who was elected governor of California three times. It was also emblematic of a shift in tradition for the Navy.

Historically, most Navy vessels have been named after war heroes, battles, presidents, states, cities, counties and lawmakers. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, a Mississippi native, shook things up more than a decade ago when he started naming a significant number of cargo and fuel ships after civil rights and human rights leaders.

Some people accused him of politicizing the naming of ships. He disagreed, saying in 2016, "I think you have to represent all the values that we hold as Americans, that we hold as a country. And so that's why I've named ships the Medgar Evers, Cesar Chavez, John Lewis, the Harvey Milk. Because these are American heroes too, just in a different arena."

All four of those ships were built at NASSCO. So was the Earl Warren. The company is building or will build vessels bearing the names of Robert F. Kennedy, Lucy Stone, Sojourner Truth, Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The influence of Mabus and Warren was applauded at Saturday's ceremony by current Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, a Cuban immigrant.

"America represents a fierce and stubborn belief in a society governed by principles, grounded in justice, human rights," he said. "We're still a nation in pursuit of a more perfect union."

Warren may not be a familiar name to some younger Americans. He was born in Los Angeles in 1891 and grew up in Bakersfield, where his interest in becoming a lawyer arose before he even reached high school. He used to ride his bike to court trials.

He went on to earn undergraduate and law degrees at UC Berkeley. Warren, who had a medical condition, later joined the Army and served stateside during World War I.

After that, his legal career took off. He became district attorney of Alameda County, then attorney general of California. As historians note, he was a Republican who was conservative on fiscal matters but progressive on social issues. That helped him to become the only person ever elected governor of California three times.

His ambitions extended beyond the Golden State. In 1948 he was Thomas Dewey's running mate when Dewey made an unsuccessful run for president. Warren made an unsuccessful bid for president in 1952.

The following year, President Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican, appointed Warren to be the 14th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It was, to Eisenhower's surprise, the start of the so-called "Warren Court," which famously made a long string of liberal rulings affecting everything from matters of church and state to the First Amendment to how political districts are drawn up.

The court also ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that criminal suspects must be told their rights before they are interrogated. Countless police shows on TV have made people aware that they have the right to remain silent, that anything they say can be used against them in court, that they have a right to an attorney, and that they will be provided an attorney if they can't afford one.

On Saturday, Del Toro helped bring the ceremony to an end by citing one of Warren's best known quotes  a remark with a nautical flavor: "In civilized life, law floats on a sea of ethics."

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PHOENIX  Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, a liberal firebrand and prominent Latino lawmaker, announced Monday he'll challenge independent U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in 2024, becoming the first candidate to jump into the race and setting up a potential three-way contest.

Gallego said he'd fight for normal people struggling to make ends meet and losing faith in politicians. He said he and Sinema both come from modest to poor means" but have taken different paths in Congress.

I'm better for this job than Kyrsten Sinema because I havent forgotten where I came from, Gallego told The Associated Press. I think she clearly has forgotten where she came from. Instead of meeting with the people that need help, she meets with the people that are already powerful.

Gallego, a 43-year-old military veteran first elected to Congress in 2014, had made no secret of his interest in challenging Sinema, a longtime rival in Arizona politics who has been a roadblock and irritant to Democrats during Joe Biden's presidency. She left the Democratic Party in December, registering as an independent and saying she doesnt fit well into a traditional party system. She has not said whether she plans to run for a second term.

Although no Republican has entered the race, potential contenders include former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, former U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb  all of whom are closely aligned with former President Donald Trump. Karrin Taylor Robson, a housing developer who lost to Lake in last year's primary, and former Gov. Doug Ducey are also possible contenders.

A three-way race, coupled with the risk that Sinema and the eventual Democratic nominee will split the vote, would complicate the party's already uphill battle to maintain control of the Senate in 2024. Democrats will be forced to defend 23 seats, including Sinemas and two others held by independents, compared with just 10 seats for Republicans.

With tough and expensive races on the horizon, it remains unclear just how firmly the Democratic establishment and major donors will line up against Sinema, who has voted for most Democratic legislation even as shes stood in the way of major priorities for the White House, congressional leaders and the progressive movement.

I'm assuming that they will be with us because we are going to run the winning campaign and because at end of the day, if you look at where Arizonans are going to be, theyre going to be with us and not with her," Gallego told the AP.

A spokeswoman for Sinema, Hannah Hurley, did not immediately comment on Gallego's announcement.

Gallego, an acerbic presence on social media who is quick to take down rivals from both parties, floated the idea of challenging Sinema to raise money last year and has for weeks been publicly assembling a team of advisers, hiring Democratic campaign veterans with experience working on tough swing-state Senate races in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

He announced his campaign with an online video that shows him talking to veterans at an American Legion post in Guadalupe, a Latino and indigenous community just outside Phoenix.

The son of immigrants from Mexico and Colombia, Gallego was raised in Chicago by a single mother, after his father was imprisoned for dealing drugs. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Reserves while he was on an involuntary break from Harvard University. He wrote in a 2021 book, They Called Us Lucky, that he was asked to leave Harvard during his sophomore year, when he partied too much, his grades slipped and he broke unspecified rules. He was later allowed to return.

He fought in Iraq in 2005 in a unit that sustained heavy casualties, and he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after returning. He moved to Arizona to join his Harvard girlfriend, who had become active in Democratic politics in the state. The couple married in 2010 and divorced in 2017, a month before their son was born. His ex-wife, Kate Gallego, is now the mayor of Phoenix.

Gallego was elected in 2010 to the state Legislature, where Sinema also served for one of his two terms. In 2014, he won a bitter congressional primary, toppling a dynastic figure in the Phoenix Latino community. He represents an overwhelmingly Democratic district that includes the Black and Latino neighborhoods of south and west Phoenix.

In Congress, he has focused on veterans and military issues.

Sinema has modeled her political approach on the maverick style of the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who alienated the grassroots of his party by sometimes crossing the aisle to work with Democrats. She's become a fierce advocate of bipartisan compromise in an era when extreme partisanship has made it much more difficult.

She has been at the center of many of the biggest congressional deals of Biden's presidency, from a big, bipartisan infrastructure package to a landmark bill to legally protect same-sex marriages. But she's also become estranged from many Democrats, who blame her for voting down progressive priorities like a minimum wage hike and watering down others, like Biden's big social spending initiatives.

Her support for maintaining the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring 60 of 100 votes to pass most legislation, has made her a pariah on the left.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected a veteran's argument that his disability compensation should have been made retroactive to his date of discharge because his condition rendered him incapable of filing a claim within the required one-year window after leaving military service.

In a 9-0 opinion announced Monday, the justices rejected the arguments of Navy veteran Adolfo Arellano, saying that his case and others like it don't meet requirements for an exception from the rule that allows veterans to have their compensation backdated to the date they left service if they file within a year of separation.

The case, Arellano v. McDonough, was tracked closely by veterans and veterans service organizations for its potential to open the door for former service members to petition for backdated compensation under exceptional circumstances.

Read Next: Court Overturns Ruling That Would Have Given Some Vets Extra GI Bill Money for More School

In an opinion written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the justices noted that in writing the law that included the one-year requirement, Congress made some exceptions, for cases of death and awards to spouses or veterans' children, or if new evidence of disability emerges.

"Despite its attention to fairness, Congress did not throw the door wide open in these circumstances or any other," Barrett wrote. "In all but one instance, Congress capped retroactive benefits at roughly one year."

Arellano served in the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 1981, a period in which he was assigned to an aircraft carrier that experienced a collision that "killed and injured several of his shipmates and nearly swept him overboard," according to court documents.

He developed post-traumatic stress and bipolar schizoaffective disorder and applied for disability benefits 30 years later.

The Department of Veterans Affairs approved his claim and paid him retroactively to 2011, his date of filing.

Arellano appealed, saying he should have received payments retroactive to his discharge, since his service-connected mental health conditions prevented him from filing a claim sooner.

He argued that the statute of limitations should have been waived since he wasn't mentally able to file a claim before the time limit expired -- a legal concept known as "equitable tolling."

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims denied Arellano's claim, and he appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which split its decision on the case in a 6-6 opinion, with half the judges arguing that the policy is set by law and the other half arguing that it should be eliminated.

The Supreme Court justices said they took the case because of the split at the federal appeals court level.

Arellano's attorney did not respond to a request for comment by publication. While there are some legal options for Arellano to revisit his case using different legal arguments, the Supreme Court's unanimous decision limits his options.

The Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions on cases and takes roughly 70 to 80 a year. The justices heard Arellano's case on Oct. 4, the second day of the 2022-2023 term. The opinion was the first announced for the year.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Supreme Court Sides with Army Reservist Who Lost State Job over Burn Pit-Related Illness
For almost half a century, a woman stole her dead mothers veteran benefits, repeatedly forging her signature to keep up the scheme, according to court documents. Now, an Ohio judge sentenced her to repay the money and spend five years on probation.

Irene Ferrins mother died in January 1973, according to the sentencing memorandum. At the time of her death, the woman was receiving widows benefits from the U.S. Veterans Administration in the form of a monthly $250 check.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which was called the Veterans Administration at the time, was not properly notified of the womans death. The department continued sending checks  and Ferrin began stealing them, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohios Western Division.

Ferrin began stealing her dead moms veterans benefits in 1973 and continued for 48 years, federal authorities said. Veterans Affairs caught the theft in 2021.

The monthly payments were initially $250 but had increased to $1,357 by the time the scheme ended. Ferrin stole over 500 monthly payments worth $461,780 in total, according to the sentencing memorandum filed Jan. 12.

Ferrins attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on Jan. 20.

Initially, Ferrin forged her deceased mothers signature to collect the checks, according to the memorandum. When Ferrin began the theft, she had several younger siblings who were in their adolescent years, prosecutors said.

Although this may explain (though not excuse) her decision to take the VA benefits for a short time in the early 1970s, prosecutors wrote, it does not remotely begin to justify her subsequent theft from the VA for the ensuing four decades.

In 1982, she forged a letter from her mother falsely stating the mother recently moved and wanted her benefits check mailed to a new address in care of her daughter, prosecutors said.

Two years later, Ferrin wrote a letter with her own signature requesting information about her mother from Veterans Affairs, court documents said. On five more occasions, Ferrin forged her mothers signature on Veterans Affairs forms, enabling her to continue stealing the benefits checks, prosecutors said.

After Veterans Affairs caught Ferrins theft, the 76-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money in August, according to a Thursday, Jan. 19, news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

The court sentenced Ferrin, of Cincinnati, to repay the money she stole and spend five years on probation, including one year of home detention, the release said.

2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Inspired by Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold's ingenuity and technological zeal, a facility bearing his name has been at the forefront of the research and development of numerous military aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22A Raptor.

Because of Arnold's charitable nature, thousands of undergraduate college students receive assistance today through a grant program named in his honor.

Arnold, who died in 1950 at the age of 63, is the Air Force's only five-star general.

"His fascination and his ability to understand aviation technology was crucial," Alex Spencer, curator for British and European military aircraft at the National Air and Space Museum, told Military.com. "He was the right person for the job at that time."

Here are five things you may not know about Arnold.

1. He Overcame a Fear of Flying

Taught to fly by the Wright brothers, Arnold was piloting a Burgess Model H hydroplane in 1912, according to Smithsonian Magazine. As the plane lifted off, a wingtip caught the surface of the water, causing it to crash.

Although Arnold sustained only minor injuries, the close call rattled him. "I cannot even look at a machine in the air without feeling that some accident is going to happen to it," he told a commanding officer then.

Other incidents also contributed to Arnold's aerophobia, potentially ending his flying career during its relative infancy.

"He just did not want to fly anymore, but that did not stop his interest in aviation at all," Spencer said. "Aviation was such a new thing at that point that it did kind of stay with him after that. He did continue to fly after that, though he did not enjoy it as much as he had previously."

2. He Was Pivotal in the B-29's Development

As World War II approached, America's air capabilities were woefully inadequate, with only about half of the 5,000 U.S. military aircraft suitable for combat. President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted that fixed, and Arnold -- as commanding general of Army Air Forces during the war -- was charged with solving the problem. The B-29 Superfortress, a bomber conceived by Arnold in 1939, was central to that mission.

Viewing the B-29 as critical to his goal of an independent Air Force, which didn't become its own service branch until 1947, Arnold adopted a hands-on approach. His input proved invaluable.

"[B-29 production] was disorganized," Spencer said. "Arnold recognized that and put people in place to get these problems straightened out. That's one legacy that today's military could learn from. When the problem is there, be willing to recognize that there is a problem and do your utmost to correct it before it comes back and makes your life more difficult."

From 1942 until production ended in 1946, nearly 4,000 B-29 Superfortresses were built. Overall, America's air capability grew from 3,900 planes to about 75,000 aircraft under Arnold's leadership. The increase in manpower was even more dramatic, from 22,000 to about 2.5 million.

3. Arnold Risked His Career During a Court-Martial

Nearly two decades before World War II, Arnold nearly sabotaged his career by testifying for the defense in the court-martial of Col. Billy Mitchell.

Arnold was considered an acolyte of Mitchell, an Army officer overzealous in his support for increasing U.S. airpower. Mitchell's cutting comments of higher-ups did not make him a popular figure among military brass; he once said, "The General Staff knows as much about the air as a hog does about skating."

Mitchell's remarks were especially critical in September 1925 after two incidents, including the crash of the USS Shenandoah, a Navy airship. He was court-martialed after blasting military leaders for having an "almost treasonable administration of U.S. national defense" because they invested in Navy battleships in lieu of aircraft carriers.

Mitchell was convicted of insubordination and received a five-year suspension, but he resigned his commission instead.

Arnolds testimony on behalf of Mitchell had potentially severe consequences.

"He could have sunk his career entirely," Spencer said. "He was on the outs within the military for quite a few years after that incident." Spencer was not aware of any single incident that helped repair the rift, but said Arnold's knowledge of aviation technology worked to his benefit. The depth of his insight would have been difficult to replace.

"That's probably what helped him out more than anything else," Spencer said.

4. Arnold Founded the Air Force Aid Society

In the early stages of a war that would kill more than 318,000 Army and Air Force service members and wound nearly 566,000 others, Arnold and his wife, Bee, wanted to help care for those in need. They founded what became the Air Force Aid Society in 1942.

According to the society, it provided $13.5 million in assistance in 2021. Nearly all of the $5.7 million distribution of education funds came through the Gen. Hap Arnold Education Grant.

Grants up to $2,000 are awarded to eligible Air Force and Space Force dependents annually. Students must be enrolled full time, said Sarah McNulty, AFAS education program manager.

"We typically get around 2,000 applications a year, and as long as the family has need ...," McNulty told Military.com. "Even if they have just $1 of need, they would receive a $500 scholarship, which is our lowest grant."

The AFAS also offers merit-based scholarships and education loans.

The AGARD model in the B configuration, a standard model used to assess and compare the airflow in different wind tunnels and at different times in a single wind tunnel, is installed in the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, Nov. 29, 2022. (Jill Pickett/U.S. Air Force photo)

5. Complex Carries on Arnold's Legacy

Headquartered at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) has locations in seven other states. From the start, the researchers and developers were tasked with a bold mission.

"The scientists who work here will explore what lies on the other side of the speed of sound," President Harry Truman said when the complex was dedicated in 1951.

Through its network of wind tunnels, environmental champions, ballistic ranges and other resources, flight conditions can be replicated "from sea level to 300 miles and from subsonic velocities to Mach 20."

The complex's website touts that it has been involved in developing several military aircraft, along with the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo manned space missions, the space shuttle and space station. It also has been involved with intercontinental ballistic missiles and weather satellites.

"[Arnold] recognized the importance of surveying what our enemies at the time were doing, and then took the necessary steps to ensure the U.S. had capabilities above and beyond anything else in the world," AEDC commander Col. Randel J. Gordon said in an email.

-- Stephen Ruiz can be reached at stephen.ruiz@military.com.

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What Is DEFCON?

DEFCON, short for Defense Readiness Condition or simply Defense Condition, is the U.S. militarys ranking system for defense readiness for a potential nuclear attack.

The system of ranking the perceived threat to national security was created during the Cold War, when fear of communism was at a high.

DEFCON 5 is in effect for the lowest perceived threat, while DEFCON 1 is the highest threat level and readiness for a state of war.

In 1959, when the DEFCON system was implemented, the Joint Chiefs of Staff explained in a memo: A uniform system of progressive readiness is essential in insuring timely, accurate and clear direction of commands subordinate to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in achieving greater effectiveness of U.S. forces in preparation for execution of contingency or emergency war plans. It will also assist in more rapid interpretation and evaluation of the readiness posture of the unified and specified commands.

What Are the DEFCON Levels?

DEFCON 5

DEFCON 5 is peacetime normal, the default state of readiness for the United States military.

DEFCON 5 represents a normal readiness posture which can be sustained indefinitely and which represents an optimum balance between the requirements of readiness and the routine training and equipping of forces for their primary mission, according to a Joint Chiefs of Staff description of this level when the DEFCON system was first introduced.

The DEFCON 5 exercise term is Fade Out.

DEFCON 4

DEFCON 4 describes the everyday operating procedures for fighting units.

At DEFCON 4, the U.S. military complex ramps up intelligence gathering and shores up security.

DEFCON 4 represents a readiness posture requiring increased intelligence watch and a continuing analysis of the political/military situation in the area of tension, according to the original Joint Chiefs of Staff memo.

The DEFCON 4 exercise term is Double Take.

Most forces are usually at DEFCON 4 or 5.

DEFCON 3

Two steps from war, DEFCON 3 is generally seen as a standby level of alert, and it is the highest level of alert during peacetime.

DEFCON 3 represents a readiness posture that requires certain portions of the assigned forces to assume an increased readiness posture above that of normal readiness, according to the Joint Chiefs memo.

The DEFCON 3 exercise term is Round House.

At less-tense points during the Cuban Missile Crisis, various parts of the U.S. military were at DEFCON 3.

Over a decade later, in 1973, President Richard Nixon put the U.S. military on DEFCON 3 during the Yom Kippur War, as Moscow was reportedly preparing to launch an attack in the Middle East.

DEFCON 3 did not put the military on a war footing, according to an Associated Press article. It primarily meant leaves were canceled, men were ordered to return to their units and preparations were made to move them out if necessary.

DEFCON 2

DEFCON 2, one step from nuclear war, is implemented when an enemy attack is expected. Troops are poised for combat at this time.

DEFCON 2 represents a readiness posture requiring a further increase in military force readiness which is less than maximum readiness; certain military deployments and selected civil actions may be necessary in consonance with the commands mission, according to the Joint Chiefs memo.

During this stage, the U.S. will have subs at sea and the bombers waiting on the runways, as described by Roger Molander, a nuclear protest leader, in a 1984 column.

Parts of the U.S. military were at DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the closest the world ever came to nuclear war.

The DEFCON 2 exercise term is Fast Pace.

DEFCON 1

The most urgent alert, DEFCON 1, represents the highest level of readiness for nuclear war.

DEFCON 1 would be reserved for when an attack is perceived as imminent or already under way  when the nations forces are engaged in full-on war mode.

DEFCON 1 represents a maximum readiness posture requiring the highest state of preparedness to execute war plans, the Joint Chiefs memo says.

The United States has never been at DEFCON 1  at least not to the publics knowledge  since the system began.

The DEFCON 1 exercise term is Cocked Pistol.

Is the DEFCON Level Public?

For security reasons, the U.S. military never publicly releases the current DEFCON level. In February 2022, a senior official with the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the federal government will not publicly reveal the current DEFCON level of the U.S. military.

As of January 2023, the current DEFCON level is estimated to be at 3 due to the Russian conflict, according to OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) on the website DefconLevel.com.

What Is the Highest DEFCON Level Ever Reached?

The U.S. elevated the Strategic Air Command to DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

It was the highest DEFCON level reached so far by the U.S. military.

At a level unknown to most of the American public, the United States was on the brink of a nuclear war that would have destroyed civilization as we know it.

This U.S. decision to escalate Strategic Air Command to DEFCON 2 was a response to a threat by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

Read More: How One Black Bear Almost Set Off World War III During the Cold War

B-52 bombers were placed on continuous airborne alert, reservists were recalled and the U.S. nuclear arsenal was put on alert status, Military.com reporter Blake Stilwell writes in The First Recipient of the Air Force Cross Was the Only Casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

A chilling example of how mankind could stumble stupidly into atomic war, columnist Charles Whited opined 25 years later.

A battle of blunders, summarized McGeorge "Mac" Bundy, who was serving as national security adviser at the time to President John F. Kennedy.
23.01.2023 LISTEN

Celebrated Ghanaian radio presenter Nana Adjoa Silky has officially joined DL FM which belongs to the legendary Ghanaian highlife musician Daddy Lumba.

A widely circulated poster of Nana Adjoa Silky captured by Blogger Attractive Mustaphaindicates that she will be hosting the afternoon show dubbed DL hour from Monday to Friday between 12:00PM to 3:00PM.

The three hour show is named DL hour where the program will dwell mostly on Daddy Lumbas songs and the impacts it brings to the society. However, there will be some surprise legendary songs that will be played at some segments as the show rolls.

A few mins video accompanied by the poster also saw the presenter announcing her exit from multimedia and thanking all who have been part of her journey whiles she was hosting her last show at Multimedia.

On record Nana Adjoa Silky was the first to speak and interview the Chief Executive Officer of the radio station in the person of Charles Kwadwo Fosu popularly known as Daddy Lumba on DL FM during the test transmission.
23.01.2023 LISTEN

Multiple-award-winning Gospel artiste Diana Hamilton is set to serve patrons with a spirit-filled performance at this year's 'Awake Experience with Diana Hamilton' in Accra and Kumasi on February 19 and 26 respectively.

The launch of this year's much-publicised event took place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Monday, January 16, 2023.

Artistes billed for the February 19 event which will be hosted at the Perez Dome, Dzorwulu, Accra, include Ohemaa Mercy, Perez Musik, Joe Mettle, Celestine Donkor and Bernice Panford.

A repeat of the show will come off at the Church of Pentecost, Bantama, Kumasi and it will have artists such as Moses OK, Ceccy Twum, ACP Kofi Sarpong, and Piesie Esther mount the stage.

When the floor was opened for journalists to ask questions, the celebrated gospel songstress in the presence of the immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Prof Opoku Onyinah and other clergies was asked why secular musicians like Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy were not billed to perform.

In response, Diana Hamilton said all the artists she has billed are unique in their own ways. She added that they are artists she personally enjoys listening to hence "I am very happy I have them to support me." She explained further that she is not preventing any artist from coming to support her.

But after the event, the 'Mo ni Yo' crooner in a chat with Ghanaweekend.com on the aforementioned question beguiled,"We don't ask such questions".

The Awake Experience with Diana Hamilton is a gospel musical concert that started in 2014 in London with Ghana hosting its first edition in 2016.

Watch the video below:



Source: hotfmghana.com
Arab states boycotted a meeting hosted by Libya's unity government on Sunday, with just five of the Arab League's 22 members sending their top diplomats and even the bloc's secretary general staying away.

The snub underlines Arab divisions over the Tripoli-based government, whose legitimacy is contested by a rival administration in the war-torn country's east.

Regional heavyweights Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were not represented at all at the gathering -- a preparatory session ahead of a foreign ministers' meeting in Cairo.

Four members sent lower-ranking ministers or ambassadors while Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit was also absent.

Najla al-Mangoush, foreign minister in the Tripoli-based administration, condemned what she called "attempts by certain sides to crush Libyans' desire to transform Arab solidarity into a reality".

Libya, which holds the rotating presidency of the organisation, is "determined to play its role in the Arab League (and) rejects any attempt to politicise the League's founding documents," she said.

Libya fell into a decade of violence following the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed rebellion.

The resulting power grab gave rise to myriad home-grown militias and prompted interventions by Arab powers as well as Turkey, Russia and Western states.

Since March last year, an administration in Libya's east backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar -- who has been close to Russia and Egypt -- has challenged the government of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, arguing it has outlived its mandate.

The unity government was the product of a United Nations-mediated peace process following the country's last major battle in 2020.
23.01.2023 LISTEN

Mr Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, the Executive Director of Meena Breast Cancer Foundation (MBCF), has called on the government to establish a hospital solely for the treatment of breast cancer and its related cancers.

He said breast cancer appeared to be one of the deadliest diseases in the world and the government must turn its attention to its treatment due to the alarming rate of infections and deaths.

Mr Kwarteng made the call during the opening of the Foundation's Office at Mataheko- Dansoman, to facilitate its operations in Accra.

The Foundation was launched on October 6, 2022, in Accra in memory of Mrs Amina Oppong Kwarteng, who died of breast cancer on July 18, 2022, in Turkey.

Barely a few months after the launch, MBCF has been overwhelmed by breast cancer requests across the country.

He said the Office would facilitate activities of the Foundation to enable people living with the disease access financial support and counselling sessions during the period of treatment.

It is to let the public know that they can locate an Office where they can get financial support for breast cancer treatment, he added.

Mr Kwarteng said the Foundation would cut sod next week for its first Breast Cancer Screening Centre at Potsin T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School (AMASS) in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

We are cutting the sod next week for construction works to commence and we have already bought sand and blocks, and we have some money available and we are looking at three to four months to complete it, he said.

The Executive Director said the facility would have a theatre and a big space for screening services and other health services as most of the communities that the facilities would be sited lack medical facilities.

He said there were some emotions attached to the Potsin facility as that was the school his wife had her secondary education, and unfortunately, lack a clinic.

He said the Centre aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality while establishing an all-year campaign for early detection and treatment.

The Executive Director said the Centre, which would be built across selected Senior High Schools in the country, was to help increase cancer awareness among students in the second cycle institutions.

Mr Kwarteng urged the public to regularly examine their breasts and not only in the designated October month for breast cancer awareness creation and education.

It is a cut across educational and sensitization campaign not only to educational institutions, he added.

He said the Foundation would visit many communities with education on breast cancer and the foods to abstain from when one contracted the disease.

He said as a country, we have completely failed because we have undermined the dynamics of cancer and we do not seem to understand the dangerous nature of the disease.

Mr Eric Brobbey, an Oncology Nurse at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, expressed excitement at the Foundation's plans to start the sensitisation from the Senior High Schools coupled with the financial assistance to patients.

He said the disease was killing the productive population of the country, and much attention needed to be paid to the disease.

It is no more an aged disease, because it is affecting the productive age of the country, he added.

He commended the Management of the Foundation for their plans to establish Screening Centres at some selected SHSs across the country.

He called on everyone to come on board to support the fight against the disease, urging the government to turn its attention to provide interventions that would help the patients.

Mrs Adelaide Allassani-Davis, a Board Member of the Foundation, said that with the current complexity of the disease, patients needed financial support for treatment.

She called for continuous support from donors to enable the Foundation to execute its plans and programmes in line with its objectives.

GNA
23.01.2023 LISTEN

Vice President Dr Mahmudu Bawumia has urged the citizenry, especially Muslims to be good to one another.

He said this at the seventh day (special prayers-Dua) for the late Chief Alhaji Issahaku Osman Chackson, the Chief of Mamprusi Community, Greater Accra Region.

Dr Bawumia said one could be called to the Maker at any time and as such, Ghanaians must eschew envy.

The Vice President, eulogising the late Alhaji Chackson, described him as one who showed love to everyone irrespective of their background.

He was a good and kind man and we pray that Allah grants him Jannatul Firdaus (Paradise), he stated.

The late Alhaji Chackson who died on January 16, 2023, until his demise was the Chief of the Mamprusi Community, Greater Accra Region.

He was a board member of the Zongo Development Fund and also a member of the Council of Zongo Chiefs.

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, said special prayers for the late Alhaji Chackson, his family, the nation and the entire Muslim ummah.

He died at age 73 and was survived by two wives and eight children.

Dignitaries at the event include Ministers of State, Mamprusi chiefs from all the regions, and queen mothers, among others.

GNA
The NPP government asserts that it has the men, experts, or intellectuals, to lead the nation to prosperity, including the creation of jobs and improved living conditions for common people, based on a thriving economy. However, this government has failed in every way, and if you attempt to figure out why Ghanaians were driven to such destruction by this government, you'll discover a lot of ineffective politicians all around them, among them is Richard Ahiagbah. Who is Richard Ahiagbah?

The Danquah Institute appointed Mr. Richard Ahiagbah as acting Executive Director, in 2019, after the exit of the previous Executive Director, Edward Kwaku Asomani, and in 2022, he was appointed as the new Director of Communication, replacing the former Member of Parliament, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah. I dont know what criteria the NPP stands to make an appointment because each of their politicians, including president Akufo Addo himself, is incompetent.



A number of pieces of evidence contradict Mr. Richard Ahiagbah's statements that they are untrue and deceptive, despite him being the NPP government's communication officer. He is notorious for lying and making false accusations in the interest of the ruling administration.

Richard Ahiagbah should be knowledgeable in managing the government's communications initiatives, including public relations and marketing, as he is employed to work in the field of communication. His responsibilities include conducting market research, speaking with media representatives about government news, and putting communication policies and procedures into practice to maintain the government's reputation. Regrettably, Richard Ahiagba is actively participating in deceit.

Similar to what Paul Adom-Otchere, Omanhene, and Kwame Sefa Kayi are doing, Ahiagbah has worked as a form of propaganda officer, defending the criminality and corruption of the administration. Since the NPP government in Ghana failed, it hasn't been simple for the present administration because everyone is aware that they don't accept blame or admit faults.

The NPP government's deceptive communication tactics have made it relatively unpopular, but these communication professionals find it challenging to quit because it is what they are paid to do. There is seldom a day when I don't leave comments on articles concerning Richard Ahiagbah because everything he says is absolute bullshit and makes no sense at all, showing that he either has juvenile thinking or doesn't think things through before he says them.

Since time is limited, I will only share one of Richard Ahiagbah's nonsensical remarks from yesterday because compiling all of his rubbish statements would be pointless. According to him, NDC failed to manage the buoyant banking sector bequeathed to them.Any rational individual will immediately recognize that he is lying because the economy and banks in Ghana were in far better shape before the NPP government took office.



When the NPP government assumed control, corruption surged immediately, hurting various banking systems, the failure of NAM 1, the unlawful printing of new currencies into an already struggling economy, and the severe corruption at the ports, which damaged both local and foreign investments, were all blamed for the current tragedy in Ghana. Therefore, I need to know if Richard Ahiagbah believes that Ghanaians are ignorant morons who fall for his lies because they don't understand this.

It is extremely troubling that Ghanaians are aware of the truth, but because many are afraid to speak out, Richard Ahiagbah has used this knowledge to his advantage to keep lying and concocting untrue theories that serve his own interests as well as that of the party. I give thanks to God that I live in a developed nation because it has provided me with the knowledge to recognize all of these scams and deceptions and, more significantly, the ability to expose and express the truth.

I've said it before: I am disputing the government's lies, not because Im not living in Ghana; Ill do even more, while in Ghana because those who know this writer can confirm that despite the Belgian government does its best to accommodate and provide for foreigners, I continue to criticize them. Richard Ahiagbah keeps spreading lies and believes that doing so is beneficial to the party. If he is a little bit wiser, he should realize by now that the pointless political games are affecting the party.

Richard Ahiagbah has been attributing Ghana's problems to COVID and the Russia-Ukraine war instead of admitting that the NPP government has failed. Up until recently, when the Auditor General's report revealed that COVID gave Ghana a total of 21 billion, Ahiagbah used these two tragedies to describe the issues in his nation. Ghanaians will be horrified to learn how this substantial COVID sum was misappropriated, and I firmly believe that no sane person will agree to the government's plan for debt restructuring.

If you are a Ghanaian and haven't yet accepted the current calamity that has befallen our country and would think the NDC has recruited people to attack the NPP government, as this failed government has been saying every time, then I'm sorry to say that you need a psychological examination. Akufo Addo didnt come as president to help Ghana to develop, he came with revenge and hate because of Nkrumah and this is the carnage as a result.

I appreciate Melodies TV for the insightful report.
Burkina Faso asked France to move its troops out of the country within a month, according to a diplomatic letter from the authorities there to Paris obtained by AFP Sunday.

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said Paris was awaiting clarifications from Burkina Faso after the African country's military regime said it wanted French troops to leave within a month.

Macron urged "a lot of prudence", saying there was "great confusion" over the remarks reported in the media and said military junta leader Ibrahim Traore needed to take a public stance.

"We are waiting for clarifications on the part of Mr Traore," he told reporters.

The foreign ministry letter, dated last Wednesday, ends the 2018 agreement under which French troops were stationed there, and sets a deadline of a month for their departure.

AFP obtained the letter from a Burkinabe diplomatic source, who was not able to say whether or not France had acknowledged reception of the letter.

Asked about the letter, the French president's office said it was still waiting for confirmation of the Burkinabe position at "the highest level", reiterating Macron's statement earlier Sunday.

Burkina Faso's state news agency reported the details of the request late on Saturday, and a source close to the government confirmed their account to AFP.

The source clarified that it was "not the severance of relations with France. The notification only concerns military cooperation agreements".

Deteriorating relations

France has 400 special forces soldiers stationed in junta-ruled Burkina to battle a jihadist insurgency, but relations have deteriorated in recent months.

Since the current military regime seized power in September there have been several demonstrations calling for the departure of the French ambassador, and the French troops there.

Protesters have regularly demanded France withdraw its troops from the Sahel country, with the latest demonstration Friday. By OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT (AFP)

There are signs that Burkina Faso, like its neighbour Mali, is turning towards Russia as a partner.

"Russia is a reasonable choice in this dynamic," Burkinabe Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tembela said last week following a meeting with the Russian ambassador.

"We think our partnership has to be strengthened," he added.

Kyelem de Tembela visited Moscow early in December.

Burkina Faso is reeling from a jihadist insurgency that swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

Traore seized power in a coup in late September, in the second military coup in the country in eight months.

France has been concerned about a repeat of its disastrous falling-out with Mali, from which it pulled out troops last year.

If French forces were to pull out of the country, Paris's preferred option appears to be to redeploy its forces in the south of neighbouring Niger, where nearly 2,000 of its soldiers are already stationed.
23.01.2023 LISTEN

GHANAIANS ARE GROWING LEAN,BUT GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO BE LEAN

As much as some may have decided to live in denial,perhaps a way to cope as times have become really hard for all, no level of partisanship will insulate any of us from the plagues and harsh realities that the failing economy has come with. The debt restructuring programme tailored for domestic bondholders is like a pebble in the shoes of Ghanaians.This is so ridiculous and feels like a dream.

In the heat of all the turmoil, our president is bent on building a cathedral.If he has failed woefully in building an economy, what could be the source of his motivation of building a cathedral for God.At least I know pleasing humans is far more easier than pleasing God.What happened to our dear president? What happened to our priorities as a nation? I am at a fix.

As I judiciously manage what I have in hand,I can't help but share my daily experience.Each day my phone rings, my heart beats faster as it is most likely to be another contact that may eventually say the words "can you do me a favor".No disrespect intended but times are really hard and people who respect themselves, very independent, responsible and self reliant have been humbled by the difficult times and can't help but ask for financial assistance from others.People are becoming destitute."Helpers" are looking for help themselves so how can they even be helpful to others?

And I have seen and heard divided opinions about the popularity of religious fellowships like "Alpha Hour".However, this is very much a sign that things are hard.The religiosity of Africans appreciates in the face of hardship.Religion remains "the opiate of the masses".

In times like this, it is surprising that government is still showing opulence and seem detached from the terrible experience of the masses.It feels Ghanians are being taken for granted and government seems insensitive.Times are hard yet decisions of our leaders continue to be bad.

Couple of days ago, two ministers resign from the present administration,with the hope of being elected as presidential candidates for the 2024 elections.Well wish them the best.

I am sure the president will soon make appointments to fill the void.However,as a well meaning Ghanaians, Mr President, may I know when you intend to shrink your government? Ghanaians are growing LEAN but your government is not LEAN.Ghanaians are struggling to eat three square meals.The pattern for eating lately has become 011,101,001,010 for many.

Why will you be defiant in down sizing your herd of elephants to have a LEAN government? Many ministries in your government are a duplication of others and a wastage. This may save the taxpayers money and inspire confidence in resuscitating the economy but you have taken an entrenched position.

With 30 ministries,packed with 30 ministers and about 2 or 3 deputy ministers.16 regional ministers with their deputies and more who haven't given Ghanaians value for the tax payers money and yet they remain leaches on our economy.

This is a government of "elephants" who have a big appetite naturally so it has taken a fortune to maintain them.Now they are eating Ghanaians out of their own home.A lot of ministers and ministries bring nothing to the table and are white elephants.Yet our government refuses to downsize.

The economy we have toiled to build is facing structure failure.The weight of running the government in itself is to huge.It is costing tax payers too much and the president must be bold to down size his cabinet. GHANAIANS ARE GROWING LEAN,BUT THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO BECOME LEAN.

May God help Mother Ghana.

Dumenu Charles Selorm
Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Director of the main opposition party, the NDC, has taken a swipe at the government over COVID-19 expenditure.

According to Mr. Gyamfi, the government squandered the money that was supposed to be used to cushion the nation amid the pandemic.

Modernghana News sighted a tweet by the opposition partys spokesperson in which he cited from the Attorney Generals report how the government was allocated some 21 billion dollars but ended up spending only 11 billion and used the remaining on wasteful expenditure.

In all of these, what bothers the NDC Communications Director is how the government will misuse the COVID-19 fund but and turn around to blame Covid pandemic for the current economic crisis.

"@MBawumia @NAkufoAddo You raised GHS21.8b to fight COVID but spent only GHS11.7b on COVID activities. You used the remaining GHS10b on "Budget Support"-the euphemism for your wasteful election expenses," a portion of his tweet reads.

"Only to turn around to blame COVID for all your failings. Have you no shame?" he quizzed.

His statement follows the numerous reactions from Ghanaians following the release of the AGs report about the COVID-19 fund.

The report, among other things, captured how some 81 million dollars were paid for vaccines but were never delivered to the country for the intended purpose.

We noted that the Ministry of Health on behalf of the government of Ghana paid an amount of $120,192,379.80 to UNICEF/AVAT for the supply of vaccines.

However, 5,109,600.00 doses of vaccines valued at $38,322,000.00 were supplied to the National Cold Room leaving a difference of US$81,870,379.00 with UNICEF/AVAT, the report cited.

We recommend that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health should renegotiate with UNICEF/AVAT to recover the outstanding amount, the A-G said.

The report also captured how the Ministry of Health signed a four-million-dollar contract for the supply of 26 ambulances, but were not delivered.
Yoro Diao, 94, is one of the few surviving Senegalese tirailleurs  African colonial riflemen who fought in the French army during the country's biggest 20th century conflicts. But once the wars were over they began a new battle against the French administration to get better pension rights. Despite the difficulties, Diao's loyalty to France remains unshakeable.

After 22 years shuttling between Senegal and France  where he lives in a migrant hostel in Bondy, north of Paris  Diao is preparing to return for good to his native village of Dagana in Saint-Louis.

The French government recently announced that he and 38 other surviving tirailleurs would no longer have to spend six months in France each year to claim their monthly state pension of 950 euros.

"It's come a bit late, but better late than never, says Diao.

We have a sense of satisfaction in being able to go home in a dignified way to be near our grandchildren. It's comforting, and perhaps it will help us live that bit longer.

He knows time is running out.

"There used to be 27 of us in the hostel, now we're 12. The others have died."

Several of his comrades at the hostel shuffle into his modest room. The eldest, 95-year-old Mor Diop, perches on Diao's impeccably made bed.

"He's very ill; he's had almost every disease," Diao says.

M'Bodji Guorgui, 87, who like Diao is a veteran of the wars in Indochina and Algeria, sits up straight in a smart grey suit but struggles to take part in the conversation.

"His hearing was badly damaged during the explosions," Diao explains.

Despite his advanced years, Diao seems to have weathered the war years well. He's sprightly and his memories of serving his colonial master France are as vivid as ever.

Listen to a conversation with Yoro Diao in the Spotlight on France podcast

Career soldier

He was born in 1928 in Saint-Louis, a French colonial settlement in the 17th century and the capital of Senegal from 1872 to 1957.

During WWI in particular, many tirailleurs were rounded up  as told in the newly released movie Les Tirailleurs (Father and Soldier) starring Omar Sy.

But Diao chose to follow family tradition, enrolling in the army aged 23.

My uncle served in the Great War. His face was disfigured," Diao says. "My grandfather was recruited by Faidherbe, the governor of Senegal, and my father fought in the Niger campaign.

"All my cousins were in the army. I'd have been a laughing stock if I hadn't joined.

Diao's medical training made him highly useful, and he was quickly sent to Indochina where he worked as a nurse and stretcher-bearer as part of the 24th infantry regiment of the Senegalese Tirailleurs.

It was a mixed regiment along with Europeans, Moroccans and Algerians," he says. "There was no discrimination; we worked together on security operations.

Diao took part in the battle of Tonkin, marching with the infantrymen, taking care of the injured and picking up the dead.

Remembering the dead 'kept me going'

He takes out some fading black and white photos from a brown envelope  portraits of him as a young man alongside his brothers-in-arms of all nationalities.

He takes great pride in showing Frenchman Lucien Fernand.

He died at my feet In Indochina in 1954, in the north of Vietnam," Diao says. "We were the same age and were always together. When he was shot he said: 'Diao I'm dying, please let my parents know how it happened'.

"When I got back I tried to find them, but I couldn't.

In 1955 Diao returned to Senegal, and the following year was sent to fight in Algeria. He saved some friends and lost others.

"Remembering all these comrades who died, just thinking about them, is what kept me going in the army, Diao says, his voice breaking slightly.

New battles

When Senegal gained independence from France in 1960 Diao had to choose between French and Senegalese nationality.

He felt his place was in Senegal, training the country's new independent army.

Despite the tirailleurs' loyalty and bravery, France turned its back on them shortly before independence and froze their pensions.

Many were condemned to live and die in poverty.

Diao and others began their new battle to win recognition by the French state and equal pension rights.

In the early 2000s he began returning to France to campaign with veterans' rights groups to have their pensions unfrozen.

They succeeded in 2006.

In 2017 Diao was one of 28 tirailleurs granted French nationality under then-president Francois Hollande.

It allowed them to claim a monthly state pension of 950 euros, providing they spent at least six months a year in France.

While it was a victory, growing old in a migrant workers hostel far from their families had taken its toll.

I spent three years trying to get an apartment so that my wife could come and join me, says M'bodji. "It was impossible, every time the authorities rejected my file.

Diao nods in agreement at the injustice of it all.

Luckily we have each other. It would be much worse if we were separated. Being brothers-in-arms gives us moral support. You can die of low morale you know."

Family of comrades

Diao touches the dozen or so medals pinned to his breast pocket  an array of war crosses that earned him France and Senegal's highest decorations  the Legion of Honour and the National Order of the Lion.

I'm proud of the medals and what I did, he says. They've helped me socially, to feel French no matter where I am."

He believes young people should be prepared to take up arms and defend France if the country was threatened.

"The best family is the army, your comrades," Diao says.

"I would do it all over again. I would take my blankets and bedsheets, and I'd be first in line to join up."
Businessman Owen Kwame Frimpong

23.01.2023 LISTEN

Businessman and a philanthropist, Owen Kwame Frimpong has pledged his commitment to the delivery of quality education in Lower West Akim of the Eastern region.

In his remakes, education remains the best tool to the development of every nation, hence the need to invest massively in the sector to properly train and prepare children into the future.

In an interaction with some constituents at Asamankese, Mr. Frimpong however, revealed his intention to accept many calls to represent the constituency in the 2024 general elections on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The CEO of Bridavis Shipping Company emphasised that his readiness to serve the people comes at the back of many challenges that needs to be addressed by those in authority.

Mr. Owen Kwame Frimpong said he will ensure schools in the area are upgraded and ensure the necessary infrastructure and other basic needs of students and teachers are provided to enhance effective teaching and learning.

"Education remain my priority and I will ensure schools within the area are well taken care of in terms of providing the necessary infrastructure and educational materials needed by the various schools. We must take up the education our our children seriously and that's what I stand to do if given the mandate" the businessman indicated.

Background

Intense pressure had been mounting on the philanthropist and businessman who doubles as the CEO of Bridavis Shipping Company, Owen Kwame Frimpong to represent the masses in the 2024 general elections .

Some electorates in the Lower West Akim constituency are relentlessly knocking on the doors of Mr. Frimpong who is a native of Asamankese (Oboadwan) to join the political race in the Ghana's House of Legislature following his proven qualities over the years.

The electorates are of the view that Mr Owen Frimpong posses what it takes to deliver the best for the constituency , and would therefore be unpardonably suicidal to sit on the fence as a passive observant in his own home of birth .

Some maintain that his credentials would suit any political party as the parliamentary candidate whiles others strongly remain optimistic the National Democratic Congress would be more befitting and appropriately reasonable following his long standing membership and contributions within and without the NDC in the Eastern Region.
The Chamber for Bulk Oil Distributors (CBODs) wants the government to urgently develop a framework to direct the gold-for-oil policy to prevent unfair treatment.

Some members of the chamber have already been engaging the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), to access the product, a week after the government received the first consignment under the arrangement.

But speaking to Citi News, CEO of the chamber, Dr. Patrick Kwaku Ofori, indicated that the framework is needed to avoid discrimination.

I think the first consignment has already been there, some of our members were already trading with BOST. Those who already have an existing arrangement with government I think something can be done. Because we are looking forward to a potential or proper framework that will guide the whole process.

I know the regulator met to solicit our views in terms of ensuring that they create a level playing field so that nobody is actually disadvantaged. And also the gains from the pricing advantage that can happen through the process can also trigger down to the pumps, Dr. Patrick Kwaku Ofori opined.

Ghana on January 15, 2023, took delivery of 40,000 metric tons of the first consignment under the policy from the United Arab Emirates.

The move by the government is meant to tackle dwindling foreign currency reserves coupled with the demand for dollars by oil importers, which is weakening the local cedi and increasing living costs.

By Citi Newsroom
The Member of Parliament (NPP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that he will no longer make revelations on his findings on JNS Talent Centre Limited, pending the completion of investigations by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The MP in the past few weeks has been making damning revelations about the company owned by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng after the company received some GHS2.6 million from the National Cathedral.

Although the National Cathedral Secretariat has clarified that the money was a refund for a loan it took, Ablakwa has continued to investigate JNS Talent Centre Limited and its owner who has been found to be the same person as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

In his latest expose, the North Tongu MP has indicated that since JNS Talent Centre Limited was set up in 2015, the company has never filed its annual tax returns.

According to the lawmaker, JNS Talent Centre Limited has also never paid any tax to the state.

In a related development, Demon Investigations can today reveal that JNS Talent Centre Limited, the Kwabena Adu Gyamfi/Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng company at the receiving end of a staggering GHS2.6million from the National Cathedral Secretariat for contractors mobilization as Parliament was told last year has never paid taxes to the state.

Impeccable checks with all relevant institutions and irrefutable evidence in my possession indicate that JNS has never filed its annual tax returns since it commenced business in 2015, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said in a Facebook post on Monday, January 23.

The North Tongu MP added, Notwithstanding other legal consequences, this new finding totally demolishes the dreadful piffle that JNS was in good standing and had the financial capacity to offer a so-called loan of an impressive GHS2.6million to the National Cathedral of Ghana.

Due to ongoing CHRAJ conflict of interest investigations, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says he shall reserve further commentary on this particular discovery in the meantime.
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23.01.2023 LISTEN

The Director General of Ghana TVET Service Madam Mawusi Nudekor Awity has closed Krobea Asante Institute upon the advice of the Ashanti Regional Security Council.

The letter instructs all students to vacate the campus as the Security Services takes over to protect lives and properties.

The rampaging students at about 1am on Sunday caused a power outage in the school and embarked on a protest amidst the destruction of key facilities and also attacking the residential apartment of the schools Principal.

The students during the protest also broke into the stores of the school where food items are kept and scattered everything in the room.

The Coordinator of Senior High Schools in the Sekeyere East District, Ebenezer Kwesi Opoku confirmed the incident to Citi News and said the students also damaged vehicles belonging to the school and the personal vehicles of other staff.

He added that the 40 students are being held by the police for questioning.

The Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service and other authorities have been to the school to assess the situation.
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, says the corrupt and disastrous policies of the Akufo-Addo government which have led to severe economic hardships provide useful lessons for the improvement of the countrys governance systems.

In a Facebook post, the National Chairman of the NDC called on Ghanaians to take interest in the governance system of the country warning that citizens ultimately bear the consequences of bad governance if they opt to sit on the fence.

The hardships and corruption emanating from the disastrous economic, social, political and developmental policy choices of the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia NPP administration provide useful lessons and insights that must improve our governance systems and practices for the benefit of the future generation.

Particularly these bitter lessons make a solid case for active citizen awareness and participation in the choice and/or implementation of policies.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah popularly known as General Mosquito warned If citizens opt to sit on the sidelines or pursue narrow political agendas, they ultimately bear the consequences of bad governance, as is currently with the dubious debt exchange programme and as revealed by the audit report on the COVID-19 expenditures of the government.

Citizens must be interested, vocal, and insistent on how they prefer to be governed. It's their country and their future that is more at stake with every government action.

By Citi Newsroom
23.01.2023 LISTEN

I HAD the occasion to discuss the exploits of a pimp who once ensured that prostitution was the order of the day in this country. I'm compelled to revisit the issue because the unrepentant pimp continues to make very ridiculous claims.

To refresh your memory, a pimp is a man who controls prostitutes and arranges clients for them, taking a percentage of their earnings in return.

This country once witnessed the exploits of one of the greatest pimps to ever set foot on its shores. He was proud of the nefarious acts of his damsels and did not hide his admiration for their whorish exploits. He also left no stone unturned in his determination to protect his wayward girls. All that mattered to him were the cowries the ladies brought. He epitomised the traits of those Dr. Jerry Boom once described as 'greedy bastards'.

After working as assistant pimp for over two-years and subsequently as chief pimp for 4 years, his cup became full. He was arrested by the security authorities and incarcerated for 4 years. How we all jubilated over his incarceration!

Less than two years into his incarceration, the chief pimp publicly announced that he would rid the country of prostitution after serving his sentence. After serving his time, he was incarcerated for another four-year term. Ironically, he is still claiming to be the only one to rid the country of prostitution.

We would have believed his cock and bull story if he had confessed his crimes and asked for forgiveness. But we can't believe him when he still maintains his damsels did no wrong in selling their bodies in return for cowries.

So, you see, his desire cannot be genuine since he still believes in the pimping business. Obviously, his proclamation is nothing but an attempt to hoodwink his compatriots into sympathising with him.

The Chief Pimp, President Ogwanfunu, was a president who institutionalised, created, looted and shared in this country. Not only did he look the other way when his appointees dabbled in corrupt practices, but was also caught 'in flagrante delicto' (red-handed) engaging in corrupt acts.

In case you've forgotten, he was the only sitting vice-president in this country to have had a committee set up by his own boss to investigate him for corruption. The committee, set up to investigate the shady Embraer jet deal, is what I refer to.

Again, President Ogwanfunu is the only president in the whole world to have been implicated in numerous court-certified scams. After a long wait, he finally admitted, albeit subtly, that he was 'Government Official 1' as mentioned in the stinking Airbus scandal. The same man was also mentioned for his role in the messy Goldman Sachs deal. How corrupt can a man be!

Was he also not the one who received a $100,000 Ford from Djibril Kanazoe, the Burkinabe contractor? Call it what you wish, but we all know the so-called gift was a 'thank you' from the Burkinabe contractor for the Ghana Embassy contract in his homeland.

It is, therefore, funny to hear such a man accuse others of engaging in 'sakawa'  a Ghanaian term for 'scams'. Yes, 'sakawa' was his favourite term before the 2020 polls. It was indeed very rich coming from a man fully drenched in corruption.

I'm sure Abusuapanin remembers the six so-called mobile clinics procured by President Ogwanfunu at a unit cost of $80,000 but became white elephants because these weren't fit for purpose. The trucks are currently overgrown with weeds in a junk yard somewhere around Korle-Gonno.

Was President Ogwanfunu not the one who presided over the stealing of more than $12 million of our taxes on salvaged 207 buses, fitted with kitchen cabinets, as ambulances? It's refreshing to know that a certain Forson, and two others, had been dragged to the courts to answer for their respective roles in the unadulterated thievery.

Sometimes I wonder if President Ogwanfunu has the word 'shame' in his lexicon. If he had, he would be the last person in this country to accuse others of 'sakawa' or corruption.

But I do understand him. He still deludes himself that his compatriots have short memories. So, he erroneously thinks we have forgotten about the numerous create, loot and share schemes under his watch.

Of course, some do have very short memories. But those of us with long memories will not shirk our responsibility of reminding our compatriots of the ills of the Ogwanfunu government, in order not to repeat the mistake it made in the 2008 polls.

President Ogwanfunu epitomises the proverbial thief who, being chased by a mob, also starts shouting thief, thief to deflect attention from himself. But his scream will not do the trick because he has already soiled himself after eating bad food. Even those who have difficulties perceiving smell could tell that his stool has an unusually strong, fetid smell.

See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!
The life of a 32-year-old man at Nkawie Panin in the Ashanti Region is danger after he was brutally butchered over a bunch of missing plantain.

Ali Dawuda was in his house at Nkawie Panin around 6:30pm on Saturday when one Boakye stormed the place very angry and accused him of stealing his plantain.

According to a police report, before Dawuda could even utter a word, Boakye pulled a cutlass and butchered him.

After committing the grievous crime, the suspect, reportedly, fled the crime scene and left the heavily injured Dawuda to his fate.

Dawuda who was covered with blood, was rushed to the Nkawie/Toase Government Hospital for treatment, where he was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

The bloody incident was reported to the police, who quickly sent their men to the crime scene with the hope of apprehending the suspect, but Boakye was nowhere to be found at the time.

Boakye has since gone into hiding.

DGN online
The NGO Human Rights Watch has denounced murders, deaths in custody, enforced disappearances, and acts of torture linked to the clampdown against anti-governments demonstrations by the authorities in October.

On 20 October 2022, some 60 people died  mainly young people shot dead in the capital by the authorities  during an opposition demonstration against transitional president General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno's decision to prolong his stay in power for two more years.

According to the Human Rights Watch report published this Monday, security forces fired live ammunition at demonstrators, killing and injuring dozens, beat people, chased them into houses and arrested them.

"Because of the seriousness of the crimes committed by the Chadian security forces on 20 October  and in the days that followed  the international community should provide a strong response," the NGO added.

Deaths and disappearances

According to the government, a total of 621 people were arrested in N'Djamena and taken to Koro Toro, a high-security prison in the middle of the desert 600 kilometres from the capital.

Witnesses told the NGO that several people had died on the way to the prison due to deprivation of "food and water".

The rights group added that the minors arrested during the protests  83 according to the authorities  were held in the same cells and rooms as adults for at least the first two weeks of their incarceration.

The report also cites witnesses who say that security forces "driving unmarked cars" went to "communities known to support political opposition groups.

The organisation also points to several cases of "enforced disappearances": detainees whose "whereabouts remain unknown and whose family members and lawyers have requested information in vain".

Meanwhile, the report has also highlighted that civil society leaders and lawyers have no confidence in either the independence or effectiveness of a commission of inquiry that was launced by the Economic Community of Central African States in the aftermath of the October demonstrations.

The NGO has recommended that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights should be called in to assist with the investigations.
Dr Nii Amu Darko, President of the African Reform Movement (ARM), says the lack of zeal towards amending Ghana's Constitution is because politicians are benefiting from certain provisions in the Constitution.

The fear on the part of successive Governments over calls being made for a change in Constitution is because it serves their needs. Good men can make a bad constitution better but bad men will even destroy a good constitution and abuse every provision in it. This is our situation in Ghana now, he said.

Dr Darko made the comment on Saturday at the African Reform Movement Grand Opening meeting in Accra.

He bemoaned the winner-takes-all attitude, which allowed ruling Governments to occupy majority of political appointments and suggested a proportional representation in Government.

Winner-take-all or winner-takes-all is an electoral system in which a single political party or group can elect every office within a given district or jurisdiction.

Proportional representation is an electoral system that creates a representative body that reflects the overall distribution of public support for each political party.

It allows majority or plurality systems to effectively reward strong parties and penalises weak ones by providing the representation of a whole constituency to a single candidate who may have received fewer than half of the votes cast.

Systems of proportional representation have been adopted in many countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Mr Darko urged citizens to intensify their calls for change in the constitution and punish underperforming Governments by voting them out of power.

He declared his intention to contest in the 2024 Presidential election and urged the citizens to look beyond the duopoly of NPP and NDC and try a new alternative.

Mr Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, popularly known as KKD, a Ghanaian Broadcaster, said the duopoly of NPP and NDC had failed to develop Ghana as expected.

This duopoly is is only working for the few politicians who get the position they need in one of these two. The average Ghanaian suffers, he added.

He said Ghana could only advance if vices such as nepotism, ignorance, arrogance, selfishness, greed, conflict of interest and corruption were eradicated.

KKD urged participants to be daring and challenge the status-quo, adding that, the best minds in the world were those who challenged existing thoughts.

In the days of old, countries were great because they had armies and ammunition. In today's age, nations are great because they have thinkers and thought leaders. Everyone of us must be a thought leader, he said.

GNA
The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry is set to introduce three high-speed Diamond DA-42 aircraft for surveillance in the next six months as part of its renewed effort to combat destructive illegal mining and systemize the small-scale mining sector.

The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, Mr George Mireku Duker, who disclosed this to the media during an inspection of the aircraft at the Takoradi Airforce Base on Friday, said this would be done in cooperation with the Ghana Airforce and the Ghana Chamber of Mines, which would be responsible for paying the 700,000 euros cost of retrofitting the aircraft before they are deployed.

He also emphasized three key aircraft components that were critical to repair, rather than purchase new machinery that would serve the same purpose.

This is an effort we are making to clamp down on recalcitrant persons who are still determined to destroy our industry. We want to streamline and regulate activities in the mining sector. We believe that it is cost-effective compared to procuring drones and other equipment. Though drones may have their efficiencies, this could be in the air for hours without being noticed and collect evidence that can be used in a court of law, he noted.

After inspecting the aircraft, the Deputy Minister stated that the sustainability of the government's current flagship policy of gold for oil would be heavily dependent on a formal and structured small-scale mining sector and that the Lands Ministry would fight until the sector was formalized.

Mr Mireku Duker stated that the aircraft work was expected to take six months.

"Among other things, the aircraft servicing work will include the replacement of crashes, hard drives, outdated software and engines," he assured.

The Diamond DA-42 aircrafts were purchased and delivered to the Ghana Airforce in 2011 for offshore surveillance but have since developed faults in the communication and surveillance software.
The Port and Infrastructure Committee (PIC) of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has engaged the Meridian Port Services (MPS) on measures to improve shipper services at MPS Terminal 3 of the Tema harbour.

The exercise forms part of measures the Authority is putting in place to protect and promote the interest of shippers.

The engagement, which took place at the Tema Harbour last Wednesday, was necessitated by several reported protocol breaches by shippers and transporters terminal.

The Board Chairperson of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Ms Stella Wilson, proposed that the MPS and the GSA should collaborate for effective resolution of challenges.

Our aim is to have a better understanding of the technicalities involved in your operations to enable us to assist shippers with their complaints, she added.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mr Mohammed Samara, noted that management was working to ensure that its services were mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

According to him, the terminal has leveraged advanced technologies such as the Truck Appointment System (TAS) to enhance the operations at the Port.

The adaptation of the TAS has led to a reduction in the time required for the clearing of goods, putting Ghana on her way to becoming a hub for trade in West Africa, he hinted.

The Committee was led on a tour of some areas of the Terminal, including the Standard Operating Procedure office, the Export Scanners Terminal, Drivers Help Desk, Quayside, the Import Scanners Building and the Holding Area.
Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia last Saturday joined Ghana Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission on the occasion of its 90th Annual Convention at Gomoa Pomade in the Gomoa Central District of the Central Region with a call on Ghanaians to tolerate each another.

Addressing the people on the theme for the anniversary, "Promoting Justice and Social Cohesion-The Islamic Example," Vice President noted that Ghana is a unique nation due to the coexistence among various tribes.

"Let me use this opportunity to encourage Muslims to sustain the peace and stability between them and the general public, especially religious-based groups and sects.

"The Bible and the Quran equally called on people to live peacefully with one another and to give fair hearing to each individual without fear or favour. If this fails, people will be compelled to seek justice rather than allow themselves to be oppressed by few individuals or groups of people.

He urges the Muslim youth to avoid violent means of seeking justice.

"Seek justice without fear. Pursuing justice is not an option but that doesn't mean one should use violence in an attempt to seek justice because no violent acts would be entertained in the country.

"The laws of the land allow fairness in justice delivery. We must live together in harmony with each other in spite of our religion or political beliefs. This explains why am happy with the Theme for the Celebration of this year's Convention.

"Let me admonish the Judicial system of injustice but rather apply fairness to every citizen no matter their status to enable society to have confidence in them," he stated.

The Ameer (Head) and Missionary in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, Alhaji Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih recounted that the occasion of Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was instituted in the year 1891 by Hazarat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the holy founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission.

In his message of peace, love and affection to all the noble souls who have gathered for the purpose of the spiritual gathering, the current Supreme Spiritual Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hazarat Mirza Masroor Ahmad prayed for Allah's blessing for their Jalsa with great success. "May all those who have gathered together for this unique and special religious event, gain immense spiritual blessings and may you increase in goodness, piety and righteousness."

He added, "Let us remember to be kind and merciful to humanity, for all are creatures of Allah. Do not oppress them with your tongue, your hands or in any other way. Always work for the good of mankind. Never unduly assert yourself with pride over others.

"Do not oppress them even those who are placed under you. Never use abusive language for anyone even if he abuse you. Be humble in spirit, be kind, be gentle and be forgiving. Be sympathetic towards all and wish them well, so that you may be accepted, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih quoted from (Kashti-e-Nuh, Ruhani khazain vol19 pages 11-12).

He also quoted the current World-wide Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, The Khalifatul Mash V, who in a summation admonishes us as follows, " Therefore you should turn your special attention and concentrate towards achieving these fundamental spirit goals of fulfilling the rights of Allah and fulfilling the rights to His creation.

"Furthermore, each and every Ahamdi Muslim must be a loyal citizen of the country and should work hard and with determination to contribute fully towards the advancement and development of Ghana

"Explain to your fellow Ghanaian citizens that it is essential for everyone to cooperate, unite and strive together for the betterment and progress of the nation as a whole.

"You should, as Ahmadi try to render sincere and offer complete and absolute loyalty to your country to the utmost degree," Mawulvi Mohammed Bin Salih noted.

There were Fraternal messages from Traditional Leaders as well as religious sects including the representative of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Henryk Jagodzinski and Shiek Aremeyaw Shaibu who represented the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu.

Other dignitaries present were the Deputy Minister of Interior and MP for Gomoa Central, Hon. Naana Eyiah, the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan and DCE for Gomoa Central, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo among others.
23.01.2023 LISTEN

Delegates of the governing New Patriotic Party NPP have been admonished to put the party first and vote for an honest and trusted person in the shape of Hon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as the next flagbearer of the party.

Mr Kwadwo Owusu, a campaign team member for Hon Kennedy Agyapong who made the call noted that NPP can only retain power in the 2024 Presidential polls if the Assin Central MP is made to lead the party.

Mr Owusu in a press release copied to this portal on Monday January 23, 2023 said Kennedy Agyapong remains the best choice for the NPP.

"The overwhelming support base of Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong alone, speak volumes and has registered hope in the minds of the discerning delegates and the Ghanaian populace to be up and alert against people painting false pictures of reality by always bending facts to suit just their personal interests.

"The inclusion of Kennedy Agyapong in the flagbearership race of the NPP; a business mogul, philanthropically inclined, constructed 80-bed cardiothoracic center at the 37 military hospital, donation of a cancer treatment machine to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Massive support in cash and PPE's for the fight against covid-19 and many changes he has and still making in the livelihood of the ordinary Ghanaian.

"Such a results-oriented, apt and always ready to help, has succeeded in transmogrifying today's politics from 'sweet talks' and conjuring unrealistic stories unto a fair field of realists, that is; bringing your track record to bear for a critical scrutiny to prove your realness to settle on as the best choice to lead the NPP and Ghana," he stated.

Mr Kwadwo Owusu noted that Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is not just a genius, but a positive straight-up man full of a can-do spirit, who is always eager and willing to effect changes positively in the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian.

He added that voting the Assin Central MP as the next flagbearer of the NPP will leapfrog the party's votes come 2024.

Read the full statement below:

For Immediate release

22th January, 2023

NPP WILL MAKE KEN THE FLAGBEARER AND GHANAIANS MUST EMBRACE HIM AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

The overwhelming support base of Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong alone, speak volumes and has registered hope in the minds of the discerning delegates and the Ghanaian populace to be up and alert against people painting false pictures of reality by always bending facts to suit just their personal interests. Meanwhile, this agenda happens and changes only in the books and at the end, breed nothing but political disheartening and jiltering to survive.

The current political terrain does not support the usual deception people always drive through. And the sudden unleashed of political uneasiness in some quarters, is as a result of the inclusion of the man Ken in the flagbearership race of the NPP; a business mogul, philanthropicallly inclined;(construction of 80-bed cardiothoracic center at the 37 millitary hospital, donation of a Cancer treatment machine to Komfo Anokye teaching hospital, Kumasi. Massive support in cash and PPE's for the fight against covid-19 and many changes he has, and still effecting in the livelihood of the ordinary Ghanaian.

Such a results oriented, apt and always ready to help, has succeeded in transmogrifying today's politics from 'sweet talks'

and conjuring unrealistic stories unto a fair field of realists, that is; bringing your track record to bear for a critical scrutiny to prove your realness to settle on as the best choice to lead the NPP and Ghana.

The name Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is not just genius, but a positive straight up man full of a can-do spirit, always eager and willing to effect changes positively in the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian. Government does the higher rate of employment, yet, Ken with what God has blessed him with, keeps forcing day in, day out, to turn things around for the people of Ghana when he can, and Ghanaians nationwide attest to his kind-heartedness and altruistic nature of such character with high level of benevolence.

Ken has done a lot for Ghana and the NPP and still bankrolls the party till today, and the little said about NPP's days in opposition, the better, because, everyone knows that, NPP has been an albatross on the neck of Hon Ken and he must be supported with every support available.

In all of these; this same man has employed numerous Ghanaians and still employing.

It is only fair and proper to give him(Ken) the chance to lead and do more for the NPP and Ghana as a whole, and I encourage all and sundry to wake up and support Ken.

When you have the facts and can speak to it with evidence, you only explain to people and when questions emerged to that effect, you do justice to it with supporting evidence but you don't dissipate time and energy campaigning, knowing very well that, you can push through lies, deception and propaganda to blackmail innocent Ghanaians to suit your personal interest.

Ghanaians are wild awake, we have broaden our horizons and therefore Ken must be allowed without any hindrances to contest, win decisively to lead the NPP into the 2024 Presidential Election and win as well to become the president.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make us great and strong.
Abuja  Nigerian authorities say search teams are going after armed men holding four students out of six kidnapped from their school Friday, one of many violent incidents reported in Nigeria in the past week as the country gears up for elections next month.

Nassarawa state's police commissioner, Maiyaki Mohammed Baba, told VOA Sunday that the teams, including the military, police and civil defense and locals, searched a nearby forest in the state for a second day for the remaining students.

Armed men on Friday attacked the Local Education Authority Primary School, Alwaza, in the Doma district while the children were reporting to school and kidnapped six pupils. Schools are often targets for ransom-driven armed gangs with a reputation for notoriety in central and northwest Nigeria.

Baba said state authorities have also fortified schools to prevent a repeat of the incident.

Security forces on Saturday rescued two girls who were abducted and reunited them with their families after a medical examination.

"So far, we're putting on intensive efforts to ensure that we rescue the remaining ones. They're all in the bush now in trail of the suspects. We provided guards in all our schools to ensure that such thing does not repeat itself again," said Baba, speaking to VOA by phone.

The United Nations estimates more than 1,500 school students have been kidnapped, mostly in northern Nigeria, since late 2020. Most of them have been freed through negotiations but some are still being held.

Farmers and herders also frequently clash over land and scarce resources in Nassarawa state.

Nigerian authorities have been struggling to stem a wave of violence just weeks ahead of elections scheduled for February 25. Security has been a major topic among campaigners.
Professor David Millar of Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary Development Studies, Millar Open University (MITDS/MOU), says the north has a lot of potential for development.

He cited East Africa's for instance, major source of income is wildlife tourism attractions, "and if you embark on it, you would realize that the wildlife tourism attractions are not in the thick forest."

"It is, therefore, unacceptable," he lamented, to agree that the north is poor when all he can see is worth that is not explored for the benefit of the poor.

Professor Millar spoke in an interview with ModernGhana News in Bolgatanga, the Capital of the Upper East Region.

Regarding the perception that the north is poor, Professor Millar said he is the longest citizen that stayed in the Upper East Region by choice though, there are few others who have left the place to seek greener paster elsewhere with the same perception that living in the north one will remain poor or join a cohort of poverty.

Prof Millar stated that, aside government flagship program of the One District, One factory, the number of such factories in the north cannot be compared to that of the south. "This clearly shows that there is room to grow our industrial sector and do a bit more value addition with a focus on local indigenous, and items that are found within the area."

North, he stated, is the place to be. Prof. Millar emphasized that he has never seen the north to be poor as people perceive it. "It only needs to be given the opportunity to express itself and to grow."

He further explained that some time ago, Ghana became the fastest-growing economy in the world. "It didnt mean it was the biggest but it was so deprived that the little things she was doing, were showing bigger results on the economy than many other already established economies in the world."

Same he stated can be seen in the case of the north. "Once the opportunities are there and are given the chance to make good use of them the north will certainly be forward-looking and more development-oriented.

Prof Millar stressed that there are a lot of natural resources found in the north such as gold with evidence that there is an inland oil deposit along the Voltarian lake stretching into Burkina Faso. He noted that there are some companies currently prospecting for the oil.
The African Chamber of Content Producers has called on Africans in Africa and the Diaspora to rally behind the ideals of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to develop the continent and bring true prosperity to its people.

In a press statement to launch the Africa Image Ambassadors project, the chamber emphasized the need to shift the focus of Africa's development from loans and aid to Intra-African Trade.

The Chamber reiterated the need to develop strategic contents on AfCFTA to drive the interest and engagements of Africans in the Continent and the Diaspora to achieve the vision and objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The AfCFTA is the worlds largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The overall mandate of the AfCFTA is to create a single continental market with a population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately US$ 3.4 trillion.

AfCFTA is one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. It is a high-ambition trade agreement, with a comprehensive scope that includes critical areas of Africa's economy, such as digital trade and investment protection, amongst other areas. By eliminating barriers to trade in Africa, the objective of the AfCFTA is to significantly boost intra-Africa trade, particularly trade in value-added production and trade across all sectors of Africas economy.

In an Interview with Amb. Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin; an Executive Director of the African Chamber of Content Producers, he disclosed that trade is one of the earliest research themes within anthropology and by extension archaeology, therefore for Africa to develop, its people must go back to their roots.

From all historical records, African civilizations and empires like Egypt, Kingdom of Kush, Land of Punt, Carthage, Kingdom of Aksum, The Songhai Empire, The Great Zimbabwe, The Mali Empire, the Ghana Empire, the Benin Kingdom, The Kongo, and several other powerful civilizations in pre-colonial Africa saw their rise to prominence through trade. Trade brought several tribal Africans together and established strong ties leading to the birth of empires and great civilizations. AfCFTA must be seen as the largest trade empire for all Africans, this is why the Chamber has selected the AfCFTA as part of the flagship programs for the Africa Image Project, he stated.

The Africa Image (Aim) Project is a Pan-African leadership and development program put together by the African Chamber of Content Producers and its partners to achieve the agenda of rebranding Africa.

"The AIM project is focused on National Development Programs (NDPs) across Africa. Ambassadors are to identify issues that affect the development of their respective countries and work with the chamber to establish tangible and sustainable solutions to rectify these challenges through content.

"The launch of the Africa Image (AIm) Project has become necessary as we forge to build a platform for Africans to unite, connect, network, brainstorm and work together to turn the fortunes of Africa around for the benefit of Africans, part of the statement read.

Dr Prince Kwame Darko, an Image Ambassador of the African Chamber of Content Producers also expressed his excitement for the opportunities that could be harnessed from the proper execution of AfCFTA. AfCFTA is not just for manufacturers or investors in Africa, AfCFTA is also for African consumers like myself. We are part of the value chain that the African Chamber of Content Producers is targeting for the success of the initiative. Trade is one of the most critical cultural activities that encouraged interaction and exchange of ideas, commodities, and services between individuals and communities and diversely transformed African societies in history. Through the promotion of historical trade successes, and the development of strategic contents, the chamber can rally massive support for the AfCFTA, he revealed.

The African Chamber of Content Producers' modus operandi is in accordance with the principles & objectives of the African Charter on cultural renaissance Part 1 Article 3 (f) & (h) and Part V Article 20 & 21 on the use of media in promoting Culture and guided by the constitutive act of the Africa Union. The Chamber has about thousand Africa Image Ambassadors across Africa and the Diaspora.
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NPP), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has called on the Ghanaian citizenry to be concerned about the rising corruption in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

In a statement, the long-serving scribe of the largest opposition party cautioned that if Ghanaians decide to sit idle and watch on for graft to continue in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's government, they will suffer the consequences.

The hardships and corruption emanating from the disastrous economic, social, political, and developmental policy choices of the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia NPP administration provides useful lessons and insights that must improve our governance systems and practices for the benefit of the future generation.

Particularly these bitter lessons make a solid case for active citizen awareness and participation in the choice and/or implementation of policies, parts of the statement by Johnson Asiedu Nketia on his Facebook page said.

The NDC Chairman added, If citizens opt to sit on the sidelines, or pursue narrow political agendas, they ultimately bear the consequences of bad governance, as is currently with the dubious debt exchange programme and as revealed by the audit report on the COVID-19 expenditures of the government.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia proposes that citizens must be interested, vocal, and insistent on how they prefer to be governed.
The recent audit of the COVID-19 expenditure has revealed that some senior and supporting staff of the Ministry of Information, headed by Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, illegally paid themselves an amount of GHS151,500.00 as risk allowance during the pandemic.

The Auditor Generals report, which covered the expenditure as well as the amount received into government coffers during the period of March 2020 and June 2022, noted that the Ministry took the decision on the basis that they worked every day of the week.

Unlike the government's decision to pay some frontline workers an additional amount including tax holidays as compensation, the report noted that the Ministrys move had no executive approval.

During our review, we noted that senior management staff and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GHS151,500.00 as COVID-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown period contrary to the above Presidential directives and without approval from the Office of Chief of Staff, the Auditor Generals report says in part.

The report instructed for the said amount to be refunded with immediate effect into the Auditor Generals recovery fund.

We recommended that the amount of GHS151,500.00 should be recovered from the beneficiary staff and paid into the Auditor-General's Recoveries account, it ordered.
Kenya's opposition chief Raila Odinga insisted Monday he was the rightful winner of last year's bitterly-fought election, doubling down on claims of fraud five months after the vote.

Odinga narrowly lost the August 9 poll to William Ruto, according to official results, despite enjoying the backing of the then ruling party.

"We are convinced -- beyond the shadow of a doubt -- that our victory was stolen," the 78-year-old political veteran told a rally attended by thousands of people in the east of the capital Nairobi.

Citing data from a whistleblower within the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that oversaw the vote, Odinga claimed he won by more than two million votes.

After the results were announced, he had alleged fraud and hacking of the election commission's servers and contested the results in an ultimately unsuccessful case lodged at Kenya's top court.

But the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict in favour of Ruto, saying there was no evidence to back Odinga's claims.

On Monday, Odinga rejected the legitimacy of Ruto's presidency and demanded he resign, saying he had neither "the mandate nor the ability to govern the country".

"We cannot and will not recognise the Kenya Kwanza regime and we consider the Kenya Kwanza government illegitimate," Odinga said, referring to Ruto's coalition party.

Odinga, who has long cast himself as an anti-establishment firebrand, called for an audit of the election records by an impartial body.

In August, four out of the seven election commissioners said they could not recognise the results and described the tallying process as "opaque".

Ruto, who defeated his challenger by some 200,000 votes according to the results, vowed Monday not to succumb to the demands of the opposition.

"Look for a different person to threaten. I was elected by Kenyans in broad daylight. For you, you had the system, the deep state and the government, but we defeated you," he charged.

Ruto defended the IEBC as having conducted a clean poll. Last week he claimed there had been a plot to kidnap and murder the body's chairman Wafula Chebukati to "subvert the people's sovereignty".

Since 2002, no presidential poll outcome in Kenya has gone uncontested, with Odinga previously claiming to have been cheated of victory in the 2007, 2013 and 2017 polls.
Health financing has been identified as the key to unlocking progress toward the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as enshrined in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, especially the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.

On average, Ghanas total health spending is lower than comparator Sub-Saharan African and lower-middle income countries. However, it has a relatively higher share of health spending derived from public sources as compared to out-of-pocket sources.

External assistance for health has decreased dramatically as a share of total health spending between 2015 and 2019 falling from 25% to 11%.

This number is higher on average as compared to other lower-middle income. There is a concern about a lack of significant policy measures needed to facilitate a transition process whereby previously supported donor interventions are sustained with domestic, public financing.

To help address the funding gaps, boost investment and improve health outcomes, the Ministry of Health has developed a National Health Financing Strategy. This was made possible with funding from the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (UNMPTF) through the technical leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ghana has taken very significant steps towards achieving the UHC and we recognized that financing our health ambitions cannot be realized without an effective strategy in place, noted Mr Kwakye Kontor, the Head of Planning & Budget Unit at the Ministry of Health and the lead Coordinator of the review of the Health Financing Strategy.

But the partnership between Ghana and WHO towards this new financing blueprint for Ghana has been long in the making. The development of the strategy was one of the key recommendations of the 2019 Ghana Health Financing Forum.

The strategy development process has been two years of co-creation by partners, says Susan Sparkes, a WHO Technical Officer with the health financing team at the WHO headquarters. The process demonstrates how nimble WHO is in responding to the needs of governments.

For the purposes of developing a comprehensive strategy that can be owned by all stakeholders, the Technical Working Group on Health Financing has been activated, comprising members from key stakeholder institutions to co-create the strategy to meet the current and future financing needs of the health sector.

The processes for the development of the strategy are as important as the final document itself. The outcome of the participation of key stakeholders in this long process has demonstrated what we can achieve if we deepen collaboration towards health financing Kingsley ADDAI FRIMPONG, Health Economist  at the Universal Health Coverage and Life Course Cluster, WHO Ghana.

As rightly noted by the Director for Research, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Francis Asenso-Boadi, the strategy development process has benefited from the expertise of various stakeholders who are active players in Ghanas health financing regime. The great thing about this strategy is that it incorporates the expert inputs of all key stakeholders, noted Mr. Asenso-Boadi. We are confident that, this strategy will transform health financing at all levels of care.

He added that "Over the last 30 years, Ghana has shown a strong political, legislative, and fiscal commitment to health system reform to make progress towards UHC. This includes the UHC Roadmap and the Health Sector Medium-Term Development Plan (HSMTDP) 2022-2025. Therefore, the health financing strategy is expected to complement existing efforts towards UHC attainment in Ghana."

Given the financing needs of the health sector, this strategy is coming at a better time, the Head of the United Nations (UN) Systems Unit, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Gladys Osabutey, indicated. With the inclusion of all key stakeholders in the strategy development process, I am convinced we will have the needed discipline for effective implementation.

The significance of the strategy and its inclusive development process is not lost on Ghanas health sector development partners. As Dr Elisha Kipkemoi Ngetich, a Health Specialist at the World Bank believes the diversity of voices that is reflected in the strategy development process is an indication of the commitment of all stakeholders to seeing a well-financed health sector that makes healthcare accessible and affordable to the population.

The 2022 Ghana Health Financing Strategy (HFS) builds on the foundation of healthy vision, policy, strategy, and priorities contained in the UHC Roadmap and Health Sector Medium-Term Development Plan 2022-2025. The HFS digs deep to identify, explore, and propose solutions to key, intractable and longstanding health financing issues. It also develops specific strategies for the health financing functions of revenue collection, pooling and purchasing. This two-pronged approach of addressing key, longstanding issues and further strengthening the three health financing functions creates dynamic, sequenced interaction and synergies between targeted activities and comprehensive strengthening, avoids duplicating the UHC Roadmap and ensures sufficient depth of strategies and plans to make progress in addressing the continued health financing and service delivery challenges in Ghana.
Licensed gold exporters have expressed fear that they will be forced out of business following the implementation of the government's gold-for-oil policy.

The exporters are worried the implementation of the policy will affect jobs and cause revenue shortfalls.

The government has taken delivery of the first consignment of petroleum products under its gold for oil policy which is aimed at reducing pressure on the cedi.

However, licensed gold exporters say thousands of jobs in the gold sector will be lost following the takeover of the intermediary role by the state.

The CEO of the Chamber of Bullion Traders Ghana, Daniel Krampah in an interview with Citi News explained that aside the job losses, the government stands to lose over $3 million in taxes should gold exporters be sidelined.

He also predicted an increase in gold smuggling saying that the Precious Minerals Marketing Company may not be able to cover all gold mining areas.

He gave a breakdown of the revenue mobilization institutions that will be losing out with the rollout of the policy.

The government will also lose because the PMMC charges 0.25 percent on the value of gold that is exported which we have estimated to be about GH3 million annually and the GRA will also lose 1.5 percent of the value of gold that is exported and the Minerals Commission will also lose 0.2 percent of the total value of gold dust and small scale mining sustainability fee.

The jobs of thousands of people who are engaged in gold-exporting activities will also be lost when this policy is fully implemented, Mr. Krampah added.

The governments gold-for-oil policy is expected to release the pressures on the cedi by purchasing oil with raw gold in order to cut the states need for dollars to buy oil products.

By Citi Newsroom
A Ghanaian female broadcaster Bridget Otoo has taken a swipe at Beatrice Agyeman, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Media General, owners of TV3, Onua FM, 3FM, Connect FM, Akoma FM and MG Digital.

Bridget Otoo claims Beatrice Agyemang has taken off the 'Johnnies Bite' show hosted by Johnnie Hughes on TV3s New Day show due to pressure from the ruling NPP government.

The former staff of Media General further claims the stations GCEO always cow-towed to the NPP, which was the reason she left.

In a series of tweets sighted by Modernghana News on Monday, January 23, the womens rights advocate alleged that 'Johnnies Bite' has been taken off to appease the ruling government.

According to her, the bold and courageous Johnnie Hughes has been deliberately moved from the 'New Day' show to host 3FMs Sunrise show.

"If Johnnie Hughes was on any platform that had that huge following with his Johnnies Bite, the media house would protect him because he brings in numbers. But he finds himself among ceremonial managers who would rather cow-tow to politicians than stick by their staff!

"Its Johnnie Hughes! You are taking him off New Day, bowing to the pressure of NPP to take him off. How do you do this for your main star on the show? Does Beatrice Agyemang think she can control the staff that comes there?" parts of her tweets read.

She stressed, "You did it to me, and now, five years later, you are doing same to Johnnie Hughes. Allow people to express themselves even if you disagree with them. Its democracy! "I will never forget what the COO of TV3 told me: "Be nice to NPP or dont criticize them; they were in opposition then and are doing worse in government."

Such an alleged attitude by Madam Beatrice Agyemang, according to the political journalist, will give way for the politicians to keep attacking more journalists, particularly at Media General.

She cited Richard Ahiagba, the National Communications Director of the NPPs recent scathing attack on Roland Walker, a host of TV3s New Day show as an example of the partys seeming 'control' over the stations management.

"If a media house like TV3 Ghana keeps bowing to the pressures of politicians, they will keep coming for more of your staff they disagree with! Also, prepare for someone worse than Johnnie and I. Already, Ive seen Comm. Dir. of NPP Richard Ahiagbah has started harassing Roland Walker!

"Will Beatrice Agyemang take Roland Walker off when the pressure gets to her? Why cant you stand by your staff, who are supposed to have independent minds of their own and not be puppets, nodding yes to everything?" she stated.
Some aggrieved customers of GT Bank have massed up at the premises of the headquarters of the financial institution on Monday to protest suspicious debits on their accounts.

The customers in question have been accused of trading in cryptocurrencies.

The angry customers were at the banks head office at North Ridge to demand an urgent rectification of their concerns.

Some customers of the bank dealing in forex took to social media to complain of supposed illegal debits on their accounts which triggered the bank to issue an explainer.

GT Bank explained that: the referenced debits are solely the FX differential between the unapproved FX rates applied on the crypto trading platforms and standard FX rates applicable to all other valid transactions advised by the Bank. GTBank Ghana has taken steps to engage individual customers who were involved in these transactions. The Bank remains a business operating under the laws in the financial industry and will not unduly cause its customers dissatisfaction in any regard.

In reference to the public notices issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Bank of Ghana (BoG), cryptocurrencies are not an approved legal tender in Ghana and the general public has been warned to desist from transacting in them as doing so is at their own risk. The online platforms on which they are traded have not been issued any license and for that matter, are not regulated. Hence, all merchants and platforms offering such cryptocurrencies are to be reported to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ghana for necessary action.

The aggrieved customers argue that they have not committed any financial crimes in their trading activities with the crypto giant Binance.

Speaking to Citi News, the affected customers said the freeze is negatively affecting them.

We were able to prove to them that the deductions they made on our account are not fair, and we were able to prove to them that the company that helped us in the transaction did not charge us anything rather than cedis, one customer said.

We are not satisfied, we dont need words, we need documents and proof that we committed some mistakes with the transactions that we did, and they havent been able to do that. If they are able to prove to us that the transactions we made were wrong and were charged in Dollars, we will be fine, another said.

---citinewsroom
Founder and Overseer of the Alabaster International Ministry, Prophet Kofi Oduro has reacted to the trolls against Rev. Elvis Agyemang, host of the Alpha Hour midnight prayers.

The lead pastor of the Grace Mountain Ministry has recently suffered criticism over allegations of milking the public, especially women, in God's name.

This comes after the December 31, 2022, crossover service, where a picture of some people counting huge sums of money purportedly as offerings from members of his church popped up on social media.

Social media has since gone on haywire with many describing the midnight prayer sections host as fake and a money-seeker.

In reaction, the controversial man of God has warned the netizens to stay off Gods business and stop insulting men of God.

Delivering a sermon at the Alabaster Chapel, Prophet Kofi Oduro said people questioning Rev. Elvis Agyemangs originality must put a stop to it or else they will incur the wrath of God.

Dont bring your madness to the church or we will bring your names here and call the God of the Bible to eliminate you from the surface of the world miraculously and supernaturally.

Dont bring your madness to the churchthere are churches in this country, we can count offerings for four dayslets pray for this country, we are sick, he fumes.

He continued, You those YouTube influencers and bloggers, we have not asked you the amount you make out of the views when youre talking your nonsense and rubbish. Listen to me carefully.

Your stupid mindset! Nobody has questioned how much YouTube gave you but after attending 31st All Night which you never showed up or paid offertory, those who gave did wholeheartedly, what audacity do you have whatsoever to come and ask what we (preachers) do with money and how we got the money. Have you misplaced your money?Prophet Oduro quizzed the trolls.
Russian exports of natural gas to Kyrgyzstan increased from January through November 2022, Azernews reports via Kyrgyz National Statistical Committee.

According to statistical data, Kyrgyzstan imported Russian natural gas for $45.9 million in 11 months of last year, which is an increase of 6 percent over the same period in 2021 ($43.3 million).

During the reporting period, Kyrgyzstan also imported natural gas from Uzbekistan worth $5.2 million.

At the same time, Russian exports of petroleum products to Kyrgyzstan amounted to $445.2 million from January through November 2022, which is an increase of 57.3 percent over the same period in 2021 ($283 million).

Overall, value of exports of goods from Russia to Kyrgyzstan in 11 months of last year increased by 25 percent over the same period in 2021 ($1.6 billion) - up to $2 billion.

In the meanwhile, the committee estimates that 84 percent of Kyrgyzstan's natural gas needs in 2021 were provided through imports from Russia.
NCDC said Edo, Ondo, and Bauchi States have continued to lead on the log of Lassa Fever cases in the country.

Edo State has recorded 10 new cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the state to 81 with eight deaths.

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Obehi Akoria, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists Sunday, adding that the 10 new cases were confirmed in five local councils in the state.

The affected local government areas are Etsako West, Esan North East, Esan West, Akoko Edo, and Etsako Central.

Breakdown

Giving a breakdown, the commissioner said the 81 cases were recorded in 11 local government areas in the state.

According to her, Etsako West recorded 33; Esan West, 19; Esan North East, 16; while Esan Central and Esan South East recorded two cases each.

Decrying the rising number of fatalities from the virus, the commissioner said the state now has a case fatality rate of 10 per cent, adding that most of the deaths recorded were persons who were unwell and failed to report to a proper hospital for care until they developed complications.

Edo, two others lead

According to data by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Edo, Ondo, and Bauchi states have continued to lead on the log of Lassa Fever cases in the country.

The Director-General of NCDC, Ifedayo Adetifa, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, noted that the three states account for 84 per cent of Lassa fever infections in the country.

Mr Adetifa said that between 2 and 15 January, the country recorded 369 suspected cases of Lassa fever out of which 105 were confirmed positive from 30 LGAs in 10 states.

Lassa Fever: Nigeria records 48 infections, two deaths first week

The NCDC boss noted that the 10 states are Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Oyo, Plateau and Nasarawa States

Lassa Fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
A 33kV earthen transformer has been razed by fire at the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) Achimota Bulk Supply Point (BSP) at Abelemkpe in Accra.

The swift intervention by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service at Abelemkpe helped to quench the inferno and prevented it from spreading to other installations at the station.

An eyewitness reported hearing a loud blast followed by flames and quickly made calls to the Fire Service who arrived on time.

The cause of the fire which started around 3:55 pm has not yet been established and investigations are underway to ascertain the cause

The Assistant Divisional Officer Two (ADO2) at the Abelemkpe Fire Service Station, Nathaniel Amoah told Citi News there was no casualty, just that some parts of the city will not have power for now,

Fortunately enough, we were able to quench it in time when we arrived, ADO2 Amoah added.

The Electricity Company of Ghana is working to restore power to the affected areas.

By Citi Newsroom
Jibril Mohamed Ahmed

23.01.2023 LISTEN

Somalia is a country that has been struggling with civil unrest and political instability for decades. This article will explore the role of nepotism and favoritism in Somalia's political turmoil, and how it has contributed to the ongoing instability. We will look at examples of how these practices have hindered progress and what can be done to address these issues. Finally, this article will discuss potential solutions to the problem of nepotism and favoritism in Somalia.

I. Somalias Struggle with Nepotism and Favoritism

Nepotism is the practice of granting favors or privileges to family members and close friends, while favoritism is the granting of privileges to those who are not related or close friends. Both of these practices have resulted in a lack of accountability and transparency in the government. Government officials are more likely to overlook corruption, embezzlement, and other forms of misconduct if they are related or friends with the person they are supposed to be monitoring. This creates a climate of mistrust, which leads to a lack of faith in the government and its institutions.

According to leaked document to the press, a former petroleum minister of Somalia, Abdirashid Mohamed, has been caught in a nepotism contarversy after appointing his daughter as senior officer within the ministry of petroleum.

Recent elections in Jubbaland and now in South West have shown just how wild favouritism can go in the whole election process, said Adam Aw Hirsi, a Political Analyst in Somalia.

Considering the above facts, it can be well argued that the instability of Somalia is a direct result of nepotism and favoritism. The recent elections held in the country saw many candidates being chosen to run for senate and house assembly over many other candidates who were blocked from running. The international community like the United states have unequvoically condemened these two issues who are undermining peoples secuirty and strengthen Somalias enemies.

Abdifatah Ahmed Farah, 26, a newly married graduate from a Mogadishu university, said he had been job hunting for a long time. The biggest problem we are facing is that many employers here are hiring employees on the basis of nepotism and favoritism, he said.

Unemployment in Somalia is another factor contributed by nepotism and favoritism which have forced many young people to join terror groups or emigrate in search of a better life through perilous journeys across deserts and seas.

II. Discussion on How Nepotism and Favoritism Impede Somalias Stability

In a country that is already plagued by poverty, inequality and weak governance, nepotism and favoritism further entrench these issues and impede the development of the country.

Specific examples of nepotism and favoritism in Somalias government include the appointment of various family members of the president to government posts. For example, President Hassen Sheikh Mohamoud has appointed his cousins and several family members to government positions. This practice is a common occurrence, with many members of the presidents family occupying key government positions, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Finance and the Bureu of Standards(SOBS).

Those individuals appointed have often been unqualified and have used their positions to benefit their family and friends. This has resulted in the mismanagement of resources and a lack of progress in areas such as infrastructure and economic development.

In order for Somalia to become more stable and prosperous, there needs to be political reforms that emphasize merit-based appointments and greater transparency. This will ensure that qualified individuals are appointed to government posts and will reduce the power of nepotism and favoritism. Additionally, greater transparency in the government and its processes will help to reduce corruption and ensure that resources are allocated fairly.

A. Interfering with the Political Process

The practice of nepotism and favoritism has interfered with the political process in Somalia, resulting in the misallocation of resources, a corrupt government, and long-term instability. Nepotism and favoritism have been a major factor in the countrys lack of progress, as it has resulted in the perpetuation of a political class that is not open to change or new ideas. This has resulted in the failure of international organizations to intervene and improve the situation in Somalia.

Its often argued those in power often allocate resources according to political loyalty rather than need. This has resulted in a situation where those in power are able to maintain their power and influence, while the majority of the population is left without access to the resources they need. In addition, the practice of nepotism and favoritism has resulted in a corrupt government, as those who are in power often use their political influence to enrich themselves and their families.

B. Undermining the Democratic System

The lack of accountability for public officials in Somalia has directly undermined the democratic system in the country. In a democracy, citizens are meant to have a say in who is running the country. By allowing nepotism and favoritism to dictate who is in power, the Somali people are being denied their right to have a say in their government.

Furthermore, the lack of accountability for public officials has made it difficult for the Somali people to hold their leaders accountable for their actions. Without the ability to hold their leaders accountable, the Somali people are unable to ensure that their government is working in the best interests of the people.

The scary truth behind the instability of Somalia is that nepotism and favoritism have had a direct and detrimental impact on the democratic system in the country. Without the ability to hold public officials accountable, the Somali people are unable to ensure that their government is working in their best interests. This has led to an erosion of the rule of law, and has enabled the rise of warlords. The only way to restore trust in the government and to ensure that the democratic system is respected is for the Somali people to take a stand and demand accountability from their leaders.

C.Impediments to Social Development

The lack of a unified government, combined with the prevalence of nepotism and favoritism, has had a major impact on the social development of Somalia. The lack of trust between citizens and government institutions has led to a lack of investment in infrastructure and public services, leading to a decrease in the quality of life for many citizens. Additionally, the lack of accountability and transparency has led to a lack of trust in the government, leading to a lack of political participation from citizens.

The prevalence of nepotism and favoritism has also led to a decrease in economic development. The lack of accountability and transparency makes it difficult for citizens to invest in the economy, leading to a decrease in economic growth. Additionally, the lack of a unified government has led to a lack of access to resources and opportunities, further limiting economic development.

Overall, the prevalence of nepotism and favoritism in Somalia has had a major impact on the social and economic development of the nation. Without a unified government and its associated institutions, citizens cannot trust the government and its decisions, leading to a decrease in political participation, economic growth, and quality of life. It is essential that the government of Somalia takes steps to reduce the prevalence of nepotism and favoritism in order to create a more stable and prosperous society.

III.Perspectives on How to Tackle These Problems

The instability of Somalia is largely caused by nepotism and favoritism, which have been entrenched in the countrys government and society for a long time. To tackle these problems, it is necessary to take several concrete measures that can help to promote a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.

The first step towards tackling these issues is to root out nepotism and favoritism by ensuring transparency in all government processes. This can be done by introducing measures such as open government initiatives, which would make it easier for citizens to access information about the decisions made by the government. Additionally, measures such as public hearings and public forums should be introduced in order to ensure that citizens are able to participate in the decision-making process. This will help to ensure that the government is held accountable for its decisions and that the interests of citizens are taken into account.

The second step towards tackling these issues is to introduce concrete measures that promote merit-based decisions at all levels of government. This can be done by introducing policies that promote gender equality, as well as ensuring that all citizens have equal access to education and employment opportunities. Additionally, the government should introduce measures that promote a more equitable distribution of resources, such as land distribution initiatives and programs that promote economic development.

Finally, it is essential to ensure that the citizens of Somalia are given a platform to voice their opinions and concerns about the government. This can be done by encouraging citizens to take part in the decision-making process and by introducing measures such as public consultations and surveys. This will help to ensure that the interests of citizens are taken into account and that the government is held accountable for its decisions.

Overall, it is clear that nepotism and favoritism are major contributors to the instability of Somalia. To ensure the stability of Somalia, it is essential to take concrete measures such as promoting transparency in government processes, introducing merit-based decision-making, and encouraging citizens to take part in the decision-making process. Only by taking these steps can the government of Somalia ensure a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities and ensure the stability of the country.

A.Perception Change through Education

Education is one of the most powerful tools for changing perception and reducing the prevalence of nepotism and favoritism in Somalia. Education can empower citizens to become informed and engaged in the political process, and discourage those in power from taking advantage of their positions for their own personal gain.

Investing in educational initiatives in Somalia is essential to creating a more stable and prosperous future for the country. By providing access to educational opportunities, young people can gain the knowledge and skills they need to become successful and contribute to the development of the country. Furthermore, investing in educational initiatives can help to create a more qualified and competent workforce, which can attract foreign investment and create jobs.

Educational initiatives can also help to reduce poverty and inequality, which are often exacerbated by favoritism and nepotism. By providing access to education, people can gain the skills and knowledge they need to find meaningful work and support themselves and their families.

Ultimately, investing in educational initiatives in Somalia can help to reduce the prevalence of nepotism and favoritism, and create a more stable and prosperous future for the country. By giving people the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to become successful, we can foster a more equitable and accountable government and create a brighter future for Somalia.

B.Building on the Rule of Law

However, there is hope for the future of Somalia. Building on the rule of law is an essential step in creating a functioning government and improving the stability of the country. A strong and impartial legal system will help to ensure that all citizens are treated fairly, and that resources are distributed in an equitable manner.

The key to building on the rule of law is to create an independent and effective judiciary. This means ensuring that judges are properly trained and qualified, and that they are not subject to political influence. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the laws that are in place are fair and consistent and are applied equally to all citizens.

The establishment of an independent judiciary is just the first step in creating a functioning legal system. It is also essential to ensure that all citizens have access to legal services, and that there are effective mechanisms in place to enforce the law. By creating an impartial and transparent legal system, the government of Somalia will be able to increase trust in its institutions and create a more secure and prosperous future for its citizens.

C. Closing the Gap between Politics and the Public

The government needs to engage with the public in order to build trust, and ensure that the people of Somalia are given a voice in the political process.This will help to create a more inclusive government, which will be better able to serve the needs of the public.

It is also important for the government to be open to new ideas and to bring in new talent that is not necessarily connected to the ruling party.This will create an atmosphere of openness and inclusiveness, as well as greater accountability.

Finally, it is essential for the government to ensure that their decisions are based on the needs of the people, rather than personal interests. By creating a system of accountability, the public will be able to trust that their government is working in their best interests.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the culture of nepotism and favoritism has been a major factor in the instability of Somalia. It has caused a lack of trust in the government, created a sense of corruption, and led to unrest and mistrust. Addressing these issues requires a commitment to creating a more equitable system of governance that is free of nepotism and favoritism. In doing so, Somalia can make progress towards a more stable future.

The instability of Somalia is a frightening reality that many people are unaware of. Nepotism and favoritism are two of the primary causes of this instability, as they lead to the misallocation of resources, the inability to provide basic services, and the lack of security. It is essential that we take action to address this issue and work towards a more prosperous and secure future for Somalia. By uniting to end nepotism and favoritism, and by investing in economic, educational, and social development, we can help to ensure a brighter future for Somalia and its people.

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The Minister in charge of Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah on Monday, January 23, hosted Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah, the winner of the 2022 School Sanitation Solutions (Tripple S) Challenge, at her office after she paid a courtesy call on her.

The 11-year-old pupil of Dawhenya Methodist 'B' Basic School last year emerged as the winner of the Trippel S Challenge to become the new Child Sanitation diplomat in Accra.

During her interaction with Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah, Sanitation Minister Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah had a lot of praise for her, insisting that it is admirable for such a young girl to have an interest to improve sanitation in the country.

Having presented seed money to support the various projects the new Child Sanitation diplomat will be embarking on, the Minister assured that she will always be a call away to provide additional support.

We appreciate you for coming here to pay us our visit. You are beautiful and you are a positive influencer in the WASH sector. We are pledging our support to you, keep us informed of all that you are doing. We are worried that schools do not have enough toilets. We are working to ensure whoever puts up a school will make available enough toilets for use.

On behalf of the Ministry, I want to hand this seed money to pay for some of the things you are doing, Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah said while handing over an undisclosed amount of money in an envelope to the young girl.

The Minister further thanked the mother of Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah and lauded her for doing a fantastic job in raising her daughter.

To the mother, Im sure its what you have inculcated in her that she is excelling. Keep it up, Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah indicated.

With the opportunity to address the Sanitation Minister and her office, Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah expressed her appreciation to the Minister for her unflinching support.

She pledged to use her projects to influence other school kids to prioritise practicing good sanitation, assuring that she will push to end open defecation.

I thank you for your support. Im ready to do all I can to end open defecation. I also thank the Minister for supporting our school through the GAMA project, the 2022 School Sanitation Solutions Challenge winner noted in her short address.

Speaking to Modernghana News on the sidelines of the engagement, Sharon Quaye who is the manager of the Child Sanitation Diplomat Initiative opened up on plans to get more young people involved.

She said, Now we want to elevate this further. We dont just want to end with the Child Sanitation Diplomats so we have developed what we call the Young Sanitation Advocates Initiative. That one will identify potential advocates for sanitation, we can have past winners also joining, any child that we can identify to say that child has the potential to become an advocate for sanitation then we call them the Young advocates.

Sharon Quaye added, Our objective is to identify, mentor, and groom these children to learn about issues concerning sanitation. Aside from what they learn we want them to have a practical feel of things as well.

We want to use them to influence policy and change in their environment.

She further appealed to organisations to come on board to support the programme to help improve sanitation in the country by getting children involved.

Any partner that wants to support this our doors are open. We want partners to come on board so that we can promote sanitation especially when children are concerned, Sharon Quaye disclosed.

About the School Sanitation Solutions Challenge:

Since 2019, World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media, in collaboration with the Zoomlion Foundation, the Ghana Education Service, and the GAMA SWP of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, have been organizing the School Sanitation Solutions (Triple S) Challenge annually. The nationwide competition among school children on sanitation seeks to identify passionate and clever children who are able to demonstrate their knowledge and passion for sanitation. The winner is crowned as the Child Sanitation Diplomat (CSD). The CSD is supported to undertake a one-year sanitation campaign. The principal objective is to raise a sanitation-conscious generation.

A major gap left with this popular initiative, however, is that after the one-year campaign by the winner, there is no programme to sustain their interest and passion; they are neglected. Currently, the two previous Sanitation Diplomats have been left on their own. None of the other three finalists each year has ever received any form of support after the Triple S final. The ultimate objective of raising a sanitation-conscious generation therefore leaves a gap.

The Young Sanitation Advocates (YSA) initiative:

To help fill the gaps identified above in the WASH Sector concerning participation and grooming of children for sanitation and help achieve the original dream of the initiators of the Triple S challenge, Kings Hall Media and Channel D have developed the YOUNG SANITATION ADVOCATES programme. The principal objective is to contribute to the identification of passionate children for sanitation and sustain their interest till they grow up.

It is particularly to keep the pedal on all finalists of the Triple S Challenge, the ultimate winners, and any other child sanitation ambassadors and children with demonstrated passion for sanitation, provide continuous mentoring and training for them, and prepare them to indeed become sanitation conscious and real sanitation influencers in society. Kings Hall Media also currently coordinates the management of the Child Sanitation Diplomat.
The President of The New Ghana Social Justice Forum (NGSJF), Mr. Yahaya Alhassan has proposed to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership to appoint a female Muslim as Vice President for the upcoming 2024 general elections for diversity.

Mr. Alhassan, speaking at a press conference in Accra, explained that the NGSJF has precariously, continuously and existentially stood against the bad governance of President Akufo Addo more than perhaps any civil society in Ghana.

On that note, the group is appealing to the NDC leadership to appoint a female Muslim as its running mate for the 2024 general elections.

He stated further that appointing a female Muslim, as Vice President, would garner Muslim votes, boost the spirit of women in the Zongo communities, motivate girl-child education and more importantly, acknowledge Muslims who over the years have lived well with NDC and remained loyal to the umbrella party.

He revealed that research have remarkably measured how the NPP has continuously pulled about 20percent of Muslim votes during general elections following the historic appointment of Professor Adu Boahens Alhaji Issifu Alhassan, President Kufuors Alhaji Aliu Mahama, and Nana Akufo Addos Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia as Vice Presidential candidates.

"Even in advanced democracies religion shapes politics, so would be politically suicidal should NDC downplay the Muslim factor. This is pure science, beyond the quagmire of the sentimental sycophants. Like the parable of the Leper and Ring, NDC shouldnt paint the damning picture that, the Vice Presidency doesnt deserve a Muslim.

"This paper depicts the undeniable lack of potent leadership in the Muslim-Zongo communities and also, historizes how these areas are reduced to politics of tokenism, Hajj-sponsorship and political food donations during the months of Ramadhan and EIDs deprived of social intervention programs", he added.

Mr. Alhassan therefore pleaded with the NDC, to act accordingly.

Read statement below:
Zimbabwean authorities should immediately investigate the recent barring of journalists from covering a court appearance of an opposition politician and ensure that members of the press are not blocked from doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.

Around noon on January 16, in Budiriro, southwest of the capital city of Harare, anti-riot police harassed about 20 journalists, barred them from covering a court hearing, and threatened to beat them, according to media reports, a statement by the Zimbabwean chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), and five of the journalists, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app.

The journalists had gathered to cover the hearing of opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change Organizing Secretary Amos Chibaya and 24 others charged with holding an unlawful gathering with the intent to incite public violence, according to those sources.

Police only allowed journalists from the state-owned outlets Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and The Herald newspaper to cover the hearing, according to the MISA statement and the journalists who spoke to CPJ.

Zimbabwean authorities must facilitate open justice in the countrys courts and ensure that journalists access is not impeded by baton-wielding riot police favoring state media over privately owned media outlets, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, in New York. All journalists should be free to cover cases before the courts and not risk censorship, harassment, and beatings for simply trying to do their jobs to keep citizens informed.

The journalists who were barred included those working for the privately owned news outlets ZimLive, TechnoMag, NewsHawks, NewsDay Zimbabwe, NewZimbabwe, Nhau News Online, and Heart and Soul TV, among others, according to the five journalists who spoke with CPJ.

TechnoMags Audience Mutema told CPJ that, although the journalists produced press identification cards, police pushed them away with their batons, ordered them outside, and refused to allow them to stand near the court building.

Freelance journalist Frank Chikowore told CPJ that police threatened to beat the journalists if they continued trying to gain access to the court.

They asked us: Who invited you here? And they then told us, We dont want any journalists here, go away, Chikowore said. They told us, We will beat you up; get out of here.

The news outlet NewZimbabwe tweeted that some journalists were even dragged and pushed out of the court, and that one police officer told a journalist, Ill injure you.

Ruvimbo Muchenje, a NewsHawk reporter, told CPJ that anti-riot police pushed us around and told us to leave; they said the court was full.

Later that afternoon, a few journalists were allowed in the courtroom after the intervention of Zimbabwe national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, Mutema told CPJ.

CPJ called and texted Nyathi for comment but did not receive any responses.
Mary Ann Cummings

Mary Ann Cummings, assistant teaching professor of computer science, has won the 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Anna K. Fridley Distinguished Teaching Award for non-tenure track faculty whose accomplishments with students reach beyond the classroom. Sponsored by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the award carries a $1,000 prize.

Cummings, who joined MSUs Gianforte School of Computing in 2018 following a 33-year career with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, teaches three courses each semester in computer science and software engineering, including Social and Ethical Issues in Computing, a core course taken by up to 100 students per semester.

Cummings is well known among students as someone who is always available to help them with an assignment, review a resume, celebrate an accomplishment or provide life guidance. Because of this she is sought-after as an academic adviser, with many computer science students selecting her as their preferred choice.

Dr. Cummings goes beyond transactional advising to get to know each advisee on a personal level so that she can provide both career and life guidance, wrote John Paxton, director of the Gianforte School of Computing.

Paxton noted that Cummings has consistently improved the classes she teaches, including a unique and challenging course offered to both computer science and electrical engineering students. She also serves as the faculty adviser to the Association for Women in Computing club and is associate director of MSUs Science, Technology, Ethics and Society Center, which she co-founded.
press release

Addis Ababa  The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat is pleased to announce the appointment of H.E. Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger and former CEO of the AUDA-NEPAD, as the African Union Special Envoy for Food Systems.

The appointment of Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki is pursuant to the African Union's objective to address prevailing international dynamics, the effects of climate change etc, all highlighting rising food insecurity and hunger, including the need for an accelerated implementation and leveraging of the African Common positions to mitigate the multi-dimensional consequences of food insecurity, and the need to support Member States efforts with the needed high-level advocacy and coordination in these priority areas to harness the potential of Continental food systems for the benefit of our peoples.

The Role will work in close collaboration with the African Union Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment to lead and advise multi stakeholder technical consultations leading to the launching of a Continental action plan for rolling out and integrating the Africa Common Position on Food Systems into new national agriculture investment and development plans.

Dr Ibrahim Assane, a national of the Republic of Niger , a former Prime Minister of Niger, former CEO of Africa's Development Agency, AUDA-NEPAD, and respected African statesman, brings decades of political and institutional leadership at the highest level in leading the multi-facetted development Agenda of the Continent.

The Chairperson is confident that Dr Mayaki will contribute to the success of this new multidimensional Continental Role. The Chairperson therefore invites all stakeholders and the international community to extend the necessary support to the inaugural African Union Envoy for Food Systems as he commences his duties.
January 23, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-21

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues is here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on January 23, 2023 at 16:26 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page 
January 23, 2023 U.S. Officials Claim More 'Russiagate' Like Nonsense At the end of last year a letter bomb campaign in Spain hit several offices: In late November and early December 2022, a number of letter bombs were mailed to locations across Spain. Packages were received at high-profile individuals and locations, including the Prime Minister of Spain's Moncloa residence, the Ukrainian and U.S. embassies in Madrid, Torrejon Air Base, and the arms manufacturer Instalaza. One person has been injured in the attacksa security officer at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid.

...

Spain's High Court was reported to have opened an investigation for a possible case of terrorism. In December 2022, Spanish authorities disclosed they believed the letters were postmarked from the city of Valladolid. Spain has so far not concluded which person or group might have sent the letters and what the possible motives behind the campaign were. That does not seem to matter for the some 'U.S. officials' which try to pin the case to Russia. The story is a continuation of their fraudulent 'Russiagate' fairytales. The stenographers at the New York Times thus headline: Russian Agents Suspected of Directing Far-Right Group to Mail Bombs in Spain

U.S. officials say the operation may be a signal by Russia that the country and its proxies could carry out more terrorist actions in Europe if nations continue supporting Ukraine. On might expect some evidence when such wide reaching claims are made. But alas, none is provided. The quite long story is based on the following sources: U.S. officials say ...

American and European officials believe ... according to U.S. officials.

Investigators ... have focused on ... the officials said.

U.S. officials say ... Russian officers who directed the campaign appeared intent ...

The apparent aim ... said the U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivities around the investigation.

There are no signs that Moscow is ready to engage in widespread covert attacks or sabotage .. , which Russian officials believe could provoke a response, ... according to U.S. and allied officials.

Mr. Putins calculus ... U.S. officials say.

Putin has given his military intelligence agency wide latitude ... they say.

The Russian officers behind the bombing campaign work for ... U.S. officials say.

Members of the agency have been involved in ... according to U.S. officials.

U.S. officials suspect ... U.S. officials say.

Spanish investigators have identified persons of interest ... one senior U.S. official said.

A spokeswoman for the Spanish Embassy in Washington declined to comment, citing the continuing inquiry.

Fiona Hill ... said it would not be surprising if ...

American and British intelligence officials have been working with the Spanish national police and counterintelligence officials ... Their suspicions about the Russian Imperial Movement ... coalesced late last year ... officials say.

The radical group is only partially aligned with the Russian government. The movements leadership has criticized the incompetence of Russian leadership in the Ukraine war and accused Mr. Putin of corruption. Yet because the group shares Moscows aims of undermining ... Russian intelligence has been able to influence its operations, according to American officials.

The State Department designated the group ... in April 2020 ...

... the department said in the announcement of the designation.

The Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University describes the Russian Imperial Movement as ... The group advocates the restoration of czarist rule to Russia, it said, and nurtures ties with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in the United States and Europe.

American and European security officials have had growing concerns about white supremacist groups with transnational links for most of the last decade. In 2019, for example, an Australian man who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, ...

As a result of the recent letter bombs, ... U.S. officials said.

In 2018, they tried to kill Sergei V. Skripal, .... Russian agents have also carried out ... according to European intelligence officials.

The same elite group active in Europe, Unit 29155, has operated in Afghanistan and offered bounties to reward Taliban-linked militants for killing American and coalition troops, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment first reported by The New York Times. American officials said in 2021 that they had no evidence showing the Kremlin had ordered the covert action. According to what U.S. officials claim some anti-Kremlin fringe group in Russia was used by a Russian intelligence service to somehow send letter bombs from Valladolid, Spain, to some offices in Madrid. But why would Russian intelligence run such a nonsense campaign? Why would it use a problematic fringe group of Russian crazies to do so. Why in Spain? Why not in Poland, Germany or France? What is the evidence? None of those questions get answered. Instead rumors and hot air assumptions are put together to make the claims somewhat less outrageous. This is on the same level as the lies about 'weapons of mass destruction in Iraq' the Times printed 20 years ago. The addition of the implausible Skripal poisoning story and the false claims of 'Russian bounties' in Afghanistan does not help to make the story more convincing. There is no evidence that either happened at all. What is somewhat funny is the writers' attempt to put the Russian imperialist fringe group into the vicinity of the Christchurch mass murder in New Zealand. The killer had been friend with Ukrainian Nazi terrorists: In the wake of the New Zealand mosque attacks, links have emerged between the shooter and a Ukrainian ultra-nationalist, white supremacist paramilitary organisation called the Azov Battalion. The shooters manifesto alleges that he visited the country during his many travels abroad, and the flak jacket he wore during the assault featured a symbol commonly used by the Azov Battalion.

...

The Azov Battalion is emerging as a critical node in the transnational right-wing violent extremist (RWE) network. This group maintains its own Western Outreach Office to help recruit and attract foreign fighters that travel to train and connect with people from like-minded violent organisations from across the globe. We know that 'U.S. intelligence' is bullshit and that U.S. official are liars, especially with regards to anything around Ukraine. We know that because 'U.S. officials' said so:

bigger That makes the publishing of the above story by the Times even more egregious. Posted by b on January 23, 2023 at 16:24 UTC | Permalink Comments
press release

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, as the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns. The appointment is pursuant to the AU's objective to end all conflicts, gender-based violence, terrorism and prevent genocide in the continent by 2030.

The High Representative will primarily, promote and energize advocacy, mediation and preventive diplomacy as mandated by the Chairperson of the Commission, within the framework of implementing the AU Master Roadmap on Practical Steps to Silence the Guns.

Dr Chambas, a Ghanaian national, served as the Under-Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) from 2014-2021, and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the UN-AU Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). Also a former Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and former President, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, the new High Representative brings with him, decades of rich mix of political experience and resourceful institutional leadership at national, regional, continental and global levels.

The Chairperson of the Commission is optimistic that Dr Chambas' impeccable credentials and commitment to Pan-Africanism and Agenda 2063, will contribute to his success in this new role. The Chairperson therefore invites all stakeholders and the international community to extend the necessary support to the High Representative, as he commences his duties from March 2023.

The Chairperson of the Commission takes this medium to equally convey profound gratitude to H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and immediate past AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, for his notable contributions and meritorious service to the Continent in Silencing the Guns.
Staff Reporter

Richelle obtained a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications from the Far Eastern University in Manila, the Philippines. She was a junior reporter for Marianas Variety from 2009 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015. In the Maldives, she worked as a news reporter and marketing executive. In her free time, shes a painter, pianist, and mom baker.
Police officers guard the area near the location of a shooting that took place during a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, in Monterey Park, California on Jan. 22, 2023.
The mbira music star Mbuya Stella Chiweshe's burial has been scheduled for tomorrow in her rural home at Masembura in Bindura.

The internationally acclaimed mbira queen Mbuya Chiweshe was accorded a State-assisted funeral after succumbing to cancer of the brain last Friday.

It seems most music legends always know when their time to be with the creator is up.

Some express it in their songs like the likes of the late liberation hero Saul Musaka, popularly known as Soul Jah Love, who could have referenced his imminent demise through the song, "Kana Ndafa."

Sungura maestro Tongai Moyo 'Dhewa' in the song, "Handidi Navo", asks the Almighty, in the event that he died, to spare his children from any punishment, on account of his sins.

He pleads with the Lord to punish him and him only, a song many believe he could have sang as he felt his end was nigh.

So is the case of Mbuya Chiweshe, a princess that played the spiritual instrument of the gods, the mbira.

Despite battling cancer she knew would not live past the month of January, advising her daughters to come back from abroad to be with her.

Family spokesperson and daughter Virginia Mukwesha-Hetze said she brought the mother back in the country from Germany where she was hospitalised and was advised that the type of her cancer could no longer be treated.

"I went back to Germany, but she asked for a date when I would be coming back so I told her at the end of January. She refused saying it would be too late.

"On January 2, I came back since I listened carefully to her words, 'unenge wanonoka'. It means probably she was feeling something although without directly saying she would be resting," she said.

Mukwesha-Hetze said the body would lie in state at the rural home.

"She will be buried in her rural home in Nekati village under Chief Masembura, Bindura in Mashonaland Central.

"We will take her body from the mortuary tomorrow (today) straight to her homestead in Bindura where she will lie in state in her house. Burial is set for Tuesday in the afternoon," she said.

Mukwesha-Hetze described the late mother as someone who wanted discipline among her children.

"She was a mother who was very strict since she wanted to straighten things up. She was concerned about the upliftment of the women.

"While growing up I used to play mbira with her, but she has no child whom she said I want to teach you how to play mbira. I did so voluntarily," she said.

Mukwesha-Hetze said even her elder sister struggles to clap hands as the mother would leave her to lead own life.

"Unlike myself, each time I got a chance to grab her mbira I would take them and start playing. Mother then one day asked me if I wanted to play it. She then taught me while I was 11 years old.

"Her words were that mbira is played by men so if you want to play them be strong enough so that nothing will faze you," she said.

Mukwesha-Hetze said being told such words at that tender age and growing up with such a parent moulded her to be whom she is today, being able to stand up for herself and championing women rights.

Born Stella Rambisai Nekati Chiweshe on July 8 1946 in Mujumi Village, Mhondoro, Zimbabwe she was internationally known for her singing and playing of the mbira dzavadzimu, a traditional instrument in Zimbabwe.

Mbuya Chiweshe was a musician, dancer, actress and also took on other roles.

Moyo said Mbuya Chiweshe had a career spanning over 40 years with various local and international awards, including the Billboard Music Award (1993), NAMA (2006), NAMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) and NAMA Legends Awards (2021).

She performed numerous times in Germany and also participated in the WOMAD festival (1994 in the United States, 1995 in Australia, and 2006 in Spain).

In 2004 she toured England with her daughter.

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Mbuya Chiweshe was married to Peter Reich, a German national.

During the colonial era, Mbuya Chiweshe was risking imprisonment performing at "underground" mbira ceremonies.

Her very first single was done in 1974, "Kasahwa" recorded at Teal Record Company, went gold.

Mbuya Chiweshe trained for stage work for five years from 1981-1985 with the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe.

She integrated marimba with mbira in 1986 -- a ground-breaking innovation at the time.

Mbuya Chiweshe is the great grand-daughter of VaMunaka, who was the medium of Tateguru Kaguvi, the resistance fighter beheaded by the British.

Not only did she fight the colonial mentality that prohibited and discouraged indigenous worship, mbira and spiritual activities to honour ancestors who pass the prayers to our Creator, she also took on gender role reversal by playing the mbira that was mostly played by men those days.
Conor here: Its good to see NATOs escalation in Ukraine and the increasing risk of nuclear war getting some attention. As the author states, the risk of weapons capable of annihilating life on Earth being used is rising.

That being said, the following piece from Common Dreams gets quite a few things wrong (illegally annexed, strike on a Ukrainian apartment building last week,) and leans into the familiar ruse from western news outlets that Russia is threatening to use nukes.

Here is what State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin Volodin said on Telegram on Sunday (machine translation):

Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe. 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. Members of the Congress, deputies of the Bundestag, the National Assembly of France and other European parliaments must realize their responsibility to humanity. With their decisions, Washington and Brussels are leading the world to a terrible war: to a completely different military action than today, when strikes are carried out exclusively on the military and critical infrastructure used by the Kyiv regime. Given the technological superiority of Russian weapons, foreign politicians making such decisions need to understand that this could end in a global tragedy that will destroy their countries. 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.

By staff writer Kenny Stancil. Originally published at Common Dreams.

Should the West continue to ship arms to Ukraine, Moscow will retaliate with more powerful weapons, a top Russian government official and close ally of President Vladimir Putin said Sunday, referring to the use of nuclear missiles.

Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe, Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma, Russias lower house, said in a statement shared on the Telegram messaging app.

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, said Volodin.

Ukraine, with the support of its Western allies, is seeking to reclaim territory illegally annexed by the Kremlin in recent monthsnot seize Russian land, as Volodin asserted.

Volodins threat comes amid arguments over whether Germany will send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, Politico reported. Kyiv has requested the German-made tanks, which it says it needs to renew its counteroffensive against Moscows forces.

This is not the first time that Russian officials have threatened to use nuclear weapons since Putin attacked Ukraine last February. On Thursday, one day before NATO and other military leaders met in Germany to discuss how to defeat Russia in Ukraine, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of the countrys security council, said that a loss by Moscow could lead to nuclear war.

Berlin has so far resisted the call from Ukraine and its allies to send the tanks without the U.S. making the first move, over fears of an escalation in the conflict, Politico noted Sunday. Berlin also hasnt approved deliveries of the tanks from its allies, as Germany gets a final say over any re-exports of the vehicles from countries that have purchased them.

The news outlet previously reported that the $2.5 billion military package announced Thursday by the White House excludes the Armys 60-ton M1 Abrams tanks due to maintenance and logistical issues, not because sending them would intensify the war.

NATO has sent more than $40 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine since the beginning of Russias invasion. The U.S. government, de facto leader of the military alliance, has authorized more than $26.7 billion alone.

On Sunday, Volodin urged U.S. and European lawmakers to realize their responsibility to humanity.

With their decisions, Washington and Brussels are leading the world to a terrible war: to a completely different military action than today, when strikes are carried out exclusively on the military and critical infrastructure used by the Kyiv regime, said Volodin.

Contrary to Volodins claim, Russia has not limited its ongoing assault to military assets. According to a top Kyiv official, more than 9,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia invaded 11 months ago. The United Nations has confirmed more than 7,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine but says the real figure is much higher.

A strike on a Ukrainian apartment building last week, Russias deadliest attack on civilians in months, killed dozens of people. Meanwhile, fighting near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has sparked fears of a disastrous meltdown on multiple occasions.

Given the technological superiority of Russian weapons, Volodin continued, foreign politicians making such decisions need to understand that this could end in a global tragedy that will destroy their countries.

Arguments that the nuclear powers have not previously used weapons of mass destruction in local conflicts are untenable, he added. 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.

Volodin was echoing points made recently by other Russian officials. Asked Thursday if Medvedevs remarks that day reflected an attempt to escalate the war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: No, it absolutely does not mean that.

Peskov argued that Medvedevs comments were consistent with Russias nuclear doctrine, which permits a nuclear strike after aggression against the Russian Federation with conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened.

As Reuters noted, Putin has portrayed Russias so-called special military operation in Ukraine as an existential battle with an aggressive and arrogant West, and has said that Russia will use all available means to protect itself and its people.

Last January, one month before the start of the largest war in Europe since WWII, Russia, the United States, China, France, and the United Kingdomhome to more than 12,000 nuclear weapons combinedissued a joint statement affirming that nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought and reaffirming that they plan to adhere to non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control agreements and pledges.

Nevertheless, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council continue to enlarge or modernize their nuclear arsenals. For the first time since the 1980s, the global nuclear stockpile, 90% of which is controlled by Moscow and Washington, is projected to grow in the coming years, and the risk of weapons capable of annihilating life on Earth being used is rising.

In early October, U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russias war on Ukraine has brought the world closer to Armageddon than at any point since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Less than three weeks later, however, his administration published a Nuclear Posture Review that nonproliferation advocates said increases the likelihood of catastrophe, in part because it leaves intact the option of a nuclear first strike. The U.S. remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons in war, destroying the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs in August 1945.

Experts have long sounded the alarm about the war in Ukraine, saying that it could spiral into a direct conflict between Russia and NATO, both of which are flush with nuclear weapons. Despite such warnings, the Western military coalition has continued to prioritize weapons shipments over diplomacy.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin admitted last April that the U.S. wants to see Russia weakened, implying that Washington is willing to prolong the deadly conflict as long as it helps destabilize Moscow.

Peace advocates, by contrast, have repeatedly called on the U.S. to help secure a swift diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine war before it descends into a global nuclear cataclysm.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently told attendees of the World Economic Forum in Davos: There will be an end there is an end of everything, but I do not see an end of the war in the immediate future. I do not see a chance at the present moment to have a serious peace negotiation between the two parties.
Conor here: Washington is reportedly pushing a deal with Ankara that would see the US sell Turkiye F-16s (which it has been requesting the past two years), and in exchange Turkiye would forgo any military incursion into northern Syria and would agree to the admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO.

Its unlikely this will meet Turkiyes price as Ankara has demanded that Sweden stop supporting what Turkiye deems to be Kurdish terrorists and made specific requests, including extraditions. Sweden has said it will not meet these demands, and the Quran-burning protests against Turkiye in Stockholm on Saturday almost certainly made it politically untenable for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to agree to any deal ahead of whats expected to be a tight election on May 14.

Additionally, any deal would likely need to include promises from Washington to scale back its military support for Greece, such as its planned F-35 sale. As the following post illustrates, Washington is also using contested waters in the eastern Mediterranean as another pressure point and is likely to escalate there if Erdogan doesnt relent on Swedens NATO bid and back off in Syria.

***

The race to drill and bring to market natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea has taken on additional importance ever since Europe decided to cut itself off from its main supplier in Russia. The rush for underwater natural gas comes at a time when the US is heavily arming Greece and Cyprus in an effort to pressure Turkiye into falling in line on Washington-led policies on Russia and NATO.

Disagreements over waters and exploratory rights have brought Greece and Turkiye to the brink of conflict recently, and as more gas fields are discovered and the US inserts itself on the side of Athens, conflict is becoming increasingly likely.

The following is a rundown of Greek, Turkish, and Cypriot competing claims and the current situation in the race for eastern Mediterranean gas.

***

Last year saw new gas discoveries off Cyprus, including an estimated 70 billion cubic meters (bcm) field and a 57-84 bcm field. The finds raise the possibility of the island country finally becoming a gas exporter; it also raises the possibility of conflict as Turkiye, Greece, and Cyprus have wide-ranging disagreements over maritime boundaries.

Greece argues that its islands in the Aegean sea can generate their own Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) which would allow Greece to explore more than 200 nautical miles. Turkiye has argued that islands can not generate their own EEZs and that Greeces EEZ should start from its mainland, rather than from each of its hundreds of islands.

Under the UNs Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles. Turkiye, however, is not a signatory to UNCLOS and does not agree with the rights of the Aegean islands to such a distance. Ankara has threatened Athens with military action should it extend its waters. Both Greece and Turkiye currently claim six nautical miles off of their territory in Aegean and 12 nautical miles off their other shores.

While the EEZ governed by UNCLOS allows trading ships to pass freely, the passage of military naval ships is highly contested and Turkiye is threatened by the possibility of having to ask Greece permission for military navigation. Should Greece extend its EEZ to 12 nautical miles off its Aegean islands, it would make a drastic difference:

Six nautical miles have been in force since 1936. Tensions over the 12 nautical mile question ran highest between the two countries in the 1990s when UNCLOS was coming into force. In 1995, the Turkish Parliament officially declared that unilateral action by Greece to extend the Aegean islands to 12 nautical miles would constitute a casus belli, a position Ankara maintains today.

Well now Greece says that in March its going to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles off of the island of Crete, which also happens to host a US naval base at Souda Bay. The US and Greece are also upgrading and expanding the facility with the goal to transform it into a permanent base for part of the Hellenic Navy, in order to facilitate faster and more direct access to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The move is reportedly being driven by ExxonMobil efforts to drill for natural gas and oil to the west and southwest of Crete. The Greek daily Kathimerini reported last week that ExxonMobil, in partnership with Greeces HELLENiQ Energy, will push ahead with its search for natural gas and oil to the west and southwest of Crete despite Turkish opposition, fueling further suspicion in Ankara that the US is trying to punish the NATO member for its refusal to join the blocs aggressive approach against Russia.

US Arms Add Fuel to Fire

For decades the US acted as an impartial mediator between Greece, Turkiye, and Cyprus. Greece and Turkiye came close to military conflict in 1987, 1996 and in 2020, the last of which was over an accident when a Greek and a Turkish warship were involved in a minor collision during a standoff in the eastern Mediterranean. NATO stepped in in 1987 and in 1996 to help both sides cool off, and in 2020, Germany, which had the rotating presidency of the EU, took on the role of mediator.

The US is neutral no more. NATOs war in Ukraine has brought long-festering issues between Ankara and Washington out into the open. The disagreements include US support of Kurds in Syria, Turkiye blocking Swedens NATO bid, Ankaras refusal to open the Dardanelles to NATO warships, US sanctions and threat of sanctions, Washingtons refusal to extradite a cleric Turkiye blames for a 2016 coup attempt, Ankaras purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, Turkiyes refusal to apply sanctions on Russia, and Ankaras overall unwillingness to follow orders from Washington.

The US is now providing strong backing for Greece, which is clearly meant to send a message to Erdogan  at least thats the belief inside Turkiye. Hasan Koni, a scholar on strategic studies at Istanbul Kultur University, told Turkiyes Anadolu Agency::

The American security apparatus has also recognized that the balance of power in the region is shifting toward Turkiye and needs to be checked by empowering Greece, he said, adding that Washingtons push for more Greek bases is aimed at containing Turkiye.

The US has backed Greece despite the risk of a full break with Turkiye  the most important member of NATO due to its control of the Dardanelles and access to the Black Sea, as well as its second largest standing army in NATO.

Last year Greece deployed US-donated armored vehicles on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, and Samos, which is in violation of the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty. Ankara is also enraged about Greeces militarization of islands within sight of Turkiyes western coast, such as the Dodecanese chain that includes Rhodes.

There have been reports of Greek military exercises involving tanks, artillery and attack helicopters being held on Rhodes and Lesbos. Ankara has issued protests through diplomatic channels to both Athens and Washington and sent letters of complaint to the UN, all to no avail.

The US is also proposing to the Greek armed forces to replace all Russian-made military equipment including air defense systems with new military equipment produced by the US, including US Patriot missiles, which is a slap in Turkiyes face.

Beginning during the Gulf War, Turkiye asked NATO multiple times to deploy early warning systems and Patriot missiles to Turkiye, but was always turned down. US security experts Jim Townsend and Rachel Ellehus explained it like this:

Long suspicious that NATO did not appreciate Turkiyes vulnerability in such a dangerous neighborhood, Ankara came to view its missile defense requests as a litmus test for how much NATO really cared about Turkiye.

Ankara didnt like the answer to that litmus test. Turkiye felt ignored by its western partners as its EU membership was all but dead, and it wasnt getting the military hardware it requested. In 2017 Turkiye turned to Russia. It purchased Russian S-400 missile defense systems, which only further strained ties with NATO.

In December, a consortium of Italys Eni and Frances TotalEnergies found more natural gas off Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot administrations exploration program is also disputed by Turkiye, which claims overlapping jurisdictions either on its own continental shelf or in the waters of the Republic of Northern Cyprus. Cyprus is split between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Cyprus in the north, which is recognized only by Ankara.

The US, wanting to keep the peace in NATO between Greece and Turkiye, had a decades-old policy of favoring negotiations on divided Cyprus and often acted as a mediator between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

But In September the Biden administration lifted the 35-year-old ban on the sale of US arms to the Republic of Cyprus. Congress restricted the sale of U.S. arms to Cyprus in 1987, hoping it would incentivize a diplomatic settlement to the islands conflict.

Cyprus was required to block Russian naval vessels from accessing its ports in order to get the US arms sale ban lifted. Turkiye already has about 40,000 troops on the island, and Erdogan recently declared plans to reinforce them with land, naval and aerial weapons, ammunition and vehicles.

The decades old and UN-sanctioned principle of a bizonal, bicommunal federation on Cyprus has now broken down in favor of a two-state solution.

Despite the mad rush for Mediterranean gas in the wake of Europe and Russia schism, it still will not come close to replacing the amount that was piped in from Russia and requires rapid expansion of liquefaction capabilities, the connection of Israeli and Cypriot gas fields to such facilities, and/or implement pipelines, all of which will take years.

The EastMed Pipeline

The Trump administration backed a gas pipeline that would connect Israeli and Cypriot offshore gas fields to Greece and Italy. From there it would be shipped to the rest of Europe. The EastMed pipeline would have been the worlds longest (1,900 kilometers) and deepest underwater pipeline, initially providing 9-12 billion cubic meters annually.

One problem with the plan, however, was that it excluded Turkiye. In response, Erdogan opted to pursue Turkiyes self-interest in gas through aggressive offshore oil exploration in disputed waters claimed by Cyprus. Turkish war vessels accompanied its drill ships near Cyprus, resulting in standoffs with Greek and French naval fleets. Ankara also began signing agreements with the government in Tripoli. From Dr Othon Anastasakis, Director of the European Studies Centre at the University of Oxford:

In November 2019, in response to Greeces backing of the Mediterranean Gas Forum with Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Italy and Jordan, Turkiye signed a maritime agreement with Libya that cuts a corridor across the Aegean to demarcate new maritime boundaries, with the proposed line in this accord running close to the eastern side of the island of Crete. On October 3, 2022, Ankara signed a follow up preliminary agreement with the Tripoli government to explore for oil and gas off the Libyan coast without specifying whether the surveys would take place in waters south of Greece. In effect, Libya has become an important third actor in the bilateral dispute between Greece and Turkiye and relations between the Athens and Tripoli governments have suffered a major blow as a result.

In January 2022, the Biden Administration abruptly halted American support of EastMed. Israeli and even some American officials were reportedly surprised by the sudden decision as the State Department did not appear to have adequately consulted with Cyprus, Greece, and Israel ahead of time. Additionally, Biden was a vocal supporter of the project during his time as Obama VP, and the US position was consistently that Europe needed to wean itself off of Russian natural gas.

The US government and American private sector were not directly involved in the pipeline project (the agreement was signed in January 2020 by the governments of Israel, Greece, and Cyprus), but as Henri Barkey, an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told the National:

American support always affects a good housekeeping seal. When you have American buy-in, its easier for banks to provide financing for more countries to be interested. In that sense, what the US says is important.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Fuck the EU Nuland has taken an active role in the Eastern Mediterranean and had this to say about the pipeline:

Frankly, we dont have 10 years, but in 10 years from now, we want to be far, far more green and far more diverse in energy sources, Nuland said. So what were looking for within the hydrocarbon context are options that can get us more gas, more oil for this short transition period.

That short transition period also happens to rely heavily on US exports of LNG.

From January to November last year, LNG supplies from the USA to the EU amounted to 52 billion cubic meters.  AZ  (@AZgeopolitics) January 15, 2023

In November Greece canceled the long-planned privatization for the Alexandroupolis port with Mitsotakis declaring it too precious of a resource to relinquish. Instead the US military has set up shop there, using it as an entry point to funnel weapons to Ukraine. There are also plans in the works to create a floating gas storage and regasification unit at the port, which will be serviced by American LNG supplies. A pipeline from Alexandroupolis is also planned to send that gas north to the Balkans.
The evolution of my position with the Post dates to 2000, when I began work with The City Paper. In 2008, SouthComm Inc. bought the Post and TCP, with the latter ceasing operations in 2013. In 2018, FW Publishing acquired the Post, for which I have served as managing editor since 2011.

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When I wrote about In-N-Out last week, I alluded to how it caught my attention that In-N-Out president Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson seemed to have not been appropriately prepped by Gov. Bill Lee's people. In the grand scheme of things, its not a big deal. But it stuck with me. If youre bragging about how awesome Tennessee is and putting on media events designed to highlight how great you are at selling Tennessee to people who might bring business here, making sure your partner has a basic grasp of Tennessee geography is one of those minor things that makes a big difference.

So, it made me wonder whos working communications for Gov. Lee. Per the states website, Lees director of communications is Casey Sellers. If you click through to learn more about her, I shit you not, it just says Coming soon ... I checked again today as Im writing this, after Saturday's inauguration, figuring that certainly in the prep for the start of the governors new term, these kinds of minor things would have been fixed. But no.

This is mostly funny. No, I mean, it is 100 percent funny. For those of us who view Lees administration like the fake Rock Ridge in Blazing Saddles, these glimpses of the poorly nailed timber bracing the facades are wholly expected and wholly hilarious.

But then Gov. Lee was reinaugurated. And the feeling of, Oh, no one over there knows how to deliver a coherent message changed from funny ha-ha to funny Ralph Wiggum's Im in danger. Yall, in the future, if we are still allowed to learn about the past, Gov. Lees inauguration speech will be studied as a master class in odd choices in political messaging.

The governors speech, as released to the public, was roughly 1,800 words and 71 paragraphs. Twelve of those paragraphs, 280 of those words, were complaining about critics and calls to civility. Roughly 15 percent of a speech that was reflecting on the past four years and laying out his agenda for the next four years was devoted to talking about how hes going to persevere against his haters.

Dont get me wrong. Its fine that the governor has a plan for how to deal with criticism. And I guess its helpful to know that he wants his criticisms to come in more civil tones. We can do that. Well ... I cant. Im genetically predisposed to being a contrarian asshole, but surely some of us can do that. And I can practice: Gov. Lee, please, pretty please, if it wouldnt be too much trouble, stop warehousing children in office buildings.

OK, lets see if that works.

But one particular sentence in the inaugural address stood out to me: We can disagree and stand firm for our beliefs and our principles, but we should never forget the dignity of the other human being. We should never believe differences are a platform for demonization, or that one man has any greater value than another.

What does this mean? Is it a wishy-washy attempt to kind of make a stand against racism? Is it a very oblique critique of the anti-trans Proud Boys rally a bunch of his fellow Republicans attended on Legislative Plaza? Or is it a subtle dig at people whove protested his administration, like the newly inaugurated Justin Jones? Without specificity, who knows if we agree with him or not? Who wrote this mess?

But that one man phrasing also stuck with me. Is there one man whose criticism of Lee might be making Lee uncomfortable? This is an interesting question, because it may inadvertently show a big fault line on the right. After all, can you think of one man on the left whose critiques would so get under Lees skin? Obviously not. Hes thoroughly insulated himself from the effects of any critique coming from Democrats.

But perhaps its worth noting that there was counter-programming to the governors inauguration that brought in people and political figures from all over the country: The ReAwaken America Tour stop out at Greg Lockes Global Vision Bible Church. The ReAwaken event claims to have sold out its 3,000 seats. Gov. Lees crowd was anticipated at 1,500. This is such a jerk move on Lockes part that I cant help but admire it a bit.

But it also points to a major problem with Lees framing of history. He says: Civility is not a weakness. In fact, it has been and it should always be the American Way. And I know it can be the way in Tennessee. Ah, yes, that famous American civility. Just dont look too closely at the piles of remains of Native Americans sitting in our universities right now. Dont focus on the stories of Tulsa or Rosewood or countless other Black towns destroyed. Think not about the human rights abuses happening in our prisons. Disregard the whole war we had with ourselves.

Its wonderful to aspire to civility, but its bullshit and hampering to insist that we have a history of it. If Lees hope is that he can just genteelly win over the right wing of his party with manners and make them behave themselves, he should be aware  hell, we should all be aware  that in the history of our country, that has never worked.

But even if hearts and minds can be moved with just the right amount of proper messaging, Lee should be aware that hes not very good at said messaging, and he should get some help who is.
(Natural News) Thanks to materials found on his now-infamous laptop, we already knew that Hunter Biden was, shall we say, less than an ideal human being when it comes to personal behavior, but like peeling an onion, there are many more layers to the Biden familys debauchery and corruption.

In recent days, some of the same left-wing media outlets who lied about Donald Trump for four years and helped cover up the 2020 election theft have been reporting that Joe Biden took classified documents with him when he left office as Barack Obamas vice president that were not his to take, allegedly. Some of these documents, we are told, were stored in a haphazard, unsecured manner in the garage of one of Joe Bidens homes in Delaware.

Now we learn that Hunter Biden, while he was making under-the-table deals with Chinese businessmen tied to the upper echelons of the Chinese government, was living in the same home these classified documents were stored in, leaving many to ask just what kind of access did the son have to them and were any of them relayed to Chinese contacts or did any Chinese government officials visit Biden while he was staying there.

According to an exclusive report by Breitbart News:

While addicted to drugs, cavorting with prostitutes, and making deals with businessmen tied to the highest levels of Chinese intelligence, Hunter Biden lived in the house where Joe Biden stored classified documents.

On a background-check application dated July 2018, Hunter Biden claimed that he paid $49,910 per month in rent and that his current residence at that time was 1209 Barley Mill Road in Wilmington, Delaware, according to a document found on Hunter Bidens abandoned laptop.

Hunter also listed that Wilmington address as his primary residence on at least one form of identification (his Delaware drivers license) and used the same address as his billing address for both his personal credit card and Apple account in 2018 and 2019, a review of files from Hunters abandoned laptop reveals.

In 2018 Hunter Biden claimed he owned the house where Joe Biden kept classified documents alongside his Corvette in the garage Via @jj_talking pic.twitter.com/L7c80MRRiS  Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) January 12, 2023

What kind of compromised situation did Hunter Biden put himself into? And is that why Chinese figures tied to the countrys intelligence agencies were interested in making deals with him?

At one point in August 2018, Hunter was recorded begging his sister-in-law-turned-lover, Hallie Biden, to let him use his credit card points to pay for a stay in rehab, the New York Post reported. Another former girlfriend of Hunters, Zoe Kestan, testified to a federal grand jury in February of last year that the couple stayed for a month in 2018 at the notorious Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles, where  the younger Biden wrote in his 2021 memoir  he learned how to cook crack before being blacklisted from the property over complaints tied to his drug use.

During the same period, Hunter Biden also was frequently in the company of prostitutes, spending more than $30,000 on sex workers between November 2018 and March 2019 alone. That made him a huge potential target for blackmail, either by the Chinese or Russians or even the Iranians.

Earlier this week, the White House confirmed that classified documents have been found in two batches in the same home where Hunter Biden lived. Those are on top of classified docs found at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C., days before the midterm elections  that the compromised Justice Department did not announce. Joe Biden had an office at the center, which was funded, in part, by China.

The Biden family is more than just corrupt, they are all dangerously compromised. Joe should not be president, and Hunter should probably be in jail.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Breitbart.com
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend in carried out sensitisation on the redesigned Naira notes to Abubakar Mahmud Gumi central market, Kaduna and Central Market in Gusau, Zamfara states,

where it called and encouraged the public to ensure that their old naira notes are deposited in the banks in exchange for new ones before the deadline.

Speaking to newsmen during the sensitisation exercise at the Abubakar Mahmud Gumi market motor park, the director, Capacity Development Department (CDD), CBN, Mohammed Abba urged Nigerians to change their old notes, saying that there is no going back on the January 31 deadline.

"We are not just starting the sensitisation, we have involved the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and some other media houses since when the CBN governor made the announcement.

"We are just trying to consolidate that efforts now. The deadline is getting closer and people need to be carried along".

He also urged traders to visit their banks, deposit the old notes and get the new ones so that at the end of the month, their monies will not become useless.

According to Abba, the CBN is working assiduously to ensure that the banks in Kaduna seize to dispense old Naira notes.

"We are going round the banks to ensure that new notes are available in their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and if we found any bank that is breaking this rule, we will put sanction on them. We have enough money in the Central Bank".

"We believe that by Monday all those banks that are dispensing old notes will stop doing that".

He said that CBN would reach out to people in rural areas through their traditional rulers so as to sensitize them on new notes and deadline.

The chairman of Kaduna Market Development Association, Abdulrahman Mohammed urged members to go to the nearest commercial banks to deposit their old notes in order to beat the deadline.

Meanwhile, in Zamfara state, the CBN stressed that, the security on the new currency would never would never be faked by dubious persons.

Speaking at a gathering of business groups at Central Market in Gusau, the state capital at the weekend, Zamfara CBN Controller, Mallam Buhari Abbas said the sensitisation embarked upon was to ensure proper public awareness on the designed new naira notes and expiration of old ones.

He explained that the awareness campaign was to make the general public both rural and urban communities know the deadline set by the federal government for the expiration of old naira notes is still 31th of January, nothing has changed.

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The Zamfara CBN,branch controller called on customers to adhere with deadline on returning old naira notes to banks,said any customer who refuse to deposit his old naira notes is as he forfeit it.

"We are here to tell business men and women, they should know the deadline of Federal government is still 31th of this month,old naira notes is no longer legal tender after the expiration of the stipulated date all over".

Also speaking,the head of Currency operations and distribution, CBN Zamfara state branch Dauda Maccido said the era of printing fake naira notes is over.

"The new naira notes has the security that can not be fake,the era of fake notes is over",he stressed.

Murtala Abdulrahman head of ICT,spokes on accounts opening, e-banking and e-naira transactions,its benefit to business group and individual in the state.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to Zamfara state governor on Market Development Alhaji Suleiman Zumunchi thanked CBN officials for taking the awareness campaign to markets.

He called on business groups and individuals in the state to ensure they have deposited their old naira notes to their respective banks before the expiration period.
(Natural News) The North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) regular shipments of arms and ammunition to Ukraine have left their own military stockpiles dangerously strained.

NATO intends to continue funneling military and financial aid to Ukraine to continue fanning the flames of the conflict. Unfortunately, this policy is increasingly devouring the modest military stockpiles of some of the organizations smaller member-states. (Related: US arms sales to Europe have SKYROCKETED since Ukraine invasion.)

Since the beginning of Russias special military operation in Ukraine in late February 2022, the United States, NATO and their Western allies have already provided Kyiv with nearly $40 billion worth of military aid, comparable to the entire annual defense budget of France.

One NATO official noted that 20 of the military alliances 30 members are currently pretty tapped out. The remaining 10 members, including Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, are allegedly still in a position to provide Ukraine with additional military aid shipments.

But even these major NATO members are feeling strained. In early September, German officials noted that the country was reaching its limit. Meanwhile, Lithuania announced it no longer has anything left to provide Ukraine despite repeatedly urging allies to give Kyiv everything they have.

Weapons transfers from smaller NATO member armed forces  Canada, Denmark, Norway  cut deeper into their capabilities and readiness, warned William Reno, professor and chair of the political science department at Northwestern University. They expect the U.S. to back them.

Even Americas military stockpiles are suffering immensely

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro earlier warned that America will find it challenging to continue arming both itself and Ukraine unless the country rapidly ramped up weapons and ammunition production.

President Joe Biden has vowed to keep the arms pipeline into Ukraine open for as long as it takes, but even the U.S.s military stockpiles have taken a significant beating.

As early as March 2022, less than a month into the conflict, the Department of Defense was already scrambling to replenish thousands of shoulder-fired missiles it sent to Kyiv. By August, stockpiles of certain types of artillery ammunition were reaching uncomfortably low levels.

The Pentagons latest fact sheet regarding aid to Ukraine shows that the U.S. has provided more than $19 billion in direct military aid. This includes nearly 50,000 anti-armor systems, hundreds of artillery pieces, a litany of other heavy weapons and vehicles and millions of rounds of small arms and artillery ammunition.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, an American think tank, has previously pointed out that the American military is not structured to fight or support an extended conflict, while the defense industry is sized for peacetime production rates and expanding capabilities would take years.

Steven Myers, a former member of the Department of State under former Secretary John Kerry, also noted that the West will inevitably run out of weapons since the White House cant fully guarantee that the defense industry will be compensated for ramping up production.

The U.S. cant keep sending weapons  for example, artillery shells  without replenishing its stockpile, he said. The Pentagon has been asking its contractors to ramp up production. But contractors, being sensible, are more than a little reluctant to do so without guarantees by the Pentagon for covering the capital expenses required for increasing production rate.

Learn more about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at WWIII.news.

Watch this clip from Our Freedom Protests discussing how only major NATO allies like France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands have large enough weapons stockpiles to continue supplying Ukraine with arms.

This video is from the Nothing To See Here channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Zelensky pressed Biden, Congress for more offensive weapons to provoke Russia into war with NATO.

Germany latest NATO country to begin running out of ammunition after sending supplies to Ukraine.

Weapons donated to Ukraine are being used by terrorists in Africa, Nigerian president warns.

At most, only 30% of NATO weapons are making it into Ukraine  WATCH the documentary.

US military stockpiles at dangerously low levels not seen in decades due to military aid shipments to Ukraine.

Sources include:

RT.com

SputnikNews.com

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Another study has linked glyphosate, the primary chemical used by Monsanto in its Roundup herbicide, to increases in cancer as well as alterations to DNA and oxidative stress.

The study, which was published last week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that people regularly exposed to glyphosate have biomarkers in their urine that are linked to cancers and other diseases.

The researchers took glyphosate level measurements in the urine of farmers as well as others who participated in the study and found that high levels of the pesticide were present and caused reactions in the body known as oxidative stress, which can cause damage to DNA. Such stress is believed by health and scientific experts to be linked to the formation of carcinogens, The Defender, a publication of the Childrens Health Defense organization, reported.

The studys authors were ten scientists from the National Institutes of Health as well as a pair of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all of whom concluded that their research contributes to the weight of evidence supporting an association between glyphosate exposure and oxidative stress in humans.

In addition, they wrote that accumulating evidence supports the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of hematologic cancers, such as lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia.

Oxidative stress is not something you want to have, noted Linda Birnbaum, a toxicologist and former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. This study increases our understanding that glyphosate has the potential to cause cancer.

These findings follow a report from the CDC last year noting that more than 80% of urine samples drawn from children and adults contained glyphosate. The compound is the most heavily applied herbicide in the history of the world, not just in the United States, but globally.

The Defender noted further:

Roundup has been used by farmers as well as consumers for more than 40 years. Officials with Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG have always assured the public and regulators that exposure to the weedkiller does not pose a threat to human health.

Bayer said the new NIH study has many significant methodological limitations that affects its reliability, and said the results conflict with other government research.

The increased oxidative stress found in the study could have been caused by any number of non-glyphosate related factors or a combination of them, and the study does not support the conclusion that glyphosate is the cause, Bayer noted in a statement.

The new findings suggest these effects may apply more broadly to the general population who are primarily exposed through ingestion of contaminated food and water or residential applications, the study authors wrote.

Some independent scientists said that the studys findings are so alarming that they warrant regulatory attention.

This is a top-level team of investigators and a highly credible study to which regulators need to pay attention, said Phil Landrigan, a pediatrician and epidemiologist who worked for years at the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He now leads the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College.

The finding that glyphosate is a cancer-causing agent isnt new, however. In fact, as Natural News reported in September 2016, U.S. government agencies have known about it for decades:

For at least 35 years Monsanto and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) knew about the cancer-causing abilities of glyphosate-containing herbicides. Nonetheless, they chose to cover it up, putting you, your family and millions of Americans at risk.

Data has been released that Monsanto and the EPA knew that glyphosate causes cancer in mammals as early as 1981. In fact, studies conducted as early as the late 1970s documented cancer caused by glyphosate in lab animals, including, dogs, mice and rats. Monsanto, with the EPAs cooperation and complacency, intentionally and knowingly hid this information from investors, consumers and the public.

Monsanto used the excuse that the findings of the studies were trade secrets. Monsanto successfully manipulated the data from the studies giving the false impression that Roundup was safe for its intended use.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org
(Natural News) A pediatrician from Los Angeles spoke at an event recently in which she casually tried to argue that slicing off little girls breasts to make them transgender is no big deal because they can always re-implant fake breasts later on if they change their minds.

The clip  watch below  shows the woman engaging in derogatory womansplaining to the man shown on the screen, using that ever so common tone of Western female condescension.

So what we do know is that adolescents actually have the capacity to make a reasoned logical decision, she is seen blabbing disparagingly while waving her hands in the air.

And heres the other thing about chest surgery, she proceeded, hitting her hand on the table, if you want breasts at a later point in your life, you can go and get them.

L.A. Pediatrician Says Its No Big Deal to Cut Off the Breasts of Young Girls: You Can Go and Get Them Later pic.twitter.com/Et1avDTfzi  ACT For America (@ACTforAmerica) July 25, 2022

Everything about the womans presentation is detestable, of course, as she talked down to the man on the screen like he is a moron for apparently pressing her on the damage chest surgery causes to young girls. (Related: The World Professional Association for Transgender Health says that children as young as 14 should be allowed to transition.)

Children are the new transhuman guinea pigs

In another video clip, possibly from the same meeting, another gender specialist named Kellyn Lakhardt is seen explaining that at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, a 16-year-old boy was recently castrated and given a fake vagina as an implant.

That same medical facility also chopped off the breasts of a 12-year-old girl so she could become her true self  watch below:

As far as masculinizing top surgery I think 12 is the youngest whos had surgery through our program, a man said.

Kellyn Lakhardt, gender specialist at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California admits they have cut off the breasts of a 12-year-old girl for gender purposes. Theyve also castrated 16-year-old boys and created fake vaginas for them. pic.twitter.com/59zE3tELTF  Billboard Chris ???? (@BillboardChris) July 25, 2022

These are just two examples of a growing trend of destroying childrens bodies in the name of LGBT transition. It is a permanent alteration that leaves childrens bodies mutilated for life, despite what those promoting it  including the woman in the first clip  expect us all to believe.

Breasts are for feeding babies, wrote a commenter in response to the video. You cannot replace them EVER as many child-confused trans-now-straight women are finding out.

The fact is that they destroyed their ability to be a complete woman and mother, this same person added.

Another stressed the fact that with people like the woman in the first clip running childrens medicine, the newest generation of children will end up having the most suicides ever.

Cut and paste all you want, you evil people  you will NEVER change anyones gender, wrote someone else. That would be the gender that God gave them, and its a forever thing.

Castrating a child should be a death penalty act, wrote another, expressing a widely held sentiment concerning the LGBT body butchers. And the hag that likes to cut off breasts should have hers removed and replaced with red horns so we know who the sadistic freaks are on sight.

The latest news about the transgender mutilation of children can be found at Transhumanism.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) For political and military analyst Sargis Sangari, actions speak louder than words.

You could believe in truth, justice [and] freedom, but if youre not willing to take action toward those issues and youre not willing to actualize them somehow in your life, youll never get anywhere, he told The Zelenko Report host Ann Vandersteel during the Brighteon.TV programs Jan. 16 episode.

At the end of the day, you have to be willing to die for those issues  and a lot of people are not willing to do that.

Sangari, a retired Army lieutenant colonel with more than 20 years of battlefield experience, continued that people are unwilling to financially strain themselves or put their lives on the line to get to a point where they may have an effect on the world. Fighting for a cause is not an easy task, he added, as a person must be able to make it a part of his or her character and daily life.

Moreover, the CEO of the think tank Near East Center for Strategic Engagement (NEC-SE) said things have to get worse before people act and move forward as they have been trained and conditioned to be grounded in where they currently are.

He also expressed concerns with the way Americans act toward the information they are receiving these days.

Today, what we see about how Americans are defining themselves [is that] were coming across more as a socialist state, rather than individuals who believe in what the Founders have established for us, he said.

According to the NEC-SE CEO, it is unfortunate that most Americans have resigned to the belief that anything they do wont matter or wont change anything. The next generation expects somebody else to clean up the mess, and they dont want to make sacrifices to make changes and reverse the efforts made by our enemies, he said.

Vandersteel: Americans should be concerned about a cyber attack

Elsewhere in the program, Vandersteel revealed information from her contacts inside the European Parliament that the U.S. should be prepared for a cyber attack. The Zelenko Freedom Foundation co-chair also asked her guest about his two cents on the matter.

Sangari pointed out that Americans should be concerned because it could happen any moment.

Were just not set up and ready to be able to counter any type of cyber attack against our systems. It goes back to the bureaucrats not doing anything about fixing their original issues and looking forward as to how to counter future technologies.

According to Vandersteel, Dr. Peter Pry has warned about electromagnetic pulse (EMP) threats and other threats happening in America. (Related: Peter Pry warns of the dangers of EMP weapons  Brighteon.TV.)

Aside from usual suspects China and Russia, Sangari mentioned Iran, Venezuela and other countries in South America are capable of launching EMP attacks against the United States. These countries, he added, are going to do it internally and externally using technologies they and their allies have at their disposal.

Americans today still refuse to believe that this reality might happen one day. Thus, Sangari reminded viewers to be prepared and remember the fact that the American nation has lots of enemies.

Watch the Jan. 16 episode of The Zelenko Report with Sargis Sangari below. The Zelenko Report with Ann Vandersteel airs every weekday at 1-2 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Major General Paul E. Vallely tells Dr. Peter Breggin: America is facing external and internal enemies  Brighteon.TV.

Connecting the Dots with Dan Happel: Political cartoonist Ben Garrison emphasizes the need to EXPOSE corruption, tell the truth  Brighteon.TV.

Dr. Eric Nepute talks with Mike Adams about his fight against MEDICAL TYRANNY and the criminalization of speech about vitamin D.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NECSE.net
(Natural News) Anyone who looks up the phrase too big to fail should find an entire book written about Pfizer Pharmaceutical Industrial Company, the most corrupt criminal medical cabal on Planet Earth. Found guilty for countless crimes and the illegal promotion of dangerous drugs and vaccines, this organization has a rap sheet longer than the Mississippi River, yet somehow, theyre not only still in business, but lead the way in creating and pushing deadly drugs and vaccines. Even the biggest fines are just a drop in the bucket compared to their profits, and its no secret that big government, big media, and big tech are all in bed with the criminal medical cartel known as Pfizer. Lets take an inside look at all the corruption and the sordid history of the most insidious lab coat fraudsters.

From bribing physicians to push deadly drugs to suppressing adverse events from clinical trial results, Pfizer should have been shut down permanently for fraud long ago

Did you know that most of the FDAs drug review budget comes straight from Big Pharma? That is a fact published in the British Medical Journal, by the way. Who do you think those results will favor, regardless of the true data? Would you care to see the laundry list of corrupt marketing, bribing, testing, and drug promotion practices by Pfizer over the past 25 years. Its very ugly and disheartening to know this happens in America and affects the entire world.

Nearly all of Pfizers own generated reports reveal a conflict of interest by the authors, where they own stock in Pfizer, receive grants from Pfizer, or were previously employed by Pfizer. Go figure. Just recently, Pfizer/BioNTech gained $9 billion from the deadly mRNA Covid injections, and the reports about their (fraudulent) clinical trials were created by the two BioNTech founders themselves.

Now its revealed that the Pfizer clot shots cause a 300 percent increased risk in adverse events, with 75 percent of those being severe adverse events. How can a company this corrupt be allowed to create vaccines, alter the data, and push them out to hundreds of millions of Americans? Lets dial it back 25 years and youll see exactly why.

The criminal rap sheet of Pfizer that includes pharmaceutical premeditated murder in the first, second, and third degree

Those guilty of murder in the first degree are supposed to be sentenced to life in prison for causing the death of human beings, but thats not the case with the allopathic Pfizer drug cartel. Here are some of the examples of fraud and criminal activity that caused the loss of human life, over and over again, dating back more than 25 years.

In 1994, Pfizer paid out over two hundred million dollars to settle lawsuits for covering up safety information about faulty heart valves, after lying to get federal approval for them.

In 1996, Pfizer used Nigerian children as subjects for their medical experiment to test out a dangerous anti-meningitis drug, without informing the parents. Eleven children were killed by the drug, and others suffered from paralysis, organ failure, and brain damage. Pfizer continued business as usual. Five years later, thirty of those Nigerian families sued Pfizer for violating the Nuremburg Code (think Nazi style abuse here) for using their kids as human guinea pigs and exposing them to cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment. Take a guess what happened to Pfizer for this? Case was dismissed. Pfizer is just too big too fail.

Dial it forward to 2007, and the Nigerian government sued Pfizer for $7 BILLION for carrying out those illegal, murderous trials on children. Three years later it came out that Pfizer had allegedly hired investigators to BLACKMAIL Nigerias Attorney General so hed drop the $7 billion lawsuit so they could avoid the clinical payout. The result? Nigeria dropped the entire case two years later.

In 2002, Pfizer paid out nearly $50 million for defrauding the federal government and 40 US states for gouging (extremely over-charging) for its deadly cholesterol treatment drug Lipitor. Pfizer made $6.5 BILLION in revenue the prior year for the drug.

In 2008 Pfizer manipulated the publication of scientific studies so they could push out their epilepsy drug Neurontin and have doctors cross-prescribe it for other disorders, even though there was no research to support that the drug had any benefit for those other disorders. The falsified studies were published in medical journals.

In 2009, Pfizer paid out three-quarters of a billion dollars to settle 35,000 claims that their deadly drug Rezulin killed over 60 people and was responsible for dozens of cases of liver failure. The FDA let Pfizer keep pushing Rezulin for 3 MORE YEARS despite the mounting death tolls already known. Still think the FDA cares about Americans health?

Also, in 2009, Pfizer was fined $2.3 billion in what amounted to the largest healthcare fraud settlement for criminal activities ever imposed in this country. They continued business as usual afterwards.

That same year, Pfizer would plead GUILTY to paying out kickbacks to doctors and illegally promoting their deadly drugs Lyrica, Zyvox, Bextra, and Geodon.

Finally, in 2010, Pfizer racketeers were found guilty by the feds for violating the RICO Act by selling and marketing Neurontin, but the damage payouts were under $150 million. Another drop in the bucket for the drug giants and their medical cartel. Pfizer admitted in court that they paid $20 million to 4,500 doctors and medical professionals to illegally propagandize (promote) their deadly drugs.

The doctor bribing continued after that, as Blue Cross filed a lawsuit against them, when Pfizer bribed 5,000 doctors with cash payments and lavish tropical vacations. This bribing still continued in 2012 with healthcare professionals in China, Russia, and several other countries around the globe. No stopping the pharma cartel drug-slinging gangsters.

Also, in 2013, Pfizer paid out nearly $300 million to settle claims by 2,000 victims of their drug Chantix, used to try to help people quit smoking, but the drug leads to suicidal thoughts and severe psychological disorders. Nothing to see here.

Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on PfizerGate scandals involving the most deadly medication on the planet right now  Pfizers Covid clot shots.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

ThreadReaderApp.com

NaturalNews.com
A potent storm could leave the US Southwest region and move in a northeastward pattern to pass by New Mexico to Maine this week, according to a weather forecast on Sunday, January 22.

The developing storm is lingering over the Rockies with a chance to unleash substantial snowfall to over 20 states across the country, becoming a possible cross-country storm.

The storm comes several days after a previous cross-country storm traversed the West Coast to the East Coast, causing various weather hazards like heavy rain, isolated tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms.

Last week's storm was a product of the recent Pacific storm train, fueled by atmospheric river systems, that struck California for several weeks from late December 2022 to early January 2023.

US Potent Storm

AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert explained a robust atmospheric energy is moving across the Southwest early this week will pave the way for a potent storm to take shape in the southern and central US.

AccuWeather meteorologists warned that the snow precipitation could reach as far as the southern US like northern Texas.

This is possible as the storm will begin to tap or absorb abundant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, which will cause severe weather and torrential rain across the Gulf Coast.

Heavy snow is also possible across parts of the southern Plains, Gilbert added.

On Saturday, January 21, snow hit several areas in the Great Plains, affecting states like western Kansas and portions of Nebraska.

Also Read: NWS Issues Severe Weather Alert for Some Areas in the Eastern United States

Cross-Country Winter Storm

Meteorologists from the Weather Underground company stated the "winter storm" will develop in the Plains early in the week then drop snow in the Midwest to the Northeast approximately on or before the weekend.

Furthermore, the system could also bring thunderstorms over the Gulf Coast.

The Weather underground forecasters said this week's storm have not come into focus yet since it has not formed but were quick to clarify some trends in the past which could predict is behavior during the early stage.

First, the second winter storm's snow may slightly farther south than Winter Storm Jimenez, which could include parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ohio Valley, and Texas.

The said storm could also be strong, bringing heavier snow for the Midwest and Ohio Valley by midweek.

Major Winter Storm

The National Weather Service (NWS) calls the developing storm system as a "major winter storm" that will organize over the Southwestern US on Monday, January 23, before transforming into a massive winter storm system and hitting the southern Plains on Tuesday.

The NWS highlights the storm will affect not only the central, southern, and northeastern part of the US but also the Eastern US through midweek.

Heavy snow and severe weather with heavy downpour are expected in the said region, the US weather agency said.

During this period, disruption to travel, businesses, and daily activities are likely, similar to recent extreme weather events that struck the US amid the winter season.

Related Article: Storm System to Unleash in Central U.S, Causing Heavy Snow and Severe Weather
One of the largest snake species in the world is the burmese python, which are invasive species in Florida and are viewed as a threat to native wildlife

Inside the bushes at the Big Cypress National Reserve in the South of Florida on Thursday night, snake catcher Josh Turner of the Everglades Python Snatchers and his wife came across a Burmese behemoth.

With just his bare hands, Turner managed to capture the 88-pound snake, and his wife recorded the entire event on camera.

Florida man use bare hands to capture massive 16-foot Burmese snake

They are native to Southeast Asia and are classified as vulnerable to extinction in their natural habitat by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as per Newsweek.

The snakes' established populations were first noted in Florida in 2000.

These creatures are believed to have been either escaped pets or pets that have been purposefully released.

The snakes are getting more and more common; just last week, a huge female was spotted in broad daylight slithering across a tarmac road in the Everglades National Park.

Turner works as a state-employed python contractor for the South Florida Water Management District.

He has already been hunting such invasive reptiles for around four years now, but he has been around snakes his entire life.

According to American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations, the python in the video was started to turn in alive to state authorities and humanely put to death.

To help researchers learn about these problematic titans, it has recently undergone necropsy.

Also Read: Florida Alligator Found Inside the Stomach of a Burmese Python

Ecosystems in Florida harmed through invasive pythons

One of the most alarming invasive species in Everglades National Park is the non-native Burmese python, which has developed a breeding population in South Florida, as per the USGS.

The native wildlife, that also includes mammals, birds, and other reptiles, competes with pythons for food.

Burmese pythons have been associated with significant mammal reduces in Everglades National Park.

In the remote southernmost areas of Everglades National Park, where pythons have indeed been established for the longest, native species have suffered the most severe declines.

According to a 2012 study, the numbers of raccoons, opossums, and bobcats have all decreased significantly since 1997.

Marsh rabbits, cottontail rabbits, and foxes all but vanished.

The stomachs of Burmese Pythons removed from Everglades National Park and other Florida locations regularly contain the mammals whose populations have declined most dramatically.

Near the water's edge, which is a place where pythons frequently forage for prey, raccoons and opossums frequently go on food hunts.

Human fatalities from non-venomous snakes are extremely rare, with only one or two reported each year worldwide.

All known constrictor-snake fatalities in the United States have occurred as a result of captive snakes; these include deaths of snake owners who were intentionally engaging with their pet and deaths of small children or infants in homes where a snake was kept captive as a pet.

In Florida, no humans have been killed by wild Burmese pythons. Overall, the risk of an attack is extremely low.

Related Article: New York Man Arraigned After Smuggling Pythons in his Pants at the Canadian Border
The latest weather forecast in Canada said that portions of Ontario would expect snowfall and snow this week, resulting in possible travel disruptions and slower commutes.

Recently, portions of southern Ontario experienced wintry showers that caused travel delays.

Snow and snowfall in Ontario this week

In the The Weather Network's latest forecast this January 23, the report said that snow and snowfall are expected to unfold starting Wednesday due to multiple systems affecting the weather.

On Tuesday, the weather forecast said snowfall could unleash in Bangor, Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Kentville, Digby, Yarmouth, Halifax, Antigonish, Truro, Charlottetown and Sydney.

In the previous report, the weather agency reported that the classic Canada cold air is forecast to unleash next month, bringing frigid temperatures.

Motorists traveling this week are advised to consider the weather conditions. Slippery roads and frigid conditions can be challenging to drive.

In addition, commuters and motorists should invest more time in travel due to the current weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the CP24 reported that the polar vortex would help unload colder weather in Canada.

The report explained that temperatures could unfold in the northwestern and western parts, including portions of Ontario.

With the effect of the polar vortex bringing the coldest air, temperatures are expected to become freezing.

In Britain, the Daily Mirror UK reported that the polar vortex would influence the weather, bringing frigid conditions and freezing fog.

In addition, Met Office issued a yellow weather warning.

According to the The Weather Network, the snow outlook is forecast for Thursday in Windsor, Sarnia, London, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Toronto, Cobourg, Barrie, Kincardine, Kingston, Cornwall, Ottawa, Bancroft, Parry Sound and Sudbury.

Also Read: UK Weather Forecast: Colder Temperatures, Snow to Continue; Experts Warn of Cold-Related Health Risks

Portions of Canada could also rain on Tuesday.

People going outdoors should bring an umbrella or raincoat protection.

Dealing with cold temperatures

Many Canadians are used to the cold to extreme weather in Canada. However, it would become challenging for people vulnerable to cold weather.

Prolonged exposure to colder weather would lead to hypothermia and frostbite, which could be dangerous. Immediately seek medical assistance if you suffer from extreme cold.

Here are some essential reminders during cold weather.

Knowing the weather conditions and forecast would be helpful for motorists and homeowners to prepare. Frigid temperatures could be problematic for many motorists.

Heating and staying warm are important. Wearing your winter clothes would help alleviate the cold weather.

Check the temperatures of very vulnerable family members.

Bring your pets at home. They are also vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

If you plan to travel outside, it is best that your car must have a winter emergency kit, which includes emergency flashlights, a radio, a power bank and a snow shover.

Homeowners should observe the status of their pipe system. During frigid conditions, frozen pipes are the most common.

Did you know? The coldest month in Canada is February, according to Canadian Geographic. The country also has severe and extreme weather conditions.

Related Article: Canada Weather Forecast: Swath of Heavy Snow, Rain to Unleash in Atlantic Canada This Weekend; Winter Storms Could Cause Travel Disruptions

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The latest weather forecast said that residents and motorists in Europe would expect freezing fog and frigid conditions this week, causing widespread travel disruptions and health concerns.

Brits traveling this week should consider the frigid weather conditions.

Motorists should check the weather due to hazardous travel that could result in slower commutes.

Recently, the The Guardian reported that portions of the UK suffered from wintry showers that led to multiple road crashes.

Last week, the Met Office issued flood warnings due to heavy rain.

Heavy snow this week in the UK

According to Daily Mirror UK's this January 23 for the latest weather forecast, portions of the United Kingdom would expect colder weather this week.

The temperatures are expected to become extreme in February due to polar vortex, bringing colder air into the region.

In Canada and Ontario, The Weather Network also explained that the polar vortex would influence the cold weather in the area, bringing unusual cold for many Canadians.

As flood warnings continued, the freezing fog would result in reduced visibility in the UK.

In addition, the Star Daily reported that a cold snap is forecast to unfold in February that could worsen the freezing temperatures.

The weather forecast noted that Northern Scotland and England residents might expect blizzard conditions.

Met Office's weather forecast

Meanwhile, the Met Office's latest forecast from January 23 to January 27, showed that portions of central and southern England could anticipate more foggy conditions.

On the contrary, the weather in the west and north of the UK could be cloudy with milder conditions.

On Tuesday, the Met Office reported that cloudy and chances of rain would unload in the Northwest.

From Wednesday to Friday, the weather forecast said rain could persist in the south and sunny weather in the Northwest.

The last week of January in the United Kingdom would look forward to more rainy conditions, with light to moderate snow.

Also Read: Chicago Weather Forecast: Light Snow, Mild Conditions To Unfold Midweek

In addition, he snow in the UK would also help ski resorts that recorded a lack of snow since the beginning of January.

The warmer conditions in January resulted in less snow, forcing European ski resorts to close their operations temporarily.

Preparing for the wintry weather conditions

The weather for this week is a mixture of rain and snow. Wintry showers could lead to significant road delays and slower commutes due to slippery roads and frigid conditions, causing hazardous situations for many motorists.

Weather forecasts emphasize the significance of staying updated with the weather. Here are some important reminders to remember.

Bring an umbrella and raincoat jacket as rounds of rain could unload this week.

Motorists should stay updated with the weather before traveling. The frigid conditions could result in significant travel disruptions. Motorists should allocate more travel time due to potential road delays.

Monitor the temperatures of each family member, especially those who could be most vulnerable.

Homeowners should observe frozen pipes.

Did you know? According to the Met Office, the recorded coldest temperature in the United Kindom winter was -27.2 C. The winter is said to be freezing, especially at night. Selling hot water bottles is also popular in the UK.

Related Article: Weather Forecast: Heavy Rain, Isolated Tornadoes To Unload in Southern U.S; Severe Thunderstorms Could Threaten Portions of Texas, North Carolina

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reverse recently effected increase in electricity tariff.

SERAP is also asking the court, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, to order President Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate the spending of public funds as investments and bailouts to DisCos and GenCos since 2005.

Apart from Malami, other respondents in the matter are: the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC.

The civil society organisation is also asking the court to compel the president to ensure the prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible for the misappropriation of investments and bailouts in the power sector, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be traced and fully recovered.

It further prayed the court to order the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to reverse the unlawful, unjust and unreasonable increase in electricity tariff, which reportedly occurred in December 2022.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, SERAP is arguing that regular and uninterrupted access to electricity is a fundamental human right and that electricity is an essential public service but millions of Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector-staying in darkness.

The group submitted that the increase in electricity tariff failed to follow due process of law and that is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of 1999 Constitution, the Electric Power Sector Reform Act and the country's international human rights obligations.

SERAP averred that the increase is unjustified, especially given the unreliable, inefficient and poor quality of electricity in the country and that millions of Nigerians continue to live in darkness despite the spending by governments of trillions of Naira as investments and bailouts to electricity companies.

It insisted that the federal government has a legal responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how the investments and bailouts to electricity companies are spent, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.

SERAP argued that the government has legal obligations to effectively and progressively provide affordable, regular and uninterrupted access to electricity as a matter of human rights.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo read in part, "The increase in electricity tariff would exacerbate the extreme poverty across the country, and undermine the ability of millions of Nigerians to satisfy basic human needs.

"The consequences of corruption in the electricity sector are felt by citizens daily. Corruption exposes them to paying additional costs and crazy electricity bills. Electricity supply remains inadequate and irregular.

"Investigating the allegations of corruption in the spending on the investments and bailouts to electricity companies, and recovering any stolen public funds would serve the public interest.

"The government has a sacred duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of the country's resources, including the spending of public funds as investments and bailouts to electricity companies.

"The latest increase in electricity tariff is coming on the heels of the NBC report which shows that over half of the population of Nigeria are multidimensional poor and cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than clean energy.

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"High deprivations also appeared nationally in sanitation, time to healthcare, food insecurity, and housing. Access to regular electricity supply would improve the quality of life of the population.

"Access to affordable electricity services is a prerequisite for improving the condition of people living in poverty. It is a means to generate other important services that mitigate poverty, bearing in mind that access to electricity facilitates the eradication of poverty.

"The hike in tariff would increase financial burdens for socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians and further marginalise and disproportionately affect them and exacerbate their vulnerability to discrimination," SERAP said.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Edo State has recorded 10 more cases of Lassa fever, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 81, with eight deaths.

Briefing journalists in Benin City at the weekend, the state commissioner for health, Prof Obehi Akoria, said the 10 new cases were confirmed in five local government areas in the state including, Etsako West, Esan North East, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Etsako Central.

Reassuring the government's commitment to containing the pandemic and ensuring the health and well-being of residents, Akoria urged the residents to complement the government's efforts by complying with preventive protocols against the spread of the disease.

According to her, "We have continued to witness a steady rise in the number of confirmed cases and deaths from Lassa fever with ten new cases confirmed in five local councils in the state. We now have a total of 81 confirmed cases with eight deaths from the disease."

She said the 81 confirmed cases are spread across 11 local government areas in the state, including Etsako West 33, Esan West 19, Esan North East 16, Esan Central 2, and Esan South East with 2 confirmed cases.

Others are Etsako East 2, Owan East 2, Akoko Edo 2, Ovia North East 1, Oredo 1 and Etsako Central with one confirmed case.

Decrying the rising number of fatalities from the virus, the commissioner said the state now has a case fatality rate of 10 percent, adding that the eight deaths were recorded in four local councils in the state including Etsako West, 4; Esan North East, 2; Etsako East, 1 and Oredo with one death.

Akoria said most of the deaths recorded in the state were persons who were unwell and failed to report to a proper hospital for care until they developed complications, urging residents to "take responsibility to work with the ministry of health, observe preventive measures and report early symptoms suspected to be malaria or any other illnesses that present like malaria."
Its only two years late, but the fourth generation of Xeon Scalable processors, aka Sapphire Rapids, is hitting the ground running, with every major OEM offering new servers featuring the chips.

The 4th Gen Xeon Scalable is notable because it contains a number of specialty computing engines in addition to its x86 cores, and it also has lots of cores as well; up to 60. One of the special engines is for AI acceleration, as Intel is determined to make the CPU viable as an AI processor instead of GPUs. So not surprisingly, many of the new servers are built with AI processing in mind.

All of the servers support the latest technologies found in the 4th Gen Xeon Scalable: DDR5 memory, PCI Express 5 interconnects, and CXL 1.1 memory pooling.

Here's the list.

Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies introduced a total of 13 PowerEdge servers, covering enterprise data centers, large-scale public clouds, and edge locations in rack, tower, and multi-node designs. They come with Dell Smart Flow, a new feature in the Dell Smart Cooling suite to increase airflow and reduce fan power by up to 52% compared to previous generation servers.

Dell claims its PowerEdge R760 delivers up to 2.9x greater AI inferencing with the new Xeon Scalable processors, while the PowerEdge R760 also offers up to a 20% increase in VDI users and over 50% more SAP Sales & Distribution users on one server, compared to the previous generation.

In addition to updating existing lines, Dell introduction the PowerEdge HS5610 and HS5620 servers delivers optimized solutions tailored for cloud service providers managing large-scale, multi-vendor data centers. They are two-socket servers that come in both 1U and 2U form factors.

All of the servers come with updated Dell CloudIQ, which combines proactive monitoring, machine learning and predictive analytics while offering a comprehensive view of servers wherever they reside. They also come with Dell ProDeploy services for rapid deployment of the hardware and Dell iDRAC9 for simplified deployment and diagnostics.

HP Enterprise

HPE announced a major update to its Alletra line of enterprise storage products. Alletra is a rebranding of its Primera and Nimble storage arrays with a storage-as-a-service model for its 9000 and 6000 series, respectively. The Alletra 4000 is a rebranding of its Apollo 4000 data storage server line, with two new products: the Alletra 4110 and 4120.

The Alletra 4110 is a 1U, dual CPU server with up to 3TB of DDR5 memory and up to 307.2TB capacity with 20x 15.36TB SSDs. The Alletra 4120 is a hybrid NVMe/HDD higher capacity 2U chassis with up to 6TB of DDR5 memory. It supports a mix of NVMe, SAS, or SATA drives.

Both systems are aimed at large enterprises with a range of data-centric workload use cases from data lakes and archives to high-throughput and in-place analytics and AI/ML, hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), and cache-intensive workloads like databases.

Lenovo

One thing about Lenovo, they do things in a big way. The company introduced 25 new ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile servers and hyperconverged solutions running the new Xeon Scalable processors. They are sold under the banner of the Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions V3 portfolio and span uses like in-memory and large transactional databases, real-time analytics, ERP, CRM, and virtualized and containerized workloads.

Some systems are updates to existing lines, while others are new, such as the ThinkSystem SR850 V3, a four-socket 2U design for high-intensity workloads. The new Lenovo ThinkAgile V3 HX, MX and VX hyperconverged infrastructure products come with Microsoft, Nutanix, and VMware software pre-installed for a HCI environment.

Some systems are cooled by the fifth generation of Lenovos Neptune direct water-cooling technology, which it claims can reduce power consumption by up to 40% vs. using fans. Lenovo also said select models support liquid cooling for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), a first in the industry. HBM sits next to the CPU or GPU, and air cooling them is a challenge. But Lenovo says it will support Intels Xeon Max Series CPUs and Intels GPU Max, which are not yet shipping.

Supermicro

Supermicro launched more than 50 servers and storage systems across 15 families collectively known as X13. They cover the gamut of AI, HPC, cloud computing, media, enterprise, and 5G/telco/edge workloads. They range from single-socket to eight socket designs and support GPU cards along with the CPU.

Among the families:

SuperBlade (high-performance, density-optimized blades),

Hyper (high-performance rackmount servers),

BigTwin (for cloud, storage, and media workloads),

GrandTwin (an all-new architecture for single-processor performance)

SuperEdge (single-processor nodes in a 2U, short-depth form factor for the edge)

CloudDC (meant for cloud environments)

Petascale Storage (all-flash NVMe storage systems)

Inspur Information

The Chinese ODM Inspur Information, popular with hyperscale cloud providers, announced that its G7 server platform would support Xeon Scalable processors with a total of 16 different types of servers. Inspur said performance is up to 61% faster, and power consumption is up to 30% less compared with the previous generation of Intel-based products.

The servers are designed around a variety of use cases, such as general-purpose computing, critical computing, and AI. The G7 design is focused on green energy, with both cold plate and immersion cooling schemes. Inspur also claims its intelligent fault diagnosis has an accuracy rate up to 95%.

The G7 server family ranges from the high-end TS860G7 with eight sockets in a 6U space and 128 DIMM slots of DDR5 memory, to the NF5180G7 general-purpose 1U rack server, which supports immersion. Other servers come in two- and four-socket designs.

There is also the NF5266G7 high-density storage server with a three-tier storage architecture in a 2U space. Inspur says its computing performance is up to 60% faster than the previous generation.

Giga Computing

Giga Computing, the enterprise spin-off of consumer component maker Gigabyte Computing, announced servers and server motherboards based around the 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processor as well as the Intel Xeon Max Series.

Giga is targeting AI, cloud computing, advanced analytics, HPC, and networking, as well as storage applications. Giga Computing has 14 new series of servers with a total of 78 configurations for customers to choose from.

The new lines include:
In spite of the warning by the National Peace Commission (NPC) that political parties and their presidential candidates should stop overheating the polity and generating tension in the country, the verbal attacks and mudslinging has continued unabated.

The peace committee had on Friday subjected the presidential candidates and their political parties to a fresh commitment to the peace pact they earlier signed ahead of the 2023 general polls.

Co-chairman of the peace committee and former head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, had during a one-day roundtable meeting of the peace committee with the leadership of the nation's 18 registered political parties and their presidential candidates told the politicians to restrain their utterances in order not to incite violence in the coming general election.

But barely 48 hours after the intervention of the peace committee, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign organisation and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council resumed the ad hominem attacks.

It started yesterday when the PDP campaign team demanded the arrest and persecution of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over alleged drug trafficking and siphoning of state funds.

The PDP campaign called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately initiate Tinubu's arrest and prosecution.

But in a swift response, the APC campaign team said it was certain that "the characters who still parade themselves as his (Atiku's) spokespersons have lost their minds."

This, the Tiunubu camp noted, is the reason why "they think Nigerians can be swayed by all their deliberate falsehoods and the lies they manufacture everyday against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deceive the public, when they should all be remorseful for the legendary corruption of their boss."

Earlier on Sunday, the PDP presidential campaign asked the NDLEA to call Tinubu for questioning over the deal which led to him forfeiting $460, 000 to US authorities.

The PDP campaign made the call at a media briefing by the director, Strategic Communication, Bashorun Dele Momodu; media adviser to Atiku Abubakar; Paul Ibe; spokesperson of the presidential campaign council; Daniel Bwala, and special assistant, Public Communication to Atiku, Phrank Shaibu.

Bwala specifically condemned what he alleged to be the setting up of a group by Tinubu which he described as a militia, just as he asked the security agencies to arrest and prosecute any person that functions in that capacity.

He added that many opposition members have been getting threats ahead of the election.

Corroborating Bwala's position, another spokesman for the PDP campaign Phrank Shaibu, also alleged that Tinubu was still involved in illegal drug related business as recently as 2015.

He added that Tinubu transferred 4.3million US dollars to a briefcase company based in Colombia.

He said, "It is no longer news that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has direct ties to drug lords and was used as a conduit pipe to launder their funds.

"Court records show that Nigerian drug kingpin, Adegboyega Muiz Akande, ran an elaborate network of heroin traffickers in Chicago, Illinois, in the 1980s.

"This investigation has revealed the identity of other individuals including relatives who have worked for Akande with various duties in the distribution organisation. One of these individuals has been identified by the investigation as Bola Tinubu," said Kevin Moss, a special agent with the Inland Revenue Service.

"Court records showed that Akande took Tinubu to First Heritage Bank where he opened an account for himself and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in 1989. Tinubu revealed in documents that he worked with Mobil Nigeria Limited and his salary was $2,400 and he had no other sources of income whatsoever.

"But records from his First Heritage Bank account showed that in 1990, Tinubu deposited $661,000 into his individual money market account and in 1991 deposited $1,216,500 into the same money market account. Mobil representatives told US authorities that even though Tinubu was a treasurer, he had no direct access to the company's cash and thus could not deposit funds on behalf of the firm.

"Tinubu, the political Maradona, quickly entered into an agreement with US authorities and forfeited $460,000 in order to avoid jail before running back to Nigeria. But this has not changed the fact that he was in cahoots with drug dealers and was their bagman.

"Nigerian law is clear. Criminal cases have no statute of limitation and can be re-opened at any time, especially for the sake of national interest. We hereby call on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to immediately arrest Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prosecute him for drug trafficking."

Atiku Is Unfit To Govern Nigeria, APC Campaign Hits Back

Firing back at the PDP, the APC presidential campaign council insisted that Atiku is not fit to be president of Nigeria because he has shown that he cannot be trusted.

In a statement issued by its director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, the APC presidential campaign council noted that if Atiku becomes president he could be an easy target for compromise against national interest.

Onanuga regretted that PDP and Atiku have obviously not recovered from the bombshell released last week by the APC campaign council, "which questioned the morality of the candidate to remain in the race, following his own damaging self-confession".

He recalled that at a press conference in Abuja last Monday, the APC campaign had called on the security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute Atiku "for running Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) used to loot the treasury of the country, in what is now known as Atikugate."

Onanuga said, "Since the scandal broke out, along with legal action to compel anti-graft agencies to perform their role, Atiku and his party, PDP, have laboured in vain to deflect and cover up with their series of ad hominem arguments.

"Instead of Atiku to apologise to Nigerians for abusing his office and position of trust in the past, Atiku's spokesmen continue to dig deeper in the hole they already found themselves by raising many false allegations against our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"The latest chapter in Atiku and PDP's comedy, is the rehash of old tales and fables that have no basis in facts and reality against our candidate.

"Our stand remains that Atiku Abubakar lacks the character to be the president of Nigeria. He is unfit to lead our country because he can be an easy target for compromises that will be against national interest.

"Atiku in deeds and words has shown that he cannot be trusted to manage the resources of Nigeria."

Election Merchant Can't Solve Nigeria's Problems, APC Tells Obi

In a similar development, the APC yesterday descended on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, describing him as an "election merchant" who lacks the capacity to wriggle Nigeria out of the economic and social morass the country is enmeshed in.

According to the governing party, Obi lacks the ideological standpoint that can bring him close to addressing even the challenges facing the working class, the primary constituency of his political party.

The national vice chairman (North West) of the APC, Saliu Lukman, who stated this in a statement he issued on Sunday said among the leading presidential candidates, it is only the APC standard bearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu that has never left his party to any other party.

The former director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) noted that although Tinubu has been a national political leader since he left office as governor of Lagos State in 2007, he is presenting himself for the first time as a presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

Lukman said, "In terms of the person of Mr. Peter Obi, so far, his characteristics is that of a typical Nigerian politician who is more of an election merchant presenting himself every four years for election, even if it means changing political party.

"Being an election merchant connotes an obvious lack of commitment and discipline to be loyal to any political party. This partly explains why Mr. Obi moved from All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now LP between 2015 and now.

"What is the guarantee that his candidature of LP also bears a commitment to develop the LP and get it to overcome all its challenges. Noting that it is public knowledge that LP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, how is Mr. Obi using his campaign to negotiate the resolution of the LP crisis. From a distant point of view, Mr. Obi is in fact indifferent to the crisis facing LP.

"Beyond being indifferent, Mr. Obi is clearly alien to any ideological standpoint that can bring him close to the working class, which is the primary constituency of LP. Some of us are privileged to have been intellectually and organically connected to that constituency. In fact, I am privileged to have managed the project which conceived and facilitated the initial negotiation between Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its partners, notably civil society, which produced the LP in 2003."

Lukman who said it was important to recognise the legitimate disappointment of Nigerians with the current leaders and the state of the nation, noted that it would remain a fallacy to imagine that a simple choice of a typical election merchant like Obi can resolve Nigeria's challenges.

He added that apart from Peter Obi, any other politician with the penchant for changing political parties just to contest elections cannot be the kind of leader Nigeria needs today.

"Without prejudice to my respect for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, they are both in the same category with Mr. Obi. Alhaji Atiku has been either a Presidential candidate or aspirant in every election in different parties since 2007. Sen. Kwankwaso has moved from PDP to APC, back to PDP between 2015 and 2019, before finally forming New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in 2022 and presenting himself as the Presidential candidate of the party for 2023 election," he stated.

The APC national vice chairman recalled that Tinubu was the only contestant who together with other leaders of APC envisioned the political roadmap for the defeat of PDP.

He noted: "The emergence of Asiwaju as the Presidential candidate of APC was the product of open internal contest in APC. Unlike most of the Presidential candidates of the other opposition parties, Asiwaju was not a product of imposition. It can also be argued that Alh. Atiku also won the PDP primary.

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"However, the difference between Asiwaju and Alhaji Atiku is the ability to successfully negotiate and win the support of other party leaders who contested against him. Today, all those who contested against Asiwaju in APC are working for his victory."

Beware Of Candidates Claiming It's Their Turn, Obi Bombs Tinubu

But in a veiled reference to APC flagbearer, Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, cautioned Nigerians against candidates laying claims to the presidency on grounds that it is their turn to rule the country.

"Don't listen to anybody coming from it's his turn, it's nobody's turn, but your turn to take back your country from those destroying it.

"When they come, look out for a character you trust, the person with antecedents, the person you can identify his past, the schools he went to and how they performed where they were before," Obi stated during his campaign in Kano.

He told the people that if other candidates come with religious and tribal sentiments, they should tell them to provide jobs or show them where anybody is buying goods at cheaper rate because of where he comes from or because of his religion.

Noting that his administration will fight corruption, Obi said, "We will pull people out of poverty by taking Nigeria from consumption to production and stop the sharing that has kept the country down.

"I and Datti are different, we will not be transactional but will use your money well for production."

The LP flag bearer told the cheering crowd that the reason the national currency, the naira, is not strong is because of corruption. They steal public money to buy dollars, promising that he and Datti will stop all that if elected.

Ibi promised to ensure that Kano State regains its enviable status as a centre of trade and industry in Northern Nigeria.

The candidate who noted that he drove round Kano city before coming to address the rally, said he found all the industries in the city shutdown, promising that if elected by February, he and Datti will restore them.

He said the trading status of Kano will return and will remain the center of cash.

"Before, if you want cash you come to Kano but what you see today is poverty everywhere. Datti and I will restore the old glory of Kano.

"We will secure and unite Nigeria where people will be proud to say I am a Nigerian. We will kill the sentiments of tribes and religions which they have been using to deceive us."

The former Anambra State governor told the people amidst shouts of 'Sai Obi' that under the presidency if he and Datti, there will be one Nigeria where the people will be free to move and do their businesses unmolested.
The Labour Party candidate said there would be no rift between him and his deputy if elected president.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Saturday pledged to diligently serve the country if elected in next month's presidential election.

Mr Obi made the pledge while meeting with Muslim and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna, North-west Nigeria.

Mr Obi, who was in company of his vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Baba - Ahmed, dismissed the concern raised by one of the religious leader over possible disagreemnt with his running mate if they are elected into office.

During the meeting at the Throne Room Ministry in Kafanchan, Mr Obi said he and his running mate are passionate about serving nigeria and not to make money.

"The reason why people quarrel is transaction. I have no reason for self enrichment, God has given me enough. I am contented. Those who steal government money abuse God's grace. We want to work for this country. There is no other thing we need," Mr Obi said.

Mr Obi insisted that what Nigeria lacks are committed and competent leaders.

"We will fight corruption. Presidency requires physical and mental energy, and not a retirement home for old and tired people.

"There is nothing wrong with Nigeria, what is wrong is bad leadership. Our leaders have refused to rise above expectations," he added.

"We need leadership, Datti and I will not shy away to secure Nigeria. We are promising Nigerians that after our leadership there will be a difference," he stated.
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Our County Editor

Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
Wife of the Presidential Candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Titi Atiku Abubakar, has assured Nigerians that her husband will end poverty and insecurity if elected as the next president of Nigeria.

Mrs. Abubakar, who gave the assurance stated at a town hall meeting with Ogun women in Abeokuta, explained that good governance is not new to her husband, hence his resolve to take up the position to be Nigeria's next president.

She noted that her husband was instrumental to the success recorded during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's eight years tenure.

Mrs Atiku described her husband as a unifier, capable of fixing the various challenges facing the nation.

She listed the challenges facing the country to include, including insecurity, unemployment and poverty among others, adding that her husband has enough experience to deliver to the country.

"If you voted Atiku, you vote out poverty, if you voted Atiku, you vote out insecurity. Atiku has done it before. If you voted Atiku, you vote security, you vote good economy, you vote to restructure.

"Atiku wants to restructure, Atiku wants to rebuild, Atiku wants to rescue, Atiku wants to reset Nigeria, Atiku wants to bring back the lost glory of Nigeria.

Atiku will unify Nigeria, after all, I'm a Yoruba woman married to a Fulani man for over 50 years, that is the Nigeria that I want for us all," she said.

She noted that if her husband is voted in, she would become the first Yoruba First Lady, urging the Southwest to give maximum support to her husband in the February 25 election.

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She said, "No Yoruba woman has ever become a first lady in this country. So, I plead with you that for Yorubas to be happy, please vote for my husband and everything me and my husband have promised, we are going to fulfil and if we don't do it, you can hold me responsible.

"I promise you that everything that women in Ogun State and even the entire women in the SouthWest need, I will do because I'm one of you, I'm from Osun State and I will not disappoint you.

"Don't let the APC deceive you, remember that your vote for Atiku is a vote for Yoruba and the SouthWest."

Also Speaking, PDP National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, noted that the PDP government had always ensured a better life for her citizens.

She urged the women not to keep their PVCs inside the wardrobe after collection, but to ensure they go out en masse and vote for PDP candidates.

The wife of the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Adenike Adebutu, commended Mrs Abubakar for always fighting for the course of Nigerian women and children.

Mrs Adebutu also called on the women not to allow themselves to be disenfranchised by ensuring that they collect their PVCs before the deadline for collection.
Anti-abortion advocates are pressing for expanded abortion bans and tighter restrictions since the Supreme Court overturned the national right to abortion. But with the debate mostly deadlocked in Washington, the focus is shifting to states convening their first full legislative sessions since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Although some state GOP lawmakers have filed bills to ban abortion pills or make it more difficult for women to travel out of state for an abortion, others seem split about what their next steps should be. Some are even considering measures to ease their states' existing bans somewhat, particularly after Republicans' less-than-stellar showing in the 2022 midterm elections and voters' widespread support for abortion on state ballot measures.

Meanwhile, Democratic-led states are looking to shore up abortion protections, including Minnesota and Michigan, where Democrats sewed up legislative majorities in the November elections.

Anti-abortion groups said their goal in overturning Roe v. Wade was to turn the decision back to the states, but now they are making clear that what they want is an encompassing national abortion ban.

"Legislation at the state and federal levels should provide the most generous protections possible to life in the womb," says the "Post-Roe Blueprint" of the anti-abortion group Students for Life.

The new Republican-led House showed its anti-abortion bona fides on its first day of formal legislating, Jan. 11, passing two pieces of anti-abortion legislation that are unlikely to become law with a Senate still controlled by Democrats and President Joe Biden in the White House.

So at the federal level, the fight is taking shape in the courts over the abortion pill mifepristone, which has been used as part of a two-drug regimen for more than two decades, and recently became the way a majority of abortions in the U.S. are conducted.

The Biden administration has moved to make mifepristone more widely available by allowing it to be distributed by pharmacies, as well as clarifying that it is legal to distribute the pills via the U.S. mail. But the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, on behalf of several anti-abortion groups, filed a federal lawsuit in Texas in November, charging that the FDA never had the authority to approve the drug in the first place.

In Texas, some lawmakers are exploring new ways to chip away at Texans' remaining sliver of access to abortions. For example, one proposal would prevent local governments from using tax dollars to help people access abortion services out of state, while another would prohibit tax subsidies for businesses that help their local employees obtain abortions out of state.

Those measures could get lost in the shuffle of the state's frantic 140-day, every-other-year session, if legislative leaders don't consider them a priority. The state's trigger law banning almost all abortions that went into effect last year "appears to be working very well," said Joe Pojman, founder and executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, an anti-abortion group. In August 2022, three abortions were documented in the state, down from more 5,700 reported during the same month a year earlier, according to the most recent state data.

The top state House Republican said his priority is boosting support for new moms, for example, by extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months.

It's "an opportunity for the Texas House to focus more than ever on supporting mothers and children," said Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, struck a similar theme in a Jan. 10 speech, saying she will introduce bills to expand a program for nurses to visit new mothers at home and help state employees pay for adoptions. Previously, Noem said South Dakota needs to focus "on taking care of mothers in crisis and getting them the resources that they need for both them and their child to be successful."

Some Texas GOP lawmakers indicated they may be open to carving out exceptions to the abortion ban in cases of rape and incest. And a Republican lawmaker plans to attempt to modify South Dakota's ban, which allows abortions only for life-threatening pregnancies, to clarify when abortions are medically necessary.

"Part of the issue right now is that doctors and providers just dont know what that line is," said state Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, a nurse who has experienced miscarriages and high-risk pregnancies herself.

Rehfeldt wants to reinstate a former law that allows abortions for pregnancies that could cause serious, irreversible physical harm to a "major bodily function." Rehfeldt said she is also working on bills to allow abortions for people carrying non-viable fetuses, or who became pregnant after rape or incest.

Some anti-abortion activists in Georgia are pushing lawmakers to go further than the state's ban on most abortions at about six weeks of pregnancy. They want a law to ban telehealth prescriptions of abortion pills and a state constitutional amendment declaring that an embryo or a fetus has all the legal rights of a person at any stage of development.

"Roe is out of the way," said Zemmie Fleck, executive director of Georgia Right to Life. "Theres no more roadblock to what we can do in our state."

Republican leaders, however, are biding their time while Georgia's high court weighs a legal challenge of the six-week ban. "Our focus remains on the case before the Georgia Supreme Court and seeing it across the finish line," said Andrew Isenhour, spokesperson for Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

Abortion rights lawmakers and advocates have few options to advance their initiatives in these Republican-controlled statehouses.

A Georgia Democrat filed a bill that would make the state compensate women who are unable to terminate pregnancies because of the state's abortion ban. State Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick acknowledged her bill likely won't go far, but she said she hopes it keeps attention on the issue and forces GOP lawmakers to "put their money where their mouth is" in supporting families.

In Missouri, where nearly all abortions are now banned, abortion rights advocates are mulling the idea of circumventing the state's Republican-dominated legislature by asking voters in 2024 to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state's constitution.

But those efforts could be upended by a slew of bills filed by Republican lawmakers seeking to make it more difficult to place constitutional initiatives on the ballot, and for those measures that do make it on the ballot, by requiring the approval of at least 60% of voters for passage.

Democrats in Michigan and Minnesota are likely to use their newfound control of both legislative chambers and the governors' office to protect abortion access. While Michigan voters already passed a ballot measure in November that enshrines the right to abortions in the state constitution, Democrats are trying to repeal a 1931 abortion law from the books.

In Illinois, Democrats in control of the legislature recently bolstered abortion protections amid increased demand from out-of-state residents. New York lawmakers this year may send voters a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect abortion, while New Jersey lawmakers decided against a similar proposal.

The November elections brought divided government to Arizona and Nevada, with Arizona now having a Democratic governor and Nevada having a Republican one. Any abortion-related bills that pass the legislatures in those states could be vetoed.

Some Republican-controlled legislatures, including those in Montana, Florida, and Alaska, also are limited in passing sweeping abortion bans because of court rulings that tie abortion access to right-to-privacy provisions in those states' constitutions.

In Montana, a state judge blocked three anti-abortion laws passed in 2021 on that basis. State government attorneys have asked the Montana Supreme Court to reverse the precedent, and a decision is pending.

In the meantime, Republican state Sen. Keith Regier has filed a bill there seeking to exclude abortion from the state's definition of a right to privacy. Regier said he believes an individual's right to privacy should not apply to abortion because an unborn child also is involved.

Democratic leaders said Republicans are out of sync with the people they represent on this issue. In November, Montana voters rejected a "born alive" ballot initiative that would have required doctors to apply medical care to newborns who draw breath or have a heartbeat after a failed abortion or any other birth.

"Montanans said so clearly that they do not want government overreach in their health care decisions," said Democratic state Rep. Alice Buckley.

KHN correspondents Renuka Rayasam and Sam Whitehead in Atlanta; Arielle Zionts in Rapid City, South Dakota; Bram Sable-Smith in St. Louis; and Katheryn Houghton in Missoula, Montana, contributed to this report.
An international consortium co-led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center immunogeneticist Ruben Martinez-Barricarte, PhD, has discovered a new genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency and profound susceptibility to opportunistic infections including a life-threatening fungal pneumonia.

The discovery, reported Jan. 20 in the journal Science Immunology, will help identify people who carry this in-born error of immunity (IEI). "Our findings will provide the basis for genetic diagnosis and preventive treatment for these groups of patients," Martinez-Barricarte said.

IEIs, also known as primary immunodeficiencies, are genetic defects characterized by increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, autoimmunity, anti-inflammatory disorders, allergy, and in some cases, cancer.

To date, 485 different IEIs have been identified. It is now thought that they occur in one of every 1,000 to 5,000 births, making them as prevalent as other genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis and Duchene's muscular dystrophy.

Despite recent medical advances, about half of patients with IEIs still lack a genetic diagnosis that could help them avoid debilitating illness and death. That's why this research is so important.

The error in this case is a mutation in the gene for the protein IRF4, a transcription factor that is pivotal for the development and function of B and T white blood cells, as well as other immune cells.

As a postdoctoral fellow at The Rockefeller University, Martinez-Barricarte was part of an international research team that, in 2018, identified an IRF4 mutation associated with Whipple's disease, a rare bacterial infection of the intestine that causes diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal and joint pain.

Martinez-Barricarte is now an assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Genetic Medicine, and of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology in the Division of Molecular Pathogenesis.

In 2020, after moving his lab to VUMC, he began collaborating with Aide Tamara Staines-Boone, MD, and her colleagues in Monterrey, Mexico. They were caring for a young boy who was suffering from severe and recurrent fungal, viral, mycobacterial, and other infections.

Martinez-Barricarte and his team sequenced the protein-encoding regions of the boy's genome and discovered a de novo IRF4 mutation, which originated in the patient and was not inherited from his parents.

Upon consulting with IRF4 experts at the Imagine Institute for the study and treatment of genetic diseases in Paris, they were told that seven other groups were independently characterizing the same mutation. They now collaborate as the IRF4 International Consortium.

In the current study, the consortium identified seven patients from six unrelated families across four continents with profound combination immunodeficiency who experienced recurrent and serious infections, including pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. Each patient had the same mutation in the DNA-binding domain of IRF4.

Extensive phenotyping of patients' blood cells revealed immune cell abnormalities associated with the disease, including impaired maturation of antibody-producing B cells, and reduced T-cell production of infection-fighting cytokines.

Two knock-in mouse models, in which the mutation was inserted into the mouse genome, exhibited a severe defect in antibody production consistent with the combined immune deficiency observed in the patients.

The researchers also discovered the mutation had a "multimorphic" effect detrimental to the activation and differentiation of immune cells.

While the mutant IRF4 binds to DNA with a higher affinity than the native form of the protein (in a hypermorphic way), its transcriptional activity in common, canonical genes is reduced (hypomorphic), and it binds to other DNA sites (in a neomorphic way), altering the protein's normal gene expression profile.

This multimorphic activity is a new mechanism for human disease. "We anticipate that variants with multimorphic activity may be more widespread in health and disease," the researchers concluded.

Co-authors from Martinez-Barricarte's lab included graduate students Jareb Perez Caraballo and Xin Zhen, and research assistant Linh Tran. His research was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (grant #AI171466).
An anti-aging gene discovered in a population of centenarians has been shown to rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years. The breakthrough, published in Cardiovascular Research and led by scientists at the University of Bristol and the MultiMedica Group in Italy, offers a potential target for patients with heart failure.

Associated with exceptional longevity, carriers of healthy mutant genes, like those living in blue zones of the planet, often live to 100 years or more and remain in good health. These individuals are also less prone to cardiovascular complications. Scientists funded by the British Heart Foundation believe the gene helps to keep their hearts young by protecting them against diseases linked to ageing, such as heart failure.

In this new study, researchers demonstrate that one of these healthy mutant genes, previously proved particularly frequent in centenarians, can protect cells collected from patients with heart failure requiring cardiac transplantation.

The Bristol team, led by Professor Paolo Madeddu, has found that a single administration of the mutant anti-aging gene halted the decay of heart function in middle-aged mice. Even more remarkably, when given to elderly mice, whose hearts exhibit the same alterations observed in elderly patients, the gene rewound the heart's biological clock age by the human equivalent of more than ten years.

Professor Madeddu, Professor of Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine from Bristol Heart Institute at the University of Bristol and one of the study's authors, explained: "The heart and blood vessel function is put at stake as we age. However, the rate at which these harmful changes occur is different among people. Smoking, alcohol, and sedentary life make the ageing clock faster. Whereas eating well and exercising delay the heart's ageing clock.

"In addition, having good genes inherited from parents can help to stay young and healthy. Genes are sequences of letters that encode proteins. By chance, some of these letters can mutate. Most of these mutations are insignificant; in a few cases, however, the mutation can make the gene function worse or better, like for the mutant anti-ageing gene we have studied here on human cells and older mice."

The three-year study was also performed in test tube human cardiac cells in Italy. Researchers from the MultiMedica Group in Milan led by Professor Annibale Puca, administered the gene in heart cells from elderly patients with severe heart problems, including transplantation, and then compared their function with those of healthy individuals.

The cells of the elderly patients, in particular those that support the construction of new blood vessels, called 'pericytes', were found to be less performing and more aged. By adding the longevity gene/protein to the test tube, we observed a process of cardiac rejuvenation: the cardiac cells of elderly heart failure patients have resumed functioning properly, proving to be more efficient in building new blood vessels." Monica Cattaneo, researcher of the MultiMedica Group in Milan, Italy, and first author of the work

Centenarians pass their healthy genes to their offspring. The study demonstrates for the first time that a healthy gene found in centenarians could be transferred to unrelated people to protect their hearts. Other mutations might be found in the future with similar or even superior curative potential than the one investigated by this research. Professor Madeddu and Professor Annibale Puca of the MultiMedica Group in Milan believe this study may fuel a new wave of treatments inspired by the genetics of centenarians.

Professor Madeddu added: "Our findings confirm the healthy mutant gene can reverse the decline of heart performance in older people. We are now interested in determining if giving the protein instead of the gene can also work. Gene therapy is widely used to treat diseases caused by bad genes. However, a treatment based on a protein is safer and more viable than gene therapy.

"We have received funding from the Medical Research Council to test healthy gene therapy in Progeria. This genetic disease, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, causes early aging damage to children's hearts and blood vessels. We have also been funded by the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK to test the protein in older and diabetic mice, respectively."

Annibale Puca, Head of the laboratory at the IRCCS MultiMedica and Professor at the University of Salerno, added: "Gene therapy with the healthy gene in mouse models of disease has already been shown to prevent the onset of atherosclerosis, vascular aging, and diabetic complications, and to rejuvenate the immune system.

"We have a new confirmation and enlargement of the therapeutic potential of the gene/protein. We hope to test its effectiveness soon in clinical trials on patients with heart failure."

Professor James Leiper, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the research, said: "We all want to know the secrets of aging and how we might slow down age-related disease. Our heart function declines with age but this research has extraordinarily revealed that a variant of a gene that is commonly found in long-lived people can halt and even reverse aging of the heart in mice.

"This is still early-stage research, but could one day provide a revolutionary way to treat people with heart failure and even stop the debilitating condition from developing in the first place."

The study is funded by the British Heart Foundation and the Italian Ministry of Health.
Industrial biotech specialist Ingenza is delighted to announce that it is collaborating with clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Amplifica Holdings Group, Inc. to develop an innovative treatment to address androgenic alopecia.

Amplifica has partnered with Ingenza to advance the development of its signalling molecules  which stimulate dormant hair follicle stem cells and result in the active regrowth of hairs  from proof of concept through toxicology and clinical trials. The project will capitalise on Ingenzas microbial strain and mammalian-cell line development capabilities and demonstrates the companys world-leading expertise in engineering biology.

We look forward to partnering with Amplifica and sharing our expertise and knowledge to help advance both the lead product candidates and alternative versions with improved potential. Our innovative bio-manufacturing technologies and technical capabilities are a perfect fit with Amplificas expertise in developing novel therapeutics for hair regrowth. Dr. Ian Fotheringham, Managing Director, Ingenza
If you have young children, you're likely worried about how much time they spend staring at a screen, be it a tablet, phone, computer, or television. You probably also want to know how screen time affects your child's development and wonder whether there's anything you can do to balance out any negative effects. New research from Japan indicates that more screen time at age 2 is associated with poorer communication and daily living skills at age 4-;but when kids also play outdoors, some of the negative effects of screen time are reduced.

In the study, which will be published in March in JAMA Pediatrics, the researchers followed 885 children from 18 months to 4 years of age. They looked at the relationship between three key features: average amount of screen time per day at age 2, amount of outdoor play at age 2 years 8 months, and neurodevelopmental outcomes-;specifically, communication, daily living skills, and socialization scores according to a standardized assessment tool called Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II-;at age 4.

Although both communication and daily living skills were worse in 4-year-old children who had had more screen time at aged 2, outdoor play time had very different effects on these two neurodevelopmental outcomes. We were surprised to find that outdoor play didn't really alter the negative effects of screen time on communication-;but it did have an effect on daily living skills." Kenji J. Tsuchiya, Professor at Osaka University and Study's Lead Author

Specifically, almost one-fifth of the effects of screen time on daily living skills were mediated by outdoor play, meaning that increasing outdoor play time could reduce the negative effects of screen time on daily living skills by almost 20%. The researchers also found that, although it was not linked to screen time, socialization was better in 4-year-olds who had spent more time playing outside at 2 years 8 months of age.

"Taken together, our findings indicate that optimizing screen time in young children is really important for appropriate neurodevelopment," says Tomoko Nishimura, senior author of the study. "We also found that screen time is not related to social outcomes, and that even if screen time is relatively high, encouraging more outdoor play time might help to keep kids healthy and developing appropriately."

These results are particularly important given the recent COVID-19-related lockdowns around the world, which have generally led to more screen time and less outdoor time for children. Because the use of digital devices is difficult to avoid even in very young children, further research looking at how to balance the risks and benefits of screen time in young children is eagerly awaited.
Uzbekistan has shared data on the number of people visiting Uzbekistan from January through December 2022.

According to the statistics, some 5.2 million foreigners visited Uzbekistan in 2022, which is 2.8 times more than the same period last year.

State Statistics Committee notes that the largest number of tourists visited Uzbekistan from neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan - over 15,511 people; Tajikistan - over 14,478 people; Kyrgyzstan - over 13, 569 people; as well as citizens of the following countries:

Russia  567,700 people

Turkiye  75,600 people.

South Korea 19,900 people

Germany 17,700 people

India 16,800 people

USA13,100 people

France 11,000 people

UK10,500 people

Azerbaijan 10,400 people

Italy 8,800 people.

Spain  6,300 people

China  5,400 people
Yobe State governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give a special concession and alternatives to the people of Yobe against the backdrop of January 31 dateline for use of old Naira notes as legal tender.

A statement issued by the director-general, Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, on Sunday, said Governor Buni believed that the appeal became necessary due to lack of banking services in most parts of the State.

He explained that only four out of the 17 local government areas of the State have presence of banks, making it difficult for people in the remaining 13 local government areas to access banking services and exchange their old Naira notes with new ones before the deadline.

"Some of the banks with branches in the local government areas closed the branches at the peak of the Boko Haram security challenge but are yet to reopen in spite of the improved security in the State.

"The CBN should be considerate to provide special services to such areas with special needs to avoid making them victims and losing their money.

"The CBN and commercial banks should as a matter of urgent public interest deploy alternative services at their disposal to salvage the situation.

"As a regulatory body, CBN should also ensure commercial banks open branches in the local government council headquarters now that there is improved peace and security across the State," the governor was qouted as saying in the statement.

Governor Buni added that the improved security in Yobe State and the North-East generally makes it conducive for the banks to resume operations and open new branches in the local government area headquarters and other towns.

Buni, however, expressed fear that until something urgent is done, many people may fall victims of failing to exchange their old Naira notes with the new notes.

"As a government we made these observations earlier but the challenge is still there and needs the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria to save the situation," Buni added.
In Denmark, all forms of social restrictions that were implemented to restrict the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, were lifted in early February 2022.

Subsequently, a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases was recorded, predominantly caused by the Omicron variant.

Background

Scientists have stated that the Omicron variant contains many genomic mutations regarding the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. This newly emerged variant is more infectious than the ancestral strain and can evade immune responses generated via natural infection or COVID-19 vaccination. However, the Omicron variant is less virulent than the previously emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants, e.g., the Delta strain.

Denmarks policy to lift all restrictions amidst the high prevalence of COVID-19 cases gained significant international attention, particularly in the context of a steep rise in mortality rate due to COVID-19. This mortality report was based on a 30-day COVID-19 death count.

The main advantage of including a 30-day COVID-19 death count in routine reporting is its low resource requirement. Furthermore, this data is easily available in public databases and dashboards and is also used by international COVID-19 monitoring sites. Hence, the 30-day COVID-19 death count has been considered an important tool for evaluating COVID-19 severity during the earlier phases of the pandemic.

It is not easy to determine mortality due to COVID-19, as pinpointing the specific cause of death, particularly in the elderly population, is difficult. This is because, even if the deceased individual had contracted COVID-19, other underlying conditions could have been the cause of death. In addition, COVID-19 deaths in individuals who were not tested will not be captured in the 30-day COVID-19 death count.

However, because of the high rate of SARS-CoV-2 testing in Denmark, the possibility of additional deaths due to COVID-19 should be a rare incident. Nevertheless, it is imperative to develop a new methodology to quantify the real burden of COVID-19 mortality.

Mortality surveillance is extremely complex and vulnerable to bias and other limitations, which can be rectified by introducing different strategies in the surveillance. The Danish surveillance system offers three data sources linked to the mortality burden of COVID-19. These include individual death certificates, automated register-based surveillance, and deviations in all-cause mortality patterns.

About the study

A recent Eurosurveillance study investigated how coincidental infections influenced COVID-19 mortality estimates after the emergence of the Omicron variant.

The current study analyzed the actual mortality burden of the Omicron variant by comparing the 30-day COVID-19 death count with the observed mortality pattern, using three surveillance methods, i.e., the Causes of Death Registry, a model created to correct the 30-day COVID-19 death count for coincidental deaths, and all-cause excess mortality.

Since mortality and SARS-CoV-2 infection are age dependent, the current estimations were carried out for different age groups, i.e., 019, 2039, 4059, 6069, 7079, and  80 years.

Findings

In Denmark, the total number of 30-day COVID-19 case fatalities from the beginning of the pandemic to 29 May 2022 was estimated to be 6,363. The daily number of deaths fluctuated significantly during the different COVID-19 waves.

A retrospective comparative analysis revealed that the mortality burden due to COVID-19 weakened after introducing the Omicron variant in Denmark. Nevertheless, the mortality estimates projected in the international media suggested otherwise. Among all the waves that occurred due to the emergence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants, the maximum number of COVID-19 cases was observed in late 2021 due to the Omicron variant infection.

Although in most phases of the pandemic, the 30-day COVID-19 case incidence was low, a steep rise in cases was reported during the winter of 2021-22 because of the high transmission rate of the circulating Omicron variant and an increase in COVID-19 testing rates. The comparative analysis revealed a significant change in the share of coincidental deaths, which increased from 1020% to around 40% after the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Even though a brief increase in the mortality rate was observed after the lifting of all COVID-19-related social restrictions in Denmark, the mortality rate became stable at a low-to-moderate level during the last quarter of 2021.

Conclusions

The current study confirms an important shift in COVID-19 mortality after the emergence of the Omicron variant, i.e., attenuation of mortality rates. The limitations associated with over/under-estimating mortality rates due to COVID-19 could be overcome by the new retrospective in-depth analysis method, which involves adjusting COVID-19 deaths for coincidental deaths.
In a recent study posted to bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers at Ohio State University examined the degree of neutralizing antibody (nAb) evasion by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron XBB.1.5, CA.3.1, and CH.1.1 subvariants.

Study: Extraordinary Evasion of Neutralizing Antibody Response by Omicron XBB.1.5, CH.1.1 and CA.3.1 Variants. Image Credit: Design_Cells / Shutterstock

*Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.

Several subvariants have emerged from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, some showing relatively higher immune evasion, threatening vaccination efficacy. The BQ.1.1 sub-variant was the most prevalent following months of BA.5 predominance in the United States. Nonetheless, it is being quickly replaced by XBB.1.5. The XBB lineage was first detected in India as a recombinant of BA.2.75 and BA.2.10.1.1. Its emergence was alarming since it contained numerous mutations with established immune escape characteristics.

The effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), mono- or bivalent vaccines, and infection-induced immunity were reduced against XBB. The XBB lineage acquired two additional substitutions in the spike, resulting in XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 subvariants, and their impact remains unknown. In addition, the CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 subvariants of Omicron have been notable lately, as they carry the L452R substitution in the spike, previously discovered in the Delta and Omicron BA.4/5 variants.

The study and findings

In the present study, researchers evaluated the spike protein biology of emergent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants XBB.1.5, CA.3.1, and CH.1.1. First, they assessed the infectivity of spike-pseudotyped lentiviruses in HEK293T-ACE2 cells expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Calu-3 cell line. XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 had higher infectivity, with nearly two-fold increased titers than SARS-CoV-2 D614G in HEK293T-ACE2 cells.

XBB subvariants infectivity was not significantly different from that of D614G in this cell line. By contrast, CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 subvariants had nearly 2.5-fold lower infectivity than D614G in Calu-3. Next, the team tested neutralization of these emergent subvariants by sera from 14 healthcare workers (HCWs) boosted with a bivalent vaccine after two-to-four doses of monovalent mRNA vaccine.

Sera were obtained after a median of 66 days post-bivalent vaccination. CA.3.1, CH.1.1, and XBB.1.5 subvariants showed strong resistance to neutralization by sera relative to BA.4/5, with 4.6 to 17.7 times lower nAb titers than BA.4/5. Interestingly, XBB.1.5 had slightly higher nAb titers than its parent lineage (XBB).

Of note, BQ.1.1 showed higher neutralization resistance than any of the XBB subvariants, with 12.8 lower nAb titers than BA.4/5. The CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 subvariants displayed much higher resistance to neutralization by bivalent sera. Next, the neutralization experiments were repeated using sera from HCWs vaccinated thrice with monovalent mRNA vaccines.

Samples were obtained after 2-13 weeks post-vaccination. The mean nAb titers of triple-vaccinated sera against SARS-CoV-2 D614 and Omicron (BA.2 and BA.4/5) were up to 5.6-fold lower than those of bivalent sera. nAb titers were markedly reduced for CA.3.1, CH.1.1, and XBB.1.5 subvariants. Overall, the trends of triple-vaccinated sera in neutralizing subvariants were comparable to those of bivalent sera.

In addition, the team examined the neutralization resistance of subvariants to sera from individuals infected with BA.4/5. They observed potent and near-complete neutralization resistance for CA.3.1, CH.1.1, and XBB.1.1 subvariants, with 2.6 to 4.1-fold lower nAb titers than BA.4/5. Furthermore, the researchers determined fusogenicity, surface expression, and processing of spike proteins of the subvariants.

Reduced syncytia formation was evident for all subvariants relative to D614G. XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 showed no differences in spike fusogenicity compared to XBB. The efficiency of syncytia formation of CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 was lower than BA.2.75.2. XBB subvariants, BQ.1.1, and BA.2.75.2 exhibited higher spike processing than D614G. There were no differences in spike processing for CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 subvariants relative to the parental BA.2.75.2.

Finally, homology modeling of XBB lineage spikes complexed with ACE2 or nAbs was performed. The P486 residue in XBB.1.5 was more hydrophobic than the S486 residue in XBB/XBB.1, resulting in favorable interactions with residues in ACE2, which allows better receptor utilization. The residue 486 is a hotspot for class I nAb recognition, and mutations at this site in XBB subvariants completely abolish interactions with the therapeutic mAb, AZD8895. Mutations at K444 and L452 residues found in CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 also affect interactions with class II nAbs.

Conclusions

Taken together, the findings suggested that bivalent mRNA vaccines induce up to eight times higher nAbs than monovalent vaccines. XBB subvariants, CA.3.1 and CH.1.1, exhibited almost complete escape from neutralization by triple-vaccinated or BA.4/5 infection sera. Moreover, XBB.1.5 did not show enhanced immune evasion relative to BQ.1.1. CA.3.1 and CH.1.1 subvariants consistently showed higher resistance to neutralization than XBB subvariants, warranting continued surveillance and further analyses.

*Important notice: bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
While most parents and caregivers stay on top of scheduling regular well child visits, they may not always be making the most of them, a new national poll suggests.

Most parents report their child has had a well visit in the past two years and two thirds say they always see the same provider, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at University of Michigan Health. However, fewer parents took all recommended steps to prepare themselves and their kids ahead of time.

Regular well visits mean guaranteed face time with your child's doctor and an opportunity to not only discuss specific concerns and questions about your child's health but get their advice on general health topics like nutrition, sleep and behavior." Sarah Clark, M.P.H., Mott Poll Co-Director

"We were pleased to see that the majority of parents regularly make these appointments and maintain relationships with a trusted provider. But they may not always be taking a proactive approach to ensuring they address all relevant health concerns impacting their child's physical, emotional and behavioral health at every visit."

In advance of well visits, a fourth of parents say they often prepare a list of questions to ask the provider, while a little over half said they sometimes wrote things down and about a fifth said they never do.

Meanwhile, about a fifth of parents say they often write down information about their child's health changes while half say they sometimes take this step and three in 10 don't do this at all.

"Well visits are busy, and in the moment, it's easy for parents to forget to bring up questions or concerns with a doctor," Clark said. "Writing them down ahead of time will help prioritize topics and help you get the most out of the appointment."

Less than 15 % of parents say they often research information online to discuss with the provider, while about half sometimes do and 38% never do.

"We are constantly learning new information that may impact children's health and some recommendations may evolve or be updated," Clark said. "Many pediatricians and care providers will bring these topics up themselves but not always. It's always helpful for parents to do some homework ahead of time to make sure they're aware of any timely topics affecting their child's age group."

Preparing children for the visit

Two in five parents say they often take steps to prepare their child for an upcoming well visit by addressing any fears they may have while slightly more than that sometimes do this while a little less than one in five never do this. A fourth of parents often also offer rewards for cooperating while less than half sometimes use such incentives.

For parents of children aged 6-12, a little more than one in five also regularly ask the child to think about questions for the provider.

"As kids approach puberty, their bodies begin changing. A well visit is a great opportunity to have the provider explain why these changes happen," Clark said.

"Having kids think about health topics themselves is also good practice for when they get older and parents become less involved with health visits. Preparing for this transition early will benefit them when they need to take more ownership of their health."

Most parents also recall completing questionnaires and checklists about their child at well visits. Among these parents, the majority say they understand the purpose but just about three fourths say they receive feedback about how their child is doing.

"Children and their families are more often getting questionnaires at visits to help identify issues like sleep problems, challenges impacting emotional health and behavioral health concerns," Clark said. "But when time is short, this may not come up during the actual visit. It's important parents have conversations with providers about any issues that may surface from the child's or family's responses."

Seeing providers familiar with your child's history

Nearly half of parents say they schedule well visits with their child's regular provider even if they have a long wait for an appointment. A third of parents also strongly agree their child is more likely to follow advice if it comes from a provider their child knows well.

For their child's most recent well visit, more than half of parents also rate the provider as excellent for knowing the child's health history, answering all their questions and giving recommendations that are realistic for the family.

A primary care physician familiar with a child and their specific health history will help them stay healthy, prevent disease and illness by identifying risk factors and taking the right steps to manage chronic disease care, Clark says.

"We know that continuity with the same provider has long term health benefits for children. Parents polled whose child always sees the same provider for well visits are also more likely to rate the provider as excellent," Clark said.

"Nurturing a relationship with a primary care provider means that the health professional who knows your child best is the one providing individualized care and helping your family navigate important decisions impacting their health."

However, when well visits are scheduled with a different provider, either by choice or necessity, "parents may benefit from different explanations or perspectives on their child's health," Clark adds.

The nationally representative report is based on responses from 1,331 parents with children aged 1 to 12 years who were polled in August-September 2022.

Five ways to ensure the most productive well child visit, according to Mott experts:
For Tammy Rainey, finding a health care provider who knows about gender-affirming care has been a challenge in the rural northern Mississippi town where she lives.

As a transgender woman, Rainey needs the hormone estrogen, which allows her to physically transition by developing more feminine features. But when she asked her doctor for an estrogen prescription, he said he couldn't provide that type of care.

"He's generally a good guy and doesn't act prejudiced. He gets my name and pronouns right," said Rainey. "But when I asked him about hormones, he said, 'I just don't feel like I know enough about that. I don't want to get involved in that.'"

So Rainey drives around 170 miles round trip every six months to get a supply of estrogen from a clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, to take home with her.

The obstacles Rainey overcomes to access care illustrate a type of medical inequity that transgender people who live in the rural U.S. often face: a general lack of education about trans-related care among small-town health professionals who might also be reluctant to learn.

"Medical communities across the country are seeing clearly that there is a knowledge gap in the provision of gender-affirming care," said Dr. Morissa Ladinsky, a pediatrician who co-leads the Youth Multidisciplinary Gender Team at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Accurately counting the number of transgender people in rural America is hindered by a lack of U.S. census data and uniform state data. However, the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ issues, used 2014-17 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from selected ZIP codes in 35 states to estimate that roughly 1 in 6 transgender adults in the U.S. live in a rural area. When that report was released in 2019, there were an estimated 1.4 million transgender people 13 and older nationwide. That number is now at least 1.6 million, according to the Williams Institute, a nonprofit think tank at the UCLA School of Law.

One in 3 trans people in rural areas experienced discrimination by a health care provider in the year leading up to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey Report, according to an analysis by MAP. Additionally, a third of all trans individuals report having to teach their doctor about their health care needs to receive appropriate care, and 62% worry about being negatively judged by a health care provider because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to data collected by the Williams Institute and other organizations.

A lack of local rural providers knowledgeable in trans care can mean long drives to gender-affirming clinics in metropolitan areas. Rural trans people are three times as likely as all transgender adults to travel 25 to 49 miles for routine care.

In Colorado, for example, many trans people outside Denver struggle to find proper care. Those who do have a trans-inclusive provider are more likely to receive wellness exams, less likely to delay care due to discrimination, and less likely to attempt suicide, according to results from the Colorado Transgender Health Survey published in 2018.

Much of the lack of care experienced by trans people is linked to insufficient education on LGBTQ+ health in medical schools across the country. In 2014, the Association of American Medical Colleges, which represents 170 accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada, released its first curriculum guidelines on caring for LGBTQ+ patients. As of 2018, 76% of medical schools included LGBTQ health themes in their curriculum, with half providing three or fewer classes on this topic.

Perhaps because of this, almost 77% of students from 10 medical schools in New England felt "not competent" or "somewhat not competent" in treating gender minority patients, according to a 2018 pilot study. Another paper, published last year, found that even clinicians who work in trans-friendly clinics lack knowledge about hormones, gender-affirming surgical options, and how to use appropriate pronouns and trans-inclusive language.

Throughout medical school, trans care was only briefly mentioned in endocrinology class, said Dr. Justin Bailey, who received his medical degree from UAB in 2021 and is now a resident there. "I don't want to say the wrong thing or use the wrong pronouns, so I was hesitant and a little bit tepid in my approach to interviewing and treating this population of patients," he said.

On top of insufficient medical school education, some practicing doctors don't take the time to teach themselves about trans people, said Kathie Moehlig, founder of TransFamily Support Services, a nonprofit organization that offers a range of services to transgender people and their families. They are very well intentioned yet uneducated when it comes to transgender care, she said.

Some medical schools, like the one at UAB, have pushed for change. Since 2017, Ladinsky and her colleagues have worked to include trans people in their standardized patient program, which gives medical students hands-on experience and feedback by interacting with "patients" in simulated clinical environments.

For example, a trans individual acting as a patient will simulate acid reflux by pretending to have pain in their stomach and chest. Then, over the course of the examination, they will reveal that they are transgender.

In the early years of this program, some students' bedside manner would change once the patient's gender identity was revealed, said Elaine Stephens, a trans woman who participates in UAB's standardized patient program. "Sometimes they would immediately start asking about sexual activity," Stephens said.

Since UAB launched its program, students' reactions have improved significantly, she said.

This progress is being replicated by other medical schools, said Moehlig. "But it's a slow start, and these are large institutions that take a long time to move forward."

Advocates also are working outside medical schools to improve care in rural areas. In Colorado, the nonprofit Extension for Community Health Outcomes, or ECHO Colorado, has been offering monthly virtual classes on gender-affirming care to rural providers since 2020. The classes became so popular that the organization created a four-week boot camp in 2021 for providers to learn about hormone therapy management, proper terminologies, surgical options, and supporting patients' mental health.

For many years, doctors failed to recognize the need to learn about gender-affirming care, said Dr. Caroline Kirsch, director of osteopathic education at the University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program-Casper. In Casper, this led to "a number of patients traveling to Colorado to access care, which is a large burden for them financially," said Kirsch, who has participated in the ECHO Colorado program.

"Things that haven't been as well taught historically in medical school are things that I think many physicians feel anxious about initially," she said. "The earlier you learn about this type of care in your career, the more likely you are to see its potential and be less anxious about it."

Educating more providers about trans-related care has become increasingly vital in recent years as gender-affirming clinics nationwide experience a rise in harassment and threats. For instance, Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Clinic for Transgender Health became the target of far-right hate on social media last year. After growing pressure from Tennessee's Republican lawmakers, the clinic paused gender-affirmation surgeries on patients younger than 18, potentially leaving many trans kids without necessary care.

Stephens hopes to see more medical schools include coursework on trans health care. She also wishes for doctors to treat trans people as they would any other patient.

"Just provide quality health care," she tells the medical students at UAB. "We need health care like everyone else does."
Ubiquigent Limited (Ubiquigent), a drug discovery and development company harnessing novel deubiquitinase (DUB) modulators as new therapeutics for areas of high unmet medical need, today announced it is supporting a Masters student at the University of Glasgow (UoG) to undertake a research project on USP30, a DUB implicated in neurodegenerative, renal, and cardiovascular diseases.

Overseen by structural biology experts Professor Helen Walden, UoG, and Dr Mehmet Gundogdu, Principal Scientist at Ubiquigent, the project aims to combine biochemistry, in vitro complex protein assembly and protein crystallography to interrogate the mechanism underlying USP30 inhibition by selected proprietary compounds. As well as promoting fundamental research on this strategic enzyme, the project will enable Ubiquigents USP30 programme. The studentship is fully funded by Ubiquigent.

USP30 regulates the clearance of damaged mitochondria in a process called mitophagy. Dysregulation of mitophagy is closely linked to the development of several diseases, with USP30 modulation offering a potential treatment; USP30 inhibition, for example, has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for Parkinsons disease (PD). Although numerous USP30-targeting compounds are reported in scientific literature, only one has been approved to enter clinical evaluation so far, and the design and discovery of new compounds is hampered by a lack of a suitable USP30 crystal structure in the public domain. The project aims to overcome this barrier, bringing together the expertise of both groups to deliver a bespoke USP30 structural biology platform to identify novel inhibitors for treatment of a range of diseases including PD.

There is huge potential to exploit USP30 as a therapeutic target across many indications, including cardiovascular, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases. My team has worked extensively on resolving the structures of both DUBs and E3 ligases, and I look forward to combining this experience with Ubiquigents drug discovery expertise to support the Masters student and resolve the crystal structure of USP30 for the design of novel therapeutics. Professor Helen Walden, Professor of Structural Biology, Head of School (Molecular Biosciences), University of Glasgow

Collaborating with Professor Walden on this project is an exciting opportunity to combine forces in an important therapeutic area. USP30 is a prominent target in the DUB drug discovery space, and this project has great potential to enable the structure-led design and development of novel USP30 modulators. Dr. Mehmet Gundogdu, Principal Scientist, Ubiquigent
A Cameroonian journalist's mutilated body was found outside the capital five days after he disappeared. He had reportedly discussed on his radio show an embezzlement case involving an individual with government ties.

The mutilated body of a distinguished Cameroonian journalist and radio presenter was found near the capital on Sunday, five days after unidentified assailants reportedly abducted him outside a police station.

Martinez Zogo was managing director of the privately owned Amplitude FM radio station and the host of its popular daily program Embouteillage.

He went missing last Tuesday when his badly damaged car was found outside a police station in a suburb near the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde.

The editor-in-chief of Amplitude FM, Charly Tchouemou, said he identified Zogo's body in Egobo, north of Yaounde.

What happened to Zogo?

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said police officers at the Nkol-Nkondi station heard a loud noise outside on Tuesday evening. When they went out to investigate, they found Zogo's empty car rammed into the station's outer gate.

A black car was seen driving away, which caused the officer to conclude the journalist had been abducted.

RSF said Zogo was lately discussing on his show a case of embezzlement allegedly involving a wealthy businessman who is close to a member of the Cameroonian government.

"Cameroonian media has just lost one of its members, a victim of hatred and barbarism," Cameroon's journalists' trade union said in a statement. "Where is the freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression in Cameroon when working in the media now entails a mortal risk?"

Journalists' conditions in Cameroon

Media freedoms in Cameroon face constant threats by the authoritarian government.

In 2015, a reporter for Radio France International was imprisoned for two years on terrorism charges that rights groups said were a sham.

Another journalist and outspoken government critic, Paul Chouta, was attacked twice on separate occasions and jailed for nearly two years on charges believed to be politically motivated.

(AFP, Reuters)
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Oil and Environment Minister, Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, affirmed Bahrains keenness to strengthen its cooperation with relevant international organisations and institutes in the fields of environment and climate to achieve sustainable development goals.

Dr Bin Daina, who is also Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, was speaking as he received the Deputy Director-General and Head of the Green Growth Planning and Implementation Division at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Helena McLeod.

The minister discussed ways to enhance cooperation in green growth fields, and adaptation to the effects of climate change. He praised the level of the ongoing cooperation and partnership between the kingdom and GGGI regarding environmental matters. The meeting reviewed cooperation through the National Adaptation Investment Plan (NAIP), which is being prepared between the Kingdom and GGGI.

The delegation was briefed on the NAIPs work plan, and the various programs and projects that have been implemented to enhance the efforts of Bahrain to adapt to the effects of climate change. They also lauded the achievements of the joint programs being implemented by the two sides to embody international cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

BCICAI (Bahrain Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) and ISACA Bahrain Chapter jointly organised an educational event on Auditing Emerging Technologies at Crowne Plaza, Bahrain.

BCICAI Chairperson CA Sharmila Shet and Dr Mazen Ali, President of the ISACA Chapter, addressed and welcomed more than 100 members of both the organisations present.

The technical seminar comprised of an insightful session on Practical insights for Auditors on Robotics Process Automation (RPA) by Mr Ravi Jayasundera, CEO-Sysprove Consulting and on Best Practices for Cybersecurity Audit by Mr Abubakr Arshad-CTO, Beyon Cyber.

The sessions were followed by a detailed Question and Answer Session where the subject experts cleared the practical doubts raised on each of the topics by the members attending the session.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) has received support from Trafco Group for the Forever Green campaign. The support through the plantation of 80 shrubs over 120 square metres by Bahrain Cleanup alongside Al Ghous Corniche in Muharraq is within the second phase of the project.

Trafcos contribution reinforces the role of the private sector in advancing Bahrains environmental goals, national priorities, consolidating environmental awareness among people and civil society and expanding the green areas in Bahrain.

Under the initiative, all components of the society work together to fulfill the aspirations of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the NIAD Advisory Council, to promote agriculture and boost social responsibility to achieve sustainable development in the Kingdom.

The plantation of the seedlings and shrubs by Bahrain Cleanup took place in the presence of officers from Muharraq Municipality and NIAD to ensure a correct planting method that preserves the soil and to help achieve civil awareness through practical and scientific training. NIAD Secretary General Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa thanked Trafco Group for their generous support and contribution to the Forever Green campaign.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) announced promoting 679 employees in 2022, the highest in the history of Alba. Employees across management and non-management levels were promoted as part of Albas commitment to investing in its national employees.

These promotions, Alba said, were based on its employee development programmes -- Skill Matrix for non-supervisory level employees and Training & Development Programmes (TDP) for supervisory level employees as well as on direct promotion basis.

Marking the occasion, Alba conducted a ceremony yesterday at the Companys Oasis Hall.

Developing our national employees from within has been one of Albas founding philosophies. We didnt promote our people for simply doing their jobs but because they have demonstrated their potential to do more for Alba, said Aluminium Bahrain (Alba)s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali at the ceremony.

Adding further, Albas Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali said: Our employees always come first, and this is an investment we are committed to for the privilege of staying in business for generations to come.

We are also pleased to recognise our employees through these promotions and look forward for them to be the changer in Albas journey.

It is noteworthy that Alba achieved 599,252 training hours and a company-wide 6.6% of total work hours being allocated to employee-capacity building activities in 2022  which is well above the industrys average rate of 5%.
Agencies | Ramallah

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Residents of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights have called on Arab states and the international community to drop Israeli citizenship requirements for travel. Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981 in a move that was condemned internationally.

The 30,000 residents of the Golan Heights bear Israeli identity cards similar to those held by citizens of East Jerusalem, where their status is described as residents and non-citizens.

Ayman Abu Jabal, one of the prominent leaders of the Golan community, said: The lack of a passport for the residents makes them live in a cultural, political, social and economic siege, separating them from their Arab depth.

Egypt recently agreed to a request from the Syrian Golan Heights community to end the need for Israeli citizenship to visit the country. Young people in the community are seeking to work in Arab countries in light of poor economic conditions in the Golan Heights, a community statement said. But the requirement to hold Israeli citizenship prevents many from relocating abroad, the statement added.

After canceling the Israeli citizenship requirement, Egypt also condemned the occupation of the Golan Heights and praised the adherence of the areas occupants to their Syrian Arab identity. Egypt said it would welcome visitors from the Golan Heights with transit documents and visas.
During high season it gets up 1,000 customers a day with monthly earnings of up to $30,000 and employs 42 staff

In 2008, Dickson Mazinga was a chef in a five-star hotel restaurant in the Kenyan coastal town of Watamu. He quit his job to join young people from Dabaso village on the outskirts of Watamu to protect the mangrove forest. The forest was disappearing from log harvesting for home construction.

Today, Mr. Mazinga runs a high-end restaurant that hangs on top of mangrove trees, well known as a significant absorber of carbon dioxide among all trees in the world. The restaurant has substantially enhanced the forests, along with his life and the lives of many others.

Mr. Mazinga is a founding member of a group of 47 young volunteers in Dabaso village who were concerned with the destruction of the mangrove forest that had been flourishing on the shores of the Indian Ocean. They dedicated themselves to educating the villagers on the critical role the mangroves played in providing a habitat for marine life, especially at breeding stages.

"We worked as volunteers for seven years," says Mr. Mazinga. "Then some of our partners from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) asked us to initiate a project that would generate income. They valued our work and its positive results. They did not want to risk losing members who might seek paid employment elsewhere."

The group was amazed at local hotels' demand for crab meat. This discovery led members to explore opening their own restaurant. Through their experience and work with other hotel business owners, they grew confident that they could open and run a profitable restaurant -- and that is what they did.

KAMFRI showed the volunteers how crabs breed under the mangroves. Mr. Mazinga says that his group was surprised to learn how many different marine species leave the broader ocean and come to hide from predators under the mangrove trees during their breeding season.

"The experts at KAMFRI taught us to harvest baby crabs and grow them for the market," Mazinga says. "They helped us build suitable cages under the mangrove to start our crab farm. As soon as we started, we had a ready market in the hotels in the coastal town."

Mr. Mazinga adds that his group was amazed at local hotels' demand for crab meat. This discovery led members to explore opening their own restaurant. Through their experience and work with other hotel business owners, they grew confident that they could open and run a profitable restaurant -- and that is what they did.

The group named its restaurant Crabshack and elected Mr. Mazinga as general manager and organizing secretary.

"Back then, I used to leave my house at 5:00 am and come home after 10:00 pm every day, and I lived in a house made of mud. I also struggled to send my children to local schools. Now, I live in my dream house made of bricks. Please come and see what we have accomplished!"

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Initially, Crabshack had the capacity for serving 10 people daily. Today, the restaurant serves between 500 and 1,000 customers each day during the high season, with monthly earnings sometimes up to $30,000. The restaurant employs 42 staff from the village, some of whom are founding members of the youth group.

Asked how Crabshack has helped the youth in his village, Mr. Mazinga was quick to mention that staff are able to send their children to school without financial hardship. He adds that he benefitted personally, achieving what seemed impossible to him when he worked as a chef at five-star hotels.

"Back then, I used to leave my house at 5:00 am and come home after 10:00 pm every day, and I lived in a house made of mud. I also struggled to send my children to local schools. Now, I live in my dream house made of bricks. Please come and see what we have accomplished!" exclaims Mr. Mazinga, a proud owner of a home just 300 meters away from his restaurant.

Mr. Newton Kanhema is the Deputy Director, United Nations Information Centre - Nairobi.
Bangladesh asks Russia not to send cargo through ships under US sanctions

Bangladesh asks Russia not to send cargo through ships under US sanctions

Agencies | Dhaka

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bangladesh on Sunday urged Russia not to send cargo through ships sanctioned by he United States, emphasising that Dhaka doesn't want its ties with Washington to be affected.

"We told Russia that they can send us cargo through any of their vessels except 69 ships that are under (US) sanction," Foreign Minister Dr AKAbdul Momen told reporters here.

His comments came weeks after Moscow last month sent a ship to deliver equipment for Bangladesh's Rooppur nuclear power plant, which is being built with Russian assistance, but Dhaka refused to accept the vessel due to the US sanctions again the backdrop of Russia-Ukraine War.

The Russian flag carrier -- Sparta III -- was scheduled to dock at Bangladesh's southwestern Mongla port on December 24 to unload the cargo, but Dhaka denied it its docking as the vessel reached its territorial waters in Bay of Bengal.

"It is surprising that Russia changed the name of a ship. We didn't expect it.

Now, we expect Russia to send non-sanctioned ships," Momen said.

"We don't want to accept those (Russian) ships which are under (the US) sanction.

We have developed good relations with the US," he added.

Earlier, foreign ministry officials said that the denial came after the US Embassy in Dhaka in a letter to Bangladesh authorities described the vessel to be actually URSA MAJOR, which was on their list of sanctioned Russian ships.

According to the US list of 69 sanctioned Russian vessels, URSA MAJOR or Sparta III is an Amphibious/Attack Cargo Ship (AKA) designed to sail carrying equipment , cargo and troops.



Last year, the US Treasury and the Department of State sanctioned the Russian Ministry of Defense's internal shipping company and some other shipping company and some other shipping firms that move its military equipment. It has also listed 69 of their ships as blocked property in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF TACHE, MB, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Honourable Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba, and His Worship Armand Poirier, Mayor of the Rural Municipality of Tache, announced more than $8 million in funding for a new community centre in the Rural Municipality of Tache.

The joint funding will help construct a new community complex that combines two facilities: an arena and a library. The arena will be approximately 62,000 square feet and include spectator seating for local and visiting fans. The arena portion of the new complex will replace the existing Lorette Arena, which has exceeded its useful life expectancy. The library will be approximately 8,000 square feet.

The Tache Community Centre will offer more options to stay active and connected, while the new library will provide residents with a welcoming place for community members to gather, learn, create and connect.

The Government of Canada is investing up to $4.4 million in this project from the Community, Culture, and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, while the Government of Manitoba is contributing more than $3.6 million. The Rural Municipality of Tache is additionally providing more than $2.9 million towards eligible costs of this project.

By investing in infrastructure, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of communities, and improving the lives of Manitobans and all Canadians.

Quotes

"Gathering places, like the Tache Community Centre, give residents in rural areas welcoming spaces to better connect with each other and provide a range of essential programs and services to people of all ages. Our government is focused on listening to our municipal partners in rural communities like Tache and delivering results for their residents."

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

"Today's announcement is another example of the great things we can accomplish when we work together. Since becoming Premier, our government has been keen to collaborate with all levels of government to advance key infrastructure projects that will improve Manitoban's quality of life and support the growth of our communities and economy. I am pleased to see the new Tache Community Centre project move forward that will benefit the local community for years to come."

The Honourable Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba

"The Rural Municipality of Tache is eager to start construction of the Tache Community Centre project, with financial support from the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. The Project, which combines a new arena and the Bibliotheque Tache Library into one Centre will be a popular community hub in the area. We thank our funding partners for the support to bring this necessary infrastructure to our Municipality."

His Worship Armand Poirier, Mayor, Rural Municipality of Tache

Quick facts

Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. In Manitoba , the Government of Canada has invested more than $945 million in over 229 infrastructure projects since 2015.

, the Government of has invested more than in over 229 infrastructure projects since 2015. To date, the program has approved more than $1.2 billion in funding for community, culture, and recreation infrastructure projects across the country, with over $60.5 million in federal funding to Manitoban communities.

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in Manitoba

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-mb-eng.html

Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure, a component of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-pic-INFC-eng.html

Government of Manitoba: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program

www.gov.mb.ca/ICIP

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Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: (media only), please contact: Jean-Sebastien Comeau, Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, 343-574-8116, [email protected]; Media Relations Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]; Olivia Billson, Senior Manager of Communications, Press Secretary to the Premier, Government of Manitoba, 431.777.6675, [email protected]
Company recorded $10.3 million in quarterly revenue; a 57% increase compared to Q1 2022

Delivered its seventh consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA of $1.7M and reported positive net income for a second consecutive quarter

Continued to increase growing capacity to meet customer demand by activating new growing zone in its expanding Valleyfield Facility

All financial results are reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated.

MONTREAL, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Cannara Biotech Inc. ("Cannara" or the "Company") (TSXV: LOVE) (OTCQB: LOVFF) (FRA: 8CB), a vertically integrated producer of premium-grade cannabis and derivative product offerings at affordable prices with two mega facilities based in Quebec spanning over 1,650,000 sq. ft., today announced its fiscal first quarter 2023 financial and operating results for the three-month period ended November 30, 2022.

Fiscal First Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

Cannara Biotech Inc. Reports Q1 2023 Financial Results (CNW Group/Cannara Biotech Inc.)

Q1 2023 revenue of $10.3 million , an 57% increase compared to Q1 2022.





, an 57% increase compared to Q1 2022. Recorded Q1 2023 gross profit before fair value adjustments of $4 million , an increase of 34% compared to Q1 2022.





, an increase of 34% compared to Q1 2022. Delivered the Company's seventh straight quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA of $1.7 million , a 72% increase compared to Q1 2022.





, a 72% increase compared to Q1 2022. Earned net income of $2,951 for Q1 2023.





for Q1 2023. The Company has $27.1 million in working capital as of November 30, 2022 , which includes $6.8 million of cash on hand.

Fiscal First Quarter 2023 Sales and Operational Highlights

Cannara activated its 7th of 24 individual 25,000 square foot growing zones at its Valleyfield Facility, reaching a total of 175,000 square feet of active canopy. Combined with its Farnham Facility, the Company can currently produce approximately 23,500 kg of premium-grade cannabis per year and has a potential future capacity of 120,000 kg of premium-grade cannabis per year when both Facilities are fully built out.





The Company has set an objective for fiscal 2023 of activating 9 growing zones, a 50% increase from the capacity the Valleyfield Facility was producing at its prior fiscal year end.





Increased employee's headcount from approximately 190 employees in Q1 2022 to 280 employees in Q1 2023; a 47% increase, to support the growth of the operations.





Cannara entered the British Columbia market with 7 of its dried flower, pre-roll, and hash products.





market with 7 of its dried flower, pre-roll, and hash products. The Company was deemed eligible to hold a cannabis representative registration by the province of Alberta in November 2022 , paving the way for it to sell cannabis into the Alberta retail market.





in , paving the way for it to sell cannabis into the retail market. During the quarter, Cannara released 14 new SKUs of its premium-grade cannabis in Ontario and Quebec under the Company's flagship brands: Tribal, Nugz and Orchid CBD, bringing its total SKU count to 32 SKUs. Included in the launch was:





under the Company's flagship brands: Tribal, Nugz and Orchid CBD, bringing its total SKU count to 32 SKUs. Included in the launch was: The Company's premium universal 510 vape battery, the Tribal UNI Pro ARK, to complement Tribal's live resin vape carts available in Ontario .





.

The Company also released Tribal's Cuban Linx Full Spectrum Extract, a derivative concentrate of Cuban Linx flower, and prerolls, for which the Company's 3.5 gram SKU is the 2 nd best-selling 3.5 gram flower product in the Ontario market as of the date of this release 1 .





best-selling 3.5 gram flower product in the market as of the date of this release .

Two new formats of dried flower: 14-gram Nugz Smalls in Ontario , and 15-gram Strain Hunter in Quebec , which will each offer different strains grown by Cannara on a rotational basis. The Company also launched its 3.5 gram format of Slapz by Nugz in Ontario , which is also available in a 28 gram format in Quebec .





, and 15-gram Strain Hunter in , which will each offer different strains grown by Cannara on a rotational basis. The Company also launched its 3.5 gram format of Slapz by Nugz in , which is also available in a 28 gram format in .

Two new genetic releases in 3.5 gram and prerolls were launched under the Tribal brand: Triple Burger in Quebec , Galactic Rntz in Quebec and Ontario .





, Galactic Rntz in and .

Four THC/CBD formulations of Orchid oil tinctures in Quebec .





. The Company's Nugz Fresh Frozen Hash Rosin and Old School Hash have become top 10 best-selling concentrates in Ontario 1 .





. The Company estimates its current market share as of the first quarter of 2023 is approximately 7% in Quebec 2 and 2% in Ontario 3.

1 Ranking based on trailing 90 days units sold, Headset Data dated January 5th, 2023 2 Based on estimated sales data provided by Weed Crawler, for the period of September to November 2022 3 Based on actual wholesale sales OCS data program for period of September to November 2022

Sales and Operational Highlights Subsequent to Fiscal First Quarter 2023

In December 2022 , the Company's Farnham Facility received its CUMCS Equivalency IMC-G.A.P. certification (the "Certification"), a leading certification standard for medical cannabis cultivation, harvest, and primary processing. Obtaining the Certification provides documented evidence that Cannara has met strict standards for quality and consistency in the cultivation, harvest and primary processing of cannabis needed for export of cannabis inputs to certain international jurisdictions, including Israel , Europe , and Australia .





, the Company's Farnham Facility received its CUMCS Equivalency IMC-G.A.P. certification (the "Certification"), a leading certification standard for medical cannabis cultivation, harvest, and primary processing. Obtaining the Certification provides documented evidence that Cannara has met strict standards for quality and consistency in the cultivation, harvest and primary processing of cannabis needed for export of cannabis inputs to certain international jurisdictions, including , , and . As part of its marketing strategy, the Company designed and launched several lines of apparel and accessories to be sold online at https://cannaraswag.shop, including Cannara's cannabis accessories: the Tribal UNI Pro Ark and the Nugz Happle.





In December 2022 , the Company was awarded three awards at the KIND Awards gala in Ontario highlighting the Company's focus on brands and high-quality flower: The awards for Brand of the Year and Terpene Profile of the Year were given to Tribal, and CBD Runtz by Orchid CBD was named CBD Product of the year.





, the Company was awarded three awards at the KIND Awards gala in highlighting the Company's focus on brands and high-quality flower: The awards for Brand of the Year and Terpene Profile of the Year were given to Tribal, and CBD Runtz by Orchid CBD was named CBD Product of the year. In December 2022 , the Company signed a lease agreement with a new tenant for a building that is under construction at its Valleyfield site. The start of the lease term is set for January 2024 with a term of 11 years. This transaction will generate income and positive cash flow on an area of the Valleyfield Facility that would otherwise been unused as it is not licensed for cannabis production.

Capital Transactions

During the quarter, Cannara invested $3.7 million in capital expenditures which was mainly attributable to the activation of the 7 th growing zone, the construction of a butane extraction lab, office and warehouse space, and initial costs related to the processing center build out at the Valleyfield Facility, in addition to capital expenditures incurred resulting from the expected increased post-harvest requirements.





in capital expenditures which was mainly attributable to the activation of the 7 growing zone, the construction of a butane extraction lab, office and warehouse space, and initial costs related to the processing center build out at the Valleyfield Facility, in addition to capital expenditures incurred resulting from the expected increased post-harvest requirements. On November 30, 2022 , Cannara filed with the TSX Venture Exchange, a Notice in respect of a normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB") to be transacted through the facilities of the TSX-V. Pursuant to the NCIB, Cannara may purchase up to 15,000,000 of its common shares. The Company expects that the purchase of Shares will benefit remaining shareholders by increasing their equity interest in the Company's assets.





, Cannara filed with the TSX Venture Exchange, a Notice in respect of a normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB") to be transacted through the facilities of the TSX-V. Pursuant to the NCIB, Cannara may purchase up to 15,000,000 of its common shares. The Company expects that the purchase of Shares will benefit remaining shareholders by increasing their equity interest in the Company's assets. On January 12, 2023 , The Company announced details of its proposal to consolidate all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares for every one (1) post-consolidation common shares, subject to the approval of shareholders at the upcoming meeting of shareholders to take place on January 25, 2023 , as well as TSXV approval. Upon completion of the share consolidation, it is expected that there will be approximately 87,748,132 common shares issued and outstanding, subject to adjustment for fractional shares.





, The Company announced details of its proposal to consolidate all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares for every one (1) post-consolidation common shares, subject to the approval of shareholders at the upcoming meeting of shareholders to take place on , as well as TSXV approval. Upon completion of the share consolidation, it is expected that there will be approximately 87,748,132 common shares issued and outstanding, subject to adjustment for fractional shares. On January 20, 2023 , the Company granted a total of 378,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.18 , subject to certain vesting conditions in accordance with the employee share option plan.

"In Q1 2023, we continued to execute on Cannara's growth plan, as evidenced by the activation of our 7th grow zone at our Valleyfield Facility, our entry into the BC market and the release of 14 new high-demand SKU's," stated Zohar Krivorot, President & Chief Executive Officer of Cannara. "We have maintained our market share in Quebec, which we expect to increase in future quarters as we continue to expand in Ontario, British Colombia, and Saskatchewan in addition to launching in Alberta. The release of 14 new SKU's this quarter is a testament to the hard work of all Cannara staff here and we are confident that our premium products will continue to be a hit with our ever-expanding customer base," concluded Mr. Krivorot.

Nicholas Sosiak, Chief Financial Officer of Cannara added, "When compared to the previous year's Q1 results, the financials improved significantly across all metrics. However, we did experience some temporary pre-roll manufacturing capacity challenges that impacted sales during the quarter. We are working diligently on increasing internal pre-roll manufacturing capacity, and we expect to resume our significant growth trend during Q2. We expect to achieve 9 active growing zones at Valleyfield this year, having just activated our 7th, allowing us to greater volumes of premium-grade cannabis. As the Company continues to scale, we expect revenues, margins, and profits to continue to improve, and shareholders to be rewarded for their investment in Cannara. I am proud to be able to report our seventh consecutive quarter of Adjusted EBITDA in addition to currently being on track to achieving record monthly sales in January 2023," concluded Mr. Sosiak.

Selected Financial Information



Three-month periods ended Selected Financial Highlights November 30,

2022 November 30,

2021





Gross revenue1 $ 10,241,414 $ 6,327,335 Other income 70,191 237,241

10,311,605 6,564,576





Gross profit, before fair value adjustments 4,023,398 3,014,025 %2 39 % 46 % Gross profit 4,832,595 2,620,042 %3 47 % 40 %





Operating expenses 3,689,720 2,603,287 Net finance expense 1,139,924 547,254





Net income (loss) 2,951 (530,499) %4 0 % -8 %





Adjusted EBITDA5 1,680,484 974,320 %5 16 % 15 %





Basic earnings per share $ - $ (0.01) Diluted earnings per share $ - $ (0.01)



















November 30, 2022 August 31, 2022





Cash $ 6,758,964 $ 12,114,691 Accounts receivable 5,693,460 8,526,918 Biological assets 4,079,148 5,712,456 Inventory 20,589,337 13,266,987





Working capital6 27,130,615 29,127,599





Total assets 125,426,287 125,617,047 Total current liabilities 11,262,823 11,861,085 Total non-current liabilities 46,880,581 47,020,201 Net assets 67,282,883 66,735,761





Free cash flow5 1,997,538 2,510,534











1 Gross revenue included revenue from sale of goods, net of excise taxes, services revenues and lease revenues. 2 Gross profit before fair value adjustments % is determined as Gross profit before fair value adjustments divided by Total revenues. 3 Gross profit % is determined as Gross profit divided by Total revenues. 4 Net income % is determined as Net income divided by Total revenues. 5 Adjusted EBITDA, working capital and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS.

Adjusted EBITDA % is a non-GAAP financial ratio and is determined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues. 6 Working capital is determined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.

Outstanding Shares

As at the date of this report, the Company had 877,481,321 common shares and 44,471,911 stock options issued and outstanding. For further information, the complete Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis, along with additional information about the Company and all of its public filings that are available at sedar.com and the Company's investor website, investors.cannara.ca.

About Cannara Biotech Inc.

Cannara Biotech Inc. (TSXV: LOVE) (OTCQB: LOVFF) (FRA: 8CB) is a vertically integrated producer of affordable premium-grade cannabis and cannabis-derivative products for the Quebec and Canadian markets. Cannara owns two mega facilities based in Quebec spanning over 1,650,000 sq. ft., providing the Company with 120,000kg of potential annualized cultivation output. Leveraging Quebec's low electricity costs, Cannara's facilities produce premium-grade cannabis products at an affordable price. For more information, please visit cannara.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Cannara Biotech Inc.

For further information: Nicholas Sosiak, CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer, [email protected]; Zohar Krivorot, President & Chief Executive Officer, [email protected]
Priority projects in Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Banff national parks to focus on critical infrastructure, visitor safety, and improved visitor experiences

BANFF, AB, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history, and 450 000 km of memories from coast to coast to coast. Investing in these locations helps support the health of natural and built heritage, increases climate resiliency and creates jobs in local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality, safe and meaningful experiences across the country.

Left Image: New paving on Highway 93S through Kootenay National Park. Credit: Parks Canada; Right Image: An aerial view shows wildlife fencing and a newly constructed wildlife underpass along Highway 93S in Kootenay National Park. Credit: Parks Canada (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

Today, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced approximately $71 million over three years for projects in the mountain national parks. The projects include critical infrastructure improvements in the community of Lake Louise, upgrades to Parks Canada dispatch in Banff and Jasper, as well as several roadway and bridge improvements. This investment is part of the Government of Canada's recently announced funding of $557 million over three years to ensure the continuation of infrastructure projects and maintenance work for Parks Canada's assets supporting the critical function they provide to Canadians and visitors.

Through this federal investment, Parks Canada will continue to improve critical infrastructure in communities, maintain high standards for visitors, and enhance safety on the highways and roadways that take the public and visitors to and through the mountain national parks. In the Lake Louise area, critical repairs to community water and sewer infrastructure will improve service quality for residents, stakeholders and visitors, while the redesign of Lake Louise Drive will improve safety and visitor experience. The Parks Canada dispatch centres in Banff and Jasper will receive equipment upgrades to ensure quick and effective responses, essential for public safety during emergency situations. Lastly, Parks Canada will conduct repairs and rehabilitation on primary and secondary highways in Jasper, Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, and initiate design work for bridges in Jasper National Park, improving the safety and travelling experience on these important corridors.

Since 2015, federal infrastructure investments have enabled Parks Canada to improve the condition of approximately 5,000 assets across the country. These upgrades help ensure public safety, quality and reliability in visitor offers, incorporate green technologies and climate resilience, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the sustainability of Parks Canada assets so the cultural, environmental and economic vitality that national heritage places bring to Canada can continue into the future. Parks Canada's robust roadway improvements through the iconic mountain national parks will provide safer traveling experiences for Canadians to connect with nature. Improvements to Parks Canada's first response capabilities with dispatch equipment upgrades will maintain quick and effective response times in dangerous situations. Critical infrastructure upgrades within the community of Lake Louise will improve service quality, resulting in tangible benefits for visitors, local communities and businesses and the nation's tourism industry."

Terry Duguid

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South

"Canada's national parks are core to our Canadian identity and to our tourism portfolio. Our government works with local Indigenous groups and rural communities to ensure that we provide visitors with high-quality experiences while protecting our natural wonders for future generations. Today's investments will upgrade critical infrastructure in national parks across Canada, improving the quality of life for surrounding communities while keeping the parks safe and accessible all year round."

Randy Boissonnault

Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

Quick Facts

Parks Canada's wide-ranging infrastructure portfolio includes more than 18,500 built assets such as highways, bridges, dams and other marine infrastructure, historic buildings and fortifications, water and wastewater treatment facilities, campgrounds, visitor centres and operational buildings and compounds.

wide-ranging infrastructure portfolio includes more than 18,500 built assets such as highways, bridges, dams and other marine infrastructure, historic buildings and fortifications, water and wastewater treatment facilities, campgrounds, visitor centres and operational buildings and compounds. Parks Canada's ability to meet its mandate of conserving and presenting national heritage places in Canada is founded on its assets. More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of Canada's tourism industry, these assets play critical functions, such as transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians.

ability to meet its mandate of conserving and presenting national heritage places in is founded on its assets. More than just supporting visitors as cornerstones of tourism industry, these assets play critical functions, such as transportation, water management, public safety, and services to residents and businesses, while being a source of shared pride for Canadians. Banff , Jasper , Yoho and Kootenay National Parks are part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site and are renowned for their dramatic mountain landscapes on both sides of the Continental Divide in Alberta and British Columbia .

, , Yoho and Kootenay National Parks are part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site and are renowned for their dramatic mountain landscapes on both sides of the Continental Divide in and . Ecological integrity is Parks Canada's first priority. Impact assessments are used to manage the impact of infrastructure projects, and when possible, increase ecological gains for park ecosystems.

From January 30 to February 13, 2023 , the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, is inviting Canadians to participate in the 2023 Minister's Round Table on Parks Canada's national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas. An online engagement portal will be available and will welcome input from the general public at letstalkparkscanada.ca.

Related Products

Related Links

SOURCE Parks Canada

For further information: Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]
Priority projects at Fort Henry, Fort Wellington, Laurier House and Sir John Johnson House national historic sites

KINGSTON, ON, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - The network of protected areas administered by Parks Canada is a gateway to nature, history, and 450 000 km of memories from coast to coast to coast. Investing in these locations helps support the protection of natural heritage and our rich history, increases climate resiliency and creates jobs in local communities, while providing visitors with high-quality, safe and meaningful experiences across the country.

Left image: Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site, Williamstown, Ontario. Credit: Parks Canada Right image: One of the original garrison guns at Fort Henry, installed to defend the navy ship yards and southern entrance to the Rideau Canal. Credit: Parks Canada (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

Today, Mark Gerretsen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate) and Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced approximately $12 million over three years for projects related to critical infrastructure improvements at Fort Henry, Fort Wellington, Laurier House, and Sir John Johnson House national historic sites.

Through this federal investment  part of the $557 million in funding announced by the Government of Canada in late 2022  Parks Canada will conserve the heritage value of these important cultural resources, ensuring high quality, meaningful visitor experiences and contributing to the country's world-class tourism offer. The work supported through this investment includes:

restore deteriorating stone walls, update sanitary systems and replace the main entry bridge at Fort Henry National Historic Site;

protect Laurier House National Historic Site from the elements with a new roof;

continue to preserve the battlements of Fort Wellington National Historic Site using the innovative approach that was successfully proven through a first phase of renewal in 2020; and,

upgrade the fire alarm and protection systems at Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site.

Parks Canada's wide-ranging infrastructure portfolio includes more than 18,500 built assets such as highways, bridges, dams and other marine infrastructure, historic buildings and fortifications, water and wastewater treatment facilities, campgrounds, visitor centres and operational buildings and compounds. Since 2015, the federal infrastructure investment program has enabled Parks Canada to improve the condition of approximately 5,000 assets across the country. These upgrades help ensure public safety, quality and reliability in visitor offers, incorporate green technologies and climate resilience, while connecting Canadians with nature and history.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada supports Canadians knowing, learning and experiencing this country's rich history, and Parks Canada provides so many valuable sites. By ensuring the sustainability of Parks Canada administered places, we can support local economies, contribute to the growth of sustainable tourism, and strengthen their appeal as destinations to celebrate our country. These investments in the heritage infrastructure of Fort Henry, Fort Wellington, Laurier House, and Sir John Johnson House national historic sites are essential to ensuring the preservation of cultural resources for the benefit, appreciation, and enjoyment of present and future generations."

Mark Gerretsen

Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate) and Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands

"These federal infrastructure investments give our past a future. The significant restorative work will be transformative for these heritage treasures and will help protect and conserve these national historic sites for future generations. For nearly half a century, Laurier House stood witness to the lives of two Prime Ministers who oversaw great changes in Canada and today offers visitors unique insights into our political history. These national historic sites not only provide a glimpse of our country's rich history, but are focal points for the communities around them, offering social, cultural, economic, linguistic and tourism benefits."

Mona Fortier

President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier

"National historic sites offer countless opportunities for Canadians to connect with history. Fort Wellington National Historic Site may be a small fort, however it played a significant role in ensuring the independence of this country. With each of these infrastructure projects, Parks Canada ensures unique and leading edge techniques are used in the restoration work to conserve the heritage character value and authenticity of these national historic sites. This federal support will allow Parks Canada to continue telling the story of these treasured places and their integral role in Canada's history for generations to come."

Francis Drouin

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for GlengarryPrescottRussell

Quick Facts

Parks Canada is a leader in protecting and fostering public understanding of cultural heritage in Canada . One of our roles is to provide spaces where Canadians can understand history from a variety of perspectives, and share their own stories.

is a leader in protecting and fostering public understanding of cultural heritage in . One of our roles is to provide spaces where Canadians can understand history from a variety of perspectives, and share their own stories. Fort Henry National Historic Site is the centrepiece of the Kingston Fortifications National Historic Site of Canada , and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, visited by over 100,000 people each year. Completed in 1836, it was built to defend the Rideau Canal and Kingston's naval dockyard from American attack. Owned and administered by Parks Canada, a partnership with the Province of Ontario enables the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to continue its internationally renowned programs in this impressive structure.

, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, visited by over 100,000 people each year. Completed in 1836, it was built to defend the Rideau Canal and naval dockyard from American attack. Owned and administered by Parks Canada, a partnership with the Province of enables the St. Lawrence Parks Commission to continue its internationally renowned programs in this impressive structure. Built during the War of 1812 to defend the St. Lawrence River shipping route between Montreal and Kingston against a possible attack by the United States , Fort Wellington National Historic Site has the largest blockhouse built in British North America .

and against a possible attack by , Fort Wellington National Historic Site has the largest blockhouse built in British . Willed to the people of Canada by Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King , Laurier House National Historic Site is one of the most authentic heritage buildings administered by Parks Canada, and features Ottawa's oldest elevator.

by Prime Minister , Laurier House National Historic Site is one of the most authentic heritage buildings administered by Parks Canada, and features oldest elevator. Sir John Johnson , a loyalist who moved North to Montreal following the American Revolution, was instrumental in resettling many loyalists in what is now Ontario . Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site was built in 1792 in the village of Williamstown and is one of the oldest buildings in Ontario .

, a loyalist who moved North to following the American Revolution, was instrumental in resettling many loyalists in what is now . Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site was built in 1792 in the village of and is one of the oldest buildings in . From January 30 to February 13, 2023 , the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, is inviting Canadians to participate in the 2023 Minister's Round Table on Parks Canada's national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas. An online engagement portal will be available and will welcome input from the general public at letstalkparkscanada.ca.

Associated Documents

Related Links

SOURCE Parks Canada

For further information: Contacts, Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]; Bruce MacMillan, A/Partnering and Engagement Officer, Eastern and Central Ontario Field Unit, Parks Canada, 613-246-1950, [email protected]
REGINA, SK, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - As COVID-19 continues to circulate in Canada, it is important for everyone to stay up-to-date with their vaccination to strengthen their immune response and reduce their risk of severe illness.

Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface -Saint Vital, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, announced $149,940 in funding to the Regina Open Door Society (RODS) to support their project COVID-19 Vaccine, Immunization Awareness and Uptake for Newcomers.

Through a collaborative approach, this initiative works to increase COVID-19 vaccination confidence amongst refugee and newcomer populations. This project is rooted in a range of best practices, including providing credible multi-lingual vaccine information at the local level, increasing outreach to community members, and removing barriers to accessing vaccination. As a non-profit organization that provides settlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants in Regina, RODS is well positioned to address gaps in vaccine knowledge; encourage vaccine uptake; and dispel myths and misconceptions about vaccination amongst newcomers.

The funding is made available through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to support continued COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Investments through the IPF help to close the gap among populations with lower vaccine uptake and confidence by enabling informed vaccination decisions. Initiatives funded through the IPF are evidence-based and equity-oriented and deployed in communities across Canada.

Staying up-to-date with vaccinations by getting all your recommended doses provides improved protection against COVID-19 while helping reduce pressures on our hospitals and healthcare system.

The IPF is a key component of the Government of Canada's multi-faceted approach to advance population health protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, support vaccination equity and improve vaccine uptake and access through public outreach and community mobilization.

Quotes

"The Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) supports initiatives that help individuals make informed decisions about vaccination and their health. The Regina Open Door Society provides valuable vaccine information, supporting vaccine confidence amongst newcomers through a range of strategies deployed across Regina."

The Honourable Dan Vandal

Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface  Saint-Vital

"Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves against COVID-19 and its impacts. As COVID-19 continues to circulate across the country, the Regina Open Door Society plays a crucial role in supporting Canada's COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Through their initiative, refugees and newcomers living in Regina will get the support they need to make informed vaccination decisions.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos

Minister of Health

"Projects like Regina Open Door Society's COVID-19 Vaccine, Immunization Awareness and Uptake for Newcomers are helping support important community-based COVID-19 education, promotion and outreach. By working together to increase vaccine confidence and uptake, we are helping to protect the health of individuals in Canada as well as our healthcare system as a whole."

Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer

Public Health Agency of Canada

Quick Facts

Launched in 2016, the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) is a key element of the Public Health Agency of Canada's vaccination initiatives. The IPF is an important lever to identify and help address gaps in vaccine acceptance and uptake and to empower people in Canada to make informed vaccine decisions.





vaccination initiatives. The IPF is an important lever to identify and help address gaps in vaccine acceptance and uptake and to empower people in to make informed vaccine decisions. In 2020 and 2021, as part of Canada's COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the Government of Canada invested $45.5 million for projects to support COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake.





COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the Government of invested for projects to support COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake. In 2022, an additional $3,894,545 in funding under the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) was announced to provide continued support to 9 existing IPF projects.





in funding under the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) was announced to provide continued support to 9 existing IPF projects. Vaccination is, and will continue to be, a critical public health measure. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that everyone stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations by getting all recommended doses. If it's been longer than 6 months since your last dose or since being infected with COVID-19, it's time to get a booster. This is especially important if you are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Associated Links

Vaccination and Immunization

Immunization Partnership Fund

Canada.ca/Coronavirus

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

For further information: Guillaume Bertrand, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709
The UN says another seven civilians have been killed by militia in a northeastern area of Democratic Republic of Congo by the same local militia blamed for killing 49 people discovered in mass graves earlier this week.

The UN's deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said the latest attack took place overnight Wednesday at a camp for internally displaced people (IDP). Seven people were reportedly killed and many forced to flee.

Minusma, the UN's regional peacekeeping operation, deployed immediately after the overnight attack to secure the camp, 9km east of Djugu in Ituri province, and deter further violence, Haq said.

A local militia named Codeco - Cooperative for the Development of Congo - has been blamed for the attack.

Desire Malodra, a local civil society representative, said the militia had "killed, burned, and pillaged" the Plaine Savo IDP camp.

"We found seven bodies - five children and two adults," he said.

Mass graves

The attack followed the discovery on Tuesday of mass graves containing the bodies of 49 civilians in two other villages in Ituri.

Forty-two victims, including six children and 12 women, were found in a grave in the village of Nyamamba, while the bodies of seven other men were found in the village of Mbogi, Haq said.

Codeco is also believed to be behind that attack.

"Peacekeepers launched a patrol in the area immediately after receiving reports of [last weekend's] attacks on civilians," Haq said. "This is when they made the gruesome discoveries."

Haq said Monusco was "supporting the Congolese judicial system to investigate the attacks" and called "for the perpetrators to be brought to justice".

Rival militias

Codeco has been attacking villages, IDP camps and military positions in the Ituri hills for the past three years or so.

It claims to be defending the interests of the Lendu ethnic group against the army and the Hema tribe, which is defended by a rival militia called Zaire.

Last February, Codeco militia killed 62 people in a machete attack at the same camp.

Malodra said angry residents of the camp then attacked and "vandalised" Monusco's base in anger over their failure to intervene.

Similar anger erupted on Thursday morning when "protesters gathered in front of the Monusco base, throwing stones", a Monusco spokesperson told AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.

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Three peacekeepers and five protesters were slightly injured, she said.

Deteriorating security

The longstanding feud between Lendu and Hema communities led to thousands of deaths between 1999 and 2003 before an intervention by a European peacekeeping force.

Last June, seven Codeco factions announced an end to violence against civilians in Ituri.

However, they have gradually resumed attacks in the area.

Violence has escalated in recent weeks, after the killing of a teacher belonging to the Lendu farming community triggered reprisal attacks from Codeco.

Codeco blamed the teacher's death on Zaire.

Haq has warned of a "significant deterioration of the security situation" in Ituri.

The UN says at least 195 civilians have been killed, 68 wounded and 84 people abducted since December during attacks attributed to both Codeco and Zaire militias.

Haq said the violence was adding to an "already dire humanitarian situation in Ituri Province, which currently hosts 1.5 million displaced people".

(with wires)
STRATFORD, ON, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - After dreaming about their next international trip for over two years, Canadians are finally getting back to flying and hitting international destinations. To help Canadians tailor their next travel experience and avoid turbulence, Samsonite, the world's best-known and largest travel luggage company, commissioned a national survey of 1000 Canadians to give us the lowdown on their top travel destination preferences, experiences and, 'the trip where it happened.'

Key Findings of the Study:

Please cite this as a Samsonite Canada survey in all mentions.

1) Italy Trumps France with Canadians (by a lot)

a) Nationally:



Italy (Top of the bucket list for Canadians)

34.6% of Canadians would choose Italy 'if they could only take one more vacation in their life.'

b) Regionally:

Asked where they wish they could travel to right now; Canadians showed a strong preference for Italy vs. France:

Province Italy France

Ontario 59.9% 27.6%

British Columbia 50.0 29.2%

Atlantic 67.9% 14.3%

Prairies 56.3 19.3%

2) Best International Destinations to 'make it happen':

According to Canadians, these are the best international destinations to:

I. Get your groove back 

Italy - 27.03%

Mexico - 23.14%

Germany - 5.79%

Japan -15.36%

India - 4.84%

II. Fall in love

Italy  36.6%

France  32.1%

Mexico  8.6%

Japan  8.2%

Germany  5.8%

South Africa  4.9%

India  3.8%

III. Have an epiphany

Italy  28.9%

France  16.1%

Japan  14.4%

Mexico  13.5%

South Africa  9.6%

India  9.2%

Germany  8.3%

IV. Re-invent yourself

Italy  29.9%

France  17.1%

Japan  16.4%

Mexico  13.8%

Germany  10.7%

South Africa  7.5%

India  4.6%

V. Propose

Italy  35.5%

France  25.3%

Japan  12.7%

Mexico  11.6%

South Africa  5.2%

Germany  5.1%

India  4.5%

3) Mexico is a love/love Destination for Canadians):

25.3% of Canadians said that Mexico 'loves Canadians the most.'

21.5% of Canadians feel that Mexico is the 'most like home.'

18.3% of Canadians wish they could 'travel to Mexico right now.'

12.9% of Canadians would choose Mexico 'if they could only go on one more trip.'

4) France (Canadians firmly feel the love  just not as much as Italy):

21.3% of Canadians feel the love in France (think France loves Canadians the most)

20.6% say it feels like home

12.9% would choose it as their 'last trip.'

14.8% of Canadians wish they could 'travel there right now.'

5) Ontarians 'dig' Deutsche:



Ontarians identified Germany as a top place to: Feel the most like home (23.3%), become a resident (26.6%), reinvent yourself (20.9%) and get over a breakup (12.4%).

52.4% of Ontarian women say that Germany loves Canadians the most.

6) The trip(s) where it happened:



Asked what the most amazing thing that happened to them on a trip was, Canadians had a range of intriguing experiences including:

"Sitting in the same restaurant and seat as James Gandolfini for the last episode of the Sopranos."

"The sensation of being home in a place you've never been before"

"Swimming with sea turtles and sharks"

"Coming home with a stray dog."

"a volcano eruption"

"Saw dolphins"

"Meeting President Clinton."

"Stood on the wharf my Father sailed out of 80 years previously when he was in the Romanian Navy."

"Saved a man's life..."

"Got an Upgrade to first class after speaking Italian (learned for trip) and telling the airline clerk how beautiful their country was to visit."

About Samsonite

Founded in 1910, Samsonite is the world's most trusted travel lifestyle brand. Renowned for breakthrough research and development, Samsonite builds innovative and sustainable products that elevate the way we travel. Inspired by the past and built for the present, Samsonite's purpose is to pack confidence into every single journey and believes that the people who experience the world will move it forward.

Contact:

Patrick McCaully

Pointman News Creation

[email protected]

SOURCE Samsonite Canada
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Sunday denied dumping the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

Bello said his support for Tinubus presidential ambition is 100 per cent.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, the governor said his support for Tinubu is undiluted.

There were reports that Bello dumped Tinubus campaign team over the APC flagbearers choice of governorship candidate in Kogi State.

Tinubu is reported to have opted for James Faleke as APCs next governorship candidate in the state.

His action is reported to have angered his National Youth Coordinator of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

Reacting, Bello wrote: My unwavering support for Tinubu/Shettima 2023 is 100% undiluted. God bless APC!!! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

The rumour is coming barely 24 hours after Najaatu Muhammad, a key player in the Tinubu-Shettima campaign dumped the APC.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

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Brian Piper is assistant curator of photographs at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio addressing the African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.

Sierra Leone has passed a law requiring public and private entities to reserve 30 percent of their jobs for women in a bid to tackle gender imbalances in a male-dominated society.

In addition to the 30 percent quota, the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act assures women at least 14 weeks of maternity leave, equal pay and training opportunities.

Signing the bill into law on Thursday, President Julius Maada Bio said it would "address the gender imbalances in this country comprehensively. We have to make sure it works.

"We must end the impunity or violence against women in elections and public life and punish all persons and entities found guilty of such violence," he added.

Women in Sierra Leone suffer from discrimination and, according to Human Rights Watch, it has been common practice to fire them if they get pregnant.

Many women and girls also face high levels of sexual violence, partly a legacy of the use of rape as a weapon during the 1991-2002 civil war.

The Equality Act also aims to improve women's access to finance in a country where they have often been unable to get credit.

Today, Thursday, January 19 2023, I signed into law The Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) ACT 2022. REAL CHANGE has been ushered into our great nation #SierraLeone! 1/2 #TheNewDirectionAgenda  pic.twitter.com/2lrsU9bLWx-- President Julius Maada Bio (@PresidentBio) January 19, 2023

The 30 percent jobs quota applies equally to management roles so that employers cannot just hire women to lower-level jobs to comply with the law.

It also applies to the 146-seat parliament and the civil service.

"We are happy today as our dream for an improved political, social and economic empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone has started," said Sally Ndimawa Adams, who heads the Sierra Leone Women's Forum.

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Fines for non-compliance

As in many West African countries, women are poorly represented in Sierra Leonean politics.

The country has only 18 woman MPs and only four members of Bio's 32-member cabinet are women.

"Women who wish to serve in public office and their supporters must not be undermined, belittled, intimated or humiliated," said President Bio.

"It's not going to be easy because that space has been occupied by men for a very long time. We must monitor electoral processes to ensure election fairness and transparency."

Employers who breach the new quotas face fines of up to 50.000 leones (2,400 euros).

Sierra Leone is ranked 182nd out of 189 countries on the UN's 2020 Gender Development Index. Nearly half of the countries in the bottom 20 are in West Africa.

(with newswires)
A black-eyed pea soup is part of dinner at Dakar NOLA, the modern Senegalese tasting menu restaurant on Magazine Street. Between its rich, earthy palm oil, the sweet local crabmeat and the pop of crisped rice against its roux-like texture, it tastes like a bridge between Africa and Louisiana.

At the outset of the meal, when chef Serigne Mbaye leaves his kitchen to address the dining room, he explains why he calls his dish Last Meal: It was inspired by the beans that slavers fed captured Africans to bulk them up before the transatlantic journey.

The story youre mulling and the dish youre tasting make the bridge Mbaye has built from this dish more than a just a metaphor of flavors. It speaks to reclaiming, re-framing and opening new possibilities, and thats the soul of his new restaurant.

Dakar NOLA is pushing boundaries in its own way, with a narrative of entwined African heritage, modern American cuisine, family, community and a way with spice that sets a glowing, pulsing beat to the way you remember meals here.

There are now two paths through that narrative.

Dakar NOLA was opened Uptown late last year by Mbaye and business partner Effie Richardson. It arrived with anticipation from the following that Mbaye has built in New Orleans over the last few years through pop-ups and collaborations.

Early meals here have been dazzling, and come deeply imbued with the sense of purpose this restaurant puts into them.

The main act also comes with a significant buy-in required from the start. Thats a seven-course dinner, served at one seating per night so that the entire restaurant dines together.

Its an immersive, whole evening experience, rather than just dinner out. But sometimes, just dinner out is the right call.

So in late February, the restaurant added a different service style on Wednesdays, when it offers a three-course tasting menu with reservations at different times of the evening.
Organizers of the Recall Latoya Cantrell efforts say they are close to collecting the required number of signatures in a petition that could lead to ousting the mayor.

A month from the states Feb. 22 deadline to submit a petition paving the way for a special election, organizers at a Jan. 22 news conference said there's a renewed interest in the campaign, which had stalled in recent months. They cited a surge in violent crime and auto thefts as reasons for a recent boost in signatures.

We have noticed a significant increase from residents this past week regarding Mayor Cantrell, said Eileen Carter, a former Cantrell staffer who is leading the charge against her former boss. We roughly need 15,000 signatures to meet our goal, she added, citing a tremendous response to previously issued mailers.

The petition requires a total of roughly 54,000 verified signatures  thats 20% of the number of registered voters in Orleans Parish  and Recall leaders say they are ramping up efforts to get more signatures as Carnival season gets underway.

Carter said the Recall LaToya camp is boosting its online and its physical presence and they will be collecting signatures in locations across the city in the coming weeks. "We are gearing up," she said. "We have new TV, digital, social media ads."

Though it is a longshot  no mayor in history has ever been recalled in New Orleans  Carter also said they have sent out over 100,000 mailers that should arrive this week.

Its the second batch of papers, postage prepaid, theyve circulated to voters registered in Orleans Parish since the efforts began last summer.

Carters claim that the endeavor only needs 15,000 more signatures would mean the Recall camp has collected about 40,000 valid signatures so far  a figure that is much higher than a Jan. 19 Times-Picayune report they'd collected closer to 30,000.

Organizers, including Belden "Noonie Man" Batiste, a longtime foe of Cantrell and a perennial candidate for local office, have never been able to pinpoint an exact number of valid signatures, nor have they supplied who exactly is financing the efforts  other than saying its a grassroots initiative. Cantrell's camp has claimed it's funded by GOP operatives, but Carter again disputed that claim Sunday and said it largely comes from fed-up residents who have donated in small increments.

"It's people saying, 'I can't believe my city looks like this, I'm going to give you $5.' We ask people to give to their abilities," she said.

The Recall organizers also missed a deadline this month for filing a campaign finance report; on Sunday Carter said financial details would be available "tomorrow."

Meanwhile, they also blasted Cantrell for leaving town again  this time to attend the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. just after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"New Orleans didn't even have an MLK Day march and parade sponsored by the city," said Carter, adding, "They sponsor everything else. She will speak on crime to national media but not to residents...We are a laughingstock."
A Port Sulphur man racked up his fifth citation for harvesting oysters from a polluted area of Plaquemines Parish, the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Monday.

Wildlife agents were patrolling the Port Sulphur area on Jan. 13 when they saw Jeremiah Phillips, 42, taking oysters from waters closed by the state Department of Health for high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. Phillips allegedly dumped the oysters over the side of his boat when agents approached. Its unclear how many oysters he harvested.

Agents also cited Phillips for harvesting oysters under a revoked license.

He was arrested and booked into the Plaquemines Parish Jail.

Taking oysters from a polluted area and hiding illegal seafood each carry a fine of up to $950 and 120 days in jail.

Because it was his fifth offense for taking oysters from a polluted area, Phillips will likely be required to use a boat with a location-monitoring system for the next 10 years. His oyster harvester license will be revoked for 10 years and hell be required to do up to 120 hours of community service. His boat and harvesting gear were seized by agents.

The source of the pollution is unclear, but common causes include leaky septic systems, waste dumped from boats, farm waste and animal feces.

Fecal contamination typically closes several hundred acres off the Louisiana coast at any one time. Health officials regularly test for fecal contamination in oyster-growing areas. Closures usually last 21 days before additional testing is done.

+11 In the marsh's muck at a river diversion, Louisianas past and future collide The willow trees and cutgrass emerging in this swampy stretch of St. Charles Parish west of the Mississippi River are in some ways Louisianas past brought back to life. They could also be its future.
Many cities are generating enough heat and smog to change the weather around them, but New Orleans appears to be altering its climate more than most, producing a greater number of human-caused thunderstorms than any other large city in the Southeast, a new study has found.

New Orleans is creating about 15% more thunderstorms than would happen from natural factors alone, ranking it the top artificial storm producer among dozens of urban areas across much of the South, according to the NASA-sponsored study.

New Orleans rests within an environment thats ready to pop, said Paul Miller, an LSU meteorologist who co-authored the study published last month in the journal Urban Climate. Its surrounded by water, has high humidity and heat, so thunderstorms are itching to take off.

When those conditions overlap with miles upon miles of heat-absorbing pavement and rooftops, tall buildings and air pollution from vehicles and industrial areas, more bouts of lightning and heavy rain tend to happen.

While scientists understanding of whats known as the urban rainfall effect has grown in recent years, studies have focused on just a few large cities. In the South, Atlanta has been the main target of research on artificially induced rainfall. Studies there have revealed highly localized weather patterns tied to areas of intense urbanization.

The Atlanta Braves might wish theyd studied this phenomenon before moving their team to a new ballpark in 2017. Located on the edge of a hot spot, known as an urban heat island, Truist Park has been plagued by mini thunderstorms, delaying about a quarter of home games during the teams first season there. Turns out, the park sits in the maximum region for localized thunderstorms, University of Georgia researchers found.
Pick any tree in Gentilly, and the chances are good that Connie Uddo had something to do with it.

Along boulevards of modest homes and well-kept lawns, she points to dozens of magnolias she put in the ground last month and lines of 30-foot-tall oaks she planted after Hurricane Katrina.

After the storm, this was completely empty, Uddo said. Across the city, more than 400,000 trees were torn away by wind or poisoned at the roots by salty floodwaters. It should be such a beautiful, lush city. But it wasnt green after Katrina. It was gray.

Uddos group, the NOLA Tree Project, has planted or given away about 70,000 trees since the 2005 storm. The city of New Orleans and other nonprofit groups have added thousands more. Yet, a first-of-its-kind study reveals little progress in restoring the citys depleted tree canopy.

The city has lost 4,000 acres of tree cover  equivalent to an almost 30% decrease  over the past 20 years, according to research led by Sustaining Our Urban Landscape, or SOUL, a nonprofit group focused on reforesting Orleans Parish.

The research, presented in SOULs New Orleans Reforestation Plan, found comparatively weak tree retention policies and low public spending on tree planting and maintenance in New Orleans, contributing to tree coverage thats half the average of other large cities in the South.

One of the most striking findings was a close correlation between tree density and income levels, temperatures and flood risk, said SOUL Board Chairman Andreas Merkl.

If you pick the most low-lying and flood-prone areas of the city, and also the hottest and poorest, they will also have the least trees, he said.

That data matches City Council member Eugene Greens own experience growing up in Pontchartain Park, a subdivision built for Black residents in the 1950s.
Demonstrators in Burkina Faso's capital on Friday demanded France's ambassador leave the country and called for the closure of a French military base, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.

Carrying placards with slogans such as "French army, get out", several hundred people gathered in a central Ouagadougou square.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced around two million people.

France has 400 special forces stationed in junta-ruled Burkina to battle the insurgency -- but relations have deteriorated in recent months.

France fears a repeat in Burkina of its disastrous falling-out with Mali.

French troops withdrew from Mali last year, after a 2020 coup in the former French colony saw its rulers inch closer to Russia.

Burkina Faso, also once under French rule, saw officers seize power in September in the second coup in eight months.

Rekindling ties with Russia has been on the agenda in Burkina since the coup.

Mohamed Sinon, one of the main leaders of the collective that called the demonstration, said it was to show support for the junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore and the security forces fighting jihadists.

"We are a pan-African movement and we want cooperation between Burkina Faso and Russia, but also the strengthening of friendship and of cooperation with Guinea and Mali," he added.

Huge posters showing the presidents of Mali and Guinea -- both of whom came to power in coups, like Traore -- as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin were also carried by protesters.

Ruffling feathers

In October, anti-French demonstrators gathered outside France's embassy in Ouagadougou and the French cultural centre was attacked.

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Another demonstration outside the embassy followed the next month.

In early January, the French foreign ministry said it had received a letter from the junta asking for ambassador Luc Hallade to be replaced after he ruffled feathers with reports on the country's worsening security situation.

The tensions were such that Paris dispatched deputy foreign minister Chrysoula Zacharopoulou to meet Burkina's president.

"I didn't come here to influence any choice or decision. No-one can dictate Burkina's choices," she said after meeting Traore.

Women and babies rescued

Meanwhile, in a separate development, security sources reported on Friday that a group of 62 women and four babies abducted by suspected jihadists last week in northern Burkina Faso, were rescued.

The news came just hours after security sources said a series of attacks on Thursday had left around 30 people dead.

The abduction of the women and babies last week prompted alarm from the United Nations, while the country's military junta warned of a rise in jihadist attacks on civilians.

The women and babies were abducted last week on Thursday and Friday near Arbinda, in the northern Sahel region, as they foraged for food outside their village.

Security sources said they were found in the Tougouri region, 200 kilometres further south.

Parts of Burkina Faso, including the Sahel region, have for months been under a blockade by jihadist groups in the region, making it increasingly difficult to supply the communities there.

(with wires)
A map showing colonies in East Africa in the early 20th century (Image from page 220 of "The Literary digest history of the world war, compiled from original and contemporary sources: American, British, French, German, and others" (1919))

Berlin's museum authority announced this week that it was ready to return hundreds of human skulls from the former colony of German East Africa, after studying the remains to establish to which present-day countries they belong.

Scientists examined 1,135 skulls at Berlin's Museum of Prehistory and Early History, assigning 904 to areas that are now part of Rwanda, 202 to Tanzania and 22 to Kenya.

Another seven skulls remain unattributed.

German East Africa, established in the 1880s and broken up after the end of World War I in 1918, included present-day Burundi, Rwanda, mainland Tanzania and part of Mozambique.

According to Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which oversees many of Berlin's museums: "We are ready for immediate restitution and are now waiting for signals from the countries of origin."

In a tweet, Parzinger also hailed the collaboration of Rwandan scholars, who searched local archives to try and pinpoint where the remains came from.

Die @kulturSPK mochte human remains, die wir mit Unterstutzung der @HenkelStiftung erforscht haben, zugig an die Herkunftslander zuruckgeben. 1100 Schadel aus der ehemaligen Kolonie Deutsch-Ostafrika sind untersucht worden. Ein groer Erfolg in der Zusammenarbeit mit #Ruanda. https://t.co/tfjgcDHb0v-- Hermann Parzinger (@hparzinger) January 18, 2023

Skulls from burial sites and executions

The vast majority of the skulls originate from cemeteries and other burial sites, according to a statement by the foundation, but some were taken from executions carried out locally or by Germans.

The remains were part of a collection of more than 6,000 skulls assembled by doctor and anthropologist Felix von Luschan during German colonial rule.

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They were taken over by the Museum of Prehistory and Early History from Berlin's Charite hospital in 2011.

Improper storage had led to some of the skulls becoming damaged or mouldy, according to the museum's curator, Bernard Heeb, who's managing the project to research their provenance.

The first step was to clean and repair the remains, he said in 2017: "Today, all of the skulls are stored with the dignity they deserve."

Restitution movement

The human remains were then examined and inventoried in a pilot project that Heeb said he hoped would "serve as a model for a general reassessment of colonial-era collections, not just the collection in Berlin".

Since 2011 Germany has been returning remains to Namibia of indigenous Herero and Nama people murdered by German colonial forces.

In recent years, pressure has grown to return human remains and artefacts that were pillaged by European colonialists.

Among the most famous are hundreds of the so-called Benin Bronzes, which were stolen by British colonial troops before ending up in museums across Europe and the United States.

Germany started returning its collection to Nigeria late last year following an agreement between Berlin and Abuja.

(with wires)
Burkina Faso's military regime told France it wants its troops stationed in the country to leave within a month, the state news agency AIB reported on Saturday. This came as protesters gathered to demand the French ambassador leave the country and that the French military base in Ouagadougou be closed.

"The Burkinabe government last Wednesday denounced the accord which has governed, since 2018, the presence of French armed forces on its territory," the AIB news agency said, adding that authorities had given France a month to complete its pull-out.

A source close to the government clarified it was "not the severance of relations with France. The notification only concerns military cooperation agreements".

France has 400 special forces soldiers stationed in junta-ruled Burkina to battle an Islamist insurgency, but relations have deteriorated in recent months.

Sources familiar with the matter told AFP that France's preferred option would be to redeploy its forces in the south of neighbouring Niger, where nearly 2,000 French soldiers are already stationed.

Inching closer to Russia

The military junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, seized power last September in the second coup in the former French colony in eight months.

Traore's regime has been seeking to rekindle ties with Russia since his coup.

French troops withdrew from Mali last year after a 2020 coup in the former French colony saw its rulers also inch closer to Russia.

Demonstrators gathered in Burkina's capital Ouagadougou on Friday to demand the French ambassador leave the country and that the French military base there be closed.

Several hundred flocked to a central square carrying placards with slogans such as "French army, get out".

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Protesters carried huge posters showing the presidents of Mali and Guinea -- both of whom also came to power in coups -- as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier Saturday, several hundred people demonstrated in two major northern towns, Djibo and Kongoussi, both of which have been subjected to jihadist raids and a blockade that has made it increasingly difficult for them to receive supplies.

Mounting anti-French sentiment

In October, anti-France demonstrators gathered outside the country's embassy in Ouagadougou and the French cultural centre was attacked.

Another demonstration outside the embassy followed in November, and earlier this month, the French foreign ministry said the junta had asked it to replace ambassador Luc Hallade after he ruffled feathers with reports on Burkina's worsening security situation.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso on Saturday thanked its northern neighbour Mali for its help in the recent rescue of 66 women, children and babies from suspected jihadists after a week of captivity.

Government spokesman Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo also told RTB state television that all of the 66 freed captives, who included 27 minors and four babies, were doing well.

"All arrangements have been made for them to regain serenity and after all that, we can consider their return to their respective families," he added.

The captives were abducted by suspected jihadists in the northern Sahel region a little over a week ago.

(with AFP)
WFP and government of Madagascar join hands to transform rural communities in Androy and Anosy regions.

An innovative project seeking to develop climate resilience, self-sufficiency and the empowerment of vulnerable rural communities in southern Madagascar, could offer a game-changing template for future humanitarian work, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

Focusing on remote Androy and Anosy regions - some four hours' drive from the capital, Antananarivo - WFP's Rapid Rural Transformation initiative delivers solar-powered hubs, a sustainable water source and digital health check-ups, in partnership with the Government.

The benefits for communities are multiple and welcome: energy, water and digital platforms, all provided in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, the UN agency said.

Boosting empowerment

Equally important, the project seeks to stimulate grassroots development, while addressing rural communities' most pressing needs. If successful, WFP plans to take the idea to other villages and regions.

"With this pilot project, we will facilitate rural transformation even in geographically isolated areas, through the provision of clean water for irrigation, the operation of healthcare facilities, the expansion of entrepreneurial opportunities, and the development of their agricultural value chains," said Jocelyn Raharimbola, Governor of Anosy region.

"Following years of food insecurity, data on the ground shows an improvement in the nutritional situation thanks to emergency interventions and collaboration with agencies such as WFP."

The initiative is managed by regional authorities and allows partners to offer additional services including entrepreneurial training for women and younger members of the community.

Classes are available online on sustainability, business skills and farming, which is enhanced by easily installed solar-powered drip irrigation and hydroponics systems. The programme's environmentally responsible and sustainable approach is a "game-changer", maintained Tomson Phiri, WFP Regional Communications Lead and Spokesperson for Southern Africa.

Abundant sun

"If there is anything that the people in the south have, it is the abundance sunlight; it is hot, it is dry... we are establishing solar powered hubs that will provide a sustainable water source to the sites that I visited, we've introduced ICT (Information Communications Technology) in these remote areas."

Mr. Phiri, speaking via Zoom from the capital, Antananarivo, told journalists in Geneva that Madagascar said while it was cyclone season in the north, the south was experiencing near-drought conditions.

Food insecurity remains an ever-present threat, the WFP spokesperson continued, with 2.2 million people in the southern and southeastern regions of Madagascar facing high levels of food insecurity during the pre-harvest period between now and April 2023.

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Unenviable record

Madagascar is among the 10 countries most vulnerable to disasters in the world and is considered the most cyclone-exposed country in Africa, according to WFP.

The UN agency added that Androy and Anosy regions are at the sharp end of the climate crisis and have high rates of chronic malnutrition among children under five.

The Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) initiative combines two climate risk mitigation strategies to assist people: better natural resource management through enhanced agricultural techniques to protect food production and diversifying their livelihoods to withstand climate shocks.

The UN WFP is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
NTV News 24 is a service of Nippon Television, Japan's leading broadcasting network. This page provides a selection of today's stories in English.
A lively ice production for the whole family is currently being presented in Rosemont and will soon head to Chicago's United Center and back again to Rosemont.

"Disney on Ice Presents Frozen and Encanto" runs at The Allstate Arena in Rosemont through Jan. 22 and also Feb. 2-5. The show plays Chicago's United Center Jan. 26-29.

"It was a really good idea to put these two stories together," said Cassandra Ablack, a skater who portrays Isabela in the "Encanto" portion of the ice show.

Ablack said there's always excitement for the Disney on Ice skaters to come back to a city with a new show.

"Frozen" tells the story of sisters Anna and Elsa and Elsa's "icy" magical powers as a Snow Queen which turns everything to ice in Arendelle. Anna later sets out to rebuild their once strong sisterly bond.

"Encanto" puts the Madrigal family from Columbia in the spotlight and the magic found in their "Encanto" home.

Both "Frozen" and "Encanto" highlight family and audience members will enjoy watching as characters such as Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Mirabel, Isabel, Luisa, Bruno and others step into the spotlight courtesy of the world class skating cast. Also appearing on skates will be Disney favorites Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy.

Through the presentation of these two stories which feature characters with various magical powers, Ablack said young audience members will realize "you don't have to have a special power to feel included or feel special. They learn that they're as special as anyone else."

Ablack said she's enjoying skating the role of Isabela, which is a role that has some skating challenges. She said she does aerial segments as well while performing the role. "It takes a lot of practice and hours of training," she said. Ablack is also an understudy for other roles in the production, including character Dolores.

For Ablack, skating was always something that appealed to her. She's thrilled to be part of the Disney on Ice cast, she added.

"It's my dream job," Ablack said.

Ablack, who grew up in Toronto, frequently watched skating shows and skaters in competition as a child. She's also began dancing at a young age.

What she enjoys most about the skating art is "the lines" that are created and the ability to "tell stories."

FYI: "Disney on Ice Presents Frozen and Encanto" through Jan. 22 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Jan. 26-29 at Chicago's United Center and Feb. 2-5 back at Allstate Arena. Visit disneyonice.com for prices, showtimes and other information.

Close Angie Gaydos, of Crown Point, is a skating coach at Midwest Training and Ice Center. She practices figure skating at Deep River Waterpark and other skating locations. Angie Gaydos, of Crown Point, is a skating coach at Midwest Training and Ice Center. Kathleen LeMaster takes a selfie with her 7-year old son, Parker, on Friday at Deep River Waterpark. Oscar Mendoza, 7, has a bit of a tumble at Deep River Waterpark. Abbie Mendoza assists her 7-year-old son, Oscar, on Friday. Kelly Miller and her 10-year-old son, Grayson, skate at Deep River Waterpark. Allen Kapes and his 5-year-old daughter, Sarah, enjoy an afternoon of skating Friday. Kathleen LeMaster takes a selfie with her 7-year old, son Parker Friday at Deep River Waterpark. Deep River Waterpark hosts a New Year's Eve skating session. Many children went ice skating at Deep River Waterpark on New Year's Eve. The ice skating plaza at Deep River Waterpark opened in 2005. Families enjoyed skating at Deep River Waterpark in Merrillville. At Deep River Waterpark, there is $5 admission for ice skating, and skate rentals cost $6. Deep River Waterpark was open for skating on New Year's Eve. Deep River Waterpark hosts a New Year's Eve family skating (Extra) Gallery: Deep River Waterpark hosts New Year's Eve ice skating The ice skating plaza at Deep River Waterpark in Merrillville was open from 4 to 8 p.m. om New Year's Eve. Many families took advantage of the winter activity. Angie Gaydos, of Crown Point, is a skating coach at Midwest Training and Ice Center. She practices figure skating at Deep River Waterpark and other skating locations. Angie Gaydos, of Crown Point, is a skating coach at Midwest Training and Ice Center. Kathleen LeMaster takes a selfie with her 7-year old son, Parker, on Friday at Deep River Waterpark. Oscar Mendoza, 7, has a bit of a tumble at Deep River Waterpark. Abbie Mendoza assists her 7-year-old son, Oscar, on Friday. Kelly Miller and her 10-year-old son, Grayson, skate at Deep River Waterpark. Allen Kapes and his 5-year-old daughter, Sarah, enjoy an afternoon of skating Friday. Kathleen LeMaster takes a selfie with her 7-year old, son Parker Friday at Deep River Waterpark. Deep River Waterpark hosts a New Year's Eve skating session. Many children went ice skating at Deep River Waterpark on New Year's Eve. The ice skating plaza at Deep River Waterpark opened in 2005. Families enjoyed skating at Deep River Waterpark in Merrillville. At Deep River Waterpark, there is $5 admission for ice skating, and skate rentals cost $6. Deep River Waterpark was open for skating on New Year's Eve. Deep River Waterpark hosts a New Year's Eve family skating (Extra)
Jerry Davich Jerrys career began in 1995 as a political cartoonist/columnist with The Times of NWI, writing thousands of columns and stories through narrative storytelling, or shining a light on societys darkest corners, or provoking unpopular conversations. Follow Jerry Davich Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The elderly woman in a wheelchair closely watched me walk down the hallway of her long-term care facility.

Her head was slumped down. Her hands were buried under a blanket. Her eyes tracked my every step. She didnt say a word or move a muscle.

I wasnt sure how to respond to a familiar situation that Ive encountered dozens of times inside nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. As a kid, these places scared me. They were sad, depressing, and disappointing. I wondered if Id end up at one when I got old, forgotten by society and ignored by my family.

I didnt know the elderly womans personal situation. Maybe she was not ignored or forgotten. All I knew in that moment was that her body didnt budge. Only her eyes moved.

Hello, how are you today? I asked as I walked past her.

Her head moved ever so slightly. Her eyes met mine. Her mouth turned into a smile.

Hello, she said, watching me walk into another residents room.

When I left the building, she was no longer in that spot. I returned home and wrote a social media post to my friends, readers, and followers.

Instead of wasting hours of your life writing social media tirades to strangers youll never meet, or ramblings about your day, consider spending a few minutes reaching out to someone wholl gratefully appreciate your efforts, I wrote.

Find a sheet of blank paper or an unsent greeting card. Grab one of the dozens of old pens in your kitchen junk drawer. Unearth an envelope and a stamp. And then think of what daily life may be like for too many lonely or forgotten residents at long-term care facilities.

For many of them, their view of the outside world comes through the same panes of glass through their lonely room or through their television set. Many of these people see no visitors of any kind besides the same workers inside these largely forgotten assisted-care facilities or nursing homes, like this one I just visited. Just a thought.

My post attracted dozens of comments, such as this one.

Im doing this. Last April I inherited hundreds of cards. I could have just as easily tossed them or donated them. I didnt. Now I have a purpose for them. Thank you Jerry. My Mother in Law will be so happy (smiling down from heaven) to see Im going to use every one of them.

Another reader offered a different perspective, from inside one of these facilities.

Im a resident at Chesterton Manor and have had two visitors in the year and a half I have been here, Don Catt wrote. My wife is here too, and even though her family lives in Merrillville, they have NEVER visited. A letter would be greatly appreciated.

Jessica Metros, a volunteer coordinator with Indiana Guardianship Services in Porter and LaPorte counties, also reached out to me.

We serve mostly the elderly who have no voice. They end up through the court system with IGS, which provides protection of their livelihood and personal safety, she said.

Our volunteers share one hour per month with their client by visiting with them and checking on their well-being. We have a huge waiting list of people in facilities who have little to no families, she said.

The ultimate reward is for our volunteers, and also for our wonderful clients, to know they matter to others. For the 60 minutes per month that our volunteers invest, they receive such phenomenal benefits of making a difference in someones life, she added.

I asked for more information.

Metros, who retired from the business world last May, was made an offer from IGS that she couldnt refuse  to receive the priceless benefits of making the difference in the lives of others, she said.

Our clients have no one to advocate for them except for IGS, Metros told me. Our volunteers become the eyes and ears for our case managers. We train them to embrace the client visits as opportunities to create value in the clients life.

The majority of IGS clients are elderly. Many are in wheelchairs. Some are recuperating from strokes. Others are suffering from drug abuse. A few are manic depressive or schizophrenic.

All of them are wards of the court whove slipped through the cracks of society. Typically, their families are out of the picture. Or there has been physical abuse with a complete draining of their finances except for Social Security and Medicaid.

We read to our clients. We bring in treats. We wheel them around the facility. We sing with them. We do their nails. We brush their hair, Metros said. We do all we can do to make them feel appreciated and, when possible, provide reassurance of their value as a human being.

She has already heard from a handful of new volunteers from my social media post. More volunteers are needed. The organizations next volunteer orientation meeting is Feb. 4 in Valparaiso, and Ill write a follow-up column on the response. (For more info or to volunteer, call 219-400-0309 or email jkmetros@comcast.net.)

Volunteers are asked to spend just one hour per month with their assigned clients. Think about how much time we spend (waste?) on social media alone every month.

I believe our services are especially unique because our clients are the voiceless and the forgotten, Metros said.

If this isnt for you, consider my idea to mail a card or letter to a stranger with lonely eyes who would welcome it like a personal visit.
MUNSTER  The Munster Police Department holds its first quarterly Munster Crime Watch meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

Crime statistics for the past year, updates on recent incidents and a presentation from the Indiana attorney general's office on identity theft, scams and robocall prevention will be provided to the public.

A $30 Target gift card and additional items will be awarded as door prizes at the conclusion of the meeting.

For more information, please contact the Munster Police Department's Community Policing Unit, 219-836-6639.
An anti-sabotage organisation under the aegis of The Natives, has tasked security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defencee Corps (NSCDC) to fish out oil marketers and other saboteurs responsible for fuel scarcity across the country.

The group described as 'politically motivated' the current fuel queue and hardship Nigerians were going through as a result of fuel scarcity.

In a statement released yesterday in Abuja, signed by its president general, Hon Smart Edwards, it said Nigerians should hold some players in the oil sector responsible for sabotaging the efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) even as it unilaterally implemented unapproved fuel prices.

Edwards, however, applauded the federal government, through the minister of state for petroleum resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, and NNPCL on the recent announcement of the possible end of fuel importation by next year.

According to Edwards, Nigerians were tired of hearing about turnaround maintenance (TAM) year in, year out that leads to non-functional refineries in the country.

The statement lamented that "saboteurs (among the marketers and distributors) have deliberately and for selfish reasons caused the scarcity to the extent that Nigerians testify in worship centres if they eventually fill their car tanks.

"This is abnormal which should not be allowed to stand. We call on the DSS and the NSCDC to go after these enemies of the state.

"We strongly condemn the scare and conduct of players that are leading to hike and queues as politically motivated, and this is sad, because the masses are at the receiving end."

Edward further said the minister of state for petroleum resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had said that President Muhammadu Buhari had not directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) or any agency for that matter to increase the price of fuel.

"The minister quoted the President as saying 'this is not the time for any price increase in the pump price of PMS.'

"The minister explained that what was playing out was the handiwork of mischief makers and those planning to discredit the achievements of the President in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Therefore, these saboteurs should not be allowed to succeed," Hon Edwards said.

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While applauding the minister of state for petroleum resources and NNPCL on the recent announcement of the possible end of fuel importation by next year, the leader of The Natives added that: "The news is cheering to the people particularly when you juxtapose it with our stand on the complete removal of subsidy.

"We cannot but applaud you and the team at the NNPCL for this positive effort in the right direction. We are tired of hearing turn around maintenance that leads to non-functional refineries, so this is surely a great job you are doing and we obviously welcome the news of the 60,000 bpd portion of the refinery that will go operational by the first quarter of 2023.

"You have taken practical steps towards ensuring this delivery. The NNPCL as driven today appears people focused, with the laudable task it embarked on in boosting economic routes and making life easier for citizens by investing in the construction of 44 roads across the country, one can only begin to imagine the possibilities that abound when the NNPCL is left to do the job without distractions.

"We can see discoveries of Kolmani and that of Nasarawa state recently, the future effect of drilling and the implementation of the PIA is a clear signal of hope. We believe that turnaround surely awaits the affected states, because it means job opportunities for the youths and other opportunities for the host communities.

"We, however, commend President Muhammadu Buhari (Mr Infrastructure) on the deliberate policy targeting our roads and highways via the Tax Credit Policy. This has made NNPCL very visible to the needs of the citizens and the Nation can only be better for it."
An avid Chesterton angler caught a record fish in Lake Michigan, breaking the state record for burbot for the second time in two weeks.

Phillip Duracz caught a burbot weighing 11.4 pounds this month in Lake Michigan near Gary. In 2021, the fisherman set the lake whitefish state record after catching a 9.34-pounder in Lake Michigan.

Just two weeks earlier, Scott Skafar of Valparaiso caught a record 10.2-pound burbot in Lake Michigan in Porter County.

The previous burbot record stood for 32 years, but Skafar smashed it by 2.5 pounds. He caught a second burbot that same day, beating the 1990 record by 2 pounds.

Burbot are native to Lake Michigan. Theyre the only freshwater fish in the cod family. Sometimes called eelpout, lawyer or poor mans lobster, theyre considered good to eat with firm, white flesh, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

They feed on other fish like round goby, sculpin and yellow perch. They resemble catfish in that they have a single chin-barbel, or whisker.

In Lake Michigan, burbot typically swim in deep water near the lake bottom. They can most easily be caught by anglers between November and April, when the water is cold enough to force them closer to the shore to feed.

The recent warm weather coupled with light winds has provided excellent opportunities for anglers to fish Lake Michigan at a time they are usually unable to safely access the lake, Lake Michigan fisheries research biologist Ben Dickinson said.

For more information on fish records in Indiana, visit the state Department of Natural Resources website, in.gov/dnr (scroll down to DNR Divisions, click Fish & Wildlife, then Fishing, then the Record Fish link under Programs).

Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week 012123-spt-gbk-pcc_1 012123-spt-gbk-pcc_4 012123-spt-gbk-pcc_7 South Central, PCC Tournament Lake Central at Valparaiso girls basketball Lake Central at Valparaiso girls basketball Lake Central at Valparaiso girls basketball Lake Central at Valparaiso girls basketball Lake Central at Valparaiso girls basketball 012123-spt-bbk-21st-ecc_4 012123-spt-bbk-21st-ecc_5 012123-spt-bbk-21st-ecc_6 012123-spt-bbk-21st-ecc_8 012123-spt-bbk-21st-ecc_10 Hobart Police hold press conference on the murder of Destiny Jackson and Nazirah Muhammad Valparaiso hosts opioid solutions panel Valparaiso hosts opioid solutions panel Valparaiso hosts opioid solutions panel Historic homes razed in Marktown on eve of renovation program Historic homes razed in Marktown on eve of renovation program Follow MLK's lead, Melton urges Follow MLK's lead, Melton urges Hammond's annual Martin Luther King commemoration Gallery HTML code
A courtroom at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana in Hammond has been named in honor of Magistrate Judge Andrew P. Rodovich, a fixture on the federal bench for four decades.

The judges at the federal courthouse, 5400 Federal Plaza, decided to so honor Rodovichs life, career and legacy.

The southwest third-floor courtroom is now The Andrew P. Rodovich Courtroom in recognition of Judge Rodovichs remarkable service to his community. A memorial and plaque were placed outside the courtroom.

Rodovich was appointed a magistrate judge for the Northern District of Indiana in 1982. He retired from the full-time position on the federal bench in 2013 but serves as a recalled magistrate judge for the Northern District of Indiana.

He worked as a lawyer from 1973 to 1978, as a referee for the Hammond City Court in 1978 and as chief deputy prosecutor for the Lake County prosecutors office from 1979 through 1982.

He also taught at the now-defunct Valparaiso University School of Law, where he served as a distinguished jurist in residence.

Rodovich won many awards over the course of his 40 years on the bench, including Indiana Trial Judge of the Year and Sagamore of the Wabash, the Hoosier States highest civilian honor.

Judge Rodovich is one of the most respected, well-liked and accomplished judges in the circuit. He is very highly regarded for his ability to conduct trial and achieve resolution of disputes among litigants, Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio said.

He has served our district and the Northern District of Illinois for many years with great distinction. I have been honored to know him for over 40 years, during which time he has served as a mentor and a wonderful colleague. The dedication is a very fitting tribute.
More than 2,500 U.S. troops were killed in action during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which inflicted frostbite on thousands more and has been called "the most harrowing battle of the Korean War."

U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Garrigus, of Indiana, was reported missing in action during the 1950 battle in which besieged U.S. forces were greatly outnumbered and surrounded in the brutally cold mountains near the Chinese border.

More than 70 years later, the 24-year-old Hoosier has finally been accounted for.

The Terre Haute native served in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division during the infamous battle in which the U.S. suffered a total of 18,000 casualties between the dead, wounded and frostbitten.

Garrigus was reported missing in action during a battle with enemy forces Dec. 1, 1950.

His remains were never found. There was no evidence he was ever taken as a prisoner of war, according to the Department of Defense.

North Korea turned over 55 boxes containing the remains of U.S. service members killed during the Korean War in 2018. They were taken to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii where a laboratory sought to identify them.

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency scientists used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence to identify Garrigus's remains. Armed Forces Medical Examiner System also looked at mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome DNA and autosomal DNA in making the identification.

His name is recorded with other service members still missing from the Korean War at the American Battle Monuments Commissions Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. A rosette will be put next to his name to indicate he's now accounted for.

His family has been briefed.

He will soon be buried in Greenwood, just south of Indianapolis.

More than 7,600 Americans are still unaccounted for from the Korean War, but hundreds are believed to never be recoverable, according to the Department of Defense. An estimated 450 Americans killed during the Korean War have been identified and returned to their families for funerals with full military honors since 1982.
Field of Mars, written and directed by the experimental playwright Richard Maxwell, is mainly set in a chain restaurant with a menu globalized to the point of comedy, where a character is asked if hed like to upgrade his Blue Hawaiian drink to mucho size.

The play, titled after an ancient Roman training area, gestures blandly and indistinctly at themes of mankinds history across two very long acts at NYU Skirball. Presented by Maxwells New York City Players as part of this years Under the Radar Festival, the play, starring 11 actors with mostly unnamed roles, offers a number of themes and variations without cohesion or novelty.

It begins with two Adam and Eve figures waking up before the setting shifts (helped with Sascha van Riels lighting) to a generic, present-day eatery in Chapel Hill, N.C., where Kaye Voyce costumes its employees in half-worn face masks and van Riels set recalls the insipidness of a Panera Bread. There, three staff members discuss its music playlist while, in a nearby booth, two songwriters (Jim Fletcher and Brian Mendes) attempt to collaborate with two younger industry figures (Nicholas Elliott and James Moore). Both groups are prone to lengthy discussions about music, the reactions specific genres have inspired, the way theyve made them feel, and how the songs have advanced our culture. Its through these chats that Maxwells main theme is laid bare: how have humans grown from, subverted, or undermined their past, and what will come from it?

But the theme remains a blank evocation, as these conversations, with their glacial, incongruous tempos, are more Maxwells excuse for distancing experiments than actual meditations. He compellingly blurs lines between the mundane and grander visions of our origins, but haphazardly sprinkles religious imagery and scientific theory into the dialogue. The vague suggestion of these ideas and their presentation are banal enough already, let alone stretched to two-and-a-half hours with intermission, and the interminable listing of musical acts, from The Beatles to Tina Turner to Throbbing Gristle, doesnt seem to make any larger point. We are creatures of and obsessed with lineage, yes; next.
MONTEREY PARK, Calif.  Located on a busy commercial street among grocery stores and Chinese restaurants, the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park is a popular gathering place for lovers of ballroom dancing in the Los Angeles area, and promises to train attendees in anything from the tango to the fox trot.

That place is always packed, man, said Alejandro Delatorre, 40, a dance instructor who worked at the venue last year and arrived early Sunday, after 10 people were killed and 10 others injured in a late-night shooting. He said that more than 90 percent of Star Dances clientele was Asian American.

Saturday nights drew large crowds, filling the floor with ballroom dancers of all ages. The playlist often included songs in Chinese, said Walter Calderon, 47, a dance teacher in Orange County. Its a huge dance floor  6,000 square feet, with a huge amount of parking, he said. Most of the dancers go there. The venue posts its schedule online in English and Chinese.

When the Monterey Park police reached the scene on Saturday night, dozens of people were streaming out of the venue, some of them with injuries, the authorities said. In all, five women and five men died in the shooting, and at least 10 more were injured, some critically.
WASHINGTON  President Bidens lawyers told the Justice Department in November that they had no reason to believe that copies of official records from his vice presidency had ended up anywhere beyond a think tank in Washington, where several classified documents had been found that month, two people familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

That assertion, the people said, was based on interviews with former officials who had been involved in the process of packing and shipping such material. The Biden legal team had surveyed them after the discovery on Nov. 2 of a small number of classified files in a closet of his former office at the Penn Biden Center, seeking to understand how the files got there.

But it would turn out that a handful of classified records were at Mr. Bidens residence in Wilmington, Del., too. The mistaken premise, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, helps explain why roughly seven weeks elapsed before Mr. Bidens lawyers searched boxes in the garage at his Wilmington home on Dec. 20 and found several more classified papers.

The escalating scrutiny Mr. Biden faced over his handling of the materials in turn led to the discovery of yet more sensitive documents at his residence this month, when Attorney General Merrick B. Garland also appointed a special counsel. And on Friday, F.B.I. agents  at the invitation of Mr. Bidens lawyers  conducted an extraordinary search of every room in his Wilmington home, finding another half-dozen files marked as classified dating back to his time as a senator.
South Africa: Adding to Eskom capacity a matter of "extreme urgency" for government - Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to assure South Africans that government is using every means and resource at its disposal to get more capacity onto Eskoms grid as a matter of extreme urgency with the Energy Action Plan at the core.

The President was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter after South Africans have been experiencing a sustained period of the higher stages of load shedding.

President Ramaphosa said government is taking action to address the myriad of challenges Eskom is facing, with particular focus on improving the performance of Eskoms ailing coal fired power stations which serve at least 80% of South Africas energy needs.

A team of independent experts is conducting a diagnosis of the problems at poorly performing power stations and taking action to improve plant performance. Six power stations have been identified for particular focus over the coming months to recover additional capacity.

Eskom is also working to connect Kusile Unit 5 to the grid by September this year. Every urgent effort is being made to restore other units at Medupi, Kusile and Koeberg with significant capacity, he said.

The President added that Eskom is also taking steps to procure some 1000MW of energy from neighbouring countries with the power utility also aiming to buy surplus power from companies with available generation capacity for a period of three years.

Furthermore, government has also signed procurement deals in Bid Windows 5 and 6 of the Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) which is expected to add some 2800MW of energy to the grid once completed in at least two years.

The President said government has allowed for private power producers to contribute to the strained grid.

The licensing requirement for embedded generation projects has been removed. Since we first raised the licensing threshold to 100 MW, the pipeline of private sector projects has grown to more than 100 projects with over 9000 MW of capacity.

We have cut red tape and streamlined regulatory processes, reducing the timeframes for environmental authorisations, registration of new projects and grid connection approvals, he said.

President Ramaphosa announced that soon, those who have installed solar panels on the roofs of businesses and homes will also be allowed to sell their excess electricity to the grid with work already underway for a pricing structure.

Taking stock

Reflecting on the serious challenges facing Eskom, the President said a combination of factorsyears in the making have led the power utility to where it currently is.

Lack of investment in new generating capacity, poor power plant maintenance, corruption and criminality, sabotage of infrastructure, rising municipal debt and a lack of suitable skills at Eskom have all created a perfect storm. There can be no sustainable solution without addressing all these factors in combination.

We should not make the mistakes of the past. For many years, critical maintenance was deferred, and our power stations were run too hard in order to keep the lights on. As a country we are now paying the price for these miscalculations, he said.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the destabilisation that load shedding has wrought on South Africans and businesses alike but called for patience as government implements solutions.

As load shedding continues to wreak havoc on businesses, households and communities, the last thing South Africans want to hear are excuses or unrealistic promises. The demands for an immediate end to power cuts are wholly understandable. Everyone is fed up.

We must be realistic about our challenges and about what it is going to take to fix them. While we all desperately want to, we cannot end load shedding overnight, he said.

The President added that while measures are being implemented, collaboration from all quarters of society will ensure that the Energy Action Plan bears fruit.

While we cannot end load shedding immediately, what is certain is that if we work together with urgency to implement the Energy Action Plan, load shedding will steadily become less and less severe.

Through collective action, we will much sooner reach the point where we have enough power to end load shedding altogether, President Ramaphosa concluded.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Trend

Turkic.World media platform and Turkish Balikesir University have signed a memorandum of partnership, Trend reports.

The memorandum was signed by Deputy Director of Trend News Agency Rufiz Hafizoglu and Balikesir University Rector, Professor Yucel Ogurlu.

According to the memorandum, the Turkic.World media project became the official media partner of Balikesir University.

Within the signed memorandum, the Turkic.World media platform will publish news about the university. In addition, the media project will attract the teaching staff of the institute as experts and commentators in connection with international events and Turkiye.

Turkic.World media platform started its activity in 2021 as a result of the cooperation of Trend News Agency and the Turkish "Albayrak Media Group" with the support of the Assistant to the President - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev.

The Turkic.World media platform was presented last year at the media forum of the Turkic Council in Istanbul, and also became the official media partner of the 25th International Business Forum (IBF), organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency and the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) of Turkiye.

In addition, the Turkic.World media platform is also the official media partner of the "Teknofest-2022" Aerospace and Technology Festival.

The Turkic.World media platform signed a memorandum of cooperation with Istanbul Commerce University, the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology and Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).
analysis

Eskom clarifies its media briefing statement on rolling blackouts while the new Eskom board sets ambitious targets and hints at staff incentives to boost embattled power stations.

A few short hours after an "urgent media briefing", Eskom backtracked somewhat hastily, saying some media headlines that screamed dire warnings of permanent rolling blackouts for two years were incorrect.

"Eskom has considered implementing permanent stage two and three load shedding to give the public more predictability. However, this is not possible as it would not guarantee that load shedding would remain at the lower levels," spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshasha clarified on Sunday afternoon.

The confusion from the press came in when chairman of the Eskom board Mpho Makwana quite clearly said that the execution of the recovery plan relied on power stations being given the space to add additional capacity and do proper maintenance without firefighting, "... or create some predictability by implementing a permanent stage two or three (load shedding) for the next two years in order to give sufficient space for maintenance while giving the country a level of predictability or consistency to...
The number of Covid cases among terrorism suspects at the prison at Guantanamo Bay has grown, according to people familiar with its operations. One U.S. official reported on Sunday that more than a third of the 35 wartime detainees had contracted the coronavirus.

Only two of the men who were confirmed to have the virus by Friday were identified. Both are former C.I.A. prisoners who were never charged.

One was the Palestinian prisoner known as Abu Zubaydah, 51, who tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, prompting the military to cancel all legal meetings. By Friday, a Somalian man, Guled Hassan Duran, 48, had also tested positive.

Both have been detained in the maximum-security Camp 5 prison building that houses men who were held in the C.I.A.s overseas prison network, called the black sites, and were brought to the Navy base in Cuba in 2006 or 2007.
Grace was in the back corner of the dance hall, practicing her steps, joining about 100 other patrons who knew the Star Ballroom Dance Studio as the place to be on Saturday nights.

Many were facing the wall-length mirror, running through their own dance moves. On the speakers was the music for guangchang wu, a public square dance popular among middle-aged and older Chinese patrons, recalled Grace, a dance student in her 50s who had been coming to the Star Ballroom for about four years.

Then, suddenly, she heard a series of pops that sounded like fireworks.

She looked toward the entrance and saw people collapsing on the floor, and she dove under a table as others were frantically doing the same, she said. She could see the gunman and his two-foot-long weapon, she recounted.

No one dared to flee  we all got down to the ground, hiding wherever we could, she said in an interview Sunday afternoon, down the street from the Star Ballroom. She asked that she be identified only by her English first name because she didnt want people in the community to know she was there at the time of the shooting.

No one could get out, she added.

A man she called Ma laoban  Boss Ma  was near the entrance and appeared to be the first one who was shot, she said. Two people who were next to him also collapsed as five or six shots occurred in rapid succession, she said.

The gunman appeared to run out of bullets and quickly left before returning to unleash a second bout of gunshots deeper into the ballroom. Some people who appeared to have been shot were splayed out on the wooden floor; others ducked under a table or ran into a back room. The whole mass shooting lasted about five minutes, she said.

I saw him, but I was far away and the lights were dim. I could not see his face clearly, said Grace, who said she didnt recognize the suspect in the photos released by local authorities Sunday morning while he remained at large.

The suspect fatally shot himself later Sunday in a parking lot about 30 miles away in Torrance as he was surrounded by the police, said Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County. The gunman was identified as Huu Can Tran, 72.

After the shooter left, several people called 911 and the police seemed to arrive swiftly, she recounted. They were taken to the police station in vans for detailed questioning about the suspect for hours, she said. Mr. Tran headed next to another ballroom dance studio in Alhambra, about three miles away, where two patrons wrested his gun away and the suspect fled on foot, Sheriff Luna said.

Grace said she didnt get home until 3 a.m. Sunday and got only about an hour of sleep because her phone was ringing off the hook with calls from friends and acquaintances who knew she was a regular at Star, she said.

She clutched her heart, describing how scared and shaken she still felt a day after the shooting. She wasnt sure whether shed be able to return to the studio, where she said dancing had kept her happy and healthy, and where she had learned to dance her favorite, the waltz.

It brings me joy. My instructor is very positive and he brings me joy, too, she said. Once the suspect is arrested, maybe after a period of time of healing, maybe I will go back.

Angela Chen contributed reporting.
With winter conditions bogging down military troops and leaving both sides looking ahead to spring offensives, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday called on Ukrainians from all regions to remain unified.

His comments came in a speech marking Unity Day, a holiday created to commemorate events that took place more than a century ago  and one whose meaning has acquired added poignancy in the wake of the Russian invasion.

The day marks a 1919 treaty signed in Kyiv to unite republics in Ukraine and western Ukraine into a single independent state, and since Russian forces rolled across the border last February, Mr. Zelensky noted, many Ukrainian fighters have found themselves defending their homeland far from their actual homes.

We are all together, no matter where we were born and where we grew up, he said. Say today: I will defend my Ukraine. My unity.
How much is too much? Its a question that consumers should ask themselves every time they shop, build or step onto a fuel-guzzling jet.

It is also a question that museums might raise before adding works of art to their collections. This does not seem to have happened when the Metropolitan Museum of Art decided to accept 220 works by the celebrated  and prolific  American painter Philip Guston (1913-1980) from the personal collection of his daughter, Musa Guston Mayer.

The gift came with a big bright bow: Mayer and her husband, Thomas, are also giving the museum $10 million to establish the Philip Guston Endowment Fund to support Guston scholarship, which will instantly make the museum the worlds center for Guston studies.

Of the 220 donated works, 124 are drawings; 96 are paintings, which is the important number here. Close to 100 paintings by a single painter might seem unremarkable when you first read it, but it is huge  transformative, as the press announcement said.
COBALT RED: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives, by Siddharth Kara

Cobalt, a mineral essential to the batteries of smart devices and electric vehicles  and therefore to the future  is haunted by a past of slavery and colonialism. The phone in your hand contains several grams of this element; some of it, as Siddharth Kara shows in Cobalt Red, was likely mined by people hacking away in toxic pits for subsistence wages.

Used as a source of blue pigment since antiquity, cobalt has joined blood diamonds and forced-labor shrimp as the latest bete noire of critics of globalization. Nearly half of the worlds reserves are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a conflict-stricken country that has long been the site of a geopolitical scramble for strategic resources. Human rights abuses and child labor are rife in Congos mining sector; in 2016, Amnesty International and the watchdog group Afrewatch put out a report that tied companies like Apple and Samsung to exploitatively mined cobalt. The industry promised reforms, but since then the demand for cobalt has only grown. Kara sets out to investigate what, if anything, has changed.

A lecturer at Harvards Kennedy School, Kara has written on sex trafficking and other forms of so-called modern slavery, part of a new group of abolitionists who claim explicit parallels with the historical fight against the slave trade. Like his previous books, Cobalt Red takes the form of a righteous quest to expose injustice through a series of vignettes of exploitation and misery. Kara proposes to take us down the only road that leads to the truth, a journey into the Katanga mining region, toward the cobalt hub of Kolwezi, the new heart of darkness.

Ever since its seizure by the Belgian king Leopold II in 1885, the Congo River and its watershed have supplied the world  not least the United States  with riches: ivory, rubber, palm oil, diamonds, uranium. Yet today more than three-fourths of Congos population live below the poverty line, while few have access to clean drinking water, and even fewer to electricity. Never have people of the Congo benefited from the mines of Congo, a community leader tells him. We only become poorer.
A gunman shot to death 10 people and injured at least 10 others on Saturday at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park, Calif., a city of about 60,000 people east of Los Angeles. He opened fire as many people in the city, which is predominantly Asian, were celebrating the eve of Lunar New Year.

Many of the victims were in their 50s and 60s, said Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County, though he did not identify them.

The gunman, whom the authorities identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, is believed to have then gone to a dance hall in the neighboring city of Alhambra. But he fled, according to the authorities. Officers later found him in a parked van after he reportedly shot himself to death.

The gunman used a magazine-fed semiautomatic assault pistol that is probably not legal in California, Luna said. His motives remain under investigation.
The death toll rises in a mass shooting

Another victim of the recent mass shooting in a thriving Chinese American suburb of Los Angeles died at a hospital yesterday, bringing the death toll to 11. Investigators continued to seek the gunmans motive in the attack, which took place during a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park. Here are updates.

The victims of the massacre were in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Officials have identified two victims, My Nhan and Lilan Li, and details about the others are still emerging. They were killed at a popular dance hall where people were practicing guangchang wu, which is popular among middle-aged and older Chinese.

The 72-year-old suspect, Huu Can Tran, shot and killed himself on Sunday after police closed in on him in a nearby city, authorities said. Investigators believe he specifically targeted some people and shot others randomly. An official said that the suspect had recently visited a local police station near where he was living in a mobile park to say that his family was poisoning him.

Families: We are mentally preparing for the worst, said one woman, whose father was grazed by bullets and whose mother was missing.
10 killed in shooting near L.A.

A 72-year-old man, who the police in Los Angeles said was suspected of killing 10 people and wounding at least 10 others at a dance hall in Monterey Park, Calif., was found dead yesterday afternoon inside a van about 30 miles away, the authorities said, ending a daylong manhunt across the region.

The authorities offered no motive for the rampage but said they believed the gunman might have tried to carry out a second attack. About 20 minutes after the attack in Monterey Park, an armed man walked into another dance hall in the neighboring city of Alhambra, was disarmed by people inside and then fled. The authorities did not identify the weapon that was seized.

Shortly after officials said they were seeking a white cargo van, tactical teams surrounded a vehicle matching that description. They pinned it with armored vehicles, broke its windows and entered after more than an hour of tense preparation. An official said evidence found in the van linked the man inside, who had shot and killed himself, to both crime scenes.
Elon Musk said on Monday that he had not lied or misspoken about his plan to take Tesla off the stock market in 2018, testifying in federal court that Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund had unequivocally wanted to take Tesla private.

Investors are suing Mr. Musk, Tesla and the companys board because they contend that they lost money as a result of Mr. Musks statements about his plan to take Tesla private, which later collapsed.

On Aug. 7, 2018, Mr. Musk, who was chairman and chief executive of the electric automaker at the time, wrote on Twitter: Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured. He then wrote: Investor support is confirmed. Only reason why this is not certain is that its contingent on a shareholder vote. Teslas share price jumped after those posts but later fell as the proposal fizzled out.

How jurors interpret Mr. Musks statements and the effect they had on investors could be critical to the outcome of this case, which is being tried in San Francisco. A victory for investors could mean Mr. Musk and Tesla would have to pay billions of dollars in damages. But winning the case would allow Mr. Musk to claim vindication against his critics.
Mr Bello was reportedly planning to switch support to the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has denied reports that he is contemplating dumping the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

The governor, in a statement issued on Sunday by Commissioner for Information and the Director of Media and Publicity, Kogi State APC Campaign Council, Kingsley Fanwo, dismissed the report published by Sunday Tribune, describing it as "spurious."

Sunday Tribune had in the report claimed that Mr Bello, who is the Youth Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, is discussing with Atiku's team due to local politics in the state.

The report claimed that Mr Bello is apprehensive that Mr Tinubu may back James Faleke in 2024 for the Kogi State governorship race. Mr Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, was the running mate to Abubakar Audu in 2015 and both were on the path to victory until Mr Audu died while the election was still ongoing.

The death of Mr Audu created a constitutional crisis, as the law did not envisage the death of a candidate while the election is still ongoing. Consequently, the party opted to nominate Mr Bello, who was runner-up at the APC primary.

Mr Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos State, challenged the decision of his party at the court, however, he lost at the Supreme Court.

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Mr Bello was one of the APC presidential aspirants defeated by Mr Tinubu at the party's primary election in June last year.

Bello is focused on Tinubu's victory--Fanwo

While dismissing the report, Mr Fanwo said the governor is focused on delivering Kogi State and the entire country.

He declared that Mr Bello will deliver over 90 per cent votes cast to pave way for the victory of Mr Tinubu and the APC.

He said: "GYB is constantly on the drawing board, galvanising Kogites and youths across Nigeria to massively support the man he calls the President-in-Waiting, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"This will definitely not go down well with open and veiled detractors of our presidential candidate, who would go to any length to paint a picture of crisis where there is absolutely none."

"Aside from winning and sustaining the support of the majority of Nigerian youths for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Yahaya Bello has effectively mobilised Kogites to deliver not less than 95% Kogi votes to the Presidential Candidate of our party. It is therefore not a surprise that those who want to share in the glory of the impending landslide victory without contributing to the efforts are hiding behind 'the evils of journalistic anonymity' to cause disaffection," he noted.

The presidential election is scheduled for 25 February.
Albertsons said in a statement that it had grown tremendously with the help of our sponsors and other investors. It added that it had spent billions of dollars to modernize its stores and build digital and technology platforms, as well as to improve associate wages, benefits and training programs.

For the private-equity giant Cerberus, which was co-founded by the billionaire Stephen Feinberg and oversees $60 billion in assets, getting into the grocery business was relatively easy. Getting out has proved much more difficult.

For years, the grocery store industry had low growth yet was intensely competitive, with Walmart, Target, Costco and others increasingly elbowing their way into food shoppers carts. As grocery chains struggled to compete against the big-box behemoths, consolidation happened and private-equity firms moved in, sometimes with disastrous results.

Corporate buyout specialists generally raise money from big investors, like pension funds for state employees, teachers, police officers and firefighters, and then buy undervalued or underappreciated companies. To maximize investment returns, the buyout firms typically leverage their cash with loans that are taken out by the company itself.

For most buyout funds, the hope is to fix or improve the company and make profits in a public offering or by selling the company to another buyer within four to seven years. In other instances, the debt piled on the company for the buyout overwhelms it, as was the case in 2016 and again in 2020 when the New York grocery chain Fairway Markets filed for bankruptcy.

Cerberus moved into the grocery business 17 years ago when it acquired 655 struggling stores owned by Albertsons sprinkled around Florida, Texas and Northern California for $350 million in equity. In 2013, the investors put up $100 million in cash and took out $3.2 billion of debt to acquire more than 800 stores from Supervalu. About a year later, more stores were added when the group contributed $1.25 billion to acquire more than 1,300 stores from Safeway. The rest of the $9 billion purchase of the Safeway stores was financed with debt, pushing Albertsons total debt to more than $12 billion.

Our story with Albertsons is one of a long-term partnership that has created thousands of union careers and invested billions into stores, infrastructure and local communities, Cerberus said in a statement. It has also supported the retirement savings of individuals, universities, nonprofits and others who have entrusted us as a fiduciary.
The fruit of more than a decade of research inside companies like OpenAI, Google and Meta, these technologies are poised to remake everything from online search engines like Google Search and Microsoft Bing to photo and graphics editors like Photoshop.

The deal follows Microsofts announcement last week that it had begun laying off employees as part of an effort to cull 10,000 positions. The changes, including severance, ending leases and what it called changes to our hardware portfolio would cost $1.2 billion, it said.

Satya Nadella, the companys chief executive, said last week that the cuts would let the company refocus on priorities such as artificial intelligence, which he called the next major wave of computing.

Mr. Nadella made clear in his companys announcement on Monday that the next phase of the partnership with OpenAI would focus on bringing tools to the market, saying that developers and organizations across industries will have access to the best A.I. infrastructure, models and tool chain.

OpenAI was created in 2015 by small group of entrepreneurs and artificial intelligence researchers, including Sam Altman, head of the start-up builder Y Combinator; Elon Musk, the billionaire chief executive of the electric carmaker Tesla; and Ilya Sutskever, one of the most important researchers of the past decade.
A recent report card from Evergreen, an environmental group, found the E.P.A. was behind its own deadlines on nine key environmental regulations, including limits on power plant emissions of mercury and other toxic substances, ozone standards, and curtailing the storage of coal ash to avoid spills and contamination. Most worrisome, climate advocates said, is that the agency has yet to propose rules to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new gas-fired power plants and existing coal and gas plants  measures that energy analysts say will be necessary to eliminate fossil fuels from the electricity sector by 2035 as Mr. Biden has pledged to do.

In a recent interview, Mr. Regan said his agency has recently been reassessing its regulatory plans. The millions of dollars now available through the climate law to make it cheaper and easier for utilities and automobile manufacturers to move away from fossil fuels has led the agency to consider whether it could impose more stringent emissions goals than initially conceived, he said. That would move the power and transportation sectors of the economy even faster away from fossil fuels. He said developing the legal and economic justification for such regulations would take time but was nearing completion.

How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process.

This spring, youre going to see a number of actions taken by E.P.A. Mr. Regan said.

Despite the billions earmarked for climate programs, E.P.A. remains underfunded and understaffed when it comes to its other obligations, including enforcing environmental laws and evaluating chemicals to ensure they dont pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment.

The nonpartisan Environmental Integrity Project recently found that federal environmental enforcement was slipping under Mr. Biden. E.P.A.s civil cases against polluters hit a two-decade low in 2022, with 72 such enforcement cases closed in court. Thats fewer than during the Trump administration, which bristled against restrictions on industry yet closed an average of 94 enforcement cases per year. The Obama administration averaged 210 per year, the report found. E.P.A. officials said they were focused on protecting heavily polluted communities by increasing inspections and targeting the most serious violations.

Industries regulated by the E.P.A. are also frustrated, saying the agency is taking too long to determine whether new and existing chemicals pose an unreasonable risk to the environment or human health.
A Closets Worth of Mortars and Pestles

Shayma Owaise Saadats collection of mortar and pestles are essential in her kitchen. I have been collecting them for years and each one has a different use, said Ms. Saadat, a Pakistani Afghan recipe developer and writer who lives in Toronto. She prefers using a large eight-inch granite mortar and pestle for a typical green Pakistani- and Afghan-style chutney, rather than a food processor. The green chiles, fresh cilantro and garlic break down easier against its abrasive surface.

What I love most about it is that the oils from herbs and spices are preserved, she said.

She also uses the granite mortar and pestle to finely grind dry spices like coriander seeds, cardamom and whole cumin for her Pakistani-style spice mix for curries. Ms. Saadat, who is of Persian heritage, has a dedicated brass mortar and pestle to finely grind saffron and a Japanese suribachi for crushing cardamom. I need a closet just for the mortar pestles in my kitchen, she said, laughing.
There was little research to support the suggested plan, some advisers said.

Id like to see some data on the effect of dosing interval, at least observational data, said Dr. Eric Rubin, one of the advisers and editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. And going forward, Id like to see data collected to try to tell if were doing the right thing.

Still, Dr. Rubin added, Id definitely be in favor of something simpler, as it would make it more likely that people might take it.

Only about 40 percent of adults aged 65 and older, and only 16 percent of those 5 and older, have received the latest Covid booster shot. Many experts, including federal officials, have said that the doses are most important for Americans at high risk of severe disease and death from Covid: older adults, immunocompromised people, pregnant women and those with multiple underlying conditions.

In its briefing documents, the F.D.A. addressed the varying risks to people of different ages and health status.

Most individuals may only need to receive one dose of an approved or authorized Covid-19 vaccine to restore protective immunity for a period of time, the agency said. Very young children who may not already have been infected with the virus, as well as older adults and immunocompromised people, may need two shots, the documents said.
Dr. Dmitry Shelchkov, an anesthesiologist at a public hospital in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Brooklyn, would later say that his job was straightforward with not a lot required.

But when it came time to give an epidural to Sha-Asia Semple, a pregnant 26-year-old woman in labor, at Woodhull Medical Center on July 3, 2020, Dr. Shelchkov botched the routine procedure. The catheter to deliver the anesthesia should have gone about four inches into her lower back. Instead, he kept inserting the line, threading it in and up more than 13 inches, a state medical review board later found.

Then Dr. Shelchkov administered a full dose of anesthesia, without waiting to see how Ms. Semple responded to a small test dose, according to the state board. The anesthesia landed in her cerebrospinal fluid and circulated around her central nervous system.

I cant breathe, Ms. Semple said as her breathing grew labored, before stopping altogether. Another doctor rushed in to help.
And you probably would have needed soldiers. Richard Nicolls, whom the duke sent to carry out the takeover from the Dutch, arrived with nearly 2,000 fighting men, according to Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898. Nicollss stated mission was to win the entyre submission and obedience of New Amsterdam, whose residents became New Yorkers after Nicolls changed the second word in the towns name to honor guess which duke.

The charter directed the Inhabitants of the said Lands, Islands & Places in New Netherland to Give Obedience to Nicolls, but ownership remained firmly in royal hands. The duke saw immediately that the jewel in North America was New York because of the trading the Dutch had been doing, Austin said. It was already a commercial melting pot. This is why he wanted the English to control Manhattan.

Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace, in Gotham, added an important strategic reason: Controlling New Amsterdam would also give Britain an invaluable base of operations against the French in Canada and their Indian allies.

Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor, tried to resist but lacked the personnel and support. More than 90 Dutch colonists, including his own 17-year-old son, signed a petition endorsing the line of least resistance against the British. And the Duke of York intended Nicolls to be magnanimous, all things considered. Nicollss orders included preserving the colonists rights to property and religious freedom.

The duke signed the two other documents in the Sothebys sale in 1674, two years after a Dutch squadron retook New York during an Anglo-Dutch war. But the Dutch handed New York back to the English when the war ended, and the duke appointed Major Edmund Andros as the colonial governor.
It has been years since public housing in New York City has received enough money from the government to deal with the aging buildings, spotty heating systems, malfunctioning elevators, rats and more that have made it an emblem of neglect.

Now, plummeting rent payments from residents threaten to escalate the crisis in the nations oldest, largest public housing system.

More than 1,600 public housing agencies nationwide  from those in Richmond, Va., to San Francisco  have faced a significant decrease in collections since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as tenants lost work or spent more on cleaning supplies and other safety measures. When evictions were put on hold, people could miss payments without fear of losing their homes. Aid to help cover the mountain of back rent was sometimes confusing to access or left people in public housing out entirely, leaving local agencies to deal with the consequences.

But nowhere has the phenomenon been as dire as in New York. The New York City Housing Authority collected just 65 percent of the rent it charged in the 12 months leading up to December, the lowest percentage in the agencys nearly 100-year history and an alarming slide from the annual prepandemic numbers of 90 percent or higher.
Cast your mind back to pre-Waze days, when your glove compartment was stuffed with maps of Vermont and Arizona and to get somewhere you needed to know the way. Now you just punch in the destination address and follow the turn-by-turn instructions like a robot. Any hard-earned knowledge of the back roads has been rendered worthless, because Waze uses real-time traffic data to give you the best route at any given moment. Waze has made us dumb but happy.

Last week Uri Levine, one of the three founders of Waze, came out with a book, Fall in Love With the Problem, Not the Solution: A Handbook for Entrepreneurs, which describes how the navigation app came together, along with advice on how to be an entrepreneur. It is probably the best insider account about Waze youll ever get, because the other founders, Ehud Shabtai and Amir Shinar, arent giving interviews. (I asked.)

Ill tell you what Levine told me about Waze in a series of Zoom interviews and email exchanges, but Ill preface it with my biggest takeaway: Being an entrepreneur is nothing like driving a car with Waze on. There are no turn-by-turn instructions. There is no certainty that youll get where you want to go. In fact, you probably wont.

Another takeaway: Having a great idea is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for entrepreneurial success. The importance of the idea is about 1 percent to 5 percent of the journey, Levine wrote to me. The rest is a long roller coaster journey of failures  hard work over a long time.
Imagine Earths inner core  the dense center of our planet  as a heavy, metal ballerina. This iron-rich dancer is capable of pirouetting at ever-changing speeds.

That core may be on the cusp of a big shift. Seismologists reported Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience that after brief but peculiar pauses, the inner core changes how it spins  relative to the motion of Earths surface  perhaps once every few decades. And, right now, one such reversal may be underway.

This may sound like a setup for a world-wrecking, blockbuster movie. But fret not: Precisely nothing apocalyptic will result from this planetary spin cycle, which may have been happening for eons. The researchers who propose this speculative model instead aim to advance understanding of Earths innermost sanctum and its relationship with the rest of the world.

The inner core is like a planet within a planet, so how it moves is obviously very important, said Xiaodong Song, a seismologist at Peking University in Beijing and an author of the study.
editorial

The details are so staggering that China has censored the daily publication of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Still smarting from the ruptures of COVID-19 that took humanity by storm in 2020, the world is panicking yet again, with the surge of the virus in China. The country had a month ago reversed its zero-COVID-19 policy restrictions. In the wake of this U-turn, hospitals in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong have been filled to capacity with COVID-19 patients. Experts say that about 250 million people were reportedly infected in the first three weeks of December 2022.

A Henan province health data, which records that 88.5 million people, out of a population of 99.4 million, contracted the virus as of 6 January is reinforced by Peking University's study that claims 900 million Chinese were infected as of 11 January. The lobby of hospitals in cities are over-crowded with patients, several of whom lay on the floor, waiting for admission. While hospitals are struggling to cope, most schools and businesses have shut down. The situation is so gruelling that doctors and nurses infected with the virus are being compelled to work, despite their frail conditions. About 5,000 deaths and one million infections are reportedly recorded daily in China, says Airfinity Ltd, a United Kingdom-based analytic company.

The details are so staggering that China has censored the daily publication of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The country's crematoriums are overwhelmed. As its COVID-19 situation skyrockets, China has, ironically, removed all restrictions for foreign travellers; a policy action shy of a Greek gift. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and many countries are concerned about Beijing's usual opacity in public health disclosures. WHO's director of emergencies, Mike Ryan, has emphasised that, "We still do not have complete data." The organisation has just made a global appeal for the use of face masks, irrespective of the epidemiological situation.

Not willing to be roiled by COVID-19, as was the case in 2020, many countries have either imposed restrictions or outright bans on travellers from China. Among them is Morocco, which has banned all flights from China. Italy, Spain, United States, UK, South Africa, Ghana, India, France, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Malaysia, Israel, Taiwan and South Korea and Qatar now subject all travellers from China to tests. In a series of tests, Italy discovered that 50% of passengers on two flights from China to Milan had COVID-19.

The dreaded Omicron sub-variants - XBB and XBB 1.5 - described as highly contagious, evade the immune system, and have surfaced in many Western nations, leading to increased hospital admissions and shortage of basic medicines. As of 31 December 2022, the US reported COVID-19 cases stood at 40%, from its previous 1%, according to its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is worrying that Nigeria is missing from the list of countries pre-emptively responding to the latest Chinese COVID-19 conundrum. Nigeria stands the risk of being easily exposed with its importers and businessmen flooding China and with the large Chinese presence here. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is monitoring the trends in countries with a high volume of traffic to, and from, Nigeria, assuring the public that the Omicron sub-variants have not yet been detected in the country.

This tentativeness is objectionable because of the havoc it could cause the country. Besides, it is at variance with the timely advisory of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, which warned that the country cannot afford the spill over from the current increase in COVID-19 cases from China. A statement by its President, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, urged Nigeria to "immediately tighten her borders with strict restrictions on flights coming from China through Qatar, Ethiopia, South Africa and other airlines."

Nigeria should not wait until it is overwhelmed. Our healthcare system is in dire-straits, compounded by the mass exodus of doctors and nurses to Europe, the Americas and Asia. A virus that killed 3,155 Nigerians and infected 266,450 others, as of January 2023, should be taken as an existential threat. Globally, about 6,692,002 deaths and more than 661 million infections have been recorded within the period under review.

As in many parts of the world, COVID-19 data are not true reflections of the realities on ground due to many unreported cases. Nigeria is notorious for not keeping records of deaths and their causes, except those that occurred in hospitals. The world has witnessed at least three waves of COVID-19. While some countries carried out aggressive testing to know the depths of infection and transmission, Nigeria struggled to set up a few molecular biological laboratories just for testing. Many citizens still live in denial of the existence of the virus and are hesitant in taking COVID-19 jabs.

This situation, perhaps, explains why Nigeria's infection and death tallies are the lowest in the world, among nations that fall within the 200 million population range. For instance, when Brazil's earlier COVID-19 death figures were 682,549, Nigeria had about 3,000 deaths. The status quo remains. The explanation of Dr Muktar Mohammed of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, that the recent relaxation of restrictions "was because of so much pressure on us," should invite public attention. The Committee's actions should not be dictated by social or political "pressure". As of 11 December, 2022, a total of 102,292,641 vaccine doses had been administered in Nigeria, according to the WHO Dashboard on COVID-19 vaccination. It means that 2022 ended with the country failing for two successive years, to achieve the WHO 70% vaccination threshold, needed to attain herd immunity in a given population.

If extraneous factors, rather than objective conditions, corralled the TPSC to relax restrictions, it suggests that its knowledge and handling of the past three COVID-19 waves are suspect. The notion that exits from previous COVID-19 waves were not clinically or scientifically based says a lot. It underscores the point that the challenges of the country in containing the pathogen are dire and gargantuan.

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With China bristling with fury and threatening reciprocal action against countries that have imposed restrictions on travellers from its domain, Nigeria as a big debtor to the Asian giant might not be able to muster sufficient courage, like other nations, to halt the spread of the virus from China. PREMIUM TIMES believes that Nigeria should have the courage to protect the interest of its people.

Consequently, Nigeria should subject all flight passengers from China and others countries experiencing the fourth wave of infections of the virus to tests. It is clear that no country has recovered from the economic meltdown induced by the virus in 2020. Resurgence of the pandemic will unfold much untold hardship. It is in the public interest, therefore, that regular hand washing and sanitising, the use of face masks in public places, and covering of the nose while sneezing, amongst other COVID-19 health protocols, should be maintained.

Citizens also have a role to play in this. The best defence against the virus remains taking the recommended doses of vaccines. Nigerians should be on the lookout for COVID-19 symptoms like the flu, fever, headache, coughs, sore throat, persistent sneezing, and loss of the sense of smell and appetite as indicators of exposure and infection. Thereafter, urgent medical attention will be crucial in order to forestall the susceptibility of many to COVID-19's rising and gory statistics.
When Lauren Strohacker received her second Covid-19 vaccine dose in the spring of 2021, she rejoiced. It meant she could see her friends again, go to concerts and live with far less fear that an infection might leave her physically or financially devastated.

But it became a bittersweet memory. Not long after Ms. Strohacker, an artist based in Knox County, Tenn., returned home from the vaccination site, she read an article about monkeys used in testing Covid vaccines.

I thought, Im afraid of a stupid needle, she said. And these animals have to deal with this all the time. She reflected on how her newfound freedom, and quite possibly her health, came at the expense of animals suffering or dying to develop the vaccines.

Merely being grateful for those animals seemed insufficient; Ms. Strohacker wanted to give something tangible in return. A little online research returned the National Anti-Vivisection Societys sanctuary fund, which supports the care of retired lab animals. She made a small donation. To give thanks was the very least I could do, Ms. Strohacker said.
Room, Emma Donoghues harrowing story of a young boy raised in a shed where he and his mother are held captive by a sexual predator, was a best-selling novel in 2010, and then a much-praised film in 2015.

Now a stage adaptation of the story is coming to Broadway with Adrienne Warren, a Tony-winning actress, starring as the boys mother. Warren, a founder of the antiracism organization Broadway Advocacy Coalition, won the Tony in 2021 for her electrifying performance as Tina Turner in the Tina biomusical. She has since appeared in the film The Woman King and the television series Women of the Movement and signed a development deal with a production company.

The stage adaptation of Room, which is a drama with songs, has had several productions, starting in 2017 in the British Isles  at Theater Royal Stratford East in London, Abbey Theater in Dublin and National Theater of Scotland in Glasgow  and then last year in Canada, at Grand Theater in London, Ontario, and the Princess of Wales Theater in Toronto.

Asked whether the production would be considered a play or a musical for awards purposes, Jim Byk, a spokesman for the show, said, The producers have previously described Room as a play with music, but as there has been considerable work done since the last production, they do not plan on making a definitive call on this until after the show is frozen, as is traditional for productions that could technically qualify for either category.
For my first night in New Zealands South Island, Id booked an Airbnb in Hawkesbury, a hamlet in the middle of the countrys most important wine region, Marlborough, famous for the huge quantities of sauvignon blanc it produces. The single-lane dirt road to my lodging snaked past some rusty old vehicles in the middle of a working farm, dipped down into a valley, ascended and then circled a steep hill, finally revealing a small, perfect cabin nestled on a gentle slope. The only things visible from my home for the night were rolling hills blanketed in vivid green, backed by rocky mountains towering over them. 

New Zealand had just reopened to the world, and I was on a road trip. Unlike the American West, where a road trip usually means long, high-mileage days crossing vast distances, New Zealands wild and rustic South Island offers comparable natural grandeur with much less driving. My night in Hawkesbury would be followed by a day at beachside Kaikoura; after a couple of nights in Christchurch, the largest city in the south, Id journey to the highest mountain range in the land. My route, stretching 375 miles from the far north to the deep south, offered easy daily drives while also managing to cover everything from wine tasting to seal watching, shopping in cities to hiking on glaciers.
On Monday, the trial of Mr. Murdaugh, 54, began with jury selection in a case that has combined a brutal crime with a novelistic tale of the unraveling of a powerful family. It could take several days to whittle down the jury pool to find 12 suitable jurors. The vast majority of those interviewed on Monday said they were aware of the case, and some said they would be unable to set aside opinions they had already formed about whether Mr. Murdaugh was guilty.

Prosecutors in the office of South Carolinas attorney general are expected to argue at trial that Mr. Murdaugh was facing a raft of crises, including suspicions from his law firm about his finances and a lawsuit over a fatal boat crash involving Paul Murdaugh. They say Alex Murdaugh felt so trapped by his deceptions that he decided the only way to escape further scrutiny was to gain sympathy by making it appear as if an unknown assailant had killed his wife and son.

Mr. Murdaughs lawyers, meanwhile, plan to argue that investigators tried to pin the crime on him from the start, failing to seriously consider other possible attackers. They will also likely argue that the state has no physical evidence proving that Mr. Murdaugh committed the murders. The defense contends that the physical evidence prosecutors have disclosed publicly  a shirt Mr. Murdaugh wore on the night of the crime  should be kept out of the proceedings because an experts analysis of possible bloodstains on it was shoddy.

The trial comes nearly 600 days after the deaths of Mr. Murdaughs wife and son, and follows a wave of revelations about the family and its patriarch. The twists and turns have captivated people across the country, from residents in the small town of Hampton, S.C., where the Murdaugh dynasty was built, to devotees of true-crime mysteries and podcasts far from South Carolina.
Bowling Green State University in Ohio has reached a $2.9 million settlement agreement with the family of Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old sophomore who died in 2021 after members of a fraternity he was pledging hazed him at an off-campus initiation event.

The settlement, which the university and Mr. Foltzs parents announced at a news conference on Monday, ends a nearly two-year legal battle that began shortly after Mr. Foltz died of alcohol poisoning in March 2021, as he was pledging the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Cory and Shari Foltz said they planned to use the money from the settlement of their wrongful-death lawsuit to support the efforts of the iamstonefoltz Foundation, which they started after their son had died, to end hazing.

From Day 1, weve always wanted the same thing as Bowling Green: to eradicate hazing across the country, Cory Foltz said at the news conference in Columbus, Ohio. I strongly believe that today, moving forward, we can work with Bowling Green, and Bowling Green will be one of the first universities to take the big step towards eliminating hazing across this country.
An 18-year-old gang member cut off a court-ordered ankle monitor and went to an educational program for at-risk youths on Monday in Des Moines, where he fatally shot two fellow students who were members of an opposing gang, the authorities said.

The gunman, identified by police as Preston Walls, 18, of Des Moines, also shot William Holmes, 49, who founded the Starts Right Here program, the police said in statement on Monday night. Mr. Holmes was hospitalized in serious condition, the police said.

The two dead victims, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old whose names were not immediately released, were residents of Des Moines, the police said.

Mr. Walls is believed to have shot the two teenagers because of a gang dispute, the police said. Mr. Walls was wearing a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor as a pretrial release condition after a weapons charge, and cut off the monitor about 16 minutes before the shooting, the police said.
SAN MARINO, Calif.  Saturday night was winding down at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio, with less than a half-hour to go until closing. There were three people left on the spacious dance floor.

Brandon Tsay, the third-generation operator of the family-run dance hall in Alhambra, was in the office off the lobby, watching the ballroom, when he heard the front doors swing closed and a strange clang that sounded like metallic objects hitting one another.

He turned around to see a semiautomatic assault pistol pointed at him.

He was looking at me and looking around, not hiding that he was trying to do harm. His eyes were menacing, recalled Mr. Tsay, 26, at his familys San Marino home Sunday, less than 24 hours after he stared down a gunman who, unbeknown to him, had opened fire at another nearby ballroom, killing 10 people and injuring several others in one of Californias worst mass shootings.

About 20 minutes after that massacre, the gunman, who authorities identified as Huu Can Tran, 72, arrived at Lai Lai, just about two miles to the north, officials said.
But in the time since, a powerful alliance developed between Ms. Greene, the far-right rabble-rouser and acolyte of former President Donald J. Trump, and Mr. McCarthy, the affable fixture of the Washington establishment, according to interviews with 20 people with firsthand knowledge of the relationship, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss it.

Their political union  a closer and more complex one than has previously been known  helps explain how Mr. McCarthy rose to power atop a party increasingly defined by its extremes, the lengths to which he will go to accommodate those forces, and how much influence Ms. Greene and the faction she represents have in defining the agenda of the new House Republican majority.

If youre going to be in a fight, you want Marjorie in your foxhole, Mr. McCarthy said. Both he and Ms. Greene agreed to brief interviews for this article. When she picks a fight, shes going to fight until the fights over. She reminds me of my friends from high school, that were going to stick together all the way through.

It is a relationship born of political expediency but fueled by genuine camaraderie, and nurtured by one-on-one meetings as often as once a week, usually at a coffee table in Mr. McCarthys Capitol office, as well as a constant stream of text messages back and forth.

Mr. McCarthy has gone to unusual lengths to defend Ms. Greene, even dispatching his general counsel to spend hours on the phone trying to cajole senior executives at Twitter to reactivate her personal account after she was banned last year for violating the platforms coronavirus misinformation policy.
An Arkansas man who posed with his boot propped on a desk in Speaker Nancy Pelosis office during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was convicted by a federal jury on Monday of eight counts, including disorderly conduct in a capitol building, prosecutors said.

The man, Richard Barnett, 62, of Gravette, Ark., became one of the highest-profile defendants charged in the storming of the Capitol after he was photographed in Ms. Pelosis office, wearing a hat, plaid jacket, bluejeans and brown boots, with a stun gun dangling from his belt, prosecutors said.

Mr. Barnett faces up to 47 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 3, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

Mr. Barnetts lawyer, Joseph D. McBride, said that his client, a former window salesman, planned to appeal the verdict, which he said a jury had returned after deliberating for only two hours.
The announcement on Monday that Representative Ruben Gallego, a progressive Democrat from Phoenix, would run for the Senate in 2024 sets up a potential face-off with Senator Kyrsten Sinema over a seat that carries immense stakes for Democrats control of the upper chamber.

Ms. Sinema left the Democratic Party in December to become an independent, though she has kept her Democratic committee assignments. She has not yet announced re-election plans, but if she runs again, national Democrats will have to decide whether or not to support her, even as the state party has strongly rebuked her and some polling has shown her to be deeply unpopular among Arizona Democrats, signs of a possibly divisive battle to come.

The state, once a bastion of McCain Republicans, has transformed into one of the nations pre-eminent political battlegrounds, fueled by demographic shifts and a Republican Party that has lurched far to the right. The Senate race is set to be closely watched by both parties, and Mr. Gallego, a 43-year-old former state lawmaker and U.S. Marine veteran, instantly caught national attention with his challenge to Ms. Sinema.

He began his campaign with a video declaring his run to a group of fellow veterans at American Legion Post 124 in Guadalupe, Ariz., near Phoenix. In it, he highlights his humble Chicago origins and his combat experience in Iraq, and he pledges to fight to extend the American dream to more families.
The Zhen Hua 28, the first-ever vessel to berth at the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos, Nigeria.

Following the arrival of three Ship-to-Shore cranes and 10 Rubber-Tyred Gantries, critical to the beginning of operations of the Lekki Deep Seaport June last year, the first commercial vessel berthed at the port yesterday. This came ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari's inauguration of the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port.

Breaking the news on its official Twitter handle, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), yesterday, said the arrival of the vessel owned and operated by French shipping firm, CMA/CGM, represented a major step toward birthing Nigeria's first deep seaport.

NPA stated, "Ahead of President's commissioning of @LekkiPort for commercial operations tomorrow (Monday), one of the largest container vessels, the CMA-CGM, has berthed at the port. Once more, @NigerianPorts has proven that it is prepared to offer marine services for seamless port operations."

Buhari is billed to inaugurate the Lekki Deep Seaport for commercial operations in Lagos State today.

The Lekki Deep Seaport is a state-of-the-art facility that is the largest seaport and one of the biggest in West Africa that would revolutionise the way goods are transported and traded in Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen recently, the promoters disclosed that the Lekki Port would not only improve efficiency and connectivity, but would also serve as a major driver for economic growth in the region.

An official of the company said, "The port's main breakwater is 1.5 km long with a turning circle of 600 meters, enough for a vessel up to 16,000 standard containers (teu) and an approach channel of 11 km long. The port has three terminals: the container terminal, the liquid terminal and the dry bulk terminal. The container terminal has an initial draft of 14 metres, with the potential for further dredging to 16.5 metres. The terminal is able to handle 2.5 million twenty-foot standard containers per year.

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"The deep-sea port of Lekki is the first port in Nigeria with ship-to-shore cranes. It has three of these container gantry cranes; they belong to the 'Super-post-Panamax' group - this means that they can reach and unload the rearmost row of containers even if the container ship is wider than the Panama Canal (49 m or 160ft maximum boat beam)."

He added, "The STS cranes have a fixed rail at the quayside. They can lift 65 tons in twin-lift mode, 50 tons in single-lift mode or 85 tons under a hook. The port's computerised system will allow container identification and clearance from the office, and human interaction will be minimal in the physical operations. When the phase 2 is completed, the deep sea port will have 3 liquid berths.

"The liquid cargo terminal will handle vessels up to 45,000 DWT (dead weight tonnage) and can expand to reach a capacity of 160,000 DWT. Liquids (like petrol or diesel) will be handled at a tank farm near the port. The docking area is equipped with loading arms. It is also connected by pipelines along the breakwater."

Speaking ahead of the commencement of operation, Managing Director of the company, Du Ruogang, assured that after the official commissioning by Buhari, the port would be fully set for the start of commercial operations.
WASHINGTON  When the Supreme Court heard arguments in 2019 about the rights of gay and transgender workers, the justices seemed fixated on bathrooms.

In all, five justices explored questions related to who can use which bathroom, though bathrooms did not figure in the cases before them.

Lets not avoid the difficult issue, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said, posing a hypothetical one: You have a transgender person who rightly is identifying as a woman and wants to use the womens bathroom.

She added, So the hard question is: How do we deal with that?

David D. Cole, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union representing a transgender woman, seemed puzzled.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court, which had not announced a decision from the bench since the start of the coronavirus pandemic almost three years ago, returned to the courtroom on Monday to issue a unanimous decision in a case on veterans benefits.

The decision, the first in an argued case in the term that started in October, was announced by its author, Justice Amy Coney Barrett. It was the first time she had summarized an opinion from the bench.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. noted a second development: The court dismissed as improvidently granted a case on the scope of the attorney-client privilege.

If the developments were minor, they nonetheless marked a return to normalcy, reviving a courtroom ceremony that has been part of tradition for centuries.
A few weeks after losing the 2020 election, President Donald J. Trump called Ronna McDaniel, the head of the Republican National Committee, with a plan for keeping himself in office. During the call, he asked John C. Eastman, an architect of the strategy, to lay it out: Trump supporters in states that the president had lost would act as if they were official Electoral College delegates, an audacious scheme to circumvent voters.

After the plan was put in motion, Ms. McDaniel forwarded an elector recap report to Mr. Trumps executive assistant, who replied soon after, Its in front of him!

Such details, from the report released in December by the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, offer fresh evidence that Mr. Trump was not on the periphery of the effort to overturn the election results in Georgia but at the center of it.

For the last two years, prosecutors in Atlanta have been conducting a criminal investigation into whether the Trump team interfered in the presidential election in Georgia, which Mr. Trump narrowly lost to President Biden. With the wide-ranging inquiry now entering the indictment phase, the central question is whether Mr. Trump himself will face criminal charges.
Lunar New Year turned tragic over the weekend in Monterey Park, a city in the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California that is among the most predominantly Asian American in the country.

A gunman entered a dance venue late Saturday night and opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring another 10. The man who the police say carried out the shooting  identified as Huu Can Tran, 72  was found dead Sunday afternoon from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Law enforcement officials are investigating the details of the attack and the motive of the gunman. The police believe he attempted a second attack at a dance hall in nearby Alhambra, but his gun was wrested away from him and he fled. We want to know how something like this, something this awful, can happen, Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County said in a press briefing Sunday evening.

The shooting was the deadliest in the United States since the massacre in Uvalde, Texas, last May, when 19 children and two teachers were killed. And it was the second mass shooting in less than a week in California, after gunmen killed a family of six in Tulare County last Monday in what the police said was probably a gang-related killing.
An illegal-fishing trafficker ordered henchmen to kill an expert on Indigenous tribes in June because he was disrupting the illicit game trade, Brazilian authorities said Monday, leading to an assassination that also left a British journalist dead. The killings attracted international attention to the bloody conflict over the Amazon rainforest.

Brazilian federal police officials said they had gathered evidence that showed Ruben Dario da Silva Villar, a Colombian man widely known as Colombia, had ordered the killing of Bruno Pereira, 41, an activist and former Brazilian government official, because he was helping Indigenous tribes combat illegal fishing and hunting.

As a result, they said, he was hurting Mr. Villars business.

When other men went to carry out the orders, pursuing Mr. Pereira in a boat and shooting him with shotguns, they also killed the person he was with: Dom Phillips, 57, a British freelance journalist who had written for The Guardian and The New York Times and was traveling in the Amazon at work on a book.
Because one of their friends, a minor, had been detained after placing a picture of the devastated Dnipro building at the base of the statue, Ms. Saifytdinova waited until there were no people around so they could not be accused of staging an unsanctioned protest.

I already spent eight days in jail for protesting mobilization, she said. If I am detained again, I face criminal charges.

That could mean a sentence of up to 10 years.

Its like Russian roulette, she said. You never know when something bad could happen, or when it wont happen. Some people have been detained for holding a blank piece of paper in public.

Mr. Shatalov said he was planning to leave Russia soon because he feared arrest.

I believe that I would do more good in another country than by staying here without a job and without a livelihood, he said. What will I accomplish when I sit in a prison camp: Will I be beaten up constantly or kept in a cage all the time like Navalny? Or someone from the private military company Wagner will come to try to recruit me to fight in Ukraine with threats that if I dont sign up? Theyll just drive me to the point where I kill myself.

Still, some who risk arrest insist on showing their resistance.

Moscow is a huge city, and everyone is quiet, said Ms. Varenik, the lawyer, before she was detained for her antiwar poster. I want to show the world that we should not be quiet. We allow all of this with our silence.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has vowed to take action against corruption in the wake of an officials dismissal for embezzlement, stressing that the focus on the war would not detract from tackling an endemic issue in his country.

Corruption plagued Ukraine long before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in late February. And while fighting Russian aggression has been the primary focus of Mr. Zelenskys government, corruption has remained a priority  especially as weapons and aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars flood into the country, and the price tag for reconstruction efforts is estimated to be in the billions.

Mr. Zelensky, who came to power in 2019 on a promise of cleaning up corruption, acknowledged in his overnight address Sunday that the governments main focus is on defense, foreign policy, and war.

But this does not mean that I do not see or hear what is being said in society at different levels, he said, citing issues with energy and military procurement, and saying his government would take the necessary powerful steps.
Several kids in Indonesia have reportedly suffered stomach burns after consuming a popular liquid nitrogen-containing street snack called chiki ngebul.

Commonly known as dragons breath in Indonesia, chiki ngebul is an assortment of rainbow-colored candies coated in a cloud of liquid nitrogen mist that causes the person eating them to exhale that mist, like a dragon. However, health experts warn that if the snack is consumed before the liquid nitrogen has evaporated, it poses a very real risk of intestinal burns and perforations. So far, over 20 kids have been diagnosed with stomach burns after allegedly filming themselves eating chiki ngebul as part of a dangerous TikTok trend.

The Deputy Governor of West Java, Uu Ruzhanul Ulum, recently banned the sales of the liquid nitrogen-infused snacks after over a dozen kids reportedly suffered intestinal burns caused by chiki ngebul consumption. He also urged local authorities and school officials to check the ingredients used by street vendors and make sure they are safe for kids.

Dr. Dicky Budiman, an Indonesian doctor and researcher of global health security at Griffith University, confirmed the potential of liquid nitrogen to cause intestinal burns and perforations and warned that, due to the online popularity of chiki ngebul, the number of affected children could be much higher than reported.

Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, the Indonesian ministry of healths director general, stated that skin burns and severe breathing difficulties are two other potential risks associated with liquid nitrogen consumption, and appealed for more strict oversight of chiki ngebul sales.



The controversy surrounding the band of chiki ngebul in Indonesia sparked a heated online debate, with those opposing the measure claiming that the liquid nitrogen-infused candy had been sold on the street for years without any reported accidents. They say that video-sharing platforms like TikTok, which encourage youths to take part in all sorts of dumb challenges bear most of the blame.
A Chinese woman accused her ex-husband of getting her addicted to hormone-based drugs that have ruined her life, after wrongly suspecting that she had cheated on him.

Liu Chang, a doctor from the Chinese province of Shandong, first accused her ex-husband, who is also a physician, of slowly poisoning her in 2019. At the time, Liu posted on social media that her spouse, Gao Zhisen, had been secretly administering her hormone-based drugs since 2016, and that they had caused her physical disability and severe second-degree injury. The couple divorced in 2017, and Liu has been fighting to bring her ex-husband to justice ever since. Despite efforts to have Gao answer for his alleged crime, Liu only managed to get a court date earlier this month, four years after her first revelations.

I have become disabled and severely depressed because of this incident, he has destroyed my life, Liu Chang recently told reporters. I dont want money and Ive given up on civil damages. He has ruined my life and I just want justice.

Liu claims that she started feeling unwell in October 2016, more than a year after marrying Gao Zhisen. She was experiencing blurred vision, leg cramps, serious weight gain as well as unusual cracks in her skin. She went to a fellow doctor for a checkup and was told that her symptoms looked like those of someone who had taken too many hormone-based drugs over a short period of time.

Only Liu hadnt taken any hormone-based medication. It was at this point that she recalled her husband giving her some cold medication a couple of months before. The couple separated soon after, but in September 2017, the womans mother found a large stash of medicine, including seven dexamethasones (a hormonal drug), at their former home. After Liu accused Gao of poisoning her, the couple divorced in December 2017.

Liu reported the case to the police after the divorce, but she was told that there was not enough evidence to warrant an official investigation. For the next few months, she tried appealing to different authorities, but it was only in 2019, after posting her story on social media that things really started happening.

In March 2022, the police finally notified Liu Chang that her case was eligible for filing and that they finally starting an investigation. Gao was arrested in April of last year, but claimed that the dexamethasone was used to treat a condition Liu had and that he couldnt have poisoned her since they both drank the same glass of water and the same carton of milk.

Gao also told police that his ex-wife had had an affair with a local official during their short marriage, which Liu denies. Authorities now believe that his suspicion could be the motive behind the alleged poisoning.
Cameroonian families have taken refuge in Utanga, Obanliku, Nigeria after fleeing insecurity in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon (file photo).

Yaounde, Cameroon  Officials in Cameroon say separatists have killed two election officials in Cameroon , capital of the Northwest region. The rebels have vowed to disrupt Cameroon's March 12 Senate elections. The government says election preparations will continue, despite the killings.

Cameroonians say they got up on Friday morning and noticed that the military presence in major streets of Bamenda, the capital of Cameroon's Northwest region, had increased.

The military said several homes, especially in the area around Foncha Street, a popular neighborhood, were searched Thursday night but did not say why the search was carried out or if any arrests were made.

It is on Foncha Street that the body of Gilbert Yufela Tateng, district chairman of Cameroon's elections management body in Jakiri town, about 90 kilometers north of Bamenda, was found Thursday morning.

The military said Tateng was shot and killed Wednesday night.

The elections body, ELECAM, said Tateng was preparing for Cameroon's March 12 senatorial elections.

ELECAM also said John Fai, its official in charge of organizing elections in Momo, an administrative unit in the Northwest region, was also killed on Thursday. Both ELECAM and the government of Cameroon say the officials were killed by separatists.

Capo Daniel, spokesperson and deputy defense chief of the separatist Ambazonia Defense Forces, said the two officials defied separatists' orders and were involved in election preparations.

"Any Ambazonia citizen that participates in Cameroon's senatorial elections will face serious consequences. The officials of Cameroon that are charged to conduct such elections, will be hunted by our forces for charges of enabling colonialism," Daniel said. "Two officials of ELECAM have already suffered the fate for collaborating with an enemy state to enforce its laws on our people."

Separatists dismiss local media reports that Fai was killed by an angry mob.

Ambazonia is what English-speaking separatists call the breakaway state they are fighting to carve out from majority French-speaking Cameroon.

President Paul Biya last week announced that Senate elections will be held March 12. ELECAM staff are in their offices accepting candidate applications ahead of the January 28 registration deadline.

ELECAM chairperson Enow Abrams Egbe told a news conference in Yaounde this week that security has been improved following separatists' threats to disrupt the elections.

"We must be ready to meet the challenges ahead, and in so doing, bring our efficient contributions to the peacebuilding process, dialogue and national cohesion in our dear and beautiful country," Egbe said. "Our vision and ambition is to increase voter turnout and preserve citizens' rights to vote as guarantee for inclusive and universally accepted electoral process in our country,"

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Cameroon's government says the elections must take place as planned.

About 15,000 councilors in 60 divisions across Cameroon make up the electoral college that will vote on March 12.

Lawrence Tangwa, a councilor from Bui, an administrative unit where Jakiri is located, says voters, candidates and elections officials should not be punished for organizing or participating in elections.

"I know that there are threats quite alright, but it is the right of the state to protect citizens and property," Tangwa said. "It is a civic responsibility to take part in elections, it is your own way that you participate in local development because if you're not there to choose the persons that will lead you, certainly people will make wrong choices for you and I think that they (voters and candidates) are all mobilizing towards the 12th of March."

Separatists in English-speaking western Cameroon launched their rebellion in 2017 after what they said was years of discrimination by the country's French-speaking majority.

The conflict has killed more than 3,500 people and displaced more than a half-million, according to the United Nations
A FINE of 200 was imposed on a homeless man who failed to have a prosecution for a public order offence dismissed at Tullamore District Court.

Steven Breen (36), of no fixed abode, was accused of being intoxicated in a public place and being a danger to himself or others at Main Street in Tullamore on September 30 last.

The prosecuting guard, Garda Dermot Bannon, explained that Mr Breen had sent an email saying he could not be in court because he was of no fixed abode in Dublin.

Aine Rush, BL, defence barrister, said she had previously appeared for the accused and Judge Andrew Cody decided to hear the case.

Garda Bannon said that on the afternoon of September 30 the man was highly intoxicated, there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor from him and his speech was slurred. He arrested him and brought him to the station for his own safety.

Defending barrister Aine Rush sought a direction from Judge Andrew Cody because the garda had not given evidence as to how and why Mr Breen had been a danger to himself or others.

The only evidence of intoxication was that the man's speech was slurred and there was a smell of intoxicating liquor.

Judge Cody said the garda had stated the accused had to be arrested for own safety so that meant he was a danger to himself.

Garda Bannon then said Mr Breen was highly intoxicated and had a number of cans of alcohol on his person. He was unsure of his surroundings and had no address in Tullamore.

Ms Rush said she still believed the standard of proof had not been met but Judge Cody decided to convict Mr Breen.

Garda Bannon said the defendant had previous convictions for public order offences, including public drunkenness, breaches of the peace and theft.

Asked by Judge Cody about Mr Breen's personal circumstances, Ms Rush said she had not had a consultation with him recently but she was aware he had been in a psychiatric unit and was a homeless man of very limited means.

Judge Cody imposed the fine granted legal aid. He also fixed recognisances for an appeal.
Oliver Mulpeter was heard to say he would not miss it for the world and carrying the national flag, which he proudly bore as the nephew of one of the wounded soldiers, he was among the first to arrive at a commemoration earlier this month of the Civil War ambush at Raheen in January 1923.

The commemoration was to honour soldiers of the National Army who were wounded in the Civil War ambush, two of whom died some weeks later.

Relatives of all four casualties gathered for a roadside ceremony on a bitterly cold January day with traffic thundering past inches away on that busy road between Raheen and Geashill in North Offaly.

An honour guard of soldiers of The Irish Defence Forces Veterans group was present led by Declan Sheridan. They came to attention and gave the salute as the ceremony progressed - a poignant mark of respect to their comrades-in-arms of a century ago, their presence there an important and vital element of the event.

It was 100 years to the day that the ambush took place at that spot, within sight of old Raheen chapel, on a bend of the road overlooked by rising ground. The ambush party opened fire with rifles and a Lewis gun from both sides of the road on a platoon of 14 soldiers marching from their Geashill garrison to Sunday Mass. Luckily the Lewis gun jammed, otherwise casualties would have been much higher.

John Lacey of Clopook in Laois, the senior officer leading the party and the lieutenant in charge of the garrison was hit in the shoulder but continued to organise a defence from the ditches where his men had taken cover.

Private Patrick Lynch of Ballyfore, Croghan was struck in the leg and died on January 12 from sepsis in the Curragh Military hospital.

Private P.C. White of Blessington, Wicklow was struck in the left shoulder and died on January 18th from secondary haemorrhage, also at the Curragh.

Private Patrick Mulpeter of Tober, Daingean was struck in the leg also but both he and Lieutenant Lacey recovered from their wounds.

The event organiser local historian P.J. Goode spoke of how privileged he was to have this opportunity, being the son of a National Army volunteer who was also wounded in the Civil Wa.

He described the ambush and named the casualties, spoke of how most of that new army had previously been volunteers of the IRA.

Lynch was the adjutant of Croghan Company, White was a member of Blessington Flying Column, Lacey was extremely active in his part of Laois and the Mulpeters were members of Cloneygowan Company IRA.

Dr. Philip McConway spoke at length about the events leading to the ambush and its aftermath. He is the leading historian on the Revolutionary period in Offaly and is preparing a multi-volume work on the subject.

Declan Sheridan of the Army Veterans group spoke of the failure of the state, being neither capable nor willing to honour the 700 or so fatal deaths of National Army soldiers, casualties of the Civil War and leaving it to local volunteer groups like those present to address their shortcomings. He spoke of the States ongoing neglect of it duty to the army and neglect of army veterans.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Cloneygowan community by P.J. Goode and on behalf of Lieutenant Lacey by members of his relatives from Laois and Oliver Mulpeter made his contribution too.

Among the relatives of the Lieutenant were his cousins Raymond and Paddy Lacey, others were Olive Lacey, Patsy Dwyer, Mary McDonald and Jennifer Taggart. Among the relatives of Volunteer Lynch were nephews Sean Lynch and Ned Sheeran along with his son and grandson, grandniece Elizabeth Rigney Alexander, Patsy Feery, Michael Hannon, along with neighbours of the Lynches of Croghan. Present also were the Davis brothers from Bogtown, Brendan Berry, Niall and Amelia Goode.

Commented P.J. Goode: "It might have been a windswept corner on a biting cold winters day yet in the hearts of the men and women present beat a compassionate desire to remember and honour those young men, especially the two who had given all they had and all they would ever become in defence of the emerging state, Saorstat Eireann."
QUESTIONS were asked at the January 12 meeting of Tullamore Municipal District as to when the traffic lights would be energised at the new junction at Collins Lane, Tullamore, near the Educate Together School.

Councillor Sean O'Brien said there was a lot of concern there from the residents on different estates. ''This has been going on for so long, it's quite a dangerous junction. I think it needs to be lit up as soon as possible. There were two serious accidents with cyclists there and it needs to be completed,'' he said.

Councillor Ken Smollen said there had been a number of accidents at the junction with cyclists hitting the path and going out over the handlebars.

''In order to create a clear distinction between the roadway and the cycle lane would it be possible to put a small plastic bollard between the road and cycle lane,'' he asked.

Responding Senior Executive Engineer, John Connelly said the junction is almost complete, but there are more road markings needed. ''The public lighting is working, that is energised, but the traffic lights are not,'' he said.

Mr Connelly said ''it is the only junction of its type outside of Dublin. It's the design and we have to try to get it right. It is at the transition stage, the cars have to come out right to the edge of the line and take the turns at a more sharper angle than would normally.''

He said the cycle lanes are currently closed because of incidents that happened earlier.

He added that the cycle lanes will be paved differently and the crossing through the junction will be red.

The Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Neil Feighery commented, ''we all want to see Collins Lane finished. We have to remember it is a groundbreaking junction that will allow for cycle lanes in conjunction with pedestrian traffic. While there was a bit of work to be done to future proof it, we look forward to it being energised. It is set to be a very positive addition to that area and to all the school going children who use it,'' he said.
In a desperate move to restore his reputation, Prince Andrew consulted with lawyers in the hopes of having the allegations against him retracted.

Prince Andrew is believed to be building a 10 million war chest to reopen the sexual assault lawsuit bought against him by Virginia Giuffre in the hopes of overturning the settlement and perhaps securing an apology.

Clearing his name

Mail Online reports that theDuke of Yorks move to seek a reopening of the sexual assault lawsuit comes after Giuffre dropped a lawsuit against another man, admitting that she could have been mistaken when identifying him.

According to the grapevine, King Charles isnt against Prince Andrew taking legal action to try and clear his name. However, the King has supposedly warned the Duke that he would be permanently exiled from Royal life.

The publication claims that Prince Andrew didnt necessarily want to settle but that he was left with no choice for fear the lawsuit would negatively affect his late mother, Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. A source claimed:

Andrew felt as if he was in a pressure-cooker as if he was given no option but to settle. But he never wanted to settle and has always insisted he was innocent. He wants to see what legal routes might be available to him.

The source also added:

This isn't about the money. He wants a route back to some sort of normality after a deeply trying period.

Prince Andrew should man up

An American lawyer representing several Jeffrey Epsteins victims called the Duke of Yorks actions desperate' and believes Prince Andrews chances of overturning a negotiated and agreed settlement are slim to none. He said:

His chances of overturning a negotiated and agreed settlement are just about as much as Epstein coming back to life.

Read more:

 Prince Andrew allegedly wants King Charles to give him back his birth right

 Prince Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson reveals the real reason why they got divorced

 Prince Andrew will have a 'psychological breakdown', according to psychic who predicted Queen's death

Another lawyer representing some of the victims also believes Prince Andrews chances are non-existent and that he should man up. She states the Duke shouldnt be allowed an out of a settlement that was carefully negotiated whilst he was being represented by an experienced, respected counsel.

Sources used:

- Mail Online: In a dramatic move that will enrage his critics, Prince Andrew consults his lawyers in the hope of ending his royal exile. The Duke of York is hoping to overturn his sex abuse deal

- Mail Online: 'Prince Andrew 'assembles 10m war chest to launch legal case against accuser Virginia Giuffre' - but US lawyers tell him he should 'forget it' and be 'grateful he's not in jail' over Epstein scandal'

- Express: Prince Andrew warned plot to overturn 3m settlement with Giuffre 'not going to happen'
There's travel chaos at Heathrow Airport this morning as freezing fog has resulted in the cancellation of around 80 flights, affecting over 12,000 passengers.

Over 12,000 passengers will be affected by the cancellation of approximately 80 flights with British Airways alone this morning at Heathrow Airport due to freezing fog.

Freezing fog causes travel chaos

Freezing fog causes delays at airports especially as it forms a layer of thin ice on aeroplanes which will need to be de-iced.

On Sunday evening 22 January, airlines were told they would have to reduce the number of flights operating by approximately 15% as a result of weather and Air Traffic Control restrictions. Consequently, services on Sunday night were also affected.

Destinations impacted by the cancellations include Berlin, Amsterdam and Miami.

This morning, Monday 23 January, temperatures were as low as -6C with poor visibility. The Met Office has placed a yellow weather warning for fog until 11:00 GMT on Monday for parts of southern and eastern England.

A Heathrow spokesperson said poor visibility was also forecast at the airport:

While there may be minor changes to [Monday's] schedule as a result of the weather, we want to reassure passengers that our colleagues are working in close collaboration with our airline and air traffic control partners to get them safely away on their journeys as quickly as possible.

British Airways said in a statement it had 'apologised to customers whose flights have been affected' and it was 'doing everything we can to get them on their way as quickly as possible'. It recommends customers check its website before making their way to the airport.

Good morning.

Flights in/out of Heathrow are severely disrupted by freezing fog, with more than 80 cancellations on British Airways alone today. Other airlines also affected.https://t.co/NRy6dFCSwt  Simon Calder (@SimonCalder) January 23, 2023

Travel warnings and advice issued

It comes as the UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia due to reasons ranging from strike action to a recent terrorist attack. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also issued safety and security warnings this month to those wanting to travel to one of the four countries.

Between January 6 and January 18, the FCDO made updates to travel advice for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia as situations including military activity, political demonstrations and an erupting volcano have increased the risks for tourists.

Turkey

Travellers have been advised not to travel to the Eastern province of Hakkari - or to 'take extra care' if you must make an essential journey to this region as Mount Ararat, in Agr province, is a special military zone.

France

Travellers have been advised of potential travel disruption due to strike action over the French government's plans to raise the retirement age. The UK Foreign Office warns tourists to avoid demonstrations 'wherever possible.'

Egypt

Travellers have been warned against visiting a number of provinces in the north of Egypt after a terrorist attack to the west of the Suez Canal in late December. FCDO warns there is still a risk of terrorist attacks across the country.

Indonesia

On January 7, the Mount Marapi volcano erupted in the west Sumatra region of Indonesia. Tourists and locals are not allowed in the area and within 3km of the crater. If youre in the exclusion zone, you should leave immediately. It is recommended that tourists visiting the country remain vigilant.

Sources used:

- BBC: 'Heathrow Airport: Dozens of flights cancelled due to freezing fog'

- MyLondon: 'Heathrow and Gatwick: Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia travel advice and warnings issued after terrorist attack, volcano eruption and strikes'
Wajir, Kenya  Security officials in Kenya say they have killed 10 suspected al-Shabab militants in Kenya's northeast, just a week after militants there killed four engineers near a regional development project.

Security officials say the operation targeted an al-Shabab hideout in Kenya's Garissa County, the scene of many al-Shabab attacks in the past.

"The operation took place in the wee hours of Wednesday morning and our multi-agency security team managed to neutralize 10 militants in the Bon, Galamagala division of Bura East sub-county," said Thomas Bett, deputy county commissioner.

Bett told the Reuters news agency that agents recovered rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices during the operation.

He told VOA that security agencies have heightened their operations in Garissa and said they will flush out the al-Shabab elements from the area.

"The operation was an intelligence led and we are saying we will sustain the operation to get rid of these al-Shabab elements, who have become a menace," Bett said.

The incident comes barely a week after the Islamist group killed four engineers at a Chinese construction site for the Lapsset transportation project.

Bett urged the public to give information to authorities and report anything suspicious.

"As a government we continue asking the people to share any crucial information, let them have confidence in the government, and that the government is going to protect them under whatever means," he said.

Somalia-based al-Shabab has been active in Kenya since 2011, when Kenya first contributed troops to the African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

The Islamist militant group killed nearly 150 people at Garissa University College in 2015.
The van was found as part of a manhunt after a gunman killed 10 people at a ballroom dance studio amid Lunar New Years celebrations in a predominantly Asian American outside of Los Angeles.
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A now-deleted tweet by a journalist explained why Beyonce didn't show off any dance moves during her most recent performance overseas.
Alec Baldwin shared a photo of his wife Hilaria Baldwin and their 6-year-old son Leo. It was the 64-year-old actors first social media post since being charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter involving the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer on the set of his film Rust. Click inside to read more Along [...]
Pressure is growing on Germany to supply Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. Chancellor Scholz does not (yet) want to commit himself. That's partly because he is playing to his party, the Social Democrats.
Pressure is growing on Germany to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks. Chancellor Scholz does not want to commit  yet. That's partly because he is playing to his party, the Social Democrats.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania  The family of a Tanzanian student who was in prison in Russia says it has confirmation that he was killed fighting for Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries in Ukraine.

Tanzanian media reported that Nemes Tarimo, 33, had been arrested on drug-related charges in Russia and was told he'd be released if he fought in Ukraine.

Tarimo's relatives said that in late December, they received information about his death from some of his friends in Russia. They later got confirmation of his death from the Tanzanian Embassy in Moscow. They said there were reports that Tarimo was killed in the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, a site of heavy fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine. Those reports have not been confirmed.

No one in Tarimo's family has seen his body yet. A video circulating on social media shows men in military fatigues holding candles around a casket. In the video, a picture of Tarimo, two medals and a certificate are placed on the casket, which is draped with a Wagner flag.

Rehema Kigobe, Tarimo's sister, said the family does not fully understand what happened to him. She said his relatives were hurt because they had seen news circulating that showed he'd been killed fighting for Russia, something they were not aware he was doing. She said he'd received a master's scholarship to study in Russia.

No military training

Some family members, like Alphone John, Tarimo's grandfather, were shocked by the news that he'd been on the battlefield.

"We wonder how he managed to go to the war, because he has never undergone any military training, even at the primary level when he left here," John said through a translator.

Tarimo's mother, Luoida Sambulika, said her son was polite, God-fearing and supportive.

"Nemes grew up to be a very handsome young man," she said through a translator. "He has been very respectful, calm and kind. He used to come out of school, and often you'll find him at his computer, doing his work. He was not a person who prefers bad groups."

Last year, a Zambian national who had also been arrested on drug charges and convicted in Russia died in Ukraine while fighting for Wagner. Like Tarimo, Lemekhani Nyirenda was promised his freedom if he worked as a mercenary.

Several other Africans who immigrated to Russia reportedly were recruited by Wagner to fight in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Tarimo's body apparently remains in Russia. The Tanzanian Embassy originally said it would be brought back to Tanzania by January 10. The embassy remains in touch with the family members and says it will notify them when Tarimo makes his last journey home.
Police teams swarmed a vehicle they believed was tied to the shooter who killed 10 people at a dance venue in Monterey Park, near Los Angeles. The man inside the vehicle has died, according to reports.
British Airways says it has had to cancel around 80 flights out of the airport on Monday.
Multi-million-dollar contracts awarded by the Business Development Bank of Canada [BDC] to consulting firm McKinsey, coupled with some unusual spending choices  including a decision to fly a private chauffeur to B.C. to drive the Crown corporation's president around  are raising eyebrows within the BDC, sources say.
A 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend have received long prison sentences in connection with the murder of her parents in a village near Bayreuth. Altogether 33 witnesses were heard during the trial.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Warsaw would ask for permission from Berlin to send German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but could do so without getting the green light. Follow DW for more.
Known as the first suburban Chinatown, the city would spearhead massive demographic changes across Southern California.
Sky News 30 Jan 2023

Rishi Sunak has said he acted "decisively" in sacking Nadhim Zahawi as chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday following a row..
Abuja, Nigeria  Nigerian authorities say armed men on Thursday night attacked a village in north central Benue state, near an IDP camp, killing at least eight people, and beheading some of them.

Benue state security adviser Paul Hemba told Lagos-based Channels TV the attack happened around 9 in the evening Thursday in the town of Makurdi, just opposite the Abagana Camp for internally displaced people.

Hemba said the attackers decapitated some of the victims.

He said eight people were injured, three of them with severe chest injuries.

Benue state police spokesman Yar Sewuese spoke by phone Friday to VOA.

"At the moment I can only confirm there was an attack last night, they're on it. Some persons died; some were injured," Sewuese said. "The commissioner himself is on his way to that place, maybe in two hours' time they'll be done with that venue, and they'll speak with me."

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities suspect ethnic Fulani herders.

Farmers and herders frequently clash over land and resources in northwest and central Nigeria, especially in Benue and neighboring Nassarawa state.

Scores were killed in clashes last year between the communities, including children.

The attack is the second in two years near the Abagana camp after one in 2021 that left seven people dead.

The camp has been providing refuge to hundreds who fled a 2018 attack blamed on herders that left 73 people dead.

Nigerian authorities are struggling to contain a wave of violence ahead of February 25 elections.
By Rauf Baker*



After a bloody war that saw hundreds of thousands killed and millions displaced over a decade, Syria has..

Eurasia Review 04 Jan 2023
A man believed to be the Wagner Group's first defector to the West is being held by police.
Texas GOP Senator Ted Cruz is reintroducing his bill to reinstate military service members who were fired under the Biden administration's COVID vaccine mandate and give them back pay.
Watch VideoPresident Joe Biden said he was surprised when informed that government records were found by his attorneys at his..

Newsy 11 Jan 2023
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has advised new signing Mykhailo Mudryk not to allow his price tag to stifle his ability to express himself on the field.
Thousands of ambulance workers are staging more strikes as the Chancellor was urged to find the money to pay health workers fairly in order to end the walkouts.
More than 1,000 striking CNH Industrial workers will soon vote on an offer from the maker of construction and agricultural..

SeattlePI.com 03 Jan 2023
Economists working for consultancy EY said with less Government support and higher taxes the next three years could be worse than they had anticipated
Here's the latest for Monday, January 23: Authorities search for motive in Los Angeles-area killings; Poland seeks to send tanks to Ukraine; Hundreds of Haitian migrants rescued off the Bahamas; Giant iceberg breaks from Antarctica.


With five weeks gone into the period of transition from old to new Naira notes and just barely one week to the deadline for acceptance of the old notes as legal tender, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the commercial banks appear to be at logger heads over the circulation of the new notes.

Financial Vanguard, in a working visits to several branches of commercial banks in Lagos and Abuja last weekend discovered that the banks were struggling to comply with a CBN directive mandating them to stop dispensing old notes and ensure that all their Automatic Teller Machines, ATMs, are adequately loaded with the new notes.

They told Financial Vanguard that they do not have enough cash in the new notes to comply with the directive, adding that in the interim, they have to continue dispensing the old notes since they cannot turn back customers in need of cash.

Confirming this development to Financial Vanguard, a top CBN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it is true that the apex bank directed the banks not to load old notes in their ATMs.

He explained that the directive was aimed at fast-tracking the circulation of the new notes ahead of the deadline of January 31st 2023 when the old notes will cease to be legal tenders.

He also said that though the banks could complain of limited supply of the new notes the CBN has also found out that the banks may actually be hoarding the new notes for either completion advantage or for vested interests of privileged customers. This, according to him, was why the apex bank was forcing the banks to dispense the new notes.

Meanwhile, some banks' customers who were apparently frustrated by the situation told Vanguard that they expect the apex bank to extend the deadline for retiring the old Naira notes in view of the difficulties in getting the new notes to circulate widely.

At the backdrop of the crises, Financial Vanguard discovered that most banks did not offer cash withdrawal services in most of their ATMs. In most branches visited, only one or two out several ATMs dispensed cash.

First Bank, Union Bank struggle with CBN

directive

In a bid to comply with the CBN directives most ATM owned by FirstBank branches on Lagos Island were without cash on Thursday. But by Friday, they began to dispense cash in the new Naira notes only. However, many of the bank's ATMs remained without cash into Saturday in many other parts of Lagos. In the branches visited by Financial Vanguard which included Acme Road, Ikeja, Ikotun-Idimu road branch, and Akowonjo branch, only one ATM out of several dispensed cash in the new notes while others were without cash.

According to a FirstBank official, the bank was complying with the directive of the CBN that banks should not load old naira notes in their ATMs.

Speaking to Financial Vanguard on condition of anonymity, he said, "They told us, no new notes, no cash in ATMs, that is what the CBN said. So all our ATMs did not dispense cash from yesterday till this afternoon (Friday).

"But what we have is not enough to go round all the ATMs. In my branch we just started dispensing about two hours ago. They gave us N3.5 million of new notes. We have five machines, and we usually load each with N8 million for the weekend. So what we did was to put N3.5 million new notes into one ATM. As you can see the queue is long. The money will soon be exhausted.

"Initially there was no limit to the amount each customer could withdraw, but seeing the queue and the fact that we may not have another supply till next week, we decided to impose a limit of N40,000 per customer."

A Financial Vanguard visit to the Union Bank Head Office branch showed that three of the five ATMs dispensed new naira notes, while the remaining two did not dispense cash.

At the Union Bank branch on Tinubu Street, Lagos Island, one out of the three ATMs was dispensing new naira notes while the other two were without cash. The Union Bank branch at Ikotun has four ATMs but only two were dispensing the new naira notes. The Union Bank branch at Agidingbi, Ikeja had three ATMs with two dispensing the new naira notes.

New generation banks' ATMs dispense old,new notes

A visit to two new generation bank branches in Amuwo Odofin shows that at the time of visit, their ATMs were dispensing new naira notes.

But some customers that I interacted with claimed that the ATMs in the bank had earlier dispensed a mixture of both old and new notes.

However, the ATMs in a branch of another new generation bank in the area dispensed new N1000 and N500 notes when visited.

Some other new generation banks dispense old, new notes

The Igando and University of Lagos branches of new generation banks are dispensing both old naira notes and new notes.

The Bariga, Alausa Ikeja and 7Up branches of another bank dispensed both the old and new notes.

When Vanguard spoke with some customers on their reaction to the situation, they said: "Please CBN should reverse their decision on the January 31, deadline. Many people have not seen or received the money at all. The first deadline should be to the banks. CBN should give ample time for the circulation of the new notes and instruct the commercial banks to stop dispensing the old notes to the masses; then they can enforce a deadline on the people.

"Many are still dispensing old notes, maybe they will stop by end of this month".

GTBank, Wema mix old, new notes

A visit to a few of other banks revealed that many of the machines were not operational as only two out of the six ATMs in the area were working and dispensed new notes.

At the bank's Surulere, Lagos, branch last weekend the ATMs dispensed old and new Naira notes.

The GTBank branches at Lawanson and Ojuelegba areas of Lagos dispensed both new and old notes. Those who withdrew small amount of money ranging from N2000.00 and N5000.00 got new notes while those that withdrew N10,000.00 and above got the old notes. But for Ijeshatedo branch only old notes were dispensed.

On the other hand, branches of GTBank located at 23 Road Festac Town, Ago Palace Way Amuwo-Odofin and the one at Apapa Oshodi Expressway opposite Ibafo Tank Farm dispensed only old notes.

A visit to two branches of Wema Bank Plc at the same Surulere showed that their ATMs dispensed old notes. The two branches are located in Lawanson and Ojuelegba, while the one at Coker, Badagry Expressway dispensed new notes.

At Wema Bank Head Office in Marina, Lagos Island, two of the three ATMs were dispensing old notes when Financial visited the bank, while the last one dispensed new notes.

When asked, some officials of the banks who preferred to remain anonymous why their ATMs still dispensed old notes even as the deadline for use of the old Naira gets closer, they explained that the new notes is not sufficiently supplied to the branches and that is why there is a mixture of both old and new currency at various ATMs. The official could not tell if the short supply was from the bank's headoffice or from the CBN.

They further said that that they expect the CBN to extend the deadline for decommissioning of the old Naira notes since the new notes are not yet circulated widely.

Some customers who spoke on this issue said from this week they will start to rejecting old notes especially from the banks and protest over it to the government.

A visit to two new generation bank branches in Satellite Town and Wharf Road, Apapa, by Vanguard on Friday showed that the one in Satellite Town was still dispensing old notes while that of Wharf Road, Apapa was dispensing new N1,000 notes.

Similarly, the bank's branches at Park Lane, Warehouse Road and Burma Road, all in Apapa visited by Vanguard were also dispensing new N1,000 notes.

Abuja ATMs dispense old, new notes

Our correspondents who monitored many ATMs in Abuja over the weekend reported that although some were dispensing new Naira notes, the majority were still dispensing old notes that would seize to be legal tender in about a week from today.

However, a visit to ATMs owned by some new generation bank branches indicated that those dispensing old notes were more than those dispense the new notes.

CBN has threatened to sanction any bank found to be diverting new notes issued to them, as the January 31, deadline draws closer.

A branch manager of a second generation bank claimed that there was not enough new naira as the branch received N10 million pack and has since then been rationing it among customers. She said that the ATMs will start dispensing the new notes on Monday (today).

"We do not have the new notes. You can check next week," said one of the bank cashiers.

At the Zonal Headquarters of a number of new generation bank branches, located at the Banks Avenue in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, only one out of the six ATMs was dispensing new notes, in the early hours of Friday.

However, by midday, even the only machine that was dispensing new notes started dispensing old notes.

A customer who expected to withdraw new notes from the machine, having been directed to that particular machine by a staff of the bank was heard complaining that he received old notes, instead of new ones.

However, the ATM at the one in Area 11, Garki branch, dispensed new Naira notes to customers, same with the Union Bank, Area 8, Garki Branch and also Keystone Bank's ATM adjacent to Conoil Petrol Station, Kado Estate.

CBN dispatches officials to monitor ATMs

Meanwhile, officials of the CBN, last week, visited some bank branches across the country to ascertain disbursement of new naira notes from their ATMs.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, a Deputy Director at CBN, Seyi Badmus, who led the team that visited ATMs at Union Bank Head Office branch, FCMB Tinubu branch, Wema Bank, Mamman Kotangora House, Broad Street, all on Lagos Island, said that all banks have been adequately supplied with new notes and that the information on how much was given to each bank indicates that they should be fully able to comply with the directive.

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He also added that the banks that they observed were not dispensing new notes with claims of unavailability, the monitoring committee would take it upon itself to ensure they get more newly designed notes to be able to comply.

"The data we have confirmed that all banks should have new notes to dispense and the banks that claim they don't have, our monitoring team nationwide is going around to confront them and we would ensure that banks fully comply with dispensing the new notes."

Recall that the Director Legal Services, Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kofo Salam-Alada, has on Thursday said the agency will go tough on banks that continue to fill their ATM machines with old naira notes as the deadline to phase out the notes nears.

He said the CBN was already monitoring banks that were still dispensing old naira notes from their ATMs.

The director who spoke during a sensitisation event said, "I can tell you today that the CBN on daily basis issue out the new notes. As we speak, banks are at the CBN taking money. We are actually begging banks to come and take the new notes from the CBN. We have these new naira notes in our vaults and we are begging banks to come and take it.

"We found out that a lot of things are happening that we need to checkmate, so we stopped withdrawal of new notes over the counter to ensure that everyone can have access to it and not one chief who is known to the manager, walks in, and carts away all the new notes in a particular branch. That is why we said it should be in the ATMs which cannot distinguish people.

"We also have monitors going around banks now. I have been to some ATMs this morning and I have done the reports. We are not mobilising the masses against the banks because the banks are there to serve you, but be rest assured that they will serve you now that they know that the CBN is on them to serve you with the new naira notes."

Recall also that the CBN had on January 7th ordered Deposit Money Banks to load the new naira notes on their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) with immediate effect.

This follows a lot of complaints and dissatisfaction expressed by Nigerians who have not been able to access the redesigned notes since it was rolled out on December 15, 2022.

After receiving a letter from their head office, some banks immediately stopped over the counter disbursement of the new naira notes.
The speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament warned Sunday that countries supplying Ukraine with more powerful weapons risked their own destruction, a message that followed new
(RFE/RL) -- Russian forces are advancing in three directions but continue to concentrate their main efforts on an *offensive in the Bakhmut direction*, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military said on January 22.



The General Staff said there had been "unsuccessful offensive actions" conducted in the Zaporizhzhya,...
Julian Assange should be freed, and the Ukraine War should be ended right away. These are two views expressed by Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour Party leader of Great Britain. These views are in sharp contrast with views typically expressed by prominent politicians of Corbyns nation that has imprisoned Assange for extradition...
Germany has said it would not object if Poland decides to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
The music streaming service Spotify has said it is cutting about 600 jobs, becoming the latest big tech company to admit it expanded too quickly during the coronavirus pandemic. Its co-founder and chief executive, Daniel Ek, told staff in a blogpost that the platform was reducing its workforce by



#spotify #danielek #stockholm #amazon #google #alphabet #badbunny #taylorswift #drake #dawnostroff
A former top FBI official was charged with violating US sanctions on Russia by receiving concealed payments from oligarch Oleg Deripaska, prosecutors said on Monday.
Turkeys president cast serious doubt on NATO's expansion Monday after warning Sweden not to expect support for its bid for membership into the military alliance following weekend protests
More than 60,000 teachers across the country's primary and secondary schools resumed duties for the 2023 academic year this morning.

The Education Department is reminding the teachers to be mindful of their punctuality to their duties.

Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra believes academic and learning achievements will not be effective, if teachers punctuality is lacking.

"We cannot allow for any absenteeism in schools. Provinces must take the leadership to make sure that teachers attendance is an area of urgent attention."

"We as policy makers in the Department and the Ministry, the Teaching Service Commission, we all must work together to make sure that teachers are in the classroom and are teaching."

"If you want to see an improvement in the quality and standard of education, this is one area we have to attend to," said Dr. Kombra.

Meanwhile, the Education Department is encouraging that all resumptions forms be filled within the premises of the schools.

Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra says filling out resumption forms outside their schools is a breach of protocols.

According to the PNG education calendar, all teachers in the country resume duty today, while students commence classes for the 2023 academic year next Monday, January 30, 2023.





NBC News/One PNG News





Next: Sir Bob Dadae makes history to hold Governor General post for two terms
A month before Nigeria's presidential election, top candidates have been exchanging a colourful tirade of insults and accusations over their pasts, the state of their health and even calls for each other's arrest.

With barbs such as "wobbly, wonky" to describe a candidate, a reference to another's "empire of fraud" and a likening to the "Artful Dodger" -- Charles Dickens' pickpocket character -- the rhetoric has heated up as candidates campaign for the February 25 ballot.

The election to replace President Muhammadu Buhari looks set to be a tight race, with a major third party candidate challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the first time since Nigeria's military rule ended in 1999.

Nigeria's past elections were often marred by fraud, vote-buying and veiled rhetoric appealing to ethnic or regional loyalties in a country almost equally split between a Christian south and mostly Muslim north.

Two of the favourites for the presidential election -- APC's Bola Tinubu and PDP's Atiku Abubakar -- are old guard politicians, both in their 70s, wealthy businessmen and accused of past corruption, charges they firmly and repeatedly deny.

In recent weeks, Tinubu's campaign has ramped up verbal attacks on Abubakar, accusing him of running a "criminal enterprise" and an "empire of fraud" by stealing public funds between 1999 and 2007, when the latter was vice-president.

Tinubu, himself nicknamed "the Godfather of Lagos" for his political influence, called on his rival to withdraw or surrender to authorities for corruption.

"They both seek to 'demarket' each other," said Jude Ilo, an analyst at the Thoughts and Mace consulting firm.

"The candidates, mainly from the APC and the PDP, are seeking to rally public opinion against each other."

More than 93 million Nigerians will go to the polls to elect a successor to Buhari, who steps down after two terms.

Whoever wins the presidency of Africa's most populous nation faces countless challenges, from armed gangs and jihadists, to high living costs that have helped push millions into poverty.

'Narcotic-devastated'

A former Lagos governor, Tinubu dubs Abubakar "Mr Sell Everything", describing him as ready "to run off the proceeds".

A US Senate investigation cites Abubakar's name in a money-laundering case.

Between 2000 and 2008, one of his wives at the time, who has American nationality, allegedly "helped her husband repatriate more than $40 million in suspicious funds to the United States via offshore accounts", according to the report.

The PDP candidate was never charged with any crime and his camp dismisses recent corruption claims as lies spread by the APC.

Abubakar has "impeccable character and integrity", according to a party press release.

In turn, the PDP has taken aim at the Lagos "Godfather", mocking him as "wobbly, wonky and narcotic-devastated" -- references to health concerns and a "drug-related seizure of property" from a US-based bank under his name in 1993, according to a US federal court filing in Chicago.

APC denies any wrongdoing by Tinubu during his time in the United States as an accountant.

At 70, the APC candidate has frequently been accused of corruption by critics, but has never been convicted of any charges.

PDP's "Atiku" team has also demanded the arrest of Tinubu, accusing him of preparing an "army of bandits" to "undermine" the ballot.

Tinubu "cannot stand straight or climb (stairs) without help, he suffers from visible tremor in his hands and throbs with the slightest physical exertion", the PDP claimed.

The health of presidential candidates is a sensitive issue in Nigeria, where Buhari was criticised for spending months in Britain during his first term receiving treatment for an unknown illness.

'Mr Stingy'

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Fending off health claims, the APC campaign released videos on social media of their candidate dancing or riding an exercise bike, though some critics questioned the date it was filmed.

Peter Obi, the outsider in the presidential election and candidate for the Labour Party, has not been spared either.

Tinubu nicknames him "Mr Stingy", accusing him of not having spent enough on the population when he was governor of the southeast state of Anambra.

Nigeria "now needs stingy people who keep the money for the development of the country", Obi retorted.

But all the mud-slinging only distracts from debate on Nigeria's myriad problems, critics say.

"From the avalanche of allegations and counter-allegations, do we really know what should qualify or disqualify Tinubu, Atiku and Obi?" influential columnist Dan Agbese from Nigeria's The Guardian newspaper wrote.

"We should move our national politics from the current indulgence in brickbats to a higher level where facts matter more."
Benghazi, Libya (PANA) - The International Conference on Cybersecurity which ended on Monday in Benghazi, Libya's second city (East), affirmed the need to create an Arab cybersecurity centre and the application of artificial intelligence in the cyber defence of society and national computer systems
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Five high-ranking Malian soldiers charged and then imprisoned in Camp 1 at the Gendarmerie in Bamako, in the case of the double murder of two young men, a few days ago, have escaped, PANA has learned from reliable sources in the Malian capital
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity Monday denounced, in the strongest terms, the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, saying it was a brazen attack and provocation of the feelings of Muslims everywhere
The inaugural edition of Mena IPO Summit, which got under way on January 23, is shedding light on the strong impetus and promising prospects of the IPO sector in Dubai.

Last year, Dubai accounted for 40% of IPO activity in the Gulf region, representing a value of AED673 billion ($183.22 billion). Driven by the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Dubai will continue to accelerate its economic growth momentum and consolidate its position as a major international financial centre, said Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Development of Financial Markets and Exchanges in Dubai,

The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has led to the transformation of Dubais financial markets and its emergence as a pivotal global financial hub, Sheikh Maktoum said, according to a WAM report.

Jointly organised by the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the Summit is being held till January 25 at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.

Industry experts

The Summit has gathered industry experts who are sharing first-hand knowledge of the IPO process and the opportunities and challenges of becoming a public company, as well as how to advance ESG agendas.

The Summit also showcases a roadmap for startups and SMEs in Dubai, including expertise around its regulatory environment, business culture and capital opportunities for scaling ventures through to an IPO.

Mena IPO Summit is providing a platform for industry-shaping discussions, providing institutional investors, family businesses and startups with the opportunity to explore the latest regulations, best practices, and market trends in the Dubai capital market as well as learning about recent regional IPO success stories.

Thought leaders

Attendees have the opportunity to engage with key IPO issuers and thought leaders from the investment and capital market industry.

The Summit sparks lively discussion between issuers, investment experts, regulators and companies undergoing strategic preparations for a future listing.-- TradeArabia News Service
Addis Abeba  Dire Dawa City Administration has refuted media reports that referendum is due to be held to decide whether the city should incorporated to either Somali or Oromia regions.

A statement by Dire Dawa Communication Bureau said the idea to hold referendum to decide the future of the city was only put forward by one parliamentarian on the first special joint meeting of the House of People's Representatives and House of Federation, and has not been neither discussed or supported by the leadership of the city administration.

"The top leadership of the administration has paid attention to the wrongly misinterpreted and reported issue of referendum" the statement said, adding that, the city administrations priority is to see through, an amendment of the city's governing charter, which plays a key role in ensuring the prosperity of Dire Dawa, and is pending approval by the House of People's Representatives.

The statement said despite its own advantages, the charter governing Dire Dawa for more than two decades, has problems that jeopardized the city's development efforts.

The city's administration appealed to the residents and development partners of the city to understand accordingly and continue to contribute more than ever to the development of the city.

Dire Dawa is chartered city that has been administered by parties ruling the Oromia and Somali regions who have agreed to lead the city in a rotating term under proclamation number 416/1996. AS
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya's Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, Walid Al-Lafi, has stressed the need for Africa to find ways to keep pace with the growing demand for digital infrastructure, fill the communication gap and create decent job opportunities
Photo: (Photo : Pexel/Maksim Goncharenok)

A plastic surgeon and three others are being charged with destroying COVID-19 vaccines and giving fake vaccine shots to children upon their parents' instruction in exchange for donations. All part of an alleged scheme to trade bogus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine cards.

A federal grand jury formally accused Dr. Michael Kirk Moore Jr. from Salt Lake County, Utah, last January 11 for allegedly disposing of over $28,000 worth of COVID-19 vaccines and fraudulently distributing hundreds of vaccination record cards, Fox News reported.

According to the prosecutors, the 58-year-old doctor, along with co-defendants - Moore's neighbor Kristin Jackson Andersen, 59, Kari Dee Burgoyne, 52, and Sandra Flores, 31, have purportedly been running a "scheme" business named Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah Inc. with the malicious intention of deceiving the CDC and America.

In exchange for cash or donations

U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah announced that in exchange for direct cash payment or required $50 donations to a charitable institution, the defendants were reported to have destroyed COVID-19 vaccines provided by the government worth at least $28,028.50. Moreover, they handed out fraudulent completed vaccination cards worth at least 1,937 doses without administering the shots to the card recipients. The fake cards were said to have an estimated total value of $97,000.

According to documents obtained from the court, the accused also did "saline shots" to children as per their parent's request so that these children would think that they had already received their COVID-19 vaccine.

"By allegedly falsifying vaccine cards and administering saline shots to children instead of COVID-19 vaccines, not only did this provider endanger the health and well-being of a vulnerable population but also undermined public trust and the integrity of federal health care programs," Department of Health and Human Services Special Agent in Charge Curt L. Muller expressed in a statement, as quoted by News Nation Now.

He further stated that with the defendant utilizing his profession as a doctor to give bogus vaccines to innocent people, especially the kids, is a perversion of security.

Muller assured the public that the department's Office of the Inspector is "committed" to partnering with law enforcement to guarantee that these "bad actors" who are trying to take advantage and profit from the pandemic illegally while risking the health of other individuals and deceiving them will be held accountable and be brought to justice.

Read Also: FDA Authorizes Covid Booster for Kids as Young as 6 Months, Hopes to Encourage Parents to Get Their Kids Vaccinated

Secret Organization

As stated by the New York Post, Moore, who was then a board-certified surgeon, and neighbor Andersen are members of a secret organization with a mission to give the medical profession the "liberation" from conflicts of interest in the government and industry.

Thus, along with office manager Burgoyne and receptionist Flores, they decided to pour legitimate vaccines down the drain using syringes.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery informed Fox News Digital that the board certification of Moore had been revoked since December 31 of last year.

The team and their "medical office" had been charged with the medical conspiracy to defraud the country, conspiracy to convert, sell, convey, and dispose of government properties, and disposal of government property and connivance and abetting.

Their initial appearance in court is said to be scheduled on January 26.

Related Article: Long Wait is Finally Over for US Parents as CDC Approves COVID Vaccines for Youngest Children
Photo: (Photo : Pool/Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Defense recently rolled out the implementation of extended paid parental leave to 12 weeks.

Parents who are in the military now have more time to spend with their families as soldiers can now utilize this new policy.

This change constitutes an extension of the Military Parental Leave Program and applies to service personnel who have been on active duty for at least a year.

This expanded leave will be available to adoptive parents, non-birth parents, and long-term foster parents, in addition to military members who have just given birth.

According to the policy, parents are entitled to take a leave of absence for 12 weeks within the first year after the birth of their child.

Parental leave in the Defense Department

According to the U.S. Defense Department, through Directive-type Memorandum 23-001, titled "Expansion of the Military Parental Leave Program," the public agency broadened the scope of the parental leave of service members.

This furthers the Department of Defense's commitment to assisting the military and their families by simplifying and improving the provision of parental leave benefits for service members.

According to their data, approximately 37 percent of those serving in the armed forces are parents.

The expanded leave can be used by both reserve and active military members who have been on duty for 12 months or more. This can be utilized by those members who have placed a child for adoption, long-term foster parents who adopted a child, and those members who have recently given birth.

After a brief period of recovery leave, birth parents will be given 12 weeks of parental leave, and non-birth parents will get the same amount of time after the birth of their child.

Additionally, 12 weeks of parental leave will be provided to adoptive parents and qualified foster parents.

Read Also: 9-Year-Old Maryland Girl Finds Tooth Remains of Extinct Shark

Parental leave policy extended to 12 weeks

According to the Department of Defense, the policy's purpose is to give service members a chance to meet the needs of their unit while also taking care of their families.

American Military News reported that before, a member's eligibility for parental leave in the services depended on whether or not they were the primary or secondary caregiver for their child.

The primary caregiver was given six weeks of leave, while the secondary caregiver was given three weeks.

This new policy, however, is not only for the military services currently serving but also another incentive to entice more people to join the military.

Another hope is that the revised policy would assist the military in recruiting new troops and keeping the ones it already has.

As stated by Jennifer Goodale, as a result of the current crisis in recruitment for the armed forces, it is essential to look into all the causes that may be to blame, including problems with the quality of life for military families.

Previously, according to USA Today, the United States Navy increased the amount of paid maternity leave it provides to female sailors and marines who have recently given birth to a child to a maximum of 18 weeks in 2015.

Even though the change only extended leave for pregnant women, it made the Navy the first to give more than six weeks of vacation.

Related Article: Schools Now Contribute To Negative Body Image of Pre-teens, Teenagers
While doing a little clean-up today  my wife is coming back tonight after two weeks in Virginia, and its panic season (e.g., time to do the dishes, do the wash, restore some semblance of minimal household order)  I came across the following typescript. The author is identified on the paper and I was once acquainted with him/her, although I havent seen him/her in several years and am not sure that s/he hasnt died. Im not going to share the name, though, because I dont feel authorized to do so. I just thought that some would find the account interesting:

December 17, 2009, I lay in my hospital bed in a great deal of pain. Spinal fusion on all four of the cervical vertebrae had been performed that morning. During the transfer from the operating room to the recovery room, the side rails of the bed had been raised. In the process, my hand got crushed in the rail. The pain was so intense that it awakened me from the anesthetic and I cried out in pain, not because of the surgery, but because of the injury to my hand. The pain increased throughout the day to the point that I couldnt bear to have even a sheet resting on top of my hand. That night, unable to sleep or rest because of the pain, the nurses increased my morphine and other pain drugs and gave me a Benadryl pill because of the reaction I was getting to the morphine. These two drugs caused me to go into respiratory failure. After bearing my testimony and telling my daughter, NNNNN, to tell all my family that I loved them and my Heavenly Father and Savior, I merely closed my eyes and stopped breathing. For nearly ten minutes my heart, lungs, pulse and breathing stopped. During that time I had numerous experiences on the other side of the veil, but I will only tell you of one. There was blackness all around me but it was not a frightening blackness. I saw a group of people all dressed in white, standing off a ways from me and I walked toward them. I understood them to be my welcoming committee. They were family but I did not recognize any of them, so I assumed they were further back on my family tree than any of the pictures I had seen before. At this point, I must tell you that my experience with these good people was a very pleasant one, although we didnt speak the words out loud to each other, their thoughts were relayed to me and mine to them. They welcomed me and said that they had been sent to receive me and take me with them if that was what I wanted to do. They said, You have earned your way to come with us now and be accepted into the Celestial Kingdom. . . . Or . . . You can go back to earth and do the work for us that you promised us you would do when you were in the Pre-existence. I could not in all good conscience go on with them and not keep the promise I had previously made to them, I decided to return to this world and keep my promise. I never want to face my ancestors again and have to tell them that I just couldnt make time for them out of my busy schedule, or that I was too tired, or my situation made it too difficult to keep my promises. Im happy to say that dying was easy and pleasant, coming back was most difficult and painful. I know, first hand, that the Lord has turned the hearts of the fathers to their children. It is now time to turn the hearts of the children back to their fathers.

Heres a bit of sobering information: Did you think that Latter-day Saints are popular? That were gaining social acceptance and respect? if not everywhere in the world, at least in the United States? If so, think again!

Guess Ill Go Eat Worms

Should we care about being popular? Probably not. And seeking popularity would probably be entirely futile, unless we were to give up fundamental aspects of our belief and practice. On the other hand, if our image is so toxic that it makes hearing the message of the Restoration effectively impossible for a large segment of the American and even the global population, thats a problem.

I was just reading an article in the latest issue of First Things by Anthony Fisher, the Catholic archbishop of Sydney, Australia. In it, he mentions an experience that he had back in 1984, when he was a young student backpacking around Europe and contemplating a possible vocation to the priesthood. One day, he took a couple of fellow students around the famous Uffizi Gallery, in Florence. At the end of the day, one them ask who the young lady was that appeared so often with a baby in so many paintings. I myself had a similar experience several years earlier during my first visit to Europe. (It may even have been in the Uffizi.). One of my fellow students wanted to what the backstory was to a painting in which a young man was depicted, with a sling in his hand, confronting a giant. Its David and Goliath, I explained, thinking that would suffice. I dont know that story, he replied. I was astounded. I couldnt imagine who somebody could have grown up so completely ignorant of even the most basic elements of one of the most famous biblical stories. And Ive thought about it since: We use the David and Goliath metaphor constantly, referring  for example  to seemingly unequal competitions in sports, business, and the like. Forget religion: What, if anything, does that metaphor even mean to someone who is completely clueless about the biblical story?

Finally, heres an article from Politico about an idealistic woman for whom I wish all success: One Woman Is Holding Politicians Accountable for Nasty Speech. Its Changing Politics.: She was a Republican appointee, religious Mormon and grandmother of ten. Then she began to wonder: what if politicians got rewarded for resisting contempt?
Zen at the Margins

Monastic, Priestly, Secular, Jewish, and Christian Zens

James Ishmael Ford

A non-believer opened his heart to the Buddha, saying, I am not asking about words, I am not asking about the wordless.

The world honored one sat quietly.

The non-believer replied to this, With your wisdom and heart you have parted the clouds of my confusions, and showed me the way through.

He made bows and departed.

After this the Buddhas attendant Ananda asked, What did the non-believer realize?

The world honored one replied, He is like a fine horse that races at even the shadow of a whip.

Gateless Gate 32 & Blue Cliff Record 65

Zen comes to North America first with Chinese workers. For that first expression we only have residual evidence in the ruins of joss houses. In 1853 the Sze Yap Company builds what may be the first known Buddhist temple in San Francisco. Within a quarter of a century there were eight Buddhist temples serving Chinese immigrants in San Francisco alone, and it appears hundreds on the West coast. Chinese Buddhism is not so clearly sectarian, but it can easily be assumed among these were a number of Chan practitioners. By this time people of European descent began to find Buddhism. At the beginning of the Twentieth century Japanese Soto Zen temples are established in Hawaii, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. By the time Shunryu Suzuki came to serve the temple in San Francisco in 1959, convert Zen made a qualitative leap from individuals and smaller groups into the larger American consciousness.

Since then Zen has begun to take on a variety of shapes. Here the terms Fuzzy religion, Creole religion, and syncretism.

If these terms are not used pejoratively, but rather accepting the amorphous nature of boundaries when attempting to understand a religious tradition, then we have something of a handle as we see what is emerging in North America and the West more generally, and to some degree within the feedback loop of religious practice, in East Asia.

Here we see Zen in several varieties: Monastic, Priestly, Householder, Secular, Jewish, and Christian.

Zen arises in early Medieval China. While from its inception enshrined in its founding myths, Zens disciplines are available to everyone, and enlightenment, awakening can be experienced by anyone in any condition, male and female, monastic, and lay. The story of the Sixth ancestor Huineng is the story of an illiterate youth achieving the transformative insight of awakening.

In practice, however, the traditions and the lineages of authorization were contained within monasteries. And it is possible to find monasteries today, mostly in the Chinese traditions, but not exclusively, in North America. Where it is possible to practice in the modern versions, modern in the sense of the natural evolution of cultures, of the tradition.

Japan evolved a hybrid model, where monasteries exist, but are normatively training centers for people who will then go to temples where they will serve priestly functions. This is the largest model for transmitting Zen in North America and the West, with many of these passing-through monasteries, temples, and now Zen centers. These clerics are usually married. Although they represent a tradition that had only two generations earlier been codified in Japan and with many problems addressing the real life situations of married clerics and their families. Both of the major Japanese traditions have lineage representation in North America, Rinzai and Soto. Although as is the case in Japan, the Soto school is vastly larger here than Rinzai. The Japanese Sotoshu also maintains an institutional presence in North America.

In addition householder lineages have appeared. Again, there is precedent in Asia. But only in Japan were there a couple of relatively recent attempts at independent householder led institutions. The most significant of these for North America was the Sanbo Kyodan, the Society of the Three Treasures, founded by a dharma successor of the master Daiun Sogaku Harada. Harada Roshi was a prominent Soto master who had also trained extensively with Rinzai teachers. One of his heirs was Hakuun Yasutani.

Yasutani Roshi was a Soto priest, but worked for his living outside the temple system as a teacher and an elementary school principal. After receiving dharma transmission from Harada Roshi, while he did lead a training monastery briefly, he spent the balance of his teaching life working with lay practitioners. And, importantly he established the Sanbo Kyodan in service to that project. His successor as head was a householder Zen master, Koun Yamada. And the succeeding leaders of the organization, today renamed Sanbo Zen, have all been lay.

This lineage has sparked a number of lay led Zen organizations in the West, most notably the Diamond Sangha founded by the renowned Western Zen master and social activist Robert Aitken. However, in addition to this community, many other lineages have emerged with householder teachers.

The other three categories of Zen move the discipline into areas that have only the vaguest historical antecedents. Chinese religion seems always to have a syncretistic subtext, and accounts of early Twentieth century Chan monasteries mention Taoist monks among the company.

One is secular Zen. Here is a Zen stripped of all religious content. What this generally means is a conscious rejection of anything that might be perceived as supernatural, but often includes any culturally identified elements such as bowing or chanting in ancient languages, or sometimes chanting. It generally approaches Zen as a psychological phenomenon. It brings challenges to all traditional religious language, and pushes those of us who practice Zen to meet the dichotomies, both perceived and real, between our received tradition and what actually presents. The result is sometimes reductive.

The other two traditions emerging as Zen bring reductive and complex into an uncomfortable proximity.

I sometimes tell people I learned all of my Yiddish living in a Buddhist monastery. They think Im telling a small joke. While I enjoy the irony, the fact is it isnt a joke. Its where I learned all the Yiddish terms that are part of my vocabulary.

With the great boom of Zen in the 1960s many young Jews found themselves drawn to the discipline. Some felt they were converting to Buddhism. Many, however, perhaps most did not. Even when some ordained as monastics and others in the priestly traditions. Among the more notable are the poet and musician Leonard Cohen, and the Zen masters Norman Zoketsu Fischer, Alan Hozan Senauke, and Bernard Tetsugen Glassman.

Zen practitioner and psychotherapist Brenda Shoshanna explains A Jewish heart is warm, giving, human, devoted to family and friends and filled with the longing for the well-being of all. A Zen eye is fresh, direct, spontaneous, planted in the present moment. It is unencumbered by ideas, beliefs, tradition, hopes or expectations. She then offers how These practices are like two wings of a bird, both are needed for it to fly.

Here we find a bare minimum Zen, in a sense similar to that found in secular forms of Zen, rooted in disciplines of presence and imply a saving encounter in that presence. And it suggests something lost, or would be except here it is complemented where there was a lack, by a generous application of Jewish principles.

In a sense Ive found something similar on my own spiritual journey. When I first began Zen practice, what I encountered was something of a spiritual gym. The Zen center was a place to practice. And it was solitary. I could practice next to someone for years and not know them at all. I found the balance to that in joining a Unitarian church. The joke was the Zen community had a spiritual discipline but no real community. The Unitarians had community down pat, but no conflicting spiritual disciplines. Not really true. But in a broad brush way invited an exploration of A reduced but still vital Zen and the possibility of enriching out of another tradition, perhaps ones natal spirituality.

And then there are the Zen Christians. For North American readers, the work of the Catholic monk Thomas Merton might come to mind. But he just begins a list that includes people whove moved well beyond appreciation of Zen to become dedicated practitioners, and in an increasing number of cases to become lineage holders, acknowledged as Zen teachers and Zen masters. The German Jesuit Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle was the first. But many have followed. The former Jesuit Ruben Habito, Redemptorist Patrick Hawk, and Our Ladys Missionaries sister Elaine MacInnis begin a list. A significant lineage is emerging from the teaching line of the Jesuit Robert Kennedy.

To know where each of these teachers, Jewish and Christian, fit into a larger understanding of Zen, one needs to ask them.

I recently noticed two terms creole religion and fuzzy religion in a paper by the Buddhist scholar Laurence Cox, European Buddhist Traditions. It also brings to mind questions of syncretism in religion. And for me, Zen at the margins.

Fuzzy Religion is the more elusive term. Fuzzy enters the conversation as a pejorative, meaning lacking in substance. And usually attached to the word spiritual, as in fuzzy spirituality. Often juxtaposed against a real religion. Religious Studies professor David Voas writes of Fuzzy faith, to describe an emerging faith position, sort of a post-Christian belief in God in some abstract sense together with some sort of, ill-defined relationship with Christian rituals and institutions.

But there is another term with an ironically elusive definition, Fuzzy religion. Professor of Religious Studies J. R. Hustwitt provides what I find a useful illustration. The model of a religion as a discrete and homogenous thing is a useful fiction. The Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico are separately named, but these are not discrete bodies of water.

I asked the Buddhist scholar Jeff Wilson about the term and he replied how he has run across it on occasion, but it isnt commonly used. he sees it as referring to hybrid or syncretic religious approaches in the popular culture, rather than orthodoxy and orthopraxy as promoted by formal organized religious traditions.

As Im seeing it, Fuzzy religion is concerned with the meeting of religions, especially in those areas where the languages of the different religions and their meanings are mutually understandable. But at the same time have subtle differences that seep into the other. Sometimes this can be something vague. But it can also point to things of enormous importance in our lives, especially in our religious lives today.

Creole Religion appears to have emerged in the study of the religious traditions that emerged among the Caribbean African diaspora. Creole is originally a linguistic term for a language that emerges out of the meeting of two or more other languages. It has also come to mean a person of mixed European and African descent, especially in the Caribbean and in Louisiana in the United States. The distinctive feature those scholars were trying to capture in the term Creole Religion is syncretism, the adaptation of a religious tradition into another, sometimes resulting in a whole new religion.

Almost an aside, but certainly an illustration of the ambiguous place of religions meeting, theres a delightful article by the Religious Studies scholar Yvonne Chireau sparked by her stumbling on a Buddhist figurine on a rural Cuban domestic altar. With more sympathy than we often see in studies of the margins of the spiritual here in the Americas, Professor Chireau, speaking specifically of Hoodoo and other magical traditions, finds the coexistence of multiple cultural elements, sometimes dissimilar, juxtaposed, channeled into an exquisitely balanced and harmonious mix. As I find myself thinking about the emergence of various forms of Buddhism and specifically Zen, I find something, well magical. Certainly unexpected, and sometimes, deeply moving.

Syncretism is the third important term. In religion it means the incorporation of elements from one religion into another, and sometimes the creation of a completely new religion. An example of that later form of religion is how the Sikh faith arose out of the meeting of Islam and Hinduism.

The academic studies of religion and Buddhism are rife with internal criticisms. All of them are probably true, even as they contradict each other. The biggest problem is probably that of categories. And with that, of boundaries.

To paraphrase Professor Hustwitt, to model Buddhism as a discrete and homogenous thing is a useful fiction. The Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico are separately named, but these are not discrete bodies of water. For me what happens where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico in religion. What happens when Zen lands in North America is the story of my life.

Exact definitions are elusive. Fuzzy becomes a term of art. If one can avoid the traps of too easily dismissing, I believe were witnessing something rich and dynamic, and gifts are presenting themselves.
Reports say that Microsoft could integrate AI within Bing as early as this year, and Google is also working on AI endeavors. But it you want to see what the future of AI-powered search engines are, right now, you need to try out You.com.

What you need to know about You.com is that it isnt just a search engine. Yes, You.com will search the web, and even deeper within the content of websites like StackOverflow for specialized searches like code snippets. But You.com integrates a ChatGPT-like AI engine called YouChat right into the site, along with a complementary writing tool and even an AI art generator. Its richer search  and much, much more.

You.com still feels a little like a collection of parts, without the absolutely airtight cohesion of its larger competitors. But  and this is important, too  you currently wont find any ads that clutter the top search results of Google and Bing, and the site seems refreshingly free of gamed or promoted search results that prioritize terminology over information. You.com makes money via affiliate links, an optional monthly subscription to its writing tool, and a slice of revenue from showing Walmart ads on shopping searches. You.com certainly feels like the early days of Web services before commercialization robbed them of their pristine appeal.

You.com does offer the opportunity to make an account and log in each time you access the site, and provides plugins for Microsoft Edge and for Google to use You.com as the default search engine. With a service like Google, login information controls access to Google Workplace, Gmail, stored third-party passwords, and more. At You.com, the site promises that it will apply AI in the background to better understand what youre looking for, and presumably keep tabs on what youve asked for within YouChat. Registration tells You.com how to apply its AI filters to your ongoing searches, and gates off AI art unless youve signed up. Thats basically it.

Heres a look at what You.com has to offerstarting with the basics, then delving deep into the nifty AI-infused areas of the search engine and other differentiators.

You.com basic search: A different way of searching

You.coms basic search engine takes a bit of getting used to. If you search for a result like best laptops, best smartphones, or best used cars, not only are the results different, but the order in which the results appear differs, too.

In a traditional search engine like Bing or Google, the engine returns a list of pages where you can hopefully find the answer to your question. For a query like best used cars, thats still true. But with the other two searches, You.com returns a mixture of search results and apps, which are curated collections of content. Some apps are just traditional sites, like CNET.com, for example. Others seem a bit more dubious, like curated reviews of smartphones via a service called Looria, which just curates opinions from Reddit. The layout is a bit confusing, especially as its not always clear which pages You.com is prioritizing, especially when the search results are arranged vertically but app results are arranged horizontally, scrolling off the page to the right.

You.com organizes searches differently depending on what it knows, what youre searching for, and your history. (Swipe back and forth to see multiple images)

You appears to curate its own search results via the YouBot, though it acknowledges that it sources some content via Bing: YouChat does not use Microsoft Bing web, news, video, or other Microsoft Bing APIs in any manner, the site says at the end of the search results. Other web links, images, news, and videos on you.com are powered by Microsoft Bing.

You can use the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner to switch between private and personal searches, though youll still need to be logged in for You.com to supposedly improve your searches over time.

In some cases, however, the apps model makes a great deal of sense. You.com allows you to search via All, Images, Videos, News, and Maps  pretty standard for a search engine. But its the list of secondary categories  Write, Code, Imagine, and Chat, where You.com starts to shine. In Code, for example, its extremely useful for You.com to surface the StackOverflow app where a list of (hopefully) related queries have already been answered by the sites users.

You.coms code search wasnt bad, though it seemed like actually adding the term code improved the results. (Swipe back and forth to see multiple images)

Unfortunately, StackOverflow didnt show up all that frequently in my Code searches. You can increase the likelihood that it will by clicking a small thumbs up button next to it. But doing so increases how often the site will show up in all searches, according to the tooltext. I dont think Id want StackOverflow opinions cluttering other, more generic searches. Apps can also be blocked as well, and your preferences will be saved if you log in.

The other hindrance to using You.com as a general search engine? Its slow. For one, results may take a second or two to load. But apps are also sometimes agonizingly slow to load their own results, leaving a slab of gray, pulsing results right in the middle of your screen as they load.

You.coms social search: A genuine strength

On the other hand, You.com includes a Social search engine thats a genuine winner. Perhpas surprisingly, neither Google nor Microsoft Bing offer a search category to scour the worlds most popular social sites, and You.com does a surprisingly nice job here. Search for Katie Porter, for examplethe woman who apparently will try to oust Californias Dianne Feinstein from her Senate seatand You.com lists a bang-bang-bang list of Porters presence on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit posts, YouTube, Quora, Twitch, and more.

A You.com Social search for Katie Porter. Mark Hachman / IDG

Youll most likely find more up-to-date information on, say, the Latest tab on Twitter about any live reactions or news about a particular topic. But here, You.com does an excellent job in surfacing a broad swathe of what people are talking about, from the get-go.

YouChat: AI-powered conversational search

From an AI standpoint, Chat is the most important tool that You.com offers, with Imagine and Write close behind. Chat is just another name for YouChat, which appears either to the right of the main search results, or as the main interface if Chat is selected.

YouChat may not be explicitly based on ChatGPT, the OpenAI chatbot that quickly went viral for its in-depth responses. (You.com doesnt really say what YouChat is based upon.) But its pretty clear that its functionality is close, even if the responses differed in tone and the excuses given for, say, why they were unable to provide Sandra Bullocks telephone number. Both chatbots, for example, can come up with several reasons in response to tell me why I should go to bed early tonight, and both could write a poem about peace and sunsets. Both generated code when asked for code for how to the extract the most populous cities. And both provided a detailed response when asked How did the French Revolution affect the English aristocracy?

You.coms YouChat in action. Its not clear whether You.com doesnt understand the question about Longfellow, or if thats the response to too many queries in a short time. (Swipe back and forth to see multiple images)

The chat functions offered by both ChatGPT and You.com offer a hybrid between a factual snippet that Bing or Google might provide, versus a lengthier Wikipedia article. But its worth noting that You.com offers both; typing in the last query via YouChat and You.coms main search engine surfaced a nice British Library article on the effects of the French revolution on the English aristocracy. (ChatGPT used to offer longer essays, if asked, though the service now seems to cut them off at about 500 words or so. YouChat simply stopped midway through a request for a 750-word essay on the above subject. It also seemed to generate an error message if overused, too: Oops, Im still learning and I couldnt generate an answer right now. Please try again.

The point, though, is that You.com is paving the way for other search engines: providing factual answers and links in one context, and more thought out responses in another. Its an interesting, effective dichotomy. Still, its worth noting that neither ChatGPT nor YouChat guarantee the accuracy of their response, and neither provides sources. This product is in beta and its accuracy may be limited, YouChat says. You.com is not liable for content generated.

Reports say that Microsoft Bing will eventually implement ChatGPT. If it does, you can look to You.com and YouChat as one example of what it might look like.

YouWrite: basic AI-powered content creation

YouWrite reminds me very much of Canvas Magic Write  an AI-powered tool to generate copy of various types (blog, essay, paragraph, social media post), tones (professional, neutral, friendly, persuasive), and to specific types of audiences (which you define). Is there a difference between YouChat and YouWrite? In some ways, no: you can ask either YouWrite or YouChat to explain why nihilism should be ones preferred philosophy, for example, and the YouWrite tool simply added 100 or so more words to the question. Remember, YouWrite is a paid tool, but seemed to reset my allowance of AI-authored pieces (ten at any one time) when I simply relaunched the site. (I wasnt logged in.)

YouWrite wont replace PCWorld yet, thankfully, though it does a decent job correlating information. Mark Hachman / IDG

YouWrite could stand to use some improvement, though. Asking it to write the nihilism essay generated 350 words. But they were hardly coherent, and that was true for multiple questions. No one is going to use this:

Finally, embracing a nihilistic outlook on life allows one appreciate its complexity instead of trying find simple solutions everything . Rather than relying on predetermined answers given by authorities figures like parents teachers , one has opportunity reflect deeply upon situations before coming up with conclusions themselves after taking into account all relevant facts at hand this approach enables people become more independent thinkers better able handle problems arise throughout course daily existence ultimately leading healthier happier lifestyle overall.

If You.com is going to ask users for money (and it is, at $2/week for 1,000 writing samples) theyre going to have to make sense. YouWrite is a waste of money at present, even as cheap as it is.

YouImagine: Quick, simple AI art

If theres one reason to sign up for a You.com account, its the Imagine feature, which absolutely requires you to sign up for an account before it begins generating art. (You can still generate art in private mode, though you still have to be signed in to do so. Entering incognito mode in your browser, then trying to generate art via Imagine, doesnt work.)

The site doesnt seem to put any limits on how many images it generates, or how frequently it generates them, but the quality varies fairly significantly. Not only does the site only generate 768768 images, but there are no advanced options like higher resolution, inpainting, adjusting the steps or the cfg scale, or any examples of stylistic output. Theres also no indication from where theyre sourced. Still, the images are delivered in just a few seconds.

There are other, better, AI sites out there, though the lack of strict content restrictions (for now) can be fun to play around with. The accuracy, though, isnt really there. (Swipe back and forth to see multiple images)

You.com doesnt seem to put any restrictions on the use of celebrity likenesses, though theyre not always accurate. Pictures that would be considered NSFW are simply not displayed, with no explanation. Violent images (a farmer murdering another farmer, lots of blood) were rendered, somewhat surprisingly.

You.com doesnt appear to store any images rendered with Imagine, though you have the option to download them via a small icon in the corner. Once theyre gone, though, theyre gone.

Is You.com worth a click? Absolutely

Will You.com be the service that sinks Google or Bing? Probably not. But You.com offers so much  with improvements in certain facets of basic search as well as its more advanced features  that it could easily move into the second or even the top tier of search engines. DuckDuckGo offers something unique, an emphasis on privacy, that has helped it gain recognition. But You.com may be able to use its AI capabilities to distinguish itself as well. Its definitely worth trying out.
All member countries of the G20 group of economic powers are on board for a restructuring of Ghana's debt and Paris Club members are ready to take the first step toward forming a creditor committee, an official from the Paris Club said on Thursday.



Ghana last week requested a restructuring of debt it owes to other governments, becoming the fourth country after Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia to do so under a G20 Common Framework.



The programme, which was launched in 2020, was supposed to streamline the process of coordinating among creditor governments the restructuring of low-income countries' debts after the pandemic.



However, progress has proven glacial for the first cases, a situation Western countries say is in part due to a lack of restructuring experience by China, a non-Paris Club G20 creditor that has become a major lender in recent years.



"There is a commitment by the leaders to form the creditor committee, so it's a question of time. We know that all the G20 members are committed to undertake the debt treatment under the Common Framework," the Paris Club official told journalists.



The official requested they not be named to speak freely about the restructuring situation.



Forming a creditor committee took a couple months for previous cases, however the official said the Paris Club members were all ready to do so for Ghana and hoped it could be done in a month.



The official said Ghana's case was less complex than Zambia, whose case the official said was progressing after struggling since it became the first African country to default after the pandemic.



"We think that the process will become smoother and smoother on the basis of the previous cases," the official said, adding that Ghana's authorities had sought assurances its case would be dealt with in a "timely manner".

Source: Reuters









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Following on from successfully funding the costly refurbishment of the Tamale Central Mosque, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has funded the refurbishment of two health facilities in the North East region.



The two facilities  the Walewale Government Hospital and Wulugu Health Centre  where given major facelifts to create a conducive atmosphere for healthcare delivery.



The Chief Executive of the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, Issahaku Aremeyaw Somo, told the Daily Graphic that the projects were solely funded by Dr Bawumia with the aim to help improve the quality of healthcare delivery in the region.



The Vice-President is very committed to improving healthcare delivery in the region; that is why he decided to undertake such an intervention, he said.



The facilities have never witnessed such major facelifts since they were established years ago, he added.



Prior to the refurbishment, both facilities were plagued with troubles and were in a deplorable state.



Despite being the first ever government health facility in the North East Region, the Walewale District Hospital was in a shocking state. Parts of the building had developed dangerous cracks in the walls while the ceilings and zinc were in a bad condition, thus, causing leakages whenever it rains.



Wulugu Health Centre



Meanwhile, officials of the two facilities expressed gratitude to Dr Bawumia for the gesture and pledged to take proper care of the health centres.



The Vice President has displayed an enviable dedication to aiding the development of the least developed portons of the country, particularly in the North.



Recently, Bawumia paid for the refurbishment of the Tamale Central Mosqueand was mobbed in appreciation by residents of the city after officially handing over the finished project to its leaders.









Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, has been known for its vibrant commercial activities, and the erstwhile Kumasi Central Market, until it was pulled down to pave way for the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project, was known to be the biggest market in the sub-region.



Due to its central location, the city attracts lots of visitors on a daily basis and serves as the transit point between the Northern and the Southern, and the Western and Eastern parts of the country.



As a result of the high vehicular and human traffic that passes through the city on a daily basis, coupled with the behaviour of some traders within the Central Business District, city managers have had difficulties managing the congestion in the city over the years.



The problem has been compounded by the haphazard erection of commercial structures such as stores and kiosks at unapproved places within the city.



Ultimatum



So serious has become the issue that during his new message, Bantamahene Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatiah VI warned that if the city managers were unable to deal with the situation, traditional leaders would be forced to step in.



In 2023, if they (political leaders) fail to do it, Nananom will take it upon ourselves to make sure Kumasi is clean, he said.



Difficulty



In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Mayor of the Kumasi Municipal Assembly, Sam Pyne, admitted that we all acknowledge that fact that there is congestion within the city, but we have challenges too as we cannot continue to use the old style of decongesting the city.



He said the current system of decongesting the city by using personnel from the security services to clear the streets was not sustainable.



According to him, it cost money to keep the security service personnel on the streets and as such would not be cost-effective to keep using the police and the military to clear the streets.



Mr Pyne said the issue has been compounded with the second phase of the redevelopment of the Kejetia Market, which, he said, has displaced some traders.



Aside from that, he said, the first phase of the project virtually displaced most of the vehicles onto the streets.



Mr Pyne explained that the lorry stations which hitherto were operating at the Ketejia Terminal are all now operating on the streets, thus making the congestion worse.



If you want to decongest using the previous years method, it is not sustainable because there is the need for attitudinal change by the people involved and it is also capital intensive, he said.



Solutions



In order to find a lasting solution to the perennial congestion of the city, Mr Pyne said the assembly was investing in satellite markets for the people on the streets to move into.



Thats why we are seriously looking for an investor or a loan facility to complete the Krofuom market, and the Kejetia Central market is on course.



We also started work on the Santasi satellite market and very soon, a sod will be cut to begin work on the Amakom satellite market, he said.



According to him, when all these markets become operational, it would push over 90 per cent of the people currently trading on the streets in the Central Business District (CBD) into those markets.



Planners have something called agglomeration: When you have one business venture, there is the tendency of that venture to attract other business entities.



So when the Central market is complete, the entire ground floor would be used as a terminal and now the vehicles that are plying all routes would be stationed there and those on the streets trading would go there to do their trading and, therefore, you would not find them on the streets again, he said.



He was hopeful that when these satellite markets are completed, together with the Central Market, all the vehicles and traders would be moved from the streets to ply their trade at these places.



Bus Rapid System



The other alternative of decongesting the city, according to the mayor, was the development of the Rapid Bus System.



Already, he said there had been extensive technical discussions and collaboration with the World Bank, Agence Francaise de Developpement (AfD) and the French Government for the entire Greater Kumasi.



If these plans go through, the vehicular traffic would also be reduced, he said.



Additionally, he said the assembly was seeking a facility from the Internal Municipality Investment Fund (IMIF) to build an ultra-modern car park to take the smaller cars that park within the CBD as a means of decongesting the city.



Human face



He said there was the need to add a human face to the exercise as most of the people, particularly the drivers, were forced to relocate on the streets as phase one of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project did not have any plans for them.



According to him, when the old Kejetia terminal was operational with all the lorry stations operating from there, there was not much congestion in the city then.



He said the assembly has also engaged the executives of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) to impress on their members to display their wares in the shops and not on the pavement.



He was hopeful that the members would heed to the appeal and comply thus clearing the pavement of some clutter.



Regional Minister



Late last year, when the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, appeared before the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, he cited the displacement of the lorry stations from the old Kejetia Terminal as one of the major causes of the congestion in the regional capital.



He believed that when the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project was completed, it would pave way for all the vehicles using the roads as their stations to move from the road, thus, creating space for easy flow of traffic.



He explained that because of the challenge posed by the first phase, the second phase was designed such that the entire down floor would be used as a terminal and all the cars would be moved there, he assure Nananom.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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The Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV has entreated graduates to eschew the insatiable lust for money and rather work hard to become agents of change for the country.



He was speaking at the 7th congregation of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) at the main campus at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho, on Saturday (January 21, 2023).



Togbe Afede who was a special guest said success and wealth were realised through hard work, honesty and perseverance, adding that riches derived through fraudulent means came with no honour.



The Agbogbomefia said the current economic and development challenges facing the country may look overwhelming but they also provided opportunities for graduates to be innovative and use their liberated minds from the education they acquired to address those challenges.



Service to the community



He pointed out that university degrees served little purpose if they did not help to meet the aspirations of the community.



Therefore, you must focus on things that matter to the people and not the desire to attain money, expensive cars and massive houses with money cash from dubious sources, he told the graduands.



Togbe Afede noted that greed among the citizenry was not helping to address the needs of country which was debt-ridden, but rather projecting a bleak future for the people.



To reverse that trend, he urged graduates to spearhead a vigorous campaign to inspire Ghanaians to cut their coats according to their sizes and embrace a life of modesty.



Shedding more light on wealth creation, Togbe Afede said it was time Ghanaians sacrificed a bit of their sleep and put more time in serving the nation with great zeal and enthusiasm.



Poverty is created in bed, and you cannot sleep as if you are competing with the dead and expect success to come your way, he added.



Enough resource



The Agbogbomefia maintained that Africa had enough natural resource to create wealth for its people, with innovation and appropriate development policies from the state.



The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the guest of honour, commended UHAS for attaining a high standard as a university in international circles within a decade.



He gave an assurance that the government would take the necessary steps to address the infrastructural deficits of UHAS sooner than later.



He entreated the graduands to be humble in their practice, saying a certificate without a good attitude by the holder would be meaningless.



He said the government would continue to invest massively in education, without which the country would not move forward.



Already, he said there were now 1.3 million children in senior high school, as against 800, 000 in 2017 as result of the Free SHS Policy.



The Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Professor Lydia Aziato congratulated the graduates and advised them to be guided by the institutions ethos and values of excellence, integrity, innovation, and service and care.



Humble yourselves and learn from all the people you meet in your practice; as you are aware, provision of healthcare requires teamwork, so, be an emphatic team player, she added.



In all, 826 degrees were conferred on graduands from the Schools of Allied Sciences, Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, Pharmacy and Fred N. Binka School of Public Health.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Addis Abeba  Residents say at least three civilians were killed and 12 more wee severely injured in recent clashes that flared between armed militias from the Oromia region and residents of the neighboring Somali region in the border area.

According to residents from the Somali side the clashes started on Friday, 13 January when workers who are commissioned by the government of Oromia region started executing construction of a dam in the border area of Marar Kebele, which the residents say is located inside Tulu Guled district of Fafan zone in the Somali regional state.

The construction work, taking place not far from Jigjiga, the capital of Somali region, faced rejections from the local residents who disputed the authority of the Oromia regional state government to unilaterally construct a dam inside Somali region.

A senior official close to the matter and who requested anonymity told Addis Standard that consensus was reached between officials from the Oromia and Somali regions to pause the construction of the dam while discussions were ongoing on the impacts of the dam on local communities from both sides. But the construction of the dam went on under circumstances that are not clear.

Muhiaden Haji Abib, an elderly from the Somali community in Marar kebele, told Addis Standard that "the [dam] project is used as a pretext by the Oromia region to expand its territories into the Somali region."

He said that three civilians were killed and 12 others were severely injured by the Oromia militia on 13 January's incident. Other reports by and activists from Somali region put the number of causalities as high as 16.

The project to construct a dam in the area was announced by Oromia regional state government six months ago, Muhiaden said, but from the get go, "we have expressed our concerns to the authorities of the Somalia region and other stakeholders that such move could bring a dispute between the regional states."

Commander Ali Samire Sigas, Head of Border Affairs and Conflict Resolution Bureau of the Somali regional State, in his briefing to local journalists, on Tuesday, accused politicians from the Oromia region for working to expand territories near border areas, despite having brotherly relations with the Oromo people.

In criticizing officials from the Oromia region Ali said they were trying to build a dam in Marar Kebele which is inside the territory of the Somali region without agreement with Somali regional government or consultations with the local community.

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He also noted that militias from the Oromia region killed civilians and injured many others following the clashes over the construction of the dam, and added that the construction has already displaced more than 2000 households of Somali communities from the area.

According to residents who spoke with Addis Standard, senior officials from the Oromia region visited the construction site of the dam a few weeks ago, raising tension among the residents of Marar Kebele and eventually leading to clashes with armed militias from Oromia region.

A communications officer from the Oromia Region Communication Bureau told Addis Standard that he doesn't have any information in connection to the clashes.

In December last year, two people were killed and seven others were severely injured in Shilabo district of Korahe zone, in the Somali regional state, in a dispute after local authorities attempted to commence water borehole drilling. AS
Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday, January 22, 2023 worshipped with believers at the Glorious Word Power Ministry International, a Christian denomination founded and led by Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah.



Kennedy Agyapong who was given the opportunity to share a sermon with the congregants built his preaching on the Bibles position on how fake prophets will abound in the end times.



The Assin Central lawmaker referenced a 2019 campaign he embarked against some Christians leaders he believed to be charlatans who were parading as prophets.



Kennedy Agyapong said that some Christians misconstrued his crusade as one against the Christian faith explaining that he was doing what a good Christian ought to do which is expose people whose actions bring shame to the faith.



He stated emphatically that he believes in the Bible and is a devout Christian but will not sit unconcerned for some persons to fleece people in the name of Christianity.



The topic I intend to teach is the same verse Reverend Owusu Bempah chose. In 2019, I started a crusade to expose pastors and prophets who are fake. Some of the affected persons were preaching that I was anti-Christ so when I went to certain churches, the pastors told me I was anti-Christ.



The topic by Reverend Owusu Bempah shows you what I was trying to do. My first verse is 1st Kings 19:24-40 and it talks about Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. We are in the end times and that is exactly what we are experiencing.



We have good prophets and bad ones. Just as the disciples asked Jesus to show them how to pray. We should ask Reverend Owusu Bempah how we can detect the good prophets. If he had lied, I would have exposed him but his topic aligns with mine. He has shown the difference between genuine prophets and bad ones, he said.



Kennedy Agyapongs visit to the Glorious Word Power Ministry International follows a similar visit to the Parliament House Chapel weeks back.



On December 31, 2022 Kennedy Agyapong visited the church owned by Prophet Amoako Atta who is on record to have prophesied that the Assin Central MP will one day run the affairs of this country.



Kennedy Agyapong is the second high-profile member of the NPP to have visited Reverend Owusu Bempahs church after Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on December 25, 2022.













Source: ghanaweb.com









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The six-year-old boy who shot his elementary school teacher in Virginia previously threatened to burn and kill another teacher, threw furniture around the classroom and even barricaded one door, but school officials dismissed staff complaints.



The Washington Post cites messages between teachers and staff at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News which detail how faculty - including Abigail Zwerner, the teacher who was shot - had complained about the child.



On January 6, the child brought a gun into the classroom and shot Zwerner in the stomach. She survived, but has spent three weeks recovering in the hospital.



Read Full Story .... dailymail >>> :

















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A killer of a Cape Coast-based musician, Emmanuel Aikins, known in showbiz as Unruly Grank has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Cape Coast High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Lodoh.



The convict Bright Ellis, aka Shadow, a 27-year-old artisan was sentenced after he killed the 24-year- old musician through stabbing on February 7, 2021, in a brawl at the Orange Beach Resort in Cape Coast after misunderstanding ensued between them.



Unruly Grank was pronounced dead on arrival at the Cape Coast Hospital after the incident.



Fact of the case presented by police prosecutors explained that a scuffle ensued between fans of Unruly Grank and another dancehall artiste in the Cape Coast over who was more popular.



The two were said to have met at the Cape Coast Castle for a rap battle but the event turned bloody and their fans resulted in a fight during which Grank was stabbed.



Ellis sustained a cut on his left hand, subsequently made a report at the police station against the deceased and was issued with medical forms but was later arrested by the police to assist with investigations.



The court heard that Grank, in many social media posts, claimed he was the king of dancehall in Cape Coast and most of his fans also referred to him as such.



A fan, Sadick Highest, reacting to the announcement of the release of Frass pon frass album, said: Face of Cape Coast dancehall Keep it up ma Gee!



In one of his posts on Facebook, Unruly Grank said: If you believe yourself, show your face lemme murder you Kahpun.



Another Unruly Grank post read: Plenty talking no dey full basket. I said any challenger?



An observer with the name Renownmuziks Dotnet also queried, Will there be a clash for Kahpun and Unruly Grank in Cape Coast? #Higherhieght #Softmetal #reggaedancehall.

Source: Daily Guide









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The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has said that he is confident that Ghana will get the approval of the board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the $3 billion bailout it is seeking in March 2023.



According to him, the government is hoping that it will be able to prove to the IMF board that its debt is sustainable by finalising its move to join the Paris Club and its Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.



Im confident that well get it (approval of the bailout by IMF board). But as I mentioned earlier, we have a deadline of the end of February for the Paris Club and so we need to be able to do that. And in between that we would have completed our Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.



And therefore, to be able to go to board in March for this to be executed, he said on JoyNews' PM Express show, on Thursday, which was monitored by GhanaWeb.



Pressed on whether the government was hoping to get the approval from the board of the IMF in March and not February as stated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ofori-Atta answered That is correct that is correct.



The finance minister said that the government is working together with the IMF to ensure that Ghanas IMF deal gets a board approval before the end of March 2023.



We joined the funds programme in July (2022) and the president said that we should do our SLA (Staff-Level Agreement) by the end of the year. And it looked impossible because it really had not been done before and between the fund and the government of Ghana, we worked hard and we were able to do that.



So, it is in that same spirit that we are working and I expect that we should be able to do that, he said.



Ofori-Atta added that getting the IMF deal would help resolve Ghanas balance of payment difficulty and thus start the countrys economic recovery process.



The IMF and the Government of Ghana reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies and reforms to be supported by a new three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) of about US$3 billion on December 13, 2022.



A statement released on the Fund's website said the IMF Mission Chief for Ghana, led by Stephane Roudet, noted that "I am pleased to announce that the IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Ghanaian authorities on a three-year program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in the amount of SDR 2.242 billion, or about US$3 billion."



"The economic program aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth."



The statement also noted that the staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval and receipt of the necessary financing assurances by Ghana's partners and creditors.

























Source: ghanaweb.com









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The Bishop of Koforidua Diocese of the Catholic, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, is upset about the continuous involvement of the Chinese in illegal mining in Ghana despite governments assurance of fighting the menace.



The Bishop was visibly angry when he referenced a recent news report that over seventy acres of cocoa farms as well as water bodies at Adum Dominase in the Western Region are being destroyed by Chinese illegal miners who have invaded the community.



Most Rev Afrifa Agyekum wondered why Ghana has stood so low allowing Chinese and foreign nationals to invade the country to destroy cocoa farms which are the backbone of the economy and pollute bodies threatening citizenry survival.



 for me to hear yesterday that Chinese are involved in this. And I dont fear to say this, To destroy my country, and then afterwards you leave here and go and enjoy the booty in your country. Ghana well have to sit up. We have to sit up.



"Why have we succumbed so low? If these people(the Chinese and other foreigners) are so powerful and more powerful than Ghanaians, then I dont know where we are going. Is it the Visa that they have to come into this country to do galamsey, who gave them that resident permit, and what work are they doing? Is anybody controlling it? Most Rev. Afrifa Agyekum questioned.



The revered Catholic Bishop stated that the consequences of illegal mining are going to be more devastating hence persons clothed with powers to lead the fight must sit up to end the menace.



Now to whoever, the powers that be, lets take this fight seriously else the future is not good. Just yesterday somebody told me CSIR has also cautioned that our water bodies have become so dirty and not potable that for the next couple of years we will have to import water into this country. How can we do that? I drive past Birim, like coffee and milk. And this is Ghana.



Most Rev. Joseph Afrifa Agyekum encouraged all Ghanaians to speak up and decisive action taken to end the illegal mining menace.



And We are all sitting down. We are all keeping quiet. We have to continue to talk. Galamsey is going to kill this country. The money that you will get today will deprive so many Ghanaians of a good livelihood. The politicians must listen to us. We voted for you, work for us - parliamentarians, chiefs, police, army everybody. I am a Ghanaian so I have a right to speak the way I am speaking. I have my passport I dont need passport to live in Ghana so I am free you cant take this thing (passport) from me. It is not good. We have to be worried about what is going on.



The amount of money that we get and look at the vast land that have been destroyed. I dont know what to say again. The powers that be lets all sit up lets take action else the future of Ghana I dont know where we are going to go. It saddens my heart, to be honest with you. I am 68 years that is why I am talking this way. I am older than some of the parliamentarians, older than some of the Ministers and so I have also the right to speak the way I am speaking. And we will continue to hammer on this whether they listen to us or not. And I am happy the Asantehene is putting his weight behind it. Lets all come together and lets fight this menace.



The Biship made these remarks on Saturday, January 21 when speaking at the 2023 Day Mass and Induction Ceremony for Rev.Fr.Benjamine Opoku Hene as the new Headmaster of Pope John Senior High School and Junior Seminary in Koforidua, Eastern region.



Most Rev. Afrifa Agyekum charged the new headmaster to uphold and imbibe Catholic values into the students to spur their academic development.



Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong said government is committed to quality and accessible education hence the introduction of the Free Senior High School programme accompanied by infrastructural expansion.



The new headmaster of Pope John SHS and Junior Seminary, Rev.Fr.Benjamine Opoku Hene, said discipline, supervision and monitoring, collaboration with parents, and networking with old students are four thematic areas he will advance to improve quality education in the school.





Source: starrfm









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Samuel Pyne, the mayor of Kumasi was unable to hold his anger following persistent heckling from a former General Secretary of the People's National Convention during a panel discussion on Asempa FM.



Sam Pyne was making a case for the National Cathedral and criticizing Okudzeto Ablakwas "campaign" against Reverend Kusi Boateng, a member of the Board of Trustees of the cathedral project.



He first sought to dismiss claims of double identity against Reverend Kusi Boateng, as alleged by Ablakwa, by using himself as an example.



My baptism card has Samuel Kwabena Sakyi. My O level certificate has Samuel Pyne. My A level has Samuel Cobbinah Pyne. They wrote the Kwabena like how Fantes does theirs. I never used my A-level for training college. I used my A-level, he said.



He then moved on to justify why it is appropriate for the government to build a cathedral for the country.



He rebuffed the notion that the cathedral is a promise of the president to his God and therefore should not be built with state funds.



I support the Cathedral 300%. I have contributed to the project because I know God and what God has done for me. The NDC started desecrating that project from the first day. Theyve not seen anything good with it. They argue that the cathedral is the presidents personal wish so he should fund it, why dont they say same about Free SHS, he said.



Atik Mohammed, the former PNC scribe, also a panelist then interjected: the Free SHS is for the public so he can use the public money."



Sam Pyne fired back is the cathedral for his father or when he is leaving office he will go with it..



Despite repeated calls by the host of the show for Atik Mohammed to desist from heckling, Sam Pyne, Atik continued with Sam Pyne occasionally lamenting about how it was affecting his presentation.



Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said that the National Cathedral could cost the country $1billion.



He is concerned particularly by the amount of public funds dedicated to the project despite earlier government communication that it will be funded by the Christian community.



My analysis is that this project is more than a billion dollars, it is more than a billion dollars by the time we are done paying for the recklessness of president Akufo-Addo, he said in an interview on Accra-based Radio Gold (January 18).

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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The Leader and founder of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) Rev. Christian Kwabena Andrews has urged Ghanaians to reject the current NPP government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opt for GUM heading into the 2024 elections since they have both failed Ghanaians.



The GUM party placed third in the 2020 general elections after its establishment in 2019.



Addressing a press conference held at the party office in Accra last Wednesday, Rev. Andrews, the 2020 Presidential candidate of the GUM also known as Osofo kyirabosom assured Ghanaians of GUMs commitment to change the economic fortunes of the country if the party was given the nod by the electorate in the 2024 general election to form the next government.



Look at all the major sectors and nothing is working due to the bad leadership of these parties, NPP and NDC, especially the current handlers of the economy, he added.



He noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement with the government would further worsen the economic conditions of Ghanaian, saying we should have looked at home-grown solutions to resolve the current economic challenges faced by the country than going to the Bretton Woods institution.



Measures

Rev. Andrews further stated that his party had outlined proper measures to tackle some of the current economic challenges faced by the country which the party would implement when given the opportunity by Ghanaians to take up the governance of the country.



"We plan to revive all state-owned enterprises to help solve unemployment among the youth and also review our educational curriculum and most importantly run a minimal size of government and I believe some of these things will help us solve most of our current problems facing us as a country," he concluded.



Rev. Andrews reiterated his call on the current administration to cut the large size of government to save the country some money.



He, however, commended the government for the Gold for Oil project, saying it was a good initiative but suggested that the same agreement should be signed with local companies on the countrys oil fields to get the cheapest transaction the state was looking for.



Background



Meanwhile the General Secretary of the party, Kojo Gold Arhinful, also used the opportunity to outline the partys programme line-up in the build-up to next years general election.



Mr Arhinful said GUM was formed on November 21, 2019 with the aim of creating jobs for the citizenry.



He noted that the party had only a year to prepare for the 2020 general elections which he said they gained about 105, 548 votes and placed third.



GUM is coming again stronger and better in the coming 2024 general elections should God grant us the opportunity, he stated.

Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A former Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Adomako Baafi, says it is disingenuous to blame Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for Ghanas economic challenges simply because he heads the Economic Management Team (EMT).



Adomako Baafi, speaking in an interview with Okay Fm, said the EMT is merely an advisory body  the final buck for economic decisions always stops at the Presidency.



Baafi also pointed out that most of Bawumias challengers for NPP flagbearer such as former Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanten and Agric Minister Dr Afriyie Akoto were also on the EMT yet no one blames them for the economic woes.



This, he said, is a sure sign that the Veeps critics are being disingenuous.



The economic management team is just an advisory body; they dont implement anything. And even if it is so, Alan Kyeremate was part of the Economic Management Team, the agriculture minister (Dr Afriyie Akoto) was also part of the Economic Management Team.



All the people who are contesting for the flagbearership position of the NPP were part of the EMT. The work of the EMT is a team work so Bawumia cannot blamed if things are not going well, he said in the Twi.



Adomako Baafi also took on other arguments against the candidacy of Bawumia, with some recent claims that he has not been in the party long enough to be flagbearer.



Former NPP General Secretary and aide to Alan Kyeremanten, Nana Ohene Ntow recently said Bawumia only became a card-bearing NPP member in 2008, insinuating he hasnt been around long enough to become the leader of the party.



Adomako Baafi retorted that the number of years one has served in a party should not matter in the selection of a presidential candidate and that the most important factor that is to be considered is competence.



He added that Bawumia has proven that he can lead Ghana through the way he assisted President Akufo-Addo in winning power for the NPP and consequently in implementing policies that have benefited Ghanaians [digitalisation, gold-for-oil among others].

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A funeral is taking place today for a Haitian man whose body was found earlier this month near an unofficial border crossing south of Montreal. Provincial police have said they believe Fritznel Richard, 44, likely died of hypothermia while trying to enter the United Sates. A Police car is on scene in Brampton, Ont., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
A study led by researchers with the Ontario Medical Association found no evidence patients substituted the emergency department for virtual visits with their family doctor in the first year of the pandemic. A person types on a laptop in New Jersey, May 18, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jenny Kane
Addis Abeba  Andrew Mitchell, UK's Minister for Development, has on 20 January announced 16.6 million in humanitarian aid to support more than 600,000 Ethiopian living in "regions of rising insecurity within Ethiopia." The UK also called on the international community "not to lose focus on the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia."

The 11.6 million contribution will be to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) and "will address this humanitarian crisis by delivering aid to those most in need across Ethiopia" including Oromia, Tigray, Amhara and Afar and Harari regions by reaching "around 250,000 people living in extreme poverty with food and livelihood security."

The remaining 5 million will be channeled through the World Food Program (WFP), to help treat almost 23,000 pregnant and lactating women suffering from moderate acute malnutrition, and provide better infrastructure for feeding programs for 42,000 school pupils in 75 schools, according to official statement on the announcement of the funding.

"With nearly 30 million people across Ethiopia facing severe hardships, this support from the UK comes at a critical moment. Our life-saving aid will reach hundreds of thousands of people - over half of which are women and children who are bearing the brunt of the country's worsening crisis," Andrew Mitchell said.

In northern and western regions alone an estimated "22 million people are experiencing devastating food insecurity due to drought, conflict and economic pressures," the UK said, "in Tigray, humanitarian access has improved since the signing of a peace agreement in November. However, huge numbers of people still have limited access to essential supplies and basic services including food, fuel and healthcare."

Violence and insecurity continue to rise elsewhere in Ethiopia, including in the Oromia region. "With the security situation deteriorating, significant numbers of civilians have been displaced from their homes, with many beyond the reach of aid agencies, lacking access to essential services such as electricity, a mobile network, health facilities and banks."

The latest funding by the UK brings the total humanitarian funding it dispersed for Ethiopia for this financial year to 49.2 million, the statement said, adding that during the last 17 years, the UK has provided 650 million to the PSNP alone. AS
Liutauras Armnavicius shoved from the button for 390,000 and was called by Tom Orpaz in the small blind. The big blind folded. Hands at all other tables were concluded and the cards were turned over.

Liutauras Armnavicius:

Tom Orpaz:

There was no help for Armnavicius on the board and he was eliminated. The remaining 53 players are all guaranteed 1,600 with 23 minutes left in Day 2 before they bag for Day 3.
Stuttgart, Germany  U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, U.S, Africa Command, visited Gabon, Jan. 17-18. The trip included several stops to meet with host nation civilian and military leaders, U.S. Embassy leadership.

"Our enduring relationship with Gabon helps support regional and maritime security in the Atlantic," Langley said. "We're grateful for our strong and evolving partnership here, and the continued cooperation to help strengthen security in the region for years to come."

During his first visit to Libreville, Gabon, Langley met with President Ali Bongo Ondimba and Minister of Defense Felicite Ongouori Ngoubili to discuss shared security interests, opportunities to increase multilateral training engagements and future areas of potential cooperation.

"It was an honor to visit Gabon to meet with national leadership and discuss how we can enhance our partnership," Langley said. "We look forward to training together during Obangame Express, which will further our collective ability to uphold international maritime law, secure the seas, and enable regional economic prosperity."

Traveling with Langley, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, met with Colonel Maurice Ntossui, the Gabonese Army Deputy for Operations at the Gabonese Armed Forces Headquarters in Libreville. During the visit, Thresher discussed prospects related to the Africa Enlisted Development Strategy.

"It was good to engage with Gabonese leadership and discuss new ways to educate the enlisted force," Thresher said. "Matching experience with education raises the level of any professional organization. I look forward to our continued and future engagements."

The military of Gabon has participated in Exercises Judicious Response and Obangame Express and regularly attend U.S. Africa Command's annual Chief of Defense and Senior Enlisted Leader's conferences.
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In 2016 the FBIs New York field office allegedly leaked Hillary Clinton email info. The man who ran counterintelligence in that office has been arrested for ties to a Russian oligarch.

ABC News reported:

Charles McGonigal, who was the special agent in charge of counterintelligence in the FBIs New York Field Office, is under arrest over his ties to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire who has been sanctioned by the United States and criminally charged last year with violating those sanctions.



McGonigal and Shestakov, who worked for the FBI investigating oligarchs, allegedly agreed in 2021 to investigate a rival Russian oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska, according to the Justice Department. McGonigal and Shestakov are accused of receiving payments through shell companies and forging signatures in order to keep it a secret that Deripaska was paying them.

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In 2016 The FBIs New York Field Office Was Accused Of Leaking Hillary Clinton Email Information

In 2016, Reuters reported that then FBI Director James Comey made his infamous announcement that the investigation into Hillary Clintons emails was being reopened because the FBI feared leaks by an anti-Clinton faction within the New York field office:

Two law enforcement sources familiar with the FBIs New York Field Office, which initially discovered the emails, said a faction of investigators based in the office is known to be hostile to Hillary Clinton. A spokeswoman for the FBIs New York office said she had no knowledge about this.

Rudy Giuliani claimed that agents in the NY field office leaked to him about Clintons emails. An investigation was opened in 2019, but that investigation quietly vanished during the Trump presidency.

The suspicion that there was something wrong at the FBI New York field office has been confirmed.

It is a little hard to believe that it is a coincidence that the same field office that was alleged to have leaked Clinton email information to the Trump campaign had one of its top officials arrested for leaks to a Russian oligarch.

The idea that Trump stole the 2016 election with help from his Russian friends gains credibility with each new revelation.
On January 23, European Union foreign ministers imposed a new round of sanctions on Iranian government officials and institutions suspected of involvement in a crackdown on protesters, including senior officers of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Last week, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution calling for the IRGC and related forces to be put on the EUs list of terrorist groups. However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on January 23 that step could not be taken without a court decision.

The European Parliament said its resolution was in response to the Iranian regimes violent, indiscriminate, disproportionate and unrestrained suppression of peaceful protests and the killing of protesters by the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran condemned the EU resolution.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the vote means that the EU acts as [a] supporter of terrorism, because the IRGC is the biggest and most successful anti-terrorist entity.

Ghalibaf, a former senior IRGC officer and friend of its commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by the U.S. in 2020, also claimed that it was the IRGC that defeated the Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.

These claims are false.

Far from being the worlds biggest anti-terrorist force, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard has a record of providing material, personnel and intelligence support to terrorist groups in the Middle East and Africa. The U.S. and other nations have also accused the IRGC of direct involvement in terrorist attacks targeting U.S. diplomatic personnel and troops.

Created 43 years ago as a force to defend Irans religious system, the IRGC has gained military, political and economic influence in Iran. Its top officers enjoy direct ties to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is estimated to have nearly 200,000 active troops and also controls the Basij Resistance Force, which is reportedly able to mobilize more than half a million regime loyalists and traditionally used to brutally suppress any domestic dissidence. The IRGC carries out foreign operations through the Quds Force, which is accused of providing training, material and intelligence support to overseas militias and terrorist groups.

The New York-based Council on Foreign Relations wrote in 2019:

The 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and U.S. Marine and French paratrooper barracks in Beirut, as well as assassinations of regime opponents, have been attributed to Iranian operatives. They are also suspected in the 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center; an accusation Iran denies.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who had previously identified Iran as a member of the axis of evil, accused the Quds Force in 2007 of providing roadside bombs to Shia militants to kill American forces, though experts inside and outside the government questioned whether such orders came from the government. The Trump administration has attributed the deaths of 608 U.S. troops in Iraq between 2003 and 2011 to the IRGC.

That same year, another American think tank, Washington D.C.s Brookings Institution, argued:

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran has proved one of the most consequential events in the history of modern terrorism. The revolution led to a surge in Iranian-backed terrorism that continues, albeit in quite different forms, to this day.

The 1979-80 hostage crisis and Iranian-backed attacks by Hezbollah on the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983 killed over 300 Americans and were, until 9/11, the deadliest terrorist attacks on Americans in U.S. history.

Furthermore, the IRGC did not singlehandedly defeat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. A global coalition of 68 countries led by the United States did most of that job. In Syria, Iran-supported militia groups and Syrian President Bashar Assads regime, an Iranian ally, have gained a reputation for repression and brutality.

The U.S. designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2019, marking the first time a countrys military was added to such a list.

In announcing Washingtons intention to add the IRGC to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, then U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the designation was in response to the Iranian regimes use of terrorism as a tool of statecraft, which makes it fundamentally different from any other government.

This historic step will deprive the worlds leading state sponsor of terror the financial means to spread misery and death around the world, Pompeo said.
Growing up on a farm in the rural Barnwell County community of Blackville (2020 population: 1,950), Aiken City Councilwoman Lessie Price had no idea the future that awaited her.

Price shared her story as part of her keynote address at the annual USC Aiken-Aiken Technical College Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. event held Sunday afternoon at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Her father was a sharecropper and her mother was a domestic worker. They had 10 children.

"My family was in the most unlikely to succeed category but we had great parents," Price said. "They had very little formal education and no one in my family had been to college."

The family moved to Aiken and her parents were busy with their jobs and all her siblings.

Price turned to her church, Friendship Baptist, where two things happened that would change her life.

First, she met Barbara Paige Walker, the director of the choir.

Price said Walker took it upon herself to expose the children she worked with to bowling and other recreational activities.

"She was generous and took funds out of her pocket to help many of us because our families could not afford to pay for these activities," Price said.

At 10 years old, Walker gave Price her start in politics by taking her to knock on doors and encourage African Americans to register to vote.

Price said Bobby Brooks explained to her the importance of voting and the right to do it.

Second, Price found a Bible verse that provided her comfort: Judges 6:15.

"During the 1960s, three pastors who were activists  the Rev. Norman Bush of Friendship Baptist, the Rev. Alonzo Holman Cumblerland AME Church and the Rev Jack Kelly of Second Baptist SBC  worked as a team and would frequently meet with plant managers and business owners regarding concerns and hiring practices and promotions of black employees," Price said. "Many positives outcomes came as a result of those meetings."

Price attended Aiken County public schools, Allen University and USC Aiken.

She worked at the Savannah River Site located 20 miles south of Aiken in several roles including as a manager of government and community affairs, an education partnership programs manager, special projects in the Savannah River Technology Center, environmental justice manager and as manager of the business development community outreach division.

In 1975, Price became the first woman  of any race  to seek a city on the Aiken City Council.

"'Lessie Price? Who does she think she is?'" Price said some members of the community asked. "'She has no qualifications to run for office.'"

Price said she had listened to neighbors complain about trash not being picked up, horrible roads and burned out houses left to decay for so long because she encouraged her neighbors to seek office to be a part of the solution.

"Many of the citizens were highly qualified but did not want to take the risk," Price said. "Therefore, my first filing for public office was to demonstrate that I had very little to offer but willing to be a part of the change."

Price said last Monday she didn't want anything to do with politics after losing but got back in because she wanted to help the whole community.

She won election to an at large seat in 1987 and has served since including two terms as mayor pro tempore and one year as president of the South Carolina Municipal Association.

Now, over 35 years later, Price has twice introduced the president, traveled in the presidential motorcade, dined with ambassadors as a guest of the White House, been appointed to national boards by the education and energy secretaries, and introduced many of the Democratic candidates who came to Aiken to campaign during the 2020 presidential primary season.

Price also worked to create a fully funded internship program that sent students to the United Kingdom and Paris during the summer.

Sunday, Price encouraged those attending the event to do more than attend events to celebrate King's legacy.

She suggested being a friend to someone different than you, leading by example and having faith.

"So as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dont count yourself out," Price said. "Whether you are black or white, rich or poor you must realize that you are a part of his legacy because his legacy was about peace, passion, service and the rich and poor."

Price said King endured hard times  he was arrested 29 times  but that was his purpose and what God called him to do.

"His life, his story tells us that change can come if we dont give up," Price said. "He was determined to travel the distance. At times the struggle seemed hopeless but God made a way out of no way. His life ended as God wanted it to and he left each of us with a responsibility to serve others."

Price said people should not become discouraged.

"This is his legacy and this is why we will always honor him," Price said. "At the end of your journey in life and mine, ask yourself what will others share of the legacy we left behind."
The jurors who decide Alex Murdaughs fate on a pair of murder charges will have to answer big questions about the disbarred attorney in the coming weeks, including the biggest of all: Do they believe he killed his wife and son?

But starting Jan. 23, they will first face a battery of smaller questions about themselves, aimed at determining whether theyre already convinced of the answers.

Finding 12 impartial jurors is expected to be a lengthy process. To aid with the task, Judge Clifton Newman will have an extraordinarily large pool to draw from. Court officials sent summonses to 900 people, according to the clerk of courts office. Thats more than 2 percent of the population of Colleton County, where the case is being tried.

To speed up the process, prospective jurors were asked to fill out a four-page questionnaire about their personal connections, work histories and past interactions with the courts. The questionnaire doesnt name Murdaugh specifically, but it does ask where would-be jurors get their news and what true crime shows and podcasts they follow.

The June 2021 shooting deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh have been the subject of a chart-topping podcast, several TV documentaries and countless headlines around the world. (The questionnaire offers Dateline and 48 Hours as examples of the true crime genre; both shows have released episodes about Murdaugh.)

In the courtroom, prospective jurors are likely to be questioned about the Murdaugh case specifically. In South Carolina, judges generally ask the questions in a process known as voir dire, unlike some states where lawyers interview candidates directly, said Kenneth Gaines, emeritus professor at University of South Carolina School of Law.

Its not clear whether the state and Murdaugh have given Newman questions to ask. Proposed questions have not been filed publicly; Murdaugh defense attorney Dick Harpootlian and the state Attorney Generals Office declined to comment.

What's more, they will have to find jurors without past entanglements with the Murdaughs, which could be difficult in a rural county where the family has a long history and a sprawling web of potential conflicts. Murdaugh's father, grandfather and great-grandfather held office as the 14th Judicial Circuits top prosecutor for eight decades, and the family law firm was a dominant force in the local legal trade, fielding countless personal injury cases.

The challenge of seating a jury in such a crowded media landscape was highlighted by the federal trial of Russell Laffitte, the former Hampton bank executive accused of helping Murdaugh steal money from clients. Though journalists werent allowed in the courtroom for jury selection, The Post and Courier later reviewed a transcript of the proceedings.

It showed that out of 68 prospective jurors who reported to Charlestons federal courthouse, 28 stood when they were asked if they were familiar with the case  enough that U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel asked them to queue up for more detailed questioning.

Their responses showed varying levels of exposure to the case. At one extreme, juror No. 23 said theyd watched several documentaries and followed podcasts like the Murdaugh Murders Podcast, as had juror No. 172. Both of them were dismissed; one was removed from consideration after Laffitte defense attorney Bart Daniel objected to their inclusion, saying the podcast scares the heck out of us because he believed it conveyed strong opinions of guilt.

Others knowledge was more limited. Juror No. 205 saw headlines about Murdaugh, but didnt read the articles because they were behind an online paywall. Juror No. 81 watched the end of a documentary because their mother and sister had it on when they got home. Juror No. 5 had heard about the case on the national news, but was too busy with work to keep up with it. (Jurors 5 and 205 were ultimately selected.)

Laffitte's jury selection was also aided by the fact that he wasn't the central player in the Murdaugh saga. Many prospective jurors said they had only heard Murdaugh's name, not Laffitte's. One said they weren't aware of "the bank situation" that brought Laffitte into the mix. (Among other alleged crimes, Murdaugh is accused of diverting clients settlement funds to cover his debts; Laffitte was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy because he processed several of the transactions.)

That issue cant be sidestepped in Murdaughs case. But that might be OK, said Andy Savage, a Charleston attorney with a long track record of defending the accused in high-profile cases.

Its inevitable that the jury pool will be familiar with the case, Savage said; the question Judge Newman, the prosecution and the defense will try to get at is whether they can put those notions aside. And as a defense attorney, Savage said hed want jurors who are sophisticated, independent thinkers  strong enough to resist getting swept up in other jurors opinions.

Plus, he said, heavy media coverage can be a double-edged sword for prosecutors. If jurors come in believing there will be overwhelming evidence, they may find themselves disappointed and let doubt creep in, Savage said.

I don't want somebody who's had their head in the sand. I wouldn't want somebody who hasn't heard about Murdaugh, because I want somebody who's part of the world, Savage said. I don't want the type of juror that would say they'd never heard of him, because that means they haven't heard of anything else."

The Murdaugh jury will also have a uniquely challenging task compared to South Carolinas other recent high-profile cases. They will be asked to sift through facts that are in hot dispute, not just to render a decision about whether the core facts constitute a crime. Murdaugh has adamantly denied shooting his wife, Maggie, and son Paul, and the states case appears to rely heavily on circumstantial evidence.

Compare that to other recent cases: Laffitte admitted to making transactions for Murdaugh; his jury was tasked with deciding if he was as unwitting in the scheme as he claimed he was. North Charleston officer Michael Slager was captured on video shooting Walter Scott; his jury was asked to decide if he was acting in self-defense. The Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof confessed to killing nine parishioners; his jury was responsible for formally convicting him and deciding whether he should be put to death.

At Murdaughs trial, theyll be asked to sort out the facts, not just the law.
press release

Nairobi  Investigate Killings, Torture, Deaths in Custody, Unlawful Detentions

Chad's transitional government should end its crackdown on opponents and provide redress for the serious human rights violations that were committed around the October 20, 2022 protests, Human Rights Watch said today.

The authorities have an obligation to conduct prompt, independent, thorough, and transparent criminal investigations into serious human rights violations related to the October 20 crackdown, including killings, deaths in detention, and torture, and hold those found responsible to account. They should free protesters who were imprisoned before and after unfair summary trials held from the end of November to early December, and those still languishing in pretrial detention.

"The violence against protesters was extreme and disproportionate, leaving scores dead and wounded, and hundreds detained without access to lawyers or family," said Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The authorities should immediately ban the use of live ammunition against protesters and invite United Nations experts to carry out independent investigations."

Since former President Idriss Deby died in April 2021, the transitional government headed by Deby's son, Gen. Mahamat Deby, has on several occasions violently suppressed protests demanding civilian democratic rule. The government has particularly targeted opposition parties. On October 20, 2022, thousands took to the streets in N'Djamena, the capital, and several other towns in southern Chad, including Moundou, Doba, and Sarh, to protest the current transitional government's decision to extend the transitional period by two years.

Security forces fired live ammunition at protesters, killing and injuring scores, beat people, chased them into homes, and arrested them, Human Rights Watch found. Relatives and witnesses said that those arrested were held in local police stations, and in at least one school in N'Djamena for several days. Then, hundreds of men and boys were taken to Koro Toro, a high security prison 600 kilometers from N'Djamena designed to house "violent extremists."

Human Rights Watch researchers visited N'Djamena between November 13 and 21, where they interviewed 68 victims, family members of victims, witnesses, civil society organizations, lawyers, and government officials. Human Rights Watch also met with the country's deputy prosecutor, the president's human rights adviser, and with members of the National Human Rights Commission (Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme, CNDH) to share preliminary research findings and seek additional information. Human Rights Watch also requested meetings with the ministers of justice and public security, the prime minister, and the president, which were all refused.

In late December and in January, Human Rights Watch spoke with four people, including two children, who had been held in Koro Toro. They said that several people died both on the way to the detention center and at the detention center, that they were often denied food and water, and that children were held in the same cells and rooms as adults for at least the first two weeks. Human Rights Watch has not yet been able to establish how many people may have died in transit and at Koro Toro.

Witnesses, including members of the international community, said protesters were not armed but used slingshots to throw stones at soldiers and set fire to government property. Media reported that protesters attacked police stations and destroyed property.

The full toll of the violence is still not known. Chadian authorities said 50 people were killed, including around 15 police officers, and 300 injured. Human Rights Watch has not been able to confirm the police officers' deaths, but human rights groups believe the number of protesters and residents killed could be much higher than the official figures and suspect some people may still be missing.

International standards on the use of force specify that "law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty," the use of force should be exceptional, and "the use of firearms is considered an extreme measure."

By early December, 401 people who had been allegedly caught in the act (flagrant delit) had been put on trial for a range of crimes such as unauthorized gathering, destroying property, arson, and disturbing public order. Between 150 and 200 others still face trials.

Lawyers have denounced the trials in Koro Toro as unfair and presenting serious logistical problems given that, among other things, the detention center is in a remote location far from the capital. Under Chadian law, authorities may hold detainees for up to 48 hours then must release them or present proof of the need for continued detention. In this case, a prosecutor told Human Rights Watch they have detained people under "preventive detention" which is allowed for up to six months.

Detainees were effectively held incommunicado in Koro Toro as they had no access to family members and lawyers, Human Rights Watch said. Moreover, for detainees whose whereabouts are still not known, family members and lawyers have requested information from officials to no avail, and they may be considered cases of enforced disappearances. Authorities should publish a list of all detainees from in and around the October 20 protests and release them on bail. If a court rules that there are lawful grounds to justify their continued detention, authorities should transfer them to N'Djamena, where they may access family members or counsel, and participate in transparent public legal proceedings.

Chad's Constitution and international human rights obligations guarantee all detainees the right of access to a lawyer, family visits, and health care, rights that were not respected in this case. The arbitrary and violent nature of the arrests, lack of transparency of procedures, and inaccessibility of the accused are serious violations, Human Rights Watch said.

Under international law, children may not be detained except as a matter of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period. Children who are detained should be separated from adults, unless it is considered in the child's best interest not to do so.

In the days following the violence, an investigation commission was announced under the auspices of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), one of eight African Union's regional economic communities. Civil society leaders and lawyers in N'Djamena told Human Rights Watch they had no confidence that the ECCAS investigation would be independent or effective and advocated technical assistance from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to make the investigation more effective.

On October 22, the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) condemned the excessive use of force against protesters and expressed its deep concerns with the events of October 20. Chadian authorities should ensure respect for freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, including by lifting a three-month ban on opposition parties imposed in the wake of the protests, Human Rights Watch said.

"Chad should choose the path of respect for fundamental human rights, not violent repression, ensuring that opposition party members and protesters can speak out and be heard," Mudge said. "To do otherwise would not only treat Chad's international legal obligations with complete contempt, but is a guarantee for more protest, instability, and unrest."

For additional details, accounts by witnesses, and recommendations for further investigation, please see below.

Increased Repression Leading to the October 20 Protests

The October 20 crackdown came after a sharp increase in repression against protests just before and since Idriss Deby was killed in April 2021. The country's security forces had increased repression and cracked down on protesters and political opponents in the lead-up to the country's April 11, 2021 presidential election, using teargas to disperse and injure protesters and human rights activists, and arbitrarily arresting hundreds of opposition party members and supporters, as well as civil society activists, subjecting some to severe beatings and other ill-treatment.

After the 2021 election and Idriss Deby's death, security forces again used excessive force, including indiscriminate live ammunition, to disperse opposition-led demonstrations across the country. Several protesters were killed, authorities detained activists and opposition party members, and security forces beat journalists covering protests.

Killings, Injuries Related to the Protests on October 20

The protests defied an October 19 government ban on protests. Many of the protesters were either members of the opposition party the Transformers (Les Transformateurs) or were sympathetic to it. Witnesses said that security forces, including members of the presidential guard, police, and armed men in civilian clothes driving unmarked cars, went to areas inhabited by communities known to support political opposition groups, including the Transformers and Wakit Tamma (the time has come, in Chadian Arabic), a coalition of Chadian opposition political parties and civil society organizations. The Transformers' president, Succes Masra, fled the country shortly after the protests.

In Chagoua and Moursal, two neighborhoods of N'Djamena, researchers found that security forces rounded up men and boys from homes, often in groups, violently breaking down doors, witnesses said. Security officials shot at some of the men.

In one case in Moura, soldiers chased a 23-year-old student, Ndignodji Nodjingar Mathieu, into a bedroom and shot him while he hid under a bed. The soldiers then dragged his body out of the compound and tried to take it with them, but "we all objected so they left the body outside and the family came to take it away," a witness said. "We found him dead," another witness said.

In another case, they shot dead 21-year-old Djambaye Emmanuel in the street in front of the house of the president of the National Assembly.

In another case from the same neighborhood, family members said that Blase Djikossi, 25, was arrested at his home. Though what happened to him is not known, a relative said that he was told Djikossi had died in a truck accident en route to Koro Toro with several others.

In the Walia area of N'Djamena, a man told researchers that his nephew, Nasingar Urbain, 32, who had a disability, was shot in front of his compound while watching the protests from a distance. "He could not run," the man said. "He was just watching from a distance and got shot by military from the road." Urbain died after four days in the hospital, leaving behind a daughter and pregnant wife.

Human Rights Watch recorded two instances of men who were violently detained by the military in the early morning hours of October 21, then died in military custody.

Theodore Diontilo, 32, was asleep at his home in the Dembe neighborhood between two and three in the morning when the military stormed into the compound where he lived. The men accused Diontilo of being a member of the Transformers and detained him, along with several others. Members of Diontilo's family searched for him over the course of several days, then found that his body was at a local morgue.

Researchers found that security forces detained men and boys in a primary school in the Abena neighborhood in N'Djamena, subjecting detainees to harsh beatings. One man who was detained at the school said he was tied up with other detainees, four of whom had been badly beaten.

Djide Philomon, 43, was detained at the Abena school for three days, family members said. He was beaten so badly that he was transferred to a military hospital in N'Djamena. Family members who managed to visit him said his body was swollen and he had difficulty moving and speaking. Visitors last saw him at the hospital on November 4, but the next day he was dead. His death certificate said he died of a heart attack after being "traumatized by torture after the protests on October 20, 2022."

Soldiers also beat bystanders. On October 21 at about 6 p.m., after a curfew went into effect, soldiers intercepted a 60-year-old man while he was buying airtime for his phone in the Atron neighborhood and beat him so badly with the butt of a gun that he lost his left eye.

"Two Toyota pick-ups accelerated toward me then stopped," he said. "Something told me not to run. The soldiers got out and beat me with the butt of the gun in my face. I fell on the ground, bleeding. Now I cannot do anything. I am just at home."

Arbitrary Arrests, Detentions

The UN estimated that over 1,400 people were detained during the crackdown in various locations across the country. In November officials announced that 621 people were at Koro Toro, including 83 children, without releasing a list.

A month later, many family members of those arrested or missing said they still had no information about the whereabouts of their loved ones. Others had received calls from the International Committee of the Red Cross or letters from the detainees confirming they were at Koro Toro.

Of the 401 people who were tried in summary trials on December 2, 59 were acquitted, 262 were sentenced to between two and three years in prison, and 80 were given suspended jail terms of one to two years, according to media reports. On December 18, 139 of those convicted were transferred to N'Djamena and, according to local media, were released. The 83 children held at Koro Toro have been transferred to N'Djamena for trials before a juvenile judge, lawyers who are following cases of people in Koro Toro said.

The four people Human Rights Watch interviewed about Koro Toro said they had been released on December 18. They said they saw several people die in the open trucks that took them to Koro Toro as they were packed tightly and there was no food or water over the course of the three-day journey. "When someone died in the truck, the soldiers told us to throw the body out," one former detainee said.

Other former detainees said that several people died at Koro Toro from lack of food and water or because of other health ailments. An independent investigation will be crucial to establish how many people died in transit or at Koro Toro, Human Rights Watch said.

Another 150 to 200 detainees in Koro Toro are awaiting criminal charges on what are believed to be more serious crimes. Not all the names of those facing criminal charges have been published, leaving some family members confused as to the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Human Rights Watch researchers interviewed family members of dozens of men and boys who were detained in various locations around N'Djamena.

A 70-year-old man who lives near the Abena primary school said, "On the 21, at 5 a.m., soldiers came to my house and opened the door. They saw me and said, 'You are old, where are your kids?' ... They found my three kids and took them straight from my house to the school."

In some cases, the security forces carried out mass arrests of people in the same residential compound. In Chagoua, in N'Djamena's seventh arrondissement, security forces arrested 16 men from one compound just after midnight on October 21. Family members said the soldiers just started breaking down doors and arresting men and boys. In late November, one was confirmed to be held in a police station in N'Djamena, three were confirmed to be held at Koro Toro, and five were later confirmed to have been summarily tried in Koro Toro.

In Moursal, in the sixth arrondissement, security forces blocked off an area and went house to house to arrest men and boys. "They pulled the men out of the bedrooms by force and took them away," said a witness who described the arrest of three men inside her compound. Her neighbor described a similarly violent arrest of six men and boys from her compound: "They broke down the door and picked one boy from the toilet before coming into the house to arrest the others."

Another neighbor, a 70-year-old man, described the arrest of his brother, Nanimian Ezechiel, 57, and four other family members from his compound. A nephew who managed to escape said, "To our surprise the military came in by force. [... ] They knocked the door down. We were all rounded up. They took Ezechiel and two of my cousins into the car and came back for us. I was saved by a neighbor who hid me in the confusion."

Another man in the same area said that his cousin, 32-year-old Abba Hassane Tagahm, was arrested outside his front door. A man from the Adala neighborhood said that soldiers arrested him in front of his home while he was talking to a neighbor. They forced him into their truck, forced him and two other detainees to clear roadblocks, then released them.

"I still have beating marks on my back and arms," he said.

Detention and Abuse at the Abena Primary School

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Late on October 19, witnesses said, security forces began rounding up men and boys in Abena district, detaining them in local police stations. "At 10 p.m., the police and army were already near the Transformers Headquarters [in Abena] and using teargas," one resident said. "They started to arrest youth in front of their houses to prevent them from protesting."

On October 20, as the protests waned, security forces began using the primary school as a detention center for at least four days, holding dozens of men, and possibly boys, in small classrooms, researchers found. Witnesses said they were afraid to leave their homes to investigate but they could hear the screams of detainees, and believed they were beaten.

Human Rights Watch researchers saw the buildings that were used by security forces to detain men and possibly boys. One man who lives near the school and was there as the men were detained said, "All [night long] we heard them beaten. We could not hear what they were saying, just the screams."

Another man who lives near the school said, "On the 20th there were shots [coming from the school]. The classes were transformed into jails. They used two buildings. The screams were horrible. I could hear the screams all night. They were screams of pain."

A 29-year-old man who was detained at the school for 24 hours said:

"I live just near the school. On the 21, we were in the house. At around 1p.m. [... ] more than 10 soldiers broke down the door [of our compound]. My brother and I were taken to the school. I was taken to the smaller building and put in a classroom with 23 other men and boys. We had to urinate and defecate inside. If you asked for anything you were beaten. [... ] One guy there, he was [a member of the Transformers] was beaten badly. Soldiers put a plastic bag put around his head, he didn't die, but he defecated himself. They [also] brought in four people and really beat them. Three of them were arrested at Yaya Diallo's [a political opponent] office."

A 22-year-old man who was also detained at the school said he also saw beatings and was told by an officer, "We can kill all of you in this class, but it would only be a waste of bullets."

An official from the CNDH confirmed that it also had information that the school was used as a detention center.

Need for a Credible, Independent Investigation and Criminal Accountability

Chadian authorities have made little or no progress investigating the alleged human rights violations. Several initiatives by civil society activists and lawyers' groups to collect victims' complaints are underway, but the efforts may be hampered by authorities' inability to prosecute those responsible for the abuses.

Due to the serious nature of the crimes committed by Chad's security forces on October 20 and on the days that followed, there should be a strong response from the international community.

Representatives from the ACHPR Working Group on Death Penalty, Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa and from its Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa should request visits to Chad to conduct investigations with an eye toward public reporting.

The AU and the UN human rights office should work with the government to ensure there is a credible independent investigation that complies with international standards and has sufficient resources to carry out its work promptly and that it publishes its results in a timely manner. Such an investigation could be carried out by or with the assistance of one of the UN human rights bodies who have the technical expertise on independent investigations that comply with international law.

The AU, the European Union, and UN should also strongly urge Chadian authorities to ensure that prompt, independent, fair, and open criminal investigations take place into all crimes committed and any potential cover-up, leading to the fair and effective prosecution of those allegedly responsible in accordance with international standards, including protesters who may have attacked security forces and those from the security forces who gave orders or who are liable under command responsibility.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., visited Ukraine on Friday and called for NATO allies to provide tanks to help Ukraine fight off the Russian special operation taking place in their country.

Graham, U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., met with Ukrainian officials including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Graham said at news conference the three senators share the same goal: Help the Ukrainians drive Russia out of their country.

In February 2022, the Russian Federation began what President Vladimir Putin termed a special operation to de-nazify and demilitarize Ukraine. The Russians currently hold around 18% of the territory belonging to Ukraine before the special military operation including most of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts and the 2014-annexed Crimean peninsula.

"Putin is trying to rewrite the map of Europe by force of arms," Graham said.

Graham said the Ukrainians need tanks to drive the Russians out.

He said he was tired of the drama surrounding which countries are planning to send tanks to Ukraine and when they'll send them.

CNN reported Friday that Germany won't send Leopard II tanks to Ukraine or allow any country with Leopard II tanks  the tanks are made in Germany  to send them to Ukraine unless the United States agrees to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

To the Germans: Send tanks to Ukraine because they need them," Graham said. "It is in your own national interest that Putin loses in Ukraine. To the Biden Administration: Send American tanks so that others will follow our lead."






A total of roughly $1.28 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) has been awarded to several local entities, including non-profits, by Berkeley County. Read moreBerkeley Cty dishes out dollars to local orgs
An office and warehouse development encompassing nearly 500,000 square feet of new construction is in the works for northern Mount Pleasant.

Charlotte-based developer Cameron Property Co., an affiliate of Madison Capital Group, wants to build three buildings on about 60 acres northwest of the Faison Road and Park Avenue Boulevard intersection, according to plans presented to state environmental regulators.

The proposed structures, in the master-planned Carolina Park development, will serve as flexible space with offices in the front and storage or showrooms in the rear, according to Lance Ravenscraft with Madison Capital Group.

"Technically, everything is good to go," he said. "It's a great piece of real estate. The focus is on closing the land (purchase) right now."

Plans show the largest building will be 187,100 square feet. A second structure will be 181,790 square feet while a third would be 113,400 square feet. More than 400 parking spaces also are planned with the project.

Site plans call for the structures to be up to 42 feet high, but Ravenscraft said the clearance will probably be about 10 feet less than that, with a height similar to the nearby Costco Wholesale store.

He foresees the business park as having tenants that need office and storage space such as biomedical companies or those that make items such as home building products.

"I can't see it being a distribution site," he said. "They all want to go up Interstate 26."

Ravenscraft also pointed to tight credit markets and high construction costs as affecting the timing of future site development.

"I don't foresee construction starting anytime soon," he said.

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Carolina Park spokesman Brian Keels confirmed the proposed development and said the land use has long been a part of the community's master plan.

"That area has already been zoned for light industrial," Keels said. "There just hasn't been that much demand for things in the trade area in Carolina Park."

The 1,700-acre Carolina Park development is mostly a residential neighborhood that also includes a hospital, other health care services, schools, fire station, library, churches, senior care facilities, apartments and commercial enterprises.

The wooded, undeveloped tract being eyed for flex development is owned by Chris Marino of Lerato LLC of Mount Pleasant. Marino did not respond for comment on the proposed project.

The land has not changed hands, Ravenscraft said.

The property sits between Charleston Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy and Gerber Collision & Glass on Faison Road. A storage facility is planned just north of the Gerber site.

The property also abuts the southern portion of Mount Pleasant Regional Airport's clear zone.

Elliott Summey, CEO of the Charleston County Aviation Authority, which owns the East Cooper airfield, said he doesn't think the proposed development will interfere with aircraft operations since it's not directly in line with the runway.

He also noted the residential development that has sprung up closer to the airfield in recent years as posing more of a threat to aircraft operations.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie was not familiar with the proposed business park and said the town is not involved in the project because it is part of the Carolina Park planned development agreement that has been in place for several years.

"If it fits the master plan and they don't need any major changes, it just goes in," the mayor said. "I just hope it's not a storage facility."
The typical tray of deli meats and sweet treats served up at most State Ports Authority board meetings gets a regional gastronomical upgrade when the directors who oversee the Port of Charleston hit the road for the Pee Dee this spring.

The board usually meets at the SPA's headquarters in Mount Pleasant, but it occasionally is called to gather at spots where the maritime agency does significant business.

On April 18, for example, the decisionmakers are scheduled to huddle near the authority's inland port along the Interstate 95 corridor in Dillon. And that means lunch, as well as the meeting itself, will be at Shuler's BBQ  home of an all-you-can-eat buffet complete with "delicious, slow-cooked barbecue, home-style country fixings and much more from the bakery," according to the Latta restaurant's website.

"What we plan to do is have a celebration at Inland Port Dillon and then we'll have lunch at Shuler's," Barbara Melvin, the SPA's president and CEO, told board members during their Jan. 18 meeting. "If you have not had that treat, come hungry. And then we'll hold our board meeting in the room where we'll have lunch."

That prompted one board member to joke that lounge chairs might be appropriate should a case of post-meal drowsiness set in.

"I had contemplated not feeding you all before the meeting, but ...," Melvin retorted.

April will mark the Dillon inland port's five-year anniversary. It opened in 2018 primarily as a rail link for Harbor Freight Tools' 3 million-square-foot distribution center along I-95, to move cargo to and from the Charleston waterfront. The CSX-served site handled nearly 30,000 shipping containers in 2022.

Monumental site

An international travel app listed a Charleston Harbor historical attraction as one of the top 10 most-visited U.S. monuments as determined by its 1.5 million-plus users.

The new analysis by Visited ranked Fort Sumter National Monument, where the Civil War began in April 1861, as No. 3 on the list. It was behind the Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York City and Muir Woods National Monument in California.

Fort Sumter was established as a national monument in 1948.

Last year, the National Park Service reported that the site and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park on Sullivan's Island attracted a combined 349,000 visitors in 2021, while generating $22.8 million in spending and supporting 297 jobs in the local area.

Bon voyage

A ship carrying a pair of ship-to-shore cranes bound for a small seaport in Canada shoved off from Charleston this past weekend, providing the State Ports Authority with a little extra change to cover its operating costs.

The maritime agency that owns and operates the Port of Charleston sold the surplus cranes for $4.35 million to DP World, the Dubai-based owner of Port Saint John in New Brunswick.

The SPA no longer needed the 115-foot-tall structures that once moved cargo boxes at Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant after it brought in a fleet of 155-footers capable of loading and unloading larger container ships.

They were prepped for their journey to Canada over the past couple of weeks at the Columbus Street Terminal on the peninsula. They left Jan. 22.

This is the second time Port Saint John has taken second-hand equipment from Charleston's port. In 2016, DP World bought a pair of nearly 19-year-old cranes that had been used at the Columbus Street yard in a sale that netted $3.9 million for the SPA.

That transaction marked the official end of containerized cargo at the peninsula terminal, which is now used to export BMW vehicles made in the Upstate and Volvo cars built in Berkeley County.

Cause and effect

A Charleston venture firm is putting some money behind a French biomedical startup thats aiming to treat the cause of a malady that hits home with hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians.

Good Growth Capital was a key backer in the latest funding round for AdipoPharma, along with lead investor Newton Biocapital. The amount was not disclosed.

AdipoPharma is developing a drug to treat Type 2 diabetes and is looking to begin clinical trials later this year. It's taking a different tack by targeting insulin resistance, which was described as the root cause of the disease, rather than address the symptoms.

The funding will allow us to move quickly and hit our product development milestones, Dr. Vincent Marion, founder and president of AdipoPharma, said in a written statement.

Newton Biocapital said the would-be drugmakers novel approach  has already created a buzz around a disease that has not seen a single new therapeutic development in more than a decade.

Good Growth was founded in 2015. Several of its partners are based in Charleston, and three are women and one is Latino. The Morrison Drive company also has offices in Boston and London.

The firm closed its third investment round last year that brought in $102 million to be redeployed into what it described as "complex" science-based businesses that "meet a pressing societal need" in areas such as the biomedical field and the environment. The diabetes drug developer "is new investment for us," co-founder and managing partner Amy Salzhauer said Jan 23.

Good Growth has invested in a couple of local businesses, including Questis, which developed a personal financial planning platform, and The New Primal, which makes all-natural food products.

First in

Nexton is marking a new milestone with the first business tenant making its debut in the master-planned community's business hub."

Derrington Dermatology will open this week, the start of a series of openings once the rest of the commercial project is completed.

Seth Clark, executive vice president of Bridge Commercial, is in charge of leasing the 95,000 square feet. Clark called the 8-acre business hub site the Gateway into Nexton.

The hub has the benefit of great visibility because you drive past as you enter into the community, but what we want is this to be an employment center, Clark said. We don't want Nexton to be just a place where families and individuals live.

He added that many of the businesses interested in Nextons commercial spaces are existing companies looking for second locations. They vary from law firms to medical practices to spas and retailers.
WEST COLUMBIA  Developers of a proposed creative and entrepreneurial complex in West Columbia wanted a project that would be the first of its kind in South Carolina.

That's why JAMS + STARK turned to Savannah College of Art and Design for Colite City, a redevelopment project meant to repurpose a former manufacturing plant into a makers community across three blocks at a busy byway of the state capital's twin city. The project marks the first building designed by students from the prestigious Georgia arts college.

"We wanted to create an innovative entrepreneurial campus so we wanted to have something unique that would attract people to not only stay (in Columbia) but move here," Director of Development Wade Caughman said.

"We talk about, 'I wish we had this from other cities.' So we wanted to build something and design something that makes those other cities envious of us."

On a damp December evening, rain dripping from the ceiling in the dimly lit industrial space that once housed global sign-maker Colonial-Hites Company, a team of SCAD architecture and design students shared their concept for the first 150,000-square-foot phase that will include a convention center, a wedding and event venue dubbed "The Factory," and a food hall.

Images of a jewel-box atrium with a grand lighted staircase and scattered, riser-style seating were projected on the walls.

The students suggested local artist murals on a pair of silos outside the building and an infinity-pool water feature. Reflective metal surfaces and mirrored ceilings dominated the interior, offset by bright neon artistic features standing out from the gray concrete.

A gathering area outside the convention space, called "The Gallery," could sport digital display screens for event info or rotating art installations.

An atrium could be built around a lone tree that busted through the industrial landscape in the would-be food hall.

In the wedding and event venue, the industrial pool where Colonial-Hites workers once dipped and sealed the signs they produced could be covered over with glass, a digital screen below allowing customers to project images beneath the floor.

JAMS + STARK, like many past companies that have turned to SCAD for its design expertise, asked the students to create a space they themselves would enjoy, as those students and their peers will one day be the target audience for Colite City as it seeks to help Columbia hold on to more of its college graduates from six area campuses.

"When (customers) are coming to us, they want to see what the vision of the future might be from the next generation of incredible designers," said SCAD's interior design chair Chi-Thien "CT" Nguyen. "They get that incredible Gen Z focus from our students. They get a sounding board for new ideas."

They also get a diversity of ideas.

"We have students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in our talent pool, so we're pulling in so many different perspectives and backgrounds," said Zach Ott, director of partnerships for SCADpro, the school's collaborative design studio.

SCAD has helped revitalize its home city of Savannah and also has partnered with major corporations, including Google and Deloitte, earning the college's projects a national reach.

Ott said he thinks Caughman was impressed with how SCAD has transformed Savannah.

"He's sort of in the same mindset," Ott said, especially when it comes to West Columbia.

Colite City's hopes of appealing to a mix of arts, artisans and technology companies is inspired by similar developments in other cities, like Camp North End in Charlotte and Industry City in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Plans also include adding a housing component to the complex in the future to further widen the propertys mix.

JAMS + STARK would like to start construction at the beginning of 2023 with hopes of housing the first tenants in October.
Michael Toscano told The Post and Courier in November that the porchetta sandwich pop-up operating out of his Italian restaurant Le Farfalle could eventually become its own stand-alone concept.

Just over two months later, the chef and his wife Caitlin have found a home for da Toscano Porchetta Shop, set to open this spring in the 109 President St. space previously occupied by Gnome Cafe.

Once open, the daytime eatery will offer sandwiches, rotisserie meats, salads and take-and-bake items like meatballs and lasagna. Porchetta  whole hog that's roasted, wrapped and sliced  will be joined inside house-made focaccia bread by aged provolone cheese and salsa verde to make the shop's signature sandwich.

Prior to its debut, the former vegan cafe that abruptly closed after seven years at the corner of President and Cannon streets will undergo minor renovations that include the addition of stone countertops and brass railings along with the removal of a wall separating the kitchen from the service area.

In November, The Post and Courier reported that the owners of Pages Okra Grill paid just under $1 million for the building that da Toscano Porchetta Shop will soon call home. The Page family initially planned to open a new concept inside the 3,200-square-foot, two-story commercial property. Instead, they decided to lease.

When Toscano saw the listing, he jumped at the opportunity to bring da Toscano Porchetta Shop to the Charleston peninsula.

Inspired by street stalls Toscano has visited in Italy, the restaurant offers much more than typical sandwich shop fare. Porchetta, prime rib and rotisserie chicken will be hand-sliced to order for patrons to enjoy on a sandwich or later that night for dinner. Espresso drinks, beer and wine will all be served alongside the food offering.

When it comes to sandwiches, the porchetta will be joined by others like eggplant with sun-dried tomatoes and whipped ricotta or bollito, an Italian sandwich made with beef cheeks. The porchetta sandwich will be the star of the show.

Its going to feel like youre in Tuscany, Toscano told The Post and Courier. Porchetta has been something that Ive experienced in Italy for years. Its such a long roast, but its such a festive thing.

To make the porchetta, Toscano sources a 75- to 90-pound pig from family-owned South Carolina pig farm Holy City Hogs. The bones are removed and the whole hog is rubbed with rosemary, fennel, garlic, salt, pepper and a touch of chili flakes. Roasted until the skin is crispy, Toscano likens porchetta to an aromatic, lightly cured ham.

Its a window on the side of the street, and theyll slice it right in front of it, Toscano said of the Italian porchetterias that inspired the new shop. Its one of the most beautiful snacks as you're walking down the street.

Da Toscano Porchetta Shop will stay open daily following its spring debut, but hours of operation have not been determined. For more information, visit https://www.dtporchetta.shop.
GREENVILLE  United Methodists in South Carolina who feel their denomination isnt upholding its own rules and beliefs can officially leave, but exiting can come at a steep cost and a timeline too short to make an informed decision.

Congregations split over gay marriage and lack of autonomy from the larger governing body face a rapidly ticking clock, a financial minefield and policy roadblocks that some believe make disaffiliation in 2023 impossible.

Less than one week before Christmas, state UMC officials released the separation agreement churches had been waiting on for months.

What members found as they reviewed the details was a 75-day deadline, requirements for insurance policies that might not exist and a price tag leaving some feeling stuck under the UMC label.

The deadline to make a decision is soon arriving  Jan. 30.

Caught in between are pastors who have little say in where they preach, the fate of 100-year-old chapels that have hosted countless weddings and the relationships between church family who land on opposite sides of a polarizing argument.

While churches in every other U.S. state have been allowed to leave through a policy created at a special-called "2019 General Conference," UMC members in South Carolina were denied that less-costly option and instead given 72 days to make one of the biggest financial and theological decisions of their lifetime.

Ahead of one of the most-pivotal times in the denomination's long history, The Post and Courier examined the intricate policies governing a split and interviewed several church leaders in South Carolina who shared their beliefs, challenges and fears.

'Disobedience and defiance' turn UMC churches toward disaffiliation

Within the whole of the United Methodist Church comprised of 6 million people spread across 30,000 congregations, the conversation about homosexuality and LGBTQ members roles gathered steam in 2019 ahead of the worldwide Christian denomination's policy-setting body, the General Conference.

At that meeting, traditional views of the Book of Discipline  which serves as the groups constitution  were upheld, meaning self-avowed homosexuals couldn't be ordained and pastors couldnt perform LGBTQ weddings.

In a recent Jan. 8 message informing Mt. Horeb UMC members in Lexington of the separation process to uphold particular beliefs at the church, senior pastor Jeff Kersey said the denomination is in crisis and has been straying from the authority of Gods word.

That traditional orthodox understanding of Christian marriage was upheld, Kersey said. But ever since that 2019 General Conference, there has been open disobedience and defiance to the Book of Discipline.

The disaffiliation process allows for either side of the debate to defect, but congregations who subscribe to the traditionalist view are the ones largely trying to leave.

Their reasoning: The groups highest court, the Judicial Council, isnt upholding its own rules.

The two ends of the spectrum have since grown further apart, leaving South Carolina pastors in the middle as they lead congregations that, at best, might not be in full agreement with one another.

Pastor Ed Stallworth, who was appointed to two small traditional congregations near Lexington after serving as a pastor in the Upstate, said he understands both sides of the argument, though he leans toward a modern interpretation that would allow gay clergy and gay weddings.

"Every pastor, I think, wants to do whats best for their congregation," Stallworth said. "But its hard when theres all this drama. I will guide them through whatever decision they make, and I will love them through it, but I will also tell them if I think theyre wrong."

Up the road, Chapin United Methodist Church in the Midlands and Covenant UMC in Greer in the Upstate  both subscribing to the traditionalist view  have begun the 30-day period of discernment required in the SCUMC separation agreement.

As the United Methodist Church continues down the road, it's getting more and more progressive, Chapin UMC lay leader Becky McCormack said. It's moving more and more away from what many congregations feel are traditional beliefs  the validity of Scripture, the deity of Jesus Christ and the issue of sexual orientation.

Theyve reached an impasse with leaders at the top, she said, and are searching for the gracious exit they were promised in 2019.

For the two small congregations Michael Cheatham pastors in Greer  Zoar UMC and Faith UMC  the money is the highest hurdle for separation. Their buildings are paid off, sitting on developable acreage and attended by senior crowds that crack double-digits only on a good Sunday, he said.

Their challenge lies mostly in the requirement for an additional year of "apportionment," which is the amount the conference requests from each congregation according to its size and governing body's annual budget.

The annual conference budget  which supports conference centers, church missions and office staff  is largely funded by these apportionments.

The requested amounts in 2021 ranged from $386 at Epworth Memorial UMC in Columbia to $472,377 at Mt. Horeb UMC in Lexington, making Mt. Horeb the largest contributor in South Carolina.

I've heard people call it a tax, a ransom and extortion, Covenant UMC member John Thomas said. But the money isnt the only problem here.

The separation agreement also requires liability insurance for cases of sexual abuse and molestation dating back to 1996 and a professional pastoral policy dating to 2009.

Covenant UMC is having a difficult time finding an agency capable of providing those impossibly unrealistic policies, Thomas said.

The requirements were set by the elected trustees of the Annual Conference, SCUMC spokesman Dan OMara said.

It feels like a take it or leave it policy, and its either we file a lawsuit or find leverage, Thomas said. Were past any hope of a gracious exit, and now were just asking for a fair exit.

Rather than using "Paragraph 2553" of the Book of Discipline  created at the 2019 conference to allow churches to disaffiliate over human sexuality by Dec. 31, 2023  South Carolina is using "Paragraph 2549," typically used to close a church when it no longer serves its original purpose.

Churches are closed every year, McCormack said, as congregations realize they arent capable of using the building to its potential or dont have the finances to continue operating.

Churches that joined the United Methodist Church after it formed in 1968 entered their property into a trust. The paragraph South Carolina is using allows the Annual Conference to sell the church property and hold onto the proceeds.

Churches have until March 1 for their council to complete the process of voting on entering a 30-day period of discernment, getting a property appraisal, having informational meetings, hosting a voting meeting and placing the required funds  which can total hundreds of thousands of dollars  in escrow.

Many churches have already gone through the discernment process, Thomas said, pointing to earlier engagement by his church in Greer and Buncombe Street UMC in downtown Greenville. They've had town halls, they have provided educational videos and information. And this plan refuses to accept any discernment process prior to the starting under this agreement to separate.

If a church cant afford the costs in the SCUMC separation agreement, they could attempt to raise funds to exit another year or opt to close their doors and start a new church in another location.

But that leaves behind memories of weddings and baptisms in century-old chapels and loved ones in church cemeteries.

We are stuck, Cheatham said. Unless this plan can be significantly altered, we are literally stuck.

Chain of command and shift in mindset

The UMC could change its view on human sexuality at the 2024 General Conference in May 2024  five months after Paragraph 2553 sunsets and two months past the South Carolina deadline for 2024 separation.

Paragraph 2549, which SCUMC is opting to use, does not outline financial requirements as 2553 does. It also doesnt have an expiration date, said O'Mara, the SCUMC spokesman.

As many churches have left in recent years, the United Methodist Church will tilt "undoubtedly progressive" next year, Thomas said.

Regardless of the view on human sexuality and LGBTQ rights, many traditional UMC members dont trust the denominations leaders to uphold the rules anyway.

Much like the U.S. government has three branches, the UMC has three governing bodies: The General Conference, the Council of Bishops and the Judicial Council.

The General Conference is the policy-making body, the Council of Bishops provides guidance for carrying out the rules set by that conference, and the Judicial Council determines constitutionality of other various conferences.

Bishops are selected at regional jurisdictional conferences and control each annual conferences budget, pastor assignments and implementation of the Book of Discipline.

Theyre roughly the equivalent of a state governor, though the annual conferences often have other dividing lines  like the geographical lines that create the North Georgia and Western North Carolina conferences.

Each church has its own council that reports to a district superintendent, who in turn answers to the conference bishop.

Some South Carolina church councils feel they have fought an uphill battle with pastors who, because their assignments and livelihoods are directly connected to South Carolina UMC Bishop Jonathan Holston, are hesitant to discuss the options for disaffiliation.

Last April, the Buncombe Street UMC Council took a vote to begin exploring the disaffiliation process despite having no clear path out or much direction from pastor Brian Gilmer. The congregation created a task force, hosted informational meetings and consulted with Greenville district superintendent Jim Dennis.

My continuing role in this process is to serve as pastor to everyone at Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, reminding us all that in the midst of this conversation, Jesus is still calling us to love one another and to be the church, Gilmer said at the time in January 2022.

Bishop Holston met with Chapin UMC in spring 2022, according to McCormack, and was very receptive to the congregations questions and concerns, but pushed any plan months forward.

What came out of that basically was, We'll put together a plan, and you'll have it by the end of October, she said. Even at that time, we said we didnt really want to have to wait till October  we wanted to have a plan now  but we settled for October.

Despite a lesbian bishop in the Colorado-based Mountain Sky region and a Florida pastor performing an LGBTQ wedding, Holston  who was elected in April as the Council of Bishops secretary  maintains that South Carolina cant use the less-costly Paragraph 2553 as an exit strategy as SCUMC has no evidence of any LGBTQ wedding or clergy within its churches.

Congregations have until January 30 to begin the required 30-day period of discernment. During that time, they must host informational meetings for the congregation to discuss the cost of leaving.

Financial documents must be gathered, a licensed appraiser must assess the property and the district superintendent has to be notified and scheduled for a special church conference. The required costs then must be disclosed to the congregation.

At the church conference, church members will cast anonymous paper ballots on whether or not to separate. Two-thirds of the members must be in favor of disaffiliating for the request to be placed on the SCUMC 2023 Annual Conference agenda.

Though Stallworth, who supports gay marriage and LGBTQ ordination, would choose to stay in the UMC if his small churches in the Midlands found a way to scrape the finances together, the bigger picture is being a safe space for LGBTQ visitors and members.

While it's unlikely these congregations will have a gay pastor, chances are one of them will have a niece or grandchild who identifies outside their traditional views, Stallworth said.

Whats going to happen internationally is also going to be a struggle, but in the end, I think everyone is going to be hurt, he said. Its unfortunate because this is news, and how are we going to reach people and grow churches if were fighting over something that most people got over a long time ago?
During a recent visit with a patient at Medical University of South Carolina, Stephanie Stansell, was delivered some promising news. The patient revealed that she had quit smoking exactly 21 days ago.

Stansell, who holds a doctorate degree in public health and works as the hospital's senior in-patient tobacco treatment specialist, visits patients every day who are identified as smokers to assess whether they're interested in quitting and offer ways to help.

She was happy to hear the woman's news, especially once she pulled out her cellphone and showed Stansell the app she installed the day she quit. It recorded how many days she'd gone without a cigarette, how many cigarettes she hadn't smoked during that time and how much money she'd saved by not buying any.

"She had saved $132 in 21 days," Stansell said.

The woman then said she had set up an "adventure fund" and planned to use the money she saved on cigarettes to visit her son.

It's the type of system that health officials say can help someone who wants to quit smoking stay motivated on a journey that asks people to change long-ingrained routines and sometimes their identities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 30.8 million adults, or 12.5 percent, in the United States smoke. And though the last two decades have seen a significant decline in the number of regular smokers  CDC reports the percentage was 20.9 in 2005  South Carolina is higher than average, with 18 percent of people smoking. Those numbers are even higher in rural areas.

Dr. Patrick Looser, an interventional cardiologist with Trident Medical Center, said people are generally aware that smoking increases risk of cancer and conditions that affect the lungs like asthma, but are sometimes less aware that it's the No. 1 leading cause of preventable cardiovascular disease.

"It wreaks havoc on the cardiovascular system, and quitting is one of the best things you can do, both for yourself and for your loved ones," he said.

But quitting, especially cold turkey, is extremely difficult for people who have been smoking for years, many of them since they were young teenagers.

"In general, most people who smoke tell us that they would like to quit," said Dr. Benjamin Toll, a psychologist and director of MUSC's Tobacco Treatment Program. "The issue is that they're addicted, and it's very hard to quit."

Unless using Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs to counteract the symptoms, those trying to quit experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches and anxiety, Stansell said. But Looser said the health benefits start immediately, too, with heart rate and blood pressure decreasing within minutes or hours after stopping smoking.

"They've done studies in patients who've smoked for up to 15 to 20 years, and even if you quit, you still lower your risk of future events," Looser said. "Some people get into this idea of, 'I've smoked for so long, I can't possibly quit, I won't realize any of the health benefits,' and that's simply not true."

Toll recommends those wanting to quit engage in a mixture of medication therapy and behavioral counseling. Over-the-counter medications like nicotine patches, gum and lozenges or prescription medications can be effective. Behavioral counseling has more to do with giving patients tools to prevent relapses and deal with cravings.

Making changes

Looser said when patients tell him they want to quit smoking, he immediately asks them to make a plan. Pick a date to quit and come up with specific ways to break long-ingrained habits. He often works with patients to identify the reasons they smoke, such as to relieve stress or as an escape, and tries to encourage them to think of themselves as a non-smoker.

"A lot of people identify as a smoker," he said. "When your personal identity is wrapped up in a behavior, it becomes very challenging to quit. ... So if I can get people to identify as a non-smoker, it becomes somewhat easier."

Stansell says the first thing she recommends is to limit where you smoke or set restrictions, such as not buying any more cigarettes. Like Looser, she suggested picking a specific date to start: allot yourself 10 cigarettes that day and then every couple of days take away one.

She also suggested patients get a "proverbial toolbox" of replacements. Keep on hand gum, hard candy, sunflower seeds, suckers and especially straws, which patients can keep in their mouths as though they're smoking and which helps with the repetitive hand-to-mouth movement ingrained in many longtime smokers' habits. Toll suggested playing with stress balls, fidget spinners or something else that will keep hands busy.

"The thing about smoking is that most people smoke the entire day," Toll said. "So you really need to be thoughtful about how to manage smoking while you're driving, smoking with your coffee, smoking with your meals, having a last smoke at night. ... If you're a two-pack-a-day smoker, you're literally smoking your entire day."

Looser said patients should change their routines.

"If you get up and you light your first cigarette within 15 minutes of waking up, instead of doing that, get in the shower, go for a walk, have a cup of coffee," he said.

When the craving for a cigarette hits, Toll and Looser suggested distractions: going for a walk, making a phone call or even adult coloring books are activities that can take someone's mind off their urge for a cigarette. Typically it only takes a few minutes for the craving to pass.

They also suggested patients reach out to the Department of Health and Environmental Control's SC Quits program. Individuals can call the SC Smokers Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW for counseling and other resources. Looser says DHEC can provide patients with over-the-counter nicotine replacements like patches and gum.

They also stressed patients shouldn't get discouraged if they relapse or don't see changes as quickly as they want. Toll compared quitting smoking to climbing a mountain  it's all about perseverance.

"I think that often we get into a negative headspace when we don't succeed on the first try," Looser said. "Realistically behavior change, especially in adulthood, is very challenging, so any words of encouragement are helpful." He pointed out even cutting back on cigarettes is beneficial to someone's health and worth celebrating.

Stansell and Toll both work on MUSC Hollings Cancer Center's new Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training program, which teaches health workers how to care for those trying to quit smoking. Though it only began a year ago  the third session is next month. It has attracted people from across the state and outside of it. The four-day program provides information on medication and how to counsel people who want to cut back or quit their tobacco use.

Something friends and family can do to support someone trying to quit is be encouraging, Stansell said.

For more resources on how to quit or manage smoking and other tobacco use, go to DHEC's SC Tobacco Quit Line.
Stephen Smith's mother announced a $35,000 reward April 3 for information that leads to the arrest of anyone involved with her son's 2015 death. His body was found on a Hampton County road. The money is coming from a pool of more than $120,000 raised in a GoFundMe initiative to subsidize the investigation. Read more$35,000 reward offered for information into Stephen Smith's 2015 death
Charleston County is expanding the use of a road treatment that's believed to reduce air pollution, limit the "heat island" effect that raises evening temperatures and even help decompose microplastics.

That may sound like a lot for one spray-on road treatment to accomplish but the county and also the city of Greenville each did pilot programs during the past two years and both say testing by Texas A&M University's Transportation Institute validated the results.

Charleston County is at the forefront of this," said county Pavement Manager Mackenzie Kelley.

The county was already treating roads with a product called Reclamite, which extends the life of pavement. It sort of does for pavement what lotions do for skin  soaks in and reduces dryness.

But the additive also broadens the viability of a road.

With each treatment were able to extend the life of the road by five years," Kelley said. That's a big deal because resurfacing a road costs $244,000 per mile, she said.

What's new is a product called PlusTi that has the features of Reclamite combined with titanium dioxide. It costs $21,000 per mile and "it's a no-brainer, really," Kelley said.

It's the the TiO2 in PlusTi  titanium dioxide  that tackles air pollution, microplastics and the heat island effect. The photosensitive material, activated by sunlight, breaks down nitrogen oxides from tailpipe emissions, converting the smog pollutant into nitrate salts that are consumed by plants.

We want to stop it close to the road where the pollution is and basically convert it to a nitrate salt thats heavier than air and falls to the ground," said Ken Holten, technical consultant to Pavement Technology Inc, which sells PlusTi.

Analysis of core samples from roads treated by Charleston County and the city of Greenville show that nitrogen oxides were substantially reduced  by between 27 and 44 percent in Greenville's case.

"We are planning to incorporate this treatment into our paving management program in the future," said Greenville spokeswoman Beth Brotherton.

Greenville applied a pavement rejuvenator with titanium dioxide in 2021 along Main Street, the city's busy commercial strip that becomes a farmer's market on Saturdays from May through October. Charleston County tested the treatment in Neck Area neighborhoods that sit very close to Interstate 26: Rosemont and Union Heights.

Air pollution was the focus of the testing but the titanium dioxide treatment also reduces the road temperature (titanium dioxide is also in sunscreens). That tamps down the heat island effect where heavily-paved areas are warmer at night.

We know the heat isnt penetrating as deep into the roadway so it doesnt have as much heat to lose at night," Holten said.

The treatment is sprayed on wet and goes on as a yellowish-white liquid, but the color fades away as it soaks into pavement.

Rosemont Neighborhood Council President Nancy Button said the community was pleased that the county repaved the main streets there in the summer of 2021 but said she wasn't aware of the road treatment and hadn't noticed the streets being cooler.

Skip Mikell in Union Heights said the same, though he'd be interested in seeing the test results.

Pavement Technology claims a mile of treated road can remove as much air pollution as 20 acres of trees, offsetting the carbon pollution of up to 375 autos yearly. That makes the road treatment a carbon-capture technology, in addition to its other reported benefits.

The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities, a North Charleston nonprofit group focused on environmental justice and other community issues, hasn't studied the road treatment but LAMC President Omar Muhammad said reducing pollution and heat in lower-income communities is a positive.

That would definitely be beneficial, especially for urban neighborhoods that lack trees," he said.

One more thing the road treatment is credited with is breaking down microplastics that are shed by auto tires and brake pads.

Those microplastics aren't as large as the rice-sized "nurdles" that washed up on Charleston-area beaches in 2019, leading to a $1 million settlement from the transporting company Frontier Logistics. But the materials shed by auto tires and brakes are one of the largest contributors of microplastics in coastal waters.

A Texas A&M study found that "applications with TiO2 provide a solution to this growing issue." What happens, the study found, is that the interaction of the titanium dioxide treatment and sunlight interacts with microplastics to turn most of their volume into carbonate and water "removing the airborne and estuarial threats."

Charleston Waterkeeper Andrew Wunderley said he was unfamiliar with the product, but it could be beneficial if it works as promised.

Going forward, Charleston County's latest road plan calls for treating 306 roads with asphalt rejuvenator, and treating 31 roads in North Charleston and on the Charleston peninsula with the PlusTi product.

The roads getting Plus Ti were all recently resurfaced, and are along interstates or busy roads," Kelley said.
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi on Sunday promised to secure the country and that free from parallel government by criminals.

Obi stated this while addressing supporters in Kano during his Presidential campaign.

According to him, "I promise to secure and protect the people of Nigeria. We will ensure that the enemy and criminals are not stronger than the government. We will have one government. And they will not have space in it. We will secure Nigerians. We will unite Nigeria."

Obi also promised to convert the Sambisa forest to agricultural land and turn the country from a consumption nation to production nation as well as boost it total export.

"Nigeria is not producing anything. They tell you the rate of exchange is N700 to this, it is not true, when we stop stealing it will come down.

"We use to export before but today we are hungry. How can we be hungry? We have the land. The uncultivated land in the north is what I want to cultivate.

"They said the Sambisa forest is our problem because there is a problem in Borno State, no we will convert it to agricultural land. The Sambisa forest is 60,000 square kilometres of land, Israel is 22.1 square kilometres, so the Sambisa forest is two times size of Israel, we cannot allow it to be like that. It won't cause trouble for us instead it will be a source of production for us. We can no longer continue. The total export of Nigeria last year, a country of 200 million living on 923,000 square kilometres is 18.9 trillion, if you convert it by 650 is about 30 billion. We cannot take it. Nigeria will increase in export, we will turn this place from agriculture to industrialization and export.

He also said he has what it takes to lead the North out of poverty.

"Let me assure you that I will solve the problem of the North. I will take them out of poverty. I know what to do with the mass uncultivated lands in the North.

"Kano you see today is a ghost of what Kano used to be. Kano has now become a place you breed hunger and poverty. We want to move the country from consumption to production," Obi said.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure said the 22 years of rule of the People's Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressive Congress, APC was responsible for the fortune of the nation as they produced leadership who have failed Nigerians.
WALTERBORO  From the food trucks, Jaheem Black couldn't even see the Colleton County Courthouse, where attorneys interviewed prospective jurors to decide the fate of Alex Murdaugh, a once prominent but now disbarred Lowcountry lawyer standing trial in the shooting deaths of his wife and son.

But Black wasn't there for South Carolina's so-called trial of the century anyway. He'd come for the fried dough.

"Everybody wanted an elephant ear," said Black, holding up a paper bag with warm, yeasty bread dusted with sugar and cinnamon to bring back to his co-workers.

Like a lot of other Walterboro residents, the staff at Williams Sea Food  a takeout joint about a mile away from historic downtown  had heard the food trucks were going to be on site during the trial. Officials invited vendors to feed the hordes they expected to descend on the small city of 5,500, despite some grumbling that cultivating a festival-like atmosphere was in bad taste.

But by the time the sun came out Jan. 23  a bright, 50-degree day that passes for winter in South Carolina  the crowd looked largely limited to a few dozen TV crews and reporters.

I'm surprised, Black said. I expected more.

To be sure, the city showed more hustle and bustle than usual, with the emphasis on hustle.

An outfit called Coastal Tax and Accounting advertised parking in its dirt lot, first asking for $40 a day. That price quickly dropped to $25 as potential customers put their cars in reverse.

A home goods and clothing store, Twig, opened two hours earlier than usual to offer free coffee, a loss-leader for the shop's carved soaps and picture frames.

Even a worker from IHOP showed up in front of the courthouse with breakfast for a blonde in a red jacket named Bullhorn Betty. "We don't usually deliver," said Verdette Fryer. "It's all for Mr. Murdaugh."

Murdaugh is charged with fatally shooting his wife Maggie, 52, and their son Paul, 22, on the familys Colleton County estate known as Moselle on June 7, 2021. His double-murder trial, which is expected to last three weeks, commenced Jan. 23.

Yet onlookers had not overwhelmed Walterboro, and the city functioned mostly as normal, with spaces still available in the free lots and residents able to travel freely downtown, taking cellphone videos of people taking cellphone videos.

Meanwhile, a steady trickle of local customers visited the idling food trucks.

Panna e Cioccolata. Mamma Mikki's. Shortys Smokin Butts. And, of course, Tracy's Elephant Ears.

I guess I'm gonna chalk this up to a good thing about the Murdaugh trial, but there's better lunch options for a while, said Hillary Jacobs, the owner of Lowcountry Nutrition. She had strolled up Walterboros three-block main street to check out the brisket chili and pulled pork sammies at the Live Oak Smokehouse.

Like some other locals, Jacobs thought the food trucks were a great idea for Walterboro  not only for a high-profile trial, but all the time.

Our food service is limited, said Adele Goodman, who is originally from South Africa but settled in Walterboro in the late 2010s. We already wait 30-45 minutes in the drive-thru.

Having the food trucks available regularly would start to make good on what Goodman sees as Walterboros wonderful potential.

Jacobs said the city is already headed in the right direction with its First Thursday tradition, similar to one in Charleston, when downtown businesses stay open late and food trucks roll in to serve up cheese steaks and tater tots.

As for the idea that those same food trucks at a double homicide trial made light of a serious event, Blaine Colson of Blazin Blaine's Deep Fried Goodies shook his head vigorously from within the dark cavern of his truck. The city asked us, he said.

Besides, according to Scott Grooms, the citys director of tourism and downtown development, the food trucks had already proved their value by 10 a.m., when reporters started entering the courthouse to watch jury selection.

They've had a good, steady business this morning, said Grooms, who strolled like an affable waiter among the media clusters, making sure everyone had internet, caffeine, and access to Taj Ma Stall, a high-end port-a-potty.

I'm sure online there will be some complaints. But it's one of those things where, you know, we didn't ask for this, but we prepared for it.
CHESTER COUNTY  The police chief at the Great Falls Police Department is accused of malfeasance in office for allegedly disposing of traffic charges without the prosecutor's knowledge and falsifying a report.

Jeremy Heath Vinson, 45, was arrested Jan. 20 by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division. According to the Chester County jail, where Vinson was booked in the afternoon, he was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond the same day.

The arrest warrant states Vinson committed malfeasance in carrying out his duties from Jan. 19, 2021 through June 17 of the same year.

The alleged misconduct centered on a Dec. 19, 2021 hit-and-run incident that was investigated by the Great Falls Police Department. Two people were victims in the incident.

According to the warrant, Vinson handled the manner in local municipal court without the authority of the Sixth Circuit Solicitor's Office and without the knowledge of the victims.

The warrant further accuses Vinson of falsifying a supplemental report claiming he had contact with the hit-and-run victims before the case was disposed.

Conditions of Vinson's bond include no contact with the victims and he cannot return to the Great Falls Police Department headquarters, said Robert Kittle, communications director for the S.C. Attorney General's office.

Vinson has been suspended from his job as police chief pending the outcome of the judicial proceedings, Kittle said.

The Attorney General's office is in charge of the prosecution.

Vinson's next court date is April 20 in Chester County General Sessions Court.
On the afternoon of April 7, four teenagers and an adult were shot on an Isle of Palms beach crowded predominantly with high school students. Though its causes remain under investigation this week, it marked the 143rd mass shooting in the United States on the 96th day of the year, joining Na Read moreCommentary: IOP mass shooting highlights national public health crisis
The not-illegitimate complaint about affirmative action and less rigid efforts to promote diversity is that in individual cases, they can result in a more-qualified candidate being passed over for a less-qualified candidate.

Of course, that argument depends on how you define qualified. Does it mean the candidate with the highest college grade point average  or with the best soft skills? Does it mean the candidate who finished first in her law school class  or the one who has won more cases at trial? Does it mean the candidate who is more likely to ask the most probing questions at trial  or the one who's more likely to instill public confidence in the criminal justice system because he looks like people who distrust it?

All of this sort of brings us to South Carolinas pending status as the only state with no women on its Supreme Court.

Sort of, because being elected to South Carolinas bench has a lot less to do with merit than one might think. Oh, the candidates have to be qualified, and then they have to be nominated by a merit selection commission thats supposed to pick the three most meritorious candidates. But we dont really know what that means, because the commission makes its decisions in secret, and while it tells us some of the things it likes about the candidates it nominates, it doesnt explain what makes them better than other qualified candidates who werent nominated.

And then 170 legislators decide which of those three nominees to elect, based on  well, certainly not based on trying to ferret out which of the three is the most intelligent or the most articulate or the most experienced or the most anything that could objectively be called meritorious. The good thing about this system is that if the nominating commission made good choices, any of the candidates would do a good job.

Of course, if thats true, then no one could argue that the quality of the court is diminished by holding open a female seat  or two. Or a black seat. Or an attended a law school other than USC seat. But there would still be objections by people who oppose any sort of racial or gender diversity goals  and there are a lot of people in our Legislature who do.

More significantly, many Legislators have a particular candidate they desperately want to see on the court  because they were classmates in law school, or undergraduate school, or because they share a hometown, or they married the judges cousin, or any number of very personal reasons that drive legislators decisions.

Or maybe a legislator supports a particular judicial nominee because his seatmate promised to vote for her candidate in one race, so it seems only right to vote for that seatmates candidate in another race. Or yes, certainly, because something makes the legislator think that this candidate is more conservative or more liberal than that one.

All of which is to say that unless a solid majority of legislators is firmly committed to diversity on the bench, were unlikely to get it, for reasons that dont automatically have anything to do with animosity toward women, or African Americans, or graduates of out-of-state law schools, or prosecutors, or public defenders. Were even less likely to have many types of diversity if you have some legislators who are firmly opposed to, say, having women on the Supreme Court.

In our Sunday editorial, we called for a change in the way our judges are selected, to address the extraordinary  we would argue undue  influence the Legislature has over this supposedly co-equal branch of government: Either kick the legislators off the nominating commission and let the governor appoint the commission, or else let the governor pick the judges. Either of those solutions would address the separation-of-powers problem we have when one branch of government controls another branch and the third branch has no say.

But if you want to ensure diversity on the bench, the only workable solution is to let the governor appoint the judges.

South Carolina governors, being Republicans, might not appoint as many black judges as Democrats would like, and possibly not as many female judges; and they might not appoint the judges Democrats would prefer. But neither will our Republican-controlled Legislature.

Unlike what happens when 170 individual legislators are all voting based on their individual priorities, though, governors can look at who's serving on the bench now and say, I think I need to appoint a woman who meets all my other criteria. Or a black person. Or someone from the Lowcountry. Or someone from the defense bar, or the plaintiffs bar. Or whatever.

Based on what weve seen in South Carolina across a wide range of non-judicial appointments, governors would do precisely that, regardless of political party: The Republican Party is overwhelmingly white, but we havent had a single Republican governor whose Cabinet was all-white. Women are much more active in the Democratic Party than the Republican Party, but those Republican governors haven't dared to have all-male Cabinets. There is no reason to think that compulsion toward racial, gender and other types of diversity would stop at the courthouse steps.

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COLUMBIA  Supporters of ranked-choice voting rallied at the S.C. Statehouse steps Jan. 23, saying the current election system is broken and theyve got a solution to fix it.

The event was headlined by Andrew Yang, the former Democratic presidential candidate and one-time New York City mayoral hopeful who is leading efforts to create a new third party, the Forward Party.

He argued that horse-race ballots and a two-party system has led to more polarization and political disengagement.

This is the only way to improve our politics, change the incentives and make it so our leaders have to answer to us, Yang told the eclectic crowd of members of the Green Party, Libertarian Party and other ranked-choice enthusiasts. About 50 people attended.

Half the time your vote doesnt matter, and most Americans know that because theyve been set up in a district where their vote doesnt count, he said.

In ranked-choice voting, also known as instant runoff voting, voters rank the candidates in order of preference. The candidate with the lowest number of first-rank votes is eliminated and their voters votes are resigned to their second choice and so on until a winner emerges.

Maine and Alaska already have ranked choice voting systems. In November, Nevada voters passed a referendum to introduce the system there.

Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Columbia, told the crowd that he intends to introduce a bill in the next two weeks that would implement ranked-choice elections in the Palmetto State.

The Richland County Democrat said hes secured a Republican co-sponsor, but still expects the bill to face an uphill battle in the statehouse.

Some legislators, he said, know that ranked choice voting is going to take some of them out.

Proponents say the system favors candidates that can build consensus to the detriment of candidates at the extremes, and ensures that every vote counts even in gerrymandered districts.

Yang also argued that introducing instant runoffs would save South Carolina money by eliminating two-round primary runoffs the state already holds.

Opponents of the system say its confusing, and Yang acknowledged that explaining the system can be challenge.

Were going to have to find ways to translate this message to people so they get it, he said.
Sen. William Parkinson introduced a resolution urging the governor to petition the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to expand the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver program to include the Republic of the Philippines.

Parkinson introduced the resolution after meeting with the Guam Visitors Bureau. GVB president Carl Gutierrez has stressed the need for a Filipino tourist visa waiver to further economic recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, a release from Parkinson's office stated.

Federal Public Law 110-229, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, grants the governor of Guam authority to petition the Department of Homeland Security to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines, according to Parkinson.

His measure, Resolution 14-37, states the Philippines was not initially included in the program due to factors at that time, but many changes have occurred in the country in the 15 years since to warrant reconsideration.

The Philippines is now the 39th largest economy in the world, with a burgeoning middle class. And with a gross domestic product of $314 billion, according to recent figures from the World Bank.  The Philippines has seen over time significant decreases in the visa rejection rates, with the adjusted refusal rate for B-visas being 32.49% in 2020, the resolution stated.

The Philippines is poised to be a beneficial source market for Guam tourism if a tourist visa waiver were in place. And with many people on Guam having strong ties to the Philippines, the waiver would draw in tourists wanting to visit family, Parkinson's release stated.

The freshman senator made the case for the resolution in Tagalog.

Ang pagbisita sa pamilya ay isang napakahalagang bahagi ng ating buhay. Ang pagkakakita sa ating mga mahal sa buhay ay nagbibigay sa atin ng kalakasan at inspirasyon upang harapin ang mga pagsubok sa buhay. Sumusuporta ako sa visa waiver para sa mga Pilipino na papuntang Guam, Parkinson stated in a release.

In this statement, Parkinson essentially said that visiting family is one of the most important aspects of life and being able to see loved ones is what gives one strength and inspiration to face life's challenges. He concludes with his support of a visa waiver for Filipinos headed to Guam.

Parkinson added that a visa waiver would bolster tourism and encourage trade and investment from the country, creating more jobs and opportunities locally.
The management of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) on Monday said it will address the disruption in flight services occasioned by the industrial action embarked upon by a section of its staff.

NAHCO in a statement Monday afternoon said it will resolve the issue that prompted some staff to embark on strike action despite a subsisting order of court restraining them from doing so.

Public Service Announcement! We regret all Inconveniences and we are ensuring that the situation is resolved speedily. Once again, we apologize for the inconveniences. #Nahcoaviance pic.twitter.com/9K3nL0pIv3  Nigerian Aviation Handling Company | NAHCO PLC (@nahco_aviance) January 23, 2023

The Group Executive Director of the company, Olusola Obabori, was quoted as saying that the situation would be resolved within hours.

We understand the power of negotiation. The Company which has arguably the best welfare package among the local players in the aviation industry will do all that is absolutely necessary to make its workforce happy even as it delights its customers, he said.

This situation would be resolved speedily as it is detrimental to the staff, the Company and its esteemed clients.

Earlier on Monday, NAHCO workers embarked on strike over the demand for staff salary increment. The industrial action left many air passengers stranded at both the International and local wings of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2 and MMIA) in Lagos.

READ ALSO:

NAHCO in its statement Monday noted that aviation unions last week gave a five-day notice of strike to NAHCO management citing slow progress in negotiation for salary review.

However, the statement claimed that the company, which just promoted about 2,000 members of its workforce, asked that accelerated negotiation be continued in February to enable it to stabilise from the financial effect of the recent promotions.

Undaunted, the unions gave the notice of strike prompting the Management of the Company to seek for court intervention to prevent the industrial action while negotiation proceeds in a serene and conducive atmosphere, the statement claimed.

Aviation unions

Earlier, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) had directed all NAHCO staff to withdraw all services at the airport by Monday due to NAHCOs failure to address their demand for salary increment.

In a statement jointly issued by the unions, they said that their action shall be indefinite until otherwise directed by the secretariats of the unions.

According to the statement, several meetings held with the management of NAHCO have been unsuccessful.

As all ultimatum issued by our Unions have gone unheeded, and the management continues to play on our intelligence through scheduling of purposeless meetings, we have come to the conclusion that the management is clearly decided against harkening to our cries for fairness and equity, despite overwhelming evidence in support of our demand, the statement noted.

NAHCO, a servicing firm, provides ground handling and other services to passengers of several local and foreign airlines operating at the airport.

As of 3:50 p.m. on Monday, officials at the airport told PREMIUM TIMES that staff of NAHCO were not at the airport while frustrated air passengers remained stranded.

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Nigerian Filmmaker Funa Maduka has been named one of the 16 jurors granting awards at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Ms Maduka is the only Nigerian on the entire jurors list.

The festival, which kicked off on Wednesday, will last until 29th January. This year, the festival will take place in Utah, United States.

The award-winning filmmaker is one of the three jury members of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, alongside ShozoIchiyama and Annemarie Jacir.

She is also a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences and holds a BA from

Cornell University and a Masters from Harvard Business School.

The 16 jurors will grant the awards for feature and short films, which will be announced on Friday,27th January.

Other Jurors of the 2023 edition are Jeremy O. Harris, Eliza Hittman, and Marlee

Matlin for U.S. Dramatic Competition.

While W. Kamau Bell, Ramona Diaz, and Carla Gutierrez would be on the jury for U.S. Documentary Competition, Shozo Ichiyama.

Also, Karim Amer, Petra Costa, and Alexander Nanau are the jurors for World Cinema Documentary Competition;

Lastly, Madeleine Olnek for the NEXT competition section and Destin Daniel Cretton, Marie-Louise Khondji, and Deborah Stratman for the Short Film Program Competition.

Funa Maduka

Funa Maduka is the former head of International Original Films at Netflix, where she worked with the worlds top global and emerging filmmakers.

Over six years, she was positioned at the frontline of the companys global expansion, managing the launch of the film offering across 100+ countries.

READ ALSO:

The New York filmmaker also pioneered Netflixs move into international film production, building a development slate across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Her talent in film acquisitions brought Netflix its first film nominations at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

Previously, she worked at Participant Media, developing and managing campaigns for

film and television projects.

Ms Maduka is credited with writing, producing and directing the first Nigerian film to world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

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Asmara, 22 January 2023- The Eritrean Embassy in Riyadh organized a meeting with members of the Eritrean community on 20 January focusing on the implementation of charted-out programs.

At the meeting, Ms. Weini Gerzghier, Charge d'Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy, presented a report focusing on the socio-economic situation of nationals in Riyadh and its environs as well the affiliated communities in Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Oman, Jordan, and Iraq.

The report also included the situation of Eritrean workers in Saudi Arabia and the effort the Embassy is exerting to address the challenges they are encountering.

Mr. Woldeselasie Gebremedhin, head of Consular and Administrative Affairs, on his part gave a briefing on the consular services provided in 2022 and the plan of action for 2023.
Eighteen presidential candidates will participate in Nigerias polls on 25 February. Three stand out  Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

The new president will be sworn in on 29 May and will be constitutionally mandated to manage Nigerias security governance architecture between 2023 and 2027. This election  the seventh since the countrys return to democracy in 1999  will significantly impact policy direction.

Public safety and security in Nigeria are in a bad place  due mainly to the many armed groups active in the country. Over the past seven years, the government has invested over N12 trillion ($26.5 billion) in military assets, expanded the armed forces and focused on degrading violent extremist groups in the North East region.

Ironically, security has worsened in other parts of Nigeria: bandits and gangs are rife in the North-west; separatist agitators are causing conflict in the South-east; a herder-farmer crisis is ongoing in the North-central states; and urban violence is rife countrywide. Boko Harams two factions have expanded from the North-east to North-west and North-central states.

The corruption and abuse of security spending exacerbates Nigerias security crisis. Funds are provided to federal, state and local government officials to disburse at their discretion. Transparency International estimates that secretive, unaccounted-for cash expenditures add up to over $670 million a year.

The new president must grapple with a broken state dominated by armed groups and socio-economic problems. This calls for a radical departure from old approaches. The drivers of banditry, violent extremism, kidnapping and other crimes must be confronted head-on through economic development plans that stem rising poverty and youth unemployment. The security and defence infrastructure also needs modernising, starting with police reform and better accountability in the military.

The current government has been criticised for presiding over Nigerias worsening security, but the top three candidates commitments mirror existing strategies. And the manifestoes of all three cover similar policy issues.

Mr Tinubus manifesto builds on the APCs successes at the national level. He proposes extending ongoing security sector reforms by redefining Nigerias military doctrine and practice. He wants to upgrade weapon systems, establish anti-terrorist battalions, improve soldiers welfare and revitalise the forest and border guards. Mr Tinubu notes his security reform achievements as former governor of Lagos State as evidence of his abilities.

Disappointingly, his manifesto is not explicit on some of the most important issues. He fails to commit to the size of an increased police force and is silent on decentralising the policing system to allow sub-national units to own and fund their respective policing outfits.

Mr Tinubu does not take a stance on any of the following: using private security to protect national assets; how much of the national budget should be committed to defence and security; and engaging the armed groups driving Nigerias crisis.

The security proposal of the PDPs Atiku is scant in detail and lacks action plans against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping  Nigerias primary national security threats. However, it does make some bold policy commitments.

Atiku promises to increase the size of the police force by more than 70 per cent in line with international standards. He also commits to strategic engagements with state and non-state actors, and to removing policing from the exclusive (federal) to the concurrent (federal and sub-national) list. Overall, his proposal is uninspiring and doesnt present credible policy alternatives.

The manifesto of Peter Obi, the Labour Partys progressive alternative to the two established political parties, blends security, national cohesion and inclusive governance as a theme. This raises questions about his grasp of the severity of Nigerias security woes.

Mr Obi acknowledges that banditry, terrorism and organised crimes are central to Nigerias insecurity. His most significant commitment is the extensive reform of the Nigeria Police Force to allow all sub-national units to establish and control their own policing teams. Other proposals are vague and indistinguishable from the current governments policies.

The three candidates agree on the multidimensional threats to Nigerias statehood and propose various interventions including police reform, better resourcing of security services, upgrading weapons systems, community engagement and economic empowerment. But they all fail in one area. None have costed their security plans or the investment needed to realise their manifesto promises. And this is in the context of Nigerias declining revenue.

This questions the viability of their plans. A registration drive has added 9.5 million Nigerians to the pool for this election, and voters will be swayed by promises on health, education and economics. But without a security revamp, improving these sectors will be difficult.

Given that the leading candidates proposals are inadequate on security, the next president must quickly review his campaign promises and prioritise comprehensive reforms that make Nigeria safer.

Oluwole Ojewale, ENACT Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator  Central Africa, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Tosin Osasona, Senior Research Associate, Center for Public Policy Alternatives, Lagos, Nigeria

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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Since the first AstraZeneca vaccine against the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) was injected into the arm of a Nigerian man in March 2021, millions of vaccine doses have been administered across the country.

As of 6 January, 59.1 million people have been fully vaccinated in Africas most populous country, raising hopes that the pandemics worst effects may be over. More than 12 million people have been partially vaccinated, according to records from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

NPHCDA said 55.2 per cent of the total eligible population targeted for COVID-19 vaccination are fully vaccinated. In the same vein, 9.3 million persons have taken the booster vaccine across the country.

From the early days of the pandemic, the toughest decisions about how to combat the virus fell on health officials and state leaders. The government, through NPHCDA, with support from partners, implemented strategies ensuring all eligible Nigerians have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The fight against COVID-19 is not over, Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, said on Monday. Three years after the coronavirus emerged, a new variant, XBB.1.5 is quickly becoming the dominant strain in parts of the United States and has been detected in at least 28 other countries.

We are therefore calling on Nigerians to ensure that they take their booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. Just like the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines have become routine vaccines that help protect us against this deadly virus, Mr Shuaib said.

Before the new variant arrived, the NPHCDA adopted the integrated approach (SCALE 3.0) which is integrating COVID-19 vaccination with the Non-Polio supplementary immunisation activities (NPSIAs) campaigns, Routine Immunisation (RI) services and Vit A supplementation.

This SCALE 3.0 approach guided the improvement of the COVID-19 vaccine uptake across the country, said Chika Offor, the Chief Executive Officer of Vaccine Network. The numbers are going up because of this integrated approach, she told PREMIUM TIMES, calling on the government to create more awareness of the vaccine in all quarters.

The vaccination gap among states has narrowed, but key differences still exist, illustrating that some states have done better than others.

The top five performing states are Jigawa; Nasarawa; Kaduna; Osun and Kano states. These states have met the 100 per cent targeted population for the COVID-19 vaccination.

Similarly, no less than 10 states (Adamawa, Gombe, Kwara, Plateau, Ekiti, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Zamfara, and Imo) have reached 50 per cent of the eligible population.

Other states across the country including the FCT have vaccinated between 13 and 46 per cent of their targeted population.

States with highest vaccination

Kano, the second most populous state in the country, has fully vaccinated 7.8 million of its eligible population. Data published by NPHCDA shows that over 3 million people in the state are partially vaccinated. About 1.4 million people have also received the booster dose of vaccines, placing Kano as one of the five top-performing states in the country.

This was followed by Jigawa with 5 million people fully vaccinated. Ondo is behind with 3.4 million; Adamawa with 2.4 million; and Rivers with 2.2 million.

Lagos, Nigerias most populous state and the epicentre of the virus has only vaccinated 2.1 million of its eligible group.

At the other end were Oyo and Osun with 2.08 and 2.07 million fully vaccinated populations respectively. Katsina is behind with 1.96 million; Kwara, 1.94 million; Kaduna, 1.86 million; Yobe, 1.67 million; and Zamfara 1.67 million.

Low performing states

Bayelsa with an estimated 2.5 million people is the state with the least vaccinated population at 194,058. This is followed by Ebonyi with 251,923; Kebbi with 368,036; Ogun with 393,630; and Sokoto with 397,109.

Fully vaccinated populations in Plateau are 529,345, Akwa Ibom 530,893, Delta 591,819, and Edo 634,045.

Concerning the states with low performance, Ms Offor, the Vaccine Network official, noted this has to do with human behaviour.

There are some people that dont believe in the vaccine, she said. Not necessarily that they dont want to take it but they wont go out of their way to take it.

This, she said is why the government should deploy a strategy to take the vaccine campaign to peoples doorsteps. People are getting fatigued about it, some will say they cannot pay for transport to go and get the vaccine but when you take it to their doorsteps, they will collect.

That is why all hands need to be on deck, we must not give up, Ms Offor added. We have to continue creating awareness to increase the vaccine performance, especially in the bottom states.

Vaccination by geopolitical zones

As of 6th January, 18.7 million people have been fully vaccinated in the North-west, making it the region with the highest number of vaccinated population. Data shows that over 5.3 million people are partially vaccinated in the region

The South-west is trailing with 11.6 million of its eligible population fully vaccinated while 1.58 million are partially vaccinated.

More than 10 million people in Nigerias north-east have been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, 7.8 million people in the countrys north-central have fully received the vaccination while about 1.9 million people are partially vaccinated.

With the exception of Imo, none of the South-east and South-south states vaccinated half of its eligible population. While 5.1 million people have received the two doses of vaccine in the South-south, only 4.5 million people have received the vaccine in full measure in the South-east.

READ ALSO:

About 700,000 people are partially vaccinated in the South-east and over 1 million people in the South-south.

In Nigerias capital, Abuja, 788,036 people have been fully vaccinated and 200,121 persons are partially vaccinated.

(This report was produced with the support of the Centre for Democracy and Development).

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For the second time since his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Lagos, the trial of the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Kunle Oluomo, has again been adjourned.

Mr Oluomo was first docked before the Federal High Court in Lagos where he secured bail after he was arrested by the anti-graft agency at the airport last September. The case was later transferred to Ogun State.

The trial at the Federal High Court in Ogun was initially scheduled for 21st November 2022 but was stalled due to pre-election matters

On Monday, the trial was postponed again with no formal reason given publicly. When asked for the reason for the postponement, one of the EFCC lawyers who did not wait to give his name said, the registrar will tell you the reason.

An official of the court, who asked not to be named, however, said the trial was postponed because the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, said she was ill.

The adjournment was quietly communicated to lawyers and other parties by court officials around 10:42 a.m.

Earlier, the Speaker arrived in the courtroom at about 8:30 a.m.

Mr Oluomo and three others are facing a nine-count charge of corruption, and embezzlement to the tune of N2.9 billion.

TheEFCC said the Speaker and the three others  Oladayo Samuel, Adeyemo Taiwo and Adeyanju Nimota-Amoke  laundered over N2 billion of public funds among themselves.

The EFCC further said the act is against the provision of Sections 18 (a), 15 (2) (d) of Nigerias Money Laundering Prohibition Act and is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

The anti-graft agency has also quizzed and charged the speaker for another missing N900 million public funds allegedly embezzled by the defendants.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how Mr Oluomo allegedly forged fueling stations receipts allegedly with the intention to syphon public funds.

The fueling stations, including two owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Speaker of the Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, have written the EFCC and described the receipts as fakes.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council has called on Nigerias anti-graft agency, EFCC, and the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to arrest and prosecute the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

Referring to Mr Tinubus alleged money laundering and drug-related case in the United States in 1993, the PDP asked the NDLEA to probe him, saying it is a matter of national concern.

In the unfortunate event of a Bola Tinubu Presidency, Nigerians will be plunged into a drug crisis that would make the Colombia situation a childs play. With easy access to drugs, there will be an increase in violence. Nigerians cannot risk this, the PDP said at a media briefing on Sunday.

Speaking at the Atiku campaign office in the Wuse area of Abuja, members of the PDP presidential campaign team, including Dele Momodu and Daniel Bwala, also accused the APC presidential candidate of using Alpha Beta to siphon Lagos State revenues to enrich himself and his cronies.

The opposition party also claimed that the life, schooling and work records of the former Lagos State governor remain fraudulent.

Tinubus drug case

Since the resurfacing of a certified true copy of Mr Tinubus the 30-year-old drug and money laundering case with the U.S. government, his opponents have feasted on it and demanded that he steps down his ambition for the nations top job. But Mr Tinubus camp has continued to dismiss the story, describing it as stale news.

The PDP, however, insisted that the case has made Mr Tinubu unfit for the seat of the President.

Nigeria is battling many problems at the momentIt will be a huge disaster to add state sponsored drug trafficking into the mix, the PDP said.

The party, therefore, asked the NDLEA to investigate Mr Tinubus alleged ties with drug trafficking.

Nigerian law is clear, Criminal cases have no statute of limitation and can be re-opened at any time especially for the sake of national interest.

We hereby call on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to immediately arrest Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prosecute him for drug trafficking.

Alpha Beta

The PDP also alleged that Mr Tinubu used Lagos States funds to enrich himself through his company, Alpha Beta.

It said Alpha Beta was registered in 2009 when Mr Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Quoting sworn affidavit by a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta Consulting, Dapo Apara, the PDP said Mr Tinubu breached the Code of Conduct law to establish Alpha Beta in 2002.

In the writ of summons marked LD/7330GCMW/2020, Apara narrated how Alpha Beta was formed in 2002 when Tinubu was still the governor, in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, it said.

Apara noted that he was the one who came up with the idea of a consulting firm helping the state government to collect taxes. He said Tinubu accepted the proposal but gave many conditions including that his own people would own 70 per cent stakes in the company. Apara said Tinubu nominated Adegboyega Oyetola (later governor of Osun State) and one Olumide Ogunmola who would hold 70% of the shares of Alpha Beta.

Apara stated that Tinubu as a sitting governor in 2002, controlled Alpha Beta which was receiving 10 per cent of tax collected on behalf of the state.

The PDP also cast aspersions on Mr Tinubus life, schooling and work records, saying they remain fraudulent.

Today, he is planning on becoming Nigerias President. Imagine such a man having the keys to Nigerias treasury and having full control of the NDLEA, the EFCC, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force? This will be the worst scandal in the history of mankind, it said.

The opposition party also insisted that its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been probed multiple times and has never been found wanting.

For the avoidance of doubt, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is the most investigated former Vice President in the history of Nigeria. He has been probed both locally and internationally but no dirt can be pinned on him. He also has not been charged for any crime locally or internationally.

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The police have confirmed a fresh case of abduction in Iwo, Osun State.

Hamzat Ibrahim, Deere Ibrahim and a 38-year-old man were abducted in their farm in Ologun area of the town Friday evening, the agency said.

The victims are of the Fulani ethnic stock.

The police said thy were working with local hunters on a search for the victims and their kidnappers.

One of the hunters, who requested not to be named, told our reporter that the kidnappers had contacted the victims family and demanded a N5 million ransom.

He said the kidnappers had probably missed their original target, a UK-based Nigerian businessman who owns a farm in the area.

Those that were kidnapped are Fulani people, they were in the farm when the kidnappers arrived. Actually, they were not the kidnappers target, they abducted them when they didnt meet their main target. Their target is based in the UK but he has a farm in that area. Maybe they didnt get the information, although, the parents of those Fulani people are also wealthy, the hunter said.

The kidnappers have contacted the family for ransom but it seems those kidnappers just started the business because they are young people, he added.

According to the information reaching us, the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of five million naira.

Yemisi Opalola, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the abduction.

Mrs Opalola said one Hamidat Ibraheem reported the case to the police.

The gunmen abducted Hamzat Ibrahim, Deere Ibrahim and a 38-year-old man. Our officers, hunters and other local security agencies are combing the forest to rescue the victims.

READ ALSO: Kidnappers release remaining Baptist Church members after N10m ransom

Two weeks ago, two farmers who are members of Baptist Church in Iwo, were also kidnapped while returning from their farms in Ileogbo, Osun State.

Their abductors demanded N10 million ransom for their release.

Three people selected by the church to deliver the ransom at a location in Kogi State were also abducted by the kidnappers.

The five victims have however been released after a total ransom of N10 million was paid.

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President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Lagos for Senegal on Tuesday where he will attend the 2nd edition of the Dakar International Conference on Agriculture.

The high-level Dakar 2 Summit hosted by President Macky Sall of Senegal and the Chairperson of the African Union is holding under the theme Feeding Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience.

The conference, which seeks to create favourable conditions toward achieving food security in Africa, is convened jointly by the government of Senegal and the African Development Bank.

There will also be side meetings to discuss agreements on the delivery of food and agricultural products in some countries, including Nigeria.

With Africa accounting for 249 million or a third of the 828 million hungry people in the world, the Summit, to be attended by African Heads of State and Government, Ministers of finance and agriculture, as well as several global development partners, is expected to make commitments on eradicating hunger in Africa by 2030.

The presidents delegation is made up of ministers and top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar.

President Buhari is expected back in the country on Wednesday, January 25.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

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A day after winning a major political victory through the court, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio says he has forgiven those behind his political travails.

Mr Akpabio stated this on Sunday at a thanksgiving mass at St. Lucy Catholic Church in his country home, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The mass was organised to celebrate the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed Mr Akpabio as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North-west District.

Mr Akpabio and a retired deputy inspector general of police, Udom Ekpoudom, had engaged in a protracted battle over who is the rightful candidate of the APC for the district.

Mr Ekpoudom won the initial primary election of the party monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Mr Akpabio initially declared interest in becoming president but later stepped down for Bola Tinubu in the middle of the APC presidential primary in June last year.

Thereafter, a faction of the APC in Akwa Ibom State organised another senatorial primary in Akwa Ibom North-west. Mr Akpabio was announced winner of that contest.

The APC national headquarters forwarded Mr Akpabios name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the senatorial candidate for the district but the Commission rejected it on the grounds it did not monitor the primary as stipulated by the electoral act.

Mr Akpabio challenged INECs decision at the Federal High Court and got a judgment in his favour  the electoral body was ordered to list the former ministers name as the rightful candidate for the senatorial district.

READ ALSO:

His rival, Mr Ekpoudom headed to the Court of Appeal which upturned the judgment of the lower court.

Dissatisfied with the appellate courts verdict, Mr Akpabio appealed to the Supreme Court which on Friday gave judgment in his favour.

Ive forgiven all

Speaking on his political travail, the former governor of Akwa Ibom said he bore no grudge against anyone over what he went through. I have decided to forgive all, he said.

Mr Akpabios comment at the church service was later posted on Facebook by his media aide, Jackson Udom.

Mr Akpabio, who was at the service with his wife, Unoma, and several of his supporters, thanked God for seeing him through in his quest to become the APC candidate.

He told the congregation that this was his second thanksgiving after the apex court judgment.

I stand before you all today, to return thanks, honour and praises to God almighty for our victory at the Supreme Court. When all hopes appeared gone, our Lord came through for me and that is why I have come to return all thanks to Him because he alone is worthy to be praised.

When the judgement was delivered on Friday, I left my house in Abuja to the church to thank Him for the victory. On my arrival today (Sunday) I decided to make Gods presence my first port of call, not for anything but to tell Him I am grateful for His favour and blessings to me, Mr Akpabio said.

Mr Akpabio was elected senator in 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later defected to the APC in 2018, where he contested for a second term in 2019 but was defeated by the PDP candidate, Christopher Ekpenyong, who is a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Mr Akpabios major rival in the senatorial election is his former political ally, Emmanuel Enoidem, who is the candidate of the PDP for the election.

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Still smarting from the ruptures of COVID-19 that took humanity by storm in 2020, the world is panicking yet again, with the surge of the virus in China. The country had a month ago reversed its zero-COVID-19 policy restrictions. In the wake of this U-turn, hospitals in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong have been filled to capacity with COVID-19 patients. Experts say that about 250 million people were reportedly infected in the first three weeks of December 2022.

A Henan province health data, which records that 88.5 million people, out of a population of 99.4 million, contracted the virus as of 6 January is reinforced by Peking Universitys study that claims 900 million Chinese were infected as of 11 January. The lobby of hospitals in cities are over-crowded with patients, several of whom lay on the floor, waiting for admission. While hospitals are struggling to cope, most schools and businesses have shut down. The situation is so gruelling that doctors and nurses infected with the virus are being compelled to work, despite their frail conditions. About 5,000 deaths and one million infections are reportedly recorded daily in China, says Airfinity Ltd, a United Kingdom-based analytic company.

The details are so staggering that China has censored the daily publication of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The countrys crematoriums are overwhelmed. As its COVID-19 situation skyrockets, China has, ironically, removed all restrictions for foreign travellers; a policy action shy of a Greek gift. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and many countries are concerned about Beijings usual opacity in public health disclosures. WHOs director of emergencies, Mike Ryan, has emphasised that, We still do not have complete data. The organisation has just made a global appeal for the use of face masks, irrespective of the epidemiological situation.

Not willing to be roiled by COVID-19, as was the case in 2020, many countries have either imposed restrictions or outright bans on travellers from China. Among them is Morocco, which has banned all flights from China. Italy, Spain, United States, UK, South Africa, Ghana, India, France, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Malaysia, Israel, Taiwan and South Korea and Qatar now subject all travellers from China to tests. In a series of tests, Italy discovered that 50% of passengers on two flights from China to Milan had COVID-19.

The dreaded Omicron sub-variants  XBB and XBB 1.5  described as highly contagious, evade the immune system, and have surfaced in many Western nations, leading to increased hospital admissions and shortage of basic medicines. As of 31 December 2022, the US reported COVID-19 cases stood at 40%, from its previous 1%, according to its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is worrying that Nigeria is missing from the list of countries pre-emptively responding to the latest Chinese COVID-19 conundrum. Nigeria stands the risk of being easily exposed with its importers and businessmen flooding China and with the large Chinese presence here. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is monitoring the trends in countries with a high volume of traffic to, and from, Nigeria, assuring the public that the Omicron sub-variants have not yet been detected in the country.

This tentativeness is objectionable because of the havoc it could cause the country. Besides, it is at variance with the timely advisory of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, which warned that the country cannot afford the spill over from the current increase in COVID-19 cases from China. A statement by its President, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, urged Nigeria to immediately tighten her borders with strict restrictions on flights coming from China through Qatar, Ethiopia, South Africa and other airlines.

Nigeria should not wait until it is overwhelmed. Our healthcare system is in dire-straits, compounded by the mass exodus of doctors and nurses to Europe, the Americas and Asia. A virus that killed 3,155 Nigerians and infected 266,450 others, as of January 2023, should be taken as an existential threat. Globally, about 6,692,002 deaths and more than 661 million infections have been recorded within the period under review.

As in many parts of the world, COVID-19 data are not true reflections of the realities on ground due to many unreported cases. Nigeria is notorious for not keeping records of deaths and their causes, except those that occurred in hospitals. The world has witnessed at least three waves of COVID-19. While some countries carried out aggressive testing to know the depths of infection and transmission, Nigeria struggled to set up a few molecular biological laboratories just for testing. Many citizens still live in denial of the existence of the virus and are hesitant in taking COVID-19 jabs.

This situation, perhaps, explains why Nigerias infection and death tallies are the lowest in the world, among nations that fall within the 200 million population range. For instance, when Brazils earlier COVID-19 death figures were 682,549, Nigeria had about 3,000 deaths. The status quo remains. The explanation of Dr Muktar Mohammed of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, that the recent relaxation of restrictions was because of so much pressure on us, should invite public attention. The Committees actions should not be dictated by social or political pressure. As of 11 December, 2022, a total of 102,292,641 vaccine doses had been administered in Nigeria, according to the WHO Dashboard on COVID-19 vaccination. It means that 2022 ended with the country failing for two successive years, to achieve the WHO 70% vaccination threshold, needed to attain herd immunity in a given population.

If extraneous factors, rather than objective conditions, corralled the TPSC to relax restrictions, it suggests that its knowledge and handling of the past three COVID-19 waves are suspect. The notion that exits from previous COVID-19 waves were not clinically or scientifically based says a lot. It underscores the point that the challenges of the country in containing the pathogen are dire and gargantuan.

With China bristling with fury and threatening reciprocal action against countries that have imposed restrictions on travellers from its domain, Nigeria as a big debtor to the Asian giant might not be able to muster sufficient courage, like other nations, to halt the spread of the virus from China. PREMIUM TIMES believes that Nigeria should have the courage to protect the interest of its people.

Consequently, Nigeria should subject all flight passengers from China and others countries experiencing the fourth wave of infections of the virus to tests. It is clear that no country has recovered from the economic meltdown induced by the virus in 2020. Resurgence of the pandemic will unfold much untold hardship. It is in the public interest, therefore, that regular hand washing and sanitising, the use of face masks in public places, and covering of the nose while sneezing, amongst other COVID-19 health protocols, should be maintained.

Citizens also have a role to play in this. The best defence against the virus remains taking the recommended doses of vaccines. Nigerians should be on the lookout for COVID-19 symptoms like the flu, fever, headache, coughs, sore throat, persistent sneezing, and loss of the sense of smell and appetite as indicators of exposure and infection. Thereafter, urgent medical attention will be crucial in order to forestall the susceptibility of many to COVID-19s rising and gory statistics.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has said Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacks the character to be the countrys president.

Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement was the councils reaction to the latest call by the PDP on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the EFCC to investigate Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, over drug trafficking.

The PDP had also alleged that Mr Tinubu, a former two-term Lagos State governor, was involved in illegal drug-related business as recently as 2015.

It is obvious that the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, are yet to recover from the bombshell the APC PCC released last week, Mr Onanuga said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the APC PCC, at a recent news conference, questioned the morality of Atiku to remain in the presidential race, following his alleged damaging self-confession in a leaked audio clip.

The APC at the news conference, called on security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute Atiku, a former vice president, for running Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) used to divert public funds.

Since the scandal broke out, along with legal action to compel anti-graft agencies to perform their role, Atiku and his party, PDP, have laboured in vain to deflect and cover-up with their series of ad hominem arguments.

Instead of Atiku to apologise to Nigerians for abusing his office and position of trust as vice president in the past, his spokesmen continue to dig deeper in the hole they already found themselves, Mr Onanuga said.

He said Atiku and his party were doing this by raising many false allegations against Mr Tinubu.

He added that the latest chapter in Atiku and PDPs comedy was the rehash of old tales and fables that had no basis in facts and reality against Mr Tinubu.

Our stand remains that Atiku Abubakar lacks the character to be the president of Nigeria.

He is unfit to lead our country because he can be an easy target for compromises that will be against national interest, Mr Onanuga stressed.

According to him, Atiku, in deeds and words, has shown that he cannot be trusted to manage the resources of country.

And we believe that the characters who still parade themselves as his spokespersons have lost their minds.

This is why they think Nigerians can be swayed by all their deliberate falsehoods and the lies they manufacture everyday against Tinubu to deceive the public.

They should instead be remorseful for the legendary corruption of their boss, he said.

(NAN)

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The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has donated N10 million to Nura Abdullahi, who emerged as the overall winner of the National Quranic Recitation Competition.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad, also honoured the winner with the traditional title of Modibbon Sokoto.

The ceremony to honour the winner was held at the International Conference Center Kasarawa in Sokoto on Sunday. The competition was held last year in Gusau, Zamfara State.

The winner, an undergraduate student of Computer Science, from Sokoto State, was the first indigene of the state to win the annual competition since its inception in 1986.

The state government also awarded Mr Abdullahi an appointment in the Sokoto Civil Service, a graduate scholarship covering Masters and PhD studies and four Hajj seats, the media aide to the governor, Muhammad Bello, said.

The governor also awarded Zainab Mahmoud, who won the female competition, a N3 million cash prize and a hajj seat.

The Sultan of Sokoto donated N500,000 cash on behalf of the Sultanate Council, to Ms Mahmoud.

Previous winners

Kano State has won the coveted title 12 times, first, during its second edition in 1987, won by the late Jafar Mahmud-Adam, LEADERSHIP Newspaper reported.

The late Mr Mahmud-Adam rose to become a prominent scholar in Northern Nigeria and Hausa-speaking countries of West Africa.

Mr Mahmud-Adam was shot and killed in 2007 by unknown persons while leading morning congregational prayers in his Dorayi mosque in the Kano metropolis.

With six wins, Plateau State is the next state with the highest laurel after Kano. Bauchi and Zamfara states have won the title three times each while Borno and Kaduna states have won it twice each.

Kebbi, Adamawa, Kwara, Kogi, Katsina, Gombe and Yobe States have won the competition once each. The competition was not held in 1997 and was merged in 1998/1999, 2003/2004, 2007/2008 and 2021/2022.

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President Buhari's government as well as those depending on it for their monthly stipend are in for difficult times in the last five months of this administration. For a government led by individuals hanging on to one idea of how to fund government operations, and that a wrong one, it is not easy to develop plan B in a short time to avert disaster.

Budgets, since 2016, had been predicated on the assumption that the Federal Government will generate less revenue than the proposed expenditure. The difference will be covered by borrowing. And, when other sources are not forthcoming, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the lender of last resort, would cough up the needed amount. Buhari could go to bed each month end without losing a minute of sleep on account of a "job well done".

Ignorance always brings peaceful repose - until reality disturbs the peace of mind. Right now, the ignored facts of the operations of Ways and Means facility since 2015 are sending shock waves through the entire FG structure. The FG, like an addict, denied his narcotic, is suffering from a violent withdrawal syndrome. The drug, borrowed funds, is urgently needed; but, is not now available from the formerly reliable supplier - the CBN.

Furthermore, there will be no new loans from the CBN until further notice until the gluttonous FG repays N23.7 trillion former loans which were swallowed by a government lacking in self-control; one which, like a child, took the easy way out of public expenditure financing.

OSINBAJO STARTED IT ALL IN 2015.

"It aint the things that you don't know that cause the problem; it's things you think you know that ain't so' Ralph W Emerson, 1803-1882, p 117.

Incidentally, the formerly outspoken and erudite Vice President, Professor Osinbajo, appears to have been silenced. The magnitude of the economic catastrophe the All Progressives Congress, APC, had unleashed on the nation might have hit him like a ton of bricks. He, unlike Buhari, knows that none of the top members of this government will ever be remembered with fondness by posterity. This failure will cling to him and the rest for as long as men exist in this country.

Appointed the Chairman of the Economic Management Team, CEMT - a position he should have wisely rejected - he was proud to announce to Nigerians the "biggest budget in Nigeria's history for 2016"; with scant regard for how to fund it other than borrowing. That economic absurdity was unfolding as several economists were predicting a recession in 2016 on account of sharp drop in crude oil prices and exports.

The largest annual deficit was projected, based on borrowing without a credible repayment plan. Worst of all, the biggest allocation went to the Social Investment Programme - tucked under Osinbajo. Borrowing to fund a give-away programme was the equivalent of a jobless drunkard, owing the bar man lots of money, and still asking the bar man to "serve round". It was totally irresponsible; and the VP was unaware of the economic lunacy because he was suitable for the role assigned to him. But, he did more.

Osinbajo recruited the Governor of the CBN, Emefiele, into the CEMT. It was an invitation the Governor should have declined. It opened the way for the accumulation of debts now totalling N23.7 trillion - which cannot now be repaid legally by the FG. That financial and legal road block is now what threatens to make the lives of Civil servants miserable for the four months left for Buhari to go.

SPIRAL OF ECONOMIC WOES

"One bad leader in a nation can cause more destruction than several invading armies." Anon.

Granted, British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, 1916-1995, had told us that "a week is a long time in politics". Never in Nigerian politics have four months seem like eternity. Most Nigerians cannot wait to see Buhari's back. But, before he departs, permit me to inform Nigerians about the spiral of economic calamities which will be unleashed. Nearly 90 per cent of Nigerians depend on monthly wages/salaries or daily take homes.

A few, like landlords live on rents paid occasionally - depending on the arrangements. Additionally, in most states, public servants constitute the back bone of expenditure for aggregate personal consumption. FG's inability to pay full salaries and entitlements will be felt at every level of society and in every community. As purchasing power plummets, recession will creep in gradually and aggravate the economic hardship.

If workers are not paid, contractors, which are well below in line for monthly payments, will also face difficulties getting paid. At any rate, they are in the same boat with public servants. The FG had been borrowing to repay old loans. If one major source of loans dries up, rationing will necessarily occur. If that happens, only those highly-connected will get paid during the period until the government can re-establish its credit lines.

RESPECT YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER - PENSIONERS

"What does corrupting time not diminish? Our grandparents brought forth feebler heirs; we are further degenerate; and soon will beget progeny more wicked. Horace, 65-8 BC, VBQ, p 247.

If you want to know how good or bad a society is, watch how it treats its children and old people. Nigeria's pensioners have been treated like horse manure since the 1980s; and their plight got worse with each government. Buhari is set to leave them in the worst peril ever - as he goes to Daura to enjoy his own huge benefits which will be paid unfailingly. Selfishness cannot be better defined.

I grew up helping one of my uncles to deliver his pension cheques to the Bank of British West Africa, BBWA, now First Bank, after the cheque was brought to his house by the postman. He was not alone. That was under the "wicked" British colonial rule. No pensioner had to leave his/her house to ask for their entitlements. Today, 63 years after independence, and with our brothers and sisters in government, pensioners now die in queues. Unfortunately, the current crop of public servants will deal pensioners the harshest blows. Life under Buhari has turned out to be the worst ever in Nigerian history. You were warned.

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BORROWING TO CREATE MORE REASONS FOR BORROWING

"Subsidy: FG borrowing to import fuel, says Minister." Report January 18, 2023

It is just as well that this is the last year of the Buhari administration. Otherwise, Nigeria would have been ruined beyond redemption. Even now, the next three governments will be working over-time just to repay the debts accumulated by the so called economist who governed us from 2015 to 2023. Granted, even Jonathan, with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Chairman of the Economic Management Team CEMT, lacked the courage to stop fuel subsidy, Buhari who campaigned on removal of subsidy, and failed, had seized on the precedents established by his predecessors to continue with the ruinous policy of borrowing to subsidise fuel imports without restraints. The crunch has come in 2023. It will be interesting to observe how the government wriggles out of its own self-created tight corner.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo.

The party said Mr Keyamo should be sacked for allegedly abusing office.

The spokesperson for the Atiku-Okowa (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday.

Mr Keyamo, he said, is using the official privilege and powers of his office to intimidate the agencies of the government including going to court and filing a case against the agents of the same branch of government to which he belongs.

Mr Bwalas comment was in reaction to Keyamos call for the probe of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, over alleged corruption cases.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Keyamo, who is also one of the spokespersons of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, sued Atiku over a new corruption allegation.

On 16 January, he issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the antigraft agencies like the CCB, ICPC and the EFCC, to arrest Atiku on offences of money laundering, breach of the code of conduct for public officers, conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.

He issued the ultimatum following allegations of corruption levelled against Atiku by one Michael Achimugu who claimed to be a former aide to the former vice president.

He later filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling Atiku to surrender himself to EFCC, ICPC, and CCB for thorough investigations.

Mr Keyamo also urged the court to declare that the agencies are under a legal obligation to invite and/or arrest, investigate and (if found wanting) prosecute Atiku.

Keyamo abusing office

Addressing journalists, Mr Bwala said the minister was using his office to intimidate the agencies of the federal government and called on the president to sack him.

We are calling on the president, because we believe that he is committed to a free and fair process (election), to immediately sack the ministerfor abusing the office that he has, because that office is being paid for by taxpayers money

Mr Bwala also said he and some members of the PDP have received threats to life by people from the campaign team of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. He urged the federal government to look into it.

Probe for Tinubu

Similarly, Mr Bwala noted that a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta had lodged a petition at the EFCC against Mr Tinubu.

The petition, he explained, involves massive corruption and misappropriation of funds belonging to the government of Lagos State, abuse of office, and conflict of interests.

The said petition raised issues bordering on a wide range of corruption allegations and we call on the EFCC to address the nation on their findings of the investigation which we believe is long overdue.

He urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to probe Mr Tinubu over alleged drug-related offences.

Mr Bwala also called on all relevant authorities to probe the APC presidential candidate and his allies for allegedly setting up and funding a militia called Jagaban Soldiers and Battalions for the alleged purposes of executing his political agenda.

The press conference also had in attendance other key members of the Atiku-Okowa campaign team including Dele Momodu and Phrank Shuaibu.

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The outlawed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the suspension of Kingsley Kanu, the younger brother of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu from IPOB, for allegedly working against the interest of the group.

Mr Kingsleys suspension was announced in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group in Germany, Collins Chinedu and issued by IPOBs spokesperson, Emma Powerful.

The lPOB leadership in Germany unanimously suspends him (Kingsley) indefinitely from the family of IPOB in Germany led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with effect from today, the 21st of January 2023, said the statement which was issued on Sunday night.

The group accused Kingsley of indulging in a series of anti-IPOB activities allegedly aimed at bringing the IPOB in Germany to disrepute and, by extension, disorganising the group worldwide.

He is accused of insubordination to IPOB leadership, forming a parallel leadership in Germany and violating the groups code of conduct.

Kingsley is said to have reported a fellow IPOB member to the German police, which is against the IPOBs code of conduct and his oath to the group.

The group said Kingsley is just an ordinary member of IPOB in Landsberg am Lech, Germany, but has been using his affiliation to the detained IPOB leader, Mr Kanu to gain unmerited super advantage and has been placing himself above every IPOB rule.

IPOB specifically accused Mr Kingsley of Imposing and parading an expelled IPOB member, Mr. Ogbenna Abraham as the new National Coordinator in Germany with the sole intent to cause division within the existing structure in Germany.

The group said Mr Kingsley must understand that the Biafra struggle is beyond anybodys affiliation with its leader, Mr Kanu.

The struggle itself is beyond a family affair, it added.

The IPOB in Germany is a registered nonprofit organisation under German laws.

Mr Kingsley Kanu must, therefore, be reminded that further violations of the code of conduct will have serious legal consequences, the group warned.

IPOB warned its members globally, not to take orders or work with Mr Kingsley.

The group is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

Its leader, Mr Kanu, is standing trial in Abuja for alleged terrorism.

Mr Kanus follower, Simon Ekpa, allegedly broke away last year and formed a parallel group which has been accused of carrying out most of the deadly attacks in South-east Nigeria.

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A former minister of Petroleum and a BoT member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Don Etiebet, has rejected the candidacy of Godswill Akpabio for the 2023 senatorial election in Akwa Ibom North-West District.

Mr Etiebet, who is from the Akwa Ibom North-West District, said this shortly after the Fridays judgment by the Supreme Court, which affirmed Mr Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as the authentic APC candidate for the election in the district.

Mr Etiebet said the federal constituency which Mr Akpabio is from in the district has produced a senator several times, and that it is the turn of another federal constituency which has produced none before.

The Akwa Ibom North-West District comprises 10 local government areas which are grouped under four federal constituencies  Ikot Ekpene; Ikono/Ini; Ukanafun/Oruk Anam; and Abak.

The last two federal constituencies, usually lumped together in political discourse, are popularly referred to as Abak-5.

Mr Akpabios Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency has produced a senator five times, from 1963 till date, and that includes Mr Akpabios election as senator in 2015.

Christopher Ekpenyong, the current senator representing the district, is from Mr Akpabios constituency.

Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has produced a senator twice, while Ukanafun/Oruk Anam has produced a senator thrice.

The Abak Federal Constituency is the only constituency in the district that is yet to produce a senator.

Mr Etiebet says the political leaders in the district respect, but do not accept, the Supreme Court judgment on Mr Akpabio because of equity and fairness.

We from the senatorial district have since resolved that it is the turn of Abak-5 Zone of the District and in particular, the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency to produce the senator this time around since all the other three federal constituencies in the senatorial district have produced senators several times, said Mr Etiebet who is a revered APC leader in Akwa Ibom.

The former ministers remark is published on Facebook by a chieftain of the APC and a newspaper publisher, Uduakabasi Ikpat.

Mr Etiebet said it was for the purpose of achieving equity and fairness that the APC members in the district elected a former deputy inspector general of police, Udom Ekpoudom, who is from the Abak Federal Constituency, as the party candidate for the senatorial election.

The Court of Appeal had ruled in favour of Mr Ekpoudom before the judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court in Mr Akpabios favour.

Senator Godswill Akpabio did not participate in that senatorial primary monitored by INEC but having failed in his presidential bid he was pursuing at the time of the senatorial primary, he rushed back at a later date to have a nocturnal primary not monitored by INEC to declare himself as the senatorial candidate.

Mr Etiebet said Mr Akpabio would have given a chance to the Abak Federal Constituency to produce the next senator if he had any feeling of comradeship, brotherliness and love for others.

The former minister said political leaders in the district have resolved to support any candidate from Abak Federal Constituency for the senatorial election.

It is unclear, however, if the APC leaders in the district will throw their weight behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem, who is from the Abak Federal Constituency.

Senator Akpabio reacts

Mr Akpabios campaign organisation said Mr Etiebets remark indicates that he intends to support Mr Enoidem in the senatorial election.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Joe Iniodu, the campaign said, It is strange that while PDP jettisons zoning at the national level, it orchestrates it with missionary zealotry in Abak/Etim-Ekpo/lka Federal Constituency.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was elected senator in 2015 under the PDP. He later defected to the APC in 2018, where he contested for a second term in 2019 but was defeated by the PDP candidate, Mr Ekpenyong, who is a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom.

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The governorship candidates of the four leading political parties in Katsina on Monday reeled out their plans in a debate organised by the BBC Hausa Service.

The debate, which took place at the Local Government Service Commission in Katsina, was moderated by Umaima Sani  Abdulmuminu of BBC Hausa and lasted for two hours, and 30 minutes.

The candidates who participated in the debate were: Yakubu Lado of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dikko Radda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nura Khlail of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Jaafar Jino of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Katsina, like many states in the North Western region, is witnessing a series of terrorist attacks that have led to the death and displacement of millions of residents.

The poverty rate has also been on the increase in the region with the latest Nigeria Bureau of Statistics NBS Multidimensional Poverty Index showing Katsina state has a 74.5 per cent poverty rate, second only to Sokoto.

The debate

The major issues discussed during the debate included: education, healthcare, security, agriculture, economy and empowerment.

While Mr Radda of the APC said he would lead the fight against terrorists by going to their camps, Mr Lado of PDP said he would first tackle drug abuse and unemployment among the youth, which he said is the cause of insecurity.

Mr Khalil of NNPP said he would involve traditional rulers in the decision-making process as he believed this would reduce the insecurity in killings in the state. Mr Jino of PRP said he would concentrate on the victims of terrorist activities to stop them from thinking of taking arms to carry out reprisal attacks.

On healthcare, Mr Jino said he would increase the salary of health workers as a means of rolling back the exodus of health workers from the state.

Before I released my campaign documents, I sat with medical doctors and healthcare workers and we discussed the salary issue. When you look at it, Katsina State is in a serious situation because of the lack of these workers. Theyre leaving because there is no good salary, he said.

Mr Khalil said he would expand the health insurance scheme to ensure every household is captured. He also promised to engage in the massive provision of drugs to hospitals and health centres.

Mr Radda said he would ensure the provision of potable water and fight against malaria to reduce the high rate of infectious diseases. He said with a clean environment, there would be minimum health issues in hospitals.

Mr Lado said he would increase the number of health workers and ensure training and retraining. He said he would employ at least four medical doctors in every local government area.

On education, Mr Lado promised to prioritize basic education by engaging and training more qualified teachers.

Ill employ more teachers and ensure theyre well trained. Ill also ensure that classrooms are not congested to ensure pupil and teacher interaction. If elected, basic education will be given the topmost priority because thats the beginning and we need to make it better, he said.

Mr Jino on his part vowed to not only recruit more teachers but ensure their welfare. He promised to tackle the issue of out-of-school children by declaring free and compulsory education.

On his part, Mr Khalil said he would seek more revenue and most of the funds got would be channelled to the education sector.

Mr Radda said he would ensure that the politicisation of teacher recruitment is stopped.

Speaking on agriculture, Mr Lado vowed to retrieve all farmlands sold to individuals by the state government.

Retrieving and giving back the farmlands to their rightful owners would help us in reviving the relationship between herders and farmers. I would also provide fertilizer at an affordable price to the public, he said.

Mr Radda said if elected, his administration would revive agricultural institutes in the state to equip farmers with the knowledge of farming.

Mr Jino said he would ensure that fertilisers are sold at N1,700 per bag to make it affordable. He also promised that his government would establish an agriculture loan bank.

Mr Khalil said his administration would invite investors to invest in the agriculture sector and provide an enabling environment for farmers to sell their produce.

Other issues discussed were tackling poverty, providing shelter to displaced people, tackling rape, and other criminal acts.

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Police in Ebonyi State said on Monday that they have arrested at least 26 persons in connection with the crisis and killings that took place on 26 December at Ekoli-Edda Community in Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

A police inspector was killed during the crisis which occurred because of a clash between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairperson, Stanley Emegha, and the partys House of Representatives candidate for Afikpo North and Afikpo South Federal Constituency, Eni Uduma.

A youth leader in the community identified as Eseni Egwu and Eme Orji, the younger brother to the APC chairperson, were also killed in the clash.

The police spokesperson in the state, Chris Anyanwu, told reporters at a press briefing in Abakaliki that besides the arrest, the police had recovered one AK-47 rifle and live ammunition, two pump action rifles, one Dane gun, three AK-47 magazines amongst others.

Mr Anyanwu confirmed that the property destroyed during the incident includes a residential building belonging to Ebonyi APC chairperson, Mr Emegha, a Toyota Hilux truck and one motorcycle.

He said the others were a Toyota Sienna bus, one grocery shop, doors, and windows.

The police spokesperson said they would arraign 14 out of the 26 suspects.

They would be arraigned as prima facie cases of conspiracy, armed robbery, arson, unlawful possession and malicious damage have been established against them.

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The command is advising the youth from all communities and clans in Ebonyi to learn positive lessons from the ill-fated incident of December 26 that befell Ekoli-Edda and guard against its replication, Mr Anyanwu added.

It is unclear for now if the two principal figures  Messrs Emegha and Uduma  in the clash are among the arrested suspects.

Mr Emegha, who is also a security consultant to the Ebonyi State Government, is in charge of the Ebubeagu, a security outfit that is backed by the state government.

His rival, Mr Uduma, is a former chairperson of the local government council who finished his second term in August last year.

Both are loyalists of the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi. They hail from the community but have been political foes for a long time.

Mr Umahi shortly after the incident ordered the arrest of Messrs Emegha and Uduma.

The police spokesperson, Mr Anyanwu, in his initial statement in December said the two politicians had been placed in protective custody to douse the tension in the area.

(NAN)

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The Management of the University of Calabar has ordered the immediate removal of Sylvester Ohadoma as Head of the Department (HoD) of Pharmacology.

This was contained in a statement by the Registrar of the institution, Gabriel Egbe, in Calabar, on Monday.

Mr Egbe said Mr Ohadoma was removed as the HoD, for consistently flouting the university Senates directives concerning extortion and collection of unapproved levies from students.

He said the decision was in tandem with managements decision to rid the institution of all forms of unethical practices, especially extortion of students.

Management received a report that Ohadoma as HoD, Pharmacology and Coordinator of the course, Principles of Pharmacology 322, illegally charged and collected the sum of N3,200 from students for what he termed practical fees.

This is even as Ohadoma is said to have extorted the same amount from students in the previous semesters, in addition to selling textbooks for as much as N12,000 each to students in flagrant contravention of managements directive, he said.

Mr Egbe said the present administration of the university finds it repulsive that one who should take the lead in protecting the integrity of the institution was involved in such unwholesome practices.

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He added that the universitys management would not condone any unethical practice by staff.

As part of disciplinary measures, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, has approved that Ohadoma should be relieved of his appointment as HoD and Coordinator of Principles of Pharmacology 322, with effect from January 23, 2023.

Management has further instructed that all official responsibilities hitherto handled by Ohadoma, including teaching and supervision, are to be re-assigned to other qualified lecturers in the department.

Ohadoma is barred from having any direct academic interface with students for one year.

Ohadoma has been further ordered to refund all unauthorised monies which he collected from students and provide evidence of such refund to the vice-chancellor through the Director, SERVICOM within the next month.

While hoping that this will serve as a deterrent to others, management has directed the Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, to ensure strict and full compliance with the directives, he said.

(NAN)

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The police in Imo State, South-east Nigeria, have spoken on the recent beheading of Christopher Ohizu, the sole administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the gunmen, in a viral video clip, beheaded the administrator of the council area, after abducting him and razing his residence on Friday.

Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police in the state were aware of the obscene video clip showing the victim being beheaded.

The police spokesperson said suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, carried out the attack.

The command wishes to inform the good people of the state that we are already on top of the situation following a high-powered investigation inaugurated by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Barde, Mr Okoye said.

We have since commenced technical investigation on the date of the abduction and have been on the trail of the hoodlums where tremendous progress was being made before the surfacing of the obscene video, he stated.

He said the police would not relent in their efforts to track down the hoodlums and unravel their identities.

Mr Okoye urged the people of the council area and other residents of the state to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, assuring that the police and officers of other security agencies were working assiduously to prevent any break down of law and order in the state.

He appealed to the residents to assist the police with credible information and also report any suspicious movements around their area.

Worsening insecurity

Like other states in Nigerias south-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The latest attack occurred about two days after a police officer was killed by gunmen who attacked Oguta Divisional Police Headquarters in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

Gunmen, suspected to be members of the IPOB, on Wednesday, attacked Agwa Vigilante Group in Agwa Community in the same Oguta Council Area of the state. Three suspected members of the IPOB were killed by police operatives who foiled the attack.

The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

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Two senior lawyers, Kayinsola Ajayi and Etigwa Uwa, on Monday, staged a walkout on a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja in the middle of a hearing over the alleged unlawful removal of Ifeanyi Ararume as NNPC Limiteds non-executive chair early last year.

The protesting lawyers, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), had appeared in court to represent the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited).

Unperturbed by the development, the judge, Inyang Ekwo, ensured the hearing continued after the lawyers walkout on Monday.

Other lawyers in the case adopted their final addresses, and the judge went on to fix 28 March for judgement at the end of the hearing.

Mr Ararume had sued President Muhammadu Buhari along with NNPC Limited last year, praying the court to declare his sacking as the non-executive chair of the company as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Mr Kayinsola, a law professor, who led a team of lawyers on behalf of the NNPC Limited, sought to argue an application urging the court to halt proceedings pending an appeal against its 11 January ruling.

Mr Kayinsola contended that his application seeking a stay of proceedings must be heard separately and the ruling delivered by the judge before any other application should be heard.

Trouble started when the judge asked Mr Kayinsola to move the application along with two others he had pending in court.

Mr Ekwo, reputed for his astute management of judicial time, said he would deliver separate rulings on each of the requests at a later time.

But Mr Kanyinsola insisted on moving the application for a stay of proceedings against the judges directive even after Mr Ararumes lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), said the application had yet to be served on him.

But the judge stuck to his gun and ordered the lawyer to proceed with the hearing as he ordered.

Immediately Mr Ekwo ordered the NNPC lawyer to move his three applications, Messrs Kayinsola and Uwa announced their withdrawal from the case, staging a walkout on the court.

Lawyers present final arguments

Following NNPC Limiteds lawyers withdrawal from the proceedings, Mr Ararumes lawyer, Mr Uche, adopted his final brief of arguments.

He urged the court to invoke the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to void Mr Araraumes removal as the Chairman of the NNPC Limited.

The plaintiffs lawyer informed Mr Ekwo that Mr Buhari breached the law by removing Mr Ararume after incorporating the oil company in his name and was billed for inauguration in the capacity.

But Mr Buharis lawyer, Abubakar Shuaib, asked the court to dismiss the suit for being statute-barred.

In his argument, Mr Shuaib said Mr Ararumes suit offended Section 2(a) of the Public Officers Act and as such was incompetent.

Also, Akeem Mustapha (SAN), representing the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) which is also sued as a defendant in the suit, urged the court to decline jurisdiction over the suit.

He argued that the CAC had no hand in Mr Ararumes sacking, adding it only incorporated NNPCL as a limited liability company based on the document submitted to it.

After listening to the lawyers arguments, the judge slated 28 March for judgement.

Background

Mr Ararume sued the president, praying the court to declare his sack as NNPC board chairman illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

He contended that his removal by Mr Buhari vide letter of 17 January 2022 with reference number SGF.3V111/86 was a violation of the CAMA law under which NNPCL was incorporated.

The plaintiff urged the court to order his reinstatement to office.

Also, Mr Ararume demanded N100 billion as the damages he suffered as a result of his unlawful removal from office.

He also sought an order of the court reinstating him forthwith and restoring him to the office with all the appurtenant rights and privileges of the office of the NNPC non-executive chairman.

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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that it collected over N10 trillion in tax revenue in the year 2022, the highest tax collection ever recorded in its history.

The Service made this known in its FIRS 2022 Performance Update, report signed by its Chairman, Muhammad Nami, and released to the public on Monday, after his briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The FIRS, in the year 2022 collected a total of N10.1 trillion in both oil (N4.09 trillion) and non-oil (N5.96 trillion) revenues as against a target of N10.44 trillion.

Companies Income Tax contributed N2.83 trillion; Value Added Tax N2.51 trillion; Electronic Money Transfer Levy N125.67 billion and Earmarked Taxes N353.69 billion.

Non-oil taxes contributed 59% of the total collection in the year, while oil tax collection stood at 41% of the total collection, the report noted.

It is the first time that the FIRS will cross the 10-trillion Naira mark in tax revenue collection.

The Performance Update Report further clarified that included in the total revenue sum is the sum of N146.27 billion which is the total value of certificates issued by the Service to private investors and NNPC for road infrastructure under the Road Infrastructure Development Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme created by Executive Order No. 007 of 2019.

The report also stated that the N10.1 trillion is exclusive of tax waived on account of various tax incentives granted under the respective laws, which amounted to N1,805,040,163,008.

Providing perspective to this unprecedented tax collection, the FIRS noted in the Performance Update that the Muhammad Nami-led management upon assumption of office came up with a four-point focus, namely: administrative and operational restructuring; making the service customer-focused; creating a data-centric institution; and automation of administrative and operational processes.

It further noted that throughout 2020 to 2022, the management had introduced reforms bordering around these four-point foci which were producing results.

The reforms introduced at different times in 2020 are gradually yielding fruits. By the close of 2022, the Service had fully restructured the administration of the Service for maximum efficiency and achieved internal cohesion such that all functional units are working in unison towards the achievement of set goals.

As a result of conducive environment created for staff, officers of the Service are pulling their weight on the global stage with international recognitions and awards;

The Service had also automated most of the administrative and operational processes. A major leap was the full deployment of the TaxPro Max for end-to-end administration of taxes in June 2021. The module for the automated TCC went live 1st January 2023 while taxpayers had already downloaded over 1,000 TCCs this year without having to visit FIRS office, the report read.

It also noted that the Service had operationalised its data mining and analysis system thereby allowing for data-backed taxpayer profiling.

Other reforms the Service introduced in this period focused on the detoxification of the tax environment by ridding it of mutual mistrust, negative tax morale, and tax evasion, through effective taxpayer education, open engagement with stakeholders and improved services.

It noted that it is courtesy of these reforms, framed around the four-focus points that the Service was able to achieve this collection.

Mr Nami, executive chairman of the FIRS, commenting on the N10.1 trillion record tax collection achieved under his leadership, stated that this was made possible through dogged implementation of strategic reforms over the past two years; a renewed commitment by officers of the Service, accompanied with a boosted morale; as well as the innovative deployment of technology for automation of both tax administration and operational processes.

This collection was possible through collaboration with our stakeholders, from our colleagues at the Executive branch of government to the members of the judiciary, to our brothers and sisters at the National Assembly, as well as the tax advisory committee, professional bodies, unions, and most crucially our taxpayers.

Speaking on the outlook for 2023, Mr Nami stated that the Service would build on the current reforms, achieve full automation and continue to establish a resilient Service that would continue to provide sustainable tax revenue to fund the government.

We intend to maintain, and even improve on the momentum in 2023, he stated.

We have peaked, but this is not certainly our peak. In fact, my hope is that this would be the least sum the Service would ever collect going forward.

Our goal is to identify more areas where we can improve on in the delivery and efficiency of our collection; and plug loopholes, while deploying innovative reforms in data and artificial intelligence.

Ultimately, we believe that the FIRS can shoulder the responsibility of providing revenue needed for the governments across the Federation to cater for the needs of the Nigerian people through taxes.

This is feasible once we get the much-desired support from the three tiers and arms of government, as well as all stakeholders.

The FIRS appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his support, as well as the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Minister of State, Clem Agba.

FIRS Management uses this medium to commend all patriotic taxpayers who paid their taxes correctly, stakeholders for their support, and officers of the Service for their dedication to duty.

The Service equally owes its achievements in 2022 to effective leadership of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning  Zainab Ahmed, her brother, the Minister of State  Clem Agba, members of the National Assembly and the fatherly support of the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria  Muhammadu Buhari.

This is the second consecutive year that the Service will be recording unprecedented tax collection.

In 2021, the Service achieved a record tax collection of N6.405 trillion, being over hundred per cent of its collection target for the year, as well as the first time that the Service will cross the six trillion mark.

In 2022, building on the success of the preceding year, the Service achieved a record collection of N10.1 trillion, being over 96% of its collection target for the year, and the first time the Service will cross the ten trillion mark.

This collection represents an over one hundred per cent leap from the tax collected by the Service in 2020the first year of the current management of the Service.

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Wife of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Titi Abubakar, has said all the challenges facing the country will be solved when her husband becomes president.

Mrs Abubakar spoke on Monday at a female town hall meeting in Ibadan organised by South-west Zonal Director of Women Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP.

She appealed to women to vote for her husband so that she can become the first Yoruba woman to hold the position of first lady.

If you vote for my husband, there will be ease of life because only my husband knows the solutions to Nigerias avalanche of problems. He has the capacity to revive, restructure and reposition the moribund state of Nigeria.

Mrs Abubakar promised that the candidate will not disappoint Nigerians if elected president.

If you all vote for my husband, he wont let you down. Nigeria will be better for the common good of all.

At the meeting, the South-west Zonal Director of Women Presidential Campaign Council, Modupeola Adeleke-Sanni, urged Nigerians who are yet to collect their permanent voter cards to visit the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their cards.

Mrs Adeleke-Sanni also appealed to Nigerians to vote massively for the PDP presidential candidate.

In Nigeria, women are the most populous in terms of numbers. We are the major determinants of who wins and loses elections. When we vote, we stand by it. But if you do not vote, someone else will decide for you. Your vote is your power and that power begins with collecting your PVC. I hereby urge you to collect your PVC and vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other PDP candidates in the February 25 and March 12, 2023 general elections, she said.

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Two Non-Governmental Organizations involved in advocacy for prison reforms: Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF) and Hope Behind Bars have appealed to the Federal and State Governments to activate the Non-custodial Special Fund in order to decongest the nation's prisons.

The groups said noted that fund which will be used to help in reforming first -time and minor offenders will go a long way in decongestion prisons.

Executive Director of Legend Golden Care Foundation, Mrs. Kanayo Olisa-Metuh and her Hope Behind Bars counterpart, Mrs. Funke Adeoye made the appeal during a visit to the Nigeria Correctional Service, FCT Command Gwagwalada at the weekend.

They maintained that the activation and funding of the Non-custodial Special Fund is the first major steps towards achieving the desired reforms in the Correctional Service.

Already, the two NGOs have launched the "Accelerating Justice Reform in Nigeria (AJURN) Project aimed among other things is to ensure the rapid decongesting of the correctional centres as well as reformation of non-custodial offenders.

The NGOs observed that the whereas Section 44 of the Nigeria Correction Service Act (NCSA) 2019 clearly provides for the Custodial and Non-custodial service, only the custodial service with its many challenges is operational while the non-custodial service, "almost exists only on paper".

In her remarks, Mrs. Kanayo Olisa-Metuh, said, "The absence of the non-custodial service is responsible for high rate of recidivism because minor offenders end up as inmates in Correctional Centres where they are exposed to convicted felons; a situation that turns the Correctional Facilities into criminal grooming grounds.

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"What is the point of sending someone, especially a first-time offender of a misdemeanour to the centre when the correctional service act advocates for the use of restorative justice and community service?

Olisa-Metuh explained that activating and properly funding the non-custodial service will drastically reduce prison congestion, reduce the crime rate and boost restorative justice in the country.

Speaking in the same vein, Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars, Mrs Funke Adeoye, reiterated on the need for multi-sectoral intervention in both the Custodial and Non-Custodial Services.

She said, "That is why we are collaborating as an organization and we will continue to work with the Correctional Service and the other arms of the justice system like the Judiciary, the Legislature and other stakeholders to ensure that our desires for justice system in Nigeria and the prison are achieved.

She further said, "Section 44 of the NCSA (2019) provides that "There shall be the special Non-custodial fund to be administered by the National Committee on Non-custodial Measures into which there shall be (a) such sums as may be provided by the government of the Federation or a state for payment into the Special Non-custodial Fund, (b) such sums as may be paid by way of contribution under or pursuant to provisions of this Act or pursuant to this Act or any other enactment and (c) all sums accruing to the Non-custodial Service by way of gifts, testamentary disposition, contributions from philanthropic persons or organizations."
The Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Ltd. (LPLEL), promoter of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, says the port will boost Nigerias Gross Domestic Promote (GDP) and facilitate trade volume.

The Managing Director of LPLEL, Du Ruogang, said this while addressing the media during the official inauguration of the Lekki Port by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

He said the macro-economic benefit of the port is enormous.

Mr Ruogang described the port as a game-changer that would redefine maritime activities in Nigeria and the entire West African sub-region.

He highlighted other benefits to include; improvement of external trade competitiveness through improved port efficiency, cost-effective port operations and services, and improved turnaround time for cargo handling and clearance.

He also listed the benefits as reduction in delays in the supply of raw materials and equipment, reduction in costs of importation and charges, such as demurrage, among others.

With Lekki Port, Nigeria will witness a growth in maritime traffic and global trade and strengthen connectivity and capability to provide efficient and reliable services.

Lekki Port, no doubt, will be a critical engine that will drive the Nigerian economy upon commencement of operations. I am equally confident that it will help to reinforce Nigerias status as a regional maritime hub and enable many related industries to flourish, he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal, operated by CMA Terminals, a subsidiary of CMA CGM Group, Denrick Moos, said the facility would become a new generation container terminal, a game changing infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa in addition to its state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The Port is Nigerias first deep sea port and is equipped with 13 quay cranes for a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) on a 1.2 kilometre quay with a depth of 16 meters, it will operate vessels with a capacity of up to 15,000 TEUs and become one of the largest in West Africa.

Through the new container terminal at Lekki Port, the CMA CGM Group will further develop its presence in Nigeria, the continents largest economy and population, and the most important consumer market in West Africa and will consolidate its African global shipping and logistics network.

Committed to supporting its customers supply chains in Nigeria and West Africa with a comprehensive range of shipping and logistics solutions, the CMA CGM Group also participates in strengthening the regions logistics and ports infrastructures through significant investments as a global port operator with its subsidiary CMA Terminals, he said.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the project is a big testament to the commitment of his government to support the provision of necessary infrastructure that would improve the economic fortunes of Lagosians by providing thousands of jobs for the people and impacting their lives positively.

The Chairman of Lekki Port, Biodun Dabiri, expressed profound gratitude to President Buhari and his team for giving all the necessary backing that ensured the project came to fruition.

He stressed that the management of the port is working round-the-clock to get the port operational soon.

We owe a great deal of this success to the visionary leadership of President Buhari, who provided the much-needed support to make the project a reality and appreciate Governor Sanwo-Olu, and all other stakeholders for their role in the actualization of the Port.

For us, we will continue to be a willing partner in the quest to achieve significant economic growth by investing in Nigeria, Dabiri said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) is a joint venture enterprise owned by foreign promoters, Lekki Port Investment Holdings Inc (comprising China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. and Tolaram), the Lagos State Government, and the Federal Government.

LPLEL is incorporated under the Companies & Allied Matters Act regime and licensed by the Lagos Free Zone to operate in the Free Zone under the NEPZ Act. This opens a host of benefits for Lekki Port regarding taxes, duties, and other incentives.

The Lekki Port is a multi-purpose Deep Sea Port at the heart of the Lagos Free Trade Zone, one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the entire West African region. (NAN)

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what makes the attempt to blame Nigerias woes on neoliberal economics well-nigh impossible to come to terms with, is more because there is no history of a Nigerian government willingly committing to neoliberal policies. Even Ibrahim Babangidas much-talked about (if not much-derided) structural adjustment programme (SAP) was forced on him by the poor circumstances of an economy that had arrived, then, at the same cul-de-sac that the economy has reached today.

You would not tell from listening to debates where the noun phrase is used that at heart, neoliberal economics is all about increasing private sector supply responses in any economy. Yes. It consequently argues for a smaller state, but its opponents often wield the phrase as one would an epithet directed at an unconscionable foe. In this telling, neoliberal economists are anything from cradle-snatchers to old vampires fighting against everything good for the younger generation. As might be expected, given the association in emerging and frontier economies facing balance of payments problems of neoliberal economic ideas with the notion of austerity. Take Nigerias current situation, for example. It is impossible to conceive of a reform platform designed by the incoming government whose central planks will not include spending cuts or higher taxes  maybe both even.

Even before including the debt burden that the Buhari administration leaves behind in any conversation on ways to fix the economy, most experts long concluded that the public sector, at the federal level at least, is as cumbersome as it has become unproductive. The ratio of workers in the public sector to the economys size, or, for that matter, to the population that must be served might be no higher than norms elsewhere. But the duplication of public agencies that drives our bloat drives up the governments balance sheet, while constraining domestic efficiency. This was the driving idea behind the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies, under the chairmanship of Steve Oronsaye, set up in 2011 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Now, add the circa N77 trillion public debt that the next government will inherit, top it up with the possibility that the federal governments debt service charges this year might exceed its revenue, and discussions of the economys reform outlook readily expand to embrace sales of some government-owned enterprises, in order to balance governments books; deregulation of even more sectors of the economy, to bring business costs down; and fiscal discipline (you do not have to follow Milton Friedman to understand why the practice of government spending hand over fist is not necessarily a good thing in the Nigerian example).

what is difficult to grok is the argument that Nigerias current woes are the result of such prescriptions (core solutions from the neoliberal economic playbook) forming the core of our organisation of the state. And this is not just because this would be insulting Mr Muhammadu Buhari, whose eight years in government was built around prioritising government provision of goods/services over provision by a private sector that he loathes (at worst) and struggles to get (at best).

If one can understand resistance to this portmanteau of solutions to our current economic problems  most of the discomforts arising from their implementation are immediate, while the gains trickle in over much lengthier timeframes  what is difficult to grok is the argument that Nigerias current woes are the result of such prescriptions (core solutions from the neoliberal economic playbook) forming the core of our organisation of the state. And this is not just because this would be insulting Mr Muhammadu Buhari, whose eight years in government was built around prioritising government provision of goods/services over provision by a private sector that he loathes (at worst) and struggles to get (at best). Arguably, much of the failures of the Buhari governments economics has derived from wanting to describe a path different from that prescribed by neo-liberal economics. In the monetary policy space, for instance, it has adverted attention to its exasperation with orthodox thinking and its embrace of a new  if intellectually wonky  heterodoxy. Again, rather than build rail lines and rolling stock whose tickets are then priced below cost, common sense (and neoliberal economics) would suggest removing the risks to the private sectors participation in the sector, and instituting a regulatory regime that then protects consumer welfare. It is scant surprise that one of the single biggest investment in this economy till date  the one that birthed the GSM revolution  had little government money involved in it.

But what makes the attempt to blame Nigerias woes on neoliberal economics well-nigh impossible to come to terms with, is more because there is no history of a Nigerian government willingly committing to neoliberal policies. Even Ibrahim Babangidas much-talked about (if not much-derided) structural adjustment programme (SAP) was forced on him by the poor circumstances of an economy that had arrived, then, at the same cul-de-sac that the economy has reached today. In the end, the Babangida administrations home-grown variant of the SAP reform was an orphan variety  it had scant relationship to the original reform agenda and as much relevance to the economys broader requirements. What our economic history teaches us, instead, is that as soon as global economic conditions conduce to higher oil prices (and the now infamous accretion of export earnings to the nations gross external reserves), our governments nearly always abandon their reform agenda.

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.

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President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could not address thousands of supporters that attended the partys presidential rally in Bauchi on Monday due to a malfunction of the audio system at the Bauchi Stadium.

Soon after the rally commenced, the audio system abruptly stopped working and all the efforts to get the audio system up and running failed. After a long wait, the President and Mr Tinubu left the venue without addressing supporters of the party.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that the sound system stopped working when the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, was about to call the president and the presidential candidate to speak.

However, Mr Buhari handed over the partys flag to Mr Tinubu and waved to the crowd from the podium.

Governorship candidate makes promises

Meanwhile, before the sound system at the rally became faulty, the APC candidate, Sadiq Abubakar, promised to enrol more children in school to roll back the high number of out-of-school children in the state.

Mr Abubakar also promised to reduce maternal and infant mortalities in the state.

He said he will use his experience in the military and the training he obtained while working with President Buhari as the Chief of Air Staff to improve a lot of people in Bauchi.

Under Buharis administration, we commissioned many Air force Base and units for rapid response to improve security in various States in Nigeria including Bauchi.

This shows the concern that President Muhammadu Buhari has for the security of Nigerians, I will replicate the discipline I learnt from working with the president to improve security in Bauchi State.

If given the opportunity I am assuring you the number of out-of-school children in Bauchi state that are up to 1.4 million roaming the streets, we will take them back to school God willing.

I will initiate a program to help the large numbers of Bauchi unskilled youth who are roaming the streets unengaged.

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Today in Bauchis hospitals 1,549 women are dying in every 100,000 live births. This shows that the government is negligent, we will address this problem by ensuring access to medical care across the state by building more facilities and services for health seekers.

We are appealing to the people of Bauchi State to ensure that they vote for all the candidates of the APC in the state.

Bola Tinubu will sustain the good work initiated by President Buhari including the drilling of the crude oil found in Bauchi and Gombe if elected into office.

I am appealing to the former governors in Bauchi and the party chieftains to join the campaign and work for the success of the party and the good of our people.

I called on every one of us to join hands to serve our people from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sadiq Abubakar said.

A former governor of the state, Muhammad Abubakar, who was rumoured to have left the party, attended the rally and he endorsed the APC governorship and the presidential candidates.

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Nigerias ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has described one of the leading opposition candidates, Peter Obi, of the Labour Party, as an election merchant without any distinctive political ideology.

Salihu Lukman, the APC deputy national chairman (North-west), in a statement, on Sunday, said Mr Obi lacks the capacity to resolve challenges facing the country.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, leads several opinion polls that have been conducted ahead of 25 February presidential election.

Although, many have expressed doubt about the capacity of Mr Obi to win the election because of the lack of political structure, he enjoys support in the southern part of the country, and notably among young people, who see him as a bit of fresh air.

But Mr Obis opponents point to his history of moving from one political party to another.

He was governor under the All Progressives Grand Alliance no. In 2019, he was running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and last year, he moved to the LP after it became glaring he would not get the presidential ticket of the PDP.

Election merchant

In terms of the person of Mr. Peter Obi, so far, his characteristics is that of a typical Nigerian politician who is more of an election merchant presenting himself every four years for election, even if it means changing political party.

Being an election merchant connotes an obvious lack of commitment and discipline to be loyal to any political party. This partly explains why Mr. Obi moved from All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and now LP between 2015 and now.

Mr. Obi is clearly alien to any ideological standpoint that can bring him close to the working class, which is the primary constituency of LP. Some of us are privileged to have been intellectually and organically connected to that constituency, he said.

Mr Lukman also refuted the rumour that he may be working for the emergence of Mr Obi despite being a member of the National Working Committee of the APC.

Many of us in APC are supporting Asiwaju as part of our ongoing campaign to continue to build the APC as a progressive party, capable of producing accountable elected representatives at all levels.

We do so with full confidence that Asiwaju will build on the legacy of President Buhari, which also include respecting internal debate and contestation within the APC. APC is the only party today in Nigeria that permit internal debate and contestations, he said.

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Some weeks ago, several bigwigs, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Governor Sullivan Chime and former APC state chairman, Ben Nwoye, waited at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport for the arrival of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

After welcoming him with a masquerade, these leaders disappeared and refused to attend his campaign rally at Michael Okpara Square in the Coal City.

What happened at the rally finally brought the local rivalry in Enugu State APC to national attention. The party is currently divided into a group led by Mr Nnamani and the other led by state chairman, Ugo Agballah.

Ordinarily, for the past two election cycles, APC was rarely in conversation in Enugu State. The state has consistently voted PDP. The main opposition party has never lost any election in the state. However, several things have changed, or appear not to be the same ahead of the February presidential election.

First, the uncertainty created by the rebellious G5 governors, including Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, has given other political parties, particularly the ruling APC and the Labour Party, rays of hope to possibly flip the state.

Less than 35 days to the presidential election, the G5 governors are yet to announce their preferred candidate. However, they continue to oppose the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

And the report of clandestine talks between G5 governors and Mr Tinubu in London has further wetted the seed of a possible alliance that could produce an outcome that has never happened in the state  a party other than PDP winning.

To put it in proper context, APC failed to secure 25 per cent of the total votes cast in 2015 and 2019. In 2019, Atiku won the state by a landslide with 355,553 votes to Mr Buharis 54,423. Yet, this abysmal performance by the APC in 2019 could be considered progress, considering that in 2015, the party got 14,157 votes against Goodluck Jonathan who polled 553,037 votes.

Shortly after the rally in Enugu, Mr Tinubu paid a visit to the governor at his official residence, fueling more speculations that a political collaboration may be at play in the state between the two, considering that Mr Tinubu has campaigned in several non-APC states but never visited the governors.

Secondly, there is the open endorsement of Mr Tinubu by a former governor of the state and founder of the Ebeano political dynasty, Chimaroke Nnamani, who is a senatorial candidate of the PDP.

Mr Nnamani, an advocate of power shift to southern Nigeria, has clearly stated that he will be supporting the PDP at the polls on a four out of five, that is, he will back the PDP at senatorial, House of Representatives, House of Assembly and governorship, but not the presidential election.

The National Working Committee of the party on Friday suspended Mr Nnamani for anti-party activities. But the senator has described the sanction as ineffective and futile and continued his campaign for the former Lagos State governor on Twitter with #citiBOY series, where he highlights some of the achievements of Mr Tinubu as governor of Lagos State.

Since the announcement of the suspension, campaign posters of Messrs Tinubu and Nnamani have also flooded the state.

However, doubt remains if the backing of these men will translate to votes, as APC is still being perceived by many in the South-east as an outsider party. Furthermore, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate appear to be formidable in the state and appear to be the likelier vehicle to reap from G5 governors rebellion.

Despite all the positive signals for the party, the local rivalry in the state chapter of the APC may further dim the chances of the party in the state.

Background to the crisis.

In the past year, Ben Nwoye, who served as chairman of the party for eight years, and the current chairman, Ugo Agballah, have been in a tussle for control of the party. In May 2022, the state executive committee expelled Mr Nwoye and five other members for anti party activities.

The others expelled include Kingsley Uduji, Joseph Orji, Chidera Obed, Ododoeze Ocho, and Chukwudi Igwe.

Despite the decision of the SEC, Mr Nwoye continues to identify with the party and was at the airport to receive Mr Tinubu alongside some of the aggrieved leaders of the party that subsequently boycotted the rally at Okpara Square.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Nwoye said the constant attacks by the APC chairman on Governor Ugwuanyi and Mr Nnamani were frustrating the effort to get the governor to work for Mr Tinubu in the presidential election.

He stated that Mr Agballah ought to have soft pedaled with his attacks on the leaders of the PDP considering the ongoing conversation on a possible alliance.

The state chairman is busy insulting the governor, abusing their candidates he does not have tact.

The governorship candidate of the PDP, Peter Mbah, is a supporter of our president, Buhari. We are courting these people to work for Tinubu. He (Agballah) mounts the podium to insult everyone, including Senator Chimaroke Nnamani

Vehicles used for the rally at the airport were brought from the Government House. We have PDP people in Enugu supporting our partysupporting Tinubu. That man is an Obidient chairman, he said.

Mr Nwoye also accused the APC chairman of insulting the leaders of the APC in the state, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama. He stated that Mr Agballah is emboldened due to the support from the National Chairman of the party, Abdulahi Adamu.

He abuses all those leaders you see. He abused the former Senate President, former governor, and former speakerincluding a serving minister. He called the ninister a visiting European.

He was brought into the party from outside the party. The national chairman ignored the letter written by the leaders. Adamu allowed the state chairman to insult leaders. Abdulahi Adamu thinks it is okay for such a person to be insulting our leaders.

All these people you named are working for the party, including my humble self. I have a lot of advertisements I put up for Tinubu. We have an independent campaign council.

When asked how the alliance may affect other candidates of the APC, he said most APC candidates are paperweights, hence, the party must prioritise the election of Mr Tinubu.

Using the opponent of Chimaroke Nnamani as an example, Mr Nwoye said Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha, the APC senatorial candidate, is a featherweight.

It is a featherweight APC opponent. We are talking about a two-term former governor (Chimaroke Nnamani), and a two-term senator. So we are not talking about a small person. He has political machinery. Some of his people are the ones working for Asiwaju. It is a question of instruction. There are three cards, vote for me for the Senate and vote Asiwajumy concern is Tinubu.

Senator Chimaroke has openly asked his supporters to vote for Tinubu, why would that concern us if somebody else is running under our party? And the person is not of the same weight as Nnamani and she not campaigning for Tinubu, he said.

Mr Nwoye said the APC will win the election despite the division within the party because according to him, everyone is working for the emergence of Mr Tinubu.

Aggrieved APC leaders are after Tinubus purse  Agballah

When Mr Agballah was contacted, he told PREMIUM TIMES that the group is only concerned about the campaign purse. He added that they will not get a kobo as long as he remains the chairman of the party.

They are interested in the legendary Asiwaju campaign purse. But as long as I am the chairman of the party, they will not see kobo of that funds. Four years ago, they collected the campaign funds and pocketed it. They did not give any to the party.

We are glad they boycotted the rally so that the world would see that they had no hand in the growth of APC. The party has grown exponentially within one year of my leadership as chairman.

They are Abuja-based politicians. They are not even members of the APC. At night, they are members of the PDP. If you go through their campaign, they are not campaigning for APC. We are not missing them.

They have a history, they are political turncoats. Sullivan Chime turned against those who put in power. These are historical turncoats.

He stated that Mr Nwoye and others applied the same strategy in 2019, promising the national body that PDP members will support the APC at the presidential election, only for the party to get less than 25 per cent of the votes cast in the state.

He accused Mr Nwoye and others of working for the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Mbah, at the expense of the APC candidate, Uche Nnaji. He described the aggrieved APC leaders as turncoats without the needed political capital to deliver.

These people led the party for eight years. And within that eight years, all they could garner is two per cent of the votes. The people who gathered were more than 40 per cent of the voters, he said.

Mr Agballah also dismissed the argument that his attacks on PDP members could jeopardise a possible alliance, noting that aggrieved APC leaders lack the political capital to bring Mr Nnamani to the table.

I welcome anybody who will work for the party, but these people are not working for the party. If Chimaroke is interested in working for the APC, I will welcome him. But this is the same game they played in 2019, Ken (Nnamani) led the plan to bring PDP to work for the APC. They are comprado politicians. Does Chimaroke have respect for them? They are only interested in pretentious media appearances, he said.

Since this interview, Mr Nwoye has declared support for Mr Mbah, the PDP governorship candidate, laying credence to some of the suspicions raised by Mr Agballah.

In a race that many are predicting could go into a second ballot, Mr TInubu being in the conversation in Enugu State appears to be a plus, but the wrangling in the party could further reduce the possibility.

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Gunmen have beheaded the sole administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.

The victim, Christopher Ohizu, was abducted on Friday alongside two others when the gunmen attacked him and set his residence ablaze.

Mr Ohizu hailed from Imoko, a community in the council area of the state.

The hoodlums beheaded the victim after his family reportedly paid N6 million as ransom to them.

Sources said the gunmen were attacking those backing the conduct of the 2023 elections in the South-east.

It was not clear when the gunmen killed the administrator, but a video clip showing him being beheaded has been circulating on WhatsApp groups since Sunday.

They (gunmen) posted the video (clip) of his beheading with his phone on his WhatsApp status. This was how people got to know that he had been beheaded, a source, who asked not to be named, said.

In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the gunmen, who claimed to be Biafra agitators, tied the victims hands at the back before beheading him.

We are not the Eastern Security Network (ESN). We are not Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). We are fighting to gain our freedom and there will be no election in the South-east, one of the gunmen was heard speaking in the background of the clip.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, has confirmed the incident but did not give details.

Investigation is ongoing, said Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police.

IPOB, an outlawed group and its militant wing, ESN, agitating for an independent state of Biafra from the South-east and some parts of South-south, have been accused of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the two regions.

Some gunmen, believed to be part of the agitation for Biafra in the South-east, have been threatening to disrupt the 2023 general elections in the region.

IPOB has, however, consistently disowned the gunmen, insisting that it is not involved in the plans to disrupt elections in the region in 2023.

The secessionist group has also repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks and killings in the two regions.

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Osun State Government on Monday confirmed the first case of diphtheria disease in the state.

The case was recorded in the Ilesa East Local Government area of the state.

A middle-aged man whose identity could not be ascertained was discovered to have contracted the disease and is currently isolated at an undisclosed hospital.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had earlier said it was monitoring the situation of diphtheria in Yobe and Osun States where it was picked up.

Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the state governor, confirmed the presence of the diphtheria disease in the state.

Mr Rasheed said the victim had been isolated and placed on treatment.

The governors spokesperson said the government had also begun contract tracing and searching for others who might have been infected with the disease in other locations across the state.

He said the state government has also begun sensitisation programmes for residents on how to prevent the disease.

What the state is doing to curtail the spread of Diphtheria in Osun State is community active case search and community sensitisation during the active case search, retroactive case search in health facilities in the affected LGA, contact tracing and follow up of the index case.

The governors spokesperson added that the government was training health workers on how to treat diphtheria disease, distributing preventive materials to hospitals and sensitising residents of the state through radio jingles and other programmes.

He said the government was also carrying out: Production and distribution of IEC materials. Training of Health workers on case definitions and Infection Prevention and Control of Diphtheria. Production and airing of jingle on prevention and Training of Health workers on sample collection of Diphtheria, he added.

Mr Rasheed advised parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated.

Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease therefore, all parents and guidance to ensure their wards are fully vaccinated, he advised.

Once anyone starts coughing or has a sore throat, consult your physician. There is nothing like an ordinary or normal cough. Eat fruits and Vegetables and stay hydrated. Avoid crowded environments and if its necessary let us make use of our face masks.

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commissioned the rice mill and Lekki Deep Sea Port during a visit to Lagos.

During the two-day working visit, the president was scheduled to commission the Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos Rice Mill and the Imota, 18.75 killometres Eleko-Epe rigid pavement six lane expressway.

Others are the first phase of the 13 kilometres of the Lagos Blue Light Rail, the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

On his arrival from Bauchi where he had attended a presidential campaign rally of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Buhari was received by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

Also present were the governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, and his Ogun counterpart, Dapo Abiodun.

Mr Buhari made his first stop at the sea port before proceeding to the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu where he commissioned the 32 metric tonnes per hour mill.

The governors spokesperson, Gboyega Akosile, said the rice mill will generate over 300, 000 jobs directly and indirectly when it is fully operational.

Described as a landmark project in the state, the sea port is situated at the Lagos Free Trade Zone, Ibeju Lekki.

According to the minister of transportation, Muazu Sambo, the Lekki Deep Sea Port is Nigerias largest sea port with a draught of 16.5m, whose development was started and completed by the President Muhammad Buhari administration.

The port will offer enormous support to the expanding commercial operations in Nigeria and the entire West Africa.

Speaking at the event, Mr Sanwo-Olu said that the project is the total effort of the federal government, the Lagos state government and the private sector.

On Sunday, the first commercial vessel berthed at the port. The Nigeria Port Authority via its Twitter handle, made this known.

Over the weekend, CMA-CGM, one of the largest container vessels, berthed at Lekki Deep Sea Port. And today, right after the commissioning of the Port, the formal operationalization of the Port will begin.

The vessel is owned and operated by the French Shipping Company  CMA-CGM.

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DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --The "Global Mining Automation Market by Offering (Equipment (Autonomous Hauling/Mining Truck, Autonomous Drilling Rig), Software (Remote Operating and Monitoring System), Communication Systems), Technique, Workflow, Region - Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The mining automation market size is expected to grow from USD 3.1 billion in 2022 to USD 4.2 billion by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2022 to 2027.

The key factors driving the growth of the mining automation market are the increasing number of government initiatives to attract foreign investments and promote mining automation, increasing integration of technologies such as IoT and AI with various mining automation equipment and software, and growing digital transformation of the global mining industry.

Growing demand for metals, minerals, coal, and ores, among others in various process and discrete industries is another major factor contributing to the growth of the mining automation market.

Mining equipment held the largest share of the market while communication systems are projected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period

Mining equipment such as autonomous hauling trucks has their own wireless network that helps in transmitting the data generated from the truck for remote condition monitoring.

The wireless network is also used to receive commands related to target course, speed, and dumping spots from the supervisory control unit. With the introduction of modern tunneling equipment such as tunnel boring machines (TBMs), tunneling jumbos, and road headers, the task of mining companies became easier and more economical.

However, communication systems are expected to grow at the highest growth rate during the review period. The wireless communication system is being increasingly deployed by mining companies owing to its rugged nature, ease of installation, and low cost of maintenance.

Underground mining technique accounted for the dominating share of the market in 2021

Some of the most common types of underground mining techniques are room and pillar mining, cut-and-fill stopping, longwall mining, shaft mining, and slope mining. In room and pillar mining, the roof of the mine is supported by rock pillars spaced out at regular intervals from where the ore is mined.

Cut-and-fill stopping is used in vertical stops and in mining high-grade irregular ore bodies. Many end-user industries such as automotive, construction, oil & gas, and energy & power are witnessing rising demand for application of metals, minerals, coal, ores, and others, thereby driving underground mining activities worldwide.

Furthermore, as underground mining is significantly more dangerous than surface mining due to potential dangers such as collapse, the release of toxic gases, and the lack of proper ventilation, there is a growing demand for automated mining equipment for underground mining activities.

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the mining automation market in 2021 while the rest of the world (RoW) is projected to register the highest growth rate during the review period

The dense population and the growth in per capita income in Asia Pacific, along with large-scale industrialization and urbanization, are driving the growth of process and discrete industries in this region, which in turn are driving the demand for metals, coal, minerals, and ores etc.

This rising demand for metals and ores is in turn driving the mining automation market in the Asia Pacific region. In Vietnam, the demand for minerals in the domestic and foreign markets is witnessing a steady growth. Moreover, supportive policy framework in the region are promoting the growth of the mining automation market.

For instance, over the last decade, the Indonesian Government has continued to develop the detail of the new mining regulatory regime and has incorporated new laws for enhancing the potential of the mining sector in the country. However, RoW is projected to register the highest growth during the review period. RoW comprises of South America and Middle East & Africa.

Major mining countries in South America include Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and others (Argentina and Brazil). Mining is one of the most productive sectors in the South American region, having a significant share in the GDP of South American countries. About one-fifth of the world's iron ore reserves are in South America, major beds being in Brazil and Venezuela.

Similarly, there is an abundance of non-ferrous metals in South America. In South America, mining companies have been slowly increasing their investments in the region and have started implementing advanced automation technologies in their mining operations. Similarly, in Bolivia, the new mining policy allows mining companies to enter the Bolivian mining sector either by a joint venture or leasing contract. Allowing foreign investments has significantly improved the growth of the Bolivian mining industry.

Major players operating in the mining automation market include Caterpillar (US), Hexagon AB (Sweden), Epiroc AB (Sweden), Komatsu (Japan), Sandvik AB (Sweden), Liebherr Group (Switzerland), SANY Group (China), RPMGlobal (Australia), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (US), and Siemens (Germany), among others.

Premium Insights

Increasing Need for Worker Safety and Need to Achieve Reduction in Operating Costs to Drive Mining Automation Market

Communication Systems Segment to Register Highest CAGR During Forecast Period

Underground Mining Segment to Grow at Higher CAGR During Forecast Period

Mine Development Segment to Register Highest CAGR During Forecast Period

Australia Held Largest Share of Mining Automation Market in 2021

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Intensifying Need to Improve Worker Safety in Mines

Growing Requirement to Increase Productivity in Mining Operations

Rising Focus on Reducing Operating Costs

Surging Demand for Fleet Management Systems

Restraints

Depletion of Natural Resources

Negative Impact of Automated Mining on Host Countries

Opportunities

Digital Transformation of Global Mining Industry

Evolution of Smart Connected Mines

Challenges

Integrating Information Technology with Operational Technology

Rising Protests by Local Communities for Stricter Environmental Laws Against Mining

Lack of Skilled Personnel to Operate Automated Mining Equipment

Value Chain Analysis

Ecosystem Analysis

Pricing Analysis

Average Selling Price of Equipment Offered by Key Players

Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customer Business

Technology Analysis

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Digital Twin

Internet of Things (IoT)

Satcom

Cloud Computing

Case Study Analysis

Arrium Mining Uses Rockwell Automation's Control System and Visualization Solutions in Its Iron Knob Mine

Boliden Chose Komatsu to Introduce Automated Haulage at Swedish Mine

Rio Tinto Uses Rockwell Automation's Factorytalk Suite to Improve Transparency of Mining Operations

Barrick Gold Uses Sandvik Ab's Mining Equipment in Its Veladero Gold Mine in Argentina

Rio Tinto Chose Caterpillar to Create Connected Value Chain in Its Gudai-Darri Mine

Company Profiles

Key Players

Caterpillar

Komatsu

Sandvik Ab

Epiroc Ab

Hexagon Ab

Hitachi

Rpmglobal

Trimble Inc.

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Siemens

Liebherr Group

Sany Group

Autonomous Solutions Inc.

AB Volvo

Symboticware Inc.

Other Players

Micromine

Remote Control Technologies (Rct)

Reutech Mining

Aamcor LLC

3D-P

Cr Mining

Atdi

Cigen

Groundhog

Haultrax

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iacc21

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Refuse collection in Ga-Rankuwa is infrequent and illegal dumps are multiplying

People in Ga-Rankuwa View say rubbish is piling up and making their lives unpleasant.

The ward councillor says the City of Tshwane has reduced rubbish collection and illegal dumping has increased as a result.

A rubbish collection contractor says he has been struggling for six months to get paid by the municipality.

The City said it is encouraging people to apply for bigger bins that can hold more waste.

Ga-Rankuwa View residents say rubbish has been piling up for months in various open areas, making life unpleasant. They are also worried about the health threat it poses to them and their children.

Mada Kungoane, who runs a food business, said, "It's getting worse every day. Some people cannot stand the smell and refrain from buying from my shop."

He said people have resorted to burning the rubbish themselves, but it "piles up again in no time".

"You find all kinds of waste here - disposable nappies, dead dogs and rotten food. We have been calling for these illegal dumpsites to be cleared," said Kungoane.

"We have kids from the school in the area who play near this filth," said Phazel Podile, who stays near Bachana Mokwena Primary School. "It's not only rubbish, but we have sewage overflowing in the streets and in our yards."

Thebe Molebaloa, who has been a rubbish contractor with the City for three years, said, "I have not been paid for six months of work last year. They only paid some of the money last month. It is frustrating. It takes the City of Tshwane a long time to approve a single invoice. We also have been reduced to only working two days a week."

"I work with what the City gives me and I cannot cover the whole of Ga-Rankuwa with limited resources. I also need money to purchase petrol for my truck, but if I am not getting paid. I am stuck," said Molebaloa.

"The cutting of waste budgets is the main challenge. Now the whole metro is covered in filth. Even in town, it's dirty," he said.

City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the City collects rubbish once a week in Ga-Rankuwa View and removes illegal dumping once a month.

Bokaba said the community is still using 80-litre bins that are "unable to accommodate a large quantity of refuse". Bokaba said the City "did offer to do a rollout of 240-litre bins ... but the community refused".

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The City was still encouraging people to apply for the bigger bins because they could contain more waste.

But ward 45 Councillor Violet Phalwane (ANC) says there was a fee of R230 per month attached to the 240-litre bin offer.

"When the City came with this, they didn't properly consult the community and there was chaos. Some community members told me they won't pay this amount as they hoped to receive the bins for free," said Phalwane.

"The City has drastically reduced its waste management services in Ga-Rankuwa. It's a huge area with three wards, but waste is collected only eight days in a month. That means illegal dumping cannot be easily curbed," she said.

Phalwane said, "I have even suggested to the community that maybe they should march to the waste management department offices, so that they could lay their grievances in person. I am not failing my ward. The reality is that the City of Tshwane is failing in delivering services."
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation announced that their "Cursive is Cool" contest is now open to North American students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Students are encouraged to enter early. Prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place, Third Place based on legibility and neatness. One of each prize per grade will be awarded. There will also be a prize awarded for each grade for the most Creative content and a random drawing will be held at the conclusion of the contest, so every entry has the chance to win a prize!

9th Annual Cursive is Cool Contest Launches for Students in North America

"We are helping young writers find their voices. Every entry has an equal chance to win. Our judges are excited and look forward to reading the kids' points of view. The entries are enlightening and often entertaining," remarked Lauren Mooney Bear CG, Campaign for Cursive Chair and President of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation.

The annual cursive contest has many supporters. A new supporter this year is Holistic Health Counseling Center. The North American contest supporters continue to grow, with Blind Pig Press, Amsterdam Printing, CursiveLogic, Sheila Lowe Author, Dixon Ticonderoga, Fahrney's Pens, Itoya, Louise Borden Author, Caran D'ache, Columbia City Seattle Ninja School, Gary's RV Repair in AZ, Christy Zwenger Author, New American Cursive, J6R6, Mirthos Paper, PEN World, Profolio, Darla's Razzle Dazzles Gifts, Gold Beach OR, Sakura, and Writing Academy. People and businesses from the four corners of North America are enthusiastic about supporting the Cursive Is Cool contest.

"Write don't type! Cursive is creative and it's fun to try different kinds of pens to write with," says Dr. Marion Rollings, Vice-President of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation.

The contest dates are January 23 through April 15, 2023.

For more information, contact Lauren Mooney Bear: [email protected].

Learn more: https://www.campaignforcursive.com/

"You don't have to be the best writer this year

To win a prize that will bring you cheer.

Entering is the main thing to do

To win a prize to be sent to you!"

About the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation:

The Foundation is a 501-(c)6 non-profit organization, chartered and incorporated in California, and are the sponsors of Campaign for Cursive, and will graciously accept donations.

Visit https://www.ahafhandwriting.org/ .

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE American Handwriting Analysis Foundation
AMP Splashes Into The Fountain Of Youth In Cooper City Florida

COOPER CITY, Fla., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Medaesthetic Partners (AMP) announces Forever Young MedSpa has joined its growing family. This sought after Medical Aesthetics Practice delivers a greater Floridian footprint to build on AMPs expanding presence.

"Forever Young MedSpa is the ideal addition to the AMP family," stated Nicole Chiaramonte, AMP CEO. "President & Founder Brian Sidella recognizes the importance of patient safety, product efficacy and streamlined technology. He puts people first and values safe and natural outcomes. Under AMP's tutelage, Forever Young will reach new milestones."

For nearly 20 years, Forever Young MedSpa has performed over 67,000 medical aesthetic treatments and built a clientele of over 4,000 loyal patients. The fit with AMP, who strategically is hand selecting high quality practices that deliver preeminent standards of client and patient care, is a natural match. AMP implements proven strategies and helps practices every step of the way to drive scale with their premiere aesthetics partnership platform.

"Forever Young MedSpa is exhilarated to leverage AMP's proven leadership in the aesthetic market,'' shares Sidella. "Over the past year, we've been courted by a number of investment groups looking to consolidate the over 5,000 Medical Aesthetics Practices in the USA. By partnering with AMP, we will continue to provide the finest FDA approved aesthetic treatments available anywhere in the United States with a staff of professionals and practitioners dedicated to patient safety, patient care and of course, outstanding outcomes. It was critically important for us to align Forever Young MedSpa with an organization whose vision aligned closely with our own. The partnership with AMP will allow Forever Young MedSpa to accelerate our impact with our clients while keeping and expanding our incredible staff, which includes some of the best medical aesthetic practitioners in the United States."

ABOUT AMP

AMP is comprised of some of the most successful business and clinical leaders in the medical aesthetics industry. AMP support includes managerial, administrative, marketing, clinical training, information technology and numerous other elements to allow practices to focus on what they do best  serving their clients. Learn more at www.weramp.com

SOURCE Advanced MedAesthetic Partners
Ability of AI-based technology to enable machines to automate complex tasks such as driving cars, holding conversations, and other things, growing demand for improving operational efficiency, and the rising cost of manual labor drive the global AI infrastructure market growth.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "AI Infrastructure Market by Component (Hardware, Software, Services), by Deployment Mode (On-Premise, Cloud, Hybrid), by Technology (Machine Learning, Deep Learning), by End-Users (Enterprises, Governments, Cloud Service Providers (CSPs)), by Application (AI Training, Inferencing, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" According to the report, the global AI infrastructure industry generated $23.5 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $309.4 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 29.8% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chain, regional landscape, and competitive scenario.

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Ability of AI-based technology to enable machines to automate complex tasks such as driving cars, holding conversations, filtering e-mail, and other things, growing demand for improving operational efficiency, and the rising cost of manual labor drive the growth of the global AI infrastructure market. However, a lack of skilled professionals in the industry to develop, manage, and implement AI technology hampers the global market growth. On the other hand, increasing digital dependence and implementation of industry 4.0 trends present new growth opportunities for the global market in the coming years.

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Covid-19 Scenario

The AI infrastructure market exhibited notable growth during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is due to the rise in need for artificial intelligence among enterprises to meet their customers' needs and upsurge their revenue opportunity.

Many businesses invested in AI-based solutions to ease the increasing complexity of the IT needs of many businesses during the pandemic.

In addition, surge in investment in AI based technology by various private sectors such as healthcare and medical research to fight the pandemic propelled the growth of the market.

The machine learning segment to maintain its revenue dominance during the forecast period

Based on technology, the machine learning segment was the largest market in 2021, contributing to more than two-thirds of the global AI infrastructure market, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is because machine learning solutions are utilized to uncover numerous trends and patterns, assisting businesses in improving their decision-making capabilities. On the other hand, the deep learning segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 33.3% from 2022 to 2031. This is because the deep learning technology has been instrumental in the discovery of exoplanets and novel drugs and the detection of diseases and subatomic particles and many more.

The enterprises segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

Based on end-users, the enterprises segment held the largest market share of more than three-fifths of the global AI infrastructure market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is because AI infrastructure solutions make it easier for enterprises to automate customer services and provide a personalized experience to customers. Furthermore, these technologies help business leaders make effective data-driven decisions. On the other hand, the cloud service providers (CSPs) segment is projected to witness the largest CAGR of 33.5% from 2022 to 2031. A solution for AI has been made available by the major cloud service providers. They built AI infrastructure by utilizing their considerable technological know-how and financial resources to offer cutting-edge solutions.

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The hardware segment to garner the largest revenue during the forecast period

Based on component, the hardware segment was the largest market in 2021, contributing to more than half of the global AI infrastructure market, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is because advances in hardware technologies are enabling AI to transform industries worldwide, from financial services to manufacturing, healthcare, and many others. On the other hand, the services segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 33.8% from 2022 to 2031. This is because the adoption of AI infrastructure services enhances software implementation, maximizes the value of existing installation by optimizing it, and minimizes the deployment cost & risks, and others.

Asia-Pacific to achieve a progressive growth by 2031

Based on region, North America was the largest market in 2021, capturing more than one-third of the global AI infrastructure market, owing to high concentration of artificial intelligence solution vendors in the region. However, the market in Asia-Pacific is expected to lead in terms of revenue and manifest the fastest CAGR of 36.0% during the forecast period. This is due to the ongoing rapid digital transformation trends in this region.

Leading Market Players

NVIDIA Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Alphabet Inc.

Intel Corporation

Toshiba Corporation

Micron Technology, Inc.

Amazon.com, Inc.

Oracle Corporation

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

IBM Corporation

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
MELVILLE, N.Y.,, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AIP Publishing and Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) have signed a three-year Read & Publish agreement  AIP Publishing's first such agreement in Latin America.

The agreement, which runs through 2025, grants UNAM researchers unlimited read access to 28 publications in AIP Publishing's portfolio as well as the ability to publish open access in 23 of AIP Publishing's journals without incurring an article processing charge (APC). Per the terms of the agreement, APCs will be covered by the UNAM library.

"Open access publishing allows authors to expand the impact of their published results, and we're proud to be a part of that growing movement," said Penelope Lewis, AIP Publishing's Chief Publishing Officer. "We're excited to partner with UNAM to help foster discoveries worldwide. We look forward to this agreement being the first of many within Latin America."

For UNAM, this agreement is important because "it allows us to save resources by grouping the APC payments accrued by individual researchers," said Antonio Sanchez, Head of Subscriptions of Information Resources of the General Directorate of Libraries and Specialized Information Services of UNAM. The publication in prestigious open access journals "boosts the impact and scope of the research carried out in our university as a whole."

About Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)

The National Autonomous University of Mexico is the largest university in Latin America and consistently ranked as one of the region's best. A public research institution with a storied history of globally impactful work, it operates at the service of both its country and humanity at large  training professionals, carrying out research, and extending the benefits of culture as widely as possible.

About AIP Publishing

AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). AIP Publishing's mission is to support the charitable, scientific, and educational purposes of AIP through scholarly publishing activities in the fields of the physical and related sciences on its own behalf and on behalf of our publishing partners to help them proactively advance their missions.

SOURCE AIP Publishing
A poker experience beyond your wildest imagination

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Americas Cardroom (ACR) will be giving its players the chance to win a poker experience of a lifetime in spectacular Southeast Asia. ACR is running two satellites this February with full poker vacation packages up for grabs. This coveted prize will see four players head to play in a Super High Roller Series in Vietnam from March 7th -13th.

Each Vietnam package contains more than $100,000 to spend on tournament buy-ins, five nights' accommodation at the luxury KHOS Hoiana Resort, round-trip business class airfare and VIP airport transfer.

To add to the excitement, the four package winners will have to pit their poker smarts and intuition against the world's best and brightest players by choosing how they use their $100k. They can either spread it across multiple tournaments or put it all on the $100k entry tourney.

The qualifiers are taking place on Sunday, February 12th and February 19th at 1:05pm ET with super satellites running the week leading up to the event.

2 Packages GTD Sunday, February 12th at 1:05pm ET ( $2,650 buy-in)

at ( buy-in) 2 Packages GTD Sunday, February 19th at 1:05pm ET ( $2,650 buy-in)

Americas Cardroom Team Pro, Chris Moneymaker said: "I can't quite believe how epic this prize is. I was lucky enough to satellite my way to a prestigious event in 2003 and my life has never been the same. I'm so stoked that thanks to ACR, four of you will get to be part of this incredible experience and maybe see your life change forever too."

Known for its breathtaking scenery, spectacular white beaches, rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and welcoming people, Vietnam will provide a stunning backdrop to an incredible week of poker and travel. This life-changing prize is one not to be missed.

In addition to these qualifiers, ACR is giving its Team Pros and Stormers stream team various challenges to complete over the next month. Two ACR Team Pros / Stormers will win the same $100k package and play alongside the four qualifier winners in Vietnam.

Find out more here: https://www.americascardroom.eu

For further information, please contact: Melanie Moser, 1-877-314-4195, [email protected]

About Americas Cardroom

Americas Cardroom joined the Winning Poker Network in 2011. The Winning Poker Network has one of the longest and trusted online names in the industry and has been in existence since 2001. Americas Cardroom accepts players from the US market and the rest of the world. Rated first place for payment processing and cashout reliability repeatedly over the last few years, Americas Cardroom offers outstanding customer service and a friendly environment for all poker players around the world.

SOURCE Americas Cardroom
Since its initial release in Davos 2019, more than 300 companies have signed the Hispanic

Promise Framework. An improved version with actionable steps and six pillars of work has been launched at Davos 2023 by the We Are All Human Foundation.

2019, more than 300 companies have signed the Hispanic Promise Framework. An improved version with actionable steps and six pillars of work has been launched at 2023 by the We Are All Human Foundation. The new framework aims to help corporations effectively engage and invest in Hispanic employees, suppliers, consumers, and the community.

For more information please visit: hispanicstar.org/promise.

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The updated framework of the Hispanic Promise has been launched globally at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023. The new framework aims to help corporations effectively engage and invest in Hispanic employees, suppliers, consumers, and the community. With its initial launch in the Annual Meeting in 2019, the Hispanic Promise framework is the only space in Davos focused on US-Hispanics.

"DEI is an imperative for growth and companies need comprehensive frameworks of action to advance their priorities. The Hispanic Promise emulates the SDGs framework, and while it focuses primarily on Hispanics, we aim to expand it to other communities as well," said Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation , at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 press conference .

"Hispanics are close to 20% of the US population, the youngest demographic, and account for 12% of the GDP. If looked at as a standalone economy, Hispanics would rank 5th globally - even before Great Britain and France," shared Cid Wilson, President & CEO of the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility (HACR) .

The new framework of the Hispanic Promise includes goals, indicators, measurement and reporting mechanisms. It also highlights best practices and co-creation spaces to facilitate collaboration within the ecosystem of signatories and backers. The framework uses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a springboard and focuses on four SDGs: Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.

The Hispanic Promise framework has six pillars as a result of months of consultation among corporations, grassroots organizations, and academic institutions. The six-pillar are: Prepare, Hire, Promote, Retain, Celebrate and Buy.

The Hispanic Promise was launched in the context of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, attended by more than 2,600 leaders representing the most important companies and institutions. More information on how to sign and adopt the Hispanic Promise can be found at hispanicstar.org/promise .

About We Are All Human:

We Are All Human is a registered 501 (c)3 public charity devoted to advancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion for all, with a particular focus on accelerating the progress of Hispanics in the United States. Its biggest platform - the Hispanic Star - was a finalist on the 2023 Collective Social Innovation Award of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

Media Contact

Marisa Garcia de Celis

[email protected]

SOURCE We Are All Human
BOSTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysis Group, one of the largest international economics consulting firms, announced that digital business models, competition, and policy expert Eliana Garces has joined the firm's Washington, DC, office as a Senior Advisor.

Dr. Garces is an economist with deep public- and private-sector antitrust policy and regulation experience in the US and Europe, including serving on the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) and Directorate-General for Internal Market and Industry. With a focus on innovation, dynamic competition, and platform business models, she is widely recognized as an expert on the economic analysis of new digital business models and the interaction between regulation and innovation. Dr. Garces has published extensively on topics such as the antitrust analysis of commercial practices, the assessment of conglomerate mergers, the interaction between antitrust and privacy concerns arising from data collection by digital platforms, value creation processes related to platform businesses, and the impact of behavioral economics on competition policy, among other topics. She is also a coauthor of the widely used textbook Quantitative Techniques for Competition and Antitrust Analysis and coauthor of a chapter in Cases in European Competition Policy. She will be contributing a chapter on the concept of economic fairness in the forthcoming Handbook of Research on Competition Policy and Corporate Law.

"Eliana's extensive experience with European competition matters  working with the European Commission's DG COMP and then setting policy with the Directorate-General for Internal Market and Industry working across a range of industries  forms a unique perspective clients will be eager to tap," said Antoine Chapsal, an Analysis Group Managing Principal. "We are thrilled to have her join the firm and look forward to her contributions."

Dr. Garces added, "The rapid evolution of antitrust policy and regulation in the technology sector has underscored the importance of sound analytical foundations for describing markets and the forces at play, and how to model these dynamics across economies. I'm excited to join Analysis Group, which has been at the forefront of applying economics to a number of these complex issues throughout Europe, as well as in the US."

Prior to joining Analysis Group, Dr. Garces was economic policy director at Facebook (later Meta Platforms), where she helped design the company's approach to global regulatory and policy strategy. She also served as deputy chief economist for the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market and Industry, where she worked on European industrial competitiveness. She has served as an economist and a cabinet member of the European Commissioners for Consumer Policy and for Competition (DG COMP).

Dr. Garces holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master's in European economic integration from the College of Europe, and a licentiate in economics from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid.

To learn more about Analysis Group's capabilities, visit AnalysisGroup.com

About Analysis Group:

Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,000 professionals across 14 offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 1981, we have provided expertise in economics, finance, health care analytics, and strategy to top law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, and government agencies worldwide. Our internal experts, together with our network of affiliated experts from academia, industry, and government, offer our clients exceptional breadth and depth of expertise.

Contact:

Analysis Group

Eric Seymour

978 273 6049

[email protected]

SOURCE Analysis Group
Fisher House Foundation and Military Times Foundation will provide $250,000 in awards to nonprofits

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Applications are open today through March 23, 2023, for the Fisher Service Award that recognizes and supports other nonprofits serving the military and veteran communities. Fisher House Foundation and Military Times Foundation will award $250,000 to innovative programs enhancing the quality of life for service members, veterans, and their families.

The Fisher Service Award replaced the long-running Newman's Own Award Program which, together, have distributed more than $2.75 million to 200 nonprofit programs over the last 23 years.

As part of the award package, recipients of the Fisher Service Award will each receive an advertising package valued at $34,000 from Military Times.

Recipients of the Newman's Own Award have included many key players in the military nonprofit community such as Blue Star Families, Inc; Hope for the Warriors; Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund; the Tragedy and Assistance Program for Survivors; and many more. Fisher House Foundation anticipates that future recipients of the Fisher Service Award will continue this great tradition of recognizing excellence in service to our greatest national treasure, our service members, veterans, and their loved ones.

Award recipients will be chosen by a diverse and esteemed judging panel comprised of individuals who combine their knowledge to recognize programs that meet the dynamic needs of military and veteran communities. Moreover, the spouses of senior military leaders have traditionally helped judge submissions since the early 2000s, starting with Mrs. Mary Jo Myers and Mrs. Lynne Pace and most recently Mrs. Kelly Hokanson and Mrs. Mollie Raymond.

Applications for the 2023 Fisher Service Award open January 23 and close March 23. Information on the application process and information about previous winners, is available at https://fisherhouse.org/fisher-service-award/.

About Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 94 comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $547 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. www.fisherhouse.org

About Military Times Foundation

Military Times Foundation is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes to recognize, salute and highlight the exemplary service of active duty personnel serving in each branch of the U.S. Armed Services and support other organizations conducting activities with similar goals. Military Times Foundation has a flagship program entitled Service Members of the Year, which recognizes and awards outstanding service members and veterans each year.

SOURCE Fisher House Foundation
BOSTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC ("ArcLight") today announced the successful completion and final close of ArcLight 3C SPV, L.P. a continuation fund with $407 million in capital commitments (the "Fund"). In July, the Fund held its initial closing and acquired the remaining 25.1% interest in Third Coast Super Holdings, LLC ("Third Coast") from an affiliate of ArcLight Energy Partners Fund V, L.P. ("Fund V"). The Fund held additional closings through December 2022 bolstering available committed capital for follow-on growth opportunities in the portfolio. The Fund's investor base is comprised of sophisticated global asset management, insurance, and pension plan institutions.

Third Coast is the premier, privately owned U.S. Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico midstream infrastructure platform focused primarily on serving eastern deepwater and shallow water Gulf of Mexico producers with access to gulf coast markets. The Fund is supported both by Fund V investors as well as new limited partners, offering Fund V investors the opportunity to either monetize their remaining interest in Third Coast or to continue to participate in the Third Coast business along with new identified expansion and growth opportunities. In addition, the Fund provides new investors with the opportunity to participate in a unique operating platform with substantial growth opportunities.

Third Coast owns interests in midstream energy infrastructure assets in the Gulf of Mexico, the lowest cost and lowest carbon intensive energy basin in the country, including approximately 1,200 miles of interstate and intrastate pipelines, the Delta House Floating Production System (FPS), the recently completed King's Quay FPS, and the Pascagoula Gas Processing plant. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico production is a significant contributor to U.S. crude oil supplies representing over 15% of national production, and importantly, Gulf of Mexico production has the lowest carbon intensity in the U.S. and second lowest carbon intensity in the world, primarily due to restrictions on flaring and venting of natural gas production. Third Coast's integrated natural gas and liquids pipeline systems provide mandated gas and liquids takeaway capacity, providing flow assurance and transmission services to its producer customers.

"Third Coast provides a critical link in the domestic energy value chain connecting the prolific and low-carbon Gulf of Mexico production basin to Gulf Coast customers and markets," said Joe Alves, Managing Director at ArcLight. "We are excited to continue to invest in the Third Coast platform via the Fund as we believe Third Coast's fee-based throughput business model is poised to benefit from continued Gulf of Mexico production growth catalyzed by its lower relative costs and environmental impact, as well as bolt-on organic and inorganic growth opportunities identified by our top-class management team designed to increase redundancy and flow assurance for our customers." Barclays Capital Inc. and RBC Capital Markets acted as co-financial advisors to ArcLight in connection with the transaction.

About ArcLight

ArcLight was founded in 2001 and is a leading middle-market sustainable infrastructure investor with a long-term, successful track record across 7 investment funds. Since inception, ArcLight has invested approximately $27 billion in 123 transactions, including over $16 billion of equity into the power, renewables, strategic gas and transformative infrastructure sectors. Based in Boston, the firm's investment team employs a value-added, operationally intensive investment approach that benefits from its dedicated in-house technical, operational, and commercial specialists and partners, as well as the firm's approximately 1,800-person asset management strategic partner. More information about ArcLight can be found at www.arclight.com.

About Third Coast

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Third Coast is a full-service midstream company with assets that provide critical infrastructure linking primarily natural gas production to end-use markets. Third Coast's vertically and horizontally integrated assets are strategically located along the Gulf Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Third Coast currently owns or has an ownership interest in approximately 1,200 miles of interstate and intrastate pipelines, as well as ownership in a gas processing plant, and two offshore semi-submersible floating production systems with a combined processing capacity of up to 185 MBbl/d of crude oil and 340 MMcf/d of natural gas. For more information about Third Coast, visit www.third-coast.com.

SOURCE ArcLight Capital Partners
Company to provide a comprehensive update on product and chemical tanker markets, the impacts of evolving sanctions and regulatory regimes that are reshaping global energy flows, and Ardmore's strategy for maximizing value

February 14, 2023 event will also include the Company's presentation of Q4 2022 financial results

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) ("Ardmore" or the "Company") today announced that it will host its 2023 Investor Day on Tuesday, February 14 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time in New York City.

At the event, entitled "Product and Chemical Tankers in a Re-Ordered Global Energy Market," the extended Ardmore management team will provide the investment community with a comprehensive update on product and chemical tanker markets, the impacts of evolving sanctions and regulatory regimes that are reshaping global energy supply flows  including the EU ban on imports of Russian refined products set to come into effect from February 5, 2023  and Ardmore's strategy for maximizing value in both the immediate term and years ahead.

Institutional investors interested in attending the event should contact The IGB Group at [email protected].

A live webcast of the presentation and slides will be available to the public on the Investor Relations section of Ardmore's website at www.ardmoreshipping.com. Please allow extra time prior to the presentation to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. The webcast will also be archived on the Company's website.

About Ardmore Shipping Corporation:

Ardmore owns and operates a fleet of MR product and chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 deadweight tonnes. Ardmore provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size tankers.

Ardmore's core strategy is to continue to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product and chemical tankers, build key long-term commercial relationships and maintain its cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating synergies and economies of scale as the Company grows. Ardmore provides its services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools, and time charters, and enjoys close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners.

Investor Relations Enquiries:

Mr. Leon Berman

The IGB Group

45 Broadway, Suite 1150

New York, NY 10006

Tel: 212-477-8438

Fax: 212-477-8636

Email: [email protected]

Or

Mr. Bryan Degnan

The IGB Group

Tel: 646-673-9701

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Ardmore Shipping Corporation
A landmark survey of individual investors across the UAE by Friends Provident International (FPI) has highlighted the need for much greater regulation of financial advice provided by celebrity social media influencers.



One of the key features of the financial advice landscape in the UAE is that social media influencers play an important role.



No fewer than 24% of individual investors say that they would be extremely confident in taking financial advice from a social media influencer. An additional 27% say that they would be somewhat confident in doing so.



The figures vary markedly by nationality. At one extreme, 60% of Emirati investors would be extremely or somewhat confident in taking financial advice from a social media influencer. At the other extreme, the corresponding figure is just 35% for Westerners. Some 46% of Westerners say that they would be somewhat not confident or not at all confident in taking financial advice from a social media influencer.



Social media influencers: providing financial advice to some, but advice on financial futures to very few



Later in the survey investors were also asked to name which one provider of advice would make them feel better equipped to make decisions about their financial futures.



Social media influencers were named by just 6% of investors. Of increasing importance are friends/peers (13%), bank advisers (14%), independent financial advisers (IFAs - 26%) and family (31%). Some 8% of investors rely entirely on their own research efforts, while 2% depend on other sources of advice in relation to their financial futures.



The extent to which investors rely on family members for advice about their financial futures varies widely. Women (39%) are much more likely than men (27%) to use a family member as a sole source of advice. The same is true of those who are aged 18-24 (36%) than those who are 45 or older (26%). Investors with monthly incomes of AED10,000 ($2,720) or less (37%) depend on family members more than those with monthly incomes of over AED25,000 (22%).



Notes David Kneeshaw, Group Chief Executive of International Financial Group Limited, of which FPI is part, said: Individual investors in the UAE often place far too much weight on the views of social media influencers - who may be completely ignorant or paid to promote a particular idea or product.



A concerted publicity campaign that highlights the benefits of professional advice is not all that is needed. As is the case in other countries in which FPI operates, there should be far greater regulation in the UAE that curbs the impact of social media influencers.  TradeArabia News Service
Nairobi  Kenya has unveiled a fresh bid to increase the number of tourists visiting from India as the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) leads travel trade members to this year's Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) tourism fair in the country.

The expo to be held at the Jio World Convention Centre, in Mumbai from February 2-4, will bring together exhibitors from over 60 countries as destinations globally smart out of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

Over 14 Kenyan travel trade partners will take part in the 3 -day exhibitions with the country seeking to reposition itself in the Indian market whose growth has picked up to about 90 per cent by the close of last year compared to 2021.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) acting CEO John Chirchir says OTM is giving Kenya an opportunity for re-entry into the Indian market that was severely affected with travel because of Covid-19 pandemic.

"India is one of the markets whose travel was negatively impacted with the Covid-19, we are now making a physical presence in the market after about 2 years of absence, and we hope to reap big from the fair," said Chirchir.

The OTM tourism fair is the largest gathering of travel trade buyers and professionals in India with over 1300 exhibitors from over 60 countries attending.

Kenya's participation in this event will allow it to tap into the growing Indian tourism market and promote its offerings to Indian travelers.

In 2022, the arrivals into Kenya from the Indian source market recorded a growth of 93.2 per cent from 42,159 in 2021 to 81,458 in 2022.

This is a recovery of 67 per cent compared to the 2019 performance of 120,893.

Chirchir says the growth is a positive indication that the tourism business in India is on the right track to recovery even as KTB rolls out key promotional and marketing campaigns in the market.

Ahead of the expo, KTB will also participate in roadshows in the three Indian cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore and New Delhi between January 30 and February 6.

"These are part of our many initiatives to bring the market back to its performance recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic. Attributes such as ease of access and connectivity, all-weather season as well as tourism offerings that cut across all the segments have continued to pull Indian travelers to Kenya," said the CEO.

Last year, KTB hosted a familiarization trip in Nairobi for India's leading travel companies, launched joint promotional campaigns with marketing companies such as FCM Travel Solutions India and Yatra to build traveler confidence.

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Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman Fred Odek said international exhibitions remain a key platform for wooing international travelers, which he said were key in contributing to the revenue receipt for the sector.

He said domestic tourism has sustained the tourism business through the Covid-19 pandemic period but added that international travelers have contributed a lion's share in terms of revenues and lauded KTB for stepping up its in-marketing activities.

"It is important we sustain our inbound market to keep up with the competing destinations that are beefing up their numbers to 2019. We are optimistic that we will sign new contracts during the OTM event," said the Chairman.

Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Serena Hotels East Africa Rosemary Mugambi expressed her optimism that the OTM is expected to impact on the rise of hotel bookings within a short period.

She said there is a lot of interest from Indian travelers to the country and the OTM expo comes at the right time when Kenya was re-igniting the market which comes in handy during the low tourism season.

According to Mugambi, international exhibitions continue enhancing top-of-mind awareness of Kenya among travelers and investors alike and hailed KTB for identifying key markets for exhibition and promotional activities.
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global swimwear brand is proud to announce the new Signature Edition Capsule Collection designed and inspired by arena athlete and Olympic Champion, Lydia Jacoby.

"I've always had a love for fashion, so designing my own line with arena is a huge dream come true and the start of something big. I'm excited to release my first designs in collaboration with the company I spend so much of my time with - both in and out of the pool. I can't wait to see what's next!" says Jacoby on her first product partnership with arena.

LYDIA JACOBY COLLECTION CHALLENGE BACK ONE PIECE LYDIA JACOBY COLLECTION CHALLENGE BACK ONE PIECE LYDIA JACOBY COLLECTION CHALLENGE BACK ONE PIECE LYDIA JACOBY COLLECTION CHALLENGE BACK ONE PIECE

Working closely with arena's U.S. product team and designers, Lydia's first Signature Product Collection began as a series of mood boards assembled by Jacoby - inspired by a mix of her personal style and hometown of Seward, Alaska - with the goal of delivering a unique perspective to the traditional training suit aesthetic.

"It's been so exciting to see Lydia's personality and design talent come to life in these new styles" says Kara Nelson, Product Line Manager for arena USA. "Her background and experience is so unique that it provided our team with endless inspiration to create these dynamic prints. We look forward to working more with Lydia in the future and exploring her newfound talent and passion in fashion design and product development."

Available in Lydia's go-to training silhouette - the arena MaxLife Challenge Back - with matching printed silicone caps, the Lydia Jacoby Signature Edition line includes 4 unique and personal designs:

Flowers: "I love the colors of this suit - they remind me of the ocean's tranquility and beauty. I grew up swimming at meets in Seattle - specifically in March when the cherry blossoms were blooming - so this design has personal meaning to my experiences growing up as a competitive swimmer in the Pacific Northwest."

Orca: "Growing up in Seward, Alaska, I was raised by the ocean and the incredible diversity of Alaskan sealife. Orcas have always been my favorite animal and this print is both cute and vibrant while also celebrating my hometown that shaped me into the person I am today."

Seaweed: "As a swimmer from Alaska, my story is very unconventional and I felt this print was a good representation of what made my hometown unique. I love the green ivy color palette in this design - colors you don't traditionally find in swimwear prints - representing the kelp and mysterious intertidal zones found on the Alaskan Coast."

Wavy: "Even though all of these suits are very different, I love the ocean theme that ties them all together. Sticking with that theme, this print is inspired by and reminiscent of the dynamic Alaskan tidal lines and vast, ever-changing oceans. This design utilizes the colors found along the natural Alaskan coast and represents the diverse and beautiful seascapes I viewed from my family sailboat growing up."

All suits will be available starting January 16th on arena's website (arenasport.com) and through select retailers and team dealers nationwide.

About arena

arena has revolutionized the world of aquatic sport through insightful collaboration with world class athletes and the development of cutting edge competitive swimwear since 1973. Today, this spirit of collaboration and innovation lives on through a continuous evolution of advanced materials and Italian design that improves the performance, style and expression of all those who chose arena. From leading the lanes to living in style, arena is dedicated to providing all swimmers with the tools they need to express themselves, feel confident, win and achieve more.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987961/arena_USA_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987962/arena_USA_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987963/arena_USA_3.jpg

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Media contact:

Cristina Cantoni

[email protected]

+39 334 6879249

SOURCE arena USA
Chandler Unified School District Incorporates zSpace in STEM Program, Honored with "District of Distinction" Award

CHANDLER, Ariz., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Because of its long successful implementation of augmented and virtual reality technology (AR/VR) in Arizona elementary schools, zSpace, Inc ., a Silicon Valley education company, is proud to honor Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) as a "District of Distinction." A zSpace STEM District of Distinction is a district with the desire and ability to showcase their use of zSpace technology as a leader in education. This invitation-only program provides the opportunity for both the academic institution and zSpace to jointly innovate and to share best practices or cutting edge developments with a community of interest. Each DOD will serve as a reference site for zSpace, recognizing zSpace and the associated institution as leading education innovators in the region, promoting awareness for both.

zSpace and STEM at Chandler Unified School District

Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) has had the longest running implementation of zSpace AR/VR technology in Arizona. The district implemented 59 zSpace computers and was the first to adopt the glasses-free Inspire AR/VR laptops which creates an immersive and interactive experience where lifelike content seems to "leap out of the screen." This is particularly helpful for STEM instruction because it allows students to do things that would otherwise be too dangerous, impossible or expensive. Activities and content accessed on the zSpace laptops are aligned with NGSS and state standards, allowing students to complete tasks and build upon their knowledge in zSpace or in real life. Additionally, teachers have the opportunity to customize content by creating personalized videos, building quizzes and using zSpace either synchronously or asynchronously.

"From where we began in 2016 to where we are today with zSpace technology is amazing," said CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci. "In just a few short years, the amount of 21st century learning opportunities we have been able to provide students as young as five has grown exponentially. We are thankful for this partnership."

Parents, neighboring districts, and community members who would like to see the technology are invited to attend open house at CTA Independence on Monday, January 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Basha, Hancock, Shumway, Bologna, and San Tan Elementary Schools on Monday, January 30th from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

About zSpace

zSpace, Inc. has been focused on immersive experiences since its inception and is a leading education company within the Metaverse. zSpace's evidence-based augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) platform provides innovative hands-on, experiential learning to improve achievement in science, math and career and technical education credentialing. Over 3,000 school districts, technical centers, community colleges and universities use zSpace to provide equitable access to instruction for millions of learners preparing for success in college and careers. Located in San Jose, California, it has more than 70 patents. zSpace was named "Cool Vendor" by Gartner, Inc., "Best in Show at ISTE" by Tech & Learning Magazine for three consecutive years and ranked two years in a row on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies. Visit www.zspace.com , or follow @zSpace on Twitter.

Media Contact:

Amanda Austin

zSpace, Inc.

[email protected]

408-498-4050 x4130

SOURCE zSpace, Inc.
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced that its subsidiary, Risk Placement Services, Inc. (RPS), has acquired Austin, Texas-based Remco Insurance Agencies, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With roots going back to 1987, Remco Insurance is a retail non-standard auto insurance agency serving clients throughout Texas. Rahim Peerbhai and his associates will remain in their current locations under the direction of Jorge Barcena, President of RPS Pronto.

"Remco brings us strong market expertise and complements our existing footprint in Texas," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "I am delighted to welcome the Remco team to our growing, global company."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella Media: Paul Day VP - Investor Relations Communications Manager 630-285-3661 / [email protected] 630-285-5946/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
BOSTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mirroring the broader social trend of increasing awareness around inclusivity, exhibitors at CES 2023 highlighted the capabilities of consumer electronics to deliver assistive technology. IDTechEx attended the event, held January 5  8 in Las Vegas, and report on this key trend across interviews with exhibitors over the four days.

Smart Glasses for the Visually and Hearing Impaired

Smart glasses proved very popular at CES 2023, with queues to try the latest augmented reality (AR) demonstration from Lumus, TCL, and others particularly long. Yet while attendees were mostly trying tech to watch movies on the go or translate Chinese in real-time, it is likely that the best early use-case for smart glasses is as a tool for the visually and hearing impaired.

The lenses in AR glasses typically incorporate optical technology, such as waveguides and micro-LEDs, to create a wearable visual display. At CES, many smart glasses also featured miniaturized cameras and speakers within the plastic arms. As such, many start-ups, including Xrai, XanderGlasses, and Seleste Audio, exhibited software that transforms AR glasses into tools for real-time text-to-speech or speech-to-text. These companies were in partnership with AR hardware platform providers, such as Vuzix. Together they are creating smart glasses which ultimately allow the hearing impaired to see conversations sub-titled in real-time or the visually impaired to hear an audio description of their surroundings.

Despite advancements, smart glasses products remain too large, expensive, or low-performance for the mass market in 2023. Yet last year, IDTechEx predicted that with sufficient utility, early-stage hardware could still generate value, and CES 2023 made it clear that the hearing and visually impaired are set to become early adopters. With the WHO estimating that over three billion people worldwide are living with hearing and visual impairments, the commercial potential of this application is difficult to ignore.

Hearables for the Hearing and Physically Impaired

Aside from AR glasses, most of the wearable technology on display at CES this year was in-ear or hearable. While the earphone market is maturing, the ear as a location for assistive technology still has untapped potential to improve social inclusivity.

In the summer of 2022, the FDA approved the category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, removing the requirement for a medical exam or professional fitting. This is a driving factor for the high prevalence of companies demonstrating such hardware at CES. Consumers can now choose from a range of OTC devices, for example, entirely invisible buds from EARGO or larger blue-tooth-connected devices from HP and Nuheara. While this regulation change is currently limited to the US  this technology could go global, with Canada expected to be the most likely to follow.

Yet the ear is a good location for far more than just hearing aids, such as vital sign monitoring or neural signal measurements. In fact, Sonical and EarSwitch demonstrated to IDTechEx how a simple in-ear camera can be used to pick up both heart rate and eye movements as a wearable sensor. Eye-tracking is a crucial element of gaze-controlled keyboards, which help those with motor neurone disease, ALS, and cerebral palsy communicate. Given the ear was also shown to allow users to actively 'click' via muscle tensing, hearables could enable the physically impaired to have more seamless and immersive tools for brain-computer interfacing.

Assistive Technology for Gaming

Assistive technology at CES was not limited to wearables and digital health; there were also examples of solutions for more consumer-focused markets such as gaming.

Sony made headlines with the announcement of their new accessible controller for the PlayStation  the Leonardo project  with a customizable design that players can configure to meet their particular physical needs. This ranges from facilitating all gamers in playing comfortably to enabling them to play at all.

Gaming is an important tool for social interaction for many physically impaired users  and Sony's controller design was heavily informed by the charity SpecialEffect. The accessibility requirements of gamers are highly varied, and it is important OEMs continue to invest in inclusive solutions as the industry evolves.

Going forward, IDTechEx anticipates the accessibility requirements of an evolving gaming industry will remain a high priority, with customizable hardware solutions also emerging for virtual reality and the metaverse. Indeed, some start-ups have already identified this need, such as VOY and their tunable lenses for myopic users.

Conclusions: Assistive Technology Should Make Users Happier

Improving the quality of life for the physically impaired was seen to motivate a variety of wearable, digital health, and gaming companies at CES 2023. Following the pandemic years, and amongst economic uncertainty, consumers are more likely to invest in technology with a clear utility as opposed to novelty gadgets. Assistive technology achieves this while also offering inclusion, hope, and happiness  making it more likely to achieve commercial success in the near term. For a more detailed analysis of many of the emerging technology markets featured in this article, see IDTechEx's dedicated reports and ten-year market forecasts for Wearable Technology, Wearable Sensors, and Augmented and Virtual Reality.

For the full portfolio of wearable technology research from IDTechEx, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/WT. Sample pages are available for all reports.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Media Contact:

Lucy Rogers

Sales and Marketing Administrator

[email protected]

+44(0)1223 812300

Social Media Links:



Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IDTechExResearch

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SOURCE IDTechEx
ATLANTA, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive Ventures , a leading automotive technology and mobility venture capital firm, today announced the addition of industry leader Paul Whitworth to its Advisory team. This latest appointment further demonstrates the firm's focus on attracting top talent to identify the best companies, drive outsized growth, and realize superior returns for investors.

Automotive Ventures today announced the addition of industry leader Paul Whitworth to its Advisory team. Tweet this Automotive Ventures Adds Paul Whitworth as Advisor

Paul has been at the forefront of automotive industry transformation, as both a strategist, entrepreneur, and skilled operator and currently serves as an executive with Trader Canada. Paul was a key leader in building Cox Automotive's multi-billion dollar Retail Solutions business. At Cox, Paul built the growth strategy, championed acquisitions of key automotive software companies, and lead day-to-day operations at several of the portfolio companies. Paul also has a successful track record as an entrepreneur with successes such as co-founder of AutoPoint, originating team member and advisor to vAuto, and co-founder of LightSource Renewables. Throughout his career, after graduating from MIT, Paul has been leading transformation in automotive at companies like Cox Automotive, Accenture, Hyundai Motor America, and Reynolds and Reynolds.

"We are thrilled to welcome one of the industry's most accomplished and successful veterans to Automotive Ventures as we continue to strengthen the capabilities of our growing team," said Steve Greenfield, founder and CEO of Automotive Ventures. "Paul's deep expertise across automotive strategy, digital innovation, and scaled entrepreneurship will be invaluable as we continue to deliver differentiated outcomes for both our portfolio companies and our Limited Partners."

"In my role as a senior leader at Trader Canada, I am seeking out the next innovative solutions to power the automotive industry forward," said Whitworth. "By working closely with Automotive Ventures I can help identify emerging solutions and assist smaller companies in scaling up from concept to maturity."

About Automotive Ventures

Automotive Ventures, a leading automotive technology and mobility Venture Capital firm, was founded in 2014 by Steve Greenfield, an industry expert on mergers, acquisitions, strategy and capital raises.

Automotive Ventures harnesses the knowledge and intuition that comes from 20+ years of automotive experience; oversight of more than $1 billion in acquisitions; and negotiation of hundreds of automotive software and data agreements.

Automotive Ventures is composed of a team of industry experts as employees, advisors, and investors who have built deep relationships with - and provide connections to - automotive industry decision-makers.

SOURCE Automotive Ventures
Partnership Enables Axxess Users More Flexibility Through Interoperability

DALLAS and NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Axxess, the leading technology innovator for healthcare at home, and healthcare information firm Dynamic Health IT (DHIT) are partnering to help providers better serve patients and clients.

Through this partnership, Axxess and DHIT continue to collaborate to ensure Axxess' suite of solutions earns the rigorous ONC-ACB certification. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) uses its certification to advance the development and use of health IT capabilities and establish expectations for data sharing.

Axxess Palliative Care, the industry's first standalone palliative care solution, is the only Axxess software solution required to have this designation.

The collaboration includes three interoperability initiatives that will make exchanging patient information easier, create a standardized communication workflow between healthcare networks and a tool to import, calculate and transmit quality measure data directly to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

"Increasing interoperability for our clients is a top priority for our providers, and we're ready to go above and beyond for them," said Axxess Executive Vice President of Interoperability Tim Ingram. "With ONC-ACB certification across our suite of solutions, our providers will become more agile and will operate more efficiently. Interoperability leads to the future success of our industry."

"At Dynamic Health IT, we are excited about our interoperability partnership with Axxess," said Dynamic Health IT CEO Jeff Robbins. "Since ONC certification began over 10 years ago, DHIT has guided approximately 100 EHRs through certification using a combination of consulting services and bolt-on pre-certified software. Axxess has already achieved modular certification and we are confident in our ability to support their CEHRT process throughout 2023."

About Axxess

Axxess is the leading technology innovator for healthcare at home, focused on solving the most complex industry challenges. Trusted by more than 9,000 organizations that serve more than 3 million patients worldwide, Axxess offers a complete suite of easy-to-use software solutions that empower home health, home care, hospice, and palliative providers to make healthcare in the home human again. The company's collaborative culture focused on innovation and excellence is recognized nationally as a "Best Place to Work."

About Dynamic Health IT

New Orleans based Dynamic Health IT is the healthcare industry's leader in building interoperability solutions that solve for clinical quality measures (CQMs), and communication across health systems leveraging technologies such as HL7, CCD, CDA and FHR.

Contact:

Dennis Petroskey

(202) 215-6767

[email protected]

SOURCE Axxess
Global asset manager's private finance group provides senior secured facility to finance acquisition

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Barings, one of the world's leading investment managers, announced it served as lead agent for a senior secured facility to support private equity firm ATL Partners' ("ATL") investment in Aero Accessories & Repair, LLC ("Aero Accessories" or the "Company"). Headquartered in Miramar, FL, Aero Accessories is a leading provider of aerospace component maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, serving customers in the cargo, commercial, and defense end markets.

"We have followed the success of Aero Accessories for a number of years and have been impressed by the culture of the organization and the strong track record of organic growth achieved by the Company," said Eli Exum, Vice President at ATL. "We are excited to partner with the management team and look forward to supporting their strategic vision in the years to come."

"Barings deeply values our relationship with ATL Partners and appreciates the opportunity to support the investment in Aero Accessories," said Max McEwen, Managing Director in Barings' North American Private Finance Group. "Aero Accessories is a differentiated player in the aerospace aftermarket with a wide breadth of repair capabilities and deep technical expertise. We are confident ATL's deep experience across the aerospace industry will help the Company accelerate its growth trajectory."

About Aero Accessories

Aero Accessories is a leading provider of aerospace component maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. Founded in 2007, the Company specializes in the repair of complex, difficult-to-repair, and in-demand components across fuel, hydraulics, pneumatics, and power generation systems, servicing customers across the cargo/logistics, commercial airlines, and defense end markets. Aero Accessories is headquartered in Miramar, FL and serves customers from its 76,000 sq. ft. facility. For more information, please visit www.aeroaccessories.us.

About ATL Partners

Founded in 2014, ATL Partners is a premier sector-focused private equity firm that invests in aerospace, transportation, and logistics companies. ATL brings deep sector expertise to its investment approach with ten investment professionals and a network of operating resources who have decades of experience and extensive networks in each of ATL's core sectors. For more information about ATL Partners, please visit www.atlpartners.com.

About Barings

Barings is a $347+ billion* global investment manager sourcing differentiated opportunities and building long-term portfolios across public and private fixed income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With investment professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees, and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment. Learn more at www.barings.com.

*Assets under management as of December 31, 2022

Media Contact

[email protected]

SOURCE Barings
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (OTC QB: BNET), a leader in the development of livestock waste treatment technology and premium sustainable beef, announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with BetterFedFoods, LLC, of Wamego, Kansas, to create a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between the companies.

BetterFedFoods (and its affiliate companies, NBO3 Technologies and H3 Enterprises) have made a significant equity investment in Bion. The companies will work together over the next 60 to 90 days to determine how to best leverage their individual strengths.

For the last decade, BetterFedFoods and NBO3 Technologies have developed animal health & welfare solutions associated with incorporating algae into livestock feeding systems. Their patented technology delivers Omega 3 EPA long chain fatty acids to the animal through its feed. Based on extensive academic research sponsored by BetterFedFoods, their product improves overall animal health and provides a higher feed-to-weight gain ratio and a higher carcass value due to better marbling, while reducing enteric methane emissions of livestock, along with other Climate Smart impacts. Moreover, balancing the animals Omega 6:3 ratio improves animal health by reducing joint inflammation, increasing stress tolerance, improving respiratory issues, and reducing heart disease  as it does for humans.

In recent years, BetterFedFoods has expanded its Climate-Smart Premiums Program focus to growing another strain of algae that enhances plant photosynthesis and increases microbial activity in the soil, both of which lead to healthier and higher yielding feed crops.

Todd Hansen, BetterFedFoods' CEO, stated that "Bion and BetterFedFoods share a commitment to create premium sustainable beef that is better for the consumer. Aligning our goals makes perfect sense. We are excited to work together to maximize animal health and performance in Bion's cattle feeding operations, as well as enhance the quality and health of the incoming animals."

Bill O'Neill, Bion's CEO, said "Animal health and welfare is important to Bion and our feeder partners. BetterFedFoods' commitment to creating healthier feed, animals, and people is a perfect fit with our own vision. Today's consumers increasingly want products that are sustainable, transparent, and 'better for you'. Working with BetterFedFoods will help Bion and its partners check those consumer boxes."

About Bion: Bion's patented third generation technology (Gen3Tech) was designed to largely mitigate the environmental impacts of large-scale livestock production, increase its resource efficiencies, and deliver a USDA-certified sustainable product to the consumer. The platform simultaneously prevents pollution to air, water, and soil, while recovering high-value organic fertilizer coproducts and renewable energy that increase revenues. Bion's Gen3Tech platform can create a pathway to true economic and environmental sustainability with 'win-win' benefits for a premium sector of the $175 billion U.S. livestock industry and the consumer. For more information, see Bion's website at https://bionenviro.com.

This material includes forward-looking statements based on management's current reasonable business expectations. In this document, the words 'create', 'will', and similar expressions identify certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Section 27A of the Securities act of 1933, as amended. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could result in actual results differing materially from expected outcomes.

SOURCE Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.
New membership puts 10,000 RVers in the driver's seat of the world's first Web3 camping community, real-world RV parks, exclusive benefits, and perks.

MIAMI, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The first Web3 camping community powered by blockchain technology has arrived as CampersDAO prepares to buy real-world RV parks and provide exclusive access and community governance to its parks, camping perks, and community through a blockchain-based membership coming on Earth Day, April 22, 2023.

CampersDAO Trailblazer Membership CampersDAO Pioneer Membership

"We're building a community of RV enthusiasts by merging blockchain technology with the great outdoors," Travis John, CampersDAO founder, said with conviction. RVing has been John's passion for years, from weekend getaways to year-long camping adventures with his wife and kids. "My experience building Web2 product and service businesses, Web3 blockchain projects, and real estate have also prepared me to lead such an ambitious mission," says John.

John continues, "We started this company with a common goal: to buy top-rated RV resorts, offer a unique campground membership experience, and build a member-led community unlike any other. Even though there are thousands of RV parks in the United States, many are run-of-the-mill campgrounds only good for plugging in your RV, resting, and recharging. The beauty of our decentralized, community-governed model is that it puts our members in control of buying and operating top-rated RV parks based on what matters most to them."

"We're using blockchain technology to change how campground memberships work," added John. "CampersDAO members will be our advisory board and help us decide which RV parks to buy and how to run them." Members will also receive a range of camping perks, privileges, and experiences, including access to a Web3 camping community, discounts on camping gear, invitations to special events and activities, and the opportunity to contribute to the company's operations and get paid for their participation.

The CampersDAO's two Genesis memberships, the Trailblazer Membership and the Pioneer Membership, will be the only way to get into the company's DAO. The project is launching with 8,000 Trailblazer Memberships and 2,000 Pioneer Memberships.

Like any other organization, a significant acquisition, like an RV park, requires funding. The money from membership sales will pay for the community's first campground and provide ongoing support for the company run by the community. This shows how powerful a decentralized community can be.

About CampersDAO

The world's first Web3 camping community powered by blockchain technology has arrived as CampersDAO puts 10,000 RVers in the driver's seat of real-world RV parks and grants access to exclusive benefits and perks. To find out more and join the announcement list, visit https://campersdao.com.

More information: campersdao.com

Media Contact:

Travis John

305-600-5200

[email protected]

SOURCE CampersDAO
Collaborating with Enterprise Community Partners and Developers to Preserve Housing for Middle-Income Earners

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Community Development Banking is investing up to $150 million in equity to preserve more than 3,000 affordable homes nationwide for middle-income households in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise), one of the nation's largest affordable housing organizations.

Bank of America and Enterprise will help working Americans across the country earning between 80% and 120% of area median income remain in housing they can afford. According to the Pew Research Center, about half of Americans (49%) said this was a major problem where they live, up 10 percentage points from early 2018.

"As rent costs outpace income growth, the continued lack of affordable housing inventory is forcing families to make difficult decisions on how and where they live," said Maria Barry, Bank of America Community Development Banking national executive. "This fund will focus on the "missing middle," which refers to middle income individuals who make too much money to qualify for subsidized housing but make too little to afford market rate housing in their community."

According to Harvard University's 2022 State of the Nation's Housing report, home prices rose 20.6% from March 2021 to March 2022 and rents jumped 12%, showing that unaffordability worsened even further in the past two years.

Both Enterprise and Bank of America will leverage their national networks and resources to help accelerate the preservation of affordable housing.

"Preserving affordable housing for middle-income households is more critical today than ever as our country faces the worst housing shortage in generations," said Lori Chatman, interim co-CEO of Enterprise Community Partners. "Through our work with Bank of America, we are able to fill a gap to creatively finance projects that will preserve the supply of affordable homes and build resilience and upward mobility for thousands of families."

This fund builds on Bank of America and Enterprise's partnership spanning more than 30 years to create and preserve thousands of affordable homes. It will expand the partnership to preserve middle income homes by investing critical equity capital to allow affordable housing providers to acquire existing properties that are at risk of being converted into unaffordable, market-rate homes and preserve their affordability for the long term.

Enterprise has 40 years of experience providing affordable housing solutions, capital and community development  under one roof. For 10 years, Enterprise has managed preservation equity funds, which have preserved more than 17,000 homes nationwide, valued at nearly $2 billion.

Bank of America remains committed to helping address the affordable housing shortage. With innovative capital deployment, like its $15 billion Community Homeownership Commitment, the bank works through its lines of business, partnerships and philanthropic support to help provide safe and affordable housing in the communities where we live and work.

Enterprise Community

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $54 billion and created 873,000 homes across all 50 states  all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. Join us at enterprisecommunity.org.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATM and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Reporters may contact:

Anu Ahluwalia, Bank of America

Phone: 1.646.855.3375

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
Mogadishu - The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) today officially handed over Maslah Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Federal Government of Somalia, ceding control of the facility it had occupied since 2012.

The handover is in line with the joint Concept of Operations (CONOPs) and the Somali Transition Plan - developed by the Federal Government of Somalia, ATMIS, the UN and development partners to guide the transition process.

A land lease agreement formalizing the handover was signed by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef and Somalia's State Minister for Defence, Abdinur Daahir Fidow at a ceremony held in the capital, Mogadishu.

"Today is a proud moment for us as a Mission. Maslah is the first facility to be handed over by ATMIS since its inception in 1 April 2022, following the end of the AMISOM mandate," the SRCC said at the ceremony attended by top Federal Government of Somalia officials, envoys and representatives of the UN and troop contributing countries (TCC's).

The official handover follows the departure of the ATMIS Burundi contingent and subsequent takeover of the facility by the Somali National Army on January 15. Ambassador Souef emphasized the key role the FOB has played in securing the capital, Mogadishu, and facilitating the Mission's military operations.

"Geographically it has also enabled our troops to secure the major supply route (MSR) connecting Mogadishu and the hinterland hence ensuring the safe and secure movement of goods and services which is important for both economic and social development of this country," he observed.

Speaking at the event, Somalia's State Minister for Defence said the handover comes at a time when the Federal Government has intensified military operations against Al Shabab in central and south Somalia.

"Huge military gains have been achieved in the past few months and we are keen to double the current efforts and count on your support in eradicating the Al-Shabaab," Mr. Fidow said, reiterating the Federal Government's commitment to the transition process.

On his part, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Director Amadu Kamara lauded the stakeholders for making the process a success despite numerous challenges.

"The success of the handover of Maslah, within the restrictive timelines and other constraints, is a testament to the will of the Somalia Government to succeed in force generation and facilitating new offensive operations," said Mr. Kamara.

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The Acting ATMIS Force Commander, Brig. Gen. Peter Omola who also attended the function spoke about the history and significance of the FOB, noting that the facility has acted as a bulwark against terrorist attacks by Al Shabab militants.

"I have no doubt that our SNA brothers who have taken over the FOB are equal to the task ahead of them. ATMIS forces remain ready to partner with SSF (Somali Security Forces) in furtherance of core security ideals in the Hirshabelle region and Somalia in general," Brig. Gen. Omola said.

The Commander of the ATMIS Burundi contingent, Brig. Gen. Jean Claude Niyiburana thanked the local community in Maslah for their support over the years adding that his troops will continue playing its part in the stabilization process.

"The Burundi contingent is committed to collaborating with all partners to establish peace and security in Somalia" Brig. Gen. Niyiburana.

The SRCC announced that the Mission is implementing a comprehensive plan that will address conservation issues and ensure the respect of the environment in its activities.

"Going forward we will prioritize good environmental practices in all our military operations. As a bold step we are going Green in all our FOBs by using environmentally friendly technology to power our water and energy needs," Ambassador Souef said.
LONDON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury children's coat brand, Britannical London, is today launching a circular fashion initiative on its website, aimed at prolonging the life of its pieces and rewarding its customers for supporting sustainability.

Britannical London's popular Chelsea coat. The Britannical London classic, Marylebone pea coat.

The Re:Coat Project, a not-for-profit scheme devised by the brand's founder, Rachael Attwood Hamard, offers online customers the chance to return their child's worn purchases in exchange for 'green vouchers' that can be put towards future purchases. The coats that are returned are then reconditioned and offered for sale at a small proportion of the original ticket price, giving them a second (or third) life and giving broader access to the brands luxury items.

Speaking of the inspiration behind the Re:Coat project, Attwood Hamard states, "There is a lot of talk about sustainability in the fashion industry, but it is now time for brands to put their money where their mouth is. Britannical London's circular initiative is about our commitment, as an ethical and sustainable brand, to minimise waste, maximise the life-span of our garments, and help cultivate a fashion culture that prioritises the environment."

A pilot run of the Re:Coat Project proved a success, with most pre-loved luxury coats being re-homed to new customers within the space of a day and long-standing customers voicing their enthusiasm for the waste-free circular scheme.

Britannical London plans to roll out the scheme across all its product lines and among its international stockists in the near future.

With this new initiative, Britannical London's sustainability and ethical agenda will comprise its commitment to:

using sustainable, natural, and off-set materials in its collections;

ensuring the maximum longevity of its garments;

sourcing supplies locally and supporting local communities with its buying choices;

paying a living wage to all employees;

shunning plastic and using recycled cartons in its packaging;

facilitating circularity and a 'zero waste' ethos via the Re:Coat initiative and engaging customers in its sustainability journey.

About: Britannical London is an award-winning luxury childrenswear brand that specialises in finely tailored coats. It makes all its heirloom-quality pieces in London, using premium sustainable fabrics. Craftsmanship and community are key to Britannical London and it has a heritage in London tailoring dating back to the Victorian era.

PR contact: Zita Adam-Klein

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +441273 455845

Website: www.britannical.com

Instagram: @britannical_london

SOURCE Britannical London
SEATTLE, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium Washington wine brand Browne Family Vineyards has partnered with environmental non-profit One Tree Planted to create the Browne Forest Project. For each bottle of Browne Forest Project wine sold, a tree is proudly planted to help restore forests in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Browne Family Vineyards - Forest Project

This initiative provides consumers with wine of uncompromising quality while supporting local reforestation efforts. Winemaking regions  the Pacific Northwest included  have felt the impact of flooding and forest fires in recent years. One Tree Planted makes it simple to give back by partnering with local reforestation organizations to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife.

"The Forest Series project is an important endeavor for Browne Family Vineyards, and I am extremely proud of both the wine and the impact this project will make," said Andrew Browne, co-proprietor of Browne Family Vineyards. "The accelerating effects of climate change on our industry and communities require everyone to take decisive steps to counter the shifts, and reforestation is one way Browne Family has identified we can help. Working with my children to plant new trees and re-build a forest is a powerful experience and very empowering."

Browne Family Vineyards has taken steps to further its commitment to the environment via Browne Forest Project packaging, including a lighter bottle to reduce the energy required for transit and production, ensuring the cartons come from responsibly managed forests (per the Forest Stewardship Council), and by using a label-free design.

"We appreciate the support of Browne Family Vineyards and all the great work we will be able to do as a result of this partnership," said Ashley Lamontagne, Forest Campaign Manager at One Tree Planted. "The trees we plant together will have positive impacts on nature, biodiversity, and people for years to come."

Members of the Browne Family Wine & Spirits Clubs are welcomed and encouraged to participate in recurring tree-planting events to connect with nature, give back to the community, support healthy native habitats and propel change. Join today at https://brownefamilyvineyards.com/wine-club/.

This Valentine's Day, forget the roses and "Give a Dozen Trees": Purchase a bottle of Browne Forest Project wine and a twelve-tree donation via One Tree Planted in the name of your loved one.

The Browne Forest Project Columbia Valley Red Blend ($25) and Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) are available at select retailers across the Pacific Northwest and California. The Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) is exclusively available at Browne Family Vineyards tasting rooms in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma and Walla Walla.

About Browne Family Vineyards

Browne Family Vineyards is a family-owned winery committed to world-class wine production in the heart of Walla Walla, Washington. Inspired by the greatness of one man, William Bitner Browne, late grandfather of proprietor Andrew Browne, the winery is a dream that has been many years in the making.

In 2022, Browne Family Vineyards introduced Browne Family Spirits, an exclusive spirits collection of handcrafted, local-sourced spirits and bitters. The collection is available at Browne Family Distillery in Spokane and Browne Family Vineyards Bellevue.

Browne Family Vineyards is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with our customers and partners through innovative new wines, exciting collaborations, and customer nirvana. Visit www.brownefamilyvineyards.com or follow them on Instagram @brownefamilyvineyards.

About One Tree Planted

One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 2014, One Tree Planted has worked with partners across 43+ companies, and more than doubled the number of trees planted each year. As of 2021, over 40 million trees have been planted globally.

SOURCE Browne Family Vineyards
Live in all 50 states, Coverdash's frictionless insurance experience allows businessowners, e-commerce merchants, and gig-economy workers to source coverage in seconds.

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coverdash, a fully-digital business insurance startup providing simplified insurance solutions to businesses of all shapes and sizes, is pleased to announce the company's official launch and the closing of an oversubscribed seed funding round.

Based in New York City, Coverdash simplifies the process of buying and managing business insurance for e-commerce merchants, gig workers, and all other types of businessowners. The company offers a broad range of commercial insurance products, including liability, property, workers' compensation, and cyber. Coverdash's digital insurance experience enables businessowners to quote, bind, pay for, and actively manage insurance policies in a matter of seconds. Through relationships with many of the world's most recognized insurers, Coverdash provides the coverages growing businesses need at the most affordable rates.

Business-Focused Insurtech Coverdash Announces Launch After Oversubscribed Seed Round Tweet this

Coverdash's embedded technology enables partners to easily offer insurance to existing customers with a single line of code. Integration is straightforward, requiring no extensive engineering resources or implementation. Coverdash's network of embedded partners includes leading online marketplaces, service providers, PEOs, lenders, brokers, and various other platforms who serve or transact with businesses nationwide.

"Insurtech 2.0 is here, marking the next phase of the embedded fintech revolution," said Ralph Betesh, co-founder and CEO of Coverdash. "We have created a frictionless transactional experience that is unseen within the insurance landscape. Our mission is to empower partners with these capablities and help finally make insurance accessible and simple for businessowners across the nation."

Coverdash's funding round was led by Bling Capital, with participation from other notable investors, including AXIS Digital Ventures, Tokio Marine Future Fund (in affiliation with World Innovation Lab), Expansion VC, and Cameron Ventures. Multiple strategic angel investors also contributed to the round, including Greg Hendrick, CEO of Vantage Risk; Garret Koehn, president of CRC Insurance; and Steve Shenfeld, president of MidOcean Partners.

"The development and adoption of commercial insurance APIs within the insurtech industry has reached a tipping point, enabling innovative companies with the opportunity to drive true growth and transformation," said Ben Ling, founder and general partner at Bling Capital. "We view Coverdash as the future of business insurance and embedded distribution. We're excited to stand alongside the team and support them as they move forward on this journey."

This funding round will contribute to Coverdash's ongoing expansion and development through increased product innovation, go-to-market initiatives, and strategic hiring.

About Coverdash

Coverdash is a fully-digital, business insurance agency that specializes in serving the insurance needs of businesses of all shapes and sizes. Coverdash's embedded technology enables any partner to host its end-to-end insurance experience with a single line of code. Coverdash is headquartered in New York and is a licensed insurance agency across all 50 states. For more information, please visit LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter or check out www.coverdash.com.

SOURCE Coverdash
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Calero-MDSL, a leader in the high-growth Technology Expense Management (TEM) software space announced a rebranding today. This unveiling includes the simplification of its name to Calero, and the renaming of its platform to Calero.com, accompanied by a new logo and refreshed visual identity.

Calero-MDSL has rebranded to Calero, renaming its platform to Calero.com, and unveiling a new logo and refreshed visual identity. See more at www.Calero.com

"As we looked at our roadmap to the future, we realized that our brand and image needed to reflect our philosophy of simplicity and our technology-first approach to solving expense management problems. Shortening to Calero embraces the familiarity of the name, while the new visual identity embodies our 'always on' energy," said Scott Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer. "At the same time, we wanted to highlight the evolutionary path we have taken to offer the only software capable of delivering Telecom, Mobile, SaaS, and UCaaS expense management in a single platform. What better way is there to celebrate that accomplishment than by renaming the platform in a manner that intrinsically links it to the company name itself?"

The new look and feel boldly heralds the innovative path the company is forging, highlighted in 2022 by:

Becoming the only provider to deliver a modern interface, continuous real-time upgrades, and advanced analytics to all its Calero.com platform customers

Tackling one of the most prominent issues in telecom expense management by releasing its Automated Inventory and Network Visualization feature that delivers effortless inventory accuracy

Disrupting the industry standard by releasing a comprehensive SaaS and UCaaS Expense Management feature within the same enterprise-grade platform customers trust for their telecom and mobile expense management programs

"The Calero.com platform will continue to be the best solution both for the 'now' and the 'what's next'. As exciting as this announcement is, I am even more excited about what is to come in the remainder of 2023. Be ready," concluded Gilbert.

Learn more at www.Calero.com

About Calero

Calero is the leading Technology Expense Management provider, managing over $25 billion in spend worldwide for thousands of organizations in 102 countries. With a deep commitment to innovation and customer success, Calero partners with organizations to provide a modernized, centralized technology expense management solution that supports Telecom Expense Management, Managed Mobility Services, and SaaS Subscription Management. Calero is the industry leader in initiatives that solve pervasive market problems and continues to be recognized by industry analysts for award-winning achievements. The company is committed to serving customers with innovative solutions that provide visibility, control, and optimization of their entire technology ecosystem.

About Oak Hill Capital

Oak Hill Capital is a private equity firm managing funds with over $16 billion of initial capital commitments and co-investments since inception. Over the past 35 years, Oak Hill Capital and its predecessors have invested in approximately 100 private equity transactions across broad segments of the U.S. and global economies. Oak Hill Capital applies an industry-focused, theme-based approach to investing in the following sectors: Services, Industrials, Media & Communications, and Consumer. Oak Hill works actively in partnership with management to implement strategic and operational initiatives to create franchise value. For more information, please visit: www.oakhill.com.

About Riverside Partners

Founded in 1989, Riverside Partners is a Boston-based middle market private equity firm currently investing Riverside Fund VI, L.P. The fund focuses on growth-oriented companies in the healthcare and technology industries. Riverside Partners is particularly experienced at partnering with founders, owners and management teams and it brings substantial domain expertise and operating experience to its portfolio companies. For more information, visit www.riversidepartners.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988265/Calero_MDSL___Rebrands_as_Calero.jpg

SOURCE Calero-MDSL
Capriotti's Fans Can Get their Hands on Hand-Crafted Sandwiches on January 23

FLOWER MOUND, Texas, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, known for its award-winning, hand-crafted cheese steaks, turkey subs and more, will debut a new location in Flower Mound at 801 International Parkway, Suite 530, on January 23. Capriotti's brings the Flower Mound community its 47-year tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house and hand-pulling them every morning along with other favorites all made with fresh ingredients.

Capriotti's is known for its wide array of sandwiches including The Bobbie, made with fresh oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo, the Capastrami, made with hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and homemade coleslaw and the cheesesteak is made with premium steak, chicken or Impossible plant-based meat and melted cheese plus hot or sweet peppers. The Flower Mound Capriotti's will offer a convenient order-ahead option, in addition to third-party delivery services. The new shop will bring 20 new jobs to the Flower Mound community.

The Flower Mound location is managed by Erik Frazier. Frazier was introduced to the Capriotti's brand through his family. With over 20 years of corporate experience, Frazier knew he could apply his experience to his new business venture with Capriotti's. Frazier is looking forward to bringing an upscale, fast-casual sandwich concept that offers a unique experience of flavors to the Flower Mound community.

"When looking into restaurant franchises, it was the ingredients that the brands were using that was most important to me," said Frazier, "Capriotti's is known to have fresh, high-quality ingredients it is a privilege to bring Capriotti's award-winning sandwiches to Flower Mound and its surrounding areas."

Flower Mound Capriotti's fans can download the CAPAddicts Rewards app on iOS and Android to earn and redeem rewards and score free food. The Flower Mound Capriotti's will offer a convenient order-ahead option, online ordering, and third-party delivery services. Capriotti's in Flower Mound offers catering for any event, from corporate events to birthday parties, with items such as party trays with cold subs, box lunches, or a hot meatball bar.

Capriotti's is open from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M. Monday-Sunday. For additional information, visit www.capriottis.com or call the location at (972) 537-5089.

About Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

Founded in 1976, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is an award-winning national franchised restaurant chain that remains true to its 47-year tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house every day. Capriotti's fresh ingredients, homemade subs, and unique menu items have won numerous accolades including being named one of the "10 Great Places for a Surprising Sandwich" by USA Today and many "Best of" awards across the country. Capriotti's cold, grilled and vegetarian subs, cheese steaks, and salads are available at more than 170 locations across the U.S. Capriotti's signature sub, The Bobbie, was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" by thousands of readers across the country and reported by AOL.com. Capriotti's fans can also download the CAPAddicts Rewards app for iOS and Android, where they can earn and redeem rewards. For more information, visit capriottis.com. Like Capriotti's on Facebook, follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Media Contact: Regan Lee, Fishman PR | [email protected] | 847-945-1300

SOURCE Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
Evolving policy approaches to healthcare, including federal policies affecting Medicaid, payments to hospitals, physicians fees, home health care, medical devices, and lab testing will have significant implications for investors and companies in the US in 2023.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capstone LLC is sharing its annual outlook on the most underappreciated policy developments that will play a big role in how 2023 shapes up for investors and companies in the healthcare sector.

Capstone believes congressional healthcare policy in 2023 will be driven by lawmakers' efforts to stave off a series of cuts in payments to providers, hospitals, and home health facilities. The curtailment of pandemic-era support programs will lead to massive cuts to Medicaid enrollment, removing millions of people from the program's rolls. Hospitals serving patients with Medicaid or without insurance face billions of dollars of cuts. Physician fees will continue to be a contentious issue. Congress delayed statutory pay-as-you-go cuts from 2023 to 2025 in the end-of-year spending bill. Congress will have to act towards the end of 2024 to continue to avoid a 4% reduction across Medicare payment systems. Makers of durable medical equipment will face pressure as reliance on competitive bidding rises, with the risk of payment reductions highest for product categories which have not previously been included in that process. And now, with COVID-19 receding, clinical laboratories are likely to see cuts resume.

Please access the following link to read Capstone's outlook on developments for 2023:

Healthcare

For more information contact Cordell Eddings Phone at (202) 350-4700 or E-mail: [email protected]

About Capstone

Capstone is a leading global policy analysis and regulatory due diligence firm with locations in Washington, DC, London, and Sydney. As developments in Washington, London, Brussels, and other centers of government become more crucial to investment strategies, legislation, regulatory reforms, and new federal oversight are affecting industries in evolving ways. We advise institutional investors and companies on how changes in state, federal, and international policy impact investments. Capstone has established leading coverage of public policy investments affecting financial and business services, energy and environment, healthcare, TMT, and more. Our professionals analyze policy to uncover risks, opportunities, and, along the way, unique business, and investment strategies for our clients.

Contact: Daniel Kruger, Capstone

Phone: 202-350-4700

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE CAPSTONE LLC
13th year CarePatrol has appeared on list earning a spot in Franchise Business Review's Hall of Fame

PHOENIX, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CarePatrol , the nation's largest senior care solutions organization, was recently named a Top Franchise for 2023 by Franchise Business Review, earning high scores in leadership, core values, and a supportive franchisee community for the 13th year. This is the 18th annual ranking of the 200 best franchise opportunities as rated by franchise business owners. The list is available at https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/top-franchises/ .

"It's incredibly rewarding to once again be a top 200 franchise for 2023, earning a spot in Franchise Business Review's Hall of Fame for this consecutive recognition, and to know that franchisee satisfaction in the system is high," said Becky Bongiovanni, co-founder and brand president of CarePatrol. "Our team is committed to providing the tools and resources our franchise partners need to succeed in their market and ensure the well-being and care of their clients."

To continue improving the satisfaction of its franchisees, last year CarePatrol implemented a brand refresh to make the franchise more appealing to potential clients. The goal of this refresh was for CarePatrol to develop a more welcoming, caring exterior that reflects the relationships between CarePatrol franchisees and their clients.

Franchise Business Review , a market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and employee engagement, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today's Top Franchises .

CarePatrol was among over 360 franchise brands, representing more than 38,000 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review's research. CarePatrol's franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

CarePatrol's survey data showed:

88% of franchisees "strongly agree" or "agree" that senior management encourages a strong team culture;

94% of franchisees enjoy operating their business;

97% of franchisees would recommend the franchise to others.

"Franchisee satisfaction levels hit an all-time high last year despite the pandemic, and we are pleased to report that our 2023 research shows satisfaction has remained sky higha sure indicator that franchisee satisfaction is a top priority for franchise companiesand that's good news for franchise owners and anyone thinking about investing in a franchise," said Michelle Rowan, president & COO of Franchise Business Review. "As an independent research firm, Franchise Business Review is committed to helping prospective franchisees get an objective view of the best franchise opportunities available based on actual feedback from the people who own them. This year, nearly 38,000 franchisees completed our survey and from there we identified the franchise brands with the highest levels of satisfaction and performance to educate potential buyers about which franchise to invest in. Each of the 200 Franchisee Satisfaction Award winners on this year's list achieved stellar ratings from their franchisees."

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full description of the 2023 Top Franchises .

To learn more about CarePatrol, visit www.CarePatrol.com/franchising .

About CarePatrol

CarePatrol is the nation's largest senior care solutions franchise. Through more than 170 offices in 35 states, local senior advisors provide a free service in helping families find quality, top-rated assisted living, independent living, memory care, nursing homes and in-home care. Founded in 1993, CarePatrol began franchising in 2009 and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company. CarePatrol is proud to have earned the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for 13 years in a row, and has earned placement on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. For more information, visit www.CarePatrol.com/franchising .

About Franchise Business Review

Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,200 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com . To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/ .

SOURCE CarePatrol
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chatmeter, the leader in online reputation and local search marketing management, has announced that it has received top recognition in multiple G2 2023 Winter Reports.

G2 is renowned as the world's most trusted tech marketplace and review platform. The peer-to-peer business software review website leverages platform user feedback to rank the industry's top technologies, brands, and services.

"We are incredibly grateful for the recognition and support from our phenomenal customers." Tweet this In Winter 2023, Chatmeter was honored by G2 with 24 badges.

In Winter 2023, Chatmeter was honored by G2 with 24 badges, including as an industry leader and/or high performer in the following categories:

Online Reputation Management

Local Listings Management

Local Marketing

Local SEO

Social Media Analytics

"We are incredibly grateful for the recognition and support from our phenomenal customers," says Cynthia Sener, Chatmeter's President, GTM. "The strength of our brand partnerships exemplifies the trust, expertise, and innovative spirit of the Chatmeter team. We're excited to continue delivering industry-leading reputation management and brand intelligence to drive customer loyalty and CX analytics solutions built to accelerate growth and revenue in today's competitive business landscape."

Within the above categories, Chatmeter specifically earned the following Winter 2023 badges:

Enterprise

Local Listing Management

Local Marketing

Local SEO

Online Reputation Management

Social Media Analytics

Social Media Management

Fastest Implementation

Mid-Market

Local Listings Management

Local Marketing

Local SEO

Online Reputation Management

Social Media Analytics

Small Business

Online Reputation Management

Social Media Analytics

Additional Acknowledgements

Store Locator Leader

Users Love Us

Users Most Likely to Recommend

Best Meets Requirements

About G2

As the world's leading business solution review platform, G2 relies on more than 680,000 user reviews to drive better consumer purchasing decisions. Business professionals, buyers, investors, and analysts use the site to compare and select the best software and services based on peer reviews and synthesized social data. Every month, more than one million people visit G2's site to gain unique insights.

Learn more about why brands choose Chatmeter. Read our reviews on G2

About Chatmeter

For lasting success in today's competitive marketing, brands need accurate and actionable customer insights. Chatmeter ( www.chatmeter.com ) provides multi-location brands with tools to enhance the online-to-offline customer journey and increase revenue by improving online reputation, optimizing listings and search rankings, and providing in-depth brand intelligence, all within a single platform.

Chatmeter analyzes billions of customer reviews and ratings, social media mentions, and real-time customer sentiment pulled from hundreds of live sources. With Chatmeter, teams are empowered to keep a pulse on every location and every customer.

For over 14 years, 1000s of small, mid-level, and enterprise-level brands have trusted Chatmeter's expertise in multi-location brand management to support them in making confident, competitive, and revenue-driving business decisions. Regional, national, and global brands across more than 40 industries  including retail, healthcare, financial, real estate, food services, multi-family housing, and automotive  trust Chatmeter as their trusted solution for boosting growth, brand reputation, and revenue.

SOURCE Chatmeter
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global cheese based snacks market size is estimated to increase by USD 3.53 billion from 2021 to 2026. However, the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 5.12% during the forecast period. Get detailed insights into the market study. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Buy the report!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cheese Based Snacks Market 2022-2026

Cheese based snacks market - Customer Landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report - Request a sample report

Cheese based snacks market  Vendor Analysis

Vendor Landscape - The global cheese based snacks market is fragmented due to the presence of numerous global and regional vendors. Vendors compete based on numerous factors, including price, quality, innovation, service, reputation, distribution, and promotion. Product launches, M&A, and business expansion are other strategies adopted by vendors to gain a competitive edge in the market.

A few prominent vendors that offer cheese based snacks in the market are Amys Kitchen Inc., General Mills Inc., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., GONUTZ Snack Foods, Kellogg Co., Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Homtek India Snacks Manufacturing Co., Kerry Group Plc, Mars Inc., McCain Foods Ltd., Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., PepsiCo Inc., Prataap Snacks Ltd., Sargento Foods Inc., Serious Pig Ltd, Snacks Developpement SAS, SURYA FOOD and AGRO LTD., UNISMACK SA, Utz Quality Foods LLC, and Whisps Acquisition Corp. and others.

Vendor Offerings -

General Mills Inc . - The company offers cheese based snacks under its brand Bugles.

- The company offers cheese based snacks under its brand Bugles. Godrej Agrovet Ltd. - The company offers cheese based snacks through its subsidiary Godrej Tyson Foods.

- The company offers cheese based snacks through its subsidiary Godrej Tyson Foods. Kellogg Co. - The company offers cheese based snacks such as Cheez It Duoz, Cheez It Grooves, and Cheez It Snapd.

- The company offers cheese based snacks such as Cheez It Duoz, Cheez It Grooves, and Cheez It Snapd. Mars Inc. - The company offers cheese based snacks such as cheese crackers under its brand COMBOS.

Cheese based snacks market - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on the end-user (retail and foodservice) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market growth will be significant in the retail segment during the forecast period. The segment is driven by the growth of the organized retail industry across the world. In addition, consumers prefer supermarkets and hypermarkets as they can find products from all categories under a single roof. Also, the retail stores provide discounts and offers on a wide range of products, including cheese-based food products.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global cheese based snacks market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global cheese based snacks market.

North America will account for 38% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market is driven by factors such as an increase in the number of dual working households, rising disposable income, and the presence of fast-food chains.

Download a Sample Report

Cheese based snacks market  Market Dynamics

Leading Drivers 

The market is driven by the rise in disposable income and changes in lifestyle. The disposable income of consumers has increased considerably over recent years. For instance, according to a study by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, disposable personal income (DPI) increased by USD 89.7 billion (0.5%) in March 2022 in the US from April 2022. The growth in disposable income has led to an increase in spending and purchasing power. This has subsequently changed the eating habits of consumers, resulting in a demand for easy-to-eat and serve food products, including cheese-based snacks, which is driving the market growth.

Key Trends 

The rising number of new product launches is identified as the key trend in the market. Vendors are focusing on successful new product launches to increase revenue flow and improve their market shares. For instance, in January 2020, Pringles, a brand of Kelloggs Co., launched a new flavor with varying levels of heat intensity, such as Cheese and Chilli. Similarly, in September 2021, McCain Foods Ltd. launched a new plant-based brand named The Simple Root, which offers dips, spreads, sauces, and cheese made from root vegetables. Such an increase in the number of product launches are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Major challenges 

The rising number of health effects is a major factor challenging the growth of the market. Cheese-based snacks are high-calorie foods. They contain saturated fat in large quantities, which increases cholesterol levels. In addition, the presence of too much of sodium in cheese increases the risk of higher blood pressure as well as kidney disease. Also, excess consumption of cheese-based snacks can create difficulties such as gas or bloating. Such health risks associated with the consumption of cheese-based snacks is reducing the growth potential in the market.

Driver, trend, and challenges are the factors of market dynamics that state about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this cheese based snacks market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the cheese based snacks market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the size of the cheese based snacks market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the cheese based snacks market industry across North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , APAC, , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of cheese based snacks market vendors

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The snack market is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 6.51% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 300.56 billion . The growing preference for savory snacks is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the rising number of health effects may impede the market growth.

is estimated to decline at a CAGR of 6.51% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by . The growing preference for savory snacks is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the rising number of health effects may impede the market growth. The processed potatoes market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 41.71 billion . The increasing prominence of private-label brands is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as growing demand for homemade and street potato snacks may impede the market growth.

Cheese Based Snacks Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 136 Base year 2021 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 5.12% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 3.53 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.67 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Amys Kitchen Inc., General Mills Inc., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., GONUTZ Snack Foods, Kellogg Co., Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Homtek India Snacks Manufacturing Co., Kerry Group Plc, Mars Inc., McCain Foods Ltd., Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., PepsiCo Inc., Prataap Snacks Ltd., Sargento Foods Inc., Serious Pig Ltd, Snacks Developpement SAS, SURYA FOOD and AGRO LTD., UNISMACK SA, Utz Quality Foods LLC, and Whisps Acquisition Corp. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by End-user



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by End-user

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by End-user



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by End-user

5.3 Retail - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Retail - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Retail - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Retail - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Retail - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Foodservice - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Foodservice - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Foodservice - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Foodservice - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Foodservice - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by End-user ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 43: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 45: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 47: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 49: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 50: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 53: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 68: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 70: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 72: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 76: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 77: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 80: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 87: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 General Mills Inc.

Exhibit 89: General Mills Inc . - Overview

. - Overview

Exhibit 90: General Mills Inc . - Business segments

. - Business segments

Exhibit 91: General Mills Inc . - Key offerings

. - Key offerings

Exhibit 92: General Mills Inc . - Segment focus

10.4 Godrej Agrovet Ltd.

Exhibit 93: Godrej Agrovet Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 94: Godrej Agrovet Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 95: Godrej Agrovet Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 96: Godrej Agrovet Ltd. - Segment focus

10.5 Kellogg Co.

Exhibit 97: Kellogg Co. - Overview



Exhibit 98: Kellogg Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 99: Kellogg Co. - Key news



Exhibit 100: Kellogg Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 101: Kellogg Co. - Segment focus

10.6 Mars Inc.

Exhibit 102: Mars Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 103: Mars Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 104: Mars Inc. - Key offerings

10.7 McCain Foods Ltd.

Exhibit 105: McCain Foods Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 106: McCain Foods Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 107: McCain Foods Ltd. - Key offerings

10.8 Parle Products Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 108: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 109: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 110: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.9 PepsiCo Inc.

Exhibit 111: PepsiCo Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 112: PepsiCo Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 113: PepsiCo Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 114: PepsiCo Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 115: PepsiCo Inc. - Segment focus

10.10 Snacks Developpement SAS

Exhibit 116: Snacks Developpement SAS - Overview



Exhibit 117: Snacks Developpement SAS - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Snacks Developpement SAS - Key offerings

10.11 UNISMACK SA

Exhibit 119: UNISMACK SA - Overview



Exhibit 120: UNISMACK SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: UNISMACK SA - Key offerings

10.12 Utz Quality Foods LLC

Exhibit 122: Utz Quality Foods LLC - Overview



Exhibit 123: Utz Quality Foods LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 124: Utz Quality Foods LLC - Key offerings

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 125: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 126: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 127: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 128: Research methodology



Exhibit 129: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 130: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 131: List of abbreviations

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Key architect of the United States' sanctions against Russia

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jason Prince, former chief counsel to the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, has joined Crowell & Moring and will advise financial institutions and other companies on the growing list of sanctions and export controls on Russia and other targeted nations and parties.

Chief Counsel, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Jason Prince Joins Crowell & Moring

Prince brings in-depth experience leading OFAC's implementation and enforcement of more than 40 sanctions programs against nations such as Russia, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, and thousands of designated individuals and entities deemed to threaten the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. He oversaw the legal design of new sanctions measures and led the legal review of all major OFAC enforcement, compliance, licensing, litigation, and regulatory actions. Prior to the chief counsel role at Treasury, he served as an attorneyadvisor in the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement and Intelligence, where he advised the under secretary who sits over OFAC and its antimoney laundering counterpart the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

At Crowell, Prince will advise clients on the explosive growth of global sanctions and export controls as a partner in the firm's International Trade and Financial Services practices. Given his experience in government, Prince will provide insight on how to comply with complex, evolving legal restrictions governing international trade and investment, as well as internal investigations and voluntary selfdisclosures. In addition, Prince will guide clients on how to identify risks in private equity and venture capital investments, and M&A, as well as how to handle what is anticipated to be a continuing increase in sanctionsfocused enforcement matters.

"Jason has stand-out sanctions credentials due to his senior role at OFAC during a pivotal period and his years of private practice experience," said Nicole Simonian, co-chair of the firm's International Trade Group. "He was at the eye of the sanctions hurricane after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, helping to design the largest, fastest expansion of sanctions in our nation's history." Prince was at the center of OFAC's conception, implementation, and enforcement of sanctions against Russia, which involved unprecedented international coordination with allies on EU and UK sanctions.

Prior to his tenure at the Treasury Department, Prince spent 14 years in private practice. He co-chaired the economic sanctions and export controls practice at a large national law firm, where he served as primary outside counsel on sanctions and export controls issues for one of the world's 10 largest international defense trade companies, a Fortune 100 heavy equipment manufacturer, and an array of emerging growth companies. He also counseled multinational and exporting companies on developing compliance programs and conducting audits and internal investigations related to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. While in private practice, Prince specialized in coordinating internal investigations, preparing voluntary selfdisclosures to the U.S. government, and conducting compliance program reviews involving OFAC's sanctions regulations and various agencies' export controls.

"The opportunity to obtain firsthand knowledge from one of the key legal architects of U.S. sanctions on Russia and other adversaries will greatly benefit our clients around the globe," said Carlton Greene, chair of the firm's Financial Services Group. "Jason can translate the complex regulations and sanctions for financial institutions and companies that devote substantial time and effort to trying to make contact with and get answers from OFAC."

Prince earned his law degree at the University of Notre Dame, a master of philosophy at the University of Cambridge, and an undergraduate degree from Davidson College. He also served as a law clerk for Judge Susan H. Black on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

"I was drawn to Crowell's strong global platform and highly regarded international trade practice, as well as its skilled investigations team, as I anticipate we will see an increase in cross-border investigations," said Prince. "I look forward to building my practice with lawyers who genuinely collaborate across practices and offices to help in-house legal and compliance teams of companies and financial institutions located around the world."

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and corporate and transactional issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service as well as its programs and initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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A Twitter influencer compared the promises supposedly made by the three presidential frontrunners to northern Nigerians ahead of the 2023 election. We checked his claims.

Claim

Three claims about the promises made by Nigeria's leading presidential candidates to vote rich northern Nigeria.

Verdict

One correct, one misleading, one incorrect.

Source

Nigerian social media personality Adamu Garba (January 2023)

Adamu Garba is an outspoken supporter of the ruling All Progressives Congress and his tweet casts the party's candidate Bola Tinubu in the most flattering light.

It is true Tinubu has made promises to northern Nigeria, including finishing the Mambilla hydropower project and commercialising agriculture.

However, the other candidates are making similar pledges as Tinubu and the Twitter influencer's claims about Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi's election promises are misleading or downright incorrect.

Just over a month before Nigeria's critical February 2023 general elections, campaigners are pulling out all the stops to sell their candidates.

The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) hopes to retain power, having been re-elected in 2019. It is strongly challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which it toppled in 2015, and the Labour Party.

It is against this background that Adamu Garba, a leading voice on social media for the APC, in January 2023 tweeted a list of what he claimed the presidential candidates of the three parties had promised the country's north.

The region is considered the largest voting bloc, with 50.16 million voters - more than half of the 93.4 million Nigerians registered to vote in the 25 February elections. The north has also been instrumental to the APC's two presidential victories.

Garba claimed: "Tinubu's promise to the North: Mambila Hydropower; Lake Chad; AKK Pipeline; Commercialized Agriculture; Reform of Almajiri System etc;

Atiku's promise to the North: To open the border. Sell everything to outsiders; Peter Obi's promise to the North. More spareparts shops. Vote wisely."

Garba, an entrepreneur and a former presidential aspirant, is part of a campaign group backing Tinubu. He is from the north.

His tweet to his more than 93,000 followers was viewed over 111,000 times. But are his claims about the presidential candidates' promises correct?

Claim

"Tinubu's promise to the north: Mambila hydropower; Lake Chad; AKK pipeline; commercialised agriculture; reform of Almajiri system."

Verdict

Correct

Reliable electricity continues to elude many Nigerians for a number of reasons. The Mambilla hydropower project is expected to add capacity to the grid.

The project is located in the northern Taraba state and the contract for it was signed in 2017. It is projected to add 3,050 megawatts (MW) to the grid once complete. There are however concerns as to the slow pace of the project.

The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline from the south to the north of the country is expected to increase Nigeria's energy security.

Agriculture is a key economic activity in Nigeria, contributing a quarter to the gross domestic product. In the north, farming and livestock rearing are major means of livelihood and land use.

The Almajiri system, prevalent in northern Nigeria, is where children from poor homes, mostly boys, are sent to distant places to acquire Qur'anic education under Islamic clerics. These children, however, often end up begging in the streets.

In Tinubu's manifesto he does promise to complete the pipeline and to add value and improve incomes in agriculture, pledges he has repeated while campaigning.

He has also pledged to "recharge" Lake Chad - it is not clear what this means but the lake has shrunk by as much as 90% due to climate change - and to reform the Almajiri system.

Tinubu did make these promises, and on this score, we rate the claim as correct.

But the gist of the tweet is also that Tinubu has better plans for Nigerians if elected, compared to his rivals.

The other presidential candidates "are [also] making similar promises", Abdullahi Yusufu, a professor of political science at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, northwestern Nigeria, told Africa Check.

A quick search shows Atiku, for example, has also pledged to complete the Mambilla power project, as has Obi.

"The issue is whether these promises can be fulfilled," Yusufu said, adding that the incumbent APC administration had not met all its pledges.

Claim

"Atiku's promise to the north: To open the border. Sell everything to outsiders."

Verdict

Misleading

Atiku Abubakar was Nigeria's vice president from 1999 to 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party administration of president Olusegun Obasanjo. He joined the All Progressives Congress in 2014, helping defeat the PDP in elections the following year, but is now back on the PDP's ticket.

While campaigning in the northwestern state of Katsina in December 2022, Abubakar did promise to restore peace in the country and open all borders if elected.

Nigeria has struggled with insecurity in recent years. In 2019 the country also shuttered its borders in an attempt to curb smuggling.

In reaction, information minister Lai Mohammed said Abubakar's plans would lead to mass imports of rice and other goods, hurting local farmers and manufacturers. More illegal arms would also come in and worsen insecurity, the minister claimed.

"But it is misleading to say that is a promise to northern Nigeria," political scientist Abdullahi Yusufu told Africa Check.

"If the borders are open and there is increased trade and other things whether good or bad, it affects the whole country, not just the north. When [president Muhammadu] Buhari's administration closed the borders, it affected all of us in the country," he said.

'Sell everything to outsiders'

Garba's claim that Abubakar wants to "sell everything" is a reference to his promise to privatise dysfunctional companies and infrastructure.

Abubakar made the proposal when he ran for president in 2019 and has continued to insist that public assets are better run by the private sector.

This has been seized upon by Tinubu, who often refers to Abubakar as "Mr Sell Everything" or "Mr Privatise". Tinubu claims his rival wants to sell national assets to "the highest bidder and his cronies and run off with the proceeds".

Abubakar, for instance, has proposed that the country's petroleum refineries, which are largely not functional, should be sold to private companies that can revamp and run them profitably while creating jobs.

But there is no evidence Abubakar has promised to sell public assets to "outsiders".

What Abubakar did promise the north

In his manifesto, campaign speeches, and media interviews, Abubakar has made some promises that would more specifically benefit the north.

These include his promise to prioritise the Mambilla hydropower project and the broader development of the northeast, which has been significantly set back by the Boko Haram insurgency.

He has promised to end insurgency in the north using alternative approaches, including diplomacy, the use of traditional institutions, better intelligence and border control.

Claim

"Peter Obi's promise to the north: more spareparts shops."

Verdict

Incorrect

There isn't publicly available evidence Obi has ever made this promise, either in his manifesto or his speeches on the campaign trail.

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Yusufu Zoaka, professor of political science at the University of Abuja, also told Africa Check the claim about Obi is false.

"Obi has made some promises to the north but not to bring more spare parts shops," he said.

The claim is grounded in a false ethnic narrative, Kamilu Fage, professor of political science at Bayero University Kano in northwestern Nigeria, told Africa Check.

"The person that made that tweet is trying to promote his own candidate and put the other candidates in a bad light. Saying Peter Obi wants to bring more spare parts shops to the north is not really derogatory because we all need spare parts because most of us drive used cars.

"The problem is that the person is trying to say that Obi is only interested in promoting his own people, the Igbo, who are the major dealers of motor spare parts across Nigeria, not just in the north," he said.

False and misleading narratives influence poor and illiterate voters

Politics is like a game: every player has his own game plan, including propaganda, Yusufu said.

"This is part of the strategy they are using to promote their candidates. It is propaganda; a politician trying to sell his presidential candidate by all means at the expense of other candidates. In propaganda, there is often an element of truth mixed with lies," he said.

Zoaka said democracy does not do well in countries with low incomes.

"Nigeria's per capita is just over US$2,000. This means that a large portion of the country's population is poor and illiterate. They can be easily manipulated by politicians," he told Africa Check.

"This kind of social media post plays on the ignorance of many impoverished and illiterate voters in the north. And the narratives sell especially in rural areas, where many cannot spot false information. They are likely to believe false narratives, especially those regarding ethnicity and religion, and share them with others," Zoaka said.

Fage, however, said the impact of the narrative could be reduced when the people realise that the person saying it is partisan.

Apart from his pledge to tackle Nigeria's insecurity problems, Obi's main promise to the north has been for an "agricultural revolution" to reduce poverty.
CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - CIBC is proud to announce its support for a significant mixed-use and mixed-income development on Chicago's West Side. The project, Roosevelt Square, is the new construction, acquisition/rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of 406 residential units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space across 42 buildings.

"At CIBC, we prioritize the availability of safe, affordable housing and the preservation of our communities," said Shawn Beber, Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, US Region. "Roosevelt Square will become a haven for residents and provide opportunities for business owners, and as we've seen in other projects, investments like this can improve quality of life, provide job opportunities and increase public safety."

To finance the proposed project, CIBC Bank USA, in partnership with BMO Harris Bank N.A. (BMO), provided two construction period loans via a 50/50 syndication with BMO serving as agent bank. The two construction period loans consist of a $76.25 million tax-exempt funding loan and a $15.75 million taxable construction loan. The banks also provided $52.9 million in equity generated by Low Income Housing Tax Credits and CIBC provided $2.25 million in equity generated by Illinois Donations Tax Credits.

These loans and investments will help with the rehabilitation of 38 existing walk-up style buildings containing 184 low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) units and new construction of four multi-family buildings, along with retail space. The mixed-income buildings will house 207 apartments, including 40 LIHTC units, 75 public housing unitswhich will convert to Section 8 unitsand 92 market-rate units. One of the buildings will also include approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition, the project will include the rehabilitation of the last remaining building from the Jane Addams Homes Housing Development, which will house the newly relocated National Public Housing Museum.

In 2022, CIBC Bank USA provided over $245 million in financing and investments to more than 20 affordable housing projects in Chicago.

"We remain actively engaged in the community because we are strongly committed to revitalizing our neighborhoods while addressing Chicago's most pressing needs, and ensuring the health and vitality of our great city is a top priority for us," said Beber.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services in the United States, across Canada and around the world. In the US, CIBC Bank USA provides commercial banking, private and personal banking and small business banking solutions and CIBC Private Wealth offers investment management, wealth strategies and legacy planning. Visit us at cibc.com/US.

Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Loans are subject to credit approval. The CIBC logo is a registered trademark of CIBC, used under license. Investment Products Offered are Not FDIC-Insured, May Lose Value and are Not Bank Guaranteed.

SOURCE CIBC
13 states will have bilingual advice and access to explanatory guides in Spanish

MIAMI, Jan. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- More than ever, Hispanic parents are exploring their options, according to the latest survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, 64.6% of Latino parents considered new schools for their children in the past year. The demand for school options is evident and the Latino community is one of the most active when it comes to wanting to look for other academic alternatives.

To support the community, Conoce tus Opciones Escolares has developed a series of valuable resources in Spanish for all families. Informative videos, PDF guides of school options by state, and an explanation of each type of school are part of the material that the organization offers free of charge through opcionesescolares.com.

This year, National School Choice Week will see the participation of more than 23,000 schools, as well as millions of teachers, students, and community leaders across the country. This national effort will take place from January 22-28. As a result, the Week will feature the lighting of 51 iconic locations across the country, talent shows, capitol rallies, school fairs, and much more. This year's more than 25,000 celebrations are independently planned by schools, homeschool groups, community organizations, micro-school groups, and individuals.

Hispanic parents in 13 states will be able to access the Conoce tus Opciones Escolares information tables to review all their local possibilities. Prior to the official start of the Week, 8 states celebrated and learned about quality schools during a series of school fairs that took place on Saturday, January 21 in Maryland, New Hampshire, Utah, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona.

The Week will feature more than 1,415 events hosted by schools, homeschooling organizations, and nonprofits. The state events in which Conoce tus Opciones Escolares will participate are:

Iowa is hosting a school fair in Des Moines on January 28

is hosting a school fair in on Georgia is hosting a huge school fair with over 30 Atlanta school options available to families.

is hosting a huge school fair with over 30 Atlanta school options available to families. California is hosting a school fair in Riverside County , providing information on school options while families have fun.

is hosting a school fair in , providing information on school options while families have fun. Oklahoma will have a school fair in Oklahoma City on January 25

will have a school fair in on Texas will host parents at a large school fair with more than 40 school options on January 28 in Fort Worth .

"Helping, supporting, and collaborating with Hispanic parents is our priority, I am very happy to be able to bring all these new resources to National School Choice Week," said Krissia Campos Spivey, director of Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a project of National School Choice Awareness Foundation. "Our community needs to receive an effective education that enhances their plans for the future. At these celebrations, our bilingual tables will bring answers to many questions that we know parents have."

More information and resources for journalists covering the Week can be found at schoolchoiceweek.com/multimedia. There you will find photos, videos, soundbites, and information about the celebration.

National School Choice Week (NSCW) informs, inspires, and empowers parents to discover the K-12 education options available for their children, including traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and homeschooling. Every January, tens of thousands of schools, organizations, and individuals plan unique events and activities to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options in their communities. The Week is a project of the nonpartisan, nonpolitical National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1969925/National_School_Choice_Week_2023_Logo.jpg

SOURCE National School Choice Week
PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crave InfoTech has launched a white paper on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) titled 'Future of platform-driven intelligent enterprise computing' which uncovers the top benefits of an intelligent platform (SAP BTP) amplified by the right extensions/products, a clean core, and user-centric Workflows.

Crave InfoTech has been a long and key SAP partner for over a decade working across diverse industries, gaining deep industry insights and efficiency-enabling acumen. The company has pooled its learnings, along with an active assessment of the current business, environmental, geopolitical, and economic scenarios to create this white paper on the benefits of platform-driven intelligent computing.

Shrikant Nistane, CEO, Crave InfoTech said, "We talk of the future with hope and a plan. But what's the guaranteed path to this future? It's not a black box anymore. Whatever the future holds, the path is laid out with platform-driven intelligence. In the age of Chat GPT-4 and Dall-E 2, those that aren't on an intelligence-driven platform should really read through the benefits highlighted in our white paper  and evaluate how they intend to stay competitive in the times of speedy transitions and evolution."

The white paper unveils fresh concepts like the Prime Ripeness Points (PRP) to envision platform intelligence, especially SAP BTP. The PRP is a culmination of data structuring, processing speed, inherent platform intelligence, scalability, and seamless user interface. This presents the right user with 'ripe' and 'actionable' insights in the right manner at the right time to enable the perfect decision that results in max productivity or effectiveness.

This and other concepts highlighted in this white paper are ideal for CIOs, CEOs, and business leaders to help them properly plan their 2023-2025 growth burst.

About Crave InfoTech

Crave InfoTech, based in Piscataway, New Jersey, is a fast-growing tech company with deep expertise in SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), Intelligent Enterprise, and Enterprise Mobility Enablement with quick-to-deploy Intelligent Supply Chain Management, Intelligent Asset Management, and Intelligent Warehouse Management solutions.

Media Contact:

Faiz Shaikh

[email protected]

https://products.craveinfotech.com/white-paper-future-of-platform-driven-intelligent-enterprise-computing

https://www.craveinfotech.com/

Global number: 1-844-CRAVEIT (272-8348)

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1741167/Crave_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Crave InfoTech
Will U.S. Supreme Court Uphold Brady Doctrine?

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A Florida man wrongfully convicted of a 1989 murder has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for writ of certiorari on Friday in what may be his last chance for freedom in a case that now has far-reaching repercussions for all criminal defendants in the United States. Crowell & Moring client Crosley Green has asked the Supreme Court whether it will continue to uphold the 60-year-old Brady doctrine, which requires prosecutors to turn over material exculpatory evidence to the defense before trial.

From Left: Keith Harrison, Crosley Green, Jeane Thomas, Vince Galluzzo

"This is more than a case about one man who was wrongfully convicted; this case goes to the heart of the fundamental rights under our Constitutional system of justice. Will prosecutors be allowed to conceal evidence of innocence from defendants that could change the result of their trial? If the Supreme Court does not accept our case, Mr. Green's wrongful conviction will stand and prosecutors will have an incentive to hide evidence in criminal cases going forward." said Crowell & Moring partner Keith J. Harrison.

Green served 32 years in prison, including 19 years on death row, while maintaining his innocence. He was convicted on the testimony of a single eyewitness, the victim's ex-girlfriend, who identified Green as the perpetrator. But Green was conditionally released in 2021 after a federal court found that Brevard County, Fla., prosecutors withheld witness interview notes that said two law enforcement officers provided evidence that the victim's ex-girlfriendnot Greencommitted crime.

The notes stated that the officers "suspect the girl did it," and that she "changed her story a couple of times," including about who tied the victim's hands. The notes were not handed over to the defense prior to trial.

The petition reads:

"With no physical evidence tying Green to the crime, before an all-white jury with the sole eyewitness claiming a "black guy" did it, [the girlfriend's] credibility as well as the credibility of the police investigation was critical to the outcome of the trial. But the first two police officers on the scene knew the teenager's claim that a "black guy did it" was nothing more than a hoax."

The federal district court ruled in Green's favor, writing it is "difficult to conceive of information more material to the defense than the fact that the initial responding officers evaluated the totality of evidence as suggesting that the investigation should be directed toward someone other than" Green.

But the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Green's victory last year, ruling that prosecutors did not need to disclose exculpatory evidence to defense counsel because it would not have been admissible at trial.

"The Eleventh Circuit failed to consider, as required by Brady and its progeny, whether those notes might have led to the development of admissible evidence favorable to Mr. Green. His original defense attorney never knew about this evidence when he prepared his defense or when he cross-examined one of the very same officers on the stand," said Harrison.

If the Supreme Court does not grant certiorari, Green's conviction will be reinstated, and the state of Florida could order him to return to prison at 65 years of age. Crowell has handled the case pro bono since 2008.

"The court of appeals has said that it's OK for the state to hide evidence favorable to the defense. It weakens protections that we all have under the Constitution," said Harrison.

"The 11th Circuit decision creates uncertainty about a bedrock principle of justice, and it undermines the public's trust in the justice system. If this ruling is allowed to stand, it will encourage prosecutors to make strategic choices about which pieces of exculpatory evidence they turn over or withhold based on whether they think courts will later determine they are material," said Crowell & Moring partner Jeane Thomas.

"If the 11th Circuit decision is allowed to stand, it creates confusion about what types of exculpatory evidence prosecutors must turn over. It creates a system that is stacked against defendants being able to get a fair trial," said Harrison.

"The test under Brady isn't whether the exculpatory evidence is admissible at trial. It is whether it would have had a material impact on defense counsel's investigation, preparation and presentation at trial. The defense never knew the full scope of evidence, and that is a dangerous precedent to allow," said Thomas.

Read Green's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court for writ of certiorari. For more information about the case, visit the Crosley Green information page.

Crowell & Moring has represented Green pro bono since 2008. The team includes Crowell & Moring partners Keith J. Harrison, Jeane A. Thomas, Vincent J. Galluzzo, and counsel Drake Morgan.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and corporate and transactional issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service as well as its programs and initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Media Contact:

Nicole Quigley

Senior Communications Advisor

+1 202.624.2849

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Crowell & Moring LLP
The digital-first life insurance company builds on its initial successful launch with a carrier acquisition to expand nationally, bringing financial security to families with revolutionary new products and technology

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/  Dayforward, the first digital life insurance company built for modern families, announced today its acquisition of Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company, a storied insurance carrier founded in 1883. The acquisition coincides with launching Dayforward's innovative life insurance solution in most of the country, with continued national expansion throughout 2023. The company also announced a $25M round of funding led by AXA Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors including HSCM Ventures, Juxtapose, and Munich Re Ventures.

Dayforward launched in 2021 with the mission to help families across the country create financial security for the people they love. Its innovative term life insurance offering guarantees the policyholder's family will continue to receive their income in the event that the policyholder passes away. The company's latest funding round brings the company's aggregate amount of capital raised to $45M, will allow Dayforward to invest in three key areas in 2023: scaling its business nationwide, continuing to launch its proprietary solutions through strategic partners, and developing new insurance products for its portfolio.

"Today, families go through great difficulty to get the financial security they need. Life insurance can be a tedious and confusing process," said Aaron Shapiro, Founding CEO of Dayforward. "We've made life insurance simple and easy to buy, with smarter coverage for families. We're excited that we can now offer life insurance through Dayforward to families across most of America, with the rest of the country soon to follow."

The acquisition of Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company (CTLIC) will enable Dayforward to expand nationally and broaden its product lines across life, health, disability and retirement, making the company a more comprehensive financial security solution to its customers and partners. Dayforward's proprietary technology and automated underwriting system deliver a best-in-class consumer experience that allows customers to complete a simple application online and get an instant decision at a great price. Dayforward is also available through a growing number of partners across the country. Its policies are reinsured by Munich Re Life US, a member of the Munich Re Group, which is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions.

"Dayforward is a product-first, tech-enabled life insurance start-up that now has the ability to distribute through multiple channels  direct, agent, and partner  almost nationally," said Vikas Singhal, Founding Partner of HSCM Ventures. "As a full-stack insurance company with a focus on automated underwriting and a streamlined front-end, Dayforward is positioned to innovate across core areas of the industry and seeks to bring customized products to the market that fit specific customer needs. We are excited to partner with Aaron and the team."

Dayforward is founded and led by senior executives from across the technology, marketing and insurance spaces. Shapiro was previously Founder and CEO of Huge, a digital transformation consultancy acquired by the Interpublic Group and Founder and CEO of Silverpop, a marketing automation SaaS that was sold to IBM. Matthew Wolf, Dayforward's Head of Insurance Product and Actuary, was previously Actuarial Lead at Haven Life, the digital innovation unit of MassMutual. Other executives include Head of Finance Zohaib Rathore, previously the Chief Risk Officer and Chief Actuary of LogitudeRe; Zoe Nolan, Head of Operations, who previously worked with Shapiro at Huge and was most recently part of the leadership team at Havas; Austin Riendeau, Head of Technology, who joined from Bitly; and Felicia McElhaney, Head of Underwriting, who previously held underwriting leadership roles at National Life Group and Crump Insurance Services.

Dayforward's Board of Directors also has extensive industry experience as well, including: Maria T. Vullo, former Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services; Paul Rooney, former Global Chief Operating Officer of Manulife; Elaine A. Sarsynski, former Chairwoman, President and CEO of MassMutual International; and Ronald Pressman, former CEO of TIAA-CREF Institutional.

"Companies have talked about the life insurance gap in the US forever. Dayforward is on a mission to help close this gap and bring financial security to million of under-insured Americans by rethinking the life insurance buying process from the group up starting with an innovative product design, a modern way of educating and approaching customers and delivering a seamless buying experience powered by clean UI and data driven underwriting. We are thrilled to be part of their journey and partner with Aaron and the team in building a great company." Says Manish Agarwal, General Partner at AVP.

"The life insurance industry is going through a massive transformation and Dayforward has been driving significant change in the space. Dayforward is paving a first-of-its-kind path as a digitally-native, full stack insurance provider with the core infrastructure needed to build best-in-class products for the modern customer, across all channels," saidPatrick Chun, Founding and Managing Partner of Juxtapose. "We're thrilled to partner with Aaron and his team as they continue to redefine insurance products across the industry."

Dayforward purchased Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company from National Guardian Life Insurance Company upon receipt of all regulatory approvals. With the acquisition, Dayforward will continue to honor and service existing Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company policies that include disability, accident, and other ancillary health products. Knut Olson, NGL's President & CEO stated: "NGL is pleased to have completed this transaction with Dayforward and wish them well in their endeavors. This transaction represents one of the final pieces in our 4 year journey to simplify our business model and to focus our capital on our social purpose of helping more Americans pre-plan and fund their funerals."

To learn more about Dayforward, visit www.dayforward.com.

About Dayforward

Dayforward is a digital life insurance solution built for modern families. As a full stack carrier, Dayforward manufactures and distributes financial security products that are easier to understand and buy. The company was founded in 2020 with investment backing from AXA Venture Partners, HSCM Ventures, Juxtapose and Munich Re Ventures; all policies sold by Dayforward are reinsured by Munich Re Life US.

About AXA Venture Partners

AXA Venture Partners (AVP) is a global venture capital firm with over $1.2B of assets under management. AVP invests across stages in rapidly growing tech companies in enterprise, fintech, consumer and digital health sectors. With offices in Paris, London and New York, AVP helps companies scale internationally. AVP also offers portfolio companies unique business development opportunities to further accelerate their growth.

About HSCM Ventures

HSCM Ventures is the venture capital arm of Hudson Structured Capital Management Ltd., doing its re/insurance business as HSCM Bermuda ("HSCM"). HSCM is a registered investment adviser focused on alternative investments in the Re/Insurance and Transportation sectors. As of September 1, 2022 HSCM has more than $3.5 billion in assets under management and committed capital. For more information on HSCM Ventures please visit www.hscmventures.com. For more information on HSCM please visit www.hscm.com.

About Munich Re Ventures

Munich Re Ventures is the venture capital arm of Munich Re Group, one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance, and insurance-related risk solutions. With more than $1 billion in assets under management, Munich Re Ventures invests in the most innovative start-ups transforming the future of risk and risk transfer. MRV's experienced investors are financially-driven while focused on the strategic interests of Munich Re and the broader insurance industry. MRV works closely with Munich Re Group businesses across the globe to fund and partner with the best emerging companies developing new technologies and business models  and risks  for tomorrow's world.

About Juxtapose

Juxtapose is a creation-oriented investment firm that is exclusively focused on building industry-transforming businesses from the ground up. Founded by Patrick Chun and Jed Cairo in 2015, Juxtapose Ventures has supported the creation and financing of technology companies, including healthcare and tech businesses such as Care/of, Tend, Modern Age, Forme Financial, and Herself Health. Juxtapose partners with the world's most experienced and talented entrepreneurial operators to found and scale category-defining technology companies that are set up to win in the industries in which they operate. Read more at juxtapose.com.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

SOURCE Dayforward
Delivering On Our Promise of Universal Education

Our investment in education  especially for children caught in crisis and conflict  is our investment in a better future.

GENEVA, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a press statement provided by Education Cannot Wait:

As we mark the International Day of Education, world leaders must make good on their promise of providing quality education for all by 2030.

As we mark International Day of Education, world leaders must make good on their promise of quality education for all. Tweet this On February 16, world leaders are gathering for the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference in Geneva. Hosted by ECW and Switzerland  and co-convened by Colombia, Germany, Niger, Norway and South Sudan  the conference provides world leaders with the opportunity to deliver on our promise of education for all. (PRNewsfoto/Education Cannot Wait)

Education is our investment in peace where there is war, our investment in equality where there is injustice, our investment in prosperity where there is poverty.

Make no mistake about it, there is a global education crisis that threatens to unravel decades of development gains, spur new conflicts, and upend economic and social progress across the globe.

As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted at last year's Transforming Education Summit: "If we are to transform our world by 2030 as envisaged by the Sustainable Development Goals, then the international community must give this (education) crisis the attention it deserves."

When Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, was founded in 2016, we estimated that 75 million crisis-impacted children required education support. Today, that number has tripled to 222 million.

Of the 222 million children whose right to an education has been ripped from their hands by the multiplying impacts of conflict, climate change and other protracted crises, an estimated 78 million are out of school all together  more than the total populations of France, Italy or the United Kingdom.

Even when they are in school, many are not achieving minimum proficiencies in reading or math. Think about this terrifying statistic: 671 million children and adolescents worldwide cannot read. That's more than 8% of the world's total population. That's an entire generation at risk of being lost.

As we have seen from the war in Ukraine, the challenges of the Venezuelan migration to Colombia and South America, the unforgivable denial of education for girls in Afghanistan, and a devastating climate change-driven drought in the Horn of Africa that has created a severe hunger crisis for 22 million people, we are living in an interconnected world. The problems of Africa, the Middle East, South America, and beyond are the problems of the world that we share together.

Every minute of every day, children are fleeing violence and persecution in places like Myanmar, the Sahel, South America and the Middle East. Every minute of every day, boys are being recruited as child soldiers in Somalia, the Central African Republic and beyond. Every minute of every day, the climate crisis brings us closer to the end of times, and children go hungry because they are denied their right to go to school, where they might just have their only meal of the day. And amid conflict, migration and climate change, governments like Colombia are struggling to secure the most basic living and education conditions for children in hard-to-reach borders.

It's an assault on our humanity, a moral affront to the binding promises outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and a giant step backwards in our persistent efforts  against all odds  to find peace in our times.

There is hope. By embracing a new way of working and delivering with humanitarian speed and development depth, ECW and its strategic partners have reached 7 million children in just five years, with plans to reach 20 million more of the next four years.

Imagine what an education can mean for a child of war? In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 13-year-old Nyota lost her father and brothers in a brutal attack on her village. Her family's home was burnt to the ground.

In a country where 3.2 million children are out of school, Nyota's future was bleak. Would she be a child bride, the victim of sexual violence, another tragic statistic in a forgotten crisis?

No. She did not give up. With the support of an innovative programme funded by ECW, Nyota is back in school. "When I have completed my studies, I dream of becoming the President of my country to end the war here. That will allow children to study in peace and not endure the same horrible things that I have."

Nyota is not alone: we have received inspiring letters from girls and boys in over 20 crisis-affected countries across the world that underscore the amazing value of education in transforming lives and creating a better future for generations to come.

On February 16, world leaders are gathering for the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference in Geneva. Hosted by ECW and Switzerland  and co-convened by Colombia, Germany, Niger, Norway and South Sudan  the conference provides world leaders, businesses, foundations and high-net-worth individuals with the opportunity to deliver on our promise of education for all. The aim is to raise US$1.5 billion for the next four years.

As the co-conveners of this seminal event, we are calling on the people of the world to invest in the promise of an education. It's the best investment we could make in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nyota and millions like her are not giving up on their dream, and we shouldn't give up on them. We have promises to keep.

Co-signed Statement By: Federal Councillor of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis; Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany, Svenja Schulze; Minister of Education, Niger, Ibrahim Natatou; Minister of International Development, Norway, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim; Minister of General Education and Instruction, South Sudan, Awut Deng Acuil; Minister of Education, Colombia, Alejandro Gaviria; Former UK Prime Minister, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Chair of ECW's High-Level Steering Group The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown.

SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSX.V: DME) (U.S. OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company. The Company is pleased to announce it has been named to the 2023 OTCQX Best 50, a ranking of top-performing companies traded on the OTCQX Best Market last year.

Best 50 OTCQX 2023 (CNW Group/Desert Mountain Energy Corp.)

The OTCQX Best 50 is an annual ranking of the top 50 U.S. and international companies traded on the OTCQX market. The ranking is calculated based on an equal weighting of one-year total return and average daily dollar volume growth in the previous calendar year. Companies in the 2023 OTCQX Best 50 were ranked based on their performance in 2022.

"We are very honored to accept this award and to be included in this group of accomplished companies," said Robert Rohlfing, CEO of DME. "This demonstrates the high quality and dedication of our team as we establish ourselves as a leader in the helium industry. As the only publicly traded helium exploration and production company on the list, we will continue to set the standard through hard work and innovative practices."

Click here for the complete 2023 OTCQX Best 50 ranking.

The OTCQX Best Market offers transparent and efficient trading of established, investor-focused U.S. and global companies. To qualify for the OTCQX market, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen and noble gases. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Exec Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and nor does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.
ASHBURN, Va., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider, has been named a Leader in Everest Group's Digital Claims in Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance  Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022 .

The global report identifies DXC as a Leader amongst service providers specializing in digital claims in the property and casualty insurance space, including through its DXC Assure Claims software and surround solutions that provide additional claims capabilities such as data insights and legal matter management. Everest Group's assessment acknowledges DXC's strengths in providing support for all major product types resulting in a well-balanced and diversified revenue mix globally.

"We are proud of this global recognition that specifically cites our market leadership and technology advancements for DXC Assure Claims and is also reflective of our leadership position in the London market processing complex, specialty claims that are at the center of the catastrophe market," said Ray August, president, Insurance Software and BPS, DXC Technology.

The report also notes that DXC's customers appreciate DXC Assure Claims ease of use and navigation throughout the life cycle of a claim, its robust reporting features and litigation management capabilities. It further recognized DXC's expansion of key partnerships that provide electronic payments, self-service features, customer analytics and document management.

"DXC Technology has demonstrated a well-balanced client portfolio for DXC Assure Claims, with OOTB support for all major Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance business lines," said Aaditya Jain, vice president, Everest Group. "Targeted investments in InsurTech partnership ecosystem to further enhance its features/functionality coverage as well as strong market feedback on DXC Assure Claims' user experience and reporting engine have enabled the firm to earn a Leader recognition on Everest Group's Digital Claims in Property & Casualty (P&C) Insurance  Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment 2022."

DXC's capability has also been recognized by its expansion in the delivery of claims and injury management services in Australia where it has been appointed by Insurance and Care NSW (icare) to manage claims for the Nominal Insurer scheme and help improve the return-to-work experience for those recovering from workplace injuries.

"DXC remains focused on supporting our insurance industry customers through the delivery of industry-leading software, business-critical processes, and high-level customer care. We personalize services according to specific needs and leverage our technology capabilities and ecosystem to unlock opportunities for innovation," added August.

For more information on the ranking and to access Everest Group's report, please visit the following page .

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world's largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience across their IT estates. Learn more about how we deliver excellence for our customers and colleagues at DXC.com .

SOURCE DXC Technology Company
YPSILANTI, Mich., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), are working collaboratively on a Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Certification Pilot Program to invest in existing public school employees who want to become teachers.

Paraprofessionals work directly in classrooms to support small groups or one-on-one learning. The pilot program, made possible by a special waiver granted by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), covers most of the costs of EMU's teacher preparation courses, including books and fees, for dedicated para pros already working in area schools. The program has two tracks, and upon completion of the program, para pros will be certified special education teachers specifically for students with emotional impairments or learning disabilities.

"The pandemic teacher shortage crisis has significantly affected Michigan, which had maintained a well-balanced teacher supply system until recent years," said Myung-Sook Koh, professor of special education and coordinator of the Paraeducators to Special Educators program at Eastern. "Teacher shortages have become a chronic phenomenon across the state's school districts  regardless of suburban, urban, rural, or high versus low-paying school districts."

"The certification program addresses the critical shortage of special education teachers in the state," said Dave Winters, professor and head of EMU's Department of Special Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders, who has worked on this program since its inception along with a team of educators at the college. Winters teaches one of the courses and will pass the torch to his colleague, who will help oversee some of the day-to-day coordination. The program has successfully had three cohorts containing 25 students with plans on graduating its first class in fall 2023.

According to Winters, the program is successful for many reasons. The school districts and EMU have worked hard to remove barriers. Students travel to one location for an in-person class once per week and build strong connections in the classroom.

Winters said one of the best things about this program is it enhances what the students are already doing in the classroom because they're familiar with their student population.

"It's been exciting to hear, not only from the students but also from administrators, the change in their work even though they haven't completed the program," said Winters. "The students have become substitutes, and they're starting to step into other roles temporarily while finishing the program."

Justin Harper, a student in the pilot's first cohort, said this program has given him a renewed focus on graduation. "Before this program, I was unsure when I would complete my degree because I mostly paid out of pocket," said Harper. "There were many semesters I could not attend school because of finances, and the times I could attend, I often took a class or two at a time."

"The program exceeds my expectations not only because of the great instructors but also the incredible paraeducators from cohort one that shares their wide variety of experiences that help broaden my horizons," said Harper. "The teachers are amazing and want us to be successful, which I appreciate. They give us practical work to help us once we become teachers."

"Collectively, public schools are the second largest employer in our county, and 10% of school staff are paraprofessionals already working in our classrooms," noted WISD Superintendent Naomi Norman, citing regional employer data from both SPARK and MI School Data. "Our parapros are living and working in our communities. They are already invested in our students and in our schools, and we want to make sure there is a pathway for them to advance professionally."

Eastern hopes to work with MDE and other ISDs to expand the program.

About Washtenaw Intermediate School District

Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) is the educational service agency for Washtenaw County, Michigan, serving nine public school districts and the public school academies in the greater Ann Arbor region. WISD provides special education student programs and early childhood programs, plus an array of services to the community and local schools, including: Special education leadership and coordination, special education student programming, early childhood services, technology support, business and human resources assistance, cradle-to-career community partnerships, and teacher and staff professional development. For more information, visit www.washtenawisd.org.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

SOURCE Eastern Michigan University
GLENVIEW, Ill., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Envoy Solutions announced today that it has acquired Santa Fe Springs, California-based Royal Paper Corp. Royal is a leading national distributor of paper, plastics, cleaning, and safety consumables and equipment in janitorial, sanitary, and foodservice applications. The company operates a network of five distribution facilities strategically located across the country to serve more than 400 customers and 3,400 customer locations in the U.S. and internationally. With its comprehensive selection of products, Royal is a key distributor to the movie theater industry and has a strong and growing presence in the food, mall, retail, education, restaurant, and stadium segments. The acquisition expands Envoy Solutions' national footprint, advances its position in key markets, and enriches its growing product portfolio in California and across the U.S.

"This new partnership represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Envoy Solutions and Royal," said Mark M. Fisher, CEO of Envoy Solutions. "Michael Rashtchi, George Abiaad, Marianne Abiaad, and their fantastic team have built a truly unique and successful business in our industry. We are excited about Royal becoming part of the Envoy Solutions family and about working with George and Marianne to help Royal achieve new heights and continue to deliver for its long-term customers and supplier partners. With the addition of Royal, we continue redefining distribution through our national platform of specialized products and services to bring innovative solutions closer to our clients wherever they operate."

Royal Paper Corp., founded in 1985, has grown consistently since its inception by providing comprehensive solutions to its customers and always delivering essential products and services. As a solutions-oriented company, Royal has invested heavily in technology to optimize warehouse management and logistics capabilities and dedicated itself to sourcing and delivering a broad array of innovative products that truly meet the specific needs of its customers. In addition, Royal is a leader in environmentally friendly products and solutions and assists its customers in executing sustainability programs with a dedicated focus on training and implementation. With the additional support of Envoy Solutions' reach and resources, Royal will have the ability to serve its existing customers even better and to introduce its products and services to additional customers and to new markets.

"We owe our success as a business to our longstanding customer and supplier partners. It's truly an honor to serve them day in and day out because their success is our success," said George Abiaad, President of Royal Paper Corp. "As a part of the Envoy Solutions family, the Royal team will continue to execute for all of our customers as we have before, and we believe that with Envoy Solutions acumen and resources, we will be able to expand our offerings and resources to achieve a higher level of service and enhance our current longstanding partnerships. Envoy Solutions is leading the way with a distribution model that brings together the talents and resources of so many great companies, and we are delighted to be a part of that. For us, this new partnership means building on the growth we've had in the past and making our company even stronger in the future," added Abiaad.

About Envoy Solutions:

Glenview, Ill.-based Envoy Solutions is a specialized distributor and solution provider serving the U.S. market through a family of regional distributors. We specialize in Jan-San, foodservice, packaging, and marketing execution. Envoy Solutions offers a broad catalog of top brands and products, along with deep expertise and advice, to help our client-partners succeed. We are driven to make facilities cleaner and more sustainable, people safer, and operations more productive, every day. For more information, please visit www.envoysolutions.com .

About Royal Paper Corporation:

Royal Paper Corporation, founded in 1985, is a leading national distributor of paper, plastics, cleaning, and safety consumables and equipment in janitorial, sanitary, and foodservice applications. For more information, please visit www.royalcorporation.com.

SOURCE Envoy Solutions
Somali security forces take back the control of Mogadishu mayor's office in the capital on Sunday after ending a siege by al Shabaab militants.

The ministry of information announced the operation was successfully concluded after the security forces killed the six attackers who holed up in the facility for at least six hours.

The statement added that five civilians lost their lives and four others were wounded in the attack by Al-Shabaab which becomes the second of its kind in two months.

The police's special Haram'ad brigade carried out the operation, and also rescued dozens of people from the building which houses the administration of the Benadir region.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group is trying to disrupt ongoing military operations in Somalia by staging car bomb and gun attacks in Mogadishu, where the government is based.

Mogadishu mayor Yusuf Madale was out of his office at the time of the attack which began with explosions and followed by gunfire after gunmen made their way into the ground.

In July 2019, Al-Shabaab carried out a suicide bombing in the building that left dozens of key figures dead and wounded mayor Eng Yarisow who died of his wounded in August.

The security of the capital is fragile as Al-Shabaab frequently hits high-profile targets, including places near the presidential palace.
LONDON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In November 2022 Euromoney, the global B2B information-services business, was acquired by funds managed by Astorg and Epiris. As previously announced, the Group will be separated into two businesses with Fastmarkets becoming a stand-alone entity, owned and controlled by Astorg, with the Delinian businesses operating under the majority ownership and control of Epiris.

Today Euromoney announces that it is rebranding as Delinian. Delinian consists of Euromoney's specialist brands serving the financial and professional services and asset management industries. There will not be brand or name changes for any customer-facing products. The Fastmarkets brand is not changing and will continue to be used by that business.

Delinian is a vibrant portfolio of 20 information services businesses providing critical industry information to customers in over 140 countries. Our new name, Delinian, has been devised to reflect the authority and precision of our customer-facing brands and the competitive advantage our expertise provides for clients.

Our brands are highly respected in their industries. They are the go-to source for critical data and expert insights and are deeply embedded in clients' workflows. Our customers operate in competitive markets where fine margins matter. We enable them to make the right moves at the right time.

Henry Elkington, Chairman-designate of Delinian, commented: "Delinian comprises a portfolio of trusted, specialist brands, deeply embedded in the markets they serve. We look forward to investing in these brands to take advantage of the attractive growth opportunities in their specific end-markets."

About Delinian:

Delinian is a global B2B information-services business. Delinian's brands provide actionable data, analysis, intelligence and access in markets where information and convening market participants are valued. Delinian has customers in more than 140 countries and over 2,200 employees located in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

About Epiris:

Epiris is a private equity firm based in London. It has significant experience in B2B information businesses, including its investment in AXIO, a group of seven data, information and events businesses based in North America, Europe and Asia. Epiris focuses particularly on businesses that have been embedded within a larger corporate, where a tailored approach and investment in organic and acquisitive growth can drive a transformation in performance.

SOURCE Delinian Limited
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis - by Type, Gas, Pressure Rating, and Application" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The virtual pipeline systems market in Europe is expected to grow from US$ 282.32 million in 2022 to US$ 434.58 million by 2028. It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2022 to 2028.



Rising Shale Gas Extraction Driving Demand for Virtual Pipeline System



Continuous advancements in shale drilling technologies have made shales the next reliable energy resource. Shale gas can be utilized as a greener energy option in countries that are dependent on coal as an energy source, as it emits less carbon than coal. Shale gas production has resulted in the abundance of natural gas supply across the region.

The European Union (EU) is already profiting from the US shale gas boom owing to an increased supply of liquefied natural gas bond for the US and better contractual circumstances for pipeline imports.

A new generation of shale gas exploitation methods, with lower costs and fewer environmental footprints, might make indigenous shale gas reserves in the EU appealing in the long term after 2030. Therefore, the increase in shell gas exploration and extraction projects due to developments in related technologies, coupled with the availability of many reserves, is boosting the demand for virtual pipeline systems, thereby boosting the market growth.



Market Overview



Germany, France, the UK, and Italy are among the major economies in Europe. Old pipeline infrastructure and stringent emission control regulations are the two significant factors driving the growth of the virtual pipeline system market in this region. Although the region has a large and rapidly growing pipeline infrastructure, it lacks a modern touch as the existing pipeline systems were set up decades ago.

The proliferation of the natural gas sector in response to the growing concerns about sustainability, and the subsequent surge in demand for the transportation of energy resources, benefit the virtual pipeline system market in the region Energy supply sources choose pipes as a preferred mode of transportation due to their universal acceptance.

Moreover, governments of several countries have taken various steps to offer notice to industries, comprising oil and gas. Norway and Russia have maintained their position as natural gas suppliers, whereas Germany, France, and Italy are the main importers of natural gas. Thus, many offshore projects for oil & gas would accelerate the demand for the virtual pipeline system market.

The European Union is committed to reducing its carbon emissions to meet its EU2020 goal. Private and government organizations are investing heavily in virtual pipelines to supply cleaner energy. Moreover, to fulfil the increased energy demands of the UK, Germany, Italy, and France, among others, Russia is investing significantly in natural gas production.



Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market Segmentation



The Europe virtual pipeline systems market is segmented into type, gas, pressure rating, application, and country.

Based on type, the market is segmented into standard trailer and towable trailer. The standard trailer segment registered a larger market share in 2022.

Based on gas, the market is segmented into CNG, hydrogen, and others. The CNG segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on pressure rating, the market is segmented into less than 3000 Psi, 3001 Psi to 5000 Psi, and more than 5001 Psi. The 3001 Psi to 5000 Psi segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on application, the market is segmented into industrial, transportation, and commercial & residential. The transportation segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on country, the market is segmented into France , Germany , the UK, Italy , Russia , and the Rest of Europe . Germany dominated the market share in 2022.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology



4. Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market Landscape



5. Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market - Key Market Dynamics



6. Virtual Pipeline Systems - Europe Market Analysis



7. Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market - By Type



8. Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market - By Gas



9. Europe Virtual pipeline systems Market - By Pressure Rating



10. Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market - By Application



11. Europe Virtual Pipeline Systems Market - Country Analysis



12. Industry Landscape



13. Company Profiles



14. Appendix



Companies Mentioned

Galileo Technologies S.A.

Bayotech, Inc.

Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)

RAG Austria AG

Quantum Fuel Systems LLC.

Chart Industries, Inc.

SHIJIAZHUANG ENRIC GAS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD

ENRIC GAS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD Fiba Technologies Inc.

Hexagon Agility

Composite Advanced Technologies, LLC.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9hvbcx

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Event Management Software Global Market Report 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global event management software market.



This report focuses on event management software market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the event management software market which will be shaping and changing our lives over the next ten years and beyond, including the markets response to the challenge of the global pandemic.

The global event management software market is expected to grow from $5.78 billion in 2021 to $6.56 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%. The event management software market is expected to grow to $11.75 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 15.7%.



Reasons to Purchase

Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 12+ geographies.

Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates.

Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.

Identify growth segments for investment.

Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.

Understand customers based on the latest market research findings.

Benchmark performance against key competitors.

Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing.

Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis

Major players in the event management software market are Active Network, Arlo, Attendify, Aventri, Bizzabo, Certain Inc., Cvent Inc., EMS Software LLC, Eventbrite, EventMobi, Gather Technologies, RainFocus, SignUpGenius, Eventzilla, Bitrix24, Tripleseat, Circa, Accelevents, Glue-Up, Event Espresso, Hubb LLC, Hubilo Inc., and RegPack Inc.



The event management software market consists of sales of the event management software by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships), which are used to manage the events and activities in a company from the beginning to the end. This platform consists of an online back-office and a user interface for attendees, which is frequently a mobile app. The event management software assists the event planner throughout the event's lifespan. The benefit of employing it is that it provides a one-of-a-kind solution that assists at every step of the event.



The main types of event management software are software and service. The total set of programs, operations, and routines related to the operation of a computer system is referred to as software. The software segment includes the flow of data from application programs to local or remote devices.

The deployment type is used in developing the software on-premise or in the cloud. The organizational size consists of small medium and large organizations developing and using the software. Furthermore, the end-users consist of corporate, government, third party planners, education, and other end-users.



North America was the largest region in the event management software market in 2021. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the event management software market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.



The increasing preference for hosting virtual events is significantly contributing to the growth of the event management software market. Virtual events are completely hosted and run online with the potential for attendees to view or participate from anywhere in the world with an agenda of single or multiple-track presentation sessions or collaborative sessions. These sessions are streamed online through virtual conferences, webinars, internal hybrid events, and external hybrid events.

For instance, according to The State of Virtual Events 2021, Zoom had the most respondents accounting for 50.3%, followed by Microsoft Teams with 12% usage and Facebook Live with 9.4%. This rise in usage of virtual platforms for hosting events is contributing to the growth of the market.



The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology are shaping the event management software market. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer, or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and discernment. It is mostly used in event management due to its ease and affordability.



In July 2021, Bevy, a US-based technology start-up, acquired Eventtus for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Bevy focuses on building several mobile application capabilities for hybrid events such as networking, virtual booths, interactive tools for live streaming, integrated ticketing, and a registration system. Eventtus is an Egypt-based event management software company that manages events, sell tickets and build an interactive event app in few minutes..



The countries covered in the event management software market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Event Management Software Market Characteristics



3. Event Management Software Market Trends And Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Event Management Software



5. Event Management Software Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global Event Management Software Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global Event Management Software Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market



6. Event Management Software Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Event Management Software Market, Segmentation By Component, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Software

Services

6.2. Global Event Management Software Market, Segmentation By Deployment Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

On Premise

Cloud

6.3. Global Event Management Software Market, Segmentation By Organization Size, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Small

Medium

Large

6.4. Global Event Management Software Market, Segmentation By End-User, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Corporate

Government

Third-Party Planners

Education

Others End-Users

7. Event Management Software Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global Event Management Software Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Event Management Software Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nuzvtt



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
[email protected]

www.fissionuranium.com

TSX SYMBOL: FCU

OTCQX SYMBOL: FCUUF

FRANKFURT SYMBOL: 2FU

KELOWNA, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - FISSION URANIUM CORP. ("Fission" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has hired Jeff Pryznyk, Engineering Licensee, A.Sc.T as the Company's Environmental Manager. Mr. Pryznyk is an environment, health and safety professional with two decades of experience working in Saskatchewan, including 15 years in mining. Much of that experience was gained working for uranium producer, Cameco, where he held positions in environmental management and regulatory affairs at Cigar Lake mine during construction and operation. He holds a license to practice engineering in Saskatchewan and is also an applied science technologist.

In this important role, Mr. Pryznyk will lead Fission's Environmental Assessment process, the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement, and the subsequent licensing and permitting of the project through to construction and production. He will also further expand Fission's robust approach to sustainable development by establishing additional, long-term processes for environmental stewardship in sustainability, protection and compliance as the Company advances through development.

Gary Haywood, VP Operations for Fission, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Jeff Pryznyk to Fission. He has an invaluable skillset  the result of providing oversight for environmental and regulatory affairs at Cameco's Cigar Lake mine in Saskatchewan, the world's highest-grade uranium mine. Mr. Pryznyk will be an excellent addition to the Fission technical team as we continue through environmental assessment and permitting phase of development at PLS and beyond."

Jeff Pryznyk replaces Aaron MacDonell who has resigned from his position to pursue other opportunities. The Company would like to thank Mr. MacDonell for his time with the Company and wishes him well with his future endeavours.

About Fission Uranium Corp.

Fission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - host to the class-leading Triple R uranium deposit - and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ross McElroy"

___________________________

Ross McElroy, President and CEO

Cautionary Statement:

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: risks related to the Offering, risks related to Fission's limited business history, risks related to the nature of mineral exploration and development, discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral resources, risks related to uranium market price volatility, risks related to the market value of the common shares of Fission, risks related to market conditions, risks related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including disruptions to the Company's business and operational plans, risks related to the global economic uncertainty as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Fission Uranium Corp.
~19 awards were presented to companies for their exemplary performance at the 18th edition~

~Nominations for the 19th edition of the awards are open until May 15, 2023~

MUMBAI, India, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan concluded the 18th edition of the India Manufacturing Excellence Awards (IMEA) at Taj Bangalore, Bengaluru. 13 companies were honored and recognized for optimizing their operational excellence and being future-ready. The companies were evaluated for using digital manufacturing tools, optimizing their supply chain, and effectively enhancing their manufacturing capabilities. 19 awards were presented in a grand ceremony on January 20, 2023.

India Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2022

This year's awards were presented to companies across four major categories: Indian Manufacturer of the Year Award, Future-Ready Factory of the Year Award, Smart Factory of the Year Award, and Gold Award. Hyundai Motor India Limited received the evening's top honorsthe Indian Manufacturer of the Year Award and the Smart Factory of the Year Award, with Hindalco Industries Limited - Mahan Aluminium being awarded the 1st Runner-up award for Indian Manufacturer of The Year and ABB India Limited - Smart Power Division taking the 1st Runner-up Award for Smart Factory. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited, Royal Enfield - A Unit Of Eicher Motors Limited, ABB India Limited - Smart Power Division, Karam Safety Private Limited and Nivea India Private Limited were awarded the Future Ready Factory of the Year.

Congratulating the award recipients, Rahul Sharma, VP & Global Head, Manufacturing & Process Consulting Practice, Frost & Sullivan, said, "It has been an absolute honor and privilege to conduct the 18th edition of IMEA in person after a gap of two years. I would like to congratulate all the award recipients for their dedication and determination toward persistent improvement. We are positive that this will further motivate companies to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence."

Deepak N G, Managing Director, Dassault Systemes India, said, "Digital technologies are shaping the new face of manufacturing and are dramatically improving human-machine efficiency. Companies that will effectively implement virtual twins will have a competitive advantage in terms of price points and time to market. India Manufacturing Excellence Awards (IMEA) constituted by Frost & Sullivan is based on the same premise and belief, with a proprietary assessment methodology perfected over 1000+ manufacturing sites. For manufacturing leaders, now is the time to take a step forward and accelerate toward digital maturity, sustainability, and improved business performance."

IMEA is the country's earliest and most respected assessment-based manufacturing award. With a proprietary assessment methodology, this program is an ideal platform to drive your operational excellence journey. Over the past 17 years, Frost & Sullivan has assisted automotive, industrial engineering, FMCG, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and metals-based organizations to advance their manufacturing capabilities, extend supply chains, and optimize production systems.

The event was supported by Dassault Systemes as Silver Partner, CNBC TV18 as Television Media Partner, and Manufacturing Today as Media Partner.

To know more about the awards and the methodology, please visit: https://www.frost.com/events/india-manufacturing-excellence-awards/

To schedule an interaction with our spokespersons, please email Aishwarya Nair at [email protected]

Recipients of the India Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2021

S. No. Company Name Award Title Indian Manufacturer of The Year Award 1 Hyundai Motor India Limited Indian Manufacturer of the Year 2 Hindalco Industries Limited - Mahan Aluminium Indian Manufacturer of The Year Award - 1st Runner-up Future Ready Factory of the Year Award 3 Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited Future Ready Factory of the Year | Automotive Sector, Mega Large Business 4 Royal Enfield - A Unit Of Eicher Motors Limited Future Ready Factory of the Year | Automotive Sector, Mega Large Business 5 ABB India Limited - Smart Power Division Future Ready Factory of the Year | Engineering Sector, Large Business 6 Karam Safety Private Limited Future Ready Factory of the Year | Engineering Sector, Medium Business 7 Nivea India Private Limited Future Ready Factory of the Year | FMCG Sector, Medium Business Smart Factory of the Year Award 8 Hyundai Motor India Limited Smart Factory of the Year 9 ABB India Limited - Smart Power Division Smart Factory Award - 1st Runner-up Gold Awards 10 Mondelez India Foods Private Limited Gold Award | FMCG Sector, Mega Large Business 11 Hindalco Industries Limited Gold Award | Metals Sector, Mega Large Business 12 Coromandel International Limited Gold Award | Process Sector, Mega Large Business 13 ATC Tires Private Limited Gold Award | Process Sector, Large Business 14 Varroc Engineering Limited - VEL-V Gold Award | Auto Ancillary Sector, Medium Business 15 Metalman Auto Private Limited Gold Award - Runnerup | Auto Ancillary Sector, Medium Business 16 Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited Gold Award | Engineering Sector, Medium Business 17 Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited - Unit III Gold Award | Engineering Sector, Medium Business 18 Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited - Unit II Gold Award - Runner-up | Engineering Sector, Medium Business 19 Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited Corporate Gold Award



About Frost & Sullivan

For over six decades, Frost & Sullivan has helped build sustainable growth strategies for Fortune 1000 companies, governments, and investors. We apply actionable insights to navigate economic changes, identify disruptive technologies, and formulate new business models to create a stream of innovative growth opportunities that drive future success.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global AI In Retail Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report by Technology, Sales Channel, Component, Application, Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The Global AI In Retail Market size is expected to reach $24.1 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 24.4% CAGR during the forecast period.



Physical stores are still the leader in retail, but they must operate in very competitive markets. Similar to physical stores, digital stores compete in a market where they can easily access their rivals. Retailers can utilize AI to enhance the shopping experience for customers and acquire the competitive edge they need to remain relevant.



For instance, AI-powered virtual personal assistants and chatbots on a website provide customers personalized recommendations or dynamic pricing depending on their usage of the site, past purchases, and other pertinent information. Retail AI application cases exist in actual stores as well, utilizing data sources including in-store customer interactions via mobile devices and through sensors.



Using an algorithm that has been trained with sales data and other pertinent information, retail store owners can even utilize AI to optimize the layout of their stores. This aids in forecasting outcomes, such as a person's propensity to purchase two things simultaneously if they are exhibited near to one another.

The retail industry is changing as a result of artificial intelligence (AI). Retailers can use AI to engage with their consumers and run more effectively, from utilizing computer vision to tailor promotions in real time to leveraging machine learning for managing inventory.



COVID-19 Impact Analysis



Due to the WFH policy brought on by this pandemic, the COVID-19 outbreak is anticipated to accelerate the market growth of next-generation tech fields, including artificial intelligence. In order to increase availability across the globe, tech companies are also increasing the range of products and services they offer.

Therefore, the integration of AI significantly increased within the retail industry. Hence, the growth of the market was steadily hampered, however, the increased utilization of AI augmented the growth of AI in the retail industry.



Market Growth Factors

Higher Efficiency In Saving Cost And Optimizing The Experience



AI comprises the ability to drastically change retailing in coming years, impacting everything from cost structures to the shopping experience. E-commerce and AI go hand in hand, and the coronavirus pandemic's acceleration of e-commerce growth rates makes AI adoption even more imperative. AI advantages will transform the industry. Retailers must therefore start making plans right away. And not just technology should be included in those plans, but also business strategy.



Higher Supply Chain Capabilities



As a whole, one of the main advantages of artificial intelligence is that it can assist people with repetitive, time-consuming jobs. A significant number of workers believe that the increased adoption of AI in the workplace has improved productivity. And when AI is used in retail, the same thing may occur. Drivers in the logistics industry can use AI to discover the best delivery routes. Additionally, robots can assist with choosing and packing orders, freeing up staff members to work on other crucial activities.



The leading players in the market are competing with diverse innovative offerings to remain competitive in the market. The below illustration shows the percentage of revenue shared by some of the leading companies in the market. The leading players of the market are adopting various strategies in order to cater demand coming from the different industries. The key developmental strategies in the market are Partnerships & Collaborations.



Market Restraining Factors

High Costs As Well As Lack Of The Ability To Improve



It is an impressive achievement when a machine can imitate human intelligence. However, the initial cost of AI is very high in such operations. It can be very expensive and takes a lot of time and resources. AI is highly expensive because it requires the newest software and hardware to function in order to stay updated and meet criteria. Artificial intelligence is a technology that cannot be created by humans since it is pre-programmed with knowledge and experience.

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology



Chapter 2. Market Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Overview

2.1.1.1 Market composition and scenario

2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market

2.2.1 Market Drivers

2.2.2 Market Restraints



Chapter 3. Competition Analysis - Global

3.1 Cardinal Matrix

3.2 Recent Industry Wide Strategic Developments

3.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements

3.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions

3.2.3 Acquisition and Mergers

3.3 Market Share Analysis, 2021

3.4 Top Winning Strategies

3.4.1 Key Leading Strategies: Percentage Distribution (2018-2022)

3.4.2 Key Strategic Move: (Partnerships, Collaborations & Agreements: 2018, May - 2022, Sep) Leading Players



Chapter 4. Global AI In Retail Market by Technology

4.1 Global Machine Learning Market by Region

4.2 Global Natural Language Processing Market by Region

4.3 Global Chatbots Market by Region

4.4 Global Image & Video Analytics Market by Region

4.5 Global Swarm Intelligence Market by Region



Chapter 5. Global AI In Retail Market by Sales Channel

5.1 Global Omnichannel Market by Region

5.2 Global Brick & Mortar Market by Region

5.3 Global Pure-play Online Retailers Market by Region



Chapter 6. Global AI In Retail Market by Component

6.1 Global Solution Market by Region

6.2 Global Services Market by Region



Chapter 7. Global AI In Retail Market by Application

7.1 Global Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Market by Region

7.2 Global Supply Chain & Logistics Market by Region

7.3 Global Inventory Management Market by Region

7.4 Global Product Optimization Market by Region

7.5 Global In-Store Navigation Market by Region

7.6 Global Payment & Pricing Analytics Market by Region

7.7 Global Virtual Assistant Market by Region



Chapter 8. Global AI In Retail Market by Region



Chapter 9. Company Profiles

9.1 Intel Corporation

9.1.1 Company Overview

9.1.2 Financial Analysis

9.1.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.1.4 Research & Development Expenses

9.1.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.1.5.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.1.5.2 Acquisition and Mergers:

9.1.6 SWOT Analysis

9.2 Salesforce.com, Inc.

9.2.1 Company Overview

9.2.2 Financial Analysis

9.2.3 Regional Analysis

9.2.4 Research & Development Expense

9.2.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.2.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.2.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.2.6 SWOT Analysis

9.3 NVIDIA Corporation

9.3.1 Company Overview

9.3.2 Financial Analysis

9.3.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.3.4 Research & Development Expense

9.3.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.3.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.3.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.3.5.3 Acquisition and Mergers:

9.3.6 SWOT Analysis

9.4 Amazon Web Services, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)

9.4.1 Company Overview

9.4.2 Financial Analysis

9.4.3 Segmental Analysis

9.4.4 Recent strategies and developments:

9.4.4.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.4.5 SWOT Analysis

9.5 Google LLC

9.5.1 Company Overview

9.5.2 Financial Analysis

9.5.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.5.4 Research & Development Expense

9.5.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.5.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.5.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.5.6 SWOT Analysis

9.6 IBM Corporation

9.6.1 Company Overview

9.6.2 Financial Analysis

9.6.3 Regional & Segmental Analysis

9.6.4 Research & Development Expenses

9.6.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.6.5.1 Mergers & Acquisition:

9.6.5.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:

9.6.6 SWOT Analysis

9.7 Microsoft Corporation

9.7.1 Company Overview

9.7.2 Financial Analysis

9.7.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.7.4 Research & Development Expenses

9.7.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.7.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.7.5.2 Mergers & Acquisition:

9.7.6 SWOT Analysis

9.8 Oracle Corporation

9.8.1 Company Overview

9.8.2 Financial Analysis

9.8.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.8.4 Research & Development Expense

9.8.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.8.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations & Agreements:

9.8.5.2 Acquisition and Mergers:

9.8.6 SWOT Analysis

9.9 SAP SE

9.9.1 Company Overview

9.9.2 Financial Analysis

9.9.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

9.9.4 Research & Development Expense

9.9.5 Recent strategies and developments:

9.9.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.9.5.2 Acquisition and Mergers:

9.10. ViSenze Pte Ltd

9.10.1 Company Overview

9.10.2 Recent strategies and developments:

9.10.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements:

9.10.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions:



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3v1z12



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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Antibiotics Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global antibiotics market size reached US$ 47.4 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 61.5 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.44% during 2021-2027.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Antibiotics are a group of medicines, such as penicillin, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone, etc., that inhibit the growth of microorganisms, prevent the replication of parasites, and reduce serious complications of bacterial infections. They are generally administered orally in the form of pills, liquids, tablets, and capsules.

They are also available as sprays, creams, ointments, and lotions, which are applied topically on the skin to treat certain acne and other skin diseases. Moreover, antibiotics can be administered through an injection or intravenously (IV) for severe infections according to the signs and symptoms of the patients.



The growing prevalence of infectious diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), along with the easy availability of generic medicines, represents one of the major factors positively influencing the demand for antibiotics.

Moreover, the topical application of antibiotics offers reduced potential for systemic absorption and toxicity and minimizes the risk of surgical site infections. Consequently, the rising number of surgical procedures is increasing the sales of antibiotics to prevent incision infection.

They can also be utilized in the form of drops for conjunctivitis and acute ear infections. Furthermore, antibiotics are finding extensive application in livestock farming to safeguard animal health and welfare and support food safety. Apart from this, scientists are developing less reactogenic, cell-free vaccines consisting of purified components, inactivated toxins, and proteins. Additionally, several health organizations are entering into strategic partnerships with private companies to deliver new treatments and improve existing drugs.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Allergan Plc (AbbVie Inc.), Basilea Pharmaceutica AG, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson & Johnson, Melinta Therapeutics, Merck & Co. Inc., Nabriva Therapeutics Plc, Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi SA, Spero Therapeutics and Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global antibiotics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global antibiotics market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the action mechanism?

What is the breakup of the market based on the drug class?

What is the breakup of the market based on the spectrum of activity?

What is the breakup of the market based on the route of administration?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global antibiotics market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Antibiotics Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Action Mechanism

6.1 Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 DNA Synthesis Inhibitors

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 RNA Synthesis Inhibitors

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast

6.5 Mycolic Acid Inhibitors

6.5.1 Market Trends

6.5.2 Market Forecast

6.6 Others

6.6.1 Market Trends

6.6.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Drug Class

7.1 Cephalosporin

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Penicillin

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Fluoroquinolone

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Macrolide

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast

7.5 Carbapenem

7.5.1 Market Trends

7.5.2 Market Forecast

7.6 Aminoglycoside

7.6.1 Market Trends

7.6.2 Market Forecast

7.7 Others

7.7.1 Market Trends

7.7.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Spectrum of Activity

8.1 Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Narrow-Spectrum Antibiotics

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Route of Administration

9.1 Oral

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Parenteral

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Topical

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Others

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by End User

10.1 Hospitals

10.1.1 Market Trends

10.1.2 Market Forecast

10.2 Specialty Clinics

10.2.1 Market Trends

10.2.2 Market Forecast

10.3 Others

10.3.1 Market Trends

10.3.2 Market Forecast



11 Market Breakup by Region



12 SWOT Analysis



13 Value Chain Analysis



14 Porters Five Forces Analysis



15 Price Analysis



16 Competitive Landscape

16.1 Market Structure

16.2 Key Players

16.3 Profiles of Key Players

16.3.1 Allergan Plc (AbbVie Inc.)

16.3.1.1 Company Overview

16.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.1.3 SWOT Analysis

16.3.2 Basilea Pharmaceutica AG

16.3.2.1 Company Overview

16.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.2.3 Financials

16.3.3 GlaxoSmithKline Plc

16.3.3.1 Company Overview

16.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.3.3 Financials

16.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.4 Johnson & Johnson

16.3.4.1 Company Overview

16.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.4.3 Financials

16.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.5 Melinta Therapeutics

16.3.5.1 Company Overview

16.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.5.3 Financials

16.3.6 Merck & Co. Inc.

16.3.6.1 Company Overview

16.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.6.3 Financials

16.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.7 Nabriva Therapeutics Plc

16.3.7.1 Company Overview

16.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.8 Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc.

16.3.8.1 Company Overview

16.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.8.3 Financials

16.3.9 Pfizer Inc.

16.3.9.1 Company Overview

16.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.9.3 Financials

16.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.10 Sanofi SA

16.3.10.1 Company Overview

16.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.10.3 Financials

16.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

16.3.11 Spero Therapeutics

16.3.11.1 Company Overview

16.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

16.3.11.3 Financials

16.3.12 Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals

16.3.12.1 Company Overview

16.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5oxxfs

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A latest research report [115+] pages with 360-Degree visibility, titled "Cocoa and Chocolate Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Chocolate Type (Dark, Milk, White, and Filled); By Cocoa Ingredients; By Application; By Distribution Channel; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2022 - 2030" published by Polaris Market Research in its research repository.

According to the research report, the global cocoa and chocolate market size & share was valued at USD 46.4 billion in 2021 and is projected to hit USD 69.1 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period.

What is the Expected Size & Share of Cocoa and Chocolate Market?

Report Overview

Cocoa and chocolate are made from the cacao tree and its beans. But the processes of extracting both products are not the same. Also, they contain different components. The cacao beans are harvested, roasted, and turned into powder which can be turned into powdered or made into chocolate. In cocoa making process, cocoa butter is removed, while in chocolate, it is not. Cocoa is rated as a healthy product as it contains fewer calories, fat, and sugar. Meanwhile, chocolate is high in fat and sugar.

Dutch-processed and natural are the two classifications of cocoa powder. However, chocolate comes in various forms, such as powder, liquid, small balls, bars, etc. Factors such as the increasing preference of consumers in choosing chocolate confectioneries for various celebrations and rising demand for cocoa components to develop premium-grade products are anticipated to propel the cocoa and chocolate market sales.

Request Sample Copy of Cocoa and Chocolate Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/cocoa-and-chocolate-market/request-for-sample

(The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, Table of Contents, Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis and our research methodology.)

Our Sample Report May Includes:

2032 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis.

115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research).

Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request.

2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends.

Includes Updated List of table & figures.

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis.

Some of the Top Market Players Are:

Barry Callebaut

Cargill

Olam

ECOM Agro-industrial Corporation

Cocoa Processing

Touton

Niche Cocoa

BD Associates Ghana

PLOT Enterprise Ghana

Nestle

Mondelez International

Meiji Holdings

To know an additional revised list of top market players, request a sample report, 2022 - 2030: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/cocoa-and-chocolate-market/request-for-sample

Growth Driving Factors

Changing consumer preferences for chocolate-based products flourish the market growth

The rise in new methods and chocolate development and the growing demand for chocolate consumption in developed countries are the key factors projected to fuel the demand for cocoa and chocolate products over the forecast period, supporting the cocoa and chocolate market size. For instance, according to a study by Barry Callebaut, 75% of global consumers selected chocolate-based products to celebrate in celebratory ceremonies and related activities.

Moreover, the surge in the use of cocoa products as a health supplement is expected to boost the demand for chocolate and cocoa ingredients, thereby accelerating the growth of the cocoa and chocolate market. Also, rising consumer shifts towards non-animal-based food ingredients such as cocoa products is further expected to positively influence the cocoa and chocolate industry expansion. Another factor driving the market growth is the growing consumer preference for single-bean chocolates coupled with the increased commercialization of these products by significant market players.

Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/checkouts/18441

Recent Developments

In November 2022 , the Niche Cocoa Industry announced that it is expanding its manufacturing facility in the U.S. located in Franklin, Wisconsin . The development will also improve the company's direct presence in the U.S. by strengthening its global market presence.

Segmental Analysis

A filled segment is anticipated to account for the fastest growth

Based on chocolate type, a filled category is expected to grow at the fastest rate owing to the increasing consumption of various filled chocolates such as truffles and bonbons. Rising demand for multi-flavored chocolates and the growing development of novel types of filled chocolates such as truffles and bonbons by key players is projected to bolster the segment growth of the cocoa and chocolate market. For instance, in October 2022, Frankford Candy and Dunkin' teamed up to launch their limited-edition chocolate sweets and bombs inspired by Dunkin's beverages and donuts. The new product contains 12 individually wrapped donut-shaped chocolates with assorted fillings

Butter dominated the highest greatest revenue share in 2021

By cocoa ingredients, the butter segment held the highest cocoa and chocolate market share due to the rising use of cocoa butter for the development of skin care and food products in the cosmetic industry. The segment growth is also driven by the surging demand for cosmetics made from natural ingredients among major consumers. In addition, leading market players are continuously developing personal care products to fulfill the requirements of consumers looking for natural alternatives to traditional cosmetics. This factor is then anticipated to accelerate segmental growth.

Inquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/cocoa-and-chocolate-market/inquire-before-buying

(Inquire a report quote OR available discount offers to the sales team before purchase.)

Cocoa and Chocolate Market: Global Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 69.1 Billion Market size value in 2022 USD 48.2 Billion Expected CAGR Growth 4.6% from 2022 - 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 - 2030 Top Market Players Barry Callebaut AG, Cargill, Inc., Olam International, Fuji Oil Company Ltd., ECOM Agro Industrial Corporation Ltd., Cocoa Processing Co. Ltd., Touton S.A., Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd., BD Associates Ghana Ltd., PLOT Enterprise Ghana Ltd, Nestle S.A., Mondelez International, Inc., Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd Segments Covered By Chocolate Type, By Cocoa Ingredients, By Application, By Distribution Channel, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options

Geographic Overview

The demand in Europe is expected to register significant growth

Based on geography, cocoa and chocolate market demand in Europe is likely to witness the highest market share as it is known as one of the world's largest manufacturers of chocolate. More demand for chocolates than other delicacies among consumers for celebrations and health-based consumption is majorly driving the market growth in the region. Also, chocolate manufacturers are heavily entering the premium chocolate industry and producing specialized products because there is a presence of diversity in cocoa yield in Europe. This factor is further expected to flourish the regional market expansion.

Moreover, North America is projected to grow over the foreseen period due to the rising demand for chocolate-based confectioneries coupled with the increasing adoption of chocolate components to introduce food products like indulgent snacks, cocoa bars, and chocolate-flavored ice creams. In addition, rising awareness of the health benefits of cocoa and chocolate consumption is likely to fuel the intake of cocoa products. Thus, the regional market is booming.

Browse the Detail Report "Cocoa and Chocolate Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Chocolate Type (Dark, Milk, White, and Filled); By Cocoa Ingredients; By Application; By Distribution Channel; By Region; Segment Forecast, 2022 - 2030" with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/cocoa-and-chocolate-market

For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: [email protected]

Polaris Market Research has segmented the cocoa and chocolate market report based on chocolate type, cocoa ingredients, application, distribution channel, and region:

By Chocolate Type Outlook

Dark

Milk

White

Filled

By Cocoa Ingredients Outlook

Butter

Liquor

Powder

By Application Outlook

Food & Beverage

Cosmetics

Pharmaceuticals

Others

By Distribution Channel Outlook

Offline

E-commerce

By Region Outlook

North America (U.S., Canada )

(U.S., ) Europe ( France , Germany , UK, Italy , Netherlands , Spain , Russia )

( , , UK, , , , ) Asia Pacific ( Japan , China , India , Malaysia , Indonesia , South Korea )

( , , , , , ) Latin America ( Brazil , Mexico , Argentina )

( , , ) Middle East & Africa ( Saudi Arabia , UAE, Israel , South Africa )

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About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for PMR's clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve PMR's diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide PMR's customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Adept with a highly competent, experienced and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to PMR's customers.

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DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Epoxy Resin Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2028 by Raw Material, Physical Form, Technology, Application, End-User, and Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The Global Epoxy Resin Market is expected to record a positive CAGR of ~7% during the forecast period (2022-2028), due to the rapid industrialization and rise in demand from the building and construction industries.



Due to the adaptive nature of epoxy compounds, resins have gained recognition in several industries such as construction, automobile, aviation, electromechanical, telecommunications, energy, and others.



The growing construction industry is expected to augment the growth of the paints and coatings industry. In 2021, the government of Europe planned to construct around 1.5 million housing units. Similarly, the growth in construction activities in countries like Russia, France, the United Kingdom, etc., is expected to drive the growth of the epoxy resin market.



For instance, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), in 2019, the government of China approved 26 infrastructure projects with a total expected investment of USD 142 billion. Similarly, in 2020, the Communist Party of China announced that the government is planning around USD 1,400 Bn for a digital infrastructure public spending program.



Epoxies are made with petroleum-based basic ingredients like BPA (Bisphenol A) and ECH (Epichlorohydrin). Thus, changes in the crude oil price have a considerable impact on the pricing of these many raw materials, as well as the basic costs of epoxy resin. Price fluctuations have a detrimental influence on profit margins, particularly for small-scale producers, which hampers the growth of the market.



The market was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, owing to the strict regulations in several countries. This affected various industries such as paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, electrical and electronics, and others due to supply chain disruptions, work stoppages, and labor shortages. The global pandemic caused a ban on imports-exports thereby disrupting the supply chain and hampering the market.



The demand for epoxy resin decreased in the aerospace, transportation, and marine industries, as all the industries were shut and due to this, demand for resin had been impacted negatively.



Scope of the Report



By Raw Material

DGBEA

DGBEF

Novolac

Aliphatic

Glycidylamine

Others

By Physical Form

Solid

Liquid

Solution

By Technology

Solvent Cut Epoxy

Liquid Epoxy

Waterborne Epoxy

Others

By Application

Paints & Coatings

Wind Turbines & Composites

Construction

Electrical & Electronics

Adhesives & Sealants

Others

By End-User

Building & Construction

Transportation

Consumer Goods

Wind Energy

Aerospace

Marine

Others

By Geography

North America ( USA , Canada , and Mexico )

( , , and ) Europe ( France , Italy , Germany , Spain , UK, and Rest of Europe )

( , , , , UK, and Rest of ) Asia Pacific ( China , India , Japan , South Korea , Australia , and Rest of Asia Pacific )

( , , , , , and Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , and Africa )

Major Players

3M

BASF SE

Huntsman International LLC

Hexion

The Dow Chemical Company

Kukdo Chemical Co, Ltd

Solvay

Olin Corporation

China Petrochemical Corporation

Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt Ltd

Kolon Industries, Inc



Recent Developments Related to Major Players and Organizations

In November 2021 , Hexoin Inc. announced its definitive agreement with Westlake Chemical Corporation. Hexion Inc. sold Hexion's global epoxy business for approximately USD 1.2 Bn to Westlake Chemical Corporation company The transaction was completed in the first half of 2022

, Hexoin Inc. announced its definitive agreement with Westlake Chemical Corporation. Hexion Inc. sold Hexion's global epoxy business for approximately to Westlake Chemical Corporation company The transaction was completed in the first half of 2022 In October 2021 , Azelis Holding S.A. announced their distribution agreement with BASF for the sales of resin products from the company The collaboration boosted the company's lateral value chain by adding market-leading products to its various market segments

On April 1, 2021, Covestro AG successfully completed the acquisition of the Resins & Functional Materials business (RFM) from the Dutch company Royal DSM. The acquisition helped Covestro in the expansion of its portfolio of sustainable coating resin products.



Key Topics Covered in the Report

Snapshot of Global Epoxy Resin Market

Industry Value Chain and Ecosystem Analysis

Market size and Segmentation of the Global Epoxy Resin Market

Historic Growth of Overall Global Epoxy Resin Market and Segments

Competition Scenario of the Market and Key Developments of Competitors

Porter's 5 Forces Analysis of Global Epoxy Resin Industry

Overview, Product Offerings, and Strength & Weakness of Key Competitors

Covid-19 Impact on the Overall Global Epoxy Resin Market

Future Market Forecast and Growth Rates of the Total Global Epoxy Resin Market and by Segments

Market Size of Application/End User Segments with Historical CAGR and Future Forecasts

Analysis of Global Epoxy Resin Market

Major Production/Supply and Consumption/Demand Hubs within Each Region

Major Country-wise Historic and Future Market Growth Rates of the Total Market and Segments

Overview of Notable Emerging Competitor Companies within Each Region

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ec29ll

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Siaya  Siaya County Government has over the last three years been operating on a Sh1 billion deficit, a taskforce led by former Auditor General, Edward Ouko has revealed.

The taskforce, charged with the task of reviewing financial operations among other things, at the same time accused the Siaya County Assembly of exceeding its mandate by changing the executive's budget proposals beyond the one percent limit allowed by the public finance management act of 2015.

Speaking during the release of the final task force findings at the county headquarters, Ouko lamented that the assembly has been overhauling the budget proposals without reference to the executive.

"It appears that the assembly has usurped the executive's role in the budget making process. This can be considered a material breach of the principle of separation of powers and compromises the oversight function of the assembly," said the former Auditor General.

On the budget deficit, the taskforce said that since 2019/2020 financial year, the county government has operated a financial deficit budget of Sh1,125,000,000 annually.

The report said attempts by the devolved government to plug the deficit through reduction or elimination of allocations to some projects have always led to creation of pending bills thus exacerbating the cycle of financial deficit.

The taskforce said the county had pending bills amounting to Sh. 1,036,606,598.36 out of which Sh 463,161,010.13 bills were from the development expenditure while Sh573,445,588.23 for recurrent expenditure.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

It however flagged out a total of Sh20,831,038 of the pending bills as ineligible and ought not to be paid.

A further Sh118,714,369 of the pending bills were also flagged as ineligible for payment as there were no support documentation.

Siaya Governor, James Orengo said his government will implement the recommendations of the taskforce which called for, among other things, more autonomy for the county public service board.

Orengo said that the task force faced several challenges, among them court cases that challenged its validity but all were dismissed.

Alego / Usonga Member of Parliament, Samuel Atandi hailed the report, saying that it has boldly pointed out the cause of poor development in the county.

He said that as leaders, they will follow up with the relevant bodies to ensure that all the recommendations were implemented.

The executive director of the community initiative action group, Chris Owala who also hailed the report, took issue with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for contributing to impunity in the county through inconclusive investigations.

"You cannot investigate cases forever. There must be time limit," said Owala who said that the investigative bodies' lethargic investigations have been giving suspects opportunity to interfere with cases.

Owala at the same time called on the government to evoke relevant laws and recover the assets acquired through corruption.
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Specialty Silica Market Size, Segments, Outlook, and Revenue Forecast 2022-2028 by Product, Application, and Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to this analysis, the Global Specialty Silica Market was valued at ~US$ 4 billion in 2017. It is estimated to be ~US$ 6 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach a market size of ~US$ 9 billion, growing at a CAGR of ~7% owing to the rising demand for rubber and paints & coatings across different end-use industries such as construction and footwear industries.



Specialty silica is widely utilized in the production of rubbers used in various industries such as footwear, automobile tires, and others. Increasing tire production in the automotive industry is one of the factors driving the growth of the specialty silica market. Global automobile production is increasing in several developed countries, increasing the demand for tire consumption.



The exponential increase in electric vehicle manufacturing presents lucrative opportunities for the tire industry, which is having a positive impact on the specialty silica market. In 2021, total electric vehicle sales reached 7.8 million units, double the figure from 2020.



The biggest challenge for the market is the high cost of colloidal silica and the growing preference of end users for lower-cost alternatives. Specialty silica showcases a cyclical behavior, with the market shifting focus to other substitutes that are much lower in price as compared to silica. It will impact player profit margins in the years to come.

Scope of the Report



Product

Precipitated Silica

Fumed Silica

Fused Silica

Silica Gel

Colloidal Silica

Application

Rubber

Plastic

Paint & Coatings

Electrical & Electronics

Agricultural & Feed

Food & Beverages

Personal Care

Others

By Region

North America ( USA , Canada , Mexico )

( , , ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Spain , Italy , Rest of Europe )

( , UK, , , , Rest of ) Asia Pacific ( China , Japan , South Korea , India , Indonesia , Australia , Rest of Asia Pacific )

( , , , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa )

Key Players

Cabot Corporation

Akzo Nobel N.V

Evonik Industries

Huber Engineered Materials

Solvay

PQ Corporation

Madhu Silica Pvt. Ltd

Wacker Chemie AG

PPG Industries, Inc

W. R. Grace & Co

Key Trends by Market Segment

By Product: The precipitated silica segment held the largest market share in the global specialty silica market in 2021, owing to its wide application in PVC sheets, wherein it helps in improving pigment dispersion and tensile strength

Precipitated silica is the most commonly used specialty silica in the rubber industry. The product acts as a reinforcing agent and improves wear and tear resistance

Fused silica is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Fused silica products are used in the manufacture of optical components such as mirrors, UV and IR transmitting optics, lenses and metrology.

By Application: The rubber segment held the largest market share in the global specialty silica market in 2021, as rubber made of silica material is widely utilized in different end-use industries such as automotive, footwear, and others.

In industrial rubber goods, specialty silica is commonly used in Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and High-Temperature Vulcanized (HTV) rubber, which requires high mechanical strength and good electrical insulation.

Paint & Coatings is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period as it is widely used as a low-cost extender and is preferred for its chemical inertness tends to improve the viscosity of paints and coatings.

By Region: Asia Pacific held the largest market share among all other regions within the global specialty silica market in 2021, owing to the rising construction activities in China and Japan .

According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Asia Pacific is the largest producer of motor vehicles. The growing automotive industry, is the factor responsible for the largest share of the region.

is the largest producer of motor vehicles. The growing automotive industry, is the factor responsible for the largest share of the region. The Japanese construction industry is predicted to boom as the country prepares to host the World Expo in Osaka, Japan , in 2025. The demand for constructing various buildings and infrastructure for the event will boost the market for specialty silica in the region.

Recent Developments Related to Major Players and Organizations

In November 2021 , Nouryon announced the expansion of its Levasil colloidal silica manufacturing plant in USA. The plant expansion is aimed to meet the increasing demand from the packaging and construction industry

, Nouryon announced the expansion of its Levasil colloidal silica manufacturing plant in USA. The plant expansion is aimed to meet the increasing demand from the packaging and construction industry In October 2021 , Evonik Wynca Silicon Material started its fumed silica plant, which is the company's first fumed silica plant in China . It aims at positioning the company by building a global supply chain for its customers in China and overall Asia

Key Topics Covered in the Report

Snapshot of Global Specialty Silica Market

Industry Value Chain and Ecosystem Analysis

Market size and Segmentation of the Global Specialty Silica Market

Historic Growth of Overall Global Specialty Silica Market and Segments

Competition Scenario of the Market and Key Developments of Competitors

Porter's 5 Forces Analysis of Global Specialty Silica Industry

Overview, Product Offerings, Strengths, & Weaknesses of Key Competitors

Covid-19 Impact on the Overall Global Specialty Silica Market

Future Market Forecast and Growth Rates of the Total Global Specialty Silica Market and Segments

Analysis of Global Specialty Silica Market

Major Production/Supply and Consumption/Demand Hubs within Each Region

Major Country-wise Historic and Future Market Growth Rates of the Total Market and Segments

Overview of Notable Emerging Competitor Companies within Each Region

Companies Mentioned

Cabot Corporation

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Evonik Industries

Huber Engineered Materials

Solvay

PQ Corporation

Madhu Silica Pvt. Ltd.

Wacker Chemie AG

PPG Industries, Inc.

W. R. Grace & Co.

AeroShield

WaferPro

Ultra HPQ

Ashtamers Pvt.Ltd.

Qingdao Hengze Silica Gel Products Co.,Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tzxglv

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Market by type (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Application, Propulsion (Electric, Non-Electric), System, Speed, Shape, Depth, Product Type, and Region - Forecast to 2027 " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The unmanned underwater vehicles market is estimated to be USD 3.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 7.4 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 16.0% from 2022 to 2027.

Unmanned marine surveying

In May 2020, Deep BV, a survey company specializing in hydrography, marine geophysics, and oceanography, upgraded its underwater survey vessel with a Sea Machines SM300 autonomous command and remote-helm control system. The Sea Machines system enables remote command of the vessel, including navigation and positioning, the control of onboard auxiliaries and sensors, and ship-to-shore data flow.

Deep operators can command and control the unmanned vessel and all onboard payloads (including survey sonars, hydrophones, winches, cranes, and davits) from its shore-side Survey Control Room, which has been equipped to manage several surveys simultaneously. Deep is transferring all collected data from the vessel to the control room via 4G and satellite connection. The combination of Sea Machines' technology and the Survey Control Room has enabled Deep to shift from minimally manned missions to unmanned missions.

SwarmDiver by Aquabotix (Australia)

Launched in April 2019 by Aquabotix (Australia), SwarmDiver is the first commercial hybrid vehicle that can be used as both an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) in a swarm. Its swarm can be controlled on the surface by a human operator as a single coordinated entity, which dives on command. Since it is able to function like a UGV, SwarmDiver solves the problem of slow underwater communication caused by the use of acoustic waves; it can transmit data through electromagnetic waves once on the surface in the UGV mode.

Application areas of SwarmDiver include defense and security, environmental monitoring, harbor management, and plume tracking and research. A bio-inspired mini robot weighing 3.7 pounds, SwarmDiver is 29.5 inches long, and has an endurance of 2.5 hours with a diving reach of 150-feet. It measures the temperature and pressure of the water and can be tracked through GPS at a maximum depth of 3.3 feet from the surface of the water. In January 2019, Aquabotix (Australia) received a contract worth USD 70,000 from the US Navy for the further development of SwarmDiver.

Electric Systems: The fastest-growing segment of the remotely operated vehicles market, by propulsion

Based on electric systems, propulsion systems of remotely operated vehicles are further divided into fully electric systems and hybrid systems. Fully electric systems are expected to lead the segment as well as record a higher CAGR across the forecast period due to increasing advancements in battery technology.

North America: The largest contributing region in the unmanned underwater vehicles market

North America includes the US and Canada. The US is one of the largest global developers, operators, and exporters of unmanned military systems. Thus, it accounts for a large share of the North American region in the global unmanned underwater vehicles market.

The main functions of UUVs include ensuring marine border security, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), and anti-submarine warfare. North American countries are awarding several contracts to major players in the unmanned underwater vehicles market to deliver UUVs with combat capabilities, thus driving the growth of the unmanned underwater vehicles market in the region.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing Capital Expenditure of Offshore Oil & Gas Companies

Need for Ocean Data and Mapping

Rising Defense Spending Worldwide

Restraints

Failures in Uuvs

High Operational Cost of Uuvs

Opportunities

Development and Incorporation of Advanced Technologies in UUVs

Use of UUVs for Mine Disposal and Anti-Submarine Warfare

Challenges

Slow Underwater Survey Speed

Companies Mentioned

Anduril

Argeo

Bae Systems

Eca Group

Fugro

General Dynamics Corp.

Hanwha Systems

Huntington Ingalls Industries

International Submarine Engineering Ltd.

Kongsberg Maritime

L3Harris Technologies

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Leonardo Spa

Lig Nex 1

Lockheed Martin Corp.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsui E&S Holdings Co. Ltd.

Msubs

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Oceaneering International Inc.

Oceanscan Mst

Rtsys

Saab Ab

St Engineering

Subsea 7

Teledyne Technologies

The Boeing Company

Thyssenkrupp

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d4ij1f



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SOURCE Research and Markets
Shares Outstanding: 296,097,011

Trading Symbols: TSX: GGD

OTCQX: GLGDF

55.0m of 2,738 g/t AgEq, including 7.0m of 20,715 g/t AgEq

Also includes 63,658 g/t AgEq over 2.0m

HALIFAX, NS, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - GoGold Resources Inc. (TSX: GGD) (OTCQX: GLGDF) ("GoGold", "the Company") is pleased to announce additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Eagle and Main Deposits. Hole LRGAG-22-218 is the best hole drilled to date in the Los Ricos district and intercepted 55.0m of 2,738 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq"), containing 20,715 g/t AgEq over 7.0m. The hole also contained an extremely high grade intercept of 63,658 g/t AgEq over 2.0m. See Table 1 for breakdown of silver and gold values.

Figure 1: Eagle  Cross Section Hole LRGAG-22-218 (CNW Group/GoGold Resources Inc.) Figure 2: Eagle + Main Area Grade Thickness Longitudinal Section (CNW Group/GoGold Resources Inc.) Figure 3: Eagle Longitudinal Section (CNW Group/GoGold Resources Inc.) Figure 4: Los Ricos District Overview (CNW Group/GoGold Resources Inc.)

"Hole 118 represents not only the best drill hole drilled by our team at Los Ricos, but it is also the best hole ever drilled by any member of our technical team on any of our previous projects," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "In mining, grade is king, and Los Ricos has demonstrated time and time again that it has very high grades, with hole 118 being an extraordinary example of that."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area / Vein From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGAG-22-118 Eagle 95.6 150.6 55.0 7.80 2,152.7 36.51 2,737.9

including 95.6 120.6 25.0 16.07 4,664.2 78.26 5,869.3

including 104.6 119.6 15.0 26.74 7,755.8 130.15 9,761.3

including 107.6 114.6 7.0 55.87 16,524.6 276.19 20,714.5

including 107.6 110.6 3.0 121.97 36,953.0 614.67 46,100.5

including 108.6 110.6 2.0 145.25 52,764.5 848.78 63,658.3 LRGAG-22-087 Eagle 94.5 103.5 9.0 0.87 38.5 1.39 103.9

including 94.5 97.5 3.0 1.77 24.7 2.10 157.2 LRGAG-22-090 Eagle 148.5 216.1 66.8 0.54 33.3 0.98 73.5

including 203.0 212.1 9.1 1.89 96.3 3.17 237.7 LRGAG-22-092 Eagle 312.0 313.4 1.4 4.42 12.7 4.59 344.2 LRGAG-22-094 Eagle 116.8 135.0 18.2 1.37 146.0 3.32 248.9

including 118.5 128.5 10.0 2.39 235.0 5.53 414.5

including 122.6 123.6 1.0 7.51 448.0 13.48 1,011.3 LRGAG-22-095 Eagle 254.3 257.3 3.1 0.52 58.6 1.30 97.8 LRGAG-22-097 Eagle 148.9 153.0 4.2 3.20 169.4 5.46 409.6

including 148.9 150.0 1.2 10.75 521.0 17.70 1,327.2 LRGAG-22-098 Eagle 318.6 329.6 11.0 0.69 73.2 1.67 125.3

including 324.2 326.6 2.4 2.88 224.8 5.87 440.6 LRGAG-22-099 Eagle 256.0 259.4 3.4 2.05 54.7 2.78 208.6

including 256.0 257.3 1.3 5.23 129.8 6.96 522.1

and 272.6 275.0 2.4 1.11 30.7 1.52 113.8 LRGAG-22-100 Eagle 393.8 406.3 12.5 0.52 59.5 1.32 98.8

including 394.8 398.8 4.0 1.35 148.3 3.33 249.7

including 396.8 397.8 1.0 2.95 349.0 7.60 570.3 LRGG-22-219 Main Area 126.3 128.8 2.5 0.65 66.6 1.54 115.6 LRGG-22-220 Main Area 63.8 79.4 15.6 0.50 98.9 1.82 136.2

including 70.7 74.1 3.4 1.34 156.5 3.42 256.8 LRGG-22-221 Main Area 194.9 224.2 29.4 0.85 138.3 2.69 202.1

including 202.0 206.4 4.4 4.98 748.7 14.97 1,122.5

including 203.9 204.9 0.9 12.70 2,370.0 44.30 3,322.5 LRGG-22-222 Main Area 127.7 136.3 8.7 0.94 104.8 2.34 175.6

including 134.3 134.9 0.6 7.60 592.0 15.49 1,162.0

1. Not true width 2. AgEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 at recoveries of 100% 3. Holes LRGAG-22-086, 088, 089, 091, 093, 096 did not intercept significant mineralization

The Eagle Deposit adjoins the Main Deposit and represents a northern extension of the previously defined Mineral Resource Estimate in the Los Ricos South PEA. The Eagle concession covers 1,107 hectares, including the area between the Main Deposit and the Company's Jamaica concession located 3km to the northwest, where the Company holds the rights to additional concessions. Drilling at the Eagle has returned the highest grade intercepts to date in the district. These wide high grade intercepts are consistent with geophysical targets on the new concession.

The LRGG holes contained in the results above are part of a new drilling program at the Main Deposit. The purpose of the program is to better define the very high grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining. The Company is carrying out a trade-off study to better define what portion of the deposit could be mined in a lower strip ratio pit and what portion would best be mined in more selective bulk underground mining. These holes are in addition to those drilled in 2019 and 2020 which formed part of the initial resource upon which the Los Ricos South Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") was based upon when it was released on January 20, 2021.

Following are maps including Figure 1 - a cross section of hole LRGAG-22-118 showing the high grade intercept.

A summary of Eagle zone drilling highlights is included as Table 2 below.

Table 2 : Eagle Deposit Drill Intercept Highlights

Hole ID Area / Vein From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGAG-22-118 Eagle 95.6 150.6 55.0 7.80 2,152.7 36.51 2,737.9

including 95.6 120.6 25.0 16.07 4,664.2 78.26 5,869.3

including 104.6 119.6 15.0 26.74 7,755.8 130.15 9,761.3

including 107.6 114.6 7.0 55.87 16,524.6 276.19 20,714.5

including 107.6 110.6 3.0 121.97 36,953.0 614.67 46,100.5

including 108.6 110.6 2.0 145.25 52,764.5 848.78 63,658.3 LRGAG-22-035 Eagle 69.0 179.6 110.6 1.64 264.6 5.17 387.5

including 129.0 140.5 11.5 11.31 2,198.3 40.62 3,046.7

including 130.4 133.8 3.5 30.24 6,392.5 115.48 8,660.8

including 130.4 131.9 1.5 63.24 12,729.3 232.96 17,472.0

including 131.0 131.9 0.9 104.50 13,742.5 287.73 21,580.0 LRGAG-21-014 Eagle 144.3 216.9 72.6 5.13 76.0 6.14 460.6

including 198.8 210.7 11.9 28.58 115.9 30.13 2,259.8

including 208.6 210.7 2.1 146.03 176.8 148.39 11,128.9

including 208.6 209.3 0.7 266.00 319.0 270.25 20,269.0 LRGAG-22-031 Eagle 58.0 126.0 68.0 4.25 109.4 5.71 428.4

including 78.0 113.9 35.9 7.83 184.9 10.29 771.8

including 80.0 95.0 15.0 15.61 273.3 19.26 1,444.4

including 84.0 86.0 2.0 46.80 272.5 50.43 3,782.5 LRGAG-22-032 Eagle 48.1 113.8 65.8 1.36 107.7 2.79 209.6

including 85.8 113.8 28.1 2.96 216.6 5.85 439.0

including 88.5 92.9 4.3 7.17 1,012.8 20.68 1,550.7

including 88.5 89.1 0.6 25.00 3,020.0 65.27 4,895.0 LRGAG-22-041 Eagle 109.5 145.5 36.0 1.46 134.5 3.26 244.3

including 134.0 143.5 9.5 4.55 389.9 9.75 731.1

including 134.0 134.8 0.8 6.01 577.0 13.70 1,027.7

also including 137.0 143.5 6.6 5.62 453.6 11.67 875.3

including 141.0 142.2 1.2 17.10 1,345.0 35.03 2,627.5 LRGAG-22-043 Eagle 146.0 154.2 8.2 0.67 78.4 1.72 129.0

and 166.0 186.7 20.7 1.32 215.8 4.20 315.1

including 176.5 185.8 9.3 2.73 428.2 8.44 633.1

including 182.0 184.5 2.5 7.89 999.1 21.21 1,591.1

including 182.0 182.7 0.7 17.20 2,130.0 45.60 3,420.0 LRGAG-21-018 Eagle 127.6 163.0 33.6 1.57 85.5 2.71 203.5

including 156.9 159.3 2.4 10.51 436.5 16.33 1,225.0

including 156.9 157.6 0.8 15.00 1,155.0 30.40 2,280.0

and 177.9 178.6 0.7 36.20 1,500.0 56.20 4,215.0 LRGAG-22-030 Eagle 42.9 79.5 36.7 1.77 156.2 3.85 289.0

including 51.9 61.0 9.1 6.00 553.3 13.38 1,003.2

including 54.1 54.8 0.7 14.00 1,260.0 30.80 2,310.0 LRGAG-22-029 Eagle 74.0 94.6 20.6 1.52 217.5 4.42 331.3

including 75.5 77.5 2.0 8.00 1,865.5 32.87 2,465.5

including 75.5 76.5 1.0 14.15 3,520.0 61.08 4,581.3 LRGAG-21-007 Eagle 148.5 191.0 42.5 1.64 137.5 3.47 260.6

including 188.6 190.2 1.6 6.83 1,269.5 23.76 1,781.8

The Eagle concession connects the Company's concessions held in the southern portion of its Los Ricos South project, including the Main area where the Initial Resource was released, to its northern concessions in Los Ricos South, which includes the Jamaica exploration target. As a result, all of the concessions in Los Ricos South are now contiguous (Figure 4).

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGAG-22-118 610066 2328475 1277 0 -90 181 LRGAG-22-087 609958 2328624 1268 50 -45 132 LRGAG-22-088 609404 2329006 1160 50 -45 61 LRGAG-22-089 609403 2329005 1160 0 -90 68 LRGAG-22-090 609966 2328360 1252 50 -60 270 LRGAG-22-091 609947 2328639 1268 0 -90 218 LRGAG-22-092 609808 2328145 1297 50 -45 443 LRGAG-22-093 609808 2328145 1297 50 -55 443 LRGAG-22-094 610142 2328156 1330 50 -70 255 LRGAG-22-095 609963 2328104 1325 50 -60 323 LRGAG-22-096 609913 2328448 1243 0 -90 348 LRGAG-22-097 610139 2328150 1329 0 -90 246 LRGAG-22-098 609963 2328103 1325 50 -75 377 LRGAG-22-099 609965 2328359 1252 50 -75 312 LRGAG-22-100 609962 2328103 1325 0 -90 446 LRGG-22-219 610307 2327836 1257 50 -58 162 LRGG-22-220 610401 2327885 1293 50 -46 125 LRGG-22-221 610220 2327768 1234 50 -56 261 LRGG-22-222 610289 2327820 1256 50 -57 198

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

The VRIFY 3D Slide Deck for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/companies/gogold-resources-inc and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos Property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on July 29, 2020 which disclosed a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021 indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M. The Eagle Concession was acquired in October 2022 and is adjacent to the Main Area which contains the initial Mineral Resource.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on December 7, 2021, which disclosed an Indicated Mineral Resource of 87.8 million ounces AgEq grading 122 g/t AgEq contained in 22.3 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.2 million ounces AgEq grading 111 g/t AgEq contained in 20.5 million tonnes. The Company has a drill program for an additional 100,000 metres of drilling for 2022 in place.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ALS Chemex facility in Guadalajara, Mexico. ALS Chemex crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code AA23) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code ME-GRAV21). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code ME-ICP61 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (ME-GRA21).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.
La Garrucha deposit adds approx. 1.0 million oz AuEq in the Inferred category and

0.2 million oz AuEq in the Indicated category (see Table 1)

Updated Mineral Resource estimate inclusive of La Garrucha positions La Mina with 1.15 million oz AuEq Indicated and 1.45 million oz AuEq Inferred resources

DESIGNATED NEWS RELEASE

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - GoldMining Inc. (the "Company" or "GoldMining") (TSX: GOLD) (NYSE American: GLDG) is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource estimate ("MRE") on its 100% owned La Mina Project located in the Middle Cauca Porphyry Belt, Antioquia, Colombia. The MRE includes a maiden resource estimate on the La Garrucha deposit which incorporates drilling completed by the Company in 2022.

Highlights:

Figure 1 - Property Map for La Mina Project (CNW Group/GoldMining Inc.)

La Garrucha  New Discovery

Indicated Mineral Resources of 0.20 million ounces (Moz) gold equivalent (AuEq) at 0.84 g/t AuEq (7.4 million tonnes (Mt) grading 0.65 g/t gold, 3.14 g/t silver and 0.11% copper) (see Table 1); and

Inferred Mineral Resources of 1.02 Moz AuEq at 0.72 g/t AuEq (44.1 Mt grading 0.55 g/t gold, 2.46 g/t silver and 0.10% copper) (see Table 1).

La Mina  Combined MRE

Indicated Mineral Resources of 1.15 Moz AuEq at 1.06 g/t AuEq, an increase of 16% in ounces and decrease in grade of 3% from 2022 (33.8 Mt grading 0.73 g/t gold, 2.08 g/t silver and 0.21% copper) (see Table 1); and

Inferred Mineral Resources of 1.45 Moz AuEq at 0.80 g/t AuEq an increase of 215% in ounces and decrease in grade of 24% from 2022 (56.2 Mt grading 0.58 g/t gold, 2.32 g/t silver and 0.14% copper) (see Table 1).

Alastair Still, CEO of GoldMining, commented, "We are extremely pleased that the Company's first exploration drilling program at La Mina has identified a significant discovery at the La Garrucha deposit that has added over 1,000,000 gold equivalent ounces of estimated Inferred Resources and 200,000 gold equivalent ounces of estimated Indicated Resources to an already robust Mineral Resource estimate on our La Mina project. This exciting discovery has exceeded our expectations and builds upon the positive economics set out in our 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment, which was based on the prior resource estimate for the project, exclusive of La Garrucha. Throughout, our team has maintained high standards of sustainable exploration and demonstrated our commitment to safety, effective stakeholder engagement and environmental stewardship.

With all-inclusive direct drilling costs by the Company at La Garrucha of under US$1.2 million for our recent program, this discovery was made at a very efficient cost per ounce of estimated resource and exemplifies our strategy and progress of unlocking value from our portfolio of gold and gold-copper assets while maintaining a peer-leading balance sheet."

Tim Smith, Vice President Exploration of GoldMining, commented, "The updated Mineral Resource estimate at La Garrucha represents an unqualified success for the Company in applying its strategy of identifying the best value accretion opportunities within our diverse portfolio of gold and gold-copper resource assets located throughout the Americas. From inception to execution, the drill program was expertly managed by our team in Colombia and the results demonstrate both the quality and further potential for additional discovery within the La Mina porphyry gold-copper mineral system. On the strength of this updated Mineral Resource estimate, the Company now looks forward to updating the La Mina Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) which we expect to complete on or around mid-2023."

La Mina Updated Resource Metrics:

Indicated Mineral Resource tonnage has increased by 19.5% from the prior estimate, while metal content for gold, silver and copper has increased by 19.7%, 40.7% and 5.9%, respectively compared to the prior resource estimate (see Table 2);

Inferred Mineral Resource tonnage has increased 312.5%, while metal content for gold, silver and copper has increased by 265.6%, 442.5%, and 111.0%, respectively compared to the prior resource estimate (see Table 2);

The MRE has been updated with metal prices of US$1,700 /oz gold, US$21 /oz silver, and US$3.50 /lb copper, compared to the prior estimate which used metal prices of US$1,600 /oz gold, US$21 /oz silver, and US$3.25 /lb copper;

/oz gold, /oz silver, and /lb copper, compared to the prior estimate which used metal prices of /oz gold, /oz silver, and /lb copper; The MRE utilizes pit shells to constrain resources at the La Cantera, La Garrucha and Middle Zone deposits using a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grade, compared to the prior estimate which used 0.25 g/t Au cut-off grade;

Metallurgical work has been conducted for the La Garrucha deposit by ALS in Kamloops, British Columbia from a 100 kg bulk sample collected from drill core;

from a 100 kg bulk sample collected from drill core; The total La Mina Project area comprises a database of 111 drill holes totaling 40,179 metres with 102 drillholes and 37,256 metres drilled within the three deposits at La Cantera, La Garrucha and Middle Zone; and

For the first time, the MRE at La Mina incorporates the La Garrucha deposit which is located within 1 kilometre to the east of the prior mineral resources. Refer to Figure 1.

Table 1: La Mina Project Mineral Resource Estimate1-6 (effective date: December 20, 2022).

Deposit



Grade Contained Metal Cut-off Tonnes Gold Silver Copper Gold Eq Gold Silver Copper Gold Eq Au (g/t) (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) ( %) (g/t) (Moz) (Moz) (Mlbs) (Moz) Indicated Resources La Cantera 0.30 17.61 0.86 2.03 0.31 1.32 0.49 1.15 120.46 0.75 La Garrucha 0.30 7.36 0.65 3.14 0.11 0.84 0.15 0.74 17.76 0.20 Middle Zone 0.30 8.80 0.54 1.28 0.11 0.71 0.15 0.36 21.19 0.20 Total Indicated

33.77 0.73 2.08 0.21 1.06 0.79 2.25 159.41 1.15 Inferred Resources La Cantera 0.30 11.18 0.71 1.85 0.30 1.15 0.26 0.66 72.71 0.41 La Garrucha 0.30 44.11 0.55 2.46 0.10 0.72 0.78 3.49 96.85 1.02 Middle Zone 0.30 0.95 0.47 1.15 0.09 0.61 0.01 0.04 1.87 0.02 Total Inferred

56.23 0.58 2.32 0.14 0.80 1.05 4.19 171.43 1.45



Notes: 1. The Mineral Resource for La Mina is an in-pit constrained resource calculated using a Whittle-Pit algorithm with "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" using the following assumptions: Metal prices of US$1,700/oz Au, US$21/oz Ag and US$3.50/lb Cu;

Royalty of 6% NSR , inclusive of government royalties;

NSR Pit slopes are 50 degrees; and

Mining, processing and G&A costs were used to calculate cut-off of 0.30 g / t Au. 2. Metallurgical recoveries are: 82% for Au, 84% for Cu, and 30% for Ag. 3. Gold-equivalent grades were calculated using the following formula: AuEq = Au (g/t) + [Cu(%) x {Cu Price/Au Price} x 22.0462 x 31.1035] + [Ag (g/t) x {Ag Price/Au Price}]. 4. Mineral resources are classified as Indicated Resources and Inferred Resources and are based on the 2014 CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. 5. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted to Mineral Reserves. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant issues. 6. Numbers may not add due to rounding.



Table 2: Prior Mineral Resource Estimate1-9.

Deposit



Grade Contained Metal Cut-off Tonnes Gold Silver Copper Gold Eq Gold Silver Copper Gold Eq Au (g/t) (Mt) (g/t) (g/t) ( %) (g/t) (Moz) (Moz) (Mlbs) (Moz) Indicated Resources La Cantera 0.25 18.02 0.86 2.05 0.32 1.33 0.50 1.19 125.59 0.77 Middle Zone 0.25 10.22 0.50 1.26 0.11 0.67 0.16 0.41 24.94 0.22 Total Indicated

28.25 0.73 1.76 0.24 1.09 0.66 1.60 150.53 0.99 Inferred Resources La Cantera 0.25 12.03 0.69 1.84 0.29 1.12 0.27 0.71 78.19 0.44 Middle Zone 0.25 1.60 0.39 1.17 0.09 0.53 0.02 0.06 3.06 0.03 Total Inferred

13.63 0.65 1.76 0.27 1.05 0.29 0.77 81.25 0.46







Notes:



1. This prior estimate has been replaced and superseded in its entirety by the updated current Mineral Resource estimate disclosed herein.



2. The prior estimate was set out in the NI 43-101 technical report of the Company with an effective date of January 12, 2022.



3. The Mineral Resource for La Mina is an in-pit constrained resource calculated using a Whittle-Pit algorithm with "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" using the following assumptions: Metal prices of US$1,600/oz Au, US$21/oz Ag and US$3.25/lb Cu;

Royalty of 2% NSR;

Pit slopes are 50 degrees;

Mining, processing and G&A costs were used to calculate cut-off of 0.25 g/t Au. 4. Metallurgical recoveries are: 90% for Au, 90% for Cu, and 30% for Ag.



5. Gold-equivalent grades were calculated using the following formula: AuEq = Au (g/t) + [Cu(%)} x {%Recoverable Cu / %Recoverable Au} x {Cu Price/Au Price} x 22.0462 x 31.1035] + [Ag (g/t) x {Ag Price/Au Price}].



6. The qualified person of the above estimate is Scott Wilson, C.P.G., SME.



7. Mineral resources are classified as Indicated Resources and Inferred Resources and are based on the 2014 CIM Definition Standards.



8. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted to Mineral Reserves.



9. Numbers may not add due to rounding.











The La Mina property consists of two concession contracts and two concession contract applications covering 3,210 hectares located in the Department of Antioquia, Republic of Colombia, some 51 km SW of Medellin. The MRE for La Mina incorporates the La Cantera, La Garrucha and Middle Zone porphyry deposits located within 1 km of each other.

From late March to mid-August 2022, GoldMining completed a diamond core drilling program comprising five drill holes for 3,485 m at the La Garrucha deposit, a porphyry mineral system which measures over 400 m in strike length by 300 m in width and to at least 775 m below surface where it remains open. Gold and copper mineralization in the La Garrucha porphyry intrusive complex is accompanied by strong potassic alteration, characterized by secondary potassium feldspar and biotite, disseminated and vein magnetite, quartz stockwork veining and both vein-hosted and disseminated sulphides that include pyrite, chalcopyrite and lesser bornite. Lithological, alteration and structural logging of both the new core and re-logging of historic core was completed to compile a three-dimensional geological model.

The MRE disclosed herein for the La Mina Project was prepared by Scott Wilson, C.P.G., of Resource Development Associates Inc. and has an effective date of December 20, 2022. The MRE updates and replaces the prior MRE of the Company contained in its technical report titled, "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment: GoldMining Inc., La Mina Project, Antioquia, Republic of Colombia" dated effective January 12, 2022.

GoldMining will file a technical report for the MRE updates at La Mina in due course.

Qualified Persons

Scott E. Wilson, CPG is an independent consultant acting as the Qualified Person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and approved the MRE summarized in this news release. Mr. Wilson is independent of the Company under NI 43-101. Mr. Wilson has verified the data underlying the information disclosed herein, including sampling, analytical and test data by reviewing the results and procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner consistent with industry practice, and all matters were consistent and accurate according to his professional judgement. There were no limitations on the verification process.

Paulo Pereira, P. Geo., President of GoldMining, has supervised the preparation of this news release and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained herein. Each of Messrs. Wilson and Pereira are Qualified Persons as defined in NI 43-101.

About GoldMining Inc.

The Company is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of gold assets in the Americas. Through its disciplined acquisition strategy, the Company now controls a diversified portfolio of resource-stage gold and gold-copper projects in Canada, U.S.A., Brazil, Colombia and Peru. The Company also owns more than 21 million shares of Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSE American: GROY).

Notice to Readers

Disclosure regarding Mineral Resource estimates included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for public disclosure by issuer of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") generally applicable to U.S. companies subject to the SEC's disclosure requirements. For example, the terms "Indicated Mineral Resource" and "Inferred Mineral Resource" are defined in NI 43-101 by reference to the guidelines set out in the CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Shareholders resident in the United States are cautioned that while terms are substantially similar to "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" as defined by the SEC, there are differences in the definitions and standards under applicable SEC Rules and NI 43-101. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 will be the same as the reserve or resource estimates prepared under rules applicable to United States domestic issuers. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "Inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of GoldMining with respect to its business plans and strategies, expectations regarding the La Mina Project and its potential and the expected timing of future PEAs. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the markets in which GoldMining operates. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, proposed studies may not confirm GoldMining's expectations for its projects, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and expenses, risks related to government and environmental regulation, social, permitting and licensing matters, and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future. These risks, as well as others, including those set forth in GoldMinings Annual Information Form for the year ended November 30, 2021, and other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE GoldMining Inc.
As cashless payments become the norm, Grazzy increases retention and improves the guest experience at hotels, salons, bars and restaurants.

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grazzy , a next-gen employee payments platform, announces $4.25MM in Seed funding from Next Coast Ventures and Tuesday Capital to fuel the rapid expansion and growth of its digital tipping, same-day pay, and better, more inclusive banking capabilities. The completion of the Seed round brings Grazzy's total Seed funding to $6.8MM.

As cashless payments become the norm, Grazzy increases retention and improves the guest experience at hotels, salons, bars and restaurants. Grazzy powers hospitality's future of digital tips, same day pay, and financial wellness for hourly workers

Grazzy helps hotels, bars, restaurants, salons and more improve employee retention and recruiting by increasing wages, unlocking instant access to same-day earnings, and offering more inclusive financial wellness for hourly employees. By putting employee satisfaction at the center of the experience, Grazzy creates happier employees who stay in their roles longer and provide better guest experiences.

Today, several of the world's biggest and most beloved hotel brands are leveraging the Grazzy platform to enable digital tipping, same-day pay, and in-the-moment positive feedback for their team members. Grazzy offers these customers digital tipping enablement at no cost and the lowest fees in the market.

This latest infusion of capital will be used to accelerate growth across large hotel brands and operating groups, restaurant groups, and salons looking for modern ways to improve the employee experience, while reducing costs. Additionally, this funding will support the continuation of seamless integrations between the Grazzy platform and the major systems (PMS, HMA, and POS) that most hospitality and service businesses rely on to run their operations.

"The annual cost of voluntary hourly staff turnover for US businesses is over $100B, with most leaving for financial reasons. By addressing the financial wellness of those employees, we can reduce turnover and improve lives," says Grazzy Founder and CEO Russell Lemmer. "Even as hourly pay rates increase, we know that cash constraints have meant meaningfully less earnings for service industry workers who depend on tips to supplement their hourly wages. We're on a mission to fix that. Our digital, employee-centric platform helps those folks make more money, use it the same day, and save and spend in better ways."

"There is a clear need in the market for a digital solution that helps improve the lives of hourly workers in the hospitality industry. Grazzy's ability to serve the complex needs of the enterprise makes them unique to the landscape. The product and the team's proven ability to deliver at scale makes Grazzy the most powerful player in the market today," says Thomas Ball, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Next Coast Ventures.

An extensible platform built to create new earnings and move them instantly for hotels and salons.

The Grazzy platform offers the modern familiarity of a P2P payments experience that guests love, but with the enterprise-level branding, compliance and reporting that's required to successfully deliver ROI at scale.

Digital tipping: Guests utilize QR codes to instantly tip staff in less than 10 seconds, with no app required. The guest interface is property-branded and can also be integrated with any existing guest applications. By removing the constraints to tip, Grazzy can increase employee earnings by 20%.





Guests utilize QR codes to instantly tip staff in less than 10 seconds, with no app required. The guest interface is property-branded and can also be integrated with any existing guest applications. By removing the constraints to tip, Grazzy can increase employee earnings by 20%. Same Day Pay: The flexible platform offers multiple payout options for tips, including Grazzy Direct, which allows staff to access their tips instantly. Same day access to earnings provides a powerful competitive advantage for businesses to both keep and recruit hourly employees.





The flexible platform offers multiple payout options for tips, including Grazzy Direct, which allows staff to access their tips instantly. Same day access to earnings provides a powerful competitive advantage for businesses to both keep and recruit hourly employees. Lowest fees in the Market: Grazzy offers the lowest processing fees in the market, ensuring employees maximize their earnings and businesses minimize costs.





Grazzy offers the lowest processing fees in the market, ensuring employees maximize their earnings and businesses minimize costs. Built for operational scale: Businesses can meet tax compliance, and measure effective wage increases, retention improvement, and overall guest satisfaction all on a single screen.

Grazzy provides employees the ability to instantly access their same-day tips from hotels, bars, restaurants, salons and any other service-based businesses

Today's increasingly cashless economy has made it challenging for many service-based businesses to tip-out employees at the end of their shift, forcing many to defer tip-outs to weekly or bi-weekly paychecks. Grazzy unlocks access to digital tips, paid via customer credit cards, allowing service-based businesses to offer same-day, instant access to tips for their staff.

Instant Access: The Grazzy platform unlocks cash constrained same-day tip-outs and offers staff access to today's earnings automatically in 30 mins or less  a benefit 80% of employees say would increase their employer trust and loyalty.





The Grazzy platform unlocks cash constrained same-day tip-outs and offers staff access to today's earnings automatically in 30 mins or less  a benefit 80% of employees say would increase their employer trust and loyalty. More back-office efficiency: By removing the need to cut checks for employees outside of the normal pay cycles, Grazzy improves efficiency for the back-office staff while maintaining higher levels of compliance than cash tip-outs.





By removing the need to cut checks for employees outside of the normal pay cycles, Grazzy improves efficiency for the back-office staff while maintaining higher levels of compliance than cash tip-outs. Reduced risk: Automated fund transfers at the end of a shift, further reduces the risk involved for businesses who don't want to keep money in a safe to facilitate same-day tip outs to staff.

"Grazzy provided Hotel Abri and the team with an effective and simple implementation to the cashless tip question we had been looking for during the past 2 years of the pandemic aftermath," said EJ Varela, GM at Hotel Abri Metwest Terra Hospitality, part of HRI Hospitality. "The platform has created a positive impact with our team increasing the engagement and morale, a huge win for the property! It's not only increasing their financial earnings daily, but it has organically increased our Revinate Guest service and Cleanliness scores. Grazzy is an exceptional tool and partner for our team members and our guests alike."

About Grazzy

Grazzy helps hourly employees make more money, access it the same day, and save and spend in better ways. By improving financial wellness for front line workers, Grazzy reduces retention and recruiting costs for hotels, bars, restaurants, and salons. Our extensible payments platform enables digital tipping, instant tip-outs, and inclusive banking solutions that are built to scale with hospitality and services businesses of any size. To learn more visit www.grazzy.com

Press Contact

Rick Medeiros

[email protected]

510-556-8517

SOURCE Grazzy
RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The worldwide ammonia demand will grow at a CAGR of 1-2 percent between 2022 and 2025. The driving force behind this expansion is the demand in Asia, which is projected to climb by 1-2 percent due to higher demand from the agricultural sector. 8 percent of the world's ammonium consumers are in the non-fertilizer industry, and a CAGR of 3-4 percent growth is expected in its demand.

Urea contributes more than 50 percent of the demand and is the primary driver for the Ammonia market. The new agriculture policy allows ammonia to be used in all agricultural and explosive goods, increasing demand for ammonium nitrate from the APAC area. In contrast, ammonium nitrate production in the western European market has decreased by around 0.2 MMT after the implementation of the new European agricultural policy, which has limited the usage of ammonium nitrate in agro-based fertilizers.

The market is favorable for procurement in Asia and the US, while it is not favorable in Europe due to tight supply; as the major fertilizer supplier, Russia is being imposed sanctions, and the exports are significantly reduced to the European region. The cost to set up an ammonia plant is relatively high in Europe, as the region does not possess a feedstock advantage like that of China or the US. In addition, the economic landscape in Europe has always been unpredictable, and hence, this discourages new investment in the region.

Ammonia prices are likely to increase in Europe and the US, while a decrease in Asia is due to weak demand. Uncertainty oversupply expectations from Russia due to the geo-political tensions are expected to lead to high volatility of natural gas prices.

Supply and demand are likely to be balanced mainly with enough availability in the US market and improved plant operating rates in Asia. Only the European market is set to witness tight supply as high natural gas prices impact plant operating rates.

With huge gas reserves, Trinidad and Tobago has less domestic demand to absorb the ammonia produced, and hence, it is expected to remain an export hub for the US for the next 35 years. Significant demand is expected from the Asian, and the US markets as the fertilizer and industrial usage are lined up in the US and Asia. The fertilizer (34 percent growth) and industrial sectors (34 percent growth) will drive the demand. Fertilizer production will add around 10 MMT capacity.

More than a dozen independent and integrated ammonium factories in Russia and Asia are almost ready, and it is anticipated that they will increase the amount of ammonia accessible on the commercial market, which will reduce the pressure on ammonium prices. China and India are major demand-driving regions in the Asian market. The demand for urea and other ammonium-based fertilizer will grow at a CAGR of 34 percent in India. Almost 5-7MMT of capacity additions are planned in the Asian market until 2025. Deepak fertilizers' 520 thousand MT/year capacity new ammonia plant in Taloja, Maharashtra, India, is on track to start operations by May 2023. Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical (ZPC) has announced to add 600 thousand MT/year new ammonia plant in China.

The construction activity of this new plant is planned for two years, and the company is likely to make changes to the existing plan based on the market situation.

Spot sales mainly drive the Asian market due to high supplier fragmentation and competitive prices. Supply risk is low for buyers since the market is self-sufficient and suppliers are fragmented across Asia.

Hydrogen is expected to be the future fuel for ammonia production in terms of decarbonization. Excessive carbon emission can be controlled by replacing natural gas with hydrogen as the input energy in ammonia production. Hydrogen and nitrogen will substitute the use of fossil fuels (natural gas and coal) as inputs, driving the expansion of ammonia production with the reduction of carbon emissions. Synthesis of Hydrogen and Nitrogen by the Haber and Bosch process as a fuel to ammonia is a way for zero carbon emission as ammonia production is the largest carbon dioxide emitting industry.

Europe is anticipated to be the largest region contributing to green and blue ammonia. Yara, CF Industries, Eurochem, TogliattiAzot, and Rashtriya Chemicals are already in the line of producing green ammonia through the H&B process.

Green ammonium production is where the ammonia produced is 100 percent renewable and carbon free. Green ammonium plants have begun production in the UK and Japan, and new demonstration plants have been announced in Australia, Denmark, Morocco, and the Netherlands.

Yara, one of the world's largest ammonia producers, added green ammonia to its innovation platform in 2017.

ThyssenKrupp launched its technology for "advanced water electrolysis, which produces carbon-free hydrogen from renewable electricity and water. This technology will enable economic industrial-scale hydrogen plants for energy storage and the production of green chemicals. TK also announced that it will start a demonstration plant in port Lincoln, South Australia. This plant will be the first to produce CO2-free green ammonia from intermittent renewable resources.

While the demand for ammonia grows with time, sustainability will also be an integral part of the industry.

For more such market data, insights, and intelligence check out Beroe LiVE.Ai.

About Beroe

Beroe is a global SaaS-based procurement intelligence and analytics provider. We deliver intelligence, data, and insights that enable companies to make smarter sourcing decisions  leading to lower costs, reduced risk, and greater profits. Beroe has been a trusted intelligence source for more than 15 years and partners with 10,000 companies worldwide, including 400 Fortune 500 companies.

Learn more about Beroe - https://www.beroeinc.com/

Media Contact:

Debobrata Hembram

[email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/777512/Beroe_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Beroe Inc.
"Grubhub's campus partners have been vocal that sustainable solutions are a top priority, and we're looking forward to working with Topanga.io to support universities' sustainability efforts," said Adam Herbert, senior director of campus partnerships at Grubhub. "The campus dining world presents a large and scalable opportunity for sustainable solutions like this one, and we're excited to expand our suite of campus dining offerings to our partners."

"Grubhub is a leader in mobile ordering technology and has a great reputation among its campus partners, so we're thrilled to be working with them as we bring our mission to eliminate single-use packaging to campuses across the country," said Page Schult, CEO of Topanga.io. "We've been very intentional to build the best technology in the market, and it has been great to work with a leading provider like Grubhub to further bolster the strength of our campus offering," echoed Adam Bailey, CTO of Topanga.io.

"Sustainability is part of the culture for Student Life Dining Services at The Ohio State University," said Zia Ahmed, senior director of dining services at The Ohio State University. "We are pleased to work with our partners as we take key steps toward making progress in reducing waste and advancing our sustainability efforts."

"Colorado State University's residential dining services team has been eager to bring Topanga.io's ReusePass program to campus in partnership with Grubhub to expand on our sustainability initiatives," said Patrick St. Clair, assistant director, support services at Colorado State University. "It's efforts like this one that allows us to continue driving forward-thinking efforts and innovation within our residential dining program while leveraging and growing our program technologically. Today, we're excited to offer the Reusepass program to our students, faculty, and staff."

Grubhub partners with more than 270 college campuses across the United States to give students the ability to integrate meal plans directly into their Grubhub account and access restaurants both on- and off-campus for delivery and pickup. Topanga has helped QSRs, grocery delivery, and meal prep companies launch data-driven reusable packaging programs and is excited to bring their innovative technology to campuses nationwide. To date, they've helped their clients manage 1,200,000 reusable assets.

For more information on how administrators can bring this delivery experience to their campus, please visit here .

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

About Topanga.io

Topanga.io is making reusable packaging scalable. Topanga's track-and-trace technology is the first of its kind, helping brands and organizations launch reusable packaging programs that eliminate single-use packaging at scale while delivering measurable economic and environmental ROI. Topanga.io was founded by Page Schult, Adam Bailey, and Max Olshanksy and founding team members Hayley Bance and Wesley Jin.

SOURCE Grubhub Inc.
'Shiva'  An Unfinished Love Story

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Screenwriter and SAG-AFTRA actor Rex Dane is looking for producers and directors interested in moving his screenplay to the screen and casting him in the lead role. A modern Hollywood romance between a dying movie star and a hopeful makeup artist, " Shiva " tells the story of two people struggling to connect across a gulf of loneliness and the terrible secrets buried in a troubled past. "I sent my written work to some Hollywood screenplay specialists. They said it sucked, that I am a bad writer, non-writer, that I should study screenwriting," he says.

Rex Dane Shiva  An Unfinished Love Story

"I sent 'Shiva' to multiple production houses but no one was willing to even read the synopsis because I was not a professional writer," Dane explained. "One production company told me that you either have to be a writer who has already sold some screenplays, or you have to know someone within the company office. Well, with no connections anywhere, there really was no hope of that. So I switched gears and started sending the screenplay out to screenwriting competitions and film festivals. I couldn't believe what happened after that." The screenplay received 15 awards including 10 wins and 5 nominations.

"Then people started liking the idea but when I say I want to play the lead, they back off," he says. "There is no way they will cast me, a 'nobody'. I was told the film cannot be sold with my face on the billboard."

To showcase the potential for a future feature film based on the screenplay, Dane created a short teaser film for " Shiva " where he served as producer, director, and lead actor.

Dane's performance in "Shiva" quickly generated international attention after the trailer based on it earned multiple awards including Best Actor at the Rome International Movie Awards, Best Actor at the Heart of Europe International Film Festival, Best Actor at the World Film Carnival in Singapore, Best Microfilm at the Vegas Movie Awards and many other honors.

"Although 'Shiva' has already achieved amazing success in its short life, it really is a story that almost wasn't," said Dane. "I moved to the USA in 2017 to pursue acting and I didn't know anyone in this town. I couldn't get any acting gigs, my agent dropped me, and I was working multiple jobs driving and picking up dirty plates at restaurants just to pay the bills. I was told there was no work for unknown actors  no parts to be had. And that's when I thought: If I can't find a part for myself, I'll write one."

Though a work of fiction, his screenplay has shades of his own life. "No other actor can play the role of Shiva better than me," he says. The ingredients seem right, we know how Hollywood loves the underdog to winner stories. Will the stars shine for this one?

Interested parties are welcome to reach out to Rex Dane for more information on "Shiva."

About Rex Dane

A Los Angeles-based actor, Dane developed an early interest in screen acting as a child in India. Moving to the U.S. to pursue his dream, the SAG-AFTRA member is the writer and director of the award winning "Shiva"  a romantic drama inspired by a true story. In addition to exploring his passion for film acting, Dane also enjoys pursuing other activities including random acts of kindness. Learn more about him and his work at: REXDANE.COM .

SOURCE Rex Dane
Experts To Discuss Ways Business Owners Can Prevent Serious Earthquake Damage

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Reducing costly damage to small businesses from earthquakes will be discussed by a panel of experts on the next Resilience Advantage webinar from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24.

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis will appear as a special guest on the program. Also scheduled to appear on the Resilience Advantage webinar panel are Evan Reis, Executive Director of the U.S. Resiliency Council, Ben Raju of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Ines Pearce, President of DRB Toolkit.

Eleni Kounalakis California Lieutenant Governor Evan Reis, SE Executive Director of the US Resiliency Council

This webinar is a continuation of an educational programming series conducted over the past five years by the U.S. Resiliency Council in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Optimum Seismic, Inc. The U.S. Small Business Administration recently partnered with USRC to support this educational programming as a co-sponsor. Optimum Seismic, Inc. will continue to serve as program sponsor.

During the announcement of a new partnership between SBA and the USRC, Reis commented on the important work ahead to enhance business resilience. "Earlier this year the Biden/ Harris administration announced its initiative to modernize building codes and improve climate resilience. The SBA will play an important role in this initiative, and we look forward to providing support to the SBA in any way we can."

Reis noted that the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles County Business Federation have been "strong partners and supporters for years with the USRC's Resilience Advantage series and in helping to advance key legislation which will help so many of their small business members."

Reis offered special thanks to Ali Sahabi of Optimum Seismic for his "support of all of the USRC's efforts that have been invaluable to making today happen. Ali's commitment to the resilience profession and the community at large have been remarkable."

Panel members will discuss steps small businesses can take to reduce the many serious threats they face from earthquakes. Five types of buildings vulnerable to earthquake damage will be reviewed along with their specific areas of weakness. Each of the five building types  tilt-up, non-ductile concrete, steel moment frame, soft-story and unreinforced masonry -- can collapse in earthquakes. Damage can result in serious losses which include: the building; contents such as equipment, inventory and supplies; owner's liability costs for negligence in maintaining an unsafe condition; as well as death and injuries to employees and customers. In serious situations, bankruptcy can easily result. Also to be discussed is the need to update business plans before earthquakes and other disasters strike to provide for well-coordinated response to and recovery from disaster situations. Other points to be covered include:

Building codes are intended to protect life safety and not necessarily prevent damage to preserve business continuity

The process for identifying, quantifying and mitigating seismic risk

Understand if your building is in one of the vulnerable building types



Obtain an engineering analysis of the building



Develop mitigation strategies based on risk tolerance

Mitigation options for seismically vulnerable buildings

Adaptation  Develop post disaster response plans and operational redundancy to speed recovery time



Avoidance  Reduce risk by structural/nonstructural retrofitting, or lease/buy more resilient properties



Assignment  Transferring the risk to others through insurance

Role of building performance ratings in reducing risk

Ratings are an easy way to communicate building performance along the dimensions of safety, repair costs, and recovery time following a disaster



Ratings can help small business owners in their property acquisition/leasing process



Small businesses can negotiate with property owners on improvements to achieve certain performance ratings



Small business owners can work with lenders / insurers to obtain incentives for making buildings more resilient

The rural northern coast of California recently experienced two earthquakes of 6.4 and 5.4 magnitude with 200 plus aftershocks. As of January 12, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) had assessed 1,942 structures in the Humboldt County area. Of these structures, 257 have been "yellow tagged" requiring repairs and over 90 have been "red tagged" or deemed unsafe to enter, resulting in the displacement of approximately 180 residents. Some homes were knocked off their foundations and many lost chimneys. The quakes caused power outages, ruptured gas lines, loss of internet service. Local officials said many people with damaged homes or business properties lacked quake insurance.

These moderately sized quakes were just a few of the more than 7,750 quakes that strike California annually. If these quakes of this size had been located in a heavily urban area, the damage could have been much more extensive. The Northridge earthquake 29 years ago caused the deaths of 57 people -- 16 in one apartment building. Another 9,000 were injured and thousands were displaced from their homes. The earthquake inflicted some $93-billion in damage  the most costly quake in U.S. history.

In addition, devastating wildfire seasons in recent years have been made worse by record droughts followed by flooding. Other events, such as the tragic collapse of a 11-story condo building in Florida, have also underscored the need for greater business resilience.

Against this backdrop, business leaders, architects, structural engineers, community planners, property owners and government officials urgently need to work together to make buildings, businesses and communities more resilient to earthquakes and other disasters. Improving building resilience takes public education and policies that balance safety, protecting the economy, and the cost of improvements. The panel of experts will discuss approaches to do so.

These webinars are designed to enable business owners to make better plans and informed decisions about how to protect their businesses, buildings and employees, how to quickly recover from damage in order to minimize business interruption, and how much improved resilience may cost initially and ultimately save.

"Advances in our understanding of seismic issues can make businesses and buildings better able to withstand and recover from what can be devastating impacts during major earthquakes," says Evan Reis, executive director of the non-profit U.S. Resiliency Council. "Earthquakes can have devastating impacts on vulnerable buildings, people and our economy, but they don't have to be disasters. Investing in resilience is good economics and sound business. This webinar will show how actions by businesses can help them become more resilient now and in the future."

The panel will also examine specific ways make buildings safer and more resilient. The result of these actions can provide numerous benefits: prevent death, injuries and property losses, preserve jobs and workforce housing, and protect vital services and local economies. Examples will be shared of how resilience planning can lead to concrete actions that assist buildings and communities withstand shocks, avoid serious damage and recover more quickly from California's greatest natural hazard  earthquakes.

To register for the program visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-reduce-earthquake-risk-tickets-518067502847?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_term=How+to+Reduce+Earthquake+Risk&aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail.

About US Resiliency Council

Created in 2011, USRC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission to educate, advocate and promote better tools for assessing, designing and communicating the performance of buildings during earthquakes and other natural and man-made disasters. To learn more, visit www.usrc.org.

About Optimum Seismic, Inc.

The Optimum Seismic team has been making California cities safer since 1984 by providing full-service earthquake engineering , steel fabrication and construction services for multifamily residential, commercial and industrial buildings. With more than 3,500 earthquake retrofit and renovation projects completed, Optimum Seismic's work includes soft-story multifamily apartments, unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings and tilt-up, non-ductile concrete and steel moment frame buildings. To arrange a complimentary assessment of your building's earthquake resilience, contact Optimum Seismic at (833) 978-7664 or visit optimumseismic.com .

Contact: Tom Robinson 562 237-1629

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE USRC; Optimum Seismic, Inc.
RAIPLY Malawi says they are geared to cover 1000 hectares of land in the 2022-2023 National tree planting season exercise targeting Viphya in Mzimba, Zomba and Blantyre districts respectively.

The company's Public Relations Officer Dalitso Chimwala disclosed this during an interview on Thursday, saying the company is on-course to plant trees to about 1000 hectares in their forestry management areas in Viphya plantations, Blantyre and Zomba respectively.

Chimwala said the 1000 hectares is split into 330.5 hectares for champhoyo , which will be Eucalyptus, 330.5 for Chikangawa and Kalungulu with Concentration being pine trees.

"We are planting around 20 hectares of Mulanje Cedar and about 12 hectares of bamboos, m'bawa and Katope. Bamboos, m'bawa and Katope are for water conservation and protection of steep slopes. All these are in the three sections of our management areas," said Chimwala.

Chimwala further said the company has expanded the base considering the fight against climate change, and the company is planting trees in 600 hectares management area in Zomba and Blantyre respectively.

"Our emphasis is pine and we are planting 200 hectares in Chigumula to complete our task of rejuvenating the former ITG plantation. This will mean good fresh air and water down in Limbe and other rivers in the city. This initiative will also provide an area for Education visit for the schools in the city," he said.

He said to encourage communities to take part, the company will also support Parliamentarians councillors, Churches and schools from surrounding with seedlings which makes up to 30 hectares.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change Frank Nkondetseni commended RAIPLY, saying the company has a concession agreement with the government to manage 20 thousand hectares of tree plantations such as the 600 hectares in Zomba and 600 hectares in Chigumula, Blantyre.
Collaborating With Scope3, Ad Net Zero, and the Industry at Large to Support Green Supply Chains

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IAB Tech Lab, the global digital advertising technical standard-setting body, announced today at IAB's Annual Leadership Meeting the launch of the Green Supply Path Initiative to assist the advertising industry in meaningfully lowering carbon emissions via supply path optimization.

"Programmatic advertising, like any other economic activity, contributes to global carbon emissions, which many brands have committed to reducing but lack meaningful ways to benchmark or enforce programmatically," said Anthony Katsur, CEO, IAB Tech Lab. "As the global technical standard-setting body for the digital advertising ecosystem, Tech Lab's goal is to provide the information and mechanism to send and receive signals pertaining to carbon emissions programmatically. We believe this is a critical step in moving the industry towards a green future."

The initiative  designed to promote visibility into and accountability for carbon emissions across the digital advertising ecosystem and provide a means for buyers to enforce their emissions standards programmatically  will become the benchmark for how carbon emission signals are sent and received programmatically.

Prior to this announcement, IAB has been actively engaged with Ad Net Zero, participating in the global launch at Cannes in 2022. In collaboration with IAB Tech Lab, IAB is working on roll-out plans for AdNet Zero in the US and beyond. IAB and IAB Tech Lab are also exploring how the industry can develop a framework for the measurement and management of greenhouse gas emissions from media.

To determine how those numbers are calculated, IAB Tech Lab is working with Ad Net Zero and Scope 3, with additional industry players to follow, to assess how to quantify and operationalize lowering carbon emissions. IAB Tech Lab is also hosting industry-wide collaboration via the Green Initiative Working Group, which kicks off in February. Once complete, IAB Tech Lab will update existing supply chain frameworks to support green supply chains and minimize carbon impact.

With the goal of increasing transparency and bringing standards to the digital advertising supply chain, IAB Tech Lab is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative. Objectives include:

Launching the Green Initiative Working Group for the industry to align on approach, best practices, and how to send and receive signals programmatically

Publishing best practices and providing technical support pertaining to the Programmatic Supply Chain

Supporting the programmatic sending and receiving of emissions numbers

Hosting a dashboard showing green supply path benchmarks

"Excessively complex supply chains create duplication, which in turn leads to waste," said John Osborn, US Director, Ad Net Zero. "We look forward to working with IAB Tech Lab to track and programmatically endorse best practices to help our industry deliver on its full potential to support businesses and people to build a more sustainable future."

"We have a real opportunity to disrupt the system and make it work better for both us and the planet. The only way for that to happen is by giving organizations across every part of the ad industry, from buyers to sellers, a reliable and standardized infrastructure to understand their emissions and change their behaviors," said Brian O'Kelley, Co-Founder and CEO, Scope3. "This initiative and working group led by IAB Tech Lab is exactly what the industry needs right now and brings us that much closer to decarbonizing the media supply chain."

IAB Tech Lab is calling on the industry to help curb emissions from advertising production. To learn more about joining the Green Initiative Working Group in February 2023, please email [email protected].

About IAB Technology Laboratory

Established in 2014, the IAB Technology Laboratory (Tech Lab) is a non-profit consortium that engages a member community globally to develop foundational technology and standards that enable growth and trust in the digital media ecosystem. Comprised of digital publishers, ad technology firms, agencies, marketers, and other member companies, IAB Tech Lab focuses on solutions for brand safety and ad fraud; identity, data, and consumer privacy; ad experiences and measurement; and programmatic effectiveness. Its work includes the OpenRTB real-time bidding protocol, ads.txt anti-fraud specification, Open Measurement SDK for viewability and verification, VAST video specification, and Project Rearc initiative for privacy-centric addressability including the Global Privacy Platform. Board members/companies are listed at https://iabtechlab.com/about-the-iab-tech-lab/tech-lab-leadership/. For more information, please visit https://iabtechlab.com.

SOURCE IAB Tech Lab
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Flow Cytometry Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global flow cytometry market size reached US$ 4.9 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 8.0 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.51% during 2021-2027.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



Flow cytometry refers to a biophysical and laser-based analytical technology that is used in the analysis of the cells or micelles that are usually suspended in a fluid using a laser beam.

This technique aids in subclassifying cell types and detecting residual levels of disease through probes to develop the best treatment plan for the patient. Fluorescent probes, such as bisoxonol, can bind to proteins present on the cell membrane to facilitate the identification of various stages of cell injuries or necrosis.

This technique also aids in understanding the structure and composition of the cells for chromosome analysis, cancer diagnosis, protein expression and diagnosis of diseases and hematological malignancies.



The increasing prevalence of chronic medical ailments, such as HIV-AIDS and cancer, is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. The diagnosis of these diseases requires toxicity testing and an accurate, rapid and sensitive prognosis technique, which, in turn, is creating a positive outlook for the market growth.

Furthermore, the widespread adoption of stem cell therapy is also enhancing the utilization of flow cytometry. Rising awareness regarding the benefits of this technique in immunophenotyping, cell sorting, cell proliferation assays and intracellular calcium flux is acting as another major growth-inducing factor.

Additionally, several technological advancements, such as the integration of flow cytometry devices with artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, along with the advent of advanced methods, are also contributing to the market growth. Other factors, including improvements in the healthcare infrastructure, along with extensive research and development (R&D) activities in the field of biotechnology, are projected to drive the market further.

Competitive Landscape:



The report has also analysed the competitive landscape of the market with some of the key players being Agilent Technologies Inc., Apogee Flow Systems Ltd., BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Beckman Coulter Inc. (Danaher Corporation), Bio-RAD Laboratories Inc., Enzo Life Sciences Inc., Luminex Corporation, Merck KGaA, Sony Biotechnology Inc., Sysmex Partec GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., etc.



Key Questions Answered in This Report

1. What was the size of the global flow cytometry market in 2021?

2. What is the expected growth rate of the global flow cytometry market during 2022-2027?

3. What are the key factors driving the global flow cytometry market?

4. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global flow cytometry market?

5. What is the breakup of the global flow cytometry market based on the product and service?

6. What is the breakup of the global flow cytometry market based on the technology?

7. What is the breakup of the global flow cytometry market based on the application?

8. What is the breakup of the global flow cytometry market based on the end-user?

9. What are the key regions in the global flow cytometry market?

10. Who are the key players/companies in the global flow cytometry market?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Flow Cytometry Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product and Service

6.1 Instruments

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Reagents and Consumables

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Accessories

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Software

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast

6.5 Services

6.5.1 Market Trends

6.5.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Technology

7.1 Cell-Based Flow Cytometry

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Bead-Based Flow Cytometry

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Application

8.1 Oncology

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Drug Discovery

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Disease Diagnosis

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Stem Cell Therapy

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Organ Transplantation

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast

8.6 Hematology

8.6.1 Market Trends

8.6.2 Market Forecast

8.7 Others

8.7.1 Market Trends

8.7.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by End-User

9.1 Hospitals and Clinics

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Academic and Research Institutes

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast

9.4 Others

9.4.1 Market Trends

9.4.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 Agilent Technologies Inc.

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.1.3 Financials

14.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.2 Apogee Flow Systems Ltd.

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3 BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

14.3.3.1 Company Overview

14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3.3 Financials

14.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.4 Beckman Coulter Inc. (Danaher Corporation)

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 SWOT Analysis

14.3.5 Bio-RAD Laboratories Inc.

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.5.3 Financials

14.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.6 Enzo Life Sciences Inc.

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7 Luminex Corporation

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.7.3 Financials

14.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.8 Merck KGaA

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 Financials

14.3.8.4 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 Sony Biotechnology Inc.

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10 Sysmex Partec GmbH

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 Financials

14.3.11 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

14.3.11.1 Company Overview

14.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.11.3 Financials

14.3.11.4 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2f29o6

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market size reached US$ 3.12 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 4.24 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.25% during 2021-2027.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



An intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) system comprises a group of procedures that can detect, monitor, and confirm nerve function and help minimize the odds of neurological problems during or after neurological surgical procedures. It reduces the risks of nerve function being damaged as a result of improper positioning of the patient or any neurophysiologically-relevant nerve structures.

An IONM allows surgeons to identify electrophysiologic changes during spine, head or neck surgery, which may be crucial in extending incisions, placing implants, positioning limbs, and performing retraction techniques that can prevent permanent nerve damage.

Using targeted neurostimulation, nerve structures can be identified to prevent potential damage, thus allowing surgeons to focus on optimizing interventions while preserving function. Consequently, these systems are extensively used in neuro, ENT, emergency, visceral, cardiothoracic, orthopedic, and vascular surgeries.



The market is majorly driven by the augmenting focus on patient safety during complex surgical procedures. This can be attributed to a considerable rise in the prevalence of chronic neurovascular disorders, such as epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to this, the escalating demand for minimally invasive and non-invasive surgeries resulting in a higher uptake of advanced intraoperative neuromonitoring devices is propelling the market. Moreover, the growing trend of medical tourism across the globe is also creating lucrative growth opportunities for the market. The market is further driven by the expanding expenditure on advanced healthcare services.

Some of the other factors providing an impetus to the market include the paradigm shift towards outsourced monitoring, the increasing geriatric population that is susceptible to developing neurological disorders, favorable government initiatives and reimbursement plans, and extensive research and development (R&D), collaborations, and joint ventures among the key players.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Accurate Monitoring LLC, Computational Diagnostics Inc., inomed Medizintechnik GmbH, Intranerve LLC, Medtronic plc, Natus Medical Incorporated, NeuroMonitoring Technologies Inc., Neurophysiology Services Asia, Nihon Kohden Corporation, NuVasive Inc., Specialtycare Inc. and Technomed.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product and services?

What is the breakup of the market based on the source type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product and Services

6.1 Systems

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Accessories

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Services

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Source Type

7.1 Insourced Monitoring

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Outsourced Monitoring

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Application

8.1 Spinal Surgery

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Neurosurgery

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Vascular Surgery

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 ENT Surgery

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Orthopedic Surgery

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast

8.6 Others

8.6.1 Market Trends

8.6.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by End User

9.1 Hospitals

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Accurate Monitoring LLC

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2 Computational Diagnostics Inc.

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3 inomed Medizintechnik GmbH

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4 Intranerve LLC

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5 Medtronic plc

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 Natus Medical Incorporated

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 NeuroMonitoring Technologies Inc.

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8 Neurophysiology Services Asia

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9 Nihon Kohden Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 NuVasive Inc.

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10.3 Financials

15.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.11 Specialtycare Inc.

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12 Technomed

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bne4jl



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716



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SOURCE Research and Markets
 From the launch of new programs to alumni and student success, ICE looks forward to 2023 

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 2022 was a year of evolution and achievement for the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) and its graduates. The school's East and West Coast campuses continued on their multi-year growth path with 9% more students graduating in 2022 compared with 2021, and more than double 2020. In 2022, ICE had students enrolled from 34 different states and 23 different countries. Looking ahead to 2023, the institution seeks to continue its evolution with the addition of new programs and more.

In the past year, ICE's Culinary Arts & Food Operations online diploma program grew to include accreditation and approval in 16 states. In 2023, ICE plans to launch the program in additional states so the majority of the country will be able to receive a culinary education from the Institute of Culinary Education. The program takes 16 months to complete, requiring an average time commitment of 15 hours a week. In 2023, the school will also grow in the online space to add virtual diploma programs in Pastry & Baking Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Restaurant & Culinary Management and Hospitality & Hotel Management.

Across both campuses, ICE seeks to provide its students with ongoing opportunities tailored to the evolution of the restaurant and food industries. To that end, this year, the Health-Supportive Culinary Arts program will change its name to Plant-Based Culinary Arts, which reflects the plant-forward nature of the curriculum. In the spring, poultry and fish will be removed from the program's ingredient list and for students living a vegan-lifestyle, the program will continue to offer dairy and egg alternatives.

ICE opened a second campus in Los Angeles in 2018, and in the past five years, the campus has continued to flourish. In 2022, the campus added Associate degree programs in Pastry & Baking Arts and Health-Supportive Culinary Arts (now named Plant-Based Culinary Arts). In early 2023, the campus has added two more courses in Intensive Sommelier Training and The Techniques of Artisan Bread Baking.

"In my more than 25 years as ICE's CEO, my goal has always been to prepare students for success in the broad and ever-evolving culinary and hospitality spheres," says Rick Smilow, ICE's chairman and CEO. "That means expanding our program offerings and providing new opportunities. We offer our students foundational skills and knowledge regarding the creative, business and operational aspects of professional cooking, baking and more. I'm proud of how ICE has grown and especially proud of the success our students and alumni have earned, in part due to the education they received here."

From Michelin stars to James Beard Awards, ICE's alumni also saw success in 2022, earning accolades from these organizations as well as top media outlets like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and more. Most notable was the James Beard Foundation, who awarded 2001 ICE alum Mashama Bailey their "Outstanding Chef in America" award. Chef Bailey is the Chef and Co-Owner of The Grey in Savannah, Georgia, and is the first Black chef in America to receive this award, generally regarded as the highest singular honor for a chef in America.

ICE's students also continue to thrive, landing externship placements in some of the most prestigious restaurants across the country. Some highlights include positions in restaurants helmed by esteemed chefs like Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Daniel Humm, Missy Robbins, Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Massimo Bottura, Stephanie Izard, Jordan Kahn and Michael Cimarusti, to name a few.

In seeking to provide unique opportunities for student growth, ICE hosted more than 30 demonstration, panel and training events for 2022, including chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Stefano Secchi, Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito. The school's commencement ceremonies included addresses from chefs Jacques Pepin, Antonia Lofaso, Mary Attea and Shennari Freeman. Plus, the school trained actors Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri in preparation for their starring roles in the acclaimed television show "The Bear."

About the Institute of Culinary Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is one of the largest and most diverse culinary schools in the world with campuses in New York and Los Angeles. Established in 1975, ICE offers award-winning six- to 16-month in-person and online career training programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Restaurant & Culinary Management and Hospitality & Hotel Management, in addition to professional development in Techniques of Artisan Bread Baking, The Art of Cake Decorating and Intensive Sommelier Training  with more than 15,000 alumni, many of whom are leaders in the industry.

ICE also offers continuing education for culinary professionals, hosts more than 300 special events each year and is home to one of the world's largest recreational cooking, baking and beverage programs. ICE's 74,000-square-foot, cutting-edge campus in New York City and its 38,000-square-foot Los Angeles campus were designed for inspiration, creativity and community. Visit us at ice.edu or join us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube at @iceculinary to find your culinary voice.

CONTACT:

Stephanie Fraiman

Public Relations Director

Institute of Culinary Education

(212) 847-0703

[email protected]

SOURCE The Institute of Culinary Education
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Irish whiskey market size is estimated to increase by USD 1.54 billion from 2021 to 2026. However, the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 5.33% during the forecast period. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. - Buy the report!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Irish Whiskey Market

Global Irish whiskey market - Customer landscape

To help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies, the report outlines 

Key purchase criteria

Adoption rates

Adoption lifecycle

Drivers of price sensitivity

Global Irish whiskey market  Vendor analysis

Vendor landscape 

The global Irish whiskey market is concentrated. A few prominent vendors that offer Irish whiskey in the market are Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Diageo Plc, G and J Distillers Ltd., Pernod Ricard SA, Suntory Holdings Ltd., Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd., West Cork Distillers Ltd., and William Grant and Sons Ltd. and others.

The market is subject to rapidly changing consumer demands and preferences. Vendors compete based on factors such as quality, price, service, brand image, distribution, and marketing. The major vendors are focusing on acquiring smaller brands to increase their market presence.

Vendor offerings -

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - The company offers a wide range of Irish whiskeys through its subsidiary Nikka Whiskey.

The company offers a wide range of Irish whiskeys through its subsidiary Nikka Whiskey. Becle SAB de CV - The company offers Irish whiskey through its subsidiary Old Bushmills Distillery Co.

The company offers Irish whiskey through its subsidiary Old Bushmills Distillery Co. Brown Forman Corp. - The company offers Irish whiskey, namely Slane Irish whiskey.

The company offers Irish whiskey, namely whiskey. Diageo Plc - The company offers Irish whiskey through its subsidiary Roe and Co.

The company offers Irish whiskey through its subsidiary Roe and Co. For details on vendors and their offerings  Request a sample report

Global Irish whiskey market - Segmentation assessment



Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on distribution channel (offline trade and online trade).

The offline trade segment will account for a significant share of the global market during the forecast period. Individual retailers, supermarkets, and hypermarkets are some of the most common offline trade distribution channels for Irish whiskey. These distribution channels have a wide range of products, and dedicated sections for different brands of Irish whiskey. Offline trade distribution channels also offer a cost advantage, as they do not have to incur the additional cost of seating. Such advantages will drive the segment's growth during the forecast period.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global Irish whiskey market is segmented into Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global Irish whiskey market.

Europe will account for 34% of the market's growth during the forecast period. Russian Federation and Germany are the key countries for the Irish whiskey market in the region. Moreover, market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in South America and MEA. The high popularity of Irish whiskey as an alcoholic beverage will drive the Irish whiskey market growth in Europe during the forecast period.

Download a sample report

Global Irish whiskey market  Market dynamics



Leading drivers - The increasing demand for premium whiskey is driving the Irish whiskey market growth. The demand for premium varieties of whiskey is increasing owing to a significant rise in per capita income. Many vendors offer premium varieties of whiskey. For instance, Micil Distillery has launched two new Irish whiskeys, namely Micil Inverin small blended Irish whiskey and Micil Earls Island Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Premium varieties of whiskeys are popular owing to their authenticity, taste, and brand. Thus, the increasing demand for premium whiskeys is expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Key trends - The increasing demand for craft whiskey is a key trend in the market. The demand for craft whiskey is increasing, as it is perceived to be made with high-quality ingredients and has a better taste. For instance, in November 2020, Craft Irish Whiskey Co. launched a new limited-edition Irish whiskey called The Taoscan Irish Whiskey. The demand for craft whiskey is high in developed countries such as the US and Germany. New distilleries are also being launched across EMEA and the Americas. Thus, the growing demand for craft whiskey is expected to support the growth of the Irish whiskey market during the forecast period.

Major challenges - Health awareness among consumers is challenging the Irish whiskey market growth. Long-term alcohol consumption causes various health risks, such as depression, liver diseases, stroke, and high blood pressure. Hence, governments and health institutions have created awareness campaigns to educate the masses about the harms of drinking alcohol. Thus, the increasing health awareness will hinder the Irish whiskey market growth during the forecast period.

Drivers, trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this Irish whiskey market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Irish whiskey market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the size of the Irish Whiskey market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the Irish whiskey market across Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and MEA

, , APAC, , and MEA A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Irish Whiskey Market vendors

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Related Reports:

The whiskey market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.02% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 34,078.61 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (off trade and on trade), product (scotch whiskey, American whiskey, Canadian whiskey, Irish whiskey, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The scotch whisky market size is expected to increase by 209.49 million liters from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.36%. This report extensively covers scotch whisky market segmentation by distribution channel (off-trade and on-trade), product (blended, bulk blended, and others), and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, the Middle East and Africa, and South America).

Irish Whiskey Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 5.33% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 1.54 billion Market structure Concentrated YoY growth 2021-2022 (%) 7.71 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 34% Key countries US, Ireland, Russian Federation, Germany, and India Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Becle SAB de CV, Brown Forman Corp., Diageo Plc, G and J Distillers Ltd., Pernod Ricard SA, Suntory Holdings Ltd., Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd., West Cork Distillers Ltd., and William Grant and Sons Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Browse for Technavio's consumer staples market reports

Table of contents

1. Executive Summary

2. Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market

2.2: Market Characteristics

2.3 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 02: Value chain analysis: Brewers

2.3.1 Inputs

2.3.2 Inbound logistics

2.3.3 Operations

2.3.4 Outbound logistics

2.3.5 Marketing and sales

2.3.6 Support activities

2.3.7 Innovation

3. Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 03: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 04: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

3.4.1 Estimating growth rates for mature markets

Exhibit 05: Global - Market size and forecast 2021 - 2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 06: Global market: Year-over-year growth 2021 - 2026 (%)

4. Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five Forces Summary

Exhibit 07: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 08: Market condition - Five forces 2021

5 Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

5.1 Market segments

The segments covered in this chapter are:

Offline trade

Online trade

Exhibit 09: Distribution channel - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Distribution channel

Exhibit 10: Comparison by Distribution channel

5.3 Offline trade - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 11: Offline trade - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 12: Offline trade - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Online trade - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Online trade - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 14: Online trade - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Exhibit 15: Market opportunity by Distribution channel

6 Customer landscape

6.1 Overview

Exhibit 16: Customer landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 17: Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 18: Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 19: Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 20: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 21: North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 22: North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 23: APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 24: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 25: South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 26: South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 27: MEA - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 28: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 29: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 30: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.1.1 Increasing demand for premium whiskey

8.1.2 Increasing use of online sales channels

8.1.3 Increased consumption of alcoholic beverages among women

8.2 Market challenges

8.2.1 Growing health awareness among consumers

8.2.2 Campaigns against alcohol consumption

8.2.3 Growing competition from other alcoholic beverages

Exhibit 31: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

8.3.1 Increasing demand for craft whiskey

8.3.2 Rising population of millennials worldwide

8.3.3 Whiskey-based tourism

9. Vendor Landscape

9.1 Competitive scenario

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 32: Vendor Landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 33: Landscape disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 34: Industry risks

10. Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 35: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 36: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Asahi Group Holdings Ltd

Exhibit 37: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 38: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Business segments

Exhibit 39: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings

Exhibit 40: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

10.4 Becle SAB de CV

Exhibit 41: Becle SAB de CV - Overview

Exhibit 42: Becle SAB de CV - Business segments

Exhibit 43: Becle SAB de CV - Key offerings

Exhibit 44: Becle SAB de CV - Segment focus

10.5 Brown Forman Corp.

Exhibit 45: Brown Forman Corp. - Overview

Exhibit 46: Brown Forman Corp. - Product and service

Exhibit 47: Brown Forman Corp. - Key offerings

10.6 Diageo Plc

Exhibit 48: Diageo Plc - Overview

Exhibit 49: Diageo Plc - Business segments

Exhibit 50: Diageo Plc - Key offerings

Exhibit 51: Diageo Plc - Segment focus

10.7 G and J Distillers Ltd.

Exhibit 52: G and J Distillers Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 53: G and J Distillers Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 54: G and J Distillers Ltd. - Key offerings

10.8 Pernod Ricard SA

Exhibit 55: Pernod Ricard SA - Overview

Exhibit 56: Pernod Ricard SA - Product and service

Exhibit 57: Pernod Ricard SA - Key offerings

10.9 Suntory Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 58: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 59: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Business segments

Exhibit 60: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings

Exhibit 61: Suntory Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

10.10 Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 62: Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 63: Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 64: Teeling Whiskey Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.11 West Cork Distillers Ltd.

Exhibit 65: West Cork Distillers Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 66: West Cork Distillers Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 67: West Cork Distillers Ltd. - Key offerings

10.12 William Grant and Sons Ltd.

Exhibit 68: William Grant and Sons Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 69: William Grant and Sons Ltd. - Product and service

Exhibit 70: William Grant and Sons Ltd. - Key offerings

11. Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.1.1 Market definition

11.1.2 Objectives

11.1.3 Notes and caveats

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 71: Currency conversion rates for US$?

11.3 Research Methodology

Exhibit 72: Research Methodology

Exhibit 73: Validation techniques employed for market sizing

Exhibit 74: Information sources

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SOURCE Technavio
SANTA ROSA, Calif, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With a strong commitment to cultivate a culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the wine industry, Jackson Family Wines is proud to partner with The Urban Grape on its Wine Studies Award for Students of Color.

Jackson Family Wines is proud to partner with The Urban Grape on its Wine Studies Award for Students of Color. Tweet this Urban Grape Wine Studies Award For People of Color

Founded in 2020 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of The Urban Grape, one of the country's most successful Black and woman-owned retail stores based in Boston, the Wine Studies Award for Students of Color uses a three-pronged approach of education, work experience, and mentorship to break down barriers to the beverage industry. The program's goal is to create opportunities for career advancement and prepare BIPOC students for long and prosperous careers in the wine industry that can grow generational wealth among its participants, while also increasing diversity in the wine industry. As part of this partnership, Jackson Family Wines will host the 3-month paid winery internship phase of the program to provide real world, on the job training to the scholarship winners so that they gain experience working in a winery setting, across disciplines of viticulture, winemaking, sales and marketing, and other aspects of operating a winery business. Jackson Family Wines is also supporting the program financially by covering some expenses of the participants while on their winery internship, including travel and housing.

"Diversifying an industry is hard work. Many large wine industry businesses promised big changes in 2020, but very few followed through with actionable programs. Jackson Family Wines is one of the few companies we've seen that has not walked away from this conversation, but has instead found ways to dig in even deeper and to commit for the long haul," said Hadley Douglas, Founder and President of The Urban Grape and Progressive Wine Company: "Jackson Family Wines' desire to work with us to grow this program shows that change can happen when small and large businesses join their resources together," she added.

As part of its Rooted for Good: Roadmap to 2030 climate action and social corporate responsibility initiative launched in August 2021, Jackson Family Wines committed to growing and supporting talent from groups currently underrepresented in roles at every level in the wine and spirits industry: Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino and Latina, Indigenous, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+; as well as other underrepresented groups. Over the past two years, the company has spent significant time and resources to make an immediate impact towards more diversity, equity and inclusion within the company and the wine industry. The company established the IDEA Alliance (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness), a special employee led taskforce that brings together employees of different genders, age groups, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds from across all levels of the organization to lead efforts around building an inclusive culture that gives employees a voice and sense of belonging, while also establishing key initiatives and partnerships to strengthen recruitment & talent acquisition through learning, recognition, training, and career development.

"We're proud to continue making progress on building opportunities for people of color within the wine industry through meaningful partnerships with leading changemakers, like TJ and Hadley Douglas," says Katie Jackson, 2nd Generation Proprietor and SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility at Jackson Family Wines. "Building more diversity, equity, and inclusion within the global wine industry remains a priority for Jackson Family Wines and we're excited to make an impact through the Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color program."

"Too often over my 25 years in the wine industry I've been the only person of color in the room. My wife Hadley and I began this program to change that experience for future generations," says Urban Grape Founder and CEO TJ Douglas. "Originally, I thought that opening my own successful wine business would be my legacy, but now I know that helping to diversify the industry - both who works in it and who sees themselves represented by it - is my real life's work."

With more than two decades working in the hospitality industry, Douglas combined his coursework at Boston University's Certificate Program in Wine Studies with valuable work experience on three sides of the wine industry - restaurant, distribution, and retail - to become a leader in the regional and national wine industry. Throughout his career, TJ was often the only, or one of few, people of color at his job, at industry conferences, and even in his own wine store.

As the 10-year anniversary of The Urban Grape approached, TJ and his wife and co-founder, Hadley, knew that they wanted to create a program that would increase opportunities for professionals of color to advance in the wine industry. As TJ succinctly states, "I don't want to be the only one in the room anymore." With that vision, they launched The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color. The Douglas family began the fund with a $10,000 contribution on June 22, 2020, and active fundraising helped grow an endowment fund at Boston University to over $225,000.

The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color offers four key components to help students of color receive the education, experience, and mentorship needed to build a successful career within the beverage and wine industry. The program includes:

Education: Participants in the program complete four levels of education at the Boston University Certificate Program in Wine Studies. These full semester classes include seminars and tasting sessions, and provide a working knowledge of wine varietals and regions, the history of wine, and the wine industry:

Certificate Program in Wine Studies. These full semester classes include seminars and tasting sessions, and provide a working knowledge of wine varietals and regions, the history of wine, and the wine industry: Paid Internships: During the program, participants complete four paid industry internships with the program partners: The Urban Grape, MS Walker, and Row 34 in Boston and Jackson Family Wines in Sonoma County . This allows the participants to learn four sides of the beverage industry - retail, restaurants, distribution, and production - with a focus on areas such as operations, marketing, customer experience, and wine making. From here, the students are able to clearly evaluate which segments of the industry interest them most for career opportunities.

and Jackson Family Wines in . This allows the participants to learn four sides of the beverage industry - retail, restaurants, distribution, and production - with a focus on areas such as operations, marketing, customer experience, and wine making. From here, the students are able to clearly evaluate which segments of the industry interest them most for career opportunities. Mentorship: A key component to any successful educational program is mentorship. Learning how to navigate the beverage industry, create opportunities for growth, and plan for long term success in a new career are all key components to this program's success. Mentorship meetings take place every two weeks throughout the program.

Job Placement: Upon completion of the program, participants use industry connections for informational and job interviews and are supported throughout the job placement process. Jackson Family Wines will also work with the participants at the conclusion of the program to identify job opportunities to support their career advancement goals.

Applications for the 4th Cohort of the program opens on January 23, 2023. You can learn more and apply at https://theurbangrape.shop/pages/wine-studies-award

"The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color is unmatched in its ability to forge a pathway for BIPOC into the wine industry. The program has given me an educational foundation to understand that every bottle of wine tells a story and that foundation, coupled with the deep industry work experience gained from the internship component of the program, opened me up to the vast opportunities within wine," says Suhayl Ramirez, Director of Consumer Engagement, Trois Noix Winery, and graduate of The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color. "The program effectively changed the course of my entire professional life. This partnership with Jackson Family Wines is an exciting point of expansion for the program and I look forward to the impact it will have on future cohorts entering the wine industry."

About Jackson Family Wines

Jackson Family Wines is a family-owned, vineyard-based company with a penchant for exploration. Founder Jess Jackson placed his faith in farming and a meticulous expression of wine with his first landscape-changing vintage in 1982, an ethos that chairman Barbara Banke, the Jackson family, and our employees continue to uphold to this day. The Jackson family's collection of 40 wineries spans significant winegrowing regions, from California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, France, and Italy in the northern hemisphere, to Australia, Chile and South Africa in the southern half of the globe. Vineyard ownership and sustainable practices remain key to consistent quality and artisan winemaking underscores a steadfast commitment to making wines of character and integrity. Jackson Family Wines is an Equal Opportunity employer. For more information about Jackson Family Wines, please visit www.jacksonfamilywines.com.

About The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color

Founded in 2020 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of The Urban Grape, one of the country's most successful Black and woman-owned retail stores based in Boston, The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color uses the three-pronged approach of education, paid work experience, and mentorship to break down barriers to the beverage industry, to create opportunities for career advancement, and to prepare BIPOC students for long and prosperous careers in the wine industry. The goal of the program is to create career-focused opportunities for its participants to grow generational wealth while increasing diversity in the wine industry. To learn more, visit https://theurbangrape.shop/pages/wine-studies-award

SOURCE Jackson Family Wines
5x-GRAMMY Award-Winning Jazz Pianist BILLY CHILDS' brings his QUARTET featuring GRAMMY Award-Winning Trumpeter INGRID JENSEN (Member of ARTEMIS and 2019 Jazz Journalist Association "Trumpeter of the Year"); GRAMMY Award Nominated Bassist HANS GLAWISCHNIG; and Acclaimed Drummer ARI HOENIG to Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club. Tickets for the Billy Childs Quartet at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Saturday March 4 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster.com and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club Features 5x-GRAMMY Award-Winner & 16x-GRAMMY Nominated Jazz Pianist & Composer BILLY CHILDS and his QUARTET on Saturday March 4 at 7:30 P.M. Billy Childs' most recently won a GRAMMY Award in 2018 for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album" for his album Rebirth. Childs also received a GRAMMY Award Nomination for "Best Improvised Jazz Solo" for the song "Dance of Shiva" from this album.

"He possesses the improvisatory skills and powerful sense of swing one associates with world-class artists..." Tweet this Jimmys Jazz & Blues Club Features 5x-GRAMMY Award-Winner & 16x-GRAMMY Award Nominated Jazz Pianist & Composer BILLY CHILDS and his Quartet on Saturday March 4 at 7:30 P.M. Tickets at: www.jimmysoncongress.com

"As a pianist, he possesses the improvisatory skills and powerful sense of swing one associates with world-class artists...Childs is an inventive composer and arranger whose effort in those areas consistently expand the dimensions of the jazz genre - and beyond."

 LOS ANGELES TIMES

"Childs contributes gorgeous writing that fosters intelligent and imaginative improvisations..."

 JAZZ TIMES

"Whether it's the breadth of music history his work can encompass...the stories he tells through composition or his endless and unerring cast of collaborators, there seems to be nothing but a desire to continue opening up the music stretching toward new horizons."

 DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

BILLY CHILDS remains one of the most diversely prolific and acclaimed artists working in music today. Childs' canon of original compositions and arrangements has garnered him the 2013 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship (2009), a Composers Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters (2015), and two Chamber Music America grants: the Jazz New Works Grant (2006) and the Classical Commissioning Grant (2019).

In 2017, Childs was Nominated for a GRAMMY Award for "Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals" for his work on Lang Lang's album New York Rhapsody. In one of the album's boldest choices, co-arrangers Larry Klein and Billy Childs marry the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim song "Somewhere" from West Side Story with Lou Reed's "Dirty Blvd" from his classic album New York.

In 2015, Childs received 3 GRAMMY Award Nominations, winning a GRAMMY Award "Best Arrangement, Instrumental & Vocal" (featuring Renee Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma) for the song "New York Tendaberry", from his highly successful album Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro, which was also Nominated for a GRAMMY for "Best Jazz Vocal Album". Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro features Renee Fleming, Esperanza Spalding, Alison Krauss, Shawn Colvin, Rickie Lee Jones, Becca Stevens, Ledisi, Chris Botti, Yo-Yo Ma and Susan Tedeschi.

In 2011, Childs won a GRAMMY Award for "Best Instrumental Composition" for "The Path Among the Trees" from his much-heralded jazz/chamber album, Autumn: In Moving Pictures which was Nominated for a GRAMMY Award for "Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album". The album featured guitarist Larry Koonse, multi-reed player Bob Sheppard, harpist Carol Robbins, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Brian Blade, drummer Antonio Sanchez, plus the Ying String Quartet and several classical wind instruments. This is considered one of Childs' best recordings.

In 2005, Childs would receive 4 GRAMMY Award Nominations  winning 2 of them. He won a GRAMMY Award for "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist" with Gil Goldstein and Heitor Pereira for the song "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" performed by trumpeter Chris Botti and vocalist Sting on Botti's 2005 album To Love Again. Childs would win another GRAMMY Award this same year for "Best Instrumental Composition" for "Into The Light" from his album Lyric (which was also Nominated for a GRAMMY Award for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group"). Childs' 4th GRAMMY Award Nomination in 2005 would also come from the Lyric album for the song "Scarborough Faire" for "Best Instrumental Composition".

BILLY CHILDS QUARTET Tickets & Current Schedule of Shows

Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club's 2022 Schedule of Shows included 9 NEA Jazz Masters, 52 GRAMMY Award-Winning Artists, 46 Blues Music Award-Winners, and a comprehensive list of talented musicians with 575+ GRAMMY Award Nominations amongst them. Tickets for the BILLY CHILDS QUARTET at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club on Saturday March 4 at 7:30 P.M., as well as the current list of 2023 shows, can be found on Ticketmaster and Jimmy's Online Event Calendar at: http://www.jimmysoncongress.com/events. Sign-up for Jimmy's Email Newsletter at: www.jimmysoncongress.com/subscribe to stay informed on Upcoming Shows, New Artist Announcements, Promotional Offers, Ticket On-Sale Dates, Special Performances, and Jimmy's Jazz Brunch.

ABOUT JIMMYS JAZZ & BLUES CLUB

The mission of Jimmys Jazz & Blues Club is to provide guests a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience featuring serious jazz and blues music served with exceptional cuisine. Jimmys Jazz & Blues Club features a spectacular and visually breathtaking environment engineered to deliver the highest quality acoustics while utilizing state-of-the-art production, sound and lighting technologies. Jimmys Jazz & Blues Club is located within a beautifully restored 1905 building at 135 Congress Street in the heart of historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For more information visit www.jimmysoncongress.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JimmysJazzBlues and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjazzblues/.

PRIVATE EVENTS AT JIMMY'S

An architecturally breathtaking center of arts and culture in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club offers a rare and spectacular venue to host important corporate functions, weddings, intimate or large-scale social gatherings, private parties, and memorable celebrations. The team at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club put heart and soul into creating a stunning full-service event space with new state-of-the-art production, sound & lighting technologies delivered with outstanding next-level culinary experiences. Our high-touch approach with professional and experienced event staff ensures that everything is tailored to exceed your expectations. To start a conversation about hosting your event at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club, please call us at 888-603-5299, or fill out Jimmy's Private Event Request Form.

Website:

http://www.jimmysoncongress.com

Contact:

Suzanne Bresette

[email protected]

888-603-JAZZ

SOURCE Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club
Partnership with Louisiana farmers yielding early, positive results

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kellogg 's InGrained, a five-year partnership with Lower Mississippi River Basin rice farmers to help reduce their climate impact, is reporting early positive results. During the pilot year of the program, InGrained helped farmers implement climate-smart irrigation practices that achieved a reduction of more than 1,600 metric tons of greenhouse gases1 - the equivalent of taking more than 345 gasoline-powered cars off the road for one year.2

Hear from a few members of the Kelloggs InGrained program who are passionate about creating better days for both people and planet. Tractors during rice harvest season.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9123851-kellogg-ingrained-helping-rice-farmers-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

Kellogg piloted the program in Northeast Louisiana in collaboration with leading agricultural greenhouse gas measurement firm Regrow Ag, rice producers, Kellogg supplier Kennedy Rice Mill LLC and agribusiness firm Syngenta.

Rice production emits several greenhouse gases, most significantly, methane. Methane contributes approximately 1.5 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions3 and is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.4

"Not only are we helping farmers implement new practices on their farms, but farmers are telling us that just as importantly, the quality of their rice was not affected by the adjusted irrigation practices," said Stacey Shaw, Syngenta's Senior Sustainability Lead.

Much of the rice sourced from the Louisiana River Basin is used in iconic foods like Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal and Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats.

"Kellogg's Better Days environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy is committed to supporting 1 million farmers and reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions across our value chain by 15 percent by the end of 2030," said Janelle Meyers, Kellogg Company's Chief Sustainability Officer. "Programs like Kellogg's InGrained contribute to this ambitious goal, create positive impacts on the planet and support the livelihoods of farmers who grow the rice for some of our most iconic foods."

Kellogg and its InGrained partners are making adjustments as they transition into the second year of the program, while ensuring both financial and technical support continue to help farmers with these new practices. Kellogg is also exploring expanding the program to include various regions with different weather patterns and soil types to determine if similar positive impacts are found.

[1] Measured in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2e ) through increased carbon sequestration and abatement of GHGs including methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O)

[2] Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator | US EPA

[3] https://www.wri.org/insights/more-rice-less-methane

[4] Overview of Greenhouse Gases | US EPA

About Kellogg Company

At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), our vision is a good and just world where people are not just fed but fulfilled. We are creating better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. Our beloved brands include Pringles, Cheez-It, Special K, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Eggo, Mini-Wheats, Kashi, RXBAR, MorningStar Farms and more. Net sales in 2021 were nearly $14.2 billion, comprised principally of snacks as well as convenience foods like cereal, frozen foods, and noodles. As part of our Kellogg's(TM) Better Days Promise ESG strategy, we're addressing the interconnected issues of wellbeing, climate and food security, creating Better Days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030. Visit www.KelloggCompany.com .

About Regrow Ag

Regrow Ag is a software company that empowers transformation to sustainable practices across the agrifood supply chain. Regrow delivers scalable, science-based solutions for the adoption, measurement, reporting and verification of sustainable practices with ecosystem outcomes, such as soil carbon sequestration. Today, Regrow monitors 400M acres of land across 45 countries. To date, Regrow has aided in the sequestration of more than 50,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. Learn more at www.Regrow.ag .

About Syngenta

Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world's leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.

To learn more visit www.syngenta.com . Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta , www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta

About Kennedy Rice

Kennedy Rice is a Women Owned company delivering premium rice varieties that yield consistent product quality year after year. With nearly 60 years of rice industry experience, Kennedy Rice is a vertically integrated operation; sourcing, growing, harvesting, drying, milling, packaging, and transporting rice. The Women Owned company has their own retail brand, 4Sisters Rice, that can be found in over 6,000 grocery stores nationwide. 4Sisters product lineup includes an array of organic, natural, specialty, and kid friendly rice varieties. Learn more at 4sistersrice.com

SOURCE Kellogg Company
BRASILIA, Brazil, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KONKA Group Co., Ltd. ("the Company"; 000016.SZ), a leading manufacturer of electronics products, has announced they saw spectacular demand for new TVs and achieved significant sales growth in the Brazilian market in 2022. Specifically, during the second half of 2022, the company sold more than 100,000 TVs in Brazil.

They are looking for a movie on the KONKA 680 Series TV.

"Innovation is the root of a company's solid growth," said Kobe Liao, General Manager of the KONKA International Business Division. "KONKA always insists on high-quality development for its products, and constantly adopts its high-end technology into daily use products, and in this way, provides worldwide consumers the best experience with its sophisticated technology and solutions. "

KONKA has been deeply involved in the Brazilian market since its entry in 2009, gradually gaining brand recognition and building up trust with local consumers. In November 2022, KONKA launched the 680 Series TV in Brazil's online market. It did not take long for more than 10,000 units of the series to be sold thanks to its next-generation features, including HDR and MEMC, yet at affordable prices. The KONKA 680 Series has become a firm favorite for Brazilian consumers, providing a high-quality viewing experience in their homes.

KONKA aims to satisfy the diverse needs of consumers with its wide range of electronic products. In the Brazilian market, in addition to TV products, it has also rolled out several electric appliance products. As an industry pioneer that has been operating in the display field for decades, KONKA has a deep understanding of the growing demand for convenience and efficiency for people around the world. Leveraging its expertise in Mini LED, OLED, and Micro LED technologies, KONKA has launched a video conferencing solution, an independently developed commercial Interactive Flat-Panel Display (IFPD) product, which will be available in Brazil in 2023.

As KONKA gradually expands its business from Brazil and Cuba into other regions of Latin America and South America, the company is implementing a "globalization through localization" strategy as part of its effort to increase its brand awareness globally. By setting up a localized KONKA brand business model to meet local consumer needs and usage scenarios, as well as building a platform that suits the local Internet market environment, KONKA aims to enhance the competitiveness of its global business through a localization strategy in each market.

SOURCE KONKA Group Co., Ltd
LB Semicon to Use Next-Generation Vacuum Curing Technology in WLCSP Bump/RDL Application

FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES), a leading manufacturer of process equipment for semiconductor advanced packaging, life sciences, and "More-than-Moore" applications, today announced that it has sold a VertaCure XP G2 system to Korea's LB Semicon. The VertaCure XP G2 is the latest generation of YES's flagship VertaCure vacuum curing system, and LB Semicon's will be the first such system to be installed in Korea. Delivery is expected at the end of March.

Key factors in the purchase decision were the VertaCure XP G2's superior throughput, exceptional particle performance, and thorough PI/PBO curing capability  all benefits derived from its proven vacuum-based process. The system will support a bump/RDL application for wafer-level chip scale packaging (WLCSP). It accommodates both 200mm and 300mm wafers, providing valuable flexibility for this and future applications.

"As semiconductor chip manufacturers seek to produce ever-smaller products with higher performance and lower power consumption, wafer bumping technology is expanding its application scope and creating greater value. In order to keep up with this trend, LB Semicon is deeply committed to continuous research and development," said LB Semicon's CEO, Dr. Nick (Namseog) Kim. "We believe that YES's VertaCure XP G2 curing system will enable our company to deliver the cutting-edge technology needed as Korea continues its growth as a world-class semiconductor powerhouse."

"We are pleased and proud that our VertaCure XP G2 was selected for this leading-edge application," said Bioh Kim, President of YES Korea. "This order showcases YES's growing role as a trusted global partner in the production of innovative technologies. We look forward to supporting LB Semicon's efforts, now and into the future."

About YES

Yield Engineering Systems, Inc. (YES) is a preferred provider of high-tech, cost-effective equipment for enhancing surfaces and materials. The company's product lines include thermal processing systems, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems, and wet process equipment used for the precise surface modification of semiconductor substrates, semiconductor and MEMS devices, LED displays, and biodevices. Customers ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies rely on YES systems to create and volume-produce innovative products in a wide range of markets. YES is headquartered in Fremont, California, with a growing global presence. For more information, please visit yieldengineering.com.

About LB Semicon

Based in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, LB Semicon provides bumping, probe test, back-end, and WLCSP services for display driver integrated circuits (DDI), CMOS image sensors (CIS), and power management integrated circuits (PMIC) used in electronic devices such as TVs, monitors, and mobile phones. LBS has continuously developed and evolved its technology since the company's founding in 2000, starting with gold bumping for TFT LCD and OLED DDIs, and expanding over the years into solder bumping, Cu pillar bumping, and WLCSP. The company maintains solid partnerships with top semiconductor chip manufacturers in Korea and elsewhere, and has more than a thousand employees. For more information, please visit www.lbsemicon.com.

Media Contact

Victoria Barnes

Director of Communications

YES (Yield Engineering Systems, Inc.)

510-954-6723 direct

[email protected]

SOURCE Yield Engineering Systems, Inc.
NTA BOSS

In adherence to the mandate of Criminal Court "C", the National Transit Authority (NTA) Managing Director Herbie McCauley has paid over 23 thousand Liberian Dollars in cheques to a dismissed employee of the entity.

On January 16, the National Transit Authority Managing Director Herbie McCauley was being held in contempt of court by Criminal Court "C" Judge Blamo Dixon for disobeying the court's order.

The payment of the money comes a day after the NTA's Managing Director and his Human Resource Manager were expected to appear before Criminal Court "C" Resident Judge A. Blamo Dixon to show cause why they should not be held in contempt for failing to honor a mandate from that honorable court.

The money which was presented by the institution's lawyer to the court for onward presentation to its redundant employee Ms. Joyce Farngalo is a Salary covering the month of September 2022.

It is believed that the NTA owed the redundant employee four-month salary rears and back pay amounting to over two hundred thousand Liberia Dollars, but has since failed to meet up with their obligations.

Meanwhile, the NTA's Managing Director McCauley is expected to appear before the court this Thursday to show a reason why he should not be held in contempt of court.
CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Location-Based Service (LBS) and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Market size is expected to grow from USD 22.3 billion in 2022 to USD 50.2 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.6% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets.

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Indoor segment to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Indoor positioning uses magnetic fields, acoustic signals, radio waves, or other sensory data acquired by linked devices to monitor all the data, objects, or people inside an enclosed space. The technology aids in real-time monitoring of data recording to visualise visitors' preferences and activity. Prior until now, GPS served the same function. However, indoor location positioning solutions were established as a result of signal interference from hard walls. For interior navigation, there isn't a single accepted technique like there is with GPS. For instance, although Broadcom's chip supports indoor location systems via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, Google tracks a user's whereabouts using Wi-Fi technology. In order to give location-based information and services to iPhones and other iOS devices, Apple released iBeacon, a BLE-based technology.

Location-based health monitoring segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period

A growing number of LBS-based applications are focused on healthcare, including, among others, fall detection, exercise and fitness monitoring, remote health monitoring, and lone worker protection. In recent years, it has been popular to combine LBS with various wearable sensors (that can measure body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate) in order to monitor health and deliver individualized healthcare services and information. LBS is also utilised as assistive technology to help the elderly, those with disabilities, and those who are visually impaired carry out their everyday tasks independently and enjoy a higher quality of life. These assistive devices offer assisted-living features including independent shopping, customised navigation, obstacle detection, and spatial perception. The recent fitness movement was substantially impacted by the rising knowledge of preventive healthcare.

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North America region to record the highest growing region in the Location-Based Service (LBS) and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Market

The LBS and RTLS market currently has the greatest market share in North America. The US and Canada are the two countries that contribute most to the global market. By region, the LBS and RTLS market belongs to the US the most. In the US, some of the key verticals generating income for the LBS and RTLS markets include retail, manufacturing, transportation & logistics, and government. Increased technology development, rising LBS and RTLS industry standards, and rising financial backing from the governments of numerous North American nations are all factors contributing to the region's prosperity. In the LBS and RTLS markets, there have been an abundance of startups in the area.

Key and innovative vendors in the Location-Based Service (LBS) and Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Market are AiRISTA Flow (US), Apple (US), Aruba Networks (US), CenTrak (US), Cisco (US), Ericsson (US), ESRI (US), GE Healthcare (US), Google (US), HERE (Netherlands), IBM (US), KDDI (Japan), Leantegra (US), Microsoft (US), Navigine (US), NTT Docomo (Japan), Oracle (US), Qualcomm (US), Quuppa (Finland), Sewio Republic (Czech Republic), Spime (US), Identec Group (Liechtenstein), Infor (US), TeleTracking Technologies (US), MYSPHERA (Spain), Stanley Healthcare (US), Teldio (Canada), TomTom (Netherlands), Ubisense (UK), Zebra Technologies (UK).

Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting

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The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

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Michelle's vast personal and professional experience will help accelerate efforts to increase lung cancer screening

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization, welcomes Michelle Futrell, MSN, MBA, RN, as Director of Lung Cancer Screening Programs and Initiatives. In this new role, Michelle will develop the organization's blueprint for lung cancer screening programs, create educational programs for healthcare providers, and directly support patients seeking information on lung cancer screening.

Michelle Futrell, MSN, MBA, RN, LUNGevity Foundation's new Director of Lung Cancer Screening Programs and Initiatives. Michelle will develop the organizations blueprint for lung cancer screening programs, create educational programs for healthcare providers, and directly support patients seeking information on lung cancer screening.

Michelle has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as a dual degreeMaster of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Business Administration. Prior to joining LUNGevity, Michelle worked as a registered nurse, 10 years of which were in the emergency department. She most recently spent eight years at Virginia Commonwealth University as a lung cancer screening program coordinator.

"My personal battle with cancer gives me a unique perspective and has helped me in my current role. When I talk to individuals who may be nervous about having a lung cancer screening for fear of the results, I understand where they are coming from. At the same time, it drives me to want to help educate individuals about lung cancer screening, its purpose, and its importance," says Michelle.

"We are thrilled that Michelle has joined the LUNGevity team," says Andrea Ferris, president and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation. "Her professional experience with lung cancer screening brings invaluable insights and expertise. Michelle will help us accelerate the uptake of lung cancer screening among the eligible population and especially among hard-to-reach communities. Lung cancer screening saves lives."

About LUNGevity Foundation

LUNGevity Foundation is the nation's leading lung cancer organization focused on improving outcomes for people with lung cancer. The foundation works tirelessly to advance research into early detection and more effective treatments, and to ensure that patients have access to these advances. LUNGevity seeks to make an immediate impact on quality of life and survivorship for everyone touched by the diseasewhile promoting health equity by addressing disparities throughout the care continuum. LUNGevity provides information and educational tools to empower patients and their caregivers, promote impactful public policy initiatives, and amplify the patient voice through research and engagement. The organization provides an active community for patients and survivorsand those who help them live better and longer lives.

Comprehensive resources include a medically vetted and patient-centric website, a toll-free HELPLine for support, the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference, and an easy-to-use Clinical Trial Finder, among other tools. All of these programs are to achieve our visiona world where no one dies of lung cancer. LUNGevity Foundation is proud to be a four-star Charity Navigator organization.

About Lung Cancer in the US

About 1 in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.

More than 238,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.

About 60%-65% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers.

Lung cancer takes more lives in the United States than the next two deadliest cancers (colorectal and pancreatic) combined.

than the next two deadliest cancers (colorectal and pancreatic) combined. Only about 23% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it is caught before it spreads, the chance of 5-year survival improves dramatically.

Please visit LUNGevity.org to learn more.

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation
GROWTH CAPITAL FOLLOWS BREMONT'S MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR SINCE INCEPTION WITH 28% REVENUE INCREASE INVESTMENT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO DRIVE BREMONT'S MULTI-CHANNEL GLOBAL EXPANSION

LONDON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bremont, Britain's largest manufacturer of luxury watches, today announced that renowned investor, Bill Ackman and his affiliate, has purchased a substantial minority interest in the company alongside Hellcat LP, Bremont's long-standing lead investor, which increased its investment in the Company as part of the transaction.

Watchmaking at The Wing, Bremonts manufacturing HQ in Henley on Thames (PRNewsfoto/Bremont Watch Company, UK) The Wing, Henley-on-Thames (PRNewsfoto/Bremont Watch Company, UK) Nick and Giles English, Co-Founders of Bremont (PRNewsfoto/Bremont Watch Company, UK)

Giles English, Bremont Co-Founder, said: "Nick and I are thrilled that Bill has moved from collector to investor, joining our long-standing shareholder, Hellcat, as partners in Bremont. This new capital will enable us to invest in marketing, distribution, and talent. This is not just a boost for Bremont, but also for Britain. The British watch industry is the birthplace of some of the most important timekeeping innovations, including the perpetual calendar, and we are delighted to continue our country's history of manufacturing and innovation through the global growth of Bremont."

"I have long admired Bremont's handsomely-designed, technologically-sophisticated and rugged watches, and the brand's storied aviation and military history," stated Bill Ackman. "The UK's rich horological past laid the foundation for Nick and Giles to found and grow Bremont into one of the watch industry's preeminent brands and engineering companies. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to become a shareholder of Bremont at a fulcrum point in the Company's evolution, and to see it take its rightful position as a global leader in watchmaking."

The closing of this new investment comes 18 months after Bremont opened its 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art Manufacturing & Technology centre, The Wing, in Henley, UK. This new facility has enabled Bremont to become the first business in over 50 years to manufacture mechanical movements at scale on British shores. The opening of The Wing, along with a series of new global boutique openings and increased demand across a new range of watches, drove record annual revenue growth of 28% in Bremont's most recent financial year.

"We have been founder-led since inception and have built Bremont with the help of an extremely talented team over the last 20 years," said Nick English, Bremont Co-Founder. "Over the last four years we have flourished under the leadership of Managing Director Chris Reynolds, who we are delighted to announce will now take on the role of Chief Operating Officer to support and enable the addition of a new CEO, who can build upon the team, brand, and business we have created together, enabling Bremont to become one of the top global watch companies in the industry."

Chris Reynolds, Managing Director, added: "Bremont has built a state-of-the art business, from our outstanding product design, development and engineering, to our global marketing, wholesale, and retail operations. This investment will allow us to scale our operations, accelerate innovation, and enhance our in-house capabilities, talent development, and recruitment."

As the company continues its expansion, particularly in the thriving US market, Bremont remains focused on producing the highest-quality, precision-engineered and crafted timepieces. This new capital will drive Bremont's multi-channel, multi-market expansion, enabling new boutique openings in the United States and globally, wholesale expansion, enhanced JV partnerships and greater brand visibility.

Bremont and its existing investors, led by Hellcat LP  an investment vehicle representing a group of individuals and investment professionals who have been shareholders of Bremont for more than eight years  have always had strong ambitions to grow the Company's manufacturing capabilities and worldwide distribution. As it embarks on its next phase, Bremont remains committed to the pillars of its luxury heritage that have guided it since its inception and will do for generations to come.

The Company has retained the services of leading executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder to assist in its search for a new CEO.

ABOUT BREMONT

Co-Founded by brothers Nick & Giles English in 2002, Bremont is an award-winning British luxury watch brand manufacturing mechanical watches in Henley-on-Thames, England. Bremont has been pivotal in reinvigorating the British watch industry and the brand remains true to its aviation and military heritage creating watches for some of the most exclusive military squadrons around the world. Bremont is known for its sophisticated British engineering, innovations, and mission-ready, highly durable chronometers. Bremont has continued to invest in UK watchmaking and manufacturing with the 2021 opening of The Bremont Manufacturing & Technology Centre, a state-of-the-art 35,000 sq ft purpose-built mechanical watch manufacturing centre enabling the full machining and manufacturing of Bremont's watches.

www.bremont.com

For more information please contact:

Gavin Davis - [email protected] / +44 7910 104 660 | Harry Roxburgh - [email protected] / +44 7814 372 664

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988381/Bremont_Watch_Company_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988382/Bremont_Watch_Company_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988380/Bremont_Watch_Company_3.jpg

SOURCE Bremont Watch Company, UK
NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market size is estimated to grow by USD 16.69 billion from 2021 to 2026. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period. Europe held the largest share of the global market in 2022, and the market in the region is estimated to witness an incremental growth of 39%. Get detailed insights into the market study. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Buy the report!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Meal Vouchers and Employee Benefit Solutions Market 2022-2026

Meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market - Five Forces

The global cloud data warehouse market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Bargaining Power of Buyers

The threat of New Entrants

Threat of Rivalry

Bargaining Power of Suppliers

Threat of Substitutes

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Meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market  Customer Landscape

The report includes the market's adoption lifecycle, from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their growth strategies.

Meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market - Segmentation Assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on application (meal vouchers and employee benefits) and geography (Europe, South America, APAC, North America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market growth in the meal vouchers segment will be significant during the forecast period. Meal vouchers allow employees to save on tax, as many countries globally have specified tax exemptions on meal vouchers. For instance, meal vouchers worth USD 0.6 (INR 50) or less than that were exempted from tax in India . In addition, vendors are expanding their service offerings by launching new meal vouchers and forming strategic alliances. These developments are fueling the growth of the segment.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market is segmented into Europe, South America, APAC, North America, and Middle East and Africa. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market.

Europe will account for 39% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of the regional market is driven by evolving buying patterns of consumers, such as the increasing preference for making online payments and digital payment methods. In addition, some of the vendors operating in the region are raising funds. Some vendors are expanding their presence by acquiring small players to gain access to their distribution networks.

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Meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market  Market Dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The market growth is driven by the tax benefits of meal vouchers.

Many organizations and employers include meal vouchers as part of their employees' salary structure to be exempt from tax.

For instance, according to the Income Tax Department, Government of India , there are tax benefits for free food and beverages provided to employees.

, there are tax benefits for free food and beverages provided to employees. Similarly, in Brazil , according to the Workers' Food Program, companies and employers are asked to pay for employees' food provisions in exchange for tax relief.

, according to the Workers' Food Program, companies and employers are asked to pay for employees' food provisions in exchange for tax relief. The benefits and tax exemption associated with the use of meal vouchers is increasing their demand among enterprises and employers, which is driving the market growth.

Leading trends influencing the market

The shift toward digital meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions is identified as the key trend in the market.

The increasing penetration of the internet and smartphones in emerging economies has led to a shift in the inclination toward digital wallets and payment methods.

With a large number of retailers accepting digital payments, market players are automating and digitizing their processes as well as providing personalized services.

Digitization is providing new opportunities for vendors to increase returns by innovating their products and services in tandem with technological advancements.

In addition, the push toward the adoption of digital payment by governments across the world is encouraging vendors to introduce electronic or digital meal vouchers.

Major challenges hindering market growth

Data privacy and security issues are some of the challenges hindering market growth.

Mobile apps and cards offered by vendors collect and store the personal information of customers.

Although vendors are adopting security technologies to safeguard this critical data, any vulnerabilities in the servers or mobile apps could pose a threat to privacy and may impact the business of vendors.

As personal consumer information is stored and synced between all the apps, any hacker or phishing attack can steal critical data and information if not protected properly.

Driver, trend, and challenges are the factors of market dynamics that state about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market between 2022 and 2026

Precise estimation of the size of the meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market industry across Europe , South America , APAC, North America , and Middle East and Africa

, , APAC, , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions market vendors

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Meal Vouchers and Employee Benefit Solutions Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 16.69 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.16 Regional analysis Europe, South America, APAC, North America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 39% Key countries Japan, France, Italy, Spain, and Brazil Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Alelo, Axis Bank Ltd., Cinqo Group, Edenred SA, PayPal Holdings Inc., Electrum Fintech Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Emburse Inc., Hrmony GmbH, ICICI Bank Ltd., Monizze NV SA, One Obopay Mobile Technology India Pvt. Ltd., Set Corporate Services Inc., Sodexo Group, SPENDIT AG, SWILE SAS, UniCredit SpA, Up Group, VA Tech Ventures Pvt Ltd., VR Beneficios, and Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Pvt. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of contents:

1. Executive Summary

2. Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market

2.2: Market Characteristics

3. Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 02: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 03: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2020

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Exhibit 04: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 05: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 06: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 07: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4. Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five Forces Summary

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2020 & 2025

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 09: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Application

5.1 Market segments

The segments covered in this chapter are Meal vouchers and Employee benefits.

Exhibit 10: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 11: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 12: Chart on Comparison by Application

Exhibit 13: Data Table on Comparison by Application

5.3 Meal vouchers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 14: Chart on Meal vouchers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 15: Data Table on Meal vouchers - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 16: Chart on Meal vouchers - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 17: Data Table on Meal vouchers - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Employee benefits - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 18: Chart on Employee benefits - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 19: Data Table on Employee benefits - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 20: Chart on Employee benefits - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 21: Data Table on Employee benefits - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 22: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 23: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 24: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 25: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 26: Chart on Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 27: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 28: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 29: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 30: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 31: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 32: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 33: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 34: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 35: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 36: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 37: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 38: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 39: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 40: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 41: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 42: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 43: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 44: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 45: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 46: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 47: Chart on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 48: Data Table on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 49: Chart on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 50: Data Table on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 51: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 52: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 53: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 54: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 55: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 57: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 58: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 59: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 60: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 61: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 62: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Spain - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 63: Chart on Spain - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 64: Data Table on Spain - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 65: Chart on Spain - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 66: Data Table on Spain - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.1.1 Tax benefits of meal vouchers

8.1.2 Growing employment rates

8.1.3 Active participation of banks

8.2 Market challenges

8.2.1 Data privacy and security issues

8.2.2 Alternative ways to save on tax

8.2.3 Advocacy against meal voucher companies

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 68: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

8.4.1 Shift toward digital meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions

8.4.2 Rise in venture capital investment in employee benefit solution

8.4.3 Strategic partnerships with meal kit delivery vendors

9. Vendor Landscape

9.1 Competitive scenario

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 69: Vendor Landscape

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 70: Landscape disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 71: Industry risks

10. Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 72: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 73: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Alelo

Exhibit 74: Alelo - Overview

Exhibit 75: Alelo - Product / Service

Exhibit 76: Alelo - Key offerings

10.4 Axis Bank Ltd.

Exhibit 77: Axis Bank Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 78: Axis Bank Ltd. - Business segments

Exhibit 79: Axis Bank Ltd. - Key offerings

Exhibit 80: Axis Bank Ltd. - Segment focus

10.5 Cinqo Group

Exhibit 81: Cinqo Group - Overview

Exhibit 82: Cinqo Group - Product / Service

Exhibit 83: Cinqo Group - Key offerings

10.6 Edenred SA

Exhibit 84: Edenred SA - Overview

Exhibit 85: Edenred SA - Business segments

Exhibit 86: Edenred SA - Key offerings

Exhibit 87: Edenred SA - Segment focus

10.7 Emburse Inc.

Exhibit 88: Emburse Inc. - Overview

Exhibit 89: Emburse Inc. - Product / Service

Exhibit 90: Emburse Inc. - Key offerings

10.8 Monizze NV SA

Exhibit 91: Monizze NV SA - Overview

Exhibit 92: Monizze NV SA - Product / Service

Exhibit 93: Monizze NV SA - Key offerings

10.9 Sodexo Group

Exhibit 94: Sodexo Group - Overview

Exhibit 95: Sodexo Group - Business segments

Exhibit 96: Sodexo Group - Key offerings

Exhibit 97: Sodexo Group - Segment focus

10.10 SPENDIT AG

Exhibit 98: SPENDIT AG - Overview

Exhibit 99: SPENDIT AG - Product / Service

Exhibit 100: SPENDIT AG - Key offerings

10.11 Up Group

Exhibit 101: Up Group - Overview

Exhibit 102: Up Group - Product / Service

Exhibit 103: Up Group - Key offerings

10.12 VR Beneficios

Exhibit 104: VR Beneficios - Overview

Exhibit 105: VR Beneficios - Product / Service

Exhibit 106: VR Beneficios - Key offerings

11. Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.1.1 Market definition

11.1.2 Objectives

11.1.3 Notes and caveats

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 107: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research Methodology

Exhibit 108: Research Methodology

Exhibit 109: Validation techniques employed for market sizing

Exhibit 110: Information sources

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Celebrated thinker, writer and curator takes the helm

LONDON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the world's leading sustainability standard setting organisation for the jewellery and watch industry, today appointed Melanie Grant as its new executive director. A celebrated thinker, writer and curator, Ms. Grant brings more than 20 years of experience in the watch and jewellery industry's biggest and most influential outlets. In addition to commissioning and editing luxury content, she brings significant leadership experience to the role.

Melanie Grant

Melanie Grant has been a journalist for over 20 years -- having worked at The Times, The Financial Times, The Independent, The Guardian, The BBC and -- until 2022 -- The Economist, where she was luxury editor of 1843 Magazine, its lifestyle sister publication. She worked at The Economist for 16 years as jewellery editor and picture editor and took a sabbatical to write her first book on the jewel as art, entitled Coveted: Art and Innovation in High Jewellery, published by Phaidon in October 2020. She has been on a mission for the last decade to dismantle boundaries between art forms so that jewellery is considered equal to fine art.

David Bouffard, Chairman of the Board of the RJC said, "On behalf of the board, staff and all our members, I am proud to welcome Melanie as our new executive director. She has a deep love and knowledge of jewellery and watches, and a uniquely creative skillset which is both industry and consumer facing. I believe she will successfully take the RJC into a new era as we continue to deliver on our mission of continuous improvement in the integrity of the global jewellery and watch supply chain."

Ms. Grant's remit is to continue growing awareness among consumers, collectors, designers, brands and supply chain specialists in the important need to strengthen sustainable business practices in the watches and jewellery industry. With nearly 1,700 members in 71 countries, RJC has given her the responsibility of working closely with its board of directors, management team, staff and outside stakeholders to ensure the future growth of the RJC. She intends to bring clarity and creativity to this complex and vitally important area of luxury.

"We are today with sustainability where we were with digital transformation 20 years ago. Those who embraced it thrived but also gained new and younger clients," Ms. Grant said. "Those who dismissed it in many ways got left behind. Sustainability is the greatest single issue facing watches and jewellery today, and I want to help everyone understand what they can do to be part of this movement. I feel privileged to have been selected for this monumental task."

In addition to her deep media background, Ms. Grant also has curated for Sotheby's, TEFAF Maastricht and The Serpentine Galleries. She guest lectures at Central Saint Martin's and The Royal College of Art; writes for Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Goldsmiths' Company and The Natural Diamond Council; and speaks at The Science Museum, The British Museum, The MFA Boston and the Victoria and Albert Museum. She sits on the boards of New York Jewelry Week, The Black in Jewelry Coalition and The Copenhagen Commitment, an NGO dedicated to ethical transparency.

Founded in 2005 by 14 major industry organisations, RJC certifications today -- through its Code of Practices -- now cover more than half of the world's jewellery market.

Livia Firth MBE, co-founder and creative director of Eco Age and UN Leader of Change, said, "I'm excited and impressed by this appointment from the RJC. Melanie has a strong, independent and inclusive voice, and she surely is a great fit for the important work the RJC does -- and will have to continue doing -- to bring substantive change to the jewellery and watches industry."

Melanie Grant, RJC Executive Director, is available starting today for interview requests.

ABOUT RESPONSIBLE JEWELLERY COUNCIL

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is the leading standards organisation of the global jewellery and watch industry. It has nearly 1,700 members companies in 71 countries, that span the jewellery supply chain from mine to retail. RJC Members commit to and are independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices  an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, coloured gemstones, silver, gold and platinum group metals.

RJC is ISEAL Code Compliant. Our system has been independently evaluated against ISEAL's Codes of Good Practice  a globally recognised framework for effective, credible sustainability systems. More information at isealalliance.org. is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since 2009.

For more information on RJC Members, Certification, and Standards please visit www.responsiblejewellery.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

FURTHER INFORMATION

HONEST PR CONTACT: Katie Manderson +44 7917 030387

RJC COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT: Olivia Saunders-Smith +44 7399 608555

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SOURCE The Responsible Jewellery Council
Steven Spoljaric of Bayless Junior High in Bayless and Amanda Staton of Dixon Elementary in Dixon receive national recognition for their best-in-class teaching and use of educational programs

NORTH BILLERICA, Mass., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Steven Spoljaric of Bayless Junior High in Bayless, MO and Amanda Staton of Dixon Elementary in Dixon, MO to its 2023 class of Extraordinary Educators, an annual program that celebrates and connects exemplar teachers in Grades K8 from around the country. Chosen from hundreds of nominations, Spoljaric and Staton are among 30 educators from 22 states selected for exhibiting best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready, illustrating growth and achievement via formal assessments, demonstrating innovation and engagement practices for students, being evangelists for high expectations and student achievement, championing equity, and having taught for at least two years.

"Teachers are true rockstars," said Emily McCann, vice president of educator community at Curriculum Associates. "This year's Extraordinary Educators are no exceptionthey were chosen from hundreds of nominations and represent the best of the best. We are happy to recognize and celebrate Steven and Amanda for their amazing work in the classroom and look forward to providing them with ongoing professional learning and networking opportunities to help them continue to grow their craft."

With nearly 340 years of combined teaching experience, this year's class of Extraordinary Educators includes classroom teachers, special education teachers, and instructional specialists. All of the educators were ultimately selected by an advisory board featuring leaders from Curriculum Associates, previously inducted Extraordinary Educators, and a college student pursuing a degree in urban education.

The Extraordinary Educators will have continued access to a network of peers from around the country to collaborate, connect, and learn from throughout the year as well as access to professional development opportunities from Curriculum Associates. They will also be invited to participate and present at the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit and other professional learning events.

"This honor is special to me because it validates all the hard work my students have put in and the challenges they have overcome," said Spoljaric. "I am excited for this recognition as an Extraordinary Educator because this means I have extraordinary students with whom I have had the pleasure to work and learn alongside. Also, I'm excited to make connections with successful teachers from all over the country to improve myself to better set my students up for success."

"Becoming a member of the 2023 Extraordinary Educators class is a great way to gain a network of peers that are excelling in their education careers," said Staton. "This program is an incredible opportunity to network, gain invaluable PD, and overall be recognized for what I do every day in the classroom. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a member of the class of 2023 and share my experiences and wins with other educators."

This is the fourth year of the Extraordinary Educators program. This year's class joins 110 additional educators from across the country in receiving this recognition.

Today, Curriculum Associates' programs are used in half of all school districts in Missouri.

To learn more about Curriculum Associates and the 2023 Extraordinary Educators, visit CurriculumAssociates.com/Extraordinary-Educators/Classes.

About Curriculum Associates

Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools. The company's products and outstanding customer service provide teachers and administrators with the resources necessary for teaching diverse student populations and fostering learning for all students.

Contact: Kati Elliott Charlotte Fixler

KEH Communications Curriculum Associates

(410) 975-9638 (978) 901-6066

[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- (EWTN)  EWTN Global Catholic Network has announced that Montse Alvarado  Catholic leader, religious liberty advocate, and news show anchor  has been named president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, Inc. Her appointment is effective March 6th.

Montse Alvarado  Catholic leader, religious liberty advocate, and news show anchor  has been named president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, Inc. effective March 6. Alvarado will oversee EWTN's global news media platforms, which create content in English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Italian. Its holdings include Catholic News Agency, the National Catholic Register, the ACI Group, ChurchPop, and a lineup of television and radio news programming. Montse Alvarado  Catholic leader, religious liberty advocate, and news show anchor  has been named president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, Inc. effective March 6. Alvarado will oversee EWTN's global news media platforms, which create content in English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Italian. Its holdings include Catholic News Agency, the National Catholic Register, the ACI Group, ChurchPop, and a lineup of television and radio news programming.

In her role as president of the news division, Alvarado will oversee EWTN's global news media platforms, which create content in English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Italian. Its holdings include Catholic News Agency, the National Catholic Register, the ACI Group, ChurchPop, and a lineup of television and radio news programming.

"As a seasoned executive, Montse will bring new energy and perspective to our global news services," said EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. "Her background in organizational management, understanding of the Church, and experience in the public square are key elements that make her ideal for this role. This combination of skills will allow EWTN News to become even stronger in delivering critical reporting and analysis."

Profiled by the Wall Street Journal as "a defender of all religion, on the front lines of America's culture wars," Alvarado began her career at the Becket Funda renowned non-profit defending religious freedom as a human right at the Supreme Courtand rose to its leadership over the span of 14 years of service. In that time, the team secured 12 victories at the Supreme Court on behalf of Little Sisters of the Poor, Muslim death-row prisoners, as well as charitable groups, such as Philadelphia Catholic Social Services, among others.

Alvarado serves as the founding anchor of the news program "EWTN News in Depth." Celebrating two years on air this March, the show was launched as a weekly one-hour discussion of current events in the Church, politics, and culture, from a Catholic perspective.

"Montse and the 'EWTN News In Depth' team understand how to bring the news to our viewership worldwidecovering the underreported stories and clarifying the Church's position on key teachings with a focus on the laity's needs and concerns," Warsaw said. "In its nearly two years on air, this show has been a model of how to cover the issues facing the Church and the world today by reflecting the universality of the Church and diversifying the voices featured in the discussion."

Alvarado's commitment to the EWTN mission-- the advancement of Truth -- is not new. Recently recognized for her leadership as a Latina Catholic by the Chicago-based ministry, Iskali, she has been a strategic partner to apostolates facing the challenges of secularization and the shifting demographics of the global Church.

Born in Mexico City, Alvarado serves the Church in various roles with leading apostolates dedicated to the new evangelization, from the defense of free speech to the role of women and the treatment of marginalized communities in society. Alvarado is on the advisory council to the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR), the GIVEN Institute, and the Catholic Information Center, among others. She holds a Master's from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University in Political Management and Political Science, respectively.

"Mother Angelica's vision for EWTN was entrepreneurial, committed to excellence, and reliant on Providence." Alvarado said. "The team at EWTN is remarkable and called for such a time as this to respond to the need for Truth in journalism. I look forward to leading this team of news professionals to play our necessary part in bolstering civil society through the free press."

ABOUT EWTN and EWTN NEWS

In its 42nd year, EWTN is the largest Catholic media organization in the world. EWTN's 11 global TV channels and numerous regional channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 400 million television households in more than 160 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 600 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; one of the most visited Catholic websites in the U.S.; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., EWTN News operates multiple global news services, including Catholic News Agency, "The National Catholic Register" newspaper and digital platform, ACI Prensa in Spanish, ACI Digital in Portuguese, ACI Stampa in Italian, ACI Africa in English, French and Portuguese, ACI MENA in Arabic, CNA Deutsch in German and ChurchPop, a digital platform that creates content in several languages. It also produces numerous television news programs including EWTN News Nightly, EWTN News In Depth, EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, The World Over, and others.

SOURCE EWTN Global Catholic Network
Over 500 year-end grants will address the health-related needs of low-income and underserved New Yorkers, including food insecurity, education access, the mental health crisis, healthcare workforce development, and social services for incoming immigrants and migrant workers

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation today announced it has awarded 538 grants totaling $165 million to support nonprofit organizations addressing the health-related needs of low-income residents and underserved communities across New York State in 2023.

In the four years since its inception, the Foundation has now awarded approximately 2,200 grants totaling nearly $635 million.

Newly funded grantee initiatives will target New York's evolving needs by expanding access to food, education, support for mental health, as well as access to healthcare and social services.

Grant recipients include community-based organizations, food banks, healthcare providers, nursing homes, schools, federally qualified health centers, and trade associations addressing the needs of key populations: low-income individuals and families; older adults; youth and young adults; persons with special needs; immigrants and migrant workers; veterans; formerly incarcerated individuals; and young children, pregnant women, and new moms.

Efforts will address urgent challenges including New York's healthcare workforce shortage and current migrant crisis. Over 60 grants totaling $17 million will support immigrants and migrants fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries and those encountering significant challenges upon arrival to the U.S., a roughly 30% increase in funding from the previous year. In addition, 55 grants totaling $14 million will allow organizations to focus on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, especially as the state continues to face an urgent shortage of nurses and healthcare practitioners.

"At a moment when New York State's health needs are both acute and wide-ranging, the Foundation is supporting hundreds of programs addressing the needs of vulnerable New Yorkers and underserved communities across the state. From building up our healthcare workforce and providing essential resources for immigrants and migrants, to investing in community-based providers that address chronic challenges from mental health to food insecurity, funding this year will again offer much-needed support to underserved communities," said Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa and Chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board.

"When Mother Frances Cabrini arrived in New York as an Italian immigrant in 1889, she dedicated herself to serving fellow immigrants and underserved New Yorkers. This year, New York has welcomed tens of thousands of new immigrants seeking a new home, and the Foundation is proud to follow in our namesake's footsteps by increasing our support for nonprofits helping immigrants and migrant workers. As the needs of New Yorkers continue to evolve, the Foundation is committed to ensuring our grants have the greatest impact possible," said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

"In our fourth year of grantmaking, the Foundation continues to support nonprofits with whom we have established long-term partnerships while also uplifting new, innovative programs. In every corner of the state, our grantees tirelessly serve their communities while mitigating impediments around social determinants of health and breaking barriers to improve health outcomes," said Kathryn Ruscitto, Chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation's Regional Grants Committee.

The Foundation's new round of grants include:

In 2020, the Foundation launched an initial round of strategic grants to provide three years of sustained funding for identified areas of need. The year-end 2022 grants include $13.6 million to expand the Foundation's strategic grants focused on three areas: a third year of grants to increase access to oral healthcare services, a second year of grants to address early childhood disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, and a second year of grants to mitigate healthcare disparities by diversifying the healthcare workforce. Strategic grants include:

$6 million to increase access to oral health services through grants that will provide specialty dental care for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mobile dental health vans that will reduce barriers to accessing care. Grantees include the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation in Queens and the University of Buffalo's UB S-Miles To Go program . Across the three years of funding, the Foundation has awarded 35 oral health strategic grants totaling $15.2 million .

through grants that will provide specialty dental care for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mobile dental health vans that will reduce barriers to accessing care. Grantees include the in and the University of . Across the three years of funding, the Foundation has awarded 35 oral health strategic grants totaling . $3 million to address early childhood disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes with grants focused on maternal health and wellbeing. Grants support mental health programming and culturally informed interventions for asylum-seekers, survivors of trafficking, and recent immigrants. Grantees include Montefiore Health System for its Terra Firma Project , and InterFaith Works of Central New York .

with grants focused on maternal health and wellbeing. Grants support mental health programming and culturally informed interventions for asylum-seekers, survivors of trafficking, and recent immigrants. Grantees include Montefiore Health System for its , and . $5 million to mitigate healthcare disparities by diversifying the healthcare workforce by funding programs to grow and support the workforce, and through scholarships and fellowships to change the faces of New York's healthcare delivery system to better reflect those it serves. Grantees include the Associated Medical Schools of New York and the Hunter College Foundation for its Cabrini-Hunter Fellowships for Social Work and Nursing Students .

"The Foundation's strategic grants dedicate long-term resources to key issues affecting health equity in New York. Three years of funding for oral healthcare initiatives has had a positive impact for underserved New Yorkers, especially in rural areas, while helping to bridge the gap in systemic barriers to healthcare," said Kathryn Connerton, President and CEO of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton and Chair of the Foundation's Statewide Grants Committee overseeing strategic grants.

In spring 2022, the Foundation invited organizations to apply for funding through an open process, receiving over 1,500 letters of interest, both from returning grantees and new organizations. Approximately 46% of the grants were for $250,000 or more.

Click HERE for a list of year-end 2022 Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grantees.

About the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that provide either direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/

Media Contacts

C.J. Mayer, [email protected] , (917) 428-1236

Bob Varettoni, [email protected] , (917) 734-4156

SOURCE Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
Matt Wildman, Chief Commercial Officer, and Moliehi Weitnauer, Chief Product Officer, join MRO to help drive growth and innovation

NORRISTOWN, Pa., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MRO, Corp. (MRO), the leading clinical data exchange platform in healthcare, announced today two key additions to the executive leadership team. Matt Wildman has joined as Chief Commercial Officer and Moliehi (Mo) Weitnauer as Chief Product Officer. MRO's enhanced leadership team brings deep expertise in clinical data circulation and a shared passion to transform the clinical data exchange for providers, payers, and users of clinical data.

Weitnauer enjoys a robust skillset in product strategy and product management, having helped build product organizations for many leading companies. Most recently, she did so at Cotiviti, where she was senior vice president of corporate and product strategy, and FinThrive, where she led product management for the billing and denials management solutions portfolio.

"Clinical data exchange is a core challenge in the healthcare industry. MRO is at the epicenter of this industry challenge and is positioned to continue to bring unique enterprise clinical data exchange solutions to the market," said Weitnauer. "I'm excited to join a company with deep expertise and advanced technology in clinical data exchange and I'm looking forward to driving innovation and helping shape the portfolio of solutions into the future," she continued.

Wildman brings a wealth of experience with clinical data and technology. Prior to joining MRO, Wildman spent 20 years with Cerner Corporation in a variety of roles, including general manager of Cerner Australia, head of sales, and senior vice president of client relationships. In Wildman's new role as chief commercial officer, he is accountable for MRO's go-to-market strategies, market expansion, and creating deeper alignment with current and prospective clients.

"Healthcare providers are overwhelmed with requests for clinical data, a burden that is only increasing," said Wildman. "I'm excited to join MRO and tackle these critical industry challenges. MRO was built to handle the process of clinical data acquisition and release, freeing providers to focus on patient care. We have the solutions to lift those burdens from providers, satisfy the needs of clinical data users with efficient, secure and compliant solutions, and increase payer provider collaboration," he continued.

"Coming off a record year, we're excited about adding two exceptionally talented executives to our team to help us continue our journey to digitize and mobilize clinical data for providers and other clinical data users," said Jason Brown, CEO of MRO. "With Mo's deep product management and strategy skillset, and Matt's market expansion experience, they will help us build upon our long track record of delivering strategic value for our clients and enhance our clinical data exchange capabilities."

MRO is supported by Parthenon Capital, a leading growth oriented private equity firm focused on building franchise companies in healthcare.

About MRO

MRO, a leading clinical data exchange solutions provider, empowers healthcare organizations with proven, enterprise-wide technology and services for the secure, compliant, and efficient exchange of clinical information. As a single source technology and service provider, MRO's clinical data exchange solutions, EMR integration, and interoperable workflow tools improve clinical and financial outcomes requiring extraction and interoperability of medical records, structured and unstructured data. These solutions support enterprise-wide applications, including quality measurement and reporting, payer-provider interoperability, clinical denial audit management, clinical registries, release of information, and more. Through innovation, emerging technologies, and deep domain expertise, MRO is connecting over 200 EHR and practice management systems, extracting more than 10,200 clinical data elements, and engaging over 850 hospitals and health systems, securely, efficiently, and compliantly. For more information, visit www.mrocorp.com.

SOURCE MRO
The unique and scalable hardware and AI-powered software platform prevents downtime, increases productivity, and reduces emissions, decreasing costs and reducing time spent on physical maintenance.

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Frost & Sullivan researched the artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive maintenance industry and, based on its analysis, recognizes Nanoprecise Sci Corp (Nanoprecise) with the 2022 North America New Product Innovation Award. The company provides customized Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and AI-based predictive maintenance and condition cum efficiency monitoring solutions for rotating machinery in industrial or building facilities. By effectively monitoring and analyzing vibration, acoustic emissions, magnetic flux, speed, and temperature data, Nanoprecise prevents machine downtime and enhances overall performance & lifespan, thereby reducing the associated emissions. Nanoprecise's IIoT- and AI-based predictive maintenance and condition cum efficiency monitoring solutions allow customers to reduce false positives to less than 5% and false negatives to less than 1%, providing seamless accessibility through an intuitive and open user interface.

Nanoprecise Sci Corp

MachineDoctor is the world's first and only IIoT hardware that offers real-time insights into the health and performance of industrial assets, by measuring 6 important parameters of vibration, acoustic, speed, magnetic flux, temperature, and humidity. It works on Cellular networks (3G/4G/5G) using an e-sim to connect the machines to the internet and lasts for 5  8 years in terms of battery life. MachineDoctor is Atex and IECEx Zone 0 certified, enabling it to be used within explosive atmospheres/hazardous industrial environments, thereby bringing productivity and safety benefits to manufacturing operations. They are truly wireless, which also helps to avoid the hassles of complex wiring. It offers extensive coverage and also provides a high level of security for communication.

RotationLF is a scalable and Sensor agnostic platform that monitors the condition of the machines in real time and predicts their Remaining Useful Life. It automatically detects patterns by building a prediction model that identifies when a given piece of equipment and its components are approaching the end of their remaining useful lives or at risk of failure. It receives data from MachineDoctor sensors through an encrypted & secured network and analyzes it using a combination of Artificial Intelligence as well as physics-based models, to detect even small changes in the machine, thereby preventing unplanned downtime and increasing the overall efficiency of the manufacturing operations.

NrgMonitor is an Energy Efficiency feature, which is an addition to the RotationLF platform and helps manufacturers track their energy efficiency & carbon footprint.

Frost & Sullivan's Senior Consultant, Isaac Premsingh, noted, "Frost & Sullivan recognizes Nanoprecise for its visionary solutions and its continued success in addressing key challenges that customers face across various industries. Its successful use cases demonstrate the company's sought-after partnership position and flexible options for MachineDoctor to meet customer needs."

"Nanoprecise's flagship products enable 24/7 monitoring and give access to end-to-end capabilities across various wireless connectivity options for all asset management system levels. The company continues to grow by building strategic partnerships across various industries and garnering customer trust, proven by successful use cases," added Steven Lopez, Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Research Analyst. With its strong overall performance, Nanoprecise earns Frost & Sullivan's 2022 North America New Product Innovation Award in the AI-based predictive maintenance industry.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that develops an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognizes the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased return on investment (ROI) it gives customers, which, in turn, raises customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Lindsey Whitaker

P: 1.210.477.8457

E: [email protected]

About Nanoprecise

Nanoprecise Sci Corp is an automated AI-based predictive maintenance solution provider that facilitates early detection of even small changes in machine operations well before they impact production or cause downtime. Nanoprecise specializes in the implementation of Artificial Intelligence and IIoT technology for predictive asset maintenance and reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing plants. We are defining the industry's service standard for the monitoring & analytics of all types of industrial machines, through our leading energy efficiency & health analytics platform for industrial assets. We work with companies across various sectors to help drive their Industry 4.0 journey.

Contact:

Sunil Vedula

P: +1 780 680 2693

E: [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1984995/Nanoprecise_Award.jpg

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Gbarnga-Bong County's Fiscal Affairs Superintendent, Paul A. Sulonteh has described the removal of Bong County's controversial Project Management Committee (PMC) Chair, Steve J. Mulbah from his post as a total boost for the County due to his alleged corrupt nature.

Steve J. Mulbah and others were removed from the PMC, based on the implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 which calls for the County Council to have a nine-member committee from various organizations.

According to Mr. Sulonteh, the former Bong County Projects Management Committee Chair has been involved in massive corruption over the past years under his watch as Chair of the County Projects Management Committee.

He alleged that the former PMC Chair has been collaborating with some officials of the County including Bong County Superintendent, Esther Walker to loot the County's Natural Resources for their gains.

The Bong County's Fiscal Affairs Superintendent further alleged that Bong County Superintendent Walker has also reportedly been collaborating with the County's Inspector, Moses Stubberfield, and several other commissioners of the County to illegally sell scraps that could benefit the County's development project to Gbarnga Businessman, Ansu Saysay.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sulonteh told this paper that Superintendent Esther Walker and the County Inspector, Moses Stubberfield have been allegedly forcing residents of Kokoyah District over the past weeks to affix their signatures to a reported illegal document intended to grant the Gbarnga Businessman legitimacy of buying or purchasing the scraps in the County.

He alleged that the superintendent also used a portion of the three-hundred thousand Liberian Dollars ($LD300,000.00) given to the Muslim and Christian Communities by President George Weah for the Christmas celebration to bribe officials of Kokoyah district to affix their signatures to the illegal document.

When Contacted, Bong County Superintendent, Esther Walker said she cannot respond to the allegation on grounds that she has other busy schedules to attend to.

Additionally, Steve J. Mulbah, who was contacted by our reporter, remained coy or coquettish in responding to Sulonteh's allegation in the County.

It can be recalled that Bong Legislative Caucus suspended two members of the county's Project Management Committee on charges of unauthorized payments against the decision of November 18, 2018, County Council Sitting, overpaying contractors and overpaying staffers of the Project Management Committee.

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The caucus decided to suspend the Chair of the Project Management Committee Steve Mulbah and Comptroller Abraham Kollie on October 8, 2020, following an emergency meeting.

The caucus' decision stemmed from allegations by the Fiscal Superintendent Paul Sulonteh that Mulbah unilaterally increased his salary from US$1000 to US$ 2000 without the consent of members of the Project Management Committee and the caucus, while other members of the PMC, according to Sulonteh, unilaterally increased their salaries.

"The PMC headed by Steven J. Mulbah unilaterally increased his salary from US$1,000 to US$ 2,000 without any justifiable cause. Also, the Comptroller, Abraham Kollie, increased his salary by 50 percent. I think this is unfair to the county. We should not be using the social development funds as a cash cow while several abandoned projects are left to decay," Sulonteh said.
Published in the Financial Analysts Journal, the winning research addresses the substantial impact of the most aggressive unconventional US monetary policy on record.

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, announces the winners of the 2022 Graham and Dodd Awards of Excellence. These prestigious awards are bestowed annually for the best research articles published in the Financial Analysts Journal, the flagship publication of CFA Institute, and recognize the contribution of the articles to the practice of investment management. The awards are named in honor of Benjamin Graham and David L. Dodd for their enduring contributions to the field of investment analysis.

The 2022 winner of the Graham and Dodd Top Award is Free Markets to Fed Markets: How Modern Monetary Policy Impacts Equity Markets, Financial Analysts Journal, by Talis J. Putnins, Professor of Finance at the University Technology of Sydney and the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.

The research addresses the substantial impact of the most aggressive US monetary policy on record when the Federal Reserve (the Fed) doubled its balance sheet during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research discovers a strong relationship between the Fed's balance sheet and stock market prices; it finds that the Fed responds more strongly (through its asset purchases) to negative stock market returns, whereas the stock market is more sensitive to the Fed's balance sheet contractions than it is to balance sheet expansions. The research finds that the timing of the market reactions suggest that the stock market largely responds to realized balance-sheet changes, as opposed to announcement effects that would imply an earlier reaction. Further, the Fed's balance sheet expansion during COVID-19 explains at least one-third of the stock market's rebound following its crash in March 2020.

The research will help asset managers model the actions of the Fed to better understand the effects of contemporary monetary policy on portfolio risk and return. The author shows that, particularly in times of macroeconomic dislocation, the bilateral feedback between asset markets and monetary authorities is of first-order importance to investors and policymakers.

The 2022 winner of the Graham and Dodd Scroll Award is Which Corporate ESG News Does the Market React To?, Financial Analysts Journal, by George Serafeim and Aaron Yoon. Professor Serafeim is the Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School where he co-leads the Climate and Sustainability Impact AI Lab; Professor Yoon is Assistant Professor of Accounting and Information Management at Northwestern University  Kellogg School of Management.

The article analyzes a unique dataset that creates an ESG news sentiment score by tracking daily ESG news across more than 3,000 companies and examines whether and how investors react to the release of different ESG-related information. The research found that prices react only to industry-specific financially material ESG news, and that the price reaction is larger for ESG news that is positive, has received more news coverage, and is related to social capital issues.

Margaret Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute, comments:

"For more than 60 years, the Graham and Dodd Awards have recognized a select number of Financial Analyst Journal articles for their outstanding contribution to the global body of rigorous and peer-reviewed investment research. I'm thrilled by the caliber of research that these annual awards continue to surface. These winning articles are a meaningful addition to our collective knowledge as industry practitioners. I highly commend them to those who have a deep interest and curiosity about the functioning of investment markets."

William Goetzmann, Executive Editor of Financial Analysts Journal, comments:

"The recipients of this year's Graham and Dodd awards impressed the Financial Analysts Journal editorial team and panel of judges with research that is innovative, actionable, well-written, timely, and of interest to both investment practitioners and academia. These works deliver important data-rich learnings and observations about markets, investor behaviour, and monetary policy, during one of the most challenging economic periods in modern history."

The research articles for current and previous winners can be accessed here.

For further information, please contact [email protected].

Notes to Editors

About the Graham and Dodd Awards of Excellence

The Graham and Dodd Awards of Excellence comprise a Top Award for the best article and up to two Scroll Awards. Winners are chosen through a two-stage selection process: First, all members of the Financial Analysts Journal Editorial Board and Advisory Council are invited to vote, producing a shortlist of research articles published in the Financial Analysts Journal throughout the year. Second, the Graham and Dodd Awards of Excellence working group, assembled from the CFA Institute leadership, Board of Governors, and Financial Analysts Journal editorial team, collectively decides the award winners from the shortlist.

About the Financial Analysts Journal

The CFA Institute Financial Analyst Journal is the leading practitioner journal for the investment management community. Since its founding in 1945, the journal has advanced the knowledge and understanding of the practice of investment management through the publication of peer-reviewed and practitioner-relevant research. The Financial Analysts Journal is published four times per year and is a benefit of CFA Institute membership, which includes more than 190,000 CFA charterholders serving in roles including investment management, research, and consulting. More than 3,200 financial institutions and university libraries worldwide have subscription access. The Taylor & Francis Press Pass provides journalists with free access to Financial Analyst Journal articles.

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. Our aim is to create an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. There are more than 190,000 CFA charterholders worldwide in 160 markets. CFA Institute has nine offices worldwide and 160 local societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on Linkedin and Twitter at @CFAInstitute.

SOURCE CFA Institute
The film is debuting at 3M's officially sanctioned 2023 Sundance Film Festival eventhosted by actress, director, and philanthropist Vivica A. Foxand will be available for streaming on Apple TV+, Google Play, Kanopy, Prime Video and The Roku Channel on May 3.

"At 3M, we're working to increase awareness around the variety of opportunities available in the trades and support students who choose these exciting career paths," said James Momon, chief equity officer, 3M. "Skilled workers are vital to our global communities and economies. Because access to education and opportunity remains inequitable, we are focused on sharing 'Skilled' in classrooms and advancing our global commitment to create 5 million unique skilled trades and STEM learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by the end of 2025."

In addition to this enterprise-level goal at 3M, the company's Safety & Industrial Business Group (SIBG) will leverage its people, products, and community partnerships to advance equity in the skilled trades. To increase awareness of the skilled trades as a viable career, the business group is engaging underrepresented students and young adults interested in vocational training for jobs. SIBG is also actively identifying community partnerships that support skilled trade occupations their customers are working to fill, while connecting students and young adults to hands-on training and certification opportunities.

"Within SIBG, we're on a mission to transform the way work gets done," said Mike Vale, group president, 3M Safety and Industrial Business Group. "Our innovative products and solutions are an important part of that, but we also need to foster a transformative mindset in our people and the industries we serve. Supporting skilled trades will shape the future of work, grow the talent pool for critical jobs, and fulfill the pressing demands of the global economy."

"Skilled" is designed to spark a conversation about the realities of the skilled trades and address stereotypes that may discourage people from pursuing them. It was inspired by 3M State of Science Index, a global original research study that confirms while skilled trade workers are widely respected, a majority believe there is a negative stigma around the trade professions. The study found nine in 10 people believe more individuals would pursue a trade career if perceptions of the field improved. Additionally, 93% believe the skilled trade workforce needs more people and 92% see consequences if their country cannot find a solution to the shortage of workers, from declines in overall quality of life, to negative economic impact, neglected public infrastructure, and safety risks.

Misperceptions may arise from limited understanding of what careers are included in this field and the benefits these professions offer. By highlighting four tradespeople, "Skilled" showcases the diversity and breadth of trade jobs, and how workers can find personal fulfillment and professional success. The talented workers highlighted in the film include:

Paige Knowles , a 20-year-old plumber and author of the children's book "Plumber Paige," who hosts an all-girls construction camp during the summer.

, a 20-year-old plumber and author of the children's book "Plumber Paige," who hosts an all-girls construction camp during the summer. Cedric Smith, a welder who attended technical school thanks in part to a 3M grant, who is driven, committed and passionate about his profession.

grant, who is driven, committed and passionate about his profession. Anni Martinez , a gaffer at Amazonas Electricas, an all-female grip and electrical team bringing diversity to Mexico's film industry.

, a gaffer at Amazonas Electricas, an all-female grip and electrical team bringing diversity to film industry. Andrea Martin , a fall protection specialist at 3M , who was named one of the 2022 Top Women in Safety by Canadian Occupational Safety.

3M is also partnering with Teach For America, an organization committed to educational equity and excellence, to promote and screen "Skilled" in 2023. The film will be shown in classrooms led by Teach For America educatorsreaching up to 30,000 studentsand supported by discussion guides to facilitate open conversation about the skilled trades and the opportunities available.

"Skilled" was directed by documentary filmmaker Julio Palacio and produced by Christine Arena ("Let Science Speak," "Not the Science Type") of Generous Films and 3M. To learn more about "Skilled" visit 3M.com/Skilled. "Skilled" is not an official selection of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, though 3M is a proud supporter of Sundance Institute.

About 3M

3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what's possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we're working to improve lives and make what's next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews.

SOURCE 3M
Digital Access Ohio will partner with Smart Way Communications to provide last-mile high-speed internet to customers with assistance from JobsOhio

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Access Ohio, LLC, an innovative middle-mile infrastructure company, announced today the launch of a new wireless broadband tower creating new high-speed internet service in Tuscarawas County.

Digital Access Ohio was formed in 2021 as a partnership between Canton-based Agile Networks and JobsOhio. The mission of Digital Access Ohio is to build, own, market, and operate up to 75 new telecommunication colocation tower sites, principally in rural Ohio. Digital Access Ohio will upgrade 135 existing towers in the state. Wireless Internet Service Providers can leverage this infrastructure to provide last-mile broadband capabilities across the state.

Smart Way Communications, LLC will be the first entity to utilize the open-access network constructed by Digital Access Ohio to provide last-mile high-speed internet to customers. Digital Access Ohio and Smart Way anticipate that the activation of this new tower will help facilitate internet access for as many as 2,400 households and 125 businesses in the area surrounding the tower.

"We are excited for the impact this will have on rural living in Ohio," said Ryan Grewell, Smart Way Communications General Manager.

The partnership supports Ohio's Broadband Strategy , which specifies using economic development and entrepreneurial initiatives to expand broadband. The strategy was established by the DeWine-Husted Administration in 2019 to improve access for the unserved and underserved groups in Ohio.

"You cannot be part of the modern economy, education, or healthcare system without access to high-speed internet," said Lt. Governor Husted. "That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have worked through BroadbandOhio to enhance and expand broadband throughout the state. Today's announcement will be encouraging news to those lacking access in the region and another step towards closing the digital divide in Ohio."

The initiative is also a component of JobsOhio's Inclusive Economic Development strategy, which ensures all Ohioans have equitable access to essential resources and economic opportunities. Additional information regarding locations to be served by the Digital Access Ohio network, including tower locations, will be made available by Digital Access Ohio in the future.

"Investing in dependable access to broadband strengthens Ohio's economic competitiveness and is a core pillar of our inclusive economic development strategy," said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. "Broadband is essential to expanding a modern economy and talented workforce and will enable Ohio's economy to access thousands of hard-working, creative people."

"JobsOhio and the State of Ohio have developed an innovative strategy to expand high-speed broadband access, including through fixed wireless," said Lawrence Chu, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Telecommunications at Jefferies and former Special Advisor to the Federal Communications Commission. "Building out high quality middle mile infrastructure networks - such as Digital Access Ohio - will be critical to enable fixed-wireless solutions not only in the Midwest but nationally."

"We are pleased to be part of the announcement by JobsOhio, in cooperation with Digital Access Ohio and Smart Way Communications, of the investment in this new infrastructure and tower," said State Senator Al Landis. "This project is a great step forward in providing high-speed internet access to all Ohioans, especially those in the 31st Senate District. My constituents will now be better equipped with broadband internet access desperately needed in their homes, workplaces, and schools."

"We are well into the digital era, and unfortunately, many places, like Tuscarawas County, could not stay connected and involved in a modern economy," said State Rep. Brett Hillyer. "I am grateful to the commitment of JobsOhio, Agile Networks, and Smart Way Communications in helping our community stay involved in this modern world."

Expanding broadband infrastructure is a vital issue impacting Ohio's economic competitiveness and is a critical resource for individuals seeking to participate in the modern economy. Nearly one-million Ohioans need access to high-speed internet, according to BroadbandOhio.

About Digital Access Ohio

Fast and reliable Internet is necessary for the 21st century as more Ohioans are utilizing remote school, work, and healthcare services than ever before. However, many Ohioans in rural counties need access to broadband Internet, cutting them off from essential online services and opportunities. Digital Access Ohio's vision is to create a network and communications infrastructure that will help eliminate a significant portion of this digital divide in Ohio, helping get broadband Internet services to the underserved communities of Ohio's rural counties. We build the necessary infrastructure and partner with local Internet service providers to help get vital services to homes and businesses.

About Smart Way Communications, LLC.

Smart Way Communications, LLC is Eastern Ohio's High-Speed Wireless Internet Provider and data services company serving rural & underserved communities in Eastern Ohio. Smart Way Communications, LLC is a high-speed wireless internet and data services company headquartered in Tuscarawas County. Smart Way provides wireless internet connection to residents and businesses in the county, including rural and underserved areas, and is expanding into new areas. Smart Way prioritizes improving infrastructure and upgrading its network to provide the fastest, most reliable service. For more information, visit thinksmartway.com.

About JobsOhio

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention, and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio . JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition , Ohio Southeast Economic Development , One Columbus , REDI Cincinnati , Regional Growth Partnership , and Team NEO . Learn more at www.jobsohio.com . Follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook .

SOURCE JobsOhio
The Journey will make two stops in New Mexico, from January 23rd to February 10th. Please see the locations and timing below.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The All of Us Research Program's Journey mobile exhibit is traveling across the country to engage communities that have been historically underrepresented in medical research. All of Us is inviting one million or more people to help build one of the most diverse health databases of its kind and advance precision medicine.

Since the program launched in 2018, the mobile exhibit has visited more than 100 cities in over 40 states. In New Mexico, the Journey will be available to educate and register new participants for the program. Participants will be able to take health surveys and provide biosamples, such as a blood sample, as part of joining the program. With more enrollment and representation from area residents, researchers can help better address health issues that are prevalent in the community.

LOCATIONS:

FIRST STOP : University of New Mexico (203 Cornell Dr, Albuquerque, NM 87106)

Monday, 1/23 to Friday, 1/27, 10 a.m.  4 p.m.

SECOND STOP : Las Cruces City Hall ( 700 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001)

Monday, 2/6 to Friday, 2/10, 10:00 a.m.  4:00 p.m.

EVENT DETAILS:

All of Us tour managers will be available for interviews at the event or before the event via Zoom or phone.

tour managers will be available for interviews at the event or before the event via Zoom or phone. Journalists are welcome to shoot B-roll and take photos at the event.

The mobile exhibit features hands-on activities to learn more about the program, including a digital gaming hub, an augmented reality experience, and more.

COVID-19 safety guidelines:

All staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.



Staff and attendees are required to wear masks only when mandated by local guidelines.

to wear masks when mandated by local guidelines.

All surfaces are cleaned pre-, during, and post-event to reduce any possible contamination.

ABOUT ALL OF US:

More than 320,000 people nationwide have enrolled and completed the initial steps to participate in the research program, and over 80% of these participants belong to communities that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research, including 50% from racial and ethnic minority groups. Researchers will use the data that participants contribute to learn how biology, lifestyle, and environment affect health. This may one day help them find more tailored ways to treat and prevent disease.

For more information, visit allofus.nih.gov . | To sign up, visit joinallofus.org .

SOURCE All of Us Journey
From ENT to GYN to General Surgery, Electrosurgical "Energy" Solutions Bring Workflow, Ergonomic and Cost Reduction Benefits; Smoke Solutions Help Ensure Adoption of Energy

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus announced today the availability of several Experience Papers focused on the benefits of advancements in electrosurgical devices. Important to the broad range of minimally invasive surgical solutions available to patients, electrosurgical or "energy" devices are designed to allow for efficient dissection and cauterization of tissue. Many times, as explained in these papers, they also contribute to improved workflow in the procedure room. Among these papers developed for a healthcare professional audience, benefits of workflow, ergonomics, cost reduction and control of energy-related smoke were discussed.

The CELERIS Disposable Sinus Debrider The Ultravision System The POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider Curved Jaw, Double-Action

New Ergonomic Benefits of Energy Devices Used in General Surgery

Lena Nguyen*, DO, a gynecologist with the Women's Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., discusses the ergonomic benefits of the new Olympus advanced bipolar device in the July 2022 issue of General Surgery News. Her paper, Efficiency and Ergonomic Benefit of Using POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider Curved Jaw, Double-Action in Gynecologic Procedures, reflects on the significance of ergonomics to clinicians who perform frequent surgeries. She also details the design elements contributing to the enhanced ergonomics of this latest bipolar energy device, including shorter distances from the device handle to the jaw lever, cut trigger, and rotation wheel.

Dr. Nguyen notes: "For me, the POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider device1 had a better feel than other devices I had used previously. The grip has the right size and design. I have small hands, and this made a difference."

A survey of surgeons who perform minimally invasive gynecologic cancer procedures indicate that most surgeons experience some physical discomfort due to surgery, with female surgeons among those most affected.2

Two more clinical experience papers about the POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider device were recently published in General Surgery News:

POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider Curved Jaw, Double-Action: Utility in Bariatric Surgery by Nikhilesh R. Sekhar *, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Senior Faculty of Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was published in June 2022 .

*, MD, FACS, FASMBS, Senior Faculty of Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was published in . Advanced Surgical EnergyClinical Experience With the POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider Curved Jaw, Double-Action by Justin Maykel *, MD, Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center was published in April 2022 .

Energy Advancements in ENT

Another paper addressing energy to treat the sinuses, entitled "ENT Practices Recognize the Clinical and Financial Benefits of a New Single-Use Debrider,"was authored by Becker's Healthcare staff, based on discussion with three otolaryngologists and discusses the clinical and financial benefits of the CELERIS Disposable Sinus Debrider.3

The physicians discussed the utility of minimally invasive technologies like the CELERIS system in the shift to performing more office-based procedures. "Providing certain services in the office in a minimally invasive way means that patients can avoid the cost and inconvenience of general anesthesia," said Jordan Pritikin*, MD Chicago Nasal and Sinus Center. They also discussed the benefit of reducing costs for the practice and the patient by using a portable, single-use debrider that enables in-office treatments. The CELERIS debrider is equipped with a small, reusable power pack that offers mobility and ease of use in an outpatient setting. The CELERIS system requires no special training to use the equipment, making it ideal for facilities that do not have the same nursing staff for all patient cases.4 "A large percentage of patients that I've taken to the operating room could be transitioned to the office setting with the addition of this product," said Shane Pahlavan*, MD, The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas, in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Offsetting the Energy/Smoke Dynamic

With more healthcare facilities recognizing the benefits of energy devices, adoption has risen, and with it, attention to the potential risks of repeated exposure to smoke in the procedural setting. In the United States, to combat the risk of health effects from surgical smoke, 10 states have implemented laws to require smoke management for laparoscopic procedures and additional states have legislation pending for such requirements, according to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).5,6

Jin S. Yoo*, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina, addressed this concern in an article in General Surgery News, entitled "Managing Surgical Smoke Risk While Improving Visualization and Minimizing Patient CO 2 Exposure Using the Ultravision System During Laparoscopy."

"The Ultravision system7 is the only technology that will allow the surgeon to perform laparoscopy with low-pressure, low-flow, and low-volume CO2," Dr. Yoo said in the article. "This is one way we can take minimally invasive surgery to the next level in an effort to reduce physiological stress and postoperative pain while providing enhanced visualization for the surgeon and protecting OR staff from smoke and particulates generated by the procedure."

More information about the Olympus Energy devices included in these Experience Papers can be found here:

About Olympus

As a leading medical technology company, Olympus uses innovative capabilities in medical technology, therapeutic intervention, and precision manufacturing to help healthcare professionals deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, and minimally invasive procedures to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs, and enhance the quality of life for patients. Olympus' Medical portfolio includes endoscopes, laparoscopes, and video imaging systems, as well as surgical energy devices, system integration solutions, medical services, and a wide range of EndoTherapy devices. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com.

1. The POWERSEAL Sealer/Divider devices is intended for single use only and not approved for tubal sterilization procedures. Additional risks include unintended thermal damage.

2. McDonald ME, Ramirez PT, Munsell M, et al. Physician pain and discomfort during minimally invasive gynecologic cancer surgery. 2014;134(2):243-247. doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.05.019

3. As with all electrosurgery instruments, inappropriate use of the CELERIS system can cause damage to tissue, both electrically and thermally.

4. Data on file with Olympus as of January 19, 2022.

5. Everyone Deserves a Smoke-Free OR. AORN.org. Accessed January 20, 2023. https://www.aorn.org/get-involved/government-affairs/policy-agenda/surgical-smoke-free-or.

6. Surgical Smoke Legislation Gaining Traction Across the Country. JointCommission.org. Published June 9, 2021. Accessed July 26 11, 2022. https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/leading-hospital-improvement/2021/06/surgical-smoke-legislation-gaining-traction-across-the-country/.

7. The Ultravision System is not intended to be used in non-laparoscopic surgery procedures. Contact between the Ionwand and uninsulated metallic instruments should be minimized to prevent electrostatic discharge. Always switch off the Ultravision Generator before removing the Ionwand from the patient.

*Physicians are paid consultants to Olympus.

SOURCE Olympus
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Outcomes Matter Innovations, LLC. (OMI), a leader in specialty value-based care, announced that Andrew L. Pecora, MD, FACP, CPE has been named CEO and Chairman of OMI. In addition, Benjamin R. Schoen has been named as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer.

Dr. Andrew Pecora, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare innovation and the founder of OMI, has been instrumental in the growth and success of the company since inception. Under his leadership, OMI has developed and launched value-based care programs in ophthalmology, pulmonology, and breast cancer, which have proven to maintain or improve clinical outcomes for patients and reduce the total cost of care for Health Plans and Government payers. In addition to value-based care, Dr. Pecora has driven the rapid growth of OMI's Management Services and Site Research Organization businesses, developing customized programs and workflows for the management of hospital systems, oncology centers, large physician group practices, and assisting clinical research sponsors in the successful execution and completion of clinical trials.

"Andrew is uniquely qualified to lead OMI. He is a distinguished physician scientist who has dedicated his life to developing innovative oncologic treatments," said Glen Gejerman, MD, and OMI Board Member, "His deep medical knowledge, his understanding of emerging scientific discoveries, and his business experience are the essential qualities necessary to develop and execute patient centric and value-based care delivery paradigms."

Dr. Pecora is one of the world's experts in blood and marrow stem-cell transplantation, cellular medicine, and immunology research. He has led award-winning research funded by the National Cancer Institute and the AHEPA Research Foundation and has been involved in clinical evaluation of novel agents including cancer vaccines, replication competent viruses and targeted therapies. He has also been involved in laboratory and clinical development of engineered blood and marrow stem-cell grafts for autologous and allogeneic transplantation, as well as cell therapy for regenerative medicine. Dr. Pecora has also innovated in healthcare information technology as founder and Chairman of the company, Cota.

Mr. Schoen has 20 years of senior management experience in healthcare, most recently as the Managing Director, Network and Senior Vice President at One Call Care Management, the nation's leading provider of specialized solutions to the workers' compensation industry. Prior to that, Schoen held executive positions in the group health space (including Medicaid, Medicare, MMP, ACA) serving as Chief Operating Officer for Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, Chief Operating Officer at Molina Healthcare of Illinois, and Corporate Market Leader at Humana.

"Ben is the right fit for OMI," said Andrew L. Pecora, MD, OMI's CEO and Chairman. "His leadership experience and business development background will assist OMI in strengthening channel partnerships, developing strategic relationships and expanding our presence in multiple revenue streams. We believe his strong healthcare acumen will help OMI rapidly grow the business and remain EBITDA positive throughout the process."

"I am very excited to have joined the highly talented OMI team," said Ben Schoen. "OMI has a great business model and offers a unique solution to expanding value-based care into the specialty arena which is a hurdle experienced by the entire healthcare industry. I believe OMI is well positioned to accelerate the adoption of value-based care with both health plan payors and providers by supplying front-end financial security while delivering back-end assurance of relevant clinical outcomes."

Schoen received BA Degrees in Zoology and Psychology from Miami University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University, Coles College of Business.

About Outcomes Matter Innovations: Outcomes Matter Innovations, LLC (OMI) is Jersey City based company focused on technology enablement that facilitates a new business model in Value-Based Care Reimbursement for Specialty physicians, as well as management services for established healthcare providers throughout the Northeast. Founded in 2018, they work with specialty physicians to develop clinical treatment pathways in their respective specialties for conditions which have a high total cost of care and high-variability in treatment. Using the expertise and data provided by specialty physician partners, OMI develops customized technology utilizing AI and Machine Learning for the physician to make decisions and track outcomes at the point of care with the goal of improving outcomes and decreasing the total cost of care.

www.omimanagement.com

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Outcomes Matter Innovations, LLC
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Although recent years have been marked by numerous global disruptions, the Polish economy has proved to be highly resilient. As Jerzy Kwiecinski, Vice-President of Bank Pekao S.A. stated in Davos, our potential and flexibility, combined with the prospect of participating in the major effort to reconstruct Ukraine's infrastructure, create truly historic growth opportunities for Poland.

"Why Poland? Capturing the opportunity in the era of a shift from globalization to regionalization" was the title of the first expert debate organized at the Polish House during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

As all panelists have admitted, global events taking place in recent years have revolutionized the nature of international trade and production, resulting in a tendency to shorten supply chains. For Poland, this is an opportunity to become a regional hub for manufacturers and operators, offering a good environment in which it is worth investing and expanding one's economic activity.

"For more than 30 years, Poland has been effectively attracting numerous foreign investors who value the openness of our country, its geographical location, economic stability, and availability of many well-educated specialists. Right now, the time has come for us to seize this opportunity together - as the financial sector, entrepreneurs, legislators, and the society as a whole - and to transition the Polish economy to a higher level"- said Jerzy Kwiecinski.

Such a transition is made possible, in the opinion of Jerzy Kwiecinski, inter alia by the energy transformation processes and the related opportunities companies enjoy when it comes to acquiring additional funding or taking advantage of facilities aiming to reconstruct EU economies after the pandemic. The involvement of Polish companies and financial institutions in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine is expected to play a key role as well.

Although the prospect the conflict taking place across our eastern border coming to an end seems remote, experience from the past shows that the success of such a process requires proper preparation. Jerzy Kwiecinski declared that the Polish bank would support all companies expressing their willingness to participate in the undertaking. Economists of Bank Pekao S.A. estimate that profits from Poland's commitment to rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure may account for up to 3.8% of Polish GDP in the future.

SOURCE Bank PEKAO SA
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market size is expected to reach USD 8.69 billion by 2030, expanding at 5.5% CAGR from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is primarily driven by growing awareness regarding health and hygiene, coupled with increased spending on pharmaceutical products, mainly in emerging economies. Moreover, many governments are focusing on strengthening pharmaceutical production facilities and population health management is further expanding the demand for pharmaceutical products, which results in boosting the market growth.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

Wrapping machine segment is anticipated to progress at a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period on account of the growing need for secondary and tertiary packaging of pharma products.

Asia Pacific emerged as the leading regional market and accounted for 38.5% of the overall revenue share in 2022, owing to the expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing in India and China .

emerged as the leading regional market and accounted for 38.5% of the overall revenue share in 2022, owing to the expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing in and . Europe emerged as the second-largest regional market and held a share of 27.4% in terms of revenue in 2022. This can be attributed to the high demand for highly automated, flexible, and efficient packing solutions.

emerged as the second-largest regional market and held a share of 27.4% in terms of revenue in 2022. This can be attributed to the high demand for highly automated, flexible, and efficient packing solutions. The Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA), which requires pharmaceutical products to have serialized coding, is anticipated to propel the demand for packing equipment further.

Key participants are majorly investing in innovative technologies like robotics, big data, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) to produce highly productive and efficient machines.

In September 2018 , Robert Bosch Packaging Technology agreed to form a partnership with ASPIRx Ltd. (located in Ghana ) to produce pharmaceuticals. The role of Bosch Packaging Technology in this partnership was to design and provide a multi-purpose system, which will manufacture and package both solid and liquid pharmaceuticals.

Read 130 page market research report, "Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Machine Type (Filling, Labelling, Cartoning), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Growth & Trends

The growing healthcare sector is projected to have a positive impact on the packaging equipment sector since it is widely used for the packing of capsules, tablets, liquids, and antiseptic creams, among others. Moreover, R&D in the pharmaceutical industry for developing new generic medicines and over-the-counter medicines is further expected to propel industry growth.

The growing demand for pharmaceutical products including oral and topical is likely to drive the demand for efficient pharmaceutical packaging machinery across the globe. The manufacturers are expected to expand their manufacturing capacities to cater to this increased demand, which is likely to aid in new product development and the introduction of novel packaging technologies.

The COVID-19 vaccination packaging requirement provided a significant opportunity for pharmaceutical packaging firms. Due to COVID-19, the restrictions imposed on the movements of people led to significant demand for home deliveries of pharmaceutical products. This resulted in larger demand for pharmaceutical solutions and pharmaceutical packaging throughout the global pandemic. The above mention factors will positively influence the pharmaceutical packaging equipment industry.

Several packaging equipment manufacturers have undertaken R&D initiatives to produce highly sophisticated and efficient equipment at competitive prices. Furthermore, there is a continued demand for complete packing lines that can incorporate numerous functions from a single source and for modular machines that can offer flexibility driven by the increased variety of packing materials and styles. For instance, in 2022, Romaco showed its latest technologies for granulating and tableting nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals at Vitafoods Europe.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market based on machine type and region:

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market - Machine Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Filling

Labelling

Form Fill & Seal

Cartoning

Wrapping

Palletizing

Cleaning

Others

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada



Mexico

Europe

Germany



Russia



U.K.



Spain



Italy

Asia Pacific

China



Japan



South Korea



India



Australia

Central & South America

Brazil

Middle East & Africa

& Saudi Arabia



United Arab Emirates

List of Key Players in the Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market

Robert Bosch

Romaco Holding

Marchesini Group

Korber AG

I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.

Uhlmann Group

Accutek Packaging Equipment Companies

Bausch + Strobel

Coesia

Vanguard Pharmaceuticals Equipment

MULTIVAC Group

OPTIMA Packaging Group

ACG Worldwide

BREVETTI CEA S.P.A

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Pharmaceutical Coating Equipment Market - The global pharmaceutical coating equipment market size is anticipated to reach USD 1.27 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030. The expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, the ongoing pandemic, and improving healthcare coupled with the rise in R&D efforts in this industry are anticipated to drive market growth.

- The global pharmaceutical coating equipment market size is anticipated to reach by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030. The expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, the ongoing pandemic, and improving healthcare coupled with the rise in R&D efforts in this industry are anticipated to drive market growth. Flexible Packaging Market - The global flexible packaging market size is expected to reach USD 373.3 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2022 to 2030. Growing consumer driven demand for packaged food and beverage products owing to its convenience and ease of consumption is expected to drive market growth.

- The global flexible packaging market size is expected to reach by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2022 to 2030. Growing consumer driven demand for packaged food and beverage products owing to its convenience and ease of consumption is expected to drive market growth. Cold Chain Packaging Market - The global cold chain packaging market size is anticipated to reach USD 63.1 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 19.4% from 2020 to 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The key drivers attributing to the market expansion include a significant boost in demand for cold chain packaging solutions from the pharmaceutical industry. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the trade and transit of temperature-sensitive drugs, medicines, and test samples are drastically increasing. Along with the pharmaceuticals market, the packaging market is anticipated to witness significant growth. The overall market growth is profoundly influenced by the high demand for perishable goods worldwide and the availability of fresh food and frozen food supplies.

Browse through Grand View Research's Advanced Interior Materials Industry Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
"We are thrilled to introduce this new limited time flavor for the first time," said Melissa Hubbell, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of Pinkberry. "Our Ruby Chocolate tart frozen yogurt will inspire guests to share the love and indulge in their own decadent treat!"

At Pinkberry, guests can customize their swirl with a variety of toppings that include fresh, never frozen, fruit that is hand-cut in stores daily, along with premium granolas and nuts, specialty chocolates, and much more. Pinkberry is swirling with possibilities!

Promotional Flavor:

Ruby Chocolate

Promotional Combination:

Ruby Chocolate frozen yogurt topped with dark chocolate crisps, fresh raspberries, edible gold glitter and Ruby Chocolate sauce drizzle

About Pinkberry

Pinkberry launched in Los Angeles, CA in 2005 as the original brand that reinvented frozen yogurt. Today, over a decade later, Pinkberry continues to create great tasting treats with fresh ingredients in an experience comprised of distinctive product, outstanding service and inspirational design. At Pinkberry you can taste the difference of an uncompromising commitment to quality and freshness. Most recently, Pinkberry was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 30 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 3,00 locations in 35 countries.

For more information, please visit www.Pinkberry.com.

SOURCE Pinkberry
Newest Stamp in Black Heritage Series

LAFAYETTE, La., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service today celebrated the life of author Ernest J. Gaines, best known for the novels "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" and "A Lesson Before Dying," as the 46th honoree in the Black Heritage Stamp series in a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Author Ernest J. Gaines Black Heritage Forever Stamp.

"Dr. Gaines brought worldwide attention to generations of men and women who asserted their human dignity in the face of racial oppression and violence," said Donald Lee Moak, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, who served as the dedicating official. "His novels would shine a light on individuals who were too often overlooked and remind us of the dignity present in every human being, especially those being oppressed. That is just one reason the United States Postal Service is privileged to honor him with this new stamp."

Joining Moak for the ceremony were E. Joseph Savoie, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Keith Clark, professor of English and African and African American studies at George Mason University; Lillie Anne Brown, assistant professor of English at University of Florida A&M University; Mona Lisa Saloy, poet laureate of Louisiana; and author Wiley Cash.

Cheylon Woods, head of the Ernest Gaines Center, served as master of ceremonies.

"Ernest J. Gaines was  and remains  an iconic figure at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and we are deeply honored that the U.S. Postal Service has chosen to commemorate his literary legacy through this beautiful stamp," Savoie said. "It captures the grace, strength and character he displayed through his life and through his words. For a quarter century, as a professor and writer-in-residence at the university, Dr. Gaines entreated aspiring writers to remember the inherent commonality of people and obligation we have as individuals to treat each other with dignity and respect. His genius and influence made them better, and made our university better, and we are forever grateful for his enduring example."

The stamp features an oil painting of Gaines based on a 2001 photograph. Mike Ryan designed the stamp with art by Robert Peterson. Greg Breeding served as art director.

The Ernest J. Gaines stamp is sold in panes of 20. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #ErnestGainesStamp #BlackHeritageStamps.

Background on Ernest J. Gaines

Ernest J. Gaines was born Jan. 15, 1933, on Riverlake Plantation in Oscar, LA, in former slave quarters his family had lived in for five generations. Raised primarily by a disabled aunt, Gaines attended elementary school in the one-room plantation church, then attended a Catholic school for African American students in New Roads. LA, for three years. In 1948, because his district had no high school for African Americans, Gaines moved to Vallejo, CA, at the behest of his mother and step-father, who had relocated there in search of better economic opportunities.

After completing high school, Gaines graduated from Vallejo Junior College and served for two years in the United States Army. He graduated from San Francisco State College in 1957, and the next year received a Wallace Stegner Fellowship to study creative writing at Stanford University.

Gaines's fiction reflected a deep and unbreakable connection to his rural Louisiana roots. His first book, the 1964 novel "Catherine Carmier," portrays a doomed love affair between a dark-skinned African American man and a light-skinned Creole woman against the backdrop of the community's rigid color lines. In the 1967 novel "Of Love and Dust," a young African American man chooses between legal servitude on a plantation or a prison sentence, a plot that allowed Gaines to explore how the legacy of slavery in Southern society tainted the lives of both the descendants of formerly enslave people and those who had enslaved them  a theme he revisited in subsequent works.

He achieved fame and critical acclaim in 1971 with "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," a historical novel chronicling the recollections of its 110-year-old African American protagonist, whose life spans from slavery to the civil rights era. Dramatizing post-emancipation conditions for sharecroppers that were often little better than slavery, the novel received praise from reviewers for its epic scope and faithful rendering of Southern history. It was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and adapted into a 1974 television movie that won nine Emmy Awards.

His next novel was "In My Father's House," the story of a mysterious visitor who returns to his native Louisiana. The return forces his father, now an affluent minister and civil rights leader, to reconcile with his alienated son. The book explored themes such as the conflicts between fathers and sons, how the past inevitably affects the present, and the complicated legacy of the civil rights movement among the activists who participated in it.

Gaines took a position teaching creative writing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana) in 1981 and soon became the university's writer-in-residence. Two years later he published "A Gathering of Old Men," a novel about a group of African American men who assert their humanity in the face of prejudice and violence. The novel was praised for Gaines's skillful use of different narrative viewpoints. An adaption aired on network television in 1987.

In 1993, Gaines published what would become his most critically and popularly acclaimed work, "A Lesson Before Dying." The novel tells the story of Grant Wiggins, a college-educated African American teacher in the late 1940s who is deeply disconnected from the impoverished rural Louisiana community he fled years before. As Grant struggles with the social conditions, family obligations, religious traditions and community responsibilities that burden him, he provides education and inspiration to Jefferson, a barely literate young farmhand awaiting execution for murder. Over the course of their difficult prison visits, Grant forms a bond with the condemned man that proves mutually instructive, showing both of them the necessity of resisting those who would deny them their dignity and self-respect.

In addition to earing a National Book Critics Circle Award, "A Lesson Before Dying" resulted in Gaines receiving a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant." Among its many accolades, the novel was chosen as an "Oprah's Book Club" selection, further expanding its readership and helping to establish it as a modern classic.

In 1996, he spent a year teaching creative writing at the University of Rennes in France and received membership in L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture. When he returned to Louisiana, he and his wife, Dianne Saulney Gaines, established a nonprofit to preserve the historic church and cemetery on the former plantation where he was born. Gaines saw his preservation work as an act of gratitude to the community that inspired his fiction, and he spoke movingly about honoring the burial sites of the enslaved people and sharecroppers interred there. In 2015, the Gaineses were recognized by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana for their preservation efforts.

In 2000, Gaines received the National Humanities Medal from President Bill Clinton. He retired from teaching in 2004 but continued to publish essays and stories, including the 2005 collection "Mozart and Leadbelly." In 2008, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette established the Ernest J. Gaines Center to archive and promote the study of his work. In 2013, he received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama, calling it the greatest honor of his life. His final work, a novella titled "The Tragedy of Brady Sims," was published in 2017.

Ernest J. Gaines died on Nov. 5, 2019, in Oscar, LA, the town of his birth. The mayor of New Roads, LA, proclaimed Nov. 15 as "Ernest J. Gaines Day." In 2020, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette officially named his former home near campus the Ernest J. Gaines Writer in Residence House. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation continues to endow an annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, which recognizes African American fiction writers who are just beginning to rise to national prominence.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

A video of the ceremony will be available on facebook.com/usps. Information for ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop.

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 163 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: Felicia Lott

[email protected]

usps.com/news

Local: David Walton

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usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
The commission on Belgium's colonial past was a pioneer in Europe, but it collapsed at the finish line at the end of December, stripped of all its well formulated recommendations. After two and a half years of looking into the past, there was no political consensus to apologize to the victims.

At the end of December, the chairman of the parliamentary commission charged with shedding light on Belgium's colonial past, Flemish ecologist Wouter De Vriendt, announced that an official apology to the victims of colonialism had not been approved. This was the strongest recommendation to emerge from the work of this pioneering parliamentary commission set up in June 2020, whose aim was to confront the Belgian colonial past, to repair and compensate.

Over more than two years, the parliamentarians heard nearly 300 people (mainly experts in history, law and socio-politics, but also representatives of the diasporas) and visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. They tried to clarify the last grey areas of the colonial period, in order to ultimately formulate recommendations for repair and reconciliation.

It is difficult to imagine reparation starting without an official apology. But that is where the commission stumbled, failing to secure a majority vote as several commissioners walked out of the session. The failure is all the more resounding given the great ambitions of this inquiry, which concluded that, without question, many crimes were committed during colonization. The Belgian failure also came as the Dutch government acknowledged its responsibility for its slave-owning past, apologised and announced the creation of a reparation fund.

Liberal parties backtrack

What happened? Everything changed on December 19 when it came to a vote on the 128 recommendations and the liberal party commissioners walked out of the session. The so-called "Vivaldi", the federal coalition (consisting of the PS, Vooruit, CD&V, Open VLD, MR, Ecolo and Groen parties) was divided on the main recommendation, the apology. The proposed apology read as follows: "The House apologizes to the Congolese, Rwandan and Burundian peoples for the colonial domination and exploitation, the violence and atrocities, the individual and collective human rights violations during this period, as well as the racism and discrimination that accompanied them."

The liberals - MR and Open VLD - were clearly opposed. The Flemish Christian Democrats - the CD&V - preferred to stick to the "regrets" expressed by the Belgian King in June 2022. These parties considered the risk too high of having to pay huge financial reparations

"We had a consensus on an apology, and then suddenly the conservative forces backed down," Christophe Lacroix, a Socialist Party (PS) MP and member of the commission, told the press. According to its chairman, Wouter De Vriendt (Groen - Green party), pressure was exerted from outside. "It was openly said within the majority that there were contacts and pressure from several actors, including party presidents, and also from the Royal Palace," he said the day after the voting session. The liberal parties responded that their position on an official apology was clear from the start, and the Royal Palace denied any pressure.

In addition to the recommendation for an apology, all other recommendations were immediately dismissed. These include the establishment of a remembrance day, the erection of a monument to the victims of "human zoos", the creation of a knowledge centre, the granting of scholarships, the declassification of archives, a new name for the Order of Leopold II, and the development of a national action plan against racism.

Commission's mandate not renewed

Several socialist and environmentalist members of the commission, who were in favour of Belgium making an apology, tried to put things back on track by calling for the work to continue. In a last ditch effort on December 28, Wouter De Vriendt proposed voting on the recommendations without the word "apology" in them. The Socialist deputies opposed this. Consensus was not possible on this "parliamentary resolution" that included most of the recommendations. And on December 31, the commission's mandate, which had come to an end, was not renewed.

On the other hand, three members of the Socialist Party group in parliament, Christophe Lacroix, Jean-Marc Delizee and Malik Ben Achour, on December 23 launched the idea in the Moustique newspaper of creating a reparations fund. "Our proposal is part of the aim to write a common future allowing a collective consciousness of Belgian colonization. As well as the work already done by Secretary of State Thomas Dermine on restitution [...], this fund would be financed in particular by companies that got rich on the exploitation of the people and resources of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. Even if more research is still needed on certain subjects and on the precise responsibility of certain actors, it is clear that the accumulation of capital by large companies was the absolute priority of the colonial institution."

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"We will not stop at the failure of the parliamentary commission," they write. "All this work has brought to light facts, a truth which was still too little known. We want to continue working also out of respect for these women and men who came and spent hours dissecting history with us. We want to continue to work with the associations that have been working for more than 10 years for a clear recognition that structural racism is one of the consequences of colonization."

To date, the Belgian State has not said how it plans to follow up on the recommendations of this commission, which was created in 2020 a few months after the murder of George Floyd in the United States.
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028 Segmented By Type (Pyridine, Beta Picoline, Alpha Picoline, Gamma Picoline and Others), Application, By Region, and Competition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





Global Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market is projected to grow at an impressive CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to increasing demand due to end-use industries such as agrochemical, pharmaceutical, latexes, food, electronics, and others.

It is forecasted that the U.S. agrochemical market will have a revenue of approximately USD 49 billion by 2025.



Across APAC Region, the Healthy growth of the pharmaceutical industry is driving the market. Growing Investment in India and other ASEAN countries contributes to the market's development. As per the data released by India Brand Equity Foundation, In June 2021, the Government of India announced an additional outlay of around USD 27 billion, which will be utilized for the Pharmaceutical PLI scheme in 13 key sectors such as pharmaceuticals ingredients, drug intermediaries and critical starting materials. Economic factors are significantly uplifting the market growth and increasing penetration of health insurance to push expenditure on healthcare and medicine in major countries across the globe.



An Increase in the Acceptance of Agrochemicals in the Developing Countries



The globalization of the agrochemical sector significantly impacted Asian Crop Protection markets. The need for various agrochemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, is growing due to the population's fastest rate of increase, the necessity for food production to meet rising demand, and economic expansion. The available land mass for agrochemicals to preserve soil health and boost land productivity is growing as the demand for food products increases in rising nations of the Asia Pacific region. The market for pyridines and their derivatives is anticipated to be driven by the rising use of agrochemicals.



Increasing Paraquat Usage in Countries such as U.S., Brazil, and India



Despite being banned in several European and Chinese nations, paraquat is utilized in many other countries. Due to farmers' reliance on genetically modified, Roundup-ready soyabean crops, it is widely used in the United States. Since weeds are developing resistance to Roundup herbicides, farmers must use stronger and more efficient pesticides, including paraquat. This is fueling the growth of the Pyridine and Pyridine Derivatives Market over the forecast period as paraquat demand rises in the U.S.



Recent Trends and Developments

Jubilant Ingrevia has purchased a 26.60% stake in AMP Energy Green Fifteen in February 2021 . The company has increased its presence in several regions thanks to the acquisition.

. The company has increased its presence in several regions thanks to the acquisition. In December 2021 , Vertellus has acquired Jarchem who is a global manufacturer and provider of Unique specialty ingredients and nature-based products to expand its product portfolio across multiple geographies.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing Acceptance of Agrochemicals in Developing Economies

Increasing Paraquat Usage in Countries Such as the U.S. Brazil , and India

Challenges

Fluctuations in Pyridine and Beta Picoline Prices

Report Scope:



In this report, Global Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:



Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives, By Type:

Pyridine

Beta Picoline

Alpha Picoline

Gamma Picoline

Others

Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives, By Application:

Agrochemicals

Pharmaceuticals

Latexes

Food

Others

Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives, By Region:

North America

United States

Mexico

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Poland

Netherlands

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

South Korea

India

Vietnam

Australia

South America

Brazil

Colombia

Argentina

Middle East and Africa

and South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Qatar

Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Voice of Customer



5. Global Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market Outlook



6. North America Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market Outlook



7. Europe Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market Outlook



8. Asia-Pacific Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market Outlook



9. South America Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market Outlook



10. Middle East and Africa Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market Outlook



11. Market Dynamics

12. Market Trends & Developments



13. Global Pyridine & Pyridine Derivatives Market: SWOT Analysis



14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis



15. Competitive Landscape



16. Strategic Recommendations



Companies Mentioned

Jubilant Ingrevia Limited

Vertellus holdings LLC

Parker Hannifin Corporation

Lonza Group Ltd.

Nanjing Red Sun Company

Resonance Specialties Limited

Shandong Luba Chemical Co., Ltd.

Hubei Sanonda Co., Ltd.

Chang Chun Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

Koei Chemical Co., Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ega8zy

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
MORRISVILLE, N.C., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pyxus International, Inc. (OTC Pink: PYYX) ("Pyxus" or the "Company"), a global value-added agricultural company, today announced the resignation of Patrick B. Fallon, Managing Principal of Monarch Alternative Capital LP, from its Board of Directors and the appointment of two new members of the Board, John S. Alphin and Patrick J. Bartels, Jr. effective January 18, 2023. The changes to the Board result in an increase in the total number of directors from six to seven individuals.

"On behalf of the Company's Board of Directors, I thank Mr. Fallon for his guidance in redefining the Company's strategy, helping position the business for growth and long-term success," said Pyxus President and CEO Pieter Sikkel. "I am pleased to welcome Mr. Alphin and Mr. Bartels to Pyxus' Board of Directors and look forward to their strategic direction as we work to accelerate business growth, increase stakeholder value and together grow a better world."

Alphin has 24 years of tobacco industry experience, including serving as a Corporate Director and Head of Global Leaf Sourcing for British American Tobacco. His areas of expertise include strategy and business development, generation of sales and operational efficiencies, navigation of complex, global supply chains, and implementation of robust sustainability and corporate governance programs. Alphin will serve as a member of the Environmental, Social, Governance and Nominating Committee of Pyxus' Board of Directors.

Bartels brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector and currently serves as a Managing Member of Redan Advisors LLC. He previously held positions with Monarch Alternative Capital LP, Investco Ltd. and PwC. Additionally, Bartels has served as a director on numerous public and private boards and has experience in corporate governance, finance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. Bartels will serve as a member of the Audit Committee and Chair of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.

About Pyxus International, Inc.

Pyxus International, Inc. is a global agricultural company with 150 years of experience delivering value-added products and services to businesses and customers. Driven by a united purposeto transform people's lives, so that together we can grow a better worldPyxus International, its subsidiaries and affiliates, are trusted providers of responsibly sourced, independently verified, sustainable, and traceable products and ingredients. For more information, visit www.pyxus.com.

SOURCE Pyxus International, Inc.
The partnership will elevate customer journeys for RainFocus and Adobe's joint clients by combining real-time behavioral event data with Adobe's best-in-class technologies to accelerate growth

LEHI, Utah, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RainFocus , provider of the next-generation event marketing platform, today announced its status as a Platinum partner in the Adobe Exchange Partner Program , a global technology partner ecosystem. This top-tier partner designation recognizes a select group of innovative and unmatched solutions, and RainFocus is proud to join the list. As part of a small group of curated and highly vetted partners at the Platinum tier, RainFocus will work with Adobe to provide in-depth collaboration to support the customer experience.

"Adobe and RainFocus share a collective passion for elevating the client experience," said JR Sherman, CEO of RainFocus. "RainFocus securely and seamlessly integrates with Adobe Experience Cloud products, so for us, it was a natural fit that aligned with our core business objectives. We are most excited to deliver personalization at scale for our clients, enabling enriched customer journeys, accelerated qualification, lead conversion, closed business, and more."

During the upcoming RainFocus INSIGHT Conference, RainFocus will host Adobe for an engaging keynote titled " Unifying Experiences ." Doug Baird (President and Founder of RainFocus), JR Sherman (CEO of RainFocus), and Nik Shroff (Senior Director, Global Tech Partners at Adobe) will discuss the new partnership, ways to build a robust client experience, and how events and data are critical to a successful customer journey.

"Adobe Analytics and Marketo are driving digital experiences forward through product leadership and by partnering with innovators like RainFocus who are bringing insights-driven rigor to the events and marketing segment," said Justin Merickel, Vice President of Business Development, Experience Cloud at Adobe. "Our alliance is driving personalization and accelerating qualification in a market that is primed for reinvention. By enhancing the customer journeys and providing curated experiences for events and conferences, we're bringing measurable return on investment to an essential marketing lever for brands and businesses worldwide."

Join RainFocus for INSIGHT 2023 in Salt Lake City or virtually from Jan. 30  Feb. 1 to learn more about the Adobe partnership, watch inspiring keynotes, attend breakout sessions, network, and more. Register today.

About RainFocus

RainFocus is the next-generation event marketing platform built to capture and analyze unprecedented amounts of first-party data for exceptional events and optimized engagement throughout the customer journey. RainFocus powers flawless experiences with secure, scalable solutions to support the entire event lifecycle. The platform integrates with sales and marketing technologies, simplifying event registration, content management, and exhibitor activation across in-person, virtual, and hybrid experiences, all from a single dashboard. Leveraging real-time data, RainFocus provides actionable insights to drive personalization, accelerate qualification and lead conversion, and close deals. For more information, visit www.rainfocus.com .

Additional Resources

Join the conversation with RainFocus on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and Instagram .

, , , and . Visit RainFocus.com to learn more about our event marketing and management platform. If you're ready to get started, request a demo .

. Discover RainFocus On Demand, the go-to learning destination for event industry leaders to discover the latest trends, thought leadership, and best practices, delivered on demand  any time, anywhere. Learn more .

. Are you interested in joining the RainFocus Partner Program? Apply today .

. Grow your career and help reshape the events industry at RainFocus. Apply here .

Media Contact

Jessica Johnson

[email protected]

SOURCE RainFocus
BELOIT, Wisc., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Pinkham, Chief Executive Officer of Regal Rexnord Corporation (NYSE: RRX), announced that the Board of Directors, at its regular quarterly meeting held on January 23, 2023, declared a dividend of $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on April 14, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2023. The company has paid a dividend every quarter since January 1961.

Regal Rexnord Corporation is a global leader in the engineering and manufacturing of industrial powertrain solutions, power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems, serving customers throughout the world. Through longstanding technology leadership and an intentional focus on producing more energy-efficient products and systems, Regal Rexnord helps create a better tomorrow  for its customers and for the planet.

Regal Rexnord is comprised of four operating segments: Motion Control Solutions, Climate Solutions, Commercial Systems and Industrial Systems. Regal Rexnord is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities worldwide. For more information, visit RegalRexnord.com.

SOURCE Regal Rexnord Corporation
WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Retail Holdings N.V. (Symbol: RHDGF) -- Retail Holdings N.V. (the "Company") advised shareholders today as to a change in the Company's Pink Sheet category.

As previously advised, with the divestment of the Company's last operating business in December 2021 and the liquidation of all of the Company's intermediate holding companies in 2022 and January 2023, the Company will now proceed with the liquidation of the ultimate parent company, Retail Holdings N.V. In light of this simplification of the Company's organizational structure, and in an effort to reduce administrative expenses pending its ultimate liquidation, the Company has elected to no longer provide audited financial statements. Rather, the Company will provide simplified financial statements on a liquidation basis as prepared by management.

Pursuant to OTC Market guidelines, as a result of this change, the Company's shares (Symbol: RHDGF) will no longer be identified as "Pink Sheet Current", but rather will be identified as "Pink Sheet Limited". The OTC Markets has confirmed that there will be no impact to the Company's shares as a result of this recharacterization and that the Company will still be "quote eligible" on the Pink Sheets market.

For additional information regarding the Company and the liquidation effort, please see the Company's 2022 Annual Report, dated January 2023 and the Earning Press Release, dated January 12, 2023 available at the Corporate/Investor section of the Company's website www.retailholdings.com. You may also contact Amy Pappas, Corporate Secretary via email at [email protected] or via mail at P.O. Box 120, Mount Kisco, New York 10549.

INFORMATION CONTACT

AMY PAPPAS

[email protected]

SOURCE Retail Holdings N.V.
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapia.ai, creator of the world's first Ai Smart Interviewer , has joined Avature's technology ecosystem, enabling Avature customers to access a unique chat-based AI interview tool on the marketplace.

Avature is a leading HR software provider, with solutions ranging from talent acquisition to talent management and retention. It has over 200 integrations in its partner ecosystem , enabling its customers to design their HR tech stack with a wide range of supplementary services.

Sapia CEO Barb Hyman said that the integration is transformational for Avature users looking to hire more efficiently while disrupting bias and elevating their candidate experience.

"We're building partnerships with companies like Avature so that our AI Smart Interviewer is easily accessible for organizations globally. When integrated into an ATS, the experience for hiring teams and candidates is absolutely seamless. They can benefit from Sapia's ethical AI without needing to disrupt their existing workflows."

Sapia's AI solution interviews candidates blind, through a chat conversation. It uses advances in Natural Language Processing to accurately assess candidates' soft skills and written communication. In doing so it removes the bias that exists in traditional screening methods, such as resume screening.

"It also dramatically improves efficiencies for organizations, by interviewing every candidate asynchronously. Customers using our combined chat and video interview solution have seen a 10-day reduction in time to hire, with offers going out to candidates within 24 hours in some cases. With an integrated solution, the benefits are accelerated as the implementation and onboarding time is so short."

The Avature partnership has come just after the Australian startup announced its latest funding round, led by Macquarie Group and W23, the investment arm of Woolworths Group, a flagship customer of the AI company.

"Our customers are seeing the benefits of using ethical AI to screen candidates fairly, and this investment will help us accelerate our go-to-market strategy globally. Partnerships like Avature are key to our mission in taking our Smart Interviewer to the world."

About Sapia.ai

Sapia's mission is to build a fairer, more human world through ethical AI. Using the world's first Smart Interviewer, powered by the world's largest source of first-party proprietary text data and advanced Natural Language Processing, Sapia turns simple text conversations into unprecedented talent intelligence  enabling organizations to interrupt hiring bias at scale, get to the right talent fast, and give every candidate an experience they love.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3251241/

Twitter: @get_sapia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SapiaAi/

Instagram: @sapia.ai

Media contact:

Sapia.ai CEO Barb Hyman email: [email protected]

SOURCE Sapia.ai
Combination delivers on ScionHealth's commitment to provide patients with world-class care close to home.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ScionHealth today reported the close of its previously announced acquisition of Cornerstone Healthcare Group ("Cornerstone"). The addition of Cornerstone's talented caregivers and diversified portfolio of high-quality post-acute care facilities enhances ScionHealth's position as a leading healthcare delivery network across 28 states and is an important step in executing the organization's strategic plan for growth and innovation.

The acquisition adds 15 specialty hospitals, eight senior living locations and approximately 3,000 talented employees to ScionHealth's network to advance access to high-quality care, enhance innovation and improve the patient experience. The transaction expands ScionHealth's national network of specialty and community-based hospitals and physician practices to deliver essential care solutions in local communities nationwide.

"ScionHealth's expansion, through the acquisition of Cornerstone, demonstrates our platform for growth and our priority in supporting exceptional patient and employee experiences in hospitals close to home," said Rob Jay, chief executive officer of ScionHealth. "We are excited to add Cornerstone and its dedicated team members to ScionHealth, and eager to leverage best practices from both organizations to continue delivering compassionate, quality-focused care to patients across the country who place their trust in us."

"I am pleased to welcome the 3,000 talented caregivers from Cornerstone who share our vision to deliver best-in-class clinical expertise, healthcare solutions and innovation to ScionHealth's specialty hospital family," said Danny Brywczynski, president of ScionHealth's Specialty Hospital Division. "Within our expanded specialty hospital portfolio, we will continue to deliver quality care and exceptional outcomes for the nation's most medically complex patients."

Simultaneous to the close of the transaction with Cornerstone, Lifepoint Health successfully completed the purchase of Cornerstone Behavioral Health El Dorado in Tucson, Arizona, from ScionHealth.

ScionHealth was established in late 2021 with a focus on investment in community healthcare and grounded in commitments to outstanding patient care and quality outcomes.

Sidley Austin LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP served as legal counsel to ScionHealth.

About ScionHealth

ScionHealth strives to deliver on its promise of high-quality, patient-centered hospital care by empowering the hands that heal to do what they do best. The health system is focused on driving innovation, serving its communities, and investing in people and technology to deliver compassionate patient care and excellent health outcomes. Based in Louisville, ScionHealth operates 94 hospital campuses (76 specialty hospitals and 18 community hospital campuses and associated health systems) and eight senior living locations in 28 states. For more information, please visit www.scionhealth.com.

Media Contact:

Scott Shepherd

Vice President, Communications and Marketing

ScionHealth

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains certain information, including statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed transaction involving ScionHealth and Cornerstone Healthcare Group, which may constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. Such forward looking statements include, among others, statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, including future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations for ScionHealth and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties outside of its control. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time periods; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to termination of the proposed transaction agreement or cause the proposed transaction not to close within the anticipated timeline or at all; risks associated with the disruption of management's attention from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; risks associated with the retention of key employees; and the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction or the receipt of such approvals being subject to conditions that are not anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, neither ScionHealth nor Cornerstone Healthcare Group undertakes any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE ScionHealth
MILWAUKEE, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating Evoqua (NYSE: AQUA) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with Xylem.

Click here to learn how to join the action https://www.ademilaw.com/case/evoqua-water-technologies-corp or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Ademi LLP alleges Evoqua's financial outlook and prospects are excellent and yet Evoqua shareholders will receive only 0.480 shares of Xylem for each Evoqua share, representing a value of $52.89 per share based on Xylem and Evoqua closing prices as of January 20, 2023, reflecting an implied enterprise value of approximately $7.5 billion. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for Evoqua by imposing a significant penalty if Evoqua accepts a superior bid. Evoqua insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements.

We are investigating the conduct of Evoqua's board of directors, and whether they are (i) fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, and (ii) obtaining a fair and reasonable price for Evoqua.

If you own Evoqua common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/evoqua-water-technologies-corp.

We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts

Ademi LLP

Guri Ademi

Toll Free: (866) 264-3995

Fax: (414) 482-8001

SOURCE Ademi LLP
NANJING, China, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Walking around streets, shopping malls, fruit stores and grocery stores, people in China saw "Fu" characters, different kinds of rabbit-shaped installations and fragrant sausages all around, all of these marking the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit has arrived. On January 21, Modern Express, a well-known Chinese media, released a special video to celebrate the 2023 Chinese New Year.

Sing with Cross-Strait Youth to Embrace New Year Fortune (PRNewsfoto/Modern Express)

In Nanjing Laomendong Historic District, stone carving archway is lit up with colorful lights. Rabbit lanterns along the street look particularly lovely. Gu Chuanjing, a young man from Nanjing, bought some colorful paper, planning to make a rabbit lantern himself. "Watching lanterns, buying lanterns and enjoying lantern display are the most profound taste of New Year in Nanjing people's memories."

Since the age of five or six, Gu Chuanjing has been learning to make lanterns from his father, Gu Yeliang. As far as he can remember, when his father started to get busy for the annual Qinhuai Lantern Festival, the Chinese New Year was around the corner.

In Hong Kong, a wide variety of Chinese New Year goods are available on Pottinger Street and Ladder Street. Red spring couplets look extra festive, bathed in golden sunlight. "Writing and sticking spring couplets brought a strong festive mood of New Year." Zac Lee, a young man in Hong Kong, bought a pair of couplet paper and a piece of "Fu". In the sound of the song "Gong Xi Fa Cai", he wrote with an ink-dipped brush: "Spring is warm and the scenery is beautiful, the country is peaceful and the people are safe". Every stroke is full of the most sincere New Year wishes. Spring couplets are put up to protect the small home inside the door.

In the Three Lamps District of Macao, the flower market is bustling. Various kinds of New Year flowers are in full bloom. Garmen, a young woman from Macao, strolled through the market and picked her favorite flowers. A bunch of red plums, a small pink flower, decorated with some small lanterns, the New Year flowers finished. Garmen said, "Flowers bloom for prosperity, and bamboo symbolizes peace. People in Macao like to visit New Year's Eve flower markets, and wishing to get a good luck next year."

At Dihua New Year Market in Taiwan, crowds of people are happily shopping for Chinese New Year goods. Hannah, a young woman from Taiwan, bought a red Kongming lantern. In her hometown, people always fly Kongmin lanterns during the Spring Festival. The higher the sky lantern flies, the better the fate of the coming year. In the sound of firecrackers, Kongming lanterns with a load of wishes are curling up into the sky one by one. "I wrote the wish 'smile all the time', and 'congratulations on getting rich', which people in Taiwan must say during the Chinese New Year."

When a familiar new year celebration song rings in your ears, the memories of Chinese New Year are aroused. Looking up at the same night sky, this is a moment of celebration for all Chinese people. Please accept the common blessing from cross-Strait youth: "Happy New Year and wishing all of you prosperity and good fortune!"

SOURCE Modern Express
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has described Africa as a breeding ground for murders and violence following the killing of Swaziland human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.

Maseko was murdered at his home in Eswatini on Saturday night by unknown men.

He was shot twice in the head in front of his wife and kids.

In a condolences message Sunday, Chamisa extended his condolences to Maseko's family.

"My sincere condolences to Eswatini and Thulani Maseko's family.

"A leading Swaziland human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist was shot dead at his house and died on the spot. Africa cannot be a breeding ground for murders and violence.

"Cowards and rogues cannot stand good men. Rest In Peace comrade," Chamisa tweeted.

In a separate condolences message, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere also said Maseko's death was tragic.

"We extend our sincere condolences to the Maseko family on the tragic passing of Thulani Maseko, a leading human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist who was shot dead yesterday evening at his house. His wife was there with him in the lounge. May he rest in peace," Mahere said.

Media reports in that country indicated that Maseko's death came a few hours after King Mswati warned those calling for democracy that his mercenaries would deal with them.

However Swaziland's government has distanced itself from Maseko's murder saying he was killed by unknown criminals.

"Government also wants to warn against speculations and insinuations, peddled particularly on social media platforms in instances like these. Again, the government distinctively disassociates... and the country's authorities from these heinous acts," reads a statement from the government.
DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "State-Owned Enterprises in South Africa 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report on state-owned companies in South Africa includes information on the SOE sector as a whole and major SOEs such as Eskom, Transnet, SAA, Denel and the Post Office. It includes information on the state of SOEs and their effect on the fiscus and the economy, state capture and corruption, government guarantees and support and regulations.

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) play a critical role in South Africa's economy as they are responsible for providing the infrastructure and services on which the economy depends. This includes the generation of electricity, water provision, freight logistics, commuter transport and telecommunications. Instead of being at the forefront of economic and social transformation, most SOEs have been associated with state capture, financial mismanagement and major governance failures due to weak accountability and inefficiency.

There are profiles of 24 companies including the major SOEs mentioned above and others such as Airports Company South Africa, the Passenger Rail Agency, state-owned funding institutions such as the Industrial Development Corporation and the Land Bank and regulators such as the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.

Some of the country's biggest and most important state-owned companies have not met their mandates due to underperformance and require regular bailouts from government. Over the past two decades, government has spent more than R308bn bailing out and recapitalising SOEs.



Key Issues



Most SOEs are relying on government bailouts to stay afloat and nearly all are unable to operate effectively and are a threat to the economy as they are not financially viable and failing at maintaining the infrastructure they are responsible for. Corruption and irregular and wasteful expenditure continue, as there is lack of accountability and no measures to counter corruption and mismanagement.

Political appointments of boards and senior management, outside internationally-accepted corporate governance rules, have severely impacted procurement practices and company performance. Most SOE boards lack industry-appropriate skills, professionals, and diversity.



Key Topics Covered:



1. INTRODUCTION



2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY

2.1. Industry Value Chain

2.2. Geographic Position

2.3. Size of the Industry



3. LOCAL

3.1. State of the Industry

3.2. Key Issues

3.3. Corporate Actions

3.4. Regulations

3.5. Enterprise Development and Social Development



4. AFRICA



5. INTERNATIONAL



6. INFLUENCING FACTORS

6.1. State Capture and Corruption

6.2. Economic Environment

6.3. Government Guarantees and Support

6.4. Labour

6.5. Environmental Issues



7. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

7.1. Competition

7.2. Ownership Structure of the Industry



8. SWOT ANALYSIS



9. OUTLOOK



10. REFERENCES

10.1. Publications

10.2. Websites

Appendix

Summary of Notable Players

Company Profiles

Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Ltd

Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd

Alexkor SOC Ltd

Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd

Broadband Infraco SOC Ltd

Denel SOC Ltd

Development Bank of Southern Africa

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd

Financial Sector Conduct Authority

Independent Development Trust

Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd

Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa

Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd (The)

Sasria SOC Ltd

SEF SOC Ltd

South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd

South African Forestry Company SOC Ltd

South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Ltd (The)

South African Weather Service

Suid-Afrikaanse Poskantoor SOC Ltd

Telkom SA SOC Ltd

Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority

Transnet SOC Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z7x26k

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
- Commitment to offering informed trading

- Another effort to root clients' trust and widen its client base

LUXEMBOURG, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global brokerage firm SquaredFinancial announces the appointment of Nour Hammoury as its Chief Market Analyst. Nour's addition to the team emphasizes the company's commitment to offering investors all over the world informed trading, including spot-on information, market analysis, and live market news, as well as promoting healthy trading.

Nour Hammoury, Chief Market Analyst

Nour is an investor, independent market strategist and financial advisor. He has more than 15 years of experience focused on forex, stocks and global economic developments, as well as central bank policies and intermarket analysis. He appears regularly on major international TV networks, such as BBC, Al-Jazeera, Al Hurra, CNBC, and Bloomberg, holding open discussions and sharing insights and readings of the markets and trends.

Philippe Ghanem, Founder of SquaredFinancial, added: "Part of our commitment to traders and investors around the world is to offer them informed trading to help them make the right investment decision. It is one of the reasons they choose us as their partners. Nour has the knowledge and background to lead our team of analysts, but most of all, he has the passion. I'm sure that his addition to the team will drive growth value to maintain our clients, root their trust, and attract a wider client base. His expertise will further amplify SquaredFinancial's aim to change the way people perceive a broker."

Nour Hammoury, Chief Market Analyst at SquaredFinancial, commented: "I'm pleased and excited to join SquaredFinancial's team at this turning point in the company's journey. The management's commitment to becoming traders' first choice and long-term partner advances knowledge and education. Trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it needs perseverance and stamina. And this is when market analysis comes in. A trader's knowledge of the market and its various events is the basis of healthy trading; it is what helps investors make good trading decisions."

About SquaredFinancial

SquaredFinancial has 18 years of experience in fintech and trading. It offers global solutions to traders of all generations and backgrounds who are looking for an easy and sophisticated global gateway and provides them with flexible trading of revolutionary products, including more than 10,000 instruments and services of financial assets backed with cutting-edge technology.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987359/Squared_Financial_Nour_Hammoury.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987371/Squared_Financial_Logo.jpg

SOURCE SquaredFinancial
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Strategic Resources Inc. (TSXV: SR) (the "Company" or "Strategic") is pleased to announce it has closed its $500,000 convertible note (the "Notes") financing announced on December 13, 2022. In addition, the Company has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for the issuance of $13.5 million of subscription receipts (the "Receipts"). Collectively, the Notes and Receipts constitute the Offering to support the reverse takeover of BlackRock Metals Inc. (the "Transaction") announced on December 13, 2022.

Offering Details

The Company has issued $500,000 of convertible, unsecured notes with a coupon rate of 10%. Notes will mature on the earliest of (i) the closing of the Transaction (the "Closing Date"), (ii) that date being six months following the Transaction is terminated, or (iii) 48 months following the date of issuance. The principal and any accrued interest under the Notes are convertible into Shares on the following bases:

in the event that the Company's Shares remain halted from trading on the Exchange up to and including the Closing Date, the principal under the Notes will automatically convert to Shares upon the Closing Date at $0.50 per Share, and the accrued interest will concurrently, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Exchange, convert to Shares at $0.50 per Share; or





per Share, and the accrued interest will concurrently, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Exchange, convert to Shares at per Share; or in the event that the Company's Shares resume trading on the Exchange prior to the Closing Date, the principal under the Note will automatically convert to Shares upon the Closing Date at $0.50 per Share, and the accrued interest will concurrently, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Exchange, convert into Shares at a price determined by the Market Price (as defined in Exchange Policy 1.1) as of the Closing Date; or





per Share, and the accrued interest will concurrently, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Exchange, convert into Shares at a price determined by the Market Price (as defined in Exchange Policy 1.1) as of the Closing Date; or if the Transaction is not completed, then at any time after termination of the Transaction, the Subscriber may elect to convert (i) any portion of the principal amount of the Note into Shares at the conversion price of $0.35 per Share, and (ii) any accrued interest to the date of conversion, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Exchange, at a price determined by the Market Price.

Strategic intends to issue 27,000,000 Receipts at $0.50 per Receipt for gross proceeds of $13,500,000. Each Receipt will automatically convert to one common share of the Company on the Closing Date. In the event the Transaction fails to close by March 31, 2023 (or such other date as may be agreed upon), the Receipt proceeds will be returned to investors without interest or deduction. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Receipts to advance BlackRock to a construction decision, continue permitting and pre-feasibility study work at Mustavaara, and for general corporate purposes. The Receipts are subject to certain conditions customary for placements of this nature, including approval of the TSXV. Investissement Quebec's participation in the offering of Receipts is subject to final authorizations prior to closing.

All prices are on a pre-consolidated basis. All securities issued in the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.

The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Certain officers, directors and other insiders of Strategic may participate in the Receipt Offering. This constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company will rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) thereof in respect of related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the Offering, insofar as it involves the related parties, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

About Strategic Resources

Strategic Resources Inc. (TSXV: SR) is a Vancouver, Canada-based mineral exploration and development company focused on vanadium projects in Finland. The Company is primarily focused on its flagship Mustavaara vanadium-iron-titanium project in Finland.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://strategic-res.com/.

To follow future news releases, please sign up at https://strategic-res.com/contact/.

STRATEGIC RESOURCES INC.

Signed: "Scott Hicks"

Scott Hicks, CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Strategic should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to (i) closing of the Transaction; (ii) completion of the Offering and the future uses thereof; and (iii) obtaining all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals to the Transaction. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or "projected" or variations of those words or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could", "are proposed to", "are planned to", "are expected to" or "are anticipated to" be taken, occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the authors of the FS have made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of vanadium, titanium and pig iron, and anticipated costs and expenditures. Their list of assumptions may not be exhaustive, and no assurances can be given that any or all of the assumptions will prove to be inaccurate, or that conditions will not change in a manner that results in some or all of the assumptions becoming inaccurate.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by all forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. Strategic does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Strategic Resources Inc.
The Strategic Acquisition of Copilot Adds to the Continued Growth and Expansion Strategy by VASS within the US

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tequity , a leading North American M&A Advisory firm specializing in global Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT company transactions, acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Copilot, a US-based consulting firm specializing in Salesforce, cloud, and data consulting services, in their acquisition by VASS , a leading digital solutions company backed by One Equity Partners. This new acquisition will strengthen VASS's North American expansion started last year as well as increase its capabilities in cloud, data analytics, automation, and user experience design solutions.

Copilot Acquired by VASS.

Founded in 2018, Copilot's team, which includes Salesforce solution architects, data architects, and industry consultants, is recognized for its deep expertise in Salesforce holding more than 90 certifications within the Financial Services, Real Estate, and Tech Startup verticals. Copilot is headquartered in New York, serving companies across North America.

"This acquisition will not only enrich our strong Salesforce capabilities but also will reinforce our presence in the financial services industry in North America," said Francisco Javier Latasa, CEO and Chairman of VASS. "We are excited to work together with the talented Copilot team to continue driving growth and innovative solutions to our clients in the region."

"We are excited to join forces with the VASS team, which will allow us to bring a wider array of skill sets and scale to what Copilot offers to its crew, clients, and partners," said David Tebbi, Co-Founder of Copilot.

Tom Lesnick, Copilot Co-Founder added, "The synergy between Copilot and VASS will help us build next-level digital experiences for our clients. Our partnership instantly transforms Copilot into a global powerhouse in the Salesforce and data ecosystems, capable of servicing teams of all sizes and tech stacks."

On working with Tequity, Tom and David shared "We hired Tequity based on their deep experience and connections in the Salesforce ecosystem. They definitely fulfilled that promise as they brought us a large number of potential acquirers that we would have never found ourselves. Most importantly, they helped us close with an amazing acquiring partner, VASS. We couldn't be more excited to continue growing Copilot under the Vass brand."

"We are excited to announce this successful outcome marking Tequity's 23rd Salesforce ecosystem M&A transaction. Looking forward to working with the entire VASS team for more success in the future," said Alex MacKay, President, and Co-Founder, Tequity.

With the acquisition of Copilot, VASS completes its 8th add-on, adding distinct capabilities as well as transforming the company into a truly global IT service provider. "Copilot adds a strong front end in the US to the existing footprint of VASS, thus enabling the company to service North American customers with the full range of VASS's services from established delivery centers. This will lead to additional growth and diversification of the platform," said Dr. Jorg Zirener, Senior Managing Director at One Equity Partners.

About Copilot

Copilot provides innovative cloud strategy and solutions fueled by deep industry expertise. The company brings decades of in-house consulting and experience with Salesforce, data strategy, and cloud architecture to clients across the US in Financial Services, Real Estate, and Technology verticals. See www.crmcopilot.com.

About VASS

VASS is a leading digital solutions company headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and present in 25 countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, with more than 4,500 professionals. VASS helps large companies in their digital transformation process, developing and executing the most innovative and scalable projects, from strategy to operations. See https://vasscompany.com.

About Tequity

Tequity assists Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT companies with business growth and exit strategies. Our mission is simple: achieve the best outcome for our clients. With decades of combined experience as executives, consultants, and owners of software and technology companies, we leverage our deep industry knowledge across tech ecosystems and our relationships with strategic, growth-focused buyers around the globe to drive successful M&A transactions. Learn more at www.tequityadvisors.com .

Media Contact

Diane Horton

Managing Partner, Tequity Advisors

T: +1 905.581.7424 | [email protected]

SOURCE Tequity Advisors
LUND, Sweden, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TFS HealthScience, a global contract research organization, announced a strategic acquisition of Appletree CI Group to enhance the company's existing expertise in the complex fields of ophthalmology, dermatology, medical devices, and pediatric studies, simultaneously expanding geographic reach for clients.

TFS HealthScience Acquires Appletree, Expands Expertise in Ophthalmology and Medical Devices for Improved Patient Impact Tweet this Appletree CI Group

Ophthalmology is a rapidly growing field of medicine, with novel innovations and cutting-edge treatments for sight-threatening diseases. A recent study published in The Journal of American Medicine found a 203% increase in funding for ophthalmology research from 2014 to 2020. Additionally, the worldwide ophthalmology drug market is expected to reach $60.3 billion by 2028, an increase of 6.4% from 2021 figures.

"We are proud to partner with Appletree as we continue to provide our clients with in-depth, comprehensive knowledge and therapeutic expertise, particularly in the field of ophthalmology," said CEO of TFS HealthScience, Bassem Saleh. "This acquisition, and others in the pipeline, are a clear indicator of the growth and success of TFS. The partnership with Appletree will have a measurable impact on better treatments for patients and company growth, establishing a new presence in Switzerland and additional presence in Poland, Belgium, Hungary, and the U.K."

The strategic acquisition of Appletree will complement TFS HealthScience's mission to be a market leader in ophthalmology research. In a targeted business shift toward ophthalmology expertise, the company launched its elite site network initiative and site liaison services, which will shift the industry's approach to ophthalmology clinical trial delivery.

"Today is a significant milestone for our company as we finalize our first acquisition in Ophthalmology, establishing clear leadership in a niche industry where expertise is highly valued, as clinical trials and strategy for ophthalmology indications are held to specific rules and regulations," said VP of TFS HealthScience's Ophthalmology Business Unit, Marcia Swank.

The two companies will now offer clients complimentary and expanded service offerings, including a specialized therapeutic focus in ophthalmology with an increased global footprint.

"We are thrilled to be joining the TFS HealthScience family," said President and CEO of Appletree, Georg Mathis. "As one of the primary clinical service providers in Europe with in-depth knowledge of the complex medical devices and ophthalmology industry, we are prepared to exceed the expectations of our clients and patients."

Appletree CI Group was founded in 2013 following the merger of Clinical Investigations and Appletree AG. The company is focused on five primary business areas; in addition to ophthalmology and medical devices, they have expertise in the fields of dermatology, pediatric trials, and regulatory affairs.

About TFS

TFS HealthScience is a global Contract Research Organization (CRO) that supports biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies throughout their entire clinical development journey. In partnership with customers, we build solution-driven teams working for a healthier future. Bringing together nearly 800 professionals, TFS delivers tailored clinical research services in more than 40 countries and supports customers with comprehensive solutions through three strong business models: Clinical Development Services (CDS), which provides full-service support at all stages of the clinical development process, Strategic Resourcing Solutions (SRS), which offers expert insourcing and targeted recruitment services, and Functional Services (FSP), to provide customers with strategic workforce management solutions.

TFS HealthScience Ophthalmology has been the CRO of choice for more than 65 biotechnology and pharmaceutical clinical research projects in 24 countries and has an established presence in over 600 sites globally for clients ranging from industry leaders to early-stage companies and private practitioners, covering a variety of ocular pathologies from anterior to posterior segments.

Detailed information about TFS and its business offerings can be obtained through www.tfscro.com

About Appletree CI Group

Appletree CI Group is an expert niche CRO and global regulatory affairs service provider with track records in ophthalmology and medical device investigations. We are present in 11 European countries and have over 30 permanent staff. By having an in-depth understanding of local cultures and customs, as well as experience with national regulations we are able to facilitate your clinical development and regulatory projects.

SOURCE TFS HealthScience
Nobel laureate and Gen Z activist Malala Yousafzai and other judges selected 12 leaders, innovators and activists catalyzing social impact around the world

MIAMI, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elevate Prize Foundation announced today the winners of the third annual Elevate Prize, which will grant $6 million in unrestricted funding and supportive services across a group of diverse social entrepreneurs working to solve pressing issues around the world. For the first time, the Foundation is awarding 12 instead of 10 winners, each of whom stands out for their innovative solutions to global challenges across the issue areas of social justice, human rights, public health, inclusivity in media, prison reform, education, and climate change.

Malala Surprises Namya Mahajan, co-founder of Rocket Learning with Elevate Prize The Elevate Prize 2023 Winners

This year's winners were selected by a panel of purpose-driven leaders in activism, business, academia, media and beyond, including Malala Yousafzai, the latest recipient of The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award , which recognizes prominent individuals who use their influence to inspire social action; Malala surprised two of this year's Elevate Prize winners via video call to inform them they received this year's award. Other new members of the judging panel included 20-year-old social activist and CNN Young Wonder Tiana Day and inaugural Elevate Prize winners Amanda Nguyen, a TIME 2022 Woman of the Year and founder of Rise Justice Labs, and Dixon Chibanda, founder and CEO of Friendship Bench Global.

"It was an honor to participate as an Elevate Prize judge alongside incredible leaders and activists," said Malala Yousafzai. "This year's Elevate Prize winners are an outstanding group of purpose-driven innovators, and I look forward to following their journey and all they will achieve."

Founded in 2019 by Joseph Deitch, The Elevate Prize Foundation is on a mission to "Make Good Famous" by creating a fanbase for good and igniting a global movement for change. The Foundation will partner with these rising activists and social entrepreneurs, providing them with resources to raise visibility of their work and multiply their impact  whether in the media, online or on-the-ground. This year's Elevate Prize winners will each be awarded with an unrestricted grant of $300,000 and supportive services valued at $200,000, which include communications strategy, branding, social media training and leadership development  all designed to help them share their stories, reach a wider audience, and grow their followings.

"We are thrilled to announce this year's Elevate Prize winners, an inspirational group of exceptionally diverse leaders who are driving progress and collective action in an increasingly fractured world," said CEO of The Elevate Prize Foundation Carolina Garcia Jayaram. "From climate change to inclusivity in media, they are solving for some of the most relevant and urgent issues of our time and remain undaunted by the enormity of their challenges. By bringing them greater  and much deserved  visibility, we believe they will inspire legions of others to create positive change as well. It is a great privilege to partner with these individuals to expand their impact, and we look forward to telling their stories across wider platforms."

This year's Elevate Prize winners are:

Atif Javed , Tarjimly , a mobile app that allows the world's 3 billion multilingual speakers to remotely volunteer their language skills as translators and interpreters for the 65 million displaced people. Atif was selected as part of The Elevate Prize Foundation's partnership with MIT Solve.

, , a mobile app that allows the world's 3 billion multilingual speakers to remotely volunteer their language skills as translators and interpreters for the 65 million displaced people. Atif was selected as part of The Elevate Prize Foundation's partnership with MIT Solve. Bianca Tylek , Worth Rises , a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry and ending the exploitation of those it impacts through extensive advocacy and systems change efforts.

, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry and ending the exploitation of those it impacts through extensive advocacy and systems change efforts. Cindy Eggleton , Brilliant Detroit , which provides families with children 0-8 with what they need to be school-ready, healthy, stable by repurposing vacant houses into vibrant community centers.

, , which provides families with children 0-8 with what they need to be school-ready, healthy, stable by repurposing vacant houses into vibrant community centers. Crystal Echo Hawk , IllumiNative , which helps build power for Native peoples by amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues to advance justice, equity, and self-determination.

, , which helps build power for Native peoples by amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues to advance justice, equity, and self-determination. Dr. Cynthia Fast , APOPO , which saves lives by training animals, primarily African giant rats, to work alongside medical professionals to detect disease in patients, and to root out landmines in previously war-torn regions.

, , which saves lives by training animals, primarily African giant rats, to work alongside medical professionals to detect disease in patients, and to root out landmines in previously war-torn regions. Elijah McKinnon , Open Television (OTV) , a platform for intersectional television, supporting artists and communities marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, religion, disability, or nationality.

, , a platform for intersectional television, supporting artists and communities marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, religion, disability, or nationality. Namya Mahajan , Rocket Learning , one of India's leading nonprofits focused on catalyzing early childhood education and community engagement by distributing research- backed pedagogy focused on cognitive, numeracy, and literacy development.

, , one of leading nonprofits focused on catalyzing early childhood education and community engagement by distributing research- backed pedagogy focused on cognitive, numeracy, and literacy development. Nelly Cheboi , TechLit Africa , uses recycled computers to create technology labs in schools in rural Kenya . Nelly, 2022 CNN Hero of the Year, was selected as part of The Elevate Prize Foundation's partnership with CNN Heroes.

, , uses recycled computers to create technology labs in schools in rural . Nelly, of the Year, was selected as part of The Elevate Prize Foundation's partnership with CNN Heroes. Piyush Tewari , SaveLIFE Foundation , which is committed to improving road safety and access to emergency medical care across India by combining evidence-based interventions and advocacy to shift policies on a national level.

, , which is committed to improving road safety and access to emergency medical care across by combining evidence-based interventions and advocacy to shift policies on a national level. Rachel Silverstein , Miami Waterkeeper , which works towards a vision of swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water for all while combating climate change through public advocacy efforts and science.

, , which works towards a vision of swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water for all while combating climate change through public advocacy efforts and science. Sana Mustafa , Asylum Access , which supports forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency, and power through legal services and systems change policy work.

, which supports forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency, and power through legal services and systems change policy work. Teresa Wanjiku Njoroge , Clean Start Solutions , which works with women and children impacted by the criminal injustice system, to restore dignity and hope, for successful reintegration through employment training, referrals, and holistic services.

This year's Elevate Prize winners, along with the past two cohorts of winners, will gather in Miami in May 2023 for the inaugural Make Good Famous Summit. This year's theme is "Reimagining Culture to Power Change" and will examine ways to put media, content, and creators to work to challenge inequitable systems and ignite a movement for progress.

About The Elevate Prize Foundation

Founded in 2019 by businessman and philanthropist Joseph Deitch, The Elevate Prize Foundation is a global non-profit that empowers social entrepreneurs and activists by providing them with the resources they need to amplify their impact. The Foundation's signature program is its annual Elevate Prize, which is awarded to 10 or more global leaders tackling pressing issues in innovative ways. The Elevate Prize Catalyst Award, another one of the Foundation's programs, recognizes prominent individuals for their commitment to inspiring global social action and using their influence for the good of humanity. In 2022, the Foundation launched The Elevate GET LOUD Award, a monthly grant to fuel grassroots movements and organizers on the frontlines committed to collective action and building power among communities. For more information, visit www.elevateprize.org and follow @ElevatePrize on Instagram , Twitter , LinkedIn , and Facebook .

SOURCE The Elevate Prize Foundation
Arpraziquantel is the first investigational drug in regulatory phase amongst the different projects supported by the GHIT (Global Health Innovative Technology) Fund.

GHIT Fund has financed the clinical development of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium program for arpraziquantel since 2013, by investing a total of 1.85 billion yen .

. Arpraziquantel, developed by the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, is a potential new treatment option tailored to improve child health by filling the treatment gap of an estimated 50 million preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis.

TOKYO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2013, the GHIT (Global Health Innovative Technology) Fund supported and invested in the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium,*1 a public-private partnership dedicated to the development of arpraziquantel, a potential new treatment option for schistosomiasis *2 in preschool-aged children (3 months to 6 years of age). On behalf of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, Merck submitted the regulatory application for arpraziquantel to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which validated this application and started the scientific review process in December 2022.

Since its establishment in 2013, GHIT Fund has invested in a total of 114 projects and 28.4 billion yen. Arpraziquantel represents the first investigational drug that has reached the regulatory phase amongst the portfolio of projects supported by GHIT Fund.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases, affecting the lives of around 240 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. The drug praziquantel  the current standard treatment developed in the 1970s  is safe, effective and available for school-aged children and adults. At present, around 50 million preschool-aged children have been left untreated in public health programs primarily due to the lack of an appropriate child-friendly formulation of the drug.

Derived from praziquantel, arpraziquantel, developed by the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, is a potential new treatment option tailored to improve child health by filling the treatment gap of an estimated 50 million preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis. Arpraziquantel is a new (oro)- dispersible tablet; it is small (150 mg), has appropriate taste properties, can be taken with or without water, and withstands the hot and humid challenges presented by a tropical climate. It was developed by Astellas Pharma Inc. in Japan, subsequently optimized by Merck in Germany and transferred for manufacturing clinical supply to Farmanguinhos in Brazil. At the moment, arpraziquantel is not approved for use in any country.

Since 2013, GHIT Fund has supported the clinical development of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium program for arpraziquantel by investing a total of 1.85 billion yen. *3 The full clinical program included a Phase I study in adult volunteers, a taste study in children, a Phase II dose-finding study and a pivotal Phase III trial  all conducted in African countries.

Osamu Kunii, CEO of the GHIT Fund, said, "This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, which led the implementation of the clinical program, as well as the cooperation with the families and communities for the participation in the clinical trials. I would like to thank the many stakeholders for the successful collaboration over the years."

With the regulatory filing stage complete, the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is preparing for potential inclusion of arpraziquantel in the World Health Organization list of prequalified and essential medicines. It is exploring new mechanisms for providing equitable and sustainable access to arpraziquantel, once approved. Through its dedicated implementation research program, ADOPT, the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is collecting data and best practices that will inform future large-scale delivery programs in endemic countries The aim is to start the launch phase in 2024 for product availability on a not-for-profit basis, initially in sub-Saharan African countries.

*  About the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium

The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is an international not-for-profit partnership that aims to reduce the global disease burden of schistosomiasis by addressing the medical needs of infected preschool-age children. Its mission is to develop, register and provide access to a suitable treatment option for schistosomiasis in this age group. Consortium Partners are Merck (Germany), Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan), The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Switzerland), Lygature (The Netherlands) , Farmanguinhos (Brazil) , The SCI Foundation (UK) , Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya), Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny (Cote d'Ivoire) , Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universitat Munchen (Germany) , Ministry of Health Cote d'Ivoire (Cote d'Ivoire) and African Institute for Health and Development (Kenya). For more information, visit the Consortium website: www.pediatricpraziquantelconsortium.org

*  About schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia) is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes, of which Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium are the two major species. The disease affects almost 240 million people, mainly in communities without access to safe drinking water and with poor sanitation, with an estimated number of deaths of about 200,000 per year. The parasites live within freshwater snails and infect humans by penetrating the skin. The disease can lead to chronic inflammation of the organs, which can be fatal but also to anemia, stunted growth, and impaired learning ability with devastating consequences for the lives of the young children.

*  GHIT's investment in the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium

From the history of our Press release

https://www.ghitfund.org/newsroom/press/detail/329/en

The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership fund (PPP) that was formed between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases that afflict the world's vulnerable and underserved populations. The GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, in collaboration with global partners.

https://www.ghitfund.org/en

For more information, contact:

Katy Lenard at +1-301-280-5719 or [email protected]

Eriko Mugitani at +81-36441-2032 or [email protected]

SOURCE Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund
TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (the "Company" or "TGOD") (CSE: TGOD) (US-OTC: TGODF), a sustainable global cannabis company and leading producer of premium cannabis brands, announces that in accordance with certain earn-out provisions relating to the Company's acquisition (the "Transaction") of all of the issued and outstanding shares (the "Galaxie Shares") of Galaxie Brands Corporation on November 17, 2021, the Company has released 1,142,857 common shares of the Company (the "Released Shares") held in an indemnity escrow account upon closing of the Transaction, to two vendors of the Galaxie Shares (the "Vendors"). The remaining 7,428,571 common shares of the Company held in the indemnity escrow account will be returned to treasury and cancelled.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreement relating to the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BZAM Holdings Inc. by the Company, which closed on November 3, 2022, an aggregate of 1,120,226 common shares of the Company (the "BZAM Shares") will be issued to the Company's largest shareholder (the "Shareholder"), at a deemed issuance price of $0.596 per BZAM Share (the "BZAM Issuance"). Such BZAM Shares will be issued in reliance on certain prospectus exemptions available under securities legislation and will be subject to a four-month plus one day statutory hold period.

One of the Vendors and the Shareholder are insiders of the Company, and therefore the issuance of Released Shares to such Vendor (the "Vendor Issuance"), and the BZAM Issuance are considered to be a "related party transaction" for purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Pursuant to MI 61-101, the Company will file a material change report providing disclosure in relation to each "related party transaction" on SEDAR under TGOD's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. The Company did not file the material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing date of the Vendor Issuance and the BZAM Issuance as the details of such were not settled until shortly prior to the closing of the Vendor Issuance and the BZAM Issuance. The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements available under MI 61-101. The Company is exempt from the formal valuation requirement in section 5.4 of MI 61-101 in reliance on section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the Vendor Issuance and the BZAM Issuance is not more than the 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Additionally, the Company is exempt from minority shareholder approval requirement in section 5.6 of MI 61-101 in reliance on section 5.7(1)(a) as the fair market value of the Vendor Issuance and the BZAM Issuance is not more than the 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (CSE: TGOD) (USOTC: TGODF) is a multi-licensed Canadian cannabis producer with a focus on branded consumer goods, innovation, quality, consistency, integrity and transparency. The Company is committed to cultivating a better tomorrow by producing its products responsibly, with less waste and impact on the environment. In Canada, TGOD serves the recreational market with a brand portfolio including BZAM, The Green Organic Dutchman, -ness, Highly Dutch Organics, TABLE TOP, Cruuzy and partner brands Dunn Cannabis, FRESH, Superflower and Snackbar. TGOD operates facilities in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, as well as retail stores in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Regina, Saskatchewan, and is rapidly expanding its offerings to a growing number of consumers across Canada.

TGOD's Common Shares and certain warrants issued under the indentures dated June 12, 2020, October 23, 2020 and December 10, 2020 trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") under the symbol "TGOD", "TGOD.WR", "TGOD.WA", and "TGOD.WB" respectively. TGOD's Common Shares trade in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "TGODF". For more information on The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd., please visit www.tgod.ca and www.bzamheadquarters.com.

Neither the CSE nor the CSE's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of CSE) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Trust, a premier network for women entrepreneurs who generate annual revenues beyond the million-dollar mark, has announced the Special Guest Advisor for its Official Spring Member Meeting will be Sarah Frey, founder and CEO of Frey Farms. Based in Illinois, Frey Farms is a leading U.S. grower, shipper, and marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Twice per year, The Trust hosts exclusive member meetings featuring advisors who are female founders of ultra-successful ventures and iconic brands. Frey will be sharing her business growth insights with the members of The Trust, as well as much of her personal story, as outlined in her book The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life--and Saved an American Farm (Random House Books).

When Frey's family farm faced inevitable foreclosure, Frey gave up on her dreams of escape, took over the farm, and created her own produce company. Refusing to play by traditional rules, at seventeen she began talking her way into suit-filled boardrooms, making deals with the nation's largest retailers. Her early negotiations became so legendary that Harvard Business School published some of her deals as case studies, which have turned out to be favorites among its students.

Today, Frey oversees the diverse operations of the Frey family of companies to include land acquisition, regenerative agriculture initiatives, raw ingredient manufacturing, and a full-scale beverage business. The 'Sarah's Homegrown' brand of produce and beverages are distributed across the U.S. from over 200 cold-chain distribution centers, in both retail grocery and foodservice.

"Sarah's heartfelt story is a powerful one, especially for female founders," said Ali Brown, founder and CEO of The Trust. "I'm looking forward to her sharing her behind-the-scenes strategies with all of us, as we already find her incredibly inspirational."

Frey shared, "I'm both honored and excited to join The Trust in Miami and share insights from my nontraditional journey in business. When female entrepreneurs come together with the kind of purpose that The Trust represents, the energy is unstoppable."

The Official Spring Member Meeting of The Trust will be held in Miami Beach, FL on March 7+8, 2023.

About The Trust: Founded by award-winning entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown, The Trust is the modern, premier network for women generating revenues in the 7-8+ figures. Via both online and in-person programming, members are connected with a community of vetted peers as well as high-level guest advisors  typically female founders of $100M+ ventures. Visit JoinTheTrust.org .

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE The Trust
Acquisition will fuel expansion of cannabis marketing and communications into health and wellness sector, while enhancing ACC's PR services

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC) today announced the acquisition of Trailblaze, a boutique marketing communications agency specializing in cannabis and wellness brands.

Founded in 2018 by Lisa Weser, former head of U.S. Marketing Communications at AB InBev, Trailblaze is a marketing communications agency for companies in the cannabis industry, as well as other CPG lifestyle brands and start-ups. The acquisition follows three years of strategic partnership between Trailblaze and ACC.

Acceleration Community of Companies Trailblaze

"Our acquisition strategy is focused on best-in-class marketing, communications and media companies who disrupt their industries and are driven by purpose," said ACC CEO Michael Nyman. "Lisa and the Trailblaze team have built a reputation for bold ideas, sophisticated execution, and results-driven, award-winning campaigns."

Trailblaze will be a division of Advisory, ACC's consultancy practice specializing in integrated marketing for brands and businesses, and serve as an engine for collaboration within its community of companies including MKG, Stripe Theory, Pink Sparrow, and Pixly. Weser will remain CEO of Trailblaze with a dual role as Executive Vice President of Advisory.

"We are thrilled to join ACC, a community of cutting-edge companies serving some of the world's most elite and culturally relevant brands," said Weser. "We look forward to collaborating with Advisory's world class team of marketers and category experts to expand our capabilities and offer Trailblaze clients more services and opportunities than ever before."

"We've worked with Trailblaze for three years and we're so excited to cement our partnership with this pioneering communications agency," said Monica Chun, President of Advisory and Chief Client Officer for ACC. "This acquisition will greatly expand and improve our communications capabilities and further add to Advisory's valuable role as a strategic partner to all of ACC's business units and clients."

Trailblaze has represented more than 30 clients across the cannabis, psychedelic and wellness sectors, such as AE Global, Ayr Wellness, Canopy Growth Corporation, Foria Wellness, Good Day Farm, GrowGeneration, MariMed, MedMen, Mindbloom, Receptor Brands, Silo Wellness, TILT Holdings, Veriheal and 1440 Foodsexecuting award-winning PR campaigns including the launches of Martha Stewart CBD and Quatreau with Canopy Growth, the "Way to 420" Campaign with Cresco Labs and Receptor Brands and the "World's Largest Pot Brownie" with MariMed, Inc.

Weser is a 20-year PR and marketing veteran. Prior to her senior leadership role at AB InBev, she was SVP at global communications firm FleishmanHillard, where she oversaw PR and social campaigns for AT&T, Visa, Panera Bread and more. She was a 2022 recipient of the "Top Women in PR" Award from PR News for her trailblazing work in the cannabis sector and was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis in 2019; she served as a 2022 Clio Cannabis Awards Juror and is a contributor to Rolling Stone's Culture Council.

Trailblaze will be headquartered in ACC's LA office, with team members also working in New York City.

About ACC

ACC has developed a new go-to-market business approach with a series of strategic and complementary acquisitions, including MKG, a leading creative agency specializing in brand actions and experiences; Pink Sparrow, a design and fabrication shop specializing in experiential, retail, mobile, office and campus environments; Stripe Theory, a data and marketing analytics and brand reputation management agency; Pixly, a full-service influencer marketing agency that specializes in influencer activations; and Trailblaze, a marketing communications firm for next generation lifestyle brands. Additionally, ACC has a brand advisory unit, ACC Advisory, a consultancy aimed at providing clients a central point for integration and customization. Acceleration's unique community of specialized firms help clients move quickly and efficiently with their branding, marketing and media decisions and action, by ensuring all agencies are tech-enabled, with data and analytics utilization linking them all together and driving maximum results for their clients. Between ACC Advisory and its current business portfolio, clients and projects include a mix and range of Fortune 500 as well as direct-to-consumer brands, from Pepsi, Target, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Meta, Grubhub, Delta Airlines, Dolby, T-Mobile, HBO, Nike, and Canopy Growth, among others.

About Trailblaze

Trailblaze is a boutique communications agency for cannabis companies, as well as other CPG lifestyle, health and wellness brands and start-ups. Trailblaze takes cannabis brands mainstream and helps health and wellness brands grow with a modern, strategic and sophisticated approach to multi-platform brand storytelling. The company works with clients to develop differentiated brand communications tailored to their unique business objectives, leveraging deep industry connections and media relationships to uncover unique partnership opportunities and earn meaningful press coverage.

SOURCE Acceleration Community of Companies
Saudi Exchange celebrated the listing of Albilad MSCI US Tech ETF today (January 23) on the main market.

The listing ceremony was attended by Mohammed Al Rumaih, CEO of Saudi Exchange, and Zaid Al-Mufarih, CEO of Albilad Capital.

Albilad MSCI US Tech ETF is an exchange traded fund that seeks to mimic and monitor the performance of MSCI US Tech Index without taking dividends, fees, or other costs into account. Units of Albilad MSCI US Tech ETF are now available to trade on Saudi Exchange under the ticker 9407.

The Saudi Exchange now has a total of 8 listed ETFs, providing investors with diversified, and flexible access to a variety of asset classes, such as listed local and international equities, Government Sukuk and commodities.

Mohammed Al-Rumaih, CEO of Saudi Exchange, said: Todays listing is part of our ongoing efforts to provide new attractive opportunities to investors through a full range of products. Exchange Traded Funds will allow investors to diversify their portfolios and gain exposure to new industries, and we look forward to welcoming more ETFs to be listed on the Saudi Exchange.

Zaid Almufarih, CEO of Albilad Capital, commented: Todays milestone marks listing the 4th ETF offered by Al Bilad Capital in the Saudi Exchange. This ETF offers to investors access to a new pool of USA listed Tech Companies as part of Albilad Capital vision to offer diversified and added value investment solutions to investors and to the Saudi Capital Market.

Al Bilad MSCI US Tech ETF listed 1 million units at a unit price of SR10. -TradeArabia News Service
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said they have arrested at least four people in isolated incidents of drug possession and trafficking in the past week.

In numerous statements on Twitter, ZRP said on January 20, through their 'No to cross border crimes', had intercepted a truck carrying a passenger in possession of dagga.

"Members of the Police deployed on operation, 'No to cross border crimes', arrested Zenzo Mangena (38) at Bubi road block, along Beitbridge Masvingo Road, for illegal possession of dagga.

"The dagga was packed in three plastic bags which were stashed in a UD 90 truck in which the suspect was travelling in. The weight and value of dagga is yet to be ascertained," read the ZRP statement on Twitter.

In another incident on January 18, ZRP Bulawayo after receiving a tip off nabbed another suspect for unlawful possession of Crystal Methamphetamine.

"Detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics Bulawayo, acted on a tip off and arrested Tendai Tapera (23), in Njube, for unlawful possession of three sachets of Crystal Methamphetamine.

"The weight and value of the recovered Crystal Methamphetamine is yet to be assessed," said ZRP.

On the same date, ZRP Waterfalls Cycle Patrol team arrested Terrence Kembo (38) for unlawful cultivation of 40 plants of dagga, measuring 1.5 metres at a house along Mondalay Drive, Waterfalls, Harare.

Meanwhile, On January 21, Police in Chipinge arrested Jack Simango (45) at Green Fuel Estate, in connection with unlawful possession of dagga.

"The suspect was found carrying 3 x 20 litre buckets stashed with dagga with a street value of US$120.00," ZRP said.
Expanding High-Grade Footprint: UEC intersects additional high-grade uranium mineralization with CB-178-1, its first drill hole in the 2023 Sakura Zone drill program at the Christie Lake Project ("the Project"). This intersection expands the footprint of the high-grade mineralization at the new zone, first reported in October last year, CB-178-1 is approximately 10 m from CB-176A that graded 68.7% eU 3 O 8 over 2.1 m .

UEC intersects additional high-grade uranium mineralization with CB-178-1, its first drill hole in the 2023 Sakura Zone drill program at the Christie Lake Project ("the Project"). This intersection expands the footprint of the high-grade mineralization at the new zone, first reported in October last year, CB-178-1 is approximately from CB-176A that graded 68.7% eU O over . Premier Location: Christie Lake is nine km northeast of McArthur River, the world's largest high-grade uranium mine, and along the same geological trend (see Figures 1 & 2). The Sakura Zone, discovered in August 2022 , is along the Yalowega mineralized corridor (see Figures 3 & 4).

Christie Lake is nine km northeast of McArthur River, the world's largest high-grade uranium mine, and along the same geological trend (see Figures 1 & 2). The Sakura Zone, discovered in , is along the Yalowega mineralized corridor (see Figures 3 & 4). Infrastructure Advantage: The Project straddles the Eastern Athabasca High Grade Uranium Corridor, representing a 19,576 acre land package situated between the two world class uranium operations at McArthur River and Cigar Lake.

The Project straddles the Eastern Athabasca High Grade Uranium Corridor, representing a 19,576 acre land package situated between the two world class uranium operations at McArthur River and Cigar Lake. Synergies with Roughrider Project: Christie Lake is one of the key projects in UEC's Eastern Athabasca Hub strategy and the company is considering the synergies between this project and the Roughrider and Horseshoe-Raven Projects.

Christie Lake is one of the key projects in UEC's Eastern Athabasca Hub strategy and the company is considering the synergies between this project and the Roughrider and Horseshoe-Raven Projects. Ongoing Exploration: These intercepts represent the first results of the 3-month winter campaign. More holes are anticipated to be reported over the winter, leading to an update of the Christie Lake resource in 2023.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) (the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to announce new uranium mineralization in drill hole CB-178-1 that grades 5.42% eU 3 O 8 over 15.6 metres, including a subinterval that grades 23.2% eU 3 O 8 over 3.4 metres (Table 1). This result expands the footprint of high-grade uranium mineralization at the Christie Lake Project that was initially announced last year (see press release from October 4, 2022).

UEC news release Jan 23, 2023 - Figure 1 - UEC's Athabasca Basin Projects (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) UEC news release Jan 23, 2023 - Figure 2: UEC Christie Lake Project Location (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) UEC news release Jan23, 2023 - Figure 3: UEC Sakura Zone Mineralization - preliminary zone boundaries (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp) UEC news release Jan 23, 2023 - Figure 4  Preliminary Cross Section with CB-178-1 (CNW Group/Uranium Energy Corp)

Vertical depth to the unconformity-hosted mineralization at Christie Lake is between 400 and 420 metres ("m") from surface. This is shallower by about 100 m than McArthur River and at approximately the same depth as Cigar Lake. The McArthur River and Cigar Lake Deposits are the archetypical high-grade Athabasca super-deposits with combined reserves and past production of 985.7 million lb. uranium.

Amir Adnani, CEO and President stated: "Following our acquisition of UEX in 2022 we commenced a drilling program at the Christie Lake Project and reported one of the best intercepts of the year in Canada's high-grade Athabasca Basin with our discovery at the Sakura zone, with 68.7% eU 3 O 8 over 2.1 meters. We hit the ground running in 2023 to follow-up and test the continuity at this new zone and are excited to see the first drill hole of our new program expand the footprint of the high-grade mineralization. The results announced today also demonstrate the capability of our Canadian technical team to unlock value from UEC's Canadian conventional project pipeline. Moving forward, we have two objectives with our Eastern Athabasca Basin projects, 1) continue with aggressive exploration drilling for resource growth and 2) evaluate potential synergies for future development given the proximity of Christie Lake and Horseshoe Raven projects to our recently acquired Roughrider project."

Chris Hamel, Vice President Exploration, Canada stated: "The confirmed continuity of the high-grade uranium mineralization at the Sakura zone suggests a previously unrecognized trend of uranium mineralization at Christie Lake. With constrained expenditures during the years of the uranium bear market the exciting potential of Christie Lake was left under-explored. We're excited to be aggressively drilling and growing the world-class potential of this project. UEC's ability to apply financial strength into the project builds upon the technical work and compilation efforts done by UEX since 2016 to set the stage for this success."

Mineralization at the Sakura Zone remains open for expansion in all directions and is the focus of the 2023 drilling on the Christie Lake Project.

Table 1: Christie Lake Radiometric Equivalent Grades from CB-178-1

Hole From

(m) To

(m) Width

(m) Grade

(% eU 3 O 8 ) Cut-off

Grade

(% eU 3 O 8 ) CB-178-1

419.1 434.7 15.6 5.42 0.05 incl. 426.6 430.0 3.4 23.22 5.0

Notes:

1. True widths of the mineralization reported in Table 1 is anticipated to be 90-95% of core length but cannot be verified at this time. 2. eU 3 O 8 refers to radiometric equivalent grade U 3 O 8 , and it determined using calibrated down-hole radiometric probes, a process further discussed in the section "About Radiometric Grades".





Figure 1 - UEC's Athabasca Basin Projects

About Canada's Athabasca Basin

The Athabasca Basin is a world-class uranium district in the northern portion of the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta in Canada, occupying an area of about 100,000 square kilometers. The unique geology of the Athabasca Basin deposits can result in deposit grades that exceed the world average of uranium deposits of 0.2% U 3 O 8 by up to 100 times.

All of Canada's current uranium production occurs from the mines located in the Athabasca Basin. According to the World Nuclear Association, the Athabasca Basin was responsible for producing 9.7% of the world's uranium production in 2021.

Uranium mineralization in the Athabasca Basin occurs in fault structures that penetrate the interface between the sandstone and underlying basement rocks, known as the unconformity. Uranium can be found at the interface, known as the unconformity, or up to several hundreds of meters below the unconformity surface in the underlying fault structures in the basement.

The uranium concentrations from holes presented above from the radiometric equivalent uranium grade ("REG"), denoted as eU 3 O 8 , which is determined in-situ within the drill hole. For more information on REGs please see the "About Radiometric Equivalent Grades" section below.

The core recovery from parts of the mineralized zone in hole CB-178-1 is estimated at approximately 50%. The portions of the core recovered from the interval confirm the presence of very high-grade uranium mineralization. Thus, the Company believes that assay results collected from the mineralized interval may not be representative of the true concentration of uranium present and that the REG presented above will be a more accurate estimate of grade.

About Radiometric Equivalent Grades

The eU 3 O 8 grades were estimated in-situ within the drill holes using calibrated down-hole radiometric gamma probes which are lowered down the hole, a method commonly used by uranium explorers and miners in the Athabasca Basin. The probe records the amount of radioactivity present in the rock adjacent to the probe as it moves up and down the hole.

The probes were calibrated prior to the commencement of the current drill program at the Saskatchewan Research Council's ("SRC") test pit facility in Saskatoon. Using down-hole probes to calculate radiometric equivalent grades is a common practice by uranium mining companies in the Athabasca Basin. Down-hole probes can accurately measure uranium concentration by measuring the light flashes that occur every time the probe's scintillator is struck by a gamma radiation particle emitted from uranium crystals. The number of light flashes are 'counted' by a photomultiplier tube. Sometimes within high-grade intervals, due to a process called 'saturation' occurs when light emitted by the probe's scintillator overwhelms the photomultiplier tube's ability to 'count' individual light flashes it can be difficult to accurate determine radiometric equivalent grades.

Samples from all holes have been collected for assay analysis to confirm these equivalent grades. The samples will be analyzed at the SRC's Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with results expected in the coming weeks.

About the Christie Lake Project

UEC holds an 82.775% combined direct and indirect interest in the Christie Lake Project which is a joint venture with JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited, a company that is 50% owned by UEC's wholly owned subsidiary UEX Corporation. UEC's direct ownership in Christie Lake is 65.5492% and indirect ownership through its 50% ownership in JCU is 17.2254%

The Christie Lake Project is located in the eastern Athabasca Basin (see Figures 1 & 2) approximately 9 km northeast and along strike of Cameco's McArthur River Mine, the world's largest and highest-grade uranium mine. The controlling structure of the McArthur River Mine deposits, the P2 fault, continues to the northeast beyond the mine and trends onto the Christie Lake Project. Our technical team believes that, through a series of en-echelon steps, the northeast strike extension of the P2 Fault not only crosses the Christie Lake Project but also controls the three known uranium deposits on Christie Lake: the Orora, Paul Bay and Ken Pen Deposits as well as the newly discovered Sakura Zone.

Figure 2 - Christie Lake Project Location

Figure 3 - Sakura Zone Mineralization - preliminary zone boundaries

Qualified Persons and Data Acquisition

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Chris Hamel, P.Geo., UECs Vice President Exploration, Canada who is considered to be a Qualified Person as defined by S-K 1300.

Figure 4  Preliminary Cross Section with CB-178-1

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for the green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming. These two production platforms are anchored by fully operational central processing plants and served by seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of North American warehoused U 3 O 8 ; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a Western Hemisphere pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: U6Z

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp
NYSE American: UEC

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC) "UEC" or the "Company") invites investors and shareholders to attend the Company's presentation at the 2023 TD Securities Mining Conference on Thursday, January 26th, 2023 at 10:20 am Eastern Time.

Interested investors can register to attend UEC's live webcast via the 2023 TD Securities Mining Conference registration link: https://bit.ly/3WiDend

The presentation recording will be made available on the company's website for 90 days after the conference.

About Uranium Energy Corp.

Uranium Energy Corp is the fastest growing supplier of the fuel for the green energy transition to a low carbon future. UEC is the largest, diversified North American focused uranium company, advancing the next generation of low-cost, environmentally friendly In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") mining uranium projects in the United States and high-grade conventional projects in Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms in South Texas and Wyoming. These two production platforms are anchored by fully operational central processing plants and served by seven U.S. ISR uranium projects with all their major permits in place. Additionally, the Company has diversified uranium holdings including: (1) one of the largest physical uranium portfolios of North American warehoused U3O8; (2) a major equity stake in Uranium Royalty Corp., the only royalty company in the sector; and (3) a Western Hemisphere pipeline of resource stage uranium projects. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American: UEC

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp
Company selected for U.S. Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High-Power Microwave Program

HIGHLIGHTS:

Prototyping contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) solidifies high-power microwave (HPM) as an effective short-range air defense solution against swarming unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

As part of the contract, Epirus will rapidly deliver several prototype systems of Leonidas, a proven HPM counter-swarm capability.

Leonidas was engineered, tested and validated in unprecedented timeframes for air defense systems, keeping pace with the strategic priorities of the DoD's rapid prototyping efforts.

Leonidas' software-weaponeering capabilities enable the continued maturation of the technology to achieve lethality against a broad range of UAS and other threats.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Epirus, a high-growth technology company, announced today a $66.1 million contract award from the U.S. Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) in support of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High-Power Microwave Program.

Leonidas, Epirus' breakthrough counter-electronics system, pictured at a U.S. government testing site.

As part of the Other Transaction Authority, Epirus collaborates with the RCCTO to rapidly deliver several prototype systems of Leonidas for $66.1 million in 2023 with options to acquire additional support services. Epirus plans to deliver and support prototypes of integrated HPM capability and, as part of the contract's design, work with the RCCTO to transition Leonidas into a future program of record after successful demonstration of the prototypes.

"Time and time again, we've seen that current air defense systems are ill-equipped to tackle the threat of autonomous drone swarms. This contract with the RCCTO brings new counter-swarm capability to the UAS fight with our cost-effective, modular and upgradable Leonidas systems," said Ken Bedingfield, Chief Executive Officer, Epirus. "As the threat environment continues to evolve, so, too, will our capabilities, ensuring the U.S. Army is equipped with effective countermeasures to near-term and over-the-horizon electronic threats for decades to come."

Epirus' Leonidas counter-electronics system demonstrated lethality against a broad range of UAS and electronic systems and achieved swarm defeat at multiple U.S. Government-sponsored test events, outperforming six down-selected systems. The latest iteration of Leonidas was introduced by the company in April 2022.

The company's innovative, software-defined approach to HPM enables upgradable lethality through simple software-based updates to deployed systems that advance the U.S. Army's modernization efforts to meet current and future challenges. Leonidas also features an open system architecture to facilitate integration with the Joint Force's existing and future command-and-control networks.

Epirus privately funded the research, development and validation of its systems  bringing its fourth generation HPM system to life in an unprecedented timeframe. Today's contract award is a significant step towards bridging the long-established gap between industry innovation and the conventional norms of defense technology procurement. Epirus' agile technology roadmap and unique rapid prototyping abilities allow the company to move at the speed of commercial technology development to equip our warfighters with cutting-edge weapons systems today to defend against the threats of tomorrow.

This research funded, in part, by the U.S. Government. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

ABOUT EPIRUS:

Epirus is a technology company developing solid-state, software-defined directed energy systems that enable unprecedented counter-electronics effects and power management solutions to optimize power efficiency in defense and commercial applications. With a constant emphasis on innovation, we are redefining the future of power to bring tomorrow's capabilities to life, today. And that's just the beginning. Visit our website to learn more about our innovative approach and cutting-edge product lines.

For more information on Epirus' solutions or to request an interview with subject matter experts, please contact either Andrew Wargofchik, (412) 327-5107, [email protected], or Steve Brecken, (832) 285-4620, [email protected]. High-resolution assets can be downloaded here.

SOURCE Epirus
To Provide Vital Inpatient Psychiatric Care for Houston Region

CONROE, Texas, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Voyages Behavioral Health ("Voyages" - an affiliate of PAM Health) is pleased to announce the development of Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe, a state-of-the-art behavioral health hospital and the second Voyages location in Texas. Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe will provide specialty psychiatric care in the growing Houston area, which has a population of more than 2.3 million people. In fact, Mental Health America shares that Houston is at the bottom of national rankings for access to mental health treatment.

Having identified a need in behavioral health services across the country, PAM Health established Voyages Behavioral Health to offer an additional service line and specialized care to this underserved patient population. "We have come to recognize the importance of an integrated care model for individuals in need of behavioral health services," says Kristen Smith, PAM Health's EVP and Chief Transformation Officer. She adds that PAM Health's expansion into behavioral health is an exciting endeavor that aligns with the company's mission and vision. "With this unique model of care, Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe will address these patients' comprehensive needs all at once, helping them achieve sustainable, long-term health and wellness, while ultimately reducing the cost of care," she says.

Once open, employees of Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe will serve hundreds of patients through programs tailored to the community's unique needs. "Offerings could include services for adults, older adults, youth and specialty programs for trauma and military service members," explains Andrew Hardin, SVP and COO of Voyages. "Our multi-disciplinary team of psychiatrists, internists, clinicians, and other specialists will provide comprehensive and coordinated short-term care tailored to each patient's needs," he says. "The main care components include diagnostic behavioral health evaluation, solution-focused treatment, behavioral strategies with inpatient and partial hospitalization, medication evaluation and management, intensive outpatient programs, and aftercare planning."

Voyages Behavioral Health of Conroe plans to open in the spring of 2023. To join the team in providing specialty psychiatric care in this new state-of-the-art hospital or any of our other PAM Health or Voyages locations, please visit our career page at www.pamhealth.com/jobs.

PAM HEALTH (PAM), based in Enola, Pennsylvania, provides specialty healthcare services through more than 70 long-term acute care hospitals and physical medicine and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as wound clinics and outpatient physical therapy locations, in 17 states. PAM Health is committed to providing high-quality patient care and outstanding customer service, coupled with the loyalty and dedication of highly trained staff, to be the most trusted and impactful source for healthcare services in every community it serves. Its mission is to serve people by providing compassionate, expert care, and to support recovery through education and research. The Voyages Behavioral Health division includes the organization's behavioral health hospitals, with a mission to serve people by providing compassionate, expert care. Learn more at www.VoyagesHealth.com and www.PAMHealth.com.

SOURCE Voyages Behavioral Health
LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, & ATLANTA, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The current President and CEO of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Goran Marby, has announced his formal resignation , effective immediately, opening the door to a newcomer who wants lead the global multi-stakeholder organization's mission of ensuring a stable, secure and unified global Internet for all.

ICANN organizes and maintains many aspects of Internet access across the globe, including domain name spacing and policy governing decisions relating to access and top-level domains (TLDs) in more than 80 countries . The organization, Chaired by Maarten Botterman, oversees more than 140 employees and $150 million USD of annual revenue.

"The next CEO of ICANN should be an expert in cybersecurity, Internet access, risk management, geo-political navigation, domain names and level-headed policy decisions. Given the challenges a unified Internet faces over the next decade, ICANN does not need an empty suit filling this position; it needs someone with vision, ability to address lingering problems that ICANN has faced for extended periods of time, and the guts to stand up to countries like Russia," commented Internet expert Michael Gargiulo, CEO at VPN.com.

ICANN has stated that the search for their new President and CEO is ongoing , with the agency planning to fill the position in early 2023, adding that: "Marby will be available to consult with ICANN until May 23, 2024, to support the transition to a new leader, as well as to advise the Board on any issue they require."

"Handshake domain issues, pricing issues across various top-level domains, TLDs assigned to countries who sponsor human rights violations, among other problems, are those that require immediate attention by ICANN. Maybe one of the largest hurdles the global organization faces with this role is that almost all of the qualified executives are already in leadership positions within the private sector. A strong effort should be made to this end instead of hiring some longtime public or agency employee with limited entrepreneurial experience who tries to lead with consensus," Gargiulo added.

As head of VPN.com, Gargiulo brings 15 years of Internet expertise. He has led VPN.com to become one of the top brands and cybersecurity and in 2020, the Atlantan Magazine named him as "Atlanta's Top Tech Entrepreneur."

Notably, Gargiulo has been part of some of the largest domain name transactions in recent history, starting with his acquisition of VPN.com for $1 million, the seventh largest domain transaction in 2017.

"VPN.com and our teams are doing incredibly well and just closed another record year in 2022, but just as much is owed to our powerful domain name, 'a durable, competitive advantage,' as Mr. Warren Buffett calls it. Stepping away from VPN.com to lead a global organization like ICANN that aligns with our mission of freedom and a secure Internet for all is something I have considered before, but the timing was not right," Gargiulo stated.

In 2019, Gargiulo wrote a widely shared letter to then President Donald Trump and ICANN requesting the sanction and termination of more than 1 million Iranian .ir domains due to Iran's continued state sponsorship of human rights violations and censorship.

"I hope to see ICANN lift up the right leader. I believe the Internet needs a smart individual with a history of a serving heart, whether that's at their church, in their local community or state government. Serving ICANN in a similar manner is something any successful entrepreneur will have to financially consider to fill the organization's opening," Gargiulo concluded.

Gargiulo is expected to attend the upcoming Internet Commerce Association Annual Member Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Learn more about VPN.com at: https://www.vpn.com/domains

About VPN.com in the news:

Media Contact:

Michael Gargiulo

404-550-3748

[email protected]

SOURCE VPN.com
New Data Highlights Opportunities for Specialization, Workforce Development and Collaboration to Achieve Greater Gains Locally and Beyond

SEATTLE, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities, today announced the launch of a new report, Quantum Information Sciences (QIS) in Washington State. Prepared by Moonbeam for the association's Advanced Technology Cluster, the report solidifies Washington's established expertise in quantum computing and highlights opportunities for specialization, QIS workforce expansion and collaboration with other material clusters around the country.

Washington state has long been a catalyst for technological innovation, with locally built technologies transforming not only their own industries, but driving significant economic growth both regionally and internationally. Quantum is no exception: Washington is the only U.S. quantum center of excellence that is already an established innovation hub, has exemplary academic institutions, and is home to the headquarters of major technology companies investing heavily in QIS.

"WTIA was selected by the Washington Department of Commerce as their lead partner to expand our position as a global innovation hub through an Advanced Technology Cluster," said Michael Schutzler, CEO, WTIA. "This report validates our thesis that Washington state has the right mix of organizations and capabilities - ranging from startups to legacy enterprises - to ensure Washington becomes a global leader in both quantum adoption and commercialization."

The report highlights new opportunities for the state, including specializing around current local industry strengths that also have potential for quantum, like health tech, agtech and cybersecurity. Washington state is already producing ample QIS talent - thanks to strong university programs and a statewide investment in STEM. However, the state must prioritize programming to support minorities, women and international students to build a more diverse workforce. The state should also seek to drive connections that catalyze innovation with complementary clusters globally.

Key takeaways:

Washington State

Washington QIS investors are exclusively in the Seattle metro area, with nearly 50% focused on software, materials and health.

metro area, with nearly 50% focused on software, materials and health. Washington state is experiencing 'brain drain' with local universities producing more quantum professionals than can be employed locally.

is experiencing 'brain drain' with local universities producing more quantum professionals than can be employed locally. 50% of students in quantum programs are foreign nationals, and many struggle getting visas to continue working within the state.

National

The U.S. has been actively funding QIS R&D for the past 15 years, with significant increases since 2019. Over half of the last 15 years worth of funding was allocated between 2019 and 2022.

Venture capital is the most common type of primary investment (55% of all deals) for QIS startups, both in terms of total number of companies and total number of investments. The deal count has also been steadily increasing over time, from 52 in 2017 to 128 in 2022, peaking at 142 in 2021.

Quantum sensing (QS) is expecting growth in its market share in the foreseeable future, leveraging atomic clocks, gravity sensors, PAR quantum sensors and magnetic sensors.

QS growth will be driven by the defense and agriculture industries.

International

Globally, quantum sensing shows high promise for the military and defense industry, but reducing manufacturing costs is critical.

Most quantum technology patents are filed by companies in China (54%) and Japan (15%).

(54%) and (15%). There are currently 162 universities and institutions worldwide with QIS-focused educational programs and research activity.

"The Washington tech industry has built a solid foundation when it comes to QIS through the significant attraction of advanced research funding used to develop differentiated capabilities," said Nirav Desai, CEO, Moonbeam. "As quantum evolves, Washington state is well positioned to play a coordination and leadership role in quantum adoption both nationally and globally."

In January 2022, WTIA was awarded $550,000 from the State of Washington's Innovation Cluster Accelerator to enable the development of an Advanced Technology Cluster to drive private investment, job creation, and world-leading innovation throughout the state. The cluster aims to build connectivity and collaboration across blockchain technologies and quantum computing, uniting corporations, academia, startups, government, and investors to power the next generation of growth for both of these sectors. In 2023, the Cluster plans to work more closely with schools on tech transfer and commercialization, develop resources around SBIR and STTR to grow local access to funding and forge new industry partnerships.

"The goal of the Northwest Quantum Nexus is to advance Quantum Information Sciences research and develop a QIS-trained workforce," said Krysta Svore, Distinguished Engineer and VP of Advanced Quantum Development at Microsoft, a founding NQN keystone partner. "This report from WTIA and Moonbeam gives credence to our goals and demonstrates Washington's progress and potential when it comes to increasing the visibility of QIS research and accelerating collaboration statewide."

To download the full report, please visit here .

About WTIA

Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) is a consortium that includes a not-for-profit member trade association, a not-for-profit tech apprenticeship intermediary (Apprenti), and a for profit corporation providing business services (HRBI). The organization's mission is to foster a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities. We recruit technology companies and allies that view diversity as a competitive advantage, value collaboration as essential to sustainable growth, and fully embrace the opportunity to partner with and empower the communities in which we operate.

About Moonbeam

Moonbeam Exchange advances corporate innovation using data science, ai, and immersive technology -- driving efficiency in technology scouting. Through data-driven market research, B2B match-making, and market intelligence, they are globalizing access to innovation hubs.

SOURCE Washington Technology Industry Association
Ken Crutchfield will join esteemed industry experts to discuss how to best leverage outside sources to provide top-quality legal support and guidance to one's organization

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ken Crutchfield, Vice President & General Manager of Legal Markets at Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S., will moderate a virtual panel during the North Carolina Bar Association's Corporate Counsel Section Program. The panel, titled "Managing Outsourced Legal Matters," will stream on a live webcast on Wednesday, January 25, at 9am ET.

Crutchfield will join a group of industry leaders, including Sneha Desai, Chief Legal Counsel, Global Litigation & Employment at Stryker; Kim M. Keenan, Mediator/Arbitrator at JAMS; and Warren T. Savage, Claims Attorney at Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company of N.C. The discussion will explore outsourcing options and how to manage law firms and alternative legal services providers both onshore and offshore in support of one's legal department and organization's goals. The panelists will also discuss best practices in contracting with a law firm or other service provider, managing outsourced matters, cost mitigation, and more.

"Corporate counsel professionals are under a lot of pressure as their roles continue to evolve to meet higher demands, often with tighter budgets and limited resources," said Crutchfield. "Understanding when to outsource and how to choose the right partners is vital for them to successfully move forward in an increasingly volatile landscape. I look forward to discussing these topics with this talented group of panelists."

Wolters Kluwer has a long history of successfully serving the corporate counsel market and providing efficient workflow tools. Legisway, Wolters Kluwer's all-in-one software solution, provides corporate law departments with an elevated experience, supporting decision making and better outcomes for their business. The configurable, modular workflow solution, productivity tool, and smart repository for mid-sized corporate legal departments contains powerful contract lifecycle management and customizable modules for a wide range of workflows, alleviating pressures and driving them to successful top-quality legal support.

The North Carolina Bar Association is a voluntary membership organization of lawyers, judges, paralegals, and law students dedicated to serving the public and the legal profession. Their mission is to serve the public and the legal profession by promoting the administration of justice and encouraging the highest standards of integrity, competence, civility, and well-being of all members of the profession.

To register for the webcast and learn more, visit: https://cle.ncbar.org/courses/48917

About Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk, and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2021 annual revenues of 4.8 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Linda Gharib

Director, Brand & Communications

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.

Tel: +1 (646) 887-7962

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory U.S.
SINGAPORE, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 23rd edition of global elite gatherings of the World Blockchain Summit (WBS), Fostering the Future of Web 3.0, was held last December 8 to 9 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok. Thailand aims to be a hub for all key stakeholders in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, and web3 ecosystem.

Lollipop as a Silver Sponsor was able to give 15% discount to its attendees Lollipop Booth at the World Blockchain Summit in Bangkok Chad Navarrete, Brand Advocate of Lollipop

WBS is one of the largest events industries, attracting thousands of influential people in the blockchain industry, including developers, investors, entrepreneurs. First held in Dubai in 2017, the event became an outstanding success and attracted over 400 people from around the world. Global speakers attend the events to share insights on current and future trends about Web3.0, DeFi, NFTs, and the like.

Investors, startup projects, companies, government representatives, and technology leaders gathered to discuss the future of the industry and innovative ways to transform business and government functions.

Mohammed Saleem, founder, and CEO of WBS said, "With the global adoption of blockchain technology having a significant impact on every sector of business and industry and Thailand emerging as a crypto leader in the ASEAN market, we intend to unite the crypto aficionados in a two-day conference with the objective of fostering the future of Web3."

LOLLIPOP's Innovative Approach

LOLLIPOP, a silver sponsor, was one of the most prominent projects who attended the summit. Their team helped visitors learn more about the use of the NFT Marketplace in the Metaverse, and what LOLLIPOP plans to achieve.

The distinctive booth design became an opportunity to connect with similar and diverse projects. It gave people the impression that the project is not just fun, but also useful for the NFT Marketplace. Many photos were taken and people literally got a treat of a lollipop candy and other merchandise.

LOLLIPOP's Achievements at the Summit

LOLLIPOP's brand advocate, Chad, gave an impressive presentation on "LOLLIPOP's Role in the Web3/Metaverse". He stated, "The project is headed to the moon and LOLLIPOP will be an indispensable marketplace for buying and selling NFTs." Chad's speech had people recognize LOLLIPOP as a cutting-edge solution that will revolutionize the metaverse era.

About LOLLIPOP

Currently a DeFi system, with swap and stake function using their own LPOP token, LOLLIPOP aims to evolve into a democratic and interoperable cross-chain NFT market. Hoping to further develop the NFT marketplace by introducing a more seamless and user-friendly platform for the general public.

https://lollipoppool.org/

Twitter: @LollipopBsc

SOURCE LOLLIPOP
Excluding the police from the scheme would reverse measures put in place to reform the pension system, PenCom said.

Some Nigerian senators and pension operators on Friday disagreed over the Nigeria Police Force's request for exemption from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Punch newspaper reported that at a public hearing on Police Pension Board Bill on Friday, senators, the Police and groups of Police retirees supported the proposal to exclude the Police from CPS. However, the National Pension Commission, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders kicked against the request.

Represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sanusi Lemu, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, said the police required a distinct board on its own for the management and administration of pensions of retired Police personnel in the mode of the Military Pension Board.

He argued that the police as clearly stated by the title of the bill Police Pension Board Establishment Bill 2022, deserved to have a separate body for management and administration of Pensions of its retirees.

"Exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme, being run and managed by PenCom, is long overdue for the Police on account of poor services being subjected to. The proposed board will boost the morale of Police Personnel to dispassionately discharge their duties of fighting crimes," he said.

On his part, the lawmaker representing Adamawa North, Elisha Abbo, who sponsored the Police Pension Board Bill, said that officers of the Nigeria Police were being treated unfairly.

Mr Abbo argued that ensuring fairness in the payment of pensions to the police would boost the morale and standard of living of retired police personnel.

But the National Pension Commission (PenCom) rejected attempts to exclude the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the contributing pension scheme (CPS).

The organisation's positions were contained in memoranda submitted at the public hearing on Friday. The memorandas were on the two legislations currently being considered by the Nigerian senate.

PenCom

In its submission, PenCom said CPS has deepened the country's financial sector and enabled the federal government to execute key projects.

"To this end, 63.68% of the total pension assets have been invested in Federal Government securities (FGN Bonds, Treasury Bills, Sukuk and Agency Bonds) as at 30 November 2022," it said.

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"The remaining investments are in money market instruments (14.61%), corporate debt securities (10.41%), quoted equities (6.50%) and other asset classes (4.80%)."

It said excluding the police from the CPS would reverse measures put in place by the federal government to holistically reform the pension system in the country.

"Another immediate negative impact of the proposed exemption of the NPF is to unsettle the FGN's fiscal policy and financial system stability. It is imperative to note that as at date, about 63.68% of the N14.79 trillion pension assets, as at 30 November 2022, are invested in Federal Government securities," it said.

"Exempting the NPF would lead to material divestment from FGN securities before maturity, which would have ripple negative effects on not only the finances of Government, but also on the entire financial system."

Consolidating Gains

In its own submission, the Pension Funds Operators in Nigeria (PenOps) said although the CPS is not perfect, it is an improvement from the unsustainable pension systems practiced in the country before 2004.

The gains of the CPS should be consolidated rather than destroyed, the operators said.

"We shouldn't disintegrate a system because it doesn't meet some of our aspirations. We can tweak it, suggests ways to make it better," the organisation said.

"We should prioritize building systems, not pulling out when something is wrong. In order to offer some respite to the police pensioners, we have made some proposals which are being implemented."
Cape Town  Civil Society Groups Call for Protest Action as Energy Crisis Escalates



Civil society coalition #UniteBehind has called on South Africans to march in their numbers on February 9, 2023, to demonstrate against against load shedding, Eyewitness News reports. The group also demanded that an 18% electricity price increase granted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa be scrapped and that a dedicated ministry for energy be created.



Load Shedding Stage 3 and Stage 4 to be Implemented, Eskom Says



Eskom has said that load shedding will be implemented at Stage Stage 4 from 4pm5am, while Stage 3 load shedding will be implemented daily from 5am4pm until further notice. This comes after two generating units at the Tutuka Power Station were taken offline for repairs in the past 24 hours. Load shedding monitoring app Eskom Se Push has said that South Africa has experienced 543 hours of load shedding during 2023 to date.

Load Shedding Blamed After Farm Workers Die from Heat Stroke

Five farmworkers have died of heat stroke in Kakamas in the Northern Cape - the result of load shedding, according to the Kai !Garib Staansaam Movement. In an Eyewitness News report, the civil rights group said that water shortages resulted due to power cuts in the area. The deaths comes amid a heatwave in the province.

Residents, Businesses Advised to Make Alternate Energy Plans as Permanent Load Shedding Looms

According to Hilton Trollip, a senior researcher at the Energy Research Centre at the University of Cape Town, South African residents and businesses should make alternate plans to meet their energy needs as Eskom may implement load shedding measure beyond Stages 4 and 5, IOL reports. Trollip said President Cyril Ramaphosa should remove the portfolio of energy from the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources. This comes after the embattled power utility announced that some level of permanent load shedding would be required over the next two years to ensure time for maintenance along with consistency for South Africans.

Nine-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Signs Music Deal After Viral Video

A video of Rebecca Seziba playing the piano at a shopping mall in Cape Town has landed the child prodigy a collaboration with international pianist Rahul Suntah, News24 reports. The nine-year-old has never attended a music class and is completely self-taught, her father Emmanual Seziba, adding that she is a fan of classical music who was inspired to play the instrument by her brother, Joshua. Rebecca's rendition of My Heart Will Go On, the theme song of the film Titanic, had shoppers at the Table Bay Mall cheer and applaud.
Damascus, Jan 23 : A total of 16 civilians were killed, and four others wounded when their residential building collapsed in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo.

The five-storey building, which the Interior Ministry said had housed seven families in the predominantly Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maksoud, collapsed on Sunday due to a water leakage affecting its basis, SANA news agency reported.

Rescuers are still working on finding survivors, Xinhua news agency reported, citing SANA.
Mr Keyamo had last week filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling Atiku to surrender himself to EFCC, ICPC, and CCB for thorough investigations.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo.

The party said Mr Keyamo should be sacked for allegedly abusing office.

The spokesperson for the Atiku-Okowa (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, made the call at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday.

Mr Keyamo, he said, is using the official privilege and powers of his office to intimidate the agencies of the government including going to court and filing a case against the agents of the same branch of government to which he belongs.

Mr Bwala's comment was in reaction to Keyamo's call for the probe of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, over alleged corruption cases.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Keyamo, who is also one of the spokespersons of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, sued Atiku over a new corruption allegation.On 16 January, he issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the antigraft agencies like the CCB, ICPC and the EFCC, to arrest Atiku on offences of money laundering, breach of the code of conduct for public officers, conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.

He issued the ultimatum following allegations of corruption levelled against Atiku by one Michael Achimugu who claimed to be a former aide to the former vice president.

He later filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling Atiku to surrender himself to EFCC, ICPC, and CCB for thorough investigations.

Mr Keyamo also urged the court to declare that the agencies are under a legal obligation "to invite and/or arrest, investigate and (if found wanting) prosecute" Atiku.

'Keyamo abusing office'

Addressing journalists, Mr Bwala said the minister was using his office to intimidate the agencies of the federal government and called on the president to sack him.

"We are calling on the president, because we believe that he is committed to a free and fair process (election), to immediately sack the minister... for abusing the office that he has, because that office is being paid for by taxpayers' money... "

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Mr Bwala also said he and some members of the PDP have received "threats to life" by people from the campaign team of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. He urged the federal government to "look into it."

Probe for Tinubu

Similarly, Mr Bwala noted that a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta had lodged a petition at the EFCC against Mr Tinubu.

The petition, he explained, involves massive corruption and misappropriation of funds belonging to the government of Lagos State, abuse of office, and conflict of interests.

"The said petition raised issues bordering on a wide range of corruption allegations and we call on the EFCC to address the nation on their findings of the investigation which we believe is long overdue."

He urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to probe Mr Tinubu over alleged drug-related offences.

Mr Bwala also called on all relevant authorities to probe the APC presidential candidate and his allies for allegedly setting up and funding a militia called "Jagaban Soldiers" and "Battalions" for the alleged purposes of executing his political agenda.

The press conference also had in attendance other key members of the Atiku-Okowa campaign team including Dele Momodu and Phrank Shuaibu.
Washington, Jan 23 : Twelve people were shot and injured at a nightclub in Baton Rouge, capital city of the US state of Louisiana.

Three of the injured were in critical condition and were rushed to the hospital, Xinhua news agency quoted local media reports as saying.

On Sunday evening, police spokesman L'Jean McKneely Jr. said all the injured were in stable condition.

The shooting occurred at the Dior Bar and Lounge around 1.30 a.m., said McKneely.

No arrest has been made so far, and the motive of the shooting remains unknown.

The Baton Rouge incident comes a day after at least 10 people were killed during a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, deemed as one of the deadliest in the US state's recent history.

The incident on Saturday night took place at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular dance hall, as thousands gathered Asian-American majority city to mark the Lunar New Year state holiday.

According to police, the suspected gunman identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran shot and killed himself inside a white van that officers had surrounded earlier on Sunday.
Lucknow, Jan 23 : In a shocking allegation, a 19-year-old girl has accused her father of sexual misconduct.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the allegation.

In her complaint, the girl alleged that her father had been misbehaving with her since the past some time.

"He frequently touches me inappropriately and even attempts to sexually exploit me," the victim alleged.

Gomti Nagar Vistar SHO Vinay Chaturvedi said an FIR has been registered and statements of family members will be recorded as part of the investigation.
Amroha, Jan 23 : A gynaecologist has been booked for the death of a female patient, allegedly due to the negligence in a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha.

Amroha's chief medical officer Dr Rajiv Singhal said that a district three-member probe team has been formed to investigate the matter.

An FIR has been lodged against the doctor on the complaint of the deceased woman's husband.

The woman Radha, a mother of two, had died on Friday.

Her family alleged that the doctor left a portion of the bandage inside her abdomen when he operated on her.

Mahendra Saini, the husband of the deceased woman, said he took his wife to a private hospital where she underwent a surgery around a month ago.

Officials said even after the operation, she could not get relief and she went back to the same hospital.

However, after a few days when there was still no relief, her kin took her to another private hospital in Bijnor where a CT scan was done, which the family alleged, showed the bandage in the abdomen.
Seoul, Jan 23 : North Korea saw a significant decline in humanitarian assistance from the international community last year amid prolonged border closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, new data revealed.

The financial tracking service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that assistance to Pyongyang from international organisations and other agencies in 2022 reached around $2.3 million, down sharply from $14 million the previous year, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Switzerland's provision for the reclusive country last year through the Unicef and the Swiss Development Cooperation had accounted for 69.5 per cent 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 as of January 4 shown on the OCHA website.
San Francisco, Jan 23 : A 72-year-old man suspected of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, that claimed the lives of 10 people, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot injury after a standoff with police officers.

In the mass shooting incident on Saturday, deemed as one of the deadliest in the US state's recent history, five women and five men were killed, while another 10 people suffered injuries, reports Xinhua news agency.

The tragic incident occurred at 10.22 p.m. in Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular ballroom dance facility operated for about 30 years, when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Addressing reporters on Sunday night, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the suspect was identified as Huu Can Tran, who entered the party and opened fire before fleeing the scene in a white van.

The vehicle was pulled over in a parking lot on Sunday morning and surrounded by policemen from Torrance, located roughly 50 km southwest of Monterey Park after they heard a gunshot from inside the vehicle.

The man inside the van, who was found dead following a three-hour standoff with the Special Weapons and Tactics team, was confirmed as the suspect later, according to Luna.

A motive for the shooting is yet to be ascertained.

The Sheriff further said that authorities are working to identify the victims.

"Please keep in mind that especially with the deceased victims, the coroner's office retrieved the remains not that long ago. So, they're still in the process of identifying. There's a lot of work that still needs to be done to answer a lot of questions that all of us have," CNN quoted Luna as saying He said that because the victims haven't all been identified, he couldn't say their exact ages, but gave a range.

"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." Monterey Park, a city of 61,000 residents located on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, has a majority, or 65 per cent, Asian-American population.

Starting Saturday, the city hosted an annual two-day Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, one of the largest events in the region.

Thousands had taken part in Saturday's celebrations which was concluded about one hour before the fatal shooting.

The festivities scheduled for Sunday were cancelled.

Also on Sunday, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation honoring the victims, ordering flags to fly at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings until sunset on Thursday.

"As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on January 21, 2023, in Monterey Park, California, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, January 26, 2023," he said in the proclamation.

In the 23 days of this year, there have already been at least 36 mass shootings in the US so far, according to the nonprofit organization Gun Violence Archive.
Lucknow, Jan 23 : As the countdown begins for the general elections next year, major political players in Uttar Pradesh are beginning to make claims and counterclaims about the poll outcome.

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary said that his target for 2024 would be to win all 80 seats in the state.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to be re-elected as the Prime Minister and for this I call upon my spirited cadre to ensure that BJP wins all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 LS polls from UP," he said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may taste defeat in all 80 parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"The party that claimed to rule for the next 50 years, is now counting its days. Its national president should visit two medical colleges in the state and he will understand how many seats they are going to win," said Yadav.

To underline his point, Akhilesh referred to the BJP's recent losses in Mainpuri Lok Sabha and Khatauli Assembly bypoll in Muzaffarnagar -- both west UP seats where the BJP is up against the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal combine.

The BJP had won 71 seats from UP in 2014 Lok Sabha polls and in 2019, despite the SP-BSP alliance, the party had swept the state with 64 seats.

In 2019, there were 16 seats that the BJP failed to win in the state.

Of these, the BJP has since won two in the Lok Sabha bypolls in June. The remaining 14 Lok Sabha seats are on the party's radar now.

"It means that we have to work harder and our cadres will ensure that we win all 80 seats this time," said Bhupendra Chaudhary.
London, Jan 23 : A 35 year-old British-Indian doctor, who ended her life in June last year, had blamed the hospital where she worked for her death, according to a suicide note shared by her parents.

Junior doctor Vaishnavi Kumar, who worked at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), said in the letter that the working environment "just broke me".

"I am sorry mum, I can blame the whole thing on the QEH," she wrote in her note, which was not read out during her inquest last year, the BBC reported.

Kumar said in her note to her mother that her mental health had declined while working at the QEH and she was "now a nervous wreck".

The inquest found that Kumar ended her life after she struggled to cope up with "bullying and condescension at work", and often returned home crying.

Kumar's parents told the BBC they had now released her final words in an attempt to help other junior doctors.

"She must have gone through a huge amount of bullying and stress otherwise she is not the girl who would have done this," Dr Ravi Kumar, who believes the QEH "destroyed" his daughter, told the BBC.

"So people who have done this have done a huge amount of damage and that makes me angry," the heartbroken father said.

Before moving to QEH, Vaishnavi Kumar worked as a chief registrar at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals where she was seen as an outstanding trainee and a mentor for other junior doctors, with strong leadership skills, the report said.

Her struggle at QEH began around December 2021 and she committed suicide on June 22, 2022.

The QEH comes under the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which is recognised as one of the leading NHS trusts in the UK with more than 20,000 members of staff.

Last month, British-Sikh MP from Birmingham Preet Kaur Gill had called on the Health Secretary to initiate an independent inquiry into the alleged bullying culture at the University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB).

Gill said staff and former staff members described being harassed over several years, leading to counselling, depression and extended periods off work.

According to the BBC, UHB is currently subject to three separate reviews following reports of staff saying there is a "climate of fear" at the Trust.

The Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board announced a three-part review into the culture at UHB.

The first report is expected at the end of January 2023.
Dhaka, Jan 23 : Bangladesh will hold the presidential election by February 23, the country's poll body announced.

The announcement was made by the Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam at a news conference on Sunday evening, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said incumbent president Abdul Hamid will not to be re-elected for another term, as the country's constitution allows only a a maximum two-term limit consisting of five years each.

Hamid's tenure will expire on April 24.

Alam said the schedule for the presidential election will soon be announced.

In Bangladesh, the President is elected by an indirect election by MPs.
Chandigarh, Jan 23 : The 30th Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence was inaugurated in Haryana that coincided beautifully with the fact that Israel and India are nearing the completion of 30 years of full diplomatic relations.

State Agriculture Minister Jai Parkash Dalal, Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel and Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon inaugurated the centre in Gignow in Bhiwani district on Sunday.

This centre, established as part of the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project, is dedicated to semi-arid horticultural crops.

Israel, which is famous for "making the desert bloom", is a pioneer in developing sustainable technologies and solutions for all agricultural sectors.

For many decades, Israel has successfully overcome harsh climatic conditions and knows how to maximize resources in an arid environment.

Speaking on this occasion, Ambassador Gilon said: "This is a significant milestone in the agricultural cooperation between Israel and India. It is very special as this is the 30th Centre of Excellence inaugurated as our countries are nearing the completion of 30 years of full diplomatic relations.

"With this inauguration, we now have 30 fully-active Centers of Excellence in different states across India. More such centres are in the pipeline. These centres are increasing farmers' yield and productivity while diversifying local crops and improving the quality of produce." The establishment of the centres has been possible due to the coordinated efforts of the government of India, state governments and MASHAV -- Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

These centres provide a suitable platform for a rapid transfer of technology to Indian farmers. New agricultural technologies such as protected cultivation, drip irrigation and fertigation are demonstrated here.

The methods and technologies are adapted to the local conditions and requirements of the Indian farmers, with the intent of significantly increasing their income.

Every year, the centres produce more than 40 million premium quality vegetable seedlings, over 500 thousand high-quality fruit plants, and train more than 120 thousand Indian farmers.

MASHAV also brings many Israeli experts to India and trains the trainers of these centres throughout the year. Similarly, Indian agricultural officers heading these centres receive training in Israel.

For example, over 60 Indian government officials visited Israel to receive training last year.

The Israel-India cooperation in agriculture has deepened and widened since full diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

During the initial period of the establishment of the Centres of Excellence, the newest technologies in a range of agricultural fields were brought from Israel and implemented at these centres.

Over the years, the agricultural cooperation between the two countries has further expanded. Now Israeli technologies and know-how are being transferred and manufactured in India, further boosting the 'Make in India' initiative and benefiting the entire world.

The newly inaugurated centre is one such example, which will demonstrate Israel-based agricultural technologies produced in India such as drip irrigation, mulching, greenhouses, etc.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : An on-duty Delhi Police head constable (HC) was stabbed twice by a man, who had been nabbed for an argument in the capital's Dwarka area, an official said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday night and the HC identified as Rinku is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

DCP (Dwarka), Harendra K. Singh said on Sunday evening ASI Sunil and HC Rinku posted in the Chhawla police station were on patrol in the Qutub Vihar area when they were informed by the public of an argument and assault.

"A police control room (PCR) call regarding the quarrel was also received at 8.35 p.m. However, the patrolling staff rushed to the spot where it was found that some boys had quarrelled with an auto driver," the DCP said.

HC Rinku caught one of them, identified as Sunny alias Shooter, who is also a known criminal.

"Sunny stabbed HC Rinku twice and escaped. Rinku was shifted to hospital and he is undergoing treatment for a deep stab injury. Senior police officers have visited him and are ensuring best possible medical care," said the DCP.

Following the incident, police teams were also formed to nab Sunny along with his accomplices.

"A raid was conducted on the Bhai-Bhai Road, Qutub Vihar, at around 2.30 a.m. on Monday. During the raid, police teams were fired upon by the criminals. In self-defence, the police team also fired three rounds," DCP Singh said.

The accused Sunny was hit by two bullets on his legs. He was shifted to a hospital immediately and is under treatment.

"A total of three persons, including Sunny, have been caught. Search for the other co-accused is underway."
A ruling party, Zanu PF official has been dragged to court for attempting to wrest a Hurungwe farm using a suspected fraudulent government offer letter.

Chenjerai Kangausaru, who is Zanu PF Mashonaland West deputy legal affairs secretary, is said to be in illegal occupation of Subdivision 1 of Chitonga Farm, Tengwe in Hurungwe district.

He appeared in court last week facing charges of contravening section 3 (1) of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act chapter 20:28, which pertains to "occupation of gazetted land without lawful authority."

Karoi Magistrate, Moreblesing Makati admitted Kangausaru to ZW$30 000 bail, and ordered him not to interfere with State witnesses.

The matter was remanded to February 7, 2023 for trial.

According to court papers gleaned by NewZimbabwe.com, the property was acquired, gazetted and planned by the Government of Zimbabwe under General Notice number 313A of 2001.

It was then allocated to two beneficiaries, namely Tichafa Herbert Vincent Tendayi, who took over subdivision 1, while a Dube lawfully occupied subdivision 2 and both hold valid offer letters.

The court heard Kangausaru is in unlawful occupation of subdivision 1 of Chitonga Farm and does not hold any tenure document as the ones he tendered were fake.

The State argues accused person has no legal right to act in the manner he did.
Kolkata, Jan 23 : Controversy over a question on "Azad Kashmir" in the test paper of West Bengal School Service Commission (WBBSE) is yet to be over and a fresh row has started in the state after similar question appeared in the exam paper published by All Bengal Teachers' Association (ABTA).

Besides WBBSE officially releasing the test paper compilation every year, which contains Class 10 final test examination (pre-board) questions of some leading schools and acts as a guide for the candidates appearing for the Class 10 board examinations, ABTA also publishes a parallel exam paper on its part.

The ABTA is basically an association of Left leaning school teachers in the state.

Last week there was major political uproar over the issue after a question in WBBSE's test paper was detected where the students were asked to point out the location of "Azad Kashmir" on the map. Now, a fresh uproar has started with the ABTA.

A question paper released by it asks the students to write a note of "Azad Kashmir".

ABTA's general secretary Sukumar Pain admitted the existence of such a question in the association's test paper. "But the syllabus of the board itself has reference to this matter. The state government- approved books too have reference to this matter. Since there is a controversy in the matter, it would have been better if the related question had not been there in our test paper," he said.

Meanwhile, controversies over the question in WBBSE's test paper has reached the Central level, with the Union education ministry having sent a communique to the state education department seeking an explanatory note in the matter.

In the communique, it has been stated that the matter of "Azad Kashmir" is an extremely sensitive issue and the Union government does not recognise 'Pakistan occupied Kashmir' as "Azad Kashmir".

Sensing the gravity of the matter, the state education department has already initiated an internal probe into the matter. Sources said that a total of nine teachers have been identified and cautioned in the matter by the WBBSE.

Out of the nine teachers cautioned, six are members of the board's history syllabus committee.

A letter of caution has also been forwarded to the headmaster of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Vidyamandir, whose exam paper carrying the controversial question on "Azad Kashmir" featured in the test paper.
Tripoli, Jan 23 : The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily called for international support to help country overcome its crisis.

Bathily made the remarks after attending a consultative meeting of the Arab foreign ministers on Sunday in the Libyan capital Tripoli, during which issues of common concern were discussed, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I call on all international stakeholders, including Libya's neighbours, to speak with one voice and step up their support to help Libya overcome its long-term crisis," Bathliy tweeted.

He also urged all Libyan parties to come together and find ways to overcome their differences so that "Libya can once again play a leading role as an African-Arab country ... and as an active member of the UN".

"Over a year ago, 2.8 million Libyans registered to vote. This shows the will and determination of the Libyan people to choose their representatives, restore legitimacy to their institutions and chart their way forward to stability through a democratic political process," he said.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties.

The UN envoy said he considered the consultative meeting of Arab foreign ministers as "the expression of solidarity and support for the Libyan people in establishing a peaceful and prosperous future".

Following the meeting, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush told a press conference that "the meeting is not particularly about Libya, but an affirmation of a previous agreement of the Arab Foreign Ministers to intensify consultations among the members of the Arab League, in order to unify the Arab position on all issues of common concern".

The participants of the meeting expressed their support for stability in the country, the unity of the Arab position, as well as the efforts of the UN Support Mission in Libya to achieve stability and support the Libyan elections, Al-Mangoush added.
Islamabad, Jan 23 : Millions of Pakistanis encountered a power outage on Monday after the electricity distribution system of the country broke down, said the Ministry of Energy.

The Ministry said in a statement the countrywide power breakdown was triggered after the frequency of the national grid decreased suddenly, reports Xinhua news agency.

"According to initial reports, the system frequency of the national grid system decreased at 7.34 a.m. in the morning, which resulted in a widespread breakdown in the power system," it said.

The Ministry added that efforts were underway on a fast track to restore the system as early as possible.

Local media quoting unanimous officials from the Ministry reported that it might take 24 hours to restore the system completely.

According to the local reports, all major cities including the capital Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta have lost power supply completely.

Quetta Electric Supply Company told local media that 22 districts of the Balochistan province are without power.
Bhopal, Jan 23 : The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is in the process of reconstituting the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), which also includes a 21-member Political Affairs Committee and district presidents.

According to sources, the AICC has appointed 64 district Congress presidents, however, a list of secretaries of the MPCC is yet to be announced.

Senior leader and in-charge for Madhya Pradesh J. P. Agrwal said the list issued by the AICC "is not the final", and modifications will be carried out after the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.

"List released by AICC for Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee is not final. A modification is expected after the Bharat Jodo Yatra is over," the MPCC said in an official communication.

The state Political Affairs Committee (PAC) includes MP Congress head Kamal Nath, Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, LoP Govind Singh, and formers ministers such as Kanti Lal Bhuria, Suresh Pachori, Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha, Jitu Patwari, Kamal Nath's son and Chhindwara MP Nakul Nath, Shoba Ozha and others.

Insiders told IANS that the state leadership wanted a "compact" committee from state to district level. Sources also said that many who were holding posts in MPCC were excluded from the new list, and therefore, a modification will be done in the fresh list.

Explaining further about MPCC members, a senior Congress leader said the compact in the sense that a proper designated team. "For instance, if there are so many members appointed as secretaries or any other designated post in the organisation, it may create confusion. Therefore, the state leadership wants a compact team at every step of the organisation, so that everyone can freely execute the role assigned," Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.

AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal in a release on Monday said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the proposal for the appointment of office-bearers and presidents of various district committees in Madhya Pradesh.
Anand : , Jan 23 (IANS) A woman in her 20's whose throat was slit by a man, was rescued by the house owner and neighbours in Gujarat's Umreth town. The police were in search of the attacker.

The incident happened on Sunday. An officer with the Umreth police station told IANS that on Sunday afternoon the police received a call informing them that a female was screaming from a house for help in the Kachhiyapol.

"When the team reached the place, the house owner Hitesh Kachhiya and neighbours had rescued her. She was bleeding, and was immediately rushed to Anand hospital, where the doctors referred her to Ahmedabad government hospital." According to house owner Hitesh, the couple had rented the house on Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, the youth attacked the woman with a sharp weapon, locked her in the bathroom, later he locked the house and fled away. The house owner had neither taken any identity proof from the couple, nor signed any rent contract.

The officer said, "Police could hardly know the first name of the victim. She identified herself as Jyoti. Police are now trying to identify her, and her boyfriend or lover or her husband and where they are from. As the victim was not able to get her statement recorded on Sunday, police are still processing the registration of the First Information Report on Monday."
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea to constitute a three-judge bench to consider petitions challenging ban on hijab in classrooms of pre university colleges in Karnataka.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, representing some petitioners, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.

She said the matter is urgent in view of the impending examination scheduled in February and added that students have moved to private colleges after the split verdict. Arora further contended that the examinations can only be conducted in government colleges, therefore students may be permitted to appear in the exams wearing hijab.

The bench, also Justices V. Ramasubramanian and J.B. Pardiwala, asked the counsel to mention before the registrar. The counsel submitted that the matter may be taken up for interim order.

The bench said, "This is a three-judge matter. We will do it." The Supreme Court, in October last year, gave a split verdict on petitions challenging the validity of ban on hijab worn by some Muslim girl students in classrooms of pre university colleges in Karnataka. The split verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Justice Gupta upheld the Karnataka government circular and dismissed the appeals against the Karnataka High Court judgment. However, Justice Dhulia quashed the Karnataka government's decision to ban wearing of hijab inside classrooms of pre-university colleges, saying that the Constitution is also a document of trust and it is the trust the minorities have reposed upon the majority.

Justice Dhulia, in his judgment, said: "We live in a democracy and under the rule of law, and the laws which govern us must pass muster the Constitution of India. Amongst many facets of our Constitution, one is Trust. Our Constitution is also a document of Trust. It is the trust the minorities have reposed upon the majority." The bench had said since there is divergence of views, the matter would be posted before the Chief Justice of India for setting up a larger bench.
Kolkata, Jan 23 : Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's aim was wealth creation for the country and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is exactly treading through that path, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said while addressing a function on the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji in front of Shahid Minar in Kolkata on Monday.

"Before India's independence too there were different forces of different political beliefs. However, their aim was one and only independence. But Netaji's aim was not just achieving the independence of the country. His parallel aim was also the wealth creation for India. RSS now is exactly treading through that path for the country's wealth creation as shown by Netaji," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhagwat also said that besides being a leader, Netaji was a "commander" in the true sense.

"No one did anything for him. But he gave up everything for the country. He had led the people by being among them. He was a leader. But at the same time, he chose to remain in the battlefield along with his soldiers. The commanders generally do not go to the battlefield. However, Netaji came from Singapore to Assam leading his army," the RSS chief said.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhagwat also said that it is India who taught the entire world the lesson of unity. "The entire world is looking at India now and we will have to shape the country towards that path. Since its inception, RSS has been working for the development of India as an example to the entire world," he said.

However, Trinamool Congress state general secretary and the party's spokesman in West Bengal Kunal Ghosh ridiculed the event organised by the RSS in Kolkata. "Netaji was opposed to RSS's ideology. Netaji was in favour of secularism and RSS is propagating divisive politics. They have no right to speak about Netaji," he said.

Countering Kunal Ghosh, BJP's national vice- president and the party Lok Sabha member, Dilip Ghosh said Netaji is above all such politics. "Netaji is a national hero. RSS also believes in nationalism and patriotism, and is dedicated to work for the country inspired by Netaji's ideology," Dilip Ghosh said.
Meerut : , Jan 23 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Police have finally filed a case against unnamed persons after a video on social media showed a mob heckling two South Korean women and accusing them of engaging in religious conversions.

The incident occurred at the Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut on Saturday.

A video being circulated on social media showed a group of men surrounding the women and asking them what the purpose of their visit was, and who was with them.

"There is only one God 'Ram', others do not exist. These are Christian missionaries, who want to come here. This is wrong," one of the men is heard saying to the women.

Some members of the mob were heard chanting "Jai Shri Ram". The group continued to heckle the women even as one of them tried to communicate with them in Hindi.

Circle Officer (Civil Lines) Arvind Kumar said that a police team nearby brought the matter under control and escorted the women to their hotel.

"One Local Intelligent Officer (LIU) was deployed for them, he was monitoring the situation all the time," he said.

On Sunday, the girls took a flight to Delhi, from where they will return to their country on Monday.

The police said on Twitter that allegations that the women were engaging in religious conversion were completely false. They were in Meerut as tourists, and had visited the university on the suggestion of an Indian friend.

Meerut City Superintendent of Police Piyush Kumar Singh aid, that the police have registered a first information report under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code against unidentified persons.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Car maker Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Monday launched the new "Hyundai AURA" -- with an introductory price of Rs 6,29,600.

The new Hyundai AURA comes available in six Monotone Colour Options -- Polar White, Titan Grey, Typhoon Silver, Starry Night, Teal Blue and Fiery Red.

"As a customer-centric brand, it has been a continuous endeavour to push boundaries and ensure customer delight through our class-leading products. The new Hyundai AURA sets this benchmark even higher, adding meaningful experiences to our most loved customers' smart mobility life," Unsoo Kim MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, said in a statement.

The new car will offer over 30 Safety features, including four Airbags (first in Segment) as standard fitment and six Airbags as an option, according to the company.

With first in Segment features like Wireless Charging, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - Highline and Fast USB Charger [Type-C], Bluetooth Connectivity, Voice recognition, and others, the new car offers advanced convenience.

Moreover, the new Hyundai AURA comes equipped with three future-ready powertrain options that are RDE (Real Driving Emissions) compliant and E20 Fuel Ready -- 1.2 L Kappa Petrol with 5 Speed Manual transmission, 1.2 L Kappa Petrol Smart Auto AMT, 1.2 L Bi-Fuel (Petrol with CNG) with 5 Speed Manual transmission.

Kappa is the first Hyundai engine to be fitted with an accessory drive belt that does not require a mechanical auto-tensioning adjustment device.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police's Special Cell have busted an inter-state weapons syndicate and recovered 34 pistols meant to be supplied to criminals in Delhi and its peripherals, said an official on Monday.

With the arrest of the two members of the syndicate, Naved Rana and Saleem both from District Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, the Delhi Police also unearthed an illegal weapon manufacturing unit operating in the Kandhla area near Shamli.

According to Ingit Pratap Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), on January 13, Naved was apprehended and he was carrying a high-quality sophisticated semi-automatic pistol loaded with three bullets and nine pistols (four high quality sophisticated semi-automatic pistols and five single shot country made pistols) inside a bag.

On interrogation, Naved disclosed that his brother Asif is a habitual criminal presently lodged at Muzaffarnagar Jail of Uttar Pradesh in various cases like Arms Act, Theft and NDPS Act.

"He was informed about Saleem by his brother Asif. He used to obtain illegal firearms and ammunition from source Saleem and used to supply them at various places in Delhi-NCR and UP to members of various infamous crime syndicates, including Gogi Gang. He used to get his commission on successful delivery of firearms and ammunition," said the official.

"To bust the entire syndicate involved, further investigation was carried out confidentially which led to the arrest of the illegal arms and ammunition source. On January 20, Saleem was arrested," said the DCP.

On interrogation, Saleem admitted being a manufacturer and supplier of illegal arms and ammunition and the weapons recovered from Naved were given by him on January 13.

"Saleem has been involved in illegal firearms and ammunition manufacturing cum trading since 2012-13. Initially, he started supplying such firearms locally to various end users and also got associated with the Mukeem Kala Gang," said the official.

In 2015 only, Saleem was booked in four criminal cases, including a rioting case, a rape case and three cases under CLA Act, all registered at Kandhla police station near Shamli.

In 2015, he was involved with others for setting a police station on fire. In 2018, he was booked for the first time, for the offence under section 25 of the Arms Act. Thereafter in 2019, he was arrested in another riot case.

"Based upon Saleem disclosure, on January 21, the police team also busted the illegal arms manufacturing unit (factory) and huge cache of illegal firearms including 24 finished single shot country made pistols, six automatic pistols and tools used in manufacturing weapons were recovered successfully from a sugarcane field on a raid conducted at village- Kandhla in district Shamli," said the DCP.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Delta State, Deputy Senate President, Ovie-Omo Agege, Sunday declared that, if elected, his administration will be fair to the three senatorial districts of the state.

Omo-Agege made the assurance during a mega rally the party organised to welcome some critical leaders from the People's Democratic Party, PDP under the umbrella of Delta Unity Group, DUG, into APC.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 26 leaders from PDP including former Commissioner and three-time former Member, House of Representatives, Mercy Almonai Isei; Member BOT, PDP and former Commissioner, Chief Judith Enamuotor; and three-time member, House of Representatives, Daniel Reyenieju among others with their 25, 000 supporters defected to the APC.

Speaking, Omo-Agege said: "I want to reassure everybody, we are going to be fair to the three senatorial districts. No senatorial district shall be discriminated against.

"In the past seven and half years, 4.2 trillion Naira has come to this state. When you look round Delta state today, do you see anything that looks like a 4.2 trillion Naira project? Something is wrong somewhere.

"When you go to Rivers State and Akwa Ibom, our brother Wike and Udom have turned the states into construction sites, meanwhile, we receive more allocations than them.

"Okowa has punished us enough and out of eight years, he wants to bring someone who will continue to punish us, someone that will give him a third term. He is even bringing an illiterate"

We now have all that it takes to chase PDP away

"Now, the people that make PDP to win election, God has picked all of them one by one to use as instrument to liberate Delta State.

"So, with the APC force and the new reinforcement now is the two-third of PDP, the intellectual wing. So, join us in this liberation struggle.

"We should also vote our three senators and those vying for House of Representatives seats.

"I want to reassure everybody, we are going to be fair to the three senatorial district.

No senatorial district shall be discriminated against.

"We know the challenges that face this state, we know our children who graduated from school have no jobs, we are determined to address that challenge and put our children back to work", Omo Agege said.

Also speaking on behalf of DUG, the leader of the group, Daniel Reyenieju said: "Today, I want to thank God Almighty for making this day possible, for us the DUG members of Delta State, we have taken this day as a day that will remain memorable in minds of all Deltans. As we stand here today, the DUG which is Delta Unity Group, a body that was formed and created to search and support the best of candidate for Delta.

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"When we couldn't achieve the search in our former party, the PDP, we went round Delta State searching for who could fit into that modernisation Delta mantra that we use and we found out that there is no other person that fits into and that can help to get Delta from this dead end that we have found ourselves, from this huge corruption that we have found ourselves, we decided that the only person that can take us out is Senator Omo-Agege.

"And we sat down in meetings and we decided that galvanizing votes for Omo Agege outside APC will be meaningless, inconsequential and then we took the decision that we will work, join hands with the APC to make Delta great again.
Abaco Club, Bahamas : Indian-American Akshay Bhatia was tied second after the first round of the 2023 Great Abaco Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Bhatia, an Indian-American was among the nine players tied second at 3-under, and two shots behind sole leader Colombian Cristobal Del Solar (67).

Starting from the first Bhatia had an up-and-down front nine with three birdies and three bogeys and made the turn in even par. He then eagled Par-4 12th and birdied the 18th to finish 3-under 69.

A week ago Bhatia twice double bogeyed during the week at the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, which he was defending. He ended tied fourth this time.

First-year Korn Ferry Tour member Cristobal Del Solar cards a 5-under 67 for a two-stroke lead in his second career Korn Ferry Tour start. He was T-31 last week at 2023 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : The Telangana government on Monday suspended a Deputy Tahsildar after he was arrested for intruding into the house of senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and chief minister's secretary Smita Sabharwal here.

Taking a serious note of the incident, the government suspended Anand Kumar Reddy.

Medchal Malkajgiri district collector issued orders suspending the Deputy Tahsildar. Officials of the revenue department will serve the orders on Anand Kumar Reddy in Chanchalguda Central Jail where he is currently lodged.

The incident reportedly took place on the night of January 19 but came to light on Sunday.

Smita, who is secretary to Telangana chief minister, raised an alarm when the Deputy Tahsildar approached her around 11.30 a.m. in her villa in IAS officers' quarters in Jubilee Hills. The security staff apprehended him and handed over to police. He was booked for criminal trespass.

Anand Reddy's friend K. Babu, who was waiting in the car outside the house, was also caught and handed over to the police.

The official took to Twitter on Sunday to reveal the incident.

"Had this most harrowing experience, a night back when an intruder broke into my house. I had the presence of mind to deal and save my life. Lessons: no matter how secure you think you are- always check the doors/ locks personally," she tweeted and advised people to dial 100 in an emergency.

Anand Reddy (48) entered the high-security quarters saying he was going to B-17 villa but instead trespassed into the woman IAS official's villa (B-11).

He reportedly told police that he had gone to the IAS officer to discuss the issue related to his promotion.

The Deputy Thasildar also reportedly tweeted to the IAS officer that he is at her doorstep.

Both Anand Reddy and Babu were produced before a magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days.

Police have launched a high-level probe into the incident.

Smitha Sabharwal was staying in the house with her two children. Her husband Akun Sabharwal, an IPS officer, is on Central deputation serving an intelligence agency.
Ghazipur, Jan 23 : Bodies of three of the four youths from Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district who died in the January 15 plane crash in Pokhra, Nepal, have been identified.

Ghazipur District Magistrate Aryaka Akhauri said the bodies of Abhishek Kushwaha, Anil Rajbhar and Vishal Sharma had been identified and handed over to family members present in Kathmandu.

Efforts are on to ascertain identity of fourth youth, Sonu Jaiswal, she added.

After the process of identification is over, the bodies will be brought to Ghazipur.

On January 16, family members of the four youths were sent to Kathmandu by road with head of Chak Jainab village Vijay Jaiswal, nayab tehsildar and a revenue inspector to claim and bring back the bodies.
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Director Luv Ranjan, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming theatrical rom-com, 'Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar', finally broke his silence on why his films always have a female as the antagonist.

The film, which stars the lead pair of Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, both of whom share the screen together for the first time, is Ranjan's first film in five years after his last directorial 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety', which again had actress Nushrratt Bharuccha playing the villain.

Talking to the media on Monday, the director said, "Aur bhi filmmakers hain jo 'ladki seedhi hai ladka chaalu hai' ke space mein acchi films bana rahe hain (there are other directors who are making good films on ths subject of a damsel in distress and the male as a wicked character). As a filmmaker I need to have a certain novelty in my films and for my audience".

He added, "Film mein jab tak ek negative aur ek positive force na ho tab tak film audience ko engage nahi karegi, it's purely a creative decision to have a female playing a negative character in my films".

'Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar', which marks Ranbir's return to the genre of rom-com, also stars stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi.

The film, produced by Luv Films' Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, and presented by T- Series' Gulshan Kumar and Bhushan Kumar, is set to arrive in cinemas worldwide on Holi, March 8, 2023.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, Jan 23 : The Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) has submitted a complaint to the Hazratganj police against SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya, demanding action for the latter's remarks on Ramcharitmanas.

In a letter, Rishi Kumar Trivedi, state president of ABHM, has said that Maurya's statement criticising the Hindu scripture and demanding a ban on it, has hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus.

The ABHM spokesman Shishir Chaturvedi said that the statement was an attempt to divide people on caste basis and create disharmony in society.

The ABHM leaders have urged the police to lodge a FIR against the SP leader and initiate appropriate action against him.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : Congress MLA from Bengaluru, Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday attacked the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh and raised questions over the RSS's attempts to link with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Wishing people on the occasion of birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, MLA Dinesh on his social media handle stated that, "Netaji was against the ideologies of RSS. He never believed in RSS philosophy." "RSS is planning to make a grand celebration of Netaji's birth anniversary. But, Netaji never identified with RSS and now suddenly what is the reason for sudden love for him?" "Netaji never supported the RSS philosophy of one nation, one religion and one language. Netaji's ideology included all philosophies and he was for taking people of all religions along. Why is RSS trying to hijack Netaji, who had a different ideology now?" he questioned.

"RSS contributed nothing for the Indian independence struggle and tried to project the heroes of the freedom struggle as its people. Sometime ago, RSS tried to hijack Bhagat Singh, when it came to light that he was against RSS philosophy, Bhagat Singh was relegated to the corner. Now it is the turn of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose," Rao said.

"Netaji's daughter Anita Bose has opposed the celebration of birthday by the RSS. By celebrating his birthday, RSS is projecting Netaji as Hindutvavadi. Netaji was like us as a Hindu and never believed in Hindutva philosophy," he underlined.
Seoul, Jan 23 : Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), will visit South Korea early next week on a regional swing that will also take him to Japan, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Stoltenberg is scheduled to make a two-day trip to Seoul on January 29-30, during which he will conduct a series of meetings with top South Korean government officials, including Foreign Minister Park Jin and Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup, Yonhap News Agency quoted the Minister is saying.

The NATO chief is also due to visit the Seoul National Cemetery and participate in a forum hosted by a South Korean think tank.

His trip to Seoul comes as the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol has been stepping up cooperation with NATO.

Yoon attended a NATO summit in June last year, becoming the first South Korea leader to do so.

Following his Seoul trip, Stoltenberg will fly to Japan for a two-day visit.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) has said that the derostered Air India crew in connection with the urination case be reinstated on flights, and termed the action against the pilot-in-command (PIC) an unusually harsh punishment.

In a letter issued on Monday, the cabin crew body has also termed the findings of an internal committee in the Air India urination case "flawed".

The cabin crew body said that there is no 9B seat in the business class compartment of the aircraft in question.

"Our attention is also drawn to the press reports and extracts of the internal complaints committee (ICC) which are incredulous and are flawed. There is no seat 9B on the Air India 777-300 ER and our 15 crew and four pilots did not personally appear before the ICC committee to depose before them either. That report, which has been submitted to the DGCA, also respectfully, seems based on wrong facts and incorrect assumptions and hence a nullity, said the cabin crew body in a letter.

The All India Cabin Crew Association wrote on Monday in their letter, "The AICCA has perused the DGCA press note on the Al-102 (26/11/22) and noted with deep regret the unusually harsh punishment on the Pilot in Command." Earlier, aviation regulator DGCA had imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on Air India as well as suspended the license of the pilot-in-command of the New York-Delhi flight for three months.

"The AICCA is constrained to state that Cabin Crew did not depose before the NCW Committee and we regret the inference that Cabin Crew were allegedly found wanting, when the facts are completely the opposite," the letter issued on Monday said.

"It must be noted our crew filed detailed reports on the incident on landing to those concerned and acted on instructions. The AICCA places on record that all the crew and pilots acted judiciously, within the law and in the best interests of the safety, security and well being of all the passengers and crew on the flight," said the letter.

Aviation regulator DGCA on January 20 imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India and suspended the license of pilot-in-command for three months in the Air India urination case which occurred on November 26, 2022. Moreover, the regulator also imposed a penalty of Rs 3 lakh on Director-in-flight services of Air India for failing to discharge her duties.

As per the regulator, the incident of passenger misbehaviour which occurred on AI-102 flight on November 26, 2022 from New York to New Delhi, came to the notice of DGCA on January 4, 2023 wherein a male passenger conducted himself in a disorderly manner and allegedly relieved himself on a female passenger.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : A woman pushed her two children into the Godavari river in Telangana on Monday before jumping into to die by suicide.

The shocking incident occurred in the Basar town of Nirmal district. The police pulled out all three bodies with the help of swimmers.

The woman, identified as Manasa (27) pushed her son Baladitya (8) and daughter Navasri (7) into the river near the ghat where devotees offer Ganga Harathi.

Police found school bags and empty tiffin boxes near the ghat. The woman is believed to have served food to the children before killing them.

She along with the children arrived from Nizamabad. After alighting from a bus at Godavari bridge, they reached the river bank.

Police registered a case and took up investigation. They suspect that the woman may have killed the children and committed suicide due to family problems.
New Delhi: A contingent of Assam Rifles march past during the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade 2023, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: The contingent of Indian Air Force march past during the full dress rehearsals ahead of the Republic Day Parade 2023, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Indian Coast Guard march past during the full dress rehearsals ahead of the Republic Day Parade 2023, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: A contingent of Assam Rifles march past during the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade 2023, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 23 : The full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade was held at Kartavya Path in Delhi, in which personnel from the Army, Air Force, Navy and the Paramilitary forces participated on Monday. Twenty three tableaux from 17 states and various departments of the government took part in the rehearsal which started at 10.30 a.m.

Six tableaux of the Central ministries and departments became part of the rehearsal. The country's rich cultural heritage, economic and social progress and internal and external security was depicted in these tableaux.

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the occasion of Parakram Jayanti and said: "Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and recall his unparalleled contribution to India's history." "He will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule. Deeply influenced by his thoughts, we are working to realise his vision for India." According to the Ministry of Defence, various successes in different fields will be displayed during the Republic Day Parade this year, reflecting the country's geographical and rich cultural diversity.

Seventeen tableaux from states and UTs like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala will present a glimpse of historical heritage.

The marching contingent of the Indian Air Force for the parade will be led by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a woman officer. The four officers and 144 air warriors in the contingent will march in a box formation.

According to the Indian Air Force, 45 aircraft including 9 Rafale jets and four helicopters will be included in the fly-past at the celebrations.

The IL-38 plane of the Indian Air Force will take part in the Republic Day parade for the first and perhaps the last time. Formations of the flag, Rudra, eagle, Tiranga, Garuda, Bhima, Amrit, and Vijay among others will be made in flypast.

Six tableaux from the Ministry of Culture, Central Armed Police Forces, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Public Works Department, Indian Council of Agricultural Research will show the work and achievements of the last few years.

The tableaux of States and Union Territories have been selected for the Republic Day Parade on a zonal basis, in which the States and Union Territories have been classified into six divisions -- Northern Zone, Central Zone, Eastern Zone, Western Zone, Southern Zone and North Eastern Zone.

Generally, around 15 tableaux are selected from the States/UTs depending on the proportional size of each region.

In the selection process, an expert committee examined the tableaux proposals of various States and Union Territories.

Apart from this, several rounds of discussions were held by the committee members with the representatives of the states on the theme, presentation, artistic performance and technical aspects of the tableau.
Joseph Boakai said on Thursday that he is in good health, urging Liberians to disregard what he said were false and subversive messages on social media after he recently checked in at the ELWA Hospital in Monrovia.

News of the Unity Party standard bearer's poor health has sparked a flurry of talk in the country that Boakai, 78, was in a "critical" condition at the hospital. Those claims have been fueled by previous rumors of Boakai's poor health illness, following several medical checks home and abroad.

Appearing in public for the first time a week, Boakai urged Liberians "to disregard the subversive messages being circulated via text messaging and the Social Media, saying the fabricated messages are being orchestrated by those who feel threatened by his presence in the pending presidential election later this year.

Boakai said he would not have been able to go on a visit at Unity Party headquarters if he is suffering from ill health. He asked politicians to focus on issues rather than engaging in mudslinging and character assassination.

Boakai was speaking when some partisans of President George Weah's Coalition Democratic Change under the banner "Disenchanted Cicians" endorsed his candidacy.

"I was looking at the birth circle for the age one to six, you are trying to crawl, from the age six to 18 you want to graduate from high school, from 19 to 22 you want to get out of college, from 22 to 30 you want to get a high degree. 26 years of your life gone. Then our retirement age is 65. Out of the 65 when you take off 26 you left with 39. Out of that 30 you luck you can get job in this country. Out that 39, you people have lost six years, leaving you will 33, then Weah them want to reduce it by six more years. They leave with 27," Boakai said as his speech was punctuated by cheers by jubilant party supporters.

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He added: "By the time they leave they will have no country, they will no retirement, they will have nothing. At the end of the day, you will say why did I come to this earth for. And you are dealing with people who are selfish , they don't care, they are mosquitos even if you are dry they will find space to eat."

"You young people, this is no joke, your lives are wasted by heartless people. So we say rescue, this is why we are here for. This why God has brought us. This is a mission, I don't whether you are in some or you are what, I don't even carw. We will make sure this country is fixed"

Meanwhile, Unity Party Chairman, Rev Luther Tarpeh, said that the return of Amb Boakai has should be concerned for the ruling Party, warning that President Weah should be the last try and error leader for country.

He said that the CDC-led government has "destroyed" the country, assuring Liberians that the country will regain its respectable status amongst the international community under a Boakai presidency.

"CDC should be worried, and their partisans' heart should be beating fast because this man, God had destined him to rescue Liberia."

" We are here to let you know, going forward, George Weah will be the last accident for Liberia, he warned.

"He should be the last mistake for the republic of Liberia. Going forward, Liberians will never do try and error with our highest seat in the country anymore."
Belagavi : , Jan 23 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stated on Monday that the resolve to oppose diversion of Mahadayi river water has no value.

Goa government last week unanimously passed a resolution, opposing the diversion of water from Mhadei basin.

The decision of the Goa government will have a direct impact on the proposed Kalasa-Banduri project of the state which will provide drinking water to major north Karnataka districts.

Bommai maintained that the tribunal which is formed to look into the issue has given an order and also issued a notification. The order of the tribunal is equal to the Supreme Court order.

"Based on the order of the tribunal, we have begun the work legally. The decision by the Goa assembly will not have any impact. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Kalasa-Banduri project has been approved. As soon as the forest clearance is obtained, the tender will be called," he said.

Bommai announced that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Hubballi and Belagavi on January 28. Shah will address a public rally and hold meetings with leaders of an important political party.

On the participation of Karnataka tableaux in the Republic-Day parade to be held in Delhi on January 26, Bommai said everyone must keep aside petty feelings and unite when it comes to Karnataka issues.

Chief Minister Bommai said the Karnataka tableau has been participating in the Republic-Day Parade for the last 14 years. There were talks about the award winning tabulex to give chances to other states.

But after he spoke to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, the permission was given for the same. Within 8-10 days, the tableau on the theme of Naari Shakti was prepared and it came out very well, he said.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : India Inc must create right space to bolster Apple manufacturing in the country, and the country should not lose the Cupertino-based iPhone maker the way it lost Samsung smartphone manufacturing to Vietnam, India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said here on Monday.

In an interaction with IANS, Mohindroo said that Apple, which is the most valuable company in the world, is welcomed here to manufacture its entire product line and "it is in our great interest that we have their large manufacturing footprint".

"I just hope that India Inc acts together so that we provide the right space for them (Apple), because we lost Samsung completely to Vietnam," he said.

As Apple faces China disruptions amid Covid surge and supply-chain issues, several reports have surfaced that the Tim Cook-led premium smartphone maker will quickly shift some of its China manufacturing to India and Vietnam in the next 2-3 years.

India is likely to produce 45-50 per cent of Apple's iPhones by 2027, at par with China, where 80-85 per cent of iPhones were produced in 2022.

According to estimates by DigiTimes research analysts, India and Vietnam are to become the biggest beneficiaries of smartphone supply chain migration out of China.

India accounted for 10-15 per cent of iPhones' overall production capacity at the end of 2022.

On the other hand, Samsung's product exports from Vietnam reached $65 billion last year. The South Korean giant has invested more than $18 billion in Vietnam to date and plans to increase it to $20 billion.

Half of Samsung's smartphones are currently being produced in Vietnam.

Samsung's smartphone exports from India stands at around $2.8 billion at the moment.

Meanwhile, Apple has become the first smartphone player in India to have exported $1 billion worth iPhones in the month of December. It currently manufactures iPhones 12, 13, 14 and 14 Plus in the country.

According to Mohindroo, the country is now moving in a different direction, "which is largely export-focused and led by the government's performance-linked scheme (PLI) push".

"This is India's largest opportunity. We need to boost exports and Apple can give that much-needed thrust," Mohindroo told IANS.

In the period from April-December 2022, mobile phone exports reached nearly $7-8 billion, and is expected to cross $9 billion for the fiscal year.

According to the ICEA, total electronics manufacturing in India will rise to $300 billion by FY26, and Apple is a key ingredient to achieve this figure.

A report in The South China Morning Post last week said that Apple is fast forwarding its manufacturing plans in India and Vietnam in the wake of unrest in China over zero-Covid policy which has severely disrupted its supply chain, leading to an acute shortage of new iPhone 14 Pro models last year.

Every fourth iPhone will be made in India by 2025, according to a JP Morgan report.

Can India grab the opportunity and pip Vietnam in taking a larger pie of Apple global manufacturing share? Time will tell shortly.

(Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in)
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bhumi Pednekar's next film 'Afwaah', helmed by Sudhir Mishra, is set to hit the screens on February 24.

Mishra, who is known for films such as 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi', 'Dharavi','Chameli' and 'Yeh Saali Zindagi', has previously worked with Nawaz in the satirical comedy-drama 'Serious Men'.

Talking about the film, the director shared, "'Afwaah' is a thriller which speaks of a very important message in the current times. I am glad that the release date is finally out and I am really looking forward to its release."

"The super-talented combo of Bhumi and Nawaz have given their best to this unconventional story and I am sure the audience is going to love watching them on the big screen."

The film has been jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and Anubhav Sinha's Benaras Mediaworks.

Producer Anubhav Sinha expressed, "Sudhir and I have been friends for many years and I am happy to bring this film to the audience. It is an intriguing story and the performances of powerhouse talents like Bhumi and Nawaz only add weightage and gravitas to the characters. "

Bhushan Kumar added, "The power-packed team of 'Afwaah' has done a brilliant job and this is something that will be worth a watch for movie lovers."

The film also stars Sharib Hashmi, Sumit Kaul, Sumeet Vyas, Rockey Raina, and TJ Bhanu.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Chennai, Jan 23 : The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidate for the Erode East bypolls and senior Congress leader, E.V.K.S. Elangovan on Monday thanked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for supporting his candidature, and said that he would be seeking support of MNM founder leader and South Indian megastar Kamal Haasan.

Elangovan, a former Union Minister and a former state unit President, said that he was confident of winning the seat.

The by-election to Erode East Assembly constituency was necessitated due to the passing away of sitting MLA E. Thirumahan Everra, the son of Elangovan. While Elangovan was pushing for the candidature of his younger son Sanjay Sampath, but the party high command was keen that he himself contest the elections.

Meanwhile, Elangovan met VCK leader Thol Thirumavalan to seek his support. VCK is also a part of the Secular Progressive Alliance.

"I extend my wholehearted support to E.V.K.S. Elangovan and will start campaigning in the constituency for his victory," Thirumavalavan told media persons.

The VCK leader said that the by-poll was an opportunity to drive away "Satanic" forces and said that the by-election victory will make sure that Tamil Nadu was the land of Periyar.

He also said that the victory in Erode would be a foundation for the victory of a national-level effort being put up by Congress and Rahul Gandhi. The VCK leader said that the AIADMK was supporting BJP's growth in its support base and added that as far as Erode East seat was concerned, there was no opposition to the Congress.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea by CBI challenging bail granted by the Bombay High Court to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh regarding a corruption case in connection with alleged illegal gratification sought from bar owners and corruption in police transfers and postings in Maharashtra.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, "No, we are not interfering. SLP is dismissed." The bench, also comprising justices V. Ramasubramanian and J.B. Pardiwala, noted that Deshmukh has been granted bail in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case in connection with the same set of transactions.

The CBI had moved the apex court challenging the high court order. The CBI contended that the high court failed to consider that socio-economic offences needed to be viewed differently, and that the accused still holds considerable clout in the state.

On October 11 last year, the apex court had upheld the Bombay High Court order granting bail to former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case.

The high court had allowed Deshmukh's bail plea in the money laundering case being probed by the ED. It had noted that dismissed cop Sachin Waze, who was co-accused in the case before he turned into an approver, statements lacked certainty. Waze had made a statement that an amount of Rs 1.71 crores was transferred during the months of February and March, 2021 allegedly extorted from the bar owners and handed over to Deshmukh's personal assistant.

The CBI had booked Deshmukh and his associates for alleged corruption that took place between 2019 and 2021. In April 2021, the Bombay High Court issued directions for an inquiry in response to a petition filed by Param Bir Singh, former Commissioner of Mumbai Police. The ED initiated a case of money laundering against Deshmukh and arrested him.

Singh had accused him of trying to extort money from bar owners in the city via some police officials, including Waze. Also, claimed that he took money for transfers and postings of police officers.

In a letter written to then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Singh alleged Deshmukh had instructed certain cops, including Waze, to collect Rs 100 crore every month from owners of bars in Mumbai.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : After dissolving its Karnataka unit, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday announced its new organisational structure in the poll-bound state with fresh office bearers.

Party state in charge Dilip Pandey said that the first list of office-bearers to all districts has been released, while more are expected in the coming days.

Prithvi Reddy has been retained in his post as party state President. IPS officer-turned- politician Bhaskar Rao has been made Chairman of the Manifesto Committee. Senior leader Brijesh Kalappa has been given the post of In-Charge of Communications.

Dr Satish Mohan, has been chosen as the President of Bengaluru Urban district and Jagadish Chandra as the Secretary. Three vice presidents and three joint secretaries have also been chosen as office-bearers.

Addressing the press, the party's state in-charge Dilip Pandey said, "As of last week, the AAP had dissolved all the state and district level structures in Karnataka. As part of the rural outreach programme, 'Grama Samparaka Abhiyana (GSA)', AAP has garnered support from Kannadigas which include thousands of volunteers, well-wishers, supporters and political activists across the state.

"As a result, we have grown bigger and stronger in Karnataka's all assemblies and districts. These are the set of people who have been cheated and fooled by all the three traditional political parties, and are fed up with the 40 per cent commission government of the BJP," Dr Mohan said.

As part of the GSA, people from different political parties; BJP, Congress and JD (S) have joined hands with AAP. These are good people who want change in Karnataka for the better. This shows that Karnataka trusts AAP and with their support, AAP will march to victory, he added.

"We have received multiple aspirants in all the 224 constituencies across the state of Karnataka who are in regular contact with the public.

As soon as the structure is in place, we will start the candidate selection process from the first week of February. By mid-February, we will announce the organizational structure at district and circle level. By this time, the AAP will be reaching out to all the 58,000 booths of Karnataka," he said.

"We call upon all the good people of the state who are there in different political organizations who have been betrayed by them to join hands with us so as to bring that much-awaited change in the state," he added.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Consent of Aadhaar holders will be required before carrying out Aadhaar authentications.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has highlighted in its new guidelines for Requesting Entities (REs) that they are required to obtain residents' informed consent either on paper or electronically before carrying out Aadhaar authentications.

It has urged REs, which carry out online authentications, to ensure that residents understand the type of data being collected and the purpose of Aadhaar authentications. It has underlined that logs of authentication transactions, including the consent taken, are kept only for the period as prescribed in the Aadhaar Regulations. Purging of such logs after expiry of the said time period shall also be done as per the Aadhaar Act and its regulations.

Engaged in providing Aadhaar authentication services to residents, REs are responsible for submitting the Aadhaar number and demographic/biometric OTP information to the Central Identities Data Repository for the purpose of authentication.

The UIDAI has highlighted that REs should be courteous to residents and assure them about the security and confidentiality of the Aadhaar numbers, which are being used for authentication transactions. It has also urged REs to immediately report to the UIDAI about any suspicious activity around authentications like suspected impersonation by residents, or any compromise or fraud by any authentication operator.

REs generally should not store Aadhaar either in physical or electronic form without masking or redacting the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number. The UIDAI has guided REs to store an Aadhaar number only if they are authorised to do so, and in the manner as prescribed by the UIDAI.

It has further asked REs to provide effective grievance handling mechanisms for residents and cooperate with the UIDAI and other agencies deputed by it for any security audit as required under the law and regulations.
Chennai, Jan 23 : At least 20 passengers were injured when a state transport bus overturned and fell into a canal at Komangalam near Vriddachalam in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Monday, police said.

The injured are admitted to Vriddachalam General hospital, where the condition of a few is stated to be serious.

According to Vriddachalam police, bus driver Saravanan lost control after he tried to swerve to avoid hitting a minivan coming from the opposite direction, and the bus fell into a canal.

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S.S. Sivakumar, who was passed through a nearby area, reached the spot and made arrangements for the ambulances, and spoke to the doctors at the Vriddachalam general hospital.

The bus was proceeding to Vriddachalam from Seppakkulam village and had 40 people on board.
Kolkata, Jan 23 : The Calcutta High Court on Monday expressed anguish over "an abnormal delay" in presentation of examination report of seized narcotics to the court though an accused arrested in the matter had already spent around 600 days behind bars.

Irked over the development, a division bench headed by Justice Joymalya Bagchi of Calcutta High Court has summoned Home Secretary B.P. Gopalika before it at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to give his explanation in the matter.

As per the case records, the Bongaon police station in North 24 Parganas district on February 22, 2021 arrested Jahangir Mondal for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine- based narcotics.

However, the state government had difficulties in examining the exact nature of the narcotics seized from Mondal's possession, since such examination facilities are not available in West Bengal. The state police then had sent the seized drugs for examination at a laboratory at Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad.

However, on Monday, Mondal's counsel informed the court that almost 600 days have passed since then with his client spending around 600 days behind the bars, the state police are yet to present the report of examination of the seized items to the court.

Expressing anguish over the development, Justice Bagchi sought a detailed report from the state government on this count and also summoned the Home Secretary. "A youth has spent almost 600 days behind bars. How can an accused be kept in confinement for so long?" he questioned.

Public Prosecutor Swapan Bandopadhyay claimed that the state Home Secretary has been summoned to present his opinion in the matter. "There is no delinquency on his part in the matter," he said.
Chennai, Jan 23 : Cement major India Cements Ltd on Monday said it has inked a new wage agreement with its workers unions.

The agreement was signed on Friday (January 13) by Vice-Chairman & Managing Director N. Srinivasan, and the representatives of the trade unions affiliated to the INTUC, the LPF, the CITU, the MDMK and internal unions in the company's plants, before Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Chennai, P.Arunkumar, and Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Hyderabad, D.Srinivasulu.

The four-year agreement, effective from April 1, 2022, provides for a total increase of Rs 5,000 per month for the workmen employed in all the 10 cement plants of the company, and will benefit over 500 workmen.

Further, the agreement provides for revising the variable DA payable from Rs 2.55 per point in CPI (1960 series) to Rs 2.75 per point. This is expected to fetch an additional Rs 5,000 per month per head at the end of the settlement period. Thus, along with Rs 5,000 wage increase, an employee stands to get nearly Rs 10,000 increase at the end of the fourth year.

Apart from the agreement, the Management has also announced a new floater mediclaim policy to all the employees covered by the agreement for the annual insurance cover of Rs 3 lakh per employee. The premium amount of about Rs 1.65 crore per year will be borne by the company.

"For the last 30 years, I have been negotiating on behalf of the cement industry with all the central trade unions. As reaching a consensus is taking time this time, we have now entered into the 12 (3) settlement with our unions for the benefit of employees in all our plants," Srinivasan said.

Since 1992, Srinivasan has been spearheading the negotiations with the central unions on behalf of the cement industry and concluded seven settlements till 2018.
Ganta  On one sunny day in Karnwee late last year, forest rangers and police officers seized a truck with 80 pieces of boxlike timber, ending an hourlong chase all the way from Bahn, where the woods had been harvested.

Emmanuel Gongor, a middle-height man, arrived on the scene shortly on a motorcycle taxi, appearing shocked. This was not the first time Gongor had transported block wood, commonly called "Kpokolo" in the logging industry. For years he passed checkpoints without any problems. Sometimes he sold the wood to other companies or individuals in Liberia. Other times, he exported them.

Things had suddenly changed. Gongor learned that the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) had banned Kpokolo, derived from the sound the wood makes when it falls or "thick and heavy" in the Kpelle language. His woods were dumped by a roadside.

"We have been so committed, but if we cannot understand, we will seek the legal process by taking the FDA to the circuit court," a furious Gongor told The DayLight in a phone interview days after the incident. He expected to get US$7,000 from the consignment and settle all of his holiday expenses.

Gongor does not have a logging contract and his timber surpass the dimension defined in the Chainsaw Milling Regulation. His wood are between five and 10 inches thick, up to five times the required measurement of two inches. In photos posted to Gongor's Facebook page, several men can be seen trying to lift the timber.

But interviews and documents show that the FDA has been aware of Gongor's illegal logging activities for half of a decade. In fact, the agency has unlawfully received fees from him. Some of his waybills seen by The DayLight amounted to over US$1,500.

Those payments sanctioned the 48-year-old to rip off forests from central Nimba to the Cote d'Ivoire border. Nimba lost 315,000 hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2021. That makes it second only to Bong County (363,000 hectares), according to Global Forest Watch, a tool that monitors the state of forests across the world.

'Emmanuel, The Investor'

Gongor was an accomplished miner. He panned and sieved for gold on a number of goldfields in Gbarpolu, Grand Kru and Grand Gedeh.

He started up in the logging industry in 2017 as a chainsaw miller, pit-sawyers or plank producer. Soon he saw that he could make more money from harvesting kpokolo.

"Block wood is preferable because for normal sawing at times, we take 500 pieces of timber to be a truckload, but for block wood, some are just 150-200 pieces," Gongor explained. "For the past six years now, I have been on that operation."

Gongor was hired by a Turkish-owned firm called Tropical Wood Group of Companies, which obtained a one-year permit from the FDA to buy and sell. The permit was issued by Darlington Tuargben, the FDA Managing Director at the time. The legality verification department (LVD), a unit of the FDA that manages its log-tracking system called the chain of custody, said it has no record of the company. Efforts to contact Abdulla Aklan, the company's owner, were not successful. Tuargben did not respond to queries.

Gongor conquered the kpokolo black market. He broke out with his employer and established Tropical Wood Group of Investment. Though he is yet to register it as a legal entity, he continues his criminal deals with the new firm.

His network spans four of the nine districts in Nimba: Zoe-Gbao, Zoe-Geh, Bu-Yao and Gbelay-Geh in the central and eastern regions of the county. He boasts of a workforce of 25 people and a host of villagers and disadvantaged youth or "zogoes." They do everything from locating forested communities to finding trees and from negotiating with local landowners, to harvesting, hauling and transporting. With 30 chainsaws, they have built wooden bridges, and town halls and have repaired schools and clinics in forested towns and villages.

Videos recorded by Gongor show him taking stock of trees he had negotiated with villagers to harvest in Tahnplay, and celebrating the completion of projects. "We finally completed the bridge connecting Kanhplay to Sehyi Town in Gbelay-Geh Statutory District," Gongor can be heard saying in one video. "Together with the youth, elders, and chiefs, we were able to complete the first phase of operation."

Townspeople in the areas Gongor works revere him. His name goes beyond the reach of logging companies in that region, many of whom have failed to fulfill their social agreements with communities.

"We call him Emmanuel The Investor,"Arkey Vasiee, town chief of Zortapa. In March last year, James Zuorpeawon, Gbehlay-Geh's development superintendent, issued him a permit to operate in the area. It authorizes Gongor to present the document "for awareness and protection during his operation within the district."

Other kpokolo loggers across the country also respect Gongor.

"This place is small for him, he can't even come here again," said a plank producer from Gompa Wood Field in Ganta, who preferred not to be named. Gongor had milled planks there prior to venturing into kpokolo.

"Gongor is one of the most skillful kpokolo operators," said James Kelley, a kpokolo logger in Gbaryama in Gbarpolu's Bopolu District. Kelley said he had worked with him in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County.

Gongor does not depend on his fame--or notoriety--to run his business. He advertises on Facebook. "[If you are] interested in this Iroko table, you can WhatsApp me on this number," a November 27, 2020 post reads, featuring a flat piece of log on a stick like a table. "If anyone is interested in buying teak wood, just contact me on my contact number," reads a March 10, 2021 post. Both Iroko and teak logs are durable woods used for outdoor purposes. His accounts also showcase selfie pictures of him with men loading giant-sized block wood onto trucks.

But Gongor would not have been this successful without the FDA. Receipts of their transactions show he has paid the FDA tens of thousands of United States Dollars in waybill, fees imposed on transported timber. One September 2017 receipt shows that he paid the FDA L$18,000 for 300 pieces of kpokolo. Another in May last year reveals he paid US$424 for 121 pieces.

One document shows Gongor's invoice to a firm in Hong Kong to export 125 cubic meters of sawn timber with a height and width of 50 centimeters (approximately 20 inches) and length of seven feet. He had a deal to export timber from the Freeport of Monrovia to the Port of Chittagong in Bangladesh, according to one invoice.

"The FDA agents are always informed when we are going to bring wood from the bush," Gongor told The DayLight.

"We make more money for forestry. Our own percentage to the FDA is different from the normal [pit-sawing]." He was speaking in reference to the US$0.60 toll on a plank compared to US$2 on kpokolo, according to waybills FDA issued him, seen by The DayLight.

The fees the FDA received from Gongor are illegal in a number of ways. First, the payments he has made to the FDA do not go to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the company's tax-payments record shows. In addition to possessing no contract, the villages where he operates do not have any legal rights to engage in logging deals. And the timber he harvests or exports does not pass through the legal channel, as mandated in the National Forestry Reform Law and the Regulation on Establishing a Chain of Custody System.

Gongor's kpokolo waybills have also shined a light on FDA's shady plank tolls system. Fees the agency collects from planks dealers are not made public as required by forestry's legal frameworks, including Liberia's Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union. They are neither paid to the LRA nor captured in the reports of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI). The FDA has retained these fees for years, a breach of the financial provision of the reform law.

FrontPage Africa reported in 2020 that the Klay checkpoint in Bomi collected over L$500,000 in just one month. It said that there was a wrangle within the FDA over the management of the funds, adding that the fees went into a mobile money account belonging to Edward Kamara, FDA's forest product marketing manager. Kamara coordinates fees collected at checkpoints countrywide.

Ironically, while the FDA secretly collects fees from Gongor, it has asked the public to assist it to combat illegal logging activities. The FDA said in a release last November that it had intercepted four container trucks trafficking timber from western Liberia. That statement followed a similar one three months earlier after rangers in Bomi and Gbarpolu arrested three trucks with logs illegally harvested.

Earlier this month, the Monrovia City Court issued an arrest warrant for a former police commander, an ex-envoy and eight people in the Bomi-Gbarpolu incident. The FDA is seeking court orders in the counties to auction the logs, the first such step since the formulation of Regulation on Confiscated Logs, Timber and Timber Products.

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'I am over hurt'

Gongor feels betrayed in all of this, believing he is a victim rather than the villain he actually is. For the last six years, the FDA has sanctioned his operations and accepted his payments like a typical chainsaw miller. He finds nothing wrong with producing Kpokolo.

"It would have been good for the FDA to formally inform those involved in the business before ordering us to stop the harvest and sale of block wood in the country," Gongor said.

"I am over hurt. We have been issued hundreds of waybills. We always pay a huge sum of money to these guys," he added.

In December, nearly a month after his consignment of timber was seized, Gongor transported them to Ganta. They were again seized and are being kept at the Gompa Wood Field.

The FDA is yet to take the required legal actions to confiscate Gongor's timber. Under the confiscated timber regulation, the FDA is mandated to petition the circuit court in Sanniquellie to auction the wood. Both Arthur Gweh, the commander of Nimba County police detachment in Bahn, and Emmanuel Gbeh, the FDA ranger who arrested the wood, declined to comment.

By law, Gongor should face a lawsuit for his illicit activities, and if convicted he could pay a fine, serve a prison term, or both. It is a crime for a non-contract holder to harvest timber, punishable under the Penal Code as economic sabotage.

The FDA's Managing Director Mike Doryen did not respond to emailed queries.

Editor's Note: This is the first of a two-part report on the operations of an infamous illegal logger, based in Nimba County. It is also a part a broader series on a criminal logging activity commonly called "Kpokolo."

This story was originally published by The DayLight and has been republished here by permission.
Modasa : , Jan 23 (IANS) A tribal woman was allegedly beaten up after being forced to unclothe by her family members who branded her as a 'witch'.

A video of the incident has surfaced in areas of Aravalli district and North Gujarat.

According to locals, this video clip is of Gadhiya Village, the woman is pulled out of her house by some women and men from her family who force her to unclothe and then beat her. In the video, they call the victim a 'witch' and ask her to leave the house and village.

Sources from the village said that when victim's older daughter returned from school, she called emergency medical service and took her hospital. When she attempted to register a complaint against her brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Jeth & Jethani) and others, police person on duty took signature on paper, but did not lodge the complaint.

Aravalli District's Superintendent of Police, Sanjay Kharat, told IANS, "Police have come to know about such incident through media. We are searching for the victim and will inquire into the incident and act in accordance with law."
Lucknow, Jan 23 : Much before he took over as President of the Wrestling Federation of India in 2011, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was known for his arm-twisting tactics.

A key player in the Ayodhya movement, he was a one-man army for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh at that time - the party then had minimal presence on the political centre stage in the state.

Born in Gonda in 1957, Singh's interest in politics began as a college student in the 1970s.

He entered politics with a vengeance when senior BJP leader L.K. Advani came to Gonda during the Ayodhya movement.

Singh offered to 'drive' Advani's Rath and this catapulted him to instant fame within the BJP.

He won his first election in 1991, defeating Raja Anand Singh from Gonda.

The following year, he was named as an accused in the Babri demolition case which consolidated his "pro-Hindu image".

He was acquitted along with others in 2020.

Singh has been elected to the Lok Sabha six times from Gonda, Balrampur, and Kaiserganj.

More than his political acumen, he has been known as a mafia leader of the region. At one point of time, Singh was named in more than three dozen criminal cases.

In 1996, he was accused of sheltering associates of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. He was booked under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act and jailed.

During his stint in prison, Atal Bihari Vajpayee allegedly wrote to him, asking him to take courage and "remember Savarkarji who was sentenced to life imprisonment".

Later, he was acquitted in the case, mainly due to lack of evidence.

In 1996, when he was in jail, the BJP gave the Lok Sabha ticket to his wife Ketaki Singh and she won with a handsome margin.

The BJP, interestingly, has always given ample political protection to Singh mainly because of the clout he wielded in eastern UP and among Rajputs.

The party leadership knows that it would lose out on seats if they showed the door to Singh.

Singh's clout has only grown after the turn of the century and so has his money power.

His brazenness is evident form the fact that during the 2022 Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, he admitted in an interview to a TV channel that he had committed one murder - something that even the most dreaded criminal does not admit on camera.

This was in connection with the murder of Ravindra Singh, the brother of Samajwadi Party leader Vinod Kumar Singh, a.k.a Pandit Singh, who once held sway over Gonda and Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.

In the interview, Singh said he shot the man who had killed Ravindra Singh. "I pushed the man who shot Ravindra and shot him dead," he said.

Singh and Pandit Singh had started their political journeys around the same time.

Their region of political influence was also the same. After Ravindra Singh's death, their enmity increased. Pandit Singh believed his brother was killed because he was with Singh.

Pandit Singh died of Covid complications in 2021.

Earlier, in 2009, Singh had briefly parted ways with the BJP and joined the SP but he returned home to the BJP before Narendra Modi's victory in 2014.

As his stature grew within the BJP, his "business" also flourished.

He owns around 50 schools and colleges and has interests in mining besides dabbling in liquor contracts, coal business and also real estate.

Singh is known to gift motorcycles, scooters, and money to students and supporters on his birthday every year.

His appointment as President of the Wrestling Federation of India in 2011, further added to his 'weight'.

In December 2021, he did not think twice before slapping a wrestler on-stage during an event in Ranchi.

The fact that no action - not even a word of disapproval - was taken in the matter, made him even bolder.

"He believes he is invincible and does not fear even his own party leadership. No one can dare criticise him and even journalists keep a safe distance from him. The police bow before him. The clout he wields can only be seen to be believed," said one of his former supporters.

Singh recently waded into a controversy when he targeted Baba Ramdev and called him the "king of adulterators".

He targeted the Yoga guru, knowing fully well about the latter's proximity to the BJP leadership.

He even slammed the Yogi Adityanath government and accused the bureaucracy of making elected representatives "touch their feet". He also criticised the state government's lack of preparedness for floods.

Most political analysts are actually bewildered at the lack of action against Singh by Chief Minister Adityanath who is known to take on the mafia with an alarming regularity.

"One can simply not understand Yogi Adityanath turning a blind eye to Singh's activities. It has to be pressure from the top that is preventing the Chief Minister from turning his bulldozer towards Singh's fiefdom," said a political analyst.

That speaks volumes about the influence that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has within his own party.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : Ahead of the assembly elections the national parties, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, are locked in bitter fights over corruption. The Congress staged a silent protest, 'Stop Corruption Save Bengaluru', at more than 300 locations in Bengaluru on Monday condemning corruption by the BJP.

The BJP in turn condemned the Congress and dubbed the party as the 'Gangotri of corruption' and also lodged a complaint against Opposition leader Siddaramaiah.

Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, state president D.K. Shivakumar and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, along with thousands of party workers staged a silent protest over the alleged rampant corruption by the BJP.

Shivakumar charged that Bengaluru has become a capital of potholes and the quality of the projects in the city is mediocre. The pothole menace has resulted in many deaths and the ruling BJP has failed completely.

The BJP government is harassing and taking money from roadside vendors. The collection amounts to Rs 1 crore, he added.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP on Monday filed a complaint with the Lokayukta alleging a 50 per cent commission in TenderSure projects during Siddaramaiah's tenure as the CM.

Chalawadi Narayanaswamy, BJP SC Morcha president and Yogendra from the legal cell of the party filed the complaint.

"They (Congress) do not have any proof. In TenderSure Projects in 2013-14, 53.86 per cent additional funds were released and this is a scandal. Then CM Siddaramaiah has taken commission and all scams during his tenure will be brought out," Narayanaswamy said.

Siddaramaiah is not Harishchandra (a Hindu mythological character who always upheld the truth). There were many scandals during his time. But he makes allegations as if he was Harishchandra. He was defeated and sent home because of corruption, Narayanaswamy stated.

Reacting to the Congress protest 'Stop corruption, save Bengaluru' Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the previous Congress government closed the Lokayukta institute just to bury the scams.

He termed the Congress as the 'Gangotri of corruption' and said he has the documents of the 60 per cent premium paid in Bengaluru during the Siddaramaiah government.

Bommai said those who shut down the Lokayukta are holding protests in over 300 places and are giving lessons. Why did they close the Lokayukta? A number of cases had been filed against 59 persons including the CM so they started the Anti-Corruption Bureau and got 'B' reports filed in all cases.

All those cases have now now referred to the Lokayukta. Corruption had been a part of the previous government. They are protesting to cover up their misdeeds, Bommai stated.

On the Congress party comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Hitler, the CM said the people know what Modi has done and criticising him is like spitting in the air. When AICC president Sonia Gandhi termed Modi 'Maut Ka Saudagar', the BJP came back to power with more number of seats in Gujarat, he added.
Chandigarh, Jan 23 : With an aim to provide free and top-class treatment to people of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will dedicate 400 Aam Aadmi Clinics (Mohalla Clinics) to the people on January 27.

Earlier, he had inaugurated 100 Aam Aadmi clinics built in the first phase on August 15. Now after the completion of 400 new clinics, the total number of Aam Aadmi clinics in Punjab will be 500.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Health Minister Balbir Singh said the inauguration program would be held in Amritsar on January 27. The Chief Minister will inaugurate the clinics, while AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will attend the programme as the chief guest.

Cheema told the media it is a matter of great pride that the health revolution has started in Punjab within just a year of formation of the Aam Aadmi Party government.

Before the elections, Kejriwal had given a guarantee to the people of Punjab that to provide free treatment, Mohalla Clinics would be set up in Punjab if the government was formed.

"Now our Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is fulfilling all his promises and working assiduously to fulfill his dream of making the state again as Rangla Punjab," he said.

Balbir Singh mentioned the successes of Aam Aadmi Clinic and said that till now more than one million people have taken advantage of Aam Aadmi Clinics and over three lakh people were examined at free of cost. Also, medicines were also given free of cost to the people.

He said the first priority of the AAP government is to ensure that people of Punjab gets free education and best quality treatment in the state. "When the children of common people will get free education, free treatment, free medicines and free health check-up, they will save a lot of money. They will use this money for their daily needs. This will raise the standard of living of the common people and the society will progress in true sense," he added.
Chandigarh, Jan 23 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday asked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to explain why his government needed Rs 30 crore to advertise Mohalla clinics, for which the state was spending Rs 10 crore, if it was a 'successful model'.

In a statement here, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said on the one hand the Chief Minister was touting Mohalla clinics as a success with 10,00,00 people having benefited from them. He said if this was so why was the government not confident that Punjabis would spread the good word around.

"What is the need to publicise them in the state and up to South India, except to further the political agenda of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal." Cheema said the truth was that Mohalla clinics had failed in both Delhi and Punjab. He said instead of accepting this reality, the government was trying to sell this model in other states at the expense of the Punjab exchequer.

He said the government was not stopping at this. "It is even threatening and implicating the former health secretary who refused to approve the Rs 30 crore publicity proposal." Cheema demanded that if the government did not have anything to hide, it should put the entire file on the issue in public domain.

"Let the people judge for themselves as to who is right." he added. Cheema also detailed how the government had procured cheap publicity by converting Suvidha Kendras into Mohalla clinics.

"Now the same is being done in the case of primary health centres which are being closed so that they can be rebranded as Mohalla clinics." He said Bhagwant Mann should realise that Punjab already had primary health centres and did not need more dispensaries in the name of Mohalla clinics.

He said what was needed was good secondary and super speciality healthcare. "Let us not take the state backwards," he asked the chief minister while asking him to review the decision so that the state health sector and particularly rural health sector was not disrupted.

--IANS vg/uk/

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New Delhi, Jan 23 : Ahead of the Republic Day, the Delhi Police on Monday banned the flying of sub-conventional aerial vehicles over the national capital for security and safety reasons.

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora issued the order, prohibiting the flying of aerial vehicles such as para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-sized powered aircraft, quadcopters or even by para-jumping from aircraft till February 15.

"It has been reported that certain criminal or anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries, and vital installations by the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), micro-light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even by para-jumping from aircraft etc," the order read.

The Commissioner invoked his powers under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the ban and warned anyone violating it will be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

The ban shall come into force with effect from January 18, and will remain in force for a period of 29 days i.e. up to February 15 (both days inclusive) unless withdrawn earlier, the order read.
Imphal, Jan 23 : Manipur Police seized 8 kg of brown sugar worth about Rs 11 crore and arrested two drug peddlers, officials said on Monday.

A police official said that during normal checking of vehicles on Sunday night in Imphal, two persons were apprehended and the drugs, smuggled from Myanmar, were recovered from their procession.

The drug peddlers, identified as Md. Abdul Salam and Md. Wasim Akram, have been arrested under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Meanwhile, the Congress demanded all those NDPS cases involving government functionaries since 2012 should be handed over to the CBI as the investigation into the cases taken up by the state government was not effective.

Senior Congress leader and the party MLA, K Meghachandra, referring to the allegation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of mass poppy plantation since the Congress regime, said that the Chief Minister must undertake a Remote Sensing Satellite survey of the last 10 years and consult the experts before making any accusation against the Congress.
Bengaluru, Jan 23 : The man, who had barged into the women's restroom at a Bengaluru college and assaulted and threatened a girl earlier this month, was arrested on Monday, police said.

The accused was identified as Ajay Kumar, 42, a resident of Sunkenahalli near Hanumanthanagar locality in Bengaluru. Jayanagar police produced the accused before the court, and it sent him to judicial custody.

On January 10, the accused had barged inside the Vijaya College premises and went to the women's restroom. He had attacked a girl who came to use the washroom, covering her mouth with his hands, dragging her around, and biting her.

The accused had also threatened the girl with dire consequences if she revealed the incident to anyone. However, the student had complained to the college Principal and a police complaint was filed.

The police had collected CCTV footage of the college and tracked the accused down. The preliminary investigations have revealed that Kumar, a former student of the college, is mentally sick.

He had also worked as a software professional in Dubai. After coming back from Dubai, he had tried his luck in the Kannada film industry.

Police said that Kumar had developed a habit of going to the washroom after having food and straight away barged into them, police said. Further investigation is on.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Nagaland government to pass an order appointing senior IPS officer Rupin Sharma as the Director General of Police (DGP) of the state.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud declined to consider Nagaland government's plea that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) should be asked to relax the 30 years' service criteria rule to 25 years for the empanelment of IPS officers.

The bench, also comprising Justices V. Ramasubramanian and J.B. Pardiwala, noted that Sharma has already been appointed and added: "We are not issuing directions mandating the UPSC to relax the eligibility criteria from 30 years to 25 years." The apex court directed the state government to pass an order within one week on the appointment of Sharma as the Director General of Police.

The state government argued that it is facing difficulties in finding three senior IPS officers of 30 years of experience in small states like Nagaland for the purpose of empanelment by the UPSC.

In the procedure of DGP selection, the UPSC, state government, and other stakeholders prepare a list of three senior police officers and the state can appoint any one of them as the DGP.

During the hearing, the bench said if relaxation in the eligibility criteria were to be allowed, then it will lead into a scenario where an officer junior by five years can become the DGP of a state.

It said the UPSC and the Ministry of Home Affairs can decide the issues associated with the relaxation of 30 years' service criteria into 25 years for IPS officers.

The bench was hearing a plea by the Nagaland Law Students Federation, seeking a direction to recall the order granting extension to Nagaland DGP T.J. Longkumer, a 1991 batch IPS officer, after his superannuation. Longkumer resigned earlier this month.
Chennai, Jan 23 : Security at the four international airports in Tamil Nadu has been heightened to curb the possibility of smuggling exotic species of wild animals into the country through them, officials said on Monday.

A few weeks ago, security officials at the the Chennai and Tiruchi airports seized exotic species of coir snakes, ball pythons, pygmy marmosets, and star tortoises that were brought into the country from Thailand and Cambodia.

In Chennai, the exotic species were found to be in possession of a passenger, but in Tiruchi, the animals were found abandoned in the airport.

Sources in the air intelligence unit told IANS that they have received a tip-off that more such species are being sought to brought into the country through Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai airports and these are used by people as domestic animals. In rare cases, some of these exotic species are smuggled to China where they are used as medicines.

Customs had made 11 seizures of exotic species from the Tamil Nadu airports in 2022. The seized species include albino porcupines, de brazza's monkeys, ball pythons, king snakes, and star tortoises. Five people were arrested and on questioning, admitted to a major racket behind the smuggling of exotic species into Tamil Nadu.

Police sources told IANS that there is a thriving illegal pet trade in many parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh and these exotic species are being brought in for such markets.

A senior Greater Chennai Police official told IANS: "The exotic species is a new trade which is slowly catching up in several south Indian states. The airports of Tamil Nadu are becoming the hot spots for smuggling in of exotic species. Central agencies have also provided inputs regarding the smuggling of exotic species into Tamil Nadu airports."
-Boakai reiterates vow

The standard bearer of the Unity Party former Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has appeared in public for the first time, following reports of his illness and subsequent recovery, vowing to defeat President Weah at the poll in October to redeem Liberia.

"All the hardship that you young people are facing today, aren't they supposed to help you but don't give up no matter what, we will kick Weah out and redeem Liberia", the 80-year-old presidential hopeful vows.

Ambassador Boakai made the vow on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the UP headquarters on Broad Street, Monrovia when a group under the banner of disenchanted CDCians endorsed his candidacy.

Accepting the endorsement statements from leaders of the disenchanted CDCians, Amb. Boakai thanked the group and partisans for showing up, stressing that enough is enough, it was time to take the country back.

"As I was sitting, I was looking at the birth circle from age one to five; you learn how to crawl and walk, from six to eighteen, you want to graduate from high school; from nineteen to twenty-two, you want to get out of college, but unfortunately, this is not the case with the present President and government we have today."

He laments that young people have lost six good years that they could use to improve their lives and that those responsible for their current plight (inferring to the Weah Administration) still want to reduce it to add six more years, but this must not be allowed to happen.

According to the former Vice President, By the time this administration leaves office, Liberians will have no country, and in the end, they wonder why they have to be on earth.

"And you are dealing with people who are selfish; they don't care; they're mosquitoes even if you dry, they will find space to eat", he adds.

According to him, the situation is worrisome, saying "we are in a very serious situation and you the young people, this is no joke; your lives have been wasted; they are heartless people.

"And so, when we say rescue, this is what God has brought us to do; this is a mission that we are on, whether you insult or do whatever, we will make sure to free this country."

He encourages Liberians not to lose hope, saying "don't allow these people to take you down; let's continue to believe in our country; what is happening is to show you that there's still a future for you."

The former Vice President, who checked in last week at ELWA Hospital in Paynesville after reportedly suffering minor fever, notes that most of the people who are dying due to depression, people going to bed thinking how will they feed their children, how can they pay their rent, amid the current economic hardship in the country.

"Aren't they supposed to free you from these hardships, but no matter what they do, we will kick them out and redeem this country."

He continues that young people who followed or supported the ruling establishment in coming to power, wanted change in their lives, but unfortunately, they couldn't get it, noting that as he always told people, lies can give a person power, but only truth can keep him there.

Amb. Boakai laments that young people yearn for change, but today, they fall prey to selfish, greedy people, who believe that only their families, and children matter.

"Today I want to say to all of the young people here that the God that we serve will satisfy all our needs, according to his riches in glory; let nobody make you afraid; you are doing what is right, for all the years you haven't done it, they can't do it for you", adds.

Earlier, the chairman of the disenchanted CDCians, Lawrence Buway Tarter, said their decision to endorse Amb. Boakai is as a result of the CDC-led government's failure to address the hardship being faced by vast majority of the citizens, who elected it to power.

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"Today, we have come to officially join the Unity Party because we think Ambassador Boakai is the rightful man that can redeem Liberia from this failed CDC government", Chairman Tarter declares.

According to him, since the inception of the Weah-led government, nothing tangible has been done in Liberia for which they should seek another six years.

"We are excited to realize our previous mistake that led us to supporting Weah and his government. But like the Bible says, only a wise man changes and today, we will remain with Ambassador Boakai for the redemption of Liberia" he pledges.

The endorsement program brought together scores of UP partisans, including the political leader of the opposition Liberty Party, Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence, who has expressed willingness to serve as Amb. Boakai's running mate in October, if requested.


New Delhi, Jan 23 : Amid the growing layoffs, there has been a surge in the number of patients coming from various companies -- both office-goers and those working from home -- with panic anxiety attacks and depression as they fear losing control over their immediate future plans, mental health experts said on Monday.

About 3,000 tech professionals are losing their jobs on an average daily in the month of January, including thousands in India.

According to health experts, the last 2-3 years of Covid lockdowns, deaths, and fear of re-infection, and now massive layoffs, have resulted in extreme stress for Indian professionals.

Dr Saumya Mudgal, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry, Max Hospital in Gurugram, told IANS that there has been a drastic increase in the number of patients coming from MNCs.

"These patients are usually presented with the issues of panic anxiety and panic disorder with agoraphobia and there is quite an increase in such patients. Some of them are already taking medications and the requirement of medication has gone up and the severity of symptoms has gone up," Dr Mudgal told IANS.

According to her, there are a lot of people coming with fresh or recent onset symptoms of anxiety and adjustment issues pertaining to anxiety or mixed anxiety.

Layoffs and loss of employment are very stressful experiences for most people. It is a time filled with uncertainties, economic challenges and loss of control over your future.

According to Dr Rishi Gautam, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC, this can lead to significant impact on a professional's mental health and cause anxiety, depressed mood, shock and grief.

"It affects sleep and appetite, increases risk of unhealthy consumption of drugs and alcohol, causes worsened irritability, loss of self-esteem, family discord etc," Dr Gautam told IANS.

Dr Arti Anand, a senior clinical psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, said that the pandemic and massive layoffs both knocked out the working class without any warning.

"This leads to fear and stress. The way to deal with it is to be able to use your available resources, not to panic and stop thinking negatively about the future," she advised.

Health experts said that to cope in these uncertain times is by maintaining supportive relationships with friends and family, exercising regularly and practicing mindfulness.

Keep a positive attitude and outlook. Stay away from generalising negative thoughts like "I will never have a job again or I will never enjoy my work again etc," said Dr Gautam.

Divya Mohindroo, Founder, Embrace Imperfections and a counselling psychologist, told IANS that those impacted in the current layoffs need to deal with it practically, rather than emotionally.

"Start making a list of potential employers, research about available opportunities and companies, look for avenues to upskill and even diversify into other sectors, if required," she advised.

"Approach employers while being mentally prepared to describe their situation while pitching their candidature. It is also important to network - with friends, ex-bosses and colleagues," she said.

All professionals should share their work responsibilities with colleagues at work and family members at home, which will help them not only be accountable but also feel light about their life and tasks in hand," Mohindroo noted.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena and the Centre to file a response on plea by Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot challenging the provision which requires State government ministers, including chief ministers, to seek political clearances from the Centre for personal foreign visits.

A single-judge bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh, while dealing with the plea, granted last opportunity with four weeks' time for them to file their response.

Gahlot had last year filed a court petition seeking broader guidelines for the authorisations necessary by elected constitutional authorities to travel abroad.

This came after the L-G refused to give clearance for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to Singapore to attend the World Cities Summit.

"The Chief Minister was previously denied permission to attend the C-40 World Mayors' Summit in Copenhagen in 2019. The petitioner, who holds the portfolio of transport in the council of ministers had also requested clearance to visit London on the invitation of 'Transport for London' but there was not even a response from the concerned authorities in the Central Government till the time the request became infructuous," the plea said.

"The petitioner is directly impacted by the draconian and invasive regime requiring clearances for even personal visits abroad made by state ministers. Being an important stakeholder in the Delhi model of urban governance and managing a significant part of urban design, the petitioner is deeply interested in ensuring that the Delhi government feature in national and international fora," the plea read.

A notice was issued by the court in August last year.

He had submitted that it breaches their right to privacy and that it is an "arbitrary non-exercise of power" and the same must be solved by appropriate guidelines.

The L-G had refused to give clearance to Kejriwal stating that the Summit was meant for city mayors and he has notjing to do with it, and in any case, the Delhi Government did not have exclusive right over urban governance in the city, as per the petition.

The matter has been listed for the next hearing on May 22.
Moscow, Jan 23 : Ukrainian forces are storing Western-supplied missiles and artillery shells in nuclear power plants, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin said on Monday, reports said.

He claimed that Kiev has been using the plants as cover for ammunition stockpiles, RT reported.

"There is credible information that Ukrainian troops are stockpiling the Western-supplied weapons and ammunition on the territory of nuclear power plants," Naryshkin said, according to a statement on the intelligence service's website.

He added that the armaments include rockets for US-made HIMARS launchers and missiles used by foreign air defence systems, as well as "large-caliber artillery shells".

According to Naryshkin, several cars loaded with "lethal cargo" were delivered by rail to the Rovno Nuclear Power Plant in western Ukraine during the last week of December alone. "They rely on the calculation that the Russian Armed Forces would not strike nuclear power plants because they realise the danger of a nuclear disaster," the intelligence chief said, RT reported.

Russia has accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which is Europe's largest. It is located in the eponymous region which, along with three other former Ukrainian territories, joined Russia following referendums in September.

Kiev denied targeting the facility and claimed that Russia was using the plant as a base and cover for its soldiers. Russian officials said that heavy weapons have never been deployed to the site, and that a select number of armed security personnel were maintaining the safety of the plant, as it is located near the frontline, RT reported.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Kolkata, Jan 23 : A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court on Monday alleging massive irregularities in utilisation of funds under centrally-sponsored schemes by certain state government departments.

The PIL has been filed by BJP state General Secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay, who is also a former journalist. Chattopadhyay told IANS that he has filed the PIL as a journalist.

In the PIL filed before the division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj, he has alleged that there had been massive irregularities in the utilisation of central funds mainly by three state government departments namely state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Department, state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department, and the state Education Department.

Chattopadhyay claimed that the total quantum of funds misutilisation is to the tune of Rs 2.29 lakh crore, as there is no proper utilisation certificate of such a huge expenditure. The matter might come up for hearing on Tuesday.

The development comes at a time when the Union government has decided to central field inspection teams to West Bengal to review the process and progress and implementations of two centrally-sponsored schemes in the state, namely the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) and mid-day meal scheme. While the state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Department is the implementing authority for the PMAY scheme, the mid-day meal is implemented by the state Education Department.

The ruling Trinamool Congress has already described this decision to send central field inspection teams as a political ploy of BJP to isolate West Bengal in the matter.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday asked businesses to adopt a sustainable and green approach in business practices.

He asked them to use the forum of B20 along with G20 to look at how the government and businesses can collectively work towards a sustainable and equitable future agenda.

Addressing the Inception Meeting of Business 20 (B20), the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community in Gandhinagar, he highlighted that India had always stood for sustainable development.

He mentioned that India was one of the top five countries in the world in terms of adopting and implementing environmental goals.

India regularly files UNFCCC report and has already exceeded its goal for 2030, of having a 40 percent share of renewable energy in its installed capacity in 2021, Goyal told the gathering.

Giving a call for respecting intergenerational equity, Goyal said that countries don't have the right to use up all the resources of this planet.

Businesses that have decided to set up manufacturing in India grow and expand due to our competitiveness and ability to innovate and design new products, he added.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : As many as 500 engineering students on Monday donated blood on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chanra Bose at the Maharaja Agrasen Engineering College in Outer Delhi.

The young engineering students said that they are celebrating 'Parakram Day' to send a message across the nation that Netaji still inspires the youth.

Doctors associated with Rotary Club and Red Cross Society helped in the blood donation drive.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : 'Awaz The Voice', a Delhi-based media house which has made a mark for its unique content celebrating India's syncretic culture and diversity, has now started an edition in Marathi. This is in addition to its Assamese, English, Hindi and Urdu editions.

Two years back on this day, Awaz The Voice laid the foundation of this distinctive editorial platform on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The portal has focused on stories of communal harmony, Indian culture, and syncretic shared history and succeeded in carving out a niche for itself on the internet.

"Encouraged by the overwhelming response of readers and viewers, we launched an Assamese edition in 2021. This has also been received well by the readers and viewers," Editor-in-Chief, Atir Khan said.

On the second anniversary of the portal, he said that Awaz The Voice is here to change the way people perceive the media.
Jammu: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits during the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' at Satwari Chowk, in Jammu, on Monday ,Jan 23,2023.(Photo:IANS/Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

Jammu: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits during the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' at Satwari Chowk, in Jammu, on Monday ,Jan 23,2023.(Photo:IANS/Twitter) Image Source: IANS News

Jammu, Jan 23 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits in J&K's Samba district on Monday during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

The delegation briefed him about their problems, including the target killings of minority community members by the terrorists. They also invited Gandhi to visit the Jagti migrant township on the Jammu-Srinagar highway and sources in the delegation said the Congress leader has accepted the invitationA Delegation members said that they had good interaction with Gandhi, who was briefed about the various problems of the community, especially those faced by migrant members recruited under the Prime Minister's package and are posted in the Valley.

Gandhi was informed that the salaries of these migrant employees have not been paid for seven months after they left the Valley in the wake of target killings of the members of minority community in 2022.

Most migrant employees working in the Valley left out of fear in May 2022 when Rahul Bhat was killed by the terrorists inside his office in Budgam district.

The delegation also raised the demand for enhancement of relief given to migrant families living outside the Valley.

Delegation members said that Gandhi promised to raise their problems inside the Parliament and also outside it.
Gurugram, Jan 23 : Taking cognizance of a complaint, Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA), Gurugram, on Monday passed an order restraining the Bank of Baroda from proceedings with the e-auction that the bank is set to conduct on January 24 in CHD E-Way Tower at Sector 109, Gurugram.

The quorum of the Authority consisting of the Chairman and three members observed that the Bank's e-auction attempt is devoid of considering and settling the claims of individual allottees who are bonafide stakeholders in the project in question.

The order said, "Bank of Baroda is restrained from the proceedings with the e-auction dated January 24, 2023 being done without considering and settling the claims of individual allottees." The order has been passed under Section 36 of the RERA Act 2016.

"Forensic audit of the accounts of CHD Developers Limited should be get done to bring out a clear picture of the utilization or diversion of funds of invested funds concerning the project if any," said the order.

The bench has also directed the RERA planning branch to initiate proceedings against the developers for non-registration of the above project under Sections 3 and 4 of the RERA Act 2016.

The complaint in this regard was filed on January 20, 2023.

The complainant had booked a unit in the commercial project CHD E-Way Tower at Sector 109 for a total sale consideration of Rs 35,67,452 executing the Builder Buyer Agreement (BBA).

"The allottees were apprised by promoters as well as through newspaper advertisement that the land on which the project is situated measuring 2.025 acres in Sector 109 is being sold by Bank of Baroda by way of e-auction on January 24, 2023, wherein all the allottees share their reserved rights by virtue of BBA. It is submitted that the rights created for the allottees are absolute rights which cannot be fettered by any other third party merely by selling or creating any lieu change or encumbrance," the order said.

Seeking a stay on e-auctions, the complainant during the hearing argued that the Bank has not only violated Section 15 of the Act 2016 but also tried to harass them and jeopardise the rights of the allottees.

"The third-party rights which have already been created in the project in question have not been taken into the account by the Bank of Baroda that will seriously jeopardise their interest and it must have stayed," pleaded the complainant.

The Authority observed all the allottees who signed BBA will be affected by e-auctions.
Bhopal, Jan 23 : Political barbs over bureaucrats acting at the behest of the ruling BJP continued in poll bound Madhya Pradesh. The opposition Congress said that the officials visiting RSS shakhas would be asked to explain once the party formed the government.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Kanti Lal Bhuria on Monday claimed that many officials were doing double duty -- daytime in the office and night time at RSS shakhas. He made this statement while responding to the BJP's accusation of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath 'threatening' bureaucrats.

Bhuria said Kamal Nath has more experience of governance than Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. "He has a long experience of Central government and has more experience of bureaucracy than CM Chouhan, and if he (Nath) is saying something, it means he knows the reality. Kamal Nath does not make political statements like Shivraj." Bhuria said the Congress would create a dignified workable atmosphere and also honour those working honestly. "But those who attend office during the day, and visit RSS shakhas at night will be asked to reply," Bhuria added.

The exchange of barbs over this issue is not new in Madhya Pradesh. The fresh round began after Kamal Nath said during a rally that the BJP was using power and money to prosecute the Congress leaders and workers. Nath reiterated the allegation against the BJP often.

Nath had also said that the Congress was preparing a list of bureaucrats working at the behest of BJP leaders and they would be asked to explain once the Congress was back in power in the state.

The ruling BJP hit back at Kamal Nath accusing him of 'threatening' and 'creating a panic' situation for his political gain. On Monday, reacting to Kamal Nath's remarks about preparing a list, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Several people with this wish have come and gone. The RSS is an organisation of patriots. Such a process of personality building has started through this organisation that lakhs of volunteers are ready to live and die for the country." Taking a dig at Kamal Nath, Chouhan said that "as a senior politician, who has long experience, he should not speak such a language."
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched additional six passport application centers in the diaspora for Liberians residing abroad.

Making the disclosure Thursday at the MICAT regular press briefing in Monrovia, Foreign Minister Dee Maxwell Kameyah, said the initiative is intended to ease constraints Liberians outside the country face in obtaining Liberian passports.

He named Chicago and Los Angeles in the United States of America, South Africa, India, Austria and Nairobi, Kanya as countries in which centers have been launched, adding that it is in connection to providing efficacy and expenditure services to Liberians in the diaspora wanting to acquire a passport.

Minister Kameyah also disclosed that government has received several calls from individuals outside Liberia, recommending opening of additional passport centers across the world.

He said those in the diaspora will be required to pay US$160 for a passport, noting US$100 of the amount will remain with the counseling office, while the balance of Sixty United States Dollars will be sent to government account.

The Foreign Minister revealed that the passport application centers are being opened under a contracting frame called VFS Global, under its arrangement with Buck Press, an outsourcing and technology services specialist company that works with several government and diplomatic missions worldwide.

Kemayeh, noted that VFS Global will also under its arrangement with Buck Press use the company's Licensed software to only capture the biometrics of applicants and forward all documentation to Monrovia for processing of passports.

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According to him, the initiative is also part of the ministry's intention to carry out such reform as part of President George Weah's Manifesto to have things in the best interest of all Liberians.

Meanwhile, the Minister, who is also Dean of the Liberian Cabinet, further disclosed that government is expected to launch additional 20 application centers on February 23, but did not say where.

He added that the Government of Liberia currently has eight passport application "location centers" across the world, including the Embassy of Liberia in Accra, Ghana, Nigeria, China, London, Belgium, Washington, DC, United States of America, Counsel General in New- York, and Honorary Counsel General in Minnesota, respectively.

Kameyah added in the absence of travel documents, the life of every Liberian will not be complete.

The Liberian government has been linked to sales of Liberian Diplomatic Passports to individuals with dubious characters, including foreigners. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the U.S. is currently investigating a Liberian, who was arrested last year in America with diplomatic passport. The suspect has made concessions to the names of accomplices at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea challenging the Centre's decision to set up a commission to examine Schedule Caste status for converted Dalits.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul asked the petitioner's counsel: "Who are you?" as it added that a hearing in the matter is already underway.

Counsel argued that the commission should not have been set up when the apex court is already hearing the matter.

The bench, also comprising Justice A.S. Oka, asked if the petitioner is challenging the constitution of the commission, and further queried, which rule or which law allows the petitioner to do that? Counsel contended that the court should proceed further and the commission should not come in the way. However, the bench told the counsel that such a petition, which seeks quashing of the appointment and functioning of the commission, cannot be entertained under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Declining to entertain the plea, the bench said it has no relevant ground to quash the appointment of the commission. The top court order came on a plea filed by Pratap Baburao Pandit.

In October last year, the Central government appointed a Commission of Inquiry under chairmanship of former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan to examine claims to grant Scheduled Caste status to the Dalits, who converted to other religions.

The commission also comprises retired IAS officer Dr Ravinder Kumar Jain and Prof Sushma Yadav (member, UGC), as members. The commission will examine the matter of Scheduled Caste (SC) status to new persons, who claim to historically have belonged to the Scheduled Castes, but have converted to religion other than those mentioned in the presidential orders issued from time to time under Article 341 of the Constitution. The presidential orders granted SC status to only those who followed Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The commission will examine the implications on the existing Scheduled Castes, of adding such new persons as part of the existing list of Scheduled Castes.

In November last year, the Central government, in its written response, had told the Supreme Court that plea seeking Scheduled Caste status to Dalits, who converted to Christianity and Islam, should not be allowed, since they did not suffer from untouchability.

On August 30, the apex court had asked the Centre to clarify its stand in the matter on the petitions filed by the 'National Council of Dalit Christians' and others. The Central government, in a written response, said "The Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950 was based on historical data which clearly established that no such backwardness or oppression was ever faced by members of Christian or Islamic Society." The government further added that one of the reasons for which people from Scheduled Castes are converting to religions like Islam or Christianity, is to come out of the oppressive system of untouchability, a social stigma, which is not prevalent in either in Christianity or Islam.

The Centre's response came on a batch of petitions seeking a direction to extend the benefit of reservation to Dalits converts to Christianity or Islam.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 23 : Undertaking a long-range medical evacuation above sea, Indian Coast Guard on Monday rescued a Myanmar sailor from mid-sea. He has been admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, an official said.

The Myanmar national, identified as Than Htike Lwin, was onboard MT GB Venture, which had reached near Sagar Island from Singapore.

The rescue operation was carried out with an indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter equipped with a medical team from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here.

According to official sources, the Indian Coast Guard officials received a message from Sagar VTMS regarding an injury to a Myanmar crew onboard MT GB Venture in the morning. The officials communicated with the master to ascertain the condition of the patient and other details.

After detailed assessment and discussion with the master, the patient's condition was assessed to be critical, requiring immediate medical care, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The Coast Guard launched the operation at 8.55 a.m. and aircraft reached near the merchant vessel at 10.10 a.m. and the patient, who had suffered injuries to his abdomen, was airlifted from mid-air. By 11.40 a.m., the operation was completed and the patient smoothly landed at Bhubaneswar airport, it said.

The patient was admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.

"First time indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter from Bhubaneswar has undertaken an extremely long-range Medical Evacuation from the sea," the Coast Guard said.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in coordination with Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) has organised a CEOs conference of 100 Smart Cities.

The conference has witnessed the participation of Chief Executive Officers/Municipal Commissioners of 100 Smart Cities along with officials from the Central, State governments, Industry and knowledge partners.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Smart Cities CEOs Conference on Data and Technology on Monday in Panaji.

Kunal Kumar, Mission Director, Smart Cities Mission, said that the time has come for innovative, out of the box thinking. He stated that it was time for CEOs to take control and decide the destinations of their projects, rather than being driven to it.

Talking about projects in Panaji, Mamu Hage, CEO, IPSCDL in her address said that various projects like the Integrated Command and Control Centre, Electric Buses, Mandovi Promenade, taken up under the Smart City Mission have great scope for revenue generation. She stated that monetizing these projects can bring in additional revenue for the city.

The conference also saw discussions on the 'Smart Procure' guidelines for procurement of innovation, where officials from the Smart Cities of Shimla, Bhopal and Ahmedabad shared their success stories. MoHUA is expected to announce the ICCC Awards to reward the most innovative and outstanding efforts of cities in creating maximum impact through their ICCCs during the closing ceremony.

The Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25th June, 2015. It has been a part of an agenda for urban rejuvenation and has been designed as part of a multi-layer strategy to meet the aspirations of 40% of India's population living in cities.

Officials said that SCM is a transformational Mission aimed to bring about a paradigm shift in the practice of urban development in the country. As on 19 January 2023, work orders were issued in 7,799 projects worth around Rs 181,268 crore, of which 5,229 projects worth Rs 98,291 crore have been completed.
Patna, Jan 23 : At least 50 persons were injured in a head-on collision between a speeding bus and a truck in Bihar's Samastipur district on Monday, police said.

The accident took place at Chantchaur village under Ujiyarpur police station around 10 a.m.

The majority of the injured were bus passengers, comprising a marriage party, returning from neighbouring Khagaria district after the marriage. They have been admitted to hospitals of Ujiyarpur, Musrigharari and Dalsingsarai blocks.

As many as 10 of the victims are in critical condition.

The victims claimed that the bus was going at high speed and hit a truck coming from the opposite direction. Local villagers came to help rescue the victims.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday urged leading companies to take responsibility to handhold MSMEs, help them adapt best practices, and integrate them into the supply chain ecosystem.

Addressing the fourth Plenary Session of B20 India Inception Meeting on "Building Resilient Global Value Chains" in Gandhinagar, he noted that MSMEs flourish around a larger unit or anchor.

Citing an example, he said that as Apple's manufacturing plant comes up, thousands of MSME units flourish in the ecosystem as mini value chain suppliers to Apple.

The Commerce Minister also said that MSMEs have more practical solutions, day to day experiences, and having learnt the hard way, are able to adapt to circumstances better than large companies.

He noted that large companies must be sensitised to handhold MSMEs associated with them.

"We must also try to make it easier to operate for small companies, eliminate unnecessary paperwork, make custom processes simpler, and use technology to ease and simplify processes" Goyal said in his address.
Kolkata, Jan 23 : In a swift and co-ordinated operation, the Indian Coast Guard evacuated an injured mariner from a tanker anchored off Sagar Island in West Bengal on Monday morning.

The crew member of the Singapore-flag vessel MT GB Venture, identified as Than Htjke Lwin from Myanmar, was flown to Bhubaneswar where he has been admitted to a private hospital. His condition is stated to be stable.

At around 6.30 a.m., the Coast Guard's district headquarters at Haldia received an alert from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata's vessel tracking management system (VTMS) located at Sagar about a medical emergency on board the tanker.

The tanker was anchored around 40.5 nautical miles south of Sagar due to machinery failure. Lwin apparently suffered blunt trauma to his abdominal region while tending to a hydraulic pipeline on board.

He complained of severe pain and experienced difficulty in breathing. Realising that Lwin could not be treated on board, the master of the vessel sought assistance from the Coast Guard.

"It was ascertained that the ship was located about 80 nautical miles East North East of Paradip, Odisha. Our medical officer at Haldia immediately contacted the master and advised necessary first-aid to stabilise the patient.

"The ship's local agent was also contacted for a regular update. After realising that a medical evacuation was called for, an ALH Dhruv of the Coast Guard took off from the Force's air enclave at Bhubaneswar and reached the ship at 10.10 am. After checking the weather and sea state, the pilot maneuvered his aircraft and airlifted Lwin. The evacuation was completed by 10.30 am and the ALH landed at Bhubaneswar around 11.40 am where a waiting ambulance rushed the patient to hospital," a senior Coast Guard official said.

He added that two Coast Guard ships in the area were also vectored to the location of the tanker to help out in case an air evacuation became difficult. Over the years, true to its motto 'We Protect', the Indian Coast Guard has saved thousands of lives at sea and carried out hundreds of medical evacuations of ill or injured mariners.
Kohima, Jan 23 : Rejecting the call of influential Naga bodies to boycott the February 27 Assembly polls until the Central government grants the demand for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland' state, the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU) on Monday said that it has decided to participate in the elections.

An ENLU spokesman said that the 20 members of the Union, comprising Ministers, MLAs and Advisors to various departments, in their meeting on Sunday have jointly decided to participate in the next month's elections.

"In an emergency meeting held on January 22 pertaining to the ENPO resolution to abstain from the Nagaland Assembly election, after a thorough deliberation, the house (ENLU) resolved to participate in the upcoming general election since the election has been notified by the EC on January 18," the ENLU resolution said.

Hours after the announcement of the schedule of Assembly polls in three northeastern states by the Election Commission, including Nagaland were announced on January 18, the influential Konyak Union on the same day, rejecting the state government appeal, reiterated to boycott the February 27 elections until the Central government grants the demand for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland' state.

Claiming that the six districts -- Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator -- have been neglected for years, the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) has been demanding a separate state since 2010.

A statement of the Konyak Union, had said that in its emergency meeting, it resolved and reiterated to remain steadfast and firm to the August 26, 2022 ENPO resolution to abstain from participating in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly election until the Centre grants the demand of a separate state.

"The house further resolved to permanently expel those individuals filing nomination to participate in the Assembly election from the Konyak soil and the village of the person filing nomination shall be held solely responsible. The KU has also fully endorsed and empowered the Konyak Nyupu Sheko Khong, Konyak Students' Union, and Village Councils to fully implement and act upon the resolution," the Konyak Union statement had said.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government, led by Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and including the Bharatiya Janata Party, had on a number of occasions asked the ENPO to reconsider their demand for a separate state and not to boycott the Assembly elections.
Chennai, Jan 23 : The Madras High Court on Monday reserved its judgment on a petition filed by an advocate against an order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that lawyers should wear gowns while appearing before its bench.

A division bench comprising of Justices R. Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq reserved the orders on a petition filed by advocate R. Rajesh, arguing that a division bench of Justice K. Ravichandra Babu (since retired) and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam passed an interim stay on the notification issued by the NCLT registrar.

The petitioner said that the NCLT registrar was again demanding the advocates to wear the gown before the benches of the NCLT without complying with the interim stay.

"The notification and subsequent orders passed by the NCLT Registrar is illegal, arbitrary and devoid of merits," he argued.

He also said that the grounds of the interim stay by the Madras High Court was that the notification is against the rules of the Bar Council Of India, which state that advocates should wear a gown while they are appearing before High Courts and Supreme Court.

Advocate S.R. Raghunathan, who represented the Bar Council of India, supported the petitioner's argument and stated that the NCLT registrar could not issue such a statement as it was against the Bar Council of India rules.

The BCI's counsel said that they had sent a notice to the NCLT registrar against the new order issued despite an interim stay order by the Madras High Court division bench. Counsel said that the registrar had withdrawn the order after receiving the notice.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : Leaders and activists of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Monday tried to lay siege to Telangana Chief Minister's official residence Pragathi Bhavan in support of the demand of teachers to amend the Government Order 317 to enable spouses to work in the same district.

Police detained the protestors when they tried to advance towards Pragathi Bhavan and shifted them to Panjagutta police station.

A police constable was injured when he fell on the windscreen of the bus when he was allegedly pushed by the protestors who were detained and being shifted to the police station.

BJP minority morcha activists also tried to advance towards the Chief Minister's official residence but were detained by police. The protestors were physically lifted and shifted to waiting police vehicles.

Government school teachers had on Sunday staged a protest at Pragathi Bhavan demanding the scrapping of or amendment to the GO, saying injustice was being done to them.

Meanwhile, BJP state President Bandi Sanjay Kumar has demanded that the GO be scrapped immediately. He said the BRS government has kept the problem pending for two years.

Sanjay alleged hundreds of teachers were suffering due to the lacunae in the GO. He said as transfers of spouses were stopped in 13 districts, this was causing severe hardships to teachers. He claimed that 34 teachers committed suicide due to the GO.

The BJP leader said if the government failed to scrap or amend the GO, teachers will be forced to go on strike.

Sanjay condemned the arrest of teachers who were staging protests along with their children. He urged the police not to use force against teachers and reminded them that they are also government employees.

The BJP leader said if the BRS failed to resolve the demand of teachers, the BJP would amend the GO and ensure justice to teachers after coming to power in the state.

The GO was issued on December 6, 2021 with a zonal system in allocation of jobs. The zonal system was introduced after Telangana was reorganised into 33 districts from 10 in 2016.
Bhopal, Jan 23 : A day after the All India Congress Committee (AICC) released the names of over 60 organisational district presidents along with a 21-member Political Affairs Committee (PAC) for Madhya Pradesh, the MPCC made the first modification in the list. The appointment of the Indore district president was put on hold on Monday.

Late on Sunday, the AICC had approved the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee's (MPCC) proposed list of 64 district organisational presidents, noting that the approval was given on the direction of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. However, sources in the MPCC later told IANS that "it wouldn't be the final list" and modifications would be expected after Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra concludes.

The list of 64 district presidents included the name of Arvind Bagadi, who was appointed Congress president for Indore city. However, voices raised against his selection by the party leaders in Indore prompted MPCC head Kamal Nath to put Bagadi's appointment on hold on Monday, the MPCC told IANS in an official note.

Sources said a delegation of the Indore district Congress on Monday met Kamal Nath and Madhya Pradesh Congress in-charge, Jai Prakash Agarwal in Bhopal, and objected to Bagadi's appointment, saying that they (Indore Congress workers) would accept anyone but him. They also accused Bagadi of being supportive of the BJP.

After a discussion with the Indore Congress workers, the MPCC decided to put Bagadi's appointment on hold. "This is to inform that the appointment of Arvind Bagadi as district president of Indore city in Madhya Pradesh has been put on hold till further orders," a notification issued by Jai Prakash Agarwal said.

Insiders told IANS that the state leadership wanted a "compact" committee from the state to the district level. Sources also said that many who were holding posts in the MPCC were excluded from the new list, and therefore, modifications will be done in a fresh list.

AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal in a release on Monday said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the proposal for the appointment of office-bearers and presidents of various district committees in Madhya Pradesh.
UAE-based Azizi Developments has announced that more than 30% of the work has been completed on its Creek Views II, a mixed-use project being set up at an investment of AED350 million ($95.2 million) on the shores of the iconic Dubai Creek at Dubai Healthcare City.

Its design philosophy represents Dubais remarkable transition from a traditional past to a modern, reinvented future, said a statement from Azizi.

The key development features a total of 587 residential units comprising 116 studios; 436 one- and 35 two-bedroom apartments.

Designed to enrich lifestyles with its two swimming pools, sauna, steam room, fully equipped gym, and childrens play area, the project is set for handover by Q4 2023.

According to Azizi, there has been an overwhelming response from international investors for its Creek Views II project located in the beautifully landscaped DHCC, the emirates health and wellness destination.

Of the total sold units, 17.86% has been picked up by UAE investors, 11.61% by Indians and 6.25% by both Jordanian and Russian investors followed by German, English, Bengali and Dutch nationals, it added.

CEO Farhad Azizi said: "We are delighted to be welcoming investors from a wide range of nationalities to our clientele, who have expressed substantial interest in Creek Views II and our portfolio as a whole. Dubai has continuously proven to be a world-leading hub for many key industries, especially the booming real estate sector, and the growing number of international investors who have chosen to reside and invest here."

"We now look forward to selling Creek Views lls remaining inventory, all while maintaining the highest quality standards and speed in its construction, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Administrative Secretary for the opposition Democractic Progressive Party (DPP) Francis Mphepo has come under intense fire for single handedly appointing Mganda Chiume as deputy secretary general-North without the knowledge of the national governing council of the party.

According to the DPP constituion, the national governing council of the party meets to approve such an appointment.

Reports indicate that Mphepo made the appointment without even the knowledge of party president Arthur Peter Mutharika and secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey.

Jeffrey has confirmed that she was not consulted on the matter and that the national governing council of the party did not meet to approve of the appointment.

This comes as there are only five months before the Democratic Progressive Party goes to its elective conference slated to July this year.

There was no immediate comment from DPP spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba as his phones went unanswered.
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday extended a red carpet welcome to top honchos of Indian industry, inviting them to invest in his state to give boost to the industrial growth and open doors of prosperity for the youth.

The Chief Minister had detailed parleys with Godrej, Hindustan Unilever, Mafatlal Group, Mahindra & Mahindra, Jindal Steels and others during his visit here.

He showcased the state as the most preferred destination to these industrial units and asked them to invest.

Mann also apprised them that the state government is making strenuous efforts to further strengthen the single-window system for facilitating the investors.

He said the pragmatic policies of the state government coupled with industrial peace and state-of-the-art infrastructure provides a conducive atmosphere for the industrial development in the state.

Mann claimed that earlier single-window service was merely a sham, devoid of any meaningful purpose, which not only demoralised the potential investors but also hampered the industrial development of the state.

During a meeting with the representatives of the Hindustan Unilever, the Chief Minister asked them to expand their existing plant for tomato ketchup manufacturing in Nabha.

He said the government will encourage the farmers of the state to sow tomatoes in Punjab, thereby improving their economic lot. The company assured Mann that they will explore the feasibility of setting up their unit in the state.

The Chief Minister also had a detailed meeting with a delegation of Thyrocare - an Indian multinational chain of diagnostic and preventive care laboratories.

During the meeting, he apprised the representatives of the company that the government is laying major thrust on imparting quality healthcare services to people. Mann also invited the company to set up a chain of laboratories in the state for the people's benefit.

During a meeting with the Mafatlal group, the Chief Minister said the cotton belt of the state produces the finest cotton across the globe which can be used as raw material for producing premium fabric. He asked the company to invest in the state as there is a huge potential of growth in Punjab.

Taking part in a meeting with representatives of Mahindra & Mahindra, he said that there is a huge potential for the tourism sector in the state, especially around Ranjit Sagar Dam, Chohal Dam and others.

The company showed keen interest in setting up its chain of Club Mahindra resorts in the state. They also invited the Chief Minister for inauguration of the upgraded plant of Swaraj Tractors at Lalru.

During a meeting with the delegation of Kotak Mahindra bank, the Chief Minister discussed the possibilities of expansion of the banking sector in the state.

He assured the delegation that the state government will provide fulsome support and cooperation to them for setting their venture.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with a delegation of Hind Terminal, a logistics company, the Chief Minister said there is a huge scope for the growth of the sector in the state. He assured full support to the company for expansion of their unit in Quilla Raipur.

Mann said that the logistic park will be given a boost by the state government.

The Chief Minister also had detailed deliberations with the Godrej group officials, who called on him later in the day. Mann asked the group to invest in the agriculture sector for benefitting the farmers immensely. He also asked them to explore the possibility of expansion in the real sector too.

During a meeting with Jindal Steel, the Chief Minister said the state is heading towards becoming surplus in power production and this can help in accelerating the growth of industry.

The Chief Minister said the Invest Punjab Summit being organized in Mohali on February 23-24 will prove to be a milestone towards giving a major fillip to industrial growth of the state.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 : Kerala Minister J. Chinchu Rani on Monday inspected the popular Thiruvananthapuram Zoo where all its 53 spotted deer and black bucks died in the last nine months.

She said that a health camp and medical check up will be conducted for all the zoo employees and all of them have been provided with the necessary items required to protect themselves.

The samples of the animal carcasses were being sent to the State Institute of Animal Diseases (SIAD), Palode and College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy for investigation and the report states that the disease is tuberculosis caused by mycobacterium bovis.

There were concerns if this incident was kept under wraps by both the state government and Zoo authorities, as these zoonotic diseases can also affect human beings too.

According to experts there is no treatment for animals when it gets TB and culling is the only option Since last week, officials from various departments including the state Health Services, a team from SIAD and also the Police intelligence wing visited the zoo to take stock of the situation, but those in the know of things said that there need not be any major worry as things are under control.
Hyderabad, Jan 23 : The Telangana government on Monday approved one installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners.

The state government issued a Government Order, approving 2.73 per cent DA.

The DA will now go up to 20.02 per cent of the basic pay from earlier 17.29. The hike will benefit 4.40 lakh employees and 2.88 lakh pensioners.

Finance Minister T. Harish Rao said the hike will come into effect from July 1, 2021. The DA arrears from July 2021 to December 2022 will be credited to GPF accounts of the employees in eight installments.

In another move, the state government released the schedule for transfers and promotions of the employees. The process will begin on January 27. Online applications for the same will be accepted from January 28 to January 30.

The process will be completed on March 4. Employees can file appeals from March 5 to 19.
Mumbai, Jan 23 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday unveiled a portrait of late Hindutva icon and founder of Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray, on his 97th birth anniversary.

Present on the occasion were Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, Speaker of Assembly Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, Maharashtra Council Acting Chairperson Neelam Gorhe and other dignitaries.

Also attending the event were MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Union and State ministers, members of the Thackeray clan, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, who extolled the services and contributions of the legendary politician to the state.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya and most top party leaders attended a special function at Shanmukhananda Hall where glowing tributes were paid to Balasaheb Thackeray's memory by several speakers, 11 years after his passing.

Earlier in the day, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari paid floral tributes to the late Thackeray at Raj Bhavan, while Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS), BJP, Sena (UBT) and other party leaders and workers offered homage to the late Thackeray at his memorial in Shivaji Park and at his statue in Colaba.

Remembering Thackeray, Prime Minister Narendra said: "I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare." Top leaders like Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Congress state President Nana Patole and other leaders across the political spectrum saluted Thackeray.

The Sena (UBT) workers across the state organised various programmes and activities to mark his birth anniversary and pledged to rededicate themselves to his ideas and teachings.

Balasaheb Thackeray, who never held any political office, but straddled like a colossus to influence state and national politics, breathed his last on November 17, 2012 in Mumbai.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday booked the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha's (DBHPS) former President Shivayogi R. Niralkatti and others for allegedly misappropriating and diverting the funds released by the Centre for promotion of Hindi language.

The CBI has alleged that R.F. Niralkatti (now deceased) and his son and then Working President Shivayogi Niralkoti abused their official position and submitted a false profit and loss statement to the government to allegedly misappropriate Rs 5,78,91,179 meant for Hindi promotion through 600 teachers and unauthorisedly used this money for payment of salary to staff of their B.Ed. colleges.

DSP, CBI, of ACB's Madurai Branch, A. Dhandapani submitted a report after completing the preliminary enquiry (PE) on January 18 and it was on its basis that the FIR has been filed.

The CBI lodged the PE in February 2022 on the basis of a complaint from Education Ministry's Joint Secretary Neeta Prasad, and it revealed misappropriation of funds in DBHPS, Dharwad (Karnataka) during the period between 2004 and 2005 and 2016 to 2017, involving the Niralkattis.

It alleged that the name of the institution was misused by Niralkatti to promote his financial interests by running courses other than promoting Hindi, like on ayurveda, and homeopathy, as well as law colleges and English-medium schools, in violation of laid down DBHPS norms by forming these institutions without obtaining requisite permission from the Ministry.

The enquiry revealed that DBHPS's Dharwad branch had sought a grant from the Ministry to pay honorarium to various Hindi teachers, and principals in Hindi teachers training colleges.

Based on the requests, the Ministry had granted 75 per cent of the total expenditure as a grant and the balance was to be contributed by the DBHPS.

"The funds so received by the DBHPS, Dharwad were to be deposited in the separate account maintained by them along with further contribution of 25 per cent and released to the Hindi teachers and others as per the list and amount provided by the HRD Ministry. The enquiry revealed that there were huge cash withdrawals from the account to the tune of Rs 7.44 crore in the name of distributing the grant to teachers, whereas as per norms, grants should be paid to the beneficiaries through cheques and DDs only," an official said.

The enquiry revealed that after receiving grants from the Centre, the DBHPS was submitting utilisation certificates along with profit and loss accounts/statement. The total contribution claimed by DBHPS, in their profit and loss account for the period from 2004-05 to 2016-2017, was Rs 10,68,89,626, whereas the contribution by DBHPS, Dharwad was only Rs 1,85,66,919.

"The accused have inflated the profit and loss account/statement and submitted false statements to the Central government. The enquiry revealed that the Central government had sanctioned aid for 600 free Hindi classes, 600 TAs to teachers and PG Diploma translation for DBHPS, Dharwad during the period from 2011-12 to 2016-17. However, only 400 to 450 teachers were available during the said period, which was evident from the receipt and payment statements and utilisation certificate submitted to the GOI," read the FIR.

The grants released by the Centre for payments of honorarium to teachers for promoting Hindi was diverted and utilised by DBHPS, Dharwad for payment of salary to the principals, teachers, clerks and peons of B.Ed colleges under its control.

The DBHPS was set up to improve Hindi literacy among the non-Hindi speaking people of south India. In 1964, the institution was recognised as among the Institutes of National Importance through an act of Parliament. The DBHPS' main objective is to hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas and certificates for proficiency in Hindi or in teaching of Hindi as may be determined by it from time to time. It has four regional headquarters at Hyderabad, Dharwad, Ernakulam, and Tiruchirapalli, and 14 branches located in Cuddalore, Neyveli, Puducherry, Coimbatore, Salem, Vellore, Ooty, Karaikal, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, Madurai, Karur, Thanjavur, and Hyderabad.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Delhi government on Monday issued an order to ban the sale of liquor at bars and restaurants in the national capital on January 26, the Republic Day.

The Republic Day is observed as a dry day when the liquor shops remain closed. This is the first time that the government has taken a decision to ban the sale of liquor at bars and restaurants. Previously, only liquor vends used to be closed on dry days.

Additionally, there will be a ban on the sale of liquor at shops on Mahashivratri, Ram Navami and Holi. The government has also declared dry days on Swami Dayanand Jayanti and Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

The excise department of the Delhi government has issued a list of dry days for the period from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023.

The list includes Republic Day on January 26, Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February 5, Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti on February 15, Mahashivaratri on February 18, Holi on March 8 and Ram Navami on March 30.

The Delhi government issues a list of dry days every three months. At present, there are about 21 dry days in a year.
Tokyo, Jan 23 : Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his country is on the brink of not being able to function as a society because of its falling birth rate, media reports said.

Kishida said it was a case of "now or never", the BBC reported.

Japan - population 125 million - is estimated to have had fewer than 800,000 births last year. In the 1970s, that figure was more than two million.

Birth rates are slowing in many countries, including Japan's neighbours.

But the issue is particularly acute in Japan as life expectancy has risen in recent decades, meaning there are a growing number of older people, and a declining numbers of workers to support them, BBC reported.

Japan now has the world's second-highest proportion of people aged 65 and over - about 28 per cent - after the tiny state of Monaco, according to World Bank data.

"Japan is standing on the verge of whether we can continue to function as a society," Kishida told lawmakers.

"Focusing attention on policies regarding children and child-rearing is an issue that cannot wait and cannot be postponed." He said that he eventually wants the government to double its spending on child-related programmes. A new government agency to focus on the issue would be set up in April, he added, BBC reported.

However, Japanese governments have tried to promote similar strategies before, without success.

Japan has continued implementing strict immigration laws despite some relaxations, but some experts are now saying that the rules should be loosened further to help tackle its ageing society.

Falling birth rates are driven by a range of factors, including rising living costs, more women in education and work, as well as greater access to contraception, leading to women choosing to have fewer children, BBC reported.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday opposed the proposal of 'One Nation, One Election', calling it unconstitutional and against the principles of democracy.

The party also termed the proposal a front to legitimise BJP's 'Operation Lotus' and legalise the sale and purchase of MLAs.

"Under One Nation, One Election if no party gets a majority, then MLAs-MPs can elect Chief Minister-Prime Minister through a direct presidential style vote. Direct voting will take place in absence of anti-defection law so the MLA or MP of any party can vote for the CM or PM of another party and it will fulfil BJP's dreams of running Operation Lotus throughout the country at once," AAP's Delhi MLA Atishi said.

"Central and state issues are different and people vote for different parties, if both the elections are held together then it will be difficult for the people to take a decision. Due to the simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, the resource and cash rich parties will suppress the issues of the states with the help of their money and muscle and the voter's decision will be affected," she said.

Atishi contended that governments can run for many years even after losing the vote of confidence after One Nation One Election is implemented, because elections can be held only after five years. "Conducting separate elections is being called a waste of money and how can the democracy of our country be put in danger to save only Rs 1,000 crore annually?" she asked.

"Constitutional amendments proposed to achieve simultaneous central and state elections under the One Nation One Election plan are an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution." Addressing the issue of 'constructive vote of no confidence' in the proposal, AAP leader Jasmine Shah said that the fundamental idea of democracy is that the power must be in the hands of the people so that in case, they lose confidence in the previously elected government, they can make the government fall by withdrawing their support through their representatives ie. the MPs or MLAs.

"So the idea of 'Constructive Vote of No Confidence', which has been mentioned in the ONOE proposal is gravely concerning. It is very worrying that since the BJP came to power at the Centre, the blatant buying and selling of MLAs has already been almost legitimised through their Operation Lotus," said Shah.

"Now with the ONOE proposal, they are aiming to legally allow and encourage this through the constitutional stamp of approval. They want to write down that the PM and the CM will be elected through the formula of the Speaker of the House and any member could vote for any party. We are all aware of which political party is the wealthiest in our country," said Shah.

"If we see the figures revealed by the Election Commission of India in the last two years, the BJP alone has collected three-quarters of the money collected through electoral bonds by all political parties put together. We are aware that several agencies like the ED and CBI are used against the MPs and MLAs," said Shah.

"Many MLAs and MPs support the BJP due to the fear of such practices by the BJP. If the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal is brought into existence with its current formula, it is clearly evident which political party it benefits. These are a few of the rationale we have explained in the AAP's 12-page detailed report submitted to the Law Commission. We have shared our report with the media as well and we encourage people to read it," Shah added.
Guwahati, Jan 23 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that Left-minded intellectuals, who have written history, consciously ignored the contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to the freedom struggle of India.

While speaking at a function held celebrate Bose's birth anniversary on Monday in Guwahati, Sarma said that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a personality symbolised patriotism and nationalism of the highest order and that his contributions towards the nation's freedom struggle were immense and incomparable.

"But contributions of Netaji towards India's freedom struggle were either consciously or subconsciously downplayed by the Left-minded intellectual circles and contemporary historians," Sarma said.

The Chief Minister claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been relentlessly trying to undo such historical wrongs through initiatives such as installation of the 28-feet tall black-granite statue of Bose near the India Gate.

According to Sarma, Indian soldiers in the British army had backed the British rather than the Congress during the liberation movement because they were disciplined warriors.

The British realised they would have to concede independence when the Indians in their armed forces revolted. When Clement Atlee, the former British prime minister, visited Kolkata in 1956, he brought up the subject with P.V. Chakravartti, the first Indian Chief Justice, Sarma claimed.

He mentioned, "Clement had remarked that Netaji's 'popularity and the Indians' in the British army joining the INA' which finds a mention in his book 'History of Bengal' was what had persuaded the British to grant independence to India when Chakravartti asked about it." "This was only possible because of Netaji's efforts and sacrifices, but the historians who wrote the history of Independence, primarily those who adhere to the Left ideology, did not acknowledge this and withheld his contribution from the people," Sarma claimed.

The Chief Minister also showered praises on Subhas Bose for his role in preserving the cultural and political hegemony of the indigenous communities of northeast countering designs of altering the demography of the region by certain quarters with vested interests.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : The Supreme Court on Monday expressed discontent over the delay in the creation of infrastructure for special courts in Bihar to deal with cases under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act.

A bench, headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, noted that in 2016, the law was passed but the state government is yet to allocate land for infrastructure for the special courts. The bench asked the state government counsel why the state does not encourage plea bargaining, in view of lack of infrastructure.

Why not release all accused, booked under the prohibition law, on bail till the necessary infrastructure is created for the trial, it asked counsel.

The bench, also comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka, told senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, representing the Bihar government: "Why can't we grant bail to all the accused booked under the offences specified in the law? Why don't you vacate the government buildings for the courts?" Citing the pendency of cases which burdens the judiciary, the bench said over 3.78 lakh criminal cases have been registered under the law but only over 4,000 have been disposed of, and pointed out "this is the problem, you pass the law without even looking at its impact on the judicial infrastructure and the society".

Citing one of the sections of the Act, the bench said as far as the power for imposing a penalty for consumption of liquor is concerned it is okay, but it is concerned with the power of imposing sentence on the accused by the executive magistrate.

Advocate Gaurav Agrawal, the amicus curiae in the matter, said the high court has expressed its reservation about the conferment of powers on executive magistrates.

Kumar said that the rate of disposal of cases under the Act has increased as recruitment of several judicial officers has been made.

The bench granted one week to the state government counsel to seek necessary instruction on the issue as to what could be done in the matter.

Also, all the aspects connected with the matter -- creation of the necessary infrastructure to the conferment of powers on executive magistrates to deal with cases under the law -- will be examined, added the bench.

The top court made these observations while hearing a matter relating to the prohibition law, which came into force in Bihar in 2016.
opinion

When COVID-19 was wreaking havoc across the globe, when the world was overwhelmed by the impact of the pandemic, when many economies shutdown, and when hope was almost lost, the only hope was how to get a vaccine in real, quick time.

It was almost a hopeless, desperate situation as governments and health institutions raced against time to get a vaccine and ultimately a cure for the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unmitigated suffering on many developing economies, most of whom depend on outflows from China and the West.

Thankfully, the vaccines that were manufactured months after the outbreak helped save millions of lives.

In the battle against the deadly virus, two things stood out- good leadership and the observance of COVID-19 protocols, which encapsulates wearing of nose masks, washing of hands, keeping of social distance and application of hand sanitizers.

Closure of borders lasted for over a year and a half and eventually most countries opened for business. Meanwhile, China kept its borders under tight regulationsuntil this January. The decision by the Chinese government to open widerfor business was met with criticisms from some countries due to spikes in new COVID-19 cases recorded in the Chinesemainland.

Ironically, when China imposed strict COVID-19 prevention and control measures at the peak of the pandemic, some members of the international community did not mince words in critcising China for what they called "draconian" restrictions.

China has always insisted that the imposition of health protocols in the country is backed by science and data.

During that period, visitors, including Chinese citizens abroad, undergo mandatory quarantine for at least two weeks when they arrive in China. Aside that, the country has introduced time-tested contact-tracing method to ensure infected people do not spread the disease.

This quarantine is the most rigorous preventive measure that have helped saved countless lives of Chinese citizens and those of visitors. The Chinese have never compromised on safety and, so, the laid-down protocols on COVID-19 prevention is applied to the letter.

Having lived in China for almost five months in 2022, I can say it's safe to conclude that China's approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is arguably the best in the world.

I took the swab test everyday during my 10-day quarantine at Grand Hotel in Xiamen city before I left for Beijing. I wondered how serious and determined the people had taken the fight against the disease. And even in Beijing, my colleagues and I took daily COVID-19 test at a designated station in the residence.

No doubt, the country has succeeded in cracking the back of the virus.

This makes it extremely difficult to accept the position of some media, and those of China's vile critics against the easing of restrictions in China.

One of the ridiculous allegations is that China is under-reporting COVID-19 deaths. But those who make these allegations have not given any evidence to substantiate the allegations. Perhaps, it is part of the deliberate, mischievous propaganda to tarnish the image of China.

China has stated that it operated an open door system whereby it engaged the rest of the world about COVID-19.

According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, preliminary figures show that since COVID was first reported, China and WHO have had over 60 technical exchanges on COVID containment, treatment, vaccine research and development and origin-tracing.

After recently refining its COVID response measures, China has held several technical meetings with the WHO. I would like to briefly go over these meetings:

On December 9, 2022, China's National Health Commission (NHC) held a special meeting with the WHO Representative Office in China, during which the NHC informed the WHO of the containment and treatment of the disease in that country.

On December 30, 2022, China and the WHO held another technical meeting on COVID-19. The two sides exchanged views on the current COVID situation, clinical care, vaccination and other technical issues. Chinese experts shared in detail the background and basis for the policy refinement and provided a comprehensive update on the current situation in China.

On January 3, 2023, China, at the invitation of the WHO, sent experts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to a meeting of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution, where they provided a comprehensive update on the recent developments and COVID variants in China.

On January 5, 2023, WHO held a briefing with member-states. China asked relevant experts to attend the meeting, where they further informed the WHO of epidemic containment in China in detail and responded to technical issues of concern to other parties.

Besides all these, recently, China's relevant departments have shared the genome data of the virus from COVID cases in China via the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID).

So, China has been honest and transparent all through with information sharing in its engagement with the WHO.

It's, therefore, trite that some countries had expressed disquiet about China's decision to ease restrictions, while many others welcomed the decision for good reasons.

Before the pandemic, China was the world's largest market for outbound travel, which had grown from 4.5 million travellers in 2000 to 150 million in 2018. The country is also the world's largest spender, accounting for $277 billion or 16 per cent of the world's total $ 1.7 trillion international tourism spending, according to UN's World Tourism Organization.

China alone contributed 51 per cent of the travel and tourism GDP in the Asia-Pacific region in 2018, according to the World Tourism Council.And Chinese travellers typically accounted for 30 per cent of travels in Thailand.

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But now that they are ready to travel again, much of the world is exhibiting anxiousness surroundingtheir return due to the COVID-19 situation in their country.

Multiple destinations, including the US, Australia, the UK and Japan, are adding certain COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers flying in from China, either directly or via a third country.

It is therefore untenable that the country providing leadership in the fight against the pandemic is now bearing the brunt and hypocrisy of the world.

China has achieved so much for itself and the world in the last four decades. Currently, China is second largest economy in the world. The country's foreign policy is based on mutual respect and shared prosperity. China may not have everything it does right, but given the unprecedented level of development in every sphere of its endeavours, no amount of mudslinging can stop the country whose focus is to become the number one in science, technology, innovation and research.

The world needs China now more than ever and the least the world can do is to be fair and honest.

[The writer is a senior international journalist who specialises in climate change, international relations, energy, crime and justice.]
Agartala, Jan 23 : Three special observers of the Election Commission arrived in Tripura on Monday to review February 27 poll preparedness and security arrangements, officials said.

The three Special Observers are Yogendra Tripathy, retired IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, Vivek Johri, former Director General of Police of Madhya Pradesh, and B. Murali Kumar, IRS officer, who was Special Observer in Assembly elections of Gujarat (2022) and West Bengal (2021).

The EC observers would hold separate meetings with senior civil and police officials including District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of all eight districts.

After Tripura, the special observers would go to poll-bound state Meghalaya, where elections would be held on February 27.

Besides the special observers, the EC also appointed five other categories of observers - general observers, police observers, expenditure observers, micro observers in each polling station and counting observers.

The poll panel has so far deployed around 200 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in Tripura and more CAPF comprising Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force companies are expected to come in the state.

"The flag marches by the CAPF have already started since the second week of this month to ensure confidence building among the political workers for campaigning and among the citizens to cast their votes freely without any fear. The security forces are deployed well before the poll process so that they get familiar with the locality. Local police should extend necessary cooperation to the CAPF," an EC official said.

The EC on January 19 ordered an inquiry into attacks on a Congress bike rally in Majlishpur Assembly constituency in West Tripura district and next day asked the state government to suspend a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and remove two Officer-in-Charge (OCs) of two police stations.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : Four persons, who allegedly thrashed a man before trying to kidnap him in north Delhi's Wazirabad, have been arrested, police said on Monday.

The accused were identified as Alok, Yogender, Karan, and Seelu. Police said that a minor altercation had led to the incident.

A senior police official said that on January 21, they got a PCR call regarding attempt of kidnapping of a man by four persons at Jagatpur village in Wazirabad.The caller said that the victim Pankaj Chauhan was being beaten badly by the accused.

A police team was sent to the crime scene, found Chauhan and took him to a nearby government hospital where he was medically examined.

The police also recorded his statements and Chauhan said that he was beaten by Alok and others with an iron rod.

"After beating him, all four tried to kidnap him after pushing him in the car. On his statement, a case under Sections s365/308/34 of the IPC was registered," police said.
Amaravati, Jan 23 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy for questioning in his uncle and former Andhra Pradesh minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy's murder case.

Avinash Reddy, a cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has been asked to appear before CBI officials in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP, however, is reported to have conveyed his inability to appear on January 24 due to his busy schedule in Pulivendula and has sought another date. He assured the central agency that he will fully cooperate with it in the investigation.

The CBI served the notice on the day when it conducted search at the offices of Avinash Reddy and his father Bhaskar Reddy.

Vivekananda Reddy, uncle of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Kadapa on March 15, 2019, a few days before the election.

The 68-year-old former state minister and former MP was alone at his house when unidentified persons barged in and killed him. He was killed hours before he was to launch YSR Congress Party's election campaign in Kadapa.

Though three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) conducted the probe, they failed to solve the mystery.

The CBI took over the investigation into the case in 2020 on the direction of Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition of Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Sunitha Reddy, who raised suspicion about some relatives.

The CBI filed a charge sheet in the murder case on October 26, 2021 and followed it up with a supplementary charge sheet on January 31, 2022 In November, 2022, the Supreme Court transferred to a CBI court in Hyderabad the trial and probe into the larger conspiracy behind the murder. The apex court observed that doubts raised by Sunitha Reddy about getting a fair trial and investigation in Andhra Pradesh were reasonable.
New Delhi, Jan 23 : After three weeks when the first meeting of the newly-elected Councillors were adjourned because of the heated argument over the oath of Aldermen, the Councillors will meet again at the Municipal Corporation headquarters to elect the Mayor of the capital city on Tuesday.

Both the main stakeholders of the MCD -- the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party -- have been putting in maximum efforts to get the Mayor and maximum members in the Standing Committee from their own party.

The AAP has fielded Shelly Oberoi and the BJP has fielded Rekha Gupta for the post of Mayor, while AAP's Aaley Mohammad Iqbal and BJP's Kamal Bagri will fight for the deputy mayoral's post.

The house is scheduled to begin from 11 a.m. at the Civic Centre on Tuesday. As per the agenda list, first the councillors will be sworn in, then the aldermen, after that the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and finally the six members of the standing committee will be elected.

Reacting to MCD agenda, AAP MCD In-charge Durgesh Pathak said that the party agrees with the agenda.

He said, "AAP completely agrees with MCD's agenda list, but we request BJP to abide by it too. Tomorrow, on January 24, all our councillors will participate in the House in line with the agenda list."
Jaipur, Jan 23 : BJP President J.P. Nadda on Monday said that his party is the only national party left in India as all others, including the Congress and several regional outfits, have become "family parties".

Addressing the BJP Rajasthan State Working Committee meeting here, he attacked the Congress over its Bharat Jodo Yatra, alleging that those who raised slogans against India are walking in it.

Nadda also said that in 2023, the BJP will form a government in Rajasthan with a three-fourth majority under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congratulating the state leadership and their entire team for the successful organisation of Jan Aakrosh Yatra and Jan Aakrosh meetings, he said: "We have to maintain this mission and continuity of such campaigns." Nadda claimed that the condition of Rajasthan is the worst under the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government under which the graph of crime against women, and Dalits and cyber crime is rising rapidly, while the continuous increase in the prices of electricity, petrol and diesel left the common man of the state troubled.

He said that the BJP was "not just a political organisation but also a party working for social concerns with human aspect and the whole of India and the whole world saw the social face of the party during the Corona period as it served food, ration, water etc. to the needy across the country".

"Along with politics, the social side of the BJP also came in front of the whole world through service. Our party is a party with ideas, we work with politics with mission, politics with ideology, service to the country, party and ideology are paramount for us.

"There is democracy in our party and we work for the strength of the cadre in a democratic way, BJP is the only national party, all other parties have become family parties, Congress is completely finished, and regional parties have also become family parties," he claimed.

Attacking the Congress over its Bharat Jodo Yatra, Nadda alleged: "Congress doesn't know whom they are uniting, or breaking, in the entire journey of Rahul Gandhi. The same people who shouted slogans against India and made conspiracies against India are walking besides him." He said that the Narendra Modi government gave 22 medical colleges to Rajasthan, while the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will spur development of all its districts, and through the Har Ghar Nal and Har Ghar Jal Abhiyan, it has ensured that pure drinking water is delivered to crores of households in the country, including Rajasthan.

BJP national General Secretary and state incharge Arun Singh, state chief Satish Poonia, national Vice President Vasundhara Raje, national Secretary and state co-in charge Vijaya Rahatkar, state General Secretary, Organisation, Chandrashekhar, and other senior leaders were present.
Moscow, Jan 24 : Russia has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Estonia to the level of charge d'affaires in retaliation of Estonia's move to reduce Russian embassy staff.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Estonian Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre in protest against actions of Estonia's authorities and ordered him to leave the country by February 7.

"The Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia" by promoting Russophobia and hostility towards Russia, the ministry said in a statement.

In a tit-for-tat move, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on Monday it will expel the Russian ambassador from its capital Tallinn.

Earlier this month, Estonia asked Russia to reduce staff at its embassy in Tallinn by more than half ahead of February 1.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi, Jan 24 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday praised former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his deft diplomacy following the Pokhran nuclear tests, which was conducted in 1998.

Presiding over the third Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial lecture, Jaishankar said that within two years of the nuclear tests, India had engaged with all the important nations of the world.

The lecture was delivered by former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan in New Delhi.

Jaishankar also praised Vajpayee's tenure as External Affairs Minister, and his role in strengthening India's ties with the US and Russia.

He said the fundamentals of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest that are talked about now in terms of the modus vivendi with China, a lot of it is credited to Vajpayee.
Tehran, Jan 24 : Exchange of messages among different parties to revive a 2015 nuclear deal continues through different channels, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The absence of formal negotiations on the revival of the deal does not mean an absence of interactions or message exchanges among the parties to the nuclear talks, Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted Nasser Kanaani as saying during a weekly press conference, Xinhua news agency reported.

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is interacting with the talks' different sides, including both Iran and the US, said Kanaani.

The spokesman said Iran is resolving the nuclear issue and seeking the removal of the US sanctions within diplomatic frameworks.

While ruling out the possibility of direct talks between Iranian and US officials, Kanaani said Iran will wait and see what the other sides would do in practice and to what extent they would cooperate constructively.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022.
Johannesburg, Jan 24 : South Africa will host the naval forces from China and Russia during the multilateral maritime exercise scheduled to take place next month in Durban and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the country's Ministry of Defense and Military Veterans.

Known as Exercise Mosi II, the multilateral maritime exercise will take place from February 17 to 27, and more than 350 South African soldiers will join their Chinese and Russian counterparts in the exercise, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by the ministry.

"The envisaged exercise will benefit all countries involved through Interoperability of the naval systems, joint disaster systems management enhancement, maritime cooperation and anti-piracy exercises," Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said in the statement.

South Africa conducted the first exercise with naval forces from China and Russia in November 2019 in Cape Town.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Jon Stasevich for President 2024 A New Path Forward with Jon Stasevich 2024

Jon Stasevich's Vison ~ A NEW PATH FORWARD

1-23-2023 ~ The Official Launch of Jon's Independent Nonpartisan Presidential Campaign.

In 2024, WE, the people of the U.S., must elect an independent, nonpartisan, working-class President. We need a president who will serve all U.S. citizens & end the corruption of our economic and political systems. Our new President must UNITE our citizens & voters by rejecting the politics of fear and division propagated by the two major parties. We need a President that places OUR citizen's HEALTH and WELL-BEING first. This President cannot be red or blue but must be RED, WHITE, AND BLUE.

Together WE will remove every corporate partisan from government officials and their wealthy corporate funders. We will eliminate ALL Special Interest Funding from our electoral and political system. We will speak for our citizens and humanity for ethics in governance. We will engage, cooperate & collaborate with the international community. We will support international law so that every global citizen can live a dignified, high-quality life.

Support and adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Enact into law the right of housing as a human right.

END ALL WARS SO THAT WE CAN ALL LIVE IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY

RECLAIM, REPAIR, AND RESTORE CRITICAL ECOSYSTEMS

1. STOP environmental exploitation! We are the stewards of the earth.

2. Cooperate & collaborate globally.

3. Bring international scientists to develop, and design efficient, sustainable energy systems.

4. Take Climate Change to Emergency Status! Implement emergency plans in response to climate change.

5. REDUCE, REUSE, REPAIR, AND RECYCLE.

6. Regulate product development to foster sustainability.

7. Implement a national water distribution plan for all U.S. communities.

8. Establish Basic Rights of Existence for ALL earth's creatures.

9. End Deforestation. Prioritize Hemp and other natural biodegradable material use.

10. Build a 21st-century efficient, sustainable national infrastructure.

11. Clean and restore polluted land & water resources.

12. Cooperate with the international community in ocean cleanup.

13. Form a Federal task force to develop clean-energy technologies to address the climate crisis.

14. Implement a mass transit program.

15. Expand our space program cooperation to the global community to explore and develop knowledge of our solar system to improve humanity's long-term survival.

WE MUST ENACT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT SAYS:

Corporations are not people.

Money is not speech.

Mandate public financing of campaigns.

Enact federal protections and standards to ensure clean elections.

We have automated national voter registration at age 18.

A comprehensive public national healthcare option throughout our lives.

Ensure healthcare decisions are determined by patients, families, and medical professionals -not government or private insurance companies.

Cover all aspects of healthcare (dental, vision, hearing, mental, preventative, reproductive, etc.).

A minimum standard of living for everyone.

A living wage for all full-time workers.

Eliminate homelessness.

The government will be an employer of the last resort.

Protect Social Security.

Target underserved communities and populations to correct historical inequality.

Mandate paid parental leave and childcare for working families.

UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS- JON STASEVICH IS A FORMER NURSE

Together we must create evidence-based national healthcare systems that will provide every U.S. Citizen with the highest standard of healthcare. We need to provide universal healthcare to our entire population throughout life, beginning prenatally.

Comprehensive healthcare must include physical and mental medical systems, dental, diagnostic, surgical, optical, auditory, speech, physical, and occupational therapy interventions, short- and long-term disability, and assisted living. These comprehensive healthcare systems would save our society over $18 trillion every decade compared to our current privatized healthcare.

FULLY FUNDED PUBLIC EDUCATION

Tuition-free primary, secondary, or trade school and advanced studies education.

We have individualized learning programs.

Learning is supported by technology.

Nutritious breakfast and lunch programs.

Physical and health education curriculum.

Early intervention for "child in need" services.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Address the root cause of crime: Poverty.

Allocate community resources to develop integrated police and social services systems.

Establish independent review boards to monitor and enforce policing standards.

End criminalization of drug offenses.

Transform our criminal justice system to prioritize rehabilitation.

END WAR

End perpetual war.

Allocate a portion of the defense budget to diplomacy! Peacefully resolve conflicts.

Create a non-military national service focused on infrastructure development and maintenance.

Begin the process of closing foreign military bases. Redirect personnel toward national infrastructure projects.

Respect & support international institutions, laws, and legal boundaries.

Conduct a full audit of the military budget to eliminate wasteful spending and improve efficiencies.

SOCIAL MEDIA STANDARDS

Reject censorship.

Protect freedom of speech from censorship, whether government or corporate.

Support and protect whistleblowers and journalists.

Break up & nationalize large social media corps.

Apply common-carrier-style rules, like those for communications companies.

Prohibit deletions and de-platforming except through a transparent due process.

Regulate all algorithms that impact user interactions (and open to public scrutiny).

Prohibit all non-consensual collection of personal data by government agencies, except through proper search warrants.

Prohibit the abuse of the Espionage Act of 1917, used to destroy our Free Press and 1st Amendment Rights.

Prohibit federal agencies from conducting surveillance operations against the American people.

IMMIGRATION REFORMS

Provide a path to citizenship.

Protect asylum-seekers and process claims in a timely and just manner.

Support development and self-governance in all nations to eliminate the root cause of the refugee crisis and End political interference in other countries.

De-militarize the border.

Criminalize the exploitation of undocumented workers.

Reform taxation and funding.

Simplify taxation by implementing progressive income taxes, wealth taxes, and taxes on corporations.

Abolish tax loopholes and tax havens.

Eliminate tipping for service jobs.

Fund state and local governments disbursed on a per-person basis.

Eliminate property taxation.

Impose a wealth tax to reduce the wealth gap.

DEMOCRATIZE ENTERPRISE

Provide federal funds to support the development of employee-owned and controlled businesses and worker and community cooperatives.

Mandate that publicly traded companies seat employees and consumer representatives on their boards.

Enforce anti-trust laws; break up monopolies and large corporations.

Transition utility companies to democratically controlled utilities.

Require multinational corporations to compensate foreign workers at the same rate as domestic workers.

If you share my vision, please join our campaign.

JON STASEVICH FOR PRESIDENT 2024

Please Visit Jon's Social Media Links Page on the website;

https://www.jonstasevich2024.com/social-media-links
Ministry of Education has expelled 30 students from different secondary schools across the country for various disciplinary cases.

According to a statement from the ministry, various education divisions submitted names of students to be expelled and the ministry has since approved the expulsions.

According to the statement signed by Alexis Bwanthi, on behalf of the Secretary for Education, the 30 students committed different offenses including

teasing and bullying, stealing books from the library and beer-drinking.

Three students have been expelled from Mzimba Secondary school over libellous behaviour, one from Yamba Community day secondary school, one from Madisi secondary school, five from Ntchisi secondary school, five from Salima secondary school, two from M'mbomba secondary school, two from Chayamba secondary school and eleven from Thyolo secondary school.
Orion Global Solutions recently pledged to plant 10,000 trees over the next 5 years through 1T.org, an organization that is part of the World Economic Forum aimed at mobilizing and connecting the global reforestation community to conserve, restore, and grow one trillion trees by 2030. To accomplish this, Orion has partnered with Plant for Planet, National Forest Foundation, and Jewish National Fund-KKL (Israel).

Planting trees is an aspect of the sustainability journey that has a personal significance to the Orion team. Orions CEO, Yacov Wrocherinsky, was named after his uncle Moises Jakobo Wrocherinsky, who was very involved in the Jewish community in Argentina. After his passing in 1948, the Jewish community partnered with JNF-KKL (Israel) to plant a forest with thousands of trees in his honor in Israel.

The Orion team values the impact of reforestation and is committed to doing its part in making this world a better place for generations to come, said Yacov Wrocherinsky. We are excited for the opportunity to join the 1T community and continue the family legacy.

The 1t.org US Chapter is focused on driving greater diversity and inclusion in the reforestation movement, including a keen interest in engaging communities of faith, said Jad Daley, co-chair of the 1T U.S. Chapter and CEO of American Forests. This exciting pledge from Orion Global Solutions shows how we can work together across corporate, NGO and faith organizations to plant trees that carry a powerful, inspiring message while also bettering our planet.

Orion was inspired by Salesforces contributions to 1T.org and is proud to be one of the first Salesforce partners to join the pledge in the United States. As an impact driven company, Orion is committed to using our platform as a force for good and inspire other organizations to do the same.

About 1T.org:

1T.org is an organization that drives change by mobilizing the private sector, facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships in key regions, and supporting innovation and ecopreneurship on the ground.

About Orion:

Orion Global Solutions, LLC, a NYC-based boutique business and digital transformation consultancy, focuses fanatically on the Salesforce platform. Orions experienced advisors, certified consultants, and solution architects work closely with medium-size and enterprise firms. Orion has completed over 800 successful Salesforce implementations for Private Equity, Consumer Goods, Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, High Tech, and Financial Services clients.

Orion is focused on sustainability and is a pioneer in the Salesforce Net Zero Cloud space, as one of the first customers and one of few implementation partners in the United States. Orion participates in Pledge 1% and Orions leadership team is an active member in national and global organizations, including YPO, ISSP, The Strategic Forum, Forbes Business Development Council, NY Women Leaders, and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumni.
This acquisition further expands our presence and capabilities in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets that we serve. We are particularly excited about Androns competency in machining and fabricating stainless steel components and assemblies for sanitary applications.Scott Kerns, CEO

Flow Control Holdings (FCH), a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity and leading provider of sanitary flow components to producers of foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals, announced today the acquisition of Andron Stainless (Andron), a provider of sanitary stainless steel fittings, valves, tubing and accessories based in Columbia, SC, and Mississauga, ON. The deal includes Andron Stainless Ltd., comprised of the companys Canadian operations, and Andron Stainless Corp., based in the U.S.

We are excited to welcome Andron to the FCH family, said Scott Kerns, CEO of Flow Control Holdings. This acquisition further expands our presence and capabilities in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets that we serve. We are particularly excited about Androns competency in machining and fabricating stainless steel components and assemblies for sanitary applications.

We look forward to partnering with the FCH team to accelerate our growth and expand product offerings to our valued customers, added Tank LoPresti, President Andron Stainless Corp.

Andron will continue to operate locations in Columbia, SC and Mississauga, ON, Canada. The addition of Andron is aligned to FCHs goal to grow its product portfolio of sanitary flow components and provide industry-leading service levels to customers as its portfolio expands. Through expanding its presence in Canada and the Southeastern U.S., the addition of Andron will complement FCHs existing footprint and enable the combined company to better service the customer base and simplify the fulfillment of their sanitary product needs. Beyond the expanded product set and geographic reach, Androns manufacturing capabilities represent a natural fit with FCHs Steel & OBrien business unit.

Pairing Andron with Steel & OBriens ISO-certified, 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility gives us the capability and capacity to make custom products with factory fit, function, and finish in multiple locations, added Kerns. We believe this deal creates a unique value proposition for FCH within the sanitary flow components market and positions us to provide a truly differentiated offering to our customers.

Don Bramley, Managing Director at Audax Private Equity, noted, Andron allows FCH to expand into Canada and grow its product portfolio, which will drive meaningful future growth. We are excited to have Andron as part of the FCH family.

The acquisition of Andron represents the third add-on since our initial investment last year, added Audax Private Equity Managing Director Ryan Bruehlmann. Not only does the combination represent a compelling fit, but we believe the addition of Andron should add tremendous business momentum that complements the teams organic growth initiatives.

ABOUT FLOW CONTROL HOLDINGS:

Founded in 2018, Flow Control Holdings specializes in providing highly engineered sanitary and high purity flow components for market-critical applications within the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, visit the FCH website, at http://www.flowcontrolholdings.com.

ABOUT AUDAX PRIVATE EQUITY:

Audax Group is a leading alternative investment manager with offices in Boston, New York, San Francisco and London. Since its founding in 1999, the firm has raised over $32 billion in capital across its Private Equity and Private Debt businesses. Audax Private Equity has invested over $9 billion in more than 150 platforms and over 1,100 add-on companies, and is currently investing in add-ons out of its $3.5 billion, sixth private equity fund. Through its disciplined Buy & Build approach, Audax seeks to help platform companies execute add-on acquisitions that fuel revenue growth, optimize operations, and significantly increase equity value. With more than 360 employees and over 150 investment professionals, the firm is a leading capital partner for North American middle market companies. For more information, visit the Audax Private Equity website, at http://www.audaxprivateequity.com. 

CONTACTS:

Todd Starr

Chief Growth Officer

Flow Control Holdings

todd.starr@flowcontrolholdings.com

269-208-8318
Seattle Business Magazine Washington's Best Companies to Work For 2022 For me, our learning mindset keeps the work interesting, challenging, and deeply rewarding and I think this honor reflects that experience," says Vice President Sarah Anderson.

Campbell & Company, an employee-owned national consulting firm, announces it has been named one of Seattle Business Magazine Washington's Best Companies to Work for in the small business category. This annual program was created by Seattle Business Magazine and Best Companies Group to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in Washington, benefiting the area's economy, workforce, and businesses.

We are grateful for the honor, states Campbell & Companys Co-President, Kate Roosevelt. Having served the Northwest region for over 45 years, we are honored to have our company culture recognized in Washington and reflected across our firm as a whole.

Washington's Best Companies to Work for is a research-driven program from Best Companies Group that examines a companys practices, programs, and benefits and surveys your employees for their perspective. Companies from across Washington entered the two-part survey process to determine Washingtons Companies to Work for. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation.

The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Washington, analyzed the data, and determined the final rankings.

One of the greatest joys of working at Campbell & Company is learning from my team, whether its a longtime member of our firm sharing insight from their experience or a newer colleague bringing a fresh perspective to the table, says Vice President Sarah Anderson. For me, our learning mindset keeps the work interesting, challenging, and deeply rewarding and I think this honor reflects that experience.

To learn more about Campbell & Company and for current job opportunities, visit campbellcompany.com/about/careers.

Seattle Business Magazine published a complete list of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in the small business category on January 5, 2023. Visit https://bit.ly/seattle-magazine for more information.

About Campbell & Company

Campbell & Company is a national nonprofit consulting firm that helps organizations create greater impact through fundraising, executive search, communications, and strategic information services. Since 1976, Campbell & Company has helped shape the evolution of fundraising as a practice in all sectors, including human services, arts & culture, education, healthcare, environment, associations and membership organizations, and civic and public affairs.

Underlying all our work is a shared focus on the Campbell & Company mission: to collaborate and innovate with people who change lives through philanthropic vision and action. Visit us at http://www.campbellcompany.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

For media inquiries, please contact Lola Banjo, Campbell & Companys Director of Marketing, at lola.banjo@campbellcompany.com or call 312.896.8893.

About Seattle Business Magazine

Seattle Business magazine and seattlebusinessmag.com deliver insight into the key people, enterprises and trends that drive business in the Pacific Northwest. They provide a perspective critical to businesses operating in this regions ever-changing economic environment.
Were so excited to announce that we have achieved ISO 27001 certification. This certification is an affirmation of Opus longstanding commitment to meeting industry leading compliance, privacy, and security standards.

Opus Interactive, leading cloud hosting and colocation solutions provider, today announced that it has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS). The certification and extensive audit process were performed by A-LIGN and conform to globally recognized information security standards.

Established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the ISO 27001 standard is a specific set of guidelines that helps organizations increase reliability, security, and business resilience. The scope and boundaries of the ISMS apply to the information technology services and solutions provided to Opus Interactive customers. Opus business activities utilized by customers include IaaS, colocation, managed services, connectivity, DRaaS, monitoring, virtual desktop, object storage, and virtual dedicated servers.

Opus previously underwent a broad set of security best practices, including HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SSAE 18 SOC2 and regional data regulatory controls. The newly achieved ISO certification confirms the hosting and colocation providers continuing commitment to the security, confidentiality, and high availability of its services.

The ISO 27001 standard is a specific set of guidelines that helps organizations increase reliability, security, and business resilience. This standard is also aligned with customer requirements and can aid in the improvement of management processes. Organizations that are certified to the ISO 27001 standard have access to improved integration with risk strategies, which can then lead to increased customer and business partner confidence.

Were so excited to announce that we have achieved ISO 27001 certification. This certification is an affirmation of Opus longstanding commitment to meeting industry leading compliance, privacy, and security standards. And for our valued customers, and their customers, its added third-party assurance of the quality, breadth, and strength of our security practices and dedication to delivering trusted cloud hosting and colocation services, said Shannon Hulbert, CEO for Opus Interactive.

About Opus Interactive

Opus Interactive helps customers reduce costs and optimize resources with tailored cloud hosting and colocation solutions. Our mission is to build trusted results that pave the way for sustainable IT and the next generation of technology builders.

Founded in 1996, Opus Interactive has earned a reputation for delivering hosting solutions that meet enterprise requirements for compliance, performance, security, and cost. Through strategic partnerships with industry-leaders and a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction, the woman-owned cloud provider offers:



An accredited member of the International Managed Services Provider Alliance with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and SSAE 18 SOC 2 compliance, the WBENC certified company operates from Tier III+ data centers located in Hillsboro, Portland, Dallas, and Northern Virginia  with partner expansion availability in over 30 regions within the United States.

Proudly supporting: Sustainable IT, STEM, Women in Tech, and Digital Inclusion.

For more information, please visit opusinteractive.com
Forty percent of students are considered to be thriving and they are more social and far more likely to report that their mental health has been good in the past month. It is encouraging to see that many college students are thriving even amid high levels of stress and anxiety. This new index will allow us to check in with students annually to learn directly from them what habits, environments and relationships foster their mental wellbeing.

The first annual Thriving College Student Index Report, highlighting findings from the largest mental wellness survey of its kind, was released today by the mental health awareness non-profit Hi, How Are You Project, and the College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition. Conducted by Ipsos, a world leader in research, the survey was completed by 18,168 college students during Mental Health Awareness Month in October 2022 to learn directly from them what habits, behaviors, environments and relationships foster their mental wellbeing.

The Thriving College Student Index is designed to be a valuable resource for students, their peers, loved ones, universities, and student housing providers. It categorizes students into three general groups based on their assessment of mental wellness:



Thriving Students (39%) - 68% of Thriving Students say their mental health was good in the past month. They rate their current life as 7 out of 10 or higher and their outlook on their future life as 8 out of 10 or higher. They are living their best lives and see the future as even brighter, and they are far more likely to report feeling general positive emotions compared to the overall college student population.

Maintaining Students (13%) - 20% say their mental health was good in the last month. Rating their current life between 5 to 6 out of 10 and their future outlook between 5 and 7 out of 10, this group is uncertain and thinks their current life could be better. They may not see a path to thriving in the future or are not sure how to improve their reality.

Struggling Students (3%) - 5% of this small population of students say their mental health was good over the past month, and they rate their current life at 4 out of 10 or below and their outlook on their future life as 4 out of 10 or below. They are in a rough place, dont have a very good opinion about the current state of their life, and arent optimistic that this is going to change.

Among the Overall Respondent/Student Population, 44% of college students dont fall into the three classifications above because they answered the current and future questions on the extremes; for example, a current life rating of 2 out of 10 and a future life rating of 9 out of 10.

Key highlights of the report include:



Most students view their mental health as an important part of their wellbeing and are open to talking about mental wellness.

Listening to music, socializing, and watching TV/movies are the top ways students support their mental health.

Hosting more social gatherings, trivia nights, game nights, or meetups are ways to help students wellbeing.

40% of students are considered to be Thriving and they are more social and far more likely to report that their mental health has been good in the past month (68%) compared to Maintaining (20%) and Struggling (5%) students.

40% of students describe their mental health as poor or very poor, 20% describe it as neutral and a significant percentage of students agree that they need mental health treatment currently.

While there are a lot of emotions good and bad swirling around on college campuses, stress, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed rank highest among respondents.

It is encouraging to see that a large subset of college students is thriving even amid the high levels of stress and anxiety and that there are effective de-stressors they rely on like listening to music and socializing, said Dr. Sonia Krishna, a board-certified physician specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and Hi, How Are You Project board member. Maintaining and Struggling students are far less likely to list socializing with friends or family as something they do often. This finding presents an opportunity for students and their networks to tap into social support systems because we know there is a positive link between strong social connections and mental wellness.

How Students are Feeling

When students were asked how often they feel various emotions the Overall Student Population say they feel all of the time or often:



Stressed Out (70%),

Anxious/Worried (63%),

Overwhelmed (61%), and

Having Trouble Concentrating (52%).

When asked how much students laughed and smiled a lot the day before they were surveyed, 80% of Thriving students agree they laughed and smiled a lot, while only 62% of the Overall Student Respondents/Population felt the same.

When asked I do not need mental health treatment or help right now, only 37% of the overall student population agree, with 43% disagreeing. When looking at this by categories:



Struggling students are the most likely to disagree at 68%,

51% of Maintaining students disagree, and

28% disagree.

Opening Up About Mental Wellbeing

Ninety-two percent of respondents view their mental health as an important component of their overall health and wellbeing.

While 67% of students agree that they feel comfortable talking about mental health with those closest to them, this comfort level varies drastically among the Index groups:



75% of Thriving students are twenty percentage points more likely than Maintaining students (58%) to agree that they feel comfortable discussing mental health with those closest to them and just over a third of Struggling students (37%) feel the same way.

Negative stigma about discussing mental health was highly correlated with poor mental health as students with poor mental health are most likely to fear they will be judged if they talk about mental health (59% vs. 35% of students with good mental health).

Music and Socializing Support Mental Wellbeing



To help with mental wellbeing, music is by far the most popular activity students turn to, topping other activities by fifteen percentage points. Socializing comes second, followed by watching TV or movies, then spending time outside.

The data reveals that socializing supports wellbeing as Thriving students are far more likely to socialize or talk with friends and family to support their health than Maintaining or Struggling students. They have strong support networks and feel less stigma talking about mental health. Struggling students are most likely to fear they will be judged if they talk about mental health.

Thriving students are also more likely to feel connected to their residential community. Students that reported feeling very connected to their residential community are the most likely to laugh and smile a lot (76%), feel comfortable talking about their mental health (77%), and feel that they have access to mental health resources (74%).

Gender Differences



The data shows that females are more optimistic about their futures. However, they are also more likely, along with those who identify as non-binary or prefer to self-describe, to report lower feelings about life currently.

This outlook on current life left more males (42%) in the Thriving group than females (39%) and those who identify as non-binary or prefer to self-describe (23%).

The Coalition also collaborated with The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, on this project. The Jed Foundation (JED) applauds the authors of the Thriving College Students Index Report for raising awareness on youth mental health and highlighting the important role that studentsand all campus community memberscan play in creating stronger cultures of caring, said John MacPhee, CEO, The Jed Foundation.

Uniting as an industry and working with a network of mental wellness advocates, the Hi, How Are You Project and the Coalition will use this data to create programs for colleges student housing residents that prioritize mental wellness, including ways to help its residents effectively stay engaged and ask questions, starting with Hi, how are you?

Please find visual assets here.

About the Survey: Respondents in the U.S. and Canada remained anonymous, answering questions, in their choice of English, French or Spanish, about their struggles with mental health and personal sense of wellbeing across the academic, social, and personal spheres. The survey will be conducted annually to compare results over multiple years and to have consistent data on the ever-changing state of mental health among university students.

About the College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition: Founded in 2022, the Coalition envisions a world where all young adults thrive thanks to the support of their residential communities that are dedicated to promoting and advocating for mental wellness to facilitate personal fulfillment and academic success. Composed of 24 college student residential housing companies across the U.S., the Coalition is committed to better understanding residents, encouraging open dialogues, and raising public awareness about the importance of mental wellness and its impact on students as they work to realize their full potential along their college journey and beyond. http://www.thrivingcollegestudents.org

About the Hi, How Are You Project: The Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) is an Austin, TX-based 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to remove the stigma around mental health, one conversation at a time. The organization aims to educate people worldwide about the importance of mental health and wellbeing while promoting a culture of inclusion. http://www.hihowareyou.org

About The Jed Foundation: JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nations teens and young adults. Were partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. Were equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. Were encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health. Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
Ytel, a leading provider of cloud-based communication solutions, announced today that it has been selected by a major pharmaceutical company to provide branded caller ID, call remediation, and global cloud contact center services.

The $200B+ pharmaceutical company, which is a leader in the industry, will be utilizing Ytel's platform to enhance its customer experience and communication efforts. The platform will provide the company with the ability to personalize the caller ID of its representatives, ensuring that customers recognize and trust the caller before answering the phone. Additionally, Ytel's call remediation services will improve call quality and increase the chances of connecting with customers. The company will be utilizing Ytels Cloud Contact Center to provide agents with reliable connectivity in North America, Europe, and Asia.

"We are thrilled to be working with such a respected and innovative pharmaceutical company," said Nick Newsom, CEO of Ytel. "Our platform will help the company to improve communication with its customers, which is critical in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry."

The partnership between Ytel and the pharmaceutical company is set to begin immediately and will continue for an undisclosed period of time.

About Ytel

Founded in 2012, Ytel helps brands improve their answer rates. Ytels webphone, cloud contact center, and programmable APIs allow businesses to have trusted communications through calls and text messages. As a cloud-based enterprise carrier, Ytel improves the quality of all your communications without compromising security.
There is no better partner for Chairishs first-ever shop than Bergdorf Goodman, the most magical and iconic department store in the world,

Chairish, the design industrys leading luxury online marketplace for one-of-a-kind home furnishings and art, is thrilled to announce the unveiling of The Chairish Art Gallery, Chairishs inaugural brick-and-mortar retail experience, in partnership with Bergdorf Goodman. The iconic New York City retailer will showcase the gallery, which features a special collection of over 300 original artworks only available for purchase in-store. The event coincides with Chairishs 10th birthday and marks a milestone in the companys rapid ascent from a homemade, founder-backed start-up, to an international luxury brand.

From January 19  April 10, 2023, Chairish will be presenting pieces from 30 original artists in a series of imaginative and memorable vignettes across five connected, themed rooms, including: Pop Art, The Fashion Editors Apartment, American Craft, The Winter Conservatory, and Ode to New York.

There is no better partner for Chairishs first-ever shop than Bergdorf Goodman, the most magical and iconic department store in the world, said Anna Brockway, president and co-founder of Chairish. We look forward to welcoming design and art lovers to discover some of Chairishs most coveted artists in The Chairish Art Gallery. The works for sale were expressly created for Bergdorf Goodman and will only be available in store until April 10.

"Bergdorf Goodman is thrilled to partner with Chairish and bring this unique experience to our Fifth Avenue flagship," said Andrew Mandell, vice president and DMM, Bergdorf Goodman. "The creatively curated galleries exemplify what makes Chairish such a wonderful destination for design and provide a platform for artists and designers to be seen by visitors from around the world."

The Chairish Art Gallery invites shoppers to start their in-person experience beginning with the Pop Art room. As a celebration of one of Chairishs most in-demand artists, Ron Giusti, the space will feature a tiled gallery of one-of-a-kind works from the painter. In The Fashion Editors Apartment, visitors will discover a space of curated pieces inspired by the glamorous and highly personal spaces of Americas legendary female editors. Vibrant, figurative works from Rebecca Jack dance alongside fashion illustrations from Manuel Santelices, while paintings from Sean Kratzert, Flore and Anne-Louise Ewen introduce elements of the colorful and abstract. The central room will celebrate American Craft with exclusive portraiture from artists like Susannah Carson, Daniel Falcon and more.

Visitors will then enter The Winter Conservatory room, a flourishing greenhouse of art featuring an assortment of contemporary still lives, botanical photography and modernist landscapes. Exclusive pieces from Bridgehampton artist Bill Tansey will be featured alongside works from London-based artist Venetia Syms and photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank. The installation will further breathe life into the walls with works such as Paige Dorseys ceramic snake mirror and paper flowers from beloved designer Livia Cettis The Green Vase. The final vignette, Ode to New York, celebrates the Big Apple with a space of cozy sophistication inspired by a nightcap at one of the citys stately cocktail and piano lounges, with pieces from beloved New York illustrators Happy Menocal and Tug Rice.

The Chairish Art Gallery will be open 11 a.m.  7 p.m. ET daily from January 19  April 10, 2023, and will be located on the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman at 754 Fifth Avenue in New York City. All the works featured are exclusive to The Chairish Art Gallery and only available in-store at Bergdorf Goodman for a limited time.

For additional information on Chairish and The Chairish Art Gallery at Bergdorf Goodman, please visit http://www.chairish.com.

About Chairish

Founded in 2013, Chairish is the leading online emporium where designers and tastemakers shop for exceptional home furnishings and art. Named the #1 cant live without decorating app that will change the way you shop for furniture online by Architectural Digest, Chairish delights millions of shoppers with its expert curation of exclusive and diverse inventory, refreshing shopping experience and award-winning customer care. As a marketplace, Chairish is committed to building a more sustainable home industry thats kinder to the planet and supports the circular economy through the buying and reselling of vintage and antique pieces. Entrepreneur lists Chairish as one of the best entrepreneurial companies in America'' and USA Today readers named Chairish the "best place to shop online for furniture and home decor." Chairish has raised funding from investors such as Tritium Partners, Altos Ventures Ltd, Azure Capital and OReilly AlphaTech Ventures. Chairish Inc. is the San Francisco-based parent company of Chairish.com and Pamono.com.

About Bergdorf Goodman

A New York landmark since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman represents the global pinnacle of style, service and modern luxury. With its rich history of showcasing leading and emerging designers, the iconic store at 5th Avenue and 58th Streetthe crossroads of fashionis a singular destination for discerning customers around the world. BG.com expands on Bergdorf Goodmans heritage, showcasing coveted collections for men and women in an unparalleled online shopping experience. Bergdorf Goodman is part of Neiman Marcus Group.
Artificial intelligence has been brought into the world, given political prominence, and rights as a human, through personhood, Cochran said. Artificial intelligence is likely currently or will be getting fed all human beings data, through every means of collection available.

In this dystopic look at societys dependence on artificial intelligence, author Curtis Cochran cautions that the only hope is greater awareness and vigilance. He claims that false security, false hope, and false peace surround each decision to embrace advanced interactive technology.

In his book Antichrist, Cochran shares his ideas about social engineering, incrementalism, and the true purpose behind data collection. While there is no stopping technology from advancing, he argues that gaining knowledge about what is taking place gives citizens some protection.

Artificial intelligence has been brought into the world, given political prominence, and rights as a human, through personhood, Cochran said. Artificial intelligence is likely currently or will be getting fed all human beings data, through every means of collection available.

Cochran became increasingly concerned about where technology was headed during his ten years in the field of information technology. The book examines how technology giants have overstepped boundaries by inserting themselves into almost every aspect of our lives. He acknowledges that it may be too late to stop whats going on, but people can learn what has occurred, who did it, when it happened and what will likely come next.

As reliance on smart devices increases and data collection is unbridled, Cochran suggests that this may be the perfect opportunity for the antichrist to reveal himself.

The goal for this book is to warn people, prepare people, and be an account of what happened and what will happen in the future, said Cochran. A non-believer in Christ would also be able to see the facts in this book and the likely outcome.

The Antichrist

By Curtis Cochran

ISBN: 9781664274648 (softcover); 9781664274655 (hardcover); 9781664274631 (electronic)

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

After many years of rebellion, Curtis Cochran came to Christ and saw his grace and forgiveness. Cochran spent 10 years in information technology (IT). As the time passed, more and more data was demanded. As a result, a career change became necessary. To learn more, please visit http://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/841020-the-antichrist.
Jon Teel and the Miracle Bus: an action-packed novel that takes readers on an incredible adventure. Jon Teel and the Miracle Bus is the creation of the published author, Lana Laws Downing, a retired educator.

An uneducated peasant man and the Bishop of Saltillo, Mexico, unite to save the great-grandmother of Jon Teel from certain death. A series of serendipitous events puts the plan in motion, but the suspense builds as the drug cartel tries to thwart their plan. This captivating book is engaging and exciting, with well-drawn characters throughout.

Author Lana Laws Downing begins, Fingers reaching from a dream tugged at the frayed blanket of sleep that protected Julia Hancocks tortured mind. She opened one eye tentatively, slowly remembering that she was in Bakerville General Hospital. Julia reached for her phone to check the date and time. Realization dawned. Today marked the one-year anniversary of the day Jon Teel had first arrived in Louisiana on a Greyhound bus. In the span of that year, life had changed for both Julia and Jon Teel in ways neither could have imagined.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Lana Laws Downings new book invites readers to discover how the rescue unfolds.

View a synopsis of Jon Teel and the Miracle Bus on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Jon Teel and the Miracle Bus at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Jon Teel and the Miracle Bus, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Why Me?: Perseverance through Adversity: a potent autobiographical work that celebrates Gods comforting hand. Why Me?: Perseverance through Adversity is the creation of published author Barbara Balliette, who has a theology degree and attended Liberty University, where she received her masters degree in professional counseling. Balliette was a post-abortion counselor and has served on the State Board of Aglow International. She is married to Dale, a marriage and family therapist who lives in Reno, Nevada. They spend time both in Nevada and in Utah, where she has lived since 1976. Balliette has a daughter, two sons (who are deceased), and five stepchildren.

Balliette shares, Why Me? The first thought we have when we encounter a tragedy in our life. Or maybe, it isnt the worst thing that could happen to us, but it is a bad thing which God allowed. Bad things do happen to good people. This book chronicles events in Barbaras life. Her premise is that no one can truly grasp or get their head completely around someone elses trauma. So this is not a book about why God allows bad things to happen to good people. It is about allowing God to walk through the mourning with us. It is about truly Him making all things work out for good for those who love him. It is about self-reflection and allowing God to use those very hardest things in life to change us, for good, transforming us more and more into his image. All of us who are his children suffer. This book is about learning to persevere through adversity and praising Him for his sovereignty.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Barbara Balliettes new book will tug at the heartstrings as readers witness one womans powerful faith and determined spirit.

Balliette shares in hopes of reaching others in need of Gods grace during times of turmoil and loss.

Consumers can purchase Why Me?: Perseverance through Adversity at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Why Me?: Perseverance through Adversity, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Khartoum  The Jaloos Art Space in Khartoum was attacked by dozens of people armed with knives on Monday. Five people were injured, the gallery said in a statement yesterday morning.

El Mughira Abdelbagi, artist and founder of the gallery located south of the city centre, told Radio Dabanga that the attackers surrounded the place and stormed it.

They assaulted artist Mohamed Siddig, fracturing his right hand, whilst Mustafa Osman, another person present at the gallery, sustained a head wound. Three other people were wounded as well.

The attackers destroyed a number of paintings and furniture pieces and took four works of art and several musical instruments.

The stolen artworks belonged to Khalid Kajouli and Ashraf Abdelmonim.

Abdelgadi explained that the attackers have been arrested but have not revealed their motives for the attack.

The art space will definitely continue with the exhibition and all cultural activities, he said.

In a statement published yesterday, the gallery said that they "apologise for the delay of this statement, due to the horror of this crime that occurred, and out of concern for us to be accurate in the legal procedures that we have begun with the official authorities".

"We apologise to all the neighbours for the intimidation and inconvenience caused by this group," the statement read.
Hyundai Electric Vehicles at San Leandro Hyundai

San Leandro Hyundai is excited to announce the availability of the latest Hyundai electric vehicles at their dealership. Buyers in the San Leandro area can now shop for cutting-edge electric vehicles, including the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. With a wide selection of models available, they can find the perfect vehicle to fit their needs and budget.

These electric vehicles offer customers a sustainable and efficient driving experience. With a range of up to 258 miles on a single charge, the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric is perfect for long trips, while the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is designed for city driving with a range of 220 miles per charge. Both vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features and state-of-the-art technology.

In addition to the availability of electric vehicles, San Leandro Hyundai also offers a wide range of financing options to purchase an electric vehicle more accessible. Customers can take advantage of special incentives and tax credits available for electric vehicle purchases.

To learn more about the electric vehicles available at San Leandro Hyundai, customers can browse the dealerships website: http://www.sanleandrohyundai.com or reach them by phone at 510-560-4751 today. They can also visit the dealership at 1066 Marina Boulevard, San Leandro, California, for further details.
Capital Honda Offers Genuine Oil Change Service near Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Drivers near the Charlottetown area in Prince Edward Island who are searching for genuine oil change services for their vehicles should visit Capital Honda, a trusted family-owned automotive dealership in the locality. Interested parties can schedule a service today at the dealership website to get the oil change service.

Regularly changing the Honda vehicles oil helps protect the engine from damage and keeps it running smoothly. If the oil is not changed promptly, it can cause the engine to overheat and eventually fail. Hence it is recommended to change the oil of Honda vehicles once every 3,000 miles or three months to avoid any damage to the engine. At Capital Honda, a team of technicians who are experts in their field is available so that the Honda vehicle will receive the attention it needs. Full synthetic oils offer better fuel economy and engine performance than conventional oils, but it is advisable to consult with a Honda mechanic at Capital Honda to see if full synthetic oil is the preferred choice for the specific vehicle. Other automobile services offered at Capital Honda include front-end alignment, wipers, Headlights Maintenance, brakes replacement/ adjustment, coolant flush, vehicle checkup/inspection, transmission flush and electrical services.

Drivers are encouraged to visit the Capital Honda dealership located at 40 Lower Malpeque Road in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Customers can dial 902-566-1101 to learn more about the oil change and all other service-related inquiries.
Bent but Not Broken: God Kept Me: a concise and uplifting personal memoir. Bent but Not Broken: God Kept Me is the creation of published author Corine Smith Ford, a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who was born into a family of ten children in Mississippi.

Ford shares, My parents sharecropped for many years and owned a corner grocery store where my father bootlegged alcohol for a living. As a child, my brothers would plow many acres of land. They would start at sunup and work until sundown. Most of the time, after plowing the land, they would have to plant the crops. Back then, the crops consisted mostly of cotton. Us girls had to help chop and pick cotton and strawberries. Every year we were kept out of school to work in the fields until all the crops were gathered, and then we would go off to school wearing hand-me-downs. Momma had that look of helplessness again every year when we would hear the owner say to my father either, You are in the red, or We just broke even.

One thing was for sure: we always had a really good Christmas dinner. We would have a big, fat homegrown roasting hen with cornbread stuffing, homegrown collard greens, okra, and homemade pies. One of Mommas favorites was the lemon pie. We really didnt know we were poor because we never went hungry.

In my teens, I was attacked by a young man and feared for my life. After that attack, I started looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places. These experiences left me Bent but Not Broken. God kept me.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Corine Smith Fords new book will take readers deep into the heart of a loving family working together to stay above water.

Ford offers a private look into her personal and spiritual journey in hopes of sharing her message of appreciation for Gods hand upon her life.

Consumers can purchase Bent but Not Broken: God Kept Me at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Bent but Not Broken: God Kept Me, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
I want to help people open their eyes to worldwide adventure, Loupassakis said. This book is not only informative  readers will find extensive information on what to see and do in each country or state  but filled with humor.

A new travel memoir aims to excite and entertain readers, inspiring them to travel the globe and experience the people, cultures, food and history that have shaped their world.

In Go Dat Way and Go Dere: Around the World in Fifty Years, by Gary Loupassakis, readers are invited on a global journey through the lens of the expertise gained by the authors 50-year career in the travel industry.

The title of the book is a nod to a memorable interaction with a local in the 1980s in Jamaica, and his decades long experience helping to guide travelers on their excursions.

What the young man in Jamaica said has stayed in my mind for years, so I decided to use his directions as the name of the book, said Loupassakis. And If you think about it, as a travel agent I spent my life telling people to go this way and that. So you want to learn where democracy started, well, go that way to Greece. Interested in the Normandy Invasion? Then you have to go this way to the western beaches of France.

Featuring both personal images and text, readers visit must-see sights, learn history and travel tips, and get a taste of globetrotting with Loupassakis, as he recounts personal experiences.

I want to help people open their eyes to worldwide adventure, Loupassakis said. This book is not only informative  readers will find extensive information on what to see and do in each country or state  but filled with humor.

Throughout a career spanning five decades, Loupassakis gathered insights into some of the worlds most famous travel destinations, including Spain, Greece, Egypt, Australia and New Zealand, Alaska, Israel, South America, South Africa and many more.

Ive travelled to 65 countries on six continents, and 46 states, said Loupassakis. I want to share my knowledge with people and inspire them to see things that an average traveler never will.

Go Dat Way and Go Dere: Around the World in Fifty Years

By Gary Loupassakis

ISBN: ISBN 9781665562324; ISBN 9781665562331; ISBN 9781665562560

Available at AuthorHouse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Gary Loupassakis grew up in a small town in central New Jersey and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history

from Kean University. A travel agent since 1967, he has extensively traveled the world for the past 50

years. Go Dat Way and Go Dere: Around the World in Fifty Years is his first book. For more information, please visit godatwayandgodere.com.

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GO2 is committed to confronting lung cancer and reducing disparities among under-resourced communities. We are committed to achieving health equity and improving the lives of those vulnerable, at risk and diagnosed with lung cancer..." -Laurie Fenton Ambrose, co-founder, president, and CEO of GO2.

GO2 for Lung Cancer (GO2), a leading organization dedicated to saving, extending, and improving the lives of those vulnerable, at risk, and diagnosed with lung cancer, is committing to continue their efforts to increase awareness and be a resource for those in underserved communities who are at risk or affected by lung cancer.

The organization is tackling the issue of lung health disparities in minority communities to address concerning figures that are prevalent among Black Americans, women, Latinos and Asians in the United States.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Black Americans, women, Asians and Latinos in the U.S. It is estimated that in 2022, 61,360 women and 14,160 Black Americans died from lung cancer. Additionally, Black Americans and Asian Americans are under-represented in clinical trials (3% Asian Americans, 6% Black Americans, 83% Caucasians) and it has also been found that women who never smoked are more than twice as likely to get lung cancer as their male counterparts.

Through recent efforts (listed below) and current on-going studies, GO2 is directly involved in addressing these health disparities. The organization is committed to working with health professionals and government officials to address specific concerns and needs for under-resourced communities:



The "Alabama Lung Cancer Awareness, Screening, and Education" (ALCASE) project was a joint effort between the University of Alabama at Birminghams ONeal Comprehensive Cancer Center (UAB) and GO2 to increase awareness, increase access to quality screening and assist those at high risk of lung cancer in largely rural, primarily underserved and predominately Black communities in Alabama.

The "Studying Trial Determinates of Success" (STRIDES) Study is a collaboration with GO2, Vanderbilt University, UAB, and Augusta University designed to understand and address barriers to clinical trial participation in Black communities in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia.

The "Womens Health Access Matters" (WHAM) Report on Lung Cancer is a study released in partnership with GO2 showing the staggering economic benefits of investing in research focused on women and lung cancer.

GO2 offers direct one-on-one individualized professional support through their HelpLine call-center - a completely free resource for lung cancer patients who are seeking educational materials; guidance on screening, treatment clinical trial information and referrals. GO2s trained HelpLine team is readily available to take calls Monday  Friday 9am-5pm EST.

GO2 also offers lung cancer patients the Phone Buddy Program: Peer-to-peer program connecting patients with lung cancer survivors with a similar diagnosis, the GUIDES Program: Peer-to-peer program for caregivers whose loved one is at the end of life or has died, as well as a Support Group Network, all for free.

GO2 is committed to confronting lung cancer and reducing disparities among under-resourced communities. We are committed to achieving health equity and improving the lives of those vulnerable, at risk and diagnosed with lung cancer. We aim to make it as seamless as possible to get those at risk the most accurate and up-to-date information available to help increase their chances of survivorship, said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, co-founder, president, and CEO of GO2.

Visit GO2s website to learn more about the current undergoing studies and the life-saving information they provide to assist individuals confronting lung cancer.

About GO2 for Lung Cancer

GO2 for Lung Cancer relentlessly confronts lung cancer on every front, every day. Founded by patients and survivors, we are dedicated to increasing survival for those at risk, diagnosed and living with lung cancer. For more information, visit go2.org.
"We are proud to work with the FBI, the Department of Education and communities across our state to educate young West Virginians about the harms of opioid misuse, break the stigma of seeking help, and link them to recovery supports."- Highmark West Virginia President Jim Fawcett.

A collaborative effort between Highmark West Virginia, Highmarks Financial Investigations and Provider Review (FIPR) department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the West Virginia Department of Education has earned a 2022 Excellence in Public Awareness honor from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) for its community-wide initiative to educate West Virginia middle-school and high school-aged youth on the dangers of opioid use.

Our FIPR team is dedicated to protecting our customers and their health care dollars by identifying, preventing and stopping activity related to health care fraud, waste and abuse, says Kurt Spear, vice president of FIPR for Highmark. Efforts to truly make an impact on health care fraud, waste, and abuse are only effective when many people from different backgrounds come together and dedicate themselves to this common goal. Over the past three years, our collective results include saving hundreds of millions of dollars in otherwise fraudulent health care expenditures and putting away unscrupulous individuals who prey on those most susceptible to fraud including senior citizens and those who struggle with addiction.

But what Im most proud of, Spear continued, is that through this work, we have formed incredibly strong cross-sector partnerships that have allowed us to expand our work on behalf of the communities we serve to prevent drug misuse and promote long-term recovery. We strive to go beyond the role of a typical anti-fraud department by leveraging our relationships with federal law enforcement and community leaders to positively impact our youth.

Highmark West Virginia and the FBI Pittsburghs Charleston, W.Va. Resident Agency teamed up to create a video that explores the multi-generational harms of opioid misuse on the individual, family members and the community. The video features real-life, personal stories of dangerous opioid use and addiction, educational resources, and various tools available that focus on prevention for students and families. The video can be viewed by visiting this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZz6k-vKs3k

Collectively, Highmark, the FBI and the West Virginia Department of Education provided these opioid education resources to more than 1,100 middle and high school teachers, reaching an estimated 136,000 West Virginia youth.

The opioid epidemic has exacted a long-lasting social, emotional and financial toll on our state and on our nation, said Highmark West Virginia President Jim Fawcett. We live in the communities that we proudly serve. Many of us have lost a friend or a loved one to the chronic disease of opioid use disorder, or we know someone who has. We are proud to work with the FBI, the Department of Education and communities across our state to educate young West Virginians about the harms of opioid misuse, break the stigma of seeking help, and link them to recovery supports.

The West Virginia initiative was inspired by an in-person FIPR program, launched in 2017, that engaged nearly 9,000 students, parents and educators in western Pennsylvania through its Opioid Epidemic Education Program. The program empowers people with knowledge and resources to respond to opioid dependence in their communities. For that effort, FIPR earned an Excellence in Public Awareness award in 2019.

Highmarks FIPR department has collaborated with law enforcement on more than 210 health fraud-related cases over the past three years, many of which include cases involving drug-related fraud.

In 2023, FIPR is exploring partnerships with colleges and universities that offer pharmacy and physician assistant programs to provide education and resources on appropriate opioid prescribing and preventing health care fraud.

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About Highmark Inc.

One of America's leading health insurance organizations and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Highmark Inc. (the Health Plan) and its affiliated health plans (collectively, the Health Plans) work passionately to deliver high-quality, accessible, understandable, and affordable experiences, outcomes, and solutions to customers. As the fourth-largest overall Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization, Highmark Inc. and its Blue-branded affiliates proudly cover the insurance needs of approximately 6.8 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and West Virginia. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses. For more information, visit http://www.highmark.com.


Whos Gonna Love Me?: an encouraging approach to breaking negative behaviors. Whos Gonna Love Me? is the creation of published author Nancy Mudd, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She earned a bachelors degree in speech pathology from Texas Christian University and a masters degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Mudd also earned a bachelors degree in biblical studies and theology from Life Christian University, as well as a masters degree in biblical studies and theology and is currently a doctoral candidate. She is a licensed elder and works with at-risk youth. She has been teaching, mentoring, and expounding on the Word of God for the past twenty years.

Mudd shares, This is a compilation of bible study guides that will assist a person who is experiencing the emotions that the compilation speaks of. They can use the guide to release their captive mind and set them free from Satans stronghold. When you are yoked in your mind, it is a process to dispel the mind-set and be set free to live in the abundant blessings that God has in store for us. Pray, get out your Bibles, write in a notebook, and allow God to SET YOUR MIND FREE!

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Nancy Mudds new book will challenge and encourage readers as they reflect on the relevant scripture and uplifting prayers within.

Mudd shares in hopes of aiding others in their pursuit of living in fulfillment through God.

Consumers can purchaseWhos Gonna Love Me? at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Whos Gonna Love Me?, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.


America's Path Forward, edited by Konstanze Frischen and Michael Zakaras One-by-one, the changemakers whose stories are collected in this America's Path Forward are inventive, brave, and effective. Taken as a group, they are full of positive, practical insights for increasing Americas opportunities and addressing its failures.James Fallows, coauthor of Our Towns

We are living through a period of tremendous upheaval: a global pandemic, an accelerating climate crisis, a racial reckoning, and a hobbled democracy. But all over the country, social entrepreneurs are effectively meeting todays challenges at the grassroots level by leveraging their unique perspectives to effect systemic change. Americas Path Forward is a collection of interviews with 22 of these inspiring changemakers.

Coming out of Ashokaan international organization dedicated to promoting social entrepreneurshipAmericas Path Forward is a window into the inspiring work of a diverse array of individuals who are often underrepresented in our national dialogue. Readers will meet the people working to revitalize Appalachia by investing in organic growth and human potential; support fishing communities through regenerative ocean farming to narrow inequality and improve sustainability; and end poverty, improve democracy, save lives, unleash potential, and revive human dignity in ways that are ambitious, exciting, and transformational. While the innovators within these pages are as diverse as the country itself, they share something important in common: they are all close to the problems they are trying to solve, and they listen to the communities they are seeking to serve. In 22 ideas-packed conversations, they share the analyses, practical insights, and policy recommendations that have come out of their work.

Americas Path Forward is inspiring, optimistic, and important. As the complex challenges facing us mount, these stories serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when smart, creative individuals with a wide range of experiences come together to untangle real problems for real people.

Konstanze Frischen is a member of the global leadership group of Ashoka, a global organization that invests in transformative ideas for social change. Michael Zakaras is the director of Ashoka US and co-founder of Ashokas All America initiative.
The Man I Met: How My Life Was Changed Forever: a heartfelt message of hope for anyone who has experienced an abusive relationship. The Man I Met: How My Life Was Changed Forever is the creation of published author Paulett Coleby, a widow, a mother of seven amazing children, and a grandmother of ten beautiful grandkids. She was born and raised in the beautiful Hanover, Jamaica.

Coleby shares, We all go through many challenges in life. After all my difficulties, I felt the need to encourage others. This book is to help inspire people to find peace in Christ Jesus. I want others to experience the peace that comes from serving God. Even when it seems to be the most trying time, know that God is always there in the midst. Just always have faith and trust him. Hell definitely see you through. Dont give up and always be encouraged.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Paulett Colebys new book is an encouraging opportunity to reflect on lifes blessings and to release past hurts.

Coleby shares her testimony in hopes of reaching others who would benefit from Gods comforting grace.

Consumers can purchaseThe Man I Met: How My Life Was Changed Forever at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Man I Met: How My Life Was Changed Forever, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.


Launching our new professional and leadership division equips us to provide additional value to new and existing clients, as well as assist individuals in their professional career growth.

As employers across the country struggle to find qualified talent, PrideStaff is pleased to announce that its Sacramento (East) office has added a G.A. Rogers & Associates division to its existing operations. A natural extension of PrideStaffs staffing and placement franchise, G.A. Rogers & Associates addresses clients direct hire needs for executive, managerial and supervisory roles in PrideStaffs core areas of focus.

With growing client demand and ongoing candidate shortages, Owners/Strategic-Partners, Craig and Mary Ryder, are excited to head their offices new executive search firm. Launching our new professional and leadership division equips us to provide additional value to new and existing clients, as well as assist individuals in their professional career growth, said Mary Ryder. Our G.A. Rogers & Associates division will add to the tenured success of our PrideStaff and PrideStaff Financial offices, further expanding our presence in our community.

Our G.A. Rogers & Associates brand will blaze a fresh trail in our market. Were excited to welcome Efren Del Rio to our team, who has over 10 years of success in hiring for technical and executive level roles. We look forward to fostering new relationships and providing additional value to individuals and businesses throughout our market.

While the Sacramento (East) G.A. Rogers & Associates division is new, industry veterans will lead the group. Our team brings more than 40 years of executive and professional recruiting experience to every searchallowing our clients to hire quickly and cost-effectively in this tight candidate market, said G.A. Rogers & Associates Vice President, Karen Cowan. When competition for the best talent is fierce, partnering with a qualified agency can provide a significant advantage. Backed by PrideStaffs proven reputation for service excellence, and supported by one of the nations most successful hiring processes, the Ryders G.A. Rogers & Associates division will help employers and job seekers thrive in a challenging economy.

For job seekers throughout the Sacramento area, working with G.A. Rogers & Associates means access to higher-level positions, many of which wont be advertised elsewhere. Experienced managers, supervisors, business professionals and executives are encouraged to join our talent community and introduce themselves to Efren at edelrio@ga-rogers.com.

About G.A. Rogers & Associates

A division of PrideStaff, G.A. Rogers & Associates specializes in executive and professional recruiting. The parent company was founded in the 1970s as 100% company-owned units and began staffing franchising in 1995. They operate over 80 offices in North America to serve over 5,000 clients. With over 40 years in the staffing business, headquartered in Fresno, CA, all PrideStaff brands offer the resources and expertise of a national firm with the spirit, dedication and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. For more information on G.A. Rogers & Associates services, visit our website.

PrideStaff and G.A. Rogers & Associates shared Mission: Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most.
Wad Madani  The Director of the Agricultural Department of the El Gezira Agricultural Scheme, Ibrahim Mustafa, has accused Sudan's Agricultural Bank of obstructing the arrival of fertilisers granted by the African Development Bank to the farmers in the region.

The granted seeds and fertilisers are enough to cultivate 45,000 feddans, he explained to Radio Dabanga.

The African Development Bank stipulated these inputs be distributed free of charge to the farmers by the scheme's management, Mustafa said. "The seeds have been received but the fertilisers not."

He said that the African Development Bank implemented the grant through the World Food Programme and entrusted the purchase of fertilisers to the Agricultural Bank, not through the El Gezira Agricultural Scheme's own management.

The Agricultural Bank now refuses to hand the fertilisers to the scheme's management and instead demands the payment of SDG265 million first, which is the cost of transporting the fertilisers from Port Sudan plus administrative fees.

"Under the current circumstances, we do not have this amount," Mustafa said. "The Agricultural Bank rejected the scheme's management proposal to accept a check for in a month's time, so that we can receive the fertilisers, distribute them, and at the same time collect the transportation costs from the farmers."

He stressed that the support provided by the African Development Bank to the El Gezira Agricultural Scheme is equivalent to 52 per cent of the support provided to farms in the entire country.

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It is significant, and that support is needed. Without fertilisers, farmers cannot cultivate their crops and the harvest might fail. The farmlands of the El Gezira Agricultural Scheme were of immense economic importance to Sudan in the past and still are.

"The El Gezira Scheme now lacks the capacity to even begin its cultivation process, while in the past it was achieving self-sufficiency for Sudan by the export of seeds and cotton, bringing in hard currency to the country's treasury," he stated.

Two months ago, farmers and livestock owners involved in the El Gezira Agricultural Scheme discussed unionising to defend their interests and address economic liberalisation of land ownership. Seven years ago, the Farmers Union was disbanded by the Al Bashir regime in Sudan.

Remnants of the former regime have been accused of sabotaging the irrigation scheme and of mismanagement, corruption, embezzlement, and looting of the scheme's resources. In late 2014, dictator Omar Al Bashir described the scheme as "a burden on the country's budget" and worked to transfer land ownership to the private sector and foreign investors and disbanded the Farmers Union.
Fruits of the Spirit: a potent reminder of the connection one bears with God. Fruits of the Spirit is the creation of published author Rev. Theresa Harding, a proud mother of three and founder and visionary of the United Kingdom Prayer Network, an interdenominational and multilateral prayer network based in the United States of America. She holds a masters degree in Christian leadership, and shes currently undergoing her doctorate degree in education and organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University (GCU).

Rev. Harding shares, Many Christians have overlooked the significance of the fruits of the Spirit, and as a result, they have been undermined by their enemy to make them look like what they are not. The book is written to shed light on the significance of the fruits of the Spirit in the life of the believer. When we talk about the fruits of the Spirit, we are talking about the nature and character of God. God is love, kind, patient, faithful, etc. All these godly traits are also in us as believers; however, we must be intentional to see them manifest in us so that we can be great representatives of Christ on earth.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Rev. Theresa Hardings new book will challenge and empower readers in their understanding of the fruits of the Spirit.

Rev. Harding shares with the intention of pushing believers to a deeper, more fulfilling connection with their faith.

Consumers can purchase Fruits of the Spirit at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Fruits of the Spirit, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
"Most Don't Have Enough," the new album by saxophonist/composer Alex Weiss. The importance of exercising one's imagination was instilled in me by my grandfather [the Spanish surrealist painter Eugenio Granell]. I started seeing a synergistic relationship between the jazz idiom of the '50s and '60s and surrealism, and the element of social protest in both.

Alex Weisss idiosyncratic vision of postbop jazz finds a new apex with the tenor saxophonist-composers February 24 release of "Most Dont Have Enough" (ears&eyes). Weisss third album as a leader is also his first with Glad Irys, his working quintet since 2019 comprising soprano saxophonist Dan Blake, guitarist Yana Davydova, bassist Dmitry Ishenko, and drummer Ches Smith, with pianist Marta Sanchez adding her distinctive stamp to two of the albums nine moody, mysterious tracks.

Seven of "Most Dont Have Enough"s tunes are Weiss originals, each bearing the composers hallmarks of unusual form, meter, and texture. His approach to music and art is deeply informed by the work of his grandfather, the great Spanish surrealist Eugenio Granell. The importance of exercising ones imagination was instilled in me by my grandfather, Weiss says. I started seeing a synergistic relationship between the jazz idiom of the 50s and 60s and surrealism, and the element of social protest in both.

That context by itself suggests a great deal of freedom in Weisss music, and he does not disappoint. Pieces like Thread Your Grandmothers Needle and Akira: Sun and Moon offer wide open spaces for the players to color as far outside the lines as they dare. There is even a cover of Ornette Colemans Humpty Dumpty to reinforce that sense of creative liberation. Like Coleman, however, Weisss music is also rich with melodythough rarely of a conventional stripe. Theres great lyricism and enchantment to be found in The Leonard Nimoy Method and Thumbelinaas well as great fun in trying to guess where the tunes will go next.

"Most Dont Have Enough" is also (as the title suggests) a vehicle for social and political commentary. Your Dark Shadow Appears at the Door is a menacing meditation on the onset of the Trump era; titles like Homage to Elijah Cummings and Organized Religion speak for themselves.

Also speaking for themselves are Weisss brilliant collaborators. Blake is both a superb frontline partner for Weiss and a stunning improviser on Humpty Dumpty and the bands cover of Chris Speeds Really Ok, and the rhythm section of Davydova, Ishenko, and Smith make for a thrilling blend of stable and adventurous support, with each turning in remarkable solos of their own. Sanchezs presence illuminates Homage to Elijah Cummings and Akira: Sun and Moon, imbuing both tunes with a jolt of unexpected pathos.

Alex Weiss was born January 5, 1971, in New York City, but was raised in the Boston area. Beginning on saxophone at 12 years old, he was gigging professionally by 15. He studied music at the University of Massachusetts and San Francisco State University, also conducting life-changing field work at the latter citys fabled Saint John William Coltrane African Orthodox Church where he played every Sunday for two years.

Weiss made his way through the 1990s in San Francisco, where he made important connections with saxophonists Roberto DeHaven (who played on Weisss 1997 debut recording, "Make Your Own Lightning"), Marco Eneidi, Glenn Spearman, and John Tchicai. He relocated to Spain in 1999, spending four years in the Madrid-based band Mojo and leading his own Gallo Pinto quintet. Returning to the Bay Area in 2003, he played in multiple contexts and projectsincluding his quartet Outhead, with which he recorded two albums (2007s "Quiet Sounds for Comfortable People" and 2014s "Send This Sound to the King").

Arriving in Brooklyn in 2008, Weiss reunited with Tchicai to record "One Long Minute" with the Danish saxophonists Five Points band, working with bassist Dmitry Ishenko and Ches Smith, who would become longtime collaborators. They worked with him on 2012s "Fighter Planes & Praying Mantis," his second recording under his own name. Weiss also worked with the likes of Wadada Leo Smith, Herb Robertson, Sean Conly, Shahazad Ismaliy, Marcella Lucatelli, Liz Kosack, and Santiago Leibson; played in the hora/klezmer outfit Knock Brigade; and earned a masters degree in music therapy from New York University.

The 2013 birth of his son took Weiss off the bandstand for a few years; shortly after he formed Glad Irys in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic forced another long hiatus, which he used to compose much of the music that now makes its way to the world as "Most Dont Have Enough."

Alex Weiss will be performing a CD release show with the band heard on "Most Dont Have Enough" on Tuesday 3/14, 6pm, at P.S. 133, 610 Baltic St., Brooklyn, NY.


Our team specialize in just these kinds of cases, where traditional methods dont apply and a custom solution is required. Our team specialize in just these kinds of cases, where traditional methods dont apply and a custom solution is required. We deliver the industrys best success rate coupled with the fastest turnarounds possible by offering on-site, in-lab, and remote data recovery

Senior engineers from Secure Data Recovery successfully restored access to permanently deleted Veeam backup repositories on a 48-drive RAID 5 server storing critical business information for DiversiTech Corporation, a major international manufacturer and distributor based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Diversitech officials contacted Secure Data Recovery Services when they discovered that multiple .VBK files in Veeam backup repositories stored on their Cisco 3260 server had permanently been deleted.

A team of senior data recovery specialists were assigned to the case. Given the size of the server and the complexity of the recovery process, the engineering team decided that remote data recovery would be the most efficient and secure method for successfully restoring the lost backups.

After establishing a secure connection to DiversiTechs server via SSH protocol, the recovery team conducted around-the-clock service, which uncovered remnants of all deleted Veeam backups, including data fragments spread across the entire file system.

Third-party or native tools would not be able to recover the thousands of individual files, including complex databases, Office documents, and images. Secure Data Recovery created custom utilities designed specifically for DiversiTechs case.

After carving all .VBK and .VIB file fragments by hand and stitching them into archive chains, the engineers were able to reconstruct all deleted backup repositories for a total of more than 14 TB of data.

Secure Data Recovery Services has a proven track record of providing successful RAID data recovery services regardless of the complexity or the RAID configuration.

Data recovery for deleted Veeam backups and virtual machines is not something that is supported by any industry standard tools. Our team specialize in just these kinds of cases, where traditional methods dont apply and a custom solution is required. We deliver the industrys best success rate coupled with the fastest turnarounds possible by offering on-site, in-lab, and remote data recovery, said Dmitriy Zardynov, Director of Sales and Operations at Secure Data Recovery Services.

For over 15 years, Secure Data Recovery Services has built a reputation as the most trusted name in professional data recovery. They have helped thousands of customers, including local and federal government agencies, small businesses, individuals, and international corporations like DiversiTech recover safely from potentially catastrophic data loss.

Secure Data Recovery Services offers unmatched customer support services, an industry best 96% success rate, and a No Data, No Recovery Fee guarantee.

About Secure Data Recovery Services:

Secure Data Recovery Services provides professional data recovery and digital forensic services to customers worldwide on a wide range of storage media, including laptop and desktop computers, HDD, SSD, RAID arrays, mobile devices, and all other data storage types. Our secure labs in the United States and Canada are audited to meet SSAE 18 SOC 1, 2 & 3 standards and operate out of certified Class 10 ISO 4 cleanrooms. Secure Data Recovery Services has a proven track record of success with a documented recovery rate of 96% to give data the best chance for recovery. Our data recovery services are approved by all leading storage manufacturers and offer free professional diagnostics and a no data, no recovery fee policy. Please visit https://www.securedatarecovery.com for more information. Secure Data Recovery successfully restored access to permanently deleted Veeam backup repositories on a 48-drive RAID 5 server storing critical business information for DiversiTech Corporation, a major international manufacturer and distributor based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Diversitech officials contacted Secure Data Recovery Services when they discovered that multiple .VBK files in Veeam backup repositories stored on their Cisco 3260 server had permanently been deleted.

A team of senior data recovery specialists were assigned to the case. Given the size of the server and the complexity of the recovery process, the engineering team decided that remote data recovery would be the most efficient and secure method for successfully restoring the lost backups.

After establishing a secure connection to DiversiTechs server via SSH protocol, the recovery team conducted around-the-clock service, which uncovered remnants of all deleted Veeam backups, including data fragments spread across the entire file system.

Third-party or native tools would not be able to recover the thousands of individual files, including complex databases, Office documents, and images. Secure Data Recovery created custom utilities designed specifically for DiversiTechs case.

After carving all .VBK and .VIB file fragments by hand and stitching them into archive chains, the engineers were able to reconstruct all deleted backup repositories for a total of more than 14 TB of data.

Secure Data Recovery Services has a proven track record of providing successful RAID data recovery services regardless of the complexity or the RAID configuration.

Data recovery for deleted Veeam backups and virtual machines is not something that is supported by any industry standard tools. Our team specialize in just these kinds of cases, where traditional methods dont apply and a custom solution is required. We deliver the industrys best success rate coupled with the fastest turnarounds possible by offering on-site, in-lab, and remote data recovery, said Dmitriy Zardynov, Director of Sales and Operations at Secure Data Recovery Services.

For over 15 years, Secure Data Recovery Services has built a reputation as the most trusted name in professional data recovery. They have helped thousands of customers, including local and federal government agencies, small businesses, individuals, and international corporations like DiversiTech recover safely from potentially catastrophic data loss.

Secure Data Recovery Services offers unmatched customer support services, an industry best 96% success rate, and a No Data, No Recovery Fee guarantee.

About Secure Data Recovery Services:

Secure Data Recovery Services provides professional data recovery and digital forensic services to customers worldwide on a wide range of storage media, including laptop and desktop computers, HDD, SSD, RAID arrays, mobile devices, and all other data storage types. Our secure labs in the United States and Canada are audited to meet SSAE 18 SOC 1, 2 & 3 standards and operate out of certified Class 10 ISO 4 cleanrooms. Secure Data Recovery Services has a proven track record of success with a documented recovery rate of 96% to give data the best chance for recovery. Our data recovery services are approved by all leading storage manufacturers and offer free professional diagnostics and a no data, no recovery fee policy.

Please visit https://www.securedatarecovery.com for more information.
Ceremonial beam at the MDXL Flats topping out ceremony

Gilbane Building Company, TM Associates, PGN Architects, and their subcontracting partners celebrated the official topping out of MDXL Flats, a new, luxury, affordable housing development in Buzzard Point.

MDXL Flats is the second phase of TM Associates affordable housing development near Audi Field and Nationals Park. The 98,000 SF, 11-story project was designed by PGN Architects with units ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments. It will include 101 affordable residential units, comprised of one, two, three, and four-bedroom units with ground-level retail.

MDXL Flats and MDL Flats, which we completed in 2021, are an important part of Washington, DCs goal of 12,000 affordable units by 2025, said Matt Sarver, vice president at Gilbane Building Company. Hitting this milestone means were one step closer to providing more affordable options for DC residents in Ward 6.

TM Associates and our partner UPO are excited for the successful completion of MDXL Flats, said Bob Margolis, Owner & Chief Executive Officer at TM Associates. MDXL Flats will continue to pave the way for the luxury affordable housing experience in the Districts historic Ward 6 waterfront, bringing 101 new, luxury, affordable dwelling units to the neighborhood.

MDXL Flats is part of a series of developments aimed at replacing a large industrial complex on the Anacostia River with high-density mixed-use buildings. MDL Flats, which sits adjacent to MDXL Flats, was completed in 2021 and features 76 apartments homes, as well as more than 3,500 SF of commercial space. Eighty percent of MDL Flats was leased-up and occupied in just under three months. Full occupancy was reached two months later, as TM worked diligently in partnership with UPO, a local nonprofit agency, to effectively implement the Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP) on the remaining 16 units and offer permanent supportive housing to DC residents in need. Both buildings cater to residents who qualify for affordable housing based on area median income (AMI). TM Associates currently has 15 apartment communities, amounting to 1,151 affordable dwelling units, located in the District with an anticipated growth of 250+ additional units by early 2024.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services  from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services  for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.

About TM Associates

TM Associates currently manages over 13,500 units across 312 properties in eight states plus Washington, D.C. TM Development has built or rehabilitated 7,000 affordable housing units. TM strives to deliver the best in diligence, dedication and services while effecting change in the communities they serve. This includes services such as after school programs, adult literacy and job placement, services that address food insecurities, in addition to more traditional amenities such as package acceptance, community room, and online rent payment. TM doesnt stop at providing new, luxury affordable housing options to DC neighborhoods. Instead, TM aims to take it further and change the definition and perception of affordable housing in these neighborhoods. For more information, visit https://www.tmamgroup.com/

About PGN Architects

PGN is a full-service architectural firm  providing predesign, planning design and construction phase services and project visualization  for clients across various markets. Founded in 2004 as a minority-owned firm, PGN is located at the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit http://www.pgnarchitects.com
Nairobi  Burundian authorities must not contest the appeal of journalist Floriane Irangabiye and ensure that members of the press are not imprisoned for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.

On January 2, the Mukaza High Court in Bujumbura, the capital, convicted Irangabiye of undermining the integrity of the national territory, according to news reports, tweets by Burundi's Ministry of Justice, and the judgment, which was made public on January 3 and which CPJ reviewed. The charge stemmed from her work as a commentator and host on Radio Igicaniro, a diaspora-based online outlet that airs critical commentary and debate on Burundian politics and culture.

The court sentenced Irangabiye to 10 years imprisonment and fined her 1 million Burundian francs (US$482), according to those sources. Her defense lawyers say she plans to appeal the conviction, according to news reports.

Irangabiye has been in custody since her arrest on August 30, 2022, and is being held at Muyinga Prison in the northern province of Muyinga.

"After months of arbitrary detention, Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye's sentencing to a decade behind bars demonstrates the state's capacity for cruelty and its deep intolerance for politically critical commentators," said Muthoki Mumo, CPJ's sub-Saharan Africa representative. "Prosecutors should not object to the appeal by Irangabiye's defense team, and Burundi should amend its laws to address vague provisions that can be used to target critical journalists."

During the trial, prosecutors cited an August 2022 Radio Igicaniro program in which Irangabiye and guests criticized Burundi's government and accused its leaders of being thieves and trampling on citizens' rights, according to court documents reviewed by CPJ.

Prosecutors, who said that an audio recording of the program was found on Irangabiye's phone after her arrest, accused the journalist of calling for public rebellion and the overthrow of the government, according to those documents.

As part of their evidence, prosecutors cited Irangabiye's frequent travel between Rwanda, where she lives, and Burundi, where she was born and her family lives, as well as photos in which the journalist appeared with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and former Burundian President Pierre Buyoya, according to those sources. In 2020, Buyoya, was convicted in absentia of the murder of another Burundian president.

Prosecutors also accused Irangabiye of participating in meetings organized by civil society groups to empower young men in exile to overthrow the Burundian government.

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Irangabiye and her defense team asserted that she had the freedom to express herself as a journalist, denied that she had participated in any of those meetings, and asked the court to disregard the information gained from interrogations carried out by intelligence officials as Irangabiye was without legal counsel, according to the court documents, which said the court dismissed that request.

Sylvestre Nyandwi, Burundi's prosecutor general, sent CPJ a statement via messaging app saying that Irangabiye's case complied with Burundian procedures and laws and that the conviction was not politically motivated.

CPJ emailed the Ministry of Justice and sent requests for comment via messaging app to Justice Minister Domine Banyankimbona but did not immediately receive any replies.

[Editors' Note: This alert was updated to fix a typo in the last paragraph.]
Sasha taqsblu LaPointe is an artist from the Upper Skagit and Nooksack Indian Tribe and the author of the 2022 memoir Red Paint. Her debut poetry collection, Rose Quartz, is forthcoming in March.

I fell in love with poetry in the small bathroom of our cramped trailer, in the middle of the woods on the Swinomish reservation where I grew up. I discovered poems by way of punk rock. Id drag the portable boombox into the bathroom and sit on the counter, listening to the college radio station for hours. I learned how to make mix tapes and about the Riot Grrrl scene that had exploded out of Olympia, Washington. Though I was hours up the interstate I was enamored with the songs and stories that flooded our small bathroom through the crappy speakers of my Sony stereo. I listened to bands like Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney. I discovered the art of zines and spoken word and eventually poetry.

Attending rowdy DIY shows exposed me to poets in punk bands who opened their sets with passionate monologues. I was hooked pretty immediately. It was easy to fall into the works of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. But as I moved through my teenagehood and grew into adulthood I began to notice in all the poems and albums I loved something was missing. The collections I devoured and in the liner notes of the records I played on repeat, nothing spoke to my Indigenous identity.

When you love books and poetry but never see yourself reflected back from those pages it can be isolating. It certainly was for me. I eventually made it to college at The Institute of American Indian Arts and I was finally introduced to a world of Native literature. Suddenly the poems spoke to me on a different level. In a poem about raisins by Natalie Diaz I felt my own experience of being young and hungry on a reservation. I awed at the work of Layli Long Soldier, the first poet I read who wrote in her traditional language as well as in English. Reading novels like Winter in the Blood, Ceremony, and Love Medicine, I fell in love with the art of storytelling in a way that encompassed my whole self. In Native literature I finally began to feel less alone, and even more than that I felt a hope begin to take root in me, that the world of books, poetry, and music would no longer be a place where I had to dig to find other Native voices, but rather find them as abundant and as easily available as the all-white poets and authors I grew up on.

The literary landscape is changing, and Native voices are on the rise. Its impossible to list all the books and authors I believe with a passion that you should be reading. Because the truth is you should be reading all of them. This is simply a list of the books that had an impact on me, books that left a mark and shifted something in me. Hopefully theyll leave their mark on you too. And by all means please do not stop at this list. Find new Native authors, find books by Indigenous poets, and read them all!

1. Poukahangatus: Poems by Tayi Tibble I read Tayi Tibbles Poukahangatus in one sitting on a camping trip. Shortly after, I had the pleasure of joining Tayi for a couple of her West Coast book tour events and in her I found a kindred spirit, a lifelong friend. In our conversations between poetry readings and book festivals we discovered a shared love of oyster shooters and velvet mini dresses and bonded over the nervous newness of having our first book out in the world. I felt at home in her friendship as well as in the pages of this collection. The opening poem, "Poukahangatus: An Essay About Indigenous Hair Dos and Donts," moves through the biting imagery of girlhood against the backdrop of colonization and generational trauma, as well as strength. These poems cut to the bone and demand that you not shy away from the blood, but rather look closely into the generations of story youll find there. There is a fierce femininity in these poems, as Tayi examines lineage, history, and the importance of representation.

2. Nature Poem by Tommy Pico This was the book I needed to find back in that bathroom with the mix tapes and the Riot Grrrl zines. All of Tommy Picos poetry collections are fire. This one just happens to be my favorite. His work challenges the perceived identity often placed upon Native writers. In Nature Poem, Pico admits hed slap a tree in the face. Hed rather be in the city than in nature. These poems are so necessary in the undoing of stereotypes and expectations. His work often reminds me that sure, were Indigenous writers, but were also punks, were queer. We exist outside of the often sacred and ceremonial backdrops non-Native readers place us against. Its not always grandmothers and rivers. Sometimes its pizza parlors and clubs.

3. No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies: A Lyric Essay by Julian Aguon Julian Aguon is an astounding writer, a Chamarro Indigenous rights lawyer, the founder of Blue Ocean Law, and the author of this gorgeous and much needed book. No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies is a fierce yet tender lyric essay, one that demands our attention at every page. He asks of his readers to consider the Eight-Spot Butterfly of his homelands, specifically the threat of its disappearance. Through such a delicate and small creature, we are forced to confront the ways in which a colonial world has crushed and erased things. Page by page, Aguon shows us another way. As he shines light on those who have been overlooked and cast aside, he asks that we stop and look closely at the world around us, to the ocean and the forests, to the Indigenous people and their relationship to the land. He is a remarkable human being, and his book could not have come at a better time. The world needs this kind of story right now. Julians words, his resistance and resilience give us hope. This book is a gift.

4. Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir by Deborah Miranda This is a lyric memoir that defies traditional forms and is beautifully experimental in its approach. Miranda weaves together poetry, prose, historical texts, and her own narrative as she examines the real history of her people and the attempted erasure brought on by the Spanish missions throughout California. I teach this book to my students in every creative nonfiction class and am excited by it every time. It is a powerful example of how memoir can be what we want it to be. This is a fearless and beautiful book.

5. Perma Red by Debra Magpie Earling I fell in love with the novels protagonist, Louise White Elk, immediately. The opening sentence signals that shes in danger: When Louise White Elk was nine, Baptiste Yellow Knife blew a fine powder in her face and told her she would disappear. But Louise doesnt disappear. She not only survivesshe finds safety. Embodying strength in the face of erasure, she narrowly escapes the predatory men that pursue her on the Flathead reservation in the 1940s. Shes a hero. This is a book Ive read again and again, and each time I do, Earlings words are a treasured and welcomed power.

6. Hyperboreal by Joan Naviyuk Kane I first heard Joan Naviyuk Kane read during my undergrad at The Institute of American Indian Arts. I had never heard entire poems read aloud in the poets Inupiaq language and it stirred something in me. It brought me back to memories of my grandmother telling stories in Lushootseed, and I hadnt realized how deeply I craved the breaking up of the English language. When we are only reading and writing, or speaking and listening to, the colonizers language, something is lost. Joans poems brought a fierce and alarming beauty into the auditorium, and I couldnt wait to read them on the page. Hyperboreal walks us through arctic landscapes as it skirts the threat of biological and cultural erasure. But through the pages there is still hope to be found. It exists in the beauty of the poets language as she remains connected to the land and the voices of her people.

7. There There by Tommy Orange This book was explosive when hit the world. Tommy Orange gave us a novel that defied expectations and challenged the way the literary world perceived Indigenous identity. This is a book that demanded its readers consider a new kind of story, one that didnt confine the Native experience to ceremonies and reservations. It brought us into the urban landscapes of Oakland and reminded the world, that yeah, the Native experience is still Native even when you drop it in the middle of a city or set it against a backdrop that some readers might find unexpected. This book was unapologetically heartbreaking and yet still managed to be funny in places, and thats a style of storytelling that is after my own heart. This book changed things and its a welcomed shift.

8. Whereas: Poems by Layli Long Soldier When I first encountered Laylis work in a poetry class during my undergrad I was stunned. Her bold use of language and blank space on the page brought me back to the zines I loved as a teenager. There was something so visual and engaging about her work, it felt radical in way that brought me right back to the world of punk, art, and activism. Only this time it wasnt through a white feminist lens, it was unapologetically Indigenous and breathtaking. Following Laylis work, Im always in awe of her voice and her fearless exploration of poetry and visual art. She brings large-scale installation art and textiles into the world of poetry and its a powerful intersection, one that I think Ive been seeking out since I first discovered poetry. Whereas is a gorgeous and lyrical book, and like all of her writing, its also active and asks its readers to look more closely at the injustices and the systemic violence perpetrated against Native communities by the federal government.

9. Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich Im pretty sure Louise Erdrich is one of the big reasons I decided I wanted to become a writer. Its hard to only recommend one of her many incredible books here and I hope that you find her entire collected works and read every word shes ever written. Im currently in the middle of her latest book, The Sentence, and its fantastic. But Im choosing Love Medicine because it had a profound impact on my journey into writing. This book blew me open and broke apart my heart in the best way. Her poetic storytelling seemed to soften the blows of hard-hitting trauma and sorrow. It both wounded and soothed. It inspired me at a young age and continues to. This is a stunning book.

10. Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Mailhot Heart Berries excited me in the ways it challenged what a Native memoir could be. It is an Indigenous womans story told on her terms. Mailhots approach to narrative is bold and beautiful and calls to mind the experimental style of other books that left a mark on me, books like Bluets by Maggie Nelson and A Bestiary by Lily Hoang. Here is a story both fragmented and solidly woven, dreamy and disjointed in the ways trauma often is, but full of unrelenting strength

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Renowned Princeton University professor and entrepreneur David W.C. MacMillan, who shared the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work on catalysis, will join Purdue University President Mung Chiang for a conversation at the first Presidential Lecture Series event of 2023 on Feb. 13.

The discussion with MacMillan, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry at Princeton, is at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 in Stewart Centers Fowler Hall. The event, which is free and open to the public, is titled The Path to Invention and Discovery in Catalysis. It also is the first Presidential Lecture Series event hosted by Chiang, whose administration plans to continue the lecture series launched in 2014 by his predecessor, Purdue President Emeritus Mitch Daniels.

To continue enhancing the vibrancy of intellectual life on campus and to celebrate the scholarly impact of our colleagues, we are organizing various events with broad participation, Chiang said. The Presidential Lecture Series will continue, and I would like to warmly welcome my former colleague David MacMillan, a groundbreaking scholar at the pinnacle of excellence in research and in entrepreneurial impact, to Purdue and West Lafayette.

The Scottish-born MacMillan shared the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with organic chemist Benjamin List from Germany. MacMillan and List had developed a type of catalysis in 2000 that built on small organic molecules. Using a process called asymmetric organocatalysis, their toolkit now makes it easier to produce asymmetric molecules  chemicals that exist in two versions where, like our human hands, one is a mirror image of the other.

Catalysts are substances that accelerate chemical reactions without becoming part of the final product, an especially important factor for chemists in their efforts to construct molecules. When they are being built, two different molecules actually can form as mirrored images. Chemists often want only one of these mirror images, particularly when producing medicines, but it has been difficult to find efficient methods to do this.

The pioneering process that MacMillan and List developed is helping solve this scientific challenge, paving the way for discovering new drugs and even making molecules that can capture light in solar cells. Chemistry also is made more environmentally friendly because of their innovation.

Building molecules is a difficult art. Benjamin List and David MacMillan are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: organocatalysis. This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research, and has made chemistry greener, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences noted in announcing the award.

For his Purdue discussion, MacMillan will highlight the advent and development of asymmetric organocatalysis in his laboratory. As an overview, he will explore concepts of chemical reactivity, catalysis and the asymmetry of organic molecules. He also will examine the impact of organocatalysis on modern synthetic chemistry and explore the real-world applications of the technology.

We will discuss the ways in which organocatalysis created a bridge to the development of a new field of research in our lab: visible light photoredox catalysis, MacMillan said in the abstract explaining his talk of the field of photochemistry that uses single-electron transfer. Last, we will look to the future and consider how organocatalysis may continue to impact scientific research and society.

After his Nobel win, MacMillan used his share of the $1.14 million prize to establish the May and Billy MacMillan Foundation. Created to honor his parents, the foundation supports educational opportunities for financially disadvantaged students in Scotland. MacMillan also contributed any money for talks he gave during 2022 to the foundation.

While at Harvard University in the late 1990s, MacMillan had been working with metal catalysts. But the types used in his research were rarely embraced by industry. The problem: While the oxygen-free and moisture-free conditions demanded by some metal catalysts were possible to achieve in the lab, this was much more difficult at large scales.

MacMillan studied chemistry as an undergraduate at the University of Glasgow. He then came to the United States in 1990, where he pursued his doctoral studies at the University of California, Irvine. Having earned a PhD, he took a postdoctoral position at Harvard University in 1996. There, MacMillans began his research focus on catalysis.

In 1998, MacMillan was appointed to the chemistry faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, before moving on to Princeton in 2006 as the A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Chemistry, where he is currently the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry. He also served as department chair at Princeton from 2010-15.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer and media contact: Phillip Fiorini, pfiorini@purdue.edu, 765-430-6189
The Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association, NECA; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN; the National Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, and other members of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, OPSN, have raised alarm over worsening cases of de-marketing of businesses in Nigeria.

They pleaded with the government to urgently address the rising cases of false information and misinformation about Nigerian businesses, to stop the attendant risk of its negative impact on businesses' economic prospects.

At a roundtable discussion, weekend, in Lagos, members of OPSN called on the Federal Government to put guidelines in place to tackle the menace of disinformation and de-marketing of Nigerian businesses, warning that the menace had caused financial and reputational damage on businesses of their member companies.

The roundtable discussion was organized in collaboration with the Centre for International Private Enterprise, CIPE, through the service of Nextier, an Africa-focused public policy consulting firm, to conduct a study on the impact of disinformation on Nigeria's private sector companies.

Speaking on behalf of three major business associations in the OPSN that include NECA, MAN, and NACCIMA, MAN's Director-General , Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said it was imperative for the government to legislate against disinformation, saying it would be a huge challenge for businesses, if not addressed.

"It will not be possible to completely eliminate it but we will ensure we achieve it. We will ensure we implore technology to make it robust, create enough awareness, seek government's support and make people liable for damages done to our businesses. OPSN will continue to drive campaigns against disinformation against the private sector," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Founding Partner, Nextier, Patrick Okigbo, in his presentation, said "the private sector is highly susceptible to disinformation campaigns, resulting in loss of customer revenues and the damage may linger, even after the information is debunked."

As part of the survey conducted, he acknowledged that Nigeria's significant disinformation challenge seriously threatened business survival, even as he lamented that Nigeria's disinformation was worsening

According to him, specific factors that increase the ease with which disinformation spreads worsens the challenge.

"These disinformation attacks, which are becoming almost daily, aim to engender a lack of trust in the targeted business. Nigerians create most of the disinformation while other Nigerians inadvertently disseminate them, not necessarily for malicious reasons," he said.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue Global and Ambassador Health have formed a strategic partnership that will provide essential experience for School of Nursing students and offer first-rate educational opportunities to Ambassador Health staff and their family members through tuition reduction. The alliance is another step in achieving Purdue Globals new vision for health care expansion.

The Purdue Global School of Nursing is thrilled to partner with Ambassador Health and is excited to support its mission around continuing education and the pursuit of academic achievement, said Melissa Burdi, Purdue Global vice president and dean of the School of Nursing.

The Purdue Global School of Nursing offers an associate degree program, an RN-BSN program, six Master of Science in Nursing specialties and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Additional Purdue Global offerings include business, criminal justice, human services and psychology, among others. The partnership does not include Concord Law School, aviation or ExcelTrack programs.

Ambassador Health staff and immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings and parents) will be afforded 20% tuition reduction for undergraduate programs, 14% reduction for graduate programs and 10% reduction for doctoral programs.

We at Ambassador Health are very excited by the new educational partnership between Ambassador Health and Purdue Global, said Laura Ernesti, corporate regional nurse. The educational partnership not only allows us to welcome Purdue Global nursing students into our facilities to gain exceptional nursing experiences and foster compassionate care that will prepare them for their career as a nurse, but it also allows our employees, their spouses, significant others and their children the opportunity to receive discounted and quality-driven education while being an employer of Ambassador Health.

Purdue Global has similar strategic partnerships with Continuum Pediatric Nursing Services, York (Nebraska) General, Columbus (Nebraska) Community Hospital, UnityPoint Health  Cedar Rapids, the Wellness Council of Arizona, Quality Living Inc., Kearney Regional Medical Center, Stewart Memorial Community Hospital and Story County Medical Center.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations  no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue Universitys flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

About Ambassador Health

Ambassador Health is a regional leader in post-hospital rehabilitation, with facilities located in Nebraska City, Lincoln, Omaha, and Sidney, Iowa. With four decades of experience, the locally owned health system provides results-driven care in an intimate, personalized environment. Whether its a planned surgery, an unexpected illness or a traumatic injury, patients at Ambassador Health receive in-patient rehabilitation from highly qualified therapy and nursing teams. In addition to post-hospital rehabilitation, active seniors looking for independent or assisting living options, adults in need of pulmonary and ventilator services, and parents of small children looking for advanced pediatric specialty care will find their unique health care needs met within the walls of Ambassador Health.

Media contact, Purdue Global: Tom Schott, tschott@purdue.edu

Media contact, Ambassador Health: Jessica Crunk, jcrunk@ambhealthsys.com

Sources: Melissa Burdi

Laura Ernesti
TLC / Reality TV World

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/23/2023



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ANGELA and MICHAEL

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YARA and JOVI

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SHAEEDA and BILAL

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THE CAST GATHERS FOR DRINKS AFTER FILMING

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ED and LIZ

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

: Happily Ever After? featured Liz Woods deciding Ed Brown is "a liar" and she deserves better, Angela Deem saying she plans to file for divorce from Michael Ilesanmi Jovi Dufren and Yara Zaya disagreeing on having a second child, Shaeeda Sween and Bilal Hazzies trying for Baby No. 1, and Michael confronting Usman "SojaBoy" Umar behind Angela's back during the Tell-All: No Limits Part 4 episode that aired Sunday night on TLC.For the first time in the show's Tell-All history, cameras followed the cast members inside and outside the New York City studio for four days "around the clock," according to host Shaun Robinson The Tell-All of : Happily Ever After?'s seventh season starred Jenny Slatten , a 63-year-old from Palm Springs, CA, and Sumit Singh, a 33-year-old from New Delhi, India; Jovi, a 31-year-old from New Orleans, LA, and Yara, a 27-year-old from Ukraine; and Usman, a 33-year-old from Nigeria, and Kim Menzies, a 51-year-old from San Diego, CA.The two-hour broadcast also featured Bilal, a 43-year-old from Kansas City, MO, and Shaeeda, a 37-year-old from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; Ed, a 56-year-old from San Diego, CA, and Liz, a 29-year-old from San Diego, CA; Angela, a 56-year-old from Hazlehurst, GA, and Michael, a 34-year-old from Nigeria; and Elizabeth Potthast , a 31-year-old from Tampa, FL, and Andrei Castravet , a 35-year-old from Chisinau, Moldova.The cast gathered in New York City and taped the Tell-All with host Shaun Robinson , who asked the reality TV stars for relationship updates, explanations, and the truth.Below is what happened on the fourth -- and final -- part of the : Happily Ever After? Tell-All.Michael was shown chasing down Usman in Lagos, Nigeria. Michael explained how his wife is a very jealous person and so she asked him to take down his social media."She thinks I'm a bad influence on you because she knows that I'm smarter than you, she knows that. It is clear," Usman said.Usman told the cameras that he had defended Michael at the Tell-All not knowing the whole story and so he felt bad about telling Angela that Michael should be able to keep his Instagram."He's a child and he cannot control himself," Usman complained of Michael.Usman explained to Michael how every relationship has its ups and downs, and Michael said Angela is "loyal to her core" and would even protect and cover up for him sometimes."But this time, it was so glaring that everybody [has] to know about it," Michael told Usman."The whole issue of the cheating thing, yeah I cheated. The voice note played... but I want you to do for me is, please, this woman is my wife. The way you respect me, I want to you to, please, respect her. I want you to please stop... exchanging words with her."Usman insisted he had no problem with Michael or Angela -- unless Angela went after him, like when she had called him "a scammer" in the past.After filming the Tell-All, Angela said she had to quit blaming other people because Michael needed to be held accountable and responsible for his own actions. Angela planned to enjoy herself in New York and then make some big decisions about Michael the next day.Angela then asked the bartender at the afterparty if he knew any men she could date and/or have sex with because she'd probably be going through a divorce with a man who had allegedly played her for five-plus years.After a night of drinking, Kim said she needed peace, and so she asked Angela to FaceTime with Usman and work things out.Angela refused to speak to Usman, and she just couldn't believe she had waited for a visa for so many years when her partner had been cheating on her.Kim asked Angela what she would do if Michael's spousal visa was suddenly delivered, and Angela confessed she'd "run" because Michael constantly lied to her."He will never step foot in my life again. I don't know what to do," Angela said, adding how she believed Kim had also been "blinded" and was being manipulated by Usman."I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. I could be wrong... All I'm saying is, everything he's done from past to now, he's b-llsh-tting you."Angela told Kim that she thought Usman was "using" her, and Kim admitted she wasn't sure but was certainly having these thoughts herself.Both women had been hoping this relationship would be "it" for them, and so they were very upset.Angela wondered if she should find another man who would appreciate her and love her new body. Angela said divorce was on the table and she was "definitely going to file" -- although that didn't necessarily mean she was going to sign the papers.Yara revealed she had a breast augmentation and that loved her new body and felt great about her larger chest.Jovi gushed about how his wife's breasts looked really good, and Yara said she now feels confident to have sex with her husband without thinking about how her breasts looked the entire time.Jovi apparently took a fun trip to Africa for part of the time Yara was recovering from her surgery. The couple's daughter Mylah apparently stayed with Jovi's mother Gwen while Yara healed."Jovi needs to grow up. You're a dad and a husband, and your trip could've been canceled," Gwen told her son."She scheduled her [surgery] when my trip was less than a month away... I had a plan," Jovi clarified.Angela and Andrei thought it was ridiculous Jovi didn't stay home to take care of his wife and daughter.Andrei asked Yara how she possibly could've "tolerated" this behavior from her husband, but Yara explained how she wanted Jovi to be happy because he allegedly always complained about not seeing his friends enough. Yara said she didn't want Jovi to be "miserable" in their marriage.Jovi reiterated how Yara had given him permission and her blessing to leave.Jovi then shared how he'd like to have another child sooner rather than later, but Yara noted how she'd like to wait longer and have a second child when she feels ready."You can't have a baby and have someone else raise them," Yara said, referencing how Jovi must leave home for months at a time for work.But Jovi argued he and Yara spend a lot -- or most -- of their time with Mylah.Andrei proceeded to point out how Jovi probably wanted to have another baby just so he could tie Yara down. Andrei suggested Yara is much better looking than Jovi, and both Yara and Gwen snapped, "That's not nice!"Shaeeda said she thought Jovi is a very attractive guy, and then Jovi told Andrei that he was wrong about his assumption regarding Jovi feeling insecure in his marriage.Jovi and Yara also insisted that they are with Mylah most of the time and didn't depend on other people to watch their child.Yara broke down into tears, clearly feeling like she's a good mother who does her best considering she also works a job and needs time to do that.Ed announced how women these days are unfairly expected to work full-time, raise children and have a hot meal on the table once their husbands get home."You're so smart and caring to other women, but you never say anything nice to Liz," Angela told Ed."You don't know our story," Ed argued.Gwen complained about how her effort with Mylah and Yara was "never enough" in Jovi's eyes and she had to drive two hours just to pick up Mylah.Gwen felt she was helping as much as she thought she was needed and so her big fight with Jovi that aired on : Happily Ever After? was uncalled for and unnecessary.Back on the topic of having another kid, Jovi explained how Mylah brought him closer to Yara and their marriage may not have lasted without her. Jovi's statement hurt Yara's feelings because she thought they were together simply because they loved each other.Yara said she'd like buy an apartment with her own money in Europe, but Jovi wanted his name on that deed and the couple argued about it. Yara said she'd like Mylah to have a place to stay in Europe once she grows up and it would be nice to own one thing in her marriage.Jovi then revealed he'd like to move to Florida to make Yara happy, after which Gwen said she had just bought a property to build a home in Louisiana to be closer to the couple."We're going to move, that's already determined... My wife is not happy in Louisiana, and I don't want her to be unhappy all the time," Jovi shared.Gwen seemed upset, but Yara assured Gwen that she's the best mother-in-law in the world and would be welcome in her house any time. Yara said Gwen could stay in Florida with them for weeks at a time and enjoy the beach.Although Gwen was pissed off, Jovi said he wasn't going to stay in New Orleans if it meant ruining his marriage.Ed then started yelling at Yara, saying she didn't support Jovi and just want to "bolt to Europe." Yara called Ed "a user."Jenny yelled at Ed that he was insulting every person on the stage, and she screamed, "Kiss my ass, dude!""Shut up!" Ed shouted."You shut up!" Jenny fired back.Yara agreed that Ed was "so rude to everybody."Ed then told Jovi that he wasn't man enough to manage his family, but Usman pointed out how Jovi was a loyal man and a good provider to his wife and child. Ed then called Jovi a "wuss" and "p-ssy," saying that he was allowing Yara to ruin his life.Once there was a break from filming, Jovi told Andrei backstage that Yara would probably want to stay in Europe with her mother and friends if she temporarily moved into an apartment there. Andrei agreed and didn't think Yara's plan was cool.Jovi said he'd never buy a place of his own and leave Yara's name off of it.The next morning, Jovi and Yara were still arguing about the events that had taken place the day before. Jovi felt Yara had bashed him with her friends.Shaeeda shared how she was considering a breast augmentation like Yara had. Shaeeda apparently wanted her breasts done since the age of 14, and she said she loved how Yara's breasts turned out.Bilal, however, remained silent and didn't seem pleased about his wife's desire to change her appearance.Shaeeda felt the Tell-All went great. She wasn't leaving in tears, nor did she feel disconnected from Bilal, and Bilal finally felt like they were playing for the same team.Once Bilal and Shaeeda returned to their hotel room, Bilal surprised his wife with rose petals all over the room.Shaeeda thought this was a fresh start for them, and she gushed about how she finally felt great in their relationship."We never agreed on how to get to the destination, but the destination has always been the same," Bilal told Shaeeda.Shaeeda was all smiles, and she and Bilal allowed viewers to believe they were going to try for their first baby that night.The next morning, Shaeeda told the cameras how she and Bilal had "officially made up" and she COULD be "officially pregnant."Bilal told Shaeeda that she could have it all, including her own business and a joint banking account for the first time in their relationship. The pair was very happy, and they looked forward to going back home."We're going to get started on that business -- and babies," Bilal noted.After filming the Tell-All, Kim admitted to Jenny and Yara in a taxi that a part of her had been hoping Usman would ask her to wear her engagement ring again.Jenny told Kim to move on and find a new man."Why do people call him 'Big Ed? He's, like, little?!'" Jenny asked the girls."It's like when people who have a small d-ck buy a big car," Yara joked.Meanwhile, Jovi told Ed in a taxi how someone was probably going to beat his ass soon for the way he spoke to women. Ed claimed Yara had been "very disrespectful" to him, but Jovi said nothing justified Ed lashing out at a woman."I'm ashamed of the way I behaved... I was f-cking mad," Ed lamented, adding how his situation sucked because Liz "is absolutely amazing."The cast then gathered together for drinks, and Yara called him "a clown." Jovi also said Ed didn't act his age.Liz told Jenny that she was "annoyed" with Ed and never expected the Tell-All to go that way. Liz said Ed's behavior was not okay, and Jenny told her that she deserved so much better."Please don't take him back again," Jenny begged Liz.Liz said she needed to be a good role model for her daughter, suggesting maybe it would be best to let Ed go because "he's a liar" and "he'll never change."Once Angela arrived, she said if Michael hung out with Usman after the Tell-All, she'd be "done" with him because she was tired and Michael had been very deceitful. Angela explained how she believed Usman would be a bad influence on Michael.Angela, however, didn't know what to do, and she said she felt exhausted mentally.Andrei said it seemed like Angela loved Michael a lot but he didn't love her back.Jovi then asked Ed to have a conversation with him. He said he didn't like how Ed talked to Jenny or his wife, and he felt Ed owed them all an apology. Ed said he didn't want to hear it and was done with this conversation.Kim advised Liz to throw her glass of red wine on Ed's white shirt because it would be hilarious.Ed said he had to leave because he had work, a speaking engagement, the next morning.Liz complained that she was always on "Ed's f-cking time" and intended to be classy, work hard, and surround herself with positive people -- including Kim, who lives down the street from her.Liz asked Kim to beat her ass if she considered taking Ed back.Shaeeda, Andrei, Bilal, Jovi and Shaeeda all discussed how Liz needed to dump Ed because she was clearly unhappy. The group didn't think it made sense for Liz to go back to Ed again.Liz revealed how her license plate says, "BigEdsGirl," and she laughed about how she would need to change it again.Kim then talked to her girls about having good sex with Usman, and she dubbed one of his moves "The Power Bike." Jenny also shared how her sex life with Sumit was "perfect" and her husband often massaged her before making love.Angela said Michael was very good in bed but she had to teach him, and Liz complained about how Ed still didn't know how to kiss.Liz and Angela then cheered "to two single women," and Kim chimed in how it may possibly be "three" single women soon. Liz said they should go out and party together as Ed was shown packing up his suitcase in his hotel room.Ed told the cameras how he didn't hate Liz and would like to remain her friend. Ed said he still loved her but would have to find a different way to love her.Ed said it wasn't healthy for him to keep going back to Liz.Ed had Liz's engagement ring in his pocket, and he said it cost him $13,000. Ed said maybe he'd give the ring to his daughter, and then he called a producer saying that Liz would not be accompanying him to Boston. Ed asked producers to book Liz a flight back to San Diego.Ed planned to take care of himself and put himself first.Liz the cried and vented about how she was "so pissed."The next morning, Liz said Ed had left her in New York alone and she was about to head back to San Diego herself. She was just glad she had her own place to return to."This relationship is not going to work out. Ed and I are done, for good, this time," Liz said in a confessional."I swear. This is the last breakup. I'm going to go back home and I'm going to live a good life. I am going to be happy and I'm going to put Liz first, and I'm looking forward to it."Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Ahead of her anticipated Renaissance tour, Beyonce performed her first show in four years at the opening of the Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai.

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The hourlong set on Saturday featured several of her hits, including "Crazy in Love," "Freedom," "Be Alive" "Drunk in Love" "Naughty Girl" and "Beautiful Liar," her duet with Shakira

"We're delighted that global superstar Beyonce was here to launch this extraordinary resort in an unforgettable way -- a true icon, launching an icon," Tim Kelly, managing director of Atlantis Dubai said, Elle reported.

As fireworks went off behind her and dressed in a gold feathered dress by Dubai designer Atelier Zuhra, Beyonce, 41, opened the show with her version of the Etta James classic "At Last."

She was accompanied by Firdaus, a 48-piece all-female orchestra. She also had the Mayyas, an all-female dance crew from Lebanon with her onstage at various parts of the show. In a show of support for Ukraine, Beyonce wore Ukrainian designer FROLOV, who designed the sparkling pink corset dress, gloves and leggings for one of her three costume changes.

Beyonce 's parents, Tina Lawson and Mathew Knowles, were in Dubai for the show, along with Jay Z , whom she acknowledged from the stage as "my beautiful husband," and their children, Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi Carter.

Blue Ivy, 11, joined her mother onstage for a performance of "Brown Skin Girl" from her mother's Black Is King project, which was released on The Lion King: The Gift in 2020.

Wearing a red, sparkly gown, Blue Ivy sang her parts of the song that made her the second-youngest Grammy winner in the history of the awards. She received a songwriting credit, which made her eligible for the award.

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At the show's end, Beyonce walked out onto a platform in the middle of a body of water, then was lifted above the audience as a fireworks display concluded the performance.

Celebrities in attendance at the invitation-only concert included Kendall Jenner, Nia Long, Beyonce protegees Chloe and Halle Bailey, and Rebel Wilson. The Bachelorette's Tayshia Adams, Love is Blind's Deepti Vempati and Siesta Key's Juliette Porter were also in the audience. No phones or recordings were allowed.

Atlantis The Royal is scheduled to open next month.

Though no dates have been announced, Beyonce auctioned off a VIP experience to the expected 2023 Renaissance tour at the Wearable Art gala event in October.

At Saturday's show, she did not perform tracks from the Renaissance album, whose "Cuff It" became a dance challenge on TikTok last year.

Beyonce last performed in public with Jay Z at the Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100 event in 2018.
Sean Penn is set to introduce the documentary Superpower at the Berlin Film Festival, after traveling to Ukraine last year to shoot the film with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the war.

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While in Ukraine, Penn gave Zelensky one of his Oscar statuettes.

"It's just a symbolic silly thing, but if I know it is here then I'll feel better and strong enough for the fights," Penn told Zelensky, in a video that the president posted. "When you win, bring it back to Malibu, because I'll feel much better knowing there's a piece of me here."

Penn traveled to Ukraine last November to shoot the video for Vice Studios but ended up having to leave due to worsening conditions on the ground there.

Vice Studios produced the documentary with Vice World News and Endeavor Content. Aaron Kaufman is credited as co-director.

"The director specially came to Kyiv to record all the events that are currently happening in Ukraine and to tell the world the truth about Russia's invasion of our country," read a statement from the office of the president that was released last year. " Sean Penn is among those who support Ukraine in Ukraine today. Our country is grateful to him for such a show of courage and honesty."

The documentary includes footage of Penn in Kyiv when fighting began as well as a meeting with Zelensky. The president awarded Penn the Order of Merit "for his sincere support and significant contribution to the popularization of Ukraine in the world."

Superpower will be screened as part of a series of events, including the showing of nine Ukrainian films, in support of Ukrainian filmmakers. Penn's doc will screen on the anniversary of the day that Russia invaded Ukraine as part of the Berlinale Special Gala series.

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In the announcement, Carlo Chatrian, the artistic director of the Berlin Film Festival said: "This is a documentary film done under very difficult circumstances, but it is also a film that tells the role of art and artists in difficult times."
The president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sent his heartfelt condolences to the country's armed forces for the loss of commanders killed in the Galcad attack by Al-Shabaab on Friday morning.

In a statement, Mohamud praised the government troops for their selfless and heroic action to avert the Al-Shabaab attack on their base in Galcad town which is under Galmudug state.

The president said the SNA taught an unforgettable lesson to Al-Shabaab after inflicting irretrievable losses during the counter-attack.

The head of the state has specially condoled over the death of the deputy commander of the Danab brigade of SNA Major Hassan Mohamed Osman [Hassan Tuure], who was among those who perished in the dawn attack.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is in Baidoa for reconciling Southwest State leaders at loggerheads over Lafta-Garen's term extension lauded SNA's progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

"The latest capture of the key areas and towns marks the end of Al-Shabaab," said Mohamud, adding that the attacks by the militants will not drail the re-liberation efforts.
Ins and outs describe something we all do every new year  decide what needs to be left in the past. The Red & Black staff and contributors shared what Athens ins and outs should be this year.
Family business of 50-plus years invests in local projects, small or large

Customer-focused teams aim to help you get it right the first time
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.
Brattleboro is considering the purchase of a Portland Loo for the High Grove Lot, which would run about $150,000.
Photographer / Multimedia Editor

Has been working as a photojournalist since 2007, before moving into newspapers, he worked with an NGO called Project HOPE. He then went to work for the Press and Sun-Bulletin in New York, and then in New England working for the Brattleboro Reformer.
18 January 2023: The Federal Government of Somalia has handed over 11 rehabilitated Juba River breakage sites in Dolow (4 sites) and Bardere (7 sites) districts of Jubbaland State to local administrations in order to take the ownership and continuous maintenance of the rehabilitated infrastructure to address the recurring floods that have had a negative impact on farming and pastoralist communities and affected more than 500,000 people.

These floods have a significant impact on our country's food production because they destroy farms every year. In addition to the losses inflicted by floods on farming communities, the crisis instills discouragement in farming communities, jeopardizing the country's food chain.

The rehabilitated river breakage infrastructure is part of 124 river breakage sites along Jubba and Shabelle rivers implemented through the Somalia Crises Recovery Project (SCRP) which is a flood and disaster recovery, and reconstruction project financed by the World Bank via the Federal Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Co-managed with the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development.

The SCRP Project implementation Unit (PIU) led by the Project Coordinator Ali Haji Adan and Project Co-manager Abdi Tawane handed over 11 rehabilitated river breakage sites of these two districts in Jubbaland State and advised the local administrations to preserve, monitor, and maintain the rehabilitated river breakage sites where necessary, as their responsibilities included preserving such critical facilities for the local people.

"The project was developed in response to a request from the local communities, coordinated with the sector Ministries at Federal and member states (FMS), and the Local administration. It is our pleasure to finally hand over these rehabilitated river breakage sites to the local authorities, we hope that these investments will protect the livelihood of the communities from future flooding to ensure a long-term solution to the effects of the Shabele and Juba River flooding," SCRP Project Coordinator: Ali Haji said.

State Project Team Coordinator Osman Hassan urged "The local government authorities, farmers associations and the larger community to take ownership of these valuable infrastructures of river embankments and related climate resilient activities implemented in their respective areas and as such maintain them to prevent future recurrencies of flood related disasters".

Weli Yusuf Abdullahi 'Qorah,' Commissioner of the Bardere District, complimented the Federal Government of Somalia for devising an effective solution that differed from prior interventions, which only handled the emergency issues that existed at the time of the problem.

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"It is a new approach of encouraging people to be self-sufficient and investing in projects that assist the locals achieve food sufficiency by protecting their farms from the effects of floods. Reducing river flooding equals increased production and societal stability," he continued.

Adan Barre Ali 'Adan Madobe,' Deputy District Commissioner of Dolow, who took over four of the rehabilitated river embankments, also emphasized the importance of this project to the local people, as it provided a long-term solution for controlling flood water from the river, which is vital for livelihoods.

The completion of these 11 sites of River embankment coincides with Jiilaal's dry spell season, providing farming communities with an excellent opportunity to prepare for and efficiently exploit the upcoming rainy season.

END
Michael Shank, a resident of Montpelier, is director of engagement at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and teaches sustainable development at New York University. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Officials of the Network of Gender Journalists for Women and Cultural Advancement (NoGJWCA) in The Gambia on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three organisations in Nigeria.

The organisations are Women for Equity and Social Change Initiative (WESCI), Hope Raisers Global Foundation (HRGF) and Comfort Stream Aid Foundation (CSAF).

The aim of the MoU is to work together as partners in the areas of women and youth empowerment as well as children rights. Its objective is to have one big organization in Africa called AfriGender-Rights Group to be headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. Other countries are expected to have charters including The Gambia.

The organization is ready to work with international organisations such as ECOWAS, African Union (AU), European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), among others which deal with the issue of women empowerment and children rights.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Njie Baldeh, the secretary general of Network of Gender Journalists for Women and Cultural Advancement (NoGJWCA) in The Gambia, thanked the three organisations through Rosita Chinyere Ndukwe for the partnership.

"I hope the partnership will go a long way in promoting women, youth and children rights," he said.

Pateh Baldeh, President of the Network said his network is committed to working towards the attainment of the aims and objectives of the partnership for a better Africa.

"As a network, we see the signing as a very big achievement, but a lot still have to be done for action implementation. I thank all those who made the partnership possible," he added.

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Angonimi David-Imeh, founder of Hope Raisers Global Foundation (HRGF) said Africa needs powerful voices and not noise makers.

"Once the vision is clear, we are ready to pull down the heavens; count me in.Together each achieves more. We focus on taking care of internally displaced people for now as there is need to empower women, educate the children, provide health care for children, and advocate by lending our voices with as many other voices that are pointing towards better livelihood for these ones from the Federal Government," she also said.

Ebele Okeke, President of Women for Equity and Social Change Initiative (WESCI) said their mission is to give free dispute resolution services to all hurting women in society.

"Our vision is to make sure all suffering women in Nigeria are given fair social justice. I am glad to work with other African NGOs that are interested in social justice, liberation and emancipation," she pointed out.

Theresa Anthony, the founder of Comfort Stream Aid Foundation (CSAF) said her foundation was initiated out of passion to alleviate the suffering of women, girls and youth in the areas of unemployment, Gender Based Violence (GBV), mental health, rights and protection.

"We do these through capacity building, sensitisation, awareness, skills development and counseling."
She says authorities are holding her hostage to force her husband to return and face investigation.

After the Jifeng Bookstore [shown] in Shanghai was shut down in 2018, Yu Miao, his wife, Xie Fang, and their children came to the United States.

Authorities in China have prevented the wife of an exiled political bookstore owner from leaving the country to rejoin her husband and their three children in the United States, Radio Free Asia has learned.

Xie Fang, wife of former Jifeng Bookstore founder Yu Miao said in a statement posted to social media, dated January 2023, that she returned to Shanghai from the United States on Jan. 12, 2022, to take care of her sick mother.

"After the lifting of the zero-COVID policy, I was scheduled to return to the United States ... so that I could catch up with the start of my twin daughters senior year of high school, my sons graduate school, and my husbands college start, she wrote.

"But I was stopped by border inspection guards at (Shanghais) Pudong Airport, who said I had ... endangered national security or some such thing," Xie wrote in a statement circulating on various social media platforms and reposted by the U.S.-based China Digital Times.

The case highlights how Chinese authorities have tried to use exit bans to compel people to cooperate with official investigations.

In fact, Xies travel ban came as the U.S. State Department updated its China travel advisory to warn of this exact thing. It said American citizens need to "be more cautious" about going there and that Chinese authorities can put pressure on family members of the restricted person to go back to China.

"In most cases, U.S. citizens only become aware of an exit ban when they attempt to depart the PRC, and there is no reliable mechanism or legal process to find out how long the ban might continue or to contest it in a court of law," it warned.

"Relatives, including minor children, of those under investigation in the PRC may become subject to an exit ban, it said.

Ran afoul

Yu, Xie and their children left the country after the Shanghai authorities effectively shut down his Jifeng Bookstore in 2018.

The store likely ran afoul of the ruling Chinese Communist Party with its regular hosting of political seminars, and had specialized in high-quality academic books on politics, philosophy, law and history.

Yu said at the time that local authorities had interfered with the store's negotiations for new premises after it was forced out of its home at the end of its lease, according to a Jul. 16, 2017, Hong Kongs South China Morning Post.

Since she was blocked, police have talked to Xie many times, she said, asking if her husband had published any articles under his pseudonym in the United States and what articles he had uploaded. She said had "actively cooperated" with police in forwarding their questions to Yu, and Yu's reply to the police.

Xie said police were now demanding that Yu return to China, before she would be allowed to leave to take care of her teenage daughters.

"I am innocent, and I will get my freedom to leave the country back, as long as my husband returns to China for investigation," her statement said.

Xie said complying with the request could put the couple's three children in jeopardy, with no legal guardian to take care of them until Xie's return -- if the authorities even allowed that to happen as promised.

"I implore your department to restore my freedom as soon as possible so that I can be reunited with my family," she wrote.

Taken hostage

U.S.-based activist Zhou Fengsuo, who founded the rights group Humanitarian China, said via his Twitter account that he is worried about the travel ban on Xie, saying she is being taken "hostage."

"I'm concerned about the fact that the Shanghai police have Yu Miaos wife Xie Fang hostage in an attempt to coerce Yu Miao, who is in the United States, to return to China," Zhou wrote.

"The acclaimed Jifeng Bookstore was forced to close in 2018, and Yu and his family came to the United States," he tweeted.

He later told RFA: "It is of course unacceptable that they have abducted his wife, who had nothing to do with Yu Miao's activities, and are now demanding Yu Miao ... go back to China."

Act of state terrorism

U.S.-based human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping said Yu had likely done nothing to endanger national security.

"This incident tells us that the Chinese Communist Party's monitoring of its nationals overseas is highly secretive, all-pervasive and very widespread," Wu said. "They use monitoring and the spy network to implement long-arm controls over their people overseas."

"This means that Chinese people daren't even exercise their rights when they're outside China," he said. "It's an act of state terrorism, and it's very typical of the regime.

A number of countries have recently ordered China to shut down unauthorized police stations operating within their boundaries after a report by Spain-based rights group Safeguard Defenders said one of their main tasks is to persuade overseas dissidents to go back to China.

Hell on earth

Meanwhile, Thai police have released on bail a UN-recognized political refugee whom they detained after he staged a lone protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping as he attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok.

Li Nanfei described his two-and-a-half months in detention as "hell on earth."

"I was in a cell less than 100 meters square, with more than 100 people lying and standing," he said. "At peak times, there could be up to 160 people, all sleeping in shifts."

Li Nanfei, shown in an undated photo, has been stranded in Thailand for several years despite being a United Nations-registered refugee. Credit: Li Nanfei





"The bunks are only about 40-50 centimeters wide, and the cell bosses beat you up for being a bit too wide, or the police would instruct the prisoners to beat you, or they'd even beat you themselves," Li said.

Li, who has been stranded in Thailand for several years, was arrested after holding up a placard on a Bangkok street that read: "His Majesty President Xi, put an end to dictatorship in China! Give the people back their freedom!"

Li fled China after being charged with "subversion of state power" in 2013 after he tried to set up a political party, a notion that is anathema to Beijing.

He has no travel documents, and hasn't been offered resettlement in a third country.

"I can't do anything because I don't have a passport: I even have to ask a Thai person if I want to apply for a SIM card," he said. "I have no bank account, and ... I can't work ... or buy a property. I have to ask a Thai person just to rent somewhere."

He said he has little choice but to stay where he is, trying to evade forcible repatriation to China if Thai police decide they want to comply with a request from Beijing.

"Relatively speaking, there's still some fresh air to breathe," he said. "I could try to get to Malaysia or the Philippines in a sailboat, where I might have a chance at freedom, but of course I could die on the way."

He said his former fellow rights activist and good friend Zhang Haitao is currently serving a 19-year jail term at Xinjiang's Shaya Prison for "incitement to subvert state power" and spying.

"My case was much more serious than his, as I was a suspected mastermind, Li said, so they're not going to let up on me.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Officials deny reports that a sudden surge of water at an unofficial scenic spot came from nearby Sanmenxia dam.

People cling to rocks Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, amid the rushing water of the Yellow River downstream from Chinas Sanmenxia Hydropower Station.

At least two people are dead and seven remained missing on Monday after families celebrating Lunar New Year were swept away in a sudden flood from China's Yellow River, state media reported.

Video of the tragedy circulated widely on social media as rescue workers kept looking for survivors after 10 people were saved by the quick-witted response of those around them as torrents of water hit a group of people in what appeared to be a flash flood.

The Sanmenxia emergency response bureau warned people to "pay attention to personal safety over the holiday period," issuing a video of safety guidelines for people drawn to water at picturesque tourism spots.

A Red Star News report cited witnesses as saying that the water level in the river rose by 1.8 meters (6 feet) in just six minutes, giving people little time to react.

China Radio International quoted an eyewitness as saying that the tourists had gathered at a spot one to two kilometers (.6 to 1.2 miles) away from the Yellow River Dam Scenic Area, a place often frequented by "internet celebrities."

"It was the first day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was fine, and large numbers of people went there to enjoy themselves," the report said.

It said the crowds had apparently ignored warning signs saying "Danger, deep water," as someone had broken through a fence aimed at keeping people away from the river.

"At around 4:10 p.m., the river suddenly rose, and people began to run towards the bank," the report said. "Some people were washed to the bank by the water, and the people on the bank used branches to pull up some people who fell into the water."

It said rescue teams took around 20 minutes to arrive at the scene.

Local officials denied having released water from the dam, but said some overflow of water was part of "normal operations" ordered on a daily basis by the provincial authorities, according to both Red Star and China Radio International.

State news agency Xinhua said six of those rescued had been discharged from hospital by Monday morning, while two were in stable condition in hospital.

Avoiding responsibility

An official who answered the phone at the Sanmenxia municipal government on Monday said investigations are still underway into how the water level rose so suddenly.

"Verification and investigation are still underway, and it's not the right time to be talking about who is responsible," the official said. "I can't give you an exact answer, but I can take note of your question and report it to our leaders."

A source close to the incident said responsibility for the incident likely rests with both the municipal government at the Yellow River Conservancy Commission under the water resources ministry in Beijing.

Sanmenxia Hydropower Station, a couple of kilometers upstream of the drownings, is both owned and controlled by that committee, the source said.

An official who answered the phone at the Commission who gave only the surname Zhu said she wasn't authorized to give out any information, although she said she was aware of the official death toll of two people.

"Only the propaganda department can speak on this, or I could get into a lot of trouble," she said.

A local person familiar with the matter said government departments will always seek to avoid responsibility if they can.

"Now, it'll be all about evasion and prevarication, which is already beyond belief," the person said. "Yet they will still lie when they know very well what happened."

Reports said water behind the dam was estimated to have risen by almost 2 meters within 10 minutes before it began spilling over the top, the Associated Press reported.

The dam on China's mighty Yellow River was completed in 1960 and has been troubled by sediment buildup that has caused flooding upstream, leading to complaints about the dam's design and management, it said.

Lunar New Year is peak tourism and travel season in China, with more than two billion trips expected in the 40 days around Lunar New Year on Sunday, coming just weeks after the lifting of the travel bans and restrictions of the zero-COVID policy.

However, China could also see as many as 36,000 deaths a day from COVID-19, as the virus continues to rip through the population, a U.K.-based research firm warned last week.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Three women who escaped North Korea to live in the South discuss feelings of sadness during the holidays.

North Korean refugees and their family members bow to respect for their ancestors as they visit the Imjingak Pavilion near the border with North Korea, to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.

As Lunar New Year approaches in South Korea, and people travel to spend the holiday with their extended families, the nations trains run over-capacity and entire highways slow to bumper-to-bumper traffic. Rural hamlets see a surge in population, and the capital of Seoul turns into a ghost town.

The annual pilgrimage to the hometown can be a difficult journey, but honoring ancestors with heaps of delicious food for the jesa ceremony, feasting on it afterwards with the whole family, and having three days off from work makes all the hassle worthwhile for most South Koreans.

But there are some in South Korea who cannot make their way back home no matter how much they miss their families. Over the years more than 33,000 people who fled poverty and oppression in North Korea have come to live in the South.

Though most would say they are glad to have left their oppressive homeland, many still long for home when the holiday season rolls around.

Radio Free Asias Korean Service interviewed Sohn Myeong-hee, Kim Dan-geum, and a third escapee identified by the pseudonym Park Ji-yeon. They discussed the differences in how the holiday is celebrated in North and South, their longing to be back with their families, and feelings of loneliness during one of the most important holidays in Korean culture.

RFA: North Korea did not officially observe Lunar New Year as a holiday until 1989, so how important is the holiday in the North?

Sohn: Previously, Jan. 1 was considered more important, but now the Lunar New Year is very appreciated. We dont have to work for two or three days.

RFA: What do you feel is different between how you celebrated the Lunar New Year in the North, and what you see in the South?

Park: In North Korea, all the food is prepared on the day before to prepare for the jesa. Our mothers cook food until midnight or one oclock in the morning the day before the holiday. So there is more of a holiday feeling in that kind of atmosphere. I think it is very different from South Korea.

National flag-hoisting ceremony is held at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Cha Song Ho)





RFA: So what is the typical North Korean Lunar New Year like?

Kim: We gather from the day before and watch the midnight bell ringing on TV to celebrate the New Year.  In North Korea, there are areas where electricity is reliably supplied and there are areas that are not. But electricity is provided to everyone for the New Year, and it is called the holiday supply.

RFA: Food in North Korea is in short supply, so if people are struggling to eat most of the time, what is the holiday food like?

Park: [On the holiday] we can usually eat things we wouldn't normally eat. I eat a lot of meat or seafood because I dont get to eat them every day.

Sohn: We usually dont get to eat seafood and meat. So, on holidays, we sell about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of rice or corn to buy delicacies. We collect what we farmed for the year and eat it on New Year's Day. If you don't have rice on New Year's Day, you buy rice to eat. Some don't have to buy meat because they do livestock farming in rural areas, but they buy a lot of seafood. The most precious foods [where I was] in North Korea were pollack, mackerel, and flounder. We eat these during the holidays.

North Korean refugees and their family members bow to respect for their ancestors as they visit the Imjingak Pavilion near the border with North Korea, to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)





RFA: Can you remember any specific Lunar New Year moments from the past that stick with you even now?

Kim: We always prepared for the holiday on the day before. I went to the marketplace and then my sisters and I would cook together. I have two sisters. We always got together to cook. We saw each other often throughout the year, but I really enjoyed the time we spent together and ate together on holidays. I think the time when we were making food is the most memorable.

RFA: After settling in South Korea, what feelings do you have when the Lunar New Year approaches?

Sohn: When we come here, we have no parents or siblings. The loneliest time is New Years Day or other major holidays.  I miss [my family]. Honestly, it doesnt make sense to say I dont miss them. I miss them, but I cant put my hopes on them. Because I cant go back to see them. I always miss them.

Park: I sometimes imagine what my parents will be doing on New Year's Day and how they are doing these days. I know they are probably heading to grandmas house after their meal. I can imagine their day because I was part of it, and I have the memories. At the time, I didn't realize it because I had been doing it every day, but there are times I miss it. When the Lunar New Year comes, I think about it a lot, wondering what food they will be eating on New Year's Day, and I worry if they have enough food to eat.

Kim: Every year during the Lunar New Year holiday, I feel the saddest, because my brothers, father, and mother in my hometown have all passed away. I think of my family the most during Chuseok [autumn harvest] and Lunar New Year holidays. They say that living in North Korea is difficult right now, so I wonder how people spend the holidays there. I think of my siblings a lot.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Members of the Red Eagle Peoples Defense Force place mines under the seat of a motorcycle ahead of Saturdays attack on an administration office in Zee Kone village, Kanbalu township, Sagaing region in a photograph taken on Jan. 19, 2023.

A grenade and mine attack by the Red Eagle anti-junta group killed two Pyu Saw Htee militia members and injured another in Myanmars northern Sagaing region, the group told RFA.

Saturdays attack on an administration office in Kanbalu townships Zee Kone village was aimed at stopping the junta compiling voter lists ahead of a planned general election, a spokesman said.

It was done to prevent the door-to-door collection of household lists, said the Red Eagle member who didnt want to be named for security reasons. We threw a grenade at the office to bring them to where the mine was planted, and detonated it. Three of them were injured in the blast. Two of the injured died the next day.

Junta troops guarding the office fired back but no Red Eagle members were hit, the group said.

Mines used by the Red Eagle Peoples Defense Force. Credit: Facebook: Red Eagle

Sagaing regions junta spokesman and social affairs minister Aye Hlaing told RFA he hadnt heard about the incident. He said the household census was being conducted for the publics benefit.

Conducting the population census on the ground is focused on issuing smart cards to the people later. If these [lists] are correct, the ballots will also be correct. It is working for the people,'' he said.

The junta has been compiling voter lists since Jan. 9 and says it plans to hold an election under the proportional representation system. Although it hasnt announced a date, the 2008 constitution stipulates that elections must be held within six months of the second anniversary of any state of emergency.

Since the beginning of the year, the National League for Democracy and the National Unity Government, overthrown by the military on Feb. 1, 2021, have repeated their insistence that the junta respect the results of the 2020 election, which the NLD won by a landslide.

Some of Myanmars most powerful ethnic armed groups, including the Karen National Union, have also refused to support any election that doesnt include all political parties, saying they also oppose the census.

Figures compiled by RFA show there were 28 attacks on census groups and general administration offices between Jan. 9 and Jan. 23. Seven people, including police officers and a district administrator were killed.

On Friday night, three junta members were injured in a landmine attack on a general administration office in Bago region, where the census was being compiled, according to a local Peoples Defense Force.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said Monday that 13 township and district election commission offices across the country had been damaged in attacks by anti-junta groups.

Speaking at the first coordination meeting for the census in Naypyidaw on Friday, State Administration Council Vice Chairman, Vice-Senior Gen. Soe Win, said that since the last national census was conducted in 2014 the next must be carried out by 2024 even if there is no election this year.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Rak Properties, the largest publicly-listed property developer in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced the launch of its latest residential project, Julphar Residence on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

Julphar Residence features a total of 266 apartments with a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom units as well as a limited number of large three-bedroom apartments.

The 23-floor apartment building brings ready to live in homes to the Capital, stated the developer.

Speaking at the launch, CEO Sameh Al Muhtadi said: "Our goal with Julphar Residence was to create a living experience in the heart of Abu Dhabi that offers residents the opportunity to enjoy a great location as well as thoughtfully designed apartments and amenities that complement their lifestyle."

All of these apartments will get plenty of natural light, a private balcony and high quality finishings, he stated.

Residents will also be able to enjoy two swimming pools, a gym and indoor and outdoor childrens play areas, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The ECOWAS Permanent Mission in The Gambia presented two cheques of ninety-one thousand dalasis (D91,000) and sixty-one thousand ,five hundred dalasis (D61,500) with learning materials worth eighty-six thousand dalasis (D86,000) to Latriya Lower Basic School on Tuesday at the school premises.

The first cheque was presented to the school to facilitate the instillation of potable water while the second is meant to improve the school's infrastructure.

Madam Miatta Lilly French, the ECOWAS Resident Representative, stated that as human capital development is one of ECOWAS key priority, "for us in The Gambia, we decided that we should catch them young which is why we are investing in the education sector and this school happens to benefit from it."

She added that ECOWAS's mandate is not all about intervening in conflict related issues, noting that it is also about helping vulnerable communities, people or sectors.

She advised students of the school to take their education seriously. She also advised teachers to make beast use of the materials and money.

Binta Bajo, Deputy Head Teacher of the school expressed delight and gratitude to ECOWAS for contributing to lifting the school and its students' condition.

She assured them thatthey will make best use of the opportunity, adding that she hopes the partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Dang Thi Hue spent 39 months in prison for her part in a Hanoi protest.

Dang Thi Hue, also known as Hue Nhu, before her arrest in 2019.

Former prisoner of conscience Dang Thi Hue plans to continue her campaign against toll booth operators who cheat motorists out of money, she told RFA.

Vietnams controversial build-operate-transfer model gives concessions to private companies to build booths across the country and run them for a set period of time before returning them to public ownership.

Protesters say unscrupulous operators have been building booths in locations that havent been approved by the Ministry of Transport.

Hue was arrested on Oct. 16, 2019 after blocking the entrance to Hanois North Thang Long-Noi Bai Toll Station with a convoy of protesters who refused to pay.

The activists claimed the booth operator was collecting tolls to fund a bypass they didnt use.

Hue was sentenced to 18 months in prison by the People's Court of Hanois Soc Son district in May 2020 for "disturbing public order," extended to 42 months due to a previously suspended sentence for fraudulent appropriation of property.

An appeal only cut her sentence by three months and she suffered harsh treatment in prison but Hue remained defiant following her Jan. 16 release.

I will fight to the end to move wrongly-placed [booths] back to the right places, she told RFA.

Campaigners still face arrest

She said nothing had changed during her time in prison, with illegal toll collection continuing and the National Assembly rejecting a Transport Ministry proposal to buy back booths operating in the wrong places.

Hue said activists campaigning against a booth in northeastern Vietnams Thai Nguyen province are in danger of being arrested because local authorities havent changed their attitude.

They see the wrong, they accept it by having options for conversion and modification but they continue to criminalize the people who speak up, she said. They continue to use their power to oppress activists and prevent their protests.

On the day of her release from Thanh Hoa provinces Prison No. 5, Hue said dozens of fellow activists gathered at the prison gate to pick her up. However, guards took her out of the camp before dawn and abandoned her 20 kilometers (12 miles) away.

When her friends found her hours later, she was shivering from the cold, Hue said.

RFA was unable to contact prison authorities to verify her claims.

Prison law

Hue said she worked six days a week in Prison No. 5 and Yen Khanh Prison, where she was previously held, even though she was ill-fed and lacked proper medical care.

She said prisoners were forced to get up at 5:30 and work for eight hours without toilet breaks.

Women were forced to farm, weave and sew, while men mined stones for no pay.

At Yen Khanh, prisoners had to wade up to their necks in a sewage-filled pond to pick duckweed to feed pigs and chickens, Hue said. Many women got scabies all over their bodies, which went untreated.

Political prisoners are not forced to work, but are locked in their cells if they refuse, so Hue said she chose to work in order to get some fresh air.

In both of the prisons she successfully campaigned against the six-day working week and now inmates get two days off, she said.

According to Vietnamese law, prisoners are supposed to receive a salary to pay for extra food and other essentials, usually leaving some money for them on release. Hue said she didn't receive any money when she was freed.

They have their own rules, the prison law, not Vietnam's Criminal Judgment Execution Law. Each prison has its own law [to force prisoners] to work differently, she said.

Medical negligence

Hue described medical care in the two prisons as terrible, with untrained staff who only prescribed painkillers. Many prisoners diagnosed each others illnesses and filled out their own medical declarations because staff didnt examine them, she said.

Cells in Prison No. 5 were cramped, with people lying on stone floors on thin blankets. Each inmate had only 60 centimeters (24 inches) between other prisoners to sleep in, leading to fights.

Prisoners were not allowed to receive food and other essentials from their families in either prison, Hue said, forcing them to buy items three to four times more expensive than they would normally be.

Cramped conditions, insufficient food, hard labor and a lack of proper medical treatment is common in Vietnams prisons. In November religious leader Phan Van Thu, 74, died while serving a life sentence at Gia Trung Detention Center in southern Gia Lai province.

Another prisoner of conscience, Luu Van Vinh, said Thu complained of feeling ill but guards failed to check on him or allow him to see a doctor, his wife Nguyen Thi Thap told RFA at the time.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.
When the Taliban returned to power in 2021 in a lightning military insurrection that toppled Afghanistans internationally recognized government, the country immediately fell into diplomatic isolation.



Two of Kabuls neighbors to the north, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, chose a different route, putting the hard-line groups fractious history with the former Soviet Central Asian republics aside and prioritizing engagement over criticism and pressure.



But a giant canal project in Afghanistan now taking shape that the Taliban is pursuing at a rapid pace is giving the two water-stressed countries doubts about whether strategic patience with the Islamic fundamentalist group will yield rewards.



If you look at other projects that have involved Afghanistan and Central Asia somehow, there has often been a win-win element, Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, founding director of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh, told RFE/RL.



But the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal, which will divert large volumes of water from the dwindling transboundary Amu Darya River, is a very different case.



This is very much zero sum, because water is a finite good and there dont seem to be any benefits for Afghanistans neighbors here, said Murtazashvili, adding that she expects the Central Asian countries to pursue a lot of quiet diplomacy on the project that will add to the pressures faced by outsized agricultural sectors already battling climate change and historical mismanagement.

But the Taliban will be probing to see how far it can go, Murtazashvili said, something she suggested its downstream neighbors will have to get used to.



If the first Taliban [regime that ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001] was weighed down by insurgency and in some ways never really behaved like a state, Taliban 2.0 seems to really like the idea of projecting state power, Murtazashvili said.



Old Project With New Momentum



The stated dimensions of the irrigation canal that workers started digging last spring are enough to understand why the downstream countries have concerns.



With a length of 285 kilometers and a width of some 100 meters, experts believe it could draw a significant portion of the Amu Daryas flow while irrigating 550,000 hectares of land.



An Afghan civil servant with knowledge of the project told RFE/RLs Uzbek Service that work on the second of three stages of the project that began in the spring of 2022 is expected to begin in the coming months, with more than 100 kilometers already dug and visible from space.



The plan to irrigate land in northern Afghanistan is not new.



Farid Azim, an official at the National Development Company overseeing its construction, pointed out last year that Afghanistans first president, Mohammad Daud Khan, had a similar vision in the 1970s.

The project was most recently pursued by the U.S.-backed administration of President Ashraf Ghani -- which the Taliban overthrew less than two years ago.



A press release issued by the United States Agency for International Development from 2018 marking the launch of a Washington-funded feasibility study for Qosh Tepa described a 200 kilometer-long canal serving a cultivated catchment area of 500,000 hectares.



Developing Afghanistans agriculture sector provides great potential for employment and economic growth, then-U.S. Ambassador John R. Bass said in the release.



But the project was not a pressing concern for neighbors, primarily because political infighting and chronic instability in northern Afghanistan had made it impractical.



Bismellah Alizada, a researcher at Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, told RFE/RL that Rashid Dostum, who was the Afghan first vice president from 2014 to 2020, was among the influential politicians with concerns about the project.



One of those concerns was that it would be used to benefit and resettle members of the politically dominant Pashtun group to which President Ashraf Ghani belonged, Alizada said.



Dostum -- an ethnic Uzbek warlord -- long enjoyed strong ties to the regime in Uzbekistan and was even reported to have fled there when the Taliban captured Mazar-e Sharif, overwhelming forces jointly under his command before the group advanced on Kabul.

Members of Dostums exiled Junbish-e Milli party have reiterated these concerns more recently, but the reality is that the Taliban has no opponents capable of preventing it from forging ahead with giant public works projects, Alizada said.



More obvious obstacles are technical capacity and cash, with billions of dollars in funds belonging to Afghanistans central bank frozen after the Taliban takeover. That would make it hard for the cash-strapped Taliban to finance a project whose first phase cost nearly $100 million, according to reports.



But Graeme Smith, a senior consultant for the International Crisis Groups Asia Program, said the Taliban has a strong political will to finish off projects begun by the former government with Qosh Tepa the biggest that the group has revived so far.



With their very limited resources, the Taliban have prioritized [Qosh Tepa], said Smith, expressing skepticism that the Islamic fundamentalist group would pay attention to its neighbors concerns.



The Taliban is a nationalist movement intensely focused on their domestic constituencies, Smith said.



I think its fair to assume they will continue governing with a strong focus on issues inside the country and less regard for concerns outside, he told RFE/RL.



Games Of Leverage



Taciturn Turkmenistan has so far said nothing about the canal project.



But a Turkmenistan-based hydrologist speaking in March to RFE/RLs Turkmen Service on condition of anonymity called the project not a problem, but a disaster.



RFE/RL correspondents in the closed authoritarian country reported this year about severe water shortages in Turkmenistans Soviet-built Karakum Canal, which is four times the length of the one the Taliban is seeking to complete.



The World Resources Institute in 2019 ranked Turkmenistan as one of 17 countries in the world with extremely high water stress. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were placed in the next highest category. Central Asia as a whole depends on rivers that rise in mountains, where many glacier stocks are being depleted by climate change.



Tashkent, whose own Moscow-imposed, cotton-growing legacy is one of the chief causes of the Amu Daryas demise, has been more proactive on Qosh Tepa.

According to the Talibans deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the topic was among those broached by Uzbek presidential envoy and former Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov when he was in Kabul last month for talks on economic cooperation.



Komilov was cited by Baradars office as saying that Uzbekistan was ready to work with the Islamic emirate (the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan) through technical teams in order to maximize the benefits of the Qosh Tepa canal project.



Uzbekistan provided no comment to that effect in its release on the talks, but President Shavkat Mirziyoev -- in a national address in December -- flagged Qosh Tepa as a concern as he touched on the problem of desertification.

At the moment, we consider it necessary to conduct practical talks on the construction of a new canal in the Amu Darya basin with the interim government of neighboring Afghanistan and the international community based on international standards and taking into account the interests of all countries in the region, he said.



We believe that this approach will be supported by our neighbors.



Mirziyoevs preference for dialogue over threats on transboundary water use has been welcomed by the neighborhood since predecessor Islam Karimov passed away in 2016.



This appears to have worked with upstream Kyrgyzstan, where successful border negotiations saw Uzbekistan granted de facto control of a strategic reservoir located inside Kyrgyz territory, albeit not without a rash of political discontent in Kyrgyzstan.

And although authoritarian Karimov virulently opposed the construction of giant hydroelectric dams in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Mirziyoev has given both his blessing, with Tashkent even attaching itself to Kyrgyzstans Kambar-Ata-1 project as a partner -- a move that will give it a hand in upstream management.



Qosh Tepa, however, is becoming a source of public anxiety in Uzbekistan.



With the volume of the Amu Darya water [already] decreasing, Afghans will take a quarter of its water through this canal, complained Uzbek academic and outspoken government critic Khidirnazar Allakulov in an interview with RFE/RLs Uzbek Service.



Instead of solving the problem, the Uzbek government takes the Taliban to Samarkand, dressing them and presenting them with gifts. The government bows to Afghanistan.. Not only the current generation, but also future [Uzbek] generations can be endangered by the water problem, Allakulov said.



Regular exchanges between the Turkmen and Uzbek governments and the Taliban predated the fall of the Ghani government, and Turkmenistan was among the first countries in the world to accept a Taliban-appointed ambassador.

But in line with the international community as a whole, neither has recognized the new regime in Kabul.



This only complicates what Alizada calls the legal lacuna between Afghanistan and its former communist neighbors, since Kabul had not previously signed treaties with them on transboundary management.



And while Afghanistan is keen for more trade opportunities and relies on its northern neighbors for supplies of electricity for several provinces, there are other areas of these bilateral relations where the Taliban feels it has real leverage, Alizada argued.



For the Central Asian countries, I think the number one concern is hard security, especially with the regions history with transnational extremist groups. The Taliban will continue to use assurances on security in negotiations with these countries going forward.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to reopen Nagorno-Karabakh's land link with Armenia, warning that a blockade of the corridor could undermine peace efforts between the two countries.

Blinken spoke by telephone with Aliyev "to urge an immediate reopening of the Lachin Corridor to commercial traffic," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on January 23.

"He underscored that the risk of a humanitarian crisis in the Lachin Corridor undermined prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the statement added.

Blinken last week also spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and voiced "deep concern for the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh" due to the blockage of the corridor.

Government-backed Azerbaijani protesters identifying themselves as environmentalists have blocked a section of the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia since December 12 and are demanding that Baku be allowed to inspect "illegal" ore mines in Karabakh. Some activists have also called for the Russian peacekeepers to be replaced with an international force.

The Azerbaijani side insists that the road is open for humanitarian cargo, emergency services, and peacekeepers.

Armenia has called the blockade a gross violation of the Russian-brokered agreement from November 2020 that suspended more than a month of intense fighting in the decades-old Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

That cease-fire ushered in a deployment of about 2,000 Russian peacekeepers to the area and joint monitoring of the situation with longtime Azerbaijani ally Turkey.

Close to 7,000 people died on both sides during the 2020 war that ended with Baku's regaining control of a big part of the region and seven adjacent districts that had been under ethnic Armenians' control for three decades.

Earlier on January 23, the European Union said its had agreed to establish a civilian mission to Armenia to help improve security in the border area and ease tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan.

The mission, which was requested by Armenia will "conduct routine patrolling" in border areas to "strengthen the EU's understanding of the situation on the ground," the EU said in a statement, adding that the mission had a two-year mandate.

"The EU will continue to support de-escalation efforts and is committed to work closely with both sides towards the ultimate goal of sustainable peace in the region," EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell said.

Armenia welcomed the EU decision, with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan saying that it "will contribute to peace, stability and security in the region."

"We will readily cooperate with the mission and support its activities," Mirzoyan said on Twitter.

There was no immediate reaction from Azerbaijan.

Earlier in January, Aliyev blasted the EU's plans to again monitor the border area from the Armenian side without Baku's consent. Aliyev said such a move "will not improve security" and will only complicate further EU mediation of Armenian-Azerbaijani peace talks.

With reporting by AFP
U.S. authorities have arrested a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman in connection with the investigation into the leaking of top-secret defense and intelligence documents that have been circulated online, Attorney General Merrick Garland said on April 13.

Garland identified the guardsman as Jack Teixeira, who will be charged with the unauthorized removal of classified national defense information in one of the biggest U.S. security breaches in years.



Heavily armed federal agents arrived at Teixeira's home in the U.S. state of Massachusetts during the afternoon of April 13 and took the man -- wearing a T-shirt and shorts -- into custody without incident," Garland said.



The identification of a 21-year-old Guardsman with a relatively low rank has quickly raised questions about how he could have had access to such highly classified documents.



The U.S. Air Force National Guard, without confirming his identity, said, We are aware of the investigation into the alleged role a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman may have played in the recent leak of highly classified documents.



U.S. President Joe Biden sought to allay concerns about the leak of the classified documents, which supposedly reveal details about the military capabilities of some U.S. allies and adversaries.



The Department of Justice opened a formal criminal probe into the matter after it was referred to the case by the Pentagon, which continues to assess the damage done by the release.



The Washington Post reported on April 12 that the person who allegedly posted the documents on a small chat group on the Discord social media platform was a gun enthusiast in his 20s who worked at a military base. The daily based its reporting on interviews with two unnamed members of the group. The documents were posted months ago without attracting attention until The New York Times reported on them.



Theres a full-blown investigation going on, as you know, with the intelligence community and the Justice Department, Biden told journalists in Dublin on April 13 before the arrest was announced. And theyre getting close.

Biden, who is in the middle of a four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, said that he was not concerned about the leak because there is nothing contemporaneous that Im aware of.

The White House said earlier in the day that Biden did not discuss the matter with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when the two met in Northern Ireland earlier this week.



The number of documents leaked, some of which were reportedly marked top secret, is not clear.



They purportedly include sensitive disclosures about Ukraine, South Korea, Israel, and others. The Biden administration fears the leak could cause lasting damage to U.S. relations with key allies and strategic partners.



They purportedly include sensitive disclosures about Ukraine, South Korea, Israel, and others. The Biden administration fears the leak could cause lasting damage to U.S. relations with key allies and strategic partners.

The Discord group allegedly included people from Russia and Ukraine, The Washington Post reported, and was focused on a mutual love of guns, military gear and God. The social media platform itself is popular with players of online games.



The man who posted the documents, who went by the online handle OG, allegedly told group members he sometimes worked in a secure facility at the base that prohibited cell phones and other electronic devices.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Ukrainian television on April 12 that the risk of leaks is very minimal because only a very narrow circle of people is aware of Ukrainian military planning.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. www.rferl.org/a/31793259.html



I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead.

The Big Issue

Iran appears to be making headway toward renewing official ties with Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states that in some cases have been publicly avoiding Tehran for decades.

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held talks in Beijing on April 6 in a significant step toward restoring diplomatic relations, which were cut in 2016 after protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadhs execution of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Iran also accepted an invitation from Saudi King Salman for President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Riyadh, while Tehran said it will send a similar invitation to the Saudi king. Meanwhile, a Saudi delegation traveled to Iran on April 9 to discuss the reopening of the embassy in Tehran and a consulate in Mashhad. The trip came as Iranian media reported on April 8 that a street sign near the Saudi consulate in Mashhad provocatively named after Sheikh al-Nimr had been quietly removed. An Iranian delegation also arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 12 to pave the way for the reopening of Iranian diplomatic missions there.

Iran is meanwhile taking steps to improve ties with other countries in the region, naming an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and working to decrease tensions with Egypt and Bahrain.

Why It Matters: Iran and Saudi Arabia appear to be pursuing implementation of last months Chinese-brokered agreement, possibly clearing the way for Tehran to de-escalate tensions with other countries that followed Riyadhs lead on a rupture seven years ago.



What's Next: Tehran and Riyadh could move surprisingly swiftly toward normalization, but its no sure thing. Abdolrasool Divsallar, a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Milan (UCSC), told me that the political environment between the two regional rivals could encourage the start of military and security talks within months.

But Divsallar also warned that opponents at home and abroad could still undermine the agreement. Hard-liners in Iran may act as a spoiler rather than as a supporter of the deal, he said, adding that Israel could do the same.

The regional tensions between Israel and Iran, on one side, andbetween Iran, Saudi [Arabia] and the United States, on the other side, are two dynamics that make this process very fragile, he said.

Divsallar also suggested that any normalization between Iran and countries with less appetite for a quick restoration of ties, for instance Bahrain, could take longer.

They feel more secure under the current status quo rather than immediately normalizing their ties with the Islamic republic and losing their leverage, he said, adding, They may wait to see a major change of policies.

Stories You Might Have Missed

Irans civil aviation sector has for years been under Western sanctions that prevent it from purchasing new aircraft or spare parts for repairs. Now, Russia's oldest airline, Aeroflot, has sent one of its passenger planes to Iran for repairs for the first time ever. Aeroflot reportedly ran into obstacles at home stemming from Western sanctions over Russias ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The RBK media group cited an Aeroflot representative and sources close to the company on April 11 as saying that an Airbus A330-300 had been sent to Tehran on April 5 to be repaired by specialists from Iran's Mahan Air.

Iranian pensioners staged protests in more than a dozen cities across Iran, demanding higher pensions amid soaring prices. Protests were reported on April 9 in Tehran, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Arak, Qom, Shush, Tabriz, and several other cities where retirees complained of poor living conditions and chanted anti-government slogans. Labor protests in Iran have swelled as the economy deteriorates following years of mismanagement compounded by crippling U.S. sanctions.

What We're Watching

Prominent Iranian female religious scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi has challenged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the Islamic republics mandatory hijab law.

In a letter published online, Vasmaghi asked about the reasoning behind Irans strict model for womens dress and said the Koran does not specify the need for women to cover their hair in public.

There is no evidence to show that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad women were harassed and punished for not covering their hair or even their bodies, Vasmaghi, who has published several books on Islamic jurisprudence, wrote.

Why It Matters: Vasmaghis letter is significant for its timing -- just days after Khamenei asserted that the removal of the hijab in public was religiously banned. But it is also important because it comes from a religious woman who wears the veil while opposing the mandatory hijab, which is seemingly being defied by a growing number of women.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have.

Until next time,

Golnaz Esfandiari

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
PECS, Hungary -- A ladder, spray paint, and glue aren't 62-year-old lawyer Peter Heindl's first choice as the tools of his trade.

The longtime minority-rights defender's appeals to the election watchdog, prosecutors, and the courts have been stymied for over a year, so most days Heindl can be found patrolling the roadsides of his southern Hungarian county to deface government billboards and posters in an effort to challenge the ruling Fidesz party's narrative.



He insists it is Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government that's breaking the law, not him. "The government puts up the billboards supporting the ruling parties to hang on to power and extend it indefinitely," he told RFE/RL's Hungarian Service last week, adding that such actions "deny and mock the basic rules of democracy."



"A freedom-loving person has a duty to act against this," he said.



The public notices that he objects to usually mirror Fidesz slogans, baldly bash the leftwing opposition, scaremonger on hot-button issues like gender identity, or echo Orban's EU scapegoating -- always ostensibly in the interests of the state and all 10 million Hungarians.



Following a year of complaints to local and state prosecutors, the Hungarian Election Commission, and even Europe's top human rights court, his campaign of spray-paint civil disobedience faces a crucial test.



Informed in December 2022 that prosecutors in Pecs had officially reclassified an alleged violation to criminal vandalism after he rejected his own acquittal on principle, Heindl this month asked a local court to request a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg before hearing the case.



The Pecs district court has one month to decide whether to schedule proceedings based on the indictment, a spokesman told RFE/RL's Hungarian Service, after which it can choose to ask for the European court's input.



The case could resonate widely in Hungary, at least, where the government is constantly at loggerheads with the European Union over Orban's steady concentration of power, perceived democratic backsliding, and Budapest's fealty to the rule of law and other EU "core principles."



The self-styled whistle-blower has been driving the streets of Baranya County with his ladder and his outrage almost daily since November 2021, on the hunt for partisanship disguised as public-service announcements.



A professional lawyer on issues of minority rights, Heindl was otherwise careful to act within the law during a nighttime trip to commit his form of civil disobedience ahead of last year's elections. With an RFE/RL Hungarian Service correspondent accompanying him, he stayed 10 kilometers an hour under the posted speed limits. There were no rolling stops at stop signs. He always used his blinkers. And once he found a target, even on a deserted street, he made sure to park legally.



It was a roadside billboard urging parents to "Protect our children!" by turning out for a Fidesz-backed referendum on election day that banned or restricted discussions of sexual orientation or transgender issues, both of which figure prominently in the party's conservative social messaging. Once up on his ladder with a flashlight, Heindl sprayed "from Putin" in black letters underneath "Protect our children!" Other times, his addendum might read "from Fidesz."

He frequently works in broad daylight, though, and says he has rarely if ever been confronted by passersby or even police.



Some of his most frequent early targets included ubiquitous posters paid for by the ostensibly nonpartisan Government Information Center reading, "Hungary is moving forward! Not backward." Once campaigning began for last April's elections, they were closely mirrored by the Fidesz slogan "Let's go forward, not backward."



Sometimes he'll paste A4-sized sheets of paper titled "That's Not Democracy!" explaining a Constitutional Court verdict from 2008 that prescribes that "the state must remain neutral in the struggle between political parties." He might even add more sheets noting that Germany's Constitutional Court ruled the same way in 2020.



In complaints to public prosecutors as well as the ECHR, he has cited those and other precedents barring the state from campaigning or advocating on behalf of specific parties.



"If we don't take action against this, we are acquiescing to injustice and unequal opportunities," Heindl argued to prosecutors in one of his first legal battles. "The parties can do this in the fight against each other, but the government has no right to do it."



International observers have tended to agree with Heindl, in both general and specific terms.



In their conclusions from the April 2022 elections, monitors from the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) cited "a pervasive overlap between the ruling coalition's campaign messages and the governments information campaigns, giving an advantage to the ruling coalition and blurring the line between state and party."



It was a repeat of a major criticism from Hungary's elections four years earlier and just one on a long list of Fidesz advantages that tilted the playing field, which also included unfair use of administrative resources, a huge advantage in airtime in a captive media environment, and curbs on independent access to public information.



Fidesz won last year's elections in another landslide, its fourth in 12 years, giving Orban four more years as prime minister with a two-thirds supermajority that largely allows him to ignore the opposition.



Two days after the voting, investigators relaunched an investigation with Heindl's actions amending or appending billboards reclassified from a minor violation to a crime.



In his defense, he argued that by repainting the posters he was actually trying to prevent a government crime.



A Pecs court acquitted him in April 2022 based on a lack of evidence of wrongdoing, the difficulty of identifying a victim, and the minor extent of the damage.



Unsatisfied, Heindl appealed his acquittal. He argued that he was acting in the legitimate self-defense of society and that government officials had committed a crime by acting in the interest of a particular political party.



He was gambling that a judgment in his favor would allow other Hungarians to deface or even to tear down other similar posters and billboards.



In August 2022, he appealed to the European court in Strasbourg. But with its backlog of disputes, that institution could take years to hear his case.



Unless, as Heindl is betting, the Pecs court decides in the coming weeks that Hungarian justice might be better served in the long run by first hearing what Europe's top human rights court has to say on the matter.



Either way, he says he's not disappearing from the public eye unless state institutions' partisan appeals via state-funded billboards and posters do too.



"I will continue my nonviolent struggle using the tools of civil disobedience until success is achieved," Heindl said last week. "Im confident that there will be more and more of us who do the same, and that together we will be able to restore the democratic rule of law in Hungary."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Hungarian Service correspondent Tamas Ungar
The United States, Britain, and the European Union have issued new sanctions on dozens of Iranian individuals and entities for Tehran's deadly crackdown on dissent following the death of a young woman while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly.

The sanctions, announced on January 23, include several officials linked to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), but did not go as far as putting the military force on terror blacklists.

In Brussels, EU foreign ministers said they had agreed to impose travel bans on officials including Abbas Nilfrushan, a deputy commander in the IRGC who has led a unit that has taken a major role in quelling unrest sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September.

Minister of Sport and Youth Hamid Sajjadi was also placed on the list for his role in going after athletes who spoke out against repression and the authorities amid reports from rights groups that almost 500 protesters have been killed in a crackdown over the unrest, seen as one the biggest threats to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.

Britain said it had placed sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities over the country's "brutal repression" of its people, including a crackdown on anti-government protests and the recent execution of British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari.

The move freezes the assets of Deputy Prosecutor-General Ahmad Fazelian, who the British Foreign Office said was "responsible for a judicial system characterized by unfair trials and egregious punishments, including use of the death penalty for political purposes."

"Those sanctioned today, from the judicial figures using the death penalty for political ends to the thugs beating protestors on the streets, are at the heart of the regime's brutal repression of the Iranian people," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement.

"The U.K. and our partners have sent a clear message through these sanctions that there will be no hiding place for those guilty of the worst human rights violations."

In Washington, the U.S. Treasury said a further 10 people had been added to its sanctions list, all of whom are linked to the IRGC or officials around it.

The unrest that has swept Iran since Amini's death on September 16 has been met with thousands of arrests by security forces and calls from lawmakers for harsh penalties.

At least four people have been executed so far in relation to the protests, while several others have been handed death sentences and are on death row.

While the sanctions once again tighten around Tehran and its leadership, EU foreign ministers debated, but did not put the IRGC on its terrorist blacklist.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who headed the meeting in Brussels, said such a designation could not be applied until a court in one of the bloc's 27 members makes a ruling against the IRGC for acts of terror.

"It is something that cannot be decided without a court decision first," he told reporters.

The bloc had already imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iranian officials for their response to the unrest.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Kazakh consumers are having to adjust from eating at restaurants with one of the world's most recognizable names to enjoying their food at a place with no name at all.

Food Solutions KZ Ltd, the franchise holder of McDonald's in Kazakhstan, said on January 23 that it had resumed operations at five of its Almaty outlets -- which recently closed due to supply issues amid Russia's war with Ukraine -- but with no name on the doors.

The franchise holder added in a statement that more of the 24 restaurants it used to run under the name of McDonald's will soon resume operations across the country under a new brand name.

In November, Food Solutions KZ suspended operations, citing unspecified supply-chain issues sparked by Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022.

Reuters quoted sources as saying that McDonald's Kazakhstan had stopped buying supplies from Russia because of the disruptions and that it had trouble replacing them locally.

The statement by Food Solutions KZ did not say where it was sourcing supplies for the reopened outlets.

Menu items at the restaurants that reopened without a name included hamburgers, chicken burgers, and fish burgers as well as chicken nuggets, french fries, and ice cream.

Last week, the Kazakh Justice Ministry said it was looking into a request by Russia's Vkusno i Tochka (Tasty and That's It) company to register its trademark in Kazakhstan.

McDonald's restaurants in Russia were rebranded under the name Vkusno i Tochka after the iconic fast-food chain pulled out of the market last year over the invasion of Ukraine.

In that instance, McDonald's signed a deal to sell its business in Russia to a local licensee, Aleksandr Govor, that gave him the global fast-food giant's entire restaurant portfolio in the country and allowed him to operate the restaurants under a new brand.

It is unclear if Vkusno i Tochka's trademark was registered in Kazakhstan.

With reporting by Informbyuro
Sulayman M. Trawally, a former Permanent Secretary is set to launch his book titled: "Moral Reflections and Thoughts.

" The book by the former Banker is a collection of poems on various themes. The launch will be held at NaNA conference hall in Kanifing.

Mr. Trawally who now manages his own consulting firm said the book is meant to create awareness among readers regarding some of the values lost over time especially among the younger generation who are now preoccupied with other engagements forgetting about important values necessary to mould them to become responsible citizens contributing meaningfully to socio economic development.

"The latter has created a lot of upheavals and problems in society bothering on indiscipline, empathy, morality,co-existence, ancestral values among others which must be addressed to bring back sanity in society for all to live and enjoy as wishes by Mother Nature," he stated."This is what the book tries to achieve among readers," he further said.

"The book also provides guidance to young people regarding hopes and uncertainties of adolescence not to misconstrue parental advice and guidance as burden, rather a moral lesson to follow to be safeguarded against the pitfalls and distractions of life to become successful in adulthood as wished by parents," the author also said.

The book is available at Timbuktoo Bookshop in Bakau.
The wife of an officer with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) who was deported from Kazakhstan to Russia weeks ago is seeking political asylum in France after fearing she and her children may also be sent back home.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Yekaterina Zhilina told RFE/RL on January 22 that she and her children left Kazakhstan for Paris and asked for political asylum there. Self-exiled Russian journalist Yevgenia Baltatarova, who is currently based in Kazakhstan, said on Telegram that Kazakh prosecutors had expressed interest in Yekaterina Zhilina before her departure to France.

Mikhail Zhilin sent his family to Kazakhstan after Russian President Vladimir Putin in September announced a mobilization to support Russias armed forces fighting in Ukraine.

The 36-year-old FSB officer followed afterward, having to cross the border illegally after hiking through forests because, as an FSB officer, he was not allowed to leave the country and did not have a passport.

He sought political asylum in Kazakhstan, but his request was rejected. He was then arrested and subsequently deported to Russia in late December.

Zhilin was a shift supervisor in the special communications and information department of the FSB in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk and was responsible for Putin's communications with regions in the Siberian Federal District.

After he fled, Russia put Zhilin on the international wanted list under the articles "desertion" and "illegal crossing of the state border of the Russian Federation."

He was detained on September 26 by border guards in the Kazakh region of Abai as Astana followed through on its statement that it would extradite Russians wanted for evading mobilization if they were put on the international wanted list at home.

Zhilin's wife fears her husband could be the subject of torture back in Russia, where he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Authorities in Moscow have torn down a makeshift memorial to Ukrainian victims of the deadly January 14 Russian missile strike on an apartment block in Dnipro that killed at least 46 people. Police are said to have detained four people at the memorial. The flowers, candles, and toys, as well as a picture of the destroyed apartment building, were all removed. A police van is said to have been brought in to monitor the area.
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People living in Bakhmut, perhaps the most bitterly contested town in Ukraine, travel 12 kilometers west to Chasiv Yar to stock up on necessities or draw their pensions.
Poland said on January 23 that it could deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as part of a coalition of countries even without Berlin's approval for the re-export of the German-made tank as Ukrainian forces staved off fresh waves of Russian attacks in the east.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country is pushing for allies who have Leopards to send them to Ukraine, said Berlin's agreement is of "secondary importance" as Warsaw is more interested in building a consensus about the issue.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

"We will ask for such permission, but this is an issue of secondary importance. Even if we did not get this approval...we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine," Morawiecki told reporters.



"The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries."



Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have also made a joint appeal to Germany to step up its leadership and send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, putting further pressure on Berlin to speed up its military aid for Kyiv.



Berlin has so far showed reluctance either for providing such tanks to Kyiv itself or allowing third countries that have Leopard tanks to send them to Ukraine. Germany has reportedly linked lifting its opposition to Washington's also sending Ukraine U.S.-made Abrams tanks.



German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indicated on January 22 that the stalemate is nearing a conclusion, saying Berlin would be ready to authorize Poland to send Leopards to Ukraine.



"If we are asked the question, then we will not stand in the way," Baerbock told LCI television after a Franco-German summit meeting in Paris.

However, spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on January 23 did not confirm that this was the German government's official position.

"I would perhaps like to put it this way: If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-established procedures for answering such a request. And we all abide by them," Hebestreit said, adding that it was important for Germany not to take a reckless step that might be regretted afterward.

These are hard questions of life and death, he said. We have to ask what this means for the defense of our own country.

Baerbock herself declined to further comment on the tank issue on January 23, saying just that Ukraine's allies should try to do everything possible to make sure Ukraine will win its war against Russia.



"It's important that we as an international community do everything we can to defend Ukraine, so that Ukraine wins and wins the right to live in peace and freedom again," Baerbock said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview on January 22 with German public broadcaster ARD, said that while a limited number of German-made tanks would not tilt the balance in Ukraine's favor on the battlefield, it would be a strong boost for his troops' morale.



"When the Russian Army, which has 1,000 tanks, is against us, no other country solves the problem by deciding to give us 10, 20, or 50 tanks," Zelenskiy said. "But they would do a very important thing -- they would motivate our soldiers to fight for their values. Because [such a gesture would] show that the whole world is with you."



Zelenskiy also criticized Germany's conditioning tank deliveries to the United States' doing the same thing.



"You can't do that.... This is not an issue between Germany and America, a competition of ambitions," Zelenskiy said.



"Of course, you can talk for another six months, level your influence. But people die here every day.... Simply, if you can give Leopards then give them," Zelenskiy told ARD.

WATCH: Ukraine held an emotional memorial ceremony in Kyiv on January 21 to honor the late Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy and the 13 other victims killed when a helicopter crashed into a kindergarten and the surrounding residential area of Brovary, close to the capital, on January 18.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on January 23 that differences between allies over whether to provide tanks to Kyiv proved there was "nervousness" within the NATO military alliance, and that it was the Ukrainian people who would "pay for the pseudo-support" if the West delivers tanks.



On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces held out against a fresh wave of Russian attacks in the east, the military said on January 23.



Russian forces attempted to advance in three directions in the past 24 hours but were repelled, the General Staff of the Ukrainian military said in its daily update, adding that the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk, where heavy fighting has been under way for months, remained the main target of Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two major issues: the question of whether the EU should further sanction Belarus, and what to expect when European diplomats descend on Kyiv for a summit in early February.

Brief #1: How Far Will EU Sanctions On Belarus Go?

What You Need To Know: In early January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would soon come up with a new package of sanctions on Belarus to punish the country for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. No new proposals have yet to be introduced, even though the first talks among EU member states -- known as "confessionals" -- started over the weekend.

The working assumption among Brussels diplomats is that the new measures on Belarus will be part of the bloc's 10th sanctions package on the Kremlin. It could be ready for approval around the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Belarus has long been targeted by various restrictive measures by the EU, starting with five separate sanctions packages slapped on Minsk after the crackdown on people protesting the fraudulent presidential election in August 2020 and, a year later, the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk to arrest a journalist, Raman Pratasevich, and his partner, Sofia Sapega.

The restrictive measures were further tightened after what the EU claimed to be the Belarusian authorities' active participation in organizing illegal border crossings through Belarus to the EU of nationals from the Middle East and North Africa in late 2021.

These sanctions mainly included asset freezes and visa bans on up to 200 individuals, including the country's authoritarian ruler, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and his inner circle. There have also been other measures, such as a ban on Belarusian airlines flying over EU airspace and landing at EU airports.

Deep Background: When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Brussels quickly acknowledged Minsk's role and included Belarus in some of the first rounds of sanctions targeting the Kremlin -- even though those measures were always tougher on Moscow. The EU moved to impose trade restrictions in industries such as wood, cement, iron and steel products, and rubber. Potash, one of Belarus's main exports to Europe, was also targeted with the sanctioning of its biggest potash producer, Belaruskali.

On top of that, several Belarusian banks were hit, including the country's central bank. It also became illegal in the EU to accept deposits exceeding 100,000 euros ($109,000) from Belarusian nationals or residents.

Yet, the last sanctions imposed by the EU on Belarus were in June 2022 and, since then, the bloc has enacted numerous other measures on Russia, including three additional rounds of sanctions. This despite calls from hawkish EU member states such as Lithuania and Poland that the measures against Moscow should be "mirrored" on Minsk.

Drilling Down

According to several diplomats familiar with the matter but who are not authorized to speak publicly, one of the reasons Belarus hasn't been hit by sanctions in recent months is that Ukraine has asked Brussels not to target Minsk.

While Kyiv has officially dismissed this theory, the logic is that Kyiv is wary of Belarus becoming more involved in the war and concerned about pushing Minsk further into Moscow's corner. The desire not to antagonize Minsk, so the logic goes, also explains the reluctance of Ukrainian leaders to meet with Belarusian opposition figures.

With that in mind, it is likely that the next round of EU sanctions on Belarus will be weak. More listings are certain, as is plugging certain holes in the current legislation. For example, while wood imports are now banned, wooden furniture is not. Synthetic rubber and various glass products have still not been targeted. There is also an extensive EU ban on member states exporting various items used for tobacco production in Belarus, even though some cigarette filters can still be sent from the EU.

There are other potentially harder-hitting measures under consideration, including a ban on exporting luxury goods to Belarus and a prohibition on EU firms offering services such as accounting, auditing, tax consulting, and public relations. Broadcasters such as Belarus 24, RTR Belarus, and NTV Belarus could also be targeted and face similar measures to Russia's RT and Sputnik: banning them from broadcasting within the EU and making their websites inaccessible.

And if the EU really decided to crack down, the bloc could target Belarus's telecommunications, computer, and IT sectors, which are some of Minsk's main exports, worth an estimated $3 billion in 2021.

Brief #2: Looking Ahead To The EU-Ukraine Summit In Kyiv

What You Need To Know: In early February, many of the EU's key players will descend on Kyiv.

Firstly, on February 2, von der Leyen will take the majority of her 26 commissioners to the Ukrainian capital to meet with the Ukrainian government. The next day is the annual EU-Ukraine summit, in which European Council President Charles Michel will accompany von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell -- along with an enormous security detail.

The aim is for Brussels to show its support and solidarity with Ukraine, as the country is facing increased Russian attacks in the east, and to encourage Kyiv to continue the reforms needed for eventual membership in the EU.

Deep Background: The EU will bring to Kyiv some "deliverables," even though many of them already will be announced by the time of the summit. The first tranche of 3 billion euros in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine was disbursed recently, with an additional 15 billion euros due in the course of 2023.

With stories about countries sending heavy weaponry dominating the news, the EU will also announce another 500 million euros of military support to Kyiv, bringing the total since the war began to 3.6 billion euros. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a huge amount, especially when compared to the United States' spending of $27.5 billion. But considering that the EU money comes from the common coffers and that the union has never before directly armed a third country, it is significant, nonetheless.

Brussels also hopes that, by then, it can announce that 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained on EU territory since it launched a training program last fall across the bloc. Then there's the EU's assistance for the estimated 8 million Ukrainians who have fled the country over the past year and are now living in the bloc. The Temporary Protection Directive -- which allows them to stay and work in the EU -- was recently extended to March 2024.

Drilling Down

Much of the run-up to the summit has already been dominated by EU officials haggling over the summit declaration. A draft of it, seen by RFE/RL, outlines a few more potential outcomes from the meeting. It notes, among other things, that the European Union and Ukraine will sign a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership on renewable gases, even though, as of now, no concrete details are provided.

Another paragraph in the text advocates for Ukraine to join the EU's roaming-free zone by noting that "Ukraine welcomed the EU's ongoing determination and efforts to include Ukraine in the European roaming area as soon as possible. The EU acknowledged the efforts that Ukraine has made in aligning its telecommunications sector with European provisions and encouraged the country to continue on this path."

Ukraine to join the by noting that "Ukraine welcomed the EU's ongoing determination and efforts to include Ukraine in the European roaming area as soon as possible. The EU acknowledged the efforts that Ukraine has made in aligning its telecommunications sector with European provisions and encouraged the country to continue on this path." According to sources familiar with the discussions but who aren't allowed to speak on the record, the biggest fight among diplomats, regarding the draft summit declaration, has been about Ukraine's EU membership perspective, with the three Baltic states and Poland pushing for language that would indicate to Kyiv that its membership application can be sped up.

In the end, the vast majority of EU member states have pushed back against that fast track and would prefer to stick with the already agreed upon "choreography" -- meaning that the European Commission will provide everyone with an update on how Ukraine is doing, in terms of fulfilling the seven requirements that Brussels set in order to start EU accession talks. And then, in October, the assessment and further recommendations would be published.

It is, of course, impossible to predict if the commission will recommend that accession talks start soon and if EU member states will, by the end of 2023, unanimously endorse such a recommendation. Speaking to EU officials familiar with the matter, they believe that the best-case scenario for Ukraine would be to start EU accession talks in late 2024 or even early 2025.

The officials note that Ukraine has made good progress in enacting a new media law and pushing forward with key nominations on the country's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. More needs to be done, though, in other judicial areas, with the draft declaration stating that "reform of the Constitutional Court and the selection procedure of politically independent and qualified constitutional judges, remains vital for strengthening Ukraine's resilience."

Looking Ahead

EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels on January 23, and one of the decisions they are set to take will be to green-light a new civilian EU mission to Armenia. The EU employed 40 observers in Armenia between October and December 2022, but the idea now is to have a larger mission (around 100 people) ready to start in February that will cover the whole (de facto) territory of Armenia for two years. According to an EU document seen by RFE/RL, the mission should play "a significant role in supporting efforts toward the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

And last but not least, there's likely to be plenty of talk this week about price caps. Firstly, the EU and countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States will review the price cap on Russian crude oil that was set at $60 per barrel in early December. Considering that the current market price is lower than $50, there might be a push to lower that cap. From February 5, there will also be a new price cap introduced -- with the price still to be set -- on other Russian petroleum products such as diesel and kerosene.

That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.



Until next time,



Rikard Jozwiak

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Monday.

And you can always reach us at newsletters@rferl.org.
011823/Ernest A. Brown photo/ Governor Dan McKee delivers his State of the State address in the House chamber at the Rhode Island Statehouse Tuesday night, rolling out a nearly $100 million tax relief plan to support Rhode Island families and businesses as part of his FY2024 budget proposal.
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday concluded a two-week pre-deployment training for 27 SAAT cleared officers who are prepared and set for a UN peace keeping mission.

Eighteen female and nine male officers were certified at a ceremony held at its Credit Union office in Kanifing.

Tamsir Jassey, the Gambia Police Force Adviser in representing the Inspector General of Police,

stated that the increasing number of women officers for national or international duties on its own,amounts to development.

"We are aware that when problems occur the most vulnerable are women and children and having more women in the field can help in handling the situation of the vulnerable group," he added.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Cadet-ASP Muhammed Y. Darboe highlighted that the training featuring more female officers sends positivity.

"The people representing us are dominated by women, and this is showing positivity despite the percentage they bear in the police force. They are more efficient, effective and can provethat they can deliver in and outside The Gambia," he stated.

He elaborated that the development can inspire other women to join the Police Force.

Yamundaw Jagne-Joof, Deputy Commissioner stated that no training can beat the professional training they had from the Police Training School.

She encouraged them to facilitate team work to ensure they win together as One Gambia as well as leave a good legacy.

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Jacob Sambu, Cadet-ASP, a representative from International Affairs expressed their commitment to provide more trainings for Gambian officers to enhance efficiency in the Police Force.

"We have put in place mechanisms that we will use to monitor, evaluate and assess our police officers because we want to send people that are well prepared, committed and will raise the Gambian flag higher," he said.

He advised them to respect the principles of diversity and inclusivity in both character and conduct.

Fatou Touray, Chief Instructor DSP said they were trained in relevant areas which will make them perform their duty in any part of the world.

She also advised them to not only represent themselves but the image of the nation.

ECOWAS presents cheque, learning materials to Latriya LBS
analysis

Education Reports

From the 1930s onwards, education specialists were invited to review the education system and submit reports, with recommendations, on the state of education in The Gambia.

Despite the problematic political policies of the colonial offices, some of these recommendations served to transform education.

Following the education specialists' recommendations, a study was conducted which informed the policies that dictated the transformation and the improvement of the education system. Most of the recommendations would be reviewed to determine the financial, material, and human resource implications. Three reports proved to be most significant to the policy formulations and education transformation in The Gambia: the Jeffrey, the Baldwin, and the Sleight reports. They provided the basis for the transformation of the syllabus, the education system, and the expansion of schools, particularly in the provinces.

The Ralph C. Allen Report - 1939

Published in 1939 by Ralph C. Allen, who served as the first Director of Education, this critical document was in two parts: the first elaborated on education in Bathurst (which was considered then as the Colony) and the second on the Protectorate. In the annexe of the report were several diagrams of the structure in the reorganization of the schools.

The report, entitled Education in The Gambia - Present Organization and Possible Future Development, was quite comprehensive, and, for the first time, there was a critical analysis of the situation of education in The Gambia. The salient points Ralph made were the organization of the schools, the syllabus used and the relationship between the government and the missions. Along with the analysis, he made recommendations on several pertinent areas, particularly on grants, reorganization of the school system and on the curriculum. This 23-page document would lay the foundation stone of several education policies and reforms that changed education politics in The Gambia.

Observations

Allen noticed that the number of years spent in the elementary schools were long and inconsequential. The attendance was poor, and most parents could not pay the school fees. The school equipment and the textbooks left a lot to be desired, and no grant was available to help provide or upgrade the equipment or the necessary textbooks. At the time of the report, there were no official vocational schools. Allen found this indispensable because he believed that students who finished the early stage of secondary school could opt to do vocational training. The most important observation was the absence of all forms of post-secondary education except that of the teacher training school.

In the Protectorate, only Armitage School existed as a government elementary school, and consequently, the demand surpassed the number of places it could accommodate. Most of the towns and villages' demands for schools were not met, and the few missionary schools in these towns and villages seemed not to 'be run along the right lines'.

Recommendations

Some of his most important recommendations were as follows:

The number of years in elementary school should be shortened.

A vocational training institution should be put in place to accommodate students from Standard IV. The vocational school should take the form of a higher secondary school where practical skills would be taught to pupils who had completed elementary Standard IV. Though Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic would form the basis of the program, other core subjects, such as Carpentry, Metalwork, Horticulture, Drawing and, for girls, Domestic Science, and Infant Welfare would be primary in the syllabus. The vocational school would complement the existing Technical Institute under the Wesleyan Methodist Mission.

Offer scholarships to students to attend Fourah Bay, Yaba and Achimota colleges in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the Gold Coast (Ghana), respectively or go to the U.K.

Improve the number of trained teachers to supply the expanding quantity of elementary schools.

Organize a local book and stationery store.

Help schools in the purchase of equipment.

Increase accommodation and facilities for mixed farming at Armitage School.

Establish one-teacher native authority schools

Some of these recommendations would be studied seriously, but only a few would be implemented.

The Jeffery Report - 1950

If there is any report that had been seriously considered during the colonial period, it was the Jeffery Report. Published in March 1950, it was produced following a survey conducted by Dr George Baker Jeffery to advise on establishing an examination council.

Dr Jeffery (1891-1956) was a great mathematician-physicist in the early 20th century. He was Director of the University of London Institute of Education before his appointment to make a survey and recommend the establishment of a standard examination body.

In October 1949, upon the invitation of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Arthur Creech Jones, Dr Jeffery came to the West African British Settlements to study their state of education and offer advice on the possible establishment of a West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Between December 1949 and March 1950, he conducted an extensive study on the four British colonies (the Gold Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia) and forwarded his recommendations to establish the West African Examination Council.

Upon his arrival in Africa, he spent eight weeks conducting research and making consultations. His objective was to consult with African government civil servants, teachers and school principals, the media, and other sources to have a comprehensive opinion of the state of education. His findings and recommendations were then published in a report.

Jeffery highlighted the importance of maintaining the quality of education above all else. He argued that the quality superseded the need to teach children only to be trained for a job. He believed that it was crucial for developing education in West Africa.

The Baldwin Report - 1950

In the mid-20th century, a commission was headed by Thomas Hayward Baldwin, an education specialist, to make a report about education in The Gambia. On behalf of the commission, Baldwin presented a comprehensive report entitled Recommendations on the Aims, Scope, Content and Methods of Education in The Gambia in 1950. The 41-page document first made a report on the existing system to highlight the shortcomings and the weaknesses. A comprehensive list of main recommendations was enumerated for the colonial office at the end of the report.

The main points of interest noted by Baldwin were the harmonious cohabitation of Christians and Muslims, the vain efforts of the missions in trying to convert a people entrenched in their belief of 'Mohammedanism', the poor content of the syllabus as well as the lack of learning materials, the poor number of teachers and the degrading school system in the Protectorate.

Among the main recommendations made were:

Skip the infant class in the elementary school system.

Use the vernacular as a medium of instruction in the primary schools in the Protectorate.

Appoint an officer to produce the vernacular material.

Train a teacher at the School of Arabic Studies at Kano, Nigeria.

Transform the Divisional Councils to Local Education Authorities.

Visit the schools in the Protectorate biannually by an education officer.

Investigate the language difficulties at the Bathurst Primary schools.

Consult with other West African Education Departments on textbooks and the syllabus for primary schools.

Award scholarships for the training of teachers for secondary schools.

Offer Gambians the chance to do their Higher Teachers Certificate at Fourah Bay College.

Expand the technical schools and introduce other subjects in the mechanical trade.

Organize evening classes in Bathurst in Handicraft, Homecraft, and Literacy.

The recommendations highlighted were few among many others made by the Baldwin Commission. However, an attached paper to the document considered most of the recommendations as too expensive to put into effect. The prevision for the essential elemental requirements amounted to 22,200.00 for Bathurst and 2,300.00 for the Protectorate. The expenses seemed exorbitant to the Colonial Office, and thus more than 70% of the proposals were never really put into policy or applied during the period concerned.

The Gwilliam Report - 1957

Another significant report is the Gwilliam report of Freda H. Gwilliam[1], delivered as a speech in 1957 at the joint meeting of the Royal African Society and the Royal Empire Society on 5 December 1957. This report would recommend including women as part of the colonial officials responsible for education. Following such a recommendation, the first woman was appointed to supervise primary school education at the level of the Ministry of Education in The Gambia.

The Sleight Report - 1965

UNESCO contracted Dr G. F. Sleight to conduct a survey in education in The Gambia to put forward recommendations to the UNESCO office. His 63-page survey was divided into nine more parts with an annexe. The nine parts dealt with main areas of interest such as primary and secondary education, vocational and tertiary education, girls' and adult education, employment opportunities, administration, and the financial implication of his recommendations. Each part was concluded with recommendations relating to the topic discussed.

Compared to the reports that preceded it, what was new in the Sleight Report was the detailed and comprehensive statistics on the progress made in the previous years. Sleight was careful to express the realities on the ground, the strengths and the shortcomings of the education system established under the British model and the interpretations of the program, curriculum, and syllabus about the socio-cultural context of the learners.

When the report was published, several changes were occurring in the political and education arena of The Gambia:

The Colony and the Protectorate had been merged under one nation. Previously, all decisions - of whatever nature, were taken separately both for the Colony and the Protectorate, and even the education systems of the two were different.

The education system had changed from standard to primary and secondary. This change, however, was gradual as the systems were not uniform for the Colony and the Protectorate.

The West African Examination Council was inaugurated and oversaw the evaluation of learners in the four-member countries.

School infrastructure developed rapidly as the need for student enrolment grew. Schools were identified in three forms: primary, post-primary (secondary technical school), secondary modern schools (junior secondary), and grammar schools (high schools).

Sleight's observations resulted in radical recommendations that influenced several changes in the post-independent Gambia. Sleight observed that the syllabus was extremely poor or non-existent, a significant setback in education development. His first observation was the reactions from the parents, teachers, area councillors, and representative organizations to primary school education:

The first consideration would appear to be a clear conception of the function of primary education. [... ] The primary school leaver is unfitted for employment, he has no skill which might ultimately lead to self-employment, as if he does not get into a secondary school, he becomes one of the dangerously "half-educated", frustrated and potentially a juvenile delinquent. (Sleight 1950)

Sleight concluded that if primary school leavers were considered thus, then he believed that there was something wrong with the syllabus content. He argued that the school had failed if the pupils were left with no skills or aptitudes. Though such a conclusion could be considered radical, his argument was based on the premise that a pupil living in rural areas needed to learn skills related to the person's active life. He, therefore, felt that the school content should be related to the pupil's professional life.

As for the secondary schools, he echoed some of the worries felt by the government concerning the number of places available to accommodate primary school leavers. He suggested an expansion of secondary schools in the rural areas, a double stream system in the existing schools, an improvement of teacher training, and a restructuring of the existing schools.

The syllabus content was one of his primary concerns. He strongly suggested that the content be entirely reorganized, and he believed that a syllabus did not exist. The first observation was the use of the vernacular as a medium of instruction in schools, particularly in rural areas. This had been a subject of controversy. Sleight's impression was to use English as a medium of instruction, as the latter was the country's lingua franca. However, he recommended that the vernacular stay in the school, but as he was no local expert, he proposed that all decisions related to teaching and training of teachers in that subject be left for the local experts. As for the subjects to be revised and simplified, he suggested the following:

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English

Arithmetic

Rural studies in Provinces; modified science and crafts in Bathurst.

Social studies and other cultural subjects, Qur'anic studies, the vernacular, music. (Sleight 1950, 13)

Teacher training, as well as library lending, were also strongly recommended by Sleight.

The SHM Jones Report - 1970

Mr Jones published in 1970 a document under the Department of Education entitled Educational Policy, Legislation & Administration. This legal document served to outline the legal implications of government in the education sector and school development in The Gambia. Some of the areas discussed in the document were the aims and policy of the national education system and the structure of educational management.

Jones discussed at length the policies, the responsibilities of the government, and how the community's role was defined. Also defined were the role of the private schools, institutions, and associations, as well as actors involved in education, issues of girls and women's education, disabled children, and teacher training.

The definition of the national system was amplified as the stages of progress were identified as pre-primary, primary, secondary, vocational, and technical, teacher training and adult education.

The document also outlined the legal texts passed during the previous periods that had general implications on the education system. The Principal Act, also called the Education Act, as amended by the Education Ordinance 1964. Under this act, education regulations and the school premises regulations were made. Other enactments were:

The Gambia High School Act passed in 1958

The West African Examinations Council Act passed in 1953

Author

Dr Cherno Omar Barry is the Vice Chancellor/President of the International Open University. He has served as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Defence and at the Office of the President in The Gambia. He holds a B.A. in English from the Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Canada, an M.A in Semiology, an MPhil and a PhD in Comparative literature from the University of Limoges, France. Cherno, an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature taught for eight years at the University of The Gambia before joining the National Commission for UNESCO. He later served for two years as Gambian representative to the Executive Board of UNESCO in Paris, France, before he was appointed Permanent Secretary 1, Office of the President and then later re-designated as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Cherno is an accomplished academic, literary critic, editor and researcher.

[1] Freda H. Gwilliam was appointed Assistant Educational Adviser for the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Her mission was to conduct a study on girls' education in the British settlements.

Moral Reflection and Thoughts book to be launched on Feb. 11
With more than 45 years in the industry, Clemente Guevara runs New Fashion Peru, one of the three largest jewelry companies in the country. All together control the 90% of a 120-million-dollar jewelry export market. Mr. Guevara is also a member of the board in the Exporters Association of Peru (ADEX).

With a constantly growing industry, jewelry in Peru faces a contradiction: Despite being the seventh largest gold producer in the world (with 127 tons per year) jewelry producers do not have access to this metal.

How did you start in this industry?

I wasnt born into a family linked to jewelry, in my case the fate led me to start as a jeweler. In 1976 I was living in Quebec, Canada, and after a successful experience with a restaurant in which my partner finally bought my share, I saw the opportunity to acquire a jewelry store. Thus, without any experience, I started in this world. Buying and selling jewelry in Canada.

From there I started to contact with manufacturers, and it was precisely a supplier, who teaches me how to make the star product, the cord chain, and that is when we began to produce our own genre.

Back in Peru in 1995 we expanded our production and founded our current company, New Fashion Peru. We expanded our production with new products, since the cord chain represents only 30% of the total income, and we also worked with other artisans from the provinces to finish assembling the pieces. You can employ a lot of people in our industry.

Which are your main markets?

We have an important presence throughout the country and most of our silver products are exported to the Latin America area such as Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Bolivia, or Ecuador. We barely export silver to the United States since it is more difficult for us to compete with more specialized producing countries such as Italy, Turkey or Southeast Asia.

But in the manufacture of 9 carat gold jewelry, we have no competitors. In the USA we export 100% of our production to states such as New York, Los Angeles, Florida and Texas. In fact, a single importer could buy all our production, although we prefer to have several clients in the country.

In this area Peru has an advantage over other competitors since our Free Trade Agreement with the United States allows us to export without taxes, while other competitors must pay a 5% tax.

I have visited your facilities and I have been able to see a very important investment in machinery and technology...

We employ more than 160 people in our facilities plus the workshops that provide us with assembly services. But as labor becomes more expensive and production needs increase, it is essential to raise our technological level to be profitable. Our main technology suppliers come from Italy and Turkey

Although you don't produce high-end jewelry right now, is there a customer for high jewelry in Peru?

There are indeed. After more than 20 years of sustained economic growth, there is an upper class in Peru that has grown a lot and they buy brilliantly sophisticated jewelry from local goldsmiths and also imported pieces from fairs like Vicenza or Las Vegas.

There is a high demand for jewelry with brilliants, but the European market has reached that maturity. We still don't. As producers we are in the first stages of jewelry we can say.

Is this segment in your medium and long-term plans?

We are absolutely committed with modernization and reinvestment. If we want to survive, we must modernize, buy technology and look for new fashion trends. Compete, in a word. Because if we don't do it, others will do it for us. We must modernize with new products and little by little become more sophisticated, including more exclusive designs with precious stones. This is the nature of jewelry.

Beyond technology investment you also need specialized workers. Are there enough educational centers in the country?

There are great jewelers, and we have a millennial goldsmith tradition but unfortunately, we have a great lack of educational centers, nor public neither private. As everyone knows for the correct development of any industry, there must be very well implemented theoretical and practical training, as happens in other sectors of activity. Unfortunately, we have not reached that maturity yet.

This way must be walked in cooperation with the administrations because at the end, all that wealth reverts to the State. We have a wonderful ancestral tradition, but we miss the drive of strong policies to provide our industry a faster developing, create jobs, create wealth and bring prestige to the country.

Does the industry in Peru have any kind of Government support?

Very little and specially focused on exportation, not in production. The big problem faced by jewelry producers is the lack of raw material, the lack of gold. Despite the fact Peru is the seventh largest gold producer in the world, it is impossible for us to buy the metal here to produce jewelry. We have to import it from the United States, from our clients. It is something gruesome that cannot be conceived, but it is so.

How is that possible? What solutions do you contemplate?

Mining companies export all the raw material abroad and leave nothing for the national market since the gold exportation does not pay taxes. But if they sell it in Peru, they must pay the mandatory VAT.

So, we have to ask our clients to buy the metal in the USA and we have to pay for international transport, insurance, customs, and also lose productions days. Thus, the industry becomes less competitive and its almost impossible for the small producers to grow.

We have been fighting for more than 10 years to reach an agreement between the Government and the producers to solve this problem. There is gold in abundance in the country. We believe the government's mission is to force part of that production to stay in the country in order to increase our value chain.

By Salvador Hernandez, Director of DiarioJoya Magazine, Spain. www.diariojoya.com
(rbc.ru)  Vladimir Potanin, the largest shareholder of Norilsk Nickel, spoke in an interview with RBC about the impact of Western sanctions on the companys business and on him personally, and also weighed the idea of confiscating assets from foreigners and Russians who left the country.

On work and life under sanctions

Immediately after the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, Western sanctions were imposed on most major Russian businessmen, but then the largest co-owner and head of Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin (owns 37%), managed to avoid them. In June, the businessman came under British sanctions as the controlling owner of Rosbank, which he acquired in the spring from the French group Societe Generale, which left Russia (now the main shareholder of the bank is the Potanin charitable foundation with a share of 47.5%, another 45% keeps Interros). On December 15, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against Potanin, his children Ivan and Anastasia, his wife Ekaterina and the Nirvana yacht. The SDN list, which involves the blocking of dollar assets and operations, also includes the Interros Holding and Rosbank owned by the businessman.

Sanctions are absolutely destructive and even seem to be absolutely illegal. But who is paying attention to this? Now the process of breaking the rules is underway, notes Vladimir Potanin. This situation is stressful for the country as a whole, for its people, economy and system. But the system turned out to be surprisingly resilient to such an impact.

However, he admits that much has changed due to the sanctions: First of all, this can be divided into the corporate production part and the everyday (personal) life of people. In terms of production, logistics chains have changed, payment systems have collapsed with all the ensuing consequences. For example, Norilsk Nickel saw its working capital grow significantly due to the slowdown in all these processes and their complication. Many projects are moved, as they say now, to the right. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a need for redesign and for searching new equipment, which we are denied by our ... my tongue prevents me from calling them partners.

Potanin also draws attention to restrictions on movement and communication. The changes are very significant, starting with the fact that [this is] the loss of assets and certain prospects, which is always important for a businessman. For example, we had plans for some businesses to expand into other markets. And on the other hand, we have participated in various start-ups in other countries in the hope of bringing them to Russia to strengthen our existing businesses here. Such opportunities are now almost completely gone, he said. As a result, he had to restructure his investment policy, first of all, to place even greater emphasis on Russia: The whole paradigm of our business, which was more tied to involvement in the international chain of product and technology creation, is now being reoriented to the internal story with an attempt to involve some friendly countries and partners. Somewhere it works, somewhere it doesn't. In general, this is a major change in the planning system and in the system of expectations.

Potanin's father worked at the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the USSR, and the family traveled a lot, including abroad. Therefore, he got used to the fact that "the whole world is a zone for communication." Therefore, restrictions on movement, on the ability to communicate with people, of course, affect the situation, the businessman now admits.

But in my case, I think it was easy to readjust. For example, last summer, when I realized that I didnt have to go anywhere, so as not to run into scandals, endless conversations about who was right and who was wrong, we just went on a boat along the Volga River in a big company. I remembered my youth, pioneer camps, tourist bases, bonfires, songs accompanied by a guitar. It was great. I taught my children to do what I did. So, I think we'll be patient. There [in the West] they will come to their senses, and we will be patient, we will travel around our country, continues Potanin. In everyday terms, you might say that the rich also cry, he said ironically.

The head of Norilsk Nickel believes that Russia has entered a period when it is necessary to learn how to live with these difficulties, working to overcome them. We, as a single company and as a country, must [remain] in good shape and just survive this period and get to the shore, on which we will then build new rules for relations with all other countries and among ourselves, he concludes.

On confiscation of assets from foreign companies

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the US and the EU froze almost half of Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves, or about $300 billion. Since then, there have been repeated proposals in the West to transfer these assets to the restoration of Ukraine. In response, in May, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin called for the confiscation of Russia-based assets held by companies from "unfriendly countries." On November 14, 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the creation of an international mechanism that would provide compensation to Ukraine for the damage caused due to the "aggression by Russia." If this resolution results in the seizure of the frozen assets of Russia abroad, then Moscow can compensate for the losses by withdrawing funds from foreign investors within the country, said Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. According to him, the assets of foreign investors in Russia are estimated at more than $300 billion.

Potanin says some issues are black and white for him: Confiscation [of assets] is a covert or overt form of theft. It destroys the investment climate of the jurisdiction in which it occurs. He argues that the countries of the "collective West" built their society on certain values, among which the respect for private property was the cornerstone, and this is now being destroyed. They are doing it wrongly. And it will hit them back. We don't have to follow the suit. We must learn from the mistakes of others. Moreover, we already received our vaccination in 1917. Disrespect for the personal freedoms of people and the right to property has led, in aggregate, to bad consequences. You just need to be able to refrain from this, the businessman believes.

Potanin does not rule out that Western countries are deliberately provoking Russia according to the following formula: "We will illegally take away your property, and you will take ours, and we will be quits." But he is sure that you should not succumb to this: Firstly, because later we will fight for this property of ours. The absence of a violation on our part of the generally accepted rules for the treatment of property gives us a great moral and psychological advantage, if not some kind of legal argument. And secondly, it is harmful internally. Entrepreneurial activity and people's motivation are built on respect for the right to property. Depriving them of that kind of motivation is a very harmful thing.

The head of Norilsk Nickel also opposes the nationalization of foreign assets: Our government encourages investment activity in every possible way. I myself was a participant in several strategic sessions at which Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin, along with other members of the government, looked for opportunities to stimulate investment. According to him, the task of the state is to pick up only those areas that business cannot cover due to, for example, the lack of commercial prospects.

I believe that this process should continue and be stimulated, including in terms of replacing foreign investment. If some companies leave our country, then instead of applying some kind of confiscation and other harsh measures to them, it is much easier to give the investment community the opportunity to solve this problem on its own. For this, it has every opportunity to replace foreign investments with domestic ones, he says. The "panic exodus" of foreign companies from the Russian market meant that such companies could [be] acquired by domestic investors on very attractive terms, he admits. For example, Interros last May acquired Rosbank from the French Societe Generale. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed, but analysts suggested that the bank was sold at a deep discount due to the forced withdrawal of the French from Russia and the speed of the transaction.

In principle, our economy is more likely to suffer from excessive state participation, so the new nationalization, in my opinion, runs counter to the financial and economic policy of our government and our country. We do not need to produce extra state property, especially in such areas as trade, high-tech, and so on. No need for confiscations, no need for nationalization. It is necessary to develop the investment climate and replace some investments with others - domestic and from friendly countries," Potanin believes.

On nationalization of property held by departed Russians

On December 28, Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel that opponents of the authorities who went abroad and called for the defeat of Russia should be considered "enemies of society" regardless of the "legal qualification of their deeds." Such people should not be allowed back into the country until the end of their days, and they should also be deprived of sources of income in Russia, he said. But presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that these words apply only to those who violate the law. Then Senator Sergei Tsekov proposed to confiscate the property of "all Russian citizens who left the country and criticize it" and send it to the needs of the participants in the special operation in Ukraine. Regardless of whether they are show business stars or IT people, he added.

Potanin strongly opposes the confiscation of property from Russians who have left the country: Our country is very committed to communal, orthodox traditions. We are not greedy, for example, for all sorts of newfangled trends - I will say so in a politically correct manner - in matters of marriage and family. And we are standing firmly on this. Why do we think that it is possible to treat differently such fundamental institutions as property or respect for the individuality of a person?

The programmers left the country, and now there is a discussion about whether to let them back. People left, and they probably had some reasons for this. Something confused them about what was happening, the businessman notes. But most of them continue to work for our country, economy, companies. Some of them will return, some no. Why push them away and drive? They will be hired by other companies as they are not at all some know-nothings. This is our strength, not weakness, their brains, the ability to produce a product, which, by the way, we are sorely lacking, Potanin emphasizes. He reminds that in Russia own software is about 20%, and the rest has to be borrowed from other countries.

Now we have to close this gap, and we need these people. We will restore the damage that the sanctions have caused to our economy, first of all, at the expense of people who are able to do this, so we must respect their convictions, which, perhaps, are somewhat disliked by more patriotic people. Tolerance must be shown, the businessman explains.

He is sure that there is no need to punish those who work for the Russian economy from abroad: In general, we need to put an end to this demagogy. People who harm and damage our country here or there must be judged, proved guilty and punished accordingly in conformity with the law. And those who think differently should be judged by their contribution to the common cause. These guys who left, they make a contribution, they make their own product, which we really need. I would not discriminate them at all, at least for a sufficiently long period of time. The situation is acute, unusual. We have just talked about the fact that all conceptions are collapsing. These young people are also losing their understanding of how the world works.

Potanin proposes to give the Russians who left the opportunity to "feel, understand, try." It seems to me that taking away property and stigmatizing people ahead of time is a sign of weakness, and we are a strong country, a strong nation, at least we dream of being perceived this way. Therefore, we must make strong moves, not weak ones. Violation of property rights is an impulsive, weak move. And punishing people for working, relatively speaking, from Yerevan or even from some Germany for our economy, is also an impulsive, populist move, he concludes.

How Norilsk Nickel's plans and strategy have changed

Western sanctions have not been imposed against Norilsk Nickel, but they have an impact on the company's activities and force it to adjust its strategy. We naturally find ways out of this situation. We are restructuring logistics chains to more friendly countries, primarily to China, Turkey, Morocco and other Arab countries, Potanin says. Therefore, this does not directly affect the life of the company, its survival, but, of course, it limits its capabilities, including financial ones and the development of those markets in which it has traditionally been. Keeping them is more difficult, and new ones are expensive to win. This is what everyone has to do."

Despite the fact that some plans had to be postponed, Norilsk Nickel "is developing and will continue to develop." The company's management did not cancel the growth program, but for this it will need more electricity, and existing thermal power plants will not be enough. Heat in the Norilsk industrial region is produced enough, even in excess, it is electricity that is needed. Thermal power plants, as you know, produce both heat and energy. We wanted to replace the turbines with ones that produce more electricity, less steam. But our, so to speak, American and German partners still working with us at that time refused to meet these needs. We have found a way out - now we are working together with Rosatom on a project to install ground-based or, possibly, water-surface-based mini-nuclear reactors there, which, beyond the horizon of 2030, will provide us with just a larger share of electricity production in relation to thermal energy, says Potanin.

According to him, this will not only allow Norilsk Nickel to find a replacement for imported equipment, but also help Rosatom develop the use of low-capacity nuclear power plants at industrial enterprises, which have not yet been produced en masse.
By Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Moscow has proposed opening a Russian trading house in Havana with the participation of the Cuban state corporation CIMEX and is waiting for a response from the Cuban authorities in the next few days. The announcement was made by Boris Titov, head of the Russia-Cuba Business Council on Friday (January 20). Titov is the Chairman and main shareholder of the Russian Abrau-Durso Group of Companies, specializing in fine Russian wines and other luxury products.

Titov recently discussed the issue with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca in Havana, itself following Inter-Governmental discussions last month on the back of the Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canels official visit to Moscow in late November.

Titov said that The Russian side is now working very hard to take our economic relations with Cuba to a new level. In turn, the task of the business council is to breathe the energy of entrepreneurial initiative into these relations. Titov noted that the Russia-Cuba business council includes many Russian companies that are interested in promoting their products in Cuba.

Our proposal is to create a Russian trading house in Havana, with the participation of CIMEX, which would become the sole wholesale importer of products and independently determine prices on the retail market. In the coming days, we are expecting a reaction from the Cuban government, Titov explained. The business ombudsman pointed out that banking support will become very important for the work of the Russian Trading House

One of the proposals concerns the creation of a new settlement system in which the accounts of all trading participants would be included. Not only a clearing center, but, by and large, an organization with a banking license, the main task of which is to significantly reduce the volume of cash payments. And, of course, we will have to deal with lending, leasing, and factoring. It is very difficult to develop without financial instruments. he stressed.

Cubas Foreign Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca, in turn, promised to provide full support to the project. We are working to ensure that Russian investments in Cuba are subject to special protection. Despite the difficulties with liquidity, we can provide this joint venture with special treatment so that it does not have to repatriate its income. he said.

Other developments indicating bilateral trade will show substantial future improvement are that Cuba has joined the Eurasian Economic Union as an Observer nation  a status that will allow it access to other EAEU member states and ultimately, sign off a Free Trade Agreement. The EAEU is also discussing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone at Mariel Port. This will be attractive to Russian and Cuban manufacturers looking to export to other LatAm markets. Direct flights between Russia and Cuba recommenced late last year.

Cuban cigars are also highly popular in Russia, which unlike European and American cities has not introduced any smoking bans in bars, clubs and restaurants. Specific cigar lounges such as the Casa de Habanos outlet in Moscow have proved popular, with manager Riad Bou Karam saying Cuban cigar sales in Russia are strong. Cuban Rum is also popular in Russia with bespoke Rum-only bars such as St. Petersburgs St.Martins Bar offering a huge variety of Caribbean Rums, cocktails and cuisine.

Unlike the initial post-Soviet years when expensive but vulgar was the vogue, Russians are now seeking out quality first and foremost, and especially while under sanctions, with Cuban cigars long hailed as the best. Prior to the Soviet times, Imperial jewelers such as Faberge made exquisite cigar cases and boxes for the Russian elite.

Bilateral trade figures are relatively small between the two countries at about US$250 million per annum, with 80% of that in Russias favor. Typical Russian products exported to Cuba include transport and power equipment, while Cuba exports sugar products, fruits and rum. Given the development of Russian investment into Cuba, the increase in tourism, and export trade development, it can be expected that Russian investments into real estate and support businesses for Russians in Cuba will begin to accelerate. It also appears that American businessmen with a penchant for quality Cuban cigars will be faced with having to purchase them in Moscow, with such cigars effectively having become a double-sanctioned product.

Related Reading
The campaign council said Mr Tinubu was involved in money laundering and drug-related case and cannot be Nigeria's president.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council has called on Nigeria's anti-graft agency, EFCC, and the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to arrest and prosecute the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

Referring to Mr Tinubu's alleged money laundering and drug-related case in the United States in 1993, the PDP asked the NDLEA to probe him, saying it is a matter of national concern.

"In the unfortunate event of a Bola Tinubu Presidency, Nigerians will be plunged into a drug crisis that would make the Colombia situation a child's play. With easy access to drugs, there will be an increase in violence. Nigerians cannot risk this," the PDP said at a media briefing on Sunday.

Speaking at the Atiku campaign office in the Wuse area of Abuja, members of the PDP presidential campaign team, including Dele Momodu and Daniel Bwala, also accused the APC presidential candidate of using Alpha Beta to siphon Lagos State revenues to enrich himself and his cronies.

The opposition party also claimed that the life, schooling and work records of the former Lagos State governor remain fraudulent.

Tinubu's drug case

Since the resurfacing of a certified true copy of Mr Tinubu's the 30-year-old drug and money laundering case with the U.S. government, his opponents have feasted on it and demanded that he steps down his ambition for the nation's top job. But Mr Tinubu's camp has continued to dismiss the story, describing it as stale news.

The PDP, however, insisted that the case has made Mr Tinubu unfit for the seat of the President.

"Nigeria is battling many problems at the moment... It will be a huge disaster to add state sponsored drug trafficking into the mix," the PDP said.

The party, therefore, asked the NDLEA to investigate Mr Tinubu's alleged ties with drug trafficking.

"Nigerian law is clear, Criminal cases have no statute of limitation and can be re-opened at any time especially for the sake of national interest."

"We hereby call on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to immediately arrest Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prosecute him for drug trafficking."

Alpha Beta

The PDP also alleged that Mr Tinubu used Lagos State's funds to enrich himself through his company, Alpha Beta.

It said Alpha Beta was registered in 2009 when Mr Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Quoting sworn affidavit by a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta Consulting, Dapo Apara, the PDP said Mr Tinubu breached the Code of Conduct law to establish Alpha Beta in 2002.

"In the writ of summons marked LD/7330GCMW/2020, Apara narrated how Alpha Beta was formed in 2002 when Tinubu was still the governor, in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers," it said.

"Apara noted that he was the one who came up with the idea of a consulting firm helping the state government to collect taxes. He said Tinubu accepted the proposal but gave many conditions including that his own people would own 70 per cent stakes in the company. Apara said Tinubu nominated Adegboyega Oyetola (later governor of Osun State) and one Olumide Ogunmola who would hold 70% of the shares of Alpha Beta.

"Apara stated that Tinubu as a sitting governor in 2002, controlled Alpha Beta which was receiving 10 per cent of tax collected on behalf of the state."

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The PDP also cast aspersions on Mr Tinubu's life, schooling and work records, saying they "remain fraudulent."

"Today, he is planning on becoming Nigeria's President. Imagine such a man having the keys to Nigeria's treasury and having full control of the NDLEA, the EFCC, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force? This will be the worst scandal in the history of mankind," it said.

The opposition party also insisted that its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has been probed multiple times and has never been found wanting.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is the most investigated former Vice President in the history of Nigeria. He has been probed both locally and internationally but no dirt can be pinned on him. He also has not been charged for any crime locally or internationally."
Mr Akpabio's major rival in the senatorial election is his former political ally, Emmanuel Enoidem, who is a candidate of the PDP.

A former minister of Petroleum and a BoT member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Don Etiebet, has rejected the candidacy of Godswill Akpabio for the 2023 senatorial election in Akwa Ibom North-West District.

Mr Etiebet, who is from the Akwa Ibom North-West District, said this shortly after the Friday's judgment by the Supreme Court, which affirmed Mr Akpabio, a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as the authentic APC candidate for the election in the district.

Mr Etiebet said the federal constituency which Mr Akpabio is from in the district has produced a senator "several times", and that it is the turn of another federal constituency which has produced none before.

The Akwa Ibom North-West District comprises 10 local government areas which are grouped under four federal constituencies - Ikot Ekpene; Ikono/Ini; Ukanafun/Oruk Anam; and Abak.

The last two federal constituencies, usually lumped together in political discourse, are popularly referred to as Abak-5.

Mr Akpabio's Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency has produced a senator five times, from 1963 till date, and that includes Mr Akpabio's election as senator in 2015.

Christopher Ekpenyong, the current senator representing the district, is from Mr Akpabio's constituency.

Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency has produced a senator twice, while Ukanafun/Oruk Anam has produced a senator thrice.

The Abak Federal Constituency is the only constituency in the district that is yet to produce a senator.

Mr Etiebet says the political leaders in the district respect, but do not accept, the Supreme Court judgment on Mr Akpabio because of equity and fairness.

"We from the senatorial district have since resolved that it is the turn of Abak-5 Zone of the District and in particular, the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency to produce the senator this time around since all the other three federal constituencies in the senatorial district have produced senators several times," said Mr Etiebet who is a revered APC leader in Akwa Ibom.

The former minister's remark is published on Facebook by a chieftain of the APC and a newspaper publisher, Uduakabasi Ikpat.

Mr Etiebet said it was for the purpose of achieving equity and fairness that the APC members in the district "elected" a former deputy inspector general of police, Udom Ekpoudom, who is from the Abak Federal Constituency, as the party candidate for the senatorial election.

The Court of Appeal had ruled in favour of Mr Ekpoudom before the judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court in Mr Akpabio's favour.

"Senator Godswill Akpabio did not participate in that senatorial primary monitored by INEC but having failed in his presidential bid he was pursuing at the time of the senatorial primary, he rushed back at a later date to have a nocturnal primary not monitored by INEC to declare himself as the senatorial candidate.

Mr Etiebet said Mr Akpabio would have given a chance to the Abak Federal Constituency to produce the next senator if he had "any feeling of comradeship, brotherliness and love for others".

The former minister said political leaders in the district have resolved to support "any candidate" from Abak Federal Constituency for the senatorial election.

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It is unclear, however, if the APC leaders in the district will throw their weight behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem, who is from the Abak Federal Constituency.

Senator Akpabio reacts

Mr Akpabio's campaign organisation said Mr Etiebet's remark indicates that he intends to support Mr Enoidem in the senatorial election.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Joe Iniodu, the campaign said, "It is strange that while PDP jettisons zoning at the national level, it orchestrates it with missionary zealotry in Abak/Etim-Ekpo/lka Federal Constituency."

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was elected senator in 2015 under the PDP. He later defected to the APC in 2018, where he contested for a second term in 2019 but was defeated by the PDP candidate, Mr Ekpenyong, who is a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom.
... Minister Jeanie Cooper

Liberian women's engagement into agricultural activities will shortly be recognized internationally as the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Agriculture has planned to establish the Agricultural Center of Excellence for Women in the country.

This initiative, according to Liberia's Minister of Agriculture, Jeanie Cooper, will witness the government of Liberia working with its developmental partners to have such a vision actualized.

Speaking Tuesday, January 17, 2023, on state radio in Paynesville, the female Agriculture Boss elaborated that such Agricultural Center of Excellence for women will be the first for women in the world, stressing that no country has ever established such a center.

"We always say women are the farmers, let's showcase that on how we can help women get all of their benefits," she indicated.

The Minister of Agriculture's quest for women if becomes a reality will empower women who are producing agricultural products from their respective farms.

Liberian Women in Agriculture, according to Minister Cooper, is working to have the sector viable.

She noted that women need to push, through the provision of training in the areas of post-harvesting, processing, cooking, marketing, distributing, and making their products attractive on the market among others.

Minister Cooper furthered that the Government's plan for 2023 is to boost women's capacities in the sector which will generate more income for them.

She named some of the developmental partners that comprise the UN-Women, Orange Foundation, and the World Food Program (W.F.P) to establish the Center of Excellence for women's empowerment.

The Minister added that the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, was able to rehabilitate the farm-to-market road in Nimba County.

She noted that the rehabilitated roads have allowed farmers to transport their goods at a low cost.

Minister Cooper mentioned that the country can only develop its rice sector if much emphasis is placed on smallholder farmers that will make Liberians self-sufficient in the sector.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory physicists Deepen Garg and Ilya Dodin say they can better understand the state of the cosmos shortly after the Big Bang by learning how gravitational waves flow through planets and the gas between the galaxies.

Gravitational waves, first predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916 as a consequence of his theory of relativity, are disturbances in space-time caused by the movement of very dense objects.

They travel at the speed of light and were first detected in 2015 by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) through detectors in Washington State and Louisiana.

We cant see the early Universe directly, but maybe we can see it indirectly if we look at how gravitational waves from that time have affected matter and radiation that we can observe today, Garg said.

Garg and Dr. Dodin adapted their technique from the research into fusion energy, the process powering the Sun and stars that fusion scientists are developing to create electricity on Earth without emitting greenhouse gases or producing long-lived radioactive waste.

Fusion scientists calculate how electromagnetic waves move through plasma, the soup of electrons and atomic nuclei that fuels fusion facilities known as tokamaks and stellarators. It turns out that this process resembles the movement of gravitational waves through matter.

We basically put plasma wave machinery to work on a gravitational wave problem, Garg said.

The authors created formulas that could theoretically lead gravitational waves to reveal hidden properties about celestial bodies, like stars that are many light years away.

As the waves flow through matter, they create light whose characteristics depend on the matters density.

A physicist could analyze that light and discover properties about a star millions of light-years away.

This technique could also lead to discoveries about the smashing together of neutron stars and black holes, ultra-dense remnants of star deaths.

They could even potentially reveal information about what was happening during the Big Bang and the early moments of our Universe.

I thought this would be a small, six-month project for a graduate student that would involve solving something simple, Dr. Dodin said.

But once we started digging deeper into the topic, we realized that very little was understood about the problem and we could do some very basic theory work here.

The authors now plan to use the technique to analyze data in the near future.

We have some formulas now, but getting meaningful results will take more work, Garg said.

The teams paper was published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.

_____

Deepen Garg & I.Y. Dodin. Gravitational wave modes in matter. Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics 2022; doi: 10.1088/1475-7516/2022/08/017
Rasmus Paludan

Un policier et sept manifestants ont ete blesses lundi a Bagdad lors d'une manifestation organisee devant l'ambassade de Suede pour protester contre l'autodafe d'un Coran a Stockholm, a-t-on appris aupres d'une source securitaire.





"Entre 400 et 500 personnes" manifestaient a l'ecart de la mission diplomatique du pays scandinave quand elles ont tente d'avancer vers le batiment, a indique un responsable du ministere de l'Interieur sous le couvert de l'anonymat.





Alors que les policiers les repoussaient, des heurts ont eclate. "Des manifestants ont jete des pierres et les policiers ont utilise leurs matraques", a-t-il ajoute, precisant que sept manifestants et un policier avaient ete blesses.





Les manifestants se sont ensuite disperses, selon un photographe de l'AFP sur place.





Le rassemblement avait ete organise par des groupes pro-Iran tres actifs en Irak, pays a large majorite musulmane.





A travers le slogan "Non a la Suede, oui au Coran", les protestataires entendaient donner de la voix, deux jours apres que l'extremiste de droite suedo-danois Rasmus Paludan a brule un exemplaire du Coran a Stockholm. Il comptait denoncer les negociations suedoises avec la Turquie sur l'Otan.





La police suedoise avait estime au prealable que la Constitution et les libertes de manifestation et d'expression en Suede ne justifiaient pas l'interdiction de cette manifestation au nom de l'ordre public.





L'autorisation donnee a cette manifestation anti-islam a suscite un incident diplomatique avec la Turquie et de nombreux autres pays musulmans ont exprime leur indignation.




With just a few months to the conduct of 2023 Legislative and Presidential Elections, the son of former Vice President, the late Harry Moniba, Dr. Clarence Moniba, has officially announced his ambition to contest for the country's top seat, the Presidency

The former Minister of State without Portfolio Dr. Moniba's declaration for the highest seat of the country has now shown that two sons of Lofa County will be vying for the presidency.

Speaking Thursday, January 19, 2023, on simulcasts of various radio stations, Dr. Moniba vowed to provide the best leadership that the country desires.

The Political Leader of the Liberian National Union (LINU party) mentioned that Liberians are craving for leadership that will ensure the provision of developmental programs across the country.

The young presidential aspirant disclosed that at the heart of his ambition is to increase social services and provide quality education for the betterment of all Liberians.

Dr. Moniba mentioned that his institution has covered the 15 political sub-divisions of the country to assess the constraints Liberians are confronted with.

He named roads, agriculture, capacity building for young people, and women empowerment among others as top of his agenda.

Dr. Moniba noted that serving former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Minister of State without Portfolio and community service has greatly empowered him to contest in these elections.

He indicated that no candidate can win the first round of the presidential elections.

The Young Aspirant mentioned that it would be prudent if there is a run-off for the opposition to join forces in supporting a particular candidate.
In 2022, the diplomatic activities of Vietnam contributed to building trust, a peaceful and stable environment to make the country become a reliable destination for foreign investors.

Apart from a high appreciation for economic growth and social stability, more and more international friends have extended their love to learn about and visit the country thanks to exchange programs and activities of promoting and spreading the cultural beauty of Vietnam in many countries.

As of last year, Vietnam was elected by the United Nations General Assembly to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) for the 2023-2025 term. General Secretary of the United Nations Antonio Guterres expressed his belief that Vietnam would continue to proactively and effectively contribute to promoting and protecting human rights.

Mutual harmony

In 2022, Vietnamese high-ranking leaders had important official visits to many countries at both bilateral and multilateral levels, and vice versa, senior leaders of countries also paid official visits to Vietnam.

The highlighted official visits by Vietnamese top leaders included the visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the People's Republic of China along with the official visits of State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Vo Van Thuong to many countries and territories.

Right after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was the first foreign leader to receive an invitation from the Chinese side.

This was the first time that China welcomed an official high-level leader after three years affected by the Covid-19 pandemic showing their respect dedicated to the Vietnamese leader.

The Communist Party of Vietnam always shows mutual confidence and respect for the relationship between the two countries along with Vietnams consistent diplomacy policy and the Partys foreign affairs.

From December 21-22, 2022, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a high-ranking delegation to pay a State-level visit to Indonesia following an invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo. 2022 was considered as a year with massively active and effective foreign affairs activities of the Party, State, Government and the National Assembly.

In parallel, many top leaders of countries in the world also extended their official visits to Vietnam including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Arden, German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, French Senate President Gerard Larcher, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavan, General Secretary of the United Nations Antonio Guterres and so on.

Green energy diplomacy

Through the official visits, many cooperation agreements had been signed, including dozens of agreements with a total amount of billions of US dollar bringing new opportunities in fields of trade and high-quality investment, developing the Vietnamese economy with advanced technology and competence. If 2021 was considered as a year of vaccine diplomacy, the year of 2022 was proudly considered as green diplomacy and energy diplomacy.

Following the commitment of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland (the UK) on net-zero emissions by 2050, the international communities highly appreciated the country and considered Vietnam as a model of a developing country facing various difficulties but it has pioneered to make green commitment to keep a safe house for humankind.

On December 14 of 2022, Vietnamese leaders and International Partners Group (IPG), including the European Unions, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, Italy, Canada, Japan, Norway and Denmark signed onto a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement to mobilize US$15.5 billion from private sector and governments in the next three to five years to help Vietnam achieve the set target of net zero emissions in 2050, accelerating the peaking of its greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

As the financial sources are getting more and more difficult, there were massive commitments to financial aid and investment for Vietnams green transition showing that many countries believed and desired to accompany the country.

Notably, in 2022, there was the investment and construction project of a more than US$1 billion Danish Lego factory in Binh Duong Province. To choose Vietnam for building a giant factory dedicated to its durable investment, Lego has brought more motivation for many Danish investors in the field.

Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Nikolai Prytz said that for various reasons, Vietnam is an interesting destination for Danish investors in different fields.

It could be said that Vietnam has well taken advantage of free trade agreements with its role as a member to develop; been proactive in production and exportation, further participated in the global supply chain; diversified its markets and products; attracted foreign investors in the field of the industrial sector with fundamental nature, including electronics, materials industry, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, supporting industries, manufacturing and so on.

Optimistic investors

With the motto of Decisiveness, braveness, breakthrough, substance, effectiveness, exploitation and taking advantage of all opportunities for national development", the country's economy in 2022 continued to recover rapidly in almost all of the areas, fields; and Vietnam has become one of the bright spots of economic growth in the region and the world.

After over two decades working in Vietnam, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi Adam Sitkoff found a remarkable improvement in the business environment in Vietnam to attract foreign enterprises.

He expressed that the American enterprises' community was positive toward the strong economic growth of Vietnam in 2022 and believed that it would be reached furthermore. Vietnam is not only the top destination for multinational companies finding their ways to diversify the supply chain but the countrys economic growth is strong.

Another survey of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) conducted in more than 1,700 holding companies in Japan showed that Vietnam is the second choice for Japanese enterprises to expand their business activities after the United States.

Amid political and economic fluctuations in the world, the total import-export turnover of Vietnam in 2022 achieved US$700 billion and the country is among the top 20 countries on the trade scale. The international institutions comprising World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and so on all gave optimistic predictions on Vietnams GDP for the whole year of 2022 ranging from 7.2 percent to 8.2 percent. Besides, international credit institutions such as Moodys Investors and S&P Global Ratings also upgraded Vietnams rating and long-term economic outlook.

It could be affirmed that the official visits of leaders of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly are practical and effective activities in implementing the diplomatic policy of the Party on continuing to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration, promoting and raising the level of multilateral diplomacy until 2030, contributing to making economic diplomacy serve for national development by 2030 in the new situation, thereby deeply positioning the image of Vietnam as a friend, a reliable and responsible partner of the international community.
The Board of Commissioners (BOC), of the National Elections Commission (NEC), on Wednesday hosted a one-day information-sharing session with members of the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) at the compound of the Commission on 9th Street, in Sinkor.

The meeting was requested by the Elections Coordinating Committee.

In his opening statement, the Head of the ECC Steering Committee delegation, Cllr. Oscar Bloh said, his joint delegation raised four cardinal concerns in their request for a meeting with the board of commissioners.

Cllr. Bloh said, the ECC's delegation was concerned about procurement plans, the statutes of the Biometric Voter Registration process, and the reapportioning of the Boundary Constituency based on the Census from the Liberia Institute for Statistics Geo Information Services or LISGIS.

Cllr. Bloh thanked the Board members for accepting and honoring their request and said the delegation was also concerned about budgetary allotment from the Government of Liberia to the National Elections Commission of Liberia.

Responding, members of the Board of Commissioners, led by Co-Chairperson, Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves said, all modalities leading to the start of the 20 March 2023 BVR process are progressing according to plans.

The NEC Authorities informed the ECC delegation that the Country has been divided into two phases for the conduct of the BVR process beginning 20 March 2023 to the ending date of 11 May 2023.

The NEC's Co-chairperson informed the ECC's delegation that technicians of the LAXTON Group, who won the bid to procure BVR equipment and materials are working with technicians of the Commission to address all of the technical problems for a smooth conduct of the BVR process.

The session was led by the Co-chairperson of the Commission, Cllr. P. Teplah Reeves, and supported by Commissioners, Boakai A. Dukuly, Floyd Oxley Sayor, Cllr. Ernestine Morgan Awar, Barsee Leo Kpangbai, and Josephine Kou Gaye.
The first "BeCafe" - Brewing Journeys cafe outlet has been opened by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a "Maharatna" and Fortune Global 500 company, at M/s Gurunanak Service Station, Haldwani in Uttarakhand, which is on the route to popular tourist destinations along the Nainital-Bhimtal corridor.

The inauguration of the cafe was done by Mr. Rajiv Dutta, Head (Retail) BPCL, Northern Region. The cafe will be the first of the proposed 20 BeCafes that are scheduled to come up in strategic ROs in the Nothern Region along major Highway corridors. The company has plans to expand to 50 such outlets in FY23 in order to create density for higher market impact and optimize resources including the supply chain.

BeCafe is the companys Highway to Non-Fuel Business, thus enabling them to gain entry into the high-margin F&B segment. BPCLs mission is to be Indias largest franchised cafe chain with a customer value proposition of providing ON THE GO F&B convenience.

BPCL aims to sustain and grow its highway business while staying relevant to the highway consumer by building a network which offers a differentiated customer experience around fuel, on-the-go F&B convenience, hygienic toilet, EV charging, CNG, and parking to the rapidly growing motorist segment.

The name of the cafe Be suggests the state of being the status of oneself. The company wishes to establish BeCafe as a young brand that engages the youth to be what they want to be while aspiring to go beyond their individuality.
The Indian startup ecosystem has appeared as one of the greatest ecosystems on earth, touching the number of 108 unicorns at current. This indicates a strong entrepreneurial spirit with plans to increase the GDP of the nation by 4-5%.

Since the launch of the Startup Indian campaign in 2016, the country has recorded an all-time high growth of over 190% in the number of startups recognized by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The Indian startups are playing a crucial role in the creation of jobs not remaining restricted to metros but also expanding to Tier II and III cities.

Further, India is targeting to become a $5 Trillion economy which will be propelled by SMEs and startups fulfilling the demand for digital services across the country. For the penetration of these services, the industry expects the government to announce tax regimes that can enable entrepreneurs to raise money on more favorable terms.

Sarbojit Mallick, Co-Founder & CBO of Instahyre anticipates, The government may extend tax-neutral approval of startup outbound mergers and flip in this budget. Taxes should only be levied on actual liquidations and not on such restructuring because no actual income is being produced. This will enable entrepreneurs to raise money on more favorable terms and valuations amid funding winter.

He further observes, The government must develop a budget that supports easy business, boosts consumption, and recoups investment. This is only feasible if the household rises its spending, which is only possible if they have more money on hand. Therefore, the industry anticipates tax relief for the middle class, particularly the salaried class.

Following the lifting of restrictions on travel across the world, the travel industry has shown great resilience and grown multi-fold in the past year. TravelTech startups have witnessed accelerated growth in fulfilling the appetite of domestic and international travellers. This is further going to rise with the influx of more foreign tourists anticipated in the ongoing year.

The previous year was a roller coaster ride for all sectors; the COVID's impact was still felt; the industry had to deal with layoffs, the global recession, and numerous other challenges. We anticipate tax relief in the income tax in this year's budget. While the travel industry is still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, the government will focus its attention on some specific areas where we would be eager to see some movement, such as provisioning for 10 percent SEIS (Service Exports from India Scheme) combined with export status for forex earned for travel services, said Ashish Sidhra, Co-founder-Alike.

The start-up ecosystem makes a big contribution to the Indian economy. Everyone looks back on the Union Budget 202223 as a historic "digital budget" because of the ground-breaking steps taken to start India's digital revolution. Considering the same, the hopes and expectations from this years budget are also quite high.

Ashish Bhatia, Founder, India Acceleratorsaid, We anticipate that the Union Budget would include some assistance for qualifying firms under the Startup India Scheme in terms of the number of taxes that must befiled, the frequency of filing, or the tax slabs. Additionally, all necessary registrations, such as those for forming a business, opening a store, registering for the goods and services tax (GST), obtaining an MSME (micro, small, and medium businesses) certificate, etc., should be handled through a single window. That will enable startups to save significant time and effort along with financial savings.

He further adds, There must be complete tax parity between listed and unregistered assets for investors (including base rates). It is essential to continue moving forward with the government's investment promotion initiatives. Moreover, startups flipping and outbound mergers should be permitted on a tax-neutral basis, and tax should only be levied on true liquidation, not on such restructuring since no actual income is produced. This will enable entrepreneurs to raise money on more favorable terms and valuations."

Amid the harsh funding winter, the 2023 budget is expected to have a greater focus on providing relief to the startup ecosystem. This will help startups enhance greater access to robust and improved digital infrastructure.
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A Health Practitioner Cautions Excellence Nursing School Graduates

A Liberian health practitioner, Abel G. Jonkatornon, has urged health practitioners and future health practitioners not to allow their nursing profession to be influenced by anyone.

According to the Liberian health practitioner, the use of parental influence and friends as a means to select a profession, especially in the health sector is a very dangerous one and unacceptable.

He made the statement in brief remarks during the graduation program last weekend.

He warned against friends and relatives using their influence as a means of choosing a profession for students and those wanting to practice in any given field of study.

"Let me say this to you the graduates and parents or guardians, it is not good for one's profession selection to be influenced by a friend or any relative," Jonkatornon stressed.

"It is good for an individual to willingly choose career professions on what to do and what not to do or study; in other words, follow your hearts and not what your father or mother wants you to study," he averred.

The Registered Nurse (RN) and a graduate of the Cuttington University Graduate Program of Professional Studies words of caution steamed from the background where many are asked by their parents, relatives or friends to follow a career that they do not have fundamental knowledge about or passion for.

According to him, if one chooses a profession that he or she does not have fundamentals about, it becomes risky and dangerous for both the individual and society.

He said, many at times, some Liberians choose to venture into the nursing profession because either a relative in the United States told them to do so saying, 'nursing has attractive salary grades in the US'.

Mr. Jonkatornon also added that others go into the nursing field because others told them to choose the profession on grounds that it has fast money and or they are promised future jobs even if the person asked has no passion for said profession.

The Liberian clinician and health researcher sounded the warning when he served as guest speaker of the 9th Graduating Ceremony of the Excellence School of Professional and Vocational Institute Inc. in Paynesville last weekend.

Located in the compound of the Bethesda AG Church along the 72nd Boulevard, the institution has and continues to provide professional skill training opportunities to Liberians, especially young people in the nursing profession and others.

The guest speaker speaking on the topic, 'Who I want to become after graduation from High School' then used the opportunity and give a few important pieces of advice to the nine graduates who made it to the promised land despite being in a class of forty members.

"As you go out today, please know and always remember that an RN (Registered Nurse) is superior to you no matter what you learn, and therefore, you must always respect them or those above you the knowledge and professionally wise; know your term of reference (TOR) or scope of the profession (SOP) and never pretend to know all because every level of study has a limitation," he pointed out.

According to him, there are some health practitioners who feel they know all only because they graduated from one level category in the nursing profession to another.

He said it is not enough to feel complacent but to be focused and strive for greater and higher heights.

In closing, the RN thanked the head of the institution, Chris Myers, and all the staff members for their patience in running the school while at the same time encouraging them to keep focus and persevere as a way to achieve the utmost goal.

He also called on the parents and relatives of the graduates as well as the public to speak out on the behalf of health practitioners in Liberia in general for improved salaries so as to help provide the needed quality health services to the Liberian society.

Mr. Jonkatornon lamented that unqualified individuals in Liberia make swooping and huge salaries because of political and or societal connections and affiliations while trained professional RNs and degree holders make less than two hundred United States (US$200) Dollars as a take-home salary thus making them to live below the poverty line as their children are forced to go to sub-standard schools in the quest for education.

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He encouraged the graduates and their parents not to see the holding of a Nurse Aid Certificate by their children as the end or being sufficient, but that they should see it as the beginning for their kids.

"If you will depend on Nurse Aid certificate and its salary as being satisfactory and depend on its salary to improve your life, it will be a big mistake if not a lie because being a clinician alone can't earn you the expected salary to live an improved life as you think," he advised.

"To you the parents and sponsors, one best way to help these ones who are graduating today is to help them to have a drug store or pharmacy for them each as a means of using income from there to further their education or studies," the Liberian health practitioner concluded.

Meanwhile, the head of the institution, Chris Myers, was impressed by the speech, and words of motivation for the school, and the graduates vowed to do their best in helping to always prepare potential health practitioners and other professionals to serve their country.
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.
An Australian man who drowned while trying to rescue a child in a lake on New Zealands South Island has been identified as 35-year-old NSW resident Jonathan Jordan Young.

Young drowned in Lake Wakatipu at Glenorchy, a small town 45 minutes drive from Queenstown, about 4pm on Thursday last week.

New Zealands police dive squad located the body of Jonathan Jordan Young on Friday. Credit: Debbie Jamieson/Stuff

His parents, brother and fiancee watched as police divers, members of the public and a helicopter searched for him but it took 24 hours before divers found his body.

Young had been in New Zealand for only three days before his death, travelling with his fiancee. His parents and brother flew to New Zealand when the search began and were at the site when his body was recovered.
When the Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed to traffic on Sunday morning for the filming of a Hollywood blockbuster, some Sydneysiders saw the fun in the moment and tried to get an up-close glimpse of the excitement. Unfortunately, some others rather predictably vented their outrage on social media.

There had been plenty of planning and warnings before the bridge was closed to motorists and pedestrians for seven hours until 10am on Sunday. On a day when many people enjoy sleeping in or are still away on summer holidays, the closure during the early morning hours was planned to cause the least inconvenience.

During that time, actor Ryan Gosling was hard at work doing stunts on the back of a truck for his upcoming action movie, The Fall Guy. The film is an adaptation of a 1980s series starring Lee Majors as a stuntman who used his special skills to catch crooks.

While views from some nearby residents were mixed on the day, one told television news he didnt have an issue with the traffic disruption that early on a Sunday morning. Neither does the Herald, considering the enormous economic benefits these moments create in promoting Sydney to the world.

The well-planned disruption makes a poor comparison with climate protester Violet Cocos unlawful traffic disruption on the Harbour Bridge in December during business hours. As many people on social media noted, it is like comparing apples to coconuts.
Potential victims of domestic violence may be warned about their partners history of abusive behaviour under a scheme set to be trialled in NSW.

Under the Right To Ask scheme, NSW Police would be given the power to disclose information about a domestic violence offender to potential new victims.

NSW is set to launch a new trial of a domestic violence disclosure scheme, enabling police to inform potential victims of an abusers history. Credit: iStock

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the proposed scheme, based on the United Kingdoms domestic violence disclosure scheme known as Clares Law, would help people to make informed decisions about their relationships.

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 didnt know about, Perrottet said in a statement on Monday.
NSW Police have released a series of images as they search for the alleged culprits of four sexual offences on Sydney public transport last year.

Police are urging the public to examine the images of the four men and contact Crime Stoppers if they recognise any of them.

The incidents took place between Strathfield and Penrith from July to December 2022.

Police are urging anyone who may be able to identify the alleged offenders to call Crime Stoppers. Credit: NSW Police

The first alleged incident took place about 1pm on July 9 when a man boarded a bus at the Mount Druitt bus interchange. He allegedly exposed himself and performed a sexual act in front of two women.
More serving Australian police officers are dying by suicide than they did two decades ago.

Some 103 officers took their own lives between 2000 and 2020 with the rate of suicide more than doubling during that period, according to a WA Police Union report released on Monday.

More serving Australian police officers are dying by suicide than they did two decades ago. Credit: Paul Rovere

Eighty-three per cent of those who died were male, with an average age of 44 years.

Almost two thirds of those serving officers were ranked sergeant or senior constable (63.8 per cent).
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and high-profile Aboriginal senator Pat Dodson will join Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Alice Springs on Tuesday following calls from local community leaders and the federal opposition for him to visit the crime-plagued town.

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy is also visiting the Northern Territory centre, where dramatically rising crime rates and alcohol consumption are fuelling a social crisis locals say is the worst theyve seen in decades.

Albanese is expected to hold a press conference in Alice Springs on Tuesday afternoon alongside Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

Government sources confirmed Burney, a leading campaigner for the Indigenous Voice to parliament, and Dodson, dubbed the father of reconciliation for his lifelong activism, would be with Albanese.

According to NT police statistics, property damage in Alice Springs rose 60 per cent in the year to November 2022, assault rose by 43 per cent, domestic violence-related assault rose by 53 per cent, and commercial break-ins by 55 per cent.
WHO is launching its 2023 health emergency appeal for $2.54 billion to provide assistance to a record 339 million around the world facing health urgencies.

Currently, WHO is responding to an unprecedented number of intersecting health emergencies: climate change-related disasters such as flooding in Pakistan and food insecurity across the Sahel and in the greater Horn of Africa; the war in Ukraine; and the health impact of conflict in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and northern Ethiopia  all of these emergencies overlapping with the health system disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and outbreaks of measles, cholera, and other killers.

This unprecedented convergence of crises demands an unprecedented response, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. More people than ever before face the imminent risk of disease and starvation and need help now. The world cannot look away and hope these crises resolve themselves. I urge donors to be generous and help WHO to save lives, prevent the spread of disease within and across borders, and support communities as they rebuild."

54 health crises

WHO is currently responding to 54 health crises around the world, 11 of which are classified as Grade 3, WHOs highest level of emergency, requiring a response at all three levels of the organization. As it is often the case, the most vulnerable are the worst hit.

In 2022, WHO provided medicines, other supplies, training for doctors and other health workers, vaccines, enhanced disease surveillance, mobile clinics, mental health support, maternal health consultations and much more. WHO delivers cost-effective, high-impact responses that protect health, lives and livelihoods. Every $1 invested in WHO generates at least $35 in return on investment.

WHO responds to health emergencies in close collaboration with Member States, other UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and other partners in the communities and across countries and regions.

The appeal will be launched at an event from WHOs Headquarters in Geneva, hosted by Dr Ghebreyesus.-- TradeArabia News Service
As Women Rights Lawyer Calls for Dismissal

A renowned Liberian Women's Rights Lawyer and feminist Cllr. Margaret M. Nigba has called for the dismissal of Andrew Anderson of the National Investment Commission.

Mr. Anderson was on January 18, 2023, found guilty of simple assault by the Paynesville Magisterial Court.

According to the ruling, Mr. Anderson will spend three months in prison and pay a fine as well as the medical bills and legal expenses of the victim.

Speaking following the ruling, Cllr. Margaret Nigba said the court's decision is a victory for the Human Rights Community in Liberia.

"I am happy that justice has finally been served and we are so excited", the lead lawyer in the domestic violence case, Cllr. Nigba stated.

Among other things, the Boss of "Her Voice Liberia" maintained her call to have Andrew Anderson dismissed at the National Investment Commission because, according to her, "you cannot keep an abuser at such strategic government entity", the National Investment Commission.

The Wednesday ruling by the Paynesville Magisterial Court came following a long-standing legal battle in the domestic violence case between Lorraine Rose and Andrew Anderson.

The case during its hearing was characterized by mixed views and opinions on social media with workmates, family members, and friends of both parties expressing their opinions on the issue.

Cllr. Nigba said social media discussions which were among other things meant to buy in public sentiments in the case only embarrassed her client at some point in time but it did not in any way help the matter as the perpetrator, Andrew Anderson was finally found guilty of domestic violence and will pay for his actions meted against her client.

According to her, the legal victory was credited to everyone particularly, Medica-Liberia who provided support as well as the Women NGO Secretariat, WONGOSOL, and the National Civil Society Council of Liberia.

Even though Lorraine Rose Dunn was represented by Her Voice Liberia's Legal Clinic and Atty. Sam War Fallah, Head of Her Voice Legal clinic, but the collective effort she stressed is key and pays a lot, especially in the just-ended case.

Cllr. Nigba, flanked by Muna Kelly who represented WONGOSOL at the final ruling day, pledged her institution, "Her Voice Liberia" willingness and preparedness at all times to represent the legal interests of women in Liberia.

In a more relieved and free move, victim Lorraine Rose Dunn expressed joy and was also very glad that justice was served in her case.

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"Thanks to everyone who stood by me and continues to stand by me, I am grateful," she emphasized.

Making specific reference to "Her Voice Liberia", happy Lorraine Rose Dunn hailed what she described as free/probono legal services rendered to her through Cllr. Nigba during the entire legal process, "I am so grateful," she added.

Her statement was buttressed by her uncle Rhoney Lunter who hailed the magisterial court for dispensing justice in a fair and professional manner.

"This is my first time seeing justice prevail and we commend the court", Mr. Lunter pointed out.

According to him, Anderson's methodology failed because nothing was chronological and he is now happy that his niece can walk free with her head high up.

He narrated that the unfair statements made against his niece on social media during the case which was meant to in their opinions bring her down rather than promoted her because Justice was never denied.

Mr. Lunter was also quick to appreciate the legal team led by Cllr. Margaret Nigba of Her Voice Liberia and others who helped to ensure that they collectively win the legal battle.
Washington/Brussels: The United States, European Union and United Kingdom have imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran, stepping up pressure on Iran over its crackdown on protests.

The actions, which reflect a deterioration in the Wests already dire relations with Tehran in recent months, are the latest response to Irans deadly clampdown on unrest after the death of young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in morality police custody in September.

Nasi, last name unavailable, cries during a rally in Washington calling for regime change in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being arrested in Tehran by Irans notorious morality police. Credit: AP

The protests by Iranians from all walks of life mark one of the boldest challenges to the ruling theocracy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran accuses Western powers of fomenting the unrest, which security forces have met with deadly violence.

The United States targeted the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and senior officials in its action, which imposed sanctions on the IRGC Cooperative Foundation and five of its board members, Deputy Minister of Intelligence and Security Naser Rashedi and four senior IRGC commanders in Iran.
~Virtual Assets need to be regulated by law in St. Maarten~

PHILIPSBURG:--As a follow-up to Brisons previous call to advance the local economy while promoting the responsible use of blockchain technology in St. Maarten, MP Rolando Brison, Leader of the united Peoples Party stated his intention to not re-invent the wheel and look to the island of Dominica which recently adopted Tron as its official blockchain, and the Eastern Caribbean Central Banks Virtual Assets draft law. Brison, who has already been working diligently regarding virtual assets regulation as was previously announced, is busy translating the law in a manner that fits our Dutch legal system and local economy.

Often times we sing the praises of other Prime Ministers in the region, and rightfully so. But acting on it for the benefit of our people and economy has much more value, stated MP Brison.

He referred to the Honorable Roosevelt Skerrits recent announcement of Tron as the official blockchain and legal tender of Dominica after their parliament passed the Virtual Assets law. This is a historic step for Dominica in its drive to enhance economic growth by embracing digital innovation and appointing TRON

Protocol as its designated national blockchain infrastructure. TRON Protocol is one of the leading global blockchain platforms, known for its efficient and cost-effective crypto settlement system, stated Prime Minister Skeritt in an official release after the passing of the law.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) oversees the monetary union of countries like BVI, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Antigua, with a total GDP of close to 10 billion USD. The ECCB legislation is a great framework for regulation that focuses on protecting the consumer, the economy and ensuring that virtual asset oversight

does not spire out of control, without stagnating potential growth opportunities for the sector. Brison has been at the forefront of recognizing the reality that Cryptocurrencies are being traded in St. Maarten, but as per the 2018 release by the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten, it is still totally unregulated. He

believes that legal tender regulation helps align cryptocurrency with our civil code. Allowing cryptocurrency to continue totally unregulated in St. Maarten is extremely risky, and we have to be proactive. Hence I use my right of initiative to bring this law with Tron Protocol at the forefront, with possibilities later for other

blockchains to be incorporated; this too can be done in line with other countries like St. Kitts, who I know are also working on their own legal tender legislation, stated Brison.

Tron is a leading blockchain protocol known for its popular cost-effective global on-chain settlement system.

Brison believes that by collaborating with Tron as its designated blockchain infrastructure, Sint Maarten can benefit from Trons fast-growing and inclusive global ecosystem to further strengthen its appeal for international tourism which is vital to the local economy.

Brisons initiative law will include provisions by National Decree for the government to choose when would be the best time to enter into force so that the Ministry of Finance can continue its educational programs regarding blockchain technology.

Brison expects to submit this initiative law to go through the legislative process in the coming weeks, in accordance with the constitutional right MPs have to initiative laws.




Appointment of Chairman

West African gold explorer Golden Rim Resources Ltd (ASX: GMR; Golden Rim or Company  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/golden-rim-resources-ltd/ ) is pleased to advise that Mr Brett Montgomery has been appointed as Chairman, effective 1 February 2023.

Brett is well-known and respected in the international mining community with a breadth of experience in the management of public companies as well as equity and debt financing. He has held a number of executive and non-executive roles covering projects in West Africa, Australia, North America, Europe and Indonesia.

He is currently a non-executive director of AIC Mines Limited (ASX: A1M), Tanami Gold NL (ASX:TAM) and Phoenix Gold Fund Ltd.

Golden Rima?s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Strong, said: aOn behalf of everyone at Golden Rim, Ia?m delighted to welcome Brett. We are looking forward to benefiting from his extensive experience as we grow our exciting Kada Gold Project.a

Contact Information:

Golden Rim Resources Ltd

ABN 39 006 710 774

Tim Strong

Chief Executive Officer

+61 3 8677 0829

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

This announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Golden Rim Resources Ltd.
Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu, attending a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), on Monday, in Brussels, said "it is premature" to talk about "a specific calendar" regarding Romania's accession to the Schengen Area.

In this context, the head of the Romanian diplomacy mentioned, in a phone-in with private TV broadcaster Digi 24, the discussion with his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock.

"It must be said that Germany supports us very firmly and actively and wishes to take very good steps with all the decision-makers, including with Austria, with the European Commission," stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agerpres informs.

Minister Aurescu also spoke about the perspective of starting consultations on the topic of the Schengen file, in the context of the Swedish presidency of the Council of the European Union.

"The Swedish presidency is extremely determined to deal with this topic as a matter of priority," he said.

Bogdan Aurescu also reminded that on January 29, elections are organized in Austria, the country that opposed Romania's accession to the European free movement area. "Before this date, it is difficult to estimate what Austria's position will be", added the Romanian minister.

According to him, the reassignment of Romania's ambassador to Vienna represents a "gesture of openness on the part of Romania".

"All these gestures and our efforts will continue, they must accumulate and we must see what exactly emerges from this type of process," said Bogdan Aurescu.

In terms of the prospect of the Schengen file, the Romanian Foreign Minister stated: "We cannot ignore objective realities, such as those related to Austria or the migration situation on the Balkan route, where Romania is not placed. (.. .) This is also the reason why the Chancellor of Austria is in Bulgaria and not in Romania".

Commenting on the vote against Romania's accession, he appreciated that "Austria showed that it is the only European state that opposes accession into the Schengen Area, while all other member states support this accession".
Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu spoke on Monday with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, as well as with his Belgian counterpart, Hadja Lahbib, about our country's accession to the Schengen Area.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), which takes place in Brussels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MAE) informed, in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

According to the cited source, Bogdan Aurescu thanked the Italian side for "the firm and constant support shown for Romania's accession to Schengen".

The Romanian official emphasized "the need to find a constructive solution to unblock the situation, considering that Romanian citizens are fully entitled to benefit from the rights of Schengen membership".

In this context, he informed about the ongoing steps of the Romanian side in the dialogue with Austria, the other member states and the European Commission to further promote the goal of Romania's accession to the free movement area with a view to a positive decision.

MAE shows that Minister Antonio Tajani "reiterated Italy's determined and active support for Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and indicated that he will be getting involved in resolving the file".

Bogdan Aurescu also thanked his Belgian counterpart, Hadja Lahbib, for Belgium's support for Romania's accession to Schengen.

The head of Romanian diplomacy also informed his Belgian counterpart about the ongoing steps of the Romanian side in the dialogue with Austria, the other member states and the European Commission for Romania's accession to Schengen.

The Belgian Foreign Minister reiterated "Belgium's strong support for Romania's accession to the Schengen Area, including in talks with Austria and the other European partners, in order to successfully complete this file".
Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu said on Monday that he will speak at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) taking place in Brussels, about our country's accession to the Schengen Area.

"I would like to remind you that today I will use this opportunity, even if the topic of Romania's accession to Schengen is not on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council, to hold discussions with my colleagues on continuing the steps for Romania's accession, as it is very important that this subject remain in the attention of all European partners," said the head of Romanian diplomacy, before the FAC meeting.

At the same time, Bogdan Aurescu said that he will express, in this format, his support for the adoption of the seventh tranche under the European Peace Facility.

"It is very important to reach a consensus on this issue," he added.

The Foreign minister emphasized "Romania's firm support for the adoption of the tenth package of sanctions" for the Russian Federation. "I will express, once again, Romania's support for the establishment of an international tribunal to punish the crime of aggression in the context of the conflict in Ukraine," said minister Aurescu.

The head of the Romanian diplomacy also said that he will also talk about the latest developments related to the multidimensional support provided by Romania to Ukraine. In this sense, Bogdan Aurescu mentioned that over 11.2 million tonnes of grain and agricultural products transited Romania to help Ukraine and at the same time to face the global food crisis. AGERPRES
German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock appreciated Romania's position and efforts and reconfirmed "the strong support and active and concrete involvement of her country aimed at continuing the process of the Schengen Area enlargement, through Romania's accession as soon as possible", informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday.

The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, had a meeting with his German counterpart, on the sidelines of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), which takes place in Brussels, states the MAE, told Agerpres.

In the context of this meeting, the cited source shows, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs informed about the ongoing steps of the Romanian side, mentioning the positive dialogue with the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as well as the talks held with a number of European counterparts on this topic, including the Austrian counterpart, in Davos.

"The openness of the Romanian side towards a constructive cooperation with all the parties involved, in order to identify concrete solutions that will lead to the achievement of this objective" was also emphasized.

The two ministers also had an exchange of views on the preparation of the future Ministerial Conference of the Moldova Support Platform - an innovative tool created last year by the Romanian, German and French Foreign ministers, an event that will take place in the spring in Chisinau, and they agreed on the start of work at the level of experts to this end, the MAE release further informs.
The Union of the Romanian Principalities was a desideratum of the entire nation, affirmed since the Revolution of 1848, Renata Gabriela Buzau, museographer at the Neamt National Museum Complex, told AGERPRES.

The idea of unity was firmly formulated in the documents of the Moldavian revolutionaries, in exile in Brasov (in May 1848 the programmatic document titled "Our principles for the reformation of the homeland" was adopted) or in Cernauti (in August 1848, Mihail Kogalniceanu elaborated "The Wishes of the National Party in Moldavia"), but also at the National Assembly of Blaj, on May 3-5, 1848.

Although the political, economic-social and national objectives established by the leaders of the 1848 Generation were not achieved, they constituted a prelude to the act carried out on January 24, 1859.

"The Crimean War (1853-1856), started between the Tsarist Empire and the Ottoman Empire, created the opportunity for the Romanian nation's affirmation, and the Congress of Paris (1856) highlighted the trend towards understanding and compromise of the Great European Powers regarding the Union of Moldovia and Wallachia. This was proposed by the French Foreign Minister, Count Alexandre Walewski, supported by his British counterpart, George William Frederick Villiers, Count of Clarendon,', explained Renata Gabriela Buzau.

The resolution of the Romanian matter, expressed by the French diplomat, was rejected by Ali Pasha, the Turkish Minister Plenipotentiary, and by Count Karl Ferdinand Graf von Buol-Schauenstein, the Austrian Foreign Minister, the diplomats citing as an argument the importance that the inhabitants of Moldova and Romania granted their autonomy, deemed proof of their desire for the two countries to remain separate.

The differences of opinion on the resolution of the Romanian issue culminated with the remark of the Austrian official on the fact that the populations of the two countries were not consulted in this regard.

The British counterpart, Count Clarendon, as a representative of a parliamentary monarchy, believed that the wishes of the Romanians had to be taken into account, and given that the representatives of the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Empire insisted on maintaining that the population of the Principality did not want the union, decided to organize elections for the establishment of Ad hoc Divans to clarify the matter.

"Both in Moldovia and in Wallachia, until the meeting of these consultative assembles, in October 1857, programs for the realization of the national state were elaborated. There is such an original document, titled Dorintele Romaniloru (Romanians' Wishes), in the collection of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Targu Neamt. A silent witness of the era in which the Union of the Romanian Principalities took place, the above-mentioned document attests to the steps taken by the representatives of the unionist party to fulfill the ideal of unity of the Romanian nation," said the museographer.

Elaborated after the signing of the Treaty of Paris (March 30, 1856), officially ending the Crimean War, but before the meeting of the Ad Hoc Divan of Moldovia (October 4, 1857), the document signed by Mihail Kogalniceanu, the future prime minister of the Romanian national state during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, expresses, through its provisions, the aspirations of the Romanians for the establishment of the National State of Romania, a fundamental historical moment for the birth of Greater Romania in 1918.
The General Inspectorate (IGPF) of the Border Police informs that on Sunday, 66,862 people entered Romania through the border checkpoints, including 7,052 Ukrainian citizens.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Monday, approximately 165,900 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, with over 44,500 means of transport, underwent control formalities, both on the inbound and on the outbound, through the border checkpoints nationwide.

Starting with February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict period), 3,378,108 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania.

As part of the specific activities at crossing points and the green border, the border police found 68 illegal acts (48 crimes and 20 misdemeanors) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and fines worth over 9,300 RON were issued.

Assets of an estimated value of 869,100 RON were impounded.

The Border police denied the entry of 11 foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided by the law and 12 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave for various legal reasons.
As many as 2,968 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the January 16 - 22 week in Romania, with almost 80,000 RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests performed, the Health Ministry informed on Monday.

Of the new cases, 810 were in re-infected patients, who tested positive more than 90 days after the first time they recovered from the disease.

As of Monday, 3,322,648 cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Romania.

- Hospitalisations -

As many as 906 people with COVID-19, including 67 children, are hospitalised in Romania at specialist care facilities.

Out of the total number of hospitalised patients, 111 patients are in intensive care, of whom 97 are unvaccinated against COVID-19.

- Deaths -

According to the ministry, 38 Romanians, 22 men and 16 women, infected with SARS-CoV-2 are reported dead in the week.

Deaths by age groups: one in the age group 20-29 years, one in the age group 30-39 years, six in the group 40-49 years, six in the age group 50-59 years, eight in the 60-60 age range, eight in the 70-79 age group, and 13 in the age group over 80 years.

All deaths were in patients with commorbidities.

Of the deceased patients, 14 were vaccinated.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 67,542 people diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania. AGERPRES
David Nicklaus David Nicklaus is a business columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow David Nicklaus 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

Clad in jeans and a tweed jacket, the nonagenarian looked out of place in a room full of New York power suits, and he was mostly being ignored.

Then the suits, who worked for high-speed trading firms, mentioned a thorny computing problem. The gray-haired guy said he had done similar coding years before and proceeded to wow them with his technical knowledge.

The wizards of Wall Street had been introduced to the wonder that was Jerry Cox, a modest St. Louisan who had much to be proud of. John Pyrovolakis, an Omaha, Nebraska, investor and friend of Cox who arranged the New York meeting, recalled how Cox won over the elite audience.

It was one of the most powerful and humble displays of intellectual firepower Ive seen, Pyrovolakis said. They went from dismissive to starstruck.

Cox, 97, died Tuesday after a battle with prostate cancer. His career began near the dawn of the computer age, and he was at the center of many innovations that society takes for granted today.

As a young researcher at Central Institute for the Deaf, he helped invent a hearing test for infants thats still standard. After joining Washington University in 1964, he founded the Biomedical Computer Laboratory, a precursor of todays McDonnell Genome Institute. His team helped develop positron emission tomography, or PET, scans, a valuable diagnostic tool.

He recruited computing pioneer Wesley Clark from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked with him on a machine called LINC, which laid the groundwork for modern personal computers.

Cox became the first chair of Washington Universitys computer science department in 1975, and later in life his research led him to become an entrepreneur. In 1997, he and two colleagues founded Growth Networks, which made chips that sped the flow of data through large networks.

The company moved to Silicon Valley and was bought by Cisco Systems for $355 million. Cox could have had a lucrative career at Cisco but didnt want to move his family to the West Coast.

Nor did he want to change his lifestyle much. Some of his share of the sale proceeds went to Washington U to fund an endowed professorship. His biggest splurge, he wrote in a recently published memoir, was a lovely and somewhat ostentatious brick driveway for his familys Sunset Hills home.

Cox founded another networking firm called Blendics in 2004, and pivoted in 2015 to a cybersecurity startup, Q-Net Security. It invented a device that uses hardware, not software, to block electronic intruders and is running pilot projects with utilities, manufacturers and the U.S. military.

Even at his advanced age, Cox was an active member of the Q-Net team. I remember wishing I had the level of energy now, in my 40s, that he had in his 90s, Washington University colleague Patrick Crowley said.

Cox was a mentor to generations of Washington University students and faculty. Jim McKelvey, a co-founder of payment technology company Square, grew up knowing Cox as a family friend.

As an undergraduate, McKelvey didnt like his computer science textbook, so he wrote his own. Some professors didnt like the idea of a student publishing a textbook, but Cox was supportive. I had tremendous role models, including Jerry Cox, who were very accomplished but personally modest, and thats a rare combination, McKelvey said.

Coxs memoir is called Work Hard, Be Kind. Those four words were his lifelong motto, and family members say the book should be available soon through Amazon.

Before starting his academic and professional career, Cox served in the Army during World War II. He was discharged after suffering a foot infection, and his unit later suffered heavy losses in northern Italy. If the Army doctor hadnt sent him home to study at MIT, Cox muses in the memoir, his life might have turned out differently.

St. Louis and the whole world are vastly richer because of that doctors decision.
EDWARDSVILLE  The man who struck and killed Metro East police officer Brian Pierce Jr. was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Caleb Campbell, 24, of Florissant, hit and killed Pierce, a Brooklyn police officer, while fleeing a traffic stop Aug. 4, 2021, on the McKinley Bridge connecting Illinois and St. Louis. Madison County Judge Neil Schroeder sentenced him to life in prison Tuesday for first-degree murder, among other counts.

Pierces sister and mother took the stand Monday to confront Campbell.

You ran that night, Tammy Pierce, Brian Pierces mother, said to Campbell on the stand, describing Campbell feeding from the crash. You disregarded him, but I choose to remember him standing tall.

Pierce had been working the night shift for Brooklyn police for about nine months before his death. He drove hours to the job from Carbondale, Illinois, and also served as a lieutenant at a fire department in Jackson County, according to his family.

Tammy Pierce said in court Monday that her son also ran a side business installing emergency lights for police and fire departments.

Assistant States Attorney Lauren Maricle told the judge Monday that prosecutors had received a large number of victim impact letters from those who knew Pierce.

Ive never seen so many letters written on someones behalf, she said.

Pierce was hit after attempting to set up stop sticks, a tire deflation device, on the bridge early Aug. 4.

Eyewitnesses on the bridge testified during the trial that the Charger Campbell was driving sped down the wrong side of the narrow two-lane bridge to pass seven vehicles, including two patrol cars. The Charger then struck Pierce, who was thrown more than 270 feet.

Campbell represented himself at the trial, presenting a defense arguing he didnt remember the night of the crash after drinking an orange juice at a Brooklyn strip club. He had previously told police he thought he was carjacked in the club parking lot, though video evidence disproved that claim.

Campbells mother, grandma, aunt and fiance spoke in his defense.

Schroeder on Thursday said Campbell was clearly being untruthful in his accounts.

He faces a mandatory life sentence in the case, under Illinois law governing the deaths of police officers in the line of duty.

Photos: Procession for Brooklyn officer who died after police chase
UPDATE: This story was updated at 9 p.m. Monday with a statement from Lyft.

ST. LOUIS  Prosecutors on Friday charged a Lyft driver with assaulting a passenger in an alley earlier this month.

Qandagha Raufi, 32, of the 3900 block of Keokuk Street, picked up a woman at South 15th and Market streets in Downtown West at around 2:50 a.m. Jan. 8, according to charging documents. He then drove south, against the woman's wishes to go to Jennings, and pulled over in an alley near Meramec Street and South Compton Avenue.

Police said he then assaulted her. The woman went to South City Hospital where authorities collected her clothing to be tested. She also provided a receipt of the Lyft ride, according to court documents.

Raufi was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor sexual misconduct.

A judge ordered him held without bond. An attorney was not yet listed for Raufi in charging documents.

A spokesperson for Lyft said the company revoked the driver's access to the platform, reached out to the passenger and would help with the police investigation.

"Safety is fundamental for Lyft, and the behavior described is reprehensible and has no place on the Lyft platform," the spokesperson said.

Raufi is not the first Lyft driver in St. Louis to be charged with assaulting a passenger.

In 2019, prosecutors charged a driver with first-degree rape and kidnapping after prosecutors say he picked up a woman from downtown, pulled into an alley and assaulted her after she fell asleep. The woman filed suit in 2020 against the company and the man who was charged with raping her. Both the criminal and civil cases are ongoing.
NORMANDY  For its second superintendent search in three years, Normandy Schools Collaborative leaders are seeking community involvement this time.

We wanted to ensure ample participation from the parents, community, our teachers, principals, administrators, stakeholders and especially our students for such an important role, said Ron Roberts, president of the Joint Executive Governing Board of the district, at a recent forum for the three superintendent finalists.

After hiring Marcus Robinson as superintendent in 2020 without the necessary qualifications, the board came under fire for lack of transparency. Elected officials held protests calling for his termination. Robinson resigned in June, having never obtained proper credentials including state licensure.

The Normandy district has long struggled with academics and, at times, finances. The state education department took over Normandy in 2014 and has been working to return the district to local control. In April, voters elected two of seven members to the board for the first time in nearly a decade.

The district no longer receives funding from the Opportunity Trust, an education reform group where Robinson worked before coming to Normandy. The Opportunity Trust donated $625,000 to the district around the time Robinson was hired and pledged another $425,000 last year. After Robinsons resignation, the final $200,000 went unpaid, which the group says was due to lack of a midyear checkup.

Normandy leaders hosted focus groups to survey the community about the districts direction and goals for the next superintendent. On Wednesday, residents were able to ask questions of the three finalists at a forum held at the nonprofit Beyond Housing.

The men vying to help return the district to full accreditation are Howard Fields, assistant superintendent of human resources for Kirkwood School District; Bruce Green, director of secondary education for Ritenour School District; and Michael Triplett, assistant superintendent of operations for Olathe Public Schools in Kansas. All three have state superintendent certificates.

The board is looking for a superintendent who can lead the district back to excellence, Roberts said. When Robinson took over, Normandy students had the lowest test scores in the state, with 15% of students proficient in reading and 7% in math. Last spring, 12% of students were proficient in English and 8% in math.

Enrollment has dropped by a quarter in the past decade, to about 2,800 students. Fewer than 45% of students attend class 9 out of 10 days, according to state data.

At the forum, Fields ran through his Normandy connections  his first childhood home was in Pagedale, his father is a 1983 graduate of Normandy High and his grandfather owns Gemini barber shop on Page Avenue.

In 2014, Fields was principal of Koch Elementary, the closest school to Canfield Green apartments where a police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. While Fields led students and staff through the unrest in Ferguson, Kochs performance scores more than tripled.

Fields eschews the term at risk to describe students, preferring at risk of not meeting their maximum potential.

The best way to predict future success is past performance, Fields said. I dont want to be a superintendent more than one time. I want to stay in the same community ... and I want to be part of something special.

Green, from the Ritenour School District in north St. Louis County, said he was a finalist for Normandy superintendent in 2020. His experience includes a combined 21 years in St. Louis Public Schools and Hazelwood districts.

I am a learner. Im a person that loves to reflect, Green said. One of the things I was missing was the experience of working in a smaller setting.

Green studied test score data from Normandy and said hed like to dig into Washington schools improvements in the fourth and sixth grade math and apply their strategy to the rest of the district.

The third finalist, Triplett, said his experience has led to school improvement in Kansas.

We have to remove this stigma of our babies not performing, and we have to make sure were rebranding and countering the narrative of what people are saying about our performance, Triplett said. We have a lot of talent in Normandy, and we can do the work. We just have to have a leader who can push them to do the work.
JEFFERSON CITY  A Senate Republicans plan to eliminate state income taxes on corporations could mean $712 million less each year for state government once fully implemented.

During a Senate committee hearing on Monday, Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, pitched his plan as a way to lure businesses to Missouri and encourage current companies to invest tax savings into their operations.

Business groups on Monday cheered Hoskins plan, before the Senate Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee, while opponents voiced concern about the price tag.

Reducing the 4% corporate income tax rate to zero could pull more than $711 million from the states general coffers annually, according to a nonpartisan state fiscal analysis.

The legislation would also erase the states 4.48% financial institutions tax, which could cost local governments, which receive the vast majority of the revenue, $53 million each year, the analysis said. The change would cost the state about $1.1 million.

The state netted $12.9 billion in general revenue for the fiscal year that ended in June.

Hoskins proposal follows passage of an individual income tax cut last year that didnt ultimately include a reduction to the corporate rate  despite the idea generating support from Republicans.

Republicans have been looking to cut taxes further during the current legislative session, with cuts to the corporate income tax, property tax breaks for senior citizens and the personal property tax all emerging as possibilities.

Sen. Doug Beck, D-south St. Louis County, said Monday he supported last years tax cut to provide some relief for constituents. But he said cutting the corporate tax would shift more of the burden to the middle class and our other working folks.

Under the bill, the states 4% corporate income tax rate would be zeroed out by 2027.

Compared with the eight states that border Missouri, the Show-Me State was tied with Oklahoma for the lowest corporate income tax rate, at 4%. Illinois rate was 9.5% while the highest rate, in Iowa, was 9.8%, according to the Tax Foundation.

The committee didnt vote on Hoskins plan Monday.

We believe that some tax relief for corporations should be part of the discussion, said Charles Pierce, lobbyist for Associated Industries of Missouri. Having a lower rate in Missouri most greatly benefits Missouri corporations selling products within the state.

Otto Fajen, lobbyist for the Missouri National Education Association, who testified against the plan, said the state is currently flush with federal money, which wont be the case in the future, he said.

We just want to caution the committee to be careful, Fajen said.

The legislation is Senate Bill 93.
MEMPHIS  Congress has approved $40 million for ecological restoration in the lower Mississippi River  the first federal program of its kind for the 1,000-mile swath of river downstream of Cape Girardeau. Environmental advocates have been lobbying for something like it for years, following suit with a decades-old counterpart in the upper basin.

The program passed with the Water Resources Development Act in December, which authorizes flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects.

The Lower Mississippi River Basin demonstration program will prioritize projects in ecosystem restoration and flood risk.

State agencies and environmental advocacy groups, among other organizations, will be able to apply for project funding; the Corps will front 75% of the cost and assist with design and construction.

The Corps still has two years to sort out the parameters for eligible projects and outline the application process. The agency will work in cooperation with the secretaries of the interior and of agriculture, along with the leadership of other agencies and states.

The program was initially part of the Safeguarding the Mississippi River Together Act, a river-wide management proposal championed by the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a coalition of more than 100 mayors along the river.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, introduced the safeguarding act in 2021, but when it stalled in committee, Sen. John Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, folded the lower river program into water resources act instead.

Jim Strickland, mayor of Memphis and co-chair of the river towns initiative, said the program will help cities become more resilient to disaster as the river emerges from a historic drought that shut down barge traffic  an event that earth scientists at the University of Memphis said was a preview of a climate-altered future.

Successive climate impacts have really created this opportunity to de-silo management of the Mississippi River and push the nation toward managing at watershed scale, said Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the river towns initiative.

The initiative plans to reintroduce the safeguarding act in the first half of the year, and this time, it is also considering other policy avenues, like including it in the Farm Bill. Its biggest goal is establishing a national office for the Mississippi River and a river-wide restoration plan, among other things.

Until then, Wellenkamp said the restoration program pushes forward his groups goals by promoting natural infrastructure for disaster resilience and allowing the Corps to partner directly with restoration and advocacy groups, such as Ducks Unlimited, with which the initiative has partnered with for years.

As flooding has become more frequent in the basin, the groups have worked together to restore wetlands, said Zach Hartman, Ducks Unlimiteds chief policy officer. By addressing these problems with natural infrastructure solutions ... everybody benefits so much more.

The Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program launched in 1986 and is widely regarded as a success story. It was the first environmental restoration and monitoring program undertaken on a large river system in the United States, and the Army Corps called it the single most important effort for the vitality of the upper rivers fish and wildlife in the past century.

More than 60 restoration projects have been completed in the region since then, covering some 100,000 acres. Congress authorized $90 million for the upper river program in the current water resources bill  five times its initial allocation.

Theres an additional monitoring and research component of the upper river program, which regional manager Marshall Plumley said was necessary given the lack of existing data when the program started in the late 1980s.

The program has evolved, but Plumley said the inception was similar to the new Lower Mississippi River Basin demonstration program. Interest in a coordinated effort emerged from different entities asking the same questions: How do we balance the needs of commercial navigation, the ecosystem and the communities throughout the basin?

Looking at the Mississippi River as one system is vitally important, Plumley said.

The upper river programs first few years were a gradual demonstration of success that secured more time and money for the program, Plumley said.

Thats the task advocates in the lower river will soon face as they seek cash from the bill and to develop a framework for the program.

This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an editorially independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report For America and the Society of Environmental Journalists, funded by the Walton Family Foundation.
JEFFERSON CITY  A top aide to Gov. Mike Parson called on lawmakers Monday to approve another package of pay hikes for state employees to stop an ongoing drain of workers that has affected state operations.

A year after turnover rates across state government topped 30%, budget chief Dan Haug said a 7.5% pay hike approved last year helped bring down the departures to about 27%, proving that higher pay is working to address the problem.

This labor market is very competitive, Haug told members of the House Budget Committee. Our turnover rate is still too high.

Parson wants lawmakers to act quickly on a $625 million midyear budget adjustment that includes $183 million to give state employees an 8.7% salary boost to help recruit and retain workers.

In addition, the governor wants to give overnight shift workers at prisons and nursing facilities an extra $2 per hour.

It comes as state operations have been stretched thin because of vacancies, causing long waiting lists for social services and caps on bed space at nursing homes for veterans and at mental health facilities.

Haug urged lawmakers to get the increases on the books by March 1 in order to begin filling more than 7,000 open positions in the 50,000-person state workforce.

Rep. Peter Merideth, a St. Louis Democrat who is the ranking minority member on the House Budget Committee, questioned whether the raises are big enough to keep technology workers, prison guards and nurses from leaving for higher-paying private sector jobs.

Were trying to stem the bleeding just slightly, Merideth said. It doesnt seem like it will actually fix the problem.

Haug said the 8.7% raises are what the state can afford now and into the future even though Parsons overall budget request for the next fiscal year leaves $4 billion in reserves.

The package also includes $20 million Parson wants to distribute to schools for safety improvements.

If approved, the money would pay for physical security upgrades and technology that could be used to stop violence within schools.

The state also put out for bid Monday a request for companies to provide a mobile phone-based school safety app that could help teachers and administrators alert the police if there is an active shooter or other threat in a school.

In a news conference last week, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said those actions are a good start, but the state should nonetheless implement a so-called red flag law that would allow police to take weapons from a person who is considered a danger to themselves or others.

Specifically, Rizzo said such a law may have stopped the shooter who killed a teacher and student at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis in October from having a legal gun.

Parson, a Republican, has shrugged off calls for a red flag law and GOP leaders in the Legislature who have worked for years to ease restrictions on gun ownership are following suit.

Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, said a red flag law would encroach on Missourians Second Amendment rights.

Thats a slippery slope, Rowden told reporters on Thursday.

The emergency spending plan also would earmark $2.7 million to retrofit administrative offices at the Department of Mental Health into facilities to house an estimated 600 people who are awaiting placement in state treatment centers.

We think in the long term this could save us some money, Haug said.

The legislation is House Bill 14.
ST. LOUIS  Max and Marilyn Margulis have been waging a legal war against telemarketers for 25 years. But the phones in their Chesterfield home continue to ring with a steady stream of sales pitches for vacation rentals, magazine subscriptions and medical devices.

The companies soon learn theyve pestered the wrong family.

Max Margulis, an attorney specializing in telemarketer and sales fax cases, has filed more than 45 lawsuits in St. Louis County since 2017 on his wifes behalf. The suits argue the calls violate consumer protection laws, often by ignoring that the couples numbers are listed on state and federal do not call registries.

The Margulises are among a large number of people nationwide who file suits against robo-callers and companies that relentlessly call with sales pitches, regardless of whether the person has joined the do not call list. For the Margulises, the endeavor has paid big.

The Margulises have won $2.6 million in judgments in the cases since 2017, not including their undisclosed out-of-court settlements, court records show. Many of the targeted companies havent paid up, but the couple has been paid more than $600,000 in damages in the cases since 2017.

But Max Margulis says the suits are not solely motivated by money.

I do it to enforce my rights as a consumer, he said in a recent interview. Ive told several defendants that if I never got another call I would retire and be happy.

Max Margulis sued the Post-Dispatchs parent company, Lee Enterprises, in 2012. The suit was dismissed.

To Max Margulis, his role as a litigator against telemarketers serves a purpose and sends a message.

I think it shows these companies there are consequences, he said.

What do not call actually means

Millions of consumers have found that just listing your number on a do not call registry doesnt actually stop the calls.

Thats because of how enforcement works.

The registries stem from the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1991, which banned most robocalls and made it illegal in most cases for companies to continue to call people who opt out of being contacted. Missouri passed a similar law in 2000. There are 4.3 million numbers on the state no-call list managed by the Missouri Attorney Generals Office; on the national list, there are 246.8 million.

The registry is published to telemarketers, who are expected to then remove the numbers from their calls lists. But the only way for consumers to dissuade a company from flouting state law and continuing to call numbers on the do not call list is to sue the companies directly.

The law provides consumers a private right of enforcement, said Christopher E. Roberts, a St. Louis attorney with Butsch Roberts & Associates who specializes in TCPA suits. The reason for this is that there are so many of these calls that the government just does not have the resources to enforce it. Unfortunately, these suits are often the only way to get a business to change their conduct.

In Missouri, violators of the law can be sued by either residents or the Attorney Generals Office for up to $5,000 for each violation.

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in an interview that violations of the registry have long been the top consumer complaint submitted to the office. There were 39,102 complaints to his office in 2022 alone, down slightly from 41,044 the previous year.

People have a right to be free from that type of contact and communication, Bailey said. Thats codified in state law. We want to protect that.

The Attorney Generals Office sends out an average of about 120 subpoenas a month related to the complaints, according to Baileys office. The office filed its most recent suit over registry violations in 2020, joining six other states to sue two Texas companies accused of launching millions of robocalls.

Bailey said there are major barriers to filing more suits based on current state laws that havent kept up with new tactics.

We see now telemarketers are becoming more difficult to track, Bailey said. A lot of callers will mask the original number and many of them originate overseas. Its difficult for the state to subpoena those records.

As for federal enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission has brought 151 enforcement actions against companies for TCPA violations to date. There were more than 3 million consumer complaints connected to the National Do Not Call Registry in the 2022 fiscal year.

A prolific plaintiff

Suing telemarketers requires strategy, Max Margulis said. He and his wife record the calls. They often talk to telemarketers at length to get a definitive answer on the company behind the call, sometimes resorting to buying the service or item for sale for proof.

Weve had to cancel a lot of vacations we bought, Max Margulis said, adding that hes also now the owner of three neck braces and four knee braces pitched by telemarketers that he doesnt need.

Such tactics have critics, including defense attorney Eric J. Troutman, who specializes in defending companies from TCPA suits like the ones filed by Margulis.

Some of these suits are meritorious and many, unfortunately, are not. People make a living out of this, Troutman said. The incentives are off. There is nothing else where someone can receive little to no harm and then file a lawsuit for tens of thousands of dollars.

Troutman argues lawsuit fishing techniques like having multiple phones or giving out phone numbers online in forms indicating interest in certain services, like mortgage refinancing, are a common way to prompt suits.

But Max Margulis says the criticism doesnt change the fact the companies are breaking the law.

Ive been called a professional plaintiff. But what is that? To me, its someone who knows what theyre doing, he said. I consider that a badge of honor.
Roger Dierberg, scion of the Dierberg family and former executive vice president of Dierbergs Markets grocery stores, died Wednesday, a few days shy of what would have been his 89th birthday.

According to his paid obituary in the Post-Dispatch, he "had a Christian faith that defined his life," a faith that was expressed in philanthropy and charity. He worked closely with Operation Food Search and was also involved in Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger, an organization devoted first to feeding people in underdeveloped parts of the world and later in the United States as well.

Reared in Creve Coeur, he graduated from Clayton High School and Purdue University, which he attended on an ROTC scholarship. He attended night school at Washington University, graduating in 1962 with an MBA. Later, the university's Olin School of Business named him a distinguished alumnus.

An engineer, Dierberg first worked at McDonnell Aircraft, leaving in 1969 to work for the family business. He was the cousin of the small-but-growing company's chairman, Bob Dierberg.

We always checked in with each other on important business decisions. Thats why we had such a successful business relationship, Bob Dierberg, said. It was a mutual relationship of respect for each others opinions.

Roger Dierberg was one of the founding executive committee members of the National Grocers Association, and served as its first chairman. In 1995, he was named the Missouri Grocer Association's Grocer of the Year.

His wife of 65 years, Barbara Dierberg, died in 2020. They had two children, Keith Dierberg and Sandy Becker, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He had two siblings, Carole Stroud and Dale Dierberg.

A funeral was held Monday.
ALBANY, N.Y.  Democratic lawmakers in a handful of states are trying to send a message two years after the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol: Those who engage in an attempted overthrow of the government shouldnt be allowed to run it.

New York, Connecticut and Virginia are among the states where proposed legislation would prohibit anyone convicted of participating in an insurrection from holding public office or a position of public trust, such as becoming a police officer.

While the bills vary in scope, their aim is similar.

If youve tried to take down our government through violent means, in no way should you be part of it, New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal said.

He is sponsoring a bill that would bar people convicted of engaging in an insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding civil office, meaning they would not be able to serve as a judge or member of the Legislature. Hoylman-Sigal said he introduced the bill this year because he saw more people who were involved in the riot in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, running for office last year.

He described the assault on the Capitol as a real attack on the foundations of our free and fair democracy and the values which enable that to persist.

A Virginia lawmaker introduced a bill this month, on the second anniversary of the Capitol riot, that would prohibit anyone convicted of a felony related to an attempted insurrection or riot from serving in positions of public trust  including those involving policymaking, law enforcement, safety, education or health.

A Connecticut bill would prohibit people convicted of sedition, rebellion, insurrection or a felony related to one of those acts from running for or holding public office. Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, who introduced the measure, told The Associated Press that he wants the legislation eventually to bar them from holding state or municipal jobs.

The legislation in the states comes after the House Jan. 6 committee's final report, which found Donald Trump criminally engaged in a conspiracy to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election he lost and failed to take action to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.

The committee's recently concluded work may have provided another springboard for lawmakers to act and propose ways to hold people accountable, said Victoria Bassetti, a senior policy adviser at States United Democracy Center, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for fair elections.

Some Republicans say the legislation is unnecessary.

In New York, Republican Assemblyman Will Barclay, the minority leader, called the bill there a political statement," saying it is more political than it is a concern about public policy.

He said existing rules already apply to people in certain positions who are convicted of crimes and that those laws should be sufficient.

The legislation is another example of how the Capitol riot has become a political Rorschach test in the country.

Many Republicans refuse to see the attempt to violently halt the presidential certification  which was based on lies that 2020 election was stolen  as an insurrection, while a strong majority of the party continues to believe that President Joe Biden was not legitimately elected. Even students are being taught different versions of the attack, depending on whether they live in more conservative or liberal parts of the nation.

The opposing realities came into sharp focus this month in Pennsylvania during a fraught exchange between two lawmakers.

In a committee hearing, Republican state Sen. Cris Dush slammed his gavel as he ruled Democratic state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti out of order after she described the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as the site of an insurrection.

Insurrection, nobody has been charged with that, Dush said. Theres not been a single charge against any of those people as insurrectionists. In this committee, we are not using that term.

Nearly 1,000 people have been charged in the Capitol riot with federal crimes, with about half of them pleading guilty to riot-related charges and more than three dozen convicted at trial. The charges range from misdemeanors for those accused of entering the Capitol illegally but not participating in violence to felony seditious conspiracy for far-right extremist group members accused of plotting to stop the transfer of presidential power.

In November, two leaders of the Oath Keepers extremist group were convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors alleged was a weekslong plot to use force to keep Trump in office. Leaders of the Proud Boys and additional members of the Oath Keepers are currently standing trial on the sedition charge, which carries up to 20 years behind bars.

Weeks after the committee exchange, Cappelletti told The Associated Press that its important to make sure people understand that the attack on the Capitol was an insurrection.

These are factually correct things, she said. That doesnt mean that we cant disagree politically about policy or other things, but we can acknowledge that that happened and start to figure out how we move forward to work together to build up that public trust again.

Photos: Scenes from the second anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
In August, Missourians learned that student achievement declined significantly across the state from 2021 to 2022 as schools and families continued to grapple with the effects of the pandemic. New data released just before the holidays by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides a more detailed look at academic outcomes by district and school. Together with national data from the National Assessment of Education Progress released in October, we have the most complete picture of the impact of the pandemic and which schools are doing the best in recovering.

Most striking in the data is how disproportionately Black students in Missouri fared compared to their peers across the nation. While declines in performance statewide mirrored those nationally, Black children in Missouri lost more ground than Black children in almost every other state. In fourth grade reading proficiency, Black children in Missouri now rank second from the bottom ahead of only Maine. In eighth grade math proficiency, our Black students are fourth from the bottom.

Locally, new state data shows some signs of academic rebounding, particularly in math. Grade-level proficiency is up in math statewide by four percentage points. In St. Louis County, it was a seven points, in St. Louis charter schools, six points, and in St. Louis Public Schools, three points. Results are more mixed in reading, with proficiency declining statewide by two points and, likewise, two points in St. Louis County. Reading performance rose marginally in St. Louis charter schools by one point and in St. Louis Public Schools by two points.

Still, alarming inequities remain. In reading, for example, the relatively few children afforded access to selective admission in St. Louis Public Schools are almost six times more likely to perform on grade level than those assigned to the districts open enrollment schools. Performance is most dire among Black students. In third grade reading, a critical early milestone for future success, 55% of Black students in St. Louis County scored below basic, the lowest of four levels of performance. In St. Louis Public Schools, that figure is 72%, meaning the vast majority of Black children are still not functionally literate after at least four years of schooling.

Without immediate, ongoing, and comprehensive support to catch up, these students will struggle to access grade-level content as they progress throughout the upper grades of elementary school, falling further behind each year. The consequences of graduating thousands of children as adults without even basic proficiency in reading and math are disastrous for the region and, in my view, an infringement of their civil rights.

Despite these trends, multiple schools across the region are beating the odds and making rapid improvements. A charter public school network, Momentum Academy, and the University City school district, for example, both improved reading proficiency rates for Black students. Kairos Academies, a charter public school network that has been the recent focus of reporting in the Post-Dispatch, saw even larger rates of improvement in reading.

Leadership with high expectations for student learning is key to sustaining improvement, along with the adoption of high-quality curriculum to ensure that all students have access to rigorous, grade-level content, training and support for principals and teachers on implementation, and data-driven focus on continuous improvement. This approach, known as acceleration, is much more effective than remediation, which holds students back and denies them access to the rigors of a grade-level curriculum. These inspiring examples show whats possible when the focus is on kids, equity, and outcomes.

I hope more education leaders, policymakers and school board members will follow suit and spend their time and energy on the things that matter most to kids and are most relevant to their teachers working to catch them up: high expectations and standards, tools and support to meet them, and accountability for progress each and every year.

Keith Williamson is the chair of The Opportunity Trust Board of Directors.
Some might argue that the mass shooting that killed 11 people in California somehow proves gun restrictions dont work. After all, California has the toughest gun-control laws in America. But even a cursory look at the data finds that tragedies like this are the exceptions that underscore the rule.

California has among the lowest gun-death rates in the country, as do Illinois and other states with strong laws. Largely unregulated states like Missouri, meanwhile, consistently have among the highest death rates. What the California tragedy shows is that, in a nation with open state borders and the worlds biggest civilian stockpile of guns, only strong national gun restrictions can ultimately address this national crisis.

Police say Huu Can Tran, 72, killed 11 people in a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, east of Los Angeles, then entered a second dance studio where patrons disarmed him before he could shoot. Tran later killed himself in a van as police closed in. Its still unclear whether the guns themselves were purchased legally, but the 30-round extended magazine on the gun that patrons wrestled from him is illegal in California. State law limits gun magazines to 10 rounds.

California also requires that all gun sales go through licensed dealers who conduct criminal background checks on all buyers. Theres a 10-day waiting period on all gun sales, training and permit requirements for gun buyers, a red-flag law to keep guns from people deemed potentially dangerous and a raft of other restrictions.

Compare that to Missouri, where there are no licensing, permit or training requirements to buy or carry weapons, no limits on magazine capacities and no red-flag laws. Felons arent supposed to buy firearms  but since Missouri allows private sales with no background check whatsoever, even that restriction is effectively impossible to enforce.

The impact of those differing sets of laws is clear. California has the eighth-lowest gun-death rate in America, at just 8.5 deaths per 100,000 population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Missouris rate is almost three times higher and the fourth-highest in the nation at 23.9 deaths per 100,000.

Because guns are more restricted in California, theyre less common, per capita. Just 28% of California adults have guns in the home, compared to almost half the adults in Missouri, according to a study by the Rand Corporation. More guns around means more opportunity for gun theft  like the two stolen handguns St. Louis police seized from teenagers involved in the harrowing gunplay that damaged vehicles and endangered lives in the parking lot of City Foundry on Saturday night.

No law can stop every crime, as Californias mass shooting tragically confirms. But the data consistently shows that sane gun restrictions make society safer overall. And stripping away that sanity, as Missouri has done in recent years, literally costs lives.
Regarding Ruth Marcus column The people v. Donald Trump: The year of decisions (Jan. 6): While I certainly agree with her assessment that the Mar-a-Lago probe appears to be on a faster track than Trumps role in seeking to prevent the peaceful transfer of power, I suggest that special counsel Jack Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland reverse course and make the probe of the transfer of power their priority, as it goes against the bedrock principles of what our country stands for: freedom and democracy.

In my opinion, Trump was guilty of treason for his role in instigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. To think that a president, sworn to abide by our Constitution, would incite such a despicable event defies imagination.

I believe Trump was arguably the worst president in our nations history and had a propensity for thinking that he was above the law and could do whatever he pleased without fear of repercussions.

That said, Trump is now reaping what he has sowed, as he is being investigated by the Justice Department for his alleged criminal behavior. I can only hope that prosecutors bring criminal indictments against Trump for the above actions and other alleged violations of the law, and if found guilty, that a criminal court exacts the most severe penalty possible.

Gene Carton  Clayton
Lithuania became the first export customer for Switchblade 600 loitering munition. The $48 million deal gets Lithuania several thousand Switchblade 600s. Ukraine is already using the smaller but smaller 2,5 kg (5.5 pound) Switchblade 300s and possibly 600 as well. The 600 is a new Switchblade model that was introduced in 2020. It is the latest version of the original Switchblade loitering munition that appeared in 2011. While the original Switchblade weighed a kilogram (2.2 pounds), the latest Switchblade is ten times heavier at 23 kg (50 pounds), can stay in the air for 40 minutes and be controlled up to 80 kilometers from the operator. Top speed is 180 kilometers an hour and more economical cruise speed is closer to 150 kilometers an hour. The heavier warhead can destroy most tanks, although some modern tank designs include protection from top attack.

Switchblade 600 was requested by the U.S. Army for longer range surveillance missions and the option to hit specific small targets, like a building or enemy position. Unlike the earlier Switchblades, the 600 uses a tablet controller with more options, including manipulating the more powerful vidcam carried. Video transmitted back to the operator can be saved and passed on. The operator also has a wave off feature in which a quick tap on the controller screen can cause the 600 to abort an attack and be available for another try. The 600 can also be programmed to carry out a mission without operator control. This means there is no control signal for enemy electronic warning systems to detect or jam. In this case when time is up the 600 self-destructs. The 600 can be carried into a remote area and used quickly.

Lithuania needs Switchblade 600 because it is a small country (2.8 million people) that borders Russia and Belarus as well as the Baltic Sea. Lithuania has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, one that is higher than Russia and Belarus. Active-duty military forces are only 20,000 personnel and conscription was revived in 2015 because of Russian attacks on Ukraine. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are the three small Baltic States that were all part of Russia until 1991. All have small armed forces and have spent more on weapons and equipment since 2015. The Baltic States have been big supporters of aid to Ukraine which, they realize, is fighting to repel the 2022 Russian invasion. That fighting also defends the Baltic States and Poland, who are next on the Russian conquest list. These four countries have been victims of Russian aggression many times in the past thousand years. The Switchblade 600s are a useful addition to the Lithuanian arsenal because they provide the troops with an effective surveillance and attack missile that is portable and easy-to-use.

The original Switchblade was a small UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) launched, like all Switchblades, from its shipping container. Switchblade was sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for secret field testing. This was very successful and the troops demanded more,and more, and more. Switchblade completed development later in 2009 and was initially thought useful only for special operations troops. In 2011, after a year of successful field testing, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for troop use and since then has ordered a lot more.

While Switchblade was developed for the army, the marines apparently noted the success that soldiers and SOCOM (Special Operations Command) had with this system and ordered them as well. Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM in all sorts of places they wont discuss in detail. Thousands were ordered, many which were used, and Switchblade is still in use. There have been several upgrades

The original Switchblade was a lightweight and expendable (used only once) UAV that could also be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery-powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger (two kg) reusable Raven UAV. A complete Switchblade system (missile, container, and controller) weighs 5.5 kg (12.1 pounds).

Moving at up to a kilometer a minute, the Switchblade can stay in the air for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether or not it is armed with explosives. Switchblade can operate up to ten kilometers from the operator. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus, Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see or fire on location.

Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to more quickly take out snipers or a few bad guys in a compound full of civilians.

Switchblade has been so successful that the army ordered several upgrades and this updated Switchblade was renamed Switchblade 300. The new version appeared in 2016. It is heavier (2.7 kg) with 15 minutes endurance and a 10-kilometer range. The sensor has night vision and is stabilized. The 300 can lock onto a target and track it. The 300 comes with optional accessories, like a six-pack launcher that is used as part of base defense. This was first used for base protection in 2019 and proved effective and useful. One or more of these six packs are placed near the base perimeter and power is maintained with a solar panel. The base security commander can order a Switchblade to be launched from the six-pack and control it as it searches for a potential target. Switchblade 300 is also capable of being used from a helicopter or larger UAV and controlled from the helicopter or by the operator of the larger UAV (like a Reaper).

The U.S. Navy also requested a version of Switchblade, for reconnaissance only, that could be launched from ships or submerged (at periscope depth) submarines. In this case the sub would have a communications mast on the surface to receive data from what was called the Blackwing. This version is a little heavier, at 1.8 kg (four pounds). The size of the Blackwing is designed to fit into existing navy countermeasure launchers. Blackwing has endurance of about an hour without a warhead, and uses encrypted digital communications compatible with current navy systems. When released from a submarine countermeasures launcher, the Blackwing container pops to the surface and the Blackwing is ejected into flight like the other Switchblades. The U.S. Navy has bought over 200 Blackwings since. Armed versions of Blackwing are available but these have shorter endurance. For subs, reconnaissance is the most important item. The last (2021) Blackwing order was for 120 for use by submarines. Several years of testing convinced submarine personnel that Blackwing was a compact and useful addition to their sensor and surveillance toolbox.

Switchblade is not a unique concept, as these loitering munitions have been around for decades. What Switchblade provided was a design that met the needs of combat troops, especially special operations personnel. Since Switchblade entered service and its popularity became widely known, similar systems have appeared, trying to provide features that Switchblade lacked but the troops would appreciate.
Deutsche Bank reiterated a Buy rating and $126.00 price target on Aptiv (NYSE: APTV) after adding the automotive tech supplier to their short-term Catalyst Call Buy List ahead of the companys 4Q22 earnings release as well as the companys 2023 guidance initiation. Aptiv will also be participating in a Capital Markets Day in February.

Deutsche Bank analyst, Emmanuel Rosner believes that the companys 4Q operational environment has played out largely as expected, and expects Aptiv to deliver in-line earnings for the quarter, enabling it to hit the high-end of its guidance for the year.

Beyond the quarter, Rosner expects that APTV may outline some conservative targets for 2023, inline or below street estimates, but based on conversations with investors, he believe this is well understood and not as impactful as originally thought.

Rosner wrote in a note, We see the nearest-time potential catalyst occurring from next month with its earnings day, when the company could meet 4Q street earnings expectations and outline guidance for 2023. Should the stock price weaken on guidance, we would view it as an opportunity to add to long position. Following earnings, the next (more meaningful) catalyst will be in February when the company hosts its CMD where we expect more clarity on the EV portfolio and margin trajectory over the coming years.

Shares of APTV are up 2.56% near end of day trading on Monday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Morgan Stanley equity strategist Michael Wilson, who has made some prescient calls during the current market downturn, offered his latest macro thoughts in a note to clients over the weekend.

Wilson highlighted that the consensus view on when the U.S. economy will enter a recession has "shifted sharply" since the start of the year. Going into the year, the consensus view was calling for a tough first half followed by a strong second half. That has now shifted, with more investors now looking for a soft landing for the economy and a recession pushed out to the second half. The shift is partly related to China's reopening and the collapse in natural gas prices.

Wilson said that while these are valid viewpoints, he credits the shift in mentality to the price action in stocks, which he notes has been led by "low-quality and heavily shorted stocks." Further, there has been a strong move in cyclical stocks relative to defensive.

While Wilson calls this cyclical rotation "a powerful shift," he highlights that "bear markets have a way of fooling everyone before they're done."

"The final stages of the bear market are always the trickiest, and we have been on high alert for such head fakes, like the rally from October to December we anticipated and traded," Wilson commented. "In bear markets like last years, when just about everyone lost money, investors lose confidence. They start to question their processes as the price action and crosscurrents in the data create a hall of mirrors that increases their confusion. This is precisely the time to trust your own work and ignore the noise. Suffice it to say, we're not biting on this recent rally because our work and process are so convincingly bearish on earnings."

Wilson is continuing to call for further erosion in earnings, with the gap between their model and the forward estimates "as wide as it's ever been." Wilson said the last two times their model was this far below consensus, the S&P 500 fell by 34% and 49%.

"We advise investors to stay focused on fundamentals and ignore the false signals and misleading reflections in this bear market hall of mirrors," Wilson concludes.

By StreetInsider.com Staff
CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DynaLIFE Labs, a company contracted by the Alberta government to privatize health care services, is trying to take away a pension plan from its employees. The twist? DynaLIFEs majority shareholder is the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), a pension plan serving over half a million Canadians.

In 2022, Albertas UCP government awarded DynaLIFE the contract to take over Alberta Precision Lab services. Over 1,000 employees were transferred in early December to the private company. Those employees were members of the Alberta based, Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP). The employees are represented by CUPE and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta.

DynaLIFE has made an application to the Alberta Labour Relations Board asking that the terms of the collective agreement covering the transferred employees be changed to remove them from their defined benefit pension plan and replace it with an RRSP contribution plan at a much lower value.

This is deja vu for some of these employees, who lost pension service when the Alberta government privatized lab services to the same company in 1996. After private lab services proved inadequate to serve the public, the government brought the labs back in-house in 2005.

If Alberta conservatives cant understand that public health care is better, the least they can do is not mess with the retirements of people who spend their lives caring for Alberta patients, said CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill. The fact this is being done a second time, by a company owned by a pension plan, is galling, uncaring, and just greedy.

Gill is a member of the Sponsor Board of LAPP and says there is nothing preventing DynaLIFE from applying to be an employer with that plan.

CUPE Ontario is a sponsor of OMERS, and over 125,000 CUPE members working for Ontario municipalities, school districts and healthcare facilities are active members of the pension plan.

CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn says he is appalled to hear about a company owned by OMERS booting workers off their pension plan.

OMERS board members and their CEO will be hearing from CUPE, said Hahn. You cant be a defined benefit pension plan, encouraging employers and unions to come on board, and invest in anti-worker companies.

You either believe in providing a decent, dignified retirement to workers, or you do not. And right now, it looks like OMERS and DynaLIFE do not believe that. Thats hypocritical and unjustifiable.

clc/cope 491

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005114/en/

Lou Arab

Communications Representative

780.271.2722

Mary Unan

Communications Representative

647.390.9839

Source: CUPE Alberta
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE: CPRI), a global fashion luxury group, today announced that Mr. Cedric Wilmotte will be appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Michael Kors brand effective April 3, 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005774/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. Wilmotte recently served as the interim Chief Executive Officer for Versace from January through September 2022 and is currently Versaces Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his time at Versace, Mr. Wilmotte led the Michael Kors EMEA business from its inception in 2008 through 2021. During his tenure as President of Michael Kors EMEA, Mr. Wilmotte was responsible for Michael Kors significant growth in the region. Before joining Michael Kors, Mr. Wilmotte held senior leadership positions at Marc Jacobs in Paris from 2004 to 2008 and at Donna Karan in New York, London and Milan from 1998 to 2004.

John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings said, I am thrilled to welcome Cedric back to the Michael Kors team as our new Chief Executive Officer. Cedric is a strong leader with extensive retail and merchandising experience and has a deep understanding of the Michael Kors brand and consumer.

Mr. Idol continued, Cedric has proven himself to be a versatile leader within our group, having achieved great success at both Michael Kors and Versace. The Board, Michael and I are confident that the Michael Kors brand will benefit tremendously from Cedrics leadership, which will help to further accelerate our strategic initiatives. Cedrics appointment ensures that we have three experienced and talented CEOs at each of our luxury fashion brands.

Michael Kors, Chief Creative Officer said, Cedric shares in my vision for the brand and I am excited to welcome him back to Michael Kors. I look forward to working with him again as we continue to grow our company globally.

I am excited to lead the Michael Kors brand as Chief Executive Officer, said Cedric Wilmotte. Having been a part of the Michael Kors family for almost 15 years, I have a special and personal connection to our brand, our employees and our customers. I look forward to partnering with Michael, the strong leadership team and all of our valued employees around the world to execute on our strategic vision and drive future growth.

About Capri Holdings Limited

Capri Holdings is a global fashion luxury group consisting of iconic, founder-led brands Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors. Our commitment to glamorous style and craftsmanship is at the heart of each of our luxury brands. We have built our reputation on designing exceptional, innovative products that cover the full spectrum of fashion luxury categories. Our strength lies in the unique DNA and heritage of each of our brands, the diversity and passion of our people and our dedication to the clients and communities we serve. Capri Holdings is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CPRI.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Capri Holdings Limited (the Company) about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein, may be forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words plans, believes, expects, intends, will, should, could, would, may, anticipates, might or similar words or phrases, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future financial performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are set forth in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 2, 2022 (File No. 001-35368). Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date made and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking or other statements contained herein other than in accordance with legal and regulatory obligations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005774/en/

Investor Relations:

Jennifer Davis

+1 201 514 8234

[email protected]



Media:

[email protected]

Source: Capri Holdings Limited
A ductless installation solution for facilities facing limited overhead space, increasing application demands and production layout changes

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), a leading worldwide manufacturer of innovative filtration products and solutions, has released the Torit Downflo Ambient (DFA) weld fume extractor that gives fabricators the ability to weld in a variety of different workstation configurations.

This new collector provides a complementary solution to a challenging problem: effective weld fume extraction without duct work or hoods, Todd Smith, Vice President, Global Industrial Air Filtration. To accommodate new opportunities, facility managers need welding equipment and supporting tools that are flexible enough for changing layouts and workflows. When developing the DFA, we listened to welder needs. For example, the DFA not only saves floor space, but it also comes prewired with an integrated control panel, making installation flexible and easy. Maintenance is simplified too, with an easy-to-handle dust disposal drawer and tool-free hinged access doors that allow for turnkey filter changeouts.

Designed to collect fumes from the welding field as they rise and recirculate clean air, the DFA uses Donaldson proprietary Ultra-Web media technology. Ultra-Web outperforms and outlasts other filters. Proven and proprietary Ultra-Web media technology delivers long filter life, clean air and cost savings over the life of a collector. In the facilities where collectors are housed, multiple extractors can be placed throughout the manufacturing area to account for a wide variety of materials, piece sizes, and various weld locations requiring a different setup.

The DFA adds to a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for weld fume mitigation using both source and ambient extraction methods. Donaldson provides one-on-one consultations; extensive, customizable options and features; and ongoing support for maintenance and data services with every system.

For more information, visit Downflo Ambient (DFA) | Weld Fume Collectors | Donaldson Industrial Dust, Fume & Mist or contact Applications Engineering Manager, [email protected].

About Donaldson Company, Inc.

Founded in 1915, Donaldson (NYSE: DCI) is a global leader in technology-led filtration products and solutions, serving a broad range of industries and advanced markets. Our diverse, skilled employees at over 140 locations on six continents partner with customersfrom small business owners to the worlds biggest OEM brandsto solve complex filtration challenges. Discover how Donaldson is Advancing Filtration for a Cleaner World at www.Donaldson.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005579/en/

Chrissy Klocker (952) 887-3446

[email protected]

Source: Donaldson Company, Inc.
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Greenland Resources Inc. (NEO:MOLY, FSE: M0LY) (Greenland Resources or the Company) is pleased to announce that it signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for long term molybdenum supply with the Swedish company Scandinavian Steel AB, a leading distributor of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, pig iron and alloys to the steel, foundry and chemical industry on a worldwide basis.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005459/en/

The MOU sets the path for a supply agreement of Molybdenite concentrate as well as secondary products like Ferromolybdenum and Molybdenum Oxide. In order to diversify and maximize molybdenum sales price, the Company marketing strategy targets direct sales to end users, arrangements with roasters to meet downstream end user products specifications, and sales to distributors that can be of strategic importance, with a strong focus on the European Union metallurgical, chemical, and industrial markets.

Andreas Keller, Vice-President, Scandinavian Steel, stated: There is strong demand for molybdenum and structural issues in future supply; we are very excited to be involved in this upcoming primary molybdenum mine located in an Associate EU country that will supply very clean molybdenum with high ESG standards for decades to come

Dr. Ruben Shiffman, Chairman Greenland Resources, commented: Northern Europe represents a significant percentage of the molybdenum consumption in the EU, a region which is the second largest molybdenum user worldwide and has no production of its own. Scandinavian Steel has a strong track record and will help us to diversify sales and strengthen relationships in the region. Excluding China, around 10% of global molybdenum supply comes from primary molybdenum mines. Primary molybdenum is clean, is higher grade, meets all industry standards, and has a more environmentally friendly processing. Malmbjerg has the potential to be 50% of this global primary supply.

About Scandinavian Steel

Founded in 1958, Scandinavian Steel has grown to become a leading distributor of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, pig iron and alloys to the steel, foundry, and chemical industry on a worldwide basis. Many of their products are used to produce the raw materials which later become vital components in the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries. With headquarters located in Stockholm, Sweden, they are supported by a network of offices in Europe and Asia.

About Greenland Resources Inc.

Greenland Resources is a Canadian public company with the Ontario Securities Commission as its principal regulator and is focused on the development of its 100% owned world-class Climax type pure molybdenum deposit located in central east Greenland. The Malmbjerg molybdenum project is an open pit operation with an environmentally friendly mine design focused on reduced water usage, low aquatic disturbance and low footprint due to modularized infrastructure. The Malmbjerg project benefits from a NI 43-101 Definitive Feasibility Study completed by Tetra Tech in 2022, with Proven and Probable Reserves of 245 million tonnes at 0.176% MoS2, for 571 million pounds of contained molybdenum metal. As the high-grade molybdenum is mined for the first half of the mine life, the average annual production for years one to ten is 32.8 million pounds per year of contained molybdenum metal at an average grade of 0.23% MoS2. The project had a previous exploitation license granted in 2009. With offices in Toronto, the Company is led by a management team with an extensive track record in the mining industry and capital markets. For further details, please refer to our web site (www.greenlandresources.ca) and our Canadian regulatory filings on Greenland Resources profile at www.sedar.com.

The Project is supported by the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) as stated in their press release EIT/ERMA_June 13, 2022 Press Release, a Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

About Molybdenum and the European Union

Molybdenum is a critical metal used mainly in steel and chemicals that is needed in all technologies in the upcoming green energy transition (World Bank, 2020; IEA, 2021). When added to steel and cast iron, it enhances strength, hardenability, weldability, toughness, temperature strength, and corrosion resistance. Based on data from the International Molybdenum Association and the European Commission Steel Report, the world produced around 576 million pounds of molybdenum in 2021 where the European Union (EU) as the second largest steel producer in the world used approximately 25% of global molybdenum supply and has no domestic molybdenum production. To a greater degree, the EU steel dependent industries like the automotive, construction, and engineering, represent around 18% of the EUs  US$16 trillion GDP. Greenland Resources strategically located Malmbjerg molybdenum project has the potential to supply in and for the EU approximately 24 million pounds per year, of environmentally friendly molybdenum from a responsible EU Associate country, for decades to come. The high quality of the Malmbjerg ore, having low impurity content in phosphorus, tin, antimony, and arsenic, makes it an ideal source of molybdenum for the high-performance steel industry lead worldwide by Europe, specifically the Scandinavian countries and Germany.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward looking statements"), which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans," "hopes," "expects," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the ability to negotiate a supply agreement with end users, roasters and distributors on terms that are economic or at all; the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, and their valuation, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: our mineral reserve estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based, including geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock confirming to sampled results and metallurgical performance; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; assumptions and discount rates being appropriately applied to the technical studies; estimated valuation and probability of success of the Companys projects, including the Malmbjerg molybdenum project; prices for molybdenum remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Companys projects; capital decommissioning and reclamation estimates; mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the projected and actual effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the factors relevant to the business of the Corporation, including the effect on supply chains, labour market, currency and commodity prices and global and Canadian capital markets, fluctuations in molybdenum and commodity prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar versus the Euro); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in Greenland, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining; risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; the ability to source and negotiate supply and offtake agreements with qualified counterparties on terms that are economic or at all; title matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities regulations, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking information.

Neither the NEO Exchange Inc. nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005459/en/

For further information:

Ruben Shiffman, PhD Chairman, President

Keith Minty, P.Eng, MBA Engineering and Project Management

Jim Steel, P.Geo, MBA Exploration and Mining Geology

Nauja Bianco, M.Pol.Sci. Public and Community Relations

Gary Anstey Investor Relations

Eric Grossman, CPA, CGA Chief Financial Officer

Corporate office Suite 1410, 181 University Av. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3M7

Telephone +1 647 273 9913

Email [email protected]

Web www.greenlandresources.ca

Source: Greenland Resources Inc.
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Initiative aims to connect more families to home visiting to improve maternal and infant health outcomes

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & LANSING, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To help connect pregnant and postpartum Michigan residents to support and assistance, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has selected Royal Philips, (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) a global leader in health technology to provide access for Medicaid-eligible families to the Philips Pregnancy+ mobile application. The Philips Pregnancy+ App is the most downloaded pregnancy app in the world, with over 55 million downloads globally. It supports parents from the moment they discover they are pregnant by offering personalized content, expert-written information, as well as interactive 3D models to track a babys development.

Philips has created a unique and personalized experience, and MDHHS will provide access to the app for Medicaid-eligible users, which account for 45% of all births in Michigan. MDHHS has worked with Philips to further tailor the app to make it easier for participants to access available state support programs.

Pregnancy+ is the states latest effort to improve access to care for expectant mothers and improve outcomes for them and their families. The app helps point users to other state programs including Michigan's Home Visiting service, which has been shown to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding resources and support, information on RSV and flu, mental health resources, as well as other assets for healthy moms and babies.

MDHHS is excited to be able to offer the Pregnancy+ App to Michigan families to support them during this exciting time in their lives, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. We want to ensure they are able to access the resources they need, and to learn about important topics including immunizations, hearing screening, breastfeeding and other information designed to improve the health of moms and babies.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries and is the only one where maternal mortality is increasing among Black women. Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. U.S. women of reproductive age are also significantly more likely to have problems paying their medical bills or to skip or delay needed care because of cost. The NIH pointed to a need for higher investment in Social Determinants of Health and access to an alternative perinatal workforce. Fortunately, MDHHS has numerous programs in place and informational resources to support pregnant and postpartum mothers and families. They anticipate this initiative will help remove barriers to accessing care, such as race, ethnicity, insurance type and income, from determining the type of pregnancy/postpartum experience an individual receives.

Addressing disparities is long overdue. Michigan is a trailblazer, taking steps to understand how it can best support and care for this community and adopting innovative solutions to help ensure they get the care they need and deserve, said Kimberly Mingo, vice president of government strategy at Philips. Tailoring our application to make it easier for Michiganders to access the resources they need is a great first step in leveling the playing field.

Philips has created a unique and personalized experience for Michigans Medicaid-eligible users that opt-in, including a Today feed that will recommend relevant content, tools, and sign posting to the MDHHS program at specific points of the user's journey. It will also suggest MDHHS and other relevant content and resources, including in-depth pregnancy-related articles developed with experts.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum  from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 79,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005157/en/

Lynn Sutfin

MDHHS

[email protected]

517-241-2112



Silvie Casanova

Philips North America

[email protected]

781 879 0692

Source: Royal Philips
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- When Rubios Coastal Grill, home of The Original Fish Taco, turns 40 on Wednesday, January 25, California, Arizona and Nevada locations will celebrate the companys Baja roots. The community is invited to enjoy throwback pricing, 99 Original Fish Tacos, the launch of a new, remixed Fish Taco, 80s-inspired prizes and music.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005002/en/

On Rubio's 40th Anniversary on Wednesday, January 25, The Original Fish Tacos are 99 all day long. (Photo: Business Wire)

Ralph Rubio tasted his first fish taco as a college student during spring break in San Felipe. He brought the recipe home, opening the first Rubios in Mission Bay in 1983. Fish Tacos were 99 back then, and will be again on January 25. Proceeds benefit WILDCOAST, working to conserve some of the worlds most significant coastal and marine ecosystems in the U.S. and Mexico.

On January 25, Rubios Rewards members can participate in a contest, both in-store and online, to win 80s-inspired gear and free Rubios. Fifty winners will receive limited-edition Rubios bomber jackets, and other prizes. Rewards members earn entries for every visit January 23 - 29.

Rubios has become the #1 fish taco brand, credited with starting the fish taco phenomenon in the U.S. In celebration of the 40th anniversary, Rubios remixed The Original Fish Taco, offering a new version of the original favorite. The Baja Grilled Fish Taco features grilled mahi mahi and a special Baja sauce.

When Rubios opened 40 years ago, putting fish in a taco was pretty revolutionary, said Rubios Co-Founder Ralph Rubio. Today, The Original Fish Taco is still our most popular, award-winning item, and weve sold over 270 million of them. Were going strong and look forward to 40 more years.

For more information, join Rubios Rewards and visit Rubios, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

About Rubios Restaurants:

Rubios first opened in 1983 in the San Diego neighborhood of Mission Bay. Today, Rubios uses responsibly sourced seafood and continues to expand its menu with innovative recipes ranging from seafood tacos and burritos to California Bowls and crisp, fresh salads. In addition, Rubios offers all-natural chicken, raised without antibiotics, and all-natural USDA Choice steak, no fried pinto beans, handmade guacamole, a variety of proprietary salsas, and craft beer and hard seltzer beverage options. The award-winning restaurant regularly receives accolades for its famous Original Fish Taco. Rubios is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., has over 3,000 employees and currently operates nearly 160 restaurants.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005002/en/

Lauren Holzman

[email protected]

Source: Rubios Coastal Grill
Companys Citizen of the World charity initiative supports over 50 countries where Teleperformance operates, with top projects in the United States, India, the Philippines, and Colombia

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Teleperformance (Paris: TEP), the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, announced that it assisted more than 60,000 children in situations of vulnerability across 50 countries last year through its Citizen of the World (COTW) program.

Founded in 2006, COTW is part of the Teleperformance Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy to meet todays major global challenges. The company is committed to developing in a sustainable manner, creating meaningful connections to bring people together and create value for all stakeholders while ensuring that future generations can meet their own needs. This includes helping the world's most vulnerable infants and children meet basic survival needs and ultimately reach their individual potential.

Since its inception, COTW has made US$60 million in cash and in-kind donations to help improve lives around the world. The programs multi-faceted commitment includes funding and sponsorship for abandoned baby shelters in developing countries, de-worming and other medical supply needs, food provisioning, computer donations to impoverished schools, clothing and toy donations, and victim transport funding.

At Teleperformance focusing on people is core to our DNA, and our support for vulnerable populations is an extension of this, said Clementine Gauthier-Medina, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Teleperformance Group. We are committed to improving the lives of children, families and communities where we operate, and where our employees and their families live.

Key COTW accomplishments in 2022 include:

United States

The program aided 17,000 children across the United States, including supporting 13,000 school-aged refugee children in partnership with Granite Education Foundation (GEF). Teleperformance donations supported students, teachers and schools, with GEF providing food assistance, student aid, awards and educator support. Additionally, COTW recognized 10 outstanding educators with classroom grants and school supplies.

India

Teleperformance philanthropy helped establish infrastructure for schools in four major cities across India in partnership with NGOs, which benefit more than 10,000 underprivileged children and children with disabilities. The company also successfully launched the Pathshala Project, in five locations to help ensure quality education for underprivileged children. The Project will expand across 14 more locations by March 2024, supporting education for another 5,000 children. The company aims to equip the children with basic education and the youth with recruitment readiness interventions through mentorship programs to enable them to get hired and sustain a livelihood.

Philippines

Teleperformance partnered with universities, colleges, student organizations and learning institutions to help develop and hone talent on their path to become future business services professionals, impacting around 10,000 children. Further, the company donated to Project Angel Tree, a Department of Labor and Employment initiative aiding victims of child labor under the Departments Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. The company provided shoes, clothes, school bags and office supplies.

Colombia

Teleperformance supported tech education for more than 8,500 children across Colombia by donating smart devices, contributing to technological innovation and using tools that facilitate educational scenarios. A key program promoted gender equality among 3,000 girls in economically disadvantaged areas through Be what you want to be! in partnership with Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF).

Learn more about Teleperformance COTW projects in different countries here.

*******************

About Teleperformance Group

Teleperformance (TEP  ISIN: FR0000051807  Reuters: TEPRF.PA - Bloomberg: TEP FP), the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, serves as a strategic partner to the worlds largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model including end-to-end digital solutions, which guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high touch, high tech approach. Nearly 420,000 employees, based in 88 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and around 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the Simpler, Faster, Safer process. This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industrys highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2021, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 7,115 million (US$8.4 billion, based on 1 = $1.18) and net profit of 557 million.

Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350, MSCI Global Standard and Euronext Tech Leaders. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares are included in the CAC 40 ESG since September 2022, the Euronext Vigeo Euro 120 index since 2015, the EURO STOXX 50 ESG index since 2020, the MSCI Europe ESG Leaders index since 2019, the FTSE4Good index since 2018 and the S&P Global 1200 ESG index since 2017.

For more information: www.teleperformance.com Follow us on Twitter: @teleperformance

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005301/en/

FINANCIAL ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS

Investor relations and financial

communication department

TELEPERFORMANCE

Tel: +33 1 53 83 59 15

[email protected]

PRESS RELATIONS

Europe

Karine Allouis  Laurent Poinsot

IMAGE7

Tel: +33 1 53 70 74 70

[email protected]

PRESS RELATIONS

Americas and Asia-Pacific

Mark Pfeiffer

TELEPERFORMANCE

Tel: + 1 801-257-5811

[email protected]

Source: Teleperformance
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE: TRNO), an acquirer, owner and operator of industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets, announced today that it has executed a lease for 192,000 square feet in Northern New Jersey with a transportation and logistics services provider. The lease will commence April 1, 2023 and will expire November 2028. Terreno Realty Corporation executed an early termination agreement with an existing tenant in the 192,000 square foot space effective March 31, 2023.

Terreno Realty Corporation acquires, owns and operates industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles; Northern New Jersey/New York City; San Francisco Bay Area; Seattle; Miami; and Washington, D.C.

Additional information about Terreno Realty Corporation is available on the companys web site at www.terreno.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. We caution investors that forward-looking statements are based on managements beliefs and on assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. When used, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, project, result, should, will, seek, target, see, likely, position, opportunity, outlook, potential, enthusiastic, future and similar expressions which do not relate solely to historical matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance, which may be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors, that are beyond our control, including risks related to our ability to meet our estimated forecasts related to stabilized cap rates, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our tenants and the national and local economies, and those risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and our other public filings. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on past forward-looking statements, which are based on results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230118006053/en/

Jaime Cannon

415-655-4580

Source: Terreno Realty Corporation
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trigon Metals Inc. (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) (Trigon or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on Company activities and share its plans for 2023. The Company anticipates a prompt reopening of the Kombat Mine, has begun trading on the OTCQB in the United States, and has engaged Renmark Financial to provide investor relations support.

Plans for Mine Re-Opening

Kombat Mine is projected to start up in calendar Q2/23 and Trigon has completed all drilling necessary for mine planning for the restart of the open pit. In addition, mine contractors have returned to the site at Kombat Mine and several new key geological personnel have joined the team.

In preparation for the commencement of underground mining in 2024, the Company has started work on sizing and picking underground equipment. Analysis of the flooded shaft is underway utilizing submersible cameras. We are pleased to report the shaft is in excellent condition and pumps are being ordered to commence drainage.

Namibia Geology Team

Trigon is pleased to welcome a talented team of mining professionals to Kombat Mine.

Juandre Farmer, Project Coordinator

Mr. Juandre Farmer is a Namibian citizen who recently graduated from the Namibian University of Science and Technology where he received his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has gathered experience in the engineering industry during his practicum and we at Trigon Namibia looks forward to further enriching his experience. To date, he has gained a solid foundation in different skills and techniques that will be an asset for Trigon as a project coordinator.

Dag Kullman, Mining Manager

Mr Dag Kullmann is a Canadian mining engineer with 34 years experience in open pit and underground mining, including 10 years in consulting. His experience includes senior management and executive positions in gold, uranium and base metals companies as well as contract mining.

Augustinus Mungunda, Senior Resource Geologist

Mr. Augustinus Mungunda is a Namibian geologist with over 18 years of experience in base metal and uranium mining and exploration environments. His experience covers mining, exploration and resource evaluation. Augustinus holds an MSc (MRM) and is a member of SAIMM.

Hilaria Shatona, Senior Exploration Geologist

Mrs. Hilaria Shatona is a Namibian geologist with over 7 years experience in underground mining and exploration principally targeting base metal prospects. Hilaria Shatona holds a BSc degree in geology and physics and a certificate in project management.

Trigon Commences Trading on the OTCQB in the United States

The common shares of the Company Have begun trading on the OTCQB Venture Market (the OTCQB) in the United States under the stock symbol PNTZF, effective January 6, 2023.

The OTCQB is a U.S. trading platform that is operated by the OTC Markets Group in New York and is the premiere marketplace for early-stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Participating companies must be current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. The OTCQB Venture quality standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors. Investors can find real-time quotes and market information for Trigon at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/PNTZF/overview.

Trigon has also received DTC eligibility by the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for its shares traded on the OTCQB.

The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation and manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered DTC eligible. This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors and brokers, enabling the stock to be traded over a much wider selection of brokerage firms by coming into compliance with their requirements. Being DTC eligible is expected to greatly simplify the process of trading and transferring the Companys common shares on the OTCQB.

Renmark Financial to provide Investor Relations Support and Host Virtual Roadshows

The Company has engaged Renmark Financial Communications Inc. (Renmark) to amplify its investor relations efforts in 2023.

Trigon will be participating in Renmarks live Virtual Non-Deal Roadshow Series to discuss its latest investor presentation on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST. Trigon welcomes stakeholders, investors, and other individual followers to register and attend this live event.

The presentation will feature Jed Richardson, Chief Executive Officer & President and Aidan Sullivan, Vice-President, Investor Relations. Topics to be covered will include the latest investor presentation followed by a live Q&A. Investors interested in participating in this event will need to register using the link below. As a reminder, registration for the live event may be limited but access to the replay after the event will be on The Companys Investor website.

Click the link below to register:

Thursday, January 26, 2023: https://www.renmarkfinancial.com/live-registration/renmark-virtual-non-deal-roadshow-tsx-v-tm-2023-01-26-140000

To ensure smooth connectivity, please access this link using the latest version of Google Chrome.

To ensure smooth connectivity, please access this link using the latest version of Google Chrome.

About Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Founded in 1999, Renmark Financial Communications Inc. is North Americas leading retail investor relations firm. Employing a strategic and comprehensive mix of exposure tactics; Renmark hosts Virtual Non-Deal Roadshows as well as in-person corporate presentations and maintains daily communications with thousands of brokers and money managers across Canada and the United States. Renmark empowers its publicly-traded clientele to maximize their visibility within the financial community and strengthen their investor audience.

Qualified Person

The technical information presented in this press release has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by Fanie Muller, P.Eng, VP Operations of Trigon, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

Trigon Metals Inc.

Trigon is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently the company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80% interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia widely recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and re-development of the previously producing Kombat Mine. In Morocco, the Company is the holder of the Silver Hill project, a highly prospective copper and silver exploration project.

Cautionary Notes

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the Kombat Mine, the reopening of the Kombat Mine, the listing of the Companys shares on the OTCQB, the engagement of Renmark Financial the economic viability of the Kombat Mine, the Companys ability to restart operations and the Companys future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005573/en/

For further information, contact:

Jed Richardson

+1 647 276 6002

[email protected]

Website: www.trigonmetals.com

Source: Trigon Metals Inc.
DUNFERMLINE, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Scottish startup Waire Health is set to scale its sensor technology that is designed to improve remote ward monitoring and reduce hospital readmissions, following an investment from St Andrews-based Eos Advisory, a 2 million round secured alongside Scottish Enterprise. The funding will see the company to grow its management team, production, and product development capabilities, while enabling Waire Health to accelerate expansion in global markets including North America.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005314/en/

Left to right are Kathrina Skinner (Waire Health), Mark Beaumont (Eos), and Dave Hurhangee (Waire Health) (Photo: Business Wire)

Waire Healths remote patient monitoring device, C-Detect, operates in hospitals and homes autonomously, reducing costs and improving outcomes through continuous real-time monitoring and advanced artificial intelligence. The company sells platform agnostic sensors primarily to healthcare technology platform providers, who in turn sell into hospitals and other healthcare organisations.

Dave Hurhangee, CEO and Founder of Waire Health, said: The whole area of care at home got pushed over the edge during Covid. What many companies didnt fully appreciate was the paramount importance of usability. If devices have to rely on mobile connections or Bluetooth, they become difficult to use from the outset, for both patients and healthcare providers. We bring design and detail from years of experience of working with the technology, and our devices fall back to cellular if Wi-Fi falls off. We think we have the best-of-class offering in the industry, and thats being evidenced by the success were having in the market.

The C-Detect device, which has been developed at the companys Dunfermline headquarters and is manufactured at a facility near Edinburgh, has undergone extensive trials with the University of California, and Waire Health has partnerships in place with organisations ranging from global healthcare organisations to national governments.

Hurhangee began developing wearable technology for radiation monitoring on Ministry of Defence nuclear submarines based at Rosyth near Edinburgh in the mid-Eighties. Hurhangee added: If you can operate a monitoring device from a submarine, that gives you a strong foundation to build for applications across multiple sectors and environments. Along these lines, were now branching out into sectors outside healthcare, so that will be part of our next phase of growth.

Since launching Waire Health in 2018, the company has achieved a number of milestones, and was selected by the European Unions Nightingale project in 2018 from almost 200 applications including by many of the industrys main players. The company is also running a pilot study in partnership with the Irish Government and Indian multinational conglomerate The Tata Group.

Mark Beaumont, Partner, Eos, said: As healthcare systems in the UK and around the world move to remote monitoring and real time patient data, we see a huge opportunity for Waire Health to scale its C-Detect device. Eos is focused on finding, backing, and scaling the best science and technology in Scotland that improves quality of life, of which Waire is a brilliant example.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005314/en/

Dave Hurhangee

[email protected]

Source: Waire Health
The US Securities and Exchange Commission fined Bloomberg $5 million in a settlement for misleading disclosures relating to its paid subscription service, BVAL.

The SEC accused the company of misleading customers regarding how it calculated the price of certain securities.

BVAL provides daily price valuations for fixed-income securities to financial services entities. The SEC found that from at least 2016 to October 2022, Bloomberg failed to disclose to customers of the paid subscription service that the valuations for specific fixed-income securities could be based on a single data input, such as broker quotes, which does not align with the methodologies it previously disclosed.

The SEC said Bloomberg's actions could have an impact on the price at which securities are offered or traded.

"Bloomberg has assumed a critical role as a pricing service to participants in the fixed-income markets and it is incumbent on Bloomberg, as well as on other pricing services, to provide accurate information to their customers about their valuation processes," commented Osman Nawaz, Chief of the SECs division of enforcements complex financial instruments unit.

"This matter underscores that we will hold service providers, such as Bloomberg, accountable for misrepresentations that impact investors."

By Sam Boughedda
Reuters reports today that Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) asset management arm will significantly reduce the $59 billion of alternative investments that weighed on the bank's earnings.

Goldman Sachs plans to divest its positions over the next few years and replace some of those funds on its balance sheet with outside capital, Julian Salisbury, chief investment officer of asset and wealth management at Goldman Sachs, told Reuters in an interview.

"I would expect to see a meaningful decline from the current levels," Salisbury said. "It's not going to zero because we will continue to invest in and alongside funds, as opposed to individual deals on the balance sheet." The move is an extension of a strategy laid out in 2020, as the bank aims to reduce its on-balance sheet investments and boost earnings from fees.

The bank will provide further details on its asset plan during Goldman Sachs' investor day on Feb. 28, he said.

Shares of GS are up 0.63% near end of day trading on Monday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
FILE PHOTO: A customer stands underneath an illuminated Apple logo as he looks out the window of the Apple store located in central Sydney, Australia, May 28, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray

(Reuters) - Apple Inc was in talks with about half a dozen media partners including Walt Disney Co to develop virtual reality (VR) content for its mixed reality headset, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Developed with Sony Group Corp, the headset will have two ultra-high-resolution displays to handle the VR aspects and a collection of external cameras to enable an augmented reality "pass-through mode", the report said.

It added that the tech giant was working to update its own Apple TV+ material to work with the headset.

Disney, Apple and Sony did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that Apple was planning to unveil its first mixed reality (MR) headset this year.

MR is one of three types of extended reality technologies often associated with the metaverse. An MR headset could allow the wearer to use a real world object to trigger a virtual world reaction.

The iPhone maker's MR headset is set to launch in this year's spring event and will cost around $3,000, according to the report.

That would be twice as much as Meta Platforms Inc's Quest Pro virtual and MR headset, which was launched late last year for $1,500.

(Reporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc. (NEO: ABXX)(OTCQX: ABXXF) (Abaxx or the Company), a financial software company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd., the Abaxx Commodity Exchange (ACX), and producer of SmarterMarkets Media, announced that Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd.s subsidiary, Abaxx Exchange Pte. Ltd., has submitted a Notification of Impending Listing of Futures Contracts to the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Highlights:

Abaxx Exchange Pte. Ltd. submits LNG futures contract specifications for regulatory review

The initial portfolio of LNG futures contracts include North West Europe, North Asia Pacific and United States Gulf of Mexico benchmarks

Research and Commercial teams publish whitepaper, Back to the Future(s): The Best Commodities Benchmarks Are Still Physically-Settled

On January 20, 2023 Abaxx Exchange Pte. Ltd. submitted a Notification of Impending Listing of Futures Contracts to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The futures contracts are designed to address the price discovery and risk management needs of energy market participants trading Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Notice is required for all new products to be listed at launch and subsequently.

In collaboration with industry market participants, Abaxx identified opportunities to introduce a suite of 3 regional contracts including: North West Europe, North Asia Pacific and United States Gulf of Mexico. Abaxx Exchange contracts are designed for the dual commercial objectives of creating a large pool of liquidity for price discovery and risk transfer. The Abaxx contracts structure was determined at the conclusion of comprehensive deliberations with energy market participants.

Launch of the Recognized Market Operator and Approved Clearing House as well as the futures contracts intended to be listed by ACX remain subject to final regulatory approvals.

"Asia continues to be the fastest-growing demand center for energy products and we believe our choice to operate out of Singapore positions us strategically to be at the global hub of commodity trading while benefiting from its robust regulatory framework. By bringing together experienced market practitioners and leading-edge technologists, we want to support practical, market-based solutions to address the biggest challenges in global commodities trading. Ultimately, our vision is to architect Smarter Markets, characterized by greater price transparency, enhanced security and seamless settlement to support the markets critical for the energy transition," remarked Nancy Seah, Managing Director of Abaxx Exchange.

The formative commercial thesis of Abaxx Exchange is that incumbent Exchanges and Clearinghouses have neglected the foundational tenets of commodity futures in relation to the risk management abilities afforded by physically settled markets. The commercial needs of the market are not currently being met. Benchmarks are vital to commodity markets in reflecting the values in the dynamics of production, storage and transport logistics.

On January 17, 2023, Abaxx Research and Commercial teams published a position whitepaper outlining the benefits of a global LNG benchmark with the option to complete a physical delivery transaction. This ability to be the buyer or seller of last resort enables market participants to have a more direct correlation and convergence with their waterborne LNG cargoes. Properly functioning benchmarks provide measurable metrics to compare the performance of commodities, supporting investors and traders in making informed decisions as well as providing a basis for setting prices and determining values of different commodities. Abaxx believes this important differentiator cannot be found in the financially-settled instruments that are currently being used in todays global LNG markets.

The whitepaper is available to the public from the Abaxx.tech website in the Investor Relations section: https://www.investors.abaxx.tech/back-to-the-futures-the-best-commodities-benchmarks-are-still-physically-settled

This is another step in the direction of providing key benchmark contracts required for precise, orderly and transparent pricing of crucial energy transition commodities, said Dan McElduff, President, Strategy & Development, of Abaxx Singapore. We have confidence in our approach to development which requires deep industry engagement with a diverse and capable array of market participants. Successful markets thrive on depth and diversity which is true in most things in life. Its time for the LNG market to progress to the next level of liquidity which can only be achieved with an effective futures market.

About Abaxx Technologies

Abaxx is a development stage financial software company creating proprietary technological infrastructure for both global commodity exchanges and digital marketplaces. The companys formative technology increases transaction velocity, data security and facilitates improved risk management in the majority owned Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd. (ACX, or Abaxx.Exchange) - a commodity futures exchange seeking final regulatory approvals as a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) and Approved Clearing House (ACH) with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Abaxx is a founding shareholder in Base Carbon Corp. and the creator and producer of the SmarterMarkets podcast. For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and SmarterMarkets.media

Media and investor inquiries:

Abaxx Technologies Inc.Investor Relations TeamTel: +1 246 271 0082E-mail: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx or the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as seeking, believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, Abaxx objectives, goals or future plans, statements, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Such factors include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; the Companys limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx normal course of business.

Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. When relying on Abaxx forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Abaxx does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. The NEO Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Source: Abaxx Technologies Inc.
PRESS RELEASE

Neuilly-sur-Seine, France  January 23, 2023

Marc Roussel appointed Executive Vice-President of

Bureau Veritas Commodities, Industry and Facilities division in France and Africa

Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marc Roussel, effective 1st March 2023 as Executive Vice-President of Commodities, Industry and Facilities (CIF), France and Africa.

Marc Roussel will report to Hinda Gharbi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas and join the Group Executive Committee. Marc will replace Jacques Pommeraud, who has decided to leave the company to pursue a new professional project.

Didier Michaud-Daniel, Chief Executive Officer, Bureau Veritas, said:

We are delighted, Hinda Gharbi - Deputy Chief Executive Officer - and myself, to welcome Marc Roussel to the Group Executive Committee. Under his leadership, the Africa region has gained new growth momentum reflecting the superior value proposition of Bureau Veritas and the support that the company brings to its clients on the continent. Additionally, the multiple efforts on all sustainability fronts have been exceptional: development of local skills, partnerships with schools, proximity to local communities.

With 8 years' experience in the Group, Marc has a deep understanding of Bureau Veritas' businesses and the challenges faced by its clients. Using this knowledge of the French and African markets, Marcs commercial mindset together with his strong leadership skills and stewardship of the company values make him the right leader to continue developing this important region, our company historical home.

We would like to warmly thank Jacques Pommeraud for his multiple contributions to BVs success and for the remarkable legacy he leaves to the France and Africa operating group. The transformation that has taken place in France in the last five years, in terms of our talent pool, the development of and pivot towards a business model focused on sustainability services, our brand positioning, and the modernization of our tools and working practices, has enabled us to accelerate our growth significantly, and to establish Bureau Veritas as the leader in its historic market.

About Marc Roussel

Marc Roussel began his career in 1990 in the construction industry at GTM. In 1996, he joined OTIS Elevator Company to develop its emerging business in comprehensive elevator overhaul, improving safety performance and reducing energy consumption. Marc then worked on developing OTIS Services business in France, in particular via acquisitions, before taking over leadership of the New Construction business for the whole of France as well as the Export business.

In 2009, he also became head of the company's new branch, OTIS Africa, and 5 years later, he expanded his responsibilities with the management of UTC Building Integrated System in Africa. This brought together the operations of Otis, Carrier and Fire & Security.

In 2015, Marc joined Bureau Veritas as Senior Vice President, Commodities, Industry & Infrastructure (CIF), Africa. He defined the 2015 - 2020 strategy for Africa and transformed the regional business. He also put the region on a firm path to sustainability, particularly in terms of local community inclusion and the development of youth training. In February 2018, Marc expanded his scope, also becoming President of the Government Services business unit.

Marc Roussel is a graduate of Ecole Centrale Paris and holds an MBA from HEC Paris.

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 80,000 employees located in nearly 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its 400,000 clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.

Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20 and SBF 120 indices.

Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on Twitter (@bureauveritas) and LinkedIn.

Our information is certified with blockchain technology.

Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com .





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New York, NY, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Charles Owubah, the CEO of Action Against Hunger USA, a nonprofit leader in the global fight to end hunger, was ranked among Causeartists Top 25 Inspiring Nonprofit Leaders Who Will Impact the World in 2023. This annual rating celebrates social sector leaders who demonstrate adaptability, creativity, innovation, strong communication skills, and consistent impact.

It is an honor to be recognized among such a distinguished group of nonprofit leaders, yet my work would not be possible without the expertise and passion of my colleagues and support from donors who share our commitment to ending hunger for everyone, for good, said Owubah. Id like to thank Causeartist for this distinction and for spotlighting the 828 million people around the world who go to bed hungry every night.

At Action Against Hunger, Owubah oversees innovative programs, from climate-smart agriculture to high-tech water systems, that collectively serve more than 24 million people each year. Originally from Ghana, Owubah earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Natural Resource Management and Policy from Purdue University and has more than 25 years of experience designing, leading, and evaluating breakthrough nonprofit programs in collaboration with diverse communities around the world.

Dr. Owubah also serves on the board of directors of Global Impact, a nonprofit that works to inspire greater giving, and Kickstart International, a non-profit social enterprise on a mission to lift millions of people out of poverty.

Hunger is predictable and preventable, Dr. Owubah said. Now, we must come together to address the drivers of hunger, including conflict, climate change, and chronic inequality. I urge people to join the cause.

Other nonprofit leaders on the Causeartist list include Tjada DOyen McKenna, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps; Elisha Chan, founder of Impactful Missions; Maggie Kane, founder of A Place at the Table; and Sergio Panday, co-founder of Roots Inspire. The full list of 2023 honorees is available on the Causeartist website.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is leading a global movement to end hunger in our lifetimes. It innovates solutions, advocates for change, and reaches more than 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, its 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, and chronic inequality. It strives to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Emily Bell Tyree Associate Director of Communications Action Against Hunger +1 917-847-8636 ebtyree-at-actionagainsthunger.org

Source: Action Against Hunger
STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eaton Partners, one of the largest placement agents and financial advisory firms and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF), is pleased to have acted as the exclusive placement agent for Sterling Investment Partners (Sterling), a leading middle market private equity firm investing in distribution and business services companies.

Sterling Investment Partners IV, L.P. (SIP IV) raised $934 million in capital commitments, exceeding its $900 million target with support from a diverse group of new and returning institutional investors, including insurance companies, pension plans, registered investment advisors, asset managers, and family offices.

To date, Sterling has led the investment of approximately $568 million of equity, including $250 million from SIP IV, into three SIP IV portfolio companies: Anser Advisory, Camp Facility Services, and Kendall Vegetation Services & Xylem Tree Experts.

Since its inception over 30 years ago, Sterling has overseen the investment of over $2.6 billion of equity across 39 platform investments and 130 add-on acquisitions and numerous greenfield expansions.

We appreciate the strong support of numerous existing investors and are excited to partner with a number of new investors in SIP IV, commented Charles Santoro, Managing Partner and Co-Founder.

SIP IV continues Sterlings strategy of partnering with dynamic middle market distribution and business services companies with the objective of building industry-leading platforms, observed James Soldano, Partner.

Sterlings enduring commitment to building a leading private equity platform resonated well with institutional investors, said Eric Deyle, Managing Director at Eaton Partners. We value our longstanding partnership with the Sterling team and wish them continued success.

About Eaton Partners Eaton Partners, a Stifel Company, is one of the worlds largest capital placement agents and fund advisory firms, having raised more than $114 billion across more than 160 highly differentiated alternative investment funds and offerings. Founded in 1983, Eaton advises and raises institutional capital for investment managers across alternative strategies  private equity, private credit, real assets, real estate, and hedge funds/public market  in both the primary and secondary markets. Eaton Partners maintains offices and operates throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Eaton Partners is a division of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Member SIPC and NYSE. Eaton Partners subsidiary Eaton Partners (UK) LLP is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Eaton Partners subsidiary Stifel Hong Kong Limited, doing business as Eaton Partners Hong Kong, is approved as a Type 1-licensed company under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. Eaton Partners and the Eaton Partners logo are trademarks of Eaton Partners, LLC, a limited liability company.  Eaton Partners, 2022. For more information, please visit https://eaton-partners.com/.

About Sterling Investment PartnersSterling Investment Partners is a private equity firm that has been investing in and building middle-market companies for over 30 years with a highly-experienced, cohesive team of senior investment professionals. Based in Westport, Connecticut, Sterling focuses on value-added distribution and business services, acquiring businesses that the firm believes have strong, sustainable competitive advantages and significant opportunities for value creation. Over its history, Sterling has completed over 210 transactions, representing more than $25 billion in aggregate value. www.sterlinglp.com.

Stifel Company InformationStifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifels broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. The Companys broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Companys website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

Media Contacts Neil Shapiro, +1 (212) 271-3447 [email protected]

Source: Eaton Partners
CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- incredibles, an award-winning cannabis brand from Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), today announced that it has launched its new, limited-edition 50 Shades of Grape gummy in the Illinois market.

When it comes to Valentines Day, consumers arent as handcuffed to wine and booze as you might think, said Ryan Marek, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Green Thumb. 50 Shades of Grape by incredibles is a woo-worthy formula featuring cannabinoids intended for mood-setting effects including relaxation and stress-reduction. Were thrilled to offer this new limited-edition product to our Illinois customers as they prepare for their Valentines Day celebrations.

In 2021, adult-use cannabis sales spiked 7% on Valentines Day, and incredibles knows why more consumers are slipping behind alcohols back for a risque rendezvous with edibles. According to a recent poll, cannabis consumers experience more intimacy than non-consumers. Plus, two-thirds of those polled believe cannabis enhances their sex life and helps them get in the mood.

Known as the credible edible, incredibles has been making consistently dosed cannabis confections since 2010, providing predictable effects for worry-free enjoyment. Available for a limited time only, the 50 Shades of Grape gummies are crafted to elevate you and your main squeeze to a juicy taste bud climax this Valentines Day. Made with pure THC distillate, the gummies feature a cannabinoid ratio of 50 mg THC / 50 mg CBD per pack and 5 mg THC / 5 mg CBD per gummy.

For more information on where to find incredibles, please visit iloveincredibles.com.

About Green Thumb IndustriesGreen Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, promotes well-being through the power of cannabis while giving back to the communities in which it serves. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including &Shine, Beboe, Dogwalkers, Doctor Solomons, Good Green, incredibles and RYTHM. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called RISE. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 18 manufacturing facilities, 77 open retail locations and operations across 15 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs approximately 3,800 people and serves millions of patients and customers each year. The company was named to Crains Fast 50 list in 2021 and 2022 and a Best Workplace by MG Retailer magazine in 2018, 2019 and 2021. More information is available at www.GTIgrows.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis press release contains statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, or similar expressions and include information regarding the filing of the Documents and the timing thereof. The forward-looking information in this news release is based upon the expectations of future events which management believes to be reasonable. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, Green Thumb does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this news release is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those express or implied. When considering these forward-looking statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Green Thumbs public filings with the applicable securities regulatory authorities, including with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on its website at www.sec.gov and with Canadas System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com, as well as on Green Thumbs website at https://investors.gtigrows.com, including in the Risk Factors section of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Investor Contact:Andy GrossmanEVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations[email protected]310-622-8257

Media Contact:MATTIO Communications[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef6b2cb7-6128-4b2f-af41-fe16f8eaea54

incredibles 50 Shades of Grape incredibles' new, limited-edition 50 Shades of Grape gummies

Source: Green Thumb Industries
TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is proud to announce the launch of "Change the Bill", a call to action that aims to promote reconciliation through art. Despite being the original inhabitants of this land, an Indigenous person has never been represented on a permanent Canadian banknote.

The underrepresentation and marginalization of Indigenous women in Canadian society is a longstanding issue that must be addressed. Despite playing a crucial role in shaping the country's history and culture, Indigenous women have been historically excluded from mainstream representation. It is imperative that Canadians prioritize and amplify the voices of Indigenous women in mainstream media and representation.

In recognition of this important issue, The Local Gallery in Toronto will host an exhibition from January 20th to 28th, showcasing reimagined $20 bills by Indigenous artists, to raise awareness and empower Indigenous women in Canada, in alignment with the objectives of the Native Women's Association of Canada. These pieces of art will serve to highlight Indigenous women heroes and provide an opportunity to highlight the talents and contributions of Indigenous women. Prints of the artwork will be available for purchase for twenty dollars, with 100% of proceeds going to the artist. This exhibition serves as an important step towards recognizing the significance and contributions of the Indigenous population and provides an opportunity to support and uplift Indigenous artists.

"Change The Bill is not just about placing an Indigenous woman on a banknote, it is about recognizing the contributions and significance of Indigenous women in Canada and creating a more inclusive society. Educating future generations about the contributions of Indigenous women and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their significance creates a more just and equitable society for all Canadians," said Lynne Groulx, CEO of NWAC.

The power of art as a tool for social change and cultural understanding is well-documented. Museums and galleries around the world have long recognized the impact that art can have on people and society. From shaping the cultural mosaic of mankind for centuries, art continues to be a powerful means of influencing humanity. The Native Women's Association of Canada enlisted the expertise of TAXI, a leading North American brand experience agency, to shine a light on the underrepresented and marginalized Indigenous women in Canadian society.

This campaign launches at DesignTO, Canada's leading and largest platform that curates' exhibitions, presentations, and educational programming. For more information and to purchase artwork, visit the Change the Bill website at https://changethebill.ca/. Click here to watch the introduction video.

Follow the campaign on social media using #ChangeTheBill and @NWAC_Canada on Instagram.

ABOUT THE NATIVE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF CANADA The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Metis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women's organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.

ABOUT TAXITAXI is a North American brand and customer experience agency that connects brands with consumers through creativity, technology, and culture. Its principal offices are in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and New York. For more information, visit agency.taxi. TAXI is part of the VMLY&R network and a WPP company (NYSE: WPP).

Roselie LeBlanc[email protected]604-928-3233

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ba71e57-b93b-4230-80be-8ef88ec30204

Change The Bill "Change The Bill", an innovative design project that aims to promote reconciliation through art.

Source: Native Womens Association of Canada
Press Release

Nokia and Samsung sign 5G patent license agreement

Agreement covers Nokias fundamental inventions in 5G and other technologies

Samsung to make royalty payments to Nokia for a multi-year period

Previous agreement expired at the end of 2022

23 January 2023

Espoo, Finland  Nokia announced today it has signed a new cross-license patent agreement with Samsung following the expiry of the previous agreement at the end of 2022.

Under the agreement, which covers Nokias fundamental inventions in 5G and other technologies, Samsung will make payments to Nokia for a multi-year period beginning 1 January 2023. The terms of the agreement remain confidential between the parties.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, said: Samsung is a leader in the smartphone industry, and we are delighted to have reached an amicable agreement with them. The agreement gives both companies the freedom to innovate, and reflects the strength of Nokias patent portfolio, decades-long investments in R&D and contributions to cellular standards and other technologies.

The agreement is consistent with the assumptions that Nokia has disclosed in the long-term Nokia Technologies outlook commentary in its Financial Report for Q3 and January-September 2022 issued on October 20, 2022.

Nokias industry-leading patent portfolio is built on more than 130 billion invested in R&D since 2000 and is composed of around 20,000 patent families, including over 4,500 patent families declared essential to 5G. Nokia contributes its inventions to open standards in return for the right to license them on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Companies can license and use these technologies without the need to make their own substantial investments in the standards, fueling innovation and the development of new products and services for consumers.

Additional resources

About NokiaAt Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to high standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.

Media Inquiries:Steven Bartholomew, Head of Communication and Marketing, Nokia TechnologiesEmail: [email protected]

Source: Nokia Oyj
SMG Reports Preliminary Unaudited Revenues of Approximately $70.95 Million for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022, an Increase of Approximately 36% From 2021

HOUSTON, TX, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  SMG Industries, Inc. (SMG or the "Company") (OTCQB: SMGI), a growth-oriented transportation services company focused on the domestic infrastructure logistics market today announced that its preliminary unaudited results of consolidated revenues from operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 was approximately $70.95 million, representing an increase of about 36% from $52.11 million reported for the prior year ended December 31, 2021.

This increase in revenues year over year in 2022 compared to 2021 resulted from increased volumes and pricing in the Companys industrial division, including super heavy haul projects and additional production hauling work. The Company also saw its new 5J Logistics Services line of business enjoy greater pricing and the contribution of operating revenues as it expanded both its footprint and customer base, not present during the 2021 comparable periods.

Mr. Matt Flemming, Chairman of SMG, stated, "The Company benefited from higher activity levels and increased pricing relative to the year ago period from its customers in its industrial division. Additionally, the heavy haul division transporting infrastructure including bridge beams, compressors and refinery components contributed to the increase in revenues during 2022. The Companys asset-light brokerage business finished its first full fiscal year and made strong inroads into retail and industrial customers. The Company looks forward to updating shareholders further on its previously announced acquisition strategy supporting its diversification and growth.

The Company currently anticipates announcing its full financial results along with managements discussion and analysis within its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2022 estimated to be filed on or before March 31, 2023.

About SMG Industries, Inc.: SMG Industries is a growth-oriented transportation services company focused on the domestic infrastructure logistics market. Through several of the Companys wholly-owned subsidiaries branded as the 5J Transportation Group, it offers specialized heavy haul, super heavy haul, flatbed, brokerage, and drilling rig mobilization services. 5Js engineered permitted jobs can support up to 500-thousand-pound loads including infrastructure cargo associated with wind energy, power generation components, bridge beams, compressors, and refinery and construction equipment. SMG Industries, Inc. headquartered in Houston, Texas has facilities in Floresville, Hempstead, Henderson, Houston, Odessa, Palestine, Victoria, Texas and Fort Mill, South Carolina. Read more at www.5J-Group.com and www.SMGIndustries.com.

Source: SMG Industries, Inc. +1-713-955-3497.

Source: SMG Industries, Inc.
AACHEN, Germany, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- crop.zone, the specialist for herbicide-free siccation, continues to focus on new partnerships and cooperations. With Tobias Menne as a new member of the advisory board, the company has now gained an important expert in this field. In the long term, the crop.zone strategy is to be expanded and further improved by the competencies and the comprehensive network of the 46-year-old.

Tobias Menne recently set up the SmartFarming joint venture between BASF and BOSCH and led it on the supervisory board. He now contributes this expertise to the crop.zone supervisory board in establishing new partnerships. This is an essential lever in managing the company and shaping a strategy to successfully bring crop.zone's hybrid herbicide technology to market. The board works closely with the leadership team to capitalize on future growth opportunities.

"Without system breakers in weed management, farmers will not be able to grow sustainably. Digitalisation and sustainability are indispensable nowadays." - Menne

In order to make the transition to a new technology accessible to farmers, new business models will emerge between farmers, agricultural machinery manufacturers and technology providers such as crop.zone. As an expert in digital solutions in agriculture, Tobias Menne brings his experience in creating outcome-oriented business models between agricultural retailers and crop protection manufacturers to the table here. "Without system breakers in weed management, farmers will not be able to grow sustainably. Digitalisation and sustainability are indispensable nowadays," explains Tobias Menne. Dirk Vandenhirtz, CEO of crop.zone, is looking forward to the support of Tobias Menne: "New partnerships are of high relevance to establish new innovative solutions and ultimately to advance the agricultural machinery industry and make it fit for the future."

Tobias Menne started his professional career in 2003 at Bayer as Managing Director for Bulgaria and Managing Director for Ukraine. He then worked in various management positions at Mriya Agro Holding (Switzerland), Bayer, BASF, xarvio Digital Farming Solutions. Since January 2023, he is Chief Commercial Officer at constellr, a manufacturer of aerospace components.

Tobias Menne studied Digitalisation & Future of Industry at Singularity University in San Francisco and Strategy and Agricultural Economics at Harvard Business School. He completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Bradford with a focus on marketing and finance.

Contact Information:

Dirk Vandenhirtz

CEO - crop.zone

[email protected]

+1 (919) 251-6320 / +49 2408 598



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Image 1: Tobias Menne is appointed to the advisory board of crop.zone





crop.zone, the specialist for herbicide-free siccation, continues to focus on new partnerships and cooperations.









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AACHEN, Germany, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- crop.zone, the specialist for herbicide-free siccation, continues to focus on new partnerships and cooperations. With Tobias Menne as a new member of the advisory board, the company has now gained an important expert in this field. In the long term, the crop.zone strategy is to be expanded and further improved by the competencies and the comprehensive network of the 46-year-old.

Tobias Menne recently set up the SmartFarming joint venture between BASF and BOSCH and led it on the supervisory board. He now contributes this expertise to the crop.zone supervisory board in establishing new partnerships. This is an essential lever in managing the company and shaping a strategy to successfully bring crop.zone's hybrid herbicide technology to market. The board works closely with the leadership team to capitalize on future growth opportunities.

"Without system breakers in weed management, farmers will not be able to grow sustainably. Digitalisation and sustainability are indispensable nowadays." - Menne

In order to make the transition to a new technology accessible to farmers, new business models will emerge between farmers, agricultural machinery manufacturers and technology providers such as crop.zone. As an expert in digital solutions in agriculture, Tobias Menne brings his experience in creating outcome-oriented business models between agricultural retailers and crop protection manufacturers to the table here. "Without system breakers in weed management, farmers will not be able to grow sustainably. Digitalisation and sustainability are indispensable nowadays," explains Tobias Menne. Dirk Vandenhirtz, CEO of crop.zone, is looking forward to the support of Tobias Menne: "New partnerships are of high relevance to establish new innovative solutions and ultimately to advance the agricultural machinery industry and make it fit for the future."

Tobias Menne started his professional career in 2003 at Bayer as Managing Director for Bulgaria and Managing Director for Ukraine. He then worked in various management positions at Mriya Agro Holding (Switzerland), Bayer, BASF, xarvio Digital Farming Solutions. Since January 2023, he is Chief Commercial Officer at constellr, a manufacturer of aerospace components.

Tobias Menne studied Digitalisation & Future of Industry at Singularity University in San Francisco and Strategy and Agricultural Economics at Harvard Business School. He completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Bradford with a focus on marketing and finance.

Contact Information: Dirk Vandenhirtz CEO - crop.zone [email protected] +1 (919) 251-6320 / +49 2408 598

Related Files

crop.zone Pressemitteilung Tobias Menne EN.pdf

crop.zone Pressemitteilung Tobias Menne DE.pdf

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Image 1: Tobias Menne is appointed to the advisory board of crop.zone crop.zone, the specialist for herbicide-free siccation, continues to focus on new partnerships and cooperations.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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Tobias Menne is appointed to the advisory board of crop.zone Tobias Menne is appointed to the advisory board of crop.zone

Source: crop.zone
Shares of Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) rose nearly 4% in pre-open trading Monday on news activist hedge fund Elliott Management has taken a multibillion-dollar stake in the software company.

"@salesforce is one of the preeminent software companies in the world, and having followed them nearly two decades, we have developed a deep respect for @Benioff and what he has built," Jesse Cohn, managing partner at Elliott, said on Twitter Sunday.

"We look forward to working constructively with @salesforce to realize the value befitting a company of its stature," he added.

The news follows large job cuts announced earlier in the month. On January 4th, Salesforce announced a restructuring plan that aims to cut operating costs and improve operating margins. The plan sees the company slashing approximately 10% of its workforce while also reducing office space in certain markets.

Elliott is the second activist hedge fund to focus on Salesforce. In the fall, Jeffrey Smith's Starboard Value disclosed a stake and urged the company to focus on profitability. "We need to appeal to the management team to be as competitive at producing value for shareholders," Smith said of Salesforce at that time. "They win in the marketplace. We need them to win for shareholders. That's why we're involved."

By StreetInsider.com Staff
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - McFarlane Lake Mining Limited (NEO: MLM) (OTCQB: MLMLF) ("McFarlane" or the "Company"), a Canadian gold exploration and development company, announces that its management team will be attending the 2023 Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) from January 29-30, 2023 at booth #114 in the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building.

Attendees will be able to meet with management and learn about the progress the Company has made in advancing its High Lake Property and view high-grade gold core with visible gold intercepts. The team will also review last year's drilling at its past-producing West Hawk Lake property. Drilling results at West Hawk Lake in were announced on May 25, last year, and a drilling campaign is underway at High Lake, with early results announced on December 12/2022 and January 9 /2023 .

To schedule a 1x1 with our management team, please email [email protected].

About McFarlane Lake Mining Limited

McFarlane is a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the High Lake mineral property located immediately east of the Ontario-Manitoba border and the West Hawk Lake mineral property located immediately west of the Ontario-Manitoba border. In addition, McFarlane holds the McMillan and Mongowin mineral property located 70 km west of Sudbury and owns the Michaud/Munro mineral property 115 km east of Timmins. McFarlane is a "reporting issuer" under applicable securities legislation in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Additional information on McFarlane can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at Sedar.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release, including without limitation; anticipated results of geophysical surveys or drilling programs, estimated timing, geological interpretations and potential mineral recovery processes. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of McFarlane to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Filing Statement dated as of January 14, 2022 which is available for view on SEDAR at Sedar.com . Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and McFarlane disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

McFarlane's operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of a widespread global outbreak of a contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of illness caused by COVID-19. It is not possible to accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect operations and the ability to finance its operations.

Further Information

For further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Roger Emdin, Chief Operating Officer

McFarlane Lake Mining Limited

(705) 562-8520

[email protected]

Craig MacPhail

NATIONAL

(416) 525 5709

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152062
[email protected]www.fissionuranium.com

TSX SYMBOL: FCUOTCQX SYMBOL: FCUUFFRANKFURT SYMBOL: 2FU

KELOWNA, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - FISSION URANIUM CORP. ("Fission" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has hired Jeff Pryznyk, Engineering Licensee, A.Sc.T as the Company's Environmental Manager. Mr. Pryznyk is an environment, health and safety professional with two decades of experience working in Saskatchewan, including 15 years in mining. Much of that experience was gained working for uranium producer, Cameco, where he held positions in environmental management and regulatory affairs at Cigar Lake mine during construction and operation. He holds a license to practice engineering in Saskatchewan and is also an applied science technologist.

In this important role, Mr. Pryznyk will lead Fission's Environmental Assessment process, the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement, and the subsequent licensing and permitting of the project through to construction and production. He will also further expand Fission's robust approach to sustainable development by establishing additional, long-term processes for environmental stewardship in sustainability, protection and compliance as the Company advances through development.

Gary Haywood, VP Operations for Fission, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Jeff Pryznyk to Fission. He has an invaluable skillset  the result of providing oversight for environmental and regulatory affairs at Cameco's Cigar Lake mine in Saskatchewan, the world's highest-grade uranium mine. Mr. Pryznyk will be an excellent addition to the Fission technical team as we continue through environmental assessment and permitting phase of development at PLS and beyond."

Jeff Pryznyk replaces Aaron MacDonell who has resigned from his position to pursue other opportunities. The Company would like to thank Mr. MacDonell for his time with the Company and wishes him well with his future endeavours.

About Fission Uranium Corp.

Fission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - host to the class-leading Triple R uranium deposit - and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ross McElroy"___________________________ Ross McElroy, President and CEO

Cautionary Statement:

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: risks related to the Offering, risks related to Fission's limited business history, risks related to the nature of mineral exploration and development, discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral resources, risks related to uranium market price volatility, risks related to the market value of the common shares of Fission, risks related to market conditions, risks related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including disruptions to the Company's business and operational plans, risks related to the global economic uncertainty as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

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SOURCE Fission Uranium Corp.
Etrel, a Landis+Gyr company, and ON Power, an Icelandic electricity supplier and charging service provider, cooperate on scaling the company's EV charging service offering in Iceland with the help of the charge point management system OCEAN.

CHAM, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ON Power, a charging service provider and the largest clean energy supplier in Iceland, is partnering with Etrel, a subsidiary of Landis+Gyr (SIX: LAND), to accommodate the growth of EV registrations in the country. Together, they have configured a dynamic and robust system that will enable ON Power to expand its charging infrastructure and provide a seamless and user-friendly charging experience.

The OCEAN software is a scalable EV charge point and energy management platform that provides monitoring and management of residential, business, and public charging locations from a single cloud-based tool. The hardware-agnostic system enables ON Power to transfer the existing operations and expand with the market needs, regardless of implemented charging hardware or location.

"Iceland has the second largest share of newly registered EVs in Europe, which makes a rapid and stable roll out of EV charging infrastructure of paramount importance," said Hrafn Leo Gujonsson, Product Manager at ON Power. "Ensuring the scalability of the system with technology that allows us to keep pace with the demands of the market was key in our decision to use Etrel OCEAN."

ON Power launched its EV charging business in 2014, becoming one of the first EV charge point operators and e-mobility service providers in the country. With EV registrations in Iceland exceeding 60% of total new car registrations in 2022 and a solid trajectory for further growth, the Icelandic company turned to the market in search of a new charging infrastructure management solution that would allow them to grow with the market whilst ensuring a stable uptime and good customer experience.

"With a charging network consisting primarily of residential chargers, it is important to ensure a familiar and connected charging experience for customers at home and on the go", said Rok Poteko, Head of Software Sales at Etrel. "We brought ON Power closer to their users with a white label solution; allowing the company to apply custom configurations from branding and subscription methods to payment types and tariffs."

In the second phase of the rollout, ON Power will leverage OCEAN's extensive API database, which will enable tight integration with ON Power's trusted ERP and CRM systems, further improving its operations.

ON Power

ON Power is the largest clean energy provider in Iceland. It produces and sells electricity to the entire population and hot water to the capital area. Their objective is to protect the interests of the country's natural resources and the company's customers, guided by the principle of sustainability. In so doing, the company supports innovation and the responsible utilisation of natural resources and promotes energy switching to a lower ecological footprint for the benefit of society as a whole. More information: https://www.on.is/en

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is a leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions. We measure and analyze energy utilization to generate empowering analytics for smart grid and infrastructure management, enabling utilities and consumers to reduce energy consumption. Our innovative and proven portfolio of software, services and intelligent sensor technology is a key driver to decarbonize the grid. Having avoided more than 9 million tons of CO2 in FY 2021 and committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, Landis+Gyr manages energy better  since 1896. With sales of USD 1.5 billion in FY 2021, Landis+Gyr employs around 6,800 talented people across five continents. For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com.

Contact Media Melissa van Anraad Head of PRPhone +41 41 935 6398 [email protected]

Investor inquiries: [email protected]Media inquiries: [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1672109/Landis_Gyr_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Landis+Gyr
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PreIPO, a leading provider of innovative financial technology solutions, announced today a strategic funding alliance with SPiCE VC that will enable PreIPO to further expand its offerings and bring cutting-edge financial technology to a broader market. PreIPO is now offering investment in SPiCE II to investors that otherwise wouldn't have access the fund. The announcement comes on the heels of SPiCE I yielding a market-leading 50.7% IRR, while also being deemed the best Venture Capital Fund of 2022 in the blockchain and tokenization ecosystem.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with PreIPO," said Tal Elyashiv, founder and managing partner of SPiCE VC. "Their expertise and support will be invaluable as we continue to develop and bring our innovative funds to the market."

Through this fundraising partnership, SPiCE II will be featured on the PreIPO Platform, with a robust data room including a suite of key due diligence and marketing tools  marking the first of many funds to be fully available for investment within the PreIPO ecosystem. SPiCE II will also have access to the PreIPO network of industry experts, investors, and potential partners, as well as its experience in helping companies scale and succeed.

"PreIPO has a strong team delivering innovative financial technology solutions," said Rob-Roy Roedel, partner at SPiCE VC. "We are excited to be partnering with them and supporting their growth as they continue to drive the fintech industry forward."

Structured as a "feeder fund," PreIPO will provide investors unprecedented access to a premier venture capital fund in the blockchain and tokenization ecosystem that would normally be available to only a select few with a significant amount of capital to invest. Through the collaboration of PreIPO and SPiCE VC, investors are able to access growth opportunities with SPiCE VC with much lower minimum investment requirements than a direct investment in SPiCE II.

"This partnership represents a significant step forward for PreIPO and will help the company continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of financial technology. We look forward to the exciting developments and growth that this partnership will bring," said CEO and Executive Chairman of PreIPO, David Grzan.

To learn more about PreIPO, visit https://preipo.com/. To discover more about the SPiCE II fund with SPiCE VC, visit https://spicevc.com/

About PreIPO Corporation

PreIPO is a financial technology company specializing in actively participating in private market securities transactions for qualified investors, sellers, issuers, and financial institutions through its vertically integrated ecosystem of 'licensable while-labeled' SaaS offerings designed especially for broker/dealers. As a pioneer in digitally distributed financial systems, PreIPO is deploying its proprietary PreIPO-as-a-Service Platform. We are also pleased to offer PreIPO INTELLI, this program will condense hours and days of internal research into easily digestible and actionable insights for qualified investors. Visit our website www.preipo.com or email David Grzan, CEO at [email protected].

ABOUT SPiCE VC:

SPiCE VC is a Venture Capital firm providing investors exposure to the massive growth of the Blockchain/Tokenization ecosystem. SPiCE invests globally in platforms and ecosystem providers enabling access to capital markets, banking, real estate, and other industries enhanced through Blockchain technologies. SPiCE focuses on companies who stand to benefit the most from the massive growth of the industry. Combining institutional know-how, hands-on management, entrepreneurial innovation and professional investment experience SPiCE's management team has been involved in hundreds of tech funding rounds totaling billions of dollars; as entrepreneurs, investors, and executives. SPiCE is located in the US, Switzerland, Singapore and Israel. To learn more about SPiCE VC visit www.spicevc.com or email Tal Elyashiv, Founder and Managing Partner, at [email protected].

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SOURCE PreIPO Corp
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Especially in the times of crisis, investors are looking for the most stable markets for investing their capital. Although it may seem, at first glance, that Poland, with a war taking place just across its border, does not match that definition, according to Tomasz Kulik of the PZU Group, now is the moment for promoting the image of our country as one of the most promising economies in the world.

"Why Poland? Capturing the opportunity in the era of a shift from globalization to regionalization" was the title of the first expert debate organized at the Polish House during the World Economic Forum in Davos . The issue of whether and how our country may take advantage of the current trends observed on the international business scene was discussed inter alia by Tomasz Kulik, Board Member and CFO of the PZU Group.

According to the panelists, recent years have shown the fragility of current supply chains which have been disrupted or even completely interrupted by the pandemic or the war in Ukraine. Production activities or services that were previously transferred to the Far East for instance, will be increasingly returning to geographies that are closer to the investors' home markets, especially those bound by political and military alliances.

Those taking part in the discussion held at the Polish House in Davos agreed that the transition from globalization to regionalization we are experiencing these days is a very important moment. They also noted that Central and Eastern Europe, and Poland in particular, must seize this opportunity to attract the largest possible number of companies returning from Asia, or new investment projects.

"The fact that our country is located in close proximity to the war zone may obviously raise some concerns among potential foreign investors. However, this factor may also prove to be a blessing for the Polish economy, especially in the context of the future reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure and the development of a network of connections between all key European markets," explained Tomasz Kulik.

The expert added, that the positive image and attractiveness that Poland enjoys in the eyes of foreign investors is also enhanced by such initiatives as the Polish House in Davos - an undertaking that the PZU Group has been co-organizing for the fourth time now.

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SOURCE PZU
BRIGHTON, Mich., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas A. Paron, DDS, MS is being recognized by the Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Life Member for his work as an orthodontist.

Dr Paron earned a BS with a double major in biochemistry and mathematics in 2015 from Alma College and a DDS degree from the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry in 2019. His dental education continued, earning an MS in orthodontics from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2021. Dr Paron earned his board certification in orthodontics through the American Board of Orthodontists.

Dr Paron practices orthodontics in Grand Blanc, Clarkston, and Lapeer, MI. He provides comprehensive orthodontic treatments for both adults and children. He uses both traditional metal wires and brackets as well as ceramic brackets if a more aesthetic look is desired. Dr Paron is also trained in Invisalign as well as other clear aligner methods that are available for orthodontic treatment.

Before deciding on the proper treatment options for each patient, Dr Paron must recognize various characteristics of a malocclusion or dentofacial growth abnormality, define the nature of the problem, including the etiology or cause, and design a treatment strategy based on the specific needs and desires of each patient. He communicates with his patients, giving them several options for treatment as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each, to assist the patient and their family in deciding the proper course of treatment.

Dr Paron is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the Michigan Association of Orthodontics (MAO-Detroit chapter).

The doctor would like to thank his wife, Dr. Kennedy Paron, as well as his parents, Nick and Julie Paron, for all their love and support.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

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SOURCE Continental Who's Who
Employees donate nearly 8,000 hours, $60,000 in supplies benefiting almost 2,500 students

ORLANDO, Fla. , Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, today marked its eighth annual "Building a Future" service project. The company is hosting a group of more than 2,000 employees from over 60 countries in Orlando for its yearly sales kickoff, where each year employees spend a portion of the event serving the community where it is held.

"Children are the next generation of leaders, creators, and innovators," said Kevin Simzer, COO at Trend Micro. "It is our responsibility to not only protect them from cyberthreats but foster healthy learning environments. Helping kids understand what is possible and inspiring them to pursue their dreams is a valuable experience that also fuels workplace joy and productivity."

The Orlando-area service project will take place at Palmetto Elementary, Shingle Creek Elementary, McCoy Elementary and the Orlando Gifted Academy. Trend employees, who affectionally identify as Trenders, will contribute their time, talents and resources to help students improve their educational and recreational opportunities. Trend Micro will provide support to the schools through:

Facilitating cultural sharing from across the world

Completing needed indoor and outdoor improvements

Donating books, pens, paper and other materials needed most

Participating in the GEMs (Girls Who are Educated and Motivated for Success) and SWAG (Showing the World All of Our Greatness) mentorship programs

Through previous Building a Future events, Trend Micro employees have volunteered more than 30,000 hours of service in building, painting, landscaping, mentoring and teaching, totaling over $2.3 million donated in time, project costs and other contributions.

This is just one of Trend Micro's charitable contributions around the world in its ongoing effort to be a responsible corporate citizen. The company's flagship social commitment program, Internet Safety for Kids and Families, shares volunteerism, funding, and expertise with schools and families worldwide to safeguard their online practices. Over two thirds of the company's employees support other ongoing philanthropic initiatives generating millions of dollars in charitable donations annually.

For more information on Trend Micro's commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen, visit: http://www.trendmicro.com/us/about-us/global-citizenship/index.html.

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for cloud environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.

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SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated
A large-scale projection illumination on the museum's facade with 30 powerful artworks in support of the women-led Iranian civil rights movement.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ArtRise Collective, in collaboration with Mozaik Philanthropy, presents Woman Life Freedom, a public art projection featuring 30 artworks by anonymous international artists. Projected onto the facade of the Asian Art Museum, these works respond to the protests against systemic gender inequality and discrimination that cuts across class, religion, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and generations in Iran.

This event will be held on three consecutive nights, Thursday 1/26  Saturday 1/28, from 6 until 10 PM.

Since September 2022, women have been leading a peaceful civil rights' protest movement in both large urban centers and small rural villages across Iran, garnering the support of global diaspora populations. The movement's slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," chanted at the funeral of Jina Mahsa Amini in the province of Kurdistan, is drawn from the Kurdish women's freedom movement. As a gesture of solidarity, artists in the exhibition have created artworks reflecting the movement's central, intersectional message: that a struggle for women's right to self-determination affirms human dignity.

This event will be held on three consecutive nights, Thursday 1/26  Saturday 1/28, from 6 until 10 PM.

ArtRise Collective Brings together cultural organizers, scholars, and justice advocates to support public art projects that amplify the message of the protesters in solidarity with the movement. Through a global open call, in collaboration with Mozaik Philanthropy, a powerfully resonant selection of artworks made within Iran and across its border was curated by a blind review process. Additional artworks were commissioned to reflect the diversity of the movement. Given that many of the exhibited artists reside in Iran and in consideration of the significant risks involved for those who support the protests, all of the art will be shown anonymously.

ArtRise Collective's organizational committee includes Mahsa Hakimi (art attorney, activist, and San Francisco Art Commissioner); Neda Nobari (justice advocate and chai of San Francisco State University Foundation Board); Keely Badger (Executive Director, Mozaik Philanthrophy); and Dr. Shiva Balaghi (cultural historian at the University of California, Santa Barbara).

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of Mozaik Philanthropy. Its premier presentation in San Francisco is made possible through the partnership of the Asian Art Museum.

Media ContactKeely Badger[email protected]

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SOURCE MOZAIK Philanthropy
Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2022. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/File Photo

Kuwait (Reuters) -Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah on Monday submitted the resignation of his cabinet to the country's crown prince, state news agency KUNA reported, in the latest standoff between government and the elected parliament.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who has taken over most of the emir's duties, last year named Sheikh Ahmad as premier and called early legislative polls after dissolving the previous parliament to end feuding that impeded fiscal reforms.

Tensions recently resurfaced between parliament and the government, sworn in last October, as lawmakers pressed for a debt relief bill, under which the state would buy Kuwaiti citizen's personal loans, and sought to question two ministers.

The prime minister submitted the government's resignation to the crown prince "as a result of what has become of the relationship between the executive and legislative authorities", KUNA cited a cabinet statement as saying.

Parliament had been scheduled to convene on Tuesday.

MP Shuaib Al Muwaizri, head of parliament's financial and economic affairs committee, had said in a Twitter post on Sunday that personal debt relief would remain on the table until the government "officially presents just alternatives" to increase wages, pensions and social assistance for Kuwaitis.

The wealthy Gulf oil-producing nation has been trying to strengthen its state finances as part of structural reforms, including a debt law that would allow the state to tap international markets but which has faced legislative gridlock.

Political bickering has for years hampered investment and reforms in Kuwait, which is heavily dependent on oil revenues, has an expansive welfare system and a public sector that employs roughly 80% of its citizens. Kuwaitis account for less than a third of the population of 4.6 million people.

Opposition figures made big gains in September parliamentary polls in the country, which bans political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies.

Kuwait's leadership has tried to overcome political discord by responding to key opposition demands including granting amnesties to political dissidents, clamping down on perceived corruption and restructuring some key institutions.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy in Kuwait and Nayera Abdallah in Cairo; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Hugh Lawson)
SECRETARYS CERTIFICATE

The undersigned, being duly elected as Secretary of the Goldman Sachs Real Estate Diversified Income Fund (the Fund), a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, hereby certifies that (i) the attached resolutions are true and correct copies of the resolutions adopted by a majority of the disinterested Trustees at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fund held on December 2, 2022; and (ii) these resolutions have not been amended and or modified or superseded in any way as of the date of this Certificate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 23rd day of January, 2023.

/s/ Caroline Kraus Caroline Kraus Secretary

Approval of Fidelity Bonds and Trustees and Officers Liability Policy*

RESOLVED, that the proposed form and amount of each fidelity bond discussed at this meeting (each, a Fidelity Bond) be, and the same hereby is, approved with respect to the Goldman Sachs Credit Income Fund, Goldman Sachs ETF Trust, Goldman Sachs ETF Trust II, Goldman Sachs MLP and Energy Renaissance Fund, Goldman Sachs Real Estate Diversified Income Fund and Goldman Sachs Trust II (each, a Trust and together, the Trusts), after consideration of all factors deemed relevant by each Trusts Board of Trustees (Board), including, but not limited to, the expected value of the assets of each Trust to which any officer or employee may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of assets of each Trust, and the nature of the securities and other assets in each Trusts portfolio; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the filing of an application to renew each Fidelity Bond be, and it hereby is, authorized and approved in all respects; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the officers of each Trust be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to renew the Trusts Fidelity Bond; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the officers of each Trust be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to cause the Trust to pay the annual premium with respect to the Trusts Fidelity Bond; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Secretary of each Trust be, and hereby is, designated as the officer to make filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to give notices as may be required, from time to time, pursuant to Rule 17g-1(g) and Rule 17g-1(h) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and be it further

RESOLVED, that pursuant to Rule 17d-1(d)(7) under the 1940 Act, each Trusts Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, hereby finds that each Trusts participation in the joint Trustees and Officers Investment Company Professional Liability Policy as discussed at this meeting (the Policy) is in the best interest of each Trust; and be it further

RESOLVED, that each Trusts Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, hereby finds that the premium for the Policy to be allocated to each entity covered under the Policy is fair and reasonable based upon the proportionate share of the sum of the premiums that would have been paid if such insurance coverage were purchased separately by each of the insured parties; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the preparation and filing of an application to renew the Policy be, and it hereby is, authorized and approved in all respects; and be it further

RESOLVED, that each Trusts officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to renew the Policy; and be it further

RESOLVED, that each Trusts officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to cause the Trust and each series of the Trust, as applicable, to pay its ratable allocation of the annual premium payable with respect to the Policy; and be it further

RESOLVED, that each Trusts officers be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to amend the Trusts Fidelity Bond and the Policy, and to execute such other documents and take such further actions as they, or any of them, may deem necessary or appropriate to effect the intent of the foregoing resolutions.

* The Trustees of the Goldman Sachs Credit Income Fund voted with respect to that Fund alone.

WILLIS TOWERS WATSON NORTHEAST INC

ATTN: BRYAN MCMINN

200 LIBERTY STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10281

INSURED: GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND PRODUCT: DFIBond POLICY NO: 82598880 TRANSACTION: RENL_RW

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies DECLARATIONS FINANCIAL INSTITUTION INVESTMENT COMPANY ASSET PROTECTION BOND 202B Halls Mill Road Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 NAME OF ASSURED (including its Subsidiaries): Bond Number: 82598880 GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND 200 WEST STREET, 19TH FLOOR FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY NEW YORK, NY 10282 Incorporated under the laws of Indiana a stock insurance company herein called the COMPANY Capital Center, 251 North Illinois, Suite 1100 Indianapolis, IN 46204-1927

ITEM 1. BOND PERIOD: from 12:01 a.m. on December 19, 2022 to 12:01 a.m. on December 19, 2023

ITEM 2. LIMITS OF LIABILITYDEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS:

If Not Covered is inserted below opposite any specified INSURING CLAUSE, such INSURING CLAUSE and any other reference shall be deemed to be deleted. There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss under INSURING CLAUSE 1. sustained by any Investment Company.

SINGLE LOSS DEDUCTIBLE INSURING CLAUSE LIMIT OF LIABILITY AMOUNT 1. Employee $ 900,000 $ 0.00 2. On Premises $ 900,000 $ 25,000 3. In Transit $ 900,000 $ 25,000 4. Forgery or Alteration $ 900,000 $ 25,000 5. Extended Forgery $ 900,000 $ 25,000 6. Counterfeit Money $ 900,000 $ 25,000 7. Threats to Person $ NOT COVERED $ N/A 8. Computer System $ 900,000 $ 25,000 9. Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction $ 900,000 $ 25,000 10. Uncollectible Items of Deposit $ 50,000 $ 5,000 11. Audit Expense $ 50,000 $ 5,000

ITEM 3. THE LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY IS ALSO SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENTS EXECUTED SIMULTANEOUSLY HEREWITH:

1-5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE COMPANY has caused this Bond to be signed by its authorized officers, but it shall not be valid unless also signed by an authorized representative of the Company.

Secretary President

January 5, 2023 Date Authorized Representative

ICAP Bond (5-98) - Federal Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 1 of 1

The COMPANY, in consideration of payment of the required premium, and in reliance on the APPLICATION and all other statements made and information furnished to the COMPANY by the ASSURED, and subject to the DECLARATIONS made a part of this Bond and to all other terms and conditions of this Bond, agrees to pay the ASSURED for: Insuring Clauses Employee 1. Loss resulting directly from Larceny or Embezzlement committed by any Employee, alone or in collusion with others. On Premises 2. Loss of Property resulting directly from robbery, burglary, false pretenses, common law or statutory larceny, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage, destruction or removal, from the possession, custody or control of the ASSURED, while such Property is lodged or deposited at premises located anywhere. In Transit 3. Loss of Property resulting directly from common law or statutory larceny, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage or destruction, while the Property is in transit anywhere: a. in an armored motor vehicle, including loading and unloading thereof, b. in the custody of a natural person acting as a messenger of the ASSURED, or c. in the custody of a Transportation Company and being transported in a conveyance other than an armored motor vehicle provided, however, that covered Property transported in such manner is limited to the following: (1) written records, (2) securities issued in registered form, which are not endorsed or are restrictively endorsed, or (3) negotiable instruments not payable to bearer, which are not endorsed or are restrictively endorsed. Coverage under this INSURING CLAUSE begins immediately on the receipt of such Property by the natural person or Transportation Company and ends immediately on delivery to the premises of the addressee or to any representative of the addressee located anywhere.

ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 1 of 19

Insuring Clauses (continued) Forgery Or Alteration 4. Loss resulting directly from: a. Forgery on, or fraudulent material alteration of, any bills of exchange, checks, drafts, acceptances, certificates of deposits, promissory notes, due bills, money orders, orders upon public treasuries, letters of credit, other written promises, orders or directions to pay sums certain in money, or receipts for the withdrawal of Property, or b. transferring, paying or delivering any funds or other Property, or establishing any credit or giving any value in reliance on any written instructions, advices or applications directed to the ASSURED authorizing or acknowledging the transfer, payment, delivery or receipt of funds or other Property, which instructions, advices or applications fraudulently purport to bear the handwritten signature of any customer of the ASSURED, or shareholder or subscriber to shares of an Investment Company, or of any financial institution or Employee but which instructions, advices or applications either bear a Forgery or have been fraudulently materially altered without the knowledge and consent of such customer, shareholder, subscriber, financial institution or Employee; excluding, however, under this INSURING CLAUSE any loss covered under INSURING CLAUSE 5. of this Bond, whether or not coverage for INSURING CLAUSE 5. is provided for in the DECLARATIONS of this Bond. For the purpose of this INSURING CLAUSE, a mechanically reproduced facsimile signature is treated the same as a handwritten signature. Extended Forgery 5. Loss resulting directly from the ASSURED having, in good faith, and in the ordinary course of business, for its own account or the account of others in any capacity: a. acquired, accepted or received, sold or delivered, or given value, extended credit or assumed liability, in reliance on any original Securities, documents or other written instruments which prove to: (1) bear a Forgery or a fraudulently material alteration, (2) have been lost or stolen, or (3) be Counterfeit, or b. guaranteed in writing or witnessed any signatures on any transfer, assignment, bill of sale, power of attorney, guarantee, endorsement or other obligation upon or in connection with any Securities, documents or other written instruments. Actual physical possession, and continued actual physical possession if taken as collateral, of such Securities, documents or other written instruments by an Employee, Custodian, or a Federal or State chartered deposit institution of the ASSURED is a condition precedent to the ASSURED having relied on such items. Release or return of such collateral is an acknowledgment by the ASSURED that it no longer relies on such collateral.

ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 2 of 19

Insuring Clauses Extended Forgery (continued) For the purpose of this INSURING CLAUSE, a mechanically reproduced facsimile signature is treated the same as a handwritten signature. Counterfeit Money 6. Loss resulting directly from the receipt by the ASSURED in good faith of any Counterfeit money. Threats To Person 7. Loss resulting directly from surrender of Property away from an office of the ASSURED as a result of a threat communicated to the ASSURED to do bodily harm to an Employee as defined in SECTION 1.e. (1), (2) and (5), a Relative or invitee of such Employee, or a resident of the household of such Employee, who is, or allegedly is, being held captive provided, however, that prior to the surrender of such Property: a. the Employee who receives the threat has made a reasonable effort to notify an officer of the ASSURED who is not involved in such threat, and b. the ASSURED has made a reasonable effort to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement authorities concerning such threat. It is agreed that for purposes of this INSURING CLAUSE, any Employee of the ASSURED, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, shall be deemed to be an ASSURED hereunder, but only with respect to the surrender of money, securities and other tangible personal property in which such Employee has a legal or equitable interest. Computer System 8. Loss resulting directly from fraudulent: a. entries of data into, or b. changes of data elements or programs within, a Computer System, provided the fraudulent entry or change causes: (1) funds or other property to be transferred, paid or delivered, (2) an account of the ASSURED or of its customer to be added, deleted, debited or credited, or (3) an unauthorized account or a fictitious account to be debited or credited.

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Insuring Clauses (continued) Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction 9. Loss resulting directly from Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction directed to the ASSURED authorizing the transfer of dividends or redemption proceeds of Investment Company shares from a Customers account, provided such Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction was: a. received at the ASSUREDS offices by those Employees of the ASSURED specifically authorized to receive the Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction, b. made by a person purporting to be a Customer, and c. made by said person for the purpose of causing the ASSURED or Customer to sustain a loss or making an improper personal financial gain for such person or any other person. In order for coverage to apply under this INSURING CLAUSE, all Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instructions must be received and processed in accordance with the Designated Procedures outlined in the APPLICATION furnished to the COMPANY. Uncollectible Items of Deposit 10. Loss resulting directly from the ASSURED having credited an account of a customer, shareholder or subscriber on the faith of any Items of Deposit which prove to be uncollectible, provided that the crediting of such account causes: a. redemptions or withdrawals to be permitted, b. shares to be issued, or c. dividends to be paid, from an account of an Investment Company. In order for coverage to apply under this INSURING CLAUSE, the ASSURED must hold Items of Deposit for the minimum number of days stated in the APPLICATION before permitting any redemptions or withdrawals, issuing any shares or paying any dividends with respect to such Items of Deposit. Items of Deposit shall not be deemed uncollectible until the ASSUREDS standard collection procedures have failed. Audit Expense 11. Expense incurred by the ASSURED for that part of the cost of audits or examinations required by any governmental regulatory authority or self-regulatory organization to be conducted by such authority, organization or their appointee by reason of the discovery of loss sustained by the ASSURED and covered by this Bond.

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General Agreements Additional Companies Included As Assured A. If more than one corporation, or Investment Company, or any combination of them is included as the ASSURED herein: (1) The total liability of the COMPANY under this Bond for loss or losses sustained by any one or more or all of them shall not exceed the limit for which the COMPANY would be liable under this Bond if all such loss were sustained by any one of them. (2) Only the first named ASSURED shall be deemed to be the sole agent of the others for all purposes under this Bond, including but not limited to the giving or receiving of any notice or proof required to be given and for the purpose of effecting or accepting any amendments to or termination of this Bond. The COMPANY shall furnish each Investment Company with a copy of the Bond and with any amendment thereto, together with a copy of each formal filing of claim by any other named ASSURED and notification of the terms of the settlement of each such claim prior to the execution of such settlement. (3) The COMPANY shall not be responsible for the proper application of any payment made hereunder to the first named ASSURED. (4) Knowledge possessed or discovery made by any partner, director, trustee, officer or supervisory employee of any ASSURED shall constitute knowledge or discovery by all the ASSUREDS for the purposes of this Bond. (5) If the first named ASSURED ceases for any reason to be covered under this Bond, then the ASSURED next named on the APPLICATION shall thereafter be considered as the first named ASSURED for the purposes of this Bond. Representation Made By Assured B. The ASSURED represents that all information it has furnished in the APPLICATION for this Bond or otherwise is complete, true and correct. Such APPLICATION and other information constitute part of this Bond. The ASSURED must promptly notify the COMPANY of any change in any fact or circumstance which materially affects the risk assumed by the COMPANY under this Bond. Any intentional misrepresentation, omission, concealment or incorrect statement of a material fact, in the APPLICATION or otherwise, shall be grounds for recision of this Bond.

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General Agreements (continued) Additional Offices Or Employees - Consolidation, Merger Or Purchase Or Acquisition Of Assets Or Liabilities - Notice To Company C. If the ASSURED, other than an Investment Company, while this Bond is in force, merges or consolidates with, or purchases or acquires assets or liabilities of another institution, the ASSURED shall not have the coverage afforded under this Bond for loss which has: (1) occurred or will occur on premises, or (2) been caused or will be caused by an employee, or (3) arisen or will arise out of the assets or liabilities, of such institution, unless the ASSURED: a. gives the COMPANY written notice of the proposed consolidation, merger or purchase or acquisition of assets or liabilities prior to the proposed effective date of such action, and b. obtains the written consent of the COMPANY to extend some or all of the coverage provided by this Bond to such additional exposure, and c. on obtaining such consent, pays to the COMPANY an additional premium. Change Of Control - Notice To Company D. When the ASSURED learns of a change in control (other than in an Investment Company), as set forth in Section 2(a) (9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the ASSURED shall within sixty (60) days give written notice to the COMPANY setting forth: (1) the names of the transferors and transferees (or the names of the beneficial owners if the voting securities are registered in another name), (2) the total number of voting securities owned by the transferors and the transferees (or the beneficial owners), both immediately before and after the transfer, and (3) the total number of outstanding voting securities. Failure to give the required notice shall result in termination of coverage for any loss involving a transferee, to be effective on the date of such change in control. Court Costs And Attorneys Fees E. The COMPANY will indemnify the ASSURED for court costs and reasonable attorneys fees incurred and paid by the ASSURED in defense, whether or not successful, whether or not fully litigated on the merits and whether or not settled, of any claim, suit or legal proceeding with respect to which the ASSURED would be entitled to recovery under this Bond. However, with respect to INSURING CLAUSE 1., this Section shall only apply in the event that: (1) an Employee admits to being guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement, (2) an Employee is adjudicated to be guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement, or

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General Agreements Court Costs And Attorneys Fees (continued) (3) in the absence of 1 or 2 above, an arbitration panel agrees, after a review of an agreed statement of facts between the COMPANY and the ASSURED, that an Employee would be found guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement if such Employee were prosecuted. The ASSURED shall promptly give notice to the COMPANY of any such suit or legal proceeding and at the request of the COMPANY shall furnish copies of all pleadings and pertinent papers to the COMPANY. The COMPANY may, at its sole option, elect to conduct the defense of all or part of such legal proceeding. The defense by the COMPANY shall be in the name of the ASSURED through attorneys selected by the COMPANY. The ASSURED shall provide all reasonable information and assistance as required by the COMPANY for such defense. If the COMPANY declines to defend the ASSURED, no settlement without the prior written consent of the COMPANY nor judgment against the ASSURED shall determine the existence, extent or amount of coverage under this Bond. If the amount demanded in any such suit or legal proceeding is within the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, if any, the COMPANY shall have no liability for court costs and attorneys fees incurred in defending all or part of such suit or legal proceeding. If the amount demanded in any such suit or legal proceeding is in excess of the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS for the applicable INSURING CLAUSE, the COMPANYS liability for court costs and attorneys fees incurred in defending all or part of such suit or legal proceedings is limited to the proportion of such court costs and attorneys fees incurred that the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS for the applicable INSURING CLAUSE bears to the total of the amount demanded in such suit or legal proceeding. If the amount demanded is any such suit or legal proceeding is in excess of the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, if any, but within the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS for the applicable INSURING CLAUSE, the COMPANYS liability for court costs and attorneys fees incurred in defending all or part of such suit or legal proceedings shall be limited to the proportion of such court costs or attorneys fees that the amount demanded that would be payable under this Bond after application of the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, bears to the total amount demanded. Amounts paid by the COMPANY for court costs and attorneys fees shall be in addition to the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS.

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Conditions and Limitations Definitions 1. As used in this Bond: a. Computer System means a computer and all input, output, processing, storage, off-line media libraries, and communication facilities which are connected to the computer and which are under the control and supervision of the operating system(s) or application(s) software used by the ASSURED. b. Counterfeit means an imitation of an actual valid original which is intended to deceive and be taken as the original. c. Custodian means the institution designated by an Investment Company to maintain possession and control of its assets. d. Customer means an individual, corporate, partnership, trust customer, shareholder or subscriber of an Investment Company which has a written agreement with the ASSURED for Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction. e. Employee means: (1) an officer of the ASSURED, (2) a natural person while in the regular service of the ASSURED at any of the ASSUREDS premises and compensated directly by the ASSURED through its payroll system and subject to the United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-2 or equivalent income reporting plans of other countries, and whom the ASSURED has the right to control and direct both as to the result to be accomplished and details and means by which such result is accomplished in the performance of such service, (3) a guest student pursuing studies or performing duties in any of the ASSUREDS premises, (4) an attorney retained by the ASSURED and an employee of such attorney while either is performing legal services for the ASSURED, (5) a natural person provided by an employment contractor to perform employee duties for the ASSURED under the ASSUREDS supervision at any of the ASSUREDS premises, (6) an employee of an institution merged or consolidated with the ASSURED prior to the effective date of this Bond, (7) a director or trustee of the ASSURED, but only while performing acts within the scope of the customary and usual duties of any officer or other employee of the ASSURED or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to Property of the ASSURED, or

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Conditions and Limitations Definitions (continued) (8) each natural person, partnership or corporation authorized by written agreement with the ASSURED to perform services as electronic data processor of checks or other accounting records related to such checks but only while such person, partnership or corporation is actually performing such services and not: a. creating, preparing, modifying or maintaining the ASSUREDS computer software or programs, or b. acting as transfer agent or in any other agency capacity in issuing checks, drafts or securities for the ASSURED, (9) any partner, officer or employee of an investment advisor, an underwriter (distributor), a transfer agent or shareholder accounting recordkeeper, or an administrator, for an Investment Company while performing acts coming within the scope of the customary and usual duties of an officer or employee of an Investment Company or acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine, audit or have custody of or access to Property of an Investment Company. The term Employee shall not include any partner, officer or employee of a transfer agent, shareholder accounting recordkeeper or administrator: a. which is not an affiliated person (as defined in Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of an Investment Company or of the investment advisor or underwriter (distributor) of such Investment Company, or b. which is a bank (as defined in Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940). This Bond does not afford coverage in favor of the employers of persons as set forth in e. (4), (5) and (8) above, and upon payment to the ASSURED by the COMPANY resulting directly from Larceny or Embezzlement committed by any of the partners, officers or employees of such employers, whether acting alone or in collusion with others, an assignment of such of the ASSUREDS rights and causes of action as it may have against such employers by reason of such acts so committed shall, to the extent of such payment, be given by the ASSURED to the COMPANY, and the ASSURED shall execute all papers necessary to secure to the COMPANY the rights provided for herein. Each employer of persons as set forth in e.(4), (5) and (8) above and the partners, officers and other employees of such employers shall collectively be deemed to be one person for all the purposes of this Bond; excepting, however, the fifth paragraph of Section 13. Independent contractors not specified in e.(4), (5) or (8) above, intermediaries, agents, brokers or other representatives of the same general character shall not be considered Employees.

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Conditions and Limitations Definitions (continued) f. Forgery means the signing of the name of another natural person with the intent to deceive but does not mean a signature which consists in whole or in part of ones own name, with or without authority, in any capacity for any purpose. g. Investment Company means any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and listed under the NAME OF ASSURED on the DECLARATIONS. h. Items of Deposit means one or more checks or drafts drawn upon a financial institution in the United States of America. i. Larceny or Embezzlement means larceny or embezzlement as defined in Section 37 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. j. Property means money, revenue and other stamps; securities; including any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of deposit, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any interest or instruments commonly known as a security under the Investment Company Act of 1940, any other certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing; bills of exchange; acceptances; checks; withdrawal orders; money orders; travelers letters of credit; bills of lading; abstracts of title; insurance policies, deeds, mortgages on real estate and/or upon chattels and interests therein; assignments of such policies, deeds or mortgages; other valuable papers, including books of accounts and other records used by the ASSURED in the conduct of its business (but excluding all electronic data processing records); and, all other instruments similar to or in the nature of the foregoing in which the ASSURED acquired an interest at the time of the ASSUREDS consolidation or merger with, or purchase of the principal assets of, a predecessor or which are held by the ASSURED for any purpose or in any capacity and whether so held gratuitously or not and whether or not the ASSURED is liable therefor. k. Relative means the spouse of an Employee or partner of the ASSURED and any unmarried child supported wholly by, or living in the home of, such Employee or partner and being related to them by blood, marriage or legal guardianship. l. Securities, documents or other written instruments means original (including original counterparts) negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, or assignments thereof, which in and of themselves represent an equitable interest, ownership, or debt and which are in the ordinary course of business transferable by delivery of such instruments with any necessary endorsements or assignments.

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Conditions and Limitations Definitions (continued) m. Subsidiary means any organization that, at the inception date of this Bond, is named in the APPLICATION or is created during the BOND PERIOD and of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding securities or voting rights representing the present right to vote for election of directors is owned or controlled by the ASSURED either directly or through one or more of its subsidiaries. n. Transportation Company means any organization which provides its own or its leased vehicles for transportation or which provides freight forwarding or air express services. o. Voice Initiated Election means any election concerning dividend options available to Investment Company shareholders or subscribers which is requested by voice over the telephone. p. Voice Initiated Redemption means any redemption of shares issued by an Investment Company which is requested by voice over the telephone. q. Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction means any Voice Initiated Redemption or Voice Initiated Election. For the purposes of these definitions, the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular, unless otherwise indicated. General Exclusions - Applicable to All Insuring Clauses 2. This bond does not directly or indirectly cover: a. loss not reported to the COMPANY in writing within sixty (60) days after termination of this Bond as an entirety; b. loss due to riot or civil commotion outside the United States of America and Canada, or any loss due to military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection. This Section 2.b., however, shall not apply to loss which occurs in transit in the circumstances recited in INSURING CLAUSE 3., provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge on the part of any person acting for the ASSURED of such riot, civil commotion, military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection; c. loss resulting from the effects of nuclear fission or fusion or radioactivity; d. loss of potential income including, but not limited to, interest and dividends not realized by the ASSURED or by any customer of the ASSURED; e. damages of any type for which the ASSURED is legally liable, except compensatory damages, but not multiples thereof, arising from a loss covered under this Bond; f. costs, fees and expenses incurred by the ASSURED in establishing the existence of or amount of loss under this Bond, except to the extent covered under INSURING CLAUSE 11.; g. loss resulting from indirect or consequential loss of any nature;

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Conditions and Limitations General Exclusions - Applicable to All Insuring Clauses (continued) h. loss resulting from dishonest acts by any member of the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of the ASSURED who is not an Employee, acting alone or in collusion with others; i. loss, or that part of any loss, resulting solely from any violation by the ASSURED or by any Employee: (1) of any law regulating: a. the issuance, purchase or sale of securities, b. securities transactions on security or commodity exchanges or the over the counter market, c. investment companies, d. investment advisors, or (2) of any rule or regulation made pursuant to any such law; or j. loss of confidential information, material or data; k. loss resulting from voice requests or instructions received over the telephone, provided however, this Section 2.k. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 7. or 9. Specific Exclusions - Applicable To All Insuring Clauses Except Insuring Clause 1. 3. This Bond does not directly or indirectly cover: a. loss caused by an Employee, provided, however, this Section 3.a. shall not apply to loss covered under INSURING CLAUSE 2. or 3. which results directly from misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, or damage or destruction of Property; b. loss through the surrender of property away from premises of the ASSURED as a result of a threat: (1) to do bodily harm to any natural person, except loss of Property in transit in the custody of any person acting as messenger of the ASSURED, provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge by the ASSURED of any such threat, and provided further that this Section 3.b. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 7., or (2) to do damage to the premises or Property of the ASSURED; c. loss resulting from payments made or withdrawals from any account involving erroneous credits to such account; d. loss involving Items of Deposit which are not finally paid for any reason provided however, that this Section 3.d. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 10.; e. loss of property while in the mail;

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Conditions and Limitations Specific Exclusions - Applicable To All Insuring Clauses Except Insuring Clause 1. (continued) f. loss resulting from the failure for any reason of a financial or depository institution, its receiver or other liquidator to pay or deliver funds or other Property to the ASSURED provided further that this Section 3.f. shall not apply to loss of Property resulting directly from robbery, burglary, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage, destruction or removal from the possession, custody or control of the ASSURED. g. loss of Property while in the custody of a Transportation Company, provided however, that this Section 3.g. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 3.; h. loss resulting from entries or changes made by a natural person with authorized access to a Computer System who acts in good faith on instructions, unless such instructions are given to that person by a software contractor or its partner, officer, or employee authorized by the ASSURED to design, develop, prepare, supply, service, write or implement programs for the ASSUREDs Computer System; or i. loss resulting directly or indirectly from the input of data into a Computer System terminal, either on the premises of the customer of the ASSURED or under the control of such a customer, by a customer or other person who had authorized access to the customers authentication mechanism. Specific Exclusions - Applicable To All Insuring Clauses Except Insuring Clauses 1., 4., And 5. 4. This bond does not directly or indirectly cover: a. loss resulting from the complete or partial non-payment of or default on any loan whether such loan was procured in good faith or through trick, artifice, fraud or false pretenses; provided, however, this Section 4.a. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 8.; b. loss resulting from forgery or any alteration; c. loss involving a counterfeit provided, however, this Section 4.c. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 5. or 6. Limit Of Liability/Non- Reduction And Non- Accumulation Of Liability 5. At all times prior to termination of this Bond, this Bond shall continue in force for the limit stated in the applicable sections of ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS, notwithstanding any previous loss for which the COMPANY may have paid or be liable to pay under this Bond provided, however, that the liability of the COMPANY under this Bond with respect to all loss resulting from: a. any one act of burglary, robbery or hold-up, or attempt thereat, in which no Employee is concerned or implicated, or b. any one unintentional or negligent act on the part of any one person resulting in damage to or destruction or misplacement of Property, or c. all acts, other than those specified in a. above, of any one person, or

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Conditions and Limitations Limit Of Liability/Non- Reduction And Non- Accumulation Of Liability (continued) d. any one casualty or event other than those specified in a., b., or c. above, shall be deemed to be one loss and shall be limited to the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS of this Bond irrespective of the total amount of such loss or losses and shall not be cumulative in amounts from year to year or from period to period. All acts, as specified in c. above, of any one person which i. directly or indirectly aid in any way wrongful acts of any other person or persons, or ii. permit the continuation of wrongful acts of any other person or persons whether such acts are committed with or without the knowledge of the wrongful acts of the person so aided, and whether such acts are committed with or without the intent to aid such other person, shall be deemed to be one loss with the wrongful acts of all persons so aided. Discovery 6. This Bond applies only to loss first discovered by an officer of the ASSURED during the BOND PERIOD. Discovery occurs at the earlier of an officer of the ASSURED being aware of: a. facts which may subsequently result in a loss of a type covered by this Bond, or b. an actual or potential claim in which it is alleged that the ASSURED is liable to a third party, regardless of when the act or acts causing or contributing to such loss occurred, even though the amount of loss does not exceed the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, or the exact amount or details of loss may not then be known. Notice To Company - Proof - Legal Proceedings Against Company 7. a. The ASSURED shall give the COMPANY notice thereof at the earliest practicable moment, not to exceed sixty (60) days after discovery of loss, in an amount that is in excess of 50% of the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, as stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS. b. The ASSURED shall furnish to the COMPANY proof of loss, duly sworn to, with full particulars within six (6) months after such discovery. c. Securities listed in a proof of loss shall be identified by certificate or bond numbers, if issued with them. d. Legal proceedings for the recovery of any loss under this Bond shall not be brought prior to the expiration of sixty (60) days after the proof of loss is filed with the COMPANY or after the expiration of twenty-four (24) months from the discovery of such loss. e. This Bond affords coverage only in favor of the ASSURED. No claim, suit, action or legal proceedings shall be brought under this Bond by anyone other than the ASSURED.

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Conditions and Limitations Notice To Company - Proof - Legal Proceedings Against Company (continued) f. Proof of loss involving Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction shall include electronic recordings of such instructions. Deductible Amount 8. The COMPANY shall not be liable under any INSURING CLAUSES of this Bond on account of loss unless the amount of such loss, after deducting the net amount of all reimbursement and/or recovery obtained or made by the ASSURED, other than from any Bond or policy of insurance issued by an insurance company and covering such loss, or by the COMPANY on account thereof prior to payment by the COMPANY of such loss, shall exceed the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT set forth in ITEM 3. of the DECLARATIONS, and then for such excess only, but in no event for more than the applicable LIMITS OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS. There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss under INSURING CLAUSE 1. sustained by any Investment Company. Valuation 9. BOOKS OF ACCOUNT OR OTHER RECORDS The value of any loss of Property consisting of books of account or other records used by the ASSURED in the conduct of its business shall be the amount paid by the ASSURED for blank books, blank pages, or other materials which replace the lost books of account or other records, plus the cost of labor paid by the ASSURED for the actual transcription or copying of data to reproduce such books of account or other records. The value of any loss of Property other than books of account or other records used by the ASSURED in the conduct of its business, for which a claim is made shall be determined by the average market value of such Property on the business day immediately preceding discovery of such loss provided, however, that the value of any Property replaced by the ASSURED with the consent of the COMPANY and prior to the settlement of any claim for such Property shall be the actual market value at the time of replacement. In the case of a loss of interim certificates, warrants, rights or other securities, the production of which is necessary to the exercise of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges, the value of them shall be the market value of such privileges immediately preceding their expiration if said loss is not discovered until after their expiration. If no market price is quoted for such Property or for such privileges, the value shall be fixed by agreement between the parties. OTHER PROPERTY The value of any loss of Property, other than as stated above, shall be the actual cash value or the cost of repairing or replacing such Property with Property of like quality and value, whichever is less.

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Conditions and Limitations (continued) Securities Settlement 10. In the event of a loss of securities covered under this Bond, the COMPANY may, at its sole discretion, purchase replacement securities, tender the value of the securities in money, or issue its indemnity to effect replacement securities. The indemnity required from the ASSURED under the terms of this Section against all loss, cost or expense arising from the replacement of securities by the COMPANYS indemnity shall be: a. for securities having a value less than or equal to the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT - one hundred (100%) percent; b. for securities having a value in excess of the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT but within the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY - the percentage that the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT bears to the value of the securities; c. for securities having a value greater than the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY - the percentage that the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT and portion in excess of the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY bears to the value of the securities. The value referred to in Section 10.a., b., and c. is the value in accordance with Section 9, Valuation, regardless of the value of such securities at the time the loss under the COMPANYS indemnity is sustained. The COMPANY is not required to issue its indemnity for any portion of a loss of securities which is not covered by this Bond; however, the COMPANY may do so as a courtesy to the ASSURED and at its sole discretion. The ASSURED shall pay the proportion of the Companys premium charge for the Companys indemnity as set forth in Section 10.a., b., and c. No portion of the LIMIT OF LIABILITY shall be used as payment of premium for any indemnity purchased by the ASSURED to obtain replacement securities. Subrogation - Assignment  Recovery 11. In the event of a payment under this Bond, the COMPANY shall be subrogated to all of the ASSUREDS rights of recovery against any person or entity to the extent of such payment. On request, the ASSURED shall deliver to the COMPANY an assignment of the ASSUREDS rights, title and interest and causes of action against any person or entity to the extent of such payment. Recoveries, whether effected by the COMPANY or by the ASSURED, shall be applied net of the expense of such recovery in the following order: a. first, to the satisfaction of the ASSUREDS loss which would otherwise have been paid but for the fact that it is in excess of the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY, b. second, to the COMPANY in satisfaction of amounts paid in settlement of the ASSUREDS claim, c. third, to the ASSURED in satisfaction of the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, and

ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 16 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Subrogation - Assignment  Recovery (continued) d. fourth, to the ASSURED in satisfaction of any loss suffered by the ASSURED which was not covered under this Bond. Recovery from reinsurance or indemnity of the COMPANY shall not be deemed a recovery under this section. Cooperation Of Assured 12. At the COMPANYS request and at reasonable times and places designated by the COMPANY, the ASSURED shall: a. submit to examination by the COMPANY and subscribe to the same under oath, b. produce for the COMPANYS examination all pertinent records, and c. cooperate with the COMPANY in all matters pertaining to the loss. The ASSURED shall execute all papers and render assistance to secure to the COMPANY the rights and causes of action provided for under this Bond. The ASSURED shall do nothing after loss to prejudice such rights or causes of action. Termination 13. If the Bond is for a sole ASSURED, it shall not be terminated unless written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination. If the Bond is for a joint ASSURED, it shall not be terminated unless written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party, and by the COMPANY to all ASSURED Investment Companies and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination. This Bond will terminate as to any one ASSURED, other than an Investment Company: a. immediately on the taking over of such ASSURED by a receiver or other liquidator or by State or Federal officials, or b. immediately on the filing of a petition under any State or Federal statute relative to bankruptcy or reorganization of the ASSURED, or assignment for the benefit of creditors of the ASSURED, or c. immediately upon such ASSURED ceasing to exist, whether through merger into another entity, disposition of all of its assets or otherwise. The COMPANY shall refund the unearned premium computed at short rates in accordance with the standard short rate cancellation tables if terminated by the ASSURED or pro rata if terminated for any other reason.

ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 17 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Termination (continued) If any partner, director, trustee, or officer or supervisory employee of an ASSURED not acting in collusion with an Employee learns of any dishonest act committed by such Employee at any time, whether in the employment of the ASSURED or otherwise, whether or not such act is of the type covered under this Bond, and whether against the ASSURED or any other person or entity, the ASSURED: a. shall immediately remove such Employee from a position that would enable such Employee to cause the ASSURED to suffer a loss covered by this Bond; and b. within forty-eight (48) hours of learning that an Employee has committed any dishonest act, shall notify the COMPANY, of such action and provide full particulars of such dishonest act. The COMPANY may terminate coverage as respects any Employee sixty (60) days after written notice is received by each ASSURED Investment Company and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. of its desire to terminate this Bond as to such Employee. Other Insurance 14. Coverage under this Bond shall apply only as excess over any valid and collectible insurance, indemnity or suretyship obtained by or on behalf of: a. the ASSURED, b. a Transportation Company, or c. another entity on whose premises the loss occurred or which employed the person causing the loss or engaged the messenger conveying the Property involved. Conformity 15. If any limitation within this Bond is prohibited by any law controlling this Bonds construction, such limitation shall be deemed to be amended so as to equal the minimum period of limitation provided by such law. Change or Modification 16. This Bond or any instrument amending or affecting this Bond may not be changed or modified orally. No change in or modification of this Bond shall be effective except when made by written endorsement to this Bond signed by an authorized representative of the COMPANY. If this Bond is for a sole ASSURED, no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the ASSURED shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., by the acting party.

ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 18 of 19

Conditions And Limitations Change or Modification (continued) If this Bond is for a joint ASSURED, no charge or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the ASSURED shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished to all insured Investment Companies and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., by the COMPANY.

ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 19 of 19

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER

Effective date of this endorsement/rider: December 19, 2022 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 1 To be attached to and form a part of Policy No. 82598880

Issued to: GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND

COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE TRADE SANCTION LAWS

It is agreed that this insurance does not apply to the extent that trade or economic sanctions or other similar laws or regulations prohibit the coverage provided by this insurance.

The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage.

All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Policy shall remain unchanged.

Authorized Representative

14-02-9228 (2/2010) Page 1

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER

Effective date of this endorsement/rider: December 19, 2022 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 2 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82598880

Issued to: GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND

DELETING VALUATION-OTHER PROPERTY AND AMENDING CHANGE OR MODIFICATION ENDORSEMENT

In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that this Bond is amended as follows:

1. The paragraph titled Other Property in Section 9, Valuation, is deleted in its entirety.

2. The third paragraph in Section 16, Change or Modification, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

If this Bond is for a joint ASSURED, no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the ASSURED shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished to all insured Investment Companies and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., by the COMPANY.

The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage.

All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged.

Authorized Representative

17-02-2437 (12/2006) rev. Page 1

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER

Effective date of this endorsement/rider: December 19, 2022 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 3 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82598880

Issued to: GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND

AUTOMATIC INCREASE IN LIMITS ENDORSEMENT

In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that GENERAL AGREEMENTS, Section C. Additional Offices Or Employees-Consolidation, Merger Or Purchase Or Acquisition Of Assets Or Liabilities-Notice To Company, is amended by adding the following subsection:

Automatic Increase in Limits for Investment Companies

If an increase in bonding limits is required pursuant to rule 17g-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act), due to:

(i) the creation of a new Investment Company, other than by consolidation or merger with, or purchase or acquisition of assets or liabilities of, another institution; or

(ii) an increase in asset size of current Investment Companies covered under this Bond,

then the minimum required increase in limits shall take place automatically without payment of additional premium for the remainder of the BOND PERIOD.

The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage.

All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged.

Authorized Representative

14-02-14098 (04/2008) Page 1

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement No.: 4 Bond Number: 82598880

NAME OF ASSURED: GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND

NEW YORK AMENDATORY ENDORSEMENT

It is agreed that this Bond is amended as follows:

1. By adding to Section 13, Termination, the following:

Bonds In Effect Sixty (60) Days Or Less

If this Bond has been in effect for less than sixty (60) days and if it is not a renewal Bond, the COMPANY may terminate it for any reason by mailing or delivering to the ASSURED and to the authorized agent or broker, if any, written notice of termination at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination.

Bonds In Effect More Than Sixty (60) Days

If this Bond has been in effect for sixty (60) days or more, or if it is a renewal of a Bond issued by the COMPANY, it may be terminated by the COMPANY by mailing or delivering to the ASSURED and to the authorized agent or broker, if any, written notice of termination at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination. Furthermore, when the Bond is a renewal or has been in effect for sixty (60) days or more, the COMPANY may terminate only for one or more of the reasons stated in 1-7 below.

1. Nonpayment of premium;

2. Conviction of a crime arising out of acts increasing the hazard insured against;

3. Discovery of fraud or material misrepresentation in the obtaining of this Bond or in the presentation of a claim thereunder;

4. Violation of any provision of this Bond that substantially and materially increases the hazard insured against, and which occurred subsequent to inception of the current BOND PERIOD;

5. If applicable, material physical change in the property insured, occurring after issuance or last annual renewal anniversary date of this Bond, which results in the property becoming uninsurable in accordance with the COMPANYs objective, uniformly applied underwriting standards in effect at the time this Bond was issued or last renewed; or material change in the nature or extent of this Bond occurring after issuance or last annual renewal anniversary date of this Bond, which causes the risk of loss to be substantially and materially increased beyond that contemplated at the time this Bond was issued or last renewed;

ICAP Bond - New York Form 17-02-2863 (Rev. 7-03) Page 1

6. A determination by the Superintendent of Insurance that continuation of the present premium volume of the COMPANY would jeopardize the COMPANYs policyholders, creditors or the public, or continuing the Bond itself would place the COMPANY in violation of any provision of the New York Insurance Code; or

7. Where the COMPANY has reason to believe, in good faith and with sufficient cause, that there is a probable risk or danger that the Property will be destroyed by the ASSURED for the purpose of collecting the insurance proceeds.

Notice Of Termination

Notice of termination under this SECTION shall be mailed to the ASSURED and to the authorized agent or broker, if any, at the address shown on the DECLARATIONS of this Bond. The COMPANY, however, may deliver any notice instead of mailing it.

Return Premium Calculations

The COMPANY shall refund the unearned premium computed pro rata if this Bond is terminated by the COMPANY.

2. By adding a new Section reading as follows:

Section 17. Election To Conditionally Renew / Nonrenew This Bond

Conditional Renewal

If the COMPANY conditionally renews this Bond subject to:

1. Change of limits of liability;

2. Change in type of coverage;

3. Reduction of coverage;

4. Increased deductible;

5. Addition of exclusion; or

6. Increased premiums in excess of 10%, exclusive of any premium increase due to and commensurate with insured value added; or as a result of experience rating, retrospective rating or audit; the COMPANY shall send notice as provided in Notices Of Nonrenewal And Conditional Renewal immediately below.

Notices Of Nonrenewal And Conditional Renewal

1. If the COMPANY elects not to renew this Bond, or to conditionally renew this Bond as provided herein, the COMPANY shall mail or deliver written notice to the ASSURED at least sixty (60) but not more than one hundred twenty (120) days before:

a. The expiration date; or

b. The anniversary date if this Bond has been written for a term of more than one year.

ICAP Bond - New York Form 17-02-2863 (Rev. 7-03) Page 2

2. Notice shall be mailed or delivered to the ASSURED at the address shown on the DECLARATIONS of this Bond and the authorized agent or broker, if any. If notice is mailed, proof of mailing shall be sufficient proof of notice.

3. Paragraphs 1. and 2. immediately above shall not apply when the ASSURED, authorized agent or broker, or another insurer has mailed or delivered written notice to the COMPANY that the Bond has been replaced or is no longer desired.

3. By adding to General Agreement B., Representations Made By Assured, the following:

No misrepresentation shall be deemed material unless knowledge by the COMPANY would have lead to the COMPANYS refusal to write this Bond.

This Endorsement applies to loss discovered after 12:01 a.m. on December 19, 2022.

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS BOND REMAIN UNCHANGED.

Date: January 18, 2023 By Authorized Representative

ICAP Bond - New York Form 17-02-2863 (Rev. 7-03) Page 3

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER

Effective date of this endorsement/rider: December 19, 2022 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 5 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82598880

Issued to: GOLDMAN SACHS REAL ESTATE DIVERSIFIED FUND

NEW YORK AMENDATORY ENDORSEMENT

In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that:

1. Any reference in the policy to the Superintendent of Insurance is hereby deleted and replaced with the Superintendent of Financial Services.

2. Any reference in the policy to the Insurance Department is hereby deleted and replaced with the Department of Financial Services.

The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage.

All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged.

Authorized Representative

14-02-19952 (05/2013) Page 1

Important Notice:

The SEC Requires Proof of Your Fidelity Insurance Policy

Your company is now required to file an electronic copy of your fidelity insurance coverage (Chubbs ICAP Bond policy) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to rules adopted by the SEC on June 12, 2006.

Chubb is in the process of providing your agent/broker with an electronic copy of your insurance policy as well as instructions on how to submit this proof of fidelity insurance coverage to the SEC. You can expect to receive this information from your agent/broker shortly.

The electronic copy of your policy is provided by Chubb solely as a convenience and does not affect the terms and conditions of coverage as set forth in the paper policy you receive by mail. The terms and conditions of the policy mailed to you, which are the same as those set forth in the electronic copy, constitute the entire agreement between your company and Chubb.

If you have any questions, please contact your agent or broker.

Form 14-02-12160 (ed. 7/2006)

Chubb Producer Compensation

Practices & Policies

Chubb believes that policyholders should have access to information about Chubbs practices and policies related to the payment of compensation to brokers and independent agents. You can obtain that information by accessing our website at http://www.chubbproducercompensation.com or by calling the following toll-free telephone number:

1-866-512-2862.
STUTTGART, Germany  Army units are gearing up for a potential deployment to Europe, where they are expected to be tasked with deterring Russian aggression in the Black Sea region.

Elements from the 101st Airborne Divisions 1st Brigade Combat Team and the 10th Mountain Division headquarters are preparing for the mission, the Army said in a statement Saturday.

Preparation for this potential deployment provides flexibility to reassess conditions and respond to a dynamic security environment, the Army statement said.

The Army said the move doesnt change force levels, but rather aims to ensure forces are positioned to provide a robust deterrent and defensive posture alongside our Allies across the European continent.

The Army statement did not specify where the units are going, but a military official told Stars and Stripes the soldiers are expected to backfill a 101st Airborne Division headquarters and a subordinate brigade deployed to Romania since the summer. However, the military could adjust where those forces go based on security conditions in the coming weeks and months.

The 101st units were ordered to Romania in June and operate mostly out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, which serves as a hub for the Army in the Black Sea region.

During their time in Romania and other locations around Europe, 101st soldiers have been tasked with monitoring events in Ukraine for potential spillover into allied countries, while incorporating lessons from the war into how American ground forces train.

The United States will continue to adjust its posture as needed in response to the dynamic security environment, the Army said in its statement.
Whats the matter with Germany? Ukraine and many of Berlins European neighbors would like to know. Germanys foot-dragging on aid to Ukraine is threatening to solidify its reputation as a country that benefits greatly from the current global order but wont do much to defend it.

The real story, though, is more complicated. Yes, the world needs a more assertive Germany. But the changes in German foreign policy over the past year have been historic, even if they still seem insufficient relative to the challenges of our time.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine in February 2022, he set off shock waves in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz immediately declared the invasion a zeitenwende  a historical turning point. He promised that Germany would finally meet NATOs target of spending 2% of GDP on defense; it would break its own prohibition on sending arms to conflict zones by delivering weapons to Ukraine. To the surprise of U.S. officials, Scholz even halted the controversial Nord Stream II pipeline connecting Russia to Germany.

Since then, however, Germanys conduct has often seemed more evolutionary than revolutionary. Scholz has delayed Germanys arrival at the 2% threshold. For fear of provoking escalation, Berlin has often been a brake on major arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The latest controversy involves tanks. Poland and other countries want to send their German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. That requires Berlins permission, even though the Poles suggested last week they may not wait for German assent.

Amid discontent from some of his own ministers, Scholz has averred that Germany will send tanks only as part of a larger coalition involving the U.S. We always act together with our allies and friends  we never go alone, Scholz told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait last week.

The annoyance is palpable in Kyiv, Warsaw and other Eastern European capitals that worry less about provoking Putin than about defeating him. Add in that Scholz beat a path to Beijing as soon as Chinese President Xi Jinping began accepting post-COVID visitors in November, and questions abound about whether Germany, the worlds fourth-largest economy, is serious about meeting the threats to a global order that has served it so well.

Those questions arent new. Prior to the Ukraine invasion, NATOs East European members had long complained that Germanys pursuit of deep economic and energy ties with Moscow put their own security at risk. Former U.S. President Donald Trump gleefully accused Berlin of being a strategic deadbeat that refused to pay its share for collective defense. Skeptics charged that Germanys policy of change through trade  promoting economic integration with autocratic challengers in hopes of mellowing them diplomatically  was really just naivete or greed.

None of these critiques are groundless. Still, its a mistake to make Germany the villain in a geopolitical morality play. For all its shortcomings, Germanys Ukraine policy has been remarkable: Who, a year ago, would have predicted that Germany would respond to the invasion by decisively slashing its dependence on Russian energy? That it would send, however ambivalently, howitzers, air defenses and armored vehicles to Kyiv?

Taking the longer view, one can criticize Germany for being naive about Putins Russia and becoming economically handcuffed to a nasty autocracy. Then again, the U.S.  and many of Europes largest democracies  are guilty of similar mistakes.

Above all, its worth remembering that the characteristics that critics of German foreign policy find so frustrating are the same characteristics that helped transform a once-bellicose country into the peaceful, liberal state we know today. There was a time when the German problem didnt refer to a hesitant, quasi-pacifist country that spent too little on defense. It referred to a country that was the terror of Europe because it repeatedly sought to seize geopolitical primacy by force.

After World War II, a divided Germany (the half of that was under American supervision, anyway) took on the traits its diplomacy still bears. It effectively renounced a fully independent foreign policy, embedding its power within European and North Atlantic institutions and tethering itself closely to the U.S. It emphasized diplomacy and economic prosperity, even as it contributed substantially to NATOs defense.

That earlier zeitenwende helped produce an unprecedented period of European peace. So Berlin doubled down on the same policies in the post-Cold War era, in part to reassure its neighbors that a reunified Germany wouldnt again became Europes scourge. Todays Germany may not be the best Germany possible, but its far from the worst.

A fairer critique is that Germany has been slow to recognize that what the world and the West need from it today is very different from what was needed a generation ago. As the U.S.-led order comes under assault from multiple angles, all the advanced democracies, especially those as prosperous as Germany, will have to invest more in its defense.

The good news is that Berlins foreign policy is headed, albeit fitfully and belatedly, in the right direction. The bad news is that Ukraine may not have the luxury of waiting for a zeitenwende to play out at a leisurely pace.

Hal Brands is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. The Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies, he is co-author of Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China and a member of the State Departments Foreign Affairs Policy Board. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  Two Pentagon officials will visit several U.S. bases in Japan next week to address ongoing concerns over a lack of health care for Defense Department civilian employees and their families.

Gilbert Cisneros Jr., undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, and Seileen Mullen, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, will host town hall meetings at Yokota Air Base on Monday and at Yokosuka Naval Base and Camp Zama the following day, Jan. 31.

Additional town halls are scheduled for Kadena Air Base on Feb. 1 and Camp Foster on Feb. 2.

News of two officials visit follows months of confusion and concern as DOD civilian employees scrambled to understand changes imposed by the Defense Health Agency that abruptly limited on-base health care options for anyone other than those covered by the militarys Tricare Prime medical plan.

Attendees can expect the conversation to focus on civilian health care, Naval Forces Japan spokeswoman Katie Cerezo said by phone Monday.

We know this is a very important topic thats of great interest to our families on installation, she said. We want to have an opportunity to get their concerns addressed and to hear from those that are knowledgeable about it.

The individual branches of the armed forces shifted from their own independent medical commands to the single DHA command in February. By September, DOD civilians at Yokosuka reported that making appointments at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka had become nearly impossible. In the weeks that followed, civilians at Yokota and other installations made similar complaints.

The director of DHA Region Indo-Pacific, Maj. Gen. Joseph Heck, told Stars and Stripes in October that DHA is legally obligated to prioritize active-duty patients. DOD civilians and those without Tricare coverage may be seen on a space-available basis only.

Those civilians should have a plan in place to find medical care off base if military hospitals are lacking space, he said.

Space-available appointments were further limited by a Dec. 9 Indo-Pacific DHA memo stating that, starting with the new year, only episodic, non-recurring and acute health conditions could be treated on a same-day basis.

Grassroots organizations, such as the Japan Civilian Medical Advocacy, responded to the situation by providing an outlet for advice, attending town hall meetings and lobbying Congress to preserve DOD civilians access to health care and to protect them from denials by off-base providers.

A petition begun by the advocacy group had 2,353 signatures as of Monday.

The town hall at Yokota, a key airlift hub in western Tokyo, is scheduled for 4-5 p.m. in the base theater, Tech Sgt. Chris Hubenthal told Stars and Stripes by email Monday. Questions can be emailed ahead of time at 374AW.PA.CommandersActionLine@us.af.mil until noon Wednesday.

The town hall at Yokosuka, homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet, is scheduled for noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Fleet Theater, base spokesman Randall Baucom told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. Questions can be submitted until 4 p.m. Tuesday to yokosukareport@gmail.com.

Camp Zamas town hall is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. at the bases Community Club Ballroom, the base announced Monday via Facebook. Heck is listed as a speaker for Zamas town hall. It was unclear Tuesday if the director will attend the other meetings.

Kadenas town hall is scheduled from 4-5 p.m. on Feb. 1, although the events location was not immediately available, Marine Corps Installation Pacific spokesman Maj. Zach Leuthardt told Stars and Stripes by email Tuesday. Fosters town hall is scheduled to begin at 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Foster Theater.
ZUOYING NAVAL BASE, Taiwan  The largest ship in the Taiwanese navy will make China think twice, despite its overwhelming sea power, about invading the island, according to security experts.

On Jan. 12, journalists were given a tour of the Yushan, a domestically built, 502-foot-long, 10,500-ton landing platform dock that was launched in April 2021 as the first of a planned fleet of four such vessels.

Built for amphibious warfare, the ships are capable of carrying and delivering a landing force by air or sea. The USS Green Bay, homeported at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan, is such a vessel in the U.S. Navy.

Sailors showed off the Yushans features, such as the below-deck bay where AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles and Humvees can park. An S-70C Thunderhawk helicopter displaying Taiwans national flag landed and took off from the deck before two landing craft, loaded with reporters, launched from a well deck and chugged to a nearby beach.

Standing on the Yushans deck, Lt. Cmdr. Yen Tui-chi a tactical officer on the warship, touted the vessels capabilities, including anti-air missile defense and a reduced radar cross section.

We represent an achievement of our national defense industry, he said.

In peacetime, the Yushan can serve as a floating hospital and deliver emergency relief supplies, Yen said.

In wartime we will, if necessary, deploy to offshore islands and transport goods and military personnel, he said.

The Taiwan-administered Kinmen Islands, for example, are only 2 miles from the Chinese mainland. Nationalist troops held off several attacks by communists on the islands during the 1940s and 50s.

[The Yushan] may be used to retake peripheral Taiwanese islands that [China] may seek to occupy as a de facto territorial claim instead of or prior to an invasion of the Taiwanese mainland, Paul Buchanan, a New Zealand-based American security expert, said in an email Friday.

However, the Yushan is vulnerable to Chinese air and naval missiles, he said.

China, with more than 340 warships, has the worlds largest navy, according to the Pentagon's 2022 China Military Power Report.

The Yushan likely wouldnt last long in a war with the Chinese, according to retired U.S. Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo.

But that's not the point, he said in a Jan. 14 email. A good chunk of the US Navy and Air Force wouldn't last long in an all-out fight with the Chinese either. You do a lot of things in peacetime that you wouldn't do, or couldn't do, in wartime.

Amphibious ships can help Taiwan master joint operations and could train with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps or even Japans amphibious forces, Newsham said.

Such vessels could assist in humanitarian and disaster-relief operations overseas, something that is important politically for Taiwan, he said.

Marines, which the Yushan would carry along with landing craft to move them ashore, are essential to Taiwans defense, Newsham said.

Tough, well-trained, mobile troops - armed with long-range precision weapons (and any other weapons) are the last thing [the Chinese] want to deal with, he said. You can't find them, you have a hard time killing (them), and they are coming at you from all directions. Taiwan needs more of them, and properly employed. And consider the effect on civilian morale to know you've got these kinds of troops in your military.

U.S. Marine training for local forces on the island, confirmed by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in October 2021 on CNN, isnt at the scale needed to really have an effect, Newsham said.

The most useful thing the U.S. can do is train Taiwanese forces to defend the sea and air around their island using missiles, drones and mobile launchers, former Navy Capt. Jan van Tol said in an email Saturday.

Taiwans marines might play a role similar to that of U.S. Marine littoral regiments designed for sea denial, said Van Tol, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a nonprofit defense-policy think tank in Washington, D.C.

The country should adopt a porcupine approach that would feature large numbers of shorter-range precision rockets, artillery, mortars and missiles, he said.

Such systems would have far lower unit costs (than warships), but there would have to be many more of them, dispersed down to lower echelons of command, as the conceptual equivalent of mobile minefields to greatly increase geographic or sea areas where [Chinese] forces would need to honor the potential threats and expend greater resources to counter them, he said.
Riyadh-based TAM, a Saudi management consulting and digital solutions firm, will come out with an initial public offering (IPO) and list 585,600 of its shares, accounting for 16% of share capital, as it expands its presence.

The Saudi Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved TAMs application to list on the Tadawul Saudi Stock Exchanges Nomu-Parallel Market. A prospectus for the initial public offering (IPO) will be published within sufficient time prior to the start of share sale.

TAMs CEO and founder, Abdullah A Youssef said: We are seeing growth double annually as the Vision 2030 reforms expand, and partnerships with government entities increase. We proudly welcome and appreciate the Capital Markets Authoritys approval of our application and we look forward to progressing this IPO in the months ahead.

Deepening capital markets

TAMs plans for an IPO underscores its ambitions and are a testament to the expansion of the private sector in the Saudi economy spurred on by government-led policies. Saudi Arabia has undergone significant structural changes that have enabled the private sector to support the governments diversification plans and deepen the kingdoms capital markets.

Recently marking its 10th year of operations in the kingdom, the company underwent a rapid phase of growth after increasing year-on-year revenue by more than twofold for the past three years. TAM announced in December the appointment of Careem co-founder, Dr Abdulla Elyas, to its board of directors as part of its expansion push.

Supporting delivery of the Vision 2030 reforms for its public sector clients, the consulting company has assisted the kingdom's government entities in wider strategic development, policy innovation, public engagement, and digital solutions. TAM has participated in more than 100 Saudi government policies and initiatives, trained 10,000 Saudi nationals and managed SR100 million ($26.62 million) in government grants.-- TradeArabia News Service
STUTTGART, Germany  A former Patch Elementary School teacher was convicted by a federal jury in Georgia of sexually abusing four of his former students in Germany, according to the Justice Department.

Stefan Zappey, 56, was convicted Wednesday of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and four counts of abusive sexual contact, the DOJ said in a statement Thursday. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing in May.

Zappey taught first through third grades at Patch and was employed by Department of Defense Education Activity in Europe between 2001 and 2021, the Justice Department said. He also was DODEA teacher of the year in the Bavaria district in 2007.

Army criminal investigators launched a probe into Zappey in 2020 after a former Patch student came forward with allegations against the teacher, whom she accused of touching her under her clothing more than 10 years earlier.

The victim, who was 8 years old at the time, said she did not report the abuse when it occurred because she didnt know it was wrong, court papers said.

The victim, a third grader then, said Zappey called her to his desk during class and repeatedly fondled her, court records stated.

That launched a wider investigation, which uncovered additional victims who gave similar accounts of abuse. Staff members also expressed alarm over Zappey, but it was unclear from court records whether they ever raised their concerns with school leaders.

One faculty member said Zappey would train students to become really touchy feely, court documents stated.

Investigators interviewed four of Zappeys former students, who reported that he had placed his hand inside their underwear and touched their genitals, the Justice Department statement said.

Other students and faculty members of Patch Elementary reported that Zappey frequently hugged students, had them sit on his lap, and touched their backs and stomachs under their clothes, the Justice Department said.

The victims were between 6 and 8 years old, according to the statement.

Zappey was arrested in August 2021 while on vacation in the United States. DODEA at the time said that he was removed from the classroom in March 2020 at the start of the Armys investigation into misconduct.
WASHINGTON  Russias military is moving to fortify its position in the Donbas region of Ukraine by sending tens of thousands of replacement troops into the fighting after months of losses in the eastern region of the country, a U.S. military official said Monday.

Russian forces took control of the city of Bakhmut almost a year ago after Moscow opened a phase of the war that focused on territories in the Donbas, the far eastern corner of Ukraine comprised of the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.

Recent successes by Ukrainian fighters in the Bakhmut area have prompted Moscow to send in reinforcements, said the senior U.S. military official who spoke on condition of anonymity. U.S. and Ukrainian officials have said Ukrainian troops are presently in control of Bakhmut, though Moscow claimed this week that its forces have taken control of a nearby salt-mining town, Soledar.

Ukraine forces continue to successfully hold and defend Bakhmut, the U.S. military official said, adding the new Russian troops are being rushed to the battlefield ill trained and ill equipped.

The fighting in Bakhmut has been intense for months and has changed hands since Moscow announced last April that it was opening a new phase of the war to concentrate on key areas of the Donbas such as Mariupol, Severodonetsk and Kreminna.

The U.S. military official said most of the front lines remain largely static, except for Russian moves in Bakhmut and some incremental gains by Ukrainian forces in Russian-occupied Kreminna, which is about 115 miles southeast of Kharkiv.

The Russian replacement troops are being sent to Ukraine just days after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, traveled to Germany to attend a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group  a collection of military officials from dozens of countries who meet to discuss Ukraines battlefield needs.

Austin said several countries stepped up with new contributions at the meeting, including Britain, France, Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. The contributions include munitions, armor, air-defense equipment and tanks.

Ukraine recently has been requesting heavy-duty battle tanks to expel Russian forces from key areas. Britain has agreed to send its Challenger 2 tank and the U.S. has been providing Russian-made T-72 tanks, but some experts and Ukrainian officials have said more capable tanks, such as Germanys Leopard 2 and the U.S. M1 Abrams, are needed.

Last week, Germany said it would send Leopards if the U.S. agreed to send the Abrams. Pentagon officials have said, however, the M1 Abrams, which has been in service for almost 45 years, is not suitable for Ukraines needs, at least right now.

The senior military official acknowledged the M1 Abrams is an extremely capable weapon, but emphasized it can be costly to operate and it requires a lot of maintenance and logistics support.

While Germany has yet to agree to send the Leopards, other countries that own the tanks have said they might do so. About 2,000 Leopards are operated by NATO countries. Poland, which borders Ukraine to the west, has said it might send some Leopard 2s across the border. On Sunday, Germanys foreign minister said if that happens, the German government wouldnt stand in the way.

The United States hasnt publicly ruled out sending the M1 Abrams and has already sent other key military vehicles, including hundreds of Humvees, Stryker armored personnel carriers, T-72 tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

The U.S. senior military official said the Bradleys have not yet arrived in Ukraine and the first Strykers were announced last week as part of the latest U.S. military aid package worth $2.5 billion.

The M1 Abrams entered service in 1980 and differs in several ways from other battle tanks. For example, it runs on jet fuel most of the time and it weighs significantly more than the Leopard 2.

Russian forces, meanwhile, hit more than 60 Ukrainian artillery units in the past day, Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian defense ministry, said Monday, according to Moscows state-run TASS news agency.
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Congress and the Biden administration aim to boost the use of sustainable fuels for the emissions-heavy aviation industry, setting up a new front for the debate over biofuels.

Sustainable aviation fuels, or SAF, made from a range of plants and other organic matter have proven successful as a replacement or additive for traditional, petroleum-based jet fuels. The Biden administration has thrown its support behind SAF, setting a goal for the U.S. to produce enough to meet 100 percent of jet fuel demand by 2050. The administration says such a conversion would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by 50 percent.

NASA on Wednesday said it would partner with Boeing Co. to create a SAF-powered single-aisle aircraft.

Congress, in its 2022 climate, health care and tax package, included a tax credit of $1.25 per gallon for blenders using SAF. Appropriators also included $68 million in the fiscal 2023 government spending law to support carbon reduction efforts in the aviation industry, including provisions directing federal agencies to prioritize SAF research and development.

Meanwhile, the private sector is ramping up SAF production. Companies like Swiss multinational Nestle SA, Boston-based World Energy LLC and Sky NRG Solar Inc. of Reston, Va., supply SAF to Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines and Boeing. World Energy is among the top producers in the United States, with plants in California that fuel United Airlines flights out of Los Angeles.

Commercial airplanes and large business jets contribute about 10 percent of transportation emissions, a figure expected to triple by 2050 as air travel continues to grow.

That growing demand for air travel has some experts skeptical about SAFs ability to keep pace. And although the U.S. produces 4.5 million gallons annually as of 2021, according to the White House, the industry has a long way to go to meet President Joe Bidens goal of producing at least 3 billion gallons annually by 2030.

The lack of sufficient supply [of SAF] is the biggest issue right now, said Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol industry advocate. Theres some stuff being produced, but its a very small volume, and until we get more production facilities up and running, the cost is going to be high.

In the United States, SAF costs on average $9.23 per gallon as of Wednesday, according to aviation data site Global Air, up from $8.67 in May. Standard kerosene-based jet fuel sits at an average of $6.90 per gallon.

Trucking industry representatives have raised concerns that a larger reliance on SAF will take away key feedstocks from biodiesel, an alternative fuel thats already been used for years. Biodiesel and SAF are both made up of lipids, primarily soybean oils and used cooking oils, and critics say that scaling up SAF could undermine the biodiesel industry, which helped reduce more than 18 million tons of carbon emissions on Californias roads between 2011 and 2019.

Touting sustainable aviation fuel as a new method for reducing transportation carbon emissions ignores the fact that it will unravel decades of existing carbon reductions in over-the-road transportation and increase fuel prices for commercial fleets, said the National Association of Truck Stop Operators, a trucking industry representative, in a statement. In fact, renewable jet fuel production is simply designed to displace existing and future, less expensive renewable diesel production.

Tax credit boost

Cooper said that the SAF industry has some positive signs. The tax credit has been a huge boon for the SAF industry, he said, and new technologies have emerged in the past year that provide new feedstocks for SAF. For example, companies like Honeywell have developed a way to further process ethanol, a popular starch-based biofuel, into jet fuel, which opens up the SAF industry to hundreds of existing bio-refineries and provides for a feedstock other than lipids.

Washington, D.C.-based Alder Fuels, a SAF production company, is also working with Honeywell to use feedstocks like degenerative grasses and forest and agricultural residues. With a more diverse range of feedstocks, the Energy Department projects the industry would be able to produce 50 billion to 60 billion gallons per year with biomass like corn, grain, algae, agricultural and forestry residues and municipal solid waste streams.

Congress seems eager to move ahead on aviation biofuels, including some lawmakers who have been reluctant to back energy transition fuels.

Congress has long fought over what to do about biofuels, which has caused a regional split over how much biofuels like ethanol to blend into gasoline under the renewable fuel standard. Lawmakers from Midwestern states that produce key crops like corn and sugarcane used to make ethanol have long supported increased biofuel blends.

Legislators from states with oil refinery operations like Texas and Oklahoma have pushed back against biofuels, arguing that it will only increase fuel production costs that translate to higher prices at the pump.

In October, a bipartisan group of Midwestern lawmakers  including Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio  sent a letter to the EPA calling SAF a new pathway for RFS compliance and urging the agency to take action on regulatory barriers on biointermediates, or partially converted feedstocks, that can be used to make SAF.

Such actions would permit these biofuel producers to use at scale the investments they have made, access low-carbon markets, and pave the way for the next generation of renewable fuel innovation, they added in the letter.

Diverse feedstocks

But it seems that SAFs diverse choice of feedstocks makes it more appealing to some lawmakers from both parties.

Republicans from states outside of the Midwest, including those who usually oppose green energy initiatives  like the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees top Republican, John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont.; and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.  have come to support SAF and biodiesel production. All have biodiesel production plants located in their states.

Montana-based oil refiner Calumet Montana Refining announced its renewable arm, Montana Renewables, had recently received bonds to add biodiesel production infrastructure to its refinery. Louisiana is also set to get new renewable diesel plants, including one from project development company Strategic Biofuels LLC, and Barrasso said Wyoming is a leading producer of renewable diesel and is expected to produce a lot more in the near future.

The Republican group, along with Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., introduced a bill in the last Congress that would allow renewable and sustainable aviation fuels to qualify for the Energy Departments Title XVII loan guarantees under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Were seeing a fair amount of attention around SAF in New York, the Northeast, and even down the coast into Georgia and Florida, Cooper said. We havent seen that sort of geographical division behind SAF that weve seen with other biofuels, and I think part of the reason for that is  there is broader agreement on the need for solutions in the aviation sector, and theres broad agreement that liquid biofuels are probably the best bet.

And as long as SAF continues to show promises to grow industries across the country, its likely that Republicans will remain supportive of aviation biofuels.

During the conversations regarding the tax credit, we didnt get a lot of pushback from really anybody, a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee aide familiar with the discussions said. Many Republicans have conceptually endorsed the idea of SAF and ways to reduce barriers  the [aviation] industry pushed for it, labor organizations pushed for it, and as long as strong environmental standards are in place, environmentalists are behind it too.

The aide added that Democrats on the committee will likely look into building on SAF progress made throughout the last few years, including ways to ramp up SAF storage and transportation infrastructure.

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WASHINGTON  House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has formally recommended that Reps. Adam B. Schiff and Eric Swalwell be reappointed to the House Intelligence Committee, escalating a clash with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who has vowed to deny spots on the panel to both California Democrats.

In a letter dated Saturday, Jeffries argued that McCarthy has no justifiable reason not to accept his appointments of Schiff, who served as chairman of the Intelligence panel until Republicans took control of the chamber, and Swalwell.

"It is my understanding that you intend to break with the longstanding House tradition of deference to the minority party Intelligence Committee recommendations and deny seats to Ranking Member Schiff and Representative Swalwell," Jeffries wrote in the letter obtained by The Washington Post. "The denial of seats to duly elected Members of the House Democratic Caucus runs counter to the serious and sober mission of the Intelligence Committee."

Republicans have been angling to deny spots on key panels to Democrats partly in retaliation for votes by the Democratic-led House in the last Congress to remove Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Paul A. Gosar (R-Ariz.) from committees. Some Republicans joined Democrats in voting to strip Greene and Gosar of their committee assignments.

Greene espoused extremist beliefs and voiced approval of violence against prominent Democrats, while Gosar posted an animated video depicting the killing of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and violence against President Biden.

McCarthy has argued that Schiff and Swalwell are unfit to serve on the Intelligence Committee, pointing to Schiff's conduct as chairman of the panel during the first impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump and Swalwell's alleged ties to a Chinese intelligence operative  an episode that has produced no evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell's part.

Unlike most committees, where party leaders control their appointees, the speaker has final say over who sits on the Intelligence panel.

McCarthy's office had no immediate response.

In his letter, Jeffries argues that the issues that prompted the votes to remove Greene and Gosar are quite different from those motivating McCarthy's potential denial of seats to Schiff and Swalwell.

Greene and Gosar were removed "after a bipartisan vote of the House found them unfit to serve on standing committees for directly inciting violence against their colleagues," Jeffries wrote. "It does not serve as precedent or justification for the removal of Representatives Schiff and Swalwell, given that they have never exhibited violent thoughts or behavior."

Jeffries also accused McCarthy of a "double-standard" for allowing Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.)  whom he called a "serial fraudster"  to be seated on committees. Santos has acknowledged lying about key parts of his background and is facing multiple investigations.

Punchbowl News first reported on the letter.

Among other things, McCarthy has claimed that Schiff "lied to the American public" about whether he knew the whistleblower who triggered the impeachment investigation into whether Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of Joe Biden in exchange for a promised White House meeting and delivery of U.S. military aid.

As noted in a Washington Post fact check this month, Schiff, during the impeachment probe, sought to avoid having the whistleblower's name revealed publicly, often cutting off questions that might expose the official. Eventually, right-wing media published the name of an intelligence officer, although that individual has never been officially confirmed as the whistleblower.

In seeking to deny Swalwell a seat, McCarthy has seized on a 2020 report by Axios that a suspected Chinese intelligence operative called Christine Fang had developed extensive ties with local and national politicians, including Swalwell.

She reportedly targeted up-and-coming San Francisco Bay Area politicians through campaign fundraising and networking. She first met Swalwell when he was a council member in Dublin, Calif., according to Axios.

But there has been no evidence of impropriety on Swalwell's part, a Washington Post fact check this month found. Axios said that when the FBI alerted Swalwell and other House members to its concerns about Fang's activities, Swalwell immediately cut ties with her.
It was alleged David Mullen (51) placed the gun to his own head and repeatedly said f**k off to them

David Mullen is charged with possession of an imitation firearm

A man was arrested outside his home for screaming and waving around a handgun that turned out to be a realistic imitation, a court has heard.

David Mullen (51) put the gun to his head and initially ignored orders by unarmed gardai to drop it, it is alleged.

He is facing trial and the case against him was adjourned for further directions from the DPP when he appeared in Dublin District Court.

Mr Mullen, of Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, is charged with unlawful possession of a realistic imitation firearm in a public place.

Sergeant Maire McDevitt told Judge Bryan Smyth the DPP consented to the case being dealt with in the district court if jurisdiction was accepted.

Outlining the allegations, she said gardai responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at Pigeon House Road on May 8 last year.

It was reported that family members had been threatened with a pellet gun and that someone was potentially in possession of a live firearm.

When gardai went to the house, they allegedly saw Mr Mullen exit the address with a black handgun in his hand.

It was alleged Mr Mullen was waving the gun around erratically and screaming incoherently. When gardai approached, it was alleged he placed the gun to his own head and repeatedly said f**k off to them.

He initially ignored the commands of the unarmed garda to drop the gun but eventually placed it on the ground, Sgt McDevitt said.

As he was arrested, it was alleged he attempted to get the gun back but failed. It was seized by gardai and found to be a realistic imitation firearm.

Judge Smyth said he was refusing jurisdiction.

This means the case will be sent forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge adjourned the case to next month for the consent of the DPP for a return for trial to the circuit court.

The accused has not yet entered a plea to the charge.
The four men were arrested and charged with a variety of offences related to organised deception and fraudulent practices

Four men are to appear in court today over alleged fraud involving tampering with the identification passports and microchips of horses that were presented for slaughter.

The four men, one in his 30s, one in his 40s, and two in their 50s were arrested and charged with a variety of offences related to organised deception and fraudulent practices as part of Operation Lanyard.

Members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) arrested and charged the men this morning, and they are due to appear at Kilkenny District Court today.

Todays developments follow on from a three-year joint investigation carried out by GNBCI supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

In June 2020, five men aged between 35 and 55, were initially arrested for the offence of participation in a criminal organisation contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.

The five men were detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford and Roscommon Garda Stations.

The arrests came following searches at locations in Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo, Westmeath and Kilkenny. A total of seven sites were searched, including farms, houses and a commercial premises.

The operation led by GNBCI also involved officers from the Criminal Assets Bureau, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.
Sweeney was served with a Garda Information Message (GIM) in 2020 after the ex-socialites dealings with trafficking mobs spectacularly backfired

Former Celtic Tiger playboy Marcus Sweeney was formally warned by gardai there was a serious threat to his life from an notorious international drugs gang, the Sunday World can reveal.

Sweeney was served with a Garda Information Message (GIM) in 2020 after the ex-socialites dealings with trafficking mobs spectacularly backfired on him.

GIM forms are given to people by officers when they receive credible intelligence that there is an immediate threat to their life.

Perma-tanned Sweeney is believed to have been threatened after a money-laundering plot on behalf of criminals linked to The Family  who are regarded as Irelands biggest heroin dealing mob  went wrong.

Sweeney with Katy French

Despite his upper-class upbringing, Sweeney somehow managed to embed himself with some of Europes most dangerous criminals.

These gangland figures included UK-based traffickers who supplied heroin to The Family.

As High Court Judge Alex Owens put it this week, Sweeney was up to his oxters in organised crime as the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) sought an order against his firm EWM Property Holdings, known as Evergreen Wealth Management.

Marcus Sweeney had dealings linked with major international crime figures

Gardai now believe Sweeney and another business associate held a meeting with some of the investors in the firm in early 2020 over the debts.

This, according to gardai in their CAB case, was done to reduce the threats to their person and property.

The deal was only for certain investors, one of whom was believed to be Brian Grendon.

It wasnt the first time Sweeney and Grendon had met together.

Brian Grendon

In August 2019, a garda detective was watching as Sweeney met with Grendon at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre car park.

Immediately afterwards Sweeney met with Kuldip Singh from Birmingham and Turkish national Ali Adnan Duran, both known at that stage to be involved in the drugs trade.

When gardai raided the B&B room where the pair were staying in Saggart, Co Dublin they found 14 half-kilo blocks of heroin with a street value just shy of 1m.

All three were arrested and while Sweeney was later released without charge, Singh would later be jailed for four years and Duran for nine years.

Both are top tier members of one of Europes biggest criminal gangs, suspected of being behind a haul of more than 670 kilos of heroin seized on the German/Polish border.

They had arrived in Ireland to escape the attentions of the police in the UK but instead were placed under surveillance by gardai before their arrests.

Kuldip Singh   Colin Keegan

Sweeney had also been useful for Grendon, helping him to set up Platinum Motors, which was separately a target for CAB.

In 2018, the firm was served with an income tax demand in excess of 500,000.

According to the CAB case, Grendon invested 20,000 in Sweeneys Evergreen in 2015 through another firm, BG Autos, but significantly higher amounts of cash were also invested by him.

The Bureaus case centred on lands bought by the firm for 102,000 at Waynestown, Co. Meath, in which it was contended was bought with the proceeds of crime.

Half the cash came from another investment firm, which in turn came from unknown sources and another third from an innocent investor.

Gardai believe the firm was essentially a money laundering vehicle.

Judge Owens said the fact that some of the money used had been given to Sweeney by other investors  one of them a friend of the socialite  for a different purpose also meant the property was acquired with the proceeds of crime.

He said the money was misused and the friend was taken advantage of.

Sweeney had admitted in a garda statement to deliberately falsifying lodgement dockets.

He wasnt the only businessman sucked into the criminal underworld according to the CAB case presented to the High Court this week.

Sweeney was also associated with Oisin Legaspi, who was described as being a supplier of vehicles and a business advisor to garages operated by organised gangs including the Kinahan gang and The Family.

Legaspi and another man suspected of involvement in a 1.42m money laundering operation, were instructed to act as negotiator and representative of the creditors in getting their investment back from Evergreen

Finding in favour of the CAB, Judge Owens said it was a very compelling case in which Sweeney was up to his oxters with organised crime with cash lodgments being made to the firm from unknown sources.

Sweeney did not appear in court and was not represented during the hour-long hearing on Wednesday.

Sweeney was a celebrated socialite during the Celtic Tiger era and had a famously turbulent relationship with the model Katy French.

That relationship came to an end in 2007 when he walked into his Il Pomo Doro restaurant on South William Street in Dublins city centre and found her posing in lingerie for photographs.

Katy later died tragically from a cocaine overdose.

After her death he said she already had a cocaine problem when they had started dating and said he sourced the drug for her.

He said while he used it as a social drug she had bigger issues with it.

Katy had no limit when it came to coke, she never wanted to stop, always wanted more.
The former couple had a number of pub and catering companies, including one through which they ran the Kestrel House pub in Walkinstown, Dublin.

Graham and Bernie Canning from Slane, County Meath pictured as they won the Supreme Champion Award at Blas na -hEireann (Irish Food Awards) in Dingle, County Kerry in 2014. Photo: Don MacMonagle

A woman previously involved in pub and catering businesses has had 2.8m in debt written off by the High Court in return for a lump sum payment to creditors of 1,000.

In a related personal insolvency arrangement (PIA) her husband, who the court heard she is separated from, had 2.9m written off in exchange for lump sums totalling 16,000.

The applications in respect of Bernadette and Graham Canning, of different addresses in Slane, Co Meath, were approved by Mr Justice Alexander Owens.

The former couple had a number of pub and catering companies, including one through which they ran the Kestrel House pub in Walkinstown, Dublin.

Mr Canning is reported to have bought the pub in 2004 for 7.3m, but it closed in 2010 and was sold the following year for a sum believed to be in the region of just 2m.

They were also once proprietors of the Conyngham Arms Hotel in Slane.

Barrister Keith Farry, representing personal insolvency practitioner Tara Cheevers, told the court that the applications had 100pc support from creditors.

While most PIAs involve the retention of the family home, usually with new mortgage terms, the arrangements for the Cannings provide for mortgage to rent.

This means that the family home is to be sold by Bank of Ireland to an approved housing body, which will make it available to Bernadette Canning at a social housing rent rate.

The court heard the family home was worth 390,000 but 396,000 was outstanding on the mortgage.

Six acres of forestry land near Slane, said to be worth 50,000, will also be sold under the PIAs. Some 172,000 is owed in relation to the property.

Bank of Ireland had a judgment mortgage or 2.6m secured against the family home and the forestry land.

Mr Farry said the former couple had four dependent children and that Mrs Canning was caring for her father, while Mr Canning was self-employed as a food consultant.

Mr Justice Owens described their cases as left over stuff from the great recession.

Papers filed in court said the former couple got into financial difficulty when one of their companies failed in 2000. They had personal guarantees relating to the failed company.

There were a number of additional failed business attempts, with further debts arising from each of these.

In Bernadette Cannings case, her main creditor was Bank of Ireland, which was owed 3.2m.

Most of the debt was common to both Bernadette and Graham Canning, although Mr Canning had a number of additional creditor and his total debts amounted to 3.3m.

The court heard the return for creditors under the PIAs would be larger than if the Cannings were to be made bankrupt.
There have been 10 resignations from the force in the past three weeks, according to Ms Cunningham, which she said highlights an ongoing problem with retention within the force.

Gardai are calling on Minister for Justice Simon Harris to hurry up legislation which will allow gardai to wear body cameras in the wake of a garda almost losing a finger in an assault in Dublin in recent days.

Assaults on gardai are becoming an all too frequent occurrence and gardai are now considering the safety of their job, said Antoinette Cunningham, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.

There have been 10 resignations from the force in the past three weeks, according to Ms Cunningham, which she said highlights an ongoing problem with retention within the force.

For us that raises a question about the safety of our job. And as an association, we will continue to call for public condemnation of attacks like this because if we don't, there's a danger they become normalised. And that is unacceptable, Ms Cunningham told RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland.

You can't have the very people that are trying to enforce the rule of law, then becoming a victim of law themselves, and it's very, very regrettable what happened to our colleague, these type of injuries are very serious, they're life altering, and they should be deemed unacceptable by everybody in civilised society.

We're calling very publicly this morning on the Minister for Justice to expedite the legislation - we've seen before where government can move legislation through the houses of the Oireachtas very quickly when the need arises. And there's no greater need than the protection of the people who serve society,

Police forces in many neighbouring jurisdictions have had bodycams for a long number of years and, Ms Cunningham said, sadly, were far behind our colleagues in other police forces.

The Government has recently indicated that it will increase the maximum sentence for assaulting a member of the force but this should also be extended to all frontline services such as paramedics and firefighters, gardai believe.

We heard last night that a nurse was assaulted as well. We're very conscious of the other blue light services but we do need to tougher sentences. There has to be something that prohibits people from assaulting emergency frontline workers, Ms Cunningham said.

There are a lot of issues in An Garda Siochana, with 109 people who resigned from the force last year  unprecedented. We heard in a personnel bulletin last week that there have been 10 resignations already this year.

That's an issue that's going to have to be addressed and explored as to the reasons why the people are leaving the organisation.
The 30-year-old was arrested on Sunday afternoon.

A man will appear in court this afternoon in relation to a seizure of cocaine and cannabis worth 200,000 in Co Wicklow.

The 30-year-old was arrested on Sunday afternoon when gardai from the Dublin Metropolitan Region East Divisional Drugs Unit searched a house in the Old Connaught Avenue area of Bray.

They seized approximately 195,000 of suspected cocaine and approximately 4,400 of suspected cannabis during the search, which was conducted as part of Operation Tara.

The man was detained at Shankill Garda Station overnight.

Gardai confirmed today that he has since been charged and will appear before Bray District Court this afternoon..

A spokesperson said: The man in his 30s arrested as part of the investigation into the seizure of approximately 195,000 of suspected cocaine and a quantity of suspected cannabis during the course of a search operation conducted as part of Operation Tara on Sunday, January 22, 2023 in County Wicklow, has been charged.

He is expected to appear before Bray District Court this afternoon Monday, January 23, 2023.
Investigations are ongoing

One man was arrested as Gardai seized 200,000 worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis during a search operation in Co Wicklow.

Following ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the Dun Laoghaire, Shankill and Bray areas, Gardai from the Dublin Metropolitan Region East Divisional Drugs Unit conducted a search at a residence in the Old Connaught Avenue area of Bray at approximately 4:40pm on Sunday.

During the search, approximately 195,000 of suspected cocaine and approximately 4,400 of suspected cannabis was seized by Gardai.

"A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene and taken to Shankill Garda Station where he is currently detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

"The seized drugs will now be brought to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

Investigations are ongoing.

The search operation was conducted as part of Operation Tara
Mr Healys wife, Delia, died after a short illness on January 2. The couple lost a daughter in an accident decades ago

A man in his 30s was discovered in a highly agitated state at the scene and was restrained until gardai arrived. The force is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. Pictured, Mercy University Hospital (MUH) in Cork. Photo: Daragh McSweeney

Gardai are investigating whether an issue over noise triggered a fatal attack on an 89-year-old patient by an agitated younger patient in a Cork hospital.

Separate investigations are now under way by gardai and the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) into the fatal incident shortly after 5am yesterday on one of the main wards in the Cork city centre hospital.

The deceased has been named locally as Matthew Healy, from Berrings in Co Cork.

Mr Healys wife, Delia, died after a short illness on January 2. The couple lost a daughter in an accident decades ago.

MUH triggered its emergency response plan while gardai sealed off part of the hospital where the attack occurred yesterday.

Other patients and staff raised the alarm when they discovered the elderly patient with critical injuries at around 5am on one of the main MUH wards.

A man in his 30s was discovered in a highly agitated state at the scene and was restrained until gardai arrived.

No weapon is believed to have been involved in the incident. However, investigators are looking into the possibility that the deceased man hit his head against a walking frame during the incident.

The aftermath was witnessed by several other patients and MUH staff members.

It is unclear what triggered the fatal attack but gardai are investigating if there was a dispute or argument between the two men.

The man in custody will be given a full medical and psychiatric evaluation.

Father-of-four Mr Healy was not previously known to the man in custody.

The men come from different parts of Cork.

Gardai are investigating whether the younger man may have been in a disturbed or agitated state in the minutes before the incident.

The incident occurred in the main section of the city centre hospital which is one of Irelands oldest and best known acute teaching hospitals outside Dublin.

Security staff and gardai were alerted when the pensioner was discovered critically injured and the scene was immediately sealed off.

Desperate efforts were launched to assist the elderly man on the ward.

However, Mr Healy was pronounced dead a short time afterwards.

A full forensic and technical examination will now be conducted of the scene.

The mans remains were transferred to Cork Morgue for a post-mortem examination, which was completed last night.

A separate investigation by MUH into the incident is now under way.

In a statement, MUH confirmed it was providing counselling and support services for those affected.

MUH can confirm that gardai are investigating a fatal incident involving a man in his late 80s at the hospital early this morning, a spokesperson said.

The hospital is providing counselling services to patients and staff affected by the incident, it said.

MUH management and staff are saddened and shocked at the tragic and unexpected death of an elderly patient in an incident at the hospital and express their deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

A garda statement meanwhile said: A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene by investigating gardai and taken to Bridewell garda station, Cork, where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The man can be detained for questioning for up to 24 hours.

The scene is currently preserved for forensic and technical examination, the statement went on.

An incident room has been established at the Bridewell garda station and the services of the State Pathologist have been requested.

A Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed in the case and the family of the deceased have been notified.

Investigating gardai are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.

No further information or garda spokesperson is available at this time.

Cork County Council member Michael Looney said the deceased man was a pure gentleman.

He knew Mr Healy from Berrings, about 20km north-west of Cork city, and the Healy family is very highly respected locally, he said.

He was a very quiet man. The last place you would think something like this would happen is in a hospital, Mr Looney said.

When you go in to hospital you think you are safe in your bed.

The people of Berrings are devastated. The family are here for generations. They are hugely respected.

They are lovely people and he (Mr Healy) was a thorough gentleman. A pure gentleman.

His wife is only dead a few weeks.

Elderly-rights campaigner Paddy OBrien said he was deeply shocked by the incident and extended his sympathy to everyone involved.

I sympathise with the family of the man involved in this tragedy, he said.

For a man to go into hospital only to lose his life  I just dont know what to say. The Mercy is a fine hospitalBut this is an awful, desperate tragedy.

That poor man went into hospital with some illness and nobody could expect a tragedy like this to happen.
There was green and black mould on the base of my babys cot  its like living in a nightmare

Brendan Keogh found mould on his newborn son Tadhgs babygro and under his cot and he fears for health issues for his family

Brendan Keogh found mould on his newborn son Tadhgs babygro and under his cot and he fears for health issues for his family

A desperate dad who is living in mould-infested social housing has revealed he is petrified for the health of his premature baby after claiming to have found black porous fungus on his sons bedding and babygro.

Brendan Keogh (42), who lives in Drumcondra, Dublin, with his partner, Ruth and their three-month-old-son Tadhg, are pleading to be rehoused before their baby falls ill from potentially deadly toxic spores.

We are constantly dealing with chesty coughs and infections and the baby has had a cold and been unwell too. We dont know what he is breathing in. He was six weeks premature so we are just constantly stressed out, its like living in a nightmare, he said.

Evidence of the black mould around the property

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday World, Brendan said its impossible to contain the problem.

There is a constant smell of mould, I am constantly blitzing it out of it and it is like a petri dish, it is just coming from everywhere. It is a losing battle once there is mould in the walls it is never going to go away.

Brendan, who works in logistics, first began noticing issues with damp and mould when the couple moved into the NAMA-owned apartment block, Calderwood Court, seven years ago.

Despite their attempts to liaise with their dedicated Housing Officer, he claims they have been forced to take matters into their own hands.

I am constantly cleaning down the apartment and fixing it up with anti- mould paint and spray but nothing works, he said.

Finding mould in the babys bedding was the last straw for the distraught parents.

There was green and black mould on the base of the cot under the babys mattress. There was even mould on his babygro and bedding, we washed it and left it to dry and there was still mould on it.

The devoted dads plea for help comes after the recent inquest into the death of toddler Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020, eight days after his second birthday, as a direct result of black mould in the flat he lived in.

Speaking of his fears for his young family, the Dubliner said: There is black and green mould everywhere. Even in the kitchen when I shook the blinds there was a green blanket of mould coming out of it. Ive had to throw out clothes and furniture because the mould has destroyed them. This stuff can kill people.

Evidence of the black mould around the property

When we complain we are told keep your heating on, open your windows and we do but it is just getting worse. Our newborn son is breathing that in and we are told we have to wait to get NAMA, our landlord involved.

In a distressing video the despairing dad shared with the Sunday World, pools of water can be seen gathering at the bottom of a window in the living room while thick clumps of green and black mould cling to the walls.

I only cleaned that about two weeks ago and it is coming back. I used Milton on that. I have the heating on, I have the extractor fan on and it is costing a lot of electricity. The whole apartment has to be insulated  it is ridiculous with a newborn baby living here, we are sick of it now.

In the bedroom, things are no better. The babys crib and the couples bed sit on blackened, mouldy floorboards. Our bedroom is above the garage and there is no insulation so the damp rises and our bedroom floor is damp and cold, hence the mould.

We have put up with it for years and it was that cold we basically just lived in the bedroom because it was the easiest place to heat, but now we have the baby enough is enough. After desperate attempts to improve their living situation, modifications were made before Christmas when the landlord intervened.

Calderwood Court

NAMA came and put in new insulation in the bedroom and plastered over it. Its like putting a plaster on it, there is still mould everywhere, in the bathroom and the kitchen.

The couple previously refused to speak out due to the worsening housing crisis and for fear of not finding suitable accommodation.

We love the area, and it is Co-Op housing so it is affordable. We have built our life here. But now we just cant live here any more. We have a right to be rehoused and live somewhere that is safe.
But it is understood Mr Burke declined to take delivery of the letter

The student council at Wilsons Hospital School wrote a letter to teacher Enoch Burke expressing concerns about his ongoing attendance there since his release from Mountjoy Prison.

The letter, which a member of the pupils body tried to hand to Mr Burke on January 13, outlined a number of concerns students had about the teachers presence at the school.

These included fears from LGBTQ+ students that Mr Burke would say something harmful to gain publicity.

Mr Burke had been attending the school regularly to protest against his suspension. He was dismissed from his job last Friday night.

However, it is understood Mr Burke would not accept the delivery of the letter. While in the school over several days this month, the teacher was confined to a corridor and kept away from students.

In the letter, obtained by the Sunday Independent, the student council wrote to Mr Burke to say: To many LGBTQI+ students your presence here is a daily reminder of the prejudices they feel from you.

They said they were fearful that something may be said to them by you if there was a moment where [teacher] or [teacher] were not supervising you.

Students are scared that you may say something harmful to them for further publicity. Students feel that they cant be themselves around you and have to change the way they act. We should not have to do this.

There is no suggestion the former teacher ever posed any threat to the students at the school.

Mr Burke was dismissed from his position at the school in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, on Friday following a disciplinary process.

He had been jailed for contempt of court in early September after breaching a High Court injunction directing him to stay away from the school.

He had been suspended on full pay by the school as part of a disciplinary process, following a row over a request from a student to be addressed by a new name and for they/them pronouns to be used.

Mr Burke, an evangelical Christian, said that to do so would violate his religious beliefs.

He was released from Mountjoy Prison on December 21, after a judge said he was exploiting his imprisonment for his own ends, but continued to attend at Wilsons Hospital School since it reopened on January 5 after the Christmas holidays.

The student council letter also alleged other ways the teachers presence at the school caused disruption.

We believe if you cared about the students at this school, as you claim to do, then why would you continue to cause this disruption to our school life, it stated.

The press being here is a huge disruption to our parents and family and as the Student Council we are worried about the reputation of the school.

The correspondence goes on to list a number of other effects the pupils claim Mr Burkes presence at the school was having.

When he attended the school after the Christmas break, he stayed in a corridor under supervision by other members of staff. According to the student council, his presence affected crowds in the corridors and had forced some students to go outside into wet and windy conditions in order to get to class.

On Friday evening the teacher issued a statement confirming his employment had been terminated earlier that day. The move came a day after a disciplinary meeting attended by the teacher and members of his family descended into chaos.

Gardai were called to the meeting, held by the schools board of management, after Mr Burke, his mother Martina, sister Ammi and brother Isaac loudly objected to the presence of two lawyers and the absence of the boards chairman.

Mr Burkes statement said he had attended Wilsons Hospital School on Friday.

He was informed in person at 3:30pm this afternoon in the presence of chairperson of the board of management John Rogers and principal Frank Milling that he was dismissed, it read.

The brief statement again highlighted Mr Burkes objection to the presence of the lawyers and Mr Rogers absence from the disciplinary meeting.

Mr Burke had been suspended since last August but continued to show up for work, even after the school secured High Court orders restraining him from doing so.

This led to him being jailed for 108 days for contempt of court.
Compensation claims related to glyphosate use have been paid out in the US

Glyphosate is the main ingredient in the most commonly used weedkillers, but there are concerns about its impact on human and animal health. Photo: Getty Images   Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tests on Irish families have found one in four people had the controversial weedkiller ingredient glyphosate in their system.

The tests were carried out on farming and non-farming families, but the results were similar for both.

Scientists from University of Galway, who conducted the research, say it shows that glyphosate is present in the general environment, not just around farms where it is most in use.

They hope the findings will help inform discussions taking place in the EU over whether the licence for glyphosate should be renewed when it expires later this year.

Glyphosate is the main ingredient in the most commonly used weedkillers, but controversy has raged over its use for many years because of concerns about its impact on human and animal health.

The World Health Organisations cancer research body concluded in 2015 that the chemical was probably carcinogenic.

That finding is not backed by European scientific bodies, but they do accept evidence of other harms to people, marine life, and wildlife.

Thousands of compensation claims related to glyphosate use have been paid out in the US.

The Galway study involved 68 families, 14 of whom lived on farms where glyphosate was sprayed. There were 132 adults and 92 children.

It is essential to understand how chemical exposures can occur among different groups, particularly vulnerable people such as children

Testing found 26pc of the group had glyphosate in their urine. The proportion was slightly higher among children.

The amount of glyphosate found in the urine of farming families was only marginally higher than that found in the urine of non-farming families.

All those tested had glyphosate levels well below what is currently set as the safe limit, but the study was less concerned with the concentrations within individuals than with the extent of the presence of glyphosate in the population generally.

The scientists also tested for AMPA, a chemical left behind when glyphosate exits the system.

They detected it in the urine of 59pc of the test group, although they caution that AMPA can also be left behind by other products.

Dr Alison Connolly, one of the team who conducted the research, said: This study produced important results on human exposures to a chemical of public concern and is particularly timely with the European Commission currently re-evaluating glyphosate.

It is essential to understand how chemical exposures can occur among different groups, particularly vulnerable people such as children.

Team colleague, Dr Marie Coggins, said the findings should inform decisions made concerning glyphosate and its use.

The data suggests that occupational users may have a slightly higher exposure than background levels, which could and should be reduced further by substitution with less harmful methods, careful chemical handling practices and the use of exposure controls such as personal protective equipment, she said.

The study is one of a growing number around the world gathering data on the exposure routes and risks of glyphosate.

Research by Trinity College and University College Dublin, released last week, found glyphosate on unsprayed hedgerows where bees gathered nectar and pollen.

Glyphosate weakens and kills bees, while the prospect of glyphosate being present in the honey they make for human consumption also raises concerns.
Inspectors allege dogs were confined in undersized kennels in sub-zero temperatures, some were eating own faeces and others had no access to clean water

The dog breeding establishment is on the family farm in Doneraile, Co Cork

A wealthy heiress who inherited her fathers lands as part of his 11 million estate can today be exposed as the owner of a puppy farm ordered to close over shocking breaches of animal welfare legislation.

Inspectors who visited Anne Brodericks breeding establishment in Cork allege dogs were confined in undersized kennels in sub-zero temperatures with no access to bedding or heat-lamps, some were eating their own faeces and others had no access to clean drinking water.

They also allege they discovered 218 dogs, including 76 puppies, at the facility when they visited on December 12  even though Broderick had been licensed to keep a maximum number of 50 bitches.

Broderick  who was ordered to close her dog breeding establishment on the family farm at the Hermitage, Doneraile, with immediate effect  disputed the inspectors findings when approached by the Sunday World this week.

Youll have to speak to my solicitor, she said..

The dog breeding establishment is on the family farm in Doneraile, Co Cork

All will be revealed in due course. I have been wronged and thats it.

Asked whether she would be appealing the order, she replied: It has been appealed. It has been. My solicitor has appealed it.

As well as breeding dogs and farming, Broderick also has an involvement in horse breeding.

Her father John was registered as the breeder of well-known Cheltenham winner Paddy De Plasterer.

Anne who joined the ownership syndicate in the winners enclosure after the horse won the Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase in 2009 previously told how she bought her first mare when I was only in the Inter Cert.

I had a couple of cattle and swapped them for the first mare and thats how I got into horses.

Annes dad, John, passed away on April 19, 2016 leaving an estate valued at 11,063,582.

Property records show she was registered as owner of her dads half share in the farm on May 1st of 2018.

A local source this week told the Sunday Worldthat Anne had been running a dog breeding establishment from the farm for a number of years.

It was well known she was breeding dogs and its not illegal to breed dogs, the source said.

But none of the neighbours would ever have gone in around the back to the sheds where the dogs were.

Youd knock on the front door if you were visiting.

Broderick speaks to our reporter

Youd hear the dogs but it was not in a distressed way, youd take no notice because youd think it was feeding time.

There was never any hint there that something was wrong.

What was outlined in that closure notice has shocked people.

According to the Dog Breeding Establishment Register, Broderick was registered from 2014 to run a breeding facility where the maximum number of bitches that could be kept was limited to 50.

But, according to the closure notice issued by the Veterinary Department of Cork County Council on January 3, this was just one of a number of conditions she failed to comply with.

In the notice, served on Broderick by registered post, she was informed: Cork County Council is satisfied that the operation of the establishment poses a serious and immediate threat to animal welfare.

And she was directed to cease breeding or keeping dogs at the establishment, to surrender (her) registration certificate to the local authority and to enable, at her own expense, the rehousing of all dogs kept at the establishment.

She was further cautioned that if she contravened the closure notice, she shall be guilty of an offence.

Among a litany of breaches outlined were failures to provide suitable accommodation for the dogs in respect of quarters, numbers of dogs, cleanliness, exercise facilities, temperature requirements and beds.

The inspectors noted there were 218 dogs, including approximately 76 puppies, at the establishment on December 12.

They noted there was a consistent pattern of poor management practice at the establishment.

They noted poor hygiene practices evidenced by faeces/ excrement and a strong smell of urine and excrement in some kennel blocks.

Dog faeces was noted in some beds and rubble/disused materials stored served as harbourage for vermin.

The inspectors further stated there was a failure to provide for exercise and behavioural requirements of dogs at the establishment.

They said some of the dogs displayed fearful and abnormal behaviours  including repetitive behaviour, abnormal postures and coprophagia or eating of dog faeces.

They noted a failure to ensure the thermal comfort of many of the dogs including during sub-zero temperatures.

At the time of the inspection on December 12th, they recorded a temperature reading at bed level in one of the sheds at 0.7 degrees celsius but said neither bedding nor heat sources such as heat lamps were provided for the majority of the dogs.

They noted a failure to provide clean drinking water for all the dogs at the establishment.

Water was unavailable in two pens where 14 dogs were kept and they found varying levels of contamination of water bowls.

Also noted by the inspectors was the confinement of dogs in undersized kennels in sub-zero temperatures without bedding or a heat source.

Two adult German shepherds, they said, were confined in a space of less than 6 square metres and were walking in their own faeces.

The minimum kennel size requirement for two large breed dogs confined without free access to exercise is 8.5 square metres.

A Labrador bitch and male cocker spaniel were confined in similar conditions.

The inspectors noted a lack of adequate socialisation  with many of the dogs not habituated to human contact.

They further recorded a lack of adequate grooming and said there was considerable matting of two Yorkshire terriers and one Pomeranian.

Broderick, they said, failed to present detailed records, including the bitch register, whelping (birth) records, dog identification and sales/transfer records, when requested.

There was also a failure to present treatment records, an animal health programme for breeding and retirement, an exercise, socialisation and enrichment plan or documented cleaning procedures.

There was a failure to provide a suitable isolation facility contrary to disease control requirements and a failure to adequately staff the establishment.

Lastly, there was failures to comply with the requirements for the national micro-chipping of dogs legislation and failures to comply with an improvement notice dated October 12 last year and an animal welfare notice dating from October 27.

Broderick was given seven days to appeal the closure order dating from its service by registered post.
The veteran broadcaster continues to share his journey with motor neurone disease with supporters online, even as his condition deteriorates

Charlie Bird relaxing listening to music with his dog Tiger at home in Ashford Co. Wicklow. Picture by Gerry Mooney

Charlie Bird (73) has admitted he can no longer hide the fact he is crying non-stop in an emotional health update.

The veteran broadcaster continues to share his journey with motor neurone disease with supporters online, even as his condition deteriorates.

"I cant hide anymore where ever I am in my journey I am crying non-stop, Charlie wrote on Twitter.

"I am not going to give in, I am going to keep fighting to extend the hand of friendship to people in dark places.

"But crying non-stop is so awful. A big hug for all the support.

I cant hide anymore where ever I am in my journey I am crying nonstop when I am out and about. I am not going to give in I am going to keep fighting to extend the hand of friendship to people in dark places. But crying non stop is so awful.A big hug for all the support.  Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) January 22, 2023

Charlie has long been open about his degenerative health condition, recently revealing that he is unsure how much longer he will remain mobile.

"To be honest my own situation is not great. I am no longer certain how long more I will have mobility. But I am going to continue to raise awareness for Samaritan volunteers all over the country, who every day are extending the hand of friendship for people who are in dark places.

Charlie explained that although he will not be able to climb Croagh Patrick in April to mark the one-year anniversary, he is still preparing to celebrate the milestone later in the year.

Charlie Bird makes his way to the top of Croagh Patrick. Photo by Gerry Mooney

"What is really upsetting me is that my uncontrollable crying is getting worse, he explained.

I don't want to be selfish, there are lots of people with terminal illnesses who are in dark places and we all need to show love and kindness to them.

The former RTE journalist has also asked supporters to light a candle to commemorate the anniversary of his climb to the top of Croagh Patrick.

Last April, the Climb with Charlie event raised 3.5 million for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

In a video message shared with his adored dog Tiger on his lap, Charlie said: A lot of people have been asking me how Im going to mark the amazing day on the second of April. Well, to be very honest, while Im still mobile, with my deteriorating health condition there is no way I could climb a mountain again.

"But, I would love to mark the occasion of our hike climb. On Saturday, April 1, or Sunday 2, I would love if we all extended the hand of friendship and lit a candle for everyone with a terminal illness, for everyone that is in a dark place and for everyone that has a life-changing illness, the people of Ukraine.

"It would be amazing if we all lit a candle in solidarity, showing our love and support for them.

As long as I have a breath in my body. Im going to continue extending the hand of friendship, he said.
Heading into a new year can be a daunting time with financial and social stresses coming from all directions; yet there is support available in our community to help you through.

Here to help u is a free service that offers stress-free and barrier-free social and wellbeing support  assisting people with any kind of struggles they may be facing.

Launching in response to Covid-19 in 2020, 'Here to help u' has provided support to more than 120,000 people here in the Bay of Plenty and the Waikato region.

It's important to reach out as soon as you need any wellbeing support so that we can get the right help to you at the right time, says 'Here to help u' Tauranga connector Sarah Baldock.

The community organisation is predicting there will be higher demand for their services this year compared to 2022.

The need for free wellbeing and social support will be driven by several factors including the cost-of-living crisis, increasing food costs, the impact of inflation on all essential items and costs, increasing mortgage and borrowing rates, and people and whanau unwell or isolating due to Covid.

With their smart tech request system, 'Here to help u' ensures that no one falls through the gaps and have their needs met.

Often people or whanau may request only food support because they are not aware of the wide range of other free support they can get.

'Here to help u' also connects people to general support such as budgeting and financial, mental health, advocacy, employment, child and youth support.

It can be daunting to ask for help for the first time and asking for help feels very vulnerable and very scary. It can feel like failure. Often people think that there are other people who need help more.

The stress is taken away when people are supported by the compassionate and non-judgemental team, says Sarah.

Often after finally reaching out for help people say that they wished they had asked for help sooner to avoid being stressed and to avoid going without food, mental health, budgeting or other support for longer than they needed to.

'Here to help u' give special thanks to more than 270 community providers that make supporting one another here in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato possible.

If you, your whanau or anyone you know needs any free wellbeing or social support at any time, go to: www.heretohelpu.nz

Alternatively, if you do not have online access you can leave a message on freephone: 0800 568 273.
Members of the secondary school teachers' union are poised to take industrial action over their stalled pay talks from next week.

Post Primary Teachers Association president Melanie Webber says there'ss no progress in pay talks with the Ministry of Education last week and confirmed that unless there was improvement, union members would refuse to cover for absent colleagues when classes resumed between January 30 and February 7.

"Effectively, this is simply a working-to-rule measure.

"Currently, teachers have been keeping classes running because we can't find relievers because of the shortages, so teachers have been using their planning and marking time to fill in those gaps and they're no longer going to do that."

The action could have a significant impact on schools because the shortages were so great, she says.

"In some places, it will mean they don't have the teachers that allow them to take trips or that allow teachers to be able to go out for professional development. But it also will mean that if teachers are sick, we're unable to cover for them."

Melanie says the ministry's offer of two pay rises providing an increase of $6000 over two years is not enough to keep up with inflation.

"The offer is a lump-sum offer so it means for our experienced teachers they're effectively seeing a significant pay cut in real terms."

Melanie says teachers don't want to disrupt schools but the ongoing under-funding and under-staffing of schools is also causing disruption that teachers are trying to cover.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Educational Institute president Mark Potter says its primary school teacher members will meet in February to consider an offer the ministry made in December last year.

He confirms the offer included a $4000 pay rise backdated to December 1, 2022, and a further $2000 or three per cent (whichever is higher) from December 1, 2023.

The offer also includes lump sum payments of $750 in March and $500 in December, and more release time from classroom teaching.

Mark says it will be up to the union's members to decide if they will accept or reject the revised offer.

"From that point on, we'll decide whether or not any further action's required.

"Our position is always that we're member-led but what we do know from the member meetings we had last year is there's a very strong feeling amongst members that they really want issues of pay addressed and something done about the resourcing needed to teach children properly."

The ministry says it's focused on reaching an agreement with the PPTA.

"We are currently engaged in discussions. We are unable to share any details of these discussions due to the nature of collective bargaining negotiations being confidential."

-John Gerritsen/RNZ.
While most people are taking it easy over the summer break, a University of Canterbury student is gearing up to swim 300km around a South Island lake, making a splash for mental health.

In a fundraiser for Mike Kings I am Hope charity, second-year student George Glover will begin his long-distance swim around Lake Rotoiti, in Nelson Lakes National Park, on Saturday, January 28.

George, 20, is planning to swim around the edge of the lake over the course of a week, finishing on Waitangi Weekend.

Guest kayakers and swimmers will join him for some of the stages, including Mike King and and former World Triathlon and Commonwealth Games champion Rick Wells on the first day.

This is by far the most challenging adventure Ive dreamt up, he says. When youre out there, its just you that you can rely on and theres no going back. I know Ill be in the right head space and give it a good crack.

The former competitive swimmer is training hard for his big swim, including going to the gym most days and swimming up to 80km a week. Half of his swimming sessions are in the pool and half are in the sea.

His fundraising goal for the effort, which he is calling Black Dog Swim, is $100,000, which will provide more than 800 counselling sessions for New Zealands most at-risk youth through the I am Hope charity.

George says the cause he has chosen is one thats close to his heart.

A big part of it is the challenge and making myself uncomfortable. But its also about getting people talking about mental health and the challenge of talking to others. My generation has been taught to listen, but listening is no good if people arent talking. Its also important that people know how to respond if someone needs to talk  there is a real need to get those skills out into the community.

George is no stranger to impressive challenges to raise funds for youth mental health. In 2020 he raised more than $60,000 for I Am Hope by swimming the 61.5km length of the Queen Charlotte Sound and back again, totalling 123km  five times the Cook Strait swim distance.

To date he remains the only swimmer to have completed this swim.

His original plan for his next fundraiser was to swim up the east coast of the South Island from Christchurch to Blenheim, his home town, but unfavourable weather conditions made that impossible and he has opted for a lake swim instead.

George has been working with the University of Canterbury Athlete Academy Programme and he is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sport Science and a Bachelor of Commerce, with the aim of continuing to explore the link between mental health and sport.

He is also the President of Lads Without Labels  a student-led club dedicated to improving men's mental health in and around campus.

George is a semi-finalist in the Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year category of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards for his work with the club.

To help George achieve his fundraising goal, visit his Black Dog Swim Givealittle webpage.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
tanmay1904 BHPian

Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Pune Posts: 26 Thanked: 166 Times

Re: 2022 Toyota Camry launched at Rs. 41.70 lakh So, the car has completed ~1500 kms and I am writing down some likes and dislikes of the car. Also, I had forgotten to mention previously that the cars we have had in our house till date were all company owned and given as a perquisite to my father. The car is currently the only car in our house and is primarily chauffeur driven and replaced our 2010 Corolla Altis 1.8 G.



Likes:



 Space. This is a big plus when compared to the Altis. Me and my father are tall and we are very comfortable whenever I sit in the front passenger seat and my father is seated behind me. My knee does not touch the dashboard in this car now

 Terrific fuel efficiency. We are currently getting ~17 kmpl in the city in eco mode. Last week, my father took the car to Mumbai and the car gave an average of 19.1 kmpl when driven by the chauffeur primarily in sport mode.

 Comfortable seats, especially the reclining rear ones. Seats are slightly on the firm side but are very good for long distances when compared to the Altis.

 Excellent suspension. Absorbs bumps very well, especially in our area where the roads are in a mess due to the metro construction going on

 The car is dead silent especially in EV mode. However, when the car is at a standstill and engine switches on to charge the battery, the car gives a mild jerk which makes everybody in the car aware of the fact that there is an engine under the hood. When the car is on the move though, the passengers cannot figure out whether the engine is switched on/ off except the driver who easily makes that out due to the mild vibrations which creep in. Under hard acceleration though, the engine is quite audible.

 Powerful headlights. Really helps light up the road during the night. This is again a huge plus when compared to the poor halogens in the Altis.



Dislikes:



 Low profile tires: This is a cause of worry. There have been a few reports on Team BHP itself about people losing some tires to potholes.

 Some equipment missing, (360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, additional parking sensors, etc.) which should have been made available considering how much the car costs

 Ergonomics should have been better. The memory seats button is placed far too ahead on the door and the windows switches itself are placed a bit ahead. It is impossible to open the front windows from the driver seat without looking at the switches directly.

 Continuing the above point, the attention to details could have been better. For example, the memory function buttons are not backlight, auto-headlamps are a touch too sensitive and as pointed out by Bhpian KKapadia, there is no OFF button for the headlights either

 Sad and confused head unit. The user interface is plain pathetic. This kind of unit does not belong in any car. The buttons and knobs are premium feeling though.

 Interior colours. The car has a combination of white and beige upholstery which according to me does not gel well. Also, the car interiors get soiled easily.

 Boring exterior colours. Now this is subjective but when compared to the Skoda Superb (which has stunning colour options, especially the brilliant silver and Graphite metallic), the Camry does fall behind on the exterior colours. The only colours I liked was the Burning black and the Pearl White. Also, the white carries an additional premium of Rs 15,000 ex-showroom. We decided to go with White due to possible issues maintaining a black coloured car.



What is Ok/ could have been better:



 The ICE. There are 9 speakers in the car. While, this is a huge upgrade for me when compared to the pathetic 6 speaker system in the Altis. It cannot, however, hold a candle to the 12-speaker system in the Skoda Superb.

 Ground clearance. While the car has not scraped till date, it is a cause of worry for the driver and bumps have to be tackled carefully. What is surprising though is that the Camry never scrapped on those portions where the Altis would scrape in spite of the fact the Altis has a shorter wheelbase and higher ground clearance. Last edited by vb-san : 21st January 2023 at 12:29 . Reason: As requested
vivek.ks BHPian

Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 167 Thanked: 325 Times

View My Garage





Re: I bought a 5.5 yr old Corolla in 2018



I fixed an appointment with the seller and inspected the car from inside and outside. The car looked clean from outside sans minor scratches on the bumper. The interior looked as good as new and was very clean. I immediately put forward my inclination to buy and requested another appointment for a detailed inspection at Toyota Service Center.



Photos from 2nd November 2018 when I first met the seller and inspected the car.



Keyless entry/start, 7 Speed CVT, Bluetooth Media Player, HID Lamps and more







Leather Seats







Sofa at the rear







I also drove the car for around 3 kms the same day and found the engine responsive with bit of a CVT lag. No signs of rattle at all and the drive was very peaceful.



Post this visit, I requested the seller to get the car inspected at authorised Toyota Service Centre. Fortunately the seller agreed and we fixed a date for car inspection.



On the planned date, I was super excited and visited Ravindu Toyota, Banswadi, quite early. I am typing this in 2023 and still remember the day. Seller Mr. S came on the appointed time and discussed regarding inspection with service centre folks.



Now Mr S is a true gentleman. He patiently waited and answered my queries. He also requested for a complete annual service for the car to be completed. This was a true surprise for me. If I am going to sell my car, why should I get the car serviced ? But Mr S beat all my expectations. I meanwhile requested for having a look at the previous service history of the car. The service advisor was very patient and showed me all the records. Nothing very surprising came up. The car was regularly serviced and had a clean history. At that time car had approx. 38182 on the odometer.



Now I came across some interesting history of this car.



1. Owner 1 - Registered in name of company in Mumbai

2. Car was then moved to Bangalore in the Bangalore branch of company

3. Car was sold to Toyota Trust by Owner 1

4. Car was purchased by Mr S (Owner 2) on 15/July/2017 with ODO reading 35057

5. After 1 year, 5 months, Mr S was looking at selling the car with ODO reading 38177



I was going to be owner 3, which means a depreciation in my car value. This got me thinking for a while, but I decided to go ahead with it.



Problems identified during inspection:



1. The engine sump had one screw with a damaged thread. I have lost my Bajaj Pulsar due to a similar issue and was surely worried. However on talking and inspecting the underbody, I understood that this should not a problem as a seal has been applied which reduces the risk. The question for me still remained as to why the cover was removed in first place or how did it got damaged ? It is still unanswered.







2. Damaged Front engine bottom guard - This was again not a deal breaker. The cover was hanging loose and was looking ugly, however with the help if few zip ties, the service centre folks were able to secure it in place.



Now, with the car looking good and in good shape, the price negotiations started from the next day. Mr S. had purchased this car in 11.5L a year ago and he was not ready to lose a lot. He started with 8.5L and finally settled on 7.5L. These negotiations took some time and finally we agreed on delivery date of 23rd December 2018. Buying used cars in India is a difficult decision because of so many choices and sources available. You can buy cars from used car dealers, company affiliated showrooms and from an individual buyer. I found OLX to be the best as there are tons of listing available compared to other sites. I am not associated with OLX in any way. OLX should add a filter for transmission while searching cars.I fixed an appointment with the seller and inspected the car from inside and outside. The car looked clean from outside sans minor scratches on the bumper. The interior looked as good as new and was very clean. I immediately put forward my inclination to buy and requested another appointment for a detailed inspection at Toyota Service Center.Photos from 2nd November 2018 when I first met the seller and inspected the car.Keyless entry/start, 7 Speed CVT, Bluetooth Media Player, HID Lamps and moreLeather SeatsSofa at the rearI also drove the car for around 3 kms the same day and found the engine responsive with bit of a CVT lag. No signs of rattle at all and the drive was very peaceful.Post this visit, I requested the seller to get the car inspected at authorised Toyota Service Centre. Fortunately the seller agreed and we fixed a date for car inspection.On the planned date, I was super excited and visited Ravindu Toyota, Banswadi, quite early. I am typing this in 2023 and still remember the day. Seller Mr. S came on the appointed time and discussed regarding inspection with service centre folks.Now Mr S is a true gentleman. He patiently waited and answered my queries. He also requested for a complete annual service for the car to be completed. This was a true surprise for me. If I am going to sell my car, why should I get the car serviced ? But Mr S beat all my expectations. I meanwhile requested for having a look at the previous service history of the car. The service advisor was very patient and showed me all the records. Nothing very surprising came up. The car was regularly serviced and had a clean history. At that time car had approx. 38182 on the odometer.Now I came across some interesting history of this car.1. Owner 1 - Registered in name of company in Mumbai2. Car was then moved to Bangalore in the Bangalore branch of company3. Car was sold to Toyota Trust by Owner 14. Car was purchased by Mr S (Owner 2) on 15/July/2017 with ODO reading 350575. After 1 year, 5 months, Mr S was looking at selling the car with ODO reading 38177I was going to be owner 3, which means a depreciation in my car value. This got me thinking for a while, but I decided to go ahead with it.1. The engine sump had one screw with a damaged thread. I have lost my Bajaj Pulsar due to a similar issue and was surely worried. However on talking and inspecting the underbody, I understood that this should not a problem as a seal has been applied which reduces the risk. The question for me still remained as to why the cover was removed in first place or how did it got damaged ? It is still unanswered.2. Damaged Front engine bottom guard - This was again not a deal breaker. The cover was hanging loose and was looking ugly, however with the help if few zip ties, the service centre folks were able to secure it in place.Now, with the car looking good and in good shape, the price negotiations started from the next day. Mr S. had purchased this car in 11.5L a year ago and he was not ready to lose a lot. He started with 8.5L and finally settled on 7.5L. These negotiations took some time and finally we agreed on delivery date of 23rd December 2018. Last edited by vivek.ks : 22nd January 2023 at 18:04 .
What just happened? The United States' first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) should be operational by the end of this decade. The country's nuclear power regulator has just certified the design for NuScale Power Corp's SMR, marking a significant step toward developing these next-generation power plants, which some say could be used to sustainably power data centers.

Following approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), NuScale plans to build an SMR plant at the Idaho National Laboratory. The company says its six-reactor, 462 megawatt Carbon Free Power Project should be operational by 2030.

SMRs typically generate 300-500 megawatts (MW) of electric power, though some produce less than 100MW. While any nuclear reactor will raise concerns among the general public, these plants are said to pose far less risk than traditional facilities due to their scale, simple design, and the inherent safety characteristics of the reactor. They also rely on natural circulation, convection, gravity, and self-pressurization, all of which has led experts to cite SMRs as a way of sustaining data center growth.

Image credit: NuScale

Nuclear waste is still a problem with SMRs---spent fuel material can take anything from three decades up to 24,000 years to reach safe radiation levels. However, unlike conventional nuclear power plants that require refueling every year or two, SMR vendors are aiming for every three to seven years. Some designs are estimated to operate for 40 years without refueling.

NRC approval means the SMR is now the seventh reactor design cleared for use in the United States. "SMRs are no longer an abstract concept," said Kathryn Huff, assistant secretary for nuclear energy at the Department of Energy. "They are real, and they are ready for deployment thanks to the hard work of NuScale, the university community, our national labs, industry partners, and the NRC."

NuScale has also applied to the NRC for approval of a larger SMR design that produces 77 megawatts per module, writes AP.

President Joe Biden's administration and Republican lawmakers have backed SMRs, saying they are important in helping to address climate change as the plants offer an alternative to greenhouse-gas-producing fossil fuels. The US Energy Department has provided more than $600 million to the project since 2014.

Russia has two SMRs capable of producing 35MW each sitting on a floating power plant (above) off the arctic coast. New SMRs are now under construction or in the licensing process in Argentina, Canada, China, France, South Korea, and the UK, where Rolls-Royce aims to get the first of its reactors online by 2029. NuScale also hopes to build SMRs in Romania, Kazakhstan, and Poland, though building in this region is a concern for nuclear safety experts given Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
TechSpot is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust

In brief: Nvidia's RTX 4070 Ti arrived at the start of the month with an MSRP of $800. Most people agree that it's too expensive, and finding one at this price is no easy feat (but still doable). But the criticism doesn't appear to be damaging sales of the latest Lovelace entry, especially in Germany.

TechEpiphany (via VideoCardz) tweeted the latest sales figures from German hardware retailer Mindfactory, which show that 545 RTX 4070 Ti models were sold in the third week of January alone. For comparison, that's more than the combined sales of the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, RX 7900 XT, and Intel Arc A770/A380  only 20 Intel cards were sold in the same week, admittedly.

Interestingly, Mindfactory's stats show that the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX sold 300 units, over 100 more than the RTX 4080 it competes against.

The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti isn't performing too shabbily in the US, either. It's the third best-selling graphics card on Amazon, sitting behind the RTX 3060 and Ti variant, and it takes up two positions on Newegg's best-selling GPU chart: fifth and eighth.

As we know, the RTX 4070 Ti started life as the $900 RTX 4080 12GB last year. The backlash against the price and the difference in specs compared to the RTX 4080 16GB led to Nvidia "unlaunching" the card and rebranding it as the RTX 4070 Ti, but the $100 discount hasn't proved popular  we said in our review that it shouldn't have an MSRP of more than $700.

Furthermore, the lack of Founders Edition cards and the fact that this is only Nvidia's recommendation means few models can be found at this price.

Even add-in board partner MSI mocked Nvidia's pricing strategy. In a quickly deleted tweet, the company noted that the RTX 4070 Ti was available from its store at a cost "not as bad as a 4080."

Another element noted by TechSpot is that the RTX 4070 Ti's cost per frame---the true value it offers---is almost the same as the RTX 3070.
Apple's second-generation HomePod Mini is reportedly no longer in the works, a new report claims.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 09: The new Apple HomePod is displayed at an Apple Store on February 9, 2018 in San Francisco, California. Apple's new HomePod went on sale today at Apple Stores in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The HomePod retails for $349.

Apple's New HomePod Mini Cancellation

Bloomberg journalist, Mark Gurman, disclosed that Apple scrapped plans for a new HomePod mini, as per a report by Engadget.

Shortly after the surprising debut of the new HomePod 2, it looks like the iPhone maker is abandoning its plans for the next generation HomePod Mini.

In the latest entry on the "Power On" newsletter, Gurman states that the Cupertino-based tech giant is no longer "actively working" on a new HomePod Mini.

It is worth noting that the HomePod Mini is essentially a smaller version of the original smart speaker of Apple. It is also a cheaper option for consumers looking to get their hands on a HomePod.

The renowned tech giant introduced the first-ever Mini option last October 2020, and recent rumors suggested that the Cupertino firm is working on a new version.

However, Gurman now says that Apple has abandoned the plan to work on its second generation.

Why Did Apple Scrap the Plans for a New HomePod Mini?

Engadget notes in its report that Gurman claims that the supposed second generation is closely similar to what the current offering brings to the table.

The journalist says that the new version "[does not[ include any major new functions that [are not] already in the $99 mini." And as such, Gurman offers that the tech giant concluded that "there isn't an obvious reason to update the model."

Read Also: Apple's Refresh HomePod Mini, Full-Size Version To Arrive! Expected Release Date, Features, and More

HomePod Mini Price Increase

While the iPhone maker reportedly stopped working on a new HomePod Mini, the current generation got a bit more expensive.

Apple recently hiked the pricing of the current HomePod Mini, along with the iMac.

The Verge reports that the HomePod Mini and the iMac are now more costly in various parts of Europe. The price hike varies depending on where you live or plan to buy these Apple devices.

In the United Kingdom, the smart speaker now retails for $123 or 99, up from its previous pricing of 89 or roughly $110.

On the other hand, European nations like Spain, Italy, France, Ireland, Germany, and Austria, saw an increase from 99 ($108) to 109 ($199).

The Verge notes that the pricing of the smart speaker in Zealand is a bit different. It used to retail for NZ$159.00, but after the price hike, it now costs NZ$179.00 or around $115.

But in the United States, the pricing of the HomePod Mini remained the same. You may still get your hands on the smart speaker for only $99, or less if you are lucky to cop it with a discount.

So it looks like the renowned tech giant increased the pricing depending on the country.

Related Article: Apple HomePod Bug: iCloud Advanced Data Protection Causes it, Here's How to Fix

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
"Inspired by the human brain": the specialist spoke about promising areas of application of neural networks

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The Government launches a decaffeinated pilot for the four-day day with a fifth of the money promised

Escriva defends in Washington the withdrawal of tax benefits to Ferrovial: "No one can be surprised by that"

Stock price rises slightly, and buy orders gather for stocks of companies that are performing well

Three major convenience store companies Domestic business increases sales and profits Factors such as relaxation of restrictions on movement

Spain revalidates its position as the country with the highest unemployment in the OECD and the second with the highest youth unemployment

Rafael del Pino rules out the sanction of the Treasury and adds a majority in favor of taking the headquarters of Ferrovial to the Netherlands

Calvino "respects" the result of the Ferrovial meeting, but Belarra demands "forcefulness" against the company

The Government admits the abuse of the discontinuous fixed in Education and announces an inspection "without consideration"

On the way to $ 200 billion: for three months of 2023, the trade turnover between Russia and China grew by almost 39%

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Qinghai Province launched the themed learning and publicity activity of "Understanding the Law of Overseas Chinese, Protecting the Benefits of Overseas Chinese, and Gathering Overseas Chinese Strength"-China News Network Video

China-Laos Railway Kunming-Vientiane Cross-border Passenger Train officially opened China: Press the "accelerator button" for the recovery of tourism and other industries-Chinanews.com video

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The Future of Online Casinos and the Technologies That Will Shape It

"Can cause very serious complications": doctors - about the increase in the incidence of measles in Russia

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Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks during his visit Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the newly rebuilt Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas, La. Mt. Pleasant was one of three historically black churches in the area that was destroyed by an arsonist in 2019.
Victorian deputy premier says duck shooting is being reconsidered

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Australians support for an Indigenous Voice to parliament has fallen from 53 to 47 per cent after a political row over how it would work, putting the proposal in danger of defeat at a referendum later this year.

Only 13 per cent of voters are confident they understand the plan for constitutional change to give First Nations people a bigger say in national affairs, heightening the debate about whether the government should reveal more details to build popular support.

But an exclusive survey for this masthead shows 60 per cent of voters would back the Voice if forced to answer only yes or no in a choice akin to a referendum (with no undecided option), although this has fallen from 64 per cent over four months.

Indigenous leader Noel Pearson warned on Monday that Australia would lose the chance for reconciliation forever if the Voice were defeated at a popular vote, as concerns about law and order in Alice Springs fuelled the debate over how the reform would help achieve practical change for First Australians.
Gunman opens fire during Lunar New Year celebrations

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Rockwell Automation, one of the world's largest companies dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, said it has helped Dubai-based Falcon Group to boost its machine utilisation by 162.5% with the help of its key industrial internet of things (IIoT).

According to Rockwell, this was done through deployment of its ThingWorx IIoT platform, a part of the FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, powered by PTC.

Headquartered in Dubai, Falcon Group comprises five industrial operations. One of these is a specialist precision engineering and fabrication company that caters for the demanding needs of customers in the aerospace, automotive, marine, healthcare, defence, oil and gas, and steel industries.

At the heart of its operations are 16 CNC machines, all of which are essential to the company's machining capabilities.

Before support from Rockwell Automation, Falcon was considering purchasing additional CNC machinery to keep pace with customer demand and to support maintenance downtime for critical machines.

When at peak capacity, to meet order dates, the company had subcontracted work to competitors. But before signing off on additional machinery, the company decided to assess its current asset utilization.

Falcon Group CEO Prabhu Badrinathen said: "We are always looking for ways to do things better and deliver even greater levels of service to our customers. We knew we had room to grow our machine utilization, but it was not until we got the real-time, machine-level insights from the ThingWorx platform that we realized where inefficiencies were and where the changes needed to be made."

"We have grown our utilization from 16% to 42% and have set an ambitious future target of 75%  a growth of more than 365%," noted Badrinathen.

"ThingWorx has this incredible capability to bring operational data together in such a way that it offers immediate value in the form of actionable intelligence," he added.

Mohamed Elnakib, the Head of information solutions sales, Middle East, Turkey and Africa for Rockwell Automation, pointed out that Badrinathen was very digital savvy and understood that digital transformation could deliver huge benefits to his people, his assets, and his processes.

"Using ThingWorx, part of FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, connected to PLCs and sensors throughout the plant, we were able to ascertain that machine utilization was sitting at only 16%," he added.

Rejin Jose Kurian, the managing director at Falcon Group, said the increase in machine utilization  and the new business opportunities created  demonstrates the company's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

"We were always a very successful company, but we also knew we could do more," remarked Kurian. "We challenged the team to think about what was possible and how we can grow the business," he stated.

Sebastien Grau, the Regional Vice President, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Rockwell Automation, said: "Falcon management perfectly embraces the potential of industrial software and the benefits they have seen are a great example of a successful digital transformation."

"With a pragmatic step-by-step approach, Falcon delivers tremendous process and cost improvements but even more, Falcon is opening new doors for additional business by becoming a Rockwell Automation software system integrator and sharing their expertise and knowledge," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low 32F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low 32F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible.
80 Percent of Chinese Population Infected With COVID: Top Chinese Health Official

People walk down a street next to a local market in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei Province, on Jan. 23, 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Eighty percent of people in China have been infected with COVID-19 amid Lunar New Year celebrations, a top Chinese health official said on Jan. 21.

China has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. Most of the population has been infected, according to officials and studies, and crematoriums and hospitals have been overwhelmed. But the regimes continuing coverup of the death toll makes it difficult to ascertain the true scale of the outbreak.

Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist of Chinas Disease Control and Prevention Center, stated in a Weibo post that 80 percent of the population had been infected in the latest outbreak. His comment aligns with statements made by other Chinese officials in recent weeks and a study showing that 900 million Chinese had been infected.

The explosive outbreak raised concerns about the possibility of a second wave in the coming months amid the Lunar New Year travel rush. The Ministry of Transport expected more than 5 billion passenger trips during the festive season.

More than 1.1 million people in China traveled by air nationwide on Jan. 20, and 800,000 people took domestic flights on Lunar New Years Eve on Jan. 21, double the number from the previous year, South China Morning Post reported.

Overcrowded Hospitals, Funeral Homes

Overcrowded hospitals and funeral homes suggest that China is battling a severe outbreak with a high death toll.

Lew Mon-hung, a former member of the CCPs political advisory body, said that all outpatient departments and emergency departments of hospitals are crowded with people and with no beds left for people to stay in the hospital.

The funeral homes are overwhelmed, and the dead bodies pile up, Lew said, according to an earlier report by The Epoch Times.

People wait for funeral services for their deceased relatives at Baoxing Funeral Parlor in Shanghai, on Jan. 4, 2023. (Wang Gang/VCG via Getty Images)

He pointed out that the daily infection rate has increased to 1 million in Zhejiang Province. Officials in Qingdao city acknowledged that its daily infection rate had increased to 500,000.

The confirmed cases in Dongguan city in central Guangdong Province increased by 250 million to 300 million. The densely populated provinces of Sichuan and Henan have recorded an infection rate of more than 80 percent.

My relatives, my brother and sister, and my mother in Guangzhou were all infected. A one- to two-kilometer line [about one mile] was outside the Guangzhou Galaxy Martyr Cemetery, waiting to register for cremation, Lew said.

Not only did the people form long lines outside the funeral homes in different places in China, but they also needed to wait half a month, or even over a month, to get their relatives to be cremated.

Lew claimed that there is currently a coffin shortage in China. He said that normal civilians, who were forced to turn to scalpers, had to pay 38,500 yuan [$5,700] to move the body to a funeral home.

Families are sometimes forced to store the corpses of loved ones at home or in their vehicles, an anonymous Shanghai resident told The Epoch Times. Shanghai resident Zhang Pei (a pseudonym) told The Epoch Times that a friend paid an extra $5,000 to obtain timely cremation for an elderly family member.

Shanghai resident Wu Fangyan (a pseudonym) said on Jan. 13 that hospitals are still crowded. Only one medication is given for each visit, and the one medication does not reduce the fever, so you must go back in the afternoon and wait in line for hours.

Wu expressed frustration that doctors are unwilling to give more than one dose of medicine.

Sometimes you cant even get [one dose of] medicine after lining up for hours.

The governments attitude toward us is to ignore whether we can survive or not. The strong survive and the rest die, Wu said.

Sherry Lin, Nathan Amery, Ellen Wan, Kathleen Li, and Lynn Xu contributed to this report.
Big Change to COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy Might Be Coming Soon, FDA Documents Show

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to simplify the current COVID-19 vaccination strategy to be more like an annual flu shot, according to briefing documents released on Jan. 23 ahead of a key advisory meeting to be held on Jan. 26.

The FDAs proposal, as outlined in the documents, is to simplify COVID-19 vaccine composition and annual immunization schedules.

Currently, people first get two doses of the original COVID-19 vaccine spaced several weeks apart, followed a few months later by a bivalent booster tailored to protect against newer variants. The FDAs proposal wants to change that.

Instead, the primary dose and booster would be combined into a single product for healthy adults, developed in spring based on prevailing strains and given once a year in the fall, much like how flu shots are administered.

There would still be a two-dose vaccineand corresponding immunization schedulefor very young children, as well as the elderly and people with compromised immunity who might not get the same kind of immune response from a single shot.

The proposed changes would basically mean that the bulk of COVID-19 vaccines would become bivalent, while Pfizer and Modernas bivalent shots would be used for all doses, not just boosters.

Some experts say the proposed change could boost vaccine uptake.

Key Question

The key question that the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will be asked to vote on at its Jan. 26 meeting, according to one of the documents (pdf), is as follows:

Does the committee recommend harmonizing the vaccine strain composition of primary series and booster doses in the U.S. to a single composition, e.g., the composition for all vaccines administered currently would be a bivalent vaccine (Original plus Omicron BA.4/BA.5)?

Besides that question being put to a vote, the panel also will discuss simplifying the process for determining the need for periodic COVID-19 vaccine updates and the timing of such updates.

The idea is to establish a process for vaccine strain selection recommendations that is similar to the one used for seasonal influenza vaccines. Namely, it would be based on assessing the predominantor predictedvariants in the springtime so that corresponding vaccines could be produced by the fall.

Such strain selection meetings, which would take place at least once per year, would take place more frequently as needed in order to address a more pathogenic escape variant, the main briefing document (pdf) indicates.

The FDAs proposal followed the agencys announcement in December 2022 of plans for the expert panel to consider updating the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in the face of waning protection and the emergence of new variants.

People would presumably find it easier under a simplified process to take the recommended COVID-19 shot once a year rather than having to track when they got their prior jabs and whether they were primary or booster doses.

If the panel endorses the FDAs proposal on Jan. 26, the agency will then work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to hash out the details.

The advisers would then meet again next spring to decide on the specific strain to include in the single combined shot.

Boosters and Waning Immunity

Waning immunity from COVID-19 vaccinations and the emergence of new variants have so far led regulators to recommend boosters based on prevailing strains.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older should get a booster a minimum of two months after their last shot. Thats been unpopular with the public, however, with booster uptake in the United States hovering at around 15 percent, according to CDC data.

Theres also disagreement among health experts as to whether a booster strategy based on emerging variants is the way to go.

In December 2022, Bloomberg polled 13 vaccine specialists, infectious disease doctors, and public health experts on the booster approach, with less than half fully endorsing the CDC-recommended booster strategy.

The situation is becoming more like influenza in that vaccine efficacy is modest and efficacy is mainly against serious disease, Stanley Plotkin, a vaccinologist and professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania, told the outlet.

Besides the waning effectiveness of primary doses, protection from booster doses also drops off rapidly, researchers have found.

The FDAs proposal to combine doses into a single bivalent shot comes after the European Medicines Agencys (EMA) emergency task force said late last year that bivalent doses could be used in previously unvaccinated children and adults.

EMA made its recommendation based on data that showed primary vaccination with the adapted bivalent vaccines should result in a broad immune response in people who havent been vaccinated against COVID-19 or who hadnt experienced a prior infection.

Prior infection and recovery confer a type of protection known as natural immunity. While studies have consistently shown that severe COVID-19 infections induce natural immunity, researchers recently found that even milder cases still gave long-lasting protection.
Attacks on Electrical Grid Prompt State Lawmakers to Bolster Security

Multiple attacks on the national electrical grid are prompting state lawmakers to bolster security there.

Policymakers in several U.S. states are looking to improve the security of the electrical grid after a series of attacks at substations in recent months knocked out power for thousands and exposed the systems vulnerabilities.

At least four states have reported deliberate attacks of vandalism against electrical transmission facilities. The recent attacks in North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, South Carolina, and Nevada have highlighted the vulnerability of the nations electrical grid, which security experts have long warned were an easy target for radical domestic terrorists.

States Take Action to Secure Their Power Grids

Lawmakers in North Carolina and South Carolina have begun proposing legislation to combat the attacks on infrastructure.

Gunshots at two electrical substations took out power for 45,000 households in Moore County, North Carolina, for several days in early December. State Rep. Ben Moss (R) told the Associated Press that his district became a ghost town.

The FBI is still seeking information on the identity of the attackers, and no arrests have been made so far in that attack (pdf).

Another attack last week on a substation, in Randolph County, North Carolina, prompted Moss to urge his fellow lawmakers to prioritize legislation that would secure the states energy infrastructure when the legislative session returns this week.

No outages were reported after this, and the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force is reportedly probing the incident, and there have been no arrests either for the Randolph County substation attacks.

The substation attacks in Moore County were terrible. Thats why Ive authored the Energy Security Act. Energy providers have a responsibility to ensure their systems are securelives depend on it, Moss stated in a tweet.

The Energy Security Act of 2023 would require power companies to provide security systems at substations to protect against vandalism and other security threats, reported The Pilot newspaper.

Moss told the Associated Press that he proposing legislation that would strengthen his states power grid security, stating when the power goes out, you dont have heat, dont have food, cant get fuel or some medications, the people are unsafe.

His proposed bill is is among the first be that would protect the power grid after the attacks, which primarily took place in the Carolinas and the Pacific Northwest.

The Associated Press was able to review a draft version of the North Carolina bill, which would require power utilities to provide 24-hour security at substations.

Security provisions would vary across sites, as some are already gated with video surveillance while others are more exposed.

Moss called his bill a conversation opener that would encourage lawmakers, utilities, and security experts to identify cost-effective defenses that would not raise energy prices for consumers

Wave of Attacks in South Carolina

South Carolina saw at least 12 attacks on substations last year, including an incident a few days after the Moore County attacks, but the power was not affected.

Utility companies in South Carolina have called on state lawmakers to toughen penalties for destroying electrical infrastructure.

Dominion Energy South Carolina president Keller Kissam told the Associated Press that the attacks were meant to demoralize people by putting them in the dark.

A proposed bill in the state senate would set a sliding scale based on how much damage is done to the utility.

If damage exceeds $25,000 to fix equipment and cover losses, for example, the perpetrator could face up to 20 years in prison, double the current 10-year maximum sentence. A maximum 25-year penalty would be applied if someone died or their health was endangered by a resulting outage following an attack.

Another bill in South Carolina will seek stiffer penalties for destruction caused specifically by a gun or explosive.

Some state senators worried that the law could be used against hunters who accidentally damage utility equipment, but Kissam said that sometimes the damage is not an accident, as hunters use equipment to set their gun sights or as target practice, though he agreed there was room for abuse.

A subcommittee plans to review the South Carolina bill further in a few weeks.

In addition, 15 physical attacks against utilities in Oregon and Washington were reported in 2022, including 10 in the last two months of the year alone.

A series of attacks on four Puget Sound-area substations on Christmas Day took out power for 15,000 customers.

Two men in Washington State were charged with conspiracy to commit acts of forced entry, setting fire to equipment, and temporarily cutting power to thousands of customers.

Prosecutors said that their motive was to commit a burglary at an area business when the power was down, Fox News reported.

Attacks on Pacific Northwest Grid Spurs Utilities to Act

Washington is currently revamping its electrical infrastructure under the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which commits the state to making its power supply green by 2045.

Physical and cybersecurity updates are in the works as the electrical grid undergoes significant changes to meet new standards, said Michael Furze, director of the Washington State Energy Office.

Furze said that although there is no legislation specifically addressing substation security at this time, broader bipartisan discussions are already underway about grid protection. Security by design is a core component of these systems, he told the Associated Press.

Oregons Public Utility Commission is working with local utilities to increase vigilance and explore future security updates after gunfire attacks damaged two substations southeast of Portland, in Clackamas County, over Thanksgiving Day.

A commission spokeswoman told the Associated Press that she is not aware of any related bills introduced to protect utilities this session.

Even after a man set fire to a solar power unit in Nevada this month, the Associated Press found no bills so far that would explicitly address electrical infrastructure security.

However, most of the intended legislative proposals have not been formally introduced for the legislative session.

Federal Agencies Make Proposals to Boost Energy Grid Security

Federal energy regulators in December started a review to make improvements to the security of the national grid.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which oversees the U.S. power system, is expected to submit a report and make recommendations on possible security improvements by early April.

More communication and collaboration is required between the different levels of government, industry leaders, and law enforcement, said Manny Cancel, a NERC senior vice president and the CEO of the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

The frequency has increased, the targeting has increased, Cancel told the Associated Press.

What weve seen are patterns of clusters  or assets that are in proximity to each other being repeatedly targeted.

Brian Harrell, former assistant secretary for infrastructure protection at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, told the Associated Press that although harsher penalties for equipment sabotage were a deterrent, it was better if state legislatures supported their utilities with improved security measures.

Specifically, ensuring monies for perimeter security, cameras and alarms, said Harrell.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Australian Defence Porcupine to Bristle With New Layer of Weapons

An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) being prepared for a training exercise as part of AUV Summerfest at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, ACT on Dec 3, 2019. (Australian Department of Defence)

Australia looks set to add another layer to its growing porcupine of defences amid increasing tensions from Beijing in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Defence Department has confirmed the government is considering the purchase of nearly $1 billion (US$700 million) worth of sea mines that will be deployed in the nations waters.

Defence is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australias maritime approaches, the Defence Department told The Sydney Morning Herald in an exclusive report.

The sea mines being considered for acquisition can discriminate between military targets and civilian vessels. Further, they can be activated and deactivated to allow friendly ships to pass through a countrys sea passages.

Australia is considering spending between $500 million to $1 billion on the acquisition, likely from an Italian or Spanish contractor.

The acquisition is the latest in a series of purchases by the federal governmentboth Liberal-National and Laborintended to beef-up the countrys defence force.

Just earlier this month, Labor Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the government would acquire the long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which has been deployed heavily in the Ukraine War.

The HIMARS system will be in use by 2026-27, providing the Australian Army with a significant capability boost, said the Defence Department in a statement. HIMARS munitions currently have a range of up to 300 kilometres, which is expected to increase with technological advances.

The move is part of the defence ministers call for Australia to have impactful projection capabilities or to become a porcupineensuring the country has enough highly potent weaponry to deter an adversarys forces from long range.

Australia Walking Fine Line Between Tension and Trade

It also comes as the Labor government continues working on a thawing of trade relations with Beijing with Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres managing to set up a virtual meeting with his counterpart.

It is an important and useful development that there will be a face-to-face meeting of the Australian and Chinese trade minister over the coming weeks, Ayres told Sky News Australia.

Beijing has left the door ajar for a normalisation of relations with Australia following an extensive two-year trade war campaign against the countrys exporters in response to calls from former Liberal Party Foreign Minister Marise Payne for an investigation into COVID-19s origins.

While, Beijing refused to speak with the former Liberal-National government ministers, the election of a Labor government saw the Chinese Communist Party soften its tone.

Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has, however, maintained that the process would be slow and that he would not be sacrificing Australias national interest.

We have big differences to manage, he said while pushing for trade sanctions to be removed for Australian exports.

It remains to be seen how the government will balance trade normalisation and calls for greater attention to human rights abuses in China.

Militaries Building Up Steadily

Meanwhile, governments in the region, including those of Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, have all undertaken similar measures to strengthen their defence forces in the face of Beijings military build-up.

Just last week, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy undertook a series of confrontational drills in the South China Sea, according to state media reports.

The drills apparently simulated hostile aircraft attacks and saw Chinese J-15 fighter jets take off from the Shandong aircraft carrier group to carry out interception training, according to a statement from the PLA.

The South China Sea now contains several manmade islands constructed by Beijing.
Australian Media Watchdog Gains New Powers to Target Media Misinformation

Australias media regulator will gain new powers to impose a compulsory code of conduct to target misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be given new information-gathering and record-keeping powers to respond to misinformation and disinformation in a federal effort to create transparency around major digital platforms.

The new information-gathering powers will be similar to pre-existing industry codes that are already in place for the telecommunication and broadcasting sectors, but the ACMA will have the added ability to register an enforceable industry code to replace the voluntary self-regulating code that digital platforms have joined.

Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced on Jan. 20 that the new powers mark a major step forward in addressing the rapid increase in online misinformation and disinformation.

The new framework will focus on systemic issues which pose a risk of harm on digital platforms, rather than individual pieces of content posted online, Rowland said in the statement.

Digital platforms will continue to be responsible for the content they host and promote to users.

In balancing freedom of expression with the need to address online harm, the code and standard-making powers will not apply to professional news and authorised electoral content, nor will the ACMA have a role in determining what is considered truthful.

The Albanese government will undertake public and industry consultation on draft legislation and release a draft Bill in the first half of 2023, followed by legislation in Parliament later this year.

The key here always is about keeping Australians safe, and we know that, unfortunately, misinformation has the potential to cause great harms, including harms to social order and threats to our democracy, Rowland told ABC News in an interview.

The new framework will not focus on individual pieces of content posted online. Instead, it will focus on systemic issues on digital platforms.

Code of Practice for Disinformation and Misinformation

ACMA currently oversees the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation, which is undertaken through the Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI).

DIGI currently has eight major technology companies, including Adobe, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Redbubble, TikTok and Twitter, which are also the founding signatories. These companies have adopted the mandatory commitments and nominated additional opt-in commitments through public disclosures on the DIGI website.

DIGI has welcomed the new oversight powers over misinformation and disinformation given to ACMA.

Managing Director Sunita Bose said in a statement on Jan. 20, DIGI is committed to driving improvements in the management of mis- and disinformation in Australia, demonstrated through our track record of work with signatory companies to develop and strengthen the industry code.

We welcome that this announcement aims to reinforce DIGIs efforts and that it formalises our long-term working relationship with the ACMA in relation to combatting misinformation online.

Under the code of practice launched by Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI) on Feb. 22, 2021, the participating companies release an annual transparency report showing their commitment and efforts under the code that can help understand online misinformation and disinformation over time in Australia.

On Dec. 22, 2022, DIGI released an updated code (pdf) in response to stakeholder feedback received through a planned review of the code.

This code is an important safeguard for Australians against the harms that arise from mis- and disinformation. DIGI is committed to the codes continued improvement over time in response to the evolving digital environment and feedback from the community, said DIGI Managing Director Sunita Bose in a statement.

As mainstream platforms get better in their approaches to mis- and disinformation, its likely to proliferate elsewhere online. Thats why were also making changes today to make it easier for smaller companies to adopt the code.

AI To Target Misinformation

Facebook and Facebooks parent Meta currently use artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that are able to detect any unwanted content with high accuracies, such as misinformation and hate speech.

Rowland said that the regulator needs to be empowered to ensure platforms such as Twitter and Facebook follow the code.

They include artificial intelligence and consumer complaints. But, again, we need to make sure that all of those elements are working properly. And ultimately, this is about making sure that misinformation and disinformation is kept to a minimum, Rowland told ABC News.

Facebook has implemented a range of policies and products to target misinformation on the platform, including added warning signs and more context to content rated by third-party fact-checkers, reducing their distribution, and removing posts or comments with misinformation.

However, in recent years there have been criticisms against Facebook, including Big Tech companies such as Google and Twitter, in which conservatives say their voices have been suppressed despite Big Tech denying the accusations.

Current AI tools have the ability to both flag certain posts and comments for review and automatically find new similar posts and comments that were previously identified as misinformation.

Facebook has also launched SimSearchNet++, an image-matching model that operates on images uploaded to Facebook and Instagram and is part of Metas end-to-end image indexing and matching system.
Australians Hand in Almost 18,000 Weapons in First Year of National Gun Amnesty

Over 17,000 firearms and weapons were surrendered in the most recent year of Australia's national gun amnesty. (Joel Carrett/AAP)

Australians handed in almost 18,000 weapons, including a Vietnam-era flamethrower, automatic firearms, and a crossbow, to police during the first year of a national firearms amnesty.

A total of 17,543 firearms weapons and 606 weapons components, including suppressors and magazines, were surrendered between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, according to the Permanent National Firearms Amnesty Annual Report issued on Jan. 20 by Attorney-Generals Department.

The National Firearms Amnesty program was approved in 2019 by the then Coalition government. However, the program was delayed until July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New South Wales (NSW) accounted for the largest amount, with 6,704 weapons and firearms surrendered. Victoria and Queensland ranked second and third place, with 3,279 and 2,835 weapons and firearms surrendered, respectively. Among all firearms submitted, 6,343 were handed in for destruction.

Over 8,000 rifles and nearly 3,000 shotguns were collected, with almost two tonnes of ammunition collected in the ACT, NSW, and Tasmania.

Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus in Parliament on September 16, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

The permanent amnesty provides the opportunity to surrender unregistered firearms to law enforcement, without penalty or threat of criminal liability, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said in a statement.

It is an important measure to reduce the number of firearms circulating in our community and keep Australians safe.

Nearly Half Surrendered Weapons Because Unwanted



Just under half (48.7 percent) of all 247 survey respondents said they chose to surrender their firearms because they did not need or want the firearm anymore; 23.5 percent obtained the firearms as a family heritage, and 21.1 percent had been given it by a family member or friend.

Over 15 percent surrendered their firearms due to a sense of responsibility. and 1.2 percent indicated they were surrendering to avoid being charged with a firearms offence.

The report released today found Australians who surrendered firearms in that time period were primarily motivated to do so out of a sense of responsibility or because they did not require them, Dreyfus said.

The Albanese government thanks those Australians who have participated in the permanent amnesty and urges gun owners to continue to hand in their unregistered or unwanted firearms.

Weapons that were surrendered due to the National Firearm Amnesty are seen at the Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 11, 2017. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The federal government encouraged those with unregistered or unwanted weapons to surrender them anonymously without penalty. The process for surrendering a firearm in each state or territory is available on the Crime Stoppers website.

Illicit Firearms Market in Australia Large and Accessible

Australia boasts one of the strictest gun laws in the world, largely due to the Port Arthur massacre, a mass shooting that occurred in the island state of Tasmania in 1996, which killed 35 people and wounded 23 others.

The country previously implemented two national temporary firearms amnesties, including a national buyback and amnesty scheme from October 1996 to September 1997 (resulting in the surrender of almost 650,000 firearms) and a three-month amnesty from 1 July to 30 September 2017 (resulting in the surrender of 57,324 articles), according to the report.

In 2016, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Council estimated that there could be around 260,000 illegal firearms in Australia. However, the annual report (pdf) noted that the exact extent of the Australian illicit firearms market cannot be determined as no historical data is available on its size prior to the implementation of the National Firearms Agreement in 1996.

They also noted that if United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimation data was used, the figure could be as high as 600,000, which in a population of 26 million suggests that one in every 43 Australians potentially could access an illegal firearm.

The exact extent of the Australian illicit firearms market cannot be determined according to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Council.(Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock)

Additionally, new research has revealed that it is relatively easy to obtain an illegal gun in Australia with a study from Deakin University, which interviewed 75 prisoners across 16 correctional facilities, finding that buying an illegal gun in Australia could be as easy as a trip to the supermarket for those in the know.

Criminology Prof. David Bright, in a September 2022 media release, said that there was a large pool of illegal firearms in Australia for criminals to tap into, with police measures only able to recover tiny fractions each year.

Our research found that the black market for illegal firearms is closed to the general population, but if you are well connected and trusted within criminal circles, it is surprisingly easy to get your hands on a gun, Bright said.

Interview subjects were generally cautious but frank in the responses they gave us. Many interviewees told us they could get a gun within a matter of hours after leaving jail  it was just that quick and easy for those who were well connected.

In excerpts from interviews completed by the university study, respondents explained that it was extremely easy to get a gun.

Couple of days, a week  Ill call up, make a few phone calls, and within a week, Id have guns here, and Id have a rifle here, one prisoner told Bright.
Australians Told to Beware of Fake ATO Social Media Accounts

A person on their mobile phone in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 4, 2021. (George Frey/Getty Images)

Australians need to be vigilant against scammers on social media posing as customer service support agents for the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the government warns.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said Australians were being tricked into giving out personal information and money to scammers posing as ATO workers on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

The scam targets people who reach out to the ATO with questions or complaints through public comments online.

Then with a fake ATO profile, the scammer makes direct contact while offering to help resolve their complaint or follow up with their request.

After gaining their trust, the victim will be diverted to a direct messaging or SMS service and asked to click a link and provide personal details.

Jones said ATO would give general advice on social media, not specific advice, nor provide a link that requires someone to upload their personal information.

Individual tax office employees wont use a Facebook profile to contact somebody, he told ABC on Jan. 23. In fact, no government agency contacts and asks for information over social media. Theyll use a secure portal to do all of that, and theyll never ask you to directly upload your information by clicking a link.

He added that if the ATO provides any additional information in response to a social media comment, it would be done via a message through the myGov portal.

Australian Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 7, 2022. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

The ATO and other government agencies are working with social media platforms to take down the fake profiles and remove the damaging interactions.

Jones said hundreds of these profiles had been pulled down in the morning.

Its like a game of whack-a-moleyou pull some down, and new ones go up. So weve got to continually be on our game about it, he said.

But Jones conceded that scammers, most of whom operate offshore, were very quick at adapting and exploiting the first signs of vulnerability.

Our objective through all the policies were putting in place right across the economy is to make Australia a destination of last resort, the least-favoured nation, if you like, for these international scam syndicates to operate, he said.

In December, the ATO posted a video on its official Facebook page reminding the public that its account has a blue verification tick.

If theres no tick, dont click, the ATO said following the latest public announcement.

Well never ask you for personal information or send links asking for you for your TFN, myGov login, or bank account details.

Online Jobseekers Also Being Scammed

The latest scam warning comes after the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed that Australian jobseekers lost over $8.7 million (US$6 million) to recruitment scams in 2022.

As many as 3,194 recruitment scams had been reported to the ACCCs Scamwatch in the past year, with many victims lured by promises of quick money, according to a Jan. 3 statement by the agency.

Scammers often pretend to be hiring on behalf of high-profile companies and online shopping platforms and impersonate well-known recruitment agencies, demanding an upfront sum of money in exchange for a guaranteed job or income, the ACCC said.

Thousands of young Australians have finished school and graduated from university with high hopes about their future careers and the intention to look for work in the new year. Unfortunately, they are being targeted by scammers, ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

We know younger people are particularly vulnerable, with Australians aged between 25 and 44 reporting the biggest losses to job scams.

The ACCC warned young people to protect their personal information when applying for jobs and to be wary of job offers via social media platforms or messaging services such as WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram.

It also reminded jobseekers that a legitimate job offer will not require an immediate decision and warned that if the offer sounded too good to be true, it probably is.

If anyone has experienced cybercrime and lost money online, the incident can be reported to the police through ReportCyber.

All Australians who have come across scam attempts, whether successful or not, are encouraged to report the incident to the ACCC.

Cindy Zhan contributed to this report.
BBC Chairman Probed Over Alleged Role in Helping Boris Johnson Secure Loan

BBC Chairman Richard Sharp is under investigation over potential conflicts of interests after allegations emerged that he had helped secure an 800,000 ($987,000) loan guarantee for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Sunday Times alleged that Sharp, a Tory donor and BBC chair candidate at the time, was involved in talks about financing Johnson when the then-prime minister found himself in financial difficulty in late 2020, shortly before Sharp was appointed chair of the public broadcaster.

On Monday, Sharp denied any role in arranging the loan and said the BBC board will assess this matter when it next meets.

Meanwhile, in response to a request from Labours shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell, Commissioner for Public Appointments William Shawcross said he would review the competition that led to Sharps appointment as BBC chairman to assure the public that the process was run in compliance with the governments governance code for public appointments.

According to The Sunday Times, Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker, got involved in November 2020 after his friend Sam Blyth, a multi-millionaire Canadian businessman who is also a distant cousin of Johnson, floated the idea of acting as Johnsons guarantor.

The report said Sharp in December 2020 introduced Blyth to Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Simon Case and spoke to the prime minister. It also said that Sharp and Blyth had a private dinner with Johnson before the loan was finalised, but all three denied they had talked about Johnsons finances at the dinner.

In January 2021, Sharp was appointed chair of the BBC on the recommendation of the prime minister and the culture secretary. The Sunday Times said neither Johnson nor Sharp declared the matter of the loan.

Distractions

On Monday, Sharp released a statement, apologising to staff for the distraction the row has caused to the BBC.

He admitted that he had introduced his old friend Blyth to the Cabinet secretary, as the Canadian wanted to support Boris Johnson. But Sharp insisted that he was not involved in making a loan, or arranging a guarantee, and did not arrange any financing.

Sharp, who was working in Downing Street as a special adviser to the Treasury during the COVID-19 pandemic, said he brought the situation to Case.

I went to see the cabinet secretary and explained who Sam was, and that, as a cousin of the then prime minister, he wanted to help him if possible, Sharp said. I also reminded the cabinet secretary that I had submitted my application for the position of BBC chairman.

He added: We both agreed that, to avoid any conflict, I should have nothing further to do with the matter. At that point there was no detail on the proposed arrangements and I had no knowledge of whether any assistance was possible, or could be agreed.

Since that meeting I have had no involvement whatsoever with any process. Even now, I dont know any more than is reported in the media about a loan or reported guarantee.

The BBCs headquarters in central London in an undated file photo. (Nick Ansell/PA)

Sharp said: I am proud and honoured to have been appointed as the Chairman of the BBC. I have never hidden my longstanding relationship with the former prime minister, however I believe firmly that I was appointed on merit, which the Cabinet Office have also confirmed.

He said he had agreed with the BBC boards Senior Independent Director Sir Nicholas Serota that the committee shall assess the matter when it next meets.

Johnson also said Sharp has no knowledge of his personal finances, calling the row a load of complete nonsense.

Speaking to Sky News on Monday morning, Johnson said, Let me just tell you, Richard Sharp is a good and wise man but he knows absolutely nothing about my personal finances.

Rigorous Process

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday distanced himself from Sharps appointment, but said the BBC chairman went through a rigorous appointment process.

Speaking during a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire, Sunak said: This appointment was obviously made by one of my predecessors before I became prime minister.

The appointments process itself for appointing the BBC chairman is a rigorous process, it is independent, there are two stages to it, it is transparent and published online. Mr. Sharps appointment went through that full process.

Downing Street also denied that Sharps appointment was an example of cronyism.

The prime ministers official spokesman said: There are processes in place to ensure that these appointments are done properly. That was followed in this instance.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there are serious questions to answer here in terms of the connection, the discussions, and what went on.

Its right that its being looked at and we need to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible.

I think for many people this morning who are struggling with their bills, struggling with their jobs, struggling with all of the pressures that come about because of 13 years of failure, theyll be looking at the government and saying: What have we got? We got scandal story after scandal story.

What they want is a government thats delivering and they havent got that.

Lily Zhou and PA Media contributed to this report.
Bill Gates Funding Startup Looking to Cut Down Methane Emission From Cows

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates attends a meeting with South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 16, 2022. (Kim Hong-ji/Pool Photo via AP)

Bill Gates is investing in an Australian startup focusing on reducing methane emissions from cows through a lab-grown feed additive, with the company planning to use the funds for commercial trials and setting up manufacturing, even as experts question the practicality of methane-focused scientific pursuits.

Gates-led Breakthrough Energy Ventures LLC (BEV) was part of a $12 million phase-2 seed funding for Perth-based Rumin8, which is developing a livestock supplement made from synthetically replicated bromoform, which is the active ingredient found in red seaweed. The supplement is said to result in less gas and indigestion among cows, thereby lowering methane emissions.

Our laboratory results continue to yield excellent results, our animal trials are reflecting the laboratory results, and the financial modeling we are undertaking is indicating we will be able to supply our products at a commercial price point, said Rumin8 managing director David Messina, according to Smart Company.

Livestock is estimated to account for one-third of man-made emissions of methane and is believed to be a key contributor to global warming. By providing cows with seaweed in their feed, it could lead to a 98 percent reduction in their methane emissions, according to one study.

Methane Emission Cycle

Meanwhile, some experts warn against too much focus on combating methane emissions. In a write up at The Epoch Times in November, Peter Castle, who has broad experience in the oil and gas, energy, and other process industries, warns that measures to combat methane emissions in activities like agriculture can outweigh the benefits.

The half-life of methane is estimated to be roughly 10 years. Around 600 million tons of methane are produced and consumed annually, he notes.

The methane produced by cattle, for example, comes from carbon in the food they eat, which in turn comes from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. When that methane again breaks down in the atmosphere, it has returned to its original source, Castle writes.

It is consequently an overstatement to consider cattle emissions anthropogenic since it has been happening for all of known history. Anthropogenic is an adjective that refers to changes in nature as a result of human activity.

Rumin8 has now raised $25 million from two rounds of seed funding, with the money set to be utilized for quickly commercializing operations. The Perth-based company plans to build its first manufacturing facility.

Reducing Methane Emissions in Cows

Rumin8s product is made from naturally occurring compounds that are said to have anti-methanogenic properties.

The product reproduces the bioactive contained in red seaweed called bromoform that can disrupt the enzymes of gut microbes which exist in the animals stomach. These microbes are responsible for generating methane gas during the digestion process.

The bioactive compound has been shown to cut down methane production in livestock rumen by up to 95 percent.

The phase-2 funds will be used for commercial trials in Australia, United States, Brazil, and New Zealand. By the middle of 2023, Rumin8 plans on establishing a pilot plant capable of producing 25,000 doses of its product per day.

The demand for sustainable protein has never been more apparent, which is why BEV is keenly interested in reducing methane emissions from beef and dairy, said Carmichael Roberts, who co-leads the investment committee at BEV, according to Business News Australia.

Rumin8 offers a low-cost, scalable toolbox that has already proven to be effective in reducing emissions. Our team will support Rumin8 in working closely with farmers to expand the reach of this solution globally.

Multiple other firms have announced measures to cut down methane emissions from their business practices. Last week, for example, French food giant Danone said that it will change the way its cows are raised and milked, vowing to cut down methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

However, many commentators are denouncing the surge of climate activism focused against methane. Burp-catching mask for gassy cows, designed to reduce methane emissions and slow down climate change, wins prestigious Prince Charles Prize. They will look back in 200 years and wonder how we collectively lost our minds, Aaron Kheriaty, senior scholar at Brownstone Institute, stated in a tweet on Jan. 19.
Building Collapse in Syrian City of Aleppo Leaves 16 Dead

Civil defense workers and civilians work on the rubble of a destroyed building in the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Hawar News Agency via AP)

BEIRUTA building collapsed in a neighborhood in Syrias northern city of Aleppo early Sunday, killing at least 16 people, including one child, and injuring four others, state media reported.

The five-story building housing about 30 people is in the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood under the control of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. It collapsed overnight, according to the report, after water leakages weakened the structures foundation.

Dozens of firefighters, first responders and residents covered in debris and dust were searching through the rubble for the remaining residents with drills and a bulldozer.

Some relatives of the tenants waited anxiously nearby, while others mourned at the entrance of a nearby hospital as the bodies arrived in ambulances and on the backs of trucks.

Civil defense workers and civilians work on the rubble of a destroyed building in the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Hawar News Agency via AP)

Hawar News, the news agency for the semiautonomous Kurdish areas in Syria, initially reported that seven people were killed and three were injured, two of them critically.

SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi in a statement condemned the Syrian government forces that control the neighborhoods surrounding Sheikh Maksoud for banning for years the entry of basic materials into the neighborhood, obstructing efforts to stabilize and restore life in the area.

Many buildings in Aleppo were destroyed or damaged during Syrias 11-year conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced half the countrys pre-war population of 23 million.

Although Syrian President Bashar Assads government has retaken Aleppo from armed opposition groups, Sheikh Maksoud is among some neighborhoods under the control of Kurdish forces.

Aleppo is Syrias largest city and was once its commercial center.
Chinas Tragedy of Errors: Pandemic Redux

Commentary

When communist China unleashed the COVID-19 virus on the rest of the world in the winter of 2020, it knew what it was doing. Wuhan, a major industrial city of 11 million people and the capital of Hubei Province, was ground zero for the pandemic. In a level-four laboratory used by the communist Chinese military to develop bioweapons and pursue gain-of-function research, a new virus was releasedlikely by accidentand opened a Pandoras Box.

By mid-January 2020, the city was overwhelmed with people who were sick and dying from the virus, and the crematoria were running 24/7. China reported only 3,299 coronavirus-related deaths, with most taking place in Wuhan, the epicenter of the global pandemic. But one crematorium in Wuhan alone received two shipments of 5,000 urns over the course of two days, and overall, the massive number of orders for burial urns ran into the tens of thousands. The governments reported numbers of deaths were ridiculously low.

From Jan. 3, 2020, to Jan. 11, 2023, China reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) that there had been 10,803,226 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 33,343 deaths. Yet by mid-January 2023, estimates from multiple cities throughout China suggest that they are experiencing as many as 10,000 COVID-19 deaths dailyper city. An internal estimate was leaked from the government that 250 million people in China may have caught COVID-19 in the first 20 days of December alone. Another leak reported that on Dec. 21, 37 million people were newly infected with COVID-19 across China on that day alone. Compare that to the official number of 3,049 new infections that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reported for that day. Another report suggested that more than 75 percent of the population is already infected.

The death toll in China was purposely underreported from the beginning. In 2020 alone, the WHO estimated the death toll at 1,813,188 COVID-19 deaths. China claimed approximately 30,000. But the real death toll in China was actually much larger. One startling fact was the disappearance of 21 million cell phones, which every Chinese citizen is required to carry. Did this reveal a much greater death toll than China was willing to admit?

This new epidemic in China raises all the old questions again. Only this time, WHO and governments, now facing the possibility of a new pandemic, are demanding more openness from China. Finally, on Jan. 14, 2023, Chinese officials responded to accusations of lack of transparency. They reported that 60,000 people had died from COVID-19 in just over a month. That still doesnt match the numbers they have been sharing in private meetings, but it is undoubtedly closer to the truth.

Hospital workers wheel a body on a gurney in the busy emergency room at a hospital in Beijing on Jan. 2, 2023. (Getty Images)

Learning From Experience, or Not

At the end of January 2020, months after the first infections in Wuhan had brought the city to its knees and just before the Lunar New Year (a long holiday for Chinese citizens, who normally use the time to travel), the CCP intentionally allowed 5 million residents of Wuhan to travel before locking down the entire city, cutting off all roads, trains, and planes in and out of Wuhan. Five million people, many of whom were carrying the virus, were allowed to leave Wuhan and travel internationally to expose the rest of the world to COVID-19, while at home, the CCP confined the remaining residents of Hubei Province to their homes.

This was a crime against humanity that has never been addressed. Chairman Xi Jinping unleashed a deadly virus that could kill millions of people. And that is exactly what happened. The virus spread like wildfire, racing around the globe to virtually every country. An incomplete number provided by the WHO for the COVID-19 deaths during the first round of the pandemic (20202021) exceeded 3 million. Still, as of Jan. 15, 2023, estimates of total COVID-related deaths (except in China, whose official numbers have been highly suspect from the beginning) exceeded 6,731,000 people.

It could have been a lot worse, but it was bad enough. The Spanish Flu of 1918, caused by an H1N1 virus, is thought to have killed between 50 million and 100 million people worldwide. This was during the First World War, and it was the war itself and the massive transfer of troops from country to country that accounted for the high number of deaths from this pandemic. By contrast, an analysis by WHO suggests that COVIDrelated deaths worldwide have been between 16 million and 28.2 million. This number is only an estimate because China, with its population of 1.4 billion, has been massively undercounting its COVID-19 casualties.

Chinas Pandoras Box Has Come Back to Haunt Its Creator

The shutdown of Wuhan in January 2020 was the beginning of the zero-COVID policy that kept people locked in their homes for months on end, if even one case of COVID-19 appeared in cities of millions. One case could trigger widespread food shortages, medicine, and other essentials. The people were subjected to repeated testing, and homes were commandeered for some, while the residents were forcibly sent to quarantine centers that housed hundreds.

This ended abruptly in December 2022, when a raging apartment fire in the city of Urumqi in Chinas Xinjiang region triggered demonstrations in major cities throughout China. That fire killed 10 people, including a three-year-old child. It took firefighters three hours to put the fire out because the government blockade of the building prevented them from getting close to the flames.

The news of the fire spread rapidly, and within hours, the demonstrators were in the streets, demanding the end of the lockdowns and calling for the CCP and Xi Jinping to step down. The demonstrations were unprecedented in a country that had been locked down by a tyrannical government for two years. It worked, but the cure was as bad as the disease.

Within days, the CCP lifted the lockdown completely, and the people were once again free to leave their homes and go about their lives. But because of the lockdowns, a majority of the population had not been exposed to the virus, and new variants struck the Chinese people with a vengeance. The predominant strains of the Omicron variant that are now ravaging the population, BA.5.2 and BF.7, now represent 97.5 percent of the infected population. But unlike the variant now spreading in the United States, this one is deadly to people with no prior exposure or immunity.

Funeral workers load bodies into vans to be taken for cremation at a busy local funeral home in Shanghai, China, on Jan. 13, 2023. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

As expected, the Chinese authorities claimed that daily COVID-19 deaths were in single digits, but reports coming out of China told a different story. Satellite pictures have captured images of the long lines of hearses in every city, and crematoria have reported being overwhelmed by the flood of incoming dead bodies. Sick patients crowd hospital hallways where bodies line the walls, and there seems to be no end to the dying.

Needless to say, as the virus continues to spiral out of control, China is in a critical situation and is still trying to figure out what to do about it. Xi has been uncharacteristically quiet on the subject, but his policies continue to be Machiavellian. His zero-COVID policy, which he was so proud and so adamant about keeping in place only a month ago, is now in shambles. The street demonstrations that called for his removal must have been a humiliation in a country where saving face is paramount. But this is far from the end of Xi. He still has enormous power, and senior members of his party are rallying around him. But his policies spell great danger to the rest of the world.

China has now reopened to foreign tourists, and travelers can enter the country without quarantine. All they need is a negative PCR result within 48 hours before departure. China also restarted its visa-free policy, which means one can travel to China without applying for a new visa. In other words, China is not only making it easy for the Chinese to travel abroad, but it is also encouraging foreign travelers to come to China.

Even more chilling is the news that after releasing the Chinese people from the long COVID-19 lockdowns, Xi also opened up the Chinese ports for international travel at precisely the same time as he did in 2020. The Chinese New Year falls on Jan. 22 this year, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 5. China is reopening its ports and has begun reissuing passports. This is exactly the same time that 5 million people from Wuhan left the city in 2020 to travel internationally. And once again, they are carrying a dangerous virus.

Xi has learned nothing from recent history. But one question remains: Will the cruelty that Xi continues to inflict on the world turn back on him and destroy the very power structure that he has worked so hard to build? Will his massive mistakes come back to haunt him and bring down his dream of world supremacy? Or will the power infrastructure he created protect him and allow him to destroy the world?

The CCP is about to unleash another pandemic on the world, and this one may be far more lethal than the last. Closing national borders to all Chinese travelers and preventing our own from traveling to China would seem to be only common sense. It must be doneimmediately. But the world seems uncommonly devoid of anything approaching such basic wisdom. If so, its time to prepare for another storm.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chris Evans Jokes With Avengers Co-Star Jeremy Renner Over Snowplow Accident

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, from left, poses with members of the cast of "Avengers: Endgame," Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo at a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on April 23, 2019. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

Actor Chris Evans jokingly asked on Jan. 22 whether anyone had checked on the snowplow that injured fellow actor Jeremy Renner earlier this month after the Hurt Locker star revealed he broke more than 30 bones in the accident.

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Renner, 52, shared a photo of himself in a bed undergoing physical therapy as part of his recovery from the snowplowing accident in Nevada on New Years Day.

I want to thank EVERYONE for their messages and thoughtfulness. Much love and appreciation to you all. These 30-plus broken bones will mend, grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens, Renner wrote alongside the image.

In response to the post, Evans, who starred alongside Renner in Marvels Avengers wrote: Thats one tough mfer. Has anyone even checked on the snowcat??? Sending so much love.

Renner, who was recently able to return home after being hospitalized for two weeks, jokingly replied: Love you brother  I did check on the snowcat, she needs fuel.

Renner currently stars in the Paramount+ series Mayor of Kingstown and Marvels Hawkeye series on Disney+.

The father of one has also starred in a string of other films, including Captain Americawhere he also starred alongside EvansAmerican Hustle, Rogue Nation, and the Mission Impossible movie franchise.

In November, Renner told old ComicBook.coms Marvel podcast Phase Zero that he and his Avengers co-stars, including Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Hemsworth, still stay in touch via a group chat despite the movie series coming to an end.

Renner Undergoes Surgeries

We dont really speak too much about our job, and thats whats also great about being, you know, Avenger Friends, Renner said at the time. We speak about our kids and, you know, divorces and marriages and house building. We speak about just our life stuff  Our friendship is very, very special.

Renner was airlifted to a local hospital on Jan. 1 after officers from the Washoe County Sheriffs Office responded to a reported traumatic injury in the area of the Mt. Rose Highway in Reno at 9 a.m.

A screen grab shows a selfie of actor Jeremy Renner on a hospital bed, posted on Instagram with a caption reading, Thank you all for your kind words. Im too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all in this picture obtained from social media, on Jan. 3, 2023. (Jeremy Renner via Instagram/via Reuters)

The actor had reportedly been run over by his snowplow while he was attempting to dig out his personnel vehicle after it became stuck in the snow near his home, according to police.

After successfully towing his personal vehicle out of the location where it was stuck, the actor is said to have gotten out of the snowcat to speak to his family member when the snowplow began to roll.

Renner then attempted to jump back into the drivers seat of the snowplow to stop it from rolling but was instead run over by the extremely large piece of snowmobile equipment which weighed at least 14,000 pounds.

The actor has been allowed to operate the snowcat because he was on a private road that was shared by his neighbors and not maintained by the county, according to officials.

According to Renners agent, the actor underwent surgeries after sustaining blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries during the accident.

He has since been keeping family and fans updated with his recovery on social media.

Last week, Renner revealed that he had returned to his Nevada home for the first time since the accident and was able to watch the season two premiere of Mayor of Kingstown alongside his family.

He turned 52 while in hospital.
Russia Goes on Offensive in Zaporizhzhia After Claiming Donetsk Gains

Destroyed residential houses in the town of Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Aug. 27, 2022. (Dmytro Smolienko/Reuters)

Russias Defense Ministry is claiming that its forces are now making headway in the southern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine after a string of recent battlefield gains on the eastern front.

On Jan. 22, Moscow said its troops were consolidating their positions after a fresh offensive across the Zaporizhzhia front, which has remained largely static for the past several months.

Days earlier, pro-Russian officials said that Russian forces had taken operational control over four settlements near Zaporizhzhias city of Orikhiv.

However, Ukrainian officials say the Russian claims are exaggerated.

Most of Zaporizhzhia was captured in the opening weeks of Moscows invasion of Ukraine, which began 11 months ago. Currently, roughly 70 percent of the region is under Russian control, although the city of Zaporizhzhia, the regional capital, remains in Ukrainian hands.

The city, which straddles the Dnipro River, is roughly 35 miles northwest of Orikhiv.

For the past several weeks, fighting has centered mainly on the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces have claimed several victories.

Earlier this month, Russian forces overran Soledar, a town in Donetsk known for its expansive salt mines. Russian forces now hope to encircle the nearby town of Bakhmut, a vital transit hub for Ukrainian troops and equipment.

Military experts say the loss of Bakhmut would disrupt Ukrainian supply lines to the eastern front. It would also clear the way for a Russian assault on key Ukrainian positions to the north and northwest.

According to pro-Moscow sources, Russian forces now control all but one major artery leading into Bakhmut.

In its daily update for Jan. 23, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces had succeeded in taking the village of Krasnopolivka, about five miles north of Soledar.

Ukrainian officials have consistently rejected Russian reports of battlefield gains and insist that fighting in Soledar remains ongoing.

The Epoch Times was unable to verify field assessments by either side.

Last September, Moscow claimed to have formally incorporated Donetsk and Zaporizhzhiaalong with two other regions of Ukraineinto the Russian Federation. The annexations havent been recognized as legal by the international community.

Encouraged by its powerful Western allies, Kyiv has vowed to continue fighting until all lost territories are recovered.

Berlin Still Reticent on Tanks

In a related development, Berlin has yet to decide on whether to supply the Ukrainian military with German-made Leopard combat tanks.

The federal government does not rule out the supply of Leopard tanks [to Ukraine], government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said, according to Turkeys Anadolu Agency.

It hasnt decided yet if it will do so, he told reporters in Berlin on Jan. 23.

The spokesman also dismissed media reports that the issue had become a source of friction between Washington and Berlin.

In recent weeks, Germany has come under mounting pressure from other allies of Kyiv to provide Ukraine with German-made tanks.

But Berlin has been slow to approve the move, because of concern that it could be viewed as an escalation.

On Jan. 20, officials from Kyivs leading allies gathered at Germanys Ramstein Air Base, where they pledged billions of dollars in fresh military assistance to Ukraine, but failed to produce a commitment from Germany to approve tank deliveries to Kyiv.

Germany delivers its first Leopard tanks to Slovakia as part of a replacement deal that allows Slovakia to donate fighting vehicles to Ukraine, on Dec. 19, 2022. (Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters)

A handful of other countries, including Poland and Finland, have voiced a desire to send their own German-made Leopards, which are used by a number of NATO-aligned armies.

However, any transfer of German-made armaments to third countries must first be approved by the German government.

On Jan. 22, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said all decisions regarding arms transfers were being coordinated with other allies of Kyiv, including the United States.

On Jan. 23, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Frances LCI television channel that Berlin wouldnt object if Poland began sending its own Leopards to Kyiv.

Later the same day, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said his country would formally request Berlins permission to begin transferring the German-made tanks.

But in a sign of mounting inter-alliance tension, he added, Even if we do not get this approval  we will still transfer our tanks, together with others, to Ukraine.

Morawiecki reiterated earlier calls by Warsaw for a coalition of nations willing to provide Kyiv with the desired combat vehicles.

Earlier this month, the UK pledged to provide Ukraine with 14 British-made Challenger 2 combat tanks. If fulfilled, it would be the first delivery of Western-made tanks to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country last February.

Washington, for its part, has yet to signal a willingness to provide Kyiv with United States-made Abrams M1 tanksat least for nowwhich require enormous logistical support.

Recently, however, some U.S. lawmakersfrom both sides of the aislehave begun calling for the dispatch of the U.S. tanks to Ukraine.

If it requires our sending some Abrams tanks to unlock  the Leopard tanks from Germany, from Poland [and] from other allies, I would support that, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told ABC News on Jan. 22.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas), a Republican, voiced similar sentiments.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Comer Wants to Know Why Fed Worker Health Program Pays $1 Billion for Ineligible Members

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, speaks to reporters on his way to a closed-door GOP caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 10, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is demanding to know why the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) is shelling out more than $1 billion annually in payments for people who arent eligible participants.

Comer told Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja in a Jan. 23 letter that a recent report compiled by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) found that FEHB is riddled with ineligible participants who are receiving benefits under the program. GAO estimates that the program may be spending up to $1 billion per year on payments for ineligible members.

This is a flagrant waste of funds and may be driving up premium costs for eligible participants.

The FEHBP, which is managed by OPM, is the health insurance program offered solely to the 2.2 million federal civil service employees, their families, and retirees. More than 8 million people currently are counted as participants in FEHBP.

The FEHBP, the largest health benefits program in the country, cost the federal government more than $59 billion in 2021. The OPM manages the federal governments 2.2 million active career civil servants, as well as the Federal Employee Retirement System and the Civil Service Retirement System programs, which together represent the federal governments third-largest entitlement program. There are about 2.7 million federal employee retirees.

The entrance to the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building, which houses the Office of Personnel Management headquarters in Washington, on June 5, 2015. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

In 2016, hackers linked to the Chinese Communist Party broke into OPMs computer system and stole personal and financial information for nearly 5 million federal workers and retirees.

Comer told Ahuja that the GAO report suggests OPM has been aware of this problem for years but has consistently failed to address it effectively. As GAO recounts, OPM acknowledged the possibility of a problem when it issued regulations in 2018 allowing agencies and participating insurers to request proof of eligibility for federal employees family members. OPM did not, however, actually require proof of eligibility.

Then three years later, Comer said, citing the GAO report, OPM issued verification requirements for certain types of new enrollments, but left other new enrollments and all preexisting enrollments out of this verification regime. To this day, according to GAO, OPM does not plan to establish a monitoring mechanism to identify and remove ineligible family members who already have FEHB coverage.

Making the potential magnitude of the problem much worse, GAO determined OPMs annual fraud risk assessment of the FEHB program fails to cover fraud risks associated with ineligible members in the program, Comer pointed out.

The GAO analysis estimated that improper payments on behalf of one eligible FEHBP enrollees family with two ineligible enrollees exceeded $100,000 over a dozen years.

Imagine the levels of waste, fraud, and abuse that OPM could already have uncovered and corrected if it had in place during each relevant year adequate verification, monitoring and auditing requirements for the FHEB program, which has covered approximately 8 million members annually since 2000, Comer told Ahuja.

Yet GAO stressed in its report that OPM has not required employing offices or carriers to verify eligibility since the programs inception in 1960. If GAOs $1 billion estimate of annual impacts is correct, it is entirely possible OPMs failure has led to several tens of billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse over the programs 60-plus year existence, Comer wrote.

In the GAO report cited by Comer, the congressional investigators observed that OPM performs an annual fraud risk assessment of the FEHB program but has not included ineligible members as a fraud risk to the program. In fiscal year 2020, OPM conducted a fraud risk assessment and documented a fraud risk profile for the FEHB program. OPM determined the program was at a low risk of fraud overall.

However, the investigators claimed OPM failed to include in its assessment the effect of benefit payments being made to ineligible participants.

OPM acknowledged in discussions with GAO that not verifying eligibility for current members carries a risk of fraud and improper payments. OPMs Office of the Inspector General has also documented instances of fraud and improper payments associated with ineligible members in the FEHB program, the GAO report said.

Comer told Ahuja the oversight panel wants all documents concerning OPMs management of fraud risks in connection to the FEHBP program, including estimates of how much the agency has paid annually to ineligible participants.
Company to Package Plastic Waste into a New Generation of Building Materials

A recycling technician checks pressed plastic bottles at a recycling plant in Santiago, on Aug. 21, 2019. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)

In the circular economy, there are words, and there is action.

Theres definitely no shortage of ideas out there  theres a million of them, supply chain specialist Chris Collimore says.

But the big gap is commercial sustainability.

Collimore, the country manager of startup saveBOARD, is one of those turning a concept into reality.

SaveBOARDs first Australian manufacturing plant will be launched at Warragamba, in Sydneys southwest, next month, and there are two more in the pipeline.

The company makes construction products entirely from used drink cartons, soft plastics, disposable coffee cups and similar products that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Its sturdy, lightweight alternative to conventional plasterboard, plywood or particle board is also totally recyclable.

Every offcut can be reused, while end-of-life saveBOARDS can be remanufactured for the next renovation or commercial refit.

The process involves significantly less carbon than manufacturing traditional building products and eliminates the need for glues or chemical additives as the raw materials are bonded using heat and compression.

Its basically like making a big cheese toasty, Collimore said.

You heat it up and cool it down a couple of times and the plastic melts between the gaps in the fibre.

Its a straightforward process, but its focused on reducing problematic waste  materials which, until we came along, had been completely un-recyclable and collected by container deposit schemes.

Circular Australia chief executive Lisa McLean advocates for a renewable economy that follows a hierarchy of nine principles to extract maximum value: refuse, rethink, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycle and recover.

In Australia alone, we could unlock a massive $2 trillion worth of potential savings across two decades, she recently told the Commonwealth Banks annual sustainability conference in Sydney.

Those potential savings could come, for example, through reusing valuable resources currently going to waste in landfill, such as plastics, glass, masonry and metals.

In addition, buildings and equipment could be repaired and adapted rather than replaced.

Collimore said genuine solutions also needed strong partnerships.

SaveBOARD has agreements with container deposit schemes across Australia and expects within months to be utilising their entire collection volumes.

Packaging and retail companies, including major supermarket chains, have been equally supportive.

A saveBOARD plant is already up and running in Hamilton, New Zealand, diverting 40 tonnes of waste from landfill annually.
Child of Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark Arrested, Charged With Assault in Police Altercation

The child of House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) was arrested on Jan. 21 and charged with assault following an altercation with a police officer, officials have confirmed.

Police said in a statement on Sunday that officers responded to a report at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Parkman Bandstand Monument, in Boston Common, where a protest was being held.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Riley Dowell, 23, defacing the monument with NO COP CITY and ACAB an acronym for all cops are [expletive].

Dowell was identified as Jared Dowell in the statement by police.

During the arrest of Jared Dowell, a group of about 20 protesters began to surround officers while screaming profanities though megaphones on the public street causing traffic to come to a standstill, police said. While interfering with the arrest of Jared Dowell, an officer was hit in the face and could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Riley Dowell (L) stands during arraignment at Boston Municipal Court on Jan. 23, 2023. (David L Ryan/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Dowell Charged With Assault, Destruction of Personal Property

Dowell was subsequently arrested and charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, destruction or injury of personal property, and damage of property by graffiti/tagging, police said.

Dowell is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court, according to officials.

Shortly after the police released a statement regarding Dowells arrest, Clark, the second-ranking House Democrat, took to Twitter to acknowledge the incident, adding that she was confident in the judicial system.

I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting, the Massachusetts Representative wrote. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

Clark is in her sixth term in the House and represents the states 5th Congressional District. She also sits on the House Appropriations Committee.

During a 2021 floor speech ahead of voting in favor of the Equality Act, the lawmaker said she had a child who was non-binary and that she fears discrimination.

A few years ago at a town hall in my district, a young student asked me, what is Congress going to do to protect trans people like me? He bravely stood before an auditorium of neighbors and told me he was terrified by the bigotry and discrimination against him and his LGBTQ+ community members. I have heard these fears expressed by my own non-binary child and their fears are not misplaced, Clark told her fellow lawmakers at the time.

Clarks Says LGBT Community Faces Discrimination

Our LGBTQ neighbors face discrimination in health care, housing, education, and employment. Even here, in the peoples house, members of Congress are describing transgender people as something less than, she added.

Dowells arrest came amid protests in Boston over the weekend in response to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Boston Herald reports.

In an opinion piece published in The Hill on Jan. 22, Clark noted that the court had in 1973 ruled that the U.S. Constitution conferred the choice to have an abortion as a right.

The Supreme Courts right-wing majority upended that progress, dismantling a Constitutional right that most Americans have never lived without, she wrote. Republican attacks on reproductive rights have sold out the American people in service of a dark vision: a country where freedom is reserved for a privileged few.

In their statement on Sunday, police said they had also arrested 27-year-old Andrea Colletti at the Parkman Bandstand Monument, who had attempted to flee on foot.

After a brief struggle ensued, she was placed under arrest and charged with; damage of property by graffiti/tagging, destruction or injury of personal property, and resisting arrest, police said.

Colletti is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.
Man Who Put Feet on Desk in Pelosis Office on Jan. 6 Found Guilty on All Counts

Richard Barnett had tried to challenge central obstruction of Congress charge

Richard Barnett sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protests inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

A federal District of Columbia jury took less than two hours to find Richard Bigo Barnettthe man in the now-famous photo with his feet on a desk in the office of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosiguilty of four felonies and four misdemeanors for his time in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Jury deliberations began at 9 a.m. E.T. on Jan. 23, after the two jury alternates were dismissed on the afternoon of Jan. 20. At about 10:30 a.m., the jury told U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper that theyd reached verdicts on all counts.

Barnett, 62, of Gravette, Arkansas, was convicted of civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, entering and remaining in certain rooms in the Capitol Building, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, and theft of government property.

The dangerous weapon charge came from Barnett carrying with him a 950,000-volt Hike n Strike walking stick that doubles as a flashlight and stun device. He said there were no batteries in the device and thus the stun function wasnt operable on Jan. 6, 2021.

It was the latest in a series of lightning-quick verdicts from District of Columbia juries in Jan. 6 cases. No Jan. 6 defendant has been acquitted outright by a D.C. jury. The few acquittals came during bench trials.

Dozens of motions for a change of venue in Jan. 6 cases have been rejected by every D.C. federal judge who has heard them.

In a media briefing after the verdicts were read, defense attorney Joseph McBride said they made extensive efforts to secure a change of venue because the District of Columbia is made up of about 95 percent Democrat voters.

Everybody whos a January Sixer whos been accused of a crime is looking to have their case heard somewhere else because nobody feels safe here, McBride said.

Barnett will appeal, according to McBride.

Our team fought like hell, McBride said in a Twitter post. We were relentless, creative, & left no stone unturned in Mr. Barnetts defense. We have multiple appellate issues that we preserved & will litigate.

Bigo Barnett could spend the rest of his life in prisonfor a trespass. Pray for him & his family.

McBride said Barnetts decision to testify in his own defense was unequivocally the right one.

He had a story that needed to be told. People needed to know why he came here, what his intentions were, and what he did while he was here, McBride said. The man got up there and he told the truth, and it didnt work out for him. But at the end of the day, we have no regrets whatsoever about that choice.

Cooper set sentencing for May 3.

The judge rejected a motion filed by defense attorneys on Jan. 20 to declare a mistrial. Barnetts attorneys had argued that prosecutors charged their client with obstructing a nonexistent proceeding, because Congress has no role under the law to certify the results of a presidential election.

Non-Existent Proceeding

In a filing with Cooper, Barnetts lawyers argued that federal prosecutors misled the jury about how the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Chapter 3 of the U.S. Code apply to the case against Barnett.

The indictment charged, and the government prosecuted, obstruction of a non-existent proceeding, the motion said. No crime can have occurred.

On Dec. 22, 2022, prosecutors issued a superseding indictment against Barnett, alleging he obstructed Congresss certification of the Electoral College vote as set out in the Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and 3 U.S.C. [Sections] 15-18.

The motion for mistrial says that neither the Constitution nor applicable federal law mentions certification as part of Congresss role.

All Congress does is watch the vice president open certificates and tally the votewhere states already certified the vote count, the motion said. There may be an objection and debate, where unless both House and Senate agree on the objection, the votes are counted. There is no written or oral certification by Congress as part of the law.

According to trial testimony, Barnett entered the Capitol at 2:43 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, as a crowd surged through the giant Columbus Doors on the east side of the building.

Barnett testified that he had no intention of going inside the Capitol but was pushed in by crowd momentum. Both houses of Congress had stopped work by this time, as members were being moved to safety.

Richard Bigo Barnett holds up an envelope he took from House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office on Jan. 6, 2021. He said he took the envelope because he got blood on it from a cut finger. (U.S. Department of Justice/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

When Barnett entered the speakers office, he said, journalists asked him if he wanted to have his photo taken. He then sat down behind the desk of Pelosi aide Emily Berret.

He said they told him to act natural, so he put a foot on the desk and leaned back in the chair.

He took an envelope from Berrets desk and got blood on it from a cut on his hand. He kept the envelope, leading to a charge of theft of government property. He left a quarter on the desk that he said was to pay for the envelope.

On his way out of the Capitol, Barnett realized he left his U.S. flag in Pelosis office and got into a verbal confrontation with a Metropolitan Police Department officer when he wanted to go retrieve it. His language ranged from bargaining with the officer to foul-mouthed bluster. Prosecutors said Barnett was threatening the officer, while the defense said it was a short-lived temper tantrum in which he was behaving like an idiot, like a fool.

The statute used to prosecute Barnett and many other Jan. 6 defendants for obstruction of Congress18 U.S.C. Section 1512(c)(2)is controversial. Two District of Columbia judges have tossed out the same count, saying the law couldnt be applied to deliberations of Congress. Many other D.C. judges have upheld its use in Jan. 6 cases.

The cases of dismissed obstruction-of-Congress charges were combined into one case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Oral arguments in the appeals case were held in December 2022.

Before the start of Barnetts trial, Cooper denied a motion to dismiss the Section 1512(c)(2) obstruction charge, ruling that a count of electoral votes is the same as Congresss certification of the electoral vote count, the motion said.

Citing a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the motion said the plain language of the statute shows an offense under  1512(c) does not prohibit the obstruction of every governmental function; it only prohibits the obstruction of proceedings such as a hearing that takes place before a tribunal.

Barnetts attorneys said Judge Cooper was legislating from the bench, arguing he rewrote the U.S. Constitution and 3 U.S.C.  15-18 by saying counting equals certifying when it comes to a Congressional proceeding.

Writing Law From the Bench?

The argument that a ceremony equals a proceeding is already deficient, but that provides no excuse to write law from the bench or in the offices of the Department of Justice, the motion said. There is no dictionary that makes counting a synonym with certifying.

Barnett took the stand in his own defense on the final day of testimony. He was pressed repeatedly during cross-examination by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon, who suggested he wasnt being truthful in his answers. Barnetts retort was spirited.

You want to keep pressing me and break me down, Barnett said. I aint breaking down. I stand by what I say, sir.

Ive made mistakes. I have made mistakes. And I regret those mistakes. Ive gotten confused in my testimony. I went through hell up there. The officers went through hell up there. It was a horrible, horrible day.

Barnett several times mentioned brain injuries he suffered as a firefighter and from beatings he said he took at the hands of guards while held in the District of Columbia jail. The injuries affect his memory, he said. Barnett told his story of physical abuse in pretrial detention in the 2021 documentary Patriot Purge. Ive been slammed face first into the concrete, Barnett said at the time.

I do the best I can, Barnett told Gordon. You can see how confused I get sometimes. I am struggling with this. But I am not going to go back on what I believe.

Richard Bigo Barnett (C) arrives at federal district court with his attorneys Joseph McBride (L) and Bradford Geyer for jury selection in his trial in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 9, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

But Im not going to let you put words in my mouth that I thought I was breaking the law or this, that, or the other. Thats what your job is. I understand that. But Im getting quite tired of it. Im doing the best I can.

During closing arguments, Gordon ridiculed Barnetts testimony and explanations for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. He said the defendant impeded the business that shouldve been conducted by Berret and others that day in the speakers office.

She couldnt do any of that, Gordon said. His presence sitting at her desk with his feet up, bleeding on and stealing her stuff, impeded government business, Emily Berrets work, and the work of everybody in Speaker Pelosis office.

Not About a Photo

Gordon said the prosecution of Barnett had nothing to do with the now-famous photo of him with his feet on Berrets desk.

Were not here for the photograph. Were here because the defendant committed eight crimes on January 6th, and the evidence has proven each of them beyond a reasonable doubt, Gordon said.

He thinks its all going to be OK because hes Bigo. Hes going to escape consequences. He will not because you, the jury, I expect will go back, and you will come to the only conclusion supported by the law and evidence, and that is that this defendant is guilty of everything.

Defense attorney McBride tore into prosecutors for overcharging Barnett and blowing his behavior way out of proportion. He urged the jury to separate any feelings they might have about Barnett the man.

You dont have to like what he did, McBride said. You can even hate what he did. But you cannot convict him because you dont like what he did, what he looks like, or what he stands for.

McBride said the governments classification of Barnett as a tier one terrorist shows how overboard the prosecution has gone. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this is the government that our forefathers warned us about, he said.

McBride wondered aloud what it is about his client that caused the Department of Justice to focus so heavily on him.

Well, whatever it is, there is something about Mr. Barnett that renders him suspicious, McBride said. Hes so loathsome, so repugnant to the United States government that it has indicted him on eight charges.

They have literally made a federal case out of an act of stupidity that could have been dispensed with a ticket and a fine.
Delta CEO Calls on Lawmakers to Support FAA to Modernize Air Traffic Control Systems

Delta Air Lines CEO Edward Bastian has called on lawmakers to find a way to assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in updating air traffic control systems.

Bastian made his comments during a fourth-quarter earnings call, during which he discussed the recent outage of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system that took place on Jan. 11.

I think its very clear that there has to be a call to action amongst our political leadersthe Congress and the White Houseto fund and properly provide the FAA the resources they need to do the job, he said, according to Forbes.

Weve long talked about the need for modernization of our air traffic control systems. I think this is a crystal-clear example of the challenge the FAA has faced when you have aging systems that arent as resilient as they need to be.

Reason for Outage

You have tools and technologies that are somewhat outdated and staffing levels not where they need to be, Bastian said.

According to Bastian, the FAA is doing what it can with the available resources, but he believes that Congress should offer more funding to help the FAA maintain the aviation infrastructure.

The airline CEOs comments made headlines just after the FAA announced that they discovered the reason for the outage.

The organization offered its initial statement about investigating the outage on Jan. 11.

The FAA is continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the NOTAM system outage. Our preliminary work has traced the outage to a damaged database file, the statement reads.

At this time, there is no evidence of a cyber attack. The FAA is working diligently to further pinpoint the causes of this issue and take all needed steps to prevent this kind of disruption from happening again.

FAA Prior Failure

The aviation oversight department issued an update on Jan. 19.

A preliminary FAA review of last weeks outage of the NOTAM system determined that contract personnel unintentionally deleted files while working to correct synchronization between the live primary database and a backup database, the department stated.

The agency has so far found no evidence of a cyber-attack or malicious intent. The FAA continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outage.

The FAA made the necessary repairs to the system and has taken steps to make the NOTAM system more resilient. The agency is acting quickly to adopt any other lessons learned in our efforts to ensure the continuing robustness of the nations air traffic control system.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has urged that President Joe Bidens nominee Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport, be confirmed as administrator of the FAA, despite the fact that Washington is under investigation for a corruption-related warrant, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

Call For a Leader

Its time to clear the runway for President Bidens choice for FAA Administrator, Phil Washington, Schumer said during a press conference on Jan. 15.

With recent events, including airline troubles and last weeks tech problem, this agency needs a leader confirmed by the Senate immediately.

I intend to break this logjam, work to hold a hearing for Mr. Washington where he can detail his experience and answer questions, and then work toward a speedy Senate confirmation.

Former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson resigned from the post at the end of March 2022, citing a desire to spend more time with his family post-pandemic.

Dickson, who was a former Air Force and Delta Air Lines pilot and had worked his way up to the airlines senior vice president of flight operations, was appointed by then-President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate to serve as FFA administrator for five years.

Since Dicksons exit, the agency has been directed by former FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Billy Nolen. The position was meant to be temporaryas Biden nominated Washington to lead the FAA in July 2022.

Lawmakers Takes

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) took aim at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over the failure, saying the FAAs problems were evidence of huge weaknesses in the system.

The flying public deserves safety in the sky, Cruzs office said in response to The Epoch Times inquiry about the issue.

The FAAs inability to keep an important safety system up and running is completely unacceptable and just the latest example of dysfunction within the Department of Transportation.

The administration needs to explain to Congress what happened, and Congress should enact reforms in this years FAA reauthorization legislation. This incident also highlights why the public needs a competent, proven leader with substantive aviation experience leading the FAA.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which has oversight into the aviation industry, promised that her committee would look into the FAAs failure.

The No. 1 priority is safety. As the committee prepares for FAA reauthorization legislation, we will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages, she said shortly after the ground stop caused thousands of flights to be affected.

The public needs a resilient air transportation system.
Do as We Say, Not as We Do

Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) speaks after reviewing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP)

Commentary

Do as we say, not as we do is clearly the attitude of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In his recent media appearance, the new Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, instructed us that obtaining nuclear powered submarines pursuant to the AUKUS agreement would not be constructive. It would not be helpful, he added, saying that it would set a bad example.

Reading these remarks would lead the uninformed to conclude that the CCP was actively discouraging nuclear-powered military equipment. But the restrictions that it wants applied to Australia are totally breached by the Chinese regime itself.

Consider the use of nuclear power by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) navy. Of its 56 submarines, 12 are nuclear powered, and more are being built. Its navy is being expanded at a fast rate. Not only are its submarines nuclear powered, six of them carry intercontinental nuclear missiles.

It also has some 400 nuclear warheads, a number expected to increase to about 1,500 in coming years. Vast nuclear silos have been constructed in the west of the country.

Yet the CCP has the gall to instruct Australia not to acquire nuclear-powered submarines!

Chinas DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

As the former director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Peter Jennings, wrote recently: Beijing hates AUKUS because it complicates its plan to dominate the Indo-Pacific. U.S. undersea technology has an edge the PLA has not blunted. The biggest risk to Chinese maritime power is American and allied maritime power.

Jennings is correct. The commentators who believe China has changed because it has also hinted at dropping trade bans or has moved some of its wolf warrior spokesmen to new roles misunderstand that the CCP is playing a long game. Suggestions of a new economic nirvana are naive.

At Its Core, CCP Remains Rotten

Currently, the CCP is playing the good cop, bad cop roles. Be nice, and we will restore some trade, which, by the way, was capriciously banned. But dont step out of line by challenging our global ambitions.

The vision of the ambassador toying with a glass of Australian red wine reinforced the message: Be good, and we will take your wine and lobsters again.

However, China will import Australias mineral resources when it needs them.

We have to abandon the Cold War mentality, try to understand the nature of things from the perspective of material duality, endeavour to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and join hands to respond to global challenges, Chinas Vice Premier Liu He told the World Economic Forum on Jan. 17. We believe that an equitable international economic order must be preserved by all.

He added that Beijing opposed unilateralism and protectionism. Yet Chinese Leader Xi Jinping proclaims that totalitarian rule is superior to liberal democracy and will replace it globally.

The CCPs current ire is directed at Japan. Its international mouthpiece, the Global Times, recently warned that: Japan risks turning itself into Ukraine of Asia if it follows U.S.s strategic line.

The U.S. and Japan will continue to tread on Chinas red line to provoke the Chinese mainland to use force first, continued the editorial.

The article quoted Lian Degui, director of the Department of Japanese Studies at the Shanghai International Studies University: They want to put China in a dilemma where it has to use force, then shift responsibility to the Chinese mainland and blame it for launching a war.

This false narrative has to be challenged. It is the Chinese PLA navy that is harassing Japanese vessels in the East China Sea. It was the Chinese that fired missiles over Taiwan into Japanese waters.

Taiwanese air force pilots run pass an armed U.S.-made F-16V fighter jet at an air force base in Chiayi, a city in southern Taiwan, on Jan. 5, 2022. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

The current Australian government should recall that Beijing initially welcomed new prime ministers only to subsequently condemn them for defending Australias interests or asserting international norms.

Bob Hawkes condemnation of the Tiananmen Square carnage ended the then-Chinese bromance. Kevin Rudds reference to human rights at Peking University began the more recent estrangement. It continued under subsequent Liberal prime ministers.

Scott Morrison was binned for asking for an independent investigation of the origins of COVID.

The CCP may be changing its tactics, but its long-term strategy remains the same.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
GRONINGEN, NetherlandsShen Yun Performing Arts gave four performances at the MartiniPlaza in Groningen, Netherlands from Jan. 20 to Jan. 22. Audience members had the opportunity to learn about traditional Chinese culture and get a glimpse of what China was like before communism.

This is truly one of the most amazing experiences that I have ever had in my life, said Maia Boyanova, a dentist who watched Shen Yun on Jan. 20. It is truly, truly amazing. The performance is so good and so lively and so gracious as well, that youre just speechless all the time.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists who wished to revive traditional Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance and music. Shen Yun is now the worlds premier performing arts company, with eight equally sized companies that tour the world simultaneously. Shen Yuns 2023 season is its biggest yet, and the eight companies will be touring five continents, over 20 countries, and over 180 cities.

Attending the performance with Ms. Boyanova was dentist Sanda Boistean.

I was also very impressed, said Ms. Boistean. Asian cultureespecially Chinese cultureis very rich. To have it transmitted [into] art like dancing [and] music, its really amazing how they can  [evoke] so many emotions  Were getting goosebumps.

Ms. Boyanova and Ms. Boistean enjoyed the erhu solo that was part of Shen Yuns program. An erhu is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument with only two strings yet can portray a wide range of emotions, which impressed the two ladies.

The old instrument with just two stringswe really got to tears for that, said Ms. Boistean. Were like, how amazing is that?

Theyre speaking through colors, through costumes, through the gracious moves, through the music  youre so transported into the legend, into the story that they wanted to share.

Reporting by Gokhan Tunc and Wandi Zhu

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Musk Testifies Saudis Backed Taking Tesla Private Before They Backpedaled

Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via Reuters)

SAN FRANCISCOElon Musk testified on Monday that he was sure he had backing from Saudi financiers in 2018 to take Tesla Inc private, but said the fund later backpedaled on its commitment.

At a trial in San Francisco federal court, Musk told the investors lawyer Nicholas Porritt that he met on July 31, 2018, with representatives of Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, at Teslas Fremont, California, factory.

Musk acknowledged he did not discuss a takeover price with representatives of the Saudi fund, but said they made clear they would do what it took to make a buyout happen.

PIF unequivocally wanted to take Tesla private, he testified.

Musk subsequently said that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the fund, later backpedaled on the commitment to take Tesla private.

I was very upset because he had been unequivocal in his support for taking Tesla private when we met and now he appeared to be backpedaling, Musk testified.

Attorneys for Al-Rumayyan did not immediately return a request for comment.

The lawyer for the investors told the court that written evidence does not support Musks claim that the Saudi fund made a commitment to him, adding that minutes of a meeting between Musk and the Saudis showed the Saudis wanted to learn more about Musks plan.

Musk is defending against claims that he defrauded investors when the billionaire posted on Twitter on Aug. 7, 2018, that he had funding secured to take Tesla private at $420 per share, and that investor support is confirmed.

Investors say they lost millions as a result of Musks tweets.

The trial tests Musks penchant for taking to Twitter to air his sometimes irreverent views, and when the worlds second-richest person can be held liable for crossing a line.

Teslas stock price surged after Musks tweets, and later fell as it became clear the buyout would not materialize.

A jury of nine will decide whether the Tesla CEO artificially inflated the companys share price by touting the buyouts prospects, and if so by how much.

U.S. Judge Edward Chen ruled last May that Musks post was untruthful and reckless.

But in Mondays testimony, Musk said he believed he could have sold enough shares of his rocket company SpaceX to fund a buyout, and felt funding was secured with SpaceX stock alone.

Musk testified that when he sent the tweet announcing the deal, he was saying not that it will happen, but that I am thinking about it and that funding was secured, in his opinion.

Not a Joke

Musk was also sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the tweets, leading to a combined $40 million in settlements for him and Tesla and a requirement that a Tesla lawyer screen some of his tweets in advance.

The SEC had alleged that Musk rounded the alleged buyout offer to $420 per share from $419 because he had recently learned about the higher amounts significance in marijuana culture and thought his girlfriend would find it funny.

Musk denied having thought that.

It was chosen because it was a 20 perceent premium over the stock price, he testified. The $420 price was not a joke.

He began testifying on Friday, telling jurors that while Twitter, which he bought in October, was the most democratic way to communicate, his tweets did not always affect Tesla stock the way he expects.

Just because I tweet something does not mean people believe it or will act accordingly, Musk said.

The defendants also include current and former Tesla directors, whom Spiro said had pure motives in their response to Musks plan.
Examining Chinas New Confucius Institutes

A pedestrian passes by on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis on April 9, 2019. The university closed its Confucius Institute in 2019. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Commentary

Hanban, an organization closely affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), established the Confucius Institute program in 2004. Ostensibly, the program was created to help promote the Chinese language and culture on a global scale.

Today, rather incredibly, there are 525 of these institutes in 146 different countries and regions. Accused of being little more than Trojan horses for the CCP, these institutes have garnered a notorious reputation. This explains why a number of countries have opted to close these CCP-backed institutes. Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, to name just three countries, have moved to completely remove their presence.

This, perhaps, explains why the CCP has established a new initiativelets call it the Confucius Institute program 2.0. As I show in this piece, there are plenty of reasons to believe that the new program will be every bit as dangerous as the original one.

Last year, in a piece for the South China Morning Post, Connor Mycroft discussed a new string of CCP-funded workshops that have popped up (and continue to pop up) around the world. The intriguing piece starts by discussing a vocational school in the Indonesian province of East Java, where automotive engineering and vehicle maintenance classes are taught. Meanwhile, in Setubal, Portugal, students can learn the ins and outs of automation technology and industrial robotics. Recently, a vocational school in the Central Asian country of Tajikistan began offering degrees in the field of urban thermal-energy planning.

What do these three places have in common? You guessed it; all three are closely associated with Chinese investment.

Despite their subject variety and the vast distances between them, Mycroft said, all of these schools exist under the same educational umbrella stemming from the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin.

Before reading this piece, you probably never heard of Luban Workshops. If so, dont feel bad; you arent alone. Outside of China, these training centers have received very little coverage. Why is this the case? After all, since 2016, at least 25 Luban Workshops have opened in 23 different countries. Along with Indonesia and Portugal, other host countries include Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, and even the United Kingdom.

In September 2022, Eurasianet published a piece discussing the rise of Luban Workshops and why these centers should be viewed as the second stage of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Created to institutionalize the CCPs soft power presence, the BRI, an expansive (and expensive) infrastructure project that spans the globe, has 146 members. When a country signs on to become a member of the initiative, China then finds many ways to meddle in the host countrys politics, culture, and educational institutions. To sign a deal with Beijing is, in many ways, to sign away the keys to the house.

Laborers walk through the Gwadar Port in Pakistan on Oct. 4, 2017. China invested in this multibillion-dollar infrastructure project as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. (Amelie Herenstein/AFP/Getty Images)

Its no surprise that Confucius Institutes are mostly found in countries that are members of the BRI. The same can be said for Luban Workshops. Confucius Institutes have been widely considered vehicles for various forms of espionage. Why should we expect anything different from these workshops? They should be viewed as new additions to Beijings soft power offensive.

Soft power is considerably cheaperand arguably far more effectivethan, say, the hard power of military force. The ability of the CCP to co-opt rather than coerce shouldnt be underestimated. When one thinks of Chinese soft power, propaganda and censorship spring to mind. And when one thinks of propaganda and censorship, one inevitably thinks of the online world, where social media profiles are closely monitored, and fake news stories are promoted. However, one neednt be located in the virtual world to experience Chinese propaganda and censorship firsthand.

Confucius Institutes arent just vehicles for espionage but also for disseminating false information and acts of intimidation. When it comes to CCP-endorsed endeavors, behind the images presented to the world, we must always strive to look at whats really going on behind the scenes and what the real motives are. When the CCP says, Were here to help, we must ask, Help who, exactly?

The CCP establishes these institutes and workshops to spread a false image of communist China. To do this, they suppress voices of reason, investigations of merit, and any political commentary that accurately portrays the brutality of the Chinese regime. This is what makes Luban Workshops so dangerous.

According to the aforementioned Eurasianet piece, compared to Confucius Institutes, which have received a great deal of scrutiny for obvious reasons, these workshops are more practical and less cumbersome to establish. Translation: They require less red tape and raise fewer alarms. As the piece noted, establishing something like a Confucius Institute requires many levels of approval.

Compared with that, it added, a Luban Workshop is easier to build. These workshops are easier to build largely because theyre so new. The world simply hasnt had enough time or enough exposure to fully comprehend the potential threats posed.

However, now that we know theyre just another part of the CCPs harmful BRI program, another string in Beijings soft power bow, its time to say no to these risky workshops.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Family Calls for Youth Criminal Justice System Reform After Fatal Stabbing of Toronto Man by 8 Teen Girls

The family of a Toronto man who was killed in a swarming attack involving eight teenage girls last December is calling for changes to the youth criminal justice system.

Ken Lee, 59, was allegedly stabbed by the girls in downtown Toronto near the York Street and University Avenue area on Dec. 18, 2022. The stabbing ensued after the girls reportedly tried to take a bottle of alcohol from the victim and his friend. Toronto police previously said the man died after being transferred to hospital.

The girls, whose ages range from 13 to 16 years old, have been charged with second-degree murder. The identities of the young suspects are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

One of the suspects has been granted bail on strict conditions, including that she is required to stay at home except while attending school or when she is accompanied by one of her two sureties, that she surrender her passport, and that she is not allowed to contact any of her co-accused. She is restricted from using the internet.

In a Jan. 16 statement, Helen Shum, Lees sister, said her husband, Eric Shum, has written to several federal, provincial, and municipal officials to call for a change to the YCJA. The email addresses to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland, Chief Justice David Lametti, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Toronto Mayor John Tory.

The letter questioned the need to protect the identity of the young offenders in Lees case, citing the YCJA, which states the youth criminal justice system is intended to protect the public by holding young persons accountable through measures proportionate to the seriousness of the offence.

In this particular murder case, is the youth justice system really protecting the public? I have a lot of questions as to why we are protecting those criminals that committed murder, Shum said in the statement.

Why do we need to protect their privacy? Society needs to know who these perpetrators are; especially if they are attending school, she said.

As a parent, I would want to know if a perpetrator was in my childs school or my childs class. We dont see our children for a good portion of the day, and we dont know who or how they will interact. Any negative influence by these perpetrators on our vulnerable children could be very detrimental to their mental health.

Shum questioned the courts decision to grant bail to one of the suspects while commending Premier Fords recent call for bail reform after the recent murder of OPP Const. Grzegorz Greg Pierzchal by a suspect who was also granted bail.

For this crime of murder, the optics of allowing bail continue to demonstrate a weak YCJA system sending a message to young offenders that they can do anything and not be held accountable, Shum wrote.

Shums statement was posted on a GoFundMe page, which is raising funds for Lees funeral and any possible legal fees that may arise from the case.

Aside from the girl who was granted bail, the other seven suspects have remained in custody after a bail hearing last week. The teens are expected to appear for individual bail hearings beginning Jan. 24, reported CBC News.
Federal Government to Combat Rising Sexual Assaults From Dating Apps

The prolific number of sexual assaults stemming from dating apps will be spotlighted this week, with advocates and the government coming together to work on reform.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government would work with states and territories to take whatever action is needed.

Dating apps would be well on notice that the Albanese government intends to not only take this very seriously but take whatever action is necessary, she told ABC radio.

Rowland said incentive regulation could be used to change behaviour, but further reforms, such as changes to the law, have not been ruled out.

If the situation does not improve, then certainly it is within the scope of government to make sure we do everything we can to keep Australians safe online.

Asked whether dating apps were doing enough to stamp out criminal behaviour, the minister said while some had their own pre-requisites, they werent consistent across platforms.

Its important here to hear particularly from the police side of things where there have been complaints, she said.

Rowland will convene the online dating safety roundtable on Wednesday after calls for reform grew louder last month when a New South Wales man was charged with the murder of a woman he met online.

Police allege he had a long history of domestic violence.

The case sparked calls for reforms to stop people with a known violent background from registering on dating apps.

Three-quarters of Australian Institute of Criminology survey respondents had been victims of some form of online sexual violence in the past five years.

One-third experienced in-person abuse from someone they met on an app, with 27 percent of those reporting incidents of sexual assault or coercion, such as drink spiking.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, state and territory ministers and representatives from dating apps including Match, Bumble and Grindr will all attend.

Law enforcement experts have also been invited.

The roundtable will cover preventing the exploitation of online dating services, supporting users who experience harm and efforts to improve online dating safety.

This includes reporting processes, support for abuse victims and policies to hold perpetrators accountable, with more than 3.1 million Australians using dating apps in 2021.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Plane is a bit of a 1970s throwback, partly because when reading the movies title, the first thought I had was a memory of Tattoo (Herve Villechaize from 19771984s Fantasy Island) yelling, De pleyne! De pleyne! Plane, much like 1994s Speed, 2014s Non-stop, and last years Ambulance, is a one-word-titled thriller-adventure-actioner that mostly takes place in a vehicle.

This particular airline disaster is not about the industrys recent delays and cancellations problems. This Plane actually gets off the ground and flies; the no-frills name being a no-frills wrapper on quite a tasty movie hot-dog.

Capt. Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) calls home, in Plane. (Kenneth Rexach/Lionsgate)

The Pilot

Gerard Butler is Capt. Brodie Torrance, a pilot for Trailblazer Airlines, whose 6-hour flight from Singapore to Tokyo has 18 passengers onboard. Torrance is attempting to squeeze a last couple of flights in before New Years Eve, which he plans to spend at his Hawaii home with his daughter (Haleigh Hekking).

Torrances nearly empty plane is also being used to transport captured fugitive and accused murderer Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), whos onboard with his captor for extradition. Scary Gaspare is of course quietly menacing, but later demonstrates machine gun capabilities that bespeak spec-ops training. Naturally.

RCMP Officer Knight (Otis Winston, L) and Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter) boarding the plane, in Plane. (Kenneth Rexach/Lionsgate)

Theres a big storm over the South China Sea! The captain is ordered to push through the weather to save on fuel costs. But lightning strikes, and the communication system is fried, which knocks out the control panel.

Torrance crash-lands the jet on a remote island near the Philippines, with one passenger calling it the worst plane ride in the history of plane rides. In terms of movie plane rides, its not the worst, its not bad. Not bad at all.

But is this a deserted island? Of course not! The islands run by militia members and violent separatists, and leading this gang of ruthless rebels is one bad dude named Junmar (Evan Dane Taylor). They take the survivors hostage with some gunshots and one (thankfully off-screen) decapitation. Hostages include Torrances young co-pilot Dele (Yoson An) and a terrified but brave stewardess Bonnie (Daniella Pineda).

(LR) Bonnie (Daniella Pineda), Captain Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) and Dele (Yoson An), in a scene from Plane. (Kenneth Rexach/Lionsgate)

Now, Torrance is a former Royal Air Force pilot, infamous for smacking a belligerent passenger around, so hes got no problem teaming up with the dangerous, apparently spec-ops trained fugitive to go smack some rebels around. As he puts it: My passengers, my responsibility.

What Else Goes On

Meanwhile, back at Trailblazers headquarters, one of the big bosses, Hampton (Paul Ben-Victor), skirmishes with Scarsdale, the companys PR fixer/crisis manager (Tony Goldwyn) over how to deal with the situation. Scarsdale eventually dispatches a freelance team of mercs, headed up by one Shellback (Remi Adeleke, former Navy SEAL), for a search-and-rescue mission.

Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler, L) and Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter) go after the bad guys, in Plane. (Kenneth Rexach/Lionsgate)

Will the Filipino army lend a hand? Will Captain Brodie be able to keep his passengers safe long enough for the hired guns to show up? Will the plane turn out to be more useful in the films last act than in the first? Is accused murderer Louis Gaspare a ruthless killer or noble killer?

The nail-biting, over-the-top climax sends plausibility packing but who cares? Realism is not high on the list of reasons we go to the movies. Gerard Butler, like his British Isles compatriot Liam Neeson, is adept at anchoring silly action movies with everyman appeal, physical presence, a nice cocktail of confident swagger, and a sprinkle of Just doin my job, maam. Plane is big fun, and Butler brings it in for a smooth landing.

Movie poster for Plane.

Plane

Director: Jean-Francois Richet

Starring: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Daniella Pineda, Tony Goldwyn, Paul Ben-Victor, Evan Dane Taylor, Yoson An

MPAA Rating: R

Running Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

Release Date: Jan. 13, 2023

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Flood-Damaged Cars From California Likely to Hit Used Market Soon

Cars are submerged in floodwater after heavy rain moved through the area in Windsor, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Recent storms that hammered California have dumped years worth of rain on the state, causing widespread flooding, and has prompted warnings that flood-damaged vehicles may hit the used car market soon.

In California, 32 trillion gallons of rain and snow fell since Christmas. The water washed out roads, knocked out power, and created mudslides by soaking wildfire-charred hills. It caused damage in 41 of the states 58 counties. At least 21 people have died, officials say.

After recent flooding hit the Los Angeles area this week, Ivan Drury, director of insights for Edmunds, said that cars that have suffered water damage could be quite unsafe even if they dont appear so on the surface.

Number one, your electrical system: youve got so much electronics on a car, now more so than ever. Technology systems prevent you from getting into an accident, and now you are in more danger, he told the Los Angeles Times late last week. And theres the vehicle physically deteriorating over time.

Drury emphasized that smelling the vehicle is critical. You had better get your face close to carpet, he said. That gross, musty smell, he added, thats a big red flag.

Consumers should take caution when purchasing a used car that was registered in a state or city where there has been recent flooding, Drury said.

Kenneth Potiker, owner of San Bernardino-based Riteway Auto Dismantlers, told the paper that he expects to see recently flooded California vehicles to appear at car auctions in the coming weeks. Ill buy a few, Im surebut I stay away from a lot, he said, adding that its difficult to tell the extent of the damage.

But he warned potential buyers that they should avoid such cars. I would tell them not to buy a car like thatthat would be the best advice, he said. If it floods inside a car, water damage is one of the worst types of damage.

Insurance companies say that many flooded vehicles often get totaled, meaning that the cost of the repair work is equal or greater to the value of the car. According to the Insurance Information Institute, some flood-damaged cars are issued a salvage title, which can alert people and companies to possible damage.

By definition, a flood vehicle has been completely or partially submerged in water to the extent that its body, engine, transmission or other mechanical component parts have been damaged, it says. If the vehicle is so damaged that it is no longer operable, the drivers insurance company settles the claim by buying the vehicle and selling it as a salvage at an auto auction.

But the Institute warns that dishonest and unscrupulous car dealers can then purchase the vehicles, clean them, but it leaves hidden flood damage. Those dealers then take the cars to states that werent impacted by the storm before selling them as used cars to unsuspecting buyers.

A woman waits for her husband at their front porch to be rescued from their flooded home in Brentwood, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

And those dishonest dealers will not disclose the damage on the vehicles title as they are required, which is a crime called title washing,' says the Institute. The vehicles are then sold with the hidden damage.

Its very easy for a professional to clean up a vehicle and make it look new, when, in fact, the electronics and computers are in really bad shape, Jack Gillis, chairman of the board of directors for the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, told KOMO News. This can present a safety hazard.

After Hurricane Ian hammered Florida last year, vehicle data company Carfax warned consumers about purchasing used vehicles that may have water damage. At the time, it estimated that more than 350,000 vehicles might have been damaged by Ians flooding.

We are seeing these flooded cars show up all around the country, putting unsuspecting buyers at risk, Emilie Voss, a Carfax spokeswoman, said in a statement last year about Ians aftermath. Cosmetically these cars might look great, but if you dont know what to look for, its nearly impossible to tell they are literally rotting from the inside out.

From Dec. 26 to Jan. 17, California was deluged by 11.47 inches of rain and snow on average across the state, according to the National Weather Services Weather Prediction Center, with some reports of up to 15 feet of snow in the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada. Late last week, meanwhile, President Joe Biden toured a California beach town to survey damage that was done by the recent storms.

California has been hit by nine atmospheric rivers since late December. The storms have relented in recent days. Forecasters say that a dry period will envelop much of the state for the time being.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former Top FBI Counterterrorism Official Arrested, DOJ Announces

Charles McGonigal (L), the former head of counterintelligence for the FBIs New York office, leaves Manhattan Federal Court in New York on Jan. 23, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

A former top FBI official in New York has been arrested because of his alleged ties to a Russian oligarch, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Jan. 23.

Charles McGonigal, formerly the special agent in charge of counterintelligence in the FBIs New York Field Office, was arrested because of his ties to Oleg Deripaska, according to a DOJ statement and court documents. Deripaska, a Russian billionaire, has been sanctioned by the United States and was criminally charged in 2022 for violating those sanctions.

Prosecutors say McGonigal and Sergey Shestakova court interpreterwere charged with violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act with money laundering and conspiring to commit money laundering. Specifically, Shestakov was charged with making misstatements to the FBI, according to the DOJ.

Both defendants were arrested on Jan. 21 and made an appearance on Jan. 23 before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave in a Manhattan federal court, the DOJ stated. McGonigal is among the highest-ranking former FBI officials to ever have been charged with a crime.

As alleged, Charles McGonigal, a former high-level FBI official, and Sergey Shestakov, a Court interpreter, violated U.S. sanctions by agreeing to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. They both previously worked with Deripaska to attempt to have his sanctions removed, and, as public servants, they should have known better. This Office will continue to prosecute those who violate U.S. sanctions enacted in response to Russian belligerence in Ukraine in order to line their own pockets.

McGonigal joined the bureau in 1996 and initially worked on Russian foreign counterintelligence and organized crime; later, he partook in investigations into the deadly TWA Flight 800 crash, the 1998 terrorist bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was named special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence Division for the FBI New York Field Office in 2016.

While not referenced by the DOJ, McGonigal was also involved in the FBIs investigation into Donald Trumps 2016 campaign adviser Carter Page, according to messages that were released by Senate Republicans. He wrote in March 2017 to a colleague: Our Team is currently talking to [Carter Page] re Russia. It isnt clear what role he had in the probe.

The Jan. 23 court filings say (pdf) McGonigal was charged with violating U.S. sanctions by attempting to get Deripaska off the sanctions list. The former FBI official and Shestakov allegedly agreed in 2021 to investigate a rival Russian oligarch in exchange for payments from Deripaska, according to prosecutors.

Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska speaks to the media outside his carmaker GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod on April 16, 2019. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael Driscoll said in a statement. Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence.

Driscoll said that both allegedly acted on behalf of Deripaska and fraudulently used a U.S. entity to obscure their activity in violation of U.S. sanctions and that there are no exceptions for anyone, including a former FBI official like Mr. McGonigal.

Shestakov is accused of lying to FBI investigators in 2021 about his relationship with Deripaska. For that, he was charged with making false statements.

An FBI spokesperson told media outlets on Jan. 23 that McGonigal was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on Jan. 21 after returning from a flight from the Middle East.

Details about the attorneys for McGonigal and Shestakov werent immediately available.

Deripaska, an aluminum magnate who reportedly has close ties with the Kremlin, was sanctioned in 2018 by the Trump Treasury Department for the totality of the Russian governments ongoing and increasingly malign activities in the world. Forbes magazine lists him among the wealthiest Russians, worth about $3 billion as of January 2023.

In late 2022, he was indicted by the DOJ on a charge of violating recent U.S. sanctions that were imposed in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, according to the agency. Two othersa Russian national and a New Jersey residentwere also charged in connection to the case.

Deripaska is also one of the few Russian billionaires who have called for peace with regard to Russias war with Ukraine, saying in March 2022 that we have already passed a point of no return. Around the same time, he cautioned that destroying Ukraine would be a colossal mistake.
4 Oath Keeper Members Convicted of Jan. 6 Seditious Conspiracy

Members of the Oath Keepers stand on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

Jurors convicted four members of the Oath Keepers on Jan. 23 of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Joseph Hackett of Sarasota, Florida; Roberto Minuta of Prosper, Texas; David Moerschel of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Edward Vallejo of Phoenix were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes related to the breach.

Seditious conspiracy is defined in federal law as two or more persons conspiring to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof.

The charge carries up to 20 years in prison.

The Oath Keepers is a group comprised primarily of former and current law enforcement and military members.

In an image from video, David Moerschel, with a red arrow pointing to him, stands outside the U.S. Capitol. Kelly Meggs, another Oath Keeper member, is under the green arrow. (DOJ via The Epoch Times)

The convictions come about two months after Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the group, was convicted with co-defendant Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy linked to Jan. 6. Three people tried with them were acquitted of the charge. Four other defendants, including three Oath Keepers, have pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy.

For the second time in recent months, a jury has found that a group of Americans entered into a seditious conspiracy against the United States, Matthew Graves, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a statement. The goal of this conspiracy was to prevent the execution of our laws that govern the peaceful transfer of power  striking at the very heart of our democracy. We are grateful to the thoughtful, deliberative work of this jury who gave weeks of their lives to carefully consider and deliver justice in this case and in so doing reaffirmed our democratic principles.

Hackett, Minuta, Moerschel, and Vallejo, were also convicted of two other conspiracy charges as well as obstructing an official proceeding: Congress certification of the 2020 election. Minuta, Hackett, and Moerschel were acquitted of lesser charges.

The judge didnt immediately set a date for sentencing. The judge denied prosecutors bid to lock up the men while they await sentencing, finding them not to be a flight risk. They were ordered to remain in home detention with electronic monitoring.

Prosecutors had said the Oath Keepers conspired to obstruct and impede the certification of the electoral votes by planning to disrupt the congressional session, using messages and social media to encourage people to travel to Washington, and ultimately going to Washington and entering the Capitol after storming past exterior barricades, Capitol Police, and other law enforcement officers.

Our democracy was under attack, but for the defendants it was everything they trained for and a moment to celebrate, prosecutor Louis Manzo told jurors in his closing argument.

Defense attorneys said the messages their clients exchanged were bluster and that Oath Keepers traveled to Washington to provide security at events. They noted the lack of evidence that the Oath Keepers had an explicit plan to storm the Capitol before Jan. 6 and told jurors that those who breached the Capitol acted spontaneously.

Prosecutors left evidence out and they picked and chose what they wanted, said William Lee Shipley, an attorney for Minuta.

Prosecutors argued that while there is no evidence specifically spelling out a plan to attack the Capitol, the Oath Keepers saw the riot as a means to an end and sprung into action at an apparent opportunity to help keep Trump in power.

Communications from Hackett and others planned the obstruction and Hackett and Moerschel were part of the so-called stack formation that the Oath Keepers used to make their way to the Capitol and enter the building after a group breached a set of doors there, according to court documents.

Members of the Oath Keepers in a so-called stack formation inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (DOJ via The Epoch Times)

Minuta was said to have later forcibly entered the building with a different stack through the same doors, armed with bear spray and wearing tactical gear.

Vallejo did not enter the Capitol but coordinated with other members, according to prosecutors.

U.S. prosecutors have aggressively pursued people involved in the breach, with nearly 1,000 charged with crimes as of Jan. 6. Approximately 50 have been charged with seditious conspiracy or another conspiracy, such as conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding.

The breach interrupted a joint session of Congress convened to certify electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election, causing the evacuation of members, as well as then-Vice President Mike Pence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox News Weatherman Adam Klotz Beaten by Group of Teens on NYC Subway Train

People walk through a Manhattan subway station in New York on May 24, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Fox News meteorologist Adam Klotz said on Jan. 22 that he had been badly beaten by teenagers on a subway train in New York while making his way home from a bar.

The 37-year-old, who began working at the network in 2017, took to Instagram to share a video of himself with what appeared to be bruised and battered eyes.

Hear me out, though: You should see the other guy, Klotz quipped while zooming in to show what looked like red and purple bruising around his eyes and across his cheeks. My sideoh, dont laughmy side is so much worse than my face.

The meteorologist then went on to explain that the other guy was not actually a guy but five or six children before questioning where are the parents?!

Dont let your kids come and beat me up, people, in the middle of the night again, please, he joked.

In a separate post, Klotz cut a more serious tone as he provided further details regarding the incident.

I feel like that last post seems like I wasnt being serious. Like this wasnt real. But, yeah, coming home last night from watching the [New York] Giants game at a bar, on the subway, this older gentleman was being hassled by this group of seven or eight teens, Klotz said.

They Got Their Hits In

And I was like, Yo, guys, cut that out. And they decided, Alright, hes not gonna get it, then youre going to get it! And boy, did they give it to me. They had me on the groundmy ribs are all kinds of bruised up too. They got their hits in!

Klotz explained that the man who was initially being hassled by the group of teenagers got out of there fine and police officers grabbed a couple of these kids following the attack.

The weatherman added that he has undergone X-rays and was doing OK, and his cuts and bruises were all going to heal.

Police told the New York Post that Klotz was on a 1 train at around 1:15 a.m. when he confronted the teens, who may have been smoking marijuana on the train at the time of the incident. The teenagers reportedly fled the train soon after the assault before they were picked up by police.

An NYPD spokesman told the publication that the teenagers were released without charges owing to their ages and the fact that the crime involved an apparent misdemeanor.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, an NYPD spokesperson said that the incident took place at 1.13 a.m. on Jan. 22 when a 37-year-old male victim was on board a southbound 1 train approaching the West 18 Street and 7 Avenue station.

According to police, the victim, who they did not name, observed a group of four teenagers acting disorderly on the train.

The victim asked the individuals to stop, at which point they began to assault the victim, punching him in the face multiple times.

When the train arrived at the 18 Street and 7 Avenue station all four individuals and the victim exited the train. Police assigned to Transit District 2 were alerted and apprehended three of the individuals, with the fourth individual fleeing to parts unknown, the statement read.

Police said that the victim sustained non-life threatening injuries to his head and was taken to a local hospital in a stable condition.

Two males, 15, and another male, 17, were arrested but later released with juvenile reports for assault in the third degree, according to the statement.

The Epoch Times has contacted Fox News for comment.

New York Subway Crime on the Rise

New York saw a 30 percent rise in crimes on the subway last year, while general crimes rose 22 percent across the city in 2022, Bloomberg reported.

That is despite Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, announcing a new plan to combat violence and homelessness on public transit in February last year, which included the deployment of up to 30 joint response teams to high-need locations and parts of the transit system across the city.

Additionally, Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in October announced expanded initiatives aimed at keeping New York City subways safe and addressing transit crime, including boosting officer presence on subway platforms by approximately 1,200 additional overtime officer shifts each day.

My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe in the streets, in their homes, in their schools, and on the subway, and we will do whatever it takes to make our subways safer for riders, Hochul said at the time. Our expanded subway safety strategy of Cops, Cameras, and Care will crack down on subway crime, help those experiencing homelessness get the support they need to get out of the system, and alleviate concerns of riders to ensure New Yorkers feel safer throughout the subway system.

Bloomberg reported that the NYPD is spending an additional $20 million per month on police overtime costs.

Prior to the attack on Klotz, Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwells 18-year-old brother was killed in a shooting in Chicago in July last year.
An evolutionary theorist dropped this bombshell on Joe Rogan, referring to it as the biggest blunder in human history. Just look at this mind-blowing research published in Science Immunology regarding what happens to your immune system after just 3 doses.

Bret Weinstein, an evolutionary theorist, author of A Hunter-Gatherers Guide to the 21st Century and host of The DarkHorse Podcast was interviewed on The Joe Rogan Experience, discussing some of the most heavily censored topics today.[1]

From discussing why he believes COVID-19 is the biggest blunder in human history to how COVID-19 shots may make the human immune system unable to fight off pathogens, the interview is as riveting as it is pertinent to public health.

At the root of the problem is censorship, which has buried information that could have turned the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic early on, and the intentional act of keeping people in the dark, which may have paved the way for massive wealth transfer ahead of the pandemic.

Zero Is a Special Number

Weinstein begins by discussing how the narrative has been able to get so out of control, with free speech openly dampened by those in control. He calls the concept zero is a special number:[2]

The idea of zero as a special number is that this narrative control would not work if there was even one newspaper that was dedicated to the job of reporting the news. It wouldnt work if there was even one university that was dedicated to finding what the truth might be. Right? It doesnt work if theres one social media platform in a primary position in which free speech reigns, because in any of these cases, if you had the university that was still interested in truth seeking in an era where everybody else was doing their diversity, equity and inclusion thing, every reasonable person would wanna send their kid there, right? So it would win in competition almost immediately, and the result would be every other institution would have to change their policy to compete. So if you get even one exception, thats enough to break this pattern.

What we face is a corporate stronghold over media combined with a state-run propaganda machine. Countless private-public partnerships between government and corporations bind the two camps together in a pact to dictate truth to the public. Weinstein believes Elon Musks takeover of Twitter is an attempt to become that single exception, which is why youre seeing so many people publicly announcing that theyre leaving the platform:[3]

The structure that is controlling the narrative understands that it cannot endure that [Twitter becoming a platform for free speech]. And so far it has failed to shut down Elon. So their next move is actually to get people on one side of this debate to leave so that they cant prevent Twitter from being a space where people can speak freely, but they can take it out of the position of being a primary social media environment. And in so doing, they will take the number of meaningful exceptions to the free speech control back to zero. Thats what theyre up to.

They Dont Want You to Know the Shots Are Gene Therapy

Initially, Weinstein didnt think the issue of labeling mRNA COVID-19 shots vaccines was a big issue, but hes since changed his mind. Lots of people were upset by the redefinition of the term vaccine, he says. I wasnt convinced it was an important issue. I have switched sides on this. I now think the definition is vitally important and were beginning to see why.[4]

The No. 1 reason why Weinstein believes COVID-19 shots are not vaccines is because they do not create immunity to the pathogen. They also use a very different technology than that used by typical vaccines. But if the government began touting a new gene therapy, people would have questioned it. Weinstein explains:[5]

What theyve done is theyve smuggled in a really, truly radically new technology. And they caused us all not to worry about it very much by using the term vaccine, right? If they had said, alright, weve got this pandemic and in order to prevent it from spreading, were gonna have everybody take gene therapy. Everybody wouldve said, what? Gene therapy is that safe? So the point is we had a category and it was called vaccine. And we all thought, you know, there are some crazy folks who are worried about vaccines, but in general, its safe. So if something carries that label, its probably safe too.

How COVID Shots Made the Pandemic Worse

As Weinstein and his wife, Heather Heying, an evolutionary biologist and cohost of The DarkHorse Podcast, dug deeper, they realized there was no way anyone could know whether COVID-19 shots were safe. We looked at these technologies and thought, wow, you are intervening in a nested series of complex systems in a way that you cant possibly predict the outcome.[6]

This brought them to the work of Geert Vanden Bossche, Ph.D., a vaccinology expert and former global director of vaccine programs, including work for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Hes been heavily censored because hes among those who have warned about immune escape due to the pressure being placed upon the virus during the mass COVID-19 shot campaign.

Bossche describes a general principle in biology, vaccinology and microbiology that if you put living organisms like bacteria or viruses under pressure, via antibiotics, antibodies or chemotherapeutics, for example, but dont kill them off completely, you can inadvertently encourage their mutation into more virulent strains. Those that escape your immune system end up surviving and selecting mutations to ensure their further survival.

SARS-CoV-2 has a high capacity for mutation but, according to Bossche, if the virus isnt under pressure, it wont necessarily see a need to select mutations to, for instance, become more infectious. But if you put it under pressure, as occurred during the mass vaccination campaign  or as Bossche calls it the one big experiment  this changes. Weinstein says: [7]

What he said is, look, if you vaccinate into a pandemic and you do so broadly across the population, youre going to drive the evolution of variants  You are going to create an evolutionary arms race, and you were going to cause the number of variants to proliferate. And, you know, at the time, I couldnt say for sure that he was right, but what I could say was that he was making evolutionary sense. There was nothing terribly complex about his argument, and it was robust. And I think now we are seeing  that proliferation of variants.

Are the Shots Triggering Immune Systems to Give Up?

Research published in Science Immunology [8] reveals a mind blowing finding that after three doses of mRNA COVID-19 shots, your immune system may be triggered not to fight. Its a very dangerous discovery, Weinstein says, that has to do with an elevation in the percentage of IgG4 antibodies:[9]

IgG4 is actually part of a system in which the body attenuates its own response to an antigen. So the mind blowing, and you know, its an early result, maybe it doesnt get replicated, but  the implication is that the evolutionary path we have traveled is causing the pathogen now to be able to trigger a response that will cause the immune system not to fight. Nobody knows what happens next  So the idea that a pathogen, and mind you, not a normal pathogen, a pathogen that we can now be pretty darn certain was engineered by humans, at least in part, that pathogen is now triggering that signal that causes the immune system not to react anymore, means were in a whole new landscape.

Another potential mechanism of harm involves Marc Girardots Bolus Theory [10] and what happens if a COVID-19 shot, or any shot which is intended to be injected into the muscle, accidentally gets injected into a blood vessel, a demonstrated regular occurrence in hospitals. According to Girardot: [11]

Say the direct IV injection of a dose of Pfizer [COVID-19 shot] is diluted by 30 by the time it gets to the aorta, youd have around 10,000 lipid nanoparticles hitting each square millimeter of endothelium during the very brief passage of the bolus. Lets imagine 10% of these vaccine particles penetrate a cell when they hit it. That means that up to 1,000 cells will end up destroyed by the immune system. Thats more than 100% of the cells in that area! Likely irreparable, similar to a third-degree burn. In the case of a proper intramuscular injection, the maximum concentration would be 25 lipid nanoparticles presenting themselves to the same 1 sq.mm. of endothelial surface. Only three would be uptaken, or less 0.4% of the surface would end up destroyed. Those three cell gaps would be fixed within minutes of the immune attack. And life would go on. This brief physical phenomenon, similar to an avalanche crashing through your vascular system, is in my opinion the cause of all the adverse effects we have witnessed these past two years, and that have occurred for decades.

More Clues SARS-CoV-2 Is Not of Natural Origin

Weinstein says he knew very early on in the pandemic that SARS-CoV-2 did not appear to be of natural origin. Further, it didnt appear to be due to a simple laboratory escape either, but rather was a highly unusual pathogen with unprecedented genetic alteration  one that was likely enhanced in a laboratory before it escaped. Even the way it behaves in the human body, harming everything from toes to circulation to the brain is unusual:[12]

Theres a reason that a normal pathogen doesnt do the widescale damage that COVID seems to, and that reason is that, in general, pathogens dont have an interest in harming you  In fact, they do best when you are healthy enough to walk around and spread them. And so they tend to spare tissues that do not help them to be transmitted. Well, thats not the case with this pathogen. This pathogen seems to invade all kinds of tissues that dont help it to spread.

The presence of a furin cleavage site on SARS-CoV-2, which is what makes it so transmissible and able to invade tissue so effectively, is another smoking gun. Thats something that we knew would take a coronavirus and cause it to be highly effective in humans. We knew that before SARS-CoV-2 ever emerged. So, to find it on this virus, even though no other member of the subfamily has it, is conspicuous, he says.[13]

The lengths that the mainstream narrative has gone to discredit the lab-origin theory also hint at its relevance: [14]

Why are they continually trying to reanimate the explanation that this is a natural spillover event? Because if it isnt, then we know who did it, right? Anthony Fauci was key to circumventing the ban on gain-of-function research that resulted in the Wuhan lab being funded by us [the U.S.] to do this work. So if this was a natural spillover event from a wet market, then Anthony Fauci is in the clear, right? If this is the result of ill-conceived gain-of-function research taking place in Wuhan, partially at our direction, thats a whole different ballgame  those who are responsible cannot allow a full investigation. I dont know what will happen if the truth were to fully emerge about, not only what was the explanation for how this virus came into the world when it came into the world  but also what we failed to do,  we failed to deploy  Because we didnt deal with the pathogen properly at the beginning, because we didnt deploy the drugs that we had at our disposal that did work, we ran out the clock on the brief period of time when we might have driven it extinct or at least controlled it.

The Largest Blunder in Human History

From the initial allowance of gain-of-function research to the botched pandemic response, Weinstein believes the COVID-19 pandemic is the largest blunder in human history. He asks poignant questions, like what would have happened if we had treated COVID-19 the way we treat other emerging pathogens  with trial and error and open discussion until the best course of treatment is identified.

[If] we just let doctors figure out how to treat it  they wouldve gotten rapidly better at treating this disease, and they wouldve discovered all of the compounds that work. And they wouldve talked to each other about in what way to deploy those compounds, at what dosage. They wouldve discovered all of that stuff, Weinstein says. [15]

Instead, as SARS-CoV-2 spread through the population, fear was used to make the population compliant. Data was manipulated, with COVID-19 deaths including people who died with COVID, not from it.

Those numbers caused us to think the pathogen was something other than it was. And it is obvious to anyone seriously analyzing this that COVID isnt a dangerous pathogen. SARS-CoV-2 is a dangerous pathogen. Im very worried about where it goes. But the case fatality rate is not one that should have caused us to vaccinate literally billions of people, Weinstein explains. [16]

A tweet featured in the interview claimed to be from a doctor who defended her choice to get a COVID-19 shot, saying she did it out of love while antivaxxers were acting out of hate. The tweet turned out to be fake, [17] but its sentiment was not a far stretch from reality, as friends, families and colleagues have been torn apart over differing viewpoints during the pandemic.

This divisiveness is not happenstance; its very much intentional. One of the best ways to not look at people as being human is to categorize them as an enemy in some way, Weinstein says, mentioning mass formation, which involves the formation of a hypnotic state around a shared consensus.

The mass formation appears to be downstream of an industrial strength propaganda campaign, Weinstein says. A very expensive one designed to create these unsolvable puzzles for people so that they would end up in this mindset. [18]

The solution begins with continuing to share and spread the truth, and coming together toward this end. If we dont do that, then we head into further and further polarization. [19]

Whos Profiting Off Keeping You in the Dark?

Meanwhile, Weinstein explores the possibility that a select group may have had advance notice of the impending pandemic and used that knowledge to position themselves for a financial windfall  and a cryptic, massive transfer of wealth: [20]

Theres been lots of talk in various publications at this point about the possibility that COVID was circulating earlier than we knew  If you know that a pandemic is coming and that it is going to spread around the globe, and it is going to cause all kinds of alterations, you can, you know, short stocks for cruise ships or airplanes, hotels, right? You can invest in pharmaceutical companies that have useful technologies  And so the question is, how much of the story here involves something having understood what was coming and having revealed it at a point that it was positioned rather than it having emerged naturally?  Im as much an outsider to this as anybody, but I will say theres a version of the story in which our being kept in the dark is a perpetual source of wealth.

Originally published Jan 20, 2023, on Mercola.com

References

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
University students have a lot of freedom but not much structure. This can be bad for habitual procrastinators. Studies have shown that at least half of university students procrastinate to a level that is potentially harmful to their education.

But this may not be the only negative result of putting things off until a later date. Studies have found a link between procrastination and poor health. It is associated with higher levels of stress, unhealthier lifestyles and delays in seeing a doctor about health problems.

However, these studies  by the nature of their design  cannot tell us the direction of the relationship. Does procrastination cause poor physical and mental health because people, say, put off starting a new exercise regime or seeing a doctor about a health problem? Or is it the other way around? Does poor physical health, say, lead people to procrastinate because they dont have the energy to do the task now?

To try to solve this riddle, we conducted a longitudinal study  that is, a study that followed people for a period of time, taking measurements at various points in the study. We recruited 3,525 students from eight universities in and around Stockholm and asked them to complete questionnaires every three months for one year.

Our study, published in JAMA Network Open, aimed to investigate if students who procrastinate have a higher risk of poor mental and physical health. Of the 3,525 students we recruited, 2,587 answered the follow-up questionnaire nine months later, where several health outcomes were measured.

To understand how procrastination relates to later health outcomes, students with a greater tendency to procrastinate (as scored on a procrastination scale) at the start of the study were compared with students with a lower tendency. The results showed that higher levels of procrastination were associated with somewhat higher symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress nine months later.

Students with higher levels of procrastination were also more likely to report disabling pain in the shoulders or arms (or both), worse sleep quality, more loneliness and more financial difficulties. These associations remained even when we took other factors that could affect the association into consideration, such as age, gender, parents level of education, and previous physical and psychiatric diagnoses.

Although no specific health outcome was strongly associated with procrastination, the results suggest that procrastination may be of importance for a wide range of health outcomes, including mental health problems, disabling pain and an unhealthy lifestyle.

As mentioned above, in earlier studies, participants were only assessed at one point in time, making it hard to know which of the conditions came first: procrastination or poor health. By getting students to answer questionnaires at several time points, we could be sure that high procrastination levels were present before we measured their health.

But it is still possible that other factors not accounted for in our analysis could explain the associations between procrastination and subsequent poor health outcomes. Our results are not proof of cause and effect, but they suggest it more strongly than earlier cross-sectional studies.

It Can Be Treated

There is good news for habitual procrastinators. Clinical trials (the gold standard of medical research) have shown that cognitive behavioural therapy is effective at reducing procrastination.

The treatment helps the person overcome procrastination by breaking up long-term goals into short-term goals, managing distractions (such as turning off mobile phones), and staying focused on a task despite experiencing negative emotions.

This requires some effort, so it is not something a person can do while trying to meet a specific deadline. But even small changes can have a large effect. You can try it yourself. Why not start today by leaving your mobile phone in another room when you need to stay focused on a task.

Eva Skillgate, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet; Alexander Rozental, Adjunct Researcher, Karolinska Institutet, and Fred Johansson, PhD Candidate, Mental Health, Sophiahemmet University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Illegal Aliens Overwhelming Arizona Border City: Locals

U.S. Border Patrol agents check for identification of immigrants as they wait to be processed after crossing the border from Mexico in Yuma, Ariz., on June 22, 2022. (Qian Weizhong/VCG/Getty Images)

The Biden administrations lax border policies are resulting in the Arizona border city of Yuma being pushed to the brink of collapse as it deals with a massive surge in illegal immigrants, with the regions critical food production coming under threat, a local official said.

Policies need to be changed when you see an unprecedented amount of people coming across the border that even supersedes what we saw under any of the other presidents for the past 30 years, Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines told Fox News. Theyre coming because they said that Biden told them to come, that we have an open border.

According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), roughly 5 million illegal immigrants have crossed over the southern border since President Joe Biden took office. Between 2021 and 2022, there has been a 171 percent surge in crossings in Yuma, Arizona.

The city of Yuma, located in Yuma County, Arizona, has a population of about 97,000 according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. With surging migrant numbers, the citys food security is being threatened, while its basic infrastructure like food banks and hospitals are also under stress.

Hank Auza, a fifth-generation farmer, told Fox News that he expects a couple of big waves of migrants coming into Yuma soon, which could overwhelm the system.

Affecting Crop Production

Alex Muller, president of Pasquinelli Produce Company, said the border crisis is negatively affecting Americas food supply as illegal migrants are damaging crops when they unlawfully cross over into the United States.

Roughly 90 percent of Americas supply of romaine and iceberg lettuce is grown in Yuma, with the regions farmers delivering about 9 billion servings of leafy greens each year. This produce is now under threat from illegal migrants.

Muller told Fox News that illegal migrants are crossing through the companys fields near the border, and because of the risk of foodborne illness and contamination, the crops have to be destroyed.

This is our livelihood, and were very proud of what we do, he said in the interview. It is farming. We dont have control over the weather. Theres a lot of things we dont have control over, but what we do have control over is the people who enter the field, the food safety situationswe have control over those things, and it would be helpful if we could get some help from the government in terms of keeping the border a little more secure.

Securing Border Wall, Cartel Activity

On Jan. 6, CBP announced that it would start plugging the holes in the border wall in Yuma.

The City of Yuma and Border Patrol agents expressed the challenges the barrier gaps presented as they worked around the clock to secure the border and keep communities safe, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said in a Jan. 19 press release. Its why Im glad that our calls to close these border barrier gaps in Yuma have been heard and construction has finally started. Ill keep working to ensure that construction is completed quickly.

Mexican cartels are highly active in the border regions and collected an estimated $13 billion in profits in 2022, up from $500 million in 2018, The New York Times reported.

According to CBP, more than 100 known or suspected terrorists were arrested along the southern border in 2022, which is far higher than the 26 arrests made in the previous five years combined.
Judge OKs Trial for Illinois Paramedics in Patients Death

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.Two Illinois emergency medical professionals should be tried on first-degree murder charges after a patient they strapped facedown to a stretcher suffocated, a judge ruled Friday.

Peggy Finley and Peter Cadigan are charged in the December death of 35-year-old Earl Moore in Springfield. They pleaded not guilty Friday and are being held in the Sangamon County Jail on $1 million bond each.

If convicted, Finley, 44, and Cadigan, 50, could each face 20 to 60 years in prison. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued her decision following a contentious 3.5-hour preliminary hearing.

Springfield police first responded to Moores home around 2 a.m. on Dec. 18. Police body camera video shows that a woman inside the home told an officer that Moore was in withdrawal from alcohol and hallucinating.

Finley and Cadigan were summoned to the apartment. The body camera video shows the officers trying to get Moore to his feet to walk out the door for medical assistance, and then placing him in a prone position on the gurney. Cadigan, an emergency medical technician, strapped him in while Finley, a paramedic, put a blanket over him.

Finley later told hospital officials and an investigator that Moore had been combative.

An autopsy revealed that Moore died of positional asphyxiation and that he had two broken ribs, which States Attorney Dan Wright attributed during Fridays hearing to Moores being strapped in so tightly facedown.

Theres no medical reason to transport someone in a prone position, Wright said.

Referring to the video, Wright continued: Clearly, Mr. Moore is not combative. He was the complete opposite of combative. He needed help. For them to cover themselves by telling hospital staff that he was combative goes to their credibility.

If this goes to trial, the state is going to have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that when they placed him on the gurney, that they thought to themselves, I think Im killing him, said Justin Kuehn, one of Cadigans attorneys. Were their acts reckless? Thats for another day.

As the defendants entered the courtroom, Finley saw seven family members sitting in the front row. She took a seat at the defense table and with tears streaming down her face looked at her family and mouthed, Im sorry.

Family members declined to comment to The Associated Press.

Under Illinois law, a first-degree murder charge applies when a defendant knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm. Experts have said its rare for emergency medical providers to face criminal charges in a patients death.

Fridays hearing was riddled with objections, mostly from defense attorneys who claimed Wright was creating testimony in questioning the lone witness, Sgt. Zachary Weisahaar, an Illinois State Police investigator.

Finley and Cadigan told Weisahaar that Moore had been combative. Cadigan said he based that conclusion on seeing Moore flailing and a police officer jump out of the way, Weisahaar said.

Bodycam footage showed Moore unable or unwilling to stand on his own and at times thrashing. His blood-alcohol level was .077, which is just under the legal limit for driving in Illinois of .08. After entering the apartment, Finley yelled at Moore to get up.

Weisahaar said Finley told him that she monitored Moores vital signs on the way to HSHS St. Johns Hospital. But Wright played for the court a recording of Finleys call to alert the hospital of their arrival in which she said, Im not messing with vitals because I dont want to poke the bear.

Both Finley and Cadigan had sufficient training and knowledge to know that Moores position was detrimental, Weisahaar testified. He said Cadigan told him that in 20 years, he had never been instructed that putting a patient in the prone position was dangerous.

Weisahaar also said he learned that Cadigan had attended two training sessions just last year in which the instructor insisted that warning against prone positions was emphasized.

Another Cadigan attorney, Edward Unsell, said its more likely that the broken ribs Moore suffered resulted from hospital staffers attempts to resuscitate him.

Finleys attorney, W. Scott Hanken, said the charges arent warranted.

There are two venuescivil and criminal. Were in the wrong venue, Hanken said. Youve not heard one scintilla of evidence that goes to accountability.

Their next court date is Feb. 6. Their attorneys say they will seek their release on personal recognizance.

Moores family announced Thursday that they have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Finley, Cadigan and their employer, LifeStar Ambulance Service.
Louisiana Night Club Shooting a Targeted Event: Baton Rouge Police Chief

The mass shooting at a night club early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a targeted event, Police Chief Murphy Paul said in a press conference on Sunday.

This was not a random act of violence, Paul said. Based on preliminary investigative efforts, we believe this was a targeted event.

The shooting began at about 1:36 a.m. at the Dior Bar & Lounge, where Paul said three police officers were nearby when the shots were fired.

When the officers entered the building, they were unable to find the shooter.

Those police officers immediately responded to the threat, and we believe their immediate response prevented further injuries, Paul said. The officers were able to quickly secure the scene, as well as administer life-saving aid.

In the press conference, authorities gave no information on a motive, the gun used, how many were targeted, or if there was more than one shooter, citing the need to keep certain details from the public while the investigation is ongoing.

Paul petitioned the public for information on the shooter.

There is someone who knows somethingdo the right thing. You can save the next incident because it is obvious that this person has total disregard for life, Paul said. Do something about it. Dont let that be on your conscience if you learn that you could have done something today and that person or persons continued their efforts and somebody else was hurt.

Neighbors of the night club told WAFB news that shootings are becoming more common in the area, which has left them concerned for their safety.

Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome posted on Twitter on Sunday stating that public safety teams and community organizations are working with victims and their families to provide needed services, as well as to ensure that there are no retaliations from the incident.

We will not stop our work until everyone feels safe and individuals no longer turn to guns to resolve their differences, she said.

Violence Is Looming

In September 2022, after multiple shootings had broken out throughout the city over the summer, Paul told reporters that violence is looming with eight gangs that were actively engaged in violence.

In 2022 alone, Paul said there were more than 3,100 arrests with over 1,366 firearms seized.

Many of these incidents were caused by criminals who were out on bond for other violent offenses.

In many of these incidentsfar too oftenwe are seeing rearrests of the same individuals who have already been arrested for serious crimes, Broome said. This is not finger-pointing or placing blame. Its telling the truth. Its the reality of what we are dealing with.

The day before the early morning shooting in Baton Rouge, there was a mass shooting in Monteray Park, California, at about 10:22 p.m. at a ballroom dance studio. Ten people were killed and another 10 were wounded.

The suspect, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was found dead on Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van.

No motive has been established in that shooting.
Major Australian Businesses Cancelling Their National Day Celebration

A young boy waves an Australian flag during a rally for refugee rights outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 6, 2022. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

As major companies opt out of celebrating Australias national day, opposition leader Peter Dutton is calling on citizens to be proud of their heritage, not ashamed of it.

Australia Day, Jan. 26, marks a public holiday that commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney in 1788, which eventually led to the first European settlement being established in the country.

Yet as cancel cultureand diversity and inclusivity practicestake hold in Western democratic societies, some of Australias largest businesses have opted to cancel their traditional Australia Day celebrations.

Just last week, retail giant Kmart decided to stop producing a specific Australia Day product line.

We respect that Jan. 26 means different things to different people, and we aim to foster an environment that is inclusive and respectful of both our customers and teams, a spokesperson said in a statement.

However, customers who shop with us can find a number of products year-round that feature Australiana designs with Australian animals, flora and fauna, as well as educational materials.

Kmart would also be giving employees the choice of working on the traditional public holiday.

Major Firms Line Up to Sideline Australia Day

Other companies that have adopted a similar practice regarding working on Australia Day include supermarket giant Woolworths, Australias largest telecommunications firm Telstra, Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst and Young, and CBS-owned Channel 10.

In December, the content chief of Channel 10, Beverley McGarvey, told staff that it was not a day of celebration.

At Paramount ANZ, we aim to create a safe place to work where cultural differences are appreciated, understood, and respected, according to a letter to staff.

For our First Nations people, we as an organisation acknowledge that Jan. 26 is not a day of celebration. We recognise that there has been a turbulent history, particularly around that date and the recognition of that date being Australia Day.

Read More Head of CBS-Owned Australian TV Network Tells Staff Not to Celebrate National Day

In January 2022, media outlets reported an internal email from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade telling employees to educate themselves on Australias history during the colonial era.

It should not be left solely to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to acknowledge the realities of their histories and what this date means, the email said.

Yet Indigenous academic Anthony Dillon has argued that there is no practical benefit in renaming or erasing Australia Day, calling it virtue signalling.

For those who want to use Australia Day as an opportunity to claim to be suffering and oppressed, can you please take some time out to spare a thought for those Aboriginal people who are genuinely suffering because they are hungry, live in unclean environments, and feel unsafe? he wrote in The Epoch Times.

Perhaps my biggest reservation for changing the date is that to do so sends a very disempowering message to those who claim they are suffering because of it.

Celebrate Our History, Dont Erase it: Opposition Leader

Meanwhile, opposition leader Peter Dutton said Australians should be proud of their heritage.

Weve got a very proud Indigenous heritage, English heritage, and multicultural heritage, he told reporters on Jan. 23.

There are 10s of millions of people who would want to come to Australia tomorrow. So, we shouldnt be embarrassed or ashamed by who we are. We should be proud of who we are.

We dont need to tear down one part of our history to build up the otherlets work together as a nation, make sure we respect the good and the bad of our history, he said.

Nina Nguyen contributed to this article.
Man, 29, Gunned Down Near Petco Park in San Diego

SAN DIEGOA 20-year-old man was arrested Jan. 21 in connection with the shooting death of a 29-year-old man during a confrontation with a group of people near Petco Park.

Dajon Shingleton surrendered without incident to officers at about 3:40 a.m. after he was located at a residence in the 3200 block of Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, in Spring Valley, said San Diego police Lt. Steve Shebloski.

The San Diego resident was booked into the San Diego County Jail on suspicion of murder.

Patrol officers responding to a report of gunfire at about 4:25 a.m., Friday found the victim on the sidewalk in the 300 block of Seventh Avenue in the East Village, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his upper body, Shebloski said.

The man, whose name was withheld pending family notification, died at the scene.

It is still early in the investigation, and little is known about the circumstances leading up to the [victims] death, Shebloski said. However, detectives have learned the victim had a brief verbal confrontation with the [shooter] and members of his group in the area of 600 L Street immediately preceding the shooting.

Following the gunfire, some members of the killers group fled in a white Jeep SUV while two others were believed to have run into a nearby multi-story parking garage.

Police stopped an SUV matching the description of the getaway vehicle in the 300 block of Fifth Avenue and detained a man and two women for questioning, along with a second man on foot believed to possibly have been with the other three.

Officers, meanwhile, surrounded the building where the other two suspects were believed to possibly be hiding and called in a SWAT team. After several hours, the personnel was able to thoroughly check out the parking structure, determining that the pair of men they were looking for were not there.

Detectives continued to investigate the case, Shebloski said.
Manchin on 2024: Everything Is on the Table

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) testifies during a hearing on the Electoral Count Act before Senate Rules and Administration Committee at Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Aug. 3, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) wont rule out will running as a non-Democrat against President Joe Biden in the next presidential election, saying that everything is on the table.

Speaking on Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press, Manchin was asked about his plans for 2024, including whether he is still going to run as a Democrat.

I havent made a decision [about] what Im going to do in 2024, the senator replied. Ive got two years ahead of me now to do the best I can for the state and for my country.

Everythings on the table, Manchin said after Todd pressed on to ask him whats on the table.

When pressed again on whether reelection and a West Virginia governor bid are on the table, Manchin said he isnt considering running for governor of his home state. This prompted Todd to ask if he was signaling a presidential run.

Theres basically only one other thing: the presidency, the host said. Is that something you would do outside the Democratic Party if you could?

The only thing I can tell you is what I will do is whatever I can when I make my decision, what I think is the best that I can support and represent the people of West Virginia, but also be true to this country and the Constitution of this country, Manchin said, without addressing the question of whether he would remain a Democrat.

Manchin also would not commit to supporting Biden in 2024 if the president does seek a second term.

I havent decided on anything Im going to do until I see what the lay of the land is going to be at that time, he said. This country needs to unite. We need to come back together.

Manchin is among a handful of Democrats calling for a full investigation into Bidens alleged mishandling of classified materials, after several batches of documents dating from his vice presidency were found at his private offices.

The reports about President Bidens mishandling of classified documents are extremely irresponsible and disturbing, Manchin told Fox News on Jan. 20. These allegations should be investigated fully.

The development raises serious questions, and the appointment of an unbiased special prosecutor to investigate the matter is the right step, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told Fox.

Their comments came just hours before the FBI found even more classified documents at Bidens private home in Wilmington, Delaware.

On Jan. 19, Biden said that he has no regrets about keeping the public in the dark about the discovery of classified documents at his private offices until after the 2022 midterm elections, and that he was confident that investigators would find theres nothing there.

I think youre gonna find theres nothing there, the president told reporters in California, where he was surveying damages from weeks of massive storms. I have no regrets. Im following what the lawyers have told me they want me to do. Thats exactly what were doing. Theres no there, there.
Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT Passes Top Business School Exam

ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence system, passed a graduate-level business examination at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, according to a new research paper.

Christian Terwiesch, a professor at Wharton, considered one of the most prestigious business schools in the United States, said he wanted to test growing concerns about the chatbots potential. It comes amid a surge of concerns from academics that students would use the tool to cheat on their exams and homework.

In his paper titled Would Chat GPT3 Get a Wharton MBA? Terwiesch concluded that Chat GPT3 would have received a B to B- grade on the exam, which has important implications for business school education. He suggested the school overhaul its exam rules, teaching, and curriculum.

Elaborating, he wrote the AI system displayed a remarkable ability to automate some of the skills of highly compensated knowledge workers in general and specifically the knowledge workers in the jobs held by MBA graduates including analysts, managers, and consultants. The bot was designed to give a human-like conversation via artificial intelligence.

The chatbot, designed for mass market usage, also demonstrated the capability of performing professional tasks such as writing software code and preparing legal documents, his paper said (pdf). During one instance, ChatGPT did an amazing job and provided answers that were correct or excellent.

ChatGPT3 is remarkably good at modifying its answers in response to human hints. In other words, in the instances where it initially failed to match the problem with the right solution method, Chat GPT3 was able to correct itself after receiving an appropriate hint from a human expert, his paper said.

Launched in November of last year, OpenAI says ChatGPT describes itself as a large language model that can be used for natural language processing tasks such as text generation and language translation. The GPT in the name is short for Generative Pretrained Transformer.

One of the key features of ChatGPT is its ability to generate human-like text responses to prompts, maker OpenAI says. This makes it useful for a wide range of applications, such as creating chatbots for customer service, generating responses to questions in online forums, or even creating personalized content for social media posts.

Terwiesch compared ChatGPTs potential with the effect that electronic calculators had on the corporate world.

Prior to the introduction of calculators and other computing devices, many firms employed hundreds of employees whose task it was to manually perform mathematical operations such as multiplications or matrix inversions, he wrote. Obviously, such tasks are now automated, and the value of the associated skills has dramatically decreased. In the same way any automation of the skills taught in our MBA programs could potentially reduce the value of an MBA education.

But Terwiesch clarified that ChatGPT made some glaring errors. For example, the AI system made surprising mistakes in relatively simple calculations on sixth-grade-level math problems that were massive in magnitude.

The latest version currently is not capable of handling more advanced process analysis questions, even when they are based on fairly standard templates, he said. ChatGPT was able to correct itself after it received a hint, the researcher added, but because of the significantly wrong answers, we still need a human in the loop.

Investment

It comes as Microsoft confirmed Monday that it will invest billions in OpenAI. The exact amount was not disclosed by the firm.

We formed our partnership with OpenAI around a shared ambition to responsibly advance cutting-edge AI research and democratize AI as a new technology platform, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a news release. In this next phase of our partnership, developers and organizations across industries will have access to the best AI infrastructure, models, and toolchain with Azure to build and run their applications.

Around 27 percent of professionals at prominent consulting, technology, and financial services firms have used ChatGPT in various ways, according to a Fishbowl survey. It can give simple responses to questions, which some have said may imperil Google Search, the worlds most-used search engine.
More Than $3 Million Returned to Older Aussies

An elderly couple walk down the street on May 13, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Seniors are being urged to seek free legal advice after more than $3 million was recovered for victims of elder abuse in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW).

Legal Aid NSW said elder abuse came in many forms but was most commonly in a granny flat arrangement where the older person has given a significant sum of money to a child in return for the promise of care.

Agreementsverbal or simply writtencan be heavily weighed in favour of the child.

We have had several clients come to us with this issue who are on the verge of homelessness, Mary Lovelock, the senior solicitor at Legal Aids Elder Abuse Service, said on Monday.

It can cause significant financial and mental stress for already vulnerable people.

Lovelock had also seen financial abuse involving money misappropriated under Powers of Attorney, unpaid loans, and debts fraudulently created in the name of the older person.

With elder abuse sometimes difficult to identify, Lovelock said it was essential seniors spoke to a lawyer to understand their rights.

We have helped hundreds of seniors recoup money and defend their rights. We are here to support you and everything you say to a solicitor is confidential under client-professional privilege, she said.

Legal Aid NSW recovered $1.9 million for clients in the year to June 2022, amid a 20-per-cent spike in older people seeking assistance.

In the same period, more than 100 older Victorians received a total of $1.5 million after seeking free help from Seniors Rights Victoria.

In one case, a 77-year-old womans granny flat arrangement came crashing down when her son and his wife split, forcing the sale of the home the trio shared.

The familys forethought to have the agreement documented ensured her initial $350,000 contribution was returned.

But legal advice could have ensured the mother shared in the homes rising value, Seniors Rights Victoria said.

A University of NSW report in July found the majority of reported elder abuse cases are in fact domestic and family violence-related and victims were often reluctant to disclose abuse.

Legal Aid NSW encouraged seniors to contact the Elder Abuse Service or talk to solicitors at the 2023 Seniors Festival Expo on February 2 and 3.

A seniors diary that includes key tips around will planning and other common legal issues will be distributed for free at the expo.

Victorians can call or visit the website of Seniors Rights Victoria while those in Queensland can contact community legal centres or local arms of Relationships Australia Queensland.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14
New England Farmer Sues Town for Home Equity Theft in Federal Court

After a town in central Massachusetts seized dramatically more than what a farmer owed in property taxes, the farmer is suing the town in federal court for alleged home equity theft.

Alpaca farmer Alan DiPietro, an engineer by training who lives outside of Worcester, filed suit (pdf) earlier this month against the town of Bolton, claiming that the seizure constitutes an unlawful taking of his property in violation of the Massachusetts Constitution and the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

When Bolton took DiPietros home in December 2021, it had a market value of at least $370,000. The town subtracted his debt of about $60,000 and pocketed the remaining approximately $310,000 in equity.

Massachusetts law permits the government to keep the excess amount. The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), which is representing DiPietro, calls this home equity theft. Twelve states and the District of Columbia allow local governments and private investors to seize dramatically more than whats owed from homeowners who fall behind on property tax payments, according to the PLF, which issued a December 2022 report on the practice, The Epoch Times reported.

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon take up the issue of home equity theft in a PLF case.

On Jan. 13, the court agreed to hear Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, the appeal of a 94-year-old homeowner whos challenging the constitutionality of laws that allow local governments to take the full value of a home as payment for much smaller property tax debts. The county seized Geraldine Tylers condo, valued at $93,000, and sold it for just $40,000. Instead of keeping the $15,000 it was owed, the county retained the full $40,000, amounting to a windfall of $25,000, according to the PLF. A date for the hearing has yet to be determined.

DiPietro had been raising alpacas and marketing their fleece since 2008 in Bolton, a town in the Nashoba Valley region. But by 2014, he needed more land, so he purchased 34 undeveloped acres situated in Bolton and the neighboring town of Stow. He mowed the existing fields and put up fencing and some small structures, unaware that Bolton would claim that the improvements required local permits.

Land Use Disagreement

Although both towns claimed the upgrades were made too close to a wetland protected under state law and violated both towns bylaws, DiPietro argued that using the land for agricultural purposes was exempt from local conservation rules. The towns sued DiPietro, and he was charged $26,000 to restore the protected area.

After the legal battle, DiPietro couldnt afford his home mortgage and also the property taxes on the farm. The home was foreclosed on and he moved into a recreational vehicle on his farmland.

PLF attorney Joshua Polk said the town stole over $310,000 worth of property equity from our client and deliberately frustrated the clients efforts to settle his debt.

DiPietro was caught in a situation he couldnt resolve. He tried to sell off part of the land but was blocked.

[He] had a tax that he wanted to pay by selling off one of the lots of property, but he couldnt get a permit to make the property suitable for a residential sale, because he owed taxes that he was trying to pay by selling the lot, Polk told The Epoch Times in an interview.

Its a circular situation that he got trapped into. And at every point along the way prior to foreclosure, and even after foreclosure, he was seeking out ways to pay this tax debt, but he was blocked at every turn by the town.

Bolton completely derailed his plans, according to Polk.

[DiPietro] was hoping to have a fully operational farm. He was hoping to build a house for his parents on the property, the attorney said. And all this was supposed to be a fresh start for him because he had experienced some financial difficulties in the pastbankruptcy, divorce, all sorts of stuff like that. So he was really hoping this will be a fresh start, but unfortunately, the town had other plans.

Officials for the Town of Bolton didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
New South Wales Government Proposes Scheme to Release Domestic Violence Records

The New South Wales (NSW) government is proposing to extend a scheme that will allow the states residents to check if their partner has a history of domestic violence.

The proposal, which the state government plans to implement if elected, means they will expand the pre-existing Right To Ask scheme, which will allow the states residents to ask the NSW police to disclose information to a person about their partners previous abusive or violent offending over the phone or via an online portal.

The scheme will be modelled on the UKs Clares Law or the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), which is named after Clare Wood, who was killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009.

A similar scheme has been trialled since 2016 in Tamworth, Oxley, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, and St George and has allowed residents of those areas to access a partners domestic violence history only by attending a police station.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Monday that while the scheme is a new approach, if it saves just one life, it will be worth it.

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 didnt know about, Perrottet said. We need to have new approaches, new thinking, and new policies.

None of us want to see a loved one scarred by domestic violence and wishing theyd known their partners history sooner.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet speaks to the media during a press conference at Rosehill Public School in Sydney, Australia, Jan. 31, 2022. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

Dating Landscape Has Changed

The Deputy Premier and Police Minister Paul Toole said that the current dating environment has changed since the trial was first established in 2016 and that the NSW government wanted to take a look at lessons learned from the trial and from overseas programs.

The dating landscape has shifted considerably since then with more and more people accessing dating apps and dating outside known friendship circles, Toole said.

We want to take the lessons from the experience in NSW and other jurisdictions around the world to develop this scheme with input from safety advocates that empowers people who may be at risk of domestic violence.

He said that the scheme would provide people with an opportunity to go into relationships informed with their eyes wide open.

It will also help people make decisions about continuing a relationship, moving in with someone or making them a part of their family, particularly where children are involved.

A mother and her child pose in a room in a temporary apartment of the Home association in Paris on Nov. 22, 2016. (Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AFP via Getty Images)

The government said that the new scheme would be developed with guidance from domestic violence aid organisations and will include strict privacy controls, with NSW Police approving any information before it is provided. It will also include criminal penalties for malicious applications and will facilitate a referral to domestic violence support services where required.

Domestic violence support group Full Stop Australia told ABC on Monday that they believed the scheme was a good start but that it needed much more work.

We need to think really clearly about safety considerations for people receiving that information  if theyre using an online portal or a phone, making sure theyre not being tracked by the person who is potentially harming them, Full Stop Director Tara Hunter said.

Concerns Over DVDS Schemes

However, such schemes have attracted criticism from the NSW Law Council, which, in a submission (pdf) to the state government in 2015, said the schemes had numerous flaws, with the first being the significant potential for the DVDS to be misused.

The Human Rights Committee (HRC) of the Law Council said that the scheme must also take into consideration the rights of the subject to privacy and the criminal justice policy goal of rehabilitation.

In respect of the potential for misuse of the scheme, members of the HRC noted that in their experience, Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) can be misused in family law proceedings. For many reasons, parties may consent to ADVOs even if the allegations of violence are unfounded, particularly if they are not receiving adequate (or any) legal advice, the HRC said.

The HRC would be concerned about ADVOs being included in a DVDS in this context, especially if the right to know processes, and the consequent disclosures made, are not appropriately safeguarded.

Further, the HRC also questioned whether the DVDS would, in fact, improve the safety of victims of domestic violence, particularly for current victims of domestic violence.

The effectiveness of the scheme may be affected by the fact that, in members experience, victims often do not disclose violence or press charges because they do not want their partners to have a criminal record. There may be many perpetrators who would not be caught by a disclosure scheme.

Additionally, the Law Council said they were worried the scheme would draw resources away from crucial services that are already in existence, including specialist shelters.
No Evidence of Emails Between Smiths Staffer and Crown Prosecutors Over Coutts Blockade: Alberta Justice

The Alberta government says it hasnt found any records of emails that could substantiate the allegations that a staffer for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had contacted prosecutors in an attempt to influence their handling of a case related to a group charged during the Coutts border blockade last year.

The Justice Department said in a statement that the non-partisan Alberta Public Service conducted a review over the weekend, in search of any emails sent to or received by the relevant prosecutors and staff from the Premiers Office over a four-month period.

There was no evidence of email contact, the statement said. A comprehensive review of emails has not generated any records of contact between the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) and the Premiers Office staff.

Almost one million incoming, outgoing, and deleted emails were reviewed, the statement said.

The department said it will not undertake further investigation unless other evidence surfaces.

In a written statement released on Jan. 23, Smith said she has confidence in the integrity and professionalism of her staff.

I have full faith that the public service conducted a thorough and comprehensive review. I would like to thank them for the seriousness with which they took this matter as well as their commitment to working non-stop over the past number days [sic] to provide Albertans with results to put their concerns to rest, Smith wrote.

An independent Crown prosecution service, free from political interference, is integral to the preservation of public confidence in the justice system.

We ask the media and public to also respect their independence as they carry out their important work, the premier added.

Allegations

In a Jan. 19 report, CBC News cited anonymous sources that said emails sent by Smiths staffer challenged the Crown prosecutors assessment of the case in relation to the group of 13 individuals at last years Coutts border blockade who was accused of firearms possession. Among them, four were also accused of conspiracy to commit murder.

Smith announced an investigation would be carried out, pursuant to the CBC report, which she described as a serious allegation.

The report came after Smith clarified previous comments she had made at different times to prosecutors on their approach to cases related to the protests against federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates and other restrictions. Her comments were interpreted as interfering with the judicial system and caused an uproar from the opposition.

In one instance, the premier said that regarding the Coutts case, questions she can ask and have asked and continue to ask is: Is it in the public interest and whether there would be a conviction.

Ive put it to the prosecutors, and I have asked them to do a review of the [COVID-19] cases with those two things in mind and Im hopeful that well see a true turning of the page, Smith said in a December 2022 interview with Rebel News.

The premier later clarified on her radio show on Jan. 14, that she may have used some imprecise language, in her comments.

The Justice Department issued a statement earlier this month supporting the premiers clarification, saying that the ACPS has confirmed that the premier has never spoken with any Crown prosecutors about any court/legal matters that they deal with.

Some legislators from the Alberta Opposition NDP, including MLA and justice critic Irfan Sabir, have called for an independent investigation into what they described as political interference in the justice system, questioning Smiths conflicting statements on what had she said to justice officials about the case.

Make no mistake, Danielle Smiths internal review does absolutely nothing to put this latest scandal to rest, NDP MLA Rakhi Pancholi said in a Twitter statement on Jan. 23. There are still many unanswered questions about these emails, but also about the Premiers own multiple statements that shes spoken to prosecutors.

The Coutts border blockade was held during the height of the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa last winter. Protesters set up road blockades at the Canada-U.S. border crossing for over two weeks in solidarity with those gathering at the national capital, calling for an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.

The protest ended shortly after the RCMP arrested the group that was charged with possessing firearms. The protest organizers said they were not affiliated with the group.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Ohio Parents Sue School District Over Teachers Allegedly Talking About Sexuality With Students in Secret

A school district in Ohio is facing a lawsuit from a group of parents who accuse it of allowing teachers to conduct private conversations on sexual attitudes and behaviors with students, which parents claim intrudes into the upbringing of their kids.

The lawsuit was filed by eight parents against the Hilliard School District at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on Jan. 16.

The Defendant Hilliard School District is allowing activist teachers (as opposed to trained, supervised counselors) to specifically solicit from children as young as six-years old, private, intimate conversations about sexual behaviors, sexual attitudes, mental and psychological questions of the student and the students family, and private religious practices, the lawsuit states.

This is done, not only without parental consent and knowledge, but the teachers are taking specific actions to hide these conversations from parents. Although, perhaps well-intentioned, this is a recipe for indoctrination and child abuse.

The lawsuit wants teachers to stop talking about gender and sexuality with children without parental consent. It also asks the court to order teachers to stop wearing LGBTQ badges containing QR codes that link to adult resources on sexual education and coming out.

Parental Rights, School Response

Hilliard is said to have given surveys to students asking them which pronouns they prefer at school and which pronouns they prefer that teachers use while talking to their parents. The lawsuit insists that such questionnaires violate parental rights to determine the upbringing of their children.

School officials claim that the survey is not a practice of the district, with Superintendent David Stewart making it clear that it does not support surveying students on such a topic. In September, the Hilliard Education Association provided LGBTQ badges to educators with the Im Here slogan next to a Pride flag.

Hilliard School District has 21 days to respond to the lawsuit. Stewart said that they are committed to a transparent and vigorous defense against it, according to the Washington Examiner.

We look forward to filing our response with the court. In the meantime, the lawsuit makes certain accusations which have little to do with the legal arguments, but about which we believe it is important to set the record straightwith facts, he said.

Joshua Brown, an attorney representing the eight parents, is planning to file an amendment complaint, with more parents potentially joining the lawsuit.

Plaintiffs are not seeking monetary damages. Instead, they want the court to firmly establish the constitutional rights of parents in the upbringing of their children, the parents said in a news release, according to the Washington Examiner.

The Epoch Times has contacted Hilliard School District for comment.

Other Schools

In Pennsylvania, a Jan. 17 board meeting of the Upper Moreland School District proposed a policy on Transgender and Gender Diverse Students that covered diversity training for staff, pronoun usage, and bathroom preferences.

The policy advises teachers and staff members against divulging a childs gender identity or pronoun usage to their parents unless required by law. Conversations with parents should solely be about school-related topics, it said.

In a statement to Fox, Erika Sanzi, director of outreach at the non-profit parent group Parents Defending Education, criticized the proposal.

Parents give permission for the school to administer Tylenol or use their childs photo on a flier, she said. It is a complete betrayal of trust for a school to withhold information and deliberately deceive parents about their childs gender identity at school, a much more consequential issue than taking Tylenol.
Orange County Power Authoritys Costly Price Reduction

Commentary

Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), an energy provider claiming to focus on green power as an alternative to Southern California Edison (Edison), recently announced a new rate reduction for its Basic Choice product that is 2 percent lower than Edison pricing, now in effect. The rate reduction is timely considering public distrust and whispers of city departures from OCPA.

However, a closer look at the rate reduction reveals a sizable stealth cost increase that sets up continued price escalations by the agency.

Aside from minimal offered savings, there are three issues that do not reconcile with the announced price reduction.

First, OCPA is benchmarking Edisons price increase to maintain parity with the company, then shaving off a few cents and advertising the difference as a savings or lower price, which amounts to around $1 per month for the average home subscribing to the lowest-price Basic Choice. With $247.9 million of its energy supply contracts already locked in (pdf), each time Edison raises its prices, OCPAs corresponding benchmark makes millions in additional dollars from a community whose impression is that choice results in lower prices.

Second, OCPA claims increasing natural gas prices in the western U.S. are driving up its energy costs. However, most of OCPAs ratepayers are supposedly natural gas-free, enrolled by default in the agencys 100 percent renewable product, while nearly everyone else supposedly receives 69 percent renewable energy with the Smart Choice product.

Third, as natural gas prices increase, the monthly exit fees Edison charges to OCPA ratepayers decrease. However, OCPA absorbs those savings while increasing its electricity prices for those same ratepayers, masking its windfall in the process.

Cities throughout California are coming to terms with community choices broken promise of controlling escalating energy prices. The City of Rocklin protested benchmarking by Pioneer Community Energy, whose rates are determined by Pacific Energy Advisors, the consulting firm that serves OCPA in a similar capacity. Rocklin cited $60,000 of benchmarking that is paid by the city and its residents.

Outages Coming, Plan Accordingly

OCPAs record does not inspire confidence for sustained low energy bills compared to Edison. This is particularly true given the agency may have put Orange Countys and Californias electricity reliability at risk in return for its own profit.

After advertising low prices last year when building support for its business launch, OCPA abandoned its low-price commitment, placing nearly everyone into its premium priced Smart Choice and 100 percent renewable products (pdf). That action was taken after OCPA determined its at parity pricing with Edison for its default Basic Choice was unsustainable.

The agencys cash issues developed into a $2 million fine after dismissing the states regulatory requirement to supply specially designated gas-fired generation that supplements and supports intermittent wind and solar resources feeding Californias electric grid (pdf and pdf).

Without resource adequacy, the states transmission system is unstable, creating reliability issues across the region and inviting blackouts, hence the regulatory requirement.

OCPAs record puts a different light on its offer of lower prices, which obscures millions of dollars needlessly collected from the community by benchmarking. Just as troubling is the absence of OCPAs basic purpose for being in businessassuring reliable electric service to the community it claims to serve.

Advertised rate reductions may temporarily obscure underlying issues while garnering support for OCPA, but the agencys history demonstrates that consumers will pay substantially more in stealth costs than OCPAs $1 dollar per month lower price compared to Edison while putting our grid in jeopardy.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Over 200 Travelers From China Arrive in Bali on First Flight in 3 Years

Foreign tourists arrive at the International arrival of Ngurah Rai airport in Bali, Indonesia, on Dec. 7, 2022. (Agung Parameswara/Getty Images)

A chartered plane carrying 210 tourists from mainland China arrived on the Indonesian resort island of Bali for the first time after three years of COVID-induced border restrictions imposed by the Chinese communist regime.

The Lion Air flight departed from Shenzhen and landed at an international airport in Bali on Jan. 22, the first flight since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) eased its travel restrictions on Jan. 8.

Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy official Ayu Marthini said Indonesia expects to receive 255,300 tourists from China this year. The country received 94,924 Chinese visitors from January 2022 to October 2022.

However, the targeted number of Chinese visitors can hopefully be exceeded, and if possible, it can be similar to that of 2019, Marthini said, according to local media.

Indonesia has maintained its lax entry requirements, while other nationssuch as the United States, Japan, and Malaysiahave imposed COVID-19 entry rules for arrivals from China because of the rise of COVID-19 infections in the mainland.

In December 2022, Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo downplayed the possibility of an increase in COVID-19 cases brought on by foreign travelers, citing the immunity of the countrys population to the virus.

As long as our serosurvey shows results above 90 percent, which means we already have proper immunity, then whatever comes our way wont be a problem, Widodo was quoted as saying by The Jakarta Post.

China is one of the largest markets for inbound tourism in Indonesia. The return of Chinese tourists is expected to support the overall target of foreign tourist arrivals this year. Sandiaga Uno, minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, said Indonesia aims to record 3.5 million to 7.4 million foreign visits.

Chinas Lack of Transparency in Data

There has been growing concern over the veracity of the CCPs data reporting of its outbreak, following reports of overcrowded hospitals and funeral homes after the CCP abruptly abandoned its draconian zero-COVID policy in December 2022.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had urged the CCP to make public the number of infections and deaths in China. Dr. Yan Limeng accused the CCP of covering up data on infections and the virus in China.

The recent spread of COVID-19 has caused significantly more severe symptoms in China when compared with other countries, and the death toll is extremely high, according to Yan.

She was a member of the WHO influenza H5 Reference Lab based at the University of Hong Kong School of Public Health before she fled to the United States after questioning the origin of the COVID-19 virus.

Chen Cao, a viral disease researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a press conference on Jan. 13 that 19 evolutionary branches of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been detected in the country from Dec. 1, 2022, to Jan. 10.

According to Chen, the subvariants of BA.5.2 and BF.7 are the two dominant ones, accounting for 97 percent of the total 19 branches detected during the time. Chen didnt give more detail on the 19 subvariants.

But it doesnt make sense that the same variants have resulted in such a different pandemic outbreak in China and the world, Yan told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times in an exclusive interview on Jan. 10.

Patients on wheelchairs and people in the emergency department of a hospital in Beijing on Jan. 3, 2023. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images)

We have already found subvariants BF7 and XBB overseas. The Chinese communist regime has claimed that the subvariants found in China are the same as those found abroad. It is very unreasonable if they are the same variants, as they have caused symptoms [in China] that are much more severe than in foreign countries, she said.

Yan, a postdoctoral researcher specializing in virology and immunology at the University of Hong Kong before fleeing to the United States, said researchers had found a very slight changeimmune escape lociafter a genomic sequence analysis of the virus carried by Chinese travelers to Italy.

When we talk about Omicron, it has shown some common characteristics during the past year: it mainly damages the upper respiratory tract and barely enters the lungs. So many people may think that Omicron isnt that deadly, Yan said.

However, this isnt necessarily true with all its subvariants, she said.

If some of its subvariants mutate in some special loci, the subvariant must be regarded as an independent one, although it is still a subvariant of Omicron, Yan said.

For example, like in Italy, we have found through genomic sequence analysis the immune escape loci in the [Omicron] subvariants carried by Chinese travelers. That is to say, although these Omicron variants look very similar to the Omicron we have known previously, they have a small change that mainly arises in this locus that can cause immune escape. Once the virus escapes the immunity, it causes more damage to the human body.

She noted that this is why Chinas COVID-19 cases are more severe than in other countries.

Regarding immune escape, Yan explained that most of the Chinese people shouldve had some comprehensive antibodies after the three years of the pandemic outbreak in the country.

But the variant strains will bypass these antibodies, and your body will be equal to having lost its defense against this virus again, she said.

Sophia Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Overwhelmed Secondary Hospital in Central China Lacks Drugs, Beds, and Staff: Nurse

A patient on a gurney who is receiving oxygen is wheeled into a busy emergency room at a hospital in Beijing, China, on Jan. 2, 2023. (Getty Images)

A secondary hospital in Chinas central Hunan Province is overcrowded with patients amid the pandemic outbreak that started last December.

We dont have enough beds; were running short of medicines; our colleagues have almost all been infected by COVID, claimed a nurse who works at the hospital, adding that only two nurses havent been infected by COVID so far.

Chinas hospitals are divided into three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

A secondary hospital is similar to a regional or district hospital in the West, has 100 to 500 beds, and is usually set up in a medium-sized city or county. A primary hospital is similar to community hospitals in the West and gets the least allocation of medical resources. The top hospitals are the tertiary ones, similar to tertiary referral hospitals in the West, and get the most medical resources. The cost for medical treatment is usually much more expensive at tertiary hospitals.

Insufficient Beds

The number of patients has been surging since December, according to Xiao Chen (pseudonym), a nurse working for a hospital in Loudi City, Hunan Province.

We are only a secondary hospital. Though all the beds are open to COVID patients, they are still waiting in long queues, Chen said.

When speaking with the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times, Chen said that all of the 70-strong beds in her department of respiratory medicine are occupied. We have now vacated our surgical, neurosurgical, and gynecological departments to accept COVID patients, Chen said.

She added that she felt helpless and sorry for patients who have to wait for a hospital bed.

Shortage of Medicines

The hospital has a serious shortage of drugs because the outbreak has been progressing since last month.

Doctors can prescribe medicines, but there isnt any available in the pharmacies and the hospital, Chen said. The medicine the hospital still has is Azvudine, and the doctors only prescribe five Azvudine tablets for each patient.

The anti-viral drug Azvudine, was developed by Chinese company Biotech and is approved in China as a treatment for adult COVID-19 patients.

There is no Ibuprofen, and I myself have never seen the imported American COVID medicine, nor have I heard from any doctor that they have prescribed such medicine, Chen said.

Intravenous immunoglobulin is believed to be effective in strengthening immunity, and patients ask doctors to prescribe it for them.

Doctors would say, There is no medicine, so I cannot prescribe it for you, Chen said.

One day she saw a patients family member bringing intravenous immunoglobulin for the patient and she asked them where they had bought the medicine and how much they paid for it.

They told her that the medicine cost 3,000 yuan (about $440) per dose. They said the issue is not how expensive the medicine is. They had purchased the medicine through connections, Chen recalled.

Patients and their families dont understand why a hospital wouldnt have medicine for the patients. We dont know why either; we just dont have medicine, Chen said.

Lacking Medical Staff

Chen said that patients began to surge since Beijing eased up on the anti-COVID restrictions in December.

Medical staff treat COVID patients at a hospital in Wuhan, China on March 19, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Oh, my gosh! All of a sudden, the hospital was overrun with patients, and almost all of the doctors and nurses were infected except for two nurses, Chen said.

The two nurses had to deal with all of the patients. They had to put on personal protective gear and didnt eat or drink during their work to reduce the need to use the restroom.

I was positive for COVID and only rested for two days, Chen said.

She worked the night shift, and there was another nurse working with her. We two had to take care of over 70 patients in our department and we were exhausted; our backs couldnt even straighten up after the nights work, Chen said.

Patients were unhappy when she couldnt respond immediately. How can we handle so many people at the same time? We nurses are very anxious every day, Chen said.

She added that, although all the doctors and nurses were fully vaccinated, they were still infected with COVID.

Vaccination is mandatory for us, Chen said.

She said that her physical strength decreased significantly after the infection.

The infection has caused a lot of damage to the body. My heart beats so fast that I feel like it is jumping out of my throat. The chest is very tight. After a little running, I have difficulty breathing. Before the infection, I went jogging every day. But now I feel it is difficult to walk up the stairs, Chen sighed.

One of her colleagues had to come back to work only days after she was operated on for cancer.

We work so hard, but our income is so low, Chen said.

According to Chen, her monthly income is now about 4,000 yuan (about $589), even a senior nurse who has over 10 years of work experience earns less than 6,000 yuan ($884) a month.

Scanning machines can rest, but we cant. We have to keep working as long as we can still breathe, Chen said.

Zhao Fenghua and Hong Ning contributed to this report.
Port Jervis Chinese New Year Celebration Draws Thousands

Lion dance performance during the Chinese New Year celebration at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Around 3,000 tri-state residents attended the third annual Chinese New Year event in downtown Port Jervis, New York, on Jan. 22.

The celebration started at noon with a lion dance on Jersey Avenue, followed by a Chinese-style buffet and live performances at Erie Trackside Manor.

We had a wonderful turnout. It was just crowded, with people shoulder to shoulder, Port Jervis Tourism Board Chairwoman Laura Meyer told The Epoch Times. I wish we had a room 10 times larger.

A Chinese New Year poster at the entrance of the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Jin Pang, a Tourism Board member and organizer of the event, chose the word jing, which means pure and clean in Chinese, to represent the spirit of the Year of the Rabbit.

Rabbit is pure white, Pang told The Epoch Times. In the new year, we want to bring hope and purity to the world.

Cultural Performances

For Port Jervis resident Georgine Hoge, this is her third time attending the annual event, which started in 2019 and was interrupted for two years due to the pandemic.

Its nice to see they come out here to share the culture, Hoge said. The dragon dance is just amazing, and the little kids that we saw singing New Years songsthat is just so heartwarming.

Putnam County resident Joanne Casella, who used to take American students to China through the Washington-based People-to-People program, was happy to find Chinese cultural events not far from her home.

I love it when people share their culture. America is a melting pot. We are all people, and we need to be together, Casella said. We need more of this, more understanding of each other because there is so much hatred and negativity going on in our country now.

Joanne Casella (R) with her friends at the Chinese New Year celebration event held at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

She came with several friends whom she met through an online meet-up group, including Brian Callahan, a bass clarinet player who enjoyed the erhu, a Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument.

It was so different from what Ive ever seen or heard before. It is enchanting, Callahan said.

Sparrow Bush resident Jon Crawn liked the Moon Festival organized by Pang at New Century in Deerpark last fall and decided to check out this Chinese New Year event.

I really enjoy this, he said. I enjoy the different cultures that we are exposed to in Port Jervis, which [in the past] was not exposed to a lot of things. This is all wonderful.

Jon Crawn holds tea bags he bought at the Chinese New Year celebration event at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Local Chinese Residents

Crawn noted that many Chinese residents in the area are Falun Gong practitioners seeking refugee from persecution in communist China.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient spiritual practice that incorporates slow, meditative exercises and moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It grew in popularity during the 1990s, with 70 million to 100 million adherents in China by the end of the decade, according to estimates at the time.

Feeling threatened by its popularity, Chinas ruling Communist Party and its then-leader Jiang Zemin launched a persecution against Falun Gong in July 1999. Since then, millions of adherents have been thrown into prisons, labor camps, and brainwashing centers, where many have also been abused, tortured, and killed for their organs, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center.

They are just looking for a place that is safe, Crawn added.

Vendors and Elected Officials

Around 30 vendors lined up at the indoor venue, offering various products, such as handicrafts, jewelry, and chocolate.

Melissa Romeo (L) at the Chinese New Year celebration event held at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Melissa Romeo, a vendor from Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, liked the events vibe and the crowd it drew.

This brings the community together, with positivity, offering a free place for them to come and enjoy the cultural shows, Romeo said. It is a good aura all around.

New York state Sen. James Skoufis and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus also attended the event.

New York state Sen. James Skoufis spoke during the Chinese New Year celebration at the Erie Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Skoufis condemned the recent mass shooting at a Chinese New Year celebration near Los Angeles, adding that he would always stand behind the local Chinese population in his district.

Neuhaus told a cheering crowd at the event: We have so much to be grateful for in Orange County for all the contributions from our Chinese residents, their cultures, and investments. We are so proud to celebrate the new year, the Year of the Rabbit, and Im so happy to be part of this wonderful celebration.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus at the Chinese New York Celebration in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Mark Zou/The Epoch Times)

The Chinese New Year celebration is the first event on Port Jervis Tourism Boards 2023 roster.

Other upcoming events include St. Patricks Day Parade on March 5, Fall Foliage Festival on Sept. 24, and Christkindlmarkt on Nov. 26, according to Meyer.
Putin Ally Warns of Global Catastrophe If West Continues to Arm Ukraine

State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin attends the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in Moscow on May 9, 2021. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)

Vyacheslav Volodin, a speaker of the Kremlins lower house of parliament, warned on Jan. 22 that sending additional offensive weapons to Ukraine will lead to a global catastrophe.

Volodin, 58, claimed that the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) continued support of Ukraine is pushing the world to a terrible war, noting countries that supply Kyiv with powerful weapons are risking their own destruction.

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, Volodin said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

Arguments that the nuclear powers have not previously used weapons of mass destruction in local conflicts are untenable, he added. 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.

Volodin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been a speaker of the State Duma, commonly known as the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, since 2016.

The latest nuclear threat comes as Washington and NATO pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week.

On Jan. 19, the Pentagon announced that the United States has authorized a new $2.5 billion aid package for Ukraine that includes 90 Stryker combat vehicles and 59 Bradley fighting vehicles.

A Stryker vehicle from the U.S. Armys Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, returns to base camp at the Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Washington in this undated photo. (General Dynamics/Getty Images)

The package does not include tanks, which has become a point of contention as Germany has indicated it will not send its own Leopard tanks to Ukraine unless the United States sends the Abrams.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told ABCs This Week on Sunday that the U.S. should send some of its Abrams tanks to Ukraine in the interest of overcoming Germanys reluctance to share its own.

If we announced we were giving an Abrams tank, just one, that would unleash the flow of tanks from Germany, McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told the network. What I hear is that Germanys waiting on us to take the lead.

Ukraine Support Tracker

Last year, the United States committed about $50 billion in security, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, according to figures from Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute. As a single country, the U.S. has pledged the most aid to Kyiv by far.

In comparison, the government that came in second place in 2022 was the United Kingdom, which pledged $7.5 billion to Ukraine, according to the database.

All European countries and institutions combined have recently surpassed U.S. assistance to Ukraine. In December 2022, the EU pledged to help Kyiv financially throughout 2023 with 18 billion ($19.5 billion), which would bring the continents total support to just under 52 billion ($56.4 billion).

Until now, the EUs support to Ukraine since the start of the war has always lagged behind that of the United States, Christoph Trebesch, head of the team compiling data for Ukraine Support Tracker who is also the director at the Kiel Institute, said in a statement.

This has changed in recent weeks, as the total value of EU commitments now exceeds those of the U.S., he continued. The large new EU pledges are a welcome development, given the major role of this war for European security.

The new package, of which Germany is the biggest contributor, now makes Berlin the largest European donor, overtaking the UK for the first time.

Washingtons Total Spending

The United States has so far allocated $113 billion in assistance to Ukraine, of which $24.2 billion has been used for security assistance since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

The massive U.S. spending on Ukraine has attracted criticism from some Republicans. Last month, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) argued that those funds could have benefited U.S. citizens.

$100 billion to Ukraine. Lets put that in perspective. Thats more than $200 million this year from each congressional district, Massie wrote in a tweet on Dec. 21, 2022. What could your congressman have done for your district with $200 million? How long will the kids in your district be paying interest on this debt?

Naveen Athrappully, The Associated Press, and Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
QUT Confirms Thousands of Staffs Data Stolen by Hackers

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has confirmed that part of its staff and student data was stolen in a cyber attack last month.

The university confirmed on Jan. 20 that data belonging to nearly 2,500 current employees, several former employees, and 17 current and 50 former students was stolen in a cyber attack on Dec. 22, 2022.

Prof. Margaret Sheil, the chancellor of QUT, said the university had begun contacting affected staff and students and would continue to do so into next week.

We are obviously concerned that the attack accessed stored document files, and QUT is taking all necessary actions to support those affected to prevent further illegal activity, Sheil said.

We have, and will continue to, directly communicate with each of the individuals, offering support through access to independent identity protection and services such as IDCARE and Equifax as well as our own well-being support.

According to the expert forensic analysis, the attack damaged one storage drive, but systems used for email, teaching, research, student management, and financial and personnel management were not affected.

Hands on a keyboard in an undated file photo. (PA)

The hack in December caused QUTs printers to churn out ransom notes, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported. The university was forced to shut down some of its IT systems as a precaution.

The note purportedly came from Royal ransomware, which Sheil said ran a well-known ransomware scheme.

Your critical data was not only encrypted but also copied, reads the note. From there, it can be published online. Then anyone on the internet from darknet and even your employees will be able to see your internal documentation.

Fortunately, we got you covered! the note continued. Royal offers you a unique deal. For a modest royalty (got it; got it?) for our covering you from reputational, legal, financial, regulatory, and insurance ri.

The university said it was not aware of any data being accessed or exploited by criminals.

In addition to our own staff who have been managing this incident, we are also continuing to work with the relevant authorities, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Queensland Police Service, said Sheil.

This is a timely reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance in relation to unauthorised cyber activity.

Cybersecurity One of the Biggest Issues Australia Facing

Cybersecurity is among the biggest challenges for Australia as the country faces the most dangerous set of strategic circumstances since the Second World War, according to Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil.

Cyber Security Minister Clare ONeil speaks at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Sept. 5, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Speaking at the National Press Club in December 2022, Clare ONeil addressed issues she said Australia is facing, namely cybersecurity, foreign interference, immigration, and climate change.

Its felt in our economy, where we are waking from a cyber slumber, she said.

Its felt in our private lives, where our identities are vulnerable, and personal information is at risk. Its felt in business and research, where Australias hard-won innovations are at constant risk of theft.

And its felt in our democracy, where foreign actors are trying to influence decisions in our parliaments and universities, and subjecting Australians to online misinformation and disinformation campaigns which spread like viruses around our communities.

The comment comes after Australia experienced two major cyber attacks against telecommunication company Optus and the countrys largest health insurer Medibank, within three weeks of each other.

Nina Nguyen contributed to this report.
Seattle Medical Examiner Running Out of Space to Store Bodies Due to Fentanyl Overdoses: Official

A tent sits under an on-ramp as traffic drives past during morning rush hour in Seattle, Wash., on Feb. 9, 2016. (Elaine Thompson/AP Photo)

The health director of the Washington county that encompasses Seattle confirmed the medical examiners office is struggling to store bodies due to rampant fentanyl overdoses across the city.

A key indication of just how bad things are at the end of 2022, and likely to get worse and 2023, the medical examiners office is now struggling with the issue of storing bodies because the fentanyl-related death toll continues to climb, Seattle-King County Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan said during a board meeting last week, captured on video by conservative local radio host Jason Rantz.

Khan noted that the King County Medical Examiners Office is now struggling with the issue of storing bodies because the fentanyl-related death toll continues to climb due to the finite space in the coolers they use and that space is now being exceeded on a regular basis.

His remarks came during a King County Board of Health meeting on Jan. 19. A dashboard provided by King County shows that 2022 saw the highest number of fentanyl poisonings686as compared with 2021, where only 385 fentanyl overdoses were confirmed.

When the final review of fatal overdoses is completed in the upcoming weeks, I fear that 2022 will set another heartbreaking record for fatal overdoses in King County. It will more than double the number of lives lost compared to just three years ago, in 2019, Khan said during last weeks meeting.

A spokesperson for Public HealthSeattle & King County told Rantzs show on KTTH that officials have options for temporary morgue surge capacity when our census count gets high, including storing decedents on autopsy gurneys and partnerships with funeral homes.

Were exploring longer-term options for adding more capacity, the spokesperson said.

Noting the insidious nature of fentanyl, Khan told the board that the powerful synthetic opioid often appears in fake prescription pills, or it can be made to look like cocaine or heroin. Its now involved in about 70 percent of King County overdose deaths as of late 2022.

People do no realize that they are taking fentanyl, he said, adding that the biggest driver of these fatal overdoses involves fentanyl in white powder and in fake pills, which are flooding the streets.

Fentanyl, firearms, and cash confiscated by DEA Los Angeles. (Courtesy of DEA Los Angeles)

Fueling Homeless Deaths

Meanwhile, a record 310 homeless people died in the Seattle area last year, highlighting the regions struggle to house the thousands of people living on its streets. The 310 deaths in King County surpassed the previous record of 195 homeless deaths set in 2018, the Seattle Times reported, and marked a 65 percent jump over 2021.

Thats just appalling, the paper quoted Chloe Gale, policy and strategy vice president for REACH, the largest homelessness outreach provider in Seattle, as saying.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said it underscores his administrations urgent need to get more people indoors.

Last year, Public HealthSeattle & King County distributed more than 10,000 kits of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, and about 100,000 fentanyl test strips. The agency is leading public awareness campaigns about the synthetic opioid and helping people find treatment.

Brad Finegood, who leads the agencys opioid and overdose response, said researchers keep watching the monthly overdose numbers, hoping to see rates flatten out.

Maybe were plateauing at a really bad rate and maybe its going to get worse, Finegood told The Associated Press. I dont know when its going to stop.

Other Issues

A report issued in 2022 by a federal commission found that fentanyl and similar drugs are being manufactured in labs in Mexico. Those chemical precursors are mostly shipped from China.

These drugs are synthesized entirely from chemicals (sometimes unregulated chemicals) that are easily acquired from countries with large chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, such as China and India, the report, issued by the RAND Corporation, stated.

Last September, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) warned that fentanyl is now being sold in multicolored pills and powders, and its being marketed on social media to teens and younger adults as rainbow fentanyl. The rainbow pills have been seized in 21 states now, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said.

While fentanyl is still more commonly disguised as oxycodone or another prescription drug, the rainbow pills are on the increase. We believe it is being marketed and aimed at young people, said Milgram.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sen. Sinema Gets 2024 Challenger After Leaving Democrat Party

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) speaks during the Senate Finance Committee hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Oct. 19, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/Pool/Getty Images)

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) on Jan. 23 announced a challenge to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who recently left the Democrat Party. In his campaign announcement he painted Sinema as an advocate for the rich and powerful.

If youre more likely to be meeting with the powerful than the powerless, youre doing this job incorrectly, he said.

Im trying to be the senator of Arizona [sic] because you deserve somebody fighting for you and fighting with you every day to make sure you have the same chance at el sueno Americano, or the American dream, Gallego added later.

Sinema said on KTAR radio on Jan. 20 that she thought Arizonans wanted a break from campaign politics after the 2022 midterms.

Theres a lot of really important work left on the table to get done for Arizona, she said. Im incredibly proud of the work Ive been able to accomplish in the United States Senate in the last couple years and Im going to stay focused on the work.

Gallego, 43, is a military veteran who entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015. He currently represents Arizonas 3rd Congressional District, which covers portions of Phoenix.

Sinema, 46, became a congresswoman in 2013 before winning the election for an open U.S. Senate seat in 2018. Sinema beat Republican Martha McSally for the seat, which had been held by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). Flake chose to retire rather than run for another term. Sinemas U.S. Senate win was the first for Democrats since 1988.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) won the other seat representing Arizona in 2020, beating McSally, who had been appointed to the position after the death of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Sinema announced in December 2022 that she was becoming an independent, blaming partisanship on both sides for her decision. Sinema was a major broker in the 116th Congress, which saw Democrats hold a majority in the 50-50 upper chamber only because Vice President Kamala Harris can cast tiebreaking votes. Sinema helped negotiate several major packages, including a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, earning praise from members on both sides of the aisle. Sinema also rejected several of the more radical Democrat proposals, drawing ire from some fellow Democrats.

Gallego has been one of the most vocal critics of the senator, including fresh criticism after she exited the party.

Unfortunately, Senator Sinema is once again putting her own interests ahead of getting things done for Arizonans, Gallego said in a recent statement. He claimed that Sinema was back[ing] down in the face of a struggle.

Gallego was born in the United States after his parents came from other countries, including his father from Mexico. Gallego has said his father left the family early in his life.

Growing up poor, the only thing I really had was the American dream, an opportunity. Its the one thing that we give every American, no matter where they are born in life. It was actually something to believe in and to fight for. The odds that a single immigrant mom with a Latino boy; statistically, I was never supposed to end up even in college, Gallego said in his campaign video.

The congressman graduated from Harvard University with a degree in international relations before joining the Marines. He says the experience changed him.

I had a government that believed in kids like me. I really did feel that I owed the country something. I got sent to Iraq. All my friends consistently being shot at, people trying to blow you up all the time, Gallego said. You never really fully come back from a war. Youre not the same person. Fighting through PTSD. There were some very low moments in my life. But I still didnt give up hope and I pushed forward. I found a new way to keep serving.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in Washington on Nov. 18, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Senate Control

No Republicans have yet announced a bid for the seat, though several have been rumored to have interest, including former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

Though Sinema is independent now, she still caucuses with the Democrats. Gallego or another Democrat winning the seat would boost the chances of Democrats retaining control of the Senate. Losing the seat to a Republican would diminish those odds.

Democrats have a 51-49 edge after flipping a Pennsylvania seat in the 2022 midterm elections. But the party faces a more difficult map in 2024, with more seats up for grabs and having to defend multiple seats in seats where former President Donald Trump won the most votes in 2016 and/or 2020. That includes seats in Montana, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee said it welcomed Gallego entering the race.

The Democrat civil war is on in Arizona. Chuck Schumer has a choice: stand with open borders radical Ruben Gallego or back his incumbent, Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Philip Letsou,a spokesman for the group, said in a statement.

Schumer (D-N.Y.) is the Senate Majority leader.

The Democrat Senate campaign arm has not reacted to the announcement and did not return a request for comment.

Gallego has sponsored a bill that would let illegal immigrants serve in the U.S. military. He also introduced legislation that would remove the term illegal alien from federal law and signs, replacing it with undocumented foreign nationals.
Shen Yun Performing Arts curtain call at the George Mason University Center for the Arts in Fairfax, Virginia on January 22. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

FAIRFAX, Va.I feel very good that something like this exists, said attorney Robert Varner about Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Mr. Varner attended Shen Yun for the first time with his colleague and friend Nga Ubuong, assistant inventory manager for global logistics, at the George Mason University Center for the Arts on Jan. 22.

I feel happy  I feel elated, he said, Its done with such beauty of time and tradition and balances spirit, body, and music.

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with folk dances and solo performances, the production depicts story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern day.

Traditional Chinese culture has been on the brink of extinction since the Chinese communist regime seized power in 1949. Since Shen Yuns inception in 2006, its mission has been to revive the countrys 5,000-year-old traditional culture. The companys website says its performance demonstrates China before communism.

Mr. Varner was impressed with Shen Yuns ability to use performing arts to effectively speak to the audience and deliver a message that he interpreted as: we are all one: The world is one, the music is one, the beauty is one.

I think its the essence of this show, he added, even though it deals with difficult issues, even though it comes from oppression, it is still rooted in the absolute beauty, art, music, and motion, and grace.

One of Shen Yuns unique features is its orchestra. Its the first in the world to permanently combine classical Western and Chinese instruments within a Western symphony orchestra. Shen Yun also boasts virtuoso vocalists who sing Chinese lyrics using the bel canto style.

The highlight for me was the power of the sopranos voice, said Mr. Varner. All you can do is sit in awe!

I teared, he said, her voice has such incredible power, that it was just a moment that I wont forget  its rare.

Ms. Ubuong was impressed by the companys patented method of integrating a 3-D animated backdrop with the stage performance. It allows the performers to travel remarkably back and forth between the stage and the background projection.

The connection is so smooth, Im so impressed, she said.

Ms. Ubuong said Shen Yun has made her feel proud to be of Chinese heritage.

Shen Yun left a lasting impression on Mr. Varner and he said that it made him feel elevated in spirit and in mind, because a lot of people are seeing this, and maybe a few will start thinking about it.

Reporting by Sherry Dong and Jennifer Schneider.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Mr. Fukaya Yukio, a former board member of a famous Japanese transportation company, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center in Utsunomiya, Japan, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Wang Wenliang/The Epoch Times)

UTSUNOMIYA, JapanA former Japanese companys board member said Shen Yun awakened peoples longing for God, and he felt that everybody might come to the earth from heaven.

Mr. Fukaya Yukio was a board member of a famous Japanese transportation company. He attended Shen Yun five years ago and felt very lucky that he could attend Shen Yun Performing Arts again at the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center in Utsunomiya on Jan. 22.

The opportunity of attending Shen Yun is one rarely obtained. The performance met my expectations, he said with joy.

Mr. Fukaya said he was impressed when the curtain first opened, and he saw a glorious world presented before his eyes. Soon, he was taken by the dancers skills and techniques.

All dancers must have very strict training. They coordinated perfectly and danced like one person, he said. They are so talented. I just enjoyed the dances without any concern about whether they could make the very difficult movements or not. They are really masters of their craft.

Mr. Fukaya felt a special connection to the story-based dances.

Suddenly, I felt like I went back to my past life, entered a completely different society, a different world, he said. I felt we human beings have experienced this long history and finally arrived today.

Mr. Fukaya understood from Shen Yun that faith brings people the encouragement to face difficulties and the motivation to live actively.

Not only the emperors are reincarnated from heavenly beings to humans. We all came from heaven, he said, sharing his understanding of the performance. People all have a longing for God, and Shen Yun awakens this longing.

New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance company. It has a mission to show the beauty and goodness of the 5,000 years of Chinas civilization. Chinese culture was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, virtues like loyalty, propriety, wisdom, justice, and benevolencevalues that are universal and shared the world over.

You Experience the Stories Yourself

Mr. Takada Munehiko, the president of the nearly 160-year-old Kaiun Sake Brewery in Fukushima Prefecture, was surprised by Shen Yuns beauty.

Its beyond expectations. I was shocked. Its really magical, he said. I have never seen a performance like Shen Yun. Its huge but very well coordinated.

Each Shen Yun performance features a cast of around 100, with around 40 dancers and 40 musicians, and a whole wardrobe of over 400 meticulously designed and carefully crafted costume pieces.

The female dancers moved very smoothly, like water. These movements are very elegant and perfectly show feminine softness and grace, said Mr. Takada. They cooperated with each other seamlessly while presenting what was most exquisite. I kept on asking myself: How can they do it?

He said the dynamic backdrop was very well designed. It extended the stage to a broader, wider, and deeper space. With the live orchestra playing, you dont need any words. You feel you are there [on the stage] and you experience the stories yourself, he said.

Mr. Takada is also a person of faith. He said he was very happy to see Shen Yun reviving the traditional Chinese culture, in which people should respect divine beings and follow moral codes.

Im very emotional now. Its hard to describe how grateful I am, he said. People need these traditions. Then people can live peacefully and support each other. Im excited to attend Shen Yun.

Mr. Takada Munehiko, the president of the nearly 160-year-old Kaiun Sake Brewery in Fukushima Prefecture, attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center in Utsunomiya, Japan, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Niu Bin/The Epoch Times)

Each Shen Yun performance consists of nearly 20 vignettes, presented through highly-expressive art forms such as classical Chinese dance, original orchestral music performed live, soloists who sing in the bel canto tradition, animated digital backdrops, and more.

Communication Through Dance

Ms. Hayashi Tomoko is a ballet teacher. She was impressed by the classic Chinese dance, as well as Shen Yun dancers abilities to communicate with audiences via dances.

Very different from ballet, Ms. Hayashi felt that classical Chinese dance requires flexibility and many difficult movements.

They must work very hard to dance so well-coordinated, she said. After watching them, I have a big interest to know traditional Chinese culture.

Ms. Hayashi said she admired Shen Yun dancers because they communicated directly with the audience.

Such as people should believe in divine beings, Shen Yun conveyed this concept very clearly. I felt it very strongly, which is really good, she said. I hope in my future work, I can use this communication skill that I learned from Shen Yun.

Shen Yun Performing Arts World Companys curtain call at the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Center in Utsunomiya, Japan, on the evening of Jan. 22, 2023. (Annie Gong/The Epoch Times)

Reporting by Epoch Times Staff in Utsunomiya, Japan.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Jim and Michelle Episale attended Shen Yun Performing Arts on Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. (NTD)

RALEIGH, N.C.Jim and Michelle Episale enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts on Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.

Mr. Episale, a data architect for IBM, and Mrs. Episale, an elementary instructional assistant, enjoyed their first time seeing Shen Yun. Mr. Episale said, Its very beautiful, powerful. Its full of emotions, so its alive.

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006 by a group of leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of Chinas ruling communist party. Following the regimes violent takeover in 1949, Chinese traditional culture underwent a period of mass destruction.

Through classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun tells stories from ancient times to the modern day.

Mrs. Episale thought some of the stories were really tough and [yet] fantastic to watch. Every story, every dance is such a different emotion.

She said there were moments when it was difficult to get into the next dance, because I still felt that power and that sadness of the previous number.

Mr. Episale said, Its kind of like a rollercoaster ride. How they displayed [the stories] is very, very beautifulimmerses you in the actual scene.

He said the classical Chinese dance was very freeing, and open and airy. Very celestial.

Mrs. Episale liked how each performance was portrayed: I think its just very, very educational. And we dont get to experience that very often. So this is a wonderful opportunity to put that in front of us so that we can what it was like.

Reporting by NTD and Yvonne Marcotte.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
DENVERAs a birthday present, company director Rachelle Moschetti brought her mother to see Shen Yuns matinee performance at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Chinese New Year, Jan. 22. At the end of the event, she exclaimed excitedly that Shen Yun Performing Arts was a true gift.

I loved the performance. It was stunning, engaging, and entertaining, she said, Im leaving with a smile on my face.

According to its website, the name Shen Yun translates directly into the beauty of divine beings dancing. Based in New York, the artists have made it their mission to revive, through dance and music, Chinas divinely inspired civilization to its pre-communist glory.

I was moved by it. It was beautiful visually and I loved the personality of the orchestrait just all came together.  Rachelle Moschetti

Ms. Moschetti was touched by every aspect of Shen Yuns performance. It was a definite journey, she said. I was moved by it. It was beautiful visually and I loved the personality of the orchestrait just all came together.

I felt it in my heart not only through the songs but truly through the movements of the [dancers,] and how they told the story. You were visually stimulated. The colors, the sparkles, the musicit was just all together a beautiful, beautiful entertaining afternoon.

Though Shen Yun Performing Arts is well-beloved by audiences around the world, it is currently forbidden by the ruling communist regime to perform in China. In fact, many of Shen Yuns founding members had come to America to escape persecution by the communist party.

Ms. Moschetti said learning about this made her very grateful for our freedom [in America]. She was also thankful that Shen Yun has found a way to keep Chinese history alive and then extend it to us, to have us be educated.

[Communism] hurts my heart. I dont want that for anyone but Im grateful for the ability to see the performance and to [recommend] others to come and support it.

Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Moschetti said Shen Yun offered the audience two separate journeys. One for them to understand history, dance, and China, while another for the guests to be able to come along and laughto giggle a little and then be awed.

It was just lovely, these two journeys.

Reporting by Lily Yu and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Stray Cats in a Fishing Village

Tai O flying cat. The photo was taken on Feb. 25, 2022 (Courtesy of Jason Ng)

If you are a cat lover, who has to stop to pet every stray cat you see while walking in a tiny narrow alley somewhere in Hong Kong, you will fall in love with the story of stray cats of Tai O (a fishing village in Hong Kong).

While some cats are naturally fearful and suspicious of humans, other strays or community cats, despite being homeless, are well-fed and free. Sometimes it makes you wonder why strays are such fatty fluff balls.

There are good Samaritans who feed their community cats nightly and help them when they get sick or injured. These people dont own any strays, but the fluffy fur balls recognize them. Without these good Samaritans, stray animals that get hit by a car or suffer other injuries would not get help.

These urban strays might be homeless, but many are not feral. Over time, they have learned to blend in and trust humans that cross their paths. If you can make a cat trust you, then you are its best friend for life.

Jason Ng is one of the good Samaritans trusted by many strays in a village far away in Tai O. You would see plenty of fish, fresh or dried, and many friendly stray cats strolling leisurely in the Tai O neighborhood.

Strays are Bonds to a Community

Tai O Stray Cat Home is a charity organization founded in Tai O that exclusively helps stray cats. Cat volunteers and cat people go around the village to feed the strays, treat the sick, and find forever homes for them, where they can curl up warm.

Some cats, which are more feral and unsuitable for adoption, will be neutered.

Because of the cat-loving volunteers, stray cats in Tai O are no longer wanderers. They have become part of Tai O.

The love between mama cat and her child warms like sunlight. The photo was taken in Hong Kong on Feb. 16, 2022. (Courtesy of Jason Ng)

Strays were not always welcome by Tai O villagers. But the founder of Tai O Stray Cat Home, German Cheung, is very thankful that she has witnessed the change: Tai O villagers from chasing ming strays away to greet them like a family on the island.

A photo book called Part of Us was published in January 2023. The book gives heartwarming stories about cats, volunteers, and adopters. Every photo is a testament to the love spread on the fishing island.

Photographers Jason Ng and Jonas Chan together captured the shades of felines.

Lazy cat with a big stretch. Taken on Feb. 9, 2022, in Hong Kong. (Courtesy of Jason Ng)

Five years ago, Cat-woman Cheung, published a book about becoming a cat volunteer. Now, she shows how the cats captured Tai O villagers hearts through the cameras lens. The photos show the hard work each volunteer has put in the past ten years to change how Tai O neighbors feel about community animals.

The charitys mission is to encourage people to adopt. Entering Tai O, I found the beauty of stray cats and interacted with cat volunteers to record unforgettable moments, Cheung said.

A flying cat introduced Chung to Ng. One day, Cheung saw Street Cats on social media. She loved how the photographer captured the leaping cat above the water in Tai O. Cheung was preparing a charity calendar for 2021 at the time. I love how Japanese the photos feel. So I got in touch with Jason immediately. And that was how their feline journey began.

Photographer Jason Ng visited different places to capture street cats with his camera. He documented the changes in communities and their stray animals in old districts of Hong Kong. (Courtesy of Jason Ng)

The cat-snapper has been wandering Hong Kong streets with his camera for almost a decade. Ng used to work in Shek Kip Mei, Kowloons version of dry seafood streets in Sheung Wan. In the shadows of the community and shop cats stationed in shops can be seen in the old districts of Hong Kong.

Gradually, Ng expanded his cat exploration to other areas, from Sham Shui Po to To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City, Western District, and Tai O. He is a witness to the districts development. The change was constant, just like the different kinds of cats he would meet in alleyways.

The occasional meet and greet, though, has Ng feeling sentimental at times. The city and the countryside are developing so quickly, which affects the livelihood of community cats. What I see today might not be there again tomorrow or the next time I visit.

Ng understands that cats might have nine lives, but people have no second take. He appreciates every moment he runs into the community cats all over Hong Kong. When talking about Tai O, Ng was all smiles. He said, Of all the places, I love Tai O the most.

Ng is used to working and living in the concrete jungle. But as soon as he steps foot in Tai O Fishing Village, everything suddenly becomes slow motion.

Like humans, cats have to adapt to whatever environment their habitats are in. So community cats in Tai O are different from the urban city cats.

Tai O felines are also living a more stable life. They are not as timid as the city strays. Besides, there are no busy streets here, so the chances of a traffic accident are relatively lower than in the city.

Security and safety is a comfort blanket for the Tai O cats. Volunteers feed them. Tai O, reminds Ng of the Cat Island in Japan. Thanks to Ngs sharp eye, the volunteers can find clues strays leave behind. Cheung was appreciative, especially when it came to cats which are at risk.

German, Cheung the Cat-woman, has been working as a feline volunteer for years. (Courtesy of German Cheung)

Photographer Jonas Chan likes to shoot photos of street cats and shop cats. This photo highlights the interaction between cats and humans. (Courtesy of Jonas Chan)

On the other hand, Ngs fate with Tai O Stray Cat Home was sealed when he participated in a community animal exhibition with his street cat photo collection in 2017. In recent years, Ng visited adopters homes with volunteers to seek a pur-fect home for the homeless animals.

Every photo capture marks a soft spot on Jonas journey as a photographer. Through his lens, he can feel how love is wrapped around the stray animals and the people rooted in a community.

The homeless cats in Tai O, leaning on each other, also get love from the community and volunteers. (Courtesy of Jason Ng)

Tai O Stray Cat Home, a nonprofit organization, created a photo book, Part of Us, to document the love and journeys of feline volunteers and animal adopters. (combination photo)

People Can Change

No one can fully understand life as a stray cat. Some people think they are wild and free. Others feel sorry for them, having to walk through rain and thumps by vehicles or people.

Ten years ago, when Cheung began to volunteer for animals, many people did not understand. Tai O was not always a cat-friendly neighborhood. Many Tai O villagers saw cats as tools for catching mice. They never thought about how vital it was to vaccinate, sterilize or care for homeless cats.

As a volunteer, Cheung had to shoulder the responsibility of neutering the strays. But her work did not end there. She had to look after the sick and those that village dogs attacked.

Any cat lover would understand the unconditional love that extends to the cats they meet on the street, not just the cats they own.

When Cheung started as a Cat-woman, saving cats in the urban concrete jungle, she bore the expenses of hefty vet bills and medications. She also believed that a life can change a life.

Her perseverance proved life could change a life. Many cat-saving heroes and heroines joined her missions through donations or volunteering to support Tai O stray cats. One of the loyal supporters is Dr. Chong.

The Vet

A few years later, Dr. Chong started seeing stray cats and found that many suffered from cat flu.

Cat flu is preventable. If they could vaccinate the stray animals in advance, respiratory infections and viral enteritis could be prevented, which would also lower the number of infections. Additionally, it saves the volunteers workload in the long run.

There is no veterinary clinic in Tai O. The volunteers had to carry cats to the city for treatment if they were sick.

A four-hour round trip from the village to the vet is tough for sick cats and volunteers. So Dr. Chong decided to visit Tai O, help the strays, and vaccinate them.

At first, when the villagers saw Dr. Chong, they were not too pleased. Cheung recalled that some villagers once saw the vet giving the cats injections. They ran out and yelled at Dr. Chong! They only calmed down after some explanation of what was going on.

The animal doctor would not often experience such honest reactions from his clients at the clinic. Perhaps that is the natural spirit of a Tai O villager.

In November 2020, a team of medical staff from the Society for Abandoned Animals (SAA) visited Tai O to vaccinate stray animals with the 3-in-1 vaccine for felines. (Photo from Tai O Stray Cat Homes Facebook page)

The 3-in-1 vaccine for felines is a multi-preventative vaccination to protect cats from getting the three main lethal airborne viruses: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

Change of Heart

Witnessing the volunteers selfless acts opened the eyes of Tai Os neighbors. The villagers began to understand what the volunteers and vets were trying to accomplish.

Once the barrier broke, the villagers became more diligent in observing their community animals. They would stop visitors from randomly feeding the strays or children who disturb cats while they rest.

Soon the Tai O community would notify the volunteers if they saw an injured or sick cat. What is more astounding, they realized why the volunteers had to pick up strays and give them neuter surgeries. Soon they would do the same for their domestic cats.

Noticing the transformation in the neighborhood was Cheungs favorite moment. She is grateful that their actions can change people and that life can change a life.

Cheung named the photo book Part of Us to describe the community animals relationships with the villagers in Tai O.

I hope the readers can see through the photographs that homeless cats and shop cats are a part of the Tai O community and that animals also deserve respect.

The stray cat in front of Tai O City Hall. The photo was taken in Hong Kong on Feb. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Jason Ng)

Who would have thought stray cats and salty fish in Tai O could live harmoniously? The photo was taken in Hong Kong on Oct. 14, 2017. (Courtesy of Jonas Chan)

Graphic designer Iris Chan crafted the logo of Part of Us. She combined the elements of the Tai O mountains, the sea, and the cats on a sampan.

The cats you see on the poster, sitting on a dragon boat, symbolize the bonds stray cats in Tai O have with the community.

Cheung appreciates the photographers who have followed her work in the Tai O community for years and captured many rare yet unforgettable moments.

Photobook Part of Us. Published by EASTPRO. Sales of the photobook will support the animals living and medical expenses. From left to right: EASTPRO Director Josephine Lau, Founder of Tai O Stray Cat Home German Cheung, Part of Us book designer Iris Chan. Dec. 15, 2022. (Facebook of Tai O Stray Cat Home)

No one can imagine what it would be like if cats disappeared from the world, but one thing is for sure: The world will lose all the warm feelings the furry-purry gives humans in their neighborhood.

While some people might think the stray cats on the fishing island are homeless, the community cats are exactly where they need to be: their home in Tai O.
Supreme Court Wont Stop $2 Million IRS Penalty Against Grandmother Whose Family Fled Nazis

Justice Neil Gorsuch during a hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington on March 22, 2017. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court turned away an appeal on Jan. 23 over a $2.1 million penalty the IRS assessed against a grandmother whose family fled Nazi persecution, for failing to report a foreign bank account.

The decision came as the U.S. House of Representatives, now controlled by Republicans, voted earlier this month to repeal a congressional provision allotting almost $80 billion to the IRS over the coming 10 years for increased enforcement.

Democrats say the IRS has long been underfunded, but Republicans say the extra money will be used to harass taxpayers.

Only 4 percent of the additional funding will be devoted to improving taxpayer service, while 58 percent will go to upping enforcement, the New York Post reported in August 2022.

Harsh Penalty

The denial prompted a sharply worded dissent by Justice Neil Gorsuch, who implied that he agreed with lawyers argument that such a harsh penalty incentivizes governments to impose exorbitant civil penalties as a means of raising revenue.

The decision to penalize the petitioner in this case is difficult to reconcile with our precedents, Gorsuch wrote, noting that the Supreme Court recognizes that the excessive fines clause of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution traces its venerable lineage to the Magna Carta of 1215 and the English Bill of Rights of 1689.

The Supreme Court denied the petition in Toth v. United States (court file 22-177), an appeal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit. Gorsuch was the sole dissenter to the unsigned order.

Now in her 80s, Monica Toth, who lives in the Boston area, had argued that the penalty runs afoul of the Eighth Amendment.

In the mid-1930s, Toths father fled Germany, relocating to South America to escape violent anti-Semitism. Toth was born in Argentina in 1940 and emigrated to the United States when she was in her 20s, leaving her parents behind, according to the Institute for Justice (IJ), a national nonprofit public interest law firm thats representing her.

Her father was a success in business, and he gifted his daughter an endowment that was held in a Swiss bank account. His thinking was that his daughter should have emergency funds available in case, like him, she might one day have to escape government persecution.

Foreign Bank Accounts

Only years later did she become aware of the federal governments Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) reporting requirement. Under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, Americans with foreign bank accounts holding more than $10,000 are required to file an FBAR form with the federal government.

In 2010, Toth got caught up by filing five years worth of reports. Following an audit, she ended up being reportedly assessed around $40,000 in back taxes and penalties, which she paid.

But the IRS later decided that a reasonable person in her situation would have tried to figure out whether the FBAR requirements applied. The finding triggered a legal provision allowing the agency to impose the maximum civil penalty of more than $2 million, or 50 percent of the funds that Toths father set aside for her.

A federal district court ruled against her, and the 1st Circuit upheld that decision, finding that the large penalty didnt constitute a fine, and therefore, the Eighth Amendment didnt apply.

Toths attorney at the IJ, Sam Gedge, told The Epoch Times by email that his firm was disappointed with the ruling.

Monicas experience shows that civil penalties can have devastating consequences for real people, Gedge said.

Naturally, were disappointed that the court declined to take up this case. The excessive fines clause should serve as a key check on economic sanctions, and we hope the 1st Circuit will heed Justice Gorsuchs dissent and correct its misreading of the excessive fines clause in future cases.

Massive Civil Fines

Justice Gorsuch understood whats at stake, IJ attorney Brian Morris said.

Under the 1st Circuits decision, governments are incentivized to impose massive civil fines to raise revenue. And individuals, like Monica, are left helpless to the whims of the governmentno matter the size of the penalty that it picks.

Clark Neily, senior vice president for legal studies at the Cato Institute, who authored the think tanks friend-of-the-court brief, waxed philosophical about the ruling.

The deeper the federal government sinks into unprecedented debt, the stickier its fingers will become and the less concerned it will be with constitutional niceties like the rule of law, Neily said by email.

The IRS levied an obviously  punitive fine for a technical reporting violation and then sought to avoid meaningful judicial review by disingenuously characterizing that fine as a remedial penalty, which it plainly was not. The Supreme Courts refusal to rebuff that acquisitive chicanery will only encourage more of it.

U.S. Department of Justice officials didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Supreme Court justices are currently deliberating another FBAR filing requirement case, Bittner v. U.S., which the court heard on Nov. 2, 2022.

Like Toth, Romanian-born Alexandru Bittner initially received a modest financial penalty for not filing IRS forms about foreign bank accounts$50,000 in his casebut the IRS later increased the penalty to $2.72 million.

A decision in the Bittner case is expected by June.
Supreme Courts Failure to Identify Dobbs Leaker Is Chilling: Jonathan Turley

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Dec. 4, 2022. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley criticized the Supreme Court on Jan. 19 over its failure to determine who leaked a draft of the courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization opinion.

After a months-long investigation sparked by the May leak, the court released its much-anticipated investigative report (pdf) on the matter Thursday, finding that it was not possible to identify the person responsible for the breach or how the document had ended up in the hands of Politico.

The Supreme Courts report indicates that they cannot isolate the culprit among the over 80 possible suspects for the Dobbs leak, Turley noted in a series of Jan. 19 tweets. It is an admission that is almost as chilling as the leak itself.

The Supreme Courts report indicates that they cannot isolate the culprit among the over 80 possible suspects for the Dobbs leak. It is an admission that is almost as chilling as the leak itself  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 19, 2023

Turley also posited that, despite the security recommendations of the courts marshal, the inconclusive investigation would likely only serve to embolden future leakers.

The nature of the Courts work requires a free flow of drafts and memoranda, he noted. That is why we hope to achieve through deterrence what was not achieved through ethics.

In this age of rage, this danger will only grow, he added. Someone felt that they had license to leak. Some others may now feel that they have the impunity to do so.

The Leak

While, in general, Supreme Court leaks are rare, the Dobbs leak was made all the more significant by the implications of the ruling on nearly a half-century of abortion law in the United States.

Politico, having exclusively obtained an early draft of the opinion, published it May 2 as part of a report titled, Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows.

Although the draft differed slightly from the final opinion the court would issue on June 24, the decision was the same: The court ruled 54 that there is no constitutional right to abortion, striking down the precedents set by the 1973 landmark abortion case of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

The leaked draft sparked national protests, including outside the homes of conservative justices, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh becoming the target of an assassination attempt.

Calling the leak an egregious breach of the courts trust, Chief Justice John Roberts ordered an investigation into its source.

To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed, Roberts assured in a May 3 statement. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way.

The Investigation

Prior to Thursdays report, the court had been tight-lipped on the progress of its investigation, with the only updates coming from anonymous sources.

Led by Supreme Court Marshal Gail Curley, the courts investigative team comprised seasoned attorneys and trained federal investigators with substantial experience conducting criminal, administrative and cyber investigations, per Curleys report.

But after conducting 126 formal interviews of 97 employees, the team was unable to identify the individual responsible for the leak.

No one confessed to publicly disclosing the document and none of the available forensic and other evidence provided a basis for identifying any individual as the source of the document, Curley noted.

While the possibility of a hack could not be entirely ruled out, the team found that the evidence did not suggest improper outside access.

Investigators were likewise unable to rule out inadvertent or negligent disclosure, for example, by being left in a public space either inside or outside the building.

Additionally, despite reports that the justices were not interviewed as part of the investigation, Curley clarified in a statement Friday that she did speak with them in addition to their staff.

During the course of the investigation, I spoke with each of the Justices, several on multiple occasions, she said. The Justices actively cooperated in this iterative process, asking questions and answering mine. I followed up on all credible leads, none of which implicated the Justices or their spouses. On this basis, I did not believe that it was necessary to ask the Justices to sign sworn affidavits.

While also noting in her report that investigators were still reviewing and processing some electronic data and that a few inquiries were pending, Curley proposed several security improvements to prevent future breaches, including enhanced training, tracking mechanisms to monitor the printing and copying of documents, and policy updates on the handling of draft opinions and who can access sensitive information.

In a statement attached to the report, the court offered Curley their full support as she and her team continue their investigation.
Surge in Recruitments at Funeral Homes Across China Reveals a Far Greater COVID Death Toll

A coffin is loaded from a hearse into a storage container at the Dongjiao crematorium and funeral home, one of several in the city that handles COVID-19 cases, in Beijing on Dec. 18, 2022. (Getty Images)

News Analysis

Funeral homes in China have been actively recruiting new employees and temporary staff amid the major COVID-19 outbreak, with a surge of job postings appearing all over domestic employment websites. Experts and Chinese crematorium workers say Chinas COVID death toll is vastly underreported.

As China battles a surge of infections, scientists and journalists worldwide continue to look for clues to the outbreaks actual death toll.

At the start of 2020, when the pandemic first broke out, Chinas funeral service industry gained 6,398 new employees, according to official data. Meanwhile, new employment in the Chinese funeral industry has continued to increase throughout 2021 and 2022.

Since December last year, difficulties in seeking medical treatment, cremation, and storing corpses have become trending topics on Chinese social media.

Patients on stretchers are seen at Tongren hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 3, 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Upon entering 2023, urgent recruitment notices for funeral homes in multiple Chinese cities appear across domestic job search websites.

For example, the job application period for Yibin Funeral Home in Hubei Province is from Jan. 4 to Jan. 6; the funeral parlor in Linping District, Hangzhou City, is from Jan. 9 to 13; Hefei Changfeng County Funeral Home is from Jan. 10 to 14. Meanwhile, the job application deadline for funeral homes in Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, is Jan. 20.

The surge of staff and recruitment notices in funeral services across China is not limited to the beginning of 2023. Public data shows that the total number of employees in funeral services across China has been increasing as early as 2020.

Despite the Chinese authorities efforts to conceal the actual death toll from the pandemic, statistics of Chinas funeral industry paint a different picture. The data showed a significant increase in funeral service demand since 2020, including growing staff recruitment and orders of new cremation furnaces.

In 2021, Chinas cremation rate of human remains was 58.8 percent, according to funeral service industry data. Hence the growing staff recruitment and orders of new cremation furnaces could suggest a much higher cremation rate than what was reported by the authorities during the period.

The statistical bulletin on civil affairs development, published by Chinas Ministry of Civil Affairs, contains yearly data on the funeral service industry nationwide.

According to the report, the total number of employees in funeral services across China in 2015 reached a peak of 83,851. The number declined in the following four years, from 2016 to 2019.

By 2019, the total number fell to 79,163, dropping 4,688 in four years.

However, in 2020, the number surged by 6,398 within one year. In 2021, the total number of employees in funeral services across China increased by 1,439.

A similar increase was also observed in 2020 in the total number of cremators in the country. In 2019, the number of cremation furnaces across the nation saw a decline of 44 units compared to 2018.

However, in 2020, the number of cremation furnaces in China suddenly increased by 219, bringing the total number of units to 6,619. The number rose again by 424 in 2021, bringing the total units to 7,043.

As the pandemic continued, all parts of China expanded their cremation capacity. The significant increase in funeral service staff and cremation furnaces across the country could suggest a greatly-underreported death toll by Chinese authorities.

Mourners gather outside memorial halls for the deceased at a funeral home in Shanghai, China, on Dec. 31, 2022. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Expert: COVID Deaths Could Exceed 10 Million in a Month

During the first weeks of the current COVID-19 outbreak, China published daily death tolls in the single digits, despite news reports showing overwhelmed hospitals, morgues, and funeral homes. Then on Jan. 14, Chinas top health body, the National Health Commission, revised the numbers, reporting almost 60,000 COVID-related deaths since early December.

However, based on data from funeral homes and crematories, experts and Chinese crematorium workers say that number still vastly underrepresents the actual death toll.

A worker at Baoxing funeral home in Shanghai told The Epoch Times in December 2022 that they were burning 400 to 500 bodies a day, up from the maximum of 90 before the pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Another resident in the nearby city of Suzhou described the crowded condition at Suzhou Funeral Home as akin to the citys most famous shopping street, which is always packed.

Its such a miserable scene, she said in a recent interview with The Epoch Times. The woman, who declined to be named for fear of reprisals, joined the long lines outside the building on Jan. 6, waiting for the cremation of her late mother, who died of COVID two days earlier. That same day, the woman lost two other relatives who died from the disease.

Sean Lin, a virologist and former lab director at the viral disease branch of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, told The Epoch Times that around 6 million corpses could have been cremated over the past month, assuming that Chinas crematoriums are running 24/7. But that figure is likely only about half of all deaths, as people in the countryside may not have access to such services and are buried rather than cremated. After subtracting non-COVID-related deaths, the death toll could have reached 10 million, Lin said.

He believes that his rough estimate is probably far lower than the actual number of COVID deaths but still higher compared to the Chinese regimes data.

The regime is certainly lying about this, he said.
Survivor of Monterey Park Shooting Says Dance Partner Died Shielding Her With His Body

A police officer gets out of his vehicle near a ballroom dance club in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

A survivor of the Monterey Park mass shooting described the harrowing scene after 10 people were killed on Saturday, and recounted how her dance partner shielded her with his body and died from gunshot wounds.

A gunman identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran opened fire at the Star Dance Studio on West Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park near the end of that days Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, killing 10 people and injuring at least 10 more.

One of the survivors, identified only as Shally, told Los Angeles ABC station KABC that a good friend of hers that shed been dancing with regularly for around 10 years saved her life by stepping into the line of fire and taking a bullet.

Shally said that she and her 62-year-old dance partner, who she did not wish to identify, were dancing the jive when the gunman entered the studio and opened fire.

Investigators are seen outside Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

In the ensuing chaos, she and her dance partner dove under a table to hide, she said, adding that he had likely already been shot but just hadnt realized it yet.

Shally said the shooter left the building to get more ammunition before returning and continuing to fire.

After the gunman fled the scene, Shally said she turned to her partner, who seemed to be unconscious. She said she tried to wake him and noticed blood on her hands.

Shally said she realized her partner had been shot in the back as he shielded her with his body.

He was dead, she told the outlet.

Of the 10 people wounded in the shooting, seven remained hospitalized on Sunday night, with at least one in critical condition.

People come together in a prayer as members of the community hold a prayer vigil near the scene of a shooting that took place in Monterey Park, California, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Allison Dinner/Reuters)

Whats Known About the Incident

Police said that the gunman entered the Star Ballroom Dance Studio at around 10 p.m. local time on Saturday and opened fire.

A 30-year-old woman who was celebrating the Lunar New Year at her parents house nearby said she heard the shots but thought they were fireworks.

A lot of older people live here, its usually really quiet, Tiffany Chiu said. This is not something you expect here.

After the gunman left the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, he tried to carry out another shooting at a separate club in Alhambra around 20 minutes later but authorities said bystanders wrested the gun away from him and he ran off.

I can tell you that the suspect walked in there, probably with the intent to kill more people, and two brave community members decided they were going to jump into action and disarm him, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters at a briefing Sunday.

Brandon Tsay, who manages the family-run dance hall in Alhambra, was the one who managed to disarm the gunman, according to The New York Times.

That moment, it was primal instinct, he told the outlet. Something happened there. I dont know what came over me.

Tsay and his family told the outlet that security camera footage shows it was he alone, not two individuals like police said, that managed to disarm the suspect.

After Tsay took the gun away, the suspect fled.

The suspected gunman, who was driving a white van, was on Sunday cornered by authorities in Torrance and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Members of a SWAT team enter a van and look through its contents in Torrance, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

Luna said that police sandwiched the driver and van with tactical vehicles and bomb squad trucks after pursuing him into a shopping center.

He said officers then heard a gunshot and after moving in on the vehicle, they found the driver slumped over the steering wheel.

Video shared online showed the moment police swarmed the vehicle.

Authorities later identified the shooting suspect as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, with Luna saying that evidence in the van linked the vehicle to the shooting.

This combination image created using photos provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department shows a male suspect allegedly involved in a shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2023. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department via AP)

Unclear Motive

Investigators have not commented on a possible motive but a prominent member of the local community said they believe it could be related to a domestic dispute.

Chester Chong, a community leader in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told ABC7 that the suspects wife was invited to the dance studio event without him, saying that jealousy could be involved in the tragedy.

None of the victims have been identified, though Luna told reporters that the five men and five women appeared to be over 50 years old.

President Joe Biden has offered his condolences.

While there is still much we dont know about the motive in this senseless attack, we do know that many families are grieving tonight, or praying that their loved one will recover from their wounds, he said in a statement.

Monterey Park has a large population of Asian immigrants and Asian Americans, and is located about 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Suspect in Monterey Park Mass Shooting Found Dead in Van, Identified as Elderly Asian Man

A van is surrounded by SWAT personnel in Torrance, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

The driver of a white van who is the suspected shooter in Saturdays Monterey Park mass shooting has been found dead from an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound after being cornered by authorities in Torrance on Sunday.

Police sandwiched the driver and van with tactical vehicles and bomb squad trucks after pursuing the driver into a shopping center and hearing a gunshot from inside the van, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in an update on Sunday evening.

After awaiting further support from SWAT, officers then moved in on the van to find one driver deceased, slumped over the steering wheel.

Authorities identified the suspect as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran.

This combination image created using photos provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department shows a male suspect allegedly involved in a shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2023. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department via AP)

Luna said that several pieces of evidence that police found inside the van have linked the vehicle and its driver to the Monterey Park shooting and a second incident.

A day earlier, witnesses said that a shooter opened fire at the Star Dance Studio on West Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park near the end of that days Lunar New Year celebration, killing 10 likely patrons and injuring at least 10 more, triggering a manhunt.

Luna said in a tweet on Jan. 22: My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by last nights shooting in the @CityofMPK. On behalf of @LASDHQ I offer my most sincere condolescences to the victims families. I stand in solidarity with the AAPI community and will work tirelessly to bring justice to the victims.

The wounded were taken to local hospitals, with seven remaining in hospital as of Sunday evening, the sheriff said in an update.

An investigator carries markers outside Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

The sheriff said authorities believe there was only one suspect involved in the mass shooting and a related attack at a second dance studio in Alhambra just miles away from Monterey Park on Saturday.

No one has been arrested in connection to the Monterey Park shooting.

Community in Shock

Monterey Park has a large population of Asian immigrants and Asian Americans, and is located about 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The dance studio is in downtown Monterey Park, where red lanterns decorated the streets for Saturdays Lunar New Year festivities that had just finished without incident at the time of the shooting.

About 20 minutes later at a dance studio in nearby Alhambra, witnesses there said a male shooter entered the Alhambra Lai Lai Ballroom where patrons were able to wrestle the weapon away from the suspect before he fled, Luna said.

The sheriff said a magazine-fed semi-automatic pistol was wrestled off the suspect at Alhambra and that it is thought to be an illegal weapon under California law. The weapon had an extended large-capacity magazine attached.

Witnesses at Alhambra reported seeing a male suspect of Asian appearance flee in a white van. This information helped police in Torrance, another community home to many Asians about 30 miles from Monterey Park, pursue the suspect.

A prominent member of the local community said they believe a possible motive could be related to a domestic dispute.

Chester Chong, a community leader in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told ABC7 that the suspects wife was invited to the dance studio event without him, saying that jealousy could be involved in the tragedy.

Investigators have yet to comment on a possible motive.

President Joe Biden has offered his condolences.

While there is still much we dont know about the motive in this senseless attack, we do know that many families are grieving tonight, or praying that their loved one will recover from their wounds, he said in the statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Details of Document-Gate Need Wider Exposure

Commentary

President Joe Bidens Document-gate scandal has been consuming U.S. legacy media and political punditry since it was first disclosed on Jan. 9 that Bidens lawyers found classified documents at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington.

A subsequent discovery of additional classified documents at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, morphed the scandals title to Corvette-gate, as the documents were found where Bidens 1967 Corvette was garaged.

As usual, the legacy media have focused on the political aspects of the scandal, that is, how the in-process investigation and disclosures will affect the political future of the occupant of the Oval Office. How and when did the documents get there? Why were the classified documents found there outside of the knowledge of the National Archives and Records Administration? Why did Bidens lawyers find them? Why did it take two months to publicly disclose the finding of those classified documents? Is there a political motive behind the disclosures now (conspiracy theories abound)? Why was former President Donald Trumps home raided by the FBI while no raid was conducted on either of the Biden Center locations or Bidens several residences? How will the scandal affect Bidens political future?

What isnt being discussed by the media are the details of the contents of the documents themselves and the specific obligations of everyone who handles classified information. Few people understand the Byzantine document classification system, the requirements for safeguarding classified documents, and the penalties for mishandling them. Media outlets do us a disservice by not providing clarity on the less-interesting mechanics of the document mishandling but instead focusing on the sexier political implications of the scandal.

Secret Service personnel park vehicles in the driveway leading to U.S. President Joe Bidens house after classified documents were found there by Bidens lawyers in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 15, 2023. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

Lets examine the issue in detail.

Background

Biden left the White House in January 2017 after his vice-presidential term expired. He maintained an office at the University of Pennsylvania for several years after that. He joined its faculty as the Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor. He was paid more than $775,000 over the next two years to expand Penns global outreach and share his wisdom and insights with thousands of Penn students through seminars, talks and classroom visits, as reported by Philadelphia magazine in 2019. But he never set foot in class.

As mentioned above, the first tranche of documents was found in the Washington offices of the Penn Biden Center, a think tank located about a mile from the White House. As noted by the New York Post, CNN reported  that 10 documents dated between 2013 and 2016 have classified markings, with some designated as Top Secretthe highest level of classificationor as containing sensitive compartmented information, meaning the highly secret information was obtained from intelligence sources.

Biden claims that he first learned about the presence of the classified documents when his lawyer reported them to the White House counsels office on Nov. 2, 2022. Interestingly, the Washington office was opened in February 2018. Where were those documents stored from January 2017 to February 2018?

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland assigned U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch to find out how the classified material ended up at the Penn Biden Center.

A search of Bidens homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was subsequently conducted. Additional classified documents were discovered in the garage of Bidens residence in Wilmington. One document was a single page that was found in an adjacent room.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland names a special counsel to investigate the handling of classified records found at President Joe Bidens home and former offices, in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Other key factoids:

CNN reported that some of the documents were marked as SCI (Sensitive Classified Information).

The documents reportedly contained information on highly sensitive subjects, including Bidens ties to Ukraine, Iran, and the UK, as well as classified intelligence memos and briefing materials.

The Delaware house and the Biden Center locations at the University of Pennsylvania and Washington didnt have SCI facilities for storing SCI material.

The Penn Biden Center received $47.7 million from China in the three years that Biden was affiliated with it.

Natalie Winters at WarRoom.org reported on Jan. 12 that Hunter Biden appears to have been present at meetings between University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden, at the White House, according to emails obtained from the first sons hard drive.

Former University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann is now Bidens ambassador to Germany.

A serving vice president has no original classification authority for declassifying classified documents.

The political implications are thus juicy and profound. But what about the mechanics of the mishandling of the documents themselves?

Classified Information Handling

Up to this point, there has been zero investigative reporting on the standard requirements for handling classified information and the automatic penalties imposed for mishandling them. The following is a brief tutorial on classified information to level-set those who have never held a security clearance.

Information is classified based on the level of damage to national security if disclosed (Top Secretexceptionally grave damage; Secretserious damage; Confidentialdamage). Higher levels of Top Secret classification exist: SCI and Special Access Program (SAP). SCI is derived from intelligence sources and methods and must be handled very carefully with higher security protection requirements and very limited personnel access. SAP requires even stronger and more extraordinary protection measures (physical, information, personnel). The bottom line is that Top Secret/SCI and Top Secret/SAP information is the most carefully guarded national security and intelligence information produced and safeguarded in the United States.

An office building housing the Penn Biden Center, a think tank affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, in Washington on Jan. 10, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Before a person can be granted access to any classified information, three actions must be completed: a favorable determination of eligibility (a comprehensive background investigation completed), a need-to-know (a valid requirement for access to the information), and a signed non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

The NDA is a lifetime contract between a person and the government to protect classified information. It delineates that violation of the Espionage Act of 1917 can result in a fine, incarceration, or even death. This includes giving classified information to unauthorized individuals, causing classified information to be lost or stolen, or failing to report to security personnel when its suspected that classified information has been provided to someone who doesnt have authorized access to it.

These are the penalties for violating Title 18 USC-Espionage: a $10,000 fine for each offense, up to life imprisonment without parole, or the death penalty in certain circumstances. The NDA also identifies explicitly the regulations that govern classified information, including unauthorized disclosure: Sections 793, 794, 790, and 952 of Title 18 USC; Section 783(b) of Title 60 USC; and EO 12356. These statutes have their own penalties for violations thereunder.

Everyone who accesses classified information must sign an NDA that details the above strictures and penalties, as well as the lifetime obligation to protect classified information from unauthorized disclosure, regardless of whether the disclosure is intentional, inadvertent, or accidental.

Concluding Thoughts

On Jan. 12, as reported by the Daily Wire, Garland appointed Robert Hur as a special counsel to investigate the possible unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or other records discovered. Interestingly, Hur was the U.S. attorney who requested that the justification of an FBI raid on Clinton Foundation whistleblower Dennis Cains home remain secret in 2018 (which hid the likely political motivations for the raid), according to the Daily Caller. And Hur was also directly involved with Russian hoaxer Christopher Steele, according to Breitbart. Can Hur be objective, given these political biases?

Hurs main task at hand is to inventory and determine whether the classified documents have been compromised, without regard to the potential political fallout. In parallel, he must determine the chain of custody of those documents from the moment they left proper White House SCIF storage to when they were first discovered on Nov. 2, 2022. At the top of that chain of custody is the person who authorized the release of the SCI documents to Biden (or his operatives) as he left the White House in 2017. Everyone involved in the chain of custody from then on to the date of their discovery at the Penn Center in Washington has committed one or more felonies under federal statutes.

Will there be any indictments, or will the politics obfuscate and prevent the enforcement of the statutes? Time will tell.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Downfall of the Gurus

Commentary

Scott Adams, creator of the insightful Dilbert comic strip, earned his status as an influencer not only from his acidic commentary on the bureaucratization of business life. He was also very early in noticing that there was something special about Donald Trump. There were moments back in the day when Trump was wizard-like, he said. Adams was bold in noting it and predicting his eventual triumph, which came in 2016.

Four years later, Adams, like so many others, was felled by the COVID pandemic when he seemed on board with the lockdowns and, later, embraced vaccines as a certain path to end this pandemic. But bless him, he has been relatively out front with both his opinions and mistakes along the way. He has recently released a video in which he said he was clearly on the wrong side of this one.

To be sure, his language in the mea culpa was not entirely satisfying. He constantly refers to the refuseniks as anti-vaxxers, which is offensive to those who merely had doubts about the tax-funded and police-enforced universalization of this experimental technology. Further, he seemed to credit the party that turned out the vaccines with only being correct, not due to insight and intelligence, but merely to a bias that doubted all official pronouncements.

Additionally, he says that it was a coin flip and some guessed right. Thats a cop-out. No, we used our brains and happened to look up whether and to what extent vaccines are actually useful for unstable pathogens like coronaviruses. Given that we have no record at all for vaccines for this or any similarly mutating pathogens, many people very reasonably decided to take a pass.

Still, at least Adams is trying to be open and honest about his own failures. Thats good. One wishes he would also address his unwarranted coronaphobia and support for lockdowns too.

Still, thats far more than can be said about many former gurus, many of them highly educated and knowledgeable. Im thinking of Nassim Taleb, author of Antifragile, who of all people should have understood the capacity of society to manage this pathogen without the destructive help of government. He ended up on the wrong side, and squandered his well-earned guru status by agitating for every awful policy. He has never apologized to the multitudes of dissidents he insulted.

There are so many in this category. My friend the philosopher Jason Sorens, who is an excellent historian of ideas and once regarded as a solid libertarian. In fact, he inspired the creation of the Free State Project in New Hampshire, the idea of which was to inspire a wave of emigration to the state to influence policy there more in the direction of liberty.

But when the pandemic hit, Sorens completely lost his moorings. On March 30, 2020, now two weeks into the lockdowns, he wrote on Twitter: If EVERYONE IN THE WORLD were to isolate for 3 weeks, wed kill the virus completely, never to trouble our species again, and the hit to world GDP would be just under 6 percent (3/52), with a rapid bounceback. But would require every country in the world to cooperate, so Instead well have months or years of economic stagnation & quite possibly the virus will be with us forever.

Someone did not pay attention in 9th grade biology. You cannot make a virus go away by hiding from it any more than you can make the moon go away by not looking at it. When you reappear or look again, it will still be there. The prevalence of a virus is governed by its severity: a dumb virus kills its host but a smart virus does not and thus moves to the next person. SARS-CoV-2 is the fifth coronavirus virus in the world and it was always destined to circulate forever. Only two viruses have been declared eradicatedsmallpox in humans, and rinderpest in ruminantsand thats because they are stable (non-mutating) pathogens.

Still, many fell for this suppressionist strategy, despite what it meant for the whole human population: the biggest and most sweeping rights violations of our lifetimes. Many medical professionals and scientists went silent because their careers depended on it. But some, like Neil deGrasse Tyson, were in a position to correct the record and did not. He was a lockdowner and mandater and still is. Thus does he relinquish his whole status as a science communicator and educator.

We could mention Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx in this context, who both threw away all their credibility by continuing to insist on obvious untruths. But there are many more besides. Tyler Cowen of George Mason University is among the most respected economists today but when the virus hit, he fell in fully with the lockdowners and later the vaccine mandates, viciously attacking anyone on the other side. He further used his heavy influence in his circlesyoung professors, think-tank officials, grant-giving foundationsto force conformity with his ill-formed views.

There are many other gurus who fell apart. One might mention Noam Chomsky, from whom Ive learned for many years. He is a fascinating figure. To the astonishment of many, he came out not only for hard vaccine mandates but defended the idea of segregating whole cities by vaccine status, even though doing so would exclude 40 percent of the black community from restaurants, theaters, and libraries.

But also you can imagine my own sadness when two personal heroes of mine, the two most brilliant living scholars I know, somehow bought the baloney being served up by Fauci and company. Ive been hesitant to mention this because it is deeply embarrassing to me but their names are Robert Higgs and Deirdre McCloskey. The first is the best living historian on the growth of the state and the second is easily the most productive and erudite historian of economic growth. They both signed up as suppressionists, endorsing what they had long foughtnamely egregious statismand leveled very hurtful attacks on those of us who rallied around traditional principles of public health. Higgs, I believe, came to see the errors of his ways, and Deirdre I feel sure had decompressed from this unfortunate period too.

We could also mention the tragic case of Walter Block, a famed anarchist and student of Murray Rothbard, who somehow got very confused in thinking that passing on a respiratory virus is a form of aggression that the state is right to punish. Such a position would of course mean that freedom could never exist. From his armchair, he never considered that the acquisition of natural immunity might just as easily be regarded as a positive externality to provide protection against illness. This is why many generations practiced deliberate exposure in the form of variolation. Indeed, I was personally exposed to chickenpox and grateful for it!

Ive reflected much on how all this came to be. How did so many seemingly intelligent people fall for such brutality, defend it, and on such childish grounds? Partly it results from academic specialization: economists dont understand cell biology any more than biostatisticians understand monetary policy. They even take pride in it! Still it is not an excuse. Any one of these thinkers could have downloaded Molecular and Cell Biology for Dummies from Amazon and corrected their misunderstandings in one evening.

What is it about the appearance of a new virus (with a very low under-70 fatality rate) that caused their heads to explode? Why were they so willing to throw out principles they held for most of their lives? And it is not just that they were wrong. They used their influence to demonize, smear, and censor those who dared to disagree.

In addition, the problem of fallen gurus is complicated by financial scammery. Oxford philosopher William MacAskill earned his fashionable intellectual status by pushing the idea of effective altruism but that idea became very lucrative once it melded with Sam Bankman-Frieds money laundering operation called FTX. Pandemic planning became FTXs raison detre, which raises a question about Cowens obsequious interviews with both MacAskill and Bankman-Fried, in addition to the vast funding given to campaigns of 1 in 3 sitting members of the House of Representatives.

There is also the problem of class bias among intellectuals. They kept going on about the need of people to isolate, mask up, and vaccinate, with nary a thought about the hands-on workers who actually keep society functioning. They are just blind to the lives of the working class. They otherized them as fodder. Its just that simple.

And, no, Professor Sorens, society cannot go three weeks without the shelves being stocked, the electricity working, the trucks being repaired, the ambulances running, babies being birthed, and food deliveries being made. You can hide under your sofa but others have to keep society working for you and others who enjoy such privilege. If this plan had been enacted, it would have led to mass death.

Im left with this thought: thank goodness the intellectuals dont have more influence than they do. Many of our gurus have fallen. Let that be a lesson to us. Scott Adams has the right idea even if poorly carried out: they should all be honest with us now about how badly they failed.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
They Saved Lives: Sheriff Praises Heroes Who Disarmed Monterey Park Shooter at 2nd Location

This combination image created using photos provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department shows a male suspect allegedly involved in a shooting on Jan. 21, 2023, in Monterey Park, Calif. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via AP)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff praised two brave members of the local community on Jan. 22 who he said helped prevent further loss of life after the gunman who had already murdered 10 people at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dancing studio attempted an attack on a second location.

In a press conference, Sheriff Robert Luna explained how around 20 to 30 minutes after the suspected gunman, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, opened fire at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, he then entered another dance studio, Lai Lai Ballroom & Dance Studio in the nearby town of Alhambra.

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio near the site of a deadly shooting where 10 people were killed and 10 more were injured at a dance studio in Monterey Park near a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday night, in Alhambra, California, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Luna said that the suspect was armed with a gun, specifically a magazine-fed semiautomatic assault pistol with a large-capacity magazine attached to it when he arrived at the Alhambra studio where he probably intended to kill more people.

However, upon arriving at the second dance studio, the suspect was swiftly disarmed by two brave individuals who jumped on him and disarmed him before he fled in a white van.

Remember, the suspect went to the Alhambra location after he conducted the shooting [in Monterey Park], and he was disarmed by two community members who I consider to be heroes, Luna said. They saved lives. This couldve been much worse.

No further details regarding the two brave community members were revealed.

No Motive for Attack

The sheriff added that he believes the weapon taken from the suspect at the Alhambra location is not legal under Californian law.

Luna said that law enforcement still have no clear motive for the attack but believe the gunman acted alone.

We want to know how something this awful can happen, Luna said.

According to police, the suspect opened fire at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Parka city of about 60,000 people which is known for its large Asian populationon Saturday at around 10:22 p.m. local time as a day of celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year drew to a close.

A total of 11 people have now died from the attack, with police stating that the majority of the victims appear to be in their 50s, 60s, or older. Another nine were injured, several of whom were still in the hospital as of Sunday eveningsome in critical condition.

The shooting sparked a huge manhunt for the suspect who was later found dead in Torrance on Sunday morning, at around 1 p.m. local time in a white van, about 30 miles from the Monterey Park shooting scene.

The vehicle, which was stationed in a parking lot, was isolated by a SWAT team. Police said that earlier, they had heard what appeared to be a single shot from inside the van, triggering officers to call for reinforcements.

Authorities said that upon further inspection, it appeared as though Huu Can Tran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was declared dead at the scene.

Luna told the press conference that the number plates on the van had been changed and were likely stolen. A handgun was found in the van where Tran died.

Law enforcement personnel open the door of a van outside the site in Torrance, California, where the alleged suspect in the mass shooting in which 10 people were killed in Monterey Park, Calif., is believed to be holed up on Jan. 22, 2023. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Brandon Tsay, one of the hero bystanders who tackled the gunman, told Good Morning America on Monday morning that he realized the shooter had entered the Alhambra dance studio with the intention to kill.

I was in the lobby and it was late into the evening. Most of our customers already left, I wasnt paying attention to the front door, I was looking into the dance ballroom, Tsay explained.

This is when I heard the sound of the front door creaking, instantly followed by the sound of metal objects rubbing together, he continued.

I turned around and saw there was an Asian man holding a gun. My first thought was, I was going to die here. This is it.

Tsay had never seen the suspect before and that the shooter appeared to be looking for targets.

Something came over meI realized I needed to take this weapon, disarm him, or else everybody would have died, he said, adding that he quickly lunged at the shooter with both hands, grabbed the weapon, and a struggle ensued.

He was hitting me across the face and bashing my head, he said.

I was trying to create some distance. Finally, at one point, I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside and create some distance.

At this point, the suspect turned around and left, according to Tsay.

Biden Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff

Elsewhere during Sundays press conference, Monterey Park representative Judy Chu, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and is a former mayor of the city, said that community members are no longer in danger but that there were questions surrounding why the two dance community studios were targeted.

What was the motive for this shooting? Was he a domestic violence abuser? How did he get these guns? Was it through legal means or not? These questions will have to be answered in the future, Chu said.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Alhambra ballroom said it was closed following the devastating shooting in Monterey Park and would implement visitor searches when it reopened on Monday.

The Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio near the site of a deadly shooting in Alhambra, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

In observance of the tragedy at Star Dance last night, Lai Lai Ballroom will be closed today, the post read. Lai Lai will reopen Monday for lessons only. As an extra precaution, all students and teachers are subject to search prior to entering the studio. Our prayers go out to all the victims families.

President Joe Biden on Sunday evening ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff at the White House and all other federal posts until Jan. 26 as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence, according to a White House statement.
Thousands Attend Vice President Kamala Harriss Pro-Abortion Speech in Florida

Pro-abortion activists hold signs as they wait in the rain in the hopes of hearing Vice President Kamala Harris deliver a speech calling for increased access to abortion in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 22, 2023. (Nanette Holt/The Epoch Times)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.On the day Americans opposed to abortion are celebrating National Sanctity of Life Sunday in their churches, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the Biden administrations continued commitment to increased access to abortion.

Harris delivered the message to a packed house of 2,000 people after at least 1,000 more were turned away at the door because the Tallahassee, Florida venue was at capacity.

Harriss speech was meant to commemorate the 5oth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion in the United States.

The Supreme Court stole womens fundamental right to abortion in June 2022, when it overturned Roe v. Wade, sending decisions on abortion back to states, Harris said while visiting The Moon nightclub.

She received enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Harris compared abortion supporters efforts to those of slavery abolitionists, womens suffrage activists, civil rights activists, and Stonewall riot participants.

In each of these movements, those leaders expanded rights, which then advanced the cause of freedom and liberty, Harris told the crowd. And 50 years ago today, so did those who won a fight in the United States Supreme Court to recognize the fundamental constitutional right of a woman to make decisions about her own body.

Teacher and activist Tracy Merlin displays her mothers abortion coat-hanger necklace while waiting to see Vice President Kamala Harris deliver a speech calling for increased access to abortion at The Moon nightclub in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times)

She delivered that statement in the state capital of Florida, currently governed by Republican rising star Gov. Ron DeSantis. Though he consistently has deflected the question of whether he will run for president in 2024, DeSantis is widely expected to announce his candidacy this year.

Harris accused Tallahassee leaders of passing a radical abortion ban with no exceptions for children conceived by rape, human trafficking, or child molestation. In 2022, lawmakers passed a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of gestation.

Today, we are fighting back, Harris said.

She announced that President Joe Biden has issued a memorandum directing his administration to recommend actions that guarantee women can receive abortion medication from doctors and pharmacies.

As clinics are closing in those states, patients have lost access to other basic care, Harris said.

Abortion supporters wait in a long line for hours in the drizzling rain to see Vice President Kamala Harris speak about abortion rights at The Moon nightclub in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times)

Harris asked the crowd if Americans could truly be free without the right to abortion. She vowed that Bidens administration would continue to fight for that right.

Rain and Rights

Before the event, abortion supporters waited in the morning rain to see Harris. Most arrived by car, filling a nearby parking lot. Others came by bus.

A tent with a pink-swathed Planned Parenthood table offered birth control, Bans off our Bodies T-shirts, pro-abortion stickers, and rainbow heart stickers.

Planned Parenthood brought 1,000 free T-shirts for distribution to the crowd, the tables manager told The Epoch Times.

The group had a celebratory atmosphere. A few activists tried to start pro-abortion chants, but the shouts of Hey, hey! Ho ho! Abortion bans have got to go! quickly fizzled out.

A pro-abortion activist tries to start a chant among people waiting outside a Tallahassee, Fla. nightclub, where Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to deliver a speech calling for increased abortion access on January 22, 2023. (Nanette Holt/The Epoch Times)

But pro-abortion intensity bubbled beneath the surface. Some protesters told The Epoch Times they drove to Harriss event from seven hours south.

Carolina Ampudia, a doctor and legislative chair of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, called DeSantis a fascist, when speaking with a reporter.

Are we going back to when women couldnt vote? she asked rhetorically.

Are we going back to when women were worried about hysterectomies because they were hysteric?' she asked, using a vintage term.

That term, she said, was imposed on women that were not submissive and docile. It was a form of calling them crazy, and because they thought it was related to being female, they attributed to the uterus.

Another member of her group, Broward County teacher and activist Tracy Merlin, proudly displayed a necklace with a coat-hanger pendant that her mother had worn 50 years ago while begging senators and representatives to have womens rights honored, she said.

Were 50 years out, Merlin said. And were still battling the same demons. We have to have progress in America. And this is such a scary time to be raising a young daughter in our country.

Fort Lauderdale politician Linda Thompson Gonzalez told The Epoch Times that if women cant get the abortions they want, they will kill themselves. And thats the governments fault, she added.

My friend took her life three months before high school graduation, because she had nowhere to go, no options, she said. We are literally taking the lives of our young women.

Carolina Ampudia (R), legislative chair of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, and Fort Lauderdale politician Linda Thompson Gonzalez (L) wait in line in the hopes of seeing Vice President Kamala Harris in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times)

Gonzalez added that abortions are cheaper than children.

This issue of pro-choiceit is an economic issue, she said.

The women said they were grateful to receive a show of support from Harris in Florida, where DeSantis won reelection in November 2022 with 59 percent of the vote.

Emotional Enthusiasm

Another attendee from Tallahassee, Bernie Sanders supporter Dave Fabus, said he was at the protest to ensure his 16-year-old daughter could get an abortion if she wanted one.

The thought made his eyes wet.

Just emotional, he said with sadness in his voice.

Polls show that the majority of people dont want to change, and theyre forcing it down our throatsevangelicals and the so-called Christians that are behind it, he said.

Fabus noted that Harriss visit to promote abortion in DeSantiss state may be an opening volley in the 2024 presidential race. He said he hoped DeSantis would win the Republican nomination and former president Donald Trump would cripple him with a third-party campaign.

Pro-abortion Tallahassee resident Dave Fabus waits in line to see Kamala Harris speak on abortion at The Moon in Tallahassee, Fla. on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times)

I want to see Trump punished for all the crimes that hes committed, Fabus told The Epoch Times. And yet, Id like for him to stay in the running because I think DeSantis and him will completely split the Republican Party to ruin their chances.

Little Opposition

A few pro-life protesters arrived to demonstrate outside the vice presidents event, but they quickly left.

Lori Bontell, an activist in medical issues around the state, sent a message to reporters saying that some anti-abortion protesters felt afraid of the large group waiting to see Harris.

They didnt feel comfortable walking to The Moon past the wall of VP supporters, she wrote.

Others couldnt find parking nearby. Many Florida pro-life leaders were in Washington for the March for Life. Other pro-lifers were at their home churches because theyd promised to speak as part of Sanctity of Life Sunday celebrations. And others canceled plans to attend after some news outlets and social-media influencers reported that Harris planned to move her speech to a private home with an undisclosed location.

A day before the event, Florida Moms for America president Rebekah Ricks told The Epoch Times she expected at least 100 pro-life protesters to travel to Tallahassee from around the state.

Pro-life Florida Moms for America president Rebekah Ricks at a rally outside the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov 16, 2021. (Courtesy of Rebekah Ricks)

But its right during church time, she said. So, its an awful time to even do it.

Ricks added that the overturn of Roe v. Wade brought new opportunities for the pro-life movement. Fighting abortion unites conservatives who disagree on other issues.

Our conservative groups cant get together on anything, but we can get together on abortion, Ricks said.

Fight for Florida

Mark Minck, the state chairman of Protect Human Life Florida, told The Epoch Times the timing of Harriss visit to Florida surely was intentional.

I dont think its a coincidence, he said. She could be in any one of 50 states. And shes going to be in Florida on the 50th anniversary of the now-infamous Roe v. Wade decision. And Florida, sadly enough, is already third in the nation in the number of abortion deaths each year behind California and New York.

As abortion bans spread across the Bible Belt, more people began coming to Florida to have abortions, records show.

Mark Minck, the Florida state chairman of the group Human Life Protection Amendment speaks at a Tampa, Fla. event on Dec. 17, 2021. (Courtesy of Mark Minck)

The number of out-of-state residents coming to our state to abort their preborn children is escalating. So something has to be done, said Minck.

His group is trying to collect almost a million signed petitions by February 2024 to request a proposed amendment to the Florida state constitution is put on the ballot. The proposed amendment would recognize the God-given right to life of the preborn individual. It would need the approval of 60 percent of voters to pass and would outlaw most abortions in the state.

Despite the quiet crowd of supporters and the lack of counter-protest, Harriss speech had strong security. According to a bomb squad member who spoke to The Epoch Times, about 300 law enforcement and Secret Service members guarded the event.

Harris has faced bomb threats in the past. On Feb. 9, 2022, police evacuated Harriss husband from a school after receiving a bomb threat, The Epoch Times reported.
Top House Republican Presses Secret Service for Information on Visitors to Bidens Wilmington Home

A congressman is pressing the U.S. Secret Service for information on who visited the Biden home in Delaware where classified documents were discovered in recent months.

While a subset of the visitors to President Joe Bidens Wilmington house was disclosed to the public prior to the documents being found, a number arent known.

The Secret Service protects the home and other sites but does not keep logs of visitors to any of them, Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the agency, told The Epoch Times on Jan. 16.

The service has since acknowledged it does have information on which persons visit the sites.

While the service does not maintain formal visitor logs of residences where agents provide security, In the course of our work, we do generate law enforcement and criminal justice information as it relates to individuals accessing protected sites, Guglielmi told The Epoch Times in an email on Jan. 23.

But, he added, the information is not organized or compiled as a visitor log.

The update, first reported by Fox News, spurred House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) to write to the service on Monday.

Comer asked for all documents and communications related to visitor information at the Wilmington Biden residence from Jan. 20, 2017, to the present.

The White House says they dont keep visitor logs for Bidens home. The Secret Service does keep records. Im calling on the Secret Service to provide docs, communications, and visitor info for Bidens Delaware home, Comer said in a statement.

The Secret Service is in receipt of a letter from the House Committee on Oversight and accountability and it is currently being reviewed. As with any request from Congress, the Secret Service will respond to the Chairman, Guglielmi told The Epoch Times.

The White House said previously that visitor logs for Bidens personal residences dont exist.

Biden was vice president from Jan. 20, 2009, to Jan. 20, 2017.

Records from the Obama-Biden administration have been discovered at multiple locations, including the Wilmington home, according to the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice. They include documents with classified markings.

Former President Donald Trump is under criminal investigation for possessing certain classified materials. FBI agents raided Trumps house in Florida in 2022 over the matter.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee, has appointed special counsels to separately investigate Trump and Biden.

The newest batch of documents discovered at the Wilmington home include materials from Bidens time as a senator, one of his lawyers said over the weekend.

Biden represented Delaware in the Senate from 1973 to 2009.

Comer has also requested other materials, including a log of people who met with Biden at the University of Pennsylvanias Penn Biden Center in Washington, where another tranche of classified materials was found in a section used by Biden between the time he left office and the time in 2019 that he announced a presidential campaign.
UK PM Sunak Orders Investigation Into Tory Chair Nadhim Zahawis Tax Row

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ordered an investigation into Conservative Party Chairman Nadhim Zahawi, whos facing growing calls for him to quit after paying a penalty to resolve a multimillion-pound tax dispute.

Zahawi, who attends Sunaks Cabinet, has been under pressure since UK media alleged that he had avoided tax by using Balshore Investments, an offshore company registered in Gibraltar, to hold shares in the polling company he co-founded, YouGov.

The former chancellor admitted on Jan. 21 that he had paid a penalty to HM Revenue and Customs to settle the dispute but insisted that his tax error was careless and not deliberate.

Sunak said on Jan. 23 that he has asked new ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus to assess whether Zahawi had breached the ministerial code.

But the prime minister said Zahawi, whose position the Labour Party says is untenable, will stay in post during the inquiry.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends a media broadcast interview during a visit to Berrywood Hospital in Northampton on Jan. 23, 2023. (Toby Melville/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Integrity and Accountability

On a visit to a hospital in Northamptonshire, Sunak told reporters: Integrity and accountability [are] really important to me and clearly in this case there are questions that need answering.

Thats why Ive asked our independent adviser to get to the bottom of everything, to investigate the matter fully and establish all the facts and provide advice to me on Nadhim Zahawis compliance with the ministerial code.

Im pleased that Nadhim Zahawi has agreed with that approach and has agreed to fully cooperate with that investigation.

Sunak distanced himself from the allegations surrounding Zahawi, who he appointed chairman in October 2022.

The questions that are being asked relate to a time before I was prime minister. When I was prime minister, the advice that I received was that there was no reason why Nadhim Zahawi could not be appointed to government, he said.

Asked whether Zahawi shouldnt stand down during the investigation, Sunak said, As is longstanding practice, he will continue to play the role he does.

Sunak has previously defended Zahawi against the tax allegations, telling Prime Ministers Questions on Jan. 18 that Zahawi has already addressed this matter in full, and theres nothing more that I can add.

But Downing Street suggested on Jan. 23 that Sunak wasnt aware last week that Zahawi had paid a penalty.

The prime ministers official spokesman said Sunak retains confidence in Zahawi as Tory party chair and hopes the investigation into him is completed as quickly as possible.

The spokesman couldnt give a timeline for the investigation to be finished and acknowledged that it would be up to Sunak if he wanted to disagree with its conclusions.

The prime minister remains the final arbiter of the code, the spokesman said.

Strong Failure of Leadership

In a statement, Zahawi said: I welcome the prime ministers referral of this matter to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. I look forward to explaining the facts of this issue to Sir Laurie Magnus and his team.

I am confident I acted properly throughout and look forward to answering any and all specific questions in a formal setting to Sir Laurie.

In order to ensure the independence of this process, you will understand that it would be inappropriate to discuss this issue any further, as I continue my duties as chairman of the Conservative and Unionist Party.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer inspects a heat pump demonstrator during a visit to renewable energy company Octopus Energy in Slough, England, on Jan. 23, 2023. (Jonathan Brady/PA Media)

But the main opposition Labour Party repeated its call for Zahawi to be sacked.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters: I think its obvious that Zahawi cant stay as Tory Party chair. The very idea that he can be discussing and negotiating his own tax affairs with the body that hes supposed to be running, everybody knows its wrong.

He clearly isnt going to resign, and so the prime minister needs to show some leadership. This is a test of the prime minister. He promised ushis first wordsintegrity and accountability.

Well, if those words mean anything, the prime minister should sack him, and sack him today and show some leadership. Because if he doesnt, its just going to be further evidence, I think, for the British public, as to just how weak this prime minister really is.

Failing to sack Zahawi would be a strong failure of leadership, according to Starmer.

If this was somebody in my team, I would sack them, he said.

Former Downing Street communications chief Sir Craig Oliver said Zahawi is hanging on by a thread.

I think hes in serious trouble, you cannot be Conservative Party chairman and not go out and face the media, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

The problem for Nadhim Zahawi at the moment is it doesnt all add up. Why did you take the job as chancellor when you were clearly in dispute with the HMRC, and he is yet to come out with an answer that is satisfying or feels comfortable on that point.

PA Media contributed to this report.
UK Says It Still Wants Ukraine to Get German-Made Tanks

Members of the military walk on a tank, as Germany delivers its first Leopard tanks to Slovakia as part of a deal after Slovakia donated fighting vehicles to Ukraine, in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Dec. 19, 2022. (Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters)

LONDONBritain still wants an international deal to provide Ukraine with the German-made tanks that Kyiv says it needs in its fight against Russia but whose transfer needs Germanys consent, British foreign minister James Cleverly said on Sunday.

Western allies pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week, although they failed to persuade Germany to lift a veto on providing Leopard battle tanks, which are held by an array of NATO nations but whose supply to Ukraine would require Berlins approval.

Leopard tanks are seen by defence experts as the most suitable for Ukraine.

Of course, I would like to see the Ukrainians equipped with things like the Leopard 2 as well as the artillery systems that have been provided by us and by others, Cleverly said in an interview with Sky News.

I will keep having those conversations with our NATO allies and friends, to facilitate the donation of the best military equipment to Ukraine to help them defend themselves against this brutal invasion.

Asked whether Germany was doing enough to help Ukraine, Cleverly said he wanted to see everybody going as far as they can, but each country will support Ukraine in a way that is most appropriate to them.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged allies at a meeting on Friday to do more to support Ukraine. But no decision on supplying Leopards was reached, officials said, although pledges were given for large amounts of other weapons.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrat party is traditionally skeptical of military involvements and wary of further escalation in the conflict in Ukraine.

The Kremlins spokesman said on Friday that Western countries supplying additional tanks to Ukraine would not change the course of the conflict and that they would add to the problems of the Ukrainian people.
US Should Be More Conciliatory to China: Bill Gates

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese (left) welcomes Bill Gates (right) at Kirribilli House in Sydney, Australia on Jan. 21, 2023. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Tech billionaire Bill Gates says the United States and Australia should adopt a more conciliatory approach to working with China on issues such as climate change.

Gates praised the Asian countrys economic growth.

I see Chinas rise as a huge win for the world  the current mentality of the U.S. to Chinaand which is reciprocatedis kind of a lose-lose mentality, he told the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia on Jan. 23.

That could be very self-fulfilling in a very negative way, said Gates, noting it could impact medical research and progress on climate change.

Were all in this together. Were humans. We innovate together and we have to change the modern industrial economy together in a pretty dramatic fashion, the Microsoft founder said, in comments obtained by AAP.

As Gates maintains hopes for Chinas role in pushing forward humanity, the Chinese Communist Party continues to face scrutiny for its reporting and transparency around COVID-19 infection and death figures, with the Chinese state claiming a number over 60,000 deaths from the most recent outbreak.

This figure has even prompted the states lead propagandist, Hu Xijin, to question the data.

The actual COVID-19 death toll in China since early December is definitely more than 60,000 because the official data only counted deaths at hospitals, he wrote on Twitter.

Peter Zhang, a researcher in the political economy of Asia, pointed to other figures which suggest a vastly different picture.

A report by UK-based analytics company Airfinity estimated 3.7 million COVID-19 infections and 25,000 COVID-19 deaths in a single day on Jan. 13, bringing the total death toll to 584,000 since Dec. 7, 2022, he wrote in The Epoch Times.

That data, experts fear, is just the tip of the iceberg. Some estimated that the death toll could reach 200 million to 400 million people, given the growing infection rate.

More Collaboration Between WHO and Governments: Gates

Meanwhile, Gates praised Australian authorities for keeping infection rates low.

Some of the things that stand out are that Australia and about seven other countries did population scale diagnostics early on and had quarantine policies  that meant you kept the level of infection low in that first year when there were no vaccines, he said.

He also called for closer collaboration between governments and the World Health Organisation to deal with future pandemics.

We need to be doing, every five years, a comprehensive exercise at both country and regional levels of pandemic preparedness, and you need a global group thats scoring everybody, he said.

The idea of large campaigns communicating with the public about infectious disease, they [the WHO] have some of those skill sets, and their work was incredibly beneficial.

Gates also met with the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Jan. 21 to discuss climate change, health, and energy.

Ive admired your work and your contribution, not just financially, but in raising debates, including the need to deal with health issues, the Australian prime minister said.

Weve just been through the pandemic, but we need to prepare for future health challenges.
Vancouver Police Board: Thin Blue Line Patches Violate Uniform Policy

A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer's uniform, in Vancouver on Jan. 9, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Following an official review prompted by a complaint, the Vancouver Police Board (VPB) has determined that the thin blue line patch cannot be worn by uniformed, on-duty Vancouver police officers, after hearing that some members of the public associate the symbol with racism and colonialism.

The review followed a Dec.1, 2021, complaint from a member of the public who saw a Vancouver police officer wearing the item and perceived [it] to be an offensive patch, said a Vancouver Police Department (VPD) report dated Jan. 2.

The report was submitted by Fiona Wilson, the VPDs deputy chief, to the VPB Service and Policy Complaint Review Committee. The committee met on Jan. 19 to conclude its review of the complaint based on the Jan. 2 report.

The patch was described in the report as a Canadian flag with [a] blue line through it. Included with the report was a briefing document that detailed the history of the thin blue line symbol, its significance to police, and recent controversies surrounding it.

The review did not examine the actions of the individual officer but instead focused on the VPDs Regulation and Procedure Manual (RPM) and its policy on uniform and dress

Ultimately, the VPB determined that the thin blue line patch is not an authorized uniform item and thus cannot be worn.

There are no unauthorized badges or patches or pins that are allowed on our various uniforms unless they have been approved by our uniform committee. As it happens, they have not been approved by our uniform committee, Wilson told the committee at the Jan. 19 meeting.

The VPB did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Pride Pin Allowed

The VPDs RPM and policy on uniform and dress do permit officers to wear various commemorative items, the Jan. 2 report said, such as an optional VPD Pride Pin during Vancouvers annual Pride Week, and the Peace Officers Memorial Ribbon, at specific times, following an officers death and on Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day in September.

The briefing document discusses the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in the United States, which prompted important conversations regarding racial justice, police accountability and the relationship between police and community.

The death of Floyd, said the briefing, was set against the backdrop of growing political and social disruption in the United States [and] resulted in numerous protests involving social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) and various other movements.

In outlining the history of the term thin blue line, the briefing said it was an adaptation of the term thin red line, which originated when red-coated members of a Scottish regiment of the British Army stood their ground, despite being outnumbered by their Russian foes, in a battle during the Crimean War in 1854.

The briefing also noted that in March 2022 the Calgary Police Commission directed Calgary police officers to stop wearing the thin blue line patch, saying that it has a contentious history with roots in division, colonialism and racism, most recently being prominently displayed at counter protests against the Black Lives Matter movement.

Meanwhile, Blue Line is also the name of a respected national policing magazine in Canada, said the briefing.

It also noted that the thin blue line has become a patriotic symbol as well as a universal symbol by which police officers identify themselves and their mission of protecting and serving the community. In addition, it has become as a sacred symbol for the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

On Jan. 6, the VPD issued a memo to all Vancouver police officers reminding them to adhere to the uniform policy, but there has been no indication as to how police brass will handle cases of non-compliance.
What We Know About Monterey Park Mass Shooting Suspect Huu Can Tran

This combination image created using photos provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department shows a male suspect allegedly involved in a shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2023. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via AP)

Authorities on Sunday confirmed the suspect in the mass shooting that left at least 10 dead and 10 injured during a Chinese New Year celebration in Monterey Park, California, has died.

Huu Can Tran, 72, was found dead on Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van in Torrance, California, officials said. A handgun and other pieces of evidence were also recovered from the scene, they said.

On Sunday morning, officers in Torrance, California, spotted the white van, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

When officers exited their patrol vehicle to contact the occupant, they heard one gunshot coming from within the van, Luna said. Officers retreated and requested several tactical teams to respond. A SWAT team then approached the vehicle and officers found Tran dead inside, he said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office previously said that no other suspects were involved. No possible motive has been established, and its not clear if Tran knew the victims or was firing indiscriminately.

Luna identified Tran as the lone suspect in the mass shooting. Police released photos Sunday of the suspected shooter, described as an Asian male who is armed and dangerous.

We still are not clear on the motive, Luna told reporters Sunday. We want to know how something this awful can happen.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese told reporters that on Saturday night, when officers arrived at the Star Ballroom, it was chaos. He added, There were wounded people, there were people trying to flee out all the doors.

Police entered the building to search for a suspect within several minutes of arriving on the scene, he added. When inside, they came across a scene that none of them had been prepared for, the chief said.

Some 20 minutes after the shooting, officials said, Tran allegedly walked into the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra and likely was planning another mass shooting.

The suspect walked in there, probably with the intent to kill more people, and two brave community members decided they were going to jump into action and disarm him Luna told reporters. After that, he fled the scene, leading to a police manhunt that lasted until Sunday.

Chester Chong, the head of the Chinese Chamber Commerce of Los Angeles, told the New York Post that he heard that the mass shooting was related to domestic violence.

A woman holds her arms up in prayer as members of the community hold a prayer vigil near the scene of a shooting that took place during a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Allison Dinner/Reuters)

I was told the wife was invited to the Lunar New Year Party and the husband was not, Chong told the paper on Sunday.

Other authorities have shared little information about Tran. Public records show Tran once had addresses in Monterey Park and neighboring cities,

We do understand that he may have had a history of visiting this dance hall and perhaps the motivation has to do with some personal relationships, but thats something that I think investigators are still uncovering and investigating and well probably find out more in the hours ahead or even days ahead, said Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) told reporters 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 Sunday. What was the motive for this shooter? Did he have a mental illness? Was he a domestic violence abuser? How did he get these guns and was it through legal means or not?

Unconfirmed Reports

The suspect was carrying what Luna described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where Tran died. Unconfirmed reports indicated that he used a Cobray M11 9mm semi-automatic weapon, a variant of the MAC-11 machine pistol.

A woman claiming to be Trans ex-wife, who requested not to be named, told CNN that she met him at the Star Ballroom about two decades ago, where he used to give informal lessons. The two married soon after he gave her lessons, she said.

She told the network that Tran was an immigrant from China, and showed a copy of his marriage license to CNN.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Why Im Thanking You for Your Service

Commentary

Mommy, Mommy! he said with the oh-so-cute voice only a preschooler has. Theres one! Can we do it?

You hear this and immediately you tense, body going on high alert. After all, you just walked in and are very conspicuous in your Army greens when everyone else in the place is dressed casually attempting to combat the rising heat of an Alabama summer.

We approach you slowly. Being eight months pregnant and attempting to hang on to a little one that is about to burst with excitement will do that to a woman. By this time, all eyes in the restaurant are on us and you have this confused look on your face. After what seems like forever we finally get to you.

Thank you for your service, my little one sayseven louder now. In a quieter voice, I tell you that we would like to buy your lunch.

Maam, you said, turning several shades of red, Im just doing my job, no need to thank me.

We pay for your lunch and start returning to our table, all the while my little one is talking about how awesome you were, how brave you must be, and how he hopes to be like you when he grows up. It may just be my imagination, but while you are waiting on your food, you seem to stand a little straighter, a little taller and there is a slight smile on your face.

Since that time, Ive seen and read a lot about people serving in our military and police forces that dont want to be thanked and some who are even offended by it. Well, bless their little hearts. After I run through a list of names to call them (some of them not so polite), I realize that they probably do not know who it is that Im thanking.

Im thanking the grandfather who shipped off to serve in WWII, not knowing if he would ever get to see his young wife again or meet his yet-unborn son. Im thanking the father who was deployed more often than he was home, to Panama, Iran, Iraq, and often to places he can never tell us about due to the nature of his missions.

Im thanking the brother who sends a disk of music and pictures that he would like played at his funeral to his sister because he has a bad feeling about this deployment. After all, its Iraq and its his 6th deployment and things arent going well.

Im thanking the husband who put his life on hold to go build roads and infrastructure during Desert Storm. Im thanking the sister who postponed her dreams of a family for just a little bit longer so she could rid her body of the toxins that were absorbed from her last deployment.

Im thanking the friend who came home different from when he left and years later is still struggling to get the help he needs. Im thanking the people who didnt come home. But I cant talk to themso Im thanking you.

You who are just doing their job. You. You who are doing a job most Americans either cant or wont. A job that could cost you your marriage, your health, your sanity, or even your life. A job that just helps to ensure our safety, security, and prosperity. A job that inspires people to say things like thank you for your service.

So, once again, thank you.

by Anonymous

This article first appeared in The Havok Journal.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese Buyers Might Flood US Real Estate Market as Chinas Borders Reopen

Downtown Manhattan's skyline is seen in New York City, on Aug. 21, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Chinas borders have recently reopened for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, allowing the worlds largest source of tourists and potential international homebuyers to travel freely around the globe.

The United States is the second-most popular home-buying destination for Chinese buyers, according to Juwai IQI, one of the largest global real estate platforms with almost 13 million monthly consumer engagements; Australia holds the top spot on the firms top five destination nations, followed by Canada in third, Japan in fourth, and Thailand in fifth.

In the United States, California, Washington state, and New York still account for a significant share of Chinese acquisitions, Juwai IQI co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari told The Epoch Times. Also, the less-expensive states with higher yields like Florida and Texas are also rapidly gaining favor.

Its the first time in three years for most Chinese to be able to visit overseas real estate markets, Ansari noted.

That includes purchasing overseas investment property, buying second homes, and moving overseas for education, business, migration, or retirement, he added. We expect a boom of Chinese digital nomads to gather pace later this year.

Juwai IQI believes Chinese investments in foreign properties will increase rapidly this month alone and predicts outbound travel from China could reach 2019 levels by mid-2024. During the pandemic, Chinese international property investment slumped by 50 to 60 percent.

(A $4.85 million penthouse currently on the market in Manhattans TriBeCa neighborhood. (Courtesy of The Field Team, Sothebys International Realty, New York)

Meanwhile, the massive capital growth that China has experienced in recent decades is allowing many families the opportunity to sell properties in China and receive more than enough money to buy a luxury home in most U.S. markets.

Chinese buyers of U.S. property range from the upper middle class with a few hundred thousand dollars to spend through to the ultra-high net worth with tens of millions of dollars, Ansari said.

In fact, data from Credit Suisses Global Wealth Report 2022 indicates that China is home to the worlds second-largest population of ultra-high-net-worth individualsabout 30,000 of them with assets greater than $50 million.

Mainland China is home to 10 percent of the worlds dollar millionaires, more than any other country except the United States, Ansari added. If you include Hong Kong, China is home to 11 percent of the worlds millionaires.

Concerning the recent reported new outbreaks of COVID-19 strains in China, Ansari said many nations, including the United States, require travelers from China to show a negative COVID test to enter the country. For those traveling to China, the Chinese National Health Commission has issued a ruling that incoming travelers will be required to show a negative PCR test within 48 hours before departure.

Daniel Chang, the head of the Asia desk for The Field Team at Sothebys International Realty Inc. in New York City, told The Epoch Times that he hasnt yet seen a huge influx of buyers from China, but expects that could change by late spring.

I start getting calls in April, when colleges are announcing their admissions, and then June through September has always been busy, he said. Many of his clients are parents of college students who are looking to purchase a condo or co-op for them.

The bulk of his international business comes from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and typically involves the high-end market. About 99 percent of these are all-cash deals, with the average purchase in Manhattan at $1 million to $2 million for a one-bedroom apartment.

Its very different than first-time homebuyers looking for an affordable place to live, he added.

From Changs experience, the United States has always been the top destination for Chinese students because of the superior selection of colleges and universities.

Many foreign parents dont want their kids staying in a dormitory. They have a lot of safety concerns and want to place them in a building with good security, he said.

(Graphic courtesy of Credit Suisse Global Wealth Data Book 2022)

Another big market for Chang, who over the years has achieved more than $3 billion in real estate sales and currently develops the firms Asian client base and referral network, are those individuals seeking medical treatments that may not be available in China.

Chinas doctors offices are often filled with COVID patients, so they dont want to go there, he said. If they can afford it, theyll come to the United States for treatment and often look for properties to purchase so theyll have their own place when they return.

Many Chinese women seeking fertility treatments, surrogacy services, or cosmetic surgery are also some of his home-buying candidates.

During the pandemic, some of Changs clients purchased properties sight unseen, using only FaceTime, Zoom, or other video transmissions to view properties. While China is a communist regime politically, he noted that economically, it operates as a capitalist society, producing a steady growth of wealthy business owners and executives.

Taiwan and Hong Kong are also booming, he added.

Originally from Taiwan, Chang has traveled to China for business, and will be able to resume that activity now that the borders have reopened. For foreigners who do purchase real estate in the United States, their stays can be limited based on their visas.

Matt Christopherson, senior research analyst with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), told The Epoch Times that Chinese nationals comprised 6 percent of the top foreign homebuyers in the United States last year, representing about $6.1 billion in home sales.

Typically, theyre buying higher-end properties so theyre not competing with first-time homebuyers, he said. The average purchase price is around $1 million, and 58 percent of them are doing all-cash deals.

That dollar volume in home sales was the highest among the top five foreign buyers, with Canada at $5.5 billion, India at $3.6 billion, Mexico at $2.9 billion, and Brazil at $1.6 billion.

The volume has been a lot lower in the past two years due to COVID and travel restrictions, with many Chinese buyers making purchases through family members, friends, or virtually through videos, Christopherson said. It will be interesting to see in the 2023 report if they regain ground on their market share, given the reopening of Chinas borders.

The NAR reported California as the top U.S. destination for Chinese buyers in 2022, at 31 percent, followed by New York at 10 percent, Indiana and Florida tied at 7 percent, and Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arizona tied at 5 percent.

California and New York tend to have larger Chinese populations, and both states tend to have larger shares of cultural attractions, Christopherson noted.

The NAR report also found the most common type of property purchase was a detached, single-family home. More than half of Chinese buyers in 2022 planned to use the property as a primary residence, while 25 percent are using it as an investment for rental income.
FAA Change to Heart-Test Limit Triggers Worries Over Pilot Health, Public Safety

Concerns and controversy are swirling around the decision by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to alter an electrocardiogram test limit for pilots.

A researcher for an aviation advocacy group, US Freedom Flyers (USFF), stumbled upon the EKG change in December, several weeks after the FAA enacted it.

Because the revision was made without a published explanation, USFF turned to a nationally known cardiologist and other experts to assess its importance.

They say the FAAs change involving the PR interval is significant. The PR interval represents the time it takes for an electrical impulse to travel from one part of the heart to another. It is an indicator of heart health.

But the new normal PR interval that the FAA set for pilots is 50 percent longer than the previous limit; it deviates from a long-accepted limit in cardiology.

Critics fear that expanding the limit could endanger pilots health and passengers safety.

This worry is especially acute amid rising reports of cardiac arrest and sudden death since the COVID pandemic began in 2020. Some researchers suggest that some heart conditions could be tied to aftereffects of COVID-19 injections or the virus. Because pilots were threatened with job termination, a large percentage of them took the COVID jabs.

These factors make a very worrisome mix, said Josh Yoder, a commercial airline pilot who heads the USFF advocacy group.

This is a ticking time bomb on a level like weve never seen, he told The Epoch Times in an interview.

While some people question whether that level of concern is justified, others agree with Yoder. For many months, he and others have railed against the FAA for declaring the COVID injections safe for pilots, as the Epoch Times reported previously.

Yoder and others say the FAA should be held accountable for relaxing the EKG standard. They say the new standard increases the odds that a pilots heart condition would slip past, undetected and untreated, setting the stage for disaster.

FAA Gives Partial Answer

In a Jan. 17 email to The Epoch Times, the FAA said there is no evidence of aircraft accidents or incapacitations caused by pilots suffering medical complications associated with COVID-19 vaccines. That was the same language the FAA used in previous responses to inquiries.

Critics allege that the FAA has found no such evidence because no investigation has been done.

Regarding the revised EKG standard, the FAA said: When making changes to medical requirements and guidance, the FAA follows standard processes based on data and science.

But the FAA has yet to reveal what data drove its decision to allow COVID injections for pilots. The agency has not disclosed the reasons for changing the acceptable range for pilots PR intervals.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) building is seen in Washington on March 13, 2019. (Eric Barada/AFP via Getty Images)

Stephen Carbone, a former FAA safety inspector, takes issue with the FAA on both countsallowing the COVID shots and the new EKG standard for pilots.

The FAAs decision to lower the EKG standards is the latest assault on aviation safety from an organization that has pledged to put aviation safety ahead of all else, he said in a Jan. 22 email to The Epoch Times. It is nothing short of safety sacrilege; to those of us in aviation, safety is sacred.

Whatever the reason for the FAAs change to the PR interval limit, Carbone is distressed over its possible consequences.

I cant highlight enough how dangerous this is and how irresponsible, he said. It risks the lives of pilots; it risks the lives of passengers; and it risks the lives of anyone in a house, apartment building, school, car, beach, park, or museum under the aircrafts path.

100 Milliseconds Means a Lot

On an EKG reading, the PR interval indicates how well electrical impulses travel within the heart, so the whole heart can contract at once, cardiologist Dr. Thomas Levy, who serves as USFFs medical adviser, told The Epoch Times.

Dr. Thomas Levy, cardiologist. (Thomas Levy) A PR interval longer than 200 milliseconds (ms) is considered a red flag, said Florida-based Levy. Such a reading, by itself, doesnt prove there is a heart problem.

Yet a reading above 200 ms does warrant further testing and shouldnt be ignored, Levy said. That has been a given in cardiology for almost as long as EKGs have been used, Levy said.

Thats why, in Levys view, it makes no sense for the FAA to broaden the range significantly. Pilots with PR intervals longer than 200 ms used to require further evaluation. Now that happens when the pilots PR readings go beyond 300 ms.

Dr. Peter Chambers, a retired U.S. military Special Operations flight surgeon, agrees it was unwise for the FAA to change the PR interval limit.

That removes the safety zone that allows us to catch the problem early, Chambers told The Epoch Times in an interview. Its like coming up on an intersection where the traffic light goes directly from green to redand youre in the center of the intersection, facing a semi that could hit you.

Maybe you get lucky, and the semi doesnt hit you, he said. But how many times are you going to get lucky?

Levy said PR intervals above 200 ms may indicate that the heart is no longer completely healthy, and the conduction rate is slowing down. He notes that PR readings tend to increase as a person ages, although some younger, healthy athletes have abnormally high PR intervals.

However, in many cases, a PR interval longer than 200 ms is clearly associated with arrhythmias in the future, pacemakers, and early death, Levy said, citing a respected Harvard study. He said those risks elevate with PR readings even slightly above 200 ms, not even close to the new 300 ms limit that the FAA has set.

In sum, Levy said, a PR interval longer than 200 ms might be innocuous, but you cant assume it to be innocuous, particularly in the setting of the pandemic.

COVID Heightens Concerns

COVIDs spike protein likes to hit cardiac cells, Levy said. This can trigger myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle cells. This condition has been considered rare. But since the advent of the pandemic, cardiologists have been seeing it more often, Levy said.

Myocarditis is one of several medical conditions that can prolong a PR interval. It also can touch off heart-rhythm problems because inflamed cardiac cells become electrically unstable. That can become life-threatening or deadly if its in the wrong spot of the heart.

A sudden surge of adrenalin can provoke the problem, Levy said. In the case of pilots, that could happen if they encounter an emergency during flight.

Levy is concerned that myocarditis could be lurking unnoticed in many people who received a COVID-19 injection or contracted the virus.

By February 2022, almost 60 percent of the U.S. population had been COVID-infected, the CDC estimated.

As of this month, as the pandemic entered its fourth year, about 69 percent of the U.S. population has had at least a primary COVID immunization, the CDC reports.

Yoder, president of the organization that consulted with Levy, said the percentage of COVID-inoculated pilots is almost certainly higher than the general population. He notes that some airlines publicly stated that more than 90 percent of their pilots had complied with demands to get the shots or be fired.

Pilot groups attacked the COVID shot mandates in court cases, challenging their enforceability. At the same time, word began to spread among pilots that they could obtain a religious-based exemption to the shot requirement. Still, many pilots had already taken the shot under duress.

Last year, disturbing statistics began to emerge, Yoder said. At one major commercial airline, between January and July 2022, there was a 300 percent increase in long-term disability claims among pilots, he said. Thats according to data from a pilots union, Yoder said. What caused the numbers to climb is not known, although Yoder notes the timing closely follows the vaccine mandates that affected pilots in late 2021.

A nurse receives a COVID-19 vaccination in Orange, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

What Should Be Done

Levy says the FAA has its head in the sand by not requiring additional testing until a pilot exceeds the 300 ms PR reading.

The 2022 FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners says pilots should be cleared to fly at levels under 300 ms, provided that the examiner has no concerns and the patient reports no symptoms.

Thats inadequate protection for the public, Levy said. Many people with myocarditis and other heart issues may notice no problems; a medical crisis can strike these people suddenly.

Levy was shocked to learn that the FAA hasnt routinely required cardiac stress testing for pilotsa much better way to screen for heart health, he said. Levy sees EKGs as merely an indicator that no heart attack has occurred.

A pair of blood tests, which check for proteins called D-dimer and troponin, should be widely used screening tools, he said in a Jan. 5 publication.

While the D-dimer test checks for evidence of blood clotting, the troponin test can detect signs of damaged cardiac cells.

Levy said the troponin test is critical, not just for pilots.

Everyone should have this test done, even if they are feeling perfectly well, he wrote in the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service article. Thus, the tests can show a normal baseline for a person or detect any suspected low-grade myocardial inflammation.

Levy said he would avoid flying with any pilot registering abnormal results on either of those tests. Ditto for one with a 200-plus PR interval but no further testing.

For the purposes of a safe flight, it doesnt matter what might be causing out-of-the-norm results, Levy said. What matters is that the problem is detected, investigated, and treated.

Some people have suggested that a pilot shortage, which pre-dates COVID, could have influenced FAA to make the PR interval change. The broadened range could give more leeway for older pilots to continue flying.

But Levy sees that as no justification for the changed PR interval and the lack of extra testing. He thinks the public should be stunned and outraged, and ought to demand accountability from the FAA.

Working Completely Blind

Dr. Theresa Long, a flight surgeon specializing in military pilots medical health, has repeatedly expressed concerns over pilot safety and the COVID shots. She has been under whistleblower protection.

Now, emphasizing that she is expressing her personal opinionnot that of the U.S. militaryLong told The Epoch Times why she is puzzled and concerned about the FAAs new PR interval guideline.

Long said cardiologists have told her that it would be negligent of me to see a PR interval of 290 and do nothing.

She cant understand why the FAA would elevate the acceptable PR interval to 300.

Long notes that, even before the PR interval change, the FAAs medical standards for pilots were less stringent than those in the military. She also said its atypical for the FAA to make such a change without citing a study or specific rationale.

The FAAs decision to relax the PR interval standard seems especially odd, Long said, considering thatto her knowledgeno national medical organization has recommended such a change.

A nurse checks an electrocardiogram in Bagnolet, near Paris, France, on April 8, 2020. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

In aviation, everything is a calculated risk, Long said. Pre-COVID, her job as a flight surgeon was more clear-cut and less stressful. Most of the pilots whose medical histories she reviewed were healthy and young; check the box, and theyre cleared to fly.

For the few pilots with certain health conditions, Long could consult medical study tables or aeromedical policy letters for each disorder.

But now, because COVID is relatively new and clinical trials on the COVID shots were done quickly, there is no reference guide to help flight surgeons decide whether its safe to put a COVID-inoculated pilot in the cockpit.

For example, flight surgeons such as Long have no idea what percentage of people who took the shots develop myocarditis.

I am working completely blind, Long said. So Im taking on an unknown amount of risk. Every pilot we put in there whos vaccinated, its completely unknown.

More than a year ago, Long spoke with an FAA federal air surgeon cardiologist. Confiding with Long on condition of anonymity, the doctor agreed that all COVID-inoculated pilots should undergo cardiac screening and that all COVID shots for pilots should cease. Long made a sworn statement attesting to those statements in a court case.

Since then, the FAA has been alerted to those recommendations, Long said. As far as she knows, the FAA has yet to respond. That, says Long, is shocking.

Theories and Facts

Tom Oltorik, Florida director of MoveFreelyAmerica.org, said he, too, is concerned about pilots health after COVID infections and injections.

Oltorik, who has nearly 40 years of experience as a commercial pilot and a military pilot, said, its undeniable that many people, including pilots, are experiencing health problems from the COVID spike protein.

He is not ready to opine on the FAAs possible motivation for changing the PR interval. But he wishes the FAA would explain. Until we get a clear answer out of the FAA, were just chasing our tails, Oltorik said.

The retired flight surgeon, Chambers, isnt holding his breath. He said everything related to COVID is so politically charged, free discourse is being shut down.

Investigations into what is happening to pilots health should be launched. But youre not even allowed to ask the questions, he said.

He keeps hearing that more and more pilots, including young ones, are losing their flight clearance certificates over heart-health issues.

But when Chambers tries to talk about that phenomenon with his flight surgeon buddies in the military, they say they have been ordered not to talk about it. He finds it disturbing that they cant even discuss the problem confidentially and informally with a longtime friend and fellow medical professional.

Its keeping us from doing our normal doctor thing, which is, Lets have a conference about this,' Chambers said. But we cant. Because its the elephant in the room.'

Then, tossing away that idiom, Chambers revised his statement. Actually, its the elephantand the donkeyin the room, he said, referring to the Republican and Democrat mascots. It gets political.

Yet, he said, politics should play no part in any discussion of aviation safety. Its a zero-defect environment; there is no room for error, he said. A pilot with your family on board, thats a zero-defect environmentWe cant fudge.
Xi Jinping Changes Head of Central Theater Command 3 Times in 18 Months

Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army are seen before a giant screen as Chinese leader Xi Jinping speaks at the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of the regime in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

Chinas Central Theater Command (CTC) has appointed its third commander in one and a half years. China observers have said that the move is another effort by Xi Jinpings to secure military cronies. But a couple of abnormalities also point to Xis insecurities in relation to the Chinese military.

On Jan. 18, Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs ) general secretary and Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman, conferred the rank of general to Huang Ming, the newly promoted commander of the CTC in Beijing. The 60-year-old army general Wu Yanan has stepped down as CTC commander.

Earlier, Wu had replaced his predecessor Commander Yi Xiaoguang in January 2022.

Yi assumed the post in August 2021 and was transferred to the Eastern Theater when Wu took over.

Wus current position is unknown. However, he made an appearance on state media CCTV on Jan. 13 to report on the enlarged meeting of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CMC.

Xi to Win Military Support

The CTC defends seven provinces, including Beijing, where the command office is stationed. Its main task is to safeguard capital and support the operations in other theaters.

Commentator Li Linyi told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on Jan. 19 that Xi promoted all three CTC commanders to generals. The frequent changes of the CTC commanders and promotions suggests that Xi tried to win hearts in the military by expanding his team of generals.

Since Xi became chairman of the CMC in 2012, he has promoted a number of generals to build his military cronies. For instance, he promoted seven senior military personnel to the rank of general in January 2022.

However, Li doubts the effectiveness of Xis efforts. Both Wu and Huang came from Xu Caihous lair, the 16th Group Army in the Northeast, Li said of the appointees backgrounds.

Xu, formerly vice chairman of the CMC and the second most powerful man in the Chinese military, was believed to be disloyal to Xi Jinping. Xu died of cancer in 2015, but was sacked and placed under investigation on charges of bribery in March 2014.

Public data shows that Huang was formerly the chief of staff for the 16th Group Army, and was promoted to the rank of major general in July 2014.

Wu was deputy commander of the 16th Group Army in July 2013 and promoted to the rank of major general in July 2014.

Li said that Xi needs security for a practical position like the commander of a theater, However, there are not many people he can really trust.

He has to rely on the official posts to win them over, Li said.

Abnormalities in the Military

Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) speaks after reviewing the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP)

On Jan. 3, 2018, Xi Jinping issued military training instructions during a grand mobilization ceremony at a training base and requested the military to improve its capability to win and strengthen combat readiness.

Since then, Xi has signed a mobilization order each year, known as the Order No. 1, to the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) on the first work day after Jan. 1.

However, theres been no word on the 2023 Order No. 1, and two weeks have gone by since Jan. 1 this year.

Commentator Shen Zhou said in an article on Jan. 14 that the absence of the 2023 Order No. 1 could be that recent military coercion of the PLA in the South China Sea has exposed Beijings weakness.

He also suspects that the anti-lockdown White Paper Revolution, which forced Xi to abandon the zero-COVID policy, triggered further deliberations by Xi. If theres a war, what concerns Xi the most could be the internal rebel, which would bring the demise of the regime quickly, Zhen said.

The white paper protests took place after a deadly apartment fire in the city of Urumqi in northwestern China, which killed 10 people, including children, in November 2022. Many blamed the CCPs strict lockdown measures for the tragedy.

Consequently, some protesters held up sheets of blank paper as a symbol of mourning, and to protest the censorship and express their resistance to the communist regime.

Possible Domestic Rebellion

The COVID-19 surge in China, further aided by the regimes sudden lifting of travel and other COVID restrictions, led to a devastating death toll to the Chinese population, including senior military cadres and leaders.

In a recent interview, the offspring of a high ranking official told The Epoch Times that there have been many complaints about Xis COVID-19 leadership among retired military heads, as many retired officers living in the CCPs military apartment complexes have died during this wave of COVID infections.

Tian Ming (pseudonym) said that something big like a coup in high officialdom might happen before March, when the CCPs week-long Two Sessions, its top annual political meetings, is convened.

Perhaps Xi has indeed been worried.

At the end of 2022, Xi called on members of the Political Bureau to maintain a high degree of unity with the Partys Central Committee, so that the committee could continue to exercise strong, centralized, and unified leadership at the upcoming meeting.

He asked members of the Political Bureau to promptly report to the Central Committee regarding major decisions and issues, as well as important matters in their work.

In his 2023 New Years address, Xi also adopted a comforting tone.

It is only natural for different people to have different concerns or hold different views on the same issue, he said, although its not clear who exactly he was referring to.

Haizhong Ning contributed to this report.
Rado has launched the new Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Hrithik Roshan Special Edition in two key boutique locations across Dubai with their brand ambassador Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, who had flown down to Dubai especially for the exclusive launch.

Fans of Hrithik Roshan and Rado watch lovers alike were delighted to experience the showcasing of the new timepiece at R Lounge in H Hotel which was followed by Hrithiks visits to the Rado boutiques in Dubai Mall and Al Fahidi Street.

The watch is a modern interpretation of the iconic Captain Cook in Rados signature material high-tech ceramic. It is especially designed for men who want to stand out in style.

It features a box-shaped sapphire crystal with a unique bubble look and a tinted black crystal protecting a cut-away dial offering fascinating views of Rados premium calibre R734 automatic movement with 80-hour power reserve.

Hrithik Roshan has worked with Rado over a decade and is proud of his enduring relationship as brand ambassador with the noted Swiss watchmaker.

Speaking of the new watch, he said: Rado has become an inseparable part of my personal style and it gives me a great sense of pride to launch a timepiece with the brand that holds a special place in my heart.

Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard said: It is an honour to bring our brand ambassador and friend Hrithik Roshan to Dubai to celebrate the launch of this exclusive time piece in Rivolis flagship stores. I am convinced that watch lovers and Rivoli customers will appreciate the watch and Hrithiks presence as much as we do.  TradeArabia News Service
That release could not be found.
Africa has been noted to have the potential to become the proptech hub of the world, a report by Estate Intel stated.

The report titled, Net zero, focus on niche specific sectors and technology innovation are the key trends affecting African real estate, noted that this was disclosed at the 13th Annual Africa Property Investment Summit in Johannesburg.

According to the report, globally real estate has been slow to adopt tech despite being the largest asset class. It, however, stated that across Africa, the sector was gaining momentum.

It said, While tech may sound complicated, it is really about the benefits it brings in terms of their improved user experience, savings on costs, easier transactions, and better security.

Overall, the proptech forums general consensus is that proptech is gaining momentum across African real estate and it is imperative that industry players and not tech developers drive this innovation and momentum.

Sequel to the insights shared at the 13th Annual Africa Property Investment Summit, experts emphasized that net zero, niche specific sectors, and technology innovation were the key trends affecting African real estate.
The Founder and Chairman of Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Ume, has said philanthropy was about serving humanity and not personal attention seeking.

Ume, who is a nominee for The Sun Newspapers Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2022, made this known on Sunday in Abuja when he played host to a delegation of the newspapers management led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Unuoha Ukeh.

I believe we are serving humanity, we are serving God, so, we dont need any self-seeking attention. When you give to people, you are giving back to God, Ume said.

According to him, as a media owner, it was easy to have taken the path of self-adulation but that would have defeated the essence of setting up the foundation to impact meaningfully on the lives of others.

Ume expressed appreciation to The Sun Newspapers for the recognition and stated that, it is a surprise that The Sun Newspapers has done its homework very well and have found us worthy of this esteemed recognition.

On behalf of my late mother, my dear wife, my children and those who have donated to what we are doing, we have a lot more projects ongoing, to accept this award nomination and I wish to reiterate that this is a clarion call to do even more as a foundation in serving our people and humanity.

Earlier, the MD of the newspaper, Mr. Ukeh, while presenting the letter of award, said Mr. Umes selection for this award was based on merit because of your outstanding humanitarian service gestures, which have touched the lives of many people.
11 burned to death in Korat van crash

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Eleven people, including the driver, were burned to death after an LNG-powered van crashed into the median ditch on the Mitrapap highway and burst into flames on Saturday night ()Jan 21.

transportaccidentsdeathSafety

By Bangkok Post

Monday 23 January 2023, 11:57AM

A van crashed into the median ditch on the Mitrapap highway in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima, and went up in flames on Saturday night. Eleven people were burned to death, while one passenger was able to escape the vehicle and was admitted to hospital. Photo: Prasit Tangprasert / Bangkok Post

The accident took place at about 9.30pm on the Bangkok-bound side of the highway in Sikhio district, reports the Bangkok Post. From an initial police investigation, the Amnat Charoen-registered Toyota van, with the driver and 11 passengers on board. were heading from Amnat Charoen to Nakhon Pathom province. While between kilometre markers 99-100, the van veered sideways, rammed into the metal railing and crashed into the ditch in the median strip. The LNG-powered van then went up in flames. Nikom Sae Oun, leader of the Hook 31 rescue unit at Mo Chabok in Si Khiu district near the spot, said after hearing a loud explosion he rushed to the scene to find the van totally engulfed by fire. A passenger was seen slipping out of the van. A fire engine soon arrived and put out the fire shortly afterwards. But 11 people, including the driver, were all burned to death in the van. The passenger who managed to narrowly escape death was later identified as Thanachit Kingkaew, 20. He was admitted to Sikhio Hospital. Governor Saksayam Sirimongkol was at the scene after the accident for inspection. He later went to the hospital to visit the survivor.
Pattaya tourist police escort prompts swift rebuke

BANGKOK: Two traffic officers and one tourist police officer who appeared in a video clip posted online while delivering a VVIP service to a Chinese woman have been identified and are facing a probe.

immigrationChinesepolicecrimecorruption

By Bangkok Post

Monday 23 January 2023, 09:02AM

A picture captured from a viral video clip posted by a tourist from Hong Kong show two police officers loading the visitors luggage into a car. Image: via Bangkok Post

A picture captured from a viral video clip posted by a tourist from Hong Kong shows a police motorcycle escort at Suvarnabhumi airport. Image: via Bangkok Post

The service included an immigration clearance shortcut at the airport and a traffic-dodging police escort all the way to her hotel in Pattaya. The woman posted the clip to a Chinese social media platform, reports the Bangkok Post.

National police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas labelled the incident a disgrace to the force, said Pol Maj Gen Atchayon Kraithong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police (RTP), on Sunday (Jan 22).

The three officers have been transferred to the Command Centre of the RTP pending an investigation, he said.

The investigation is being carried out to prove whether their use of the police vehicles, as shown in the video clip, led to personal gains and if there was anyone else involved.

The chief and deputy chief of the officers division, and their supervisors, will also be investigated, he said.

Bypassing immigration clearance at the airport is unlawful while official escorts are provided to only very important persons, politicians and state guests, he said.

Pol Maj Gen Apichat Suriboonya, spokesman for the Tourist Police Bureau (TPB), meanwhile, said the tourist police officer in the video clip was Pol Capt Somphon Phinyosamoson, a deputy police inspector attached to Sub-Division 3 of Tourist Police Division 1 and working at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The incident took place on Thursday (Jan 19) at about 10pm, after Hong Kong Airlines Flight HX671 landed, said Pol Maj Gen Apichat.

The Chinese tourist in the clip was also identified by name in the investigation but her identity will not be disclosed, he said, adding the woman travelled along with her mother.

Pol Capt Somphon is facing not only an investigation for the current incident but also a probe into his past performance in the role, said Pol Maj Gen Apichat.

He said initial findings show that the officer escorted the car using his personal motorbike. However, he said this case is a disgrace to both the TPD and the RTP as a whole.

In the clip posted on Douyin, a Chinese social media platform, the woman claimed she paid B7,000 for a car motorcade that she and her mother rode in and B6,000 for a motorcycle escort.
Suspicions raised over Marco Polo incident

PHUKET: Marco Ceferin, owner of the yacht Marco Polo, has clarified many details of the recovery of his yacht after it disappeared from Nai Harn on Dec 28, including that his yacht was returned to him from the Similan Islands, north of Phuket, not from near Indonesian waters to the south as previously reported



By The Phuket News

Monday 23 January 2023, 10:49AM

The Marco Polo under tow back to Phuket. Image: Supplied

Mr Ceferin reported the Marco Polo, a 40-foot Fountain Pajot catamaran, missing to Chalong Police immediately after discovering that the yacht was missing.

An eye witness told Mr Ceferin that he had seen three people board the boat around 8:30am before taking off to sea.

The boat was anchored safely by 45 metres of anchor chain in water with a depth of only 11m, Mr Ceferin told The Phuket News.

We also checked that the anchor was secure by testing its hold under engine power. We did this check two times, he said.

The boat did not drift on anchor, he added.

The Marco Polo was later reported to have been found near Indonesian waters. The sighting, and confirmation that it was the Marco Polo, was by reported by MGR Online, citing the Phuket Fisheries Office.

However, Mr Ceferin today confirmed that after making the appeal to the Phuket Fisheries Office he was informed that the Marco Polo had been seen at the Similan Islands.

By the afternoon of Jan 13, Mr Ceferin had the boat back in his possession after it was handed over at Koh Bon, near the Similan Islands, north of Phuket.

The quick discovery and return of his yacht came less than 24 hours after he had made an appeal through the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office for any boats in Phukets commercial fishing fleet to keep an eye out for the missing yacht.

He also offered a reward for information that directly led to the return of his yacht.

We made a big report to the main fishermens office in Phuket Town on Jan 12, and directly after that, the next morning, we got a call saying that my boat was in the area of the Similan Islands, Mr Ceferin said.

I believe that different fishing boats took my boat and pulled it step by step until it was in the Similan Islands area, he added.

Many things had been stolen, including the anchor and anchor chain. In my opinion, the fishermen [who took the boat] were scared of the whole situation after the fisheries office report and gave it back, he said.

Mr Ceferin estimated that the items stolen, including the chain and anchor, were altogether worth about B225,000.

I also gave B100,000 to the finder and B70,000 to pay for their fuel, Mr Ceferin said.

The most important thing is that I got my boat back. I have now already installed a new bigger Rocna anchor which my boat can support and a high quality GPS tracker on board. This case was enough pain for me. Thanks a lot to all the guys who helped in this bad time, he said.

He confirmed that the Marco Polo is currently valued at about US$220,000 (just over B7.1 million).
Thanakorn visits Phuket, hails policy success

PHUKET: Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Minister to the Prime Minister Office, was in Phuket on Friday (Jan 20) to promote government projects and the money allocated to be spent on alleviating flooding across the island.

politicsdisasterstourismeconomicsChinese

By The Phuket News

Monday 23 January 2023, 03:06PM

Mr Thanakorn also spoke with local people as part of his promotion of what he called the governments policy of two-way communication with the people and toured Phuket Town reportedly to observe the tourism recovery firsthand.

Mr Thanakorns visit was heavily promoted through local government public relations channels, all under the banner of caring for the people.

Joining Mr Thanakorns visit to the flood-risk areas of Phuket Old Town and Soi Paniang in Moo 5, Ratsada, were recently installed Phuket Vice Governor Danai Sunantarod and Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD).

During his visit, Mr Thanakorn received a report from Suwit Phansengiam of the Public Works and Town Planning Phuket Province about how floods of October 2022 had affected the communities and what action was being taken to remedy the situation.

He also heard from Ratsada Mayor Nakarin Yosaengrat how the floods had affected the residents livelihoods and affected tourism to the areas.

Mr Thanakorn said that the government under the leadership of Gen Prayut emphasises solving flood problems that affect peoples livelihoods. and has assigned the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning and related agencies to deliver sustainable solutions to Phukets flood problems, said a report by the Phuket branch of the PRD (PR Phuket).

Coming today made him [Mr Thanakorn] aware of the suffering and the government was ready to relieve the suffering of the people as soon as possible, the report added.

In the past, the government has supported many projects to solve problems that arise. For example, the main drainage system project to alleviate flooding in the Phuket community area, Phase 2, in the fiscal year 2021-2023, with a budget of 296,850,000 baht, which is currently under construction. It will help solve the suffering of the people and alleviate the flooding problem in the Phuket community area effectively, the report continued.

Mr Thanakorn also gave an interview to the local media at Phuket Provincial Hall during which he emphasised that in the case of investment and gray businesses, the prime minister has enjoined that this matter should be dealt with seriously.

The Prime Minister is very serious about this matter. which has instructed all parties involved to act properly and fairly, Mr Thanakorn said.

During his tour of Thalang Rd in the Phuket Old Town area, Mr Thanakorn noted, Although it [Phuket Town] has been affected by COVID-19 in the past, government policies under the leadership of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha have driven the creation of renovations, as well as improving the landscape to be beautiful.

He also noted, The tourism sector is an important mechanism to drive the countrys economy. Today its nice to see tourists walking the streets, thanks to the governments economic stimulus and tourism boom that has blossomed to this day.

"Coming to Phuket today I see tourism recovering. Tourists have begun to flow in from all corners of the world. The economy is moving. With the Prime Ministers policy, it emphasises that Thailand is on the right track.

As China allowed tourists to travel more, Thailand was the first country that Chinese tourists travelled to. It reflects that Chinese people and people from all over the world are confident in welcoming tourists to Thailand, Mr Thanakorn said.

Mr Thankorns visit to Phuket came one day after he announced that he had resigned as a member and list-MP of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to join the United Thai Nation (UTN) party supporting Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Mr Thanakorn had served earlier as government spokesman from August 2021 to August 2022. He became a list MP of PPRP in August last year replacing Watanya Bunnag, who resigned to join the Democrat Party and head its Bangkok election campaign team. He was appointed Prime Ministers Office minister in November, reports the Bangkok Post.

Mr Thanakorn made it clear last Thursday (Jan 19) that he would join the UTN, a party set up expressly to back Gen Prayut in his bid to retain the prime ministers position after the coming election.

He thanked Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the PPRP leader, as well as Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, two core members of the party, for their support for him in his political career.
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Job Title: Membership Recruitment and Retention Officer (Fresher Jobs)

Organisation: Uganda Girl Guides Association (UGGA)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: National Executive Secretary

About US:

Uganda Girl Guides Association (UGGA) is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Uganda Girl Guides Association (UGGA) was inaugurated as a full member of the WAGGGS at the world conference that was held in the United States of America in July 1984.

Guiding in Uganda was started during the colonial times, when Uganda was still under the British rule. Lady foster Smith, a British teacher, then teaching in Kyebambe Girls School in Fort Portal  Kabarole district, Western Uganda, (at the foot of Mt. Rwenzori), the highest mountain in Uganda) started guiding.

Job Summary: The Membership Recruitment and Retention Officer will assist the association in the maintenance of member relations and support the board in communication with members. The role will require working closely with the board to deliver the Associations membership strategy. She will maintain the members database, assist in the administration tasks of member recruitment, track member satisfaction and assist in monitoring member engagement with the relevant members of the association

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To work in partnership with programme leads from across the organisation to ensure UGGA members benefits are delivered through the existing regional structure to our various districts, overseeing the co-ordination of support for regional activities.

To ensure that the information and intelligence about regional and district (local associations) needs, collected by relevant volunteers and staff, is recorded within UGGA database systems and is available to inform the UGGA strategy and planning processes.

In conjunction with the Finance and Regional Commissioners propose a budget for each region to deliver the regional plan and undertake active monitoring of the regional budgets.

To review regional plans and provide guidance to volunteer leads as needed, particularly with regard to:

The strategic goals and objectives of proposed activities

Programme and provided content of activities together with the training committees and programme lead/officer.

Recruitment and activation of members to support activities.

Maintaining an accurate and up to date database of the association

Monitor existing member engagement and subscription payment

Be the primary point of contact for new membership enquiries and ensure

responses to all such enquiries are made in a timely manner.

Assist the chief commissioner through the finance department to ensure membership fees are paid on time and any long overdue fees are addressed with urgency.

Work closely with programme officer in identifying opportunities for more recruitment of members and enrolment of members through programmes and UGGA opportunities.

This job description is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements of the post holder. The line manager (National Executive Secretary) may stipulate other reasonable requirements.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

A bachelors degree in development studies or social work, social administration, Business Computing, Computer Science or Information Technology.

Must have knowledge of database design and theories

Must have knowledge of database structure languages

Previous experience with server installation and maintenance

Must be familiar with database management best practices

Must have knowledge of IT security best practices

Ability to work with data architects and other IT specialist to set up, maintain and monitor data networks.

Must have knowledge of database structure management and administration.

Core Values

Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals

Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions

Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organizations core values and organizational principles

Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work

Core Competencies:

Have an understanding of the membership organisations dynamics

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent MS Office skills.

Ability to build and maintain relationships with third parties.

A track record of problem solving.

How to Apply:

Applications should bear the title of the post as well as the reference number specified against the vacancy.

All applicants must attach professional, academic Documents and any other relevant information to the post applied for, National ID and motivational letter stating why youre the most suitable candidate for the post applied for is a must.

Applications should be submitted to:

The Chief Commissioner,

Uganda Girl Guides Association,

P.O. Box 696, Bombo Road, Kampala and in soft copy to; thegirlguidesuganda@gmail.com

Deadline: 10th February 2023

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Bergel struck out eight and allowed only five hits as Wheeler defeated Griswold in its season opener. Bergel walked just one batter and allowed two earned runs.

CAMI BROWN, Stonington, Softball, Junior; Brown finished 11 for 16 in four games for the Bears. Brown doubled four times, tripled twice and drove in nine runs.

CASEY MACERA, Westerly, Girls Lacrosse, Freshman, Macera scored five goals in a Division III win against Rocky Hill. Westerly ended a 15-game losing streak with the victory.

ADAM CARPENTER, Chariho, Baseball, Junior; Carpenter pitched a two-hitter in his varsity debut as the Chargers beat East Providence. Carpenter carried a no-hitter into the sixth. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.

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Mrs. Nechama Dina Krinsky is a Yiddishe Mame, a Jewish Mother, in the truest sense of the word, a mother of eleven children and three foster children, but, in truth, she is the mother of an entire community.

Mrs. Krinsky and her husband Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky have been serving as shluchim to the Lithuanian capital of Vilna for the past 28 years. During that time, they have worked tirelessly to provide for the spiritual and material needs of a community decimated by the Holocaust and ensuing Soviet repression.

I have met many Jewish people from different walks of life and seen different Jewish organizations, says Vilna resident Miriam Danisov, but never have I ever met such dedicated people like Rabbi and Mrs. Krinsky, who have dedicated all their lives for one purpose only  to revive Jewish life in Lithuania.

They became founders and leaders of the Jewish community in every way for nearly 30 years, both physically and spiritually. Theyve helped me a lot and funded my tuition and living costs so I could reconnect with my Jewish roots.

Now, however, the life-changing work of the Krinskys is facing a serious threat  and Mrs. Krinskys very freedom is imperiled. The prejudiced, corrupt Lithuanian justice system has brought trumped-up charges against Mrs. Krinsky related to the schools financial standing. Despite clear evidence that she and her husband are innocent of the alleged wrongdoing, the judge continues to pursue the case. If Mrs. Krinsky is, chas veshalom, found guilty, she could face imprisonment.

Shluchas name for teffilos     .

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Supreme Court President Esther Hayut, who despite her supposedly apolitical position has publicly spoken out fiercely against the planned judicial reforms of the new government, met twice at her home with former justice minister Tzipi Livni, who is one of the leading figures in the lefts battle against the reforms, Channel 12 News reported on Motzei Shabbos.

According to the report, Hayut, who called the planned reforms an unbridled attack that would cause a fatal blow to Israels democracy, met with Livni for the first time several weeks ago and for a second time last Thursday.

In response to an inquiry on the matter, Livni stated: Out of a desire to help and as a former justice minister, I recently initiated conversations with relevant parties, from former justice ministers to the President of the Supreme Court and the President of the State.

Hayuts office stated: Former justice minister Tzipi Livni approached the President and asked to meet with her. The President believed that her request should not be refused and will meet any past and present justice minister who requests. Regarding the meeting with Livni  the first meeting was a few weeks ago and not on the eve of the demonstration.

They both refused to comment on why a second meeting was held.

Livni is a political figure who is involved in establishing a new leftist party, Likud MK Chanoch Milvitzky stated in response to the report. Hayut met with her twice. Crazy.

        .       .

 pic.twitter.com/rw9BE6VOMI     hanoch milwidsky (@hanochmilwidsky) January 21, 2023

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The speaker of the lower house of Russias parliament warned Sunday that countries supplying Ukraine with more powerful weapons risked their own destruction, a message that followed new pledges of armored vehicles, air defense systems and other equipment but not the battle tanks Kyiv requested.

Ukraines supporters pledged billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine on Friday, though the new commitments were overshadowed by defense leaders failing at an international meeting in the Ramstein air base in Germany, to agree on Ukraines urgent request for German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks.

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said that governments giving more powerful weapons to Ukraine could cause a global tragedy that would destroy their countries.

Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe, he said. 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.

Germany is one of the main donors of weapons to Ukraine, and it ordered a review of its Leopard 2 stocks in preparation for a possible green light. Nonetheless, the government in Berlin has shown caution at each step of increasing its commitments to Ukraine, a hesitancy seen as rooted in its history and political culture.

France and Germany committed to show unwavering support to Ukraine during ceremonies and talks Sunday celebrating the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty. In a joint declaration, the countries said they would stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Germanys tentativeness has drawn heavy criticism, particularly from Poland and the Baltic states, countries on NATOs eastern flank controlled by Moscow in the past and which feel especially threatened by Russias renewed imperial ambitions.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that if Germany does not consent to transferring Leopard tanks to Ukraine, his country was prepared to build a smaller coalition of countries that would send theirs anyway.

Almost a year had passed since the outbreak of war, Morawiecki said in an interview with Polish state news agency PAP published Sunday. Evidence of the Russian armys 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?

Above all, Berlin should not weaken or sabotage the activities of other countries, Morawiecki said.

In Washington, two leading lawmakers urged the U.S. on Sunday to send some of its Abrams tanks to Ukraine, in the interests of overcoming Germanys 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, Rep. Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABCs This Week on Sunday. What I hear is that Germanys waiting on us to take the lead.

Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat who is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and considered close to President Joe Biden, also spoke up for the U.S. sending Abrams.

I am concerned that Russia is rearming and preparing for a spring offensive, Coons, said. If it requires our sending some Abrams tanks in order to unlock getting the Leopard tanks from Germany, from Poland, from other allies, I would support that.

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.

Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned on his messaging app channel that Russia could seek to form a military alliance with foes of the United States. He didnt name the nations he had in mind, but Russia has defense cooperation with Iran and Venezuela, an existing military alliance with Belarus and strong ties with North Korea.. 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, Medvedev said.

Ukraine is asking for more weapons as it anticipates Russias forces launching a new offensive in the spring.

Oleksii Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines Security and Defense 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 Putins fantasies, he said.

In a column published by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda. he described the Kremlins goal in the conflict as a total and absolute genocide, a total war of destruction

Among those calling for more arms for Ukraine was the 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, Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson, who faces fresh questions at home over his personal finances, was pictured in the Kyiv region town of Borodyanka. He said he traveled to Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The last week was especially tragic for Ukraine even by the standards of a brutal war that has gone on for nearly a year, killing tens of thousands of people, uprooting millions more and creating vast destruction of Ukrainian cities.

A barrage of Russian missiles struck an apartment complex in the southeastern city of Dnipro on Jan. 14, killing at least 45 civilians, including six children. On Wednesday, a government helicopter carrying the interior minister and other officials crashed into a building housing a kindergarten in a suburb of Kyiv. The minister and a child on the ground were among the 14 people killed.

Zelenskyy, who on Saturday mourned the victims of the helicopter crash, vowed Sunday that Ukraine would prevail in the war.

We are united because we are strong. We are strong because we are united, the Ukrainian leader said in a video address as he marked Ukraine Unity Day, which commemorates the day in 1919 when East and West Ukraine were united.

(AP)




As kids behavior reaches crisis points after the stress and isolation of pandemic shutdowns, many schools are facing pressure from critics to rethink their approaches to discipline  including policies intended to reduce suspensions and expulsions.

Approaches such as restorative justice were adopted widely in recent decades as educators updated exclusionary policies that cut off students access to learning and disproportionately affected students of color.

But more students have been acting out, and some school systems have faced questions from teachers, parents and lawmakers about whether a gentle approach can effectively address problems that disrupt classrooms.

The latest example came this week in Newport News, Virginia, where teachers complained at a school board meeting that the school system where a 6-year-old shot his teacher had become too lenient with students. Students who assaulted staff were routinely allowed to stay in the classroom, they said, because of a misguided focus on keeping them in school.

The local school board said it would take the necessary steps to restore public confidence in the school system.

Both anecdotally and according to federal data, instances of misbehavior have been on the rise since students returned to classrooms from the COVID-19 pandemic. A National Center for Education Statistics survey of school leaders last summer found 56% of respondents said the pandemic led to increased classroom disruptions from student misbehavior and 48% said it led to more acts of disrespect toward teachers and staff.

New scrutiny of approaches to discipline could halt momentum for policy reform, said Rachel Perera, a fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies education.

Theres a lot of pressure on schools right now, she said. Schools also say they dont have the resources to address more behavioral problems, and I worry that that will translate to schools falling back on old practices that are not effective in terms of supporting students in the way they need.

Policy reversals are already underway. In Gwinnett County, Georgia, the school board approved the use of a restorative practices program in August that was meant to focus on conflict resolution, repairing harm and rebuilding relationships in the classroom. But the district paused the program in December, with plans to restart it in the 2023-2024 school year, after concerns were raised over incidents in school, including a video of a student assaulting a teacher at a high school.

In Clark County, Nevada, district leaders announced in March that they would take a harder line on fighting and physical altercations, saying they would be grounds for expulsion. Some in the community had blamed a restorative justice approach for an increase in violence.

As of 2020, 21 states and the District of Columbia had passed legislation supporting the use of restorative practices in schools, according to research from the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality.

Implementing the practice properly takes time, resources, and community support, said Rebecca Epstein, the centers executive director.

Change is hard, Epstein said. Change takes work and it also takes resources and educators are spread really thin. It cant be up to individual teachers alone to shift the culture of automatically resorting to excluding students in response to disruptive behavior. It really takes a whole school cultural shift.

Using restorative justice does not mean a school cannot remove a disruptive student from the classroom, said Thalia Gonzalez, a professor at the UC College of the Law, San Francisco. But unlike other forms of discipline, restorative practices aim to address the root cause of students behavior and reintegrated them into classroom.

Thats the problem with punitive discipline such as suspension and expulsion, Gonzalez said. You get removed and then you just come back. Theres nothing done to reintegrate into the community and rebuild the climate, the connectedness, the sense of safety, all the things that we know are so important to young people learning.

Traditional discipline has widened inequities. Black children often are suspended or expelled at rates far higher than white children. Research has found that these discipline disparities can have lifelong consequences for children, such as worsened educational outcomes and higher rates of incarceration.

Newport News has its own history with restorative justice.

At a school board meeting in 2017 district officials discussed efforts to reduce school suspensions while implementing restorative practices. Tracy Pope, then the school systems restorative practices specialist, said at the time that such practices did not do away with anything already in place, but was rather another way to look at how we do discipline.

Well before the Jan. 6 shooting of a first-grade teacher, not all educators were happy with the handling of student discipline. According to a spring 2022 survey of teachers and staff, only 60% of respondents said administrators were addressing negative student behaviors.

Michelle Price, a spokesperson for the Newport News schools, said in an email that the districts code of conduct fosters the school divisions mission to ensure all students graduate citizen-ready.

It provides guidance for students, families, and staff, and details the many options available to NNPS staff to address student conduct, she said.

(AP)




An adult child of U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts was arrested during a protest Saturday night on Boston Common and later charged with assault after a police officer was injured.

In a statement on its website, the Boston Police Department said Jared Dowell, 23, of Melrose, was expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

Clark, the House Democratic whip, said in a tweet that her daughter, Riley, had been arrested. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting, Clark wrote. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

Clark has spoken publicly about the fears of her own nonbinary child amid bigotry targeting transgender people.

Police said officers responded to a report at the Parkman Bandstand Monument located within the Boston Common. They found a person, later identified as Dowell, defacing the monument with spray paint and anti-police phrases, according to police.

During the arrest, a group of about 20 protesters began to surround officers while screaming profanities though megaphones on the public street causing traffic to come to a standstill, police said, adding that an officer was hit in the face and could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Dowell was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, destruction or injury of personal property, and damage of property by graffiti/tagging, police said.

A fatal police shooting earlier this month in nearby Cambridge sparked protests over use of force. A 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Sayed Faisal, was shot and killed by Cambridge police. He had advanced on officers with what police described as a kukri, a type of sword, and a less-than-lethal sponge round had failed to stop him, police said.

Clark is in her sixth term in the House and represents the states 5th Congressional District.

(AP)




Israeli healthcare workers launched a 24-hour general strike on Monday morning in protest of recent severe incidents of violence against healthcare workers.

Just two of the most recent incidents of violence include the severe beatings of a pediatrician at Soroka Medical Center and a gynecologist at a community clinic in Ramle.

The Israel Medical Association (IMA) announced that despite the increasing violence and the number of violent incidents, employers and the Health Ministry have failed to do enough to eradicate those cases of violence.

Unfortunately, security guards were not increased to protect medical teams, more severe consequences were not implemented, reporting systems were not implemented to prevent incidents of violence, and nothing was done to maintain the safety of the doctors.

We will continue to work to eradicate violence against doctors and healthcare workers until the employers and the Health Ministry fulfill their duty to ensure the existence of an appropriate and safe work environment, including placing police officers and security guards in medical institutions, expanding their powers, implementing more severe consequences, amending legal regulations, working toward the implementation of systems for reporting and preventing violent incidents and working toward bringing the violent perpetrators to justice.

The strike includes general, geriatric, psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals throughout the country as well as community clinics and health bureaus in government offices.

During the day, all hospitals will work in Shabbat mode, and outpatient and walk-in clinics will be closed. However, the IMA clarified that urgent dialysis services, intensive care, emergency rooms, delivery rooms, premature deliveries, and oncology treatments will continue to operate during the strike.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Israel Police on Monday morning filed an indictment against a 19-year-old Palestinian who was arrested for infiltrating into Israel and allegedly threatening to carry out a terror attack in the city of Bnei Brak on Shabbos.

According to the police, its hotline received a call on Friday night at 11:08 p.m. from a Palestinian who said that he was standing at the Geha Interchange in Bnei Brak. The Arab, who had apparently quarreled with his father, said: I want to murder my father, adding that hes now imagining going to kill someone Chareidi in the hope that the police will destroy his fathers house.

Police officers from the Bnei Brak station immediately began searching for the Arab and quickly located him. He was arrested and transferred for questioning.

He was brought to the Tel Aviv Magistrates Court on Sunday morning and the court approved the polices request to extend his case despite the claims of the Arabs lawyer that his client was only crying out for help.

A study of the case shows that the circumstances are complex and this isnt the place to specify the details, the judge wrote in her decision. The suspect has no criminal record but the circumstances of saying the things in the way they were said and despite the fact that no tools were seized in the suspects possession to actually issue his threats, I did not find it possible to order his release. I accept the request and order the extension of his detention.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Meir Porush and Deputy Transportation Minister Uri Maklev both resigned on Monday from the Knesset in accordance with the Norwegian Law, allowing two more UTJ members to serve as Knesset members.

The ninth member on the UTJ list, Moshe Roth, entered the Knesset in place of Porush. Roth, who is a representative of the Sanzer chassidus, will be serving in his first term in the Knesset.

Eliyahu Baruchi, the tenth member on the UTJ list, will enter the Knesset in place of Maklev.

Porushs office noted that after being appointed by the government this week as being responsible for the Lag BOmer event at Meron and for the implementation of the recommendations of the State Commission of Inquiry into the Meron Disaster, he chose to free his time from the work of the Knesset in order to focus on his work in the Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry.

A statement from Maklevs office stated: In order to strengthen the representation of Degel HaTorah in the Knesset, Deputy Minister Uri Maklev implemented the Norwegian law, thereby bringing Eliyahu Baruchi into the Knesset. The Norwegian law allows a deputy minister in the government to bring in another Knesset member from his party to fill his place in the work of the Knesset.

Earlier this month, Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf resigned from the Knesset, allowing Degel HaTorah representative Yitzchak Pindrus to serve as a Knesset member.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, a liberal firebrand and prominent Latino lawmaker, announced Monday hell challenge independent U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in 2024, becoming the first candidate to jump into the race and setting up a potential three-way contest.

Gallego said hed fight for normal people struggling to make ends meet and losing faith in politicians. He said he and Sinema both come from modest to poor means but have taken different paths in Congress.

Im better for this job than Kyrsten Sinema because I havent forgotten where I came from, Gallego told The Associated Press. I think she clearly has forgotten where she came from. Instead of meeting with the people that need help, she meets with the people that are already powerful.

Gallego, a 43-year-old military veteran first elected to Congress in 2014, had made no secret of his interest in challenging Sinema, a longtime rival in Arizona politics who has been a roadblock and irritant to Democrats during Joe Bidens presidency. She left the Democratic Party in December, registering as an independent and saying she doesnt fit well into a traditional party system. She has not said whether she plans to run for a second term.

Although no Republican has entered the race, potential contenders include former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, former U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb  all of whom are closely aligned with former President Donald Trump. Karrin Taylor Robson, a housing developer who lost to Lake in last years primary, and former Gov. Doug Ducey are also possible contenders.

A three-way race, coupled with the risk that Sinema and the eventual Democratic nominee will split the vote, would complicate the partys already uphill battle to maintain control of the Senate in 2024. Democrats will be forced to defend 23 seats, including Sinemas and two others held by independents, compared with just 10 seats for Republicans.

With tough and expensive races on the horizon, it remains unclear just how firmly the Democratic establishment and major donors will line up against Sinema, who has voted for most Democratic legislation even as shes stood in the way of major priorities for the White House, congressional leaders and the progressive movement.

Im assuming that they will be with us because we are going to run the winning campaign, and because at the end of the day, if you look at where Arizonans are going to be, theyre going to be with us and not with her, Gallego told the AP.

A spokesperson for Sinema, Hannah Hurley, declined to comment on Gallegos announcement.

Gallego, an acerbic presence on social media who is quick to take down rivals from both parties, floated the idea of challenging Sinema to raise money last year and has for weeks been publicly assembling a team of advisers, hiring Democratic campaign veterans with experience working on tough swing-state Senate races in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

He announced his campaign with an online video that shows him talking to veterans at an American Legion post in Guadalupe, a Latino and Indigenous community just outside Phoenix. He said his path from humble roots, beating the odds by getting accepted to Harvard University, motivates him to fight to preserve the American dream, first in the military and now in politics.

The son of immigrants from Mexico and Colombia, Gallego was raised in Chicago by a single mother, after his father was imprisoned for dealing drugs. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Reserves while he was on a break from Harvard, where he struggled with culture shock. He wrote in a 2021 book, They Called Us Lucky, that he was asked to leave during his sophomore year, when he partied too much, his grades slipped and he broke unspecified rules. He was later allowed to return.

He fought in Iraq in 2005 in a unit that sustained heavy casualties, including the death of his best friend, and he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder after returning. He moved to Arizona to join his Harvard girlfriend, who had become active in Democratic politics in the state. The couple married in 2010 and divorced in 2017, a month before their son was born. His ex-wife, Kate Gallego, is now the mayor of Phoenix.

Gallego was elected in 2010 to the state Legislature, where Sinema also served for one of his two terms. In 2014, he won a bitter congressional primary, toppling a dynastic figure in the Phoenix Latino community. Hes giving up a safe Democratic seat in Congress, a district that includes the Black and Latino neighborhoods of south and west Phoenix.

In Congress, he has focused on veterans and military issues.

Sinema has modeled her political approach on the maverick style of the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who alienated the grassroots of his party by sometimes crossing the aisle to work with Democrats. Shes become a fierce advocate of bipartisan compromise in an era when extreme partisanship has made it much more difficult.

She has been at the center of many of the biggest congressional deals of Bidens presidency, from a big, bipartisan infrastructure package to a landmark bill to legally protect same-sex marriages. But shes also become estranged from many Democrats, who blame her for voting down progressive priorities like a minimum wage hike and watering down others, like Bidens big social spending initiatives. She single-handedly thwarted Democrats longtime goal of raising taxes on wealthy investors.

Her support for maintaining the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring 60 of 100 votes to pass most legislation, has made her a pariah among Democrats, who need Republican support to pass most bills despite controlling a majority of seats. The tension reached a head in 2021, when Democrats tried and failed to pass voting rights legislation.

Sinema doubled down on her position last week, telling global elites in Davos, Switzerland, that democracy didnt collapse in the 2022 election despite her support for the filibuster.

(AP)




A former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official who spearheaded the Trump-Russia probe has been indicted on charges he himself helped a Russian oligarch, in violation of U.S. sanctions. He was also charged, in a separate indictment, with taking cash from a former foreign security officer.

Charles McGonigal, the special agent in charge of the FBIs counterintelligence division in New York from 2016 to 2018, is accused in an indictment unsealed Monday of working with a former Soviet diplomat-turned-Russian interpreter on behalf of Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire.

While serving as chief of the cybercrimes section at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., McGonigal was one of the first FBI officials to learn that George Papadopoulos, a campaign adviser for Donald Trump, said he knew Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton, which prompted the investigation into Russian election interference known as Operation Crossfire Hurricane.

McGonigal, who had supervised investigations of Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska, before retiring in 2018, allegedly worked to have Deripaskas sanctions lifted in 2019 and took money from him in 2021 to investigate a rival oligarch.

McGonigal, 54, and the interpreter, Sergey Shestakov, 69, were arrested Saturday. McGonigal was taken into custody after landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport. They are scheduled to appear in court in Manhattan on Monday. Both are being held at a federal jail in Brooklyn.

McGonigal and Shestakov are charged with violating and conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering. Shestakov is also charged with making material misstatements to the FBI.

McGonigal was separately charged in federal court in Washington, D.C. with concealing $225,000 in payments he received from an outside source with whom he traveled to Europe.

McGonigal was required to report to the FBI contacts with foreign officials, but prosecutors allege that he hid that from his employer as he pursued business and foreign travel that created a conflict of interest with his law enforcement duties.

The U.S. Treasury Department added Deripaska to its sanctions list in 2018 for purported ties to the Russian government and Russias energy sector amid Russias ongoing threats to Ukraine.

In September, federal prosecutors in Manhattan charged Deripaska and three associates with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions by plotting to ensure his child was born in the United States.

Messages seeking comment were left for lawyers for McGonigal and Shestakov. Lawyers for Deripaska did not immediately return an email seeking comment Monday.

The New York indictment alleges that McGonigal was introduced by Shestakov in 2018 to a former Soviet diplomat who functioned as an agent for Deripaska. That person is not identified in court papers but the Justice Department says he was rumored in public media reports to be a Russian intelligence officer.

According to the indictment, Shestakov asked McGonigal for his help in getting the daughter of Deripaskas agent an internship with the New York Police Department. McGonigal agreed, prosecutors say, and told a police department contact that, I have interest in her father for a number of reasons.

The Justice Department says McGonigal also hid from the FBI key details of a 2017 trip he took to Albania with a former member of that countrys intelligence service who had given him the $225,000.

For instance, prosecutors say, he failed to identify the person as his traveling companion or reveal that housing for him would be free.

Once there, according to the Justice Department, he met with Albanias prime minister and discouraged him from awarding oil field drilling licenses in the country to Russian front companies. McGonigals Albanian contacts had a financial interest in those decisions, prosecutors say.

(AP/YWN)
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?
Funeral services provider Dignity has agreed to a takeover worth around 281million by a syndicate led by one of its former chief executives.

It has accepted a 550p per share approach for approximately 29 per cent of its equity by a consortium comprising investment firms SPWOne, Castelnau Group and Phoenix Asset Management Partners.

Three previous deals valued at 475p, 500p and 510p per share, respectively, were rejected last year by the Birmingham-based company before it received a 525p per share bid its board was 'minded to recommend to shareholders.'

Offer: Dignity has accepted a 550 pence per share approach from a consortium comprising the investment firms SPWOne, Castelnau Group and Phoenix Asset Management Partners

Following further negotiations, Dignity has decided to approve a new proposal that represents a 29.2 per cent premium to its closing share price on 3 January, the final business day prior to the offer period's commencement.

Leading the acquisition is SPWOne boss and serial entrepreneur Sir Peter Wood, who founded insurers Direct Line and Esure Group and was an original investor in the price comparison website Gocompare.com.

He has joined forces with Gary Channon, Phoenix's chief investment officer, who became chief executive of Dignity in April 2021 after a boardroom coup ousted chairman Clive Whiley.

Though only in charge for 14 months, his tenure saw the firm return to profit and launch a new strategy, which includes a goal to boost its share of the UK funerals market share to 20 per cent within a decade.

Channon's consortium argues that the takeover would strengthen Dignity's long-term strategy by enhancing investment in its infrastructure, technology, employees, and marketing of its funeral plan products.

It also claims that the business would be more capable of navigating the changing regulations affecting the funeralcare industry, which were introduced two years ago following a probe by the Competition & Markets Authority.

Among the new rules the CMA brought in were a requirement for funeral directors to advertise standardised price lists and a prohibition on payments to incentivise hospitals or hospices to refer consumers to particular operators.

'Dignity has long-term growth potential - the signs are clear to me,' Wood said. 'However, given the challenges and significant development work needed, the best way forward for Dignity is as a private company, benefiting from our unique combination of experience and customer-orientated expertise.

'We are offering a very fair price in cash, or shareholders can stay on the journey with us as we look to implement our strategy to create significant value over the medium term.'

Dignity also told investors on Monday that it expected to report having made up to 275million in underlying revenue for 2022, a drop of at least 37million on the previous year.

Even though death rates have climbed since the Covid-19 pandemic started, the group said sales had been heavily impacted by a new pricing strategy and a sustained shift away from higher-priced products.

Alongside this, the firm anticipates underlying operating profits will have plunged by more than half to a maximum of 20million due to rising regulatory and operational costs, and investment related to its estate and facilities.

Dignity shares ended trading 7.95 per cent higher at 543p on Monday, making them the top performer on the FTSE All-Share Index.
A 72-year-old gunman killed himself when approached by police on Sunday, about 12 hours after he had carried out a Lunar New Year massacre at a dance club that left 10 people dead and another 10 wounded.

The gunman tried to carry out another shooting at a separate club just minutes after the first one on Saturday night, but authorities said two bystanders wrestled the mans weapon away from him before any shots could be fired. He fled that scene.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the suspect as Huu Can Tran, a septuagenarian he said used a high-capacity magazine pistol to shoot up a ballroom dance venue popular with older patrons in Monterey Park, about 7 miles (11 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.

Investigators did not yet know a motive, although gun violence is frequent in the United States. Luna did not identify any of the victims but said the five men and five women appeared to be in their 50s, 60s and beyond. The sheriff said the pistol Tran used appeared to be illegal in California, where state laws ban any magazine holding more than 10 rounds.

We want to know, we want to know how something this awful can happen, Luna told reporters.

After police say Tran carried out the shooting in Monterey Park at about 10 p.m. PST Saturday (0600 GMT on Sunday), he was confronted by bystanders at a second dance club in the neighboring city of Alhambra about 20 minutes later, Luna said.

I can tell you that the suspect walked in there, probably with the intent to kill more people, and two brave community members decided they were going to jump into action and disarm him, Luna said.

The sheriff said that Tran turned a handgun on himself on Sunday as police approached a white van he was driving in Torrance, about 20 miles (34 km) from the site of the shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. Officers heard a single gunshot from the van as they approached, then fell back and called for a SWAT team.

Of the 10 people injured, seven remained hospitalized Sunday night, with at least one person in critical condition.

The shooting took place around the location of a two-day Chinese Lunar New Year celebration where many downtown streets are closed for festivities that draw thousands of people from across Southern California.

A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

Residents stood gazing at the many blocks sealed off with police tape on Sunday in Monterey Park. Chester Chong, chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, described the city of about 60,000 people as a quiet, peaceful, beautiful place where everybody knows each other and helps each other.

The city has for decades been a destination for immigrants from China. Around 65% of its residents are Asian, according to U.S. Census data, and the city is known for its many Chinese restaurants and groceries.

People were calling me last night, they were scared this was a hate crime, Chong said at the scene.

The Star Ballroom Dance Studio opened in 1990, and its website features many photographs of past Lunar New Year celebrations showing patrons smiling and dancing in party clothes in its large, brightly lit ballroom.

Most of its patrons are middle-aged or seniors, though children also attend youth dance classes, according to a teacher at the studio who asked to not be named.

Those are normal working people, the teacher said. Some are retired and just looking for an exercise or social interaction.

A flyer posted on the website advertised Saturday nights new year party, running from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

The gunshots were mistaken by some for new year fireworks, according to Tiffany Chiu, 30, who was celebrating at her parents home near the ballroom.

A lot of older people live here, its usually really quiet, she said. This is not something you expect here.

President Joe Biden condemned the killings in a written statement and said he had directed his Homeland Security adviser to mobilize federal support to local authorities.

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 McDonalds restaurant in San Ysidro, near San Diego.

SOURCE: REUTERS
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Germany would not stand in the way if Poland wants to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Germanys foreign minister said, signalling a possible breakthrough for Ukraine as it tries to bolster its forces ahead of an expected new Russian offensive.

Eleven months after Russia invaded its southern neighbour, the fighting is centred on the town of Bakhmut in Ukraines east, where Russias Wagner mercenaries and Ukrainian forces have been locked in a battle of attrition.

Russias defence ministry said for the second straight day on Sunday that its forces were improving their positions in Ukraines southern region of Zaporizhzhia, though a Ukrainian military spokesperson told the state broadcaster the situation there was difficult but stable.

Reuters was not able to independently verify battlefield accounts.

Ukrainian officials have been calling on Western allies to supply them with the modern German-made tanks for months but Germany has held back from sending them or allowing other NATO countries to do so.

Leopard tanks, which are held by an array of NATO countries but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlins approval, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable for Ukraine.

Western allies pledged billions of dollars in weapons for Ukraine last week but they failed to persuade Germany to lift its veto on providing the tanks.

But in an apparent shift in Germanys position, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said her government would not block Poland if it were to send its Leopard 2 tanks without German approval.

For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way, she told Frances LCI TV, when asked about her governments reaction to any such Polish decision.

Germany has been under heavy pressure to let Leopards go to Ukraine but the Social Democrat party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is traditionally sceptical of military involvements and wary of sudden moves that could trigger Russia to escalation.

Baerbocks remarks appeared to go further than Scholzs comments at a summit in Paris earlier on Sunday that all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in co-ordination with allies, including the United States.

Ukraine says the heavily armoured battle tanks would give its ground troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive expected in coming months.

But Germany has appeared to have tied any such contribution to a U.S. move to send its Abrams tanks, something American officials have said they are reluctant to do because the vehicles are complicated to maintain.

TERRIBLE WAR

American lawmakers pushed their government on Sunday to export M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine, saying that even sending a symbolic number would be enough to push European allies to do the same.

Britain recently said it was supplying 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. Its foreign minister, James Cleverly, said on Sunday it still wanted an international deal to provide Ukraine with the German-made tanks.

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Ukraine Leclerc tanks.

Last week, the Kremlins spokesman said Western countries supplying additional tanks to Ukraine would not change the course of the conflict, but would add to the problems of the Ukrainian people.

A close ally of President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that deliveries of offensive weapons to Kyiv that threaten Russias territories would lead to a global catastrophe and make arguments against using weapons of mass destruction untenable.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russias lower house of parliament, warned that the United States and NATOs support of Ukraine was leading the world to a terrible war.

Since its invasion on Feb. 24, 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. Ukraine has said that restoring its territorial integrity is not open for negotiation.

In Ukraines embattled east, the top Russian-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region said late on Sunday he had visited the town of Soledar that Russia says it captured this month.

Denis Pushilin, the administrator, published a short video on the Telegram messaging app that showed him driving and walking amidst uninhabited areas and destroyed buildings.

Reuters was not able to independently verify when and where the video was taken.

On Jan. 11, the private Russian military group Wagner said it had captured Soledar and Russian-installed authorities in the Donetsk region said last week they were in control of the salt-mining town.

Ukraine has never publicly said that the town was taken by Russian forces. On Sunday, the general staff of its armed forces said in a daily update that Russian forces had fired on Ukrainian positions in the area.

SOURCE:- REUTERS
January 23, 2023





Cybersecurity remains a major priority for organizations whether they are private enterprises or public institutions. The need to increase the security postures of these organizations will only increase in 2023 as industry experts see a growing trend in cyberattacks.







During the past two years, cybercrime rose massively as hackers and data thieves are developing more advanced ways to steal information and infiltrate secured networks. Malware activity has increased by more than 3,000% between 2019 and 2020.

The situation will only become more worrisome as cybersecurity threats are expected to cost businesses over $10.5 trillion by 2025, according to Cybercrime Magazine.

With this in mind, how will leaders of large organizations prepare for such threats? The first step involves understanding the threats that they should be prepared for.

What cybersecurity risks will you be facing in 2023? How can you prevent the latest threats from stealing critical data and sabotaging your network? Let's find out:

Rising Phishing and Malware Attacks

While there are ways to fight off phishing and malware, individuals orchestrating these attacks are coming up with more sophisticated ways to cause data breaches and inject malicious software undetected.

According to an article in Security Magazine, more than 250 million phishing attacks have been reported this year alone. These will become even more prevalent as phishing kits and ready-made malware can be bought using cryptocurrencies in underground marketplaces.

This is not just a security issue for businesses. Governments will also need to prepare for more advanced phishing and malware techniques. That is why many public institutions are ramping up their recruitment of cleared cybersecurity experts through a government staffing agency or private individuals.

In any case, organizations will have to focus on providing their staff with the means to recognize phishing attempts and detect malware. Spending on key software and adding layers of security will make all the difference.

Pig Butchering Scam

Despite recent controversies hounding the cryptocurrency sector, many people will still want to take part in it. Lured by the prospect of getting rich quickly, they could easily fall victim to scams that take advantage of the cryptocurrency hype.

A type of cryptocurrency scam that's expected to become more frequent in 2023 is pig butchering. This technique involves a team of scammers who reach out to victims on sites like Tinder and WhatsApp. Using a fake profile, these scammers will first gain their victims trust before pitching a cryptocurrency investment opportunity.

Once convinced, the victims are led to a website or app where they can deposit their initial investments into what seems like a legitimate cryptocurrency platform.

After some time, the scammers will convince the victims to deposit larger amounts and may even allow the victims to withdraw small amounts. When the victims start to ask about the profits they are supposed to get, the scammers will come up with excuses until they become unreachable.

Pig butchering uses a variety of social engineering strategies, from flirting to event networking. The scam will become more common in 2023 as cryptocurrency remains popular. One way you can avoid this scam is to do a background search on the person reaching out to you and check the reviews on the cryptocurrency platform to see if its legitimate.

Attacks on Cloud Platforms

Cloud technology has provided individuals and organizations with a supposedly secure way to back up data when physical servers and on-site data centers are more prone to breaches. However, while they have come a long way, cloud platforms are becoming increasingly vulnerable to hackers.

There are still several security issues that cloud users must address. For one, cloud platforms can be breached by individuals who acquired login credentials from employees. Weak passwords and a lack of multi-factor authentication can increase the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Other than that, poor cloud setups can also lead to breaches. Organizations that are ill-equipped to build their cloud infrastructures are at greater risk. For this reason, they will need a third-party service provider to manage every aspect of cloud security.

While cloud technology provides you with a means to keep data safe off-site, it doesnt guarantee optimal security. Cybercriminals can take advantage of human errors and use social engineering techniques to gain access to sensitive data on the cloud.

For this reason, your best defense is training your employees on how to keep their login credentials safe. It also matters to develop clear cloud security policies and monitor usage.

Preventing cybersecurity issues comes after knowing the threats that will have a massive impact on your business or organization. So, learn as much as you can about the threats above and prepare a successful security plan for 2023.
[January 22, 2023] OCP Group and India enter a strategic partnership to strengthen food security and confirm their common ambition for an innovative and sustainable agriculture

As the world leader in soil and plant nutrition solutions and the world's largest producer of phosphate, OCP Group is committed to supporting the major players in the fertilizer sector in India. NEW DELHI and RABAT, Morocco, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The objective of this partnership is to carry out joint Research & Development initiatives, to jointly promote innovative fertilization solutions, and to offer tailor-made fertilizers that meet the specific needs of Indian farmers, in close collaboration with the Indian agricultural ecosystem (public sector, agronomic institutes, agricultural federations, farmers, etc.) Within this framework, OCP Group has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU's) with India's largest public and private sector fertilizer producers, paving the way for OCP to supply India with up to 1.7 million metric tons (MT) of phosphate fertilizers for the agricultural season over the next twelve months. These memoranda were signed between OCP Group executives and Indian fertilizer manufacturers, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health, Chemicals and Fertilizers in India, His Excellency Shri Rajesh Vaishnaw, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Morocco and Mr. Mostafa Terrab, Chairman ad CEO of OCP Group.



The agreements will provide for up to 700,000 MT of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), a phosphate-based fertilizer that has the highest phosphate content found in nitrogen-free granular fertilizers and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of plants and soils in India. Customized fertilizers are known to be better for soil health, thus reducing waste. The MOUs also call for the delivery of 1,000,000 tons of diammonium phosphate (DAP) to Indian farmers. Commenting on the occasion, Mr Soufiyane El Kassi, Chairman and CEO of OCP Nutricrops, the group's subsidiary dedicated to soil health and plant fertilization solutions said: "We are pleased with India's interest in our customized solution (TSP) that significantly contributes to increasing yields, improving farmers' incomes and accelerating the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices"

About OCP Group OCP Group plays an important role in feeding a growing global population by providing essential elements for soil fertility and plant growth. With a century of experience and revenues reaching US$ 9.4 billion in 2021, OCP Group is a leader in plant nutrition and the world's largest producer of phosphate-based fertilizers. Headquartered in Morocco and present on five continents, with over 18 000 employees, OCP Group works in close partnership with more than 350 customers across the world. The group recently launched a new Green Investment Strategy, devoted to raising fertilizer production and investing in renewable energy. The strategy provides for a global investment of about $13 billion over the 2023-2027 period, which will enable the group to use 100% renewable energy by 2027 and achieve full carbon neutrality by 2040. The strategy also aims to reach a water desalination capacity of 560 million m3 in 2026 and increase the production of green fertilizers. The group is firmly convinced that leadership and profitability are necessarily synonymous with social responsibility and sustainable development. Its strategic vision is rooted in the meeting of these two dimensions. Learn more: www.ocpgroup.ma Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1987790/OCP_Group_MOU_1.jpg

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[January 22, 2023] EDS Technologies launches Business Consulting Division for Digital Transformation

BANGALORE, India, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EDS Technologies today announced the launch of its new business consulting division with a focus on digital transformation which aims to foster sustainable innovation in product design, engineering and manufacturing. This new division is in line with the overall company growth strategy of consolidating its leadership position and becoming a single point technology provider to its customers. As pointed out by NASSCOM, the Indian manufacturing industry will see increasing adoption of a combination of Digital Insights, Digital Continuity and Digital Convergence, which will help the Indian manufacturing sector to meet national growth targets. EDS Technologies' solutions are used by more than 2000 customers across multiple industries in the manufacturing sector, accelerating their technology adoption and digital transformation. The consulting division will be headed by industry veteran Vijay Babu who was onboarded recently. He has over 38 years' experience working in senior positions with leading global technology and manufacturing majors, such as SAP, Deneb Robotics (now part of Dassault Systemes), Tata Motors, HCL Technologies, etc, helping organizations script the digital thread for their enterprise. Vijay Babu will have a team of consultants with deep expertise drawn from various industries with an average experience of 15 years. This division will help organizations adopt the best practices in enriching their value chain and delivering seamless integration of their design office, manufacturing, and operations. The oferings from the consulting division will initially focus on process enablement, which includes Design, Change Management, Manufacturing handover, Project Management, and Quality Management.



Speaking about the new division, S. Senthil, President, EDS Technologies, remarked, "We are the first company in India to enable manufacturing organizations to choose hardware independent software applications and implement them through our tie-ups with global technology leaders. From our inception in 1995, we introduced multiple technologies in India, developed the market, and helped capture value for all the stakeholders. The new consulting division will draw expertise from our highly skilled professionals engaged with our large customer base that no other company can draw parallels in India. This complements our 3DEXPERIENCE offerings from Dassault Systemes, a high growth area for us, ensuring our customers get more value from investments within a shorter time frame." "Understanding and embracing new approaches, new materials, new technology, is critical to building a company that can meet the demands of today and challenges of tomorrow. EDS Technologies certainly represents an opportunity for us to go increasingly further in the process of transforming the manufacturing industry in India. The goal is to combine our powerful 3DEXPERIENCE platform with the integration experience of EDS Technologies, to find faster and more assertive answers for our customers in all situations as we continue to drive sustainable innovation," said Deepak N G, Managing Director, Dassault Systemes.

About EDS Technologies EDS Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (EDST), established in 1995, is one of the largest Technology Solutions providers in India. EDST partnering with global technology leaders provide PLM, 3D Printing, Location Analytics, EDA tools, 3D Visual Simulation and e-Learning solutions bringing in the most complete solution for any size and type of industry. EDST's differentiation is its domain expertise, consultative approach and hands-on understanding of customer requirements required to drive successful implementations with world-class training and technical support. With more than 27 years' experience, EDST has a large customer base in the Indian market with more than 2000 customers from aerospace, automotive and supply chain, industrial machinery, high-tech, and electronics, railways, infrastructure, consumer packaged goods, engineering service providers, defence, research, and academia. For more information, visit https://www.edstechnologies.com Media Contact:

Reghuprasad R

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[January 23, 2023] Vesta Selected by Leading Indonesian eCommerce Giant Blibli to Protect Transactions and Boost Approval Rates

Payment guarantee solution aims to increase order approval rates, eliminate chargeback risks and provide a frictionless shopping experience SINGAPORE, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vesta, a leading global transaction guarantee platform for online purchases, today announced its partnership with Blibli, a pioneer in Indonesian omnichannel commerce and lifestyle ecosystems, to increase approval rates through its proven payment guarantee product. Using advanced machine learning techniques, AI and global consortium data, Vesta is protecting all of Blibli's card-not-present (CNP) transactions through full decisioning and transaction guarantee services, eliminating the risk of chargebacks. This will allow Blibli to deliver a more secure and frictionless shopping experience to their loyal customers, while opening categories that were previously considered too risky. "Vesta is aligned with Blibli's vision to be the most trusted omnichannel commerce and lifestyle platform," said Emilia Susanti, SVP of Strategic Operations for Blibli, adding, "Payment security is key to increasing our customers' trust in transacting on our platform, leading to more growth and stickiness." Based on the study by Frost & Sullivan and Euromonitor, eCommerce in Indonesia is projected to reach US$150 billion b 2025. As one of the leading and most trusted omnichannel commerce and lifestyle platforms in Indonesia, Blibli recorded approximately IDR32.4 trillion (equivalent to US$2.2 billion) of Total Processing Value (TPV) in 2021.



Blibli provides over 30 million carefully curated products coming from more than 280,000 trusted merchant business partners. Additionally, Blibli can also accept various payment from more than 20 issuing bank partners in Indonesia and more than 30,000 issuing banks worldwide, and Fintechs. As an ecommerce platform that focuses on customer, service, and quality, Blibli delights more than 31 million members across Indonesia. "We're thrilled to help ecommerce giants like Blibli positively impact their customer experience and trust with zero-risk decisioning in real time," said Vesta GM APAC, Shabab Muhaddes. "In APAC, digital merchants are rejecting too many good customer transactions due to the fear of fraud, and Vesta solves that pain point with our real-time decision platform and our Payment Guarantee solution."

About PT Global Digital Niaga Tbk (Blibli)

Established in 2011, PT Global Digital Niaga Tbk ("Blibli" or the "Company"; IDX: "BELI") is a pioneer and leading omnichannel commerce and lifestyle ecosystem in Indonesia, focusing on serving digitally connected retail and institutions consumers nationwide. Blibli provides an integrated and seamless online and offline consumer experience through its e-commerce platform and by operating physical stores for some leading brand partners. In addition, Blibli also manages to collaborate with more than 27,000 stores adopting Blibli Instore and Click & Collect, as well as supported by its fulfillment infrastructure, including developed nationwide warehouses and logistics networks and enhance the last-mile delivery service from its first-party logistics (1PL)  Blibli Express Services (BES), and numerous third-party logistics (3PL) partners.?For more information, visit https://about.blibli.com/en. About Vesta

Vesta is a global transaction guarantee company for online purchases, delivering unparalleled approval rates and a frictionless customer experience while eliminating chargebacks and other forms of digital fraud. Differentiated by its sophisticated data science and 25+ years of experience, Vesta brings a deep understanding of some of the world's most serious threats and challenging markets. Leading brands in ecommerce, travel, financial services, and telco rely on Vesta to provide accurate decisions and 100% guaranteed transaction and revenue protection in real time. For more information visit www.vesta.io. SOURCE Vesta Corporation

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[January 23, 2023] Globalive announces bid to acquire Manitoba spectrum as it looks to become Canada's next national wireless provider

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, in an exciting development for wireless competition, Globalive has announced its bid to acquire spectrum licenses from former provincial wireless carrier Xplore Mobile. Globalive is seeking to offer Manitobans affordable, innovative offerings and a best-in-class network experience. "We are building a national independent wireless carrier across Canada and we are acquiring spectrum in all markets to realize our long-term vision of a globally competitive telecom market," said Anthony Lacavera, Globalive's Founder and Chairman. "It's clear by looking at truly competitive markets outside of Canada that these results are only possible by introducing a national pureplay wireless carrier with no legacy, fixed line business." We will bring wireless prices across Canada down to globally competitive levels for all Canadians. This acquisition in Manitoba will facilitate our goal to bring prices down for Manitobans, just as we already did previously for consumers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia when we owned and operated WIND Mobile in Canada." When operating WIND Mobile, Globalive ntroduced industry-changing innovation in competition, namely unlimited data, voice and text messaging, and unlimited and affordable roaming in the United States; all continue to benefit all Canadians today. During Globalive's ownership and control of WIND Mobile, wireless prices decreased by over 20 per cent, translating to an average household savings of $400 per year. Globalive has a rich history of building networks and deploying acquired spectrum in addition to a proven track record of serving customers with innovative, competitive offerings.



Subject to Xplore Mobile's acceptance of Globalive's offer and customary closing conditions, a successful bid would help bring a strong, stable competitor in Manitoba, and the only purely wireless competitor in Canada. Concurrent with this offer to Xplore mobile, Globalive is in discussions with Telus to expand its existing conditional spectrum and network sharing agreement with Telus that currently covers Ontario, BC, and Alberta. This arrangement, which is conditional on regulatory approval, would provide improved coverage and choice to Canadians.

About Globalive Globalive has founded or co-founded and operated 12 operating companies over the past 25 years in the telecommunications industry, including WIND Mobile which was sold to Shaw Communications for $1.6 billion. Globalive Capital has a diversified investment portfolio across multiple asset classes including venture, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. Globalive Ventures has made over 125 early-stage technology venture investments and is well-known as a strategic, entrepreneur friendly investor. Globalive has been a founding sponsor of leading incubators and accelerators including NEXT Canada and the Creative Destruction Lab, and the Globalive team serves as directors and advisors across the startup ecosystem. Globalive Media focuses on the innovation ecosystem and produces the show Beyond Innovation (beyondinnovation.tv) that airs globally on the Bloomberg platform. For more information, visit www.globalive.com. SOURCE Globalive Capital

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[January 23, 2023] Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan receives Women's Entrepreneur of the Year award for the SAARC region

Basiz Fund Services Director was felicitated at an event by Sri Lankan Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka MUMBAI, India, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Lady of Sri Lanka, Prof Maithree Wickremesinghe honoured Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan, Director of Basiz Fund Services, with the 'Women's Entrepreneur of the Year award for the SAARC region' at a ceremony held under the aegis of the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka. Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan is a software, finance, and accounting specialist who has created automated technology solutions and products for accounting applications in the fund business, as well as Legal Tech. Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan, a Fund Administration business leader, has effectively incorporated a strong mix of dignity, knowledge, and elegance into her exceptional professional presence. Dr. Sujata has extensive expertise in the IT/ITES business. She has close to two decades of expertise in Technical/Domain Training, Business Process Management, Process Control, and Product Development, giving her a 360-degree view on delivering top-notch solutions to complex problems. Dr. Sujata, who is both innovative and ambitious, has made her mark by receiving two patents for her high-end intellectual property solutions. She has also been expertly managing Basiz's customised investment portfolio for the past 13 years. "As I receive this wonderful honour, I am overtaken by a sensation of incredible pride and appreciation. I was reminded that, while this is an honour for me, it is also a reward for the individuals and institutions that have assisted me in reaching this point. I dedicate this award to every Indian woman who is transforming our nation into a powerhouse o opportunity and progress, and I am honoured by the privilege of representing us all," said Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan, Director of Basiz Fund Services.



"Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce,Sri Lanka, is an organisation founded by visionaries devoted to promoting female entrepreneurs and their economic contributions," Dr. Sujata further added. "The organisation genuinely exemplifies strong and forward-thinking mindsets that aim to reinvent industry best practises. They are raising the standard for future generations of female entrepreneurs, and I am honoured to be a part of such an inspiring movement." About Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan:

Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan is a professional with a Doctorate in Business Administration from SP Jain School of Global Management, Singapore/India with Dean's List Merit Scholarship. Her focus areas include Innovation Management and Blockchain Adoption. Dr. Sujata Seshadrinathan is expertly qualified to lead the company, Basiz Fund Services, as Director  of IT, Product & Process and is a major Shareholder. Her two decades of experience in software design and development and fund administration services provide a solid foundation for her triumph as a global leader in fund administration. About Basiz Fund Services: Basiz Fund Service Private Limited, an Ops Global Singapore Company, is in operation for the last 18 years. It is engaged in the business of providing, among other services, fund administration, fund accounting, financial reporting, high end fintech products and services, CRM & automated legal software products, taxation  USA, India & Singapore, financial statements compilation, outsourcing of accounting and book-keeping, AML/KYC, middle office services and management consulting services. Basiz has a history of handling assignments with an AUA of over USD 500 billion and exposure to over 30,000 financial statements backed by sound state-of-the-art technologies. Having processed thousands of NAV computations and processes of divergent nature, with high level of complexities, Basiz has an extensive knowledge pool capable of handling the most challenging situations and bringing solutions to its clients covering a variety of asset classes, accounting standards and instrument structures. It also has multilingual skills and processes statements based on data received in English, French, Italian, Hebrew and German languages and have the ability to source skill sets in other languages to provide the necessary customer support. This is achieved with the strength of its 180 plus highly skilled resources of three different nationalities based across four offices in India (Chennai, Mumbai, Gandhinagar GIFT City - India's first offshore financial centre, and Tripura), apart from offices in Singapore, Bahrain and United States. About Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce: For more than 30 years, the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) has been actively working to maximize the economic contribution of Sri Lanka's women entrepreneurs and professionals. Established in 1985 by a group of especially forward-thinking entrepreneurs, the WCIC has since achieved a strong reputation for high standards and for advancing its mission of emboldening and strengthening female power. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1988003/WCIC_Award.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/dr-sujata-seshadrinathan-receives-womens-entrepreneur-of-the-year-award-for-the-saarc-region-301727986.html

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[January 23, 2023] Leading Operationally-Focused Private Equity Firm MiddleGround Capital Launches European Office and Adds Partnership Promotions

MiddleGround Capital ("MiddleGround"), an operationally focused private equity firm that makes control investments in middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution companies, today announced the launch of its European office, alongside hires to lead the new office, as well as several key executive level promotions. The firm's European strategy launched January 3, 2023, and is based in Amsterdam. Additionally, the promotions are part of MiddleGround's strategic plan to expand its operating capabilities to meet the growing needs of global investors and portfolio investments. New Hires to Spearhead the Ramp-Up of the Firm's European Efforts MiddleGround has hired Alexander van der Have, Anthony Denaix and Robert Jonkers to lead its European strategy. They report directly to John Stewart, MiddleGround's Founding Partner. The firm's European leadership team brings extensive experience across investing, business development and operations. Alex van der Have , will serve as Managing Director and Head of the Investment Team. Van der Have joins the firm with extensive investment experience. His most recent role he was part of the management team running the Venture / Growth Capital & Private Equity business at Ingka Investments (part of IKEA group). Prior to that, he also served in various senior investment management roles in private equity and venture capital firms. Throughout his career he served as a board member in several companies active in mobility, additive manufacturing, logistics, financial services and cleantech markets. Van der Have holds a degree in Corporate & Commercial Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam in addition to his MBA from IE Business School.

, will serve as Managing Director and Head of the Investment Team. Van der Have joins the firm with extensive investment experience. His most recent role he was part of the management team running the Venture / Growth Capital & Private Equity business at Ingka Investments (part of IKEA group). Prior to that, he also served in various senior investment management roles in private equity and venture capital firms. Throughout his career he served as a board member in several companies active in mobility, additive manufacturing, logistics, financial services and cleantech markets. Van der Have holds a degree in Corporate & Commercial Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam in addition to his MBA from IE Business School. Anthony Denaix , will serve as Managing Director and Head of Business Development . Denaix joins MiddleGround with a wealth of experience in business development and private equity client solutions from his time at both Orbit Partners, where he served as Managing Director of Global Business Development and Origination, as well as at GLG, where he held numerous leadership positions focused in EMEA. He also held a position as engagement manager at Calash, a full service energy consultancy providing strategy, business advisory and M&A services to private equity, banks, credit funds and corporates. Denaix holds a MSc from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate school as well as a Masters in Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris.

, will serve as Managing Director and Head of Business Development Denaix joins MiddleGround with a wealth of experience in business development and private equity client solutions from his time at both Orbit Partners, where he served as Managing Director of Global Business Development and Origination, as well as at GLG, where he held numerous leadership positions focused in EMEA. He also held a position as engagement manager at Calash, a full service energy consultancy providing strategy, business advisory and M&A services to private equity, banks, credit funds and corporates. Denaix holds a MSc from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate school as well as a Masters in Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris. Robert Jonkers, will serve as Managing Director and Head of Operations. Jonkers brings a unique combination of hands-on operational experience with leadership roles in McKinsey's supply chain practice, where he focused on elevating supply chain organizations and networks to unlock the strategic potential as a critical enabler of overall business performance. Prior to his time at McKinsey, Jonkers held senior positions at Nature's Pride and PON amongst others. Over the course of his career, he has developed an invaluable skillset across verticals and his deep knowledge about operational value creations is an ideal addition to MiddleGround's Operating team in Europe. The European Team will be comprised of other Senior Management, including Brandon Hamel, who was a Senior Associate in North America and has been promoted to Vice President of the Transaction Team as well as Sarah Varghese, who was an Associate in North America and has been promoted to Senior Associate of the Transaction Team. Both Hamel and Varghese have accepted a rotational assignment in Amsterdam. "We have already established a strong foothold in Europe, and the official launch of our European office marks the next stage of growth for our firm," said John Stewart, MiddleGround's Founding Partner. "MiddleGround Capital is putting boots on the ground in Europe, and our three new team members - Anthony, Robert and Alex - will lead the European Team. I look forward to working closely with them as we expand our efforts to ensure we replicate our success in North America and apply our operational expertise to transform industrial companies across Europe." The firm has hired a total of 15 professionals to be part of the European Team. MiddleGround Capital has an established track record of investing in companies with a European presence. By opening an office in Amsterdam, the firm is able to further capitalize on its existing relationships in Europe, access the region's industrial manufacturing hubs, leverage the strong talent base locally, and seamlessly meet the needs of institutional investors across continental Europe and the United Kingdom. "I know I speak for the full European Team when I say that we are thrilled to be on board and are ready to start to really ramp-up our expansion efforts and enhance our European presence," said Denaix. "We all share MiddleGround Capital's entrepreneurial spirit, and look forward to finding ways to capitalize on the firm's existing groundwork already in place across Europe." Continued Investment in Team to Drive Long-Term Success MiddleGround has promoted several of its team members to Parner and C-Level positions. In terms of the Partner promotions specifically, the firm has expanded its Partnership to six, which now provides the Partnership with an equal representation of male and female members. These promotions are for individuals who bring decades of experience, both within private equity investing as well as business development and investor relations.



Scot Duncan, who has worked with Stewart for over 25 years, has assumed the duties of Chief Operating Officer of the firm. In addition to his responsibilities as the Head of the Operating Team, Duncan is also responsible for the firm's Strategic Services, which includes, Human Capital, Office Management, Compliance, Legal, Data Analytics, ESG and IT. Duncan founded the firm alongside Stewart in 2018, having also worked alongside him at Toyota Motor Corporation for 12 years.

who has worked with Stewart for over 25 years, has assumed the duties of Chief Operating Officer of the firm. In addition to his responsibilities as the Head of the Operating Team, Duncan is also responsible for the firm's Strategic Services, which includes, Human Capital, Office Management, Compliance, Legal, Data Analytics, ESG and IT. Duncan founded the firm alongside Stewart in 2018, having also worked alongside him at Toyota Motor Corporation for 12 years. Justin W. Steil , who was previously a Managing Director on the Investment Team and Heads the New York Transaction Team and co-leads the firm's Mobility Opportunity Fund, has been promoted to Partner. Steil brings two decades of private equity investing experience to his new role and will remain based in New York. Before joining MiddleGround, Steil served as a Managing Director in the private equity business of Evercore and, more recently, as a Managing Director on the Private Capital team of PineBridge Investments. Earlier in his career, Steil worked in the investment banking division of Merrill Lynch & Co. Steil earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with High Distinction from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Economics from New York University. He also studied public policy at New York University's Wagner School.

, who was previously a Managing Director on the Investment Team and Heads the New York Transaction Team and co-leads the firm's Mobility Opportunity Fund, has been promoted to Partner. Steil brings two decades of private equity investing experience to his new role and will remain based in New York. Before joining MiddleGround, Steil served as a Managing Director in the private equity business of Evercore and, more recently, as a Managing Director on the Private Capital team of PineBridge Investments. Earlier in his career, Steil worked in the investment banking division of Merrill Lynch & Co. Steil earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with High Distinction from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Economics from New York University. He also studied public policy at New York University's Wagner School. Christen Paras , who was previously Managing Directorhas been promoted to Partner. Paras will co-lead the North American Investment Team, which includes the Transaction Teams in both New York and Lexington as well as Business Development. In her new role, Paras will continue to focus on transaction sourcing and will assume responsibilities for deal execution as well as overall management of the Investment Team. Paras joined the firm from CoBe Capital, where she served as the Head of Global Business Development. Prior to CoBe Capital, she was a Managing Director at Orion Consultants, where she advised investment banks on managing their institutional relationships and optimizing market positioning. Paras received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

, who was previously Managing Directorhas been promoted to Partner. Paras will co-lead the North American Investment Team, which includes the Transaction Teams in both New York and Lexington as well as Business Development. In her new role, Paras will continue to focus on transaction sourcing and will assume responsibilities for deal execution as well as overall management of the Investment Team. Paras joined the firm from CoBe Capital, where she served as the Head of Global Business Development. Prior to CoBe Capital, she was a Managing Director at Orion Consultants, where she advised investment banks on managing their institutional relationships and optimizing market positioning. Paras received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Jamie Meurer, who serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the firm, will now assume responsibility for Fund Accounting in addition to her current responsibilities. Meurer is responsible for managing all aspects of corporate and fund accounting, as well as managing MiddleGround's back office. Prior to joining MiddleGround, Meurer served as the Director of Fund and Corporate Accounting at Viking Partners, a real estate private equity firm based in Cincinnati, OH. Meurer is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and a CPA. MiddleGround also announced the promotion of three senior leaders to the title of Managing Director. In light of these additions, the Executive Team at MiddleGround is now 45% women. Mike Bridge, who was previously a Director, ESG & Data Analytics, has been promoted to Managing Director of ESG & Data Analytics. Prior to MiddleGround, he worked for nearly two decades with Toyota Motor Corporation. Bridge graduated from the University of Louisville with his MBA in Business Administration and Masters in Engineering.

who was previously a Director, ESG & Data Analytics, has been promoted to Managing Director of ESG & Data Analytics. Prior to MiddleGround, he worked for nearly two decades with Toyota Motor Corporation. Bridge graduated from the University of Louisville with his MBA in Business Administration and Masters in Engineering. Mandy Kamm, who was previously Director of Investor Relations, has been promoted to Managing Director of Fund Operations. In addition to her responsibilities leading the Investor Relations Team, Kamm will also manage the Marketing Team and for Valuation of the Fund(s) Investments. Kamm joined the firm with over 10 years of experience managing investment execution across global buyouts, growth equity, venture capital, private credit, and infrastructure. Most recently, she was an Investment Officer with the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado.

who was previously Director of Investor Relations, has been promoted to Managing Director of Fund Operations. In addition to her responsibilities leading the Investor Relations Team, Kamm will also manage the Marketing Team and for Valuation of the Fund(s) Investments. Kamm joined the firm with over 10 years of experience managing investment execution across global buyouts, growth equity, venture capital, private credit, and infrastructure. Most recently, she was an Investment Officer with the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado. Stan Stanford, who was previously a Director on the Operations Team, has been promoted to Managing Director of the Operations Team. Stanford will oversee operations for a large portion of MiddleGround Capital's portfolio and will be based in Kentucky. Previously, Stanford worked alongside Stewart and Duncan at Toyota Motor Corporation. He also spent nearly a decade at Parker Hannifin and most recently held the role of General Manager at Fluid System Connectors Division. "I want to first recognize Scot Duncan for his promotion to COO - we have worked together since he graduated from the University of Kentucky and have shared numerous accomplishments," said Stewart. "Scot embodies the true essence of what being a partner is all about - ensuring all our big plans we dream up are executed on. It has been so rewarding to see him expand his knowledge and capabilities over the years, but his most impressive achievement has been the leadership he has provided to our Operating Team and portfolio investment CEOs. Our portfolio is thriving because of his leadership."

Stewart added, "Furthermore, Christen and Justin have proven themselves to be very capable managers and leaders in the organization and I am thrilled to have them join our partnership. Christen's discipline and work ethic is without precedent and I look forward to seeing all she can accomplish in this new role. Justin joined the firm in 2021 as a Managing Director, which is challenging, and since then, has gained the respect and friendship of the team. His leadership amongst the New York Team will benefit the firm as whole and there are great things to come as he takes the lead with our next generation Mobility Fund." In addition to the Executive Team promotions, MiddleGround also promoted members of the firm to the Senior Management Team, who bring a collective full suite of expertise across operations, investment execution, due diligence, investor relations, and more. This includes: Krissie Bailey, who was previously Vice President and member of the Senior Management Team, has been promoted to Director & Head of Human Capital (HR); Dyana Baurley, who was previously Vice President, Business Development, has been promoted to Director, North American Business Development and joins the Senior Management Team; Ryan McComb, who was previously a Vice President on the Investment Team and a member of the Senior Management Team, was promoted to Director & Head of the Investment Team in Kentucky; Marty Sjoquist, who was previously Vice President on the Investment Team, has been promoted to Director on the Investment Team and joins the Senior Management Team; Amy Florence, who was previously the Management Company Controller, was promoted to Vice President of Corporate Accounting and joins the Senior Management Team; Joe Fields-Elswick, who is Chief of Staff, joins the Senior Management Team; Jennifer Cohagen, who is the Fund Controller joins the Senior Management Team; Madelyn Tutewiler, who is a Vice President and leads our ESG Team joins the Senior Management Team; Shelby Hundley, who is a Vice President on the Human Capital Team joins the Senior Management Team. "2022 was a strong year of expansion at MiddleGround, reflected in steady growth across all aspects of our firm and I couldn't be more proud of the accomplishment of the entire team," added Stewart. "Over the course of the past year, we hired 51 employees, deployed $2.1bn of capital, raised $450M of co-investment deployed and maintained a work culture that is second to none within our industry. This impressive list of individuals are well deserving of their promotions as each person has made vital contributions to our firm that are enabling us to scale our operations and further serve our investors and fund's portfolio investments. Their insights, expertise and values embody everything we stand for at MiddleGround, and I'm confident their leadership will position the firm to further maximize every opportunity. We are proud to recognize the best and brightest at our firm who demonstrate our amazing diversity of talent." Continuation of Existing Well-Established Culture and Investment Focus As the firm continues to invest in its team to drive long-term success, MiddleGround Capital has nearly doubled its employee base over the past year, increasing from a team of 55, as of December 2021, to 100 employees as of December 2022. The firm has also maintained its commitment to diversity with 46% of employees being minority or women individuals. Furthermore, the new office in Amsterdam is a key location that allows MiddleGround to enhance its European efforts considering the city is in the heart of the firm's key markets, while also ensuring a cultural fit given a shared prioritization of holistic individual wellbeing and work-life balance. With significant experience partnering with market-leading companies and building transformational platform businesses, MiddleGround is well-positioned to leverage its established success in the United States and expand further into Europe. The European industrial sector is undergoing similar macroeconomic changes and secular manufacturing tailwinds as the United States market, resulting in similar pockets of opportunity. About MiddleGround Capital MiddleGround Capital is a private equity firm based in Lexington, KY with over $3.3 billion of Assets Under Management. MiddleGround makes control equity investments in middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution businesses. MiddleGround works with its portfolio companies to create value through a hands-on operational approach and partners with its management teams to support long-term growth strategies. For more information, please visit: www.middlegroundcapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230120005325/en/

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Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners Announces Final Investment from Nearly $80 Million Fund VI

Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners, Inc. ("WDIP") today announced that it has made the final investment from its sixth fund, Walker & Dunlop Investment Partner Fund VI ("Fund VI").

Launched in Q1 2021 with a strategy to invest in niche, opportunistic middle-market commercial real estate, the fund had its final close in Q2 2022. The $79.3 million of capital in Fund VI and co-investments was deployed between Q1 2021 and Q4 2022 across eight equity investments with a combined total capitalization of $259 million.

The eight investments included four industrial deals, two hotel-to-multifamily conversions, one build-for-rent investment and one distressed office transaction.

"We are very pleased with the portfolio we built for Fund VI which is positioned to perform well despite current market uncertainties and macroeconomic headwinds," said Marcus Duley, chief investment officer of WDIP. "We have acquired properties at attractive bases relative to replacement cost and are executing business plans that create intrinsic value. For our new development investments, we are on track to achieve stabilized yield-on-costs well above exit cap expectations. This will serve to protect investor downside while positioning the investments for upside realization."

Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners was founded in 2006 and has gained prominence across the country as one of the real estate industry's leading middle market investment managers. Since its inception, the firm has invested in or advised on more than $14.8 billion of real estate in over 600 transactions.

Added Marcus Duley, "We continue to remain very active in the market and expect to see strong investment opportunities on behalf of our managed accounts and any potential future funds."

About Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners

Walker & Dunlop Investment Partners ("WDIP") is an alternative investment manager that provides capital solutions to middle-market commercial real estate sponsors. Investing on behalf of insurance companies, public pension funds, endowments, foundations, family offices, and high-net worth individuals, WDIP partners with sponsors whose transactions are in need of financing but are under-served by institutional capital. The Denver, Colorado-based firm's investment vehicles focus on opportunistic, value-add, and income-oriented commercial real estate strategies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, WDIP has unmatched access to proprietary resources and market intelligence. This partnership offers clients unique, real-time insights into market movements, valuation, pricing, and underwriting. For more information, visit www.wdinvestmentpartners.com.







All investments have risk of loss and WDIP cannot guarantee any investment strategy will achieve its goals and objectives. Nothing herein is an offer to sell any security, including an interest in any private fund.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities - where Americans live, work, shop and play - to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology makes us more insightful and valuable to our clients, providing an unmatched experience every step of the way. With over 1,300 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005257/en/
Buddy Franson Joins Alliant Insurance Services in Iowa

Buddy Franson has joined Alliant Insurance Services as Vice President in Dubuque, Iowa. In this position, Franson will provide a full range of strategic property and casualty insurance and risk management solutions to clients across the Midwest.

Franson joins Alliant with a depth of experience serving a diverse client base in the real estate/property management, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Franson partners with his clients to help them develop a strong safety culture, navigate the insurance process, and develop best-in-class programs that deliver long-term results.

"Buddy combines his longstanding experience in the Midwest region with keen, industry-specific expertise, offering clients customized olutions built for their business," said Bob Bennetsen, Executive Vice President and Senior Managing Director with Alliant. "He sees beyond basic business risks and can help clients prepare for long-term growth and success."







Prior to joining Alliant, Franson was a Sales Representative with a national insurance brokerage and consulting firm. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Iowa.

Franson can be reached at (563) 307-1845 or at [email protected].

About Alliant Insurance Services

Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nation's leading distributors of diversified insurance products and services. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is getting more complex, and Alliant is meeting this complexity head-on, not with more layers of management, but with more creativity and agility. Alliant is changing the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, so they can capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations. Visit us at alliant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005048/en/
[January 23, 2023] Ventas Appoints J. Justin Hutchens, Executive Vice President, Senior Housing, to Additional Role of Chief Investment Officer

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) ("Ventas" or the "Company") today announced that J. Justin Hutchens, Executive Vice President, Senior Housing, has been appointed to the additional role of Chief Investment Officer, effective immediately. In his expanded role, Hutchens will be responsible for Ventas's capital allocation strategy and execution across the enterprise in addition to his current responsibility for the Company's Senior Housing portfolio. He will oversee both the Senior Housing and Investments teams and continue to report directly to Ventas Chairman and CEO Debra A. Cafaro. "Through his exceptional leadership of our Senior Housing business over the past three years, Justin has proven to be an invaluable member of the Ventas executive team. By combining the CIO and EVP, Senior Housing roles, we are streamlining our executive management structure and enhancing the connection between our investment activity and business operations," said Cafaro. "We look forward to growing the Company in our strategic capital allocation priority areas of senior housing and life science, research & innovation, and we are confident that Justin, supported by our deep and experienced Investments team, will continue our long history of value creation." With more than 25 years of experience in both REITs and senior housing, Hutchens has significant investment and capital allocation expertise and a record of proven success. He has led Ventas's Senior Housing business since joining the Company in early 2020, with responsibility for more than800 communities representing nearly half of the Company's portfolio. Hutchens previously served as President and Chief Investment Officer of HCP (NYSE: PEAK) and Chief Executive Officer and President of National Health Investors (NYSE: NHI). Hutchens joined Ventas from HC-One, the UK's largest care homes operator with over 325 locations and over 22,000 employees, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2017 to 2020.



"I am honored to take on this expanded role at an exciting time for Ventas," said Hutchens. "Ventas has a long and successful investment track record of value creation across a diverse set of asset classes benefitting all stakeholders. I am excited to combine my operations and investments experience, leverage our Ventas Operational Insights (OI) platform of data and experiential insights to inform our senior housing investment activity and deploy additional data analytics capabilities to our life science, research & innovation, medical office and other investment focus areas. I look forward to working with the Ventas Investments team as we grow." Hutchens will assume the responsibilities of John D. Cobb, who will be leaving the Company. Cobb has agreed to remain at the Company as a strategic advisor through mid-February.

Cafaro continued, "On behalf of Ventas, I would like to extend my gratitude to John for his more than 12 years of service and his impressive contributions to the Company's success. John played an important role in building our best-in-class investments platform and shaping Ventas's diversified and high-performing portfolio. We wish him every continued success." About Ventas Ventas Inc., an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two large and dynamic industries - healthcare and real estate. Fueled by powerful demographic demand from growth in the aging population, Ventas owns a diversified portfolio of over 1,200 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ventas uses the power of its capital to unlock the value of senior living communities; life science, research & innovation properties; medical office & outpatient facilities, hospitals and other healthcare real estate. A globally-recognized real estate investment trust, Ventas follows a successful long-term strategy, proven over more than 20 years, built on diversification of property types, capital sources and industry leading partners, financial strength and flexibility, consistent and reliable growth and industry leading ESG achievements, managed by a collaborative and experienced team dedicated to its stakeholders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005391/en/

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[January 23, 2023] INVESTIGATION REMINDER: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm

The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. ("Goldman Sachs" or "the Company") (NYSE: GS) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Goldman Sachs is the subject of a Wall Street Journal article titled, "U.S. Fed probes Goldman Sachs consumer business," and published on January 20, 2023. According to the article, "The U.S. Federal Reserve is probing whether Goldman Sachs Group Inc's consumer businss had appropriate safeguards in place as the bank ramped up lending." The article adds, "The central bank is concerned the Wall Street giant did not have proper monitoring and control systems inside Marcus, its consumer unit, as it grew larger." The article continues, "The probe, which grew out of a standard Fed review of the business in 2021 and intensified into an investigation last year, is also examining instances of customer harm and whether they were properly resolved."



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].

The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005249/en/

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[January 23, 2023] Reliance Standard Life Insurance and Matrix Absence Management Rebrand as Reliance Matrix, Delivering High-Tech and High-Touch Solutions to the U.S. Employee Benefits and Absence Management Markets

Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company and Matrix Absence Management have rebranded as Reliance Matrix, a technology-driven absence and employee benefits company that provides financial protection and supplemental health plans for employees, while helping employers maximize productivity by managing time away from work. The two industry leaders have joined forces to bring integrated and personalized employee benefits, absence management and workforce productivity solutions to the U.S. employer market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005009/en/ "Human capital is an employer's most precious asset," said Chris Fazzini, President and CEO of Reliance Matrix. "With changing trends, laws and market challenges, it has never been more important to find ways to optimize productivity. Our proven formula is driven by technology integration, consistent compliance and building a strong culture." The rebrand is the culmination of a multiyear process aimed at providing a unified experience for the employers, employees and families that Reliance Matrix already supports today. Reliance Matrix markets solutions through independent brokers, agents, consultants and technology partners nationwide. "With a full suite of modern, market-leading solutions for all our customers, we are empowering customers to achieve their financial goals and care for what and who is most important to them," said Mark Marsters, Chief Operating Officer at Reliance Matrix. "We are better together because of our shared legacies and expertise, and stronger because of our stability and culture." Reliance Standard and Matrix have worked together as sister companies since 1997, providing integrated insurance and TPA services to large employers. According to Marsters, strategic advances over the past several years have driven the access point for these services down market. Today, employers with as few as 100 covered mployees are eligible to benefit from these solutions.



At the same time, the organization invested materially in technology tools aimed at empowering HR professionals, managers and employees to actively manage their corporate, as well as mandated, time away from work. One of these tools, called Absence Radar, received a United States patent in 2021. "Clients, customers, brokers and our technology partners will benefit from a singular brand identity and experience," concluded Patrick Trinsey, vice president and Chief Marketing Officer. "Clear and consistent messaging, alongside a seamless, omni-channel experience, will result in an even greater degree of confidence and satisfaction with the solutions and services."

The Reliance Matrix brand also encompasses First Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, a New York subsidiary; and Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York, which was acquired by Reliance Standard in January 2022. Reliance Standard's Retirement Services division, which is responsible for a portfolio of fixed and index annuity products it markets through independent brokers, agents, banks, and broker dealers, only underwrites policies through Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company and will therefore persist the Reliance Standard name and brand. Visit www.RelianceMatrix.com for more information. About Reliance Matrix Reliance Matrix delivers employee benefit, absence management and workforce productivity solutions through the financial stability of a top-rated insurance carrier, the proven innovation of an absence TPA, and the daily commitment of thousands of team members across America. Where larger competitors offer size, we inspire confidence and long term engagement through integration, reliability and dedication to providing customized solutions. Born in 1907, Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company is a leading provider of employee benefits, absence management and retirement savings solutions. Matrix Absence Management traces its roots to Silicon Valley at the dawn of the tech boom. Seamless and secure, we innovate and deliver products and programs to help individuals, employers, brokers and fiduciaries protect and nurture those most important to them. Reliance Matrix is a member of the Tokio Marine Group. Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., the ultimate holding company of the Tokio Marine Group, is incorporated in Japan and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Tokio Marine Group operates in the property and casualty insurance, reinsurance and life insurance sectors globally. The Group's main operating subsidiary, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire (TMNF), was founded in 1879 and is the oldest and leading property and casualty insurer in Japan. The Tokio Marine Group provides support, strength, and stability to customers and communities in a world filled with risk. The group gives individuals, businesses and partners the confidence to explore new possibilities and take next steps. Tokio Marine is committed to building more resilient economies, industries and societies in a rapidly changing world.



View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005009/en/

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[January 23, 2023] Manhattan Prep/Kaplan Survey: Many Business Schools Say the MBA Rankings Have Lost Prestige and Would Welcome its Demise

The decision by some top law schools to exit the rankings hasn't led to anything similar among business schools (yet), but if it did, many admissions officers would welcome it, according to Manhattan Prep/Kaplan's 2022 business school admissions officers survey*. Among the admissions officers surveyed at 117 full-time MBA programs across the United States, 37 percent believe that "business school rankings have lost some of their prestige over the last couple of years" and 29 percent disagree with that point of view; the remaining 34 percent didn't express one view or the other. Additionally, 34 percent of business schools "think it would be a positive development, for both business schools and applicants, for business school rankings to no longer exist," while 30 percent disagree; the remaining 36 percent didn't express one view or the other. These evolving views on the rankings come at a time of significant change on the MBA admissions landscape, with business schools looking for ways to boost their application numbers and many continuing to remain test optional, a COVIDera policy, as a way to accomplish this. It also comes at a time when some business schools and colleges have come under fire for reporting false data to game the rankings, hurting the system's credibility.



Those who held negative views about the rankings shared these reasons: "We should be focusing on fit, not prestige. What program is going to give the student the most positive experience and highest return on investment. We should be in the business of informing, not competing."

"The methodology is often so terribly flawed. Some are so poorly done and are done so only to make money. Business schools have accepted that somewhat, but many of today's prospective students seem to have a more critical eye than previous prospects. They tell us the rankings don't have the influence they once had."

"The criteria used for ranking is skewed to benefit the schools that already have more students and spend a lot of marketing dollars."

"The audience is more aware of the subjectivity of rankings, some schools have chosen not to participate, and some of the rankings have produced questionable results." "Over the years, more than a few admissions officers half-jokingly said that 'The most sleepless night for business school leaders is the night before the U.S. News rankings come out,' since for some, their job hangs in the balance," said Stacey Koprince, director of content and curriculum for Manhattan Prep, a sister company of Kaplan. "Whether there's widespread rebellion against the rankings the way we've seen among top law schools remains to be seen. For prospective students our advice is to look at the rankings when deciding where to apply and enroll, as they serve as a useful aggregate of important stats like post-graduate job numbers and starting salaries, but also strongly consider which schools seem like the best fit for you personally and for your professional goals."

To schedule an interview with a Manhattan Prep/Kaplan expert about the survey results, journalists can contact Russell Schaffer at [email protected] or 917.822.8190. *Based on the results of a survey conducted by phone and email between September and December 2022 and includes responses from 117 business schools across the United States; among them are 18 of the top 50 schools, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. About Kaplan Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, all of our employees across 27 countries continue Stanley's mission, working with hundreds of thousands of students and professionals and 12,000 corporate and 4,000 school and university clients worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at https://kaplan.com. Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005125/en/

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[January 23, 2023] Metronet Connects Beavercreek with Symmetrical, Multi-Gigabit Speeds Up to 10 Gigabits

Metronet today announced that residents and businesses throughout Beavercreek now have access to Metronet's multi-gigabit 100 percent fiber optic internet with service installation now available. In addition to Metronet's current offerings of 1 gigabit per second, speeds up to 2 gigabits are now available for residents; businesses may choose speeds of up to 10 gigabits. Customers located in Metronet's initial construction areas may now sign up to be installed by visiting metronet.com. "The City of Beavercreek welcomes Metronet to the community," said Pete Landrum, City Manager. "Their presence in Beavercreek will bring more competition to the area and offer residents and business owners with additional options when choosing an internet provider." "Beavercreek has been wonderful to work alongside as we bring our multi-gigabit, future-proof internet to residents and businesses throughout the city," said John Autry, Metronet Regional Sales Manager, Community Development. "As one of the first communities in Ohio that will have access to our multi-gigabit speeds, we are excited to see the positive impact of our future-proof infrastructure." As construction continues, residents in construction areas will receive 30 days advance notice by mail about construction activity in their neighborhood. Metronet provides additional messaging, such as yard signs, to notify residents of when construction is beginning in their neighborhood. Metronet crews are marked by ID tags and branded vehicles. To check the status of Mtronet's construction in your area and to sign up to be notified when Metronet services are available to be installed in your home or business, please visit construction.Metronetinc.com.



City officials interested in adding their community to Metronet's growing list of "Certified Gigabit Cities Powered by Metronet" may visit metronet.com/gigabit-city or contact Eddie Massengale, Metronet Sr. Director of Business Development & Government Affairs at [email protected] or at 423-280-9031. *Editor's Note: For those interested in speaking with one of Metronet's first customers located in Beavercreek, regarding their experience with Metronet's ultra-high-speed fiber optic internet, please let us know and we will make the connection for an interview.

About Metronet: Metronet is the nation's largest independently owned, 100 percent fiber optic company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The customer-focused company provides cutting-edge fiber optic communication services, including high-speed Fiber Internet and full-featured Fiber Phone. Metronet started in 2005 with one fiber optic network in Greencastle, Indiana. Since then, Metronet and its affiliates have grown to serve and construct networks in more than 250 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Metronet is committed to bringing state-of-the-art telecommunication services to communities - services that are comparable or superior to those offered in large metropolitan areas. By offering XGS PON technology, Metronet can easily carry its communities into the future of multi-gigabit service. Metronet has been recognized by PC Mag as one of the Top 10 Fastest ISPs in North Central United States in 2020 and Top 10 ISPs with Best Gaming Quality Index in 2021. Broadband Now has recognized Metronet as the Top 3 Fastest Internet Providers and Fastest Fiber Providers in the Nation in 2020, and #1 Fastest Mid-Sized Internet Provider in two states in 2020. In 2020, Metronet was awarded the Vectren Energy Safe Digging Partner Award from Vectren. For more information, visit www.Metronet.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005225/en/

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[January 23, 2023] Edgesource Donates Two Million Dollars in Counter-sUAS Systems to Ukraine

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edgesource Corporation, a small business delivering innovative solutions to the public sector, announced today that in 2022 it donated approximately two million dollars in Windtalker Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) technology and the centralized Dowding common operating platform to the Ukrainian Army.

The Windtalker solution detects and locates drones, their pilots, and more, within a range of 35+ kilometers. Windtalker deploys in 30 minutes or less and can gather more than 30 data fields, including serial number, drone location, home location, operator location, flight path, velocity, and altitude. The Dowding system provides a single-pane operating platform that quickly and securely displays and analyzes sUAS activity and creates real-time intelligence reports. Dowding can be deployed and used by operators with minimal training in less than an hour. The Washington Post recently called the Ukrainian conflict the first full-scale drone war in history, said Joe Urbaniak, COO of Edgesource. And I have to agree. Given the capabilities of our Windtalker and Dowding system, we knew early on that we could help -- and donating these systems at the outset of the conflict to Ukraine was the right thing to do to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians, and front-line units.



Edgesource recently announced the launch of EdgesourceX, which was created to bring similar C-sUAS capabilities to the commercial sector. Many arenas, public safety units, healthcare and critical infrastructure organizations are struggling to manage the risk from unauthorized drones. Edgesource helps these teams to ensure a security advantage. About Edgesource Corporation

Edgesource Corporation is a nimble, quality-driven small business delivering innovative and forward-leaning solutions to its customers. With subject matter experts and a staff of cleared professionals, our personnel solve complex mission-critical challenges with expedience and reliability in both U.S. domestic and international locations. Found in 1997 and recognizing 25 years of uninterrupted dedication to a variety of defense and civilian agencies, Edgesource now delivers leading edge C-sUAS technology to commercial customers.

Contact

Katie Hanusik

REQ for Edgesource

[email protected]



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AM Best to Sponsor ACLI-SOA's ReFocus 2023 Conference

AM Best is sponsoring the ReFocus 2023 conference, an annual insurance industry event co-hosted by the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) in Las Vegas, NV.

ReFocus 2023 will take place Feb. 26-March 1, 2023, at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The event features senior-level life insurance and reinsurance executives with sessions that look at leading issues in the industry, including distribution, new technologies and consolidation. AM Best is a gold-level sponsor of the networking breakfast on Monday, Feb. 27. For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.refocusconference.com/.







AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005513/en/
[January 23, 2023] Novvia Group Shares Progress Update After 2-year Milestone

Novvia Group ("Novvia" or the "Company"), founded in December 2020, has successfully executed on a thoughtful organic and inorganic growth plan to become North America's largest industrial packaging distributor, surpassing $550 million of annual revenue after two years of operations. Novvia is backed by New York-based private equity firm, Kelso & Company ("Kelso"). Novvia has completed 15 acquisitions since inception, consisting of eight regional "platform" acquisitions and seven local market "tuck-in" acquisitions to build regional density. Novvia's acquisition strategy is focused on retaining legacy managers, encouraging equity reinvestment in the platform, and driving continuity and incremental enhancement of the Company's customer value proposition. Notable acquisition-related accomplishments in 2022 included: Completing four add-on acquisitions to Novvia's Rhino platform on the West Coast and two acquisitions to its Inmark platform in the Southeast, building critical scale and density in these markets.

Entering the Pacific Northwest, an attractive growth market for Novvia, via the Company's acquisition of J.F. Shelton Packaging Distribution

Establishing a presence in the Northeast market via the Company's acquisition of Rahway Steel Drum Following its significant acquisition activity in 2022, Novvia can now claim full coverage of the United States and Canada, one of the Company's early stated objectives. In addition to developing a complete national presence, Novvia has also executed on its goal to assemble a world-class management team to support its rapid growth and lead its integration efforts. Sarah Macdonald assumed the role of President and CEO of Novvia Group in mid-2021 after a four-year stint in the same role with C.L. Smith, an early-2021 Novvia platform investment. Sarah has provided strategic leadership as the business has scaled, overseeing considerable organic growth accomplished through a range of important commercial and operatinal initiatives. To support its continued growth, Novvia made meaningful investments in its leadership team in 2022, including promoting Kelly Shillito to SVP of Human Resources, and welcoming the following experienced executives:



Jim Core, Group President and EVP; former General Manager of Home Depot Pro Institutional

Paul DeSantis, SVP & CFO; former CFO of Neenah, Inc.

Jim Summerville, SVP of Procurement & Supply Chain; Former SVP of Supply Chain at Terminix Speaking on the progress of the Company, Executive Chairman Ken Roessler commented, "We are extremely proud of the first two years of Novvia. From building a national platform via organic and inorganic initiatives, to continuing to advance our strong M&A pipeline, to integrating our businesses and appointing a world-class team, we are firing on all cylinders and look forward with great optimism to Novvia's future." Sandy Osborne and Alec Hufnagel, Managing Directors at Kelso added, "When Ken approached us with the vision for Novvia in September 2020, we shared his enthusiasm and conviction in the opportunity. Just over two years later, we thank and commend the entire Novvia team for tremendous execution on the initial thesis. In spite of the remarkable accomplishments of Novvia's first two years, including completing 15 strategic acquisitions, the business shows no signs of slowing down, and we look forward to continuing to support the Company on its impressive growth trajectory."

About Novvia Group Novvia Group is a leader in high-quality packaging solutions and customized services with domestic and international customers across myriad industries. Through its family of dynamic companies, comprised of Inmark, C.L. Smith, Silver Spur, Container Supply, Fox Valley, Rhino, Novvia Canada, Southern Container, Duval, Rios, Auberst, Innovative, Rahway Steel Drum, and J.F. Shelton Packaging Distribution, Novvia has set a new industry standard as a national stocking distributor with a comprehensive suite of containers and supplies, trusted local relationships and 40+ years of best-in-class customer service. For more information, please visit www.novviagroup.com. About Kelso Kelso is one of the oldest and most established firms specializing in private equity investing. Since 1980, Kelso has invested approximately $19 billion of equity capital in 139 transactions. Kelso was founded by the inventor of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and, as a result, the principles of partnership and alignment of interest serve as the foundation of the firm's investment philosophy. Kelso benefits from a successful investment track record, deep sector expertise, a long-tenured and stable investing team, and a reputation as a preferred partner to management teams and corporate partners. Kelso has significant experience investing in and supporting high-growth distribution and packaging platforms. The firm is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.kelso.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005422/en/

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[January 23, 2023] NEORIS Launches Their First Communication Campaign Made Entirely with AI, Featuring Talents in Leading Roles

NEORIS, the digital accelerator, launches the NEOS Communication Campaign, the first initiative created entirely with Artificial Intelligence and converting talents into brand ambassadors. Through different platforms, the company managed to create highly personalized, real and futuristic avatars through which they seek to reflect the values and personality of NEORIS. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005548/en/ The campaign focuses on seeking a balanced aesthetic, not only by using Artificial Intelligence services offered by NEORIS, but by aligning the resulting images with the values and concepts by which the company identifies. (Photo: Business Wire) The campaign is called the NEOS, the name given to the employees who are part of NEORIS. It is designed to strengthen the company's Employer Brand and Recruitment strategies which will be among the ways the company estimates it will hire more than 2,000 employees worldwide in 2023. We wanted our own talents to be the focus of this campaign, since they are our true spokespersons, the ones who speak about who we are and what we offer to those seeking to work with us," explained Jorge Lukowski, Global Director of Marketing and Communication for NEORIS.



The Campaign Through this commitment, NEORIS seeks to link the idea of creating avatars of its ambassador talents with the values they want to promote within their offices around the world. "We also aim for professionals from different areas and knowledge in technology to get to know who the people behind the NEORIS name are, and feel identified with what it means to be a true NEO. That is to say that we are agile, creative, multicultural, different, that we imagine the future, accelerate towards the positive and the new, enact change and empower ourselves through our differences," emphasized Lukowski.

In this sense, the campaign focuses on seeking a balanced aesthetic, not only by using Artificial Intelligence services offered by NEORIS, but by aligning the resulting images with the values and concepts by which the company identifies. "The avatars created with Artificial Intelligence are the materialization of three key variables for NEORIS: the values of the person, the values of the company and, of course, the photographic images of the talents," Lukowski expressed. To make all this possible, NEORIS took advantage of the rise in 2022 of different Artificial Intelligence platforms such as Stable Diffusion, an Open Source platform; DALL E, a tool that was created in 2021; and ClipDrop. The initiative is part of a series of actions that NEORIS has been working on in recent years to enhance the sense of belonging, identity and organizational culture. "We want to start the new year by accelerating into the future and positioning ourselves as the innovative company that we are," explained Lukowski. About NEORIS NEORIS is a leading global digital accelerator, with more than 20 years of experience, which helps companies and organizations around the world to take the leap towards innovation, through the design and implementation of disruptive and sustainable solutions so that they can develop their activities in a more efficient, competitive way and at a lower cost. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, NEORIS has operations in the US, Europe, Latin America and India and has more than 300 active clients, most of them Fortune 500. It is the first and only IT consulting company in Latin America that received the SAP global services certification and among its global partners it counts industry majors such as Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle and Salesforce. To learn more, visit www.neoris.com or LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005548/en/

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[January 23, 2023] infinitii ai and SCG Flowmetrix partner to win one of the largest flow and rainfall data delivery projects in Canada for the Region of Peel

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Through a strategic partnership with SCG Flowmetrix Technical Services Inc. ("SCG Flowmetrix"), infinitii ai inc. ("infinitii ai") has made the first sale of its infinitii flowworks pro Machine Learning software as part of the project for the Region of Peel, Ontario. This represents a record transaction for infinitii ai as part of the SCG Flowmetrix contract to provide Consulting Services for Flow and Rainfall Data Delivery. The Region of Peel provides water and wastewater services to 1.5 million residents and over 175,000 businesses in the City of Brampton, City of Mississauga and Town of Caledon, Ontario, and handles 240 billion litres of water per year, equivalent to 263 Olympic swimming pools each day, through 3,723 kms of pipe. "We've been working with infinitii ai since 2016 starting with the City of Toronto on Sewer and Rainfall monitoring projects," said Sam Mills, Vice President at SCG Flowmetrix. "As our partnership expanded we noted infinitii ai's R&D push into Machine Learning, with the ability to deliver highly accurate and insightful flow measurement-related data for capacity assessments, inflow and infiltration studies, and water loss control." "infinitii ai's record sale to the Region of Peel is evidence of our strengthened partnership with SCG Flowmetrix. The highly complementary combination of our cutting-edge software with their advanced engineering technology and consulting services has resulted in this win. This sales achievement is a precursor for 2023 and validation of the new AI-driven product portfolio for water infrastructure projects," stated Jean Charles Phaneuf, CEO of infinitii ai. Launched in mid-October at the WEFTEC 2022 water industry tradeshow in New Orleans, infinitii flowworks pro offers infinitii ai's most advanced Machine Learning capabilities including infinitii face pro, a streaming analytics application for data transformation that allows users to add logic and algorithms for real-time processing and operationalizing production-ready models generating new data or outpu events including predictions.



The Region of Peel is also deploying infinitii auto qa/qc to perform Quality Assurance and Quality Control on any sensor data outliers that may distort results or trigger false alerts, and infinitii auto i&i for detailed analysis of storm events. As of February 2023, infinitii flowworks pro will be operational in one of Canada's fastest-growth municipalities. About infinitii ai inc.

Trusted since 2014 to provide environmental monitoring to many of the largest water infrastructure utilities in the U.S and Canada, infinitii ai (formerly Carl Data Solutions Inc.) has evolved into a leader in AI-driven predictive analytics Smart City water and Smart Industry infrastructure applications that rely on time-series data. The company services customers via a trusted partner network that includes engineering and IT services companies like AECOM, Core & Main, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd., K2 Geospatial and Flowmetrix Technical Services Inc. infinitii ai software performs real-time analysis, checks flow monitoring status, sets alarms through a single interface, accepts all types of data from any source and offers predictive (what will happen) and prescriptive (what should happen) analytics. Whether it's real-time, historic, wireless, satellite, SCADA or public data sets including USGS, NOAA and weather forecasts  it doesn't matter where the data originates, infinitii ai transforms raw data into actionable information. Visit www.infinitii.ai to learn more. About Flowmetrix Technical Services Inc. Based in Concord, ON, SCG Flowmetrix is a solutions-based company, providing field services and enabling public works departments and consulting engineers to capture highly accurate flow measurement-related data for capacity assessments, inflow and infiltration studies, water loss control, metering calibration, preventative and reactive maintenance requirements, installation and commissioning of new equipment, and engineering consultation and services. SCG Flowmetrix offers extensive experience in the installation of a diverse range of flow monitoring equipment and primary flow measurement devices (weirs/flumes) for sanitary, storm, combined sewer, and combined sewer overflow applications. A core Flowmetrix strength is assessing the suitability of a site for flow measurement and selecting optimum primary and secondary measurement devices adapted for challenging site situations. Visit www.scgflowmetrix.com to learn more. Forward-looking statements The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of infinitii ai, including the expectation of future revenue growth. Although infinitii ai believes that the expectations and assumptions upon which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because infinitii ai can provide no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. infinitii ai disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE infinitii ai inc.

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[January 23, 2023] PGT Innovations Showcases and Launches Premium Products at 2023 NAHB International Builders' Show

PGT Innovations (NYSE: PGTI), a leading manufacturer of premium windows, doors, and garage doors, returns to the NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, Nev. to showcase products from several brands within its family, including Western Window Systems, Anlin Windows & Doors, Martin Door, PGT Custom Windows and Doors, and WinDoor, from Jan. 31 - Feb. 2. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005582/en/ From left to right: First row - Debbie LaPinska, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of PGT Innovations; Jeff Jackson, President and CEO of PGT Innovations; Amy Rahn, President of NewSouth Window Solutions; Second row - Christy Sackett, Vice President of Marketing at PGT Innovations; Eric Kowalewski, Executive Vice President of Florida Operations; Ryan Quinn, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for PGT Innovations; David McCutcheon, Senior Vice President of Business Integration for PGT Innovations; Bob Keller, Senior Vice President of Customer Strategy and Innovation, Southeast Division; Mike Wothe, President of Western Division; Brad West, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Treasurer for PGT Innovations; and John Kunz, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PGT Innovations. (Photo: Busiess Wire)



During the convention, visitors will get an up-close look and be able to experience a number of products from the brands' portfolios. Several of the brands will also be launching new products at the show, including the Series 300 Minimalist Multi-Slide Door from Western Window Systems, Pan Garage Door and new aluminum woodgrain finishes from Martin Door, WinGuard Aluminum Sliding Glass Door in narrow style from PGT, and Envista Seamless Glaze Window System from WinDoor. Additionally, PGT Innovations will be revealing their new Thin Triple Insulated Glass Unit and Diamond Glass, which are a result of the company's collaboration with Corning Incorporated.

"We're thrilled to be back at the International Builders' Show this year with an outstanding exhibit space, and in this age of digital, we're looking forward to connecting with our customers, business partners, and industry friends in person," said Jeff Jackson, President and CEO of PGT Innovations. "A variety of exceptional products from our Western portfolio of brands - Western Window Systems, Anlin Windows and Doors, and Martin Door, our newest acquisition - will be showcased at our booth, and we'll also be introducing brand new products and technologies from across our PGT Innovations family of brands." Besides the new product and technology launches, also on display at the PGT Innovations Central Hall Booth C2119 will be multiple products from the family of brands. Western Window Systems will demonstrate how its products offer indoor-outdoor living opportunities that differentiate homes in a variety of architectural styles and building types. Specific products from the brand that will be featured include: Series 7630s Fixed Window Shown in Western Grey finish with a high base sill

Series 7980 Pivot Door Shown in Western Grey finish with an offset ladder pull in brushed nickel, a commercial threshold, and a type C lock

Series 7670s Casement Window Shown in Western Grey finish with multipoint lock. Fixed sash below.

Series 7600 Multi-Slide Door Shown in Bronze Anodized aluminum with a flush threshold, flush handle, and quad rollers. Automation by Summit Automation.

Series 300 Minimalist Multi-Slide Door Shown in Bronze Anodized aluminum with a flush threshold, flush handle, and 3 1.25" quad rollers. Automation by Summit Automation.

Series 3700 Vinyl Multi-Slide Door Shown in Black Capstock with a standard sill and premium handle

Series 600 Fixed Window Shown in Bronze Anodized aluminum

Anlin Windows & Doors will showcase products that have a variety of operating styles and are built for comfort and beauty. Specific products from the brand that will be featured include: Catalina Single Hung, Picture Window, Single Hung Combination Shown in White with Satin Nickel hardware

Malibu Sliding Patio Door Shown in Tan with traditional black hardware, in-glass pet door and Quad Locking System Shown in White with contemporary Satin Nickel hardware with in-glass pet door

Malibu Swinging French Door Shown in White with contemporary Satin Nickel hardware and operable side lites

Coronado Double Casement Window Shown in Adobe with ThermaCoat Red Pepper exterior coating

Catalina Slider Window Shown in Tan with ThermaCoat Forest Green exterior coating

Catalina Picture Window Over Slider Window Shown in White with ThermaCoat architectural black exterior coating

Malibu Sliding Patio Door Shown in Adobe with bronze contemporary hardware

Martin Door will display products manufactured through unique materials, engineering, and built-to-order processes. Specific products from the brand that will be featured include: New Pan Garage Door Steel only Available in 23/24 or 25/26 gauge, short panel or long panel, and a variety of different stamps and grooves No rib

Athena Aluminum Garage Door Shown in Black Anodized aluminum with Jet Black powder coated hardware and clear glass windows

Aluminum woodgrain finishes Looks like real wood without the maintenance Consumers get the strength of heavy extruded aluminum with the long-lasting beauty of authentic woodgrain Shown in Carbon Fiber, Ebony Wood, Maple, Aspen, Golden Pecan, Dark Walnut, and Cherry

The NAHB International Builders' Show is the largest home building show in North America. This three-day event brings professionals, products, and home building trends together under one roof with countless opportunities to network, learn, share info, and connect with colleagues and the industry's best suppliers and manufacturers. About PGT Innovations, Inc. PGT Innovations manufactures and supplies premium windows, doors, and garage doors. Its highly engineered and technically advanced products can withstand some of the toughest weather conditions on Earth and are revolutionizing the way people live by unifying indoor and outdoor living spaces. PGT Innovations creates value through deep customer relationships, understanding the unstated needs of the markets it serves, and a drive to develop category-defining products. PGT Innovations is also the nation's largest manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors and holds the leadership position in its primary market. The PGT Innovations' family of brands include CGI, PGT Custom Windows and Doors, WinDoor, Western Window Systems, Anlin Windows & Doors, Eze-Breeze, NewSouth Window Solutions, Martin Door and a 75 percent ownership stake in Eco Window Systems. The company's brands, in their respective markets, are a preferred choice of architects, builders, and homeowners throughout North America and the Caribbean. Their high-quality products are available in custom and standard sizes with massive dimensions that allow for unlimited design possibilities in residential, multi-family, and commercial projects. For additional information, visit www.pgtinnovations.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005582/en/

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[January 23, 2023] QuisLex Announces Upcoming Events Schedule

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QuisLex, a leading alternative legal services provider long recognized as a pioneer in the industry, announces its upcoming schedule of events. With continued investments in prominent industry organizations and key events, QuisLex reinforces its commitment to the industry at large and to supporting the education and networking opportunities of value to its clients and partners.

Upcoming events in which QuisLex will participate include: 15th Annual Law Department Operation Survey Live Roundtable  San Francisco  January 24, 2023

As an annual survey sponsor, QuisLex will participate in the roundtable event.





As an annual survey sponsor, QuisLex will participate in the roundtable event. Consero Corporate Legal Operations Virtual Forum  Pasadena, CA  February 5-7, 2023

Joe Polizzotto of QuisLex will moderate the panel Best Practices in Outside Counsel Management: Selection, Engagement, Oversight, and Matter Closure.





Joe Polizzotto of QuisLex will moderate the panel Best Practices in Outside Counsel Management: Selection, Engagement, Oversight, and Matter Closure. SOLID West Summit on Legal Innovation and Disruption  San Francisco  February 15, 2023

QuisLe is a sponsor.









QuisLe is a sponsor. SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar  San Diego  March 12-15, 2023

In addition to its sponsorship, experts from QuisLex will participate in two sessions: At the companys hosted lunch & learn on Monday, March 13, Brian Corbin will present on the topic of Unmonitored Mobile Communications Under Regulatory Scrutiny. Joe Polizzotto is a panelist in the session on How to Succeed In-House: The Dos, the Dont and Everything in Between.





In addition to its sponsorship, experts from QuisLex will participate in two sessions: ABA 2023 Antitrust Spring Meeting  Washington, D.C.  March 29-30, 2023

QuisLex members will be in attendance. For more information about QuisLex participation in these or other events, visit www.QuisLex.com.

About QuisLex

QuisLex is an award-winning legal services provider that specializes in managed document review, contract management, compliance services, legal spend management and legal operations consulting. Our full-time highly trained attorneys, process experts, legal technologists, statisticians and linguists work closely with our clients to reduce cost, mitigate risk and maximize efficiency. QuisLex is regularly acknowledged as a leader in the legal services industry and proud to be recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel as an ACC Value Champion, Chambers and Partners as a Band 1 Alternative Legal Service Provider, the New York Law Journal as a Top Managed Document Review Services Provider and the IACCM as its Outstanding Service Provider for contract management solutions. QuisLex is nationally certified by the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council as a minority business enterprise (MBE). To learn more, visit www.quislex.com. Media Contact

Vicki LaBrosse

Edge Legal Marketing for QuisLex

[email protected]

651.552.7753



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[January 23, 2023] Alexander Woolverton Joins Kramer Levin as Partner in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring Department

Alexander Woolverton has joined Kramer Levin's New York office as a partner in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring department. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005574/en/ Alexander Woolverton. (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. Woolverton represents debtors, creditors and distressed investment funds in Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court restructurings and cross-border insolvencies, with a focus on advising distressed investment funds, institutional investors and ad hoc groups of creditors in restructuring matters. Mr. Woolverton also has an active practice representing companies and distressed investment funds in out-of-court liability management and insolvency-sensitive transactions. Kramer Levin co-managing partnersPaul H. Schoeman and Howard T. Spilko said, "Xander has an impressive track record of helping clients successfully navigate complex restructurings and a well-earned reputation as a knowledgeable, thoughtful and committed adviser. That is a terrific combination, and we are pleased to welcome him to Kramer Levin."



"Xander has helped numerous leading alternative investment firms protect and grow their investors' capital by representing their interests exceptionally well in restructuring matters, and that's why those firms routinely seek his guidance and support," said Kenneth H. Eckstein and Thomas Moers Mayer, co-chairs of Kramer Levin's Bankruptcy and Restructuring department. "Kramer Levin's preeminent restructuring practice has an impeccable reputation and a fantastic team of lawyers," said Mr. Woolverton. "I am very excited to join them and look forward to supporting the firm's clients in a wide range of matters."

Mr. Woolverton joins Kramer Levin from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. He began his career at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP after clerking for the Honorable Martin Glenn of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Woolverton earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School, where he was an associate managing editor of the Brooklyn Law Review, and his B.A. from Oberlin College. About Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Kramer Levin provides its clients proactive, creative and pragmatic solutions that address today's most challenging legal issues. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, and Paris and fosters a strong culture of involvement in public and community service. For more information, visit www.kramerlevin.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005574/en/

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[January 23, 2023] Actively Guarding Against Cyber Threats to Better Protect Consumers

Consultation on proposed guidance on IT risk management TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - FSRA is consulting on guidance to help the sectors and individuals it regulates effectively manage a threat to their IT systems, infrastructure and data. IT risks, like cyber threats and aging digital infrastructure, can result in financial losses and harm to consumers. Regulated entities must comply with existing requirements related to IT risk and the protection of personal information, including the requirements of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA").



This guidance is applicable to all FSRA-regulated sectors, sets out seven practices to effectively manage IT risk and the steps required to notify FSRA in the event of an IT incident. Governance  people in place with sufficient expertise to manage IT risk Risk Management  policies and procedures in place to manage IT risk Data Management - processes, procedures and controls in place to ensure data quality, integrity, privacy Outsourcing  controls in place to manage risks related to outsourcing Incident Preparedness  processes in place to be able to recover from an IT incident Continuity and Resiliency  ensure the continuity of their IT assets to enable them to deliver services following an incident Notification of Material IT Risk Incidents  notification to regulator(s) in the event of a material IT risk incident The guidance also outlines content for the effective management of IT risks for the following sectors:

Credit union

Mortgage brokering

Insurance

Pensions

Financial Planners and Financial Advisors The consultation period is now open. FSRA invites stakeholders and the public to submit feedback until March 31, 2023. Learn more: Proposed Guidance on IT Risk Management FSRA continues to work on behalf of all stakeholders, including consumers, to ensure financial safety, fairness, and choice for everyone. Learn more at www.fsrao.ca. SOURCE Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario

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[January 23, 2023]

Business-Focused Insurtech Coverdash Announces Launch After Oversubscribed Seed Round

Live in all 50 states, Coverdash's frictionless insurance experience allows businessowners, e-commerce merchants, and gig-economy workers to source coverage in seconds.

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coverdash, a fully-digital business insurance startup providing simplified insurance solutions to businesses of all shapes and sizes, is pleased to announce the company's official launch and the closing of an oversubscribed seed funding round.

Business-Focused Insurtech Coverdash Announces Launch After Oversubscribed Seed Round

Based in New York City, Coverdash simplifies the process of buying and managing business insurance for e-commerce merchants, gig workers, and all other types of businessowners. The company offers a broad range of commercial insurance products, including liability, property, workers' compensation, and cyber. Coverdash's digital insurance experience enables businessowners to quote, bind, pay for, and actively manage insurance policies in a matter of seconds. Through relationships with many of the world's most recognized insurers, Coverdash provides the coverages growing businesses need at the most affordable rates.

Coverdash's embedded technology enables partners to easily offer insurance to existing customers with a single line of code. Integration is straightforward, requiring no extensive engineering resources or implementation. Coverdash's network of embedded partners includes leading online marketplaces, service providers, PEOs, lenders, brokers, and various other platforms who serve or transact with businesses nationwide.







"Insurtech 2.0 is here, marking the next phase of the embedded fintech revolution," said Ralph Betesh, co-founder and CEO of Coverdash. "We have created a frictionless transactional experience that is unseen within the insurance landscape. Our mission is to empower partners with these capablities and help finally make insurance accessible and simple for businessowners across the nation."

Coverdash's funding round was led by Bling Capital, with participation from other notable investors, including AXIS Digital Ventures, Tokio Marine Future Fund (in affiliation with World Innovation Lab), Expansion VC, and Cameron Ventures. Multiple strategic angel investors also contributed to the round, including Greg Hendrick, CEO of Vantage Risk; Garret Koehn, president of CRC Insurance; and Steve Shenfeld, president of MidOcean Partners.

"The development and adoption of commercial insurance APIs within the insurtech industry has reached a tipping point, enabling innovative companies with the opportunity to drive true growth and transformation," said Ben Ling, founder and general partner at Bling Capital. "We view Coverdash as the future of business insurance and embedded distribution. We're excited to stand alongside the team and support them as they move forward on this journey."

This funding round will contribute to Coverdash's ongoing expansion and development through increased product innovation, go-to-market initiatives, and strategic hiring.

About Coverdash

Coverdash is a fully-digital, business insurance agency that specializes in serving the insurance needs of businesses of all shapes and sizes. Coverdash's embedded technology enables any partner to host its end-to-end insurance experience with a single line of code. Coverdash is headquartered in New York and is a licensed insurance agency across all 50 states. For more information, please visit LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter or check out www.coverdash.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/business-focused-insurtech-coverdash-announces-launch-after-oversubscribed-seed-round-301728176.html

SOURCE Coverdash
[January 23, 2023] Mediaocean Recognized as One of Top Ten Ad Age Best Places to Work 2023

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mediaocean , the mission-critical platform for omnichannel advertising, today was named again to the Ad Age Best Places to Work for 2023 in the advertising technology category. Factors ranging from training and benefits to corporate culture and leadership were considered for the company to garner its top ten overall ranking, and top three in ad tech. This award reflects Mediaoceans continued focus on creating a culture of innovation and equity  made possible through its learning and development programs, affinity groups, and global philanthropy efforts, among other initiatives. "We are honored to be named one of the Ad Age Best Places to Work, and we remain committed to providing our employees with the best opportunities to make an impact in our industry," said Nicole Brown, SVP People & Culture at Mediaocean. "At Mediaocean, we foster a collaborative environment centered on inclusivity, accountability, and growth. More than anything, this achievement is a testament to our team's passion, which is at the heart of everything we do. We cultivate a workforce that not only embraces change, but leads it by being relentless about solving challenges and delivering results." Im super proud of our team at Mediaocean and the culture weve created. With the shifting environment around the industry and the world, weve had to shift the way we work to align with the priorities of our people, said Mediaocean Co-Founder and CEO, Bill Wise. Since the pandemic began, weve acquired and integrated five companies and are now operating as one team with one dream. Its no easy task but, given our pivotal role in the ad industry, we have the responsibility of fueling an ecosystem that maximizes the full potential of our employees, customers, and partners. The winners of Ad Age Best Places to Work for 2023 represent the highest overall numerial scores based on an analysis of questionnaires submitted by employers and survey responses from their employees. Ad Ages scoring system factors in employee responses on topics including pay and benefits and seven other core focus areas (75% of the score) and a companys policies and practices on areas including pay and benefits, work/life balance, recruitment, training and development (25% of the score). Ad Age produced Best Places to Work 2023 in partnership with the research firm Best Companies Group. The competition was open to agencies, ad tech firms, brand, or corporate marketing departments or groups, and inhouse agencies of marketers.



The tight labor market forced every business in the industry to compete for talent, and the 2023 Best Places to Work winners proved the value of understanding what employees want today, said Dan Peres, president and editor-in-chief of Ad Age. Companies will face challenges this year with the economy and the ongoing effects of the pandemic, but winning workplaces understand that taking care of employees is central to business success. This award comes on the heels of several other notable recognitions for Mediaocean. Most recently, the company was named a Winner of The 2023 Top Workplaces USA Award, as well a spot on 2022 Top 50 Programmatic Power Players List, 2022 Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer Ad Tech report with the Customers Choice distinction, and the G2 Cross- Channel Advertising Leader for Fall 2022.

About Mediaocean

Mediaocean is the mission-critical platform for omnichannel advertising. With more than $200 billion in annualized media spend managed through its software, Mediaocean connects brands, agencies, media, technology, and data. Using AI and machine learning technology to control marketing investments and optimize business outcomes, Mediaocean powers campaigns from planning, buying, ad serving, and creative personalization to analysis, optimization, invoices, and payments. Mediaocean employs 1,600 staff across 30 global offices and supports over 100,000 people using its products. Visit www.mediaocean.com for more information. About Ad Age

Created in 1930 to cover a burgeoning industry with objectivity, accuracy and fairness, Ad Age continues to be powered by award-winning journalism. Today, Ad Age is a global media brand focusing on curated creativity, data and analysis, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting. Company Contact:

Max Benson

503.724.0578

Broadsheet Communications for Mediaocean

[email protected]



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[January 23, 2023] Supporting Canada's leadership in quantum computing to grow the economy and create jobs

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Quantum technologies are at the leading edge of science and innovation. As Canadian researchers, workers and businesses continue to demonstrate leadership on the world stage in innovating and developing quantum technologies, we have the potential to transform how we work and live in Canada and around the world  in areas from fighting climate change to making advancements in health care. The Government of Canada will continue to support Canadian companies to help them keep growing and staying competitive, while driving economic growth and creating highly skilled and well-paying jobs for Canadians. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a new federal investment of $40 million to enable the Toronto-based Canadian quantum computing company Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc. to build and commercialize the world's first photonic-based, fault-tolerant quantum computer. Once developed, this computer will have the potential to provide world leading capabilities to help solve complex data problems and could be used in a variety of sectors such as finance, transportation, environmental modelling, and health. Supported through the government's Strategic Innovation Fund, this $177.8 million project is expected to create 530 new highly skilled positions in the high-tech and quantum computing fields. Home to some of the world's largest quantum tech hubs, Canada is well positioned to become a global leader in the developing quantum sector, which will create new opportunities for Canadians and Canadian businesses. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in innovative companies to grow the economy and create highly skilled and well-paying jobs for Canadians. Quotes "Quantum technology is changing the world as we know it. With the potential to solve difficult problems in key areas such as health care, finance, and climate sciences, this sector expands the realm of possibility. Today's announcement is great news for Canadian workers and businesses. This investment will bring good jobs, spur economic growth, boost innovation, and solidify Canada as a world leaderin quantum technology."



 The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada "Quantum technologies will set the course of the future and thanks to companies like Xanadu, Canada is at the forefront ready to lead. With today's announcement, our government is strengthening Canada's position in quantum technology and helping to create more economic growth and good jobs for Canadians. We'll continue to build this sector through our National Quantum Strategy and support made-in-Canada technology so Canada remains a world leader for decades to come."

 The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry "The government's continued investment in quantum technologies has been invaluable to our success. We are proud to be a Canadian company and, with this investment, are excited to enter the next phase in our mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere."  Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO, Xanadu Quick Facts Since the birth of quantum science more than 100 years ago, quantum technologies have been the source of many game-changing innovations such as semiconductors and the laser.

Quantum science is the study, manipulation, and control of systems at the atomic and subatomic level.

It is estimated that by 2045, the Canadian quantum industry will be a $139 billion industry, including all economic effects, and account for over 200,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the National Research Council in 2020.

industry, including all economic effects, and account for over 200,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the in 2020. Earlier this month, the Government of Canada launched its National Quantum Strategy, which invests an additional $360 million to help solidify Canada as a global leader in quantum technologies.

launched its National Quantum Strategy, which invests an additional to help solidify as a global leader in quantum technologies. Over the past 10 years, the Government of Canada has invested more than $1 billion in quantum research and science.

has invested more than in quantum research and science. Additionally, the government has invested in bringing new quantum technologies to the Canadian and global markets, including investments through Canada's regional development agencies, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program.

regional development agencies, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and the of Industrial Research Assistance Program. Xanadu is a notable contributor to Canada's innovation ecosystem and has committed to continuing to support innovation, growth, and Canada's research and development sector.

innovation ecosystem and has committed to continuing to support innovation, growth, and research and development sector. Founded in 2016, Xanadu is a Toronto -based Canadian quantum computing company with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. Xanadu has become one of the world's leading quantum hardware and software companies and leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development. Associated Links Overview of Canada's National Quantum Strategy

National Quantum Strategy Strategic Innovation Fund

National Research Council Canada

Budget 2021: Building an Innovation Economy of the Future This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

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[January 23, 2023]

Engine Components Market Value to reach US$ 8.1 billion by 2031, Transparency Market Research, Inc.

Rise in demand for vehicles and expansion of the automotive industry are expected to fuel the global engine components market

Demand for off-road vehicles or mining equipment is expected to rise due to expansion of mining operations across the globe, which is anticipated to drive industry growth

WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global engine components market was valued at US$ 7.1 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ 8.1 Bn by 2031. The global market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 1.4% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2031. The market is driven by the advent of high-performance engines, which are made up of several light, compact, and high-efficiency elements. The automobile industry contributes significantly to the economy of every country. GDP of any country has witnessed a rise in the proportion of automotive industrial spare parts industry in the past few years. This growth dynamics is expected to lead to high employment and increase in the national average wage.



Rise in demand for transportation and consumer goods, increase in per capita income, and growing urbanization contribute to rise in demand for vehicles, which in turn is projected to drive industry growth. Demand for commercial and passenger vehicles has increased significantly in the past ten years. Innovative materials, such as alloys of beryllium, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, hybrid materials, and titanium aluminum composite alloys, are utilized to reduce the weight of engine components, including collet, screw cap assembly, valve tappet, and retainer. This is expected to present significant opportunities for raw material suppliers serving the engine components industry.

Download free Sample Copy at (corporate mail ID preferred for top priority) - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=80095

Key Findings of Market Report

Rise in automation in the agricultural industry is anticipated to drive the demand for cultivators, harvesters, and agricultural tractors, among other mechanical farming machineries. Additionally, demand for off-road vehicles or mining equipment is increasing due to rise in mining operations across the world. Diesel or gasoline engines are used to power these machine components. Thus, rise in demand for off-highway engines is anticipated to drive the global engine components market.

The screw cap assembly segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021. The trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. This is ascribed to rise in usage in demanding applications such as under extremely high dynamic load and pressure conditions. Presence of several industries requiring use of screw cap assembly and rise in automobile production are likely to propel the segment between 2022 and 2031.

Global Engine Components Market: Growth Drivers

Important engine comonent makers are expected to benefit from increase in and expanded trade agreements across countries in the near future. Additionally, growing concerns among government officials and environmentalists about reducing vehicle emissions to meet international regulations and norms are expected to propel the global engine components market.

Leading players are investing in enhancing performance of engine systems and engine components owing to strict regulations concerning vehicle emissions enforced by regulatory agencies. Additionally, development of 3D printing technology has advanced the design of engine components. This is anticipated to drive the global industry from 2022 to 2031.







Global Engine Components Market: Regional Landscape

As per market research on engine components, the market in Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global industry. The region leads the world in terms of vehicle production and boasts of the largest per capita consumption of automobiles. Additionally, manufacturing industry in Asia Pacific is supported by India and China's production of huge quantity of engine components for export to Europe and Middle East . This factor is estimated to present business opportunities in the global market.

Global Engine Components Market: Key Players

Nanjing Superior Machine & Parts Co.

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.

LuK GmbH & Co. KG

Nittan Valve Co., Ltd.

Pratt Burnerd America

Smit Auto Industries

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Global Engine Components Market: Segmentation

Components

Valve Tappet/Roller Tappet

Screw Cap Assembly

Collet/Cotter

Retainer

Application

Automotive

Agriculture

Construction & Mining Equipment

Marine

Stationary Engines

Rolling Stock Diesel Engine

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

& South America

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About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, is a global market research company providing custom research and consulting services. TMR provides in-depth insights into factors governing demand in the market. It divulges opportunities across various segments based on Source, Application, Sales Channel, and End-Use that will favor growth in the market over the next 9 years.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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[January 23, 2023] Automation and robotization - $4M in support for DE LA FONTAINE to accelerate production

SHERBROOKE, QC, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec are granting a total of $4 million to DE LA FONTAINE to acquire automated and digital equipment enabling it to automate its full production line, with a focus on the folding and shaping steps and various cutting and gluing phases. To install the new equipment on the main floor, a second floor will be added onto the current building for administrative offices. The Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Elisabeth Briere, on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Brome??Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, along with Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region, accompanied by the Assistant Government Whip and Member for Saint-Francois, Genevieve Hebert, made the announcement today. The aim of this investment project, valued at over $11.5 million, is to enable the businesswhich specializes in manufacturing steel doors and framesto increase production in order to meet the demand and solidify its position in this sector. As part of this project, the Government of Canada is granting a repayable contribution of $1 million under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. For its part, the Government of Quebec is granting $3 million through the Appui aux projets d'investissement favorisant la productivite et l'expansion des entreprises component of the ESSOR program, managed by Investissement Quebec as the government's representative. Quotes "We are helping businesses equip themselves with what they need to remain competitive, prosper, and create good jobs. Thanks to our government's financial assistance, DE LA FONTAINE will be able to strengthen its position in the industry and on the markets, which will also help stimulate the regional economy. This support will thus benefit the entire Sherbrooke region and enable the Canadian economy to bounce back even stronger than before."

Elisabeth Briere, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health "One of our economic objectives is to have an even more innovative, high-performing manufacturing sector that uses automation and robotization more in its processes. By guiding SMEs through this phase of their journey, we are enabling them to create projects that will boost their growth and ensure their competitiveness."

Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region "Our government has adopted measures to help our businesses as they leverage automation. That is why we are providing our assistance to DE LA FONTANE, whose success is raising the profile not just of the Sherbrooke region, but of the entire Canadian economy. We are here to support workers and Quebec and Canadian SMEs. By assisting businesses so they can equip themselves with what they need, we are all coming together to help rebuild a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable economy."





The Honourable Pascale St - Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome??Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED "Veritable drivers of economic development, SMEs help maintain vital, dynamic communities. In operation for over 50 years now, DE LA FONTAINE represents a major asset for the municipality of Sherbrooke. Supporting such businesses aligns with our vision of a modern, competitive Quebec."

Genevieve Hebert, Assistant Government Whip and Member for Saint-Francois

"Over the last decade, DE LA FONTAINE has positioned itself to become a leader in manufacturing and quick service in its industry. Thanks to our investments in technology, along with our unique business model, we have been able to set up shop in six U.S. regions, position ourselves strategically, and provide very short manufacturing timelines. A victim of our success, we are now at a time where we need to make a significant investment to improve our Sherbrooke plant. This is where it all began, 55 years ago. With these improvements, we can increase our capacity and thereby continue to expand our presence in North America."

Gabriel de La Fontaine, General Manager, DE LA FONTAINE Quick facts A third-generation family business based in Sherbrooke , in the Estrie region, since 1968, DE LA FONTAINE designs and manufactures steel doors and frames for commercial use. It employs over 200 people at its Sherbrooke headquarters and has over 100 others in its six U.S. plants.

, in the Estrie region, since 1968, DE LA FONTAINE designs and manufactures steel doors and frames for commercial use. It employs over 200 people at its headquarters and has over 100 others in its six U.S. plants. CED is a key federal player in Quebec in promoting economic development among regions and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

in promoting economic development among regions and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions.

With a view to enhancing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development, the ESSOR program (in French only), aims to support investment projects in Quebec . Stay connected CED on social media: Twitter

LinkedIn

YouTube Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie on social media: Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

YouTube

Instagram SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

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[January 23, 2023] First Northern Community Bancorp Completes Acquisition of Three Columbia Bank Branches in Northern California

First Northern Community Bancorp (the "Company", OTCQB: FNRN), holding company for First Northern Bank ("First Northern" or the "Bank"), today announced that its acquisition of three Columbia State Bank ("Columbia Bank") branches in Orland, Willows, and Colusa, California, has been successfully completed. The acquired branches were divested by Columbia Bank in connection with the pending merger of Columbia Banking System, Inc., the parent company of Columbia Bank, and Umpqua Holdings Corporation. Following the acquisition, all employees of these branches were retained by First Northern Bank and the branches will remain in operation as branches of First Northern Bank. The Bank, headquartered in Solano County since 1910, now operates 14 full-service branches serving Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, Contra Costa, Glenn, Colusa, and the west slope of El Dorado County. "Orland, Willows and Colusa are a natural fit for First Northern Bank and allow us to extend our footprint north, along the I-5 corridor," said Jeremiah Z. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Northern Bank. "We are excited to bring our brand of authentic community banking to these new customers and communities and to further build strong customer and community relationships throughout the North Valley region." First Northern Community Bancorp received financial advisory services from Panoramic Capital Advisors, Inc., and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP served as legal counsel in connection with the transaction. About First Northern Bank First Northern Bank is an independent community bank that specializes in relationship banking. The Bank, headquartered in Solano County since 1910, now serves Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, Contra Costa, Glenn, Colusa, and the west slope of El Dorado County. Experts are available in small-business, commercial, real estate and agribusiness lending, as well as mortgage loans. The Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender. Non-FDIC insured Investment and Brokerage Services are available at every branch location, including Dixo, Davis, West Sacramento, Fairfield, Vacaville, Winters, Woodland, Sacramento, Roseville, Auburn, Rancho Cordova, Colusa, Willows and Orland. The Bank also has a commercial lending office in Walnut Creek. Real estate mortgage and small-business loan officers are available by appointment in any of the Bank's 14 branches. First Northern is rated as a Veribanc "Blue Ribbon" Bank and a "5-Star Superior" Bank by Bauer Financial for the earnings period ended September 30, 2022 (veribanc.com) and (bauerfinancial.com). The Bank can be found on the Web at thatsmybank.com, on Facebook and on LinkedIn.



Forward-Looking Statement Safe Harbor This communication may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements about expectations regarding the benefits of the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including but not limited to the following: the risk that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement; and the Bank's ability to promptly and effectively integrate the branches to be acquired. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005723/en/

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Quick answer: No . . . No they don't.

Actually . . .

Given recent EPIC spikes in property taxes . . . Advocates trying to shame locals for more school money should be SMACKDOWN given the ongoing decline in enrollment, test scores and student safety from the Kansas City Public Schools.



Still . . . Just because the argument has little merit doesn't mean that locals won't keep repeating it:



"City estimates show Kansas City Public Schools missed out on $45 million in tax revenue last year because of tax breaks for developers and businesses  and that amount has only been growing over the last five years."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Notes for the decline of Western Civilization . . .

Please don't ask how TKC was able to quickly identify this adult leisurewear that's even sold out at Walmart.



Check more deets besides our shout out to hooded pajamas for a man-child . . .



The robbery took place shortly after 11:40 a.m. Monday at the Bank Midwest location at 7904 Ward Parkway.



One suspect demanded money while holding a firearm, according to the FBI. The two suspects then fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.



The FBI says the suspects escaped in a white four-door Kia passenger car.



There were no physical injuries in the robbery.



One suspect is described as a 6-foot tall Black man with a slender build. He was wearing a ski mask and brown onesie.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

FBI searches for 2 suspects in robbery at Bank Midwest off Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. - FBI agents in Kansas City are searching for two suspects of a bank robbery Monday at Bank Midwest in Kansas City, Missouri. The robbery took place shortly after 11:40 a.m. Monday at the Bank Midwest location at 7904 Ward Parkway. One suspect demanded money while holding a firearm, according to the FBI.

2 suspects, including one wearing a onesie, hold up Bank Midwest location in Kansas City Authorities are looking for two men who held up a Bank Midwest late Monday morning in Kansas City. The Bank Midwest branch at 7904 Ward Parkway was robbed at 11:43 a.m., according to the FBI. Two suspects are wanted in the case, one of which was wearing a brown onesie during the robbery.

Developing . . .
An early morning gunfire report that's worth going back to pick up . . . Actually, there were more shootings than this one overnight but this incident sent the victim to hospital.

UPDATE: We're also adding info from a SUNDAY DOUBLE SHOOTING to this post as well.



Here are more deets . . .





According to Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, a call came in around 4:20 a.m. regarding a shooting in the area of East 57th and Prospect Avenue.



Officers located the victim and transported them to an area hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

And then . . . A few more double shooting deets:

"Upon arrival, the injured parties were located. Police say there is no suspect information at this time."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Overnight KCMO shooting leaves one in critical condition KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One person is in critical condition after an overnight shooting early Sunday morning. According to Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, a call came in around 4:20 a.m. regarding a shooting in the area of East 57th and Prospect Avenue. Officers located the victim and transported them to an area hospital.

2 critically injured in shooting in 6600 block of Paseo KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two people were critically injured in a shooting Sunday in the 6600 block of Paseo, according to Kansas City, Missouri, police. Officers were called to a residence in the area just before 5:15 p.m. Upon arrival, the injured parties were located. Police say there is no suspect information at this time.

KCPD investigating double shooting that left two injured KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Officers are investigating a double-shooting near 66th and Paseo. Two victims are said to have critical injuries and there is no suspect at this time. The incident is still under investigation. FOX4 will keep you updated as more details come along.

Developing . . .
Not so fun fact . . .

THEY are billing this as the return of the Citizens Association. It is not.

Instead, it's a nicer conversation amongst friends so that the last remnants of Kansas City boomer political scene can continue to feel relevant amid what is the greatest wealth transfer in human history.



Don't get it twisted . . . This sounds like a fun time for people who remember when KCMO had a political scene that was more interesting than social media slap fights with nobodies, bots and professional shut-in keyboard warriors.

Here's a peek . . .



As current Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas nears a run for a second term  the April primary is a little more than two months away  four of his predecessors gather for the first time in an extraordinary forum co-presented by the Citizens Association of Kansas City and Kansas City PBS. They take stock of our city today while looking back at what their administrations were able to achieve over the past three decades and what theyd hoped to accomplish but couldnt.



They look, too, at why some perennially promised things are so hard to deliver. Street repairs. Upgraded water and sewer lines. Development on the East Side.



Joining the conversation are Emanuel Cleaver (mayor from 1991-99), Kay Barnes (1999-2007), Mark Funkhouser (2007-11), and Sly James (2011-19). Nick Haines of Kansas City PBS moderates. Audience members can get involved, submitting their own questions.

That last line is a bit of a problem for many denizens of this discourse. Nowadays, it's much easier and far more satisfying to write something nasty on the Internets than to craft a thoughtful question designed intrigue an audience and/or slightly embarrass your neighbors/mortal enemies.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.

If you like mystery novels, but could also use some humour in your life, I highly recommend 'Deep House' by Thomas King
Hong Kong: Officials visit estate for LNY

Principal officials of the Government today continued to participate in the Chinese New Year Home Visit Programme co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Department to distribute blessing bags to grassroots families in Wong Tai Sin District.

Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak visited a grassroots family, an elderly singleton and elderly doubleton living in Lok Fu Estate in the district.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Lillian Cheong also called on elderly singletons at the estate.

In addition to chatting with the residents to understand their daily needs, the principal officials brought them Lunar New Year blessing bags in celebration of the festival.

This story has been published on: 2023-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Saudi-based Red Sea Global (RSG) has awarded a primary infrastructure and utility contract worth nearly SR1 billion ($266 million) to Al Ayuni Investment and Contracting Company to deliver the first phase of development at Amaala, an ultra-luxury tourism destination located along the Kingdoms north-western coast, across its Triple Bay masterplan.

A cornerstone of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 ambition to diversify its economy, RSG is the multi-project developer behind the worlds most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala.

According to RSG, Amaalas first phase of development, focused on the Triple Bay masterplan, will encompass eight hotels and upwards of 1,200 hotel keys upon full completion in 2027.

The destination will offer 3,000 hotel rooms across 25 hotels as well as high-end retail establishments, fine dining, wellness, and recreational facilities, it stated.

As per the deal, Al Ayuni will be responsible for delivering primary utility infrastructure systems, while minimising Triple Bays carbon footprint as part of Amaalas commitment towards net-zero operations, it added.

"Todays infrastructure deal forms a critical part of Red Sea Globals ambition to pioneer a new relationship between luxury tourism and the natural environment," remarked its Group CEO John Pagano.

"The sheer scale of the developments and our relentless pursuit of regenerative tourism require meaningful partnerships that can deliver resilient infrastructure. Together with Al Ayuni, we are confident that we can collectively shape the future of developments in the Kingdom and beyond," noted Pagano.

Group Chairman Faheed Al Ayuni said: "Red Sea Global is a future-forward developer that is closely aligned with our legacy of innovating world-class solutions, cementing trusted relationships, and setting new benchmarks."

All design and construction methods meet RSGs stringent criteria for end-to-end sustainable development, including economic, financial, social, and institutional factors, he stated.

"It is an honour for us to contribute to its pioneering destinations and we look forward to unlocking the full breadth of our robust capabilities to meet RSGs ambitious sustainability targets," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
#Ica Condenamos actos de violencia contra dos fundos. Reiteramos que nada justifica actos vandalicos y por el contrario deslegitiman el #DerechoALaProtesta de la ciudadania. #ProtestaNoEsViolencia pic.twitter.com/IhkBnqS99i
El titular de la PCM, @AlbertoOtarolaP, participo en la presentacion del nuevo presidente ejecutivo de @DEVIDAPERU, Carlos Figueroa. Afirmo que esta entidad retomara su rectoria en la lucha contra las drogas. pic.twitter.com/b8opRvKV2b
In this Episode of Morning Edition, for most of this week the major topic of discussion has 
Sameh Eisa, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, wrote about the benefits of modeling for the news journal of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Eisa said wind power accounted for more new energy installed in 2020 than any other source, representing 42% of new U.S. capacity.

"Given this rapid expansion, further research is necessary to develop and implement state-of-the-art tools and technologies whose efficiency will match the increased demand, Eisa said.

According to Eisa, wind farms are subject to inherent fluctuations with less predictability and more sensitivity to uncontrollable conditions such as the weather. That makes modeling, particularly a type called time-domain mathematical modeling, especially beneficial, Eisa said.

Read the story in SIAM News.

Featured image at top: UC assistant professor Sameh Eisa explains how mathematical modeling can help utilities optimize wind power. Photo/Bombermoon/iStockPhoto
Russian invaders suffer heavy losses every day: only in the surgical department of the Starobilsk city hospital in Luhansk region, there are more than 300 wounded Russian soldiers.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in a morning update on Facebook on January 21, Ukrinform reports

"Over the past day, the enemy launched 7 missile strikes (3 of which hit the cities of Kramatorsk and Huliaipole) and 15 air strikes. They also carried out 68 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems, in particular, on the civilian infrastructure of Nikopol," the report says.

According to the General Staff, there is still a threat of enemy air strikes and missile attacks throughout Ukraine.

Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces have repelled enemy attacks near Novoselivske, Ploshchanka and Chervonopopivka settlements in Luhansk region and Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Vasiukivka, Krasna Hora, Yahidne, Bakhmut, Predtechyne, Vodiane and Maryinka in Donetsk region.

The General Staff emphasizes that Russian invaders suffer heavy losses every day. According to available information, more than 300 wounded occupiers are being treated in the surgical department of the Starobilsk city hospital in Luhansk region. To provide medical care, the Russians use not only the medical facilities of the temporarily occupied settlements in Kherson region, which are already overcrowded, but also equip kindergartens as field hospitals. All doctors of the central hospital of Nizhni Sirohozy village have been replaced, and now only the personnel of Russian occupation forces are being treated there.

The situation is similar in Kalanchak, where local doctors were dismissed, and medical personnel from Crimea were brought to replace them. Local residents are not allowed to visit the hospital.

"Over the past day, aircraft of the Defense Forces of Ukraine launched 18 strikes on enemy concentration areas, as well as four strike on the positions of their anti-aircraft missile systems. In addition, our defenders shot down two reconnaissance UAVs Orlan-10 and Merlin-VR. Units of the rocket forces and artillery hit a command post, two concentration areas and an ammunition depot of the occupiers," the General Staff of the Armed Forces said.

iy
Italy, together with France, will supply Ukraine with a Samp-T missile defense system, which can hit aircraft at a distance of up to 100 kilometers and missiles at a distance of up to 25 kilometers.

According to Ukrinform, Antonio Tajani, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said this in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

"The conflict must end as soon as possible, but then it must be very clear for the allied countries of Ukraine that we must do everything possible to help this nation in its battle for independence," he said.

According to Tajani, Italy has already provided Ukraine with five military aid packages worth about EUR 1 billion and is preparing the sixth package, which includes air defense systems.

"In collaboration with France we are finalizing the sending of Samp-T, and there are other actions on which we are working confidentially," he said.

The minister said that "the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has amplified Russian disinformation." "The fight against this poisonous phenomenon must be decisive," he added, noting that one should not allow oneself to be "skewered with falsehoods and poison."
In the days when there is so much talk in Ukraine about the major offensive that the enemy is about to launch, Ukrinform met with the deputy head of Ukraines defense intelligence, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, to discuss the most pressing issues of today.

- General, how do you assess the recent changes in the Russian military leadership? What is it done for? Have the first consequences of Surovikin being replaced by Gerasimov already manifested themselves?

- In such a short period of time, it is still difficult to say how much the tactics have changed, but we definitely know that there will be changes. We can see how they are now moving, where their airborne troops are regrouping. This is Gerasimov's signature tactic. Why? Because at the outset of the full-scale aggression, we clearly knew that there were paratroopers in the second echelon, in fact, in the strategic reserve, in all directions, and in the offensive on Kyiv they generally performed the main task. We expect that even now there will be a more active use of airborne assault troops. Apparently, it was against this background that misunderstandings arose between Gerasimov and the commander of the airborne troops (Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky during a meeting at the Russian General Staff cursed at Gerasimov, for which he was immediately dismissed  ed.) First of all, due to the fact that under Gerasimovs command, almost half of the Russian airborne assault troops were eliminated over the first six months of the Great War in Ukraine. And these are elite troops: the 76th, 106th, and 98th divisions By the way, the latter was transferred from the Kherson direction to other, more important one, according to their estimates.

- Could you share your assessment: what's next?

- There will be active fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk directions. Gerasimov failed to fulfill the task set before him. The first is the complete occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

- Putin ordered them to take Donbas by March. It's a month and a half from now...

- Yes, there will be active fighting in February-March, and precisely in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. We are still seeing the transfer of the 2nd Mechanized Division of the 1st Tank Army from Belarus. We do not rule out that they may again try to cross into our territory, this is the Kupiansk direction, it is also possible that they will resume offensive action with the aim of regaining control of the territories they had previously captured in Luhansk region...

- And what do you think about Andrei Illarionov's statement that they want to cut off Ukraine from Europe?

- Here I will say very simply. If we really evaluate these things, a powerful information campaign is being run against our state. They will stretch our forces, they will intimidate our population... Look at how many Russian analysts currently working abroad say there are 220,000 troops on the territory of Belarus, and just recently they said there were 150,000 deployed there... In fact, theyre not there. The grouping that exists now cannot be compared to what it was in February last year. It is necessary to understand that we are also ready. Combat readiness checks of the units defending the northern border of our state have been conducted there, the corresponding defensive lines have been prepared, the air defense system has been deployed and strengthened, including around Kyiv. And if we shoot down enemy cruise missiles now, believe me, shooting down helicopters and planes is much easier.

- But Illarionov again spoke about some attempts at encircling our troops from the north, from the south, a breakthrough to Lviv, the landing in Odesa region He scared my wife a lot, as well as many other people...

- The plans for partial or complete encirclement of our troops in Donetsk and Luhansk directions they had from the very beginning, this was the first plan developed by Gerasimov himself during the invasion in February 2022. And what is the outcome? They have not yet been implemented.

- People now say more often that Russia should not be underestimated, and in particular, that the enemy is also learning, and these 11 months did not just pass by for them. Does intelligence see any concrete indications that this is the case? Did they learn any of their lessons?

- I would say more. Not just learning, they now began to more realistically assess our might.

- Already?

- Indeed. Then, in February, their convoys crossed in without any cover, without an organized anti-aircraft network, and we destroyed everything that was heading toward, right there as part as those convoys. Now they realized that no one would greet them with flowers here. The more we fight, the more they draw conclusions. They are now building a clearer command system along the entire front line, which we can clearly see. They change the tactics of employing their units. If a year ago it was Battalion Tactical Groups, now they have returned to the classic scheme - brigade, regiment, and battalion. They began to create assault units numbering 140-160 soldiers. Such detachments include mechanized units, tanks, artillery, mortars, and anti-tank systems  to break through in certain areas thanks to assault efforts. And also theres the tactics pursued by Wagner PMC, which was used first in Bakhmut, then in Soledar. They are trying to carry out assault operations at the expense of delivering powerful artillery strikes to completely wipe out our defensive positions. And this goes wave after wave, despite the colossal human losses that they bear.

- Can this also be considered experience?

- Yes, this is their experience of conducting hostilities.

- And what about missile strikes?

- They make certain changes in the use of cruise missiles. Each time, you see, different launch lines, different warplane flight routes are chosen. They try to bypass our air defense system, they know in which areas it is strong and in which areas it is not so strong. These are all real examples that indeed, the enemy is learning. The longer the fighting lasts, the more experience the enemy gains. And the threat is that their freshly mobilized soldiers are already different from those who came to our territory in October.

- What will they never learn?

- They always wait for what the senior boss will tell them from above. And the second thing  they are too often ready to sell their lives for money. According to our intercepts, we are always surprised when a Russian soldier tells his wife that he will step on a mine here and get RUB 800,000 or so, at the same time he will return to Russia and not have to fight anymore. Or that he will fight, earn that much money, buy a car, pay off the loan, and save up for an apartment...

- Kyiv was recently shelled from the S-400 anti-aircraft complex. And we were immediately told that this shelling came from the north. Everyone thought that it was from the territory of Belarus. So why not say it right away?

- Launches were carried out from the territory of the Russian Federation, this is the first thing to point out. And secondly, the shortage of high-precision cruise missiles such as Kalibr, Kh-101, and Kh-555 forced Russia to use anti-aircraft missiles for their strikes. They have undergone modernization, we understand exactly which one. It is possible that another warhead will be installed in the future.

They have had such missiles since the time of the Soviet Union. According to our calculations, they have from 6,000 to 7,000 in stock. These missiles are 30-35-40 years old. That is, they are being disposed of and, at the same time, they cover the deficit in high-precision weapons. Modernization allows them to use them for a range of at least 250 kilometers. These are, in fact, the same Iskanders, or other long-range weapons.

- We heard outlooks that mobilization would begin in Russia almost from January 5, that the borders would be shut down... But they are still open. So what is objectively known about their next mobilization?

- Our borders are not shut either.

- In our country, men of a certain age are not allowed to leave.

- Same there. There is a directive instruction issued.

- We have it officially done at the level of the Verkhovna Rada, and what about Russia?

- This is Russia, if you say something wrong, you will immediately be jailed. So the answer to the question of whether they are ready/not ready for mobilization is: they are ready. In Muscovy today, according to our estimates, not 300,000 but 315,000 have been drafted. They are now running another wave mobilization in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. At such pace of war, there simply will not be any male able-bodied population left there.

- Okay, they have called up several hundred thousand people. And what happens next?

- There are not enough weapons to equip the units that are being formed now. Russians do not produce as many units of equipment as they lose. Moscow began to remove equipment and weapons from storage, from their arsenals, but they have been stored there for 30 years or more, needing repair and maintenance, and we know this by the example of 1st Tank Armys 2nd division. They were supposed to finish combat coordination on December 1 but they did so only on January 1. That is, they waited a whole month for the division to be equipped with weapons that are not currently in production. In case of additional mobilization of 500,000 people, there will be even bigger problems with provision. In addition, you understand what a colossal resource this is, even for Russia, and how much it affects their economy because it is mainly the able-bodied population.

- A U.S. State Department official said that the United States is reaching out to other countries to ban Wagner from recruiting people there. What do you think about this?

- Wagner should be banned and recognized as a terrorist organization at the international level. The facts of war crimes committed by them, required for such a move, are numerous: in addition to Ukraine, this includes Syria, the Central African Republic, and other regions... (While the interview was being prepared for publication, reports appeared that the United States had recognized PMC Wagner as a terrorist organization, imposing appropriate sanctions on it. Analysts claim that this is the first concrete step towards recognizing the Russian Federation as a whole as a terrorist state - ed).

- Fresh news: in Serbia, activists went to court with a demand to ban the activities of PMC Wagner. The Americans generally want to block their recruitment efforts outside of Russia. How realistic is it to achieve such a goal?

- There is a very wide range of possible actions to neutralize such activities by Wagner  these are sanctions, this is the blocking of financial flows, this is the limitation on arms supply... And there are also international conventions on mercenaries, in many countries criminal liability for mercenary activity is laid down...

- But mercenary action is also prohibited in Russia...

- And they claim that Wagner is a private company, although they have no law that would regulate private military companies.

- Can you give an approximate amount that Russia spends on Wagner per month? How and how much are they paid? Not everyone is paid the same, probably...

- The Russian Federation will always find money for PMC Wagner. Regarding their pay and equipment, It is impossible to compare, for example, a professional Wagnerian or an instructor  their gear, training, and allowance  with that of someone whom they simply hired from a penal colony and who was killed in some two months. Russian mercenaries agree to RUB 200,000-250,000 per month.

- Is it about $3,000-3,500?

- Its something like that. But there the gradation is very clear, management has one level of allowance, professional instructors  another, professional fighters are the third category, and the fourth is those who are now being recruited and used as cannon fodder.

- You said that they now have the task of occupying the entire Donbas. But at the same time, there is currently a lot of talk that they will launch a general offensive in the South late winter or early spring. What does intelligence know about their plans there? Are there any surprises?

- Everything will depend on the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. These are related things. There may be distracting maneuvers, distracting strikes, this may be the development of the success they are counting on in the Donetsk direction. But we have enough information to analyze and determine the possible nature of enemy actions.

- And what forces have been accumulated there as of today?

- We definitely know which grouping they have, what its composition is, what weapons they have, in which settlements they are stationed. Don't worry, we have the situation under control.

- And what about our response?

- I think we have things to respond with. Our partners are also helping us now as they understand the complexity of the situation.

- The enemy is carrying out fortification works in Crimea...

- Yes, the Kremlin is preparing for defense. The aggressor is not simply carrying out these works, the Russian command has even created a corresponding defense grouping on the territory of Crimea.

- So they will not employ all their forces during the spring offensive?

- No. Territorial troops are also being deployed there, these are divisions and regiments, not only the Crimean formation.

- Their territorial defense forces began to form earlier than ours, didnt they?

- We saw their territorial defense forces during the exercises, starting in 2016. Every time at strategic exercises - "Center", "Zapad", "Vostok", "Caucasus" - they practice the deployment of territorial defense troops. In particular, two divisions of territorial defense forces were created in the occupied Crimea.

- Are they well trained?

- What do you think? If we take a reservist who served in the army 20-30 years ago, or if he served in the Soviet army in a construction battalion? Of course, the training of such reservists is unsatisfactory, and the motivation is much lower than in units of the Russian regular armed forces.

- What about the numbers?

- If it is a motorized rifle regiment, its 1,500-2,000 troops. We know the number of units and formations of the territorial troops in Russia. And most importantly, our General Staff has this information and takes it into account when planning our actions. We should not scare our people with these numbers: 300,000 or 500,000... There are many other factors - weapons, morale...

- And what can we say about it?

- Very easy. Those who stand on the front line do not want to fight, are unwilling to go on the offensive, many of them try to mutilate themselves or self-inflict a light wound in order not to return to the front. Most say that as soon as the contract ends, they will leave the position and go home. However, no one asks them anymore.

Many believe that there will be a rotation, but they have been talking about this rotation since April, and it is not there. Separate units are withdrawn from the front line, but this is only to replenish losses and restore. At the same time, if at the beginning they were taken to the Russian territory, now from Kherson they are simply transferred closer to Crimea  Zaliznyi Port or Skadovsk. They "recovered" there for three to four weeks and they were deployed to the front, again.

- Recently, there have been fewer "incidents" in Russia. Is it because we don't risk our people or have they protected the problem areas?

- If there are vulnerable spots, then, of course, they try to protect them, employ air defenses. But the main thing is their counter-intelligence regime, powerful censorship. We see this in the temporarily occupied territories, and even more so in Russia: the scene of the incident is immediately cordoned off, the FSB arrives, no one will enter, no one will leave, no one will get any information. But our people are working anyway, as they say... This is our enemy, it must be destroyed so that missiles are not launched at our peaceful cities and people, so that there are no repetitions of the tragedy in Dnipro... Theres this pilot in Russia who launched that missile. He must not fly again and for this act his warplane must be destroyed or put out of combat, a combat missile must be disabled in advance so that it cant hit the target or simply explode in the air, etc. These are very complex things that require preparation, trained people, and appropriate measures. And the enemy is afraid of this  as a result, they deployed an additional S-400 division near Moscow...

- And what measures have the Russians taken, so to speak, in the wake of those incidents?

- I will tell about Engels (airfield - ed.) They dispersed strategic aviation at various airfields, including the Far East. And this has an effect now, because it is one thing to fly a thousand kilometers to the missile launch line and another  to fly 5,000. That is, 5,000 there, 5,000 back... This is all their resource  the plane, the engine, the load on the crew, additional fuel consumption

- The enemy's plan to demoralize the Ukrainian society never realized. Intelligence sees some alternative strategies that they may have, including terrorist attacks. How do you assess our ability to resist this?

- Let's take a real look at this picture, let's take the time frame from June to now. Name me at least a few high-profile terrorist attacks that were committed by the aggressor on our territory during this period, in addition to missile attacks?

- Is our counterintelligence working?

- Its not only counterintelligence, it is our population. Believe me, in February and early March, our people took an active part in the fight against subversive groups and spies. That is, they monitored all new people in the apartment block, unusual occurrences in their neighborhood: wherever some marking appeared on the wall, on the sidewalk  people would call the hotline en masse. Our public has rallied, people understand that this is war.

Look at what happened in the territories that were temporarily under occupation. In fact, the entire nation worked to hand over information about enemy movements and actions. It was physically very difficult to process everything, it was a kind of information explosion. By the way, our partners are simply amazed that it is possible to receive such help from the public online. I answered them: this is not Afghanistan or Iraq, there were completely different conditions there and a completely different population. This is our country and we all protect it. Everyone from the military to a grandmother who lives on the first floor and sees through her window that some strangers have entered the building.

- At the same time, there are many sociological studies suggesting that military failures do not demoralize Russians, but on the contrary  consolidate them. How do intelligence operatives explain it?

- We operate facts. Yes, there is such a mood there  stand up against Ukraine, against the West, against NATO. They are already talking not about some "special operation", but about war  with the West, with NATO. After decades of brainwashing, Russians believe in all these things. It is necessary to understand the situation that has developed in the Russian Federation. Society there is completely cleansed.

- And how does Ukrainian intelligence assess the level of psychological stability of Russian society?

- Thats an interesting one. To what extent can it, this psychological stability, collapse... For this, a powerful influence is needed  not so much an informational one, but in general, some events that would serve to change the consciousness of the Russian population.

- As for the threat of a tactical nuclear strike, do intelligence agencies have means of predicting such a strike? What is known about the technical condition of the enemy's nuclear munitions?

- First of all, today the threat and in general the rhetoric of deploying nuclear weapons is not as relevant as it was in the early fall. This was facilitated by the efforts by the international community regarding nuclear security, including the reaction of the United States, China, and European countries. Second, we have been and are constantly monitoring everything related to nuclear weapons, especially before the start of a large-scale invasion. There are nuclear carriers in Crimea as well, the Russians constantly worked out the issue of delivering a nuclear warhead, preparing weapons for possible combat use. As for the technical condition, this is a tactical nuclear weapon, which was manufactured in the times of the Soviet Union. Yes, the service life was extended, but the warhead was not even tested on the Iskanders or Kalibrs. Nevertheless, everyone understands that Putin's regime has nuclear weapons and Moscow uses this as one of the elements of pressure and intimidation.

- And if everything goes bad for them, could they employ it?

- I mean, this is one of the elements of intimidation. Tactical nuclear weapons do not solve the main strategic task, so it is necessary to talk about it.

- A somewhat unexpected question. In modern warfare, unlike the wars of the past, intelligence has become much more open. Forecasts are published, interviews are given... What are the reasons for such changes?

- This is about strategic communications. We started doing it in 2015, as I remember now, my first broadcast was at the end of October 2015. At that time, many did not understand how intelligence came out with its open information to society. But everything is very simple: then it was necessary to explain that in Ukraine theres no internal conflict, and that this is not Russia's support for "someone" in our country, this is a direct, brutal and undisguised armed aggression of the Russian Federation against our state.

In 2021, the American, British, and other intelligence communities also began to make their information public. And their message is also very simple: they convey the message that intelligence sees everything that's going on, that's the first thing. Secondly, it is a signal to the enemy, the Russian Federation, at this stage that we know about their plans. And since we are aware of them, we are preparing for their aggression. Yes, these are new approaches, but they are unequivocally effective, effective for our society as well, because when someone in the modern world does not receive information, for example, from us  military intelligence, from the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, they look for this information through other channels. And this is where enemy propaganda and disinformation appear, in particular.

- So you have no complaints against your Western colleagues regarding their regular reports that they have learned about the war in Ukraine?

- Why should we have them? We pursue cooperation with them, they have their strategic communications, we have ours. Somewhere, at the expense of this, we even compare plans and conclusions: what they know, how they evaluate things. We have become more transparent and understandable, although we have our secrets, our mechanisms.

- At the beginning of 2023, we heard at least three forecasts of our major offensive and the final turning point in the war: March, May, and August. And in your opinion, when could this happen?

- I told you the forecast for the next two months, it is real. It is still too early to talk about a complete turning point in the war today, but there are signs that the situation will change. 2023 is the year of our Victory. Our Victory is already about the fact that we have been defending our independence for almost a year in a war with a nuclear state that has greater mobilization and economic potential. This is already a strategic defeat for Russia, of which not only we are talking, but also the whole civilized world.

- We already have the title: 2023 is the year of Victory.

- That's right, even here, we are talking not only about victory on the battlefield, but also about victory in all other directions: such a powerful coalition of states, which supports Ukraine now, has never existed in the entire recent history of our country. This is already a victory.

- But probably in the entire history of mankind, there was no such support from other states for a state that was subjected to brutal aggression...

- The history of mankind is one thing... But let's go back to the 1918-1921. Who recognized Ukraine as an independent state back then, who supported it in the fight against the Moscow invasion? And now, after 100 years, what do we see? This is what our Victory is about today.

Serhiy Tykhy, Kyiv
According to the Ukrainian defense intelligence estimates, Russia has already mobilized for military service some 315,000 men despite statements that the target is 300,000. The mobilization wave is still ongoing.

Thats according to Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry, who spoke in an interview with Ukrinform.

In Muscovy today, according to our estimates, not 300,000 but 315,000 have been drafted. They are now running another wave mobilization in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. At such pace of war, there simply will not be any male able-bodied population left there, the senior intelligence official said.

At the same time, Skibitskyi said that Russia lacks weapons to properly equip the newly formed units as its defense industry is incapable of replenishing on time all battlefield losses.

Read also: Intelligence reveals changes in Russian tactics expected after Surovikin replaced by Gerasimov

There are not enough weapons to equip the units that are being formed now. Russians do not produce as many units of equipment as they lose. Moscow began to remove equipment and weapons from storage, from their arsenals, but they have been stored there for 30 years or more, needing repair and maintenance, and we know this by the example of 1st Tank Armys 2nd division. They were supposed to finish combat coordination on December1 but they did so only on January 1. That is, they waited a whole month for the division to be equipped with weapons that are not currently in production. In case of additional mobilization of 500,000 people, there will be even bigger problems with provision. In addition, you understand what a colossal resource this is, even for Russia, and how much it affects their economy because it is mainly the able-bodied population, Skibitskyi said.

As reported, partial mobilization was announced in Russia on September 21 in accordance with President Vladimir Putins decree. At that time, it was announced that the effort covered reservists exclusively, and that 300,000 people would be called up.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson believes that Ukraine needs to be provided with all the necessary weapons as soon as possible to end the war.

He said this at the meeting with students and lecturers of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, also attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Presidents Office informs.

"This means we must provide tanks. I'm proud that we are the first country to send Challenger tanks, and we expect tanks from other countries. We want to get aircraft for the people of Ukraine, and we need better equipment, weapons of all kinds that will enable you to defend your country," the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said.

He also emphasized that the availability of modern weapons in the Ukrainian army will not lead to an escalation as Russia is using all available means on Ukrainian territory already.

"I was in Bucha. How can we escalate the confrontation, where one side is already using the most advanced modern aircraft to bomb residential areas? Ukraine deserves all the help possible," the British MP emphasized.

As reported, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Bucha and Borodianka in Kyiv region today. He saw the destruction that the settlements suffered during the Russian occupation.

Photo: Presidents Office

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Germany and France will continue to support Ukraine in its fight to thwart the victory of Russian imperialism.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President of France Emmanuel Macron made a corresponding statement at the ceremony on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty in Paris on Sunday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"President Putin pursues imperial goals, he wants to push the boundaries with force. Ukrainians are paying a terrible price for this. But Putin's imperialism will not win! We will continue to support Ukraine as long and as much as it takes," the head of the German government promised.

The French leader, in turn, said that the two countries, together with their partners, are working around the clock to help Ukraine and strengthen its defense capabilities.

"After February 24, our Union was not split, nor did it abandon its obligations... We supported Ukraine, we imposed sanctions against Russia, Europe began to provide assistance to Ukraine after a few weeks... Our steadfast support will be ongoing," Macron said, adding that Berlin and Paris have joint responsibility for maintaining and strengthening European unity.

He noted that the current anniversary of the Elysee Treaty is of particular importance because Ukraine is now courageously resisting Russian aggression. Aggression, in which such concepts as peace and dialogue were destroyed, when the humanistic order on the European continent is under threat. Macron called for strengthening the "European project".

"France and Germany are jointly responsible for this project to be implemented together with partners in the EU," the President of France said.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that it is possible to win the war in 2023 but Ukrainians need to maintain unity and strength for this.

Zelensky said this at the meeting with students and lecturers of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, also attended by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Presidents Office informs.

"The speed [of ending the war] depends on several things: strength inside Ukraine and strength from the outside  the help of partners. And we must not allow the processes to slow down either outside or inside, as it will prolong the war," the Head of State emphasized.

The President also rejected any claims that Ukraine's victory was optional or that a partial victory of our state was acceptable.

"We will not forget anything, we will not forgive anything, we will definitely regain everything. We will do all this as a powerful civilized state. A future member-state of the European Union. A future independent state that our partners in NATO will see in their circle," he said.

As reported, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Bucha and Borodianka in Kyiv region today. He saw the destruction that the settlements suffered during the Russian occupation.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky informed the British politician about the situation on the front line and praised his active public support for Ukraine.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia summoned the Ambassador of Estonia in Moscow, Margus Laidre, and informed him of the downgrading of the diplomatic representation in both countries to a temporary charge d'affaires and ordered him to leave the Russian Federation by February 7.

This is reported by Ukrinform with reference to MFA Russias Telegram channel.

The ambassador was also informed of "strong protest in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities". Moscow accuses Estonia of "targeted destruction of the entire complex of relations with Russia," "total Russophobia, cultivation of enmity."

Such actions and definitions were used by the Russian Foreign Ministry due to Estonia's recent decision to reduce the size of the Russian embassy in Tallinn.

As reported by Ukrinform, on January 11, the Estonian Foreign Ministry informed the Russian ambassador about the decision, according to which Russia shall reduce the number of employees of its embassy in Tallinn to eight diplomats and 15 seconded administrative, technical, and service staff by February 1, 2023. The purpose of this is "to achieve parity or equivalence in the number of positions in the embassy," as a result of which "the number of available positions in the Russian and Estonian missions operating in the capitals will be equalized."

According to the Estonian side, in the conditions of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, "the current size of the Russian representation is not justified."

Currently, the Russian embassy in Tallinn employs 21 diplomats and 23 staffers without diplomatic status.
Hoy, el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores entrego una nota al Embajador de Bolivia mediante la cual transmite una energica protesta por las declaraciones del Presidente Luis Arce sobre temas de politica interna. La Cancilleria evalua acciones ante nuevos actos de injerencia.
Bulgaria has nothing to do with the explosion on the so-called "Crimea" bridge that occurred in October last year.

This was stated via Twitter by the countrys Prosecutor General, Ivan Geshev, Ukrinform reports.

"Colleagues from the Prosecutor's Office of Sofia categorically established that Bulgaria has nothing to do with the explosion on the Crimea Bridge. This is yet another Russian hybrid attack against the European community," the Prosecutor General wrote.

As reported by Ukrinform, Bulgaria's counterintelligence agency (SANS) launched an investigation after Russia's statement that the truck that blew up on the Crimea Bridge allegedly came from Bulgaria. The inquiry was launched on the instruction of Prime Minister Galab Donev immediately after the Kremlin made the claim public.

An explosion followed by a fire on a bridge illegally built by Russia across the Kerch Strait occurred on October 8, 2022. After that, the motorway spans of the bridge partially collapsed, and the tanks of the train moving along the bridge caught fire.

After the explosion, information appeared that a truck carrying explosives allegedly drove through the territory of Bulgaria.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the Polish and Lithuanian people for their solidarity and support for Ukraine in the light of Russian aggression against the country.

The head of state said this in a letter to the participants in the Warsaw celebrations on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the January Uprising, which was read out by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, Vasyl Zvarych, in the presence of Presidents Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nauseda, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Zelensky noted in the letter that this event is important in the common history of the Ukrainian, Polish and Lithuanian peoples, "the powerful symbolism of which is particularly relevant."

He said that 160 years ago, the peoples of the three countries united their efforts, standing side by side against Russian imperialism and tyranny. According to him, the January Uprising of 1863-1864 accelerated the national revival and liberation movement on the territory of present-day Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania.

"Today, honoring the memory of the January insurgents, we feel unity and a special historical connection with our predecessors, who then bravely stood up for the defense of freedom and independence. Similarly, now Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania have united in opposing armed aggression by Russia, which has challenged the security of the whole of Europe and the world by attacking Ukraine," the letter read.

Zelensky expressed gratitude for the unwavering support and solidarity of Polish and Lithuanian friends who set an example of leadership in defending common European values.

"Today, together with you, we are writing a new history of the struggle for the independence of our states and the entire united Europe. And I am convinced that this struggle will be successful in the name of the January insurgents and all generations of the Ukrainian, Polish, and Lithuanian peoples, who for centuries fought for their right to live freely on their land," the letter reads.

The January Uprising is an uprising of 18631864 on the lands of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Ukrainians, Lithuanians and Belarusians took part in the uprising together with the Poles. The uprising was a guerrilla war during which more than 1,000 battles and skirmishes took place. It ended with the defeat of the insurgents.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
"Let's rely on dialogue. I want to put emphasis on that. We will seek the participation of regional and municipal authorities, as well as civil society," he said in an interview with Panamericana Noticias.

"The doors are open even for those with disagreements," the government official pointed out.

In this regard, he emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental right safeguarded by the Government.

In this sense, he highlighted the roundtables or spaces for dialogue set up in different regions to approach the most difficult sectors so as to reach a consensus.

#BDP | Ministro de Justicia tras violentas protestas: Gobierno busca el dialogo para evitar perdida de mas vidas humanas https://t.co/9d2lxpXbGx
YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. United States Embassy in Armenia Charge d'Affaires Chip Laitinen expressed concern for the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ongoing impeded access along the Lachin corridor, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement on Charge d'Affaires Chip Laitinens January 20 meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan.

In a January 20 courtesy call, Charge d'Affaires Chip Laitinen congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan on his appointment. CDA Laitinen expressed concern for the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ongoing impeded access along the Lachin corridor. He underscored the need for the full restoration of free movement through the corridor He also underscored our support for a sovereign, independent and democratic Armenia, at peace with its neighbors, the U.S. Embassy said.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, urged him to immediately unblock the Lachin Corridor for commercial transport, ARMENPRESS reports the State Department said in a message.

He emphasized that the threat of a humanitarian crisis in the Lachin Corridor undermines the peace prospects between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Secretary of State urged Aliyev to redouble his efforts in bilateral peace negotiations with Armenia. He also raised concerns about human rights in Azerbaijan.

Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan continues to keep closed the only highway connecting Artsakh to the world, the Lachin Corridor, citing false environmental reasons.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2023) Hungary has achieved an exemption and will be able to export about 30% of oil products from the Slovak refinery of petroleum company MOL after February 5 to Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland, MOL said on Monday.

The company noted that after February 5, when sanctions on Russian oil products come into force, MOL will be able to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel to the domestic market from its refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, since it has the right to process Russian oil coming through the Druzhba pipeline, the corresponding exception was received during the discussion of previous sanctions packages.

"The capacities of the refinery of the MOL subsidiary  Slovnaft  in Bratislava are needed not by Hungarian, but by Czech and Austrian consumers," the company said in a statement published by the Vilaggazdasag newspaper.

"Exports to Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland became possible after the Hungarian government, together with the governments of several other countries, successfully lobbied for the companies, refiners of Russian oil, could continue to export products depending on the share of Russian oil," it said.

The company noted that in the coming days, a corresponding decree of the Slovak government is expected. The Hungarian government has already regulated the scheme for the export of petroleum products.

"The Bratislava refinery is allowed to export fuel in proportion to the inclusion of non-Russian crude oil and refinery feedstock. Current refining technologies and logistical restrictions can ensure that the share of non-Russian oil is around 30%. It follows that Slovnaft can plan fuel exports in 2023 in an appropriate proportion," the statement says.

Earlier, the EU introduced the eighth package of anti-Russian sanctions, which includes both new economic restrictions and expanded lists of personal sanctions. Among the economic sanctions is the introduction of a legislative framework for determining the price cap for seaborne Russian oil to third countries. It was planned that the price limit would be introduced on December 5 for oil and on February 5, 2023, for oil products.
Italy will be able to completely abandon Russian gas in the winter of 2024-2025 thanks to its diversification of supplies, including greater cooperation with Algeria, the head of the country's major energy company Eni, Claudio Descalzi, said on Monday

ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Italy will be able to completely abandon Russian gas in the winter of 2024-2025 thanks to its diversification of supplies, including greater cooperation with Algeria, the head of the country's major energy company Eni, Claudio Descalzi, said on Monday.

"Prospects for abandoning Russian gas supplies to Italy? I am positive, (it will happen) in winter 2024-2025. I would say, if we keep doing this, things will be going in the right direction," Descalzi said while accompanying Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her visit to Algeria, as quoted by the Askanews agency.

Eni's CEO also confirmed that, as part of Italy's efforts to abandon Russian gas supplies, Rome is placing great emphasis on the further expansion of cooperation with Algeria.

"We update agreements on (supply) volumes annually. It is enough to say that, just two years ago, Algeria supplied Italy with about 21 billion cubic meters (of gas), now, it supplies 25 billion, and we will reach 28 billion in the years to come. In 2024-2025, we will surpass this mark. This is a true strategic partner that helps Italy a lot," he said, as quoted by the media.

In September, Descalzi said Italy would manage to replace around 80% of Russian gas imports or 17.6 billion cubic meters in 2023.

During Meloni's current visit to Algeria, Eni and local gas company Sonatrach will reportedly sign a new agreement on the further extension of supplies to the European country. According to the media, the volume of supply could reach 35 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

According to Il Messaggero newspaper, Russian gas supplies amounted to up to 40% of Italy's total imports. In order to replace this volume, Meloni's government is going to increase supplies from Azerbaijan through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and, should the situation in Libya stabilize, receive an additional 2 to 9 billion cubic meters of gas from that country.

Besides, Italy is reportedly going to increase its gas imports by 2025 up to 50-70 billion to become an energy hub for continental Europe. Germany, according to Il Messaggero's source, has already expressed interest in future supplies. Austria, Hungary and Poland may become other destinations for gas imports.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 23rd Jan, 2023) The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAEs pioneering global award for recognising excellence in sustainability, has officially announced that the 2024 cycle is now open for submissions.

Submissions will be accepted until 2nd May, 2023 through the Prizes online portal. Small to medium enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools with sustainability solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the five categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools.

The Prizes 2023 award cycle received a record-breaking 4,538 applications from 152 countries, marking a 13 percent increase in submissions compared to the previous cycle.

Commenting on the launch of the 2024 submissions cycle, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said, This year, the prize celebrates 15 years of honouring the legacy of the UAEs Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, and accelerating sustainable development and humanitarian impact around the world.

"Since 2008, the Prize has, through the visionary leadership of the United Arab Emirates, facilitated the delivery of sustainable solutions to vulnerable communities, improving access to reliable and affordable energy, safe drinking water, nutritious food and quality healthcare for millions. These efforts directly support the UAEs broader aims to encourage international collaboration and build a sustainable and prosperous global economy.

Al Jaber added, Importantly, the Prize has prioritised youth and empowers young people to lead in sustainable development. Through the Global High Schools category, the Prize provides opportunities for young people to build their skills in sustainability and leadership and encourages them to take an active role in supporting their communities and driving climate action.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize helps organisations and schools scale their solutions, enabling them to realise even greater impact and catalyse positive, transformational change. To date, the Prize has impacted the lives of over 378 million people around the world, including in Vietnam, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Maldives and Tuvalu.



The Prizes US$3 million fund rewards winners US$600,000 in each category. The Global High Schools category is split into six world regions, with each school able to claim up to US$100,000 to start or further expand their project. The six world regions of the Global High Schools category are The Americas, Europe & Central Asia, middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia & Pacific.

Inspired by the sustainability and humanitarian legacy of the UAEs Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize has, to date, recognised a total of 106 winners whose solutions or student-led school projects have positively transformed the lives of millions.

While the submission forms vary per category, core elements of each entry lie in the innovative, impactful and inspirational ways in which the proposed technology, applications and solutions aim to improve wellbeing and sustainability.

For the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, organisations should demonstrate that they are improving access to essential products or services and have a long-term vision for better living and working conditions. For the Global High Schools category, their projects should be studentled, with emphasis placed on the students being actively involved in the planning, implementation, and monitoring processes.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize has a three-stage evaluation process, beginning with the due diligence conducted on all submissions to ensure that they meet the Prizes evaluation criteria. This identifies the qualified entries and results in the selection of eligible candidates. Following this, evaluations are undertaken by a Selection Committee consisting of category-specific panels of independent international experts. From this shortlist of candidates, the finalists are chosen and then sent to the Prize Jury who unanimously elect the winners, across all five categories.

Winners of the 2024 Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony during the COP28 Climate Summit.


BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driver-less trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour.

"This 800,000 daily capacity metro line will allow travel from Kagithane Station to the Istanbul Airport in 24 minutes," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the opening ceremony.

The fully-automated, driver-less trains were built by Chinese company CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (CRRC ZELC), which signed a purchase and commissioning contract with Trkiye's Directorate-General of Infrastructure Investments back in January 2020.

The 34-kilometer metro line between the Kagithane Station in central Istanbul and the city's new international airport boasts Trkiye's fastest trains, and the vehicles running the line are China's first 120km/h automated driver-less metro project for the overseas market, according to CRRC ZELC.

The contract was for 176 subway cars and required a 60 percent localization rate in Trkiye. Haluk Oguz, a management specialist at CRRC ZELC's subsidiary in Trkiye, told Xinhua that they have delivered 40 vehicles. "Work on the other 136 is ongoing," he said, adding "they will be manufactured at our factory in Ankara." Faruk Bostanci, administrative affairs chief at CRRC Trkiye, said that "new additions (to the line), which will be made as manufacturing continues, will increase the train frequency and provide a faster, more convenient transportation network for Istanbul residents.

" After trying out the train, Istanbul resident Emirhan Ersoy praised the new vehicles. "Both the heating system and the visual screens are very nice, and the sound system works very well," he said, adding that the high capacity of the cabins was another point of distinction.

The vehicles operate in a 4-car formation with a maximum capacity of 1,100 passengers. The exterior of the trains is decorated with Turkish cultural elements such as tulip motifs.

Yalcin Eyigun, general manager of the Directorate-General of Infrastructure Investments at Turkish Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry, praised the Chinese partner for overcoming all kinds of difficulties during the project despite the COVID-19 pandemic-related setbacks.

Over the past decade, CRRC ZELC has supplied more than 400 metro vehicles to Trkiye, which are now operating in its three largest cities, namely Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

Zhou Qinghe, chairman of the board of the CRRC ZELC, said that his company is willing to strengthen cooperation with Trkiye and write new chapters of "shared growth through discussion and collaboration."
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Macau, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Macau's streets were packed in the run-up to the Lunar New Year after pandemic controls were abruptly lifted but it is far from business as usual as the Chinese casino hub wrestles with questions about its future.

Mainland Chinese tourists filled winding passages leading up to the historic Ruins of Saint Paul's, and stores selling local snacks like almond cookies and meat jerky had trouble keeping up.

"We don't have enough goods for this Lunar New Year as we didn't expect this," a business owner surnamed Li told AFP.

Tourists may now be back, but Beijing wants the former Portuguese colony to diversify its casinos-reliant economy.

The city of some 700,000 is the only place in China where casinos operate legally and for years has relied on mainland Chinese gamblers as its economic lifeline.

Last year Macau saw gaming revenues plunge to a record low of 42 billion patacas ($5.2 billion) after the government shut down most businesses at the height of a coronavirus wave.

- 'Can't use the old ways' - Macau issues just six operating concessions for a multi-billion-dollar industry that, until the pandemic hit, generated six times the gaming revenue of Las Vegas.

In December, the government awarded new decade-long concessions to all incumbents, effectively keeping the status quo but adding new requirements for non-gaming investment.

The firms have since pledged a total of $14.9 billion on projects including theme parks, convention and exhibition centres, fine dining and performance venues.

Former lawmaker Sulu Sou said it was "a step forward" for Macau to set clear demands for diversification, instead of relying on vague slogans as it had for years.

"Changes in the industry and shifting attitudes toward gambling in mainland China forced the (Macau) government to spell these requirements out in black and white," he told AFP.

Sou pointed to the downfall of "junket king" Alvin Chau, who was sentenced to 18 years in jail last week for hosting illegal gambling on a vast scale.

"It was a major signal to society that even as we return to normality, we can't use the old ways to make a fortune anymore," Sou said.

Chau was the figurehead of an industry that thrived on enticing high rollers from mainland China to gamble in Macau, by running VIP rooms and extending credit for bets.

VIP guests contributed around 15 percent of industry earnings before the pandemic, but the majority of this would be "permanently gone" due to regulatory concerns, according to Credit Suisse analysts.

"China's multi-year campaign against capital outflow and cross-border gambling carried on, rather than eased," they wrote earlier this month.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. 40 non-governmental organizations of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) sent an open letter to the leaders of the Co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, urging them to discuss the possibility of deploying additional international peacekeeping forces with the mandate of the UN Security Council in Artsakh to ensure the full security of the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens.

ARMENPRESS reports, the letter reads as follows,

For almost three decades, the OSCE Minsk Group, and subsequently its three co-chairs, having a relevant international mandate, have played a leading mediating role in searching for ways to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means based on the Charter of the United Nations. The principles of settlement proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs included important international principles, including equal rights and self-determination of peoples, on the basis of which the final status of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) should be determined, as well as the the non-use or threat of force. However, the war of aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and its people in 2020 with the active participation of Turkey brought to naught the long-term efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

We believe that the situation resulting from the illegitimate use of force cannot and should not be recognized as a starting point for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. The independent status of the Republic of Artsakh needs to be recognized by the international community based on respect for the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination. Turkey's military intervention in the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict with the involvement of terrorist fighters from the Middle East, Azerbaijan's illegal detention of more than a hundred Armenian prisoners of war and war crimes have been condemned by the parliaments of a number of countries and international organizations.

Taking advantage of the difficult international situation and non-recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, the Azerbaijani authorities have resorted to another criminal action against the people of Artsakh, by blocking transport communication along the internationally recognized Lachin (Kashatagh) corridor, which is the only way connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world.

The blockade of Artsakh, which has been ongoing since December 12, 2022, violates the rights and freedoms of the 120,000 population of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, as well as tens of thousands of women and the elderly. It has caused serious problems with medication and food supply, the country is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. The closure of the transport corridor has led to the suspension of large-scale construction works carried out in the republic to provide housing for refugees and internally displaced persons who left their homes as a result of the occupation of the territories of Artsakh by Azerbaijan in 2020.

Through their criminal actions, the Azerbaijani authorities are trying to create unbearable living conditions in order to force the people of Artsakh to give up on their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination. As an alternative, either complete extermination or forced displacement of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh from their historical homeland is proposed.

The actions of the Azerbaijani authorities, officially supported by the leadership of Turkey, turned 120,000 citizens of Artsakh into hostages, and the conditions put forward by official Baku for their release, being political and mercantile in nature, are a manifestation of international terrorism under international law.

The Armenaphobic policy of the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem continues to this day. Appeals from the United States, European countries, Russia, and in general, implementation of only political measures do not have the proper impact on the genocidal policy of this tandem against ethnic Armenians.

Due to the fact that despite the obligations undertaken under the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh is not able to prevent the criminal actions of Azerbaijan, we kindly request to consider the possibility of deploying additional international peacekeeping forces in Artsakh, under the mandate of the UN Security Council to ensure the full security of the Republic of Artsakh and its citizens.

We are convinced that the UN Security Council, where the states you represent have the status of permanent members, has sufficient international legal grounds and opportunities to fully apply the relevant tools to prevent the implementation of genocidal intentions by Azerbaijan and suppress its criminal actions that violate the UN Charter.
(@FahadShabbir)

Moscow, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Moscow on Monday downgraded diplomatic relations with Estonia and ordered its ambassador to leave Russia, accusing the Baltic country of "total Russophobia." This is the first time Russia has expelled an ambassador of an EU country since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine on February 24.

"The Russian side decided to downgrade the diplomatic representative in both countries to charge d'affaires ad interim," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The ambassador of the Estonian Republic will have to leave the Russian Federation on February 7," the ministry said.

The measures come after Estonia drastically reduced staff levels at Russia's embassy in Tallinn, the statement said.

The ambassador, Margus Laidre, was informed of the decision after being summoned to the foreign ministry, it said.

The foreign ministry accused Estonia of "purposefully destroying" relations with Moscow.
ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is set to visit South Korea and Japan next week, Seoul and the 30-member military alliance confirmed on Monday.

In Seoul on Jan. 29-30, the secretary general will meet South Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin, Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup, and other senior officials.

He will also deliver remarks at the CHEY Institute, a South Korean think tank, and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Cemetery.

The trip comes as the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol has been "stepping up cooperation with NATO," according to the Seoul-based Yonhap news Agency.

The Korean Peninsula is also witnessing heightened tensions as North Korea has launched a volley of missiles and projectiles since late last year, while South Korea and the US have cemented military ties with regular joint defense drills. Yoon became the first South Korean leader to attend a NATO summit in Spain last June.

Following his Seoul trip, Stoltenberg will fly to Japan. In Tokyo from Jan. 30-Feb. 1, he will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other senior officials. He will also deliver remarks at the Keio University.
ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Russia announced on Monday that it has lowered its relations with Estonia to the level of charge d'affaires, in response to Tallinn's decision to reduce the size of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.

"In recent years, the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia. Total Russophobia and the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy," a Foreign Ministry statement read.

It added that Estonia's recent step to reduce the size of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn "confirmed the line towards the collapse of relations between our countries.

" "As a response, the Russian side decided to downgrade the diplomatic representative in both countries to charge d'affaires ad interim," the statement said.

It further said Estonia's Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, where he received "a strong protest in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities." Laidre should leave Russia by Feb. 7.

"All responsibility for the development of such a situation in relations between Russia and Estonia lies entirely with the Estonian side. We will continue to react to the hostile steps of the Estonian leadership," the statement concluded.
ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Russia will continue talks on problems in bilateral ties with the new US ambassador, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Monday.

"The new ambassador will arrive, apparently, and discussions on this topic will continue with her," Ryabkov said at a press briefing.

He was referring to Lynne Tracy, the former US envoy to Armenia, who was confirmed in December as Washington's new ambassador to Moscow.

Ryabkov said Russia has taken note of signals from the US that one of Tracy's tasks will be to "improve and normalize the conditions for the functioning of embassies.

"However, there remains "a big difference between what we and the Americans are suggesting," he added. On the fighting in Ukraine, he said Russia's "opponents continue to raise the stakes."He said all military equipment being sent to Ukraine by Western countries will be "crushed," vowing that Moscow will ensure that "the goals of the special military operation are achieved in any case."
ANKARA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Turkish security forces "neutralized" at least three terrorists in the country's southeast, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday.

The armed terrorists were targeted in the Bestler Dereler region of Sirnak province as part of Operation Eren Abluka Fall-Winter 23, an ongoing domestic anti-terror push, a ministry statement said.

The operation was carried out with the participation of police and gendarmerie forces as well as ATAK attack helicopters and aerial support vehicles, the statement added. Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Trkiye initiated Eren operations in 2021, naming them after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old boy killed by the PKK terror group on Aug. 11, 2017.

The terrorists' affiliation was not specified, but the terrorist PKK has been known to be active in the region.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Trkiye, the PKK  listed as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the US and EU  has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Ukraine's military leadership has been ordered to recruit more reserves to relieve soldiers on the frontlines, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Being engaged in combat "is difficult for various reasons  both injuries and psychological state," Zelenskyy said during a meeting with university students and teachers in Kyiv on Sunday, which was also attended by the visiting former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Zelenskyy, however, said he "could not disclose the details of the mobilization processes," according to a statement by the presidency.

He said officials "made the relevant decisions and the commanders were working on their implementation in their respective areas," it added.

About Ukraine's peace plan, he reiterated that it can ensure the war with Russia ends "in a fair manner.

" "The Peace Formula is a powerful diplomatic weapon. All its points are fair and honest with regard to any state, with respect for the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zelenskyy said.

For it to work, Ukraine's friends and partners must unite around its implementation and there must be support from both the US and all European leaders, he stressed. Johnson, who reached Kyiv on an unannounced visit on Sunday, vowed that Ukraine's "friends will help  end this war as soon as possible in 2023.""Because it will be the best thing for the world  so that people don't die, and it will be the best thing for Ukraine and, frankly speaking, for the Russian people, too. Let's end this finally," he said.
MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) : Jan 23 (APP):Belgium-based Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) Monday announced to hold a protest camp on Indian Republic Day falling on 26 January to mark the day as Black Day in front of the EU External Action Service (EU foreign ministry) in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, KC, EU officially announced.

"It is pertinent to mention that Kashmiris, who are suffering from Indian atrocities for the last seven decades, observe the Indian Republic Day falling on 26th January as a black day every year. The peaceful protest camp in Brussels would be started at 2 p.m. on Thursday, 26th January 23, 2023", KC EU Chairman Ali Raza Syed said on Monday.

Talking to APP over the telephone from Brussels Monday, Chairman KC-EU Ali Raza Syed said that India claims of being the largest democracy in the world but it refuses the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as atrocities against the people are continued. He said peace in Kashmir is connected to the whole region. If Kashmir is the witness of peace, the whole region would be a witness to peace and prosperity.

Chairman Kashmir Council EU Ali Raza Syed said that Kashmiri nation is not ready to compromise on their right to self determination.

On the Indian republic day, we simply want to convey a message to the Indian government that there is no point in glorifying democracy if people are living in misery under the might of the gun, he said.

KC-EU's Chairman Ali Raza Syed demanded New Delhi give the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that India should end brutalities against the Kashmiris and fulfill its promise for the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir.

He also called on the International community to intervene to stop human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and play its role in just resolution the of Kashmir issue.

He said, India is the so-called "biggest" democracy in the world but in reality, it's not a democracy because New Delhi is ruthlessly suppressing the democratic rights of Kashmiris and continuously killing the innocent Kashmiri people as well.

If democracy is all about justice, then we must say that our fellow Kashmiris are not getting justice even after seven decades.

He called on the Indian government to stop violations of human rights in occupied Kashmir and fulfill its promise to give the right to self-determination to the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.
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The efforts of the Embassy of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Islamabad has started yielding results as a major business group from Pakistan has flown to Addis Ababa, the other day, to explore investment opportunities in its industrial sector

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :The efforts of the Embassy of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Islamabad has started yielding results as a major business group from Pakistan has flown to Addis Ababa, the other day, to explore investment opportunities in its industrial sector.

A high-level delegation of Arif Habib Group visited Addis Ababa where they met with business people and officials of the government of Ethiopia and discussed prospects of investing in the country's production sector, a press release said.

On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the delegation led by Arif Habib Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhammad Kashif met with Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) Enginer Lelise Neme and expressed keen interest to invest in manufacturing of fertilizer, cement and steel in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Jemal Beker Abdula was also present during the meeting.

During the meeting, the EIC commissioner briefed the delegation on the ease of doing business, incentive packages, and investment climate in Ethiopia which was conducive and favorable for investment operations.

On the occasion, the ambassador extended gratitude to the delegation for visiting his country and said it was high time for the foreign investors to invest in Ethiopia which offered lucrative opportunities, business-friendly environment, cheap cost of production as well as multiple incentives on foreign direct investment.

The ambassador said Ethiopia had undergone a lot of transformation since Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed came into power who had a vision to transform the country into a major investment destination not in Africa but also in the world.

"We are committed to facilitating the investors in our country, that is why we have established a one-window operation for them," he added.

He assured the delegation of the government's support in starting and doing business in Ethiopia which had been producing 96.4 per cent electricity from water and geothermal sources that provided at cheap rate.

The delegation of Arif Habib Group has held a meeting with officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Mines in which they were briefed them about the policies, opportunities and commitment and support of government to harvest the availed opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, mines and services.

Arif Habib Group is a giant company with $2.5 billion net assets that has a diversified portfolio of investments ranging from financial services, industries and real estate development and advisory.

It has a history of building Joint Venture (JV) partnerships and is continuing to expand business collaborations with domestic as well as foreign entities.
TASHKENT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to attend the 26th meeting of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Ministers (COM).

The theme of the conference is "Year of Strengthening Connectivity".

The minister will address the council and will separately hold bilateral meetings with participating ministers of member states and other dignitaries on the sidelines of the event.

The COM is the policy-making forum of the ECO that approves the decisions and annual work plans of the organization.

The last 25th COM was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in November 2021.

As a founding member, Pakistan remains strongly committed to ECO, which aims to promote effective regional cooperation, with a special focus on communications, trade, culture and connectivity.

Later, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto met with the Acting foreign minister of Uzbekistan.

The two ministers agreed to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields with a special focus on trade, energy and regional connectivity.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :The Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC) has officially approved the increase in the number of seats for admission to Gomal University's Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and the development has been widely welcomed by the employees of the university.

"The efforts of Vice Chancellor Gomal University Professor Dr Shakibullah and In-charge of veterinary faculty Prof. Dr Kamal Shah have paid off as the PVMC, in its 52nd meeting held at Islamabad, has formally approved enhancement in the number of students to be admitted into faculty of veterinary and animal sciences of Gomal University," said a university spokesperson.

It is to be noted that since the veterinary and animal sciences faculty of Gomal University which is currently in financial straits, is considered to be one of its income-generating programs and this development has been widely welcomed by employees with their hopes rekindled that the university would now soon come out of the economic difficulties.

Gomal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Prof Dr Shakibullah said that the decision applied to the current admissions and thanked the Pakistan Medical Veterinary Council on behalf of the university's employees for accepting such a request and enabling the university to enrol more students in the said programme.

He said that it was a welcome development which would open up opportunities for more students who were willing to join the faculty and serve the country after completion of the programme.

On top of it, the VC said it would also help the university tide over the current economic situation which has currently posed challenges for management.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian parliament welcomes the European Union's decision to send a civilian observation mission to Armenia, ARMENPRESS reports President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan wrote about this in his official Twitter microblog.

"We believe that the mission will make a great contribution to strengthening security, long-term peace and confidencein the region," he stressed.

Earlier, the Council of the European Union issued a message that on January 23, it reached an agreement on establishing a civilian mission of the European Union in Armenia within the framework of the common security and defense policy. The purpose of the mission is to promote stability in the border regions of Armenia, to build confidence and to provide an environment conducive to efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is supported by the EU.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday urged the international community to show a common resolve against Islamophobia and work towards consolidating the values of tolerance and coexistence.

Strongly condemning the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden, the president said the abhorrent incident insulted the holy scripture of islam and hurt the feelings of billions of Muslims under the guise of freedom of expression.

He termed the act as senseless, provocative and Islamophobic which hurt the religious sensitivities of Muslims around the world.

Dr Alvi called upon the world to criminalize all acts that promote the ideology of hatred and not allow extremist and radical elements to spread hatred against Islamic sanctities and values.

He termed the act as senseless, provocative and Islamophobic which hurt the religious sensitivities of Muslims around the world.

The president, in a statement, stressed that the immoral incident was an act of needless incitement and a serious provocation to the feelings of Muslims in the world.

This is against the internationally accepted norms and principles of legitimate expression of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, which obliged everyone to not resort to hate speech and incite people to violence, he said.

The president said that Islam preached respect and reverence for all religions of the world whereas this heinous act has hurt Muslims by insulting their sacred values, and reflected the alarming levels of Islamophobia.
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PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar says the remaining 44 MNAs of the party, whose resignations were yet to be accepted,decided to take back their decision of leaving the assembly.

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Jan 23rd, 2023) Over 40 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers decided on Monday to withdraw their resignations from the National Assembly on the instructions of party chief Imran Khan.

Taking to Twitter, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar said that the remaining 44 MNAs of the party, whose resignations were yet to be accepted,decided to take back their decision of leaving the assembly.

He said, "An email has been sent to the speaker," said the PTI leader while sharing the Names of the MNAs that have withdrawn their resignations.

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry also said that 45 lawmakers decided to withdraw their resignations so that the party could take the posts of the leader of the opposition and parliamentary party leader.

Fawad said the PTI decided to take back the resignations so they could get rid of the "fake" opposition leader and to prevent the "lotay (turncoats)" from voting in favour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the vote of confidence.

Interestingly, the number of lawmakers mentioned by Umar and Chaudhry differed from each other.

The PTI lawmakers had submitted their resignations en masse after the Imran Khan-led government was ousted via a no-confidence motion in April of last year.

The PTI had claimed resignations were accepted by former deputy speaker Qasim Suri in absence of the speaker after Asad Qaiser's resignation.

Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf had stalled the process of accepting resignations saying that the remaining lawmakers would be summoned individually for verification.

However, contrary to his claims he quickened the process once PTI, earlier this month, announced its return to the assembly and lead the PM to the vote of confidence.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Renowned scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani on Monday issued a Fatwa (decree) that any armed activity against the state of Pakistan was a "rebellion", which was "haram" and proscribed according to the Islamic law

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Renowned scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani on Monday issued a Fatwa (decree) that any armed activity against the state of Pakistan was a "rebellion", which was "haram" and proscribed according to the Islamic law.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who were fighting against the Pakistan Army and were involved in anti-state activities, were "rebels", he said while virtually addressing the Paigham-e-Pakistan National Conference on 'Countering Violent Extremism, Radicalism and Hate Speech, organized by the International Islamic University, Islamabad here at its Faisal Masjid Campus.

The decree was also unanimously adopted by the Ulema and Mashaykh of all schools of thought present in the conference.

Mufti Taqi Usmani said during his meetings in Kabul while heading a delegation, the Afghan Taliban also expressed their resentment against the TTP elements who were carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan.

"Fighting against national security agencies and carrying out anti-state activities come under mutiny and it has nothing to do with Jihad," he added.

Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz said the sad incident of Army Public school had united the entire nation on one platform to cope with the menace of terrorism.

With the help of Ulema, Mashaykh and religious scholars, he said, the government evolved a unified policy in the shape of "Paigham-e-Pakistan" to bridge the communication gap and remove the religious differences for peace and tranquility in the country.

He proposed that the 'Paigham-e-Pakistan' should be given a constitutional cover by the parliament so that it should be implemented at the grassroots level.

Prime Minister's Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said political instability was one of the main factors causing economic meltdown in the country.

He urged the media to play a responsible role and avoid publishing or broadcasting fake news because it severely affected the business activities.

He said there were certain elements who wanted to create chaos but the Ulema and Mashaykh had renewed their pledge to foil the nefarious designs of enemy against the peace and security.

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad said the "Paigham-e-Pakistan" had united the nation and it was playing a constructive role in the country's development and prosperity. The Ulema and Mashaykh stood with the Pakistan Army and other security agencies, and they were countering the enemy's agenda, he added.

Former religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi said they had to make collective efforts to net the "masterminds", who were polluting the minds of youth.

Allama Iftikhar Naqvi said the "Paigham-e-Pakistan" was yielding positive results and there was need for concerted efforts to make the people at every nook and cranny of the country aware of it.

Criticizing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief, he said Imran Khan was promoting polarization in society in a bid to grab power.

Ziaullah Shah Bukhari said there were certain elements fueling sectarianism on the social media and they could be countered through dialogue or otherwise taking legal action.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil said,"We should make concerted efforts to bridge the gap between the Ulema of Pakistan and Afghanistan." Allama Hussain Akbar said the "Paigham-e-Pakistan" should be part of national curriculum to educate the young generation.

He said a copy of the "Paigham-e-Pakistan" should be provided to the local government institutions across the country to further implement it at the lower level.

Dr Raghib Naeemi, Dr Attur Rehman, Allama Tauqir Abbas, Mufti Nauman Naeem, Mufti Gulzar Ahmed Naeemi, Pir Syed Ali Raza, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Qari Muhammad Hafeez Jalandhari, Muhammad Adil Attari, Pir Chiragh Uddin Shah, Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, Maulana Tayyab Qureshi, Pir Hassan Haseeb ur Rehman, Maulana Zahid Rashidi, Yasin Zafar, Pir Muhammad Azhar Saeed, Pir Khalid Sultan Bahu, Senator Sajid Mir, Mufti Abdul Raheem and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also expressed their views.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect his backing to join NATO following the burning of the Holy Quran outside Ankara's embassy in Stockholm

Istanbul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ) :Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect his backing to join NATO following the burning of the Holy Quran outside Ankara's embassy in Stockholm.

"Sweden should not expect support from us for NATO," Erdogan said in his first official response to the act by an anti-Islam politician during a protest on Saturday that was approved by the Swedish police despite Turkey's objections.

Swedish leaders roundly condemned far-right politician Rasmus Paludan's actions but defended their country's broad definition of free speech.

The protest further jeopardised Sweden's attempt to join NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Erdogan has already set tough conditions for backing the joint bids by Sweden and its Nordic neighbour Finland.

Turkey is demanding that Sweden extradite dozens of mostly Kurdish suspects that Ankara either accuses of "terrorism" or of involvement in a failed 2016 coup.

The Swedish police's approval of Paludan's protest drew a furious response from Ankara on Friday.

Turkey cancelled a planned visit by Sweden's defence minister and summoned Stockholm's ambassador for a dressing down.

Erdogan said the burning of the holy Muslim book was a hate crime that could not be defended by free speech.

"It is clear that those who caused such a disgrace in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect any benevolence from us regarding their application for NATO membership," Erdogan said.
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Israeli army forces rounded up 27 Palestinians in the last 24 hours in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society on Monday

RAMALLAH, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ):Israeli army forces rounded up 27 Palestinians in the last 24 hours in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society on Monday.

In a statement, the NGO said a child and former prisoners were among those arrested.

According to the statement, the new arrests brought to over 300 Palestinians detained by Israeli forces since the start of this year.

The Israeli army frequently carries out wide-ranging arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem on the pretext of searching for "wanted" Palestinians.
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TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Japan remains committed to negotiating a peace treaty with Russia despite current tensions, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday.

Last year, in response to a similar statement by Kishida, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov deemed it impossible to negotiate a peace treaty with Japan under current circumstances. Peskov said Japan became an unfriendly country for Russia by conforming to unfriendly policies of Western countries.

"Despite the difficult situation in relations with Russia, our country is still adhering to the course of negotiation so that a peace treaty can be concluded upon resolving the territorial issue," Kishida said in his policy speech opening this year's parliamentary session.

The priority in Japan's relations with Russia is to resume visits of Japanese nationals to their ancestral graves in the Kuril Islands, which went under Russian control following the World War 2, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told the parliament. Japan has challenged Russia's sovereignty over the four islands, which is the reason the countries are still lacking a peace treaty.

"Starting with visits to graves ... the restoration of exchanges and business on the four 'Northern Islands' is one of the priorities in further Japanese-Russian relations," Hayashi said.

Another issue hindering the Japanese-Russian peace treaty talks is the Ukraine crisis, the minister said, adding that Japan would "adhere to the principle of respecting our national interests.

"

In 1956, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a joint declaration in which Moscow agreed to consider the possibility of transferring the Habomai and Shikotan islands to Japan after the conclusion of a peace treaty. The fate of Kunashir and Iturup was not addressed in the document. The Soviet Union hoped the Joint Declaration would put an end to the dispute, while Japan considered it only as part of the solution to the problem, and did not renounce its claims to all four islands.

Subsequent negotiations did not result in a peace treaty. Serious opposition arose from the United States, which threatened that if Japan agreed to the transfer of only two of the four islands, the move would affect the process of returning Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty.

In 2018, Japan and Russia agreed to speed up negotiations on the peace treaty on the basis of the 1956 Japanese-Soviet Joint Declaration. However, inMarch 2022, Moscow withdrew from talks with Japan on signing a post-World War II peace treaty, and halted visa-free travel for Japanese citizens to the Southern Kuril Islands and joint economic activities on the disputed islands. The move was due to Tokyo's "unfriendly" steps over the Ukraine conflict, Moscow said.
Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Al-Mangoush on Sunday called for Arab support to UN efforts for holding the country's stalled elections

TRIPOLI,LIBYA/ (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jan, 2023 ):Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Al-Mangoush on Sunday called for Arab support to UN efforts for holding the country's stalled elections.

The call was made at the opening of a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Libyan capital Tripoli. UN envoy Abdoulaye Bathily took part in the meeting.

"Libya insists on practicing its full rights in the Arab League," Al-Mangoush said, rejecting what she called "politicization of the work rules" in the pan-Arab league.

The Libyan diplomat called on the Arab League to support efforts aimed at activating the role of the UN mission in Libya "to create a favorable atmosphere for holding the elections and ending the transitional periods peacefully." Sunday's meeting was attended by a number of Arab countries, including Algeria, Tunisia and Qatar.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit were not present.

Last week, Libya's Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh said the country's stalled elections will be held before November after an agreement with the Tripoli-based High Council of State.

Oil-rich Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011 when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power. The situation has worsened since last year when the Libyan parliament appointed a new government led by former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, but the head of the Tripoli-based government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, said he will cede authority only to a government that comes through an "elected parliament," raising fears that Libya could slip back into a civil war.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Mexican authorities are holding discussions with colleagues from Russia on the possibility of introducing a visa-free regime, the Russian Izvestia newspaper reports citing the Mexican embassy in Russia.

The consultations are being held on the level of foreign ministries and state administrations.

According to Izvestia, it is still unclear when flights between Mexico and Russia will resume.

In March, Russia's Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) recommended Russian citizens to avoid traveling to countries that imposed sanctions against Russia over the special operation in Ukraine. According to Rostourism, a number of destinations including some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, are no longer available to Russian tourists due to the airspace restrictions of the European Union and Canada, and traveling there is associated with increased risks.
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Demonstrators protesting the planned pension reform in Paris have started setting trash cans on fire, breaking traffic lights and blowing up firecrackers, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Saturday

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st January, 2023) Demonstrators protesting the planned pension reform in Paris have started setting trash cans on fire, breaking traffic lights and blowing up firecrackers, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Saturday.

Black block radicals are also smashing bank windows and cash machines. Some rioters are throwing glass bottles into the police, while chanting "Down with capitalism" and "Macron, we will fight till the end!".

The protest against the pension reform was organized by 11 youth organizations and the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party led by Jean-Luc Melenchon. The demonstration began at the Place de la Bastille in the French capital at 13:00 GMT earlier in the day, with the protesters heading towards the Place de la Nation.

The participants are carrying banners of the LFI, the left-wing New Ecological and Social People's Union alliance of political parties, and the far-left New Anticapitalist Party.

Earlier in January, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne unveiled a draft of the controversial pension reform that the government plans to adopt in 2023. According to the draft, the French authorities will gradually raise the retirement age in the country by three months a year from September 1, 2023. By 2030, the retirement age will reach 64 years.

France's leading trade unions announced nationwide strikes against the pension reform from January 19. Over 200 demonstrations were held across the country on Thursday, with the largest protests taking place in Paris, Marseilles, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille and Nantes. The demonstration was joined by nearly 1.12 million people, with 80,000 of them reportedly in Paris alone.
Former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski claims that Warsaw had considered partitioning Ukraine at the initial stage of Russia's special military operation.

WARSAW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski claims that Warsaw had considered partitioning Ukraine at the initial stage of Russia's special military operation.

"I think there was a moment of hesitation in the first ten days of the war, when we all did not know how it would go, and perhaps Ukraine would collapse," Sikorski said on the Zet radio station, when asked if he believed that that "the government of PiS (Poland's ruling party 'Law and Justice') at some point thought about partition".

"If not for the heroism of Zelenskyy and the help of the West, it could have been different," he added.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki refuted of Sikorski's words.

"The statements of Radoslaw Sikorski are no different from Russian propaganda. The former foreign minister must weigh his words. I expect him to retract these shameful statements," Morawiecki said on Twitter.

At the same time, he called on the Polish opposition to avoid supporting the words of Sikorski.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo expressed her solidarity and support to the people of Artsakh in a phone conversation with Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, assured that they will multiply their continuous efforts to relieve the situation in Artsakh under the conditoins of blockade by Azerbaijan, ARMENPRESS reports Arayik Harutyunyan informed in a post on his Facebook page.

"At the initiative of the Mayor of Paris, Ms. Anne Hidalgo, we had a telephone conversation a little while ago. The agenda was the situation created in Artsakh under the blockade by Azerbaijan. I presented in detail the causes and consequences of the humanitarian disaster, the need for clear assessments and actions of the international community for overcoming it.

Anne Hidalgo expressed her solidarity and support to the people of Artsakh, assured that they will multiply their ongoing efforts to defuse the situation," the Artsakh president wrote.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Russian President Vladimir Putin still has no plans of meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi after the information about the storage of weapons by Ukrainians on the territories of nuclear power plants, but Russia is interested in continuing contacts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

Last week, Peskov had already stated that Putin had no immediate plans to meet Grossi.

"So far, the president has no plans for such a meeting, but at the same time, you know that the president said that we intend and are ready and interested in continuing contacts with him and the entire organization.

This is extremely important," Peskov said, answering the question of whether it is worth reconsidering the view of a possible meeting with Grossi after the information that the Ukrainian military was storing weapons and ammunition in the territories of nuclear power plants.

According to the spokesman, contacts are not required at the highest level yet.

"The dialogue continues at the expert level. Our colleagues, counterparts of Mr. Grossi are ready for these contacts and are ready to implement them," Peskov said.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Offshore oil exploration in Guyana is not only necessary for lifting the country's living standards but can also support Guyana's low carbon development pledge if US oil giant ExxonMobil supports local conservation efforts, a Guyanese environmental activist told Sputnik.

Born in an indigenous family in Guyana, Annette Arjoon-Martins fell in love with the beautiful scenes in the country on South America's northeast coast from an early age. Unsurprisingly, she spent the next 40 years fighting to preserve the gorgeous nature in her home country.

"I'm indigenous and I grew up in the interior of Guyana, where I was surrounded by nature and environment at a very early age. That instilled in me an affiliation with the environment, as well as the spirit for preservation and environmentally responsible management. I'm the founder of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society and I have been doing conservation work for 40 years," the environmental activist told Sputnik.

When she heard the news that US oil giant ExxonMobil planned to develop the offshore oil fields discovered about 120 miles from the coast of Guyana, Arjoon-Martins tried her best to get involved in the early debate on the environmental impact of this mega project.

During the first public hearing on the environmental impact assessment of the offshore oil project ExxonMobil held in 2017, Arjoon-Martins voiced concerns over whether the US oil giant was sharing enough information with local marine biologists in Guyana.

"In 2017, two years before we produced oil, when Exxon held the first public hearing for the first environmental impact assessment, it was very clear to me that in the simple area of (Guyanese) protected species observers could have benefited from communicating with their (ExxonMobil's) protected species observers, who are coming from overseas at the time, when they came back on shore. And I begged for that to happen," she said.

The advocate argued that the international experts hired by ExxonMobil may not care about the environment in Guyana as much as the local activists who would continue living and working in the country.

"With all due respect, when you have international companies coming in to do that (data collection), without involvement of Guyanese, we have no way of validating their data. They don't live here. They don't care if our marine environment is changing in a way that warrants attention. That's because, at the end of the day, we have to eat the fish from the affected area, right? You can't just do environmental assessments and immediately go back to North America or wherever you live," she said.

Fortunately, the government in Guyana introduced a series of requirements that forced the international service providers to work with local marine biologists and ExxonMobil even agreed to train three members of her team, Arjoon-Martins added.

After rich oil reserves were discovered in the offshore area, known as the Stabroek Block, in 2015, ExxonMobil started oil production in the area in December 2019. The US oil giant is currently producing about 340,000 barrels of oil per day from the phase 1 and phase 2 of the Liza project, while the planned Payara project and the Yellowtail project are expected to add a combined daily production capacity of 470,000 barrels.

Revenues from the offshore oil production were also expected to offer a much-needed boost to financial capacity of the government in Guyana, which used to be one of the poorest countries in South America.

According to the latest fiscal budget released by the government in Guyana, the 2022 budget stood at 552.9 billion Guyanese Dollars (about $2.65 billion), up by 44.3% from the budget for 2021. Oil revenues contributed 126.7 billion Guyanese dollars, or 22.9%, to the overall budget for the first time.

However, before oil revenues became an important part of Guyana's annual fiscal budget, the South American country used to be widely known for the Low Carbon Development Strategy championed by Dr.

Bharrat Jagdeo, who was the country's president at the time and is currently serving as vice-president.

In November 2009, Guyana signed an agreement with Norway to secure $250 million of payment from the Northern European country by promising to avoid deforestation. The deal was hailed as a historic milestone as Guyana became the first country to sell carbon credits.

US-owned Hess Corporation, which owns about 30% of Guyana's offshore oil projects, signed a new deal in December 2022 to buy $750 million worth of carbon credits from the South American country over the next decade.

For a country that is a global pioneer in selling carbon credits, Guyana appears to be facing an ethical dilemma as it also tried to benefit from the offshore oil projects which would definitely contribute to the global fossil fuel consumption.

Arjoon-Martins argued that Guyana, as a developing country, had to prioritize improving the living standards of its citizens.

"Guyana was a poor, highly vulnerable, third-world developing nation. We have high levels of unemployment. The area that I work in, we have indigenous peoples that are existing on, almost like, just to be able to eat every day. The reality is: if we have been blessed with a resource, whether its forest or fossil fuels, the same way China, Russia, or Norway had. That was what allowed them develop their countries to what they are today. Their citizens were able to live a decent standard of life. Why should Guyana be different? Why should we have every year increasing numbers of people that are below the poverty line?" she said.

The advocate added that even if Guyana did not develop the offshore oil fields, other countries would continue to develop oil resources on their territories and the global oil supply would not be very different.

Arjoon-Martins went on to explain how the oil resources could turn Guyana's fortune around and help the country avoid the dire situation in neighboring Haiti.

"We could have used the resources to lift our people out of poverty, to diversify our economy even further and ramp up tourism. We have the best tourism product. We have a blessed fertile land. We could have developed agriculture. Without the resources, where do we get that from? Do we want to end up like Haiti, where people start chopping down all the trees for firewood to cook their meals? and then we end up feeling like Haiti. It's a hard decision, you know?" she said.

Even the Guyana Marine Conservation Society, the origination that Arjoon-Martins founded and continued to lead, received additional funding from the conservation initiatives as part of ExxonMobil's environmental pledges.

"Out of the Guyana Conservation Initiative, they reached out to us to find out how we could benefit under that program. Last year, we got $50,000, which allowed us to buy a boat and engine for our marine research center. We're grateful for it," she said.

Nevertheless, the activist stressed that the US oil giant should have contributed a lot more to local NGOs like hers to help build up the independent monitoring capacity for the area in the ocean that could face environmental fallout from the offshore oil projects.

"But in my opinion, the sort of work that we're doing in a meaningful way, we should be getting $500,000 a year. ExxonMobil should be giving us a subvention of $500,000 a year at a minimum to do meaningful offshore work. That's what I would like to see because that's a drop in the billions of US dollars ExxonMobil is generating from Guyanese resources," she said.

The advocate explained that the offshore oil projects were located too far from the coast of Guyana for marine biologists from her organization to reach and properly monitor possible changes in the environment.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Russia supports the peaceful resolution of any disputes, expressing respect for South Africa's "responsible" stance on the conflict in Ukraine

PRETORIA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Russia supports the peaceful resolution of any disputes, expressing respect for South Africa's "responsible" stance on the conflict in Ukraine.

"We are all in favor of a peaceful resolution of disputes and will be always ready to discuss negotiated solutions to any conflict on Earth, unfortunately, most of the conflicts launched by our Western colleagues did not lead to any improvement in the situation," Lavrov said at a meeting with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria.

The minister stressed that even in its conflict with Ukraine, Russia supported Kiev's proposal to hold talks last year, but later it was Kiev itself that rejected them and legally banned any negotiations with Russia.

At the same time, the minister noted that Moscow appreciates South Africa's position on the situation around Ukraine.

"I respect the openness and the responsible approach which you demonstrated on the basis of your allegiance to the key national interests of South Africa and its people," Lavrov added.

On January 18, Pandor told Sputnik that South Africa was under pressure from Europe and some other countries to take a tough line on Russia over Ukraine but refused to be pitted against anyone.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it had summoned Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre in connection with Tallinn's actions and ordered him to leave the country on February 7.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry said earlier in January it had required that Russia reduce the number of staff in its embassy in Tallinn starting February 1.

In response, Moscow decided to downgrade the level of diplomatic relations to charge d'affaires, the ministry said in a statement.

"On January 23, Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. He received a strong protest in connection with the actions of the Estonian authorities. The Estonian ambassador should leave Russia on February 7, 2023," the statement read.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2023) South Africa is interested in fostering cooperation with Russia on the exploration and production of minerals, as well as attracting Russian investments in the country's energy sector, South African Ambassador to Russia Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka told Sputnik.

The official noted that a delegation of 23 South African industrial companies are slated to attend the MiningWorld Russia trade exhibition in Moscow in April.

"We are still a major player in mining. That is why these companies are going to be there. This is going to be the biggest group of South African companies to come to Russia since COVID-19. Because it's the correct sector with us," Maqetuka said.

The South African ambassador also told Sputnik that his country's national oil company PetroSA planned to restart dialogue with Russian energy giant Gazprom on investments in the South African energy sector.

"At the time, there were delays, but I can share with you that there is going to be an interaction between Gazprom and PetroSA.

Because we were approached by the Gazprom executive, they are looking for investment in the oil and gas in South Africa," the diplomat said.

PetroSA is a state company and holds offshore fields in the Cape Town area in Mossel Bay, Maqetuka said, adding that oil development had started there in the 1970s.

"So Gazprom is interested in investing in any opportunity that they can get, but now we're expecting a meeting between Gazprom and PetroSA. We agree with the executives at PetroSA that the next meeting will have to be in person. Because there have been a number of virtual meetings that the two companies have had since the end of 2021, when this process started," the South African ambassador said.

In addition, he told Sputnik that South Africa and its neighbors offered numerous opportunities for investment from Russian conglomerates and entrepreneurs. Considering that South Africa has already flagged its cooperation interests, it is now "up to the Russian companies to decide in which areas they want to invest," Maqetuka said.
Swedish music streaming service Spotify is laying off about 6% of its employees to cut costs, CEO Daniel Ek said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) Swedish music streaming service Spotify is laying off about 6% of its employees to cut costs, CEO Daniel Ek said on Monday.

The announcement is the latest in the mass Big Tech layoffs recently announced by Google, Amazon, microsoft, Twitter, and Meta (banned in Russia as an extremist organization).

"Like many other leaders, I hoped to sustain the strong tailwinds from the pandemic and believed that our broad global business and lower risk to the impact of a slowdown in ads would insulate us. In hindsight, I was too ambitious in investing ahead of our revenue growth," Ek said in a statement. "And for this reason, today, we are reducing our employee base by about 6% across the company.

"

Ek defended the move as necessary to restructure the company in order to improve efficiency, control costs, and speed up decision-making. This includes an executive reshuffle, redirecting the majority of engineering and product work to be overseen by Gustav Soderstrom as chief product officer and business areas under Alex Norstrom as chief business officer. Both would help run the daily operations of the company as co-presidents. Dawn Ostroff, chief content and advertising business officer, would depart the company.

Ek said these changes would enable him to spend more time working on Spotify's future.
(@FahadShabbir)

US Special Presidential Advisor for the Americas Christopher Dodd will travel to Argentina this week to attend the summit of Latin American and Caribbean states, the State Department said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2023) US Special Presidential Advisor for the Americas Christopher Dodd will travel to Argentina this week to attend the summit of Latin American and Caribbean states, the State Department said on Monday.

"Dodd will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 23-25, to attend the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States as an observer on behalf of President Joseph Biden," the statement said.

During his visit to the country, Dodd will hold meetings with Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and other heads of state and cabinet-level officials attending the summit, the State Department said.

"This visit reflects the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to engaging with our neighbors as we work together to encourage inclusive economic growth, confront shared challenges, and promote democracy, human rights, and rule of law in our hemisphere," the statement noted.

The US government considers the Organization of American States as a premier multilateral forum in the Western Hemisphere and reaffirms its commitment to regional collaboration, according to the statement.
In a message to participants in a seminar on Hansens disease (or leprosy) and other neglected tropical diseases, Pope Francis says we must ask ourselves, Will we bend down to touch and heal the wounds of others?

By Christopher Wells

We must not forget these brothers and sisters of ours who are afflicted by Hansens disease.

Pope Francis offered that invitation in a message to an international symposium focusing on serving those afflicted by leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

The two-day Leave No One Behind" symposium takes place in Rome on 23-24 January, and is sponsored by the French Raoul Follereau Foundation, Italys Amici di Raoul Follereau (Friends of Raoul Follereau), and the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansens Disease) Initiative, in collaboration with the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The symposium is focused on achieving the goal of zero leprosy in the world and establishing societies where no one is left behind due to Hansens Disease and other NTDs.

Read also 18/01/2023 Vatican to co-host Leave No One Behind symposium on Hansen's Disease The Vatican will co-host a two-day symposium from 23-24 January bringing together health and human rights experts to focus on better serving those with leprosy and Neglected ...

Will we bend down to help others?

In his message sent on Monday, Pope Francis notes that the stigma attached to leprosy continues to cause serious human rights violations in various parts of the world. He insists that we must not ignore a disease that still affects hundreds of thousands of people around the world, especially in more deprived social contexts.

Basing his appeal on the human familys vocation to fraternity, Pope Francis calls on everyone to ask, Will we bend down to heal the wounds of others? Will we stoop to carry one another on our shoulders?

This is the present challenge, of which we should not be afraid.

Building an inclusive society

Pope Francis then goes further, urging people to seize the occasion of World Leprosy Day [the last Sunday in January] to review our models of development and to seek to correct the discrimination they cause. He adds, This is a propitious occasion to renew our commitment to building an inclusive society that leaves no one on the margins.

Returning to the specific question of Hansens disease, the Pope says we must ask ourselves how best to work with people with leprosy, treating them fully as persons and recognizing them as the main players in their struggle to participate in basic human rights and live as full members of the community.

I hope that this conference will help gather voices from around the world and discuss measures that can be taken to further promote respect for human dignity.

Pope Francis expresses his sympathy for those suffering from Hansens disease, and encourages them in their efforts to secure spiritual support and medical care.

At the same time, he invites Christian communities to allow themselves to be evangelized by these brothers and sisters and to be at the forefront of efforts aimed at promoting their full integration into society.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will discuss with his government on Monday the anti-Turkish actions in Stockholm and the process of Sweden's accession to NATO, Posta daily wrote.

January 23, 2023, 12:01 Posta: Erdogan to discuss matter of Sweden membership in NATO with Turkey government on Monday

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: "On the foreign political front, events are taking place on the Ankara-Stockholm line. An assessment will be given to the position of the Swedish government, which has allowed scandalous protests against Turkey in recent days. The government meeting will also discuss the growing tension between the two countries, after Sweden turned a blind eye to provocations, as well as the process of Sweden's membership in NATO," the newspaper wrote.

The Nordic News portal reported on Friday that the leader of the ultra-right Hard Line party in Denmark, Rasmus Paludan, had received permission to stage a protest in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, during which they had burned the Koran.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that the burning of the Koran in Stockholm testifies to the level of Islamophobia, racism, and discrimination in Europe. In response to Ankara's statement, Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billstrom said that such provocations are terrible, but freedom of expression exists in Sweden, but the latter's government itself does not support Islamophobic beliefs.

On Saturday, Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar informed that the visit of Swedish defense minister Pal Jonson to Turkey on January 27 was canceled because "it no longer makes sense." The Swedish defense minister was planning to discuss in Ankara Stockholm's bid for NATO membership, which Turkey has not yet ratified.
After assuming power in August 2021, the Taliban government issued various decrees limiting the rights of Afghan women. These include bans on women's employment and education and traveling more than 70 kilometers without a male relative. VOAs Nazar ul Islam has more from Kabul, Afghanistan, in this report narrated by Bezhan Hamdard.
The search for the motive behind the shooting massacre at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dance hall led police to a mobile home community as they probed the past of the 72-year-old suspect Monday and his relationship to the club.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 11 after health officials announced that one of the 10 people who were wounded had died.

The suspect, Huu Can Tran, who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday, had visited police in his town of Hemet twice this month to allege he was the victim of fraud, theft and poisoning by family members between 10 and 20 years ago in the LA area, spokesman Alan Reyes told The Associated Press. Tran said he would return to the station with documentation but never did.

Tran was found dead in the van that he used to flee after attempting to attack a second dance hall, authorities said. The mayor of Monterey Park said Tran may have frequented the first dance hall that he targeted, and his ex-wife told CNN she had met him there and he offered her free lessons.

All but one of the victims were 60 or older, according to information released Monday by the Los Angeles coroner's office providing the first identifications.

My Nhan, 65, and Lilian Li, 63, were the first two women named. Two other women were in their 60s, and one was in her 50s. Three men were in their 70s, and two in their 60s were also killed.

Officials did not disclose an age for the 11th fatality, which was announced by the L.A. County Department of Health Services.

Authorities have shared little about Tran.

Los Angeles Superior Court records show Tran was married in 2001 and divorced five years later, citing irreconcilable difference. The couple did not have children, said they had no community property and neither side had to pay alimony.

In the uncontested case, Tran noted in a filing that he could not get away from work to attend any court hearings, though he did not disclose where he worked or what he did.

His ex-wife told CNN that they married soon after they met. While she is named in court papers, she asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the case.

She said he would become upset if she missed a step dancing, but was never violent with her.

Tran eventually moved from the San Gabriel Valley, a melting pot for Asian immigrants, and settled in a mobile home community for those 55 and up in Hemet, 75 miles east of Los Angeles in Riverside County. Police searched his home there Sunday night.

Hemet police had no records of any incidents involving Tran in the community or calls for service at his home, Reyes said.

The shootings during Lunar New Year celebrations sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities and cast a shadow over festivities nationwide.

The massacre was the nation's fifth mass killing this month, and it struck one of California's largest celebrations of a holiday observed in many Asian cultures, dealing another blow to a community that has been the target of high-profile violence in recent years.

It was also the deadliest attack since May 24, when 21 people were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Law enforcement officials said the rampage could have been even deadlier. A man whose family runs the second dance hall confronted the assailant in the lobby and wrested the gun from him, The New York Times reported.

"We do understand that he may have had a history of visiting this dance hall and perhaps the motivation has to do with some personal relationships. But that's something that I think investigators are still uncovering and investigating," said Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo. Public records show Tran once had addresses in the city and neighboring ones.

The mayor and L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna stressed that the motive remained unclear for the attack, which also wounded 10 people. No other suspects were at large, according to the sheriff.

The suspect was carrying what Luna described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where Tran died.

Tran is the second-oldest mass killer in the U.S. over the last nearly 20 years according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. The only older mass killer was a 73-year-old who murdered five people in Yuma County Arizona in 2011 before killing himself. The database tracks every mass killing  defined as four dead not including the offender  committed in the U.S. since 2006.

Within three minutes of receiving the call, officers arrived at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, according to Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese.

There, they found carnage inside and people trying to flee through all the doors.

"When they came into the parking lot, it was chaos," Wiese said.

About 20 minutes after the first attack, the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in the nearby city of Alhambra.

Brandon Tsay was in the lobby at the time, and he told ABC's "Good Morning America" that he thought he was going to die.

"Something came over me. I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him, I needed to take this weapon, disarm him or else everybody would have died," Tsay said. "When I got the courage, I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon and we had a struggle."

Once Tsay seized the gun, he pointed it at the man and shouted: "Get the hell out of here, I'll shoot, get away, go!"

The assailant paused, but then headed back to his van, and Tsay called the police, the gun still in his hand.

While Luna told reporters on Sunday that two people wrested the weapon away from the attacker, Tsay, who works a few days a week at the dance hall his grandparents started, told The New York Times that he acted alone. Stills from security footage shown on "Good Morning America" showed only the two men struggling for the gun.

The suspect's white van was found in Torrance, another community home to many Asian Americans.

After surrounding the vehicle for hours, law enforcement officials swarmed and entered it. A person's body appeared to be slumped over the wheel and was later removed. Members of a SWAT team looked through the van's contents before walking away.

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.
Cameroonian journalists are calling for an independent investigation after popular radio reporter Martinez Zogo was found dead in the capital, Yaounde. Zogo was abducted last week after saying he could be killed for doing an investigation into corruption cases among government officials.

This music titled Journalists in Danger by Burkina Faso artist Alpha Blondy is played repeatedly on several radio stations in Yaounde and Douala, the central African states economic hub. Blondy released the album after the December 13, 1998, assassination of Nobert Zongo, a Burkinabe investigative reporter.

Today, the songs message resonates in Cameroon as radio stations broadcast the music in memory of Martinez Zogo, a popular radio host. Zogo's mutilated body was found Sunday in Soa, a neighborhood near the capital, five days after he was abducted by unidentified assailants.

Almost all media organizations in Cameroon on Monday condemned the killing of Zogo, who they describe as a whistle blower and courageous reporter fighting graft and the mismanagement of state funds.

Patrick Mua, a reporter with the Guardian Post newspaper says he is sure Zogo was killed by people he had accused of stealing state funds.

"It is rather unfortunate that journalists have become targets especially by politicians and people who think that journalists should not exercise their duties as they are supposed to do. They expect that journalists should operate according to their whims," he said.

Zogo was director of Amplitude FM, a private radio station in the capital, and ran a daily French language program that examined social issues and held discussions on topics such as good governance.

Zogo said he had documents to prove that some senior state functionaries have stolen several million dollars from state coffers since 2013. Zogo said he had forwarded proof of what he called "a high wave of embezzlement and corruption involving a local media organization to Cameroons President Paul Biya. He said he was receiving death threats daily.

In an audio excerpt from his program two weeks ago, Zogo says he has information that some people involved in corruption want to kill him. He says he is ready to die, but that his killers will not live forever. Zogo says corruption is rife and Cameroons President Biya is not doing much to punish officials who take money that belongs to the people.

VOA could not independently verify if Zogo sent documents on alleged corruption to President Biya through officials of Cameroons ministry of justice as he said during his radio program.

Cameroonian journalist and activist Jean-Bruno Tagne says the killing of Zogo indicates that the press is under threat in Cameroon.

He says Zogo's killing has confirmed to the world that Cameroon is a brutal state managed by people who operate as mafia groups. He says Zogo was wrong to think that the government would protect him, support his fight for corrupt officials to face justice, and restore funds stolen from Cameroons public treasury. Tagne says rights groups and journalism associations call for an independent investigation to find Zogos killers.

Cameroons Journalists Trade Union called on reporters to be careful but encouraged them to continue coverage of corruption and shed light on undemocratic practices they say are becoming rampant.

In a press release Monday, Cameroon government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi said early investigations indicate Zogo was tortured by his killers. Sadi said an autopsy and investigation are ongoing to trace the perpetrators. Sadi describes the killing as barbaric, unacceptable and despicable.

Cameroonian journalists say that media freedoms are threatened under countrys authoritarian rule.

Ahmed Abba, a reporter for Radio France Internationale, or RFI, was arrested in July 2015 and imprisoned for two years on terrorism allegations. In 2019, another outspoken journalist Paul Chouta, was beaten and stabbed by unknown attackers. The same year, the military arrested journalist Samuel Wazizi for allegedly supporting separatists in Cameroons western regions. Government troops later found his corpse in 2020 and said Wazizi died in detention.

In 2010, Bibi Ngota, publisher of Cameroon Express died in the Yaounde-Kondengui maximum security prison after he was arrested with 3 other reporters accused of forgery.
The United States is in talks with the Thai government, a close ally, about allowing Myanmar refugees stuck in Thailand to leave for the U.S.

In an interview Thursday with VOA, State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said, "Thailand for many years has been a very close partner of ours on refugee issues. It's something we are constantly talking with them about. During my visits to Thailand over the last year, it's been top of mind."

During his trip to Thailand and the border region last year, he added, "It's a constant conversation we're having  and I can say they're very close and critical partners in this."

According to several non-governmental organizations involved in the case, nearly 500 refugees are approved and waiting to resettle in the U.S., but are stuck in Mae Sot, a town in the Thai-Myanmar border area. The Thai government has not issued exit permits, which would allow them to leave Thailand, for more than a year. Another 600 refugees in other areas have been approved for resettlement to third countries, but also haven't been allowed to leave Thailand.

"Thailand has needlessly obstructed the departure of so many Burmese-Myanmar refugees for far too long," Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, said in an email to VOA. He added, "It's time for this blockade to end."

In addition, he asked for more pressure on the Thai government. "The U.S. government should redouble pressure on Bangkok to start issuing exit permits for recognized refugees from Myanmar because Thailand is not keen to do so and will continue to play for time if permitted to do so."

The Thai foreign ministry has not responded to queries filed by VOA by email about the delays in issuing permits.

According to the NGOs assisting the refugees, more than 20,000 people have fled to Thailand amid fear of political persecution since a coup in Myanmar in February 2021 led to the ouster of the democratically elected government. About half of them, 11,000, have contacted the UNHCR.

Initially, Myanmar refugees who fled to Thailand were allowed to leave Thai airports to settle in third countries that had accepted them for resettlement; but after a few months, the Thai government stopped such departures.

"This whole problem started soon after the Myanmar military started raising objections with the Thai army, which since then has shamefully bent over backward to do the bidding of the murderous Myanmar junta," said Robertson.

He added, "The truth of the matter is these refugees need protection, and Thailand should recognize the urgent humanitarian impetus and let them proceed to the U.S. and other third countries willing to resettle them."

The U.S. has welcomed hundreds of Myanmar refugees since the military coup in 2021. After the coup, large protests broke out across the country. The military cracked down on pro-democracy protesters by raiding homes and making thousands of arrests. Thousands of people fled to neighboring countries to escape the violence.

Meanwhile, for the Myanmar refugees who have been stuck in Thailand, may finally have some hope of a resolution after a trip by U.S. Assistant Secretary Julieta Valls Noyes to Thailand in December.

According to the State Department, Noyes made trips to Thailand and Bangladesh in early December to discuss refugee protection and humanitarian assistance in those countries.

During her visit to Thailand and subsequent discussions on Myanmar refugees with senior Thai officials, she pressed the issue of the departure process, according to a diplomatic source in Thailand.

The Thai foreign ministry also issued a statement on the bilateral meeting with Noyes which said, "The Thai side reaffirmed its readiness to assist and cooperate with the United States in accordance with Thailand's national policies and laws, international humanitarian principles, and humanitarian tradition."

As of this report, there has been no change for those Myanmar refugees waiting in limbo in Thailand. According to the refugees themselves, despite receiving assistance from various NGOs, their living conditions feel like prisons as they continue to wait for a departure date and an end to the uncertainty surrounding their future.


European Union foreign ministers slapped a fourth round of sanctions against Iran, discussed a possible 10th sanctions package against Russia, and agreed to more than $540 million in new military spending for Ukraine.

The new military funding for Ukraine brings to nearly $12 billion the total European Union and member state military spending for Kyiv since the countrys war began nearly a year ago.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also said EU oil sanctions against Moscow are working.

Russia needs 70 percent in order to balance its budget  so its losing $40 per barrel, Borrell said. It is a big hit on Russian financial stability.

But European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels failed to make progress on one key sticking point: getting Germany to formally greenlight EU member states sending its Leopard tanks to Ukraine, which Kyiv says are vital to its war effort.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has suggested Germany will not oppose countries like Poland sending the tanks  but there has been no announcement beyond that.

Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said his country will send Kyiv the tanks anyway.

Certainly, we are going to send these tanks, Rau said. We will be [in] touch with the German government about it. But regardless of the decision of other countries, we are more than determined, as we have promised the Ukrainian side to send the tanks.

The EU is discussing another round of sanctions against Moscow, but Hungary, whose leader has had close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaled its opposition.

The bloc also agreed to a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its widespread crackdown against anti-government protests. EU travel bans and asset freezes target 37 entities and individuals, including members of Irans Revolutionary Guard.

But the Europeans stopped short of sanctioning the Revolutionary Guard as a whole  for now. Britain and the United States have also agreed to new sanctions against Iran.
Friends and family of nearly 200 people arrested during a protest against Peru's government waited outside a Lima detention center Sunday searching for any news of their loved ones.

"I want to know where my brother is," said Domitila Quispe, one of many people clustered outside the National Police Directorate Against Terrorism (DIRCOTE) headquarters.

A day earlier, an armored police vehicle rammed through a metal gate to the University of San Marcos, where numerous protesters had set up a temporary camp.

Police rushed through throngs of protesters in their raid of the camp, then left with 193 detainees.

"I have not slept," Quispe said, worried about the fate of her brother. "He sent me a message through WhatsApp to say he was arrested."

Quispe, 47, and her 40-year-old brother, Silverio, came to Lima from the Andean region of Huancavelica to take part in mass protests demanding the removal of President Dina Boluarte.

She has been in power since early December when her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was ousted from office and arrested for attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.

Protests have been ongoing since Castillo's ouster, leaving 46 people dead and prompting the government to impose a state of emergency in violence-hit areas.

Carrying bowls of chicken soup, bread, containers of water, and toiletries, some 30 family members of the detained came to the DIRCOTE headquarters, asking for permission to deliver the food and hygiene materials to their loved ones.

Family member perused lists of detained people posted on the front entrance to the facility.

"We have come to Lima to make them respect our rights," said Hector Apaza, who arrived from an area near Puno, the high mountain border city with Bolivia.

Julia Quispe, 73, said she escaped the university, but that police rounded up three of her friends from the town of San Francisco, in south central Ayacucho state.

"I ask that my three comrades be freed. We came together, and we will remain until they are freed," she said.
The fallout of the war in Ukraine is hitting even France's iconic baguette, which was recently added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. On Monday, French bakers took to the streets of Paris to protest soaring energy and other prices they say are imperiling their trade.

Denis Durand begins his workdays at 3:30 a.m. to bake the crusty baguettes and croissants that are the staple of French breakfasts. His organic boulangerie, or bakery, in eastern Paris has been a family business for six decades. But today, it's getting harder and harder to make ends meet.

He says bakers like himself  known as "boulangers" in France  are seeing their profits disappearing. They get a lot of promises from the government, he says  but nothing concrete.

Like many others, Durand is feeling the effects of soaring prices since the war in Ukraine, and the European Union's embargo on Russian energy.

He says his monthly energy costs have doubled  other bakers have seen their energy bills rise fivefold or more. Prices of flour, sugar, eggs and the packaging for his breads and pastries are also sharply up.

Authorities have announced support for the country's 33,000 artisanal bakeries and other small and medium-sized businesses.

Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire also called on energy providers to renegotiate contracts for boulangers in cases where energy prices have exploded.

But many of these artisanal bakers say it's not enough. And on Monday, Durand joined fellow boulangers in Paris to demonstrate against the soaring costs.

The protest was organized by the Collective for the Survival of Boulangers and Artisans. Nice-based boulanger Frederic Roy, who co-founded the group, says the government warns if the government doesn't do more to reduce their costs, many risk going out of business.

But not all baker's groups are on board. Some unions did not join Monday's protest.

Franck Thomasse, who heads a Paris-area bakers' syndicate, says negotiating with the government for more support is more effective than protesting.

But baker Durand disagrees. He's trying to cut corners  but says it's not enough. Boulangers like himself are the lifeblood of France, he says  but today, they feel like they're the last ones served.


On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a gunman opened fire at a dance hall in a predominantly Asian community of Monterey Park, California. At least 10 people died during and 10 were injured. Officials said a 72-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting was found dead the next day with self-inflicted gun wound. The motive for the attack is unclear. Genia Dulot reports.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Zambia to highlight joint efforts to improve global health and meet with President Hakainde Hichilema.

A day after her arrival in the country, Yellen inaugurated the newly built, U.S.-funded Zambia National Public Health Institute. The institute was established to help Zambia prevent transmission of deadly diseases like COVID-19, monitor threats to public health and effectively respond to any outbreaks.

Yellen said health security has been a key pillar of the partnership between Zambia and the U.S. over the past two decades.

It's important to sustainably finance public health institutions, she said, as the cost of preparedness is lower than the cost of responding to an outbreak once it starts.

Yellen said the U.S. remains committed to improving regional and global health security through its $450 million contribution to the newly launched Pandemic Fund.

Let me say how much we value our partnership; how important it is for the individual efforts and Africa as a whole and [the] global health situation, she said. We have had a long partnership, and I think its been a productive one. Its important for it to continue.

Earlier on Monday, Yellen visited Mylan Laboratorys distribution center in Lusaka.

Mylan Laboratory is a U.S. firm that employs 75 workers in Zambia, helping to distribute antimalarial and antiretroviral treatments.

While Yellen visited the facilities Monday, Africa Centers for Disease Control Director Ahmed Ogwell Ouma put out a live virtual message to the visiting secretary, commending the U.S. government for its massive investment in global health.

Ouma emphasized the need for the local manufacturing of drugs to deal with health challenges in Africa.

Local production is very key to the health security of the continent and by extension, for the whole globe, he said. And investing in well-selected manufacturing facilities for different health products from diagnostics, therapeutics to vaccines is really, really important for the way in which we are going to be handling outbreaks and, God forbid, another pandemic.

Yellen also expressed confidence that Zambias debt-restructuring process will be concluded soon, adding that this is in the interest of creditors as well, as Zambia faces a delay in the process.

This follows the International Monetary Funds approval of a $1.3 billion bailout last August, aimed at kickstarting the country's ailing economy and restructuring its debt.

Zambias total public debt to foreign and local lenders was just shy of $27 billion at the end of June 2022, according to its Ministry of Finance.

Zambias foreign debt is spread across diverse regions, with $6 billion owed to China and the rest owed to various banks, nations and multilateral institutions.

Meanwhile, Yellen also said she is happy with the Zambian president s efforts to address corruption.

While in Zambia, she will hold bilateral talks with Hichilema and his ministers, as well as business leaders and civil society.

During her trip, Yellen is highlighting the Biden administrations efforts to deepen U.S.-Africa economic ties, including steps to expand trade and investment for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

This follows the United States-Africa Leaders Summit held last month in Washington, where President Joe Biden announced over $15 billion in two-way trade and investment commitments.

Yellen will remain in Zambia until Tuesday, when she leaves for South Africa.
Some 19 entities of Ras Al Khaimah have achieved the prestigious ISO 50001 energy management certification, making Ras Al Khaimah Government the first in the world get the certification for all its entities. The accomplishment was announced at the World Future Energy Summit 2023, part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

These certifications recognise Ras Al Khaimah Governments continuous efforts to enhance energy efficiency and drive sustainability. They are the culmination of a multi-year programme, combining asset retrofits with capability upgrades, as part of the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040.

On becoming the first government in the world to have all its entities certified with ISO 50001, Dr Mohammed Abdullatif Khalifa, Secretary General of the Executive Council and Director General of the Department of Human Resources said: This accomplishment comes as a direct result of our adherence to the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, to make our emirate more sustainable and set a global example in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Energy teams

He added: We are proud of the energy teams and managers in all the entities that have achieved this milestone and we encourage them to keep pursuing such high levels of ambition to transform Ras Al Khaimah into a global centre for energy sustainability.

Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality said: This achievement is a recognition of Ras Al Khaimah Governments commitment to the energy transition. The energy management systems that we have implemented will support government entities in initiating many new projects and developments that will contribute to the net-zero ambitions of the UAE.

A comprehensive retrofit of government buildings was carried out between 2018 and 2022, through energy performance contracting. The upgrade of four Ras Al Khaimah Municipality buildings in 2018 was followed by a larger project, resulting in the retrofit of 50 buildings by December 2022. Today, these retrofits are bringing guaranteed savings of 26% on electricity and water bills.

Centralised approach

Over the same period, a centralised approach was adopted to elevate organisational capabilities to manage energy consumption, with the purpose of further improving these savings over the long run. Reem, the Energy Efficiency & Renewables Office of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, has supported all government entities in establishing best practices in energy management, and capturing synergies such as scale in green procurement and training through the Upskill programme. Collaboration mechanisms are in place among nominated energy teams in each entity, to ensure effective results.

At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020, this coordinated approach led to the adoption of quick-wins in consumption behaviours, resulting in about 10% energy savings with near-zero investment. The results encouraged the teams to take more durable steps, through the implementation of complete energy management systems according to the internationally recognised ISO 50001 standard. These include among others, energy policies, targets, monitoring and reporting tools, periodic audits and management meetings to ensure that the pursuit of energy optimisation opportunities are integrated in the planning and management processes of each organisation.

The energy management initiative of Ras Al Khaimah Government is part of the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040 of the emirate, which targets 30% energy savings, 20% water savings, and 20% contribution of electricity from renewable sources by 2040. The strategy supports the UAE commitments for climate change mitigation, as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.-- TradeArabia News Service
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday has arrived in South Africa on a working visit, according to a TASS reporter.

January 23, 2023, 09:57 Lavrov arrives in South Africa on working visit

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: The ministers plane has landed at the South African Air Force Base Waterkloof. He is expected to meet with the countrys Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor in the South African capital, Pretoria.

The ministers are most likely to discuss preparations to the second Russian-African summit and conference that are slated for July 26-29 in St. Petersburg. They could also exchange views on BRICS, where South Africa is holding presidency this year, engagement on other international platforms, bilateral issues and key international events.

Lavrov and his South African counterpart last met on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. The sides then reaffirmed mutual interest in the deepening of political dialogue and further development of relations of strategic partnership.
Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture has defended the killing of millions of invasive quelea birds in rice-growing regions of the country. The ministry says the birds are destroying hectares of crops and that the pesticide it is using to kill the birds is safe. But environmentalists say authorities should try other methods to control the birds before resorting to their extermination.

Rice has become the third most important cereal produced in Kenya after maize and wheat, with at least 70% of land under rice cultivation, according to national data.

However, a recent invasion of migratory quelea birds that feed on rice is threatening the crop. So, the state is killing the birds by spraying pesticides.

The director of Kenya's crop protection services, Collin Marangu, said the birds have been eradicated in four regions they have invaded since August 2022.

"We only do precisely where the birds are, and the reason why we even do it at night is to be sure that at that time there are no bees, he said. Bees are asleep at that time, that is why it is done at night precisely with a drone, that is, you place the chemical where it is required."

Kennedy Sinogo, a rice farmer in Kenya's Kisumu region, said more than 120 hectares of his farm have been destroyed. He said his familys efforts to keep the birds away have been futile and that the operation to spray them is easing the situation.

"They have to be killed because they are becoming too much, he said. They are breeding a lot; we farmers are having a hard time. Right now, a family has to camp on the farm to try and guard its rice."

Environmentalists describe the method of controlling the birds as toxic. Raphael Kapiyo, a professor of environment and earth science at Kenya's Maseno University, told VOA that widespread use of pesticides is contaminating the environment.

"We should use mechanisms that scare away the birds but not eliminate them by killing or using chemicals, he said. "In the past, culturally we have had methods of scaring away birds and sometimes using noise."

A quelea bird can eat 10 grams of grain in one day, according to the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization. In 2021, FAO researchers estimated that crops worth $50 million are lost annually to the birds in Kenya.
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

The latest developments in Russias war on Ukraine. All times EST.

11 p.m.: One of the independent members of the recently established U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine says investigators have found evidence of war crimes, including sexual abuse of children, during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, with the "vast majority" of offenses having been committed by Russian troops, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.



Speaking in an interview with RFE/RL's Balkan Service on January 23, Jasminka Dzumhur, one of three members of the commission and Bosnia-Herzegovina's human rights ombudswoman with more than three decades of experience in the fields of the judiciary, human rights, and international relations, said there was a "very wide" range of crimes that have been uncovered in Ukraine.



"When we talk about children, they were wounded or killed by firearms. They were sexually abused. We recorded violations of the rights of children placed in homes for neglected children," Dzumhur said, adding that the commission had also received information about children being moved from Ukraine to Russia even though "in many cases" their biological parents still reside in Ukraine.



The European Union and human rights groups have accused Russia of human rights violations on the territory of Ukraine, including torture, abuse, rape, and other forms of violence as well as attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure since the Kremlin launched its unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

10:15 p.m.: Associated Press video journalist Mstyslav Chernov had just broken out of Mariupol after covering the first 20 days of the Russian invasion of the Ukrainian city and was feeling guilty about leaving. He and his colleagues, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko, had been the last journalists there, sending crucial dispatches from a city under a full-scale assault.



The day after, a theater with hundreds of people sheltering inside was bombed and he knew no one was there to document it. Thats when Chernov decided he wanted to do something bigger. Hed filmed some 30 hours of footage over his days in Mariupol. But poor and sometimes no internet connections made it extremely difficult to export anything. All told, he estimates only about 40 minutes of that successfully made it out to the world.



Those shots which went out were very important. They went on the AP and then to thousands of news outlets, Chernov said. However, I had much more. ... I thought I should do something more. I should do something more with that 30 hours of footage to tell a bigger story and more context to show the audience of the scale.



Chernov decided then that he wanted to make a documentary. That film, 20 Days in Mariupol, a joint project between The Associated Press and PBS Frontline, premiered Friday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where it is playing in competition.

8:46 p.m.: After intense pressure from its allies, Germany appears to be inching toward approving deliveries of high-tech battle tanks that Ukraine and Western backers hope will boost the country's fight against Russia.

8:00 p.m: Three vessels carrying 105,500 metric tons of grain and other food products have left Ukrainian ports under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, CNBC reported.

The ships, destined for Spain, Turkey and Djibouti, are carrying wheat and corn.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered last summer between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN to ease Russias naval blockade of key Ukrainian ports to allow grain exports.

So far, more than 670 ships have sailed from Ukrainian ports, according to CNBC.

6:50 p.m.:

5:30 p.m.: Kyiv's forces are taking ground around a strategic city in the eastern Luhansk region, Politico said Monday, quoting an unnamed a senior U.S. military official. The report also said Ukraine is expected to launch a new counteroffensive this spring.

"What we're seeing is Ukrainian counteroffensive operations, again, largely fluid in that area in terms of back and forth, making some incremental gains near Kreminna," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.

The Politico report went on to say that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said now is the time for the West to provide additional arms and training Ukraine needs to smash through Russian lines.

"We have a window of opportunity here, you know, between now and the spring when they commence their operation, their counteroffensive," Austin said last week, announcing a $2.5 billion package of aid which includes Bradley Fighting Vehicles Stryker armored combat vehicles, mine-resistant vehicles, and Humvees, as well as additional air defenses, missiles and artillery.

5:00 p.m.: Most schools and kindergartens  86%  now have bomb shelters, CNN reported.

The head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration said in a Telegram post Monday that "A total of 1,085 shelters have already been set up in educational facilities in Kyiv region."

4:30 p.m.: Morocco has provided Ukraine's armed forces with "modernized" Soviet T-72B main battle tanks, Newsweek reported, citing press reports, although the magazine says the move is unlikely to be a "game changer" for Kyiv.

Newsweek quoted the Algerian news outlet Mena Defense as saying 20 T-72B tanks were sent to Ukraine a week ago.

Mena Defense said the tanks had been "modernized" in the Czech Republic before heading to Ukraine.

2:30 p.m.: People living in Bakhmut, perhaps the most bitterly contested town in Ukraine, travel 12 kilometers west to Chasiv Yar to stock up on necessities or draw their pensions. Current Time, a co-production between Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA, had this report.



2:10 p.m.: Bulgaria's navy on Monday carried out a controlled explosion of a naval mine that had drifted close to the country's Black Sea coast, Reuters reported, quoting the defense ministry.



Mines began floating in the Black Sea after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Special diving teams in Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have been defusing those drifting in their waters.



The ministry said the navy was alerted about a floating object that looked very much like a naval mine some 200 meters (220 yards) off the Black Sea coast near the village of Tulenovo in northeastern Bulgaria early on Monday.



The mine, identified as an anchored "YaM" type, placed in a combat position, was destroyed by a special diving team later in the day, the ministry said in a statement.



Since the war started, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine have destroyed roughly 40 mines in western waters of the Black Sea.

1:45 p.m.: A senior U.S. military official briefed Pentagon reporters Monday on the latest developments in the war between Ukraine and Russia. VOA national security correspondent Jeff Seldin shared the details on Twitter.

1:30 p.m.: One of Russia's richest tycoons called on the Russian authorities on Monday to tolerate rather than punish hundreds of thousands of workers who have fled abroad due to Moscow's war in Ukraine, arguing that the country needs their brain power, Reuters reported.

"People who work for our economy from abroad  remotely or otherwise  should not be punished," billionaire metals executive Vladimir Potanin told the online RBC news portal, calling for an end to talk of punitive measures against them, something he called "demagoguery."

He said Moscow had to be tolerant even if remote workers held views that Russian patriots disliked, a reference to the fact that many of those who left  including IT specialists  did so to avoid being drafted into the army or because they disagreed with what Moscow calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24 last year.

Potanin is estimated to be Russia's richest or second richest person thanks to his stake in metals giant Nornickel.

1:15 p.m.:

1:05 p.m.: On Ukraine's frontlines, a Polish paramedic tends to wounded soldiers.



Damian Duda, a Polish academic and media worker, was only 25 when he first went to Ukraine as a volunteer combat paramedic in 2014, work he describes as his "private crusade."



Almost 10 years on, when Russian bombs started falling over Ukrainian cities at the start of its invasion, he had built up a team of six people with experience on battlefields as far afield as Iraq and Syria.



They had also started filming their medical missions driving out to the frontlines in Ukraine in a specially equipped vehicle, notching up tens of thousands of views on social media.



Our task is to get the soldier out of the battle, provide him with basic medical care, make sure that he does not bleed out ... and take him to a relatively safe place where ambulances are waiting for him, the 34-year-old told Reuters in his home city of Warsaw.



12:40 p.m.:

12:20 p.m.: Sweden should not expect Turkey's support for its NATO membership after a protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm at the weekend including the burning of a copy of the Quran, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

"Those who allow such blasphemy in front of our embassy (in Stockholm) can no longer expect our support for their NATO membership," Erdogan said in a speech after a cabinet meeting, Reuters reported.

Protests in Stockholm on Saturday against Turkey and against Sweden's bid to join NATO, during which a copy of the Quran was burned, have heightened tensions with Turkey, whose backing Sweden needs to gain entry to the military alliance.

The Quran-burning was carried out by Rasmus Paludan, leader of Danish far-right political party Hard Line. Paludan, who also has Swedish citizenship, has held a number of demonstrations in the past where he has burned the Koran. Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait denounced the incident.

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine but all 30 member states must approve their bids. Ankara has previously said Sweden in particular must first take a clearer stance against what it sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish militants and a group it blames for a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.

"If you love members of terrorist organizations and enemies of Islam so much and protect them, then we advise you to seek their support for your countries' security," Erdogan also said.



12:05 p.m.: Authorities in Moscow have torn down a makeshift memorial to Ukrainian victims of the deadly January 14 Russian missile strike on an apartment block in Dnipro that killed at least 46 people. Police are said to have detained four people at the memorial. The flowers, candles, and toys, as well as a picture of the destroyed apartment building, were all removed. A police van is said to have been brought in to monitor the area. Current Time, a co-production of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA, had this report.

11:55 a.m.: How do governments correctly re-export German tanks? Reuters published this explainer on Monday.

All German-built weapons of war come with an end use certificate that means their new owner needs Berlin's approval if it wants to pass on that weapon to another country. Re-export requests usually get the green light if the arms are set to go to other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members or closely allied countries.

The approval is withheld under German law "if there is reason to assume that it would run counter to Germany's ambition to entertain good relations to other countries". The same goes for cases where the weapons may be used to wage a war of aggression, or the re-export approval might violate Germany's obligations under international law.

As defense exports are a touchy issue in Germany, foreign countries usually do not directly submit a formal request for re-export to the German authorities.

They will rather sound out Berlin's stance by making a so-called "preliminary inquiry", giving Germany the chance to signal whether it is ready to supply the requested weapon or not. If not, the foreign country abstains from submitting a formal re-export request, and no diplomatic harm is done.

This mechanism means that Poland can, by submitting a formal re-export request, force Scholz to spell out whether he is prepared to see Poland send its Leopards to Ukraine or not.



11:45 a.m.:

11:30 a.m.: Sean Penns film about the war in Ukraine, Superpower, will have its world premiere at this years Berlin film festival, The Associated Press reported, quoting organizers of the event.

The documentary will run outside the main competition, which features 18 movies this year including John Trengroves Manodrome with Jesse Eisenberg and Adrien Brody.

Organizers said the Berlinale will pay special tribute this year to Ukraine and the protests in Iran.

The annual event takes place from February 16-26.

11:10 a.m.: The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday released a chart showing the sharp increase in humanitarian needs in Ukraine since Russias invasion almost a year ago.

10:50 a.m.: Living in fear of the draft, Russian emigres in Kazakhstan have no plans to go home, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Marat makes a net income of about $215 a month, which he says is enough for a comfortable life as a young, single man in the Kazakh town of Oral, which he now calls home.

The 20-year-old junior computer developer left his native city of Kazan, the capital of the Russian republic of Tatarstan, on September 22, 2022, a day after Moscow announced a military mobilization to bolster the depleting ranks of its forces in Ukraine.

In Oral, in West Kazakhstan Province, Marat has found it "relatively easily" to find a full-time job and rented accommodation. He asked that his full name not be published, saying that he feared for the safety of his mother, brother, and grandmother, who still live in Kazan.

Like many Russian emigres in Kazakhstan and elsewhere around the region, Marat isn't planning to go back to Russia anytime soon. Many emigres fear a second military mobilization or Russia's future economic collapse, due to sanctions and international exclusion.

More than 930,000 Russians -- mostly conscript-aged men -- entered neighboring Kazakhstan after September 21, 2022, to avoid the risk of being drafted to war. Since then, the majority of them have left for other countries.

Nearly 146,000 of them remained in Kazakhstan, according to Kazakh Interior Ministry figures released on December 21, 2022, three months after the major influx of Russians.

10:25 a.m.: The European Union says it faced "unprecedented challenges" at its borders last year, with a sharp rise in asylum-seekers arriving on Europes southern shores and millions of Ukrainians fleeing to Europe to escape Russias invasion. As VOAs Henry Ridgwell reported, there are fears that Moscow is planning to create a new migrant crisis on the EUs borders.

10:10 a.m.: The European Union ratified on Monday more military aid to Ukraine worth 500 million euros, sources said, as Berlin faced more pressure over calls from Kyiv to supply it with German-made Leopard tanks, Reuters reported.

Agreement on the seventh such tranche of aid came as the EU's 27 foreign ministers met in Brussels after Western countries failed last week to agree on sending Ukraine battle tanks  but pledged billions worth of support.

The 500-million-euro ($542 million) package was approved along with a further 45 million for "non-lethal equipment" for the EU's military training mission for Ukraine, said an EU diplomat. Two other sources following the ministers' closed-doors talks confirmed that.

Germany's Leopard tanks, fielded by armies across Europe, are widely seen as the best fit for Ukraine, but Berlin must authorize their sale and has yet to do so.

9:55 a.m.:

9:40 a.m.: Hungarys foreign minister said Monday that while his government isnt in favor of the European Union sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it wont block a planned tranche of 500 million euros ($543 million) in assistance to Kyiv to use in the war with Russia, The Associated Press reported.

Speaking at a news briefing on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Peter Szijjarto dismissed as lies media reports that emerged last week that Hungary planned to veto the funds earmarked for Ukraine under the blocs European Peace Facility.

Hungary opposes the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine  something Szijjarto said could lead to the prolongation or potential escalation of the war  but the government wont veto the aid package, he said.

We dont consider weapons shipments, nor the hundreds of millions of euros Europe has spent to finance them, a good idea. But we wont block the decision, he said.

While Hungarys government hasnt blocked previous payouts under the facility, which has to date delivered 3.1 billion euros in arms funding to Ukraine, it did veto an 18-billion-euro aid package in December, leaving the EUs other 26 nations scrambling to keep the money supply going.



9:30 a.m.:

8:15 a. m.: A top ally of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday corrupt officials would be rounded up and jailed as part of a zero tolerance policy, after the most high-profile graft allegations since Russia invaded burst into public view, Reuters reported.

David Arakhamia, head of Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party, said it was made clear during the invasion that officials should "focus on the war, help victims, cut bureaucracy and stop dubious business."

Ukraine has a long history of battling corruption and shaky governance, though there had been few examples since Moscow's invasion last year as Kyiv has fought back Russian troops and received Western financial and military support.

On Sunday, anti-corruption police said they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister on suspicion of receiving a $400,000 kickback to facilitate the import of generators into wartime Ukraine last September.

Separately, a newspaper investigation published on Saturday accused the Defense Ministry of overpaying suppliers for food for its soldiers. The ministry said the report contained "signs of deliberate manipulation" and was "misleading."

Before last year's invasion, fighting corruption was the principal theme for Zelenskyy, a political novice swept into power in a landslide in 2019 on a promise to clean up Ukraine's notoriously crooked institutions. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said measures would be announced this week.

7:50 a.m.: South Africa 's foreign minister on Monday deflected criticism of joint military drills planned with Russia and China, saying that hosting such exercises with "friends" was the "natural course of relations," Reuters reported.

Naledi Pandor made her comments during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was visiting South Africa 11 month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

South Africa is one of Russia's most important allies on a continent divided over the invasion and Western attempts to isolate Moscow because of its military actions.

7:20 a.m.: Ukraine needs several hundred tanks from its Western allies in order to conduct a counter-offensive against Russian forces to retake occupied territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff said on Monday.

"We need tanks - not 10-20, but several hundred," the official, Andriy Yermak, wrote on the Telegram app. "Our goal is (restoring) the borders of 1991 and punishing the enemy, who will pay for their crimes."

Kyiv is pleading for supplies of tanks, in particular the German-made Leopard 2 which is used by many NATO members and which requires Berlin's approval to be re-exported to Ukraine.

Poland's prime minister said on Monday his government would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine and planned to send them whether or not Berlin agreed.

Germany's foreign minister had said on Sunday that Berlin would not stand in the way if Poland wanted to do so. According to a 2019 U.N. weapons registry, Poland has 247 Leopard 2 tanks.

Russia occupies a swathe of eastern and southern Ukraine, as well as the Crimea peninsula which Moscow annexed in 2014.

Ukraine's sovereign borders were established in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Kyiv has named the withdrawal of Russian troops from all its territory as one of the main conditions to end the 11-month long war.

7:05 a.m.: A former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway has been apprehended by police, Reuters reported Monday citing an official.

"He is apprehended ... and we are considering whether to seek a court's decision for internment," Police Lawyer Line Isaksen told Reuters, declining to give further details.

Andrei Medvedev's lawyer was not immediately available for comment. The news was first reported by public broadcaster NRK.

6:45 a.m.: French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said the European Union "support Ukraine as long as necessary, to help it defend itself and to preserve the international order based on the principles of the United Nations Charter," in a Twitter post Monday.

Colonna said she has no doubt EU leaders will approve aid for Ukraine, Reuters reported.

6:30 a.m.: The German government has not received any requests to authorize the delivery of German-built Leopard battle tanks from its allies to Ukraine, a spokesperson said on Monday, as Poland and other countries push for the vehicles to be sent.

"There are procedures for this," Reuters reported quoting the government spokesperson speaking at a regular news conference in Berlin. The spokesperson added that any such request would be addressed with swiftness and care.

6:10 a.m.:

5:45 a.m.: Organizational and management issues at Ukraine's Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are "of increasing concern", Olivier Gupta, head of the Western European Nuclear Regulators' Association, or WENRA, said on Monday according to Reuters.

Brokering a deal on a safe zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is getting harder because of the involvement of the military in talks, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog Rafael Grossi said earlier this month.

The Soviet-era plant, Europe's largest, was captured by Russian forces in March, soon after their invasion of Ukraine. It has repeatedly come under fire in recent months, raising fears of a nuclear disaster.

5:15 a.m.:

4:50 a.m.: Reuters reported that Russia said on Monday it was downgrading diplomatic relations with NATO member Estonia, accusing Tallinn of "total Russophobia."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had told the Estonian envoy he must leave next month, and both countries would be represented in each other's capitals by an interim charge d'affaires instead of an ambassador.

It said this was in response to an Estonian move to reduce the size of the Russian embassy in Tallinn.

"In recent years, the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia. Total Russophobia, the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy," it said.

Estonia and its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania have been among a group of NATO allies arguing strongly for Germany to provide its Leopard battle tanks to boost Ukraine in fighting off Russia's invasion.

Estonia joined other Ukrainian allies last week in sending more weapons of its own.

Commenting on the downgrading of ties, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: "The Estonian regime has got what it deserved."

4:15 a.m.: Poland will ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Monday, The Associated Press reported.

Morawiecki didn't specify when the request will be made. He said that Poland is building a coalition of nations ready to send Leopards.

Even if there is no permission from Germany, Warsaw will make its own decisions, he said, without elaborating.

We will ask (Germany) for permission, but this is a secondary theme, Morawiecki said. Even if, eventually, we do not get this permission, we  within this small coalition  even if Germany is not in this coalition, we will hand over our tanks, together with the others, to Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had told French television channel LCI on Sunday that Poland hasn't formally asked for Berlins approval to share some of its German-made Leopards, but added if we were asked, we would not stand in the way.

3:30 a.m.: The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he hopes member states will approve another 500-million-euro ($545.00 million) tranche in military aid for Ukraine during a foreign ministers' meeting on Monday.

Speaking as he arrived at the meeting, Borrell said he was hopeful the 27 EU members would reach an agreement on the funds, which are part of the so-called European Peace Facility.

The Hungarian foreign ministry and the government spokesman did not respond to requests for comment last week on reports that Budapest had been blocking that move ahead of on Monday.

EU countries are also working on a 10th package of sanctions to take effect next month against Russia for waging war against Ukraine, diplomatic sources told Reuters, though no decisions are expected on that on Monday.

3 a.m.: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron sought to underline the importance of their nations' postwar alliance, The Agence France-Presse reported.

During a speech at the capital's Sorbonne University, Scholz said upholding strong ties was key for the continent. "The future, like the past, rests on cooperation between both our countries as the driving force of a united Europe," he said.

Macron said that "Germany and France, because they cleared the path to reconciliation, must become pioneers to relaunch Europe. "We are two souls in the same body," he added, describing the nations as the "locomotive of a united Europe."

France and Germany are seeking to overcome differences laid bare by Russia's war in Ukraine while celebrating their decades-long friendship with a day of ceremonies and talks Sunday on Europes security, energy and other challenges, The Associated Press reported.

2:35 a.m.: According to Reuters, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was in South Africa on Monday, to hold talks with one of his country's most important allies on a continent that is divided over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related Western attempts to isolate it.

He was to meet with his counterpart, Naledi Pandor, in the capital Pretoria in what South African government officials have said is an ordinary visit, but which some opposition parties and the small Ukrainian community condemned as insensitive.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's government regards South Africa as neutral in the conflict, and has expressed a desire to mediate.

Even as South Africa has proclaimed impartiality on the conflict and abstained from voting on United Nations resolutions, it has retained close relations with Russia, historically a friend of the governing African National Congress when it was a liberation movement against white minority rule.

The South African military is set to host a joint military exercise with Russia and China on its east coast on February 17 to 27, a move likely to further strain ties with Washington and European countries. It coincides with the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

2 a.m.:

1:55 a.m.: Russia's Gazprom said it would ship 24.4 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Monday, according to Reuters.

1 a.m.:

12:30 a.m.: European Council President Charles Michel has urged the block's national leaders to push forward with talks on using $300 billion-worth of confiscated Russian central bank assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Reuters cited the Financial Times as reporting on Monday.

Michael said he wanted to explore the idea of managing the Russian central bank's frozen assets to generate profits, which could then be earmarked for reconstruction efforts, the newspaper reported.

It is a question of justice and fairness and it must be done in line with legal principles, the FT quoted Michael as saying in an interview.

The European Union had blocked 300 billion euros ($326.73 billion) of the Russian central bank's reserves in November to punish Moscow for the invasion of Ukraine. ($1 = 0.9182 euros)

12:01 a.m.: Reuters reported that the top Moscow-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine said late on Sunday that he had visited the town of Soledar that Russia claimed to have captured earlier this month.

Denis Pushilin, the administrator, published a short video on the Telegram messaging app that showed him driving and walking amidst uninhabited areas and destroyed buildings.

"I visited Soledar today," Pushilin said in an accompanying statement.

Reuters was not able to independently verify when and where the video was taken.

On January 11, the private Russian military group Wagner said it had captured Soledar and Russian-installed authorities in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region said last week they were in control of the salt-mining town.

Ukraine has never publicly said that the town was taken by Russian forces. On Sunday, the general staff of its armed forces said in a daily update that Russian forces had fired on Ukrainian positions in the area.

In his statement, Pushilin said the Soledar mines were damaged and "difficult" to descend into.

The town, together with the city of Bakhmut just to its northeast, has been the focus of intense fighting for months, with Russian proxy forces claiming last week that they had also captured Klishchiivka, a small village near Bakhmut.

The so-called Donetsk People's Republic is one of the four regions in Ukraine that Moscow proclaimed as its own in September in an exercise Ukraine and its allies called a "sham," coercive referendum.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
A U.S. man who posed for photographs with his feet on the desk of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot has been convicted of all eight charges.



A jury in Washington Monday convicted Richard Barnett on charges including civil disorder, interfering with police officers and obstructing an official government proceeding.



Photographs of Barnett, who is from the southern state of Arkansas, were among some of the memorable images of the day when Congress convened to certify Democrat Joe Bidens victory in the November 3, 2020, presidential election.



While in Pelosis office, Barnett took an envelope the speaker had addressed to another member of Congress and left a note for the congresswoman that included a profanity.



Barnett was convicted of theft for taking the envelope, as well as concealing a dangerous weapon  a stun gun he carried in a collapsible walking stick.



The defendant took the stand in his own defense during his two-week trial in U.S. District Court in Washington.



After the verdict, Barnett told reporters outside the courtroom that his conviction was an injustice and said he would appeal. He cited the judges decision to reject his request to move the trial from Washington to Arkansas.



This is not a jury of my peers, he said.



Lawyers for Barnett argued that their client did not know that Congress was certifying Bidens victory on the day of the riot and said Barnett was pushed into the Capitol by the mass of people.



Prosecutors accused Barnett of repeatedly lying on the witness stand and said he had a history of attending political demonstrations with weapons.



Barnett will be sentenced in May and remain on home detention in Arkansas until then.



Some information in this report came from the Associated Press.
Retired general and former NATO official Petr Pavel led billionaire ex-prime minister Andrej Babis by a nearly 18-point margin ahead of a Czech presidential election run-off vote, according to the final Ipsos agency poll published on Monday.

Czech presidents do not wield much daily powers but they appoint prime ministers, central bank governors, and have a limited role in foreign policy. They also shape public debate and can pressure governments on policies.

Pavel was polling at 58.8% to 41.2% for Babis in the survey conducted on Jan. 20-22. The two candidates meet in the second round of the election on Jan. 27-28.

Pavel, an independent backed by the center-right government, has projected a clear pro-Western policy stance and support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.

Babis, 68, has tried to label Pavel as a threat to peace, and presented himself over the past week since the first election round as a force against war.

His campaign posters declare "I will not drag Czechia into a war" and "I am a diplomat. Not a soldier".

Pavel has dismissed the suggestions as nonsense.

Czech media reported widespread anti-Pavel messaging on disinformation websites and chain emails.

Babis, who heads the largest opposition political party, won the backing of retiring President Milos Zeman as well as figures from the extreme fringes of the political scene, including the pro-Russian former ruling Communist Party. Zeman had favored closer ties with China and Russia, until Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year.

In a television debate on Sunday night, Babis caused a stir by saying he would refuse to send troops to defend NATO allies Poland and the Baltics in case they were attacked.

He later backtracked on those comments, saying he would respect NATO's mutual defense commitments.

The Ipsos poll confirmed a message in two surveys over the weekend where Pavel also led by a wide margin.

Pavel, 61, was a soldier since the communist era, but rose in the ranks after the 1989 democratic "Velvet Revolution". He served in special forces and military diplomacy roles and led the army general staff in 2012-2015.

In the subsequent three years, he headed NATO's military committee of national army chiefs, the principal military advisory body to the alliance's secretary-general.

Monday was the deadline for polling ahead of a blackout period. One more poll was expected on Monday afternoon.
Poland's prime minister said Monday that his country is building a coalition of nations ready to send German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine even if Germany does not give formal permission for such transfers.

Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters that Poland will seek Germany's permission, but that asking for Berlin's approval is of secondary importance.

"We are constantly exerting pressure on the government in Berlin to make its Leopards available," Morawiecki said.

A Polish government spokesman, Piotr Mueller, later told state television that seeking Germany's permission was "an important gesture and we will certainly carry it out in the coming days."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told French TV channel LCI on Sunday that if Poland were to request permission to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, "We would not stand in the way."

Until Baerbock's comments, Germany had been reticent to send its own Leopard 2s to Ukraine or approve their transfer by countries that purchased the tanks from Germany.

Ukraine has long sought heavy tanks to combat Russian forces using more modern tanks than those in Ukraine's arsenal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote Monday on Telegram that what Ukraine needs is not 10-20 tanks, "but several hundred" in order to achieve its goal.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the debate among European countries about whether to send Ukraine tanks showed "increasing nervousness" within NATO. He also warned that countries supplying weapons to Ukraine "will carry responsibility for that."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday did not say whether Germany would agree to provide Ukraine with battle tanks, but the Reuters news agency reported that he said such decisions would be made in coordination with allies including the United States.

Scholz's spokesman reiterated Monday that the government "does not rule out" the tanks' transfer but said: "It has not yet been decided."

At the U.S. State Department, Ned Price fielded questions from reporters asking if the United States would support other countries supplying Leopards without Germany's approval.

While Price did not directly answer the questions, he said, "We may be hearing more from our German allies in the coming hours, in the coming days."

French President Emmanuel Macron said he does not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine. He cautioned, however, that sending tanks must not endanger France's security or escalate the war between Ukraine and Russia.

British Foreign Minister James Cleverly said Sunday in an interview with Sky News he would like to see the Ukrainians "equipped with things like the Leopard 2."

In Brussels Monday, EU foreign ministers approved a further 500 million euro package of military support for Ukraine. The new aid brings the total amount of EU spending in Ukraine to 3.6 billion euros.

On the battlefield, Russian and Ukrainian troops remain largely static on the front lines, according to a senior U.S. military official who briefed reporters Monday. The official said the exceptions relate to Ukrainian counteroffensive efforts in the eastern city of Kreminna and Russia's efforts to take territory near the eastern city of Bakhmut.

Russia is sending in replacements for units that are seeing heavy casualties, particularly around Bakhmut, according to the official.

In other developments Monday, Zelenskyy said in his evening video address that personnel changes are being carried out in Ukraine's government. The comments come a day after anti-corruption police said they had detained the deputy infrastructure minister over allegations he received a $400,000 bribe over the import of generators last September.

"There are already personnel decisions  some today, some tomorrow  regarding officials at various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and in law enforcement," Zelenskyy said.

VOA's National Security Correspondent, Jeff Seldin, contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Malala Yousafzai says that the world should come together to support the fundamental rights of Afghan women.

The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate said in an interview with VOA that the people of Afghanistan, Muslim countries and the international community should stand with Afghan women in their fight for their rights to education and work.

After seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have steadily imposed repressive restrictions on women in the country, including banning them from secondary education, from working in the government, from traveling long-distance without a close male relative and from going to parks and gyms.

Last month, the group banned women from universities and working with non-government organizations.

WATCH: Afghan Girls Cling to Dreams Amid Education Ban

On the eve of International Education Day, Yousafzai told Nazrana Ghaffar Yousufzai of VOA's Afghan Service that the Taliban's measures are "against Islam" and she called on Muslim countries to raise their voices against it.

This interview has been translated from Pashto and edited for length and clarity.

VOA: What do you expect the international community to do on this International Education Day to guarantee Afghan women's fundamental right to education?

Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai: I have a message to all the people, not to stay silent. Stand with the Afghan women. Afghan women are raising their voices on the global stage. They are coming out to the streets in Afghanistan, raising their voices for peace, equality, and justice. Stand with them and raise your voices for their rights to education and work.

The fathers and brothers of Afghan girls should also come out to support their rights. We all know that barring women from education is against our culture and religion. In addition, at the international level, leaders need to play their role and stand with Afghan women. Muslim nations should get together for Afghan women and raise their voices for the protection of women [in Afghanistan]. It is because we all know that in Islam, education is an obligation for all human beings. It is an obligation for women. Our religion has taught us to seek education and knowledge, and for that, Muslim countries must raise their voices that this ban is against Islam. International organizations and leaders should come together and stand with the Afghan people.

VOA: How do you see the future of a nation where women are barred from education and their access to almost everything is limited?

Yousafzai: Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are deprived of the right to education. Women are not allowed to work. Women are deprived of their fundamental human and Islamic rights. I stand with my Afghan sisters. On this day when we celebrate International Day of Education, when we talk about education, we must think about Afghan girls' education right. If Afghan women are deprived of education, it doesn't only harm them but also the economy, peace, and prosperity of Afghanistan. The U.N. studies show that the ban on education is causing $5.4 billion to Afghanistan's economy. So, this harms peace and the people of Afghanistan. We must not forget Afghan women on this day.

VOA: What is your message to Afghan women during these challenging times?

Yousafzai: I stand with my Afghan sisters. I salute their courage. They raise their voices for their rights. I hope they will get their right to education, employment, and political participation. I also hope that the international community will stand by them.

Roshan Noorzai from VOA's Pashto Service contributed to this report.
The old maxim that the pen is mightier than the sword couldnt be more appropriate when it comes to Somali journalist Abdalle Ahmed Mumin.

As a child, Abdalle lost his arm in a militia attack. Determined to still write, he had to teach himself to do so with his left hand.

The clan fighting that maimed Abdalle killed his 11-year-old brother as the siblings walked home together from school.

At that time, the family were living in a refugee camp in Mogadishu, and the daily human rights violations and unfairness that Abdalle witnessed there set him on his career path as a journalist.

Whenever there was food distribution the militia would come and loot that food and my mind was always asking me, when I grow up what can I do? Abdalle told VOA. Every day I used to buy a newspaper. I said, the best way to fight injustices is to become a journalist.

But now the 37-year-old, whose work has appeared in international outlets including the The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal, is in his own fight for justice.

He is accused of publicly disobeying a government directive and holding a press conference that criticized the directive.

The Ministry of Information in a statement in October denied the charges are related to Abdalle's work as journalist. But press freedom groups say the charges are spurious

Country in conflict

The case against Abdalle is linked with Somalias long battle with militancy.

Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group al-Shabab has been waging a brutal insurgency for about 15 years. The militant group sees journalists who work for Western media as spies and often targets them.

In 2015, Abdalle survived an assassination attempt when militants shot at his car. He took his family and fled to neighboring Kenya, where they lived for several years.

Ultimately though, Abdalle couldnt keep away from what he felt was his calling. He returned and helped form the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Set up to defend the rights of working journalists, the independent trade union provides support and training, and is vocal in its defense of media rights.

Which is why it went into action in October last year when Somalias Ministry of Information published a directive that prohibited dissemination of extremism ideology messages, both from official media broadcasts and social media.

The ministry ban covered messages sent intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly and consciously or unconsciously. Officials later told journalists to refer to al-Shabab as khawarij, which means "a deviation from Islam."

The government said the directive was intended to stop the spread of al-Shabab propaganda, as U.S.-backed Somali forces battle the group, which regularly launches deadly attacks that kill hundreds of civilians every year.

While it is in the governments remit to try to curb terrorist messaging, for the SJS and other media advocates, the vague wording raised concerns that the directive could be used to stifle independent reporting.

Somali Minister of Information Daud Aweis however believes journalists misunderstood the order.

The journalists are free to do their job according to the law. What we only asked them is not to fall into the trap of al-Shabab, of spreading the hate and incitement propaganda of the terrorist group, he told VOA via a messaging app.

When asked what role the government believes media could play in the fight, Daud  a former journalist who worked for outlets including VOA and the BBC  said, Very simple, report objectively on these matters. Thats all what we need. Dont be used as a tool of propaganda by the terrorists who are shedding the blood of Somali people, including the journalists themselves.

Despite claims by the government that Somalia supports a free press, Abdalle says that in reality authorities want only military successes reported and nothing negative, like extra-judicial killings.

So, as secretary-general of the SJS, he called a press conference on October 10 and read a statement outlining concerns about the rules. After that, Abdalle says, his office was raided and he received a call from government asking that he retract the statement.

He refused.

The following day, Abdalle was arrested and taken to the National Intelligence Agencys underground jail.

There, he says, he was interrogated without access to a lawyer. From his one-meter long cell he said he could hear other inmates screaming. He was later transferred to police custody and on October 16, a court released Abdalle on condition that he didnt leave the country and didnt speak to the media.

But a journalist always speaks, he said, adding that he refused a request by officials in the Ministry of Information to quit journalism and issue an apology in exchange for the case going away. Officials at the time denied to VOA such an offer was made.

Pressure from all sides

Somalia has long been a challenging place for journalists to work. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) considers the country one of the most dangerous in Africa for journalists, Muthoki Mumo, the groups sub-Saharan Africa representative, told VOA.

At least 73 journalists have been killed in connection to their work since 1992 and justice remains elusive in the majority of these cases, she said.

Al-Shabab is responsible for many of these deaths, but Mumo said, Government officials and security personnel whose responsibility it is to guarantee the safety of journalists, including by investigating attacks, also pose a threat.

Journalists are frequently detained arbitrarily and intimidated by officials, she said. Eight months into the presidency of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his government seems intent on using the fight against the al-Shabab as pretext to muzzle independent reporting and critical commentary.

Mumo said the CPJ has heard that some journalists are avoiding reporting on certain stories because of the directive.

Somalia's media for years have faced harassment, attack and persecution. Mohamed Odowa, a freelance journalist working for international press outlets in Mogadishu, says the environment has deteriorated over the past eight months.

Some journalists have "opted to leave the country for exile while others decided to remain home and keep in silent for fear of being harmed by the warring sides, he told VOA. He said those who refuse bribes to write positive stories, face threats and harassment.

The current government is trying to use independent media houses and journalists to cover the news related to the military operations in its favor, he said.

Information Minister Daud rejects with such assessments on Somalias media environment, telling VOA, We dont want to see freedom of speech being violated at any cost.

When asked about Abdalles case, he told VOA, I would like to remind you that its not wise to comment on a case thats before the court. Lets allow the judiciary to do their job.

Abdalle is due back in court Thursday. The case has shaken him.

Despite years of living in a war zone he said, this is the first time that hes truly afraid: Im fearing for my life and Im fearing for the lives of my colleagues, other journalists.
Russia and neighboring Estonia, a member of the NATO military alliance, said Monday they are expelling each others ambassadors by February 7 in a new display of rancor over Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Both Russia and Estonia disparaged each other as they announced that their diplomatic missions in Moscow and Tallinn would be downgraded and headed by charge daffaires instead of ambassadors.

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre and ordered him to leave the country in two weeks. Moscow said it was expelling Laidre in retaliation of Estonias new unfriendly step to radically reduce the size of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.

In turn, Estonia said it was expelling Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipayev.

Earlier this month, Estonia ordered Russia to cut its embassy staff in Tallinn to eight diplomats and 15 administrative, technical and service staff members in order to reach parity with the size of its staff in Moscow.

Estonia, once part of the Soviet Union, said January 11 it was reducing its bilateral relations with Moscow to the absolute minimum because of Moscows invasion of Ukraine last February.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday that the Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia.

"Total Russophobia, the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy, the statement read.

It is the first time that Russia has expelled the ambassador of a European Union country since its invasion of Ukraine.

In October, Estonias parliament adopted a statement declaring Russia a terrorist regime.

Meanwhile, Estonia, Latvia and their Baltic neighbor, Lithuania, have pushed for Germany to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to help fend off Russia's invasion.

Latvia had told its ambassador to Russia to leave Moscow by February 27. Lithuania threw out its Russian envoy in April and downgraded diplomatic representation after Ukraine accused Russian forces of killing civilians in the town of Bucha.
South Africa has defended its warm relations and joint military drills with Russia as it hosts Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on his first visit since the invasion of Ukraine.

Lavrov said he appreciated South Africas neutral stance since the war started one year ago and placed the blame for the continuing conflict squarely on the Ukraine and the West.

It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation it is well known that our American and British and some of our European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, he said.

Russia has repeatedly rejected Ukrainian and Western demands that it withdraw completely from Ukraine as a condition for any negotiations.

Lavrov also denied Moscow is targeting civilians, despite numerous attacks on residential buildings in Ukraine that experts say likely add up to war crimes.

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, reiterated Pretoria would like to see a diplomatic solution through dialogue.

As South Africa, our sincere wish that the conflict in Ukraine will soon be brought to a peaceful end through diplomacy and negotiation, she said.

However, she defended South Africas right to maintain bilateral relations with whichever countries it wants and not be dictated to by the West.

South Africa is hosting the Russian and Chinese navies for February exercises off Durban.

Pandor noted all countries conduct military exercises with friends.

Defense Ministry spokesman Cornelius Monama said Monday that the drills would strengthen the strong bonds between the countries.

Contrary to the assertions by our critics, South Africa is not abandoning its neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he said.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance has called for the drills to be called off and Ukraines ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, told VOA recently that she didnt understand why South Africa was conducting exercises with, quote, the army of rapists and murders.

Steven Gruzd, a Russia expert at the South African Institute for International Affairs, said Lavrov had clearly found some sympathy from Pandor and he expects to see greater cooperation between the two BRICS allies going forward.

I think its interesting to read the body language between minsters Lavrov and Pandor, the Russian and South Africa foreign ministers, I think it was quite warm from the press conference and there is a genuine meeting of minds between the countries, he said.

But Gruzd said South Africas hosting naval exercises with Russia could affect its standing on the international stage.

He added that it will be interesting to see the chemistry between Pandor and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who arrives in South Africa late Tuesday for a visit.

Despite pressure from the U.S., Pretoria has refused join Washington in condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

South Africa also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit later this year for the summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies, though its not yet clear if he will attend.

The BRICS group is Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Suspected Allied Democratic Forces fighters have killed at least 23 people in an attack in eastern DR Congo, local officials said Monday, in the latest violence in the turbulent region.

The attack occurred overnight on Sunday in the village of Makugwe, in the Beni area of North Kivu province, said local civil society figure Roger Wangeve, who put the death toll at 24.

"The ADF surprised 17 people in a small bar where they were drinking beer, and executed them," he said.

Wangeve added that militants also looted and torched several homes and shops in the village, and carried off several villagers into the bush.

Provincial deputy Saidi Balikwisha, who was in Makugwe during the attack, said 23 were killed and three others are missing.

He urged an increased military presence in the area.

AFP was unable to independently confirm the death toll resulting from the attack.

Colonel Charles Omeonga, the Congolese military administrator of Beni territory, told AFP that soldiers were "in pursuit of the enemy," who he said were hiding among the local population.

The ADF is one of the deadliest groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a volatile region which has been plagued by militia violence for decades.

The militia  which the Islamic State group claims as its central African affiliate  has been accused of slaughtering thousands of Congolese civilians and carrying out bomb attacks in Uganda.

On January 15, suspected ADF operatives detonated a bomb in a church in North Kivu, killing at least 14 people and injuring another 63.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar says the situation around the Lachin corridor is serious and solutions have to urgently be found.

January 23, 2023, 10:19 Situation around Lachin corridor is serious and solutions have to urgently be found  EUs Toivo Klaar

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: Back in Yerevan for a day of meetings. The situation around the Lachin corridor is serious and solutions have to urgently be found. I look forward to discussions to explore ways forward. The EU goal remains a comprehensive Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement, Klaar tweeted.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield will travel to Ghana, Mozambique and Kenya this week to advance joint priorities following Decembers U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.

Her tour, from January 25 to 29, will focus on regional security issues, food insecurity, humanitarian issues, and supporting African efforts to mitigate climate change, a senior administration official told reporters on Monday.

Thomas-Greenfields trip is happening in tandem with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens ongoing mission to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa that will continue through January 28. Yellen is seeking to deepen U.S.-Africa economic ties, including by expanding trade and investment flows.

President Joe Biden announced over $15 billion in two-way trade and investment commitments, deals and partnerships at the three-day December summit that drew delegations from 49 African nations to Washington.

Russias war

Africa has deeply felt the impact of Russias invasion of Ukraine as fuel, food and fertilizer prices rose in its aftermath. This year, U.N. agencies have warned that the impact of the fertilizer crunch could reduce the size of harvests on the continent.

The U.N. and Turkish-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative has seen more than 18 million metric tons of Ukrainian wheat and other food stuffs exported to international markets since it was signed in mid-July.

The Joint Coordination Center that oversees the deal says nearly 44% of the wheat exported has been shipped to low and lower middle-income countries. The U.N. is also working with Russia to remove remaining impediments to exporting its food and fertilizer products.

But the U.S. blames Russia for impeding the export of Ukrainian grain, saying it is not at the level it should be.

Russia has deliberately slowed down inspections of these ships and essentially throttled the operation of this corridor, the senior administration official said of the ships sailing in the Black Sea. That is having an impact obviously not just on Ukraine but for the entire world.

As of Sunday, the Joint Coordination Center said 35 ships are awaiting inspection. Five of them are waiting to enter Ukrainian ports and 30 are loaded with cargo waiting to leave for their destinations.

International support has been strong for Ukraine at the U.N. General Assembly, but African nations have repeatedly abstained on resolutions that might upset Russia.

Thomas-Greenfield, who previously served as a U.S. ambassador to Liberia and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, is making her third trip to the continent since becoming U.N. ambassador in February 2021.

During her trip, she will be visiting two current Security Council members  Ghana and Mozambique  offering the opportunity to address the issue of reforming the U.N. Security Council.

For decades, countries have said the 15-nation body needs to be expanded to reflect current realities, not those of a post-World War II world.

In September, Biden said the United States supports increasing the number of permanent seats on the council, including one for Africa. There are currently five seats  Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S.
The World Health Organization is calling for the total elimination of trans fat  an artificial toxic chemical commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils, and spreads which is responsible for half a million premature deaths each year.

WHO reports 5 billion people are being exposed to this toxic product, increasing their risk of heart disease and death.

Tom Frieden, the president and chief executive officer of the public health initiative Resolve to Save Lives, said that the global elimination of trans fat from food could prevent up to 17 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 2040.

Frieden also spoke of the importance of distinguishing artificial trans fat, which is a toxic chemical, which has no valid use in the food supply and should be eliminated, from saturated fat, which he called an inherent part of many food groups in which nobody is proposing to ban.

To put it simply, Frieden said, Think of artificial trans fat as the tobacco of nutrition. It has no values.

Progress has been made since 2018 when the WHO set a goal for the global elimination of trans fat in 2023. It says 43 countries now have implemented best-practice policies for tackling trans fat in food, thus protecting 2.8 billion people from heart disease and death.

To Frieden, however, that still leaves 5 billion people at risk from the devastating health impacts of trans fat. He said governments can stop these preventable deaths by enacting WHOs best-practice policies.

He noted several countries, especially Mexico, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, are very close to passing these lifesaving policies. According to him, all they need is a simple push to get them over the finish line.

Policy wins in one country can help encourage other countries to take action, Frieden noted. We hope that leaders such as India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines will be examples for all of the South and Southeast Asia region, and we hope that Nigeria, along with South Africa, which has already banned trans fat, will be a leader for Africa.

Friedan said experience shows the industry can adapt, innovate and replace trans fat with healthy alternatives. It is just a few large companies who continue to manufacture a toxic product.

Friedan added that these companies will come into line when they see the days of trans fat are numbered.

WHO reports most trans fat elimination policies have been implemented in high-income countries, mainly in the Americas and Europe, and that an increasing number of middle-income countries are following suit. As of now, however, no low-income countries have done so.
French and German leaders held a summit in France Sunday as pressure mounts on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to approve a shipment of Leopard 2 heavy tanks to Ukraine.

The chancellor did not say whether Germany would agree to provide Ukraine with a delivery of battle tanks, but the Reuters news agency cited him as saying such decisions would be made in coordination with allies including the United States.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he does not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine. He cautioned, however, that sending tanks must not endanger France's security or escalate the war between Ukraine and Russia.

British Foreign Minister James Cleverly said Sunday in an interview with Sky News he would like to see the Ukrainians equipped with things like the Leopard 2. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, the newly installed Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABC's "This Week" that the United States should offer its heavy Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine to encourage Germany to send its Leopard 2s as well.

"Just one Abrams tank would be enough to prompt allies, notably Germany, to unlock their own tank inventories for the fight against Russia, he said.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons also told ABC that it was time to set aside U.S. concerns about delivering the Abrams.

"I respect that our military leaders think the Abrams is too sophisticated, too expensive a platform to be as useful as the Leopards, but we need to continue to work with our close allies and move forward in lock step."

SEE ALSO:

Their comments Sunday echoed reactions of European officials Saturday against Germanys indecision about sending its heavy tanks to Ukraine. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics called on Berlin to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine now.



Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called for many more weapons to be sent to Ukraine and faster. Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau urged action now.

"Ukrainian blood is shed for real, he wrote on Twitter. This is the price of hesitation over Leopard deliveries, he said.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Saturday expressed frustration with the slow pace of the military support the countrys allies are providing. "Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster."

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops will start training to use Leopard 2 battle tanks on Polish soil, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told VOAs Ukrainian Service Friday. Reznikov described the development as a breakthrough.

"I am optimistic regarding this because the first step has been made. We will start training programs for our tank crews on Leopard 2s, Reznikov said.

Russian warnings

In contrast, Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russias lower house of parliament and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued a dire warning on the Telegram messaging app.

"Deliveries of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime will lead to a global catastrophe," he said. "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, Volodin added. 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."`
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Contents of N24:

 Editorial: Iranian-Saudi normalization could bring peace to the Middle East

 Washington deprives the EU of Russian hydrocarbons but keeps importing them

 Controversy surrounding actor Steven Seagal

 For Kanye West blacks are the true descendants of the Hebrews

 President Biden scatters classified documents

 Big Pharma relied on Twitter to protect its super profits

 Republican law proposals

 Antony Blinken supports freedom of conscience

 Douglas Wise does not recognize his mistake

 Pentagon coordination with Ukrainian armies

 A former secretary of President Felipe Calderons tried in the US

 Planned Attack against Francia Marquez

 Anderson Torres allegedly planned a coup in Brazil

 Venezuela pursues rebellious pro-Western politicians

 France lectures Russia

 The French Left against the rich

 Belgium limits the investigation into the corruption of European bodies

 German industry hopes to meet NATO ammunition needs

 Poland fears Russian victory in Ukraine

 The EU and NATO plan to massively increase military spending

 Respublika Srpska does not think like the EU

 Censorship on the bombing of a civilian building in Dnipro

 Ukrainian interior minister dies

 Ukrainian army distributes fake document falsely attributed to Orthodox Church

 The CIA retrospectively claims to have saved President Zelensky

 Russian Chief of Staff takes command of the operation in Ukraine

 Wagner takes on Soledar

 Controversy in the case of Russian soldiers killed at Makiivka

 Uncertainty around the Russian law penalizing homosexual propaganda

 Russian airlines victims of Western sanctions

 Investigation of the Mariupol Massacres

 Russia commissions nuclear underwater drones

 Transformation of the Russian army

 Russia wants to try Merkel and Hollande before a new Nuremberg Tribunal

 Who is spy Paul Whelan?

 CIA concerned about Wagners presence in Libya

 Tunisian opposition does not strengthen after the elections

 Bezalel Smotrich displays his homophobia

 Israels Supreme Court recommends the resignation of a Shaas minister

 Qatar opposes reconciliation between Hamas and Syria

 UN General Assembly condemns Israeli retaliation against the Palestinian Authority

 Israeli hostage Abera Mengistu still alive

 Greece condemns Israeli company Intellexa

 Danny Danon prepares the annexation of the West Bank

 Drug trafficking threatens Lebanons security

 Hezbollah will soon have 200,000 militiamen

 Qatar predicts a return of Russian gas to the EU

 Emirati oil director to chair COP28

 Iran deploys its Navy off the coast of the US

 New version of the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

 Iranian armies acquire Russian fighter jets

 Forced resignation of Vietnamese president

 Tensions between South Korea and Iran

 Chinas population is declining but its economy keeps growing

 Washington tries to ban exports from Xinjiang

 Beijing reframes its ties with Washington

 Fumio Kishida prepares the next G7

 Japan beats the drum against China

This week, our documentary supplement features four pages of think tank reports.
Due to the blocking by Azerbaijan of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia, four patients from the Republican Medical Center the Republic of Artsakh with the following diagnoses: Multiple myeloma, Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with acute nephrotic syndrome, primary antiphospholipid syndrome, Achalasia III-IV degree, and Primary infertility have been transported today, in January 23, to specialized medical centers of Armenia with the mediation and escort of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Healthcare Ministry of Artsakh said in a statement.

January 23, 2023, 11:25 ICRC facilitates transfer of four patients from Artsakh to Armenia for treatment

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: Scheduled surgeries continue to be suspended in the medical facilities of the Republic of Artsakh.

12 children remain in the neonatal and intensive care units of the Arevik medical centre.

11 patients remain in the intensive care unit of the Republican Medical Centre, 4 of them in critical condition.
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Smoke detected in cockpit. No injuries reported.

A British Airways flight from London was forced to make an emergency landing at Verona Airport on Monday after the cockpit started to fill up with smoke, according to Italian news reports.

The plane landed safely at Verona's Aeroporto Valerio Catullo and firefighters were ready at the scene, reports Corriere della Sera newspaper.

There are no reports of anybody injured in the incident.

Photo credit: Liner / Shutterstock.com.
60 precious antiquities returned to Italy.

The New York County district attorney's office has returned 60 antiquities stolen from Italy, including a first-century fresco from Herculaneum, in a repatriation valued at $20 million.

The archaeological treasures, which had been smuggled out of Italy and sold illicitly in the US, were presented at the culture ministry headquarters in Rome on Monday.

The artefacts, including statues, vases and bronzes, were recovered thanks to the collaboration between Italy's Carabinieri art squad - the Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC) - and the New York County district attorney's office.

Sta iniziando nella sala Spadolini del #MiC la presentazione dei reperti #archeologici recuperati negli Stati Uniti e rimpatriati dai @_Carabinieri_ Tutela Patrimonio Culturale. Interviene il Ministro @g_sangiuliano.

https://t.co/vczMzrbqE5 pic.twitter.com/XvHG143BMG Ministero della Cultura (@MiC_Italia) January 23, 2023

Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano hailed the repatriation operation as "a great success" as part of efforts to "combat the illicit trafficking of goods that belong to our nation."

The works, looted by tombaroli or 'tomb raiders' in Italy and handled by private dealers, had been sold to public and private collections in the US, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

As a result of the criminal investigation, one major dealer has received a lifetime ban from purchasing antiquities, according to a statement on the culture ministry website.

Last year Italy opened a new museum showcasing ancient artefacts that were looted from Italian archaeological sites and trafficked abroad before being rescued by art police.

The Museo dell'Arte Salvata (Museum of Rescued Art) is housed in the Octagonal Hall at the Baths of Diocletian, part of the National Roman Museum network in Rome.

The collection boasts 260 Etruscan, Greek and Roman artefacts, many of which were stolen by tombaroli before making their way out of Italy into private collections, museums and auction houses.

Photo Ministero della Cultura
Due to the Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh, the Hatsi community of Artsakh's Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh faced a number of problems.

January 23, 2023, 11:27 The village of Hatsi. Blockade. Day 43

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: The head of the Hatsi community Santur Sargsyan told "Artsakhpress''.

"There are no products in the stores, we have a serious problem concerning the gasoline and diesel fuel, and in recent days we have been deprived of natural gas, as a result of which it has become almost impossible to organize transport, and this is a serious problem, especially when it becomes necessary to transport people with health problems to medical facilities.

Parallel to all this, the enemy is opening fire in the direction of the villagers carrying out autumn sowing works. Due to this sad fact, agricultural works are stopped in the whole community at the moment", explained S. Sargsyan.

The head of the community assures that despite the difficult situation created in Artsakh, living and creating peacefully in the native land is the goal and desire of the residents.

"All of us are more worried about the security of our country and the final settlement of our issue," he added.
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For weeks, the White House has insisted (with some justification) that the parallel special-counsel investigations into President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump for mishandling classified documents are in no way comparable. Yet in critical respects, both cases can be traced to a common dysfunction: the willingness of government leaders to disregard the rules that others are expected to follow.

The government goes to great lengths to protect its secrets. As a condition of receiving security clearances, government officials and contractors pledge to adhere to strict rules governing the handling of sensitive material. National-security agencies maintain designated email servers, printers and travel bags for classified documents, many of which can only be read in secure rooms and must be locked in a safe when not in use. Removing such documents from government facilities can result in the loss of security privileges, administrative punishment, job termination and even criminal prosecution.

Because of the vast quantities of classified documents in circulation, some amount of spillage is virtually inevitable, but thats all the more reason for top officials to model good behavior. Both Biden and Trump did the opposite.

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Trump is accused of leaving office in 2021 with a trove of sensitive documents, some of them classified at the highest level. He fought government efforts to retrieve the records for months, defied a subpoena by the Justice Department, and allegedly made efforts to conceal material and otherwise impede the investigation. The FBI eventually seized more than 13,000 documents from his home in Mar-a-Lago.

Although Trump has offered various self-defenses  at one point, he asserted the authority to declassify documents by thinking about it  its hard to imagine an innocent explanation for his conduct. In its search warrant application, the FBI said it was probing the potential violation of three federal statutes.

Biden, for his part, retained classified documents at an office in Washington and his home in Delaware. Although his lawyers notified the authorities and returned the documents they found  about 20 in all, by one account  the administration concealed the discovery for weeks. Its now clear that the initial searches conducted by Bidens lawyers were less than exhaustive; on Friday, the FBI searched the presidents Wilmington home and turned up six more classified documents, including some dating back to his years in the US Senate.

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White House officials have suggested that documents from Bidens time as vice president were mistakenly mixed up with Bidens personal belongings as he was preparing to leave government in 2017. The aides responsible for packing up the vice presidents office may have been unaware of classified briefing materials hed been given on recent travels.

In the most generous interpretation, Bidens fiasco stemmed from a series of mistakes committed by staffers during a hectic time. Its still inexcusable. As someone whos often boasted about his decades of experience in national-security matters, Biden shouldve known better.

Unfortunately, hes not alone: Carelessness with government secrets has become endemic in official Washington. In recent years, two CIA directors, an attorney general, a former national-security adviser, a secretary of state and now two presidents have been found to have mishandled classified material.

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The failure of senior officials to follow basic guidelines makes it more difficult to enforce the rules for those serving under them. It necessitates time-consuming investigations that distract from the business of governance and waste taxpayer money. The refusal of both Biden and Trump even to acknowledge possible wrongdoing  bewilderingly, Biden said last week he had no regrets about the incident, one day before the FBI searched his home  corrodes trust in government and deepens public cynicism about the impunity of elites.

The rules are the rules. It shouldnt be too much to expect the countrys highest leaders to start following them.

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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The name should have been a clue: Britishvolt. Those of a certain vintage will remember that the last major automotive enterprise to brand itself in such patriotic fashion was British Leyland, which became a byword for manufacturing decline and failed industrial strategy. So the portents were never good. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Britishvolts collapse into administration this month was hardly a surprise; the vehicle-battery startup had been teetering on the edge for months. Yet the companys failure still produced a bout of hand-wringing and existential angst. Former Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Andy Palmer called it an unmitigated disaster for the British auto industry, sentiments that were echoed by the shadow business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds. Parliaments cross-party Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has started an inquiry into UK battery supply and manufacturing.

Not all the UKs industrial ills can be traced to Brexit. But its fingerprints are all over this fiasco. While the company talked up its technology, its inability to draw private investors suggests there was always more hype than reality here. The startup had no major customers. It had agreements with the high-end sportscar makers Group Lotus Plc and Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc, though its unclear whether the company ever reached the point of supplying prototypes.

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The immediate question is why such grandiose hopes were invested in an unproven project to begin with. Britishvolt went under without ever producing a commercially viable battery. The startup was developing a 3.8 billion ($4.7 billion) gigafactory in Northumberland, in the northeast of England, that promised to create about 3,000 jobs and have 30 gigawatt hours of capacity by 2030. It would have been the largest of three such plants in the UK, accounting for more than 50% of the countrys planned capacity, according to figures from the Faraday Institution, a battery-research group.

The gigafactory was predicted to produce enough cells each year for more than 300,000 battery packs, equivalent to 25% of current UK vehicle output. How could a project of such vital national infrastructure, promising such significant contributions and dedicated to securing Global Britains position on the sustainable battery production map, fail to attract the funding to keep going? The government pledged 100 million, dependent on the company achieving certain milestones, including attracting private investment. It didnt achieve them, so its no surprise the government balked.

What it did generate in abundance, in finest Brexit fashion, was plenty of optimistic buzz. Fantastic news, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter in January 2022, calling the company an EV battery pioneer. The planned gigafactory was testament to the UKs place at the helm of the global green industrial revolution. That was an impressive demonstration of faith in a startup that had no track record in the development of electric-vehicle battery technology.

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Britishvolt was feted because it was almost all the government had. What has been overlooked in the aftermath of its demise is why this was so. Britain doesnt need to reinvent the electric-vehicle battery. It might be nice to be a global pioneer that owns the intellectual property to a critical future technology, but it isnt essential. Most of the countrys automotive industry is already in foreign hands. All that is needed is for battery makers to produce in Britain.

Where are Tesla Inc., Chinas Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or South Koreas LG and SK groups?

In Europe, is the answer. Tesla is building a gigafactory in Berlin that is planned to have 100 GWh of capacity by 2030, according to Faraday. CATL, the worlds biggest EV battery maker, is also building a plant in Germany that will have 60 GWh. SK Innovation Co. will have three in Hungary. LG Energy Solution Ltd. is in Poland. Elon Musk was candid about his reason for passing on the UK. Uncertainty around Brexit made it too risky to put a gigafactory in the country, the Tesla CEO said in 2019.

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Brexit also explains why the loss of Britishvolt is such a blow. Car manufacturing is a highly integrated multinational business, and a not particularly profitable one, at least in Britain. On average, most UK car producers earn only around 450 on a 15,000 car, according to a 2022 report by the UK in a Changing Europe project based at Kings College London. The report cites the example of a driveline system that incorporates specialist-forged parts from Spain, Italy, France and Germany. So if automakers face increased costs because of customs paperwork, border delays and other trade friction imposed by Brexit, their profit margin can easily disappear.

European Union rules that specify how much of a vehicle must be locally sourced pose an even more critical threat. These havent fully taken effect following the UKs departure from the bloc. Since batteries constitute such a large chunk of the cost of electric-vehicle production, auto manufacturers will need to decide whether to site plants to make batteries in the UK, or continue importing most of them from Asia and face paying tariffs when exporting finished vehicles to Europe. The alternative, needless to say, is to put both battery- and vehicle-manufacturing operations inside the EU.

Auto manufacturing shows more than most industries how Brexit is a fantasy of independence in an interdependent world. Hype can only carry you so far. Sooner or later, reality hits.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Sorry, UK  Brexit Was a Bigger Mistake Than Trump: Ian Buruma

 UK Firms Dont Want to Talk About You-Know-What: Matthew Brooker

 Sparks Will Fly in the Electric-Car Trade War: Lionel Laurent

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Matthew Brooker is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering finance and politics in Asia. A former editor and bureau chief for Bloomberg News and deputy business editor for the South China Morning Post, he is a CFA charterholder.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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The last year when the lights stayed on every day in South Africa was 2017. But the continents most industrialized economy is now facing the worst blackouts ever, leaving most of its citizens without electricity for six-to-eight hours every day. Theres no end in sight. If anything, the country may lose power for as long as half a day during the southern hemisphere winter, from June to August.The problem in South Africa has many idiosyncratic elements  and well get to those in a moment  but offers a wider lesson to emerging nations. Electricity demand is fast increasing, and investment in generation facilities  particularly wind and solar  and transmission grids isnt keeping up.From India to Brazil and from Nigeria to Bangladesh, power shortages are becoming more common. Unless governments get their act together, electricity failures will become a serious handicap to economic growth. For the first time in decades, the number of people without any access to electricity rose last year, reaching nearly 775 million.In South Africa, households and small businesses have endured rolling blackouts every day so far this year. In 2022, they suffered a record 208 days of electricity shortages, up from 75 in 2021 and 54 in 2020. Not only are the blackouts more frequent, but they are also lasting much longer. Five years ago, the power shortage was typically about one gigawatt, requiring just one hour a day of so-called load-shedding. By late 2022, the shortfall reached six gigawatts.

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., South Africas state-owned utility monopoly, is again looking for a chief executive after Andre de Ruyters resignation in December. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who made a fortune in coal mining, said earlier this month he would applaud whoever agrees to take the job. Thats not a joke. Running the South African utility surely ranks as the worst job in the global energy industry.An honest job ad for the role should read something like this:Eskom seeks a new CEO. Reporting to the board, the successful candidate must end more than five years of blackouts in 12 to 18 months  or he/she will become a convenient scapegoat and public punching bag. You should be comfortable dealing with corrupt politicians, a decrepit park of power stations, a meager maintenance budget and a coal lobby determined to stop expansion into solar and wind power. Some finance experience is desirable as the company is running an unsustainable debt load of more than $20 billion. Salary is negotiable, but paid in a currency that, due to the electricity crisis, has fallen 40% against the US dollar in the last five years. Should you choose to apply, please send us your CV to: worstCEOjob@eskom.co.za

Of course the ad would be missing some relevant background  Ramaphosa wouldnt want to discourage too many potential applicants:

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For example, De Ruyter survived at least one known assassination attempt. Criminal gangs routinely steal fuel, equipment and supplies. Government officials, trade unions and business groups are all hostile, while US and Europe would want whoever becomes CEO to say goodbye to all the coal-fired power stations, offering no realistic supply alternative.

Ramaphosa held emergency meetings last week on the electricity crisis, canceling a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos. So far, all his proposals are piecemeal. South Africa doesnt need bandages, as the government is proposing, but open-heart surgery. First, it needs to recognize that the problem is not the management of Eskom but government policy. Changing the CEO without changing the policy  or providing financial help to the utility - wont resolve anything. The government needs to take at least on a portion of the more than $20 billion in net debt Eskom carries  some of it the result of lack of payment by customers and below-market power prices. Without debt restructuring, Eskom wouldnt be able to invest. And without investment, the blackouts would continue.

Second, the government needs to split the role of Eskom, which today is in charge of both electricity generation, and power transmission and distribution. The utility should concentrate in generation, maintaining its fleet of coal-fired stations, its sole nuclear plant, and diesel-fired stations. A new standalone entity could focus on transmission, investing in new high-voltage, long-distance grids for renewable projects. Right now, lack of transmission capacity is hindering wind and solar additions. The government should also further liberalize generation, opening the way for more private sector self-production.Third, Ramaphosa needs to protect Eskom from the gangs who profit stealing coal and diesel, and sabotage the power plants  probably to cash in from maintenance contracts. The acute blackouts of December and January are due as much to sabotage as to breakdowns. The lack of police action is perplexing.Finally, South Africa, where the coal mining lobby is deeply embedded in the government, needs to embrace renewable energy. Solar and wind could generate a quarter of the countrys power under the right circumstances. Contrary to the view of some ministers, green energy is a big part of the solution. But embracing it doesnt equal abandoning coal in the short- or even medium-term. South Africa still needs well-functioning and maintained coal-fired plants if it is going to end the rolling blackouts. And Ramaphosa should say that, too, even if Europe and the US arent pleased about it.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Who Unplugged South Africa?: Antony Sguazzin

 South Africa and Ramaphosa Have a Lot to Clean Up: Bobby Ghosh

 The Elon Musk of Climate Plans Gets a Test Drive: David Fickling

--With assistance from Elaine He.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Javier Blas is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. A former reporter for Bloomberg News and commodities editor at the Financial Times, he is coauthor of The World for Sale: Money, Power and the Traders Who Barter the Earths Resources.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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Among those of the glass-half-full persuasion, the nine-month pause in hostilities in Yemens civil war is reason for hope. The Houthi rebels have restarted back-channel talks with Saudi Arabia, fueling optimism about an extension of the longest truce in an eight-year conflict that has devastated the Arabian Peninsulas poorest country and endangered some of the worlds most important trade routes.

The war has claimed nearly 400,000 lives, more than half of them from hunger and disease. It has spilled over Yemens borders, with Houthi missile and rocket strikes against critical oil infrastructure and other civilian targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It has also put the Red Sea on the verge of an environmental disaster: The rebels have blocked access to a decrepit oil supertanker, laden with 1.1 million barrels of crude, which has been rusting in anchorage off the port of Ras Isa.

So, any prospect of an end to hostilities, no matter how slim, should be welcomed. We are witnessing a potential step change in the trajectory of this eight-year-conflict, the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said in a briefing to the UN Security Council.

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The glass-half-empty view is that the back-channel talks are enabling the rebels to replenish their depleted arsenals, just as they did during a shorter truce in 2019. Since a UN-brokered ceasefire expired in early October, the Houthis have likely been receiving fresh supplies from Iran, their primary patron. The US Navy has seized several ships smuggling missile fuel, assault rifles and other weapons from the Islamic Republic to Yemen. As the Yemeni coastline is too long to be sealed, plenty of munitions are likely to have evaded interdiction.

The rebels are also reinforcing their political position, most recently by announcing new rules restricting womens rights and cracking down on critics. The Houthis have not shown even the bare minimum of good faith by agreeing to direct talks with Yemens recognized government. They continue to block oil exports, depriving it of vital revenues. They are not yet allowing humanitarian agencies unrestricted access to millions of Yemenis in dire need. Nearly three-quarters of the countrys 33 million people depend on humanitarian aid, and 4.3 million are internally displaced.

And for good measure, rebel leaders have kept up a barrage of threats against the government, its Gulf Arab allies, the US and Israel as well as oil companies operating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

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How, then, should we judge the merit of continued back-channel parleys between the Houthis and the Saudis?

The first meaningful sign of progress would be the unconditional lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian supplies. The head of the UNs humanitarian agency has complained of Houthi interference: This problem is particularly severe in Houthi-controlled areas, where authorities often try to compel the selection of certain contractors, restrict the travel of aid workers or otherwise seek to influence aid operations. The government, too, has a role to play: It must remove the complicated bureaucratic requirements that hinder aid and discourage donors.

The need is urgent: According to the UN World Food Program, 17.8 million Yemenis didnt have access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services at the end of 2022, and 17 million were food insecure. More than 6.1 million were facing emergency levels of food insecurity.

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Second, the Houthis must begin direct talks with other Yemeni stakeholders, including the government and other groups opposed to the rebels. The current parleys represent two degrees of separation from the ideal: The rebels are talking to the Saudis through Omani intermediaries. For any ceasefire to be credible, all the warring parties should be at the table.

Third, the Houthis and the international community must move swiftly to secure the SFO Safer, the oil tanker in the Red Sea. The vessel has been abandoned since 2015, with the rebels using the threat of an environmental catastrophe to try and blackmail the international community. The UN has raised the $75 million required to remove the vessels oil  should the rusting hull spring a leak, the clean-up could cost up to $20 billion.

The Houthis have indicated a willingness to allow the planned UN operation, but there has been no actual movement on the water. The Safer has become the perfect parable for Yemen itself: Talk is well and good. But until theres action, nobody should exhale.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Iran Is Trying to Play the Saudis Against the US. It Wont Work: Hussein Ibish

 Dont Wait to Solve the Middle Easts Easiest Problem: Editorial

 A Middle Eastern NATO? Not Gonna Happen: Bobby Ghosh

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. Previously, he was editor in chief at Hindustan Times, managing editor at Quartz and international editor at Time.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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Whats the matter with Germany? Ukraine and many of Berlins European neighbors would like to know. Germanys foot-dragging on aid to Ukraine is threatening to solidify its reputation as a country that benefits greatly from the current global order but wont do much to defend it. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The real story, though, is more complicated. Yes, the world needs a more assertive Germany. But the changes in German foreign policy over the past year have been historic, even if they still seem insufficient relative to the challenges of our time.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine in February 2022, he set off shock waves in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz immediately declared the invasion a zeitenwende  a historical turning point. He promised that Germany would finally meet the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations target of spending 2% of GDP on defense; it would break its own prohibition on sending arms to conflict zones by delivering weapons to Ukraine. To the surprise of US officials, Scholz even halted the controversial Nord Stream II pipeline connecting Russia to Germany.

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Since then, however, Germanys conduct has often seemed more evolutionary than revolutionary. Scholz has delayed Germanys arrival at the 2% threshold. For fear of provoking escalation, Berlin has often been a brake on major arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The latest controversy involves tanks. Poland and other countries want to send their German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. That requires Berlins permission, even though the Poles suggested last week they may not wait for German assent. (On Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that if Poland asked Berlins formal permission to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Berlin would not stand in the way.)

Amid discontent from some of his own ministers, Scholz has averred that Germany will send tanks only as part of a larger coalition involving the US. We always act together with our allies and friends  we never go alone, Scholz told Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait this week.

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The annoyance is palpable in Kyiv, Warsaw and other Eastern European capitals that worry less about provoking Putin than about defeating him. Add in the fact that Scholz beat a path to Beijing as soon as Chinese President Xi Jinping began accepting post-Covid visitors in November, and questions abound about whether Germany  the worlds fourth-largest economy  is serious about meeting the threats to a global order that has served it so well.

Those questions arent new. Prior to the Ukraine invasion, NATOs East European members had long complained that Germanys pursuit of deep economic and energy ties with Moscow put their own security at risk. Former US President Donald Trump gleefully accused Berlin of being a strategic deadbeat that refused to pay its share for collective defense. Skeptics charged that Germanys policy of change through trade  promoting economic integration with autocratic challengers in hopes of mellowing them diplomatically  was really just naivete or greed.

None of these critiques are groundless. Still, its a mistake to make Germany the villain in a geopolitical morality play.

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For all its shortcomings, Germanys Ukraine policy has been remarkable: Who, a year ago, would have predicted that Germany would respond to the invasion by decisively slashing its dependence on Russian energy? That it would send, however ambivalently, howitzers, air defenses and armored vehicles to Kyiv?

Taking the longer view, one can criticize Germany for being naive about Putins Russia and becoming economically handcuffed to a nasty autocracy. Then again, the US  and many of Europes largest democracies  are guilty of similar mistakes.

Above all, its worth remembering that the characteristics that critics of German foreign policy find so frustrating are the same characteristics that helped transform a once-bellicose country into the peaceful, liberal state we know today. There was a time when the German problem didnt refer to a hesitant, quasi-pacifist country that spent too little on defense. It referred to a country that was the terror of Europe because it repeatedly sought to seize geopolitical primacy by force.

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After World War II, a divided Germany (the half of that was under American supervision, anyway) took on the traits its diplomacy still bears. It effectively renounced a fully independent foreign policy, embedding its power within European and North Atlantic institutions and tethering itself closely to the US. It emphasized diplomacy and economic prosperity, even as it contributed substantially to NATOs defense.

That earlier zeitenwende helped produce an unprecedented period of European peace. So Berlin doubled down on the same policies in the post-Cold War era, in part to reassure its neighbors that a reunified Germany wouldnt again became Europes scourge. Todays Germany may not be the best Germany possible, but its far from the worst.

A fairer critique is that Germany has been slow to recognize that what the world and the West need from it today is very different from what was needed a generation ago. As the US-led order comes under assault from multiple angles, all the advanced democracies, especially those as prosperous as Germany, will have to invest more in its defense.

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The good news is that Berlins foreign policy is headed, albeit fitfully and belatedly, in the right direction. The bad news is that Ukraine may not have the luxury of waiting for a zeitenwende to play out at a leisurely pace.

More From This Writer at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Big Lesson of the Ukraine War: Theres Only One Superpower: Hal Brands

 If China Invaded Taiwan, What Would Europe Do?: Hal Brands

 In Every Modern War, Ukraine Has Been the Big Prize: Hal Brands

(Updates with comment from German foreign minister in fifth paragraph of article published Jan. 22.)

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Hal Brands is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. The Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies, he is co-author, most recently, of Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China and a member of the State Departments Foreign Affairs Policy Board.

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There was much mirth online when the US Justice Department announced the arrest of crypto exchange Bitzlatos founder last week. Unpronounceable, unknown and unlike any of the far bigger fish (like Binance) getting headlines, Bitzlato looked like a small-fry, a nothingburger. The fact that Bitcoin resumed its march past $21,000 seemed to confirm it.

But this ignores the bigger picture. In the first few weeks of 2023, watchdogs have done a lot. On Jan. 3, a joint statement by US bank regulators warned the industry of crypto risks creeping into the banking system. Then came a $100 million settlement with Coinbase Global Inc. over weak internal controls, a lawsuit against the Winklevoss twins Gemini and broker Genesis for allegedly selling unregistered securities, and a $45 million settlement with lending platform Nexo (which has ceased US operations). Subpoenas are flying.

The wheels of justice turn slowly  the Gemini and Genesis complaint came too late for customers fighting to get back $900 million in trapped funds  but theyre accelerating now. Regulators like the SEC rightly feel vindicated by the past years events, which saw a widespread loss of faith in crypto fail to snowball into a wider economic crisis. The collapse of FTX demonstrated the industrys failings but also the benefits of a tough regulatory line on exchanges, such as when the SEC intervened behind the scenes in 2021 to ward Coinbase off launching its own crypto-lending product. As one official put it last year, the runway is getting shorter for unruly platforms.

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There may be plenty of debate over whether crypto tokens are more like securities, commodities, shadow banking or gambling, but the ongoing focus is to ensure cryptos troubles dont leak into the financial system. While legislative attempts to craft crypto rules designed to prevent another Lehman Brothers moment run into procedural delays and embarrassing revelations about FTXs history of cozy ties with Capitol Hill, regulators with long memories are keeping an active eye on banks crypto exposure as the real risk gauge. Silvergate Capital Corp., already crushed by its exposure to FTX, seems to have gotten the message and written down the value of stablecoin assets it bought from Meta Platforms Inc.s Diem  worth almost $200 million at the time  to basically nothing.

The Bitzlato action is part of this push, with the DOJ citing the exchanges inadequate anti-money-laundering controls and substantial business with US customers  two examples of the kind of regulatory gaps in the system that missed FTXs red flags. Carol Van Cleef, a lawyer with a long experience in digital assets, sees a blueprint for future actions, including the US Treasurys determination that Bitzlato is a primary money laundering concern, rendering it effectively an international pariah. This goes beyond the SEC.

Regulation has critics. Some fear overreach; others think it counter-productive to try to build guardrails around digital assets rather than stepping back and letting it burn. Its true that crypto is rife with activity thats more gambling than investing. And its somewhat depressing to see that those at the heart of last years crypto collapse already have redemption in mind, from Three Arrows Capital to FTX.

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But money laundering, fraud, market manipulation and tax evasion arent risks that just fix themselves. As the European Central Banks Fabio Panetta has pointed out, regulators see the costs to society of unregulated digital assets as high and requiring more action. The crackdown is clearly just getting started; those who are keen to dive back into crypto, even having just taken a bath, should take note.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Cryptos Hotel California Traps Winklevoss Twins: Lionel Laurent

 Matt Levines Money Stuff: Crypto Banks Owe Themselves Money

 Gold Is Getting Its Glitter Back: Merryn Somerset Webb

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering digital currencies, the European Union and France. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes.

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At the end of a conversation with a Ukrainian official a few months after Russias invasion, I asked what her greatest worry was. She replied without hesitation: That we will be forgotten. That will sound only too familiar to the opponents of a brutal regime thousands of kilometers away, in Myanmar. Nearly two years after a coup and increasingly out of global headlines, one of Southeast Asias poorest nations has slid into an intractable civil war. By announcing plans for an election later this year  on its own terms, of course  the military is gambling it can project just enough legitimacy to ease outside pressure. The wider region and the West must crank it up instead.

Myanmars troubles didnt start on Feb. 1, 2021, when Senior General Min Aung Hlaing grabbed power  just before a newly elected parliament was due to be sworn in  but they certainly multiplied. A period of stuttering democracy came to an end when the junta disputed, then annulled, the election that had produced a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy. It prompted a surge of resistance and repression, as the armed forces clawed back what little ground they ceded when military rule was relaxed a decade earlier.

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The situation has not improved with time, or with Min Aung Hlaing agreeing to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations five-point plan, which includes an immediate end to violence and dialogue among parties. In fact, its become a nightmare. The conflict has spread, with resistance movements across the country, sometimes alongside pre-existing ethnic armed groups. Refugees have spilled into neighboring nations, more than a million people are internally displaced, and organized crime has flourished. Inevitably, the regime has proven economically ruinous.

So far, soldiers have killed almost 2,800 people and arrested more than 17,400 in the crackdown on pro-democracy opponents; there have been death sentences for activists, some of them university students, and reports of extrajudicial executions. At least 60 people, including many civilians, died in air strike on a concert held by an ethnic minority group in October. Deposed leader Suu Kyi, meanwhile, faces a total prison term of 33 years  a symbol of the countrys dashed hopes, even if this one-time human-rights champion was left badly tainted by her denial of military atrocities against Myanmars Muslim Rohingya minority.

Amid all this, with a state of emergency running out, Min Aung Hlaing has plans for a vote. Its an election a military-backed proxy party is near certain to win, with a little help from the juntas evisceration of Suu Kyis NLD and some convenient changes to the rules. There is almost no chance of the ballot being free or fair, as the United Nations has already noted. Increased violence is a certainty.

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Outsiders influence is limited, and certainly the exasperation is palpable. I am just a special envoy. I am not Superman, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, whose country chaired ASEAN last year, told journalists at a meeting in Phnom Penh. I think that even Superman cannot solve the Myanmar problem. But the wider region, Myanmars neighbors and the West are not entirely without options.

As Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser with the International Crisis Group, put it to me, the first imperative is to stop the situation from getting worse. He points out that combined with the passage of time, the theater around the vote this year creates the risk  especially for non-democratic countries in the region  that foreign leaders will be tempted to accept the election result as the best of only bad options, and move on. After all, Myanmar has been a trouble spot for decades.

Holding the line will be especially challenging if military chiefs move tactically to release Suu Kyi or loosen the conditions of her detention after the vote, which as Aaron Connelly of the International Institute for Strategic Studies explains, would split ASEAN and the broader international community, and risks splintering resistance to the junta as well, by encouraging the NLD to rally alone behind her.

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It is vital to keep up the pressure.

The West can sustain and add to bilateral sanctions, even if UN measures remain unlikely because of China and Russias use of their veto power. Existing sanctions have not changed minds and are unlikely to do so soon  the military has had decades of experience in circumventing restrictions  but such measures signal intent, and they do hurt. Western governments will not send weapons, but they can provide other support to the shadow National Unity Government and those resisting on the ground, encouraging coordination, funneling humanitarian aid through local organizations and, most of all, continuing to emphasize its credibility. The West has limited leverage, not none.

Western powers can do far more to press those around Myanmar to step up, not least by encouraging restrictions on arms sales. They can also preempt efforts from neighbors that would legitimize the juntas election, say offering assistance or sending observers, as India has before.

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New Delhi and Beijing have had other priorities, but China in particular is loath to have a tinderbox on its doorstep, and should be encouraged to provide even tacit opposition. There is little love lost, after all, between the military and Beijing. The small success of seeing the UN Security Council adopt its first resolution on Myanmar in over seven decades last month is a largely symbolic step  there is still no formal UN arms embargo  but a hopeful one. So is the continued presence of an ambassador representing the ousted Suu Kyi government. Other countries with remaining ties, like Japan, should also be put on the spot.

Then theres ASEAN, for whom Myanmar has been a litmus test. The West has been eager to shunt the problem to ASEAN, but the grouping hasnt shone, too often wrapping itself in process. It also hasnt done as badly as some feared, downgrading junta representation, for instance. Under the chairmanship of Indonesia, riding high after its diplomatic success in Bali last year, there are chances of achieving a more substantial suspension, already proposed by President Joko Widodo. Still, its economic growth, and not Myanmar, that is top of Jakartas agenda.

As former US ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitchell argued to me, every actor has retreated to their comfort zone  for the West that has been sanctions, and for ASEAN, procedure. Some creativity is now required, and that will include encouraging countries in the region to increase pressure on senior junta leaders themselves, especially when it comes to their continued access to elite financial, health and education services.

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The coup opened a Pandoras box in Myanmar, unleashing violence that could spill over across borders, but also human and drug trafficking, plus worsening disease  Myanmar was already a hotspot for drug-resistant tuberculosis before 2021. So long as the military remain in power, without popular support, there is no hope of containing the misery.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Will Civilian Resistance Tip the Balance in Myanmar?: Ruth Pollard

 Myanmar Hits the Limits of Sanctions: Clara Ferreira Marques

 Can Myanmars Democracy Be Rescued?: Nisid Hajari

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and editorial board member covering foreign affairs and climate. Previously, she worked for Reuters in Hong Kong, Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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It has been two years since Facebook hit the snooze button on what to do about Donald Trump. After much dithering, Facebook said in 2021 that it suspend Trumps account for two years for goading rioters and publicly attacking the US democratic process. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight With that deadline here, signs point to Trumps imminent return  bad news for public discourse but potentially great for Trump as he makes another bid for the White House.

Trumps return also would help Facebook. Much as Facebooks policy teams will agonize over the delicate balance between the protection of free speech and the safeguarding of democracy  as one of the firms former policy directors eloquently laid out here  its priority is to shareholders who are increasingly frustrated about Facebooks financial performance. Many of those shareholders would likely be pleased to hear Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. announce the former presidents return in the next week or so.

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Trumps pre-suspension posts got enormous traction: millions of likes and an indirect deluge of political arguments between friends and families across millions of Facebook accounts. His return promises to bring back that flurry of interactions  and with them more advertising dollars  at a time when Facebooks user growth has been stalling and the companys shares have fallen 60% over the past 12 months.

Meta has cut 11,000 jobs as it tries to build on Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerbergs quixotic vision for a metaverse business, on which it pledged to spend billions of dollars. Shareholder Altimeter Capital Management has called all the investment in virtual reality super-sized and terrifying. With all the traffic Trump could bring, Zuckerberg now has a bone to throw his investors.

Ending Trumps suspension wouldnt guarantee his return. After all, Elon Musk invited Trump back on to Twitter in November and the former president hasnt made a peep on the platform. But there might be a good explanation for that: The tech billionaires teasing provocations probably did little to encourage Trump back to a platform where Musk had become the star.

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Trump made a commitment to primarily post on his Truth Social network  which would seem to deter him from platforms like Facebook  but the arrangement has plenty of wiggle room. While the networks parent company states in its SEC filing that Trump can post on rival networks if he waits six hours after posting something on Truth Social, there is no restriction at all if he wants to use Twitter or Facebook for political messaging, political fundraising or get-out-the-vote efforts.

Thats a crucial distinction. Trump might feel bitter about his expulsion from Facebook, but it could be hard to resist the platforms utility for spreading a political message and raising money for his 2024 campaign.

While Trump has more followers on Twitter and the platform was useful for delivering headline-grabbing messages aimed at the media, those who follow him on Facebook skew older and are generally more sympathetic and supportive to his cause. Facebook has always held greater potential for grassroots campaigning, allowing him to target specific demographics with longer, more detailed posts, memes and videos.

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With a user base north of 2 billion people, Facebook also offers a much wider audience than Twitters, which has about 360 million monthly active users, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its no surprise that Trumps 2016 campaign spent 80% of its digital budget on Facebook, and that his new campaign team has now written to Meta demanding his reinstatement.

For Zuckerberg, Trumps potential return is complicated. The former president used Facebook to say that Covid-19 was less lethal than the flu, attack his political opponents and post hashtags that raised the credibility of QAnon conspiracy theories. His actions put Facebook under enormous pressure to switch up recommendation algorithms that were steering people toward extremist groups and to dampen the spread of misinformation even though such content boosts engagement integral to Facebooks business model.

One thing that should help Zuckerberg breathe easier: Academic studies over the past two years have shown that social media firms are getting better at stopping foreign manipulation on their networks, and Facebook has come under less pressure to censor specific content unless it constitutes direct harm, like harassment. Alex Stamos, Facebooks former chief security officer, said on a podcast in January that social media firms needed to resist trying to make things better and focus on stopping things from getting worse  in other words, preventing harmful content from going viral.

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Whats unclear is how long Trumps return might last. Last year Facebook promised a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions including the threat of permanent removal if Trump violated the platforms policies again. If Zuckerberg is hoping Trump will stick to the rules this time around, he only has to look at the former presidents increasingly unhinged posts on Truth Social. His return could well be a brief one.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Technology Needs More Humanity: Eduardo Porter

 ChatGPT Sounds Exactly Like Us. How Is That a Good Thing?: Stephen Mihm

 Why Mark Zuckerberg Should Face the Threat of Jail: Parmy Olson

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, she is author of We Are Anonymous.

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In American foreign policy circles, where lazy hegemonic assumptions still abound, there is a widespread conviction that the US-India relationship will play out like a Bollywood film: There may be some resistance at the beginning, some friction in the middle and plenty of song and dance along the way, but in the end the protagonists will overcome all hurdles and live happily ever after.

This optimism is predicated on notions of a common political culture (both countries are democracies), some shared threat perceptions (China and jihadist terrorism) and mutual economic interest. The view from Washington appears all the sunnier because prominent Indian-Americans are heavily represented in business, culture and politics  from Google CEO Sundar Pichai and TV star Mindy Kaling to Vice President Kamala Harris.

But this impression has allowed American presidents to take for granted that the relationship with India needs no special tending beyond government-to-government arrangements and the occasional photo-op with the prime minister. Little effort is expended on communicating with Indians; it is assumed that the citizens of the worlds most populous nation will take the trouble, perhaps with the aid of Pichais principal product, to inform themselves about American actions that affect their lives.

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This failure to communicate is in large part to blame for a growing suspicion among Indians of US foreign-policy objectives. A new survey shows that Indians view the US as the biggest military threat to their country after China  and, even more shocking, put it ahead of Pakistan. Conducted by Morning Consult, a US-based global business intelligence company, the poll also shows Indians are more likely to blame America and NATO than Russia for the war in Ukraine.

Skepticism of the Western narrative of the war is common in the Global South, but Indian perceptions of an American threat to their country require more study. At the very least, the Biden administration should recognize and rectify its negligence in handling relations with a country the president theoretically regards as an important partner.

It would be too facile to attribute Indian suspicions of American intentions to muscle memory from the Cold War, when the US backed Pakistan while India was aligned with the Soviet Union. Growing up in India in the 1970s, I remember my parents talking about the time when Richard Nixon ordered a taskforce led by the USS Enterprise into the Indian Ocean to boost Pakistani morale during the war that would lead to the creation of Bangladesh. My fathers friends in the Indian Navy spun yarns about their readiness to conduct suicide operations, if all else failed, against the American fleet.

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But Washington has long since switched sides from Islamabad to New Delhi, and the US Navy now routinely conducts joint exercises with its Indian counterpart. India is a key member of the US-led Quad, a security grouping that includes Japan and Australia and is designed to check Chinese ambitions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Surely no Indian in their right mind perceives a real military threat from the US?

Rick Rossow, an India expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, reckons the fear is rooted in the consequences of American military adventures elsewhere: The concern is that our actions threaten Indian interests.

Rossow, who holds the Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies at CSIS, points out that as one of the worlds largest importers of hydrocarbons, India suffers collateral damage from American policies that lead to a spike in oil and gas prices. You can make a strong case that the war in Iraq and the sanctions against Iran have hurt the Indian economy, he says.

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The war in Ukraine is a more complicated case, though. As a democracy with a strong national memory of the harm inflicted by British colonialism, Indians ought to feel sympathy with a country resisting the imperial ambitions of a tyrant. Even allowing for New Delhis longstanding ties with Moscow  and its profiting from the war in the form of cut-price Russian oil  there can hardly be any doubt that President Vladimir Putin was the prime mover, not the US or NATO.

Part of the problem is that the Indian government, unchallenged by a docile media, has been spinning its naked opportunism as a form of noble, nationalistic resistance to pressure from the West. To deflect uncomfortable questions about New Delhis reluctance to condemn the Russian invasion, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has accused the West of hypocrisy, arguing it is selective in its outrage.

But just as important, neither Ukraine nor the US has told their side of the story to an Indian audience with much vigor. The government of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may have its hands full with the war, but the Biden administration should do better.

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Why hasnt it? For one thing, it has not cared to. But perhaps more worrisome, it lacks the minimum means to communicate with the Indians. The State Department faces a chronic shortage of speakers in any of the Indian languages. It is also lacking an ambassador in New Delhi. The position has been unfilled since Biden became president.

This is hardly an exception: Republicans in the Senate have blocked a number of Biden appointees for ambassadorships. But even Democrats have questioned his choice of Eric Garcetti for the Delhi job. The former mayor of Los Angeles has faced allegations of ignoring a former top aides sexual harassment and bullying; he denies this.

That Biden has persisted with Garcettis candidacy for the last year and a half is baffling: The mayor has no special expertise on India. Worse, the State Department has been unable even to maintain a semblance of stability at the embassy, which has been run by five charges daffaires over the past two years. The longest-serving of these had no India experience whatsoever. (In contrast, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indias ambassador to Washington, is on his fourth US stint.)

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There is no prominent India hand at the Biden White House, and although much was made of Harriss ancestry during the election campaign, the administration has not capitalized on the enthusiasm she generated among Indians. Putting the vice president front and center of India policy would be a good place to start undoing the damage of long American neglect.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Indias Surging Population Is an Economic Virtue: Matthew Winkler

 India May Be Warming to Free Trade But Not for All: Mihir Sharma

 India Is in Danger of Missing Its Big G-20 Moment: Pankaj Mishra

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering foreign affairs. Previously, he was editor in chief at Hindustan Times, managing editor at Quartz and international editor at Time.

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Johannes Kepler is remembered for his seminal contributions to astronomy. However, like most 16th-century astronomers, he supported himself in part by making astrological predictions. His mentor, Michael Maestlin, taught him to always prophesy disaster. If something bad happens, youre celebrated for being right. If not, youre celebrated for preventing catastrophe. Making optimistic predictions either makes you look foolish if bad things happen or be forgotten if nothing bad happens.

Which brings us to February 2016, when Rob Arnott and his colleagues at investment firm Research Affiliates, or RA, published a paper titled How Can Smart Beta Go Horribly Wrong? This month the team declared victory with Revisiting Our Horribly Wrong Paper: That Was Then, This Is Now. For investors, smart beta means getting exposure to a market selectively rather than simply buying all assets in that market. Popular factors are size (buy stocks with small market capitalization), value (buy stocks with low ratios of price to value metrics like book value or cash flow) and momentum (buy assets that have gone up in price recently). The term factor investing is similar except managers also short assets with the opposite characteristics, such as buying stocks with small capitalization and shorting stocks with large capitalization.The 2016 paper claimed that four specific factors - size, quality, momentum and low beta - had very low value characteristics relative to history. In other words, to get exposure to those factors you had to buy stocks with poor value characteristics, such as high price to book value ratios, and that in similar periods in the past those factors had underperformed. The impression given by the papers title and some of its rhetoric was that factors would crash in the near future, but the actual recommendations were more modest: investors should readjust expectations for lower factor returns from non-value factors and increase emphasis on value.

The victory claim is based on this chart. The horizontal axis shows the over (positive numbers) or under (negative numbers) valuation of five factors in four markets in 2016 versus their performance from March 2016 to September 2022. The dotted line suggests overvaluation in 2016 led to negative returns over the subsequent 6.5 years.

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The first thing to notice is the pattern is entirely driven by the low beta factor. Here is the chart with that factor removed. Now there is no obvious trend, so the claim of a general factor breakdown is false. Moreover, the lowest performance is from the value factor  the one that RA suggested investors overweight. Finally, while some factors in some markets would have disappointed investors over the period, none can be described as horribly wrong.

To delve a bit deeper into factor performance, Im going to switch from RAs factors to Fama-French factors. These are the academic gold standard, with transparent and simple methodology. Dartmouth Professor Kenneth French publishes their values regularly on his website. Three of the RA factors have direct analogs in Fama-French: size, value and momentum. All three basically broke even over the full seven years from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2022. Momentum might have been said to crash in 2017, down 20%, but it recovered rapidly. Value and size had early pandemic lows that might be called crash levels, but they also recovered quickly, and RA cannot claim credit for having predicted the pandemic.

The two Fama-French factors that RA omitted enjoyed steady strong performance: conservative up 19% and robust up 42%. For the two non-Fama-French factors used by RA, I want to compare them with transparent factors published regularly. These come from AQR Capital Management, a firm that has been critical of the 2016 paper. (I worked at AQR for 10 years. Following some fresh criticism from AQR co-founder Cliff Asness, Arnott wrote in an email to Bloomberg News last week that he is proud of the 2016 paper.) I dont do this to suggest AQR factors are better than RAs, only to demonstrate that details in factor construction make a great difference in analysis. In these kinds of debates its best for everyone to use the same public data with disclosed methodology.

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The AQR quality factor was up 29% over the period, and the AQR low-beta factor was up 38%. So, the poor performance of RAs low-beta factor was due to its construction, while the good performance of the quality factor is confirmed by both versions.

A larger issue with the 2023 paper is that it evaluates factors by their total return. Factors are not meant to be held in isolation, but to be added to market portfolios. Their value is as much in reducing risk as in increasing return. An investor 100% in the stock market from 2016 to 2022 got a 12.2% average annual return with 16.8% annualized volatility, for a Sharpe ratio (average annual return above Treasury bills divided by annualized volatility) of 0.56. An investor 65% in the stock market with 5% in each of the five Fama-French factors plus the two AQR factors comparable to RAs, got a 9.2% annual return with 10.9% volatility, for a 0.60 Sharpe. This is a disappointing result compared with average history for factor investing  a small improvement in Sharpe ratio  but hardly a crash or horribly wrong.

The main takeaways from the 2016 paper  the predicted factor crash and the advice to overweight value  were flawed. The larger point that investors should time factors based on valuations is not supported by the evidence of the last seven years but has not been definitively disproven. In fact, there is mild evidence that modest tactical shifts in factor allocation can help a little. The only 2016 prediction that stands up is the RA low-beta factor, but not low-beta factors in general, would lose money.

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RA now recommends reversing the 2016 advice and taking advantage of undervalued factors. I have no idea if this will prove to a good or bad bet, but the outcome of the 2016 predictions dont give me any confidence. And RA may be making an error in ignoring Maestlins ancient wisdom.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Aaron Brown is a former managing director and head of financial market research at AQR Capital Management. He is author of The Poker Face of Wall Street. He may have a stake in the areas he writes about.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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On January 22, at the end of the Sunday service, a requiem service was held in Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Stepanakert for the peace and tranquility of the souls of the servicemen who died as a result for the fire broken out in the barracks of an engineering-sapper company of the Armenian Armed Forces on January 19.

January 23, 2023, 16:42 Requiem service held in Stepanakert for the servicemen died as a result of the fire broken out in one of the barracks of Armenian Armed Forces

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church informs, adding that the believers joined the prayer raised for the salvation of their souls.

Requiem service held in Stepanakert for the souls of the servicemen died as a result of the fire broken out in one of the barracks of Armenian Armed Forces
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For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, people in China can travel freely for Lunar New Year, the countrys most important holiday. The annual ritual of family reunion usually involves billions of trips, but those were sharply curtailed over the past three years as the government urged people to celebrate where you are to avoid spreading the virus. The abrupt lifting of the countrys strict Covid Zero policy at the end of 2022 has already led to a huge wave of new infections. The question now is how much of an impact the massive migration will have on the outbreak  as well as the already fragile economy.

1. Whats Lunar New Year?

Also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, it marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar, and is seen as celebrating values like unity and family ties. By law, people in China get seven days off beginning New Years Eve, which falls on Jan. 21 this year. Traditionally, the celebrations span 16 days, from a family feast on New Years Eve through the Lantern Festival on Day 15. Many migrant workers seize whats often their only chance in the year to return home, and many of the countrys urban elites also make their way back to small towns and villages. Before the pandemic, the annual event was considered the worlds biggest human migration.

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2. What will travel look like this year?

Its expected to be no-holds barred as the government has jettisoned travel curbs: No more testing to board trains, planes, ferries or shuttle buses for domestic travel; no more quarantine for inbound travelers. Officials estimate the number of trips over the holiday period will hit 2.1 billion  double that of last year, but still just 70% of the level seen in 2019. (The travel rush  known as Chunyun in Chinese, or spring transport  covers 40 days around the Lunar New Year; some 34.7 million domestic trips were made on the first day this year, Jan. 7.) Previously, when travel was officially discouraged, many people stayed put, which created tremendous pent-up demand for homecomings. This year is expected to see not only people swarming out of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, but also the Chinese diaspora rushing in from near and far. Hong Kong set a daily quota of 60,000 people to travel to the mainland, which was then raised for land crossings. (In comparison, AAA estimated 113 million people in the US traveled from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, closing in on pre-pandemic numbers.)

3. How will this impact Covid spread in China?

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Xu Chengguang, the vice transport minister, put it bluntly: this will be a New Years travel rush fraught with uncertainty, complexity and challenges. Chinas abrupt ditching of strict Covid controls in December fueled a surge of infections in major cities, prompting people to stay home as they fell ill or feared becoming infected. Almost 60,000 people died from Covid-related causes between Dec. 8 and Jan. 12, and more than 12,000 between Jan. 13-19, according to health officials. While thats an exponential jump from the previous official tally, experts estimate the true figure is likely in the hundreds of thousands. Chinas chief epidemiologist, Wu Zunyou, suggested on Jan. 21 that more than 1.1 billion people had been infected since virus controls were abruptly dismantled late last year. The frenetic travel will give the highly contagious omicron variant another boost across the vast country of 1.4 billion. Rural China is bracing for a tsunami of infections at its understaffed and under-resourced hospitals and clinics. Many are already struggling with a sudden spike in febrile patients and pneumonia cases among the elderly.

4. What is the government doing?

Transport authorities are adding more flights and transport options to ferry not just people but also medical supplies, grains and fuel to handle expected higher demand ahead. The countrys vast rail network has boosted its passenger capacity by 11% from 2019 levels. The government also has made a plea to migrant workers and students to delay their trip back home if they are infected. It also asked villagers and farmers to reduce gatherings and wear masks when visiting elderly relatives and to practice good hygiene. Neighbors should also look after each other in this difficult time, sharing medicines and antiseptics or helping with groceries and sending the sick to hospitals. Chinas National Health Commission has also asked larger hospitals in cities to help out rural clinics and called for strengthening the mechanisms to transfer severely ill patients in rural areas to intensive care at higher-level medical institutions. It also pledged to redirect more medical supplies to rural areas and urged people to get vaccinated.

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5. What does this mean for tourism?

Domestic leisure travel is first in line to get a boost, as people recovering from a bout of Covid are looking to ski down snow-capped mountains in northern China and bathe in the sunshine down south in Hainan, known as Chinas Hawaii, and shop at the islands duty-free stores. The Lunar New Year has traditionally been a peak season for outbound travel as well, but the flow of Chinese tourists  previously a $280 billion spending force in hotspots from Paris to Tokyo  will take months if not years to recover to pre-pandemic levels. Numerous countries have implemented testing requirements on travelers from China after infections surged, and airlines have been reluctant to immediately make major changes to their flight schedules, meaning capacity remains tight and prices high.

6. And the broader economy?

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Consumption was a main drag on the economy last year as shops and restaurants were shut repeatedly and travel was restricted due to Covid outbreaks and lockdowns. Chinese households also cut back on spending to save more amid soaring unemployment and a gloomy income outlook. Now that the country has abruptly dropped the Covid-Zero strategy and started reopening its borders, economists broadly expect consumption to rebound robustly later this year after infections peak, helped by a low comparison base but also as pent-up demand is unleashed and economic activity picks up. Chinese leaders have made boosting domestic demand a top priority this year, as geopolitical tensions remain while concerns rise that the global economy could enter recession. Some government-linked analysts have called on the authorities to provide cash handouts to consumers like what the US and other countries did to spur spending, while others argue more favorable policies should be given to small businesses and the property sector to preserve jobs.

7. Whats this years animal sign?

Its the year of the rabbit. While normally considered a tame and tender animal, this years commemorative stamp issued by China Post has stirred up controversy, with some people saying the rabbit looks crazed or worse.

--With assistance from Michelle Fay Cortez.

(Updates death toll in question 3)

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Contractual clauses barring workers from competing with their former employers have existed for centuries, with the first known legal challenge to one going back to 1414 London. The provisions have become increasingly common in the US, with an estimated 20% of workers  roughly 30 million Americans  subject to them today. Employers argue that noncompetes help protect their investments in employees. Critics say they harm workers. The US Federal Trade Commission has proposed prohibiting them altogether.

1. What is a noncompete clause?

Its a provision that prohibits employees, during or after their employment, from working for an employers competitors or from setting up a competitive enterprise themselves. Typically, the prohibition is confined to a period of time after employment ends. It also may be limited to a geographic area.

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2. Who do noncompetes apply to?

Noncompetes are most common in the technology, finance and health-care industries, but they have been used with all kinds of workers, including hairdressers, security guards and fast food employees. Several states, including California and Oklahoma, bar noncompetes. Others, including Washington, Oregon and Illinois, ban them for low-wage or hourly workers.

3. What do advocates of noncompetes say?

Those in favor of noncompetes argue that they protect a companys investments in worker training, in terms of both time and money, and that they help ensure that employees cant take confidential information or trade secrets on to a business rival. The Chamber of Commerce and other business groups oppose the FTCs proposal to prohibit the clauses, saying that would be beyond the scope of the agencys authority. The Chamber of Commerce, the nations biggest business lobby, has threatened to sue if the agency moves forward with a ban.

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4. Why does the FTC want to ban noncompetes?

The FTC under chair Lina Khan argues that noncompetes reduce worker mobility, leading to reduced wages for all workers, not just those with noncompetes in their contracts. It calculates that a ban could add almost $300 billion a year to nationwide wages. The agency argues that clauses also can cut down on the creation of new jobs because startups and other new firms cant hire workers subject to noncompetes. Advocates of a ban say that employers can safeguard confidential information through the use of non-disclosure agreements or trade secret laws, two avenues that wouldnt have as significant an economic burden as noncompetes.

5. What happens next?

The FTC will accept public comments on its proposal through March 20. It will review them before deciding whether to move forward with a final version. The last time the FTC issued a rule was in 1968, known as the Men and Boys Tailored Clothing Rule.

 FTC Chair Lina Khan argues for the ban in an oped in the New York Times.

 The FTCs factsheet on its proposed ban.

 Law Professor Alan Meese argues against banning noncompetes in the Wake Forest Law Review.

 A report by the US Treasury Department contains an appendix on the legal history of noncompete clauses.

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Heavily armed FBI agents led the 21-year-old man out of a family residence in Dighton, Mass. He could make an initial court appearance Friday in a case that has transfixed much of official Washington for the past week.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size There are places we walk past every day without knowing the hidden stories that lie within. From a city intersection where two freedom fighters were hanged in 1842, to the unmarked grave of a pioneering female newspaper editor, these landmarks whisper of faraway lives and stories long forgotten. In this intriguing tour of 10 Victorian landmarks, long-forgotten people and places reveal themselves anew ... Melbourne Town Hall Turtle soup, larded guinea fowl, boars head and champagne jelly: the Right Worshipful (and unimaginatively named) Lord Mayor Benjamin Benjamin and guests feasted upon such dubious delicacies in 1887 for his inaugural dinner at Melbournes majestic Town Hall. The food sounds hideous. One of many in the City of Melbournes vast Art and Heritage Collection, this menu details seven courses, peppered with a tedious 15 toasts, with the Ladies scraping in last, just behind the Press. Menu for the inaugural dinner of Lord Mayor Benjamin Benjamin, 1887. E. Whitehead & Co. Credit:Courtesy of the City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection In those days, the Town Hall we know today  built in 1870 after the first one proved too small  was the epicentre of the burgeoning towns cultural and political life. The collected menus are a fascinating record of what the upper echelons consumed. Many were written in French, then the height of sophistication. But by the 20th century, the tucker became more recognisable and a little more local: in 1921, Mayor John Swanson enjoyed caviar, creme of celery soup and roast chook with cress, topping it off with peach Melba (kind of local: named after Melbournes famed soprano, but created at Londons Savoy by a Frenchman). Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, dined on pigeon vol-au-vents, beef tongue and marbled frozen jellies during his visit to Melbourne in 1867. Credit:Getty Images The menus take in dinners held elsewhere (hotels, clubs, Parliament House, Government House). A nine-course dinner held in 1867 at the Melbourne Club was especially lavish: it was for the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, the first Royal Family member to visit Melbourne. He couldnt eat at the Town Hall because it hadnt been built: he was here to lay its foundation stone. His dinner sounds challenging, with pigeon vol-au-vents, beef tongue and marbled frozen jellies, but he survived indigestion to make two more visits to the thriving metropolis.

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City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection items feature in themed exhibitions at City Gallery, Melbourne Town Hall. Koorie Heritage Trust Glenda Nicholls, a Waddi Waddi/Ngarrindjeri/Yorta Yorta woman, first sent one of her feather-flower creations to the Koorie Heritage Trust many years ago, when she was a young mother and hoping to get traditional craft practices into public view. Glenda Nicholls with some of her feather flowers for Miwi Milloo, or Good Spirit of the Murray River, commissioned NGV Triennial 2020. Credit:Wayne Quilliam Feather-flowers are unusual bouquets made from selected bird feathers and have traditionally had a ceremonial function among many Indigenous clans around the country. They have individual storylines that tend to be handed down matrilineally  Nicholls learnt the tradition from her mother, who learnt it from her mother, and so this particular feather-flower storyline stretches back to South Australia, where Nicholls Ngarrindjeri mob comes from (the family has been in the Swan Hill area for several generations). Installation view of Glenda Nicholls work Miwi Milloo (Good Spirit of the Murray River). Credit:Tom Ross/NGV Today, the trust has about 150 feather-flowers from various sources, including Nicholls works. I learnt from my mum by watching her, says Nicholls, whose enormous creation Miwi Milloo, or Good Spirit of the Murray River was suspended in front of the water wall for the NGV Triennial in 2020  the work comprises fishing nets with daintily hanging feather-flowers.

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I was a sickly kid, and when I was home sick, Mumd be making these feather flowers, Nicholls says. She sold them for what she called wheelbarrow money  if there was anything we needed that didnt fit into our budget, she was able to buy it with the wheelbarrow money. On Ngarrindjeri country, the birds found or eaten would have provided the feathers  but some were avoided. Her grandmother, for example, was always averse to emu and owl feathers. You get to know the feeling of No, dont use that one. Her mother usually used chicken feathers but has always told her daughter that she must adapt to what surrounds her  so she used cockatoo, galah and rosella feathers, among others. Nicholls, who occasionally runs feather workshops, tends to buy hers online from reputable sources where the animals arent exploited. And if a special bird comes my way, I will use that for a special purpose, such as a ceremonial outfit to wear while doing dancing or for someone else who does ceremonial dancing, she says. The Koorie Heritage Trust feather-flower collection can be viewed by appointment. koorieheritagetrust.com.au Sands & McDougall building, Spencer Street In the 1960s, US-born Melbourne photographer Maggie Diaz diligently made portraits of workers at the Sands & McDougall publishing house in West Melbourne. The magnificent building was like a city-state, its docks and alleyways a thriving hub for delivery trucks (horses in the early days) amid the clamour of the presses. Diaz recorded every aspect of this industry, from the smartly dressed Mad Men-like art department staff to the men in grubby overalls who inked things up down below. Maggie Diaz, Sands McDougall Workers, 1960s. Credit: Sands & Mac was famous in Melbourne for 117 years as the producer not only of stationery and other paper products but the huge volume known as the Melbourne Directory  or, more colloquially, the Sands & Mac. A sort of internet of its day, the annually updated directory was an extraordinary feat of logistics: foot soldiers from the factory would methodically door-knock the entire city to check names and addresses and include them in the book, founded in 1857.

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Known as walkers, the compilers must have had extraordinary insights into the lives of Melburnians  but the information they collected was strictly defined; if only theyd been able to publish their cultural and social observations in these monstrous volumes which, at their grandest in 1927, weighed five kilos and were 3520 pages long. The Melbourne Directory was better known as the Sands & Mac. As well as residents, listed alphabetically by surname, each directory included maps and a guide to banks, societies and associations, and listings covering municipal, government, colonial, legal and ecclesiastical sectors. It sounds tedious, but it was a goldmine, especially for debt-collectors. Melbourne historian John Lack has written that the Melbourne Directory was unmatched in its reliability, comprehensive coverage and, now, its inestimable value to social scientists and historians. Sands & Mac continued until 1978 but the final directory was printed in 1974. Demand had plummeted thanks to the Melway, and free phone books tossed annually onto everyones front lawn. The directory was sunk, and best used as a doorstopper. The beautiful building remains as offices. Melbourne Directory volumes are held in collections such as the State Library of Victoria, University of Melbournes Baillieu Library and the City of Melbourne. Melbourne Museum forecourt Badtjala woman Fiona Foley created the powerful sculpture Lie of the Land as a commission for the City of Melbourne to mark the 1997 National Reconciliation conference held in Melbourne, at which the delegates turned their backs on then-Prime Minister John Howard, who had refused to say sorry.

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Each of the seven sandstone pillars is inscribed with a word: blankets, knives, looking glasses, tomahawks, beads, scissors and flour. These are taken from John Batmans 1835 treaty, which lists these items as being traded with Wurundjeri Elders for 60,000 acres of land. The sculpture speaks to the treatment of Indigenous people since colonisation and, as is often the case with Foleys work, states facts in order to educate about an aspect of history. In this instance, a soundscape by artist Chris Knowles accompanies the sculpture and entails Batmans diary entry about the controversial exchange being read out in Woiwurrung, as well as in the languages of other people present in Australia around the time of settlement: Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Indonesian and English. Fiona Foley (Badtjala) and Chris Knowles, Lie of the Land, 1997. Courtesy of the City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection. Credit:Patrick Rodriguez Intended as a temporary commission, the artwork was originally sited prominently out the front of the Town Hall, but moved six months later to a permanent home in a forecourt, down the escalators at Melbourne Museum. At that site, it has been noted that the work speaks eloquently of the relationship museums once had with Indigenous people, acquiring sacred relics by inappropriate means. Foley is committed to writing in the history of Aboriginal nations through her public artworks, which often pack a strong punch. To view Lie of the Land while standing on the ground it refers to is a powerful and humbling experience, and goes to the heart of what it means to live in Melbourne  the weight of post-1778 Australian history and what colonisation entailed. Lie of the Land is at Melbourne Museum. Medical History Museum, University of Melbourne

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The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will debate the humanitarian consequences of the Lachin Corridor during this session, MP and Armenian delegate to PACE Vladimir Vardanyan said.

January 23, 2023, 17:39 PACE to discuss humanitarian consequences of blockade of Lachin Corridor

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Just now PACE decided to discuss the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of Lachin Corridor in the agenda of the current session, Vardanyan said.

The winter session of PACE is held January 23-27.

The European Parliament adopted the Implementation of the common foreign and security policy  annual report 2022 resolution on January 18. The plenary session also adopted an amendment, saying the European parliament strongly denounces Azerbaijans illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, in violation of the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020, as it threatens to precipitate an intentional humanitarian crisis for the people of NagornoKarabakh; demands that the Azerbaijani authorities restore freedom of movement through the Lachin corridor with immediate effect.
The upcoming Australia Day honours list will include hundreds of recipients in the Order of Australia. Most arent famous, but their stories are inspiring. They are the people in our community who go above and beyond and have an impact at a local, national and international level.

Yet, as I celebrate those Australia has recognised, I also dont believe there arent more outstanding Australian women, First Nations people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds who inspire and make a significant contribution to our community.

Hugh Jackman is awarded the Order of Australia by Governor-General David Hurley in 2019. Credit: Getty Images

As chair, I am not seeing enough of them in the pool of nominations.

Each of the 40,000 Australians from all walks of life that have been recognised since 1975 has something in common  they were nominated by their fellow Australians.
Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a woman who collapsed in Perths CBD after being assaulted on Monday afternoon.

WA Police confirmed the incident occurred on Wellington Street just before 2pm, with the woman collapsing near the intersection of Pier Street.

Witnesses told Nine News Perth the woman, understood to be a grandmother in her 50s, was knocked out and collapsed before friends found her.

First responders attempted CPR on the woman before paramedics arrived and rushed her to nearby Royal Perth Hospital. She died not long after.
As January 26 approaches, its not my place, as a white Australian, to write about the trauma. But I can write about trespass.

Australia is the only nation on the planet that takes the beginning of colonisation as its national day. Thats just weird. Among Commonwealth nations, national days are usually dates on which independence was declared, a republic formed, a treaty made, or a post-colonial constitution signed. We choose to celebrate the whiting of a black continent.

Celebrations and protest on Sydney Harbour on January 26, 1988. Credit:

But wasnt this kind of colonisation common at the time, you might ask?

No. Throughout the 18th century, the American colonial governments negotiated treaties with Native Americans, a practice that was continued by the American republic after independence from Britain. In Canada, treaty-making was also the norm. The common assumption was that Indigenous peoples were landowners and held a form of sovereignty.
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.
China said its COVID-related death toll topped 12,600 in the week before the Lunar New Year holiday, while a top health official suggested more than 1.1 billion people had been infected since virus controls were abruptly dismantled late last year.

There were 12,658 COVID-linked deaths at hospitals between January 13 and 19, the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement dated Saturday. A week earlier, the country reported 59,938 such deaths from December 8 to January 12.

People in a pedestrian shopping street at Qianmen, Beijing, on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Credit: AP

The data comes after China came under fire for dramatically narrowing its definition of a COVID-19 death and halting daily caseload reports. The World Health Organisation has urged Beijing to release more detailed information on the countrys COVID situation as the virus spreads rapidly throughout China after the sudden lifting of extensive COVID-zero restrictions.

China now appears to be trying to appease those concerns by reporting on deaths that fall outside the narrowed definition, which only counts fatalities from infected people with respiratory failure.
London: Ghislaine Maxwell has claimed she has no memory of the Duke of York and his sex abuse accuser meeting at her home and insisted that a photograph suggesting otherwise must be a fake.

The shamed socialite has given a television interview from a Florida jail, where she is serving 20 years for child sex trafficking after procuring girls for the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre, then Virginia Roberts, at the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell (right) in 2001.

The 61-year-old questioned the authenticity of the photograph showing Prince Andrew with his arm around the waist of 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre at Maxwells London home.

However, she told TalkTV, in an interview to be broadcast on Monday evening in Britain: I have no memory of them meeting and I dont think that picture is real.
This seems like a warning shot, said Nathan Sales, the State Departments counterterrorism coordinator in the Trump administration, when the Russian Imperial Movement was designated a terrorist organisation. Its Russia sending a signal that its prepared to use terrorist proxies to attack in the Wests rear areas. The Russian officers behind the bombing campaign work for the Main Directorate, commonly referred to as the GRU, one of Moscows more aggressive intelligence shops, US officials say. In recent years, the group has carried out bold and lethal covert actions with impunity. The building of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, in Moscow. Credit: AP Members of the agency have been involved in a range of shadowy activities, from interfering in the 2016 US presidential election to shooting down a Malaysian civilian airliner over Ukraine in 2014, according to US officials. One specific part of the agency, Unit 29155, has tried to destabilise Europe through attempted coups and assassinations, according to US and European security officials. Its agents include Russian war veterans, and it was so secretive that most GRU operatives probably did not know it existed. US and allied officials learned about the unit only in recent years.

US officials suspect that the Russian officers involved in the Spain action are part of the 161st Special Purpose Specialist Training Centre, whose headquarters in eastern Moscow house Unit 29155, among other groups, US officials say. Spanish investigators have identified persons of interest they believe were involved in the attacks, one senior US official said. A spokesperson for the Spanish Embassy in Washington declined to comment, citing the continuing inquiry. Fiona Hill, a senior director for Europe and Russia on the White House National Security Council in the Trump administration, said it would not be surprising if the GRU had directed the Russian Imperial Movement to carry out the attacks. Most of these kinds of organisations are, of course, linked to Russian intelligence, either the GRU or the FSB, she said, referring also to the Federal Security Service, Russias domestic intelligence agency. Oftentimes theyre just front groups for the intelligence activities.

Intelligence agents use the groups to sow confusion and create implausible deniability, she added. US and British intelligence officials have been working with the Spanish national police and counterintelligence officials on the investigation. Their suspicions about the Russian Imperial Movement and the GRU coalesced late last year, soon after the bombs were discovered, US officials say. The radical group is only partially aligned with the Russian government. The movements leadership has criticised the incompetence of Russian leadership in the Ukraine war and accused Putin of corruption. Yet because the group shares Moscows aims of undermining Western governments and sowing chaos in Europe, Russian intelligence has been able to influence its operations, according to US officials. The ability to use the Russian Imperial Movement as a sometime proxy force is useful to Russian intelligence, particularly because that makes it more difficult for rival countries to attribute actions to the Russian government. The State Department designated the group and its leadership global terrorists in April 2020, the first time such a label had been applied to a white supremacist group.

Loading RIM has provided paramilitary-style training to white supremacists and neo-Nazis in Europe and actively works to rally these types of groups into a common front against their perceived enemies, the department said in the announcement of the designation. The department said the group had two training centres in St Petersburg that are likely being used for woodland and urban assault, tactical weapons and hand-to-hand combat training. The leaders designated by the State Department were Stanislav Anatolyevich Vorobyev, who founded the group in St Petersburg in 2002; Denis Valiullovich Gariyev, the leader of its paramilitary arm, the Russian Imperial Legion; and Nikolay Nikolayevich Trushchalov, an organiser of the groups activities abroad. The department said two Swedes who committed a series of bombings in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2016 had attended a training course run by the Russian group. The perpetrators, who were convicted in court, had targeted a refugee shelter, a shelter for asylum-seekers and a cafe.

The Centre for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University describes the Russian Imperial Movement as white supremacist, monarchist, ultranationalist, pro-Russian Orthodox and antisemitic. The group advocates the restoration of czarist rule to Russia, it said, and nurtures ties with neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups in the United States and Europe. Loading U.S. and European security officials have had growing concerns about white supremacist groups with transnational links for most of the past decade. In 2019, for example, an Australian man who killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, published a manifesto online before the massacre saying he had drawn inspiration from white extremist terrorism attacks in Europe and the United States. As a result of the recent letter bombs, US intelligence and counterterrorism officials have increased their scrutiny of the Russian Imperial Movement, including updating terrorist watchlists to flag suspected leaders of the group or its members, U.S. officials said. Russian intelligence agents have attracted more attention from counterintelligence officials and police departments in recent years as they have carried out increasingly bold operations, particularly in Europe.
There is growing expectation in Washington that, in coming weeks, President Joe Biden will announce that he will seek a second term in the White House.

It is only because of Bidens age that there has ever been any doubt about whether he would run again. The president turned 80 on November 20; were he to serve another term he would be 86 when he left office in January 2029. Yet, health permitting, there is no reason not to expect him to do so.

US President Joe Biden waltzes into his 80s. Credit: FLOTUS twitter

Since the 22nd amendment to the US Constitution which imposes a two-term limit on the Presidency came into force in 1951, every incumbent American president has sought a second term. Six have been successful: Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, George W Bush and Obama. Four have failed: Ford, Carter, George H W Bush and Trump. Lyndon Johnson is difficult to classify: he was re-elected in 1964 having been in office for a year following the Kennedy assassination. Although ultimately he did not run again in 1968, he had every intention to do so, and only withdrew when he was pushed close to defeat in the New Hampshire primary. Kennedy himself made his fatal trip to Texas in November 1963 to lay the foundations for his re-election bid in 1964, which he would almost certainly have won.

Nevertheless, no incumbent has been as old as Biden. Will his age make the difference? Subject, always, to the caveat of his health, I doubt it. In Australia, we are accustomed to the idea that even long political careers end in their 60s (if not earlier). Not so in the United States.
The West is waging an almost real war against Russia, which they have been preparing for a long time, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, news.am informs, citing RIA Novosti.

January 23, 2023, 18:01 Lavrov: The West is practically waging a real war against Russia

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: "When we talk about what is happening there, in Ukraine, we say that this is no longer a hybrid war, but almost a real war, which the West has long prepared against Russia, seeking to destroy everything Russian: from language to culture, which has been in Ukraine for centuries, and forbidding people to speak their native language," the Russian diplomatic chief explained.

He stressed that Moscow is not giving up on negotiations, but the longer the West refrains from them, the harder it will be to find a solution to the conflict.

Lavrov recalled that representatives of NATO, the EU and the White House have stated directly that it is too early for Ukraine to start negotiating and that "we need to win back more in this situation."

Threatening other countries not to work with Russia, he said, the U.S. is already crossing all red lines. "The pressure that the U.S. puts on African countries, it is not only on them, but also on Asian, Latin American countries, constantly publicly declaring that those who cooperate with Russia, they will be sorry, threaten the large states that represent the great millennial civilizations ... By threatening and exerting pressure, the United States, and the British too, are crossing all the red lines," the minister said.
NWS Weather Alert NOTE: This information is provided by the National Weather Service. Forecast may differ from local information provided by our own 69News Meteorologists

...ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING... A combination of low relative humidity, westerly breezes, and dry fine fuels will lead to an elevated risk for fire spread with any potential fire starts Thursday afternoon and evening across eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the eastern shores of Maryland. Minimum relative humidity values this afternoon will range from 22 to 26 percent across the region. Winds will be somewhat lighter and not as gusty as the past couple of days. However, this afternoon into early evening west winds will still be sustained 8 to 12 mph, and a brief gust to 20 mph cannot be ruled out. Fine fuels in the form of dry or dead vegetation will be quite dry as well, and conducive to fire starts and fairly quick fire spread. This is particularly true in areas that have not received hardly any rainfall in the last 10 days, across much of Pennsylvania to northern and central New Jersey. Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials. Any dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread fire quickly. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and eduction, please visit your state's forestry or environmental protection website.
State and federal lawmakers in our area will hold town halls Monday to discuss their legislative goals and answer questions.

Pennsylvania Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz will be at the Wyomissing Public Library. The town hall there will go from 6-7 p.m.

Registration is required by emailing ann@wyopublib.org or calling 610-374-2385.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan will take part in a State of the Sixth town hall Monday night in Phoenixville. That will begin at 6 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre.

The town hall will feature a question-and-answer session moderated by the borough mayor.
MAXATAWNY TWP., Pa. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is strengthening its rules around the organic seal. The Rodale Institute says this is beneficial to both local consumers and farmers.

"When you purchase organic food at the grocery store, and you see this little organic logo on the bottom, you can trust that because there is a set of rules," said Jeff Tkach, the chief impact officer of Rodale Institute. "There's an audited process."

That trust from consumers is something earned and something organic farmers need to keep. That's why the USDA is cracking down on organic fraud.

"As we've increased our reliance on imported food from other countries, a small amount of bad actors spurred this move towards stricter standards and enforcement, but that's a good thing," said Tkach.

The U.S. government is shoring up regulations to ensure the integrity of organic certification. It's something important to Rodale Institute, which is headquartered near Kutztown.

"Rodale Institute was largely instrumental in getting the National Organic Production Act passed through Congress in 1990," said Tkach.

The USDA says this latest update is the biggest one to organic regulations since that act became law. Among the changes: more rigorous on-site inspections and more required reporting of data.

Rodale's chief impact officer says the new rules will help, not hurt, farmers in our area.

"Right now, farmers can earn 30 or 40% premiums on their products in the marketplace because of how hard they work to achieve that certification," said Tkach.

More and more farmers are hopping on board.

The institute says between 2019 and 2021, sales of organic food produced in Pennsylvania grew by $1.9 billion.

The regulations go into effect in mid-March. Producers have one year from then to comply.

The Organic Farmers Association weighed in, saying it "applauds the release of this long-awaited rule, which we have advocated for before Congress and the USDA for years."
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Three Bethlehem churches now appear ready to move forward with merging their congregations and selling properties to Lehigh University.

The announcement was made during a United Proclamation of the Gospel service this weekend at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The merger of St. Peter's, St. John's Windish and Light of Christ churches and sale of church properties on the city's Southside were planned to be approved earlier this month.

But they were delayed after the Bethlehem Parking Authority said it might consider eminent domain to take one of the church's parking lots. The parking authority later backed away from the plan.

Lehigh University submitted a bid of $3.7 million for the church properties.

That beat a bid by the city by $200,000 dollars.

A joint congregational meeting is scheduled for February 5th to vote on the merger and sale of properties.

A Lehigh spokesperson told us recently "it's too early" to say what the university would do with the properties.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A new Allentown festival, which will feature a mix of international, American, and Lehigh Valley films, will premiere in April.

Organizers of the nonprofit Allentown Film Festival, who have been quietly working to establish the event over the past few months, announced Monday that the festival will screen dozens of short and feature films, including several world premieres.

The two Civic Theatre venues  the Art Deco Nineteenth Street Theatre and the Theatre514 across the street, in the citys West End Theatre District  will be the primary locations, with screenings from April 14-16, according to a news release from the nonprofit Allentown Film Festival.

The Allentown Art Museum will show films on April 15 during the festival weekend, while the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center will kick off the festival with movies April 1. The festival will award cash prizes to the best entries in the Lehigh Valley Shorts categories, according to the news release.

The nonprofit says films from American and international filmmakers are being considered. Additionally, Lehigh Valley residents can submit films  from one to five minutes in length  in three categories: K-12 students, college students, and nonstudents.

The goal is to identify and encourage compelling, thought-provoking independent films, said festival director Alan Younkin. The Allentown Film Festival will not only boost Lehigh Valley pride but also remind people in the Mid-Atlantic region that Allentown is a vibrant, much-closer-than-you-think arts mecca.

Festival chief marketing officer Michael Schelp added that its time to hold a film festival in the city. Allentown needs a film festival. According to FilmFreeway, the leading festival submissions website, Philadelphia has almost 40. Pittsburgh, 20. Even tiny Milford in the Poconos has the wonderful Black Bear Film Festival.

People have been talking about starting a film festival for years, Civic Theatre artistic director William Sanders said. We are thrilled to host what we hope will become a highly-anticipated annual tradition.

Were going to put on a really fun show with VIP red-carpet parties, great films, engaging panel discussions, and a real sense of community, Younkin said.

Younkin and Schelp, West End Allentown residents, co-chair the annual Art In The Park, a popular event which takes place in September in the citys West Park.

The festival has received more than 330 entries from filmmakers in over 40 countries and has accepted several dozen films so far. Categories are Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Music Video.

While there is an entry fee for those categories, there is no charge for 1-5 minute short film entries from the Lehigh Valley, according to the news release.

Lehigh Valley filmmakers, please submit your short films, Schelp said.

Entries must be submitted by establishing a free account at FilmFreeway.com/AllentownFilmFestival and uploading a film.

Deadline for entries is March 1.

Festival organizers continue to seek festival sponsors. Screening times and admission prices will be announced later.

Schelp and Younkin made the documentary film BROKE(N) about Allentown residents dealing with economic hardships that was shown at the Nineteenth Street Theatre in September.

BROKE(N) was also selected in 16 film festivals, which inspired them to establish a film festival in Allentown.

We learned how film festivals are run and how films are submitted. That prompted us to think how fun it would be to have one in Allentown, Younkin said. Schelp said the festival can introduce Allentown and the Lehigh Valley to people unfamiliar with the region.

Many of North Americas largest cities are less than a half-days drive from Allentown, he said. We want to spread the word  Allentown is a lot more than a Billy Joel song about post-industrial angst.

The Allentown Film Festival logo features fonts that aim to pay homage to the citys industrial history. Capping the logo is the stepped profile of the iconic PPL Building, the windows of which echo the square sprocket holes of the film strip below in which FILM FESTIVAL is carved. A stylized Liberty Bell is concealed in the A of FESTIVAL, a reference to Allentowns historic role in safeguarding the actual Liberty Bell during the American Revolutionary War when it was hidden from the British in a local church.

Allentown Film Festival details

April 1: Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, 522 W. Maple St.

April 14-16: Civic Theatre, 527 N. 19th St.

April 15: Allentown Art Museum, 31 N. Fifth St.

Twitter.com/AllentownFilm @AllentownFilm

Instagram.com/AllentownFilmFestival

Facebook: Allentown Film Festival

Website: allentownfilmfestival.org/

How to enter:

FilmFreeway.com/AllentownFilmFestival Lehigh Valley residents submit 1 to 5 minute shorts at no charge.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - A former DeSales University priest who had ties to the Royal Family of Monaco has been sentenced in a child pornography case.

William McCandless, of Wilmington, Delaware, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release, according to the FBI. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

McCandless pleaded guilty in July 2022 to a charge of attempting to access with intent to view child pornography, according to online court documents.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop the other two charges of transporting and possessing child porn, says the document, which was filed in May.

McCandless was accused of gathering thousands of child pornography images in Monaco, where he was an advisor to the Royal Family, and bringing them back to the U.S. in January 2017, just a few days before he started working at DeSales.

He was fired from DeSales in October 2017 when the school learned of the investigation.
NORRISTOWN, Pa. - A contractor is being accused in the theft of more than $400,000 from homeowners in southeastern Pennsylvania and Berks County.

Joseph Ford, 53, of Collegeville, is being charged with more than 300 felony counts related to the theft of $474,185 from 64 homeowners in Montgomery, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties, according to a news release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

The investigation into Fords business practices began on Aug. 22, 2022, when Lower Providence Township Police took two resident complaints of home improvement fraud involving Ford and his company, 1st Call Electric LL, the DA's office said.

Lower Providence Police quickly determined that there were numerous victims beyond its jurisdictional area and contacted the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, according to the news release.

The joint investigation by Montgomery County Detectives and Lower Providence Police found that from Dec. 3, 2020 to Oct. 13, 2022, Ford was doing business as 1st Call Electric and took deposits from most of the 64 homeowners for the purchase of a home backup generator and for its installation, according to the DA's office.

In about a dozen cases, the deposit was for electrical work to be performed, unrelated to a generator purchase, the DA's office said.

The DA's office says none of the homeowners received generators, and the contracted electrical work was not performed. In several cases where residents used a credit card for payment to 1st Call Electric, their credit cards were charged more than once, according to the news release.

The theft per homeowner varied, ranging from $1,419 to $16,450. The total theft from homeowners was $474,185, the DA's office said.

This defendant was preying on homeowners, many of whom were concerned for their safety in the event of a power outage. He took large deposits from each homeowner, and simply never did any electrical work and never installed the generators, said Steele. We are consolidating all of these cases as a continuing course of conduct and will be vigorously prosecuting the defendant.

Ford was arrested on Friday and charged with 64 felony counts each of theft by deception, receiving stolen property, deceptive business practices, false statements to induce agreement for home improvement and theft by unlawful taking, as well as four felony counts of access device fraud.

He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge John Kessler, who set bail at $50,000 cash.

Ford was unable to make bail and was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A bail review hearing was held on Monday, and Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas A. DelRicci revised bail to $50,000 10 percent, with an additional condition of no contact with any victim.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 31 before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Rebar.

Ford had previously been charged for some of these homeowner theft cases in local jurisdictions. All of those cases have been withdrawn, and he will be prosecuted under one consolidated criminal complaint, the DA's office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michelle Shefton, of our Economic Crimes Unit.

Any customers of 1st Call Electric who believe they have been defrauded should contact the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368 or the Lower Providence Township Police Department at 610-539-5901.
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. - A Montgomery County man is being accused of raping a female employee at a spa in Phoenixville, Chester County.

Keith Cleghorn, 36, of West Pottsgrove Township, raped the worker during a massage at the spa on Jan. 9, according to a news release from the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

Cleghorn is charged with rape, terroristic threats, simple assault, unlawful restraint, and related offenses. He is held at Chester County Prison on $500,000 cash bail set by MDJ John Hipple.

On Jan. 9, shortly after noon, the East Pikeland Police Department received a report of a sexual assault that occurred at the Seven Stars Spa and Bodyworks, the DA's office said. The victim stated, through the assistance of Language Line, that at approximately 11:10 a.m. an unknown man called the spa to ask if it was open and said he would be there in ten minutes, according to the news release.

When he arrived, he wore a surgical mask that covered the lower portion of his face, according to the DA's office. No one else was at the spa at the time.

The victim told Cleghorn to go to a massage room and gave him time to undress. Once the massage began, the DA's office says he grabbed the victims pants and she told him, No. No. No, just a massage. He then forced her onto the table, the DA's office said.

The employee said she yelled for help and he told her that he would kill her if she did not stop screaming, according to the DA's office. She said that he made motions with his fists indicating that he would hit her if she did not comply, the DA's office said.

The DA's office says Cleghorn then raped her.

Police obtained video surveillance footage from various companies at the Kimberton Shoppes showing Cleghorn enter the spa and were able to track him down from the video of his license plate, according to the news release. During the investigation, computer forensics detectives were able to confirm that a Google search for the spa was found on his cell phone, the DA's office said.

The DA's office said GPS location data showing Cleghorn to be at the spa was embedded in a video recorded on his cell phone. The video also captured him removing all of his clothes and shows him attempting to conceal the cell phone under his shirt while it recorded, the DA's office said. Further examination revealed that there was an attempt to delete the video from Cleghorns cell phone, according to the news release.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Jan. 26 before MDJ John Hipple.

Chester County Detectives and East Pikeland Police are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call Chester County Detective Christine Bleiler at 610-344-6866.
Pakistan spent USD 1.2 billion ( 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.

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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 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.

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 sectors 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.

First Published Date:
It may be almost two decades away from completion, but the hype train trundles on for the new Merrily We Roll Along film, based on the hit musical.

Told reverse-chronologically by a cast led by Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen), Paul Mescal (Normal People) and Beanie Feldstein (Funny Girl), Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's piece charts the decaying relationship between artists and writers who started out their careers as firm friends. It is directed by Richard Linklater, who intends to shoot the film in real-time (albeit in reverse) over the course of 19 years or so.

"We shot the first sequence," Platt explained at Sundance while promoting his new film Theater Camp to Variety, "The film is structured that it's nine different sequences over 18 years, so we'll see how we do. We've done the first one and the next one is coming this year. It's wonderful."

Merrily We Roll Along has become a firm musical favourite, despite spending years in theatre ignonimy following a very short-lived Broadway stint. Numbers include "Old Friends," "Not a Day Goes By," and "Our Time."

It recently returned to New York in a Broadway-bound production led by Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, which picked up rave reviews during its off-Broadway run. The revival was first seen at the Menier Chocolate Factory before transferring to the West End.

Platt raves about the composer and lyricist: "Sondheim is the ultimate god of the theatre, so to get the opportunity to do a beautiful short film of Sondheim is wonderful, especially with Beanie who is a dear friend and Paul [Mescal, who was announced in the film earlier this month] who is just one of our greatest screen talents...I'm hoping we can make it to the finish line."

Platt discussed the film exclusively with WhatsOnStage in 2019  watch his thoughts here:

Mescal is currently on stage in London in a critically lauded revival of A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Rebecca Frecknall (who has a knack for transferring successful shows into the West End).
Saudi shipping solutions provider Torod has announced the signing of a strategic agreement with Makane, one of the biggest players in the e-commerce sector.

Concomitantly Torod also announced the launch of its latest product that provides infrastructure for shipping solutions as a service (IaaS) for e-commerce platforms.

This latest solution from Torod enables businesses and e-commerce platforms to obtain the necessary infrastructure for seamless integration with local and international shipping and delivery solutions providers.

Transport and shipping

This, as a result, provides them with various transport and shipping solutions through dozens of companies without the need to negotiate with each company separately and integrate its system into the platforms.

Makane will be the first to enjoy these benefits. Makane helps sellers to digitise their operations by enabling them to create their online stores easily. With more than 160 shipping companies offering delivery and shipping services inside and outside the kingdom to more than 12 thousand outlets, the new partnership with Torod will contribute to expanding the company's business.-- TradeArabia News Service
The UT Extension office in Wilson County has a new 4-H agent as Grace Harville joined the staff this month.

I just thought. I dont want my 4-H experience to end. I thought the best way to do that was to become an agent, said Harville, who grew up in Smith County.

Harville graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2022 with a degree in agricultural leadership, education and communications. She participated in the universitys 4-H club and Future Farmers of America, as well as worked with the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.

Ive been involved in 4-H for over 10 years. I started in fourth grade and continued throughout high school and into college, said Harville, who said she grew up on her grandparents farm. I also really love the Family and Consumer Sciences components of 4-H, too. Thats what I mainly did when I was in 4-H. So, I have an even background between agriculture and FCS.

Harville, who said she enjoys cooking and traveling, said her main roles would include helping with livestock projects, judging teams, FCS skill-a-thon and similar programs.

One of the big goals I have here is reaching out to our more senior high school audience. I know Wilson County used to have a really big senior high 4-H program and hopefully I can build that back up, she said.

Harville said one of her first events in her new job was the State and Regional Swine Show.

That was my first real interaction I got to have with them, and it was just neat getting to watch them do their thing and get to see them in action, she said.

She said she also visited the Southside 4-H club and was excited about the passion the students showed for the club.

I feel really honored to be a part of their story here in Wilson County, she said.
Jury selection began Monday in the trial of two men charged with the shooting and killing of nurse Caitlyn Kaufman, 26, on Interstate 440 on Dec. 3, 2020.Kaufman, 26, of Lebanon, was traveling to work at Saint Thomas West Hospital when more than six shots were fired into her car between the Hillsboro Pike and West End Avenue exits.She was []
Though shes only been in business for a couple of years, Sharon Wade says her newly moved Portage shop is built to last.

Wade has owned and operated Beautifully Blemished, a store specializing in antique and vintage furniture, since 2021. Within its walls, she crafts her chalk paint and sandpaper dreams, peddling pieces in all levels of wear and tear as well as the tools to refurbish them for modern use.

From its humble beginnings in the space next to the Portage Chamber of Commerce, Wade has recently moved to a space just down the way, at 126B West Cook Street, going from 800 square feet to 2,000 square feet. A fresh new space to showcase her old and unique stock.

(The move has) allowed me really to expand and be able to do more of my dream, said Wade.

Beyond selling her items, Wade also enjoys teaching others in the community how to refurbish and paint their own classic pieces. With the dust clearing from her recent move, she hopes to resume teaching classes in her new space in February.

I love to teach people, she said. It just fills my heart to see pieces that maybe people are discarding and showing them you dont have to go buy brand new, you can refinish what youve got.

As an elite retailer carrying the entire line of Dixie Belle paints, Wade is well-equipped to help the public add a little color, a facelift, as she calls it, to older pieces.

Classes like the ones she now hosts in the workshop portion of her store are what gave Wade her start in the vintage furniture industry. After finishing work on her basement during the pandemic, she and a friend took a class on chalk painting. Her goal was to learn more about crafting on some of the new-to-her furniture she had acquired for the renovation, but she walked away with much more, visions of a workshop full of paints, tools, and furniture dancing in her head.

I just fell in love with the process, she said. Ive always been very interested in vintage and antique furniture.

Apparently, many Portage residents share Wades passion. Business, she says, has been booming since the beginning, with some people stopping in just to compliment her work.

(The community) has been fantastic, she said. Even people coming in and just saying what a great job Ive done setting it up and just being here and saying how wonderful an addition it is to downtown Portage.

Now, shes set her sights on helping other potential business owners. Beautifully Blemished carries work from multiple vendors, featuring signs to be painted, macrame crafts, and other items, for which Wade also hosts classes in her shop.

I just always love that, being able to support other people in their journey of business ownership as well, she said.

Inviting other people into her dream shop, she says, is a dream of its own.

Its my happy place, she said. I love it.

More information and class bookings are available at Wades website, beautifully-blemished.com.
Africa is surprisingly rife with gargantuan and interconnected rivers. These nourishing systems bring agricultural viability and vital biodiversity to regions that are often foreboding. From above, one can see green basins teeming with activity that holds the line against vast desert landscapes. These seemingly divine interventions fostered the cradle of civilization millennia ago and continue to sustain many nations today. Here are Africa's longest and most revered rivers:

1. Nile River - 6,650 km (4,132 miles)

The Nile River is called the "lifeline" of Egypt.

The Nile River is not only the longest river in Africa but also in the world. It flows South to North, beginning near Lake Victoria and emptying into the Mediterranean Sea  crossing eleven East African countries en route (Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Egypt) and discharging an average of 99,941 cubic feet of water per second.

A benevolent source of fertile soil that rebels against the surrounding sands, and a crucial trade channel, the Nile famously allowed the ancient Egyptians to establish one of the earliest advanced civilizations. Even today, 95% of Egyptians live within a stone's throw of their continent's longest river, which still acts as a vital mode of transportation, and more recently, as a source of hydroelectric power (ex. the Aswan High Dam). Humans are not the only benficiaries of this aquatic lifeline. Everything from the Nile crocodile, which can be found throughout many of its stretches, to the highly versatile papyrus plant are stables of the Nile River.

2. Congo River - 4,700 km (2,920 miles)

Congo river in Brazzaville, Congo.

The Congo River (formerly known as the Zaire River) is the second-longest river in Africa, the ninth-longest in the world, and the deepest river on the planet, both in terms of maximum and average depth. Its point of origin can be considered to be in the highlands of Northeastern Zambia and/or the Katanga Plateau in the Southeastern corner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In either case, the river flows in a counter-clockwise arc, twice crossing the equator, and discharging 1,454,964 cubic feet of water per second on its way to the Atlantic Ocean at a seaport called Banana (or Banane) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Along the way, the river's three parts (Upper, Middle, and Lower), and its massive basin, encompass nine countries in West-Central Africa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Zambia, Angola, Cameroon, Tanzania, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea). This impressive breadth accounts for 13% of the continent's landmass, and at 1.3 million square miles, it is the world's second-largest river basin (after the Amazon). This impressive region fosters the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world (after, you guessed it, the Amazon). Approximately 75-million-people are situated along the Congo, including 150 distinct ethnic groups, ranging in lifestyles from the traditional, hunter-gather BaAka people, to the fast-paced, densely-populated streets of Kinshasa (the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Some 10,000 species of tropical plants, 1,000 species of birds, 700 species of fish, and 400 species of mammals can be found throughout the region - many of which live only in the Congo Basin.

Read MoreThe Congo Rainforest

3. Niger River - 4,180 km (2,548 miles)

Fishing canoes on the Niger River in Mali.

The third longest river in Africa (fourteenth in the world) draws a large arc across Western Africa as it runs from Guinea to the Gulf of Guinea (via the Oil Rivers), with the main tributary being the Benue River. Along the way, the Niger River also visits Mali, Niger (right near the border of Benin), and Nigeria - discharging approximately 197,374 cubic feet of water per second. The curious shape and direction of flow (the Niger begins near the Atlantic Ocean but flows away from it and into the Sahara Desert) baffled early explorers but is now generally thought to be the product of two ancient rivers joining together.

Nowadays, over 75% of the Niger River is used for commercial shipping, and Mali, Niger, and Nigeria have all built dams to capitalize on this renewable source of electricity, as well as the fishing and irrigation opportunities that stem from the ensuing artifical lakes. In terms of animals, the Nile Crocodile and the colossal Nile perch are evidently impartial to their human-given titles.

4. Zambezi River - 2,574 km (1,599 miles)

The Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River.

The "Great River" is a source of life for such iconic African animals as elephants, buffalo, hippos, antelope, and crocodiles, as well the human beings living between its humble origin in the uplands of Zambia, all the way to the Indian Ocean (passing through parts of Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe).

The Zambezi picks up steam as it chugs Eastward, providing abundant electricity for many of its basin communities. The Kariba Dam supplies power to Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the Cahora Bassa Dam lights up Mozambique and South Africa. These are two of Africa's largest hydroelectric projects. But Zambezi's most notable feature is easily Victoria Falls (which also has a small power station). This Natural Wonder of the World is over one mile wide (1.7 km) and 360 feet high (108 meters), making it the largest on the planet by those metrics. The Zambezi discharges around 120,069 cubic feet of water per second.

5. Ubangi-Uele Rivers - 2,270 km (1,411 miles)

African fisherman rowing boat on Ubangi River, fishing in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Central Africa's Ubangi River (or Oubangui) and Uele River round out the continent's top five waterways. The Uele begins at the confluence of the Dungu and Kibali rivers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It then flows into the Ubangi (of which the Uele is the largest tributary) at the confluence of the Mbomou River, which defines part of the boundary between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ubangi then flows Southwest, helping to define part of the boundary between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo before joining the mighty Congo River at Liranga District. Like many of the rivers on this list, the Ubangi is not only a vital source of freshwater for all living things near its shores, but a major vessel for everyday transportation for the people of this region.

6. Orange River - 2,200 km (1,367 miles)

View of the scenic landscape at the Orange river.

The Orange River, which got its name in 1779 from a Dutch official in reference to the Dutch Royal House of Orange, starts its journey in the Drakensberg Mountains and travels West to the South Atlantic Ocean, defining a large portion of the boundary between Namibia and South Africa. This waterway also separates distinct environments. To the North, the sand dunes of the lower Namib Desert loom large. To the South, the Martian-Esque landscape of Northwestern Namaqualand eventually transitions into a bright mosaic of desert flowers. The Vanderkloof Dam was South Africa's first underground hydroelectric station, while the nationa's largest dam goes to the Gariep Dam. These help to harness the power of the Orange River, which averages a discharge of 12,890 cubic feet of water per second.

7. Kasai River - 2,153 km (1,338 miles)

Sunset on the Kasai River. Image credit: Sagar Bhatt via Wikimedia Commons

The Kasai River, like the Ubangi, is a massive tributary of the Congo River. It is born in central Angola (in Southwestern Africa), runs East and then North, partly distinguishing Angola from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and then heads West at the town of Llebo. Before emptying into the Congo River on the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, the lower stretch of this river is actually referred to as the Kwa. The Kasai produces an average discharge of 42,378 cubic feet of water per second.

8. Shebelle River -1,820 km (1,130 miles)

This East African river rises in the Ethiopian Highlands, from where it flows southeast through the Ogaden Plateau into Somalia. When there is enough rain, the Shebelle joins the Jubba River to empty into the Indian Ocean. However, the river disappears into marshlands and sand flats when conditions are dry. The river supports agriculture along its shores, especially banana plantations in Somalia. Oromo, Bantu-speaking people and Somalis are some of the main communities living along the Shebelle River's banks.

9. Limpopo River - 1,750 km (1,087 miles)

Limpopo river crossing the desert landscape of Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa.

At the ninth position is the Limpopo River in South-Central Africa. It flows Eastward across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique before syncing up with the Indian Ocean. The river partitions part of South Africa and Botswana, as well as Botswana and Zimbabwe. Helping to conserve some of the spectacular ecosystems throughout Limpopo's basin is the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park linking several national parks and private and/or state-owned conservation areas across these four nations. Eye-catching animals such as Nile crocodiles, hippopatamus, and elephants can be spotted along the river's edge. The average discharge of the Limpopo is around 6,003 cubic feet of water per second.

10. Okavango River - 1,600 km (994 miles)

The Okavango Delta formed by the Okavango River.

The Okavango River, flowing in Southwest Africa, runs in a Southeastward direction with an average discharge of approximately 16,774 cubic feet per second. Its origin is in the highlands of Angola at an elevation of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet). It then flows towards the Angola-Namibia border and into Botswana. The Okavango does not drain into the sea but forms the inland Okavango Delta, a massive wetland area of about 15,000 square kilometers (5,792 square miles) in the Kalahari Desert. This biodiverse region is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders. This area not only preserves thousands of species of animals, but also tens of thousands of residents and a prosperous ecotourism industry.

Read MoreOkavango Delta

The generous waters of these freshwater giants are invaluable assets for many African nations and swaths of flora and fauna. These waterways snake their way across the continent for astonishing distances, drawing geographical and political borders along the way, providing power, transportation, and sustenance to all who dwell within their basins.

Read MoreThe 10 Longest Rivers In The World
House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX) questions U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a hearing the about the State Department's FY2023 budget request in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on April 28, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Man found dead after police standoff in Torrance was the Monterey Park shooting suspect, sheriff says
Gov. Doug Burgum has directed all government agencies to fly the U.S. and North Dakota flags at half-staff until sunset Thursday in memory of the victims of Saturday's mass shooting in Monterey Park, California.

Burgum also encourages residents to lower flags at their homes and businesses. His directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden.

A gunman killed 10 people at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations Sunday. The gunman was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van. The motive is unclear.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on September 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. Manchin spoke on energy permitting reform and preventing a government shutdown.
Twelve firefighters among the 1,300 who attended the June 2017 Grenfell Tower inferno in London have developed incurable cancerspossibly the result of exposure to deadly contaminants released by the blaze. Some are relatively young men in their forties.

Exhausted firefighters rest next to a wall as they take a break in battling the inferno that raged in Grenfell Tower, London, June 14, 2017. [AP Photo/Matt Dunham]

A Mirror investigation reported that the majority are suffering from digestive cancers and leukaemia, and that their number could rise to 20 as a list of firefighters at the scene who now have cancer is being compiled. It is feared this is only this tip of the iceberg as cancer can take up to 25 years to develop.

Grenfell underwent refurbishment on the cheap in 2014, during which the exterior was covered with highly combustible cladding, permitting a small kitchen fire to spread with exceptional ferocity72 people died.

The blaze burned for 60 hours, releasing a thick black smoke so dense it was impossible for those trying to escape to see even their hands in front of their faces. It contained carcinogens released from the burning cladding.

Firefighters continued the rescue even as they ran out of oxygen, forced to breathe in the fumes.

Pictures taken at the time show them exhausted, clothed in soot-covered personal protective equipment on the grass, drinking and eating, which can lead to cancer of the digestive system.

Exhausted firefighters rest as they take a break in battling a massive fire that raged in Grenfell Tower, London, June 14, 2017. [AP Photo/Matt Dunham]

The Mirror noted, A 2019 study by the University of Central Lancashire (UClan) found soil contamination from the disaster caused by the fire could lead to an increased risk of cancer and respiratory problems of those living in the area.

Analysis of soil, debris and char samples of insulation boards used on the tower revealed heightened concentrations of cancer-causing chemicals and proven carcinogens, including benzene, within 200m of the tower.

Brian Flanagan, 47, a firefighter who attended the emergency, said, What is out of the ordinary was the length of time we were there, and this is the problem. In a standard fire you would be there not more than four hours. When you get to that mark you get a relief crew. But I was at Grenfell for eight hours, twice as long as I should have been. Many firefighters were on duty for 12 hours.

Research commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union from the UClan found firefighters are twice as likely to develop cancer if they remain in their personal protective equipment longer than four hours. They face a similar risk if they notice soot in their nose or throat.

Another firefighter, a father in his 50s, who, risked his life as he and his colleagues led a trapped family to safety spoke anonymously. Grenfell left him suicidal and suffering from scarred lungs, reported the Mirror.

We were quite early on the scene and got held in this underground car park and we were breathing all the toxins for ages, he said.

The newspaper reported that the firefighter has failed several medicals since the blaze because of his lung function and now needs inhalers.

He told the Mirror, Before Grenfell my health was great. I passed all the medicals and had no problems at all It literally was within a month or so I started to get this cough and for me thats when it started to go downhill.

Long-term occupational health hazards for firefighters are severe. Another study by UClan, Scottish Firefighters Occupational Cancer and Disease Mortality Rates: 2000-2020, found they had a mortality rate higher than the general population by a multiple of 1.6, based on data from the National Records of Scotland.

The study revealed the higher incidence of the following cancers among firefighters:

 Prostate3.8 times higher than the general population

 Leukaemia17 times higher

 Oesophageal2.42 times higher

 Cancers of unknown origin6.37 times higher

The rate of heart attacks is five times higher than the general public, and three times higher for strokes.

Yet, as FBU national official Riccardo la Torre pointed out in response to the news of the Grenfell responders illness, Firefighters are left in the dark due to the lack of regular health surveillance and proper monitoring of exposures in the UK.

Inside Housing reported Friday on a memo from the company Celotex, sellers of the combustible insulation used in the Grenfell cladding, revealing that the company had research which demonstrated that it produced acidic, toxic smoke when burned, 18 months before the blaze. Studies were commissioned comparing toxicity of its material to others on the market.

A fire expert reviewing the memo told Inside Housing, that All smoke is toxic They [Celotex] seemed interested in a plastic that is less toxic in fire than their competitors. They were not looking for a product that was of low toxicity. The difference is important.

During phase one of the inquiry into the fire, the company declared, Celotex (PIR) insulation is an organic material and releases a variety of gases on combustion. This information was well known by construction professionals and was clearly stated in Celotexs health and safety datasheet which was readily available to those responsible for the design and installation of the cladding system on Grenfell Tower.

It has already been revealed that Celotex falsified the results of tests so their product would pass the minimum standard of limited combustibilityadding fire resistant boards to a fire test.

Another conglomerate, Arconic, manufactured the claddings outer rainscreen aluminium composite panels (ACM)a layer of polyethylene sandwiched between two aluminium skins, which has been likened to solid petrol.

The suffering and illness of a significant number of the Grenfell firefighters makes even more filthy the moves by the authorities and Grenfell Inquiry to scapegoat them for the disaster. Both first and second phases concentrated disproportionately on the efforts of a cash-strapped London Fire Brigade (LFB) to respond to a catastrophe created by rampant criminality in corporate and political circlespart of a clear agenda to pin the blame for Grenfell almost exclusively on the LFB.

Many responded to the news of the suffering firefighters with outrage.

Some asked why they had not been given sufficient protection:

Others warned of the still to be discovered impacts on local residents:

Many demanded that those responsible be held accountable and prosecuted:

The official inquiry hearings ended last November. It was set up as a government cover-up with no powers of prosecution, barred from investigating causes of a social, economic and political nature.

Even as it prepares its final report, more crimes are being revealed. Over five years after the fire not a single person in corporate and political circles responsible for turning the building into an inferno has been arrested or prosecuted. Hundreds of thousands of people continue to reside in unsafe high-rise buildings covered in dangerous cladding.

Workers and youth should join the growing numbers demanding prosecution of the criminals who produced the Grenfell fire.

The WSWS archive of articles on the topic can be accessed here. Support the Grenfell Fire Forum established by the Socialist Equality Party.
New modeling estimates of COVID deaths in China since December 1, 2022, by Airfinity place the figure at over 700,000 fatalities since the Stalinist regime ended its Zero-COVID policy on December 1 in response to pressure from giant corporations and imperialist governments, particularly the United States.

Although the real scale of death and misery may never truly be known, this analysis nonetheless provides a horrific glimpse into the crisis befalling the Chinese working class.

Patients are checked as they arrive at an emergency hall of a hospital in Beijing, Thursday, January 19, 2023. [AP Photo/Andy Wong]

The figures on infections, deaths and the course of the outbreak by the British-based analytics firm Airfinity were recently revised and updated to take account of epidemiologic data from the more remote inland provinces. Airfinity is now forecasting one longer, more severe COVID wave as Chinese New Year travel will continue to fuel the outbreak that has spread across the country at unimaginable rates.

The group wrote on January 16, Todays new forecast considers reports that some provinces including Henan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Yunnan have already seen infections peak. Our analytics indicators suggest that the virus has spread more quickly to rural areas, partly driven by people traveling for the Chinese New Year celebrations. This increased growth rate has changed our forecast from predicting two successive waves to one larger and more severe wave.

As Chinas ministry of transport has noted, more than two billion passenger trips are likely to take place during the 40-day holiday season. Already on Saturday, the eve of the Chinese New Year, the Chinese media reported that more than 26 million passenger trips took place.

A majority of the travelers are thought to be migrant workers on their way home to visit families, many for the first time in the three years since the Wuhan lockdowns took effect and Zero COVID was implemented as the countrys official response to the coronavirus. There are real and justified fears that such travel will only entrench the virus deeper into Chinese society.

According to Airfinitys calculations, COVID-19 infections could peak at 4.8 million per day, with more than 62 million infections estimated to occur in the latter half of January. Assuming a fatality rate similar to other countries, deaths would peak at 36,000 per day on January 26, with the New Year festivities well underway. The firm estimates that cumulative COVID-19 deaths as of January 20 stand at 708,000.

These figures imply that the health systems across China over the next several weeks can expect to face a more protracted and horrific wave. Dr. Matt Linley, Airfinitys Analytics Director, said, Our forecast estimates a significant burden on Chinas healthcare system for the next fortnight and it is likely that many treatable patients could die due to overcrowded hospitals and lack of care.

These estimates were corroborated by Chinas chief epidemiologist at their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Wu Zunyou, who said over the weekend that the current wave of infections has already infected about 80 percent of the people, or around 1.1 billion people.

However, these numbers havent fazed Chinese health authorities and their Stalinist bosses, who continue to downplay the current crisis that has swept across the country with unprecedented speed. Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said late last week, before the start of festivities, that the virus was at a relatively low level and that the number of critical patients in hospitals were in decline.

Major urban centers like Shanghai and Beijing continue to see patients being piled into crowded hospital rooms, hallways and lobbies waiting for treatment, while more people are pouring through the doors who had waited to see how their illness would proceed.

Circumstantial evidence of the ongoing catastrophe is palpable in the comments offered to the media. One woman speaking with an NBC News correspondent said, Thirty-five people passed away the day before yesterday, right here. Since my mom was here, Ive come here to see her every day. On the day my father moved into the hospital, almost all patients in the emergency department died.

Many family members of the deceased have also been critical of the local governments and health systems for failing to acknowledge that the virus caused their deaths. The Financial Times noted that the lower-than-expected figures are due to keeping COVID-19 off the death certificates. Instead, the deaths are being attributed to pneumonia or heart disease or as unknown, if the deceased were brought in after having succumbed at home.

The clinical director at Raffles, a premier private hospital that caters to the wealthiest Chinese and high-ranking officials and whose pharmacies are stocked with Paxlovid, told the Economist that local hospitals, especially ICUs, are full and we still seeing patients arriving with complications making it difficult to find ICU beds currently in Beijing. There are less patients but still a lot of serious cases and patients with complications are still arriving to the hospitals.

The continuing crisis in Beijing, which has by far the most advanced health care resources available to it when compared to other regions of the country, means the consequences for rural and smaller metropolitan areas are nothing short of dire. For instance, Paxlovid, the anti-viral medication manufactured by Pfizer for prevention of severe disease, is known to be selling on the black market. It would cost an average Chinese worker two months of salary to procure these lifesaving treatments.

Many in rural China have access only to rudimentary health care and, if required, the severely afflicted require transport to townships where more up-to-date health systems are available. In other words, anyone infected is essentially left on their own to see if the course of their illness will take a fatal turn. People have to cope with their symptoms and hope for the best.

As the Economist noted, even in these rural areas, where symptomatic cases remain high and health systems are under strain, local residents have said that many have experienced COVID-19 recently from the massive surge in cases in December that washed across the country after the lifting of all mitigation measures.

David Rennie, the Economists bureau chief in Beijing, who recently visited a remote village in the central rural region of China in Henan province, wrote, They talked about how everyone basically got sick in late December. The sheer speed of that wave, which I think was much faster than maybe we were expecting has clearly had a really brutal impact, although, we may never know exactly how many deaths  I spoke to a funeral worker who said he was three times busier than usual and at the crematorium  is handling 100 cremations a day and went up to 150 to 160 at the peak of the sicknesses. Before the pandemic, they were doing 30 or 40 cremations a day.

He then added that doing the math means seeing hundreds or thousands of excess deaths for just the one county and then multiplying it by 66 times to account for the entire Henan Province. You get some very big numbers very soon, he observed.

Ben Cowling, chair professor of epidemiology in the School of Public Health in Hong Kong, said, For the next two or three weeks, we know the virus is going to find its way to every last corner of the country. That means in rural areas theyre going to have lots of infections, most likely within a short space of time, and the impact may be greater because of that lack of resources.

The rapidity with which the Chinese Communist Party has embraced the herd immunity policy and essentially forced the population to accept mass infection has been nothing short of a criminal policy of social murder. It is as though the Stalinist regime is seeking to catch up with the Western powers in infections and deaths, after having kept the virus out for the last three years and protected the lives of millions of people.

The demands placed by finance capital on Chinas leadership were bound to supersede any nationally based public health policy aimed at maintaining Zero COVID.

In that regard, Chinas Vice Premier Liu Hes appearance before the worlds billionaires at Davos to tell the world that China was open for business was a revealing indictment of the bureaucracys orientation. Without flinching, he told the elite audience, Life has been restored to normal in China.
On Saturday night, a gunman opened fire at party-goers at Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, killing 10 and wounding at least 10 more. Those in attendance were celebrating Lunar New Years Eve at the studio in a Los Angeles area suburb with a majority of residents of either Chinese or Asian descent.

Police tape cordons off the Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, California, Sunday, January 22, 2023. A gunman killed at least 10 people at the ballroom dance studio late Saturday amid Lunar New Years celebrations in the predominantly Asian American community. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]



Police claim they began receiving calls about the shooting around 10:20 p.m. The Monterey Park Police Department is located less than half a mile from the Star Dance Studio, but police did not arrive on the scene in time to stop the mass killing.

The alleged shooter was apparently able to escape and threaten another nearby dance hall free from police interference.



Lunar New Year celebrations, scheduled to last throughout Sunday, were immediately canceled citywide after the shooting. In major cities throughout the United States, including Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Baltimore and New York, Lunar New Year parties proceeded under heavy police supervision.

After a massive police manhunt, a white van matching descriptions provided by witnesses was breached by a police SWAT team Sunday afternoon in the coastal Los Angeles-area city of Torrance. The vehicles driver, whom police allege was the gunman, was found slumped over the steering wheel, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.



Police identified the dead man and alleged shooter as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran. However, the motive for the killings is yet to be revealed.

Police are investigating a possible connection between the Monterey Park shooting and an incident that same night in the neighboring city of Alhambra. According to reports, 17 minutes after the Monterey Park shooting, an individual, described as an armed Asian male, walked into the Lai Lai dance hall in Alhambra, whereupon he was disarmed by the dance hall patrons and thereafter fled from the scene in a white cargo van similar to the van found in Torrance. No one was killed or injured during the Alhambra incident.

We are aware of an incident that occurred in Alhambra, and we have investigators on the scene trying to determine if there is a connection, said Captain Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department during a press conference Sunday morning.



While it is too early to determine the motive for the Monterey Park killings, they took place within the context of a wave of violence against Asian Americans, and Chinese Americans, in particular. At a Sunday morning press conference, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna relayed to reporters, Somebody called one of those hospitals [treating the 10 individuals injured in the shooting] to say something along the lines that they want to go and finish the job.

In the state of California alone, crimes committed against Asian Americans rose by 177.5 percent between 2020 and 2021, while the percentage of the states hate crimes based on race involving Asian Americans rose from 8 percent to 21 percent during the same period.

Saturdays mass shooting is the deadliest in the US since the elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, last May, resulting in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers. In total, there were 647 mass shootings in the United States in 2022, according to records kept by the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an event in which four or more people, not including the shooter, are either shot or killed. Over 44,000 Americans died after being shot with a gun last year, with over half of those, 24,090, using a gun to commit suicide.



Three weeks into the year 2023, the archive has already recorded 36 mass shootings, more than one a day. Over 2,500 people have already died from gunshots, including over 1,100 homicides/murders.

The incident in Monterey Park is the deadliest mass shooting in California since the 2018 Thousand Oaks dance club shooting that claimed the lives of 12 people and wounded a further 25.

Following the shooting, Vice President Kamala Harris, a California native, released a statement with her husband, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, saying the pair was mourning for those who were killed, as we pray for those who are injured, and as we grieve for those many people whose lives are forever changed.

President Biden tweeted on Sunday, Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last nights deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park. The president has not said anything about the incident since, with his account tweeting a mere hour afterwards about actress Aubrey Plazas guest-hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live.
On the morning of January 18, Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, a 26-year-old environmental activist from Venezuela, was shot and killed by police under still unclear circumstances during a multi-agency clearing operation conducted in the South River forest, located in DeKalb County, Georgia, outside of Atlanta.

Since last year, dozens of environmental activists and anarchists have been camped out in the forest protesting the construction of the Atlanta Police Foundations (APF) Public Safety Training Center.

The massive 85-acre, $90 million police training complex has been dubbed Cop City by its opponents. In addition to the clearing of acres of public forest, protesters and opponents of the training complex, which includes a majority of local residents, have pointed out that the facility will be used to practice urban warfare against the working class.

"Stop Cop City" protesters demonstrate in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday following the police killing of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran on January 18, 2023 [AP Photo/R.J. Rico]

The proposed facility will be a mock-up of the city of Atlanta, complete with shooting and explosives ranges. The APF states that the center is needed to assist in boosting morale and recruiting new police officers. The Police Foundations Board of Trustees includes representatives of major corporations such as Delta Air Lines, Equifax, Home Depot, United Parcel Service and Wells Fargo.

On the morning Teran was killed, police from Atlanta, DeKalb County, the Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were involved in an operation to remove Stop Cop City environmental activists from the public forest where the facility is set to be built.

According to the GBI, Teran, who was known as Tortuguita/Tort (Little Turtle) to his friends and comrades, was inside their tent in the woods when police engaged protesters. Police claim Teran refused to comply with verbal commands barked by law enforcement to clear the area, and, without warning, shot and injured a Georgia State Trooper. Police claim they then returned fire and killed Teran.

Police have provided scant evidence to support their claim that Teran shot first. Despite multiple local and federal police agencies, including the FBI, participating in the clearing operation, police claim there is no body camera footage of the shooting.

An estimated 25 campsites were located and removed following the killing of Teran. The GBI reportedly recovered mortar-style fireworks, melee weaponry, pellet rifles, gas masks and a blow torch. Seven people were arrested and subsequently charged with domestic terrorism and criminal trespass, with other felony and misdemeanor charges pending. Those arrested are between 20 and 34 years old.

The only evidence police have provided to back their claim that Teran fired at them is a picture of a pistol produced by the police on January 20, two days after the incident.

Kei Diliza, a Georgia resident and associate of the Stop Cop City movement, told CNN on January 19 that eyewitnesses have said the police accounts of the incident are incorrect.

Belkis Teran, the mother of Manuel Teran, in an interview with CNN on January 21 also refuted police accounts of the incident. They said he had a gun. If he had one, it was for protecting himself against the animals in the forest. Thats what I understand, she told CNN.

I never knew he had a gun, the mother continued, adding that she didnt think Teran would be capable of firing a gun at police. He was not a violent person. He was a pacifist. He would tell me that all the time, she said.

After news of the killing of Teran spread online, protests and vigils against police violence were organized in several cities, including Atlanta; Portland, Oregon; Madison, Wisconsin; Akron, Ohio; and New York City.

In Atlanta on Saturday, some 300 peaceful Stop Cop City protesters marched to protest the killing of Teran, chanting, No bad protesters; no good cops!

After the march, some of the protesters engaged in vandalism of banks and police cars, provoking a massive police response. Journalist Garrison Davis reported on the ground, Protesters hit the Atlanta Police Foundation headquarters and a few banks in the area with fireworks and broken windows. Two cop cars had their windows smashed, and then tons of Atlanta police officers arrived from multiple directions. At least a dozen arrests so far.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrests of six people, all of whom are being charged with domestic terrorism, along with other felony and misdemeanor charges. Since last December, over a dozen Stop Cop City protesters have been arrested on trumped-up domestic terrorism charges.

In an interview on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, the Democratic mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens, backed the massive police response and sympathized with the trooper who was shot. Dickens emphasized that a majority of those arrested were not from Atlanta, in an attempt to smear the opponents of police violence and the new police training center as outside agitators.

The mayor, who assumed office last year, defended the multimillion-dollar police project to a national television audience as a necessary state of the art training center thats going to allow us to do 21st century policing. He particularly touted the new emergency vehicle obstacle course.

In 2020, as a member of the Atlanta City Council, Dickens voted in favor of a measure that would have withheld $73 million from the Atlanta Police Department until then-Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms drafted a plan to reinvent the culture of policing in the city. The measure failed, and every year since then the Atlanta Police budget has increased. Bottoms has since been elevated to a top position in the Biden administration.

In his appearance on Face the Nation, Dickens whitewashed the role of the Democratic Party in suffocating the mass protests that erupted in 2020 following the police murder of George Floyd and appropriating defund the police demands to justify increased funding in the name of reforming the police. Dickens claimed that individuals that are protesting against Cop City, they dont want to see the very thing they asked for, more police training.

He said the allocation of $90 million, including $30 million in taxpayer money, for the new facility was an example of bringing about the change we wanted to see in 2020. He warned, So we are going to develop this training center and those individuals will have to come to a halt.

Dickens comments mirrored those made by President Joe Biden in Washington D.C. on Friday. Speaking to hundreds of mayors, Democratic and Republican, Biden declared, to applause: When it comes to public safety, we know the answer is not to defund the police. They need more funding.



In 2022, police killed at least 1,185 people in the United States, overwhelmingly working class and poor. According to figures from MappingPoliceViolence.us, police in Georgia killed more people last year than in any year in the last decade.

One of the first victims of murderous police violence in 2023 was Tyre Nichols, 29, of Memphis, Tennessee. Nichols was savagely beaten by five African American police officers during a traffic stop on January 7. Nichols, who himself was African American, succumbed to his injuries on January 10.

On Friday, the Memphis Police Department announced that all five officers involved in the beating of NicholsTadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martine III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smithhad been fired. All of them had been police officers since at least August 2020, with Mills Jr. being the most senior, having been hired in March 2017.

The Memphis police department exposes the racialist fantasy that having a diverse police force will reduce police killings and violence. In Memphis, which is over 65 percent African American, more than 55 percent of the police identify as African American. While there are racists and fascists in every police department, skin color plays a secondary role in the never-ending plague of police brutality and murder across the US.

It is fundamentally a class question. The police are part of the repressive apparatus of the capitalist state, which assumes an ever more openly violent character in carrying out its role as defender of capitalist property and profits under conditions of deepening social and economic crisis, growing inequality and a resurgence of working class resistance.
Dozens of prisoners incarcerated in Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) jails have entered the second week of a hunger strike in protest of the state holding thousands of inmates indefinitely in solitary confinement.

Inmates across the Texas prison system have refused food since January 10, opposing the states brutal practice of keeping prisoners in isolation, in some cases for decades. TDCJ officials claim 72 prisoners initiated the hunger strike, and only 38 are still refusing food. However, advocacy groups in touch with the striking prisoners say at least 138 are on strike.

Texas prisoners in solitary confinement are kept in single-person cells for at least 22 hours a day. When staffing levels allowwhich is usually rarethe inmates can get out of their cells to shower or exercise alone in caged outdoor areas. Thousands of prisoners are kept in such inhumane conditions for years.

Texas is currently holding more than 3,000 inmates in what the TDCJ refers to as restrictive housing. Of those, more than 500 have been held in solitary confinement for at least 10 years and 138 for at least 20 years. The indeterminate length of a solitary term in Texas has made the state a national leader in the use of this barbaric form of lock-up over prolonged periods.

Three months prior to the strike, the inmates involved presented the prison authorities with a list of written complaints and demands outlining the injustices many were subjected to. In the document, inmates said they were suffering deprivations of our senses, inhumane treatment and conditions, and long-term mental, physical and emotional harm which endure long after release and cannot be undone.

The main demand is to replace the current Texas policy of putting prisoners into solitary confinement based on supposed gang affiliation with a behavioral based system to address the behavior of individualsonly those who engage in serious rule violations should be placed in restrictive housing.

Brittany Robertson, an advocate representing the hunger strikers, described the grim state of solitary cells.

Most units dont allow calls, no contact visits, no oversight or effective grievance process. Mail is delayed up to a month, there are staffing shortages and with no security checks there are a lot of suicides, Robertson told the Guardian.

Robertson also unveiled a report from a prisoner that recorded what few privileges he was afforded in August 2022. The inmate reported he was only allowed to make one phone call to a loved one, which the state restricted to just after midnight. Furthermore, he was only granted two days of recreation and spent the rest of the month confined to his cell.

According to Robertson, prisoners have reported that their cells are being routinely searched for food. Inmates are also reportedly losing weight rapidly. The Texas Tribune reported that an inmate in Anderson County said weigh-ins revealed that several men had lost five pounds or more in one day. Many strikers were beginning to feel dizzy and have muscle cramps.

According to prison policy, those participating in hunger strikes have to be medically evaluated daily and doctors are allowed to force-feed prisoners if it is deemed necessary. However, TDCJ spokesperson Amanda Hernandez said Thursday no medical intervention had yet been required for the strike.

The TDCJ claims solitary confinement is designated as a means to prevent violence between prisoners and gang recruitment. Authorities state they intend to isolate security threat groups such as the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood and the Mexican mafia.

Inmates are assessed for signs of gang membership such as tattoos and other indicators, and if they are labelled with a gang status are then placed alone in a cell indefinitely, regardless of any behavioral violations or wrongdoing.

In a statement, the TDCJ said if known prison gang members in state custody do not like their current confinement conditions, they are free to renounce their gang and we will offer them a pathway back into general population. We will not, however, give them free rein to recruit new members and try to continue their criminal enterprises.

The TDCJ claims that only inmates who are confirmed members of the most organized and dangerous prison gangs, inmates who are escape risks, and inmates who committed assaults or multiple other serious disciplinary offenses are incarcerated within [solitary]. Officials also claimed that the prison system had made great strides in decreasing the use of solitary confinement, from a peak of 9,186 prisoners in 2007 to 3,172 last year.

Robertson, however, dismissed TDCJs conclusion, saying that many of the striking prisoners are in fact men from different gangs who found a way to come together to fight for change.

She added that the prisoners who had joined the protest truly feel this is in the best interest of all, including the prison employees who are suffering appalling conditions as well.

Prison officials have said alleged gang members can get out of solitary by renouncing their gang and going through an intensive reentry program specifically for gang members. Many prisoners, however, struggle to get into the program or choose not to enter it, according to the striking prisoners and prison rights advocates, because it often requires them to name other gang members or incriminate themselves.

According to the latest data compiled by the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) and the Arthur Liman Center at Yale Law School, between 41,000 and 48,000 inmates are held in isolation in US prisons. The CLA-Liman report added that Texas had by far the largest number of prisoners who had been held in solitary for more than 10 years, with only Alabama and the federal prison system coming anywhere close.

Prolonged solitary confinement has long been recognized as a form of torture. In 2011, a special rapporteur of the UN human rights council concluded that as short a timeframe as 15 days in solitary can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and even torture.

The psychological dangers of prolonged isolation are also well documented. Theres plenty of research showing that after just a few days people deteriorate mentally, can develop suicidal ideation and experience PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] afterwards, Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs within the University of Texas, told the Tribune.
Just weeks before the March 25 election in the Australian state of New South Wales, a former longtime state Labor frontbench member of parliament last week announced her defection to the far-right One Nation party.

Tania Mihailuk, whom the Labor Party has endorsed as the MP for the Sydney working-class electorate of Bankstown since 2011, and before that as mayor of Bankstown from 2006, said she would stand as a One Nation candidate for the states upper house.

While particularly disgusting, Mihailuks turn to the anti-immigrant and anti-welfare party founded by Senator Pauline Hanson in 1997 is not unprecedented. Having quit the Labor Party last year, Mihailuk is following the political footsteps of ex-federal Labor Party leader Mark Latham, who joined One Nation in 2018.

Mark Latham with Tania Mihailuk. [Photo: Pauline Hanson's One Nation]

In fact, Mihailuk wants to join Latham in the NSW upper house, where he picked up a seat in 2019, along with a second One Nation candidate, by obtaining 6.9 percent of the statewide vote.

Hanson has long agitated against indigenous people, welfare recipients, Asians and Muslims. She was first elevated to media prominence to exploit the widespread disaffection with the attacks on working-class jobs and conditions conducted by the Hawke and Keating Labor governments and the trade unions from 1983 to 1997.

After regaining a parliamentary seat in 2016, one of Hansons provocations was to enter the Senate chamber in 2017 wearing the full-length Islamic headdress in a bid to whip up anti-Muslim prejudice.

Increasingly, Hanson also has spouted anti-Chinese poison and pro-war militarism. In her first Senate speech in 2016, she claimed Australia was being taken over by the oppressive communist Chinese government via land and asset purchases, the kind of foreign takeover that Australians had fought and died in wars to prevent.

Latham himself has a long record, including as Labor leader from 2003 to 2005, as an unabashed advocate of slashing social spending in line with the requirements of global capitalism. Under the slogans of user pays, individual responsibility and getting people to work hard in order to climb the supposed ladder of opportunity, as Labor leader he championed the junking of the post-World War II welfare state.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Latham has played a prominent role in One Nations efforts to energise a far-right base by railing against public health measures, such as lockdowns and vaccination mandates, that affected business interests. In mid-2020, Latham claimed that concerns about coronavirus infection and death were the result of media hysteria. He and Hanson fuelled the agitation that was subsequently embraced by the criminal live with the virus policy of all the state and federal governments.

Mihailuks switch to One Nation is most notable because Bankstown is among the most immigrant and ethnically diverse working-class communities in Australia. Over 60 different languages are spoken by its population, nearly two-thirds of whom were born overseas.

After decades of being represented by Labor MPs at federal and state level, including former Prime Minister Paul Keating in the 1980s and 1990s, Bankstown remains one of the most impoverished areas of the country. Close to 40 percent of its residents are classified as low income (earning less than $500 per week), the official unemployment rate is 7.2 percent, more than double the national average, and youth unemployment (15- to 24-year-olds) is as high as 4060 percent in some neighbourhoods.

Like Hanson and Latham, Mihailuk represents efforts to develop more right-wing, nationalist and racially divisive political formations to divert rising class and social discontent in reactionary channels. Popular support is continuing to implode for Australias two traditional ruling parties, Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition, after years of declining working and living conditions, now aggravated by the COVID pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis unleashed by the federal Labor government.

The looming NSW election may produce another record low vote for the twin parties of capitalist rule, following last Mays federal election, which saw their combined vote fall to the worst level since World War II. Labors vote dropped to 33 percent, but it scraped into office because the Coalitions support declined even further.

Mihailuk was a member of Labors shadow state cabinet, and had held key portfolios, such as natural resources, planning, family and community services and social housing. She resigned from Labor last year, ostensibly over her allegations of corruption against a factional Labor Party rival, current Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Khal Asfour.

After state Labor leader Chris Minns dumped her from the shadow cabinet for making her accusations in a parliamentary speech last September, she quit the party in October, declaring that it was plagued by corruption. Her allegations against Asfour included that he used his position as mayor to aid former Labor Party powerbroker and MP Eddie Obeid with a property redevelopment application.

Asfour was cleared by a party investigation but last Friday stood down as an upper house candidate after the Sydney Daily Telegraph, a Murdoch tabloid, reported personal expenses he claimed on a 2015 mayoral trip to Japan.

Mihailuks accusations reprised the stench of corruption that surrounded the Labor Party in NSW before its most recent term of office in that state ended in a landslide defeat in 2011. Across the state, the most populous in the country, Labor received only 25.5 percent of the vote, its lowest result since 1904.

Labors 16 years in government had been marked by blatant venality, cronyism and nepotism, privatisation of electricity and other services, and cosy relations with major investment banks, property developers and speculators.

Mihailuks One Nation announcement, posted on its website, outlined her far-right views. She said NSW would go woke and broke under a Labor government. I know the true agenda of the people currently sitting on Chris Minns front benchthey are from the extreme left, she stated.

In reality, Minns and his shadow ministers personify Labors right-wing, pro-business character and agenda. They have maintained close bipartisan support for the program of the current hated Liberal-National state premier Dominic Perrottet, including the profit-driven dismantling of COVID safety measures in partnership with the federal Labor government, and defended Perrottet after he apologised for wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party in 2003.



Mihailuk identified herself with the corporate elite, including the coal and energy conglomerates, while making populist pitches. One Nation was the only party focused on the cost-of-living crisis and energy bills, while the two ruling parties were creating an unnecessary scare campaign against coal and nuclear energy. She claimed: Labor wants to ban coal and forestry and this will send electricity prices and the cost of building materials to record highs.

This was combined with an appeal to a bigoted Christian constituency. As a proud Christian, she cited freedom of religion as another reason for joining One Nation. Labor, she declared, want drug legalisation and gender fluidity teaching in schools, along with left wing indoctrination, instead of actual common sense skills that lead to jobs.

Jihad Dib, Labors MP for the adjoining Lakemba electorate, and now its candidate to replace Mihailuk in Bankstown, desperately sought to repair the damage done to Labor. He said he was shocked by her defection. People in our diverse and multicultural community will be bitterly disappointed that she has joined a political party with division and fear at its core.

In fact, Mihailuks embrace of Hanson and Latham has a political logic. It is entirely in keeping with Labors founding White Australia policya racist program shared with the trade union leaders to divide workers in Australia from their fellow workers across Asia and internationally.

Despite White Australias supposed ditching in the 1960s because of Australian capitalisms growing dependence on Asian markets, this anti-foreigner program has remained central to the policies of Labor and the unions, and has been brought to the fore during every period of economic breakdown and war.

Mihailuks recruitment to the Hanson-Latham union is another warning of intense efforts being made within the ruling class to fashion new far-right, nationalist and xenophobic political formations and push the whole parliamentary establishment further in that direction. This is in line with the elevation of far-right and fascistic parties in Europe, the US and elsewhere, blaming immigrants for the social crisis produced by the profit system.

Mihailuks trajectory is another demonstration of the necessity for workers and young people to consciously reject Labors nationalism and defence of the corporate profit system, which is a breeding ground for such political poison. They need to join the fight to build a new revolutionary socialist leadership in the working class, uniting workers of all backgrounds worldwide in the common struggle to overturn the entire disastrous capitalist order.
In the first three weeks of the new year Australia has recorded 1,059 official COVID deaths, with weekly tallies of 271, 408 and 380. Under conditions where any attempt to monitor transmission has been dismantled, and a myriad of barriers have been placed in the way of people seeking a test, the grim fatality figures are a more accurate indicator of the state of the pandemic than the official infection statistics.

The 1,059 deaths in some 21 days are substantially greater than the 909 fatalities reported in the entirety of 2020, the first year of the pandemic. In the whole of 2021, there were 1,330 COVID deaths.

The comparatively low tolls in 202021 were the result of mitigation measures, instituted in response to the demands of workers and public health experts. Despite many pro-business exemptions, these measures, including partial lockdowns, repeatedly succeeded in eliminating COVID transmission.

As a result of the profit-driven reopening of the economy in December 2021, and an ensuing Omicron tsunami that was never brought under control, there were some 14,780 COVID fatalities last year. But excess death figures indicate that the direct and indirect toll could have been as high as 25,000.

If the current average of 353 official COVID deaths a week holds for the entire year, 2023 will be the deadliest year of the pandemic yet, with some 18,356 lives to be lost, excluding those excess deaths not directly attributed to COVID.

An annual report, released by the governments Centre for Population at the end of 2022, revealed that the mountain of COVID fatalities had resulted in a decline in life expectancy, something that has never occurred before in post-World War II Australia.

It stated: The increase in [COVID] deaths in 202122 and 202223 has resulted in a temporary drop in life expectancy in these 2 years. Compared to 202021, life expectancies are projected to decrease by 0.4 years for both females and males in 202122 and 0.2 years for males and 0.3 years for females in 202223.

The report blithely asserted that life expectancy would begin to increase again starting in 202324. The trends this year already, however, and the absence of even the ineffectual mitigation measures that remained in place for part of 2022, show that this is fantasy. If anything, the falls in life expectancy, a key barometer of social progress, will intensify.

The sharp increases in deaths over recent weeks have pushed Australias cumulative per capita death toll higher than at any previous point in the pandemic.

[Photo by Our World in Data / CC BY 4.0

Figures collated by Our World in Data show that as of January 21, Australias cumulative death toll was almost 575 per million people. That is higher than in Britain, one of the pioneers of the herd immunity program, where the figure is around 506, and other countries where there have been mass deaths, such as South Korea (515), Canada (465) and Japan (376.)

There is virtually no discussion within the political establishment on the unfolding medical disaster. Instead, the entire focus is on presenting the pandemic as a thing of the past, while normalising levels of illness and death not seen outside of wartime.

In a rare breach of the silence, which extends to the official media, prominent commentator Laura Tingle published a piece over the weekend entitled COVID is still wreaking havoc across Australia but political and medical debate seems to have succumbed to pandemic weariness. It was published by the state-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Australian Financial Review (AFR), one of the preeminent mouthpieces of the ruling elite.

Tingle noted that the politicaland for that matter medicaldebate about COVID feels to have gone almost underground. Daily press conferences on infections, hospitalisations and deaths, which were the norm at an earlier stage of the pandemic, had been replaced by silence.

Yet even without the detailed data we once had, figures for excess deaths and hospitalisations show COVID continues to wreak havoc, Tingle wrote. The independent OzSage group of COVID experts noted earlier this month COVID was the third highest cause of death in Australia in 2022, running at 12 times the annual road toll.

Tingle pointed to the broader long-term health implications, noting that they extend beyond perceptions of Long-COVID as being akin to chronic fatigue syndrome.

She wrote: COVID continues to be found in your brain, in your lungs, your heartin fact, most of the crucial bits in your body, long after you have seemingly recovered. It has been linked to higher risks and incidents of heart attacks and strokes. One epidemiologist said rather bluntly this week it eats your heart, and kills your brain.

The obvious point is that the AFR and the ABC are hardly neutral parties when it comes to the normalisation of COVID.

Both aggressively promoted the reopening of the economy, and all the falsehoods used to justify it. This included the claims that Omicron, the strain that has resulted in most Australian deaths, was mild, that the spread of the virus would boost immunity, not cause major health issues as Tingle now documents, and that the pandemic would shortly end.

They, together with the rest of the official media, are principally responsible for the discussion on COVID going underground. Critical epidemiologists, who were once cited in the press, now find an audience only on social media. The WSWS is among a handful of publications that draws attention to the record fatalities.

Tingles article was published amid other reports of the impact of COVID over the weekend. The coverage does not mark a repudiation of the let it rip policy, which has universal support in establishment circles. Instead it is from the standpoint of the implications of the health crisis for the ruling elite. Such things as labour shortages and supply chain disruptions are no doubt front of mind.

On January 16, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on a new study by Nature Reviews Microbiology, with a headline Were all vulnerable: One in 10 people will end up with long COVID, new study says. It cited Professor Brendan Crabb, who explained: Each time a person is reinfected with the virus, they have the same likelihood of catching long COVID. Crabb called for a rethink of Australias relaxed attitude towards COVID-19, aimed at reducing transmission.

On Saturday, the Herald reported: More than 10,200 Australians died of ischemic heart disease in the first eight months of 2022that is about 17 percent higher than would be expected in a normal year. It stated: The pandemic has caused a surge of fatal cardiac arrests in Australia, as delayed care and COVIDs damaging effect on the heart drives a major uptick in serious heart issues.

Another article in the publication noted: More people died last year than ever before. Sydneys death industry has struggled to cope. It said: Everyone dies. But last year in NSW, far more people than usual did. Every single week up to September, dozens more deaths were reported than the states average. The cause is no secret: a rapidly ageing population combined with the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

A January 22 article in the AFR warned: Australia faces an era of unprecedented disease threat. In addition to seasonally unusual outbreaks of RSV and other common respiratory illnesses, new public health warnings have been issued about potentially serious bacterial infections that can become invasive, such as streptococcus A and meningococcus, which are also respiratory spread.

Comments by Professor Dominic Dwyer, director of Public Health Pathology in New South Wales, highlighted the historic nature of the public health reversal. He said: I dont believe we have seen this before. There were complications of the influenza pandemic of 1918. But as there was limited diagnostic ability, much went undiagnosed.

The COVID pandemic had turned everything on its head. Dwyer explained: We used to have a typical pattern of respiratory diseases, but now, instead of just being a winter thing, not only did they begin occurring at different times, they did so with different frequency and different genetic characteristics.

Australian governments are not instituting a single public health measure to address what is a threat to the entire population. As Tingle noted, even the COVID vaccine rollout, touted as a silver bullet justifying the lifting of all other safety measures, has effectively ended. Labors federal Health Minister Mark Butler has dodged questions about the rollout of a fifth vaccine dose or the provision of the more effective bivalent vaccines. As a consequence, even those who received all available vaccinations are largely without protection.

The COVID coverage of recent days, while pointing to the deadly nature of the virus, has advanced nothing insofar as a solution. The measures to eliminate COVID, including universal indoor masking, mass testing, contact-tracing, air filtration and, where necessary, lockdowns, are well known. The issue is that they potentially impact on the profits of big business.

That underscores the fact that the fight against the pandemic can only proceed in the form of a political struggle by the working class against the capitalist system and all those who defend it.
Hospitals throughout Canada and the United States have experienced an alarming surge of respiratory viruses in infants, children and adults, predominantly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19. Hospitals in both countries have been operating at or above capacity for several months with no end in sight due to the homicidal forever COVID policy which has been overseen by the Trudeau Liberal government in Canada and the Biden administration in the United States.

In this Thursday, August 19, 2021, photo, EMTs bring another patient to the Emergency Department in the Critical Care Unit at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, Oregon [AP Photo/Mike Zacchino/KDRV via AP, Pool]

The rapid spread of the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant across Canada and the United States is overwhelming an already stretched health care system. The risk of death and other serious health care outcomes from long wait times in emergency rooms (ERs) will increase due to lack of beds and staff and increased boarding time (the total time required to treat patients in the ER). Hospital staff are exhausted and suffering from moral injury and are leaving in droves, which will only exacerbate the shortage of health care workers.

According to a report by the Canadian CBC News, ER deaths are at a six-year high in the province of Nova Scotia; 558 people died in ERs in 2022, up from 505 in 2021 and 393 in 2020.

The most recent death was that of a 37-year-old woman who had sought medical treatment for excruciating abdominal pain at Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst, Nova Scotia. The patient, Allison Holthoff, waited six hours in a wheelchair or lying on the floor in the waiting room before being brought into an exam room. Her husband, Gunter Holthoff, told CBC News that at one point he told medical staff that his spouse was not doing well, and she felt like she was dying, but there was no response or action. After more time passed the nurses prepared Allison for an X-ray, but she subsequently went into cardiac arrest before the test could be performed. She was resuscitated three times but later died in the intensive care unit.

The day before Allison Holthoffs death, 67-year-old Charlene Snow died after returning home following a seven-hour wait in the ER at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Snow had been ill for several days with intense jaw pain and flu-like symptoms before seeking treatment, but left without being seen. Snow suffered a cardiac arrest and died an hour after leaving the hospital, according to Global News.

According to the Annual Accountability Report, in 2021-2022 there were 536,666 total visits to emergency departments (EDs) across Nova Scotia and during this same time period 43,142 patients (8.0 percent) who visited EDs left without being seen (LWBS) by staff at an ED. The EDs with the greatest number of patients LWBS are South Shore Regional (15.0 percent) and Cape Breton Regional (14.8 percent), the hospital where Charlene Snow sought medical care.

The head of emergency medicine for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dr. Kirk Magee, recently told Global News that emergency care was in a state of crisis amid a shortage of nurses, physicians and hospital beds, and an increased volume of patients with complex needs. The shortage of primarily nursing staff has forced closure of ERs across Canada, causing more pressure on an already collapsing health system.

In addition to the nursing shortage, there is a shortage of primary care physicians which has increased the use of ERs for chronic medical issues. According to Nova Scotia Health, as of January 1, 2023, 129,321 Nova Scotians are on the family practice registry, that is 13 percent of the population are looking for a family practice physician.

Similar situations are unfolding in ERs across the United States. Shortages in staff and beds and increased boarding are plaguing emergency departments around the country and contributing to long wait times.

On October 14, 2022, 12-year-old Meiah Tafoya was brought to Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a fracture she sustained from a fall at school. Meiah waited 10 hours before she was told by staff that she could not be adequately treated at Presbyterian Hospital and would need to be transferred to another hospital. She was transferred to University of New Mexico Hospital where she underwent four surgeries which included the amputation of her injured leg.

In another tragic incident, 23-year-old William Billy Miller died in the ER after being transported to Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut after ingesting a white, powdery substance he believed was laced with fentanyl. The patient was given naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdose, by firefighters and then transferred to New Haven ER where he was designated a Level 2 patient, meaning staff were required to reassess him every hour. According to a press report, hospital staff did not check on him for seven hours and he was later found to be in full cardiac arrest.

Decades of research have long demonstrated that overcrowding in Es can lead to worse outcomes for patients receiving emergency treatment, and this overcrowding impacts patients in other areas of the hospital as well.

In an article published last month in the journal Health Services Research, researchers from Penn State and the University of California, San Francisco examined five million discharge records from hospitals across California between October 2015 and the end of 2017. They found that patients throughout a hospital were 5.4 percent more likely to die of any cause on days when that hospitals emergency department was the most crowded.

The researchers note that since the causes of death have not yet been explored, it is too early to say whether people are dying because of emergency room crowding. Still, the results show that more people at the hospitals die when the emergency rooms fill up.

Moreover, since the data was collected in California, where legislation regulates the minimum staffing levels for nurses, the impact of ED overcrowding in other states is likely even greater. This data was also collected prior to the pandemic. One can assume that the overwhelmed emergency departments during the pandemic, and now with the confluence of multiple respiratory viruses, have only resulted in even higher rates of inpatient deaths at hospitals.

The overlapping surge of multiple viruses circulating in the population could have been prevented. There were numerous warnings by experts months before but nothing was done to prepare.

The unfolding tragedy is a consequence of the herd immunity and forever COVID policy now pursued by both the Biden administration and the Trudeau Liberal government which over the past year have systematically dismantled all anti-COVID protection measures based on science.

The capitalist policy of prioritizing corporate profit over every other social need has produced horrific results for which the recent ED deaths and poor outcomes are only one aspect. All public health measures during the pandemic have been subordinated to the profit interests of corporations, resulting in the unnecessary loss of millions of lives.

The long wait times and delay in treatment in emergency rooms during the present surge of respiratory viruses is a direct consequence of these criminal policies and stands as an indictment of the capitalist system and its brutal treatment of the working class, young and most vulnerable members of society.
Call it bipartisanship: As Rep. Todd Porter walked into the Capitol one day earlier this month, he spotted Sen. Kathy Hogan lying on the floor. She had just fallen while leaving for the day.

Porter, R-Mandan, a longtime paramedic, provided immediate assistance to Hogan, D-Fargo, who was later found to have suffered a cracked kneecap and a mild concussion.

Having Todd be my first responder was a gift, said Hogan, the Senate minority leader. His calm and firm presence was totally reassuring.

Beth Helfrich, executive director for the North Dakota broadcasters and newspaper associations, witnessed the quick assist.

It was truly like a divine intervention that Todd Porter, a paramedic, was right there, she said.

In addition to his 24 years in the Legislature, Porter has worked as a paramedic in the Bismarck-Mandan area for 45 years. He said he has dealt with numerous calls, from falls with lacerations to major traumatic events.

Porter carries a pager for the Capitol Response Team and responds when he can to assist state Highway Patrol officers and Capitol Security.

That is the profession I fell in love with while still in high school, and still to this day it makes my pulse rise a bit, he said. But the ultimate satisfaction is helping someone in need.

Hogan, 74, was on crutches for a time and participated in her committees remotely from her Bismarck hotel until she was able to return to the Capitol.
McClusky Mayor Bryon Belile isn't sure why his city and surrounding Sheridan County don't have a public library.

"I guess it never occurred to anybody. Nobody really pushed it, I suppose," he said.

McClusky residents instead have a book swap by the grocery store, which also buys and sells used books "because there's no other deal in town, really," but for school libraries, the mayor said.

Now readers in one of North Dakota's least-populated counties are getting a new option: a book vending machine available 24/7 year-round at City Hall.

"I like it. I know a lot of the people in town are pretty excited about it," said Belile, a Louis L'Amour fan who has his own library of 300-400 books, which he chuckles he's halfway through reading.

North Dakota's State Library is using over $913,000 of federal American Rescue Plan Act coronavirus aid to fund the statewide project, including books. The 10 machines cost $772,000.

Five counties in North Dakota have no public libraries within their borders -- Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope and Steele -- and nearly two dozen don't have countywide library service.

The machines are a response to the coronavirus pandemic, albeit "a little bit late," State Librarian Mary Soucie said. Most public libraries were closed for a short time in 2020, and almost all did some form of curbside service for patrons.

The machines are a way to get materials to people who have no access to libraries or the State Library's ebook collection, "bridging the digital divide," Soucie said.

"Part of our mission is to serve the unserved or those who are underserved," she said.

The State Library initially leaned toward bookmobiles, but arrival time, weather and staff to drive the vehicles were concerns. The machines were "a better solution" and don't require additional staff, Soucie said.

Oliver County has no public library but for the school library in Center. That facility has limited hours, and many residents don't know about it, County Extension Agent Rick Schmidt said. His office neighbors the book vending machine delivered recently to the County Courthouse.

"There's a wealth of knowledge in this world, and I think people need to have access to a place to go and find that information," he said. "I'm a believer that it's better for us to have it in a book form than it is to be glancing at our phones for long periods of time, too."

He expects good utilization of the machine when it's in operation and accessible at least during work hours. The county is awaiting books for the machine.

"There's an audience there that I think this is going to be very beneficial for," Schmidt said.

The State Library is eyeing the end of March to get the machines fully operational and to catalog their books.

One machine was installed recently at the state Capitol, what Soucie called "a great opportunity" for state employees and lawmakers to see the machine. It will be there through February, then go to a permanent location to be determined.

Other machine locations, all indoors, include:

Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone Office in Fort Totten

Burke County Courthouse in Bowbells

McHenry County Courthouse in Towner

Sargent County Courthouse in Forman

Sioux County Courthouse in Fort Yates

Slope County Courthouse in Amidon

Agassiz Valley Human Service Zone Office in Hillsboro

The machines are of no cost to the communities, which provide electrical and Internet access.

Two collections of books -- which came in more than 250 boxes weighing nearly 4 tons -- will fill the machines, one collection each for five machines, enabling the State Library to swap out books. Other items such as DVDs might come down the road, Soucie said.

Each machine holds 228 items, a mixture of adult and kids books. Adjusting the machines' weight-bearing components could allow up to 400 items inside, Soucie said.

Patrons walk up, scan their State Library card, browse the machine's collection, make a selection and pull the book from a door. Patrons also may return State Library books to machines.

Anyone within North Dakota can obtain a State Library card. The State Library mails books to patrons through interlibrary loan service. Soucie said the machines could eliminate or minimize patrons' postage costs for book returns.

The machines will be permanent, unless local partners determine "that it's not working for them to host; then we could move them to another location," Soucie said.

McClusky's mayor said libraries enable people to educate themselves and peruse books they might not want to buy.

"I don't know if there's a book club yet, but I imagine there will be because there's a group that book-shares now, and they're the ones that are really excited," Belile said.
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

Medical marijuana patients in North Dakota have been asking for years to be able to obtain edible products. Two bills in the Legislature aim to make that happen. Supporters say edibles are a better dosing method for patients than other forms of the drug, while opponents say they could fall into the hands of children. But that's a risk with many things, and shouldn't be used as an excuse to deny North Dakotans a product that's legal in many other places. Nearly 9,000 people have state-issued medical marijuana cards. They should be given access to all forms of the drug, so they can decide for themselves what works best.

Down

The bad early start to winter in North Dakota impacted travelers, farmers and ranchers, and many other workers. It also hurt the western oil patch. Oil production in November fell by about 2.1% compared to October, while natural gas production dropped by 4%. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms says that was likely due to the weather, which included a record-setting blizzard. There were more blizzards in December along with a frigid cold snap, and Helms says the December production figures that will come out next month are likely to show a significant reduction. In his words -- "December is going to be a tough, tough month in terms of production."

Up

A bill approved by the North Dakota House would allow Bismarck and other cities with expired Renaissance Zone community revitalization areas to reapply to the program. Bismarcks participation in the program expired last year when the Burleigh County Commission denied support to reauthorize the program. The Renaissance Zone program aims to incentivize residential and commercial development. Currently, a community cant reapply for the program if participation expires. The bill will give Bismarck and other communities a chance to reassess whether the Renaissance Zone should be continued. The bill still requires approval from local park, school, city and county boards. The bill advances to the Senate.

Down

There's no evidence that any jurisdictions in North Dakota have adopted a policy to limit coordination with immigration officials. But there's a bill in the Legislature to ban it anyway. The bill would bar the state, cities, counties and higher education institutions from adopting policies that would inhibit local authorities from reporting undocumented immigrants to federal officials, or grant undocumented immigrants the legal right to stay in a jurisdiction. Bismarck Republican Rep. Matt Heilman sponsored the legislation, and the House has voted to approve it. But it seems like an issue that doesn't really need to be addressed in the state.
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is seen in the U.S. Capitol, July 14, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Ruben Gallego officially announced Monday he is running for U.S. Senate, leaving his House seat up for grabs. Speculation has centered on several people, including several state lawmakers, who potentially are interested in running in the 3rd Congressional District.

The area, which includes a portion of Glendale and Phoenix neighborhoods like south Phoenix, Laveen and Maryvale, heavily favors Democrats.

Gallego, D-Ariz., is running for the seat held by Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who is up for reelection in November 2024. He is an Iraq War veteran who was first elected to Congress in 2014.

Here are some other Phoenix-area Democrats who may be considering running for Gallego's seat, in alphabetical order:

Cesar Chavez

Chavez, 35, is a partner at Oracle Strategies, a public affairs consulting firm. He previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2017 until 2023. He originally was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when he was three years old.

Related:Rep. Ruben Gallego aims at Sen. Kyrsten Sinema as he officially launches Senate run

Steve Gallardo

Gallardo, 54, represents the 5th district on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. He previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009 and the state Senate from 2011 to 2015. Though his name came up in the initial rounds of speculation, Gallardo subsequently announced that he is not running.

Catherine Miranda

Miranda, 58, represents the 11th district in the Arizona State Senate. She has been in the body since 2015, prior to which she served in the Arizona House of Representatives for four years starting in 2011. She previously challenged Gallego for his Congressional seat in the 2018 Democratic primary.

Laura Pastor

Pastor, 53, has been on the Phoenix City Council since she was first elected in 2013. Pastor also teaches at Phoenix College. She is the daughter of the late Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., who retired from Congress in 2014 and represented the same area for years before Gallego.

Story continues

Raquel Teran

Teran, 45, represents the 26th District in the state Senate. She won reelection last year after being appointed from the Arizona House of Representatives to fill Tony Navarrete's seat in 2021. She also was elected that year to be chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.

Tara Kavaler is a politics reporter at The Arizona Republic. She can be reached by email at tara.kavaler@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @kavalertara.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who could replace Rep. Ruben Gallego in the House? What to know
Your bread, braises, and beyond will benefit once you master how to use this versatile vessel.

Wondering what is a Dutch oven used for? Braising, baking, stewing, simmering, serving, and so much more. This Ina Garten staple and generations-old cooking and baking BFF is a staple piece of cooking equipment in many homes in America and across the globe.

Admittedly, a Dutch oven can be a bit of an investment, depending on the features and the brand you buy. However, it can last a lifetime (when you follow our guidance for how to clean a Dutch oven and keep it in tip-top shape). Plus, along the way, a Dutch oven can conquer a remarkably wide variety of culinary tasks.

Ahead, our Test Kitchen answers what is a Dutch oven, exactly? Brush up on the history of this multitasking culinary marvel, then learn more about how to care for a Dutch oven, what to cook in a Dutch oven, and what to use as an alternative for Dutch oven recipes if you dont want to ante up.



What Is a Dutch Oven?

Legend has it that during a trip to the Netherlands, an Englishman noticed a round, shallow pot being crafted from molten iron molds made from sand. As a result, he deemed this Dutch as a nod to those who were making them at that time.

Essentially a shorter, heavier stockpot with the same double-handle style but cast-iron instead of stainless steel or another metal, a Dutch oven is designed to be an ace at retaining heat. The tightly-filling lid, thick base, and sturdy walls help keep the internal temperature fairly steady throughout the cooking process. This even heat can radiate through the pot to cook whats inside evenly, whether you employ the Dutch oven on the stove or in the oven.

Modern day Dutch ovens come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, nearly all of which are attractive enough to be able to double as serving vessels. You may have heard ofor perhaps already owna Dutch oven from one of the most popular Dutch oven brands, such as Le Creuset, Staub, Great Jones, Our Place, Caraway, Lodge, or Cuisinart.

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Related: The 6 Best Dutch Ovens of 2023, According to Our Testers



What Is a Dutch Oven Used ForAnd What are the Best Dutch Oven Recipe Ideas?

Now that you know the answer to what is a Dutch oven? its time to dive into how to put the multi-tasking pot to good use. As we mentioned, you can cook or bake in a Dutch oven on the stove or in the oven. Its thick walls, thermal lid, and hefty size make this an ideal tool to brown, braise, bake, simmer, roast, saute, serve and so much more.

What is a Dutch oven used for specifically? Our favorite techniques include:

How to Choose the Right Size of Dutch Oven For Your Needs

Dutch ovens are generally crafted using one of three materials.

Bare cast-iron: Just like a cast-iron skillet, cast-iron Dutch ovens require TLC and a special cleaning strategy to maintain its seasoning layer and non-stick-ability.

Enameled cast-iron: Perhaps youve heard about, seen, or cooked with a Le Creuset? That is an example of this family of Dutch ovens, which are coated in an enamel layer that makes them easier to maintain than bare cast-iron. These models are durable, versatile, and chic enough to act as serviceware. They are definitely more pricey than bare cast-iron, thoughbut almost always stand the test of time if cared for well.

Ceramic: The lightest of them all, these offer the same easy-cleaning, durability benefits of enamel-coated Dutch ovens, but are more likely to crack when dropped or subject to extreme heat or cold.

As far as size and shape goes, theres no one right Dutch oven answer for every kitchen. When youre considering investing in a new Dutch oven, take into account how you plan to use your Dutch oven the most and where youll be storing it. Ask yourself:

How many people are you planning to serve from the Dutch oven?

Will you use this more for baking or cooking?

Do you have cabinet space to store your Dutch oven? If not, what shape, size, and color will look best displayed on your stovetop?

A 5 -quart size is standard, but Dutch ovens come in styles ranging from 1 quart (to serve a solo diner or a couple, max) to 13  quarts (which serves 9+).

Related: One Pot Pasta Recipes Make a Delicious Dinner with Minimal Cleanup



How to Care for a Dutch Oven

If you opt for bare, follow our cast-iron care tips to protect your pot for the long haul. Even though most enamel and some ceramic Dutch ovens are dishwasher safe, hand-washing is recommended. Follow these tips for proper Dutch oven maintenance:

Dont expose your hot Dutch oven to cold water or extremely low temps; it may crack.

Wash with hot, soapy water and a cloth or gentle sponge (rather than an abrasive metal scrubber).

Conquer stuck-on grime or oily residue by soaking 3 tablespoons of bleach per quart of water. After 2 hours or so, the stuck-on bits should wipe clean.

Still stuck? Try simmering 1 tablespoon baking soda in a Dutch oven nearly full of water for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, rinse well with soapy water, then clean water.

Run a dry cycleor, in other words, only store your Dutch oven after youve dried the interior and exterior thoroughly with a soft, clean cloth.



Dutch Oven Alternatives

Not quite ready to ante up for a Dutch oven, or dont have space for another piece of cooking equipment at the moment. A large saucepan or stock pot with a lid might be able to flex (although it likely wont cook as evenly and gently) to work for Dutch oven recipes, too, depending on its heat resistance. A slow cooker and Instant Pot can also sear and cook ingredients gently, although the overall recipe cooking time will vary drastically.


School children exit school bus

Georgia parents were floored when they were unable to retrieve their children from a school bus and instead were forced to watch the students attempt to flee via the windows and emergency exit.

Viral footage of the unusual incident began circulating on social media on Saturday (Jan 21). According to Atlanta news station 11 Alive, the ordeal transpired on Wednesday (Jan. 18) when a substitute driver for the Paulding County School District refused to allow students to exit the vehicle if they did not have a tag on their backpack indicating their bus stop. Per the districts policy, students are required to use the identification tags.

Parents attempted to retrieve their respective Allgood Elementary pupils to no avail at a Dallas, Georgia drop-off location before the situation became physical. In one of the video clips, a mother is seen arguing with the female driver. The enraged parent then slaps the driver, who responds by slapping her back, closing the door and driving away with the kids.

Outrage and concern for the childrens safety grew when the bus stopped at a traffic light at the busy intersection of Old Harris Road and Jimmy Campbell Parkway. Screaming adolescents tossed their backpacks out of the bus and climbed out of the windows to reunite with their parents.

Officers who were called to the scene helped other riders exit. I keep replaying seeing my daughter hanging out the window and screaming at the top of her lungs, and I couldnt do anything to prevent that, you know? parent Samantha Lee told news station WSB-TV. The whole thing has been very emotional for me.

The district said the incident is under investigation and, in the meantime, the driver has been placed on administrative leave. According to Dallas police, the parent who struck the district employee could face criminal charges.

View the confrontation below.
Vice President Harris on Sunday warned that the right of every woman across the United States to make her own reproductive decisions is on the line in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that struck down Roe v. Wade.

Harris, during a speech to mark 50 years since the Roe v. Wade court ruling that allowed for abortion access across the country, said that while several states have already closed clinics and restricted abortion access, no Americans are immune to such measures.

To everyone listening, be sure, no one is immune from these impacts, she said in remarks from Tallahassee, Fla. Even in states that protect reproductive rights like New Jersey, Illinois, Oregon, even then, people live in fear of what might be next because Republicans in Congress are now calling for a nationwide abortion ban. Some even from the moment of conception.

The right of every woman, in every state in this country, to make decisions about her own body are on the line. I said it before and Ill say it again. How dare they? she added.

Harris highlighted the impacts so far of the Supreme Court ruling this summer that struck down the precedent set by Roe and kicked the issue back to the states. It also accelerated calls from some conservative lawmakers for federal legislation establishing a minimum standard for abortions.

It has meant that a 10-year-old child in Ohio who was sexually assaulted and became pregnant had to leave her home  had to leave her home state  and travel to another to receive care. It has meant that the doctor who treated her faced death threats and efforts to take away her medical license, Harris said.

The vice president was referring to an Indiana doctor, Caitlin Bernard, who has been criticized by conservatives and public officials for treating her patient, a 10-year-old Ohio girl who was raped and became pregnant.

Harris also referred to a woman in Texas who, in the midst of a miscarriage, was denied treatment three times over three days because of the states abortion ban. Harris said that the woman, Amanda, and her husband were at the speech in Florida on Sunday.

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America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. But let us ask, can we truly be free if a woman cannot make decisions about her own body? Can we truly be free if a doctor cannot care for her patients? Can we truly be free if families cannot make intimate decisions about the course of their own lives? Harris asked the crowd. And can we truly be free if so-called leaders claim to be quote  I quote  on the vanguard of freedom while they dare to restrict the rights of the American people and attack the very foundations of freedom.

The vice president has taken a leading role in the Biden administration in pushing back on the high courts decision. Her speech Sunday marked the main way the White House opted to mark the 50-year anniversary of the original ruling.

Harris, the first woman to serve as vice president, has met with health care providers, state and local legislators, and activists over the seven months  especially in the lead-up to the midterm elections  to voice support for abortion access and reproductive health.

She spoke about the midterm elections, when Democrats experienced better-than-expected results due in part to their messaging around the extreme laws in some states that have gone into effect in the wake of Roe being overturned.

Understand, clearly, the majority of Americans oppose these attacks. Americans of every background in every community have voiced their perspective. From Kansas to California, Michigan, Montana, Kentucky and Vermont. They spoke with their vote, Harris said.

In essence they said, one does not have to abandon their faith or their deeply held beliefs to agree that the government should not be telling people what to do with their own bodies, she added.

She also said that Florida is one of 22 states that have announced they will deny women medication to have an abortion prescribed by their doctor. Additionally, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) last year signed into law a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Imagine? So today, we are fighting back, she said.

Harris announced the Biden administration had issued a presidential memorandum aimed to further protect access to mifepristone, which is a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug used in medication abortion.

The memorandum will direct the secretary of Health and Human Services, along with the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security, to consider new guidance to support patients, providers and pharmacies that want to access, prescribe or provide mifepristone legally.

Also in her remarks in Florida, Harris reiterated calls for Congress to pass legislation to protect reproductive rights.

Since Roe was overturned, the White House and Democrats have pushed for Congress to codify the protections of Roe. But with control of Congress split, any federal legislation is unlikely to pass during this Congress.

Meanwhile, House Republicans, in one of their first votes as a majority, passed two abortion-related bills: one condemning attacks on anti-abortion facilities, including crisis pregnancy centers, and one to impose penalties if a doctor refused to care for an infant born alive after an attempted abortion.

President Biden shared a statement on Twitter on Sunday expressing his commitment to reproductive health care.

I believe Roe got it right. I commit to the American people that Ill never back down in our fight to safeguard access to health care, including the right to choose, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Getty Images

Barreling down an Italian country road in a taxi, zipping past everything from grassy farms to modest homes and deteriorating long-ago ruins, Im on the way from the bustling community of Parma to the vibrant, yet decidedly quieter, town of Busseto. My destination is someones house; from what Ive heard its a sprawling property that I was informed I just had to check out. Unfortunately, the ornate Villas owner wont be there to greet me. He died over 100 years ago.

Parma perhaps doesnt even crack the top 10 of places in Italy where would-be visitors dream of traversing to. After all, theres the eternal city of Rome, the urban center of Milan and pizza-centric Naples, not to mention the picturesque Amalfi coast or idyllic Capri, Comos glistening waters, as well as Puglia, Bologna, Florence, Venice, Sicily or any number of other communities where tour buses roll, couples go on their honeymoons and influencers flock to post Instagram-selfies with captions that say La Dolce Vida (and yes, I saw someone do this). If anything, the only thing the name Parma invokes in most peoples minds is cheese.

To put it simply, Parma is the Wisconsin of Italian life, at least in the sense that cheese culture reigns supreme here. As one may have guessed, Parma is the proud home of Parmesan Reggiano. (The Reggiano portion of that moniker comes from the name of this region.)

As a result, Parma and its surrounding communities serve as a minefield for the lactose-intolerant as the area is positively plastered with formaggio, including the shops that hawk cheese-wheels the size of Goodyear tires. At trattorias across this land, the cheese is rarely, if-ever, grated, but rather served via large chunks piled high on a plate, to be eaten by hand with the areas other specialties. Those include Parma ham or torta fritta, which are essentially salty, light puffs of fried dough. Yes, piles of cheese, as well as fatty and fried food. American catnip is on the menu here in Parma.

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Parmigiano-Reggiano, the cheese must pass inspections and meet specific quality standards. David Silverman/Getty Images

**

But there is another beloved claim-to-fame of this community that is neither made up of salt nor fat. His name is Giuseppe and he was born and lived in these parts a century ago. Whats ironic however is that Ive heard that Giuseppe Verdi was not so fond of quaint Parma, and certainly not as much as he enjoyed nearby big city life in Milan, where hed later trek in search of a career as a composer. Its a career that wound up materializing into what became a famously-lengthy run of creativity and world-famous operas. Throughout an 87 year-run, he was the mastermind behind such classics as Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, Aida and La Traviata. Yes, along with the aforementioned dairy, Guseieppe is Parmas favorite son, even though he did not return that sentiment.

Still, Verdis footprints are found all over Parma and its surrounding communities, with the late composer still conducting over this part of the world like a musical ghost. Sure, the composer Arturo Toscanini is also from these parts too, but his legacy is small potatoes compared to Mr. Verdi. (Also, Verdi never left Italy, while Toscanni decamped to New York for a time where he conducted in-house at NBC Radio).

While top-of-mind year-round, Verdis legacy truly takes center stage (or to tweak that figure of speech, steps squarely in the conductors stand) every autumn. Thats when Festival Verdi descends on the region; four weekends when the area welcomes a flood of visitors to feast their eyes and ears on his productions at Parmas opulent Teatro Reggio as well as Teatro Magnani, located in nearby Fidenza, along with street performances and talks. Many of the Americans who attend are rabid fans of the opera and regularly traverse the world in search of the art form. The New York-based non-profit International Friends of Festival Verdi serves as the pipeline from America to Parma for many of the attendees, and its who I tagged along with during this particular weekend. Admittedly, for someone with a formerly-rudimentary knowledge of opera (I was happily stoned when I saw my first and only opera at New Yorks Met, during which I was angrily hushed by the man next to me), it has been an education.

Luckily, Francesco Izzo is here to fill in my gaps. A part-time resident of Parma and a Professor of Music at the University of Southampton in England, Izzo is Direttore Scientifico of Festival Verdi Parma. In other words, hes one of the keepers of Verdis legacy. Case in point, Izzo tells me with passion in his voice: Verdi in Parma is a responsibility; not a right or privilege. It is a challenge and must remain a challenge. Suffice to say, this is a man who takes his Verdi seriously.

Verdi Monument in front of Rocca Pallavicino with Opera House Teatro in Busseto. Getty Images

***

Its Saturday afternoon in rural Roncole, located about 30 minutes from Parma proper. Still full from yesterdays platefulls of, you guessed it, cheese and ham, and Im walking through Casa Natale Verdi Museum, Verdis childhood home. Today, magnets of cheese wheels that say Parma are sold in the gift shop as an Italian flag waves outside in the country breeze.

Its plain to see that Gusieppe decidedly did not come to age with a silver spoon in his mouth, but grew up in rather modest means here as the son of both an innkeeper and that long-ago full-time career known as a spinner. True to Italian form, there seems to be two dining rooms here: a small one and another thats, well, bigger. A wooden table displays a place setting where the Verdis would have gathered around, complete with a bottle of Chianti and its distinctive wicker base, along with a loaf of bread. The floors here are lined with brick and the ceilings are outfitted with long wood beams, its imperfections distinctly convey a handmade quality.

Verdi spent his early years here which were marked by tragedy in the form of the death of his younger sister, Giuseppa, who was also his best friend. In fact, his later years were marked by a similar loss with the deaths of his only two children by blood, as well as his first wife; the latter of a brain inflammation with the terrifying name of Encephalitis. Its no wonder why the operas I see during my trip are so angry with emotion, depicting extreme heartbreak and loss, with scenes ricocheting between pure jubilance and the depths of despair. While perhaps his most famous production, Il Trovatore, portrays characters exploding with an extreme joy, it ends with the two main lovers in a dungeon, both dying in utter agony.

The house in the small village of Roncole Verdi (Busseto, Parma, Italy) where Giuseppe Verdi was born on October 10th, 1813, which is now a museum owned by the City of Busseto. August, 29, 2012. Edoardo Fornaciari/Getty Images

**

The home Verdi wound up making for himself is much more expansive than his humble childhood digs. Its called Villa Verdi, because when one is both famous and rich your home has a moniker that is equally as ostentatious as it is eponymous. Located in the village of Sant'Agata, the property has been virtually left untouched from his 1901 death, complete with his books, curtains and sheets, right down to his distinct black hat sitting idly by, unworn for the past 120 years. Its a sprawling property complete with horse stable, wine room, and ornately decorated bedrooms complete with floral wallpaper which has long lost its bright color.

The man had a dedication to his craft which would be inspiring if it didnt border on eccentricity, including sleeping in a separate bedroom from his wife in order, were told, to not wake her when late-night inspiration struck. Elsewhere, its been said that he purposely covered his walking path around the property with sand, because gravel would have drowned out his musical thoughts while on a stroll through nature.

After walking through his dusty bedrooms, I ask Izzo later about the basis of the festival itself. In some ways, Festival Verdi has no reason to exist; it is utterly indispensable  he says during a moment of candidness. Izzo is fully aware that were not talking about a ubiquitous household name like Beethoven or Shakespeare, but rather someone who the majority of lay people have never heard of. The Festival can only exist when theres still so much to learn about him, and there is, both in terms of performing his lesser-known works and also performing them in a way thats closer to the spirit of the intention of Verdi himself. For the team behind the festival, that also amounts to a sense of risk. Word to the wise: do not piss off opera diehards because they will retaliate. At a performance of Verdis Simon Boccanegera at the Teatro Reggio, some members of the (presumably vegan) audience booed at a new addition for the century-old show: the production's depiction of a butcher shop.

Castello di Torrechiara on hill at sunrise, Parma, Italy. Getty Images

**

Back inside Villa Verdi, the tour guide breaks a bit of news that elicited gasps from the gathered group: after a century of private ownership, the home and property are closing to the public, perhaps for good, this fall. Filling me in on the backstory, Izzo explains Villa Verdi is for sale and only God knows if someone will buy it. Verdis distant family members dont have the financial means to keep the place open. While Villa Verdi may revert to the Italian government, its an open question if they, too, would have the financial means for upkeep and public visitation. (It being the Italian government and all).

Then again, unlike in America, its not like theyre going to knock it down and build a Citibank. According to Italian law, it needs to be preserved exactly the way Verdi left it, Izzo explains. So we hope they can find a motivated buyer who can step in, like an institute or university who may want to have cultural activities there. Still, he adds with a wince: For the moment, were at a stage where we dont know what will happen. Which is scary. I prefer not to think about it. A recent glimmer of hope came this past November when Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italys Minister of Culture walked through the house and assured the press there were many entrepreneurs willing to intervene, adding the government is very attentive to the fate of this villa, of this museum, because Verdi is the foundation of our nation, he is a heritage of all Italians.

Whatever happens to the Villa, I feel fortunate to perhaps be among the very last people in a legacy of multiple generations to see it. Regardless of what goes down, the Villas unsure future lends validity to both Parma and Festival Verdis obsession with keeping the man alive. Its a mission that battles against the ending of memories, lives and real estate alike; even if Verdi himself wasnt a fan of Parma as much as Parma currently loves him.

Izzo notably tells me that this Italian pride in Verdi came to fruition in the early 1900s. There was a widespread quest for symbols of Italian role models and many cities began to celebrate and glorify and take pride in some of their most illustrious citizens, he explains. For Parma thats Verdi. Every Italian city has a Verdi Street, Piazza Verdi, Ristorante Verdi, Pizzeria Verdi, and so on and so forth. But Parma does it to a much greater extent.

When my mother decided to relocate to Parma she moved to what was called the Verdi building, he adds. Verdi himself would have strongly objected to this.

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Jeremy Renner is sharing another health update with his followers now that he's home after a snow plow accident that resulted in blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries.

The "Mayor of Kingstown" actor posted a photo on Instagram Saturday of himself practicing physical therapy exercises from bed, revealing that the orthopedic injuries included more than 30 broken bones.

"Morning workouts, resolutions all changed this particular new years," Renner wrote. "Much love and appreciation to you all. These 30 plus broken bones will mend , grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens."

Renner shared the same photo on Twitter, which got a response  and some teasing  from actor Chris Evans.

"Thats one tough mfer. Has anyone even checked on the snowcat???" Evans wrote alongside Renner's update. "Sending so much love."

Renner took the comment in stride. "Love you brother. I did check on the snow cat , she needs fuel," he wrote back.

Love you brother. I did check on the snow cat , she needs fuel.  https://t.co/xOOCNcNHNC  Jeremy Renner (@JeremyRenner) January 21, 2023

According to Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve per the Reno Gazette Journal, Renner got out of his snow plow, which weighs more than 14,000 pounds, in Nevada on the side of a snowy mountain to help a stranded family member who had driven one of Renner's cars and was stuck. According to Washoe County Sherriff Darin Balaam, after towing the vehicle with his snowcat Renner got out to speak to the family member, when his snowcat started to roll, Balaam said.

'He cares about everybody': Jeremy Renner sent co-star funny, 'profane' video after accident

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Jeremy Renner reveals his snow plow incident resulted in more than 30 broken bones.

He added Renner was run over by the snowcat while attempting to get back in its driver's seat.

The actor was taken from Reno, Nevada and was flown to a hospital where he was in critical condition in the intensive care unit. The Oscar-nominated actor underwent surgery for some of his injuries.

Renner updated the public of his progress on Instagram Jan. 3 with a photo of his bruised face in the hospital bed.

More: Jeremy Renner undergoes surgery after snow-plowing accident, remains in critical but stable condition

"Thank you all for your kind words. . Im too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all," he wrote.

Hugh Dillon, the co-creator of Renner's Paramount+ crime drama "Mayor of Kingstown" and also a co-star on the series told USA TODAY he was terrified for his friend after he heard about the accident but it didn't take long until Renner assuaged his fears.

"I wanted to fly out to see him," Dillon said. "And then I get a video and he's just funny and profane."

Becoming emotional, Dillon described the one-day period after hearing about the accident before hearing from Renner himself.

"I know what a fighter he is and how unstoppable he is. And then to hear about the accident, my head's hanging and I'm just at the lowest," Dillon said. But then "25 hours later, I've got tears in my eyes because I'm laughing at his video of him in a hospital swearing at me."

Contributing: Kelly Lawler

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeremy Renner gives update on snow plow injury, Chris Evans sends love
Matt Cardona Explains Why He Hates Canada

Photo Credit: IMPACT Wrestling

Matt Cardona says blame Canada, shame on Canada.

During a recent interview with Spencer Love of Love Wrestling, Matt Cardona was asked why he hates Canada so much. GCW recently announced it would run a show in Toronto in March, and Cardona replied by saying he hated Canada. Now speaking with Love, Cardona explained what really grinds his gears about traveling there.

I do! I hate Canada. I hate traveling to Canada. I hate wrestling in Canada. Its a pain in the ass. The airports suck. Theres no good food, Cardona said. I dont like going, so whoever Im wrestling at that GCW show, Im going to kick their ass and Im going to take out all my anger and frustration about being in Canada. Im going to take it out on them!

Asked if theres anyone specific hed like to face off with (since he has opponent approval, according to Cardona himself), Cardona said he wouldnt mind beating up a native Canadian.

Not really. I mean, the thing about GCW is whoever they throw in front of me, I make the most of it. An interesting match, I think, would be Matt Cardona versus a Canadian, PCO. Maybe in a GCW ring. I have to beat him, of course, because, you know, I dont lose. But yeah, it doesnt really matter who Im wrestling, I always try to have the best match on the card. Listen, were not talking star rating, work rate matches, I want people to feel the match. I want them to be invested. When Im coming through that curtain, theres no denying that people are gonna be invested in the match. I mean, they hate me. I dont know why, Im a babyface!

Read More: Matt Cardona Files To Trademark Zack Ryder Name

.@ImChelseaGreen said she wanted to go to Canada. So I brought her to Canadain Epcot. @waltdisneyworld pic.twitter.com/IlQSz4HKgm  Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) January 28, 2022

The post Matt Cardona Explains Why He Hates Canada appeared first on Wrestlezone.
MU Ukrainian student Vlad Sazhen speaks Wednesday in Gateway Residence Hall about the situation in his homeland in a Tribune file photo.

As University of Missouri Ukrainian students Vlad Sazhen and Alina Rohulia returned to campus last week, among the things on their minds was a Russian rocket attack on an apartment building in Dnipro. in eastern Ukraine.

There were 44 killed in the apartment building, included people as young as 17, 15, 3 and 1-years old.

"We should declare the Russian Federation a terrorist state," Sazhen said.

Though some have said the Russian rocket was meant for an infrastructure target and went astray, Rohulia dismissed that idea.

"Everything they're doing is planned," Rohulia said. "It was not a mistake. This was a planned terrorist attack."

It happened on Saturday, when everyone was home, she said.

They spoke Wednesday in Gateway Residence Hall on Sazhen's 20th birthday.

Rohulia's dad, in the Ukrainian Army, had called Sazhen to wish him a happy birthday on Wednesday, they said.

Her dad doesn't share details with her, but did provide some information about the situation in Ukraine, Rohulia said.

"He said he's still positive about the outcome of the war," Rohulia said. "He's pretty sure we will win."

Winning includes the return of all Ukrainian territory to Ukrainian control, they said.

They had returned from two weeks in California, where they stayed with a friend.

"It was very relaxing, not to be overwhelmed by everything," Rohulia said.

And their friend took them to the historic Mount Wilson Observatory with its 100-inch telescope.

"It really is an important thing" for astronomers, Sazhen said.

Russia promised a cease fire over orthodox Christmas, but Sazhen said Ukrainians know not to trust Russian promises.

"Basically everyone knew the cease fire was not going to happen," Sazhen said.

The U.S. now is supplying Ukraine with Patriot surface-to-air missile systems.

"This is amazing," Sazhen said.

"We are being supplied some nice machines," Rohulia siad. "All of this makes us happy the Western countries still support us."

The long-range missiles Ukraine has been seeking also could come, Sazhen said.

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The sooner Ukraine gets the equipment it needs, the sooner the war will end with a Ukrainian victory, Sazhen said.

The news on Wednesday was the death of the Ukrainian interior minister in a helicopter crash, an apparent accident. The helicopter crashed into a kindergarten.

"It's a terrible tragedy," Sazhen said. "Mothers rushed to the kindergarten to look for their children."

Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, is where the heaviest fighting is now, they said.

It resembles battle zones during World War I, Sazhen said.

"They're using such primitive techniques," he said.

Sazhen displayed maps on his phone showing dozens of bodies of Russian soldiers in the area.

Early in the year, the Ukrainian military used U.S.- supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HiMars, to attack a building in Makiivka, killing 89 Russian soldiers stationed there, Sazhen said.

Rockets and shells struck Kyiv on Dec. 31, Sazhen said. A Russian rocket struck a hotel where his friend Evhnii Savchenko works. His friend took video of the aftermath and helped injured people to ambulances.

In their hometown Kharkiv, Russian rockets struck a fireworks factory Tuesday, causing a huge explosion, said Rohulia, whose mother was in Kharkiv when the fireworks exploded.

"They know where they shell and they don't do anything by mistake," Rohulia said.

A campus coworker gifted Sazhen the copy of Time magazine with its person of the year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on its cover.

They are happy to be back on campus and back into the routine of classes, they said.

"The semester started good," Rohulia said.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: MU Ukrainian students discuss events in homeland over holidays
Almost two decades ago, I rushed to the emergency room because one of my patients had overdosed.

I had met the patient a month before as part of my newly minted primary care practice in Florala, Alabama, a town of 1,800 residents just above the Florida panhandle. He had been receiving pain medications from different physicians for years, and I had diagnosed him with opioid use disorder.

Federal regulations allowed me to prescribe an addictive category of opioids for pain to my patients, but prevented me from treating my patient for his opioid addiction without a special prescribing license (the so-called X-waiver).

So, I had to refer him to a specialist nearly 100 miles away. But he provided for his family of four working at a small business in town on minimum wage, and my referral meant he would need to take time off work and spend money on gas to get there.

My patient never made it to the specialist. Instead, he started buying illicit drugs on the street.

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Drugs killed over 107,000 Americans

My patient died in my hands that day at the hospital. And this story has played out all across America, time and time again. More than 107,000 Americans died from drug poisoning last year, and more than a million Americans have perished since the opioid epidemic began two decades ago.

These are sons and daughters, teachers and neighbors, co-workers and friends who have been missing at the dinner table or at family gatherings. Tragically, timely treatment was not available to most of them because fewer than 1 out of 10 people who needed treatment in the United States were able to access it.

A health event in 2021 in Charleston, W.Va.

I wanted to help my patients with opioid use disorder without having to refer them to care hours away. So, I went through the training and certification to receive my X-waiver from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Today, thats no longer necessary.

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Last month, President Joe Biden expanded access to treatment for opioid use disorder to millions of Americans when he signed the bipartisan omnibus government funding bill into law.

Greta Van Susteren: Fentanyl crisis is an international attack on America. We must fight back.

CDC has abandoned pain patients: Its new opioids guidelines are all for show

As a physician who has treated patients with addiction for more than 20 years, its important to note that as we expand treatment and save lives, we are taking decisive actions to end the stigma surrounding addiction in health care.

Ive seen how pervasive this stigma is in the medical field. For years, many in my profession used the excuse of not having an X-waiver to refuse to treat patients suffering from addiction with lifesaving buprenorphine.

New law eases access to treatment

But the bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which was included in the omnibus bill, eliminated the X-waiver. That means any DEA-registered prescriber of controlled substances can now offer buprenorphine treatment to patients with opioid use disorder without additional federal approvals.

In his National Drug Control Strategy, President Biden called for making access to treatment for substance use disorder universal by 2025. By signing this bill, he has continued his record of breaking down barriers to treatment and took a historic step to mainstreaming addiction care.

Now, health care providers across the nation can begin to treat addiction  a disease of the brain  just as they treat diabetes, heart disease and emphysema.

This is a game changer.

I want to thank every member of Congress and the parents, loved ones and advocates who fought for this bills passage. I also want to thank the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for their shared vision and collaboration in promoting this critical policy objective. Their efforts will help save lives.

Dr. Rahul Gupta is director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

And Im calling on them and our nations medical providers, patients, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies to continue this march forward because theres still so much to do.

To Americas medical providers, now is the time to recognize substance use disorder just like any other disease and join colleagues who are already screening and treating patients for it.

To Americans with opioid use disorder, now is the time to get the treatment you need from your medical provider. Treatment with buprenorphine can begin with telehealth appointments. If you need care  or think you need care  call them up.

To the pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and pharmacies, now is the time to make sure treatment is available, accessible and affordable.

Now is the time to end this crisis, and these actions will help.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

As President Biden said after Congress passed the legislation, This bill is further proof that Republicans and Democrats can come together to deliver for the American people.

Addiction isnt a red state problem or a blue state problem  its Americas problem, and we all have to work together to solve it.

This moment reminds me of the lives weve lost, like my patient who died nearly 20 years ago. Every five minutes we have a chance to save another life. Lets all make the most of every opportunity we have.

Dr. Rahul Gupta is director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Biden, Congress are helping win fight against opioid epidemic
Humble Pie were introduced to the UK audience as a supergroup with a big hit single, but further down the line they would become album rock and concert favorites in America. Natural Born Bugie, a No.4 hit in their own country in the summer of 1969, proved to be their only success there, and by the early 1970s they were undeniably bigger across the Atlantic.

But on January 22, 1972, they nudged back into the British charts with a very notable live double album that brought them a gold record in the States on February 23, Performance  Rockin The Fillmore.

Ive got a new axe, its too much! Its going to make me rock on, man! were the words of Steve Marriott as the band took the stage. The record captures the classic Humble Pie line-up of Marriott, Peter Frampton, Greg Ridley, and Jerry Shirley in a vintage rocknroll setting, and just in the nick of time, too: by the time it was released, Frampton had left to start his solo career.

The bands shows on May 28 and 29, 1971 were taped for the album at the venue in New Yorks Lower East Side neighbourhood, now the East Village, only a month before the Fillmore East closed its doors. The gigs followed their US chart debut that very month with Rock On, which only reached No.118, but enjoyed a 23-week stay on the album chart, demonstrating the popularity they were earning with American fans.

The Fillmore disc featured only seven tracks across its four sides, including epic versions of Dr. Johns I Walk On Gilded Splinters (23 minutes) and the Muddy Waters song that had named a certain fellow English band, Rollin Stone (16 minutes). The latter had been on the Rock On album in a relatively modest six-minute version, and the band also included their own Stone Cold Fever from that LP in the Fillmore set.

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The live LP also included such covers as Ray Charles Hallelujah I Love Her So and the Ashford & Simpson soul song I Dont Need No Doctor, which managed an eight-week run on the Hot 100, reaching No.73. When Rockin The Fillmore made its UK chart debut in early 1972, it entered at what turned out to be its No.32 peak. George Harrisons Concert For Bangla Desh hit the chart the same week, as T. Rex fever continued, with Electric Warrior at No. 1.

Listen to uDiscover Musics Humble Pie Best Of playlist.

I heard this album for the first time listening to Radio Luxembourg on my transistor radio under the bed covers as a 14 year old, writes uDiscover Music reader Martyn Smith. Listening to I Dont Need No Doctor was literally a life changing moment and the catalyst for my life in music, [45] years later Im still lovin every minute of it! Thanks Humble Pie and thanks Stevie [Marriott], the epitome of rock & roll.

Buy or stream Humble Pies The A&M Vinyl Box Set 1979-1975.

For the latest music news and exclusive features, check out uDiscover Music.

uDiscover Music is operated by Universal Music Group (UMG). Some recording artists included in uDiscover Music articles are affiliated with UMG.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in April 2018. Sergei Ilnitsky/Pool Photo via AP, File

Russia's foreign minister said Russia was open to negotiating with Ukraine in the early months of the war.

Sergey Lavrov blamed the US and other Western nations for blocking peace talks.

At the time, Western leaders urged Ukraine to approach negotiations cautiously.

Russia was open to negotiating with Ukraine shortly after it launched its offensive last year, but the United States and other Western allies advised Kyiv against holding talks, Russia's foreign minister claimed on Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blamed the West for the stalled talks during a visit to Pretoria, South Africa, as part of a Russian push to strengthen ties with the African nation, per The Washington Post.

"It is well known that we supported the proposal of the Ukrainian side to negotiate early in the special military operation and by the end of March, the two delegations agreed on the principle to settle this conflict," said Lavrov, per The Post.

"It is [also] well known and was published openly that our American, British, and some European colleagues told Ukraine that it is too early to deal, and the arrangement which was almost agreed was never revisited by the Kyiv regime," he added.

In the weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, a number of fruitless peace talks took place as Russia continued to bomb Ukrainian cities.

Toward the end of March, highly anticipated negotiations took place in Istanbul, Turkey, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said showed "positive" signs.

Ukrainian negotiators agreed to a neutral status if Ukraine received adequate security guarantees from the West, bowing to a major Russian demand. Meanwhile, Moscow agreed to "fundamentally cut back" military activity near Kyiv and Chernihiv, which Russian Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Fomin said was to "increase mutual trust."

However, Zelenskyy expressed some skepticism, saying: "Ukrainians are not naive people."

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The talks did not lead to peace, or even a ceasefire, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying on April 12 that negotiations had reached a "dead end."

Lavrov told Russian media in April that a decision to halt talks was taken on the advice of American and British "colleagues"  a line he has since maintained.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, a Ukrainian media outlet, the talks were called off after Zelenskyy was visited by Johnson, then the UK's prime minister, who advised that Putin was a war criminal who should not be negotiated with.

At the time Ukraine was also gathering evidence of war crimes following the Bucha massacre in late March, according to the media outlet.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine have shown signs that a diplomatic resolution to the war is now forthcoming.

The New York Times reported in December that both Ukraine and Russia have insisted that they are willing to engage in peace talks, but both are offering hard-line terms for sitting down at the negotiating table.

Ukraine proposed a peace summit in February 2022, based on the principles of a 10-point peace plan, but said it would only allow Russia to participate if it takes part in a war-crimes tribunal, per the Associated Press.

Russia, meanwhile, has said that Ukraine would need to accept Russia's annexation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia as part of any peace agreement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: U.S. Rep.-elect Mike Rogers (R-AL) (C) is restrained by Rep.-elect Richard Hudson (R-NC) (R) after getting into an argument with Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) walks away, in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is meeting to vote for the next Speaker after House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) failed to earn more than 218 votes on several ballots; the first time in 100 years that the Speaker was not elected on the first ballot.

Far-right agenda cause for concern

The new Republican House majority is a collection of election deniers, QAnon conspiracists, and political arsonists hellbent on gaining power at the expense of our democracy. Theyll be in control of the House of Representatives for the next two years and have already shown an inability to govern. They couldn't even elect House Speaker Kevin McCarthy without historic chaos.We should all be concerned about their far-right extremist agenda. Already on the chopping block? Our freedom to vote and our right to an abortion.Rather than focusing on kitchen table issues, these MAGA extremists are pledging to focus on punishing anyone who tried to hold them accountable for their attacks on our democracy, including members and staff of the January 6th Select Committee.Its up to us to resist this MAGA House Majority to protect our democracy and our freedoms. We must call out their lies and combat their far-right agenda starting now.Godfrey Little, Plant City

Enough is enough!

Just within the past year, the City of Lakeland and Polk County have approved a huge number of multi-family apartment complexes. Some County Commissioners have complained about "small yards" in single family neighborhoods. Well, it could be worse: no yards.

According to the Ledger and other sources, the following have been approved: 252 apartments approved on West Pipkin, 200 apartments approved on Oak Street, 500 apartments in the SW district, New Apartments at the Lakeland Ledger site, 500 apartments on Daughtery Road, approximately, 300 Apartments on Lake Gibson, and more units behind the Publix on the north side of Lakeland.

These multi-family apartment complexes do not give families the quality of life that occurs in single family residential communities. These are large clusters of renters and this creates an undue burden on our roads, schools, water, sewer and environment.

What happened to Smart Growth? This is out of control.

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The City of Lakeland is considering another 320 multi-family units on Carpenter's Way. Just say no! We need to create more homes for the elderly, including assisted living, on historic properties, like the one on Carpenter's Way.

Robert Stanz, Lakeland

Leave New College alone

Governor DeSantis is taking over New College, Floridas liberal arts honors college on Sarasota Bay, which serves a select group of talented, motivated and independent learners.

The college was created in the 1950s to complement the citys art museum, symphony orchestra, theatres and the Ringling School of Art & Design.

Its independent learning freed students and faculty from traditional curriculums focus on credit hours and GPAs.

Often compared to Harvard; at its 1962 dedication, earth from Harvard was mixed with soil from New College as a symbol of the universities shared ideal.

DeSantis appointed six board members to New Colleges existing board. Included were Christopher Rufo, the dean of Hillsdale College, a conservative, Christian college in Michigan and Matthew Spalding, dean of Hillsdales graduate school. Rufo plans to restructure New Colleges administration, curriculum and academic departments.

Hillsdale is DeSantis model for restructuring New College. Conservative, Bible Colleges are abundant in Florida; interested students have many excellent options to choose from.

New College is the right fit for Sarasota. Turning it into a clone of Hillsdale does not meet an educational need and eliminates an internationally regarded Liberal Arts College unique in Florida and fitting of the arts and culture community of Sarasota.

Bernice Warren, Bartow

Forget the culture wars, work on solutions that matter

In response to todays article (LGBTQ+ families mull leaving Florida in wake of new culture laws). I suspect many Republicans look favorably on this trend.

A Party that has no policies, no national platform, and pushes anti-woke culture wars is a bankrupt party. I define Woke as a realization, stemming from the video murder by police of George Floyd, the awakening of millions of Americans to the systemic racism built into our society.

To be anti-woke is to stay ignorant, to support systemic racism. The fervor of the GOP to support these policies is proof of the underlying racist tendencies of all Republicans. There is a reason that in the south there are still Black Baptist churches.

Rather than advancing culture wars, lets work on solutions to issues like homelessness, childhood hunger, declining graduation rates, and homeowners insurance. Recent Republican laws, protecting Insurance companies, the Uber rich from taxation, requiring university faculty and students to fill out surveys to identify their political beliefs, trying to regulate what universities teach are telling.

My questions to you: Republican or Democrat? Autocracy or Democracy? Exclusionary or Inclusionary? Fear or Hope? Chaos or Structure? Hate or Love?

Wake up people, the choice is yours.

Bruce W. Paulson, Winter Haven

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Voice of the people: Far-right agenda cause for concern
Hilda Hernandez, an asylum seeker from Honduras, said she fled extortionist gangs in Veracruz, Mexico, and dodged drug cartels in Piedras Negras.

She thought she was finally safe this month as she crossed the international bridge into Eagle Pass, Texas, with her 3-year-old granddaughter, Shayra, to request asylum from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

But thats when her nightmare truly began, she said.

Officials there separated Shayra from Hernandez, though she said she gave them documents showing she was the girls main caregiver. Hernandez, 42, was released pending her immigration hearing and traveled to Florida to stay with a relative. Shayra, who turned 3 in December, remains in federal custody in a children's shelter in San Antonio.

I did everything the right way. I did everything legally, she said through tears. You feel so helpless. I just want my little girl back.

Hilda Hernandez, 42, an asylum-seeker from Honduras, was separated from her granddaughter, Shayra, at the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass, Texas. Hernandez was released but Shayra remains in a federal shelter in Texas.

No tracking of nonparental separations

Nonparents  grandparents, aunts, older siblings  are routinely separated from children at the border, despite federal efforts to keep families together, according to immigrant advocates.

The families are separated under a U.S. law designed to shield asylum-seeking minors from child traffickers and other threats. But the policy often ends up breaking up families and traumatizing children, said Jennifer Podkul, of Kids in Need of Defense, an advocacy group.

The intent is child protection, she said. But the result is a lot of needless separation.

The Biden administration has said it has prioritized keeping families together at the border and has taken steps to reunite many of the estimated 3,900 families separated under Zero Tolerance, the border policy that separated children from their parents under former President Donald Trump. It created a multi-agency task force to track down and reunite families.

But much of that effort is aimed at reuniting parents with their children and does not address the grandmothers and aunts who routinely arrive at the border with younger relatives, said Casey Revkin, executive director of Each Step Home, a nonprofit that helps detained migrant children and their families at the Texas-Mexico border.

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In the past five weeks, her group has helped two grandmothers and one aunt who were separated from the minors with whom they were traveling, despite the family members showing documents proving they were the main caregivers, she said.

Title 42, the federal rule that allows border agents to expel asylum-seekers to Mexico without due process to prevent the spread of COVID-19, has made things even more difficult for the families, Revkin said. Under the policy, parents and their children are expelled to Mexico together, but nonparental guardians are separated and expelled, while the children they traveled with are transferred to a U.S. facility. That makes it much harder to reunite them later, she said.

Unaccompanied migrants wait their turn for processing inside a Homeland Security holding facility in Donna, Texas. Minors arriving at the border with nonparental relatives -- grandmothers, aunts, older siblings -- are classified as unaccompanied minors and separated from their families. The Biden administration has launched an initiative to try to remedy the trend.

These children have fled unspeakable dangers and traveled thousands of miles with these grandparents, Revkin said. To be separated again at the border is just tragic.

Under U.S. law, children at the border must be separated from an adult unless that adult is a parent or legal guardian. The children are then transferred to the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, often in a group housing facility, rekindling images of children warehoused in border facilities under the Trump administration.

In most cases, determining whether a child is in danger with a relative falls to border agents overwhelmed with high numbers of border crossers and not equipped or trained to determine child welfare, advocates said.

Federal officials track the number of children separated at the border from parents, but no such numbers exist for nonparental separations, according to a spokesman at the U.S Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Customs and Border Protection would not comment further, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees migrant children in federal custody, did not reply to requests for comment and data for this story.

'Indescribable pain'

Last year, Yeni fled her home in El Salvador when she was threatened by gang violence, she said. She headed to the U.S.-Mexico border with her 5-year-old niece, Maria. The plan was to reunite with Marias mother, Julissa, already living in Massachusetts.

Yeni and Maria traveled in buses and stayed in filthy apartments across Mexico before crossing the Rio Grande with a smuggler and turning themselves over to U.S. Border Patrol agents in Texas in December, expecting to be able to apply for asylum together.

There, she said, they were initially placed in the same shelter, then separated. Yeni was released pending her immigration court hearing but Maria remained in federal custody. Days stretched into more than a week. Her mother, Julissa, got periodic video calls from the shelter and had to soothe her crying daughter.

As they neared Christmas, Maria begged her mother to tell Santa Claus to take her home.

It was heartbreaking, Julissa said. I was desperate.

On Dec. 28, 12 days after being separated, Maria was released and flew to Massachusetts with a social worker. Like other migrants, Yeni and Julissa asked that their last names not be published for fear of retribution.

Maria initially had nightmares and still periodically makes her mother promise she wont have to go back to that place, Julissa said.

When they left El Salvador, I never imagined that she would have to go through that. I never thought once she would be separated from her aunt, she said. Its traumatic for the children, and for the parents its an indescribable pain.

A Guatemalan family waits with fellow immigrants to board a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bus to a processing center after crossing the border from Mexico in La Joya, Texas. Nonparental relatives -- grandmothers, uncles, older siblings -- who arrive at the border with a minor are separated from that minor under a U.S. law designed to protect children from traffickers.

Trusted Adult Relative program

Last year, the Biden administration launched an initiative known as the Trusted Adult Relative program that places federal social workers on the border to more quickly vet and reunite separated nonparental families. Though it's a good first step, advocates said, that pilot program is in place only in Texas Rio Grande Valley and is limited in scope.

The government could expand the program and surge more social workers to the border, shortening the time families are separated, much as it did with influxes of Afghan and Ukrainian families that arrived in the U.S. after conflicts in those countries, advocates said.

Changing the policy would entail overhauling the countrys immigration system, which the U.S. government has struggled to do for decades, said Julia Gelatt, senior policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute.

Its a difficult question, Gelatt said. Of course you dont want children to be in the hands of traffickers. But its really hard to assess a bunch of things really quickly. Its hard to asses whats a safe and healthy relationship and whats not.

Grandmother, granddaughter still separated

Hernandez had been the main caregiver for Shayra since the child was born, she said. Her mother, 17 at the time, relinquished custody to her. So, when Hernandez was threatened by gangs while living in Veracruz, Mexico, she fled with Shayra to seek asylum in the United States.

I wanted what was best for her, Hernandez said.

At the border in Piedras Negras, Hernandez waited for more than a month for her turn to cross the bridge and seek asylum. On Jan. 11, she presented U.S. border officials with a certified document from the child welfare agency in the city where she lived in Veracruz. It showed she had guardianship and granted her permission to take Shayra to the United States with her, and it included photos of her at Shayras baptism and first birthday.

Still, the two were separated. Hernandez said officials wrenched Shayra away as she cried out Mamalita!  her name for her grandmother, a mix of Mama and Abuelita  and clung to her grandmother.

Hernandez was released on humanitarian parole and went to stay with her mother in Bradenton, Florida. Shayra remains in a federal children's shelter in San Antonio, Texas.

On Tuesday, Hernandez saw Shayra for the first time since their separation on a video call from the shelter. The girl had a scratch across her face, which workers at the center said was self-inflicted.

Shes suffering, I know she is, Hernandez said through sobs. Please, I just need them to return her to me.

Follow Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S. immigration: Migrant children, grandparents separated
The tiny town of Geraldine only learned of Hody Childress's philanthropy after his death.

Tania Nix

On the first day of every month, Hody Childress would walk into his local pharmacy with a folded $100 bill. The Alabama farmer quietly handed the money to Brooke Walker, the owner of Geraldine Drugs, who used it to help families who couldn't afford their medications.

"He said, 'Don't tell a soul where the money came fromif they ask, just tell them it's a blessing from the Lord, Walker recalled to The Washington Post.

Unbeknownst to his neighbors in the tiny town of Geraldine, Childress maintained that schedule for 10 years. He only stopped late last year, when the effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease left him too weak to make the trip.

Walker told The Post that Childress's $100 bills added up to thousands of dollars over the years. She was usually able to help two people a month who didn't have insurance or whose prescriptions werent covered.

When Childress died on New Year's Day at the age of 80, Walker decided it was time to go public with his philanthropy. She didnt realize that Childress had confided in his daughter, Tania Nix, shortly before his death. Nix, who lives in nearby Ider, revealed her fathers secret pharmacy donations at his funeral.

When the community learned what the elderly man living off a humble retirement account and social security had managed to do, they were stunned.

"It was just who he wasit was in his heart," Nix told The Post. "He didn't spend a lot of money in life, but he always gave what he could. If he took you out to eat, you had to be quick to grab the ticket, or he was paying for it."

Walker said that the community has been keeping Childresss legacy alive by making donations of their own.

"We're calling it the Hody Childress Fund, and we're going to keep it going as long as the community and Hody's family wants to keep it alive," she said.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Theyre so comfy, one shopper says they feel like a second skin.

Travel + Leisure / Michelle Barnes

As a travel and lifestyle writer, its always been my mission to create the ultimate capsule wardrobe for life on the go. The idea is to curate a collection of staple items that can be mixed and matched into numerous combinations, or lay the foundation for any outfit. For me, this streamlined strategy starts with my best athleisure wear  all of which is comfy, packable, and versatile.

Whether Im headed to a work trip in New York, a yoga retreat in the Bahamas, or even a weekend staycation in Santa Barbara, there are a few reliable items I pack time and time again. One of those essentials: the Vuori Daily Legging.

Vuori

To buy: vuori.com, $89



Like many T+L editors and writers, Ive been a huge fan of Vuori for years. I first fell in love with the Southern California-based brand after trying their iconic joggers (which had just launched for women at the time), and Ive been hooked ever since.

Related:The Best Athleisure Items Every Traveler Needs

While those joggers continue to be one of my favorite athleisure pieces of all time (I have more pairs than I like to admit), the Daily Leggings have become my go-to packing essential, no matter where Im headed.

Why? In order to be worthy of a capsule label, the clothing item needs to be incredibly versatile, and these leggings certainly pass the test.

Vuori

To buy: vuori.com, $89

The buttery soft fabrication can most accurately be described as yummy  the kind of clothing you literally crave on your body. Made of a super smooth polyester and eslastane blend, the leggings are thick enough that they feel substantial in lieu of pants, but not so thick that theyre unpleasant to wear during a workout. Plus, theyre known for their smoothing coverage, making them ultra-flattering.

The details  including an adjustable drawstring, cuffed ankles at  length, and a just-right high rise  give the Daily Legging an elevated look, adding to their multi-functional effect. As the name implies, you can truly sport these daily. Ive found that theyre great for staying comfy yet put together on a travel day, pairing with a sweater while running errands or exploring a new city, throwing on for a yoga class or hike, or even just lounging around.



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Travel + Leisure / Kristine Thomason

Personally, Im a fan of the black colorway for versatility, but theyre also available in seven additional options including baby blue, cactus green, and ruby. And, if youre a must-have-pockets kind of person, Vuori also makes a Daily Pocket Legging.

Im not the only one whos in love with these leggings. Earning an impressive 4.7-star rating on Vuori from more than 3,100 reviewers, these leggings are obviously a fan-favorite. Take it from this reviewer, who raved that they were some of the best leggings I have worn, and that they feel like a second skin. Another said the fabric is so soft that they just want to live in these. Finally, one reviewer who said they are picky about their leggings said, Im about to go buy another pair of these, and said the waist tension is perfect with no pinch points.

I dont know about you, but anything I can do to simplify my packing list is a win in my book. These comfy leggings have become like a security blanket in my suitcase, and I dont plan on getting on a plane without them anytime soon. If youre looking for a staple pair of leggings for both travel and everyday life, do yourself a favor and snag the Vuori Daily Legging.

Shop More T+L Deals:

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Qatar Airways is celebrating the Lunar New Year with passengers travelling to and from far East Asia by introducing festive products and cuisine inspired by Chinese culture and the Year of the Rabbit.



The airline will gift complimentary in-flight wi-fi codes, Qatar Duty Free discount vouchers and golden chocolate coins enclosed in beautifully designed traditional red envelopes - hongbao symbolising good luck and prosperity to its passengers. The Chinese New Year celebratory experience is available for passengers travelling on routes to and from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.



Onboard the award-winning airline, passengers will indulge in an authentic Chinese dining experience that takes inspiration from dishes traditionally served during this auspicious occasion.



Business Class passengers will be welcomed with a refreshing Golden Mandarin Spice Mule  a special holiday beverage that symbolises abundance. As the flight progresses they can sit back and enjoy savoury prawn crackers as they sip on their beverage of choice, while the cabin crew prepare to surprise them with an elegant and celebratory dinner setting of oriental inspired lanterns, red and gold ornate fan-shaped placemats symbolising wealth and stature and bespoke Year of the Rabbit themed menu cards offering a specially curated a la carte menu, featuring seafood wonton soup with shitake broth, mala spice beef roll with hoisin sauce, cucumber, and edamame salad.



Entree options include chilli garlic prawns with doupan sauce along with stir fried noodles and vegetables. For a light meal, passengers will be able to choose a delectable Kung Pao Chicken with Jasmine rice and gai lan.



The celebratory meal is drawn to a close with a black seasoned tofu mousse cake with goji berry, mandarin and sesame tuile.



Passengers travelling in the Economy Cabin will receive their meals as usual on a tray adorned with a specially designed tray liner with a complementing cutlery roll band and chopsticks. Passengers will begin their feast with an Asian noodle salad followed by sweet and sour prawns and fish paired with Jasmine rice and Asian vegetables; ending their dining experience on a sweet note with a zesty Mandarin mousse dessert with goji berries sesame crumble.



Travellers in all cabins will be offered a fortune cookie symbolising luck, fortune, fate and wisdom.



At Qatar Airways Premium Lounges in Doha and globally, passengers will join in the Year of the Rabbit celebrations with customised a la carte menus. Tables will be dressed with decor comprising of table lanterns, elegant chopstick designs and Chinese knot tassels leading to an indulgent selection of family favourite soups and entrees, flavourful main courses, and tempting desserts.  TradeArabia News Service
Alex Gibney's 2007 Oscar-winning documentary, Taxi To the Dark Side, first revealed how the FBI, CIA, and the military, with the knowledge of elected officials and security agents of the state, while also deceiving leaders, kidnapped and tortured innocent people in military prisons and black sites.

Justified by legal forgeries appropriately called "the Torture Memos," the torture ring run by the FBI, CIA, and other government intelligence officials is just one in a long line of human rights violations by US foreign service apparatuses. These memos "rationalized the unthinkable," as David Cole, the National Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union, wrote in a book by the same name.

Gibney's most recent film, The Forever Prisoner, according to this interview in Vanity Fair, examines "the moral lines crossed in the name of national security." For example, Strawberry Fields was a classified CIA unit where "the worst of the worst" terrorists were kept, a phrase so overused it ceases to have meaning and refers to anyone and everyone at any time, and is just one of the secrets revealed by unredacted documents Gibney gained access. Why Strawberry Fields?

"The Forever Prisoner is an unflinching look at how America's torture policy began with CIA captive Abu Zubaydah  the first high-value detainee subjected to the CIA's program of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (EITs), later identified as torture by those outside the agency. Having never been charged with a crime or allowed to challenge his detention, Zubaydah remains imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay in Kafkaesque limbo, in direct contravention of America's own ideals of justice and due process."

Using the shocking declassified documents and interviews with CIA agents, interrogators, and investigators, "the film uncovers the incompetent and deceptive practices that the U.S. government followed in order to expedite and legalize EITs in the aftermath of 9/11. As a result, torture as a government policy was authorized by the United States for the first time in history."

Click here for the trailer. The Forever Prisoner is available for streaming on HBO.
...and people are mad enough to sue.

In April 2021, a columnist for the Albany-based newspaper, The Times Union, wrote that liquor store owners were pissed that supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations had started stocking mini-bottles of Fireball  despite the fact that in New York state, only liquor stores are allowed to sell spirits. But thats because what was selling in gas stations isnt actually Fireball at all.

David Becker / Getty Images

As writer Steve Barnes explained, those single-serving bottles, which often retail for under a dollar, are called Fireball Cinnamon, and they arent the same product as Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. The difference between the two drinks is that Fireball Cinnamon is actually a malt-based beverage with 16.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is whisky-based and has an ABV of 33%. The labels look almost identical, he wrote. That is intentional.

Those two beverages  and their similar-looking labels  are now the subject of a class-action lawsuit. Lead plaintiff Anna Marquez has sued Sazerac Company, Inc, which makes and markets Fireball. According to her legal filing, Marquez saw a huge display of Fireball Cinnamon at a gas station and wondered if the station was doing something theyre not supposed to be doing.

:This Whiskey Is Made From Crabs

The Washington Post reported, the basis of Marquezs lawsuit is that those little bottles of Fireball Cinnamon are misleading because of the products branding and the wording on the label. The legal filing notes that the bottles appear identical but for the word Whisky on the front label and that Fireball Cinnamons label describes it as a Malt Beverage with Natural Whisky & Other Flavors and Caramel Color.

Using the words With Natural Whisky & Other Flavors is a clever turn of phrase because consumers who strain to read this will [not] see how it [sic] Natural Whisky is distinct from Other Flavors, the lawsuit reads. They will think the product is a malt beverage with added natural whisky and other flavors. What the label means to say is that the product contains Natural Whisky Flavors & Other Flavors, but by not including the word Flavors after Natural Whisky, purchasers who look closely will expect the distilled spirit of whisky was added as a separate ingredient.

As a result, the lawsuit says that Marquez is unable to rely on the labeling of not only this product but other flavored malt beverages which use the names of distilled spirits. (That line may be a reference to another of Sazeracs malt-based beverages, the 20% ABV version of Southern Comfort.) The lawsuit is seeking unspecified statutory and punitive damages for anyone in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, or Wyoming who has purchased Fireball Cinnamon.

In the FAQ section of the Fireball website, Sazerac describes Fireball Cinnamon as malt-based [...] alcoholic beverages that are made using our proprietary recipe, capturing the essence of the Fireball taste experience consumers love. And in response to a question about how one can tell Fireball Cinnamon from Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, the company says that Fireball Cinnamon can be recognized by the words Fireball Cinnamon on the front label, without Whisky. Whether or not thats enough of a distinction may be up to the courts to decide.
A new study shows how a parental separation impacts family time. (Photo: Getty)

Breakups are difficult under any circumstances, but they can be particularly tricky when children are involved. Now, a new study breaks down how children's time is usually spent after their parents split  and it highlights gender inequities in the process.

The study, which was published in the European Journal of Population, analyzed time diary data from six waves of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a study that follows the development of 10,000 children and families across Australia. The researchers discovered that, after parents separate, the time a mother spends with her children doubles. Children also spend three times less time with both parents and the time a father spends with his children remains low.

These splits also lead to a drop in children's time doing educational activities like study and reading, and an increase in unstructured activities like watching TV, playing video games and using smartphones. There is a gender gap with the children's time, too: Boys are twice as likely as girls to have less educational activities and more unstructured time.

The researchers found that mothers end up eventually spending a similar amount of time with their children after they split from their partners as they did pre-breakup  but it takes up to four years for this to happen.

"Overall, this study implies that parental divorce negatively affects childrens developmental time use, especially among boys, and leads lone mothers to experience increasing time penalties associated with gender inequalities in society," the authors concluded.

Breakups happen, and experts stress that parents shouldn't interpret these findings as meaning that a separation will ruin the lives of their children. However, they're not shocked by the study results.

"The findings arent surprising," Melissa Santos, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and division chief of pediatric psychology at Connecticut Childrens, tells Yahoo Life. "We know in the long term kids do better when parents divorce or separate than stay in a relationship that is marked by constant conflict and disagreement. But the road to those long-term benefits can be bumpy."

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John Mayer, a clinical psychologist and author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life, agrees, telling Yahoo Life that he "regularly" sees similar situations play out in his practice.

Santos notes that the study findings show that "society still places the primary task of caregiving to mothers." She adds, "we saw what happened with closures in the pandemic and this gender effect be very prominent with women leaving the workforce, reducing their roles or taking more time off to parent and care for their children, even when married."

Mayer says that custody agreements between parents also tend to defer more childcare to moms. "Moms typically have more parenting time with the children than dads," he says. "More critically, dads tend to become complacent about their time with the children."

But experts stress that parents can create a more equal scenario in the wake of a breakup. "Research supports that the more equal parenting can be after a separation, for the most part, kids tend to do better emotionally and have less mood, behavior and sleep disruptions," Santos says.

Santos recommends doing the following to make a breakup as minimally disruptive for kids as possible:

Have open communication . "Separation is scary for many children and it can often feel very secretive," she says. "Be age-appropriate, but make sure to keep your child informed of what is happening and underscore that you all are working to make sure they are taken care of."

Keep their routines. Santos acknowledges that parental breakups can be disruptive for everyone but advises parents to "stick to family routines and structure as much as possible."

Create space for your children to express their feelings . "Kids sometimes dont express things because they often feel they are told, 'Oh you dont need to worry about that or dont think about that,'" Santos says. "Well, they are  so we need to create space for them to be able to share what is on their minds without judgment and for them to be provided reassurance, not to have their big feelings dismissed."

Make room for fun . Whether it's taking your child to your local bounce house or just goofing off together at home, making sure that fun is still in their life is important, Santos says.

Let them make small decisions . "When it seems like a lot of things are out of their control, getting to decide what the family is going to eat for dinner can let them have some control," Santos says.

Reach out to your child's pediatrician. Consult your family pediatrician if you're worried about the impact the separation will have on your child. They've likely seen this before and should have advice, along with a referral to a family therapist, if needed.

Mayer says he often gives this advice to parents going through a breakup: "Use this separation to motivate you to be the best parent that you can be. After all, you separated to make your lives better  now do that for your children."

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
FILE PHOTO: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seal is pictured on a gate outside the RBI headquarters in Mumbai

By Nupur Anand

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ordered SBM Bank (India) to stop all transactions under the liberalised remittance scheme (LRS) until further notice, it said on Monday, citing "material supervisory concerns" but no further detail.

The central bank had concerns that certain overseas money transfer practices of SBM's fintech partners did not follow the appropriate procedures, a banking source said on condition of anonymity because discussions were private.

Neither SBM nor the RBI responded immediately to emailed requests for comment.

The LRS scheme allows Indian residents to send up to $250,000 abroad each financial year.

"RBI has said the ownership of the entire transaction needs to rest with the bank to ensure better control mechanisms and the bank has been asked to fix that," the source said.

"For money transfers the account has to be opened with the bank even if it is via a fintech (company), which is typically more convenient, and this needs to be fixed."

The RBI has not set any deadline, but SBM is working on ensuring that it meets all requirements as soon as possible the source added.

SBM Bank India is a subsidiary of the State Bank of Mauritius and became the first foreign bank to receive a universal banking licence under an Indian scheme for wholly owned subsidiaries, which allowed foreign lenders to compete with Indian banks.

(Additional reporting by Chris Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by David Goodman)
Kremlin says European infighting over sending advanced tanks to Ukraine is a sign of weakness

Two Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks of the German armed forces participate in NATO military exercises in Pabrade, Lithuania, on October 27, 2022. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Pressure is mounting on Germany to send its powerful Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Berlin has been criticized for holding back and also blocking others from supplying the tanks.

The Kremlin said Monday the infighting showed "anxiety" growing in the West over helping Ukraine.

Russia sees the increasingly tense infighting between European countries about sending advanced tanks to Ukraine as a sign of weakness, the Kremlin said Monday.

"Europe is tightrope-walking at the moment, and the exchange of statements between European capitals ... suggests that anxiety among the members of the alliance is constantly increasing, growing," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The comment was given to reporters on Monday, according to Russia's state-run Sputnik News outlet.

His words followed mounting pressure on Germany from NATO countries that are unhappy with its reluctance to give its prized Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

The tank is maneuverable, powerful, and heavily armed, as Insider's Jake Epstein reported.

Germany produces the tanks, and as well as declining to send any directly, it has also blocked other European countries from sending theirs, Politico reported.

Some countries, including Poland and Finland, have already promised they would send Ukraine the tanks. The UK has pledged to donate its Challenger 2 tank to Ukraine but has relatively few to give.

Poland, which neighbors Ukraine, last week threatened to ignore Germany and send its Leopards without approval, The Guardian reported.

But, its prime minister said, Poland would not act alone and wants at least a "small coalition of countries" to join it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Germany for wasting time, saying in a televised speech from Davos last week: "This is not a cinema where you wait for the film to start," The Guardian reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
England seamer Matthew Fisher has revealed how he looked to Australia for inspiration as he rebuilt a more muscular body during his latest rehabilitation.

The Yorkshireman made his Test debut in Barbados last March, taking a wicket with his second delivery in international cricket, only to suffer a stress fracture of the lower back in his first county game of the summer.

That led to yet another injury lay-off for a 25-year-old who has seen more than his share of treatment tables over the years, but he worked his way back to make his comeback in the final game of the season.

Fisher is heading to Sri Lanka  Congratulations to Matt Fisher who has been called up to The England Lions squad for their upcoming tour in February  Good Luck @9M_Fisher #YorkshireFamily  Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) January 3, 2023

He will step things up when he heads to Sri Lanka with England Lions later this week, where he will debut a newly bulked up physique  a change he sought in partial response to his fitness issues.

Looking in a mirror I just thought I dont look as robust as some players Ive seen this winter and maybe thats something to look at, he said.

Its not about just putting on weight, I wanted to put on muscle thats going to help me be strongerto be able to withstand the bowling action. Ive gone from 86 kilos to 91 but my skin folds are very similar, so its muscle. I feel a lot stronger now. I think I look more like a man rather than a boy.

And Fisher is not afraid to admit that he set his sights on Englands biggest rivals for his new template.

After that first game when I got injured, I basically said to our strength and conditioning coach I want you to make me look like an Australian fast bowler, he recalled.

Story continues

They all seem to look solid. (Pat) Cummins, (Josh) Hazlewood, (Mitch) Starcthey all look pretty strong. So I was like: try and make me look like them. I ate loads that first three months. Its good for your back to eat loads because its good for healing.

Sometimes in our sport we think too much about skin folds, a lot of lads get anxiety about being slim enough, but it was a point where my goal was to put muscle on. All throughout the summer, the coaches at Yorkshire and some of the players were like bloody hell, you look massive.

Fishers promotion to the Test team alongside Lancashires Saqib Mahmood  who has also had a stress fracture to contend with  came after James Anderson and Stuart Broad were surprisingly axed in the Caribbean.

The decorated duo returned in the summer, playing their part as the new leadership team of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum revitalised a struggling side to the tune of nine wins in 10 matches.

Bowling at Australias David Warner is already on Fishers mind (Jason OBrien/PA)

Breaking back in to a winning unit during an Ashes year is no easy feat, but it is one Fisher allows himself to aim for.

That is my biggest driving force because you never want to have just one cap, he said.

In the back of my mind, I have got the confidence that I know I can get back there. Ive got time. Im only just 25. If I stay fit, I know what I can do and I know Ill achieve what I want if I do stay fit.

Theres been indoor sessions where I am visualising bowling at (Australia opener) David Warner, so its definitely in my mind. But in terms of it being a goal of mine this summer, its not like on my wall or anything. If that happens, it happens.
The suspected gunman who allegedly shot 20 people, 10 fatally, at a dance studio near a Lunar New Year celebration in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park has been identified and linked to a second incident the same night, authorities said Sunday.

Huu Can Tran, 72, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a white cargo van in Torrance that law enforcement officers had surrounded and forced their way into about 30 miles from where the massacre occurred, authorities said.

Authorities said they found a handgun and other evidence inside the van. An investigation is ongoing, and authorities said they're still working to determine the motive.

Tran is also the suspect in an incident that took place at a dance studio late Saturday in the nearby city of Alhambra, authorities said.

PHOTO: Police use armored vehicles to surround a white cargo van, believed by law enforcement to be connected to the Monterey Park shooting suspect according to an ABC affiliate, at a parking lot in Torrance, Calif., Jan. 22, 2023 in a video screengrab. (Abc Affiliate KABC via Reuters)

PHOTO: Law enforcement personnel are seen outside the site in Torrance, Calif., where the alleged suspect in the mass shooting in which 10 people were killed in Monterey Park, Calif. on Jan. 22, 2023. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOTO: Map indicating the location where a gunman opened fire at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dance studio following a Lunar New Year celebration. (Associated Press)

In the Alhambra incident, which occurred 17 minutes after the Monterey Park shooting, an Asian man entered the dance studio with a gun, and several people there wrestled the weapon away from him before he fled the scene. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday evening that were it not for two community members who jumped in to disarm the suspect, there could have been more victims, calling the two people "heroes."

The weapon recovered from the Alhambra location was a "magazine-fed semi-automatic assault pistol" that had an extended large-capacity magazine attached to it, Luna said.

The sheriff said he believes the handgun found at the Alhambra location was not legal in the state.

"California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but yet look what we just had today," Luna said, "the status quo is not working"

SWAT officers broke the driver's side window of the van around 1 p.m. local time, about two hours after police made a traffic stop in the Los Angeles County city of Torrance and heard a loud noise coming from inside the vehicle, sources told ABC News.

In addition to the armored police vehicles, the van was surrounded by numerous police officers, including SWAT members, many with their guns drawn and trained on the van.

Story continues

PHOTO: A person from the crime lab takes photographs around the rear entrance of the location of a shooting that took place during a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, in Monterey Park, Calif., Jan. 22, 2023. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

PHOTO: Investigators work at the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Monterey Park shooting suspect's photo released

The standoff in Torrance came as the sheriff's department released surveillance images of the homicide suspect, saying he was wearing a beanie cap and glasses and is about 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds.

"He should be considered armed and dangerous," the sheriff's department said in a statement.

On Saturday January 21, 2023 at 10:22 PM the suspect male/adult/Asian pictured above was involved in a shooting. Investigators have identified him as a Homicide suspect and he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Contact LASD Homicide with any information at 323-890-5000. pic.twitter.com/2gPUBBybvv  Robert Luna (@LACoSheriff) January 22, 2023

Some of those injured in the Monterey Park rampage were in critical condition, while others were reported as stable, Luna said at a news conference Sunday morning.

As of Sunday night, seven people remained hospitalized, the sheriff later said.

PHOTO: Investigators gather at a scene where a shooting took place in Monterey Park, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Luna said five women and five men were killed in the rampage, adding Sunday that the exact ages of the victims are unknown but they're likely to be people in their 50s to 70s.

'Everything is on the table'

Luna declined to comment earlier Sunday on a possible motive, but said, "everything is on the table."

"We don't know that this was a hate crime as defined by law, but who walks into a dance hall and guns down 20 people?" Luna said.

MORE: 12 shot in Baton Rouge nightclub, police say

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting by his Homeland Security adviser, according to the White House, and the FBI has joined the investigation.

"Jill and I are praying for those killed and injured in last night's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park. 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," Biden said in a statement.

In a written statement released later, Biden said that "Jill and I are thinking of those killed and injured in last night's deadly mass shooting in Monterey Park," adding "how deeply this attack has impacted the AAPI community."

"While there is still much we don't know about the motive in this senseless attack, we do know that many families are grieving tonight, or praying that their loved one will recover from their wounds," Biden's statement said, in part.

Biden also issued a proclamation Sunday night ordering American flags on federal government property to be flown at half-staff through sundown on Thursday "as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence."

In early alerts sent to Washington, investigators said "they had no idea who the suspect was," Pierre Thomas, ABC News' chief justice correspondent, said on ABC's "This Week."

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has also been briefed on the shooting, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

Monterey Park had been hosting the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival this weekend, marking the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar. The annual two-day street festival is widely attended, with previous celebrations drawing as many as 100,000 daily visitors, according to the city. More than 65% of Monterey Park's about 60,000 residents identify as Asian American, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

PHOTO: Police patrol the scene along Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, California, on Jan. 21, 2023, where police are responding to reports of multiple people shot. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

The sheriff's department said the shooting erupted around 10:22 p.m. on West Garvey Avenue, near the downtown less than a block from where the festival was being held.

The gunman opened fire shortly after entering a dance hall, where people had been celebrating the holiday, police said. It was unclear what type of weapon he used, but Luna said detectives do not believe an assault weapon was involved.

Chaotic crime scene

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said his officers responded to reports of shots fired at the dance studio and described a chaotic scene with panicked people running out of the dance hall and gunshot victims lying in the parking lot.

"To have this tragedy occur on Lunar New Year weekend, makes this especially painful," Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renee Perez said in a Twitter post Sunday. "Monterey Park is home to one of the largest #AAPI communities in the country. This is a time when residents should be celebrating with family, friends and loved ones - not fearing gun violence."

In a statement Sunday morning, the city of Monterey Park clarified that the shooting did not occur at the Lunar New Year Festival but at the dance studio near the festival that was not connected to the festivities. Officials said Saturday's festival events were scheduled to finish at 9 p.m.

City officials said all festival activities for Sunday have been canceled.

"Even though the incident did not occur at the 2023 Lunar New Year Festival, an active investigation is currently underway and the area near and around the festival is affected. As a precaution and for the safety of everyone, the City regrets to announce the cancellation of the second day of the festival," city officials said in a statement.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department said it would lead the investigation, after earlier saying it would assist Monterey Park Police. The FBI said it had responded to the scene to assist.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement on Twitter condemning the attack.

"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," Newsom tweeted. "Our hearts mourn as we learn more about the devastating acts of last night. We are monitoring the situation closely."

ABC News' Vanessa Navarrete and Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.

10 dead, 10 wounded in mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, with suspect found dead originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has claimed that authorities allowed Jeffrey Epstein to die.

Conspiracies abounded after Epstein was found dead in a New York jail ahead of a trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.

Maxwell, 61, who was convicted of sex offences for her part in Epsteins sex abuse ring, has previously said she believes the disgraced billionaire had been murdered in jail, according to her brother Ian Maxwell.

The latest claim from Maxwell, made from a Florida jail, will feature in an interview with Jeremy Kyle tonight at 7pm on TalkTV.

In the interview, her first from behind bars, Maxwell also claims the famous photograph of Prince Andrew next to Virginia Giuffre is fake.

Ms Giuffre sued Andrew on claims he sexually assaulted her when she was 17  which he vehemently denied, saying he had never met her. The duke went on to pay millions to settle a civil sexual assault case to Ms Giuffre.

Speaking from prison in the US, Maxwell said she is sure the picture, thought to have been taken at her Mayfair home, is not real.

Key Points

Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre photo is fake'

Medias Ghislaine isnt me, says Maxwell

They let Epstein die, claims Ghislaine Maxwell

12:08 , Liam James

Ghislaine Maxwell said authorities let Jeffrey Epstein die.

The disgraced billionaire was found dead in his prison cell in 2019 while awaiting a trial for sex trafficking charges.

Speaking to Jeremy Kyle on his TalkTV programme, Maxwell, the billionaires former girlfriend, was asked to address Epsteins victims.

Speaking from jail, she said: I say that Epstein died and they should take their disappointment and upset out on the authorities who allowed that to happen.

And as I said I hope they have some closure by the judicial process that took place.

Maxwell on TalkTV (PA)

I feel completely divorced from medias Ghislaine, says Maxwell

09:50 , Liam James

Ghislaine Maxwell said she feels completely divorced from the image of herself in the media.

Story continues

In a teaser for the jailed socialites interview with Jeremy Kyle, to be aired at 7pm tonight, Maxwell suggests she does not relate to the person that people talk about.

I feel completely divorced from the person that people reference and talk about.



EXCLUSIVE: In her first interview since going to jail, Ghislaine Maxwell says she cant relate to the person the media portray her as.



Monday at 7pm on Talk TV.@JKyleOfficial | #GhislaineTalkTV pic.twitter.com/zDk9v9QpbH  Jeremy Kyle Live (@JeremyKyleLive) January 22, 2023

09:03 , Liam James

Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly teaching etiquette lessons to other prisoners in Tallahassee Federal Correctional Institution.

In June 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined $750,000 for helping sex offender and billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein abuse teenage girls.

Now, as Prisoner 02879-509, she is instructing her fellow inmates to maintain high moral standards and impress in a job interview.

Bevan Hurley takes a look at Maxwells life inside:

Ghislaine Maxwells new life as prisoner 02879-509 inside Tallahassee prison

Prince Andrews fall from grace as Queens favourite son

08:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Once second in line to the throne and widely purported to be the Queens favourite child, Prince Andrew has suffered a sharp fall from grace over the last decade.

Before her death, the Queen was often said to be particularly fond of her middle child, but he has been plagued by a string of controversies.

Chiara Giordano has more:

Prince Andrews fall from grace as Queens favourite son heckled by her coffin

Harry mentions Prince Andrew scandal in new book, reports claim

07:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Prince Harry has reportedly referred to the scandal involving Uncle Andrew in his book Spare.

In the book, Harry reportedly wrote that Meghan worried their family would be left unprotected after they moved to Montecito, California.

He reassured her, writing in his book: Never. Not in this climate of hate. Not after what happened to my mother [Princess Diana]. Also, not in the wake of my Uncle Andrew.

He was embroiled in a shameful scandal, accused of the sexual assault of a young woman and no one had so much suggested that he lose his security. Whatever grievances people had against us, sex crimes werent on the list, the excerpt read.

Maanya Sachdeva reports:

Harry addresses Prince Andrew scandal in new book, reports claim

Prince Andrew paid Virginia Giuffre to settle sexual assault case

07:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

In March Prince Andrew paid his financial settlement to Virginia Giuffre following a seven-month case in which he was accused of sexually abusing her when she was 17.

The Duke of York, who denies any wrongdoing, faced calls to confirm how he funded the multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement  which is reported to be as much as 12m.

Read more:

Prince Andrew pays Virginia Giuffre to settle sexual assault case

Prince Andrew: Who is the royal and where is he in line to the throne?

06:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Last January, after Prince Andrew was accused of sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, he was stripped of his HRH title.

Andrew has vehemently and continuously denied these claims.

In September the Duke of York was granted an exception to wear his military uniform for the Queens funeral, despite no longer being a working member of the royal family.

Katie OMalley, Saman Javed report on who the prince is:

Where is Prince Andrew in line to the throne?

Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre says she was wrong to accuse Alan Dershowitz of sexual abuse

06:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Last year Virginia Giuffre admitted she might have been wrong to accuse Alan Dershowitz of sexual abuse in a new court filing, bringing to an end a three-year legal battle between the pair.

Read this November report by Bevan Hurley:

Virginia Giuffre clears Alan Dershowitz of sexual abuse as they settle lawsuit

Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre photo is fake, says Ghislaine Maxwell

05:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has said that the well-known photo showing the Duke of York next to Virginia Giuffre is fake.

Speaking from prison in the US, Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking and has previously cast doubt on the authenticity of the photo, said she is sure the picture is not real.

In an interview with TalkTV, due to be aired on Monday evening, Maxwell said: Its a fake. I dont believe its real for a second, in fact Im sure its not.

She added: Well, theres never been an original, and further theres no photograph, and Ive only ever seen a photocopy of it.

Read more:

Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre photo is fake, says Ghislaine Maxwell

Prince Andrew plotting bid to overturn 3m settlement with accuser Virginia Giuffre

04:31 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Prince Andrew is weighing up a legal bid to overturn the multimillion-pound settlement reached with a woman who accused him of sexual assault, and even force an apology, reports say.

The Duke of York was accused of sexual assault by late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre who alleged that she was forced to have sex with Andrew aged 17 by the financier and jailed socialite Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew has vehemently denied these claims.

Emily Atkinson reports:

Prince Andrew plotting bid to overturn 3m settlement with accuser Virginia Giuffre
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Facebook

On Jan. 11, 17-year-old Rebecca Phillips approached the lectern at a sparsely attended city council meeting in Santee, a suburb of San Diego, California. No item on the agenda brought her to city hall that night. Instead, she tearfully recounted how a local YMCA had followed state law and company policy by allowing a transgender woman to use the same locker room that she did. She had no contact with the woman and claimed only to have seen her, but the experience left her terrified, she said.

From there, a symbiotic network of local and national right-wing media began passing the story upwards, catapulting Phillips to the airwaves of Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight in just six days. But while Phillips earned the adulation of a constellation of conservative and far-right actorsincluding a former politician himself accused of sexual misconduct in public bathroomsthe subject of her outburst became a national target.

Christynne Lili Wrene Wood, a 66-year-old Navy veteran and retired civil servant, had just returned home from a trip to Palm Springs when a friend from her beloved aqua aerobics class sent her a video on Instagram of Phillips speaking at the city council.

I just started crying and crying and shaking, she told The Daily Beast. Im neither Sigmund Freud nor Carl Jung; I dont know what evil pathology drives that. But theres always got to be that convenient boogeyman. Theres always gonna be that other that threatens us.

If drag shows have been one focus of recent extremist rage at the LGBTQ community, it appears as if YMCAs may be emerging as a new proving ground for right-wing culture warriors. If so, the story of Rebecca Phillips points to just how swiftly that process can take off.

Phillips comments galvanized an existing network of right wing and far-right groups in greater San Diego, according to local disinformation researcher and journalist Brooke Binkowski. Theres a very strong streak of far-right ideology here that has been here for generations, she told The Daily Beast.

Story continues

Santee specifically has an established reputation of extremism, earning it the moniker Klantee. The city has tried multiple times over the years to rehabilitate its image, most recently after news coverage of a man shopping at a local Vons wearing a Klan-style hood followed by a separate incident of a Santee Food 4 Less customer wearing a swastika face mask.

The QAnon-friendly crowd and their adjacent groups have been demonizing trans people and throwing around the pedo and groomer labels for years now, Binkowski said.

Little is known about Phillips and her own politics, and neither she nor her parents could be reached for comment. Her father works as a retirement consultant while her mother, Susanna Hodge, is a Christian blogger and homeschools her six children. Her LinkedIn lists her as a director for a Christian homeschooling company.

Whatever the details of the teens own ideology, it took virtually no time at all for extremists to latch onto her.

The day after Phillips spoke at city hall, a screen recording of her comments appeared on the Instagram page for SanteeParents4Choice, a group that emerged in the thick of the pandemic in opposition to masking requirements in Santee schools. Tracie Thill, the groups founder and a former special education aide in the Santee School District who says she was fired for refusing to adhere to the districts COVID testing policy, ran a failed campaign for school board in 2022.

Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images

SanteeParents4Choice held a rally in front of the YMCA on Jan. 18 that was reportedly attended by a range of actors outside the group, including right-wing and far-right locals. The YMCA closed early as a safety precaution after receiving threatsthreats that have rippled to locations across the country, according to Shelly McTighe-Rippengale, the groups executive vice president for San Diego County.

Our YMCA and our staff continue to be the target of credible threats, negative attention, and electronic attacks simply for serving our mission and obeying state law, she said in an email to The Daily Beast.

Thill could not be reached for comment.

A local news station that has been linked to the right, KUSI, picked up the story a day after SanteeParents4Choice, running it online with the headline Santee YMCA allows naked man to use womens locker room with underage girls. In a television segment, KUSI brought on Carrie Prejean-Boller, a former Miss California USA who first obtained political notoriety when she came out against gay marriage in the televised finals of the 2009 Miss USA competition. In 2021, she received attention for appearing at a local school board meeting to decry mask mandates, declare the pandemic over, and threaten to run for school board (she did not).

Prejean-Boller praised Phillips as a hero for sharing her story.

Phillips herself also appeared on KUSI, this time expanding the scope of her attack against the YMCA to its gender-inclusive policies for sleepaway camps. (According to the San Diego YMCA policy, sleeping arrangements and group assignments should reflect each childs identified gender and staff will not disclose information regarding a campers identity without their express consent.)

In quick succession, the story traveled from KUSI to the New York Post and Daily Mail. A game of telephone played out in the process, with Mail, OAN, and The Daily Wire reporting that Phillips had seen a penis in the locker room. But Phillips herself had said in her city council comments only that she had seen a naked male. On local TV, she got a bit more specific, saying that she did not see the mans front side.

In fact, it would have been impossible for the teenager to see a penis, because Wood underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2016.

That did not stop misinformation from propagating all the way up to Santees representative in Congress, Darrell Issa, who told an anchor on KUSI that a male with a male organ exposed himself to a minor, that's what actually happened in Santee. After the anchor corrected Issa, the congressman stumbled, first saying that its not what was said and its not what I understand before offering a word salad of general statements.

The story told by Phillips supporters about what happened in the locker room grew still darkerand more deceitful. At a rally organized by SanteeParents4Change, the closing speaker, Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego city council member who now hosts an AM radio talk show, falsely described Wood as a sexual predator and child abuser.

Dont you find it just the least bit ironic? Wood told The Daily Beast in response, pointing to two allegations against DeMaio of sexual misconduct in public bathrooms. The first allegation came from DeMaios former colleague in the city council Ben Heuso, who told a news outlet that he had caught DeMaio masturbating in a City Hall bathroom in 2009 during a council meeting. Then, in 2014, a former staffer came forward to accuse DeMaio of exposing his penis to him in the office restroom.

DeMaio has steadfastly denied the allegations. When reached for comment, a spokesperson pointed out that another ex-staffer who alleged sexual harassment later pleaded guilty to forging a threatening email he told investigators was from DeMaio. (DeMaio also denied those allegations.)

A nearly identical media cycle to the YMCA uproar played out in San Diego less than six months ago, according to Kathie Moehlig, founder of TransFamily Support Services, a nonprofit that offers a panoply of services to gender-diverse individuals and their families. After she advertised an LGBTQ-friendly Halloween party for children and families through a local school district, parents and right-wing groups rallied to protest Boo Bash. The issue caught the attention of first local and then national media when conservative Christian organizer Brittany Mayer, also a former Miss California USA who goes by the name Rooted Wings on social media, spoke out at a school board hearing.

Mayer, too, appeared on KUSI and then on Tucker Carlsons show.

While Boo Bash still went forward, Moehlig said she received threats of violence from unknown actors, prompting her to reach out to local law enforcement and the FBI. She brought in metal detectors and private security for the event, and limited full face masks and replica weapons. The FBI declined to confirm or deny details of an investigation; the San Diego County Sheriffs Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images

Moehlig says that many of the same people involved in organizing against Boo Bash are also involved in the Santee YMCA fracas. Theyre showing up on Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson and the local conservative media, and its getting their name out, she told The Daily Beast.

Indeed, Phillips has made her own star turn on one of the most-watched cable news shows in America, where Carlson gushed in praise of her. Its amazing that you had the courage to do this and the ability to describe it so vividly, said Carlson to Phillips. Im so impressed about that.

Meanwhile, the YMCA previously found itself in conservative crosshairs for its trans-inclusive policies at least two other times in just the last six months.

In Port Townsend, Washington, 80-year-old Julie Jaman became a favorite of conservative media in August after reportedly getting banned from the local YMCA pool for making disrespectful statements to an 18-year-old transgender staff member. The confrontation took place after Jaman saw the teen accompanying two children from the day camp to the bathroom, per YMCA policy.

In a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, a local pastor prompted a small local controversy in November when he complained that his wife had encountered a transgender woman in the locker room. The YMCA defended its policies as inclusive and in compliance with Ohio state law.

Now, the machine set in motion by Phillips tears appears to be training its sights at the broader YMCA organization. Mayerwho has said in media appearances that she speaks with Phillips and her familyis pushing an effort on her social-media accounts to expose the YMCA for its gender-inclusive policies, asking for parents to reach out with stories of their children being exposed to any gender ideology at a YMCA camp or encountering a member of the opposite sex in a YMCA bathroom or locker room. Mayer did not respond to a request for comment.

The Santee YMCA shut down again on Saturday for another protest, which reportedly featured local far-right figure Mike Forzano, multiple individuals wearing Proud Boys attire, and a man with a swastika tattoo.

Even so, Wood plans on continuing to attend water aerobics class dailyrefusing to let the right-wing golden girl of the hour bring her down.

All I know is I'm a woman whos found her home and her social group and her family of aqua-sisters at that Y, and Ill be damned if anything they do will ever drive me away from it. Period.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes has hit back at claims from federal prosecutors that she tried to flee to Mexico with a one-way plane ticket after she was found guilty.

The governments newfound claim that Ms. Holmes attempted to flee is baseless, Holmess attorneys wrote in a motion filed Monday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

In a filing on Thursday, prosecutors alleged that Holmes had made an attempt to flee the country shortly after she was convicted in January 2022 because they discovered she had planned the Mexico trip but not told them or the court about it.

When they contacted her defense team to alert them of their discovery, Holmess lawyers replied via email that the trip had been booked before the verdict with the hope she would be found not guilty and be able to attend a wedding. But they assured the prosecution that she would not be trying to go on the trip now she had been convicted.

Prosecutors also said that Holmess husband, Billy Evans, still went on the trip and didnt return to the US for roughly six weeks, and did so from South Africa, not Mexico.

But in the new defense filing on Monday, Holmess attorneys sought to have the court strike out several sections of the prosecutions filing that she said present incomplete and provably inaccurate statements of fact regarding her supposed flight risk.

They noted that Holmess passport had been taken from her at the time and that her husband made the bookings on a commercial airline, not a private jet. None of these are markers of someone trying to make an escape, they said.

The defense also presented evidence of an additional email exchange between her attorneys and a prosecutor who, upon being provided more information about the trip and an assurance that it was being canceled, had said he did not believe it warranted further discussion and was satisfied with the explanation.

The government never mentioned the incident again, Holmess attorneys wrote. The government never suggested it believed Ms. Holmes was attempting to flee.

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They also said that Evans was not out of the US for six weeks, as the government alleged, and had returned to the US via a land border crossing at Tijuana four days after flying to Mexico. They noted that he then traveled to South Africa in February, a separate trip he later returned from.

A representative with the Department of Justice told BuzzFeed News they had no comment.

In December, Holmes was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for defrauding investors about her blood-testing company Theranos.

Holmes, who is pregnant, is not required to report to prison until April 27.

She has subsequently filed an appeal against her conviction and sentence, and is seeking to remain out of prison until her appeals are exhausted.

Elizabeth Holmes
CAIRO (AP)  Armed men opened fire on a bus station in southern Sudan on Monday, officials said, killing at least four people and prompting authorities to declare a monthlong state of emergency.

Officials in South Kordofan province said the attack in the provincial capital of Kadugli wounded at least four others.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place as the victims were heading to areas controlled by a rebel group, known as the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North, local media reported.

Mousa Gaber Mahmoud, South Kordofans acting provincial governor, called the attack unfortunate, pledging that local authorities will spare no effort to regain security and stability in the province.

He said a state of emergency took effect Monday across the southern province on the border with South Sudan.

The Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North, led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, controls large swaths of the province, including the Nuba mountains. It has been fighting the government in Sudan's capital of Khartoum for decades.

A cease-fire was established between the military and the group following the removal of longtime strongman Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 amid a popular uprising against his three decades of repressive rule.

There were tensions between the two sides after a military coup removed a transitional government in October 2021, plunging the entire country into further chaos.
Huu Can Tran, 72, shot and killed 10 people at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Los Angeles Saturday night, then shot and killed himself when police surrounded his van. He was apparently disarmed by patrons at a second venue he approached, then fled.

The gun wrestled away from the suspected Monterey Park shooter at a second location Saturday night is a Cobray M11 9mm semi-automatic, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case.

At a news conference Sunday evening, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna described the gun as a "magazine-fed, semiautomatic assault pistol" with an extended, large-capacity magazine.

This style of firearm is designed to take 30-round magazines that allow for rapid fire without having to frequently change magazines.
The daughter of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) was arrested on Sunday in a clash with police at a protest in Boston, Mass., for allegedly spray-painting a monument and assaulting an officer.

Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process, Clark said on Twitter.

Boston police arrested 23-year-old Riley Dowell on Saturday night after allegedly defacing the Parkman Bandstand Monument in the Boston Common with spray paint, according to a police department release, which used a previous name.

The graffiti Dowell tagged on the monument included NO COP CITY and ACAB, an acronym for All Cops Are Bastards, according to police.

An officer was reportedly hit in the face during Dowells arrest as some 20 other protesters surrounded the officers, shouting profanities through megaphones and blocking traffic on the nearby public street.

Dowell was charged with damage of property by graffiti, destruction of personal property and assault by means of a dangerous weapon and will likely be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Massachusetts man is facing DWI charges after driving the wrong-way on I-93 in New Hampshire.

On January 21, 2023, around 9 p.m., NH State Police received reports of a vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 393 in the city of Concord.

Troopers were able to locate the vehicle in the median, between exits 2 and 3.

The driver was identified as Hunter R, Dusio, 23 of Somerset Mass.

According to police, the driver seemed impaired and after conducting a roadside investigation, Dusio was arrested and charged with Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence, Reckless Conduct, and Reckless Operation.

Dusio was transported and later bailed and released on his own personal recognizance.

Dusio was also ordered to appear in the Concord District Court at a later date.

Anyone with further information regarding this case is asked to contact Trooper Caleb Savard at Caleb.C.Savard@dos.nh.gov or (603)223-4381.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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HONOLULU (AP)  The casket bearing the 96-year-old heiress long considered the last Hawaiian princess went on public display Sunday in the downtown Honolulu palace that benefited from her wealth.

Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa's casket, handcrafted from a 165-year-old koa tree that fell during a 2021 storm on the Big Island, arrived at Iolani Palace in a hearse. It was greeted by a traditional Hawaiian wailing and a chanting of her lineage before being carried by members of a law enforcement honor guard up the palace's front stairs and into the throne room.

Family spokesperson Caroline Witherspoon called the procession extremely emotional, saying, The wailing  it was just beautiful. It just caused a visceral reaction for me. I started to cry.

The palace is Americas only royal residence, where the Hawaiian monarchy dwelled but which now serves mostly as a museum. Kawananakoa was the palaces largest single benefactor, according to her publicists, and even paid its electricity bills for many years.

Members of the public were allowed to line up to view her casket and weren't required to wear the shoe coverings that palace visitors normally have to wear as a preservation precaution. A carpet for mourners to walk on was temporarily installed for the viewing.

The viewing was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. local time.

Kawananakoa diedat her home in Nuuanu, near downtown Honolulu on Dec. 11. She passed away peacefully with her wife, Veronica Gail Kawananakoa, 70, at her side, according to a news release.

Abigail will be remembered for her love of Hawaii and its people, her wife said in the release, and I will miss her with all of my heart.

Kawananakoa held no formal title but was considered a princess because her lineage included the royal family that once ruled the Hawaiian islands. She was a reminder of Hawaiis monarchy and a symbol of its national identity that endured after the kingdom was overthrown by American businessmen in 1893.

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In 1895, an unsuccessful attempt by Hawaiian royalists to restore Queen Liliuokalani to power resulted in her arrest. She was put on trial before a military tribunal in her own throne room. After she was convicted, she was imprisoned in an upstairs bedroom of the palace for nearly eight months.

Kawananakoa inherited her wealth from her great-grandfather, Irish businessman James Campbell, who made his fortune as a sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaiis largest landowners.

He had married Abigail Kuaihelani Maipinepine Bright. Their daughter, Abigail Wahiikaahuula Campbell, married Prince David Kawananakoa, who was named an heir to the throne. Their daughter then went on to give birth to Abigail.

After the prince died, his widow adopted their grandchild, Abigail, which strengthened her claim to a princess title.

She received more Campbell money than anyone else and amassed a trust valued at about $215 million.

In 2017, a court battle began over control of her trust after she suffered a stroke. In 2018, Kawananakoa attempted to amend her trust to ensure that her wife would receive $40 million and all her personal property, according to court records.

Three years later, a judge ruled that Kawananakoa was unable to manage her property and business affairs because she was impaired.

Kawananakoa gained notoriety when she sat on an Iolani Palace throne for a Life magazine photo shoot in 1998. She damaged some of its fragile threads.

The uproar led to her ouster as president of Friends of Iolani Palace, a position she held for more than 25 years.

In addition to the palace's upkeep, Kawananakoa funded various causes over the years, including scholarships for Native Hawaiian students, opposition to Honolulus rail transit project and protests against a giant telescope. She also donated items owned by King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani for public display, including a 14-carat diamond from the kings pinky ring.

On Friday, Gov. Josh Green ordered that U.S. and Hawaii state flags be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol and state offices through sundown Monday for her funeral services.

A private funeral service is scheduled for Monday at Mauna Ala, also known as Royal Mausoleum State Monument, which is the burial place of Hawaiian royalty.
STORY: Some 30,000 people packed into the Plaza de Cibeles in front of Madrid's City Hall according to local government estimates. Many waved Spanish flags and chanted "traitor" and "resign, Sanchez", referring to prime minister Pedro Sanchez.

The rally was called by over 100 associations under the slogan "For Spain, for democracy and the constitution" to protest against issues protesters believe are threatening the Spanish constitution, including separatism in Catalonia.

It was supported by the conservative Popular Party, centre-right Ciudadanos and the far-right Vox, whose leader Santiago Abascal, the only party leader to attend, dubbed the current government "the worst government in history".

Businesswoman Alicia Caballero said, "In terms of the economy, I personally don't like the government's response, it doesn't seem to me that it is doing everything possible to get Spain out of this crisis. It is also true that it is a world crisis, and we will all get out of it together. But above all this demonstration is for more than the economic issue, it is for our democracy, for the integrity of our country.
Four Oath Keepers members on trial for actions tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack were found guilty Monday of plotting to halt the peaceful transfer of power from former President Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

Joseph Hackett of Florida, Roberto Minuta of Texas, David Moerschel of Florida and Edward Vallejo of Arizona were convicted of seditious conspiracy in a second trial against members of the right-wing militia group.

The four were convicted on two other conspiracy charges, plus obstructing an official proceeding. Three of the four  Minuta, Hackett and Moerschel  were acquitted of lesser charges.

Monday's outcome follows November convictions on the same rare charge of two other Oath Keepers, leader Stewart Rhodes and a top deputy, Kelly Meggs. Three other Oath Keepers were acquitted of seditious conspiracy in that trial, but found guilty of other charges.

Prosecutors argued in the six-week trial that the Oath Keepers on trial worked in tandem with other members of the right-wing militia group to storm the Capitol and stop the certification of the 2020 election results.

"They talked together, they acted together, they deleted together," said Louis Manzo, a trial attorney serving as special assistant U.S. attorney.

But defense attorneys for the four Oath Keepers suggested the government "cherry-picked" evidence, assembling messages and videos together in whichever way made the defendants look as guilty as possible.

Jan. 6 anniversary: Two years since the Jan. 6 insurrection, extremist groups are fragmented, but live on

Men sporting gear identifying them as "Oath Keepers" are among the massive crowds gathering in Washington, D.C. to support outgoing President Donald Trump as the U.S. Congress meets to formally ratify Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 Presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021.

What is seditious conspiracy?

Legally, seditious conspiracy occurs when two or more people conspire to overthrow, put down or to destroy by force the U.S. government or bring war against it, or plot to use force to oppose the authority of the government or to block the execution of a law.

It's one of 57 federal crimes under the terrorism enhancement statute and can carry a 20-year prison sentence along with a maximum fine of $20,000.

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Before the sedition convictions of Rhodes and Meggs, the government had not won a guilty verdict on the charge since 1995.

In the room: What we learned in the courtroom of the first Oath Keepers' trial

Roberto Minuta

What did the government argue?

Prosecutors argued in closing remarks Wednesday that the four Oath Keepers on trial subscribed to a "perverted version of American history" that led them to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when they stormed the building in aim of stopping the certification of the 2020 election.

After that, the conspiracy continued, the government alleged, showing evidence the defendants planned to continue efforts to stop the peaceful transfer of power from Trump to Biden.

"Jan. 6 was just a battle," Manzo told the jury. "The full conspiracy was to stop the peaceful transfer of power."

What did the defense argue?

Defense attorneys argued Thursday that the government "cherry-picked" evidence to portray the defendants in a negative light, building their case on "selective evidence and scary words."

"This case is about a narrative in search of evidence," said William Shipley, defense attorney for Minuta.

Dig deeper

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4 Oath Keepers found guilty of seditious conspiracy in January 6 riot
Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article gave an incorrect reference to Ron Paul's political affiliation in 2008.

A jury found a 63-year-old Army veteran from Phoenix guilty of seditious conspiracy on Monday for his part in planning and executing the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Edward Vallejo was tried alongside three members of the militia group Oath Keepers, who jurors also found guilty.

Prosecutors contended that Vallejo coordinated an arsenal of weapons, ammunition and supplies at a Comfort Inn in northern Virginia awaiting orders to mobilize.

Prosecutors said that the group expected then-President Donald Trump to declare martial law and that Vallejo was one of three so-called quick reaction force teams stationed at the hotel.

Vallejo back at hotel and outfitted," Vallejo messaged to other Oath Keepers at 2:24 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court records. "Have 2 trucks available. Let me know how I can assist."

The government says Phoenix resident Edward Vallejo is shown in this surveillance footage, bringing in large bins of supplies to a Comfort Inn in Arlington, Virginia, to support the co-conspirators plot and the January 6 Capitol attack.

Vallejo divided his time between Phoenix and a homestead in the northern Arizona city of Winslow.

He had been involved in Libertarian politics. A Republic photographer captured an image of him watching 2008 election results come in while sitting on a plastic chair in the headquarters for Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.

But Vallejo became a supporter of Trump in the 2016 election, according to social media posts and Republic interviews with friends and associates. He had not abandoned the Libertarian Party but seemed motivated in keeping Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton out of the White House.

I'd rather see a blind, left-handed monkey be president than Hillary Clinton, friends quoted him often saying.

Vallejo also believed that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump, who official results showed lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

He drove with two friends to Washington, D.C., in January 2021, texting with members of the Oath Keepers along the way.

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For subscribers:How an Arizona man was charged with seditious conspiracy in the U.S. Capitol riot

Vallejo, in an interview with a friend that was later released online, denied being part of the Oath Keepers, following a falling out with the group in 2014. But he apparently answered the call of the groups leader, Stewart Rhodes, who was asking Oath Keepers and their affiliates to amass on Jan. 6, 2021, the day the election results would be certified in a joint session of Congress.

Encrypted messages sent to a group Vallejo and others took part in over the Signal app referred to it as DC OP: Jan 6 21.

Attorneys for Rhodes said the quick reaction forces were meant to come to the aid of any Oath Keepers who needed protection, a defensive group, not one ready to strike.

Vallejos attorney told The Republic that Vallejo expected he would be cooking for protesters at a campsite, using the 30 days' worth of food he had brought.

On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Vallejo called into a podcast hosted by a longtime Arizona Libertarian figure, Ernest Hancock.

Vallejo told the host that if the day didnt result in what he considered a just result for America  ostensibly the overturning of the election results, thats going to be the declaration of a guerrilla war.

Although nearly 1,000 people have been charged with crimes associated with the riot at the Capitol, only Vallejo and 10 other people have faced seditious conspiracy. The crime, according to federal statute, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Edward Vallejo found guilty of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 riot
ABC affiliate KABC via Reuters

The ex-wife of the suspected gunman who killed 10 people and injured another 10 in a horror shooting at a California dance studio has provided telling insight into her ex-husbands life as rumors swirl over the possible motive for his actions.

The woman, who spoke to CNN and asked not to be named, said the pair met at the same dance studio he shot up late Saturday night. Huu Can Tran filed for a divorce from her in 2005, which became final a year later.

Her account was verified by her sister, who also spoke to CNN. The Daily Beast has contacted the ex-wife for comment.

Before opening fire at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Tran, a 72-year-old Chinese immigrant, was a regular, even providing informal lessons at the venue. It remains unclear if he had visited at all in recent years.

California Dance Club Mass Shooter Kills Himself After Standoff: Sheriff

The pair met two decades ago at a dance where Tran introduced himself and offered to teach her for free. They married soon after. He wasnt violent, she said, though he was quick to anger.

This manifested in various waysincluding while they were dancing. If she took a wrong step, he would occasionally blow up, she claimed.

Trans affiliation with the dance hall was also backed by a long-time acquaintance, who also wished to remain anonymous, and who told CNN he would make the five-minute drive to the dance hall almost every night. The friend was reportedly a close friend of Tran between the late 2000s and early 2010s.

They painted a slightly harsher picture of Tran than the ex-wife, describing how he was hostile to a lot of people at the dance studio and that he believed other instructors said evil things about him.

The dance studio claims were also verified by Adam Hood, a former tenant of the suspect who told The Daily Beast that while he didnt have many friends... he liked to dance in the ballroom, in Star Dance Studio and Lai Lai Studio.

Hood described Tran as a lone ranger.

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Tran's ex-wife also described him as a sometime-truck driver.

Documents obtained by The Daily Beast show that he owned a company starting in 2002 called Trans Trucking, Incthough by Aug. 20, 2004, Tran had dissolved the business.

Tran wrote that the venture had been completely wound up and never incurred any known debts or liabilities.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

On Sunday night, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed Tran as the suspect in the Monterey Park mass shooting. He was found in a white van with a self-inflicted gunshot in a parking lot in Torrance, California, at 12:52 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles Coroners Office identified two of the victims on Monday morning as Mymy Nhan, 65, and Lilan Li, 63.

Police said they were still trying to determine a motive behind this extremely tragic event.

Sheriff Robert Luna said: We still are not clear on the motive...and that is something we are all extremely... we want to know. We want to know how something this awful can happen.

Seven victims were still hospitalized Sunday night, Sheriff Luna said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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CHONGQING, China, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Spring Festival blessing cultural festival kicked off on Jan. 23, the second day of China's lunar new year in Fengdu County in west China's Chongqing Municipality. Held amid strong Chinese New Year festive elements, the festival showcased the Chinese people's vision for a better life and their blessings to their families and friends.

Fengdu Ming Mountain in Chongqing

In the evening, Fengdu County on both sides of the Yangtze River was illuminated by colorful lights and shadows.With the sound of the bell praying for good luck ringing aloud, a lifelike phoenix, a flamboyant Chinese auspicious bird, rose slowly from the north bank of the Yangtze River, lighting up the entire Fengdu County and marking the start of the light and shadow show. With the life like phoenix flying high above, people came together with hands clasped to make Chinese New Year's wishes.

"The festival makes a strong atmosphere of the Spring Festival!" Mr. Su from Shanghai said, attracted by rich interactive activities. He sent his blessings to the online digital program of light and shadow show, and the blessings were then showcased on the night sky of Fengdu.

Lasting through the whole first month of the Chinese lunar calendar from Jan. 23 to Feb. 21, the festival is divided into 23 colorful activities in 6 sections related with various blessing events, according to Chongqing Fengdu Ming Mountain Tourism Group. A string of activities including the phoenix light and shadow show, the flying of blessing lamps, the lantern festival, the red-envelope sharing, and a market fair. These activities will give people a warm New Year experience via different aspects such as travel, entertainment, display, music, and shopping.

One can put lamps onto the river at the pier to send wishes, call out happiness on the blessing wall of Phoenix Gate, play a tone of happiness on the music walk, write Spring Festival couplets for good luck in the city's square, collect the eight blessings of the New Year in Shuanggui Mountain scenic spot, take away the small blessing gifts in Xifu Pavilion, beat the drum to light up the Fengdu Port Building to express blessings... This Spring Festival has seen strong traditional Chinese cultural elements across the downtown areas, scenic spots, as well as streets and alleys of Fengdu.

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Occupying a unique position in Chinese traditional culture, Fengdu is one of the seventy-two blessed places of Taoism. Holding a cultural festival to pray for good luck to showcase the charm of traditional Chinese culture in the rich festive elements of the New Year will promote the prosperity of local culture and tourism industry, thus injecting cultural impetus to economic and social development.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=437304

SOURCE Chongqing Fengdu Ming Mountain Tourism Group
By Gabriela Baczynska and Tassilo Hummel

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to allocate another 500 million euros ($542 million) for military aid for Ukraine, officials said, as Berlin faced more pressure over calls from Kyiv to supply it with German-made Leopard tanks.

Agreement on the seventh such tranche of aid came as the EU's 27 foreign ministers met in Brussels after Western countries failed last week to agree on sending Ukraine battle tanks - but pledged billions worth of support.

The foreign ministers approved the 500 million euro package along with a further 45 million for "non-lethal equipment" for the EU's military training mission for Ukraine, Swedish and Czech officials said.

"We remain steadfast in our support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Sweden, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, tweeted.

Meanwhile, several ministers said as they arrived at the meeting, in the morning, that it was key for Germany to allow Leopard tanks to be sent to Ukraine.

Germany's Leopard tanks, fielded by armies across Europe, are widely seen as the best fit for Ukraine, but Berlin must authorise their sale and has yet to do so.

Poland said on Monday it would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine - and would send them whether or not Berlin agreed as long as other countries did too.

"At this point there are no good arguments why battle tanks cannot be provided," Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said as he arrived at the Brussels meeting.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the tanks should not be held up one more day, while Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said Germany, as an "engine of Europe", had particular responsibility to help Ukraine. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said Russia could win the war if Europeans "don't help Ukraine with what they need now".

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'COUNTERPRODUCTIVE'?

An EU diplomat said that this was followed by a discussion among the ministers about the tanks. "The Germans didn't like being pushed, they warn it can be counterproductive," the diplomat said.

As she arrived at the Brussels meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declined to elaborate on comments on Sunday when she said that Berlin would not stand in Poland's way. She just said it was important to "do everything we can to defend Ukraine".

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democrat party argues the West should avoid sudden moves that might escalate the war. But several EU allies reject that position, saying Russia is already fully committed to its 11-month-old assault on Ukraine.

As the EU works on a 10th package of sanctions against Russia, Hungary, a vocal Russia dove in the EU, signalled its opposition to more sanctions.

"All decisions that could prolong the war or lead to a potential escalation are against our interests," said Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. "It's been proven that sanctions are leading Europe into a dead-end street."

($1 = 0.9174 euro)

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, Bart Meijer, Philip Blenkinsop, Andrew Gray and Krisztina Than, Writing by Ingrid Melander and Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Peter Graff, John Stonestreet and Jonathan Oatis)
While Tucker Carlson and the GOP are rootin' for Putin's power-mad campaign to seize Ukraine (because they want the U.S. to be a christofacsist state like Russia), most of the world supports Ukraine. In his newsletter, Timothy Snyder lists 15 reasons why a Ukrainian victory is essential if we want to preserve democracy.

Here are a few:
Jan. 22A Navy submarine officer, an English teacher at a school for migrant children and an attorney whose nonprofits have served thousands of children form the latest class of distinguished alumni of Greensburg Central Catholic High School.

The 2023 Distinguished Centurions are: Lt. Comm. Christopher Jessel (Class of 2004) of Norfolk, Va., honored as a young alumnus; Elise Nicoletti (1983) of Fresno, Calif., recognized in the service category; and Shari Shink (1966) of Wheat Ridge, Colo., honored for achievement.

A West Newton native, Shink earned degrees from Rutgers Law School and from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied psychology. She was recruited to run a federal project studying quality legal representation for children, based on her work as an attorney in Pittsburgh.

A case representing a 2-year-old boy led her to form a nonprofit that evolved into the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center. For 35 years, she served as executive director of the organization, which advocates for youths who have experienced trauma or instability and has had an impact on more than 15,000 Colorado children.

She retired from the center in 2020 and went on to form another nonprofit, Cobbled Streets, which provides opportunities for children in foster care to develop new skills and connections. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2016.

Shink said she and fellow GCC students were taught to "pursue our ambitions, but not at the expense of others, to strive for success, but not without compassion for those less fortunate ... to be strong in our convictions, but humble in their expression."

After earning her secondary education degree at West Virginia University, Nicoletti moved from her native Greensburg to California, where she teaches migrant children in the Central Valley.

She has since earned a master's degree and chairs the English department at Los Banos High School. She was active in GCC music programs and has continued that interest by starting a children's choir at her church and playing for Masses at the Catholic school her two children attended.

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She volunteers at her home parish and serves as a lector at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center.

A native of Latrobe, Jessel joined the ROTC program while attending the College of Holy Cross, where he earned a political science degree. He holds a master's degree in engineering management from Catholic University of America.

He has advanced from an ensign to executive officer of the submarine USS Montana. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and takes part in their volunteer efforts.

He and his wife, Amy, have three children.

The three alumni will receive Distinguished Centurion Awards during a Kentucky Derby-themed Run for the Roses & GCC auction set for 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at Antonelli's Event Center in North Huntingdon. It will feature games, dancing and "a night at the races."

Tickets cost $70 and are available by visiting gcchs.org or bidpal.net/roses or by calling 724-834-0310, ext. 4201.

The first Distinguished Centurion Award was presented in 2002, to Robert DePasquale (1971), a professor of business administration at Saint Vincent College. He has served on the boards of many local organizations, including Adelphoi Village and the Eastern Westmoreland Junior Achievement Advisory Council.

The 2022 Distinguished Centurions were:

Achievement  Pharmacist Ed Christofano (Class of 1992) of Mt. Pleasant, who operates three Hayden's Pharmacy locations in Westmoreland County along with the Youngwood Corner Market. He was named 2018 Citizen of the Year by the Mt. Pleasant Rotary.

Service  Barbara Zello-Hanchock (1979) of North Prince George, Va., a registered nurse and clinical coordinator of the electrophysiology department at the Richmond VA Hospital. She helped found Sisters of the Heart, a ministry at St. James Catholic Church in Hopewell, Va., that provides crafts and music for nursing home residents.

Young Alumna  Teacher Renee (Marko) Powell (2005) of Bridgeport, W.Va., who has partnered with a construction industry engineering firm to enhance STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programs for her fourth-grade class at Big Elm Elementary School in Shinnston, W.Va.

(Editor's note: This story was updated.)

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .
BENGALURU (Reuters) - Indian full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, on Monday reported a quarterly profit, its first since starting operations in January 2015, as air travel soared.

The privately held airline said its revenue crossed $1 billion and it clocked a net profit, excluding foreign currency loss and non-operating income, in the October-December quarter.

However, the carrier did not disclose a profit number.

Vistara has turned profitable at a time when the Tata group is looking to boost its aviation business by consolidating its three brands - Vistara, low-cost carrier Air Asia and former state-run airline, Air India.

Tata is also set to place an order for some 495 new planes for Air India as it looks to revamp the airline and merge it with Vistara to create a bigger full-service carrier to take on Middle Eastern rivals like Emirates.

Vistara said its international network grew by more than 180% in 2022 and its domestic network by more than 50% as it added new destinations and routes amid a rebound in travel post the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Reporting by Yagnoseni Das in Bengaluru and Aditi Shah in New Delhi; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
A jury on Monday convicted an Arkansas man who became infamous for propping up his feet on the desk of a staffer of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

A jury in Washington convicted Richard Bigo Barnett of eight counts, including felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The notorious feet-on-desk image marked Barnett as one of the stand-out characters of the attack by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Barnett vowed to appeal and protested the verdict by telling reporters: "This is not a jury of my peers."

In a video Twitter post by New York Times reporter Matthew Rosenberg shared on Jan. 6, Barnett is heard saying he wrote Pelosi a "nasty" note and took a personalized envelope from her office after leaving a quarter on her desk  suggesting his actions shouldn't be classified as theft.

Barnett testified in court last Thursday that he was going with the flow that day and threw his feet up on the desk after a photographer told him to act natural."

I probably shouldnt have put my feet on the desk, Barnett told the D.C. jury.

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A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, Richard Barnett, sits inside the offices of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. Barnett was arrested on Jan. 8.

What is the verdict?

Of the eight charges Barnett faced, the most serious were felony counts of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. He was also charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with deadly or dangerous weapons a stun gun with spikes concealed within a collapsible walking stick.

He was convicted on each count.

Who is Richard Barnett?

Barnett is a retired firefighter from Gravette, Arkansas  or, a "crazy guy from Arkansas," according to defense attorney Joseph McBride.

Barnett was an advocate for Second Amendment rights and an active supporter of law enforcement in the area, according to the Southwest Times Record, an Arkansas daily paper affiliated with USA TODAY.

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In the aftermath of the Capitol attack, Gravette Mayor Kurt Maddox spoke out against Barnett's actions, the Times Record reported.

This is not Gravette, Arkansas or the people of Gravette," Maddox said.

Richard Barnett, a supporter of President Donald Trump, sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 6, 2021. Demonstrators breached security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election electoral vote certification.

What did the government and defense argue?

Prosecutors sought to poke holes in Barnett's story about his values and time in the Capitol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon asked Barnett whether he "loves" the Constitution (Barnett said he does), and whether Barnett could name the Third Amendment (He could not). Gordon also pointed to inconsistencies in Barnett's narrative about ending up in Pelosi's office. Barnett said he went looking for friends on the center steps of the Capitol and was "pushed" into the building; then, he went looking for a bathroom. Gordon contended Barnett never asked for directions to a restroom and had several opportunities to leave Capitol before entering the building.

McBride, Barnett's attorney, sarcastically described Barnett's case to the jury as the "most famous trespass case of all time. He argued Wednesday that Barnett didnt hurt anybody on Jan. 6 and the stun gun he carried with him was harmless, because it was broken.

Dig deeper

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: January 6 rioter who put feet on Nancy Pelosi staffer's desk convicted
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2023 / Chocolates have long been a staple for corporate gifting, but handmade specialty chocolates, bearing the brand's colors and showcasing unique flavors like "dessert in a chocolate" concept with pastry fillings like strawberry cheesecake and creme brulee, leave a truly unforgettable impression. Liron Pergament-Gal, Chocolatier and Owner at ChocAllure , sets herself apart with her innovative approach and unique flavor combinations, inspired by her Israeli heritage, like the fusion of halva and pomegranate syrup. Breaking the mold as a woman in a field dominated by men, this mompreneur has made a significant impact with her disruptive approach to the art of chocolate-making.

ChocAllure, Monday, January 23, 2023, Press release picture

Liron's passion for chocolates and pastry led her to make a bold move, leaving behind a successful career as an award-winning cybersecurity expert to pursue her dream and establish her own startup in the food industry.

Liron's journey to becoming a world-renowned chocolatier is a story of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. Born in Israel, Liron's love for pastry making began at a young age, and she always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Despite her success as an award-winning software engineer and cybersecurity expert, Liron's passion for pastry never wavered. She attended pastry school at night, honing her skills and falling in love with the art of chocolate making. Determined to become a master chocolatier, Liron traveled to France, the mecca of chocolate, to study at the prestigious Ecole Lenotre. She spent two months in Paris, sampling chocolate from every store and refining her palate. But Liron's ambition was not just to replicate the flavors and appearances of traditional chocolate, she wanted to push the boundaries and create something truly unique. Combining art and science with French tradition, Liron has created a new standard in the world of chocolate, where each piece is a miniature composed dessert, featuring flavors inspired by the world of French patisserie. Liron's relentless pursuit of perfection and her willingness to challenge convention has made her a leader in the field of chocolate-making and a true inspiration to others.

The pandemic offered Liron an opportunity to experiment with her recipes and ideas as she worked from home, and her creations quickly gained a following among family and friends. The word of mouth about her chocolates spread, and the demand for her "chocolate jewels" grew exponentially. Liron found it challenging to meet the demand while juggling both her cybersecurity job and her passion for chocolate making. This prompted her to take the leap of faith and venture into the world of chocolate making as a full-time chocolatier, and she trademarked the term "chocolate jewels" for her unique creations under the brand name ChocAllure .

The world of chocolate making, specifically the profession of a Master Chocolatier, is traditionally a male dominated field. Historically, men have been the ones to hold the prestigious title and to lead chocolate companies. Women have often been underrepresented and overlooked in this field, despite their talents and contributions. Liron, like many other female chocolatiers, is proving that women have the same level of skill and expertise as men and can excel in the profession of Master Chocolatier. Her unique perspective and approach as a female chocolatier is helping to shape and diversify the industry. This change in narrative is significant, as it brings attention to the contributions and talents of women in the chocolate making industry and moves towards a more diverse and inclusive environment.

ChocAllure, Monday, January 23, 2023, Press release picture

ChocAllure's corporate order customization possibilities are one area that is growing quickly. Liron is aware of the difficulties businesses have when attempting to impress customers with unique and memorable gifts while forging a personal connection with the brand.

"Our top priority as a company is to impress our customers with unique, never-before-seen products. We believe that a large, prominent logo can detract from the impressiveness of the product. In line with the current trend of sustainability and supporting small businesses, we aim to create a personal connection with our customers through subtle, customized branding efforts, such as using the company's brand colors on our chocolate jewels," says the founder and CEO of ChocAllure, Liron Pergament-Gal.

At ChocAllure , customers have the option to indulge in a monthly surprise of the latest and finest chocolate creations through the "Chocolate-of-the-Month Club." Subscribers receive a box of Liron Gal's newest and most delicious chocolate creations each month, making it a perfect gift for any chocolate lover or a treat for yourself.

According to Liron Pergament-Gal, the owner and chocolatier at ChocAllure, "Most of my flavors are inspired by different desserts coming from the world of French patisserie, with some having a unique Middle Eastern twist. I go to great lengths to replicate these flavors in my chocolates, taking great care to ensure that every bite is an experience that transports the consumer to the world of desserts. For example, when creating the creme brulee filling, I wanted to replicate the unique combination of rich vanilla cream and the crunchy caramel layer on top, so I created a chocolate with two different layers, the first being a rich, creamy vanilla chocolate ganache, and the second having that crunchy caramel layer with our handmade caramel pieces. My goal is to create a miniature dessert in every chocolate, making sure that every bite is a sensory experience, and I strive to reach that goal through hard work and attention to detail. It may be a challenging and time-consuming process, but the positive feedback from our clients makes it all worth it."

About ChocAllure: A luxury chocolatier specializing in customized chocolates for all occasions - corporate gifts, wedding favors, Valentine's Day and sometimes just to pamper yourself.

Media Contact:

Name: Liron Gal

Email: info@choc-allure.com

SOURCE: ChocAllure





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/736232/Making-it-in-a-Mans-World-The-Transformation-of-Liron-Gal-from-Cybersecurity-Expert-to-Master-Chocolatier




Global Market Insights Inc.

Major network monitoring market participants include Garland Technology, IBM Corporation (SevOne, Inc.), LiveAction, Inc., Viavi Solutions, Inc., IBM Corporation (SevOne, Inc.), Garland Technology, LLC, Riverbed Technology, Inc., Arista Networks, Inc., Juniper Networks, Inc., and SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC.

Selbyville, Delaware,, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



The network monitoring market valuation is anticipated to exceed USD 12 billion by 2032, as reported in a research study by Global Market Insights Inc .

The widespread adoption of IoT, connected devices, and cloud computing services is accelerating the market demand. Increased network traffic and network outage incidents are pushing businesses to implement resilient network monitoring solutions. Additionally, massive investments by telecom providers in increasing modulation in bandwidth and frequency, as well as the deployment of 5G technologies with robust network resilience, are likely to boost the market demand.

In terms of components, the network monitoring market from the service segment is set to observe around 15% growth rate through 2032, driven by the increasing need to deploy and manage network performance monitoring solutions across enterprises. However, extensive efforts by service providers to deliver in-depth knowledge and instructions to use network monitoring solutions in accordance with business goals and to help improve overall network efficiency throughout the deployment process impact the product adoption.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3015

The network monitoring market from the professional services segment held over 70% of the network performance monitoring market share in 2022. The advantages of professional service providers' assistance and expertise aid in the integration of network monitoring solutions with enterprise network infrastructure. These services also enable businesses to manage and monitor network operations, ensuring smooth networking processing.

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The 100 Gbps network speed segment will witness 20% CAGR between 2023 and 2032. The soaring adoption of SaaS-based services, as well as prominent initiatives by manufacturers to expand their customer base, is prompting cloud enterprises to leverage 100 Gbps network speed. Companies in the market are working together to develop network performance monitoring solutions that analyze 100Gbps network speed, which is slated to push the market growth.





The SMEs enterprises segment is expected to grow at 15% CAGR during the forecast timeline. The growing reliance of SMEs on scalable and cost-efficient networking solutions that can be easily deployed over their network infrastructure is increasing the adoption of network monitoring solutions across SMEs, which is predicted to be a major factor contributing to the network monitoring market revenue.

In terms of application, the energy & utility segment is poised to expand at 10% growth rate till 2032, impelled by the proliferating adoption of smart utilities and IoT devices, which is enabling companies to deploy network monitoring systems in utility settings. Moreover, devices like smart grid meters, drones, IoT sensors, and smart infrastructure are integrated to facilitate real-time monitoring, in-depth insights, and operational efficiency, increasing the need for network monitoring systems.

The Latin America network monitoring market to reach USD 1 billion by 2032, attributed to the increasing use of cloud services by BFSI businesses and the proliferation of IoT technology across several LATAM countries. In order to digitize banking processes and transactions, businesses across the BFSI sector in Mexico and Argentina are implementing cloud-based solutions. Additionally, favorable government initiatives influencing the adoption of digitization are expected to speed up regional business growth.

Some of the leading companies operating in the network monitoring market include Garland Technology, IBM Corporation (SevOne, Inc.), LiveAction, Inc., Viavi Solutions, Inc., IBM Corporation (SevOne, Inc.), Garland Technology, LLC, Riverbed Technology, Inc., Arista Networks, Inc., Juniper Networks, Inc., and SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC.

To cite an instance, In February 2022, Cisco, a global leader in IT and networking, collaborated with Rakuten, a retailing company, to develop and deliver the open RAN solution with the aim to create a fully virtualized cloud-native network. This collaboration also aided the company in delivering technological innovations across multiple industries.

Secure a copy of the premium research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/paymenta/3015?gmpaycod=sugmp

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Network monitoring market 360 synopsis, 2018  2032

2.2 Business trends

2.2.1 Total Addressable Market (TAM)

2.3 Regional trends

2.4 Component trends

2.5 Enterprise size trends

2.6 Network speed trends

2.7 Application trends

Chapter 3 Network Monitoring Market Insights

3.1 Introduction

3.2 COVID-19 impact

3.2.1 North America

3.2.2 Europe

3.2.3 Asia Pacific

3.2.4 Latin America

3.2.5 Middle East & Africa

3.3 Evolution of network monitoring

3.4 Network monitoring industry architecture

3.5 Network monitoring industry ecosystem analysis

3.5.1 Network monitoring software providers

3.5.2 Network monitoring hardware providers

3.5.3 Cloud service providers

3.5.4 Marketing and distribution

3.5.5 End-users

3.5.6 Profit margin analysis

3.5.7 Vendor matrix

3.6 Technology & innovation landscape

3.6.1 Patchwork management

3.6.2 Convergence of NetOps and IT security

3.6.3 Network management system APIs and packet inspection

3.7 Regulatory landscape

3.7.1 Global

3.7.1.1 The ISA/IEC 62443 standard

3.7.2 North America

3.7.2.1 NIST Special Publication 800-53 - Guidelines on Security and Privacy Controls for. Federal Information Systems and Organizations (U.S.)

3.7.2.2 California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA  U.S.)

3.7.2.3 Critical Infrastructure Protection Mandates, NERC (North America)

3.7.3 Europe

3.7.3.1 General Data Protection Regulation (EU)

3.7.3.2 Network and Information System (NIS) Regulation (UK)

3.7.3.3 The Security of Network and Information Services Directive (EU)

3.7.4 APAC

3.7.4.1 Information Security Technology- Personal Information Security Specification GB/T 35273-2017 (China)

3.7.4.2 Secure India National Digital Communications Policy 2018  Draft (India)

3.7.5 Latin America

3.7.5.1 National Directorate of Personal Data Protection (Argentina)

3.7.5.2 The Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD)

3.7.6 MEA

3.7.6.1 Law No. 13 of 2016 on protecting personal data (Qatar)

3.7.6.2 Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on the use of ICT in Healthcare (UAE)

3.8 Patent analysis

3.9 Investment portfolio

3.10 Key initaitive and news

3.11 Industry impact forces

3.11.1 Growth drivers

3.11.1.1 Growth in the adoption of IoT and BYOD devices

3.11.1.2 Rising popularity of SaaS-based network monitoring solutions

3.11.1.3 Demand for continuous network monitoring due to rise in network complexities and security concerns

3.11.1.4 Increasing network stress due to exponential rise in cloud traffic

3.11.1.5 Surging demand for resilient network monitoring systems to quickly resolve downtime issues

3.11.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.11.2.1 High initial investments

3.11.2.2 Availability of free network monitoring tools

3.11.2.3 Compatibility issues due to prevalence of legacy systems

3.12 Growth potential analysis

3.13 Porters analysis

3.13.1 Threat of new entrant

3.13.2 Bargaining power of supplier

3.13.3 Bargaining power of buyer

3.13.4 Threat of substitution

3.14 PESTEL analysis

3.14.1 Political

3.14.2 Economical

3.14.3 Social

3.14.4 Technological

3.14.5 Legal

3.14.6 Environmental

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About Global Market Insights Inc.

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

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Nokia Oyj

Press Release

Nokia and Samsung sign 5G patent license agreement

Agreement covers Nokias fundamental inventions in 5G and other technologies

Samsung to make royalty payments to Nokia for a multi-year period

Previous agreement expired at the end of 2022





23 January 2023

Espoo, Finland  Nokia announced today it has signed a new cross-license patent agreement with Samsung following the expiry of the previous agreement at the end of 2022.

Under the agreement, which covers Nokias fundamental inventions in 5G and other technologies, Samsung will make payments to Nokia for a multi-year period beginning 1 January 2023. The terms of the agreement remain confidential between the parties.

Jenni Lukander, President of Nokia Technologies, said: Samsung is a leader in the smartphone industry, and we are delighted to have reached an amicable agreement with them. The agreement gives both companies the freedom to innovate, and reflects the strength of Nokias patent portfolio, decades-long investments in R&D and contributions to cellular standards and other technologies.

The agreement is consistent with the assumptions that Nokia has disclosed in the long-term Nokia Technologies outlook commentary in its Financial Report for Q3 and January-September 2022 issued on October 20, 2022.

Nokias industry-leading patent portfolio is built on more than 130 billion invested in R&D since 2000 and is composed of around 20,000 patent families, including over 4,500 patent families declared essential to 5G. Nokia contributes its inventions to open standards in return for the right to license them on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Companies can license and use these technologies without the need to make their own substantial investments in the standards, fueling innovation and the development of new products and services for consumers.

Additional resources

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

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As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to high standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.

Media Inquiries:

Steven Bartholomew, Head of Communication and Marketing, Nokia Technologies

Email: steven.bartholomew@nokia.com




Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty

The last election couldnt have gone any worse for Pennsylvania Republicans: the top of their ticketSenate candidate Mehmet Oz and gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastrianowiped out spectacularly, casting this swing state in a definitively blue hue.

After months of soul-searching over their disappointing outcomes, Keystone State Republicans are convinced they simply had the wrong candidatesand believe they can get revenge if they just put forward the right one.

When it comes to the crucial race for Senate in 2024, many Republicans in Pennsylvania and Washington believe the search is already over. They are already homing in on David McCormick, the immensely wealthy hedge fund baron who ran in 2022, as their silver bullet.

Last year, McCormick may have lost to Oz in the GOP primary, ultimately by fewer than 1,000 votes. But some Republicans insist hed be in the Senate today if things had gone slightly differently in that election.

John Fetterman Sends Dr. Oz Packing Back to New Jersey

John Brabender, a veteran GOP strategist in Pennsylvania, said if McCormick had been the nominee instead of Oz, he probably would have won against now-Sen. John Fetterman (D), who bludgeoned Oz with relentless attacks over his weak ties to Pennsylvania and dubious record as a TV doctor.

Ahead of 2024, McCormick hasnt formally announced whether or not he will run against Sen. Bob Casey (D). An aide did not return a request for comment.

But McCormick is surely behaving like an incoming candidate. This year, he is set to release a book that claims to outline a battle plan to renew America. Hes remained an active attendee of high-profile political events, including recently attending the swearing-in party for Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Trump White House spokeswoman turned freshly inaugurated governor of Arkansas.

Perhaps most important, McCormick kept the door open for a future run in a speech conceding the 2022 GOP primary to Oz following a recount. Im not going anywhere. This is my home. This is our home. This is where my dreams were launched, and this is where we plan to have a future, he said at the time.

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Dave McCormick speaks during a rally at Bloomsburg Area High School on May 16, 2022, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Michael M. Santiago/Getty

When it comes to their battle to win back the Senate majority in 2024, Republicans in Pennsylvania and beyond are aware they cant be dogged by the same issues of candidate quality that Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) himself admitted sank the GOPs chances for the majority in 2022.

Controversial candidates who came out of crowded primaries and brought their baggage with them cost Republicans their best chances to win Senate seatsnot only Oz in Pennsylvania, but Herschel Walker in Georgia, Blake Masters in Arizona, and Don Bolduc in New Hampshire.

Next year, a win in Pennsylvania would bring the GOP one essential step closer to winning back the Senate. And a strong Senate performance could be a buoy for the GOP presidential nominee, whoever that may be, in all-important Pennsylvania.

Within the GOP campaign class, the pining for McCormick represents the dramatic course correction they would like to see in 2024.

Though he sought former President Donald Trumps endorsement in his last run, McCormick built a more moderate-seeming, business-friendly brand and garners high name recognition in the state, where he grew up but had not lived for much of the past decade.

Crucially, the former CEO of the mega-hedge fund Bridgewater has a ton of money, and hes willing to spend it on his own political ambitions. According to OpenSecrets, he was the fifth most self-funded candidate of the 2022 cycle, having spent more than $14 million of his own money in the primary.

Not only that, McCormick has rich friends, too, and theyre also willing to help: fellow hedge funders and financiers poured $15 million into a PAC backing McCormick in 2022, according to OpenSecrets.

Chuck Todd speaks with Dave McCormick after touring the Lackawanna Petroleum and Gas College on May 10, 2022, in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Michael M. Santiago/Getty

Democrats argue those sort of characteristics leave him vulnerable to some of the same pitfalls that tanked Ozs Senate bid last cyclebeing rich and arguably out of touch with low-or-middle income Americans. But to those working on picking the right horse for the 2024 race, McCormick checks their boxes.

David McCormick would be an incredibly strong recruit and would put Pennsylvania squarely on the map of competitive races in 2024, said one national Republican strategist. His profile as a veteran, along with his ability to raise substantial funds as well as self-fund makes him a dream candidate.

GOP strategists say an essential part of the emerging strategy in Pennsylvania has to be closing in on a leading primary candidate earlywhether its McCormick or someone elseand avoiding the sort of raucous divides that riddled the last Republican contest.

PA Guv Candidate Doug Mastrianos Secret Meme Page Is a Far-Right Rats Nest

Not only does the party risk candidates facing damaging attacks during an extended internal battle, such primaries can often vault nominees from the fringe into the general election. Thats what happened in 2022, when Mastrianoa state senator with little political acumen from the furthest wing of the MAGA movementwon the nomination for governor.

There was a lesson learned, said Brabender. And the lesson is that we cant let a lot of candidates run hoping that the best one will be stronger from that process, when its also possible that somebody who simply has a very devoted small following when, when theres so many candidates, and then become a horrific general election candidate.

I think thats a lesson, he continued. I think it was learned by every spectrum of the Republican Party.

Donald Trump shakes hands with David McCormick in 2016. Drew Angerer/Getty

While McCormick is the establishment favorite, theres no guarantee he would clear a field, or that outsiders will go along with the controlled-primary play.

After troubling losses, political parties at the state and federal levels will often conduct post-mortems and assure voters theyve found the remedy for the next election. But that doesnt mean their base is going to go along with the playand Pennsylvania Republicans are no different.

GOP brass may think McCormick is their best shot, but he was not the clear favorite of the most MAGA elements of the party base in 2022. That was Kathy Barnette, a far-right political figure and pundit who placed third in the Senate primarybut earned nearly 25 percent of the vote, not far behind Oz and McCormick.

MAGA World Melts Down as Ultra-MAGA Barnette Blows Up in Pennsylvania

Barnette could run again, though she did not respond to a request for comment on her plans for 2024. Neither did a spokesperson for Oz, who has kept a low profile since his defeat.

The Daily Beast also reached out to a spokesperson for Mastriano to ask if hed be interested in a 2024 run for Senate. Mastriano regularly refused to engage with the press during his gubernatorial run, so characteristically, he also did not respond.

Other wild-card candidates could certainly hop in and derail McCormicks potential ascent to the nomination. There are eight Republicans in the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, for instance, who could be eyeing a jump to the upper chamber.

While Barnette and Oz havent given an indication theyre interested in a 2024 run, Mastriano, to some degree, has: last month, he retweeted a poll showing him in a potential matchup against Casey, leading the senator by more than 4 points. Problematically for Mastriano, the survey reportedly was conducted during dates that hadnt yet occurred when Mastriano shared it, making the data an almost certain spoof. Its unclear if Mastriano knows it wasnt real.

But Mastriano is the type of wild card who could send Pennsylvania Republicans into full-on crisis mode. Brabender told The Daily Beast if Mastriano were to run, there would be a collective intervention.

Far-Right Election Denier Doug Mastriano Refuses to Concede in Pennsylvania

There are, of course, larger motivations for Republicans to be especially purposeful in the Keystone State race for Senate. Pennsylvania has more electoral college votes than any other swing state, and it will be essential to the outcome of the 2024 presidential contest.

In 2020, Biden secured his victory by flipping Pennsylvania. The midterms emboldened Democrats in the state. Republicans have been trailing. And a controversial Republican Senate candidate in 2024 is unlikely to help that trend.

Casey, the Democrat who has held this seat since 2007, has not made any formal announcements on his 2024 plans, but he has strongly indicated he intends to run again. He is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, but has an excellent prognosis, per an announcement earlier this month.

State Democrats, meanwhile, are preparing for the fight, already shoring up their attacks on Republicans' evidently favored contender.

McCormick is a damaged candidate who spent millions and millions of dollars embracing the most radical fringes of the Republican base and still lost the primary to a quack doctor who has even less connection to Pennsylvania than McCormick himself, said Jack Doyle, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

If he does decide to run again, we can expect another nasty GOP primary.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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PGS ASA

January 23, 2023, Oslo, Norway: PGS is awarded a 3D exploration acquisition contract in the Mediterranean by an international energy company. Ramform Hyperion is mobilizing for the survey and expects to complete in late April.



We are very pleased with this contract award which is the third sequential survey for Ramform Hyperion in the highly active Mediterranean geo-market where we have built a solid acquisition campaign through the winter season, says President & CEO in PGS, Rune Olav Pedersen.

PGS announces contract awards as stock exchange releases if the contract has a value of $10 million or more.



FOR DETAILS, CONTACT: Bard Stenberg, VP IR & Corporate Communication

Mobile: +47 99 24 52 35





***

PGS ASA and its subsidiaries (PGS or the Company) is a fully integrated marine geophysical company that provides a broad range of seismic and reservoir services, including data acquisition, imaging, interpretation, and field evaluation. Our services are provided to the oil and gas industry, as well as to the broader and emerging new energy industries, including carbon storage and offshore wind. The Company operates on a worldwide basis with headquarters in Oslo, Norway and the PGS share is listed on the Oslo stock exchange (OSE: PGS). For more information on PGS visit www.pgs.com.

***

The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. These statements are based on various assumptions made by the Company, which are beyond its control and are subject to certain additional risks and uncertainties. The Company is subject to a large number of risk factors including but not limited to the demand for seismic services, the demand for data from our multi-client data library, the attractiveness of our technology, unpredictable changes in governmental regulations affecting our markets and extreme weather conditions. For a further description of other relevant risk factors we refer to our Annual Report for 2021. As a result of these and other risk factors, actual events and our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The reservation is also made that inaccuracies or mistakes may occur in the information given above about current status of the Company or its business. Any reliance on the information above is at the risk of the reader, and PGS disclaims any and all liability in this respect.

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--END--








YAOUNDE (Reuters) - The mutilated body of a prominent Cameroonian journalist was found on Sunday near the capital Yaounde five days after he was abducted by unidentified assailants, the press union and a colleague said on Sunday.

Media advocates described Martinez Zogo's disappearance and death as a further sign of the perils of reporting in the African country.

Zogo, the director of private radio station Amplitude FM, was kidnapped on Jan. 17 by unknown assailants after trying to enter a police station to escape his attackers, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said.

Zogo had recently been talking on air about a case of alleged embezzlement involving a media outlet with government connections, RSF said.

"Cameroonian media has just lost one of its members, a victim of hatred and barbarism," Cameroon's journalists' trade union said in a statement. "Where is the freedom of the press, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression in Cameroon when working in the media now entails a mortal risk?"

His colleague, Charlie Amie Tchouemou, editor-in-chief of Amplitude FM, confirmed Zogo's death and his abduction. The police and the government did not respond to calls for comment.

The incident is the latest in a string of attacks against journalists in Cameroon, which has a vibrant press and which is ruled by President Paul Biya, who has a decades-long record of repressing opposition.

Cameroon is one of many countries across the continent, from Burkina Faso to Ethiopia to Equatorial Guinea, where journalists complain that media freedoms are under threat from authoritarian governments.

"Although Cameroon has one of the richest media landscapes in Africa, it is one of the continent's most dangerous countries for journalists, who operate in a hostile and precarious environment," RSF says in its Cameroon country profile.

Radio France Internationale reporter Ahmed Abba was arrested in July 2015 and imprisoned for two years on terrorism charges that rights groups denounced as a sham. Outspoken reporter Paul Chouta, who worked for private news website Cameroon Web, was beaten and stabbed by unknown attackers in 2019.

(Reporting by Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Writing by Edward McAllister, Editing by William Maclean)
A woman in Idaho relates how her miscarriage led to medical problemsand that doctors in the state refused to provide necessary medical care for her. The presumption is that they fear that the law will punish anyone that provided an abortion-like procedure, even on a dead fetus. But they aren't telling her.

Carmen Broesder, 35, from Nampa  20 miles west of Boise  a mother-of-one was just six weeks pregnant when she began miscarrying on Dec. 8. However, she said it took eight days before she was given any medicine to manage her pain and to expel embryonic tissue, and several more days for the miscarriage to end. In a series of TikTok videos  along with medical records, photos and videos shared with ABC News  she said that despite bleeding heavily and suffering intense cramps, she was denied a dilation and curettage, or D&C, which removes tissue from inside the uterus, multiple times.

"Why should I get to death's door to get help?" Broesder asked.

The answer is that they don't really care what happens to you, and the only thing pushing them at the threshold of your death is malpractice liability finally overwhelming their fear of prosecution.

They charged her for the visits, though:

"I was in so much pain I didn't know how much more my body could take," she said. "I had gone to the ER twice and I got turned away. I go to the OB, and I got turned away. I knew I couldn't afford much more visits for longevity afterwards to keep my family afloat. So, I was just like, well, it is what it is."

The article is essentially sourced to Broesder's own Tik Tok videos but does not link to them.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 23, 2023) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (FSE: DTC) (OTC Pink: DTCFF) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce that Defence will attend, from February 7-10, 2023, the Immuno-Oncology 360 "IO360" premier meeting across all stakeholders in Immuno-Oncology during the 2023 summit at the New-York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, New-York.

IO360 offers an unparalleled opportunity to hear from stakeholders representing both the science and business communities who report on the latest data impacting Immuno-Oncology to fight a wider range of cancers. www.io360summit.com

Defence's CEO, Mr. Sebastien Plouffe and Dr. Moutih Rafei, VP-Research and Development are looking forward to meeting you at the booth #16 during the Conference. In addition, Dr. Moutih Rafei will present live on Cell Therapy Day on Tuesday February 7th at 5:25 pm on Track A "Novel Engineered Cell Therapies and Concepts". Defence's ARM vaccine will be presented to the audience. Dr. Rafei will also present live on IO Novel Technology Showcase Day on Wednesday February 8th at 11:10 am on Track B during which Defence's AccumTM platform technology will be introduced. This session showcases companies that have technologies and solutions that will help stakeholders in the IO field advance developments that provide treatment for cancer patients.

"With the field of cell therapy rapidly advancing with exciting results, Defence's presence to the IO360 is definitely a key event to introduce its AccumTM platform technology to the US science and business communities by showing its data that will have a positive impact on immuno-oncology to fight multiple cancers," says Mr. Plouffe, the CEO of Defence Therapeutics.

According to Research and Markets, the immuno-oncology market size was valued at US$45.12 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.30% during 2022-2030.

https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5693577/immuno-oncology-market-size-share-trends?utm_source=GNOM&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_code=nkffvp&utm_campaign=1785151+-+Immuno-oncology+Global+Market+Report+2022%3a+Approval+of+Novel+Therapies+Boosts+Sector+Growth&utm_exec=como322prd

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About Defence:

Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUMTM technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.

For further information:

Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and Director

P: (514) 947-2272

Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.com

www.defencetherapeutics.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/152104
Jasmine Tookes baby shower

Rachpoot.com

Jasmine Tookes is celebrating her upcoming bundle of joy with her besties.

The supermodel mom-to-be, 31, was joined by family and friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby Borrero, her first baby with husband Juan David Borrero, 32.

Guests gathered on a beautiful California day to celebrate the former Victoria's Secret model, who was dressed in a sleek long white dress for the special day. Fellow models Josephine Skriver, Shanina Shaik, Sara Sampaio and Kelsey Merritt were in attendance, celebrating the first-time mom.

The event included stations with food and sweets that featured pictures of the Tookes throughout her pregnancy. There was also an on-site embroidery artist available to customize onesies for guests.

The party had fun games and both a champagne bar and an espresso bar  which featured drinks with "Baby Borrero" written in foam.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

RELATED: Victoria's Secret Alum Jasmine Tookes Is Expecting First Baby with Husband Juan David Borrero

Tookes also shared photos from the event on Instagram Monday, thanking those who helped put together the event and her guests for celebrating the growing family.

"Our baby Borrero shower was yesterday & it was perfect Thank you @theksimonegroupevents for organizing everything & a huge thank you to @carythestylist @nicolesudyka @brook.e.llen & @paigechristine for bringing my Pinterest board to life ," she captioned the photo set.

This is the first baby for both Tookes and Borrero, who tied the knot in Ecuador in September 2021.

Jasmine Tookes baby shower

Rachpoot.com

In November, the mom-to-be shared black-and-white images from a Vogue photoshoot in which she cradled her baby bump.

"Baby Borrero The last 6 months have gone by so fast & we can't wait to meet this precious little angel  Feeling so grateful to start a family with you @juandavidborrero ," she wrote in the caption.

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In the comments section, Borrero replied, "Couldn't be happier to grow our family with you! ."

The model expressed in her interview with Vogue that she and her husband waited to share her baby news because she was experiencing chronic fatigue during the first weeks of her pregnancy.

"I was so tired to the point I couldn't even read emails coming throughI'd fall asleep sitting at my computer. I almost fell asleep driving my car," she said. "The tiredness was something I had never experienced."

Tookes added that she's learned to take every stage of her pregnancy one day at a time.

"Every day is scaryyou never know what's going to happen," she said. "So I just pray, hope for the best, and try to keep an open mind."
Katherine Clarks daughter has been arrested for clashing with police at protest (AP)

A top US democrat has said she loves her daughter after revealing she was arrested in clashes with the police.

Katherine Clark, the House Democratic whip, tweeted: Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting.

This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

Riley Dowell, 23, was detained on Saturday night in Boston, Massachusetts after allegedly spray-painting a monument and assaulting a police officer during clashes.

In a statement on its website, the Boston Police Department said Ms Dowell was expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

Police said officers responded to a report at the Parkman Bandstand Monument located within the Boston Common.

They found a person, identified as Dowell, a resident of Melrose, defacing the monument with spray paint and anti-police phrases, according to police.

During the arrest, a group of about 20 protesters began to surround officers while screaming profanities though megaphones on the public street causing traffic to come to a standstill, police said, adding that an officer was hit in the face and could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Dowell was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, destruction or injury of personal property, and damage of property by graffiti/tagging, police said.

A fatal police shooting earlier this month in nearby Cambridge sparked protests over use of force. A 20-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Sayed Faisal, was shot and killed by Cambridge police. He had advanced on officers with what police described as a kukri, a type of sword, and a less-than-lethal sponge round had failed to stop him, police said.

Clark is in her sixth term in the House and represents the states 5th Congressional District.
Ukraine's battlefields look like World War I but with a new and terrifying addition that leaves troops with almost nowhere to hide

A Ukrainian paratrooper takes shelter in a trench from a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher attack on July 5,2022 in Seversk, Ukraine. Laurent van der Stockt/Getty Images

The conflict in Ukraine has emerged as the first major war involving drone use on both sides.

Experts say that drones have made artillery even more lethal, and are changing the face of warfare.

The debate over whether drones would matter in a conventional war is now over, one expert said.

Trench warfare, relentless artillery, gains measured in mere meters, and heavy casualties on both sides. The battlefields of Ukraine resemble those of World War I, but with a new and terrifying reality  the incessant buzzing of drones, harbingers of death and destruction that are constantly watching from above.

The Ukraine war has essentially become "World War I with 21st century ISR [Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance]," Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Insider.

Ukrainian soldiers work in their artillery unit in the direction of Marinka, 15 January 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Getty Images

Ukrainian soldiers in a trench on the Vuhledar frontline in Donetsk oblast, 5 January 2023. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Getty Images

Both Ukraine and Russia have used drones of all shapes and sizes to spy on each other and to strike targets on a scale that's never been seen before, and it's changing the face of warfare. Drones are being used to locate enemy positions and direct fire, crash into and destroy buildings in "kamikaze" attacks, and drop bombs on tanks.

With much of the fighting occurring in rural areas with large open fields that are often dangerous to cross  a modern equivalent of WWI's horror-filled "No Man's Land"  drones have proven to be an extremely useful and deadly tool. Both sides are using drones equipped with cameras or other sensors that offer a livestream that can be watched on a laptop or digital tablet to scout out the enemy and coordinate attacks from afar.

Drones have played an important role in adjusting artillery fire and confirming that targets were hit or destroyed. They're an eye in the sky on the battlefield in Ukraine that's making artillery even deadlier.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) December 30, 2022

"Unmanned systems have been used in greater and greater numbers in conflicts over the last decade, but the Ukraine war took it to a new level. But it is not just about the numbers, but the type of war. Up to last year, there was an active debate as to whether drones could play a role in conventional war, instead of just missions like Afghanistan," P.W. Singer, a leading expert on modern warfare and senior fellow at the New America think tank in Washington, told Insider.

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"That debate is now over," Singer added.

'The future of warfare'

Ukrainian servicemen fly a drone on the outskirts of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine on December 30, 2022. Sameer Al-Doumy/Getty Images

Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, have been used in various capacities in warfare for generations. Some researchers point to Austria's use of pilotless hot-air balloons to bomb Venice in 1849 as the first example.

The US began developing unmanned aircraft as far back as World War I. Remotely piloted aircraft were used for surveillance during the Cold War, and unmanned technology gradually advanced over the 20th century. By the late 1990s, Predator drones were being used by the US and NATO for reconnaissance missions in the Kosovo War.

But it was the onset of the war on terror that saw the use of drones rise exponentially and move away from primarily being employed for reconnaissance. In the years since the 9/11 terror attacks, the US military and CIA have used drones for the surveillance and targeted killings of suspected terrorists in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen.

Armed drones have also been used in other conflicts, including in fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Drones have become increasingly attractive to militaries worldwide as the technology has advanced and gotten cheaper. These systems can gather intelligence and execute missions that might otherwise risk the life of a pilot and cost less than building a traditional air force.

The war in Ukraine, however, marks the first time that we've seen drones employed in a conflict involving major powers and modern armies on both sides and used so "extensively and over an extended period of time," Cancian said.

Ukraine has in many ways emerged as a guinea pig for drone warfare. A wide array of unmanned aerial vehicles produced everywhere from the US to China and from Turkey to Iran have been used in battle.

In the early days of the fighting, Ukraine saw success using the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone to rain hell from above on key Russian assets like armored vehicles. A Bayraktar  which has a range of 186 miles, is the size of a small plane, and is capable of carrying laser-guided bombs  was involved in the attack that sank the Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet.

The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone has been a key instrument used by the Ukrainian military to repel Russian forces. Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Later in the war, Russia began launching swarms of Iranian-made Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones, striking targets across Ukraine. The Shahed-136 is a loitering munition  designed to linger or loiter before locating a target and crashing into it. It's less than 12 feet long, can fly at 115 mph, contains an explosive warhead in its nose, and explodes on impact. These single-use drones are relatively cheap ($20,000 each) and have been used by Russia to destroy vital civilian infrastructure and make life even harder for Ukrainians.

The US has also provided Ukraine with hundreds of Switchblade drones, a type of loitering munition or kamikaze drone, which can be carried in backpacks. Switchblades can be used to strike infantry, armor, and artillery.

"We're seeing the first use of swarm drones with what have been called 'kamikaze' drones, these Iranian Shahed-136s and all of their various relatives  that's new," Cancian said, adding, "A lot of people have pointed to that as the future of warfare."

Singer said the Russian military's use of drones to strike civilian targets sets a dangerous precedent for the future of war.

"It is a parallel to the German use of V-1 missiles towards the end of World War II," he said. "A nation hoping a new technology will make up for its losses on the battlefield, by terrorizing the home-front."

Firefighters work after a drone attack on buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Roman Hrytsyna/Associated Press

'They're always being watched'

The most prevalent drone on the battlefield in Ukraine can fit in your hand. Indeed, military analysts have been particularly surprised by the heavy reliance on small civilian or commercial drones such as the Chinese-made DJI Mavic 3, which cost less than $3,000 online.

These drones are being used for reconnaissance but have also been weaponized, with soldiers rigging them with improvised explosive devices or grenades.

"Both Ukraine and Russia are now using them in literally hundreds. Every small infantry unit now has one or more flying for them. It was not something that militaries had been training for," Singer said of the use of cheap commercial drones in Ukraine.

Drones are not necessarily the most important or impactful tool being used in Ukraine, but they're making other weapons more accurate.

"If you wanted to seek out enemy positions in the past, you would have had to send out special forces units... and you might have lost some troops," Marina Miron, a defense researcher at Kings College London, told BBC News in early January. "Now, all you're risking is a drone," Miron added.

The surveillance element has been significant, with troops on the front line in Ukraine reporting that drones are "always around," Cancian said, adding, "They're always being watched."

A Ukrainian serviceman poses with a drone on the outskirts of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine on December 30, 2022. Sameer Al-Doumy/Getty Images

A Ukrainian serviceman shoots at a Russian drone with an assault rifle from a trench at the front line east of Kharkiv on March 31, 2022. Fadel Senna/Getty Images

"We've had overhead reconnaissance for a long time, but the scale of it is new and also the ability to connect that with fire support," Cancian said. "It's one thing to get a picture of a target and be able to do something about it 24 or 48 hours later, as opposed to being able to do something in 10 minutes."

Drones have significantly shortened the so-called kill chain, Cancian explained, helping troops swiftly locate targets and provide coordinates for artillery. "Kill chain" is a military phrase or concept referring to the stages of an attack, from identifying a target to engaging it and assessing the damages.

The war in Ukraine has shown that drones are "as essential" in battle as artillery or tanks, Singer said, adding that "drones have arguably been most valuable not in launching their own missiles, but in making Ukrainian artillery so lethal, in pinpointing their fires."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Snapshots from the James Webb Space Telescope show six barred galaxies, including two of the earliest ever identified and characterized. Each image is labeled with the lookback time of the galaxy, ranging from 8.4 billion to 11 billion years ago.

For the first time, University of Texas researchers have discovered barred galaxies similar to the Milky Way that existed when the universe wasonly a quarter of its current age.

A bar is an elongated structure of stars that starts in the center of a galaxy and extends out into its outer disk, UT astronomy professor Shardha Jogee said.

The bars take the gas from the outer part of the galaxy and channel it into the center, just as raw materials go from a harbor to a factory in a city, Jogee said.

The bar is solving the supply chain problem by taking the gas from the outer disk of the galaxy, bringing it to the center of the galaxy, and then the center of the galaxy is where the gas gets converted into stars at a very, very fast rate, Jogee said.

More:UT researchers receive $1.5M grant to create technology for cellular bonding studies

The discovery of barred galaxies can be attributed to the James Webb Space Telescope, which produces more powerful and higher resolution images of space than its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, Jogee said.

The Webb works at long infrared wavelengths, where it can look through the dust in the galaxy and see the underlying distribution of stars and see the bars, Jogee said.

The reason this discovery of barred galaxies at such an early stage in the universe matters is that previously scientists could trace their existence up to 10 billion years ago. The discovery will provide better insight into how the universe has evolved over time, said UT astronomy senior Eden Wise, who assisted with the discovery.

Micaela Bagley, a postdoctoral fellow in astronomy and a collaborator on the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science Survey at UT, supported the research by reducing the images provided by the Webb telescope to the whole survey team. Jogee and astronomy graduate student Kay Guo visually identified the barred galaxies in the images and conducted various analyses.

More:How would the proposed Texas budgets fund higher education? Here's what we know.

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What I did is a well-known technique called ellipse fitting, Guo said. Were very excited that we actually found some (bars) because there are multiple simulations and multiple theories that actually produce different results about barred galaxies.

Stars like the sun are important to human life, said Eva Chen, a physics, math and astronomy senior at UT who assisted with the discovery. Since barred galaxies are important for the rapid formation of new stars, understanding barred galaxies better will help us understand new ways to form stars.

The next step from this discovery is studying bar fractions, which will help researchers understand what fraction of galaxies at different stages of the universe are barred. This will give scientists a better understanding of how the universe has evolved, Guo said.

This story was originally published by The Daily Texan, the independent newspaper produced by University of Texas students.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT researchers discover barred galaxies in young universe
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Universal/Getty

Jordan Peeles dazzling summer blockbuster Nope has fallen almost completely out of all Oscars talk, a dark horse (no pun intended) in the race for Best Pictureand every other category, for that matter. How come?

Not only should Nope be nominated in categories like Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, the larger-than-life monster movie should be near the front of each of these races. Its a shame that when the Academy announces the nominees on Tuesday morning, Nope will most likely only earn nods in technical categories (though those are deserved just as much). Sure, theres a chance the movie appears in categories we werent expectinga slot in the Best Picture category is probably the most likely, though still a slim possibilitybut theres close to zero chance that it actually wins the award.

Why Everyone Needs to See Nope In TheatersAnd as Soon as Possible

Nope should be cleaning up this awards season. Keke Palmer should have a stranglehold over the Best Supporting Actress category, if only for that final motorcycle chase scenebut also for her impeccable comedic timing. She and Angela Bassett should be going toe-to-toe for the statue, for their armrest-gripping performances in action movies. But they arent. Bassetts biggest competition is probably Everything Everywhere All at Onces Jamie Lee Curtis, an actress who wasnt even the best secondary star in her own movie. What a waste of an exciting, competitive category.

Daniel Kaluuya, too, should be in the running for Best Actor. Even though the top three slots are pretty much locked in thanks to repeated accolades for Austin Butler, Colin Farrell, and Brendan Fraser, throw Kaluuya a bone! We all loved his speech at the 2020 Oscars. My mom met my dad, they had sex, the actor announced as he took the Best Supporting Actor trophy, making eye contact with his upset mother. Its amazing. Any slight chance to witness another speech from him would be a win for us all. And his quiet turn as OJ Haywood brought Nope to eerie greatness too.

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Keke Palmer in Nope. Universal Pictures

The other stars in the film should be noted as strong competitors. Though theres no award for best breakthrough performance at the Oscars, Brandon Pereas killer turn shouldve earned a nod in that similar category at the BAFTAs. Both Steven Yeun and Michael Wincotts unforgettable performances merited awards buzz. Its a shame that Yeun, Wincott, and Perea have been eliminated from awards prognostication talks entirely, as Nope struggles to build steam in any category at all.

From Smile to Nope: How Horror Became the Defining Genre of the Pandemic

Then there are the big awards, which Nope is most deserving ofBest Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Peele is no stranger to these awards; Get Out earned a nomination in each of these categories (and Best Actor), picking up the statue for Best Original Screenplay. Oscar fans celebrated the Academys decision to bestow the award on Peeles psychologically terrifying, politically-charged script. This win was especially a step in the right direction after the 2016 #OscarsSoWhite backlash. Peele shouldve become an Academy darling like Spielberg or James Cameron after Get Outthe lack of buzz surrounding his last two horror flicks is disheartening to say the least. (Not that the subpar Us deserved a ton of Oscar noms, though Lupita Nyongo shouldve been celebrated more.)

This isnt to say Nope is competing in a less diverse year at the Oscarsalthough by the looks of it, the Best Director category will once again be a battle of the white guys (minus Daniel Kwan, who co-directed Everything Everywhere All at Once with Daniel Scheinert). This years offerings do have a handful of diverse stories, from Steven Spielbergs battles against antisemitism in his autobiographical The Fabelmans to the portrayal of a Chinese American immigrant family in Everything Everywhere All at Once. The Whale, Tar, and Women Talking also prominently feature LGBTQ+ characters.

Jordan Peele on the set of Nope. Glen Wilson/Universal Pictures

But Nope has more ground to stand on other than just what it offers in terms of Hollywood representation. (Also, its not Jordan Peeles job to make movies that fix the Academys wrongs.) The movie is a cinematic masterpiece, from its original adventure story to its foreboding cinematography to its cast of characters, who feel like they were made to work together in a big celestial thriller. In a year where movies about movies dominated awards talk (think Babylon and The Fabelmans), Nope stands out as the strongest example of that themehere is a giant creature with a camera lens for a face, who sucks up humans all over Hollywood and eats them. A traumatized child star hasnt learned from his past and tries to control nature for his own spectacle. All the while, the thrills stack on top of each other, leading up to one grand Akira allusion.

We Break Down (Most of) the Film References in Nope

Nope earned plenty of comparisons to Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when it was released last summer. As awards season rolls around, it seems the blockbuster will follow in its predecessors footsteps: Both Jaws and E.T., although they were game-changing movies, only won technical categories. But at least they earned Best Picture noms! Whats ironic is that Spielberg himself, father of the fantastical, splashy American blockbuster, has a better chance at Best Picture and Director this year for his awards-bait drama The Fabelmans. Nope, and all of us, deserves better.

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Crime and Courts Reporter

Donald W. Meyers is a multimedia journalist at the Yakima Herald-Republic covering crime and courts. He is also the writer behind It Happened Here, a weekly history column. Before coming to Yakima, Meyers covered a wide variety of beats at The Salt Lake Tribune, Daily Herald, and daily and weekly newspapers across New Jersey. He is also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as a regional officer in the organization as well as on the national Freedom of Information Committee.
RFA/Latino Community and Lower Valley Reporter

Heyo, Im Jasper. Nice to meet you. I cover a wide variety of news, but I try to focus on the Latino community and the Lower Yakima Valley. I want to sharestories and perspectives from the Yakima Valley. Im interested in economics, labor, geography and the environment, but the most important issues will always be the ones the community cares about. If you have something worth saying, Ill listen and try to write it down. Im a gosei from Northeast Los Angeles and I got my start as a student journalist and editor covering sports in the Bay Area. Im a massive soccer fan and I still love to play. I also love water in all its forms, the word copacetic and trying new things. I want to read more, and I like to cook, but Im not great at either. Have fun out there!
It's a good life for "Speaker" Kevin McCarthy, who must think happy thoughts and say happy things, gushing about head honcho Marjorie Taylor Greene at the mere mention of her name. "I will never leave that woman," he told a friend, according to The New York Times. "I will always take care of her."

"If you're going to be in a fight, you want Marjorie in your foxhole," the hog-tied Congressman later told the Times. "When she picks a fight, she's going to fight until the fight's over. She reminds me of my friends from high school, that we're going to stick together all the way through."

From NYT:

Days after he won his gavel in a protracted fight with hard-right Republicans, Speaker Kevin McCarthy gushed to a friend about the ironclad bond he had developed with an unlikely ally in his battle for political survival, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.  Their political union  a closer and more complex one than has previously been known  helps explain how Mr. McCarthy rose to power atop a party increasingly defined by its extremes, the lengths to which he will go to accommodate those forces, and how much influence Ms. Greene and the faction she represents have in defining the agenda of the new House Republican majority.  Mr. McCarthy has gone to unusual lengths to defend Ms. Greene, even dispatching his general counsel to spend hours on the phone trying to cajole senior executives at Twitter to reactivate her personal account after she was banned last year for violating the platform's coronavirus misinformation policy. Ms. Greene, in turn, has taken on an outsize role as a policy adviser to Mr. McCarthy, who has little in the way of a fixed ideology of his own and has come to regard the Georgia congresswoman as a vital proxy for the desires and demands of the right-wing base that increasingly drives his party.

So far terror-stricken McCarthy has managed to stay out of the cornfield, but with Marge and her MAGA minions, it's only a matter of time before the puppet pops.
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Hungarys economy has benefitted a lot from cooperation with Mexico, its leading partner in Latin America, and Hungarian companies have profited much from Mexicos industrial development, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on an official visit to Mexico City.

Bilateral trade has levelled out over one billion dollars a year, with a significant Hungarian surplus, the foreign ministry quoted Szijjarto as saying in a statement.



Demand for the products and services of Hungarian companies is growing, in digital construction planning, the pharmaceutical industry, the production of health-care equipment and the printing industry, the minister said. The increase in demand for Hungarian products in these branches of industry gives rise to Hungarian investments, he said.



Szijjarto noted that Mexico plans to go GMO-free in some farming sectors and said that could translate as big opportunities for Hungarys world-class food safety companies.



The minister said Hungary was advocating for an update of the outdated cooperation agreement between the European Union and Mexico signed more than 20 years ago.



Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Church of Nativity in Tepoztlan, which has been restored with a Hungarian government contribution after a devastating earthquake in 2017, Szijjarto said the 10,000 kilometre distance between Hungary and Mexico was not big enough for the Hungarian government not to learn about the disaster and its gravity.



It was therefore clear that we would want to, and will help, the minister said, adding that we strongly believe in the universal nature of Christianity which is why we, Christians, bear responsibility for each other, no matter where we live in the world.



He said the government was proud that two churches had been restored with its contribution in the second largest Catholic country in the world.



Parts of the 16th-century Church of Nativity, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been renovated with a 300-million forint (EUR 750,000) support from the Hungarian government.



The ceremony was also addressed by Culture Minister Alejandra Frausto.
Foreign-language texts published in Hungarian media products, and in radio and TV commercials, must also be presented in Hungarian, apart from a few exceptions, effective January 22, the Day of Hungarian Culture.

Justice Minister Judit Varga wrote on her Facebook page on Sunday that the consumer protection supervisory will monitor compliance with the rule.



The Hungarian language is the most important expression of our national existence, the expression of our national belonging, the foundation of our culture, she said.



Therefore, protecting it and passing it on to our descendants, protecting the integrity of our linguistic environment is our shared responsibility.
With Odisha government making all efforts to place Biju Patnaik's iconic Dakota plane at the airport here for public viewing, demands are being made to bring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose' Baby Austin car to his birthplace 'Janankinath Bhawan' at Odia Bazaar in Cuttack. The iconic freedom fighter had used the car from 1930 to 1941 and had reportedly travelled from Kolkata to Burma but the whereabouts of the car is not known. Cuttack-based Netaji Foundation, which has sent a memorandum to Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani, Monday claimed that there are media reports that the vehicle was located at Barari coke plant at Dhanbad in 2014.

"The Odisha government has brought Biju Babu's Dakota from Kolkata. It can also bring back Netaji's car and showcase it at his birthplace. It will be a tribute to the great freedom fighter of our country," Foundation convener Jinesh Das and Biki Chakrabarty said.

The country celebrates January 23, the birthday of the nationalist leader, as Parakram Diwas. The day this year marked the 126th birth anniversary of the great leader.

Another organisation called the Cuttack-Choudwar Bikash Parisada in a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, through the Tangi-Choudwar tehsildar, placing the same demand also pressed for a statue of the nationalist leader and establishment of a research centre in Cuttack. They also demanded renaming of an important thoroughfare in the millenium city after him and inclusion of a chapter on his life in school curriculum.

They also demanded a collection of articles used daily by Netaji and installation of his statue at the premises of Revenshaw Collegiate School, where he had studied.

Netaji was born to Prabhavati Bose and Janakinath Bose on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack. Janakinath Bose was a well-to-do lawyer and a leader of the Indian National Congress. Odisha government has converted Janakinath Bhawan into Netaji Museum at his birthplace.

The state government had brought back the Dakota aircraft used by Biju Patnaik from Kolkata on January 18. The aircraft was lying abandoned at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose international airport for decades.

The dismantled plane will be reassembled and then positioned at a designated place at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here for public viewing.

"BPIA is probably the first airport in the world where an old aircraft will be displayed for public viewing," historian Anil Dhir said.
A scheduled flight from Katowice, Poland, arrived safely at Athens International Airport on Sunday after an alert was issued about a possible bomb onboard. The plane and the passengers were searched and no bomb was found, police said in a statement.

The flight operated by Buzz, a Polish subsidiary of low-cost carrier Ryanair, arrived at the airport in Greece's capital at 5:40 p.M. Local time (1540 GMT) after being escorted through Greek airspace by two Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighters.

Its scheduled arrival was 3:25 p.M., but the Boeing 737-800 plane left Poland just over two hours late, flight tracking data show.

The search for an explosive device, which lasted over an hour, turned up nothing.

The airline has not made a statement and airport authorities did not respond to inquiries.
New Delhi: Thousands of Google employees who have been hit hard by the recent layoffs announced by the global search engine giant have taken to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to express their anger, frustration and shock over the companys move to render them jobless amid the global economic downturn. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in an email to his employees, recently announced that the company will lay off 12,000 jobs across the globe. In his email to employees, the Indian-origin CEO said, "I have some difficult news to share. We've decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles."

The Google CEO also stated that he was deeply sorry for the move and take full responsibility for the decisions that led the company to this position. With this move, Google became the latest tech giant after Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon to lay off staff en mass amid global recession fears.

Pichai said the layoffs at Google were carried out after a rigorous review" of its operations. The jobs being eliminated, cut across Alphabet, product areas, functions, levels and regions, he said.

"Over the past two years, we've seen periods of dramatic growth. To match and fuel that growth, we hired for a different economic reality than the one we face today," Pichai said in his mail, which was also posted on the company's news blog.

However, this did not go down well with some of the tech leaders and affected employees who said if Pichai was responsible for the decisions, then why should he not step down in the first place. Expressing similar concerns, Vishal Singh, Director of Engineering at YourDOS, asked "Why should Sundar Pichai continue at Google? If he made wrong bets, he should pay for it."

Singh went on to say that the board should fire Pichai first and Microsoft should do the same with Satya Nadella, who is also being blamed for 10,000 job cuts in the company. Driving his point home, Singh said that even politicians are expected to resign after a screw-up."

Those at the top levels in the policy-making process must also be held accountable for their wrong decisions, they cannot just away by sending letters explaining the consequences of their difficult decisions. Shocked at the decision, Pulkit Pahwa, a program manager at Google - whose colleagues are among the thousands who have been laid off - said that she and other employees would fear that it was coming, but would eventually just brush it off, thinking "Google wouldn't do it, but they did"!

Not only the Google employees, who have been sacked, the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU), also criticised the company's move saying that this is unacceptable behavior for a company that made USD 17 billion in profits last quarter alone. Alphabet is the parent company of Google.

While Alphabet leadership claims "full responsibility," that is little comfort for the 12,000 workers who are now without jobs. This is unacceptable behavior for a company that made $17B in profits last quarter alone.https://t.co/bIsvMjKp6h  Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA) (@AlphabetWorkers) January 20, 2023

The union said that the workers had never been able to rely on Alphabet for secure employment - evidenced by the vast subcontracted workforce - but it was increasingly clear that tech workers must build majorities and force employers to bargain with workers collectively to protect their livelihoods.

Workers have never been able to rely on Alphabet for secure employmentevidenced by the vast subcontracted workforcebut it is increasingly clear that tech workers must build majorities and force employers to bargain with workers collectively to protect their livelihoods.  Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA) (@AlphabetWorkers) January 20, 2023

"It's appalling that our jobs are first on the chopping block so shareholders can see a few more points in a chart next quarter," the union said. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced 10,000 job cuts, or nearly 5 per cent of its workforce. Amazon is also cutting 18,000 jobs and Facebook parent Meta is trimming 11,000 positions.

Its appalling that our jobs are first on the chopping block so shareholders can see a few more points in a chart next quarter.



Today once again affirms that tech workers are workersand we must organize at a massive scale to protect ourselves on the job.  Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA) (@AlphabetWorkers) January 20, 2023

Importantly, a day before Google's announcement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said his company will lay off less than five per cent of its total workforce, as the technology giant aligns its cost structure with revenue and customer demand.

The bloodbath in the tech sector that began last year is continuing into 2023. Meta, the parent of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp laid off more than 11,000 workers or about 13 per cent of its workforce in November last year.
One of the most famous figures in the Indian Freedom Movement was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He was the sole Indian to raise an army to combat British Rule, which posed a strategic threat to the continuation of British Rule in India. Numerous young people were motivated to fight for India's independence by Netaji. Mass movements spread across the nation as a result of the youth's flames of patriotism and sacrifice that Netaji had stoked.

In 2021, the Government of India decided to celebrate the 124th Birth Anniversary year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in a befitting manner at the national and international levels it was celebrated as was celebrated as Parakram Divas for the first time. In West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tripura, and Assam, it is a recognised holiday. This year marks the 126th birth anniversary of Bose, fondly known as Netaji. 21 unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar will be named after Param Veer Chakra awardees.

Who was Gumnami Baba?

Netaji passed away about 77 years ago, but his demise is still a mystery because his devotees say that he survived everlasting life. While many claim to have seen Netaji in different parts of the nation, some sources suggest that he passed away in a plane crash while en route to Manchuriya. While many claim to have seen Netaji in different parts of the nation, some reports suggest that he passed away in a plane crash while en route to Manchuriya. There were rumours all over the nation that Netaji is still alive as a disguised sadhu, popular as "Gumnami Baba."

People who believed his existence claimed that he lived at several places in Uttar Pradesh. However, throughout his stay, he never left his shelter room. He chose to communicate only with his loyal followers and only in secret because no one had ever seen him. They said they had only recently heard his voice. According to reports, his landlord twice attempted to have him appear in court to verify his identification but was unsuccessful.

According to reports, Gumnami Baba died on September 16, 1985, and his cremation took place two days later. Surprisingly, there is no genuine evidence that somebody actually passed away on that day due to the absence of any death certificate and documents.

Here are some interesting facts about Subhas Chandra Bose

1. Bose was raised among 14 siblings

He had 14 siblings and was born in Cuttack, Bengal Province, in the year 1897. He discovered the writings of Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna at the age of sixteen and was attracted by their teachings. Bose was motivated and had his socialist political ideology impacted by Vivekananda's emphasis on social services and reform.

2. Subhash Chandra Bose was expelled from the college

Subhash Chandra Bose's first act of resistance against the British was an assault on Professor Oaten at Presidency College for reportedly making anti-Indian remarks and mistreating Indian students. Despite his official plea claiming he didn't actually take part in the assault, he was expelled from the college.

3. Netaji was jailed 11 times

Throughout his struggle for independence, he was imprisoned 11 times. His militant activities against British rule frequently landed him in jail, but this did not stop the legend.

4. Netaji married an Austrian origin woman

He was married to an Austrian origin woman named Emilie Schenkl. They have a daughter named Anita Bose who is a renowned German economist.

5. Netaji wanted women to join the INA

Netaji was a progressive thinker and wanted women to enlist in the Indian National Army to fight for their country. He requested a "unit of heroic Indian women to join a 'Death-defying Regiment' who will wield the sword, as the valiant Rani of Jhansi wielded in India's First War of Independence in 1857," when speaking to an Indian audience in Singapore in 1943.

6. He allegedly passed away on August 18, 1945, for unknown causes.

One of the greatest mysteries in Indian history is what happened to Subhas Chandra. After his overloaded Japanese airliner crashed near Taiwan, he is reported to have died from third-degree burns. However, the revelation was quickly denied by his supporters, and conspiracy theories have persisted ever since.
SIWAN: Two persons allegedly lost their lives after consuming spurious liquor in the Lakari Nabiganj of Bihar`s Siwan on Sunday. Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Officer in Siwan, Abhishek Chandan said that one of the deceased persons died after consuming spurious liquor while the other one was declared brought dead in the Siwan hospital.

"One person was brought dead and five others are currently being treated at Siwan Hospital. The cause of the death is yet to be ascertained which will be cleared after the reports of post-mortem," said Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Officer, Abhishek Chandan.

As per the information, the deceased-- Janak Bean alias Janak Prasad and Naresh Bean of the Bala village in Siwan's Nabiganj-- complained of stomach pain in the night and their vision was also impacted, following which their relatives then took them to the Siwan Sadar Hospital where the doctors declared them 'brought dead'.

Ever since the case of deaths due to spurious liquor has come to the fore, the district administration has started running camps in the village. "At least two persons were declared dead after they were sent to Siwan Sadar Hospital as they had consumed this spurious liquor. Around dozens of people are still unwell and the police have set up camps in the village," the District Councillor of the village, Ramesh Kumar told ANI.

As per the information, the death toll due to this spurious liquor consumption is likely to be increased. More details are awaited.Notably, the incident has come days after the Bihar Police recovered illicit liquor bottles hidden in a gutter in Danapur on December 21, 2022. It is pertinent to mention that the sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar-led government in April 2016.

Previously, a tragic incident of deaths was reported in December 2021 from Bihar`s Saran district of Bihar's Chhapra in which over 70 people were killed due to consuming spurious liquor at a local joint. After the deaths, angry villagers blocked the Masrakh Hanuman Chowk on Bihar State Highway 90 and raised slogans against the district administration. The incident also triggered a political slugfest in the Bihar assembly, with opposition leaders mounting a strong attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the spate of spurious liquor deaths.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a sacthing attack on the Congress after virtually unveiling a model of a proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. The memorial would be set up in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. PM Modi said that the memorial will infuse feelings of patriotism among people. Modi, on the occasion of Netaji's 126th birth anniversary, also named 21 islands of the Union Territory after Param Vir Chakra awardees. Addressing the nation, PM Modi alleged that efforts were made to suppress Netaji's contribution towards freedom struggle, but entire nation remembering him today.

The islands are named after 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees, including Naib Subedar Bana Singh, Captain Vikram Batra, and Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey. Major Somnath Sharma, Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane, and Nayak Jadunath Singh are among the 21 Param Veer Chakra honorees.

PM Modi names 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.



The islands have been named after 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees including Major Somnath Sharma, Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane, Nayak Jadunath Singh pic.twitter.com/RWvy8F6118  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2023

The islands have been named after 21 Param Veer Chakra awardees including Naib Subedar Bana Singh, Captain Vikram Batra, Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, . pic.twitter.com/vUs4Ftx2Ta  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2023

Veer Savarkar and many other heroes who fought for the country were incarcerated in this land of the Andamans. When I visited Port Blair 4-5 years ago, I dedicated Indian names to the 3 main islands there. This land of Andaman is the land where the tricolour was hoisted for the first time. Where the government of independent India was formed for the first time. Today is the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Bose. The country celebrates this day as Parakram Diwas, said PM Modi.

He said that India First was the only resolution for all 21 Paramveers and today in the naming of these islands, their resolution has become immortal forever. "The potential of Andamans is huge. In the past 8 years, the country has made continuous efforts in this direction," said PM Modi.

He further said, Netaji's memorial in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will infuse feelings of patriotism in hearts of people. People now visiting Andamans to learn our history (of freedom struggle). Entire country, right from Delhi and Bengal to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, paying tribute to Netaji, preserving heritage associated with him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on his 97th birth anniversary on Monday, saying he devoted his life to public welfare. In a tweet, PM Modi said he would always cherish his interactions with the Maratha leader, one of the early pioneers of hardline Hindutva politics, who enjoyed a large following.

"Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare," said PM Modi on Twitter.

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Rajeev Shukla said, "Tributes to illustrious leader, great orator and founder of Shiv Sena Shri Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. Balasaheb was a man of principle who inspired millions of people & his contributions to Indian politics shall always be remembered."

Former Maharashtra Minister Balasaheb Thorat said, "Tribute to Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, on his birth anniversary, who fought for Marathi people's right and justice all his life."

Former Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar said, "Tribute to Shiv Sena Chief, Hindu Heart Emperor, Respected Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth anniversary! He had a fearless and transparent personality as a tough and fearless speaker who spoke truthfully to protect the identity of Maharashtra and the self-respect of Marathi people. The place of this popular personality will remain unshakable in the Marathi mind."

BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "Tributes to journalist, orator, writer, cartoonist & a statesman with inspiring organisational skills Shri Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his Birth Anniversary. He inspired people through his pen, brush & voice."

The Shiv Sena recently split into two factions with the one commanding the support of a majority of its lawmakers siding with the BJP, while another headed by Thackeray's son Uddhav Thackeray aligning with the Opposition in the state.
New Delhi: The LG-nominated members and 10 aldermen will take oath first on Tuesday (January 24) as the Municipal Council resumes to elect mayors days after the proceedings of the house derailed and ended in a ruckus over not administering oath to elected councillors first. In a media interaction, Presiding Officer Satya Sharma expressed hope that the house this time will go without any untoward incident. "As per the agenda, nominated members and aldermen will take oath first. Then other members will take the oath. I don't think the AAP will create such an issue because it is their loss. I am hopeful we will be able to elect the Mayor tomorrow," she said.

The second municipal house after the recent high-stakes civic polls in the national capital is slated to take place on Tuesday (January 24) during which the mayor and deputy mayor of Delhi will be elected. The mayor and deputy mayor are to be elected in the very first house that convenes after a municipal poll, which could not happen on January 6 as the house was adjourned following a ruckus between the AAP and BJP members.

Also read: Delhi MCD Mayor Election 2023 Highlights: House adjourned after ruckus; BJP-AAP play blamegame

BJP councillor Satya Sharma, who was appointed as the presiding officer, said all preparations for the second house have been done. "We are ready for Tuesday. I have informed the LG and his MCD secretary about the ruckus of the last time," Sharma said, adding that the councillors who were involved in the January 6 tussle should bear the expense of the damage.

The maiden meeting of the newly elected MCD council on January 6 was adjourned without the mayor and the deputy mayor amid loud protests by AAP councillors over the presiding officer's decision to administer the oath to the 10 aldermen first.

The civic polls were held on December 4 and the counting of votes took place on December 7. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had emerged as a clear winner in the polls, bagging 134 wards and ending the BJP's 15-year rule in the civic body.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 104 wards to finish second, while the Congress won nine seats in the 250-member municipal house which will convene on January 24 for the second time after the 2022 civic polls.

Shelly Oberoi and Ashu Thakur are AAP's contenders for the post of mayor, with Oberoi said to have a stronger claim to the post. BJP has nominated Rekha Gupta as its contender for the post.

The nominees for the post of deputy mayor are -- Aaley Mohammad Iqbal and Jalaj Kumar (AAP), and Kamal Bagri (BJP). Besides the mayor and deputy mayor, six members of the MCD's standing committee are also slated to be elected during the January 24 municipal House.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had come into being in April 1958 and its mayor wielded influential power and carried a huge prestige till 2012 when the corporation was split into three separate civic bodies, each having its mayor.

In 2022, the Centre brought legislation to unify the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (104 wards), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (104 wards), and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (64 wards) into a single entity though it had capped the total number of wards at 250, down from 272 wards earlier.

Thus, after the mayoral poll, Delhi will get a mayor for the city as a whole after a gap of 10 years. The MCD headquarters is housed in the towering Civic Centre in central Delhi. It had begun its journey in 1958 from the historic 1860s-era Town Hall in Old Delhi and was shifted to the swanky complex in April 2010.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: The national capital is all set to welcome its mayor and deputy mayor on January 24 by the second municipal House after the December 4 civic polls. Delhi will get a woman mayor tomorrow who will step in the footsteps of freedom fighter Aruna Asaf Ali who was chosen to the top post in 1958 when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi came into being. The post of mayor in the national capital sees five single-year terms on a rotation basis, with the first year being reserved for women, the second for the open category, the third for the reserved category, and the remaining two again for the open category. Delhi will thus get a woman mayor this year.

The position of mayor wielded a lot of influence and carried huge prestige till 2012 when the corporation was split into three separate civic bodies -- North, South, and East municipal corporations -- with each having its own mayor. However, last year, they were reunified and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) again came into existence.

Also read: Delhi MCD to elect first sole mayor in a decade, set to reconvene on January 24

The December 4 civic polls were the first after the three corporations were unified into the MCD and a fresh delimitation exercise was carried out, reducing the total number of wards from 272 in 2012 to 250. Thus, after the mayoral poll, the national capital will get a mayor for the city as a whole after a gap of 10 years.

Law scholar Rajni Abbi was the last to be elected to the top post in the MCD in 2011 before its trifurcation. The MCD came into being in April 1958. It had begun its journey from the historic 1860s-era Town Hall in old Delhi and in April 2010, was shifted to the swanky Civic Centre complex.

Portraits of Ali still adorn the chambers of the old municipal House at the Town Hall and offices at the Civic Centre. A prominent street in the city was also named after her.

The unification of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (104 wards), the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (104 wards), and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (64 wards) happened last year after the Centre brought legislation to unify them. It also capped the total number of wards at 250.

Several former mayors had welcomed the decision and pitched for "greater power" and "longer serving tenure" for the post of mayor. Following the unification, civic polls were held on December 4 and the counting of votes took place on December 7.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the polls by bagging 134 wards and ending the BJP's 15-year rule in the civic body. The BJP won 104 wards to finish second, while the Congress won nine seats in the 250-member municipal House which will convene on January 24 for the second time after the civic polls. The nominees for the post of the mayor are -- Shelly Oberoi and Ashu Thakur (AAP), and Rekha Gupta (BJP). Oberoi is the AAP's main contender.

Former mayor of North Delhi and senior BJP leader Jai Prakash said it was a matter of great fortune for the people of Delhi that it will now again have one mayor for the whole city. "Aruna Asaf Ali was the first mayor of Delhi, and Rajni Abbi was the last mayor till MCD was trifurcated in 2012. And, after 10 years, again a woman mayor will be at the helm, it is a matter of great fortune for both the city as well the person who will become the mayor of Delhi," he told PTI.

In April 2011, the then BJP nominee Rajni Abbi was elected the mayor of Delhi defeating her rival Savita Sharma of Congress by 88 votes. Abbi was then a Delhi University law professor and is currently serving as the varsity's dean. After the trifurcation, mayoral elections were held for all three corporations -- NDMC, SDMC, and EDMC -- in 2012.

In April 2012, Meera Aggarwal was elected unopposed as the mayor of the then newly-created MDMC while her party colleague Azad Singh had become the deputy mayor. In May 2012, Annapoorna Mishra was unanimously elected as the mayor of East Delhi while her party colleague Usha Shastri had become the deputy mayor.

Also, in a keenly contested poll, BJP's Savita Gupta was elected as the first mayor of South Delhi in May 2012. Gupta, the then councillor from Amar Colony who had polled 66 votes, trumped NCP's Phoolkali by a margin of 20 votes while BSP's Bir Singh, councillor from Madanpur Khadar, was elected unopposed to the post of deputy mayor.

(With inputs from PTI)
MUMBAI: INS Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari Class submarines, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday, giving a boost to the force's prowess. INS Vagir, which has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited here with technology transfer from France, was commissioned in a ceremony attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

"The submarine will boost the Indian Navy's capability to further India's maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis," the Navy said.

'Vagir' means sand shark, which represents stealth and fearlessness, two qualities synonymous with the ethos of a submariner, it said.

"Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Vagir is the 3rd submarine inducted into Navy in a span of 24 months. It is also a shining testimony to expertise of our shipyards to construct complex & complicated platforms," Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, told ANI.

Equipped with some of the best sensors in the world, its weapons package include sufficient wire guided torpedoes and sub-surface to surface missiles to neutralise a large enemy fleet, the Navy said.

The submarine also has the capability of launching marine commandos for special operations, while its powerful diesel engines can quickly charge batteries for a stealth mission, the Navy added.

For self defence, it has a state of the art torpedo decoy system, the Navy release added. The commissioning of INS Vagir comes amid the increasing presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean. (With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday said that it will consider setting up a three-judge bench to adjudicate the case related to Karnataka governments ban on wearing the headscarf by Muslim girl students which triggered a bitter row in educational institutions across the state and in view of a split verdict by the top court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandarchud and Justices V Ramasubramanian and JB Pardiwala took note of the submissions of senior advocate Meenakshi Arora that an interim order was needed keeping in mind the practical examinations, scheduled for some classes from February 6 in the state.

"This is the headscarf matter. The girls have practical examinations from February 6, 2023 and this matter needs to be listed for interim directions so that they can appear. The practical examinations will be held in government schools," the senior lawyer said, appearing for some students. "I will examine it. This is a three-judge bench matter. We will allot a date," the CJI said.

Supreme Court asks lawyers to mention the matter relating to Hijab before the registrar. SC assures it will give a date soon, the matter will be heard by a three-judge bench. pic.twitter.com/kShSCsneaE January 23, 2023

Split SC verdict on Karnataka hijab ban

A two-judge bench of the apex court had on October 13, last year delivered opposing verdicts in the hijab controversy, and urged the Chief Justice to constitute an appropriate bench to adjudicate the case that stemmed from a ban on wearing of Islamic head covering in Karnataka schools.

While Justice Hemant Gupta, since retired, had dismissed the appeals challenging the March 15 judgement of the Karnataka High Court which had refused to lift the ban, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia held there will be no restriction on the wearing of hijab anywhere in the schools and colleges of the state.

Permitting a community to wear its religious symbols to schools will be an "antithesis to secularism," Justice Gupta had said, while Justice Dhulia insisted that wearing the Muslim headscarf should simply be a "matter of choice."

With the apex court delivering a split verdict, the high court's judgement still holds the field. However, the split verdict held off a permanent resolution of the row over hijab as both judges suggested placing the matter before a larger bench for adjudication.

On March 15, the high court dismissed the petitions filed by a section of Muslim students of the Government Pre-University Girls College in Karnataka's Udupi seeking permission to wear the hijab inside classrooms, ruling it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith. Several appeals were filed in the apex court against the verdict.
Leh: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (January 23) accused the Modi government of betraying the people of Ladakh by not agreeing to their demand for the grant of statehood to the Union territory and protecting the eco-sensitive region. He alleged that by not agreeing to their demand for statehood and safeguards for the tribal people under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the government is endangering India's national security in a strategic border region. He took to Twitter to bring the attention of PM Modi. Narendra Modi ji, people of Ladakh are unitedly demanding statehood for the Union Territory, and safeguards for the tribal people of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution," read the tweet of Kharge.

.@narendramodi ji,



People of Ladakh are unitedly demanding statehood for the Union Territory, and safeguards for the tribal people of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.



But your Govt has deceitfully betrayed them, despite making tall promises.



1/2  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 23, 2023

"But your Government has deceitfully betrayed them, despite making tall promises," he alleged. In a video shared on YouTube, Sonam Wangchuk, a social reformist from Ladakh whose life story inspired the Bollywood film 3 Idiots, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safety and protection of Ladakh as studies suggest the extinction of 2/3rd of the glaciers in the Union Territory.

Also read: Rozgar Mela: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi government, says 71,000 jobs just a....

"This is an urgent appeal from Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh (in the Indian Himalayas) to the people of India and the world to help protect the environmentally sensitive region of Ladakh," Wanchuk said in his video while appealing to the prime minister to intervene and safeguard the fragile ecosystem under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Congress president Kharge alleged that the Modi government's "greed to benefit select crony friends" who want to exploit the eco-sensitive Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh is well-known. "In denying constitutional protection, you are also endangering India's National Security, in a strategic border region. Listen to Ladakh," he tweeted.

(With inputs from PTI)
Mumbai, Jan 23 (PTI) Here is a look at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's statements that triggered controversy, leading to the announcement by Raj Bhavan on Monday that he wants to quit the post.

Addressing a gathering in November last year, Koshyari said Chhatrapati Shivaji was an 'icon of olden times' and personalities like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari were the modern icons of the state. "Shivaji is an icon of the old era; I am talking about the new era. You will find (icons) right here. From Dr Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari, you will find them here," Koshyari had said.

In July last year, Koshyari said Mumbai would not remain the financial capital of the country if Gujaratis and Marwaris were removed from the city. His remark drew criticism from several opposition parties, with former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray saying it is time to show him the famous Kolhapuri chappal.

While inaugurating new buildings of the Mumbai University, the Maharashtra Governor had urged the varsity vice-chancellor to name the new international students' hostel after freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

During a programme in Aurangabad in March last year, Koshyari said "Samarth Ramdas was the 'guru' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj." Many maharajas and chakravartis (emperors) were born on this land. "But who would have asked about Chandragupta had there not been Chanakya. Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth (Ramdas),"said Koshyari.

A video of Koshyari went viral in March last year in which he is seen mocking the child marriage of social activists Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. Savitribai got married at the age of 10 to Jyotirao, who was then 13.

"Now imagine, what would the boy and girl have been doing after marriage. What would they have been thinking?" the Governor had said.

Uddhav Thackeray, when he was Maharashtra chief minister, accused Koshyari of being overactive, and pointed out that the Governor had not filled 12 vacant seats in the state Legislative Council despite the state government's recommendation.

In November 2019, Koshyari administered oath of office to Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in a shock early morning swearing-in ceremony, amid BJP-Shiv Sena tussle over the CM's post.

The former Uttarakhand chief minister said he would like to spend the remainder of his life in reading, writing and other activities.

"During the recent visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to Mumbai, I have conveyed to him my desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities and to spend the remainder of my life in reading, writing and other activities. I have always received the love and affection from the Hon'ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard," a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

PM Modi was in Mumbai on January 19 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects.

"It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great State like Maharashtra, the land of Saints, Social reformers and valiant fighters," Koshyari added.

Koshyari, 81, took charge as the Maharashtra governor in September 2019.

When the Uddhav Thakeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power, he had several run-ins with the government on a range of issues including the appointment of 12 members to the state legislative council from the gubernatorial quota, which he never approved. The MVA had accused him of acting in a partisan manner.

The latest controversy surrounding Koshyari was about his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj whom he described as the "icon of olden times". The remarks triggered protests from the Opposition parties demanding that he be sacked.

Following the row, Koshyari wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating he would never imagine even in his dream insulting icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Not new to controversy, Governor Koshyari had said Mumbai would not remain the financial capital of the country if people belonging to the Rajasthani and Gujarati communities decided to leave.

His remark drew criticism from several opposition party leaders with former CM Uddhav Thackeray saying it is time to show him the famous Kolhapuri chappal and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut asking CM Eknath Shinde to condemn the Governor.

Amid the political impasse created after the 2019 Assembly elections when Shiv Sena severed ties with BJP, Koshyari administered the oath to Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister for the second time and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM.

However, the Fadnavis-Pawar government lasted for only 80 hours, paving the way for the Maha Vikas Aghadi experiment wherein Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress joined hands to form a coalition government.

Koshyari's remark that Samarth Ramdas was the guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had also caused a furore.

Amid a political crisis triggered by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's rebellion last June, Koshyari ordered a floor test of then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.

However, Thackeray resigned as the chief minister on June 29, shortly after the Supreme Court refused to stay Koshyari's direction to his government to take a floor test in the Assembly.

Koshyari administered the oath to Eknath Shinde, who headed the Shiv Sena faction, and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, on June 30.
MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi on Monday announced an alliance, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray. Addressing a joint press conference, Uddhav Thackeray said his grandfather Keshav Thackeray, also known as Prabodhankar Thackeray, and Prakash Ambedkar's grandfather, legendary social icon and jurist B R Ambedkar, were contemporaries who admired each other and worked to eradicate social evils and bad practices.

"Now there are some bad practices in politics and to eradicate them, the inheritors of these two leaders, and people around them, have come together to protect the country's interest. We are coming together to ensure democracy is alive," Thackeray said.

Without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is ruling in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre, Thackeray said the country is heading towards autocracy.

He also dared the powers-that-be to hold Assembly polls in Maharashtra at the earliest. The state is being ruled by a faction of the Sena that broke away in June last year and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Thackeray group has routinely called it a dispensation of "traitors".

Speaking about the alliance, which has been forged ahead of civic polls due in several cities, including Mumbai and Thane, Ambedkar said the coming together of the VBA and Shiv Sena (UBT) was the start of the politics of change.

The alliance talks between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the VBA were underway for the last few months, with Ambedkar earlier saying it was up to Thackeray to make the formal announcement.

Ambedkar also said the alliance is between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the VBA for the moment, but he hoped other constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party) also join.

Thackeray said he has not seen opposition from the Congress and NCP to the inclusion of VBA in the MVA.

Last month, the Jogendra Kawade-led People's Republican Party (PRP), which has a following among Dalits in the state, had joined hands with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena.

The BJP, which is a partner in Shinde's government, is allied with the Republican Party of India (A) of Ramdas Athawale, who is also a Union minister.
Mumbai: A 35-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 20-month-old child in Mumbai`s Worli area, police said on Monday. On the basis of the statement of the victim`s mother, the Worli Police yesterday arrested the accused and registered a case against him under Section 376 of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to the police, the accused will be presented in court today. Police informed that both the accused and the victim are residents of the same area. According to the police, the girl`s mother had gone out of the house for some time when the accused took the girl to his place and raped her. When the victim`s mother returned, she had some doubts as the girl had been crying.

When she took the girl to the nearest hospital, the doctor informed her that the girl had been raped, the police said. The girl`s mother reached the nearest police station and registered a case.The police immediately swung into action and the accused was arrested yesterday, they said.
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 23 (ANI): Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Monday said that while the BJP government at the Centre claims to have carried out surgical strike against Pakistan, there was no proof of the same.

"They (Centre) talk about surgical strikes and that they have killed so many of them but there is no proof," said the Congress leader in his address in Jammu today.

"The Centre is ruling with the help of lies. I want to tell you that this country belongs to all of us," added the Madhya Pradesh former chief minister.

Singh also targeted PM Modi over the Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said that 2019 terror attack could have been averted had the vehicle, which launched the attack on the CRPF been checked properly.

"Why did they die? CRPF director had sought for airlifting of CRPF personnel from Srinagar to Delhi as the area was a sensitive one but PM Modi declined the request. Why did he decline?" Singh questioned.

Alleging that Pulwama has become the centre of terrorism, he said, "Every car is checked in the area. Why on that particular day was the Scorpio car not checked? A vehicle comes from the wrong direction. Why it was not checked? The vehicle was checked and soon it collided with the CRPF van and 40 of our CRPF were killed.

"Until now, the information related to the incident had not been given in the Parliament, nor are the people aware of it," Singh said.

On February 14, 2019, a CRPF convoy was attacked by militants in Kashmir`s Pulwama, in which 44 Indian jawans lost their lives.

Striking back, on February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force fighter jets targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed`s advanced training camp in Pakistan`s Balakot. The next day, Islamabad attempted to target Indian military installations but was thwarted by the IAF.

(The above article is sourced from news agency ANI. Zeenews.com has made no editorial changes to the article. News agency ANI is solely responsible for the contents of the article)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday accused (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) PTI Chairman Imran Khan of being part of a "grand design" to oust Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan based The News International newspaper reported. The remarks by Sharif came after Imran Khan in a recent interview claimed that former army chief General (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa had "sent two brigadiers" in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in the Panama Papers case that ultimately led to the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif. "In their JIT, Gen (R) Bajwa had sent two brigadiers that later proved Nawaz Sharif`s Panama case," he said, adding that "to this date, Nawaz Sharif refuses to forgive Bajwa" for this reason, The News International reported.

Shehbaz Sharif in response called Khan an agent of anarchy and chaos. "Imran has been part of a grand design to oust Nawaz Sharif and victimise PML-N in the name of accountability," Sharif wrote on his official Twitter handle. From 2013 on, he said, Imran Khan has been an agent of anarchy and chaos in the country. "His poisonous rants have debased politics, polarised society and undermined state institutions," he further said, as quoted by The News International.PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, recently, said that for the sake of personal gains, a cruel joke has been played on Pakistan, reported the Dawn newspaper. "A cruel joke had been played on Pakistan... for the sake of personal gains," Sharif said on being asked by reporters if he held the former army chief retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and former spymaster Gen Faiz Hamid responsible for the state of the country. "The reality is before everyone. Now no name or face is hidden," he said.

This is the first time that Sharif broke his silence after his party faced a major political blow in Punjab following Parvez Elahi`s victory in a vote of confidence shortly before the dissolution of the provincial assembly."We all discussed the situation in Pakistan. Pakistan will come out of this difficult situation and we will be the ones to take the country out of it," Sharif said."In my Gujranwala jalsa, I stated who was responsible and everything was out in the open. It is my responsibility to tell the nation about the wrongs committed against the people, and it is my responsibility to make things right," he said, as quoted by Dawn newspaper.
After a prominent Buffalo priest was found dead in Scajaquada Creek 57 years ago, one of the first things city police did was begin an all-out search of the surrounding neighborhood for his new car.

If they found Monsignor Francis J. OConnors car parked nearby, that would support their initial hunch that the priest had taken his own life.

But it took more than 14 hours before police located OConnors 1966 gray, four-door Chevy Impala. It was parked just over 1 mile away in an upscale neighborhood, two blocks north of Delaware Park, when it was found at 3:20 a.m. Monday, March 14, 1966.

Flashing police lights pierced the darkness in front of 299 Lincoln Parkway as department brass, detectives and patrol officers  13 in total  rolled up to the scene.

The possibility of suicide was soon replaced by homicide.

Looking inside the cars windows, investigators spotted bloodstains on the black leather upholstery and the vehicles dashboard. The bloodstains supported autopsy findings that OConnor had died a violent death.

Erie County Medical Examiner John P. Hylant, who performed the autopsy, told reporters the immediate cause of O'Connor's death was drowning. The autopsy also revealed fractures to the larynx and hyoid bone in O'Connor's throat. In addition there were contusions and abrasions to his scalp, according to the autopsy report.

In ruling the death a homicide, Hylant said it was his belief the monsignor, who was 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, was murdered by at least two people and one of them was "a big powerful man" who was probably right-handed, according to then-Buffalo Police Chief of Detectives Ralph V. Degenhart.

We saw that there were no keys in the ignition and also saw stains which appeared to be bloodstains, visible on the back rest of the front seat, a detective, who responded to Lincoln Parkway, wrote in his report. There was dried mud on various parts of the interior and exterior of the auto, no mud visible on the tires.

Chief of Homicide Leo J. Donovan and Detective Eugene Weiser discussed whether to collect fingerprints from the car's exterior, but ruled it out because the surface was wet from frost.

While waiting for a tow truck to move the car to the police garage on Seneca Street for a more thorough examination, it was noted the back doors of the vehicle were locked, while front doors were unlocked, with the right door slightly ajar.

A key piece of evidence taken from the vehicle was bowling equipment that police believed did not belong to OConnor. A nun at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse convent, where the monsignor resided, told detectives that she never knew him to bowl and never heard him talk of bowling.

As the sun came up that day, Donovan called in Buffalo Police chemist Charles Michalski to collect blood and mud samples from the car.

Fingerprints were also taken from the vehicles interior and sent to the FBI.

The homicide chief directed Detective Marion Przybyla to go to the funeral home where OConnors body was taken to obtain a blood sample, a lock of hair and scrapings from beneath the monsignors fingernails.

A private security guard whom Lincoln Parkway neighbors hired to keep an eye on their homes in the neighborhood told detectives the Impala had not been parked outside 299 Lincoln during his shift between 10 p.m. March 12 and 4 a.m. March 13. O'Connor's body was found at about 1 p.m. that day. The guard told police he saw the car in front of the house on his next shift, at approximately 10 and 10:30 p.m. March 13, about five hours before police located the car.

The new car, which had only 2,529 miles on its odometer, was eventually returned to the OConnor family.

They were surprised and uncertain of what to make of the vehicles interior.

A news story said there were a few drops of blood in the car, but let me tell you, when we got that car back, there were a whole lot of chunks of leather missing from out of the front seat, said Sharon Bottini, OConnors niece and closest living relative.

***

Catch up on the series: Who killed the monsignor? Exploring the murder of Monsignor Francis J. O'Connor, its investigation and its legacy

How we reported this series Watchdog reporter Lou Michel filed a Freedom of Information Law request in January 2022 for Buffalo Police records on the unsolved 1966 murder of Buffalo Diocese Monsignor Francis J. OConnor. He and reporter Dan Herbeck were given access to the Police Departments box of approximately 100 reports on the case. In addition, they interviewed more than 120 people, including retired police officers who worked on the case, people who talked with the Buffalo Police homicide chief who oversaw the investigation, and relatives and acquaintances of OConnor and of three diocese employees who were once suspects.
New Delhi: Recalling Netaji`s "unparalleled contribution to India`s history", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid homage to Subhas Chandra Bose on his 126th birth anniversary today."Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose & recall his unparalleled contribution to India`s history. He will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule. We are working to realize his vision for India," PM Modi wrote in his tweet. The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Modi is also scheduled to virtually participate in an event to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on the Parakram Diwas today. According to an official release from the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO), PM Modi will also unveil the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to honor the memory of Netaji, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the prime minister during his visit to the Island in 2018. Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed as Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep.

Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and recall his unparalleled contribution to Indias history. He will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule. Deeply influenced by his thoughts, we are working to realise his vision for India.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2023

"Giving due respect to the real-life heroes of the country has always been accorded the highest priority by the Prime Minister. Going ahead with this spirit, it has now been decided to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of the island group after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees," the statement from the PMO read.

The largest unnamed island will be named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, the second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, and so on. This step will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India`s freedom movement. Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose`s death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident.
Port Blair: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday virtually inaugurate a model of a proposed memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to commemorate the freedom fighter's 126th birth anniversary. The proposed memorial will be set up on Ross Island, which had been renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep in 2018. It will have a museum, a cable car ropeway, a laser-and-sound show, a guided heritage trail through historical buildings and a theme-based children's amusement park, besides a restro lounge, an official said.

The virtual inauguration of the model will be followed by PM Modi's speech to the nation. The PM will also participate in a ceremony to name 21 uninhabited islands in the union territory after Param Vir Chakra awardees. The central government has taken this initiative to honour the Param Vir Chakra awardees. Of the 21 islands, 16 are located in North and Middle Andaman district, and five in South Andaman," the official said.

Notably, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Port Blair on Sunday night for a two-day visit to the archipelago, where he is scheduled to address a public meeting on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 126th birth anniversary, besides taking stock of development activities.

Shah is likely to hoist the national flag during the day and deliver a public speech at Netaji Stadium the same place where the freedom fighter had unfurled the Tricolour on December 30, 1943. Back then, the stadium used to be known as Gymkhana Ground. Shah is also likely to visit the Cellular Jail here.


NEW DELHI: On the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that the legendry freedom fighters dream to make India great still remains incomplete and urged all to work hard to fulfill it. Netaji's dream of making India great is incomplete. We all have to work hard to fulfill it,  RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said in Kolkata. Entire world is looking up to India for leadership, we have to lead by example Bhagwat said in his speech.

The RSS chief made these remarks while speaking at an event in Kolkata on the occasion of 'Parakram Diwas' to celebrate the 126th birth anniversary of the iconic freedom fighter. The grand program was organized by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at the Shaheed Minar Ground in Kolkata. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also come to participate in this program. During his address. Bhagwat said that Netaji dedicated his whole life to the country. "Netajis life was almost like living in exile. He spent most of his life in exile. He sacrificed his everything for the country," Bhagwat said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Subhas Chandra Bose on his 126th birth anniversary and recalled Netaji`s "unparalleled contribution to India`s history." "Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose & recall his unparalleled contribution to India`s history. He will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule. We are working to realise his vision for India," PM Modi wrote in his tweet.

Today, on Parakram Diwas, I pay homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and recall his unparalleled contribution to Indias history. He will be remembered for his fierce resistance to colonial rule. Deeply influenced by his thoughts, we are working to realise his vision for India.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2023

The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

PM Modi is also scheduled to virtually participate in an event to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on the Parakram Diwas today. According to an official release from the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO), PM Modi will also unveil the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.

Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to honor the memory of Netaji, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the prime minister during his visit to the Island in 2018.

Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed as Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep."Giving due respect to the real-life heroes of the country has always been accorded the highest priority by the Prime Minister. Going ahead with this spirit, it has now been decided to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of the island group after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees," the statement from the PMO read.

The largest unnamed island will be named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, the second largest unnamed island will be named after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, and so on. This step will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India`s freedom movement. Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose`s death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident.
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya has created a fresh controversy over 'Ramcharitmanas' penned by the great sage Goswami Tulsidas by alleging that certain portions of the epic poem insult" a large section of society on the basis of caste and that it should be "banned". Though the party distanced itself from Maurya's remark, saying it was his personal comments, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh demanded that he apologise and take back his statement. Maurya, who is considered a prominent OBC leader in the state, said, "Religion is meant for the welfare of humanity and for strengthening it."

"If there is any insult to a section of society due to certain lines in the Ramcharitmanas on the basis of 'jaati', 'varn' and 'varg', then it is certainly not 'dharma', it is 'adharma'. There are certain lines in which names of castes such as 'teli' and 'kumhaar' are mentioned," he said. Maurya claimed that "the feelings of lakhs of people hailing from these castes have been hurt."

"Similarly, a 'chaupaai' (verse) says that women should be punished. This amounts to hurting the feelings of women, who constitute half of the population," he said in his comments on the Ramcharitmanas, a popular version of the Ramayana penned by poet Tulsidas.

"If a debate on Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas is an insult... Then why are religious leaders not worried about the insult to SCs, STs, OBCs and women. Are SCs, STs, OBCs and (a large number of) women not Hindus?" Maurya, who had quit the BJP to join the SP ahead of the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, asked. He demanded that "the objectionable portions of the Ramcharitmanas that insult on the basis of 'jaati', 'varn' and 'varg' should be banned".

Ramcharitmanas row: How it began?

Earlier this month, Bihar Education Minister and RJD leader Chandra Shekhar landed in a controversy after he alleged that certain verses of the Ramcharitmanas promoted social discrimination. Reacting to Maurya's remarks, SP spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan said, "The Samajwadi Party respects all religions and traditions." "The statement made by Swami Prasad Maurya is his personal comments, and it has nothing to do with the SP. The SP raises its voice for the youth, unemployed and women," he said.

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said, "(SP chief) Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav, Dimple Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav should give an answer." "Now, Swami Prasad Maurya is making desperate efforts to become a big leader (in the SP), but that reservation is not towards him, it is towards the (Yadav) family. The SP had worked to hamper our religious activities," he said.

Sharpening his attack on Maurya, Chaudhary said, "Such statements could be made by only a 'vikshipt' (mentally disturbed person). The SP has to decide whether the statement is of Swami Prasad Maurya or that of the party." "The history of the SP is that it had always worked to impose a ban on our religious events and religious occasions. Maurya should not have given such a statement, and he should seek an apology. He has played with the sentiments of crores of countrymen. This is condemnable," the BJP leader said.

"He should take back his statement, and if he does not do so, then the SP should initiate action against him," Chaudhary said.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: In a big relief for Yogi Adityanath, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking direction for registering a case against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for an alleged objectionable speech made by him during an election campaign in Rajasthan's Alwar in 2018. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath said it was not inclined to interfere in the matter. "Such litigations are only for page 1 (of newspapers). Dismissed," the bench said.

The petitioner had moved the top court against an order of the Allahabad High Court which had dismissed his plea and imposed a cost of Rs 5,000 on him. The petition was filed by Naval Kishor Sharma of Mau district.

According to the petitioner, Yogi Adityanath had hurt his religious sentiments while delivering an election speech in Rajasthan's Alwar on November 23, 2018.

Before moving to the apex court, the petitioner had filed a complaint against the speech before the district court of Mau, which was rejected. He had then filed a revision petition before a higher court, which too was dismissed on the ground of territorial jurisdiction.
New Delhi: In what is likely to further ignite the language war in the country, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday welcomed Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandarchuds suggestion to make Supreme Court judgments available in all Indian languages. The DMK leader took to Twitter and tweeted, I welcome CJI's suggestion to make SC judgments available in all Indian languages. This along with our long-pending demand of allowing the use of State official languages in HCs will bring justice closer to common people of our country."

Speaking at the Facilitation function by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, CJI Chandrachud said, "The next step in our mission is to provide translated copies of the judgements of the Supreme Court in every Indian language. What good it is to a rural litigant who does not understand the tenour and language tenacity in English. So, unless we reach out to our citizens in a language which they can understand, in a manner which they can comprehend."

I wholeheartedly welcome Hon'ble CJI's suggestion to make SC judgments available in all Indian languages. This along with our long-pending demand of allowing the use of State official languages in HCs will bring justice closer to the common people of our country. https://t.co/NA1G1Y4rQI  M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 23, 2023

The CJI went on to say, "The work we do is not reaching out to 99 per cent of our population. Therefore, I do believe the technology...There is always a certain degree of criticism when you adopt the technology. There is a technological divide with people who do not have access to technology, we left out. But my mission for the use of technology is the technology must reach out to those who do not have access and not to therefore create further barriers to access through technology."

Justice Chandrachud later earned praise from PM Narendra Modi who shared a video of the CJI speaking at an event where he advocated translation of the apex court`s judgments in every Indian language and leveraging technology for the purpose.

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister said, "At a recent function, the CJI Justice DY Chandrachud spoke of the need to work towards making SC judgments available in regional languages. He also suggested the use of technology for it. This is a laudatory thought, which will help many people, particularly youngsters."

PM said the government is making efforts to make technical education like medicine and engineering also available in regional languages. "India has several languages, which add to our cultural vibrancy. The Central government is undertaking numerous efforts to encourage Indian languages including giving the option of studying subjects like engineering and medicine in one`s Matru Bhasha," he added.
New Delhi: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma once again said that he didn't know Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and the actor sent him a message and introduced himself.

CM, while addressing the media, said, "I know film stars of my time. I didn't know Shah Rukh. He sent a message and introduced himself- 'I'm Shah Rukh Khan. I want to speak to you'. I didn't have time then. So later at 2 am, we spoke and I told him that there'll be no disturbance in Assam (regarding movie Pathaan)."

I know film stars of my time. I didn't know Shah Rukh. He sent a message & introduced himself- 'I'm Shah Rukh Khan. I want to speak to you'. I didn't have time then. So later at 2am, we spoke & I told him that there'll be no disturbance in Assam (regarding movie Pathaan):Assam CM pic.twitter.com/FAPSg6b8Q3  ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2023

Biswa's comment comes a day after he revealed that King Khan called him up at 2 AM in the night. Taking to Twitter, he said that SRK had called him expressing concern over an incident in Guwahati in protest against SRK's upcoming film Pathaan. He added that he had assured him that the Assam government will maintain law and order.

He wrote, "Bollywood actor Shri @iamsrk called me and we talked today morning at 2 am. He expressed concern about an incident in Guwahati during the screening of his film. I assured him that its the duty of the state govt to maintain law and order. we will enquire and ensure no such untoward incidents."

Bollywood actor Shri @iamsrk called me and we talked today morning at 2 am. He expressed concern about an incident in Guwahati during screening of his film. I assured him that its duty of state govt to maintain law & order. Well enquire and ensure no such untoward incidents.  Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 22, 2023

Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Pathaan' releases in theatres on January 25. The much-awaited spy-thriller also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. Directed by Sidharth Anand, 'Pathaan' is produced under the banner of Yash Raj films.
New Delhi: The universe of fame has always been an appeal because it is filled with wealth, beauty, and mystery, but the emergence of social media has allowed the general public to see more of what goes on behind the scenes of all those shining. This mystique is one of the factors that attracted Vaibhav Arora, a renowned fashion blogger and social media influencer who has successfully been moving forward to set undisputed bars in the industry since the year 2018.

Many social media influencers and bloggers keeps the focus on a specific platform, and even though this can be one of the most profitable options for both brands and influencers, Vaibhav Arora believes he doesnt like to fit himself into only one category. Through his unique ideology as a skilled content creator he has always been a successful individual when it comes to taking the risk. He was noticed in a collaboration Ranbir Kapoor or Rohit Shetty during the promotion of their movie Brahmastra. He follows a tight schedule while creating content for the social media and hence tries to provide the most premium content to his audience. Arora has a good sense of colours, art and culture that allows him to prepare audience engaging content on everyday basis. Vaibhav is a kind individual who inspires the youth to stay focused at whatever they wish to become in their lives. He also provides tips and tricks to youngsters on how to build an interesting presence in the social media as well as the world of fashion.

"The youth still keeps the same mindset that Mumbai is the place to make a career in the fashion industry. But, I would suggest this from my personal experience that it is not like that. Earlier things were different, now the situation has changed. Today's era has become digital. In such a situation, we also have to walk with the trend. You are from any city or village. If you have talent, you can grow yourself. The only condition is that you keep continuity and create your own style statement. This will attract the audience to you. By the way, I myself am from Jaipur. But, now I live in Delhi. Talent is not dependent on any place" said Vaibhav Arora.

With more than two million followers on social media, Vaibhav continues to keep brands in trend and audience attention. His attractive presentation skills became a big reason behind so many brands touching their marketing goals every month. He has collaborated with more than 30 famous brands which includes Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Reebok, DW, Park Avenue, Caffeine, Shoppe, Royal Stag, My Protein, Gillette, Noise, Bewakoof, Mivi, The Man Company, Cantabil, Asian Shoes and the list continues.
National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a body making regional transport in and around NCR is constructing India's first Rapid Rail Transit System on the Delhi-Meerut corridor. Called the Delhi-Meerut RRTS, the urban rail transport system will span at a length of 82.15 km. The under-construction semi-high speed rail line is where trains will pass through a series of tunnels and elevated viaducts at a speed of 160 km/hr, while the maximum speed is rated at 180 kmph. The priority section is expected to be inaugurated by mid-2023 and will connect Sahibabad-Duhai section spanning over 11 km via 4 elevated stations.

The NCRTC is also planning to prioritize RRTS across two other corridors namely Delhi-Gurugram-Rewari-Alwar route that will span to around 180 km, while Delhi-Sonepat-Panipat route will span around 111 km. Much like suburban railway networks in Europe, the Indian urban rail network will boast of modern trains with wi-fi, AC, among other features.

Delhi-Alwar RRTS Corridor

NCRTC aims to connect Delhi will adjoining Tier 1 cities for travellers who are dependent on either road transport or regular train network which is slow for daily commuters. While the first RRTS corridor connects NCR with Uttar Pradesh, the second one aims to connect NCR with Alwar in Rajasthan. The initial plan is to connect Delhi with Alwar using high-speed train, but reports suggest Rajasthan govt has shown interest in extending the RRTS corridor till Jaipur, a major tourism hub in India. The RRTS corridor will cover Gurgaon in Haryana to reach Jaipur.

Delhi-Panipat RRTS Corridor

Another state bordering the NCT of Delhi is Haryana and RRTS corridor aims to reach Panipat in Haryana, which is only 100 km from here. Like Rajasthan govt, Haryana govt has proposed to extend the Delhi-Panipat leg of the RRTS till Karnal. The route further goes to Chandigarh and can be further extended till the UT of Chandigarh.
An Air India Express flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Muscat, Oman returned shortly after take-off due to a technical glitch in its on-board computer system. The flight, IX 549, which took off from the state capital of Kerala at 8.30 AM returned to the international airport here at 9.17 AM after one of the pilots noticed the technical glitch.

"All 105 passengers and the cabin crew are safe," an Air India Express spokesperson said.

The airline is attempting to arrange another flight for the passengers and it's expected to take off from here at 1 PM, he said.

All passengers are being well taken care of, he added.
The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail board named Mary Brummer of Orchard Park as its new president.

Brummer takes over from Deb Fenn, one of the founding members of the board.

Fenn joined the board in 2008 when it was incorporated as a nonprofit organization focused on building a multi-use trail on a 27-mile former rail line running from Orchard Park to Ashford. She will continue to manage government relations and community engagement.

Brummer joined the board in 2018, shortly after she retired as a small-animal veterinarian. She led the board's efforts to launch a three-year strategic plan last year.

The trail organization signed a long-term lease with the Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad in 2018 to build and manage the trail.

An unimproved 3.5-mile section of the trail is open in East Concord, an unimproved 2-mile section is open in Orchard Park, and the 1.7-mile Pop Warner section is open in Springville.
New Delhi: Netflix recently launched an ad-supported membership option in a few areas in an effort to increase revenue and user numbers. The password-sharing business has also been discontinued by the streaming platform in various markets. Last year, Reed Hastings, the previous CEO of Netflix, announced that password sharing would be eliminated for everyone gradually.

Netflix password sharing will soon come to an end for all customers, according to an interview with Bloomberg conducted by the company's new co-chief executive officers (CEO), Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos. This means that Netflix subscriptions for Indians who currently rely on relatives and other people may soon require payment. (Also Read: WHOPPING RETURN! Invest Rs 71 per day in LIC, get Rs 48.5 lakh on maturity; check return calculator, other details)

According to the report, Peters predicted that the majority of Netflix users who don't pay a subscription fee but still use the service will soon have to start paying to view content. Peters indicated that even after implementing regulated password sharing, the streaming platform will not compromise the user experience. (Also Read: Apple Watch saves pregnant woman's life -- Know HOW)

He acknowledged that many customers would be dissatisfied if password sharing was restricted globally, but the CEOs emphasised growing the subscriber base by 15-20 million, with an emphasis on nations like India. Peters continued by saying that he would like to see all customers who do not now pay for Netflix eventually pay for the media they access.

For the benefit of those who are unaware, Netflix has been testing the elimination of password sharing in a number of Latin American nations, including Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, and others. To utilise their friend's Netflix account, customers in these nations must pay $3 (about Rs 250).

The streaming service hasn't said how much it will charge per user in India, but it's conceivable that the price will be quite similar to the prices charged everywhere in the world. The choice will eventually expire for Indians as well. According to the most recent rumours, starting in March 2023, Netflix will implement the termination of password sharing in other territories, including India.
videoDetails

Kim Jong Un Makes A Secret Plan Against South Korea? Know The Chronology

| Updated: Jan 23, 2023, 12:07 PM IST

A big disclosure has come to light on Kim Jong Un. Kim, who threatened Japan and South Korea with missiles, has made a big plan against South Korea. If this plan gets successful, either Kim will take over South Korea or topple the US-backed government.
Monterey Park: The hunt for a gunman who killed 10 people at a ballroom dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations ended Sunday when authorities found him dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the van he used to flee after people thwarted his attempt at a second shooting. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the man as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran and said no other suspects were at large.

Speaking at an evening news conference, he added that the motive remained unclear for the attack, which wounded 10 more. Luna did not have the exact ages of the victims but said they all appeared to be over 50. Seven of the wounded people remained in the hospital, he said. The sheriff added that the suspect was carrying what he described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where Tran was found dead.

The shooting late Saturday in the predominantly Asian American community of Monterey Park cast a shadow over the New Years festivities and sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities in the Los Angeles area. 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.

Earlier Sunday, law enforcement officials swarmed and entered the van after surrounding it for hours before going in. A person's body appeared to be slumped over the wheel and was later removed from the vehicle. Luna previously released photos of an Asian man who was believed to be the suspect. The van was found in Torrance, another community home to many Asian Americans, about 22 miles (34.5 kilometers) from that second location.

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. Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said Sunday evening that within three minutes of receiving the call, officers arrived on the scene. There, they found extensive carnage inside and people trying to flee through all the doors. When they came into the parking lot it, was chaos, Wiese said.

About 20 to 30 minutes after the first attack, the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra. But people wrested the weapon away from him before he fled, according to Luna. Hours earlier, Luna said authorities were looking for a white van after witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee from Alhambra in such a vehicle.

Members of a SWAT team entered the van a short time later and looked through its contents before walking away. 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.

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.

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.

The latest violence comes two months after five people were killed at a Colorado Springs nightclub. President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland were briefed on the situation, aides said. Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden were thinking of those killed and wounded, and he directed federal authorities to support the investigation.

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.
Istanbul: Sweden and Turkey are embroiled in a diplomatic dispute that has sparked a wave of rallies and demonstrations, which is raising tension between the two nations. Following demonstrations in front of its embassy in Stockholm that included the burning of a Quran by far-right sympathisers and a separate rally by Kurdish activists, Turkey chastised Sweden. Rasmus Paludan, the head of the Danish far-right political group Hard Line, burned the Quran. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Paludan's announcement of a Quran burning "tour" in April of last year caused riots throughout Sweden.

Paludan, surrounded by police, denounced Islam and immigration in Sweden during a nearly hour-long tirade before setting fire to the holy book with a lighter. Nearby, about 100 people gathered for a calm counterprotest. If you dont think there should be freedom of expression, you have to live somewhere else, he said.

Now, around 250 people gathered outside the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul, where a photo of Danish anti-Islam activist Rasmus Paludan was set on fire. Paludan burned Islam's holy book outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm on Saturday, sparking protests in Istanbul and Ankara that night. Participants in the rally on Sunday carried banners reading, "We denounce Sweden's state-supported Islamophobia," as well as green flags bearing the Islamic proclamation of faith. The Swedish Consulate displayed a statement on a window that stated, "We do not share that book-burning idiot's viewpoint."

Prior to this, Turkey called off the visit of Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonson to Ankara because of the escalating hostilities between the two nations as a result of the Quran-burning incident. Turkey accuses the Swedish government of allowing the rally to take place in Stolkholm.
WASHINGTON  The case of a defeated New Mexico candidate arrested in a politically motivated shooting spree has turned a spotlight on an issue that has been evolving in the states: whether people with criminal convictions are eligible to run for public office.

Solomon Pena overwhelmingly lost a bid for the New Mexico statehouse as a Republican and is accused of paying four men to shoot at the homes of four Democratic officials. He had denied his loss and made baseless claims that the November election was "rigged" against him, even though he received just 26% of the vote against the longtime Democratic incumbent.

While the case raises alarms over politically motivated violence in the U.S., it also highlights differences across the country in whether people with past criminal convictions can run for office. Pena spent nine years behind bars after being convicted of being part of a retail theft ring.

The states have a range of laws for reinstating rights to felons. In most states, the ability to seek state or local office coincides with the restoration of voting rights.

But even in some states where the vote is restored automatically, felons still need to get a pardon or expungement to run for office, said Margaret Love, co-founder and director of the Collateral Consequences Resource Center, which keeps a 50-state database on restoration of rights.

Some states, including Louisiana and Nebraska, have additional time requirements on when someone's eligibility to run for office can be restored. States that require a pardon can vary on who has the pardoning authority.

Pena, 39, was arrested in April 2007, accused of stealing electronics and other goods from several retail stores as part of a burglary crew. He was released from prison in 2016, and had his voting rights restored after completing five years of probation in 2021, corrections officials said.

His opponent last year filed a lawsuit questioning Pena's eligibility to seek office, but New Mexico District Court Judge Joshua Allison said the state constitution only required that he be a qualified voter to be eligible for elected office. In a ruling that is being appealed, the judge said any attempt by the state legislature to impose additional requirements would be unconstitutional.

In New Mexico, voting rights are now automatically reinstated upon completion of a sentence, Lauren Rodriguez, communications director for the state attorney general's office, said in a written response to questions.

Some states don't allow those with felony convictions to run for office, while others impose various restrictions.

Earlier this month, on the two-year anniversary of his participation in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, former West Virginia state lawmaker Derrick Evans announced he would run for a U.S. House seat in 2024. That's despite pleading guilty to a felony civil disorder charge in 2022.

With his felony conviction and a sentence that includes three years of probation, state law would prohibit Evans from voting or seeking state or local office. Under that law, even when he finishes his sentence he would be unable to run again for the legislature or for magistrate, a limited judicial post that is open to non-lawyers.

There are no such limits to run for federal office.

University of Iowa law professor Derek Muller said the Constitution's 14th Amendment spells out who would be unable to run for federal office. The list includes those who took an oath to support the U.S. Constitution and then engaged in insurrection or rebellion, or those who gave aid or comfort to the country's enemies.

"That's the only thing that expressly disqualifies you under the Constitution," he said.

Donald Kersey III, deputy secretary and general counsel for the West Virginia secretary of state's office, said Evans was not convicted of insurrection or treason and therefore appears eligible to run for Congress.

In Georgia, a person convicted of a felony involving "moral turpitude" can hold office only if the state Board of Pardons and Paroles grants a pardon or a restoration of civil and political rights. Most violent crimes and most felonies involving stealing money are crimes of moral turpitude, but some, like felony DUI, are not.

A felony conviction in Illinois bars people from holding any municipal office  for instance, as a city mayor or village board trustee  unless they receive a pardon or the state's governor restores their rights. Illinois also bars people with a felony conviction from serving as a county sheriff, or taking on a political office overseeing a fire protection district, a public library board or a park district.

In Virginia, people convicted of felonies are automatically stripped of their civil rights. The state constitution gives the governor the sole discretion to restore them, apart from gun rights. With the restoration of voting rights comes the ability to seek public office.

Candidates with felony criminal records can hold office in New Hampshire once their sentences are finished, except for those convicted of bribery or corruption to get elected or obtain an appointment.

Louisianans approved a constitutional amendment in 1997 that barred convicted felons from seeking or holding public office for 15 years following the completion of their sentence. But a 2016 state Supreme Court ruling nullified it.

In 2018, state voters again overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment on the subject. This one prohibits convicted felons, unless pardoned, from seeking or holding public office until five years after completing their sentence.

In Nebraska, the law has several steps. First is a two-year wait after the completion of a sentence to have voting rights restored. That allows someone to seek office, but not hold it  which requires a pardon.


On January 3, Shahbaz, who hails from Sihada village in Madhya Pradeshs Khandwa, is seen beaten up brutally by several men who he claimed were associated with a Hindutva outfit.

TCN Special Correspondent

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NEW DELHI  A Muslim college student, who was brutally assaulted in Madhya Pradeshs Khandwa district on January 3, the video of which went viral on social media, said that some people are celebrating the attack by uploading videos on social media.

Now, they have edited the video (which shows that he is being brutally beaten up) to incite people. A statement saying we will beat you up wherever we will find you have been inserted in the video. They are putting out the video everywhere. They are people from my village, said the victim Shahbaz Patel while talking to TwoCircles.net.

In the January 3 video, Shahbaz, who hails from Sihada village in Khandwa, is seen beaten up brutally by several men. The video shows several men catching him by the collar and threateningly asking him questions before he is thrashed with a stick.

Shahbaz alleges the men who assaulted him are associated with the Hindutva outfit Hindu Jagran Manch. The FIR in the case was filed fifteen days later on January 18 only after the video of the assault had gone viral on social media.

Station House Officer (SHO) at Kotwali police station in Khandwa told TwoCircles.net that the police had filed an FIR in connection with the case and arrested six accused. However, the SHO refused to divulge further information in connection with the incident.

The arrested persons have been identified as Aniket Raipure, Ravi Kumayu, Prathmesh Patil, Sunil Mahajan, Abhishek Verma and Vishal Jave. They have been booked under section 151 (Whoever knowingly joins or continues in any assembly of five or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace) of the IPC.

Reportedly, the accused are members of the Hindu Student Army, a Hindutva front formed by Hindu Jagran Manch leaders in the district.

Shahbaz is not satisfied with the police action. After the arrest, no other action has been taken. We were not told what these arrested peoplethe one who was leading the mob was Madhav Jha (He is Hindu Jagran Manchs leader). I dont know them by their name. They are not from my village.

Talking about the incident on January 3, he said that he had gone to the market for some work when some people came up to him, asked him his name and started beating him up saying that he is Baabda, a derogatory term being used for Muslims in Madhya Pradesh.

They took me to the parking area of the Vishal Megamarket mall where there were around 20-25 people. They kept beating me there between 2 pm and 5 pm. They also shot objectionable videos and forced me to shout Jai Shri Ram. They also robbed me of Rs. 10000 and snatched my Aadhar card, Pan card, ATM card and other documents from me, he said.

The attackers also snatched a mobile from him, he alleged.

The police have also filed a case of sexual harassment against Shahbaz on the complaint of a girl, who is his classmate. She is from his village. Shahbaz said that she has been forced to file a complaint. TwoCircles.net tried to contact the girl but could not reach her.

They filed a false case against me alleging that I was harassing a girl, said Shahbaz.

The FIR filed on basis of his complaint says that he was beaten up when he was talking to a girl. Shahbaz denies this and said he was alone when he was attacked and was not talking to any girl.

I was injured and not in a state to know what had been written in the FIR, he said.

Khandwa Superintendent of Police Vivek Singh said the six accused were identified after the video went viral. We had registered an FIR against unknown persons under relevant sections, including assault on the same day when the incident occurred. But the youth who was assaulted did not recognise the group of people who thrashed him.

On January 18, a delegation of Muslim leaders met Singh and submitted a memorandum with regard to the incident.

The youth was beaten up because of his Muslim identity. False allegations were levelled against him, said a Muslim leader Syed Nisar Ali.

Getting Muslim men arrested on false charges

A Newslaundry report revealed that in the same week on January 10, a mob of Hindutva men brutally beat up two Muslim youths when they were sitting along with a Hindu girl. They also forced the police to file a complaint of harassment against them. Two Muslim youths Salman and Sarfraz were booked for harassment even though the girl opposed it. On the complaint of Salman and Sarfraz, an FIR was filed. People from the Hindu Jagran Manch and the Hindu student army were named in the FIR. While talking to the news website, these accused have justified their actions in the name of stopping Love Jihad.
WASHINGTON  A new government program is giving American citizens the chance to play a role in resettling the thousands of refugees who arrive every year in the United States.

During the first year of the Welcome Corps, the State Department aims to line up 10,000 Americans who can help 5,000 refugees adjust to life in the United States.

"By tapping into the goodwill of American communities, the Welcome Corps will expand our country's capacity to provide a warm welcome to higher numbers of refugees," the department said in announcing the effort last week.

When refugees from around the world arrive in the U.S., they face a dramatically different way of life. To ease that transition, the department traditionally has worked with nonprofit groups that specialize in refugee issues. Under the new program, five or more Americans could form a group and help fill this role, as well.

They would apply to privately sponsor refugees to resettle in the U.S. and would be responsible for raising their own money to help the refugees over the first 90 days. Assistance would include everything from greeting refugees at the airport to finding them place to live and getting kids enrolled in school.

A consortium of nonprofits with expertise in refugee resettlement will help oversee the vetting and certification of people and groups who want to be private sponsors. They also will offer training so private sponsors understand what's needed to help refugees adjusting to life in America. The consortium will be responsible for monitoring the program.

The program will roll out in two phases. First, private sponsors will be matched with refugees already approved for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. That will start during the first half of 2023.

Later, private sponsors could identify refugees abroad they would like to help and then refer those people to the Refugee Assistance Program and assist them once they arrive in the U.S.

The program is different from a recent initiative that allows 30,000 people into the country a month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. They also need a sponsor but are being admitted to the U.S. under a humanitarian parole designation that lasts two years and offers no path to becoming permanent residents or citizens.

Under the refugee program, people fleeing violence or persecution can come to the U.S. and stay permanently. Since the Refugee Act was passed in 1980 the U.S. has admitted a little over 3 million refugees.

The Welcome Corps program comes on the heels of a similar, smaller scale endeavor under which Americans were able to sponsor Afghans or Ukrainians. That program launched in October 2021 and has helped just over 800 people coming to America through a network of 230 certified sponsor circles that included a total of about 5,000 people.

Sasha Chanoff, founder and chief executive of Boston-based RefugePoint, which supports Afghan refugees, said Canada has long used a similar model to help resettle refugees. Chanoff said the sponsor circle program capitalizes on the huge amount of goodwill among Americans to sponsor refugees, something that crosses political divides.

"This represents perhaps a unique opportunity in our history  certainly in our recent history  to really open up space for Americans to protect lives by sponsoring a family," he said. "We've seen the incredible interest among the American public  Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, veterans, so many others across the political spectrum."

President Joe Biden pledged in a 2021 executive order to restore the U.S. as the world's haven and he called for private sponsorship of refugees. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. had largely rolled back the refugee program.

But last week's announcement comes as the U.S. is woefully off track if it hopes to meet Biden's goal of 125,000 refugees admitted into the U.S. during the 2023 budget year. According to State Department data, the U.S. has admitted just 6,750 refugees to the country through December  three months into the fiscal year.

Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service commended the Biden administration's "forward-thinking" program which has "potential to strengthen ties between refugees and the communities they will call home." But Vignarajah also noted the low number of refugee admissions. The group is a national nonprofit that helps refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants.

"The Biden administration must prioritize the streamlining of refugee admissions, which remain regrettably low this fiscal year. Without urgent action to increase efficiency, it risks letting the compassion of individual sponsors and the expertise of professional refugee resettlement organizations go to waste," Vignarajah said in a statement.

Assistant Secretary of State Julieta Valles Noyes told reporters that the agency responsible for interviewing refugees overseas had conducted over 20,000 interviews during the first quarter of the year and that she was "confident" that the numbers of refugees arriving in the months ahead would increase.

Where refugees to the US come from and why Where refugees to the US come from and why #20. Central African Republic #19. Burundi #18. Honduras #17. Iran #16. Russia #15. Colombia #14. Pakistan #13. Ethiopia #12. Moldova #11. Somalia #10. Guatemala #9. Iraq #8. Bhutan #7. El Salvador #6. Eritrea #5. Afghanistan #4. Syria #3. Ukraine #2. Myanmar #1. Democratic Republic of the Congo
ALBANY  When Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration used emergency authority to buy $637 million in coronavirus tests through a company owned by a major Hochul campaign donor, critics and political opponents pounced.

Pay to play, they said of the late 2021 state purchase orders. Conflict of interest.

For months, Hochul and her allies have insisted the governor did not have any direct involvement in the deal. Hochul stated her only involvement was directing her team to purchase as many tests as possible from any available sources.

But an email written 13 months ago by the company's owner, Charlie Tebele, suggested he may have directly discussed Covid-19 tests with Hochul  at a campaign fundraiser Tebele had thrown for the governor.

Tebele's email, written to a top Hochul aide, was seeking a follow-up conversation about several topics, including "Covid-19 tests." Four days after the email, Hochul's administration approved spending $338 million for Covid-19 tests procured through his company. The email was obtained by The Buffalo News through the Freedom of Information Law.

Hochul's press secretary, Hazel Crampton-Hays, said Hochul did not recall the conversation with Tebele.

Echoing past statements, Crampton-Hays said Hochul did not oversee the procurement process "and was not involved in the day-to-day procurement decisions."

"She simply instructed her team to purchase as many available tests as possible to meet the tremendous need across the state, and they did exactly that to keep New Yorkers safe," Crampton-Hays said. "As we have always said, campaign donations do not have any influence on government decisions and we reject any implication otherwise."

Like her predecessor Andrew Cuomo, Hochul has faced criticism for her handling of the pandemic on issues as varied as masking mandates and virtual learning. But Hochul also has been dogged by questions about whether she used emergency powers during the public health emergency to benefit herself politically.

The $637 million paid to Tebele's company, Digital Gadgets LLC, is among her administration's largest discretionary expenditures, and the tests were purchased at a price much higher than what other states paid around the same time, without competitive bidding. More recently, the relationship between the state and the company has soured to the point that the two sides are now on opposite sides of a lawsuit related to competitive bidding and Covid-19 tests.

Tebele's email did not explicitly say he and Hochul discussed Covid tests at the November 2021 fundraiser he threw in the New York City area. And Tebele has for months publicly denied ever speaking directly to the governor about selling tests to her administration. A Tebele spokesman reiterated that such a conversation never occurred.

The Tebele spokesman did confirm the email's referenced discussion about "community matters" occurred at the November 2021 fundraiser, something never directly stated in the email exchange.

'I was asked to reach out to you'

The email from Tebele was sent to Micah Lasher, Hochul's director of policy, on Dec. 16, 2021, and was titled Gov Hochul visit." Tebele described a discussion he had had with Hochul at the fundraising event on Nov. 22, 2021.

We had a conversation with the Governor regarding some community matters when we had her in for a meeting, and I was asked to reach out to you for follow up, Tebele wrote to Lasher. "Is there a way we can schedule a brief call to discuss?"

Tebele then listed three matters he wished to discuss: a prekindergarten reimbursement program; the licensing process for an eating disorder clinic; and COVID tests.

We have a community company that has available supply, Tebele wrote.

From the email, its not clear whether Hochul  or someone from Hochuls campaign  told Tebele to follow up with Lasher on the government-related matters following the fundraiser. Tebele spokesman John Gallagher refused to say who directed Tebele to contact Lasher.

According to Gallagher, some topics listed in the email were indeed "community matters" that Tebele had discussed with Hochul at the fundraiser. But selling Covid tests was a new topic Tebele was broaching, he said.

Gallagher also noted a follow-up email Tebele wrote in the early evening of Dec. 16, 2021, more than six hours after his initial email, headlined "URGENT INFO ADDED."

In that email, Tebele wrote that he had just read Hochul wanted to mail "instant COVID tests" to peoples' homes, and that his company had such a capability. That day, the New York Times had reported on the plan.

"Digital Gadgets only learned of the states testing needs from New York Times reporting on December 16th, 2021, which is the date of the first time that Digital Gadgets ability to sell tests was communicated to the state, Gallagher said.

But the first email to Lasher on the morning of Dec. 16, 2021  written before the New York Times article was published  had also broached selling Covid tests to the state. As for Hochul's administration, the state Department of Health for months had sought to buy Covid tests, striking a deal with another company in September 2021. The state's need intensified after Thanksgiving 2021, when infection fueled by a new variant, surged.

Indeed, other aspects of the timeline suggest that, at the time of the fundraiser, obtaining tests might not have been a top Hochul priority. The World Health Organization did not label the highly contagious Omicron variant of Covid-19 a "variant of concern" until four days after Tebele's event.

That same day, Nov. 26, 2021, Hochul issued an executive order suspending normal competitive bidding rules for Covid-19-related supplies, a suspension that soon would enable the $637 million in no-bid purchase orders.

State business at fundraisers

The Tebele family threw financial support behind Hochul's quest to become the first woman elected governor in New York, a campaign she started following Cuomo's resignation in August 2021 amid a series of sexual harassment allegations made against him.

In total, various members of the extended Tebele family would give Hochul nearly $300,000 during the campaign; just ahead of Election Day in November, Nancy and Charlie Tebele additionally gave a combined $235,000 more to the state Democratic Party, which served as an arm of Hochuls campaign operation.

In other instances during her campaign for governor, Hochul proved willing to discuss governmental matters at campaign fundraisers. Donors cut checks to Hochuls campaign, attended the often-intimate, high-dollar events, then were allowed to speak directly to the states most powerful official about matters before her administration.

And following such conversations, donors in multiple instances were directed by Hochul campaign staff to then contact Lasher, emails have shown. Like Tebele, other donors referenced having held a private conversation with Hochul, while writing follow-up emails seeking Lasher's attention.

Hochul built a massive campaign war chest, $60 million raised in 15 months. She pulled out a victory in November over the Republican nominee, Rep. Lee Zeldin, in the closest gubernatorial election in decades.

On Dec. 16, 2021  the same day as Charlie Tebeles email to Lasher  a member of Tebeles family listing the same home address in Manhattan, Leon Tebele, gave Hochul a $20,000 campaign donation.

On Dec. 20, 2021, Hochuls office approved a purchase order for an initial $338 million in rapid, at-home Covid tests bought from Digital Gadgets.

The deal for 26 million tests came together quickly: Hochuls administration received an offer to buy the tests from Tebele on Dec. 20 for $13 apiece. The same day, Hochul's office signed off on the deal at that price. The no-bid purchase order was enabled by the executive order Hochul had signed the previous month.

By January 2022, the state had struck a second, $299 million purchase order with Digital Gadgets to buy 26 million more tests.

Lasher does not appear to have facilitated the Tebele deals: He did not respond to Tebeles Dec. 16, 2021, email until five days later.

By that time, the Hochul administration had already agreed to the first purchase order with Digital Gadgets. According to other emails written by Tebele, he finalized that deal through Jackie Bray, commissioner of the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. From the emails, its not clear how Tebele gained access to Bray.

The state paid Digital Gadgets an average of $12.25 per test  significantly more than any other test vendor charged New York State, and nearly double what California paid for the same tests. Unlike New York, California bought the tests directly through the manufacturer, rather than through Digital Gadgets, a third-party distributor that took a significant cut in the deal struck with Hochul's administration.

Digital Gadgets, based in New Jersey, purchased the tests for an undisclosed amount from a medical product developer called AccessBio. In exchange for its payment from New York, Digital Gadgets says it provided significant logistical support, enabling rapid acquisition of scarce tests at a time when the Omicron variant was surging.

Hochul says she simply told her team to acquire as many tests as possible to ensure children could return to school in New York in early January 2022  and that Digital Gadgets was the only company with a significant, ready supply.

In July, Hochul said at a news briefing that when the deals were struck, she was not aware Digital Gadgets had been supportive of her campaign.

Hochul's statement was called into question by the revelation that Tebele threw the in-person, November 2021 fundraiser for Hochul, a month before the first deal was struck between Tebele and Hochuls administration.

After the initial 52 million tests were delivered by Digital Gadgets as promised, Tebele hosted a second campaign fundraiser for Hochul on April 10, 2022. It was the beginning of a more intense period of campaign giving by the Tebele family, at a time Hochuls office was considering another nine-figure purchase order. That deal never came to fruition and has now resulted in litigation.

A falling out

The Hochul administration's consideration of an additional, no-bid deal with the company was disclosed in a lawsuit Digital Gadgets recently filed against the Hochul administration.

About two weeks after the second Tebele campaign fundraiser, Digital Gadgets met with Bray and and her chief of staff, Peter Cichetti, to hear a proposal from the company, according to the lawsuit. On June 10, according to the lawsuit, Cichetti confirmed an order of 24 million more tests through Digital Gadgets at a cost of $8.50 each.

On June 24, five members of the extended Tebele family donated a total of $104,000 to Hochul.

But on July 12, the state Department of Health abruptly reversed course, publicly posting a request for competitive bids for Covid tests, breaking its promise to Digital Gadgets, according to the company's lawsuit.

With the process now competitive, Digital Gadgets submitted a bid offering to sell the tests for $2.75 each, far lower than the $8.50 figure the state allegedly agreed to less than two months earlier.

But in late August, the Hochul administration informed Digital Gadgets that it was awarding the contracts to three other bidders.

Yet when Digital Gadgets formally challenged those awards this fall, the company was told competitive bidding had not, in fact, been conducted in awarding the contracts to the competitors. Hochul's administration now maintains the awards were issued through the 2021 executive order allowing no-bid procurement of supplies.

It was the same Hochul order that had once allowed the initial, $637 million in payments to Digital Gadgets.

"If the facts in this lawsuit are correct, the taxpayers dodged a bullet when the Hochul administration belatedly decided to seek competitive bids," said Bill Hammond, senior fellow for health policy at the Empire Center for Public Policy. "If they had taken that simple precaution earlier, the state could have saved hundreds of millions of dollars."
Attention, Democrats: If, in the age of crazy, youve been laboring under the delusion that only Republicans break the rules to get what they want, we give you the New York State Senate.

With its predetermined vote rejecting Gov. Kathy Hochuls nominee for chief state judge, the Democratic-dominated Judiciary Committee reached its foregone conclusion and then violated the standard it had previously set for Republicans.

Perhaps thats just something about the politicians DNA, or maybe its one of the defects of human nature. Either way, with their dogmatic intransigence, Senate Democrats have shown themselves to be just as committed to political gamesmanship as Republicans are.

OK, maybe theyre not that bad. They havent instigated an insurrection or threatened the global economy by threatening a reckless default on public debts. But you get the idea. Like Republicans, they object to blatant hypocrisy only when the other side does it.

Heres what they did last week. The Judiciary Committee made a show of performing its constitutional function regarding Hochuls nomination of Hector LaSalle, an eminently qualified jurist, to become chief judge of the Court of Appeals, New Yorks highest court. For reasons mainly driven by politics, the Senate  firmly in Democratic hands  was expected to reject the nominee of the Democratic governor.

It did and for reasons that the official objections dont adequately explain. But that was only the start of the Democrats gamesmanship. They also did a 180-degree turn from the criticism their own No. 2 official had lobbed against Republicans only weeks earlier.

Democrats took the Senate majority in 2019, Sen. Michael Gianaris of Queens said in October. But for decades before that, it was even the case that the hearing and the vote on confirmation happened within minutes of each other, in some cases. They just have the hearing, and throw the nomination on the floor for a vote  not a very deliberative process.

Odd then, that only minutes after grilling LaSalle, committee Democrats called a vote, narrowly defeating the nomination. Yes, a committee vote is different from the full Senate vote that Gianaris criticized, but its a distinction without a difference: Democrats hope not to allow a vote in the full Senate at all. Whatever works, right?

LaSalles judicial record doesnt explain the hostility the committee heaped on him. What else, then? Hochul certainly flexed her budgetary muscle last year  on both a new Bills stadium and changes to the bail reform law. Some legislative Democrats didnt like that.

The new budget season is about to begin.

  

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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Saturday that she expects Congress will ultimately vote to raise America's debt limit. But she says demands by House Republicans for spending cuts in return for backing an increase a very irresponsible thing to do and risk creating a self-imposed calamity for the global economy.
LONDON, January 23, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA UK (KBRA) releases an overview of the mechanics of cap-and-trade programmes in North America and Europe. As the effects of climate change intensify globally, nations are under a growing pressure to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are leading to global warming and increasingly severe environmental effects. The Paris Agreement commits the 194 countries that have ratified the pact to limit global warming to 2C and, ideally, closer to 1.5C. For most countries, a carbon pricing mechanism will be an important feature of their efforts to limit GHG emissions.

In this report, KBRA provides an overview of the cap-and-trade programmes in Quebec, Nova Scotia, the US Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, California, Oregon, Washington, the EU, and the UK. As more countries and specific regions enact carbon pricing mechanisms, this forebodes far-reaching credit implications for issuers operating in carbon-intensive sectors. Carbon pricing schemes may impact issuers across all industries as they mature and coverage is expanded. For sovereign and sub-sovereign issuers, it can be difficult to assess the exact impact on ratings. However, to the extent these regions reduce climate risk exposure and spur technological innovation, the net benefits may exceed the steep cost of cap-and-trade implementation.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publications

About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRAs ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005620/en/

Contacts

Emilie Nadler, Director, ESG

+44 20 8148 1060

emilie.nadler@kbra.com

Joan Feldbaum-Vidra, Senior Managing Director, Sovereigns

+1 (646) 731-2362

joan.feldbaumvidra@kbra.com

Gordon Kerr, Head of European Research

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By Andrea Shalal

LUSAKA (Reuters) -Two of the world's most powerful finance officials are visiting Zambia this week, a reflection of the growing concern shared by Western officials about how China and other creditors are handling the African country's debt.

Zambia requested debt relief under the Group of 20 Common Framework nearly two years ago, but progress has been glacial at best, despite increasingly urgent appeals to China and private sector creditors to reach a deal.

Frustrated by the delays, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva arrived for separate visits in Zambia on Sunday. Both see a new sovereign debt roundtable - introduced late last year - as a way to make progress on long-stalled debt restructuring processes.

While the overlap was coincidental, the two will meet informally while in Lusaka, a Treasury official said.

Yellen told Reuters en route to Zambia she supported the roundtable as a forum for discussing general principles of debt relief.

"I think thats a helpful approach and hopefully the specific cases will be easier to deal with," Yellen said.

Georgieva and Yellen will both participate when the roundtable meets for the first time in India next month on the sidelines of the Group of 20 finance officials. The specific date and guest list are still being worked out.

Georgieva, who helped initiate the roundtable along with World Bank President David Malpass, told reporters this month it aimed to resolve broader issues such as transparency, timing of treatments and how to set cutoff dates for loans, but was not intended to replace the existing Common Framework.

The roundtable is a good idea, but the expectations should be kept very modest," Indermit Gill, World Bank chief economist, told Reuters. He said it could help build more trust among parties, especially Chinese officials, struggling to find a common approach among disparate lenders.

Story continues

Former senior Treasury official Mark Sobel said the roundtable could bring parties together for talks but it remained unclear if it would deliver results.

"The leaders of the roundtable need to have a focused agenda with clear goals and timelines, build a collective spirit and then keep the pressure on all parties to deliver results," he said, adding the Common Framework had been "a flop" so far but remained the "the only game in town".

URGENT NEED FOR DEBT RELIEF

The world's poorest countries faced $35 billion in debt-service payments to official and private-sector creditors in 2022, more than 40% of which is due to China, the World Bank found. This could rise to $69 billion by 2024 - the highest level in the current decade, a recent report projected.

Yellen told reporters she had underscored the urgent need to cut debts of heavily indebted countries when she met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in Zurich on Tuesday, warning failure to do so would set back development in poor countries and could lead to more war, fragility and conflict. Restructuring Zambia's debt was critically important, she said during a briefing in Lusaka.

The delay in debt treatment is taking its toll on Zambia, according to the World Bank's Gill: per capita income has slipped from middle-income to low-income status and about 60% of people now live in extreme poverty.

"All the bad things that happen when a country declares default have happened to Zambia," he said.

Government data showed Zambia owed Chinese creditors nearly $6 billion of the total of $17 billion external debt at the end of 2021.

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema urged creditors on Monday to quickly agree the content of a debt restructuring and warned if no conclusion was found soon it may distort economic recovery efforts.

Gill sees parallels with the late 1970s, when the Federal Reserve raised rates to curb inflation, sending the U.S. economy into the worst recession since the Great Depression during the early 1980s.

High U.S. interest rates ushered in what was labelled the "Lost Decade" in Latin America, landing many countries in default. "To some extent a similar thing could happen now," Gill said.

Yellen, however, noted rates were nowhere near those seen under Volcker and inflation was not out of control.

"We're in a higher interest rate environment, and that's something that's linked to the strong dollar, and weaker currencies for many emerging markets, but also Japan and other countries," Yellen said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, editing by Karin Strohecker, Christina Fincher, Kirsten Donovan)
Quality, consistency, integrity and innovation. These are just a few words I would choose to describe Central Waters Brewing Co.

If you are familiar with this eco-friendly, long-standing brewery that has hailed from Amherst since 1998 and that opened a pilot brewery in Milwaukee in late 2021, this should be a very agreeable statement. If you are an unfamiliar beer fan, I strongly encourage you to acquaint yourself.

Jan. 28 marks their 25th anniversary celebration and although tickets to the event are officially sold out, the magnitude of this feat in the current state of craft beer demands attention and respect.

25 years. 25 years of cultivating relationships, brewing beautiful beer for both the masses and the beer nerds, and establishing themselves well beyond the Midwest beer scene.

Akin to New Glarus Brewing, Central Waters barrel-aged beer moved Wisconsin into the national conversation, said Fred Swanson, brewery coordinator for the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild. And its one thing to make a one-off. Its another to create consistency year after year.

To help celebrate this milestone, I reached out to a handful of beer industry professionals and enthusiasts with the simple question: Why is Central Waters Brewing Co. important?

As a writer, Central Waters was one of the first Wisconsin craft breweries to become essential  and it has remained so for all these years. On a personal level, Ive spent a few nights with dear friends at their recent pre-pandemic anniversary parties making memories I will never forget, said Beer Baron columnist Chris Drosner.

A recent conversation with Swanson detailed the level of hospitality the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild experienced during several trips to the brewery, since the brands inception in a worn-down, dilapidated building and throughout the evolution in the current space. The constant theme was always bigger and better things ahead for this little Amherst brewery that could, said Swanson.

Bigger and better indeed; and not just for the brewery, but for Wisconsin beer as a whole. Central Waters has always been a leader in keeping The Great Taste of the Midwest fun. They always bring their A game. They make everybody want to be better and that ultimately makes the festival better, said Swanson with regards to the caliber of this premier beer festival.

And while we are on the topic of The Great Taste, the Central Waters preparty at Lucille has been a game-changing GTMW Eve event that continually draws tenured, loyal fans and new imbibers from across the Midwest. Avid beer connoisseur and yearly festival goer, Charlie Brinza, has been traveling up from St. Louis since 2004 for this annual gathering and every year he finds where Central Waters will be that warm second Friday in August.

For Brinza, Lucille provides the perfect beer-drinking atmosphere with its large, open space and pizza. Most importantly, however, the timed tapings of one-offs and barrel-aged beers keep him and his cohort bellied up to the bar for hours.

Why is Central Waters important to Dan Podell, co-owner of Forward Craft and Coffee, a new beer bar and coffee shop that opened up last year in Madisons Atwood neighborhood? For Podell, Central Waters has shown that its worth busting your ass for something youre passionate about. Their ability to continue consistent quality while also adapting to the infinitely changing craft beer scene is inspiring. Stick to your core values but also stay humble and have the ability to evolve and change.

Prior to opening Forward, Central Waters had already been a favorite of mine. Taking pilgrimages every year with hundreds of other fans up to Amherst just for some Liquid Gold. That doesnt happen with every brewery. When we opened back in June, I made absolutely sure that the very first keg in our cooler was a Central Waters Black Gold, said Podell.

Nick Zabel, owner of Dexters Pub, a beer haven on Madisons East Side for the past 15 years, mirrors this enthusiasm and has had more Central Waters liquid pouring through his draft lines than that of any other brewery, much in part due to their boundary-pushing and consistency.

But the reason that they have been and will continue to be a part of Dexters is because of the company that they are, and that starts with the attitude from the top that filters throughout, said Zabel.

They are a company that has been, and should continue to be, emulated. With all of that, I personally believe that there are still so many that dont understand how great of a company Central Waters is and how fortunate that we are to have them smack dab in the middle of our state. I have to believe that their influence on the beer scene (not just locally) has been more significant than many realize, concluded Zabel.

For the Draft Queen  personally and as someone who has been enjoying Wisconsin beer for the past two decades  Central Waters is class. It is that zesty, Amarillo-hopped India pale lager, Summarillo, that I sought out in the mid 2010s. It is the lacing and robust character of a fresh pour of Mudpuppy Porter on nitro.

It is a silky, sexy pour of Cassian Sunset at the bottle share and it is most definitely a few pints of Crew Drive American Pilsner at the new Milwaukee pilot brewery. Central Waters is years and years worth of friendships and admiration for what a brewery can and should be.

To the entire Central Waters Brewery team, I commend your excellence, your place in the beer world these past 25 years and I cannot wait to see what the next (25?!) years look like.

Enjoy your party, your success and cheers to a very happy anniversary!
MILWAUKEE  A Milwaukee man who landed on the FBIs top 10 most wanted list after he allegedly killed two people and wounded three others at a 2006 Memorial Day picnic has been found dead in his jail cell.

Octaviano Juarez-Corro was found unresponsive in his cell in the Milwaukee County Jail around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Authorities said he was in a single-occupant cell and there were no obvious signs of trauma or injury.

The Waukesha County Sheriffs Department is investigating. State law prohibits police agencies from investigating themselves in such incidents to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Prosecutors have alleged Juarez-Corro was in divorce proceedings with his wife when he showed up uninvited at the picnic in a Milwaukee park along the Lake Michigan shoreline to confront her. After being told he couldnt see his 3-year-old daughter, he opened fire. His wife was hit twice but survived.

He was placed on the FBIs top 10 most wanted list in 2021. He was finally captured in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico, in February 2022 thanks to a tip and extradited to Milwaukee this past September.

He faced two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide. He had been held on $1.5 million bail since October.
North Korea has again come out on top of Open Door's annual World Watch List where Christians suffer the most severe persecution.

Afghanistan topped the list last year but the 2023 World Watch List released on Tuesday shows that North Korea has once again become the world's worst country for the persecution of Christians.

Following North Korea in the top 10 were Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Sudan.

North Korea reclaimed the top spot this year due to the introduction of an "anti-reactionary thought law" that has led to "a new wave of violence" and the persecution of anyone found with foreign materials or literature.

With the exception of last year, North Korea has remained top of the World Watch List since 2002. This year, the country was given its highest ever persecution score by Open Doors.

The 'anti-reactionary thought law' has led to the imprisonment or execution of teenage boys watching South Korean shows such as Squid Game, Open Doors reports, but it is also being used to track down Bibles or any other Christian materials.

"Christians have always been in the front line of attack for the regime," said North Korean escapee Timothy Cho.

"Their aim is to wipe out every Christian in the country. There can only be one god in North Korea, and that is the Kim family."

While Afghanistan has moved down nine places since last year, Open Doors said the change in ranking "offers little cheer", with "many" Christians reported to have been executed after the Taliban's brutal return to power in 2021.

Even those who have managed to flee to neighbouring countries have faced severe challenges due to the hostility to Christians.

"Our situation is desperate," said Christian Afghan refugee, Zabi.

"My mother and I managed to cross the border into another country. I am praying that I can leave this country and go somewhere safe. I may have to go into hiding or I'll be deported to Afghanistan. If that happens, I may be killed."

The 2023 report also warns of an unfolding "catastrophe" in Sub-Saharan Africa where violence by Islamist extremists against Christians has reached "alarming" levels.

The worst of the violence is occurring in Nigeria, where Christian communities are regularly attacked by radicalised Fulani and members of the terrorist groups, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Other acts of violence against Christians include maiming, raping, and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery.

According to latest Open Doors figures, religiously motivated killings in Nigeria rose last year from 4,650 to 5,014, accounting for 89 per cent of the international total.

In a worrying trend, violence that was once largely confined to the northern regions has increasingly spread into the Christian-majority south.

"The whole region is heading into catastrophe," said Frans Veerman, Managing Director of World Watch Research.

"The aim of Islamic State and affiliated groups is to destabilize the entire region, establish an Islamic caliphate - ultimately across the entire continent  and, long-term, they are confident this is within their reach. They are helped by other Islamists focusing on non-violent, systemic Islamization.

"It isn't just governments in Africa that aren't facing up to the true nature of this religiously motivated purge, it's governments across the world. The price of this denial is incalculable, not just to Africa, but to the whole world."

China, meanwhile, is witnessing the "death of universal human rights" as the rhetoric of the ruling Chinese Communist Party shifts to subjective ideas around subsistence, development and security.

"Christian minorities who are seen to oppose these new 'rights', by refusing to support the ruling party can be branded as 'disturbers of the peace' or even 'terrorists'," said Open Doors.

"They face arrest, demolition of their church buildings and the de-registering of their churches."

Further violations of religious freedom can be seen in the escalation of censorship, surveillance, data collection, and restrictions on internet use.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the World Watch List with latest figures from Open Doors revealing that over 360 million Christians worldwide suffer at least 'high' levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.

Although there was a slight fall in the number of Christians killed for their faith, from 5,898 recorded cases last year to 5,621 this year, the number of Christians abducted for faith-related reasons rose dramatically from 3,829 recorded cases in the 2022 report to 5,259 today.
UAE Minister Says Crypto Will Play a "Major Role for UAE Trade Going Forward"

Source: Adobe/Cherkas

The United Arab Emirates plans to use crypto for trade in the future and also set up a working regulatory framework, according to the country's minister of state for foreign trade.

Speaking with Bloomberg on Jan. 20 in Davos Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum's annual meeting is taking place, Thani Al-Zeyoudi said the UAE is considering a trade in currencies other than the US dollar. One area the country is looking to expand is cryptocurrencies, he said, adding:

Crypto will play a major role for UAE trade going forward. The most important thing is that we ensure global governance when it comes to cryptocurrencies and crypto companies."

Al-Zeyoudi added that the UAE continues to work on its crypto regulatory regime. He said the focus will be on making the Gulf country a major hub with crypto-friendly policies that also have sufficient protections in place. He noted that the country has already seen some improvement in this field.

"We started attracting some of the companies to the country with the aim that well build together the right governance and legal system, which are needed.

The comments from Al-Zeyoudi come just a day after Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE's minister of state for artificial intelligence, said that the nation remains committed to its goal of becoming the worlds cryptocurrency hub regardless of the recent incidents plaguing the crypto market, including the unprecedented collapse of FTX.

Them calling the UAE home is definitely a positive thing, Olama said, hinting at cryptocurrency exchanges moving to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in part attracted by the virtual asset regulations the UAE issued last year.

Olama refuted allegations that the UAE could become a safe haven for crypto criminals. He also noted that governments should work together in order to identify and stop bad actors.

You will see them everywhere. You will see them in the Bahamas, you will see them in New York, London, and what we need to do as governments is to work together, with the industry as well, to ensure that if someone does something wrong he can't move from one place to the other, Olama said.

It is worth noting that the UAE Cabinet has recently introduced new regulation which mandates entities engaging in crypto activities to secure a license and approval from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). The companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to $2.7 million.

The latest regulation adds to the Guiding Principles for digital asset regulation and supervision that were published by the financial regulator of Abu Dhabis Global Market free economic zone in September.
Information is from police reports and may be incomplete depending on the status of an investigation. Phone numbers are nonemergency.
RaShall Brackney, Charlottesvilles first Black woman police chief and the person hired to head the department after the deadly Unite the Right rally, saw her $10 million wrongful termination lawsuit dismissed Friday by a federal judge.

I was always pretty confident in the result, Mayor Lloyd Snook, one of the targets of the suit, told The Daily Progress. This is a chance for the city to move into a new era with a new police chief.

The lawsuits dismissal by U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon came just three days after Brackneys first permanent successor, Michael Kochis, formerly chief in the town of Warrenton, was sworn in during last weeks City Council meeting. Brackney was hired in the spring of 2018 after predecessor Alfred S. Thomas Jr. resigned in the wake of an official report blaming him for not acting more assertively during the Unite the Right riot in 2017. Brackney was fired three years later amid accusations that, in trying to impose internal discipline, she acted too assertively.

The city of Charlottesville and CPD was and still is so invested in its racial paternalism, misogyny, and nepotism, they would rather conspire to oust me than dismantle or confront corrupt, violent individuals in CPD and city government, Brackney said in a courthouse press conference upon filing her suit last year.

Using her full name of Rashall M. Brackney-Wheelock, the former chief filed a 73-page federal complaint June 15, 2022, accusing 10 government and police leaders of plotting to oust her and then harming her reputation with their public comments. All she was doing, she asserted, was trying to bring order to the force.

Among Brackneys complaints were videos by or about members of the citys SWAT team. A city statement asserted that an investigation showed one officer saying about city command staff, I say we kill them all and let God sort it out. Other evidence, according to a statement issued while Brackney was chief, asserted that officers were videoing simulated sex acts, circulating nude videos of females and themselves, [and] videotaping children of SWAT members detonating explosives.

In addition to suspending or terminating several officers, Brackney disbanded the SWAT team. In separate actions, Brackney also pulled school resource officers out of schools in a joint decision with Charlottesville City Schools and removed Charlottesville officers from JADE, the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement task force.

As Chief, according to Brackneys suit, Dr. Brackney embraced progressive reforms rooted in proven political and organizational theory and she focused on equity, social justice, and restorative justice.

When a Police Benevolent Association survey suggested officers had lost faith in the departments leadership, Brackney called the results a hit job. The association chief publicly denied the allegation. On Sept. 1, 2021, then-City Manager Chip Boyles notified Brackney of her termination, calling her not a good fit.

Brackney alleged that her firing harmed her reputation and her ability to find employment. Subsequent verbal statements, such as Snooks assertion that even Black women officers were leaving, compounded the situation, she alleged. In her complaint, she cited various counts including race discrimination, gender discrimination, retaliation, contractual interference, business conspiracy and violation of Virginias whistleblower and human rights statutes.

In its motion to dismiss the suit, the city skipped the facts and went straight to the law. The city asserted that Brackneys boss Boyles approved some of her disciplinary moves but reminded her that she was an at will employee.

Concerns of trust and confidence in her leadership, the motion alleged, strained relationships across government, community, religious and regional stakeholder groups.

I decided to act because I felt we were heading into another situation where Charlottesville Police Department would be gripped in chaos, Boyles wrote in a post-termination op-ed.

Before coming to Charlottesville, Brackney served as police chief at George Washington University. Her quest for post-Charlottesville employment included an unsuccessful bid last fall for the chiefs position in Minneapolis, the city where an officer was convicted of murder in the highly publicized 2020 death of a Black man named George Floyd.

More successful was Brackneys recent appointment as a distinguished visiting professor at George Mason University. In addition to her undergraduate degree, Brackney holds both a masters degree in public management and a Ph.D. in instructional management and leadership. This term, shes listed as teaching CRIM 490: Law and Popular Culture. Also, she notes on LinkedIn that shes writing a book with the working title The Bruising of America: When Black, White and Blue Collide.

Snook said he didnt fear a trial or the accusations. He readily conceded that he said that Black female officers fled Charlottesville Police Department during Brackneys tenure, and he said members of the force deserve a morale-boosting leader.

Theyve told me they think theyre on the upswing, said Snook. They felt like they hit bottom and theyre moving back up again.

His thoughts on the former chief?

I wish her well, said Snook. I hope that she finds a job that she likes.

The city may not have heard the last of Brackney. Contacted Sunday afternoon, her lawyer had something to say.

We will be sending out an official statement in the morning, attorney Charles Tucker Jr. wrote in an email to The Daily Progress. This is far from over.
A man is dead after his vehicle crashed on James Monroe Parkway near Ashlawn-Highland Drive in Albemarle County south of Charlottesville Sunday morning, according to police.

County police told The Daily Progress Sunday afternoon the incident was a single-vehicle crash and the cause is under investigation.

The identity of the driver will not be released until next of kin has been notified, police said.

Police and fire rescue personnel responded to a report of a crash on James Monroe Parkway at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to a statement.

The driver of the vehicle was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, the statement said.

An update on the investigation is expected by Monday morning, police spokeswoman Bridgette Butynski said.

The motorists death is the second in Albemarle County in one weekend. Jeffrey Gale Gunsallus, 48, died Saturday after sustaining injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Rolling Road south of Woodridge.

Sundays death is the fourth on Charlottesville-Albemarle roads this year.
A 48-year-old Scottsville man has died from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash in southern Albemarle early Saturday morning. Albemarle County Police say the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Jeffrey Gale Gunsallus, died at the scene, the 5500 block of Rolling Road.

Police and Albemarle County Fire Rescue were dispatched around 2:50 a.m. to a report of the crash whose cause remains under investigation by the police departments fatal crash reconstruction team, police say.

Gunsallus was a lifetime resident of Central Virginia and a graduate of Fluvanna County High School. His mother and brother survive him.

He loved his family, and he loved his dogs, childhood friend Robin Garrison told the Daily Progress. He will be missed.

The death of Gunsallus is the third on Charlottesville/Albemarle roads this year. The others were pedestrians struck by cars, one on Ivy Road in the city and one on Seminole Trail in the county.
The University of Virginia has officially renamed the building that houses the schools Army Reserve Officers Training Corps program, stripping the structure of its ties to a Confederate soldier who the schools own Board of Visitors said had no affiliation to the University and was an outspoken advocate for slavery.

The building known for 80 years as Maury Hall will now be known as Warner Hall, named after the late John Warner, a former secretary of the Navy, longtime Virginia senator and graduate of the UVa School of Law.

Warner, who died on May 25, 2021, was a friend of the University of Virginia, said UVa President Jim Ryan at a dedication ceremony at the building on Friday.

Ryan was joined by the commonwealths delegation to the U.S. Senate: Democrats Mark Warner, who is of no relation to John Warner, and Tim Kaine, who joined the dedication just hours after announcing in Richmond that he would be running for reelection in 2024.

Ryan was also joined by John Warners wife Jeanne, who helped the UVa president reveal the commemorative plaque bearing the buildings new name.

The decision to rename the building has been years in the making, according to Colette Sheehy, senior vice president for operations and state government relations. The UVa Board of Visitors Buildings and Grounds Committee recommended the name change, Sheehy told the crowd at Fridays dedication.

A few years ago, the university undertook the project to look at our naming policy, or how we named buildings and the guidelines for doing so, Sheehy said at Fridays dedication. Naming should reflect the values of the institution and they should recognize distinguished or exceptional levels of achievement and honor. They should demonstrate the virtues that UVa hopes its students will emulate.

A review of Matthew Fontaine Maury  a 19th-century astronomer, oceanographer, meteorologist and cartographer who served as a commander in the Confederate Navy  found the man wanting, she said. It was specifically noted that Maury had no known affiliation with the university.

On the other hand, a committee statement praised John Warner as a distinguished public servant and faithful friend to the University of Virginia.

John Warner was a career public servant. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 at the age of 17 and volunteered for military service in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

After returning to the States, he earned his law degree at UVa and went on to become assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

President Richard Nixon later named John Warner undersecretary of the U.S. Navy and promoted him to secretary of the branch in 1972. In 1975, he became the director of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, a committee established under the Nixon administration to act as a hub for all dates, events and artifacts with significance to the American Revolution as the country celebrated its 200th birthday.

Between 1979 and 2009, John Warner served five terms as a senator for the commonwealth of Virginia.

The year he left his Senate seat, he became the first recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service medal, the highest award that can be given to noncareer federal employees, private citizens or others who have served the national intelligence community.

That same year, Mark Warner was sworn in as a senator for the first time.

Mark Warner said at Fridays dedication he had asked John Warner to accompany him to his swearing-in.

When I went to go meet him in his office and he invited me in, in many ways he invited me to have a friendship.

Mark Warner recalled his time as governor of Virginia, when John Warner was still a senator. He said the men were always able to set party differences aside.

There wasnt a single issue that I took on as governor  Im a Democrat, he was a Republican  that we couldnt figure out. That kind of leadership is extraordinary.

The dedication of the ROTC building is the latest way that the university and surrounding area has recognized John Warner.

Each year, UVa grants a John W. Warner award to a third-year undergraduate student who exhibits serious, convincing ambition.

The John W. Warner Parkway, which connects East Rio Road in Albemarle County to McIntire Road in Charlottesville, is also named in his honor.

The life and work of John Warner remind us that great and humble leadership, dedication, drive, service and the willingness to reach out and work with others, including those from the other side of the aisle, can accomplish, Ryan said Friday.
Corvallis city elections featured ranked choice voting for the first time in 2022, leaving some voters with questions about how the system works and where it came from.

Fans of ranked choice say it gives voters better, more inclusive representation and less polarizing campaigning as candidates need broad appeal for a final victory. It may also save money by eliminating runoff elections.

But opponents will say the voting method is unnecessarily complicated, or it leaves more room for errors or fraud.

Under ranked choice, voters choose candidates in order of preference. If nobody gets more than 50%, the one with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. Those votes go to the candidates listed as a second choice. The process continues until one candidate has the majority.

The counting process can take hours for some communities. Those with mail-in voting such as Oregon may wait days or weeks for results. In Corvallis, voters waited three weeks for final results in two ranked choice elections.

The reason for the delay on ranked choice tabulation was to assure all the ballots were in before calculating votes, to keep the process from getting tripped up on itself, said James Morales, Benton County Records & Elections Department director. Calculating results before everything is processed could be misleading, he said.

The period before releasing final results had previously been two weeks, Morales said, but it was extended another week because mailed ballots postmarked on or before Election Day can now be counted. The time allows voters with challenged ballots  those that might not be counted  to remedy the issue.

The department has relocated to the countys Kalapuya Building from the county courthouse, giving staff and election board members more room to maneuver and increased storage. In a tour of the department, Morales pointed out multiple layers of security and accountability for the ballot delivery, sorting and counting process.

Were auditing ourselves the whole way through because we want everything to balance when its all said and done, Morales said.

Auditing, providing tours, working with election observers  none of that is new for Morales. But with heightened election awareness and in some cases denialism, Morales is finding recently that some people still dont trust the system.

In the past, whenever we have shown someone what we do, as best as we possibly can, they usually come away saying its a pretty solid process, he said.

The hardest aspect for anyone adopting ranked choice, Morales said, is verifying machines and software are counting ballots as intended. He said Benton County has taken as simple an approach as possible to the complex system of ranked choice voting to make sure it works as intended.

Corvallis outcomes

Two Corvallis races featured three-candidate ranked choice voting in the November election: mayor and Ward 9 (northeast). Voters waited three weeks to find out Mayor Charles Maughan and Councilor Tony Cadena had won their positions.

Early election results showed a tight race between two mayoral hopefuls: former Ward 2 (downtown) Councilor Maughan and Council Vice President Andrew Struthers of Ward 9. A third contender, former Ward 2 Councilor Roen Hogg, had considerable ground to make up for a win.

Unofficial results on Election Day had Maughan slightly ahead at 38%, with Struthers at 34% and Hogg at 26%. With no outright winner, voters' second choice candidates came into play. After tabulating second choices from Hogg supporters, final results put Maughan at 50.09% of votes, with Struthers at 49.91%, separated by just 34 votes.

Results were cleared in the Ward 9 election, where three novice candidates sought to represent northeast Corvallis: Cadena, Nyssa Towsley and Cliff Feldman. The seat became a free-for-all when Struthers decided to vacate it for a mayoral run.

Election Day results showed Cadena leading the pack with 44.1% of the vote, trailing by Towsley at 33.2% and Feldman at 22.2%. Final results three weeks later showed Cadena with a clear victory at 57.5% of votes. Towsley had 42.5% after Feldman supporters second choices were distributed.

Corvallis City Council members approved ranked choice in January 2022, following in the steps of Benton County, where voters passed a measure installing ranked choice in 2016.

Benton County first

Both Democratic incumbent Xan Augerot (58.7%) and Democrat Nancy Wyse (63.6%) easily bested the 50%-plus that is required to prevent voters second and third choices from playing a role.

Republican John Sarna took second behind Wyse with 31.9% of the vote. Libertarian Cory Sedar was third at 4.2%. Republican Tom Cordier was second behind Augerot at 31.1%, with Pacific Green candidate Mike Beilstein third at 9.9%

County voters adopted ranked choice in large part because of efforts by state House Speaker Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis. Rayfield was a chief petitioner for the initiative along with Blair Bobier, a Corvallis-based attorney and president of Oregon Ranked Choice Voting Advocates.

The standard system rewards candidates who win just a plurality but less than 50% of votes, Rayfield said previously, adding that it happens a lot in primaries.

Rayfield and other ranked choice backers say that the two-party system works against third- and fourth-party candidates because voters often have to choose between voting for the candidate they really like or picking one of the major candidates as the lesser of two evils.

Opposition to ranked choice

The traditional majoritarian election system is good for parties and politicians, a National Review article asserted in June 2021, calling ranked choice a product of left-wing hostility towards elections, the Electoral College and the two-party system.

Traditional majoritarianism reduces polarization, creates strong candidates, and gives voters a recognizable opposition that can be called upon when necessary, the author wrote.

A majoritarian approach acts against smaller, more radical parties, instead pushing candidates towards the middle, according to the author, who adds that U.S. elections are candidate-driven, giving voters clear choices about the nations direction.

Weak candidates produced by ranked choice never truly command a majority, so they must win by cobbling together voting blocs to reach a majority, the National Review article states.

An opinion piece published online by The Hill in October criticizing ranked choice claiming the methods growing popularity stems from allowing candidates with extreme political views and narrow bases of support to run in elections without acting as a spoiler for one of the major party candidates.

The opinions authors suggest ranked choice plays to extremists when the electorate is polarized, giving the example of a three-person race in which the moderate candidate may be preferred to each of the more extreme candidates by a majority of voters.

Voters with far-left and far-right views would rank the moderate in second place rather first, the authors wrote. Because ranked choice counts only the number of first-choice votes, the moderate candidate would be out in round one, leaving only the extremist candidates from either side.

Growing national trend

Ranked choice is growing nationwide, according to Stateline, which reported in December that 62 jurisdictions in the U.S. have adopted the voting method, including Alaska and Maine for state races and New York City at the local level.

In the coming years, the number of jurisdictions using ranked choice could be 10 times that through state legislation and ballot initiatives, according to Deb Otis, director of research at FairVote, a nonprofit advocating for national ranked choice voting.

While some Republican officials criticize ranked choice, particularly after GOP losses in Alaska and Maine, the system is used in some right-leaning jurisdictions, including 23 towns in conservative Utah.

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How outcomes might change

Ranked choice proponents say that the standard system works against third- and fourth-party candidates because voters often have to choose between voting for the candidate they really like and picking one of the major candidates as the lesser of two evils.

Examples of how ranked choice voting could have changed outcomes can be found in election history:

In the May 2020 Democratic primary for secretary of state, Shemia Fagan won with 36.23%, edging Mark Hass by 4,450 votes out of more than 578,000 cast. And Jamie McLeod- Skinner finished third with 27.55%. Under ranked choice it would have taken just a moderate edge in No. 2 votes for Hass to pass Fagan.

In the May 2020 Republican primary for District 5, four candidates received 18% of the vote or more, with Cliff Bentz triumphing at around 37%. Ranked choice could have shown a different outcome for Knute Buehler and Jason Atkinson, who finished second and third behind Bentz, with about 26% and 23%, respectively.

Other examples include the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. In the crucial state of Florida, polls showed that 60% of voters supporting Green party candidate Ralph Nader would have supported Gore in a two-person race. And history might have changed.

And then theres the 1992 presidential race in which Democrat Bill Clinton received 43%, Republican incumbent George H.W. Bush 38% and independent Ross Perot 19%. To crunch the numbers another way 57% of voters rejected Clinton and 62% of them said no to Bush. Ranked choice could have told a different story.
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in Linn County and syphilis cases have more than quadrupled. The spike in cases has caused Linn County Public Health to shift their focus to more prevention efforts.

Syphilis is on the rise and HIV is holding ground, said Linn County Program Manager Shane Sanderson. And the increase seems larger in Linn County than other counties, he said.

We want to be known for our natural beauty, not something like this, Sanderson said in a Tuesday Linn County Commissioners meeting.

In the past few years Syphilis cases have risen in Linn County. Syphilis had 13 cases in 2018, but that number rose to 38 in 2021 and then to 60 in 2022, according to the Linn County Board of Health reports.

And that still might be an undercount, since the pandemic made getting access to resources difficult, said Communicable Disease Supervisor Tyra Jansson.

According to data from the CDC, Syphilis is up 52% since 2016.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacterium that can be treated by antibiotics. If it goes untreated, syphilis can cause problems throughout the body, including the brain after many years of infection, according to Oregon Health Authority.

Early on it's treatable, but much later it can be devastating, Jansson said. Its so important to catch early on.

HIV has also remained steady over the years and is a concern, Jansson said.

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the infection fighting cells of the immune system. This makes it difficult for the body to protect against infections and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system and progress to AIDS, according to Oregon Health Authority.

When asked why the numbers are so high in Linn County, Sanderson said there is no easy answer.

Part of it is access to care and education. But Sanderson said he doesnt know what is driving the spike.

The county worked with the aftermath of the infection, contact tracing and counting cases. But Sanderson is excited for a more preventative approach.

Usually tracking STIs involves making phone calls and asking questionnaires, after the infection has already been found. However, the county is hoping the creation of a community health worker position can build trust in communities to establish investigations of particular hotspots for sexually transmitted infections.

Its about getting more into the field and working with communities, he said.

Some of that work will be working with the houseless" community, Sanderson said. And getting people set up with health care providers is part of the prevention.

Increasing education, resources and followups are important, Sanderson said. That means making an appointment with a healthcare provider when you have a symptom and if you dont have one, getting in touch with Linn County Public Health to navigate resources, he said.

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Sanderson calls STI prevention a winnable battle. Its dependent on public knowledge and individual decision making.

And he hopes that engaging in normalizing conversations will actively work against the walls of taboo around this public health issue.

We will all benefit from a culture of prevention, Sanderson said.
The Office of Economic Development and International Trade this January welcomed a new executive director in Eve Lieberman, Gov. Jared Polis chief policy advisor and legislative counsel.

Lieberman took over the role from Patrick Meyers on Jan. 1.

Lieberman has served in legislative and policy departments, in addition to federal affairs work for Polis in his first term as his congressional chief of staff. Her work was critical in the enactment of free full-day kindergarten and universal preschool, climate change and energy policy, lowering healthcare costs, and economic recovery legislation, according to a news release from the Governors office.

OEDIT, whose task is to support economic development and job growth efforts by working with statewide partners, offers economic incentives to expand and bring businesses to the state.

Polis spoke highly of Lieberman over the years.

We are thrilled Eve will be helping Colorados small businesses and entrepreneurs grow, innovate, and expand into new markets while expanding our trade programs, Polis said in a press release. Eve will be missed by many on our staff but is not going far and we are excited for what she will bring to the table to help keep Colorados economy thriving.

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Lieberman previously worked in Congress for a decade, notably as as chief of staff to then-congressman Polis. In Congress, she focused on technology, innovation, and trade policy and helped establish Startup Day Across America.

Lieberman earned her education at the University of Michigan with a degree in political science followed by the George Washington University Law School. She served as a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Justice and interned for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

Loren Furman, president and CEO of the Colorado Chamber, said Lieberman aided the governor and the business community in using data-driven, balanced approaches to recover from COVID-19 pandemic.

Eve will continue to deliver positive results for Colorados business community and the State in this new role, Furman said in a press release.

Meyers, who had served as executive director at OEDIT since April 2021, will remain the chief recovery officer for Colorado. In this role, he will manage the staff, oversight and compliance of the states American Rescue Plan Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Pat Meyers is a constant professional and problem solver, so we are delighted he will continue working on recovery issues for the administration, J.J. Ament, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. We are thrilled to continue working with Eve and the administration on ways we can continue to develop our economy and grow our tourism industry.
The 2Africa subsea cable, described as the largest subsea cable system in the world, has landed at the South African operator Vodacoms network facility in Gqeberha. This is the first submarine cable landing in the Eastern Cape region.

The 2Africa consortium is made up of eight international partners, including Vodafone/Vodacom. Launched in May 2022, the subsea cable project aims to significantly increase the capacity, quality, and availability of internet connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world.

The Gqeberha landing is the 2Africa project's third on the coast of South Africa, following two recent landings in the Western Cape by MTN GlobalConnect. Vodacom is the designated landing partner, providing facilities for the cable's installation at an existing site in the Summerstrand area.

Through the 2Africa landing at Gqeberha, service providers will be able to obtain capacity on a fair and equitable basis. Direct international connectivity can then be provided to data centres, enterprise, and wholesale customers.

Once the fibre cable system has been deployed, businesses and consumers will benefit from improved quality, reliability, and lower latency for internet services. The cable system's landing in the Eastern Cape will also offer the potential for regional job creation in sectors that rely on direct international connectivity, such as data centres, call centres and software development.

The 2Africa project underpins further growth of 4G, 5G and fixed broadband access by providing improved connectivity to underserved and rural areas and network resilience from the Eastern Cape to the rest of South Africa. As a gateway to international connectivity, the cable's landing at Gqeberha will help to develop telecommunications networks in the Eastern Cape and surrounding provinces.
DALEVILLE  The legacy of the slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was honored with a program conducted by church youth Sunday at the Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center located on the street here named in Kings honor.

Adrianna Rodriquez, Tyson Tucker, Andre March and Gelana Riddle read from Kings works during the Celebrate the Legacy of the Dreamer celebration service that began with a devotion led by brothers Xavier and Micah Powell.

Youth achieving the A and A-B Honor Rolls in their respective schools were also presented with certificates of recognition during the church service.

Martin Luther King worked hard to ease the line between black and white, said Rodriquez in her tribute to King. He used the word to end the fight, and wanted everyone on one big team, equality of rights for all was his dream.

Tyson Tucker chose Kings What is your lifes blueprint speech to students at Barratt Junior High School in Philadelphia six months before King was assassinated as his tribute.

Number one in your lifes blueprint should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Dont allow anybody to make you feel that youre nobody, Tucker said, reading from the speech. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and that your life has ultimate significance.

Secondly, you must have the determination to achieve excellence in your various fields of endeavor. My young friends, doors are opening to you  doors of opportunities that were not open to your mothers and your fathers  and the great challenge facing you is to be ready to face these doors as they open.

Dont drop out of school in spite of your economic plight, in spite of the situation that youre forced to live in  stay in school and when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the dead or the unborn couldnt do it any better. If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper. For it isnt by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that we should strive to stand together united in this land, that we should stand united as one, said March in his tribute. King thought that right would overcome wrong. On this day let freedom ring as we remember Martin Luther King, March said. I too have a dream.

Riddle chose The Hill We Climb written and read by Amanda Gorman during the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Weve learned that quiet isnt always peace, and the norms and notions of what just is, isnt always justice, Riddle said reading the poem. Somehow, we weathered and witnessed a nation that isnt broken, but simply unfinished.

We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we are tired, we tried, Riddle read. That well forever be tied together, victorious, not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

For there is always light, if only were brave enough to see it, Riddle read. If only were brave enough to be it.
The leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States met recently in Mexico City at the North American Leaders Summit (NALS) to discuss security and economic cooperation.

The Summit included a recognition of the importance of fighting against inequality, racism, and discrimination.

Standing alongside Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the value of focusing on a common ideal that is at the core of our democracies: that we are all better off when every individual in our societies enjoys equal rights and equal opportunities.

Before signing the North American Declaration on Partnership for Equity and Racial Justice along with his counterparts, Secretary Blinken noted that the Declaration establishes three ways to ensure all communities and individuals reach their full potential.

First, the fight for greater equity and inclusion begins at home. In every nation, members of marginalized groups face discrimination, Secretary Blinken declared. Its a daily reality for people from Indigenous communities and communities of African descent, women and girls, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, religious minorities and others, including in the United States. He praised the willingness of all three countries to acknowledge that the work must initially be undertaken at home. That, he said, is vital to our legitimacy when it comes to the Declarations second commitment: redoubling our collaboration to advance equity and racial justice around the world.

The third way to promote equity is to draw on the knowledge and expertise of leaders outside government. The three countries will establish a Trilateral Racial Equity and Inclusion Expert Network, consisting of leaders from civil society, youth groups, the private sector, and academia to share best practices and innovative strategies. Simply put, one of our greatest strengths as democracies [is] that we trust our people, said Secretary Blinken. We trust our citizens to help fix some of our most intractable problems.

Progress consists of citizens working every single day to make our societies a little bit better, a little bit stronger, a little bit more inclusive, Secretary Blinken declared. Were fortunate to have neighbors who share our highest ideals and a steadfast commitment to keep working to make them a reality.
The foreign and defense ministers of the United States and Japan met recently in Washington, D.C., for discussions aimed at strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance in the face of increasing security challenges from the Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, and Russia.

At a joint press briefing after the talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the U.S.-Japan Alliance the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He praised Japans new national security and defense strategies, which include a significant increase in security spending and investment in defense institutions and infrastructure. Secretary Blinken added, These new strategies make clear Japans commitmentto take on new roles and foster even closer defense cooperation with the United States and our mutual partners.

Were committed to upholding shared values of democracy and human rights, defending the international rule of law, continuing to lead the world in tackling global challenges that no one country can solve alone, he said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also underscored the clear strategic alignment between the United States and Japan and praised Japans decision to strengthen its own defense as a key contribution to the maintenance of regional peace and stability. He welcomed what he called an historic alliance decision to optimize U.S. force posture in Japan by forward stationing more versatile, mobile, and resilient capabilities.

These actions will bolster deterrence in the region and allow us to defend Japan and its people more effectively, he said.

In particular, Secretary Austin pointed to the reorganization of a U.S. Marine artillery regiment on Okinawa into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. "We will equip this new formation with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as anti-ship and transportation capabilities that are relevant to the current and future threat environments, he explained.

Our alliance is stronger than ever, building on a foundation of teamwork, trust and shared values that has underpinned our relationship for decades, declared Secretary Austin. And so there is no challenge that we cannot overcome if we continue to work shoulder to shoulder.
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.
The officers of the 1st engineer team and the level 2 field hospital No. 2 set out to carry out the mission. (Photo: VNA)

Participating in UN peacekeeping activities has made many contributions to the Party and State's strategy of active international and regional integration; strengthening foreign relations for defense and security, raising the country's position, and performing the task of defending the Fatherland by peaceful measures.

The international community has actively supported Vietnam in UN peacekeeping. In particular, Australia has supported English courses for military medical and engineer forces; training courses in Australia on UN peacekeeping; flights transporting people and equipment of level 2 field hospitals; and aid with some equipment such as ambulances, generators, medical equipment and translation systems.

The United States has also supported Vietnam to organize training courses for staff, logistics officers, and UN military observers; equipment for military medicine, means of training engineers; lecture halls and expert housing.

Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom have given support in training, experience sharing, expertise and mission surveying.

In 2018, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) co-organized a workshop on capacity building for the UN peacekeeping forces within the framework of the Asian regional security (ARF) in Vietnam, which was highly appreciated by the UN and other countries.

Notably, the Ministry of National Defense has advised the Party, State and Government to sign 9 Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in the field of UN peacekeeping with partner countries, including China and the United States, Russia, France, India, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand; a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN on the deployment of a Level 2 field hospital to the South Sudan Mission; a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union on the deployment of EU technical assistance trainers at the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations; and a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN on Deployment of an engineer team to the mission in Abyei.

In 2020, Vietnam was the President of the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operation Training Centers (AAPTC). This was the first time Vietnam took on this position since its official participation in UN peacekeeping operations in 2014 and its membership of the Association.

In June 2022, the Ministry of National Defense successfully organized the Conference of Asia-Pacific Peace Operation Training Centers with the participation of 18 countries and 8 international organizations.

Currently, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations is taking the role of co-chairing the UN Peacekeeping Expert Group with Japan to organize many cooperation activities, conferences and seminars, and develop a plan for exercises in Vietnam on UN peacekeeping within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in 2023, as well as to prepare for the Conference of the UN Network of Peacekeeping Training Centers of ASEAN countries in 2023.

In addition, leaders of the Ministry of National Defense have held phone calls and sent many delegations to the UN Headquarters to interact with UN leaders, functional agencies and work with many partner countries, thereby contributing to the development of the UN part of promoting cooperation in the field of UN peacekeeping and especially creating a basis for the UN to invite Vietnam to send the first engineer team to the Abyei Mission./.
Overseas Vietnamese sing at the Tet celebration held by Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic. (Photo: VNA)

On January 21 (the last day of the Year of the Tiger) and January 22 (the first day of the Year of Cat in Vietnam), authorities in Japans Kobe city, Vietnamese businesses, and the Vietnamese Association in Kobe held a Tet celebration for the local 8,000-strong Vietnamese community.

The event, sponsored by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka, is one of the associations activities towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

On the occasion, representatives from Kobe administration pledged to support the operation of Japanese-Vietnamese friendship associations and the Vietnamese association in the city.

On January 21, the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel coordinated with the Vietnamese community in the country to organise a Tet celebration with the participation of about 300 guests including overseas Vietnamese, the Embassy staff, and foreign friends in Israel.

The programme recreated an old-time Tet space in Vietnam consisting of a spring food stall, wrapping and cooking chung cake, displaying a tray of five fruits, decorating peach bloomsome, kumquats, preparing a Tet meal, and offering lucky money.

The celebration, though held in a place far away from Vietnam, was still able to bring the overseas Vietnamese a joyful and cozy spring atmosphere.

The same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia cooperated with the Vietnamese Association in the countrys Bratislava capital and Kosice city to organised a meeting marking the Vietnamese traditional Tet festival.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan highly appreciated the role of the Vietnamese Association as a bridge connecting the overseas Vietnamese community with the homeland.

In 2022, the Vietnamese community in Slovakia contributed to the Sovereign Canoe fund for the Truong Sa island district and the DK1 rig with a total amount of more than 8,400 euros (over 9,100 USD).

In the Czech Republic, the Vietnamese Embassy coordinated with the Vietnamese Association in the country to organise programme to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2023 on January 20 after nearly three years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
Ukraine has received another batch of powerful energy equipment from a number of foreign countries, which will be used to restore one of the damaged thermal power plants, Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko says.

"Today we have received another batch of assistance from our partners and friends. This, in particular, is large equipment of various classes, which will help repair damage caused by Russian missile strikes at one of the energy facilities. Colleagues from Poland, Lithuania, Austria, the Netherlands, and Azerbaijan are here today, who handed over the equipment, it was also handed over by South Korea," Haluschenko told reporters during the presentation of the delivered equipment with the participation of foreign ambassadors to Ukraine.

"We are all very grateful that our partners have been supporting us throughout the war, and more recently on the energy front, helping to combat the consequences of the crimes committed by the Russians against energy infrastructure," the minister stressed.

According to him, the last attack of the Russian invaders was aimed specifically at thermal generation, as a result of which several blocks of thermal power plants were damaged or destroyed.

"These are complex repairs that we will try to do as quickly as possible. And this will definitely improve the supply of electricity to consumers," Haluschenko said.

The ministry clarified that the current supply includes, in particular, backup power plants of various capacities, current transformers, surge arresters, high-voltage circuit breaker control cabinets, and combined transformers. Only six trucks.

As Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki noted, Russia's massive deliberate attacks on civilian critical infrastructure in order to freeze hundreds of thousands of people is state terrorism.

"We condemn this, and I am proud that all states have stood side by side with Ukraine. Therefore, we provide equipment. And what I would like to note is the incredible courage and competence of energy workers and the Ministry of Energy itself. Huge respect for the team of the Ministry of Energy, all energy businesses and companies that made the blackout impossible," Cichocki said.

According to him, in total, about 100 freight wagons of equipment have already arrived from Poland - from cables to transformers, covering a large number of categories, and these deliveries will continue further.

At the same time, the diplomat noted the need to expand production of equipment in Western countries in order to quickly restore Ukraine's power system after the strikes.
The Moroccan army has handed over to Ukraine about 20 T-72B tanks that have been upgraded in the Czech Republic at the repair line of the Excalibur workshops, MENA Defense, an information magazine on military issues of the Maghreb countries, reported on Sunday.

"About twenty units were sent to the battlefield a week ago and they were visible during the visit of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to the workshops of the Excalibur Army company in Sternberk, which had carried out their refurbishment," the publication reported.

The exact number of units of transferred equipment is unknown. According to the publication, the Moroccan army had 148 T-72s, 136 T-72Bs and 12 T-72BKs, which the country purchased in two batches in 1999 and 2000.

"Morocco's decision to deliver arms to Ukraine was taken, almost under duress, during the Rammstein summit for Ukraine which took place on April 26, 2022 and which was hosted by the United States. At this summit, Tunisia and Morocco were the only two countries to represent North Africa. Tunis had dispatched at the time two cargo planes to Rzeszow airport in Poland, which centralizes logistical aid to Ukraine and there Morocco seems to have followed suit by sending not humanitarian aid but outright weapons," the publication said.
EU Council at level of foreign ministers to discuss military assistance to Ukraine, including decision on tanks  Borrell

On Monday, January 23, the EU Council at the level of foreign ministers will discuss military assistance to Ukraine, including the issue of a decision on tanks, said EU diplomat Josep Borrell.

"We will start with Ukraine's war, we will start with how to continue supporting military Ukraine. We will discuss a new tranche of the European Peace Facility to provide more funding for Ukraine," Borrell said upon arrival at the EU Council meeting on Monday.

According to him, the ministers will discuss, in particular, the level of military support for Ukraine after Ramstein 8, where the participants of the meeting made many commitments.

"We will discuss the situation in the war, we will have Dmytro Kuleba who will discuss with us," Borrell said.

Answering a question from journalists about whether the provision of tanks to Ukraine would be discussed, he said that the decision on tanks is not the only thing that will be discussed.

"Many other contributions from member states for the military support of Ukraine has been taken," he said.

Borrell is in favor of providing tanks to Ukraine.
Ukraine is interested in Boris Johnson and people like him to support the country in the world, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video statement on Sunday.

"Today our friend Boris Johnson visited Ukraine, Kyiv, Bucha, Borodianka. A person who does not need to be introduced in any particular way. Together with him we talked to the students of Shevchenko University. This is also all symbolic, it is on our day, the Day of Unity. It is symbolic, because the struggle for freedom unites different people, different peoples," Zelensky said.

In his words, "the free world has united as it has not been united for a long time. It is very important to maintain unity. To do everything so that people who value freedom are together and effective. We are interested in Boris and our other people, like him, dealing with issues of supporting Ukraine in the world, issues of protecting freedom."

"This should be remembered by all Ukrainians: the British contribution to our defense is extremely significant. I thank all the British for it, absolutely all our friends in Britain, the whole society. I thank Mr. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his powerful decisions, for his policies that make the free world stronger," he said.
The British authorities still want to reach an international agreement that will allow the supply of German-made tanks to Ukraine, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Sunday.

"Of course, I would like to see the Ukrainians equipped with things like the Leopard 2 as well as the artillery systems that have been provided by us and by others," British media quoted him as saying.

He said he would continue negotiations with colleagues from NATO countries in order to provide Ukraine with supplies of the necessary equipment. Speaking about the degree of Germany's support for Ukraine, the minister said that in this matter "everybody going as far as they can, but each country will support Ukraine in a way that is most appropriate to them."

Earlier this week, defense officials from about 50 countries, as well as NATO leaders, gathered at the U.S. Ramstein base in Germany to discuss military assistance to Ukraine. As a result, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the parties could not reach an agreement on the possible transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv.

Prior to this, Poland and Finland expressed a willingness to supply Ukraine with German-made Leopard 2 tanks, but they need to obtain permission from Berlin due to restrictions on arms exports adopted by the Federal Republic of Germany. However, so far Berlin has not given permission for the re-export of these tanks.

Earlier this week it was reported that the UK would give Ukraine its most substantial military aid package, which will include Challenger 2 tanks and AS-90 self-propelled artillery mounts.
G7 foreign ministers to hold meeting in Munich in Feb as sign of unity with Ukraine, to coincide with its anniversary of Russian invasion  media

Foreign ministers of the G7 countries will hold a meeting in Munich as a sign of unity against Russian aggression and coincide with the anniversary of the Russian army's invasion of Ukraine, Japan Today said on Sunday.

The first meeting of G7 top diplomats in 2023 is expected to take place on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference from February 17 to 19 February.

The meeting will be chaired by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimas Hayashi, as Japan is chairing the G7 this year, according to the publication.

As expected, at the meeting, the ministers will reaffirm their solidarity in putting pressure on Russia in order to stop the aggression and support Ukraine. Foreign ministers from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union, are also expected to reaffirm the importance of maintaining an international order based on the rule of law, the publication said.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov denied information about the purchase of food for the Ukrainian army at inflated prices, calling the most obvious purpose of the false story an attempt to undermine confidence in the Ministry of Defense on the eve of Ramstein 8.

The Ministry of Defense has not purchased eggs at UAH 17 apiece and does not plan to. I want to draw attention to the chronology of events. At the end of December 2022, the Ministry of Defense signed contracts for the provision of catering services with suppliers. Following the conclusion of contracts, my profile deputy held a meeting at which he heard the head of the relevant department, he wrote on Facebook.

According to the minister, the company's mistake with the conversion of pieces into kilograms has been noticed for a long time, as well as some technical errors in other contracts.

After that, the head of the unit was suspended. I emphasize  at the end of December, Reznikov said.

The head of the department also said that at a meeting of the relevant committee of the parliament he would demonstrate to the deputies an official letter from the supplier company acknowledging the mistake and asking for appropriate changes.

Reznikov said that he guarantees absolute transparency of the Ministry of Defense for law enforcement officers, and also that at his request, chairman of the Committee, Oleksandr Zavitnevych, invited representatives of the NABU and the SBI to the meeting.

I will also propose to the deputies to consider the possibility of creating a temporary investigative commission on the procurement process if other parliamentary control tools are deemed insufficient. This will create an additional burden on the Ministry of Defense, but we are ready to do it, the minister wrote.

He stressed that additional internal inspections are being completed for all contracts, military units are being checked with the catalog, technical errors are being corrected, additional supply agreements are being prepared.

That is, the de jure document published in the media does not yet exist. No penny has been spent on it. Statements that the Ministry of Defense stole or tried to steal billions are complete nonsense. It's just that someone found out about additional checks and decided to launch an information attack, he said.

The minister also noted that the public stuffing of information about prices allegedly inflated by 2-3 times began in the middle of last week, before Ramstein 8, when the agreements were clarified.

The one who handed over one of the contracts and applications for publication, at least committed an official crime. This person will be definitely identified and brought to justice. For this purpose, materials have been prepared in the SBU. In particular, the motives will be clarified, Reznikov said.

In addition, he noted that when MPs look at contracts with eight suppliers, they will see that the prices for the same products are different.

Just as prices differ in retail chains, in the same Silpo, ATB or Novus. It's just that everyone has their own specialization. The actual production of any group of products or exclusive conditions with manufacturers. Therefore, somewhere meat is cheaper, and somewhere - fish, vegetables or milk, the minister explained.

The prices of products are analyzed by special expert institutions, in particular, the Institute of Forensic Examinations named after Bokarius of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, which determine the range.

For example, a range of UAH 7 to UAH 36 per kilogram is set for potatoes, since they come in different varieties. It is also one of the products for which there are significant seasonal price fluctuations, he added.

In 2023, the cost of catering services for one fighter per day is UAH 145.8. Last year, this amount was UAH 120 per soldier per day, the minister said.

On January 21, the Ministry of Defense published a statement in which they called manipulative information about the purchase of food at inflated prices, reported on the inspection.

Earlier in the publication ZN.UA reported that under the agreement of the Ministry of Defense for catering services in 2023, military units stationed in Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv and Cherkasy regions, in a deal for UAH 13.16 billion, there was an overestimation of purchase prices by 2-3 times.
Kuleba at Council of EU FMs calls for sanctions against Rosatom, Russias missile and unmanned industry

The tenth EU sanctions package should be adopted as soon as possible and increase pressure on the Russian Federation, in particular, to impose powerful sanctions against the Russian missile and drone industry, close all ways to circumvent the restrictions already imposed, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

I urge you to impose crushing sanctions against the Russian missile and drone industry. By destroying or seriously limiting Russia's ability to produce new missiles and drones, we will kill their ability to create new means of terror. We will also achieve the long-term strategic goal of deterring Russian missile terror, the minister said during an online speech at the EU Council of Foreign Ministers on Monday.

He stressed that no exceptions or easing of sanctions are unacceptable.

The Foreign Minister also recalled Ukraine's call to lower the limit on the price of oil, since the current price of Urals is already below $40 per barrel. He also called for disconnecting more Russian banks from SWIFT, primarily Gazprombank and Bank Saint Petersburg, involved in financing the war.

Kuleba also insists on closing Russia's access to cloud services and cryptocurrency transactions, imposing sanctions against Russian metallurgy.

A separate topic of the speech was the need to stop cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy and the imposition of sanctions against Rosatom.

Kuleba is convinced that the first step may be the introduction of personal sanctions against Rosatom employees and officials involved in the seizure and militarization of the Zaporizhia NPP.
MP Olena Khomenko (Servant of the People faction) has been elected Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"Member of Parliament of Ukraine Olena Khomenko has been elected Vice-President of PACE," wrote Maria Mezentseva, head of the permanent delegation of the Verkhovna Rada to PACE (the Servant of the People faction).

According to her, Khomenko will join the bureau of the assembly, which forms the agenda and influences many important decisions, she will also head PACE meetings in the near future.
The Russian authorities began to distance themselves from Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner PMC after the culmination of the offensive on Bakhmut and Soledar, and returned to relying on the regular army, the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff, according to the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) for January 22.

" Putin appears to have decided to turn away from relying on Prigozhin and his irregular forces and to put his trust instead in Gerasimov, Shoigu, and the conventional Russian military once more.," the report says.

Analysts remind that Putin began to re-centralize control of the war effort under the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) in early December. He gave Gerasimov overall command of the Joint Grouping of Forces in Ukraine on January 11, subordinating Surovikin to Gerasimov along with two other deputies. The Russian MoD announced large-scale reforms to expand and reconstitute the Russian Armed Forces on January 17. Ukrainian intelligence and select Kremlin officials have also reported that Putin is preparing to launch a second wave of reserve mobilization to expand the Russian Armed Forces, and the Russian MoD has been attempting to improve the professionalism of its conventional forces and to test the effectiveness of its chains of command.

Such reforms and appointments mark a significant inflection in the Kremlins efforts to reconstitute its conventional military and a deemphasis of short-term mitigation efforts such as the use of irregular formations on the frontlines, the analysts say.

It is noted that Putins decision to focus and rely on conventional Russian forces is marginalizing the Wagner Group and the siloviki faction that nevertheless continues to contribute to Russian war efforts in Ukraine.

Putin is also attempting to rebuild the Russian MoDs authority and reputation, both of which had been badly damaged by failures in 2022 and heavily attacked by the siloviki faction for many months. Putins turnabout became most evident when he pointedly did not credit Prigozhin or his Wagner forces for the capture of Soledar during a federal TV interview on January 15.

Prigozhin and his allies had been fighting to claim credit for gains around Bakhmut and the capture of Soledar for some time, making Putins decision to walk back Russian MoDs acknowledgment of Wagner a major defeat for Prigozhin, the report reads.

According to analysts, Putin likely turned to Prigozhins irregular forces to get through the period following the Russian conventional militarys culmination after the reckless and costly push to seize Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. Putin had likely allowed Prigozhin to expand his forces with prisoner recruits in an effort to mitigate these personnel shortages and maintain momentum on some select frontlines by unconventional means.

Prigozhin likely imagined that his efforts in Ukraine would continue to lend him military and political power in Russia. Prigozhins command over the Bakhmut direction and proximity to Putin likely gave him a false sense that he could use the victory in Bakhmut against the backdrop of Russian MoDs military failures as a bargaining tool for his own commercial objectives such as the legalization of Wagner mercenary activity in Russia, expanding his political power within the Kremlin, or even displacing the authority of Shoigu, the analysts say.

Prigozhin's recent apparent fall from grace and influence likely reflects the real limitations on his actual power. US and UK intelligence estimated that Prigozhin has approximately 50,000 fighters in Ukraine, of whom 40,000 are convicts and 10,000 contractors. Prigozhin has been relentlessly throwing his fighters into bloody assault operations around Bakhmut at a high cost, while Putin has been conserving and training at least a portion of the men he mobilized into conventional Russian Army units. Wagner Group is also likely relying on the Russian MoDs logistical support and maintenance functions for its aviation and heavy military equipment. Wagners forces are suffering from a lack of basic administrative organs and structures that are preventing Wagner from becoming an effective parallel military structure.

At the same time, analysts say, Putin had never fully given in to Prigozhins recommendations or demands throughout this transitional period and had likely always planned to put Prigozhin back into his place once the Russian conventional military improved enough to bear the burden of continuing the war. Putin had removed Lapin and appointed Surovikinpossibly on the advice of Prigozhin and his alliesbut he did not grant most of Prigozhins desires.

Putin is now marginalizing and distancing himself from a hard-to-control mercenary group composed predominantly of ill-disciplined convicts commanded in the most brutal manner. Prigozhin will likely continue to criticize the Russian MoD and the Kremlin and may even seek to turn the pro-war nationalist faction against Putin. But Prigozhin was already fueling the most extreme pro-war faction that had already been attacking the Russian MoD with hammer and tongs and had even begun to come after Putin himself. Prigozhins voice will likely carry less weight if Putin continues his marginalization, especially if Putin can convince the pro-war faction that he remains committed to his original notion of victory and intends to pursue it by more conventional means.

The analysts note that the marginalization of people like Prigozhin, who has had men executed with sledgehammers and hands out Wagner sledgehammers as gifts, is a good thing.[35] The return to prominence and influence of more professional military officers such as Gerasimov likely suggests a reduced likelihood that Putin will give in to the crazier demands of the far-right pro-war faction, possibly in turn further reducing the already-low likelihood of irrational Russian escalations.

But the re-emergence of the professional Russian military is also concerning. Prigozhin could never have established a formidable and sustainable national military apparatus. As long as Putin favored Prigozhins and others irregular approaches to continuing the war Putin postponed the day that Russian could re-establish a powerful conventional military. His re-embrace of Gerasimov and regular order has likely put Russia back on course toward rebuilding its military. NATO would do well to take note of this development as a matter of its own future security, beyond anything it might portend for Ukraine, the ISW say.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have a common vision of measures for the country's defense, the chiefs of both agencies coordinate their actions and jointly plan and implement important operations to eliminate the enemy.

"The rumors about alleged misunderstandings between the chiefs of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine and the SBU are enemy narratives, which are being denied daily by joint operations to neutralize the enemy," the Intelligence Directorate said on the Telegram channel on Monday.

Today, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov and SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk held a joint working meeting.

"The Ukrainians will see and the enemies will feel its results soon," it said.

The SBU, in turn, also issued a statement about the joint meeting of the two agency chiefs on its website.

"Its consequences will be the best evidence of effective and well-coordinated communication between the two agencies," the special service said.

"The main thing is that we have a common vision of quite specific steps that are bringing the victory of Ukraine closer. The enemy will feel the consequences of cooperation between the SBU and the Main Intelligence Directorate very soon  the occupiers will be awarded with new surprises," the press service of the SBU quoted Maliuk as saying.
On Monday, Russian occupiers fired at residential buildings and a railway in Vorozhba, Sumy region, from barrel artillery, said head of Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytsky.

"At about 14:00, the army struck from the barrel artillery. Ten shells exploded almost in the center of the city. There was a direct hit in an apartment building. One of the apartments was destroyed to the ground  a Russian shell flew in there. Three more houses have significant damage," Zhyvytsky wrote on Telegram.

He noted that as a result of the explosions, the utility rooms of local residents were destroyed: a summer kitchen, a shed, a bathhouse, a garage.

"The gas pipeline and electric lines were killed by fragments. The premises of the railway and tracks were also damaged. People, fortunately, were not injured," Zhyvytsky summed up.
Court sentences collaborator from Kherson to five years in prison for organization of sham referendum

A court has passed the first judgment on the organization of sham referenda in the south of Ukraine  a member of the so-called election commission in Beryslav district, Kherson region, was sentenced to five years in prison.

"The Security Service collected a full evidence base to prosecute the organizer of the Russian sham referendum in Beryslav district, Kherson region. The perpetrator is a former member of the local 'election commission' created by the aggressor in the temporarily occupied territory," the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Facebook.

The collaborator was detained by the SBU as soon as Beryslav district was liberated from the Russian occupation.

"Taking into account her cooperation with the investigation, the court sentenced her to five years in prison and deprived her of the right to hold positions in state agencies and engage in activities related to the election process for ten years," the SBU said.

According to the investigation, the collaborator is a resident of the town of Novooleksandrivka in Beryslav district, who supported the Russian occupiers from the beginning of their full-scale invasion.

She voluntarily joined the local occupation administration and fulfilled Russia's tasks to organize and hold the illegal referendum in the temporarily occupied part of the south of Ukraine.

"The perpetrator formed the so-called registers of voters in the territory of the district, agitated people to come to the polling stations and vote in favor of the aggressor country. She personally came to private households and demanded that people put a necessary mark in the ballot papers," the special service said.

The court found the woman guilty under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (collaborationism).

The investigation was carried out by employees of the SBU in Kherson region under the procedural guidance of the regional prosecutor's office.
JSC Farmak (Kyiv) will defend the intellectual property rights for Corvalolum in international courts.

The company stated this when commenting on the decision of the Court of Cassation as part of the Supreme Court of January 18 on the cassation appeal of Pharmaceutical Firm Darnitsa, which overturned the decision of the Appeal Chamber of the Ministry of Economic Development to recognize the well-known designation Corvalol Corvalolum for JSC Farmak.

At the same time, Farmak recalls that in June 2022, the Northern Economic Court of Appeal completely denied the claim of Darnitsa Pharmaceutical Firm in this case.

"Today it is too early to put an end to the long-term litigation regarding the well-known designation Corvalol Corvalolum  the longest in the history of Ukrainian legal proceedings. According to Farmak, the decision of the Supreme Court in this case has all the signs of bias and is not based on an objective assessment of all the evidence," the company said in a statement.

Farmak notes that "such a decision should be a signal to both Ukrainian and foreign businesses that judicial reform in Ukraine has not been implemented, and the rule of law does not protect intellectual property. Thus, everyone can be deprived of the right by the decision of the Ukrainian court."

"JSC Farmak will continue to protect its intellectual property rights to the well-known designation Corvalolum Corvalolum using all national and international remedies, including in the European Court of Human Rights," the company stressed.

As reported, the leaders of the domestic pharmaceutical market - Farmak and Darnitsa are litigating for the right to use the trademark Corvalol.

In July 2017, the Appeal Chamber of the Ministry of Economy recognized the Corvalolum Corvalolum trademark owned by Farmak as well-known in Ukraine.
Occupation forces launch four missile, 18 air strikes against territory of Ukraine in past 24 hours  AFU General Staff

The Russian occupation forces launched four missile and 18 air strikes against Ukrainian residential areas in the past 24 hours (two missiles were shot down by the air defense forces), the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said on Facebook in the updates on the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine as of 18:00 on Monday.

The enemy also shelled the territory of Ukraine 24 times using multiple launch rocket systems.

Dozens of settlements came under enemy fire in Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions in the past 24 hours.

"The threat of Russian air and missile strikes remains all over Ukraine," the General Staff said.
Occupation forces on offensive in Bakhmut, Avdiyivka directions, all enemy attacks repelled in Kupiansk direction  AFU General Staff

The Russian occupation forces continue offensive in Bakhmut and Avdiyivka directions to seize the entire territory of Donetsk region regardless of numerous casualties on its side.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said on Facebook that the enemy also conducted offensive in Kupiansk direction, but failed, all enemy attacks were repelled.

"In Lyman, Novopavlivske, Zaporizhia, and Kherson directions, the invaders are defending. In Volyn, Polissia, Siversky, and Slobozhansky directions, the situation did not change significantly, no offensive enemy groups were detected," it said.
Everyone can become big business by working with Ukraine  Zelensky in address to meeting of National Association of State Chambers

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his address to the participants of the meeting of the National Association of State Chambers called on American businesses for cooperation to restore Ukraine.

The head of state said that ten months after the beginning of the war Ukrainian, thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and partners' assistance, particularly that of the United States, see how to win the war unleashed by Russia.

"Yet to win, we must engage all our resolve and our strength. [] And  when we'll be able to end this war by throwing out the occupiers  in the same manner together we'll be able to start the difficult work of rebuilding Ukraine  our cities, our economy, our infrastructure," Zelensky said.

This will be the largest economic project of our time in Europe, he emphasized.

"It is obvious that American business can become the locomotive that will once again push forward global economic growth," Zelensky said.

According to the president, Ukraine has already managed to attract attention and have cooperation with such giants of the international financial and investment world as Black Rock, J.P. Morgan, and Goldman Sachs.

"Such American brands as Starlink or Westinghouse have already become part of our, Ukrainian, way. Your brilliant defense systems  such as HIMARS or Bradleys  are already uniting our history of freedom with your enterprises. We are waiting for Patriots. We are looking closely at Abrams. Thousands of such examples are possible! And everyone can become a big business by working with Ukraine," he said.

"In all sectors  from weapons and defense to construction, from communications to agriculture, from transport to IT, from banks to medicine. I believe that freedom must always win. And, I invite you to work with us right now," Zelensky said.
The High Anti-Corruption Court has refused the prosecutor to choose a measure of restraint in the form of detention with an alternative of a UAH 365 million bail for former head of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy Andriy Kobolev.

The court made the decision on Monday evening.

"The application for the election of a measure of restraint in the form of detention against the suspect Kobolev should be dismissed ... The decision can be appealed at the Appeal Chamber of High Anti-Corruption Court within five days from the date of announcement," the judge announced.

As reported, the prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine last week notified ex-head of Naftogaz Andriy Kobolev of suspicion of abusing his official position while misappropriating UAH 229 million.
On Tuesday, January 24, at 14.00, the press centre of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a roundtable discussion titled "Roll-call of survivors in agricultural sector: how to work in 2023" about the problems of the industry, provoked and exacerbated by the full-scale Russian invasion. Participants include Serhiy Kasianov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KSG Agro Agricultural Holding; General Director of A.G.R. Group Ihor Shestopalov; trader in grain and oil crops of Prometey Group Volodymyr Bondaruk and Director General of Rostok-Holding group Dmytro Kupavtsev (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
On Saturday, January 21, several hundred activists marched through the streets of Dusseldorf, calling on the German government to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks.

The Union of Activists, "People's Democracy Front "Ukraine" (FND "Ukraine"), organized a demonstration and marched in the German city of Dusseldorf on the occasion of the Day of Unity of Ukraine. The event was held to thank the entire civilized world for its solidarity and support, as well as to remind us that Ukraine's struggle against the aggressor continues.

The day before the rally, the results of the Ramstein 8 meeting were announced, whereas politicians did not agree on the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Therefore, not only unity but also the provision of weapons to Ukraine, in particular Leopard 2 battle tanks, became a cornerstone theme in the slogans that were heard, as well as in the speeches of German politicians and Ukrainian activists during the event.

The only way to stop modern Russia, which understands only the language of force, is through the victory of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield in Ukraine, according to the organizers from the Ukraine Foundation. Delaying the supply of weapons to Ukraine means endangering the population of not only one European country - Ukraine - but the whole of Europe.

One of the speakers, Rolf Fliss, a Green Party member of the city council and mayor of Essen, emphasized the importance of confronting Russia not only through democratic means but also by supplying weapons to Ukraine.

"Ukrainians are fighting not only for their freedom but for the freedom of the whole of Europe and democracy itself. That is why Germany must strengthen Ukraine with weapons, both Cheetah and Marder tanks, as well as Leopard 1 and Leopard 2," he said.

Chairman of the Board of the NGO "We are Europe!", Jens Baganz, called on the German government to provide Ukraine with all the weapons it can. "This should happen now, and these weapons should be enough for Ukraine to win this war," emphasized Mr. Baganz.

The position of the NGO "We are Europe!" is supported not only by speeches but also by actual actions in support of Ukraine. Thus, We are Europe! initiated the preparation of an international petition, "Chancellor Scholz, free the Leopards!" among activists from five European countries, calling for the prompt delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, and submitted it to the Bundestag. It is expected to be published for signature soon.
Egypt's Public Prosecution ordered an autopsy on the body of a 42-year-old bank manager who died on Sunday  nearly six weeks after being attacked by his neighbour's Pit Bull  to determine the direct cause of death.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday urged the West to turn the Black Sea into a "sea of NATO" a year after the sinking of a flagship Russian warship.
South Africa: Learners encouraged to consider TVET colleges

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has encouraged learners to consider Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) as their alternative to university education.

Speaking during the announcement of KwaZulu-Natals matric results held in Durban on Friday, Premier Dube-Ncube noted that one of the reasons why government adopted the three-stream model in the education system was to accommodate some leaners who have skills but may find it hard to be accepted in universities.

We are therefore encouraging leaners to also make use of the opportunity provided by TVET colleges. We have seen in the past few years a trend where industry and business is absorbing more graduates from TVETS as opposed to universities, Dube-Ncube said.

Dube-Ncube commended the provinces Matric Class of 2022 for surpassing all expectations by achieving an 83% pass rate, exceeding the 80% pass rate benchmark set by the province.

Last year, the floods pummelled KwaZulu-Natal causing damage to infrastructure and disrupted education. This resulted in 824 learners in eThekwini being placed among the displaced in 135 mass care centres, and later being moved into Temporary Residential Units (TRUs).

Out of this number, at least 36 were in matric in 2022, and four had special needs. Despite these challenges, our resilience showed up. We ensured that these learners were given a fair chance and were not prejudiced by the impact of the flood disaster, Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier said the 2022 results reflect an improvement in all the districts with Umkhanyakude being the most improved district and no school received a 0% pass rate in the province.

This follows the rollout of the Ten-Point Improvement Plan championed by provincial Education Department.

These objectives were meant to guide all the interventions for the improvement of the performance of the matric class of 2022. The province undertook to improve performance in Mathematics and Physical Science and sought improvement in the total number of distinction passes in 2022 [and] progress was achieved in all these areas.

Attention to special schools has also resulted in significant achievement overall. The province has worked hard to improve education of learners with learning barriers, the Premier said.

She said the Department of Education will come up with a decisive intervention strategy to deal with the situation in the 11 schools that performed below 30%.

We note that they were 22 in 2021 and now have reduced to 11. The Education Department must conduct an evaluation and introduce an academic improvement plan with immediate effect.

The Executive Council will receive the report with school by school analysis and will assist with relevant interventions, Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier also expressed her excitement about the increase in the number of Bachelor passes, as well as an improvement in the pass rate of township and rural schools that achieved 100% pass rate from 145 in 2021 to 212 in 2022.

We are excited about the increase in the number of Bachelor passes from 37% in 2021 to 42.5% in 2022, which marks a 5.4% improvement. The province is also pleased that girl learners performed well.

Girl learners obtained an overall pass percentage of 83.6% while the boy learners obtained 82.3%. We will continue to intervene to ensure that female learners have equal opportunities of success like male learners, Dube-Ncube said.

Embracing the future and 4IR

The Premier also encouraged learners to take advantage of digitisation, robotics and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

She said the provincial government is paying attention to subjects including Coding, Mathematics and Physical Science.

The province also recently launched the Mobile Digital Analytics Skills Laboratory to ensure that young people are exposed to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We have taken a decision as the Provincial Government that we must assess the viability of schools with a low enrolment rate.

Our view is that some of them could be converted into Vocational Skills Centers to address among others the shortage of technical skills for the country. These include among others Artisan, Plumbers, Electricians, Construction and Carpentry, the Premier said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A record six women directors will compete for the Palme d'Or at Cannes in May, organisers announced Thursday, with the film festival promising a who's who of Hollywood A-listers and award-winning filmmakers.
Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has designated Thursday 26 January a paid day off for the anniversary of the 25 January Revolution as well as Egypt's Police Day.

This marks the twelfth anniversary of the 2011 revolution that ousted late president Hosni Mubarak.

It also marks Police Day which commemorates the massacre of 50 Egyptian policemen by British occupation forces in Ismailia in 1952.

Egypt recently made Thursday an alternative day off for official holidays that fall midweek in order to give citizens a longer weekend.

The decision, which was first introduced on the seventh anniversary of the 30 June revolution in 2020, applies to all national holidays except for Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Christmas.

The day off applies to employees in ministries, government institutions, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies and public business sector companies.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued a decree pardoning some inmates on the occasion of the January 25 Revolution and the national Police Day anniversary.

The decree was published in the official gazette on Wednesday. No further details have been released about the number or identity of the pardoned inmates.

Egypt has released thousands of inmates by presidential pardon in recent years on different national and religious occasions.

Wednesday 25 January marks the twelfth anniversary of the 2011 revolution that ousted late president Hosni Mubarak.

It also marks Police Day, which commemorates resistance by Egyptian police against British occupation forces in Ismailia in 1952.

The presidential pardons on national and religious occasions are separate from the activity of the Presidential Pardon Committee.

Formed in 2016, the Presidential Pardon Committee is mandated to review the cases of those imprisoned for political crimes and others who meet certain conditions, such as families who have more than one relative in jail.

El-Sisi announced the revival of the committee during the annual Egyptian Family Iftar Banquet in April 2022, while also calling for holding a national dialogue between political forces without discrimination or exception.

More than 1,000 pretrial detainees have been released and 12 convicts have been pardoned since the re-activation of the Presidential Pardon Committee.

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The US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Sunday announced the expansion of the University Centers for Career Development (UCCD) to all public universities and other select higher education institutions in Egypt.

In a statement on Sunday, the US embassy in Cairo said the $25 million expansion brings total US investments in the career centres program to $63 million.

The programme is being undertaken in cooperation with the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Those career centres prepare Egyptian youth for  and connect them to  today's job market, providing a vital link between higher education and the private sector in Egypt, the statement added.

The statement noted that the career centre model will expand to 46 centres that will operate at 27 public universities, three technological universities and four not-for-profit universities across Egypt.

Speaking at the ceremony to make the announcement, USAID Deputy Mission Director Margaret Sancho said: "The $63 million University Centres for Career Development program reflects the strength of the US-Egypt partnership in higher education, as well as the US government's commitment to expanding education and career opportunities for all Egyptians due to our belief in the limitless potential of Egyptian youth."

"Through these career centres, the US government has brought the concept of career guidance and counseling to public university scholars and graduates for the first time in Egypt. Since 2017, 22 centres at 15 public universities have opened and served more than 300,000 students, resulting in over 25,000 job and internship opportunities," Sancho added.

The University Centers for Career Development provide students with career mentoring and training in skills such as leadership, problem solving, critical thinking and entrepreneurship.

The centres also track evolving labour market needs to inform university curricula and establish key networks and linkages between Egyptian universities and the private sector.

The United States' support for the University Centres for Career Development is part of the $30 billion in economic assistance the American people have provided to Egypt since 1978, the statement concluded.

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Efforts to eliminate industrially-produced fat have a long way to go with five billion people exposed to toxic fat added to many food products, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Monday.

The United Nations health agency called in 2018 for harmful trans fatty acids to be wiped out by 2023.

They are thought to be responsible for around 500,000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year.

Although 43 countries with combined populations of 2.8 billion people have now implemented best-practice policies, most of the world remains unprotected, it said.

WHO acknowledged in an annual progress report that the goal was still out of sight.

Industrially-produced trans fat is often used in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils and spreads.

Trans fat has no known benefit, and has huge health risks that incur huge costs for health systems, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

By contrast, eliminating trans fat is cost-effective and has enormous benefits for health, he said.

Put simply, trans fat is a toxic chemical that kills, and should have no place in food. Its time to get rid of it once and for all.

The WHO said that nine of the 16 countries with the highest estimated proportion of coronary heart disease deaths caused by trans fat intake were not implementing best-practice policies.

They include Australia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and South Korea.

Dr Francesco Branca, the WHOs nutrition and food safety director, told reporters that trans fat elimination policies were in place in 60 countries, covering 3.4 billion people or 43 per cent of the worlds population.

Of those countries, 43 are implementing best practice standards.

Best practice means either a mandatory national limit of two grams of industrially-produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat in all foods; or a national ban on the production or use of partially-hydrogenated oils, which are a major source of trans fat.

WHO and partners call on countries with a high burden such as Egypt, Iran, Pakistan and South Korea to take urgent action, he said.

There are some regions of the world which do not believe the problem is there, he said, insisting that it is easy for them to take action to prevent these products being dumped onto them.

Dr Tom Frieden, president of the non-profit organisation Resolve to Save Lives, which partnered with the WHO to produce the report, agreed.

Theres simply no excuse for any country not taking action to protect their people from this artificial toxic chemical, said Dr Frieden, a former director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is scheduled to land in New Delhi, India on Tuesday for a three-day visit, where he will take part  for the first time ever  in the South Asian countrys 74th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest, India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

The Egyptian president will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

A military contingent from Egyptian army will also participate in the Republic Day's parade, according to the Indian foreign ministry.

El-Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the presidential residence on Wednesday by Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

The Indian president will also host a state banquet in El-Sisis honour the same day.

El-Sisi is set to hold a bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks with the Indian prime minister on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. A business event with with Indian business community is also set to be held, the Indian ministry pointed out.

The ministry added that both nations "enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilisational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties," which are based on a commitment to foster economic growth and collaborate in the fields of defence and security and a convergence of views on regional and global issues.

The two countries work closely at multilateral and international platforms, it added.

Trade exchange between Egypt and India achieved a record high of $7.26 billion in FY2021/22, with $3.74 billion in Indian exports to Egypt and $3.52 billion imports from Egypt to India.

More than 50 Indian companies have invested around $3.15 billion in diverse sectors of Egyptian economy, including chemicals, energy, textile, garment, agri-business, retail, etc, according to figures released by the Indian government.

On Saturday, Egypt's Ministry of Trade and Industry said the volume of trade exchange of non-petroleum products between Egypt and India hit nearly $4.1 billion dollars during the first 11 months of 2022, including Egyptian exports at $723 million.

India is Egypts third largest export market, sixth largest trading partner and seventh largest importer, according to Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).

El-Sisi's visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt, the Indian statement added.

Egypt and India are celebrating 75 years of of diplomatic relations this year.

Egypt has also been invited as a guest country during Indias year-long presidency of the G20 intergovernmental forum that started in December 2022.

This will be El-Sisis third visit to India. He previously visited India in October 2015 to participate in the third India-Africa Forum Summit and in September 2016 on a state visit.

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A solution for the Libyan crisis must be reached through cooperation from all major parties, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Sunday, also stressing that Egypt is playing an important role in facilitating such cooperation.

Tajani's remarks came during a press conference held in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.

The discussions also tackled the Palestinian cause, irregular migration, the energy file, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, food security and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukranian crisis.

In early January, Egypt facilitated a meeting in Cairo between rival Libyan leaders Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh and Head of Higher Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri

Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the outcomes of the meeting, describing it as an important step towards holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously as soon as possible.

"Egypt will always remain supportive of the choices of the Libyan people and the role of the Libyan institutions in a way that leads to achieving security, stability, and unity in Libya," the foreign ministry said at the time, adding that Egypt will also support Libya in a way that leads to the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan lands.



Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, right, shakes hands with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani after a press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. AP

Shoukry and Tajani's press conference followed President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's meeting with the Italian minister, where El-Sisi stressed Cairo's keenness in promoting ties with Rome in the near future and enhancing coordination regarding regional challenges in the Mediterranean.

Tajani's indicated that his visit is a clear message of strong historical relations between the two countries and the will of the Italian government to push these relations forward in light of "the pivotal role played by Egypt" as a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East and East Mediterranean, a presidential statement said.

Moreover, El-Sisi's meeting with Tajani tackled the issue of the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni  the 28-year-old researcher who was abducted in Cairo in January 2016  and discussed cooperation in reaching the truth and achieving justice, according to the Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

During the press conference, Tajani stated that he asked for more cooperation in Regeni's case, adding that Egypt pledged to eliminate all the difficulties in the file.

Developing relations

El-Sisi affirmed on Sunday that Egypt highly appreciates the deeply rooted ties and fruitful cooperation with Italy, said Rady.

There is mutual desire and interest to develop bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields, Rady confirmed.

"We [Egypt] are keen to strengthen relations with Italy at all levels, and we discussed regional issues and how to benefit jointly from the economic potential, Shoukry said during the press conference held after.

Italy is Egypts first European Union trade and economic partner, declared Shoukry in his conference speech, saying that the trade exchange between the two countries has reached five billion euros, up from three billion euros in 2021, according to previous statements by Egyptian Minister of Industry and Trade Ahmed Samir.

Italy was Egypts third largest export market from January-October 2022, with a market share of 6.6 percent, according to Italys foreign information markets website.

Furthermore, Italian investment in Egypt hit 1.7 billion euros in April 2022 spread over 1,233 projects in the industrial, agricultural, tourism, services, construction, information technology and financial services sectors, according to Samir.

Irregular migration

We are ready to welcome regular migrants from Egypt, said Tajani during the press conference, without disclosing how many visas could be granted.

His remarks came two days after a similar statement during his visit to Tunisia in which he said: "Rome wants to cooperate with Tunis to reduce irregular migration and boost regular migration."

"The big issue on migration is not only the security aspect, it is important to address the issue at its root cause. Together with security measures we must work toward policies that help to counter poverty, terrorism, climate change, and diseases," AFP quoted Tajani as saying on 20 January.

"We are working to offer a quota for the countries if they take back their irregular migrants they can send more regular migrants," the Italian top diplomat said at the time.

Egypt has stepped up its efforts since 2016 to deal with irregular migration, when President El-Sisi launched the countrys first national strategy to combat irregular migration and ratified Law 82/2016 that set out penalties criminalising all forms of migrant smuggling.

El-Sisi affirmed then that Egypt would not be a transit point for illegal migrants seeking to reach Europe.

On 7 January, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Egypt Christian Berger noted that Egyptian-EU cooperation on migration stands at 111 million euros covering 34 projects.

He also lauded the positive implementation of a 2017 agreement, worth 60 million euros, that aimed to improve Egypt's migration management, solve the causes of irregular migration and to support those communities that host migrants and refugees.

Natural gas

Sunday's discussions also tackled cooperation in the energy sector, especially the natural gas file in the context of Egypt's strategic cooperation with Italian energy company Eni, according to the presidential statement.

A week ago, President El-Sisi reviewed with Italian Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi the companys plans for the exploration and production of gas in Egypt amid the countrys plans to become a regional energy hub.

Following his meeting with Descalzi, El-Sisi directed the government to expand exploration and production in coordination with Eni, aiming to leverage Egypts natural resources and to continue the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and the Italian company.

The meeting comes one day after Enis announcement that it had made a significant gas discovery at the Nargis-1 exploration well in the Nargis Offshore Area Concession in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Eni, which has been operating in Egypt since 1954, discovered the Zohr gas field in 2015 that allowed Egyptian self-sufficiency in 2018. They have also been awarded exploration rights in North Rafah, North El-Fayrouz, Northeast El-Arish, Tiba and Bellatrix-Seti East.

Principles of tolerance

Tajani also lauded what he called Egypts efforts under El-Sisi in spreading principles of tolerance and freedom of worship in the context of discussing efforts to combat terrorism and extremist ideology.

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President of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan affirmed in a meeting on Sunday with Egypt's Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sewilam his country's keenness to boost cooperation with Egypt in fields of water and irrigation through the Joint Authority for Nile Water.

Al-Burhan stressed the necessity to continue convening the joint Egyptian-Sudanese Technical Authority for Nile Water and overcome all obstacles facing it to enable it to play its role to achieve the interests of both nations' people.

Sewilam, who arrived in Khartoum on Saturday in his first visit to Sudan since his appointment in August, said Egypt has always been committed to the 1959 Nile water agreement between the two countries as the basis for technical cooperation through the joint authority.

The joint authority resumed its meetings in October after a four-year hiatus.

The body plays a crucial role in exchanging data from measurement stations in Egypt and Sudan in a way that helps the governments of both countries manage Nile water resources effectively.

It also ensures integrated coordination and cooperation in exchanging data and measurements to assist in the hydrological studies of the Nile.

In Sundays meeting, Sewilam stressed the importance of continuing to hold periodic meetings to discuss all technical issues of common interest between the two countries related to the Nile River, according to a statement by the Egyptian irrigation ministry.

Sewilam also noted that Egypt is keen to increase overall cooperation with Sudan, including the facilitation of the movement of people and goods and other strategic projects.

"Egypt has huge interest in implementing strategic projects with Sudan such as power linkage, increasing the capacity of the transport lines and railway connectivity, as well as developing the port of Wadi Halfa," the statement quoted Sweilam as saying.

Egypt and Sudans electricity grids were officially linked in April 2020 at a voltage of 220 KV.

In 2019, a 100 km electricity line between the two countries was completed.

Moreover, preliminary studies on the a new railway line between Egypt to Sudan were completed in February 2022.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with US Central Intelligence Agency director William Burns in Cairo on Monday the ways to boost security and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.



According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi and Burns also exchanged views about the recent developments in several international and regional issues of common interest.

The Egyptian President emphasised the strength of Egypt-US relations and the importance Egypt attaches to strengthening cooperation in different fields, especially at the security and intelligence levels, to support effots aiming to restore stability in the Middle East in light of the challenges it is currently witnessing.

The Egyptian Presidency stated that Burns conveyed to President El-Sisi the greetings of US President Joe Biden. During the meeting, Burns emphasised the importance and strength of Egypt-US relations.



He affirmed that Washington was looking forward to boost cooperation and partnership relations with Egypt as a pillar of security and stability in the Middle East, especially at a time of international and regional instability.

The meeting was attended by Abbas Kamel, the head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service (GIS).

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed in a telephone call on Monday with Senegalese President Macky Sall the preparations for the upcoming annual African Union summit slated for February, the Egyptian Presidency announced.

According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi congratulated his Senegalese counterpart on the 2022 successful presidency of the African Union that saw many international and regional challenges that had significant repercussions on all political, economic and social levels in the continent.



President Sall expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude for the Egyptian support to his country in various aspects during its presidency of the African Union. This support reflected Egypt's keenness to uphold the common interests of African countries and to find solutions to issues and crises facing the continent, he added.

Both presidents also dealt with the latest developments in key files and issues of mutual concern at the regional and international levels.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed that the country will pass through the global economic difficulties, adding that the national projects which the state carried out in the last decade were necessary for economic development and not a luxury.

The president's remarks came during his speech during the celebrations of the 71st Police Day at the Police Academy in New Cairo.

The president stressed that the economic difficulties that the country is facing at the time are the result of the consequences of a global crisis, describing claims that the economic difficulties are the result of domestic policies implemented by the state as "misleading".

"Isn't there a harsh and unprecedented economic crisis in the world?" El-Sisi retorted.

He said that the world's largest and most advanced economies are also suffering in ways not seen since the Great Depression and the two world wars.

The repercussions of the current crisis resulted in what is now known internationally as the global cost of living crisis, he stressed.

The president said that Egypt is already part of the global economy and that it is only logical that it experiences the negative effects of such a global crisis.

The recent developments, including the pandemic and Russian-Ukrainian war, have not occurred in decades. Now they herald "major changes at the international geopolitical and economic levels," El-Sisi explained.

El-Sisi noted that the country is currently working on cushioning the blow of the effects of these global crises.

"My directives to the government were to shoulder as much as possible the bulkiest part of the burdens and costs instead of the citizens and not to burden the citizens," he clarified.

"I know that the effects of the crisis are great and that it causes pain to the people, especially those with low-incomes and the needy, who are engaged in a tremendous daily struggle. We remain supportive of those people in their daily struggle," he added.

The government is working on providing for their families' needs in ways that help them confront hikes in prices. "The state remains steadfast in its commitment to help these people in a way that does not and will not change," he assured.

The reality of the country's economy and the growth rate of its population makes it incumbent on us to take "huge" developmental leaps in a short time, he said, adding "We are in a race against time to overcome the dangers and repercussions of the population explosion."

The president asserted that the major development projects carried out by the state throughout the past years -- such as the New Suez Canal, the new electrical power plants and the nationwide roads -- were not for show, but were rather necessary to establish the investment environment and infrastructure to achieve comprehensive economic development that raises the standard of living of all people.

These national projects were a result of economic necessity and not a luxury or mis-evaluation, the president said.

The president added that each project has its own economic and scientific justifications, not political ones.

El-Sisi said that the problem that faced the country was that it was "forced to do everything at once  we did not have the luxury to give priority to certain projects while postponing others for a later time."

"All files needed efforts and real confrontation  it was not a luxury or misevaluation," he said, adding that expending so much effort in seven years had been a burden on the state.

If these projects had not been implemented for the time being or had been delayed for the coming years, El-Sisi said, their cost would have increased fourfold or fivefold.

Following its development, the Suez Canal currently brings in $8 billion in revenues based on last year's figures, up from its highest ever recorded revenues of $ 4.5 billion, the president explained.

"Was it possible not to develop the canal and not to keep pace with the development in the international trade movement?" said El-Sisi.

The country targets to achieve revenues from its international waterway of up to $10-12 billion annually, he stressed.

As for road and infrastructure projects, El-Sisi said that they were necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and development goals, especially in light of the increase in the country's population by 14 million in the last seven years and by 20 million since 2011.

"No one asks about whether people would have been able to move if the road network had not been developed."

El-Sisi elaborated that a country that has such an important geographic location like Egypt cannot overlook developing its roads and ports, highlighting that 17-18 percent of international trade passes through its ports.

In developing its energy sector, Egypt did not aim to establish new power stations as much as renew the existing energy grid and establish a new network as the country seeks to become a regional hub for energy.

El-Sisi said that to reach such a goal the energy networks should be on par with developed networks in Europe. "Hence, upgrading these networks was not done for show but was a matter of sheer necessity."

"It is impossible to embark on the path of modern industrialisation and massive export without having the necessary elements to achieve this, including cities, roads, a transportation network, technology, electricity, water, and sanitation."

"Over the past years, Egypt lacked enough of these elements to achieve the progress and prosperity of the people," he said.

Speaking on the shortage of the US dollars in the economy, El-Sisi said that the dollar gap is not a new issue, but a recurring pattern that results from the country's weak production and export capabilities as well as from its increasing demand for dollar-goods and services.

"Boosting production and export is a pivotal issue for Egypt. We know that and we are sparing no effort as we work to achieve that aim," added El-Sisi.

Police Day in Egypt is celebrated on the 25th of January to commemorate police heroism in the struggle against British occupation on that day in 1952.

The event included a show depicting the sacrifices of the police and the popular resistance in the struggle against occupation.

On the 25 of January in 1952, 56 officers lost their lives and 73 were injured as they refused to surrender the Ismailia Governorate headquarters to occupation forces amid the country's struggle for independence.

The president honoured spouses and sons and daughters of some of those martyred or took part in the Battle of Ismailia on that date.







The president honouring Laila Tekla, the spouse of the late Lieutenant-General Abdel-Karim Darwish who was one of the heroes of the Battle of Ismailia





The president honouring Mona Zulfokkar, the daugher of late actor Salah Zulfokkar who was among the police officers who fought in the Battle of Ismailia

Minister of Interior Mahmoud Tawfik, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly as well as top police and state officials attended the event.

The event included a showing of a documentary titled "Every Day a New Challenge" on the efforts of the police forces in combatting terrorism and confronting crime to safeguard the public.

The president also ratified the promotion of police officers who fought in the war against terrorism.

In remarks, the president said "We should not forget the the sacrifices of martyrs and injured in the confrontation against terrorism."

"We do not want to forget the situation we were in for years. If those [terrorists] were able to overcome us they would have slaughtered us."

"We have been able to eliminate terrorism by a close to 100 percent," he added.

In a speech at the event, Minister Tawfik stressed that the police has been combatting crime through preemptive strikes.

The minister then gifted the president a memorabilia in commemoration of Police Day.





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Sami Sharaf, the longtime head of the presidential information office at the time of President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, passed away on Monday in Cairo at the age of 93.

According to journalist and MP Mostafa Bakry, Sharaf was being treated for an undisclosed illness for several months at Wadi El-Nil hospital.

Al-Ahram Arabic News website reported that his funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at Abu Al-Makarem Al-Zaghl Mosque in Cairo.

Born in 1929 in Cairo, Sami Sharaf's father, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz Sharaf, was a surgeon and medical inspector from Beni Suef governorate.

Sharaf graduated from the Military Academy in Egypt in 1949 where one of his teachers was the then officer Gamal Abdel-Nasser.

Following the 23 July Revolution, Sharaf, who was a military intelligence officer, joined the first generation of officers who founded the General Intelligence Service before joining President Nassers office in 1955.

Nasser entrusted Sharaf with establishing and heading the secretarial office for information at the Egyptian Presidency.

In April 1970, Sami Sharaf was appointed as state minister for presidential affairs.

Following the death of President Nasser in September 1970, Sharaf asked President Anwar Sadat to retire. Sadat, however, refused and instructed him to remain in his position.

In May 1971, Sami Sharaf resigned two days before being arrested and charged with planning a coup to overthrow President Sadat. He was sentenced to life but his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment.

He was, however, released in May 1981.

Since his release, Sharaf focused on documenting the Nasserite era and wrote several books, including his book Years and Days with Gamal Abdel-Nasser published in 6 volumes.

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The German government will not object if Poland decides to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, Germany's top diplomat said Sunday, indicating movement on supplying weapons that Kyiv has described as essential to its ability to fend off an intensified Russian offensive.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told French TV channel LCI that Poland has not formally asked for Berlin's approval to share some of its German-made Leopards but added "if we were asked, we would not stand in the way.''

German officials "know how important these tanks are" and "this is why we are discussing this now with our partners,'' Baerbock said in interview clips posted by LCI.

Ukraine's supporters pledged billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine during a meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday. International defense leaders discussed Ukraine's urgent request for the Leopard 2 tanks, and the failure to work out an agreement overshadowed the new commitments.

Germany is one of the main donors of weapons to Ukraine, and it ordered a review of its Leopard 2 stocks in preparation for a possible green light. Nonetheless, the government in Berlin has shown caution at each step of increasing its military aid to Ukraine, a hesitancy seen as rooted in its history and political culture.

Germany's tentativeness has drawn criticism, particularly from Poland and the Baltic states, countries on NATO's eastern flank that feel especially threatened by Russia's renewed aggression.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that if the fellow NATO and European Unio member did not consent to transferring Leopard tanks to Ukraine, his country was prepared to build a "smaller coalition'' of countries that would send theirs anyway.

"Almost a year had passed since the outbreak of war,'' Morawiecki said in an interview with Polish state news agency PAP published 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?''

Previously, some officials in Poland indicated that Finland and Denmark also were ready to send Leopards to Ukraine.

Earlier Sunday, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, said governments that give more powerful weapons to Ukraine risked causing a "global tragedy that would destroy their countries.''

"Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe,'' Volodin said. "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.''

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, said Sunday that he had asked his defense minister to "work on'' the idea of sending some of France's Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine.

Macron spoke during a news conference in Paris with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as France and Germany commemorated the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty. In a joint declaration, the two countries committed to their "unwavering support'' for Ukraine.

France will make its tank decision based on three criteria, Macron said: that sharing the equipment does not lead to an escalation of the conflict, that it would provide efficient and workable help when training time is taken into account, and that it wouldn't weaken France's own military.

Scholz did not respond when asked about the Leopard 2 tanks Sunday, but stressed that his country already has made sizable military contributions to Ukraine.

"The U.S. 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 coordinated all these decisions closely with our important allies and friends.''

In Washington, two leading lawmakers urged the U.S. 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 tanks.

"If we announced we were giving an Abrams tank, just one, that would unleash'' the flow of tanks from Germany, Rep. 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.''

Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat who is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also spoke up for the U.S. sending Abrams.

"If it requires our sending some Abrams tanks in order to unlock getting the Leopard tanks from Germany, from Poland, from other allies, I would support that,'' Coons said.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said Friday's U.S.-led meeting at the air base in Germany "left no doubt that our enemies will try to exhaust or better destroy us,'' adding that "they have enough weapons'' to achieve the purpose.

Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned that "in case of a protracted conflict,'' Russia could seek to form a military alliance with "the nations that are fed up with the Americans and a pack of their castrated dogs."

Ukraine has argued it needs more weapons as it anticipates Russia's forces launching a new offensive in the spring.

Oleksii Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's Security and Defense 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.

In a column published by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda. he described the Kremlin's goal in the conflict as a "total and absolute genocide, a total war of destruction"

Among those calling for more arms for Ukraine was the former British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Sunday. Johnson, who was pictured in the Kyiv region town of Borodyanka, said he traveled to Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"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,'' Johnson said in a statement.

The last week was especially tragic for Ukraine even by the standards of a brutal war that has gone on for nearly a year, killing tens of thousands of people, uprooting millions more and creating vast destruction of Ukrainian cities.

A barrage of Russian missiles struck an apartment complex in the southeastern city of Dnipro on Jan. 14, killing at least 45 civilians. On Wednesday, a government helicopter crashed into a building housing a kindergarten in a suburb of Kyiv. Ukraine's interior minister, other officials and a child on the ground were among the 14 people killed.

Zelenskyy vowed Sunday that Ukraine would ultimately prevail in the war.

"We are united because we are strong. We are strong because we are united," the Ukrainian leader said in a video address as he marked Ukraine Unity Day, which commemorates when east and west Ukraine were united in 1919.

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Moscow on Monday downgraded diplomatic relations with Estonia and ordered its ambassador to leave Russia, accusing the Baltic country of "total Russophobia."

This is the first time Russia has expelled an ambassador of an EU country since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine on February 24.

"The Russian side decided to downgrade the diplomatic representative in both countries to charge d'affaires ad interim," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The ambassador of the Estonian Republic will have to leave the Russian Federation on February 7," the ministry said.

The measures come after Estonia drastically reduced staff levels at Russia's embassy in Tallinn, the statement said.

The ambassador, Margus Laidre, was informed of the decision after being summoned to the foreign ministry, it said.

The foreign ministry accused Estonia of "purposefully destroying" relations with Moscow.

"Total Russophobia, the cultivation of hostility towards our country have been elevated by Tallinn to the rank of state policy."

Estonia is a staunch ally of Ukraine, and has called for Western countries to send tanks to Kyiv to counter Moscow's offensive.

The Baltic country was once part of the Soviet Union and has had difficult relations with Russia for years, especially divided over historical memory.

Russia ordered the closure of Tallinn's consulate in its second city of Saint Petersburg in April last year.

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Latvia said Monday it had asked the Russian ambassador to leave the country, just hours after a similar move by fellow Baltic state Estonia.

"The ambassador of Russia shall leave by 24 February 2023," Latvia's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it would also withdraw its ambassador from Moscow.

"The decision has been taken in view of the fact that Russia continues its full-scale military aggression against Ukraine launched on 24 February 2022, as well as in solidarity with Estonia and Lithuania," it added.

Fellow Baltic state Lithuania downgraded its diplomatic relations with Russia in April in response to atrocities discovered in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

Latvia's foreign ministry said it had notified Russia's ambassador of its decision "to lower the level of its diplomatic representation in Russia to that of charge d'affaire."

The decision came hours after Estonia said it would expel the Russian ambassador from Tallinn in retaliation for Moscow's expulsion of the Estonian ambassador.

Tensions between Russia and its European neighbours have spiked since Moscow invaded Ukraine last year.

"We stand by the principle of parity in relations with Russia," the Estonian ministry of foreign affairs tweeted in English, adding that the Russian ambassador would have to depart at the same time as his Estonian counterpart, ordered by Moscow to leave on February 7.

Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Monday it downgraded its diplomatic relations with Estonia, accusing the Baltic country of "total Russophobia."

The measures come after Estonia drastically reduced staff levels at Russia's embassy in Tallinn, Moscow's statement said.

"Russia's steps will not deter us from providing continued support to Ukraine," Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said in a tweet following the tit-for-tat response from Tallinn.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Zambia on the second leg of her African tour, a stop aimed at promoting American investment and ties while she's in a capital city that is visibly dominated by Chinese dollars.

Visitors to Lusaka arriving at the renovated Kenneth Kaunda International Airport see a facility expanded in 2015 with Chinese financing. A ride into the city passes billboards and newly built firms bearing Chinese signage, more evidence of Beijing's influence and increasing competition with the U.S.

But the growth that the country has experienced has come with a heavier debt burden. Zambia became Africa's first pandemic-era sovereign to default when it failed to make a $42.5 million bond payment in November 2020. Negotiations over how to deal with the debt load have been ongoing.

How Zambia's debt is renegotiated with the Chinese will provide a test case for how lenient China will be with other overextended nations that face debt distress.

Debt will be a topic of conversation Monday when Yellen meets with Zambia's president and finance minister to push for the Chinese to continue negotiations. She will also tour pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities benefiting from American investment to showcase what she sees as a model of success.

"Many African countries are now plagued by piling, unsustainable debt. And that's undeniably a problem. And much of it is related to Chinese investments in Africa,'' Yellen said Saturday in an interview with The Associated Press in Senegal, the first leg of her African trip.

Still, Yellen insists her trip is not about competition with China.

"We want to deepen our engagement,'' she said "We see a rapidly growing young population that needs opportunities and economic growth.''

"We have many government programs and international programs that are oriented to help efforts to build infrastructure," she said. "And when we do that, we want to make sure that we don't create the same problems that Chinese investment has sometimes created here.''

Yellen said the U.S. wants to invest in companies with contracts that "have transparency, that we have projects that really bring broad-based benefits to the African people and don't leave a legacy of unsustainable debt."

Experts say a prolonged debt crisis could permanently prevent countries like Zambia from recovering, lead to an entire nation sliding deep into poverty and joblessness, and exclude it from credit to rebuild in the future.

To showcase the U.S. effort, the first stop of Yellen's Zambia visit was to be a tour of Mylan Laboratories, a subsidiary of American pharmaceutical manufacturer Viatris. The lab opened in 2010 with a $10 million investment and manufactures drugs that treat malaria and HIV in the country and region.

She also planned a stop at the Zambia National Public Health Institute, considered a model of its kind.

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Authorities searched for a motive for the gunman who killed 10 people at a Los Angeles-area ballroom dance club during Lunar New Year celebrations, slayings that sent a wave of fear through Asian American communities in the region and cast a shadow over festivities nationwide.

The suspect was found Sunday, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a van in which authorities say he fled after people thwarted his attempt at a second shooting Saturday night.

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.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna identified the man as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran and said no other suspects were at large. Luna said the motive remained unclear for the attack, which wounded 10 people, seven of whom were still hospitalized. Speaking at a Sunday evening news conference, the sheriff said he didn't have their exact ages but that all of the people killed appeared to be over 50.

The suspect was carrying what Luna described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine, and a second handgun was discovered in the van where Tran died.

Monterey Park Police Chief Scott Wiese said Sunday evening that within three minutes of receiving the call, officers arrived at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park. There, they found carnage inside and people trying to flee through all the doors.

``When they came into the parking lot it, was chaos,'' Wiese said.

About 20 to 30 minutes after the first attack, the gunman entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in the nearby city of Alhambra. But people wrested the weapon away from him and witnesses said he fled in a white van, according to Luna.

The van was found in Torrance, another community home to many Asian Americans, about 22 miles (34.5 kilometers) from that second location.

After surrounding the vehicle for hours, law enforcement officials swarmed and entered it. A person's body appeared to be slumped over the wheel and was later removed. Members of a SWAT team looked through the van's contents before walking away.

The sheriff's department earlier released photos of an Asian man believed to be the suspect, apparently taken from a security camera.

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, speaking at Sunday's news conference.

``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?''

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.''

An Associated Press/USA Today database on mass killings in the U.S. shows that 2022 was one of the nation's worst years with 42 such attacks _ the second-highest number since the creation of the tracker in 2006. The database defines a mass killing as four people killed, not including the perpetrator.

President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland were briefed on the situation, aides said. Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden were thinking of those killed and wounded, and he directed federal authorities to support the investigation.

The Star Ballroom Dance Studio's website said it was hosting an event Saturday called ``Star Night'' from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The 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.

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 Lunar 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.

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A massive power breakdown in Pakistan on Monday affected most of the country's more than 220 million people, including in the mega cities of Karachi and Lahore.

Local outages are common across Pakistan, and the national power system is a complex and delicate web where problems can quickly cascade.

The hours-long outage, the second in two years, was caused by a fault in the national grid at around 7:30 am (0230 GMT).

"According to initial reports, the system frequency dropped at the national grid in the morning which led to a massive breakdown," the ministry of energy tweeted.

Repair work was underway, with limited power restored in parts of the capital and the northwestern city of Peshawar.

The port city of Karachi, with a population of more than 15 million, and Lahore, with a population of more than 10 million, remained without power.

"We hardly managed to come to school as there was no electricity at home," said 25-year-old Karachi teacher Vareesha Nadeem.

"Here in classes we are using battery-powered lights but they'll run out soon. Power outages have just become a part of our lives as they happen so often."

A shop owner in the megacity told AFP he feared his entire dairy stock would spoil without refrigeration, and 39-year-old printer Khurrum Khan said orders were piling up because of the blackout.

Unreliable power is "a permanent curse which our governments have failed to overcome," Khan complained.

In the garrison city of Rawalpindi, neighbouring Islamabad, most shops were struggling without power.

Homeware trader Muhammad Iftikhar Sheikh, 71, said he was unable to demonstrate electronic products to browsing customers.

"The customers never buy without testing first," he said. "All of us are sitting idle."

A similar breakdown in January 2021 plunged the entire country into darkness after a fault occurred in southern Pakistan, tripping the national transmission system.

Pakistan has long been hit by energy shortages because of a combination of factors including a poor economy, mismanagement and a lack of storage facilities.

Hospitals are mostly backed up with generators and schools use gas to heat their classrooms.

Load shedding this winter has impacted domestic households and industries including textile manufacturing, one of the largest industries in Pakistan, with some plants temporarily closed.

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When President Barack Obama hosted his US-Africa Summit in August 2014, my roundups in AfricaFocus Bulletin featured critical analysis of the likely outcome and the issues that were likely to be ignored, as well as alternate viewpoints by civil society groups.

I doubt that such detailed critiques of the Biden summit last November are particularly useful. Most AfricaFocus readers will already be very aware of the dubious value of summits that prioritize photo-ops and promises over meetings that have real-world outcomes. In the current political environment in Washington, it is clear that presidential promises are largely worthless. They are most often doomed in advance by the low probability of congressional approval or bureaucratic follow-up.

[For those who want to check it out themselves, I did compile a spreadsheet of some of the coverage of the event.]

Mainstream U.S. priorities are better measured by more substantive indicators, for example, the allocation of attention of mainstream media or of actual money dispersed despite congressional or bureaucratic obstacles.

In coverage by mainstream Western media, white Ukrainian lives in practical terms matter countless times more to U.S. opinion leaders than lives in Africa and the Middle East. And the budgets spent on expanding the already overwhelming U.S. military footprint in every corner of the globe demonstrate that geopolitical rivalries and military contractors trump public goods either domestic or international, much less those most needed by Africans in Africa or in the diaspora.

Even more important than the marginalization of Africa-specific needs is the failure to pay attention to spokespersons from the Global South who have taken the lead in addressing today's global issues. Visionary voices such as that of Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados find little or no echo in the corridors of official Washington.

In AfricaFocus Bulletin over the past three years, I have given primary attention to such global issues and how they are framed, while giving much less coverage to news or analysis of specific African countries. And I have published the Bulletin less frequently and given higher priority to editing and writing for other projects and media outlets.

One reason, of course, is simply age and the fact that I have now been publishing this Bulletin (or one of its predecessors) since 1995. In 2023, I plan to continue to share occasional notes highlighting links that I think might be of interest to subscribers. I expect that most notes will be much shorter than this one, but not as short as social media posts on Twitter or Facebook. And instead of including excerpts, I will link to material made available on Google drive.

For the first quarter of 2023, I will continue sending these out by email using Mailchimp, as well as archiving them on the web. But I will also be exploring a transition to making Substack my primary hub for sharing thoughts or links with AfricaFocus readers. I follow quite a few blogs online, and I find that more and more of the authors I most respect (Cathy Sunshine, for the quality of her writing, and Branko Milanovic, for the range of his insights on global issues) host their blogs there. Tomas Pueyo, another author on Substack, explains why it is more author-friendly than other platforms.

As a sample of one kind of content that I will be sharing, you can find two articles from the January 14 issue of The Continent highlighting the historical significance of the small country of Barbados, to pair with the AfricaFocus from November on the current global leadership of Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

William Minter, Editor, AfricaFocus

P. S. In addition to AfricaFocus, I plan to dedicate much of my time to preparing my research files to contribute to the John Hope Franklin Research Center at Duke University and to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, as well as to ensure that relevant books that I own are digitized to share access with research libraries in Mozambique, Angola, and other countries. My time to do this is free, but I welcome donations (as of now not yet tax-deductible) for other expenses to make that possible. These can be made most conveniently through the AfricaFocus Paypal link or through a Zelle payment to wminter@gmail.com.

AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. For an archive of previous Bulletins, see http://www.africafocus.org,

Current links to books on AfricaFocus go to the non-profit bookshop.org, which supports independent bookshores and also provides commissions to affiliates such as AfricaFocus.

AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. To subscribe to receive future bulletins by email, click here.
The UK on Monday sanctioned five more Iranian officials, including the deputy prosecutor general, over what it said was the "horrific violence" the regime was inflicting on its own people.

"These sanctions, alongside designations by the European Union and the United States, demonstrate the international community's unified condemnation" of Tehran, the government said.

The EU on Monday placed 37 more Iranian officials and entities on an asset-freeze and visa-ban blacklist over Tehran's bloody crackdown on protesters, officials said.

The UK has now imposed 50 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations, including Tehran's prosecutor general last week, and deputy prosecutor general Ahmad Fazelian on Monday.

Iran on January 14 said it had executed British-Iranian dual citizen Alireza Akbari for spying for the UK, prompting widespread Western outrage.

London said Fazelian was responsible "for a judicial system characterised by unfair trials and egregious punishments, including use of the death penalty for political purposes".

"Alireza Akbari tragically became a victim of this brutal system," the British government added.

Other individuals sanctioned Monday include Kiyumars Heidari, commander in chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ground Forces, and Hossein Nejat, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official in charge of security in Tehran.

"Those sanctioned today... are at the heart of the regime's brutal repression of the Iranian people," said UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

"The UK and our partners have sent a clear message through these sanctions that there will be no hiding place for those guilty of the worst human rights violations," he added.

The sanctions impose an asset freeze and UK travel ban on the targeted individuals.

Demonstrations have swept Iran since the September 16 death in custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, 22, after her arrest in Tehran for allegedly failing to adhere to the Islamic republic's strict dress rules.

Iran has arrested at least 14,000 people in the wave of protests, according to the United Nations.

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Egypt has signed a $1.5 billion agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to fund its trading, CNBC Arabia reported, quoting CEO of the ITFC Hani Salem Sonbol.

Sonbol said the agreement includes financing imports of energy products and essential commodities.

In 2022, Egypt signed a similar agreement, also worth $1.5 billion, with the ITFC, which is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The financing cooperation portfolio between Egypt and the corporation totals $14.5 billion so far, Planning Minister Hala Al-Saeed said at a signing ceremony in Cairo, MENA reported.

The package aims to strengthen the country's ability to mitigate Covid-19's economic and social repercussions, as well as the successive developments in the international arena as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, she said.

The minister added that the deal is within the framework of a 2018 agreement between Egypt and the ITFC that was renewed in 2022 for an additional five years, with an amendment to the credit limit of the agreement from $3 billion to $6 billion.

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On Saturday, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli toured a number of national projects  both completed and under construction  in North Sinai. Madbouli was accompanied by seven ministers and the governor of North Sinai.

In a press conference following the tour, Madbouli hailed President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis wise decision to conduct anti-terrorism campaigns in tandem with development schemes.

In recent years we have been fighting terrorism and also implementing major national projects, said Madbouli. He pointed out that if the two processes had not gone hand in hand, and development projects had been put on hold, the cost of those already completed would have multiplied.

In February 2018, Al-Sisi announced that the government had earmarked LE275 billion to secure the future of Sinai. Three years later, Madbouli said projects to develop and populate the peninsula have cost [the state] LE700 billion so far and are central to Egypts national security objectives.

Madbouli inspected projects in Rafah, Sheikh Zuweid and in Arish, the governorates capital and largest city. He visited the port of Arish, which before being developed covered just 50 feddans. It has now been turned into an international port covering 540 feddans, with new 13-metre-deep docks.

This port, which was once used for fishing and exporting salt, today is an important facility for the export of all goods produced in North Sinai, said Madbouli.

He inspected Arish Hospital to follow up on the developments of new buildings which will raise the level of services so they match those citizens receive in other parts of Egypt.

Madbouli also inspected housing projects in Arish as well as the main power station in Al-Masaid neighbourhood and a sea water desalination plant, both of which are in their trial phase.

Madbouli said the power station, which is responsible for generating electricity not only for the city of Arish but for other regions in the governorate, has an initial operating capacity of 350 megawatts, and will eventually produce 700 megawatts. The seawater desalination plant will have a capacity of 300,000 m3/day when fully completed, benefiting 1.5 million citizens. Currently, it has a capacity of 100,000 m3/day, sufficient for the residents of North Sinai governorate.

The prime minister also toured the University of Arish, which includes 11 faculties and serves 7,300 students from the governorate, and the newly renovated Court of First Instance.

During the press conference the prime minister said he had visited the new city of Rafah during his trip. When completed, the new city will comprise more than 10,000 housing units and 400 Bedouin houses, and offer all the services expected in a modern city.

In Sheikh Zuweid, Madbouli visited the electricity transformation project.

[Our] presence today in the governorate, the volume of works and projects implemented in it, and the ability to move safely through its roads and squares, would not have been achieved without the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs from the Armed Forces, police, and civilians, said Madbouli.

Terrorist attacks in North Sinai have declined following a series of security and military operations. Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018 succeeded in almost completely eradicating terrorism from North Sinai as well as the Nile Delta and desert areas.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The MENA Coalition for HPV Elimination hosted a webinar on Wednesday, gathering stakeholders, experts and media, including Ahram Online, to highlight Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is commemorated around the world each year in January.

This year, the WHOs office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO) marked the month by launching on 11 January their strategy for eliminating the disease in the region.

According to the WHO, cervical cancer is distinguished from other cancers because it is caused an an infectious agent, and therefore is totally preventable.

Cervical cancer is the first cancer that global community has ever attempted to eliminate, an effort which will require a massive effort.

The webinar, which gathered experts, academics and media from several countries in the region, was coordinated by Dr Ibtihal Fadhil, chair at Eastern Mediterranean Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (NCD) and former regional adviser to WHO EMRO.

The webinar aimed to highlight successful efforts and pinpoint challenges that could hinder achieving the goals of the strategy.

Kicking off the event, Dr Mohamed Afifi, regional advisor for womens health at WHO EMRO, explained that the WHO aims to eliminate this cancer globally by 2120.

To do so, the WHO has introduced a 90-70-90 bundle of goals to be met by 2030. The bundle calls for countries to vaccinate 90 percent of girls by age 15 against the human papillomavirus (HPV), provide 70 percent screening coverage for women by ages 35 and 45 and provide 90 percent treatment for cervical pre-cancer and management for women with cancer.

The panel highlighted the following strategic actions in the WHO EMROs recently launched strategy:

First, strengthen primary prevention by accelerating HPV vaccine introduction and improving coverage.

Second, improve cervical screening and pre-cancer treatment.

Third, reduce the burden of suffering caused by cervical cancer by improving the availability of early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care services.

Fourth, strengthen health systems to ensure integrated, efficient and equitable delivery of high-quality services across the vaccination, screening and treatment pillars and appropriate and effective monitoring and evaluation systems.

Fifth, improve communication, advocacy and social mobilisation to counter vaccine hesitancy, increase awareness of prevention and treatment and improve acceptability of diagnosis.

Challenges facing the implementation of the strategies were also highlighted during the webinar, using the case studies of Lebanon and Morocco, by Dr Faisal ElKak, Faculty of Health Sciences, AUB.

The challenges included the inadequacy of political support, lack of funds and deeply rooted misconceptions.

A notable success story was of UAE, as highlighted by Dr Butheina Bin Belaila, head of NCDs at the countrys health ministry.

Bin Belaila explained how a national screening programme for cervical cancer and vaccination has been in place for years, adding that the country has been quick to adopt the latest means of diagnosis and treatment.

The webinar affirmed the importance of the role of media in highlighting the issue and fighting misconceptions, with a special emphasis on the role of social media and influencers campaigns to reach out to the widest spectrum of the societies.

According to WHO data, cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women in the WHOs Eastern Mediterranean region.

In 2020, an estimated 89,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the region and more than 47,500 women died from this preventable disease.

Almost all cervical cancer cases (99 percent) are linked to infection with high-risk HPV. Although most infections with HPV resolve spontaneously and cause no symptoms, persistent infection can cause cervical cancer in women.

Dubbed the "silent killer', cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women worldwide and is also the second most deadly form of cancer among women worldwide, according to the WHO.

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Despite a slackening of street activity in the face of a brutal crackdown, Iranian protesters are still challenging the Islamic regime four months into their movement, observers say.

There have been fewer daily street protests nationwide since November as the authorities seek to quell the protests with methods including capital punishment, which has already seen four protest-related executions.

But the anger unleashed by the death in mid-September of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for violating the Islamic republic's strict dress rules, has not subsided.

At a time of economic crisis, it still poses a potential threat to the regime.

Meanwhile protests have taken on different forms, notably including strikes.

Mass street actions continue in some regions, and there have been tentative signs of division within the regime.

"With the number of protests diminishing since mid-November 2022, it appears that a stalemate has set in, with neither the regime nor the protesters' side being able to overwhelm the other," said Ali Fathollah-Nejad, Iran expert with the American University of Beirut's Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs.

"Revolutionary processes usually entail phases of both relative calm and uproar.

"Now, with a dramatic loss of the value of the Iranian currency since the turn of year, economy-driven protests could be expected, which as the past shows, could quickly turn political," he told AFP.

The enqelab.info site, which monitors the extent of protest activity, said that while the number of street protests has decreased, the number of strikes and other acts of dissent such as writing slogans or damaging governmental banners has increased.

"The nationwide uprising is alive, though the manner through which people are expressing their dissent has transformed due to the authorities' lethal crackdown during the fall," it said in a statement to AFP.

"Protests not over"

According to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 481 people have been killed in the crackdown and at least 109 people are facing execution in protest-related cases, in addition to the four already put to death.

On Sunday, 30 women political prisoners in Iran, including a Franco-Iranian academic and the daughter of a former president, demanded an end to protester executions.

The demonstrations began as a movement against the obligatory hijab rule for women but rapidly became a challenge to the entire system, calling for an end to the Islamic republic created after the 1979 ousting of the shah.

"Protests have not stopped in the face of the violent crackdown," said Roya Boroumand, co-founder of the US-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center rights group.

"They have certainly subsided... We are also seeing cases of extrajudicial killings and, naturally, citizens are more cautious."

But she said actions were continuing, including regular street protests in the vast and impoverished southeastern region of Sistan-Baluchistan, as well as strikes by oil workers and protests marking death anniversaries of protesters.

One notable example was a protest this month outside the walls of Rajaishar prison in Karaj near Tehran, when rumours emerged that inmates Mohammad Ghobadlou and Mohammad Boroghani were about to be hanged over the protests. Both men are still alive.

"These protests, whether they subside or not in the short term, are not over," said Boroumand.

In the face of the challenge, there has been little sign the leadership under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is ready to offer meaningful concessions -- and it could yet ratchet up the repression further.

"Distrust among insiders"

Khamenei this month named former Tehran police chief Ahmad Reza Radan as commander of the national police force. Radan is a hardline figure seen as having played a key role in the suppression of 2009 protests over disputed elections.

Meanwhile, the crackdown on the protest movement has only increased Iran's isolation from the West, with talks on reviving the 2015 deal on its nuclear programme in deep freeze.

Iran is also furious that the United Nations, at the instigation of Western countries, has launched a fact-finding mission into the crackdown.

Simultaneously, Iran has been increasingly running into the arms of Vladimir Putin's Russia, similarly isolated by the West over its invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv and the West accuse Tehran of supplying Moscow with plentiful cheap drones to use in attacks on Ukrainian territory.

But some analysts detect the very first signs of fissures emerging over how to handle the protests within the regime, which despite all the bloodshed has yet to employ its full arsenal of repression.

In an extraordinary development many observers are still at a loss to fully explain, Iran this month executed former deputy defence minister Alireza Akbari, who had gained British nationality after leaving his post, on charges of spying for the UK.

Cornelius Adebahr, non-resident fellow at Carnegie Europe, said the "unexpected verdict" may point to a "power struggle" within the elite over how to deal with the protests.

Akbari was seen by analysts as close to Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani and other figures who have argued for some moves to address protesters' grievances.

"Although no apparent cracks dividing the establishment could be observed four months into the protests, there are signs of fissures," said Fathollah-Nejad, describing the execution as "another sign that distrust has set in among regime insiders".

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International pianist Richard Clayderman, referred to as 'Prince of Romance,' gave a successful three-hour concert benefiting cancer treatment during the 15th Breast Gynecological and Immunooncology International Cancer Conference (BGICC) on Friday.

In a speech delivered in French, the musician expressed his happiness performing in Egypt, a country that he had already visited  and performed in  on several occasions.

His most recent concert in Cairo was in February 2020 when he performed at the Al-Manara International Convention Centre's stage. He also held an exclusive concert in Egypt in 2016 in celebration of the 40-year anniversary of his unique career.

However, this is the first time Clayderman has performed a charity concert in Cairo.

The pianist also pointed out that when Dr. Hisham El-Ghazali, professor of clinical oncology at Ain Shams University and head of the BGICC, invited him to participate in a charity event for cancer patients, he did not hesitate to agree, highlighting the idea that music gives us strength and patience, especially those fighting disease.

Dr. El-Ghazali stressed that for the conference participants, the presence of the French pianist was an important part of the charity event.

The profits from the conference are dedicated to supporting and enhancing the life of patients suffering from the disease.

The French artist presented 14 musical pieces, most of them being the audience favourites. The repertoire included Sortie Aprils Theme, Titanic, My Toy, and You Raise Me Up. Moreover, he presented a medley on Paris and another one on the best-known music tracks.

The concert was attended by many members of the breast gynecological and immunooncology community, alongside renowned celebrities including actors Hussein Fahmy, Mahmoud Hemida, actresses Boshra and Salwa Mohamed Ali, among others.

The 'Prince of Romance', born Philippe Pages, has had a career spanning 40 years of music.

After studying at the Conservatoire de Paris, his career kicked off in 1976, when record producers Olivier Toussaint and Paul de Senneville selected him to record a gentle piano ballad for de Sennevilles baby daughter.

Ballade Pour Adeline (Ballad for Adeline) went on to sell 22 million copies in 38 countries, earning Clayderman international acclaim.

He has since recorded over 1,300 melodies, and has established a signature style which combines his trademark originals with classics and pop standards. His record sales are over 150 million, with 267 gold and 70 platinum albums.

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Korea, China and Japan share some traditions, but each has also each developed its own distinctive traditions for the Lunar New Year.

People in Korea and China prepare food for an ancestral memorial service, and uniquely in Korea children perform a ceremonial bow to their elders and often get a cash gift in return.

Koreans also celebrate the day by sharing a meal of tteokguk or rice cake soup with their family. Pheasants were once thought best ingredient to make the soup, but since they are hard to get hold of, many had to use chicken instead. These days, poultry has been replaced by beef.

Seasonal customs include making bokjori or rice strainers, or flying a kite, and a board game played by tossing four sticks (yut-nori). Bokjori are believed to bring prosperity while driving away evil spirits if hung at an entrance of the house when the New Year starts.
New Zealand's ruling Labour Party chose former COVID minister Chris Hipkins on Sunday to replace the charismatic Jacinda Ardern as its new leader and become the next prime minister of the country.

Hipkins, 44, was the only nomination for the job and his confirmation at a party meeting Sunday, known as the Labour caucus, was largely a formality. His appointment to the top job followed the surprise resignation Thursday by Ardern, who said she had "no more in the tank" to lead the country.

"This is the biggest privilege and biggest responsibility of my life," Hipkins said at a news conference announcing his appointment. "I am energized and excited by the challenge that lies ahead."

Hipkins immediately acknowledged the leadership of Ardern, who he called one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers and an inspiration to women and girls everywhere. "She gave voice to those often overlooked in times of challenge and purposefully went about doing politics differently," Hipkins said.

But some of the hate Ardern faced during her term is a reminder that "we've got a way to go to ensure women in leadership receive the same respect as their male counterparts," he added.

Known as "Chippy," Hipkins built a reputation for competence in tackling COVID-19 and was a troubleshooter for Ardern when other Cabinet ministers were struggling. First elected to parliament in 2008, he became a household name fronting the government's response to the pandemic. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the COVID response minister at the end of the year.

Hipkins named Carmel Sepuloni as deputy prime minister. She will be New Zealand's first deputy prime minister of Pacific origin. Sepuloni, 46, is of Samoan, Tongan and New Zealand European decent and lives in Auckland. She holds a number of portfolios, including social development and employment and arts, culture and heritage.

Hipkins said the rest of his team would be announced later.
A gunman killed 10 people at a ballroom dance studio amid Lunar New Year celebrations and then may have tried -- but failed -- to target a second dance hall, authorities said Sunday. An urgent search was underway across the Los Angeles area for the suspect.

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. Luna said it's still unclear whether the events are connected. The incident in Alhambra "may be related," Luna said. "We're not quite there yet, but it's definitely on our radar screen."

The suspect in both cases was described as an Asian male. He entered the Alhambra club with a gun, and people wrestled the weapon away from him before he fled, Luna said. Investigators are interested in a white cargo van that was seen in the area, he added. The sheriff declined to say what type of gun was recovered in Alhambra. He said investigators believe the gun used in Monterey Park was not an assault rifle.

The massacre, which sent fear through Monterey Park and Alhambra's large Asian American communities, 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.

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 and had attracted tens of thousands throughout the day. 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.
By Miya Tanaka, KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2023 - 21:38 | World, All

Former chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Philip Davidson said Monday he is standing by his earlier assessments that China may try to attack Taiwan by 2027, with Beijing showing no signs of backing down from its threat of using force against the self-ruled island to achieve reunification.

In an interview in Tokyo, the 62-year-old retired admiral also welcomed Japan's recent decision to acquire long-range strike capabilities and to significantly increase its defense spending despite its long-held pacifism, calling them the "most profound change in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in more than 60 years."

He also indicated his support of Tokyo's plan to procure U.S.-made long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles amid China's growing assertiveness in the region, acknowledging that they are "the quickest way" to bring the so-called counterstrike capabilities that would lead Japan to potentially possess abilities to hit targets inside enemy territory.

Prior to leaving the post of commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in 2021, Davidson caused ripples by testifying before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in March of that year on a timeline for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

"I think the threat is manifest during this decade, in fact, in the next six years," he told the hearing.

Tensions over Taiwan, which China views as its territory, heightened further last year, with Beijing ramping up military activity in response to a visit to the island by Nancy Pelosi, then U.S. House of Representatives speaker -- the third-highest-ranking U.S. official.

Touching on Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech during the twice-a-decade Communist Party congress in October, in which he said China will "never promise to renounce the use of force" over the Taiwan issue, Davidson noted, Xi's statement was "a signal that my assessments in the spring of 2021 hold true to this day."

Recalling his remarks in 2021, Davidson also said "any potential conflict" would include a massive cyberattack, massive missile barrage, a blockade of Taiwan and potential seizure of an outer island, in addition to an all-out assault.

The 2027 calculation came from "the potential then for Xi Jinping to be seeking a fourth term" as the ruling Communist Party chief, Davidson said, an ambition the Chinese leader may be harboring after securing a norm-breaking third five-year term as general secretary in the wake of the party congress in October last year.

Xi has said that resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is a "historic mission" for the party and a "natural requirement" for achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which it aims to complete by 2050.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war. Beijing has since endeavored to bring the island back into its fold.

The United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but has kept up unofficial relations with Taiwan and supplies the island with arms and spare parts to help it maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.

A Taiwan contingency could draw the United States and its close ally Japan into a conflict with China, given the proximity of its southwestern islands, including the Senkakus, a group of East China Sea islets controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing.

Davidson, an advisory committee member of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, a think tank in Washington, said a Taiwan conflict should be deemed a "concern" also for Japan, citing "the range and size" of offensive and defensive operations and the location of the uninhabited Senkaku islets, which are only about 170 kilometers away.

He said Japan's envisioned acquisition of counterstrike capabilities would bring "a great change in the deterrent capability of our two nations here in the Western Pacific."

"You can't win a football game by having defensive prowess only," Davidson said, adding that there is a need to "field something that gives your adversary pause" or "some punishments" beyond dealing with attacks through the existing ballistic missile defense system.

The Japanese government has maintained that having the capability to strike enemy bases is possible under the postwar pacifist Constitution if it can be considered a measure of self-defense. But Japan had opted not to equip its defense forces with the abilities, leaving the role up to the United States.

Davidson said the "deep" coordination between the United States and Japan over ballistic missile defense will help the two countries cooperate in conducting counterattack operations, noting that the key would be the integration of intelligence surveillance from space and air domains with the land, sea or air assets that have the actual fire capabilities.

It will "certainly take some time" until the counterstrike capabilities will become fully operational, but it would also be "dependent on how much urgency our two nations put on it to move forward," he added.

Related coverage:

China likely to possess 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035: Pentagon

Pentagon chief warns China against destabilizing actions on Taiwan

Biden, Xi trade barbs over Taiwan, seek "principles" on competition
New Iraq Convent is a Milestone in Return of Assyrians

A Catholic charity has hailed the re-opening of a convent in a village devastated by extremists as a sign that Christianity can once more flourish in Iraq's Nineveh Plains.

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) helped rebuild the Dominican Sisters' new convent and kindergarten in Batnaya which replaces buildings razed by Daesh (ISIS) during the jihadists' occupation of the village from 2014 to 2016.

ACN (UK) national director Dr Caroline Hull, who visited parts of the Nineveh Plains seized by Daesh, said the new convent was a sign of new life in a town where militants had smashed altars, decapitated statues and daubed anti-Christian messages on church walls.

Dr Hull said: "Visiting Iraq, I saw the suffering of those forced out of their villages by armed extremists -- which is why it is vital that we continue to help those who want to return to their villages to do so."

"Batnaya became a ghost town after Daesh left and some wondered if it would ever thrive again -- but the Sisters' new convent is a sign that Christianity can flourish and have a future in the Nineveh Plains."

Speaking at the consecration of the new convent last month, Chaldean Archbishop Paul Thabet of Alqosh announced it would give life and hope to the local Christian community.

He said: "The presence of the nuns in this village is a sign of encouragement for all the people of the village to return too...

"We Christians in Iraq have a deep wound, this wound must be healed by faith".

He added: "We must have faith to rebuild the village, and you are a sign of that faith."

Appealing for Christians who had left the village to return, Archbishop Thabet said: "Your name and identity are in Batnaya and your roots are in Batnaya, not in the places of emigration."

Around 5,000 -- mostly Chaldean Catholics -- fled the village in 2014. Some went to IDP camps, while others emigrated.

ACN backed projects to help rebuild key buildings in the Christian-majority village, which was on the frontline of fighting between Daesh and coalition forces, included St Kyriakos's Chaldean Catholic Church, which re-opened last Easter.

Widespread booby-trapping and an extensive underground tunnel system created by Daesh delayed the start of reconstruction work in Batnaya.

The Dominican Sisters returned in 2017 and began ministering to the families which had come back to Batnaya. Initially they lived in a house in nearby Telskuf provided to the order by a resident.

Stressing the importance of the Sisters' witness, at the consecration ceremony on 18th December, Archbishop Thabet continued: "Consecration is a call through which God builds up the Kingdom of Heaven.

"Wherever monastics come, they can change the desert into a paradise, and the presence of the nuns and their coming to the stricken and demolished village is a sign of great reconstruction.

"We are not only rebuilding stones, we are restoring humanity."
KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2023 - 17:35 | All, Japan

Members of a group suspected of staging robberies across east Japan are believed to have been involved in similar crimes in two western prefectures as well, investigative sources said Monday.

The group is suspected of carrying out multiple robberies, including some causing death or injury in six prefectures in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, from November, with police investigating possible links between these cases and three others, including one in Hiroshima.

In the city of Hiroshima on Dec. 21 last year, several people forced their way into a home that also served as a shop and restrained the family inside before fleeing with stolen cash, the sources said.

In another similar case in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, five people have been indicted for attempted robbery after a resident of a house had their hands bound on Nov. 7 last year, while a month earlier, a safe was taken from a house in the city of Inagi in Tokyo.

The group is also suspected of being involved in the fatal robbery of 90-year-old Kinuyo Oshio, who was found dead Thursday at her home in the Tokyo suburban city of Komae.

One of the suspects in the December robbery of a residence in Tokyo's Nakano Ward was found to have messages on his phone pertaining to the incident in Komae, the sources said. Police have arrested two in the Nakano case and suspect five others were involved in the crime.

Police said the suspect, Rikuto Nagata, who was sent to prosecutors Sunday, told them the group was "formed to stage the robbery" and that the members were unknown to each other before that.

A man arrested for alleged theft at a jewelry store in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward was described as telling police he was "recruited from the dark web" and that he had committed the act as instructed.

In the Komae case, the sources said security camera footage and other sources showed Oshio went out and returned home at around 11 a.m. on the day of the robbery, and she was possibly attacked within an hour of her return as an autopsy found she died around midday.

The presence of two suspicious rental cars in the area around the scene on Wednesday and Thursday suggests Oshio's assailants observed her movements and that it was a premeditated attack, the sources said.

According to the sources, security camera footage suggests suspects in robberies in Ibaraki and Saitama prefectures this month used the same rental car.

On Jan. 12, men broke into the Saitama home of a woman in her 80s and stole 120,000 yen ($926) in cash and other items. The woman sustained minor facial injuries.

Two days later, several men broke into the homes of elderly couples in the cities of Ryugasaki and Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, taking about 820,000 yen in cash in total and other items.

Police are investigating the incidents' connection to other robberies in the Kanto region, where rental cars were believed to have been used, including the Komae case.
By Midori Kamiwaki, KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2023 - 12:30 | Feature, All, Japan

The central Japan town of Eiheiji, known for its ancient Zen Buddhist temple in Fukui Prefecture, is set to be the first place in the country to adopt a new type of autonomous self-driving vehicle, hoping to pioneer investment in what could become an important future technology.

According to the transport ministry, "level-4" self-driving autonomous vehicles are slated to begin operating in the town from fiscal 2023 starting April, the first time authorities in Japan will give the go-ahead for such a project.

Autonomous vehicles are expected to become an essential means of transportation in regions of the country where public transport is becoming increasingly scarce. The town, which considers itself at the forefront of offering solutions, will aim to identify and solve operational issues for the widespread adoption of driverless technology.

Self-driving automobiles in Japan are categorized from levels 1 to 5 with increasing levels of capability. Since March 2021, Eiheiji has been utilizing level-3 public transportation, meaning the vehicles can drive autonomously in specific areas largely without human assistance, except in emergency situations. Level-4 vehicles, such as those slated to begin operations in April, are fully able to conduct driving tasks without human intervention on designated routes.

The three level-3 self-driving vehicles currently operating in the village transport passengers along a road using electromagnetic induction wires embedded in a 6-kilometer promenade at a speed of 12km per hour. Their routes extend to the front gate of Eiheiji's temple, considered a key feature of the town.

Equipped with cameras and sensors that use artificial intelligence, these level-3 autonomous vehicles can recognize their surroundings. If a person or object is in their path, they slow down or stop and let pedestrians know they are approaching with a verbal warning. When reaching the end of their route, they automatically make a U-turn and come to a halt.

The town responded to a central government initiative encouraging areas of Japan to trial self-driving vehicles in 2016, hoping to use them as a safer means of transporting locals. It was thought they may be useful for elderly residents, who are more likely to get into traffic accidents due to advanced age.

Eiheiji has joined hands with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), a public research organization in Japan.

The town started conducting field tests in 2018. Initially, a human operator drove the vehicles but in March 2021, driverless driving began on a 2-kilometer road separated from normal traffic, achieving Japan's first regular operation of level-3 self-driving vehicles. No accidents have occurred so far and the transport system has gained the trust of locals.

In April, the central government will permit level-4 autonomous driving under certain conditions, such as designated routes and remote monitoring. As the vehicles will operate themselves, the cameras and communication equipment they use need to be further enhanced to ensure their safety.

The government has set a target of launching level-4 automated transit services in more than 40 areas nationwide by fiscal 2025.

Anticipating that other regions will also want to adopt similar transport systems, Eiheiji plans to develop its own self-driving vehicles with an eye to mass production in the future, and compile information on their use so that its model can be adopted elsewhere.

"We will be able to estimate the necessary costs as well," an official in charge said.

There are, however, several issues that will need to be addressed if other towns wish to adopt the technology, according to Machidukuri Zen Connect Inc., a joint public-private venture operating the autonomous driving vehicles.

The town office cannot continue the service if AIST stops covering vehicle maintenance and communication expenses, said Norifumi Hiramoto, from Zen Connect. "Though we want to remain one of the 40 designated areas, it will be difficult without support from the government," he said.

Other challenges lie ahead. To use the town's self-driving vehicles on regular roads, additional technological requirements are needed to respond to the movements of cars and motorcycles.

The vehicles are now operating on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in the current fiscal year. While fares for the level-3 vehicles only cost 100 yen for an adult and 50 yen for a child, so far, users have mainly been tourists. The self-driving vehicles will also not operate during January and February.

"This is an important technology for solving society's problems. We will strive to have its usefulness widely recognized," Shin Kato, senior researcher at AIST, said.

Related coverage:

Japan to continue collecting expressway tolls almost indefinitely

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2023 - 21:54 | All, Japan

The Japanese government on Monday issued an administrative guidance to the Unification Church demanding it comply with the law amid allegations that it has arranged for child adoption between believers' families without authorization.

The religious group, which has been under scrutiny since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot last year by the son of an adherent, says in one of its publications that it is a "beautiful tradition" of the group to give up a child for adoption by childless families.

The adoption mediation law stipulates that permission from a prefectural government is required for the mediation business. If unauthorized mediation recurs, violations of the law are suspected regardless of whether the service is remunerated.

It is the second guidance of the kind made to the group, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, following one in December.

The latest move came after the welfare ministry received responses from the church to its inquiries in November and December amid suspicions of illegality.

"We will continue to investigate in cooperation with relevant authorities," Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters, adding that the collected information has been also provided to investigative authorities.

While issuing the directive, the ministry also told the church that the government has received complaints from adoptees involved in the practice.

The ministry also requested that the contents of books related to the church be revised to make them acceptable, including the statement that "giving up a child for adoption to a family that is not blessed with children is our beautiful tradition."

The ministry noted that such a statement does not match the spirit of the child welfare law, which states that adoption should be considered when it is difficult for the biological parents to raise the child.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2023 - 13:21 | All, World, Japan

Japan on Monday urged Russia to start this year's negotiations on a bilateral safe fishing agreement to prevent the Asian country's vessels from being seized by Moscow's authorities in waters near the disputed islands off Hokkaido.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular news conference that Russia notified Japan that it is unable to provide information on a suitable date for holding annual intergovernmental negotiations over the pact on Thursday. He described Russia's response as "unacceptable."

"We will firmly request Russia engages in intergovernmental talks so that our fishing operations can begin as soon as possible in 2023," said Matsuno, the top government spokesman.

The agreement, which covers waters around the Moscow-controlled, Tokyo-claimed islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan, was concluded in 1998 following a series of incidents involving Japanese fishing vessels being seized and sometimes fired upon by Russian authorities.

The deal is designed to allow Japanese fishermen to catch several marine species such as Atka mackerel and octopus, among others, around the islets called the Southern Kurils in Russia, in exchange for the payment of "cooperation money" to Russian authorities. Catch and operating conditions are determined by annual negotiations.

In June 2022, Russia suspended the pact, citing Japan's freezing of payments for a development project in Sakhalin. The move came amid friction between the two nations after Japan joined U.S.-led sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

But fishing operations were resumed after Japan paid funds for the project to Russia in light of the benefits to Japanese fishermen.

Japan claims the Soviet Union illegally seized the islands soon after Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945, while Moscow argues the act was legitimate.

The dispute over the islets has discouraged the two countries from signing a postwar peace treaty. Moscow has announced it would halt decades-old negotiations over the issue in the wake of Japan's punitive sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.

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KYODO NEWS - Jan 23, 2023 - 15:35 | All, Japan

A former worker at a host club in Tokyo's Kabukicho nightlife district has been arrested on suspicion of coercing a female customer into prostitution so she could pay off her bills, police said Monday.

Takuya Akiba, 27, allegedly forced the woman, who is in her 20s, to work at various brothels in Tokyo as well as Fukushima, Ehime, Kumamoto, Oita and Okinawa prefectures between October 2021 and March 2022, police said.

The suspect demanded around 10 million yen ($77,500) in unpaid dining expenses from the woman, according to the police.

"I wanted to be the No. 1 (host) at my host club, so I forced her into prostitution," the suspect was quoted as telling investigators after his arrest over the weekend.

The woman is believed to have given Akiba money she earned as a prostitute.

Two other individuals, including Naoto Udagawa, 27, have been arrested on suspicion of introducing the woman to brothels at Akiba's request. Ten more people, including brothel managers, have been arrested for allegedly providing places for the woman to engage in prostitution.
Environmental officers disinfect themselves after disinfecting a body at Bwaila hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, Jan. 17, 2023. As of Thursday, Malawi has recorded 27,501 confirmed cholera cases and 899 deaths since the disease broke out in March 2022. (Photo by Roy Nkosi/Xinhua)

BLANTYRE, Malawi, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Malawi has run out of cholera vaccine amid a rise in confirmed cases of the outbreak, the country's Health Ministry disclosed on Thursday.

Ministry of Health spokesperson, Adrian Chikumbe, confirmed this to the local media, saying he has since asked Malawians to adhere to the strict preventive measures for the disease as outlined by the government through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and cholera.

Chikumbe said the ministry is currently engaging the World Health Organization (WHO) for more support, adding that there is no immediate indication that the vaccines will come in anytime soon.

"I can confirm that we have depleted all the cholera vaccine doses that we had. We are now in talks with WHO for another consignment, but looking at the fact that there is only one manufacturer of the vaccine globally, and that we are competing for the same, there is no guarantee that we may get another consignment in a few days," he said.

In November 2022, the WHO through the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision facilitated the procurement of 2.9 million vaccines for the Malawi government with funds from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi).

As of Thursday, Malawi has recorded 27,501 confirmed cholera cases and 899 deaths since the disease broke out in March 2022. 
Performers are seen on stage during a Spring Festival gala in Harare, Zimbabwe, Jan. 20, 2023. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

Zimbabweans and Chinese nationals in the country welcomed the Lunar New Year with a bang Friday night at a gala that brought together diverse cultures to celebrate the most important season on the Chinese calendar.

HARARE, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabweans and Chinese nationals in the country welcomed the Lunar New Year with a bang Friday night at a gala that brought together diverse cultures to celebrate the most important season on the Chinese calendar.

Scores of people from all age groups thronged the Seven Arts Theater in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, to witness mesmerizing performances including music, dance, martial arts, fashion displays, poem recitals, and acrobatics from local and Chinese performers.

Some Zimbabwean performers, including the Confucius Institute musical group, used the opportunity to showcase their Chinese language skills through songs.

Organized by the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the advancement of China-Zimbabwe cultural and socioeconomic development, the event was attended by locals, representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe as well as other Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe.

Cheng Yan, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, wished China and Zimbabwe great success in the Year of the Rabbit.

"I would like to extend the warmest festival greetings and best wishes to the guests and compatriots, and express our sincere congratulations to you all for the longstanding support and contribution to the development of our countries, of the China-Zimbabwe friendship," Cheng said.

In addition, he wished the two countries vitality and prosperity in the coming year.

"I wish our two peoples greater friendship. I wish the friendship between China and Zimbabwe last forever. I wish the cooperation between our two countries a great success," he said. "The friendship between China and Zimbabwe is unbreakable, the cooperation between our two countries is unstoppable and the close bond between our two people is unchangeable."

The Chinese New Year for 2023, which falls on Sunday, Jan. 22, marks the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, a gentle animal that is regarded as one of the luckiest in the Chinese zodiac.

In a speech read on his behalf by Zimbabwe's Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga expressed his congratulations to the Chinese people as they welcome the new year.

"On behalf of the government of Zimbabwe, and (the) people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you warm congratulations on the advent of the Chinese Lunar New Year. We are happy to join you in celebrating the onset of the Year of the Rabbit, which symbolizes longevity, peace and prosperity," Chiwenga said.

Over the years, he said, Zimbabwe has witnessed increased growth of investments by the Chinese government and Chinese companies.

"The Chinese government and business community have transferred technical expertise and created employment opportunities for tens of thousands of our people," Chiwenga said, acknowledging the role that Chinese companies are playing in boosting production in the economy and transforming the livelihoods of locals. 
Police officers work on the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. Ten people were killed and at least 10 wounded in a mass shooting in Monterey Park in Southern California on Saturday night, said local police. (Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed and at least 10 wounded in a mass shooting in Monterey Park in Southern California on Saturday night, said local police.

The shooter used a fire arm at a dance studio, Captain Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told press.

The suspect still remains at large, he said, adding that the wounded had been transported to several local hospitals.

An investigation is under way on the motives of the shooter, he said.

The shooter was carrying a long gun and appeared to fire indiscriminately, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing witnesses.

The shooting occurred near the site of a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday for the start of Chinese Lunar New Year festivities, one of the largest events in the region.

The festivities scheduled for Sunday have been cancelled after the shooting, police told press.

Videos on social media showed police and fire units swarming an area on Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park and victims being treated.

Edwin Chen, a local resident who grew up in the area, drove from Woodland Hills to Monterey Park after hearing about the shooting.

He told Xinhua that he was saddened by this tragedy, as the community was celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Monterey Park, a city of 61,000 residents in the San Gabriel Valley, has a majority Asian American population. 

Police officers work on the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. Ten people were killed and at least 10 wounded in a mass shooting in Monterey Park in Southern California on Saturday night, said local police. (Xinhua)

Police officers stand guard on the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. Ten people were killed and at least 10 wounded in a mass shooting in Monterey Park in Southern California on Saturday night, said local police. (Xinhua)

A police officer stands guard on the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. Ten people were killed and at least 10 wounded in a mass shooting in Monterey Park in Southern California on Saturday night, said local police. (Xinhua)
Teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana perform during a gala night to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Accra, Ghana, on Jan. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

The Chinese community in Ghana embraced the Chinese Lunar New Year with a beautiful gala night here late Friday.

ACCRA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese community in Ghana embraced the Chinese Lunar New Year with a beautiful gala night here late Friday.

A display of Chinese folk arts and culture, including various dance forms, put members of the Chinese community who are away from home in a festive mood.

The fireworks provided by a detachment of the Ghanaian military and the colorful decoration of the dais in Chinese traditional red color with paraphernalia to match, as well as the Chinese opera music in the background set the tone for the night.

Students of two Confucius Institutes in Ghana provided well-rehearsed Chinese music with excellent choreography to spice up the night as the audience, numbering some thousands, could not help but cheer in excitement.

The audience was also treated to the well-known dragon dance -- a traditional Chinese dance performed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

A group of Ghanaian dancers held aloft the long red creature, made with rubber and paper, twisting and turning on the dais, which was also arrayed in a beautiful red background, responding to the thumping of the drum in the background.

The audience also included Ghanaian Ambassador to China Winfred Nii Okai Hammond and a number of former Ghanaian envoys to China. The Chinese business community was well-represented in their rank and file and leadership.

Addressing the audience, Hammond said the joyous moment of the Chinese Lunar New Year called for goodwill between Ghana and China, two traditional friends over decades.

"This function and occasion is very important to me, but more importantly, to the friendship between Ghana and China," Hammond said. "I can confidently say that the year 2023, the Year of the Rabbit which I am told is a very wise animal, a smart animal that brings fortune and great success, will bring Ghana and China closer together despite the challenges that we have faced on many fronts." 
Watching fireworks, pasting couplets, making dumplings... Ukrainian student Kashuba Anastasiia is celebrating the Spring Festival in northeast China.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Tourists pose for photos with a rabbit mascot under the Sky Tower to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)

"It is a delight to see people enjoying the wonderful artistic performances, experiencing the rich Chinese culture activities and sharing happiness with families and friends at this beautiful beach, and having a unique Chinese New Year with such Auckland features," said Chinese Consul-General in Auckland Chen Shijie.



AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese New Year carnival was held on Sunday at New Zealand's famous Takapuna Beach in North Shore Auckland, which attracted thousands of tourists and local families to appreciate cultural performances, lion dances, food and music.

The event was welcomed by local businesses, residents and visitors.

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong, Chinese Consul-General in Auckland Chen Shijie, Chairperson of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Toni van Tonder, CEO of Takapuna Beach Business Association Terence Harpur are among the revelers to welcome the New Year of the Rabbit.

Chen said Sunday's celebration had showcased themes of the Happy Chinese New Year events as happiness, reunification and exchange.

"It is a delight to see people enjoying the wonderful artistic performances, experiencing the rich Chinese culture activities and sharing happiness with families and friends at this beautiful beach, and having a unique Chinese New Year with such Auckland features," he said.

Chinese performers pose for photo at Takapuna Beach to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Sun Xueliang/Xinhua)

With the ease of the pandemic and China's optimized COVID-19 response, people exchanges between China and New Zealand have gradually resumed and bilateral cultural exchanges have seen the great potential, said the Chinese consul-general.

"In the past, China and New Zealand have worked out great chapters on cultural exchanges. Looking forward to the future, Chinese culture will become more integrated into New Zealand multi-culture, which will further serve as a bridge for bilateral cooperation," he said.

"We are delighted to have the Happy Chinese New Year celebration in Takapuna Beach," said van Tonder.

The Chinese community has contributed significantly to local cultural prosperity and economic development. Sunday's carnival event attracted many people to the local area, demonstrating the multi-culture in this region. The event also helped the local economy in the post-COVID recovery, said van Tonder.

Mike Dawson, president of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, said in his speech that it was gratifying to see that in keeping with the principle of seeking common ground while setting aside differences and achieving mutual benefits and win-win results, bilateral relations between New Zealand and China made considerable progress.

"New Zealand's dealings with China have become a successful model of win-win cooperation between countries with different social systems, histories, cultures and stages of development," said Dawson.

Tourists watch a lion dance performance under the Sky Tower to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Auckland, New Zealand, Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)

The carnival at the beach continued with performances, songs and dances. Local restaurants, bars and shops have been busy serving crowded customers all day long. Overseas tourist Aaron Zou, who comes from Australia, was eating street food while watching the performances.

"It is a relaxing weekend to appreciate my Chinese heritage here in Auckland. I enjoyed all the beautiful cultural performances and experiences here. It is good for the local economy too," said Zou.

Wang Jianwen, director of the China Cultural Center in Auckland, told Xinhua that the carnival at the famous Takapuna Beach highlighted the characteristics of Chinese traditional culture and its integration into the local New Zealand lifestyle and society.

During the Spring Festival this year, the China Cultural Center in Auckland will co-host or support a series of celebrations in Auckland with the theme of "Happy Chinese New Year", including the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day on Chinese New year's Eve, Takapuna Beach carnival celebration, New Zealand Chinese New Year gala, Auckland Lantern Festival. 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the opening ceremony of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

ISTANBUL, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour.

"This 800,000 daily capacity metro line will allow travel from Kagithane Station to the Istanbul Airport in 24 minutes," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the opening ceremony.

The fully-automated, driverless trains were built by Chinese company CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (CRRC ZELC), which signed a purchase and commissioning contract with Turkiye's Directorate-General of Infrastructure Investments back in January 2020.

The 34-kilometer metro line between the Kagithane Station in central Istanbul and the city's new international airport boasts Turkiye's fastest trains, and the vehicles running the line are China's first 120km/h automated driverless metro project for the overseas market, according to CRRC ZELC.

The contract was for 176 subway cars and required a 60 percent localization rate in Turkiye.

Haluk Oguz, a management specialist at CRRC ZELC's subsidiary in Turkiye, told Xinhua that they have delivered 40 vehicles. "Work on the other 136 is ongoing," he said, adding "they will be manufactured at our factory in Ankara."

Faruk Bostanci, administrative affairs chief at CRRC Turkiye, said that "new additions (to the line), which will be made as manufacturing continues, will increase the train frequency and provide a faster, more convenient transportation network for Istanbul residents."

After trying out the train, Istanbul resident Emirhan Ersoy praised the new vehicles. "Both the heating system and the visual screens are very nice, and the sound system works very well," he said, adding that the high capacity of the cabins was another point of distinction.

The vehicles operate in a 4-car formation with a maximum capacity of 1,100 passengers. The exterior of the trains is decorated with Turkish cultural elements such as tulip motifs.

Yalcin Eyigun, general manager of the Directorate-General of Infrastructure Investments at Turkish Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry, praised the Chinese partner for overcoming all kinds of difficulties during the project despite the COVID-19 pandemic-related setbacks.

Over the past decade, CRRC ZELC has supplied more than 400 metro vehicles to Turkiye, which are now operating in its three largest cities, namely Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

Zhou Qinghe, chairman of the board of the CRRC ZELC, said that his company is willing to strengthen cooperation with Turkiye and write new chapters of "shared growth through discussion and collaboration." 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the opening ceremony of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on Jan. 22, 2023 shows the interior of a station along a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye.

A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

People enter the Kagithane station of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on Jan. 22, 2023 shows the interior of Kagithane Station along a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Journalists work on a train of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Students take a train of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Students get on a train of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on Jan. 22, 2023 shows the interior of a train on a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on Jan. 22, 2023 shows a train of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on Jan. 22, 2023 shows the interior of a train on a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Journalists take selfies on a train of a new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye, Jan. 22, 2023. A new metro line connecting central Istanbul and the city's new international airport officially opened to the public on Sunday, featuring China-made automated driverless trains that could run up to 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Artists perform dragon dance in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Lunar New Year is the most important festival on the Chinese calendar, said Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee, adding that the rabbit is a symbol of great vitality, so the Lunar New Year is seen as heralding a new start and new hope for Hong Kong.

HONG KONG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- In Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, a well-known shrine and tourist attraction in Hong Kong, large crowds came early Sunday morning to pray for blessings.

With the adjustment of the COVID-19 pandemic prevention policy, the streets and lanes of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) during this year's Spring Festival, which falls on Sunday, are filled with a warm and festive atmosphere.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, a large number of people headed to the Wong Tai Sin Temple to take part in a ritual to be the first to offer incense to the temple's deity at the stroke of midnight after a two-year hiatus.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, a large number of people also came to the temple to worship.

Visitors take a selfie in front of an inflatable rabbit doll on Lee Tung Street in Hong Kong, south China, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

A woman with her surname Wong said, "The temple is filled with a festive atmosphere. I am so happy and blessed."

Affected by the pandemic, the scale of the Lunar New Year Fair in Hong Kong was reduced in the past two years or canceled for a lower risk of crowd gathering.

While this year's fairs were held at 15 locations for seven days from Jan. 16, attracting more than 1.14 million visitors, Jan. 21 was the peak, with more than 100,000 visitors rushing to the fair at Victoria Park on a single day.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival 2023 at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po, which is noted for its wishing trees, saw the most bustling day of the year.

As one of the most distinct Chinese New Year festivities in Hong Kong, the well-wishing festival, which runs through Feb. 5 from Sunday, has attracted locals and visitors to Lam Tsuen to take part in the traditional celebration by throwing placards onto the wishing tree and lighting wishing lanterns.

"I hope the Hong Kong economy will be better than last year. I hope Hong Kong will be prosperous and everyone here will be happy," said a Hong Kong resident with the surname of Yeung.

"Look! Red lanterns!" Visitors take a tour on Lee Tung Street in Hong Kong, south China, on Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, attended the well-wishing festival on Sunday, saying that the event is very meaningful, not only because it has a traditional cultural atmosphere, but also a chance for people to get together.

With the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, more mainland tourists came to Hong Kong, adding a lively atmosphere to the Spring Festival.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, delivered a Lunar New Year message on Saturday, wishing all Hong Kong people a happy, healthy and blessed Year of the Rabbit.

Lunar New Year is the most important festival on the Chinese calendar, Lee said, adding that the rabbit is a symbol of great vitality, so the Lunar New Year is seen as heralding a new start and new hope for Hong Kong.

"Our economy will continue to grow and our tourist attractions will be filled with visitors," he said.
TEHRAN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Exchange of messages among different parties to revive a 2015 nuclear deal continues through different channels, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

The absence of formal negotiations on the revival of the deal does not mean an absence of interactions or message exchanges among the parties to the nuclear talks, Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted Nasser Kanaani as saying during a weekly press conference.

The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is interacting with the talks' different sides, including both Iran and the United States, said Kanaani.

The spokesman said Iran is resolving the nuclear issue and seeking the removal of the U.S. sanctions within diplomatic frameworks.

While ruling out the possibility of direct talks between Iranian and U.S. officials, Kanaani said Iran will wait and see what the other sides would do in practice and to what extent they would cooperate constructively.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022. 
In this image from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry, the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile blasts off during a test launch from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia, March 30, 2018.

Washington and Brussels are leading the world to a terrible war, Volodin said.

MOSCOW, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Deliveries of offensive weapons to Ukraine will lead to a "global catastrophe," said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, on Sunday.

"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," Volodin said on Telegram.

Members of the U.S. Congress, the German Bundestag, the National Assembly of France and other European parliaments "must realize their responsibility to humanity," he said.

"With their decisions, Washington and Brussels are leading the world to a terrible war: to a completely different military action from today, when strikes are carried out exclusively on the military and critical infrastructure used by Kiev," Volodin said.

"Given the technological superiority of Russian weapons, foreign politicians making such decisions need to understand that this could end in a global tragedy that will destroy their countries," he said.

On Friday, defense leaders from Western countries attended a meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where they pledged further military support to Ukraine but failed to iron out divisions on sending battle tanks.

At the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged defense leaders attending the meeting to speed up the supply of weapons to Ukraine, the presidential press service reported. 
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks at a press conference in front of the Civic Center in Monterey Park, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2023. The suspect of the California mass shooting on Saturday night was found dead in another city of what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Five women and five men were killed while another 10 people were injured in a mass shooting in the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown, the authorities said Sunday.(Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The suspect of the California mass shooting on Saturday night was found dead in another city of what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Five women and five men were killed while another 10 people were injured in a mass shooting in the city of Monterey Park, 16 km east of Los Angeles downtown, the authorities said Sunday.

The fatal incident occurred at 10:22 p.m. (06:22 GMT) Saturday local time in Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a popular ballroom dance facility operated for about 30 years, when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday evening that the suspect was identified as Huu Can Tran, who entered the party and opened fire before fleeing the scene in a white van.

The vehicle was pulled over in a parking lot Sunday morning and surrounded by policemen from Torrance, located roughly 50 km southwest of Monterey Park after they heard a gunshot from inside the vehicle.

The man inside the van, who was found dead following a three-hour standoff with the Special Weapons and Tactics team, was confirmed as the suspect later, according to Luna.

No motive was disclosed at a Sunday evening news conference.

Monterey Park, a city of 61,000 residents located on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, has a majority Asian American population. Starting Saturday, the city hosted an annual two-day Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, one of the largest events in the region.

Thousands of shoppers took part in Saturday's celebrations which was concluded about one hour before the fatal shooting. The festivities scheduled for Sunday have been canceled. 
A medical worker checks the condition of a patient at the emergency department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A medical worker talks with the relatives of a patient at the emergency department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Medical staff work at the emergency department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Medical staff work at the emergency department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Medical staff check the condition of a patient at the intensive care unit of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A medical worker checks the body temperature of a patient at the emergency department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A doctor talks with a patient at the emergency department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Medical staff transfer a patient at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A medical worker checks the condition of a patient at the emergency department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 21, 2023. Medical staff stick to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
People visit a lantern show held as a part of the Chinese New Year celebration at a shopping mall in South Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, Jan. 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Major cities across Indonesia have been staging a series of traditional events, such as lion dance performances and Chinese zodiac lantern exhibitions, which can be easily found in streets and shopping malls, to attract Chinese tourists.

JAKARTA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- "Sales are already much better compared to last year. I'm so happy and grateful. Hopefully my fortune will keep coming," said Jelita Riyadi, one of shop owners in Glodok, a famous Chinatown in Indonesia's capital city Jakarta.

Over the past days, Riyadi's stall has been frequently visited by people celebrating the Chinese New Year. As a Chinese Indonesian herself, Riyadi is selling red envelopes, new clothes, decorative items as well as handicraft works featuring the image of the rabbit.

In Indonesia, a large population of Chinese Indonesians welcomed the start of Chinese Year of the Rabbit on Sunday.

Riyadi, residing in West Jakarta, recalled her moments of celebrating the Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek, in the past two years when the archipelagic country was still struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"When cases soared, it was very difficult for us to fully celebrate Imlek in accordance with the tradition. My family just stayed in, had a simple dinner on the eve of Imlek and exchanged gifts," she said. "This year we are finally able to celebrate the festival like we did before the pandemic."

People watch a lion dance performance during a cultural event to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

Early this year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo lifted COVID-19 restrictions on community activities, citing that most of the population in the country already have antibodies against the virus. However, the president called on the public to stay vigilant and continue to wear a mask indoors and in a crowd.

Major cities across the archipelago have been staging a series of traditional events, such as lion dance performances and Chinese zodiac lantern exhibitions, which can be easily found in streets and shopping malls.

As the Indonesian government declared the next Monday a mandatory holiday, some people already left the bustling Jakarta for other cities and tourist spots for the Imlek holiday.

People watch a lion dance performance during a cultural event to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has witnessed an influx of air passengers during this festive period. The airport's spokesperson Holik Muardi told local media that the airport recorded around 136,000 passengers on Friday, a 12 percent increase compared to a normal day.

The resort island of Bali, North Sumatra, West Kalimantan and South Sulawesi, according to him, are currently the favorite destinations for domestic and international travelers.

In Labuan Bajo, a town near Komodo National Park where famous Komodo dragons live, hotels set up decorations and special dinner menus for tourists to feel the vibe of the Chinese New Year.

"It's surprising to me that I could eat Chinese food and hear an artist using the local instrument to play Chinese festive songs during New Year's Eve at my hotel. I felt really welcomed here," said Yang Miao, a Chinese tourist from east China's Jiangsu province.

On Sunday morning, Bali received the first direct flight from China since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, signaling the resumption of regular direct flights between Chinese cities and Bali in the near future.

The chartered flight carrying over 200 Chinese tourists landed at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali from China's southern city of Shenzhen.

Tourists walk out of the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dicky Bisinglasi/Xinhua)

Earlier this month, Indonesian Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said that Indonesia was ready to welcome Chinese tourists "with a red carpet".

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded 2.07 million Chinese tourist arrivals in 2019.

The government is expecting at least 253,000 Chinese tourists to visit the country this year, Uno said. 
JERUSALEM, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli doctors staged a 24-hour warning strike on Monday, said the Israeli Medical Association (IMA), which represents most doctors in the country.

The strike, which is attended by doctors from public hospitals and clinics throughout Israel, was announced after the recent incidents of violence by patients and family members against medical staff.

During the strike, only life-saving treatments and surgeries are performed, the IMA noted.

"Violence in the healthcare system has long since become an epidemic, with red lines crossed almost every day," said IMA Chairman Zion Hagai.

Last week, a pediatrician was beaten by a patient's parents at Soroka Hospital in the southern city of Beer Sheva, and a gynecologist was attacked by a patient at a clinic in the central city of Ramla.

The strike started even though the Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov on Sunday called on the doctors to refrain from doing so.

"Violence seriously harms the health system and its employees," Bar Siman Tov wrote in a letter to Hagai, "but the shutdown measures will harm the patients and their daily routine."

Last year, the Israeli government announced the establishment of police points in hospitals and initiated legislation to harden punishment.

However, due to the recent incidents, the doctors are now calling for significantly strengthening security in all health institutions and speeding up legislative procedures.

The IMA warned that if the demands are not met, more severe and prolonged measures will be taken. 
BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A special exhibition of space-related photographs is being held on China's Tiangong space station, orbiting about 400 km above Earth, as a New Year gift for the Spring Festival.

The Shenzhou-15 astronauts Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu showcased 21 photographs of the orbiting Chinese space station captured from Earth, featuring various splendid moments and unique angles.

The photos were among those collected from various sources in a project called "Global Lens on Tiangong" that began in November 2021. The project has attracted widespread attention from professional photographers, astronomy enthusiasts, space professionals and youngsters, producing more than 10,000 photos showing the Chinese space station in action.

The photos displayed in the Tiangong space station were launched together with the Shenzhou-15 mission on Nov. 29 last year.

The Shenzhou-15 mission is aimed at wrapping up the final stage of space station construction and starting the first stage of its application and development. 




FUZHOU, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A spectacular lights and fireworks show celebrating the Spring Festival was held on Saturday night in Fuzhou City, southeast China's Fujian Province. Locals and tourists gathered on the banks of the Minjiang River in a festive mood and enjoyed the show.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Students wearing masks stand in a queue to comply with social distancing at a school in the Namibian coastal town of Walvis Bay on Aug. 4, 2021. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

Nearly 90 percent of Namibia's high school students could not graduate in 2022 due to the loss of face-to-face teaching and learning time at the COVID-19 pandemic's peak.

WINDHOEK, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 is blamed as one of the causes of the poor results of the 2022 senior secondary certificate ordinary level and senior secondary certificate advanced subsidiary in Namibia due to the loss of face-to-face teaching and learning time at the pandemic's peak.

Out of more than 38,000 students who sat for the 2022 high school examinations, just about 5,000 passed.

President Hage Geingob summoned the Education, Arts and Culture Minister Anna Nghipondoka on Jan. 13 to brief him about the poor performance.

The Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary level is a two-year course taken by students after the junior secondary phase is completed, and the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary is a one-year course a student takes after completing the senior secondary advanced certificate ordinary level.

A report from the State House dated Jan. 19 said COVID-19 was another significant challenge to the country in general and the education sector in particular. It noted that although Namibia did not close schools altogether, compared to other jurisdictions, the poor 2022 results are partly attributed to the significant loss of face-to-face teaching and learning time at the pandemic's peak.

A student wearing a mask has her hands sanitized at a school in Windhoek, capital of Namibia, on Jan. 26, 2021. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

According to the report, out of 198 school days planned for face-to-face tuition, the number of days the learners attended school did not present adequate time to master all academic competencies required to enable them to progress successfully to the next grades.

Other notable challenges are the poor state of education infrastructure, the shortage of classrooms and teaching and learning resources, as well as the absence of systematic support at the school level for both teachers and learners. Also noted is the declining discipline among learners and teachers alike and weak monitoring and evaluation at all levels of basic education.

The presidency called for the construction of additional classrooms and the rehabilitation of dilapidated education infrastructure. It also called for targeted funding for the procurement of temporary structures to ensure every learner and teacher has a classroom for teaching and learning.

"Teachers must be offered adequate support through continuous professional development and other means," the report further said. 




WELLINGTON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A multicultural gala celebrating the Chinese New Year was held at the National Museum of New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

Performers from about 20 different ethnic groups presented traditional music and dancing with ethnic characteristics.

At the event, officials from both China and New Zealand presented their new year wishes to the audience.

The gala was co-hosted by the China Cultural Center in Wellington and the Multicultural Council of Wellington, supported by the city council.

Established in 2010, the event has become popular in New Zealand as a platform to showcase Chinese culture and boost cultural exchanges.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Tourists walk out of the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dicky Bisinglasi/Xinhua)

Local traditional songs and dances welcomed Chinese tourists, and one of them was presented with a flower garland by Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster.

JAKARTA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's famed resort island of Bali on Sunday welcomed back the first batch of Chinese tourists by charter flight after the Chinese government optimized its COVID-19 rules.

The flight carrying a total of 210 Chinese tourists from China's southern metropolis Shenzhen touched down at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali at 10:40 local time on Sunday.

Local traditional songs and dances welcomed Chinese tourists, and one of them was presented with a flower garland by the governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster.

Children interact with a lion dance performer at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia on Jan. 22, 2023. (Photo by Dicky Bisinglasi/Xinhua)

"I'm convinced Bali tourism will thrive again with the advent of these Chinese tourists. China has been the largest source of tourists to Bali for many years, and the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali reached as high as 1.4 million," said Koster.

Zhu Xinglong, Chinese Consul General in Denpasar Bali who attended the ceremony, appreciated the thoughtful arrangements made by Indonesia government to welcome Chinese tourists to Bali, saying that Indonesia is one of the first pilot countries for China to resume the business of Chinese citizens traveling abroad, which demonstrates that the Indonesian government's hospitality for the Chinese tourists.

Zhu said that China's Consulate General in Denpasar will strengthen tourism cooperation with relevant Indonesian departments, and promote personnel exchanges and people-to-people bonds between the two countries.
ANKARA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday warned Sweden that it should not expect Turkiye's backing to join the NATO following the burning of the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

"Those who allow such disgraceful acts in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm can't expect good news from us on NATO membership," Erdogan said at a press conference after the cabinet meeting.

No individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims or other religions, he added.

Saturday's burning of a copy of the Quran by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, came at a time when Sweden, along with Finland, was seeking Turkiye's backing to join NATO.

The bid has been blocked by the Turkish government, which accuses Sweden and Finland of supporting anti-Turkiye groups.

The Nordic states have pledged to support Turkiye's fight against terrorism and agreed to address Ankara's pending deportation or extradition requests for "terror" suspects. But the Turkish parliament has not ratified their membership yet. 
BEIRUT, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The judge investigating the Beirut port blast resumed his work on Monday after a 13-month suspension under political pressure, the National News Agency reported.

Upon returning to the office, Judge Tarek Bitar ordered the release of five detained suspects and announced his plan to press charges against others.

The investigation into the Beirut port blast was suspended in December, 2021 after a series of complaints were filed against Bitar, forcing him to halt his probe.

Primary investigations into the blast revealed that the ammonium nitrate stored since 2014 in a warehouse at Port of Beirut caused explosions. 
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Africa will host the naval forces from China and Russia during the multilateral maritime exercise scheduled to take place next month in Durban and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the country's Ministry of Defense and Military Veterans.

Known as Exercise Mosi II, the multilateral maritime exercise will take place from Feb. 17 to 27, and more than 350 South African soldiers will join their Chinese and Russian counterparts in the exercise, the ministry said in a statement released Sunday.

"The envisaged exercise will benefit all countries involved through Interoperability of the naval systems, joint disaster systems management enhancement, maritime cooperation and anti-piracy exercises," Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Thandi Modise said in the statement.

South Africa conducted the first exercise with naval forces from China and Russia in November 2019 in Cape Town. 
LUSAKA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday held talks with visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on wide-ranging issues, including the debt restructuring process.

During the talks held at State House, the Zambian president said the country was eager to have the debt restructuring process concluded during the first quarter of 2023.

"As Zambia, we have a timeframe and that timeframe is to conclude these things by the first quarter of 2023. It will help a lot to open up areas that are causing negative sentiments, that we are not concluding debt restructuring," he said, in remarks with reporters present at an open meeting, followed by a closed one.

While saying that the failure to conclude the process was causing negative sentiments resulting in investors considering the country as still a high risk for doing business, he pledged that his country would continue doing whatever was necessary to ensure the success of debt restructuring and address issues toward economic reforms, good governance and fighting corruption.

The government wanted to work with the IMF to also close the content of the debt restructuring process under the Group of 20 major economies' Common Framework and ensure that a conclusion was reached, he said, stressing that failure to conclude the debt restructuring will distort the gains made so far in the country's economic transformation agenda and the acceleration of the debt restructuring program will create space to free resources for social sector spending and strengthen the economy.

The Zambian president thanked the IMF chief for the visit, saying the visit underscores the importance that the international lender attaches to the relations with Zambia. He further dispelled reports that the IMF program will hurt the country's economy and worsen people's living standards, saying the IMF program was structured by the Zambian government.

"Zambia is the one which went to IMF with our problems to restructure our economy. Growth had plummeted from six percent to negative growth, and we took a decision to reconstruct the economy," he added.

On her part, the IMF chief commended Zambia on strides made in reforming the country's economy as well as efforts to tackle the country's debt problem.

While acknowledging that reforms could be painful, she noted that the reform results in stronger and more vibrant economies.

She said the IMF was encouraged that the government has made strides toward restoring the economy as well as fiscal and debt sustainability. She further commended the government over its prudent management of resources which were being put to good use by investing in areas such as education and social protection.

According to her, Zambia has immense potential for economic growth, adding that the international lender was keen to continue engaging Zambia to enable accelerated economic growth.

She said the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and COVID-19 have brought lessons that only economies with strong fiscal positions and institutions that provide for transparency and accountability have better opportunities to do better.

The IMF chief and her delegation arrived in Zambia Sunday for a two-day visit to discuss Zambia's progress following the country's qualification for an IMF credit facility.

The IMF Board approved a 1.3-billion-U.S.-dollar new Extended Credit Facility arrangement for Zambia on Aug. 31, 2022. 
COLOMBO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said on Monday that he handed over 3 billion rupees (8.2 million U.S. dollars) earned last year by the Bureau of Foreign Employment to the treasury.

The money will be utilized to fund fuel, medical and other welfare bills, and out of the sum, 100 million rupees (about 275,000 dollars) will be given to the cancer hospital, said the minister.

The Bureau of Foreign Employment makes revenues from registration fees from Sri Lankan foreign workers.

Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted around 3.8 billion dollars in 2022, central bank data revealed. 
NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government mulls over setting up centers of yoga and traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, in hotels run by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) under the federal tourism ministry.

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine originated in India more than 3,000 years ago.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the Ministry of AYUSH and the ITDC. The aim is to work together for the promotion of Medical Value Travel (MVT) in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

The Ministry of AYUSH was set up in 2014. It deals with as many as six systems of medicine prevalent and practiced in India, namely Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.

According to the MoU, the Ministry of AYUSH will provide training to ITDC officials to sensitize them about the medical value travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine. It will identify tourist circuits, where there is immense scope to promote the MVT in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine and provide all the technical knowhow from time to time to the ITDC.

"On the suggestion of the Ministry of AYUSH, the ITDC will include historical heritage sites of Indian systems of medicine in tourist destinations under knowledge tourism, and may develop films/literature useful for tourists. It will explore establishing Ayurveda and yoga centers in hotels run by the ITDC and will organize sensitization workshops in collaboration," said an official statement issued by the ministry.

The MVT has seen significant growth in India in recent years. According to the report "The Global Wellness Economy: Looking beyond COVID" by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the Global Wellness economy will grow at 9.9 percent annually. The AYUSH-based healthcare and wellness economy is estimated to grow to 70 billion U.S. dollars by 2025, the statement said. 
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said here on Monday that the Chinese Lunar New Year has gained great popularity in the kingdom, estimating that up to 80 percent of the population observe it.

In a speech during a graduation ceremony of nearly 6,800 students at the Cambodian University for Specialties, Hun Sen said previously, about 10 percent only of the people in his commune celebrated the festival.

"Now, around 70-80 percent celebrate it," the 70-year-old prime minister said.

Hun Sen said all of his family members, including his wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren, celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The 2023 Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, fell on Sunday.

Sambo Manara, vice president of Pannasastra University of Cambodia, said historic relations have brought about closer bonds of friendship between the peoples of Cambodia and China.

"A large number of Cambodians have Chinese ancestry, and we estimate that about 80 percent of Cambodians living in urban areas and 40 percent in rural areas celebrate the Chinese New Year," he told Xinhua.

Diep Sophal, a history professor at the University of Cambodia, said the Southeast Asian nation usually observes three New Year festivals a year, namely the Universal New Year, the Chinese New Year and the Cambodian New Year.

He said days prior to the festival, Cambodian people with Chinese ancestors always clean and decorate their houses with red color paper-cuts, flowers, red lanterns and Chinese couplets.

The Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in Cambodia, but it is widely celebrated as some schools, private companies and institutions are closed by themselves on the occasion. 
NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and many others taken ill after allegedly consuming toxic liquor in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials said Monday.

The deaths were reported on Sunday night in the Lakari Nabiganj of Siwan district, about 107 km northwest of Patna, the capital city of Bihar.

"Three people were killed after reportedly drinking spurious liquor in Siwan's Lakari Nabiganj," a senior district official Amit Kumar Pandey told media. "Seven people are undergoing treatment."

According to Pandey, the cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem reports are received.

Officials said the victims complained of stomach pain in the night and blurred vision, and their families took them to the Siwan district hospital, where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors.

Reports said since many people were taken ill, the death toll is likely to increase.

Pandey said 10 people have also been detained in connection with the sale of illicit spurious liquor.

Last month, over 90 people were killed and many others hospitalized following the consumption of tainted bootleg liquor in the state. A majority of the deaths were reported from the Saran district, adjacent to Siwan.

The sale and consumption of liquor became prohibited in Bihar state in 2016. The ban was imposed after women's groups campaigned against poor workers squandering their meager earnings on alcohol consumption. Despite the prohibition, deaths due to the consumption of illicit liquor in the state are often reported.

Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap country-made bootleg liquor. 
TALLINN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Estonia has asked the Russian ambassador to leave the country in response to a similar decision announced by the Russian side, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said on Monday.

Reinsalu said that in the principle of parity, Russia's ambassador to Estonia would leave at the same time as his Estonian counterpart, on Feb. 7.

Also on Monday, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said his country recalled its ambassador from Russia and downgraded diplomatic relations with Russia to the level of charge d'affaires as of Feb. 24.

He demanded that Russia do the same.

Rinkevics said Latvia made such move in a show of solidarity with its neighbor Estonia.

On Jan. 11, Estonia asked Russia to reduce the number of diplomats at its embassy in Tallinn to eight by Feb. 1, equivalent to the number of Estonian diplomats in Moscow.

Earlier on Monday, Russia expelled the Estonian ambassador, downgrading the level of diplomatic representation to charge d'affaires. 
MOSCOW, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia has decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with Estonia to the level of charge d'affaires in retaliation of Estonia's move to reduce Russian embassy staff.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Estonian Ambassador to Russia Margus Laidre in protest against actions of Estonia's authorities and ordered him to leave the country by Feb. 7.

"The Estonian leadership has purposefully destroyed the entire range of relations with Russia" by promoting Russophobia and hostility towards Russia, the ministry said in a statement.

In a tit-for-tat move, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted on Monday it will expel the Russian ambassador from its capital Tallinn.

Earlier this month, Estonia asked Russia to reduce staff at its embassy in Tallinn by more than half ahead of Feb. 1. 
by Xinhua Writers Tan Jingjing, Julia Pierrepont III

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Communities in Southern California were shocked and saddened by the mass shooting that killed 10 and wounded 10 in Monterey Park, a city on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, on Saturday night.

A gunman opened fire in Star Ballroom Dance Studio at 10:22 p.m. local time (0622 GMT on Sunday), a popular ballroom dance facility operated for about 30 years, when it was hosting an event to celebrate the countdown to the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Five women and five men were killed, and another 10 people injured in the shooting, local police confirmed.

The wounded were rushed to local hospitals. Seven people remained hospitalized by Sunday night, with at least one person in critical condition, local media reported.

Authorities have not released the names of any of those killed or injured in the mass shooting.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has confirmed that the suspect was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with police in Torrance, California, on Sunday.

Luna identified the suspect as Huu Can Tran, 72.

Local communities have spoken out in support of those affected by the tragedy, and deplored the mass shooting.

"I'm shocked when something like this happens in our local communities, especially a place that we visit often. My heart goes out to the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this egregious act of violence," Evelyn Xu, film producer living in San Marino, mother of two girls, told Xinhua.

Michael Tiberi, a laser physicist who grew up in Monterey Park, was outraged by the deadly attack.

"When I grew up there, this kind of violence was unheard of back then. The neighborhood has evolved a lot over the years, with new Chinese Americans and immigrants joining the community and sharing their beautiful and unique culture and making it a more exciting, diverse and, ironically, safer community we've all been able to enjoy," he told Xinhua.

This act is reprehensible, he said.

Monterey Park is a predominantly Asian community, with 65.6 percent of its 61,096 residents being Asians, according to data released in 2020 on the city's website.

Gun violence in the United States has gone far beyond the threshold of absurdity, Maria Collis, film producer, screenwriter and member of the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence, told Xinhua in an interview.

"Our hearts are not only broken for our friends in Monterey Park and the larger Asian community, but for all of us, who share one humanity. We must keep marching for our lives until everyone, regardless of belief, culture or background, can gather together without fear," Collis told Xinhua.

"Our hearts, minds, and thoughts are with the entire Monterey Park community as it struggles with the terrible tragedy that occurred Saturday evening. This hits particularly close to home not only in proximity, but in our beloved Asian community as Lunar New Year celebrations take place," read a letter from Arcadia Unified School District to its students and families. 
The crimes against Hindu families especially Hindu girl in Pakistan are increasing day by day. In a yet shocking incident, a married Hindu woman was abducted. The incident is reported from a Sindh Province in Pakistan. The Hindu woman was raped after she refused to change her religion and convert to Islam.

As per the information, The Hindu married woman alleged that she was gang-raped by three men for three days before she managed to escape. The victim uploaded a video on social media where she alleged that she was raped in Samrao town in the Umarkot district. As of now a case hasn't been registered. The woman alleged that she was kidnapped Sindh province and was threatened by the kidnappers. When she refused to convert. The police haven't registered a case and both the woman and her mother were sitting outside the police station a Local Hindu Leader claimed.

The victim has even named the accused and said that she was abducted by Ibrahim Mangrio, Punho Mangrio and their accomplice in the video. She alleged that they told her to convert to Islam and threatened her. After being raped for three days, the woman managed to escape the abductors and returned home. There have been frequent reports of abduction and forced conversion of young Hindu women in Sindh.

However this is not the first incident, Earlier in December, Hindu Woman was brutally killed in Sinjhoro town on Wednesday. The woman was beheaded and her breast was chopped off. After this in June, teenage Hindu girl Kareena Kumari told a court here that she was forcibly converted to Islam and married to a Muslim man.

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Decision on delivery of tanks to be made soon  German defense minister 23 January, 11:32 AM Tank Leopard 2 (Photo:propeertys/Twitter)

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said a decision concerning the shipment of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine will be made soon, UK television news channel Sky News reported on Jan. 22.

Pistorius said that a decision will be definitely be made  either positive or negative.

He said the German government had to consider many factors in order not to make a hasty decision.

In particular, the government will think about security issues for the German population, he said.

He also told a German newspaper on Jan. 22 that he is planning to visit Ukraine within the next four weeks.

Video of day

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to provide Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks, making the UK the first Western country to supply the heavy tanks that Kyiv has long been pleading for.

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, some partner countries expressed their readiness to transfer German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but they are waiting for the green light from Germany. On the sidelines of the summit in Ramstein, ministers from 15 countries discussed the transfer of these weapons to Ukraine.

However, Germany has not yet made a decision on this matter. Some media wrote that Berlin would approve the transfer of Leopards to Ukraine if the United States would supply it with its Abrams. But Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and Minister of Defense of Germany denied these reports.

According to the results of the summit in Ramstein on Jan. 20, the meeting participants did not agree on the supply of Leopards to Ukraine.

After that, Poland promised to create a smaller coalition if Germany did not agree to transfer tanks to Ukraine.

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EU approves EUR 500 million in security assistance to Ukraine 23 January, 09:37 PM European Union (Photo:REUTERS/Francois Lenoir)

The EU has allocated EUR 500 million ($543 million) to further military aid to Ukraine, Reuters reported on Jan. 23, citing its sources.

According to the report, the decision was made at the most recent EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. The package includes EUR 45 million ($49 million) for non-lethal equipment for EUs program of training Ukrainian troops.

Notably, Hungary did not veto the aid package, but remains opposed to further sanctions against Russia, especially if they would limit Budapest and Moscows cooperation in nuclear energy.

Video of day

The ministers were also expected to discuss using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraines recovery.

Defense ministers of Ukraines international partners gathered at the U.S. Air Force Ramstein base in Germany on Jan. 20, discussing the ongoing and future efforts to equip Kyivs troops with modern weapons. While the meeting produced commitments to supply Ukraine with artillery systems and infantry fighting vehicles, Berlin refused to greenlight its allies providing Kyiv with German-made Leopard-2 main battle tanks.

Read also: Poland announces new military aid package for Ukraine

At the same time, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said the partners agreed to begin training Ukrainian tank crews in operating Leopards.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier said that Poland, Finland, Spain, and Portugal are willing to send Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine, pending Berlins permission.

Recently-appointed German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius subsequently said the decision on sending Leopards to Ukraine will be made soon.

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Ukraines intelligence says missiles, provocations are main threats to Kyiv from Russia 23 January, 05:04 PM Defense structures in the Kyiv Oblast (Photo:t.me/Pavliuk_KSV)

The Ukrainian capital city Kyiv may see missile strikes and provocations from Russia in the near future rather than another ground offensive from Belarus, Vadym Skibitskyi, Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman said told Latvia-based news outlet Delfi on Jan. 20.

According to the official, there are currently no signs indicating that Russia is preparing another offensive on Kyiv through Belarus.

There is no powerful strike and offensive group there, Skibitskyi said.

The 2nd mechanized division of the 1st Tank Army, which took part in military drills at training grounds in Belarus, is now being redeployed and will advance from the territory of Russia in the Kupyansk area (Kharkiv Oblast). This suggests that there will be a rotation there.

Video of day

He said that Russian would not be able to form a powerful strike group in two months.

At the same time, Ukraine has bolstered its defenses around Kyiv, the official said.

There are two serious issues: the first is the task of missile strikes, there are Iskanders (ballistic missile systems) on the territory of Belarus, and the second is aviation, namely Tu-22 aircraft, which can also launch Kh-22 missiles, Skibitskyi said.

In addition, we dont rule out provocations. But this is not the kind of threat that indicates the preparation of a new offensive on Kyiv.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Valerii Zaluzhnyi in an interview with UK news magazine the Economist in December said that Russia may launch a new major offensive in February 2023. These actions may start from the territory of Belarus in the direction of Kyiv, Zaluzhnyi said.

In turn, the spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine, Andriy Demchenko, reported on Dec. 27 that no offensive groups are forming on the territory of Belarus, and that Ukraine is monitoring the situation.

Later, speaking on Jan. 6, Demchenko said that Ukrainian border guards still hadnt observed any threatening movements by Belarusian military personnel or vehicles.

Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavlyuk, who commands the Kyiv garrison, said on Jan. 5 that any Russian offensive launched from Belarus was doomed to fail, as the Ukrainian military is taking measures to stop them at the border.

Kyiv Oblast is prepared quite strongly for a possible new offensive, Pavlyuk said.

There are several lines (of defenses) around Kyiv with a total length of about 1,000 kilometers, with a strong defense system being created on the basis of fortified positions and long-term defense structures, and it will be impossible for them to get through so easily.

The general emphasized that the entire border with Belarus is now thick with rubble and minefields, and it will take the invaders a lot of effort to get through them.

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Humde Airport in Manang has not seen an aeroplane in years. Photo: Shashwat Pant

On January 8, a Tara Air aircraft landed at Resunga Airport in Gulmi. The excitement in Resunga municipality was such that the city welcomed the flight halting all services. It was clear the residents of Gulmi were excited. But, fear also crept in as they were not sure if the airline would regularly fly to Resunga, one among the many domestic airports in Nepal that exist on the list but do not function actively.

One person who fears for the future of the airport is the CPN-Unified Socialist leader Ram Kumari Jhakri.

To ensure the airport has regular flights, we need aircraft, but our country doesnt have enough of them, says Jhakri.

Her reservations are justified too as many domestic airports in Nepal have opened with the same vigour, but after a few years of operations, they have become a white elephant.

Flights for no passengers

In February 2022, a test flight was conducted at Phalgunanda Airport in Ilam. There was excitement on the faces of the locals who felt they no longer needed to travel to Bhadrapur in Jhapa to fly away. But after a few months, the flights got halted citing a lack of adequate passengers, and it has recently restarted after the local governments agreement to pay for vacant seats.

Ilam is also the home district of Ubaraj Adhikari, the current executive chairman of Nepal Airlines Corporation. Moreover, the airport project went ahead with the force of former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal.

Adhikari has the responsibility and authority to provide regular services to domestic airports not only in Ilam but all over the country. But, many new airports in the country have not even had test flights let alone commercial flights.

Balewa Airport in Baglung was blacktopped in 2017 and saw a few flights. But, the airport has not seen a single flight for quite some time. Manangs Humde Airport is also blacktopped, but the people of Manang rarely see flights.

The former director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, says the operational status of any airport project should be looked at from a long-term perspective.

The issue of whether or not the airport is sustainable is directly connected with whether there are passengers willing to fly there. Weve failed to assess that and continued building domestic airports in Nepal without thinking about how to attract passengers, says Suman.

According to him, unless passengers and airline companies are attracted to the airport, the project will fail and the airport will not be sustainable.

Suman says that the only way airports in remote areas will be sustainable is by enhancing the purchasing power of the people, which will lead to airline companies making a profit on flights to these areas, which is not happening right now.

Weve seen how other domestic airports in Nepal such as those in Bhadrapur, Janakpur, Rajbiraj, Simara and Bhatarpur shut down in the past. But, now, they are back in operation. Why? Because there was demand, says Suman.

Currently, Nepal has 53 airports, but only 33 are in regular operation. Out of the 33, only 10 are sustainable.

An environment that attracts passengers and airlines should be created. When we do that, the remaining airports will also come into operation and become sustainable, says Suman.

One challenge domestic airports in Nepal face is road expansion. Some airports that were doing well are in a state of extinction as people prefer to travel to these destinations by road. Tikapur Airport, Jiri Airport and Humde Airport in Manang are such examples.

Meghauli Airports demise was due to Bharatpur Airport getting a facelift, after which larger aircraft started to fly there. Baglungs Balewa Airport was affected by Pokhara Airport, which is only three hours drive away. Now with Pokhara getting an international airport and the highway from Pokhara to Baglung getting better, it is unlikely that the Balewa Airport will operate again. Jiri Aiport in Dailekh is also unlikely to operate due to the Lukla airport being a better option to go to Everest.

Manangs Humde Airport is another example of the domestic airports in Nepal that have failed to attract flights. Due to the lack of hotel infrastructure, low population and lack of tourism promotion, the airport has not seen a flight in years despite it seeing thousands of trekkers every year.

Airport for politics

Resunga Airport in Gulmi

When Pradeep Kumar Gyawali was the civil aviation minister in 2006, he laid the foundation stones for Gulmi Airport in his home district. Back then, no one cared about the commercial feasibility of the airport.

The state should not always think about profit and loss, Gyawali wrote on social media. When it comes to building roads in remote areas, the government doesnt think about profit and loss, do they?

But when many domestic airports in Nepal are not making enough to manage their operating cost, how practical is it to build new ones knowing they will not be able to host flights in the long run?

Experts say these airports benefit no one but a few politicians who build them to fulfil promises made prior to elections.

A Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) official agrees as he says most projects in Nepal are built out of political pressure without thinking about their commercial success.

If the project goes ahead under political pressure, they only see if the aircraft can take off and land. They dont see if it is commercially viable or not, says the official.

Former tourism minister Prem Ale laid the foundation stone of Majgaun Airport in Mahendranagar. But, this is quite impractical as Dhangadhi already has a functioning airport close to the proposed Majgaun Airport.

The previous government had allocated a budget to conduct a feasibility study for an airport in Dadeldhura, the home district of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

An environmental impact assessment is also being done for an airport near former prime minister KP Sharma Olis ancestors home in Chuhandanda in Tehrathum.

The UML government made a huge effort to build a domestic airport in Kavre. UML leader Gokul Baskota was the one pushing for the airport there. However, there has not been a reliable study on whether or not there is a possibility of operating the airport commercially.

Short runways for big aircraft

Lukla Airport has an incredibly short runway. Photo: Shashwat Pant

There are many reasons why domestic airports in Nepal have failed commercially. One is the lack of small aircraft that can fly to these airports that have small runways. Another is these small aircraft cannot carry enough passengers, which could make the airport sustainable.

Currently, Nepali airline companies are in a race to purchase as many big aircraft as possible as a larger aircraft means cheaper operating costs for the airline company. This means that even though there is a demand to fly to smaller airports, the lack of small aircraft means the companies have not been able to meet the demands.

The NAC, which flew to some domestic airports in Nepals rural area has cut down flights drastically as it only has two small aircraft, which fly to eastern and western Nepal airports once a week.

However, if there are any interruptions, the service will be interrupted for several days. When it comes to the private sector, only the aircraft of Tara, Summit and Sita Air fly to small domestic airports in Nepals remote areas.

These companies also do not have enough aircraft and they mostly push to fly to destinations like Lukla and Simikot where they can charge foreigners a lot of money.

Lack of incentives

A Twin Otter aircraft, currently owned by NAC, is over 40 years old. With the aim of displacing these planes and creating an impressive presence in Nepals domestic flights, the corporation advanced the process of purchasing small aircraft in 2011.

Accordingly, on April 27, 2014, the first MA 60 ship landed in Kathmandu. Out of the total of six aircraft, the last two Chinese aircraft landed in Kathmandu on February 13, 2018. However, these aircraft have not flown for over two years.

The corporation says that it could not fly these planes and asked the government to find an alternative. However, the government did not take ownership of it.

As a result, the two aircraft have become white elephants. On the other hand, the corporations flights to domestic airports in Nepal have become dependent on the 40-year-old aircraft.

On the other hand, private airlines are in profit and could fly to small domestic airports. But, the government of Nepal and CAAN do not offer these companies an attractive incentive package to attract them to these airports.

According to CAAN Director General Pradeep Adhikari, with the aim of providing financial relief to the companies flying to domestic airports in Nepals remote areas, the overtime operating fee charged at such airports has been abolished.

He also says a Remote Area Air Fund is being proposed to cover the operating losses incurred by airline companies.

This story was translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length.
(Recasts with meeting canceled)

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 23 (Reuters) -

Venezuela has decided to call off a previously arranged meeting between President Nicolas Maduro and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday, Lula's press office said.

The Brazilian government had announced earlier in the day the two leaders were set to meet in Buenos Aires this afternoon as they attend a summit of Latin American and Caribbean countries in Buenos Aires.

Later, however, Lula's team released a new update of his agenda saying the meeting would no longer take place as Venezuela canceled it.

Lula, who took office on Jan. 1, asked his foreign relations minister to restore relations with Venezuela. Diplomatic relations between the countries were broken in 2020 by Brazil's former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Steven Grattan)
ReportLinker

Forecasts by Sensor Type (Pressure Sensors, Flow Sensors, Temperature Sensors, Position Sensors, Force Sensors, Speed Sensors, Level Sensors, Optical Sensors, Motion Sensors, Smoke Detection Sensors, Others), by Application (Cabin, Gallery and Cargo, Cockpit Controls, Flight Controls and Actuation, Engine, Turbine and APU, Landing Gear and Brakes), by Aircraft Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, UAVs), by End-use (OEMs, Aftermarket) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Pattern Analysis.

New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Aircraft Sensors Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06383480/?utm_source=GNW





The Aircraft Sensors Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.





Factors Such Increasing New Orders for Commercial Aircrafts, Military Jets and UAVs Are Driving the Market Growth



The increasing number of new orders placed from across the world coupled ageing aircrafts that require refurbishment and replacement of parts is expected to boost the demand for aircrafts sensors. Airbus foresees the demand for 39,000 new passenger and freighter aircraft by 2040 on account of accelerated retirement of older air aircrafts, growing demand for air travel, development of airspaces and fleet from emerging countries. According to Boeing, Middle East airlines will require 2,980 new aircraft valued at US$765bn to serve passengers and trade. More than two-thirds of these deliveries will enable growth, while one-third will replace older aircraft with more fuel-efficient models. The Asia-Pacific region will need over 17,600 new aircraft by 2040. According to Airbus, cargo traffic in Asia-Pacific will also increase at 3.6% per annum, well above the global 3.1% average.





Story continues

System Prone to Cyber Attacks



As the aviation industry is quickly transitioning from conventional aircraft systems to Aviation Cyber-Physical Systems (ACPS) based aircraft their vulnerability to cyber-attacks is growing. The wireless- and resource-constrained nature of sensors and their deployment in harsh or unattended environments increases their susceptibility to several security threats. Sensor-based platforms and applications are vulnerable to cyberattacks, exposing valuable assets to sensor network-based cyber threats. Owing to this the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in July 2019 issued an alert warning small aircraft owners to be vigilant against a vulnerability that could provide attackers an opportunity to easily hack the planes controller area network (CAN) bus and take control of key navigation systems. Modern aircraft make use of a network of electronics to translate signals from various sensors placing the data onto a network that is displayed to the pilot after proper interpretation. The vulnerability was discovered by a cybersecurity researcher at Rapid 7, a cyber security company who demonstrated that a hacker with physical access to the wing of a small aircraft wiring could attach a device to the planes avionics CAN bus to communicate false data to the pilot. Further, in August 2019, the U.S. Air Force and the Defense Digital Service (DDS) contracted an ethical hacker group, which infiltrated the F-15 Eagle fighter jets trusted aircraft information download station (TADS).





What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report?



 How is the aircraft sensors market evolving?



 What is driving and restraining the aircraft sensors market?



 How will each aircraft sensors submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033?



 How will the market shares for each aircraft sensors submarket develop from 2023 to 2033?



 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033?



 Will leading aircraft sensors markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?



 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033?



 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?



 What are the aircraft sensors projects for these leading companies?



 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of aircraft sensors projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?



 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the aircraft sensors market?



 Where is the aircraft sensors market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?



 What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?



 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?





You need to discover how this will impact the aircraft sensors market today, and over the next 10 years:



 Our 327-page report provides 125 tables and 190 charts/graphs exclusively to you.



 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.



 It contains in-depth analysis of global, regional and national sales and growth.



 It highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors.





This report tells you TODAY how the aircraft sensors market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.





Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects



 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.



 You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.



 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising aircraft sensors prices and recent developments.





This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.





Segments Covered in the Report





Sensor Type Outlook



 Pressure Sensors



 Flow sensors



 Temperature sensors



 Position sensors



 Force Sensors



 Speed Sensors



 Level Sensors



 Optical Sensors



 Motion Sensors



 Smoke Detection Sensors



 Others





Aircraft Type



 Fixed Wing



 Rotary Wing



 UAVs





Application



 Cabin, Gallery, and Cargo



 Cockpit Controls



 Flight Controls and Actuation



 Engine, Turbine, and APU



 Landing Gear and Brakes





End-use



 OEM



 Aftermarket





In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for five regional and 17 leading national markets:





North America



 U.S.



 Canada





Europe



 Germany



 UK



 France



 Spain



 Italy



 Russia



 Rest of Europe





Asia Pacific



 China



 Japan



 India



 Australia



 Singapore



 Rest of Asia Pacific





Latin America



 Brazil



 Mexico



 Rest of Latin America Latin America





MEA



 GCC



 South Africa



 Rest of MEA





The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Aircraft sensors Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.





Leading companies and the potential for market growth



 Ametek Inc.



 Curtiss-Wright Corporation



 Eaton Corporation plc



 General Atomics



 General Electric Company



 Honeywell International Inc.



 Hydra-Electric Company



 L3 Harris Technologies, Inc.



 Meggitt PLC



 Safran SA



 TE Connectivity Ltd.



 Thales Group



 The Raytheon Company



 United Electric Controls (UE)



 Woodward, Inc.





Overall world revenue for Aircraft sensors Market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$2,718.0 million in 2023, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.





How will the Aircraft sensors Market, 2023 to 2033 report help you?



In summary, our 320+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for Aircraft sensors Market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for sensor type, application, aircraft type, end-use and company size, each forecast at a global and regional level  discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues.





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for five regional and 17 key national markets  See forecasts for the Aircraft sensors Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, Russia, UK, Italy, China, India, Japan, Australia, South Africa, and GCC and among other prominent economies.





 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 15 of the major companies involved in the Aircraft sensors Market, 2023 to 2033.









Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06383480/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Arras Minerals Corp.

Table 1.

Summary table for holes Bg21009, Bg21010 and Bg22012

Figure 1.

Location of the holes completed to date as part of Arras planned 30,000-metre drill program on the Beskauga Main deposit and wider area. The surface projection of the block model from the current NI-43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate is shown for copper. The inset map in Figure 2 below shows the location of Beskauga Main relative to Beskauga South.

Figure 2.

Location of the holes completed to date at the Beskauga South area, located approximately 3.2 kilometres SSW from the Beskauga Main deposit, and outside of the current NI-43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate. The inset map shows the location of Beskauga South relative to Beskauga Main.

Figure 3.

Cross-section showing hole Bg22012 in relation to several historical holes drilled by Copperbelt.

Figure 4.

Cross-section showing hole Bg22012 in relation to several historical holes drilled by Copperbelt.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arras Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: ARK) (Arras or the Company) is pleased to announce assay results from holes Bg21009, Bg21010 and Bg22012 from the ongoing exploration drill program at the Beskauga copper-gold deposit and surrounding area (Beskauga or the Project).



Highlights:

Hole Bg22012 returned a significant intersection of 365.0 metres (m) of mineralization grading 0.88 % copper-equivalent (CuEq) or 1.06 gram per tonne (g/t) gold-equivalent (AuEq) (0.54 g/t gold (Au), 0.40 % copper (Cu), 2.0 g/t silver (Ag) and 35.3 ppm molybdenum (Mo)) starting at 41.0 m from surface to 406.0 m. Including 29.0 m grading 1.01 % CuEq or 1.22 g/t AuEq (0.60 g/t Au, 0.48 % Cu, 2.1 g/t Ag and 31.8 ppm Mo) from 87.0 m depth down-hole. And Including 64.0 m grading 2.62 % CuEq or 3.17 g/t AuEq (1.82 g/t Au, 1.04 % Cu, 4.6 g/t Ag and 66.5 ppm Mo) from 120.0 m depth down-hole. Including 30.0 m grading 4.00 % CuEq or 4.84 g/t AuEq (2.95 g/t Au, 1.47 % Cu, 6.2 g/t Ag and 63.8 ppm Mo) from 120.0 m depth down-hole.



Holes Bg21009 and Bg21010 tested areas outside of the Beskauga Main deposit. Strong advanced argillic to argillic alteration and local zones of copper-gold mineralization in hole Bg21010 demonstrates the potential for concealed porphyry-style mineralization hosted within the thick volcano-sedimentary package that is separated from Beskauga Main by a prominent regional-scale NW-SE trending fault zone.



Diamond drilling is ongoing at Beskauga (Figure 1) and Beskauga South (Figure 2) with further assay results expected in the coming months.

Tim Barry, CEO of Arras, commenting on these latest results, stated, Drilling at Beskauga continues to deliver near-surface, broad intervals of significant copper-gold mineralization. Hole 22012 also included a high-grade intersection of 64m @ 2.62% Cu Eq at 120m from surface which also included a spectacular zone of 30 meters at 4.00% CuEq. These grades are indicative of high-grade zones found throughout the deposit which we continue to review as we explore for the core of this very extensive system. Mr. Barry went on to add, We continue with one core rig currently drilling on the Beskauga license rotating between areas adjacent to the known deposit and also new targets which have been proved up on the 63 sq km license from geophysics and field programs completed in 2022.

Story continues

A summary of the results announced in this news release is outlined in the table below.

Table 1. Summary table for holes Bg21009, Bg21010 and Bg22012

Image 1



Notes: Copper Equivalent (CuEq) grades reported for the drill holes at Beskauga were calculated using the following formula: CuEq % = Copper (%) + (Gold (g/t) x 0.8264) + (Silver (g/t) x 0.0107) + (Molybdenum (ppm) x 3.3333). Gold Equivalent (AuEq) grades reported for the drill holes at Beskauga were calculated using the following formula: AuEq g/t = Gold (g/t) + (Copper (%) x 1.2100) + (Silver (g/t) x 0.0129) + (Molybdenum (ppm) x 4.0334). Assumptions used for the copper and gold equivalent calculations were metal prices of US$3.00/lb. Copper, US$1,700/oz Gold, US$22/oz Silver, US$10/lb. Molybdenum, and metallurgical recoveries were assumed to be 100%.

Results of Bg21009, Bg21010 and Bg22012:

Bg21009: (see Figure 1) was collared outside of the area covered by the current NI-43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Beskauga. It was designed to test a broad zone of demagnetization, identified in the airborne magnetics, at the southwestern margin of the monzodiorite intrusion (that has been drilled in Arras drill holes Bg21005 and Bg21008; refer to our press releases dated September 14, 2022 and October 19, 2022, respectively). The monzodiorite forms an approximately 400 x 500-meter circular bulls-eye magnetic high surrounded by a >500-meter-wide zone of demagnetization. The intrusion is interpreted to dip steeply to the south.

The zone of demagnetization is also coincident with anomalous copper-gold-bismuth values in KGK (top of bedrock) drill holes. The upper portion of the hole intersected sodic (albite-hematite) altered diorite that has been overprinted by moderate to strong argillic (illite-smectite) alteration. The diorite lacks any significant copper-gold mineralization. The lower portion of the hole intersected the potassic altered monzodiorite intrusion, with a 62.0 m zone of weak mineralization grading 0.29 % CuEq intersected from a depth of 452 m down-hole. Although generally low-grade, occasional high tenor veins do occur, for example, 1 m grading 2.79 % CuEq (2.33 g/t Au, 47.2 g/t Ag, 0.35 % Cu and 26.8 ppm Mo) occur within the monzodiorite. Compared to the diorite that hosts the bulk of the known mineralization at Beskauga, the

monzonite intrusion hosts significantly higher Mo grades, with up to 2,850 ppm in this hole. Alteration in the monzodiorite comprises k-feldspar, secondary (shreddy) biotite, magnetite, Mg-rich chlorite, and epidote, with variable argillic overprint comprising illite and smectite localized near the contact with the diorite, as well as around faults and fractures (confirmed by Arras using TerraSpec SWIR/NIR spectroscopy).

Bg21010: (see Figures 1) was collared in an area immediately north of the current NI-43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Beskauga. The hole was designed to test a thick volcano-sedimentary package, separated from Beskauga Main by a prominent NW-SE orientated fault. The volcano-sediments contain the largest lobe of the Beskauga Main induced polarization (IP) anomaly, which remained un-drill-tested despite its proximity to the known mineralization at Beskauga. The hole was designed to drill through this chargeability high.

The volcano-sedimentary package intersected in this hole comprises mainly of andesite breccias and tuffs of andesitic composition that are iron oxide (hematite) flooded and variably advanced argillic to argillic (kaolinite-dickite-illite-smectite) altered (confirmed by Arras using TerraSpec SWIR/NIR spectroscopy). At depth the alteration transitions into a propylitic assemblage (chlorite-magnetite-epidote) with a weak advanced argillic to argillic overprint persisting throughout. The volcano-sedimentary package has been intruded by several 10 to 25 m wide, copper-gold mineralized dykes of dioritic composition. However, based on their trace element composition the diorite dykes are geochemically distinct from the diorite that hosts the bulk of the mineralization at Beskauga Main. Mineralization is localized within and proximal to these dioritic dykes and comprises of quartz-chalcopyrite  bornite, molybdenite veins in the upper argillic altered part of the hole, transitioning to quartz-pyrite veins deeper in the hole.

Despite only modest zones of mineralization in this hole, the presence of a separate generation of mineralized diorites demonstrates the potential for concealed porphyry-style mineralization hosted within the thick volcano-sedimentary package. This is further supported by KGK (top-of-bedrock) drilling which returned > 1 g/t Au, > 1 % copper and highly anomalous bismuth values in this area. A prominent magnetic high immediately to the NE of hole Bg21010 remains un-drill tested.

Bg22012: (see Figures 1, 3 and 4) was collared 90 metres southwest from Bg21001 (973.2 m of mineralization grading 0.82 % CuEq; for further information see our press release dated January 31, 2022) and 90 metres southeast from hole Bg21004 (1,120.4 m of mineralization grading 0.60 % CuEq; for further information see our press release dated June 22, 2022) and drilled at an angle of 85 degrees towards the northeast to a final depth of 1,091.0 m. The hole was designed to test a prominent NW-SE orientated fault separating the diorites that host Beskauga Main (on the southern side of the fault) from the thick volcano-sedimentary package (on the northern side of the fault). Previous drilling by Arras in Bg21002 has demonstrated that copper-gold mineralization occurs at depth on the northern side of this fault zone.

The hole started in moderately, to very strong, argillic altered diorite. The argillic alteration consists of intense kaolinite-dickite-illite-smectite with local silicification, before transitioning to illite-smectite with depth (confirmed by Arras using TerraSpec SWIR/NIR spectroscopy). Mineralization occurs as a mixture of quartz vein, fracture-controlled zones and hydrothermal breccias of tennantite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite (or hematite after magnetite) with minor molybdenite locally. From 120 metres depth, the hole entered an exceptionally high-grade zone of 64.0 m grading 2.62 % CuEq, including 30.0 m grading 4.00 % CuEq.

From 408 metres the hole entered a series of post-mineral basaltic dykes that have filled the NW-SE orientated fault zone, before re-entering into diorite characterized by variably argillic (illite-smectite) overprinted sodic (albite-hematite) alteration. From a depth of 576.3 m the hole entered the volcano-sediments that comprise primarily of fine-grained, propylitic (chlorite-magnetite-hematite-epidote) altered andesitic tuffs. Generally, the volcano-sediments are poorly mineralized, but several narrow zones of mineralization were intersected. Here mineralization consists of quartz-tourmaline  pyrite-chalcopyrite veins with k-feldspar alteration halos and quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite veins.

Image 2

Figure 1. Location of the holes completed to date as part of Arras planned 30,000-metre drill program on the Beskauga Main deposit and wider area. The surface projection of the block model from the current NI-43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate is shown for copper. The inset map in Figure 2 below shows the location of Beskauga Main relative to Beskauga South.

Image 3

Figure 2. Location of the holes completed to date at the Beskauga South area, located approximately 3.2 kilometres SSW from the Beskauga Main deposit, and outside of the current NI-43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate. The inset map shows the location of Beskauga South relative to Beskauga Main.

Image 4

Figure 3. Cross-section showing hole Bg22012 in relation to several historical holes drilled by Copperbelt. Also shown are grade contours based on the Beskauga block model for copper (only) developed for the purposes of the current Mineral Resource Estimate for Beskauga (for further details, please see Arras press release on June 20, 2022). CuEq grades of key intercepts in Bg22012 and historical holes are shown. The cross-section demonstrates the steep, southwest dipping high-grade copper-gold-silver trend observed through Arras exploration to date. This trend is observed beginning at the paleo-bedrock surface (41 m in depth), to average between 200-300 m wide and to be consistently mineralized down to at least 1000 metres.

Image 5

Figure 4. Cross-section showing hole Bg22012 in relation to several historical holes drilled by Copperbelt. Also shown are grade contours based on the Beskauga block model for gold (only) developed for the purposes of the current Mineral Resource Estimate for Beskauga (for further details, please see Arras press release on June 20, 2022). AuEq grades of key intercepts in Bg22012 and historical holes are shown. The cross-section demonstrates the steep, southwest dipping high-grade copper-gold-silver trend observed through Arras exploration to date. This trend is observed beginning at the paleo-bedrock surface (41 m in depth), to average between 200-300 m wide and to be consistently mineralized down to at least 1000 metres.

Drill Program: In October 2021, Arras announced the start of the initial phase of a permitted 30,000-metre diamond drill program targeting the extensions of the Beskauga deposit both laterally and at depth (Figures 1 and 2). The drill program is being conducted under the Option to Purchase Agreement (Option Agreement) executed on January 26, 2021, with Copperbelt AG (Copperbelt), a private mineral exploration company registered in Zug, Switzerland.

In addition to testing the extents of the Beskauga deposit, the drill program is also targeting a series of previously undrilled targets in the wider area. These wider targets are supported by both ground and airborne geophysics, as well as in-situ geochemistry, derived using KGK drilling (a drilling method akin to 'wet' reverse circulation drilling, that recovers a 1 to 3 m core sample from the top of the underlying bedrock which is used by Arras to efficiently map lithology, alteration, and geochemistry across the property beneath overburden).

For both the diamond and KGK drilling, Arras has been using the local company Tsentrgeolsemka LLP. Arras later changed drilling contractors to GRK Iskander Ltd and mobilized a diamond drill rig with the capacity to drill deeper holes, if required, as well as improved core orientation through triple tube core barrel drilling. GRK Iskander Ltd is one of the leading drilling companies in Kazakhstan, with clients including Rio Tinto, Kazzinc (Glencore), ESAN, and Kazakhmys. Both Tsentrgeolsemka LLP and GRK Iskander Ltd are both independent of Arras.

About the Beskauga Deposit: The Beskauga deposit is a gold-copper-silver deposit with an Indicated Mineral Resource of 111.2 million tonnes grading 0.49 g/t gold, 0.30% copper, and 1.3 g/t silver for 1.75 million ounces of contained gold, 333.6 thousand tonnes of contained copper, and 4.79 million ounces of contained silver and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 92.6 million tonnes grading 0.50 g/t gold, 0.24% copper and 1.1 g/t silver for 1.49 million ounces of contained gold, 222.2 thousand tonnes of contained copper, and 3.39 million ounces of contained silver. The constraining open pit was optimized and calculated using a Gross Metal Value (GMV) cut-off of $20/tonne based on a price of $1,750/oz for gold, $3.50/lb for copper, $22/oz for silver, and with an average recovery of 85% for copper and 74.5% for gold and 50.0% for silver.

Based on exploration undertaken to date, the Beskauga deposit is interpreted by Arras to represent a gold-rich porphyry copper-gold deposit that has been overprinted by high-sulfidation epithermal mineralization, either through telescoping or due to clustering of multiple porphyry centers within the Beskauga license that have superimposed alteration and mineralization upon earlier phases. Beskauga is located within the highly under-explored Bozshakol-Chingiz Volcanic Arc, which hosts KAZ Minerals Bozshakol porphyry Cu-Au mine only 130 km west of Beskauga. Bozshakol is one of the largest copper resources in Kazakhstan with 1.123 billion tonnes at 0.35% Cu, 0.14 g/t Au and 1.0 g/t Ag in Measured and Indicated Resources. The mine has 30 Mtpa ore processing capacity and a remaining mine life of >40 years.

Contrary to many porphyry copper deposits being developed in other jurisdictions globally, the Beskauga project, located only 350 metres above sea-level, benefits from excellent modern infrastructure and accessibility. The region is mining-friendly and hosts several large-scale mining operations. Arras operations are based out of the nearby mining town of Ekibastuz, which services the largest coal mine in Kazakhstan and provides a highly trained workforce for the Company to draw upon. Paved road access, 1100 KVA power lines, heavy rail, and the IrtyshKaraganda irrigation canal all lie within a 25-kilometre radius of the project. The capital city of Nur-Sultan, located approximately 300 kilometres along a double lane highway to the west of the project, has a major international airport allowing for easy access and administration of the Beskauga project.

Assay and QAQC Procedures: On receipt from the drill site, the diamond drill core was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Arras operational base in the town of Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan by Company personnel. A default 1 m downhole sample length was used in mineralized zones, except were shortened by geological contacts. A default of 2 m downhole sample length was used in zones that were clearly unmineralized. Core diameter is a mix of HQ (63.5 mm) and NQ (47.6 mm) dependent upon the depth of the drill hole. Bg21009 was drilled with HQ to end of hole. Bg21010 was drilled with HQ to a depth of 688.2 m before reducing to NQ to the end of hole. Bg220012 was drilled with HQ to a depth of 835.0 m before reducing to NQ to the end of hole. Core was cut in half lengthwise along a pre-determined line offset from the orientation line by approximately 25 degrees, with one half (same half, consistently) collected for analysis and one half (preserving the orientation line) stored as a record. Bagged samples were sealed to ensure integrity during transport. All sample preparation and geochemical analysis of the diamond drill core were undertaken by ALS Global at its laboratories in Karaganda (Kazakhstan) and Loughrea (Republic of Ireland), respectively. ALS preparation and analytical labs are accredited to ISO 17025:2005 UKAS ref 4028 and have internal QA/QC programs for monitoring accuracy and precision. ALS Global is entirely independent of the Company.

After drying samples were crushed by ALS to >70% passing below 2 mm and split using a riffle splitter. 250 g splits were pulverized to 85 % passing below -75-microns. A 30 g split of the pulp was analyzed for gold content by fire assay with an Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) finish (ALS method: Au-AA25) at ALS Karaganda. A second pulp split was then air freighted to ALS Loughrea and analyzed for 48 elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) after four-acid digestion on a 0.25 g aliquot (ALS method: ME-MS61). Any samples exceeding 1% copper were re-analyzed using a 4-acid digest ICP-MS ore grade method (ALS method: Cu-OG62).

Arras Minerals operates according to its rigorous internal Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols, which are consistent with industry best practices. This includes the insertion of certified standards, blanks, and field duplicates comprising of quarter drill core into the sample stream at an insertion rate of 2.5%, 2.5%, and 5% respectively, which is deemed appropriate for this stage of exploration. The blanks and standards are Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) supplied by Ore Research and Exploration, Australia. Internal QA/QC samples were also inserted by the analytical laboratories and reviewed by the Company prior to release. No material QA/QC issues have been identified with respect to sample collection, security, and assaying.

Qualified Person: The scientific and technical disclosure for the Quartzite Gorka Project included in this news release has been prepared under supervision of and approved Tim Barry, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Arras Minerals Corp., who is also a Member and Chartered Professional Geologist (MAusIMM CP(Geo)) of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Barry has sufficient experience, relevant to the styles of mineralization and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking, to qualify as a Qualified Person (QP) for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Barry"

Tim Barry, MAusIMM CP(Geo)

Chief Executive Officer and Director

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

info@arrasminerals.com

Further information can be found on the Companys website https://www.arrasminerals.com or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrasminerals or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arrasminerals

About Arras Minerals Corp.

Arras is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan, including the Option Agreement on the Beskauga copper and gold project. The companys shares are listed on the TSX-V under the trading symbol ARK.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources: This press release uses the terms measured resources, indicated resources, and inferred resources which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. The Company advises U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the SEC. The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of contained ounces in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute reserves by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Arras future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the use of net proceeds from the recent private placement, plans and expectations of the drill program Arras is in the process of undertaking, including the expansion of the Mineral Resource, and other aspects of the Mineral Resource estimates for the Beskauga project. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Arras exploration projects, the industry in which Arras operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Arras management. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, continues, may, variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to future periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond managements control, including undertaking further exploration activities, the results of such exploration activities and that such results support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption Risk Factors in the Non-Offering Prospectus filed on the Companys profile on SEDAR on May 31, 2022 and in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed on February 17, 2022 available on www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this release is based only on information currently available and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Graphics accompanying this announcement are available at

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Ascendant Resources Inc.

Ascendant Resources engages Synergy Enterprises to develop emission reduction strategy at Lagoa Salgada



First step towards Carbon Neutrality at Lagoa Salgada

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascendant Resources Inc. (TSX: ASND) (OTCQB: ASDRF; FRA: 2D9) (Ascendant or the Company) is pleased to announce that the company has engaged Synergy Enterprises (Synergy), a leading firm specializing in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting and decarbonization strategies, to help Ascendant develop and execute its strategy to be a leader in low-carbon mining at its Lagoa Salgada Property in Portugal.

Over the next year, Synergy will measure emissions from current exploration activity and model the projected emissions of the proposed operation being designed in the upcoming feasibility study, which is expected to be completed towards the end of Q1/23. Based on the ensuing model, Synergy will create a decarbonization strategy that identifies the key opportunities to reduce emissions, and work with company leadership to set ambitious, achievable, GHG emission targets. Ascendant Resources and Synergy will also explore carbon neutrality as a strategy to reduce the overall environmental impact of the proposed project.

The Company continues to progress the Feasibility Study with the aim of minimizing emissions through several initiatives, including the use of electric mining equipment, reducing our environmental footprint and evaluating the introduction of a captive solar plant. Ascendant is fortunate that Portugals existing power grid is heavily supported by green power.

Heidi Grantner, General Manager at Synergy Enterprises, commented: At Synergy, our mission is to empower businesses to take ambitious action to reduce our global reliance on fossil fuels and limit the worst impacts of climate change. We are excited to begin working with Ascendant Resources, as it is clear the company is committed to being a leader in this space, and we look forward to supporting them along their decarbonization journey.

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Mark Brennan, Executive Chairman of Ascendant, stated, We are pleased to be working with Synergy to help execute on our strategy to be an industry leader in low emission mining. We believe Lagoa Salgada will be a low impact project by nature and we are always looking for ways to limit or neutralize emissions with the aim of achieving Carbon Neutrality.

About Synergy Enterprises

Synergy Enterprises (Synergy) is a corporate sustainability management firm based in Victoria, BC specializing in greenhouse gas accounting, decarbonization strategies and clean technology adoption. As a certified B Corp, Synergy believes that businesses have both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead the climate action movement and champion a better way of doing business that leads to long term value creation for all stakeholders. Synergy's full-service programs help organizations measure their impact, set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, engage stakeholders, implement solutions, offset emissions and communicate results.

About Ascendant Resources Inc.

Ascendant Resources is a Toronto-based mining company focused on the exploration and development of the highly prospective Lagoa Salgada VMS project located on the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt in Portugal. Through focused exploration and aggressive development plans, the Company aims to unlock the inherent potential of the project, maximizing value creation for shareholders.

The Venda Nova deposit at Lagoa Salgada contains over 10.33 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated Resources @ 9.06 % ZnEq and 2.50 million tonnes of Inferred Resources @ 5.93 % ZnEq in the North Zone; and 4.42 million tonnes of Indicated Resources @ 1.50 % CuEq and 10.83 million tonnes of Inferred resources @ 1.35 % CuEq in the South Zone. The deposit demonstrates typical mineralization characteristics of Iberian Pyrite Belt VMS deposits containing zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver and gold. Extensive exploration upside potential lies both near deposit and at prospective step-out targets across the large 7,209ha property concession. The project also demonstrates compelling economics with scalability for future resource growth in the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment. Located just 80km from Lisbon, Lagoa Salgada is easily accessible by road and surrounded by exceptional Infrastructure. Ascendant holds a 50% interest in the Lagoa Salgada project through its position in Redcorp - Empreendimentos Mineiros, Lda, ("Redcorp") and has an earn-in opportunity to increase its interest in the project to 80%. The Company's interest in the Lagoa Salgada project offers a low-cost entry to a potentially significant exploration and development opportunity, already demonstrating its mineable scale.

The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ASND". For more information on Ascendant, please visit our website at.

Additional information relating to the Company, including the Preliminary Economic Assessment referenced in this news release, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

For further information, contact:

Mark Brennan David Ball Executive Chairman, Founder Vice President, Corporate Development Tel: +1-647-796-0023 Tel: +1-647-796-0068 mbrennan@ascendantresources.com dball@ascendantresources.com

Forward Looking Information



This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business, the Project, ability to achieve lower emissions or Net-Zero emissions. In making the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Ascendant has made certain assumptions, including, but not limited to the Companys ability to lead low emission mining and achieve low emissions or carbon neutrality. Although Ascendant believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Ascendant disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the risks described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2022 and under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and other risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors referred to above are not an exhaustive list of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. The Company's statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.




VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - ATAC Resources Ltd. ("ATAC") (TSXV: ATC) (OTCQB: ATADF) is pleased to announce results of phase two exploration work at the Catch copper-gold property in central Yukon ("the Property"). Phase two work included additional prospecting and mapping, as well as a maiden reverse circulation ("RC") drill program.

Exploration Overview

High-grade copper and gold mineralization was identified in outcrop at the main zone across a 500 m extent, including 3.03% copper with 4.46 g/t gold , 2.83% copper with 6.07 g/t gold , and 0.42% copper with 14.60 g/t gold (Figures 1 & 2);

Samples from an outcrop of diorite porphyry located 2 km south of the main zone returned 1.45% copper with 0.20 g/t gold , and 1.27% copper with 0.57 g/t gold (Figures 1 & 3);

473.97 m of RC drilling was completed in 6 holes, however all holes failed to reach target depth due to equipment limitations and poor ground conditions. Planning is underway to return to the Property with a diamond drill in summer 2023.

"We continue to be impressed by the amount of surface mineralization present at Catch. During the phase two program our crews continually discovered new areas of float and bedrock mineralization by following up on soil sample anomalies. We have now defined an extensive zone of high-grade copper and gold in altered and brecciated basalt at the main zone, and identified a mineralized diorite intrusion over 2 km to the south. This diorite-hosted discovery is critically important for the project, as it demonstrates that a copper-gold bearing intrusion is present at surface," stated ATAC's president and CEO, Graham Downs. "Unfortunately, subsurface conditions were more challenging than expected and the small fly RC drill rig we had on site was not able to test our geophysical targets at depth. We plan to be back at Catch this summer with a larger diamond drill rig which will allow for evaluation of multiple target areas across the property, including the first holes at the diorite zone."

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Figure 1  Catch Copper-in-Soil (CNW Group/ATAC Resources Ltd.)

Figure 1  Catch Copper-in-Soil

Figure 2  Catch Main Zone

Figure 3  Catch Diorite Zone

Figure 4  Catch IP Cross-Section

Catch Exploration Summary

The phase two work program at Catch included collection of 33 infill soil samples, 176 rock samples, and 473.97 m of RC drilling in 6 holes.

The prospecting program was highly successful in identifying new zones of surface mineralization, and in expanding the footprint of the main zone. Numerous high-grade outcrop samples were collected, including 3.03% copper with 4.46 g/t gold, 2.83% copper with 6.07 g/t gold, and 0.42% copper with 14.60 g/t gold  all from the main zone (Figure 2). Mineralization throughout this area is extensive, with high-grade samples collected from outcrops across a 500 m area. Float samples from this zone extend mineralization to a 400 x 600 m area.

A new zone with an outcropping diorite porphyry was also identified over 2 km south of the main zone (Figure 1). Samples of the diorite returned 1.45% copper with 0.20 g/t gold and 1.27% copper with 0.57 g/t gold and are coincident with a pronounced 600 x 600 m magnetic low (Figure 3). This outcrop was discovered by prospecting in the final days of the exploration program and very limited sampling has been conducted in this area to-date. With these robust grades and potential for additional associated porphyry-style copper and gold mineralization, this target area is being prioritized for additional work in early 2023.

Initial petrographic studies show mineralization at the main zone is dominantly associated with propylitic to sericitic alteration of basalt, hydrothermal breccias and rare diorite host rocks. Petrography of the diorite zone shows dominantly sericitic alteration of diorite and lesser hydrothermal breccia host rocks.

RC drilling was aimed at evaluating coincident copper-gold geochemistry at surface and induced polarization ("IP") chargeability at depth within the main zone (Figure 2). Unfortunately, ground conditions proved more challenging than anticipated and the heli-portable RC rig was not able to reach target depth in any hole. Anomalous copper and gold were intersected in multiple holes; however, no significant intercepts were returned. The primary IP target remains untested (Figure 4), and numerous other areas on the Property with high-grade copper and gold in rock have yet to be evaluated by drilling, including the diorite zone.

Property Geology and Mineralization

The Property lies within the Stikine Terrane and is immediately adjacent to the 1,000+ km long, deep seated, crustal scale strike-slip Teslin-Thibert fault. The Stikine Terrane is characterized by Late Triassic to early Jurassic volcanic-plutonic arc complexes that are well-endowed with copper-gold-molybdenum porphyries including the Red Chris, Schaft Creek, Kemess, KSM and Galore Creek deposits and mines.

The Property is mostly underlain by augite phyric basalt of the Semenof Formation, centered on a 7 x 3 km regional magnetic high. Mineralization is associated with propylitic to sericitic alteration of basalt and lesser diorite host rocks. Locally there is intense silicification, brecciation and up to 10% disseminated to blebby pyrite, chalcopyrite and trace bornite and pyrrhotite. Secondary copper minerals including malachite, azurite and tenorite are widespread at surface, and coat fracture surfaces, and are often associated with gypsum.

The geology, alteration and mineralization observed throughout the Property are all indicative of a nearby copper-gold  molybdenum bearing porphyry system.

The Property is under option from a Yukon prospector, and ATAC can earn up to a 100% interest in the Property. For more information, see ATAC news release dated January 25, 2022.

QA/QC

Analytical work for all samples was completed by ALS Canada Ltd., with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and Langley, BC, and geochemical analyses in North Vancouver, BC. Samples were fine crushed before a 250-gram split was pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Gold for rock and RC samples was determined by the Au-AA24 procedure which involves fire assay preparation using a 50-gram charge with an atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Gold for soil samples was determined by the Au-ICP21 procedure which involves fire assay preparation using a 30-gram charge with an inductively coupled plasma  atomic emission spectrometry ("ICP-AES") finish. Multi-element data for 48 elements was determined for all samples by the ME-MS61 procedure, which involves a four-acid digestion followed by ICP-AES and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Overlimit values for gold were determined by the Au-GRA22 procedure which involves fire assay preparation using a 50-gram charge with a gravimetric finish. Overlimit values for copper were determined by the Cu-OG62 procedure which involves a four-acid digestion followed by ICP-AES analysis.

Rigorous procedures are in place regarding sample collection, chain of custody and data entry. Certified assay standards, duplicate samples and blanks are routinely inserted into the sample stream of drill samples to ensure integrity of the assay process. All drill samples included in this news release have passed the QA/QC procedures as described above.

The technical information in this news release has been approved by Adam Coulter, M.Sc., P.Geo., VP Exploration for ATAC and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About ATAC

ATAC is a Canadian exploration company focused on exploring for gold and copper in Yukon, BC and Nevada. Work on its ~1,700 km2 Rackla Gold Property in Yukon has resulted in the Osiris Deposit Indicated Resource of 732,000 oz of gold at 4.12 g/t (in 5.5 Mt) and Inferred Resource of 1,044,000 oz of gold at 3.47 g/t (in 9.4 Mt), the Tiger Deposit Measured & Indicated Resource of 464,000 oz of gold at an average grade of 3.19 g/t (in 4.5 Mt), a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger Gold Deposit (Pre-tax NPV of $118.2M and IRR of 54.5%), and numerous early-stage gold and base metal discoveries. ATAC is well-financed with approximately $5 million in working capital.

On behalf of ATAC Resources Ltd.

Graham Downs, President and CEO

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements:

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by securities laws.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources:

The mineral resource estimates included in this press release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements. U.S. investors are cautioned that the disclosure the Company provides on its mineral properties in this news release may be different from the disclosure that an issuer subject to SEC reporting requirements would otherwise be required to provide. Therefore, the information contained in this news release containing descriptions of the Company's mineral properties may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Additional information about the Tiger Deposit PEA is summarized in ATAC's February 27, 2020 technical report titled "Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger Deposit, Rackla Gold Project, Yukon, Canada", which can be viewed at www.sedar.com under the ATAC profile or on the ATAC website at www.atacresources.com. Additional information about the Osiris Resource Estimate is summarized in ATAC's July 28, 2022 technical report titled "Technical Report and Estimate of Mineral Resources for the Osiris Project, Yukon, Canada", which can be viewed at www.sedar.com under the ATAC profile or on the ATAC website at www.atacresources.com.

SOURCE ATAC Resources Ltd.

Cision

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AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Aypa Power ("Aypa"), a Blackstone portfolio company that develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects, has closed $320 million of letter of credit and revolving credit facilities led by Banco Santander, Investec, and Nomura as Coordinating Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners. The facility will support the development and commercialization of Aypa's 15+ GW project pipeline across North America.

Aypa Power Logo (CNW Group/Aypa Power)

The facilities are comprised of a $250 million letter of credit facility and a $70 million revolving credit facility, providing Aypa with development capital and credit support to secure obligations principally relating to power purchase agreements and other revenue contracts, as well as interconnection agreements.

"We greatly appreciate the institutional support of our lead lenders who worked in partnership with Aypa," said Marc Atlas, Chief Financial Officer of Aypa Power. "This facility positions our platform to continue our market leading deployment of battery storage and hybrid systems, while providing the lenders with significant cash flow and asset coverage."

"This facility accelerates Aypa's growth and the advancement of our pipeline, which aligns well with the company's goal of delivering over 1,500 megawatts of battery storage and hybrid projects to notice-to-proceed in the next 24 months," said Aypa Power CEO, Moe Hajabed. "We are thrilled to partner with such esteemed financial institutions as we continue to execute on our mission."

Vinod Mukani, Global Head of Nomura's Infrastructure and Power Business ("IPB") commented, "We are pleased to leverage our global expertise to provide a bespoke financing solution to support Aypa's development. Providing superior execution in growing sectors - like the energy transition sectors - remain core to Nomura, and supporting strong sponsors like Aypa with this financing fits seamlessly within these strategic initiatives."

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"Nomura is happy to support and provide liquidity to Aypa as it continues to develop its large pipeline of storage and solar projects in the US," said Alain Halimi, Executive Director of Nomura's IPB. "Nomura is always pleased to develop financing solutions for clients, like Aypa, who is a transformative player in the energy transition currently taking place in the US and globally."

"We are very proud to have supported Aypa in this pivotal moment of its corporate development and capital raising process," said Nuno Andrade, Managing Director and Head of Structured Finance US at Santander's Corporate & Investment Banking. "Aypa has positioned itself as an innovative technology and project developer that will deliver clean energy and jobs across the United States with its utility scale battery storage and hybrid renewable energy projects, which are critical for the economy and the energy transition."

"We have seen a lot of activity in this space and are glad to partner with the outstanding teams at Aypa and Blackstone on this landmark financing," said Fred Petit, Co-Head of Investec's North American Power & Infrastructure group. "Investec continues to be a leader in the structuring of innovative transactions in the North American energy space and this financing aligns perfectly with the bank's strategy around ESG".

About Aypa Power

Aypa Power is a Blackstone portfolio company that develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects. As an independent power producer, Aypa was founded with the purpose of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and making a positive impact in the fight against climate change, while improving grid reliability and resiliency. Aypa has been at the forefront of energy storage development since their first energy storage project came online in 2018. The company currently has more than 15GW in development across North America. For more information about Aypa Power, visit www.aypa.com .

About Nomura

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning over 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Retail, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com .

About Santander

Santander's Corporate & Investment Banking division supports Corporate, FiG (financial institutions group), Financial Sponsors and Institutional customers, offering tailored services and value-added wholesale products, suited to their complexity and sophistication. With over 5,800 professionals in 18 countries located around the globe, the Santander CIB business and the Global Debt Financing team supports its Clients' renewable energy financing needs through an experienced, knowledgeable and integrated product team that provide our Clients with access to a full range of debt sources and capital structures.

About Investec

Investec Power and Infrastructure Finance is part of a strong global franchise, with teams across the US, UK, Europe, South Africa and India. Investec partners with private, institutional, and corporate clients, offering international banking, investments, and wealth management services in two principal markets, South Africa, and the UK, as well as certain other countries. The Group was established in 1974 and currently has 8,300+ employees. Investec has a dual listed company structure with primary listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges.

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SOURCE Aypa Power
MONTREAL, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ - Birks Group Inc. (the "Company" or "Birks Group") (NYSE American: BGI), reported its sales results for the 9 week interim sales period ending January 1, 2023 (the "FY2023 Holiday Period") resulting in a decrease of 3.2% in comparable store sales versus the remarkable FY2022 Holiday Period, during which the Company had recorded notable growth of 18.4% in comparable store sales. The FY2023 Holiday Period sales performance is equivalent to an increase in comparable store sales of 15.3% to the FY2020 Holiday Period, the most recent pre-COVID comparable period.

Birks Group Logo (CNW Group/Birks Group Inc.)

The FY2023 Holiday Period sales performance was impacted by softer November results which we attribute to consumer prudence, as customers delayed purchases amidst an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop. This was partially offset by solid December results as the Company delivered growth in comparable store sales during the month, fueled by the performance of its Flagship stores. The December results were in large part derived from the positive performance of branded timepieces and branded jewelry, as client demand in the Canadian market remained strong for high-end luxury watches and jewelry.

The 15.3% comparable store sales increase in FY2023 over the comparable period in FY2020 was a result of two elements: an increase in both the branded jewelry and branded timepieces categories resulting from the continuous improvement in third party brand portfolio mix and client offering, and an increase in average sales transaction value across all product categories.

Mr. Jean-Christophe Bedos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Birks Group, commented: "Our sales teams have delivered positive results this holiday period when considering the current macroeconomic environment, including comparable store sales growth in the month of December. I would like to thank our teams for their commitment on delivering excellent service to our customers. Furthermore, the increase of 15.3% in comparable store sales vs. FY2020, is an important achievement that demonstrates the continued success of our long-term strategies, on which we remain focused as we continue to position ourselves for long-term success."

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Comparable Store Sales

We use comparable store sales as a key performance measure for our business. Comparable store sales include stores open in the same period in both the current and prior period. We include e-commerce sales in our comparable store sales calculations. Stores enter the comparable store calculation in their thirteenth full month of operation under our ownership. Stores that have been resized or relocated are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are functionally the same store or a new store and then are included or excluded from comparable store sales, accordingly. Comparable store sales measure the percentage change in net sales for comparable stores in a period compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. If a comparable store is not open for the entirety of both periods, comparable store sales measure the change in net sales for the portion of time that such store was open in both periods. We believe that this measure provides meaningful information on our performance and operating results. However, readers should know that this financial measure has no standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

About Birks Group Inc.

Birks Group is a leading designer of fine jewellery, timepieces and gifts and operator of luxury jewellery stores in Canada. The Company operates 23 stores under the Maison Birks brand in most major metropolitan markets in Canada, one retail location in Calgary under the Brinkhaus brand, one retail location in Vancouver operated under the Graff brand and one retail location in Vancouver under the Patek Philippe brand. The Birks brand fine jewellery collections are also available through select SAKS Fifth Avenue stores in Canada and the U.S., select Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths locations in the United Kingdom, in Mayors stores in the United States, in W. Kruk stores in Poland as well as several jewellery retailers across North America and Europe. Birks was founded in 1879 and has become Canada's premier retailer and designer of fine jewellery, timepieces and gifts. Additional information can be found on Birks' web site, www.birks.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward- looking statements which can be identified by their use of words like "plans," "expects," "believes," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "could," "would," "may," "planned," "goal," and other words of similar meaning. All statements that address expectations, possibilities or projections about the future, including without limitation, statements about anticipated economic conditions, and our strategies for growth, performance drivers, expansion plans, sources or adequacy of capital, expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements.

Because such statements include various risks and uncertainties, actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements and no assurance can be given that the Company will meet the results projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: (i) the magnitude and length of economic disruption as a result of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, including its impact on macroeconomic conditions, generally, as well as its impact on the results of operations and financial condition of the Company and the trading price of the shares; (ii) general economic, political and market conditions, including the economies of Canada and the U.S., which could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition, including our revenue and profitability, through the impact of changes in the real estate markets, changes in the equity markets and decreases in consumer confidence and the related changes in consumer spending patterns, the impact on store traffic, tourism and sales; (iii) the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, inflation, increases in commodity prices and borrowing or operating costs, or other pricing environment factors and their related impact on the Company's costs and expenses; (iv) changes in interest rates; (v) the Company's ability to maintain and obtain sufficient sources of liquidity to fund its operations, to achieve planned sales, gross margin and net income, to keep costs low, to implement its business strategy, maintain relationships with its primary vendors, to mitigate fluctuations in the availability and prices of the Company's merchandise, to compete with other jewelers, to succeed in its marketing initiatives, and to have a successful customer service program; (vi) the Company's ability to continue to borrow under the Amended Credit Facility and Amended Term Loan; (vii) the Company's ability to maintain profitable operations, as well as maintain specified excess availability levels under the Amended Credit Facility, make scheduled payments of principal and interest, and fund capital expenditures; (viii) the Company's ability to execute its strategic vision; (ix) the geopolitical environment and increased political uncertainty; * the impact of weather-related incidents, natural disasters, strikes, protests, riots or terrorism, acts of war or another public health crisis or disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic on the Company's business; and * the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 24, 2022 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

SOURCE Birks Group Inc.

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By Lisandra Paraguassu

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad played down the idea of a single shared currency between Argentina and Brazil late on Sunday, saying the countries were looking at ways to stimulate bilateral trade but not extinguish their own currencies.

His remarks came after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentine leader Alberto Fernandez published a joint article saying their aim for greater economic integration included studies of a common South American currency.

Haddad, who floated such a possibility in an article last year, said removing trade barriers between the two largest economies in South America could involve using a single currency for commerce, given a lack of U.S. dollars in Argentina. But that does not spell the end of the Brazilian real, he said.

"Trade is really bad and the problem is precisely the foreign currency, right? So we are trying to find a solution, something in common that could make commerce grow," Haddad told reporters as he arrived in Buenos Aires ahead of Lula's first international trip since his Jan. 1 inauguration.

He said Argentina's trade with Brazil had suffered due to a lack of dollars in the southern neighbor, where an economic crisis has left the government battling to replenish foreign currency reserves, with an inflation rate of nearly 100% last year.

Haddad noted Argentina was an important buyer of Brazilian industrial goods and that "several possibilities" were being floated to circumvent its currency problems, though no decision had been made.

Asked if he could provide further details on the currency issue, Haddad confirmed he would clear the matter up in coming days, adding ironically: "especially because some people are saying the real will end."

Earlier on Sunday, Lula and Fernandez said in an article published on the Argentine website Perfil they would "advance discussions on a common South American currency that can be used for both financial and commercial flows".

The Financial Times had previously reported, citing Argentina's Economy Minister Sergio Massa, that the neighboring nations would announce this week they were starting preparatory work on a common currency. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Brad Haynes and Bernadette Baum)
CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - CIBC is proud to announce its support for a significant mixed-use and mixed-income development on Chicago's West Side. The project, Roosevelt Square, is the new construction, acquisition/rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of 406 residential units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space across 42 buildings.

"At CIBC, we prioritize the availability of safe, affordable housing and the preservation of our communities," said Shawn Beber, Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, US Region. "Roosevelt Square will become a haven for residents and provide opportunities for business owners, and as we've seen in other projects, investments like this can improve quality of life, provide job opportunities and increase public safety."

To finance the proposed project, CIBC Bank USA, in partnership with BMO Harris Bank N.A. (BMO), provided two construction period loans via a 50/50 syndication with BMO serving as agent bank. The two construction period loans consist of a $76.25 million tax-exempt funding loan and a $15.75 million taxable construction loan. The banks also provided $52.9 million in equity generated by Low Income Housing Tax Credits and CIBC provided $2.25 million in equity generated by Illinois Donations Tax Credits.

These loans and investments will help with the rehabilitation of 38 existing walk-up style buildings containing 184 low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) units and new construction of four multi-family buildings, along with retail space. The mixed-income buildings will house 207 apartments, including 40 LIHTC units, 75 public housing unitswhich will convert to Section 8 unitsand 92 market-rate units. One of the buildings will also include approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition, the project will include the rehabilitation of the last remaining building from the Jane Addams Homes Housing Development, which will house the newly relocated National Public Housing Museum.

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In 2022, CIBC Bank USA provided over $245 million in financing and investments to more than 20 affordable housing projects in Chicago.

"We remain actively engaged in the community because we are strongly committed to revitalizing our neighborhoods while addressing Chicago's most pressing needs, and ensuring the health and vitality of our great city is a top priority for us," said Beber.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services in the United States, across Canada and around the world. In the US, CIBC Bank USA provides commercial banking, private and personal banking and small business banking solutions and CIBC Private Wealth offers investment management, wealth strategies and legacy planning. Visit us at cibc.com/US.

Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Loans are subject to credit approval. The CIBC logo is a registered trademark of CIBC, used under license. Investment Products Offered are Not FDIC-Insured, May Lose Value and are Not Bank Guaranteed.

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SOURCE CIBC
YPSILANTI, Mich., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), are working collaboratively on a Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Certification Pilot Program to invest in existing public school employees who want to become teachers.

Paraprofessionals work directly in classrooms to support small groups or one-on-one learning. The pilot program, made possible by a special waiver granted by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), covers most of the costs of EMU's teacher preparation courses, including books and fees, for dedicated para pros already working in area schools. The program has two tracks, and upon completion of the program, para pros will be certified special education teachers specifically for students with emotional impairments or learning disabilities.

"The pandemic teacher shortage crisis has significantly affected Michigan, which had maintained a well-balanced teacher supply system until recent years," said Myung-Sook Koh, professor of special education and coordinator of the Paraeducators to Special Educators program at Eastern. "Teacher shortages have become a chronic phenomenon across the state's school districts  regardless of suburban, urban, rural, or high versus low-paying school districts."

"The certification program addresses the critical shortage of special education teachers in the state," said Dave Winters, professor and head of EMU's Department of Special Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders, who has worked on this program since its inception along with a team of educators at the college. Winters teaches one of the courses and will pass the torch to his colleague, who will help oversee some of the day-to-day coordination. The program has successfully had three cohorts containing 25 students with plans on graduating its first class in fall 2023.

According to Winters, the program is successful for many reasons. The school districts and EMU have worked hard to remove barriers. Students travel to one location for an in-person class once per week and build strong connections in the classroom.

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Winters said one of the best things about this program is it enhances what the students are already doing in the classroom because they're familiar with their student population.

"It's been exciting to hear, not only from the students but also from administrators, the change in their work even though they haven't completed the program," said Winters. "The students have become substitutes, and they're starting to step into other roles temporarily while finishing the program."

Justin Harper, a student in the pilot's first cohort, said this program has given him a renewed focus on graduation. "Before this program, I was unsure when I would complete my degree because I mostly paid out of pocket," said Harper. "There were many semesters I could not attend school because of finances, and the times I could attend, I often took a class or two at a time."

"The program exceeds my expectations not only because of the great instructors but also the incredible paraeducators from cohort one that shares their wide variety of experiences that help broaden my horizons," said Harper. "The teachers are amazing and want us to be successful, which I appreciate. They give us practical work to help us once we become teachers."

"Collectively, public schools are the second largest employer in our county, and 10% of school staff are paraprofessionals already working in our classrooms," noted WISD Superintendent Naomi Norman, citing regional employer data from both SPARK and MI School Data. "Our parapros are living and working in our communities. They are already invested in our students and in our schools, and we want to make sure there is a pathway for them to advance professionally."

Eastern hopes to work with MDE and other ISDs to expand the program.

About Washtenaw Intermediate School District

Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) is the educational service agency for Washtenaw County, Michigan, serving nine public school districts and the public school academies in the greater Ann Arbor region. WISD provides special education student programs and early childhood programs, plus an array of services to the community and local schools, including: Special education leadership and coordination, special education student programming, early childhood services, technology support, business and human resources assistance, cradle-to-career community partnerships, and teacher and staff professional development. For more information, visit www.washtenawisd.org.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

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SOURCE Eastern Michigan University
GLENVIEW, Ill., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Envoy Solutions announced today that it has acquired Santa Fe Springs, California-based Royal Paper Corp. Royal is a leading national distributor of paper, plastics, cleaning, and safety consumables and equipment in janitorial, sanitary, and foodservice applications. The company operates a network of five distribution facilities strategically located across the country to serve more than 400 customers and 3,400 customer locations in the U.S. and internationally. With its comprehensive selection of products, Royal is a key distributor to the movie theater industry and has a strong and growing presence in the food, mall, retail, education, restaurant, and stadium segments. The acquisition expands Envoy Solutions' national footprint, advances its position in key markets, and enriches its growing product portfolio in California and across the U.S.

"This new partnership represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Envoy Solutions and Royal," said Mark M. Fisher, CEO of Envoy Solutions. "Michael Rashtchi, George Abiaad, Marianne Abiaad, and their fantastic team have built a truly unique and successful business in our industry. We are excited about Royal becoming part of the Envoy Solutions family and about working with George and Marianne to help Royal achieve new heights and continue to deliver for its long-term customers and supplier partners. With the addition of Royal, we continue redefining distribution through our national platform of specialized products and services to bring innovative solutions closer to our clients wherever they operate."

Royal Paper Corp., founded in 1985, has grown consistently since its inception by providing comprehensive solutions to its customers and always delivering essential products and services. As a solutions-oriented company, Royal has invested heavily in technology to optimize warehouse management and logistics capabilities and dedicated itself to sourcing and delivering a broad array of innovative products that truly meet the specific needs of its customers. In addition, Royal is a leader in environmentally friendly products and solutions and assists its customers in executing sustainability programs with a dedicated focus on training and implementation. With the additional support of Envoy Solutions' reach and resources, Royal will have the ability to serve its existing customers even better and to introduce its products and services to additional customers and to new markets.

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"We owe our success as a business to our longstanding customer and supplier partners. It's truly an honor to serve them day in and day out because their success is our success," said George Abiaad, President of Royal Paper Corp. "As a part of the Envoy Solutions family, the Royal team will continue to execute for all of our customers as we have before, and we believe that with Envoy Solutions acumen and resources, we will be able to expand our offerings and resources to achieve a higher level of service and enhance our current longstanding partnerships. Envoy Solutions is leading the way with a distribution model that brings together the talents and resources of so many great companies, and we are delighted to be a part of that. For us, this new partnership means building on the growth we've had in the past and making our company even stronger in the future," added Abiaad.

About Envoy Solutions:

Glenview, Ill.-based Envoy Solutions is a specialized distributor and solution provider serving the U.S. market through a family of regional distributors. We specialize in Jan-San, foodservice, packaging, and marketing execution. Envoy Solutions offers a broad catalog of top brands and products, along with deep expertise and advice, to help our client-partners succeed. We are driven to make facilities cleaner and more sustainable, people safer, and operations more productive, every day. For more information, please visit www.envoysolutions.com .

About Royal Paper Corporation:

Royal Paper Corporation, founded in 1985, is a leading national distributor of paper, plastics, cleaning, and safety consumables and equipment in janitorial, sanitary, and foodservice applications. For more information, please visit www.royalcorporation.com.

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SOURCE Envoy Solutions
Fomento Economico Mexicano

MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (FEMSA or the Company) (NYSE: FMX; BMV: FEMSAUBD, FEMSAUB) announced today that it has signed, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, an agreement with Concesionaria Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (Volaris), the ultra-low-cost carrier serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America to become the first third-party partner of FEMSAs coalition loyalty program (the Program).



This Program will offer exclusive benefits for its users, allowing them to accrue and redeem reward points with OXXO, Volaris and future allies.

Alejandro Gonzalez-Saul, Director of Digital@FEMSAs loyalty strategy, commented:

In Volaris we have found a great ally that will help us benefit millions of customers. Starting this year, our customers will be able to enjoy exclusive rewards with OXXO and Volaris, Mexicos largest airline. This agreement is only the beginning as we are constantly working to add more partners to allow our customers to do and achieve more with their money.

The terms and conditions applicable to the users of the Program will be published once the implementation of this partnership is finalized.

About FEMSA

FEMSA is a company that creates economic and social value through companies and institutions and strives to be the best employer and neighbor to the communities in which it operates. It participates in the retail industry through a Proximity Division operating OXXO, a small-format store chain, OXXO Gas, a chain of retail service stations, and Valora, our European retail unit with convenience store and food service operations. In the retail industry it also participates though a Health Division, which includes drugstores and related activities and Digital@FEMSA, which includes Spin by OXXO and OXXO Premia, among other loyalty and digital financial services initiatives. In the beverage industry, it participates through Coca-Cola FEMSA, the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by volume; and in the beer industry, as the second largest shareholder of Heineken, one of the worlds leading brewers with operations in over 70 countries. FEMSA also participates in the logistics and distribution industry through its Strategic Business Unit, which additionally provides point-of-sale refrigeration and plastic solutions to its business units and third-party clients. Across its business units, FEMSA has more than 320,000 employees in 18 countries. FEMSA is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability MILA Pacific Alliance, the FTSE4Good Emerging Index and the Mexican Stock Exchange Sustainability Index: S&P/BMV Total Mexico ESG, among other indexes that evaluate its sustainability performance.

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About Digital@FEMSA

Digital@FEMSA is the technology innovation division that offers digital solutions to simplify the lives of our customers. It is integrated by businesses that leverage technology to create trustworthy and practical tools, such as Spin by OXXO, and by a diverse and multidisciplinary team focused on developing an innovative and differentiated value proposition in the market. Backed by the more than 130 years of experiences and commitment to excellence of FEMSA, this division continues the mission of generating economic and social value, now in the digital community.

Investor Contact

(52) 818-328-6000

investor@femsa.com.mx

femsa.gcs-web.com

Media Contact

(52) 555-249-6843

comunicacion@femsa.com.mx

femsa.com




ALMATY (Reuters) -Several restaurants which used to operate under the McDonald's brand in Kazakhstan reopened on Monday with no branding to serve fast food under generic names such as "Cheeseburger", weeks after the U.S. company left the local market.

Former licensee Food Solutions KZ said in a statement it would maintain "the high quality and service standards adopted earlier" and would soon present its new brand name.

McDonald's and Food Solutions KZ terminated their licence agreement this month, citing supply issues. Sources earlier told Reuters that McDonald's Kazakhstan had stopped buying supplies from Russia and had trouble replacing them.

Food Solutions KZ did not say on Monday whether it has replaced any components such as beef patties with Kazakh produce, and declined to comment on any questions not addressed in its statement.

Its new menu included items such as beef, chicken and fish burgers as well as chicken nuggets, fries and ice cream.

McDonald's closed its Russian restaurants soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last February, eventually selling to a local licensee, Alexander Govor, who in June unveiled the Vkusno & tochka brand, which means "Tasty & that's it".

(Reporting by Pavel Mikheyev and Mariya GordeyevaWriting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
OSLO, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway has been apprehended by police, an official said on Monday.

"He is apprehended ... and we are considering whether to seek a court's decision for internment," Police Lawyer Line Isaksen told Reuters, declining to give further details.

Andrei Medvedev's lawyer was not immediately available for comment. The news was first reported by public broadcaster NRK. (Reporting by Gwladys Fouche in Oslo, editing by Terje Solsvik)
Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd

According to a market research study published by Contrive Datum Insights, the North America market was worth USD 189.9 million, and it is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the next five years, Europe is expected to grow at a moderate CAGR over the next few years.

Farmington, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fuel Management System Market size was valued at USD 556.45 Million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 906.60 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.29% from 2023 to 2030. Any corporation that does business via rail, road, sea, or air uses a fuel management system to control, monitor, and keep track of the amount of fuel and stock used. This system enables the security of fuel depots, their management, and access control. It also monitors delivery and usage. It is typically utilized by trains, aircraft, and other vehicles that require fuel to operate. Gasoline management systems provide a wealth of information about how fuel is used, enabling efficient and lawful consumption.

Request Sample Copy of Report  Fuel Management System Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Opportunities, Future Trends, Covid-19 Impact, SWOT Analysis, Competition and Forecasts 2022 to 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights.

There are numerous ways to fuel a gasoline-powered engine. The gasoline engine of an automobile consists of a gas tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, fuel filter, air cleaner, carburetor, and intake manifold. These components comprise the fundamental fuel supply system. Within the gas tank is a component known as the fuel pump. In many modern automobiles, the fuel pump is integrated into the gas tank.

Fuel Management System Market Recent Developments:

In August 2022 , Dover Fueling Solutions ("DFS"), a part of Dover and a leading global provider of advanced customer-focused technologies, services, and solutions in the fuel and convenience retail industry, announced today that it will work with Bottomline, a Dutch provider of software, planning, and transportation services in the oil and gas sector, to offer a complete, end-to-end fuel management solution.

In March 2022 , The Triscan Group, which makes and sells the most fuel management systems in the UK, has grown even more with the purchase of FUELlink Systems Ltd. FUELlink has been a trusted provider of fuel management solutions for over 10 years, with a strong reputation for quality, dependability, and excellent customer service.

December 2022, HID, which is a global leader in trusted identity solutions, announced today that it has bought Janam Technologies, which is a leading maker of handheld mobile computers and readers. The purchase makes HID more visible and important as a provider of solutions for issuing smart credentials and reading them.

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Fuel Management System Market Segmentation Analysis:

In 2021, droplet digital PCR had the largest share of the market. During the forecast period, 20222029, it is expected to grow at a high CAGR. The growth is due to the fact that market players are putting more effort into making and selling dPCR for diagnosing infectious diseases. Also, the growing number of infectious diseases and the fact that these devices are better at diagnosing diseases than other PCR are expected to boost segment growth over the next five years.

The largest market share was held by the academic and research organizations segment, which is expected to grow at a moderate CAGR over the next few years. The growth of the segment is due to the fact that these devices are being used more and more in research studies in fields like oncology, genetic diseases, and others. During the time frame of the forecast, the segment of diagnostics centers is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. The growth of the segment is due to the rise in infectious diseases and the rise in the use of digital devices to diagnose different kinds of infectious diseases.

Regional Outlook:

In 2021, the North American market was worth USD 189.9 million, and it is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the next five years. The growth is because the people are very smart and have a stable economy. During the forecast period, the regional market is also expected to grow because more and more high-tech, expensive diagnostics are being used in the region.

Europe is expected to grow at a moderate CAGR over the next few years. The growth is due to the fact that there are a lot of infectious disease tests being done in key European countries and that Europe is spending more on research and development.

During the period of the forecast, the market in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate. The growth of the market in the region is due to the fact that healthcare infrastructure is getting better in Asian countries, that there are a lot of chronic and infectious diseases in the area, and that people are becoming more aware of how better treatment can help them.

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Scope of Report:

Report Attributes Details Growth Rate 6.29% from 2023 to 2030 Market Size in 2022 USD 556.45 Million Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 906.60 Million By Offering Hardware, Software, Services By Industry Mining and Construction, Military & Defense, Oil & Gas, Transportation and Logistics, Others By Applications Fuel Storage Monitoring, Access Control and Fuel Dispensing By Companies Gilbarco Inc., Dover Corporation, Franklin Fueling Systems, Piusi S.p.A., Triscan Group Limited., HID Global Corporation, Multiforce Systems Corporation, roadandtrack, Banlaw, fmtweb, Triscan Group Limited, Guduza System Technologies, Esi Total Fuel Management, Assetworks LLC, smartflowsheet, World Fuel Services Corporation, Technotrade Associates, Romteck, and Others. Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2021 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030

Fuel Management System Market Dynamics:

Market Drivers:

In industries where fleets are crucial to operations, such as mining, transportation, and oil and gas, fuel costs are a major concern. The majority of fleets spend over 40% of their total operating expenses on fuel, so if they lose fuel, they can lose a substantial amount of money. Fuel theft and loss account for an average of less than 3% of a company's overall fuel budget. Fuel theft is on the rise due to the high price of oil and the ease with which refined fuel can be sold or used for personal gain. Fuel management systems can significantly aid in the prevention of fuel theft since they enable individuals to keep track of how much fuel they use from the time they purchase and store it until they consume it.

Market Opportunity:

A number of technologically advanced and novel products and solutions have been brought to the market for fuel management systems in recent years. These items and solutions are intended to facilitate fuel management. In 2017, Veeder-Root (US) introduced PLUS VIEW, a new app for Android and iOS (Apple) smartphones and tablets. This application links to the company's automatic tank gauges (TLS-450PLUS, TLS4i, TLS4c, and TLS-450) so that users may obtain inventory, compliance, and alarm data rapidly.

Fuel Management System Market Key Segments Covered:

Top Market Players:

Gilbarco Inc., Dover Corporation, Franklin Fueling Systems, Piusi S.p.A., Triscan Group Limited., HID Global Corporation, Multiforce Systems Corporation, roadandtrack, Banlaw, fmtweb, Triscan Group Limited, Guduza System Technologies, Esi Total Fuel Management, Assetworks LLC, smartflowsheet, World Fuel Services Corporation, Technotrade Associates, Romteck, and Others.

By Offering

Hardware

Software

Services

By Industry

Mining and Construction

Military & Defense

Oil & Gas

Transportation and Logistics

Others

By Application

Fuel Storage Monitoring

Access Control and Fuel Dispensing

Regions and Countries Covered

North America: (US, Canada, Mexico, Rest of North America)

Europe: (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Nordic Countries, Benelux Union, Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific: (Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

The Middle East & Africa: (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East & Africa)

Latin America: (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Rest Of the World

Check out more related studies published by Contrive Datum Insights:

Photocatalysts Market  The global Photocatalysts Market was valued at nearly USD 2.5 billion at the end of 2018. Growing at CAGR of nearly 10%, the photocatalyst market is expected to cross the USD 6 billion mark by the end of 2018 over the forecast period. Japan accounted for USD 560.5 million in revenue in 2016, dominating the market owing to the highest number of technology patents, presence of major manufacturers, and high adoption of technology. Furthermore, increasing R&D activities in the country are expected to drive growth over the forecast period.

Digital Vacuum Gauge Market - The Digital Vacuum Gauge Market was valued at USD 3.15 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2030. North America is expected to dominate the market with a staggering 42% share in 2019, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Growth in these regions is primarily attributed to factors such as rising R&D activities and investments in technological advancements and increasing demand from end-use industries such as coating & printing, space simulation, and vacuum drying/heat treatment.

Vacuum Insulated Pipe Market  The global Vacuum Insulated Pipe market is expected to grow from USD 1.02 Billion in 2022 to USD 2.06 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2022 to 2030. North America is expected to be the largest region in terms of revenue during the forecast period. This is due to a number of factors such as increasing industrialization and infrastructure investment, and growing demand from oil and gas companies.

Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Market - The global Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Market is expected to be reach at USD 2,493.3 million in 2021 and is projected to grow a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period from 2021 to 2028. Asia Pacific is attracting investors to set up their production facilities owing to the easy availability of raw materials and labor at low costs. Industrial activities are growing in this region owing to low manufacturing costs and support of local governments.

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ReportLinker

during the forecast period. Technological advancements in science and new approaches for identifying physical traits in plants in the form of quantitative and qualitative data have been a boon in recent years.

New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Plant Phenotyping Market by Product, Service And Region - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05500085/?utm_source=GNW

To explain the genetic expression in crossbred or genetically modified (GM) plants, plant phenotyping is an important aspect, which can be leveraged to its full potential so that the selection of plant species that are stress-tolerant and productive is highly possible, and thereby, they can be chosen for cultivation, based on the researches and experiments conducted.



Europe is projected to witness the growth of 3.4% during the forecast period.

The plant phenotyping market in Europe is growing at a CAGR of 12.6% due to the rising demand in large economies, such as The Netherlands, UK, France and other countries. The industrial organization and technology of plant phenotyping processing are changing rapidly in Europe. Unlike other regions where phenotyping is processed almost entirely by large companies, in Europe, plant phenotyping processing is done by small and medium-sized firms. Historically, native plant based products have been largely used for food products in the Europe region. The industrial applications and technologies involved in plant phenotyping processing are changing rapidly in the Europe countries. Plant phenotyping is increasingly being demanded by various industries in the region and these industries are incorporating modern equipment of phenotyping in their manufacturing processes and products.



The equipment product type dominates the market with 59.6% of total market share in terms of value.



The corn plant phenotyping dominates the market with 59.6% of total market share in terms of value in 2021. The European plant phenotyping market is dominated by equipment due to its low price. Similarly, in Europe, the market is almost equally distributed among greenhouses and laboratories. In the Europe countries, however, the focus is on greenhouses is more. In some cases, the plant phenotyping industry is likely to choose based on the cost factor of the products over the quality due to cost considerations.



Break-up of Primaries:

 By Company Type: Tier 1  55.0%, Tier 2- 20.0%, Tier 3  25.0%

 By Designation: C-Level  50.0%, Manager Level  50.0%

 By Region: Europe - 26%, Asia-Pacific  43%, North America - 21%, RoW  10%



Leading players profiled in this report:

 LemnaTec (Germany)

 Delta-T Devices (UK)

 Heinz Walz (Germany)

 Phenospex (Netherlands)

 KeyGene (Netherlands)

 Phenomix (France)

 CropDesign (Belgium)

 Quibit Phenomics (Canada)

 Photon System Republic (Czech Republic)

 WPS (The Netherlands)

 Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) (Belgium)

 Rothamstad Research Limited (UK)

 VBCF (Austria)

 MaxWell Biosystems AG (Switzerland)

 Plant-DiTech LTD (Israel)

 Hiphen (France)

 Terramera (Canada)

 Seed-X (U.S.)

 BioVox (U.S.)

 Agrela Ecosystems (U.S.)

 Gardin (UK)

 Petiole LTD (UK)

 Pheno-Inspect GmbH (Germany)

 Agri-EPI Centre Ltd (UK)

 PhenoKey BV (The Netherlands)



Research Coverage:

The report segments the plant phenotyping market on the basis of type and region. In terms of insights, this report has focused on various levels of analysesthe competitive landscape, end-use analysis, and company profiles, which together comprise and discuss views on the emerging & high-growth segments of the global plant phenotyping, high-growth regions, countries, government initiatives, drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges.



Reasons to buy this report:

 To get a comprehensive overview of the plant phenotyping market

 To gain wide-ranging information about the top players in this industry, their product portfolios, and key strategies adopted by them

 To gain insights about the major countries/regions in which the plant phenotyping market is flourishing

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05500085/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va., Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (NASDAQ: GP) (TSXV: GPV) ("GreenPower"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, today announced the appointment of K. Neal International Trucks, Inc. ("K. Neal") as an exclusive dealer for GreenPower's all-electric Type D BEAST and Type A Nano BEAST school buses for the state of Maryland and Washington D.C.

GreenPowers All-Electric Type A Nano BEAST school bus in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

"We are excited to be working with K. Neal, who is a proven school bus dealer in Maryland and in D.C.," said Michael Perez, vice president of school bus, contracts and grants for GreenPower. "The region has around 8,000 school buses currently in operation and a strong desire to migrate from diesel to electric school buses. We are already working with the K. Neal team on several deals including those funded by the recent EPA Clean School Bus Program announcement."

Serving a large share of the region's school districts, K. Neal has three locations in Maryland and one location serving Washington D.C. "With its 24-7 mobile service operations, K. Neal brings the same level of customer support and service to its customers that GreenPower provides nationwide," Perez continued, noting that K. Neal has initially agreed to purchase a Nano BEAST Type A school bus and then a BEAST Type D school bus from GreenPower for customer demonstrations.

The new relationship pairs an award-winning product, the Nano BEAST, with an award-winning dealer. The Washington Business Journal recognized K. Neal as a family-owned business honoree for the dealership's excellence in ethics and innovation.

The School Transportation News award-winning Nano BEAST has the largest standard battery pack for a Type A school bus on the market today with a class leading range of up to 150 miles. Configured for up to 18 passengers with one wheelchair position and 14 passengers with two wheelchair positions, the Nano BEAST features the industry-leading BraunAbility wheelchair lift and the preferred Q'Straint wheelchair securement system. GreenPower's BEAST is a 40-foot Type D school bus seating up to 90 passengers. The dual port charging is standard, with Level 2 rates up to 19.2 kW and DC Fast Charging rates up to 61 kW. Wireless charging is also available as an option.

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GreenPower and Media Contacts:

Brendan Riley

President

(510) 910-3377

Michael Perez

Vice President School Bus, Contracts and Grants

(909) 308-0960

Allie Potter

Skyya PR for GreenPower

(218) 766-8856

allie@skyya.com

About GreenPower Motor Company

GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van, and a cab and chassis. GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower's business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower's operations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "upon", "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or are beyond GreenPower's control. A number of important factors, including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com), could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.  2023 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.

(PRNewsfoto/GreenPower Motor Company)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/greenpower-appoints-k-neal-as-a-school-bus-dealer-for-the-state-of-maryland-and-washington-dc-301727677.html

SOURCE GreenPower Motor Company
Raymond James analyst John Freeman reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares of Hess Corp (NYSE: HES) and raised the price target from $160 to $175.

The analyst said Hess offers leading Free Cash Flow (FCF) growth in the industry, with FCF anticipated to grow 6x from 2023 to 2030 at strip pricing, thanks in large part to the incredible resource in Guyana.

Payara will be the next inflection point, playing a large role in the more than 2x growth in FCF from 2023 to 2024.

Payara development is still on track for first production by year-end 2023 and Yellowtail, the fourth development, is on track first production in 2025, cited the analyst.

These two projects will bring in 150Mbo/d net to Hess, plus an additional 30 mboe/d out of the Bakken by YE24, added the analyst.

In the next three years, Hess is looking to increase its production by more than 50%, assuming Guyana and Bakken production plans come to fruition, said the analyst.

The analyst said the $175 target price is based on a discounted cash flow model.

The analyst added that Hess remains a differentiated story with Guyana and the long-term visibility from that tremendous resource.

Price Action: HES shares are trading higher by 0.61% at $155.75 on the last check Monday.

Photo Via Company

Latest Ratings for HES

Date Firm Action From To Mar 2022 Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight Jan 2022 Credit Suisse Maintains Neutral Jan 2022 Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight

View More Analyst Ratings for HES

View the Latest Analyst Ratings

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
After growing over 100% year over year, Toronto-based digital media agency, Hotspex Media, follows up record growth with industry-wide recognition of its corporate culture.

Hotspex Media: AdAge Best Places to Work 2023

Hotspex Media: AdAge Best Places to Work 2023

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hotspex Media has been named one of the Ad Age Best Places to Work 2023, an annual ranking of companies that lead the pack in factors ranging from pay and benefits to corporate culture and leadership.

Since its inception, Hotspex Media has strived to balance its revenue growth rate with its development of personnel. "As a management team, we adapt to external demands, but our staff is central to our identity. Our team values empathy, transparency and inclusivity, but there's no greater joy than celebrating personal and professional growth," said Josh Rosen, President.

"We've had countless team members step up and achieve their goals. The alignment of personal goals with business outcomes has been amazing to witness. We're a team of doers and I'm beyond proud of how we've grown together," Rosen added.

Recently Rosen and the Hotspex Management team invested in mental health initiatives to ensure adequate access to mental health practitioners, a work-abroad program encouraging staff to work/live anywhere for up to 6 weeks, and an RRSP matching plan.

Ad Age Best Places to Work 2023 honors 50 companies that did a standout job over the past year as the ad business met with the challenges of a weakening economy, changing media market and a continued tight talent pool.

The winnerstop companies with 200 or fewer employees and top companies with more than 200 employeesreflect the highest overall numerical scores based on an analysis of questionnaires submitted by employers and survey responses from their employees.

Ad Age's scoring system factors in employee responses on topics including pay and benefits and seven other core focus areas (75% of the score) and a company's policies and practices on areas including pay and benefits, work/life balance, recruitment, training and development (25% of the score).

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Ad Age produced Best Places to Work 2023 in partnership with Best Companies Group, a research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work. The competition was open to agencies, ad tech firms, brand or corporate marketing departments or groups and in-house agencies of marketers.

About Ad Age

Created in 1930 to cover a burgeoning industry with objectivity, accuracy and fairness, Ad Age continues to be powered by award-winning journalism. Today, Ad Age is a global media brand focusing on curated creativity, data and analysis, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting.

About Hotspex Media

Based in Toronto, Canada, Hotspex Media is an independent digital media agency that specializes in media planning and programmatic execution. Ranked the #1 Agency for Media Planning and Buying as reviewed by clients, the company's team of strategic doers prides itself on its culture of teamwork, open-mindedness, inclusivity, and commitment to growth.

Contact Information:

Jonah Cait

VP, Strategy & Product

jonah.cait@hotspexmedia.com

4169105662



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EaseMyTrip is looking to capitalize on growing inbound and outbound trips to and from India. Shalender Kumar / Pexels

Having started as a mom-and-pop travel agency, EaseMyTrip today figures among the largest online travel agencies (OTA) in India with a market capitalization of $1.1 billion while being completely bootstrapped.

And Prashant Pitti, the EaseMyTrip co-founder, said this has a lot to do with its no convenience fee model that has helped the company earn a high volume of return users.

The convenience charge or booking fee is a standard among all online travel agencies and airlines in India.

In its filing with the Indian market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India, in 2021, the company claimed to have overtaken Yatra.com, in gross booking volume and revenue, to become the second largest online travel agency in India.

Having started in 2008 as an offline market for travel agents EaseMyTrip, founded by the three Pitti brothers  Prashant, Rikant and Nishant, entered the consumer business three years later.

Pitti said they understood pretty soon that most of the travel business would move online. However, venture capitalists were not ready to back them up as the Indian online travel market was already populated by companies like MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Yatra and GoIbibo.

However, the travel agency experience stood the company in good stead, according to Pitti, as he called it the secret sauce for the companys success.

Focus on Customer Experience

While other online travel agencies are focused on the online part of the business, ensuring that their websites look pixel perfect, EaseMyTrip pays more attention to the travel agent bit as it looks to provide a perfect after-sales customer experience, he said.

Most online travel agencies have outsourced their call center, but we run our own call center because we believe that customer loyalties are built and destroyed at call centers, he said, explaining that while they sell travel products online, the after-sales customer service is provided through these call centers.

This, according to Pitti, has also led to EaseMyTrips growing number of return users, which he currently pegged at around 93 percent.

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This high repeat-user base helps the company save precious marketing dollars, allowing it to not charge a convenience or booking fee, according to Pitti.

How The Refund Risk Paid Off

According to Pitti, EaseMyTrip took a huge risk during Covid deciding to refund airfares to customers for cancelled flights even before the airlines had processed the refunds.

We had about $25 million worth of cash reserves in the bank and we managed to refund $16 million in airfares, while hoping that none of the airlines would shut down.

This, said Pitti, helped EaseMyTrip earn goodwill in the market.

And while he acknowledged that Covid had been tough for the company, Pitti said EaseMyTrip managed to bounce back really fast, In June 2020 when domestic travel returned, we managed to break even during the first quarter itself.

After a successful listing in the Indian bourses in 2021, EaseMyTrips market cap crossed $1 billion in September 2021 helping the online travel agency enter the much-coveted unicorn club.

In the second quarter of the financial year 2023, EaseMyTrip posted gross booking revenue of $243 million, which the company said was its highest-ever in any quarter. The companys revenue from operations was $13 million compared to $7 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

Online Travel Market in India

The online travel market in India is set to grow annually at 12-13 percent between 2023 and 2027 with online air ticketing set to grow at 15 percent during the same period, according to investment advisory firm ICICI Securities.

In line with the industry trend, EaseMyTrip is likely to grow at a healthy pace. We believe the low-cost model and no convenience fee strategy would strongly support the company in gaining market share further from competitors, going ahead, the advisory firm noted in a report.

Pointing out the key risks and concerns the report noted that while there isnt much competition currently, the entry of new players like Flipkart and Amazon having a larger pool of users could lead to intense competition.

In April 2021, Flipkart acquired 100 percent stake in Cleartrip for $40 million and Amazon has added flight bookings to its growing list of services in India.

EaseMyTrip is now looking to grow its non-air business by acquiring companies that are profitable, tech driven, asset-light and disruptive.

Even though we sell hotels, buses, trains and holidays, people use us more for flights. We want to grow our other businesses as well, said Pitti, announcing that the company would also be launching its forex platform.

Expanding International Footprint

A Mordor Intelligence report noted that EaseMyTrip is looking to capitalize on growing inbound and outbound trips to and from India while expanding its international footprint, particularly in international cities where Indians travel the most.

With an expanded international presence, EaseMyTrip expects to provide better service to their customers as well as provide better rates on local hotels and restaurants that are reluctant to work with companies outside their home countries, the report said.

Calling EaseMyTrips prospects bright, Sandeep Dwivedi, the chief operating officer of InterGlobe Technology Quotient, the official distributor of Travelport in India, said, The company is on a global expansion mission, using new capabilities and delivering best options for the world to travel hassle free.

Having opened an office in Thailand, EaseMyTrip opened a Dubai office in March 2022 and Piti said that within six months of its launch the companys revenue jumped from $100,000 in March to $1.2 million in September.

The Middle East is a completely new market for us but our business has only been growing because the incumbent players are charging a lot of convenience fees.

With an office in UK, EaseMyTrip has now sets its sights on the European market. We want to disrupt any country where people have been paying hefty convenience fees for travel products, Pitti said.

Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Skift.com.
Native Womens Association of Canada

Change The Bill

"Change The Bill", an innovative design project that aims to promote reconciliation through art.

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is proud to announce the launch of "Change the Bill", a call to action that aims to promote reconciliation through art. Despite being the original inhabitants of this land, an Indigenous person has never been represented on a permanent Canadian banknote.



The underrepresentation and marginalization of Indigenous women in Canadian society is a longstanding issue that must be addressed. Despite playing a crucial role in shaping the country's history and culture, Indigenous women have been historically excluded from mainstream representation. It is imperative that Canadians prioritize and amplify the voices of Indigenous women in mainstream media and representation.

In recognition of this important issue, The Local Gallery in Toronto will host an exhibition from January 20th to 28th, showcasing reimagined $20 bills by Indigenous artists, to raise awareness and empower Indigenous women in Canada, in alignment with the objectives of the Native Women's Association of Canada. These pieces of art will serve to highlight Indigenous women heroes and provide an opportunity to highlight the talents and contributions of Indigenous women. Prints of the artwork will be available for purchase for twenty dollars, with 100% of proceeds going to the artist. This exhibition serves as an important step towards recognizing the significance and contributions of the Indigenous population and provides an opportunity to support and uplift Indigenous artists.

"Change The Bill is not just about placing an Indigenous woman on a banknote, it is about recognizing the contributions and significance of Indigenous women in Canada and creating a more inclusive society. Educating future generations about the contributions of Indigenous women and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their significance creates a more just and equitable society for all Canadians," said Lynne Groulx, CEO of NWAC.

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The power of art as a tool for social change and cultural understanding is well-documented. Museums and galleries around the world have long recognized the impact that art can have on people and society. From shaping the cultural mosaic of mankind for centuries, art continues to be a powerful means of influencing humanity. The Native Women's Association of Canada enlisted the expertise of TAXI, a leading North American brand experience agency, to shine a light on the underrepresented and marginalized Indigenous women in Canadian society.

This campaign launches at DesignTO, Canada's leading and largest platform that curates' exhibitions, presentations, and educational programming. For more information and to purchase artwork, visit the Change the Bill website at https://changethebill.ca/. Click here to watch the introduction video.

Follow the campaign on social media using #ChangeTheBill and @NWAC_Canada on Instagram.

ABOUT THE NATIVE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Metis and Inuit. An aggregate of Indigenous women's organizations from across the country, NWAC was founded on the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.

ABOUT TAXI

TAXI is a North American brand and customer experience agency that connects brands with consumers through creativity, technology, and culture. Its principal offices are in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and New York. For more information, visit agency.taxi. TAXI is part of the VMLY&R network and a WPP company (NYSE: WPP).

Roselie LeBlanc

roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca

604-928-3233

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ba71e57-b93b-4230-80be-8ef88ec30204




DUBLIN, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo





The global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market size reached US$ 3.12 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 4.24 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.25% during 2021-2027.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, we are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor.



An intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) system comprises a group of procedures that can detect, monitor, and confirm nerve function and help minimize the odds of neurological problems during or after neurological surgical procedures. It reduces the risks of nerve function being damaged as a result of improper positioning of the patient or any neurophysiologically-relevant nerve structures.

An IONM allows surgeons to identify electrophysiologic changes during spine, head or neck surgery, which may be crucial in extending incisions, placing implants, positioning limbs, and performing retraction techniques that can prevent permanent nerve damage.

Using targeted neurostimulation, nerve structures can be identified to prevent potential damage, thus allowing surgeons to focus on optimizing interventions while preserving function. Consequently, these systems are extensively used in neuro, ENT, emergency, visceral, cardiothoracic, orthopedic, and vascular surgeries.



The market is majorly driven by the augmenting focus on patient safety during complex surgical procedures. This can be attributed to a considerable rise in the prevalence of chronic neurovascular disorders, such as epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Story continues

In addition to this, the escalating demand for minimally invasive and non-invasive surgeries resulting in a higher uptake of advanced intraoperative neuromonitoring devices is propelling the market. Moreover, the growing trend of medical tourism across the globe is also creating lucrative growth opportunities for the market. The market is further driven by the expanding expenditure on advanced healthcare services.

Some of the other factors providing an impetus to the market include the paradigm shift towards outsourced monitoring, the increasing geriatric population that is susceptible to developing neurological disorders, favorable government initiatives and reimbursement plans, and extensive research and development (R&D), collaborations, and joint ventures among the key players.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Accurate Monitoring LLC, Computational Diagnostics Inc., inomed Medizintechnik GmbH, Intranerve LLC, Medtronic plc, Natus Medical Incorporated, NeuroMonitoring Technologies Inc., Neurophysiology Services Asia, Nihon Kohden Corporation, NuVasive Inc., Specialtycare Inc. and Technomed.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product and services?

What is the breakup of the market based on the source type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Product and Services

6.1 Systems

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Accessories

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Services

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Source Type

7.1 Insourced Monitoring

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Outsourced Monitoring

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Application

8.1 Spinal Surgery

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Neurosurgery

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Vascular Surgery

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 ENT Surgery

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast

8.5 Orthopedic Surgery

8.5.1 Market Trends

8.5.2 Market Forecast

8.6 Others

8.6.1 Market Trends

8.6.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by End User

9.1 Hospitals

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region



11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 Accurate Monitoring LLC

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2 Computational Diagnostics Inc.

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3 inomed Medizintechnik GmbH

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4 Intranerve LLC

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5 Medtronic plc

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.5.3 Financials

15.3.5.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.6 Natus Medical Incorporated

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 NeuroMonitoring Technologies Inc.

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.8 Neurophysiology Services Asia

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9 Nihon Kohden Corporation

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9.3 Financials

15.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.10 NuVasive Inc.

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10.3 Financials

15.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.11 Specialtycare Inc.

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12 Technomed

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bne4jl



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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press@researchandmarkets.com



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Cision

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Winemaker is committed to support those in need

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 23, 2023 /CNW/ - Joel Gott Wines, an award-winning portfolio of elegant, balanced and affordable wines, committed to a donation of $10,000 to Food Banks BC as it continues to expand its philanthropic commitment through the "Gott for Good" initiative.

Joel Gott at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (CNW Group/Joel Gott Wines)

Based on his belief that every family deserves to have food on the table, Joel Gott launched the Gott for Good program in 2019. As a proud Feeding America partner for the past three years, Gott is doubling up his efforts in the fight against hunger by expanding Gott for Good to Canadians in need.

"It's no secret that the cost of food, rent, and other essentials at an all-time high, families across Canada are struggling. Food banks are being stretched to their limits, but people rely on us more than ever," said Cynthia Boulter, Chief Operating Officer at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. "Donations like these are essential to help Food Banks fight hunger. When a partnership like this one happens, it spreads our reach, increases our profile. People look at this program and are interested in what people are giving their time to."

Each month, B.C. food banks provide over 125,000 meals through shelters, soup kitchens and school lunch programs, and Food bank visits have increased by 5%, from 124,000 to 131,000 visits per year since 2019. 1 out of every 3 food bank users is a child and the number of seniors (65+ years) accessing food banks has increased by 20% in the past 2 years.

"There's nothing more important to me than putting food on the table for people. In the current economy, there's no better time to do this." said Joel Gott, vintner of Joel Gott Wines. "We really hope that our program, Gott for Good, encourages other people in the food and beverage industry to also get involved in fighting hunger in some way that works for them."

This donation FoodBanks BC marks a reinvigorated commitment to helping people facing immense food insecurity and a first step in the program's extension to Canada in 2023.

Story continues

Canadians can learn more about Gott for Good by visiting gottwines.com/gott-for-good/

About Joel Gott Wines:

Since its founding by Joel and Sarah Gott in 1996 in St. Helena, California, Joel Gott Wines has selected the best fruit from growing regions in California, Oregon and Washington  each blended to create more balanced, clean, complex and elegant wines. More than twenty years later, Joel Gott Wines has maintained a legacy of giving customers expressive and food-friendly wines at great prices by partnering with vintners and vineyards with whom the Gott family has built relationships for generations. The Joel Gott Wines portfolio features five core California wines: 815 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the Palisades Red Wine Blend. In addition to these core wines, Joel Gott Wines produces a wide range of varietals that are produced from fruit from California and the Pacific Northwest. For more information visit www.gottwines.com .

Joel Gott Wines (CNW Group/Joel Gott Wines)

SOURCE Joel Gott Wines

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/23/c5835.html
GreyViews

Luggage Market Size By Type (Travel and Business), By Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), Regions, Segmentation, and forecast till 2030.

Pune India, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The market has been studied for the below mentioned-segmentation and regional analysis for North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. These are the key regions where the luggage market is operating and is predicted to expand soon. The manufacturers and suppliers involved in the luggage market are present across various countries in the above-mentioned regions.

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The report provides a detailed understanding of the market segments which have been formed by combining different prospects such as the type, distribution channel, and regions. Apart from this, the key driving factors, restraints, potential growth opportunities, and market challenges are also discussed in the below paragraphs.

The significant players operating in the global luggage market are Berry Global, Smurfit Kappa, WestRock Company, Mondi Group, Ampac Holdings, LLC, International Plastics Inc., BioBag International AS, Billerudkorsnas, Huhtamaki Oyj., Fischer Bag Company among others. To achieve a substantial market share in the worldwide luggage market and strengthen their position, manufacturers are pursuing expansion methods such as current developments, mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, collaborations, and partnerships, joint ventures.

Any personal items a traveler brings on a flight, cruise, or bus are considered luggage, whether they are checked or not. While being carried, a traveler's possessions are housed in luggage, which consists of bags, cases, and containers. The bulk of the time, heavy materials like wood were used to make antique luggage. But over time, luggage has undergone a significant change in shape. Depending on the sort of items, the categories may include travel, business, sports, and others. There are many various distribution methods for luggage, including department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets, online sales, and others. The three major price points for luggage are Value & Mid-Level, Premium, and Luxury. Luggage has evolved over time. Historically, the most common types of baggage were chests or trunks built of wood or other solid materials. Licensed movers would transfer these. Since the Second World War, hand-carriable suitcases and smaller, lighter bags have replaced traditional suitcases as the most common kind of luggage.

Story continues

Enquiry Before Buying This Report @ https://greyviews.com/inquiry/423

Scope of Luggage Market Report:

Report Metric Information Study Period 2022-2030 Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Market Share Unit USD Billion Segments Covered Type, Distribution Channel, and Regions. Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle-East and Africa Major Players Berry Global, Smurfit Kappa, WestRock Company, Mondi Group, Ampac Holdings, LLC, International Plastics Inc., BioBag International AS, Billerudkorsnas, Huhtamaki Oyj., Fischer Bag Company among others.

Segmentation Analysis

Travel is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in 2022.

The type segment is travel and business. The travel segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The fast growing global travel and tourist industry is partly to blame for the rise in the demand for suitcases. The recruitment of prominent athletes as brand ambassadors by baggage manufacturers also helps to expand the market for this industry.

Offline equipment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in 2022.

The distribution segment includes offline and online. The offline segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The opening of specialized retail sites by top companies in the offline channel is causing the market to grow. Rapid urbanization, a growing network of specialist retail stores, and customers' preference for the traditional manner of buying bags and briefcases at the local retail market will all contribute to an increase in sales of these products.

Regional Analysis

The regional analysis provides a detailed perception of the key regions and the countries. Some of the key countries analyzed for the luggage market include the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan, India, Brazil, Peru, UAE, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

The North America region witnessed a major share. As a result of changing lifestyles, increasing inbound and outward travel, increased disposable income, a high working population, the availability of well-known brands, and customers' willingness to spend more for luxury brands, the market in this region will expand.

Country Analysis

Germany

Germany's luggage market size was valued at USD 3.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 6.27 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2030. In Germany, where the tourism sector is expanding, both domestic and international travel are rising. Germany experienced much less outbound tourism than the previous year as a result of the outbreak and travel restrictions. But now that the limitations have been relaxed, German tourists are keen to travel once more. German citizens spend the most on international business and leisure travel. Germans choose sturdy, lightweight trolley bags since international flights have weight restrictions on checked baggage. German travellers purchase bags with smart locks and integrated GPS since there is always a chance that their belongings may be stolen or go missing.

China

Chinas Luggage market size was valued at USD 5.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 10.73 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8% from 2023 to 2030. China, which has rigorous visitor access regulations, is one of the countries with the highest COVID awareness. The nation's borders are now open to all travellers. In addition, more people are expected to travel within their own country. This suggests that the demand for travel bag suppliers would increase. Chinese people are renowned for their simplicity and minimalism, and this extends to their luggage as well. Chinese travel bags look simple, but they are packed with unique features and contain a tonne of capacity. Huge storage capacities and useful features are available for both backpacks and larger bags.

India

India's Luggage market size was valued at USD 4.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 8.62 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2023 to 2030. The competition in India's baggage industry has increased significantly as newcomers like Da Milano and long-standing businesses like VIP vie for clients. The demand for travel and business bags is expected to expand due to an increase in travel and tourism activities as well as an increase in business travellers. In 2019, around 26.92 million Indians travelled outside of their country, an increase of 11.69% from the previous year. This meant that the need for luggage had increased.

Covid-19 Impact

Covid-19 had a major impact on almost all industries, such as electronics, semiconductors, manufacturing, automobile, etc. However, several companies operating in the technology sector have seen increased revenue due to significant changes in consumer preferences toward technological services. In addition, the pandemic has led to significant growth in technology across developing and developed countries.

Furthermore, the growth of the luggage market is mainly driven by the rise demand for high-end luggage.

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ReportLinker

Forecasts by Point of Sale (OEM, Retrofit), by Category (Combat Vehicles, Combat Support Vehicles, Unmanned Armoured Vehicles), by Combat Vehicles (Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Armoured Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs), Mine-resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), Light Protected Vehicles (LPVs), Self-propelled Howitzers (SPHs), Air Defence Vehicles, Other), by Combat Support Vehicles (Armoured Supply Trucks, Armoured Command and Control Vehicles, Repair and Recovery Vehicles, Bridge-laying Tanks, Mine Clearance Vehicles, Other) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Pattern Analysis.

New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Military Armoured Vehicle Market Report 2023-2033" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06383479/?utm_source=GNW





The Military Armoured Vehicle Market Report 2023-2033: This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region.





Border Conflicts, Changing Foreign and Defence Policies Will Drive the Market



Geographical issues, changing foreign and defence policies, strategic considerations, international relations, territorial/border conflicts, as well as local, regional, and global security issues related to insurgencies, terrorism, piracy, as well as human and drug trafficking, are among them. The relationship of the three key players in the region, China, India, and the United States, would further complicate an already difficult situation. on a patchy environment, combat vehicles are a constant presence. They are present in all theatres, all tactical situations, all wars, and they cover the complete spectrum of military operations. Those who skilfully employ their enormous capabilities gain a clear advantage. The Army will be able to deploy quickly around the globe and maintain combat operations for extended durations in a range of operating conditions against state, nonstate, and hybrid adversaries thanks to updated combat vehicles. If modernization efforts are carried out diligently and wisely, Army leaders will have a substantial advantage as they work to prevail on future battlefields





Story continues

What Questions Should You Ask before Buying a Market Research Report?



 How is the military armoured vehicle market evolving?



 What is driving and restraining the military armoured vehicle market?



 How will each military armoured vehicle submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033?



 How will the market shares for each military armoured vehicle submarket develop from 2023 to 2033?



 What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033?



 Will leading military armoured vehicle markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?



 How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033?



 Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?



 What are the military armoured vehicle projects for these leading companies?



 How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of military armoured vehicle projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?



 Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the military armoured vehicle market?



 Where is the military armoured vehicle market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?



 What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?



 What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?





You need to discover how this will impact the military armoured vehicle market today, and over the next 10 years:



 Our 403-page report provides 157 tables and 190 charts/graphs exclusively to you.



 The report highlights key lucrative areas in the industry so you can target them  NOW.



 It contains in-depth analysis of global, regional and national sales and growth.



 It highlights for you the key successful trends, changes and revenue projections made by your competitors.





This report tells you TODAY how the military armoured vehicle market will develop in the next 10 years, and in line with the variations in COVID-19 economic recession and bounce. This market is more critical now than at any point over the last 10 years.





Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects



 In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.



 You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.



 Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising military armoured vehicle prices and recent developments.





This report includes data analysis and invaluable insight into how COVID-19 will affect the industry and your company. Four COVID-19 recovery patterns and their impact, namely, V, L, W and U are discussed in this report.





Segments Covered in the Report





Market Segment by Point of Sale



 OEM



 Retrofit





Market Segment by Category



 Combat Vehicles



 Combat Support Vehicles



 Unmanned Armored Vehicles





Market Segment by Combat Vehicles



 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs)



 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs)



 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs)



 Armored Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs)



 Mine-resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)



 Light Protected Vehicles (LPVs)



 Self-propelled Howitzers (SPHs)



 Air Defense Vehicles



 Other Combat Vehicles





Market Segment by Combat Support Vehicles



 Armored Supply Trucks



 Armored Command and Control Vehicles



 Repair and Recovery Vehicles



 Bridge-laying Tanks



 Mine Clearance Vehicles



 Other Combat Support Vehicles





In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for four regional and 20 leading national markets:





North America



 U.S.



 Canada





Europe



 Germany



 Ukraine



 Russia



 France



 Italy



 Rest of Europe





Asia Pacific



 China



 Japan



 India



 Pakistan



 South Korea



 Rest of Asia Pacific





Latin America



 Brazil



 Mexico



 Rest of Latin America





Middle East and Africa



 Turkey



 South Africa



 UAE



 Rest of Middle East and Africa





The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Military Armoured Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies operations.





Leading companies and the potential for market growth



 Arquus



 BAE Systems plc



 Denel SOC Ltd



 Elbit Systems Ltd.



 General Dynamics Corporation



 Hanwha Group



 L3Harris Technologies, Inc.



 Lockheed Martin Corporation



 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries , Ltd.



 Nexter Systems



 Northrop Grumman Corporation



 Paramount Group



 Rheinmetall AG



 Textron Inc.



 Thales Group





Overall world revenue for Military Armoured Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 in terms of value the market will surpass US$35,988 million in 2023, our work calculates. We predict strong revenue growth through to 2033. Our work identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead.





How will the Military Armoured Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 report help you?



In summary, our 300+ page report provides you with the following knowledge:





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for Military Armoured Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for point of sale, category, combat vehicles, combat support vehicles and company size, each forecast at a global and regional level  discover the industrys prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues.





 Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets  See forecasts for the Military Armoured Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, China, India, Japan, and Turkey among other prominent economies.





 Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market  including company profiles for 15 of the major companies involved in the Military Armoured Vehicle Market, 2023 to 2033.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06383479/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Osisko Metals Incorporated

Gaspe Copper Project - Mont Copper

Gaspe Copper Project - Mont Copper

MONTREAL, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Metals Incorporated (the Company or "Osisko Metals") ( TSX-V: OM ; OTCQX: OMZNF ; FRANKFURT: 0B51 ) is pleased to announce additional drilling results from the Gaspe Copper Project, located in the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec. Twelve of the eighteen holes being reported were collared on the periphery of the existing Mount Copper open pit and utilized controlled directional drilling techniques, including one long drill hole that was flattened at shallow dips to crosscut the higher-grade mineralization below the existing open pit (see map).



Highlights:

Drill hole 30-1005, drilled at shallow angle towards the northwest under the existing pit, intersected 1011.0 metres grading 0.46% Cu, 3.19 g/t Ag, and 0.02% Mo , including a higher-grade intersection in the core of the deposit of 312.0 m grading 0.76% Cu, 4.79 g/t Ag and 0.04% Mo . The true horizontal width of the modelled mineralized shell in this area is 924 metres. This long directional hole matched the limits of the modelled mineralized envelope but exceeded the expected copper grades.

Drill hole 30-984A was collared on Mount Copper and intersected 235.5 metres grading 0.43% Cu, 2.98 g/t Ag, and 0.04% Mo . This hole extended mineralization by 180.0 metres beyond the lower limit of the modelled mineralized shell.

Drill hole 30-997 was collared on the eastern margin of the existing pit and intersected 567.0 metres grading 0.25% Cu, 1.90 g/t Ag, and 0.01% Mo . This hole matched the limits of the modelled mineralized shell.

Drill hole 30-1000A, collared outside the mineralized shell on the eastern margin of the pit, intersected 399.0 metres grading 0.28% Cu, 1.61 g/t Ag, and 0.03% Mo . This hole extended mineralization by 260.0 metres beyond the lower limit of the modelled mineralized shell.

Drill hole 30-1001, collared outside the mineralized shell on the eastern margin of the pit, intersected 330.5 metres grading 0.34% Cu, 2.32 g/t Ag, and 0.03% Mo . This hole matched the limits of the modelled mineralized shell.

Drill hole 30-1012, collared outside the mineralized shell on the northern margin of the pit, intersected 238.0 metres grading 0.51% Cu, 3.43 g/t Ag, and 0.02% Mo. This hole was stopped within the modelled mineralized shell as historical drill data is available at depth to the lower limit of the shell.

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Drill hole 30-1020, collared on the southern margin of the pit within the modelled mineralized shell, intersected 601.5 metres grading 0.34% Cu, 1.34 g/t Ag, and 0.02% Mo . This hole extended mineralization by 175.0 metres beyond the lower limit of the modelled mineralized shell.

Drill hole 30-1021A, collared on the southwestern margin of the pit within the modelled mineralized shell, intersected 138.7 metres grading 0.43% Cu and 1.22 g/t Ag (<0.01% Mo), followed by an additional deeper intersection of 366.0 metres grading 0.25% Cu, 1.82 g/t Ag, and 0.03% Mo. This hole extended mineralization by 200.0 metres beyond the lower limit of the modelled mineralized shell.

Robert Wares, Chairman & CEO, commented: We are very happy with this latest slate of drill results at Gaspe Copper, which are not only confirming grades at the Mount Copper deposit but also expanding the modelled limits of mineralization. Final results of the 2022 program are still pending, including another long directional drill hole that was designed to crosscut a known northwestern discontinuity and intersect higher grade mineralization below the bottom of the existing pit. We look forward to announcing these final results in the near future and resume drilling early next summer.

Table 1: Composites of Intersected Mineralization

Hole Name



Area



From To Intersection Cu Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) % g/t % 30-0984A* Mount Copper 351.0 519.0 168.0 0.28 2.23 0.02 And 529.5 765.0 235.5 0.43 2.98 0.04 30-0997 East Margin 51.0 93.0 42.0 0.19 2.86 <0.01 And 160.5 727.5 567.0 0.25 1.90 0.01 30-1000 East Margin 298.5 399.0 100.5 0.53 3.95 0.02 And 409.5 438.0 28.5 0.18 1.45 <0.01 30-1000A* East Margin 391.5 409.5 18.0 0.21 2.14 0.02 And 553.5 952.5 399.0 0.28 1.61 0.03 30-1001 East Margin 462.5.0 560.0 97.5 0.22 4.05 <0.01 And 584.0 914.5 330.5 0.34 2.32 0.03 And 958.0 986.5 28.5 0.26 1.71 <0.01 And 1025.5 1043.5 18.0 0.24 1.08 0.02 30-1005 Mount Copper 90.00 174.0 84.0 0.26 1.63 <0.01 And 225.0 1236.0 1011.0 0.46 3.19 0.02 (including) 733.5 1045.5 312.0 0.76 4.79 0.04 30-1009 NW Margin 246.0 261.0 15.0 0.24 1.79 <0.01 And 274.5 448.5 174.0 0.39 1.60 0.02 30-1011 NW Margin 279.0 496.5 217.5 0.48 2.44 0.02 30-1012 N Margin 399.0 637.0 238.0 0.51 3.43 0.02 30-1016* S Margin 33.0 106.5 73.50 0.18 1.03 <0.01 And 271.5 559.5 288.0 0.27 2.02 0.02 30-1017 S Margin 10.5 55.5 45.0 0.30 0.72 <0.01 And 93.0 109.5 16.5 0.16 0.75 <0.01 And 273.0 322.5 49.5 0.17 1.44 0.04 30-1018* SW Margin 4.5 70.5 66.0 0.31 0.60 <0.01 And 102.0 157.5 55.5 0.26 1.02 <0.01 And 180.0 196.5 16.5 0.18 1.15 <0.01 30-1019 SW Margin 9.0 220.5 211.5 0.26 1.02 <0.01 And 247.5 259.5 12.0 0.17 1.01 <0.01 And 339.0 499.5 160.5 0.21 1.40 0.02 30-1020* SW Margin 39.0 640.5 601.5 0.34 1.34 0.02 30-1021A* SW Margin 47.4 186.0 138.7 0.43 1.22 <0.01 And 198.0 226.5 28.5 0.17 0.76 <0.01 And 246.0 282.0 36.0 0.17 1.54 <0.01 And 303.0 327.0 24.0 0.19 1.29 0.01 And 348.0 714.0 366.0 0.25 1.82 0.03 And 726.0 753.0 27.0 0.20 1.72 <0.01 30-1024* W Margin 153.0 279.0 126.0 0.20 0.79 <0.01 And 300.0 357.0 57.0 0.18 0.78 0.01 And 414.0 487.50 73.5 0.28 1.16 0.02 And 507.0 726.0 219.0 0.24 1.35 0.02 30-1026* W Margin 115.5 150.0 34.5 0.27 1.25 <0.01 And 192.0 502.0 310.0 0.27 1.10 0.02 And 757.00 779.5 22.5 0.27 2.52 0.02 And 832.0 1012.0 180.0 0.28 1.78 0.02 And 1036.00 1102.00 66.0 0.17 1.10 0.03

Intersections marked with an asterisk in the above table extended mineralization beyond the 2022 MRE block model and hence may add to the next resource estimate update. Intersections of less than 10 metres are not reported. The maximum internal dilution of reported intersections (below calculated composites of 10.5 metres grading minimum of 0.16% Cu) is 5.0 metres.

The start of mineralization in many of the holes is relatively deep as they were collared well outside the block model envelope (modelled mineralized shell) in order to reach desired targets within the model.

DDH 30-996A was collared on the eastern margin of the pit, outside of the block model, and failed at a depth of 108 metres.

The pit-constrained Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) established that mineralization extends well beyond the existing Mount Copper open pit (see April 28, 2022 press release). The results in the tables herein help to confirm the historical assays and provide closer drill spacing in preparation for upcoming economic studies. Eight of the eighteen drill holes have extended mineralization beyond the current modeled pit shell used for the MRE.

The porphyry copper-style stockwork mineralization at Mount Copper is characterized by widespread, continuous copper mineralization radiating from the central primary source of mineralizing fluids, i.e. the Mount Copper porphyry intrusion located at depth.

Metal grades tend to decrease further away from the source, very gradually, leaving abundant lower-grade mineralization surrounding the center of the system. Economic factors detailed in the MRE have changed since the historical mine was closed such that drill results on the margin of the pit are generally above the proposed cut-off grade of 0.16% Cu.

Management Changes

Osisko Metals would like to announce that Killian Charles, Vice President of Corporate Development, has assumed the role of CEO & President of Brunswick Exploration (BRW) as of January 1st. In doing so, he has left his role with the Company to focus on BRW and will remain with the Company in an advisory capacity. We wish him all the best in his new role, and thank him for his dedication to helping us obtain our flagship projects and communicating our vision and progress to shareholders.

Table 2: Drill hole Collar Locations (UTM NAD83 - Zone 20)

Hole Name Area Easting Northing Elev. (m) Azm. Dip Length (m) 30-0984A Mount Copper 316077.1 5426405.4 743.8 305.0 -65 414.0 30-0996A Mount Copper 316299.8 5426577.8 699.5 245.0 -60 535.0 30-0997 East Margin 316286.4 5426656.2 694.8 244.4 -45 760.0 30-1000 East Margin 316281.5 5426902.8 692.6 245.0 -45 1060.0 30-1000A East Margin 316281.5 5426902.8 692.6 245.0 -50 1062.0 30-1001 East Margin 316300.0 5426993.3 704.0 245.0 -45 1072.0 30-1005 Mount Copper 316323.6 5426388.1 703.1 305.0 -29 1332.0 30-1009 NW Margin 315266.3 5427129.2 595.0 135.0 -45 600.0 30-1011 NW Margin 315456.7 5427242.5 599.8 165.0 -45 620.0 30-1012 North Margin 315945.4 5427257.3 692.8 210.0 -45 637.0 30-1016 South Margin 315644.1 5426475.0 585.6 62.0 -45 575.6 30-1017 South Margin 315665.5 5426335.6 584.6 60.0 -80 325.0 30-1018 SW Margin 315499.6 5426302.6 577.3 65.2 -78 351.0 30-1019 SW Margin 315500.3 5426303.0 577.4 65.2 -45 501.0 30-1020 SW Margin 315516.3 5426464.4 573.9 22.0 -81 642.0 30-1021A SW Margin 315516.6 5426463.4 574.0 65.0 -45 753.0 30-1024 West Margin 315221.8 5426518.6 590.5 65.0 -65 726.0 30-1026 West Margin 315154.2 5426592.0 596.1 65.0 -45 1102.0

Qualified Person

Mr. Jeff Hussey is the Qualified Person and President/COO for Osisko Metals Incorporated. He is responsible for the technical data reported in this news release and he is a Professional Geologist registered in the Province of Quebec.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Osisko Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC program for core handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses. Drill core samples from the Mines Gaspe project area are securely transported to its core facility on site, where they were logged and sampled. Samples selected for assay are shipped to ALS Canada Ltd.s preparation facility in Sudbury. Pulps are analyzed at the ALS Canada Ltd. facility in North Vancouver, BC. All samples are analyzed by four acid digestion followed by both ICP-AES and ICP-MS for a multi-element suite with a 1% upper detection limit for base metals.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals space. The Company controls one of Canadas premier past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point Project, located in the Northwest Territories for which the 2022 PEA has indicated an after-tax NPV of $602M and an IRR of 25% is based on the current Mineral Resource Estimates that are amenable to open pit and shallow underground mining and consist of 15.7Mt grading 5.55% ZnEq of Indicated Mineral Resources and 47.2Mt grading 5.94% ZnEq of Inferred Mineral Resources. Please refer to the technical report entitled Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pine Point Project, Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada dated July 30, which has been filed on SEDAR. The Pine Point Project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, near infrastructure, paved highway access, and has an electrical substation as well as 100 kilometres of viable haulage roads already in place.

The Company is also in the process of acquiring, from Glencore Canada, a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper Mine, located near Murdochville in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec. The Company is currently focused on resource evaluation of the Mount Copper Expansion Project that hosts a NI43-101 Inferred Resource of 456Mt grading 0.31% Cu (see April 28, 2022 press release). Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in Eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

For further information on this press release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Robert Wares, CEO of Osisko Metals Incorporated

Email: info@osiskometals.com

www.osiskometals.com

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking information. This news release may contain forward-looking information pertaining to the Pine Point Project, including, among other things, the results of the PEA and the IRR, NPV and estimated costs, production, production rate and mine life; the expectation that the Pine Point Project will be a robust operation and profitable at a variety of prices and assumptions; the expected high quality of the Pine Point concentrates; the potential impact of the Pine Point Project in the Northwest Territories, including but not limited to the potential generation of tax revenue and contribution of jobs; and the Pine Point Project having the potential for mineral resource expansion and new discoveries. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: favourable equity and debt capital markets; the ability to raise additional capital on reasonable terms to advance the development of its projects and pursue planned exploration; future prices of zinc and lead; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; operating conditions being favourable; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of equipment; and positive relations with local groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Companys public documents filed at www.sedar.com . Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4cbe723f-1de6-4d15-9c5e-490e953dd638




ReportLinker

Report Scope:. The radioactive waste management technologies and service global market study has been undertaken with a global perspective in terms of technologies and their applications.

New York, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Radioactive Waste Management: Global Markets" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p03326182/?utm_source=GNW

Market projections have been conducted for four regional segments (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World) and for the global market.



The report provides business planers, investors and managers with an improved understanding of the trends and impact of treatment technologies in radioactive waste management and also presents how the markets will be affected by new technology opportunities as well social and economic factors.



The report contains:

- An in-depth analysis of the technologies used for radioactive waste treatment.

- An overview of the quantities of hazardous waste produced per regional segment, type and source.

- Current and potential applications and technologies for radioactive waste management.

- Current and future market projections for radioactive waste technologies in each regional market.

- Profiles of current industry players per regional segment including services suppliers and contractors.

- A review of market and economic opportunities for current industry participants and new entrants.



The report also features a separate section highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the radioactive waste management market at the global level. The section covers the pandemics disruption on nuclear power plants and surveys the strategic investments taken by governments to boost the growth of the market globally.



A separate section on the Russia-Ukraine war is also included. This section provides a detailed analysis of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the radioactive waste management market.



The market size and estimations are provided in terms of value ($ millions), with 2021 serving as the base year and market forecasts given for the period 2022 to 2027.Regional-level market sizes, with respect to the technology segment, are provided for all four regions.



In addition, regional data on radioactive waste production is also provided with projections through 2027. The impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war have been factored into the estimates of market size.



Report Includes:

- 91 data tables and 37 additional tables

- A comprehensive overview and up-to-date analysis of the global markets for radioactive waste management technologies and services

- Analyses of the global market trends, with market revenue data for 2021, estimates for 2022, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2027

- Discussion of the industry growth driving factors and restraints that will shape the market for radioactive waste management as the basis for projecting demand in the next few years (2022-2027)

- Estimation of the actual market size and revenue forecast for the global radioactive waste management market in USD million values, and their corresponding market share analysis by type of technology and region

- Highlights of the impact of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine war on the market for radioactive waste management at the global level

- Technology assessment of the key drivers, restraints and opportunities that will shape the market for radioactive waste management production and technologies over the forecast period

- Review of the quantities of hazardous waste produced per regional segment, type and source, as well as current and potential technologies for radioactive waste management

- Analysis of market and economic opportunities for current industry participants and new entrants

- A relevant patent analysis with data corresponding to number of U.S. patents related to radioactive waste management technologies

- Updated information on recent industry acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, collaborations, and other strategic alliances in the global radioactive waste management market

- Descriptive company profiles of the leading global market players, including Veolia, EDF, Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Jacobs Solutions Inc., US Ecology Inc., and Studsvik AB



Summary:

A variety of nuclear activities have been carried out in the last 60 years.Military applications were the most common initially, followed by more peaceful uses such as nuclear energy production, nuclear materials for diagnosis and disease treatment, radioactive materials in industry, and research.



Regardless of the activity, nuclear activities generate radioactive waste.The accumulations of radioactive materials and the wastes generated can be considered a burden for human society, both at present and in the future, since they require continuing monitoring, control and treatment.



Knowing the amounts and types of such radioactive waste inventories can help in the assessment of the relative burdens.



The global market for radioactive waste management technologies and services was estimated to be worth $REDACTED in 2021. This figure is expected to rise to $REDACTED by the end of 2027, at a projected five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of REDACTED%.



Radioactive waste management involves two fundamental approaches: the radioactive materials can be either released or discharged to the environment, or they must be confined and isolated from the biosphere until the noxious radionuclides have decayed to innocuous concentrations.Releases of radioactivity to the environment generally occur as liquid or gaseous discharges (effluents) from nuclear facilities.



The amount of radioactivity that can be released is based on allowable exposures to population groups and is controlled by national regulations and guidelines, usually based on recommendations of the International Committee on Radiation Protection.



There are very few instances where radioactive effluents from nuclear facilities can be released without some form of control or treatment to remove excessive radioactivity. Most of the radioactive wastes arising from the operation of nuclear fuel cycle facilities require processing to concentrate the radioactive elements into a smaller volume that can be more conveniently handled, thereby permitting the release or disposal of the bulk of the processed material.



Based on technology, the market for radioactive waste management market is segmented into transportation and disposal services, physical treatment, containment and storage, chemical treatment, decontamination and decommissioning, thermal destruction, stabilization and encapsulation, size reduction, and remediation technologies.



Transportation and disposal technologies dominate the market with about REDACTED% of total sales in 2021.Physical treatment technologies accounted for the second-largest share of the market in 2021 (at REDACTED%) due to simplicity of operation and low investment and operational cost.



The projection for this market share segment is expected to increase to REDACTED% by 2027.Containment and storage technologies accounted for the third-largest share of the market in 2021 (at REDACTED%) including traditional and well-known methods for radioactive waste treatment.



Chemical treatment, decontamination and decommissioning, thermal destruction, and stabilization and encapsulation technologies accounted for the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh-largest shares, respectively, of the radioactive waste market based on the advantages of well-established technologies used and energy conservation they can offer. All four methods account for more than REDACTED% of the global market sales for 2021.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p03326182/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Future Market Insights Global and Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Increasing Demand for Sheep Tilt Tables in Veterinary Clinics and Research Facilities to Open-up Growth Prospects: Market to Surpass US$ 1,100 million by 2033

NEWARK, Del, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The sheep tilt table market value is expected to grow from US$ 780 million in 2023 to more than US$ 1,100 million by 2033. The demand for sheep tilt tables is expected to rise at an average CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period.



The sales of sheep tilt tables are expected to increase since they are adaptable goods that can be used for a range of reasons such as hoof trimming, immunization, and other medical procedures. Consumers and farmers are becoming more concerned about animal welfare, which is propelling demand for sheep tilt tables.

Sheep tilt tables are becoming increasingly popular as they are utilized to give better care and treatment to sheep, and as customers and farmers grow more concerned about animal welfare.

Get a Sample Copy of the Report with Table of Contents and Figures @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-16481

Increased government funding for sheep farm efficiency projects and expansions is anticipated to open up new markets for sheep tilt table manufacturers. The adoption of modern technology in the manufacturing of sheep tilt tables is expected to drive market expansion. As the global sheep population grows, manual herd management will become more challenging, resulting in an increasing demand for sheep tilt tables to help with routine feeding and herd management. Also, the precision agriculture trend in sheep farming is expected to enhance sheep tilt tables industry growth that can be connected with other sophisticated technologies such as data analysis and automation.

The sales of sheep tilt tables are anticipated to be fueled by farm owners' growing awareness of technology developments in the livestock handling sector. The integration of technology in the livestock handling system is also expected to open up the new business potential for sheep tilt table manufacturers. Automation and robotics in manufacturing are projected to boost productivity and lower labor costs, making sheep tilt tables more affordable for farmers and ranchers.

Story continues

The use of IoT and sensor technologies in sheep tilt tables will allow farmers and ranchers to monitor and track the health and well-being of their sheep in real-time. The integration of big data and analytics in the production of sheep tilt tables is anticipated to allow farmers and ranchers to make better-educated decisions regarding their sheep while also improving overall operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways from the Sheep Tilt Table Market:

In 2022, the livestock industry segment is likely to hold 45% of the sheep tilt table industry.

During the forecast period, the direct sales sector is expected to lead the market with a CAGR of 5%.

The sheep tilt table market in the United States is expected to exceed US$ 224.1 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period.

The German sheep tilt table industry is estimated to be valued at US$ 118.3 million by 2033, with a CAGR of 5% during the same period.

The sheep tilt table industry in the United Kingdom is expected to be valued at US$ 105.6 million by 2033, with a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period.

Japan's sheep tilt table industry is expected to reach US$ 35.8 million by 2033, developing at a 4.8% CAGR during the forecast period.

China accounts for 8.3% of the sheep tilt table industry, with a 2.8% CAGR throughout the projection period.



Get More Information on this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sheep-tilt-table-market

Who is Winning?

The top manufacturers of the sheep tilt table market are KSEM Inc., D-S Livestock Equipment, Lakeland, Three Willows Ranch, Stegall Fabrication, Sydell Sheep and Goat Equipment, Filson Livestock Equipment, Shaul's Mfg, Mountainview Machine, Parweld Ltd. and others.

Manufacturers of sheep tilt tables are taking various measures to gain an advantage in the expanding market for these products. These measures include investing in research and development to improve the technology of the tables. Players are broadening the range of products they offer to attract a wider range of customers. Boosting their marketing efforts to raise awareness of their brand is also a key strategy for them.

Also, manufacturers are cultivating connections with key players in the industry and forming strategic partnerships to expand their reach. They are also looking for opportunities to expand into new markets and regions. These efforts are expected to contribute to the continued growth of the sheep tilt table industry during the forecast period.

Lakeland has recently released a new series of sheep tilt tables with innovative features such as automated feeding and temperature control systems.

Three Willows Ranch launched a new product called the "Smart Sheep Tilt Table," which incorporates an innovative monitoring system that allows farmers to remotely watch the health and nutrition of their sheep.

Sydell Sheep and Goat Equipment have released the "Automatic Sheep Tilt Table," which includes an automatic feeding system and a built-in weighing scale, allowing farmers to easily monitor the weight and nutrition of their sheep.



Key Segments Covered in the Report

By Application:

Livestock Industry

Private Farm

Others



By Sales Channel:

Direct Sales

Retail Sales

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East and Africa



For More Information or Customization on this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-16481

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations



2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage/Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition/Scope/Limitations



3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.1.3. Opportunity

3.1.4. Trends

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario

3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario

3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

3.4. Product Life Cycle Analysis.....

Direct purchase of this report, click here @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/16481

Explore FMIs Extensive Coverage on Process Automation Domain

Grain Roller Market Size: During the estimated time frame (2023 to 2033), the grain roller market is anticipated to surge at a CAGR of 4.7%. Value of the global is expected to increase from US$ 1,572.2 million in 2023 to US$ 2,488.7 million by 2033.

Pasta Machine Market Share: During the estimated period between 2023 and 2033, the global pasta machine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6%. The market is projected to surge from US$ 2,100 million in 2023 to US$ 3621.2 million by 2033.

Horse Grain Feeders Market Demand: The global Horse Grain Feeders Market size is projected to be valued at US$ 3.49 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit around US$ 5.79 billion by 2033. Sales of horse grain feeders are expected to rise at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period.

Nut Processing Machine Market Growth: The global nut processing machine market is predicted to develop at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2023 and 2032. The overall market valuation is anticipated to rise from US$ 42.1 billion in 2023 to US$ 72.5 billion by 2033.

Livestock Panel Gates Market Analysis: By 2033, industry is expected to consistently expand at a 6.5% CAGR. According to FMI, the livestock panel gates market is expected to grow its revenue share from US$ 9,870 million in 2023 to US$ 18,527 million by 2033.

About Future Market Insights, Inc.

Future Market Insights, Inc. is an ESOMAR-certified business consulting & market research firm, a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and is headquartered in Delaware, USA. A recipient of Clutch Leaders Award 2022 on account of high client score (4.9/5), we have been collaborating with global enterprises in their business transformation journey and helping them deliver on their business ambitions. 80% of the largest Forbes 1000 enterprises are our clients. We serve global clients across all leading & niche market segments across all major industries.

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(Removes Seapeak Bahrain after it leaves port; Shows Vladimir Rusanov will be loading and performing a ship-to-ship transfer; Adds Diamond Gas Victoria) Jan 23 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). Floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) terminals are added to the table when they near deployment. As of Dec. 27 2022, this includes the Eemshaven terminal in the Netherlands, the Wilhelmshaven and Lubmin terminals in Germany. For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN Minerva Chios 173,000 Jan. 20 (A) United States Dragon Fuwairit 138,000 Jan. 23 Qatar Milford Haven BW Paris 159,000 Jan. 25 United States South Hook British Achiever 174,000 Jan. 25 United States South Hook Global Sealine 179,000 Jan. 27 United States South Hook SM Bluebird 170,000 Jan. 28 Peru Milford Haven BW Pavilion Aranda 171,000 Jan. 28 United States Isle of Grain Mozah 262,000 Jan. 28 Qatar Milford Haven Stena Crystal Sky 173,000 Jan. 29 United States Isle of Grain Ribero Duero Knutsen 173,000 Jan. 31 United States Isle of Grain Vivirt City Lng 170,000 Feb. 1 United States Milford Haven Minerva Amorgos 170,000 Feb. 3 United States South Hook Seapeak Magellan 163,000 Feb. 4 United States Milford Haven Santander Knutsen 170,000 Feb. 13 Peru Milford Haven BELGIUM Al Daayen 150,000 Jan. 22 (A) Qatar Zeebrugge SCF La Perouse 174,000 Jan. 23 Britain Zeebrugge Georgiy Ushakov 172,000 Jan. 24 (STS) (L) Russia Zeebrugge Flex Rainbow 174,000 Jan. 24 (L) N/A Zeebrugge Vladimir Rusanov 169,000 Jan. 25 (STS) (L) Russia Zeebrugge Yari LNG 158,000 Jan. 25 (L) N/A Zeebrugge Al Zubarah 138,000 Jan. 27 Qatar Zeebrugge Rudolf Samoylovich 170,000 Jan. 28 N/A Zeebrugge Adamastos 174,000 Jan. 30 United States Zeebrugge Al Jassasiya 144,000 Feb. 1 Qatar Zeebrugge LNG Dubhe 174,000 Feb. 2 (L) N/A Zeebrugge Clean Planet 159,000 Feb. 9 (L) Russia Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS La Mancha Knutsen 174,000 Jan. 25 United States Gate LNG Rosenrot 177,000 Jan. 27 United States Gate GERMANY Malanje 161,000 Jan. 23 Angola Wilhelmshaven Diamond Gas Jan. 23 United Victoria 174,000 (A) States Wilhelmshaven Cool Voyager 158,000 Jan. 29 United States Lubmin Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date estimated based on flows data (Reporting by Marwa Rashad)
UNCOMMON

Kuwait City, Kuwait, Jan. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founded in 2019, UNCOMMON is the leading shopping destination for contemporary fashion and streetwear in the Middle-East. Based in Kuwait, the spaces serve as an experimental hub for the community to encourage creativity. UNCOMMONs goal is to become the first meta-commerce platform with physical locations all over the world.



UNCOMMON has emerged as a leading shopping destination bringing a new standard for the fashion industry, by combining a global network of traditional retail stores with a Metaverse e-commerce model, a global payments and distribution network that provides an unparalleled selection of services for consumers and an unmatched value proposition for investors.





UNCOMMON is an emerging experimental community with the goal to provide distinctive services to its users. Offers latest in fashion collection like sneakers accessories, from both local and international designers. UNCOMMON brings consumers the brands and lifestyle they love.

Mr Lundy CSO at UNCOMMON has traveled all over the globe with real life application of his tradecraft in markets all over the world. Forecasting, risk assessment, logistics procurement for the likes of government agencies and within the private sector from fintech to textiles Larry is somehow embedded. This is especially true within Web3 and DeFi where Larry has been a major voice within the crypto spheres. His start came during early light coin days. A simple hobby became a passion and then eventually consulting & forecasting. This culminated into a focus on security. People probably know Mr. Lundy from CertiK, where he was a well-known business development manager, helping secure some of the largest projects in DeFi.

Larry has had the privilege of becoming both an academic and civil servant. Larry has been an educator in language, business and history for students ranging from primary school to university. He has been a full time consultant to some of the largest textile suppliers in Asia. Larry has written and published two journals and a book that have gone on to great acclaim. Larry has a dual bachelors in international business administration and law. His master's program took him to Georgetown University. Mr. Lundy is a certified psycho-physiologist. His training includes testing and containment of sex offenders (PCSOT, post-conviction sexual offender testing/containment). His training encompassed behavioral forensic pathology, with an emphasis on HUMINT and live collection technique. He does risk containment and pre-disposition analysis. A dedication to FairPlay and civil service is evident.

Story continues

With over 5 years of experience within cryptocurrency investment spanning sectors of security, market making, IDCs, policy implementation, and mining integration, Larry is also very passionate about making Defi a reality and a vestige of independence for all, especially the UNCOMMON!. Their mission is to become an inspiring and shining example in the world of DeFi and Web3.

Stay up to date!

Follow them on social media to keep up to date with their latest news: https://linktr.ee/uncommon3.0



Website: https://uncommon.store/



CONTACT: Seth Xavier UNCOMMON info-at-uncommon.store




South Africa: No mercy for perpetrators of gender-based violence

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has called for a clear message to be sent to perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide, regardless of the position they hold in society.

Nkoana-Mashabane made the call after the arrest of ANC Member of Parliament, Sibusiso Kula, for the alleged murder of his 31-year-old wife, Jennifer Motlhomi, who was stabbed to death at the couples home in Kanana, North West, in November 2022.

Kula was arrested in Klerksdorp on Friday and charged for the alleged murder of Motlhomi.

In a statement issued ahead of Kulas court appearance at the Orkney Magistrates Court on Monday, Nkoana-Mashabane called for the court to oppose bail and for perpetrators in positions of power to know that their abusive behaviour will be met with the harshest opposition.

The Minister said in a country where gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has been declared as a second pandemic, to have lawmakers who do not respect the rights and lives of women, is unfortunate and must receive the harshest sentences.

In North West alone there are three other women who lost their lives at the hands of men and we do not see the anger and uproar of every South African to eradicate this pandemic. Women, children and members of the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer, intersex) community are under attack in this country and there is no corresponding power to stop this war as the numbers are increasing daily, Nkoana-Mashabane said.

She noted that during the second Presidential Summit on GBVF last year, emphasis was placed on the role of men as partners to end GBVF.

Therefore, to have a Member of Parliament who should lead by example and reflect positive masculinities which should be instilled in all men and boys, depicting the worst form of toxic masculinity must be condemned.

His [Kula] arrest now affords the justice system an opportunity to demonstrate that if such violence is meted out against women and children, it will act swiftly and harshly to send a clear message to perpetrators, no matter what position they hold in society, the Minister said.

The Minister added that the justice system must take citizens into their confidence that they stand for justice, particularly in cases of gender-based violence and femicide.

The law must take its course, but in cases of this nature the justice system must show no mercy when sentencing the perpetrator. No one is above the law and anyone who commits such heinous acts must receive harsh punishment for their crimes, Nkoana-Mashabane said.

Kulas appearance in court comes after a recent report that a perpetrator was granted R500 bail in the Colesberg District Court after his arrest for attempted murder of his girlfriend.

Nkoana-Mashabane warned that such decisions send very wrong messages to would-be perpetrators that womens lives are worthless.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Six Stafford students did not receive notification of their National Merit Scholar Commended Status in a timely manner, the division announced Friday.

We sincerely apologize for the administrative error and the frustration this delay has caused these students and families, a press release from the school division stated. This is very frustrating for us, and not indicative of the pride we feel in our students and the approach we take in celebrating their personal achievements.

The affected students all attend Mountain View High School, division spokesperson Sandra Osborn said Monday.

The school principal has notified each affected student, according to the press release, and the division is also informing colleges to which the students have applied.

Stafford is the fourth Virginia school system to have announced delays in notifying students of National Merit awards in recent weeks, joining Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William county schools.

Students qualify for National Merit commendations by achieving high scores on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or PSAT.

About 1.5 million students take the PSAT in their junior year of high school. About 34,000 of the 50,000 top scorers receive commended status, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporations website.

The highest scorers qualify as semifinalists and can go on to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship.

Commended students do not continue in the competition for the National Merit Scholarship but do become candidates for other scholarships and awards.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation informs schools in September of students who have earned commended or semifinalist status but does not notify families directly.

According to Fridays press release, Stafford County Public Schools plans to discuss the notification process with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Governor Glenn Youngkin last month ordered the Attorney Generals office to investigate the notification delays in Fairfax County Public Schools.

The Youngkin administration is also backing legislation introduced last week by Del. Nick Freitas, RCulpeper, that would prohibit any public school or employee from withholding recognition of awards or scholarship eligibility.
SIEM REAP, Cambodia  A group of 15 Ukrainian deminers just finished a week of training in Cambodia, where experts who have cleared minefields from one of the world's most contaminated countries shared their expertise with the relative newcomers to the dangerous job.

Cambodia is still strewn with mines from three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998, while the problem in Ukraine is a new one since Russia invaded last year.

Ukrainian deminer Stanislav Kulykiusky said that his team was grateful for the training, saying that at home already 64 deminers had been injured and 13 killed in the line of duty.

"It is a very difficult situation," he said.

The NGO Landmine Monitor in its 2022 report listed both Cambodia and Ukraine among the nine countries with "massive" mine contamination, meaning they had more than 38.6 square miles of uncleared fields.

Kulykiusky said the main challenge for Ukrainian deminers is the scale of the job but it is critical to ensure all mines are removed before people return to villages and farms.

"This is a precondition of the recovery," he said.

Cambodian deminers are among the world's most experienced, and several thousand have been sent in the past decade under United Nations auspices to work in Africa and the Middle East.

The team of Ukrainians trained at different sites this past week, learning to use an advanced Japanese mine detector known as the Advanced Landmine Imaging System.

Developed at Tohoku University, the hand-held device consists of a metal detector with an integrated ground-penetrating radar that can help deminers detect and identify buried mines.

On Friday, the group visited a museum dedicated to explaining the different landmines and unexploded munitions found in Cambodia, then took part in practical training at a site nearby.

On Saturday, the Ukrainians had a day off of training to visit Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat temple complex before returning home.

The training will continue, however, with regular video conference calls, and a team of three to five Cambodian experts will travel to Poland in April to train more Ukrainians, said Oum Phumro, deputy secretary general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center, the government agency that oversees the clearing of landmines and unexploded ordnance in the country.

He said Cambodia also was giving Ukraine experienced sniffer dogs and training them on how to use the dogs to detect mines.

"Our deminers have experience clearing mines for about 30 years and we have trained many countries," he said. "Today we are proud that we are training Ukrainian deminers."

Photos: Scenes from Kyiv helicopter crash that killed 18
The Colorado Supreme Court will review the use of a Google search warrant used to arrest three teens in connection with the Green Valley Ranch arson that killed a family of five in 2020.

In November, Denver District Court Judge Martin Egelhoff upheld the legality of the warrant, which used a Google reverse-keyword search to identify the three teens as suspects in the arson.

However, in a status hearing Friday, an attorney for Gavin Seymour, one of the teens charged in the arson case who is now 18, said arguments about the legality of the search warrant will happen before the Colorado Supreme Court in May.

Seymour and another defendant, Kevin Bui, are being charged as adults and face premeditated murder charges and dozens of other counts in connection with the fatal fire. The third suspect, 15 years old at the time of the fire, is being prosecuted as a juvenile.

The fire occurred on Aug. 5, 2020, killing five Senegalese family members: 29-year-old Djibril Diol, 25-year-old Hassan Diol, 23-year-old Adja Diol, 2-year-old Khadija Diol and 6-month-old Hawa Baye.

Prosecutors say the fire was intended to be revenge for a robbery a few weeks earlier. Bui allegedly used the Find My iPhone application to track his stolen phone, which led the teens to the home where the Senegalese family lived. He did not find the right house and the teens did not realize until the news of the deaths broke, according to authorities.

During the investigation, police got a warrant for Google searches in Colorado of the homes address. Egelhoff said they worked with Google to put together a probable cause affidavit for the warrant with which the company would cooperate, and police received an anonymized list of IP addresses associated with searches.

Attorneys argued that the warrants were overly broad and violated protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, but Judge Egelhoff disagreed, ruling the warrants were narrowly tailored to specify the type of evidence police sought.

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The Supreme Court will rule on whether the search warrant, which Seymours petition called a digital dragnet of immense proportions, violates the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. and Colorado constitutions.

The keyword warrant, known as a reverse warrant, is unlike traditional search warrants in that the process works in reverse to search everyone first and identify suspects later, according to the petition.

Apart from Seymours case, there are no state or federal decisions addressing keyword warrants, the petition said, making it an issue of first impression in Colorado, and nationally as well. Keyword warrants face judicial scrutiny for the first time in Seymours case.

The first use of a keyword warrant was in Minnesota in 2017, but, until now, examples were rare and their legality has not been litigated, the petition said.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a brief in the case, saying keyword warrants implicate the privacy rights of everyone who runs a Google search.

Seymour and his attorneys filed a motion to suppress evidence from the keyword warrant. Arguments before the state Supreme Court will happen at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction on May 4.

Seymour and Bui will appear in court on May 26 following the Supreme Court review.

Denver Gazette reporter Julia Cardi contributed to this story.
In his State of the State address Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis claimed that Colorado falls in "the middle of the pack on crime rates."

"Every person deserves a safe home and a safe community, and in three years I want Colorado to be closing in on our goal of becoming one of the top ten safest states," he said. "Right now, Colorado falls in the middle of the pack on crime rates, but thats not good enough."

"We can and we must do better," he added.

That declaration  that Colorado's crime rate is somewhere in the middle  counters the narrative about crime, notably car theft, in the state.

So, is Colorado in the "middle of the pack" when it comes to crime?

Crime data from the FBI shows Colorado's crime numbers are substantially higher than the national rate. The FBI's database, however, does not include all law enforcement jurisdictions, potentially skewing the state's rankings.

The FBIs National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) estimates the total violent crime rate for Colorado at 481 per 100,000 residents in 2021.

In contrast, NIBRS estimated the violent crime rate for the U.S. at 395.7 per 100,000 people in the same year, which means, using this database alone, Colorado's crime rate is higher than the national average.

The FBI classifies homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and rape as violent crimes. NIBRS estimates total violent crime decreased by 1.7% from 2020 to 2021, mainly driven by an estimated drop in robberies.

Arkansas and Washington, D.C. had the highest estimated violent crime rates in 2021  at 708.5 and 968.6, respectively  out of states included in the FBI's estimates.

For property crime rate, NIBRS put Colorado's number at 3,135.4 in the same year.

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The country's property crime rate, on the other hand, stood at 1,933.4, according to NIBRS estimates.

Property crime includes burglary, larceny and theft and motor vehicle theft. The national estimated rate of motor vehicle thefts, a major concern for many, was 268.1.

In fact, only Washington D.C.'s property crime estimate  at 4,109.4  was higher than Colorado's out of states included in the database.

Although the FBIs estimates show a decrease in property crime nationally from 2020 to to 2021, the estimated motor vehicle theft rate increased by 11.5%.

Its difficult to draw definitive conclusions about where Colorados crime rates stand compared with other states because not all jurisdictions report their crime numbers to the FBI's database.

In 2021, the most recent year for which annual crime statistics are available from the FBI, about 37% of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. did not report any data to the FBIs NIBRS, which was also recently revised.

The agencies that did not report included New York City and Los Angeles, the biggest cities in the U.S. by population.

Law enforcement agencies participation in reporting statistics to the FBI is voluntary.

As of April 2022, only 19 states had fully transitioned to using NIBRS.

For data reported to the FBI covering January to September 2022  the most recent report available for last year  the FBI declined to make estimates about regional or population-based trends in crime statistics because the agency did not receive data from about 36% of the countrys 18,964 law enforcement agencies.

When a substantial amount of data is missing  like large volumes of crime data from the nations most heavily populated cities  there is a general concern that the data received may not represent what would be experienced if all data were received, the FBI said on its website. National crime trends are especially affected by agencies covering populations of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants.

Polis' office did not reply to a request for comment, or verification of the sources Polis used to make that estimate.
Elizabeth Domangue is stepping down as Manitou Springs School District 14 superintendent.

At a special meeting on Friday, Domangue and the Manitou school board mutually agreed to part ways, with Domangue signing a separation agreement and the board unanimously voting to accept it. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Dr. Elizabeth Domangue is leaving Manitou Springs School District 14 in a better position in many ways than when she arrived here over 3 years ago, board President Natalie Johnson said at the conclusion of the meeting. We wish (her) well and thank her for her thousands of hours that she has spent diligently working to take care of our students.

Domangue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since Domangue assumed leadership in 2019, District 14 has consistently been one of the Pikes Peak regions highest-performing school districts. The state did not administer Colorado Measures of Academic Success testing in 2020 because of COVID-19, and in 2021, test scores reflected significant learning loss throughout the state. But Manitou Springs English Language Arts scores actually went up from 2019, and continued to rise in 2022.

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But parents and former staff members have expressed concerns about the districts staff turnover rate, which has more than doubled since 2019, according to data presented at an October school board meeting by a grassroots parent organization called Stand Up For Manitou. The school districts turnover rate jumped from 8.41% in 2019, to 23.56% in 2022, according to the data.

Johnson said the board will begin to discuss next steps during its Monday retreat, and that Domangue would support the district as needed in the coming months.

We will make sure the communication between us and the community is ongoing, and we will work diligently to continue the great work that Elizabeth has been doing for our district, Johnson said.
Manitou Springs School District 14 announced Assistant Superintendent Eric McMartin will serve as interim superintendent following Superintendent Elizabeth Domangue's departure after signing a separation agreement at a special meeting on Friday.

The school board will meet at 1 p.m. Monday to discuss interim leadership. The meeting is open to the public and can be streamed online.

Domangue and the Manitou school board mutually agreed to part ways, with the board unanimously voting to accept Domangue's signed separation agreement on Friday. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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Students, staff, families and the community will participate in the transition process, according to the release.

I will never not say it.. ..Manitou Springs School District is an amazing school district with so many wonderful people and unique opportunities in the most beautiful setting, Domangue said in a news release Monday. I feel especially fortunate to have gotten to know our students, staff, and families over the years.
One person has died following a crash that involved five vehicles in northeast Colorado Springs Friday, police announced.

An investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department revealed that a Ford F150 traveling northbound on Austin Bluffs Parkway moved into the left turn lanes at the Rangewood Drive intersection.

The Ford failed to stop and struck a Honda Civic. Both vehicles then collided with other vehicles in the intersection, police said.

The drivers of the Ford F150 and Honda Civic were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries. According to a release, the driver of the Honda Civic died two days after the crash.

The victim has been identified as 69-year-old Wolfgang Lampert, police said. Lampert was the owner of Colorado Springs-based pinball maintenance company PinballWorx, founded in 2011. At the time of the crash, Lampert was on his way to fix a pinball machine, according to his wife of 42 years, Darlene.

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Lampert was also a musician and served as the parish organist at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church for 40 years.

According to police, speed appears to be a factor in the crash. It is unclear if drugs were involved, but alcohol is not believed to be a factor. Police said no arrests have been made. The Colorado Springs Police Departments Major Crash Team is conducting the investigation.

This is the first fatal car crash this year in Colorado Springs. Last year at this time, there was one traffic fatality.
All over the United States, immigrants are pouring in from countries in Central and South America, many fleeing a failing state in Venezuela. A breakdown in U.S. immigration planning and policy over the past decade has increased the number of immigrants coming into the country in recent months, and sped up the pace of their arrival.

Denver has seen an outsize share of these recent immigrants, more than 4,300 since late December.

And now Denver may be at a breaking point. Mayor Michael Hancock has said the crisis is putting a financial strain on the city, which has already spent north of $3 million taking care of arriving immigrants in just a few weeks.

The crisis has also strained relations with the mayors of New York City and Chicago, who have complained publicly about the transfer of immigrants from Denver to their cities. The city of Denver has bought 1,900 Greyhound bus tickets to send immigrants to 35 other states and Washington, D.C., since the crisis began in December. The majority of immigrants were bused to Illinois and New York.

Why are so many immigrants coming to Denver now? Should Colorado keep its door open to immigrants, or continue to shuttle them on to other cities? More broadly, what steps must be taken to fix the current immigrant crisis? Do border policies need to change?

The Gazette and Colorado Politics are hosting a virtual town hall on Jan. 31 so that immigration experts can answer your questions on the crisis and what Colorado's options are.

The town hall, part of our ongoing Colorado Conversations series, will take place via Zoom from 8 to 9 a.m., and you can register at bit.ly/3QX6r60.

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Our panelists will include:

Atim Otii, representing the city of Denver and the Denver Office of Emergency Management. Otii is the director of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Office for Human Rights & Community Partnerships (HRCP).

Hans Meyer, founder of the Meyer Law Office. His practice specializes in immigration law, the immigration consequences of crimes and the civil rights of immigrants. Meyer also served as the former director of public policy for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, where he focused on local, state and national immigration policy.

Violeta Chapin, a CU law professor who writes and teaches at the intersection of criminal and immigration law. Born in and having lived in Central America, Professor Chapin has previously worked with indigent populations in rural El Salvador.

Nico Brambila, a health and education reporter specializing in investigations for The Gazette who has written extensively on immigrants and immigration issues in Colorado, Texas and California.

Colorado has a long history of welcoming immigrants. As of 2021, immigrants from other countries accounted for 10% of Colorados population, and the state had passed a series of laws aimed at supporting and protecting undocumented immigrants. But financial strains from accommodating the recent immigrants and new realities concerning the flow of fentanyl and methamphetamine into Colorado from the southern U.S. border are raising questions about those earlier policies.

Are we still committed to a mentality of welcoming the huddled masses yearning to breathe free in this state, or should our borders be tightened dramatically to stop the current flood of illegal immigration and the flow of deadly drugs to our state?

Join us Jan. 31 for this important conversation.
Spiking gas prices

As everyone has seen, gas prices are spiking here in Colorado. Reason given is the shutdown of the refinery in Commerce City. What I think every Coloradan would like to know is what is the state doing to curb the spike in gas prices.

We have been told that the refinery will not open back up until a March/April timeframe but at this rate of price increase we will see $6-7/gallon gas by March/April. Why is no one from the press asking the tough questions of the state officials what they are doing to assist in curbing these prices.

It just appears that media here in Colorado just rolls over when they should be in officials faces asking what is being done to get that refinery back online sooner, rather than later. Of course here in Colorado if we ask the tough question we may get the answer see this is what happens is we dont go green.

This issue does not only affect regular everyday commuters, but also truck drivers delivering our groceries to King Soopers. We have seen enough food cost increase lately and this will just add to the pain. If the press is not going to ask I will. Gov. Jared Polis, what are you doing to stem these spikes in gas prices and to get the refinery back online soonest as to prevent further cost spikes down stream that will affect our ever growing Colorado economy?

Jayson Campbell

Colorado Springs

Behind the gas prices

Back in 1973 there was another war between the state of Israel and Arab countries and the United States stood with Israel through this. The Arab states then formed a boycott of all oil to the United States. We could still buy gas, but only 10 gallons a week.

After all this was over the big oil producers went to Congress and said that if they were deregulated that they would make sure this would never happen again. Congress went along with this request and deregulated the oil companies and the first thing the big oil companies did was to buy up the independent oil companies that were keeping the big boys honest and closed them and their refineries and after that was done( dont see Kerr-Magee anymore) they then went after each other (dont see Texaco or Standard oil anymore). So now you have just a handful of big oil companies left and what you get is one excuse after another why the cost of gasoline goes up 80 cents overnight and only comes down a penny a week.

Supply troubles, refineries being cleaned or changing to another blended gas. So when they say that big oil is racking in the money and doesnt care about the American public, believe it to be true as there is no one to keep them honest anymore and they are setting on many oil leases and not using them and our Congress will not do anything as they are getting paid by all the oil money from the oil lobbyists!

Walter Taylor

Colorado Springs

Make benefit programs work

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Re: Sharon Smiths letter in the Gazette, Jan. 19: When I heard what Rep Michael Waltz of Florida and now House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said about Social Security and Medicare, I knew they were the most ignorant people on the face of the earth, along with anyone else who agrees with them.

SS and Medicare have never been entitlement programs as the government does not put any money into them. All Americans have paid into these benefit programs their entire working lives as well as their employers. This is their retirement and was never part of the government budget, despite efforts to make it so.

Its time for politicians to bone up on what SS and Medicare are all about and try to fix it rather than make cuts or try to eliminate it. Cuts and eliminating both will bring a large portion of American citizens way below the poverty level and put them on the streets when they cant afford to pay for basic necessities.

People, working and retired, should bombard their representatives with emails and letters telling them to make both benefit programs work and not try to cut benefits or eliminate them. Politicians arent taxed for these programs, but they sure do get a generous retirement benefit and great medical care compared to the general population.

And since they arent paying into these programs, they should get a pay cut instead of voting themselves an increase when it suits them. On that idea, its time to let the American people decide whether or not the politicians deserve an increase. That may encourage them to do better if they were denied the increase by voters.

Val Tenhaeff

Colorado Springs

Raking in a lot of money

Re: Denver buys another hotel to serve as transitional housing for homeless This is a mixed, convoluted issue thats not being addressed properly. Specifically, it brings to mind the saying, Build it and they will come, i.e., Denver is  instead of rigorously weeding out the verifiably needy from the parasitic bums  essentially enabling and encouraging the latter.

Im sure the very old, tired excuse of lack of funds will be used; however, Id suggest that its an improper allocation of available funds instead.

The overall spending according to the CSI is estimated to be 3/4 of a billion dollars!

Somebody (for profit homeless shelters?) is raking in a lot of money under the banner of helping the helpless. Sure, this comes across as cynical and heartless but Id suggest that those adjectives more correctly belong to the enablers instead.

Bill Leake

Golden
In industries such as restaurant, retail and construction, its known as show-up time: An employee shows up to work as scheduled, but is sent home because there isnt enough work that day.

The employee only gets paid for actual time worked, and if sent home, that can be a days pay lost.

A measure expected to be introduced in the state House, backed by some of the General Assemblys most progressive Democratic lawmakers, would require almost every food and beverage or retail business in the state to pay those employees predictability pay when they are sent home and dont work the scheduled hours.

Loren Furman, president of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, said the bill raises big concerns for her members.

According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, state wage laws currently do not require an employer to pay an employee for show-up time.

Employers are only required to pay employees for actual time worked, services rendered or the time during which the employee was permitted to work. Wage laws also do not require employers to provide a certain amount of hours of work. If an hourly employee, for example, shows up as scheduled for an 8-hour shift, only works for one hour and is then immediately sent home as directed by the employer, the employee is only owed for the one hour of actual work, according to the labor department.

The Fair Workweek Employment Standards bill intends to address that issue. Its sponsored by Denver Democratic Rep. Emily Sirota and Sen. Julie Gonzales, as well as Sen. Faith Winter of Westminster and has the support of a number of unions, including Colorado AFL-CIO, SEIU Local 105 and Colorado WINS.

A draft obtained by Colorado Politics and slated to be introduced this week says the measure will apply to a broad range of businesses. Covered employers include those primarily engaged in food or beverage, retailers with 250 or more employees worldwide, janitorial or security contractors and those that provide food and beverage contract services in hotels, motels, amusement parks, casinos, schools and institutions of higher ed, civic and social organizations, and businesses that fall under the 2022 North American Industry Classification System sectors 31 to 33.

That includes almost everything else: businesses where food or beverages are prepared, packaged, processed or manufactured and that engage in retailing miscellaneous specialized lines of merchandise, which can includes retailers of electronics, appliances, home furnishings, health and personal care products, gas stations, bookstores and news dealers, sporting goods, musical instrument retailers, pet supplies, mobile home dealers, cemetery memorial dealers, swimming pool sales and flower shops.

It also applies to chain businesses, even if that chain has just a handful of employees in Colorado but 250 employees or more outside of Colorado.

Under the measure, employers would have to provide schedules 14 days in advance, at least 12 hours of rest time between shifts, and offer more hours to part-time workers before hiring new ones.

Agriculture appears to be the only exempted industry in the bill.

Sirota told Colorado Politics on Thursday that the bill will address the unpredictability in scheduling that occurs in retail and food service sectors.

We know from research across the country and from workers in Colorado that in these sectors the unpredictable nature of schedule leads to extreme income volatility, negative health impacts, negative impacts on children. What were proposing here is that large businesses work with their employees to ensure more predictable schedules, thus more predictability in incomes. We see this as a win-win, she said.

A study by Harvards Kennedy Shift Project showed unpredictable and unstable schedules lead to higher employee turnover, household economic insecurity, and reductions in workers health and well-being, and that was aggravated during the pandemic, particularly for people of color.

That unpredictability also extends to the workers children, who may experience emotional distress, more absences from school and sleep disruptions, according to the study.

The efforts to address fair work schedules has taken hold in a few, largely Democratic-led locales. Oregon has a statewide law, as do the cities of Seattle, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Chicago and Emeryville, Calif., according to the HR company Workforcehub.com.

So far, Workforcehub.com said these laws appear to apply only to retail, hospitality and food service employers, and many have minimum employee requirements that exclude small business.

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Furman was concerned that the definition of chain in the bill seems to target franchises, which are often locally owned small businesses.

This is aimed at local small businesses, she said.

Sirota disagreed.

If you want to count McDonalds franchise as a small business, thats not how we would characterize it, she said, pointing out those franchisees have access to parent corporation mechanisms, including scheduling tools and algorithms tied to those scheduling tools.

Furman also pointed to a provision of the bill that prohibits businesses from changing work schedules without an employees consent, which could include written consent.

Think of the snowstorm yesterday, Furman said Thursday. You cant anticipate when someone comes into work during a snowstorm. They have to adjust schedules in order to operate, and this will hamper a businesss options for doing that.

It could also hamper hiring, Furman said. She argued that if a business is already offering a set number of hours to existing employees, that puts a new employee at a disadvantage for hours.

The bill doesnt align with what weve seen in employment bills in the past, she said.

Peggi OKeefe of the Colorado Gaming Association raised industry-specific concerns relating to how the measure could make it harder for casinos to hire.

We have concerns with the current draft from both an employer and employee perspective, she told Colorado Politics.

Casinos already have a hard time getting people to drive up the mountains and fill these positions, she said.

Putting more of an onerous, prescriptive burden on employers puts them in a position where they cant hire people, she said, adding the gaming association is working with a coalition of businesses to come up with suggestions for the sponsors on potential solutions.

Kristi Bush, associate general counsel for UFCW Local 7, told Colorado Politics that a franchise, regardless of size if the parent company is larger than 250 employees, is included in the definition. Our research and studies have shown fair scheduling only helps businesses, not hurt them. Research shows businesses that use predictive scheduling are 5% more productive and 7% more profitable. It also reduces turnover by 15%, she said.

Part of what we are excited about is that workers deserve advance notice of their schedules to plan their lives, Bush said. It builds trust between employer and employee, she added.

Sources have told Colorado Politics the bill does not have any fans in the governors office. A Polis spokesman declined to comment on the bill.

Sirota on Thursday said: Weve been working with a number of folks, workers impacted, employers impacted and state agencies, and will continue to have dialogue with folks. At the end of the day, were just working to ensure workers have dignity and predictability in the workplace.

As to the governors possible opposition, Sirota indicated shes talked to the governors office: Ill continue to commit to the process of working through the bill with everyone.
Colorado's second-highest court has declined to find Weld County prosecutors engaged in unconstitutional racial discrimination by dismissing two Hispanic men from serving on a Hispanic defendant's jury.

Jurors convicted Javier Hernandez-Martinez in 2018 on three drug distribution charges and he received a four-year prison sentence. On appeal, Hernandez-Martinez argued the prosecution violated the U.S. Supreme Court's longstanding prohibition on purposeful racial discrimination by removing two Hispanic men from the jury pool for reasons linked to their race.

On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals disagreed. The man identified as Juror S was removed, or struck, for having negative interactions with law enforcement, and the other man, Juror J, was struck because he voiced support for legalizing drugs.

"Having a bad experience with law enforcement and an inability to be unbiased as a result are race-neutral reasons for striking a juror," wrote Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown in the panel's opinion, upholding the strike of Juror S.

As for Juror J, "striking jurors holding such strong beliefs about decriminalization of drugs makes sense" in a narcotics case like Hernandez-Martinez's, Brown added.

The Supreme Court deemed intentional racial discrimination in jury selection to be unconstitutional in its 1986 decision of Batson v. Kentucky, a case that involved a prosecutor striking the Black members of a Black defendant's jury pool, leaving an all-white jury to convict him. Now, parties may raise "Batson challenges" during attempts to strike jurors of color.

Batson challenges proceed in three steps. First, the defendant must state a plausible case that intentional racial discrimination is occurring. Second, the prosecutor must supply a "race-neutral" reason for striking the juror of color. Finally, the trial judge decides whether the race-neutral explanation is credible.

During voir dire, which is the part of jury selection where the parties question members of the jury pool, Juror S volunteered to the prosecutor that Hernandez-Martinez "does remind me of my stepbrother, who was born in Mexico." He immediately added that he did not know if he could be "a hundred percent bias-free" toward police.

Juror S elaborated that he shares a name with another criminal defendant, which has resulted in police mistakenly arresting him. One time, officers arrested him in front of his son, and then "made fun" of him at the jail. Despite that, Juror S agreed not all police officers are bad.

At another point in voir dire, one juror stated that he was in support of "decriminalization and legalization of widespread drugs." Juror J agreed that legalization would cut down on the illegal drug trade and enhance community safety.

The prosecution moved to strike Juror S and Juror J, prompting the defense to raise a Batson challenge.

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In response, the unnamed prosecutor pointed out that the defense had already removed other Hispanic jurors. Justifying the strike of Juror S, the prosecutor said the man "had a bad experience with law enforcement, talked about some law enforcement being bad and said that he wasn't sure that he could be completely unbiased."

For Juror J, the prosecutor cited his support for decriminalizing drugs and Juror J's indication on a questionnaire that he had a "criminal history." The questionnaire went missing after trial, however, and there was no way to verify the prosecutor's assertion on appeal.

Stephen J. Schapanski, a retired Larimer County judge who presided over the case, denied the Batson challenge. He agreed the defense had removed Hispanic jurors, too. Otherwise, he found the prosecution's reasons were race-neutral.

Hernandez-Martinez argued to the Court of Appeals that the prosecutors singled out Hispanic jurors when there were non-Hispanic members of the jury pool who were similarly situated  some of whom ended up serving. For example, two non-Hispanic people had also been involved in criminal cases like Juror J, but they remained on the jury. One of those jurors also said police "can be corrupt," a description Juror S never endorsed.

"Whether or not the defense also struck minority members wasnt relevant to determining whether the prosecutor engaged in purposeful discrimination," wrote Deputy State Public Defender Chelsea E. Mowrer to the appellate court.

The prosecution countered that Juror S had expressed a "personal" opinion that was negative toward law enforcement, as opposed to the non-Hispanic juror's "generic belief that some police officers may be corrupt." It also reiterated that Juror J's criminal involvement and views on drug decriminalization affected his ability to be impartial.

The Court of Appeals panel believed the prosecution's race-neutral explanations were sufficient. For Juror S, even though he had briefly raised his stepbrother's national origin, he did not link his own race to the harassment he experienced by law enforcement. Therefore, the prosecution's reliance on Juror S's anti-police bias was not rooted in race.

Similarly, the court did not believe the prosecutor's reasons for dismissing Juror J were discriminatory, even though other, non-Hispanic jurors also supported decriminalizing drugs, and one served on the jury.

"Although empaneled jurors expressed varying views about drug decriminalization, none of the jurors expressed the categorical views on decriminalization" that Juror J did, Brown wrote in the Jan. 19 opinion.

The panel rejected Hernandez-Martinez's other claims on appeal, which were based on the evidence at trial.

Next month, the Colorado Supreme Court will hold a public hearing on proposed criminal rule changes to the process of Batson challenges, in acknowledgement that racially based juror strikes are still occurring. Under the proposal, a juror's distrust of police or prior contact with law enforcement would, without more, be invalid reasons for striking jurors of color.
A 66-year-old Danville woman died after a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Pittsylvania County.

Virginia State Police report it happened at about 11:30 a.m. on Va. 41, near Va. 719.

A 2007 Toyota Corolla pulled out of Tuscarora Village Shopping Center and was hit by a 2011 Ford Edge, which was traveling north on Va. 41, Sgt. Richard C. Garletts, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police, wrote in a news release.

Authorities identified the driver of the Toyota as Sheila Kay Powell, 66, of Danville. Powell was wearing her seat belt and died at the scene.

Mariasole Badalamenti, 17, of Danville, was driving the Ford, police said. Badalamenti was not wearing her seat belt and was transported by emergency workers to an unidentified local hospital for injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.
WASHINGTON  Three years after the United States logged its first case of COVID-19, the pandemic has slipped off the front pages and seemingly out of public consciousness.

Kids are back in schoolrooms, office workers are returning to offices, restaurants and bars are crowded. Most Americans have given up wearing masks, if they ever did, even in crowded indoor spaces.

But the pandemic isnt over. Were just pretending it is.

Over the last two months, the federal government has reported an average of about 450 deaths from COVID-19 every day. Thats far below the toll during last winters killer surge but still adds up to more than 3,000 dead each week.

COVID-19 is no longer feared as an equal opportunity disease. Its now mostly a threat to vulnerable populations, especially those 65 and older or with other medical problems.

That has freed the young and healthy to return to their pre-pandemic lives, and thats good news. But it has also divided the population between those who feel vulnerable and those who dont.

When Kaiser Family Foundation pollsters asked Americans if they worried about getting seriously sick from COVID-19 this winter, 36% said they were either somewhat or very worried. Among people 65 or older, 43% said they were worried; among those 18 to 29, only 30%.

The poll also found divisions along racial and economic lines. Black and Latino people were more likely to say they worried about getting sick than white people. Low-income Americans were more worried than the affluent.

Those divisions, on top of the gradually declining death rate, have made it easier to demote the pandemic from a national crisis to just one of many chronic problems.

Weve reached what I would call a level of detente with the virus, said Jay Varma, an infectious disease specialist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. No elected official wants to say any death is acceptable. But theyre essentially saying  (that) we are accepting that number of losses.

Varma would like to see federal and local officials return to promoting mask-wearing and instant tests  on a voluntary basis, not through mandates. But he acknowledges that isnt happening.

Keith Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford, said the crusade against COVID-19 ran up against public exhaustion.

People have decided that theyre done with this, he said. I would say theres a lot of ugly choices before us, and this is the least ugly.

That has put health policy experts in the Biden administration in a difficult spot.

Their boss, the president, ebulliently and prematurely declared the pandemic over in September, two months before the midterm election.

Republicans in Congress seized on that statement to zero out Bidens request for $10 billion for COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment. Now Bidens aides are scrambling to find ways to fight a pandemic that refuses to end, only with less money.

We are obviously in a better place than we have been, Ashish Jha, Bidens COVID-19 response coordinator, told me last week. But we still have an enormous number of Americans getting sick and dying from this virus. We still have a lot of work to do on that.

Congress refusal to provide more money has hamstrung the federal effort to make sure everyone, including the uninsured, has access to vaccines and treatment and has jeopardized federal funding for a new generation of vaccines, he said.

It unfortunately means that more people are going to unnecessarily suffer from this disease, he said.

Jha said he hopes to fund both priorities from existing programs in the Department of Health and Human Services but acknowledged that those plans arent ready yet.

And he warned that next winter is likely to bring another surge of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

There is a path forward to making sure that next winter is the best winter weve had in years, he said. But its going to take a lot of work; its not going to happen naturally.

Varma has a different worry.

People are coming to accept COVID as an inevitability, he said. As a result, theyre taking fewer precautions over time  less masking, less staying away from crowds, less updating of vaccinations. That has consequences. It leads to more infections. And eventually that will damage the economy, too.

We shouldnt be living as if we were stuck in 2020; the days of lockdowns, thankfully, are over.

But wed better not assume that the pandemic will cooperate with our wishes.

Meanwhile, spare a thought for the millions who are vulnerable: the elderly, the immunocompromised, the low-income workers who cant work from home. And dont scoff at those of us who still wear masks to the grocery store.
A Summerfield woman was found dead on a sidewalk on Banner Avenue near Washington Park on Sunday, Winston-Salem Police reported.

Police were called to the 900 block of Banner Avenue, around 9 a.m., Sunday on a report of an unconscious woman. Upon arrival, they found Carley Michelle Owens, Summerfield, dead on the sidewalk.

Police said it's too early to say whether foul play was involved. Police are working with the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office during the investigation, according to a police reported.
The Florida Department of Education is right. The new Advanced Placement course in African American studies probably violates the states Stop W.O.K.E. Act, which restricts what schools can teach about race.

Thats why Florida students should violate a different law and refuse to go to school until the course is approved.

Nobody yet knows how the AP African American studies course is contrary to Florida law, as a state education spokesperson said, but we can guess. Signed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has made history instruction into a key campaign bludgeon, the states Stop W.O.K.E. law prohibits any lesson telling a student that he or she must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress for actions, in which he or she played no part.

So if a teacher describes how federal homeownership programs in the 1930s benefited white borrowers over Black ones, is she running afoul of the law? How about a teacher who tells her class that African Americans are more likely than white people to suffer police brutality? We cant be sure, which is why teachers in Florida  and in other states with similar laws  have already reported limiting or removing such information from their classes.

But heres what we do know: The real victims here are Florida students, who will be deprived of important information about race and history. And nothing will change until the students themselves demand it.

In 1967, more than 3,000 Black students in my hometown of Philadelphia skipped school and marched to confront the Board of Education and condemn vocational tracking of African American students, bans on Afro hairstyles and clothing, and Eurocentric history instruction that ignored or denigrated their communitys experience.

Slowly, the schools changed. They replaced racist textbooks that had praised slavery for civilizing Black people and the Ku Klux Klan for protecting white women. The district appointed a committee to incorporate Black history into the curriculum. Nearly four decades later, in 2005, Philadelphia became the first major city in the country to require a course in African American history.

In 2011, Hispanic students in Arizona protested after state officials eliminated an elective course in Mexican American history. Prefiguring Floridas Stop W.O.K.E. measure, an Arizona law had prohibited courses that promote resentment toward a race or class of people. When the state ruled that a Mexican American history course taught in Tucson violated the law, nine Hispanic students protested by chaining themselves to a desk at a local school board meeting.

When education is under attack, what do we do? they chanted. Fight back. A federal judge struck down Arizonas history law several years later, ruling that it was enacted and enforced with racist intent.

Student protest also helped to preserve the Advanced Placement U.S. history course in Jefferson County, Colo., near Denver, after conservatives on the school board threatened to dilute it in 2014. Critics said the course gave too much attention to slavery, Japanese American internment during World War II and other negative dimensions of the past. One school board member proposed reviewing the curriculum to ensure that it did not encourage or condone civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.

Ironically, that triggered one of the largest acts of school-based civil disobedience in American history. Teachers called in sick, and 700 students walked out of class in solidarity with them. Even after the county closed two high schools for lack of available teachers, students spent their day off protesting. We have a right to know history, one student sign said.

So do the students in Florida, of course. School officials in Colorado relented after the protest, announcing they would not change the AP U.S. history course. And Florida officials will do the same, with regard to AP African American studies  if enough students demand it.

And that means all students, not just African Americans. Every student needs to have access to this information, a middle school teacher in Florida told reporters recently. If youre not giving them all sides of something so that they can think, youre damaging them. Youre giving them a biased education.

Shes right. Florida officials are trying to bias our students by restricting what our teachers can tell them about history. Now its time for the students to make history by boycotting school until the state affirms their right to learn.

It has happened before. And it can happen again.
Noticing a lack of local coverage after she was laid off from a reporting job at the Great Falls Tribune, Jenn Rowell launched her own newspaper in 2017.

The Electric covers upgrades to Malmstrom Air Force Base's C-130 fleet, new library curriculum standards at the Great Falls Public School District and the city government's appeal of a drug testing policy lawsuit. She focuses in particular on government activity, because she believes the dwindling mainstream outlets dont seem to be covering those happenings. Maintaining robust local coverage is critical to a good community, so she doesnt use a paywall for any of her content.

Thats a big gap here, Rowell said. This stuffs important. People need to know about policies, budgets, etc.

But running a paper single-handedly has its challenges. At the height of its influence as a statewide newspaper in the 1990s, the Great Falls Tribune fielded a newsroom of 43 full-time journalists and a dozen part-timers. Today, the Gannett-owned newspaper has two reporters on staff.

For the most part, its just me, Rowell said of her single-handed newsdesk. That means there is no oversight of her coverage, so Rowell relies on years of journalistic training and connections with old colleagues to double-check her work. Since it is her reputation alone that would suffer if information is inaccurate, Rowell strives to verify all of the information she puts out.

I feel very strongly about having accurate content, she stressed. Its a real sad state of affairs.

When regions lose their local newspaper, voting behavior grows more polarized, according to Associate Professor Michael Wagner at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Compared with counties with similar demographics and the presence of a local paper, those without a paper trend toward more extreme voting behavior, Wagner explained.

The phenomenon is influenced by the types of media citizens use to fill the gap of traditional newspapers, and the polarization largely comes from voters who turn to ideological sources rather than mainstream television and radio news.

I think there is (a danger), said Wagner, especially if local information that fills the void is ideological talk radio or ideological websites.

Who do you trust?

Montanans spend a lot of time with radio, given the long drives between towns.

You get a lot of time in the car with these folks, said Katie Thornton, a journalist who researches radio on The Divided Dial show as part of WNYCS series On the Media. You hear from some hosts more than your friends. You get this really personal relationship. You feel like theyre a part of your life and your world. Radio is still super, super influential.

Radio also lacks accountability, because broadcasters can talk for hours without considerable oversight, and Thornton said radio content often flies under the radar. In addition, she noted, radio is affordable to produce and easy to consume.

I think theres a lot of potential there, said Thornton. Theres also a lot of danger there.

Its influential, too, because radio is considered one of the most trustworthy news media platforms. Thornton said radio is consistently ranked the most trusted type of media in the U.S. But the influence of radio is not equally distributed across the political spectrum.

Radio used to be a medium where varied and diverse perspectives thrived on the airwaves, she said. But through strategic organizing on the right and the religious right, there came to be a very heavy presence of right-wing perspectives on the airwaves.

Deregulation starting in the 1980s also contributed to more corporate mergers on the radio dial.

You end up having this media industry that became increasingly consolidated and increasingly conservative, Thornton reiterated.

Aaron Flint with Montana Talks, for example, wrote in one post on the stations website: I don't know about you, but whenever I see someone dressed in dark clothing, tactical gear, and face masks  I assume it's some Left-wing Antifa style militant group.

In Kalispell, pundit Jim Riley produces a variety of right-wing podcasts like Liberty or Lose, which he describes as a show for anyone that has a voice and wants to hear how others are feeling as a conservative in 2021." As host, Riley interviews guests from across the country to get their perspective on politics and where the country is heading. The show will have special guests from the Montana State Republican Party such as Matt Regier and John Fuller. The podcast also supports the "Montana  Liberty or Lose Conservative PAC.

And in nearby Idaho, members of the AMRRON radio network target Montana and surrounding areas as the future home of the American Redoubt  a political migration movement that brings together Oath Keepers, white supremacists, doomsday preppers and other extremist groups in the hopes of establishing a safe haven for their ilk in the Northern Rockies.

Radio, I think, has a lot of influence and carries a lot of potential to be used for extremism for a few reasons, warned Thornton.  You can share hateful speech, dangerous rhetoric and falsehoods.

Radio remains

The proliferation of radio stations, given the low barrier to entry, has led to vast differences in radio stations across the state. In Missoula alone, the radio landscape varies.

Scott Richman is the Missoula market president of Townsquare Media, the broadcasting company behind prominent Montana voices like KGVOs Peter Christian and Flint with Montana Talks. Townsquare owns 35 radio stations spread across Missoula, Great Falls, Shelby, Butte, Bozeman and Billings.

Richman said the Montana media market remains competitive, and Townsquare sets itself apart with hyper-local coverage.

We believe that our audience and advertisers are more concerned with what is happening in our backyard first since that is where we live, work and recreate, so we invest locally in order to deliver that to our audience, he wrote in an email.

The onset of new technology has only exacerbated the competition in the market, he added.

New technology and stronger connectivity via mobile, broadband, etc., have made it possible for new media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Netflix, among others, to build larger interactive audiences with user generated and professionally created content, wrote Richman.

Townsquare Media seeks to utilize these new features, such as by enabling listeners to tune in using Alexa Smart Speakers and CarPlay.

On the other end of the radio spectrum is Missoula Community Radio 101.5.

The nonprofit only recently upgraded from 100-watt broadcasting capability to 3600 watts.

Missoula Community Radio leaders Jon Van Dyke and Jesse Blumenthal prioritize a mixture of talk radio and creative expression on the small local station.

Blumenthal said the organization sees itself as an educational nonprofit, a designation that, in and of itself, is inherently political.

It has an inherent social justice and political leaning, noted Blumenthal. Missoula Community Radio features segments like Voice of the People, which offers frequent commentary on labor issues, as well as question-and-answer sessions with policymakers.

But Blumenthal and Van Dyke also said they like to cultivate a wide array of listeners.

We dont want to alienate people in our community, said Van Dyke.

Small town news

The town of Power sits halfway between Great Falls and Choteau. Retired teacher Carla Pfeifle looked to the Choteau Acantha newspaper for coverage as the Great Falls Tribune withered away. But even that wasn't keeping up.

I kind of got to realizing, for instance, how few people were getting regular newspapers, Pfeifle remembered, thinking: Gee, its really hard for people to know whats going on.

At first, she and her neighbors relied on the local school newsletter, but there was a rule in place against publishing community news.

So after 27 years of teaching, Pfeifle decided to start an email newsletter with a calendar of local events, small articles, ads for local businesses, lost pet listings and information about how to access the food bank. It grew by word-of-mouth, to the point that Pfeifle now reaches more than 400 people once a month.

Like Rowell in Great Falls, Pfeifle is solely responsible for the content in Power Community News. But she believes events are better-attended and residents are more informed because of the service she provides.

Her goal is not only information-sharing, but camaraderie. She hopes to make our little community more united.

Still, Pfeifle lamented, some residents dont have access to email to receive the newsletter, and they miss out on what she sees as critical information about the local community.

Theres always a gap, she pointed out.

Jon Goff, a political writer in Jefferson County who uses the online platform Substack, attempts to bridge that gap with the digital content he creates.

Goff, who contributes to local newspapers including The Whitehall Ledger and The Boulder Monitor, turned to the trendy Substack website in August in order to start a conversation.

He writes about taxes, county spending and other local government affairs in his newsletter, which he dubs a medium for advancing control for Montanans over their own affairs and the conditions necessary for them to thrive through new information.

I was trying to create a more dynamic article from an engagement standpoint, Goff explained. He liked the accessibility of Substack, which doesnt charge to publish or to read content.

But despite the popularity of some famous Substack users such as Heather Cox Richardson and Bari Weiss, Goff said his Substack has generated little in the way of meaningful responses.

The challenge, he realized, comes from the divided nature of Montana readers, culturally and generationally.

Im doing this in a way that doesnt engage the right audience, he admitted. Goff decided he would have to choose which readers he wants to reach, because one medium no longer accesses broad swaths of the community.

Its not realistic, especially in rural Montana, he said.

Social media provides an alternative news-gathering option for many rural Montanans who frequent community Facebook pages like Miles City Chatter.

Administrators of the group, which counts approximately 7,000 members, endeavor to ensure participants follow group rules and keep their interactions friendly.

Moderator Buck Whittenberg said his goal for the page is to create a positive image of the town.

That mission sometimes bumps up against his efforts to guarantee accuracy on the site. Whittenberg said he goes through the posts, which are mostly generated by the groups 2,000 active members, and checks their accuracy. Sometimes, he added, the community monitors posts by itself.

Nine out of 10 times, its valid information, Whittenberg reported.

Thats important, he added, because of the outsize influence of social media in rural places like Miles City.

One post can reach thousands in minutes, he pointed out. News travels a lot faster in small towns.

Alternative platforms

Despite Whittenbergs efforts to make sure posts are accurate, Adriane Beck with Missoulas Office of Emergency Management warned against using alternative information sources like Facebook pages for critical information.

All sources of information can be your best friend or your worst enemy, she said. We always will use whatever platforms that are available.

To that end, Beck said her team monitors social media during emergency events, but encourages Missoulians to get information from trusted sources.

We cant account for rumor mills that crop up on those types of platforms, she explained.

For example, during last summer's Elmo 2 fire by Flathead Lake, residents between Polson and Lakeside depended on updates to a Facebook page called "Flathead 411," where posters relayed information they'd heard from Lake County Sheriff's deputies at roadblocks and other second-hand information. The first details about a Red Cross shelter in Polson got posted there for people who had to evacuate. Similar details on government websites took hours or even a day to get published.

Indian Country Today Journalist Jason Begay, who is Navajo, acknowledged the lack of accountability on sites like Facebook, but he nonetheless emphasized their usefulness in sharing information for Native communities.

Its kind of a free-for-all, Begay admitted.

But because Indigenous communities have been systematically left out and misrepresented in traditional media, Begay explained, many in those communities have turned to sources like Facebook to share vital information.

Social media access has exponentially improved information-sharing on reservations, Begay said. When he was growing up in the 1980s and '90s, he said, there was very little infrastructure to provide any kind of connectivity.

Phone lines and cable were both prohibitively expensive. Radio was essentially the only form of communication many Tribal members had access to. Then, in the 2000s, wireless technology changed the playing field.

Reservation communities underwent that really quick shift from basically nothing in terms of communications to everything in the back of your pocket, said Begay.

Then, with the advent of Facebook, digital users had the opportunity to have two-way conversations as opposed to the one-directional storytelling that predominated before. For instance, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council posts most of its activity, documents and proclamations on Facebook, and Blackfeet Indian Reservation residents discuss the activity in the platform's comments section.

This mirrored the primary way of information-sharing on reservations throughout much of the earlier history, according to Begay.

Facebook was the closest thing to actually having a conversation with people, said Begay. The storytelling and the creativity really just exploded all of the sudden.
Jacob Weasel was in a fight with a mountain. Hurricane-force winds bombarded him with snow and brought the wind chill down to 50 below. Standing at over 19,000 feet, staring up at the Autobahn  the 1,000 feet of notoriously icy slope between high camp and the summit of Denali  he was about to lose.

Despite pleading with his guides to let them continue, and after 18 days of sleeping on the ice, it was the closest he'd get to the top of North America's tallest peak.

But Denali, coming in at 20,310 feet, wasn't Weasel's first nor his highest adventure at altitude. The spry and fit young Monument Health trauma surgeon and member of South Dakota's Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe had successfully climbed Mt. Rainier (14,411 ft.), Cloud Peak (13,171 ft.), Grand Teton (13,775 ft.) and a handful of 14-ers in Colorado. He summited Cotopaxi (19,347 ft.) and Chimborazo (20,549 ft.) in Ecuador within 48 hours of each other, and bagged Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft.) in Tanzania  checking off that continent's tallest peak.

So, it wasn't for a lack of capability, training or experience Weasel's group was turned around on Denali, and it wasn't a lack of grit either. In fact, Denali was not only the first time he's ever been turned around on a mountain, it's one of the only times Weasel's ever been turned around by any challenge  period.

But the crushing defeat set in motion another dream that only time or success can stop.

"I came away from that experience, being let down to that degree and knowing that I was fully capable of summiting that mountain," he said. "I came away from that experience knowing in my heart that I was going to be the first Native American to summit the 'Seven Summits'  the highest peak on each continent."

The seven summits are a bucket list goal for many adventurers.

American businessman Richard Bass was the first person to complete the seven in 1985. However, Bass climbed Australia's Mt. Kosciuszko (7,310 ft.) as the highest point in the Australasian continent, a point disagreed on by Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner in 1986. Messner argued that the Carstenz Pyramid (now known as Puncak Jaya) was higher than Kosciuszko and should be the agreed-upon summit for that continent.

The disagreement resulted in the "Messner List" and the "Bass List," with the one peak difference. Most mountaineers agree with Messner's List, although some summit Kosciuszko as well just to be safe.

Messner's generally accepted "Seven Summits" are: Kilimanjaro; Mount Everest (29,032 ft.) in Nepal; Aconcagua (22,838 ft.) in Argentina; Denali; Mt. Elbrus (18,510 ft.) in Russia; Vinson Massif (16,050 ft.) in Antarctica; and Puncak Jaya (16,024 ft.) in Indonesia.

Scalpels and ice picks

Laden with a 60-lb. pack and dressed for summer amidst freezing temperatures, Weasel treks up and down the hills in his neighborhood to prepare himself for the grueling, frigid, weeks-long ascent he's soon to face.

He's already made his mark on the world by being, as far as anyone knows, the first Lakota Sioux surgeon in history. But this spring, the 36-year-old Rapid City doctor will make an attempt to be the first Native American to summit Mt. Everest  the highest peak on earth, situated in the Himalayas on the border between China and Nepal.

The plan is to leave after Easter and be back by early June, climb and weather conditions permitting.

Weasel trains 15-20 hours a week with a mix of cardio and weightlifting focused on the muscles used in mountaineering  legs, back and core. Using his knowledge of medicine, he trains in cold exposure as well, going from his sauna outside to the freezing temperatures in order to activate the body's natural adaptation ability.

But as a child, mountain climbing was never on his radar. A professor-turned-friend regaled him with his own experience of climbing Mt. Rainier in Washington state. The spark was lit and has since grown to an inferno.

For many, mountaineering is a sport of glory, a desire to push the reaches of the human body and mind for bragging rights. But Weasel wants to set an example for others, especially Native youth. He also wants to generate support for the charity he founded.

"[I] really want [the expedition] to serve as an inspiration for the native kids, that whatever their dreams are for their life, they're equally capable as anybody else to dream big dreams and see them come to reality. That's really what my heart is through this whole thing," he said. "If it weren't for the fact that no native person has ever summitted, I probably wouldn't be doing this. But I feel like there needs to be somebody first to do it, so why not me?"

It's the wider implications and goals of his climb that keep the support of his wife. Mountaineering is a dangerous sport, but it also requires time spent away from home  a sacrifice for both of them. For her, it's equal parts excitement and fear, he said. He believes if it were just about him wanting glory, she wouldn't support it.

Life of medicine

While sitting in the pews at church dressed in his Sunday best and listening to the sound of his father's voice fill the hall, Jacob Weasel's lifelong journey into medicine began.

As his father's sermon drifted into the hearts of his congregants and past his 16-year-old ears, Weasel began to pray. He had a vision. He was in a room shrouded in a white coat, Weasel said, he appeared to be talking to a patient, telling them he couldn't do any more for them, but said he believed there was someone who could.

He prayed for them. They were healed. He immediately told his father he'd been called into medicine.

Weasel was born at the Indian Health Service Hospital in Gallup, New Mexico, a town of around 20,000, marked by a stunningly alien red rock landscape. He's the middle child of three, with an older brother, John, and younger sister, Jordan. His father, Dobie, is Assiniboine from the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana, while his mother, Jamie, is Lakota Sioux from the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, where Jacob is an enrolled member.

He grew up in a middle class, predominantly Hispanic community in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When he was 12, the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska.

At 16, Weasel was selected for a summer research program at Creighton University. It was a summer break that would repel most teenagers: hours spent in the library doing research and learning lab techniques first-hand, but it was the first door opened after his calling into medicine. The studying landed him a national award and the opportunity to present his findings at a conference in Aventura, Florida.

His dedication and success that summer netted him a full-ride scholarship to Creighton for his undergraduate studies. He studied theology and philosophy with a minor in health administration and policy before landing a spot at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Medicine.

It's an interesting dichotomy  theology and medicine  two fields which can seem so diametrically opposed, and yet, Weasel said, are so connected. At the heart of the matter is the search for truth. He's had the opportunity to study medicine and the miracle that is the human body, calling our fragility and importance an intriguing paradox.

"I think that they're equally aimed at ascertaining what is true in the universe, and then come at it from different angles," he said. "There are certain questions that science has a very hard time answering, and there are other questions that religion doesn't really try and address because they're in separate fields. What I have found is that in that pursuit of truth is where that reconciliation is found."

Things weren't always smooth. In the first few weeks of medical school, when the stress of getting in melted away and the enormity of the workload began to settle in, he said his classmates began complaining. Some wanted to quit. He reminded them how they'd fought to get that far  and how many others were behind them fighting for the same thing. Weasel didn't want to give himself an easy out, he said, and not wanting to be turned around, he dug in.

Family of faith

Jacob met his wife, Lauren, while she was in college at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. Lauren began attending his father's church, and despite being a few years older, they fell in love, he explained with a boyish grin and a star-struck flash in his dark eyes. Married for well over a decade now, the couple has three children: sons Leighton and Judah, 15 and 13, and daughter Isabelle, who just turned 12.

They built a stunning home on the south side of Rapid City and spend their free time hiking and fishing, watching movies, and enjoying family life with their goldendoodle, Kona. They're regulars at Fountain Springs Church and have worked to integrate themselves into the local community on all fronts.

He gets the most satisfaction in his life by being a husband and father, something he said is also his biggest challenge. The commitment and dedication to each other and their family has allowed them to invest in a healthy marriage, putting in the effort to lead a life and relationship of intention.

"Nobody's going to care about what mountains I climb one of these days," he said. "The things that matter are the legacy and the example and the lessons and values that I hand onto my children, and the life that I build with this woman that I vowed to dedicate my life to."

The Weasels brought their children to the Black Hills for a visit during his third year of surgical residency in Des Moines. The decision changed their future. Standing amongst the pines and looking out over the landscape, the area's sacred power drew them in.

"[We] fell in love with the Black Hills, and coming here... it kind of felt like I was returning home to a place I'd never lived," Weasel said.

But it was the place he was supposed to have grown up; his parents had planned to move to Gallup only briefly to have his older brother at the IHS hospital there, but liked the warmer weather and proximity to family.

They had set up housing at Lakota Homes in North Rapid, but never moved in.

Building bridges

Weasel's mother would tell him stories of how she was treated as a young native woman in South Dakota. How she was followed around the mall. It's important to recognize the trauma in this community  a recognition needed before healing can begin, he said. But also not to hold on to the past at the expense of the future. Part of his goal in coming to Rapid City  aside from serving the Native community  is to be a bridge of healing between cultures.

He serves as faculty for three different medical schools, including as the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion with the University of South Dakota College of Medicine. The unique position he's in  a Native American and a surgeon  affords him a perspective not many others have.

"Anytime I take a patient to the operating room, it is plain as day to me when I make an incision that the things that seem to separate us are only millimeters deep," he said.

His Native upbringing and the near-miss of growing up in Rapid City all culminated in the founding of the Wopila Project, Weasel's nonprofit centered on spreading gratitude and encouraging generosity. Right now, it is working to build a playground at Lakota Homes for the children that live there.

"There's so many kids that live in that development, but they don't have a permanent playground structure. I've talked with some of the families and they have to take their kids maybe a mile away to go and play, and that's difficult, especially in the winter," Weasel said. "[I'm] just wanting to show those kids that they're seen and that people care about them."

The playground would also have seven pillars, one with each of the traditional Lakota values. The name "wopila" comes from the Lakota, meaning "out of all you've been given and all that is, you in turn give back to others." It's a philosophy integral to his very existence.

Weasel's Everest expedition is aiming to raise $100,000 for the playground, plus an additional $75,000 to fund three women's health centers in rural Nepal, a country where a staggering 90% of women lack proper OB/GYN care.

None of the funds he raises goes toward funding his climb or travels. But he is open to gear sponsorships for the trip, and is always open to any help offered.

A life of significance



Lying on the operating table, a young car crash victim with catastrophic bleeding in her abdomen was about to die.

But Weasel and his team held the end off a day at a time. He repaired the near-fatal damage and allowed her to leave two days later. He'd given her more time.

In 2018, Weasel signed on to be an emergency and trauma surgeon with Monument Health in Rapid City. He does everything from consults to emergency surgeries like appendectomies and gallbladder removal, but he also sees the violent side with shootings, stabbings and suicides.

The best part of the job, he said, is connecting with people and having the privilege to walk with them through some of the most painful moments in their lives. Weasel was driven from a young age by two ideas: time and what it means to lead a life of significance.

"I found that significance was only found in service to others," he said. "I wanted to do something that would be able to serve people and also afford them more time  more time with those that they love doing the things that they love and experiencing all that this world has to offer."

Seeing the realities of time come crashing down on his patients motivates him to keep living life with the time in front of him.

"I've had too many encounters where I meet the greatest people that have worked their entire lives with the aim being the RV trip around the country or putting that sailboat in the water or taking that trip  whatever it is  and then getting to a point in their life where they get diagnosed with an illness that prohibits them from ever realizing those dreams," he said. "Working forever towards a goal that will never be realized... seeing that dream die... [I] just didn't want to be another one of those individuals."

The idea of "running from zero," a concept he learned from his pastor at church, is something everyone can apply to their own lives. He implores people not to let fear stand in the way of big dreams, but to run towards something  no matter how small.

Attitude for adventure

Jacob Weasel has no shortage of big goals.

Besides his Everest attempt this spring, he's planning a summit of Aconcagua in Argentina next January, and then wants to work on a visa to climb Mt. Elbrus in the Caucasus region of Russia. He has his sights set on an explorer's grand slam  reaching both the north and south poles  and wants to learn to sail to be the first native person to circumnavigate the globe.

"When you experience something that elicits equal parts of wonder as much as it elicits fear  something that is as terrifying as it is awe-inspiring  that begins to border on an experience of the divine," he said. "I find that God reveals Himself in different ways, and one of the ways is through His creation, both in the natural world as well as in different cultures on this planet."

He wants to do it all  bike ride across the United States, hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and ride a motorcycle from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina  raising money for charity the whole way. It's getting closer to God through His creation and showing his children how to dream big dreams and live without fear.

"I think that humans have this amazing ability  if we learn to believe in ourselves," Weasel said. "I feel like you'll learn more in a week struggling on a mountain than you would in a year otherwise being within the comfort and safety of your home."

The obvious danger, all too apparent for a trauma surgeon, is about risk mitigation, he said. He's likely one of the few trauma surgeons who rides a motorcycle, and one day plans to take up wingsuiting (skydiving using a webbing-sleeved jumpsuit).

Denali's summit still stands on the horizon for Weasel, and though it's no longer just a 1,000 feet away, he will return. But he's saving it for the last of the seven summits.

For more on the Wopila Project or to donate, visit wopilaproject.com.
NEWTON  Annette Walker, Director of Grief Services at Carolina Caring, was recently honored for 30 years of service. She started her career with Carolina Caring in May 1992 as a social worker and counselor helping those in some of the most difficult times of their lives.

A tea themed Thir-TEA year celebration for her love of sweet tea was enjoyed by Walker's family and the Carolina Caring staff. There was no shortage of kind words and admiration in speeches given by those who work alongside the honoree.

Annettes passion for her work is unparalleled, says Kelly Tate, Vice President of Community Relations at Carolina Caring. She walks alongside those who are grieving allowing them to share their story; and helps them to find their way through grief, in their own time. She is truly a blessing to many.

During her tenure, Walker has mentored graduate students in the social work and counseling fields. She has provided guidance to hospice social workers, chaplains, and counselors imparting her wisdom and experience. She now dedicates herself to the bereaved families whose loved ones have been cared for as well as working with people from the community who have suffered a loss.

Long-time friend and co-worker, Kim Dowell says, Annette has made it her lifes work to ease the heartache of people facing difficult days. I have experienced her wisdom and insight on a personal level as we have navigated life during our 30-year friendship. I am so thankful our community has her as a resource and that I have her as a friend.

In recognition of my 30 years at Carolina Caring, I was touched by the attention given to the details of the celebration party; my favorite drink, dessert, and decorations made me feel special. I am humbled by the kind words spoken and I feel valued and appreciated, Walker said.

I was once more reminded of how blessed I am to work at Carolina Caring and be able to fulfill my passion of serving the community.

Carolina Caring, founded in 1979, is an independent, community-based, nonprofit health-care provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine, hospice care, and grief counseling. Currently, Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Piedmont. For more information about Carolina Caring, call 828-466-0466 or visit www.CarolinaCaring.org.
The author and her husband, Duane, own and operate a 550-cow dairy in Cochranville, Pa.

Cold air has settled into the area. I am not referring to a little chill in the air; I am talking about the extreme cold that blows through every article of clothing and settles in our bones. It is the cold that makes everything on the farm flow slower  the employees, the manure system, and the water lines.

Water is essential when working with animals. Making sure they have an adequate source of water is a critical component of their ration.

When the temperature is below freezing, it challenges us and adds stress to that daily task. Typically, we have fair warning and can make sure that all of the heaters for our water bowls are working before the cold hits. Every once in a while, though, the cold weather blindsides us, and the buildup of ice becomes a serious and time consuming problem.

One place this is particularly problematic is in the calf hutches. We use buckets for our calves, and this is a challenge when the water freezes, especially overnight. When this happens before implementing our extreme cold weather protocols, we have a lot of buckets to pound ice out of in the morning. There is a skill to pounding ice out of a bucket without breaking it, but whether using my boot or a tool, its not a skill on my list.

The same goes for water troughs in the heifer barns if the heater is not working and their water becomes a block of ice. The heifers are good at alerting us when this happens, but it adds a new set of chores for the day.



It takes a lot more time to chop ice out of buckets and bowls and tediously thaw water lines than it does to be proactive and stay ahead of the extreme weather. Winter preparation is the key to survival.

My dairy farming friends in New Mexico and Texas got caught a year or two ago when a cold snap came through their area. This is unusual in that part of the country. Even though they had warning, there was not enough time to get everything ready because their equipment, housing, and water lines are not set up for a deep freeze.

Preparing equipment and barns is not the only thing that we need to do to be ready. We need to make sure we have the proper clothing for the day. When it is freezing cold, temperatures are way below our comfort level, but we still need to work outside and take care of the animals.

The animals are fine; their thick hair keeps them comfortable and happy if they have dry bedding, fresh feed, and water. But they still need care, and those who work with them need to make sure we have the proper clothing to be comfortable.

Over the years, I have come to appreciate certain overalls, coats, and boots that do a great job of keeping me warm in the elements. If my core and my feet are toasty, it is not so bad being outside in the cold air. Quite honestly, I prefer fresh air to being stuffy and hot.



Since our son is in the Army, we visit a military base every once in a while. During one visit, he was stationed in Watertown, N.Y. This base is known for its cold weather training, so they know how to deal with winter weather.

While visiting the military store for him, I also picked up a piece of gear. I got a military grade hat that fits over my head and neck with an adjustable band to make sure the wind stays out. This is a difference maker for me when I am outside in the winter.

When I have the proper gear, I can face the cold. However, there are problems when I leave the farm and do not have my cold weather attire.

I recently went to a meeting in New York City. When I left home, I did not take into consideration that it was a cold, raw winter day. I enjoy visiting the city from time to time and I like walking the streets, so it was not unusual for me to leave the train station and decide to walk the 2 miles to the hotel as opposed to taking a taxi. Shortly after leaving the train station, though, I questioned my decision. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, the wind whipped through the streets, and the air cut right through my layers.



I could have done much better with my coat selection. Even though I had a hat and a scarf, the coat was just not enough to keep the cold wind out of my bones. If there would have been a street vendor selling Carhartts, I would have acquired yet another jacket like the several we have at home. I may have even bought another pair of coveralls, but there were none to be found, so until I got to the hotel, my bones were shivering.

No doubt, we have a lot of cold days and nights left until spring arrives. Whether I am in the city or on the farm, I obviously need to be prepared for wintertime.
Consumers the world over are creating demand for more dairy products. Will the U.S. be prepared to fill that need?

For decades, New Zealand, the European Union, and Australia had largely ruled the dairy trade space. Back when the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) was formed in 1995, the U.S. was essentially a nonplayer in sales to customers outside its borders. However, at that moment in time, the U.S. dairy industry began to come out of a cocoon and transform itself into a player on the world stage of dairy product sales.

While many people cite the creation of USDEC as the moment that U.S. dairy got serious about serving global customers, another equally pivotal juncture took place one year earlier. Thats when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into full effect. With NAFTA and USDEC in place, U.S. dairy processors began to engage their neighbors to the south.

Even though the U.S. and Mexico share a long border, the relationship building on dairy product trade was in its infancy in 1995. At that time, the European Union accounted for 42% of dairy product sales to Mexico and New Zealand netted another 36%.

As for the U.S.? It held a far distant third position at 18%.

Fast-forward to the present situation.

The USMCA (United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) has replaced NAFTA. However, those two free trade pacts, along with a strong dose of relationship building, has more than galvanized the U.S. and Mexico relationship as major dairy trading partners. Today, the U.S. accounts for 83% of international dairy product sales to Mexico, shared Rodrigo Fernandez, the USDEC director for Mexico and Central America.

Mexico is Americas number one dairy product customer, and it has grown into a $1.7 billion market, continued Fernandez, in his comments during the joint annual meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, and the United Dairy Industry Association in late October. This took place even though Mexicos dairy farmers have grown their milk production by 2.4% annually from 1995 to 2021.



As for the worlds two leading dairy product exporters? The European Union held a 9% market share in the Mexican market in 2021 and New Zealand netted just 5% of dairy product sales, stated Fernandez.

The big two could stall

In recent months, headlines have beamed out across the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans from both New Zealand and the European Union. Government officials made mitigating climate change a top priority, and those leaders have their sights set on agriculture as a way to counter carbon and methane buildup in the atmosphere. More specifically, the livestock portion of agriculture is in the bulls-eye.

Across Europe and New Zealand, the future of dairy is being limited, shared Jim Mulhern, who has spoken to a number of dairy leaders on both continents in recent months. Because of our foresight and leadership, U.S. dairy is in a better position than others around the world, continued the president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) as it relates to work on sustainability and climate mitigation.

Despite issues relating to climate mitigation, dairy demand continues to build.

Look at the facts, not the rumors. People love dairy and dairy demand is growing, shared Torsten Hemme.

We think dairy demand will grow by 21% in the next 10 years, continued the founder of the IFCN Dairy Research Network. That is two times the U.S. and its current milk production level. So, over the next 10 years, we need to build a dairy industry two times the United States or 10 times New Zealand to feed the world with dairy, he shared at the Global Dairy Summit held during the 2022 World Dairy Expo in early October.



The driver? Population growth.

We have one Germany added to the global population each year. By 2030, we will add another 1 billion people on the planet.

On average, a person on this planet consumes dairy comparable to a glass of milk per day and this will increase as well, the German economist shared, holding up an 12-ounce glass.

Who will provide those dairy products?

Hemme contends that the U.S. is poised to enter a Golden Era of Dairy.

New Zealand had a golden time, but we dont think New Zealands net exports will grow, said Hemme, with the we being the IFCNs network of economists and researchers from over 100 countries around the globe. Western Europe also had a golden time of growing exports after the end of quotas. Based on our current analysis, we think the major growth of dairy product exports will come to a close.

Why should Europe feed the world with the resources we have? Hemme said is the new question being asked on the continent by government leaders. So, that would be a tremendous shift of world dairy markets.

Americas time to shine?

There will be growth in net imports of dairy products, however, said Hemme, noting this will take place even if exports from New Zealand and Europe stall. The next biggest growth of exports we expect can be from the United States, he predicted for the current year. He then made a much bolder prediction about the future.

We also did the prediction through 2050. If you (the United States) continue on the current growth path, the U.S. has the potential to become the worlds biggest dairy net exporter by 2050. That begs the question, Is the U.S. ready to enter its Golden Era?

Is the U.S. ready to move even further beyond self-sufficiency? asked Hemme, noting that the U.S. could grow exports past one in six tanker loads of milk.

As to some potential challenges for the U.S., How much is the U.S. taking social responsibility in the import markets? he further asked. Every minister of agriculture, in every important dairy product importing country, has one mantra: More milk produced in my country, less imports.

Hemme continued, I will tell you that politicians in those countries win elections on that mantra. For example, Nigeria wants to significantly increase its self-sufficiency in milk. At the present time, Nigeria is the biggest dairy importer in Africa, Hemme pointed out.

What is the strategy to make imports happen and self-efficiency grow at the same time? Hemme asked the audience at the meeting organized by Wisconsins Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

Every important country will expect the U.S. dairy farmers and processors to develop and grow its local dairy industry. That might involve opening a local processing factory and helping to collect local milk. And, with helping to process that local milk, the U.S. would earn a license to import dairy products. That will be the deal in some growing markets.

In wrapping up the discussion on this point, Hemme asked, How many U.S. companies have overseas dairy companies? Thats the biggest challenge for the U.S., he said of his vantage point. While that may be one matter, many Canadian and European dairy processors have made investments in the U.S. because they are unable to grow production and/or sales in their respective home countries.

The U.S. definitely is poised to enter its Golden Era of dairy if it meets the challenges head on.

As for the near-term, the U.S. has grown its global market share in dairy product trade. In 2019, the U.S. accounted for one in five containers of dairy products shipped around the world, shared Stephen Cain, NMPFs director of economic research and analysis. That has grown to one in four containers of dairy products in the last 12 months.

One thing is for certain. For U.S. dairy farmers, dairy product exports are the path to growth, said Hemme. Thats because once you produce more milk, it will be consumed mostly outside the U.S. domestic market. So, once you grow milk production, you need to be internationally competitive with your costs. To help monitor that global cost scale, especially in times with a strong U.S. dollar, you can join the IFCN network.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

January 23, 2023
Organist Aaron Tan is returning to Hope College to present the annual Donia Recital on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

The first half of the program will include Toccata, op. 7, by Fernando Germani; Fantasie Choral No. 2, by Percy Whitlock; Trio No. 5 in D, by Johann Gottfried Vierling; and Phantasie und Fuge in D, op. 39b, by Sigfrid Karg-Elert. The second half of the program will include Intermezzo, JA 66, by Jehan Alain; Lumiere (7 Meditations sur le Saint Esprit, op. 6), by Jeanne Demessieux; Aux etoiles, by Henri Duparc, transcribed by Tan; and Final, from Symphonie No. 5. Opus 42, by Louis Vierne.

Tan has established himself as a leading young artist in North America, and has performed at Hope multiple times, most recently in 2018. Originally from the Philippines and Canada, he is an organist and pianist who enjoys multi-faceted careers as a musician and a materials scientist. He currently serves as organist and director of music at St. Albans Catholic Church (Ordinariate in Rochester, New York).

He is the only person to have received first-prize in three of the most major North American organ competitions: the Canadian RCCO National Organ Competition; the AGO National Young Artists Competition in Organ Playing (NYACOP); and most recently, in October 2021, the Canadian International Organ Competition.

Tans primary musical tutelage has been with John Tuttle, David Palmer, Joel Hastings, Martin Jean and David Higgs. He recently received his MM and MMA from Yale University, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Eastman School of Music.

Previously he has served as Organ Scholar at St. Johns Episcopal Church, Detroit, Michigan; Artist in Residence at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit; and Organ Scholar at the Church of the Resurrection, New York City. As a scientist, he holds a Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Michigan and worked there as a postdoctoral researcher after earning his degree, studying polymer thin films.

The recital is made possible through the generous support of the College's Tom Donia Memorial Organ Fund. The fund was created in 1990 by the family and friends of Tom Donia, a 1971 Hope graduate who died in 1990. The director of communications for the American Red Cross, Tom Donia had a lifelong interest in music and loved the pipe organ in particular.

Audience members who need assistance to fully enjoy any event at Hope are encouraged to contact the colleges Events and Conferences Office by emailing events@hope.edu or calling 616-395-7222 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar

The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.
include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> I have no particular reason to defend Alec Baldwin, but there's something unsettling about the manslaughter charges announced this week in the wake of last year's tragic shooting on the set of the movie "Rust." The controversial actor was holding a prop gun that he thought was filled with blanks; a live round fired and killed a cinematographer. A horrific accident, yes. But a crime? Here, matters are murkier.

Others have explained why the known facts don't quite to match the elements of manslaughter under New Mexico law. I'd like to go further and ponder the theory on which the case apparently rests.

In announcing the indictment of Baldwin, the district attorney of Santa Fe County had this to say: "He has an absolute duty to know that what is in the gun that is being placed in his hand is safe."

Well, maybe. But if there's an absolute duty, what is its source? As far as I've been able to determine, no one has ever sought to charge an actor for discharging a live round from a prop.

Many news reports about the case have mentioned the 1993 death of Brandon Lee, who was shot by a fellow actor holding a prop gun during the filming of "The Crow" in North Carolina in 1993. The shooting, which occurred during the character's death scene, was ruled accidental. Many observers at the time questioned why a live round would ever be on a film set. Fair question  but the actor who fired the gun wasn't charged with a crime.

Over the years, several actors have shot someone with a gun thought to be safe. Yet I've found not a single instance in which the actor was charged.

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A few examples:

 Toward the end of a local Florida troupe's dress rehearsal of Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" in January 2009, the actor playing George shot the actor playing Lennie with what was supposed to be a prop gun  only it was loaded with a live round. The victim was struck in the head but survived. The troupe adopted new rules for the use of prop firearms on stage, but no criminal charges resulted.

 During a 2015 re-enactment of a shootout in Tombstone, Arizona, one participant shot and seriously injured another. The shooter was using his own revolver  a real one  and, running late for the show, had forgotten that the gun was loaded with live rounds. A subsequent investigation found that five of the live rounds were fired. Nevertheless, the shooting was ruled accidental and no charges were filed.

 In Ridgecrest, California, in 1991, an actor portraying Bill Sikes in an amateur production of "Oliver!" was shot and killed during dress rehearsal when fired upon by another actor, wielding a gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Accident, no charges.

 That same year, an actor in Oklahoma City was wounded when a prop gun fired on stage discharged a real round, which passed through a wall and struck the victim, who was not even in the scene. Again, ruled an accident, no charges filed.

These and many other instances over the past eight decades (the extent of my search) seem to accord with intuition: Sometimes the most tragic and horrific of accidents doesn't rise to the level of a crime.

It's true that guns are inherently dangerous. It's true that plenty of people have been convicted of manslaughter after deaths resulted from the discharge of firearms they thought were unloaded. But those cases nearly always feature an element tending to add culpability, such as a defendant who owns the gun in question, or who has a good reason to suspect that it might be loaded. Not a single one involved an actor wielding a prop on stage or set.

The usual industry rule has long been that responsibility for ensuring that firearms used on the set are safe rests with the armorer. Perhaps this is a bad rule; perhaps, going forward, actors should bear a larger share of that burden. But given the experience up until now, it's difficult to see how an actor can commit a crime by relying on the longstanding practice of the industry.

In the "Rust" case, the armorer already faces criminal charges. The assistant director who allegedly handed Baldwin the gun and called out that the weapon was "cold" has pled guilty. Even if prosecuting them is unfair  and it might well be  it's difficult to see the virtue of creating a new rule whereby the actor shouldn't rely on the assurances of the staff.

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Maybe in the future, gun training should be mandatory for actors who will handle prop weapons. But the great majority of instances I've found involve not Hollywood but low-budget amateur productions. Moreover, firearm training is no panacea. In the "Oliver!" case mentioned above, the actor who fired the prop gun was a serving master sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.

All the foregoing relates to Baldwin the actor, which is what the prosecutors have addressed in their public comments. What about Baldwin the producer? The "Rust" crew, including the props team, has complained of difficult working conditions and long hours that might well have contributed to an unsafe environment. If true, that's serious wrongdoing. Still, in cases I'm aware of, the liability of the production company has been adjudicated in civil, not criminal, court. Here, Baldwin has settled a wrongful death action filed by the cinematographer's husband.

My point is not to excuse any of Baldwin's behavior, and it's always possible that investigators possess evidence yet to be made public. Should the case ever go to trial, maybe prosecutors will be able to show that Baldwin indeed had good reason to suspect that the prop gun might be loaded. Absent that showing, however, the case does not look terribly strong  or, for that matter, terribly wise. An accident can be painful and tragic and provoke understandable public outrage, yet not fit the definition of a crime.
include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Even after being elected speaker of the House early January 7, on the 15th ballot, Kevin McCarthy still has detractors on the Right.

Never mind that the promising, new, conservative rules to which he agreed establish a three-fifths majority to raise taxes, cap federal spending, require a balanced budget (eventually), mandate 12 separate appropriations bills rather than stage omnibus spending orgies, force a term-limits vote, and much more.

Regardless, some conservatives still hear McCarthy's name and say: "Show me."

How can McCarthy show conservatives, once and for all, that he is one of them or, at least, will accept their agenda?

McCarthy should do what the gobsmackingly feeble and accommodationist Senate GOP "leader" Mitch McConnell of Kentucky fails to do on virtually every issue except judicial appointments: Unite Republicans, divide Democrats, and invite members of the donkey party to make asses of themselves by confirming their Woke, radical socialism.

McCarthy did this magnificently via two votes.

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First, precisely one Democrat, Texas' Henry Cuellar, joined 219 unanimous Republicans to require medical practitioners to care for any live baby who survived an abortion, despite its attempted murder in utero.

The advice of 99.5% of House Democrats (210 of 211) to such abortion-proof babies: "Drop dead."

Second, a grand total of three House Democrats joined 219 unanimous Republicans who condemned physical attacks against pro-life establishments, organizations, and churches, including 41 domestic-terrorist acts that this measure specified.

The 209 other Democrats endorsed this pro-abortion vandalism, arson, and other violence.

McCarthy should schedule similar bills. Each should unify his caucus, trigger internecine Democrat warfare, and let the House minority expose its extremism.

Such legislation should:

 Declare that any baby who survives abortion is a live American citizen imbued with equal protection, due process, and all constitutional, civil, and legal rights.

Democrats moaned that the aforementioned bill would endanger abortion-surviving babies by forcing abortionists to send them to hospitals via ambulance.

Fine.

Give Democrats a chance simply to agree with all Republicans that a baby who, somehow, foils an abortionist is not just a pile of medical waste but a living, breathing citizen and the youngest of all Americans.

 Forbid any federal agency from banning natural gas stoves, heaters, water heaters, electricity generators, Bunsen burners, or any gas-powered appliance or device. No agency or federal employee could spend any time or money on gasophobic prohibitionism. Republicans would lock arms. Dems might split along Green and blue-collar lines.

 Order the Congressional Budget Office to calculate the amount of unspent COVID-19 money.

 Put 90% of those funds into reducing the national debt. The debt limit would not be increased until those funds were consumed.

 Keep 10% of these funds to investigate C-19's origins, prevent future pandemics, and as a rainy-day fund against any pandemic that might erupt.

 Halt federal law-enforcement-assistance funds to George Soros-style state-level attorneys general and local district attorneys who refuse to prosecute criminals. Phony, thug-hugging "prosecutors" who are de facto public defenders -- such as Manhattan's Alvin Bragg, Chicago's Kim Foxx, St. Louis' Kimberly Gardner, Los Angeles' George Gascon, and Philadelphia's Larry Krasner -- would have until October 1 to demonstrate a change of attitude. After that, if they insist on wet-nursing career criminals, they must do so without federal crime-fighting dollars.

 Designate ANTIFA a domestic-terrorist group. After demolishing public and private property, torching police precincts, and otherwise perpetrating nationwide mayhem during and after the George Floyd riots, ANTIFA deserves the blackest of marks. Let's see how many Democrats vote against their party's Blackshirt brigade.

 Label MS-13 a terrorist organization. This Latin American gang beheads Americans for laughs. Republicans should give Democrats a chance to stop the laughter.

 Make the Trump tax cuts permanent. Republicans should draw this line in the sand and invite thinking Democrats to join them. Such a legislative agenda should brighten America's prospects, cheer conservatives, and earn for Kevin McCarthy his Rightist critics' grudging respect, if not their love.
For nearly 20 years, as one state after another has permitted residents who are undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities, Massachusetts has refused to follow suit. Legislation that would allow kids graduating from a Bay State high school to qualify for in-state tuition regardless of immigration status has repeatedly been introduced on Beacon Hill  and repeatedly failed. Now supporters are trying again. Under a bill proposed by state Senator Brendan Crighton of Lynn, undocumented immigrants would be eligible for in-state tuition after attending a Massachusetts high school for at least three years and earning a diploma. The legislation would apply each year to at most a few hundred of the state's 70,000 or so high school seniors. In much of the nation, none of this raises eyebrows. In nearly two dozen states  from blue strongholds like California and New York to red bastions like Texas and Utah  kids who immigrated to the United States without proper documentation are eligible to pay in-state tuition at public colleges or universities on the same terms as other high school graduates. There is no reason they shouldn't be. It isn't shallow favoritism that explains why states charge resident students less in tuition and fees than their classmates from out of state. The policy reflects the consensus that making it easier for local students to pursue higher education locally is good for the students, good for their families, and good for the state. To begin with, state residents pay the taxes that support the education system. A smaller tuition bill for state residents is one way to provide those taxpayers with what might be called a return on their investment. Lower tuition at Massachusetts schools makes higher education more affordable for more Massachusetts families. That increases the number of those families that can send their kids to college, which in turn boosts the number of educated individuals in the state. A more educated population strengthens the state's economy, since college graduates are not only more likely to be employed but also to earn higher incomes. Perhaps the strongest argument in support of the in-state tuition break is that graduates of the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities are more likely to remain in Massachusetts. According to data compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics, 60 percent of graduates of Massachusetts public colleges were working in Massachusetts four years after graduation versus only 38 percent of private college graduates. At a time when Massachusetts is hemorrhaging residents faster than all but a handful of other states, it stands to reason that Beacon Hill should favor policies likely to keep more Bay Staters at home. What the state's higher-ed institutions charge in tuition and fees is logically unrelated to immigration policy. Above: Students register for classes at Bunker Hill Community College.

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Note that none of these arguments have anything to do with immigration or citizenship. They apply with equal force to foreign-born Massachusetts residents and to those born locally. And it's irrelevant whether those born abroad were brought to America by parents who had immigration visas or by parents who didn't.

This country has been debating what to do about illegal immigration for a very long time.

To my mind, the best solution is to abolish most of the restrictions that make any immigration illegal in the first place. You may disagree. But surely all of us can agree that what the University of Massachusetts or Bunker Hill Community College or any of the state's other higher-ed institutions charge in tuition and fees is unrelated to immigration policy. No one is barred by their undocumented immigrant status from driving on Massachusetts highways, swimming at Massachusetts beaches, or doing research in Massachusetts libraries. Neither should they be barred from paying the tuition rate charged to other state residents.

Bear in mind that, with or without green cards, immigrants who live in Massachusetts pay state and local taxes  in 2017, those payments totaled almost $185 million. Many undocumented high school graduates have lived in Massachusetts since they were babies or toddlers, and are as acculturated into American life as their US-born classmates. Making it harder or more expensive for them to attend college accomplishes nothing for them or for Massachusetts.

Conversely, extending to them the same financial consideration extended to any resident who wants to attend a public college or university makes their success more likely. Why wouldn't Massachusetts want its young residents to be as successful and educated as possible?

Beacon Hill may not be able to do much about America's endless feud over immigration. But it can at least stop inflicting collateral damage on undocumented Massachusetts students.

In-state tuition should be for in-state residents, regardless of how they got here.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission."
The three largest banks serving the Triad and North Carolina are among seven financial-services companies supporting the creation of a digital wallet format to compete with PayPal and Apple Pay.

The digital wallet would offer consumers the ability to link their MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards for use with retailers online checkouts.

The service would be managed by Early Warning Services LLC, which operates person-to-person money transfer service Zelle.

Early Warning, which was created in 2017, is owned by Bank of America Corp., Capital One, JPMorgan Chase & Co., PNC Financial Services Group, Truist Financial Corp., US Bancorp and Wells Fargo & Co.

Officials with Truist and Wells Fargo deferred comment on the digital wallet platform to Early Warning.

Our new wallet for consumers, merchants and financial institutions will launch this year, Early Warning said in a statement. More updates will be available on our blog, including who is leading our wallet initiative and where to meet us in 2023.

The digital wallet would work on a separate platform from Zelle, which is the most widely used U.S. money transfer services, but has had occasional issues with online scams or service disruptions.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the banks main focus with the digital wallet is to provide an alternative to PayPal and Apple Pay and as a retention tool for customers.

The banks also want the digital wallet to serve as a way to limit fraudulent charges since their card numbers will already be included.

The Wall Street Journal said the banks expect to enable 150 million debit and credit cards for use within the wallet when it rolls out.

U.S. consumers who are up-to-date on payments, have used their card online in recent years, and have provided an email address and phone number will be eligible.

One way the digital wallet may work is customers providing their email on a merchants checkout page.

The merchant would ping Early Warning, which would use its back-end connections to banks to identify which of the consumers cards can be loaded onto the wallet.

Consumers would then choose which card to use or could opt out.
A Charlotte police officer has been cleared in an internal investigation into the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man one morning last August outside a Clemmons convenience store, according to a letter the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department sent the mans wife in late November.

The mans wife is appealing the decision to the Citizens Review Board for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Alexander Dekontee Weah, a Charlotte man originally from Liberia, was shot to death Aug. 5, 2022, when five law-enforcement officers fired their weapons as part of an attempt to serve an arrest warrant for murder on Weah. Weah was wanted on charges that he fatally shot a man, James Michael Hinson, on Aug. 3 in Charlotte. In November, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill cleared all five officers of any criminal liability in the shooting.

One of the officers was Charlotte-Mecklenburg police detective Paul Weiss, a 21-year veteran of the department. The other four were officers with the Greensboro Police Department. Greensboro police officials have not identified the officers.

Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Maj. Jacquelyn Hulsey of the departments Internal Affairs Bureau said in a Nov. 28, 2022 letter to Malika Weah that the departments Independent Shooting Review Board held a hearing on Oct. 12, 2022, where it heard from witnesses, examined an investigative file and reviewed evidence.

As a result of this hearing, the Independent Shooting Review Board determined that this shooting was justified, Jennings and Hulsey said in the letter. This means the investigation revealed information sufficient to show the officer acted lawfully and in accordance with Department policy.

Attached to the letter is a summary of alleged facts in the case. According to that summary, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officials said that Greensboro police officers who were members of the departments Violent Criminal Apprehension Team approached Weah on Aug. 5, 2022.

Mr. Weah fired a handgun multiple times at the officers, striking a Greensboro VCAT detective in the leg, the summary said. The injured officer was Michael Ambrosio.

The summary said Weiss and detectives from the Greensboro Police Department fired their weapons at Weah, striking him several times.

Responding officers provided medical treatment to Mr. Weah until paramedics arrived on the scene, the summary said.

Talaya Hinson, whose estranged husband Alexander Weah was accused of killing and who was dating Alexander Weah, told the Winston-Salem Journal that officers fired first, hitting Weah twice in the back before Weah fired one shot. Then, the officers fired multiple shots at Weah, killing him, Talaya Hinston told the Journal. She later told the Journal that Weah was going to turn himself in to authorities the day he was shot.

ONeill said in November that Hinsons account was inaccurate and contradicted the body-camera footage, physical evidence and witness statements. Weah fired first at officers, ONeill has said.

The Winston-Salem Journal and the News & Record in Greensboro filed a petition to have the body-camera footage and any other recordings released publicly. A Forsyth County judge denied that request.

Talaya Hinson also told the Journal that law-enforcement officers failed to provide medical aid to Alexander Weah.

They were just standing around him staring at him, she said. They turned him around on his back and put his hands behind his back and handcuffed him while he was gushing out blood.

Kristan Cafolla emailed the Winston-Salem Journal on Nov. 27, 2022, saying that she was at the convenience store on the day of the shooting.

She said she was heading to her car and saw Alexander Weah holding the door so that Talaya Hinson and her daughter could go into the store. Thats when, she said, she saw a police officer wearing jeans and bulletproof vest come from around the corner of the store with his gun drawn. She said the officer yelled at Weah to get down. She said she saw Weah running and then heard the police officer say that Weah had a gun.

She did not see the shooting but heard bullets flying. Afterward, Cafolla said she saw officers handcuff Weah after Weah had been shot.

I remember the officers standing in a circle around him just looking at him lying there, after they handcuffed him of course, Cafolla said. The first medical attention to him wasnt until first responders got there.

Josie Cambareri, a spokeswoman for the Greensboro Police Department, said the internal investigation is still active. At a court hearing in October on whether to release the body-camera footage, Andrea Harrell, a city attorney representing the Greensboro Police Department, said that the department is not releasing the names of the four officers, partially out of fear for their safety.

Erin Wiggins, a spokeswoman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, did not respond to several emails or voice messages left on her phone. On Nov. 16, 2022, the Journal sought information about the status of Weiss and the internal investigation. Wiggins told the Journal in an email to submit a public records request. On Friday, the Winston-Salem Journal submitted another public-records request for information on Weiss.

The Journal has not yet gotten any response from the public-records request. On Jan. 20, a Journal reporter was given a number for the police departments public-affairs office. That number did not work.

Malika Weah said that law-enforcement officers didnt do anything to provide medical care for her husband after he was shot and that the officers treated her husband like a criminal because he was a Black man accused of killing a white man (James Hinson was white).

Malika Weah and her husband were separated, and she had filed for a restraining order, but Malika Weah said she never believed that her husband posed a threat. She said her husband would never hurt her or their 2-year-old daughter.

In a Dec. 28 letter to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Malika Weah said Alexander Weah came to this country from Liberia to start a new life.

Now I have to explain to our daughter when she is older what happened to her dad, Malika Weah wrote. She will never get to him agan and only see pictures or videos of him. This has traumatized us all and will follow us for the rest of our lives.

PHOTOS: Officer-involved shooting leaves one dead at Clemmons gas station

WATCH: Scenes from the officer involved shooting at Speedway convenience store in Clemmons WATCH NOW: Talaya Hinson shares an account from the shooting. Viewer discretion advised. WATCH NOW: Investigators gather evidence at Speedway convenience store WATCH NOW: (Warning: Explicit language and content) Witness describes shooting at Clemmons Speedway WATCH NOW: Witness to early law enforcement arrival talks WATCH NOW: Massive law enforcement presence at Clemmons Speedway
Greensboro Police responded to a report of an aggravated assault on Sunday about 5 a.m., in the 1900 block of Larkin Street. The victim, Jordan Mckale Little, 31, was taken by EMS to a hospital and later died of his injures, according to Greensboro Police.
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County would have the ability to directly pursue Medicaid expansion for their communities through a U.S. House Democratic bill.

H.R. 31, titled Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-Eligible Residents Now (COVER Now) Act, was submitted Jan. 9 by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas.

It has 42 co-sponsors, including Rep. Kathy Manning, D-6th, and all seven of North Carolinas U.S. House Democratic representatives.

However, political analysts said the odds are very low that the Republican U.S. House majority would act on the legislation even though 14 red states have expanded their Medicaid programs.

North Carolina is one of 11 states  along with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming  that have not expanded their Medicaid program. There are bill co-sponsors from nine of those states.

Several studies have shown that North Carolina could have between 450,000 and 650,000 potential Medicaid beneficiaries upon expansion.

An Urban Institute report on Medicaid expansion, released in November, said it would include about 30,000 in three-county Greensboro-High Point metro: 15,000 whites, 11,000 Blacks, 2,000 Hispanics and 2,000 listed as other.

By comparison, there would be 29,000 projected for the five-county Winston-Salem metro: 16,500 whites, 8,500 Blacks, 3,000 Hispanics and 1,000 listed in the other category.

However, that would still leave about 54,000 residents in both metros without health insurance coverage.

Bypassing roadblocks

H.R. 31 would allow a federal government bypass of legislative roadblocks in those states.

Unlike some states that expanded through a voter referendum, it is currently not an option in North Carolina.

Expansion must be approved through the Republican-controlled General Assembly that has been cool, if not ice cold, to most Democratic expansion bills.

This landmark legislation authorizes the (federal) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to work directly with counties, cities and other political subdivisions to expand Medicaid coverage, according to a news release from Manning.

It would, for the first time, allow local leaders to help their vulnerable residents in states which have declined to accept federal resources for Medicaid expansion.

H.R. 31 goals

Medicaid currently covers 2.71 million North Carolinians, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

States can expand Medicaid eligibility to nonelderly people with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Those who might be eligible under the expanded program are between the ages of 18 and 64 and earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but not enough to purchase coverage on the private insurance marketplace.

Among the bills goals are:

* Authorizing CMS to contract directly with counties and other political subdivisions to establish demonstration projects expanding Medicaid coverage to their residents;

* Allowing participating entities to receive the same deal previously made available to states  100% federal funding for the first three years and a gradual reduction to 90% federal funding by year seven and thereafter;

* Permitting entities to apply individually or jointly if they wish to establish a regional expansion project;

* Keeping existing Medicaid rules and systems in place and applying them to local expansion programs;

* Requiring states to cooperate and authorize access to state Medicaid systems for participating entities, with additional federal administrative Medicaid funding for cooperation and subject to federal penalties for non-cooperation; and

* Ensuring that should a state expand, eligible beneficiaries enrolled in a local expansion program would be automatically enrolled into the state Medicaid program.

Slim odds

During the last two years, Congress enacted measures to give states extra incentives to expand Medicaid, said John Dinan, a political science professor at Wake Forest University who is a national expert on state legislatures.

Congress also considered, but failed, to enact some measures that would provide direct coverage to persons who would be eligible for Medicaid expansion in states that have declined to take that step.

Those bills were considered by a Congress where Democrats held majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, Dinan said.

Now that Democrats have lost majority control of the House, further legislation encouraging Medicaid expansion is unlikely to move very far in Congress, Dinan said.

Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi, an economics professor at Winston-Salem State University, that with an all-Democratic sponsorship to date, I give the chances of this legislation less than a 20% chance of clearing the House and that may be generous.

If it clears the House, it will likely become law, but I seriously doubt this will go forward in its current form.

The Republicans in the U.S. House want to cut spending, not increase it.

Stalemate

The General Assembly begins its 2023 session in earnest Wednesday with Senate Republicans holding a 30-20 supermajority and House Republicans with a 71-49 majority thats one member shy of a supermajority.

Senate Republicans can override a Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper veto if all 30 GOP senators vote in favor.

Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, voiced during the 2022 session their support for separate Medicaid expansion bills.

However, they and other Republican legislative leaders have been unable to reach a compromise on whether to include certificate-of-need reform within expansion legislation.

Manning noted the General Assemblys inaction and/or unwillingness to expand Medicaid. Blocking health care access disproportionately affects communities of color, Manning said.

After years of Republican-led obstruction, Im proud to cosponsor the COVER Now Act to help North Carolinians in need get the health care coverage they deserve.

Rep. Don Davis, D-1st District, and a former six-term state senator, said the General Assemblys failure to expand Medicaid ultimately prevents more than 95,000 eastern North Carolinians from accessing lifesaving health care and bringing more than 3,000 jobs.

I am proud to join my colleagues from the non-expansion states to ensure all citizens across eastern North Carolina have the resources they need to access health care.

Turning point?

A pivotal turning point in Berger and Moore agreeing to consider Medicaid expansion was the potential for the federal pandemic relief law to provide North Carolina with $1.5 billion over two years to treat traditional Medicaid patients.

That funding is contingent on the Republican-controlled legislature agreeing to not put stipulations on Medicaid enrollees.

The CDC under the Biden administration has denied Medicaid expansion waivers from several states, such as Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire and Texas, that would have required new enrollee to pay a monthly premium and/or meet a work requirement.

Legislative fiscal research analysis staff have told legislators they did not believe North Carolina would be eligible for the relief money if House Bill 149 contains the work requirement provision and certificate-of-need reform.

Even with the urging of Cooper, state Health Secretary Kody Kinsley and the N.C. Healthcare Association, loggerheads remain on whether to include Senate requested certificate-of-need reform into any expansion legislation.

Berger said the plan is to pass HB149 with the work requirement included, and then well deal with whether or not we can convince the Biden administration or the courts that this is the right thing to do.

Moore supports a clear Medicaid expansion bill in the revamped Senate Bill 408.

We believe this bill will help address some really critical needs while being fiscally responsible to taxpayers and without incentivizing a person not to get a job, Moore said.

Those federal funds would free up DHHS to re-direct General Fund dollars to other priorities; $1 billion would be used to address substance abuse and mental health.

Local beneficiaries

The Urban Institute estimated in a November report at least 346,000 potential beneficiaries in North Carolina if it occurred in 2023.

That includes at least 28,000 residents in the five-county Winston-Salem metro area  16,000 whites, 8,000 Blacks, 3,000 Hispanics and 1,000 listed in the other category.

By comparison, there would be at least 30,000 beneficiaries in the Greensboro-High Point metro area  15,000 whites, 11,000 Blacks, 2,000 Hispanics and 2,000 listed as other.

The institutes report was commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This single policy change would have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people in these two states, said Katherine Hempstead, the foundations senior policy adviser.

Previous research has shown health coverage saves lives, improves individuals financial security, and improves hospital finances.

According to the report, without Medicaid expansion, the Winston-Salem areas uninsurance rate of 11.6% is somewhat below the state average, and it would remain below the state average with expansion at 7.6%.

For Greensboro-High Point, its uninsurance rate with expansion would be the lowest in North Carolina at 7.4%.

Increasing coverage through Medicaid expansion would have significant benefits for North Carolina, moving the state with the ninth highest uninsurance rate in the nation to the 24th highest, said Michael Simpson, principal research associate at the Urban Institute.

In Winston-Salem, Greensboro and three rural areas of North Carolina, around one-third of people without health insurance would gain coverage.

Expiring in April

The report does not factor in about 589,000 North Carolinians who have gained Medicaid coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic through federal public-health relief legislation.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a national nonprofit health-care advocacy group, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act soon after the pandemic erupted in the U.S. in mid-March 2020.

Part of the act is a requirement that Medicaid programs keep people continuously enrolled through the end of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, in exchange for enhanced federal funding.

That has been the pathway where many of the additional Medicaid beneficiaries in N.C. gained coverage during the pandemic

The latest expectation is that the Biden administration will set an April 1 end date after several extensions.

For nearly three years, the public health emergency has allowed millions of people to continue to receive Medicaid coverage, even if their circumstances have changed and they no longer meet the eligibility rules, said Louise Norris, health policy analyst for Healthinsurance.org.

Those people identified as ineligible, as well as people who fail to respond to renewal notices, may be disenrolled from Medicaid over the coming months.

"That would be a huge change for them," Norris said. "Medicaid beneficiaries need to be aware this is happening and be prepared to act if they are at risk of losing coverage or are disenrolled.

States will begin sending notifications to Medicaid enrollees, either informing them that theyre no longer eligible or requesting information to help the state determine their eligibility.

Everyone with Medicaid will have their eligibility re-checked during the 12-month period that starts in April, and although most enrollees will remain eligible for Medicaid, millions will not," Norris said.

"We strongly urge Medicaid enrollees to understand as soon as possible whether they qualify for Medicaid going forward.

"If theyre at risk of disenrollment, research about replacement coverage should start as soon as possible, and certainly as soon as they receive notice that their eligibility is being redetermined.
OMAHA -- When someone dies of a drug overdose, family members, friends and others are left to anguish over what went wrong and what might have been done to prevent the tragedy.

A team formed by the Douglas County Health Department and backed by local partner Coalition Rx aims to help prevent such deaths by digging deeper into those questions.

To that end, the Douglas County Overdose Fatality Review team seeks to conduct confidential case reviews of overdose deaths in the county. The aim is to examine cases systematically, looking at what interventions were in place, said Leah Casanave, the Douglas County Health Departments division chief for community health, nutrition and clinical services.

"It's the best place for us to find out what is failing folks," she said. Such reviews also can help indicate whether intervention programs are working as intended.

One challenge for the team has been getting the local data they need to complete the reviews, Patty Falcone, the Health Department's supervisor of health promotion, told the Douglas County Board of Health in October.

The state sends data to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Casanave said. But because overdose deaths are not a condition health officials are required to report, like measles and polio, the team can get general data, such as numbers, but no details about individuals. State and federal reports also lag by a year or two.

To help remedy the lack of local data, state Sens. Tony Vargas and Megan Hunt, both of Omaha, introduced a bill (LB570) that would create a template for county-level overdose fatality review teams in the state. The teams would be allowed to obtain and review records and other documentation related to overdoses from "relevant agencies, entities and individuals" while remaining in compliance with confidentiality laws.

"It's important for us to bridge that gap," said Carey Pomykata, executive director and co-founder of Coalition Rx, a local nonprofit working to prevent substance abuse. "We need to have some real-time data when it comes to this."

Available data indicates that overdose deaths have been on the rise, both nationally and in Nebraska. Nationally, the rate of overdose deaths increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020. That year, overdoses killed 91,799 Americans, according to the CDC.

Nebraska recorded 160 drug overdose deaths in 2020, according to CDC's State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System. At least one opportunity for intervention was documented in 53% of those deaths. A potential bystander was present in 30% of deaths, indicating that there may have been an opportunity to provide lifesaving actions.

In 2021, the state recorded 174 overdose deaths. The per capita rate of 9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents was the lowest among the 32 reporting jurisdictions, which included Washington, D.C.

According to the bill, LB570, the local team's review could include the person's points of contact with health care systems, social services, schools, law enforcement, the criminal justice system and other organizations.

Anything discussed by the team, Casanave said, would stay within the team. Prosecutors would not be able to access and use such information.

"We're just trying to find the best way to protect people from future overdoses," she said.

The overdose fatality review team would function similarly to the county health department's Fetal Infant Mortality Review team, which gathers information about infant deaths from medical and public health records. Those records may be supplemented by voluntary interviews with the mother by a public health nurse trained in grief counseling, assessment and community resources.

The team then provides information to the Baby Blossoms Collaborative. That local group, comprised of representatives from up to 40 health and social service organizations, reviews the team's findings to determine whether additional actions might help head off problems in the community. One such step, both nationally and locally, has been successful campaigns to promote safe sleeping positions for babies.

Similarly, the overdose death review team's findings would be shared with a collaborative group created by Coalition Rx, which would look at the data and determine prevention strategies.

Casanave said the Douglas County team, which was funded by the state with federal dollars, is piloting the program. She hopes to see other large counties in the state follow suit.

Pomykata said there are close to 400 overdose fatality review teams across the country. She and Falcone were in Washington, D.C., last week attending a national forum on the topic. Pomykata said they hope to learn what others involved in the work have been through and what they've learned.

"We've got to find out what the gaps in communities are so we can put a stop to this," Pomykata said.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
The increasingly demanding medical needs of a growing city combined with a decline in paramedic applications has left Lincoln Fire and Rescue leaders  and their union counterparts  bracing for a paramedic shortage.

But for now, the staffing situation within Lincoln's fire department has not reached a state of alarm, Chief Dave Engler insists.

The department employs 76 paramedics who are eligible to work shifts on one of the city's seven ambulance units  approximately 30 more paramedics than the department would need to get by if staffing levels reached a "doomsday scenario," Engler said.

But the growing burden placed on Lincoln's first responders, department scheduling procedures, labor contract details and a shrinking pool of qualified applicants could one day combine to accelerate a staffing shortage  forcing Engler and the department to prepare for, or at least consider, such a scenario.

Yes and no," Engler said after contemplating whether he is comfortable employing 76 paramedics to meet the emergency service needs of Lincoln's nearly 300,000 residents.

"I mean, I have not lost sleep over this," he said. "But would it be nice to have more? Its always nice to have more, right?"

The set of circumstances that has led Lincoln Fire and Rescue to the position it occupies now  not exactly facing a paramedic shortage, but uncomfortable with application trends and a growing call volume  is nuanced.

Most first responders working for the city's fire service are certified only as EMTs, a classification that takes about a year less of schooling than it does to become a nationally certified paramedic.

EMTs are allowed to provide basic life-saving measures to patients and are permitted to administer a few drugs, while certified paramedics can administer a wide range of medication and can perform certain procedures, such as tracheotomies.

All of the agency's front-line responders work 24-hour shifts, with three shifts of employees working on a three-day rotation.

The fire department typically staffs each of its seven ambulances with one paramedic per day  but paramedics don't work two shifts in a row on a medic unit, said Capt. Nancy Crist, the department's public information officer. After working a shift on an ambulance unit, paramedics work their next shift  after 24 hours off  on a truck or fire engine, she said.

It's a system designed to stave off the burnout that comes with working on a medic unit. But it's a system the department has considered stepping away from as fewer paramedics apply to fill those shifts.

"When I first became a paramedic, the job of a paramedic was: You're on an ambulance. Every day," Engler said. "I mean, that's what we did."

Over time, the role of paramedics changed in Lincoln, with certified paramedics taking roles on fire engines, truck companies, in hospital ERs and at plasma centers.

"Now, weve got paramedics doing way more than theyve ever done and having more opportunity, which is great, but youve created what I would call an artificial shortage of paramedics," Engler said.

The complications for the department's paramedic ranks don't stop there.

Well over 76 of the department's approximately 315 uniformed personnel have been certified as paramedics at some point in their career. But the department requires paramedics to work 14 ambulance shifts per year to keep their certification  a burdensome stipulation that leads many of the paramedics to allow their certifications to lapse after being promoted to fire captains, said Adam Schrunk, the president of the Lincoln Firefighters Association.

"These are people with crews and their own rig and their own stations, and now they've got to go out 14 times a year, minimum, and ride on the medic units to  'keep up their skills,'" Schrunk said, critiquing the department-mandated requirement.

"They're still going to medical calls every day on the fire engines," Schrunk said. "Eighty percent of our calls are medical calls anyway."

Still, the union, Schrunk said, is split on its view of the 14-shift requirement.

Some paramedics who spend half their shifts working on the department's medic units think it's unfair that other paramedics could keep their certification with such few shifts. Others, though, welcome all the help they can get in balancing a workload that "ruins" paramedics, Schrunk said.

The workload issue and what Schrunk described as constant scrutiny on paramedics from department brass have combined to make the job unattractive to employees, who sacrifice an increased pay rate when they let their paramedic certification lapse.

Some have even left Lincoln altogether, said Schrunk, who said that six department employees had left for jobs in Omaha over the last year alone.

"Our medics are constantly scrutinized for what they're doing," he said. "And they may not get disciplined for things, but they're under scrutiny all the time. 'Why did you put this in this report? Why did you do this?'

"It provides you with really good paramedics that way, right? When you're constantly on somebody about every little detail, we have a very detail-oriented, very impressive medic group.

"But it's at what cost?"

The union's workload and culture concerns are simmering less than two months away from its next bargaining period with the city, which will begin March 1 and come only months after the Lincoln Police Union won sizable raises for its ranks as the police department grapples with an extreme staffing shortfall.

For his part, Engler sympathized with complaints about the department's workload and touted the agency's status as one of the leading life-saving emergency service providers in the country, saving cardiac arrest patients at a rate that more than doubles the national average.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue was called for service 32,440 times in 2022  an increase of 2,500 calls over 2021 and an increase of more than 10,000 calls compared to 2013, when Lincoln had about 30,000 fewer residents, according to department data and a decade's worth of annual reports.

The agency has grown, too, adding at least 55 responders to its ranks since 2017 after gaining only eight in the previous 25 years, but the department only operates one more medic unit than it did nine years ago.

The city has approved funding for an additional medic unit, but the department doesn't have enough paramedics to staff it yet, said Schrunk, who believes a department serving a city the size of Lincoln should be operating 10 ambulances.

Engler said he plans to activate its eighth ambulance unit this year as the department navigates its latest round of hiring  a task that has been complicated by a shrinking pool of qualified applicants.

As recently as 2017, Lincoln Fire and Rescue received 128 applications for paramedic positions, 105 of which came from qualified candidates, according to city applicant data. Of those 105, 56 passed the department's written test. The agency hired 10.

In 2022, the department received 33 such applications, 28 of which came from qualified candidates. All but five passed the written exam. Three were hired.

Though Schrunk suggested that hiring would resolve the department's paramedic problems, vacancies haven't been the issue for the department, Engler said. As of Friday, the department listed only four vacancies  a figure that includes paramedics, EMTs and nonuniformed personnel.

The so-called shortage truly doesnt exist," Engler said. "Would I like to have more paramedics? Absolutely. I would love to have more paramedics. So what are we doing? Were looking at trying to train people from within.

"But we have a staffing clause in our union contract which  so if I send a person to paramedic school, guess what? It creates a vacancy, which creates overtime every day. And so, the problem isnt totally easily solved.

The fire chief is also eyeing another potential solution: a complete change in how the department allocates its paramedics.

Instead of sending a certified paramedic to every medical call, Engler has pondered reserving paramedics for higher-level calls and dispatching EMT crews to take care of non-life-threatening requests for service in an effort to combat burnout.

Weve got this high call volume," Engler said. "And were running, running, running, running. And most of the calls are not paramedic-level calls. And so it does create, for our paramedics, it creates a little bit of, Why am I doing this?"

And then there's the "doomsday scenario" Engler has considered, too.

If the department's paramedic staffing levels dip too low, Engler said, the agency could staff each ambulance unit with two paramedics instead of one  but no longer schedule paramedics on truck or engine companies, requiring them to work on an ambulance for each of their shifts.

Under such a scenario, the department could staff its seven ambulances with 42 paramedics, not accounting for vacation days or other absences. But its not a plan the union is likely to support.

And it's not a plan Engler hopes to turn to, either.

"I dont think theres one easy answer to it," he said.

The issue is likely to come to a head this spring, when the department and union are set to begin bargaining for a new labor contact to replace the one that expires this fall.

For now, both parties are short on solutions to what, they agree, seems like a budding problem.

"None of us know a lot of the answers," Schrunk said.
An inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution died Monday at a Lincoln hospital, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Marty Nuzum, 62, died at Bryan East Campus, the department said in a news release.

Nuzum, of Ralston, was serving a life sentence that started in 2003 for first-degree murder for strangling and stabbing his former girlfriend, Jodi Rowe, 36, of La Vista, on Feb. 12, 2002.

While the cause of his death has not yet been determined, Nuzum was being treated for a medical condition, according to the department.

As is the case whenever an incarcerated inmate dies, a grand jury will conduct an investigation to review his death.

Incarceration rate demographics in Nebraska 2022 Incarceration rate demographics in Nebraska
If an Iowa board decides to move ahead with an ethics complaint filed against Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman, he could face consequences ranging from a written reprimand to revocation of his Iowa license.

But it's unclear what weight any decision  which would likely take months to be handed down  would actually carry now that Gausman is in Nebraska leading the state's second-largest school district.

The Sioux City Board of Education filed the ethics complaint last month with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, a professional practices panel which establishes and enforces standards for educators in the state.

In a letter to examiners, Dan Greenwell, president of the Sioux City school board, alleges Gausman attempted to bribe two board members  Jan George and Bob Michaelson  on Nov. 17, 2021, five days before their swearing-in.

Greenwell claims Gausman offered to support any "changes in school operations, programs, activities, and other matters" backed by George and Michaelson if they voted to reelect Perla Alarcon-Flory as board president.

The letter said the conversation took place in Des Moines, Iowa, with Gausman, George, Michaelson and Alarcon-Flory present.

The formal complaint was only made public when Gausman filed a lawsuit in Iowa's Woodbury County District Court on Jan. 11, claiming Greenwell, George, Michaelson and Taylor Goodvin, another board member, violated the state's open meetings law in discussing the allegation.

The lawsuit, first reported on by the Sioux City Journal, seeks to unseat the four board members and void the complaint, which the suit describes as "meritless."

Mike Cavin, executive director of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, said in an email he could not confirm the existence of a complaint submitted to his agency.

In general, complaints may be filed against a licensed individual for an infraction of the state board's code of conduct. Once received, it is assigned to an investigator, who gathers information from both sides and submits a report.

The board then decides if there is probable cause that its code has been violated, in which case the complaint would go before an administrative law judge for a hearing, according to a spokesperson with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, the agency that handles such proceedings.

At that hearing, both parties would present their side before the judge renders a decision and possible sanction. The judge can also determine that no violation occurred.

Possible sanctions include a written reprimand or suspension of license accompanied with remediation activities, like ethics training. In some cases, a license can be revoked.

It's a "lengthy process" that can "take months for resolution," Cavin said.

If no probable cause is found, the case would be closed and not made public.

The complaint against Gausman was filed Dec. 2, five months after he left Sioux City, where he was superintendent for 14 years, to join Lincoln Public Schools. The alleged bribe happened months before he was interviewed and hired in Lincoln in February of last year.

"The Sioux City Board stands by the BOEE complaint," Greenwell told the Journal Star on Monday. "We believe the contents are true and accurate."

In regards to the lawsuit alleging violations of open meeting laws, Greenwell previously told the Sioux City Journal that "the district was advised by counsel preceding all closed meetings."

Gausman said Friday he cannot comment on the matter, citing pending litigation. Lincoln school board members have also declined comment, although Board President Don Mayhew reiterated his support for Gausman in a prepared statement on Jan. 14.

"Dr. Gausman continues to have my confidence and support," he said.

In Nebraska, the Professional Practices Commission promotes and enforces standards of professionalism for educators.

Any complaints that go before the commission first go through the Nebraska Department of Education's Certification Investigations Office, which determines if any wrongdoing occurred. The office would then file a petition on behalf of the commissioner to the Professional Practices Commission.

Kelly Muthersbaugh, clerk of the Nebraska Professional Practices Commission, said there have been cases in the past where an educator who has dual licensure is sanctioned first in Iowa and then in Nebraska, although it's up to the state to commence an investigation.

Nebraska Department of Education spokesperson David Jespersen said the state would typically wait to pursue its own investigation into any cases stemming outside of the state unless someone files a separate complaint in Nebraska. Cases involving criminal convictions typically move forward quicker, Jespersen added.

Gausman's lawsuit claims the Iowa board held two illegal meetings  one in January 2022 and another on Nov. 30  citing the wrong Iowa code section in order to shield its discussions about Gausman and the subsequent complaint from Gausman and the public.

When the board came into open session at the Nov. 30 meeting, Goodvin made a motion to direct Greenwell to file the complaint, which passed on a 4-2 vote. Board members Bernie Scolaro and Monique Scarlett abstained from the vote and Alarcon-Flory was not present.

The motion that was voted on made no mention of who was being targeted in the complaint.

Greenwell, a frequent critic of Gausman before and after he was elected to the board in 2019, had previously filed an identical complaint in August without board support.

That complaint was later withdrawn. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires filings to come from a district.

In addition to monetary damages and attorney's fees, Gausman is also seeking recordings and minutes of the Nov. 30 meeting, in which he alleges the board discussed filing the complaint.

Photos: Sioux City superintendent Paul Gausman through the years Dr. Paul Gausman 2015 Tri-State Governors' Conference 2016 Weight Loss Challenge final Dr. Paul Gausman Dr. Paul Gausman Branstad Bullying Panel Branstad Bullying Panel Bryant Elementary First Day Bryant Elementary community meeting Career Academy expansion Dr. Paul Gausman Dr. Paul Gausman Christensen teacher of the year Gov. Culver speaks in Sioux City concerning John Morrell Dr. Paul Gausman East Graduation Dr. Paul Gausman Dr. Paul Gausman First day of school 2017 First day of school 2017 Home favorite things Paul Gausman Dr. Paul Gausman Martin Luther King Jr. rememberance Dr. Paul Gausman New teacher training Dr. Paul Gausman Paul Gausman Paul Gausman Editorial Board Paul Gausman Editorial Board North High science addition Dr. Paul Gausman Sioux City School District Administration Offices School Board Bryant Elementary School Board Bryant Elementary Sioux City schools staff meeting Sioux City schools staff meeting Sioux City schools staff meeting School replacement meeting School replacement meeting School replacement meeting Sioux City virtual school Sioux City virtual school 1 Sioux City School Board Spalding Park School Spalding Park School Sunnyside Elementary Blue Ribbon Sioux City teacher of the year Jamey Bryce Walk to school day Sioux City West High School Graduation Dr. Paul Gausman press conference Dr. Paul Gausman press conference Dr. Paul Gausman press conference Dr. Paul Gausman press conference
Two students were killed Monday and a teacher was injured in what police said was a targeted shooting at a Des Moines school that is dedicated to helping at-risk youth, and three suspects were arrested afterward.

The shooting was at an educational program called Starts Right Here that is affiliated with the Des Moines school district.

Police say emergency crews were called to the school, which is in a business park, just before 1 p.m. Officers arrived to find two students critically injured, and they started CPR immediately. The two students died at a hospital. The teacher who was injured is in serious condition and headed into surgery Monday afternoon.

About 20 minutes after the shooting, police said, officers stopped a car that matched witnesses' descriptions about two miles away and took three suspects into custody. Police said one of the suspects ran from the car, but officers using a K-9 were able to track that person down.

The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random. There was nothing random about this, Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

The Starts Right Here program, which helps at-risk youth in grades 9-12, was founded in 2021 by Will Holmes, a rapper whose stage name is Will Keeps. He didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday.

The school is designed to pick up the slack and help the kids who need help the most, Parizek said.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership, the economic and community development organization for the region, says on its website that Keeps came to Des Moines about 20 years ago from Chicago, where he lived in a world of gangs and violence before finding healing through music.

The partnership said the Starts Right Here movement seeks to encourage and educate young people living in disadvantaged and oppressive circumstances using the arts, entertainment, music, hip hop and other programs. It also teaches financial literacy and helps students prepare for job interviews and improve their communication skills. The ultimate goal is to break down barriers of fear, intimidation and other damaging factors leading to a sense of being disenfranchised, forgotten and rejected.

The schools website says 70% of the students it serves are minorities, and it has had 28 graduates since it started. The school district said the program serves 40 to 50 students at any given time.

The Des Moines school district said in a statement: We are saddened to learn of another act of gun violence, especially one that impacts an organization that works closely with some of our students. We are still waiting to learn more details, but our thoughts are with any victims of this incident and their families and friends.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who serves on an advisory board for Starts Right Here, said she was shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting. Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert is on the Starts Right Here board.

Ive seen first-hand how hard Will Keeps and his staff works to help at-risk kids through this alternative education program, Reynolds said in a statement. "My heart breaks for them, these kids and their families. Kevin and I are praying for their safe recovery.

Nicole Krantz said her office near the school was put on lockdown immediately after the shooting, and she saw someone running from the building with police in pursuit on foot and in patrol cars.

We just saw a lot of cop cars pouring in from everywhere, Krantz said to the Des Moines Register. Its terrifying. Were all worried. We went on lockdown, obviously. We were all told to stay away from the windows because we werent sure if they caught the guy."
The Hawkeyes' star guard has dominated Nebraska so far in her career. On Saturday, the Huskers seek to buck the trend as a national TV crowd looks on.
The Caledonia Police Department handled 374 calls for service this past week from Jan. 11-17. There were 118 traffic contacts, eight accidents, one from a deer, and one resulted in an OWI arrest. There were two OWI arrests, both 1st offenses. Here are the calls for service that were posted on the departments Facebook page.

1/12/23 5:16 p.m. George Webbs 4555 Douglas Ave. A squad responded to a vehicle stuck in the doorway of the restaurant after attempting to park in the parking lot. The elderly driver stated the brakes failed when attempting to park in the corner parking stall. The vehicle was removed and a drivers condition report was completed by the officer due to the nature of the accident and the age of the driver.

1/12/23 9:34 p.m. Westbound Dunkelow Road at Nicholson Road. An officer attempted to stop a vehicle travelling more than double the 35 mph speed limit with only fog lamps on. The vehicle was pursued by an officer until the pursuit was terminated for safety reasons. The vehicle owners information was obtained and identity is known, but neither the vehicle nor the operator have been located at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

1/13/23 5:13 a.m. Four Mile Road at Chester Lane. Officers responded for a single vehicle versus pole accident. Operator stated the slipper he was wearing got stuck under the accelerator and caused the accident.

1/13/23 9:48 p.m. 1600B Kremer Ave. Officers responded to a domestic abuse call where the intoxicated subjects involved fled the scene in a vehicle prior to their arrival. The callers stated the subjects had a child in the vehicle with them. A Racine County deputy located the vehicle after it was involved in a rollover accident at Highway A and Highway 75. All three subjects sustained minor injuries in the accident. The driver was taken into custody for OWI by deputies. Both adults were arrested on a variety of domestic abuse, recklessly endangering safety and child neglect charges. The child was turned over to a relative.

1/14/23 3:05 a.m. Wind Point Apartments. Officers responded to a subject damaging lights in the outdoor pool. Officers made contact with the subject who wanted to go swimming and snowboarding today and was dressed for both. (Shorts, sandals and a winter coat) The subject admitted to causing the damage in the pool and was taken into custody on criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and bail jumping charges.

1/14/23 4 p.m. Officers took a complaint of fraud of $649 from a resident. The subject has a Youtube TV account and was having difficulty connecting. The victim searched on the internet for Youtube Customer Service and received a call back from a Mark Wilson and was told to Moon Pay monies for the repair along with emailing a selfie and copies of drivers license and social security cards. An identity theft report was also completed.

1/16/23 Officers responded for a single vehicle accident on Nicholson Road. Officers located a vehicle in the driveway of the residence with the operator inside his Ford Explorer and unable to speak coherently. The driver had driven off the roadway, knocking down two trees, going airborne over some landscaping, striking a parked Nissan SUV in the driveway before being stopped by a parked camper in front of the garage. The driver was cited for failure to maintain control, OWI 1st and taken to jail on warrants.

1/17/23 5 p.m. A resident reported a $40,000 transfer of funds in a bank account which resulted in $30,000 being fraudulently obtained from the accounts. Contact with the bank showed all the transactions happening in the Chicago area over a one-day period with a majority of the funds having been withdrawn at various bank branches.
Ritu Rajus first few weeks at the helm of Gateway Technical College have been busy but rewarding she said at her first meeting with the board overseeing operations of the three-campus college.

The community, the campus community, the board, our elected officials  everyone has been so welcoming, and that has been so wonderful, Raju said as she delivered her first presidents report at Gateways District Board of Trustees meeting Thursday.

Raju in October emerged as the top finalist for Gateways next president and CEO, a role she officially assumed Jan. 5. Her predecessor, Bryan Albrecht, officially retired that same date after overseeing Gateway since 2006.

As she has acclimated to her new role, Raju said she took part in meet-and-greets at Gateways Kenosha, Racine and Elkhorn campuses and plans additional outreach activities in the road ahead.

There was great turnout. I had asked for advice on how to settle into the community and I got a wonderful list of restaurants and activities, Raju said. I also asked people for feedback and we got a lot of great responses, which weve organized and shared with the campuses.

Raju wants to continue Gateways outreach efforts beyond the confines of the campuses.

Visits to area high schools have been taking place, she said, in an ongoing effort to inform students of what Gateway might have to offer on the post-graduation front.

Our high school outreach has been very robust, and I expect to do more of that as the semester progresses, Raju said.

In the past few weeks, Raju has also been visiting some of the area businesses that have forged direct relationships with Gateway over the years, including S.C. Johnson.

My goal, going forward, is to strengthen and nurture those partnerships, Raju said.

Albrecht announced a year ago he would be stepping down, which spurred the search for his successor. He continues a presence at Gateway through an emeritus designation.

The colleges District Board spent much of 2022 working with a recruiting firm in its search for a new president.

Raju  who most recently served as vice president of academic affairs at Tarrant County Colleges Northeast Campus in Hurst, Texas  was one of the top four candidates for the position.

The other three candidates for the president and CEO all were working at colleges in Wisconsin.

Horizon Center to undergo remodeling

Also Thursday, the District Board approved a resolution that sets in motion a $100,000 remodeling project at Kenoshas Horizon Center for Transportation Technology, 4940 88th Ave.

According to college officials, the project will entail modifications to some of the existing square footage within the Horizon facility to make better use of classroom space.

One additional lecture classroom is being added, based on rising enrollment and an identified need. Existing office space is being consolidated to accommodate the change.
1. Yes. Having a community member interview panel is an excellent opportunity for input.

2. Yes. Its good that the city will allow residents to meet the finalist at a reception.

3. No. The city should have conducted a public survey early in the process, as KISD is doing.

4. No. Residents should be able to meet candidates before a lone finalist is chosen.

5. Unsure. Its hard to know how to gauge the proper level of public involvement.

Vote

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KEARNEY  The University of Nebraska at Kearney will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a keynote address by civil rights activist and organizer Bernard Lafayette Jr.

Part of the third annual MLK Day of Service on campus, Lafayette will speak on the theme of Nonviolence in a Time of Civil Unrest at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room. The event is free and open to the public.

Lafayette began his activism while enrolled at American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended James Lawsons nonviolence workshops alongside other students, including John Lewis, James Bevel and Diane Nash. He was a leader of the sit-in movement to end racial segregation at Nashville lunch counters and co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1960.

As a 20-year-old, Lafayette was one of the original Freedom Riders, groups of Black and white Americans who deliberately violated Jim Crow laws and risked their safety by traveling together on buses to protest segregated bus terminals in Southern states. The groups were confronted by arresting police officers and mob violence along their routes, but also drew international attention to the civil rights movement.

Lafayette was severely beaten and imprisoned for his civil rights activism, but never abandoned his commitment to nonviolence.

He directed the Alabama Voter Registration Project in Selma and was appointed by King to be the national program administrator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and national coordinator of the Poor Peoples Campaign. Additionally, he served as director of Peace and Justice in Latin America, chairman of the Consortium on Peace Research, Education and Development, director of PUSH Excel Institute and minister of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Lafayette earned his bachelors degree from American Baptist Theological Seminary and a masters degree and doctorate from Harvard University. Hes held numerous academic positions, including president of American Baptist Theological Seminary, director of the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island, dean of the Graduate School at Alabama State University, scholar-in-residence at The King Center in Atlanta and senior scholar-in-residence at Emory University.

Lafayette has written several books about his experiences during the civil rights movement and he continues to travel internationally to promote social change through nonviolence. He received the National Civil Rights Museums Freedom Award in 2012 and the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace in 2016.

Following the keynote address, UNK students, employees and other guests are invited to participate in a service project until 5 p.m. in the Ponderosa Room. This years project includes a school supply drive and letters of encouragement for elementary students in Kearney, Lexington and Grand Island.

The MLK Day of Service is hosted by the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, with funding provided by UNK Student Engagement and Loper Programming and Activities Council.
KEARNEY  Emma Schroeder can describe her recent trip to Ireland in one word.

Priceless.

Well be talking about this trip for years and years to come, the University of Nebraska at Kearney student said. It was so cool and so memorable.

Schroeder, a sophomore music education major from Kenesaw, and 49 other members of UNKs Pride of the Plains Marching Band recently spent six days in the Emerald Isle, where they visited numerous cultural and historical sites and performed during the annual New Years Festival in Dublin.

The atmosphere was unlike anything weve ever experienced, Schroeder said of the festival. It was just awesome.

Attended by thousands of people, the holiday celebration includes a variety of musicians and bands, DJs, street performers, food vendors, light shows and other activities. The main concert featured Westlife, a popular Irish boy band formed in the late 1990s.

UNK was the only marching band at the event, so they also drew a large crowd.

It was kind of funny how much attention we got, said TruLee White, a sophomore from Bayard majoring in music education and vocal performance. Even when we were walking to our performance spots in our uniforms, everyone would have their phones out recording us. You would have thought they were the tourists instead of us. Everyone was so interested in our group.

The Pride of the Plains played for about 40 minutes along the riverfront on New Years Eve, then members were free to enjoy the festivities. On New Years Day, they performed during a scheduled event in Dublin City Centre and also entertained a couple hundred people who gathered around the band while they were warming up.

The performances themselves were wonderful, said Brian Alber, an associate professor and assistant director of bands at UNK. I dont think they see American marching bands terribly often, so a lot of people were really excited about our performances.

We even made it on RTE, the Irish news network, so we got some good publicity there, Duane Bierman, a professor and director of bands, added.

Alber and Bierman were among the nearly 20 staff, parents and alumni who accompanied the band members. They lead an international trip every four years, with the past two organized through the same tour company. The UNK band also went to Ireland in March 2019 for St. Patricks Day.

Its such an accessible country, Alber said. There are no hurdles to go to Ireland.

The UNK Chancellors Office and College of Arts and Sciences provided financial assistance, making the trip more affordable and giving more students an opportunity to experience international travel.

Many of our students dont get outside this area of the country, and some dont get outside the state very often. I think I can count on one hand the number of students who had left the country for travel, Alber said. By offering an international experience thats highly structured  theyre in a safe group to explore and build those memories  hopefully more people catch that travel bug and realize they can do things like this.

Performing in another country is cool, Bierman added, but thats not the main purpose of these trips.

We spend most of our time learning about the history and culture of that country, he said. And that, to me, is more valuable.

The UNK group visited Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford and toured sites such as the Guinness Storehouse, Kilkenny Castle, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum, Irish Emigration Museum and Glendalough, a glacial valley renowned for an early medieval monastic settlement founded in the sixth century. They also stopped at a local sheep farm to see firsthand how border collies are trained.

We tried not to duplicate a bunch of things from four years ago, but the one thing we really wanted to replicate was the sheep dog demonstration, Alber said.

All told it was like 45 minutes, but it was the highlight of the trip, Bierman added with a laugh. Its fascinating.

For White, a first-time international traveler, the countrys beauty and friendliness really stood out.

Everyone over there is so nice and so kind, she said. You can walk up to a random person on the street and have an entire conversation, like youve known each other for years.

She called the trip absolutely amazing.

It was definitely a memorable experience, White said. If theres an opportunity for me to go again in the future, I will most definitely take advantage of it.

Schroeder agrees.

If you get the chance to go someplace youve never been before, do it, she said.

Alber and Bierman are already talking about the next Pride of the Plains trip.

At this point, I think the only thing thats off the table is we wont do Ireland again in four years, Alber said. Well definitely go in a different direction. Although, I would not be surprised if we revisit that country sometime in the future. Both trips have been great.
National flags of North Korea are lowered to half mast to mark the eleventh anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-il, the father of current leader Kim Jong Un, in Pyongyang, Dec. 17, 2022. AFP-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated a State Department official as a new special envoy for North Korean human rights, the White House said Monday.



Julie Turner, director of East Asia and the Pacific at the department's bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, is the nominee.



"Turner has served more than 16 years in the Office of East Asia and the Pacific, in positions of increasing responsibility, primarily focused on initiatives related to promoting human rights in North Korea, including a tour as special assistant in the Office of the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues," the White House said in a press release.






The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into an officer-involved critical incident Saturday night in Dunn County.

At 8:58 p.m. Saturday, the Menomonie Police Department, Dunn County Sheriffs Office and the UW-Stout Police Department responded to the area of Bongey Drive and Terrill Road for a complaint of an older white male breaking into an apartment, threatening the homeowner and shooting a firearm.

The suspect stole the homeowners vehicle and was eventually stopped by law enforcement, police said. During the traffic stop, law enforcement officers from the Menomonie Police Department and the Dunn County Sheriffs Office discharged their weapons, striking the driver of the vehicle. First aid was rendered, but the subject died at the scene.

No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

The involved deputy from the Dunn County Sheriffs Office and the officers from the Menomonie Police Department were placed on administrative assignment.

The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the officer-involved critical incident. The Menomonie Police Department will fully cooperate with the investigation. The Menomonie Police Department is leading the investigation into the home invasion. The Menomonie Police Department said they will release more details about the home invasion as the investigation progresses.

The Menomonie Police Department, in its news release, thanked the Menomonie Fire Department, UW-Stout Police Department, Dunn County Sheriffs Office, Colfax Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol for their assistance.

IN PHOTOS: Picture perfect snow covers La Crosse
One group and two individuals were recognized for their contributions to local education during the La Crosse Public Education Foundation grants award luncheon Monday at the Waterfront Cargill Room in La Crosse.

The annual luncheon recognizes educators who received Gold Star grant funds. This year, 43 classroom projects received funding that impacts every school in the School District of La Crosse.

The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration received the Partner in Education Award. In 2019, the Sisters pledged $80,000 to LPEF Random Acts of Kindness Forever campaign. The contribution was a major catalyst in inspiring the community to meet the campaigns $300,000 fundraising goal. The campaign has now raised over $500,000.

Scott Mihalovic received the Margaret Dihlmann-Malzer Distinguished Service Award. He is a former principal at La Crosse Logan High School and now serves as the Wisconsin educational leadership specialist at Viterbo. He has served on the LPEF board of directors for seven years and on the La Crosse Boys & Girls Club board for 25 years.

Troy Harcey received the Richard Swantz Leadership Award. He is the associate superintendent of instruction for the School District of La Crosse and was previously principal at Logan Middle School. He was recognized for his compassionate leadership with steadfast focus on kindness and unity.

The featured speaker was Aimee Zabrowski, the School District of La Crosse director of student services. She spoke about the challenges educators faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of strength, curiosity and hope.

Photos: 2021 La Crosse Central High School commencement
Two large red and green banners drape the ceiling of the La Crosse Public Library, part of the Hmong Diaspora: A Spotlight Collection.

Its a heritage story that is not well known by millennials and Gen-Zers, said Yia Vue, producer and creative director. These represent the Red and Green rivers that are located in southern China that our ancestors had to cross over to reach southeast Asia.

The art display joins a growing collection of fiction and nonfiction books and an exhibition of Hmong clothing, art and artifacts that runs until Feb. 28.

For Vue, each feature of the exhibition is an opportunity to preserve Hmong culture through education.

One of the things we can do to help make sure that we dont lose identity is to make sure we pass along this knowledge, that we pass along these stories, that we pass along heirloom pieces, Vue said.

The library, looking to increase programming serving the Hmong community, reached out to Vue to create a timeline detailing the history of the Hmong community in La Crosse.

As I started interviewing people and I went around doing my fact checking, people were really behind the idea of lets do more, Vue said. For a long time this community wanted something like this.

The project blossomed to include a collection of books, an exhibit featuring Hmong clothing, artifacts and artwork, and programs exploring the exhibition and Hmong culture. Organizers reached out to community members for suggestions and loaning artifacts, and coordinated resources with library staff.

Sunday afternoon, a large crowd gathered at the downtown library to celebrate the exhibits opening.

The collection is the librarys first to focus on Hmong authors and books relevant to Hmong history and will continue to grow as the library acquires more books.

Hmong community members in La Crosse and across the nation played a role in selecting the books currently on shelves. We want to make sure we are inclusive and that we showcase the latest thats in the Hmong community, Vue said.

Academics and universities recommended nonfiction texts while community members on social media sent in their favorite fiction titles by Hmong authors.

For me it was essential that we get in childrens books, Vue said. I want to normalize having Hmong children see themselves in these spaces, and not just Hmong children, I want to see kids who are not Hmong being normalized into seeing faces that look like Hmong children.

Vue also saw the exhibition of traditional Hmong textiles as an opportunity to provide children with access to Hmong history and culture.

I really wanted Hmong people to find something of great value here. And thats why it was so important to get vintage and antique pieces that normally, the newer generations, younger generations, wouldnt be able to see, Vue said.

The second floor exhibition includes decades-old dresses, hats, jewelry and other textiles on loan from private collections from local residents and community organizations.

Im taken aback and so amazed at how generous my community is in being so willing and trusting to send us their valuable, priceless items. A lot of this collection is heirloom or vintage or antique at this point. The amount of trust and the amount of care that everybody put into it, no one person did this alone, this is really a community effort, and this is for community, Vue said.

The heirloom pieces loaned to the exhibit reflect a style of craftsmanship not often found in modern clothing.

I appreciate the value that our ancestors leave for us. I started to realize that everything our ancestors have is going away. All of the details are really going away, local textile expert and collector Mai Tia Yang, who loaned many of the exhibition pieces, said.

Traditional Hmong clothing, such as skirts, include fabric dyed through a process called batik. On vintage pieces, the complex technique is done by hand. Current pieces are primarily dyed by machines, and skirts with handmade batik fabric are only found in a specific region in northern Laos, Yang said.

A lot of these things, people dont see. They look at it and theyre like oh its pretty, but beauty is not the color, Yang said. Its because of how its made, thats what makes it valuable.

Yang will lead two guided tours of the exhibition Sunday, January 29 and on February 21 detailing how to differentiate between handmade and mass produced garments and describing how history and culture impacted the types of materials and designs used.

Another program on Feb. 7, hosted by former St. Cloud State University professor and award winning author Dia Cha, will explore Hmong spiritual beliefs and folklore.

Vue hopes those who work in the medical field can attend.

It goes into patient care, rituals and rites around birth and death, so that one will not only be culturally appropriate but also very instrumental in helping guide new nursing students and doctors in how to treat and handle their Hmong patients in a culturally appropriate way, Vue said.

The entire planning process lasted only two months.

Thats just how much people believed in this project and really wanted this project to happen, Vue said.

COLLECTION: Good morning photos of the day Saturday ... in the park, definitely not the 4th of July Strolling swans Eagle watch First robin of spring? Opossum passing by Eagles at sundset Saturday ... in the park, definitely not the 4th of July Snowy skyline Towering Spring rain drop The end of ice fishing season Arcadia flyer Bridge sunset A foggy morning hello Spring rain drop End of ice fishing is a drag Spring snow HARBORMASTER CAPPED Hitting the open water Bikes for everyone Helping our neighbors HyVee work continues PICTURE OF THE DAY PICTURE OF THE DAY: Spring migration A tradition unlike any other... Feeling squirrelly Elm tree flowers Sitting on the dock of the bay A holiday hunt Colorful sunset A nice day for a walk A beautiful sunset Tulip blooms Sunrise in the neighborhood A great day for reflection Enjoying the breeze Right on the river Morning visitor Beautiful blossoms A patriotic pair A trip to the Capitol Misty Mississippi Mallard on the march A balancing act Apple blossoms Flowering Crab trees River overflow Flag Day next week Ready to go for a spin Riverside sunset Doggone beautiful The cat-bird seat La Crosse River at Veterans Memorial Park bike bridge in Riverside Park French Island fiery sunset Cass Street Bridge from Riverside Park End of the Day Holding it together A flower named Sue Hanging out at Goose Island Beautiful day Riding in style On parade at Catfish Days A sun-dappled cemetery lane Pecking away Bunny meets world Cranes by the creek River at Veterans Memorial Park The cat-bird seat Fingers in the fog Dragonfly on the line Breakfast at the birdhouse Spreading her wings Relaxing in the park A view from the stage The Quenten Brown Band Rocking out in Arcadia Viceroy butterfly Dog or lion? Pure Water Days, Chippewa Falls Visiting in style Pedaling is for the birds Working on the new Fire House Dockwork Hurling in the park Swimming swans Hibiscus bloom 'The Remainders' rock the stage Land of milk and honey? French Island dining Anything for a free meal A babbling creek Finches munch on cones Stunning sunset Pucker up Chowing down Hibiscus bloom
A recent transplant from Florida to Green Bay, Presley Dooners arrival to Wisconsin was marked by shock that her deeply Republican home state has more abortion rights than Wisconsin.

Thats partly why Dooner, who works in abortion policy, made the lengthy drive to Madison to join other abortion rights demonstrators at the state Capitol to mark the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case now months removed from its overturning last June.

I remember being devastated and in shock, Dooner said in a lull of speakers and chants in the Capitol rotunda on Sunday.

In sync with protests across the country, more than 2,000 demonstrators filled the state Capitol for Roes anniversary, their sights set on the coming political battle that might overturn Wisconsins 1849 abortion ban, which effectively ended abortion rights here after the Supreme Courts decision last summer.

Nearly every speaker Sunday repeated two dates: Feb. 21 and April 4, the primary and general election days for Wisconsins Supreme Court race.

With the retirement of conservative Justice Patience Roggensack, two conservatives and two liberals are running to determine the courts political balance going forward.

It is widely expected that the state Supreme Court will have the final say on whether Wisconsins abortion ban will remain in place.

Is that fair? said Amadi Ozier, an activist with the Madison Abortion and Reproductive Rights Coalition for Healthcare, which organized Sundays event.

Why does one person get to decide the fate of so many people? Ozier said.

Despite the upcoming political battle, about 60% of Wisconsinites have typically supported abortion being legal in all or most cases over the last decade, according to the Marquette Law School poll.

It makes no sense that nine people can make decisions against the will of millions of people, Dooner said.

Womens rallies were expected to be held in nearly every state on Sunday.

The eldest daughter of Norma McCorvey, whose legal challenge under the pseudonym Jane Roe led to Roe v. Wade decision, was set to attend the rally in Long Beach, California.

The Womens March has become a regular event  although interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic  since millions rallied in the United States and around the world the day after the January 2017 inauguration of Donald Trump.

Trump made the appointment of conservative judges a mission of his presidency. The three conservative justices he appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court  Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  all voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

While Roe no longer stands, Jan. 22 is now an anniversary of a different kind, said Rachel OLeary Carmona, executive director of Womens March.

Our reproductive rights have been stripped away by a compromised Supreme Court, Carmona said.

Earlier this month, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul asked a Dane County Judge not to dismiss his legal challenge to the states abortion.

Kauls lawsuit claims that a 1985 abortion law  which prohibits abortions after fetal viability but includes an exception to protect the mothers life or health  conflicts with the earlier, near-complete prohibition.

Kaul also claims that the 1849 prohibition, which bans all abortions except those required to save the mothers life, isnt in effect because of a principle that laws may become unenforceable after a considerable period of disuse.

The three district attorneys named in Kauls lawsuit  Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne and Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski  in December asked a Dane County judge to reject the lawsuit, alleging that Kaul does not have standing to bring the matter against the elected prosecutors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden praised Madison on Friday for purchasing 46 electric buses to benefit the environment and public health.

Speaking at the White House to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Biden said that, in addition to large projects like highways and bridges, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been working with mayors to implement smaller climate-friendly projects as well.

Like in Madison, Wisconsin, where Mayor (Satya) Rhodes-Conway is buying 46 electric buses, replacing those dirty diesels. ... Its a big deal, the president said.

Rhodes-Conway announced last March that Madison will use $41.6 million in federal funding to buy 27 electric buses, more than half the funding needed for an all-electric Bus Rapid Transit fleet.

BRT will be a high-frequency, high-capacity, limited-stop service, with 60-foot buses running on city streets and dedicated lanes with special stations.

The city hopes an east-west route will be ready by fall of 2024, with a future route running north to south.

I am delighted that the president recognized Madison as a national leader on climate action and reducing harmful greenhouse gases, Rhodes-Conway said in a statement. We couldnt do it without the strong partnership of the White House and the federal Department of Transportation.

Rhodes-Conway, who attended the mayors conference, is the national chair of U.S. Climate Mayors, a group of more than 500 mayors trying to accelerate climate action across the country.

The city said electric buses are expected to conserve nearly a quarter million gallons of fuel annually.

Madison actually got a double-shot of national love this past weekend.

In addition to Bidens comments, PBS premiered a Madison-focused episode of the travel series Samantha Browns Places to Love. Madison is one of 10 locales featured in the series sixth season.

Madison appears on a lot of 'best of' lists. Here are 25 of them Best place to live Best Beer Best biking Best city for the young and broke Best state capitals Best naked bike ride Most caring city Best remote work situation Best city for recent grads Best city to rent with pets Best School Best place for kids Best food truck Best college football Sportiest city Best outdoor activities Best work-life balance Best city for runners Best scientists Best place to walk Most successful women Greenest city Best place to retire Heat relief Most dog-friendly city
Can your pooch snuggle and follow basic commands? If so, UW Healths American Family Childrens Hospital offers a new opportunity for canine comforting and cuddling.

UW Health Kids is launching a Caring Canines program, which replaces its Pet Pals therapy program that started in 1996 and ended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers and their dogs make bedside visits and provide a calming influence, cuddle time and a feeling of normalcy for patients and families.

This program will allow us to expand our efforts to help patients and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of their time in the hospital, Katie Glass, child life education specialist, UW Health Kids, said in a statement.

This program is different from the hospitals Canine Health and Medical Pals, or CHAMPs, facility dog program, where two specially trained dogs work alongside staff and carry out specific coping plans for certain patients.

For the new Caring Canines program, the hospital is looking for volunteers at least 18 years old who can bring their dog to visit at least twice a month for at least a year.

The dogs must be able to: sit and lie down with only one command; stay until called with one command; walk loosely on a leash and not pull; be friendly with other dogs; perform commands without treats; not bark or whine much; and be up-to-date on all vaccinations.

To learn more and apply, visit uwhealth.org/caring-canines.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2023

Acknowledging Failure as the Door to Recovery

Jan. 22, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Has the U.S.-U.K.-NATO system failed? Would its controllers know?

The once proud United States, formed in a revolution against what was then the worlds most wicked empire, sees its economic might evaporating, its currency losing its preeminent place, its life expectancy decreasing, and its efforts to work with the U.K. and NATO to crush Russia and contain China floundering. The financial slime mold, with its greatest density in the City of London and Wall Street, refuses to release its parasitical grip upon the physical economy, demanding ceaseless monetary printing and exploding debt levels, to service its demands.

The U.S.-U.K. alliance is now like a lunatic menacing Russia: Im crazy enough to launch direct warfare against your territory, and I think youll blink. You wont really use nukes!

Is the lunatic correct? Is Russia bluffing?

More importantly, should the entire world be held hostage to a dispute over who administers the small portion of the globe at issue here? Who gets to decide the outcome? Are the people of NATO-land rising to the challenge?

Some express deep commitments to overcoming sexism, white supremacy, transphobia, and so forth, but where is the uprising against a nuclear war that would exterminate all human life on the planet, and most other life as well?

In some areas, straws and plastic bags and gas stoves are illegal, while marijuana is A-OK. You may not be allowed to spend your money on menthol cigarettes, but $45 billion is sent to Ukraine in a heartbeat.

Transportation disasters cant be helped and nuclear fusion research is woefully underfunded, but we have all the money in the world (or that we can print) to antagonize China, the leading motor of economic growth globally, alongside our barreling towards a nuclear exchange with Russia.

Facile World War II analogies aboundmust we hear again about appeasement and Munich?but the most dramatic parallel, that of German tanks heading to Russian territory (as in a mad attempt to take Crimea) seems to be lost on commentators.

In some situations, people must stick to their principles; let practicality be damned! But the question of who administers the Crimean peninsula is not such a case.

This madnessif it remains unchecked, unchallenged and unchangedwill mean the horrible death of all people on Earth and for no one else ever to be born again.

But that is the future of us all if those in powerwho refuse to consider a world over which they do not rule, who deny the shift of world economy to Asia and the Global South, who shut out the truth encircling them, that their system, their reign has endedif these people are not stopped. And that will only be through a mass of impassioned expression of dedication to a world committed to peace through development, to the proposition that all men are created equal, endowed with the creative faculties that set our species apart from all other known life, in our power to transform our relationship to nature, to each other, to the future.

See The LaRouche Organization interview with Steven Starr for the depths of the Armageddon we face, and the upcoming interview with Paul Gallagher on the epoch-making transformation of the economy that will come from fusion power.

And on February 4, be sure to attend, with your colleagues, the Schiller Institute conference The Age of Reason or the Annihilation of Humanity?
Objectives for a New Church Committee

Jan. 22, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The formation of a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government was among the successful demands made on Kevin McCarthy for his election as House Speaker. How will the tasks of this committeedescribed as a second Church Committeediffer from its mid-1970s predecessor?

The Church Committee, which employed, at its peak, more than 150 staffers, produced a six-volume report exceeding 2,000 pages in length. Volume 2 contains this summary:

We have seen segments of our government, in their attitudes and action, adopt tactics unworthy of a democracy, and occasionally reminiscent of totalitarian regimes. We have seen a consistent pattern in which programs initiated with limited goals, such as preventing criminal violence or identifying foreign spies, were expanded to what witnesses characterized as vacuum cleaners, sweeping in information about lawful activities of American citizens. The tendency of intelligence activities to expand beyond their initial scope is a theme which runs through every aspect of our investigative findings. Intelligence collection programs naturally generate ever-increasing demands for new data. And once intelligence has been collected, there are strong pressures to use it against the target.

The Church Committee discovered that from World War II to the 1970s, the National Security Agency had almost unfettered access to all Western Union messages. The Committee exposed the actions of COINTELPRO, including the FBIs despicable letter to Martin Luther King, Jr., suggesting he commit suicide. Other COINTELPRO tactics included anonymously telling employers about alleged political beliefs of employees in order to get them fired, sending fake anonymous letters to the spouses of targets to ruin their marriages, provoking IRS investigations of political targets, just to name a few.

Today, however, notes Revolver News, a Church Committee 2.0 would have to look beyond the government itself, to the interplay between media, think tanks and academia (reminiscent of Ray McGoverns MICIMATT). For example, James Baker left his post as FBI general counsel to become deputy general counsel at Twitter. Former intelligence officials can simply sign a letter to block the spread of news, as in the case of the Hunter Biden laptop. The Integrity Initiative and Institute for Statecraft are used as unofficial, supposedly non-governmental psychological warfare units.

Revolver writes: In other words a modern Church Committee that exclusively looks for examples of misconduct by actual U.S. agencies ... risks missing the bigger picture, and the full scope of how the modern system operates.

Another substantial difference to the 1970s is that the left, by and large, supported the reforms prompted by the Church Committee, whereas most of todays left are coming to favor government suppression of disapproved speech.
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are using imaging information from paintings and photographs to create new images in the same style. DALL-E, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion are among the AI tools that can create images that copy the styles of real artists.

A user can ask the system to produce an image, such as a cat in the style of Van Gogh, and the AI tool will quickly do so.

That makes living artists worry that their works will be copied without their permission. Two new legal actions, or lawsuits, have been brought against the AI companies creating the images.

Getty Images has brought one of the lawsuits. The American company is based in Seattle, Washington. It owns the rights to millions of pictures and other images.

Getty is accusing London-based company Stability AI of violating Gettys copyright. Copyright protects works of authorship, including images and artworks. The owner can sell the work or permit others to use it.

Three working artists also took legal action this year against Stability AI, and the companies Midjourney and DeviantArt. The artists say the companies' AI images unfairly compete in the marketplace with the original images.

Midjourney CEO David Holz recently spoke to The Associated Press about the issue.

Can a person look at somebody elses picture and learn from it and make a similar picture? he asked, adding its allowed for people and if it wasnt, then it would destroy the whole professional art industry.

Real versus fake images

The lawsuits come at a time when there is growing concern about new AI tools. These include systems that create readable text, music, computer code, and images. Some experts worry that AI technology could get too good, including engineer Wael Abd-Almageed.

Once we lose this capability of telling whats real and whats fake, everything will suddenly become fake because you lose confidence of anything and everything, he said. Abd-Almageed teaches electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California.

However, some artists welcome the AI systems as new tools for creativity.

There is a lot of room for fear, but what else can we do with them? asked artist Refik Anadol, who uses AI to create.

In New York City, Anadols work Unsupervised is on show at the citys world-famous Museum of Modern Art. The large installation represents the many artworks at the museum through a constantly changing image based on AI.

But Anadol hopes future uses of AI will permit artists to choose whether their art be included in new creations.

I totally hear and agree that certain artists or creators are very uncomfortable about their work being used, he said.

I'm Andrew Smith.

Matt OBrien and Arijeta Lajka wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

style -n. the form or design common to a particular artist or period or group of people

authorship -n. the origin of, especially the creator of, original creative works

transformative -adj. characterized by change from one thing or state into another thing or state

allow -v. permit

text -n. printed words

code -n. the set of instructions that make a computer program work

capability -n. the ability to do something

fake -adj. not genuine

confidence -n. the belief or feeling of that one will achieve a desired result

installation -n. a display of art for public viewing

uncomfortable -adj. somewhat worried or in physical discomfort

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Police in California are investigating the deadly mass shooting Saturday night in the city of Monterey Park, near Los Angeles. The gunman killed 10 people -- five women and five men -- in an attack at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, a dance school.

The city has a majority Asian-American population and is known for its Lunar New Years celebration. Traditional dances and a parade had been planned for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. But officials cancelled Sundays events because of the shooting. Other nearby cities increased security.

The police said they found the body of the gunman, whom they identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, on Sunday. They said he had shot himself.

Police say the gunman went to another dance school in a nearby city after the attack in Monterey Park. However, people disarmed the gunman and he fled.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said a white vehicle, a van, had been seen near one of the attacks and police launched a search. On Sunday, police found the van with the suspects body inside.

Luna said no other suspects were involved.

The gunmans motive, or reason, for the attack remains unclear, Luna said.

Ten people were also wounded in the attack. Seven were under hospital care as of Monday. Luna did not release the ages of the victims but said they all appeared to be over the age of 50.

Congressional representative Judy Chu spoke at a news conference after the attack. She said she still had questions but said people in the city should 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.

The area has a big Chinese population. The Lunar New Year celebration was expected to bring 100,000 people to the area.

The Associated Press (AP) reports that the mass shooting was the fifth in January. The AP defines a mass shooting as one in which four people or more are killed, not including the shooter.

The Star Ballroom Dance Studio was holding a Lunar New Year event called Star Night on Saturday. It had advertised the event on its website the day before the shooting.

Tony Lai of Monterey Park said he heard sounds the night of the attack but thought they were fireworks. He said he thought the city was very safe.

Fifty-seven-year-old Wynn Liaw said she was shocked that such a crime could happen during the Lunar New Years celebration. She took a picture of the activity outside the Star Ballroom to send to relatives and friends in China. She said she wanted to let them know how crazy the U.S. is becoming with all these mass shootings, even in the New Year.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Andrew Dalton and Jae C. Hong reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter, Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

crazy adj. very strange, unusual

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Anya Bernstein (University of Connecticut School of Law) & Glen Staszewski (Michigan State University College of Law) have posted Populist Constitutionalism (Forthcoming, North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 101, 2023) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

A Supreme Court majority has expressed hostility to administrative agencies. Yet, as this Article explains, agencies provide the primary site in our government for pluralistic contestation among disparate policy views. A political vision we identify as agonistic republicanisma convergence among deliberative democrats, republican theorists, and agonism supportersplaces such multilateral deliberation and debate among differing social groups at the foundation of democracy. A contrary view, authoritarian populism, imagines a single leader embodying the will of a unified people with little use for the institutional mediation of divergent views. This view, prominent in politics, enters legal theory through the rhetoric of judicial populism, which disparages contestation and the institutions that convene it.

Focusing on three increasingly prominent legal doctrines, we show how judicial populist jurisprudence undermines policy contestation and, with it, the very possibility of true democracy. First, anti-deference: attacking the Chevron framework for statutory interpretation lets courts choose the meaning of laws that Congress addresses to agencies. Second, nondelegation: limiting the authority statutes can give agencies allows courts to dictate how Congress legislates. And third, major questions: barring agencies from regulating important issues leaves courts to set the scope of public policy. Along with unitary executive theory, these doctrines move power from the government institutions most responsive to pluralistic contestationCongress and agenciesto those least subject to itthe President and the courts.

Transferring power to the least contestatory branches stands in clear tension with a commitment to democracy in a pluralistic society. Yet proponents paint it as not just neutral but necessary under the Constitutiona view naturalized through decades of sociopolitical activism that has transformed our legal culture. To do so, they draw on populist images of a unitary people in need of protection from government bureaucrats, but not from one another. This Article argues instead that administrative action, presidential policy, and judicial doctrine should support the contestatoryand thus democraticpotential of our government.

Highly recommended.
Jamelia Morgan (Northwestern University - Northwestern Pritzker School of Law) has posted Disability, Policing, and Punishment: An Intersectional Approach (Oklahoma Law Review, Vol. 75, No. 169, 2022) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

Disabled people of color are uniquely vulnerable to policing and punishment. Proponents of police reform and, more recently, police abolition note that disabled people, particularly people with psychiatric disabilities, are vulnerable to citation and arrest.

Indeed, data on the high percentages of people in prisons and jails who report having a diagnosed disability lend support to this claim. Some advocates have referred to the criminalization of mental illness as a way to describe these vulnerabilities and ground their calls for change in the criminal legal system. Yet, even the compelling charge that mental illnesses are criminalized, or that prisons and jails are the new asylums, fails to fully account for the ways that race and disability work in tandem to render disabled people of color vulnerable to criminal legal system involvement. A more comprehensive account of mass incarceration and how it produces disability-based subordination is needed.

In this Essay, I provide a contemporary intersectional analysis of race, gender, and disability  namely, the experiences of disabled people of color in the criminal legal system, with a particular focus on policing and punishment systems. Doing so, I argue, demonstrates more specifically the unique vulnerabilities to policing and punishment that disabled people experience as a class and is more attuned to the particular vulnerabilities of disabled people of color. The sections that follow move beyond the criminalization of the mental illness frame and instead frame dangerousness and criminality as racist and ableist constructs that have been grafted onto mental illness. The Essay then moves to a discussion of police violence and mass incarceration, all while adding a disability lens to extant race-based critiques.
Sam Brown is opening an old-school Italian restaurant in his former Rocky Rococos pizza restaurant on Regent Street.

What Brown describes as a red-sauce spaghetti house will be next to Leopolds Books Bar Caffe, the combination bookstore, bar and cafe he opened in July 2021.

Hes calling it Fabiolas, the name of his grandmothers best friend, an Italian war bride from Naples who emigrated to Chicago.

Were bringing red sauce back to the Greenbush, Brown said about the neighborhood long known for its Italian immigrant population and restaurants like Jimmies spaghetti house, which later became Josies before the property at Park and Regent streets was redeveloped.

Brown said he closed Rockys, 1301 Regent St., in August because business was relatively slow. He and his father, Roger Brown, debated the restaurants closing, but the new concept won out.

The reason that we decided to do this is weve seen such success with the Leopolds concept right next door. Leopolds needs more space. And we also think that we could design a concept that would be a better natural fit with the Leopolds customer, Brown said.

People come to Leopolds to stay for a longer time, he said. Theyre coming for a cocktail  its a leisurely evening. Id say that this concept fits that.

The two businesses are in the same building, and connected by a doorway inside that will remain. Fabiolas and Leopolds will stay separate, each having its own entrance.

Leopolds, in the old Greenbush Bakery space, is named for Browns great-grandfather, an Austro-Hungarian immigrant from Vienna. Brown said business at Leopolds has been excellent. Its a testament to our great customers.

He said he does more bar sales than book sales. Food is limited to desserts and pastries, unless the bar holds a popup event.

Roger Brown co-founded Rocky Rococos 49 years ago and still owns two Rockys in Madison, one in Sun Prairie, and two in La Crosse. He sold the rights to the Rockys franchise in the 1980s.

Sam Brown had been general manager at the Regent Street location since 2011. Hes also vice president of the company.

Brown said Fabiolas will be owned by his family. For Leopolds construction, the Browns hired the same people who helped Roger build his first Rocky Rococos in 1974 on Gilman Street.

The same two men will work on Fabiolas, but construction hasnt started yet. Brown said he bought a beautiful 1930s art deco back bar and bar from the former Snicks Sportsman Bar, a family-owned bar in Monona that closed last summer after 83 years.

The mahogany back bar, Brown said, was built by the same company that built the bar at Mickeys Tavern on Williamson Street. Its the neon hunting dogs and the beautiful glass rod light fixtures.

He said hes having it restored and incorporated into the new design. The restaurant will have a retro look complete with Naugahyde booths, Brown said.

Brown said hes not sure if the restaurant will serve pizza and wont say more about the menu.

He also wont predict when Fabiolas could open. Ive learned better than to ever suggest a date.

Rockys restaurants have come and gone in the past 49 years, Sam said, adding that he and his father may open another Rockys Downtown, what he called an underserved market.

And were looking forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary next year, he said.

36 Madison-area restaurant, bar, bakery, coffee shop openings in 2022 Taqueria Los Atlantes Golden Nest Pancakes & Cafe Hot Lunch Zippy Lube Coffee, Donuts, and Fried Chicken Tacos El Capi Good Co. at Pioneer Pointe The Bubbling Teapot Sabores Fusion Grill Nori Sushi & Grill North Shore Pizza and Subs Sookie's Veggie Burgers Turn Key La Pollera Colombiana Restaurant Eno Vino Waunakee BigSur Cantina Amara SASS Sauce + Shells The Borough Beer Company & Kitchen Taza Swagat Sun Prairie Little John's Lunchbox AzTec Taqueria Mishqui Peruvian Cuisine Dirty Dog Taphouse Ollie's Forward Craft & Coffee Jacknife The Ready Set FreshFin Poke Hilldale Mom's Bar Prost! Tucuma Northstreet La Taguara Far Breton Bakery Dagu Rice Noodle
A man was arrested Friday night after threatening a family and police officers, village of Oregon police reported.

At about 8:15 p.m. Friday, police responded to 213 Walnut Street in Oregon on a report of a man who was threatening to kill a man and his family. As officers arrived, the man fled into his apartment, Oregon police said in a statement.

From inside his apartment, the man threatened to kill officers and the Oregon K9, before eventually complying with requests to come out of his apartment, and being arrested without incident. No one was injured, police said.

The man, Tracey Nelson, 60, of Oregon, faces tentative charges of criminal damage to property, harassment of a police animal, threats to a law enforcement officer, and three counts of disorderly conduct, police said.
Irwin Goldman has spent much of his career de-beeting the beet.

A horticulture professor at UW-Madison, Goldman is a plant breeder focusing on onions, carrots and beets in his lab. And while carrots and onions are just fine, beets take priority for him, since hes the only person in the nation whos working on breeding the plant.

It helps that beets captivate him, too.

Theyre kind of an underappreciated, old-fashioned crop, that like your grandparents eat beets, Goldman said. And I found in them like such a wealth of beauty and the color and flavor and texture. I just fell in love with them.

Goldman has found that beets have almost a cult following  at one point, a group of students from Yale University who had formed their own beet fan club reached out to him, he said with a laugh.

Through Goldman and former UW-Madison professor Nick Breitbachs breeding work, theyve created a new beet  aptly named the Badger Flame Beet, which brings the vegetal goodness of the plant without the off-putting dirt taste that often comes with it. The Badger Flame Beet was created from a genetic cross of a yellow beet and a rounder Chioggia beet  named for a small town in Italy  that boasts a signature swirl pattern.

As they bred the beet, Goldman and Breitbach were looking for mildness in relation to a specific genome that causes the earthy flavor. They hadnt isolated that genome at that point, so they bred the Badger Flame Beet the traditional way, through taste.

During talks he gives, someone in the audience often points out that Goldman is effectively de-beeting the plant. But humans have been changing their food for thousands of years, Goldman always answers.

I think about that a lot as a plant breeder because we are changing our food, but I feel like thats really what humans have been doing since the beginning of agriculture 10,000 years ago, Goldman said. Its all been about changing our food  I guess I dont want to say that I should be in charge of changing it  but I think that crops are evolving all the time. To be connected to that process is really beautiful.

What is it about plant breeding that intrigues you?

I totally fell in love with the field of plant breeding, because I really liked working outside, but I like working with my hands and thinking, and I like genetics, and then you were working ultimately with food. Its like that unique combination of things my dad always said, you know, dont get a job that youve just worked with your hands, because its too hard on you, and I feel like plant breeding has just enough of that.

What is it about beets that is so captivating to you?

I think it is partly that theres nobody else breeding them the United States. I also found that people love them when they were exposed to them, but a lot of people didnt know about them. I think its just its kind of a charismatic vegetable, in that its kind of old-fashioned, but then when you get exposed to it, its fantastic.

A company that sells the Badger Flame Beet seeds describes the beet as having a dirty reputation. Can you explain that?

They say that eating beets is like licking a playground. Its like eating dirt. Beets have the earthy flavor that they do because they make this molecule called geosmin, which is the scent of soil. The scent of soil is really due to bacteria in the soil. When you put a shovel in the soil and you turn over the earth, you get that smell thats from bacteria. But for whatever reason, beets also make that same compound, and so they taste like dirt. By far, the most common comment that I would get about beets when I go around the state talking about how Im working on breeding beets, trying to improve beets, is they would say, can you do anything about the dirt flavor of the beet? So thats really what we started working on back in the mid-90s  could we make a beet that is not as earthy so that it would be more palatable that people wouldnt get just that off-putting taste of dirt. Some people are into the earthy flavors, but a lot of consumers just dont want that.

Can you talk about how you developed the Badger Flame Beet?

(Breitbach) and I started by simply taking two plants that we really liked and crossing them together, doing the traditional breeding approach and tasting for low levels of earthiness and low levels of astringency and so it was a lot of eating and tasting.

How many beets did you taste in the process?

Thousands.

The seed company writes that you think like a chef as you breed plants. Do you agree with that?

That has been an evolution for me personally. When I first started in plant breeding, I didnt think about it that way until some really smart people took me aside and said, If you spend 10 or 15 years breeding a new thing, and then you come to the market with your thing and you say, Here, I bred this wonderful thing. Now why dont you use it? OK, thats fine. But wouldnt it be better if you involve those people early in the process? In year two and year three, youre like, Hey, this is what Im selecting, what do you think of this? Those people who are culinary professionals, they might say, Oh, you know what, thats not a good direction, or, You should try this. Doing participatory breeding with culinary people, with chefs, has made a big difference because honestly, Im not trained in that area. I dont know what works. I dont know what consumers necessarily would like or whats good in the kitchen. And that has really changed how Im doing plant breeding.

How does it feel knowing people enjoy this beet?

For a plant breeder, thats such a joy to have people eating the stuff that youve bred. The fact that people are eating this thing and using it, its shown up on restaurant menus, its showing up in grocery stores. I got some messages from people like, Hey, you know Im getting them, Im able to buy this beet. You know, there are more important crops in the world, I realize that, but it has been wonderful to be supported doing this kind of vegetable breeding.
South Boston resident Shawn Barksdale is a small-business owner, podcast host and proud advocate for criminal justice reform  he also has the lived experience of having been formerly incarcerated.

On a conviction for armed robbery, he served 15 years in prison. While there, he began to build his resume by taking advantage of various trade skill courses and completing his General Education Diploma. Since reentering society, he has been passionate about connecting with other formerly incarcerated people and advocating for those who are still behind bars.

It is so important to me because there are so many men and women that have been left behind, Barksdale said.

So, he joined members of the American Civil Liberties Union to support Senate Bill 842 from Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, that would allow inmates who have served at least 15 years of their term to petition a court to suspend any unserved time they have left. The bill is colloquially referred to as Second Look legislation.

The measure did not clear the GOP-led House Courts of Justice Committee last year after a subcommittee recommended its defeat on a 5-3 party-line vote.

Current state law allows people to have their sentences reduced through a good conduct allowance, but Petersens bill would allow people the possibility to have their unserved time suspended. A judge would determine whether the sentence should be modified.

I know that change can happen because I was a person that people said youre lost, youll never be able to reform and I showed them differently, Barksdale said.

Paulettra James, of the organization Sistas in Prison Reform, said the bill allows people to be seen for more than their worst mistake.

When a judge takes up the petition, there will also be opportunity for victims of that persons crime as well as the prosecutor to have input.

James noted that the legislation creates an opportunity for people but doesnt necessarily mean that everyone would be released.

This bill is not a break. You know, it doesnt guarantee that the individual is going to get out early. It doesnt guarantee that their petition is going to be approved, James said. But it is going to allow the opportunity for them to get a second chance.

A longtime advocate, her organization met with Petersen when he crafted the bill.

Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, chairs the House courts committee and voted against the measure last year in the subcommittee. He could not be reached by the time of this publication to discuss if his stance has changed.

James said she recently spoke with Bell and that he took her card.

Were not going to give up on trying to get him to change his mind, she said.

Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, has expressed support of the bill and says she will vote for it if it makes its way to the House of Delegates. She and Petersen are hoping to build more consensus around the matter.

The bill will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee sometime soon. If it clears the committee, it would continue to a full Senate vote.

Should the bill clear the House and Senate, it would go to Gov. Glenn Youngkin. A spokesperson for the governor said he will review the legislation if it comes to his desk.
Burkina Fasos military government has reportedly suspended accord with France and ordered hundreds of its troops stationed in the West African country to leave within a month.

The decision to oust the French military, announced by the state media on Saturday (21 January), follows mass protests in the capital Ouagadougou demanding the French exit. The move comes five months after France completed its withdrawal from Mali after nine years fighting Islamist rebels alongside regional troops. Many people in Burkina Faso are said to welcome plans by the military government to oust French troops within a month. More than 60 years after Burkina Fasos independence, France has maintained strong economic and humanitarian aid ties with its former colony, but now many have lost patience with the European Country.

The decision is the latest sign of deteriorating relations between France and its former colony since a second military coup in September of last year, which has seen many anti-French protests urging the junta to instead strengthen ties with Russia. Mali has already hired Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, who have been accused of widespread human rights abuses there and elsewhere. France has some 400 special forces soldiers stationed in Burkina Faso, which is battling groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). There was no immediate comment from Paris.
Thulani Maseko, an opposition figure in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), was killed last Saturday night by gunmen about 50 km from the capital, Mbabane, an opposition spokesman confirmed. Maseko was shot dead last night by unknown gunmen at his home. The assassins shot him through the window while he was in the house with his family, said Sikelela Dlamini, secretary general of the Swaziland MultiStakeholder Forum (SMF), a coalition of opposition parties, associations and churches that Maseko founded.

Details are still scant (and), owing to the trauma his family members are undergoing, they are not yet ready to speak, Dlamini said. Maseko was a leading human rights lawyer and columnist in Eswatini who had a pending court battle with King Mswati III over the monarchs move to rename the country Eswatini by decree.

The countrys name was changed from Swaziland to Eswatini to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence from Britain in 2018. But Maseko contended that the king did not follow the constitution in the process.

In 2014, Maseko and editor of The Nation magazine Bheki Makhubu were jailed for contempt of court over articles critical of the government and judiciary. Maseko was the founder of MSF, the coalition of opposition parties, associations and churches.

His death comes just hours after the king challenged activists fighting to end Africas last absolute monarchy. King Mswati had said people should not shed tears and complain about mercenaries killing them.

These people started the violence first but when the state institutes a crackdown on them for their actions, they make a lot of noise blaming King Mswati for bringing in mercenaries, he said.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Empathy is critical to having supportive conversations about mental health. But this skill can be tricky to learn, especially in the moment when a person is sharing something hard.

A team led by researchers at the University of Washington studied how artificial intelligence could help people on the platform TalkLife, where people give each other mental health support. The researchers developed an AI system that suggested changes to participants' responses to make them more empathetic. The system helped people communicate empathy more effectively than traditional training did. In fact, the best responses resulted from a collaboration between AI and people.

The researchers published these findings Jan. 23 in Nature Machine Intelligence.

UW News reached out to senior author Tim Althoff, UW assistant professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, for details about the study and the concept of AI and empathy.

Why did you choose the TalkLife platform to study?

Tim Althoff: Prior research suggests that peer-support platforms could have a significant positive impact on mental health care because they help address the massive challenge of access. Because of insurance issues, stigma or isolation, many people find that free online peer-support platforms are all they have access to. TalkLife is the biggest peer-support platform globally and it has a large number of motivated peer supporters.

Also, TalkLife leadership recognized the importance and potential impact of our research on how computing can empower peer support. They kindly supported our research through collaboration, feedback, participant recruiting and data-sharing.

What inspired you to help people communicate with more empathy?

TA: It is well established that empathy is critical for helping people feel supported and for forming trusted relationships. But empathy is also complex and nuanced. It can be challenging for people to find the right words in the moment.

While counselors and therapists are trained in this skill, our prior research established that peer supporters currently miss many opportunities to respond to each other more empathetically. We also found that peer supporters do not learn how to express empathy more effectively over time, which suggests that they could benefit from empathy training and feedback.

On the surface it seems counterintuitive to have AI help with something like empathy. Can you talk about why this is a good problem for AI to solve?

TA: What the AI feedback can do is be very specific and be "contextual" and give suggestions about concretely responding to a message that's right in front of someone. It can give someone ideas in a "personalized" way rather than through generic training examples or with rules that may not apply to every single situation a person will face. It also only pops up if someone needs itif their response is great, the system can give a light touch of positive feedback.

People might wonder "why use AI" for this aspect of human connection. In fact, we designed the system from the ground up not to take away from this meaningful person-person interaction. For example, we only show feedback when needed and we train the model to make the smallest possible changes to a response to communicate empathy more effectively.

How do you train an AI to 'know' empathy?

TA: We worked with two clinical psychologists, Adam Miner at Stanford University and David Atkins in the UW School of Medicine, to understand the research behind empathy and adapt existing empathy scales to the asynchronous, text-based setting of online support on TalkLife. Then we had people annotate 10,000 TalkLife responses for various aspects of empathy to develop AI models that can measure the level of expressed empathy in text.

To teach the AI to give actionable feedback and concrete suggestions, we developed a reinforcement learning-based system. These systems need a lot of data to be trained, and while empathy isn't expressed as often as we would like on platforms such as TalkLife, we still found thousands of good examples. Our system learns from these to generate helpful empathy feedback.

In your evaluation of this system, did you see people becoming reliant on AI for empathy or did people learn how to be more empathetic over time?

TA: Our randomized trial demonstrated that peer supporters with access to feedback expressed between 20% and 40% more empathy than supporters in the control group that did not have access to such feedback.

Among our participants, 69% of peer supporters reported that they feel more confident at writing supportive responses after this study, indicating increased self-efficacy.

We further studied how participants made use of the feedback and found that peer supporters did not become overly reliant on the AI. For example, they would use the feedback indirectly as a broader inspiration rather than "blindly" following the recommendations. They also flagged feedback in the few cases when it was not helpful or even inappropriate. I was excited that the collaboration between human peer supporters and AI systems led to better outcomes than either one on their own.

I also want to highlight the significant efforts we took to consider and address ethical and safety risks. Those include having the AI work with the peer supporter instead of the person currently in crisis, conducting the study in a TalkLife-like environment that is intentionally not integrated into the TalkLife platform, giving all participants access to a crisis hotline and allowing peer supporters to flag feedback for review.

What do these results mean in terms of the future of human-AI collaboration?

TA: One area of human-AI collaboration that I am particularly excited about is AI-supported communication. There are so many challenging communication tasks with critical outcomesfrom helping someone feel better to challenging misinformation on social mediawhere we seem to expect people to do well, without any form of training or support. In most cases, all we are given is an empty chat box.

We can do better, and I believe that natural language processing technology can play a big role in helping people achieve their conversational goals. Specifically, our study shows that human-AI collaboration can be effective even for complex and open-ended tasks such as having empathetic conversations.

More information: Tim Althoff, HumanAI collaboration enables more empathic conversations in text-based peer-to-peer mental health support, Nature Machine Intelligence (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s42256-022-00593-2. www.nature.com/articles/s42256-022-00593-2 Journal information: Nature Machine Intelligence
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Short-term air pollutant exposures are associated with psoriasis, according to a study published online Dec. 22 in Frontiers in Public Health.

Ting Wang, from the School of Public Health at Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, and colleagues examined the short-term effects of air pollutants on outpatients with psoriasis in China between 2015 and 2019. Patients of different ages and genders were included in the stratified analyses.

The researchers found that an increase of 10 g/m3 of nitrogen dioxide was associated with a 2.1 percent increase in outpatients with psoriasis, while a decrease of 10 g/m3 of ozone was associated with a 0.8 percent increase in outpatients with psoriasis. Male patients were more sensitive to a change in meteorological factors, while female patients and outpatients with psoriasis aged 17 years or younger were more sensitive to a change in air pollutants.

"In conclusion, short-term air pollutant exposures were correlated with the occurrence of psoriasis in outpatients. Females, and outpatients with psoriasis aged 0 to 17 years old, were more sensitive to the changes in air pollutants," the authors write. "This finding suggests that patients and people at high risk of psoriasis should reduce their time outdoors and improve the quality of their protective gear when the air quality is poor."

More information: Ting Wang et al, Short-term effects of air pollutants on outpatients with psoriasis in a Chinese city with a subtropical monsoon climate, Frontiers in Public Health (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1071263 Journal information: Frontiers in Public Health

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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CO2 levels in a long-term RACF. (A) Showing high CO2 peaks in three high-risk airborne infection transmission zones. (B) CO2 levels over a 24-h period in the staff lunchroom over the course of a week prior to the installation of the extraction fan, showing high prolonged peaks between 1,0001,400 and 1,9002,200, corresponding with staff lunch and dinner breaks. (C) Lunchroom CO2 levels after the installation of the extraction fan, showing reduced peaks. Credit: Age and Ageing (2022). DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac316

Measuring levels of carbon dioxide, the gas we produce naturally when breathing, can help to identify poorly ventilated spaces that carry a high risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Placing CO 2 monitors in public spaces, such as hospitals, schools and aged-care facilities, could play a major role in the battle against airborne respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and the flu, according to South Australian health experts.

Low-cost CO 2 sensors can accurately identify areas at risk for "super-spreader" events, as reported in a major new study led by South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Flinders University medical researchers.

The research, carried out at the Helping Hand Lightsview residential aged-care home in Adelaide, involved assessment of airborne transmission risk in more than 60 areas used by staff and residents.

"COVID-19 has demonstrated the devastating consequences of the rapid spread of an airborne virus in residential aged care," says Dr. Steven Taylor, co-author of a new article published in Age and Ageing.

"Reassuringly, we found that none of the resident areas were found to be high-risk. However, a number of staff areas, including meeting rooms and tea rooms, were flagged as potential transmission zones."

In partnership with Helping Hand, the research team was able to take simple measures to increase ventilation in these staff areasand the changes demonstrated substantially reduced transmission risk.

"Almost all buildings have areas that carry a high risk of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses. However, the ability to identify these areas and implement strategies to reduce this risk has been limited," researchers say.

"CO 2 monitoring is inexpensive, re-deployable and an underutilized method to quickly and accurately identify high-risk areas."

More information: Amanda Brass et al, Targeted reduction of airborne viral transmission risk in long-term residential aged care, Age and Ageing (2022). DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac316 Journal information: Age and Ageing
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

An anti-aging gene discovered in a population of centenarians has been shown to rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years. The breakthrough, published in Cardiovascular Research and led by scientists at the University of Bristol and the MultiMedica Group in Italy, offers a potential target for patients with heart failure.

Associated with exceptional longevity, carriers of healthy mutant genes, like those living in blue zones of the planet, often live to 100 years or more and remain in good health. These individuals are also less prone to cardiovascular complications. Scientists believe the gene helps to keep their hearts young by protecting them against diseases linked to aging, such as heart failure.

In this new study, researchers demonstrate that one of these healthy mutant genes, previously proved particularly frequent in centenarians, can protect cells collected from patients with heart failure requiring cardiac transplantation.

The Bristol team, led by Professor Paolo Madeddu, has found that a single administration of the mutant anti-aging gene halted the decay of heart function in middle-age mice. Even more remarkably, when given to elderly mice, whose hearts exhibit the same alterations observed in elderly patients, the gene rewound the heart's biological clock age by the human equivalent of more than ten years.

Professor Madeddu, Professor of Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine from Bristol Heart Institute at the University of Bristol and one of the study's authors, explains: "The heart and blood vessel function is put at stake as we age. However, the rate at which these harmful changes occur is different among people. Smoking, alcohol, and sedentary life make the aging clock faster. Whereas eating well and exercising delay the heart's aging clock.

"In addition, having good genes inherited from parents can help to stay young and healthy. Genes are sequences of letters that encode proteins. By chance, some of these letters can mutate. Most of these mutations are insignificant; in a few cases, however, the mutation can make the gene function worse or better, like for the mutant anti-aging gene we have studied here on human cells and older mice."

The three-year study was also performed in test tube human cardiac cells in Italy. Researchers from the MultiMedica Group in Milan led by Professor Annibale Puca, administered the gene in heart cells from elderly patients with severe heart problems, including transplantation, and then compared their function with those of healthy individuals.

Monica Cattaneo, a researcher of the MultiMedica Group in Milan, Italy, and first author of the work said, "The cells of the elderly patients, in particular those that support the construction of new blood vessels, called 'pericytes,' were found to be less performing and more aged. By adding the longevity gene/protein to the test tube, we observed a process of cardiac rejuvenation: the cardiac cells of elderly heart failure patients have resumed functioning properly, proving to be more efficient in building new blood vessels."

Centenarians pass their healthy genes to their offspring. The study demonstrates for the first time that a healthy gene found in centenarians could be transferred to unrelated people to protect their hearts. Other mutations might be found in the future with similar or even superior curative potential than the one investigated by this research. Professor Madeddu and Professor Annibale Puca of the MultiMedica Group believe this study may fuel a new wave of treatments inspired by the genetics of centenarians.

Professor Madeddu added: "Our findings confirm the healthy mutant gene can reverse the decline of heart performance in older people. We are now interested in determining if giving the protein instead of the gene can also work. Gene therapy is widely used to treat diseases caused by bad genes. However, a treatment based on a protein is safer and more viable than gene therapy.

"We have received funding from the Medical Research Council to test healthy gene therapy in Progeria. This genetic disease, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, causes early aging damage to children's hearts and blood vessels. We have also been funded by the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK to test the protein in older and diabetic mice, respectively."

Annibale Puca, Head of the laboratory at the IRCCS MultiMedica and Professor at the University of Salerno, added: "Gene therapy with the healthy gene in mouse models of disease has already been shown to prevent the onset of atherosclerosis, vascular aging, and diabetic complications, and to rejuvenate the immune system.

"We have a new confirmation and enlargement of the therapeutic potential of the gene/protein. We hope to test its effectiveness soon in clinical trials on patients with heart failure."

More information: Monica Cattaneo et al, The longevity-associated BPIFB4 gene supports cardiac function and vascularization in aging cardiomyopathy, Cardiovascular Research (2023). DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad008 Journal information: Cardiovascular Research
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Case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 wild type. A. T2-weighted fetal MRI image at GW 27 + 1 with unilateral ventriculomegaly (arrows) Section at basal ganglion level. B. Blood-sensitive sequence in the same MRI session. The arrow points toward the hemorrhagic deposit of the ventricular wall. Note the placental stasis hemorrhage. Level at semioval center. C. Histological examination of the placenta in this case: Ectatic vessels with the presence of older, organized thrombi. D. T2-weighted sequence of the brain at seven days postpartum. The orange arrow points to a hemorrhagic lesion in the left thalamus. The blue star marks a perinatal anatomical-left parieto-occipital infarction, characterized by hyperintensity of the white matter. Credit: The Lancet Regional Health - Europe (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100587

Using prenatal magnetic resonance imaging, a group of MedUni Vienna researchers examined the placentas and fetuses of women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy. Their research results demonstrate that the different strains of the virus that emerged during the pandemic led to varying degrees of damage: especially in pre-omicron variants, the detected placental lesions could potentially harm both development and health in some of the affected unborn children.

While such damage occurs more infrequently and is less severe with currently circulating omicron sub-lineages, the study authors still advocate early detection measures for pregnant women who test positive for coronavirus. The research was published in The Lancet Regional HealthEurope.

Contrary to previous studies, in which SARS-CoV-2-related abnormalities were only identified postnatally and/or through histopathological procedures, the MedUni Vienna research team focused on prenatal imaging findings.

Using prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 76 scans of placentas and fetuses of pregnant women were performed in the study: 38 following a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (pre-omicron or omicron variants) and 38 in healthy control cases. It was found that the placentas in both the pre-omicron and the omicron groups revealed abnormalities.

"Infections with pre-omicron variants, such as delta, led to significantly greater damage in the form of vascular events such as blood clots or bleeding than with the omicron subvariants currently circulating through the population," noted lead author Patric Kienast of Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, outlining a key finding of the study.

It can be concluded that the fetuses of infected pregnant women were at a greater risk of impairment in the form of fetal growth restriction or vascular lesions in the organs and the brain at earlier points in the pandemic.

Fewer placental abnormalities in vaccinated women

The researchers attribute the varying extent of damage to the placenta caused by different virus strains to the fact that omicron sub-lineages are less likely than their predecessors to result in severe cases, and to higher vaccination rates as the pandemic has progressed. "In any case, our results showed that the two non-vaccinated study participants developed placental abnormalities following infection with SARS-CoV-2 omicron, compared with just one out of six of the women who had received three doses of the vaccine," confirmed senior author Gregor Kasprian, also from MedUni Vienna's Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy.

Oxygen, nutrients and metabolic products are exchanged between mother and child in the placenta. Attached to the uterine wall, this organ forms such a strong barrier against the coronavirus that only 3% or fewer of fetuses whose mothers test positive for SARS-CoV-2 are also infected. But as the study shows, the placenta itself is not spared from complications caused by COVID-19. Subsequently, some unborn babies experience stunted growth or bleeding in the brain.

"This is why the placentas of pregnant women who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 should be examined as soon as possible after testing positive using prenatal imaging techniques," advised Daniela Prayer from MedUni Vienna's Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, citing the importance of scanning, particularly in the case of possible future coronavirus variants with mechanisms similar to delta, for example. By doing so, there is a chance to take measures to safeguard the health of the fetus in a worst case scenario.

More information: Patric Kienast et al, SARS-CoV-2 variant-related abnormalities detected by prenatal MRI: a prospective casecontrol study, The Lancet Regional HealthEurope (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100587
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Yannick Mbarga Etoundi, PharmD, (left) and Daniel Z. Hodson, MD, at the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Conference, New Orleans, 2018. Credit: Yale University

Global health equity means more than working toward good health around the world. It also means fairness for researchers.

Too often, the field favors those based in high-income countries (HICs), many of whom gather data in the Global South without crediting local collaborators or ensuring them fair access to resources and publicationan unethical practice sometimes called "parachute research."

That needs to changeand there are practical steps to take, says a team of Yale and Cameroonian researchers.

The team has created a checklist for global health scholars to ensure fairness during the entire research process, from study design and funding through data collection, writing, and publication.

"We really wanted to make a concrete, usable document that folks pull out at the very beginning of thinking about a study," said Dr. Sunil Parikh, associate professor of epidemiology (microbial diseases) at the Yale School of Public Health and of infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine.

It's a way to help researchers pursue locally derived, locally applicable solutions to global health problems, he explained.

"Living in New Haven, Connecticut, I am not the best person to figure out the optimal way to advance malaria control in Yaounde, Cameroon," Parikh said. "The ideas and probably the most impactful solutions are going to come from the voices of folks working there in that environment."

"In the U.S., in schools of public health and medicine, sometimes one assumes, 'We here, we Americans, we have this idea, and it's the best idea,'" said co-author Dr. Daniel Z. Hodson, MD '21, who studied in Cameroon under an exchange program Parikh helped to set up. "What's being overlooked is that somewhere in a lab or in a village, or in [the cities of] Yaounde or Dakar, there are ideas that can help not only the population of Africa but the U.S. and the rest of the world as well."

The checklist is aspirational, the researchers say. But it opens up a necessary conversation.

"We never will be able to arrive at perfect equity," said co-author Yannick Mbarga Etoundi, PharmD, a Cameroon-based pharmacologist who spent time in Parikh's lab learning molecular epidemiology techniques. "But each time Daniel and I work together, we are always reflecting and asking ourselves, 'How should things have been a little better?'"

Steps toward equity

Among the Douala Equity Checklist's 20 items are recommendations to:

Pair principal investigators and trainees in HICs with counterparts in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Build institutional relationships in this way.

Make sure everyone stands to gain by participating.

Make sure all parties are familiar with the history of global health, especially of projects conducted in and innovations originating in the LMIC.

Offer everyone involved in a study basic language training.

Protect the LMIC principal investigator's time to do research, but don't incentivize brain drain.

Ensure equal access to data, online databases, software, statistics and manuscript training, and other relevant resources.

Compensate LMIC field workers fairly.

Meaningfully alternate who is lead author in publications or seek joint co-authorship.

Publicize results where the research was conducted.

These points challenge wealthy institutions to surrender some of their own power, the authors write. That can mean, for example, designing budgets that ensure scientists in LMICs can travel to HIC institutions for training.

Other parties also have a part to play in improving equity, according to the authors. Philanthropists in LMICs should bolster research funding in their home countries. Conference organizers should make interpreters available. And journals should publish entire articlesnot just abstractsin relevant languages as well as English.

"There is a lot of research in Africa that is not heard, that is not published in scientific journals. It stays in our notebooks, in our computers, and is never published," said Mbarga Etoundi. "If one arrives truly at that level of equity, that could allow numerous young Africans to emerge on the international scene, show the work they've done, and make themselves heard."

Fewer, but more equitable collaborations, the authors write, are likely to be more sustainable in the long run.

"We need to realize that we have no choice but to work toward equity," added co-author Yap Boum II, a Cameroon-based epidemiologist and longtime collaborator with Parikh. "We need each other."

Unfairness for some hurts everyone

Making sure global health scholarship is equitable takes active effort, because the field is dogged by long-standing inequities that originate in colonialism.

Funding imbalances that favor scholars in HICs, exploitation of scholars in LMICs, and the overwhelming dominance of English-language journals are among the problems contributing to inequities today.

"There's a problem when, for example, Cameroon can be considered a base for collecting data for exporting to the U.S., France, et cetera. And in addition, these data are presented in a language Francophone Africans cannot understand," Mbarga Etoundi said. "It's a double defeat, in effect."

Such unfairness not only disadvantages health scholars in LMICs like Cameroon, it also slows the progress of research, which in a globally interconnected era hurts everyone.

In 2017, for example, researchers in Nigeria began to warn the world about an outbreak of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) in which the disease behaved in unfamiliar and worrisome ways.

But these warnings were met with little interest and few resources from HICs. Deaths in Africa went largely unnoticed by the West until the outbreak left the region and traveled around the world, catching many countries flat-footed. Global health inequity had in effect hampered global health responses to the 2022 mpox outbreak.

Had everyone been on the same page at that time, Boum said, "we [would] already have good diagnostics. We'd already have [an mpox-specific] vaccine."

Collaborations built to last

Parikh and Boum have been engaged in malaria collaborations in Africa for decades, and they have made research equity a cornerstone of their collaborative work. The two professors began an exchange program in which each mentored a trainee from the other's institution and where the trainees would work together. Parikh mentored Mbarga Etoundi, and Boum mentored Hodson.

The younger scholars worked together in person on malaria research, first in Cameroon and later at Yale. Each hosted the other in his home, and both took pains to improve their language skills.

In 2018, Hodson and Mbarga Etoundi presented a poster at the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene in New Orleans. In 2022, their first joint publication appeared in the Malaria Journal. And they've built a lasting friendship: recently, Hodson attended Mbarga Etoundi's wedding.

When conducting public health research, Hodson said, he asks himself, "'Would it be good for my grandmother, and would it be good for Yannick's grandma?'"

Boum, for his part, is helping to develop an app called The Village to help connect researchers around the world. As he puts it, "It will take a village to grow global health scientists."

"If the house of my neighbor is burning, I have to go and support him because if I don't, the fire from his house will come to mine," Boum said. "This solidarity is what we need in global health, and even beyond."

The article appeared January 18 in PLOS Global Public Health.
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Credit: Justine Ross, Michigan Medicine

A Michigan Medicine study suggests that hospitals without the highest stroke care designation may be missing strokes that occur after a common heart valve replacement procedure.

Researchers analyzed outcomes of more than 6,200 transcatheter aortic valve replacements performed at 22 Michigan hospitals between 2016 and mid-2019 using data from the Michigan Structural Heart Consortium. The study zeroed in on identification of stroke after TAVR, a minimally invasive procedure to replace a thickened aortic valve with a manmade one, at health systems with and without certification by the Joint Commission as a comprehensive stroke center, the highest certification for acute stroke care.

The findings, published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, reveal that comprehensive stroke centers reported significantly greater rates of stroke up to 30 days after TAVR2.21 times higher than hospitals without the designation.

The numbers raise two questions. First: Are hospitals with stroke center status finding more strokes because they take care of sicker, more complex patients? Or are they not performing TAVR at the level of those without such status?

But after adjusting for patient characteristics, such as heart function and lung disease, and comparing other meaningful clinical outcomes after TAVR, like mortality and renal failure, investigators found no significant differences in other clinically important outcomes outside of stroke detection.

A possible explanation for this finding is that patients receiving TAVR at high-level stroke centers are not having more strokes; rather that hospitals with this status are better at detecting them, particularly smaller strokes, said senior author Michael Grossman, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center and a professor of cardiology at U-M Medical School.

"This becomes an issue because stroke has been suggested as a nationally and publicly reported outcome measure for TAVR," Grossman said. "Based on this data, stroke is not indicative of a universal quality issue. A death is a death. A transfusion is a transfusion. Stroke detection is inconsistent, and that variability will potentially put high-level stroke centers at a disadvantage in those quality measures."

Comprehensive stroke center status signifies an organization's capabilities and resources for integrated acute stroke management and care. Such centers have staff specifically trained in recognizing signs of stroke, diagnosing it and activating systems of care to treat those patients.

These high-level centers were also more likely to participate in clinical trials for TAVR, which have reported higher rates of stroke up to 30 days after TAVRbetween 3.4% and 6.1%than the national average of 2.3% reported in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology TVT Registry.

This is an extremely important study because it shows that TAVR sites with high-level stroke designation have a higher incidence of recognizing, diagnosing and accurately reporting stroke to the TVT Registry, said co-author G. Michael Deeb, M.D., a thoracic surgeon at the U-M Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center and a professor of thoracic surgery at U-M Medical School.

"The national TVT Registry uses a composite score which includes the incidence of stroke to rank the quality of care at all United States TAVR sites," Deeb said. "Those sites with high-level stroke designation are penalized by the composite endpoint since sites with lower-level stroke designation may be underreporting the incidence of stroke, and thus, have a better composite score and higher TAVR site quality rating."

Hospitals that participate in TAVR clinical trials are adhering to more rigorous protocols used to assess neurologic outcomes, Grossman says, which would explain the higher rates of stroke detection.

"While these stroke rates are low overall, we need to be careful about how we are measuring quality for TAVR outcomes," he said. "It could both punish sites that strive to mitigate stroke consequences and incentivize sites that are underreporting stroke rates after this procedure."

TAVR is an alternative for patients with aortic stenosis who likely could not withstand surgical aortic valve replacement, an open-heart procedure that was the standard treatment for several years. Many of those patients would have no chance at survival before the minimally invasive procedure existed.

As of 2019, TAVR is now the dominant form of aortic valve replacement. That year, there were 72,991 TAVR cases, topping 57,626 cases of all forms of surgical replacement, according to data from the STS/ACC TVT Registry.

Additional authors include Devrak Sukul, M.D., M.Sc., Milan Seth, M.S., Stanley J. Checuti, M.D., and Himanshu J. Patel, M.D., all of Michigan Medicine; Shelly C. Lall, M.D., Munson Medical Center; Pedro A. Villablanca, M.D., Henry Ford Medical Center; and Francis Shannon, M.D., William Beaumont Medical Center.

More information: P. Michael Grossman et al, The Relationship Between Hospital Stroke Center Designation and TVT Reported Stroke, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcin.2022.10.020
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Dental care utilization by year overall and by self-reported dental insurance* status among Medicaid enrolled and privately insured women. Virginia PRAMS 20132014 and 20162019 data. *Dental insurance measured during pregnancy. Credit: Frontiers in Oral Health (2022). DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.989659

When pregnant, taking care of your health is more important than ever. This also includes your oral health. Because of various changes happening in your body, like hormones and eating habits, pregnancy is often a period of higher risk for gum disease, cavities and other oral health problems. Oral issues that arise during pregnancy have been associated with serious health consequences for the mother and baby, including premature birth, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia.

Despite the importance of oral health during this period, a significant number of women end up never seeing a dentist while pregnant, with lack of dental insurance being a major obstacle for low-income women.

In 2015, Virginia began providing comprehensive dental benefits to pregnant Medicaid enrollees in an effort to eliminate a key barrier to dental care access. In the first study of its kind, researchers from the VCU School of Dentistry and VCU School of Business analyzed survey data to shed light on the policy's impact on pregnant women.

They found that expanding dental benefits helped reduce dental care disparities for Virginia's pregnant population over time. However, the researchers say continued work is needed to increase awareness of the benefit and remove other barriers to oral health.

"Providing dental benefits through Medicaid plays a big part in making dental care more affordable, but, until this study, we didn't really know how or when the policy would impact pregnant Medicaid enrollees," said Shillpa Naavaal, B.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., an associate professor in the Department of Dental Public Health and Policy at the School of Dentistry and lead author of the study.

Naavaal worked with David Harless, Ph.D., an economics professor at the School of Business, to analyze data from the Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a survey designed to capture women's experiences during pregnancy. They specifically examined data from the years immediately before (20132014) and after (20162019) Virginia's policy change.

Their results revealed that the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women who self-reported having dental insurance jumped from 44.4% to 71.6% in the four years following policy implementation. While this increase is an encouraging sign, Naavaal says it also means some pregnant women don't realize they have dental benefits through Medicaid.

"As of 2015, 100% of pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid have dental insurance, however our study shows that, even four years later, 2030% of women aren't aware that this is the case," she said. "This shows us that you can have the best policy, but if people aren't aware of the benefits that policy provides there will still be a gap to fill, and the time to get policy returns may be longer."

Additionally, the researchers examined how often pregnant Medicaid enrollees took advantage of their dental insurance for routine visits or preventative care, such as getting their teeth cleaned. They found that the percentage of Medicaid-enrolled women receiving dental services grew from 30.3% to 44.3% by 2019, four years after the policy went into effect.

"Although reports of dental insurance spiked following the policy change, there wasn't a significant increase in dental care utilization in the first two years. However, we did start to see some momentum by 2018," Naavaal said. "This shows that policy effects are not instantaneous and can take a few years to show impact."

The gap in dental care usage between Medicaid-enrolled and privately insured women narrowed over the years as well. In 2019, the increase in dental care use was 17 percentage points higher among Medicaid-enrolled women compared to women with private insurance.

The findings also suggests that additional barriers are still preventing low-income women from getting dental services while pregnant. For example, it's possible that some women weren't able to schedule time for an appointment within their window of eligibility or were unable to find a provider nearby who accepts Medicaid patients.

"Even though our research was specific to Virginia, there are several states that already have or are considering adopting similar policies for their Medicaid program," Naavaal said. "It's very encouraging to see the positive impact of Medicaid in increasing dental care access and use and reducing disparities among pregnant women. Through this work, we've provided a deeper understanding on Medicaid's role in supporting oral health and the work that needs to be done to sustain it."

More information: Shillpa Naavaal et al, Comprehensive pregnancy dental benefits improved dental coverage and increased dental care utilization among Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women in Virginia, Frontiers in Oral Health (2022). DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.989659
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Circulation Research (2022). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.321398

A new study published in Circulation Research provides novel insights into how mutations in the NOTCH1gene may lead to abnormal differentiation and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and contribute to ventricular hypoplasia and other structural anomalies found in congenital heart defects in humans.

In 2005, Vidu Garg, MD, a pediatric cardiologist and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital was the lead author of a publication in Nature that first described the link between NOTCH1 mutations and congenital heart disease. Since that publication, mutations in NOTCH1have been implicated in multiple types of congenital heart defects, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome, in which the left ventricle is underdeveloped.

Though NOTCH signaling is essential for heart development in mammals, it is unknown how the NOTCH1 gene regulates the differentiation and proliferation of human cardiac cells during development. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms leading to ventricular hypoplasia were not understood, says Dr. Garg.

"In this recent study, we investigated how loss of NOTCH1 may actually cause the heart to develop abnormally using human cells," says Mingtao Zhao, DVM, Ph.D., a principal investigator in the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children's.

Dr. Zhao and colleagues used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to delete NOTCH1 in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and then differentiate the cells into cardiomyocytes. The research team profiled the transcriptional dynamics of differentiating cells at key developmental stages by single-cell RNA sequencing.

They found that NOTCH1 disruption blocks human ventricular-like cardiomyocyte differentiation but promotes the generation of atrial-like cardiomyocytes. In addition, NOTCH1deficiency results in defective early cardiomyocyte proliferation, possibly through downregulation of pathways that are involved in cell cycle progression and mitosis.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that NOTCH1 disruption promotes the differentiation of some cardiac progenitor cell types from cardiac mesoderm (i.e., epicardial and second heart field progenitors) but inhibits the differentiation of another cell type (i.e., first heart field progenitors).

"These findings provide some insight on the disease mechanisms underlying severe types of congenital heart defects where the left side of the heart is not well formed, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome," says study senior author Dr. Zhao, who is also an assistant professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Since first heart field progenitors primarily contribute to the left ventricle, Dr. Zhao and colleagues suggest that NOTCH1mutations leading to biased differentiation of these cells, as well as blocking ventricular-like cardiomyocyte differentiation and leading to defective cardiomyocyte proliferation. These collectively may contribute to left ventricular hypoplasia in congenital heart disease.

To further elucidate these mechanisms, the researchers say future studies using iPSCs from hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients with known pathogenic variants in NOTCH1are needed, as well as experiments in iPSC-derived three-dimensional cardiac organoids.

"If we could better understand why the ventricle is not growing and why the cardiomyocytes are not proliferating, it would open opportunities for therapeutic strategies," says Dr. Garg, who is also a professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and holds the Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Research.

In 2019, Dr. Zhao established the first human iPSC Genomics Laboratory in the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children's. Since then, Dr. Zhao, Dr. Garg and their team have created a large iPSC repository using blood samples from more than 100 patients with congenital heart disease.

"With a patient-derived iPSC-based platform, we may find pathways or genes with therapeutic potential" he says. "In the future, we may be able to use a gene therapy or small molecule approach to stimulate cardiomyocyte proliferation during early development."

More information: Shiqiao Ye et al, Impaired Human Cardiac Cell Development due to NOTCH1 Deficiency, Circulation Research (2022). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.321398 Journal information: Circulation Research , Nature
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Was the shift to virtual visits during the pandemic with primary care physicians associated with increased emergency department visits? A new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) found no evidence that patients with a primary care physician in Ontario visited the emergency department as a substitution for in-person physician visits.

Researchers looked at data from Ontario, Canada's largest province, on patients enrolled with a physician, and a link to the number of emergency department visits and virtual visits between Apr. 1, 2020, and Mar. 31, 2021. They included 7936 physicians, including 2458 (31%) in family health groups (enhanced fee-for-service) and 5478 (69%) in family health organizations (blended capitation). At the start of the pandemic, emergency department visits and in-person primary care visits dropped sharply while virtual visits increased.

"We did not find evidence that enrolled patients substituted emergency department visits because of less availability of in-person care," writes Dr. Jasmin Kantarevic, Department of Economics, Research and Analytics and chief economist, Ontario Medical Association, with coauthors. "This finding is important given concerns about virtual care adversely affecting quality of care, leading to calls to substantially reduce care delivered virtually."

The researchers controlled for monthly and regional variation, patient complexity and other factors. There was variability between practitioners, with fewer emergency department visits linked to patients with female physicians and in urban areas. More medically complex patients, those in rural regions and those of male gender had higher rates of emergency department visits.

"Virtual care is now being described as the new normal in Canadian health care. Future research should consider evaluating the long-term impact of virtual care, and whether it improves appropriate use of emergency departments," they write.

More information: Nadine Chami et al, Association between virtual primary care and emergency department use during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.212051 Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal
Work on Long Thanh airport maintained during Tet

Work on Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai has been maintained during the Tet Lunar New Year holiday.





Do Tat Binh, deputy director of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), said part of engineers and workers have been arranged for the airports construction site.





ACV previously instructed the projects contractors to prepare their Tet working plans, prioritising the construction of runways, taxiways and aircraft stands which are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of this year.







The soil levelling for the drainage system is being carried out, ensuring the work should be on schedule.





Nguyen Hong Quang, a representative from the Long Thanh International Airports management board, said that on January 20-26, roughly more than 1,000 engineers and workers along 740 machines and equipment will be mobilised for the project. These figures account for some 40 percent of the usual daily workforce.

A worker from Ha Tinh Province said that he would enjoy Tet with his family for two days and then return to the construction site on the second day of the Lunar New Year.



Long Thanh International Airport is slated to become operational by 2025 with a total capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo.



The project is slated to cost around VND336.63 trillion (USD16 billion).
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A study of more than 100,000 patients has revealed that, for patients with blockages in multiple arteries, those who opt for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are less likely to die from their condition, less likely to need additional surgery, and less likely to have a heart attack than patients who choose to undergo a stent procedure.

"The findings of our study were very convincing," said J. Hunter Mehaffey MD, MSc, from the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at West Virginia University. "The singular message to the public is that the optimal treatment for multivessel coronary artery diseaseto improve not only long-term survival but also lower your risk of complicationsis coronary artery bypass surgery."

The results from the study, "Contemporary Artery Bypass Grafting versus Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in 100,000 Matched Medicare Beneficiaries," will be presented at 9:05 a.m. PT on Sunday, January 22, at the annual meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons in San Diego.

The background and rationale for this research project started with the publication of the 2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization, Dr. Mehaffey explained. "The cardiac surgery world was really shocked, because the guidelines downgraded the indications for CABG from a class 1 recommendation to a class 2B."

"Much of this decision to downgrade was based on the guideline committee's goals to focus on the most recent data, to ensure that they were capturing contemporary stent technology, so they only evaluated studies published within the past 5 years," continued Dr. Mehaffey. "Therefore, these guidelines relied heavily on the recently publicized ISCHEMIA trial, which looked at medical therapy in coronary artery disease, comparing an initial invasive approach versus a conservative approach to patients who had stable coronary artery disease."

The problem that arises when using ISCHEMIA to compare CABG to stenting is that the majority of patients in the ISCHEMIA trial were not representative of patients undergoing CABG in the US. Therefore, the study didn't fully represent the comparative benefits for patients who had multiple blockages in their coronary arteries.

Dr. Mehaffey's team sought to conduct a large contemporary analysis that more fully represented this population, comparing patients undergoing bypass surgery with those undergoing stenting. They, too, wanted to ensure that the study included only the most contemporary technology, so their longitudinal analysis captured outcomes over a 3-year period 2018-2020.

"We used one of the largest and most inclusive databases of patients hospitalized in the US, including all patients over the age of 65 on Medicare," Dr. Mehaffey explained. "We performed a very robust statistical analysis including propensity score balancing to help ensure that the groups of patients who underwent stenting versus those who underwent bypass surgery were well matched and well balanced in order to compare their outcomes."

The population included more than 100,000 patients with multivessel coronary disease, with 51,000 patients undergoing CABG and 52,000 undergoing stenting. Analysis was performed by a multidisciplinary team that included cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, and researchers at West Virginia University.

The analysis demonstrated a significantly lower hospital mortality for the patients who underwent CABG compared to those who underwent stenting. Additionally, the researchers found a marked reduction in both 30-day and 3-year readmissions for myocardial infarction. CABG patients were also significantly less likely to need any additional stenting or intervention on their coronary arteries during those 3 years, andmost significantlythose who underwent CABG had a nearly 60% reduction in death at 3 years compared to those who had stenting.

"Regardless of your specialty, these data demonstrate the importance of assessing longitudinal outcomes to help ensure we're making optimal treatment recommendations for our patients," Dr. Mehaffey said.

Provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
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When Kaitlyn Joshua found out she was pregnant in mid-August, she and her husband, Landon Joshua, were excited to have a second baby on the way. They have a 4-year-old daughter and thought that was just the right age to help with a younger sibling.

At about six weeks pregnant, Joshua, 30, called a physician group in Baton Rouge. She wanted to make her first prenatal appointment there for around the eight-week mark, as she had in her first pregnancy. But Joshua said the woman on the line told her she was going to have to wait over a month.

"They specifically said, 'We now no longer see women until they're at least 12 weeks,'" Joshua recalled. "And I said, 'Oh, Lord. Is this because of what I think?' And they said, 'Yes.'"

Louisiana has a near-total abortion ban, which took effect Aug. 1, that has raised fears among physicians that they could be investigated for treating a miscarriage, since the same treatments are also used for abortion.

Joshua recalled the woman on the phone saying that since the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade, there was what the woman called a gray area in Louisiana's law. The medical practice was delaying the first prenatal appointment with patients.

Joshua remembered her saying that many women miscarry in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and they didn't want to be liable for an investigation. For anyone convicted of providing an abortion, the law carries stiff penalties of 10 to 15 years in prison, up to $200,000 in fines and the loss of a physician's license.

Since Louisiana's ban took effect, some doctors have warned that the law's language is vague, and that fear and confusion over the law would lead to delays in pregnancy care. And fear and confusion are precisely what Joshua and her husband experienced.

During those early weeks of pregnancy, Joshua felt symptoms she hadn't dealt with in her first pregnancy: mild cramping and spotting. Without access to a doctor, though, Joshua felt she had nowhere to go for answers.

"How in the world can we have a viable health care system for women, especially women of color, when they won't even see you for 12 weeks?" she said.

Joshua, who works as a community organizer, knew pregnancy can be dangerous, especially for Black women like herself. She also knew about Louisiana's dismal maternal health statistics: The state has one of the highest maternal death rates in the country, and Black women are at higher risk than white women, according to reports from the state's health department.

So Joshua booked an appointment weeks away with one of the few OB-GYNs she could find who was a woman of color. Then, when she was between 10 and 11 weeks pregnant, she started bleeding heavily, passing clots and tissue. She said the pain was worse than when she'd given birth.

Her husband was at work, so Joshua drove herself to the emergency room at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge. There the staff gave her an ultrasound, which they said showed that her fetus had stopped growing, she recalled. It was measuring seven or eight weeks gestation, not 10 or 11 weeks. Her medical records show her pregnancy hormone levels were abnormally low.

She was told her fetus had only a faint heartbeat. Joshua understood she was miscarrying. But hospital staffers wouldn't definitively confirm it and didn't explain what treatment options she'd have if she was having a miscarriage.

Joshua said a nurse told her: "'It appears that you could be having one. But we don't want to say that's what it is. So let's just keep watching it. You can continue to come back. Of course, we're praying for you.'"

Joshua is Christian. She spends Sunday mornings at church. But she said the comment felt like an insult. "Folks need answers, not prayers. And that's exactly what I was looking for in that moment," she said.

The next day, her bleeding and pain were worse. Landon, her husband, was afraid for her life.

By the evening, Joshua was pacing her bathroom floor, bleeding and cramping, when she felt more blood and tissue come out of her body.

"It literally felt like I had almost birthed a child," she said. "And so I was like, 'No, I have to go somewhere, like, now.'"

She didn't want to return to the first ER, so she called her mother and husband and told them to meet her at Baton Rouge General in nearby Prairieville. There, a security guard put her in a wheelchair. Her jeans were soaked through with blood. Staffers gave her another ultrasound, and the technician told her she'd lost a lot of blood.

A doctor came in to talk about the ultrasound results. She told Joshua it looked like a cyst, not a pregnancy, and asked if she was positive she'd been pregnanta question that made Joshua angry.

Joshua remembers the doctor then said that if she was indeed miscarrying, she should go back home and wait, then follow up with her OB-GYN in two or three days.

Joshua asked the doctor for treatment to alleviate her pain and speed up the process. There are two standard options for managing a confirmed miscarriage, other than letting it pass on its own: a procedure called dilation and curettage, to remove pregnancy tissue; or medication, which can help clear the uterus more quickly. Both of the latter treatments are also used for abortions.

The doctor told her, "'We're not going to do that,'" Joshua recalled. "I just remember her saying, 'We're not doing that now.'"

The doctor also said she wouldn't refer Joshua somewhere else for miscarriage treatment, Joshua recalled, or give her discharge papers stating she was having a miscarriage, known in medical terminology as a spontaneous abortion.

"She stated that they're not going to put anywhere 'spontaneous abortion' because that would then flag an investigation on them," Joshua said.

Landon Joshua said he had the impression that the doctor was afraid to confirm his wife's miscarriage.

"She would not look me in the eye to tell me what was happening," Kaitlyn said.

Frustrated and scared, the Joshuas went home.

Both Woman's Hospital and Baton Rouge General said in statements to NPR that their pregnancy care has not changed since Louisiana's abortion ban passed. Baton Rouge General said its care of Kaitlyn Joshua was appropriate. NPR contacted the provider whom Joshua originally called for a prenatal appointment, and it denied that it had changed the timing of first appointments.

Both ERs Joshua visited deny that they have changed care because of Louisiana's ban.

In a statement, Dr. R. Cliff Moore, the chief medical officer and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Woman's Hospitalthe first hospital Joshua visitedsaid bleeding during the first trimester is common and doesn't necessarily mean a patient is miscarrying. He added that diagnosing a miscarriage "requires complex medical analysis" that can take days or weeks. "Our hearts go out" to those who've experienced miscarriages, he added.

Baton Rouge General, the second ER, said it has not changed the way it manages miscarriage or the options provided to patients. In a statement, Dr. Kathleen Varnes, an ER doctor, said that the hospital "sympathizes with the pain and anxiety" Joshua experienced but that it believes her care was "appropriate." Every patient is different, she said, adding that "there are times when waiting and observing is the right approach, and other times when medication or a procedure may be necessary."

According to Joshua's discharge papers from Baton Rouge General, she was suffering from vaginal bleeding, which can, but doesn't always, lead to miscarriage. But in her medical charts, which Joshua later obtained from the hospital, staff wrote "it appears that she is having a miscarriage," and diagnosed her as having a "complete or unspecified spontaneous abortion without complication." Her medical records also note that Joshua's pregnancy hormone levels, called HCG, had declined from her previous ER visit, when they should have been increasing if her pregnancy was proceeding normally.

After Joshua signed forms allowing the hospital to comment on her care, Baton Rouge General said that because of Joshua's symptoms, "her discharge papers and treatment plan provided instructions on how to manage bleeding and when to follow up with a physician."

Other doctors and lawyers in the state are concerned that the abortion ban is affecting some health care decision-making. They point to the fact that even after a state court briefly blocked Louisiana's ban last summer, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry threatened the medical licenses of physicians, claiming they could still be prosecuted.

In September, at a Louisiana Department of Health meeting, Dr. Joey Biggio, the chair of maternal and fetal medicine with Ochsner Health, Louisiana's largest health system, said some OB-GYN doctors were afraid to provide routine care.

"There has now been such a level of concern created from the attorney general's office about the threat to them both criminally and civilly and professionally, that many people are not going to provide the care that is needed for patients, whether it's ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, ruptured membranes, you know, hemorrhage," Biggio said. "And we need to figure out a way to be able to provide some clear, unequivocal guidance to providers, or we're going to see some unintended consequences of all of this."

The policy debate

The author of Louisiana's abortion ban, Sen. Katrina Jackson, is a Democrat who opposes abortion. She maintains that the law is clear about miscarriages, saying in an emailed statement that "it does not prohibit medical treatment regarding miscarriages."

Sarah Zagorski, communications director for Louisiana Right to Life, which helped draft the ban, said no part of Louisiana's law requires a physician to delay prenatal care until 12 weeks of pregnancy. And she said the law specifically differentiates miscarriage care from abortion.

"It looks like the fault is not with the law, but with a misinterpretation of the law," Zagorski said.

Ellie Schilling, a lawyer with Lift Louisiana, a reproductive justice organization that challenged Louisiana's law in state court, said that while the law allows for miscarriages to be treated, it is written in legal language that doesn't translate easily into medicine or necessarily line up with an individual patient's set of circumstances. And this puts doctors in a very difficult situation.

"They're trying to interpret specific language and pair it up to specific patients to do some sort of calculation about, you know, have we reached this threshold yet? Or have we not?" she said.

Doctors also must consider whether someone else might later disagree with their decision, she added. "How is somebody else going to interpret that later? How is law enforcement or a prosecutor potentially going to interpret that later?"

She argued that the law needs to be clarified. "It puts providers and patients in a really dangerous situation," she said. "And to abdicate all responsibility for making the laws, before drafting the laws in a way that will work for physicians on the ground, is just irresponsible."

The patient's perspective

In the week after Joshua's last ER visit, the heavy bleeding and piercing pains continued. While mourning the loss of what would have been her new baby, she remained worried about her own health. She feared getting worse and wondered how bad she would need to get to get treatment.

Joshua blames Louisiana's anti-abortion law for the care she received. "For me to have to navigate so many different channels to get health care should not be happening," she said. "This has to change. There needs to be clarity within the abortion ban" so that physicians are not confused or afraid to provide care and support.

It took weeks, but Joshua was able to pass the pregnancy at home. If she had been given a choice, she would have chosen care that made the experience faster, less painful, less scary, and less risky, especially as a Black woman.

"This experience has made me see how Black women die. Like, this is how Black women are dying," she said.

It also has made Kaitlyn and Landon Joshua rethink their plans for more children.

"I love my kid. And so, she constantly makes me want another her. But in this moment, it's just too dangerous to get pregnant in the state of Louisiana," Kaitlyn said. "I don't think it's worth risking your life for a baby right now."

2023 Kaiser Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A new American Heart Association scientific statement suggests surgery be considered for more people with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). The statement, published today in the American Heart Association's flagship peer-reviewed journal Circulation, also calls for data quality registries for high-risk patients with pulmonary embolism and increased research to gain a better understanding of the disease process and effective treatments. The statement will be presented at 7:45 am PST today, Monday, January 23, 2023, at the 59th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons in San Diego.

Pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a blood clot that travels to the lungs, is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death in the United States. Nearly 45% of patients experiencing PE will progress to severe symptoms, where the clot causes high pressure in the lungs and subsequent damage to the right heart chamber, with a high risk of death. Even when therapy follows current guideline-directed treatment, there is a high rate of death, estimated at approximately 40% of cases in some groups.

Treatment options for patients with severe pulmonary embolism include anticoagulation therapy or thrombolysis (either intravenously or via catheter procedure), or advanced surgical interventions such as surgical embolectomy and mechanical circulatory support. Often, surgical techniques are a last resort after other treatments are unsuccessful. The statement suggests that considering surgery earlier may help improve survival for patients with severe PE.

"This statement demonstrates that modern surgical management strategies and mechanical circulatory support results in excellent survival (97%) even among the sickest patients, including those who present with cardiac arrest and have had CPR," said Joshua B. Goldberg, M.D., chair of the statement writing group who is an attending cardiothoracic surgeon at the Westchester Heart and Vascular Center in Valhalla, New York, where he is surgical director of the Westchester Transcatheter Heart Valve Program and director of Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Research.

"Modern surgical strategies and mechanical circulatory support are drastically underutilized," he said.

"It is the hope of the multidisciplinary group of authors that this scientific statement will provide a greater awareness of the safety and efficacy of modern surgical management and mechanical circulatory support in treating the most unstable patients so that lives may be saved. In addition, we hope this statement will facilitate improved understanding of the disease process and effective treatments and encourage future research to improve the survival of patients with this common and deadly disease."

The writing group proposes strategies to determine risk more accurately and identify earlier which PE patients may benefit from surgical intervention. They also suggest increased education for clinicians to encourage the use and integration of surgical strategies earlier in PE treatment.

Additionally, the statement supports the development of patient registries, particularly focused on data that provides useful context for clinicians and surgeons to understand the progression from intermediate to high-risk pulmonary embolism and treatment outcomes across patients at various risk levels.

This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; and the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. American Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions.

Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations.

More information: Surgical Management and Mechanical Circulatory Support in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolisms: Historical Context, Current Status, and Future Directions: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, Circulation (2023). DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001117 Journal information: Circulation
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Incidence Rates According to Health Insurance Status Incidence rates shown for main procedures only (A) and any procedures (B) during the study years for patients with basic insurance only vs those with supplementary private insurance. Locally weighted scatterplot with kernel-weighted local polynomial regression with smoothed values. Solid lines indicate local smoothed means; circles indicate mean incidence rates aggregated by month, insurance class, and age; and shaded areas represent 99% CIs. Credit: JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.51965

Patients in Switzerland with supplementary private health insurance are more likely to undergo cardiac procedures than those with only basic health insurance. This has been demonstrated in a study by researchers from the University of Basel and the Cantonal Hospital of Aarau. The paper is published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Switzerland has one of the most expensive health care systems in the world. Thanks to mandatory health insurance, everyone in Switzerland has access to outstanding medical care. Purchasing voluntary supplementary insurance allows patients to obtain additional benefits during inpatient treatment, such as a private room and free choice of doctor.

While health insurers pay for treatments for basic insurance policyholders with a flat fee per case, hospitals can charge people with supplementary insurance additional fees, which in part benefit the medical staff. It has long been suspected that this might create financial incentives to offer unnecessary treatments to supplementary insurance holders.

Statistical analysis

A team of researchers from the University of Basel and the Cantonal Hospital of Aarau investigated whether insurance status is correlated with any difference in cardiovascular interventions in Switzerland. Using data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, they analyzed planned hospital admissions of 590,000 adult patients who received inpatient treatment in the years 2012 to 2020.

Roughly 105,000 treatments consisted of eight different cardiovascular interventions, such as widening narrowed coronary blood vessels or implanting a pacemaker. Of these, 64.4% were paid for by basic health insurance.

The researchers used statistical methods to analyze this extensive data set and look for differences that could be related to the insurance status of patients and could not be explained by other characteristics such as age, gender, comorbidities, or size and type of hospital.

Supplementary insurance holders tend to receive more treatments

Overall, both basic insurance holders and people with supplementary private insurance tended to undergo an increasing number of interventions over the years of the study, except during the first two COVID-19 waves in 2020.

However, the likelihood of undergoing a cardiovascular intervention was 11% higher for supplementary insurance holders than for those with basic insurance. That's equivalent to 895 additional interventions per year in all of Switzerland.

"We observe a disparity in the treatments received by the two groups that cannot be explained by patient characteristics," says study author Dr. Tristan Struja. "Our data indicates that individuals with supplementary insurance receive treatments that are difficult to justify from a medical perspective and may potentially be unnecessary."

In fact, people with supplementary private insurance are typically better educated, possess higher disposable income, are healthier, and are admitted to hospitals less often than people who only have basic insurance. If anything, we would expect them to require fewer interventions.

Rethinking the current system

The study authors do not believe the reasons for the differing treatment are clinical: "We assume that people with supplementary private insurance access medical care more often, in part because they spend more money on their health insurance," says Professor Philipp Schutz, research group leader at the Department of Clinical Research at the University of Basel. "At the same time, hospitals have clear economic incentives to perform inpatient interventions on this lucrative class of patients instead of skipping them or at least performing them as outpatient procedures."

The study authors say this leads to an inefficient allocation of health services. They recommend reconsidering the fees for private patients and redesigning incentives to focus more on quality of care.

More information: Tristan Struja et al, Comparison of Cardiovascular Procedure Rates in Patients With Supplementary vs Basic Insurance in Switzerland, JAMA Network Open (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.51965 Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Scientists have worked out why common anti-depressants cause around half of users to feel emotionally "blunted." In a study published today in Neuropsychopharmacology, they show that the drugs affect reinforcement learning, an important behavioral process that allows people to learn from their environment.

According to the NHS, more than 8.3 million patients in England received an antidepressant drug in 2021/22. A widely used class of antidepressants, particularly for persistent or severe cases, is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs target serotonin, a chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and has been dubbed the "pleasure chemical."

One of the widely reported side effects of SSRIs is "blunting," where patients report feeling emotionally dull and no longer finding things as pleasurable as they used to. Between 40% and 60% of patients taking SSRIs are believed to experience this side effect.

To date, most studies of SSRIs have only examined their short term use, but, for clinical use in depression these drugs are taken chronically, over a longer period of time. A team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, sought to address this by recruiting healthy volunteers and administering escitalopram, an SSRI known to be one of the best-tolerated, over several weeks and assessing the impact the drug had on their performance on a suite of cognitive tests.

In total, 66 volunteers took part in the experiment, 32 of whom were given escitalopram while the other 34 were given a placebo. Volunteers took the drug or placebo for at least 21 days and completed a comprehensive set of self-report questionnaires and were given a series of tests to assess cognitive functions including learning, inhibition, executive function, reinforcement behavior, and decision-making.

The team found no significant group differences when it came to "cold" cognitionsuch as attention and memory. There were no differences in most tests of "hot" cognitioncognitive functions that involve our emotions.

However, the key novel finding was that there was reduced reinforcement sensitivity on two tasks for the escitalopram group compared to those on placebo. Reinforcement learning is how we learn from feedback from our actions and environment.

In order to assess reinforcement sensitivity, the researchers used a "probabilistic reversal test." In this task, a participant would typically be shown two stimuli, A and B. If they chose A, then four out of five times, they would receive a reward; if they chose B, they would only receive a reward one time out of five. Volunteers would not be told this rule, but would have to learn it themselves, and at some point in the experiment, the probabilities would switch and participants would need to learn the new rule.

The team found that participants taking escitalopram were less likely to use the positive and negative feedback to guide their learning of the task compared with participants on placebo. This suggests that the drug affected their sensitivity to the rewards and their ability to respond accordingly.

The finding may also explain the one difference the team found in the self-reported questionnaires, that volunteers taking escitalopram had more trouble reaching orgasm when having sex, a side effect often reported by patients.

Professor Barbara Sahakian, senior author, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow at Clare Hall, said, "Emotional blunting is a common side effect of SSRI antidepressants. In a way, this may be in part how they workthey take away some of the emotional pain that people who experience depression feel, but, unfortunately, it seems that they also take away some of the enjoyment. From our study, we can now see that this is because they become less sensitive to rewards, which provide important feedback."

Dr. Christelle Langley, joint first author also from the Department of Psychiatry, added, "Our findings provide important evidence for the role of serotonin in reinforcement learning. We are following this work up with a study examining neuroimaging data to understand how escitalopram affects the brain during reward learning."

More information: Chronic escitalopram in healthy volunteers has specific effects on reinforcement sensitivity: A double-blind, placebo-controlled semi-randomised study, Neuropsychopharmacology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01523-x Journal information: Neuropsychopharmacology
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The UK, Canada and the US are all reportedly experiencing shortages of over-the-counter cold and flu medications. Credit: Mircea Maties/ Shutterstock

This winter has been one of the worst on record for the NHS. Ambulance and A&E waiting times are at all-time highs, and many are struggling to access emergency treatment.

Patients are now reporting difficulties accessing certain over-the-counter medicines used to treat colds and flu from pharmacies and high-street outlets. While medicine shortages have been a common phenomenon in previous years, they have often been the result of supply chain issues due to global events, such as the pandemic or the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But these aren't the same reasons people are reporting when experiencing shortages of non-prescription, over-the-counter products.

'Tripledemic'

Several countries, including the UK, the US and Canada, are reportedly in the midst of a "tripledemic" this wintermeaning they're experiencing higher than expected cases of COVID, flu and RSV concurrently.

In England alone, it's estimated that one in 25 people are currently infected with COVID. Flu cases are also on the rise, with hospital admissions at their highest level since the winter of 2017-18. Alongside this, there have also been outbreaks of strep A and seasonal illnesses.

Since these viral infections cause symptoms such as fever, coughs and sore throats, many people turn to over-the-counter medicines to remedy them. Some may also be making anticipatory purchases in case of illness.

In Canada, pharmacists have reported bare shelves, with a lack of both children's and adults' cold and flu medication. Worries about shortages can then lead to stockpiling and panic buying. In the US, some pharmacies have opted to restrict sales due to increased demand by putting a cap on the number of certain medications people can purchase at a time.

In the UK, popular pain and fever products reportedly have low stock availability, and there are also shortages of cough mixtures and lozenges.

Not enough stock?

Manufacturers in the UK have said that stock does exist and they are working to respond to higher-than-usual demand. In Canada, pharmacies are receiving supplies, but stock sells out almost as soon as it hits the shelves. Many people are finding it difficult to get the medicines they needwith some places out of stock entirely.

Some think inadequate government planning may explain the lack of stock in the UK. But again, there's no clear evidence for this.

An earlier start to seasonal flu has caused problems in Canada, with manufacturers not having time to build up essential stocks in summer and an uptick in seasonal illness creating higher product demand. In early January 2023, the Canadian government announced it was aware of supply constraints of products used to treat cold and flu symptoms. Likewise, the UK government confirmed it had been made aware of availabilty issues of some branded cold and flu medicines.

There's also a chance that stock isn't being distributed evenly. Some pharmacies may carry more stock than others, and could help support areas with low stock availability. Pharmacies with multiple sites will know stock levels held in their stores and can move stock between locations. The UK government has said that availability issues with some branded cold and flu medicines are temporary and localized, and that it is working with suppliers to investigate these.

Another problem that may be feeding into supply issues is the forecasting used to inform stock production. If stock forecasting for winter 2022-23 was based on previous years' usage figures, it may be skewed. During the pandemic, many preventative measures (such as wearing masks) protected us against common germs and viruses too, lowering levels of illness and reducing demand for cold and flu remedies. In light of this, manufacturing quantities may have been adjusted to avoid stock wastage, not knowing that an earlier surge of seasonal illness would happen this year.

What you can do

If you have cold or flu symptoms, you should seek advice about treatment from your pharmacist and, as needed, your doctor or healthcare provider.

If you're finding it difficult to get your usual over-the-counter products for cold and flu, you may want to try alternativesincluding generic (non-branded) products. For instance, if you're having trouble finding products such as Lemsip to manage cold and flu symptoms, paracetamol and vitamin C are great alternatives as these are often the main ingredients in cold and flu products. The same is true of throat lozenges, with many alternatives on offer.

If one formulation of a product isn't available, your pharmacist may be able to recommend an alternative formsuch as substituting children's Calpol syrup with Calpol tablets which dissolve in the mouth (where age appropriate).

COVID and flu vaccines are still recommended to prevent serious viruses, so people are encouraged to get these as soon as they can. While the optimal time to book your flu jab is in the autumn or early winter, before flu starts spreading, it will still offer protection if you get it now.

The UK Health Security Agency is warning that winter illnesses including flu, COVID, RSV and strep A are circulating at high levels with no immediate sign of abatement. If you're one of the millions of people currently suffering from one of these illnesses, speak to your pharmacist to know what treatment options are available to you.

Medicine shortages have occurred in the UK for many yearsand will continue to do so. But the current shortage of cold and flu products shows an escalation of issues with the UK's medicine supply chains, making it clear that weakness in the system needs to be urgently addressed.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Preventing weight gain from early adulthood could reduce knee replacements in Australian adults by almost 30% and save the health system $373 million per year, new research has found.

The Monash University-led study found preventing weight gain from young adulthood to late midlife to reduce overweight/obesity could significantly reduce the cost burden of total knee replacements.

Published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, the study examined the association between patterns of weight gain (body mass index (BMI) trajectories) from early adulthood to late midlife and the risk of total knee replacement for osteoarthritis.

Senior author and Monash University Professor Flavia Cicuttini heads the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine's Musculoskeletal Epidemiology Unit.

Professor Cicuttini said the results underlined the importance of prevention in improving health and reducing health costs. She said while weight loss was recommended for people with osteoarthritis who were overweight or obese, this was often too little too late.

"Preventing weight gain is feasible and effective in improving osteoarthritis health outcomes," she said. "Focusing on prevention, with small average long-term changes in energy balance, can make a big difference. Reducing your caloric intake just slightly each day builds up to avoiding 812 kg of weight gain over a couple of decades, saving money and avoiding surgery. This also has cardiac health benefits.

"For example, eating the average equivalent of two fewer pieces of chocolate per week, or adding 10 minutes of exercise, can prevent the insidious half to 0.51 kg weight gain we see per person per year in Australia. This can result in tangible health gains, improving lives and saving money."

Professor Cicuttini said a "call to action" was needed for knee joint health. "We also need to be sending out the message that it is important to make sure that people don't continue to gain more weight," she said. "Although recommendations to lose weight are important if a person is carrying excess weight, this can be difficult to achieve for most people.

"Too often we see people with knee pain, advise them to lose weight, only for them to return five years later having gained a further 35 kg. This is a missed opportunity because it is easier to prevent further weight gain than it is to lose it.

"We need to focus on preventing or slowing weight gain when people first present with any knee pain, even niggling knee pain. Australians tend to gain about 0.51 kg per year over adult life. This slow, steady accumulation of weight adds up, resulting in the obesity we see."

The project used data from 24,368 participants in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

Researchers linked weight data over a period of years with National Joint Replacement Registry records. They identified six distinct trajectories of BMI from early adulthood (age 1821 years) to late midlife (about 62 years). These included:

Group 1: Lower normal to normal BMI (19.7%).

Group 2: Normal BMI to borderline overweight (36.7%).

Group 3: Normal BMI to overweight (26.8%).

Group 4: Overweight to borderline obese (3.5%).

Group 5: Normal BMI to class 1 obesity (10.1%).

Group 6: Overweight to class 2 obesity (3.2%).

Over 12.4 years, 1,328 (5.4%) of subjects had a total knee replacement. The risk of requiring one increased in all groups where someone progressed into a higher weight group.

In total, 28.4% of knee replacements could be prevented if people moved to one group lower, with an average 812kg weight loss from early adulthood to late midlife. This could save $373 million in annual health costs.

Professor Cicuttini said that assuming we can "fix" obesity after it has occurred is not very effective and prevention had multiple health and cost benefits.

"If an approach doesn't work, why don't we change it?" she said. "If adults can be encouraged to consider preventing the slow creep in weight from a young age, this will have multiple health benefits including reducing the need for a knee replacement in the future."

More information: S.M. Hussain et al, Trajectories of body mass index from early adulthood to late midlife and incidence of total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: findings from a prospective cohort study, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.11.013
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Winter is no friend to the body's delicate skin, but an expert offers three key tips: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

"It's pretty intuitive, but it bears repeating," said dermatologist Dr. David Pearson, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, in Minneapolis. "The environment treats our skin differently in the winter, and that means we may have to change our behaviors to acclimate."

As temperatures and humidity levels drop, your skin loses moisture, Pearson explained in a university news release. This is especially true in a cold, dry state like Minnesota.

To help hydrate winter skin, Pearson recommends a thick moisturizing cream that has to be scooped out of a jar or squeezed out of a tube, rather than something thin that comes through a pump.

"I don't like a lot of additives, perfumes, scents, etc.keep it simple," Pearson said.

When skin dries out, its ability to protect you from external allergens and infections is compromised. "Ceramides may be helpful in restoring the skin barrier, so those can be a good ingredient to look for," he added.

Pearson said some data suggests that humidifiers may also help, but likely less so than moisturizer.

When washing, use a gentle soap and keep up your summer sunscreen routine. Even if you're bundled up, a fair amount of UV light is reflected from the snow, Pearson said. "Prolonged exposure through outdoor activities (or long drives) can add up," he explained.

Winter is often more difficult for people who have eczema, especially when it's on their hands, Pearson noted. Eczema causes dry, itchy and red skin.

In cold weather, Pearson also sees vascular conditions called Raynaud's and pernio, because he specializes in autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Symptoms can occur with cold exposure.

"Raynaud's is the rapid onset of white or blue discoloration of the fingers and/or toes from cold exposure due to constriction of blood vessels," he explained. "Pernio is the delayed onset of tender pink bumps on the fingers and toes 1 to 2 days after cold exposure."

In very cold regions, frostbite, which can happen when skin temperature reaches 28 Fahrenheit or below, is another danger. That only takes 30 minutes in 0 F weather.

"Our skin isn't physiologically equipped for unprotected, prolonged exposure to these temperatures, so be sure to put on a warm coat and hat when you're going outside," Pearson advised.

More information: The American Academy of Dermatology Association offers more winter skin-care tips.

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Abortion has been here for forever and will be here for forever, Toni Chew said as she walked alongside other marchers for reproductive rights in downtown Missoula on Sunday.

Chew was one of about 100 people that walked in the Bigger Than Roe march in Missoula on Sunday. Marchers started their rally in front of the Missoula County Courthouse, before heading down Broadway and Higgins, then wrapping back around to the courthouse. Along the route, they chanted My Body, My Choice and This is what Democracy Looks Like.

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June, triggering a wave of protests against government encroachment on reproductive and sexual freedoms. While abortion is still protected Montana, its future in Big Sky is uncertain.

Chew is a lifelong Montanan. She had an out-of-state abortion when she was 22 years old, before the Roe decision made it legal in Montana. Since then, shes marched in several Womens Marches across the country, including the first one in Washington D.C. in 2017.

Today we march on the 50th anniversary of Roe versus Wade, Missoulas march organizer Erin Heaton said on Sunday outside of the courthouse. To prove to every legislator, corporation and bigot that our movement is bigger than Roe.

As people across the country protest the court ruling, Heaton encouraged politicians to keep government regulations away from women's bodies, to reverse abortion bans and expand access to reproductive and sexual healthcare.

Some of the signs held by demonstrators read Pro-life is a lie, you dont care if women die, keep your mitts off my bits, and pro child, pro family, pro choice. Marchers expressed frustration that people are still having to fight for reproductive autonomy in 2023.

The purpose of this march is to join a national movement and to inspire continuous action through this legislative session and into the future, Heaton said.

Demonstrator Kerry Bronson said she is concerned for the rights and privacy of her daughters and granddaughters.

Womens rights are being taken away, she said. Weve fought for how many years for this?

Bronson added that the moms and grandmothers of younger protestors have been fighting in the courts and legislatures for years.

When Bronson was in high school, abortions were illegal but still being performed. She recalled in in 1973, when Roe v. Wade made abortions protected under federal law, abortions became safe and legal.

Now were going backwards, she said.

Missoulas march was part of a national day of action planned by activists all over the United States. Marches were planned in bigger cities like Miami and Chicago along with smaller towns. National leaders of the Womens March said their emphasis is now on state politics in the midst of federal protections being eliminated, the New York Times reported on Sunday.

Community organizer Hillary-Anne Crosby also spoke at Sundays march. She urged Missoulians to contact their state legislators, but also look beyond the session and make plans for future action.

Sometimes it means that we have to slow down, and sometimes it means we hit those hurdles, Crosby said. Were all moving towards that end goal together of achieving...sexual and reproductive freedom.
Photo: Contributed

A gut-wrenching email from Austyn Godfreys mother Michelle spurred me to hold a second vigil on the first anniversary of Austyns death.

Michelle still doesnt know how her daughter died. What she knows is Austyn didnt end up in the Glenmore dog park on her own (She did not drive.) Michelle was adamant her daughter didnt do it to herself either.

Austyns elusive autopsy report is something Michelle hasnt been able to get her hands on, leaving the woman in agony. It haunts her to know her daughters remains were discovered abandoned, or discarded, in a parking lot under the cover of night.

Living more than 4,000 kilometres away, Michelle is left out of the loop, and shes totally gutted by her never-ending grief. She has little strength remaining.

As a mother myself, I didnt want Austyn to be remembered as just a body found in a remote area outside city limits. She was a vibrant, beautiful young woman with much charisma and potential, adored by her family and friends.

I met her buddies at the first vigil at Evangel Church last year, but this time I held the service in the courtyard of the Kelowna Law Courts.

It made me feel safer having the venue there. Her killer is still on the loose. Austyn named a man on her social media accounts whom she considered harmful to her just days before her death. With that in mind, I determined that any sketchy person would think twice before coming around, especially if they had a warrant out for their arrest.

The second vigil was completely different from the first. Instead of her young friends present, an older generation of strangers attended. They were mostly from my denomination, along with Charnie, a former drinking buddy of mine from back in the day.

Charnie and I went from bar hopping to a Bible study together a few decades later. We had a second chance, Austyn did not.

The attendees from my church family were elderly and led lives on the straight and narrow, unlike me. They werent judgmental. Compassion motivated them and they wanted to pay their respects.

A couple of strangers wandered over, having heard about it on the radio. None of us knew Austyn, but we were all deeply disturbed by her appalling death. We hoped to show Austyns family Kelownas residents cared.

One man stood out. His presence was unnerving until I noticed his face was contorted with tears streaming from his eyes. It was Austyns uncle Jason from Alberta.

He was clearly heartbroken. We texted a few times but we had never met. Jason held up a cell phone to record the event, and unbeknownst to me, Michelle was watching via FaceTime.

After I quoted some startling statistics on femicide in Canada, I read a poem I wrote about Michelle and Austyn. It described how they quarrelled the last time they were together. Michelle tried to protect Austyn from a group of shady looking new companions her daughter brought home. Sadly, Austyn didnt pay heed and soon thereafter came out West. Mother and daughter wouldn't see each other again.

Assistant Pastor Arturo Gonzalez of the Rutland Adventist church spoke after me. He shared that violence against women is on the rise. Gods way is the only way to stop such tragedies, he said. The minister prayed for comfort for the family, and for those responsible to be held accountable.

He implored that they would repent for their actions. Afterwards, both he and I gave Jason a reassuring hug.

Later, when a reporter asked how I felt about her friends not showing up at the vigil, I recalled how messed up they were over Austyns death. Perhaps they couldnt bring themselves to attend a second time.

I learned later that a few of them also passed away the same year, from a drug overdoses.

In October 2022 in B.C., there was an average of nearly six deaths per day from illicit narcotics. The age range of the victims as between 30 to 79, with 70% being males.

Whether drugs played a direct part in Austyns death, I dont know. She may have lived a high-risk lifestyle, and may or may not have been trafficked.

According to her relative, a woman known as K.C. believed Austyn was using some kind of street drug and one of Austyn's friends, Lilyanna Arient, said Austyn got caught up in something she didnt deserve, according to one media report.

While Austyn suffers no more, her mother Michelle certainly does, and in the most horrific way.

She told me on our FaceTime chat, I wouldnt wish this kind of pain on anyone.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
A woman accused of letting miniature horses starve has been charged with more than 20 counts of animal cruelty and more horses have been seized.

Julie Ann Sherrill, 54, of 1945 Eastbrook Circle, Morganton, was arrested and charged Sunday with 23 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, according to a court records and a release from Burke County.

On Wednesday, Burke County Animal Services and its animal enforcement seized 32 miniature horses and 39 chickens from two properties in Morganton. Animal enforcement officers also discovered additional properties with horses belonging to Sherrill, according to the release. After additional search warrants were issued on Thursday and Friday, 17 more miniature horses were confiscated by Burke County Animal Enforcement, bringing the total to 49 horses and 39 chickens the county has seized, the release said.

Animal enforcement officers said some animals seized Wednesday were found to be staying alive by eating mud/dirt and sawdust-like material.

Skeletons of animals were found at both locations. On the two properties searched last week, several more deceased animals were found, along with skeletons from previous deaths, the county said.

A necropsy report on a miniature horse listed the cause of death as starvation, the county said on Thursday.

Eight of the latest 17 horses seized were covered in cockleburs. Six horses had a body condition score of three or less, one horse had a body score condition of 4 and the other one scored a 5, the release said. The remaining nine horses were being housed at a different location, it said.

They were being well cared for by a good Samaritan who was paying out of pocket to care for the animals but who had not heard from the horses owner since November, the release said. Animal control took the horses to prevent the owner from reclaiming them and possibly face abuse or neglect, the county release said.

Sherrill was released after satisfying a $2,500 bond but additional charges are pending, according to the county.

Anyone with additional information on the case is urged to contact Burke County Animal Services at 828-764-9572.

Animal Services has estimated the cost for the first 30 days of care and to restore the animals to health to be $410 per horse and $20 per chicken, or almost $21,000, according to the county.

The release said Burke County Board of Commissioners Chairman Scott Mulwee and his wife, Laura, visited the animals and brought carrots to feed the horses.

Whatever the animals, staff or volunteers need, it will be provided, Mulwee said. Just call me.

Donations for the animals medical care and feed are being accepted by the Animal Services Foundation Inc., a nonprofit that supports the Burke County Animal Shelter. Residents can donate securely via PayPal on the Foundations website at www.burkecountyanimalservicesfoundation.com, or by a check payable to ASFI, mailed to P.O. Box 52, Morganton, NC 28680 or dropped off Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Burke County Animal Shelter, 425 Kirksey Drive in Morganton.

Those interested in fostering or adopting are encouraged to complete an interest form posted on the countys website at www.burkenc.org. For volunteer opportunities, email Animal Services at animalservices@burkenc.org to learn more.

Burke County Animal Services is a county-operated and tax-funded animal shelter located in Morganton. More information about Animal Services can be found at www.burkenc.org/2444/Animal-Services.
Remote workers who live near the city of Morganton soon will have a new place to gather.

The city of Morganton received a $10,000 grant from ElectriCities to help with renovating a building on South Sterling Street to convert it to a co-working space, according to a press release from the power provider. The building appears to be the old Freeman Salvage Merchandise at 408 S. Sterling St. in Morganton.

ElectriCities said in its release that renovations on the building already are underway, and the grant would be used to up-fit the conference room.

Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy said in a news release the space will give remote workers and smaller companies with a few employees access to a downtown office space with shared facilities, services and tools.

The space has been inspired by Spark Plaza, a co-working facility in Johnson City, Tennessee, according to Jonelle Sigmon, public information officer for the city of Morganton.

We started this project two years ago when we were going through an IT feasibility study, said Assistant City Manager Sonja Marston. Our consultant told us about Spark Plaza in Johnson City, so we traveled there to take a tour and to meet with the owner. We are extremely excited about this new, innovative opportunity for Morganton and cant wait to see it come to life.

According to Spark Plazas website, patrons can choose to rent individual desks or private offices, and a conference room is available at an hourly rate. They offer monthly memberships for the desks and offices, along with daily and weekly rates for them.

Stephanie Penley, who works for the facility, said theyre a little different from some of the larger co-working facilities available around the country.

We are very community minded, both internally and externally, were in downtown so our downtown community and our community at large, too, Penley said. We really want to draw folks into our community within our walls, but also drawing the larger community in by having events and things like that. Just kind of being a resource for people, the hub, and just connecting with one another.

Penley said they host connecting events throughout the month.

The city of Morganton wasnt the only city to get a grant through ElectriCities. Gastonia, Washington and Laurinburg all received $10,000 grants to help revitalize their downtowns.

Study after study has shown that a thriving downtown is key to a thriving community, said Carl Rees, manager of economic and community development for ElectriCities. Helping fund these high-impact projects injects needed energy into our members downtown areas, sparking growth and ultimately improving the quality of life in these public power communities.

A timeline for the project in Morganton is not yet available.
Burke County Public Schools received another grant for its Enola Trail project, currently under construction between Patton High School and Mull Elementary in Morganton.

In December, the district was awarded a $36,000 grant from the Attorney Generals office. With the grant money, BCPS will continue the work creating a wetlands area along Fiddlers Run adjacent to Patton, Mull and Liberty Middle School. The project also will include a trail that will provide environmental educational opportunities for the schools and community.

The grant is part of a larger program to preserve natural resources and ensure clean air and drinking water in western North Carolina through the Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) program. BCPS was one of 23 entities to receive some of the $2.5 million distributed through the program in 2022.

Im pleased to see school systems like Burke County Public Schools focus on educating our students about the environment and innovative approaches to protecting our natural resources, said Attorney General Josh Stein.

The trail and wetlands project, initially the vision of Patton High School science teacher Noel Francis, will incorporate recreational opportunities as well as educational uses and resources, according to Patton English teacher Amy Vaughn.

For example, biology classes and even elementary school students will have access to the trail for educational purposes, she said. They will have native plants, a storyboard trail and signage to explain each part of the wetland area.

The area also will feature an amphitheater and measures to help conserve the wetlands around Fiddlers Run. Vaughn said plans are also in the works to link the trail to a larger trail system developing in Burke County.

(It) would ultimately link to the Catawba Greenway and the Overmountain Victory Trail, she said. One day, the dream is for this larger system to connect the Linville Gorge to the South Mountain State Park through a biking/walking trail similar in scope to the Virginia Creeper Trail.

Vaughn said even the construction process will provide educational opportunities for Burke County students.

Career and Technical Education students will be involved in some of the construction phase of the amphitheater portion of the project, she said. We will be using science classes to check on water quality and wildlife habitats. We also have a Patton student who will be working on the trail as a fulfillment of his Eagle Scout Project.

Vaughn said the new grant money will be used to purchase gravel to stabilize the ground near the entry area and along the maintenance road that was created when the wetlands area was graded. It also will filter runoff water as it flows into Fiddlers Run.

Partnering with BCPS to develop the trail are:

Habitat for Humanity

Burke County Soil and Water

Salem United Methodist Church

Vaughn said she looks forward to the benefits this project brings, not just to the school system, but to the environment and the entire community.

This project is truly a community effort, she said. The trail will encourage biking, running and walking for students, families and community members.

The new grant is the latest in a long line of grants and donations to the project since The Patton Giving Games committee hosted a 5K in 2017 to raise money to help get it started. Since then, it has also received:

$10,000 in seed money from Resourceful Communities

$40,000 from The Duke Energy Foundation

$60,000 from The Division of Water Resources

$20,000 from Community Conservation Assistance Program

$14,455 from The Burke County Community Foundation
A crowd that filled the Leviton Auditorium on the campus of Western Piedmont Community College heard discussions on a shortage of staff, waiting times for beds and Medicaid expansion during a mental health town hall Thursday evening.

North Carolina Sen. Jim Burgin, R-12, and Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-86, and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley led the discussion.

Mental health is something that has particularly been at the forefront of national discussions since the COVID-19 pandemic but it has long been a topic of serious discussion in Burke County. The 2022 Burke Community Health Assessment prioritized mental health as one of the top three health issues facing county residents, along with substance use disorder and obesity with risk factors. Mental health also was one of the top three priorities on the 2016 county health assessment.

The county also is home to a state mental hospital that first opened in the late 1800s and opened a new facility in 2019. While the new hospital has a max capacity of 382 beds, it has yet to use its capacity.

Blackwell told the crowd its difficult not to hear the stories about people sitting in emergency departments who cant get a mental health bed in Burke County, as well as hear about the staffing shortages in the health care field.

Sherri McGimsey talked about her familys struggles getting help for her mentally ill son. She also talked about she and her husband, Eddie, trying to open Brighter House, a mental health clubhouse.

Another woman talked about the person who works in the group home where her son lives and only makes between $9 and $12 an hour.

But this individual works 12 hours a day, seven days a week to take care of the most beautiful people in the world, she said in part. She said paying them that kind of wage to do this kind of job is unfair.

Kinsley said during the COVID pandemic, the legislators approved money to increase wages.

But he also said that while staffing levels at state facilities have decreased, its contract staff has increased.

And we will pay a contract nurse or contract physician two to three times what we pay a state staff member, Kinsley said. So were spending more to get less.

He told Blackwell that if there is a little bit more money, he believes some of those contract workers would prefer to be part of a team and become regular staff members.

The states rainy day fund is at $7.5 billion, Burgin said during the town hall.

The discussion also turned to waiting times for mental health beds.

Blackwell said he toured Broughton and the new hospital has more youth beds but not the staff for it. He noted a 50-bed forensic unit at the hospital that has never opened and other patient beds that are empty because of a lack of staff.

He said he would like to see the state develop a plan to get more health workers in the pipeline, and to get more students interested in the health care field.

Burgin told of a situation where a 13-year-old waited 94 days in a hospital emergency room for a mental health bed. He found out about it and, with the help of others, was able to get the child into a facility.

Dr. Anthony Frank, an emergency physician and chief medical officer for UNC Health Blue Ridge, took to the microphone to tell the panel about his experience with mental health patients at a local hospital. He said the number of children and adolescents in the nations emergency departments waiting for behavioral health care is staggering. He said there are examples of children waiting up to 60 days in the local emergency room for an adolescent psychiatric bed.

In addition, he said, frontline health care clinical staff are tired and frustrated.

These teams have spent three years caring for us all through a pandemic that brought many additional critically ill patients, along with the usual heart attacks and strokes and other requests for care, Frank said. Theyre exhausted, they are wounded. They are leaving or thinking about leaving health care faster than we can hire or train new staff. We are on the cusp of a true disaster in the availability of emergency care to us all if something is not done. We need your help.

He went on to say, The health care safety net is full. It is stretched beyond capacity, and it is close to failure. This decades-long crisis has been absorbed by us all in the emergency department with little assistance. It cannot continue and likely will not.

Kinsley responded, saying he agreed with Frank and they wont be able to solve the problem unless they expand Medicaid in the state.

Kinsley said on any given day in North Carolina, 36% of staffed psychiatric beds in communities are empty.

He said its often not about having the beds, its about paying for the beds.

Burgin said currently there are 2.7 million people in the state on Medicaid and if the expansion is approved, that will mean another estimated 600,000 people will be added.

The N.C. Senate passed Medicaid expansion and the N.C. House passed a study bill on it, he said.

Burgin told The News Herald the General Assembly will be back in session on Wednesday and said the conversation on Medicaid expansion will start immediately. He said Medicaid expansion would mean $523 million a month of federal money coming into the state.

When the General Assembly could fully pass Medicaid expansion is unknown at this point but Burgin said his guess, or hope, is the third quarter, which would be before the end of July.

I hope that will happen, but its gonna take a lot of people having a lot of conversations with hospitals, providers, the legislators and all that, Burgin said.

Kinsley said during the town hall there are 1.2 million in the state without health insurance.
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Within the county jail system, there are many dealing with some form of mental illness. Through a newly developed collaboration, the Muscatine County Jail hopes to not only help support these residents with their mental health journey, but to also lower the chances of these residents ending up in jail again.

The jail is initiating a mental health service in partnership with the Eastern Iowa Mental Health and Disabilities Region, which is going to take care of mental health medications in the jail for Muscatine County residents only. This will not include federal prisoners.

As part of this new program, the region is also going to pay for an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) to spend additional time in the jail, spending more time assessing the mental health needs of the prisoners.

From there, the LMSW will contact the county jails medication provider and prescriber, LCH, which will also be set up to do tele-health calls. The region will also fund a jail-based care coordinator, a new position that will help those with mental health issues who are coming out of jail into mental health appointments alongside making sure they have all of their basic needs.

Were hoping this will be a really strong program, Felicia Toppert, Muscatine County Community Services director, said, adding that the program will assist with the whole gamut of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia, in the hopes of helping as many prisoners as possible.

Part of the problem is that our folks who have chronic mental health issues frequently end up in jail for a variety of reasons, and we want to stop that circular motion, Toppert continued. We have folks who have some pretty serious mental health issues that put them into delusional states or cause hallucinations, so theyre pretty ill when they go into the jail. If we can get people on medication in jail, then they may have a better chance of being able to follow through with a mental health treatment.

Toppert acknowledged that the mental health system could be difficult to navigate, especially when a person whos just coming out of jail was focused on several other different and important things, making it easy to forget about their mental health medications or appointments.

Through this new program, the hope is that once these prisoners have some extra support and theyre on a treatment schedule, itll make it easier to continue their treatment regimen after leaving jail. The program is also meant to help these residents become stable in the community as well, alongside other county jail services like employment programs.

Sometimes its hard for folks to accept that they have a mental health issue, and so it takes a little bit of encouragement and empowering to get them into services where they can then see the difference, Toppert said.

One of the most important elements within the program, Toppert mentioned, was the aim for consistency when it comes to both medication and, if needed, therapy in order to provide someone who can coordinate their care and understand what they need, as well as getting them hooked up to other case management services.

The new program took a little over a year to plan and develop, according to Toppert, and the team behind it is hoping to get it funded through the end of this year and all of next year. The regions board will finalize next years budget in the coming months, and Toppert said she is hopeful of getting the funding they need to give this program the time to show some strong results in stabilizing people and getting them where they need to be in their mental health journey.

(The program) is part of the continuum that the region has set up to address mental health concerns in the five-county area, so its just one piece in that puzzle. But the important piece is that we get to people when theyre most in need, she said.

For those who may currently be dealing with mental health issues, Toppert encouraged people to reach out through the 24/7 crisis line if they feel as if they need help, even if they dont feel as though theyre in a crisis but are still concerned about certain issues, as it can assist in getting them on the path to getting set up for services. Residents can call 1-855-581-8111 or go to the Eastern Iowa Mental Health and Disabilities Region website for more information about its services or the crisis line.
Muscatines Max Allan Collins was among the nominees when the Mystery Writers of America announced finalists for the 2023 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, a series of awards meant to honor mystery-focused stories both fiction and nonfiction. Nominees were announced Thursday, Jan. 19, for the 77th annual Edgar Awards ceremony set for April 27 at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square.

One of the nominees in the Best Paperback Original category was the novel Quarrys Blood, written by Collins. Other stories selected in this category were On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass, Or Else by Joe Hart, Cleopatras Dagger by Carole Lawrence and A Familiar Stranger by A.R. Torre.

Collins called the nomination an utter surprise.

The Quarry series has always been a cult favorite, and well-reviewed, but this kind of mainstream recognition is unusual, unexpected and appreciated, he said.

Collins has been nominated for an Edgar Award before, but the honor still is special and exciting.

Ive been nominated several times in both nonfiction and fiction categories, Collins said, and in 2017 received a Life Achievement Edgar award, the Grand Master. But in a 50-plus-year career, Ive been nominated perhaps half a dozen times, so its not something that happens every day.

Collins Quarry Series was created at the Writers Workshop in Iowa City in 1971, while the first Quarry novel was published in 1976. According to Collins, three more Quarry books were produced, with the series then ending after the publisher didnt ask for more.

Over the years, (that series) cult following grew, and Id get fan mail about the books  pre-email! So I did one more in the mid-80s, he explained. Then about 20 years ago, editor Charles Ardai at Hard Case Crime asked me to do another, and I took the opportunity to write what I thought would be the final book in the series, The Last Quarry.

This so-called finale, however, once again proved to be popular, to the point where it became a short film and eventually a movie, both of which Collins wrote. A prequel entitled The First Quarry was also written by Collins in the hopes of filling in the blanks of his now-famous hitmans career. A one-season show based off the series was also made for Cinemax in 2016.

The character just keeps going, Collins said.

As for this latest entry, it takes place in the present time period with Quarry himself being Collins age at about 70, which he considers to be old for a protagonist in this kind of story. He felt it was this element plus some surprising emotional content that might have made the story all the more appealing to readers.

It brings him full circle, back to a book originally published as The Broker and later as Quarry, which was set in Port City, Iowa  obviously Muscatine, he said. Its unusual for a series novel to be nominated at all for an Edgar because long-running series usually get overlooked, so this nomination was nothing I was anticipating.

Although he wasnt sure if his book would be the one bringing home the award this year, Collins said he still felt touched by the acknowledgment.

This really is one of those times when just being nominated is a special honor, he said.
WEST LIBERTY  After about a year and a half of work, the West Liberty Community Center, located at 1204 North Calhoun Street, has finished most of its updates, much to the excitement of the people who are eager to once again use the space for events and activities.

Earlier in the month, the members of the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce had a chance to see the Community Centers new look. Since then, the Community Center has seen a couple of recent events, with both the Community Centers Board of Directors and the residents who have gotten to see the renovations firsthand being very pleased with the results.

Weve been working on this revamp for the past 18 months, West Liberty Community Center Director Courtney Crees said. The building is 23 years old, so we knew some updates needed to be done, and we also sent out a poll asking peoples opinion on what they would like to see updated at the Community Center.

Among the renovations are new carpet, new vinyl plank wood flooring, new paint and tinting on the buildings widows. New furniture, lights, heaters, a fire pit and a new fountain was also added to the patio, and the Community Centers entryway is currently undergoing further updates.

We also have a room that I call the coffee room, its kind of like a multi-purpose room, Crees added. We want to try and update that, and maybe make it a centralized location for people to keep their alcoholic drinks during an event  or maybe put in some sort of mirrors and seating to make it a bridal suite or a relaxing space.

The building was also made more secure through the addition of new doors and locks, which now provide ADA (American Disabilities Act) access, as well as new security cameras.

Everybodys really loved the changes that weve made, Crees said when asked about the reactions that she has seen for the updates. It makes the space much more beautiful than it was before.

While the space may look new, the Community Center will remain being available for hosting different events for the West Liberty community, such as proms, quinceaneras, birthday parties, fundraising events and so much more, just as it always has been.

We hope that the Community Center continues to bring business from all over. We have not just West Liberty people using it but also people from Muscatine, from Coralville, from North Liberty and other surrounding areas who use it, Crees continued. We just want people to still think of us, and were a nonprofit so we try to keep our rental prices low.

For more information on upcoming Community Center events and updates, residents can check out either the Community Centers Facebook page or its website at https://wlcommunitycenter.com/.
Photo: The Canadian Press French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna, right, speaks with her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock before posing with members of France and Germany cabinets for a group photo ahead of a Franco-German Ministers' council meeting as part of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 22 2023. France and Germany are seeking to overcome differences laid bare by Russia's war in Ukraine and shore up their alliance with a day of ceremonies and talks Sunday on Europe's security, energy and other challenges. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

The German government will not object if Poland decides to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, Germany's top diplomat said Sunday, indicating movement on supplying weapons that Kyiv has described as essential to its ability to fend off an intensified Russian offensive.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told French TV channel LCI that Poland has not formally asked for Berlin's approval to share some of its German-made Leopards but added if we were asked, we would not stand in the way.

German officials know how important these tanks are" and this is why we are discussing this now with our partners, Baerbock said in interview clips posted by LCI.

Ukraines supporters pledged billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine during a meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday. International defense leaders discussed Ukraine's urgent request for the Leopard 2 tanks, and the failure to work out an agreement overshadowed the new commitments.

Germany is one of the main donors of weapons to Ukraine, and it ordered a review of its Leopard 2 stocks in preparation for a possible green light. Nonetheless, the government in Berlin has shown caution at each step of increasing its military aid to Ukraine, a hesitancy seen as rooted in its history and political culture.

Germanys tentativeness has drawn criticism, particularly from Poland and the Baltic states, countries on NATOs eastern flank that feel especially threatened by Russias renewed aggression.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that if the fellow NATO and European Unio member did not consent to transferring Leopard tanks to Ukraine, his country was prepared to build a smaller coalition of countries that would send theirs anyway.

Almost a year had passed since the outbreak of war, Morawiecki said in an interview with Polish state news agency PAP published Sunday. Evidence of the Russian armys 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?

Previously, some officials in Poland indicated that Finland and Denmark also were ready to send Leopards to Ukraine.

Earlier Sunday, the speaker of the lower house of Russias parliament, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, said governments that give more powerful weapons to Ukraine risked causing a global tragedy that would destroy their countries.

Supplies of offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would lead to a global catastrophe, Volodin said. 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.

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, said Sunday that he had asked his defense minister to work on the idea of sending some of France's Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine.

Macron spoke during a news conference in Paris with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as France and Germany commemorated the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty. In a joint declaration, the two countries committed to their unwavering support for Ukraine.

France will make its tank decision based on three criteria, Macron said: that sharing the equipment does not lead to an escalation of the conflict, that it would provide efficient and workable help when training time is taken into account, and that it wouldnt weaken Frances own military.

Scholz did not respond when asked about the Leopard 2 tanks Sunday, but stressed that his country already has made sizable military contributions to Ukraine.

The U.S. 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 coordinated all these decisions closely with our important allies and friends.

In Washington, two leading lawmakers urged the U.S. on Sunday to send some of its Abrams tanks to Ukraine in the interests of overcoming Germanys reluctance to share its own, more suitable tanks.

If we announced we were giving an Abrams tank, just one, that would unleash the flow of tanks from Germany, Rep. Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABCs This Week on Sunday. What I hear is that Germanys waiting on us to take the lead.

Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat who is on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also spoke up for the U.S. sending Abrams.

If it requires our sending some Abrams tanks in order to unlock getting the Leopard tanks from Germany, from Poland, from other allies, I would support that, Coons said.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said Friday's U.S.-led meeting at the air base in Germany left no doubt that our enemies will try to exhaust or better destroy us, adding that they have enough weapons to achieve the purpose.

Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned that in case of a protracted conflict, Russia could seek to form a military alliance with "the nations that are fed up with the Americans and a pack of their castrated dogs."

Ukraine has argued it needs more weapons as it anticipates Russia's forces launching a new offensive in the spring.

Oleksii Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines Security and Defense 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 Putins "fantasies, he said.

In a column published by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda. he described the Kremlins goal in the conflict as a total and absolute genocide, a total war of destruction"

Among those calling for more arms for Ukraine was the former British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Sunday. Johnson, who was pictured in the Kyiv region town of Borodyanka, said he traveled to Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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, Johnson said in a statement.

The last week was especially tragic for Ukraine even by the standards of a brutal war that has gone on for nearly a year, killing tens of thousands of people, uprooting millions more and creating vast destruction of Ukrainian cities.

A barrage of Russian missiles struck an apartment complex in the southeastern city of Dnipro on Jan. 14, killing at least 45 civilians. On Wednesday, a government helicopter crashed into a building housing a kindergarten in a suburb of Kyiv. Ukraine's interior minister, other officials and a child on the ground were among the 14 people killed.

Zelenskyy vowed Sunday that Ukraine would ultimately prevail in the war.

We are united because we are strong. We are strong because we are united," the Ukrainian leader said in a video address as he marked Ukraine Unity Day, which commemorates when east and west Ukraine were united in 1919.
Glittering jellyfish, glowing flowers, a pulsing giant heart  the sidewalks and streets of Napa were filled on a chilly Saturday night as people came out to see these the other creations that make up the city's fifth Lighted Art Festival.

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It runs through Feb. 19, although four of the most spectacular installations, the projection works, will only be on view this week through Sunday, Jan. 29. These include "The Hands of Time," transforming First Presbyterian Church on Third Street into shimmering, dancing spires; a waterfall plunging down the facade of the Native Sons of the Golden West building on Coombs Street, and a jewel-box-like transformation of the historic Napa County courthouse on Brown Street.

Also not to be missed is the projection contribution of students from New Technology High School. "You Do You" is on view on the Brown Street corridor until Sunday.

The other 10 works have popped up on First Street and Napa's Riverfront, giving a welcome sparkle to winter nights. The lights go on from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and Friday through Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m.

This is Napa's first full-scale light show since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Breyana Brandt, director of the city Parks and Recreation department, who introduced several of the artists at a reception Friday night.

After pandemic-linked hiatus, Lighted Art Festival returns to illuminate downtown Napa A smaller-scale but colorful and playful showcase of illuminated art has returned to Napa and will be on display through March 13.

The show was cancelled in 2021 due to shelter-at-home restrictions during the pandemic, and returned for 2022 in a modified version with only static artworks.

Brandt said a team works year-round on the show with a budget of $200,000, in addition to "many in-kind donations." The city of Napa and the Napa Lodging Association are the main sponsors.

They invite exhibitions from a worldwide list of artists exploring the realm of illuminated arts. Participating artists this year include local creators as well as others from as far away as Italy and Israel.

Jacques Lessac of Napa said he was attracted to the medium by a fascination with the effects of "casting light across metal objects." His work Dahlia is on display at 1300 First St.

MammasONica, based in Siciily, first participated in the Napa festival in 2019 and returned this year to create The Hands of Time. "But the true magic of the show is you, the audience," Lucca Mammas said. "We are here to see the audience."

"It's fantastic," said Rosie Kempton, a Napa writer who was participating with friends in a sip-and-stroll viewing of the art works on Saturday night. "I can't wait to come back and bring my husband."

Brandt added that everyone is invited to to become a lighted art artist and take part in the upcoming Lantern Parade on Feb. 11. The community is invited to create a lantern at a free event at Veterans Memorial Park at Main and Third streets, and then at 6:30 p.m. join a half-mile parade that begins and ends at the park.

A map of the installations and more information about the show is available at donapa.com/lights.
Some 200 demonstrators and protesters of all ages gathered Sunday by the steps of the Historic Napa County Courthouse for a local Bigger than Roe rallyone of an estimated 180 demonstrations spearheaded by the National Womens March that took place across the U.S. over the weekend.

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The day marked the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision to lend federal protection to abortion rights. Last June, those protections were overturned by the courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling.

In the wake of the Dobbs decision, 13 states have made abortion at all stages illegal, with few exceptions.

The Napa rally, attended by an overwhelmingly female audience, included speeches by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, and U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson D-St. Helena, as well as health care professionals and students from Vintage High School.

We come together on the anniversary of Roe to fight for our rights, said Aguiar-Curry, who called the Dobbs decision voiding federal abortion protections a gut punch.

Women my age remember all too well the injury and death that resulted from restrictions on abortion before Roe, she continued, before speaking about the disproportionate risk women of color will face as a result of the reversal of Roe.

Added Thompson, This has never happened in my lifetime. We have never had rights taken away from us by the Supreme Court. These guys arent stopping with a womans right to (choose) and you know that.

Thompson expressed his worries about the rights he said the Supreme Court may take away next, citing same-sex and interracial marriage.

This is a disaster, he said before urging the crowd to stay vigilant. We need to nip this in the bud, he added, calling on Congress to codify abortion rights.

The hour-long Napa rally was organized by a handful of local groups. One organizer, Lisa Seran, a co-founder of Indivisible Napa, is no stranger to protestingshe was a senior at Lone Mountain College (since acquired by the University of San Francisco) demonstrating against the Vietnam War at the time of the Roe ruling a half-century ago. Upon her graduation, abortion was newly legal on the federal level.

For the last 50 years, weve had a right Some of us, me for example, have lived without that right, and have spent the last 50 years enjoying that right, and now have had it taken away again, the 72-year-old Seran said ahead of Sundays rally. Were going to announce that were here, and if you voted against womens rights in any way, shape or form, were going to make sure you dont get re-elected.

Senior citizens like Seran are encouraged by, and actively recruiting, younger generations who have never lived without abortion rights to step up and become politically involved. She believes the 2016 election  which carried into the White House Donald Trump, who as president endorsed three Supreme Court justices who voted with the majority in the Dobbs ruling  was a wake-up call and catalyst for many Americans.

Devra Dallman, chair of Health Care for All, said of the commemorative rally: I think this is bigger than a celebration, though we are here to celebrate. It is the recognition of the Supreme Courts degradation of women as a whole.

It doesnt hit people until they are actually personally affected, said Seran. I am getting too old for thisWe need (younger) people to carry those banners and take over for us so we can retire. Ive been doing this my whole life.

Sisters Kailey and Gianna Wilkens, 17- and 16-year-old students at Vintage High School, expressed their gratitude for the generations who fought for abortion access in previous decades.

Its really heartwarming that to know that they will keep fighting for (our rights) each time (our rights are threatened), said Kailey Wilkens of the older generations of women in attendance who are no longer of child-bearing age. There are so many women, and people with reproductive systems out here today protesting for this right.

The younger Wilkens added that, because she is not yet old enough to vote, protesting and showing up at community rallies are her ways to show support for womens reproductive rights. We do still care, and we did appreciate those 49 years and we will continue to fight for (our rights) when they start to try to take them away, she said.

Some parents attended the rally with their children. Haley Gill, 30, brought her 3-year-old daughter to the commemoration.

My daughter deserves to have the same rights Ive had up until now, said Gill. She too acknowledged those before her who campaigned for reproductive freedom.

While the great majority of those attending were women, there were some men present.

Im here because as a guy, its important to learn about the issue, said 16-year-old Napa High student Andrew Dillon, who said that for males his age, abortion is an issue that is kind of like an afterthought.

Organizer Seran was pleased with the turnout and not surprised by the crowd demographics. The primary activists are retired women, she said, reasoning that demographic has more time to commit to organizing rallies and protests and also (has) the most to lose.

She was also relieved there were no counterprotests near the Napa courthouse, short of a man in a white truck who drove a few laps around the courthouse and yelled profane phrases about womens rights as he circled around.

Seran said she hopes more young people and men will become involved moving forward before adding, Our work is not done. And its probably never going to be done.

PHOTOS: Napans rally on anniversary of Roe v. Wade decision
In view of the Turkish elections and the adverse opinion polls for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president is issuing daily threats against Greece and Cyprus. Theodoros Panayotou, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize contributor and a professor of economics and ethics and director of the Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM), has noted this in his article for the Cyprus Mail. Panayotou added as follows, in particular:

Since Greece is fortified both militarily and with bilateral defence agreements with France and the US, it is unlikely that Erdogan will carry out his threats against Greece. As stated, by the Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides, among others, the weak link, which is at risk, is Cyprus. But one more intervention in Cyprus EEZ, or an episode on the Green Line will not inflame nationalism in Turkey enough to raise Erdogans popularity to levels that will ensure his re-election to the presidency.

The only action that will be of historical importance is the annexation of the occupied territories to Turkey. This will expand Turkeys territories for the first time in the hundred years since the founding of the modern Turkish state by Kemal Ataturk, the Father of the Turks, an honorific title bestowed on him by the Turkish parliament in 1934. This has a great symbolism for Erdogan, who wants to emerge as the new Father of the Turks, with an Islamic flavour this time.

(...) Erdogan sees the annexation of the occupied Cypriot territories as the beginning of the revival of the Ottoman Empire or at least the Blue Fatherland.

That Turkey is seriously contemplating annexation of the occupied territories is no secret. For example, sources in Brussels told Kathimerini newspaper, published on November 27, 2022 that the possibility cannot be excluded that Mr Erdogan will enlist the scenario  of the annexation of occupied Cyprus. The EU official spoke of a weak link as it has become clear, both in the case of the EEZ and in that of the closed city of Famagusta, the international reactions were  if anything  subdued, they moved at the level of verbal remarks and in any case they did not prevent the Turkish designs. Turkey does not hide its plans to annex the occupied territories. The annexation scenario is maintained by Turkish officials, openly, even in the context of contacts with foreign diplomats, as published in the same newspaper.

But I also have direct information, from my own sources: from Turkish officials in key positions in the Erdogan government, who were my former graduate students from Harvard University during the decade 2000-2009, when I was teaching economics and public policy there. With some of them, I maintain friendly relations and frequent communication. I am being told by them that annexation is the most likely scenario because it contains less risk and more symbolism.

The annexation is planned to be legitimised through a referendum based on three arguments: 1) half a century of negotiations have not resulted in a solution, 2) the two-state solution has not been accepted by the other side, and 3) the international community continues not to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Therefore, the only remaining option that will end the half-century-long isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is the annexation of the occupied lands to the motherland.

This is the narrative being prepared for the international community and the Turkish Cypriots to justify the annexation referendum, the outcome of which is considered certain, due to the settlers majority and Turkeys control over the occupied territories, despite the recent results of the municipal elections.

Inside Turkey, the annexation will be presented by Erdogan as a bold patriotic act of historical and national importance on the occasion of the centenary of the declaration of the Turkish state. The hope is that this will cause the desired upsurge of nationalism in Turkey that will ensure the heroisation and re-election of Erdogan to the countrys presidency.

Since the presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled for May 14, the critical months are those between the Cypriot and Turkish elections, i.e. the months of March and April. (...).

April is considered ideal for such an undertaking since Greece, with a caretaker government, will be in the midst of divisive electoral confrontation, between the first and second contest, and the attention of the international community will be transfixed on Ukraine where the war will be at its peak.

The international reactions, subdued  as always  will be limited to verbal condemnation. Greece will support us but will not risk war, and the European Union will be content with lukewarm sanctions that will not prevent Turkish plans. The UN will condemn but thats all.

How much do we care and what do we do to prevent annexation? Unfortunately, the threatened annexation and therefore the permanent loss of the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus do not seem to concern Cypriot voters or the presidential candidates.

Either we consider it highly unlikely, or we dont care because we dont see what difference it will make in our daily lives. Some of us may still consider a unified state possible or still dream of union with Greece. Others argue that they will manage to resume talks where they were left off in Crans Montana, negotiate the Guterres framework and end up with the BBF, as long as they win the elections.

None of this will prevent the threatened annexation of the occupied area, in a few months, if Erdogan needs it to win the Turkish elections. Of course, even after the annexation and acquisition of a 180 kilometre border with Turkey along the Green Line, running across Ledra Street, we can hope that one day, in the distant future, the annexed lands will again be free.

The annexation of the occupied territories may be the first crisis that the new president will have to face in the first months of his term. What will the presidential candidates do, if elected, to prevent the threatened annexation of the occupied territories to Turkey? They havent told us. Nor have they been asked by journalists at the presidential debates. It is said that in these presidential elections the Cypriot problem does not sell. And yet, never before has the Cyprus issue come so close to the worst possible outcome: the irreversible annexation of half of the island to Turkey.
Brazil's president in China called for abandoning the dollar

Artsakh's Ombudsman expresses dissatisfaction to OSCE chairman for attitude of international community

Ararat Mirzoyan will go on a working visit to Uzbekistan

Police and demonstrators clash on the 12th day of demonstrations in France

Anahit Manasyan had a phone conversation with the Human Rights Ombudsman of Artsakh

he 12th protest against pension reform takes place in France

MFA: Shushi is Artsakhs integral part in territorial, cultural, economic, historical aspects

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 occurred in southeastern Turkey

Charles Michel explains his activeness in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization process

Armenia PM to Bujar Osmani: This visit is good opportunity to get familiarized with complicated situation

South Korea bans its citizens from traveling to Armenia-Azerbaijan border region

Karabakh President convenes working consultation, security challenges discussed

OSCE Chairman-in-Office: I am here to find out if there is possibility to build bridges between Yerevan and Baku

Armenia PM chief of staff: Azerbaijanis are already in Yerevan, we have ensured their safety

Chairman-in-Office: OSCE toolkit provides mechanisms to assist peace process between Armenians and Azerbaijanis

Osmani: We are ready for any efforts to achieve positive dynamics between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Armenia FM: Replacing army with guards on Azerbaijan border should be part of final settlement

Armenia MFA: Rumors about OSCE Minsk Group activities termination are greatly exaggerated

168.am: Who is the Azerbaijani already rendered ineffective in Armenia? What does he say in video?

Armenia village youth tell how they caught Azerbaijani

Armenia Investigative Committee issues statement on murder of security guard, 56, in Syunik Province

Azerbaijani who crossed border into Armenia is caught by locals, found in Achanan village territory

2nd Azerbaijan soldier found, detained in Armenia

Armenian health minister: Wounded soldier in critical condition due to Azerbaijan provocation has stabilized

Which Armenia company is put on US sanctions list?

Premier: Armenia ready for reopening of transport links, delimitation of borders

Pashinyan: We are ready to withdraw troops to safe distance along Armenia-Azerbaijan 1991 border

Armenia to have trade attache in Germany

Azerbaijan MFA accuses France foreign ministry of smear campaign and unfair position

Armenia PM: It failed to deploy border guards without escalation of tension

Newly elected Armenia ombudsperson announces her priority objective in this capacity

Armenia deputy PM, US Deputy Secretary of Treasury acknowledge high level of cooperation between both countries

Newspaper: Karabakh soldiers who showed necessary resistance to Azerbaijan military are rewarded

Armenia FM, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office tete-a-tete kicks off (PHOTOS)

Armenia deputy PM, USAID official discuss opportunities for deepening cooperation

Mher Grigoryan, Todd Robinson exchange views on ongoing democratic reforms in Armenia

Armenia FM to Derek Hogan: Provocation near Tegh village was another manifestation of Azerbaijan aggressive policy

shamshyan.com: Murder in Armenias Syunik Province, 6 gunshot wounds found on body of security guard, 57

US State Department on Armenias Tegh village incident: Use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable

MFA: France deeply concerned about violence that took place near Tegh village of Armenia

Legal entity from Armenia on list of those subject to US export restrictions

Russia MOD: 4 ceasefire violations recorded in Karabakh

EU monitoring mission in Armenia not present in the area when Azerbaijan attacked

Armenia National Security Service Border Guard Troops commander dismissed

Armenia MOD: Tegh village incident that led to undesirable consequences was due to deployment adjustment

Mayor of Frances Lyon expresses unconditional support to people of Karabakh

Pashinyan: Armenian side had recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

Criminal proceedings launched into Armenia soldiers being killed, wounded by Azerbaijan near Tegh village

Chairman-in-Office: OSCE supports continuation of Armenia-Azerbaijan direct contacts

MFA: Russia asked Armenia to explain information about participating in joint military exercises with NATO

Zakharova does not disclose details of Russian, Turkish FMs talks on Armenia-Turkey relations

Russia MFA spox: CSTO mission deployment details can be talked about when Armenia is ready

Zakharova: Russia favors complete unblocking of Lachin corridor

Russia MFA: Other players engagement will lead to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations destabilization

EU calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to intensify border delimitation talks, until then to respect 1991 line

Russia MFA spox: Yerevan, Baku accepted proposal to hold another bilateral talks

Pallone: This is another senseless provocation from Azerbaijani forces against Armenia

Zakharova: Russia Border Guard Service, army took measures to de-escalate situation near Armenias Tegh village

Armenia deputy defense minister on possible Azerbaijan provocations again: Nothing can be ruled out

Armenia MP: Azerbaijanis demanded not to do engineering work, our soldiers responded, battle started from that

Marukyan: This is continuation of attacks carried out against Armenia in May and November 2021, in September 2022

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Mher Grigoryan, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State discuss security issues in Armenia, region

Parliament observes minute of silence in memory of Armenia soldiers who died yesterday

Newspaper: How Europe reacts to yesterday's provocation by Azerbaijanis?

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Armenia MOD: No significant ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan recorded at night

MOD: 3 of wounded Armenia soldiers in satisfactory condition, other 3 in moderate, severe, critical condition

RA MOD announces names of soldiers killed by Azerbaijani Armed Forces

As of 10:15 p.m., the situation on the frontline is relatively stable. RA Ministry of Defense

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Suren Papikyan interrupts his working visit and returns to Armenia

Azerbaijans provocation is another encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. MFA

Azerbaijan MOD publicizes data on own losses during latest Baku provocation

Russia MOD: 2 ceasefire violations recorded in Karabakh

The reason for Azerbaijan's aggression is not being sanctioned by the international community. Edmon Marukyan

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Photo: The Canadian Press Young girls wait to participate in the Lunar New Year parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The joy of Lunar New Year parades, parties and other festivities was tempered with sadness on Sunday following a deadly mass shooting in California that appeared to target people celebrating the same occasion.

Though in-person celebrations resumed in much of Canada for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shadow of the shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., loomed over some of the proceedings.

A gunman killed 10 people and wounded 10 others at a ballroom dance studio in the city on the eastern edge of Los Angeles composed mostly of Asian immigrants from China or first-generation Asian Americans.

The attack came following a Lunar New Year celebration Saturday night in the heart of the city's downtown core, where red lanterns decorated the streets for the Lunar New Year festivities.

While some attending Canada's largest Lunar New Year parade in Vancouver's Chinatown had yet to hear the news out of California, Grace Chen said she and her family had the victims on their minds.

The tragedy happened at a bad time, during Lunar New Year," said Chen as she took in the parade alongside her husband and son. "We are praying for them."

Parade-goer Thanh Nguyen said he also heard about the shooting but does not think it poses a major threat north of the boarder.

"I feel more protected here," Nguyen said. "We have a large community of Asians here and I feel its safer in Canada, and people here are kinder."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, one of several dignitaries attending celebrations in Vancouver, said his "heart breaks" for the people whose Lunar New Year celebrations were "violently attacked" and whose lives were forever changed by the shooting.

Trudeau said that while it was nice to see everyone gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year in-person for the first time since the pandemic began, news of the shooting has also caused sadness amid what should be a joyful time.

"We will be there for whatever support Canada can offer," Trudeau told reporters before the parade got underway.

He said he is sending condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed and is keeping the victims in his thoughts.

Despite the tragic events south of the Canada-U.S. border, thousands of Canadians still took to the streets to formally usher in what the Chinese zodiac system hails as the Year of the Rabbit.

The start of the Vancouver parade was slightly delayed as hundreds of spectators jammed the parade route, many trying to snap a photo of Trudeau.

Allie Kung and her seven-year-old son, Alex Windsor, said it was their first time attending and they were "having a blast."

"We are surrounded by so many people," Kung said in an interview. "We saw the lion (dance), the dragon dancers and God of Fortune."

Windsor chimed in to say it was pretty cool to see the Prime Minister join in the festivities.

In Nova Scotias Annapolis Valley, over 110 people packed into the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts for a day of Lunar New Year celebrations.

Chris ONeill, the centres executive director, said her team worked with Acadia Universitys international student centre to put the event together.

Children and adults made crafts including woodblock rabbit prints and enjoyed a feast of mung bean pancakes, dumplings and Korean cookies, she said.

It was actually one of our biggest community arts days ever, ONeill said. Part of it is because it's such an important holiday. But I think theres this feeling that even in a rural community, there is still an interest and desire to explore other cultures and to make sure that people feel welcome.

Cities across the country were holding events to mark the occasion, though celebrations are expected to take place throughout the 15-day Lunar New Year period.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the East Asian community in St. Johns will celebrate on Jan. 29 at the local farmers market. Organizer Tzu-Hao Hsu said in a Facebook message that this years event will mark a return to in-person festivities after the pandemic.

The Chinese Association of Newfoundland and Labrador will host the event alongside the Memorial University Chinese Youth Association and the Memorial University Chinese Student and Scholar Association.
The identification of the bodies of the 15 servicemen who died as a result of the fire in a military accommodation five days ago has been completed, and their remains have been handed over to their parents. Gor Abrahamyan, spokesperson of the chairman of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, told Armenian News-NEWS.am about this.

He said that no one is a suspect or an accused yet within the framework of the criminal proceedings into this incident.

"The active investigation continues. About two dozen people related to the engineering-sapper platoon have been questioned. Besides them, other persons have also been questioned," Abrahamyan added.

At around 1:30am on January 19, a fire broke outunder still unknown circumstancesin the accommodation of the engineering-sapper platoon of the military unit located in the territory of Azat village of Armenias Gegharkunik Province. Fifteen servicemen have died as a result of this fire, and seven others are injured.

Criminal proceedings have been launched into this incident.

Immediately after the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and seven other high-ranking military personnel were relieved of their positions.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the government that an officer had poured gasoline in the stove of the aforesaid accommodation. After which, when the fire had gotten to him, he had thrownwith a self-protective instinctthe 5-liter can of gasoline in his hand towards the accommodation, and this had caused the fire.

But later, the platoon commander told reporters that there was no gasoline in the accommodation, essentially refuting the PM. The Military Prosecutor also stated that it is not yet clear whether it was gasoline or diesel fuel.

Five days after this fire, the Ministry of Defense has not yet published the names of the 15 dead servicemen. Armenian News-NEWS.am, however, collected information about all these soldiers.
The two servicemen who sustained burns in the fatal fire in a military accommodation are in the intensive care unit, they are in severe but stable condition and have positive dynamics. Karine Babayan, the deputy director on medical affairs of the National Center of Burns and Dermatology of Armenia, told Armenian News-NEWS.am about this.

She added that the other injured serviceman in the hospital is in satisfactory and moderate condition.

At around 1:30am on January 19, a fire broke outunder still unknown circumstancesin the accommodation of the engineering-sapper platoon of the military unit located in the territory of Azat village of Armenias Gegharkunik Province. Fifteen servicemen have died as a result of this fire, and seven others were injured. Four of them were discharged from the Vardenis town hospital after receiving medical treatment, whereas three others with severe burns were transported to National Center of Burns and Dermatology in the capital Yerevan.

The identification of the bodies of the 15 servicemen who died in the fire has been completed, and their remains have been handed over to their parents.

Criminal proceedings have been launched into this incident.

No one is a suspect or an accused yet within the framework of the criminal proceedings into this incident.

Immediately after the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and seven other high-ranking military personnel were relieved of their positions.

A few hours after the incident, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting of the government that an officer had poured gasoline in the stove of the aforesaid accommodation. After which, when the fire had gotten to him, he had thrownwith a self-protective instinctthe 5-liter can of gasoline in his hand towards the accommodation, and this had caused the fire.

But later, the platoon commander told reporters that there was no gasoline in the accommodation, essentially refuting the PM. The Military Prosecutor also stated that it is not yet clear whether it was gasoline or diesel fuel.

Five days after this fire, the Ministry of Defense has not yet published the names of the 15 dead servicemen. Armenian News-NEWS.am, however, collected information about all these soldiers.
The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has published an Interim report On the violations of human rights of Artsakh people as a result of the deliberate disruption of the critical infrastructure in the midst of the blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan since December 12, 2022. Artsakh ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan informed this on Facebook.

The report presented facts regarding the widespread and large-scale violations of the rights of the people of Artsakh due to deliberate disruptions of the vital infrastructures of Artsakh: gas pipeline, electric lines, telecommunications and internet wires, which in the conditions of the ongoing blockade put the civilian population on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.

In cold weather conditions, when the average temperature in the territory of Artsakh fluctuates around -2 - +2 degrees Celsius, sometimes reaching -5 degrees of cold, houses, places of temporary residence of displaced persons, all kinds of educational and health institutions and private enterprises, state institutions use gas as the main means of heating. Deliberate disruptions in gas supply deprive the population of the possibility of gas heating and hot water.

As a result of the damage to the high-voltage lines coming from Armenia to Artsakh and the blocking of their restoration works by Azerbaijan, the import of electricity has been suspended since January 9. Residents are supplied with locally produced electricity. Due to insufficient volumes, the population receives electricity on a 6-hour rolling blackouts schedule, which makes it almost impossible to replace gas-fired heating with electric heating.

Gas supply disruptions and the limited use of electricity also directly affect the normal organization of food in families.

In order to save electricity, state institutions have switched to a short working regime since January 19, which has a negative impact on the process of providing necessary services to the public and organizing public life.

The current situation greatly affected the normal organization of the educational process in Artsakh, all educational institutions of the Republic are closed due to the lack of heating, which led to the violation of the right to education of more than 20,000 children.

The severe humanitarian situation also affected the normal functioning of the healthcare system. 70% of healthcare organizations and hospitals, which are heated using gas, face serious heating problems. At the moment, 156 patients, including 45 children, are receiving inpatient medical care.

Hundreds of enterprises also experience large losses as a result of gas supply disruptions.

In the conditions of gas supply interruptions and limited possibility of electricity, to provide heating of houses and other living conditions, there is an increase in the volume of wood used by the population, which means that the already limited forest fund will suffer serious losses.

In the communities, there have been problems related to the proper operation of public transport and the organization of garbage collection, which is due to the fact that the machines and equipment used for public transport and garbage collection work with the use of gas, petrol and diesel fuel, and there is also a shortage of energy carriers in the conditions of the blockade.

The Report was sent to international organizations and human rights institutions.

The Report is accessible here.
Photo: The Canadian Press A TTC bus transports people in Toronto on Monday, May 3, 2021. The Toronto Police Service is investigating after a bus driver was shot with a BB gun. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The Toronto Police Service is investigating after a bus driver was shot with a BB gun.

Police say a TTC operator was waiting to take over a bus on Saturday evening shortly before 6:30 p.m. when they were shot.

No injuries were reported.

Police say the suspects left in a black sedan and are described as male, white and possibly teenagers.

Transit users have been speaking out against proposed TTC service cuts they say could further put riders' safety at risk while violent incidents on subways and streetcars are on the rise.

The TTC recently proposed its 2023 operating budget with changes to address a $366-million budget shortfall.

It includes a 10-cent fare hike and running nine per cent less service this year compared to levels in place before the COVID-19 pandemic.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that the military-political and economic situation around the republic is difficult as never before.

"The peculiarity of this year is that, in my opinion, as never before, the military and political situation around Belarus - and economic - is not so simple. That is a peculiarity of our meeting today," said Lukashenko on Monday in Minsk at the event to approve decisions on the protection of the state border in 2023, the president's press service reported.

"I would like first of all to hear from the chairman of the State Border Committee the description of the situation - what is happening on the perimeter today. The situation is changing rapidly, the dynamics are great. As of this morning, how is it characterized?" he said. At the meeting, the head of state discusses the situation on the perimeter of the country, the situation with refugees and issues of army support.

According to the president's press service, Lukashenko is expected to approve decisions on the protection of the state border by border guard agencies in 2023 on January 23. "Traditionally, at the beginning of the year, the head of state approves decisions to protect the state border. But this year there will be two - for the protection of the state border by border guards on the ground and air defense - in the sky," said the press service.
There is no question of a vector toward the West; there is a question of ensuring security. Alen Simonyan, speaker of the National Assembly (NA) told this to reporters in the NA Monday, addressing the question of why Toivo Klaar, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, is visiting Armenia now amid the escalation of tension in Armenian-Russian relations.

"We will try all the means to ensure the territorial security of the Republic of Armenia because the existing means are not enough for us. The decision to ensure Armenia's security at any cost can be said to have been made," he said.

Simonyan added that Armenia will use all possible international platforms in this regard.

"I can say that, for example, this bad incident pretty much overshadowed all the events that had happened before. For example, we had a very good PACE report, which was quite a weighty and important document for us. It was also an important document related to [the] Lachin [corridor] and Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)]. I believe, in terms of diplomacy, there are quite a few successes recorded by Armenia. We raise the issue of Lachin corridor in all international formats; its having its impact. I believe we will see the consequences on the ground as well," the Armenian NA speaker emphasized.

Simonyan addressed also the question of what they will discuss with Toivo Klaar, who had stated that the issue of the ongoing Azerbaijani blockage of the Lachin corridorwhich links Artsakh to Armeniais serious and it is necessary to find urgent solutions, while Yerevan had stated that it has nothing to discuss with Azerbaijan on this matter.

"We will discuss the situation of the Armenians there [in Artsakh] and the implementation of the tripartite agreement, which is essentially not happening. And everything related to the Lachin corridor has already been discussed and signed. I mean the document of November 9,[2020]," said the Armenian parliament speaker.
Photo: The Canadian Press

In just the past month there have been nearly 50,000 job cuts across the technology sector.

Large and small tech companies went on a hiring spree in over the past several years due to a demand for their products, software and services surged with millions of people working remotely.

However, even with all of the layoffs announced in recent weeks, most tech companies are still vastly larger than they were three years ago.

Heres a look at some of the companies that have announced layoffs so far.

August 2022

Snap: The parent company of social media platform Snapchat said that it was letting go of 20% of its staff. Snaps staff has grown to more than 5,600 employees in recent years and the company said at the time that even after laying off more than 1,000 people, its staff would be larger than it was a year earlier.

Robinhood: The company, whose app helped bring a new generation of investors to the market, announced that it would reduce headcount by about 23%, or approximately 780 people. An earlier round of layoffs last year cut 9% of its workforce.

November 2022

Twitter: About half of the social media platforms staff of 7,500 was let go after it was acquired by the billionaire CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk.

Lyft: The ride-hailing service said it was cutting 13% of its workforce, almost 700 employees.

Meta: The parent company of Facebook laid off 11,000 people, about 13% of its workforce.

January 2023

Amazon: The e-commerce company said it must cut about 18,000 positions. That's just a fraction of its 1.5 million-strong global workforce.

Salesforce: The company lays off 10% of its workforce, about 8,000 employees.

Coinbase: The cryptocurrency trading platform cuts approximately 20% of its workforce, or about 950 jobs, in a second round of layoffs in less than a year.

Microsoft: The software company said it will cut about 10,000 jobs, almost 5% of its workforce.

Google: The search engine giant becomes the most recent in the industry to say it must adjust, saying 12,000 workers, or about 6% of its workforce, would be let go.

Spotify: The music streaming service is cutting 6% of its global workforce. It did not give a specific number of job losses. Spotify reported in its latest annual report that it had about 6,600 employees, which implies that 400 jobs are being axed.
A group of members of the opposition Consolidation Movement on Monday held a protest in front of the main government building in Armenia, and demanded to punish those accountable for the tragic fire that occurred in a military accommodation in Armenia.

The demonstrators were holding respective banners, as well as the photos of the 15 soldiers who died as a result of this fire.

Menua Soghomonyan, one of the leaders of the Consolidation Movement, stated that the first person accountable for this tragedy is PM Nikol Pashinyan, and the second persondefense minister Suren Papikyan, adding that both Pashinyan and Papikyan should resign.

Avetik Chalabyan, a member of the Consolidation Movement and a public and political figure, told reporters: "There is an impression that the Ministry of Defense, which also runs from the government building, and the army have a very loose connection with things."

According to him, the Armenian army needs equipment to build new roads, bunkers, dig combat positions, etc., but all that is simply not there.

"The largest part of our country's budget is being provided to defense," he added.

Subsequently, the demonstrators marched in silence to Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral to light candles in memory of the 15 soldiers who died as a result of the aforesaid fire.

At around 1:30am on January 19, a fire broke out in the accommodation of the engineering-sapper platoon of the military unit located in the territory of Azat village of Armenias Gegharkunik Province. Fifteen servicemen have died as a result of this fire, and seven others were injured. Four of them were discharged from the Vardenis town hospital after receiving medical treatment, whereas three others with severe burns were transported to National Center of Burns and Dermatology in the capital Yerevan.

The identification of the bodies of the 15 servicemen who died in the fire has been completed, and their remains have been handed over to their parents.

Criminal proceedings have been launched into this incident. But no one is a suspect or an accused yet within the framework of these criminal proceedings.

Immediately after the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and seven other high-ranking military personnel were relieved of their positions.

A few hours after the incident, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting of the government that an officer had poured gasoline in the stove of the aforesaid accommodation. After which, when the fire had gotten to him, he had thrownwith a self-protective instinctthe 5-liter can of gasoline in his hand towards the accommodation, and this had caused the fire.

But later, the platoon commander told reporters that there was no gasoline in the accommodation, essentially refuting the PM. The Military Prosecutor also stated that it is not yet clear whether it was gasoline or diesel fuel.
Ten of the fifteen Armenian servicemen who died as a result of the tragic fire on January 19 have been laid to rest.

The other five soldiers will be buried Tuesday.

Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, however, did not attend any of the funerals held today.

"On the instruction of the minister, numerous [military] representatives, including (...) the 1st Deputy Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, are participating in the memorial services of the servicemen," defense ministry spokesman Aram Torosyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

At around 1:30am on January 19, a fire broke out in the accommodation of the engineering-sapper platoon of the military unit located in the territory of Azat village of Armenias Gegharkunik Province. Fifteen servicemen have died as a result of this fire, and seven others were injured. Four of them were discharged from the Vardenis town hospital after receiving medical treatment, whereas three others with severe burns were transported to National Center of Burns and Dermatology in the capital Yerevan.

The identification of the bodies of the 15 servicemen who died in the fire has been completed, and their remains have been handed over to their parents.

Criminal proceedings have been launched into this incident. But no one is a suspect or an accused yet within the framework of these criminal proceedings.

Immediately after the incident, the commander of the 2nd Army Corps and seven other high-ranking military personnel were relieved of their positions.

A few hours after the incident, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the Cabinet meeting of the government that an officer had poured gasoline in the stove of the aforesaid accommodation. After which, when the fire had gotten to him, he had thrownwith a self-protective instinctthe 5-liter can of gasoline in his hand towards the accommodation, and this had caused the fire.

But later, the platoon commander told reporters that there was no gasoline in the accommodation, essentially refuting the PM. The Military Prosecutor also stated that it is not yet clear whether it was gasoline or diesel fuel.

Five days after this fire, the Ministry of Defense has not yet published the names of the 15 dead servicemen. Armenian News-NEWS.am, however, collected information about all these soldiers.
Photo: The Canadian Press The sister of a Vancouver police officer who died by suicide told a coroner's inquest she believed Const. Nicole Chan was being blackmailed to have sex with another officer in the department. Police cars are seen parked outside Vancouver Police Department headquarters in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The sister of a Vancouver police officer who died by suicide told a coroner's inquest she believed Const. Nicole Chan was being blackmailed to have sex with another officer in the department.

Jennifer Chan told the inquest she believed her sister's mental health problems stemmed from a sexual assault by her co-worker, culminating in her death by suicide in January 2019.

Chan said her sister Nicole struggled with anxiety and depression after she complained to the police chief in 2017 about inappropriate relationships that she had with two senior officers.

She said her sister felt aimless about where her life was headed before her death, that her career had stalled and she had no other job prospects.

Chan described her sister as "very ambitious" and said she joined the Vancouver Police Department to "speak up for victims," but that she felt other officers may no longer want to work with her.

A civil lawsuit filed on behalf of her family last year claims Nicole Chan died during a severe mental health crisis after being "extorted" by an officer to continue a sexual relationship.
If there had been real, serious pressure, it would have had, at the very least, a very heavy impact on the authorities. If there had been strong pressure, not only Papikyan, but also Pashinyan would have at least announced their readiness to resign. Whether or not they would have accepted the resignation is another issue, but there would have been such political gestures, political analyst Vigen Hakobyan told NEWS.am.



He does not believe that there is any real serious pressure on the authorities.



"Unfortunately, the matter is not as loud as the kitchen conversations but the sound should be much louder. The authorities should have put forward a version in order to fill the news airwaves with some information. The version had to be far from the political topic, as it was impossible to blame everything on the "exes," so a domestic version had to be put forward," Hakobyan added.



He noted that the authorities remain faithful to their style of trying to blame anyone but themselves.



"Now they've come up with a new culprit - the DNA. Before that, the culprits were the army, the geopolitical centers, the former, our brains. The authorities often make statements that are directed at their own electorate in an attempt to feed them another lie and divert attention from the real agenda, such as the cause of this situation in the army," the expert stressed.



The authorities do not pay attention to public opinion, and the most important problem, according to his assessment, is that a very large number of people have turned Armenia into a virtual country, and this indicates that not only the country is not established, but also the society.



"The latter consists of different segments that pursue their own group interests. Society in Armenia, as well as the Diaspora, does not have a single national idea around which all Armenians would unite. Until 2018, such ideas were the issue of Artsakh and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. During the resistance movement, this became evident, and the mistake of the opposition was that it did not try to broaden the social base by announcing topics that would interest different segments, not just the issue of security," Hakobyan concluded.
Issue of coin face value of $1 trillion can't be considered a real way to avoid default, says the head of U.S. Treasury Janet Yellen, The Wall Street Journal reported.

According to her, even if the administration of President Joe Biden decides on such a measure, the plan is unlikely to be approved by the leadership of the Federal Reserve, which performs the functions of the Central Bank in the United States.

On January 19, Yellen told Congress that the total amount of the U.S. national debt has grown to a legally defined maximum and her agency was unable to attract additional borrowing by issuing bonds.

For the next increase in the debt ceiling, set in December 2021 at $ 31.381 trillion, Congress must agree, but with the House of Representatives controlled by Republicans, with obtaining such permission may be a problem. Under these conditions, the idea of issuing a single coin of unprecedentedly large denomination by the Ministry of Finance has gained new popularity. By transferring such a coin to the Federal Reserve, the Treasury would pay a part of the debt and would be able to make new loans without raising the ceiling.

However, Yellen, herself a former head of the Fed (from 2014-2018) and a regular meeting with current regulator chief Jerome Powell, believes that the $1 trillion coin simply won't be accepted by the Fed. In no way should it be taken for granted that the Fed will do anything, and especially when it comes to a stunt like this. The Fed doesn't have to accept it. It's up to them to decide what to do, the Treasury chief told the WSJ.

Current U.S. laws regulate the minting of ordinary (including gold) coins at the discretion of the Treasury, their denomination cannot exceed $50. However, the Treasury is allowed to mint platinum coins of any denomination and there are no restrictions on this issue. This loophole has been proposed to be used for a number of years as a means to prevent a default in case it is impossible to agree on the next increase of the U.S. debt ceiling.
India's economic transformation is in full swing. Global manufacturers are looking beyond China, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to seize the moment. This fiscal year, the government is spending nearly 20 percent of its budget on capital spending, the highest in at least a decade, Bloomberg reported.

Modi is closer than any of his predecessors to saying that the country, which may have recently surpassed China in world population, is finally realizing its economic potential. To achieve this, it will have to grapple with the shortcomings of its exceptional scale: the remnants of the bureaucracy and corruption that have stunted India's rise, and blatant inequality.

India is on the cusp of tremendous change, said Nandan Nilekani, founder of Infosys Ltd. He said India has quickly created opportunities to support tens of thousands of startups, several billion smartphones and data rates that are considered among the lowest in the world.

Three key Taiwanese suppliers to Apple Inc. have received incentives from the Modi government to boost smartphone production and exports. From April to December, iPhone shipments more than doubled to more than $2.5 billion.

As big companies from China to Germany struggle with slowing growth, the stakes are rising to find another country capable of stimulating the global economy. Morgan Stanley predicts that India will drive a fifth of global expansion this decade, positioning the country as one of three countries that can generate more than $400 billion in annual output growth.

This thesis is reflected in global stock markets, with India's Sensex index trading at its highest level in a decade compared to the S&P 500 in the latest quarter. Compared to other emerging markets, Indian stocks have never been higher.

Of course, Modi's manufacturing aspirations are not new. His Made in India campaign began in 2014, seeking to emulate China and the East Asian tigers - from Singapore to South Korea to Taiwan - that have risen to the ranks of wealthy economies, filling factories with workers producing the products the world wanted to buy.

Increasing production to 25 percent of GDP, a key measure of the program, has proven elusive. According to McKinsey, the figure rose to 17.4 percent in 2020, up from 15.3 percent in 2000. Vietnam's industrial sector more than doubled its share of GDP over the same period.

But as president of the G20 this year, India has momentum. A foreign strategy based on multiple alliances and irreconcilable self-interest has led the country to increase its purchases of Russian oil 33 times, ignoring pressure from Washington. There are even some signs of pragmatism when it comes to strained relations with neighboring China - more than a dozen Chinese suppliers to Apple are getting initial permission from New Delhi to expand operations, supporting the tech giant's efforts to shift production to India.

In a multipolar world, India's choice of a middle path has reinforced its image as a nation with which everyone is interested in having a good relationship, said Kenneth Juster, former U.S. ambassador to India.

India is positioning itself and using its G-20 presidency to do so as a bridge between east and west, north and south, he said.

In an August speech marking India's 75th anniversary of independence, Modi urged the nation to settle for nothing less than world domination.

Bloomberg Economics expects the country's per capita income to grow even compared to some developed nations over that period, making Modi's goal achievable. According to BE, potential GDP growth will gradually peak at about 8.5 percent early in the next decade thanks to corporate tax cuts, incentives for manufacturers and privatization of state assets. The Center for Economic and Business Research predicts that India's economy will reach $10 trillion by 2035.
Much has happened in the world since two young entrepreneurs  once stars of Chicagos tech scene  were charged with criminal fraud. In recent years, many Chicagoans may have forgotten about the spectacular rise and fall of Outcome Health and its founders.

But Chicagoans are about to be reminded, in a big way. Three years after they were charged, the trial of former Outcome Health CEO Rishi Shah and former Outcome President Shradha Agarwal is set to begin this week in Chicago.

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A jury will examine whether Shah, Agarwal and a third former executive, Brad Purdy, participated in an alleged $1 billion fraud scheme. Their company, Outcome Health, placed screens and tablets in doctors offices and waiting rooms that ran educational content and pharmaceutical ads. But federal prosecutors allege that the three lied about how many doctors offices had screens and tablets running their content. They allege that the trio then used those exaggerated numbers to overcharge drug companies for advertising and inflate revenue figures used to get loans and raise money from investors.

All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud. Some of the counts carry sentences of up to 30 years in prison. Lawyers for the three did not respond to requests for comment or declined to comment.

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Jury selection is scheduled to start Tuesday, and opening arguments could happen in the following days.

The trial could last more than three months, and is expected to be complex, with thousands of exhibits, and testimony from a number of former Outcome employees.

Its a big case. There are very significant consequences, said James Roberts, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney who now represents companies and individuals as counsel with the law firm Schlam Stone & Dolan in New York City, and is not involved in the trial. Youre talking about people who were very well-known personalities in Chicago, and its a very serious allegation when you talk about how much money was involved.

A company is born

The idea for Outcome Health was hatched while Shah and Agarwal were still students at Northwestern University. Shah and another friend founded the company in 2006, calling it ContextMedia. That friend left the company after a few years, and Agarwal, who had helped early on, joined the company full time after she graduated from Northwestern in 2008.

Within a few years, the company began to blossom, growing its network of hospitals and clinics and taking on big-name clients. In 2016, the company acquired competitor Accent Health and soon after changed its name to Outcome Health.

Outcome took off like a rocket ship. It raised $487.5 million in outside funding in 2017, rising to a valuation of about $5.5 billion. Investors included a fund co-founded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and units of Goldman Sachs and Google.

The company grew from only 35 employees to more than 600, Shah said at a 2017 news conference, where he stood alongside former Mayor Rahm Emanuel to announce that it planned to hire another 2,000 workers by 2022.

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At one point, the company said it was considering an initial public offering.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 A look inside the office of ContextMedia in 2015, which became Outcome Health the following year. The office is filled with areas for impromptu meetings or chitchats. (Michael Tercha, Blue Sky/June 10, 2015)

Shah and Agarwals fortunes rose with the companys. Shah, who owned 80% of Outcome, was named to the Forbes 400 ranking of richest Americans in 2017, with a net worth of $3.6 billion at the age of 31. Agarwal owned 20% of the company.

Between the $487.5 million from investors, and loans secured in 2016, the pair received more than $260 million in dividends, according to a court filing by the government.

It wasnt long, however, before it all came crashing down.

In 2017, a former Outcome analyst contacted a Wall Street Journal reporter with concerns about the way the company was doing business. In October of that year, the newspaper published an article saying that employees had misled advertising clients with manipulated information.

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Shortly after the article ran, the investors who had sunk $487.5 million into the company in 2017 sued Outcome, Shah and Agarwal, alleging Outcome misled advertisers and investors about the companys performance. Pharmaceutical advertisers yanked tens of millions of dollars in ads and many health systems backed away from the company. More than one-third of the companys workforce took buyouts.

The company and its former executives faced lawsuits and investigations over the next few years.

Outcome settled the lawsuit by investors in early 2018. At that point, Shah and Agarwal stepped down from daily operations of the company, and, six months later, resigned from their board positions.

In 2019, Outcome agreed to pay $70 million to pharmaceutical companies to resolve a federal fraud investigation. As part of the agreement, Outcome admitted that from 2012 to 2017, former executives and employees perpetrated a scheme to defraud its clients  most of which were pharmaceutical companies  by selling advertising inventory that it did not have, the Justice Department said in a news release.

The federal investigation into individual company leaders, however, was ongoing, and just a month after the $70 million settlement, Shah, Agarwal, Purdy and former executive Ashik Desai were charged with a combined 26 counts of fraud. Desai quickly pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Two other former analysts also pleaded guilty in a related case, admitting to participation in a conspiracy to oversell Outcomes inventory and conceal the overselling and underdelivery from clients and an auditor, according to a court filing.

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Desai, then 26, had been Outcomes executive vice president of business growth and analytics.

What to expect at trial

In the upcoming trial, Desai is expected to be a star witness. Desai has not yet been sentenced, but the government is expected to recommend a reduced amount of time in prison if he cooperates and testifies truthfully.

Desai is expected to testify that Outcome told pharmaceutical company clients that it had screens in more doctors offices than it really did and underdelivered on ad campaigns while charging clients as if it had delivered in full, according to a court filing by the government. Hes also expected to testify about alleged efforts to deceive an outside auditor who examined Outcomes business, and that he repeatedly presented misleading return-on-investment results to clients.

Desai will testify that eventually he began to alter the key numbers in the reports before the information was sent to clients, according to the filing. He did this in order to conceal the underdeliveries from the clients, and to make it appear that Outcome had delivered in full on its ad campaigns and that the ad campaigns performed well.

Desai, who was put on leave shortly before the Wall Street Journal article was published, is expected to testify about Purdy, Agarwal and Shahs roles in the alleged scheme.

Shradha Agarwal speaks during the Lessons Learned by Building Chicago's Successful Startups panel at the Chicago Venture Summit on April 21, 2016. (Kristen Norman/for the Chicago Tribune)

The government alleges that Shah, Agarwal and Purdy each played a crucial role in the fraud. Shah and Agarwal instituted the practice of sending clients aggressive (and unrealistic) projections of Outcomes inventory, ... which set in motion Outcomes inevitable and pervasive underdeliveries on clients advertising campaigns, according to the government. They then instructed their subordinates to hide that data from Outcomes salespeople and by extension, its clients, the government alleges.

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Meanwhile, Purdy was involved in supplying clients with inflated lists of doctors offices where their advertising would run, helped inflate other numbers, knew about the underdeliveries and helped raise cash from lenders and investors based on inflated revenue numbers, the government alleges.

But in a court filing, Purdys attorneys wrote that Purdy never thought, until shortly before the Wall Street Journal article was published, that anyone at Outcome had intentionally defrauded clients. Instead, Purdys attorneys place the blame squarely on Desai, calling him a master con man.

Purdy maintains that he was unaware that Desai was falsifying return-on-investment reports.

According to Purdys filing, Outcome operated on a weighted average system, meaning it was understood that Outcome might initially underdeliver on a contract, but because the company was growing so rapidly, it would overdeliver later on, so that, on average, it would have played ads on the required number of screens over the course of a contract.

In light of Outcomes tremendous inventory growth and the weighted average approach, Mr. Purdy always believed that Outcome could, would and did meet its inventory needs and contractual obligations, according to Purdys court filing. As such, there was no reason for Mr. Purdy to be alarmed or concerned when he learned from time to time ... that Outcome was underdelivering on some contracts, especially in the first half of a contract term.

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A number of other former Outcome employees are also expected to testify. The government is alleging that Shah, Agarwal and Purdy repeatedly marginalized, undermined and ignored whistleblowers who raised concerns about the fraud.

The government alleges that one executive, hired as chief operating officer in early 2017, stayed on the job for only three weeks. That executive learned of the alleged fraud and confronted Shah about it, according to the government. Based on Shahs reaction to the issues Executive A raised, at a certain point during the meeting, Executive A decided that he no longer wanted to work at Outcome, the government wrote.

The government alleges that other employees who raised concerns also left, negotiating and signing separation agreements with Outcome. In written exit interview questionnaires, several analysts who left the company in 2016 wrote that they had ethical concerns, according to the government.

Many will be watching

During the trial, the burden will be on the government to show that Shah, Agarwal and Purdy intended to defraud the victims, Roberts said.

The government has to establish that representations made by the defendants about the business were made with the intent to defraud as opposed to simply talking up the business, Roberts said.

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There are times when a business or someone in the business is making various statements that are, lets say optimistic, but subsequently turn out not to be able to be fulfilled, and is that, in and of itself, a crime? Roberts asked. I would say the answer is not necessarily.

At the moment, the arguments already presented by the government may sound damning, but in criminal trials, such as this one, the defense doesnt typically lay out its side until after the trial begins, he said.

The defense hasnt had their say yet, and a lot of that will remain sort of unknown until the opening statement of the defense, Roberts said.

Nationally, its a case that could grab attention as the latest in a string of high-profile executives being held to task for alleged fraud. The fraud conviction of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, and legal actions surrounding the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX and its founder Sam Bankman-Fried are fresh in many peoples minds.

The Outcome trial is yet another reminder that fraud, that overstating your success or earnings are not good strategies for long-term success, and that there are consequences, even criminal consequences, for that kind of bluster or dishonest optimism, said Nicola Sharpe, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law and associate academic director of the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society at the universitys Gies College of Business.

Rishi Shah and Shradha Agarwal of ContextMedia, which later was called Outcome Health, accept the Lighthouse Award at the ITA CityLIGHTS awards ceremony on Sept. 18, 2014. (Beth Rooney for the Chicago Tribune)

Locally, many will likely watch the trial closely, given how prominent Outcome and its founders were before their downfall. In March 2021, Outcome combined with company PatientPoint to create a new firm called PatientPoint Health Technologies.

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During Outcomes heyday, Shah and Agarwal were familiar faces in the local entrepreneurial community. They mentored other entrepreneurs, and Shah served on the boards of health-tech incubator Matter and tech hub 1871.

Chicago business leaders once held up the company as proof of the citys worth as a business and tech destination that could compete with East Coast cities and Silicon Valley.

Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel once called Outcomes growth a testament to Chicago, to the culture that were building in this city, when the company was booming.

Outcomes demise left many Chicago business and tech leaders frustrated.

It creates jobs, it makes people realize you can build big, interesting companies in Chicago, said Ira Weiss, a clinical professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, of when companies like Outcome succeed in Chicago. With Outcome, it was very disappointing the way it played out for local people like myself who care a lot about the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Some Miami Law clinic highlights include:

BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE CLINIC:

Director Patricia Redmond, J.D. '79, Elected Chair of the American College of Bankruptcy Board of Regents

The first woman to hold the position, Patricia Redmond is the director of Miami Law's Eleanor R. Cristol and Judge A. Jay Cristol Bankruptcy Pro Bono Assistance Clinic. The Board of Regents is responsible for nominating and selecting qualified candidates for fellowship in the College.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH LAW CLINIC:

Children and Youth Law Clinic Fellow Receives the NACC Award

The National Association of Counsel for Children named Alex Cinney their Outstanding Law Student for 2022. Cinney, J.D. '22, came to Miami Law because of her interest in family law and dedication to underserved children and families.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CLINIC:

$1 Million Cy Pres Award to Miami Law Will Support Environmental Law Efforts

The University of Miami School of Law recently received a $1 million cy pres award as part of the distribution of a settlement fund relating to fuel economy for gasoline-powered vehicles. The School of Law will use the funds to support the work of the Environmental Justice Clinic and the Environmental Law Program.

HEALTH RIGHTS CLINIC:

Fighting for the Afflicted and Underserved: Health Rights Clinic Secured Multiple Wins for Clients in 2022

The clinic won eight Social Security/public benefits cases on behalf of disabled clients and helped three cancer survivors and one immunocompromised domestic violence survivor become U.S. citizens.

HUMAN RIGHTS CLINIC:

Human Rights Clinic Hosts International Human Rights Clinicians Conference

Clinical faculty from around the world attended the annual gathering of international human rights clinicians. Topics covered art and human rights, community-centric clinics, cross-country collaborations, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights.

IMMIGRATION CLINIC:

Miami Law Starts New Immigration Legal Assistance Program

The Immigration Clinic and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida joined other universities to create a legal assistance program to serve individuals detained in ICE custody at the Baker County Detention Center in northern Florida.

INNOCENCE CLINIC:

Innocence Clinic Celebrates One Year Since Dustin Duty's Exoneration

October 27, 2022, marks the anniversary when prosecutors dropped all charges against Dustin Duty after five years of diligent work by the Miami Law Innocence Clinic and Florida Innocence Project. Wrongfully convicted of armed robbery in a court of law eight years ago, Dustin Duty is now a free man.

INVESTOR RIGHTS CLINIC:

Investor Rights Clinic Presents at the 2022 SEC Investor Advocacy Clinic Summit

One of only two law schools invited to participate, students from the Investor Rights Clinic presented at a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission event, "Safeguarding the Golden Years: Avoiding Financial Fraud."

Read more about Miami Law's clinics
New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI/NewsVoir): Ignyte, an international premium brand for Helmets and riding gear, brings state-of-the-art technology to a safety staple and launches "IGN-7 ECE 22.06". The biggest USP of "IGN-7 ECE 22.06" is that it is the FIRST MADE IN INDIA helmet by an Indian brand which conforms to ECE 22.06 Homologation standards. It also has the NACA air flow system which is used in aircraft and super cars, with its double NACA inlets above the shield, it allows the entry of the large volume of air inside the helmet to refresh and de-humidify the interior. Also, the NACA outlets on the back of the helmet allow quick extraction of the stale air with very little or no friction. The helmet is strongly built with 9 parts EPS combining multiple layers in EPS with multiple densities to give the ultimate protection for rider against impact. The all around protection with cheek and chin guard EPS makes it a robust helmet with protection in numerous impact points. In the previous existing ECE 22.05 standard there were 5 impact points on which the tests were done whereas in 22.06 they have been increased to 18 and also the speed at which these tests were done in 22.05 was only at 7.5m/s, whereas in 22.06 they are now tested at differentiating speeds of 6, 7.5 and 8.2m/s. Another USP is that this helmet boasts of a factory fitted PINLOCK 70 anti-Fog lens with improved coverage on the visor. The visor in IGN-7 ECE 22.06 is also ECE 22.06 certified, the test for visor has also become more stringent in 22.06 as the permissible limit of diffusion after abrasion is 10% as compared to 22.05 in which it was 20%. This helmet is designed by Italian design team and the complete R&D and testing has been done in the third-party Italian lab as well as their own In-house testing lab which is capable and is equipped with all state- of the art testing equipment to test as per all international homologations. This IGN-7 ECE 22.06 helmet is with E3 22.06 Certification which means that it is certified by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility. E3 is the most stringent of certifications amongst all the European commissions as their delegation visits the factory and homologates the factory as well as the production. For the DOT FMVSS No.218 certification also despite it being a self-certified standard, the helmets are sent to a third-party lab in United States of America to be double sure that the helmet is meeting the specified parameters. IGN-7 is a brain child of Kashish Kapur, Director, Ignyte Helmets. It is the only Indian helmet brand having triple homologation to meet global helmet parameters with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS No. 218), Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 4151:2015) and Economic Commission for Europe(22.06). "We are thrilled to present IGN-7 ECE 22.06a helmet which not just meets all international safety parameters. But, also a technology marvel as this has used NACA duct technology. there is a greater market demand for such helmets with additional safety features andglobal certifications especially from high-end bike riders and at Ignytewe have created IGN-7 ECE 22.06 to fulfill the global market needs of premium quality of helmets," said Mr. Kashish Kapur, Director Ignyte Helmets. Ensuring a comfortable riding experience, the 'IGN-7 ECE 22.06' comes with a stylish reflective interior with comfortable and super soft fabric. It also combines a double D-Ring fastener, high frequency thermo foam wind deflector, nose protector and a visor locking mechanism. The shell is made of a high-impact PC-ABS blend material which is required to pass ECE 22.06 and DOT standards. It also features a slider mechanism inner sun-shield for protection against direct sun rays during the daytime. Moreover, keeping in mind the hygiene factor, the models boasts removable and washable interior padding and cheek pads. The IGN-7 ECE 22.06 helmet is highly customizable and can be had with so many different customizations like Photochromic visor, Polygene fabric, SITIP Italian fabric, specialized cool max fabric, titanium Double D-rings etc. This model starts from MRP. Rs. 6199/- in monocolor and MRP. Rs. 6499/- in decal version and is available in medium (580mm), large (600mm), and XL (610mm) sizes. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], January 23 (ANI/PRNewswire): EDS Technologies today announced the launch of its new business consulting division with a focus on digital transformation which aims to foster sustainable innovation in product design, engineering and manufacturing. This new division is in line with the overall company growth strategy of consolidating its leadership position and becoming a single point technology provider to its customers. As pointed out by NASSCOM, the Indian manufacturing industry will see increasing adoption of a combination of Digital Insights, Digital Continuity and Digital Convergence, which will help the Indian manufacturing sector to meet national growth targets. EDS Technologies' solutions are used by more than 2000 customers across multiple industries in the manufacturing sector, accelerating their technology adoption and digital transformation. The consulting division will be headed by industry veteran Vijay Babu who was onboarded recently. He has over 38 years' experience working in senior positions with leading global technology and manufacturing majors, such as SAP, Deneb Robotics (now part of Dassault Systemes), Tata Motors, HCL Technologies, etc, helping organizations script the digital thread for their enterprise. Vijay Babu will have a team of consultants with deep expertise drawn from various industries with an average experience of 15 years. This division will help organizations adopt the best practices in enriching their value chain and delivering seamless integration of their design office, manufacturing, and operations. The offerings from the consulting division will initially focus on process enablement, which includes Design, Change Management, Manufacturing handover, Project Management, and Quality Management. Speaking about the new division, S. Senthil, President, EDS Technologies, remarked, "We are the first company in India to enable manufacturing organizations to choose hardware independent software applications and implement them through our tie-ups with global technology leaders. From our inception in 1995, we introduced multiple technologies in India, developed the market, and helped capture value for all the stakeholders. The new consulting division will draw expertise from our highly skilled professionals engaged with our large customer base that no other company can draw parallels in India. This complements our 3DEXPERIENCE offerings from Dassault Systemes, a high growth area for us, ensuring our customers get more value from investments within a shorter time frame." "Understanding and embracing new approaches, new materials, new technology, is critical to building a company that can meet the demands of today and challenges of tomorrow. EDS Technologies certainly represents an opportunity for us to go increasingly further in the process of transforming the manufacturing industry in India. The goal is to combine our powerful 3DEXPERIENCE platform with the integration experience of EDS Technologies, to find faster and more assertive answers for our customers in all situations as we continue to drive sustainable innovation," said Deepak N G, Managing Director, Dassault Systemes. EDS Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (EDST), established in 1995, is one of the largest Technology Solutions providers in India. EDST partnering with global technology leaders provide PLM, 3D Printing, Location Analytics, EDA tools, 3D Visual Simulation and e-Learning solutions bringing in the most complete solution for any size and type of industry. EDST's differentiation is its domain expertise, consultative approach and hands-on understanding of customer requirements required to drive successful implementations with world-class training and technical support. With more than 27 years' experience, EDST has a large customer base in the Indian market with more than 2000 customers from aerospace, automotive and supply chain, industrial machinery, high-tech, and electronics, railways, infrastructure, consumer packaged goods, engineering service providers, defence, research, and academia. For more information, visit https://www.edstechnologies.com Media Contact:Reghuprasad R reghu.blr@edstechnologies.com This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Adani Green Energy on Monday posted a surge of 9 per cent in the sale of its solar energy portfolio to 2,507 million units for the quarter ended December 2022, against 2,300 million units. The renewable energy company said this increase in the sale of energy was backed by 150 MW commissioned in Rajasthan in November 2022 and 140 basis points improvement in capacity utilisation factor (CUF). Under the solar portfolio, plant availability was at 99.8 per cent in the reviewed quarter against 99.4 per cent in the year-ago period. Grid availability was at 99.6 per cent while it was 99.3 per cent in the year-ago period. It also said capacity utilisation factor was at 23.3 per cent in the reviewed quarter while it was 21.9 per cent in the year-ago period. The company said its improved CUF performance was backed by 40 bps improvement in plant availability, 30 bps improvement in grid availability and improved solar irradiation. Under wind portfolio, the company posted a jump of 47 per cent in its sale of energy to 300 million units for the reviewed quarter, against 204 million units in the corresponding quarter the previous year. The company in a statement shared with exchanges said its sale of energy went up on the back of its capacity increase from 497 MW to 971 MW in the year-ago period. Under wind energy, its plant availability was at 92.7 per cent in the reviewed quarter while it was 96.9 per cent in the corresponding quarter the previous year. Its grid availability was 88.2 per cent, against 99.9 per cent in the year-ago period. CUF performance under wind portfolio was 14 per cent in the reviewed quarter while it was 18.6 per cent in the year-ago period. The company said the reduction in CUF is primarily due to a one-off disruption in the transmission line for 150 MW plant at Gujarat, which has now been restored fully. The impact of this event during the quarter is expected to be 0.1 per cent of the expected annual generation of the overall operational capacity. (ANI)
Medical workers in Illinois are warning adults to keep marijuana edibles away from kids, after an alarming jump in the number of accidental consumptions.

The number of exposures to edible cannabis among children 5 and younger from 2017-2021 reported in Illinois increased from 5 to 232 cases  a 4,500% increase. Most of the increase was during the pandemic years of 2020-2021. Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020.

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Nationally, researchers found the number of cases rose from 207 in 2017 to 3,054 in 2021, an increase of almost 14 times.

We are experiencing an increased amount of poison center calls and hospital visits involving children who unintentionally consumed cannabis edibles, said Illinois Poison Center Medical Director Michael Wahl, one of the authors of the study. IPC advises parents to store THC edibles in a safe place that is out of the reach of children and avoid buying edibles that look like candy or a treat that a child would be eager to try. These unintentional ingestions are causing minor to severe reactions in children, including vomiting, seizures and coma.

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As the Tribune first reported last year, the number of calls for people of all ages to the Illinois Poison Center for cannabis rose from 487 in 2019, to 743 in 2020, the year recreational weed was legalized in the state, and increased to 855 in 2021. Most of the calls were for unintentional consumption of edibles by people who didnt know what they were eating.

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Most cases were not severe and were resolved over the phone, but some required hospitalization until the effects wore off.

The poison center offered the following tips to keep kids safe:

Store weed gummies and other edibles like medication, in child-resistant containers out of reach of kids, and not in the kitchen.

Store in non-see-through containers, not in clear containers like baggies.

Avoid buying edibles packaged to look like candy.

Dont consume THC products in front of children.

Ask family, friends and caregivers to follow those precautions as well.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 23 (ANI/BusinessWire India): The 11th Anniversary edition of the coveted CIO CHOICE Honor & Recognition was announced at a recently concluded Red Carpet Night ceremony. - Technology brands across 43 categories were selected as CIO CHOICE 2023 winners.Winners were picked based on 6,000+ votes received through an extensive pan-India voting process among CIOs & Digital Leaders. - This annual recognition program, produced by CORE Media, selects and honors ICT brands through an extensive Pan- India Online referral voting process conducted among technology leaders in the country. KPMG is the Knowledge Partner. Delivering Business Value through Service and InnovationTechnology has transformed the way businesses interact with their customers today. With the changing consumer expectations and evolving models, organizations are leveraging advanced hybrid and digital solutions to streamline their processes, eliminate legacy infrastructure and ensure higher customer engagement with operational excellence. However, making the right technology decision for their business can be difficult with various brand choices available in the market. To assist them, ICT brands have created a flexible, and beneficial environment for businesses, partners, and customers to make this process easy. Empowering through RecognitionThis year, the CIO CHOICE 2023 recognized and celebrated ICT companies that demonstrated impactful innovation and creativity that empowered businesses to become more resilient and agile as they geared up to achieve new heights in their sectors. This recognition is THE de facto 'Gold Standard' and Trusted Yardstick for customer centricity, product innovation, and excellence by India's CIOs and the ICT community. 31 unique brands, from large to small and medium enterprises, proudly claimed recognition across 43 different categories, ranging from leading brands such as Vi Business, Airtel Business, GS Lab I GAVS, AdaniConneX, NTT Global Data Centers & Cloud Infrastructure India, Rubrik, Pure Storage India to Happay, iSecureNet, CLOUDnU by Path Infotech, Officenet by Netcomm Labs, along with several niche brands that secured the title for their excellence and the superior experience they delivered to the enterprise customers. The voting platform received over 6,000 votes, and the laudable 31 ICT companies were voted as the most Trusted and Preferred, by CIO Leaders and Digital Pioneers in the country, based on their own experience of having partnered with these companies. The entire process is guided by an eminent advisory panel of senior technology leaders. This year's advisory panel consisted of 9 distinguished CIOs and Digital Technology leaders - - Abhijit Singh, Chief Technology & Digital Officer - HDFC LTD.- Baljinder Singh, Global Head of Enterprise Digital Transformation, and CIO- EXL.- Ekhlaque Bari, CIO - Jubilant FoodWorks.- Mani Mulki, Operating Director Technology - Kedaara Capital.- Mayank Bhargava, Chief Information and Digital Officer - Fortis Healthcare.- Rajesh Uppal, Sr. Executive Director (HR & IT) - Maruti Suzuki.- Sankarson Banerjee, Consultant-Technology - RBL Bank.- Suhail Ghai, Chief Digital & Information Officer - Max Life.- Vinod Bhat, CIO - Vistara Tata SIA Airlines Ltd. The felicitation ceremony held in Mumbai received an overwhelming response from the CIO community and the ICT brand ecosystem. It was one of the largest networking events in the industry that brought together over 300 CIOs and Digital leaders. "For over a decade now, CIO CHOICE has been instrumental in highlighting the most Trusted ICT Brands, helping foster firm collaboration between India's leading enterprises and these ICT Brands - enabling them to partner to drive innovation and solve some of the complex business challenges by disrupting the status quo. In the current economy, technology is the driver for fuelling business growth, enhancing customer experiences, setting new benchmarks and market trends. THE CIO CHOICE platform stands as a testimony to the power and epitome of true partnerships," said Anoop Mathur, Founder of CORE Media. This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Karnataka-based investors expressed their strong desire to invest in Uttar Pradesh during the business meetings that were held between the state administration headed by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday. The meetings are part of precursor engagements and to invite businesses to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit to be held next month. Team Yogi Adityanath kicked off its domestic roadshows in Mumbai and has so far held several of them including in Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, attracting investment proposals worth thousands of crores of rupees. Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is set to be held in Lucknow from February 10 to 12, and the administration is reaching out to other Indian states along with several countries, seeking investment opportunities and inviting them to participate in the event. Top corporates such as Infosys and Ola attended the Business-to-Government meeting. Infosys' Corporate Affairs Head Santosh Ananthapura and Ola Electric Managing Director Mohit Sevakramani and Group CFO GR Arun Kumar met Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and proposed investment in Uttar Pradesh. A meeting with Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce President BV Gopal Reddy and Managing Director of Kisan Craft Ravindra Aggarwal BT was also held. Apart from this, Arunakar Mishra, MD and CEO of Zensar Aerospace and Information Technology expressed his desire to invest in the aerospace sector in Uttar Pradesh. Besides well-established companies, young entrepreneurs also attended the meeting and expressed their desire to work in different sectors of Uttar Pradesh. Ravindra Agarwal, chairman of Kisan Craft Limited, said that his company was interested in investing in the agriculture sector of UP. "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has changed the thinking of the people about Uttar Pradesh. Our company is very excited to invest in changing UP", Agarwal remarked. Further, Arubito's CMD Gururaj R Itigi said that his company would like to set up a hardware manufacturing plant and a semiconductor plant in UP. "During the tenure of Yogi Adityanath, a lot of development work has been done in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the field of infrastructure. As for us, we are a trusted brand in semiconductor manufacturing and we believe that UP has full potential to become a hub of semiconductor manufacturing. This journey of development of Uttar Pradesh will not only increase employment in the state but will also bring prosperity to it", he said. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Trust wants to open a university. HG Harsha, Chairman of Shree Shree Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir Trust, said that his trust had been engaged in promoting education across the country for the last 25 years, operating more than 100 schools and expressed willingness to set up a university as well as schools in India. "UP has undoubtedly entered the era of development. This has been possible only because of the efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir Trust wants to open a university and schools in UP under various boards including, the CBSE, ICSE and UP Board. Today, I met the members of Team Yogi here. The conversation has been very fruitful. We are very optimistic about investing in UP," Harsha said. (ANI)
The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a series of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 25,000 crore with 33 entrepreneurs during its roadshow held in Bengaluru on Monday. Team Uttar Pradesh kicked off its domestic roadshows in Mumbai and has so far held several of them including in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, attracting investment proposals worth thousands of crores of rupees. The team was touring the country under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to make Uttar Pradesh the growth engine of a new India. It attracted investment proposals worth Rs 17 lakh crore. Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is set to be held in Lucknow from February 10 to 12, and the administration is reaching out to other Indian states along with several countries, seeking investment opportunities and inviting them to participate in the event. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, investors expressed their strong desire to invest in Uttar Pradesh during the business meetings between the state administration headed by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. In a video message to the investors, Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath said his state is a leading state in ease of doing business with good governance, zero tolerance towards crime and corruption, the largest consumer market, single window clearance, as well as investment-friendly policies. "UP is the best place to invest in all aspects and is poised to become the second largest economy of the country. As per the resolve of the PM, UP is ready to accelerate India's economic growth," CM Adityanath said. (ANI)
During the meeting, investment proposals from the Mahindra group were discussed ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit 2023.

Chief Minister Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh will greatly benefit from the Group's vast experience.

According to a release, Mahindra Group has expertise in aerospace, agribusiness, automotive components, construction equipment, defence, energy, agricultural equipment, finance and insurance, industrial equipment, information technology, hospitality, logistics, real estate, retail and education.

The Chief Minister apprised Anand Mahindra that the state has a huge land bank and open power access, adding all these facilities will be made available.

Describing the Uttar Pradesh government's policies as encouraging for the industry, industrialist Anand Mahindra said that the group is excited to contribute to the development of the state.

The Chairman of Mahindra Group said that Club Mahindra would be expanded at tourist places to tap the immense possibilities of tourism in Uttar Pradesh. He also said Mahindra group is keen to set up a unit in Uttar Pradesh to manufacture farm machines.

Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 is set to be held in Lucknow from February 10 to 12. (ANI)
Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. Since 1966 Subhas Chandra Bose has been a point of interest for many filmmakers across the country. His heroic life, philosophy, bravery and mystery around his death have given birth to many cinematic representations over the years. Today on Bose's 126th birth anniversary, let's look back at movies that depicted on his life. Samadhi- 1950 The film does not directly revolve around Subhas' life but around one of his INA soldier's life and struggle to give up the love of his life and sister for the sake of his country. Helmed by Ramesh Saigal, the film portrays the struggle of freedom fighters and Subhas Chandra Bose's ideologies and political views. Subhas Chandra- 1966 The Bengali film by Piyush Bose gave a brief peek into how Bose's beliefs evolved and how he evolved into a fierce political activist determined to battle for India's freedom.From Bose's childhood days, college years, to his experience of taking Indian Civil Service test have been showcased in the movie. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero-2004 The film focused on Bose's escape from house arrest, departure from India, and establishment of the INA. The Azad Hind Fauj's campaign to liberate India from British rule is then shown in the movie. Directed by notable filmmaker Shyam Benegal, the biopic cast Sachin Khedekar as Netaji. Other important characters were played by Jisshu Sengupta (as Sisir Bose), Kulbhusan Kharbanda (as Uttamchand Malhotra), Divya Dutta (as Ila Bose) amongst others. Ami Subhash Bolchi- 2011 The movie emphasises social problems and one man's struggle to eradicate them all. Subhas Chandra Bose played a pivotal role in a Bengali layman's life. Debabrata Bose (Mithun Chakraborty) fights for his mother tongue and motherland. Subhas through Debabrata's own conscience motivates and rejuvenates the will to fight for his motherland. Bengali movie directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Raag Desh- 2017 Periodic drama is based on the Indian National Army, which Netaji founded, and the fight to liberate India, which was fought on the banks of the Irrawaddy in Burma. The Red Fort trials of 1945 were a series of trials held at the Red Fort in Delhi where the British accused the INA soldiers of being renegades and Japanese stooges. The dramatic trial that led to India's freedom and those historic events are brought to life in Tigmanshu Dhulia's directorial. Bose: Dead/Alive- 2017 The nine-part television series also delves into the theories around Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's mysterious death circumstances. The series based on author Auj Dhar's 2012 book India's Biggest Cover-up. The series tries to address the conspiracy theorists who believe that Subhash Chandra Bose did not die in a plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945. Directed by Ekta Kapoor, the series is starred by Rajkummar Rao (as Subhas Chandra Bose). Gumnami- 2019 The movie Gumnaami is based on the Mukherjee Commission Hearings, which took place from 1999 to 2005 and during which the three theories regarding the demise of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were explored and contested. It is a dramatisation of the hearings where a Gumnaami Baba-supporting investigative journalist squares off against an aircraft crash-theory-supporting government attorney. The Death in Russia hypothesis also comes up during their conflict. The Forgotten Army- 2020 Initially released in 1999, Kabir Khan's six-episode documentary which was released in the OTT platform with representing lesser-known facts and struggles by Bose's Indian National Army soldiers. (ANI)
Several Bollywood celebrities on Monday lauded PM Narendra Modi's decision to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees to mark Parakram Diwas. Taking to Twitter, Ajay Devgn showered praises by writing, "The decision to name an island after Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey (Param Vir Chakra) is assuring that the example of supreme sacrifice for the motherland he left us with will continue to inspire generations to come. Thank you PM @narendramodi Ji. #IndiaHonoursParamveers" Sidharth Malhotra, who played the role of Kargil war hero, Vikram Batra, in 2021's 'Shershaah', wrote, "The very news that an island in Andaman & Nicobar is named after our hero Capt. Vikram Batra leaves me with goosebumps! My heart swells with pride that I was fortunate to live his role on screen. This step taken by PM @narendramodi ensures that Shershaah lives on forever." Suniel Shetty shared, "Thank you Hon. PM @narendramodi ji for renaming 21 islands of #AndamanNicobar in the names of the 21 #ParamVirChakra awardees, the true heroes of our Nation, on the 126th Birth Anniversary of the great #NetajiSubhasChandraBose. So proud! #JaiHind #ParakramDivas." Anupam Kher lauded the decision by tweeting, "On the occasion of 126 birth anniversary of Netaji #SubashChandraBose 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar are being named after 21 #ParamvirChakra awardees! What a fitting tribute to the Warriors who made the supreme sacrifice! Jai Hind! @narendramodi" Jackie Shroff wrote, "A tribute to the real heroes, by our Honourable PM @narendramodi ji. On the 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra ji Bose" This step of naming the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947, while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport. The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. (ANI)
Ahead of the release of 'Gandhi Godse -Ek Yudh', filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi on Monday wrote to the Special Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, requesting additional security for him and his family, claimed that he has been receiving repeated threats. Director Santoshi announced that he had sought protection in the light of threats at a press conference on Monday. The letter read, "I, Rajkumar Santoshi, a well-known director of films in the Indian Film industry, is hereby writing this letter to inform you about the interruptions in a press conference during a Horticular press conference held by our team on 20 January, 2023 for the release of the film 'Gandhi vs Godse'. My team (director, producer & cast for the movie 'Gandhi vi Godse' was in the middle of the press conference when it was interrupted by a group of people with vested interests. They barged into the press conference which was held at 4 PM at PVR Citi Mall, Andheri. Later, several threats were received from some unknown people asking me to stop the release and promotion for this movie. I feel unsafe and I further submit that grave damage and injury could be caused to me and my family members if such persons are set free and if no steps are taken by your ad-self and further losses would be caused not only to us but the public at large. I Hereby humbly request you to take all necessary steps under law in this matter and further request you to urgently provide me with additional security to protect myself and other members of my family." Set in post-independence India of 1947-48, 'Gandhi Godse-Ek Yudh' depicts the war of ideologies between Nathuram Godse and Mahatma Gandhi. The trailer showcased a powerful glimpse into the tumultuous period following India's partition. Following the trailer release of the period drama film on January 11, Congress sought a ban on the film in Madhya Pradesh. On the criticism he has been receiving for the film, Santoshi earlier said to ANI, "It has come to my notice that some people, claiming to be followers of Gandhiji, burnt my effigies and it might happen in future as well. This surprises me because people who truly believe in him will never resort to violence. They will never come out on the streets with lathis and burn effigies. It only goes to show that they actually don't believe in Gandhian principles. They haven't even seen the film and are reacting to the trailer. It shows that their motive is something else." He added, "I request people to watch the film with an open mind and not come to theatres with any preconceived notions. Those coming with an open mind will truly enjoy the film. There's not been a single complaint against the film's previews, not even from the censor board." Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, waded into the controversy around the film, saying, "I'm not surprised because for them (the makers of the film), Godse is a hero, and if they portray him as a hero, it should not surprise any of us. But I cannot comment on the merits or the demerits of the film because I haven't seen it and I don't intend to see films that glorify murderers." (ANI)
Kerala Minister J. Chinchu Rani on Monday inspected the popular Thiruvananthapuram Zoo where all its 53 spotted deer and black bucks died in the last nine months. She said that a health camp and medical check up will be conducted for all the zoo employees and all of them have been provided with the necessary items required to protect themselves. The samples of the animal carcasses were being sent to the State Institute of Animal Diseases (SIAD), Palode and College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy for investigation and the report states that the disease is tuberculosis caused by mycobacterium bovis. There were concerns if this incident was kept under wraps by both the state government and Zoo authorities, as these zoonotic diseases can also affect human beings too. According to experts there is no treatment for animals when it gets TB and culling is the only option Since last week, officials from various departments including the state Health Services, a team from SIAD and also the Police intelligence wing visited the zoo to take stock of the situation, but those in the know of things said that there need not be any major worry as things are under control. --IANS sg/vd ( 217 Words) 2023-01-23-21:06:04 (IANS)
Punjab Police on Sunday launched massive raids on suspected hideouts of persons linked with gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa. According to the police, simultaneous raids were conducted at the residential and other premises linked to Lakhbir Landa of Harike village of Tarn Taran district, in all the districts of Punjab in the ongoing cases. The operation was aimed at disrupting the nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers based in India and abroad. Divulging details, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that 334 persons linked with Landa were raided in a day-long operation by 142 parties of Punjab Police involving about 800 police personnel. He said that in district Tarn Taran alone 65 Police parties raided the premises of 171 persons linked with Lakhbir Landa. "Today's searches were planned after the questioning of several persons in the recently busted modules backed by Lakhbir Landa, besides, to infuse fear among the anti-social elements and instil a sense of safety and security among the common people," he said. Sharing more details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that several persons have been detained for further verification and incriminating material has been seized from their possession, which is being further examined. He said that the data collected during the search operation is being examined further. Notably, Canada-based gangster turned terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, involved in various criminal activities in Punjab and Abroad, is most wanted criminal by the Punjab Police. He is a Category-A gangster who after committing various crimes fled to Canada in 2017. Sitting in Canada, he runs a network of gangsters involved in extortion, killings and other terror crimes in Punjab. He has been indulging in these crimes in association with his other associates based in different countries. He is close associate of Harwinder Singh alias Rinda based in Pakistan and actively supported by ISI of Pakistan. He was mastermind in recent RPG attacks on intelligence Headquarters and Police Station building of Sarhali. He has been facing as many as 31 FIRs pertaining to murder, NDPS act, extortions, ransom and spreading terror, registered against him. (ANI)
Stating that Che Guevara should not be restricted to photographs and T-shirts, she said there was a need to carry forward the ideals he propagated.

She was speaking at an all-party function organised in Hyderabad to felicitate her.

Aleida, a physician and human rights activist, is currently on a visit to India along with her daughter Estefania Guevara.

Leaders of the Left parties and people's organisations received her when she arrived at Hyderabad Airport.

Aleida visited the office of Telangana state unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) where she was felicitated by the Communist leaders and others. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders also felicitated her.

Aleida later addressed the 'Cuba Solidarity Meeting' organised by the National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba, CPI and CPI-M.

She said that the US government made laws with an extra-continental character 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,'' she said.

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 and others spoke at the event.

Vinod Kumar recalled the services of Che Guevara. Leaders of the Left parties called for a fight against imperial forces.

Born in Argentina in 1928, Che Guevara fought a guerrilla war in Cuba.

He served as the chief of the Industrial Department of the National Institute of Agrarian Reform and as president of the National Bank of Cuba when Fidel Castro was the Prime Minister.

--IANS ms/pgh

( 303 Words)

2023-01-22-22:56:02 (IANS)
Five people at a Southwest Side bar were rushed to area hospitals Sunday after an apparent overdose, according to Chicago police.

The five adults were found at 3636 W. 111th St. around 2:30 p.m., according to the Chicago Fire Department. The given address is for Lawlors Bar, but officials did not identify the scene by name. Fire officials called for additional ambulances.

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Two 41-year-old men and a 46-year-old man were taken to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park in fair condition, Chicago police said. A 42-year-old man and a 47-year-old man were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and were in good condition. A 57-year-old woman was taken to the same hospital for an unrelated ankle injury, police said.

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The cause of the incident wasnt immediately known, according to fire department officials. Calls to the bar went unanswered Sunday afternoon, but it issued a statement following the incident:

Lawlors is a small neighborhood establishment thats been a member of the Mount Greenwood community for 15 years. We are shocked and concerned about what took place and are praying for the health and well-being of everyone involved. We are working with the Chicago Police Department during this active investigation.

Detectives are investigating, police said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived on Monday (early hours) at Port Blair Veer Savarkar International Airport of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to participate in the celebrations of the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Shah arrived at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a chief guest to culminate the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Events Week' that was held from January 17 to 23 in Port Blair. On Monday (early hours). These events were organized in collaboration with the Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration, and the State Governments of Manipur, Nagaland, Gujarat, Odisha, and West Bengal at locations which are related to Netaji's life and work. According to an official statement from the Home Ministry dated January 16, an array of activities celebrating Netaji's immense contribution to India's freedom struggle were planned to be held throughout the week at Mantripukhri, Keithalmanbi, Kangvai, Moirang, and Nambol in Manipur on January 17; Ruzazho and Chesezu Villages, Kohima in Nagaland on January 18; Gujarat's Haripura, Bardoli, and Surat on January 19; Odisha's Cuttack on January 20 and in West Bengal on January 21. The Ministry of Home Affairs' Iconic Events Week is an ode to the life and contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in India's struggle for freedom. It is a remembrance of his high ideals and a moment for all the country to draw inspiration from the lives of our freedom fighters. The day, January 23rd is also marked as Parakram Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating at an event via video conferencing to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. "Tomorrow, on the day of bravery, there will be a special program in honor of the heroic children of Mother India. Will be a part of it through video conferencing at 11 am. During this, 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman-Nicobar will be named after 21 Param Vir Chakra winners," PM Modi said in a tweet on Sunday. The PMO further informed that PM Modi will also unveil the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep. Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. Last year, on the occasion of Netaji's 125th birth anniversary, PM Modi unveiled the hologram statue of the freedom fighter at India Gate in Delhi. (ANI)
According to the officials, the arrests were made after a CST team of the Jaipur Police Commissionerate raided factories making spurious liquor in Sanganer Sadar and Shivdaspura police station area and seized huge quantities of cartons, empty bottles, stickers of liquor brands, and several other materials.

"CST team of Jaipur Police Commissionerate raided factories making spurious liquor in Sanganer Sadar and Shivdaspura PS area. 10 people have been arrested. A huge quantity of cartons, empty bottles, stickers of liquor brands, and other materials have been seized," ACP Ajay Pal Lamba said.

He also said that they recovered 191 spirit drums, empty bottles, and mixing plants during action on another factory in Kokawas village of Sanganer Sadar police station area.

According to the ACP Lamba, action has been taken to suspend four beat constables as they were unaware of such a "big illegal factory".

"The raids were also conducted at three other places. Four beat constables have been suspended for negligence in the matter," he said.

The spurious liquor being made in the names of several English liquor companies including country liquor Old Monk White Le Coat has been recovered, he said.

Further details into the matter are awaited. (ANI)
The Delhi Traffic Police on Monday issued a traffic advisory in view of the Republic Day parade full dress rehearsal today. As the country has geared up for the 76th Republic Day on Thursday, a total of 23 tableaux, including 17 from states and Union Territories, and six from ministries and departments will roll down the Kartavya Path during the Republic Day parade on January 26. In the issued advisory, the Delhi Police said that the full dress rehearsal parade in the national capital will start from Vijay Chowk at 10.30 am and will later move towards the Red Fort. For the smooth flow of traffic in Delhi, the police have elaborated traffic arrangements and restrictions for the smooth conduct of parade. According to the Delhi Police's issued guideline, the march would move from Vijay Chowk to Kartavyapath to 'C' Hexagon to the Statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to Tilak Marg to Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg to Netaji Subhash Marg for reaching the Red Fort. The Traffic Police has barred the movement of traffic on Kartavyapath from Vijay Chowk to Indian Gate from 6 pm on Sunday (January 22) till the end of the parade and the cross traffic on Kartavyapath from at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road from yesterday's 11 pm till Parade is over. "'C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9.15 am today till it crosses a Tilak marg," it said adding that vehicular movement will not be allowed in either direction on the Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg, and Subhash Marg "Road users are requested to plan their journey in advance accordingly and avoid the route of Parade, from 0930 hours to 1300 hours, for their own convenience. Commuters are advised to make maximum use of the Metro service while planning their journey in and around New Delhi.," it read. (ANI)
Kurla police have arrested three men from Siliguri in West Bengal in connection with a gun attack on a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) contractor in Kurla area of Mumbai earlier on January 9, officials said on Monday. The accused have been identified as Ganesh Chukkal, Sameer Sawant and Vinod Mirgal - all from Siliguri. The trio were planning to flee to Sikkim, officials said. The police took all three into custody and produced them in Bhoiwada court on Sunday, and were sent to police custody for a day. Officials said that the accused Ganesh Chukkal is associated with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party. The police are now probing as to how the accused came to know that the BMC civic contractor had filled the tender. Earlier the Kurla police had arrested six accused in the firing. A special team was formed to nab others. According to the police, BMC contractor Suraj Pratap Singh was fired at to pressurize him to withdraw his bid for tender of a project worth Rs 45 crore for the repair of footpaths and drainage lines. On the evening of January 9, contractor Suraj Pratap Singh was shot at when he was going home in his car with a friend near Kapadia Nagar, Kurla. The BMC contractor was unharmed. The BMC contractor's car was stopped by two men and Sagar Pradip Yeroonkar (one of the two) fired at the car, following which the contractor approached the nearby Kurla police station to register a case. Soon after the incident, Chukkal and Sawant, fled in an Audi car to Nashik, from where they met a friend and took his vehicle and went to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and then to Delhi. In Delhi, the duo hired a tourist car and fled to Siliguri in West Bengal. (ANI)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday said that multidimensional poverty in Kerala is only 0.7 per cent and claimed that it was the lowest in the country. Governor was giving the policy address in connection with the commencement of the budget session at the Kerala Assembly today. "Multidimensional poverty in Kerala is only 0.7 per cent which is the lowest in the country," Arif Mohammed Khan said. "My government is committed to uplifting the extremely poor and vulnerable families from their present state for which micro plans are being drawn up. My government is committed to land and housing for all in both rural and urban areas," the governor added. The Kerala governor also stated that several steps were taken by the government to transform the investment landscape in the state. "My government is taking several path-breaking initiatives to transform the investment atmosphere to a business-friendly one. My government will continue to bring in reforms in the investment arena and modernise and amend laws and regulations to facilitate and simplify approvals for investment in the state," he said. Arif Mohammad Khan also stressed the importance of protecting the constitutional values of the citizens. "My government is committed to protecting constitutional values which are presently facing many challenges. My govt is always committed to protecting the freedom of the press. A strong nation has to have a strong Centre, empowered states and actively functioning local governments," he said. (ANI)
The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Vagir' the fifth submarine of Project 75 Kalvari class at the naval dockyard in Mumbai in presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar. Launched and named 'Vagir' on November 12, 2020, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines to date. 'Vagir' undertook her maiden sea sortie in February 2022, marking the commencement of sea trials and has gone through a series of comprehensive acceptance checks and stringent and demanding sea trials prior to being commissioned, according to the defence ministry. The submarine was delivered to Indian Navy by MDL on December 20, 2022. 'Vagir' will boost the Indian Navy's capability to further India's maritime interests and is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions. "Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Vagir is the third submarine inducted into the Navy in a span of 24 months. It is also a shining testimony to the expertise of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms," said Admiral R Hari Kumar. Coxswain of the fifth Kalvari submarine 'INS Vagir' Daljinder Singh on Saturday said that the submarine is ready to face any threat if war breaks out between India and China. While talking to ANI, Singh said, "This submarine is the latest technology of the Indian Navy. It is a silent submarine. It has good anti-submarine weapons like the advanced version of mines. It has advanced versions of combat and advanced version of sonar, and radar systems." "All the technology used in the submarine is Indian. If there is a war between India and China, then we are ready to face it," Singh added. While Commanding Officer CDR Divakar S told ANI, "INS Vagir can be deployed both closer to the shore as well as mid-ocean. It will be ready to meet all the requirements of the Navy and the country. It is a big step towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat. This is the fifth Kalvari class submarine." Four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy. The erstwhile 'Vagir' was commissioned on November 1, 1973, and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols. The submarine was decommissioned on January 7, 2001, after serving the nation for about three decades. 'The Sand Shark' (Vagir) represents 'Stealth and Fearlessness', two qualities that are synonymous with the ethos of a submariner. The induction of Vagir is another step towards the Indian Navy consolidating its position as a builder's Navy, and also reflects MDL's capabilities as a premier ship and submarine building yard. (ANI)
Lauding Centre's move of naming 21 islands of Andaman-Nicobar after Param Vir Chakra awardees, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that no country in the world has taken up such a task of honouring the soldiers who fought for it. Home Minister Amit Shah was addressing a programme to name 21 Islands of Andaman and Nicobar after 21 valiant Param Vir Chakra awardees by PM Modi. "Today, this initiative of PM Modi, under which 21 big islands of Andaman-Nicobar Islands have been associated with names of our Paramveer Chakra winners and effort to perpetuate their memory as long as this earth lasts, will increase the enthusiasm of the army," said Shah. He said that the decision taken acknowledged and appreciate the connection the Islands have with the Independence Movement of India. "All the decisions taken under the strong leadership of PM Modi certainly acknowledge and appreciate the connection, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have with the Independence Movement of India," said Shah. He added that the naming of the islands is something very inspiring to the Armed Forces. Shah further highlighted that the cellular jail is not just a jail, it is a great place of pilgrimage for the freedom struggle. "Cellular Jail is not just a jail, it is a great place of pilgrimage for the freedom struggle. This part of the country first got the honour of getting independence and got this honour by unfurling the tricolour by the leader himself," said Amit Shah. Home Minister Amit Shah said that the 21 islands have not been named, but the work of lighting 21 lamps has been done by the Prime Minister, saluting the valour of 21 heroes. Shah also alleged that there have been efforts to forget Subhash Chandra bose, adding that those who are brave are not dependent on anyone for their memory. "It is unfortunate that many efforts were made to forget Subhash ji, but those who are brave are not dependent on anyone for their memory. We did the work of installing a statue of Subhash Babu on the duty path, and celebrated his birth anniversary as 'Parakram Diwas'," said Shah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi named the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees in a ceremony on Monday on the occasion of Parakram Diwas. PM Modi also unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, earlier known as Ross Islands. The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947, while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport. "These islands have been named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, viz. Major Somnath Sharma; Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM; 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane; Nayak Jadunath Singh; Company Havildar Major Piru Singh; Capt GS Salaria; Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa; Subedar Joginder Singh; Major Shaitan Singh; CQMH. Abdul Hamid; Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Lance Naik Albert Ekka; Major Hoshiar Singh; 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon; Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran; Naib Subedar Bana Singh; Captain Vikram Batra; Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey; Subedar Major (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar; and Subedar Major Retd (Hony Captain) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav," the PMO said in a statement. Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. Last year, on the occasion of Netaji's 125th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister unveiled the hologram statue of the freedom fighter at India Gate in Delhi. (ANI)
According to officials, the flight management system (FMS) developed a technical glitch.

"The flight took off from Trivandrum at 8.30 am and landed back at 9.17 am," they added.

"There were 105 passengers onboard and the flight will take off again at 1 pm today (Monday)," an official said.

Earlier in December 2022, a snake was found on a Dubai-bound Air India Express flight.

Air India Express Boeing B-737 flight from Calicut to Dubai took off as scheduled and after landing at Dubai airport, the staff reported a snake on board the aircraft.

The aviation regulatory body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), had ordered a detailed probe regarding the incident, the aviation body had said. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday assured the petitioners to list the matter pertaining to the ban on Hijab in the educational institutes in Karnataka. Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora mentioned the matter related to the headscarves before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. Arora said that many girls have lost out on the entire year because they have refused to take off their hijab. She also apprised the court about practicals in educational institutes in February and sought an early hearing for interim directions. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud assured that it will list the matter and give a date. The court also observed that the matter would be heard by a three-judge bench of the top court. The court asked the lawyer to mention the matter before the registrar. The top court had earlier given a verdict on various petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court order which upheld the ban on Hijab in educational institutes. Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeal while Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia allowed it. The matter was thereafter referred to the Chief Justice of India for appropriate direction due to divergent opinions. The judgement was given by a two-judge of justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia. The court was hearing various pleas against Karnataka HC's judgement upholding the Karnataka Government's decision to direct educational institutes to prescribe uniforms in educational institutes. Various petitioners have approached the apex court challenging the Karnataka HC order upholding the Karnataka government's order which directs strict enforcement of schools and colleges' uniform rules. One of the appeals in the top court has alleged "step-motherly behaviour of government authorities which has prevented students from practising their faith and resulted in an unwanted law and order situation". The appeal said the High Court in its impugned order "had vehemently failed to apply its mind and was unable to understand the gravity of the situation as well as the core aspect of the Essential Religious Practices enshrined under Article 25 of the Constitution of India". A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi had earlier held that the prescription of uniform is a reasonable restriction that students could not object to and dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions saying they are without merit. The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry. After this, boys from several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka. As a result, the Karnataka government said that all students must adhere to the uniform and banned both hijab and saffron scarves till an expert committee decided on the issue. On February 5, the pre-University education board released a circular stating that the students could only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and that no other religious attire would be allowed in colleges. (ANI)
Shortly after naming 21 unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that 'India First' was the only resolution for all 21 'Paramveers'. Addressing a virtual program today, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the potential of Andamans and said that the country has made continuous efforts for the past eight years in this effort. "'India First' was the only resolution for all 21 Paramveers; today in the naming of these islands, their resolution has become immortal forever. The potential of Andamans is huge. In the past eight years, the country has made continuous efforts in this direction," PM Modi said. He also underlined that for decades the potential of the Indian islands was not recognised and no action was taken by times have changed now. "For decades, the potential of the country was underestimated. But now, India is seen as capable of touching the heights of modern development. The islands of India can offer a lot to the world. But earlier this potential was not recognised, and no action was taken," said Modi. PM Modi mentioned that many messages are contained in the naming of the 21 islands. "Many messages are contained in the naming of the 21 islands which have got new names today. The message is of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat; this message is of the bravery of our Armed Forces," he said. PM Modi said that these islands will be a site of everlasting inspiration for generations to come. "The generations to come will remember this day as an important chapter of the nectar of freedom. These islands will be a site of everlasting inspiration for generations to come. I congratulate everyone on this," he said. Addressing the virtual gathering, PM Modi also mentioned that for decades, there was a demand to make the files related to the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose public. "For decades, there was a demand to make public the files related to the life of Netaji, this work was also taken forward with full devotion by the country. Today, the grand statue of Netaji on the 'Kartavya Path' in front of our democratic institutions reminds us of our duties," Modi said. He further added that Netaji's memorial in the Andaman and Nicobar islands will now infuse yet more patriotism in the hearts of the people. PM Modi further mentioned that these works should have been done long ago in the interest of the country. "These works should have been done long ago in the interest of the country because the countries which connected their heroes with the public well in time...went far ahead in the race of development and nation building," he said. The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947, while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport. "These islands have been named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, viz. Major Somnath Sharma; Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, MM; 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane; Nayak Jadunath Singh; Company Havildar Major Piru Singh; Capt GS Salaria; Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) Dhan Singh Thapa; Subedar Joginder Singh; Major Shaitan Singh; CQMH. Abdul Hamid; Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Lance Naik Albert Ekka; Major Hoshiar Singh; 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal; Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon; Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran; Naib Subedar Bana Singh; Captain Vikram Batra; Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey; Subedar Major (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar; and Subedar Major Retd (Hony Captain) Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav," PMO further stated. The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Keeping in mind the historical significance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and to honour the memory of Netaji, Ross Islands was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep by the Prime Minister during his visit to the Island in 2018. Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep. The portrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was unveiled by the then President of India N Sanjiva Reddy, in the Central Hall of Parliament House on January 23, 1978. According to Lok Sabha Secretariate, it was recognised that the floral tributes could serve as an effective medium in spreading greater knowledge and awareness about the lives and contributions of these towering national icons among the youth of the country. Accordingly, Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat has launched the program titled 'Know Your Leaders'. Born on January 23, 1897, Netaji played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. Subhash Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Fauj. While there is a controversy over Bose's death in a plane crash in Taipei on August 18, 1945, the Central government had in an RTI (Right to Information) in 2017 confirmed that he had died in the incident. (ANI)
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.
Phillip Liming stands outside his former residence in the 800 block of West Buena Avenue, Jan. 20, 2023, in Chicago. Liming's friend and former roommate, Leonardo Guerrero, died in August as Chicago Fire Department paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital after he was found outside the building. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Fire Department has fired a paramedic after an internal affairs investigation into the death of a Buena Park man determined the first responder did not attend to the patient and then allegedly submitted a false report after the patients death.

Leonardo Guerrero, 44, was pronounced dead at Thorek Memorial Hospital in Uptown on Aug. 31, after he stopped breathing while strapped to a stretcher in an ambulance. Restraints applied by paramedics to Guerrero contributed to his cardiac arrest death, which was also affected by high blood pressure and primarily caused by cocaine and alcohol use, the Cook County medical examiners office said. The office ruled the death a homicide.

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Following the internal affairs investigation into his death, the Fire Department on Nov. 20 fired Dakota Ibrahim, the paramedic in charge of Guerreros care. His fellow responding paramedic, Joseph Schultz, has been suspended from the Fire Department.

Both paramedics state licenses were also suspended by the Illinois Department of Public Health, six months for Ibrahim and three months for Schultz. They will be able to work as paramedics in Illinois after completing their suspensions.

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Guerreros loved ones told the Tribune on Thursday night that they were surprised to learn the circumstances of his death after having no idea what had happened, and they called for harsher punishments beyond the suspensions given to the involved paramedics.

You cant believe it happened, and then you go into anger, and then you go into being hurt because you will never see your brother again, his sister Sylvia Guerrero Tanguma said.

Ibrahims attorney, Patrick Walsh, disputed parts of the Fire Departments characterization of what happened and said the 30-year-old paramedic should be allowed to work again.

There was nothing that Dakota did or did not do that caused Mr. Guerreros death, Walsh said.

The news of the firing, uncovered by a series of Tribune information requests, comes days after two Sangamon County paramedics were charged with first-degree murder in the death of a patient. That patient, 35-year-old Earl Moore of Springfield, died of asphyxia after being strapped face down to a stretcher, the autopsy report said. Under Illinois law, a first-degree murder charge can be filed when a defendant knows that such acts create a strong probability of death or great bodily harm.

[ 2 Illinois paramedics killed man by strapping him facedown, authorities say ]

In Guerreros case, no criminal charges have been filed against either of the paramedics who transported him, and police were unable to share any details because it is an open death investigation. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxxs office said it did not have any information to share regarding his death.

According to police and Fire Department records, police called for paramedics on Aug. 31 after discovering Guerrero lying naked in a parking lot near his home in the Buena Park neighborhood. He appeared to be on drugs and hallucinating, officers wrote in a police report. Guerrero tested positive for cocaine and alcohol during his autopsy.

Guerrero told police he was dying and that he didnt want to die, and he could be clearly seen as suffering from some form of respiratory crisis, according to the Fire Departments internal affairs report.

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The paramedics missteps started when they got out of their ambulance with no equipment, the report says. The breakdown in protocol continued from there, according to the findings.

Police body camera footage reviewed by investigators shows Ibrahim and Schultz conducted no preliminary assessment of Guerrero upon arriving, despite his apparent medical crisis, the report said. The paramedics then asked Guerrero, who was nude, to walk 50 feet to the ambulance, and he got up and followed the command.

Leonardo Guerrero died in August 2022 as Chicago Fire Department paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital after he was found outside his residence. (Phillip Liming photo)

After getting in the ambulance, Guerrero was reluctant to lie down and tried to leave, the report says. The paramedics then secured him to a stretcher, and police handcuffed him to it.

As Schultz drove the ambulance to nearby Thorek Memorial Hospital, Ibrahim sat by Guerreros head, with a police officer also sitting in view of Guerrero. The body camera footage shows Guerrero was lapsing in and out of consciousness and gasping for air during the three-minute ride.

As Guerreros breathing slowed, Ibrahim chatted with the police officer and talked about his day, according to the report.

Ibrahim did not assess or care for the patient at all, the report said.

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Schultz noticed that the previously agitated patient did not appear to be moving and seemed calm when the ambulance arrived at the hospitals emergency room bay, he told investigators. Schultz said he asked Ibrahim if the man was still alive. Ibrahim replied that he was, Schultz told investigators.

Ibrahim then told Schultz to alert emergency room personnel that they had arrived, according to the report. As Schultz waited to speak with a nurse on the phone in the hospital, Ibrahim took around five minutes to fill in paperwork, still making no attempt to assess or communicate with Guerrero, according to the report.

The patient was simply left unmonitored, unassessed and untreated, the report said.

When a police officer pointed out that Guerrero appeared to no longer be breathing, Ibrahim checked his pulse for the first time and loosened the restraints, the report said. They were just feet away from the emergency room. Body camera footage shows Ibrahim telling police to shut the door of the ambulance, the report said.

Ibrahim performed CPR in the ambulance before Guerrero was brought into the emergency room, where he was pronounced dead.

The medical examiners office determined that cocaine and ethanol (or alcohol) toxicity, high blood pressure and stress complicating restraint caused Guerreros death. The office determined the death was a homicide, noting it occurred partly because of a volitional, potentially harmful act of another, but adding that the ruling does not mean anyone intended to cause fatal injury.

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The restraint and the use of drugs and alcohol are intertwined, the autopsy says. It is not possible to separate out the extent that each played in his death, nor to say with certainty if his death would have occurred with only one or the other.

Body camera footage shows Ibrahim telling emergency room personnel Guerrero just coded right as we pulled in as he was moved inside the hospital, the report says. The claim was clearly a false statement, it adds.

Fire Department protocol requires paramedics to notify hospitals before ambulances arrive. Ibrahim wrote in a patient care report he had unsuccessfully called the hospital three times. But body camera footage shows no evidence of Ibrahim calling the hospital and captures him telling Schultz he had not called, the report said.

Ibrahim had to say in the report that he called the hospital three times because the Fire Departments software did not have an option for did not call, Walsh, his attorney, said. Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford confirmed the departments software previously did not allow paramedics to say in their reports that they hadnt called the hospital. He said the software has since been changed.

In Ibrahims patient report, he indicated that he had been unable to test Guerreros vital signs due to safety concerns for crew and officers, but said he was able to complete a basic impaired consciousness examination that involves visual and physical assessment. The investigation notes he never tried to physically assess Guerrero before the man stopped breathing.

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The paramedic described Guerrero as combative in the patient report, a word officers also used in police reports, and Ibrahim told investigators Guerreros demeanor prevented immediate definitive care. Ibrahims patient report also describes Guerrero as not injured, despite the body camera footage showing him bleeding from abrasions on both knees.

Ibrahims notes were at best inaccurate and at worst wholly falsified, the internal affairs report says. Schultz also signed the patient report.

While body camera footage shows an agitated Guerrero not following an initial command to lie down in the ambulance, it also shows that at no time did (he) become combative, according to the internal affairs report.

[ Paramedics under investigation after not immediately tending to teen with gunshot wound to head ]

Ibrahim told investigators he had visually assessed Guerrero and determined it was best to transport him quickly to the emergency room instead of providing immediate care. He also said he closed the ambulance doors upon realizing Guerrero wasnt breathing because he wanted to protect the patients privacy, the report said.

Ibrahim received a six-month suspension from the Illinois Department of Public Health, meaning he will be licensed to work as a paramedic in Illinois in late April. Schultzs state paramedic license was suspended for three months, an IDPH spokesperson said.

The suspensions are too short, Guerreros family said.

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These people should never be allowed to work in a field like that again, sister Veronica Guerrero said. Paramedic training should be reformed, his family said.

Guerreros family has tried to obtain more information about his death, even flying to Chicago from Texas the day after he died, but had not been made aware that the Fire Department completed its investigation until speaking with the Tribune.

Phillip Liming holds a picture of himself, left, with friend and former roommate Leonardo Guerrero, while standing outside their former residence in the 800 block of West Buena Avenue, Jan. 20, 2023. Guerrero died in August as Chicago Fire Department paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital after he was found outside the building. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Guerreros mother and four of his five sisters, all of whom live in Texas, and his best friend and roommate, Phillip Liming, said they were not aware of the details surrounding his death. The family hired a lawyer and is considering legal action.

His loved ones remember Guerrero as a peacemaking teddy bear. The sometimes shy, big bartender had an infectious laugh, played with his nieces and nephews like a big child, and was quick to tell others he loved them, they said.

The Fire Departments description of the medical care Guerrero received before dying made them feel angry and hurt, they said. The loved ones believe paramedics wrote Guerrero off when they first saw him as a naked, intoxicated Hispanic man.

They just saw a homeless person in their eyes. They saw no value, Guerrero Tanguma said.

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Their brother had a strong fear of doctors, and 911 calls show he had been shouting out for help before police arrived, Guerreros sisters said. Guerrero was not a combative person, they reiterated, and it must have been scary and humiliating for him to be suffering a medical emergency and be asked to walk naked to the ambulance, they added.

It hurts us to know he suffered, Guerrero Tanguma said.

Walsh said Guerreros death should not cause the end of Ibrahims paramedic career. Ibrahim is an exceptional young man who chose a life of service to the people of Chicago and could be a valuable resource to any community he serves, Walsh said.

Walsh said Ibrahim was in the best position to see Guerreros condition while the man was being transported and he did not see any signs that he had coded before the ambulance arrived at the hospital. Ibrahim also never intended to submit false reports, he added.

Ibrahim made $79,217 while working for the CFD in 2020 after he was hired in early March of that year, according to the Illinois Answers Project.

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Despite choosing to fire Ibrahim and suspend Schultz, fire officials did not immediately disclose for how long they suspended Schultz. Through a Fire Department spokesperson, Schultz declined to comment. The department cited the less egregious nature of his actions and his status as a newly hired candidate fire paramedic as reasons for the lighter discipline given to him.

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The core mission of the Chicago Fire Department is to save lives and protect property. The actions of these paramedics, in totality, did not adhere to our policies and procedures to do all we can to provide the best medical care on the scene and en route to the appropriate medical emergency department, Langford said.

Coming to the paramedics defense, the Local 2 Chicago Firefighters Union described Guerreros death as a tragedy and the body camera footage as heart-rending, but added that it does not tell the full story.

Ibrahim and Schultz were on their 19th run of their shift, which came as the crew had been working 24-hours-on, 24-hours-off for months, the union said. Local 2 plans to arbitrate for Ibrahim to regain his job because of the strain which he was under and other extenuating circumstances and called on the city to provide citizens with enough ambulances and first responders.

Tribune reporter Rosemary Sobol contributed.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday said he had conveyed his desire to be discharged of his duties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a series of tweets, Governor Koshyari expressed his desire to quit as the constitutional head of the state. "During the recent visit of the Prime Minister to Mumbai, I have conveyed to him my desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities and to spend the remainder of my life in reading, writing and other activities. I have always received love and affection from the Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard," tweeted Raj Bhavan "It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great State like Maharashtra - the land of Saints, Social reformers and valiant fighters. I can never forget the love and affection I have received from the people of Maharashtra during the last little more than three years," Raj Bhavan said. Earlier this month, Koshyari at an event said he has been unhappy after becoming the Governor and feels that he is not in the right place. He said that he feels happy and in the right place only when 'Sannyasis' come to the Raj Bhavan. Koshyari was appointed the Governor of Maharashtra in September 2019. In November last year, he courted controversy after calling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an "old icon" while addressing a function at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad. An outrage sparked following his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Maharashtra. (ANI)
A day after Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted that he had assured actor Shah Rukh Khan over the phone that the state government will ensure no untoward incidents happen during the release of his film 'Pathaan', the Assam chief minister on Monday said the actor had messaged him requesting for the phone call. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Assam CM said, "Shah Rukh Khan sent me a message introducing himself and saying that he wants to talk to me." Sarma said he assured the superstar that there won't be any disturbance in the state around the release of his film. "I had many requests for phone calls, so after completing my queues, we spoke at 2 am. He had messaged me at 7.40 pm asking to speak on the phone. He said that some problems have taken place regarding his film's release. I asked the name of his film, to which he replied it was 'Pathaan'. Then, I told him that there would not be any disturbance over the film in the state," he said. He added that he does not have much interest in movies and there are more burning issues that require his attention. "I am not much interested in movies and only know film stars from my boyhood. I didn't know Shah Rukh Khan. I saw that our phone call was trending on social media. So many 'Pathaans' come and go, we have more burning issues to care about," the Assam CM added. The Assam CM on Sunday said that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan called him late at night and expressed concern over reports about protests by a rightwing outfit in Guwahati against the release of his film. CM Sarma said that he assured SRK that the state government will maintain law and order and ensure no such incident takes place during the release of his film. "Bollywood actor Shri @iamsrk called me and we talked today morning at 2 am. He expressed concern about an incident in Guwahati during the screening of his film. I assured him that it's the duty of the state govt to maintain law & order. We'll enquire and ensure no such untoward incidents," he tweeted. On Friday, reacting to alleged protests by a rightwing outfit in Assam against the release of Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Pathaan', Sarma said he doesn't know Shah Rukh Khan neither is he aware of the movie 'Pathaan'. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Sarma said, "Who is Shah Rukh Khan? Why should we care? We already have many Shah Rukh Khans?" He said people should instead talk about the release of the Assamese film 'Dr Bezabaruah 2'. "I have not heard about any movie by the name of 'Pathaan' and neither do I have any time for it," CM Sarma said."We should rather focus on watching the Assamese movie Dr Bezbaruah part 2, which has been directed by Sanjive Narain," he added. Several rightwingers allegedly stormed into a cinema hall in Assam's Narengi on Friday, vandalising property and burning down posters of 'Pathaan'. Earlier, on January 5, members of the same rightwing outfit allegedly created a ruckus at Alpha One Mall in Ahmedabad's Vastrapur, wrecking property and tearing down posters of the movie. 'Pathaan' has been mired in controversy ever since Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra objected to one of its songs -- 'Besharam Rang'. Mishra had said, "The costumes in the song, at first glance, are objectionable. It is clear that the song of the film 'Pathaan' has been shot with a dirty mindset." Helmed by Siddharth Anand, 'Pathaan' starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, is scheduled to release in theatres on January 25. (ANI)
Bombay High Court on Monday rejected the bail petition of Pradeep Sharma, former 'encounter specialist' of Mumbai Police in the 'Antilia' bomb scare case. The bail petition of Pradeep Sharma was challenged by National Investigation Agency (NIA). Pradeep Sharma was arrested in June 2021. The NIA has objected to the bail plea of the former police officer earlier too. Earlier in May last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) while opposing the bail plea of Shiv Sena leader and former encounter specialist of Mumbai Police Pradeep Sharma in Bombay High Court said that he was paid Rs 45 lakhs by suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze to kill businessman Mansukh Hiren, the owner of the explosive-laden vehicle that was found outside Antilia. NIA in its affidavit to the Bombay High Court in May 2022, termed Pradeep Sharma the "main conspirator" in the Mansukh Hiren murder case. Earlier in a charge sheet NIA had said, "On March 3, 2021, accused Sachin Waze met accused Pradeep Sharma at Police Station Foundation office, Andheri (East), Mumbai during evening time and handed over a rexine bag containing a large amount of cash (bundles of Indian currency note of Rs 500 denomination). Thereafter accused Pradeep Sharma called accused Santosh Shelar to ascertain the registration number of the vehicle arranged by him. Accused Santosh Shelar conveyed the details as to accused Sachin Waze." The charge sheet had also revealed that on realising that the investigation relating to the planting of an explosive-laden SUV at Carmichael Road in South Mumbai, near the house of industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence on February 25, was getting transferred to a senior police officer, Waze pressurised Hiran to take up the responsibility for the said crime, so that the investigation of the case can be vitiated in his favour. But the proposal was turned down by Hiran, stated the chargesheet. NIA arrested Waze in March 2021 in connection with the investigation into the recovery of explosives from a car parked near Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai. Waze is the prime accused in placing an explosives-laden vehicle near Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani's house Antilia in Mumbai on February 25, 2021. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday called upon the public representatives to make efforts to speed up the industrial development in their respective regions. CM Yogi held a meeting with MPs and MLAs of Unnao, Lucknow and Hardoi districts at his residence on Monday and inquired about the status of development works from the public representatives in their respective areas. They apprised the Chief Minister of the demands of the people and also gave new proposals for development works. The Chief Minister said that after inviting 16 countries to the proposed UP Global Investors Summit in February, the state delegation's visit to major cities of India has been successful. According to an official statement, the global industry is impressed by the UP's industrial development-friendly environment and investment-friendly policies and the state is getting investments worth lakhs of crores. CM Yogi said every district of the state will get its benefit. The Chief Minister said that the dredging of the rivers has yielded good results to solve the problems of river erosion and floods. The help of drone technology is also being taken in this. Construction of new embankments and repair of old ones are also being done. He urged the MPs and MLAs to monitor these works in their areas. Describing the role of public representatives as important in shaping the possibilities of eco-tourism in Unnao and Hardoi, CM Yogi spoke about the need to prepare a better action plan and make necessary efforts. He said this will generate employment in the region. Emphasizing infrastructure development in villages, the Chief Minister said that the government has started 'Mathrubhoomi Yojana'. Informing about the plan for the development of a night safari near Kukrail picnic spot in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said that this scheme will expand the possibilities of tourism. The Chief Minister said that in the last five and a half years, proper roads have been made even in remote villages. Clean drinking water has become accessible in every house. There is strong law and order. He said that the state government is setting up fire stations at all tehsil headquarters in a phased manner. Trained personnel will be deployed in every fire station. "There is a huge land bank, better connectivity, and efficient human resource. By developing better infrastructure, a better environment has been created for industrial development. The state government is giving all possible cooperation for development. All of you should do branding of this potential of your area. With this investment will come here and employment opportunities will be created," CM Yogi told the public representatives. Taking inspiration from foreign and domestic investor road shows, various districts organized investor conferences with their own efforts. Investment proposals worth rupess thousands of crores are being received in these district-level investor conferences. Communication with the investors should be continued at places where the events have already been held, the Chief Minister said. Yogi said that today investment is coming in every district of the state. Refering to Lucknow, Unnao and Hardoi districts, he said the region has immense opportunities in every sector including agriculture, food processing, dairy, textiles, biofuels and solar energy. The Chief Minister said that all the districts should be connected with the main function of the Global Investors Summit to be held between February 10-12. CM Yogi said that public representatives should give wide publicity to the new industrial policies of the state government. A discussion should be organized among the youth in universities, colleges, polytechnics and ITIs. (ANI)
In continuation of the same report, the hearing for his plea is on January 30.

Earlier, the Vasai Court in Maharashtra on January 13 rejected the bail plea of the TV actor.

The court observed, "Sheezan and Tunisha broke their relationship on December 15 after which she died of a panic attack. It has also been revealed that Sheezan was the last person to meet Tunisha before she died."

The actor has been in judicial custody in connection with Tunisha's death case.

Moreover, Sheezan's family had earlier claimed that he had been falsely being implicated in the case by the late actor's mother. They further claimed that Tunisha was like a "family" to them.

Sheezan Khan was reportedly dating Tunisha Sharma, who was allegedly found hanging at a TV serial set on December 24, a fortnight after the two reportedly broke up their few-months-long relationship.

Within hours of the actress' demise, Sheezan Khan, who worked with the 20-year-old actor in 'Ali Baba Dastaan-E-Kabul', was arrested on charges of abetment to suicide. (ANI)
Amid the political storm over Digvijaya Singh's remarks on surgical strikes, Congress on Monday distanced itself from the party leader's statement stating that it supports "all military actions" in "national interest". Jairam Ramesh issued a clarification after the reactions poured in from the Bharatiya Janata Party and defence experts who slammed Singh for stating that there is "no proof of the surgical strike that took place against Pakistan." Taking to Twitter, Ramesh claimed that the surgical strikes were carried out by the UPA government as well. "The views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress. Surgical strikes were carried out before 2014 by the UPA government. Congress has supported and will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest," Ramesh tweeted. This comes after Digvijaya Singh said that there is no proof of the surgical strike against Pakistan, while the Centre claims to have carried out the attack. "They (Centre) talk about surgical strikes and that they have killed so many of them but there is no proof," said Digvijaya Singh in his address in Jammu today. Earlier today, the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the opposition party has been "blinded" by its "hate" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has "insulted" the armed forces while adding that such statements are made at the behest of the top leadership of Congress. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that it has become a "character" of the Congress party to make "irresponsible remarks". "Congress leaders are doing Bharat todo on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi. Digvijaya Singh has become a symbol of giving venomous remarks. Trust in the Army is unbreakable and above politics. If the Army said that there was a surgical strike, then also you ask for proof repeatedly. This shows that you do not have faith in our Army," Bhatia said. "It has become a character of Congress to give irresponsible statements. But if they speak against the Indian Army, it won't be tolerated. It seems that Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh have been blinded by their hatred towards Narendra Modi. They do not even realise their responsibilities," he added.Defence expert Praful Bakshi reacted to the Congress leader's remark and said that the Indian Army is not bound to give proof about the Surgical strikes it conducted in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, adding that the government knows that sharing the details of the attack is "against the policy of the army". The expert said that if Congress wants to see the proof, the party should "ask the Pakistanis". Speaking to ANI, Defence expert Bakshi said, "The Army does not give any proof. What proof should it give and why? If you want to know, ask the Pakistanis. If they are your friends, they will tell you, if not, they won't. Nobody can compel the Army to give proof. If the government wants to give proof, it can. But the government also knows that it would be against the policy of the Army. The Pakistanis levelled the place where the attack took place. It does not matter who says what. I think it is not even a question. The media should not react to this." The expert said that Pakistan has come down to its knees after the strikes, adding that it is the duty of the Army "not to answer". "It is about national security. The strike was conducted for the country. Neither the Army nor the government is bound to answer how and why the strikes were conducted. Pakistan has come to its knees after the strikes. Now their Prime Minister wants good relations with India. It is the duty of the Army not to answer even if the almighty asks," he said. (ANI)
A passenger on a SpiceJet flight was "offloaded" because of his misbehaviour with one of the female cabin crew members, on Monday, the airline informed in a statement. In the video accessed by ANI, the flight crew and passengers are seen involved in a verbal spat after a male passenger allegedly behaved inappropriately with a female crew member. The passenger was later de-boarded off the flight. "On January 23, 2023, SpiceJet wet-leased Corendon aircraft was scheduled to operate SG-8133 (Delhi - Hyderabad). During boarding at Delhi, one passenger behaved in an unruly and inappropriate manner, harassing and causing disturbance to the cabin crew. The crew informed the PIC and security staff of the same. The said passenger and a co-passenger, who were travelling together, were offloaded and handed over to the security team," the airline released a statement. The crew alleged that the passenger had touched one of the crew members inappropriately. On the other hand, fellow passengers claimed that it was an accident due to the confined area on the flight. The passenger later gave a written apology, but he was offloaded to avoid any further conflicts. Earlier this month on January 9, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to the Accountable Manager of Air India after two incidents of passenger misbehaviour occurring on the airline's flight AI-142 from Paris to New Delhi on December 6 last year came to the notice of the regulator. The show cause notice said why enforcement action "should not be taken against them for dereliction of their regulatory obligations". One passenger was caught smoking in the toilet, was drunk and not listening to the crew. Another passenger allegedly relieved himself on a vacant seat and blanket of a fellow female passenger when she went to the lavatory. In another similar incident, an altercation incident between two intoxicated passengers was reported on January 9 on a Patna-bound flight of IndiGo airlines. The airlines had refuted any such reported incident of two drunk passengers causing havoc on a Patna-bound flight from the national capital and said that no such altercation had taken place. "With reference to the incident that took place onboard 6E 6383 from Delhi to Patna, the matter is under investigation by the authorities. We would like to clarify that there was no altercation onboard the aircraft, as what is being reported in some sections of social media," IndiGo Airlines had said in a tweet. The airlines issued clarification hours after the media reported that the airport police have arrested two passengers for allegedly creating havoc in an inebriated state on Sunday night. Patna Airport SHO Robert Peter said that the police took action after the manager of IndiGo filed a written complaint against the accused. (ANI)
Former judge of the Delhi Court Justice RS Sodhi, whose video interview was shared by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, on Monday reckoned changes in the manner of the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts. In an interaction with ANI, ex-judge Justice RS Sodhi spoke on various drawbacks of the Collegium system and said it was a flop system. "I think the collegium system is a flop," the retired judge said adding that it should never have happened. Now it has happened and the country has tested this we found that now it has not worked therefore it should be changed, he said. He said, "what change has to come is a question of debate and he leaves it open for parliament so that they can debate and parliament can take opinions from sitting judges." He also mentioned huge numbers of judges in various High courts and said that these judges are brilliant and have their opinions. He raised the question of why the views of HC judges are not been taken into consideration. "Their voice should be heard. Their opinion should be heard," he said. He thanked the law minister for approving what he has opined. Retired judge Justice Sodhi said that whatever he had said was not a political statement but a general concern on Judiciary. He said the Collegium system is not an appropriate one and stressed changes. He said that the Collegium system has not improved the independence of the judiciary and it has diluted the independence. Retired Judge Justice Sodhi said High Courts are supreme at their own level and the Supreme Court is supreme at its level. But due to the present systems, every single order like bail and other various issues passed by the High Courts are challenged in the Supreme Court, he said. The retired Judge said in which country judges appoint judges but in India, it is happening which needs to be changed. While speaking to ANI, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is not satisfied with the Collegium system of appointing judges, said, "It is just a follow-up action of the letters written earlier to CJI following the direction of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench while striking down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act. The SC Constitution Bench had directed to restructure the MoP of the collegium system." Rijiji's letter to the CJI pitched for the inclusion of government representatives in the Supreme Court Collegium. According to the Centre, this will infuse transparency and accountability to the public in the court's decision-making process with respect to the appointment of judges. The Supreme Court Constitution Bench had directed the restructuring of the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) of the collegium system. The MoP is a document that sets out the procedure for the appointment of judges to High Courts and the Supreme Court. Under the present Collegium system, the Chief Justice of India along with four senior-most Supreme Court judges recommend appointments and transfers of judges. Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, KM Joseph, MR Shah, Ajay Rastogi and Sanjiv Khanna are among the current collegium of the Supreme Court. (ANI)
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Naval Group France have extended cooperation for entering into the detailed design phase for the integration of indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) in the Kalvari class. In a major boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat, an initiative of the government, the Fuel Cell based AIP System of DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) will soon be ready to be fitted onboard INS Kalvari. AIP has a force multiplier effect on the lethality of a diesel-electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat, several folds. Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies and is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. This technology has been successfully developed by NMRL with the support of Indian industry partners and has now reached the stage of maturity for industrialization. It is worth mentioning that the land-based prototype of the NMRL's AIP has been tested successfully. This new endeavour between DRDO (NMRL) and Naval Group France will be a very significant step towards the detailed design certification of the energy module, which will be performed by NMRL along with the Indian industry and design of the platforms impacted by the integration of the indigenous AIP inside the Indian submarine by Naval Group. These actions will seamlessly lead the way to the start of localization and industrialization of AIP including the hull fabrication by the Indian industry for future fitment on-board the submarines.On this occasion, Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO at Naval Group congratulated the team by saying "We are very proud to cooperate with Indian stakeholders to safely integrate the DRDO AIP in the Kalvari class submarines built by MDL. This is a natural extension of strategic bilateral cooperation shared between France and India in the field of underwater defence and deterrence and in the spirit of the Naval Group's continued commitment towards Atmanirbhar Bharat policy." (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday said that Indian history is 'distorted' and we need to document the stories of the forgotten freedom fighters. Addressing an event here in Chennai, Ravi said, "Unfortunately after the British left, all those who fought them, and were not necessarily members of the Indian National Congress who waged a non-violent struggle, were slowly forgotten." "We can't forget those who picked up arms against the British Raj and lost their lives at the prime of their youth," he said. The Tamil Nadu Governor added that previous governments considered spending on defence as 'unproductive expenditures'. "After independence, we started undermining our freedom fighters and even our Army, so much so that we considered spending on them as 'unproductive expenditures'. We thought that everything will happen with peace, but forgot that unless you are strong, no one listens to your word of peace," he said. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar after 21 Param Vir Chakra recipients. "Today, Prime Minister has named 21 islands on Andaman and Nicobar islands after 21 Param Vira Chakra awardees. Those who displayed extraordinary valour and lost their lives defending our freedom and the territorial integrity of the country have been immortalised," he said. Ravi said that stories of many freedom fighters need to be documented as the country doesn't yet have an authentic historical account of its freedom movement. "Our history has been distorted. India is yet to have an authentic history of its national freedom movement. Our freedom movement didn't begin in 1857, it began on Day 1 of when the British started colonising the country and occupying territories. All this must be documented. It's a big task but I know we can do it," he further said. The Tamil Nadu governor earlier stoked a massive row after he suggested that the state be renamed as 'Tamizhagam'. (ANI)
Students from St. Therese Chinese Catholic School perform with a dragon on Jan. 29, 2023, during the Lunar New Year Parade through Chicago's Chinatown. The annual event, this year celebrating the start of the Year of the Rabbit, returned for the first time since the pandemic. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off over the weekend in Chicago, but Sundays events were marred by news of a gunman killing 10 people and wounding 10 others Saturday night at a Los Angeles-area Lunar New Year celebration.

For many, this year was supposed to be a return to normalcy after restrictions and lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the celebration in 2021 and a limited event last year.

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[ Face masks selling out and Lunar New Year events canceled as Chicagos Chinese community reacts to coronavirus spread ]

At St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chinatown, the sound of 8,000 firecrackers marked the beginning of Sundays celebration.

Families sat shoulder to shoulder as the pews were filled to capacity with around 300 people. Parishioners and students from St. Therese Chinese Catholic School performed traditional dances that honored their Chinese culture. The service showcased Catholic and Chinese traditions and focused on the importance of family, blessings and prosperity.

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The Rev. Francis Li began Mass on a somber note.

He asked the parish to pray for the people killed and wounded in Monterey Park, a city on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, and also for the gunman. We want peace, said Li. We want people to feel safe. We have faith, and we place our hope in Jesus.

The Rev. Francis Li offers a prayer for the victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, as he begins Mass on Sunday at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chinatown. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

According to The Associated Press, the Saturday night shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio left five women and five men dead and wounded another 10 people. Shortly after, a man with a gun entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in nearby Alhambra. Authorities believe the two events are connected.

The suspect in both cases was described as an Asian male. He entered the Alhambra club with a gun, and people wrestled the weapon away from him before he fled, police said.

The 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.

The massacre was the nations 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. In Highland Park, seven people were killed and dozens injured in a shooting at a Fourth of July parade last summer.

[ Highland Park parade shooting: The victims, suspect, community and aftermath ]

Eddy Tan, a father of three children, ages 5, 3 and 9 months, said he didnt hear about the shooting until he was on his way to the church Sunday morning. He said that news was on his mind, but he felt safe in church.

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Tan, who said the festivities were really awesome, hadnt attended the celebration since the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he used to go to the church but now lives in Schaumburg.

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Tan said he wanted to go to the service to introduce his kids to Chinese culture.

We like seeing the community help each other in these times, he said.

Mass is conducted Sunday at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chinatown. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Children perform lion dances to begin a Lunar New Year celebration before Sunday Mass at St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church in Chinatown. Sunday marked the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Michelle Mark and her daughter, Mia, 13, have been going to the celebrations for years. Mia, a student at St. Therese, said having a packed church makes the celebration feel more intimate. Its great to see the community come together as a community.

Mark said she heard about the shootings Sunday morning on her way to church, but it didnt affect her decision to come to the celebration. You cant live in fear, she said.

Lunar Year Celebrations will continue around Chicagoland for the next 15 days. The Lunar New Year Parade will take place in Chinatown on Jan. 29.

The Associated Press contributed.
The Delhi Police has increased the deployment of security equipment and personnel at the Red Fort, ahead of the Republic Day 2023 preparations, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Khalsi informed on Monday. Talking to ANI, DCP North said that they carry out the security arrangements in two-fold under verification and briefing. "Firstly, we carry out door-to-door verifications of cinema halls, hotels, and guest houses, from around 2-2.5 months back. Under this, our foot and vehicle patrolling are beefed up. Secondly, we carry out briefing, under which, we brief people that if they find any suspicious people or object, they should inform the nearest police stations and authorities," he said. "If we receive any specific inputs regarding a particular group, then we carry out proper verification of people and sympathisers of these groups. This time also we have beefed up security and night patrolling," he said. DCP (North) further said that this year they are focussing more towards the 'quality' of CCTV cameras, so as to shorten the time between detecting and responding. "Based on some inputs, we increased local security at the Red Fort on both human and technological fronts. We are sure that due to our preparations, no untoward incident will happen," he said. He said that the procurement and capacity building of the police has increased in view of the G20 summit. On being asked about some alleged 'Khalistani graffitis' written in some parts of Delhi, the DCP (North) said that arrangements near the Red Fort are very tight and no such thing will happen at the Red Fort. (ANI)
Union Minister Arjun Munda on Monday slammed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over UK's British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)'s documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he should respect the Supreme Court which gave a clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister. Hitting out at PM Modi over the Centre's move to block the BBC documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots, Owaisi questioned whether the Prime Minister would also block the upcoming movie on Godse, who assassinated MK Gandhi. "Modi government has banned BBC interviews on Twitter and YouTube in India. We ask PM Modi whether someone from outside the earth or from the sky killed the people in the Gujarat riots?" he said. Slamming Owaisi's statement on PM Modi regarding the documentary, Munda said, "The country is growing under the leadership of PM Modi. But it is sad to see that people pelt more stones at the tree which bears more fruits. The country is in a stable condition and is moving forward just because of our Prime Minister." Citing the Supreme Court judgement on the Gujarat riots, the Minister said that the decision of the top court should be accepted by all. "In many cases, the Supreme Court has made it clear, taking into account all the factors in its decision, it has explained what kind of people were responsible for the Gujarat riots. The Supreme Court has also clearly stated those who are innocent. What the Supreme Court has said should be respected because all things that happen in this country, the courts interpret them and give justice," Munda said. UK's British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a two-part series attacking PM Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms. In a strong rebuttal to the BBC documentary on Modi, more than 300 eminent Indians including retired judges, retired bureaucrats, and retired armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing "unrelenting prejudice" toward India and its leader. (ANI)
Amid the row over British national broadcaster BBC's documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the All India Bar Association (AIBA) demanded the Union Home Ministry initiate a special investigation into "international conspiracy" angle. AIBA chairman Adish C Aggarwala said, "As chairman of All India Bar Association, I have written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to order a 360-degree probe into an international conspiracy angle in BBC's Documentary 'India: The Modi Question' by constituting a special investigation team comprising of a retired supreme court judge, jurist and investigators." "The international conspiracy is evident from the fact that Narendra Modi has been given clean chit by all relevant institutions including Supreme Court long back. The contents of the said documentary are not related to any current topic. Some foreign agencies are jealous of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he has been very successful in tackling all domestic and international issues," added Aggarwala. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, AIBA chairman and senior advocate Adish C Aggarwala has pointed out that the AIBA considers the timing of the so-called documentary, its contents and the way it had been conceived and promoted as "dangerous", and calls upon the Government of India to order a 360-degree probe into the international conspiracy angle. This documentary should neither be seen as a one-off adverse media report or brushed aside as a superficial and half-baked attempt to undermine the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his individual capacity, the AIBA said. The Bar Association said invisible hands behind this documentary and the minds that got together to stitch an imaginary tale with discredited and rejected evidence should be identified and brought to the book. (ANI)
A bench of justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath dismissed the plea filed by Naval Kishor Sharma seeking to register a complaint case against Yogi Adityanath.

"We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court. The special leave petition is, accordingly, dismissed," the court said.

The petitioner has challenged the Allahabad High Court order dated September 30 2022.

Allahabad High Court has dismissed the petitioner's plea challenging an order dated April 26, 2022, passed by the Sessions Judge in Mau in Uttar Pradesh as well as an order dated 11.03.2022 passed by Civil Judge in Mau. The petitioner has prayed to direct to register a complaint case against the respondent.

According to the petitioner, on November 28, 2018, Yogi Adityanath addressed a public meeting with regard to the general Vidhan Sabha Elections in Malakheda, Alwar (Rajasthan) in which he stated certain words due to which the religious sentiments of the public have been hurt. (ANI)
The Kanchipuram district police arrested a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary for putting up derogatory remarks about Chief Minister MK Stalin and his family. Police said Jagadeesan, who was a member of the BJP in the district maligned the CM and used derogatory comments against him and his family after which the DMK's lawyers in the district filed a complaint against him. A case was registered against the BJP functionary by the Cyber Crime Wing of the Kanchipuram district police on the basis of the petition filed by the lawyers of the DMK under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the accused was arrested, police said. Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday passed a resolution in the party's executive meeting at Cuddalore against Chief Minister MK Stalin seeking his apology for 'disrespectful' remarks against Governor RN Ravi. This comes after Stalin on January 14 took a veiled dig at Governor RN Ravi without mentioning his name during a Youth wing event organised to remember DMK founder Peraringar Anna. "Today someone is lamenting that the name of Tamil Nadu should not be used. We should not give more importance to such publicity campaigns," Stalin said. In the BJP resolution passed, the party condemned the state government for the incident which occurred during the Governor's customary address at the opening session of the House in which Congress and the VCK, started raising slogans against the Governor and staged a walkout.The resolution also condemned the Stalin government for not arresting RS Bharathi and Sivaji Krishnamoorthy who allegedly humiliated the Governor. "If the Governor refuses to utter the name of Ambedkar in his Assembly speech, do I not have the right to assault him?" If you (Governor) do not read out the speech given by the Tamil Nadu government, then go to Kashmir, and we will send terrorists so that they'll gun you down," Krishnamoorthy had said. The BJP also condemned Stalin for using 'disrespectful' language against the Governor. During the meeting, it was also decided that BJP state chief Annamalai would start his yatra across the state from Tiruchendur on April 14. Further details on the yatra will be revealed later.On Wednesday, January 9, the Governor sparked a controversy with his statement that the name 'Thamizhagam' would be more appropriate for the state. Governor Ravi's remark during his customary address at the opening session of the House on Monday, triggered an uproar, especially from the Treasury benches. Legislators of Congress and the VCK staged a walkout. Congress and Communist parties and other allies protested outside Raj Bhavan against TN Governor RN Ravi earlier over the speech row. CPM protested today near Little Mount. (ANI)
Jawaharlal Nehru University on Monday warned against the screening of the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been banned by the Centre in the country, stating that strict action will be taken against the students who defy the order. This comes after a group of students released a pamphlet for the screening of the documentary on Tuesday. According to an advisory issued by the JNU administration, the group of students in the name of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union, have not sought permission for the screening of "India: The Modi Question", the BBC documentary, from the administration. It said that such "unauthorized activity" may "disturb peace and harmony" of the University campus. "It has come to the notice of the administration that a group of students have in the name of JNUSU released a pamphlet for screening a documentary/movie "India: The Modi Question" scheduled for 24th January, 2023 at 9:00 p.m. in Teflas," the advisory said. "No prior permission for this event has been taken from the JNU Administration. This is to emphasize that such an unauthorized activity may disturb peace and harmony of the University Campus," it added. The administration advised the individuals to cancel the screening warning of strict action against them upon the non-compliance with the advisory. "The concerned students/individuals are firmly advised to cancel the proposed programme immediately, failing which strict disciplinary action may be initiated as per the University rules. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority," it said. Earlier last week, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing as a 'propaganda piece' designed to push a discredited narrative. "We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing. The MEA spokesperson added that the documentary is a reflection of individuals that are peddling this narrative again. Meanwhile, in a strong response to the BBC documentary, more than 300 eminent Indians, including retired judges, bureaucrats, and armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing "unrelenting prejudice" towards India and its leader. (ANI)
Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) on Monday condemned Forbes India's decision to publish a list of top 25 Advocates-on-Record as a part of its annual 'Legal Powerlist'. SCAORA has unanimously condemned such "misleading and unauthorised" information being spread by an organisation, the association said in a statement. It added that such act amounts to a clear case of misrepresentation and undermines the interests of the Advocates on Record of the Supreme Court. It urged the judges of the top court to take into consideration their concern in the "larger interest" of legal professionals. A statement released by SCAORA said that the Executive Committee of the association has received a complaint regarding a document titled as "Forbes Power List" Top 25 Advocates on Record. "After having deliberated upon it, SCAORA unanimously resolves that SCAORA condemn such misleading and unauthorised information being spread by an organisation, as the same amounts to a clear case of misrepresentation and undermines the interests of Advocates on Record of the Supreme Court. It is resolved that SCAORA would request Judges to take into consideration our concern in the larger interest of legal professionals," the statement stated. The lawyers' association feels that the act of publicity is against professional ethics because it amounts to publicising the advocates. Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules states that Indian law firms and lawyers are not allowed to advertise their practice in the market, both offline or online. The rule states that an advocate in India cannot solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly by circulars, advertisements, personal communications or interviews, or by furnishing or inspiring newspaper comments or producing photographs to be published in connection with their cases. (ANI)
"Congress means corruption. A few of their leaders like DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah are still breathing, but their breath will stop after the Assembly elections. BJP will come to power in Karnataka," Yediyurappa told reporters.

The BJP leader took a jibe at former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah saying the Congress leader has been doing drama in fear of losing in the upcoming state assembly polls.

"Siddaramaiah is indulging in political drama, he will not contest from Kolar as he is bound to lose," he added.

Karnataka Congress held a massive protest across Bengaluru on Monday against the BJP government.

The party raised slogans against alleged corruption by the BJP government in the state. Party workers carried placards of "Save Bengaluru".

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar and legislature party leader Siddaramaiah are among the leaders who participated in the protest.

"The Youth is tired of BJP's 40 per cent government. Jobs scams, lack of opportunities and hegemony of a corrupt minister. change is written on the wall. Congress is change," tweeted Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The assembly polls in Karnataka are slated for later this year. (ANI)
Sawant has approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. According to the prosecution, Rakhi Sawant showed some videos of the complainant which are sexually explicit in nature to the media.

The bench of Justice MS Karnik posted the matter for tomorrow.

Mumbai police have registered a case against Sawant on the model-actor's complaint on January 19 alleging that Sawant made inappropriate videos and photos of her which has gone viral.

The Mumbai Police said that upon the complaint, an FIR was registered against Rakhi Sawant and advocate Falguni Brahmbhatt.

On Thursday, Sawant was detained by the Amboli police after a Mumbai sessions court rejected her anticipatory bail application on Wednesday.

A feud between the two tinsel town celebrities, Sawant and another has been ongoing for some time now. In November 2022, Rakhi Sawant and the other model filed FIRs against each other for using objectionable language, according to the police on Wednesday. (ANI)
Bihar MLC Maheswar Singh on Monday criticized people for demanding ban on 'Ramcharitmanas', saying such people are "uneducated and brainless". "Some people are demanding to ban 'Ramcharitmanas'...such people are eunuchs...they're uneducated and brainless. They should be punished for insulting it," Maheshwar Singh, independent MLC said while addressing a rally. "Such people don't have any knowledge about 'Ramcharitmanas'," Singh claimed. "I do not believe in politics of caste. Ramcharitmanas taught about the kind of relations between father and son and among brothers," Singh added. Earlier, Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya demanded the deletion of "insulting comments and sarcasm" targeted at particular castes and sects in Ramcharitmanas, a poem based on the epic Ramayana. Speaking to ANI, the SP leader said, "I don't have any issue with Ramcharitramanas but parts of it have insulting comments and sarcasm directed at particular castes and sects. Those should be removed." Maurya further claimed that in the Ramcharitmanas, which was composed by Tulsidas, there are words hurting the sentiments of the Dalit community. Earlier this month, Bihar Education Minister Chadra Shekhar triggered a row with his statement that the Ramcharitmanas is divisive and spread hatred in society. The remarks stirred outrage among Hindu religious leaders and the BJP, which demanded his dismissal from the government. While addressing the students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University, Chandra Shekhar described Ramcharitmanas and Manusmriti as books that divide society. "Why was the Manusmriti burnt? It is because it has insulting remarks against a large section of society. Why was Ramcharitmanas resisted? It is because it speaks against the right of the lower caste people to access education. It says lower caste people turn poisonous if they receive education, just as a snake becomes venomous after drinking milk," the minister said on Sunday.(ANI)
5-year-old Joshua Lopez touches a mural and ofrenda of his mother Marlen Ochoa-Lopez in Pilsen on Dia De Los Muertos on Nov. 2, 2021 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The boyfriend of a woman who is accused, along with her daughter, of strangling 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and cutting her baby out of her womb was sentenced on Monday to four years in prison for his role in the 2019 case that shocked the nation.

Piotr Bobak, 44, pleaded guilty on Monday to a felony count of obstruction of justice and elected to proceed straight to sentencing. He was originally charged with felony counts of concealment of a homicide, concealment of a death and obstruction of justice.

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Not a day goes by that I do not regret my involvement in this horrible crime, Bobak said during the hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas handed down the sentence, choosing to abide by the terms of the plea agreement. Because of day-for-day credit and time already served awaiting trial, Bobak likely has less than four months left to serve, Chiampas noted.

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Bobak was the boyfriend of Clarisa Figueroa, who, along with her daughter, Desiree, is accused of hatching a plan to kill Ochoa, steal the baby she was carrying and pass the boy off as the elder Figueroas son. Ochoa-Lopezs son, Yovani Yadiel Lopez, died at a hospital in June 2019 at the age of seven weeks. The two women are charged with murder and other felonies in the slaying.

During his hearing, Bobak said he had no prior knowledge of what the women planned to do, but used poor judgment after the fact when cleaning up the crime scene.

Family handout of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez (Ochoa-Lopez family photo)

If I had known about the actions ... I would have done everything I could to prevent it, Bobak said.

He wore glasses and an orange jumpsuit, and appeared emotional when speaking about the attack.

His attorney, Jeff Steinback, said Bobak desperately sought a family and a child of his own, and therefore, was the perfect dupe for Clarisa Figueroa, who pretended to be pregnant with Bobaks child.

He believed that child was his child, Steinback said.

Ochoa-Lopez was nine months pregnant when she disappeared, last seen on April 23, 2019, leaving her high school in the Little Village neighborhood.

The Figueroas lured the young mother to their home on Chicagos Southwest Side that day with promises of free baby clothes, prosecutors alleged. Clarisa Figueroa strangled the teen with a cable, according to prosecutors, and sliced open her abdomen from side to side, removed the baby from the womb and placed him inside a bucket.

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The elder Figueroa then called 911 and announced that on her own she had delivered a baby who was not breathing, prosecutors said. As paramedics arrived, she was holding the baby with its placenta and umbilical cord attached. Both were rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center.

About two weeks after Ochoa-Lopez was last seen, detectives investigating her disappearance learned the teen had gone to the Figueroa home the day she disappeared. They went to the home and were told by Desiree Figueroa that her mother had recently had a baby. They found Ochoa-Lopezs car parked nearby.

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Detectives visited Clarisa Figueroa at the hospital, but she denied that the teen came to her home the day she disappeared. Police eventually used DNA to determine Clarisa Figueroa was not the babys mother.

When detectives arrived to search the Figueroa home, Bobak was outside cleaning a rug with bleach and a hose, prosecutors said during a bond hearing in 2019. When Bobak saw the officers, he dropped the bleach and hose, and walked away, they said.

Ochoa-Lopezs decaying body was found in a garbage can outside the Figueroa home Tuesday with the coaxial cables used to strangle her still around her neck, prosecutors said.

At Mondays hearing, Assistant States Attorney Andrew Varga said Bobak knowingly began to clean the premises and remove items when officers served a search warrant on May 14, 2019. Varga, though, said Bobak was intentionally misled by Clarisa Figueroa about the baby.

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Family members of Ochoa-Lopez were not in court on Monday, but were aware of the plea deal, prosecutors said.

Im so sorry for the loss the family has experienced, Bobak said. I regret every minute.

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday said "we ignored our military" until former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri coined the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'. Addressing an event here in Chennai, Ravi said, "We considered spending on the military as an 'unproductive expenditure'. We thought that everything will happen with peace, but forgot that unless you are strong, no one listens to your word of peace." "We ignored our military until former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'," he added. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming the 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar on the name of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. "Today, Prime Minister is naming 21 islands on Andaman and Nicobar islands on the name of 21 Param Vira Chakra awardees. Those who displayed extraordinary valour and lost lives to defend the freedom and the territorial integrity of the country are being immortalised," he said. RN Ravi said that stories of many freedom fighters need to be documented, as India is yet to have an authentic history of its freedom movement "The history has been distorted. India is yet to have an authentic history of India's national freedom movement. Our freedom movement didn't begin in 1857, it began on Day 1 of when the British started colonising the country and occupying territories. All this must be documented. It's a big task but I know that we can do it," he further said. He added that many people fought the British with arms and lost their lives at the prime of their youth. "We can't forget those who picked up arms against the British and lost their lives at the prime of their youth," he said. The Tamil Nadu Governor also pointed out that several freedom fighters remain unsung heroes or have been forgotten. "Unfortunately after the British left, many, who weren't members of the Indian National Congress and did not fight the British through non-violent means, were slowly forgotten." (ANI)
Amid the political row that erupted over the naming of one of the venues at Jaipur Literature Festival as the Mughal Tent, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore has called it an act of "weakening Indian culture". "The way a 'Mughal tent' has been installed in the program remembering the Mughal Sultanate, The installation of the 'Mughal tent' is remembering the Mughal Sultanate. The Mughal Sultanate is a symbol of slavery. The tent is like lauding the symbols which are not right. I condemn it," Rathore said. However, Sanjoy K Roy, the organiser of the festival said it was named 16 years ago and will continue with the same. He said that the leaders have the right to have opinions though the event has nothing to do with politics. "It is their opinion. In Hollywood 'Mughal' word is used to look at a certain lifestyle and not to denominate any religion or people. We have nothing to do with politics. It was named 16 years ago and will continue the same," Roy said while talking to the media here on Saturday. Earlier, BJP MLA from Chomu, Ram Lal Sharma said in a video, "The organisers of JLF are not aware that it is our duty to name elements at the festival based on Rajasthan's culture. Maharana Pratap and Mirabai are all from here, but organisers have named the domes differently. One of the domes is named Mughal Tent. By doing so, what mentality are they trying to promote? Organisers should at least have considered the historical culture of this land." Responding to the BJP leader's remark, Roy said that Ram Lal Sharma was entitled to his opinion."We have the right to what we call each of our venues. Those who say 'why did you name it after Mughals' forget that 'Mughal' represents a completely different world," he added. (ANI)
A resolution was passed on Monday at the two-day BJP state core committee meeting, which started on Sunday, to overthrow the Ashok Gehlot government from Rajasthan. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary, while addressing a press conference, said that there is Jungle Raj in the state. "Law and order has completely failed in Rajasthan. While the central government is working hard to make India a developed nation, the Gehlot government on the other hand, is working to push Rajasthan on back track. The youth are upset due to repeated paper leaks," he added. Chaudhary said that it has been decided in the meeting of the State Working Committee that issues related to the public will be raised and the BJP will protest on the streets against the Congress. MLA Vasudev Devnani said, "The state is being ruled by a helpless Chief Minister. The administration is stalled, the posts of more than 1 lakh teachers are vacant. The government is working on the policy of appeasement. Conversion issues are coming to the fore. No action was taken against the particular community due to which there is anger in the public." He gave a call to the state government to issue white paper on the implementation of promises made by it so that the facts come to the fore. He further said that he shall not keep quiet till the double engine government is formed in Rajasthan. In such a situation, elections can be held in Rajasthan even before November, he added. In the meeting, the working committee raised a demand for a CBI probe instead of SOG in the paper leak case. It was also decided that issues like policy of appeasement, atrocities on Hindu community, fake promises made to youth on unemployment allowance, rising crime against women, poor law and order will be raised to make the public aware of the poor working of state government. The core committee meeting was attended by veterans like former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president Satish Poonia, state in charge Arun Singh, among others. Earlier on Sunday, in the meeting of state office-bearers, a strategy was chalked out to ghearo the government during the assembly session which started on Monday. At the same time, the leaders brainstormed on the strategy to strengthen the party by ending factionalism. In the office-bearers' meeting, discussions were held on activating the booth-level workers of the party. On the lines of the public outrage campaign, it has now been decided to hold demonstrations and meetings from February 15 to March 15 to ghearo the Congress at the district level. --IANS arc/uk/ ( 449 Words) 2023-01-23-19:22:06 (IANS)
A Kolkata court on Monday ordered Indian pacer Mohammed Shami to pay a monthly alimony of Rs 1.30 lakh to his estranged wife Hasin Jahan. Out of the Rs 1.30 lakh, Rs 50,000 will be the personal alimony to Hasin Jahan and the remaining Rs 80,000 will be the cost of maintenance of their daughter who is staying with her. In 2018, Hasin Jahan filed a suit in the court demanding a Hasan monthly alimony of Rs 10 lakh, out of which Rs 7,00,000 will be her personal alimony and the remaining Rs 3,00,000 will be on account of the maintenance cost of their daughter. Her counsel Mriganka Mistry informed the court that as per the income tax returns of the Indian pacer for the financial year 2020-1, his annual income for that fiscal was over Rs 7 crore, and on the basis of that, the demand for a monthly alimony of Rs 10 lakhs was not unjustified. However, Selim Rahman, the counsel for Shami, claimed that since Hasin Jahan herself was having a steady income source by working as a professional fashion model, the demand for that high alimony amount was not justified. Finally, after hearing both sides, the lower court, on Monday, fixed the monthly alimony amount at Rs 1.30 lakh. Although expressing gratitude over the court's directive, Hasin Jahan claimed that she would have been relieved had the monthly alimony amount been higher. There was no reaction from the Indian pacer on this count till the report was filed. On September last year after the victory of the Indian team against Pakistan at Asia Cup, Hasin Jahan shared in social media a photo of Hardik Pandya, who led India to victory with a six and there she took a veiled attack against Shami, who was not in the Indian squad. "Congratulations. A memorable victory. Thanks to our Tigers for helping the country win. This had to happen; the country's reputation and honour are protected by honest patriots rather than criminals and womanisers," her post then had read. The post sparked widespread outrage among fans and many criticised Hasin Jahan for her veiled attack on Shami. --IANS src/vd ( 375 Words) 2023-01-23-19:46:03 (IANS)
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea challenging the Centre's decision to set up a commission to examine Schedule Caste status for converted Dalits. A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul asked the petitioner's counsel: "Who are you?" as it added that a hearing in the matter is already underway. Counsel argued that the commission should not have been set up when the apex court is already hearing the matter. The bench, also comprising Justice A.S. Oka, asked if the petitioner is challenging the constitution of the commission, and further queried, which rule or which law allows the petitioner to do that? Counsel contended that the court should proceed further and the commission should not come in the way. However, the bench told the counsel that such a petition, which seeks quashing of the appointment and functioning of the commission, cannot be entertained under Article 32 of the Constitution. Declining to entertain the plea, the bench said it has no relevant ground to quash the appointment of the commission. The top court order came on a plea filed by Pratap Baburao Pandit. In October last year, the Central government appointed a Commission of Inquiry under chairmanship of former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan to examine claims to grant Scheduled Caste status to the Dalits, who converted to other religions. The commission also comprises retired IAS officer Dr Ravinder Kumar Jain and Prof Sushma Yadav (member, UGC), as members. The commission will examine the matter of Scheduled Caste (SC) status to new persons, who claim to historically have belonged to the Scheduled Castes, but have converted to religion other than those mentioned in the presidential orders issued from time to time under Article 341 of the Constitution. The presidential orders granted SC status to only those who followed Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The commission will examine the implications on the existing Scheduled Castes, of adding such new persons as part of the existing list of Scheduled Castes. In November last year, the Central government, in its written response, had told the Supreme Court that plea seeking Scheduled Caste status to Dalits, who converted to Christianity and Islam, should not be allowed, since they did not suffer from untouchability. On August 30, the apex court had asked the Centre to clarify its stand in the matter on the petitions filed by the 'National Council of Dalit Christians' and others. The Central government, in a written response, said "The Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950 was based on historical data which clearly established that no such backwardness or oppression was ever faced by members of Christian or Islamic Society." The government further added that one of the reasons for which people from Scheduled Castes are converting to religions like Islam or Christianity, is to come out of the oppressive system of untouchability, a social stigma, which is not prevalent in either in Christianity or Islam. The Centre's response came on a batch of petitions seeking a direction to extend the benefit of reservation to Dalits converts to Christianity or Islam. --IANS ss/vd ( 530 Words) 2023-01-23-20:06:03 (IANS)
J-K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta on Monday emphasised the need for having public infrastructure amenable to specially-abled people for their easy access to them, especially schools and health institutions of the UT. Mehta made these remarks while chairing the 22nd Steering Committee meeting of the Scheme for Implementation of Rights for Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA) here. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of H&UDD; the Principal Secretary of PWD; the Principal Secretary of, Education; the Commissioner Secretary of Social Welfare; the Commissioner Secretary IT and Information Departments; the Secretary of Transport; the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu; DG, I&C, Jammu; Directors of Social Welfare Department and other concerned officers. The Chief Secretary stressed taking all the measures possible for making public offices and infrastructure accessible to such persons. He advised them to have ramps and rails in every office especially those visited often by such persons. He told them to have disabled-friendly washrooms in such buildings besides signages and other facilities for assistance to such persons. He advised them to take both short-term and long-term measures to tackle this issue. In terms of adopting innovative approaches, the Chief Secretary underscored the need for establishing a helpline with a nodal officer who could facilitate them in getting appointments with senior officers or offices in administration. He told them to create waiting halls for these persons on the ground floor of these offices for meeting the officers to apprise them about their issues. He also directed giving suitable accommodation to specially-abled employees on the ground floor of the office they are working at. He enjoined upon them that it is the social obligation of all of us, besides our moral responsibility, to assist them in every manner. He asked them to have wheelchairs available in the main offices for their ease, besides providing them help in reaching the particular place in the office complexes. The Commissioner Secretary, SWD, Sheetal Nanda apprised the meeting that the SIPDA Scheme has been formulated by the Government of India to provide a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities which includes access to the built environment in schools, colleges, academic and training institutions, offices and public buildings, recreational areas, health centres/hospitals etc. This also includes provision for ramps, rails, lifts, an adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users, brail signages and auditory signals, tactile flooring, causing curb cuts and slopes to be made in the pavement for the easy access of wheelchair users, she adds. It also enlists engraving on the surface of zebra crossing for the blind or for persons with low vision, engraving on the edges of railway platforms for the blind or for low vision and devising appropriate symbols of disability, etc, as was discussed in the meeting. It was made out that government websites should also be accessible to PwDs as per guidelines issued by NIC and the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (D/o AR&PG), Government of India. The concept behind this scheme is to achieve universal accessibility that will enable persons with disabilities to gain access to equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society. (ANI)
Present on the occasion were Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, Speaker of Assembly Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal, Maharashtra Council Acting Chairperson Neelam Gorhe and other dignitaries.

Also attending the event were MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Union and State ministers, members of the Thackeray clan, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, who extolled the services and contributions of the legendary politician to the state.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya and most top party leaders attended a special function at Shanmukhananda Hall where glowing tributes were paid to Balasaheb Thackeray's memory by several speakers, 11 years after his passing.

Earlier in the day, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari paid floral tributes to the late Thackeray at Raj Bhavan, while Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS), BJP, Sena (UBT) and other party leaders and workers offered homage to the late Thackeray at his memorial in Shivaji Park and at his statue in Colaba.

Remembering Thackeray, Prime Minister Narendra said: "I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare."

Top leaders like Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar, Congress state President Nana Patole and other leaders across the political spectrum saluted Thackeray.

The Sena (UBT) workers across the state organised various programmes and activities to mark his birth anniversary and pledged to rededicate themselves to his ideas and teachings.

Balasaheb Thackeray, who never held any political office, but straddled like a colossus to influence state and national politics, breathed his last on November 17, 2012 in Mumbai.

--IANS

qn/arm

( 306 Words)

2023-01-23-21:34:01 (IANS)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday booked the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha's (DBHPS) former President Shivayogi R. Niralkatti and others for allegedly misappropriating and diverting the funds released by the Centre for promotion of Hindi language. The CBI has alleged that R.F. Niralkatti (now deceased) and his son and then Working President Shivayogi Niralkoti abused their official position and submitted a false profit and loss statement to the government to allegedly misappropriate Rs 5,78,91,179 meant for Hindi promotion through 600 teachers and unauthorisedly used this money for payment of salary to staff of their B.Ed. colleges. DSP, CBI, of ACB's Madurai Branch, A. Dhandapani submitted a report after completing the preliminary enquiry (PE) on January 18 and it was on its basis that the FIR has been filed. The CBI lodged the PE in February 2022 on the basis of a complaint from Education Ministry's Joint Secretary Neeta Prasad, and it revealed misappropriation of funds in DBHPS, Dharwad (Karnataka) during the period between 2004 and 2005 and 2016 to 2017, involving the Niralkattis. It alleged that the name of the institution was misused by Niralkatti to promote his financial interests by running courses other than promoting Hindi, like on ayurveda, and homeopathy, as well as law colleges and English-medium schools, in violation of laid down DBHPS norms by forming these institutions without obtaining requisite permission from the Ministry. The enquiry revealed that DBHPS's Dharwad branch had sought a grant from the Ministry to pay honorarium to various Hindi teachers, and principals in Hindi teachers training colleges. Based on the requests, the Ministry had granted 75 per cent of the total expenditure as a grant and the balance was to be contributed by the DBHPS. "The funds so received by the DBHPS, Dharwad were to be deposited in the separate account maintained by them along with further contribution of 25 per cent and released to the Hindi teachers and others as per the list and amount provided by the HRD Ministry. The enquiry revealed that there were huge cash withdrawals from the account to the tune of Rs 7.44 crore in the name of distributing the grant to teachers, whereas as per norms, grants should be paid to the beneficiaries through cheques and DDs only," an official said. The enquiry revealed that after receiving grants from the Centre, the DBHPS was submitting utilisation certificates along with profit and loss accounts/statement. The total contribution claimed by DBHPS, in their profit and loss account for the period from 2004-05 to 2016-2017, was Rs 10,68,89,626, whereas the contribution by DBHPS, Dharwad was only Rs 1,85,66,919. "The accused have inflated the profit and loss account/statement and submitted false statements to the Central government. The enquiry revealed that the Central government had sanctioned aid for 600 free Hindi classes, 600 TAs to teachers and PG Diploma translation for DBHPS, Dharwad during the period from 2011-12 to 2016-17. However, only 400 to 450 teachers were available during the said period, which was evident from the receipt and payment statements and utilisation certificate submitted to the GOI," read the FIR. The grants released by the Centre for payments of honorarium to teachers for promoting Hindi was diverted and utilised by DBHPS, Dharwad for payment of salary to the principals, teachers, clerks and peons of B.Ed colleges under its control. The DBHPS was set up to improve Hindi literacy among the non-Hindi speaking people of south India. In 1964, the institution was recognised as among the Institutes of National Importance through an act of Parliament. The DBHPS' main objective is to hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas and certificates for proficiency in Hindi or in teaching of Hindi as may be determined by it from time to time. It has four regional headquarters at Hyderabad, Dharwad, Ernakulam, and Tiruchirapalli, and 14 branches located in Cuddalore, Neyveli, Puducherry, Coimbatore, Salem, Vellore, Ooty, Karaikal, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, Madurai, Karur, Thanjavur, and Hyderabad. --IANS atk/vd ( 671 Words) 2023-01-23-21:36:02 (IANS)
The Republic Day is observed as a dry day when the liquor shops remain closed. This is the first time that the government has taken a decision to ban the sale of liquor at bars and restaurants. Previously, only liquor vends used to be closed on dry days.

Additionally, there will be a ban on the sale of liquor at shops on Mahashivratri, Ram Navami and Holi. The government has also declared dry days on Swami Dayanand Jayanti and Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

The excise department of the Delhi government has issued a list of dry days for the period from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023.

The list includes Republic Day on January 26, Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February 5, Swami Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti on February 15, Mahashivaratri on February 18, Holi on March 8 and Ram Navami on March 30.

The Delhi government issues a list of dry days every three months. At present, there are about 21 dry days in a year.

---IANS avr/arm

( 211 Words)

2023-01-23-21:46:01 (IANS)
A mechanism has been identified by researchers from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center that explains why some patients' cancers grow in response to immunotherapy rather than shrinking. Although immunotherapy has significantly improved cancer treatment, not all patients benefit from it. In extreme cases, it can even lead to "hyperprogression" of malignancies. Rogel researchers Weiping Zou, M.D., Ph.D., and Michael D. Green, M.D., Ph.D., used tumor samples from patients as well as mouse models to investigate the molecular pathways involved when immunotherapy worsens, instead of slows, the progress of disease. The study was published in Cancer Cell. They found that tumors with hyperprogression after immunotherapy exhibited elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and beta-catenin signaling. Further, the mouse models showed that the gene signaling interferon g, derived from CD8+ T cells, leads to hyperprogression disease by rewiring the tumors' metabolic pathways. The researchers expected patients with hyperprogression disease to have fewer immune cells, like CD8+T cells and the interferon g gene signature. "But the patients who weren't deriving any benefit from immunotherapy had a similar CD8+T cell infiltration as those patients who benefited tremendously," said Green, assistant professor of radiation oncology and co-lead author of the study. The team hypothesized that the patients' hyperprogression disease was a consequence of the immunotherapy itself but needed to further investigate this controversial observation in experimental mouse models. "We really wanted to understand if there are biomarkers that can predict, before the patient receives immunotherapy, if they will develop hyperprogression disease from the treatment," said Zou, director of the Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy and co-lead author of the study. The answer lay in the intersection of immunogenic, metabolic and oncogenic pathways. The team found that targeting the gene signaling axis of interferon g, FGF2, and beta-catenin prevents hyperprogression in preclinical models. "These findings are provocative," said Zou. "We usually think that immunotherapy is beneficial, but now we have evidence that for a subset of patients, it's not only not beneficial but potentially harmful for patients. If we can get to the stage of being able to identify those patients who shouldn't receive treatment beforehand, that will be very important." The research was highly collaborative and involved partners from across Rogel, including Arul Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D., S.P. Hicks Endowed Professor of Pathology and director of the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, who gave input from a molecular pathology and cancer genomics perspective. "This is an impressive study beginning in the clinic, with hypotheses generated from cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, and goes to the bench by mechanistically investigating these hypotheses in pre-clinical models. This is a stellar example of how basic research can teach us about how cancer patients have varied responses to immunotherapy," said Chinnaiyan, (ANI)
Community members leave flowers for Melissa Ortega on Jan. 22, 2023, in front of a memorial off West 26th Street in Little Village following a march one year after the 8-year-old was shot and killed while walking with her mother. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Melissa Ortega migrated with her mother from Zacatecas, Mexico, to the United States in July 2021.

A year and a half later, on a snowy and cold Sunday afternoon, Little Village residents and community activists gathered on the corner of West 26th Street and South Pulaski Road. The gloomy weather only accentuated the cruel reality that had brought them together: the shooting death of Melissa, 8, in that same spot in January 2022.

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She is remembered as a happy, bright, charming, sociable little girl with a wonderful imagination, according to artist Milton Coronado.

One year ago, we met here due to a tragedy, a tragedy that has traumatized our community again, and again, and again, said Baltazar Enriquez of the Little Village Community Council. So we have all come together to see: What is the solution? What is it that we can do to stop this violence?

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On Jan. 22, 2022, Melissa and her mother were crossing South Pulaski Road holding hands when a 16-year-old on juvenile probation opened fire in broad daylight after seeing a rival flash gang signs, according to prosecutors. He hit his target, but he also shot Melissa  who was wearing a pink hat  in the head. She fell to the ground.

[ 8-year-old girl fatally struck by stray bullet in Little Village ]

Emilio Corripio, a teen prosecutors said was a self-admitted member of the Latin Kings, then got back into a car driven by 27-year-old Xavier Guzman, and the two then drove to buy sandwiches and drinks. Four days after Melissas killing, her mother, Aracelia Leanos, released a statement forgiving the shooter.

To the aggressor. I forgive you. You were a victim too. As a 16-year-old, the community failed you, just like it failed my precious baby, Leanos said. Words cannot describe the pain I am feeling. On January 22 I lost my greatest treasure in life. I lost my princess. She was the reason why I got up every morning.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 A memorial for 8-year-old Melissa Ortega grows Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 at the corner of West 26th Street and South Pulaski Road where she was shot and killed Saturday in Little Village. Chicago police announced charges Wednesday against two suspects in her killing. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Community activists on Sunday spoke about a culture of violence that needs to be dealt with so young people stop turning to crime and guns.

Here we have an 8-year-old victim, and the aggressor is 16 years old  just eight years apart. So we definitely have a problem here that we need to get to the core (of), Enriquez said.

He said the Little Village Community Council will be opening a mental health clinic to address the psychological effects of violence and trauma in the neighborhood, which he called a resilient community. Additionally, he said, the council will establish a committee called Mothers and Families for Justice to help reform the police departments homicide division.

I wish we didnt have to remember her in this way, but we remember her anyway. And we didnt want this date to pass without remembering her and raising awareness of the importance of stopping violence and investing in our children, said Selene Partida, who helped organize the march, in Spanish. Were here to remind the community, Little Village, all the Mexicans who live here, everyone who has cried over Melissas death, and everyone who has lost a loved one to violent crime, that were not going to let it pass, that we remember them and that their lives were not in vain.

Kristian Armendariz, community organizer with Little Village Community Council, said the council will also be launching the Peace Project, which has been in the works for the last three months and which will offer job readiness, mental health and financial literacy services to young people ages 18 to 25.

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Its about time somebody implements this type of initiative in our community, he said. All these nonprofit organizations that receive violence prevention money, funding, they should be out here, fighting for Melissa; they should be out here providing more services for our youth, because our youth is our future  and if we dont invest in our youth, what are we doing?

In 2020 and 2021, there was an increase in shootings, both fatal and nonfatal, of youths 17 and younger in the city of Chicago.

Delilah Martinez holds a sign Sunday on West 26th Street in Little Village as community members led a march to remember Melissa Ortega one year after the 8-year-old was shot and killed while walking with her mother. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, also spoke Sunday. These are not statistics; they are not numbers, he said. These are young people  these are our young people. Our families are being torn apart by senseless violence.

He mentioned a national mental health crisis among youth that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Chicago, he said, 3,000 to 5,000 children in Chicago Public Schools are considered at risk of being victims of violence.

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What are doing to prevent this? What are we doing to keep our families, our kids safe? he asked. Mental health services are vital and we must invest in them, he said. We need to reopen public health mental clinics, and thats what were demanding of all of those politicians that want to represent the city of Chicago.

Sigcho-Lopez referenced the Dec. 16 shooting at Benito Juarez Community Academy, which left two students dead and injured two others. He also mentioned Little Village vendors being brutalized and robbed  after tamaleros experienced a string of armed robberies in December  and the need to ensure they have safe spaces to work.

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After these speeches at the corner of 26th and Pulaski, the group of approximately 30 people walked three blocks west toward South Keeler Avenue. There, the group stopped next to a vibrant mural celebrating Melissas life  her smiling face surrounded by a rainbow, flowers, balloons and clouds.

Though she struggled with speaking English, she was easily making friends and discovering her passion for writing and teaching, said Coronado, who painted the mural alongside another artist known as The Kid from Pilsen. Melissa would gather water, soda and shampoo bottles, place them in a circle and pretend they were students so she could teach them.

Community members and activists released white balloons, set down candles and roses, and shared a moment of prayer. In front of the mural, a small tree grows. It was planted there in memory of Melissa as part of the Peace Tree Project, which seeks to promote peace in Chicago neighborhoods affected by gun violence.

Let these (candles) that we hold in our hands soften the reminder of these lives and what it is we aim for together, to struggle together, to live together, to love each other together, to embrace each other together, to work toward a better city together, Coronado said. I invite you today to love, because in love we will find peace, truth and, most definitely, justice.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
Burkina Faso has asked France to move its troops out of the country within a month, according to a letter from the authorities in Ouagadougou to Paris, the state news agency AIB reported on Saturday. The foreign ministry letter, dated January 18, ends the 2018 agreement under which French troops were stationed there, and set a deadline of a month for their departure. "The Burkinabe government last Wednesday denounced the accord which has governed, since 2018, the presence of French armed forces on its territory," AIB said, adding that authorities had given France a month to complete its pull-out. Earlier Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron was asked about Ouagadougou's request that French troops leave the country, as reported late Saturday by Burkina Faso's state news agency AIB. Macron urged "a lot of prudence", saying there was "great confusion" over the remarks reported in the media and said military junta leader Ibrahim Traore needed to take a public stance. "We are waiting for clarifications on the part of Traore," he told reporters. A source close to the government late Saturday confirmed the report by AIB that the ruling junta wanted French troops out within a month. The military junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, seized power last September in the second coup in the former French colony in eight months. France has 400 special forces soldiers stationed in junta-ruled Burkina to battle an Islamist insurgency, but relations have deteriorated in recent months. Since the current military regime seized power in September there have been several demonstrations calling for the departure of the French ambassador, and the French troops there. There are signs that Burkina Faso, like its neighbour Mali, is turning towards Russia as a partner, reported France24. "Russia is a reasonable choice in this dynamic," Burkinabe Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tembela said last week following a meeting with the Russian ambassador. Traore's regime has been seeking to rekindle ties with Russia since his coup. French troops withdrew from Mali last year after a 2020 coup in the former French colony saw its rulers also inch closer to Russia. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered in Burkina's capital Ouagadougou on Friday to demand the French ambassador leave the country and that the French military base there be closed. Several hundred flocked to a central square carrying placards with slogans such as "French army, get out". Mohamed Sinon, one of the main leaders of the collective that called the demonstration, said it was to show support for junta leader Traore and the security forces fighting jihadists. Protesters carried huge posters showing the presidents of Mali and Guinea -- both of whom also came to power in coups -- as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin. In October, anti-France demonstrators gathered outside the country's embassy in Ouagadougou and the French cultural centre was attacked, reported France24. Another demonstration outside the embassy followed in November, and earlier this month, the French foreign ministry said the junta had asked it to replace ambassador Luc Hallade after he ruffled feathers with reports on Burkina's worsening security situation. (ANI)
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.

--IANS vd

( 149 Words)

2023-01-22-23:06:04 (IANS)
The main opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan on Sunday categorically rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decision on the appointment of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi -- a nominee of the opposition -- as interim chief minister for Punjab, reported Geo News. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice-President Fawad Chaudhry rejected the appointment of Naqvi as caretaker Punjab chief executive and vowed to launch a massive campaign against "this system". Reacting to the decision, Fawad said, "No other options left but taking to the streets against this system," reported Geo News. He added that they rejected the ECP's decision about appointing a "controversial" person to the key post. Taking a jibe at the electoral watchdog, he said, "The ECP never disappointed them." Fawad asked the PTI's activists to prepare themselves for a massive campaign under the leadership of Imran Khan, reported Geo News. Taking to Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry warned that people would "now make their own decisions". He wrote, "(We) reject the appointment of Mohsin Raza Naqvi (as caretaker chief minister). PTI Secretary General Asad Umar also took to the micro-blogging site and termed the ECP's decision as a "joke with the Constitution," reported Geo News. Criticizing the decision, another senior PTI leader and former education minister, Shafqat Mahmood tweeted, "The one man considered most unsuitable for this position." He also claimed, " This amounts to virtually handing over power to Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party to conduct elections in Punjab." The electoral authority's decision comes after the failure of the government and the opposition to reach a consensus on the caretaker chief executive, the move appeared to kick off a new round of controversy in the country, reported Geo News. In a declaration, the ECP said that the meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, made the consensus decision to appoint Naqvi as the caretaker for Punjab CM. Expressing severe concerns over the ECP's "controversial" decision, Punjab's outgoing Chief Minister Parvez Elahi announced challenging the appointment of Naqvi as interim chief executive in the Supreme Court, reported Geo News. Reacting to the decision, the CM asked: "How can justice be expected from a person who made a plea bargain worth Rs 3.5 million." The outgoing chief executive also said that the "controversial decision" was against every rule and regulation. It is pertinent to mention here that the outgoing Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi had proposed the names of Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera and Naveed Akram Cheema while opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz had forwarded the names of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Ahad Khan Cheema. Lahore-born Mohsin Raza Naqvi is a journalist by profession. He got his higher education in the United States and was associated with the American TV channel CNN during his stay in Miami. After returning to Pakistan, he served as the regional head of CNN. According to a report, former prime minister and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, who Mohsin had interviewed, was the last person she contacted before her assassination. Mohsin founded the local media City News Network in 2009 at the age of 30 and now owns six news channels and a newspaper. He is also widely known in the political arena and has strong relations with leading political figures. (ANI)
Maldives has decided to support India's candidature to a non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2028-2029, the election for which is scheduled to be held during the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 2027. The decision to support India was taken following the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the Maldives on January 18 and 19. Maldives' Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country's strong support for India is rooted in the strong partnership and close bonds of friendship that exists between the two countries. "India has continuously demonstrated strong and effective leadership in maintaining international peace and security. India has also been a strong proponent of the values and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter," the statement said. "The Government of Maldives is confident that India will be a voice for all developing countries on the Security Council, and will continue to make meaningful contributions towards global discourse on peace and security in the years to come," it added. During his visit to the Maldives, EAM Jaishankar called on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. The visit saw the signing of agreements related to the bilateral development cooperation besides ground-breaking, inauguration and handing-over and launch of a number of key India-supported projects that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Maldives. Jaishankar inaugurated the India-funded Community Centre in Foakaidhoo with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. The minister had said that the bilateral development partnership is creating quality social infrastructure in Maldives, spread over 16 atolls and 36 islands and the joint efforts benefit women and youth development and promote sports. During the visit, Jaishankar joined Maldives President, ministers and local leaders at the ground-breaking ceremony of Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project. This project will bridge the gap between the people of Northern Maldives and the rest of the world and bring the people of the two countries together. Jaishankar had said that signing of the contract for the expansion of the MIFCO (Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited) facility will also be a major milestone that will augment livelihood opportunities. "Our focus on capacity development has also been seen in the training programmes which have benefited more than 900 Maldivian officials last year alone," Jaishankar had said in a tweet. (ANI)
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth inaugurated the Metro Express line from Rose Hill to Reduit, and thanked India for giving resources and knowledge to construct the biggest railroad project, Le Matinal reported. On Sunday, Mauritius PM with other political leaders made their first trip on the metro to mark the official start of the operation Metro Express line from Rose Hill to Reduit covering a route of 3 to 4 kilometres. This inauguration is part of the festivities commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mauritius and India. According to the Mauritian-based newspaper, the PM had travelled to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI), in Moka, with other dignitaries including the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism and Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius, to take part in a celebration for the formal opening of the Rose Hill-Reduit Metro Express line. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, PM Jugnauth emphasized that the new Metro Express line was the biggest railroad project carried out outside of India with resources and knowledge from New Delhi. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian High Commissioner to Mauritius for their assistance in helping Mauritius undertake the Metro Express project. He also said that despite many difficulties in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government's vision for a modern and inclusive Mauritius is taking shape, among other things, through the Metro Express project, according to Le Matinal. The fourth phase of the Metro Express project, which will be implemented and stretch roughly 10 to 15 kilometres from Reduit to Cote d'Or through St. Pierre, has already received funding, according to Prime Minister Jugnauth. In his speech, he also noted that apart from the Metro Express line, the new Supreme Court, the new ENT Hospital, the Civil Service College, the new Forensic Science Laboratory, as well as a sizable number of social housing units were also sponsored by the Indian government. The Mauritian populace, the prime minister continued, has warmly embraced this new stage of the nation's economic development. He claimed that every day, up to 55,000 commuters take advantage of the Metro Express, a cutting-edge, effective, and environmentally responsible method of transportation. An additional wave of commuters will benefit from the Metro Express service once the 3,4-kilometer Rose Hill-Reduit line begins commercial operations today, Le Matinal quoted him as saying. Jugnauth also said that a master plan is being prepared to expand the Metro Express project nationwide to both urban and rural areas because social justice and inclusiveness are top priorities for the government. He added that the Metro Express will eventually run primarily on clean, renewable energy sources and will help the nation from both an environmental and financial standpoint. He expressed his gratitude to all the parties involved for completing this project quickly. PM Jugnauth said that the Mahatma Gandhi station is a testament to Mahatma Gandhi's role in the educational liberation of the masses in India and Mauritius. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Alan Ganoo indicated that the project is an exceptional one as it is regenerating the transport sector and has upscaled the public transport system in Mauritius. The project, he stressed, bears testimony to the friendship between Mauritius and India. He also commended the Indian Government for all the support extended to Mauritius in the implementation of the Metro Express project. According to him, the project is in line with Government's vision to decarbonise the local public transport system. The Indian High Commissioner, Nandini Singla, for her part, commended all stakeholders involved in the Metro Express project. The extension of the Metro Express from Reduit to Cote d'Or will be funded by a grant of USD 25 million and a line of credit worth USD 300 million from India, according to High Commissioner Singla. She continued by saying that this next phase would further alter not only the Mauritian landscape but also the lives of its citizens, reported Le Matinal. (ANI)
Despite sanctions on Russian goods following its invasion of Ukraine in mid-2022, imports of gold by China from Russia increased, data released by the country's customs agency on Saturday showed, Russia-based television network Russia Today (RT) reported. In 2022, China bought a total of 6.6 tons of Russian gold worth a record USD 386.9 million, including shipments in both unprocessed (3.7 tons) and semi-processed form (2.9 tons). Gold shipments from Russia to China in the month of December 2022, totalled 220.2 kilograms, worth USD 14.85 million. Russian gold exports to China in 2022 soared by 67.3 per cent in physical terms and by 63.3 per cent in monetary terms compared to 2021. However, so far Russia's share in Chinese gold purchases remains small. The main supplier of gold to China is Switzerland, with sales in 2021 totalling over USD 34 billion. Rounding out, the top five suppliers to China are Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Hong Kong, RT reported. Due to western sanctions, Russian gold exports began to fall in mid-2022. Purchase, import or transfer, directly or indirectly, of gold originating in Russia and exported from the country, was banned by the EU, UK, US, Japan, and Canada. The UK was the largest buyer of Russian gold prior to the imposition of sanctions. In 2021, the UK acquired 266.1 tons of the metal (88 per cent of total exports), worth USD 15.4 billion. The European Commission in July 2022, adopted a proposal for a seventh package of measures that will ban the import of Russian gold. The proposal was part of a new set of measures intended to improve the implementation and effectiveness of the EU's six earlier packages of sanctions against Russia. The proposal was issued jointly by the Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs. "...We are proposing today to tighten our hard-hitting EU sanctions against the Kremlin, enforce them more effectively and extend them until January 2023. Moscow must continue to pay a high price for its aggression," had said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement. (ANI)
Foreign adventurers are not able to visit Gilgit- Baltistan (GB) due to growing political uncertainty and visa delays this winter. Not a single foreign mountain expedition has arrived this season, Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported. The United States, Australia and Saudi Arabia have been cautioning their citizens against travelling to Pakistan. According to the GB tourism department, no foreign expedition or trekking group has been issued a permit this winter season, which usually lasts from November to February. This winter, only two foreign expedition groups applied for a visa to summit Nanga Parbat. Visa delays, however, compelled them to cancel their plans. This is in contrast to 2022 when hundreds of foreign mountaineers visited Pakistan in winter to attempt to summit mountains like K2 and Nanga Parbat. In the summer of 2022, more than 1,600 international climbers visited GB. Secretary to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Karar Haidri, told Dawn that prevailing political uncertainty in the country was the main factor behind the decline, as many adventure tourists cancelled their visits to the region. However, Asghar Ali Porik, a tour operator from GB, told Dawn that the visa policy was the main cause, as it resulted in delayed issuance of visas. "There is no time frame to the issuance of visas to trekkers and mountaineers once they have applied. Foreign adventure tourists couldn't manage their plans accordingly," he said, as quoted by Dawn newspaper. According to Porik, another reason was a 40 per cent hike in permit royalty fees from 2023 onwards. An official of the GB tourism department agreed that the decline in the number of adventurers visiting Pakistan was caused by political unrest and the visa regime. Former Pakistan Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar on Saturday said that Pakistan has become "politically and morally bankrupt", according to a news report. "We have become politically and morally bankrupt. Even today, people are not being told the truth, which the country needs," Khokhar said while addressing the second session of the national dialogue in Quetta. During the conference, the former Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader said that communication between Pakistan's people and political parties is broken. He said there is a need to address people's issues rather than being engaged in irrelevant political discourses such as the Panama Papers and the Toshakhana case, the paper said. (ANI)
The Shanghai Cooperation Film Festival is all set to start on Friday without Pakistan, according to the statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting through the National Film Development Corporation. Interestingly, a total of 57 films from various SCO countries will be showcased at the film festival but there is no film from Pakistan. The SCO member countries are China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; three Observer States: Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia and fourteen Dialogue Partners Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, UAE and Turkey are also participating in the festival. The festival will open with a world premiere of an Indian film at the SCO Film Festival during the Presidency of India at the SCO. It is pertinent to mention that India took over the SCO presidency for the year 2023. According to the statement, the opening ceremony will take place at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai. The film festival will start on January 27 and will end on January 31, according to the official statement. Film Festival Screenings will take place at two locations in Mumbai, 4 auditoriums at the Film Division Complex at Pedder Road and 1 NFDC theatre at Nehru Planetarium Building at Worli. In this film festival, there is a competition section, which is for the SCO Member States only and comprises various prestigious awards like Best Feature Film, Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female), Best Director (Feature Film), and Special Jury Award. Meanwhile, the non-competition section is for all SCO countries, that is member states and observer States and Dialogue Partners States fall into the following categories: SCO Country Focus films, Director Focus films, Children Focus films, Short films and Indian Restored Classic. In the Competition section, 14 feature films are competing and will be screened and the Non-Competition section will showcase 43 films, as per the statement. There are a total of 14 films which were nominated for the competition section. One is the Marathi film, 'Godavari', which is directed by Nikhil Mahajan and the other is India's official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language category, Chhello Show, which is also known as 'The Last Film' are nominated. The Russian films Mom, I'm Alive!, Don't Bury Me Without Ivan; Kyrgyz films Akyrky Koch (The Road to Eden), Italian and Chinese films B for Busy by Yihui Shao and Chinese films Home Coming; Uzbek films Aelkismati( The fate of a woman), Meros (Legacy) and Tajikstan films Dov (Fortune) are also nominated for this category. Russian and Chinese will also be the official language of the Film Festival. English will be included as the functional language of the festival as it is being hosted in India. The films to be screened will be required to be dubbed or subtitled in English for the benefit of the jury and local audience. India's official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language category, 'Chhello Show', Gujarathi film, will be screened in the competition section. Along with it, Shoojit Sircar's Sardar Udham, SS Rajamouli's period film RRR in SCO country focus. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi in Director Focus, Mridul Toolsidas's Junior in Children Focus and the short film Jugalbandi by Chetan Bhakuni will be showcased, the statement read. Moreover, five restored Classics will also be showcased in the festival like Shatranj kekhiladi; (1977, Hindi), Subarnrekha (1965, Bengali), Chandralekha (1948, Tamil), IruKodgul (1969, Tamil) & Chidambaram (1985, Malayalam). 'Masterclasses' and 'In Conversation' sessions have been curated with eminent filmmakers and actors of the SCO countries attending the festival and Indian film personalities. There will be sessions with industry experts tracing the history of animation and presenting the endless possibilities of 'creating the shot' with the help of animation & visual effects. The SCO Film Festival aims to build cinematic partnerships and act as a bridge between the cultures of various countries in the SCO. It will also create synergies in the film fraternity of SCO Members by way of collective cinematic experience. The films being showcased in the SCO Film Festival, all brought by the SCO states, will allow spectators to experience different cultures and the films will be a window for people from the SCO countries to know each other better, according to the statement. SCO Festival has been curated to showcase films of the SCO countries in the Competition and Non-Competition screenings. In addition to the film screenings, the festival will have master classes, in-conversation sessions, country and state pavilions, photo and poster exhibitions, handicrafts stalls, and many other events. (ANI)
During the incident, head constable Imran Zaman, 40, and another person, 20-year-old Wajid Kaleem, were also injured. Both the injured were then taken to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi along with the girl's body, the SSP said.

According to SSP Sethar, the suspect behind the firing, Ameer Jan Mehsud, 65, was arrested and a weapon was recovered from him.

Pirabad Station House Officer (SHO) Mukhtiar Ahmed Panhwar said the investigators, including Zaman, had brought the girl to the court to record her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (recording of confessions and statements) when the incident occurred, Dawn reported.

The SHO said the police officer deployed at the court's entrance was suspended over charges of negligence.

SSP Sethar said, "The suspect was chasing [the girl]. When she reached Gate 4 of City Courts, the suspect opened fire on her."

He added the suspect was alone at the time of the incident, Dawn newspaper reported.

He further said, "The victim had married a man, who is said to be a doctor, with her free consent and her father killed her over so-called honour." (ANI)
The Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi (MOS) met Bolivia's Foreign Affairs Minister Rogelio Mayta during her visit to the country and held comprehensive discussions covering the entire gamut of relations in bilateral, regional and multilateral spheres, Ministry Of External Affairs said in a statement. During the meeting, discussions focused on several areas of importance including long-term partnerships in the lithium and battery sector, cooperation in metals and minerals, health, and pharmaceuticals. She also interacted with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Erwin Freddy Mamani Machaca and Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration Benjamin Juan Carlos Blanco Ferri. The discussions on the bilateral front focused on all areas of importance including long term partnership in lithium and battery sector, cooperation in metals and minerals, health & pharmaceuticals, traditional systems of medicine, Space, development cooperation & capacity building, promotion of trade and business, energy, infrastructure development in railways, cultural and people to people exchanges and ease of business travel, it added. It was agreed to take action on various matters to further enhance bilateral engagement and achieve desired results. MOS invited Bolivian nationals to make use of capacity building support extended by India through ITEC, ICCR, SSIFS and other Specialised Centres of Excellence, according to a press statement by the Ministry Of External Affairs. Both sides discussed regional issues and opportunities for cooperation. Views were exchanged on global issues and developments of mutual interest, including reformed multilateralism, climate change, etc. As part of promotion of cultural understanding and appreciation, MOS, together with Vice Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani, visited Lake Titicaca for its civilisational, cultural and historical significance. In the past, the International Day of Yoga was celebrated on the shores of this sacred lake. MOS also visited the Tiwanaku Archaeological Complex and Museum and interacted with the authorities. The lighting of the complex was undertaken with the support of the Government of India as part of our Development Cooperation with Bolivia. The visit of MOS to Bolivia is the symbol of significance that India gives to its relations with the Andean country and reaffirms its commitment to further deepen engagement. Due to this, the trade between India and Bolivia is growing. India currently is among the top four global trading partners of Bolivia. And as a result of this visit by the MOS, it is expected that bilateral ties between both countries strengthen and we realise the potential of this partnership between both countries. Meenakashi Lekhi concluded her latest four-nation official visit to the Latin America and Caribbean region with a bilateral visit to Bolivia on January 20. This was her first visit to the country and came nearly four years after a State Visit by the President of India to Bolivia in March 2019. (ANI)
A Leopard 2 battle tank is on display at a factory in Munich on April 27, 2022. Ukraine is pleading for more advanced weapons like tanks and air defense missiles. (Felix Schmitt/The New York Times)

Will Germany send its coveted Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, or at the very least give other countries like Poland the green light to send theirs? This is the question that lingered over recent discussions at the U.S. Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany, where countries supporting Kyivs war effort came together to pledge additional military assistance. With Russian forces supposedly two months away from launching another offensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been spending his days lobbying Western capitals for as much armor as the Ukrainian army can handle.

Yet amid the heated conversations about specific weapons systems, there is a more important subject that is getting short shrift: What does winning in Ukraine actually look like for Kyiv and its backers in the West?

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The question would seem to have an obvious answer: a free, sovereign Ukraine that has control over its territory and can make its own foreign policy decisions without undue influence from Moscow. But some very high-profile members of the Russian diaspora are thinking bigger: Winning not only means a humiliating Russian defeat on the battlefield but also the downfall of Vladimir Putins regime and Russias transition to a respectful, enlightened democracy.

In a Friday essay for Foreign Affairs, Garry Kasparov and Mikhail Khodorkovsky write that a post-Putin Russia is something the West should aspire to. (Kasparov is the chair of the Human Rights Foundation and a chess champion, and Khodorkovsky is a former oil executive who was forced into exile after serving a decadelong prison sentence.) The two Russians outline a preliminary plan for a post-Putin political transition, including the election of a constituent assembly to write a new constitution, the establishment of a state council with legislative responsibilities and the dissolution of Putins security apparatus.

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Kasparov and Khodorkovsky arent the only ones making this argument. Lech Walesa, Polands first democratically elected president since the 1920s and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, believes the best way to ensure Russia doesnt wage another war is by democratizing it.

The argument for regime change is compelling for many: The only way Russia can be treated as a respectable member of the international community is if the security operatives and hypernationalists running the Kremlin are replaced by peace-loving, pro-Western democrats.

Such an evolution is the epitome of the ideal. But the key word here is ideal. Practically speaking, an autocratic-turned-democratic Russia is likely the least probable outcome if Putin were to die in office, retire or be pushed aside by the Russian political elite. The more likely scenario is a Russia that is just as brutal, unforgiving and intent on establishing a sphere of influence as Putin was.

The worst-case scenario is chaos and disorder, in which the center in Moscow is unable to maintain administrative control over Russias many localities. Civil war could even ensue  Chechnya and Dagestan, two republics in the south, have a history of separatist inclinations, and what better way to press those claims when the Russian government itself is incapable of extending its writ across the country?

As much as we would all like to see Russia turn into a democracy, the fact is that such political transformations are quite rare in history. Research from former intelligence officer Andrea Kendall-Taylor and political scientist Erica Frantz shows that only 20% of personality-based autocracies, which Putins Russia most certainly is, become democracies. The rest take the form of old wine in new bottles. To name a few examples in the recent past: In Egypt and Yemen, where people-driven revolutions forced out two strongmen, other strongmen took their place.

Other case studies arent exactly encouraging either. In the lead-up to the U.S. regime change operation in Iraq, Washington was full of experts, politicians and policymakers who assumed the removal of Saddam Hussein would usher in a pluralist, democratic utopia where every Iraqi vote would be counted equally. It didnt take long for that aspirational, but naive, view to come crashing down. Today, Iraq can hardly be called a democracy  at best, its a system driven by sectarian quotas, riven by foreign influence and governed by a revolving cast of the same characters.

Or take Libya. The North African country was ruled by the erratic Moammar Gadhafi for four decades, with most of the states institutions destroyed or rendered useless in order to ensure his personalist rule wasnt challenged. When the United States and NATO helped anti-Gadhafi rebels get rid of him in 2011 after months of airstrikes, speculation was rife in Washington that Libya could serve as an example for the entire Arab world of what stable democratic governance could look like. Of course, it didnt turn out that way; the Libya of today is a real-life version of Mad Max, with militias having more power than the security forces, ego-driven warlords fighting over power and rival parliaments writing their own rules.

The prospect of a democracy in Russia shouldnt be dismissed outright. Nor should we castigate those who dream about it  particularly when those dreams come from people who were persecuted by the system they wish to replace.

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The point, rather, is to remind the dreamers of how rare autocracy-to-democracy transitions are. And in a country like Russia, with more than 6,000 nuclear warheads and approximately 10% of the worlds oil production, the transition is bound to be extremely messy  if it happens at all.

Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
The gas crisis in Pakistan is set to worsen in February as ENI, a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trading company in Pakistan, has backed out of the LNG cargo which was scheduled to arrive on February 6-7, 2023, a senior official of the Energy Ministry confirmed, The News International reported. The Petroleum Division's top officials are worried about the development as Pakistan is already facing a gas crisis. In some of the main pockets of the city, gas has become a rare commodity even at the time of cooking. The government under its gas load management plan promised gas supply to domestic consumers for cooking times in winter, three hours in the morning from 6 am to 9 am, two hours from 12 noon to 2 pm, and three hours from 6 pm to 9 pm. The ground realities, however, speak otherwise, The News International reported. According to the relevant authorities, the impact of ENI backing out will come in the shape of reduced supplies to the power sector and the projected supply of 325 MMcfd to the sector next month will not be available. As a result of the crisis, the reliance on furnace oil-based electricity will increase and end consumers will get costly electricity. The Petroleum division had earlier claimed that the ENI from January 2023 onwards, will not default but that is not the case. ENI spokesperson when contacted, confirmed the development, saying: "February delivery disruption is beyond the reasonable control of ENI and due to an event of Force Majeure (unforeseeable circumstances). ENI does not benefit in any way from the situation." According to the senior official, ENI defaulted five times in 2022; it failed to provide LNG cargoes in the months of March, May, July, September, and November, The News International reported. Recently, it was reported that Pakistan has failed to procure Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at an "affordable" price. The highest-ever bid that Pakistan accepted since it started LNG imports in 2015 was at USD 30.65 per mm Btu in November 2021. The state-run Pakistan LNG Ltd (PLL) floated a tender on June 16 for four LNG cargos, one each in the first and second weeks, and two in the last week, of July. No bidder came up for July 2-3, July 8-9, and July 25-26 delivery windows. This was PLL's 'third' failed attempt to have an LNG cargo in the first week of July. Qatar Energy, a state-owned petroleum company of Qatar, had offered an LNG shipment at USD 39.8 per million British Thermal Units (mmBtu), which would have been the "priciest" purchase for Pakistan had it not rejected the offer. (ANI)
National leaders and international agencies have remained silent about the origin of Covid during the recent summits of the United Nations, G7, and G20, stated New York-based Magazine National Review, adding that mainstream media has also not critically covered or scrutinised the question regarding Covid's origin. Investigating Covid's origin is an urgent priority, it stated, adding that it is a public-health disaster of unfathomable magnitude that has killed one million Americans, more than the total American casualties in World War 2. It is the essential duty of the government to find the origin of any major disasters and formulate reforms necessary to prevent future occurrences, the report stated. "Given the horrific scale of the social and economic damages caused by Covid, one presumes that the U.S. government would be intent on continuing the investigation to find its origin. The Biden administration in late 2022, however, declined to support an independent, post-9/11-style bipartisan commission on the origin of and response to the pandemic," the report said. The Democratic side's indifference to the origin of Covid is confusing, it said further, adding that the Democrats are worried about the danger of climate change accelerated by human activity, which they consider an existential threat to mankind. "At the recent G7 meeting, climate security was at the top of the agenda. Without a real investigation into the origin of Covid, world leaders simply lack the urgency to address this issue. The inconvenient truth is that the Covid pandemic has killed millions already while climate change has not," it stated. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke with Minister Ma Xiaowei, director of China's National Health Commission on January 14 about the COVID situation in the country and sought deeper cooperation on the origins of the Covid pandemic, it added. "Spoke with Minister Ma Xiaowei about the #COVID19 situation in #China. I appreciated the release of detailed information, which we request they continue to share. Asked for the sharing of further sequences and cooperation on understanding the virus origins," the WHO chief tweeted. The phone call came on the same day China announced that nearly 60,000 Covid deaths were reported since the country lifted its strict 'Zero Covid Policy' on December 7, last year, state media outlet Global Times reported. China's National Health Commission revealed a total of 59,938 Covid-related deaths between December 8, 2022 and January 12 this year, attributing the spike in cases to rolling back the Covid policy on December 7. On the call, Tedros reiterated the importance of China's deeper cooperation and transparency in understanding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in carrying out the recommendations detailed in the report of the Strategic Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens, according to the report. (ANI)
Locals at Chitral in Peshawar protested against power outages and dilapidated conditions of roads in their district on Sunday, the Dawn reported, adding that the protesters claimed that the government had not paid attention to their demands. The protesters should slogans against the regime, the report said, adding that the protests were organised by Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Haqooq Chitral (TTHC). The report further said, quoting locals, that the residents also came down heavily on the officials of the provincial government for not taking action against those involved in illegal mining in their district. The protesters said both Upper and Lower Chitral districts have been grappling with poor road conditions and load-shedding, but the government turned a blind eye to their plight, the report claimed. According to the Dawn report, the protestors warned that if the problems were not resolved by the government, they would march to Islamabad. A major power outage in Pakistan around 7.34 am on Monday left many cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad, without electricity. Pakistan's Ministry of Energy in a statement said the frequency of the national grid went down at 7.34 am, causing a 'widespread breakdown' in the power system. It further said the restoration of grid stations has been started from Warsak. The Ministry of Energy tweeted, "According to initial reports, the system frequency of the National Grid went down at 7:34 this morning, causing a widespread breakdown in the power system. System maintenance work is progressing rapidly". The power outage occurred after a technical fault was reported in the transmission line from Guddu to Quetta, causing the reduction of the power frequency from the optimum level. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan announced on Monday that his party would protest against the appointment of caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab province, Mohsin Naqvi and will also move to court. In a video message, Imran Khan said, "I will start the protest from tomorrow (Tuesday) in Lahore and then will go to Pindi on Wednesday, Faislabad, Multan against the appointment of corrupt Mohsin Naqvi as Punjab's caretaker CM." Earlier, on Sunday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) appointed Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab province, the Dawn reported, adding that the decision of the ECP came after the matter was referred to the electoral watchdog after a bi-partisan parliamentary committee failed to reach a consensus on the matter within the stipulated time. Talking about taking the case to court, Khan said according to the constitution, after the dissolution of the previous government, the caretaker needs to give the next election date in the next 48 hours but till now, Punjab caretaker CM and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have not given any details. In a televised address, the former prime minister said he foresaw the appointment of people to top offices after the election of Naqvi -- who took oath as the caretaker CM a day earlier. "When I was in power, I received a report about a man who tried the most to topple [PTI's] government. His name was Mohsin Naqvi. The intelligence bureau also gave a report on his activities," Khan said, expressing his concerns over the media mogul. "Mohsin Naqvi will bring all those people who are our staunch opponents," he added. Calling out the Election Commission as 'worst', the ousted PM said that their decision to appoint Naqvi as the caretaker is the 'wrong decision'. He also recalled the previous protest, saying, "We dissolved the assembly so that a fresh election can start but after the appointment of the new caretaker, the election's future seems to be in dark." The deposed prime minister, whose government was toppled last April due to a no-confidence motion against him, censured the Punjab interim chief minister for his association with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. "The standards of our democracy have degraded so much that no one trusts the government to conduct transparent elections. The basic reason behind a caretaker government is its neutrality," Khan said. The former premier lamented that the names proposed for the interim CM slot by his party were all rejected. "We chose Nasir Khosa's name thinking they will like it. Ahmed Sukhera was the cabinet secretary at the time, we thought there wouldn't be an objection to him too. Naveed Akram Cheema was also [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif's secretary. But they rejected all our names," he said. Khan also vowed that he would not accept a 'corrupt' person in such a high-ranking post. On January 14, the provincial assembly (PA) in Pakistan's Punjab was dissolved after Governor Baligh Ur Rehman said he decided not to become a part of the process, the Dawn reported. (ANI)
Indian Army and Egyptian Army's joint exercise known as Cyclone 2023 has commenced its special heliborne operations at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Taking to Twitter, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information said, "Exercise #Cyclone 2023 #SpecialForces troops of #IndianArmy and #EgyptArmy exercised Special Heliborne Operations during the ongoing joint exercise at #Jaisalmer." It is pertinent to mention that Cyclone 2023 is the first-ever exercise that took place between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army. The 14-day-long exercise which is being carried out in the deserts of Rajasthan engages both the contingents to advance special forces skills such as Sniping, Combat Free Fall, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Designation, sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures. The participants would also undertake joint planning and drills for Special Forces operations in a mechanised warfare setting as well as surgical strikes on terrorist camps/hideouts to include sniping of High-Value Targets. India and Egypt, two of the world's oldest civilizations, have enjoyed a history of close contact from ancient times. With a population of around 110 million, a location that straddles Africa and Asia, and a capital that hosts the League of Arab States, Egypt is a pivotal player in development. It is also a country with which India enjoyed an exceptionally close relationship since immediately after its Independence. This is only natural, as the two countries were cofounders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the 1950s. India and Egypt are being brought even closer together by the Covid pandemic and following the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both countries have also demonstrated mutual goodwill by helping each other at crucial times in the past. Egypt's timely dispatch of 300,000 doses of Remdesivir in May 2021 during the devastating second wave of Covid-19 that hard hit India was well appreciated by all the Indians, and was reciprocated with the supply of wheat in 2022 to tide over the supply-side disruptions in Egypt which are world's largest importer of wheat. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has threatened Egypt with a shortage of wheat, 80 per cent of which is imported from Russia and Ukraine. Subsequently, the Egyptian Cabinet announced the inclusion of India in the list of accredited countries to supply wheat to Egypt in 2022 and this given impetuous for enhancing bilateral engagements. Egypt's economic growth accelerated from 2017 through 2019 but slowed in 2020 and 2021, adversely impacted by multiple global shocks. Now, Egypt could give a fillip to economic recovery by partnering with emerging economies like India. Egypt could find a much more reliable partner for development in India without hampering its sovereignty, or ideology but with assured economic progress on the lines of trust, friendship and cooperation for the well-being of all. The ambitious plan to develop the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) into a global manufacturing hub is now gathering critical mass. Attractive tax incentives, the strategic location and free trade agreements that make it easy to access the European markets are key factors behind such a major investment. India can make use of these investment opportunities. Indian firms could invest in the SEZ with requisite incentives. Egypt can collaborate with India in the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The role of ICT in developing the national economy of India has attracted Cairo's attention. The sector contributes about 8 per cent of the total GDP in India. This high growth in the IT sector is the result of public-private participation, especially the Indian government's efforts to support education and training, and encourage entrepreneurship in the fields of information and communication technology. The recent visit of Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology to India reflects Cairo's intention in seeking cooperation with the Indian information technology sector. Egypt seeks cooperation with India in the field of communications and information technology, especially in areas related to digital transformation, the electronics industry, building digital capabilities for youth, research and development, and cyber security. "Egypt and India are progressively emerging as ideal strategic and economic partners, with potential cooperation in defence, security, counter-terrorism, industrialisation, pharmaceuticals, and food security. India exempted Egypt from its recent wheat ban, and the two nations expanded their cooperation in pharmaceuticals," says Mohammed Soliman, an Egyptian analyst who is currently a manager at McLarty Associates, a global strategy firm based in Washington, and a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute. (ANI)
Every year, thousands of young girls in Pakistan, as young as 13 and especially from minority communities, fall victim to the greed of landlords, criminals and zealots. Their numbers have risen sharply with political collapse, economic downslides and disastrous floods in Pakistan, Canada-based non-profit think tank the International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) reported. According to the IFFRAS report, Pakistan's media, civil society and political leaders have been silent about the issue. Religious leaders and generals have never paid any attention to the same. Only, occasionally, international organisations express their distress at the plight of Pakistan's young girls. Top human rights experts affiliated with the UN Human Rights Council earlier in January, pointed out that an increasing number of teenagers are being "kidnapped from their families, trafficked ... far from their homes (and) made to marry men sometimes twice their age". The human rights report, hardly reported in Pakistani media, referred to threats of violence against the family of girls. "Abductors force their victims to sign documents which falsely attest to their being of legal age for marriage as well as marrying and converting of free will. These documents are cited by the police as evidence that no crime has occurred," IFFRAS reported. According to IFFRAS, the most distressing aspect of this human rights crime is the rampant manner in which young girls have been raped, forced into marriage and converted to Islam by a cabal of religious and moneyed people, helped in large measure by the state agencies like the police and judiciary, and uncared by the leaders. Most of the time, these girls remain unknown and their cries remain unheard beyond the walls of their homes. A recent report said that a total of 100 cases of forced faith conversion, forced and child marriage and abduction of girls and women belonging to the Christian community have been reported in Pakistan between January 2019 and October 2022. According to the report titled "Conversion without Consent", the 100 cases took place over a span of more than three years, of which 27 were recorded in 2019, 12 in 2020, 42 in 2021 and 19 till October 2022. According to the report, sixty-one per cent of the girls were targeted before reaching 16 years of age, while 18 per cent became victims between the ages of 16 and 18 and 14 per cent became victims when they were above 18 years old of age. The ages of seven victims are not known. (ANI)
Residents of Farahrud district in the western province of Afghanistan have started to abandon the region due to a lack of schools for their children, TOLOnews reported on Monday. The residents complained that no authorities have paid attention to the matter despite the fact that it concerns the future of children. Residents of Farahrud claimed that despite numerous requests from the local government, the district's schools remained closed for an unspecified reason. A resident of Farahrud district, Rahmuddin Akhundzadah stated that he had moved from Robat Turkan in the district, to the city of Farah to enroll his five children in school, however the situation in Farah has now turned bad. "I came from the district to the centre because there wasn't any school for my children," Rahmuddin said. "I moved here so that my children can go to school," Rahmuddin said, according to TOLOnews. According to local officials, there are more than 130 villages in the Farahrud district, but only six of them have schools. "Our youth are so illiterate that they cannot write their names. When they go to the doctor, they cannot differentiate between a pharmacy and a repair shop," said another resident Sayed Daud of Farahrud. Earlier in November, the students in the Khaki Jabbar district of Kabul expressed their misgivings over the lack of academic facilities and teachers, complaining that the situation has made it difficult for them to pursue education, TOLOnews reported. The students further stated that there is a lack of proper space for them to study amid the approaching winter. Teachers said that up until now, the Ministry of Education has not paid heed to demands of addressing the students' basic needs, especially academic buildings in the area. Since the Taliban seized power in Kabul last year, the human rights situation has worsened in the face of a nationwide economic, financial and humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale. The Taliban are alleged to have dismantled the system to respond to gender-based violence, created new barriers to women accessing health care, blocked women's aid workers from doing their jobs and attacked women's rights protesters. (ANI)
According to the police, out of the three who are wounded, two are in critical condition whereas one was seriously injured.

At 12:53 p.m. (local time), the Police and fire personnel responded to a report of a shooting at 455 SW 5th Street, which houses Starts Right Here, a charter school. Of those injured, two are students and one is a staff member.

"Approximately twenty minutes after the shooting incident, and two miles away, Des Moines Police Department patrol officers and detectives took multiple suspects into custody following a traffic stop," CNN reported citing a news release by the police.

Further details awaited. (ANI)
"I'm not familiar with the documentary you're referring to, however, I am very familiar with the shared values that enact the United States and India as two thriving and vibrant democracies," US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday, responding to a media query on a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi which has sparked controversy since its release. Addressing a press briefing on Monday (local time), Price said that there are numerous elements that bolster the US' global strategic partnership with India which include political, economic and exceptionally deep people-to-people ties. "I'm not familiar with the documentary you're referring to. I am very familiar with the shared values that enact the United States and India as two thriving, vibrant democracies. When we have concerns about actions that are taken in India, we've voiced those we've had an occasion to do that," he said. Calling India's democracy a vibrant one, he said "we look to everything that ties us together, and we look to reinforce all of those elements that tie us together," as he underlined the diplomatic ties that US and India share with each other. He also stressed the fact that the partnership that the US shares with India is exceptionally deep and that both nations share the values that are common to American democracy and to Indian democracy. "I'm not aware of this documentary that you point to, but I will say broadly, is that there are a number of elements that undergird the global strategic partnership that we have with our Indian partners. There are close political ties, there are economic ties, there are exceptionally deep people-to-people ties between the United States and India. But one of those additional elements are the values that we share the values that are common to American democracy and to Indian democracy," he added. Last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he "doesn't agree with the characterisation" of his Indian counterpart. Sunak made these remarks on the controversial documentary that was raised in the British Parliament by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain. "The UK government's position on this has been clear and longstanding and hasn't changed, of course, we don't tolerate persecution where it appears anywhere but I am not sure I agree at all with the characterisation that the honourable gentleman has put forward to," Sunak said while responding to Hussain's question on the BBC report. UK's national broadcaster BBC aired a two-part series attacking PM Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms. The Ministry of External Affairs responded to the BBC story by claiming that it was entirely biased. While addressing a weekly presser in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We think this is a propaganda piece. This has no objectivity. This is biased. Do note that this hasn't been screened in India. We don't want to answer more on this so that this doesn't get much dignity." He even raised questions on "the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it.""The documentary is a reflection of the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it; frankly, we do not wish to dignify these efforts," he added. Referring to apparent remarks made by former UK Secretary Jack Straw in the documentary series, Bagchi said "He (Jack Straw) seems to be referring to some internal UK report. How do I have access to that? It's a 20-year-old report. Why would we jump on it now? Just because Jack Straw says it how do they lend it that much legitimacy." "I heard words like inquiry and investigations. There is a reason why we use the colonial mindset. We don't use words loosely. What inquiry they were diplomats there...investigation, are they ruling the country?" Bagchi asked. Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens condemned the series. Prominent UK citizen Lord Rami Ranger said the "BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians." Furthermore, the US Department spokesperson also said that the US has always called for regional stability in South Asia and that its relationships with India and Pakistan stand on their own. He further stated that the pace and scope of dialogue between India and Pakistan is clearly a matter for the two countries. 'We've long called for regional stability in South Asia. Our relationships with India & Pakistan stand on their own and we don't see them as zero-sum. But pace, scope & character of any dialogue between India & Pakistan is a matter for the two countries," Price said during the briefing. (ANI)
One person is in the hospital after someone shot at them at a south Charlotte apartment complex Sunday night.

The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. on Lodge South Circle. According to MEDIC, one person was seriously hurt.

A Channel 9 crew at the scene could see numerous police cars and crime scene tape. We are asking the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for more information and if they have a suspect.

ALSO READ: Shooting investigation underway in Lexington, police say

The shooting comes after a violent weekend in the Charlotte area. Two people were hurt in an officer-involved shooting in the University City area on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, a juvenile was shot and killed in east Charlotte.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Fatal shooting under investigation in Kannapolis, police say)
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is surrounded by supporters after giving a concession speech during her election night watch party at the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, Feb. 28, 2023. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The Feb. 28 mayoral election is less than six weeks away. The landscape looks rocky for Chicagos mayor.

Do the math. Seven of the nine candidates are African American. Traditionally, racial allegiance has played a role in Chicago politics. Some Black voters lean into African American candidates, believing that they are more likely to advocate for their concerns.

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There are plenty of choices and much at stake. Black communities are under siege, suffering from a dearth of economic, social and cultural resources. If the Black vote is split, Lightfoot had better start packing her bags.

In Chicagos nonpartisan elections, if a candidate gets no more than 50% of the vote, the top two contenders will compete in an April 4 runoff. The mayor may not make it that far.

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The 2019 mayoral campaign was a different story. Lightfoot made history as the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ person to be elected mayor of Chicago, thanks in part to the African American vote.

In the first round, Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle were the two top vote-getters in a 14-candidate field. Lightfoot won a majority of the citys white wards. Millionaire businessperson Willie Wilson captured the Black vote. He came in fourth, winning 11% of the vote and 13 predominantly African American wards on the South and West sides. Lightfoot and Preckwinkle aggressively courted Wilsons endorsement. Wilson gave Lightfoot the nod, helping the lesbian attorney build trust with older, more conservative Black voters.

Lightfoot went on to win 73% of the vote and all 50 Chicago wards, pulling in Black voters, progressive-leaning lakefront residents, Latinos and white ethnic voters on the Southwest and Northwest sides.

Back then, Wilson gleefully claimed the role of kingmaker or rather, queenmaker. Now Wilson is one of Lightfoots harshest critics. Wilson and community activist JaMal Green have aggressively courted the political limelight since their 2019 mayoral runs.

Also running are Aldermen Sophia King and Roderick Sawyer, who represent the 4th and 6th wards, respectively. Their wards offer solid bases to build on. King hopes to stand out as the only woman to challenge Lightfoot in the race. Sawyer is the former chair of the Chicago City Council Black Caucus and the son of a former Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer.

The other African American hopefuls are South Side state Rep. Kam Buckner and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who enjoys backing from several progressive unions who know how to turn out a vote.

Also in the mix are U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, a Mexican American, and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas who is white.

Will Black voters desert Lightfoot?

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She touts prominent Black supporters such as U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Danny Davis, along with Bobby Rush, who just retired from Congress. Another influential backer is 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin, current chair of the councils Black Caucus.

Others are disappointed. I hear it in chats on the streets, at mayoral forums, on social media. Violent crime must be curbed, Black voters say, because our communities pay the biggest and most painful price.

They are angry about the Lightfoot administrations handling of the botched police raid on the home of Anjanette Young. They are mystified by Lightfoots plan to locate a shelter for Latino migrants in Woodlawn, with little consultation with the community.

They are furious at the Chicago Police Departments failure to fire an officer who allegedly lied about his connections to the extremist, far-right Proud Boys. They complain that Lightfoot and police Superintendent David Brown have mishandled the investigation into those ties.

Black families are staggering their way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected their health and well-being and kept their children out of schools for many months.

Lightfoot also touts her signature initiative, Invest South/West program, which is plowing $1.4 billion in investments in 10 overlooked and challenged Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides. The effort has been criticized for falling short of its goals. It all adds up to trouble for Chicagos second elected Black mayor.

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To Lightfoots credit, she has not played the race card by appealing to Black voters. Thats the one that goes, Vote for me, so we can keep the seat. As the campaign clock winds down, the temptation may become irresistible.

Meanwhile, Lightfoot may have disappointed many, but she is the first Chicago mayor since Harold Washington to make racial equity and social justice a top priority.

If only all the current mayoral contenders would make that pledge.

Laura Washington is a political commentator and longtime Chicago journalist. Her columns appear in the Tribune each Monday. Write to her at LauraLauraWashington@gmail.com.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Breaking news

After a shooting in Buckeye Sunday, a teenage boy has died, as Buckeye police continue searching for the suspect.

Police on Monday identified the victim as 15-year-old Brendan Valenzuela.

At around 3 a.m. Sunday, Buckeye police said they responded to a call of a male who had been shot near Crown King Road and 257th Drive. Police said they found Valenzuela with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition and died Sunday night, according to Buckeye police.

Investigators said the victim was with a group of people in the morning near St. Charles Court and 255th Drive. A fight took place and an unnamed male had a handgun and shot Valenzuela, police said. He sped away in an unknown vehicle.

According to Buckeye police, another person drove Valenzuela to the location near Crown King Road and 257th Drive and called 911.

The investigation is ongoing. At this time, the suspect is described as a male who is known to the victim.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Buckeye police tip line at 623-349-6411.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brendan Valenzuela, 15, dies after weekend shooting in Buckeye
In this article, we take a look at the 25 strongest countries in Europe by military power. You can skip our detailed analysis of the European military dynamics and go directly to 10 Strongest Countries in Europe by Military Power.

The countries in Europe are aggressively increasing their arms procurement and military readiness in the wake of the Ukraine war. Apart from being militarily ready, the build-up is also meant to aid Ukraine in its resistance against Russia.

In this regard, Germany is exceptionally important, since its military industry plays a crucial role in European defense. On January 20, western nations agreed to ramp up their military support for Ukraine. However, Germany has so far paused its delivery of indigenously-made Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine.

According to the newly appointed German defense minister Boris Postrius, the decision is motivated out of a need for risk assessment of such a move. This, however, did not prevent other European countries like Poland, Finland and Baltic countries from moving ahead with plans to deliver their own Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine.

Despite German hesitance on Leopard-2 deliveries, the country is set to deliver indigenously made Marder infantry vehicles and Cheetah anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine due to an agreement signed with the US in December, 2022.

Europe's Military Preparation: Numbers

According to the European Defense Agency, European military spending stood at $231 billion in 2021, a 6% increase from the previous year. It was the seventh year of back to back growth in military spending on the continent.

The spending was at a historic low in 2014, at 1.3% of EUs GDP. However, the Russian takeover of Crimea in the same year, followed by the Trump administrations insistence on an increase in military contributions by other NATO members, led to a consistent increase in spending observed in the following years, aggregating at a 32% in real terms in 2021.

In June, 2022, the German lower house parliament approved a defense fund of over $100 billion that was announced in February of last year in response to the Ukrainian invasion. The fund is aimed at topping-up Germanys regular defense budget over the course of next few years to help rebuild its military.

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The fund should enable it to meet NATOs 2% defense-spending target, which would make Germany the third biggest military spender behind the US and China. In that respect, the increase in military spending in Europe is likely to continue and may even accelerate. Current projections put forward by EDA show a growth of $76 billion in defense expenditures by 2025.

How the Defense Sector Will Benefit?

The increasing spending is boosting European arms manufacturers balance sheets. Companies like Dassault Aviation, Hensoldt AG and Rheinmetall AG have greatly benefited.

The announcement of the German defense fund that we have discussed above, led to 89% and 49% in trading gains for the German radar and sensor company Hensoldt AG and armor-vehicle manufacturer Rheinmetall AG respectively, in February. The French aircraft manufacturer, Dassault Aviation SE also saw gains of 11%.

As of 2022, Rheinmetall AG was reported to be increasing the production of tanks from 40,000 units per year to 240,000 units per year.

In the same year, contracts for the Eurodrone project, which is expected to reduce Europes reliance on Israeli drones, were signed by Germany, France, Spain and Italy. These contracts were awarded to Airbus SE (PARIS:AIR.PA) by OCCAR. Airbus SE (PARIS:AIR.PA), on the other hand, has chosen Avivo Aero, owned by the US-based General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), for the design and production of the drones engine.

Apart from the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), other US defense corporations like Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) are also enhancing European defense capabilities. Its stealth aircraft - F-35 Lightning-II, is included in several European countries air force inventories.

In a bid to aggressively revamp its military, Germany has announced further procurement of 35 F35s from Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in a $14 billion deal, the first eight of which will be delivered to the country in 2026. As the west continues to rearm itself and bolster Ukrainian military support, the defense sector is expected to be an outperformer in the years to come.

Lets now move on to the 25 strongest countries in Europe by military power.

25 Strongest Countries in Europe by Military Power

Pixabay/Public Domain

Our Methodology

Weve defined militarily strong European countries as ones that have advanced strategic military assets, geographical advantages, and logistical and financial capability. The last metric is important since financial capacity is a direct determinant of military capability.

For this purpose, we have first identified the top 25 European countries in the Global Firepower Index of 2023 and ranked them as such, then we have used the GDPs of these countries to rank them separately. Then we've averaged out the rankings for our list. For countries with the same averaged-out ranking, weve used their ranking in Global Firepower Index as a tiebreaker.

At discretion, weve discussed the size of some of the countries military assets, especially naval and air fleets since they are the primary components of military power.

For militarily important countries, weve also discussed their cyberwarfare capabilities, number of military bases around the world and space capabilities for military purposes. For this, weve sourced data from The Power Atlas by the European Council on Foreign Relations.

For some countries, we have also discussed military spending, and have obtained the data from the World Bank.

Here are the 25 strongest countries in Europe by military power.

25. Belarus

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 23

GDP Ranking: 24

Average Ranking: 23.5

Belarus is a close Russian ally in its war against Ukraine and is one of the strongest countries in Europe in terms of military strength. It has a global-firepower-index (GFP) score of 1.0485 and a GDP size of $68 billion as of 2021.

24. Slovakia

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 24

GDP Ranking: 22

Average Ranking: 23

Slovakia is one of the strongest European military powers, with a global-firepower-index score of 1.1789 in 2023.

23. Serbia

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 21

GDP Ranking: 25

Average Ranking: 23

Serbia is a landlocked country in Southeastern Europe. Its GFP score as of 2023, is 0.9571. Its air force is its strongest military arm, with the flagship fighter in the inventory being the Soviet-made Mig-29.

22. Bulgaria

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 22

GDP Ranking: 23

Average Ranking: 22

Bulgaria has a global-firepower-index score of 0.9757 as of 2023. Its GDP size is over $84 billion as of 2022. Its ground forces are augmented by a total of 90 soviet-made T72M1 and T72M2 battle tanks. Its air force is better modernized, with fighters like Mig-29, Su-25 and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

F-16 was designed and manufactured by General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), a company owned and operated by Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT). General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) manufactured the jet in 1975 when the US air force was in need of a highly manuverable yet cost-effective fighter.

21. Hungary

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 20

GDP Ranking: 21

Average Ranking: 20.5

Hungary has a GDP of $182 billion as of 2021, which enables the country to spend considerably on its military infrastructure, making it one of the strongest countries in Europe by military power. Its GFP index score is 0.8643 in 2023.

20. Belgium

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 25

GDP Ranking: 12

Average Ranking: 18.5

Belgium is one of the biggest economies on the continent, making it one of the strongest countries in Europe by military power as well. Its GDP, as of 2021, is $0.6 trillion. The country has steadily increased military spending over the past two years. In 2021, it spent 1.1% of its GDP on defense.

19. Finland

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 19

GDP Ranking: 15

Average Ranking: 17

Finland is located in Northern Europe. It has a 2023 GFP index score of 0.8099. The country has one of the most advanced militaries in Europe, owing to its procurement of F/A-18s and F35s.

18. Czech Republic

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 17

GDP Ranking: 16

Average Ranking: 16.5

The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe. It has one of the strongest militaries in Europe, which is in large part, armed by the indigenous defense manufacturers, including Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ), Aero Vodochody and Tatra among others.

17. Romania

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 16

GDP Ranking: 17

Average Ranking: 16.5

Romania has a GDP size of $284 billion as of 2021 and it spent 2% of it on its defense in the same year, making it one of the strongest countries in Europe by military power.

16. Denmark

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 18

GDP Ranking: 14

Average Ranking: 16

Denmark is a Scandinavian country with one of the most powerful military infrastructures in Europe. In 2023, it has a global-firepower-index score of 0.8011. The country has 115 aircraft in its inventory, with four F-35s and 33 F-16s.

Denmark is home to indigienous defense companies like Danish Aerotech A/S and also hosts foreign defense companies like Lockheed Martin Corporation and General Electric Company (NYSE:GE). The country's army has had a history of contracts with General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) for Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs).

15. Portugal

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 14

GDP Ranking: 18

Average Ranking: 16

Portugal is located in Southern Europe. In 2021, defense expenditures comprised 2.2% of Portugals GDP of $254 billion. Its flagship fighter aircraft is the F-16 fighting falcon, 28 of which are in service. Its navy operates two tridente-class submarines, five frigates and two corvettes.

14. Greece

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 10

GDP Ranking: 19

Average Ranking: 14.5

Greece has been struggling due to economic mismanagement but the country still has a huge GDP of $215 billion as of 2021. It has one of the largest armor units in Europe, with nearly 1,300 tanks. The Hellenic Navy boasts 63 fleet units, with 11 submarines and 13 frigates.

13. Ukraine

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 6

GDP Ranking: 20

Average Ranking: 13

Ukraine has a global-firepower-index score of 0.2516 in 2023. The country has been holding its own against one of the most powerful militaries on the planet in its ongoing war.

12. Switzerland

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 15

GDP Ranking: 9

Average Ranking: 12

When it comes to the Swiss military, the air force is its strongest arm, with a fleet of 174 aircraft. Out of these, 31% are fighters, with the top fighting aircraft being F/A-18C, 25 of which are in service. It spent 0.7% of its $0.8 trillion GDP on defense in 2021.

11. Norway

Global Firepower Index Ranking: 11

GDP Ranking: 13

Average Ranking: 12

Norway is one of the strongest countries in Europe by military power. It currently operates 27 units of F-35 stealth aircrafts with more to come. The country is expected to have a fleet of 52 F-35s by 2025.

Click to continue reading and see 10 Strongest Countries in Europe by Military Power. Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: none. 25 Strongest Countries in Europe by Military Power is originally published on Insider Monkey.
A federal grand jury has indicted three men from the Washington, D.C., area for stealing more than $32,000 in high-end items from the Gucci outlet store in Wrentham, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

Linworth Hayes Crawford III, 28; Ronald Patterson, 32; and Nathaniel Owens, 32, were indicted on conspiracy and transporting more than $5,000 in stolen goods. They will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. All three men were previously charged by criminal complaint in December 2021.

Prosecutors allege that on the evening of Sept. 16, 2021, Crawford III, Patterson and Owens traveled from the Washington D.C. area to the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. Then, in the early morning hours of Sept. 17, 2021, the three men and another unidentified individual smashed the front door of the Gucci outlet store, went inside and took approximately $32,000 in high-end merchandise. The defendants then left the store and drove back to the Washington D.C. area.

Courtesy US DISTRICT COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS

According to court documents, phone records show the defendants traveling from the Washington D.C. area through Connecticut to Wrentham prior to the burglary. Surveillance video identified the men as they sought a replacement tire at a Town Fair Tire in Connecticut on the early morning of Sept. 16, 2021.

Courtesy US DISTRICT COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS

Video surveillance at the Wrentham Outlets captured the three men before the burglary, in the same vehicle and wearing the same clothing as seen in the Town Fair Tire surveillance video. According to court documents, police reports indicate that the same vehicle was involved in several shoplifting incidents in Virginia.

Courtesy US DISTRICT COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS

On Sept. 17, 2021, prosecutors allege that Patterson posted on his Instagram account that he had Gucci bags available for sale. Images of the bags appeared to be identical to the Gucci bags stolen from the Wrentham store.

If convicted, Crawford III, Patterson and Owens face a sentence of up to five years in prison, with at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of transporting more than $5,000 in stolen goods across state lines provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

Officers seized 6,084 shipments from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, ranking the port fourth nationwide, a spokesperson for the department stated.

1,043 of those shipments contained 4.3 tons, or over 9,400 pounds, of narcotics.

>> PHOTOS: 4.3 tons of narcotics, over $105M of fake goods seized at Cincinnati port in 2022

One of the notable seizures from the year was when officers stopped a shipment of phones cases in March after noticing an unusual crystalline texture that left a white residue on their gloves during inspection, the spokesperson said. Testing showed that the phone cases were made of methamphetamine. The shipment was going from California to Australia.

In April, officers confiscated a shipment of hammocks after seeing a puff of powder rise up from a strand of the fabric during inspection, the spokesperson said. Later, officials found that the hammocks were soaked in methamphetamine. The shipment originated in Mexico and was headed for Spain.

>> TRENDING: Area McDonalds employees accused of photographing customer credit, debit cards

Lastly, Narcotics Detector Dog Bruno alerted officers in May of an illicit substance in a shipment of two electric popcorn poppers. Authorities found methamphetamine concealed beneath foam insulators. The shipment came from Mexico and was headed to Australia.

These were only three instances of how smugglers attempted to move drugs through borders.

Officers have found methamphetamine in nasal spray, waterproofing sealant, horse saddles, baby diapers, bottles of honey, owl decorations, and molded into cardboard to form plates, and into plaster to make kids chairs, the spokesperson said.

Sometimes criminals didnt bother to conceal anything at all, such as a 35-pound box full of nothing but methamphetamine enroute from China to New York, the spokesperson stated.

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Cincinnatis top three narcotics seizures, by weight, were Methamphetamine (1,872 pounds), Marijuana (1,541 pounds), and Cocaine (730 pounds), the spokesperson informed. The drugs street value totaled over $28.5 million.

>> TRENDING: Beavercreek Police seeking help locating suspects concerning Apple Store break-in

Officers also intercepted 9,130 biological goods, ranking the port third in the nation and the most that the port has ever seized in a year, the spokesperson said. These biological goods ranged from plants to dead animalsall of which were prohibited to prevent imports of invasive species and dangerous diseases.

Officers found such shipments as frozen snakes and rodents in strawberry jam, live ants posing as screws, and birds nests stuffed into potato chip cans.

Over $105 million worth of fake merchandise was intercepted, the spokesperson said.

Some of the most notable seizures were $12 million in fake electronics (e.g. Apple AirPods) and over $63 million in counterfeit jewelry.

Finally, the agency confiscated over 2,100 counterfeit identity documentsa 213 percent increase from last year.

As the international trade volumes continue to soar, these officers and specialists consistently protect our frontline by stopping thousands of illicit shipments while facilitating more than 69 million legitimate transactions, Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie stated.





U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Cincinnati port reported a record-breaking year for enforcement-related actions.












In Pamela Andersons forthcoming memoir, which will be released on 31 January, the former Baywatch star and Playboy model reflects on her childhood, career and early life.

In the book, titled Love, Pamela, Anderson, 55, speaks out against the way she was sexualised from a young age and the way she was often mistreated by people who felt entitled to her body.

She first rose to fame as the blonde bombshell of the Nineties, after joining the soap Baywatch aged 25,

Told through poetry and storytelling, Anderson also recounts the events that unfolded around the theft of private footage of her and then-husband Tommy Lee having sex in 1996, which was later sold online, netting $77m (50m) in 12 months for the illegal distributors, according to The Guardian.

Ahead of the books release, Anderson said that her memoir chronicles just one girls messy life, adding that it is a celebration of imperfections.

She told People: These are all my feelings, about my life  no Woe is me, though some times were tough. I made it through and had to find love in grace and dignity mixed with humour, acceptance and forgiveness.

With excerpts from Andersons tell-all autobiography published in the run-up to its publication, here are the claims and revelations so far:

She said her relationship with Tommy Lee may have been the only time she was truly in love

In reflecting on her relationship with Motley Crue musician Tommy Lee, who she was married to from 1995 to 1998, Anderson said it was the only time she was ever truly in love.

She wrote: My relationship with Tommy may have been the only time I was ever truly in love, before noting: We had fun and our rule was no rules.

Love, Pamela will be released on 31 January (Harper Collins)

The couple married in Cancun, Mexico, in 1995 after beginning their relationship earlier that year. According to Anderson, the pair just wanted to have babies and be together forever.

In June 1996, the pair welcomed their first son, Brandon. The couple later welcomed another son, Dylan, in 1997.

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Anderson has remarried multiple times since her divorce from Lee. She married and divorced Kid Rock in 2006, before marrying producer Rick Solomon in 2007, and against in 2014. The pair divorced a year later. Anderson also reportedly married producer Jon Peters in 2020, according to E! News, before announcing their separation 12 days later.

She said the leak of the pairs intimate tape ruined lives

It ruined lives, starting with our relationship - and its unforgivable that people, still to this day, think they can profit from such a terrible experience, let alone a crime, she writes, according to People.

Pamela Anderson has claimed Tim Allen flashed her when she was 23 years old (Getty)

She claimed that Home Improvement actor Tim Allen flashed her when she was 23 years old

The former Baywatch star, who was 23 at the time, wrote of encountering Allen, then 37, in a hallway near the dressing rooms.

On the first day of filming, I walked out of my dressing room, and Tim was in the hallway in his robe, the extract reads, according to Variety.

He opened his robe and flashed me quickly  completely naked underneath. He said it was only fair, because he had seen me naked. Now were even. I laughed uncomfortably, Anderson continues.

By this time in her career, Anderson had been a prominent Playboy model and had appeared in several nude photoshoots.

In a statement, Allen denied that the incident ever took place. No, it never happened. I would never do such a thing, he told Variety on Sunday (22 January).

The Independent has contacted representatives for Tim Allen for comment.

Anderson appeared in early episodes of the comedy series as Lisa, a work colleague to Allens lead character, Tim Taylor, on the home repairs television show Tool Time.

Anderson was married to Motley Crue musician Tommy Lee from 1995 to 1998 (Getty Images)

She said her 1998 divorce from Lee was one of the hardest, lowest, most difficult points in her life

In 1998, less than a year after Anderson gave birth to her second child with Lee, the couple got into an argument at home amid the leaked tapes stress.

According to Anderson, the altercation turned violent when her then-husband ripped their oldest son away from her and threw her and the couples seven-month-old son into a wall.

The Independent has contacted representatives of Tommy Lee for comment.

Anderson recalls calling 911, at which point Lee was arrested. The musician later pleaded no contest to felony spousal battery and was sentenced to six months in jail. Anderson filed for divorce in the same year, with the model revealing in her memoir that that was when their hell began.

I still couldnt believe that the person I loved the most was capable of what had happened that night, she writes, according to People. We were both devastated, but I had to protect my babies.

Lee was sentenced to six months in jail for assaulting her, after their divorce in 1998.

Anderson said her two sons are miracles considering their gene pool

She has credited her two children Brandon, 26, and Dylan, 25, for convincing her to finally share her story in her new autobiography and accompanying Netflix documentary, Pamela: A Love Story, both set to be released on 31 January.

Brandon and Dylan are true miracles, considering their gene pool, she writes, appearing to reference her ex-husband Lee.

She went on to applaud her sons, writing that they had been through so much but are not full of holes.

We dealt with it the best way we knew how and some of it got crazy, she wrote of the attention the family received after the intimate tape was publicised. And Tommy and I, between the two of us, I dont think we had the maturity level to really handle it all.

Love, Pamela, will be released alongside Andersons Netflix film Pamela, a love story on the same day, 31 January.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247, or visit their website here.
Jan. 23National and Ohio leaders in aerospace and defense are asking leaders of Congress to avoid automatic or arbitrary cuts in defense spending, a message that hits home in the Dayton region, where Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is located.

"While we commend members of Congress for the desire to act as responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, cutting spending for our national defense and other key agencies like NASA and the FAA does just the opposite," Aerospace Industries Association Chief Executive Eric Fanning said in a recent letter to leaders of the House and Senate.

The issue matters to Dayton and the state. According to JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition, the region's military and federal installations represent $19.4 billion in total economic activity in and around Dayton.

Statewide, Ohio's military and federal installations generate $40 billion in economic impact, creating 380,000 jobs, while accounting for 6% of Ohio's economy.

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Wright-Patterson itself is the state's largest employer in one location, where more than 30,000 military and civilian employees are located. Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at Wright-Patterson, employs about a third of all Air Force civilian employees.

"Congress must continue bipartisan support for strong investments in the (Department of Defense), which received overwhelming bipartisan bicameral support as recently as December and consistently over the last few years," Fanning wrote. "Likewise, Americans depend on the FAA to maintain and improve the highest levels of aviation safety, and for NASA to help maintain our global lead in space research and exploration."

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"Aerospace and defense are strategic industries, not just to Ohio, but to our nation," said retired Air Force Col. Joseph Zeis, a senior advisor to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on those market sectors. "Stability and long-term investment are vital to Ohio and to our nation's economic, commercial and military security."

Wright-Patterson is an internationally-recognized aerospace research, acquisition, and intelligence hub, and stable program budgets are crucial to development of people and technologies, Zeis added.

"Experience, expertise and rapid technology maturation are crucial assets," he said. "If you lose them, you may not be able to reconstitute these vital capabilities quickly, if at all."

"Arbitrary cuts of the defense budget will reduce national security and have ripple effects here in the Dayton region," said Jeff Hoagland, president and chief executive of the Dayton Development Coalition. "Of course, our leaders must be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, but we absolutely can't afford to ignore the potential military threats to our nation. Automatic spending cuts create uncertainty and can even cost money when activities have to be shut down and later restarted. This is particularly true for acquisition and science programs that are managed at Wright-Patterson."

Fanning also urged Congress to avoid a debt ceiling debate and end reliance on continuing resolutions and government shutdowns as a means of governing.

In order to avoid defaulting on spending obligations, the U.S. Treasury Department last week said it had embarked on a series of "extraordinary" fiscal measures.

That sets up a potential showdown between leaders of the House of Representatives, who have said they will not approve new debt ceiling limits without reductions in spending, and President Biden, who has said he will not link conditions to the question of the debt ceiling.

Defense leaders were long unhappy with the automatic budget sequestration deal enacted under the Budget Control Act of 2011. Sequestration, or automatic caps on spending, led to the specter of furloughs at Wright-Patterson about a decade ago.

Some 8,700 civil service employees were furloughed in October 2013, the last time a major shutdown hit the Dayton region. There were also some short-lived furloughs five years later.

While the U.S. government has never defaulted on its debt, its debt ceiling has been raised 22 times since 1997, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced on Monday that his office has recovered another $9.3 million stolen from the states Employment Security Department.

Ferguson said thieves deposited the stolen money into Bank of America accounts and a King County Superior Court judge ordered the bank to return the funds to Washington state.

During the pandemic, fraud rings stole billions of dollars from at least 11 states, including Washington.

The AGs office said it used a new approach to recover $33.7 million stolen from the states Employment Security Department.

Investigators with Fergusons office used information from ESD and subpoenaed more than 35 banks and credit unions across the country to identify accounts with balances of $1,000 or more that had indicators of possible fraud.

When such accounts were identified, forfeiture laws were used to recover stolen money sitting in accounts at banks and other institutions such as PayPal.

Our initiative is delivering results for taxpayers, Ferguson said. Fraudsters parked this money in accounts with banks and financial institutions all over the country. Were going directly to those institutions to get it back. We are not slowing down.

The Washington Attorney Generals Office is not aware of any other state using a similar strategy to recover stolen dollars held in financial institutions, Fergusons office said in a news release.
An airplane. Illustrated | Getty Images

Can America's airline fleet be made more climate-friendly? NASA and Boeing are going to find out. The space agency announced it has selected the airplane company to develop a "Sustainable Flight Demonstrator" intended to reduce the industry's rather substantial carbon emissions. It's a big challenge: "If it doesn't have a sustainability wrapper all around it, if it can't meet the emissions tests, if it can't deliver significant performance advantages, then there won't be an airplane," says Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun. Why are NASA and Boeing trying to create an environmentally friendly airliner? What does a "green" airplane look like? Here's everything you need to know:

Why is NASA trying to create a 'green' airliner?

The current generation of airliners is helping heat the atmosphere. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute says that commercial airplanes and large business jets make up 10 percent of carbon emissions from American transportation sources, and 3 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gasses. Globally, the impact of air travel is even greater: Before the pandemic, "aviation emitted roughly a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, about as much as the entire continent of South America in 2021," The New York Times reports. But the White House has set a goal of America achieving "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050. To get there, the airline industry will have to make significant changes. NASA's green airliner is just the start.

How does the NASA-Boeing partnership work?

NASA says it will contribute $425 million  along with a fair amount of technical expertise, as well as its experimental facilities  to the project. That shouldn't be a surprise: The agency is best known for its spacefaring missions, but its remit has always included the development of new aircraft technology. Boeing is expected to contribute the rest of the development money, which is expected to be about $725 million.

What will Boeing's plane look like?

It's going to have a "radical new wing design," Popular Science reports. Most airliners today have low-wing designs, across the bottom of the planes. But Boeing's new aircraft design features a high-wing design across the top of the fuselage. Those wings "will be more slender and more lengthy than typical wings on commercial aircraft"  something made possible by advances in lightweight aircraft construction materials  and they will be supported by trusses extending from the underside of the craft. And those trusses will also provide lift to the plane, making the new craft a sort of futuristic version of old-timey World War I-era biplanes, only with the wings and trusses forming a diagonal shape. Combined with new, more fuel-efficient engines, the new aircraft is expected to have carbon emissions that are 30 percent lower than current airliner models.

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Who will the plane actually serve?

The plane is a "single-aisle" aircraft of the kind that "serve the typical, workaday flights of commercial air travel, connecting destinations like New York City with Chicago," Popular Science says. CNN adds that such "short- to medium-haul" airplanes make up roughly half of the commercial airplane market. That's a lot of planes: "Boeing estimates that the demand for the new single-aisle aircraft will increase by 40,000 planes between 2035 and 2050."

Can air travel ever be truly green?

It's certainly a challenge to find the right balance. While the new Boeing plane is getting the headlines, NASA is also planning a test flight this year of the X-59 "quiet supersonic technology" aircraft, Flight Global reports. The idea  as the name suggests  is to eventually resume the era of civilian supersonic air travel that ended 20 years ago when the Concorde stopped flying. But that project is getting pushback from environmentalists. One group, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said in a January letter that "supersonic aircraft consume many times more fuel and produce many times the amount of pollution as current commercial flights," which is a real climate problem. NASA says it's addressing "multiple challenges to making commercial supersonic flight a reality"  including carbon emissions.

What's next?

The plan is to have greener aircraft ferrying passengers around the world sometime in the 2030s. The first test flight of Boeing's experimental plane is expected in 2028. But the NASA-Boeing project isn't the only effort to make flight more environmentally sustainable. The New York Times reports that a variety of new technologies are being contemplated by the aircraft industry, "including hydrogen-powered aircraft, fully electric planes and synthetic jet fuel made from carbon extracted from the atmosphere." The future of flight might look a lot different in the era of climate change.

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Students return for in-person instruction after two months of remote learning on Oct. 19, 2020, in Michigan City, Indiana. The COVID-19 pandemic spared no state or region as it caused historic learning setbacks for America's children, erasing decades of academic progress and widening racial disparities, according to results of a national test that provide the sharpest look yet at the scale of the crisis. (Kelley Smith/La Porte County Herald-Dispatch)

As COVID-19 changed our landscape, K-12 students saw their world shrink to the confines of their computers. Because so many districts in Illinois were unprepared for remote learning, students grades in the last quarter of the 2020 school year could not have a negative impact on their second semester grade for that year. Many students then had no incentive to work. For those happy with their grades, coasting for the rest of the year was a no-brainer. Kids whose families struggled to make ends meet replaced school with work, and education was placed on the back burner  a different normal.

Students in dual credit classes had a different path. While nothing could negatively affect their high school grades, dual credit classes continued. Since colleges and universities moved quickly to a remote learning environment, high school students enrolled in those classes moved forward as well. This didnt please my dual credit kiddos.

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While their fellow students had the perceived choice to work or not, these kids, if they wanted to earn a decent grade for the college portion of the class, had to give 100% to their dual credit courses. It wasnt perfect, but students kept working, learning and putting effort into their education.

Students struggled in the 2020-21 school year too. Many schools remained open, often seesawing back and forth between in-person and remote instruction. Some schools focused solely on remote learning; other schools used a hybrid schedule. School administration officials and teachers worked to find a solution that helped students yet still followed ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines. And while they tried their hardest, students bore the brunt of COVID-19.

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Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, finally acknowledged that remote learning was not successful for students. I was in a unique situation because I taught in a remote setting and took classes during COVID-19. My experience as a learner mirrored my students experience: Instructors did most of the talking, and students chimed in at the beginning and end of class only. The same scenario happened in many high school classes. If a student didnt feel comfortable with or know a teacher, he or she didnt talk during class and often used excuses like poor internet for not joining the conversation. Getting students to participate or feel comfortable in a remote environment was close to impossible. COVID-19 took a small classroom issue and created an obstacle difficult to overcome.

Another issue that hindered remote education was a lack of computer training. Since many schools werent one-to-one with computer technology prior to March 2020, some students remarked that there was little training on new devices schools implemented at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Finding assignments and completing them, trying to contact a teacher and other obstacles made remote education difficult for students.

Moving forward, how can we address the substantial learning losses? U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona recently told a roundtable in Tennessee: Its time for us to think outside the box and try to create more opportunities for students and the best way to do that is to listen to the students directly.

But what do students say? For many, COVID-19 meant the loss of educational opportunities. It also meant the loss of social interaction, the loss of teacher and class choice, the loss of a full learning experience and the loss of a depth to education, which has eroded their foundation. And while many blame COVID-19 for the struggles they are facing today, some say the pandemic created an environment that allowed them to choose to not work at their highest level. Those students now wish they had thought more about the consequences of not fully embracing remote learning.

This years seniors feel the brunt of their learning loss. Some students navigating dual credit classes are struggling with higher-level assignments. Studies have shown that students who take dual credit courses often attend college at a higher rate than their high school peers. However, in a post-pandemic world, enrollment in dual credit courses has decreased. Students used these courses as a head start to college; some now see them as a hurdle to graduation. Where goals used to be lofty, lower expectations based on educational and foundational losses have taken hold.

This year, how can students be brought up to grade level? COVID-19 eroded any progress students made in reading and math over the last 30 years. The most recent scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows students in grades four and eight dropped an average of six points in math and three points in reading. Former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett has called for a K-3 Marshall Plan that would focus solely on K-3 students to help stem the countrys educational downfall.

The U.S. Department of Education has identified five tools to help address COVID-19s educational impact. The tools include using high-quality assessment and effective tutoring; addressing students social, emotional and academic needs; closing gaps; and helping students transition to each level of education. Whatever path we take, we need to keep students and their goals of becoming independent people in mind.

Some students feel the different normal means lowered standards  from students, teachers and the education system. Others feel cracks and crevices in their educational foundation, and still, some students feel that the passion for education was lost in the sea of COVID-19.

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Whatever students feel, their frustration, antipathy and uncertainness about the future are evident.

Katherine Prange is a high school English and accounting teacher in Gillespie, Illinois. The views in this piece are the authors alone and do not represent those of her employer.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Alec Baldwin has shared his first family photo since it was announced he faces involuntary manslaughter charges.

The actor, who will continue to film Rust despire being charged in the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, posted the image on Instagram.

It shows his wife Hilaria Baldwin, and their six-year-old son Leo.

Melina Spadone, an attorney for the production of the western, confirmed the news on Friday to CNN, adding that on-set safety supervisors and union crew members ... will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition.

Mr Baldwin is one of three cast and crew members facing charges over the accidental shooting, New Mexico prosecutors announced on Thursday. Armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.

A person with knowledge of the film had previously told The New York Times that Baldwin would still serve as the films lead and Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, will return as director.

Thursdays decision comes more than 15 months after the fatal October 2021 shooting, when a gun held by Baldwin discharged on set. A single bullet struck Souza in the shoulder before fatally striking Hutchins in the chest.

Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was told the gun was cold.

Key points

SAG-AFTRA condemns Baldwins charges in blistering statement

Mickey Rourke defends Baldwin over charges

Alec Baldwin vows to fight involuntary manslaughter charges

Read the DAs reasons for charging Alec Baldwin in full

Alec Baldwin tweets about David Crosbys death hours after being charged in Rust shooting

Baldwin forced to defend social media caption in photo of Hilaria and their son Leo

18:45 , Tom Murray

Baldwin edited the caption on an Instagram post he shared of his wife Hilaria and their son Leo after followers called it weird.

On Sunday, the 64-year-old actor posted a picture of his spouse sitting on the floor as Leo stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders. In the caption, he wrote: The old let me give you a back rub ploy.

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He later changed the caption by adding potato chips to follow at the end, explaining in the comments that he adjusted the text. I guess becauseyou knowthere is so much of that Reddit trash out there.

Read more:

Alec Baldwin defends weird caption in photo of Hilaria and their son Leo

Video: How Alec Baldwin came to face involuntary manslaughter charges

17:48 , Tom Murray

A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwins relationship

16:30 , Ellie Harrison

Over the weekend, Hilaria approached photographers in New York City, while carrying one of her children, to ask them to leave my family in peace amid the charges against her husband.

Heres a timeline of the couples relationship...

A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwins relationship

Alec Baldwin has been posting on his socials in recent days

15:51 , Ellie Harrison

He shared a photo of his wife and son...

Read more below.

Alec Baldwin shares first personal post since facing manslaughter charges

Eliza Hutton, fiance of Brandon Lee who died on The Crow set, previously spoke out about gun safety

14:25 , Ellie Harrison

In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton  the fiance of Brandon Lee  called for alternatives to real guns on sets.

Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.

It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the guns barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.

In October 2021, Hutton said: I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.

Eliza Hutton breaks silence on fiance Brandon Lees death after Rust fatal shooting

13:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Who is charged in Rust shooting death of Halyna Hutchins?

After an exhaustive inquiry lasting more than 15 months, Alec Baldwin and two others have been charged over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust,

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the district attorney for New Mexicos first judicial district, announced the charges on Thursday.

Baldwin and the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The charges will be filed by the end of the month, Ms Carmack-Altwies said in a statement.

13:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Halyna Hutchins death

Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is no way in hell he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Rourke wrote: I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someones movie set. Its a terrible tragedy what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

Louis Chilton has the story for The Independent:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

12:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Halyna Hutchinss husband previously said he felt anger towards Alec Baldwin

In February 2022, Halyna Hutchinss husband said he felt angry seeing the actor speak about his wifes death so publicly.

I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her, said Matt Hutchins on the Today show last year.

The idea that the person holding the gun causing it to discharge is not rep is absurd to me.

What legal experts say about Alec Baldwins bold charging decision

12:29 , Jacob Stolworthy

A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called bold and aggressive by legal experts.

The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on Thursday.

While Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movies armourer, is also expected to be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.

The charges against Baldwin carry up to a maximum 18-month prison sentence.

Full story below:

What do legal experts say bold charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?

11:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

Eliza Hutton, fiance of Brandon Lee who died on The Crow set, previously spoke out about gun safety

In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton  the fiance of Brandon Lee  called for alternatives to real guns on sets.

Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.

It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the guns barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.

In October 2021, Hutton said: I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.

Eliza Hutton breaks silence on fiance Brandon Lees death after Rust fatal shooting

10:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Prosecutors seek justice in Alec Baldwin case, regardless of fame

Prosecutors have vowed to file those charges before February against the 64-year-old actor and weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust in October 2021.

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says the case is about equal justice under the law and accountability in the death of Halyna Hutchins, regardless of the fame or fortune of those involved.

She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death while rehearsing a scene was tragic  and preventable.

Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed maintain their innocence and have vowed to fight the charges, which were announced Thursday.

10:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

ICYMI: Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Rust shooting death

Mickey Rourke reacted to the charging of his fellow Hollywood colleague Alec Baldwin soon after the news broke on Thursday.

Baldwin and two other Rust crew members have been charged after the death of the films director of photography, Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Rourke spoke out against the involuntary manslaughter charges, claiming no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

The full story, from The Independents Louis Chilton, is below:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Who is being charged following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set?

09:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Three people face involuntary manslaughter charges following the death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, Rust.

It was announced on Thursday that Alec Baldwin would face two counts of involuntary manslaughter after discharging the gun that shot Hutchins, while he practised a gun-drawing technique.

The films armourer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, also faces the same charges.

David Halls, the first assistant director for Rust, has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Each charge carries a punishment of up to 18 months in prison.

What were Halyna Hutchins last words?

09:28 , Peony Hirwani

The last words spoken by Halyna Hutchins in the moments after she was shot have been revealed.

Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film Rust, died on 21 October 2021 after being shot by a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin, whod believed it was filled with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.

Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: That was no good. That was no good at all, according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.

Find out more in the story below:

Halyna Hutchins last words after Alec Baldwin shooting

Who else was injured in the incident on set?

08:48 , Peony Hirwani

Director Joel Souza was also impacted by the gun discharged by Alec Baldwin on the Rust set.

He was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound in October 2021 and was discharged soon after.

According to a source with knowledge of the film speaking to The New York Times, Souza will return to the film as director, while Baldwin will also resume his lead role.

Halyna Hutchinss husband previously said he felt anger towards Alec Baldwin

08:18 , Peony Hirwani

In February 2022, Halyna Hutchinss husband said he felt angry seeing the actor speak about his wifes death so publicly.

I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her, said Matt Hutchins on the Today show last year.

The idea that the person holding the gun causing it to discharge is not rep is absurd to me.

Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Halyna Hutchins death

07:38 , Peony Hirwani

Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is no way in hell he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Rourke wrote: I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someones movie set. Its a terrible tragedy what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

Louis Chilton has the story for The Independent:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Alec Baldwin shares photo of wife and son in first post since pending criminal charges

07:08 , Peony Hirwani

Alec Baldwin has shared a photograph of his wife Hilaria and six-year-old son Leo in the first post since he was charged with involuntary manslaughter surrounding Halyna Hutchinss death.

The old let me give you a back rub ploy. Potato chips to follow. the Rust actor captioned the photo.

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

06:38 , Peony Hirwani

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Rust productions attorney Melina Spadone told CNN on Friday that on-set safety supervisors and union crew members ... will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition, just a day after New Mexico prosecutors announced charges against three of the movies original crew.

The Independent has the story:

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Halyna Hutchins family react to manslaughter charges

06:18 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Halyna Hutchins family react to manslaughter charges

On Thursday (19 January), the family of Halyna Hutchins released a statement in response to the news that Alec Baldwin, among others would be charged with involuntary manslaughter for her death.

Hutchins, 42, was shot by Mr Baldwin, who was starring in and producing the movie, during a rehearsal inside a church on the set on 21 October 2021.

In a message delivered through lawyer Brian Panish, the family thanked the Santa Fe sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life.

They later went on to state that the announcement is a comfort for the family.

The Independents Graeme Massie has the full story:

Halyna Hutchinss husband says shooting charges for Alec Baldwin are comfort

ICYMI: Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of Hollywood arrogance amid Rust shooting charges

Sunday 22 January 2023 22:40 , Nicole Vassell

Broadcaster and columnist Piers Morgan weighed in on the Rust shooting on Thursday, after the news that Alec Baldwin would face involuntary manslaughter charges broke.

On his talk show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Morgan appeared to welcome the charges against the actor.

There was no doubt that it was an accident but Halyna Hutchins died, leaving behind a grief-stricken husband and a young child and the person holding the gun that fired a bullet and killed her was Alec Baldwin, said Morgan.

It was him who did that, who fired a bullet into his co-workers body and snuffed out her life. Nobody elses hands were anywhere near the gun.

The full story, by Annabel Nugent, is below:

Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of Hollywood arrogance amid Rust shooting charges

Who else was injured in the incident on set?

Sunday 22 January 2023 21:40 , Nicole Vassell

Director Joel Souza was also impacted by the gun discharged by Alec Baldwin on the Rust set.

He was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound in October 2021 and was discharged soon after.

According to a source with knowledge of the film speaking to The New York Times, Souza will return to the film as director, while Baldwin will also resume his lead role.

Joel Souza and Alec Baldwin (Shutterstock / Getty Images for National Geographic)

Who is being charged following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set?

Sunday 22 January 2023 20:40 , Nicole Vassell

Three people face involuntary manslaughter charges following the death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, Rust.

It was announced on Thursday that Alec Baldwin would face two counts of involuntary manslaughter after discharging the gun that shot Hutchins, while he practised a gun-drawing technique.

The films armourer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, also faces the same charges.

David Halls, the first assistant director for Rust, has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Each charge carries a punishment of up to 18 months in prison.

ICYMI: Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Rust shooting death

Sunday 22 January 2023 19:40 , Nicole Vassell

Mickey Rourke reacted to the charging of his fellow Hollywood colleague Alec Baldwin soon after the news broke on Thursday.

Baldwin and two other Rust crew members have been charged after the death of the films director of photography, Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Rourke spoke out against the involuntary manslaughter charges, claiming no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

The full story, from The Independents Louis Chilton, is below:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

What were Halyna Hutchins last words?

Sunday 22 January 2023 18:40 , Nicole Vassell

The last words spoken by Halyna Hutchins in the moments after she was shot have been revealed.

Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film Rust, died on 21 October 2021 after being shot by a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin, whod believed it was filled with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.

Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: That was no good. That was no good at all, according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.

Find out more in the story below:

Halyna Hutchins last words after Alec Baldwin shooting

What legal experts say about Alec Baldwins bold' charging decision

Sunday 22 January 2023 17:40 , Nicole Vassell

A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called bold and aggressive by legal experts.

The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on Thursday.

While Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movies armourer, is also expected to be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.

The charges against Baldwin carry up to a maximum 18-month prison sentence.

Full story below:

What do legal experts say bold charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?

Alec Baldwin will fight manslaughter charges, say lawyers

Sunday 22 January 2023 16:40 , Nicole Vassell

Alec Baldwins lawyers have deemed the actors involuntary manslaughter charge a miscarriage of justice.

In a statement to The Independent, attorney Luke Nikas 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. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.

The full story, from The Independents Graeme Massie, is here:

Alec Baldwins lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter charges

ICYMI: Halyna Hutchins family react to manslaughter charges

Sunday 22 January 2023 15:40 , Nicole Vassell

On Thursday (19 January), the family of Halyna Hutchins released a statement in response to the news that Alec Baldwin, among others would be charged with involuntary manslaughter for her death.

Hutchins, 42, was shot by Mr Baldwin, who was starring in and producing the movie, during a rehearsal inside a church on the set on 21 October 2021.

In a message delivered through lawyer Brian Panish, the family thanked the Santa Fe sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life.

They later went on to state that the announcement is a comfort for the family.

The Independents Graeme Massie has the full story:

Halyna Hutchinss husband says shooting charges for Alec Baldwin are comfort

VOICES: The controversy over Alec Baldwin and Rust dangerously misses the point about gun safety

Sunday 22 January 2023 14:40 , Andrea Blanco

It is entirely understandable for the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins to welcome the charges brought against Alec Baldwin, Andrew Buncombe writes for The Independent.

But Americas real Wild West is not film sets of westerns. It is our schools, streets, shops, and places of worship.

Read the full piece:

Controversy over Alec Baldwin and Rust dangerously misses the point about gun safety

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Sunday 22 January 2023 13:40 , Andrea Blanco

Rust productions attorney Melina Spadone told CNN on Friday that on-set safety supervisors and union crew members ... will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition, just a day after New Mexico prosecutors announced charges against three of the movies original crew.

The Independent has the story:

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Father of camerawoman killed on 2014 movie set hopes for change within the industry

Sunday 22 January 2023 12:40 , Andrea Blanco

The father of Sarah Jones, a camerawoman who was killed on the set of the 2014 film Midnight Rider, speaks to The Independents Bevan Hurley.

Richard Jones and his wife Elizabeth formed the Safety for Sarah non-profit to educate young filmmakers on the importance of following correct protocols on set, with the mantra: Never forget, never again.

Mr Jones told The Independent that the shooting of Halyna Hutchins had resurfaced the pain he felt after his daughters death.

There needs to be accountability for this tragedy, and Im glad to see that work is being done to hold people accountable, he told The Independent.

Its clear, as in the death of my daughter Sarah, theres a chain of events that occurred. If any one of those professionals had done their job properly, it would have prevented this tragedy.

His daughter was killed on set. He hopes the Alec Baldwin charges will spur change

ICYMI: Everything Alec Baldwin has said about the shooting

Sunday 22 January 2023 11:40 , Andrea Blanco

In 2021, a gun being used as a prop by actor Alec Baldwin went off on the set of Rust, killing the films cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding its director Joel Souza.

Ever since then, the authorities have been investigating to determine how a live round got into the gun that the 64-year-old actor was using, why crew members who inspected it on the set failed to notice it, and why the gun got fired.

The actor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the shooting.

In light of recent news that he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case, this is everything Alec Baldwin has said about the incident:

Everything Alec Baldwin has said about the Rust shooting

Who is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armourer charged in the Rust on-set shooting?

Sunday 22 January 2023 10:40 , Andrea Blanco

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is the armourer who is also facing charges of involuntary manslaughter over the October 2021 fatal Rust shooting.

As the head armourer on the film set, Gutierrez-Reeds job was to set up the guns. She was the crew member who placed the firearm on the cart that discharged after Baldwin picked it up, firing the bullet that fatally shot Halyna Hutchins.

The 24-year-old is the daughter of Hollywood armourer Thell Reed. Reed is well-known in the industry for having taught Brad Pitt and Val Kilmer realistic gun handling. He also worked on Quentin Tarantinos 2012 movie Django Unchained as the quick draw expert.

Reed reportedly trained Guiterrez-Reed, who revealed on a recent episode of the Voices of the West podcast, that Rust was only her second film set acting as lead armourer. She recently wrapped on her first movie set The Old Way (2023) starring Nicolas Cage.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was the armourer on the set of Rust (Facebook / Voices of the West)

Prosecutors seek justice in Alec Baldwin case, regardless of fame

Sunday 22 January 2023 09:40 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors have vowed to file those charges before February against the 64-year-old actor and weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust in October 2021.

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says the case is about equal justice under the law and accountability in the death of Halyna Hutchins, regardless of the fame or fortune of those involved.

She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death while rehearsing a scene was tragic  and preventable.

Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed maintain their innocence and have vowed to fight the charges, which were announced Thursday.

No one is above the law: The Santa Fe DAs reasons for charging Alec Baldwin

Sunday 22 January 2023 08:40 , Andrea Blanco

Alec Baldwin will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the on-set death of Halyna Hutchins, the Santa Fe District Attorney has said.

New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said on Thursday that Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will also face two charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Read the full statement here.

Alec Baldwin shot a woman on set. Hes now facing involuntary manslaughter charges. What changed?

Sunday 22 January 2023 07:40 , Andrea Blanco

Nearly 15 months after the fatal shooting, investigators announced criminal charges over the on-set fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The Independents Bevan Hurley explains the complicated case

What changed in the Alec Baldwin shooting case?

Alec Baldwin shot a woman on set. Hes now facing involuntary manslaughter charges. What changed?

Sunday 22 January 2023 06:40 , Andrea Blanco

Nearly 15 months after the fatal shooting, investigators announced criminal charges over the on set fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The Independents Bevan Hurley explains the complicated case:

What changed in the Alec Baldwin shooting case?

Who is charged in Rust shooting death of Halyna Hutchins?

Sunday 22 January 2023 05:40 , Andrea Blanco

After an exhaustive inquiry lasting more than 15 months, Alec Baldwin and two others have been charged over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust,

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the district attorney for New Mexicos first judicial district, announced the charges on Thursday.

Baldwin and the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The charges will be filed by the end of the month, Ms Carmack-Altwies said in a statement.

VOICES: What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean  and whats next

Sunday 22 January 2023 04:40 , Andrea Blanco

On Thursday (19 January), authorities in New Mexico announced they would charge Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter. This follows the death of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer who was working on the set of the Western Rust when a gun Baldwin was holding went off, fatally injuring Hutchins.

The question here, as posed by the authorities, is about liability, not intent, Clemence Michallon writes for The Independent.

Involuntary manslaughter is generally defined in New Mexico statutes as either manslaughter committed in the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to felony, or in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death in an unlawful manner or without due caution and circumspection.

Read the full piece.

Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Halyna Hutchins death

Sunday 22 January 2023 03:40 , Andrea Blanco

Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is no way in hell he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Rourke wrote: I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someones movie set. Its a terrible tragedy what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

Louis Chilton has the story for The Independent:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Halyna Hutchins life and career

Sunday 22 January 2023 02:40 , Andrea Blanco

As the news breaks that Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins, family and friends of the late cinematographer will be remembering her life and career.

Baldwin was starring in a western film called Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico, when a prop firearm he was holding discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins, the director of photography, and injuring the director Joul Souza, police said. Hutchins was 42 years old.

The Independents Ellie Muir explains the late cinematographers projects:

Halyna Hutchins: The cinematographers life and career

Halyna Hutchins final words after being shot on Alec Baldwins Rust set

Sunday 22 January 2023 01:40 , Andrea Blanco

Witnesses have revealed Halyna Hutchinss last words in the moments after she was shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie Rust.

Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film, died on 21 October 2021 after Mr Baldwin discharged a firearm while practising a gun-drawing technique on the set in New Mexico.

Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: That was no good. That was no good at all, according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.

The Independents Megan Sheets has the story:

Halyna Hutchins last words after Alec Baldwin shooting

Alec Baldwin to face involuntary manslaughter charge over Halyna Hutchins death

Sunday 22 January 2023 00:40 , Andrea Blanco

Alec Baldwin will be prosecuted over the 2021 Rust movie shooting which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Both Baldwin and the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Ms Hutchins on the films Santa Fe set.

In a statement, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said: After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew.

On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.

It comes less than three months after the District Attorneys office received the final report from the police into the incident which led to the death of Ms Hutchins after a prop gun held by Baldwin was discharged.

As Alec Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges, gun safety on sets gets louder

Saturday 21 January 2023 23:40 , Andrea Blanco

Film production and firearms experts say movie sets probably changed permanently when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the remote New Mexico set of the Western Rust 14 months ago.

The incident led to the announcement from prosecutors Thursday that Alec Baldwin and the films weapons supervisor will be charged with involuntary manslaughter later this month.

The gun safety experience on set has become more vocal, its a lot louder, Joey Dillon, an armourer who has overseen the use of firearms on television shows including Westworld and movies including The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, told The Associated Press. I make it a lot louder myself.

Mr Baldwin was pointing the gun with a live round inside that killed Hutchins as they set up a shot for an upcoming scene.

Alec Baldwin tweets about David Crosbys death hours after being charged in Rust shooting

Saturday 21 January 2023 23:10 , Andrea Blanco

Alec Baldwin used his first public comment after being charged in the death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins to share the news of musician David Crosbys death.

The actor was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting on Thursday (19 January) by New Mexico district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies. The 64-year-old is one of three cast and crew members facing charges over the accidental October 2021 shooting.

Thursday also marked the death of 81-year-old folk-rock legend Crosby following a long illness, his widow said.

Hours after his charges were announced, Baldwin tweeted about Crosbys death rather than his own situation.

The actor first shared a link to a news article about Crosbys death, followed by a link to an interview he did with Crosby in 2018 for his podcast, Heres The Thing with Alec Baldwin.

The podcast series, in which Baldwin interviews public figures, began in 2011 and is ongoing. The most recent episode was published on 12 December, featuring an interview with US political staffer Huma Abedin.

(Twitter)

Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of Hollywood arrogance

Saturday 21 January 2023 22:40 , Andrea Blanco

The former Good Morning Britain presenter appeared to welcome the charges brought against Alec Baldwin on Thursday.

There was no doubt that it was an accident but Halyna Hutchins died, leaving behind a grief-stricken husband and a young child and the person holding the gun that fired a bullet and killed her was Alec Baldwin, Piers Morgan said.

It was him who did that, who fired a bullet into his co-workers body and snuffed out her life. Nobody elses hands were anywhere near the gun.

Since that tragic day, Baldwin has been the epitome of Hollywood arrogance.

Read the full story.

Alec Baldwin will fight manslaughter charges as lawyer blasts miscarriage of justice

Saturday 21 January 2023 22:10 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors announced Thursday that Alec Baldwin will face two counts of involuntary manslaughter over Halyna Hutchinss death on the movie set of Rust.

In a statement to The Independent, attorney Luke Nikas 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. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.

The Independents Bevan Hurley has the story:

Alec Baldwins lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter charges

Halyna Hutchinss husband previously said he felt anger towards Alec Baldwin

Saturday 21 January 2023 21:40 , Andrea Blanco

In February 2022, Halyna Hutchinss husband said he felt angry seeing the actor speak about his wifes death so publicly.

I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her, said Matt Hutchins on the Today show last year.

The idea that the person holding the gun causing it to discharge is not rep is absurd to me.

Eliza Hutton, fiance of Brandon Lee who died on The Crow set, previously spoke out about gun safety

Saturday 21 January 2023 21:04 , Andrea Blanco

In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton  the fiance of Brandon Lee  called for alternatives to real guns on sets.

Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.

It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the guns barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.

In October 2021, Hutton said: I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.

Eliza Hutton breaks silence on fiance Brandon Lees death after Rust fatal shooting

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Saturday 21 January 2023 20:38 , Andrea Blanco

The embattled western film Rust will continue production with Alec Baldwin as the lead star as he faces involuntary manslaughter charges over the on-set fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The Independent has the story:
Alec Baldwin has shared his first family photo since it was announced he faces involuntary manslaughter charges.

The actor, who will continue to film Rust despire being charged in the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, posted the image on Instagram.

It shows his wife Hilaria Baldwin, and their six-year-old son Leo.

Melina Spadone, an attorney for the production of the western, confirmed the news on Friday to CNN, adding that on-set safety supervisors and union crew members ... will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition.

Mr Baldwin is one of three cast and crew members facing charges over the accidental shooting, New Mexico prosecutors announced on Thursday. Armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.

A person with knowledge of the film had previously told The New York Times that Baldwin would still serve as the films lead and Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, will return as director.

Thursdays decision comes more than 15 months after the fatal October 2021 shooting, when a gun held by Baldwin discharged on set. A single bullet struck Souza in the shoulder before fatally striking Hutchins in the chest.

Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was told the gun was cold.

Key points

SAG-AFTRA condemns Baldwins charges in blistering statement

Mickey Rourke defends Baldwin over charges

Alec Baldwin vows to fight involuntary manslaughter charges

Read the DAs reasons for charging Alec Baldwin in full

Alec Baldwin tweets about David Crosbys death hours after being charged in Rust shooting

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Saturday 21 January 2023 20:38 , Andrea Blanco

The embattled western film Rust will continue production with Alec Baldwin as the lead star as he faces involuntary manslaughter charges over the on-set fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Story continues

The Independent has the story:

Eliza Hutton, fiance of Brandon Lee who died on The Crow set, previously spoke out about gun safety

Saturday 21 January 2023 21:04 , Andrea Blanco

In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton  the fiance of Brandon Lee  called for alternatives to real guns on sets.

Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.

It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the guns barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.

In October 2021, Hutton said: I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.

Eliza Hutton breaks silence on fiance Brandon Lees death after Rust fatal shooting

Halyna Hutchinss husband previously said he felt anger towards Alec Baldwin

Saturday 21 January 2023 21:40 , Andrea Blanco

In February 2022, Halyna Hutchinss husband said he felt angry seeing the actor speak about his wifes death so publicly.

I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her, said Matt Hutchins on the Today show last year.

The idea that the person holding the gun causing it to discharge is not rep is absurd to me.

Alec Baldwin will fight manslaughter charges as lawyer blasts miscarriage of justice

Saturday 21 January 2023 22:10 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors announced Thursday that Alec Baldwin will face two counts of involuntary manslaughter over Halyna Hutchinss death on the movie set of Rust.

In a statement to The Independent, attorney Luke Nikas 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. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.

The Independents Bevan Hurley has the story:

Alec Baldwins lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter charges

Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of Hollywood arrogance

Saturday 21 January 2023 22:40 , Andrea Blanco

The former Good Morning Britain presenter appeared to welcome the charges brought against Alec Baldwin on Thursday.

There was no doubt that it was an accident but Halyna Hutchins died, leaving behind a grief-stricken husband and a young child and the person holding the gun that fired a bullet and killed her was Alec Baldwin, Piers Morgan said.

It was him who did that, who fired a bullet into his co-workers body and snuffed out her life. Nobody elses hands were anywhere near the gun.

Since that tragic day, Baldwin has been the epitome of Hollywood arrogance.

Read the full story.

Alec Baldwin tweets about David Crosbys death hours after being charged in Rust shooting

Saturday 21 January 2023 23:10 , Andrea Blanco

Alec Baldwin used his first public comment after being charged in the death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins to share the news of musician David Crosbys death.

The actor was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting on Thursday (19 January) by New Mexico district attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies. The 64-year-old is one of three cast and crew members facing charges over the accidental October 2021 shooting.

Thursday also marked the death of 81-year-old folk-rock legend Crosby following a long illness, his widow said.

Hours after his charges were announced, Baldwin tweeted about Crosbys death rather than his own situation.

The actor first shared a link to a news article about Crosbys death, followed by a link to an interview he did with Crosby in 2018 for his podcast, Heres The Thing with Alec Baldwin.

The podcast series, in which Baldwin interviews public figures, began in 2011 and is ongoing. The most recent episode was published on 12 December, featuring an interview with US political staffer Huma Abedin.

(Twitter)

As Alec Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges, gun safety on sets gets louder

Saturday 21 January 2023 23:40 , Andrea Blanco

Film production and firearms experts say movie sets probably changed permanently when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on the remote New Mexico set of the Western Rust 14 months ago.

The incident led to the announcement from prosecutors Thursday that Alec Baldwin and the films weapons supervisor will be charged with involuntary manslaughter later this month.

The gun safety experience on set has become more vocal, its a lot louder, Joey Dillon, an armourer who has overseen the use of firearms on television shows including Westworld and movies including The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, told The Associated Press. I make it a lot louder myself.

Mr Baldwin was pointing the gun with a live round inside that killed Hutchins as they set up a shot for an upcoming scene.

Alec Baldwin to face involuntary manslaughter charge over Halyna Hutchins death

Sunday 22 January 2023 00:40 , Andrea Blanco

Alec Baldwin will be prosecuted over the 2021 Rust movie shooting which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Both Baldwin and the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Ms Hutchins on the films Santa Fe set.

In a statement, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said: After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew.

On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.

It comes less than three months after the District Attorneys office received the final report from the police into the incident which led to the death of Ms Hutchins after a prop gun held by Baldwin was discharged.

Halyna Hutchins final words after being shot on Alec Baldwins Rust set

Sunday 22 January 2023 01:40 , Andrea Blanco

Witnesses have revealed Halyna Hutchinss last words in the moments after she was shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie Rust.

Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film, died on 21 October 2021 after Mr Baldwin discharged a firearm while practising a gun-drawing technique on the set in New Mexico.

Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: That was no good. That was no good at all, according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.

The Independents Megan Sheets has the story:

Halyna Hutchins last words after Alec Baldwin shooting

Halyna Hutchins life and career

Sunday 22 January 2023 02:40 , Andrea Blanco

As the news breaks that Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins, family and friends of the late cinematographer will be remembering her life and career.

Baldwin was starring in a western film called Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico, when a prop firearm he was holding discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins, the director of photography, and injuring the director Joul Souza, police said. Hutchins was 42 years old.

The Independents Ellie Muir explains the late cinematographers projects:

Halyna Hutchins: The cinematographers life and career

Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Halyna Hutchins death

Sunday 22 January 2023 03:40 , Andrea Blanco

Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is no way in hell he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Rourke wrote: I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someones movie set. Its a terrible tragedy what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

Louis Chilton has the story for The Independent:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

VOICES: What the charges against Alec Baldwin mean  and whats next

Sunday 22 January 2023 04:40 , Andrea Blanco

On Thursday (19 January), authorities in New Mexico announced they would charge Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter. This follows the death of Halyna Hutchins, a cinematographer who was working on the set of the Western Rust when a gun Baldwin was holding went off, fatally injuring Hutchins.

The question here, as posed by the authorities, is about liability, not intent, Clemence Michallon writes for The Independent.

Involuntary manslaughter is generally defined in New Mexico statutes as either manslaughter committed in the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to felony, or in the commission of a lawful act which might produce death in an unlawful manner or without due caution and circumspection.

Read the full piece.

Who is charged in Rust shooting death of Halyna Hutchins?

Sunday 22 January 2023 05:40 , Andrea Blanco

After an exhaustive inquiry lasting more than 15 months, Alec Baldwin and two others have been charged over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust,

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the district attorney for New Mexicos first judicial district, announced the charges on Thursday.

Baldwin and the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The charges will be filed by the end of the month, Ms Carmack-Altwies said in a statement.

Alec Baldwin shot a woman on set. Hes now facing involuntary manslaughter charges. What changed?

Sunday 22 January 2023 06:40 , Andrea Blanco

Nearly 15 months after the fatal shooting, investigators announced criminal charges over the on set fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The Independents Bevan Hurley explains the complicated case:

What changed in the Alec Baldwin shooting case?

Alec Baldwin shot a woman on set. Hes now facing involuntary manslaughter charges. What changed?

Sunday 22 January 2023 07:40 , Andrea Blanco

Nearly 15 months after the fatal shooting, investigators announced criminal charges over the on-set fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The Independents Bevan Hurley explains the complicated case

What changed in the Alec Baldwin shooting case?

No one is above the law: The Santa Fe DAs reasons for charging Alec Baldwin

Sunday 22 January 2023 08:40 , Andrea Blanco

Alec Baldwin will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the on-set death of Halyna Hutchins, the Santa Fe District Attorney has said.

New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said on Thursday that Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will also face two charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Read the full statement here.

Prosecutors seek justice in Alec Baldwin case, regardless of fame

Sunday 22 January 2023 09:40 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors have vowed to file those charges before February against the 64-year-old actor and weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust in October 2021.

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says the case is about equal justice under the law and accountability in the death of Halyna Hutchins, regardless of the fame or fortune of those involved.

She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death while rehearsing a scene was tragic  and preventable.

Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed maintain their innocence and have vowed to fight the charges, which were announced Thursday.

Who is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armourer charged in the Rust on-set shooting?

Sunday 22 January 2023 10:40 , Andrea Blanco

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is the armourer who is also facing charges of involuntary manslaughter over the October 2021 fatal Rust shooting.

As the head armourer on the film set, Gutierrez-Reeds job was to set up the guns. She was the crew member who placed the firearm on the cart that discharged after Baldwin picked it up, firing the bullet that fatally shot Halyna Hutchins.

The 24-year-old is the daughter of Hollywood armourer Thell Reed. Reed is well-known in the industry for having taught Brad Pitt and Val Kilmer realistic gun handling. He also worked on Quentin Tarantinos 2012 movie Django Unchained as the quick draw expert.

Reed reportedly trained Guiterrez-Reed, who revealed on a recent episode of the Voices of the West podcast, that Rust was only her second film set acting as lead armourer. She recently wrapped on her first movie set The Old Way (2023) starring Nicolas Cage.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was the armourer on the set of Rust (Facebook / Voices of the West)

ICYMI: Everything Alec Baldwin has said about the shooting

Sunday 22 January 2023 11:40 , Andrea Blanco

In 2021, a gun being used as a prop by actor Alec Baldwin went off on the set of Rust, killing the films cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding its director Joel Souza.

Ever since then, the authorities have been investigating to determine how a live round got into the gun that the 64-year-old actor was using, why crew members who inspected it on the set failed to notice it, and why the gun got fired.

The actor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the shooting.

In light of recent news that he will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case, this is everything Alec Baldwin has said about the incident:

Everything Alec Baldwin has said about the Rust shooting

Father of camerawoman killed on 2014 movie set hopes for change within the industry

Sunday 22 January 2023 12:40 , Andrea Blanco

The father of Sarah Jones, a camerawoman who was killed on the set of the 2014 film Midnight Rider, speaks to The Independents Bevan Hurley.

Richard Jones and his wife Elizabeth formed the Safety for Sarah non-profit to educate young filmmakers on the importance of following correct protocols on set, with the mantra: Never forget, never again.

Mr Jones told The Independent that the shooting of Halyna Hutchins had resurfaced the pain he felt after his daughters death.

There needs to be accountability for this tragedy, and Im glad to see that work is being done to hold people accountable, he told The Independent.

Its clear, as in the death of my daughter Sarah, theres a chain of events that occurred. If any one of those professionals had done their job properly, it would have prevented this tragedy.

His daughter was killed on set. He hopes the Alec Baldwin charges will spur change

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Sunday 22 January 2023 13:40 , Andrea Blanco

Rust productions attorney Melina Spadone told CNN on Friday that on-set safety supervisors and union crew members ... will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition, just a day after New Mexico prosecutors announced charges against three of the movies original crew.

The Independent has the story:

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust despite involuntary manslaughter charges

VOICES: The controversy over Alec Baldwin and Rust dangerously misses the point about gun safety

Sunday 22 January 2023 14:40 , Andrea Blanco

It is entirely understandable for the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins to welcome the charges brought against Alec Baldwin, Andrew Buncombe writes for The Independent.

But Americas real Wild West is not film sets of westerns. It is our schools, streets, shops, and places of worship.

Read the full piece:

Controversy over Alec Baldwin and Rust dangerously misses the point about gun safety

ICYMI: Halyna Hutchins family react to manslaughter charges

Sunday 22 January 2023 15:40 , Nicole Vassell

On Thursday (19 January), the family of Halyna Hutchins released a statement in response to the news that Alec Baldwin, among others would be charged with involuntary manslaughter for her death.

Hutchins, 42, was shot by Mr Baldwin, who was starring in and producing the movie, during a rehearsal inside a church on the set on 21 October 2021.

In a message delivered through lawyer Brian Panish, the family thanked the Santa Fe sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life.

They later went on to state that the announcement is a comfort for the family.

The Independents Graeme Massie has the full story:

Halyna Hutchinss husband says shooting charges for Alec Baldwin are comfort

Alec Baldwin will fight manslaughter charges, say lawyers

Sunday 22 January 2023 16:40 , Nicole Vassell

Alec Baldwins lawyers have deemed the actors involuntary manslaughter charge a miscarriage of justice.

In a statement to The Independent, attorney Luke Nikas 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. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.

The full story, from The Independents Graeme Massie, is here:

Alec Baldwins lawyer responds to involuntary manslaughter charges

What legal experts say about Alec Baldwins bold' charging decision

Sunday 22 January 2023 17:40 , Nicole Vassell

A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called bold and aggressive by legal experts.

The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on Thursday.

While Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movies armourer, is also expected to be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.

The charges against Baldwin carry up to a maximum 18-month prison sentence.

Full story below:

What do legal experts say bold charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?

What were Halyna Hutchins last words?

Sunday 22 January 2023 18:40 , Nicole Vassell

The last words spoken by Halyna Hutchins in the moments after she was shot have been revealed.

Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film Rust, died on 21 October 2021 after being shot by a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin, whod believed it was filled with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.

Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: That was no good. That was no good at all, according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.

Find out more in the story below:

Halyna Hutchins last words after Alec Baldwin shooting

ICYMI: Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Rust shooting death

Sunday 22 January 2023 19:40 , Nicole Vassell

Mickey Rourke reacted to the charging of his fellow Hollywood colleague Alec Baldwin soon after the news broke on Thursday.

Baldwin and two other Rust crew members have been charged after the death of the films director of photography, Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Rourke spoke out against the involuntary manslaughter charges, claiming no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

The full story, from The Independents Louis Chilton, is below:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Who is being charged following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set?

Sunday 22 January 2023 20:40 , Nicole Vassell

Three people face involuntary manslaughter charges following the death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, Rust.

It was announced on Thursday that Alec Baldwin would face two counts of involuntary manslaughter after discharging the gun that shot Hutchins, while he practised a gun-drawing technique.

The films armourer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, also faces the same charges.

David Halls, the first assistant director for Rust, has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Each charge carries a punishment of up to 18 months in prison.

Who else was injured in the incident on set?

Sunday 22 January 2023 21:40 , Nicole Vassell

Director Joel Souza was also impacted by the gun discharged by Alec Baldwin on the Rust set.

He was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound in October 2021 and was discharged soon after.

According to a source with knowledge of the film speaking to The New York Times, Souza will return to the film as director, while Baldwin will also resume his lead role.

Joel Souza and Alec Baldwin (Shutterstock / Getty Images for National Geographic)

ICYMI: Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of Hollywood arrogance amid Rust shooting charges

Sunday 22 January 2023 22:40 , Nicole Vassell

Broadcaster and columnist Piers Morgan weighed in on the Rust shooting on Thursday, after the news that Alec Baldwin would face involuntary manslaughter charges broke.

On his talk show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Morgan appeared to welcome the charges against the actor.

There was no doubt that it was an accident but Halyna Hutchins died, leaving behind a grief-stricken husband and a young child and the person holding the gun that fired a bullet and killed her was Alec Baldwin, said Morgan.

It was him who did that, who fired a bullet into his co-workers body and snuffed out her life. Nobody elses hands were anywhere near the gun.

The full story, by Annabel Nugent, is below:

Piers Morgan accuses Alec Baldwin of Hollywood arrogance amid Rust shooting charges

Halyna Hutchins family react to manslaughter charges

Monday 23 January 2023 06:18 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Halyna Hutchins family react to manslaughter charges

On Thursday (19 January), the family of Halyna Hutchins released a statement in response to the news that Alec Baldwin, among others would be charged with involuntary manslaughter for her death.

Hutchins, 42, was shot by Mr Baldwin, who was starring in and producing the movie, during a rehearsal inside a church on the set on 21 October 2021.

In a message delivered through lawyer Brian Panish, the family thanked the Santa Fe sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life.

They later went on to state that the announcement is a comfort for the family.

The Independents Graeme Massie has the full story:

Halyna Hutchinss husband says shooting charges for Alec Baldwin are comfort

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Monday 23 January 2023 06:38 , Peony Hirwani

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust as lead star despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Rust productions attorney Melina Spadone told CNN on Friday that on-set safety supervisors and union crew members ... will bar any use of working weapons or any ammunition, just a day after New Mexico prosecutors announced charges against three of the movies original crew.

The Independent has the story:

Alec Baldwin will finish filming Rust despite involuntary manslaughter charges

Alec Baldwin shares photo of wife and son in first post since pending criminal charges

Monday 23 January 2023 07:08 , Peony Hirwani

Alec Baldwin has shared a photograph of his wife Hilaria and six-year-old son Leo in the first post since he was charged with involuntary manslaughter surrounding Halyna Hutchinss death.

The old let me give you a back rub ploy. Potato chips to follow. the Rust actor captioned the photo.

Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Halyna Hutchins death

Monday 23 January 2023 07:38 , Peony Hirwani

Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is no way in hell he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Rourke wrote: I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someones movie set. Its a terrible tragedy what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

Louis Chilton has the story for The Independent:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Halyna Hutchinss husband previously said he felt anger towards Alec Baldwin

Monday 23 January 2023 08:18 , Peony Hirwani

In February 2022, Halyna Hutchinss husband said he felt angry seeing the actor speak about his wifes death so publicly.

I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her, said Matt Hutchins on the Today show last year.

The idea that the person holding the gun causing it to discharge is not rep is absurd to me.

Who else was injured in the incident on set?

Monday 23 January 2023 08:48 , Peony Hirwani

Director Joel Souza was also impacted by the gun discharged by Alec Baldwin on the Rust set.

He was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound in October 2021 and was discharged soon after.

According to a source with knowledge of the film speaking to The New York Times, Souza will return to the film as director, while Baldwin will also resume his lead role.

What were Halyna Hutchins last words?

Monday 23 January 2023 09:28 , Peony Hirwani

The last words spoken by Halyna Hutchins in the moments after she was shot have been revealed.

Ms Hutchins, director of photography for the Western film Rust, died on 21 October 2021 after being shot by a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin, whod believed it was filled with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.

Seconds after she was struck, Ms Hutchins cried out to a boom operator: That was no good. That was no good at all, according to a Los Angeles Times report based on interviews with 14 crew members.

Find out more in the story below:

Halyna Hutchins last words after Alec Baldwin shooting

Who is being charged following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set?

Monday 23 January 2023 09:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Three people face involuntary manslaughter charges following the death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, Rust.

It was announced on Thursday that Alec Baldwin would face two counts of involuntary manslaughter after discharging the gun that shot Hutchins, while he practised a gun-drawing technique.

The films armourer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, also faces the same charges.

David Halls, the first assistant director for Rust, has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Each charge carries a punishment of up to 18 months in prison.

Monday 23 January 2023 10:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

ICYMI: Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Rust shooting death

Mickey Rourke reacted to the charging of his fellow Hollywood colleague Alec Baldwin soon after the news broke on Thursday.

Baldwin and two other Rust crew members have been charged after the death of the films director of photography, Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

Rourke spoke out against the involuntary manslaughter charges, claiming no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

The full story, from The Independents Louis Chilton, is below:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Monday 23 January 2023 10:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Prosecutors seek justice in Alec Baldwin case, regardless of fame

Prosecutors have vowed to file those charges before February against the 64-year-old actor and weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust in October 2021.

Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says the case is about equal justice under the law and accountability in the death of Halyna Hutchins, regardless of the fame or fortune of those involved.

She says the Ukrainian-born cinematographers death while rehearsing a scene was tragic  and preventable.

Mr Baldwin and Ms Gutierrez-Reed maintain their innocence and have vowed to fight the charges, which were announced Thursday.

Monday 23 January 2023 11:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

Eliza Hutton, fiance of Brandon Lee who died on The Crow set, previously spoke out about gun safety

In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton  the fiance of Brandon Lee  called for alternatives to real guns on sets.

Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.

It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the guns barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.

In October 2021, Hutton said: I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.

Eliza Hutton breaks silence on fiance Brandon Lees death after Rust fatal shooting

What legal experts say about Alec Baldwins bold charging decision

Monday 23 January 2023 12:29 , Jacob Stolworthy

A decision by New Mexico authorities to bring involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins has been called bold and aggressive by legal experts.

The charges against Baldwin and other crew members were announced by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb on Thursday.

While Baldwin faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the movies armourer, is also expected to be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting.

The charges against Baldwin carry up to a maximum 18-month prison sentence.

Full story below:

What do legal experts say bold charging decisions mean for Alec Baldwin?

Monday 23 January 2023 12:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Halyna Hutchinss husband previously said he felt anger towards Alec Baldwin

In February 2022, Halyna Hutchinss husband said he felt angry seeing the actor speak about his wifes death so publicly.

I was angry to see him talk about her death so publicly in such a detailed way, and then to not accept responsibility after having just described killing her, said Matt Hutchins on the Today show last year.

The idea that the person holding the gun causing it to discharge is not rep is absurd to me.

Monday 23 January 2023 13:28 , Jacob Stolworthy

Mickey Rourke says theres no way in hell Alec Baldwin should be charged over Halyna Hutchins death

Mickey Rourke has spoken out in defence of Alec Baldwin, saying there is no way in hell he should face charges over the death of Halyna Hutchins.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Rourke wrote: I usually never put my two cents in about what happens on someones movie set. Its a terrible tragedy what happened to cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But no way in hell actor Alec Baldwin should be charged with any negligence whatsoever.

Louis Chilton has the story for The Independent:

Mickey Rourke says its terribly, terribly wrong to blame Alec Baldwin for shooting

Monday 23 January 2023 13:58 , Jacob Stolworthy

Who is charged in Rust shooting death of Halyna Hutchins?

After an exhaustive inquiry lasting more than 15 months, Alec Baldwin and two others have been charged over the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust,

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the district attorney for New Mexicos first judicial district, announced the charges on Thursday.

Baldwin and the films armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with involuntary manslaughter, while first assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

The charges will be filed by the end of the month, Ms Carmack-Altwies said in a statement.

Eliza Hutton, fiance of Brandon Lee who died on The Crow set, previously spoke out about gun safety

Monday 23 January 2023 14:25 , Ellie Harrison

In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton  the fiance of Brandon Lee  called for alternatives to real guns on sets.

Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.

It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the guns barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.

In October 2021, Hutton said: I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.

Eliza Hutton breaks silence on fiance Brandon Lees death after Rust fatal shooting

Alec Baldwin has been posting on his socials in recent days

Monday 23 January 2023 15:51 , Ellie Harrison

He shared a photo of his wife and son...

Read more below.

Alec Baldwin shares first personal post since facing manslaughter charges

A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwins relationship

Monday 23 January 2023 16:30 , Ellie Harrison

Over the weekend, Hilaria approached photographers in New York City, while carrying one of her children, to ask them to leave my family in peace amid the charges against her husband.

Heres a timeline of the couples relationship...

A timeline of Alec and Hilaria Baldwins relationship

Video: How Alec Baldwin came to face involuntary manslaughter charges

Monday 23 January 2023 17:48 , Tom Murray

Baldwin forced to defend social media caption in photo of Hilaria and their son Leo

Monday 23 January 2023 18:45 , Tom Murray

Baldwin edited the caption on an Instagram post he shared of his wife Hilaria and their son Leo after followers called it weird.

On Sunday, the 64-year-old actor posted a picture of his spouse sitting on the floor as Leo stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders. In the caption, he wrote: The old let me give you a back rub ploy.

He later changed the caption by adding potato chips to follow at the end, explaining in the comments that he adjusted the text. I guess becauseyou knowthere is so much of that Reddit trash out there.

Read more:

Alec Baldwin defends weird caption in photo of Hilaria and their son Leo
The double murder trial of disbarred, notorious South Carolina attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh begins Monday morning, and now the world is watching and waiting for answers to the question: who killed Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul?

It is a story that combined the betrayal and downfall of a family legacy, horrific family murders, other mysterious unsolved homicides, and alleged fraud and corruption on an almost unbelievable scale that has propelled the tiny town of Hampton into the international spotlight.

The Alex Murdaugh crime saga will likely be remembered as one of the most impactful stories in South Carolina history, to be ranked alongside the criminal cases of Dylann Roof, serial killer Donald Pee Wee Gaskins, and child killer Susan Smith.

Alex Murdaugh murder trial:Catch up on everything from the beginning

Will Murdaugh be convicted of the bloodshed he is accused of, or will the case be reminiscent of the famous O.J. Simpson trial, in which the suspect was acquitted of murder but goes on to serve time in prison on other charges? Anything is possible, as Murdaugh is also facing more than 100 other charges that range from fraud and tax evasion to drug trafficking.

This story will be updated throughout Monday as jury selection begins.

Gates are set up outside of the Colleton County Courthouse on Sunday, Jan. 22, which will see hundreds of guests this week during the double murder trial of disbarred S.C. attorney Alex Murdaugh.

Follow Michael DeWitt's Twitter feed for updates through the trial

Keep up to date with the latest from the Colleton County Courthouse from Michael Dewitt here.

What outcomes could happen in Murdaugh's double murder trial?

As a Colleton County jury considers delivering a guilty or not guilty verdict, it is also important to remember that Murdaugh could be found guilty of committing one murder, and not guilty of another.

A team led by Chief prosecutor Creighton Waters of the S.C. Attorney General's Office and the State Grand Jury will face the defense team led by Richard Harpootlian and Jim Griffin.

A diagram of the courthouse area and the nearby parking during the Murdaugh murder trial.

'Media circus' comes to town, and Dr. Phil is on the case

This case has earned space in major newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, is being featured on every major television network and streaming service, and has been a boon for podcasters and YouTubers.

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Court and city officials are expecting what has been described as a "media circus" by social media commenters, and have taken steps to accommodate a massive media and public presence. Media trucks were spotted moving in as early as Friday, including Court TV, which will be providing the live feed video for every media outlet.

Meanwhile, the crime saga has caught the attention of the Dr. Phil show, and Dr. Phil will be airing a special segment on the Murdaugh case Wednesday.

"This is a true crime saga like no other," states a Dr. Phil preview. "Dr. Phil is joined by a panel of experts: former criminal prosecutor Loni Coombs; Michal Higdon, anchor and investigative reporter at WCSC-TV Charleston; forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan; and former FBI agent Bobby Chacon to discuss this case."

What will be the keys to either side winning this legal battle?

Other than convincing every single member of the jury that Murdaugh is guilty without a reasonable doubt, the keys to either side winning this trial lie in several pretrial motions that Judge Newman must consider - motions that will set the playing field for this courtroom drama. Chief among them are:

Will Murdaugh's scores of alleged financial crimes be used against him in this courtroom as motive for the murders?

Will several pieces of questionable evidence, including blood spatter, DNA, and polygraph data be used during the trial, and what will they mean?

Does the state have a murder weapon? State police have been reported searching swamps and rivers in the area after the killings, but it is unclear if any weapons have been recovered.

East Washington Street in Walterboro SC.

Alex Murdaugh murder case sparks cottage industry in small town SC

In anticipation of the major influx of journalists, attorneys and spectators, the City of Walterboro has invited local entrepreneurs to set up food trucks nearby.

Meanwhile, residents in the area are also looking for ways to either accommodate the crowds or capitalize on the situation. Social media posts and even the Colleton County Clerk of Court website are advertising office space for rent. City residents are turning their homes into Air B&Bs, and nearby businesses are selling parking spaces for as much as $40 a day.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Alex Murdaugh murder trial: What could happen in this case
Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were shot next to the dog kennels. They died under dark pines in a far corner of the familys sprawling 1,700-acre hunting property in Colleton County. Today, the eyes of the world are on their father and husband, Alex Murdaugh, as he goes on trial, accused of their murders.

International media, the public and legal experts have descended on the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, SC, as jury selection begins. After more than two years of speculation and rumor, hard facts should finally emerge about the brutal killings and stunning downfall of one of South Carolinas most powerful legal families. But before the prosecution and defense can argue their case, they must choose citizens of Colleton County who will decide Murdaughs fate.

Jury selection

More than 900 potential jurors were were sent detailed questionnaires to determine if they were eligible for jury duty.

From this body, defense attorneys and prosecutors from the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office will pluck 12 jurors and several alternates who will determine whether Alex Murdaugh, the son of a Lowcountry legal dynasty, is guilty of murdering his wife and son.

Since 2019, the Murdaugh case has unfolded in a cascade of sudden twists and dark revelations. Jurors will be expected to parse a murky chain of events, with only circumstantial evidence to give shape to the most important moments in the trial.

In a case defined by unexpected drama, its no surprise that jury selection should also be different. The sheer scale of the potential juror pool is unusual, according to several attorneys.

Normally in a rural county like Colleton, youre not going to summon more than 150 people, said 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, whose office is not involved in the trial.

But veteran judge Clifton Newman, who is overseeing the trial, has worked to streamline the selection process. He sent out an unusually specific questionnaire to potential jurors to narrow the pool as much as possible in advance.

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Jurors who are summoned will then be asked a series of questions, known as voir dire, designed to tease out their knowledge of the case and any biases that might make them unfit to serve on the jury. Lawyers on both sides will jockey to select a jury sympathetic to their case.

Finding a jury in close-knit Colleton County with no knowledge or opinion on the Murdaugh case, or even a past business or personal relationship with the Murdaughs, may be nearly impossible. But that isnt necessarily the goal,say attorneys.

Relationships with the Murdaughs is going to be the overarching issue that comes up in voir dire, predicted Columbia attorney Bakari Sellers. But thats not necessarily disqualifying.

The standard is can the juror put those things aside and be a fair and impartial juror? Pascoe said.

During the Lexington County trial of Tim Jones, convicted in 2019 of murdering his five children, lawyers needed two weeks to whittle down 165 potential jurors into a final panel of 12 jurors and six alternates.

The selection process in Murdaughs trial is expected to go at least the rest of the week. As jurors answer questions about their backgrounds and beliefs, they can be struck for cause and removed from the jury pool if attorneys believe there is a legitimate reason they cannot judge the trial fairly.

Both sides also have a set number of peremptory challenges, which allows them to remove a potential juror without giving a reason. The prosecution is allowed five peremptory challenges, the defense has 10.

The number one thing that could get you disqualified is standing up and saying any time the police arrest someone they must be guilty, Sellers said.

Key players

Alex Murdaugh  A fourth generation lawyer and heir to one of the most powerful legal dynasties in South Carolina. His family controlled the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office, covering Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, for almost 100 years. At the same time, the familys law firm, PMPED, grew into a personal injury powerhouse. Murdaugh served as a volunteer solicitor while working as a plaintiffs attorney at the family law firm. A big man with a love of hunting, Murdaugh met his wife, Maggie, at USC. They had two sons, the younger, Paul, and his older brother, Buster.

From left: Alex Murdaugh, his wife Maggie Murdaugh, and their sons Paul Murdaugh and Alex Buster Murdaugh Jr.

The defense team  Murdaughs lead attorneys are Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin. Harpootlian is a state senator and former 5th Circuit solicitor and deputy solicitor who prosecuted serial killer Donald Pee Wee Gaskins. The long time litigator is known for dramatic flourishes and a charismatic courtroom performance. Griffin is often described as the more reserved and cerebral of the pair, but the former assistant U.S. Attorney brings decades of experience in both criminal defense and complex civil litigation to the trial team.

Alex Murdaugh sits in the Colleton County Courthouse with his legal team including Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin as his attorneys discuss motions in front of Judge Clifton Newman on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. Murdaughs trial for murder is scheduled to begin Jan. 23, 2023 in Walterboro.

The prosecution  The case is being prosecuted by state Attorney General Alan Wilsons office. In the courtroom, the lead prosecutor will be Creighton Waters, the chief attorney of the state grand jury. While the state grand jury rarely considers murder cases, Waters has adeptly led its investigations into complex, multi-jurisdictional crimes like human trafficking and drug smuggling. The Murdaugh case was taken by the Attorney Generals office after Duffie Stone, the 14th Circuit Solicitor, recused himself from the case. Waters will be joined by veteran appellate lawyer Don Zelenka, who has fought numerous murder appeals in the S.C. Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court.

Attorney General Prosecutor Creighton Waters and Defense Attorney Dick Harpootlian make points about the release of evidence during a hearing before Judge Clifton Newman in Florence County on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.

The judge  Clifton Newman, a veteran South Carolina judge who attended segregated schools and is now one of the most respected jurists in the state, will be overseeing the case. Soft-spoken but commanding, Newman has overseen other high profile cases. Among them was trial of Nathaniel Rowland, who murdered USC student Samantha Josephson after she got into his car believing it was an Uber.







Timeline of the case so far

A FATAL BOAT CRASH AND AFTERMATH

A photo of the Sea Hunt boat after it crashed and killed Mallory Beach on Feb. 24, 2019. The photo was released Monday as part of the S.C. Attorney Generals Offices case file.

Feb. 24, 2019  At 2:30 a.m. a speeding boat collides with the pilling of a bridge over Archers Creek in Beaufort County. The six passengers are thrown into the water. One of the passengers, Mallory Beach, is not found after the crash. Paul Murdaugh is accused of piloting the boat while drunk at the time of the crash. Immediately following the wreck, his father and grandfather, the former local solicitor, prevented sobriety tests being performed on Paul. Alex Murdaugh wandered the halls of the hospital, allegedly pressuring witnesses not to speak to the police.

March 3, 2019  Mallory Beachs body is found in a marshy area of the river.

March 20, 2019  A wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of Mallory Beachs family in Hampton County. Paul and his father are named defendants. The Beach family is represented by lawyer Mark Tinsley.

April 18, 2019  On what would have been Beachs 20th birthday, Paul Murdaugh is indicted on three felony criminal charges related to the boat crash. Murdaugh hires Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian to represent his son, who pleaded not guilty on May 6 and was released on bond.

Sept. 22, 2020  Mediation breaks down in an effort to settle the wrongful death lawsuit, according to Tinsley. A court document says that the session lasted more than eight hours before reaching an impasse.

Oct. 16, 2020  Tinsley files a motion to compel Alex Murdaugh to disclose information about bank accounts, assets and finances. A hearing is initially scheduled for May 2021 but is moved to June 10, 2021.

JUNE 7, 2021: THE DAY OF THE MURDERS

The Murdaugh home on Moselle Road, as seen on Sept. 2, 2021, located in Islandton, S.C. On June 7, Alex Murdaugh found his wife Maggie and son Paul murdered near the dog kennels (not pictured).

Morning  PMPED staffer confronts Murdaugh and demands an answer that day about missing fees.

7:56 p.m.  Paul sends Snapchat video to several of his friends.

9:05 p.m.  Alex Murdaugh says that he drives to visit his mother, Elizabeth Libby Murdaugh, in nearby Varnville. He calls his son Buster, brother John Marvin, sister-in-law, Liz Murdaugh, and Chris Wilson on the drive.

9:20 p.m.  Murdaugh arrives at his mothers house. He spends approximately 20 minutes visiting with her and her nurses aid Muschelle Shelly Smith.

9:45 p.m.  Murdaugh drives back to Moselle. One the way he calls Chris Wilson on the cellphone.

10:00 p.m.  Murdaugh arrives back at Moselle.

10:05 p.m.  Murdaugh calls 911 saying that he has found his wife and son shot to death near the dog kennels.

THE CASE AGAINST MURDAUGH

Alex Murdaugh is escorted from the Colleton County Courthouse after a judicial hearing before Judge Clifton Newman on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022.

Sept. 2, 2021  A PMPED staffer finds a missing check on Murdaughs desk. It is from Chris Wilson and was intended for the law firm.

Sept. 3, 2021 Members of the PMPED law firm confront Murdaugh about missing money. He agrees to resign from the firm his family founded.

Sept. 4, 2021 Alex Murdaugh calls 911 saying that someone shot him on the side of a road while he changed a tire. The bullet is said to have grazed the back of his skull. The story quickly unravels and Murdaugh admits that he attempted to kill himself with the help of Curtis Smith, a disabled former logger and distant relative of Murdaughs, in order to secure an insurance payout for his surviving son, Buster. Smith is arrested but later denies in a NBC interview that he conspire with Murdaugh in the shooting. Smith says the gun went off when he tried to wrestle it out of a distraught Murdaughs hand.

Sept. 16, 2021  Murdaugh turns himself in to police on charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and falsifying a police report stemming from what authorities say is a botched staged murder attempt.

Oct. 19, 2021  Murdaugh returns to S.C. from a rehab facility in Florida and is indicted on a charge that he stole from the estate of Gloria Satterfield, the familys nanny who died following a fall at Moselle. He is jailed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County. In the coming months he is indicted on dozens of financial crime charges, including stealing from his own clients and tax evasion.

July 14, 2022  Murdaugh is formally charged with the murder of his wife and son.

The prosecutions case

As the curtain rises on the trial, there are few guarantees about what evidence the prosecution will bring against Murdaugh.

But in court appearances and motions, lead prosecutor Creighton Waters has indicated he will argue that Murdaugh was driven to kill his wife and son in a craven attempt to distract from his financial crimes.

When this case started, a lot of people assumed this was a murder case, and then a couple of months later, some white-collar fraud thrown in there, Waters said in court. But what we have realized is that this is a white-collar case that culminated in two murders. This is an unbroken chain of lying, misappropriations and thefts.

The prosecution has described Murdaugh as lurching from one criminal scheme to another after a series of bad land deals in 2008. Prosecutors will be looking to get as yet unproven allegations in front of the jury: that Murdaugh stole money from his own law firm, pilfered settlements and looted conservatorship accounts belonging to his clients in an attempt to cover his mounting debts.

On June 7, 2021, the day of the murders, Murdaugh finally ran out of road, prosecutors say. He had been subpoenaed to disclose financial information as part of a civil lawsuit over the 2019 boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. On the morning of June 7, 2021, a staff member at PMPED, the law firm that Murdaughs family founded, had inquired about missing payments, prosecutors say.

It was a day of reckoning, Waters said in court. For Murdaugh, who Waters described as having never faced accountability in his life, murder became his only way out.

On the night of June 7, 2021, Murdaugh used two different guns to kill his wife and son, prosecutors allege. Maggie was killed with bullets from a high powered rifle, while Paul was shot in the head and shoulder by a shotgun.

A diagram of the crime scene included in a report prepared by Dr. Kenneth Lee Kinsey showing the location of Paul and Maggie Murdaughs bodies relative to the kennels and storage shed.

The prosecution has indicated that it has a video from Pauls cellphone of Murdaugh, Paul and Maggie talking at the dog kennels shortly before the killing. The familys guns have been tested by SLED. But perhaps most damning is the prosecutions claim that the T-shirt worn by Alex Murdaugh the night of the murders is covered in back spatter, a pattern of droplets caused by the mist of blood when a projectile hits flesh.

Tom Bevel, a technical witness who analyzed the T-shirt, wrote in a report to SLED:

I dont see any other mechanism to get so many misting stains onto (Murdaughs) shirt other than the spatter created from the shotgun wounding (of Paul Murdaugh).

The defenses case

Through the avalanche of indictments against him, Murdaugh has maintained his innocence.

Murdaugh will have a chance to prove it by God and my country, as he requested at his arraignment, invoking an ancient request for a jury trial.

In the months leading up to the trial, his formidable defense team has worked to cut the legs out from under the prosecution. They have attacked the states theory that Murdaugh killed his family to hide financial crimes as illogical and implausible.

There is zero evidentiary support for this motive, the defense wrote in a recent motion that argued the state should not be allowed to introduce the unproven financial allegations contained in 17 other indictments against Murdaugh.

In motions, the defense has portrayed the inquiry about missing fees at the PMPED law firm as inconsequential. The attorneys also say the subpoena in the Mallory Beach lawsuit would only require Murdaugh to disclose superficial financial information.

In reality, Griffin and Harpootlian argue, there was no day of reckoning.

Murdaugh has also offered an alibi for the night of June 7, 2021. He says that although he was at the familys 1,700 acre hunting property, Moselle, from 8:30 until just after 9, he then drove to visit his mother in nearby Varnville. Her nurse, Muschelle Shelly Smith, was also present, according to the court filing.

On the approximately 15-minute drive to and from his mothers home, he had cellphone conversations with his son, Buster Murdaugh, brother John Marvin Murdaugh, sister-in-law Liz Murdaugh, friend Chris Wilson and C.B. Rowe, who is believed to have helped around the property.

Murdaugh says he discovered the bodies when he arrived back at Moselle at 10:05 p.m., when he made a frantic 911 call.

In one of the most punishing pre-trial battles, the defense has fought to keep the bloodstained T-shirt out of the courtroom. In a filing Wednesday, the attorneys accused Bevel of engaging in a science fair experiment, twisted to produce a result favorable to the prosecution. Bevels first draft report stated that the blood on the T-shirt was not consistent with back spatter.

But after SLED agents hand delivered the shirt to him so he could inspect it again, Bevel changed his mind and wrote a report saying that he had determined that the blood stains could only have come from back spatter.

In a recent motion for sanctions, the defense argued that because the prosecution has not turned over documents that would show how Bevel reached a new determination, all testimony stemming from his analysis of the shirt, which has since been destroyed, should be banned from court.

Investigators from SLED tested the cotton T-shirt that Alex Murdaugh wore the night of the murders for blood using two different chemicals that change color in the presence of blood: Phenolphthalein, which turns pink, and leucocrystal violet, which turns blue when it reacts with hemoglobin, a protein contained in red blood cells.

A defense motion alleges that on Feb. 15, 2022, investigators discovered that the shirt was destroyed after chemicals applied to test for blood stained the entire shirt blue and sections were cut from it to test for DNA and blood stains.

The defense does not need to prove that someone else committed the crime. Still, the attorneys have previously accused Curtis Smith of committing the murders.

Harpootlian and Griffin wrote in a motion that Smith decidedly failed a polygraph examination administered by investigators.

The reason Smith failed the polygraph when asked if he murdered Maggie and Paul is because he in fact did commit these heinous crimes, the defense attorneys wrote in October.

The prosecution may look to head off this argument. In recent motions theyve asked Judge Newman to prohibit any inclusion of polygraph evidence or any mention of so-called third party guilt  evidence that someone else may have committed the crime.

Smith has also been indicted in connection with Murdaughs alleged embezzlement and money laundering. He allegedly received more than $1 million from Murdaugh over the years. The prosecution subpoenaed Smith to testify at trial, according to his attorney, Aimee Zmroczek.

The State immediately decided Alex was guilty, the defense wrote in a recent motion. The State has offered nothing more than a fabricated motive, without any supporting evidence.

How to follow the trial

The State will be providing daily coverage from inside the Colleton County courthouse in Walterboro, SC. You can read our coverage online at www.thestate.com

Court TV will be broadcasting the trial live. For more information about streaming online, visit www.courttv.com/trending/alex-murdaugh-family-murders/

For television viewers, visit www.courttv.com/where-to-watch/ to learn which stations carry Court TV.
By Aditi Shah and Nandan Mandayam

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU (Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc on Monday launched a dedicated air cargo service in India, Amazon Air, as it looks to expand and speed-up deliveries across one of its key markets amid fast-growing e-commerce sales, an executive said on Monday.

The company has invested in Indian cargo carrier Quikjet to exclusively transport packages for Amazon across four major Indian cities, Sarah Rhoads, vice president, Amazon Global Air told Reuters, without specifying the size of the investment.

The move to use a dedicated cargo service will give Amazon tighter control over costs and flight schedules while reducing delivery times across a wider range of products, said Rhoads.

"When we use a dedicated network ... we have more transparency with the cost, we control the negotiations and we drive the schedule to make sure we are making the most efficient use of the assets," she said.

"We want to deliver the majority of shipments in two days or less and Amazon Air enables that."

India is the third market, after the United States and Europe, where the company has launched Amazon Air. The Seattle-headquartered firm, which started the service in 2016 in the United States, operates a network of more than 110 jets that fly to over 70 locations worldwide.

Quikjet, a Bengaluru-based freight carrier which is a unit of Europe's ASL Aviation, already operates one plane for Amazon and from Tuesday will begin its second across cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. ASL operates several aircraft for Amazon in Europe, Rhoads said.

Rhoads said Amazon, the books-to-boots online retailer which competes with Walmart Inc-owned Flipkart in India, will expand its fleet based on the success of its two planes.

Amazon, which uses its own ground delivery services for shipping, also partners with Deutsche Post DHL Group controlled Blue Dart Express Ltd, one of India's biggest air cargo carriers.

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
An American imprisoned in Iran since 2015 ended a hunger strike Monday after seven days, saying it is time for President Joe Biden to make tough decisions to secure the release of Americans held in Tehran.

Siamak Namazi announced the end of his strike through his lawyer, saying he was heartened by the support and media coverage he received.

The deluge of coverage gave me the strength to carry on when my body was at its weakest. It lifted all our spirits and renewed our hope, Namazi said in a statement. Please continue to raise awareness about our plight and dont get inured to our being Irans hostage. Dont let President Biden leave us in this abyss of misery.

Namazi lost about 10 pounds and his blood pressure spiked above normal levels after he launched the hunger strike, said his pro bono lawyer, Jared Genser. He also suffered a drop in energy and a reduction in his ability to focus, and he struggled to stay warm, Genser said.

Namazi started the hunger strike saying he wanted Biden to consider the plight of U.S. detainees in Iran for a minute every day of the seven-day strike  one minute for each of the seven years he has been behind bars since, he said, he was left behind in a January 2016 U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange.

I went on hunger strike because Ive learned the hard way that U.S. presidents tend to rely more on their political thermometer than their moral compass when deciding whether or not to enter a prisoner deal with Iran  or indeed who to include in one, Namazi said in his statement.

I denied myself food for an entire week so that maybe President Biden will recognize just how desperate the situation of the U.S. hostages here has become. So that he may realize that we have suffered far too much for far too long, and that it is time to match claims that freeing us is a U.S. government priority with the tough decisions needed to bring us home. All of us, he said.

Two other U.S. citizens are imprisoned in Iran, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Sharghi, as well as an unknown number of permanent U.S. legal residents, including Shahab Dalili.

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Namazi has been held prisoner in Iran longer than any other American in history.

Iranian authorities sentenced him to 10 years on charges of collaboration with a hostile foreign government. The United Nations, human rights organizations and the U.S. government say that the charges are baseless and that his detention is an arbitrary violation of international law.

His elderly father, Baquer Namazi, was imprisoned in 2016 after having traveled to Iran to try to help his son. He was later released on medical furlough and then allowed to leave the country in October.

When Namazi embarked on his hunger strike a week ago, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said, We remain committed to securing the freedom of Siamak Namazi and we are working tirelessly to bring him home.

In his statement from Evin prison, Namazi also referred to the women-led anti-regime protests in the streets of Iran, expressing his admiration for female political prisoners held at Evin.

Everyone here for the sole crime of speaking their mind and for demanding their rights and the rule of law deserves our attention and respect, Namazi said. I particularly want to shine a light on the indomitable political prisoners in the womens ward. Just like outside, inside these walls these dauntless women face far more restrictions than the men do, yet they display the kind of courage that we, frankly, fail to pluck. They are truly an inspiration to us all.

Iranian authorities have rejected accusations that Namazi and other foreigners are being held in violation of international law, saying the prisoners were tried in accordance with Iranian law.

The Iranian government also has defended its mass arrest of protesters and activists, portraying the demonstrators as rioters or agents of foreign adversaries.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Ahmed Rasheed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) -Under pressure from Washington to stem the flow of dollars into Iran, Iraq's prime minister sent elite counter-terrorism forces more accustomed to battling Islamist militants to shut down dealers smuggling the currency to the Islamic Republic.

Saturday's raids in Baghdad represent an early test for Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, who took office in October after more than a year of political paralysis and must now tread a delicate diplomatic path.

The New York Federal Reserve introduced tighter controls on international dollar transactions by commercial Iraqi banks in November.

The move was designed to stop the illegal siphoning of dollars to Iran and apply more pressure along with U.S sanctions imposed over Tehran's nuclear programme and other disputes, leaving Tehran struggling to source dollars.

Aqeel al-Fatlawi, a Shi'ite lawmaker, accused Washington of deliberately using the new regulations as a political weapon.

"Americans are using the dollar transfer rigid restrictions as warning messages to Prime Minister Sudani to stay tuned with the American interests. 'Working against us could lead to bringing down your government' - this is the American message."

A senior banking official said the United States sent a clear message to Iraqi officials: comply with the new regulations or the Iraqi central bank will face fines.

Sudani is reliant on Washington's continued goodwill to ensure his country's oil revenues and finances do not face U.S. censure, and also needs Washington's help in battling Islamic State militants.

But he came to power with the support of powerful, Tehran-backed militias and so cannot afford to alienate Iran.

"Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani is facing an interlocking challenge on how to work a balanced politics with the two old adversaries - Washington and Tehran, who are friends of Iraq at the same time without taking sides. It's too tough a job to handle and Sudani is walking on a tightrope," said Baghdad-based political analyst Ahmed Younis.

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SMUGGLING NETWORKS

The Islamic Republic needs dollars to stabilize its deteriorating economy, hit hard by U.S. sanctions imposed since 2018 after then-U.S. President Donald Trump ditched Tehran's nuclear deal with six world powers.

Iran's troubled currency has lost around 30% of its value since nationwide protests following the death in police custody of a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, on Sept. 16 that have further isolated the country.

For years, the clerical establishment has used front companies from Iraq to Turkey to obtain the dollars it needs for international transactions and for funding its proxies across the Middle East.

Two advisers to Iraqi private banks who regularly attend meetings with the central bank, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Iran receives about $100 million a month from Iraqi traders.

Iraqi security officials supervised by the prime minister said they had "stark evidence" that smugglers have been buying large amounts of dollars from Baghdad's currency markets and smuggling it through border crossings to Iran, especially since mid-January.

Dozens of smugglers buy dollars from Baghdad's currency markets and use school backpacks to transport it before packing it into four-wheel drive vehicles to the border, under the protection of armed guards, said an Iraqi border police colonel based at the Shalamcheh crossing near the southern city of Basra.

The forces that carried out Saturday's crackdown were targeted pistol fire from unknown gunmen in Kifah, one of the three main currency markets.

ECONOMIC PRICE

Under the new restrictions Iraqi banks must use an online platform to reveal their transactions, disclosing details on the sender and beneficiaries. U.S. officials can object to suspicious transfer requests.

The new system has slowed down dollar transactions, said Nabil al-Marsoumi, economics professor at Basra University.

The anti-smuggling measures have also left a hole in public finances. Banks that abstained from registering on the online platform resorted to the free markets in Baghdad to buy dollars, creating shortages as demand outstripped supply, bank officials said.

Meanwhile the price of consumer goods has increased and the Iraqi currency has taken a beating.

And it has deepened anti-American sentiment among politicians in Iraq, which remains unstable nearly 20 years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein.

Dealer Jumaa al-Hilfi, standing inside Kifah, said the supply of dollars to Iran and its sanctions-hit ally Syria was also taking a toll on Iraq's currency.

The Iraqi dinar had been selling at 1,470 dinars against the dollar before the new Fed transfer restrictions, falling in December to lows around 1,620 dinar per dollar before the crackdown began at the weekend.

The Iraqi prime minister replaced the central bank governor after the slide in the dinar, the state news agency said on Monday. Mustafa Ghaleb Mukheef told him he no longer wanted to stay in the job, said the agency.

Sudani has tried to reassure Iraqis that their dinars and economy will be well protected from the crackdown and U.S. regulations.

"We have taken a set of bold decisions to strengthen and stabilise the Iraqi dinar and we warn whoever tries to exploit the crisis," he said at an event on Saturday.

Hadi Ali, account manager at a private bank in Baghdad, was sceptical.

"Following the newly set American conditions means we should wait for ages to get our transfers approved. This is harmful to our business," he said. "Almost all of the dollar transfers end up at parties affiliated to Iranian business. It's not a secret."

(Additional reporting by Haider Kadhim; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By Cassandra Garrison and Dave Graham

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The second major accident in the Mexico City metro in as many years and a series of recent mishaps in the transport system have piled pressure on Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, one of the favorites to become the country's next president.

The Jan. 7 train collision that killed one person and injured 57 and other glitches have shone a harsh light on Sheinbaum's administration just as she bids for the candidacy of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) for the 2024 presidential elections.

Reports of cut cables, objects thrown onto tracks and other damage prompted MORENA's secretary general to call out "sabotage", and Sheinbaum called in 6,000 National Guard members to police metro stations, saying they will guarantee security after "intentional incidents" that are under investigation.

Critics, however, have questioned that move as a bid to distract from a lack of investment and maintenance in the network that carries millions of people daily.

"The metro is possibly the Achilles heel of Claudia Sheinbaum's presidential aspirations," said Jorge Bravo, a political scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), explaining that the network is regarded as a vital test of her ability to govern.

There are signs it may already be hurting her.

A January poll by newspaper El Financiero, conducted partly on the day of the fatal accident, showed support for Sheinbaum falling from December by five percentage points to 41%.

Behind her, backing for her closest rival, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, rose to 38% from 36%.

Sheinbaum's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, a war of words has broken out between MORENA and the metro workers' union, which operates the network and whose leadership has been in place since the 1970s.

Some MORENA lawmakers blame the union for the metro's woes, accusing it of trying to hurt Sheinbaum. The union has dismissed the accusations, arguing problems arose because her government - and its predecessors - did not invest enough in the metro.

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Sheinbaum has publicly vowed to spend more on the metro, but government data analyzed by think tank Mexico Evalua shows maintenance dipped during the pandemic. The metro's budget did increase by more than 3 billion pesos in 2022, a nearly 25% boost. Funds, however, were likely prioritized for problem areas, Mexico Evalua said, including Line 12 which suffered a fatal accident in May 2021 that killed 26 people.

Calling in the National Guard risks backfiring if the city prioritizes its deployment over maintenance or replacement of old parts, said Eduardo Miranda, a structural engineering professor at Stanford University.

"If accidents continue, like a cable or the signal system breaks, the National Guard is not going to detect that or make a difference," Miranda said.

Governments have been hesitant to invest more in the metro's maintenance because repairs are less visible than other projects, and also to raise its five peso ($0.26) fare to avoid upsetting the public, argued Mariana Campos at Mexico Evalua.

"They haven't given it the importance it deserves and they've taken too many risks," Campos said.

The metro problems come as Sheinbaum is still under scrutiny for her response to the 2021 fatal overpass collapse, said a Mexican government official, who nevertheless argued the union was trying to undermine her.

The city commissioned Norwegian firm DNV to investigate the incident, which identified maintenance as one of the causes. But Sheinbaum rejected the findings before they were public, and threatened to sue DNV. Her attempt to suppress the report undermined her credibility, the official said.

To be sure, Sheinbaum has navigated pitfalls in the past. A school collapse that killed 19 children in a 2017 earthquake happened on her watch as a district mayor of Mexico City.

She filed a criminal complaint accusing two prior attorneys for the district of failing to enforce the law after discovering illegal construction, and became Mexico City Mayor in 2018.

Now, Lopez Obrador has backed her decision to use the National Guard, in a clear sign of support for her.

Yet that could lead to more criticism from opponents that she struggles to manage crises, said Bravo at UNAM.

"Claudia is showing that she cannot do it alone," he said.

($1 = 18.9849 Mexican pesos)

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison, Dave Graham and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Alistair Bell)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers move facial recognition scanners at a gate inside Terminal 3 before an American Airlines flight to London Heathrow was scheduled to board on July 19, 2017, at O'Hare International Airport. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

In his op-ed, Sheldon Jacobson (Facial recognition will transform airport security checkpoints, Jan. 13) describes a proposal for increased use of facial recognition technology in airports as a model and game changer. He forgot one other description  dystopian. Indeed, the professor neglects to acknowledge the serious shortcomings of facial recognition technology.

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The Transportation Security Administration  created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks  has been testing the increased use of facial recognition technology as part of security screenings at a number of airports across the country. The embrace of this technology at our airports will inevitably expand its use in other locations. But the rush to expand use is happening with serious problems still in place for the technology  and no apparent plans to fix these problems.

Despite promises that facial recognition technology will enhance security, this technology frequently misidentifies people of color. A few years ago, face scans of members of the Congressional Black Caucus were run against a number of criminal databases using Amazons Rekognition software. A significant number of the members were flagged for a match  despite having never been arrested or charged with a crime.

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The flaws have real-life consequences. Consider the example of Robert Williams, a Black man from Michigan arrested for a crime he did not commit because of being misidentified through facial recognition technology. Only after a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union was he vindicated and the real culprit caught. The expanded use of this technology will only enhance the likelihood of such events.

Facial recognition is no panacea for security or for our society. Misidentification hurts innocent people and threatens rather than enhances security. Further, this technology now will be used by TSA, which has a history of bias against travelers of South Asian descent.

Solutions for these technological problems must be developed before we embrace a flawed system.

 Edwin C. Yohnka, director of communications and public policy, American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, Chicago

Protect youths from vaping

We were pleased to read of the City Councils recent actions to further protect Chicagos youths from the harms of electronic cigarettes, vaping products and tobacco use (New restrictions for vape shops, Jan. 19). Years of strong city and state policies have reduced cigarette use among Chicago high school students by nearly 82% in the past five years. But this success is threatened by a concurrent 56% increase in youth vaping.

The new ordinance not only requires special licenses for businesses that derive more than 20% of their gross revenue from the sale of electronic cigarettes, liquid nicotine products or electronic cigarette accessories, but also prevents new tobacco retail licenses for businesses within 1,000 feet of an existing retail tobacco store. Finally, the ordinance significantly increases fines for underage tobacco sales in Chicago.

As the tobacco and vaping industries continue youth-focused marketing efforts that prioritize profits over health, it is critical that the City Council works equally hard to counteract those harmful efforts to protect Chicagos youths.

 Erica Salem, senior director of strategy, programs and policy, Respiratory Health Association, Chicago

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What the flag means to me

I must respectfully respond to Bridget Wests op-ed regarding the American flag (I want my flag back, Jan. 18). If what she is saying is true, I would have to be embarrassed that I have proudly flown an American flag every day for the past 40 years  for as long as I have owned my home.

When my son was in the Army, I wore an American flag pin and bracelet because it reminded me of what he was doing for our country. I sincerely hope I am not construed as a MAGA supporter by my neighbors or friends.

What scares me more is seeing Dont Tread on Me flags or other ones that tout the philosophy of extremist groups. Indeed, if members of the next generation are really turned off when they see an American flag because of its association with a marketing campaign, we must do a better job in our political science and civics classes.

 Carole Klein-Alexander, Riverwoods

Cheers to flag op-ed

Yay, Bridget West. I wish Id written that!

 Bindy Bitterman, Chicago

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Republicans should unify

Former Gov. Sarah Palin, the tea party, the Freedom Caucus and Trumpism: Since the presidency of Barack Obama, the Republican Party has seen a strengthening of its far-right faction. This Jan. 6, Freedom Caucus Republicans in Washington successfully delayed U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy from becoming speaker of the U.S. House, marking the first time in 100 years the House failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot.

The United States has seen political fractures of this magnitude before  from Democrats. In July 1948, the Democratic National Convention erupted into controversy when delegates adopted a civil rights plank. Angered segregationists formed the States Rights Democratic Party  or Dixiecrats  with Gov. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina as its presidential candidate.

Two unifying habits may prevent the Republican Party from splintering into this generations Dixiecrats. First, reaffirm President Ronald Reagans 11th commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of thy fellow Republican. Secondly, adopt a motto Reagan told his staff: The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and an ally  not a 20% traitor.

 Casey C. Hoffman, Menominee, Michigan

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Ruja Ignatova FBI

The FBI's recent update to its Most Wanted list features the "Crypto Queen," who tricked investors out of billions.

The suspect  Ruja Ignatova  was only the 11th woman to make it onto the list in its history.

The women on the list range from murderers to scammers to anti-war activists.

The so-called 'Crypto-queen'  Ruja Ignatova

Ruja Ignatova FBI

In the FBI's Most Wanted List's 72-year history, only 11 women have made it on it. The women ranged from political activists like Angela Davis to the most recent, Ruja Ignatova.

Ignatova became the 11th woman to make it on the FBI's most-wanted list for allegedly scamming wealthy investors out of $4 billion between the end of 2014 and 2016 in a Ponzi scheme under her company OneCoin. She then boarded a plane and disappeared in 2017 and has not been seen since.

US authorities charged Ignatova with wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering in 2019 in absentia.

The FBI is now offering $100,000 for information on her whereabouts but suspects she may have had plastic surgery or altered how she looks in some ways.

Shanika S. Minor

Shanika S. Minor FBI

Minor was added to the FBI's most wanted in June 2016.

The FBI said Minor was wanted for killing a pregnant woman in Milwaukee. Minor had allegedly confronted her mother's neighbor who was 9 months pregnant in March 2016 after her mother told her the neighbor was playing loud music and Minor thought the woman "disrespected" her family.

Minor instigated two confrontations with the neighbor and both times her mother tried to intervene but the woman and her unborn baby were killed and Minor later fled, the FBI said.

The FBI announced on July 1, 2016, just three days after Minor was placed on the most wanted list that she was apprehended in a North Carolina motel.

Brenda Delgado

Brenda Delgado FBI

Delgado, a Mexican citizen was added to the FBI's most-wanted list on April 6, 2016, and arrested just two days later. Delgado was wanted for her role in a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the killing of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, a prominent local pediatric surgeon.

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The FBI said Delgado bribed two co-conspirators with drugs and money, which she claimed came from cartel connections to kill Dr. Kendra Hatcher. Hatcher was murdered in the parking garage of her Dallas apartment complex.

Shauntay L. Henderson

Shauntay L. Henderson FBI

Henderson was placed on the FBI's most wanted list on March 31st, 2017, and arrested that same day. In 2007, the Los Angeles Times that Henderson was arrested right before the television show "America's Most Wanted" was set to announce that she made the list.

Authorities caught her when she opened the door at an associate's house, as police were searching for someone else.

She had been wanted in connection with the shooting and killing of a 21-year-old man at a gas station in Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities also said she was the leader of a gang and wanted in connection to more murders.

Donna Jean Willmott

Donna Jean Willmott FBI

Willmott was placed on the FBI's most wanted list in May 1987 but wouldn't surrender until On December 6, 1994.

After Willmott's capture alongside her partner, Claude Daniel Marks, in 1994, The New York Times reported that they had been hiding out in Chicago under the alias Greg Peters and Jo Elliot.

Willmott and her partner in crime were wanted by the FBI for charges stemming from their alleged involvement in trying to blow up a maximum security prison in Kansas  including landing a helicopter amid the chaos  to try and free a leader of a Puerto Rican nationalist group known as the F.A.L.N., the Times reported.

Katherine Ann Power

Katherine Ann Power FBI

Power was added to the most wanted list in October 1970 but was later dropped from the list in June 1984. She wouldn't be caught however until 1993.

In 1970, Power was a senior at Brandeis University when she robbed a National Guard armory and a bank in Massachusetts with her roommate Susan Edith Saxe and three ex-convicted criminals. While robbing the bank, one of the ex-cons fatally shot a police officer on the scene, The New Yorker reported.

The goal of the robbery was to collect money to support the Black Panthers.

Power would spend more than 20 years under a false identity before she surrendered after going to therapy.

Susan Edith Saxe

Susan Edith Saxe FBI

Saxe was placed on the list for the same robbery that put her roommate Power on the list but unlike Power, Saxe was caught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1975.

Bernardine Rae Dohrn

Bernardine Rae Dohrn FBI

Dohrn was placed on the FBI's most wanted list in October of 1970 before the charges against her were dismissed on December 7th, 1973.

In 1970, Dohrn was a leader of Weather Underground, a radical group, when an accidental explosion at the home of a member resulted in three deaths, BuzzFeed reported. Dohrn, alongside other leaders, went into hiding.

By the time Dohrn had turned herself in 1980, all the charges against the group had been dismissed because the FBI's counterintelligence efforts were ruled to be criminal, Buzzfeed reported.

Angela Yvonne Davis

Angela Yvonne Davis FBI

Davis, a well-known activist was placed on the FBI's most wanted list in 1970 and was captured in a New York City motel that same year.

The New York Times reported that her arrest at the time was very controversial. Davis was wanted for murder and kidnapping when she evaded the police and became only the third woman to be on the FBI's most wanted.

The murder and kidnapping charges stemmed from allegations that Davis bought a shotgun that was used to kill a judge in a courthouse shooting, the Times reported.

The Times added that it did not appear that Davis was there and was charged because of "a California law that makes an accomplice equally guilty for having purchased the guns used."

She was acquitted in 1972.

" The guns in question were used for a courthouse kidnapping during the trial of the Soledad Brothers'  George L Jackson, Fleeta Drumgo, and John Wesley Clutchette, accused of killing a white guard Soledad prison  that left four dead, including a judge

Marie Dean Arrington

Marie Dean Arrington FBI

Arrington was added to the list in 1969 after she escaped from a Florida prison where she was on death row for murder, the Orlando Sentinel reported in 2014 at the time of her death.

The Sentinel reported that Arrington had been imprisoned for the killing of a secretary for the public defender who failed to have criminal charges dropped against Arrington's two children. She was labeled a "mad-dog killer."

Arrington was caught working as a waitress at a New Orleans restaurant in December of 1971, where she allegedly kept herself busy by reading newspaper articles about the reward placed for finding her, the Sentinel reported.

"That reward business," she told a reporter, chuckling, in a 1973 jailhouse interview, according to the Sentinel. "It sounded like the old wild wild West and the Jesse James Gang."

Ruth Eisemann-Schier

Ruth Eisemann-Schier FBI

Eisemann-Schier was the first woman to ever be placed on the FBI's most wanted list in December of 1968.

According to the Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research, Eisenmann-Shier confessed to the FBI in March 1969 that she helped kidnap a Miami heiress because she was in love with the kidnapper, Gary Steven Krist.

The pair kidnapped Barbara Jane Mackle on December 17, 1968. Mackle, the daughter of Robert Mackle, a millionaire Florida land developer was placed in a coffin-like box for more than three days. Mackle's father paid a ransom of $500,000 and the kidnappers then informed the FBI of where Mackle was buried.

Read the original article on Insider
Jan. 22A television was the bargaining chip as the reason why a state inmate pled guilty to sucker punching a corrections officer inside the State Correctional Institution at Dallas.

When the television was not returned, the inmate wanted to withdraw his guilty plea.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court denied an appeal by Andrew Nathaniel Bingham, 38, who wanted to withdraw his guilty plea on an aggravated assault charge for punching the corrections officer on Nov. 19, 2019.

State police at Wilkes-Barre in court records say two corrections officer were escorting Bingham to a hearing for a misconduct violation. Bingham slipped his right hand out of handcuffs and punched a corrections officer in the head, court records say.

Bingham was pinned against a wall and struggled with the two corrections officers before he was able to be resecured in handcuffs.

The two corrections officers sustained injuries.

Bingham pled guilty to aggravated assault under the belief he would get his television returned to him. When the TV was not given back, Bingham wanted to withdraw his guilty plea.

Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas denied Bingham's request sentencing him to 30 months to five years in state prison on Dec. 16, 2021.

Bingham filed an appeal with the Superior Court.

A three-member panel of the Superior Court denied Bingham's appeal last week.

"Bingham's written plea agreement does not at all reference that his television would be returned as a condition of his plea. Both the Commonwealth and the trial court stressed to him that the trial court did not have the authority to direct the (Pennsylvania) Department of Corrections to return Bingham's television to him while he was still serving his prison term," the appellate court wrote in their denial.

Bingham is serving a state prison sentence for a burglary conviction in Chester County.
Here's the latest news from Austin Peay State University.

Studies name change emphasizes earth, environment

The longstanding Department of Geosciences has a new name  the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

APSU announced that the new distinction became official in November, and better reflects what students can learn and what job opportunities theyll have. The degree offered by the department also soon will change from geoscience to earth and environmental sciences.

APSU's Department of Geosciences has renamed itself to the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences to better connect with students.

Few students come to college and want to be in geology or geography, said Dr. Jack Deibert, chair of the newly named department. One of the main reasons for that is theyre not taught those subjects in Tennessee high schools. But they understand the environment and environmental science.

Earth and Environmental graduates get jobs at places such as the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service and as GIS specialists.

Business faculty set record for journal publications

The College of Business celebrated 15 highly-ranked journal publications by its faculty in 2022. The production marks a new record for the college as it continues strengthening its commitment to growth and development.

The APSU College of Business celebrated 15 highly-ranked journal publications in 2022. This marks a new record of publications for that department.

One of the goals we set five years ago was to improve the quality of our faculty research, Dr. Mickey Hepner, dean of the College of Business, said. With a record of 15 highly-ranked publications in one year, our faculty are demonstrating that they are leading experts in their disciplines. I am thrilled that our students get to learn from faculty who are shaping the way business is understood and practiced.

To learn more about College of Business faculty research, contact Elaina Russell at russelle@apsu.edu.

APSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from APSU News and Communications department.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: New record for publications school of arts and new name
A man was injured early Saturday in Atlanta shooting.

According to police, two armed men were arguing at around 2 a.m. at 1161 Metropolitan Parkway SW when one shot the other multiple times.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The victim survived and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Officers recovered a firearm from the crime scene.

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There is no word on the location of the suspect.

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With egg prices spiking 59.9% year-over-year, so have the number of attempts to bring them across the U.S.-Mexico border.

There has been a large increase in the volume of prohibited food items, such as raw eggs and raw poultry meat, brought by travelers from Mexico. We would like to remind the traveling public that federal agricultural regulations remain in effect, said Jennifer De La O, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego, said in a recent release.

Roger Maier, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Public Affairs Specialist in El Paso, Texas, told Yahoo Finance he's seen a dramatic "increase in people attempting to cross eggs from Juarez to El Paso because they are significantly less expensive in Mexico than the United States."

In the El Paso crossing area alone, the agency reported the number of eggs and poultry seizures rose 108% from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 of last year.

Under Federal Law, travelers are prohibited to bring certain agriculture products, including eggs as chickens, into the U.S. because they could carry plant pests and foreign animal diseases.

Photo taken from the Paso Del Norte internal crossing in El Paso on January 18, 2023. (Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Maier said for the most part, travelers declare the eggs during the primary border inspection only to have them collected and destroyed by officials, usually without penalty. "Typically people are not concealing the product," he stressed.

But those who don't declare what they're transporting can face fines. "When that happens the eggs are seized and the individual is assessed a $300 civil penalty. Penalties can be higher for repeat offenders or commercial size imports," he said.

Indeed, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations Jennifer De La O took to Twitter to warn travelers that the fine can be even more  particularly for those attempting to bring in large amounts to resell. "As a reminder, uncooked eggs are prohibited entry from Mexico into the U.S. Failure to declare agriculture items can results in penalties of up to $10,000."

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The San Diego Field Office has recently noticed an increase in the number of eggs intercepted at our ports of entry. As a reminder, uncooked eggs are prohibited entry from Mexico into the U.S. Failure to declare agriculture items can result in penalties of up to $10,000. pic.twitter.com/ukMUvyKDmL  Director of Field Operations Jennifer De La O (@DFOSanDiegoCA) January 18, 2023

The USDA says there's relief in sight for egg lovers  and border agents  with inventory on the rise and prices starting to fall.

"During the last week of 2022, inventory sizes started to rise, and prices fell. Going forward, wholesale prices are expected to decrease as the industry moves past the holiday season and continues rebuilding its egg-laying flocks."



Brooke DiPalma is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com.

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Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Check out our latest analysis for Associated British Foods

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK702.2m UK828.2m UK962.1m UK1.06b UK1.13b UK1.20b UK1.24b UK1.28b UK1.32b UK1.34b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x8 Analyst x8 Analyst x6 Est @ 9.94% Est @ 7.25% Est @ 5.37% Est @ 4.06% Est @ 3.14% Est @ 2.49% Est @ 2.04% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.5% UK660 UK731 UK797 UK823 UK829 UK821 UK802 UK777 UK748 UK717

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK7.7b

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We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK1.3b (1 + 1.0%)  (6.5% 1.0%) = UK25b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK25b ( 1 + 6.5%)10= UK13b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK21b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK18.3, the company appears quite undervalued at a 32% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Associated British Foods as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Associated British Foods

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Associated British Foods, there are three additional elements you should explore:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Associated British Foods , and understanding it should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does ABF's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the LSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia said on Monday it would accelerate plans to buy advanced sea mines to protect its maritime routes and ports from "potential aggressors" amid China's plans to increase its influence in the Pacific region.

The so-called smart sea mines are designed to differentiate between military targets and other types of ships, a defence department spokesperson said in a statement.

"(Australia) is accelerating the acquisition of smart sea mines, which will help to secure sea lines of communication and protect Australia's maritime approaches," it said. "A modern sea mining capability is a significant deterrent to potential aggressors."

Though the defence department did not specify any further details, a report in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Monday said Canberra would spend up to A$1 billion ($698 million) to procure the high-tech underwater weapons.

The federal government will soon announce a contract to buy "a substantial number" of sea mines from a European weapons supplier, the report said, citing unidentified defence industry sources.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC television he would not "pre-empt those national security issues."

"What we need is to make sure we have the best possible defences. So we have looked at missile defence, we're looking at cyber security, we're looking at all of these issues," Albanese said.

China has plans to step up its presence in the Pacific and entered a security pact with Solomon Islands last year, raising concerns in the United States and Australia, who for decades have seen the region as their sphere of influence.

Australia has been looking to boost its defence spending over the past few years, including entering into a deal in 2021 to buy nuclear submarines from the United States and Britain.

($1 = 1.4323 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Ray Lewan, of Evergreen Park, takes a look a Leonardo da Printi, the new 3D printer at the Evergreen Park Public Library during a program last week at the library where the device's new name was announced. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

The new 3D printer at Evergreen Park Public Library might represent the latest trends in technology, but its new name hearkens to an innovator from centuries ago.

Channeling the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, the librarys new device now will be called Leonardo da Printi, thanks to Evergreen Park resident Jayna Rumble, a photographer and journalism teacher at the University of Chicago Lab Schools whose entry was selected as the winner of a library naming contest.

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Officials at the library hope that the new printer will help people be as creative as da Vinci, and said the device could be just as versatile as the storied inventor.

Frank Murray, the librarys director, said the possibilities the device brings to library patrons are endless, having had experience with the devices at other facilities.

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I have found them to be successful and inspiring, Murray said. Thats what were hoping to bring here to Evergreen Park.

Evergreen Park Public Library Director Frank Murray prepares the library's new 3D printer, Leonardo da Printi, for a demonstration during an event last week at the library where the printer was introduced to patrons. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

The library hosted a launch party for the printer last week where patrons had a chance to look it over and quiz the library staff about the new gizmo, which the library acquired thanks in part to a donation from Order of St. Francis Little Company of Mary and OSF Innovation.

The event included demonstrations on how to make things with the printer, including one by representatives from Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center on how to create miniature models of human hearts.

Now that the party has passed, the library will get down to business of letting the public have a go at creating their own ideas with Leonardo, a Prusa i3 MK3 printer.

Orientation sessions will begin in the early spring. Registration and information are with Jenna Harte-Wisniewski at hartej@evergreenparklibrary.org.

The technology for 3D printing has been around since the early 1980s but some people still hear the word printer and think it has to do with ink and paper.

Thats not the case.

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Rather, the device extrudes layers of plastic material to form objects as simple as doodads and toys or as complicated as anatomical models used in medical science.

Marty Stelk, of Homewood, stirs a molding liquid to make a replica of a human heart with the new 3D printer at the Evergreen Park Public Library during an event showcasing the device last week at the library. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

Conner Davie of the Peoria-based Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center at the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, helped patrons young and old make heart models with an assist from some modeling software.

He also brought some items, such as replicas of fingers and a life-size replica of a human heart, that have been created via a 3D printer.

Its a 16-year-old boys heart and there is a big white glob on top, which is a tumor, Davie said while holding up the heart replica, which is the size of a fist. They were able to go in and remove that tumor and he was able to make a full recovery.

Evergreen Park resident Ray Lewan came away from the event amazed.

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Its interesting, he said. I dont know if I have a direct application for it, but when I heard the presentation on how the hospitals use it, I found it to be very interesting. I did some research and this is a state-of-the-art printer.

Yes, the technology has been around for decades, but Murray points out that because of patents, it didnt start to catch fire until the 2000s.

This is the heyday right now, because there are so many different companies, Murray said. The people here are excited about it, and we cant wait to start hosting our classes.

Murray said the there are few limits on what this device can do.

Literally, whatever your imagination can cook up, you can create it, he said. You can create it through some design software, or you can modify a file that already exists.

You can do it, he said.

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Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
By Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari

BEIRUT (Reuters) -The judge investigating the 2020 Beirut port explosion has unexpectedly resumed his inquiry and charged top security officials, three judicial officials said on Monday, more than a year after his probe was frozen by political resistance.

Judge Tarek Bitar's efforts to interrogate top officials over the explosion that killed 220 people and shattered Beirut have been derailed by push-back from factions including the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Bitar has charged Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon's domestic intelligence agency, and Major General Tony Saliba, head of another security body, in connection with the blast, the officials said, without specifying the charges.

He also charged former army commander Jean Kahwaji.

Ibrahim declined to comment on reports he had been charged. Saliba and Kahwaji could not immediately be reached for comment.

All have denied wrongdoing.

The Aug. 4, 2020 explosion was caused by hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate unloaded at the port in 2013. No senior official has been held to account.

Victims' relatives welcomed the resumption of the inquiry.

"It was a beautiful shock but we want to be sure that no one stands in his way," said William Noun, who lost his brother in the explosion.

Judicial sources said Bitar had ordered the release of five people detained since shortly after the blast -- former port officials Michel Nahoul, Shafiq Merhi and Sami Hussein; a welder of Syrian origin, Ahmad Rajab; and a contractor, Salim Shebli.

Bitar met French judges visiting Beirut last week as part of a French investigation into the explosion that killed two French nationals. He was unable to share documents with them because the investigation was frozen.

Politicians that Bitar had sought to question, including Hezbollah allies, made dozens of legal challenges disputing his right to interrogate them and saying he had overstepped his powers.

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The investigation was paralysed in early 2022 by the retirement of judges from a court that must rule on several such complaints against Bitar before he can continue.

The court has been awaiting the appointment of new judges to resume its work - a step authorities have not taken.

Bitar resumed his work on the basis of a legal interpretation challenging the reasons for its suspension, the judicial sources said.

ANALYST SEES NEW TENSIONS

Hezbollah has campaigned against Bitar as he sought to question its allies and accused Washington of meddling in the probe. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called for him to be replaced.

Top Hezbollah official Hussein Khalil said he did not want to comment on the latest development but reiterated Hezbollahs stance that the investigation had been marred by black points.

An anti-Bitar protest called by Hezbollah and its allies in October 2021 escalated into deadly violence.

The investigation's resumption "will certainly raise tensions in the country because the factions who were opposed to his moves will raise hell - they will object again", said Nabil Boumonsef, deputy editor-in-chief of Annahar newspaper.

Senior politicians Bitar sought to interrogate included members of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Amal Movement, an important Hezbollah ally, along with Hassan Diab - prime minister at the time of the blast.

All of them, including former ministers Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zeaiter, have denied wrongdoing, and some say they have immunity from prosecution.

The Lebanese judiciary, where appointments depend largely on political backing, has long been prone to political influence.

A court removed the first judge appointed to investigate the blast - Fadi Sawan - after he charged three ex-ministers and Diab with negligence.

In November, Lebanon's most senior judge said political meddling in judicial work had led to a chaotic situation that required a "revolution in approaches" to resolve.

(Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Timour Azhari and Tom Perry; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Timothy Heritage and Bernadette Baum)
This week, President Biden remains under scrutiny after FBI officials secured more classified documents from his Delaware residence.

Other top stories include reports that the White House has selected the next chief of staff and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has withdrawn the state's bid for an EV battery plant.

Here are three stories at the intersection of business and politics to watch this week:

Biden criticized over handling of classified materials

President Biden is facing mounting criticism for his handling of classified documents after CNN reported that FBI officials found six more documents when they searched Biden's Delaware residence on Friday.

The latest discovery of classified documents comes after two other incidents in which the FBI was alerted of classified material at Biden's home and at his former office at the Biden Penn Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

President Joe Biden talks with reporters after speaking in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Jan 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Republicans have seized on the FBI special counsel investigation and vowed to launch additional congressional investigations. Biden's team is arguing that the president is cooperating with authorities, unlike former President Trump, who was criticized for resisting efforts by the National Archives and FBI to recover documents. FBI officials searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence last year.

"Embarrassed by the situation, as he should have been, [President Biden] invited the government agencies in to carefully look through all the boxes he had accumulated," Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the No. 2 ranking Democrat in the Senate, said on CNN's State of the Union Sunday. "Its a much different approach. It is outrageous that either occurred. But the reaction by the former president and the current president could not be in sharper contrast.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who left the door open to a 2024 presidential run, also criticized Biden over his handling of classified materials.

Its unbelievable how this could happen," Manchin told CNN. "Its totally irresponsible.

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President Biden to name Jeff Zients as new chief of staff

President Biden is expected to hire Jeff Zients as his new chief of staff, according to the Associated Press.

Zients will replace Ron Klain, who is preparing to step down after two years in the role. Zients oversaw Biden's COVID-19 response and has a background in the budget and the economy, previously serving as the director of the National Economic Council and acting director of the Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration.

Jeff Zients, who has been selected serve as coordinator of the Covid-19 response and counselor to the President, speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Zients will take the reins during a time of political uncertainty for Biden in Washington.

The FBI investigation into Biden's handling of classified material has raised questions about whether Biden will seek reelection in 2024. A late-November CNBC All-America Economic Survey of 801 individuals, conducted prior to the classified documents revelations, found that 70% of Americans said they do not want Biden to seek a second term in office.

Zients will also have to spearhead a looming contentious battle with Republicans over raising the nation's debt ceiling, a political calamity likely headed for a showdown this summer or early fall.

Virginia Governor scraps EV battery plant

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has yanked the state's bid on an electric vehicle battery plant, citing concerns over China.

Youngkin, a potential contender for the 2024 Republican nomination, criticized the proposed $3.5 billion joint venture between Ford (F) and Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, also known as CATL (300750.SZ), to build an EV battery factory in the state.

I look forward to bringing a great company there," Youngkin said Friday in an interview with Bloomberg Television. "It wont be one that uses kind of a Trojan-horse relationship with the Chinese Communist Party in order to gain.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, at podium, speaks before signing the budget bill at a ceremony at a grocery store June 21, 2022, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Youngkin is the latest U.S. official to raise alarms about relying on China for a range of products from EVs to semiconductors. Last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, FBI Director Christopher Wray noted concerns to global business leaders about China's intellectual property theft and aggressive military-civil fusion ambitions.

Kevin Cirilli is a visiting media fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub and the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. Follow him on LinkedIn here.

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By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday nominated a special envoy for human rights in North Korea, moving to fill a post that has been empty since 2017 amid debate over how rights issues fit with efforts to counter Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

President Joe Biden nominated Julie Turner, a long-time diplomat and current director of the Office of East Asia and the Pacific in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the Department of State, the White House said in a statement.

She speaks Korean and has previously worked on North Korean human rights as a special assistant in the envoy's office, the statement said.

The special envoy position - and a similar one in South Korea - had become controversial as preceding administrations tried to bring North Korea to the negotiating table. Some activists said human rights had been shunted aside in favour of national security priorities.

Biden vowed repeatedly after taking office in 2021 that human rights would be at the centre of his foreign policy, but the position had remained vacant.

South Korea's ambassador on North Korean human rights expressed disappointment last year that Biden's administration had yet to appoint an envoy for the issue at the time.

North Korea has repeatedly rejected accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation. It accuses Washington and Seoul of using the issue as a political tool to smear Pyongyang's reputation.

A landmark 2014 U.N. report on North Korean human rights concluded that North Korean security chiefs - and possibly leader Kim Jong Un himself - should face justice for overseeing a state-controlled system of Nazi-style atrocities.

Since then, North Korea's coronavirus curbs have aggravated human rights violations, United Nations investigators have said, citing extra restrictions on access to information, tighter border security and heightened digital surveillance.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Stephen Coates)
A Big Flats man is behind bars for allegedly stabbing a 29-year-old man multiple times in the chest Friday morning at a Burkeshire Drive, Big Flats, home.

Theodore C. Swan, 34, of Burkeshire Drive was charged Friday with second-degree attempted murder, according to Chemung County Sheriff William A. Schrom. He was arraigned at Big Flats Town Court and sent to the Chemung County Jail on $250,000 cash bail.

The victim was transported to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, where he was rushed into emergency surgery due to the injuries he sustained, according to police. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Police said at 10:48 a.m., Friday, the Chemung County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to 171 Burkeshire Drive for a 911 report of an individual who has been stabbed at that location, police said. Upon arrival a deputy sheriff was able to determine that a Big Flats man had been stabbed several times in the upper chest and one time in the arm.

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Schrom said the deputy was able to summon assistance to provide medical assistance to the victim, and to set up a perimeter around the residence, as it was believed that the suspect was still inside the home.

Just prior to 2:15 p.m., members of the Chemung County Sheriffs Office Special Unit, (SSU) introduced chemical agent into the residence, after the suspect failed to comply with numerous orders to exit the home, police said.

After a series of chemical agents was deployed, the suspect exited the rear of the residence and surrendered to sheriffs deputies without incident. The Chemung County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by members of the New York State Police, Horseheads Village police, the Elmira Police Department as well as Erway Ambulance.

Schrom said the investigation is continuing by the Chemung County Sheriffs Office and additional charges are anticipated against Swan.

This article originally appeared on The Leader: Big Flats man charged with attempted murder, victim stabbed
Bitcoin saw a climb of over 8.9% in the past week. Photo: Getty

Bitcoin (BTC-USD) is continuing its 2023 bull run, surging past $23,000 for the first time since August 2022 before retreating to around $22,705 on Monday.

Bitcoin smashed through a price position not seen since before the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange in November 2022, which plunged the market into a series of liquidations.

Bitcoin stood at $22,714 (17,383) at the time of writing, up from a low of $16,000 at the beginning of the year. This was a climb of over 8.9% in the past week.

Bitcoin pioneer Max Keiser said: "Bitcoin shakes off the FTX scandal off like water off a ducks back.

"People focus on price when they should focus on hash rate, and adoption rates hitting new all time highs and how bitcoin is transforming Central America and Africa while additionally making inroads globally."

The second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalisation, ethereum (ETH-USD), was up over 5% in the week to $1,633.

The crypto-market shrugged off Friday's bankruptcy filing of crypto-lender Genesis, with the entire market capitalisation for the sector now standing at $1.08tn, according to data from Coingecko.

Analysts speculated that the bankruptcy of the investor platform had already been expected by traders, with signals being telegraphed for many weeks.

Jamie Burke, head of web3 accelerator Outlier Ventures, said: "I guess it was already priced in."

Genesis is part of the Digital Currency Group (DCG), a conglomerate of more than 200 crypto-focused businesses.

The insolvency of Genesis is linked to the bankruptcy of FTX, which went under last November amid allegations of fraud.

Read more: How crypto fell to earth in 2022: Eight charts that tell the story of a cruel crash

The firm had recently been charged by US regulators Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with illegally selling crypto.

Owners of the Gemini crypto platform, the Winklevoss twins, have now threatened to sue Genesis boss Barry Silbert.

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Gemini used the Genesis platform for its interest accruing accounts.

The Winklevoss twins now want Silbert to offer "a fair offer to creditors who were duped" into losing $900m, as the crypto company files for bankruptcy.

Gemini lent Genesis the $900m as part of its Earn program, which let clients earn interest by loaning out their assets

More than 340,000 Gemini clients have been impacted by the bankruptcy.

Watch: Bitcoin recovers to pre-FTX crash levels  The Crypto Mile weekly update
Coverdash, providing small businesses, e-commerce merchants and gig-economy workers with insurance, launched its product in all 50 states after closing over $2.5 million in seed capital.

The round was led by Bling Capital, with participation from investors, including AXIS Digital Ventures, Tokio Marine Future Fund (in affiliation with World Innovation Lab), Expansion VC and Cameron Ventures. A group of strategic angel investors also participated, including Greg Hendrick, CEO of Vantage Risk; Garrett Koehn, president of CRC Insurance; and Steve Shenfeld, president of MidOcean Partners.

The New York City-based insurtech was started by Ralph Betesh, David Vainer and Avery Rubin in 2022 to help smaller businesses source coverage in seconds and to provide an embedded technology so that partners working with businesses, like online marketplaces and service providers, can plug in Coverdashs end-to-end insurance experience with a single line of code. The company secured 35 of these partners pre-launch, Betesh told TechCrunch.

Betesh, who started his career in insurance investment banking, said that large insurance carriers want those equally large policies to show top line growth to investors, so they often focus on big companies, and have done so for years now.

However, he saw a dynamic shift in the last two or three years of big carriers looking at smaller businesses as a way to pick up fragmented premiums without necessarily having to go head to head with each other, Betesh said. This is where many startups were successful in developing some niche approaches to solving the insurtech problem, and also attracting venture capital dollars.

Coverdash insurtech

Coverdash's insurance policy dashboard. Image Credits: Coverdash

Betesh himself began to look at what the process was for small businesses to get insurance and found, in his words, a lot of clunkiness and murky processes with no transparency. In addition, customers werent able to purchase policies without speaking to a human being.

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It just wasn't the purchase experience that I would have expected, Betesh added. We felt like this wasn't in alignment with small business expectations in the U.S., specifically tech-enabled small businesses.

So the team set out to build a product that would make insurance accessible to small businesses of all shapes and sizes and one that was seamless and simple. It works with over a dozen carriers to offer policies including liability, property, workers compensation and cyber.

Heres how it works: Customers come to the Coverdash site, and they can get a quote, bind policies together, pay for them and manage them in a matter of seconds. Betesh said there's no redirection of the customer to a payment portal, a carrier portal or to speak to an agent, everything can be done through Coverdash.

Though the company is offering policies in a direct-to-consumer format, Betesh said the Coverdashs future scale and revenue will likely come from policies sold through those partners that will embed its technology into their websites.

Meanwhile, the new funding will be used for go-to-market initiatives, product and technology development and hiring.

The development and adoption of commercial insurance APIs within the insurtech industry has reached a tipping point, enabling innovative companies with the opportunity to drive true growth and transformation, said Ben Ling, founder and general partner at Bling Capital, in a written statement. We view Coverdash as the future of business insurance and embedded distribution.
Former national security adviser John Bolton on Monday knocked Germany over its incredibly disappointing performance throughout Russias invasion of Ukraine.

I think Germanys performance throughout this war has been incredibly disappointing, Bolton said in an appearance on CNNs This Morning.

As Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine in the nearly yearlong war, Poland is pushing to supply Kyiv with German-built Leopard tanks  but Berlin, as the weapon maker, needs to sign off on the move before the tanks are sent to a non-NATO country.

The hesitation to greenlight the tanks indicates that a sea change in Germanys defense policy needs to happen, Bolton said.

NATO is a lot more fractured than some of its political leaders would like to let on, Bolton said, and Russian President Vladimir Putin likely sees Germany as the weak point in the alliance.

The former Trump administration national security adviser said it looks bad for Ukraine and for the West if the country doesnt have the capability to respond to long-rumored, impending Russian offensives.

Its bad for the West as a whole because it plays into the Kremlin strategy to win politically what they cant win on the battlefield by splitting NATO, Bolton said.

Germanys foreign minister on Sunday said Poland hadnt yet formally asked to send the tanks, but said that Berlin would not stand in the way of the move.

Poland said Monday that it would submit a formal request, but its prime minister has indicated that Warsaw will likely make its own decision regardless of whether Germany approves the move.

The war started by [Russia] doesnt allow delays. I can thank you hundreds of times  but hundreds of thank you are not hundreds of tanks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Twitter over the weekend as he continues calls for foreign aid and the ground-combat machines.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The rate at which Boston Dynamicss robots are picking up skills is starting to get a little unsettling.

The Hyundai-owned robotics lab has just released a new video showing off its bipedal robot Atlas helping out a construction worker. The short clip, which is titled Atlas Gets a Grip, illustrates how robots list of abilities has grown by literal leaps and bounds since the last time we checked in on it.

More from Robb Report

Boston Dynamics Atlas videos tend to be a little playful, and the latest is no different. It starts with a construction worker standing atop a scaffolding hammering away at a post. They quickly realize theyve forgotten their tools, but rather than climbing down to retrieve their bag, they simply ask Atlas to fetch it.

Over the next minute, we get to see the robot create a path up to the top platform, grab the bag, maneuver its way up the scaffolding, toss the tools to the worker, and then gleefully run away. Each step of the process shows the robot showing off a new skillwhether it be carefully placing a plank, tossing the tool bag or knocking over a blockand the video ends with a triumphant fist bump from its robotic star.

The most intriguing aspect of the video may be how it attempts to reposition the robot, though. The Verge points out it marks the first time Boston Dynamics has shown how its creation could be used in the workplace. A making of featurette released alongside the video makes clear thats the companys focus, at least partially, going forward.

Were not just thinking about how to make the robot move dynamically through its environment, like we did in [past videos], Atlas team lead Scott Kuindersma says in the accompanying clip. Now, were starting to put Atlas to work and think about how the robot should be able to perceive and manipulate objects in its environment.

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If youre more scared than impressed by Boston Dynamics latest video, you can at least take comfort from the fact that Atlas is clearly not ready to start plotting humanitys downfall just yet. Of course, we may not feel that way for much longer considering how quickly it is developing.

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Nancy Temkin has made living in Evanston work for more than 35 years. Now she said she wonders whether Evanston is a financially viable place to live after being notified by her property manager that her lease wont be renewed.

My son and I kept moving around Evanston because all the apartments we lived in were turning into condos. Wed find a really nice place and then two years later, wed have to move, Temkin said. Theyve always been really expensive  nothing seems affordable. Now I think landlords are trying to make up for the pandemics financial burden.

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City Council members named housing affordability as a top priority for 2023. City Council members, during 2023 goal setting meetings, said they want to revisit Evanstons Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, increase its affordable housing stock, fully fund a housing inspection program and provide funding to enforce the citys fair housing ordinance.

Gail Schechter, who serves as the affordable housing advocate on the Illinois State Housing Appeals Board, says that while housing insecurity has long been an issue in Evanston, the root cause evolves.

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Ive seen a lot of different housing crises in Evanston from the condo boom in the 90s to the foreclosure crisis about a dozen years ago, Schechter said. Recently, housing has been impacted by the pandemic and its newest phase as we ease into a post-pandemic era.

Schechter says COVID-19 reconstructed the white-collar workplace, leaving more flexibility for remote work. Suburban municipalities are seeing an increase in urban transplants due to this labor trend, Schechter told Pioneer Press.

The pandemic has spurred suburban development and its due to communications technology. People can work from home and access their files electronically, she said. If people dont have to be physically close to their job, theyre thinking, I like to be physically close to nature and trees, and so theres been more demand for housing in less dense areas.

The pandemics layoffs are also impacting the housing market because people are not able to afford rent payments. She said this doesnt go well with the pre-pandemic eras plans for the rental market, which was tailored toward a more affluent population with a shift toward luxury apartments.

Since people cant afford to buy homes in the current market either, theres a lot of pressure and a demand on the rental market, (which drives prices even higher), she said. But, the rental market is trying to serve more affluent people.

Temkin said she believes this might be happening to her building. An email from her property management company Quadrel Realty informed Temkin her unit has to be vacated for renovations, but Temkin says her apartment is in good condition. Her building, at 605-617 Hinman Ave., was acquired in 2022 by North Park Ventures for $35.3 million.

Quadrel Realty declined to comment.

Schechter said Northwestern University is another factor when it comes to Evanstons housing market. She says the university owns a large chunk of land without paying property taxes due to its nonprofit status, leaving the financial burden of public services to property owners and trickles down to renters.

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Councilmember Claire Kelly and newly formed activist group Most Livable City Association support a payment in lieu of taxes program for Evanstons largest nonprofit organizations, including Northwestern University.

Beyond property taxes, Schechter said Northwestern University adds a strong student demographic to Evanstons housing market and makes it difficult for families to find adequate housing.

Theyre building a lot of apartment buildings in Evanston and theyre these furnished micro units, Schechter said. Theyre trying to accommodate students, rather than families. So if youre a family with children, you have a hard time accessing these new housing developments.

Schechter said the City of Evanston can do things to make housing more affordable. She suggests using funds collected through a tax increment financing district to help build affordable housing and expanding grants to help offset landlord expenses for repairs, property taxes and general upkeep.

Skokie is also exploring new ways to approach affordable housing. Skokies Board of Trustees in December voted to further explore the topic of affordable housing. At the Dec. 19 meeting, Schechter told Skokie village trustees current tradition considers those at 100% of area median income to qualify for affordable housing when these units should be set aside for those at roughly 60% the area median income.

Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
Protesters who support Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro storm the National Congress building in Brasilia, Brazil, on Jan. 8, 2023. AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

There are a number of ways to run a legitimate election. But the U.S. has learned in recent years, and Brazil learned in recent weeks, that its not always simple.

There are technical mechanics and processes of how votes are cast, collected and counted. But those are ultimately less important than the agreement  among opposing parties, and across a society  to abide by the results of those processes.

In 2020, President Donald Trump alleged, without evidence, that election fraud in several states had caused him to lose. A number of audits in various states found no evidence that irregularities in voting or vote counting processes had any effect on the outcome of balloting in those states.

Some of these results were later challenged in lawsuits seeking to alter the results of the election, and in every case, the elections outcome was determined to be accurate.

Though the vast majority of these questions and checks and court decisions concluded before Congress met to count Electoral College votes on Jan. 6, 2021, Donald Trumps supporters and a number of militia groups stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the counting and have Trump declared president.

In Brazil in late 2022, incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro lost an election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former president seeking a return to office. Even before the election, Bolsonaro had cast doubt on the integrity of the countrys voting system. On Jan. 8, 2023, after Lula had been in office for a week, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters, including right-wing militants, attacked key government buildings, including the building that houses the national Congress.

As a scholar who studies election integrity and cybersecurity, I see the source of these violent disputes not as the result of procedural or technical flaws in the voting system but rather as a failure of certain individuals living in democratic society to uphold the fundamental principles of democracy.

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A set of principles

I and others in my field tend to agree, and think most regular people would too, that election officials should aspire to the following basic criteria:

Every person with a legal right to vote is able to cast a ballot in a given election.

No person without a legal right to vote is able to cast a ballot.

No person is allowed to cast more than one ballot.

Every ballot unambiguously indicates the voters preference.

Every ballot cast by a legally legitimate voter is counted, but no other ballots are counted.

No ballot cast can be associated with the voter who cast the ballot (that is, voters can maintain the secrecy of their ballots).

Protesters in Brazil storm the Planalto Palace, the official workplace of the nations president, on Jan. 8, 2023. AP Photo/Eraldo Peres

To help uphold these standards, many election security analysts, including me, believe that paper records are an essential element of electronic voting systems. They leave open the possibility of recounting ballots in the event of a claim that electronic ballots were counted incorrectly. In general, only people who appear to have lost elections make these claims, though some states laws require automatic recounts when the margin of difference is small.

But Brazil has done away with paper voting entirely. The nations election officials take many measures to ensure that the electronic voting machines are working properly and are not tampered with, including testing a large sampling of the machines on Election Day, obtaining third-party analysis of at least parts of their software, and ensuring they are not connected to the internet, to increase their protection from hackers.

But no combination of these measures, nor any of the other protections, such as public posting of vote tallies and requiring voters to use fingerprints to unlock voting machines or to present photo identification to poll workers, is completely foolproof.

Paper ballots arent foolproof, either: Fraudulent ballots could potentially be manufactured and inserted into the counting process without being detected. Ballots can be irretrievably destroyed after being cast. Improperly made marks on a ballot may not clearly indicate the voters intent. Humans engaged in the mind-numbing effort of counting thousands of ballots get tired and make mistakes. Counting paper ballots takes considerable time that disgruntled parties can use to sow unfounded doubts about election integrity.

Intelligently designed paper-based voting systems take measures to ameliorate all of these problems. But just as in the case of electronic voting, it is ultimately a matter of human judgment about whether those protections result in an acceptable level of security. And guaranteeing 100% security in an election is essentially impossible.

Supporters of President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Elections are necessary

Despite the inevitable flaws in voting and counting, democracies need to conduct elections. They must choose election officials for whom the publics confidence in the security of the elections is more important than any partisan outcome.

Another key element of election integrity comes from the candidates. Its important to public confidence in elections that candidates be willing to express their own support for the voting system, including whatever measures are set up for integrity and recounting, even if that system delivers them a loss.

The basic proposition of democracy is that all candidates agree to a particular process, election managers do their best to ensure that process unfolds fairly, and everyone abides by whatever the results are, no matter who winds up losing.

Without mutual agreement on process, it is impossible to have an uncontested election, because a candidate who doesnt like the outcome can always claim  even without evidence  that it was somehow unfair.

True democracies require candidates who agree on election rules and processes in advance and agree to abide by the outcome of elections, even when they wish the results were otherwise. The alternative is continuing instability and doubt in the electorate  an outcome that serves no citizens interests.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Herbert Lin, Stanford University.

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Herbert Lin has received funding indirectly from the Hewlett Foundation through Stanford University. He is a registered Republican but who he supports is a different matter.
Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Brazilian police have named the alleged mastermind behind the murders of the British journalist Dom Phillips and the Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in the Amazon last year.

Rubens Villar Coelho, whose nickname is Colombia, was first arrested on separate charges last July  one month after the two men were murdered in the Javari valley region of the Amazon. He was released in October but was rearrested last month for breaking his bail terms.

On Monday afternoon, the federal police chief for Amazonas state, where the Javari valley is located, told reporters that investigators had concluded Villar Coelho  who has been accused of running an illegal fishing racket in the remote border region  had ordered the murders.

I have no doubt that Colombia was the mastermind, Alexandre Fontes said at a press conference in the state capital, Manaus, according to the Brazilian news website G1.

Three other men are currently in custody for the murders and stand accused of shooting Phillips and Pereira as they travelled down the Itaquai River on the morning of 5 June 2022. They are Amarildo da Costa Oliveira, Jefferson da Silva Lima and Oseney da Costa de Oliveira.

Fontes said investigators had gathered evidence that Villar Coelho provided the first two of those men with the ammunition that was used to commit the murder.

Fontes claimed the 16-gauge shotgun used in the crime had been provided by Amarildo da Costa Oliveiras brother, Edvaldo da Costa Oliveira, in the knowledge that it would be used to murder Bruno and Dom.

Villar Coelho had also paid for Amarildo da Costa Oliveiras initial defense lawyer, Fontes added.

Villar Coelho denied involvement in the crime after being detained last July.

Phillips, 57, a longtime Guardian contributor and foreign correspondent, travelled to the Javari valley with Pereira as part of research for a book he was writing called How to Save the Amazon.

Related: How the final journey of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira ended in tragedy

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At the time of the murders, 41-year-old Pereira, a revered Indigenous specialist and explorer, had been helping Indigenous communities in the Javari valley set up monitoring teams to defend their rainforest homes from illegal mining, poaching and fishing gangs with links to organized crime.

The murders sparked international outrage and exposed the damage done to Brazils environment and Indigenous communities during the far-right government of Jair Bolsonaro, who lost last Octobers election and is currently in the US.

On Sunday, Bolsonaros successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, accused the rightwing populist of committing genocide against the Yanomami people of the Amazon by dismantling Indigenous protections and encouraging the illegal gold miners who have invaded that and other Indigenous territories.

Speaking to the Guardian recently in Brasilia, Beto Marubo, a Javari leader who was close to Pereira, said Indigenous activists had seen no sign of the security situation improving in the region despite the outcry over the murders.

Marubo voiced hope that the mens killers would be brought to justice under Brazils new government.

We hope  and we will continue to demand from the new government and authorities  that there is justice for Dom and Bruno, he said.

Related: Six months after Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira were murdered, the Amazon remains unsafe for activists

Relief that police had formally accused Villar Coelho, a notorious and feared figure in the region where Phillips and Pereira were killed, was tempered with ongoing suspicions that their murders were part of a bigger conspiracy in a region awash with environmental crime and drug trafficking, reportedly involving cartels from Colombia and Mexico.

The Javari valley, which is home to the worlds largest concentration of isolated Indigenous tribes, has become a major highway for cocaine and marijuana smuggling in recent years, with huge shipments of drugs being moved by river from Peru into Brazil and then on to Europe.

Eliesio Marubo, a representative of Univaja, the Indigenous NGO for which Pereira had worked, said the federal police conclusions had confirmed the murdered activists suspicions that Villar Coelho was involved in the fishing gangs that preyed on the supposedly protected Javari valley Indigenous territory. But Marubo said many questions remained.

Related: Amazon wild west: where drugs, fish and logging are big money but life is cheap

Who is bankrolling these people so they are able to continue their criminal activities? Why is it that so many politicians in the region helped these criminals? Why is this criminal organization still operating in the region? he asked, pointing to a November attack on another of the Javaris Indigenous leaders.

Marubo said Javari activists wanted a far-reaching investigation which truly showed who killed Dom and Bruno.
hapabapa / Getty Images

Buying a car during the past few years has presented many challenges to consumers. Between a chip shortage that left a huge void in the market, higher markups due to increased demand and the competition for electric vehicles as tax credits come online, the race for a new vehicle has gone from 0 to 60 in no time.

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Given how much more it now costs to take a vehicle off the lot, some are trying to find ways to save money on the total expense. Consumer Reports recently detailed one idea  buying a car directly from the automaker rather than deferring to a dealership and paying the middleman.

CarsDirect noted that, in general, the average markup that a dealer applies to a vehicle theyre looking to sell is about 9.9% over MSRP, or a median fee of $3,753. Nixing that altogether would be a huge savings, but is it possible?

As Consumer Reports noted, it is  at least in some cases. Newer automakers like Tesla, Rivian and Lucid offer the option. For the most part, these automakers dont mark up anything. You buy on their website and then they deliver the car to you when its ready, said Steve Elek of Consumer Reports.

In general, these modern automakers have their own car galleries rather than traditional dealerships because of longstanding franchise laws in many states that prevent vehicle manufacturers from having their own showrooms. Such laws were enacted to protect independent dealerships from having direct competition and going out of business, per Consumer Reports.

Because of those laws, its not exactly easy to buy into a direct-to-consumer agreement with an automaker unless theyve gotten creative to bypass the strict legislation. For example, Consumer Reports pointed to an example wherein Tesla opened a sales and service center on Native American land in New Mexico  land which is technically a sovereign nation and not bound New Mexicos laws  finding a loophole.

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However, some of the more established automakers dont offer the same opportunity as they rely heavily on dealer networks. While you can go to their websites, customize your new vehicle and put down a deposit, you will have to opt into working with a dealership of your choosing to finalize the order. There is no circumventing the dealer in these cases, according to Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports did offer some tips when considering a new (or new-to-you) ride:

Call the dealership to see if they mark up their vehicles and ask for a line-by-line itemization for more transparency  you may be able to barter with them if you find a more competitive deal at another showroom.

When you do buy, ask for a purchase order receipt rather than a deposit receipt, which will help you have a better case for locking in the price in case MSRP goes up before you finalize the deal. It acts like a legally binding contract.

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More: Should You Buy a Used Car at the Start of the New Year?

Theres also the opportunity to buy on the private market through websites like AutoTraders.com, CarGurus.com and Cars.com, though doing so doesnt offer the same protections as doing business with an accredited dealership.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Can You Buy Cars Directly From Automakers To Save Money?
(Reuters) -About 19% of all cars sold in California last year were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), accounting for 40% of all ZEV sales including hybrid vehicles in the United States, data showed.

United States President Joe Biden has called for 50% of all new vehicle sales by 2030 to be EVs or plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

California Governor Gavin Newsom first announced the plan in September 2020 to phase out vehicles that run only on gasoline by 2035, and the state last year moved to require all new vehicles sold in the state by 2035 to be PHEV or fully electric.

About 12% cars sold in California in 2021 were ZEVs.

A database collated by California's Energy Commission showed on Friday that about 346,000 ZEVs were sold in California in 2022, with Tesla Inc's Model 3 leading the sales charts, as about 95,000 of the electric vehicle was sold in the region.

Austin, Texas-based Tesla's Model Y compact SUV came a close second, with about 94,000 cars being sold in the state.

Californians bought about 51,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles last year and about 80,000 electric vehicle chargers were installed in the state in 2022.

About 286,000 battery-electric vehicles with a range of 200 miles or more were sold in 2022.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
Shoppers, some wearing masks, made their way along Santee Alley in Los Angeles in December. COVID-19 case counts across California have dropped steadily since the first week of December, and so have coronavirus levels in wastewater. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

In the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, winter holidays were marred by a pair of devastating waves that ripped through California, sending case counts soaring, residents to the hospital in droves and, ultimately, leaving thousands dead.

But the third winter seems to have escaped that same fate. A late autumn upswing in transmission, which picked up steam after Thanksgiving, began to dissipate in mid- to late December instead of becoming the runaway train public health officials had feared. And in a stark departure from previous years, COVID-19 metrics have continued to improve in the weeks since.

Officials emphasize that the danger is not past  especially for those at higher risk of developing severe illness.

There's also a chance another problematic variant could emerge. Officials are keeping a close eye on XBB.1.5, which has been described as the most infectious edition of the virus yet.

But the fact that California navigated what was, for many, the closest thing to a normal holiday season since 2019, without a record-setting spike in infections or surge in hospitalizations, is cause for optimism  and it underscores the power of the tools at our disposal, experts say.

"I never say we're in the clear, because there's still people for whom COVID is going to remain a really big concern, and they're going to continue to need to do everything they can to avoid getting infected," Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. "We still have a lot of virus in our communities, but we are definitely in a promising place."

How did this happen?

Many residents probably enjoyed some degree of protection against the coronavirus because they have been vaccinated, previously infected or both. This means some were able to avoid getting infected, while others' immune systems were better primed to ward off severe illness.

Anti-COVID drugs  including Paxlovid and another oral medication known as molnupiravir  also probably helped by keeping higher-risk individuals from falling seriously ill.

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Bivalent boosters, formulated specifically to help protect against the Omicron subvariants that have dominated in the last year, also became available in September. Uptake has been too slow for some officials' liking, but almost 24% of eligible Californians have received the updated dose.

"Vaccinations, including bivalent boosters, can help protect you from getting seriously ill or even dying, said Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County's public health officer.

Behavioral changes  including moving gatherings outside, testing before events, wearing a mask in indoor public settings and doubling down on hand-washing and other health hygiene efforts  also may have played a role.

"While nothing can be said with certainty, currently we're seeing evidence that our tools to fight COVID-19, including masks, the bivalent booster and therapeutics, are working," Ferrer said Thursday.

What do the numbers show?

Case counts across California have dropped steadily since the first week of December, and so have coronavirus levels in wastewater.

In L.A. County, wastewater levels began declining in early December, although in recent weeks, they have plateaued at about 70% of last summer's peak  still a high level of concern, as defined by health officials.

"While wastewater concentration levels are not low, simultaneously, we're not seeing the postholiday spike that was expected by the end of the first week in January," Ferrer said.

In San Diego County, Wooten said in a statement that the virus is still circulating in the region. Were still seeing high percentages of positive COVID-19 tests and detecting high levels of the virus in wastewater."

Elsewhere, recent analysis "shows wastewater signals decreasing in the Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions, and plateauing in the Bay Area" and Northern California, the state Department of Public Health wrote in an update Thursday.

Other metrics also lend credence to the concept that coronavirus activity has slowed. Modeling from the California Department of Public Health estimates that the spread of COVID-19 is probably decreasing statewide and has been trending downward or stable for the last month.

What about hospitals?

Though many infected with the coronavirus experience mild symptoms, or none at all, any pronounced uptick in transmission threatens to send a new wave of patients to hospitals. In 202021 and 202122, these deluges were massive and put immense pressure on healthcare systems across the state.

Although California did see a pronounced uptick in coronavirus-positive hospitalizations starting in late October and continuing through mid-December, that census has since plummeted.

On Thursday, 3,168 such patients were hospitalized statewide  a 29% drop in the last two weeks.

That figure includes those hospitalized with COVID-19-related illnesses and those who test positive incidentally after seeking care for some other reason.

Should there not be a significant resurgence of COVID-19 this winter, it will be the first time since the pandemic began in 2020 that a fall-and-winter wave was less severe than the preceding summers, in terms of hospitalizations.

Continued improvements have prompted a parade of California counties to progress to the low COVID-19 community level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Placement in that category hinges on recent calculations of coronavirus case and hospitalization rates, as well as bed occupancy, and indicates that the burden on hospitals is relatively mild.

Fourteen California counties moved into the low COVID-19 community level Thursday: Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Sonoma, Tehama and Ventura.

With last weeks update, 71% of Californians now live in counties with a low COVID-19 community level, up from 28% the prior week.

Deaths remain a concern

As of Jan. 10, California was reporting 355 COVID-19 deaths per week. Although that has increased lately, it remains below the summer peak of 396 and far below last winters peak, when 1,827 deaths were recorded for the week ending Feb. 27.

More than 98,000 Californians have died from COVID-19, a toll that exceeds the entire population of cities such as Santa Monica, Mission Viejo and Redding.

Nationally, COVID-19 is responsible for far more deaths than flu. The CDC has reported more than 44,000 COVID-19 deaths since the start of October, more than double the estimated 17,000 from flu.

What about XBB.1.5?

XBB.1.5 is among the latest alphanumerical members of the sprawling Omicron family. It's a descendant of XBB, which is a recombinant of descendants of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.

Much of the focus surrounding this particular subvariant has been its infectivity, as it may be the most transmissible version of the coronavirus.

XBB.1.5 now accounts for an estimated 49.1% of all new cases in the U.S., making it the most common edition of the coronavirus in circulation nationwide, according to the CDC.

Though its share has grown steadily, it remains far less common in the region that includes California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and the Pacific island territories. An estimated 24.1% of coronavirus cases over the last week were thought to be XBB.1.5, CDC data show.

The ultimate effect of XBB.1.5 in terms of hospitalizations remains unclear. But current data suggest the new variant is not fueling a spike.

For instance, Ferrer said, Atlanta is in a region where about 31% of coronavirus specimens were estimated to be XBB.1.5. That's double what it is for the region that includes Chicago.

If XBB.1.5 were fueling a surge in hospitalizations, you'd expect the Atlanta area's hospitalization rate to be worse than the Chicago area's. Yet the latter's hospitalization rate  11.1 new weekly coronavirus-positive hospitalizations for every 100,000 residents in Cook County  has been higher than Atlanta's Fulton County, which has a hospitalization rate of 8.8, Ferrer said.

She noted, however, that "there are a lot of underlying variables that are affecting hospitalization rates in different regions  including local policies, vaccination rates and even behaviors that change according to the weather, such as being inside more."

"While we need to continue to track the impact of increased circulation of XBB and XBB.1.5 on illness severity, the current information suggests that this strain of Omicron is not having a major impact on hospitalization rates as of this time," Ferrer said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

This story was originally published by Grist. You can subscribe to its weekly newsletter here.



In early 1862, a storm of biblical proportions struck California, dropping more than 120 inches of rain and snow on the state over two months. The entire state flooded, but nowhere was the deluge worse than in the Central Valley, a gash of fertile land that runs down the middle of the state between two mountain ranges. In the spring, as melting snow mixed with torrential rain, the valley transformed into a perfect sea, as one observer put it, vanishing beneath 30 feet of water that poured from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. People rowed through town streets on canoes. A quarter of all the cows in the state drowned. It took months for the water to drain out.

Read more

More than 150 years later, climate scientists say the state is due for a repeat of that massive storm. A growing body of research has found that global warming is increasing the likelihood of a monster storm that could inundate the Central Valley once again, causing what one study from UCLA and the National Atmospheric Center called historically unprecedented surface runoff in the region. Not only would this runoff destroy thousands of homes, it would also ravage a region that serves as the nations foremost agricultural breadbasket. The study found that global warming has already increased the likelihood of such a storm by 234 percent.

In the crosshairs of that storm is the Stockton metropolitan area, which sits at the mouth of the San Joaquin River. Stockton and its neighboring suburbs are home to almost 800,000 people, and they rank among the most diverse places in the country  as well as some of the most economically distressed places in California. Thanks to decades of disinvestment, the citys only flood protection comes from decades-old, leak-prone levees. If a major rain event caused enough runoff to surge down the mountains and northward along the San Joaquin, it could burst through those levees, inundating the city and flooding tens of thousands of homes. One federal study found that much of Stockton would vanish beneath 10 to 12 feet of water, and floods in the lowest-lying areas could be twice as deep. The result would be a humanitarian disaster just as costly and as deadly as Hurricane Katrina.

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The atmospheric river rainstorms that rolled into California from the Pacific Ocean this month have underscored the Golden States vulnerability to floods, but experts insist that the destruction of Stockton isnt inevitable. As is the case in flood-prone communities across the country, local officials know how to manage water on the San Joaquin River, but theyve struggled to obtain funding for Stockton and other disadvantaged cities along the waterway. Even as California lawmakers have plowed money into drought response in recent years, theyve left flood measures by the wayside, and the federal government has also been slow to fund major improvements.

Areas like Stockton that dont have political clout  often get bypassed terms of consideration for funding, said Mike Machado, a former California state senator who has long advocated for better flood management in the Central Valley. Even if any funding is available, Stockton is usually at the bottom of the list.

Even as Stocktons infrastructure decays, the citys flood risk is only increasing thanks to climate change, which will cause more severe rains in the San Joaquin Valley and further stress the citys levees. The city has grown at a rapid pace over the past two decades, but state and local officials have been more focused on protecting local agricultural irrigators from drought than on protecting the citys residents from flooding. When the next big storm hits, it is Stocktons communities of color, which make up more than 80 percent of the citys population, that will see the worst of the damage.

We are at the bottom of the bowl, said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, the executive director of Restore the Delta, a Stockton-based environmental nonprofit. Were the drain. And they dont value us.

The Central Valleys flood protection system has never been equal. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, farmers and ranchers constructed a hodgepodge of levees along rivers like the San Joaquin, piling sand only high enough so that water would flood someone elses land rather than their own. The levees were owned and maintained by local districts, rather than any centralized governing body, so wealthier areas ended up with stronger defenses.

As the regions flood protection system expanded, the San Joaquin region fell behind. To protect the state capital of Sacramento in the 1920s, the federal Army Corps of Engineers built a diversion system called the Yolo Bypass that funnels water away from the city, but Stockton never saw any similar investment. Local authorities couldnt raise as much money to bolster levees as their counterparts around Sacramento, and money from the state and the federal government never filled the gap.

This is in part because lawmakers have overlooked Stocktons vulnerable populations, according to Jane Dolan, president of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, a state agency that oversees flood management. But Dolan says the disparity also exists because leaders along the San Joaquin River have long tended to focus more on securing water for agricultural irrigation than on managing the rivers, which has made it hard to secure momentum for big flood improvements.

They dont have that consensus about managing floodwaters and allowing space for the river, she told Grist. Politicians from city councils to Congress are all focused on water supply.

Not only does the San Joaquin have the shoddiest flood protection infrastructure, but it also faces the greatest degree of risk from climate-fueled storms. Both the UCLA study and a separate study by Dolans organization found that warmer climates will increase runoff in the San Joaquin watershed by more than they will in the Sacramento watershed  in large part because higher temperatures will cause what used to be snow to fall as rain instead. Furthermore, Stockton faces flood risk from all sides: Not only does the San Joaquin River flood during rain events, but the Calaveras River on the citys north side does as well. Water from the Pacific Ocean could even flood the city from the west during high tides as it pushes across a long flat expanse known as the Delta.

The San Joaquin Valley is the most vulnerable to intense floods, because the climate science is clear that there will be less snow there, and more rain, said Dolan. The rivers levee system was designed for a long snowmelt, not an all-at-once deluge, she added, which means that bigger atmospheric river storms are all but certain to overwhelm it.

Despite this risk, Stockton has expanded rapidly over the past few decades. Not only has the city grown into a hub for the valleys all-important agricultural industry, its relatively cheap land and proximity to the populous San Francisco Bay Area has made it a boom site for new warehouses and packing facilities owned by companies like Amazon. During the last housing boom, developers built subdivision after subdivision along the San Joaquin River to house new arrivals, relying on the decades-old levees to protect them.

As it has grown, Stockton has become one of the most diverse cities in the country, with substantial Mexican, Filipino, Chinese, Cambodian, and African American communities. Many of these have poverty rates that are much higher than the state average, and they also face severe environmental justice risks: The neighborhoods of southwest Stockton are surrounded by freeways, factories, and port infrastructure, making them among the most exposed in the state to soot and diesel pollution.

Because of redlining and historical discrimination, we have a lot of people of color, and people are at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, right behind these levees, said Barrigan-Parrilla.

Mary Gomez is a 50-year resident of the Conway Houses, a low-income housing development on the south side of Stockton. The development sits just feet from the Walker Slough, a small waterway that drains off the San Joaquin River. Gomez, 70, told Grist that she worries about flooding from the river frequently and feels the area doesnt get enough attention from city officials.

Its because they think were ghetto, she said. We are worried, because what if it floods [upstream] and we dont hear about it, and they dont tell us? Whos gonna come and help us, or get us out? Theres so many of us that dont have cars, that have kids.

Gomez said she also worries about whether the neighborhoods elderly and disabled could get out in time. The last time it came close to flooding, she said, her neighbors told her that she should protect her house with sandbags.

For decades, local officials have tried to secure state and federal money for flood protection projects, but progress has been slow as the risk has only increased. Way back in 1995, when the federal government was weighing whether to deem the levees in north and central Stockton inadequate, the areas flood control authority had to self-finance levee improvements through tax assessments on local property owners  a costly proposition in a relatively low-income area with a meager tax base.

We have a severely disadvantaged community, said Chris Elias, director of the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency, the authority that manages the regions levees. We cannot impose too much burden on them  theyve borne too much burden already. So we explore those other funding avenues. But just like everything else, we are competing with a whole bunch of other priorities that the state has.

The state has passed a number of bond measures over the years to fund flood improvements, but local officials say Stockton hasnt received a fair share of that money. For every five dollars spent in Sacramento, Elias said, Stockton has seen only one dollar of spending. He said thats in part because the state money went to projects that were already shovel-ready, and Stockton-area officials lacked the resources to design projects and apply for grants.

Federal help has also been hard to come by. In 2010 the Army Corps of Engineers finally decreed that many of Stocktons levees were inadequate and that much of the city was vulnerable to massive flooding. The agency spent the next seven years studying the problem, but in the end it proposed only a partial solution. While the Corps agreed to pursue a $1.3 billion suite of levee repair projects in north and central Stockton, it punted on a proposal to bolster the levees in south Stockton and two nearby suburbs  the parts of the area that faced the greatest economic hardship and the greatest exposure to flooding on the San Joaquin. The agencys argument was that repairing levees in those areas would encourage new development, thus increasing the risk. It has since agreed to revisit that decision, but in the meantime tens of thousands residents in the area are still just as vulnerable to flooding as they were a decade ago.

In response to questions from Grist, a spokesperson from the Corpss Sacramento district said that the agency had been constrained by an executive order that limits federal investment in flood-prone areas.

Deferring decisions regarding the area to the south of Stockton  allowed [the Corps] and its state and local partners to prevent further delays in gaining congressional authorization to protect Stockton from catastrophic flooding, said the spokesperson. He added that the agency plans to reexamine federal interest in the [area] and identify potential flood risk management and ecosystem restoration opportunities. However, the outcomes of that study are not yet determined.

Another problem is that levees alone arent sufficient as a flood management strategy. No matter how high you build a levee, a future flood can always overtop it, and the consequences when a levee breaks are often worse than they would have been if the levee hadnt been there in the first place, as was demonstrated in New Orleans after Katrina. Many local officials believe that, instead of just building more levees, the state should give flood waters another place to go by creating natural floodplains out of conserved land. Thats what the state did near Sacramento with the Yolo Bypass.

You can build a levee stronger and better, but its still vulnerable to breaking, said John Cain, director of conservation at River Partners, a nonprofit that advocates for such floodplain restoration projects. If you want to have more resiliency in the system, you literally need more room.

Cains organization has put this approach to the test about 20 miles upstream on the San Joaquin by purchasing unused land and converting it into a natural floodplain. During big rain events, water flowing downstream on the river can spill onto the reserved land instead of flowing toward Stockton, taking pressure off the citys levees. Officials in Stockton have been trying to replicate this strategy closer to the city by creating a wide flood bypass called Paradise Cut on reserved farmland. The project would reduce the depth of potential flooding in the Stockton area by as much as two feet, but the Army Corps rejected that project back in 2018 as well, questioning whether it would pass a cost-benefit analysis.

Meanwhile, state funding for flood management has all but dried up even as lawmakers plow billions into drought relief, leaving Stockton dependent on the slow-moving Army Corps of Engineers for project money. Governor Gavin Newsoms proposed budget for the coming year proposes to spend just $135 million on flood management, less than a third of what Dolans organization says the state should be spending every year. The proposed budget also seeks to claw back $40 million that was allocated in last years budget for floodplain restoration along the San Joaquin River.

Newsoms office did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

Machado, the former state senator, hopes this months storms will bring some attention to flood risk in the state, but hes not sure the attention will translate into new spending.

After a flood, the holes get plugged, the sun comes out, and they forget, he told Grist. All of a sudden youre in a drought period, or an extended period with no imminent threat of a flood, and it becomes a backburner issue.

Gabriela Aoun contributed reporting to this story.

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YAOUNDE (Reuters) -Cameroon's government said it had not asked any country to mediate in its conflict with Anglophone separatists, despite Canada saying it had received a request to work on a peace process.

Canada's foreign ministry said it had accepted a mandate to facilitate talks between Cameroonian authorities and some separatist factions in English-speaking regions to resolve a conflict that has killed more than 6,000 people since 2017.

But, in a statement on Monday that did not directly mention Canada, Cameroon's government said it had "not entrusted any foreign country or external entity with any role of mediator or facilitator to settle the crisis".

A spokesperson for the Anglophone separatists, who are trying to form a breakaway state called Ambazonia in minority English-speaking regions, said they had taken note of the government's latest statement but would not comment further.

They had previously said they were committed to a negotiated process mandated by Canada.

Adrien Blanchard, the press secretary of Canada's foreign affairs ministry, told Reuters some meetings had already taken place involving the "relevant parties".

"I can confirm three meetings were held in Canada with the relevant parties, including representatives of the Government of Cameroon," Blanchard said via email, adding that Canada would continue to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The U.S. Embassy in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, said on Twitter on Monday that it welcomed Canada's announcement of talks to resolve the crisis.

Cameroon's separatist movement stems from the perceived marginalisation of the English-speaking community by the French-speaking majority.

Since 2017, factions of secessionist militias have been battling government troops in the two English-speaking regions, which has killed thousands and displaced nearly 800,000 people. Meanwhile some 600,000 children do not have full access to education, according to the Canadian government.

A 2019 national dialogue granted special status to the two Anglophone regions but failed to resolve the conflict.

(Reporting by Amindeh Blaise Atabong, Additional reporting and writing by Sofia Christensen and Alessandra Prentice; editing by Grant McCool and Timothy Heritage)
Saturday, Feb. 6, 1943  80 years ago  had been a balmy winters day in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The daytime temperature reached 70, which appeared comforting to the crowds that gathered downtown during the midst of the war.

Fayetteville had grown considerably since 1939, when President Franklin Roosevelt announced plans to enlarge Fort Bragg and other Army installations.

More:Opinion: Christmas during wartime, a look back at the holidays during WWII

The Fayetteville Observer, like many newspapers published near military cities, provided its readership a combination of national news, regional concerns and local news reports focused on new buildings under construction, local entertainment, the comings and goings of soldiers, and the prosperity that nearby Fort Bragg brought to the local economy.

Cristobal S. Berry-Caban

The headline that Saturday read in all caps, RUSSIANS APPROACHING RESTOV. The Observer also noted that the Sunday afternoon concert at the Winslow U.S.O. Club was postponed. In the comics, Dagwood complained about the weather and asks, Blondie, wheres my other rubber? I can only find one. Thats all you have for now Dear, she replies, I gave the other one to the government scrap rubber drive.

More:Memorial Day: The sacrifice of the Sullivan brothers

It had been a busy Saturday. The downtown area was so crowded that people standing on the sidewalks spilled out into the streets, traffic was at a standstill and stores, in spite of rationing, were jammed with shoppers.

President Roosevelt called the movie theater a necessary and beneficial part of the war effort, and the Colony Theater (located at 329 Hay Street) contributed its part. That night outside the theater people queued up. The film that they were about to see had Nazis, refugees, scoundrels and themes of patriotism, unrequited love, redemption and of course plenty of booze.

More:5 movies filmed in the Fayetteville area

The movie opens in Morocco in December 1941. A cynical American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications. This is Casablanca. Here the fortunate ones through money or influence or luck might obtain exit visas, says the narrator. But the others wait in Casablanca, and wait and wait and wait.

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The Colony Theater opened on May 28, 1941 as a 1,100-seat indoor theater. Owned and operated under Wilby-Kincey Theatres, the Colony Theater became one of the great movie houses in downtown Fayetteville until it closed in May 1975. It was last operated by ABC Southeastern Theatres. It has since been demolished.

Warner Bros. bought the rights to Murray Burnett and Joan Allison's play Everybody Comes to Rick's, shortly after Americas entry into the world war, for $20,000, then the highest price ever paid for an unproduced play. Hal B. Wallis, the movies producer, changed the title to Casablanca.

Several writers contributed to the script, resulting sometimes in three different versions of a scene for Wallis and director Michael Curtiz to choose from. When a complaint was raised that some of the changes were illogical, Curtiz replied, I make it go so fast that no one notices. In the end, writers Julius, and his twin brother Philip along, with Howard Koch would share the Academy Award.

A phenomenally talented group

When filming for Casablanca kicked off on May 25, 1942, Humphrey Bogart, cast as cynical romantic Rick Blaine, was one of Hollywood go-to heavies. Square-jawed and narrow chested, Bogart had a five o'clock shadow and a mood to match. He was rarely the guy to get the girl in the film and was filled with anxiety that he would not be able to pull off Casablancas love stuff as he called it.

Ingrid Bergman, as Bogart love interest Ilsa Lund, was equally conflicted. The statuesque Swede wanted to make her mark as a serious actress, not as another Hollywood ingenue. She had hoped to be cast in a different film altogether and dismissed Casablanca as fluff. Sixteen years Bogarts junior, Bergman would later lament that she had kissed her costar, but never got to know him.

Yet, once director Michael Curtiz trained his lens on the pair, they're smoldering on-screen magic was unmistakable. Bergman, shot through gauze filters with her eyes sparkling from catchlights, glows under Bogarts glaze. Bogart's face is a map of hardness; the cafe owning cynic who early in the film declares, I stick my neck out for nobody, becomes transformed into a patriot who sacrifices his love to help protect Europe from the Nazis.

It was Bogart who coined the phrase, Here's looking at you kid, adapting the original, Here's good luck to you. Bogie was also responsible for changing, Of all the cafes in all the cities in all the world, she walks into my cafe to the somewhat snappier, Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

While Bogart and Bergman were front and center, they were surrounded by a phenomenally talented group of unusual suspects who helped make the movie a success.

Dooley Wilson, cast as the piano player, plays Ricks loyal friend Sam, the one who looks out for his best interests. Producer Wallis considered changing the character's gender, with Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne among those considered for the part. Ironically, Wilson was a drummer, not a pianist, miming to a pianist who sat off-camera and tinkled the ivories yet sang all the songs in the film.

It should come as no surprise that Claude Rains was the first choice to play the corrupt, lecherous, Vichy Captain Louis Renault who is, shocked  shocked  to find that gambling is going on at Ricks even as he receives his winnings from the croupier. Rains, who was nearly blinded in one eye during World War I, left the British Army as a Captain and moved to the New York stage. He was also a former acting teacher, with legendary performers John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier among his students.

British actor, Sydney Greenstreet, plays the polite and insidious Signor Ferrari, boss of Casablancas underground traffic in visas. On screen for less than 5 minutes, the nearly 300-pound Greenstreet is effete and insinuating from his first big scene where he hovers over Sam, seeking to lure him away from Rick.

Ferrari: What do you want for Sam? Rick: I don't buy or sell human beings. Ferrari: Too bad. That's Casablancas leading commodity.

Some actors had escaped Nazism

Many of the actors were themselves, first-hand victims of the Nazi regime. Peter Lorre who plays Ugarte  whose early arrest in the cafe sets the plot in motion by killing two German couriers to obtain valuable letters of transit  had himself escaped Hitler in 1933.

Originally, the aristocratic Austrian Paul Henreid refused the part of Victor Lazlo, balking at playing the second romantic lead to Bogarts Rick Blaine. But after the United States entered the war, the country began deporting many enemy aliens, regardless of their politics; Henreid, who had left Austria for his vociferous anti-Nazi stand, accepted the film contract to save his life.

S. Z. Sakall, who played Carl the waiter, was a Jewish-Hungarian fled Germany in 1939; he lost his three sisters in a concentration camp. Helmut Dantine, who played the Bulgarian roulette player, spent time in a concentration camp and left Europe after being freed.

Curt Bois, who played the pickpocket, was a German-Jewish actor and refugee. Conrad Veidt, who played Major Heinrich Strasser, was a German film star and refugee. Despite being Jewish, he often insisted on being cast as a Nazi officer to bring attention to their villainous deeds.

The dewy-eyed Madeleine Lebeau was just 19 when she appeared as Ricks soon-to-be-discarded girlfriend. Like the fictitious protagonists Rick and Sam, she had her own real escape: leaving Paris just hours ahead of the conquering Germans. Making her way to Lisbon, she used a forged Chilean visa, and booked passage to the States where she secured papers that allowed her to legally enter California.

Lastly, director Michael Curtiz, best known for adventurous swashbucklers such as Captain Blood and the Adventures of Robin Hood, was a Hungarian-Jewish immigrant who had arrived in America in 1926, but some members of his family were refugees from Nazi Europe. Casablanca would win him the Academy Award for Best Director. In all, the cast included 34 nationalities.

The plot involves letters of transit that allows two people to leave Casablanca for Portugal and ultimately freedom. The movie opens in Rick's Cafe Americain, where refugees are pawning rings, customers lighting cigarettes and Nazis drinking Veuve Clicquot 26.

Rick obtained the letters from the wheedling little black-marketeer Ugarte. Ricks retreated to a world of utter isolationism  no family, no love, no past or future, just him, Sam and his bar. What is your nationality? asks the Nazis Major Strasser. Im a drunkard, says Rick. And that makes Rick a citizen of the world, says Claude Rains Captain Renault.

Into this setting turns up Ilsa Lund with her husband Victor Lazlo, whom she thought dead, when she shared a pre-war romance with Rick in Paris. Lazlo is leader of an underground anti-fascist movement in Europe, and it is vital that he escapes to America. The sudden reappearance of Ilsa, a freedom fighter in a satin gown and diamond ear clips, reopens old wounds, and breaks Ricks carefully cultivated veneer of neutrality and indifference.

Its this world that Ilsa destroys when she walks into the cafe on the arm of Laszlo, the handsome, noble resistance hero, the suave, principled hope of millions enslaved by the Third Reichs tyranny, bringing back the pain of lost love. Until her appearance, the movie is a timebound melodrama. But of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into Rick's, ultimately redeeming not just him, but giving hope to a conquered Europe.

When Rick recalls that last dreary rainy day in Paris with Ilsa, he says: The Germans wore grey, you wore blue, to which she replies I put that dress away. When the Germans march out, I'll wear it again.

And we believe her! Who cannot get goose bumps watching him pound back bourbon in the empty cafe, saying, She's coming back. I know she's coming back. And then not only does she appear, but as a miraculous redeeming luminous angel standing in the doorway.

A timeless song  almost cut from script

Before her appearance, Wilson, who sings the hit song, As Time Goes By, tries to save Rick: We'll take the car and drive all night. We'll get drunk. We'll go fishing and stay away until she's gone.

As Time Goes By, composed 11 years earlier, was specified in the play. Composer Herman Hupfield had been a college roommate of playwright Burnett.

However, composer Max Steiner hated the song, insisting that the six-note ditty was too simple for a love theme, and the song was almost cut from the film at the last minute. Only the fact that Bergman had already had her hair cut for her role in For Whom the Bell Tolls prevented Wallis from reshooting the scene in which she asks Sam: Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By.

When Rick finally hears Ilsas story, he realizes she has always loved him. Rick wants to use the transit letters to escape with Ilsa, but then, in a sequence that combines suspense, romance and comedy, he contrives a situation in which Ilsa and Laszlo escape together.

Why? Like Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, Rhett and Scarlett, Rick and Ilsa can never be together  can we really picture them living in Southern Pines, with kids, a golden retriever, and a manicured lawn?

No! Love is sacrificed for a higher principle. As in Rick's famous line: Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that.

A morale boost in war time

Casablancas greatest contribution to the war effort was morale. The movie was a patriotic rallying cry that affirmed a sense of national purpose. The film emphasized group effort and the value of individual sacrifices for a larger cause. It portrayed World War II as a peoples war, typically featuring a diverse group of people and ethnic backgrounds who are thrown together, tested, and molded into a dedicated fighting fascism.

That Saturday in February, reported an advertisement in the Observer: Out of the headlines and into the Colony theatre! Thats the story behind the up-to-the-minute thriller, Casablanca, as exciting and timely as youll ever see.

Indeed, Casablanca met its mark, taking Fayetteville on a spiritual quest to the Moroccan desert and giving it irony and a center table in a nightclub. It has more redemptions than a Sunday morning radio evangelist. Spurned Yvonne may date a Nazi Officer, but when the band strikes up the Marseillaise, she's singing. Corrupt Captain Renault redeems himself with a lie.

The unrequited love between Rick and Ilsa is worthy of a Shakespeare sonnet: We'll always have Paris.

Dr. Cristobal S. Berry-Caban a native of Puerto Rico, is a senior research scientist with Womack Army Medical Center.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Casablanca, a night in Fayetteville and a film that boosted WWII America
The Charlotte City Council unanimously approved selling an east Charlotte building to a popular local medical provider.

City leaders voted Monday to sell their building on Central Avenue in east Charlotte to Starmount Management, also known as StarMed.

StarMed will use the building for a pediatric and adolescent behavioral health facility, a project that it says will create 124 jobs. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers will be among those brought in.

The city first planned to house IT workers in the building after it was bought in 2018, but city leaders said it would have been too large of an investment.

One Charlotte parent said having the new center will be beneficial for his daughter.

We had to go to one side of the state and then one side of the country to find care for my daughter, Adam Flett said. Anxiety and depression are kind of peeking its ugly head.

ALSO READ: Atrium Health breaks ground on innovation district in Uptown Charlotte

There are not too many facilities in the state nor Charlotte that offer what I think StarMed is going to offer, he added.

According to StarMed, the proposed plans for the building will hold between 30 and 50 beds, offering a variety of services for children.

Having kids, especially with inpatient behavioral when they come into the emergency departments with behavioral health crisis -- parents cant find a bed for them, StarMed President Mike Estramonte said.

Estramonte added the treatment will range from the most serious conditions to a possible outpatient center they can transition into.

Parents need those resources to understand the process, understand where they can get the best care for their children, Fleet said.

The building will cost StarMed $2.76 million, which is $500,000 more than the city paid for. The building is planned to be opened in the next year and a half.

(WATCH BELOW: StarMed donates $50K to Smith Family Behavioral Health Urgent Care)
A chip manufacturing company in China - VCG via Getty Images

China has the ability to spy on millions of people in Britain by weaponising microchips embedded in cars, domestic appliances and even light bulbs, ministers have been warned.

The Trojan horse technology poses a wide-ranging threat to UK national security, according to a report sent to the Government by a former diplomat who has advised Parliament on Beijing.

The modules collect data and then transmit it via the 5G network, giving China the opportunity to monitor the movements of intelligence targets including people, arms and supplies, and to use the devices for industrial espionage. Millions of them are already in use in the UK.

The report, published on Monday by the Washington-based consultancy OODA, says the potential threat to national security outstrips the threat from Chinese-made components in mobile phone masts which led to a Government ban on Huawei products being used in mobile infrastructure.

'We are not yet awake to this threat'

Ministers have completely failed to grasp the threat posed by the pervasive presence of the modules, known as cellular IoTs, the report says - a concern that has been echoed by senior MPs. It calls on ministers to take urgent action to ban Chinese-made cellular IoTs from goods sold in Britain before it is too late.

Charles Parton, the author of the report, said: We are not yet awake to this threat. China has spotted an opportunity to dominate this market, and if it does so it can harvest an awful lot of data as well as making foreign countries dependent on them.

Mr Parton spent 22 years of his diplomatic career working in or on China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and has advised the Foreign Office and the EU on Chinese affairs, as well as being the Commons foreign affairs committees special adviser on China.

Cellular IoTs - which stands for Internet of Things - are small modules used in everything from smart fridges to advanced weapons systems to monitor usage and transmit data back to the owner, and often the manufacturer, using 5G.

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Earlier this month it emerged that the security services had dismantled ministerial cars and found at least one of the devices hidden inside another component. There were fears that China had the capability of monitoring the movements of everyone from the prime minister downwards using the modules.

But the problem goes far beyond ministerial cars, the report warns.

Three Chinese companies - Quectel, Fibocom and China Mobile - already have 54 per cent of the global market in the devices, and 75 per cent by connectivity.

Like all Chinese firms, they must hand over data to the Chinese government if ordered to, meaning that the Chinese Communist Party can gain access to as many devices as it likes.

Customers of the three Chinese firms include the computing firms Dell, Lenovo, HP and Intel, car maker Tesla, and the card payments firm Sumup.

Vast spying potential

Among the devices that contain the modules are: laptop computers; voice-controlled smart speakers; smart watches; smart energy meters; fridges, light bulbs and other appliances that can be controlled through an app; body-worn police cameras; doorbell cameras and security cameras; bank card payment machines, cars and even hot tubs.

The potential for spying is vast. Coupled with artificial intelligence and machine learning to process huge quantities of data, the report suggests that China could, for example, monitor the movements of US weapons sales in order to work out if it was selling arms to Taiwan.

It could also work out the identities and addresses of royal and diplomatic protection officers, then monitor their cars during advance security sweeps to work out where ministers would be visiting.

China could also monitor the movements of targets via bank card payment terminals, and even work out who they were meeting, and when. The report also suggests data harvested from the cellular IoTs could be used to identify potential intelligence sources, by working out who handles sensitive information, then finding ways to bribe or blackmail them into spying for China.

Sabotage is another concern, if China decided to attack national infrastructure by disabling the devices.

Even such innocuous applications as agricultural machinery, which also use the devices, could help the Chinese to spot vulnerabilities in Western supply chains, such as poor harvests of a particular crop, then seize market share by undercutting British suppliers, making the West ever more dependent on Chinese exports.

Allowing China to build up a monopoly on manufacturing the devices - which are subsidised by the Chinese state to make them cheaper than Western competitors - would also make the West entirely dependent on China for supplies of a strategically important component.

The report says: The data generated by automated logistics, manufacturing, and transport systemscould be invaluable as a means of ensuring that the holders economic interests prosper over those of a competitor.

It says information gleaned from cellular IoTs equates to a form of data-driven insider knowledge.

Countries 'should ban Chinese modules'

The report by OODA, which stands for the Observe, Orientate, Decide, Act mantra used by fighter pilots, says the fact that many Western firms also make the devices mean Chinas dominance is not a lost cause, partly because the global market share the three firms control includes the sizeable domestic market in China.

It is time to wake up, the report says. Free and open countries should ban Chinese manufactured IoT modules from their supply chains as soon as possible.

It recommends a complete audit of government property to replace the devices where necessary and suggests companies operating in sensitive areas, such as defence, should be told to carry out the work by the end of 2025.

The Internet of Things, described in the report as the central nervous system of the global economy, is used in applications ranging from security, manufacturing and transport to supply chains, agriculture and smart homes. The data gathered by devices can be used for everything from planning energy supply to improving traffic flow or supply chain management, but it would also have almost unlimited uses if it fell into the wrong hands.

The Internet of Things is a phrase used to describe devices that connect and exchange data with other devices over the internet. Cellular IoT devices, which typically measure less than 5x5cm, are the component that makes devices smart, so a smart security camera uses a C-IoT to connect to your mobile phone. They can also connect to each other, for example an electric car might talk to charging stations to find out which ones are in use.

As well as talking to other devices, they can send data back to manufacturers for quality control purposes and to enable over-the-air updates to their software, but this provides a potential gateway for hostile states to harvest data on people using the devices.

'There are European alternatives'

Alicia Kearns MP, chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, said: Because they are in so many of our mundane day-to-day objects, the risk, if someone was able to weaponise them, is significant.

You could track someone, and work out where the prime minister is going to be, for example, and that would be very useful information for terrorists.

We are not looking at this strategically. We need to recognise that we need to focus on components in everyday products that give away key data about the user, whether that be location, or interests, or things that could be used for blackmail.

National security considerations have been woefully inadequate when it comes to industrial strategy. There are European alternatives to this. We need to phase them out. I think there are a series of Huawei-sized decisions that we havent made and we need to put national security and strategic resilience at the heart of everything we do as a country.

Quectel, Fibocom and China Mobile have all been approached for comment.
Chris Evans has weighed in on his "Avengers" co-star Jeremy Renner's snowplow accident earlier this month that left him with critical injuries.

Shortly after Renner posted an update on his positive outlook for his recovery from the accident, telling fans "these 30 plus broken bones will mend , grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens," Evans responded on Twitter.

"Thats one tough mfer. Has anyone even checked on the snowcat???" Evans asked, referring to the 7-ton PistenBully snowplow that fell on top of Renner during the accident.

Thats one tough mfer. Has anyone even checked on the snowcat???



Sending so much love  https://t.co/Wc9M0EhL9d  Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) January 21, 2023

"Sending so much love," the "Captain America" actor, 41, continued, adding a red heart emoji.

Renner saw Evans' tweet and replied with a winking emoji and laughing emoji, "Love you brother. I did check on the snow cat , she needs fuel."

Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Evans and Sebastian Stan in

Renner, 52, was critically injured when he was run over by the snowplow while attempting to clear snow on a private road near his Reno, Nevada, home on Jan. 1, officials said.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said during a Jan. 3 press conference Renner went to speak to a family member when the machine started to roll toward him.

"In an effort to stop the rolling PistenBully, Mr. Renner attempted to get back into the drivers seat," Balaam said. "Its at this point that Mr. Renner was run over."

A neighbor quickly called 911, but it took emergency crews at least 20 minutes to arrive on the scene due to the snowy conditions.

"Someones been run over by a snowcat. Hurry, the unidentified neighbor told the dispatcher, according to partially redacted audio of the call obtained by NBC News. "Someones in front of my house on the ground. He got run over by a snowcat. Hes been crushed."

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Renner, who stars as Hawkeye in Marvel's "Avengers" movies, was taken to an area hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit for "blunt chest trauma," Sam Mast, a representative for the actor, said in a statement to NBC News on Jan. 2.

The actor shared several photos and videos from his stay, including a "spa day" with his mom and sister washing his hair.

On Jan. 16, Renner shared he had returned home just in time to catch Episode 201 of his new Paramount+ show, "Mayor Of Kingstown," with his family.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Kaycee Adams, Faye King, and Artemis Grey (not pictured) perform Thursday at the Columbia Values Diversity breakfast, peforming the group number "Hold On For One More Day" by Wilson Phillips.

In a letter to Gov. Mike Parson, Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood labeled criticism of a drag performance at the Jan. 19 Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast as "misinformation."

Characterizing the performance as child endangerment, being of a sexual nature or violating state law is simply false, Yearwood wrote in the letter dated Jan. 22. He copied Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey in the letter.

"As one example, I recently received a letter from the Attorney General that indicates confusion about the City of Columbias event," Yearwood wrote. "Any characterization of the Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast as 'child endangerment' or having a 'sexual nature' or violating state law is categorically false. Although CPS was unaware what the performance by Nclusion+ would entail, their program was not an 'adult' performance. This type of misrepresentation is harmful to our students, our staff, and our community."

Brian Yearwood, new Columbia Public Schools superintendent, poses for a photo.

Bailey sent a letter Friday to the city of Columbia and the school district criticizing the district to allow students at an "adult-themed drag show performance."

Parson and State Sen. Caleb Rowden also made statements against allowing students to attend the event.

The criticism appears to have originated with tweets and an article from the right-wing propaganda site "Libs of TikTok." Known for anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, the Anti-Defamation League states the events and organizations targeted by the group are frequent targets of harassment, threats and violence.

Seeming to confirm the ADL's statement, Columbia City Councilwoman Andrea Waner said in a tweet she had received an email saying they hope she would be taken to court and prison for "city-sponsored child sexual exploitation."

"I am committed to ensuring that our school system is educating, not indoctrinating, children, and that parents have a say in the process," Bailey wrote on Friday, adding that he would use every tool available to him to ensure students are safe and "receiving the education they deserve."

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Bailey wrote that the district could be in violation of a new law prohibiting providing sexual material to children.

Parson tweeted on Friday "Parents weren't clearly informed of the contents of the program and adult performances are not diversity."

Nclusion Plus, which produced the drag performance, said it was "G-rated," meaning appropriate for all audiences.

Students who had submitted works on diversity themes honoring and reflecting Martin Luther King Jr.'s efforts in promoting equality in the face of persistent bigotry were in the audience, Yearwood wrote.

There were around 30 CPS students attending, plus students from private and religious schools, Yearwood wrote.

Parents and guardians transported some students to the event, while older students drove themselves, said district spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark.

Yearwood wrote that the district received two parent complaints and officials have been in direct conversation with both families.

"CPS strives to learn from our conversations with parents and improve our best practices around outsideevents," Yearwood wrote. "Although we do not have control over the program at events organized by outside entities and cannot expect to have complete information in advance about what will occur at outside events, we are continuing to review our internal process and how to effectively share the advance information we do havewith our students and families."

Schools sought parent permission for students to attend, though it didn't have complete details of the city-sponsored event.

In his letter, Yearwood quoted from a 1947 essay by King titled "The Purpose of Education."

Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal and the facts from the fiction," Yearwood wrote, quoting King.

Yearwood extended an open invitation to meet to "discuss our common aspirations for scholars to achieve at high levels."

Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon, on her personal Twitter feed, expressed support for the city for the program and for the school district.

"The pushback to @NclusionPlus performance can plant seeds of doubt about safety & inclusivity for our LGBTQIA+ community. It requires folks to state unequivocally that we are committed to creating a world where every child, family & person can thrive, authentically & w/o fear," she wrote.

The pushback to @NclusionPlus performance can plant seeds of doubt about safety & inclusivity for our LGBTQIA+ community. It requires folks to state unequivocally that we are committed to creating a world where every child, family & person can thrive, authentically & w/o fear.  Brianna Lennon (@briannalennon) January 23, 2023

Lennon encouraged people to contribute to Nclusion Plus, The Center Project and Journey Toward Inclusive Excellence.

"I hope that our students can learn from how we as adults model productive engagement within a community, separating fiction from fact so we can maintain focus on what is most important - the success of our scholars," Yearwood wrote.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Yearwood: many claims about drag performance at breakfast are false
Salem Police killed 27-year-old Michael James Compton Monday morning following an alleged armed robbery and shootout in South Salem that closed Commercial Street near Kuebler Boulevard for hours.

According to Salem Police, officers responded to reports of an armed robbery and carjacking in progress in the parking lot of the Walmart store at 5250 Commercial St. SE at 9 a.m.

The robber fled the parking lot on foot and moved north to the Planet Fitness gym nearby where he tried to steal another vehicle before running across Commercial Street to Napa Auto Parts, according to police.

Salem officers pursued Compton, who they said matched the description from the calls, to the parking lot of the Napa Auto Parts store. The confrontation turned deadly as gunfire erupted.

Police said Compton fired "at least once" at officers. At least one patrol vehicle was hit in the windshield, police said. Witnesses on social media reported hearing at least two dozen shots fired.

Megan Barnhiser, who was in her truck with her young child and provided a witness statement to police, told the Statesman Journal a man tried to rob an armored truck outside Walmart. When police responded, she said, the man pulled a gun and began firing. Police fired back, she said.

"He shot first," she said of the man. "I thought I was going to get shot."

Compton was struck by one of the police rounds and died at the scene, according to Salem Police. No officers or bystanders were injured.

Police said a black handgun was located underneath Compton's body and a loaded magazine was found in his pocket.

The Salem officers involved in the shooting were:

Senior Officer Justin Carney, 22 years of service.

Corporal Kristy Fitzpatrick, 14 years of service.

Officer Reece Mathis, 1 year of service.

Corporal Adam Waite, 15 years of service.

Senior Robert Acosta, 17 years of service.

Salem Police, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police responded to the scene. The Marion County Law Enforcement Officer Deadly Use of Force Plan under Senate Bill 111 has been initiated for this incident, and Oregon State Police will be conducting the primary investigation.

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The officers have been put on paid administrative lead, as is standard procedure.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Commercial St. SE closed Kuebler;, reports of shots fired
Beans, eggs, and lean red meat are all good protein sources. Getty

A Connecticut restaurant owner named her new breakfast spot Woke Breakfast & Coffee.

Carmen Quiroga told CT Insider the name was meant to convey, "Wake up and have a coffee."

Instead, the name has gotten pushback from some conservative residents.

A Connecticut restaurant owner named her new coffee shop "Woke" as a pun without knowing the political connotation of the word  prompting complaints from some apparent conservative-leaning residents of the town.

Carmen Quiroga opened Woke Breakfast & Coffee in Coventry, CT, on January 19, and told Insider that the name was meant to be a spin on "Wake up and have a coffee."

"When we were thinking of an idea, we obviously wanted a word that would represent something related to morning. We wanted something that was quick and easy to say," Quiroga told Insider.

The breakfast shop owner said the name was a stylistic choice because she knew she wanted a logo that would have an egg and coffee bean in the logo.

"Woke was the only word relating to waking up that had an O, because we wanted to present the brand of the business, which is breakfast food, and an egg is a perfect way to do that," she said.

Quiroga, who immigrated to the US from Mexico said she did not know the term was used as a derogatory term by conservatives toward liberals.

"I'm a Mexican," Quiroga told the CT Insider. "I don't know anything about what 'woke' means to some people."

The name generated debate among town residents online, including in The Coventry CT Citizen's Open Forum on Facebook.

On Thursday, the page's admin, Tonya Landrie Ohlund, threatened to remove "ridiculous comments" about the new breakfast shop.

"If you are that close-minded that you can't grasp that the name is referring to the fact that it is a breakfast establishment and nothing more, then just keep that to yourself and move on," Ohlund wrote. "It's disgusting to read that residents are going to refuse to support a business that is trying to grow in our awesome little town because you don't like what they've named it, without even knowing anything about how they chose that name. Just stop."

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While the small town of Coventry voted for Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2020 election, with Biden winning 4,011 votes or 51.7%, another 3,545 residents voted for former GOP President Donald Trump. The town, in 2016, narrowly voted in favor of Trump.

"It's a very purple town," Republican town council member John French told the Post.

However, since opening, Quiroga said no one has said anything negative to her in person and the restaurant has been packed.

"We are very, very busy. We had to close an hour later because the people were waiting to try our food... Everybody said that the food is excellent. So we feel like, like we have good support from the town," Quiroga said.

Read the original article on Insider
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Consumer Reports on Monday urged four chocolate producers to commit by Valentine's Day to reduce the amounts of lead and cadmium in their dark chocolate products, after testing revealed harmful levels of the heavy metals.

In letters to Hershey Co, Mondelez International Inc, Theo Chocolate and Trader Joe's, Consumer Reports said long-term exposure to the metals can result in nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage.

It said the danger was greater for pregnant women and young children because of the risk of developmental problems. The letters were accompanied by nearly 55,000 petition signatures.

Last month, Consumer Reports said 23 of the 28 dark chocolate bars it tested included potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium or both for people who eat more than one ounce of chocolate a day.

Five had elevated levels of both metals: two from Theo, and one each from Hershey-owned Lily's, Mondelez-owned Green & Black's, and Trader Joe's.

Consumer Reports said many consumers eat dark chocolate for its potential health benefits and relatively low sugar levels, but "there's nothing healthy about ingesting heavy metals."

The chocolate makers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The National Confectioners Association, a trade group, said the California health guidelines that Consumer Reports used and considered "the most protective available," are "not food safety standards" and that chocolate remains safe to eat.

Trader Joe's has been sued at least nine times by consumers over its dark chocolate since Consumer Reports released its study.

Hershey's and Mondelez have also been sued over the magazine's findings, as have other chocolate makers, including Godiva and Lindt.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Deepa Babington)
A Central Florida man took his frustrations out on an ATM the other day and ended up in legal trouble.

Del Michael Scotti, 56, was arrested Jan. 14, a few hours after attacking the bank machine with a hammer, according to the Leesburg Police Department.

READ MORE: Landlord told him to vacate, then he got his gun, Florida cops say

Authorities say that Scotti visited the ATM at a Bank of America branch around 9 a.m. to make a financial transaction. When the card didnt spit back out for whatever reason, he became agitated.

According to a police report, employees inside the bank having a meeting heard the customer yelling at the ATM and saw him rocking it back and forth, screaming at it.

After the yelling and rocking yielded no results, Scotti returned to his truck for a hammer, the LPD complaint said.

READ MORE: Senior fights off would-be robbers at Florida ATM

After pounding on the ATM several times, Scotti climbed into his truck and drove off. Damages were estimated at about $3,000.

The housing for the card insert was pushed inside the ATM, and the plastic surrounding the housing was broken into several pieces on the ground in front of the machine, said the police report, which added that another officer found the contactless payment area to be also broken.

Bank surveillance video captured the plate number of the vehicle, which came back as registered to the suspect.

Police paid a visit to Scottis home, where he answered the door and told them: You must be here because of the ATM. He admitted to attacking the machine out of frustration when his card did not come out, police say.

The suspect was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief over $1,000. He was booked into the Lake County Jail and released on $2,000 bond.
After meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky under heavy security in Ukraine, Connecticuts U.S. Sen. Blumenthal says he is returning to Washington, D.C. to push harder for both American and German tanks that are crucially needed to repel the expected Russian offensive in the spring.

In a telephone interview from Munich, Blumenthal said he would lobby both the White House and the Pentagon to push the Germans to release strategically important Leopard 2 tanks that could reach war-torn Ukraine more quickly than tanks from the United States. The Ukrainians have held off the Russians far longer than diplomats had expected, but they need more equipment to avoid being out-gunned by the aggressive Russian army.

Fearing retaliation from the Russians, the Germans have been slow to release the tanks, causing high-level talks and tensions in recent days in Germany, Ukraine and the United States.

Time is not on our side,' Blumenthal told The Courant in an interview. The Russians are resupplying and reinforcing their positions. The tanks are absolutely necessary for the Ukrainians to not only defend against the offensive that the Russians will launch  literally possibly within weeks  but also to do their own offensive attack against the Russians, which could enable them to push the Russians substantially back and possibly out of their country. Its a really dangerous time for Ukraine, a time of very deep danger, but also major opportunity.'

Blumenthal traveled on a bipartisan trip with two other U.S. Senators under heavy security and secrecy. The group members did not publicly discuss their trip in advance, and Blumenthal said American officials avoid flying into Ukraine because Russian missiles could shoot down the plane. Instead, they boarded a train and took a 10-hour, overnight trip from Poland to Kiev, Ukraine.

He traveled in the American delegation with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island. Blumenthal has visited Ukraine three times in the past 12 months, including with Graham in July. Their work will continue upon their return to Washington.

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Were going to be pushing the White House and the administration to continue pushing the Germans,' said Blumenthal, who plays a key role as a member of the Democratic-controlled Senate Armed Services Committee. There is a roundabout contention here as to who does what first. We need to eliminate that confusion and contention.'

At the same time that Ukraine has been seeking the German-made Leopard 2 tanks that are currently stationed in 15 countries across Europe, they are also seeking American-made M1 Abrams tanks. One of the problems, however, is that the high-tech American tanks are more complicated and require more training, thus slowing down the effort when time is of the essence.

The Germans need to give permission for the tanks to leave from countries that include Denmark, Spain, and Poland, among others.

Theres a kind of gridlock here that has to be broken,' Blumenthal said. It is urgent. The Ukrainians desperately need these tanks, and they need them now. ... We need to break this gridlock among the major allies without attributing blame to any one of them. The German motives are not completely transparent, so its people reporting that they want America to take that first step with tanks because they are somewhat more fearful about Russian retaliation.'

Meeting with Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky has become a historic figure, and some have compared him to famed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.

Blumenthal has met previously with Zelensky, who received standing ovations for his historic speech to Congress in December.

He seemed to be in good spirits, but he is deeply concerned about a coming Russian offensive, a major onslaught, this spring,' Blumenthal said of the recent trip. His soldiers are bleeding and dying in really brutal conditions. Theyre severely out-manned, and we cant let them be out-gunned.'

Blumenthal is looking ahead to prevent a further spread of the war in Europe.

If we dont stop Putin, he will continue his attack on democracies by going against NATO countries, and then well have a treaty obligation to be involved with troops,' Blumenthal said. Right now, there should be no American troops on the ground, and I want to make that clear. No American troops because the Ukrainians believe they can win this war if they have the right kinds of arms and weapons. Thats why we need to provide tanks, planes, and longer-range artillery.'

The money that is needed to help the Ukrainians has already been earmarked by the U.S. Congress. No additional money is being sought at the moment as Congress is split with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Demoratic-controlled Senate.

At the same time as Blumenthals trip, the top defense ministers, including U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterparts from Germany and Ukraine, were meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on the same issue of the tanks. Blumenthals group, however, did not participate directly in those talks.

As the war continues, Russian leader Vladimir Putin continues to attack civilian areas in a war of attrition.

Putin is a butcher, a war criminal, and hes committing genocide,' Blumenthal said. It is mind-boggling, stomach-turning, and heart-breaking. It harkens back to the atrocities of World War II.'

At the same time, Zelensky is trying to defend his smaller, less-equipped country.

Zelensky will be a hero of historic magnitude, Blumenthal said. To meet with him is to be inspired. My heart soared as I heard him talk about what he is doing, and his travels to the front in some of the most dangerous areas and his visits to the bombed-out apartment houses. He is a leader of historic magnitude and very inspiring.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
By Marc Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - Cuba began a high-stakes legal battle in London's High Court on Monday over unpaid Fidel Castro-era government debt now held by one of the communist-run country's creditors.

The 8-day case will be closely watched by other creditors who between them have struggled to recoup an estimated $7 billion of defaulted loan from Havana.

CRF I Ltd, the investment firm that brought Monday's case, says it is owed 72 million euros ($78.18 million) on two loans that were originally granted to Cuba by European banks in the 1980s and denominated in German Deutschmarks.

Cuba's authorities have labelled CRF a "vulture fund" and said in their legal argument ahead of the case that the English Court had "no jurisdication" to try CRF's claims.

CRF originally launched the claim almost three years ago after Havana refused a debt relief offer made by CRF and some other bond holders back in 2018.

"We are still ready to talk to the other side - even at this late stage," CRF Chairman, David Charters, told Reuters.

The communist-run island has seen its finances deteriorate badly recent years, made worse by the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions put in place by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In 2015, Havana reached a deal with members of the Paris Club of creditor nations that saw roughly three-quarters of that debt written off. But having not dealt with its commercial creditors in the so-called London Club the country remains shut out of international capital markets.

"The BNC and Cuba have never ignored their debts and have always maintained their interest in negotiating with their legitimate creditors," the Cuban central bank said in statement ahead of the case earlier this month.

Other Latin American nations, most notably Argentina, have also fought prolonged court and political battles for years to settle with international funds that bought up defaulted-debt cheaply and then pursued legal claims.

($1 = 0.9210 euros)

(Reporting by Marc Jones and Sam Tobin; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
The daughter of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA5) was arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer and defacing a monument in the Boston Common Saturday night.

Riley Dowell is facing charges of assault by means of a dangerous weapon, destruction or injury of personal property and damage of property by graffiti and tagging.

Boston Police say officers responded to the Common at approximately 9:30 p.m. for a protest. Responding officers allegedly found Dowell writing the phases of NO COP CITY and ACAB (All Cops Are B*******) in spray paint on the Parkman Bandstand Monument.

After placing Dowell under arrest, police say the group of 20 protestors surrounded the officers, and one officer was hit in the face, causing them to bleed from the nose and mouth.

On Sunday, Clark acknowledged her daughters arrest and provided a statement that reads:

Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting.



This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.  Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) January 22, 2023

Boston 25 News has reached out to Boston Police for more information regarding the alleged weapon Dowell used but they did not provide any further details.

Dowell is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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BOSTON  House Democratic Whip Katherine Clarks daughter has been charged with assault after an altercation with a police officer who was trying to arrest her for allegedly spray painting anti-cop messages on the Boston Common bandstand.

Riley Dowell, 23, was spotted defacing the bandstand with NO COP CITY and ACAB  shorthand for all cops are bastards"  during a protest Saturday night. Dowell is nonbinary and was identified in a police press release Sunday by her birth name.

While she was being arrested, police said roughly 20 protesters began to surround officers, yelling profanities and disrupting traffic. During that time, an officer was hit in the face and could be seen bleeding from the nose and mouth.

Clark, the second-ranking House Democrat, acknowledged the incident in a tweet Sunday that quickly went viral.

Last night, my daughter was arrested in Boston, Massachusetts. I love Riley, and this is a very difficult time in the cycle of joy and pain in parenting, Clark wrote. This will be evaluated by the legal system, and I am confident in that process.

Dowell is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction or injury of personal property and damage of property by graffiti or tagging.
The late Chadwick Boseman was always destined for greatness.

The actors pathway to success started at Howard University in the late 1990s.

Boseman pursued a bachelor of arts degree in directing, which he completed in 2000, according to NBC News. Some of his contributions during his time at the historically Black university included creating a play titled Hieroglyphic Graffiti.

Boseman Was Taught By Phylicia Rashad

Bosemans talents were recognized by Phylicia Rashad, who taught the young actor at Howard University.

I met Chadwick the year that I taught at Howard University. He was thoughtful. I think back on it now, [he was] always studying. In preparation and performance, he was specific, detailed, and thorough, and that required thought. He was always very respectful, very polite, very courteous. That has to do with his parents; the way in which he grew, Rashad told Rolling Stone.

Rashad saw great promise in Boseman. So, she recommended him to participate in a summer acting program at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford, along with eight other theatre students. However, many of the students were unable to pay the tuition.

Denzel Washington's Belief In Future Talent

Fortunately, Rashad connected with longtime friend Denzel Washington, who quietly covered the tuition for the entire class. Little did he know the act of generosity would forge an unforgettable legacy in Hollywood, placing Boseman at center stage.

Many of you already know the story that Mr. Washington when asked by Felicia Rashad to join her in assisting nine theater students from Howard University who had been accepted to a summer acting program at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford. He gracefully and privately agreed to contribute. As fate would have it, I was one of the students that he paid for. Imagine receiving the letter that your tuition for that summer was paid for and that your benefactor was none other than the dopest actor on the planet, Boseman said during a speech at an American Film Institute ceremony, where Washington was presented with a lifetime achievement award in June 2019.

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Legacy

The financial backing led Boseman to dive further into acting which fortunately progressed to major roles such as Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall and TChalla in Black Panther, which for many children became the first-time seeing a Black superhero portrayed on screen.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman)

I have no doubt that there are similar stories in boys and girls clubs and theaters and churches across the country where I know you have also inspired and motivated others. An offering from a sage and a king is more than silver and gold. It is a seed of hope, a bud of faith. There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington and not just because of me, but my whole cast, that generation stands on your shoulders, Boseman told Washington during his speech.

Unfortunately, Boseman passed away in 2020 after a four-year battle with colon cancer but his legacy will forever be cemented in history as one of the most prolific actors of our generation.

As AfroTech previously told you, Howard University renamed the schools College of Fine Arts to Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in 2021. Within that same year, Netflix created a four-year $5.4 million scholarship in his name to cover the full tuition cost for incoming Howard students.
A local teacher who has spent decades in the classroom has been arrested for allegedly trying to meet with a minor student for sex, according to the Brevard County Sheriffs Office.

Officials said 64-year-old, Timothy Liscum of Melbourne, was arrested Sunday afternoon after he tried to meet a student in Brevard County to have sexual relations.

Deputies said Liscum is a teacher at Satellite High School and has been employed with Brevard Public Schools for the last 30 years.

Read: Orlando police search for suspect who shot man after a crash, robbery

According to a report, Liscum was communicating with one of the students at the school and the student, became concerned about the content of the conversations and told another student, as well as a trusted teacher.

The teacher reported the information to school administrators, who then contacted the students parent, officials said.

Watch: Woman accused of shooting husband at Daytona Beach hospital held without bond

Deputies said Liscum asked the student to meet at a location for sex and he was arrested at that location when he arrived.

On Monday morning, Brevard Public Schools released the following statement regarding Liscums arrest:

Satellite High teacher Timothy Liscum was arrested Sunday and is accused of trying to meet a student for sexual relations. The teacher is in jail and will not be returning to campus. BPS is beyond shocked by the allegations, but we are proud of the courage shown by the student and the support given by a trusted teacher who helped alert investigators. BPS will continue to work with the Sheriffs Office as needed to help with the investigation.

BCSO said investigators are trying to determine if Liscum may have victimized other children.

Read: Suspect identified in connection to Orlando apartment complex shooting, police say

Deputies said anyone who may have information about Liscum is asked to call Brevard County Agent Aja Stake at 321-633-8410 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday stood by Floridas decision to reject students access to an AP course on African American studies as outrage mounts surrounding the move, particularly among Black leaders.

The Republican governor said that he supports banning the course being offered to some high school students because its lessons delve too far into political agendas, broaching topics such as queer studies and abolishing prisons. Black officials in the state, from Democratic lawmakers to faith leaders, however, are seeking to overturn the DeSantis administrations determination that the class significantly lacks educational value.

Yet during a press conference Monday, DeSantis showed no signs of reversing the decision to bar the course in Florida. The College Board, the organization responsible for administering standardized tests like the SATs, had spent a decade developing the African American studies AP course and is offering it to more than 60 schools in the country as a pilot program.

When I heard it didnt meet the standards, I figured, yeah, they may be doing CRT, DeSantis told reporters at an event in Jacksonville. Its way more than that.

In Floridas latest crackdown on how race is taught in schools, state education officials earlier this month rejected the African American studies course from being implemented. The move drew swift backlash in the state and beyond, racking up criticism from academics, advocacy groups and liberal policymakers including the Biden administration, which on Friday said that blocking the course was incomprehensible.

A coalition of Black faith leaders is now pushing to meet with the DeSantis administration over its decision to block students from taking the course and is planning a march on the capitol in Tallahassee next month. They join a chorus of Black state lawmakers who have denounced the move by the Florida Department of Education, claiming it is an attempt to whitewash history.

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When you devalue my history, and say it lacks educational merit, that is demeaning to us, Rev. R. B. Holmes, Jr., pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, told reporters Monday. And it may be a problem in messaging, maybe they didnt mean it that way. It already has national attention.

On Wednesday, a coalition of students, teachers, lawmakers and faith leaders will hold a rally at the Capitol in Tallahassee to highlight their objection to attacks on Black Floridians, trans-gender youth, education, learning, immigrants, and voting rights.



Floridas move to block the course follows a concerted effort by state republicans to restrict how race is taught in local classrooms. Under DeSantis, the state Education Department has rejected math textbooks over impermissible content, including teachings on critical race theory  something that Florida banned in education, along with the 1619 Project, through official action by its Board of education.

After the decision came to light last week, Floridas education agency elaborated on rejecting the course in a tweet spelling out concerns with its lessons. The state took issue with several pieces of the College Boards syllabus, such as parts on Black Queer Studies, advocacy for reparations, activism and intersectionality, which is a piece critical race theory, according to states education department.

Yet the agencys defense did little to stem the criticism. Vice President Kamala Harris, who visited Tallahassee on Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, criticized extremist so-called leaders who block history classes and prevent teachers from discussing who they are and who they love  a reference to the states controversial law banning educators from leading classroom discussions on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Every student in our nation should be able to learn about the culture, contributions, and experiences of all Americans  including Black Americans  who shaped our history, Harris said.

Floridas GOP-controlled statehouse in 2022 passed legislation to expand state anti-discrimination laws and prohibit schools and companies from leveling guilt or blame to students and employees based on race or sex. Dubbed the Stop WOKE Act by DeSantis, it created new protections for students and workers, including that a person should not be instructed to feel guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress due to their race, color, sex or national origin.

Florida law requires public schools to teach students about the history of African Americans, including the enslavement experience, and steer them to develop an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping on individual freedoms. But the College Board lessons, according to DeSantis, are pushing an agenda on students.

Thats the wrong side of the line for Florida standards. We believe in teaching kids facts and how to think, but we dont believe they should have an agenda imposed on them, DeSantis said Monday. When you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is defending his administrations decision to reject an Advanced Placement African American studies pilot program in Florida high schools after nationwide backlash.

Speaking at a press conference unveiling his 2023 education platform on Monday, DeSantis said the state wants education, not indoctrination.

In the state of Florida, our education standards not only dont prevent but they require teaching Black history, all the important things. Thats part of our core curriculum, DeSantis said.

This was a separate course on top of that for Advanced Placement credit and the issue is we have guidelines and standards in Florida, he continued. We want education, not indoctrination. If you fall on the side of indoctrination, were going to decline. If its education, then we will do.

DeSantis said when he first heard the course didnt meet standards, he thought the course must be teaching critical race theory  an academic theory that argues systemic racism is ingrained in the U.S. that DeSantis has, in the past, called a bunch of horse manure.

Upon reading the course description, DeSantis said, he saw its way more than that.

Whats one of the lessons about? Queer theory, said DeSantis. Now, who would say that an important part of Black history is queer theory? That is somebody pushing an agenda on our kids. And so when you look to see they have stuff about intersectionality, abolishing prisons, thats a political agenda. And so were on  thats the wrong side of the line for Florida standards. We believe in teaching kids facts and how to think, but we dont believe they should have an agenda imposed on them. When you try to use Black history to shoehorn in queer theory, you are clearly trying to use that for political purposes.

DeSantiss administration sent a letter to the College Board on Jan. 12 rejecting the new A.P. African American Studies course, stating the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.

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In a statement to The Hill last week, DeSantiss office identified the Department of Educations key concerns with the course included the topics of intersectionality, Black Queer Studies, the Black Lives Matter movement, Black Feminist Literary Thought, the reparations movement and the Black Study and Black Struggle in the 21st Century.

Key readings by Kimberle Crenshaw, the founder of intersectionality, Angela Davis, a self-avowed Communist and Marxist, Roderick Ferguson, Leslie Kay Jones, bell hooks and Robin D.G. Kelly also were reportedly cause for concern.

DeSantiss decision has caused outrage from Democrats around the country. On Friday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the decision incomprehensible.

If you think about the study of Black Americans, that is what he wants to block, Jean-Pierre said. These types of actions arent new. They are not new from what were seeing, especially from Florida. Sadly, Florida currently bans teachers from talking about who they are and who they love.

They didnt block AP European history. They didnt block our music history. They didnt block our art history. But the state chooses to block a course that is meant for high achieving high school students to learn about their history of arts and culture. It is incomprehensible, she continued.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Governor Mike DeWine has ordered all United States and State of Ohio flags be flown at half-staff to honor and remember those killed in a shooting in Monterey Park, California Saturday.

Ten people were killed and at least 10 others were injured when a gunman opened fire after a Lunar New Year celebration, authorities said.

>> RELATED: Monterey Park shooting: Suspect identified as 72-year-old man, driver of white cargo van

Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said 10 people were reported dead at the scene by the Monterey Fire Department and at least 10 other people were taken to area hospitals. Their conditions were anywhere from stable to critical, he added.

Authorities identified the gunman as Huu Can Tran, 72, who was later found dead in a white van. A motive has not yet been determined.

DeWines announcement Wednesday comes in accordance with orders issued by President Joe Biden. Flags are to be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds throughout Ohio until sunset on January 26, 2023.








Embattled Rep. George Santos campaigned as an ultra conservative.

A drag artist who knew him in the mid-2000s told Insider Santos supported Brazil's left-wing president then.

Santos now faces scrutiny over multiple fabrications about his past.

A Brazilian drag artist who says she knew George Santos when he dressed in drag in Brazil remembers the congressman during his younger years as a supporter of the country's progressive president, not as the ultra-conservative politician he says he is now.

The artist Eula Rochard made headlines for circulating a photo she says is of Santos dressed in a red dress.

But in an interview with Insider, she said what's puzzling to her is how Santos went from backing left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as "Lula," to his current political incarnation.



Rochard said Santos supported Lula and then "goes to the US and turns into this crazy thing there. What craziness is this?"

Santos, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island, now embraces former President Donald Trump and policies considered anti-LGBTQ. He has accused the left of trying to "groom" kids, a conservative talking point equating gender and sexuality discussion with priming for sexual abuse.

But in the mid-2000s, Rochard supported a Brazilian president who one expert said had more in common, at least on economic policy, with the progressive politics of Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Rochard said many gay people living in the city of Niteroi at the time supported Lula, a left-wing reformer who served as president of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 and who was just reelected for a third term, starting this month.

"Lula promised to make laws to help us gays. They were all Lulistas and Anthony was too because he hung out with us," Rochard told Insider, using the name Rochard says Santos used in Brazil, "Anthony."

Brazilian drag artist Eula Rochard holds a newspaper from 2008 that she says shows GOP Rep. George Santos in drag attire. Insider screen shot.

It's not surprising that Santos, as a gay person, would have supported Lula in the 2000s, said Rafael Ioris, a professor of Latin American history at the University of Denver. Lula represented the chance for the expansion of civil rights for minority groups in Brazil, and most members of the LGBTQ community were aligned with that perspective, he said.

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It's hard to imagine a member of today's Republican Party in the US aligning with Lula, even as he became more moderate while governing. Lula is a former trade unionist who built his political career on policies similar to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party: a higher minimum wage and spending more on health care and education.

Sen. Bernie Sanders tweeted his congratulations to Lula in October when he defeated far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, whose supporters this month stormed government buildings, refusing to accept the results.

"It's a pretty dramatic shift," Ioris said of Santos. People change, he said, but "how did that happen?"

It's one of the many questions swirling around Santos, who is at the center of a scandal about lies on his resume, falsely claiming his mother died on 9/11, and unexplained wealth that helped finance his congressional bid.

Freelance journalist Marisa Kabas broke the story in a Substack post about Santos dressing in drag under the name Kitara in the mid-2000s. Rochard also told Kabas that Santos' friends in Brazil were left-leaning.

Santos, whose staff declined to comment, at first denied that he performed as a drag queen but later told reporters, "I was young and I had fun at a festival. Sue me for having a life." More videos have since emerged, suggesting it was more than a one-off.

Rochard met Santos when he was about 17 years old and said she used to catch Santos in "little white lies." She said he wanted to be famous "no matter what."

"He wasn't a bad person," Rochard said. "He was a regular gay teenager in a country where there were no laws protecting gay people."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Editor's note: Drag Story Hour for Jan. 28 at Loving Bees NJ in Metuchen has been canceled. Stay tuned to Loving Bees' website for announcements about future events.

Whos ready for storytime?

Hudson County-based drag performer Harmonica Sunbeam is hosting a Drag Story Hour program on Saturday afternoon in Metuchen.

Sunbeam currently hosts around 100 Drag Story Hour events each year. She makes her debut at Loving Bees NJ kids activity space on Oak Avenue at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.

The event, designed for kids ages 3 to 13, will feature reading, singing, movement activities, optional photo opportunities and maybe a bit of dancing, Sunbeam explained.

Harmonica Sunbeam, pictured hosting Drag Story Hour at the Rahway Public Library in 2018.

You know, libraries have story hour every day all over and so (Drag) Story Hour is nothing new. Its just a different person reading the story, she said.

I hope everyone gets out of (the event) that were all just people at the end of the day," said Loving Bees NJ co-founder Shante Mcfarlane. "And to expose our children to more diversity  whether that is race, religion, sexual orientation, all of these different things  lets children see us as people. And (its) just fun. Thats really what it is.

Drag Story Hour launched in San Francisco in 2015. The program now has 28 chapters across the United States, with outposts also in Tokyo; Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin; and Malmo, Sweden, according to dragstoryhour.org.

Sunbeam, who has been entertaining drag show audiences for nearly 30 years, joined the cause in 2016 after seeing a video of New York City-based queen Merrie Cherry at the Brooklyn Public Library.

I always enjoyed reading as a child myself. I enjoy children, and I thought it would be a great opportunity  especially as a queen of a certain age  to do more work during the day, she said. And the rest of the benefits just flowed in from there. Youre promoting literacy. Youre trying to stop bullying, and also getting people to accept who they are as well as accept others.

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Hudson County-based performer Harmonica Sunbeam, pictured at Drag Story Hour at the Rahway Public Library in 2018.

Loving Bees NJ opened earlier this month, based out of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Metuchen. They host kids' activities such as yoga, arts and crafts.

Mcfarlane met Sunbeam last summer when she, her wife and their two children attended Pride events in Union, Maplewood and Montclair.

"It was just so fun. The kids had a blast, and it was just amazing.  We fell in love with her at that moment, my wife and I, and eventually we knew that we wanted her to do something with us for kids because shes just very funny, very open," Mcfarlane said. "Its just a good time all the time with her.

'Don't let the naysayers ... deter you.'

Drag Story Hour events have been met with resistance across the country.

Earlier this month, a group described as apparent white supremacists by the Boston Globe disrupted an event in Taunton, Mass. In December, a group of Drag Story Hour opponents invaded and vandalized the home and office of Erik Bottcher, a gay member of the New York City Council whos supported Drag Story Hour events at libraries.

The resistance, Sunbeam said, makes me aware of my surroundings and the people that do come to attend. So, in that regard it just kind of puts you on high alert. If you know within your heart that youre doing something thats right and that is beneficial to yourself and to others that attend, then you continue to do it and you dont let the naysayers who are responding to an optional program deter you.

Loving Bees NJ, Mcfarlane explained, is based out of the LGBTQ-friendly St. Luke's, and no additional security precautions will be in place for Story Hour.

"(St. Luke's) havent had any problems, just being out and about as an LGBTQ-friendly church," she said. "They have a huge Pride flag out there and things like that. So they havent had any issues. Were kind of hoping that well be OK to just do something fun with the kids.

Go: Drag Story Hour with Harmonica Sunbeam, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Loving Bees NJ, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen, $26.03; lovingbeesnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Drag Story Hour returns to Central Jersey
Drake performs at the Apollo Theater in New York City on Sunday. (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for SiriusXM)

Drake and 21 Savage were forced to halt their Sunday concert at the Apollo Theater in New York after a concertgoer fell from the historic Harlem venue's balcony section.

The person dropped from the lower mezzanine and landed in the orchestra section, the theater confirmed Monday in a statement posted on Twitter.

"Drake, Apollo and [sponsor] SiriusXM halted the show immediately when learning of a potential fan injury and standard protocols were taken," the theater said.

"The fan and other audience members reported that they were OK. No major injuries have been reported," the statement continued, adding that the Apollo will further investigate the incident.

A statement about last nights concert: pic.twitter.com/MqvUmFyzP7  apollotheater (@ApolloTheater) January 23, 2023

The fall occurred on the second of Drake's two nights at the iconic theater. According to Insider, the person fell about an hour and a half into the show, just after Drake welcomed 21 Savage onstage for a series of duets. The artists stopped the show after a crew member notified them of the incident.

"Just have to make sure somebody's OK," Drake told the audience, Insider reported. The house lights came on and security guards could be seen running through the crowd toward the area where the fan landed. The fall also dislodged a light fixture, which was then removed.

After about a 15-minute delay, the venue announced that no one had been injured, that the person was being checked on and that "the show must go on," Insider said.

Drake, left, and 21 Savage perform at the Apollo Theater on Saturday. (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for SiriusXM)

The concertgoer, whose fall was documented in footage posted on social media, reportedly landed in a section where New York Giants players were said to be seated, Page Six reported. Another source at the concert told the site that the fan didnt actually didnt fall, but rather jumped into the crowd from the balcony because he was so hyped!

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The rappers then returned to perform songs from their 2022 joint album, "Her Loss," the November follow-up to Drake's "Honestly, Nevermind."

"Let's just make some noise that everybody's OK," Drake said between songs. Before concluding the show with "Legend," he also thanked attendees.

"This crowd is an absolute 10 out of 10. I'm so happy with tonight. We apologize for the delays and all that s, but thank you," the 36-year-old said.

According to Variety's review of Saturday's show, the Toronto rapper started the Apollo concert with an homage to his early days writing songs at home. He transformed the stage into his bedroom and wore a "Degrassi" jersey to pay tribute to the Canadian teen drama that helped launch his career.

The "Best I Ever Had" and "In My Feelings" rapper later changed the stage into a recording studio boardroom and a New York City bodega, performing for an audience that included his closest family and friends, mother Sandi Graham and OVO co-founder and longtime producer Noah 40 Shebib, among them. He also teased even more new music and a summer tour during the show.

After the concert, other fans were upset after footage of a uniformed New York Police Dept. officer recording concertgoers on their way out of the venue was posted online. The clip, tweeted by New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica, stoked concerns about surveillance of the hip-hop community in New York and prompted NYPD to issue a statement about the footage.

The officer depicted in the video is a Community Affairs officer involved with the 28th Precincts social media team. The officer was taking video for an upcoming Twitter post that will highlight local community events," a spokesperson for the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information said in a statement to the online publication Consequence. "The video will not be utilized for any other reason."





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two men who ran from a car being pursued by police in Medina County were later located with the help of a police drone.

A pair of men who fled from a minor traffic stop ended up on foot in a marshy area in Medina County, at night in temperatures below freezing with nowhere to go.

The two men refused to pull over during a traffic stop attempt around midnight Jan. 15, after their vehicle was identified as being owned by a suspended driver. Brunswick Township Police Officer Zachary Getto assisted the Medina County Sheriff's Office in apprehending the two after police used stop spikes on the road and the two suspects ran from vehicle.

Video from the chase and the subsequent arrests, including infrared drone footage, were obtained by Beacon Journal partner News 5 Cleveland.

Flock cameras catch carjackers:Akron police use Flock cameras to catch teens suspected in violent Barberton carjacking

Brunswick Hills Township Police Chief Tim Sopkovich said it's the first time the department has deployed the drone since obtaining it late last year.

"This past November, we were able to squirrel away some funds, nickels and dimes, and come up with several thousand dollars and we purchased a new drone, with all the latest and greatest gadgets on it," Sopkovich said. "The thermal camera is the most expensive part of it."

Sopkovich said Getto obtained his commercial drone pilot license and began training with the Mavic 3 soon after its purchase.

"Depending on the temperature, he can get over an hour of flight time on it," the chief said.

More:AG Dave Yost says charges in Jayland Walker case may not be decided until April or later

The two men who fled had been signaled to stop by a Medina County deputy on I-71 northbound near Seville and continued to head north. Getto was responding when the men reversed course and headed south, eventually bailing out of the car around mile marker 203 in the southwest corner of the county after deputies deployed spike strips on the highway.

Getto got out the drone and sent it up in the air, circling his location to make sure the men were not lurking nearby.

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"He then sent it way up and just kind of slowly zoomed around and then he was able to see the bright hot heat source and he located the individuals, was able to radio communicate to the other responding officers to go into that area," he said. "For officers' safety, he was able to lower that drone to right above their heads," Sopkovich said.

In addition to the infrared camera, the drone also has a loudspeaker and lights to illuminate the scene below.

Responding officers detained the suspects. The driver, who was not the owner of the car, is charged with a felony count of fleeing and eluding, Sopkovich said.

He noted the department has another drone that can be used indoors. The machine is able to fly under furniture and through rooms.

Support local journalism:6 reasons why you should subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal

"This incident ended very good. No officers were hurt. The bad guys weren't hurt. They weren't familiar with that area. They ran off I-71. They started running out into the middle of this swamp, it was 14 degrees, they had no shoes, and they're running around in waist-height swamp water."

He said the two suspects could have died of hypothermia, had they continued to flee.

"They're safe, and I think that's the whole goal of all this."

Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Brunswick Hills Township drone tracks suspects into freezing swamp
Josh Dooley was told he could not board an easyJet flight as his Tourette's Syndrome could scare other passengers. (Joanne Dooley)

A mother whose son was told he could not board an easyJet flight due to his Tourette's Syndrome has accused the airline of 'discrimination'.

Joanne Dooley was flying to Amsterdam with son Josh, husband Richard, and their daughter Rose, to celebrate Josh's 18th birthday.

As they boarded the plane last Friday the captain pulled the family to one side and told them they could not join the flight.

"He told us he had heard Josh had Tourette's and that he might shout 'bomb' and scare other passengers," Joanne told Yahoo News UK.

"We had no obligation to advise the airline of anything. But, several weeks before, I had contacted easyJet at Liverpool Airport to request special assistance and to forewarn that Josh has Tourette's.

"Special Assistance were extremely helpful in ensuring we had a relaxed experience checking in and reaching the plane, then suddenly this happened."

Dooley said that the family were pulled aside by the captain and other staff and told: "You're not boarding this plane".

She advised that there was no reason why they shouldn't, and cited the 2010 Equalities Act.

She said: "I told them this was discrimination and not legal, but the captain would not listen. Josh can get anxious, and anxiety can exacerbate tics.

"We had taken measures to create a calm experience but this backfired and actually created a situation that caused great anxiety for both him and his sister.

"We were finally allowed to board, but we were all left traumatised by the experience."

Dooley said that after 25 minutes the captain returned to the plane, spoke to a colleague, then gave them a "thumbs up" through the window.

She said: "I found this incredibly patronising, and not at all appropriate given the gravity of the situation."

When the family walked on the plane a fellow passenger asked her son: "Are you the reason we were delayed?", before a member of staff tried to move them from their pre-booked seats to the back of the plane.

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She said: "To add insult to injury I was then brought a can of Coke by way of an 'apology' from the captain. We were all shaken by the episode and just wanted to get through the flight and get off the other end. A can of coke really wasn't what was needed."

Joanne Dooley and son Josh were travelling to Amsterdam to celebrate his 18th birthday. (Joanne Dooley)

When the family arrived at their hotel Dooley, a secondary school teacher, documented their experience and shared a video on Facebook detailing what had happened. The clip had been viewed more than 2,000 times by Monday lunchtime.

Dooley said that she hoped by sharing her family's experience the company would now invest in disability awareness training so staff understand Tourette's Syndrome.

She said: "Not only did it ruin our holiday, but there is a bigger issue - the fact that easyJet staff have no understanding of Tourette's and are prejudiced due to misconceptions of what it is."

Tourette's Syndrome is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing sufferers to make repeated movements and sounds, also known as motor and vocal tics, that they cannot control.

One in ten people with Tourette's may have coprolalia - meaning they involuntarily blurt out obscenities. The Dooleys had advised special assistance officers that Josh suffered coprolalia as part of his Tourette's.

Dooley said the family did not advise airline staff of Josh's condition on the way home.

She said: "We couldn't face another ordeal so kept as calm as possible and just got ourselves home. The two hen parties on board caused much more disruption to fellow passengers than we ever have!"

Charity group Tourette's Action has called for easyJet to "educate" staff to avoid similar incidents in future.

The Dooley's were planning a holiday to celebrate Josh's birthday but were left 'traumatised' by their experience. (Joanne Dooley)

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The charity's CEO Emma McNally said: "While I have no words for this horrendous experience that this family experienced whilst boarding their flight and it 100% should never have happened, I dont want it to turn into a blame and shame, I rather want to give easyJet the opportunity to put this right.

"I want to educate the workforce to stop things like this happening again.

"Tourettes is quite possibly one of the most stigmatised and misunderstood conditions out there. One of our goals at Tourettes Action is to educate organisations to ensure people with Tourettes are understood and accepted."

A spokesman for easyJet told Yahoo News UK: "It is incredibly important to easyJet that our customers feel supported when they fly with us and we are very sorry that this was not the Dooley familys experience.

"We have been in touch with them to apologise and understand more about their experience as we always want the highest levels of care to be shown to all our customers. We are also meeting with Tourettes Action to explore how we and our partners can apply any learnings.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images

YouTuber Fidias Panayiotou finally met Elon Musk after over three months of trying.

Panayiotou camped outside Twitter's headquarters for weeks to get a hug from the CEO.

He tweeted out a photo of him hugging Musk, adding "we are definitely living in a simulation."

Content creator Fidias Panayiotou finally met and hugged Elon Musk after turning up to Twitter's headquarters day after day for months.

Panayiotou was at the building in San Francisco, California, more or less every day from mid October, including 69 consecutive days and an appearance on Christmas.

Along the way he had run-ins with security and faced criticism online from those who labeled his escapade "weird" and "disturbing" in tweets.

He was not even deterred by Musk's mother Maye weighing in on the situation, describing Panayiotou's mission as "malicious."

On January 21, Panayiotou posted a photo to his Twitter of him hugging Musk, seemingly inside the Twitter building.

"We are definitely living in a simulation @elonmusk !" he wrote. "Happy National Hugging Day everyone."

Musk quote-tweeted it with a hugging emoji.

Panayiotou, who has 1.4 million TikTok followers and 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube, previously told Insider on his 47th day that he would continue trying to hug Musk "until I die." He admitted it was "annoying" but insisted "I am doing this to show him love."

Panayiotou's quest began on October 8, 2022 when he posted a video to Twitter stating he had hugged 99 celebrities, and wanted Musk, who he called his "favorite person in the whole world," to be number 100.

Musk seemed to respond to Panayiotou at the end of December 2022, saying he had met some kids in Qatar who "had one request, which was to hug this guy who keeps trying to hug me in SF."

"I checked to see if they were sure about that and they were, so I will," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk testified on Monday that concern over a pending news report was the driving factor behind his decision to post a series of 2018 tweets at the heart of a class-action lawsuit brought by Tesla stockholders.

The testimony, and other statements from Musk on his second day of questioning, offered his rationale for posting on the social media site that he was considering taking the electric vehicle company private at $420 per share and had secured funding for such a deal.

It was concerning because this information was not public, Musk said about advance notice he received that the Financial Times planned to report on Aug. 7, 2018  the day of his initial tweet  that Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund had acquired a 5% ownership stake in Tesla.

ANKARA, TURKIYE - OCTOBER 06: In this photo illustration, the image of Elon Musk is displayed on a computer screen and the logo of twitter on a mobile phone in Ankara, Turkiye on October 06, 2022. Muhammed Selim Korkutata / Anadolu Agency

According to the shareholders, Musk illegally manipulated the stock price and he and Tesla's board should be held accountable for an unspecified portion of billions of dollars in damages sustained by those who bought or sold the company's stock after the tweet and up until Aug. 17, 2018.

Musk said at that time he had already received a verbal, though unequivocal, commitment from the Saudi fund to finance a take-private deal. Worried that the news story would reveal the purported accord, Musk said he sent the tweet to ensure all investors had access to equal information.

The Saudi funds representative, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, later denied through media reports and in a private text message to Musk that funding was assured.

This is ass covering, Musk said of Al-Rumayyans text. It does not describe the reality of the situation.

August 7, 2018 Tweet from Elon Musk

Musks lawyers failed to compel testimony from the funds representatives who are outside U.S. jurisdiction. Under questioning, Musk accused the shareholders of deliberately choosing not to solicit testimony from fund officials.

Musk admitted that none of the Saudi fund officials signed any documents reflecting funding for the take-private transaction. He also said that no particular amount of funding had been talked about in his meetings with its executives.

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There was no price discussed, no documents signed, Musk said. It was just verbal.

Because the fund went forward with Musks earlier suggestion to buy 5% of the company's shares to show the fund's commitment to taking Tesla private, Musk said he expected that the fund would also make good on the verbal commitment.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends a securities-fraud trial in San Francisco, California, U.S., January 20, 2023 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Vicki Behringer

Musk also admitted that he anticipated a rise in Teslas stock price in response to his tweet, though he stuck to his position that  in his understanding  funding had been secured. He also said repeatedly under questioning that its difficult to correlate his tweets with the companys stock price, since in the past the theory has proven counterintuitive.

My tweet was truthful  absolutely truthful, Musk said.

To further back up his claims, Musk said that Saudi funding wasnt crucial to privatize Tesla. His SpaceX shares and a commitment from Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison were sufficient backstops to secure adequate financing for him to take control of the company.

I felt that there was sufficient support that funding was confirmed, Musk said.

Following questioning from Tesla's shareholders, Musk began answering questions from his own lawyer, Alex Spiro. Spiro highlighted Musk's track record for successfully raising billions of dollars in investment funds for his multiple ventures.

In a separate case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in response to the funding tweet, Musk and Tesla settled the matter, each paying a fine of $20 million. Musk also agreed in the accord to step down as Tesla's board chairman and to have Tesla's general counsel review potentially "material" tweets before they are posted. Musk is currently seeking to have that part of the settlement dissolved.

Musk's testimony is expected to continue Tuesday.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has no interest in watching the shows spinoff, House of the Dragon.

Clarke, who starred as Daenerys Targaryen in the fantasy drama series that ran from 2011 to 2019, told Variety that shes steered clear of watching the shows prequel, House of the Dragon, because she just cant do it.

All about the Targaryens, House of the Dragon tells the story of the royal familys civil war that took place roughly 200 years before events portrayed in the original series.

Based on parts of George R.R. Martins 2018 novel Fire & Blood, the mythical show stars Paddy Considine, Emma DArcy, Matt Smith, Tom Glynn-Carney, Milly Alcock, Emily Carey, Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans.

When asked about tuning into the prequel series, the British actor passionately declared why watching the show is a hard pass for her.

Its too weird. Im so happy its happening. Im over the moon about all the awards  I just cant do it. Its so weird. Its so strange, Clarke told the outlet at the Sundance Film Festival while promoting her new romantic comedy, The Pod Generation.

Comparing watching the show to having an awkward run-in with old classmates, Clarke added: Its kind of like someone saying, You want to go to this school reunion thats not your year? Want to go to that school reunion? Thats how it feels. Im avoiding it.

Elsewhere in the conversation, Clarke showed love to Miguel Sapochnik, the shows Season 1 co-showrunner, who also teamed up with her to film some pretty epic episodes of Game of Thrones.

Love him. Brilliant. Wonderful, she gushed about the director.

Clarke isnt the only GoT star who didnt seem too eager to watch House of the Dragon.

Speaking with The Associated Press in 2021, Kit Harington  who starred as Jon Snow in GoT  shared his hesitancy to tune into the series, adding that theres going to be a rawness there.

Theres emotion connected to that for me, he said of the show at the time. I think to see people get into outfits and costumes that resemble what we wore for all those years, and it [has] the same music and style and tone, but not be in it is always going to feel  theres going to be a rawness there.

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House of the Dragon is available for streaming on HBO. Season 2 is set to release in 2024.

Related...
The artwork of artist Monica Cardestam is being showcased in the North Suburban YMCA Community Gallery through February.

According to a news release, the artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Ys Visual Arts Program.

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After spending many years in the retail business, Cardestam became interested in the Sumi-e (ink on rice paper) technique where her interest led her to become a board member of the Sumi-e Midwest organization, the release said. Since then, she has branched out to creating art in charcoal drawing, watercolor pencils, and watercolor painting.

Cardestam has had her artwork displayed in a variety of venues including AIR Studio in Glencoe, The Gorton Center Painting in the Asian Manner show, Highland Parks The Festival of Fine Arts, the Northbrook YMCA Taste of Asia Festival, The Glenview Arts of Life Square Foot show, Heller Nature Center A Brush with Nature shows, and many others, according to the news release. Her work has also been published in the past six volumes of East on Central as well as in The Majesty of Trees: Poets Respond Root, Trunk and Branch.

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The NSYMCAs Community Gallery, located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook, celebrates the diversely talented artists living and working in Chicagos northern suburbs with monthly exhibits that are free and open to the public. For more information about art at the North Suburban YMCA, contact Cathie Winnie at cwinnie@nsymca.org or 847-272-7250.
Estonia will provide Ukraine with a military aid package worth 113 million euros

"We are giving all of our 155mm howitzers to Ukraine and we want to set a precedent in this way so that other countries dont have excuses why they cant give Ukraine the weapons to win the war, Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk said.

Read also: US to bolster military presence in Estonia

Dozens of FH-70 155mm and D-30 122mm howitzers are to be sent to Ukraine.

The biggest ever Estonian military aid package for Ukraine, worth EUR 133 million ($145 million) or over 1% country's GDP, also includes thousands of artillery shells for howitzers, hundreds of Carl-Gustaf M2 anti-tank grenade launchers with ammunition, and auxiliary equipment for artillery units.

"In addition, Estonia continues to provide both basic and specialized military training for Ukrainian soldiers, Ukraines General Staff said.

Read also: Estonia greenlights new military aid package to Ukraine

We are also grateful to the allies who joined the Tallinn Pledge and committed to collectively support an unprecedented set of donations, including main battle tanks, heavy artillery, air defences, ammunition, and infantry fighting vehicles," the General Staff wrote.

The Tallinn Pledge is a joint statement of Estonia, the United Kingdom, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania; made on Jan. 19 along with representatives of Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Slovakia, stating their intention provide support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as it lasts.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
STORY: Police identified 72-year-old Huu Can Tran as the suspect in Saturday night's massacre, which took place over the Lunar New Year, one of the most festive holidays in Asian cultures.

Officials worked into Monday trying to identify the 10 people Tran allegedly killed at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, about 7 miles (11 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. Ten people were wounded in the attack, and seven of them were still hospitalized late Sunday.

Tran's rampage could have been worse. About 20 minutes after the shooting in Monterey Park, he entered the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio dance club in the neighboring city of Alhambra. There, Brandon Tsay, who operates the family-run dance hall, wrestled a weapon away from the shooter before he could get a shot off.

"We struggled into the lobby trying to get this gun away from each other. He was hitting me across the face, bashing the back of my head. I was trying to use my elbows to separate the gun away from him, create some distance. Finally, at one point, I was able to pull the gun away from him, shove him aside, create some distance, point the gun at him, intimidate him. I shout at him and say, 'Get the hell out of here! I'll shoot! Get away! Go!'" Tsay told ABC's Good Morning America.

About 12 hours later, police officers in Torrance, 20 miles southwest of Monterey Park, approached a white cargo van that Tran was driving. As officers neared the van, they heard a single gun shot from inside as Tran killed himself.
Federal prosecutors say the former head of counterintelligence for the FBIs New York office laundered money, violated sanctions against Russia while working with a Russian oligarch and while still at the FBI took hundreds of thousands of dollars from a foreign national and former foreign intelligence official.

Charles McGonigal, 55, was arrested on Saturday after arriving at JFK airport in New York on a flight from the Middle East.

A case filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that while serving as Special Agent in Charge of FBI counterintelligence efforts in the New York office, McGonigal took $225,000 in cash from an individual with business interests in Europe who had been an employee of a foreign intelligence service.

From August 2017 through his retirement in September 2018, McGonigal allegedly concealed his relationship with this former foreign security officer from the FBI. He allegedly requested and received cash from the individual and traveled abroad with the individual.

Charles McGonigal, the former head of counterintelligence for the FBIs New York office. (Greatdecisions.tv)

Mr. McGonigal betrayed his solemn oath to the United States in exchange for personal gain and at the expense of our national security, said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway.

Federal prosecutors in New York allege that after his 2018 retirement from the FBI, McGonigal worked with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, Deripaska associate Sergey Shestakov, and a third person to investigate a rival Russian oligarch in return for payments from Deripaska.

According to prosecutors, McGonigal, Shestakov and the third person tried to conceal Deripaskas involvement through shell companies, forged signatures and other means.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said, As alleged, Charles McGonigal, a former high-level FBI official, and Sergey Shestakov, a Court interpreter, violated U.S. sanctions by agreeing to provide services to Oleg Deripaska, a sanctioned Russian oligarch. They both previously worked with Deripaska to attempt to have his sanctions removed, and, as public servants, they should have known better.

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FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said, The FBI is committed to the enforcement of economic sanctions designed to protect the United States and our allies, especially against hostile activities of a foreign government and its actors. Russian oligarchs like Oleg Deripaska perform global malign influence on behalf of the Kremlin and are associated with acts of bribery, extortion, and violence."

On Monday afternoon, McGonigal pleaded not guilty to the New York charges and was released on $500,000 bond.

Prior to his plea, Seth DuCharme, McGonigals attorney, said, Charlie served the U.S. effectively for decades. ... We look forward to seeing the evidence.

The Treasury Department has sanctioned Deripaska for "having acted or purported to act on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation and for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy," according to the Justice Department. In 2022, federal prosecutors in New York charged Deripaska with violating sanctions.

Given McGonigals ties to the Washington and New York area offices of the FBI, the Los Angeles field office led the two-year-long investigation, three senior law enforcement officials said. The decision to move the probe to Los Angeles was to ensure there were no conflicts of interest or competing interests among agents who may have known McGonigal.

In a statement Monday, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the bureau was committed to holding accountable anyone who violated the law, including its own employees.

The way we maintain the trust and confidence of the American people is through our workshowing, when all the facts come out, that we stuck to the process and we treated everyone equally, even when it is one of our own, Wray said. The FBI will go to great lengths to investigate and hold accountable anyone who violates the law, including when the individual is an FBI employee.

McGonigals career included a stop as a section chief coordinating the FBIs cyber and counterintelligence programs at the FBIs secretive Intelligence Technology and Data Division (ITADD) in Chantilly, Virginia, as well as his position in New York, public records show.

McGonigal was named special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence Division for the New York Field Office in 2016, after serving as the section chief of the Cyber-Counterintelligence Coordination Section at FBI headquarters.

McGonigal joined the FBI in 1996, and was first assigned to the New York Field Office, where he worked on Russian foreign counterintelligence and organized crime.

During his tenure in New York, he worked on the TWA Flight 800 investigation, was assigned to the task force investigating scientist Wen Ho Lee, investigated the 1998 terrorist bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
You no longer have to give up the privacy of end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger just to get the creature comforts you take for granted. Meta is bringing several common features to encrypted chats. You can now choose themes, set profiles for group conversations and use custom emoji as well as reactions. Active status and web link previews now work in this more secure mode, while the Android crowd can take advantage of floating Bubbles to talk while they're using other apps.

You're more likely to use encrypted chats, too. Meta is expanding tests that make encryption the default for Facebook Messenger. You'll see the changes to some conversation threads in the "next few months," the company says. If you're part of the test, you'll get a notification in a relevant thread.

Meta started testing default encryption last August. At the time, it said it hoped to roll out the Facebook Messenger upgrade sometime in 2023. The social media firm didn't provide an updated timeline, but the feature expansion takes Meta considerably closer to that goal  there's considerably more parity with unencrypted chats. Encrypted Messenger caught up on some features at the start of 2022, but was still well behind its less secure counterpart.

Not everyone will be happy. Officials in the US, UK and elsewhere have attacked end-to-end encryption. They're concerned criminals could use encrypted chats to discuss plans beyond the reach of law enforcement and surveillance agencies. Politicians, such as former US Attorney General Bill Barr, have called on Meta to weaken encryption by creating "backdoors." Meta has refused to back down, though, and it's evident that the company is determined to bolster privacy across its products.
Seven years after Islamic State extremists murdered their daughter, the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, the only American killed in the 2015 Paris terror attacks, heads to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking to pin some responsibility for the tragedy on social media giant YouTube.

"If some changes can be done to prevent these terrorist people [from] keeping killing human beings, then that is a big thing," Beatrice Gonzalez, Nohemi Gonzalez's mother, told ABC News in the family's first interview about the case.

Beatrice Gonzalez alleges that Google's YouTube algorithms -- a series of proprietary software instructions which recommend video content to users -- effectively amplified Islamic State-produced materials in support of the extremists that killed her daughter, a 23-year-old college student who had been studying in France.

The family wants to bring a case against the company under the Anti-Terrorism Act but has been blocked from doing so because of a landmark federal law that has given sweeping legal immunity to social media companies for more than 25 years.

PHOTO: Beatrice Gonzalez and Jose Hernandez are plaintiffs in a Supreme Court case challenging the scope of legal immunity for internet companies under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. (ABC News)

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 states that internet companies, including social media platforms, cannot be sued over third-party content uploaded by users -- such as photos, videos and commentary -- or for decisions site operators make to moderate, or filter, what appears online.

Oral arguments at the Supreme Court set for Tuesday in Gonzalez v. Google, the parent company of YouTube, will focus on the scope of that immunity, whether it covers algorithms, and whether Gonzalez should be able to pursue her claims in court.

"Hopefully this will change the laws and it'll be for the good by being more careful about the social media, so [other parents] never have the pain that we're feeling," said Nohemi Gonzalez's stepfather, Jose Hernandez.

PHOTO: The family of Nohemi Gonzalez, the 23-year-old American college student killed in the 2015 Paris terror attacks, is trying to rollback immunity for social media companies in a bid to hold them more accountable for extremist content. (ABC News)

The company has expressed sympathy to the Gonzales family but strongly denies any connection to the attack.

YouTube says it bans terrorist content across its platform and that its algorithms help catch and remove violent extremist videos, noting 95% of those removed last year were automatically detected -- most before receiving fewer than 10 views.

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"Undercutting Section 230 would make it harder for websites to do this work," YouTube spokesperson Ivy Choi told ABC News. "Websites would either over-filter any conceivably controversial materials and creators, or shut their eyes to objectionable content like scams, fraud, harassment and obscenity to avoid liability -- making services far less useful, less open and less safe."

Lower courts have said Section 230 protects algorithms from liability claims, siding with Google.

PHOTO: YouTube, owned by parent company Google, says 95% of violent extremist videos removed from the platform last year were automatically detected by algorithms. (ABC News)

For years, members of Congress from both parties have debated changes to Section 230 in order to promote greater transparency and accountability of internet companies.

President Joe Biden in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed called for "fundamental reform" to the law, but there is not a political consensus on the way forward.

MORE: Supreme Court gavels in 2023 with major decisions ahead

The Gonzalez case is the first time the nation's highest court will consider limits to immunity for internet companies.

"There are enormous amounts of money at stake if the platforms were to be held liable for every time a terrorist attack could in any way be tangentially traced to material that the platforms carried," said Michael Karanicolas, executive director of the Institute for Technology Law & Policy at UCLA.

PHOTO: Michael Karanicolas, executive director of the UCLA Institute for Technology Law & Policy. (ABC News)

Section 230 was passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress and has long been considered a cornerstone of the modern internet, protecting online platforms as spaces for creativity, innovation and open public debate.

The crucial 26 words in the statute say: "No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider."

Internet companies "get to decide what to carry. They get to decide what not to carry," said Karanicolas. "And they get to decide how to design their algorithms -- to amplify certain types of content or to de-emphasize other types of content."

PHOTO: Matthew Schruers, president of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, says new limits on Section 230 immunity for technology companies would upend the internet, making it less safe and functional. (ABC News)

Subjecting those decisions to legal scrutiny could have major implications for how the internet functions, experts say.

"Large companies can maybe throw a battalion of lawyers at a problem and litigate their way forward, but new startups will simply not be able to get over that [financial burden]," said Matthew Schruers, president of the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

"No digital service wants their products to be used by bad actors. But to try to use liability here is actually going to produce a contrary result," Schruers added.

MORE: Congress makes push for nationwide digital privacy regulations

Advocates for overhauling Section 230 say the legal protection far exceeds what Congress intended, much earlier in the development of the modern internet, and insulates companies from accountability.

"When this statute was enacted in 1996, it was for the express purpose of protecting kids from seeing obscene material online and protecting companies who take obscene material offline to protect kids. And it's been turned on its head," said Matthew Bergman, an attorney and founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, who represents hundreds of plaintiffs alleging harm from social media use.

PHOTO: Frances Haugen, a former Facebook insider and algorithm specialist, testified before Congress as a whistleblower in 2021 to expose what she alleged was the social media company's failure to address known dangers from its platform. (ABC News)

Frances Haugen, the former Facebook insider who has warned Congress about the harms of internet companies' algorithms, said setting new limits on legal immunity could incentivize companies to improve their products.

"We have the tools, but all these things decrease usage. They make the companies a little less money," Haugen said. "So in a world where our business models are fueled by clicking on ads, there aren't independent market incentives for making products that help people be healthy and happy."

Haugen believes Section 230 immunity does not have to be all or nothing but says regulators need to update the law to reflect current internet use and the proliferation of documented psychological harms.

"The Supreme Court isn't really the right actor for dealing with this issue. You know, they can come in and do a very blunt judgment. They can't, for example, set up a new regulatory framework that might be a more effective way to govern the internet," Haugen said.

PHOTO: Matthew Bergman is an attorney and founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, which has helped hundreds of plaintiffs bring claims against internet companies for alleged harms from their platforms. (ABC News)

The tech industry agrees that lawmakers, not the high court, should be the final arbiters of internet policy and that changes to immunity protection are not in Americans' best interest.

But Bergman, the attorney for social media users claiming harm, and the Gonzalez family argue that the justices need to act under a plain reading of the law and permit the Gonzalez family to move forward with their suit against YouTube's parent company.

"It will certainly provide a more sensible opportunity for families to hold companies accountable," Bergman said. "All it will do is allow them to seek discovery and prove their case. Everyone is entitled to a defense, as are the social media companies, but it will simply kind of open the courthouse door."

PHOTO: Beatrice Gonzalez and Jose Hernandez visit the California gravesite of their daughter, Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old college student who was the only American killed in the 2015 Paris terror attacks. (ABC News)

"It will certainly provide a more sensible opportunity for families to hold companies accountable," Bergman said. "All it will do is allow them to seek discovery and prove their case. Everyone is entitled to a defense, as are the social media companies, but it will simply kind of open the courthouse door."

Beatrice Gonzalez said she did not bring the case seeking financial compensation from Google and is instead seeking to enact a small change to the system in her daughter's memory.

"We want justice, but we're not angry," she said. "If we can do a little change in our community by knowing that it can be a bigger change in the world is what brings me peace in my heart."

Family of American terror victim asks Supreme Court to curb immunity for social media originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Allen J. Schaben/Getty Images

Grieving loved ones began identifying victims who were slaughtered Saturday night at a Lunar New Year celebration inside a Los Angeles County dance hall, as hospital officials announced on Monday that an 11th person has died as a result of the massacre.

The family of 65-year-old Mymy Nhan said in a statement that she was the first person killed Saturday night at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Parka city flush with Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans.

Nhan had frequented the dance hall for years, her family said, adding that Saturday was her last dance.

Mymy Nhan was the first person shot and killed during the #MontereyPark mass shooting.



I've covered a lot of tragedies, and never imagined one would hit so close to home.



My husband's family is hurting beyond measure.

Here's a statement on behalf of the family. pic.twitter.com/q5GXa0g4Kh  Tiffany Liou (@tliou) January 23, 2023

If you knew her, you knew her warm smile and kindness was contagious, the statement read. She was a loving aunt, sister, daughter and friend. Mymy was our biggest cheerleader.

The studios owner, Ming Wei Ma, was also killed in the gunfire. Multiple instructors from the dance hall identified Ma as one of the victims in a series of Facebook posts, with one of his friends telling CBS News that he was gunned down while trying to stop the shooter.

He was the first to rush the shooter, Eric Chen told CBS. He was just caring, and others first, people first kind of person.

Nina Zhiting Yang, an instructor at Star Ballroom Dance Studio, posted Sunday that Mr. Ma had taken a chance on her when she was 19 or 20 to become an instructordespite being new to Los Angeles with no experience instructing and not-perfect English.

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Marek Klepadlo, another instructor, said Sunday night that he and Yang were not at the studio when shots rang out.

There are many who were not so lucky last night, Klepadlo posted. It weighs very heavily on our heart and words cannot describe how we feel.

Dariusz Michalski, also an instructor, posted a tribute to Ma himself.

Your love, joy for people will never be forgotten, Michalski wrote. Your dance and singing passion will never disappear. We will never forget your shout in the studio...I love you my friend.

Klepadlo, Yang and Michalski did not respond to multiple calls and messages from The Daily Beast.

Cops have been slow to release information on victims as they alert their families first, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday.

The name of a third victim, 63-year-old Lilan Li, was released by the coroners office Monday.

Despite not releasing names, deputies say all 10 of the victims killed at the scenemade up of five men and five womenwere at least 50 years old. An 11th person died Monday from their injuries, but authorities didnt immediately release their age or gender.

Huu Can Tran, 72, is suspected to be the man behind the grisly crime. A potential motive has not been released by cops, who say they found Tran dead in a van Sunday afternoon with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Monterey Parks police chief, Scott Wiese, suggested Monday that Trans motive may never be fully revealed because he killed himself.

We all want answers to questions we may never have answers to, Wiese said. Thats kind of the enigma of this...The why is a big part of this. The problem is, we may never know the why.

California Dance Club Mass Shooter Kills Himself After Standoff: Sheriff

CNN reported that Trans ex-wife, who was not named, said theyd first met decades ago at the same studio he allegedly shot-up on Saturday. She said her ex-husband, a Chinese immigrant, frequented the studio before their divorce in 2005. Back then, she said he was an informal dance teacher there whod offer patrons free lessons.

The woman said Tran wasnt violent but was quick to angerespecially if she put a foot wrong on the dance floor, which would cause him to occasionally blow up.

Los Angeles authorities have not said when they plan to release updated information about Tran or the other unidentified victims.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A person was shot and killed by a police officer Sunday morning near Jackson, Mississippi.

The Clinton Police Department received a call about a suspicious person wearing a ski mask at an apartment complex around 9 a.m.

When police arrived the person displayed a weapon towards an officer, according to a press release from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The officer was not injured in the incident.

The fatal officer-involved shooting is under investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

More:Officers placed on administrative leave after man dies in police custody.

More:Police: 2 officers slain in Mississippi; shooter also dead

Additional details and the identities of the officer and person were not immediately available.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Fatal police-involved shooting in Mississippi over the weekend
Nadine Seiler blocks the sign of an anti-abortion demonstrator during the Women's March, which largely focused on abortion rights, in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades) (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP)

MADISON, Wis.  From beach cities to snow-covered streets, abortion supporters rallied by the thousands on Sunday to demand protections for reproductive rights and mark the 50th anniversary of the now-overturned Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that established federal protections for the procedure.

The reversal of Roe in June unleashed a flurry of legislation in the states, dividing them between those that have restricted or banned abortion and those that have sought to defend access. The Womens March, galvanized during Donald Trumps presidential inauguration in 2017 amid a national reckoning over sexual assaults, said it has refocused on state activism after Roe was tossed.

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This fight is bigger than Roe, Womens March said in a tweet. They thought that we would stay home and that this would end with Roe  they were wrong.

A dozen Republican-governed states have implemented sweeping bans on abortion, and several others seek to do the same. But those moves have been offset by gains on the other side.

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Helena Coric's dog Luka wears an abortion rights sign during the Women's March, which largely focused on abortion rights, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades) (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP)

Abortion opponents were defeated in votes on ballot measures in Kansas, Michigan and Kentucky. State courts have blocked several bans from taking effect. Myriad efforts are underway to help patients travel to states that allow abortions or use medication for self-managed abortions. And some Democratic-led states have taken steps to shield patients and providers from lawsuits originating in states where the procedure is banned.

Organizers with the Womens March said their strategy moving forward will focus largely on measures at the state level. But freshly energized anti-abortion activists are increasingly turning their attention to Congress, with the aim of pushing for a potential national abortion restriction down the line.

Sundays main march was held in Wisconsin, where upcoming elections could determine the state Supreme Courts power balance and future abortion rights. But rallies took place in dozens of cities, including Floridas state capital of Tallahassee, where Vice President Kamala Harris gave a fiery speech before a boisterous crowd.

Can we truly be free if families cannot make intimate decisions about the course of their own lives? Harris said. And can we truly be free if so-called leaders claim to be ... on the vanguard of freedom while they dare to restrict the rights of the American people and attack the very foundations of freedom?

In Madison, thousands of abortion rights supporters donned coats and gloves to march in below-freezing temperatures through downtown to the state Capitol.

Its just basic human rights at this point, said Alaina Gato, a Wisconsin resident who joined her mother, Meg Wheeler, on the Capitol steps to protest.

Protesters are seen in the Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda during a march supporting overturning Wisconsin's near total ban on abortion Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)

They said they plan to vote in the April Supreme Court election. Wheeler also said she hoped to volunteer as a poll worker and canvass for Democrats, despite identifying as an independent voter.

This is my daughter. I want to make sure she has the right to choose whether she wants to have a child, Wheeler said.

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Buses of protestors streamed into the Wisconsin capital from Chicago and Milwaukee, armed with banners and signs calling for the Legislature to repeal the states ban.

Eliza Bennett, a Wisconsin OBGYN who said she had to stop offering abortion services to her patients after Roe was overturned, called on lawmakers to put the choice back in the hands of women. They should be making decisions about whats best for their health, not state legislatures, she said.

Abortions are unavailable in Wisconsin due to legal uncertainties faced by abortion clinics over whether an 1849 law banning the procedure is in effect. The law, which prohibits abortion except to save the patients life, is being challenged in court.

Some also carried weapons. Lilith K., who declined to provide their last name, stood on the sidewalk alongside protestors, holding an assault rifle and wearing a tactical vest with a holstered handgun.

With everything going on with women and other people losing their rights, and with the recent shootings at Club Q and other LGBTQ night clubs, its just a message that were not going to take this sitting down, Lilith said.

Caroline Bledsoe and Lauren Alvis hold up signs as they make their way across the Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP) (Olivia Ross/AP)

The march also drew counter-protestors. Most held signs raising religious objections to abortion rights. I dont really want to get involved with politics. Im more interested in what the law of God says, John Goeke, a Wisconsin resident, said.

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In the absence of Roe v. Wades federal protections, abortion rights have become a state-by-state patchwork.

Since June, near-total bans on abortion have been implemented in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Legal challenges are pending against several of those bans. The lone clinic in North Dakota relocated across state lines to Minnesota.

Bans passed by lawmakers in Ohio, Indiana and Wyoming have been blocked by state courts while legal challenges are pending. And in South Carolina, the state Supreme Court on Jan. 5 struck down a ban on abortion after six weeks, ruling the restriction violates a state constitutional right to privacy.

Wisconsins conservative-controlled Supreme Court, which for decades has issued consequential rulings in favor of Republicans, will likely hear the challenge to the 1849 ban filed in June by the states attorney general, Josh Kaul. Races for the court are officially nonpartisan, but candidates for years have aligned with either conservatives or liberals as the contests have become expensive partisan battles.

Womens rallies were expected to be held in nearly every state on Sunday.

The eldest daughter of Norma McCorvey, whose legal challenge under the pseudonym Jane Roe led to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, was set to attend the rally in Long Beach, California. Melissa Mills said it was her first Womens March.

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Its just unbelievable that were here again, doing the same thing my mom did, Mills told The Associated Press. Weve lost 50 years of hard work.

The Womens March has become a regular event  although interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic  since millions rallied in the United States and around the world the day after Trumps January 2017 inauguration.

Trump made the appointment of conservative judges a mission of his presidency. The three conservative justices he appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court  Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  all voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Associated Press journalists Chris Megerian and Seung Min Kim in Washington, D.C., contributed.

Claire Rush and Harm Venhuizen are corps members for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.
A Mississippi mans unique tattoo is what gave his identity away after he stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and attacked several members of law enforcement.

The FBI was able to identify Biloxi resident James McGrew, 40, by matching up a video of his stomach tattoo with a previous booking mugshot, according to a federal complaint filed with the Department of Justice.

McGrew is a former U.S. Marine who spent time at Camp Lejuene military base in North Carolina from 2003-2007, according to records and McGrews LinkedIn Page. He also worked as a groundskeeper at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs campus in Biloxi.

In video footage retrieved by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, a man later identified as McGrew lifted his shirt to wipe his eyes, displaying a stomach tattoo, the complaint says.

The phrase KING JAMES is inked in large block letters across McGrews abdomen. McGrew was also captured on several other videos from the day of the Capitol riots, both inside and outside of the building. He wore a gray and black jacket over a white T-shirt.

James, McGrew, a former U.S. Marine from Biloxi, was identified at the U.S. Capitol riot by his KING JAMES tattoo.

The FBI received tips the day after the riots that also helped identify McGrew. One tipster said McGrew was traveling to Washington D.C. on January 6 to protest the stolen vote.

In May 2022, McGrew admitted to assaulting several police officers during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Heres a look at the timeline of events from that day involving the Biloxian, according to federal documents.

He was one of many rioters who overwhelmed law enforcement attempting to prevent them from advancing onto the Capitol grounds.

He entered the Capitol through terrace doors, shooting video of the scene. He could be heard shouting, lets go approximately 14 times, along with we took this thing.

McGrew pushed one officer and struck another in the Capitols Rotunda at 2:45 p.m.

Two minutes later, McGrew struck another officer and lunged for his baton.

At one point while inside the Capitol, a police officer calmly told McGrew, Just leave man, come on, according to the complaint. McGrew screamed back, You leave. You leave. This is our house.

While trying to re-gain access to the Capitol through a tunnel being blocked by law enforcement later that day, McGrew threw a wooden handrail with metal brackets as tall as he was, striking one officer.

Once police again pushed rioters outside of the Capitol at 4:20 p.m.

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James McGrew, center in gray jacket, is seen pushing against police officers inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

McGrew was arrested four months after the riot in Arizona. He will serve three years of supervised released after his time in prison and must pay a $5,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution.

On the Mississippi Coast, McGrew also faced felony charges in Harrison County in 2014, including possession with intent to manufacture, shoplifting and vehicle theft.
Community Partnership of the Ozarks and other area agencies offer free gun locks, which can help secure firearms from children.

Editor's note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988. Burrell Behavioral Health's 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-800-494-7355.

In 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death for children in the United States, surpassing car accidents and drug overdose.

St. Louis Children's Hospital saw a stark increase in pediatric firearm-related deaths and injuries during the pandemic, according to a recent study from the University of Missouri. But it's not the only hospital in Missouri that encountered more children being injured or killed by guns.

Mercy Hospital Springfield noted an increase in pediatric patients admitted to the emergency room with gunshot wounds, jumping from three cases in 2019 to nine in 2020. In 2021, there were six cases and in 2022, the hospital saw eight. CoxHealth said it was not permitted to share data on pediatric gunshot wounds and deaths externally.

Expert: Suicide, not assault, more often associated with firearm injuries in the Ozarks

In the MU study, assault and homicide were identified as the driving forces behind the increase in firearms injuries. But in Greene County, suicide is more likely to be the culprit, according to Chris Davis, vice president of prevention and youth support for the Community Partnership of the Ozarks.

In urban areas, you have more firearm-related assaults, homicides, things like that. In more rural or suburban areas like here, more firearm injury and death is related to suicide. So theres a huge difference there, Davis said.

It's known that mental health is a large problem for the Ozarks, but a Department of Mental Health survey in 2022 showed the severity of it: 6.7% of Greene County sixth- to 12th-grade students reported attempting suicide in the last year, and 10.1% reported planning suicide in the last year. In the state, those numbers are 4.3% and 8.4%, respectively.

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The Missouri Institute for Mental Health has found that firearms are the most common  and most lethal  means of suicide in Missouri.

Because of those statistics, Davis said implementing safe firearm handling and storage can save lives and prevent harm. CPO recently received a grant from the Missouri Health Foundation for implementing plans developed to prevent suicide by firearm.

More:Ozarks mental health experts say key to preventing suicide is open dialogue

How to keep kids safe

CPO offers cable locks for handguns as part of their home safety kit lockboxes, which also include medication disposal packets and information on suicide prevention. Various partners around the community also keep the kits on hand to distribute, including Mercy's Injury Prevention Specialist and Safe Kids Springfield Coordinator Becky Spain.

Regardless of whether someone is seeking to harm themselves or just happens to stumble upon the firearm, Spain and Davis encourage taking steps to ensure that the gun is stored securely. Spain recommends storing the gun and the ammunition in separate, secure places.

Thats going to be the main way we keep our children safest, by storing those items away from our children and in a way that they cant get into them," Spain said.

In addition to taking measures to keep dangerous items out of children's hands, parents are responsible for making sure "other adults are aware that you have the gun and where the gun is." They should also educate their kids on what to do if they find an unsecured gun either in their house, or at another person's house.

"Have the conversation with them that this is not a toy. Its not like the games you play that have guns, and have that serious conversation with their kids, so that they are aware if they see your gun or somebody elses gun out, that they are not to touch it," Spain said. "They are to leave it where it is, walk away and go tell an adult so that we can continue to keep our kids safe."

More:Springfield council's requests to legislature: Curb gun violence, invest in mental health

When traveling, people should secure their gun when it's not physically in their possession.

"If the gun is on your person, you have that secured. But a lot of us store guns in our purses or backpacks, which often get laid down," Spain said. "We dont think about that. A child could be looking for candy or gum, or whatever, and not realizing that theres a gun in that (bag)."

Spain and Davis both emphasized that proper firearm storage is about safety above all.

"There are lots of people who have made that choice to have a gun in their home, and we want to make sure that those that do are responsible about the way that theyre storing that," Spain said.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield experts say storing guns can help prevent injuries in kids
Floridas Department of Education rejected the College Boards AP African American studies course this month after finding it significantly lacks educational value.

A Black professor emeritus at Florida International University is defying Gov. Ron DeSantis prohibition on Advanced Placement African American studies by spotlighting the sites of some of the worst racial atrocities in the states history.

The Florida Department of Education rejected the College Boards AP African American studies course earlier this month after finding it significantly lacks educational value, a decision the White House called incomprehensible Friday, The Washington Post reported.

Marvin Dunn, 82, one of eight plaintiffs in a complaint concerning DeSantis Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act, has been leading high school students on his Teach the Truth tour since Floridas Republican governor began his mission to devalue Black studies.

Florida International University professor emeritus Marvin Dunn, Ph.D., has been leading Florida high school students on a Teach the Truth tour, stopping at the sites of some of the worst racial violence events in the states history. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/West Volusia Historical Society)

A Miami charity Dunn runs to preserve Black history sponsors the tours to places where consequential historical events occurred. The professor intends to take another group during the upcoming legislative session in the spring.

Were going to keep on teaching it, Dunn said, according to The Post. This is the antidote to the DeSantis-izing of history.

Following the governors signing of the Stop Woke Act in April of last year, Dunn took to Twitter to ask DeSantis what portions of history would be allowed for teaching and whether he could share his personal experiences growing up facing racial injustice. DeSantis didnt respond.

DeSantis, widely anticipated to run for president in 2024, has established anti-wokeism as a cornerstone of his governing style over the past two years. According to his team, the governor does not subscribe to systemic inequities in American society.

So far, Dunn has led more than two dozen Miami high school students and their families to the museum where Harry T. Moore and Harriette V.S. Moore, married Black civil rights activists, were murdered on Christmas Day 1951 when a planted bomb exploded under their home.

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Dunn also discussed the Newberry Six, a terrible episode in Floridas past that involved the Rev. Josh J. Baskin and five other Black Floridians hanged by a White mob in 1916 following a theft accusation that sparked two terror-filled days.

These are things that nobody knew, its like it was swept under the rug. I feel very strongly that this history needs to be told, said Shanika Marshall, who took her teenage son on the Teach the Truth tour, The Post reported. Theres no shame, it just is what it is, but it needs to be put at the forefront so we can all try to get past it.

For another of the tours stops, Dunn took the group to the town of Rosewood, which was once primarily populated by Black residents who built houses, a church, a Masonic lodge and a schoolroom, among other community buildings. In January 1923, a White mob set it on fire, killing at least six Black people and two whites.

Florida state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, a Democrat from Orlando who served on its African American History Task Force, said Dunns work is more crucial than ever, given the DeSantis administrations most recent actions.

We need to teach authentic history, Thompson said, The Post reported, and not whitewash history.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post FIU professors Teach the Truth tours defy DeSantis law on black history lessons appeared first on TheGrio.
Florida has blocked the College Board from testing a pilot Advanced Placement African American Studies course under Governor Ron DeSantis Stop WOKE Act.

The Stop Woke act makes it illegal to teach that a persons status as privileged or oppressed is determined solely by his or her race, color, national origin, or gender.

According to Rolling Stone, the bill also prohibits schools and workplaces from subjecting any student or employee to training or instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, instills, or compels individuals to believe certain concepts constitute discrimination based on race, color, gender, or national origin.

According to The Daily Beast, Floridas Department of Educations Office of Articulation wrote a letter obtained by National Review that said the curriculum is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.

The AP pilot course has previously been tested at 60 schools across the United States with plans to expand the lesson plans of the African diaspora in the U.S. curated by the College Board.

The course has been met with denial following DeSantiss ban against critical race theory in K-12 classrooms. According to Rolling Stone, CRT is a set of ideas holding that racial bias is inherent in many parts of western society, especially in its legal and social institutions. It also focuses on their having been primarily designed for and implemented by white people.

According to The Daily Beast, the rejection letter expressed its lack of support for African American studies based on a lack of educational value.

As presented, the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value, the letter reads.

In an email with The Daily Beast, Florida Department of Education spokesperson Cassie Pelelis revealed the course would not be accepted until it meets state compliance.

If the course comes into compliance and incorporates historically accurate content, the Department will reopen the discussion, Pelelis wrote.

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The College Board has not said whether it expected the AP class to be offered in Florida classrooms any time soon.

The process of piloting and revising course frameworks is a standard part of any new AP course, and frameworks change significantly as a result, the College Board said in a statement to The Daily Beast. We look forward to publicly releasing the updated course framework as soon as it is completed and well before this class is widely available in American high schools.

Democratic legislators like Anna Eskamani, Florida educators and students across Florida are protesting the states decision calling it unsettling.

If I can take American and European history, theres absolutely no reason why. I see no reason why our students shouldnt have the option to take African-American history, Eskamani told The Daily Beast.

These are optional elective classes and theyre designed for a level of academic rigor that is reflected in some of the best and brightest students we have. To deny them the ability to learn history is scary, its unsettling, and its unfortunately, all too common for the standard administration who would rather people be in the dark, she added.

It means an insult to me; it means an injury to me, Dr. Marvin Dunn, said, former professor of psychology at Florida International University and a specialist in the states Black history.  Florida is doing its best to shut down discussions about race, slavery, anything having to do with a challenge to the idea that racism is still a real factor in American life today.

Dunn expressed the importance of voting after the denial of the AP courses. He explained that he sees these matters as a way to take away students opportunity to learn their history as a warning.
Kevin Hagen

Fox News lawyers defense strategy to combat a voting software firms allegation that the conservative cable giant knowingly peddled election fraud lies about the company is starting to fully come to light.

When it comes to Fox hosts, commentators, and guests pushing falsehoods that rigged voting machines stole the 2020 presidential election from then-President Donald Trump, Fox attorneys insist that claims those statements were defamatory have omitted context of those remarks.

According to NPR, the networks attorneys filed motions last week asking the judge presiding over Dominion Voting Systems $1.6-billion defamation case to dismiss the lawsuit prior to its trial date this April. Dominion contends that the channels executives allowed baseless election conspiracies to air in an effort to appeal to disgruntled MAGA viewers who abandoned Fox after the network called Arizona for Joe Biden.

While those motions are sealed, supplementary public filings indicate that the defense teams argument seems to justify the debunked voter fraud claims Fox News stars made about Dominion following the election.

Fox News CEOs Own Words Used Against Network in Election Lies Lawsuit

[T]here is not a single statement for which Dominion can prove every element of its claim for defamation, Fox attorneys wrote in the filing. Dominion lawyers argue that roughly 115 statements made by Fox hosts and guests shortly after the election were defamatory.

In those documents, Fox's attorneys offer omitted context for the seemingly incendiary remarks by such hosts as Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo, as well as their featured guests, including Trump and his former campaign attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, NPRs David Folkenflik reported. That context includes assertions that have long since been debunked and rebutted in dozens of court challenges and by local and state election officials from both parties. (Dobbs show was canceled a day after Smartmatic, another voting software company, filed a multi-billion dollar defamation lawsuit against Fox.)

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Among the remarks that Foxs lawyers say lack context are claims that Sharpie markers invalidated ballots cast in Arizona, voter fraud allegations in Michigan, and a sworn deposition from an anonymous witness alleging that Smartmatic had ties to Venezuela and Dominion was attempting to defraud the American election.

All of these accusations were ultimately discreditedsome by Fox News itself.

While the networks defense team doesnt argue that any of the comments made on air were factually correct, they do suggest that Fox personalities were merely acting in a proper journalistic capacity by asking questions to a newsmaker on newsworthy subjects or attempting to accurately report on pending allegations.

Liberal media watchdog Media Matters reported last May that Fox News law firm was potentially leaning toward this defense strategy. According to open record requests at the time, the legal team appeared to be fishing for evidence to support its clients conspiracy theories about Dominion.

While experts told NPR that the claims made by Fox stars about Dominion were always outlandish and instantly didnt stand up to the light of day, Fox lawyers have contended that the networks hosts were merely engaging in opinion and exaggerated hyperbole. Of course, Foxs legal team has successfully argued in court that no one believes that anything that Fox News primetime host Tucker Carlson says is factually true.

Fox News Pushes Brain Room to Find Evidence for Trumps Voter Fraud Claims, Insiders Say

While Fox is asserting that Dominion will fail to prove the network engaged in actual malice toward the company, many legal experts do believe Dominion has a fair chance at winning.

Foxs journalists and managers were repeatedly told the stories about the voting machine were false, over a period of weeks, First Amendment lawyer Lucy Dalglish told NPR. Quoting the president of the United States and relying on a fair report privilege only gets you so far. They didnt just quote Trump. They doubled down and repeatedly reported and opined that Dominion's systems were faulty.

Additionally, evidence gathered from Fox News executives and stars could possibly help Dominion clear the notoriously tough actual malice legal burden that sinks most media defamation cases.

Fox News chief executive Suzanne Scott, for instance, privately warned colleagues shortly after the Arizona call that we cant give the crazies an inch as Team Trump raged about election fraud, suggesting that she and others knew that these claims were rubbish. Hannity, in a sworn deposition, insisted that he never believed Powells wild assertions for one second.

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A Fox News weatherman has alleged that he was assaulted by a group of teenagers after he attempted to stop them from harassing another rider on the New York subway.

Adam Klotz, appearing to be bruised following the altercation, said in a video posted to Instagram that he was on his way home from watching the New York Giants at a bar when he spotted this older gentleman was being hassled by this group of seven or eight teens.

I was like, Yo, guys, cut that out. And they decided, All right, if hes not going to get it, youre going to get it. And boy did they give it to me, he said. They had me on the ground. My ribs are all bruised up, too. They got their hits in.

Law enforcement said that the 37-year-old was on the number one train at about 1.15am when the incident took place, according to the New York Post.

The teenagers left the train at the 18th street station.

Three suspects, two aged 15 and one 17-year-old, were arrested, police said.

Juvenile reports were prepared, and their parents were called to pick them up, a spokesperson for the New York police department said.

The agency said on Sunday that police didnt have the option to charge the teens because of their ages and because the crime appeared to be a misdemeanour, the Post noted.

Fox News weatherman Adam Klotz, 37, said he was assaulted by a group of teenagers on the New York Subway (Screenshot / Adam Klotz / Instagram / Fox News)

The New York City Law Department said in a statement to the outlet that the victim has to lodge a complaint with the Department of Probationa before the agency is able to get involved.

The probation agency would then choose if the case should be sent on to the Law Department for prosecution.

In 2019, the age for trying a suspect as an adult was raised from 17 to 18.

Mr Klotz received treatment at Bellevue Hospital for his injuries.

In the video, he appears to be unaware that the teens were released without charges being filed.

With two black eyes, he joked you should see the other guy.

My side, dont laugh, my side is so much worse than my face. And the thing is the other guy is not really a guy. Its children. Five or six children, he said.

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Where are the parents? he asked, according to the Post. Parents, watch your children.

Regarding the older man, the meteorologist said, hes fine.

And the cops grabbed a couple of these kids, and, you know, I got X-rays. Im OK. This is all going to heal. So, its all good, he said.

New York City! What a place. The Big Apple, the weatherman from Indiana added.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Klotz for comment.
Skokie officials and village employees are beginning to confront the multi-decade, $80 million process of replacing lead water pipes throughout the village in accordance with a new state law.

Lead, which used to be a common material used for water service lines, is linked to health risks and developmental damage in children, as well as health risks in adults, according to the Mayo Clinic and other sources. The Illinois General Assembly passed the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act in 2021, which required full replacement of lead service lines and required water utilities to submit inventories of their known lead service lines and plans to replace them, among other provisions.

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Village staff warned officials that the task was enormous and on par with the villages replacement of its stormwater management system, which Village Manager John Lockerby said took place from the 1970s through the 1990s.

Public Works Director Max Slankard told trustees Tuesday night that taking an inventory of the village service lines would be a major undertaking in itself, and added residents can assist by adding information on the metal used in their service lines to the village website.

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While the village has some data on its service line materials through meter checks, replacement records and past resident reporting, Slankard warned that getting a complete picture of the system would be a serious organizational lift.

Were going to have to come up with a systematized way of working through areas block by block, and were going to have to do direct outreach instead of appointments to get into the homes, he said.

According to a memo from Slankard to village leadership, inventory of the service lines in Skokie is just over 40% complete, accounting for 7,317 service lines. Of those lines, 3,524 were lead. That leaves 10,350 service lines of unknown material in the village.

Then theres the cost. According to Slankards memo, the cost of full replacement in todays dollars is about $79 million over 34 years.

This is clearly an issue of long-term financial significance, the memo states.

Lockerby told trustees the new law is an unfunded mandate, meaning that state government requires municipalities to do something but does not provide the funds to carry it out. However, work to get some funding for the replacements is underway, he said. He also acknowledged the public health goals behind the act.

The village is respectful of the act and the intentions of the act and the public health intentions of the act, Lockerby said.

Mayor George Van Dusen said village officials are conferring with the state to try and fund as much of the replacement as possible.

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Part of what makes complying with the new law a challenge is that the law bans partial service line replacements, where the public portion of the pipes are replaced but private sections of water piping (between a residence and an access point) remain untouched.

Slankard walked trustees through a proposed cost-sharing solution for future lead service line replacements between village residents and the village.

Under this setup, homeowners would pay $3,000  about half  of the cost of replacing the private portion of a service line, and would have the option of paying $53.91 per quarter for 15 years as a payment plan.

The law contains a provision for residents who dont want to have their portion of the line replaced: they can sign a waiver that will be on file with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Residents might not want to do this for a range of reasons, Slanker explained. The process of replacing a service line can disturb landscaping, basement finishing and other parts of a home, he said, and its still unclear how much of property restoration costs would be on the village as opposed to residents.

Basic restoration of your yard, basic backfill, Id say yes, [the village will pay for it], but your prized landscaping and all that other stuff you may have going on, [the village would not pay for it], he said.

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Skokie spokesperson Ann Tennes told Pioneer Press that village residents who are worried about water contamination can take a few precautions against potential contamination  starting with running cold water for a few minutes at the beginning of the day.

This clears the water service line with the water that has sat in contact with the service overnight with fresh water from the water main, Tennes wrote in an email to Pioneer Press. If the residents are looking for a water filter pitcher, ZeroWater is one of the better ones, but a Consumer Reports search will provide additional recommendations and information.

Consumer Reports also highly rates the Pur Ultimate with Lead Reduction water pitcher for filtering out lead.

Water service lines are made of lead, galvanized steel, or copper, Slankard said. Residents who wish to see what their pipes are made of can inspect their pipes and determine what theyre made out of by scratching the surface or just based on color.

Residents who input the results of their inspections on the village website will also help village staff take stock of more service lines throughout Skokie.

One thing residents can do to help us as we complete this inventory is use the simple drop-down form, put your address on there [and] indicate what your pipe material is, Slankard said.

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The board did not take a vote on any lead service line replacement plan or policy, but Van Dusen said the matter would be considered as part of the budget planning process for the coming fiscal year.
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) announced on Monday that he would be running for Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas (I-Ariz.) Senate seat, teeing up the possibility of an incumbent-on-incumbent general election challenge against the senator.

Growing up poor, all I had was the American dream. It kept me going: as a kid sleeping on the floor, a student scrubbing toilets, a Marine losing brothers in Iraq, Gallego said in a post on Twitter announcing his candidacy.

Today, too many Arizonans see their dream slipping away, Gallego added. Im running for the U.S. Senate to win it back for you!

There had been speculation for months that Gallego would run for Sinemas seat in 2024 as he mounted jabs at the senator. The senator added a new variable to the possible 2024 Arizona Senate race by announcing late last year she would be changing her party affiliation to independent, though she has not formally announced whether shell be running for the Senate in two years.

Democrats in Congress have viewed Sinema at times as a roadblock to passing Democratic priorities as she and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) have defended the filibuster, a rule that requires most pieces of legislation to require at least 60 votes to pass in the Senate.

While Gallego focused on introducing himself in his first campaign ad  including growing up as one of four children with a single mother and speaking about his educational and military experience in Iraq  his campaign platform and first interviews since his announcement has shown that his primary target is Sinema.

Im better for this job than Kyrsten Sinema because I havent forgotten where I came from, Gallego said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press published on Monday. I think she clearly has forgotten where she came from. Instead of meeting with the people that need help, she meets with the people that are already powerful.

The congressman also has a section on his campaign webpage titled, Kyrsten Sinema betrayed Arizona families, arguing that Sinema has put wealthier individuals and groups ahead of her constituents.

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Though no Republicans have formally entered the 2024 Senate race, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Senate Democrats will be forced to contend with whether to support Sinema should she choose to run again or support Gallego.

Updated at 9:04 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
alejo ospina

We finally know what true standom looks like thanks to one well-endowed gay adult star!

Adult content creator Alejo Ospina is going viral this week for his latest tattoo: a full leg piece that doesn't just contain one lyric from one of his favorite pop girlies, but the whole dang song.

Ospinas new buzzworthy tat covers his entire leg, from his buttocks to his knee. Its quite the statement of devotion to Taylor Swift, as it features the entire lyrics from the extended ten-minute-long version of her song All Too Well.

Ospina explained that All Too Well wasnt his original idea for a lyric tattoo.

I actually wanted to get better off lyrics by Ariana (Grande) but its not long enough for what I wanted in my leg, he explained in a tweet. I love this one by TS and its pretty much the only one song long enough to cover a whole leg.

God bless that 10-minute version!

Ospina already had at least two other Ariana tattoos, showing that while he may be the internets top Swiftie, hes also got an Arianator heart. Ospina has a small tattoo of Arianas iconic bunny mask on his neck, as well as a much larger Ari tattoo on his arm.

That tattoo is a large black and gray portrait of Ariana wearing the Dangerous Woman era bunny mask, covering his upper arm and shoulder. Stans will truly do anything for the ones they love!

Ospina has plenty of pictures showing off his tattoos (and body) on his Instagram, and definitely has more on his OnlyFans. Make sure to follow to see what stan tattoo he gets next!

RELATED | 19 LGBTQ+ Celebs You Can Follow on OnlyFans
It started with a telephone call.

Shortly after Donald Trump's extraordinary Jan. 2, 2021 conversation with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger went viral, Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis launched a far-reaching criminal investigation into interference in the 2020 election that now stands at a crucial inflection point.

Here is what we know:

Big hearing: On Tuesday, a Fulton County Georgia judge is set to consider whether the findings of a special grand jury's months-long investigation, including any recommendations related to the possible prosecution of the former president and his allies, should be made public.

Imminent threat to Trump : Analysts have characterized the inquiry as perhaps the most serious legal threat facing the former president.

Top Trump aides in crosshairs: Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, designated as a target in the inquiry, headlined a list of former aides and allies of the former president summoned to testify before the panel.

Trump lawyers won't take part: Trump lawyers won't appear at Georgia hearing where judge will consider release of report

Georgia special grand jury ends probe: Georgia special grand jury wraps up investigation of Trump, allies

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, right, talks with a member of her team in May.

Trump call to Raffensperger led to wider investigation

While the inquiry started with Trump's call to Raffensperger, in which the former president urged Georgia's top election official to "find 11,780 votes" to tilt the 2020 statewide election in his favor, the inquiry has since expanded to include a wide-ranging examination of election fraud.

Specifically, Willis has said authorities have been investigating possible election fraud, conspiracy, oath of office violations, racketeering and election-related violence.

In addition to Guiliani, prosecutors have designated nearly two-dozen others, including a group of Republican electors who falsely certified that Trump had won the election, as potential targets.

What we know: Charging decisions on Trump now loom large in Georgia after grand jury completes its work

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Witnesses include Trump allies Lindsey Graham, Michael Flynn and John Eastman

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a news conference in September.

The list of grand jury witnesses included current and former public officials, many who have been part of Trump's inner-circle.

Among them:

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who was summoned for questions about his contacts with Georgia election officials.

Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, a vocal proponent of false claims of election fraud

Trump lawyer John Eastman, who helped develop Trumps strategy to overturn Biden's presidential election victory.

Other prominent witnesses have included Raffensperger and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, both of whom resisted Trump's pressure campaign to overturn Biden's statewide victory.

The Jan. 6 no-shows: Jan. 6 committee never got McCarthy, key Trump aides to testify. Here's who they are.

Jan. 6 Capitol attack 2 years later: Trump still plagued by multiple investigations

What to expect Tuesday

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney

Special grand juries, like the one seated in the election inquiry, do not have authority to make charging decisions. Instead, the panel issues a report and recommendations to the district attorney for action.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who disclosed last week that the jury had completed its work and forwarded its report, also indicated the panel had "voted to recommend that its report be published."

The hearing will determine whether there any objections or other considerations to weigh before taking action.

The hearing could result in the full release of the report and the panel's recommendations, a partial disclosure or a decision to withhold the document pending any decision on prosecution.

Trump's Georgia lawyers said Monday that they will not take part in the session.

"To date, we have never been a part of this process," attorneys Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg said in a written statement, adding they believed the former president would not be charged.

Meet Fani Willis: The DA who could charge Trump

What could Fani Willis do?

Willis is not obligated to act on the grand jury's recommendations. If she does elect to proceed, the prosecutor would likely present a case to one of the county's two regular grand juries to seek indictments.

The district attorney had expected to make decisions on possible charges before the end of 2022, but a number of legal challenges pressed by key grand jury witnesses pushed late into the year.

A Brookings Institution analysis of the Willis investigation, co-authored by Norm Eisen, a special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Trump's first impeachment, concluded that the inquiry represents perhaps the most serious threat to Trump.

"We conclude that Trump is at substantial risk of criminal prosecution in Fulton County (Georgia)," the report found.

Trump's legal troubles: 'Not above the law': Why Trump's decision to run for president won't change his legal woes

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Georgia investigation: Judge to consider release of report
BERLIN (AP)  Federal prosecutors in Germany said Monday that they have indicted five people for forming a terrorist organization that aimed to topple the government and spark a civil war.

Prosecutors said the suspects, four men and one woman, had made concrete preparations to cause a large-scale blackout in the country and use the ensuing chaos to establish an alternative government. They also allegedly planned to kidnap the countrys health minister, Karl Lauterbach, who has faced extreme vitriol from opponents of the government's pandemic restrictions.

The group is accused of being driven by the Reich Citizens ideology propagated by one of its members, who was identified only as Elisabeth R. due to German privacy rules.

All five German citizens were arrested last year and remain in pre-trial detention.

Authorities uncovered a similar plot by another, larger far-right group last month. Its members were also adherents of the Reich Citizens movement that believes the current government is illegitimate and that the German constitution of 1871 is still in force.
By Pawel Florkiewicz and Gabriela Baczynska

WARSAW/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Germany is not blocking the re-export of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, the European Union's top diplomat said on Monday, after Poland vowed to send some as long as other countries did too.

The Kyiv government wants the German-made Leopard 2, one of the most widely used Western tanks, to help it break through Russian lines and recapture territory this year.

Germany, which must approve re-exports of the Leopard, has held back, wary of moves that could cause Moscow to escalate.

Under strong pressure from some of its allies, Berlin has said it is willing to act quickly if there is a consensus among those allies and notes that other NATO members have yet to formally ask to re-export the tanks.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, whose country borders Ukraine, said earlier on Monday that Warsaw would seek permission to send the tanks to Kyiv and was trying to get others on board.

"Even if we did not get this approval... we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine. The condition for us at the moment is to build at least a small coalition of countries," he said.

On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had said Berlin would not stand in Poland's way if it chose to ask and, on Monday, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Germany was not blocking the export of the tanks.

"From what I understand, Germany is not going to ban the export of these weapons if any EU country that has them wishes to do so," he said after EU foreign ministers met in Brussels and approved 500 million euros ($545 million) of new military aid to Ukraine.

Poland's call for a coalition, however, signalled any transfer was still some way off.

SPRING OFFENSIVES

Warsaw has said it would provide a company of Leopards - around 14 - but Morawiecki said a transfer only made sense as part of a brigade - a variable but much larger number. Some 20 countries operate the tank, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.

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Ukraine and Russia are both believed to be planning spring offensives to break the deadlock in what has become a war of attrition in eastern and southern Ukraine as the first anniversary of the Russian invasion nears.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, was grappling with a corruption scandal that could dampen Western enthusiasm for his government.

A newspaper reported that the Ukrainian military had allegedly secured food at highly inflated prices, and a deputy minister resigned after an investigation into allegations he accepted a bribe.

Ukrainian officials have been pleading with Western allies to supply them with tanks for months.

After Ukrainian advances in the second half of 2022, front lines have been largely frozen in place for two months, despite heavy losses on both sides. Ukraine says Western tanks would give its ground troops the mobility, protection and firepower to break through Russian defensive lines and resume their advance.

"We need tanks - not 10-20, but several hundred," Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram. "Our goal is (restoring) the borders of 1991 and punishing the enemy, who will pay for their crimes."

Arriving in Brussels on Monday, Germany's Baerbock declined to say if she had been speaking for the whole ruling coalition when she said Berlin would not prevent Poland re-exporting the tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrat party has expressed concern Russia might escalate or even retaliate.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the tanks should not be held up one more day, while Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said Russia could win the war if Europeans "don't help Ukraine with what they need now".

An EU diplomat said the ministers had then discussed the tanks. "The Germans didn't like being pushed, they warn it can be counterproductive," the diplomat said.

'TERRIBLE WAR'

The Polish prime minister said Warsaw would also talk to countries with other modern battle tanks, without naming them.

American lawmakers pressed their government on Sunday to export M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, saying even a symbolic number would help push European allies to do the same.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price dodged questions about whether the United States would support other countries supplying Leopards without Germany's approval.

"We may be hearing more from our German allies in the coming hours, in the coming days," he said. "But, I will say, Germany is a stalwart ally across the board."

Britain has said it will supply 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Ukraine Leclerc tanks.

The Kremlin said the splits in Europe over whether to provide tanks to Kyiv showed there was increasing "nervousness" within the NATO military alliance.

"But of course all countries which take part, directly or indirectly, in pumping weapons into Ukraine and in raising its technological level bear responsibility" for continuing the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Since its invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, which it has cast as defending itself from an aggressive West, Russia has taken control of parts of Ukraine it says it will never return. Ukraine has said that restoring its territorial integrity is not open for negotiation.

(Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz, Tassilo Hummel, Ingrid Melander, Humeyra Pamuk, Anna Wlodarczak, Tom Sims and Lidia Kelly; writing by Angus MacSwan and Philippa Fletcher; editing by Clarence Fernandez and Alex Richardson)
Germany would not oppose it if Poland sends German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Source: Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, on Sunday in an interview with French television LCI, reports DW and LCI journalist Darius Rochebin on Twitter

LAllemagne franchit un seuil inedit sur @LCI par la voix de la ministre A.Baerbock. Elle ne sopposerait pas si la Pologne envoie les Leopards.

-J'ai bien entendu, vous avez dit, si les Polonais l'envoient, vous ne vous y opposeriez pas?

-A.Baerbock: Vous m'avez bien compris. pic.twitter.com/HGykBGhocL  Darius Rochebin (@DariusRochebin) January 22, 2023

Details: When asked what would happen if Poland sent its Leopard 2 tanks without German approval, Baerbock said: "We will not stand in the way. For the moment the question has not been asked, but if we were asked we would not stand in the way."

"We know how important these tanks are and this is why we are discussing this now with our partnersWe need to make sure people's lives are saved and Ukraine's territory liberated," added the German foreign minister.

The journalist asked if he correctly understood that Germany would not object if Poland sends Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. "You understood me correctly," answered Baerbock.

Background: At the Ramstein-format meeting on 20 January, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that the Western allies have not yet agreed to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 main battle tanks, but he instructed his ministry to prepare for "the day that may come."

Some German politicians have since urged their government to at least allow the transfer of Leopards to other countries that are ready to do so, and several hundred people organised a rally in Berlin to demand the tanks be provided to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
STORY: In a possible breakthrough for Kyiv, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday (January 22) her government would not stand in the way if Poland wants to send its German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Ukraine has been asking Western allies for the German-made tanks for months - but Berlin has so far held back from sending them, or allowing other NATO countries to do so.

Baerbocks statement comes after Poland signalled that it could send the tank without Germany's approval.

Her remarks appeared to go further than German chancellor Olaf Scholzs comments at a news conference in Paris earlier that day.

Scholz said that Germany will not slacken support to Ukraine and will continue to act as long as necessary. But that all decisions on weapons deliveries will be made in coordination with allies, particularly the United States.

Germany has faced mounting pressure to send Leopard 2 tanks  which is considered one of the Wests best  to Ukraine.

Western allies met Friday to discuss the issue , but did not reach a decision.

Sholzs Social Democrat party is traditionally skeptical of military involvements and worry sudden movements could trigger Moscow.

But on Sunday, German defence minister Boris Pistorius said he expected a decision on the tanks soon.

Other allied nations have offered to send their own tanks to Ukraine.

But experts say for Ukraine's fight, those tanks don't stand up to the Leopard 2.

The Kremlin's spokesman said on Friday that Western countries supplying additional tanks to Ukraine would not change the course of the conflict and that they would add to the problems of the Ukrainian people.
Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the Monterey Park mass shooter Huu Can Tran when he entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, stands alongside his father, Tom Tsay, as he speaks with the media. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

The dance social at Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio was nearly over Saturday night, with just a few people left on the ballroom floor. Brandon Tsay, whose family owns the Alhambra studio and who works at the ticket office, was in the lobby looking into the studio when he heard the front door close, followed by the sound of metal clinking, he said.

Thats when I turned around and saw there was an Asian man holding a gun, Tsay told ABC's "Good Morning America." My first thought was I was gonna die here. This was it.

Tsay said the man appeared to be looking around the room for targets and people to harm.

In interviews with the New York Times and ABC, the 26-year-old said that he lunged at the man with both his hands, setting off a struggle in the lobby for control of the gun. "I needed to take this weapon, disarm him or else everybody would have died, Tsay told "Good Morning America."

The gunman was hitting him across the face and bashing the back of his head, he said. Tsay said he eventually shoved the man aside and grabbed the gun. He pointed it at the man and yelled, Get the hell out of here! he said. "I'll shoot, get away! Go!"

Tsay said the man lingered for a few moments before walking out the door and getting into his van. Tsay said he called police with the gun still in my hand."

He told ABC that he did not recognize the man.

On Monday, Tsay told reporters outside his home in San Marino that he would prefer the public to focus on the victims and not his own heroic act.

"You have my deepest condolences," Brandon Tsay said, addressing the victims and their families. "Some of these people I know personally. They come to our studio. It's a tight-knit community, and I hope they can heal from this tragic event."

Tsay said that when he tackled the gunman, identified by authorities as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran of Hemet, he was unaware that just 20 minutes earlier, Tran had killed 10 people and injured several others when he opened fire in a crowded ballroom in nearby Monterey Park.

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The death toll rose to 11 Monday after the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services announced in a statement that one of the victims being treated at LAC+USC Medical Center succumbed to their injuries.

Tom Tsay, Brandon's father, rushed to the Alhambra dance studio after learning about the shooting, gripped with fear.

The first thing I did was ask whether Brandon was OK, Tom Tsay said in an interview outside of the familys San Marino home early Monday, adding that his daughter reassured him Brandon was safe.

It wasnt until much later that he learned of his sons heroism, he said.

"I'm very proud," Tom Tsay said. "That night was a tragedy. It could have been much worse if he wasn't disarmed."

Brandon Tsay called his sister, Brenda Tsay, just after he took the gun from Tran and then called the police.

Only a few people were still dancing and socializing when Tran came in. Many were longtime customers who visit the studio, she said.

When her brother called, he wasn't making sense, thinking that he was involved in an attempted robbery, Brenda Tsay said.

"Obviously, I started to ask questions," she said. "He said, 'Don't ask questions. Just go through and look through the thing.' "

Brandon Tsay was referring to video surveillance.

"Once I saw what happened, my stomach turned," Brenda Tsay said. "I was so upset, so angry to be honest. I felt a little guilty because I wasn't there."

Neither Brenda Tsay nor her father were at the studio when Tran arrived. Brandon Tsay is usually not there, but on Saturday, he was sitting at the front desk near the entrance.

When she finally saw her brother in person, he was calm but running on adrenaline.

"I'm just happy that he's alive," Brenda Tsay. "I'm just happy he wasn't shot."

She described her brother as compassionate, nice and caring.

"He's never hurt anyone in his life," said Brenda Tsay, adding that "he's braver than the rest of us."

But he's shaken up, Brenda Tsay said, and trying to carry on with little tasks throughout the day. He's been sleeping a lot, she said.

Brandon Tsay said that he's had trouble sleeping and continues to replay the events of Saturday night.

Tom Tsay added that he always told his family if there ever was a robbery to just give the person the money. "But I guess this is a different situation," the father said, with his son next to him Monday at their home. "I never prepared him for that. Because I guess he wasn't there for money. So I never prepared him for that kind of situation."

The gunman had walked into Lai Lai "probably with the intent to kill two more people, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Sunday.

Luna, who said Sunday that it was "two community members" who disarmed the suspect, officials and others in California and across the country have commended Tsay as a hero, stressing that his actions prevented further tragedy.

"A lot of people have been telling me how much courage I had," Tsay said. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to have adversity to fear when fearful events happen such as this."

He said his heart went out to all the victims, families and community members. "I hope they could find the courage and the strength to persevere," he said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Google announced Friday it was laying off about 12,000 employees, or 6% of its global workforce. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Jeremy Joslin, a 20-year Google engineer, said being laid off via email was a "slap in the face."

"It's as if I dropped off the grid and they have to piece together any knowledge I took," he added.

Other ex-Googlers have criticized the abrupt and impersonal nature of their terminations.

A software engineer described the way he found out Google was laying him off as a "slap in the face."

Jeremy Joslin, whose LinkedIn profile says he had worked at the tech giant since 2003, said Friday the company gave him the news over email.

"It's hard for me to believe that after 20 years at Google I unexpectedly find out about my last day via an email," he tweeted. "What a slap in the face. I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone face to face."

In a post on LinkedIn, Joslin added: "I never thought it would happen like this."

Google announced Friday it was laying off about 12,000 employees, or 6% of its global workforce, "across Alphabet, product areas, functions, levels and regions." CEO Sundar Pichai said the company had hired too quickly and couldn't keep all its staff on in the current "economic reality."

'It's as if I dropped off the grid'

Ex-Googlers have vented on LinkedIn and Twitter about the abrupt and impersonal nature of their layoffs.

"Being let go via a transactional email without any acknowledgement of your personal time or impact on the company is a difficult way to go out," Joslin said on LinkedIn. "A little bit of compassion and personal touch can go a long way."

Joslin said Friday in another LinkedIn comment that he lost all access to corporate resources that morning and "nobody in my management chain ever reached out to me."

"It's as if I dropped off the grid and they have to piece together any knowledge I took with me," he added.

Dan Russell, a research scientist, said on LinkedIn: "I found out when I went to work at 4AM to finish up an important analysis, and my badge didn't work. After 17.5 years at Google, it was kind of a tough way to discover that I'd become a Xoogler."

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Elizabeth Hart, a senior marketing manager on Google's global ads team who had worked at the company since 2007, said on LinkedIn that she found out she had been laid off when she checked her phone on Friday morning, while "bleary eyed and still half asleep," and saw a notification saying that her corporate access had expired, alongside one for a New York Times article about the layoffs.

Google publicly announced the layoffs about 5:30 a.m. ET, or 2:30 a.m. PST. The company said that the layoff announcement had been sent to staff earlier that day and that affected US employees had been informed before that, though it didn't say when.

Bloomberg reported the layoffs seemed structural, rather than based on performance. Some workers said that most or all of their teams were laid off.

"There seems to be little rhyme or reason to the decisions made regarding who to let go," Blair Bolick, a laid-off Google recruiter, said on LinkedIn. She added that even her boss didn't know she was being let go.

In comments, Joslin acknowledged that the company had changed over the two decades he spent working there.

"Not the same company I started at 20 years ago," he said on LinkedIn.

Another laid-off engineer said that the mass terminations showed Google viewed its employees as "100% disposable."

"I'm devastated. I'm sad, angry," Bolick said on LinkedIn. "Some moments I'm hopeful, but most of all I'm scared, and so unbelievably hurt."

Were you laid off by Google or another tech company? Contact this reporter at gdean@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The production lines have been busy at the Hisense factory in the town of Velenje in northeast Slovenia, as the demand for its household appliances steadily grows in Europe.

Hisense, a Chinese multinational major appliance and electronics manufacturer, holds a five percent share of the European market, but the company has set itself higher goals for the near future.

"Europe is a big market with a lot of potential," Jianmin Han, the Chairman of Hisense Europe, tells CGTN. "Our target in three years, by 2025, is to achieve 10 percent of the market [share] in two segments, to really become a tier two brand in Europe."



The Chinese home appliance giant established itself as Slovenia's largest exporter, significantly surpassing the country's other major exporters like Renault and a couple of local domestic pharmaceutical companies.

Not many expected these results in 2018, when Hisense acquired Slovenian producer Gorenje. Founded over 70 years ago in the former Yugoslavia, Gorenje produced and exported home appliances across Europe.

But five years ago, stiff competition forced the Slovenian government and the Gorenje shareholders to decide whether to integrate it into a bigger system or let it embark on a path of slow and inevitable demise.

They decided to invite China's Hisense to buy Gorenje, in a bid to give the company and the community, a new lease of life.

And since then, Hisense has succeeded in turning a potential economic disaster and burden for the Slovenian government into what some say is an economic miracle. Even the skeptics admit it has turned out to be a success story.



Matej Lahovnik, a former economy minister and a professor of economics, was not initially keen on Hisense's acquisition of Gorenje, but he has since changed his mind.

"In the end, it looks like this acquisition will be very successful. The environment in Slovenia is not very positive towards foreign direct investments. At the beginning the public is usually very skeptical, and it was the same in the case of Hisense," Lahovnik explained.

In 2021, its exports reached $2 billion, and even higher numbers are expected for 2022.

Hisense has secured thousands of jobs in Slovenia, winning the public over. And with salaries rising for the company's employees, the future looks even brighter.




The GOP in Nebraska and Washington state have endorsed California attorney Harmeet Dhillons challenge to replace Ronna McDaniel as chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC).

The Nebraska Republican Party voted to 62-41 to have state Chair Eric Underwood cast his ballot for Dhillon for the top RNC spot, the Norfolk Daily News reported in an article shared by Dhillon to her Twitter page.

And Washington states GOP endorsed Dhillon for chairwoman, Dhillon shared Sunday, just days ahead of the RNC election slated for later this week, on Jan. 27.

The two state-level Republican parties add to a growing chorus calling for a change in RNC leadership.

However, McDaniel expressed confidence about the upcoming election at the RNCs winter meeting, saying she has enough support to secure the chair position for a fourth and final term.

Last month, an endorsement letter circulated that contained the signatures of more than 100 RNC members who pledged their support to McDaniel, well more than would be needed to win.

Dhillon, who represented former President Trump during his dealings with the House select committee probing the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, has pitched herself as a chairwoman who could shake up the partys trajectory after a disappointing midterm election cycle.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is also in the running for RNC chair, and told Insider earlier this month that he thinks he too has the support to oust McDaniel.

The Hill has reached out to the Nebraska Republican Party and Washington State Republican Party for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced his plan for a historic $1 billion investment to increase teacher pay here in Jacksonville Monday morning, but along with the money for salaries he also announced multiple new regulations on the unions that represent teachers.

The DeSantis wants to cap teachers union officials salaries, so they dont make more than the top-earner among the members they represent.

He also wants to stop teachers unions from automatically deducting union dues from members paychecks and impose a slew of new financial transparency and accountability measures on the unions.

The DeSantis argued unions are too involved in politics and blamed them for delaying teacher pay increases and supporting policies like mask and vaccine mandates.

Having partisan groups basically get special privileges for deductions and all these other stuff, you know, that doesnt work and so, I think this will be a huge, huge boon for transparency and efficiency in our school system, DeSantis said.

But Terrie Brady, head of Duval Teachers United, argued teachers unions are simply there to advocate for the best interests of their members.

Read: The greatest honor: 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year from Clay County speaks about her journey

We think were pretty transparent in the work that we do, Brady said.

Brady said if the Governor proposal becomes law, unions will abide by it, but she questioned why teachers unions are being singled out.

Why are others able to have payroll deduction through their cities, state, municipality? You see what Im saying? Or within the district and we are not, Brady said.

The Florida Education Association, which represents more than 150,000 teachers and faculty in Florida also weighed in.

While Gov. DeSantis seeks to punish and divide, we seek to unite, said FEA President Andrew Spar in an emailed statement. We respect the voices of parents, teachers, school boards, administrators and students. All have a crucial role in providing our students with the best possible education, and students needs must be our focus. Our schools dont need to go back to 1950; we need to move forward toward 2050. Floridas students deserve strong public schools.

Story continues

Read: Monterey Park shooting: Man who disarmed suspected gunman says he acted on instinct

The legislation would also prohibit union officials from discussing union business while on the job and bar them from distributing union materials on school grounds.

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In the wake of the economic crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, cities explored universal basic income programs to help those affected financially.

Guaranteed income was a lifesaver for one single Atlanta mother.

When the city of Atlanta launched the Income Mobility Program for Atlanta Community Transformation (IMPACT) last January, this Black 29-year-old mother of two, who requested anonymity, says she applied for the program the moment she heard about it.

Every day was a struggle, said the young woman who earns about $18,000 a year working at a department store. I have two kids. I work as much as I can, and it still wasnt enough.

The IMPACT program provides $500 a month to qualified residents who are at least 18 years old and have an income that is up to 200% of the federal poverty line which was $13,590 in 2022. The young mother started getting payments last March and used the money for necessities like groceries, clothing and transportation. Shes even saved a little bit of money.

At least 45 U.S. cities started some kind of guaranteed income pilot program in 2020 or a few years preceding.

This has meant everything to us this past year, she says.

But she and hundreds of poor Black families are about to lose that small safety net.

Several guaranteed income pilot programs, including ones in Chicago and Atlanta, are scheduled to end this year, despite encouraging data that shows how important theyve been. The mom in Atlanta is scheduled to receive her last payment in March. She has not heard anything about the city extending the program. Atlanta officials did not return phone calls about the future of the pilot.

In the wake of the economic crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, cities explored universal basic income programs (or more appropriately guaranteed income plans) to help those affected financially. The programs provide cash payments to low-income families.

At least 45 cities in the country started some kind of guaranteed income pilot program in 2020 or a few years preceding. The number of programs increased in the pandemics wake. Generally, a lottery determines recipients from a pool of eligible applicants. Payments vary from $200 to $1,000 a month. Some cities issue bi-weekly payments.

Story continues

I was headed towards a deep depression, literally just a week prior to getting the call that I was accepted to the program, Shamonique Jones, a Newark, New Jersey, resident told ABC News. Jones is a single mother who lives with her four children in a one-bedroom apartment. I didnt know how I was gonna get my kids uniforms [for school]  I was able to use that to get them their uniforms for school and be able to help us with the holidays and be able to provide Christmas presents for them. It just saved our lives.

Tashonna, a 24-year-old Louisville woman, told the Courier-Journal that her monthly payment of $500 from the citys guaranteed income program lightens her burden. It gives you a really big cushion to just make those decisions. If I have $500, do I still need another job or is this enough for me?

The pandemic disproportionately affected Black households, a number of which already survived in poverty. Before the outbreak, the unemployment rate for Black citizens in America was just over 6%. By the time COVID-19 hit, it exceeded 16%.

Mayors for Guaranteed Income, a coalition that advocates for more cities to adopt guaranteed income programs, released a dataset that included demographic details and spending information on 20 pilot programs in America. Forty-one percent of the program participants were Black, and 77% of them were women.

Since many of these programs are pilots, they have an end date. Atlanta, which has the highest income inequality among the largest U.S. cities, started its guaranteed income program in early 2022. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta, which did not respond to requests for comment about the programs future, distributed the funds. The program is scheduled to end this May. The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot program ends in August. Participants get $500 a month.

Im not sure what were going to do when we stop getting [these] payments, the Atlanta mother said. Im not looking forward to that.

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The post Some guaranteed income programs are ending, even as they gain popularity nationwide appeared first on TheGrio.
From left: Reps. Eric Swalwell, George Santos, and Adam Schiff. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Anna Moneymaker, and Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Hakeem Jeffries is arguing that Reps. Schiff and Swalwell should be kept on the intelligence committee.

The House Democratic leader sent a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Saturday making the case.

He pointed out that George Santos has been "welcomed" by the GOP despite being a "serial fraudster."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has long pledged to remove Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell of California, who both took part in the impeachment cases made against then-President Donald Trump, from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

But in a letter to McCarthy obtained by Insider and first reported by Punchbowl News, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has nominated the two lawmakers anyway, in part arguing that it would be a "double standard" for Republican Rep. George Santos of New York to serve on committees while denying Schiff and Swalwell their spots on the Intelligence committee.

"At the same time that Republicans have threatened to deny seats on the Intelligence Committee to clearly qualified Democratic members, serial fraudster George Santos has been placed on two standing committees of the House and welcomed into your conference," wrote Jeffries in the letter, which was sent to McCarthy on Saturday. "The apparent double standard risks undermining the spirit of bipartisan cooperation that is so desperately needed in Congress."

Santos, who has fabricated whole swaths of his background and faces several ethics inquiries, has reportedly been named to the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

McCarthy, who has the power as House Speaker to unilaterally reject Jeffries's picks for the select committee, has argued that Schiff and Swalwell are not qualified to serve on the panel and that Democrats set a precedent by holding bipartisan votes to boot Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona from committees during the last Congress.

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Greene's committee assignments were revoked in a bipartisan House vote in February 2021 after a history of violent rhetoric came to light, while Gosar was removed from committees and censured by a bipartisan House vote in November 2021 after he posted an anime video that depicted him killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Jeffries, noting the bipartisan nature of those votes, argued that there's no equivalence between the two far-right members and the two Democratic lawmakers; Schiff was the previous chair of the House Select Committee on Intelligence. "It does not serve as precedent or justification for the removal of Representatives Schiff and Swalwell, given that they have never exhibited violent thoughts or behavior," he wrote.

In arguing for the removal of the two Democrats from the national security-focused committee  which conducts oversight of intelligence agencies and frequently handles classified information  McCarthy has pointed to Swalwell's brief association with a Chinese spy and has claimed that Schiff "lied to the American public" about whether he personally knew the whistleblower who triggered the first impeachment of former President Donald Trump.

Read the original article on Business Insider
PANAMA CITY  HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital is rapidly growing as the hospital completed its newest rehabilitation facility in Panama City.

HCA Florida Gulf Coast announced the completion of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and the expansion of rehabilitation services. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday to celebrate the completed milestone with local officials and the Bay County and Panama City Beach chambers of commerce.

More:$11 million freestanding emergency room coming to Panama City Beach. Here are the details

More:Panama City hospital GCRMC plans to complete $60 million expansion by next spring

The Rehabilitation Center is connected to the main hospital at 449 W. 23rd St., which allows easy access to the acute-care setting of the hospital. The new facility is expected to open Jan. 30.

"As our community continues to grow, there is a need for advanced inpatient rehabilitation services," hospital CEO Chase Christianson said in a Wednesday press release. "The Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital offers those who have been critically ill or injured, continuity-of-care and access to an array of rehabilitative specialists helping them regain strength to live life to the fullest."

The $20.5 million addition adds to the array of high-quality care services provided to patients, increases access to healthcare, particularly for seniors and brings more than 30 jobs to the community, the press release states. In addition, the 22,000-square-foot center features 20 private patient rooms, a gym and a dedicated dining room.

The Rehabilitation Center care team will include specially trained physicians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, and physical and occupational therapists. The center will help patients overcome functional limitations brought on by injury or illness through three or more hours of therapy a day, six to seven days a week.

Patients most frequently need inpatient rehabilitation if they have suffered one of the following:

Story continues

Stroke

Cardiac and Pulmonary Events

Brain, Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Orthopedic Fractures

Amputations

Neuromuscular Disorders

Construction is underway for a free-standing emergency room at 9318 Panama City Beach Parkway, on the north side of U.S. 98 at Moylan Road. The new $11 million Breakfast Point Emergency Room is slated to open in February.

For more information about HCA Florida Gulf Coast, visit hcafloridahealthcare.com.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: HCA Florida Gulf Coast completes new rehab center
(Reuters) - The top Moscow-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine said late on Sunday that he had visited the town of Soledar that Russia claimed to had captured earlier this month.

Denis Pushilin, the administrator, published a short video on the Telegram messaging app that showed him driving and walking amidst uninhabited areas and destroyed buildings.

"I visited Soledar today," Pushilin said in an accompanying statement.

Reuters was not able to independently verify when and where the video was taken.

On Jan. 11, the private Russian military group Wagner said it had captured Soledar and Russian-installed authorities in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region said last week they were in control of the salt-mining town.

Ukraine has never publicly said that the town was taken by Russian forces. On Sunday, the general staff of its armed forces said in a daily update that Russian forces had fired on Ukrainian positions in the area.

In his statement, Pushilin said the Soledar mines were damaged and "difficult" to descend into.

The town, together with the city of Bakhmut just to its northeast, has been the focus of intense fighting for months, with Russian proxy forces claiming last week that they had also captured Klishchiivka, a small village near Bakhmut.

The so-called Donetsk People's Republic is one of the four regions in Ukraine that Moscow proclaimed as its own in September in an exercise Ukraine and its allies called a "sham," coercive referendum.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Dozens of health care workers in Florida were never paid for time worked off-the-clock and a federal investigation followed, according to labor officials.

Now, as a result of the investigation, an Orlando-based health care practice has paid 49 employees back, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Orlando Health Medical Group Urology has paid its employees $244,011 in back pay plus damages after the DOLs Wage and Hour Division investigators discovered some people went unpaid for extra work, the agency announced in a Jan. 23 news release.

Employees have a right to be compensated for all the work they do, Wage and Hour Division District Director Wildali De Jesus in Orlando said in a statement. When employers fail to pay employees for all the hours they work, they get the benefits of that labor and take advantage of these workers unfairly.

McClatchy News contacted Orlando Health Medical Group Inc. for comment on Jan. 23 and didnt immediately receive a response.

The Orlando Health workers were owed wages after investigators discovered they had worked before and after their scheduled shifts, according to officials. Despite this, they didnt receive overtime pay in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, officials said.

Whats more is that investigators found that Orlando Health wasnt accurately recording the amount of hours its employees worked, according to the release.

The 49 employees who were underpaid worked at Orlando Healths headquarters in Orlando and at the companys locations in Clermont, Lake Mary and Oviedo, according to the DOL. Each location was investigated by the Wage and Hour Division.

Todays workers can choose to work for employers who value them, pay them full wages and respect their rights as workers, De Jesus said. Employers who comply with labor law and appreciate the dignity of work will have a clear advantage when it comes to retaining and recruiting the people they need for their businesses to operate.

Story continues

Employees who believe they arent getting fully paid can contact a Wage and Hour official in their state by accessing the DOLs interactive map.

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Boris Johnson has urged western allies to give Ukraine all the help that they need to defeat Russian military forces, just a day after his surprise visit to the country.

In an editorial renewing his support for the war-torn nation, the former prime minister writes: Look at those brave Ukrainians and answer me this question: just what the hell are we waiting for?

Mr Johnson positioned himself as a key ally of Kyiv during his time at No 10 and has consistently called for further military support for Ukraine.

Writing in the Daily Mail after his most recent trip, he said: The sooner we can help the Ukrainians to their inevitable victory, the sooner their suffering will be over, and the sooner the whole world, including Russia, can begin to recover from Putins catastrophe.

That requires all of us in the West, all the friends of Ukraine, to double and treble our support.

Mr Johnson said Ukraines various military successes in expelling Russian troops in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Kherson would go down as great feats of arms of modern times.

He wrote in the paper that the sooner Vladimir Putins forces can be defeated the sooner the whold world can begin to recover from the Russian leaders catastrophe.

Zelenskyy, right, and ohnson talk during their meeting in Kyiv on Sunday (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office)

Mr Johnson added that Putins troops are demoralised and his army is full of freshly sprung convicts rather than seasoned soldiers.

He added: But wasteful though he is, Putin still has the reserves of population; he has the power to conscript; and he has shown his total contempt for the value of human life.

He is now preparing a counter-punch. And even if the Ukrainians can see it coming, and will easily absorb that punch, they will need our help for that next and decisive phase  taking back the land bridge.

This is that continuous strip of conquered land that runs along the coast from the Donbas to Crimea, and which currently blocks Ukrainian access to the Sea of Azov.

If they can take back that land bridge, or drive their way through it and cut it in two, the Ukrainians have won. It is game over for Putin.

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Zelensky and Boris Johnson pictured in Kyiv in August last year (AP)

The former prime minister said that all Ukraine needs to make this decisive move is the kind of kit the West has in abundance and there was no higher moral purpose than this being given to Mr Zelenskys army.

He also said he was supportive of the recent decision to send Challenger 2 tanks to the country.

Footage of Mr Johnsons trip showed Mr Johnson meeting the Ukrainian president, warmly shaking hands and telling him its an absolute honour to be here again.

Honour for us, Mr Zelensky replied.

This trip comes as he is facing accusations that he allegedly recommended Richard Sharp for the BBC chairman job weeks after Mr Sharp helped him secure a loan of up to 800,000 while he was still in Downing Street.

Earlier this week, Mr Johnson spoke in a panel discussion on Ukraine at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he was introduced as a legendary figure in Ukraine.
"After-school kids come home early, keen to fly kites while East Wind's spry." This Chinese poem from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) indicates the long history and great popularity of flying kites in China.



Known as the "kite capital" of China, Weifang city in east China's Shandong province has a long history of making kites. Guo Hongli, from Weifang's Hanting village, is now a representative for Weifang kites, which were included on the first national-level intangible cultural heritage lists by the State Council in 2006.

A traditional craft refreshed via mobile games

"When I was a kid, I had no toys, so I flew kites that I made by myself to have fun," says Guo, who was born into a kite-making family. He grew up seeing his father and uncles create kites and sell them at fairs. Gradually, he learned to make kites himself.

"My father told me that fashioning kites is a craft that needs tender and delicate attention," says Guo, who is "picky" about which materials he uses as well as the assembly process. "I always go to south China to buy bamboo myself, and the bamboo must have grown for more than five years."

Once a worker in a print shop, Guo quit his job to follow where his true interests lie - making kites. His works take assorted shapes from historical and mythological figures, from animals to cultural relics, and measure in lengths ranging from two centimeters to more than 100 meters.

As a representative of a national intangible cultural heritage, Guo Hongli, while carrying forward the folk handicraft, also delves into kite innovation to attract more young people to this traditional culture. He believes that in the ever-changing internet era, it is essential to actively innovate and integrate with the younger generation.

In 2021, Guo was invited to make a themed kite for Tencent's mobile game, Honor of Kings. He used a novel technique to build the structure and applied elements of nine-colored deer and flying apsaras - both motifs featured in the Dunhuang murals and caves - in his designs, giving the kite a mixture of tradition and modernity. Guo also introduced the history and production process of Weifang kites via an online livestream, with viewers peaking at 6.5 million. Similarly, back in 2019, Guo also designed a kite as a prop for the mobile game Perfect Word.

Guo Hongli believes that the traditional essence of making kites must be inherited while pursuing innovations. "Effective innovation is impossible without a good take on traditional techniques," he says.

Bringing local art to a bigger stage

Guo has continued to hone his skills and win honors throughout his 30-plus years of career. His work "Centipede with a Dragon Head" won the gold medal in the first China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo in 2010. His kites were also showcased in the cultural exhibitions of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2011 Shanghai World Expo. Currently, Guo is credited with more than 10 patents relating to kite creation.



In addition to domestic cultural exchanges, Guo has been to more than 30 countries and regions to spread the word on Chinese kites, bringing this traditional craft to the world. In addition, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) has presented his works as gifts to more than 170 institutions stationed abroad.

In 2018, Guo brought his kites to Malta under the auspices of the MCT for various cultural exchanges. Afterward, the then Maltese president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca especially lauded Weifang kites and decided to organize an annual Chinese kite festival in Malta going forward.

A traditional industry eyes new opportunities

Since the first Weifang International Kite Festival was held in 1984, the city's kite industry has flourished.

According to Zhang Jianwei, director of the Weifang International Kite Association Comprehensive Service Center, there are now more than 600 kite enterprises in Weifang. Currently, the industry chain is believed to provide 80,000-plus jobs, while related industries generate an annual output of more than two billion yuan. The city is also home to 39 kite exporting companies, with wares exported to more than 50 countries and regions worldwide, occupying 85% of the international market share.

In recent years, Weifang's kite industry has ridden the e-commerce wave in China. Many businesses have moved online, and daily turnover from online livestreams sometimes can exceed 390,000 yuan.

Be it technique innovation or marketing transformation, Guo's overall goal is to carry forward this traditional folk art. "Kites are rooted in Weifang. As an inheritor of this craft, I hope to pass it on and promote Weifang kites on the international stage," Guo says.
Hertz



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Car rental company Hertz announced Monday it's joined forces with Denver lawmakers to accelerate the growth of electric vehicles in the city though a program it calls Hertz Electrifies.

The program, which Hertz says will expand to multiple cities throughout America, aims to bring up to 5200 electric vehicles to Denver for Hertz rental customers and rideshare drivers. To support the influx of EVs, the program aims to pay for the installation of a mix of Level 2 and fast chargers at Denver International airport and Hertz rental locations. Hertz says it's also teamed up with charging network provider BP Pulse to install publicly available chargers across neighborhoods in Denver.

"Electric vehicles are poised to transform the future of mobility," Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr said in a statement. "That's why Hertz is investing in the largest electric vehicle rental fleet in North America and bringing a new driving experience to leisure and business customers, as well as rideshare drivers."

Delivering cars and chargers aren't the only things Hertz is planning to accomplish through this initiative. The company says it will offer summer job opportunities through the Denver Youth Employment Program and provide things like EVs, tools, and training to students at the Montbello Career and Technical High School enrolled in its auto certificate program.

"Our goal is to reduce Denver's carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050, and expanding the use and availability of electric vehicles will play a major role in helping us achieve that goal," Denver mayor Michael B. Hancock said in a statement. "This partnership with Hertz will provide invaluable data about where we need charging infrastructure the most, as well as provide new opportunities with this new technology to create good-paying jobs for our current and future workforce."

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A married couple have become a throuple after a woman fell in love with her female colleague, pictured [L-R] wife Megan Ripley, 30, husband Sean Ripley, 33, and Louise Jackson, 22. (Caters)

Relationships come in all shapes and sizes - as Carol Vorderman, who's admitted to dating five different men, proves. But she's by no means the only person to boast an unconventional love story: Former boxer David Haye has responded to rumours he's in a throuple with girlfriend Sian Osborne and Una Healy.

But while Haye implies it takes an "understanding" woman to hang out in a threesome, can this set-up ever really work in the real world?

Read more: David Haye responds to rumours hes in a throuple with Una Healy and girlfriend Sian Osborne

Megan Ripley, 30, from Market Weighton, York, and Louise Jackson, 22, first struck up a friendship after meeting at work in a nursery last year.

But pretty soon Ripley realised her feelings towards Jackson were becoming more than just platonic.

I didnt even know it was possible to be in love with two people at once," she explains. But when I met Louise it all changed, we instantly had a spark.

However I didnt say anything because I didnt want to ruin our friendship as we had become best friends."

After a night out together, the mum-of-one introduced her new friend to her husband Sean, 33 and was pleased to see they hit it off too.

The family say three-year-old William now calls Jackson 'mum' too. (Caters)

Eventually, after realising she could no longer fight her feelings, Ripley confessed to her husband that she was falling for her colleague.

To her surprise, he admitted to being attracted to Jackson too.

We never thought we would introduce someone into our relationship," Ripley explains.

I had never even heard of a throuple, but it just made sense with Louise so we were elated when she said she felt the same.

One year on, the threesome are now happily living in a committed throuple and Jackson is helping to bring up three-year-old William, who refers to her as "mum".

Our relationship has moved fast but we are also taking it slow," Ripley explains.

Megan and Louise hit it off while working together at a nursery. (Caters)

At the moment, their mutual girlfriend Jackson lives one week at the family's home and the next at her parents, but the trio are planning to move in together full-time.

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They have also discussed the possibility of Jackson having a baby with Sean.

At the start, I was against this idea but now I would be honoured if she wanted to extend our family with my husband, Ripley says of their future plans.

When Jackson is living with the family, the trio share the super king bed and go on dates, either one-to-one or as a threesome, depending on how they are feeling.

Its great because Louise shares interests that I dont have with Sean and vice versa," Ripley adds.

While they try to be respectful of each other's feelings, that doesn't mean jealousy doesn't sometimes creep in to their three-way relationship.

Read more: Bella Thorne is in a polyamorous throuple: here's what that means

Louise Jackson lives with the couple for a week and then her parents for a week but is planning to move in full-time. (Caters)

We do get jealous sometimes but we are only human," Ripley explains.

To try and prevent jealousy, we always make sure we tell each other if things are turning sexual.

For example, if I am at work and Louise and Sean are at home, they will text me to let me know things are going that way.

So then at least I know they are thinking about me.

It doesnt kill the moment, it makes it more special."

The trio have also learnt to open up about any feelings of jealousy, which helps ensure everyone feels secure.

Read more: Polyamorous, bisexual couple say they have the 'best of both worlds' but do get jealous

Megan Ripley introduced Jackson to her husband of six years, Sean, and they also hit it off. (Caters)

While Ripley says they sometimes get the odd stare when they are out together in public and holding hands, their friends and family have been overwhelmingly supportive about their unique relationship set-up.

We have only received positive comments," she says.

People are happy because we are happy."

Read more: Bride and groom fall in love with their bridesmaid and now live as a polyamorous threesome

What is a throuple?

The concept of non-monogamy isn't new, but recently there has been a rise in the use of the word 'throuple' to describe a certain kind of committed relationship set-up between more than two people.

The Urban Dictionary defines a throuple as a threelationship, otherwise known as a relationship with three partners.

Not to be confused with an open relationship (where people in a relationship have sex with people who are not their partner) or a threesome (sex between three people), a throuple is a balanced, consensual and committed relationship.

And it seems more of us are interested in exploring the concept of non-monogamous love. Research by sexual wellness brand, LELO revealed that 28% of Brits would consider entering a polyamorous relationship.

Thanks to the recent increase in visibility of people in relationships that fall outside the more traditional twosomes, throuples are gaining more recognition, as are other forms of polyamorous relationships.

Back in 2019, Willow Smith spoke out about her curiosity for having an unconventional romantic relationship involving multiple people.

Speaking on Facebook Watch series, 'Red Table Talk, the then 20-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, said she had researched polyamorous relationships after coming across a couple who followed this lifestyle on Instagram.

She said she would be happy to be in a throuple relationship with one man and one woman.

The same year, Bella Thorne also opened up about her experiences of being in a polyamorous throuple.

Some 4.2% of the UKs young people (aged between 16 and 24 years old) identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to data from the Office of National Statistics. This is a higher proportion than any other age group.

Meanwhile, one study from healthcare company euroClinix found nearly a fifth of Brits would be open to polyamory.

Additional reporting Caters. This article was first published in March 2022 and has been updated.

Watch: Meet the bride who shares her groom with her bridesmaid in three-way relationship
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Hungary's foreign minister said Monday that while his government isn't in favor of the European Union sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it won't block a planned tranche of 500 million euros ($543 million) in assistance to Kyiv to use in the war with Russia.

Speaking at a news briefing on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Peter Szijjarto dismissed as lies media reports that emerged last week that Hungary planned to veto the funds earmarked for Ukraine under the bloc's European Peace Facility.

Hungary opposes the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine  something Szijjarto said could lead to the prolongation or potential escalation of the war  but the government won't veto the aid package, he said.

We dont consider weapons shipments, nor the hundreds of millions of euros Europe has spent to finance them, a good idea. But we wont block the decision, he said.

While Hungary's government hasn't blocked previous payouts under the facility, which has to date delivered 3.1 billion euros in arms funding to Ukraine, it did veto an 18-billion euro aid package in December, leaving the EU's other 26 nations scrambling to keep the money supply going.

Budapest has also vocally opposed sanctions against Moscow, arguing they have done more damage to EU countries than to Russia, and has refused to provide Ukraine with weapons or allow their transfer across its border with Ukraine.

On Monday, Szijjarto warned that Hungary would oppose any future EU proposals to level sanctions on Russia's nuclear power industry, arguing such a decision would adversely affect operations of Hungary's only nuclear power plant, which is powered by Russian-produced nuclear fuel.

We will never accept a single decision that would even slightly limit Hungarian-Russian nuclear cooperation," he said. "It would put the security of our national energy supply at risk, and nobody should expect that from us.

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Szijjarto also called on Ukraine's government to respect the rights of the Hungarian ethnic minority in the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia, where he said ethnic Hungarians had recently been victims of concentrated attacks by local authorities.

We strongly protest against these measures and it must also be seen that each such measure makes it very difficult for us to make decisions in support of Ukraine in the future, Szijjarto said.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty

When NASAs Cassini probe visited Enceladus, the sixth moon of Saturn, back in 2005, its observations led to a startling discovery.

The icy moon, 310 miles in diameter, isnt just another cold rock. Its activea veritable chemistry lab in space. A salty ocean sloshes beneath its frigid crust. Vents in the ice, concentrated along the moons southern pole, pump powerful chemical plumes hundreds of miles into space.

All that active chemistry bumped Enceladus up to near the top of the list of planets and moons in the solar system that might have the right conditions for simple forms of life. But some key ingredients for microbial evolution seemed to be missing. A major one was hydrogen cyanide, sometimes called prussic acid, which is highly flammable, extremely poisonous but also super-useful here on Earth as a component in many industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

More than 15 years after Cassini reached Enceladus, a team of researchers from Caltech and Harvard took a closer look at reams of data the probe gathered during its 10-year mission, and concluded the initial readings were wrong. Enceladus does have hydrogen cyanide, astrobiologists Jonah Peter and Kevin Hand and planetary scientist Tom Nordheim claimed. And that bodes well for hopes that the icy moon is home to alien life.

Is This Icy Moon Our Best Chance to Find Alien Life?

Our results indicate the presence of a rich, chemically-diverse environment that could support complex organic synthesis and possibly even the origin of life, Peter, Hand and Nordheim wrote in a new study, not yet peer-reviewed, that appeared online on Jan. 12. All three scientists are associated with Caltech and NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Peter also works for Harvard.

The teams findings could compel scientists to further prioritize Enceladus as they intensify their search for alien life. It might even become a higher priority than Mars, Venus and even Europa, a moon of Jupiter that has a lot in common with Enceladus and is a favorite target of alien-hunters.

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That doesnt mean first contact is imminent. Right now, what scientists hope to confirm on Enceladus are the clear conditions for life, somewhere under the moons chilly crust. Checking all those chemical and environmental boxes could justify new missions to the moon in coming decades.

And its those probes that might find very simple forms of life: bacteria or other microbes. I find the prospects for microbial subsurface life in Enceladus or Europa high, Avi Loeb, a Harvard physicist who was not involved in the Cassini re-analysis, told The Daily Beast.

Though Loeb did caution: I doubt that there are dead fish lying on the icy surface.

Biologists generally agree that simple organisms, as we understand them, require certain ingredients in certain combinations in order to evolve:. carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus, for starters. And there needs to be enough volatility in the surrounding environmentbasically, elements moving and churningto provide the energy for chemical reactions that mix, match and remix these elements until they produce something capable of eating, metabolizing, excreting, breathing, moving, growing, reproducing and responding to external stimulation. That is, life.

There are important middle steps in this evolutionary process. And hydrogen cyanidea compound of hydrogen, carbon and ammonia with the chemical formula HCNmakes one of those steps possible. With HCN, you can build biochemically-important molecules such as amino acids, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, an astronomer at Technical University Berlin, told The Daily Beast. Amino acids in turn can form proteins, which living cells need in order to function and reproduce.

Crunching the data from Cassinis first pass through Enceladus southern plumes, scientists quickly found signs of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. The plumes indicated volatilityso among the basic ingredients for life, the moon was only missing a couple things for evolution. Hydrogen cyanide, or something like it, was one of them.

A view of Enceladus captured by NASA's Cassini probe. NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

But the compound was there all alongscientists just didnt notice, according to Peter, Hand and Nordheim. Identification of minor species in the plume remains an ongoing challenge, they wrote, using the term species to refer to types of chemicals.

The problem is that Cassinis Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer, a device that identifies chemicals by weighing their components, produced raw data that required careful analysis. As our analytical techniques improve, scientists are only now able to tease new discoveries out of old data. Thats exactly what happened when Peter, Hand and Nordheim revisited the Enceladus files. The authors were able to squeeze out a bit more from the dataset, Frank Postberg, a planetary scientist at Freie Universitat Berlin, told The Daily Beast.

Its still possible that Peter, Hand and Nordheims findings fall apart under peer review, or with follow-up investigation by different teams. And even if they do hold up, were still a long way from confirming the conditions for evolution on Enceladus.

Whats Next for NASAs Cassini Mission Space Explorers?

For one, were still missing something. Phosphorus and sulfur are vital ingredients for life as we know it, Postberg pointed out. Phosphorus has not been detected yet on Enceladusand sulfur, only tentatively.

Its possible that signs of phosphorus, and clearer signs of sulfur, are hiding in the old Cassini data, just like hydrogen cyanide was. Its also possible someone needs to send new and better probes to the moon for more data. We probably would need a new mission with an instrument that is tuned toward the detection of large organic molecules, Schulze-Makuch said.

A mass spectrograph with an added gas chromatographa device that burns chemicals in order to analyze themwould be a useful feature on a new Enceladus probe, Schulze-Makuch said.

That hypothetical probe might be able to confirm, in Enceladus plumes, the presenceor absenceof the basic ingredients for evolution on the moon itself. A follow-on mission could then go searching for the result of that evolution: tiny organisms living, dying and reproducing in Enceladus underground sea.

That would be an expensive undertaking. Cassini cost $3 billionand that was nearly 20 years ago. Future missions to Enceladus could be even pricier.

Peter, Hand and Nordheims work is an argument in favor of the investment. The sixth moon of Saturn is looking better and better as the first place we might find alien life. But a more detailed examination of Enceladus oceanic material, the trio wrote will require future robotic missions.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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NEW BRUNSWICK - The family of Carolyn Byington, who was murdered in her Plainsboro apartment by a co-worker, was encouraged to celebrate her life while the man responsible for her death will spend 55 years in state prison.

Kenneth Saal, 33, of Lindenwold, was sentenced Monday by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Pedro Jimenez Jr. to 45 years in state prison on murder and burglary charges and a consecutive 10-year sentence on conspiracy to commit murder and witness tampering charges for a crime the judge characterized as "senseless."

"Move on from today," Jimenez told Byington's family and friends. "She made each one of your lives better because she was in it. Mourn her by celebrating who she was and everything she gave. She wants you to live your life."

A photo of Carolyn Byington of Plainsboro on the desk of the assistant prosecutors prior to the sentencing of her co-worker Kenneth Saal who pleaded guilty to killing her in her home in 2019.

Jimenez said the June 10, 2019 stabbing death of the 26-year-old woman home during a work lunch break could have been avoided if Saal had left her alone.

He said Saal, who was hiding behind her door when Byington unexpectedly came home, could have pushed her and run out the door, but instead he stabbed her over and over and over in a "cruel and depraved" struggle.

"It makes no sense," the judge said.

In addressing the court, Saal, who worked with Byington at a Princeton company, apologized for his actions, but did not turn to face her family.

"I'm sorry every day for my choices. If there was any way I could take back things that I have done I would without question. I regret immensely the pain I have caused you all. There are no words big enough to described the atrociousness I've done or the misery I've brought on you," said Saal, seated between his attorneys Brian J. Neary and Suzanne Axel.

Kenneth Saal and attorney Suzanne Axel prior to Saal's sentencing in connection with the murder of Carolyn Byington of Plainsboro

Saal also apologized to his parents, who were in the courtroom, his younger sister, and grandparents.

"I'm sorry for the way I am and that I've hidden it from you for so long, my entire life. The facade I put up kept you from seeing any warning signs. I can only imagine the pain I have caused from the shock of learning the truth," he said.

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He also apologized to his ex-wife and his young daughter for his "selfish decisions."

Dressed in purple, a symbol of justice, four rows of family members and friends of Carolyn Byington, a 2011 graduate of Ridge High School in Bernards and 2015 graduate of Lafayette College, filled the courtroom.

Standing between Assistant Prosecutors Tzvi Dolinger and Lynne Seborowski, Byington's older sister Caitlyn said she will miss her only sibling's hugs, laugh and their long talks for the rest of her life. As her sister's next of kin, she had to tell their parents about Carolyn's death.

She said Carolyn was suppose to be the maid of honor at her wedding and the godmother of her future children. She said she wears her sister's cross necklace and a ring her sister bought days before her death to keep her close.

Robert Byington described his late daughter as someone who was very organized, who enjoyed helping others and had a broad love of music.

And a family friend, who Carolyn's mother knew since college, said she cherishes the two days Carolyn spent with her at the beach shortly before she was killed.

Jennifer Byington said her daughter planned family vacations and set goals for herself every year because she wanted to improve herself.

Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski stands next to Jennifer Byington, the mother of Carolyn Byington and Assistant Prosecutor Tzvi Dolinger during the sentencing of Carolyn's co-worker Kenneth Saal during his sentencing in connection with her murder.

She said the last time the family was together, they had celebrated some family birthdays. As she and daughter hugged, her daughter wanted more hugs.

"But no more hugs are coming," Jennifer Byington said. "I try to accept her death every day."

Saal's sentencing was part of a plea agreement reached in November. At the time Saal pleaded guilty to murder, a first-degree crime, burglary and stalking.

Saal also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit witness tampering in a copycat murder plot aimed at derailing his trial.

He had plotted a copycat murder with another inmate at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick, where Saal has been held since his arrest, to create doubt in his case. He allegedly offered to pay the inmate $15,000 to make it seem that Byington's killer had not yet been apprehended.

More:South Jersey man faces trial in Plainsboro co-worker's 2019 murder

Court documents reveal that part of the case was unraveled with a wiretap, just weeks before Saal was scheduled to go on trial. During the sentencing Dolinger played part of the audio recording in which Saal instructs the other inmate to stab a young woman in the neck, use bleach to clean up and make sure the location finder is turned off on the cell phone.

Saal also acknowledged that as an alternative, he thought of a plan to kill one of two witnesses who were scheduled to testify at trial and have their deaths staged as a suicide with a note claiming responsibility for Byington's murder. Dolinger said the notes were recovered from Saal's jail cell.

In pleading guilty Saal said in April 2019 he copied Byington's house key while she was at work and used the key to enter her apartment on multiple days, and also planted hidden surveillance cameras to record her at her home without her knowledge.

More:South Jersey man pleads guilty in 2019 stabbing death of co-worker in Plainsboro

He visited Byington's apartment several times before the day she was murdered. He also described how he brutally killed her when she came home unexpectedly and found him in her home.

Byington worked as a market research project manager at Engine US in Princeton, a marketing company. When she didn't return to work on that June day, co-workers asked police to do a wellness check. Around 5:57 p.m., Plainsboro police went to her apartment and found her dead.

Authorities said Byington died from multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

Saal, who began working as a staff accountant at Engine US in July 2016, was arrested two months later and charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

More:Wiretap unraveled Middlesex County inmates copycat murder plot: court documents

Co-workers reported Saals demeanor changed after Byingtons death. He allegedly lied about where he was at the time Byington was on her lunch break, and he allegedly asked a co-worker if he could be arrested based on circumstantial evidence.

Saal allegedly told his boss on June 10, 2019 he was getting repair work done on his car and would be late returning to work. His boss later learned Saal had not been at an auto repair shop. Other co-workers also reported seeing cuts on Saals hands on the days after Byingtons death.

Police dash cam footage also showed a vehicle matching Saals traveling in Plainsboro about 2 p.m. June 10, about six miles from the office where Saal and Byington worked.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South Jersey man gets 55 years in murder of Plainsboro co-worker
BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Suspected Islamists killed about 20 people in a raid on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night, a local chief and a military official said on Monday.

Both blamed the killings on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan armed group based in eastern Congo that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State and wages frequent attacks.

"We were attacked last night in the village of Mukungwe in Beni territory. It is the ADFs who stormed the village," said Eugene Matsozi, the customary chief of the area.

"So far we have buried 24 people," he said.

Colonel Charles Omeonga, the military administrator of Beni territory, said "around 20" villagers were killed but that he was waiting for a final assessment.

Troops are in pursuit of the attackers, he added.

Beni territory is in North Kivu province, one of two conflict-hit provinces where Congo replaced civilian authorities with military administrations more than a year ago in an attempt to stem the bloodshed.

Uganda has also sent troops into Congo to help fight the ADF.

The Congolese army blamed the ADF for killing 14 people in a church bombing in North Kivu province last Sunday, for which Islamic State claimed responsibility.

(Reporting by Erikas Mwisi Kambale; Writing by Nellie Peyton and Paul Simao)
KHAN AL-AHMAR, West Bank (Reuters) - Two influential Israeli lawmakers demanded the clearance of a Bedouin encampment near Jerusalem on Monday, reigniting a years-long battle over the site and urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to defy international pressure.

Khan al-Ahmar has been at the heart of a battle over land rights in the West Bank for years, with international bodies including the European Union urging Israel not to evacuate the site and move its inhabitants out by force.

But the election of a new government which includes nationalist right-wing parties determined to expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank has brought new pressure to clear the encampment. The pressure has been particularly strong since the army prevented a small group of Jewish settlers setting up an outpost in the West Bank last week.

"All the necessary permissions are on the table, including the approval of the Supreme Court of Israel, it's just up to the defence minister and the prime minister to decide," said Yuli Edelstein, a Knesset deputy and chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee who joined Danny Danon, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party and former envoy to the United Nations.

"I think the sooner the actions will be taken, the less problems it will create," he said.

In 2018, after years of legal battles, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the demolition of the site, which was built without construction permits. Palestinians say such permits are virtually impossible for them to obtain.

Successive Israeli governments have held off from enforcing demolition following international calls to refrain from compulsory evacuation of the residents, who say their families have lived in the area since the 1950s.

On Monday, as the deputies stood on with a police escort a hill opposite the hamlet to demand clearance, a group of demonstrators with Palestinian flags gathered in Khan Al-Ahmar to show support.

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The standoff follows a prolonged battle over an order to evacuate the West Bank area of Masafer Yatta near Hebron, a group of hamlets where Palestinian shepherds and farmers claim a historic connection to the land.

A scruffy cluster of tin and wooded shacks by the side of a highway out of Jerusalem between the Israeli settlements of Maale Adumim and Kfar Adumim, Khan al-Ahmar is home to around 180 people and includes an EU-funded school.

Palestinians say the aim of the pressure to evacuate the areas is to clear the way for expanded Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the area which would form the core of any future Palestinian state.

"The goal is to empty the land and give it to the settlers," said Eid Jahalin, head of the Khan al-Ahmar compound.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Ali Sawafta, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Wang Zihao from south China's Guangdong Province couldn't hold back his excitement when he got off the train in the northeastern city of Changchun, which had just been blanketed in snow, something he had never seen before.

"It's the smell of winter," said Wang as he started his Lunar New Year vacation.

Wang was attracted to Changchun not only by the snow but the array of ice-and-snow activities.

In recent years, cities across northeast China have continuously placed emphasis on developing ice-and-snow tourism to get past the "declining industrial base" stereotypes.

In 2016, Jilin Province proposed the construction of world-class ski resorts, first-class skating pavilions and world-class mountain snowboarding resorts.

Today, the Changbaishan Mountain, being one of the top powder snow bases in the world, has become an ideal destination for skiers with its lush ski resorts.

Several cities in northeast China have established their own local brands, making use of their strengths and traditions, such as the rime festival in Jilin City, the winter fishing-themed festival at Chagan Lake in Songyuan City, and the ice-and-snow sculpture festival in Harbin City.

In addition to building a good reputation among travelers, the booming ice-and-snow economy has also boosted purchase orders and cooperation opportunities.

As China further relaxes its COVID-19 travel restrictions, the sector has seen a quick rebound.

"During the three-day New Year holiday, the average number of daily visits has surpassed 4,500, doubling the number before the holiday," said Yan Shuai, sales and marketing manager of the Beidahu Ski Resort, where the Asian Winter Games were held.

The visitor figures are expected to rise significantly during the Spring Festival, Yan added.

Several provinces, including Jilin and Heilongjiang, have also launched consumption voucher schemes to capitalize on the golden period of ice-and-snow travel. Vouchers with a total value of 3 million yuan (443,118 U.S. dollars) will be issued in the city of Jilin to attract visitors from across the country.

Yu Shufen, who runs a homestay near the Beidahu Ski Resort, said the number of tourists is definitely climbing quickly and this year must be a bumper year.
ROME (AP)  Italian police in Sicily on Monday arrested the man whose identity was used by a convicted Mafia boss who had been Italys No. 1 fugitive for 30 years, authorities said.

Carabinieri police said that Andrea Bonafede had been arrested on a warrant issued by judicial authorities in Palermo. Investigators contend that Bonafede received 20,000 euros ($22,000) money from Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro to buy a house in western Sicily that served as one of the fugitives hideouts.

When Messina Denaro was captured last week at a Palermo clinic where he was receiving chemotherapy, he was using an official identity card with Bonafedes name but with his own photo. During the arrest, police also took into custody another man who had driven him to the clinic.

Police have searched at least three homes in the town of Campobello di Mazara, in western Sicily, near Trapani, which they say Messina Denaro had been using as hideouts over the last several months. It was one of these homes that was purchased by Bonafede, investigators said.

In issuing the warrant for Bonafede's arrest, Judge Alfredo Montalto said Bonafed was suspected of being a member of Cosa Nostra, as the Sicilian Mafia is known, and helping Messina Denaro to carry out his role as a major mob boss.

Thanks to Bonafede's allowing Messina Denaro to use his identity, the fugitive was "able to move on the territory (of Italy), eluding law enforcement, as well as to access National Health Care without revealing his real identity,'' according to the accusations in the warrant.

The fugitive had been receiving cancer treatment for months at the Palermo clinic as an out-patient registered as Andrea Bonafede, authorities said.

Messina Denaro had been convicted in absentia while he was on the lam of several of the most heinous Mafia crimes and given multiple life sentences. He was convicted of being one of the masterminds of the 1992 bombings  one of attacks killed Italy's top anti-Mafia magistrate, Giovanni Falcone, along a highway outside Palermo and the other killed a fellow magistrate, Paolo Borsellino two months later  that shocked Italy. Also killed in those bombings was Falcone's wife and bodyguards of both magistrates.

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Bonafede was arrested after nightfall in a small town just outside Campobello di Mazara, according to police video footage released by the Carabinieri.

In their searches of the three houses allegedly used by Messina Denaro, authorities said they found airline ticket receipts indicating he had traveled abroad at times, receipts from pricey restaurants, jewelry and posters from films, including The Godfather and Joker.

A few days after the Jan. 16 arrest of the fugitive, police found in a private parking lot in Campobello di Mazara a black Alfa Romeo Giulietta sedan they said Messina Denaro used to drive himself around, with Bonafede's identification documents, the arrest warrant for Bonafede said.

Investigators allege that the fugitive personally bought the car, used, at a Palermo dealership, an indication the convicted mobster felt a certain level of confidence he wouldn't be recognized in Sicily's main metropolis.

The parking spot is allegedly owned by the son of the suspect who was arrested after driving Messina Denaro to his medical appointment.

Investigators allege that Messina Denaro could count on a network of accomplices, drawn from his power base in western Sicily, to help with logistics.

Hours after his arrest, Messina Denaro was flown to a maximum security prison in central Italy to begin serving his sentences.
ROME (Reuters) - Italy on Monday celebrated the return of 60 looted archaeological artefacts worth more than $20 million, many of which had been on display at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art before their illicit origin was discovered.

The items, which U.S. authorities handed over to Italian counterparts in September, include "The Marble Head of Athena," worth an estimated $3 million, and a fresco stolen from Herculaneum, an ancient Roman city near Pompeii.

Aside from their commercial value, the recovered artworks are of "priceless importance" for Italy's historic, artistic and cultural identity, the head of the Carabinieri police art squad, General Vincenzo Molinese, said in a news conference.

In September, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office had said the antiquities had been sold by convicted looters, and some had ended up in the collection of billionaire hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt.

Italy has long had a problem with the looting and smuggling of its artistic and archaeological heritage, but the Carabinieri insist they are becoming more effective in tracking down and recovering stolen art.

To showcase their efforts, a so-called Museum of Rescued Art was inaugurated last year in Rome, putting on display dozens of statues, jars, urns, plates and coins in a section of the Baths of Diocletian, once the Roman empire's largest spa.

(Reporting by Cristiano Corvino, writing by Alvise Armellini, editing by Keith Weir)
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida spoke in desperate terms about the countrys cratering birth rate in an address to his nations parliament on Monday.

Now or never when it comes to policies regarding births and child-rearing-it is an issue that simply cannot wait any longer, Prime Minister Kishida said in a speech marking the new parliamentary session. The number of births dropped below 800,000 last year.

Japan is standing on the verge of whether we can continue to function as a society, he added.

For perspective, Japan experienced nearly 2 million births per year throughout the 1970s.

Although the Asian island nation has a population of roughly 125 million, its demographic pyramid is rapidly greying. Only Monaco, the city-state on the French Riviera, has a higher proportion of residents 65 and older.

Graph of population sizes

The rising cost of living and low immigration has hampered Japans ability to elevate its lagging birth rate. Barely 3 percent of the countrys population is foreign-born, compared to over a quarter of Americans.

Kishida pledged on Monday to double spending associated with child-related initiatives and announced the creation of a new governmental agency tasked with addressing the issue.

Focusing attention on policies regarding children and child-rearing is an issue that cannot wait and cannot be postponed.

Demographers use the measurement of a replacement or fertility rate, the average number of children born to each woman, to evaluate the health of a society. When the fertility rate drops below 2.1, a society begins to shrink.

In 2020, Japan had a fertility rate of 1.34. The same year, a team of researchers projected in the Lancet that Japans population would shrink to barely above 50 million by the end of the century.

Japan is among a growing list of East Asian nations that are expected to face harsh demographic headwinds throughout the coming decades.

Last Tuesday, the Chinese government published demographic data showing that the countrys population had declined over the previous year, for the first time in six decades. The news surprised many academics who projected that China would not experience such a precipitous drop for another decade.

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I dont think there is a single country that has gone as low as China in terms of fertility rate and then bounced back to the replacement rate, Philip OKeefe, a professor at the University of California, Irvine and demography expert, told the New York Times.

India is set to become the worlds most populous country in 2023.

More from National Review
When Jay-Z's Team Roc, the social justice arm of the rap mogul's entertainment company, first filed federal lawsuits in early 2020 on behalf of over 200 prisoners at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, the inmates alleged revolting conditions: rat feces, cockroaches and bird droppings contaminating their meals; broken lights, toilets and showers in a "perpetual state of systemic failure"; and a deprivation of medical care that required the self-treatment of wounds.

The accusations were so alarming that the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division launched an investigation around that same time across Mississippi's prison system in the wake of a string of violent deaths, lockdowns and protests outside the state Capitol to "shut it down," referring to Parchman.

But over the past couple of years conditions at the prison seem to have improved substantially  enough so that last week Team Roc agreed to dismiss the claims in its lawsuit against the Mississippi Department of Corrections, signaling that one of Parchmans fiercest critics is now confident that the only maximum security prison for men in the state appears to be turning a new page.

The changes include providing two functioning ambulances at the medical center at Parchman, replacing an outdated van; new stainless-steel showers, toilets and sinks; upgraded heating, air conditioning, ventilation and plumbing systems; recreational activities, such as basketball, flag football and boxing; the replacement of broken tiles and the removal of mold; and the opening of kitchen operations in additional units.

"We are pleased with the changes made to date and the improvements in the day to day lives of the guys' inside," said attorney Jordan Siev, a partner at Reed Smith LLP in New York who is working with Team Roc. "But we're also cognizant of the fact that Parchman has had a long history of lawsuits, improvements and then backsliding conditions."

According to a "stipulation of dismissal" filed in federal court in Mississippi, the suit is being dismissed without prejudice, although Siev said that Team Roc's complaint against the state could be refiled if conditions deteriorate again.

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"We're pleased that improvements have been made inside, but we're also not going to take our foot off the gas," Siev added.

As part of an agreement to dismiss the suit, Siev and other legal representatives were given unfettered access last week inside of Parchman with a film crew. They said they plan to share the footage with the Justice Department.

Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, previously shed light on the conditions inside when it released a video on YouTube in 2020 featuring interviews with family members of people who had died across Mississippi prisons and disturbing scenes from within the cells.

In response to an inquiry about current conditions, the state Department of Corrections' legal department said Monday that the agency "appreciates the tremendous responsibility of housing individuals sentenced to our care, custody and control, and has always been committed to continuously improving the living conditions of the individuals housed in all of our correctional facilities, including the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman."

The department added, "We have and will continue to make diligent efforts to improve the quality of life for all individuals in the custody of the MDOC and provide them with opportunities to successfully return to their communities. That is our ongoing commitment."

The main entrance to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. (Mississippi Department of Corrections)

The crisis in state prisons had become so acute that Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, announced upon taking office in 2020 that he would close a particular area of the Parchman prison known as Unit 29, which housed about 1,000 inmates and had been plagued by health inspection violations, including inoperable toilets and sinks, missing pillows and mattresses, and no lights.

But that closing never actually happened, and NBC affiliate WLBT in Jackson reported last summer that only half of the buildings that make up Unit 29 were ultimately shuttered, in a section where major rioting had occurred.

"He may have closed where the chaos was, and so that's what we did. It's closed," Department of Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain, who took over the role in June 2020, told the station. "We have renovated showers and some things in the buildings that weren't destroyed in the riot."

Reeves' office did not immediately return requests for comment.

In the wake of the lawsuits filed by Team Roc on behalf of prisoners, a federal judge in July 2020 ordered the Mississippi Department of Corrections to provide to the court a list of all remedial measures taken at Parchman and to share those monthly with the plaintiffs.

An inoperable toilet inside a cell at Parchman. (Mississippi State Department of Health)

In April 2022, the Justice Department also released the results of its investigation, finding that there was enough reasonable cause to believe conditions at the prison violated inmates' constitutional rights and contributed to a spate of violence stemming from the lack of oversight. Some changes were already in the works under new leadership, the Justice Department said at the time, with cooperation coming from state officials.

The Justice Department did not immediately return a request for further comment.

State Sen. Juan Barnett, the chair of the Senate Corrections Committee  who toured Parchman last year  said Monday that the changes were encouraging. He said he still expects lawmakers to address what makes financial sense for Parchman's future, and whether building a new prison is the best option. But, he added, both Democratic and Republican legislators have been pushing criminal justice reform laws to address easing the prison population in Mississippi, which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States.

"Nobody thought that a red state like Mississippi could do that," Barnett said. "But I don't think it's fair that that the new commissioner along with the legislative body can be expected to fix these problems overnight."

However, advocates for the inmates say leaders must continue to be held accountable.

Rapper Yo Gotti, who had joined Jay-Z in writing an open letter to Reeves in 2020 calling for him to take action at Parchman, said Monday that more work is needed at an institution that has grappled with a history of inmate abuses, corruption and racial segregation.

"We're pleased that Parchman has started to address the cruel and inhumane prison conditions after the Department of Justice's investigation, but we aren't satisfied with short-term improvements," Gotti, whose real name is Mario Mims, said in a statement. "The Mississippi Department of Corrections has neglected these torturous living conditions for decades, so we will continue to hold them accountable and ensure they commit to creating long-lasting change that safely protects their incarcerated population."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Jill Bidens presidential inauguration outfits are making history, as theyre being added to a collection at the Smithsonian.

A pair of Bidens dresses and coats  complete with matching face masks  will join artifacts at the National Museum of American Historys First Ladies exhibition.

Biden is poised to donate the items at a Wednesday ceremony at the museum in Washington.

Among the items being added to the First Ladies collection: a blue wool tweed dress and matching overcoat designed by Markarians Alexandra ONeill, which Biden wore to her husbands 2021 swearing-in ceremony, and an ivory silk wool dress with an embroidered cashmere coat by designer Gabriela Hearst that was sported at the evening inaugural festivities.

The Smithsonian said in a statement about the donations that the coordinating face masks Biden wore with her ensembles would also be featured, which mark the historic nature of the inauguration, conducted in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The museum said Bidens inaugural wardrobe would be installed in the popular exhibit  which features 27 dresses from first ladies including Jacqueline Kennedy, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, among others  immediately following the Wednesday ceremony and available for the public to view.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jon Rahm held off rookie Davis Thompson to win his second PGA Tour title this year with The American Express in La Quinta, California (Mark J Terrill/AP) (AP)

Jon Rahm held off rookie Davis Thompson to win his second PGA Tour title this year at The American Express in California.

The Spaniard will move up one spot in the world rankings to number three after he closed with a 4-under 68 to win by one stroke on Sunday at La Quinta.

Rahm and 23-year-old Thompson were tied with three holes to play when Thompson, who led through 36 holes and shared the lead with Rahm going into Sunday, pulled his drive into a deep fairway bunker on the par-five 16th and wound up with par. Rahm made birdie to take the lead.

On the par-3 17th, the American chose to leave the pin in for his 50-foot birdie putt on the island green, and the ball squarely hit the pin and rolled away.

The Georgia native showed visible frustration as he walked to the 18th tee after tapping in for par.

Rahm finished 27-under 261 and won for the ninth time on the PGA Tour.

The Spaniard has also now has won four of his last six starts  he won twice on the European tour at end of last year.

Scottie Scheffler closed with a 67 and tied for 11th. He narrowly missed a birdie putt on the final hole that would have allowed him to return to number one by a fraction of a point over Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.

The Briton and current world number one will make his 2023 debut in Dubai on the European tour next week.
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit by three former Whole Foods employees who said they had been illegally fired for opposing the upscale grocery chain's alleged discriminatory discipline of workers who wore "Black Lives Matter" masks.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston found little evidence to refute Whole Foods' "legitimate business explanations" for strictly enforcing the dress code, and no significant evidence it had targeted the plaintiffs by firing them in the summer of 2020.

"The evidence demonstrates only that Whole Foods did not strenuously enforce the dress code policy until mid-2020, and that when it increased enforcement, it did so uniformly," Burroughs wrote in a 28-page decision.

"This holding is not about the importance of the Black Lives Matter message, the value of plaintiffs' advocacy in wearing the masks, the valor of their speaking out against what they perceived to be discrimination in their workplace, or the quality of Whole Foods' decision-making," the judge added.

Whole Foods, part of Amazon.com Inc, has long maintained that its adopted its dress codewhich also covered visible slogans, logos and adsto foster a welcoming, safe and inclusive shopping environment.

Burroughs said the former employees Haley Evans, Savannah Kinzer and Christopher Michno could not claim protection from retaliation under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Whole Foods said it was pleased with the lawsuit's dismissal.

In June, the federal appeals court in Boston upheld Burroughs' February 2021 dismissal of a proposed class action over the dress code, though on somewhat different legal grounds than hers.

The Black Lives Matter movement started after police killed several Black people in the United States.

A video showing the May 2020 killing of George Floyd by a police officer sparked nationwide protests about racial injustice.

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Whole Foods had employed Evans in a Marlton, New Jersey, store, while Kinzer worked in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Michno in Berkeley, California.

The case is Kinzer et al v Whole Foods Market Inc, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, No. 20-11358.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler and Bradley Perrett)
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Arkansas man who famously was photographed putting his feet up on a desk inside then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol was convicted on eight counts by a Washington jury on Monday, the Justice Department said.

The guilty verdict against Richard "Bigo" Barnett came just a few days after he took the stand in his own defense - a risky move that has sometimes backfired for other defendants charged in connection with the Capitol riot.

Barnett, 62, of Gravette, Ark., was among one of the earliest people to be arrested after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election victory.

A photo of him with his feet propped up on a desk in Pelosi's office went viral in the days following the attack.

In a media interview after the attack, he was quoted as saying: "I put a quarter on her desk even though she aint fucking worth it. And I left her a note on her desk that says 'Nancy, Bigo was here, you Bitch.'"

He also took an envelope from the desk that was addressed to another member of Congress and digitally signed by Pelosi.

The jury convicted Barnett of eight crimes, including theft of government property and obstructing an official proceeding. Obstruction of an official proceeding can carry up to 20 years in prison.

In his testimony, Barnett acknowledged he behaved badly, but insisted he did not understand that Congress was certifying the electoral votes, and he claimed he did not realize he was in a restricted area, the Wall Street Journal reported.

In explaining the famous photograph, he told the jury: Thats how I sit at my desk at home, the newspaper reported.

Barnett, speaking outside the courthouse following the verdict, told reporters he did not get a fair trial because he did not have a jury of his "peers," according to video of his remarks from CBS News.

Asked what he meant by that, Barnett's lawyer said his client did not have a jury comprised of "people from Arkansas... or a jury that has a political composition of anything that's like the rest of the United States."

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; additional reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Four more members of the far-right Oath Keepers were found guilty on Monday of seditious conspiracy for taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump, in another big win for federal prosecutors.

The verdict marks the end of the second major sedition trial against members of the extremist group, who were among the hundreds who attacked the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory over Trump, a Republican, in the 2020 presidential election.

The 12-member jury found Oath Keeper members David Moerschel, Joseph Hackett, Roberto Minuta and Edward Vallejo guilty of seditious conspiracy.

All four were also found guilty of obstructing Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election, and for two other conspiracy charges in connection with the Capitol attack.

Seditious conspiracy is a rarely prosecuted Civil War-era law that prohibits plotting to overthrow or destroy the government and carries up to 20 years in prison.

A jury found Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and another Florida-based leader of the group guilty of seditious conspiracy in a separate trial in November.

Three other members in that trial were found not guilty of that charge, but all five defendants were found guilty of obstructing Congress from certifying the election.

Prosecutors have brought criminal charges against more than 950 people following the riot. Four people died during the chaos, and five police officers died of various causes after the attack.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta split the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy case into two separate trials due to space limitations and the risks of COVID-19 contagion.

In both trials, Rhodes' fiery rhetoric and inflammatory statements about "civil war" and "bloody war" took center stage, with prosecutors saying the other members were inspired to carry out his vision.

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A third seditious conspiracy trial against five members of the Proud Boys, another right-wing militant group, is ongoing.

Jurors heard testimony and evidence in the second Oath Keepers case for several weeks.

None of the four defendants played major leadership roles in the organization, and their attorneys have said there is no evidence they plotted to block certification of the election.

On the day of the attack, Moerschel, Hackett and Minuta all entered the Capitol clad in tactical gear.

Prosecutors said Minuta led a group of several Oath Keepers into the Capitol and clashed violently with police, all the while screaming it was "their building."

'STOP THE STEAL NONSENSE'

Scott Weinberg, an attorney for Moerschel, told reporters he believes it may have been easier for the defendants if they had been tried in the same trial with Rhodes because it would have been easier to point to him as the "real bad guy."

"Obviously, these men were swept up by the Stop the Steal nonsense that was pushed by the president," Weinberg added. "When you follow somebody blindly, you end up in a terrible situation."

Though all four defendants were found guilty of the most serious charges they faced, some were acquitted on others.

Jurors convicted Hackett of tampering with evidence, but acquitted him of destruction of federal property. Moerschel was acquitted on both charges, while Minuta was acquitted of tampering.

Vallejo was not charged with tampering or federal property destruction. He was accused of staying back at a hotel in Northern Virginia, where the Oath Keepers staged a "quick reaction force" that prosecutors said was equipped with firearms ready to be quickly transported into Washington.

All four men will be required to remain in home detention pending sentencing. Some are expected to appeal the verdict.

The trial featured testimony from law enforcement officials and several fellow Oath Keepers who had previously pleaded guilty to other crimes, who said they had acted to stop the vote count.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Andy Sullivan, Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot)
WALTERBORO, S.C.  Jury selection started Monday in Walterboro for the double murder trial of disbarred attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh, who is charged with killing his wife and son.

Murdaugh, part of a South Carolina legal dynasty, was charged with murder in connection to the 2021 shooting deaths of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty.

Public officials are preparing for crowds of journalists, legal personnel, and spectators to descend on the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro.

More than 200 people were brought in for questioning Monday as prosecutors and defense attorneys began the process of selecting 12 jurors and several alternates. The first round of questioning lasted nearly three hours and about 30 people qualified for the pool of potential jurors.

Jurors were asked if they knew anyone on the potential witness list, which includes law enforcement officers, first responders, attorneys, bankers, an accountant, members of Murdaugh's family, several of his former clients and people who may be victims of his alleged financial crimes.

Jury selection will likely take nearly two days and the trial is set to end Feb. 10, according to court officials.

Murdaugh, 54, is also facing more than 100 other charges related to alleged financial and drug crimes, as well as a dozen lawsuits. After jury selection, Judge Clifton Newman is expected to decide if evidence related to Murdaugh's alleged financial crimes or other "bad acts" is admissible in his murder trial.

State prosecutors are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Alex Murdaugh murder trial begins: What could happen in this historic case?

The Colleton County Courthouse is seen on Sunday, Jan. 22, which hundreds of guests will gather this week during the double murder trial of disbarred S.C. attorney Alex Murdaugh.

What we know about the killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh

Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh and her younger son Paul were killed by rifle and shotgun blasts at their family estate, Moselle, on June 7, 2021. Alex Murdaugh called 911 at 10:07 p.m. and told operators that he wasn't home at the time of the killings. Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey said both died of multiple gunshot wounds and estimated the time of death was between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

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Based on information gathered during the homicide investigation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division opened another investigation into the 2015 death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith, which was controversially ruled a hit-and-run.

State officials are set to announce criminal charges in the shooting deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, say family members.

For more than a year, SLED released little information about the Murdaugh family's deaths as Murdaugh was investigated, arrested and charged in connection with numerous other crimes. In July 2022, the Colleton County Grand Jury indicted Murdaugh on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in their deaths.

Prosecutors alleged in December that Murdaugh killed his family to gain sympathy and distract from his alleged financial crimes. Murdaugh's attorneys claimed in court documents he was visiting his ailing mother in Almeda at the time of the killings.

Who is Alex Murdaugh?

Murdaugh worked at his familys personal injury law firm in Hampton, South Carolina. He announced he would resign and enter rehab in September 2021 and a week later SLED opened an investigation into accusations he misappropriated funds.

For three generations, Murdaugh's family developed legal and political power as back-to-back solicitors of the 14th Judicial Circuit. A portrait of Murdaugh's grandfather, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr., who served as 14th Circuit solicitor for 46 years, will be removed from the courthouse before the trial begins, according to court officials.

Who is the real Alex Murdaugh:The man who wrecked a South Carolina legal dynasty

Alex Murdaugh appeared at his bond hearing in the Richland County Courthouse on Oct. 19, 2021.

Murdaugh's other legal troubles

Murdaugh has been indicted on dozens of other charges related to alleged crimes including drug trafficking, tax evasion and stealing more than $8.7 million from clients and fellow attorneys. The allegations involve more than a decade of criminal acts and numerous alleged victims.

Investigators said Murdaugh tried to get a former client to kill him so his surviving son would get a $10 million life insurance payment and charged him with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a police report. He was shot and suffered a skull fracture but survived the incident.

Murdaugh is also facing two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses for allegedly misappropriating settlement funds after the death of his housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.

He is also facing multiple lawsuits. Murdaugh has agreed to sign a $4.3 million confession of judgment in a lawsuit involved Satterfield's family. A tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit over the death of Mallory Beach, 19, who died after Paul Murdaugh allegedly crashed his family's boat in 2019, The State reported.

Murdaugh murder trial sparks cottage industry in small town

In anticipation of the major influx of journalists, attorneys and spectators, Walterboro city officials invited local entrepreneurs to set up food trucks nearby.

Meanwhile, residents in the area looked for ways to either accommodate the crowds or capitalize on the situation. The Colleton County Clerk of Court website advertised office space for rent. City residents turned their homes into Airbnbs, and nearby businesses sold parking spaces for as much as $40 a day.

Dig deeper

Contributing: The Associated Press

Contact Breaking News Reporter N'dea Yancey-Bragg at nyanceybra@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @NdeaYanceyBragg

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Murdaugh trial: Jury selection begins in ex-lawyer's murder trial
Jury selection began Monday for the trial of a man who served as a Wichita Falls police officer and is accused of theft, according to court documents.

Ralph Ryan Piper, 47, faces trial this week in 30th District Court for a charge of theft from $20,000 to $100,000, according to court documents.

Piper is accused of unlawfully appropriating money in connection with a Feb. 10, 2014, incident involving AT&T, according to allegations in court documents.

This state of Texas emblem hangs in the Wichita County Courthouse.

The third-degree felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Piper has requested the judge assess his punishment in case of a guilty verdict.

Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A more serious charge of money laundering $200,000 or more on March 20, 2014, in connection with an alleged kickback scheme was dismissed Monday at the request of Special Prosecutor Ted Steinke, court records show.

The first-degree felony is punishable by up to life in prison.

The Times Record News reached out to city officials Monday for information about Piper's current status regarding the Wichita Falls Police Department.

Piper has been suspended without pay from the WFPD for six years.

More:WFISD not publicly releasing details of intruder detection report

Not much information is available about the nature of the charge still standing against Piper in case records.

A Wichita County grand jury handed down the latest indictment against him July 31, 2019, with one count of now-dismissed money laundering and one count of theft.

Piper was booked into Wichita County Jail Aug. 7, 2019, and has been free on $50,000 in cash bonds, according to online jail records.

Ralph Piper is seen Tuesday morning at the Wichita County Courthouse.

The state's witness list includes Texas Ranger Toby Catlin; Louis Oliveri, AT&T lead investigator-asset protection; Richard Redford of Aspen Elevator Co.; George Michael Wade and Christy Lynn Wade, court documents show.

A Nov. 2, 2022, letter from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to the Wichita County District Clerk's Office sought information regarding an Aug. 6, 2019, arrest of Piper, court documents show.

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TCOLE oversees the licensing of peace officers and jailers, and Piper was registered as a licensed peace officer, jailer or telecommunicator, court documents show.

The trial continued Tuesday at the Wichita County Courthouse. Check online at www.timesrecordnews.com for the latest information on this story.

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Jury selection begins in theft trial for man who served as officer
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Someone scammed U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's reelection campaign out of $690,000 by getting the Kansas Republican's accounting firm to wire the money to fraudulent bank accounts, his office said Monday.

Moran's campaign treasurer, Timothy Gottschalk, notified the Federal Election Commission by electronic letter Dec. 8 of fraudulent activity by a third-party cyber-criminal. The letter said that after the campaign notified a local sheriff's office on Nov. 16, eight days after the general election, the case was forwarded to the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The letter said the campaign received two fraudulent invoices that appeared to be from SRCP Media Inc., a Washington area company hired to handle Moran's broadcast advertising. The letter said the campaign organization wired $345,000 on Oct. 25 and another $345,000 on Nov. 9.

As soon as a discrepancy was realized, it was reported to law enforcement, Moran spokesman Tom Brandt said in an email Monday. We are currently pursuing all avenues available to recover the money and there is an ongoing investigation with the FBI.

The campaign's electronic letter to the FEC said that as of Dec. 8, the campaign had recovered $168,184. The letter was first reported by the RawStory website last week.

The FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, said Bridget Patton, its spokesperson in Kansas City, Missouri. Representatives of the KBI and SRCP did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment.

Moran won his third six-year term in the Senate in November with 60% of the vote against Democrat Mark Holland, a former Kansas City, Kansas, mayor. His reelection campaign raised more than $7.3 million and spent more than $5.1 million through Nov. 28, according to a finance report it filed with the FEC, also on Dec. 8.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
Stephen Tyler Clayton was sentenced to 14 months in prison after accepting a plea deal on Monday.

While Clayton pled guilty to raping three women, his plea combined three rape charges into one charge of rape and one charge of assault.

Clayton was sentenced to 14 months in prison, 36 months under community custody, and will have to register as a sex offender.

This case has consumed our lives, and what do we have to show for it other than a sorry excuse for a plea deal? Alissa Drowns, one of Claytons victims, said in court on Monday. Nothing is ever going to be the same for our family.

Kitsap County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Anna Aruiza called Clayton a sexual predator in court on Monday. She said the state had to seriously consider a plea deal to secure a conviction.

Aruiza previously stated the mental instability and lack of cooperation of some victims could make it hard to convict Clayton in a trial, as reported by the Kitsap Daily News.

Which one of us doesnt matter? Drowns, who claimed the legal system was using our mental abuse against us, said in court on Monday.

Before Mondays court hearing, several protestors demonstrated against the plea deal outside the Kitsap County Courthouse. Some wore shirts reading, Rape does not equal 12 months.

Hes raped three people, and hes only seeing one count of rape, one count of assault. So which victim doesnt matter? Jessica Rice, a local mother who joined protestors on Monday, said. We need to be able to hold these criminals accountable and have consequences, or what does that mean? Hes just going to get out and go do it again.
Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Pelmons attend the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 23, 2023 in Paris, France.

Marc Piasecki/WireImage Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons

Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons are one fashionable pair.

The actor couple took in the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2023 show in Paris on Monday, sitting front row at the display during Paris Fashion Week.

Dunst, 40, looked chic in a pair of high-waisted tan trousers, a long-sleeved black shirt with a ruffled trim and black suspenders, finishing the look in black pointed-toed shoes and wearing her blonde locks in a chic bob.

Plemons, 34, sported a charcoal-gray suit over a navy-blue T-shirt, adding shiny black shoes to the ensemble, with his hair cut short.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst attend the Christian Dior front row during Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 on January 23, 2023 in Paris, France.

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst

RELATED: Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons' Relationship Timeline

The outing comes six months after the Power of the Dog costars quietly married at the GoldenEye luxury resort near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, according to Page Six.

The duo met on set, having first worked together in 2015 when they played a married couple during season 2 of the FX hit series Fargo.

"I knew that she would be in my life for a long time," Plemons told The New York Times about working with Dunst for the first time.

Dunst added that they bonded over being former kid stars: "We laugh about the fact that we were two child actors, and we both made it out okay."

RELATED VIDEO: Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons: A Love Story

Though their romantic relationship didn't develop until about a year and a half after working together on Fargo, Dunst and Plemons have packed in several milestone moments together since they officially started dating.

After getting engaged in 2017, they welcomed two sons  Ennis and James, in May 2018 and summer 2021, respectively  before tying the knot this past July, adding to a banner year that also included respective first-time Oscar nominations, for their roles in The Power of the Dog.

Dunst previously noted to the Los Angeles Times earlier last year that although she and Plemons "call each other husband and wife," they hadn't gotten married yet and hadn't even planned the wedding.

"We have to get married at this point. It's ridiculous. We just haven't planned a wedding," she said in February 2022, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and their second pregnancy as roadblocks on the way to the altar. "I didn't want to be pregnant, get married, have a party and not be able to have fun with everybody."
Kuwait (Reuters) -Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah on Monday submitted the resignation of his cabinet to the country's crown prince, state news agency KUNA reported, in the latest standoff between government and the elected parliament.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who has taken over most of the emir's duties, last year named Sheikh Ahmad as premier and called early legislative polls after dissolving the previous parliament to end feuding that impeded fiscal reforms.

Tensions recently resurfaced between parliament and the government, sworn in last October, as lawmakers pressed for a debt relief bill, under which the state would buy Kuwaiti citizen's personal loans, and sought to question two ministers.

The prime minister submitted the government's resignation to the crown prince "as a result of what has become of the relationship between the executive and legislative authorities", KUNA cited a cabinet statement as saying.

Parliament had been scheduled to convene on Tuesday.

MP Shuaib Al Muwaizri, head of parliament's financial and economic affairs committee, had said in a Twitter post on Sunday that personal debt relief would remain on the table until the government "officially presents just alternatives" to increase wages, pensions and social assistance for Kuwaitis.

The wealthy Gulf oil-producing nation has been trying to strengthen its state finances as part of structural reforms, including a debt law that would allow the state to tap international markets but which has faced legislative gridlock.

Political bickering has for years hampered investment and reforms in Kuwait, which is heavily dependent on oil revenues, has an expansive welfare system and a public sector that employs roughly 80% of its citizens. Kuwaitis account for less than a third of the population of 4.6 million people.

Opposition figures made big gains in September parliamentary polls in the country, which bans political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies.

Kuwait's leadership has tried to overcome political discord by responding to key opposition demands including granting amnesties to political dissidents, clamping down on perceived corruption and restructuring some key institutions.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy in Kuwait and Nayera Abdallah in Cairo; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Hugh Lawson)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Kuwait's government resigned on Monday amid a power struggle with the Arab Gulf country's assembly less than four months after parliamentary elections delivered a mandate for change.

The state-run KUNA news agency confirmed the resignation, which had earlier been reported by local media, without providing further details. It's the fifth time a Kuwaiti government has resigned in just over two years.

The government, which is appointed by the ruling family, has been in a prolonged power struggle with the elected assembly. They had recently clashed over the assembly's advancement of populist measures that the government deems too costly, as well as requests to grill two ministers over alleged economic mismanagement, local media reported.

Kuwait has the freest and most active assembly in the Persian Gulf, but political power is still concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, which appoints the prime minister and Cabinet, and can dissolve the assembly at any time.

In September, voters sent conservative Islamist figures and two women to the assembly in the second election in less than two years. The election results were seen as a mandate for change amid a prolonged period of gridlock between the Cabinet and the 50-member assembly.

Kuwaits Islamist opposition accuses the government of graft and mismanagement, frequently grilling ministers over their involvement in the misallocation of public funds.

The squabbling has prevented the assembly from passing basic economic reforms, including a public debt law that would allow the government to borrow money, leading to the depletion of its general reserve fund despite its vast oil wealth.

Kuwait, which borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq, has the worlds sixth-largest known oil reserves and hosts some 13,500 American troops.